Interview: China's development crucial for world, says former Croatian lawmaker

Xinhua) 09:35, November 26, 2025

ZAGREB, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- China's upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan is crucial for the country's stable, long-term development, and carries great significance for the global economy, a former Croatian official has said.

China's Five-Year Plans demonstrate the importance of long-term planning, Davorko Vidovic, former deputy speaker of the Croatian Parliament, told Xinhua in an interview.

The past decades have shown that the under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the country has been making remarkable progress toward modernization and realized victory on major projects such as the fight against poverty, he said.

As the world's second-largest economy and a key engine for the global economy, China, with its 15th Five-Year Plan, "is crucial for the world," Vidovic said.

China is taking the lead in technology and innovation across multiple sectors, and "is advancing at an extraordinary pace, making major strides in cutting-edge technologies, with knowledge playing a key role in those breakthroughs," Vidovic said.

Vidovic, a frequent visitor to China, said he has been "deeply impressed" by the country's rapid advances in science and technology. He recalled taking a high-speed train from Beijing to Hefei in the southern province of Anhui last year, calling the trip "an incredible experience."

"It was a very fast, safe and comfortable ride," he said, adding that the scenery along the way left a lasting impression on him.

He highlighted China's drive for green development, saying the country is now prioritizing high-quality, environmentally sustainable growth, another key focus of the 15th Five-Year Plan in the making.

Citing the Peljesac Bridge and the Senj wind farm as examples of successful, win-win cooperation between the two nations, Vidovic hailed China for advocating for multilateralism and its willingness to share its development opportunities with other countries, including Croatia.

"I believe that there is still much more room for bilateral cooperation. Solutions and technological expertise from China can certainly be applied on a much larger scale," he added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Feature: China's BRI-backed hydropower station in Cambodia provides clean energy, transforms lives of local villagers

Xinhua) 16:09, November 26, 2025

STUNG TRENG, Cambodia, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian relocated villager Laing Nuth has expressed her satisfaction with the development of the Lower Sesan II hydropower station here, saying that the project has not only generated clean and reliable energy, but also significantly changed the lives of local residents.

Situated in northern Stung Treng province's Sesan district, the 400-megawatt Lower Sesan II hydropower station, which was put into operation in 2018, is a joint venture among China's Huaneng Hydrolancang International Energy, Cambodia's Royal Group, and Vietnamese EVN International Joint Stock Company.

It is one of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) flagship projects carried out in the Southeast Asian country.

Nuth, who has been relocated to the new Srekor 1 village in 2017 to pave the way for the development of the hydropower dam, said the project has transformed her life and other resettled villagers' lives.

She said the hydropower company had constructed a decent house for each resettled family, given each of them a five-hectare piece of farmland, and some compensation for the damage to their farm crops in their old villages.

Nuth currently plants cashew and casava crops on her farmland and earns a proper revenue to support her family.

"When we lived in the old village, there was little development, but when we moved here, there are a lot of changes," she told Xinhua in a recent interview.

She added that in the old village, the villagers used battery-powered lamps or kerosene-burning lamps.

"Here, there are roads, stable electricity...and I would say that our livelihoods here are better than that in the old village," the 43-year-old mother of two children said.

"In each harvest season, I could earn about 15 million riels (3,750 U.S. dollars)," she said.

Meanwhile, Nuth said the company has protected environment well, taking care of both the environment at the hydropower dam and in local villages.

She observed that the hydropower company has also built a 2,900-meter-long fishway to serve as the path for fish migration.

Sum Baiyorn, another relocated villager to the new Srekor 1 village, said the dam project has not only secured energy security, but also provided a lot of benefits to local residents.

"At the old Srekor village, the roads were difficult to access, and there was no electricity, while at this new village, there are police stations, health centers, schools, electricity and clean water, among others," she told Xinhua.

"I'm very happy with what I've received from the royal government and the hydropower company," she added.

Baiyorn said that at the new village, because of competitive electricity costs, some villagers have experienced something new, such as using air-cons and refrigerators, which they had never imagined at the old village due to no electricity.

"If there was no this hydropower station, we must be still living in difficulty, using kerosene-burning lamps or battery-powered lamps," the 35-year-old mother of four children said.

Sim Chorn, deputy chief of Srekor 1 village, said the village has a total of 522 families with 1,872 villagers.

"They, about 60 percent, make their livings by growing rice and other crops, particularly cashew and cassava," he told Xinhua. "At this new Srekor village, more than 80 percent of the villagers have enjoyed their better livelihoods."

Chorn recounted that at the old village, almost 100 percent of the households used kerosene-burning lamps.

"If we were still in the old Srekor village, we would not have access to such a stable electricity," he added.

Pan Qi, a Chinese staff member at the Lower Sesan II hydropower station, said the company has adhered to the principle of building a power station to drive local economic development, protect the environment, benefit the local people, and share the fruits of harmonious development.

"Here, we've built a basic resettlement village. Within this village, we've constructed public facilities such as hospitals and schools, providing convenient transportation and power supply facilities to serve the entire resettlement village, making life better," he told Xinhua.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Bid submitted to develop dentistry education in North and Mid Wales amid dental crisis

A bid to develop dentistry education across north and mid Wales amid a deepening urgent dental care crisis has been welcomed.

Politicians and academics embraced the news that Bangor University and Aberystwyth University have jointly submitted a high-level proposal to the Welsh Government.

It outlines a co-led school delivering dental education to strengthen primary and community dental care in rural and Welsh-speaking communities.

A statement on Bangor Universitys website, recently said: Working with the health boards and Cardiff University, the aim of the high-level plan is to create new dental training opportunities, addressing the need for enhanced dental education and services in north and mid Wales.

The School, jointly led by Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities, would involve establishing dental education centres across the two regions, managed by both universities.The plan is to focus on the needs of primary and community dental care across rural and semi-rural Wales, including the needs of Welsh speakers.

The new dental school would benefit from the current provision at both Universities, including Bangor Universitys North Wales Medical School and School of Health Science portfolios of health and dental programmes, and Aberystwyth Universitys expertise in nursing education and rural health.

Plaid Cymru representatives welcomed the move, which comes after the Arfon MS Sian Gwenllian sustained a long running campaign for a Bangor based dental school.

Mrs Gwenllian had commissioned the Filling the Gaps report in September 2024, evidencing the academic, clinical, and economic rationale for a Bangor-based dental school.

In November, 2024 she launched a public petition calling on the Welsh Government to act, and in January 2025 she led a Senedd debate securing cross-party support for progressing a formal strategic case.

Her office said it was her continued work that kept the urgency of the dental workforce crisis firmly on the national agenda.

The university plans will build on Bangors established medical and health-science strengths and Aberystwyths expertise in nursing and rural health.

Sian Gwenllian MS said I warmly welcome this joint proposal.

My report made clear that expanding dental training in Bangor is the logical and necessary step  if working with Aberystwyth helps accelerate progress, all the better.

The case is undeniable, the dental crisis in the north is deepening, and we now need bold, collaborative action to deliver the workforce our communities deserve.

Ynys Mon MS and Plaid leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth said: At a time of crisis for dentistry across Wales, the joint proposal put forward by Bangor University and Aberystwyth University is an exciting and welcomed development.

My Plaid Cymru colleagues and I in north Wales will continue working closely with the universities and other stakeholders to ensure these plans come to fruition.

Elin Jones, Senedd Llywydd and MS for Ceredigion, said: Its great to see work on creating another Welsh dental school getting closer to becoming a reality.

We are all familiar with issues facing dentistry in Wales. In Ceredigion and mid Wales, we currently have very limited access to NHS dentists, with hardly any able to take on new patients.

Through our conversations with the university, in the next few years we will be able to train more dentists in Wales and increase the number of Welsh-speaking dentists as well.

Bangor Universitys Vice-Provost and Head of the College of Medicine & Health, Professor Mike Larvin, said:

We are at a very early stage in our planning, but the University is wholeheartedly committed to developing the Dental School in north and mid Wales.

We have strengthened our offer of both facilities and academic capacity to support our expansion of Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy programmes, developed in collaboration with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and private dental providers.

The funding environment is very challenging and we are working with the Welsh Government so that, when policy and funding environments permit, we are prepared to rapidly implement our proposals.

Professor Iain Barber, Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Sciences at Aberystwyth University, said: We are very proud to be working with our partners on this development which is so important to communities in the north and in mid Wales.

There is a well-recognised long-standing shortage of dental professionals in our local communities.

We know that this proposal could make a difference  evidence from the medical profession shows a strong link between where students train and where they choose to practice.

Professor Nicola Innes, Head of Cardiff Universitys School of Dentistry said: We welcome the opportunity to contribute to initial plans to develop a new Dental School in Wales.

Like with the establishment of the North Wales Medical School, we will work with other Welsh universities and partners to ensure training opportunities are available in other parts of Wales.

By Dale Spridgeon  BBC Local Democracy Reporter
Concerns raised over housing for ex-prisoners leaving HMP Berwyn

Plaid Cymru MS Llyr Gruffydd has raised concerns that proposed changes to housing legislation could result in more prisoners released from HMP Berwyn seeking accommodation in the Wrexham area.

Speaking in the Senedd, the North Wales MS said the Housing (Wales) Bill appeared to treat all Welsh prisoners as having a local connection to any part of Wales, regardless of where they lived before custody.

HMP Berwyn on the Wrexham Industrial Estate is the largest prison in the UK. It houses around 1,900 prisoners, around a third of whom are from Wales.

Mr Gruffydd said there are concerns that the Bill will put additional pressure on housing services if prisoners leaving Berwyn were able to claim priority locally.

Addressing Housing Minister Jane Bryant, Mr Gruffydd said: At present, released prisoners have priority in terms of housing in their local authority area, but concerns have been raised with me that, under proposed new legislation, that will change so that all Welsh prisoners will be designated as local to Wales, regardless of where theyre from.

Can you clarify whether thats the case? If it is, could you ensure that councils such as Wrexham dont face an influx of ex-prisoners leaving Berwyn and claiming a local connection for housing priority there?

The minister said there was no legislative requirement to prioritise ex-prisoners for social housing, adding that allocation policies were set by individual local authorities under the Housing Act 1996.

She said: For people in custody, under the Bill, it will be possible for local authorities to make local connection referrals earlier in the process than they currently do. Earlier referrals will help reduce the stress and disruption for applicants and services, and provide all parties with clarity around responsibility.

Earlier referral and communication between the HM Prison and Probation Service and local authorities will reduce the likelihood of a placement in a bed and breakfast upon release.

The issue of appropriate accommodation for high-risk people leaving custody, we know, is complex. But in terms of the local connection, its a different aspect to what was discussed in the White Paper earlier on.

Ms Bryant added that she would write to Mr Gruffydd to clarify the issue, acknowledging confusion around the terminology of local connection.

Speaking after the debate, Mr Gruffydd said: Theres already a real pressure for social housing in areas such as Wrexham and housing officers have raised concerns that any prisoner from Wales being released from HMP Berwyn could, under the proposed new legislation, choose to stay in the locality and put added pressure on services.

I have to say that the response from the minister completely failed to address the issue and Im hoping that the written response shes promised will provide the answers for the local authority.
An item served at lunch on Tuesday at Washoe County School District elementary schools was found to contain small glass-like objects, with one student reporting an injury.

The food found to contain the objects was frozen and reheated tater tots, according to a release from the district.

One student reported a minor cut to their finger, but no other injuries have been reported.

The district has started an investigation, and WCSD Nutrition Services has ordered all schools to immediately remove all tater tots.

The district also notified the national distributor and vendor who provided the food.

Staff at 12 elementary schools reported the objects, according to the district. There are currently no reports of any other schools being affected.

The 12 schools where the objects were found are listed below.

Esther Bennett

Rita Cannan

Roger Corbett

Desert Heights

Florence Drake

Nancy Gomes

Dorothy Lemelson

Bernice Mathews

Virginia Palmer

Silver Lake

Stead

Kate Smith

Investigation into this incident is ongoing.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)  Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader announced Wednesday that he has authorized the U.S. government to operate inside restricted areas in the Caribbean country to help in its fight against drug trafficking.

For a limited time, the U.S. can refuel aircraft and transport equipment and technical personnel at restricted areas within the San Isidro Air Base and Las Americas International Airport, said Abinader, who made the announcement with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at his side.

Hegseth was in Santo Domingo Wednesday to meet with the countrys top leaders, including Abinader and Minister of Defense Lt. Gen. Carlos Antonio Fernandez Onofre.

It is the first major public agreement that the U.S. has struck with a Caribbean nation as it seeks friendly allies to support its attacks against alleged drug-smuggling boats in the region and beyond. Since the strikes began in early September, at least 83 people have been killed.

Hegseth said the Dominican Republic was a regional leader willing to take on hard challenges.

Thats why Im here today. Thats why we decided to come here first, he said. The Dominican Republic has stepped up.

Hegseth said the U.S. would respect the Caribbean countrys sovereignty and laws as U.S. service members and aircraft prepare to deploy to the Dominican Republic. He did not provide additional details.

Meanwhile, Abinader said the scope of the agreement is technical, limited, and temporary.

The purpose is clear: to strengthen the air and maritime protection ring maintained by our Armed Forces, a decisive reinforcement to prevent the entry of narcotics and to strike a more decisive blow against transnational organized crime, he said.

After a news conference where no questions were allowed, the office of the president issued a statement with more details, noting that several KC-135 tanker aircraft would be present to support air patrol missions, expanding monitoring and interdiction capabilities over a large portion of the maritime and air domains.

They would also provide refueling services to aircraft from partner countries, thus ensuring sustained operations for monitoring, detecting, and tracking verified illicit smuggling activities, according to the statement.

Additionally, C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft would facilitate aeromedical evacuations, firefighting, weather reconnaissance, and disaster relief, the office said.

Abinader noted that the Dominican Republic has seized nearly 10 times more drugs per year in the past five years than in the previous decade thanks to close collaboration with the U.S.

Our country faces a real threat, a threat that knows no borders, no flags, that destroys families, and that has been trying to use our territory for decades," he said. "That threat is drug trafficking, and no country can or should confront it without allies.

Hegseth praised Abinader, saying that the Dominican Republic understands the importance of standing up to narco-terrorists and narco-traffickers who flood our countries with drugs and violence.

Were deadly serious about this mission, Hegseth said, asserting that the U.S. has the best intelligence, lawyers and process. We knowwhere theyre leaving from, where theyre going, what theyre bringing, what their intentions are, who they represent.

Some experts believe the ongoing strikes are a tactic to try and pressure Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to step down given that the U.S. military has built up its largest presence in the region in generations.

Hegseths visit comes a day after Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and U.S. President Donald Trumps primary military adviser, met with Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

The prime minister has praised the strikes, drawing criticism ever since stating in early September that she had no sympathy for drug traffickers and that the U.S. military should kill them all violently.

On Wednesday, Persad-Bissessar told reporters that U.S. marines were recently in the twin-island nation to do some work at an airport roadway and to train with local soldiers.

They are not here on the ground, she said. We are not about to launch any campaign against Venezuela.

She said that Trinidad has not been asked to be a base for any attack against Venezuela, and that Venezuela was not mentioned in conversations with the U.S. on Tuesday.

Trinidad and Tobago is just a few miles away from Venezuela.

Prior to visiting Trinidad and Tobago, Caine stopped by the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico to visit American troops there and boarded at least one U.S. Navy ship.

Caine and Hegseth had previously traveled to Puerto Rico in September.

Earlier this year, the U.S. approached the tiny Caribbean island of Grenada with a request.

Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell told Parliament earlier this month that any decision possibly allowing the Trump administration to install a temporary radar at the island's international airport will not be a secret, nor will it be one that violates domestic or international laws.

No public announcement has been made since then.

Associated Press reporter Anselm Gibbs in Trinidad and Tobago contributed to this report.

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP)  Israel handed over the bodies of 15 Palestinians on Wednesday, a day after Hamas returned the remains of an Israeli hostage. This is the latest exchange as part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire reached last month, whose first phase is winding down even as violence continues in Palestinian territories.

The remains of two hostages, one Israeli and a Thai national who were abducted in the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel that ignited the war, are still to be returned.

Hamas said it's committed to handing them over even though the recovery is made difficult by widespread destruction in Gaza, while Israel has accused the militants of stalling after the last living hostages were released on Oct. 13 during the most urgent phase of the ceasefire.

Turkish, Qatari and Egyptian mediators met in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss the second phase of the ceasefire.

That is expected to include deploying an armed International Stabilization Force, tasked with ensuring the disarmament of Hamas, a key demand of Israel, and developing an international body to govern Gaza and oversee reconstruction.

But major questions hang over nearly every part of the plan and the time frame for implementation of the fragile ceasefire that has held despite accusations of violations by both sides.

Separately, Israels military said Wednesday that it conducted airstrikes and a broad counterterrorism operation in the northern part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. It said the operation followed the killing of three terrorists who took part in terror attacks against IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians.

Palestinian bodies returned and hostage remains identified

According to the ceasefire, Israel has agreed to return 15 Palestinian bodies for each hostage recovered. So far, 345 bodies have been returned, said the Gaza Health Ministry. It is unclear if they were people killed in Israel during the Oct. 7 attack, Palestinian detainees who died in Israeli custody or bodies taken from Gaza by Israeli troops during the war.

Meanwhile, Israel mourned the latest hostage to be returned by the Palestinian militants, Dror Or. Israels military said Or and his wife, Yonat Or, were killed by militants who overran their community of Kibbutz Beeri on Oct. 7, 2023.

Before they were killed, the couple evacuated two of their children, Alma and Noam, from their burning house through a window, said the Hostages Families Forum. The children were abducted by the militants and released in a hostage deal in November 2023.

The forum remembered Or as a devoted father and talented cheesemaker who spent years working at the Beeri dairy, eventually managing it.

In total, Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people across southern Israel and abducted 251 to Gaza in their attack.

More shootings in Gaza, military and health officials say

Israeli troops opened fire Wednesday on a group of people in central Gaza, killing a Palestinian man and wounding at least two others, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, which received the casualties.

Israels military said it did not have enough information about the incident to comment.

Also Wednesday, the military said its troops targeted a group of six militants in the southern city of Rafah, killing one. The military statement said that the militants had most likely emerged from the underground terror infrastructure in the area. Troops then searched a nearby building, killing three more and apprehending two, it said.

Later on Wednesday, the military said troops had killed two terrorists  one a member of Islamic Jihad  who had approached the IDF in two separate incidents in southern Gaza.

The Gaza Health Ministry said at least 69,775 Palestinians have been killed  345 Palestinians since the ceasefire  and 170,863 injured in Israels offensive in Gaza. It does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures, but has said women and children make up a majority of those killed. The ministry is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by independent experts.

Unrest continues in the West Bank

An Israeli military operation took place on Wednesday in the governorate of Tubas in the West Bank.

Gov. Ahmad Al-Asaad said the operation involved Apache helicopters and military vehicles, saying Tubas was essentially cut off by Israeli troops.

This military operation is a prelude to annexation, and since the early hours of the morning, we have activated the central emergency committee to respond to the citizens distress call in the Tubas Governorate, he said.

The IDF said its operation  which included the Air Force striking to isolate and contain the area  was a response to attempts to establish terrorist strongholds and construction of terror infrastructures in the area.

Last week, Israels prime minister met with top security officials to discuss a rising tide of Israeli settler violence in the West Bank, which Israel captured alongside Gaza and east Jerusalem in the 1967 war and Palestinians see as central to a future state.

A few days earlier, Palestinian attackers stabbed an Israeli to death and wounded three more before being shot down by troops in the latest violence to rock the occupied territory.

Officials have warned that the unrest could spill over and undermine the fragile truce in Gaza.

Turkish, Qatari and Egyptian officials meet on ceasefire

Turkeys intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin met in Cairo on Tuesday with Qatars Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egypts intelligence chief Hasan Reshat to discuss advancing to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, a Turkish security official said.

The talks also centered on intensifying joint efforts with the United States to strengthen the truce, according to the official who requested anonymity in line with Turkish regulations.

Indonesia, the worlds largest Muslim-majority nation with a long experience in U.N. peacekeeping missions, is among the countries the U.S. has discussed the ISF plan with, in addition to Azerbaijan, Egypt and Qatar.

On Tuesday, Gen. Agus Subianto, Chief of the Indonesian Armed Forces, said theyre in the selection phase for the peacekeeping force."

Pope Leo XIV to visit the region

On Thursday, Pope Leo XIV is expected to take his first foreign trip, traveling first to various sites in Turkey and then to Beirut, Lebanon. Israel struck Lebanons capital on Sunday, killing Hezbollahs chief of staff Haytham Tabtabai and warning the Iran-backed militant group not to rearm and rebuild.

___

Frankel reported from Jerusalem and Magdy reported from Cairo, Egypt. Associated Press video journalist Jalal Bwaitel in Tubas West Bank, and AP writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, and Niniek Karmini in Jakarta, Indonesia contributed to this report.
Students in Washoe County roll out food truck to feed youth in need this Thanksgiving
Black Friday is the spectre of Thanksgiving, a day devoted to spending money that starts within mere hours of one dedicated to gratitude.

But it doesnt have to be.

This year, instead of joining the frenzy of American capitalism on November 28th, do something for yourself instead: get outside. These five Bay Area hikes will help remind you what the holidays are really all about (hint: its not shopping).

And if you just can't skip the tradition, shop local! Our Holiday Gift Guide has plenty of ideas from Bay Area brands and shops for everyone on your list.

Sweeney Ridge in the GGNRA (Courtesy of @lunalynchart)

Sweeney Ridge Trail, Golden Gate National Recreation Area (5 to 6 miles out-and-back)

History was made on what is today the Sweeney Ridge Trail in the southern section of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The first, a stone monument commemorating the location where the 60-man expedition led by Captain Gaspar de Portola first sighted the San Francisco Bay in 1769, is easy to miss. The second, Nike Missile Site SF-51, a Cold Warera battery now abandoned and covered in graffiti, is a little more obvious. To see them both, you can either start from the Skyline College parking lot and hike the Notch Trail south to the Sweeney Ridge Trail or start at the parking lot at Shelldance Nursery, taking the Mori Ridge Trail to the Sweeney Ridge Trail. Both are easy-to-follow and around five to six miles long, out-and-back. // 3660 Sneath Ln (San Bruno), nps.gov





Engelsmans Loop Trail, Wilder Ranch State Park (4-mile loop)

Wilder Ranch State Park in Santa Cruz celebrates its early 20th century ranch and dairy history on the reg, but it's only on the trail that you'll find evidence of the area's once important role in the lime manufacturing industry. Lime kilns operated here from around 1858 to 1909, and remains of the structures are still visible near the trails on the eastern side of the park. From the parking area, head up the right (east) side of the Engelsmans Loop trail. At the junction of Engelsmans and the Long Meadow Trail, a short, unmarked trail will lead you to the historic ruins. When you're done snooping around, take a second detour onto Old Cabin Trail near the junction to see the remains of several old logging cabins. Backtrack to the junction and then return south on the Engelsmans Loop Trail towards the coast to complete the approximately four-mile hike. // 1401 Coast Rd (Santa Cruz), parks.ca.gov





Meadowlark Trail to Woodland Star Trail, Enid Pearson-Arastradero Preserve (4-mile loop)

This four-mile hike, which starts and ends at Rossottis Alpine Inn , a Gold Rushera saloon in Woodside, is all the better for the pizza and beer that awaits you at the end. Park in the Alpine's massive dirt lot, then walk back past the entrance on Alpine Road and turn right on Arastradero Road. Go another couple hundred feet to turn right on John Marthens Lane then walk up it about a quarter mile until you reach the Meadowlark Trailhead . Follow the Meadowlark Trail to the Acorn Trail, where the Meadowlark disappears briefly before reappearing on your left. Pick the Meadowlark back up and continue until reaching the Juan Bautista de Anza Trail. Turn left here and follow it until you find the Woodland Star Trail. From here it's just a little over a half mile back to the Meadowlark Trailhead and the road to lunch. // 3915 Alpine Rd. (Portola Valley), alltrails.com

El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve (Courtesy of @delairious)

Resolution Trail, El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve (5.4-mile loop)

In 1953, a plane went down in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The most deadly aviation accident in the countrys history at the time, 20 years later the crash site was enveloped in a new 3,000-acre park, El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve . Named for the fated flight, the Resolution Trail careens for 5.4 miles through foothills shaded in evergreen and redwood. Start the clockwise loop at the Fir Trailhead near the Skeggs Point Parking Area. I wont tell you exactly whats there but youll find it between miles one and two. Youre not supposed to leave the trail and you definitely shouldnt touch anything but a good, long look wont hurt. // 15463 CA-35 (Redwood City), alltrails.com





Belgum to San Pablo Ridge to Wildcat Canyon, Wildcat Canyon (9.1-mile loop)
Is it too soon to be planning a post-holiday escape? Festive gatherings, gift giving, and family time are all greatbut they can also be a lot.

Oahuespecially the legendary beach of Waikikiis experiencing a wave of high-profile openings and renewed interest from U.S. travelers: Travel + Leisure readers just voted it one of the top U.S. cities; Delta Airlines recently said Honolulu was one of their most searched domestic travel destinations this year; and Hawaiian Airlines has announced more flights between Honolulu and several U.S. cities.

If youre not convinced yet, check out what else is new in Waikiki this winter.

Where to Stay in Waikiki The Backyard at Romer House (Read McKendree) Romer House Romer House opened in June of 2024 as Oahus first adults-only hotel. Even though the 179-room property recently adjusted its policy to allow kiddos onsite, the vibe has remained just as dynamic as ever. Located on a side street just off a very busy artery through town, it has an oasis-like feel while still being at the heart of the action. Romer House has plenty of fun design touches, like the marbleized, retro waves on the toiletries packaging, a stand-up cooler stocked with elaborate leis for purchase, and a phone booth in the lobby that nods to those that used to populate the island. The small pool area, The Backyard, is where fun stuff like floating sound baths and morning yoga happens. Word is that they are launching a format change here, adding a wellness bar with fresh juices and an updated menu, and putting in a sauna and cold plunge. Other programming includes tarot readings and an intimate Luau experience offsite at Nutridge Estate overlooking the city at Puu Ualakaa State Park. // 415 Nahua St., romerhotels.com

The Surfjack Hotel There was a lot of buzz when The Surfjack Hotel opened, landing cover shots for its central pool, tiled with the words Wish You Were Here on the bottom. It is a fun spot to stayaway from the tourist chaos, yet very walkable to beaches and the bustling center of Waikiki. The jack part of the name is actually for Jack the hotel dog, a mascot of sorts embodying the hotels very welcoming pet policy. You can meet him on Tuesday afternoons when he makes an appearance at the pool cabanas. Being the OG boutique hotel here, The Surfjack still upholds a creative, laid-back feel with its mid-century modern design and artistic touches like stylish geometric tiles in the bathrooms, vibrant wallpaper, and Byrd bath products. Adding to this is a location of the coveted streetwear brand Honolulu Pawn Shop by Kelia Moniz and Joe Termini. The bottom-floor Swim Club is an indoor-outdoor loop with loungy areas all around the pool, lobby, and ARVO coffee shop. The layout encourages a social energy that sticks (and theyve got a great, diverse soundtrack playing at all times). The programming adheres to this playful vibe too, with local live music many nights of the week and silent discos every third Saturday. // 412 Lewers St., The bottom-floor Swim Club is an indoor-outdoor loop with loungy areas all around the pool, lobby, and ARVO coffee shop. The layout encourages a social energy that sticks (and theyve got a great, diverse soundtrack playing at all times). The programming adheres to this playful vibe too, with local live music many nights of the week and silent discos every third Saturday.412 Lewers St., surfjack.com

What to Do in Waikiki Hawai'i's first Cirque du Soleil show 'Auana' was made with Native Hawaiian guidance. (Courtesy of @auana.cirquedusoleil ) While figuring out what to do when theres a warm, welcoming ocean to jump into or a mind-blowing tropical trail to hike is a no-brainer, theres so much more happening here to add to the itinerary. Renewed interest in the areaalmost a renaissance of sortshas resulted in activities and projects like the Storied Spaces public art initiative, which are being led by locals and Native Hawaiians.

The Bishop Museum was established in 1889 to honor the late Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha family. Originally created to preserve her artifacts and royal treasures, the museum now holds 25 million items, records, and images documenting Hawaiian and Pacific Islander heritage. In fact, it is Hawaii's biggest museum and the Pacific's leading natural and cultural history center. The main building itself is stunning, and theres a Planetarium and fun, immersive Science Adventure Center where you can watch the native snails getting a bath. Bring your ukulele (or borrow one on-site) and join members of the Ukulele Guild of Hawaii on the second Saturday of each month for a jam session. // 1525 Bernice St., bishopmuseum.org

Farm Link Hawaii launched in 2015 with a mission to increase local food production and online access to it. They envisioned creating a brick-and-mortar grocery store as a center for experiencing local food and produce in one locationand it is finally open! Visit the Hoiliili Market in the central, historic McCully-Moiliili (Moiliili) neighborhood to taste and support island makers, bakers, brewers, ranchers, and farmers. Chef Brad Dodson at 855-Aloha (see below) also recommends a bunch of restaurants in this area, including 8 Fat Fat 8 , Anyplace Lounge , Fujiyama Texas , and I-naba . // 2065 South Beretania St., farmlinkhawaii.com

Hawaiis first Cirque du Soleil resident show arrived in O'ahu in December of 2024. The magnificent Auana (a Hawaiian word describing a modern style of hula), presented in a theatre inside the Outrigger Beachcomber Hotel, is a celebration of the islands through the artistry and jaw-dropping physicality that only Cirque du Soleil can deliver. The ensemble of acrobats, dancers, live musicians, and performers presents an eight-chapter narrative, inspired by the moolelo (stories) of Hawaii, from Polynesian migration to the golden age of tourism. Heritage, tradition, and culture are woven into incredible displays of aerialist hoop routines, a pair of roller-skating acrobats, underwater contortions, impromptu sand art, and a bit of comedic relief. A Native Hawaiian cultural team was at the helm of production to ensure cultural sensitivity, and it is completely in Hawaiian dialect. We are the blueprint for Cirque to be telling a native story, says choreographer Kailihiwa Vaughan-Darvaladding that they were very intentional about everything from the patterns in the clothing to each cast member hand-carving their own Ipu drum. Another fun fact: The founder of Cirque du Soleil was actually inspired to name the company after seeing a Hawaiian sunset. It is a show not to be missed. // 2300 Kalakaua Ave., cirquedusoleil.com/auana

In The Southern Sun is a new year-long exhibit inside the gallery of the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa, presented by global art collective POW! WOW! and curated by Kamea Hadar. Through a series of shifting, multi-sensory displays and installations, the exhibit reframes the cultural history of Waikiki through themes of memory and place-based design. Inspired by the Hawaiian proverb mai ka la hiki a ka la kau (from the rising to the setting sun), the self-guided experience is presented in four seasonal chapters that mirror the changing light of Waikikifrom golden dawn to indigo dusk. // 2424 Kalakaua Ave., inthesouthernsun.com

There is something really powerful about seeing a place from a different visual perspective by air or by sea. Book a trip with Mana Cruises, a Native Hawaiian-owned and operated company that offers shared group outings or private charters. The Waikiki dock location is at the Ala Wai Boat Harbor, where your captain welcomes you into the luxe vessel, which comes complete with snacks (like strawberries cut into hearts) and a fully hosted bar; some excursions also include lunch or an extensive tasting menu. Theres nothing quite as baller as sipping a flute of pink bubbly while lounging at the bow of a boat, cruising by a rainbow. MANA offers sunset cruises, and snorkeling excursions three times a day almost every day of the week. // 5 Holomoana St., manacruises.com/waikiki

Where to Eat & Drink in Waikiki Dak gomtang at Okdongsik (Courtesy of @ okdongsik ) Out near the giant Ala Moana Center, you will find Okdongsik, a lauded Seoul-born restaurant known for serving one single Korean comfort food: their precise dweji gomtang. In 2022, Okdongsiks pop-up location in New York earned it a spot on the 2023 8 Best Dishes NY Times list after only four months. This new Honolulu location opened in July and serves their famous soup, plus an expanded menu with items like cold cabbage kimchi soup with noodles, seafood cake, and lard donkatsu (pork cutlet). Rustic meets elevated in the ceramic dishware, gold utensils, and lacquered wood counter barthe only option for seating. Watch for soon-to-come locations in Paris and Los Angeles. // 1388 Kapiolani Blvd. #3, okdongsik.net

855-ALOHA, Romer Houses signature restaurant helmed by chef Brad Dodson (who actually started his culinary career working at our very own Village Pub in Woodside), serves izakaya-style dishes with Hawaiian flavors. Order large platters of his Kim Chee fried rice, Aunties Gau Gee crispy mushroom wontons, and a very popular pineapple upside-down mochi cake served warm with vanilla bean gelato. A sleeper hit on the menu is the Aloha platter: six different little bowls filled with vegetable-based dips, salsas, and nibbles, served with fresh taro chips for scooping. // 415 Nahua St., izakaya855aloha.com

Piko Kitchen + Bar is a fun new restaurant inspired by the shared-plate izakaya concept. Chef de Cuisine Adam Kamahele developed a creative menu that draws on his local roots, with standouts being the crispy sweet potato poke, fried maitakes, watercress namul, and everyones favorite: mango soft serve. Their shiso smash and hojicha old fashioned are great drink choices as well; their enticing sidewalk bar and outdoor patio have become hot spots for happy hour. // 2380 Kuhio Ave., pikowaikikihawaii.com

Mud Hen Water (sister spot to local favorite, Town) is in the Kaimuki neighborhood, an area separate from the busy beach region. Its not a touristy spot; it feels like the place you hope to find on vacation where the locals who love food would go. Regional ingredients in interesting combinations nod to island products. Brunch on weekends features dishes like thin banana pancakes, a smash burger with local Griffith meat served with roasted ulu (breadfruit) instead of fries, plus an Umami Mary with gin, shoyu, and kimchi. Interesting cocktails and a great soundtrack make Mud Hen a place you just want to hang out in long after your meal is done. Wander around and duck into cool nearby shops like Island Boy and The Local General . // 3452 Waialae Ave., mudhenwater.com

In 2010, the very famous Hong Kong dim sum restaurant Tim Ho Wan was awarded a Michelin star, making it the worlds most inexpensive Michelin-starred restaurant for its accessible, authentic food. Since then, the brand has spread widely throughout Asia, with an exciting new location now in the fancy Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki. Known best for their baked BBQ pork buns and steamed pork dumplings with shrimp (siu mai), this new location features exclusive items like steamed Kahuku garlic shrimp loaded with garlic and served over vermicelli noodles. // 2233 Kalakaua Ave., #B303, timhowanusa.com

Merrimans is not a new restaurant brand, but their newest location, which opened in 2018 in Ward Village near Kaka'ako, is near and dear to founder and chef Peter Merriman. The Merrimans concept began twenty-five years ago, when a vision for growing more crops on-island to create a more sustainable food system resulted in a small chain of farm-to-table Hawaiian restaurants. Today, it is the states first carbon-neutral restaurant. The Caesar salad comes with boquerone service and a crisp, fried green tomato crouton on top. The tender bag o biscuits is served with butter and island marmalade, and the housemade Kaiser rolls deliver juicy burgers and fish sandwiches. It feels upscale and openthe kind of place that would be a good fit for any and every occasion. // 1108 Auahi St., merrimanshawaii.com/honolulu

Another nexus of food and drink is over at the Surfjack Hotel. Mahina & Suns serves a daytime pool menu (taro burger!) and the longest happy hour around, from 11:30am to 5:30pm. Come evening, it turns into a loungy eatery, with innovative Hawaiian dishes and inviting nooks around a central bar where beverage director Chris Taibi has reimagined high-level tiki drinks. Live large with The Big Kohola, a shareable punch bowl with elderflower, coconut water, grapefruit, bubbly, and a Grey Whale Gin foam. // 412 Lewers St., Another nexus of food and drink is over at the Surfjack Hotel.serves a daytime pool menu (taro burger!) and the longest happy hour around, from 11:30am to 5:30pm. Come evening, it turns into a loungy eatery, with innovative Hawaiian dishes and inviting nooks around a central bar where beverage director Chris Taibi has reimagined high-level tiki drinks. Live large with The Big Kohola, a shareable punch bowl with elderflower, coconut water, grapefruit, bubbly, and a Grey Whale Gin foam. // 412 Lewers St., mahinaandsuns.com


Secures Top U.S. Government Relations Firm

Sydney, Nov 26, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Eclipse Metals Ltd ( ASX:EPM ) ( 9EU:FRA ) ( EPMFF:OTCMKTS ) announced that it has engaged BGR Group, a preeminent U.S. strategic advisory and government affairs firm, to support the Company's engagement with relevant U.S. government, defense, and strategic materials agencies, and to strengthen Eclipse's positioning within potential funding and partnership frameworks.



Under the arrangement, BGR will provide Eclipse strategic counsel and support engagement with the Administration, federal agencies, and the U.S. Congress, as well as provide guidance on pathways to financing support, commercial partnerships, and media visibility within the U.S. as the Company progresses the advancement of its multicommodity Ivigtut-Gronnedal critical-minerals district in Southwest Greenland, encompassing rare earth elements, high-purity silica, and broader industrial-mineral potential.



A Transformational Step in Elevating Ivigtut-Gronnedal as a Strategic Western Rare Earth Asset.



Eclipse's Greenland portfolio comprises two complementary, highly strategic geological systems:



- Gronnedal: a carbonatite-hosted rare earth system with a JORC-compliant Inferred Resource of 89 Mt @ 6,363 ppm TREO, including significant Nd, Pr, Dy, Tb and Y potential, positioning it as one of the most significant undeveloped Western sources of magnetic rare earth elements.



- Ivigtut: the world-famous historic cryolite mine, now confirmed through drilling and sampling, to host a polymetallic, REE-enriched system alongside high-purity industrial minerals, including advanced silica quartz.



Together, these systems present a dual-critical-minerals opportunity unique in the Western world, directly aligned with the strategic priorities of the U.S. and its allies who seek secure, long-term rare-earth and industrial-mineral supply chains.



About BGR Group's Role



Under the engagement, BGR will:



- Endeavour to engage the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and defence-related bodies on Eclipse's behalf.



- Support engagement with funding and commercial partnership pathways, including U.S. government programs relating to rare-earth supply chain resilience.



- Provide strategic communications and visibility in the U.S. market.



- Assist Eclipse in positioning Ivigtut and Gronnedal as tier-one Western critical-minerals assets.



Strengthening the Trans-Atlantic Strategic Bridge



Eclipse continues to build momentum across both the United States and Europe, reflecting the growing geopolitical relevance of Greenland's critical minerals endowment. In addition to the U.S. engagement, Eclipse's European consultant has also made substantial progress in supporting the Company's broader policy alignment, industry outreach, and early-stage positioning within European strategic-materials networks.



This coordinated trans-Atlantic approach reinforces the Company's commitment to operating its Greenland assets within a Western supply-chain framework, aligned with the objectives of the U.S. DoW, U.S. Department of Energy, and emerging EU mechanisms under the Critical Raw Materials Act.



Eclipse Executive Chairman, Carl Popal, commented:



"The appointment of BGR is a significant milestone in strengthening the geopolitical positioning of our Greenland assets. Their experience operating at the highest levels of U.S. policymaking will be highly valuable as Eclipse advances its goal of establishing Ivigtut-Gronnedal as a premier Western source of critical rare earth elements.



"With simultaneous progress across the U.S. and European spheres, Eclipse is now better positioned than ever to translate our world-class geological foundations into strategic partnerships, government support and long-term value for our shareholders."



Strengthened U.S. Advisory Team



Eclipse's U.S. engagement continues to be led by its long-standing U.S. strategic advisor, Mr Lloyd Green, who will coordinate the Company's interface with BGR and broader U.S. stakeholders. The combined capabilities of Mr Green and the BGR Group significantly enhance Eclipse's reach into the U.S. policy, strategic materials, and funding landscape.



Mr Lloyd Green, U.S. Strategic Advisor to Eclipse, stated:



"Greenland represents one of the most important emerging rare-earth opportunities for the West. Eclipse's commitment to responsible development, combined with the high-grade potential of both Ivigtut and Gronnedal, positions the Company squarely within U.S. strategic-materials priorities. We look forward to working closely with BGR and supporting Eclipse's continued progress in Washington."



Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Douglas Lute, Practice Chair with BGR's International and Defense Practices, stated:



"BGR Group looks forward to assisting Eclipse in the U.S. with its important work. BGR is eager to support Eclipse's progress with regard to strategic minerals and with its interface with U.S. government officials and other vital stakeholders."



Why This Matters to Eclipse Shareholders



- Enhances Eclipse's visibility and credibility within U.S. strategic-materials programs.



- Increases the likelihood of attracting non-dilutive funding and strategic partnerships.



- Positions Eclipse within a Western-aligned critical minerals supply chain.



- Builds international support around the development of both Gronnedal's REE resource and Ivigtut's polymetallic and industrial mineral potential.



- Supports the Company's objective of establishing Greenland as a long-term allied REE source.



Next Steps



Eclipse and BGR will commence coordinated engagement efforts across the Administration, relevant U.S. agencies, and congressional committees, supported by ongoing European advisory work, as the Company moves ahead with drilling, resource expansion, and development planning across the Ivigtut-Gronnedal project area.



2025 Operational Progress



Eclipse is advancing a coordinated field and technical program across the Ivigtut-Gronnedal project area, generating the data required to underpin U.S. and European strategic-materials engagement. Key progress to date includes:



- Completion of the 2025 diamond drilling program, with 1,208 metres drilled across targeted rare-earth and polymetallic zones at both Ivigtut and Gronnedal.



- Detailed mineralogical and metallurgical characterisation of fresh core, including studies on mineral liberation, composition, and beneficiation response.



- Bench-scale testing underway, covering magnetic separation, flotation, gravity methods, and assessment of hydrometallurgical pathways aligned with Western processing standards.



- Evaluation of Ivigtut silica-quartz quality, supporting its potential for high-purity industrial applications.



- Ongoing core logging, sampling, and structural interpretation, confirming alteration and mineralisation styles consistent with rare-earth enrichment systems.



- Sample preparation for accredited laboratory analysis, with assay shipments being readied for ALS facilities to complete full geochemical and mineralogical testing.



- Resource and geological modelling updates, integrating new drill results to support future JORC reporting at Gronnedal and improved definition of Ivigtut's REE-fertile intrusive architecture.



- Planning for the next phase of work, including expanded metallurgical test programs, geophysical assessments, and prioritisation of follow-up drill targets.



These milestones strengthen Eclipse's technical foundation and directly support ongoing U.S. and European engagement efforts-reinforcing the Company's objective of advancing Ivigtut-Gronnedal as a strategically aligned Western source of rare earth elements and industrial minerals.





About Eclipse Metals Limited





Eclipse Metals Ltd (ASX:EPM) is an Australian exploration company focused on exploring southwestern Greenland, Australia's Northern Territory and state of Queensland for multi-commodity mineralisation. Eclipse has an impressive portfolio of assets prospective for cryolite, fluorite, siderite, quartz (high-purity silica), rare earths, gold, platinum group metals, manganese, palladium and vanadium mineralisation. The Company's mission is to increase shareholders' wealth through capital growth and ultimately dividends. Eclipse plans to achieve this goal by exploring for and developing viable mineral deposits to generate mining or joint venture incomes.

Related Companies
State Taxation and Revenue Secretary Stephanie Schardin Clarke in 2023. The department wants to reunite owners with their lost property, totaling $390 million.

The New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department is urging residents to see if they have a share of $390 million in unclaimed property the state is holding.

The Taxation and Revenue Department wants to reunite owners with their lost property, TRD Secretary Stephanie Schardin Clarke said Tuesday. The holiday season can be financially stressful, and theres no better time to check for unclaimed property to help alleviate some of that stress.

Unclaimed property can include checking and savings accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, refunds owed by a credit card or insurance company, a renters security deposit to a landlord and the contents of a safe deposit box, according to a news release.

These assets are turned over to the state after a period of inactivity, which typically occurs when someone dies, moves, changes jobs or simply forgets about the property, the news release said. TRD then becomes responsible for managing the abandoned property and returning it to its rightful owner.

The department holds the property indefinitely until an owner or heir comes forward to claim it, TRD spokesperson Megan Gleason said.

TRD has handled 6,414 claims so far this year, paying out a total of $18.5 million, the news release said. The average payout for an individual claim is $500.

With billions of dollars in unclaimed property sitting in funds overseen by state governments across the nation, approximately 1 in 7 people has unclaimed cash or property waiting for them, according to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators.

TRDs unclaimed property fund grew this year as the amount of abandoned property coming into the state outpaced the property recovered by owners, Gleason said.

New Mexicans can check to see if they are the owner of unclaimed property and make a claim for free by visiting nmclaims.unclaimedproperty.com. The department has 90 days to respond to the claim and an additional 30 days to pay the claim.
Emma Wall, Chief Investment Strategist, Hargreaves Lansdown: Investment platforms and banks have agreed to champion UK investments in a bid to boost retail flows to London SE listed stocks, the Chancellor has announced in todays Budget. The initiative has Hargreaves Lansdown full support, which we believe will help meet retail investor demand for the best of British. As we revealed last week, while the UK makes up just 3% of the MSCI All Country World Index, across HLs 2 million clients, the UK is by far the most popular investment region, accounting for 35% of the entire platform through either directly held UK shares, or UK equity-focused active and passive funds, investment trusts and ETFs. Nine of the top 20 largest investments in HL clients stocks and shares ISAs are UK equity focused. These new hubs will help meet this retail investor demand with curated stocks and fund ideas, with the funds highlighted classified to one of the three IA UK equity sectors (or other equivalent sector classification)  UK All Companies, UK Equity Income and UK Smaller Companies, which require an 80% allocation to UK equities. We welcome the opportunity to showcase the best of British across our platform  both direct equities and manufactured and third-party funds and investment trusts. The hub, alongside newly announced the stamp duty holiday for new listings on the London Stock Exchange, should help boost interest in UK-listed investments. London has been losing out to New York in recent years, as businesses favour the funding and regulatory environment of the NYSE. But this may be the carrot British businesses need to plump for a domestic listing. Currently, investors have to pay 0.5% stamp duty tax when they buy shares, but the Chancellor has confirmed this will be waived for new listings for up to three years. This would make buying British more enticing for investors and help redress some businesses concerns about demand for UK shares. We also welcome the renewed commitment to VCT and EIS schemes with new rules to broaden the eligible companies, supporting early-stage UK businesses. These three measures, alongside the Leeds Reforms, help strengthen the Governments stated aim of building an investment culture and supporting UK listings. HL is supporting the retail investing campaign announced in Leeds and is busy developing new support for investors, once the new targeted support regime comes in at the end of the year. The progress being made on amending risk warnings is a crucial ingredient here. HL knows that giving people more information about how investments perform over the longer term helps build confidence in taking that first step into investment.
Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst, Hargreaves Lansdown: UK stocks opened on the front foot this morning, buoyed by softer US economic data that reinforced expectations of a December rate cut across the Atlantic. But the calm may be short-lived. All eyes turn to Rachel Reeves this afternoon, as she unveils a Budget expected to deliver tens of billions in new taxes - a move that could ripple through markets and consumer confidence alike. Despite being squarely in the crosshairs, UK banks look set to escape the most severe blows. If tax changes materialise, the most probable lever is a hike in the banking surcharge. Based on our modelling, that would translate into a low to mid-single-digit hit to profits for the big five. The pain, however, wont be evenly distributed. UK-centric lenders like Lloyds and NatWest would bear the brunt, with nearly all their earnings exposed to domestic taxes. Global giants such as HSBC and Standard Chartered, by contrast, enjoy a natural hedge thanks to their diversified international footprints. Wall Street is heading into the holiday season with more than turkey on the table. US equities notched another positive close last night and look poised to open higher again this afternoon, setting the stage for a festive mood before tomorrows Thanksgiving break. The real feast, however, has been in rate expectations. The interest-rate yo-yo is back in full swing, with markets now pricing in close to an 80% chance of a December cut. For all the finger pointing towards AI, its hard to ignore that the dramatic shifts in rate cut hopes have been the dominant market driver in recent weeks. Still, whichever force you believe is steering the ship, brace for turbulence: the Feds internal debate remains far from settled, and mixed signals rarely make for smooth sailing. Dells results are the latest in a string of companies reporting strong AI demand. For all the talk of bubbles, the results weve seen over the past few weeks suggest anything but. Sure, there are companies where sentiment has got a little carried away, and a healthy pullback was on the cards. But with the narratives flying around in the past week or so, one would assume the AI story is running on fumes  thats simply not what the numbers are showing. Sentiment, of course, is a fickle beast. Earlier this year, Alphabet was cast as an AI laggard; fast-forward to today, and headlines are touting its custom chips as a challenge to Nvidias dominance. Credit where its due, Alphabet has sharpened its story, but lets keep perspective. Custom chips have been around for over a decade, and theyre a narrow tool compared to Nvidias expansive product suite. This latest buzz feels more like a DeepSeek-style overreaction than a structural shift. For long-term investors, that could be the perfect setup: Nvidia looks primed for another blockbuster year in 2026, and noisy headlines have presented an attractive entry point. Oil prices slipped close to their lowest level in five weeks, as optimism over a potential Ukrainian peace deal pressured prices. Progress in negotiations has fuelled speculation that sanctions on Russian crude could be lifted, unlocking supply from one of the worlds largest producers. With global output already outpacing demand, any additional barrels risk deepening the glut, keeping prices under pressure.
Criminals are increasingly targeting vehicles with keyless entry systems using a technique known as a relay attack. Using electronic devices, thieves intercept the signal from the owners fob, relaying it to the vehicle, tricking it into believing the key is close by. Earlier this year, the Home Office announced it would be introducing new legislation under which the possession, supply or manufacture of the electronic devices used in these attacks will be criminalised. Offenders could face up to five years imprisonment and an unlimited fine. The ban will apply to devices that intercept keyless-fob signals, as well as those designed to block GPS tracking systems. However, whilst the introduction of this legislation is said to be imminent, a date has yet to be announced. Mark Rose, Managing Director of Tracker comments: Tracker has been campaigning against the sale of devices that intercept keyless car fob signals, as well as tools that jam GPS tracking technology, for many years. As the BBC report confirmed, devices used to conduct relay attacks and steal keyless vehicles are readily available online, and although the price is high, organised crime groups know the profit potential makes the upfront cost worthwhile. Previously, prosecution for handling these devices was only possible if it could be proved by police that they had been used to commit a specific crime. Under the new laws proposed, anyone who is found in possession of one, or to have imported, made, adapted or distributed them, will bear the consequences and rightly so. Without meaningful action in the shape of robust legislation, such thefts will continue to rise unchecked, with more drivers becoming victims of these crimes and suffering the emotional and financial impact of that. The time for that action is now. Tracker is the only stolen vehicle recovery expert that formally works in partnership with every police force across the U.K. to assist in the unrelenting battle against organised vehicle theft rings. More than 2,000 police patrol vehicles and all police helicopters are fitted with Tracker detection units, which pick up the signal from Trackers unique combination of VHF with GPS/GSM technology. Unaffected by GPS signal blockers, the device works like an electronic homing device. A covert transmitter is hidden in one of several dozen places around the vehicle. Confirming Tracker as a superior security defense against determined thieves, Tracker boasts a 95% success rate, 50% of which are recovered within 4 hours and 80% are returned to their owners within 24 hours. Trackers top tips for vehicle security Protect your key fob: Keyless car theft works through a relay-style electronic device tricking your key fob signal into thinking the key is near to the car and then the device can assume all key fob power. To prevent this, keep the key  and the spare  away from where the vehicle is kept when not in use, and block the signal by keeping the key fob in a closed tin or faraday bag. Switch off and lock up: Never leave your car running idle and unattended, even when defrosting windscreens and windows on a cold morning. Make life difficult: Fit security posts or a substantial gate if parking on your drive, physical barriers will make thieves think twice. Dont advertise your stuff: Never leave your belongings on show, lock them in the boot or take them with you. Keep paperwork indoors  Dont store car documents or spare keys inside the car as it makes it easier for thieves to sell it on. Plan for the worst: Take car security measures to protect your car from being stolen in the first place, such as installing security lighting where you park your car and using a steering wheel lock. If criminals find a way to steal your car, having a Tracker fitted can help the police to recover your vehicle.
Speech by Ashley Alder, FCA Chair, at the Investment Association Annual 2025 Conference: Scotland. It cant have escaped your attention that a dominant contemporary theme for UK regulators is to do with our contribution to economic growth and UK competitiveness. And its not surprising that there have been some fairly intensive debates around this question ever since our secondary objective went live in 2023. Different viewpoints have centred on apparent trade-offs between growth and our consumer protection objective, and between growth and system resilience. Many have also pointed to successive cycles of regulatory tightening  usually in response to a financial crisis  which were then followed by periods of relaxation as memories fade and economic priorities change...until the next crisis. And back in February, the chair of the Treasury Select Committee, Dame Meg Hillier asked a fair questionLink is external: Rhetoric and vested interests aside, where is the proof that stripping away financial services regulation will generate meaningful growth? All of this set the scene for our new 5-year strategy published in March. The strategy is absolutely explicit about the connections between what the FCA does as a regulator and positive economic outcomes. For example, greater financial security for an aging population, fostering innovation and, for younger people, the ability to get onto the housing ladder. We were also clear about the trade-offs that must accompany the choices we make. This focus on regulation for growth is also happening amid a period of radical secular change, of a type which feels unprecedented and which, as a regulator, we must take into consideration. The risks and benefits of AI, distributed ledger and other technologies are all part of the daily conversation. And we can add to this heightened geopolitical and security risks as well as the short- and long-term effects of climate change. Now we could dwell on these issues all day. But for now, I would point to the fact that all of us are facing into at least 3 big themes: Low growth and productivity on the domestic front. Technology revolutionising how we operate in our business and personal lives. A challenging geopolitical environment requiring rapid adaptation. And we dont underestimate the implications of all of this for your industry. After all, UK asset management is a world leader, influencing the allocation of vast pools of domestic and international savings. This fact has not been lost on policy-makers who, understandably, are keen to redirect more of the savings that you manage into domestic investment. That brings me to one of the main headlines with which we introduced our new 5-year strategy. This was 'rebalancing risk', intended to signal that in any market economy, risk is not to be avoided but is essential for fostering investment and innovation. 'Risk is, however, far from a straightforward concept. Effective management and understanding of risk spanning different markets and different participants  ranging from the sophisticated to the vulnerable  is critical to the healthy development of the financial system. It also underpins our work around more proportionate regulation as a smarter regulator. FCA approach to risk So what does this mean for FCA policy and the firms we regulate? At a high level, there are a few overarching themes: First, a shift from hard-edged gates and checks to an emphasis on transparency and disclosure, for example through our reforms to the listing rules. Second, giving firms more freedom to act, provided that investors have the clarity and support they need to make informed decisions. This is enabled by our emphasis on outcomes over prescription in fast-changing, complex markets, exemplified by the Consumer Duty. Third  and to be clear Ive lifted this phrase from a recent speech by Sarah Pritchard  regulation operating in response to digital innovation not as a brake but as a stabiliser. This approach is evident in the way in which we work alongside firms on AI use cases and, of special interest to your industry, an ambitious consultation paper on fund tokenisation. Finally, a continued insistence on high industry standards in order to increase overall trust in the sector, particularly among retail investors. With trust comes greater participation which, in turn, enables greater financial security, more financial inclusion and more productive uses of savings. Key initiatives So how are we operationalising these themes? Our flagship initiatives can be grouped under 4 headings of: high standards market access support innovation High standards Starting with standards, I would point to Consumer Duty, our authorisation gateway and the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR). Each of these is critical for greater trust and increased participation in the financial system, but we also recognise proportionality and efficiency as a driving principle. Thats why we are right-sizing the SM&CR regime, expanding our pre-application support services, and proposing a provisional form of authorisation. The financial crime pillar of our strategy also plays a crucial role: to participate with confidence, people need to trust that wrongdoing is being addressed and bad actors are being removed from the system. Market access Market access refers to a series of reforms that enable investors to participate in a wider spectrum of risk across regulated activities. Ive already mentioned listing rules reforms. Other changes include value-for-money principles for pension schemes, long-term asset funds, and the new PISCES marketplace. Support Moving to support, I make no apology in once again highlighting our Advice Guidance Boundary Review, representing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help consumers better navigate their financial lives and plan for the long term. 75% of defined contribution pension holders aged 45 and above do not have a clear plan for how to take their money at retirement or know that they need to make a choice. Targeted support will help bridge the longstanding advice gap between free, high-level guidance and paid-for advice. As part of this initiative, we are also enlisting the Consumer Duty to enable firms to make suggestions about potential actions and products where they have reasonable grounds to expect better consumer outcomes. To be clear, support is not just confined to new forms of advice. It is also about effective, actionable communications between firms and consumers. Which is why we are encouraging industry to think about different, more engaging ways to communicate. Our Consumer Composite Investments initiative should enable firms to innovate and communicate in new ways  including clear, easy to understand explanations that give a balanced impression of the risks and potential rewards of investing. Innovation And finally, innovation. At the outset I pointed to digitisation as one of the secular shifts all of us are engaging with in all aspects of our lives. For now, Ill just point to our fund tokenisation consultation as an example of a tech-positive mindset. Here we set out what firms can do now, how the model can be streamlined through a Direct2Fund model, and also explore how tokenisation can shape the future of the sector in the long term. Private markets Ill finish up by highlighting one mega trend all of us are now paying attention to  increased participation of retail savers and pension schemes in private markets. Sometimes called the democratisation of markets. This includes private credit, private equity, and other activities often characterised by low liquidity, higher leverage and limited transparency. Regulators usually calibrate protections depending on the nature of the client. Basically, we want the right clients to have access to a wide range of investment opportunities. But as firms broaden the asset classes they invest in, or broaden the client base they are targeting, you can also expect us to take an interest. To support industry and investor confidence we are working to understand the associated opportunities and risks. When it comes to private assets, we are concentrating on valuation practices, conflicts of interest management and risk management. Ill highlight just 2 of these areas. Conflicts of interest can arise where firms operate multiple intersecting business lines, continuation funds, co-investment opportunities or partner with other financial institutions. We have launched a multi-firm review in this area, which aims to identify areas of potential investor harm. We will then look to communicate good practices to firms to support conflicts management. Risk management is also crucial. We see traditional asset managers adding private markets to their offerings and specialists expanding into new client segments. It is important for all firms to recognise and manage the distinctive risks associated with new areas of business and understand the needs of new clients. To understand risk profiles, enhance transparency and identify opportunities for capital and growth, we also need better data. We aim to transform our regulatory data model by means of new, proportionate regulatory returns that will embed international standards. This is intended to reduce the amount of data we collect from firms. But with relatively opaque private markets now opening up to retail, we will need more information to enable data-led supervision, increase confidence in UK markets, and thereby support investment and innovation. And where private assets are offered to the public, we are looking carefully at how these offerings are structured and communicated. Scottish asset and wealth management sector Now my favourite line in any speech where Im on the receiving end is the one that says to conclude. But before doing so I would like to recognise the continued success of Scotland as a global asset management centre. I hope that the initiatives I have described will, taken together, contribute to even greater success in future. This success is, of course, founded on people. And, just like your sector, the FCA has benefited enormously from local expertise, investing in our workforce here. Staffing in our Edinburgh office has increased from over 200 in 2021 to just under 350 in 2025. And we aim to at least double our numbers across our Edinburgh and Leeds offices to over 1000 people over the next 5 years.
PM Modi Urges Citizens to Uphold Constitutional Duties as Pillars of Strong Democracy 2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged citizens to fulfil their Constitutional duties, calling them the foundation of a strong democracy and essential to achieving the vision of a Viksit Bharat.

In a letter to citizens on the occasion of Constitution Day, Modi emphasised that strengthening democracy begins with responsible citizenship, particularly through active participation in the electoral process. He suggested that schools and colleges mark the day by celebrating first-time voters turning 18, symbolising the spirit of democratic participation.

Recalling Mahatma Gandhis belief that rights naturally flow from the performance of duties, the Prime Minister said that fulfilling ones responsibilities is fundamental to social and economic progress. The policies and decisions we take today will shape the lives of future generations. Every citizen must place their duties foremost as India strides towards a Viksit Bharat, he said.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Modi wrote, Our Constitution gives utmost importance to human dignity, equality, and liberty. While it empowers us with rights, it also reminds us of our duties as citizens. These duties are the foundation of a strong democracy.

Paying tribute to the framers of the Constitution, Modi said their vision continues to inspire the nations progress. Their foresight and ideals motivate us as we work towards building a developed India, he added.

The Prime Ministers message comes as part of a broader national push to promote civic awareness and accountability, highlighting that democracy thrives not only on rights but on the responsible fulfilment of duties by every citizen.
Rahul Gandhi Vows to Defend Constitution, Says Hell Be First to Stand Against Any Attack 2

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday pledged to defend the Indian Constitution, declaring that he would be the first to stand up against any attack on it. Calling the Constitution the protective shield of the poor and the deprived, Gandhi urged citizens to unite in safeguarding the democratic values that define India.

In a post on X, Gandhi wrote, The Constitution of India is not just a book; it is a sacred promise made to every citizen  ensuring equality, respect, and justice regardless of religion, caste, region, or language. As long as the Constitution is protected, the rights of every Indian are protected. Let us pledge that we will not allow any attack on it. It is my duty to protect it, and I will be the first to stand up against any assault.

Marking Constitution Day, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also called upon citizens to defend the core values of justice, equality, freedom, secularism, and socialism. Quoting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Kharge said the Constitution is not merely a legal document but a way of life that upholds the unity, integrity, and democratic spirit of India.

We remember the invaluable contributions of the framers of our Constitution  from Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru to Sardar Patel, Subhash Chandra Bose, Maulana Azad, Rajendra Prasad, Sarojini Naidu, and Babasaheb Ambedkar, Kharge said, adding that it was the duty of every citizen to uphold these ideals for peace and harmony.

The Congress party also recalled that on November 26, 1949, Dr. Ambedkar presented the draft Constitution in the Constituent Assembly, a moment that has since been commemorated as Constitution Day (Samvidhan Diwas) since 2015. The party alleged that both Ambedkar and the Constitution had faced ferocious assaults from those opposed to its egalitarian principles  an indirect reference to the RSS.

As India celebrated 76 years since the adoption of its Constitution, the Congress reiterated its commitment to defending democracy, ensuring social justice, and upholding the rights and freedoms guaranteed to every citizen under the Constitution of India.
Aquatic Leisure Technologies Group (ALT) will establish its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Opp, in Covington County, manufacturing the companys Aqua Technics Pools. ALT

One of Australias largest fiberglass swimming pool makers is bringing its first U.S. manufacturing facility to Alabama.

Aquatic Leisure Technologies Group (ALT) will establish its first U.S. plant in Opp, in Covington County, manufacturing the companys Aqua Technics Pools.

The new 56,000-square-foot facility, located on a 22-acre site, will serve as the U.S. manufacturing home for ALTs flagship brand.

Initial production is expected to begin early next year. Opp was picked after a two-year search.

A U.S. manufacturing team will be hired and trained.

Gov. Kay Ivey said the decision to come to Opp underscores the strength of our states pro-business climate, our talented workforce and our commitment to fostering world-class manufacturing.

ALT entered the U.S. market in 2018 supplying product directly from Australia. The Opp location, the company said, will localize production. It will also shorten delivery timelines and integrate into its rapidly expanding U.S. network.

Establishing a manufacturing presence in the United States is a natural progression for our business, ALT President Lynley Papineau said.

Alabama Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair said ALTs decision solidifies Alabamas position as a global leader in advanced manufacturing, while also supporting our Catalyst vision for long-term growth.

Papineau thanked the Department of Commerce, AIDT, the City of Opp and the Covington County Economic Development Commission for its work in the deal.
An Alabama attorney is jailed on multiple charges including conspiracy to commit murder.

Sara Baker, a 74-year-old lawyer in Cullman, was taken into custody Tuesday night, Cullman police announced.

She is charged with conspiracy to commit murder, three counts of attempted murder, distribution of a controlled substance, second-degree elder abuse, four counts of solicitation to commit a controlled substance crime and second-degree domestic violence.

Police did not release details, but Cullman Daily reported that she is accused of trying to kill her husband.

Baker is being held in the Cullman County Detention Center.

Police officials thanked District Attorney Champ Crocker, the FBI North Alabama Violent Crimes Task Force and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force for their work on the case.

No additional information has been released.
MAX bus operator John Scott, 67, died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, from a suspected medical emergency while on his north Birmingham route. (Contributed)

A 67-year-old MAX bus driver died Wednesday after his bus hit a Birmingham building.

The wreck happened at 6:51 a.m. in the 2800 block of 28th Avenue North.

The driver, identified as John Scott, was taken to UAB Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Four passengers on the bus were not injured.

This is a devastating loss for our entire BJCTA family, BJCTA said in a statement following the drivers death.

While the official cause of death has not yet been determined, early indications suggest a sudden medical emergency occurred while the operator was performing his duties.

We are in contact with the operators family and are offering our full support during this extremely difficult time, the statement said. We ask the community and media to please respect the privacy of the family and our employees as we grieve.

BJCTA spokeswoman Amanda Hare said Birmingham police are leading the investigation, and said MAX officials are fully cooperating, including providing onboard camera footage and all necessary information.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the first responders, medical personnel, and our staff who acted quickly this morning, according to the statement. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the operators loved ones.
A coalition of labor, environmental, faith and community organizations is calling on Hyundai and Kia to make reforms as part of a continuing campaign targeting the two Korean automakers.

Recall Injustice at Hyundai-Kia encompasses about 40 groups in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and California, from the AFL-CIO to Alabama Arise and the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice.

The group last week addressed a letter signed by representatives of all of its members to Kia and Hyundai executives.

In it, the group calls on the two automakers - which are both part of the same company - to enter into a comprehensive Community Benefits Agreement, which it says would establish new job standards and equity measures subject to binding arbitration.

The move comes after two incidents involving the automakers and their supply chains.

This month, Jobs to Move America, a California-based progressive non-profit, filed a lawsuit against Hyundai and Kia over labor practices by auto suppliers in Alabama they say violate Californias Unfair Competition Law through unconscionable labor practices.

The suit came a day after a new study from Columbia Universitys Labor Lab that says the use of prison labor in Hyundais supply chain is driving down the wages of non-incarcerated workers, and leads to work environments with more frequent safety hazards.

Hyundai, in public statements, has said it is aware some suppliers participated in the Alabama prison work release program but that those companies are required to comply with both the law and Hyundai Motors code of conduct.

The company also stated that none of its suppliers have used prison labor since September 2024.

In a longer statement, Hyundai said the lawsuits allegations were baseless.

We prioritize the safety and well-being of our workforce above all else and remain fully compliant with all federal and state regulations, Alasdair Coleman of Hyundai said.

We require our suppliers and business partners to adhere to Hyundais strict safety, employment, and legal standards, and take decisive action when violations occur.

In Alabama, we employ 4,500 people directly and support an additional 18,000 jobs, generating more than $2.4 billion in private disposable income each year, Coleman said.

At our new plant in Georgia, we have committed to employing 8,500 workers by 2031  creating an estimated 40,000 direct and indirect jobs across the state.

Recall Injustice, in its Nov. 20 letter to Hyundai and Kia executives, says child labor and prison labor, coupled with safety issues and environmental concerns, call to mind exploitative social and labor practices from a century ago in the South.

We do not believe Hyundai-Kia wishes to recreate the sins of the past, the letter stated.

On its website, Recall Injustice states that the push for clean-energy vehicles and higher profit margins has come at the expense of workers rights and community well-being.

Companies in Hyundai-Kias U.S. supply chain have been linked to child labor, prison labor, and serious environmental abuses. Hyundai-Kia must take accountability for its U.S. manufacturing supply chain, the website states.

The site also offers links to a database of cases involving the automakers, citing deaths, injuries and fines in the automakers suppliers in several states, including Alabama.

It also lists OSHA and environmental violations and penalties, as well as cases of child labor that resulted in penalties for supplier companies.
Darcy and Laura Clarke, owners of Bentleys Burgers and Fries in Nova Scotia, said their faith in humanity was restored this month after they received a surprising letter all the way from Warrior, Ala.

The envelope contained $40 in cash, and a note apologizing for an order that was never picked up in early October.

I was unable to pick up the food because I live in the USA, the unsigned letter, posted to the Bentleys Facebook page, reads.

Obviously, I called the wrong restaurant. I hope the amount enclosed is enough to cover the cost of my embarrassing mistake. My sincerest apologies. God bless.

My jaw hit the floor, Darcy said on Canadian radio show As It Happens.

Hope for humanity yet.

Laura said on the show that $40 was more than enough to cover the order of two burgers with fries and added that the couple would be using the extra money to pay for childrens ice cream this upcoming summer.

Me and the husband have an ice cream shop that we run in the summer, so we were just going to put the remainder of that into the ice cream shop and give out free ice cream to the kids that come by in the summer, she said.

In their Facebook post, the Clarkes said the sender should be expecting return correspondence soon.

It is truly rare to encounter such honesty, and the sincerity these individuals have displayed has warmed our hearts, the post reads.

The letter originates from as far away as Alabama, USA. You undoubtedly will receive a Christmas card and a package with Bentley spice from us. One love to you and your family.

Darcy told As It Happens the package will include the Bentley seasoning, as well as some stickers and photocopies of some of the many positive comments left on the Facebook post.

He added that its nice to forge a human connection with one of Canadas neighbors to the south at a time when the ongoing trade war has created tension between the two countries.

Tariffs, they suck, he said. But we love everyone.
Rick Burgess of the "Rick & Bubba Show" did a live broadcast with his co-host, Bill Bubba Bussey, at The Hangout in Gulf Shores, Alabama, on April 30, 2010. The popular radio duo have announced that 2024 will be their last year on the air together. (AL.com file photo/Mike Kittrell)

Radio host Rick Burgess thanked listeners for prayers and shows of support Tuesday as he returned to radio.

How bout it, America. Good to be back, he said in a video posted to social media.

Burgess appearance came a day after he responded to questions about an absence from The Rick Burgess Show.

In a Facebook post Monday morning, Burgess asked for prayer as he dealt with personal issues:

Many of you have questions about my absence from the show, he wrote.

The bottom line is while the show and all the platforms connected are a huge responsibility and very important to me, however my family desperately needs me right now and they will always take priority. Please pray.

On Tuesday, Burgess acknowledged his audiences shows of support.

Thank you so much for your kindness and all your prayers and encouraging emails, he said. It has been a pit. Have been battling. It is good to be back. Things are good and Im excited. I have missed being here with the guys.

Burgess former long-time radio partner, Bill Bubba Bussey, recently acknowledged the end of their partnership in a podcast.

The duo, billed as the two sexiest fat men alive, signed off for the last time a little more than 11 months ago. They had co-hosted a popular morning radio show for more than 30 years.

It was not my choice to end the show, Bussey said. Rick and I were partners. We both had the nuclear keys, so to speak. Rick chose to turn it and do his own thing. And so, he had the option, he took it. I didnt particularly want the show to end at that point. And I really didnt care for some of the way that it was presented to me. But he had the right to do it, so he did, and I wish him nothing but luck.
FILE - Jackie Chan, from left, Brett Ratner and Chris Tucker appear at the "Rush Hour 3" premiere after party in Los Angeles on July 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File) AP

After President Donald Trumps reported intervention, Paramount Pictures is set to distribute Brett Ratners Rush Hour 4, a project that Hollywood had eschewed after earlier sexual misconduct allegations against the director.

Paramount Pictures on Tuesday was in closing talks to distribute the film, according to a person close to the negotiations who requested anonymity because they werent authorized to announce a deal.

Paramount would be stepping in to take a distribution fee on the film, not finance it.

In 2017, during the #MeToo movement, six women said Ratner sexually harassed them in a Los Angeles Times report. Warner Bros., which had a $450-million co-financing deal with his production company, severed ties with Ratner.

Ratner, who denied the allegations, hasnt produced a film this decade.

But on Sunday, Semafor reported that Trump personally requested Paramount take on Rush Hour 4.

Paramount recently merged with Skydance in a $8 billion deal that required regulatory approval from the Trump administration. Trump has praised the studios new chairperson and chief executive David Ellison, the son of Oracle executive chairperson and prominent Trump supporter, Larry Ellison.

The White House didnt immediately comment Wednesday.

Ratner had been shopping Rush Hour 4 after Warner Bros., which released the three previous films in the franchise, passed on the project. The movie would reteam Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in the action-comedy series launched in 1998, with sequels in 2001 and 2007.

Ratner has managed to get one other film made: a documentary on first lady Melania Trump. Earlier this year, Amazon MGM Studios acquired the film for a reported $40 million. Its set to open in theaters Jan. 30.
Randall Woodfin, the now three-term mayor, cited a new emphasis on Birmingham youth, called Cradle to Career, in his 2025 Inaugural address. Roy S. Johnson

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin was sworn in for his third term on Tuesday night and, with his toddler daughter Love Lee on his lap, made the future of the citys children the centerpiece of his message.

Woodfin was flanked by his wife, Kendra, and her teen sons from a previous marriage, Aubrey and Mason, during the ceremony at Boutwell Auditorium.

The national anthem was sung by 12-year-old London Koi, who also performed Lift Every Voice and Sing.

Youth was center stage. So was Woodfins message.

Woodfin was sworn in by Jefferson County Circuit Judge Shanta Owens at 6:20 p.m., as he handed off Love to his stepsons.

There was some throwback, too, as 2003 American Idol winner Ruben Studdard sang Flying Without Wings, whose lyrics seemed a nod to Woodfins wedding and fatherhood during his second term in office.

Everybodys looking for that something that makes it all complete, Studdard sang, wearing a sparkling bejeweled black jacket. Some find it in the faces of their children.

Two previous mayors were on the stage: William Bell and Bernard Kincaid.

Woodfin said the citys first Black mayor, Richard Arrington Jr., 91, couldnt make it because he was out of town for Thanksgiving with relatives.

I stand on the shoulders of these gentlemen, please give them a round of applause, Woodfin said.

Im more excited than I was eight years ago, he said.

At one point, his daughter chattered loudly.

That was Love, everybody, Woodfin said.

I see the future of Birmingham looking back at me, Woodfin said.

I see it in the eyes of children who are here tonight. I see it in the parents who are fighting for their children in the same way their parents fought for them.

Woodfin said his third term will have one foundational question: What does this mean for Birminghams children? he said.

Not as an afterthought, but as a lens through which we see everything. They will be the why that drives every decision we make.

He summed up the policy emphasis as a theme. Its called Cradle to Career, Woodfin said.

This isnt abstract, Woodfin said. Our children cannot learn if theyre hungry.

National policy has been devoid of love, compassion, he said, focused instead on gold-plated ballrooms, he said, a reference to President Donald Trumps plan for a new state ballroom at the White House while threatening to rip away healthcare.

In the face of SNAP cuts during the federal government shutdown, Birmingham stepped up, to make sure families are fed this Thanksgiving, Woodfin said.

Cradle to Career means caring for the whole child, the whole community, he said. You cant build a pipeline to success on an empty stomach. Our children cannot dream big if they are afraid.

He said decreasing crime has been part of that.

Public safety isnt separate from our education, Woodfin said.

Its foundational to it. We want to be the safest city in America. It is a promise to every childs parents. Our children are watching the community they deserve take shape.

The citys efforts to tear down blight and create safe playgrounds are part of the plan for a better future for children too, he said.

Theyre learning what we think theyre worth, Woodfin said.

Every child deserves the right and opportunity to play. They deserve beauty and opportunity right where they live.

Birmingham Promise, the citys scholarship program for graduates of Birmingham City Schools, has awarded more than $1 million in tuition assistance to 1,600 students, he said.

Their city saw them, believed in them and invested in them, Woodfin said.

Birmingham Promise will be endowed and expanded, creating a cycle of investment and return, he said. Its a long plan for the future, beyond electoral politics and campaign slogans.

We might never meet the children who reap the benefits, Woodfin said.

At the end of the day, Birmingham. Thats what this is about, love, he said.

We will fight for our legacy, Woodfin said. We are the city that literally changed America. Courage met injustice and courage won.

The focus on the future of children flows from the civil rights movement, he said.

We are building a future that every child deserves, Woodfin said.
A Cullman woman has died five days after she was critically injured in an east Alabama crash.

Alabama State Troopers identified the victim as Morgan A. Shirley. She was 29.

The wreck happened about 5:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, on Interstate 20, about seven miles south of Heflin in Cleburne County.

Trooper Jaylon James said Shirley was driving a Kia K3 that left the road, hit a guardrail and then a concrete barrier.

Shirley was not using a seat belt at the time of the crash, James said. She was airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham where she died Tuesday.

The investigation is ongoing by troopers.
A North Alabama special education teacher will not be returning to the classroom amid controversy surrounding her past.

Brandy Taylor has been teaching at Hampton Cove Middle School since 2020 until August 2025. Taylor has now resigned from her position, according to a report from WAFF.

Taylor has been on leave since news of her 2017 domestic violence charge began to circulate through social media.

Court records show that she allegedly hit, punched and bit a child before beating him with a belt. She was teaching in Albertville at the time, but the incident did not happen at school.

She spent a month in jail for a third-degree domestic violence assault.

She passed the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) background check to work at Hampton Cove Middle School in 2020. The school system conducted an internal personnel review. Representatives have not released the findings of the investigation.
A 29-year-old woman was killed when she was standing outside her wrecked vehicle on Interstate 65 in northern Jefferson County.

The Jefferson County Coroners Office identified the victim as Donnene T. Walker-Vean. She lived in Houston, Texas.

Authorities said Walker-Vean was involved in a two-vehicle crash on I-65 near Kimberly at 12:12 p.m. Tuesday.

After the initial crash, the woman was standing outside of her when an oncoming motorist struck her vehicle which then hit Walker-Vean.

She was rushed to UAB Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 12:36 p.m.

Alabama State Troopers are investigating.
About 850 families struggling to make ends meet will not have to worry about missing their Thanksgiving meal.

That was how many turkeys and boxes with all of the trimmings were given out at Huntsvilles Downtown Rescue Mission on Evangel Drive on Monday and Tuesday. Thats when families who applied for help picked up their meals in a drive-through format.

Weve done this for 29 years, Downtown Rescue Mission CEO Keith Overholt said. This is something we do as an outreach to the community to help people who might not be able to have a Thanksgiving meal. We help people here feeding them every day, but there are people in the community who sometimes cant do a Thanksgiving meal, so this is something that we feel really good about, helping folks.

Huntsville's Downtown Rescue Mission gave out 850 free turkeys to those in need on Monday and Tuesday. Scott Turner/AL.com

The demand for meals was higher this year because area residents were furloughed and SNAP benefits delayed because of the federal government shutdown that ended earlier this month, mission public relations coordinator Ashleigh Hayes said.

A lot of it is people are just getting by as it is, she said. So, to go out and get that turkey, they would probably pass on that. We want to make sure that they have a Thanksgiving meal. We can provide that and alleviate some of that burden.

In addition to a turkey, each box contained mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, corn, yams, cranberry, mac-n-cheese, and rolls, serving four to six people. The boxes were made possible through donations from the community. Only one box was available per family.

Its a frozen turkey that they get and a box with all of the fixings, rolls and pie and everything else, Overholt said. They are able to take that, cook a turkey and have a great meal.

He estimated that the meals given out over the two days will provide enough food to feed between 5,000 and 6,000 people.

We plan probably about two months ahead of time, Overholt said. Then we make sure we have the volunteers set up. Just getting that many turkeys is a lot, so we go up to Nashville and everywhere else just to get enough turkeys.

Overholt said about 250 volunteers were involved in the effort. About 20 of them were passing out boxes and turkeys on Tuesday morning, hoping the rain would hold off.

Amanda Alexander was one of them.

When I started working with Bastion Technologies, they were already volunteering, she said. That was eight years ago. It was something that I really liked.

When the person in charge of coordinating volunteers left the company, she picked it up.

I wanted to continue doing it, because it was so special for me personally, Alexander said. The biggest thing is making sure you have enough people, that they are here on time, that you have the right people handing out the boxes. These are very grateful people. Just being here and giving back to the community that we come from, its really important to all of us.

The volunteers worked two shifts per day, with some working all four shifts.

Its just something good to do, volunteer Bill Hill said. We all want to give back to the community. This is my third year. Its lifting boxes and wishing people happy Thanksgiving.

I always think its a good thing to actively volunteer and do a service to the community, added second-year volunteer Monique Mullins. We always hear thank you and bless you. I always wish them a happy Thanksgiving and tell them to enjoy the holiday.

Alexander said most of the families are so sweet and so grateful.

They are just thankful that we are out here to help, she said. Thats what were here to do  Its one of my favorite things that we do every year.

While the free turkey meal distribution ended Thursday, the Downtown Rescue Mission is not done providing free Thanksgiving meals. The mission is hosting Thanksgiving banquets Wednesday and Thursday at 11 a.m.

Thats for anybody who doesnt have a place to stay, Overholt said. They can come here and have a meal. Over the two days, it will be almost 2,000 people.
Goldenrod and grasses in Alabama's Black Belt. A new initiative will provide landowners in the Black Belt funds to restore native prairie habitat on their property, in an effort to improve the environment and the economy. (Photo credit Claude Jenkins, Alabama Wildlife Federation) Claude Jenkins

In 2018, Christopher Joes father urged him and his siblings to think of creative ways they could use their 200-acre farmland in Hale County, in Alabamas Black Belt.

The wheels started turning in Joes mind, and he connected with eco-tourism experts and birding experts from Alabama Audubon.

Im playing on the farm, Joe said. Im just trying to do my part.

Today, The Joe Farm is a destination for birdwatchers all over the country, and one of the standout locations for the Black Belt Birding Festival, where birders can see Mississippi kites diving for insects.

Joe, a conservationist with the National Resources Conversation Service, was able to draw so many birdsand later so many touristsby implementing practices that encouraged the native prairie habitat to flourish.

Now, a new initiative from the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee hopes to give landowners in the Black Belt a chance to do the same thing, and is providing the money to do it.

In November, the committee, in partnership with the Alabama Wildlife Federation and the NRCS, launched the Alabama Black Belt Prairie Initiative, a program to provide grant money to landowners in counties to restore native prairie habitat on their property.

The committee hopes that through this program, around 8,000 acres of prairie habitat will be restored, said Ashley Henderson, assistant executive director of the committee.

When you start changing things, then you start losing species, both plant and animal, Henderson said. A lot of times, people want to restore the habitat, but they dont know what to do.

The Black Belt was once home to a patchwork of prairie land, made up of bunch grasses (grasses that grow in clumps), purple cone flowers, black-eyed susans, and other native species, Henderson said. Northern bobwhite quail, turkey, and even larger animals like bison roamed around the grasslands.

But with the arrival of European settlers, the Black Belt became home to many of the states plantations. The dense, rich soil for which the region is named is also very fertile and good for growing cotton and other crops.

Over time, the prairie habitat has largely disappeared from Alabama, as well as the south at large. More than 90% of the grasslands habitat in the southeastern U.S. has disappeared since European settlement, according to the Southeastern Grasslands Institute.

The loss of grasslands habitat also means a loss of the species that use that habitat. According to Scot Duncan, executive director of Alabama Audubon, prairie bird species are declining at a faster rate than any other group of bird species.

Alabamas Black Belt is one of the poorest regions in the country. Henderson said she hopes the restoration of prairie habitat will bring economic benefits to the region as well as environmental benefits.

Were taking a natural resource and using it in a way thats good for the land and the people, Henderson said.

With the help of the Alabama State Legislature and the NRCS, there is $17.5 million in grant funding available for this initiative, Henderson said. Applications for the grants will open in March, and the program is expected to last for around five years.

Landowners can apply for money for different kinds of projects: they can ask for funds to restore habitat for the northern bobwhite quail (a key species officials are looking to target), for example, or they can ask for funds to raise cattle in a way thats more restorative to the land.

Officials will then help connect landowners with the resources they need implement the project. Landowners can also be reimbursed up to 85% of the money they spend maintaining the project, Henderson said.

However, landowners will need to maintain their land in a way that allows native prairie to flourish, she said. Chief among that is removing invasive species, such as red cedar trees, and burning the land.

Joes father still raises black angus cattle on their farm. But since the family started hosting visitors on their land in 2018, he says theyve had more than 1,000 people come to the farm, including school groups from around the state.

The Joe Farm recently received a grant to build a facility on the property with bathrooms, classrooms, and a kitchen, Joe said. The family also recently received a grant to restore 45 acres of wetland habitat on their property.

Now that the habitat has been restored, Joe says the family can just let it be, and it will maintain itself.

If you see it, its been here, Joe said. We dont have to do much to keep it going like this.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) AP

The mother of White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitts nephew has been detained by ICE for allegedly overstaying her visa by 26 years.

Bruna Ferreira, 33, who has a child with Leavitts brother, Michael Leavitt, was detained during a traffic stop earlier this month while on her way to pick up her son from school in New Hampshire, the Boston Globe reported.

According to Ferreiras sister, Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues, Ferreira kept telling immigration authorities the name of her sons aunt: Karoline Leavitt.

As White House spokeswoman, Leavitt has defended President Donald Trumps immigration policies from the podium when she briefs reporters.

Dos Santos Rodrigues said her sister was unable to get in touch with Karoline Leavitt, but her sons father and grandfather told her to leave the country.

Ferreira and Michael Leavitt broke up more than a decade ago, according to Dos Santos Rodrigues, and share custody of their son, Michael Leavitt, Jr.

She said her sister was brought from Brazil to the United States with their parents in 1998.

They just kept saying, Tell her to self-deport, Dos Santos Rodriguez told the Globe. Self-deport to where? Brazil is not her home.

According to Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, Ferreira has a previous arrest for battery and that she entered the country on a B-2 tourist visa that required her to leave by June 6, 1999.

Ferreira is currently in removal proceedings in Louisiana, she said, according to the Globe.

Trump administration critics took to social media to point out the irony and hypocrisy" of an ICE detention with a connection to Karoline Leavitt.

This has gotta be one of the most ironic things youll ever hear, liberal influencer Brian Krassenstein said in a video explaining the situation to his nearly 960,000 followers on X.

Karoline Leavitt should be ashamed of herself, Krassenstein tweeted.

So while Karoline sells law and order from the podium, her own family is being shredded by the machine she defends, tweeted Irene C. Reynolds. Hypocrisy doesnt just knock  it kicks down the door. Ok Karoline  step up to the mic and walk us all through this."

Oh to be a fly on the wall around THAT Thanksgiving dinner table, tweeted David Meuse, a representative in the New Hampshire State Legislature.

Hector Samuels added, Karmas timing is impeccable. Will Karoline still say no exceptions when its family?
President Donald Trump looks at FBI director Kash Patel as he participates in a Diwali celebration in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) AP

President Donald Trump laughed at a report that he is thinking about firing FBI Director Kash Patel after a series of missteps.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said she read to Trump the headline of an MSNOW report claiming the president has grown increasingly frustrated with Patel and is considering firing him.

This story is completely made up. In fact, when this Fake News published, I was in the Oval Office, where President Trump was meeting with his law enforcement team, including FBI Director Kash Patel. I read the headline to the President and he laughed. He said: What? Thats totally false, Leavitt tweeted Tuesday.

Trump then grabbed Patel for a photo in response to the report.

According to Leavitt, the president told the FBI director, Come on Kash, lets take a picture to show them youre doing a great job!

Do not believe the Fake News! Leavitt said.

This story is completely made up.



In fact, when this Fake News published, I was in the Oval Office, where President Trump was meeting with his law enforcement team, including FBI Director Kash Patel.



I read the headline to the President and he laughed. He said: What? Thats https://t.co/qbsy0nW2Bg pic.twitter.com/aNL5Qw9MA8  Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) November 25, 2025

The MSNOW report, citing three anonymous sources with knowledge of the situation, reported, Patel is described as being on thin ice and his ouster appears closer than ever, with [FBI Co-Deputy Director Andrew] Bailey as the logical replacement, two of the sources with knowledge of the situation said, though Trump could change his mind in the weeks to come.

The administration has reportedly soured on Patel over the FBI directors use of a government jet to visit his girlfriend Alexis Wilkins and Wilkins use of a security detail.

Among the administration officials frustrated by Patel, according to MSNOW, is Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Bondi reportedly has lost patience with Patel over the directors premature announcements about investigations that he has had to backtrack and his use of government resources.
President Donald Trump speaks before signing the funding bill to reopen the government, in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) AP

Donald Trump on Wednesday lashed out against a New York Times reporter over an article claiming the president is showing signs of fatigue, calling her a journalist who is ugly, both inside and out.

The writer of the story, Katie Rogers, who is assigned to write only bad things about me, is a third rate reporter who is ugly, both inside and out, Trump posted to his Truth Social account Wednesday morning.

The president also attacked The Gray Lady itself, calling the Times a cheap rag that is truly an ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE.

The article reported Trump, 79, has kept a shorter public schedule with fewer events than his first term.

And when he is in public, occasionally, his battery shows signs of wear, the report stated.

The article pointed to an occasion at noon on Nov. 6, when Trump held an event on drug prices in the Oval Office.

At one point, Mr. Trumps eyelids drooped until his eyes were almost closed, and he appeared to doze on and off for several seconds, the report stated. At another point, he opened his eyes and looked toward a line of journalists watching him. He stood up only after a guest who was standing near him fainted and collapsed.

Trump disputed the report, pointing to what he claimed were his successes, such as sweeping all seven swing states in the 2024 election and a great economy.

To do this requires a lot of Work and Energy, and I have never worked so hard in my life. Yet despite all of this the Radical Left Lunatics in the soon to fold New York Times did a hit piece on me that I am perhaps losing my Energy, despite facts that show the exact opposite, the president posted.

But Trump also suggested hes not always running on full energy.

There will be a day when I run low on Energy, it happens to everyone, he posted, adding that he had a PERFECT PHYSICAL EXAM AND A COMPREHENSIVE COGNITIVE TEST (That was aced) JUST RECENTLY TAKEN."
From Wikimedia Commons: St Paul's from the River Thames (Henry Dawson, 1877)

The Luftwaffes bombs of 194041 destroyed or damaged roughly half a million British homes and left vast acres of many historic city centers in ruins. What followed, rather than conscientious reconstruction, was a campaign of sustained cultural self-mutilation that lasted from the late 1940s until the 1980s. Under the banners of modernity, progress, and slum clearance, architects, planners, local authorities, and property speculators combined to erase more of Britains pre-1914 architectural fabric than the Wehrmacht ever managed. In retrospect, this approach was ideologically misguided, conceited, and detrimental to cultural cohesion. You may wonder if this deliberate annihilation of the visible past was the first symptom of the nihilism, moral relativism, and incipient anti-Western self-hatred that now threaten to consummate the suicide of British civilization.

Begin with the brute facts. Coventrys medieval center was obliterated by German bombs. Instead of pursuing familiar designs, harmony, and beauty after the war, Sir Basil Spence and the city council approached reconstruction with the insensitivity of foreign victors on a battlefield, replacing a tight lattice of timber-framed streets with a concrete precinct. Likewise, Plymouth, devastated in the Blitz, saw its elegant eighteenth-century grid swept away for Sir Patrick Abercrombies windswept Plan: broad boulevards flanked by system-built slabs that turned a maritime city into a provincial imitation of Brasilia. In Birmingham, the Victorian civic gospel of Joseph Chamberlainexpressed in some of the finest municipal architecture in Europewas bulldozed by Sir Herbert Manzonis Inner Ring Road and a generation of Brutalist megastructures.

By 1979, the Victorian Society calculated that more listed buildings had been demolished in England since 1945 than in the entire preceding four centuries. The enemy, this time, wore Harris tweed and spoke with received pronunciation.

The ideology that justified this was explicit. Traditional architecture was dismissed as reactionary, sentimental, picturesque clutter. The 1950s and 1960s planning literature is drenched in contempt for the past. Like ideologically uncompromising strategists set on social engineering, editors celebrated large-scale demolition of heritage buildings like those of Georgian Bath as clearing away the rubbish of history. Lionel Brett (later Lord Esher), an influential planner, wrote that the past is a dead hand and that sentimentality about old buildings is a form of cowardice. Here, already, is the moral relativism of our age in embryonic form: any attachment to inherited beauty is pathologized as weakness; any preference for continuity over rupture is diagnosed as neurosis. The past must be liquidated so that Manabstract, universal, deracinatedcan begin afresh on the blank slate.

This was never just about architecture. Buildings are the most permanent, most public, and most inescapable expressions of a civilizations self-understanding. When you demolish a medieval guildhall, a Wren church, a Regency terrace, you are not merely removing brick and stone; you are amputating collective memory made visible. The city is the largest artefact that a society possesses, and to erase its historic form is to deprive citizens of the physical evidence that they belong to something larger and older than themselves. The psychologists call this place attachment; what was destroyed was the possibility of feeling at home in the world. In the new precincts and ring roads, the citizen became a nomad in his own country.

To assume that the process was driven by wartime necessity is erroneous. By the mid-1950s, the housing emergency was easing, yet the demolition juggernaut accelerated. The real motor was profit and professional hubris. Developers discovered that comprehensive redevelopment allowed them to assemble large sites, secure public subsidies under the 1954 Housing Act, and build system-built blocks at high density. Local authorities, flattered by modernist masterplans and terrified of being labelled backward, prostituted themselves to any speculator with a scale model and a slogan. Politicians of both parties lacked the cultural confidence to say no. When Birminghams city engineer Anthony Goss proposed saving the facade of the Council House extension, he was overruled by councilors who thought a new concrete plaza would look modern.

In his 1952 book First and Last Loves (a collection of essays on architecture), Sir John Betjeman mourned the ongoing tragedy of cultural vandalism. A founding member of The Victorian Society, he fought in vain to save the Euston Arch, London. Enoch Powell, an outspoken critic of the post-war redevelopment and slum-clearance programs, frequently paraphrased Betjemans words in public speeches. However, pretty much alone with his concerns on the Conservative benches, he was ignored, as prophets usually are.

The aesthetic consequences were catastrophic. The Georgian street, the Victorian warehouse, the Edwardian arcadethese represented the accumulated wisdom of centuries about how to build at human scale, how to reconcile commerce with civility, how to make density companionable. They were replaced by windswept pedestrian decks, undercrofts that became urinals, and tower blocks whose designers never imagined that real families would have to live in them. The new urban landscape institutionalized anomie. As Colin Ward observed, urban planners built environments that looked like the future in 1955and like prisons by 1975.

More insidious was the metaphysical message. To obliterate the architectural record is to declare that history has no claim upon the present. Once a society accepts that nothing is too beautiful, too venerable, or too deeply woven into collective identity to be sacrificed on the altar of progress, it has taken the decisive step towards nihilism. The same generation that razed the foundations of Sheffields medieval castle for a brutalist market designed by J.L. Womersley would, two decades later, begin to teach its children that the British Empire was nothing but racism and exploitation, that Western civilization itself was a litany of crimes. The physical destruction of the city and the ideological destruction of the national narrative are the same phenomenon at different speeds.

Today, the consequences are plain. A people that has lost the visible evidences of its own past finds it harder to resist the narrative that its past was shameful. A generation raised among windswept concrete decks and dual carriageways that slice through what is left of the old town finds it easier to believe that it has no birthright worth defending. The built environment is a form of unconscious education; when it teaches contempt for everything that ones ancestors made, the lesson is learned. The same moral relativism that justified pulling down a Wren church because it blocked the traffic flow now justifies opening the borders to incompatible cultures because any defense of historic nationhood is xenophobic. The same nihilism that celebrated the tabula rasa in urban planning now celebrates the Great Replacement in demography.

The post-war reconstruction of Britains cities went beyond an episode of unfortunate architectural misjudgment. It was the first great act of civilizational auto-immune disease, the moment when the elite of a victorious nation turned on the very inheritance that had sustained it through six years of total war and began to devour it. What began with the bulldozer ended, predictably, with the lecture hall, the television studio, and the statute book. The generation that could not bear to look upon a Victorian railway station unless it had been redeveloped would, within a single lifetime, prove incapable of looking upon its own civilization without the cringe of post-colonial guilt.

We are living among the ruins of that betrayal. The precincts are cracked, the ring roads choked, the tower blocks half-empty or inhabited by people whose grandparents never walked a street laid out by Romans, Saxons, or Normans. And still the lesson has not been learned. In 2024, the same forces that gave us Cumbernauld, Scotland, and the Hulme Crescents (another failed design by J.L. Womersley), Manchester, now demand net-zero retrofits that will smother what is left of the Georgian terrace under insulation and solar panels; beauty is once again an unaffordable luxury in the face of the latest abstraction.

Social engineering in Britains historic cities was devastating and ominous. It was the first act of a long surrender. Unless younger generations should arise with the courage to insist on the sanctity of beauty, meaning, and home, the surrender will be complete, and the lights that first went out in the Blitz will never be relit.
A sense of profound discomfort and unease has crept over me since I began thinking seriously about the kind of people we humans have chosen to lead us during my lifetime.

Some have been outstanding role models and truly inspiring, while others were truly reprehensible and deserving of being cast on the reputational dung heap of history.

I suspect that many if not most of us can agree about who belongs in the former and who should be consigned to the latter, but the group I am most concerned with is the third group which is comprised of men and women who are either self-proclaimed leaders or who have either bought or cheated their way to achieve their status or have simply outlasted their peers and made it to the top of what I would call, the longevity, or mediocrity pyramid.

Before we go any further, it's important to draw some distinctions between those we elect or choose as political leaders from those who have simply commanded our attention by virtue of their presence and actions taken in our culture's various silos. These can be in academia, the arts and sciences, NGOs, or in any field of endeavor where hierarchies exist. They are often referred to as "subject matter experts," "thought leaders" or the more popular term nowadays is "influencers."

We have always had such people around us and above us, but I would submit that we have never had them to the degree that we now have them.

The culprit of course is the Internet and the expansion of the ultra-competitive, now worldwide media and news-gathering organizations.

Many of today's political and non-political leaders are now defined, hourly, by how many "likes" they get on social media or how many "hits" they get on their podcasts.

I missed the last administration of Franklin Roosevelt by a few years, but started my own personal history when Harry Truman was president.

Now that was a man who few expected could fill the shoes of the erudite but self-styled "man of the people." FDR.

People joked about the man from the haberdashery until he dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

America had to reassess and redefine what constituted good leadership. Truman had no gift of oratory as his predecessor did, but he had something in his very core that resonated with every American and was visibly evident. He had an unshakeable sense of duty and commitment to America and he possessed a sound moral compass. Though his legacy will always be dogged by one burning question: Was it necessary to drop the bomb, his leadership on that issue will remain unassailable.

On the other side of the Earth, dictators and statesmen were gaining and losing power.

In July of 1945, only a few months after VE Day, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who had shepherded his nation during the war years, was turned out to pasture after his party lost the election to the Labour Party. Churchill did manage to make a comeback in 1951 and never again lost a parliamentary election until his retirement from politics in 1964.

On the dark side of history was Joseph Stalin in the USSR -- a man responsible for the rise of a flawed ideology that resulted in purges and the deaths of millions. It was "good riddance" when he died in 1953.

Back then, it was easy to tell the difference between the despot and the defender. Our media had grown up with us in the '50s and began to realize that it could actually help us distinguish between leader types and that it could even help create leaders by giving them more column inches or airtime.

The Cold War years of the '50s rolled on in newsreel fashion while the post-war world feverishly tried to rebuild itself overseas. New heroes and leaders rose up and more than a handful were cut down in their prime by assassins' bullets while new dictators like Fidel Castro, Mao Tse-tung. and Nikita Khrushchev emerged.

The world now had a clearer picture of which leaders deserved our praise and which deserved our scorn.

In the sixty or so years that followed, we Americans (and I daresay other foreign populations as well) have been both awakened to certain facts about what constitutes true leadership and have also been anesthetized to other realities.

One of those realities is that a large number of today's leaders, especially the political ones, are products of spin doctors and political or media consultants and do not lead based on a fervent belief or ideology, but instead prefer to lead from behind a poll or a focus group. They are, in fact, not leaders at all, but that does not stop them from gathering followers or accumulating power.

The job opportunities are plentiful.

As long as we are speaking of realities, it must be said that the opportunities to become a thought leader, influencer or other leader are expanding, not contracting.

Today, literally anyone can become a leader and the pathways to leadership are pretty much clear of any of the old age roadblocks.

The new electronic stump is vastly different from the old political stump that early American politicians used as a platform to speak to crowds back in the 18th and 19th centuries; when candidates traveled from town to town campaigning, they often found a cleared field or logging area where a tree stump provided the perfect makeshift podium.

A candidate would stand on the stump to be seen and heard by the audience. Nowadays, we can all rig up a webcam, log on to "Zoom" or "Webex" and broadcast to a small group or millions. That is some stump.

The outgrowth of think tanks, private institutions, NGOs, and special interest organizations now provide ample job opportunities to any would-be leader wishing to make his or her mark. This fact has not been lost on private corporations or even the president of the United States who has his own social media platform, "Truth Social."

The big international difference in leaders and leadership are as follows:

The world has become a more dangerous place than when Harry Truman was president.

Hot and Cold wars are being fought in many parts of the globe and power brokers of every stripe are maneuvering in and out of them.

There are three international styles of leadership that I find are the most basic and from which all others flow. The first is the globalist leader who believes that supranational leadership by global organizational membership (example: the United Nations and the European Union) is the best way to solve problems.

The second is the nationalist leader who believes that his nation comes first before any others.

The third is one who believes that in addition to preserving his own nation's domestic interests, he extends that belief to other areas of the globe which lie outside the physical boundaries of his own country.

Each of the three requires different kinds of leaders. The globalist is an advocate of problem-solving by dialogue, often excruciatingly long-drawn out dialogue that sometimes misses real opportunities because critical decisions are not made quickly enough.

This type uses mediation, conciliation, and negotiation to achieve their aims  in concert with others.

The second, the nationalist, is more problematic. These leaders are characterized by their rapid, nationalistic-focused decision-making that often ignores their global role and responsibilities, and while these leaders' decisions may benefit their own people, they are often seen as autocratic, confrontational and dangerous.

The third is closest to the traditional American-style of leadership governance, but it also resembles that of Russia and China. Presidents are required to act in the nation's best interests, not give away the country's sovereignty to foreign powers, nor allow foreign laws to supersede the American Constitution. In addition, they must be circumspect when making decisions that affect America's interests abroad that may place the country in peril.

The current American president is a nationalist and a combination of number two and three, to be sure, but he is also a proponent of negotiation.

He has an ideology that is rooted in "America first," but it is not an exclusive ideology that refuses to recognize real opportunities when they occur.

He is not a fan of unending talk like that practiced by his European counterparts with whom he has little patience.

A classic example of that is in his peace-brokering with the Kremlin and with the leaders in the Ukraine that has shut out the EU. With the Trump administration, America has returned to a form of Realpolitik which is a pragmatic, power-based approach to politics that focuses on practical results and national interests. While it is not based on a rigid ideology, the American-style Realpolitik does have its roots in certain American moral principles that are not negotiable.

Each country must choose its leaders on the basis of which national interests it deems worthy of defending and which style of leadership best suits its people. But one thing we, all the followers, must do, is praise those who lead us when their actions are praiseworthy and criticize them, constructively, when they aren't.

Stephen Helgesen is a retired American diplomat specializing in international trade. He has lived and worked in 30 countries over the course of 25 years under the Reagan, G.H.W. Bush, Clinton, and G.W. Bush administrations. He is the author of fourteen books, seven of them on American politics, and has written more than 1,500 articles on politics, economics, and social trends. He now lives in Denmark and is a frequent political commentator in Danish media. He can be reached at: stephenhelgesen@gmail.com.

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License
Theres an emerging trend which, in many ways, may save the future of this country: women are marrying and having babies earlier in life, thereafter pursuing careers. These decisions are clearly in conflict with the narcissistic propaganda peddled by the feminist left, a narrative which many women have come to believe (work first, babies later), and the benefits of this rebellion to both women and the country will be legion.

Better yet, this approach to marrying and childbearing is seen primarily with conservative women. For several reasons, they are choosing to have babies early, realizing that theyll have time for a career later on, if they choose to have one:

Isabel Brown, 28, didnt want to wait. She married last year and had a baby this year. [snip] Young people are realizing that our lives are going to be so much more meaningful if we have a family to share our success with from the start, Brown said. She and other conservative women talk about timing family and work as seasons of life. The term is from the biblical passage Ecclesiastes 3:1: For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.

The decline of birthrates resulting from delaying pregnancy, or choosing to not have children at all, has had serious implications for the United States:

The United States is experiencing a demographic shift that could reshape the nations future. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows Americas total fertility rate has plummeted to a historic low of 1.6 children per womanwell below the 2.1 replacement level needed to maintain population without immigration. [snip] The implications extend far beyond birth certificates and hospital delivery rooms. This demographic shift touches every aspect of American lifefrom the viability of Social Security and Medicare to the future of economic growth, from housing markets to educational systems, from military recruitment to political representation. The babies not being born today represent missing workers, consumers, taxpayers, and innovators of tomorrow.

One major contributing factor to the drop in birthrates is that women who choose to have babies later in life are less likely to be as fertile, and may even decide to have smaller families.

A sea change in attitudes regarding marriage and childbirth is finding success with conservatives, but the other half of the population is not so enthusiastic. Consider their influence though:

Fundamental to liberalism is a suspicion of restraint, which inevitably becomes suspicion of human relationships. It promises liberation from every last tie until we are free of everything, including each other. [snip] The dominant pressure in liberal culture, then, is to delay, to detach, to stay permanently available. We are permitted only one loyalty, and thats to ourselves. The longer you stay single the stronger you are; the women with the most worth keep waiting. Partners are acceptable so long as they are accessories, add-ons. Otherwise, its irrational, embarrassing even.

To make matters worse, the preference to stay single has taken on an isolating, even narcissistic quality. Growth and maturity doesnt mean selflessness, it mean selfishness:

Theres been a simple but profound shift in the dating space: Women are realizing that protecting their peace is their number one priority, dating and relationship expert Danielle Szetela told the Daily Mail. Theyre not waiting for love to complete them  theyre protecting the wholeness theyve fought so hard to feel, she said. Because for todays woman, being single isnt a failure  its a form of self-love.

Dating, which used to be seen as a prelude to finding a marriage partner, has also taken a hit. Combined with the pressure to remain single, it has become more difficult to nurture a committed, lasting relationship:

Something tells me relationships are failing now because we are spending too long learning to be single, getting used to being alone, living for ourselvesthis utter deviation in human history. And because we got it wrong. We thought the answer to the failed marriages and broken families and mess we made over the past few decades was less commitment when it was clearly more.

People in this country find themselves more and more isolated, experiencing the challenge of finding life partners, while at the same time fearing commitment; one woman, however, Kimberley Begg, offered an insightful comment. She regretted the years of business travel and the time she missed raising her children, and eventually changed her life patterns. Heres what she said:

Children and marriages and families need more than just loving thoughts, said Begg. They need presence. And these hours allow me to be present with my children while Im engaging in meaningful work.

Begg also adds this: You can have everything you want...But you cant have it all at once.

Only time will tell us whether a more selfless, loving, and positive approach to marriage relationships and raising children will become a new norm for this country, and how influential the current trend will be on future generations.

Image generated by ChatGPT.
Something great is happening in Miami Beach.

Steven Meiner, who was reelected mayor on November 4, has become the standard-bearer for a style of urban governance many assumed was lost to time. During the same night New Yorkers embraced Zohran Mamdanis Democratic socialism, Miami Beach voted for the Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg model that once made New York City the envy of the world.

The divide became national news in mid-November, when digital billboards lit up Times Square urging disillusioned New Yorkers to consider Miami Beach. The campaign, funded entirely by Miami Beach developer Russell Galbut, featured Meiner declaring that Miami Beach is open for business. This was not just random marketing. It was carefully aimed at businesses, high earners, and residents concerned about Mamdanis socialist agenda.

Meiner sharpened the message further in an interview with NPR.

He described Miami Beach as a city committed to law and order, sunshine, and economic freedom, contrasting that with growing worries among New Yorkers about whether Mamdanis policies would restrict how businesses operate. Meiner used the moment to highlight ongoing investments like the $30 million Lincoln Road revitalization project and emphasized that the city had never before spent real money on telling America who it actually wants to attract.

Where New York once relied on the broken windows philosophy to restore order, Meiner has kept that theory alive. He supported zero-tolerance policing years before becoming mayor and expanded the approach once in office. The results were dramatic: city reports show a 65 percent drop in violent crime by 2025. This came after Miami Beach reassigned officers to patrols, increased undercover operations, and enforced laws that deter minor offenses before they escalate.

His administration also adopted rigorous quality-of-life enforcement by banning public camping. Encampments were cleared through coordinated outreach, shelter placement, and policing. Florida followed Miami Beachs lead by passing a statewide law requiring relocation to shelters and authorizing arrests for noncompliance. Last year, encampments fell by 80 percent and resident satisfaction with safety reached 72 percent.

Meiner expanded police presence while improving accountability, borrowing from both Giulianis enforcement intensity and Bloombergs tech-driven analytics.

His administration added twenty percent more officers to high-crime areas, required body cameras with real-time monitoring, and built data systems that cut response times by 15 percent. By mid-2025, misdemeanor arrests had risen forty percent and overall crime fell 25 percent.

Economic revitalization abounds. Meiner approved a water taxi system across Biscayne Bay, offering free cross-bay service and reducing congestion by an estimated thirty percent. Streamlined permitting helped attract high-end New York restaurant and retail chains, adding fifteen new openings and boosting sales tax revenues by 12 percent after spring break reforms. A major convention hotel expansion tied to Art Basel is projected to generate $150 million in economic impact.

At the same time, he resisted overdevelopment by enforcing height limits and focusing on neighborhood-scale projects. He vetoed oversized luxury proposals, implemented eco-friendly zoning rules, and accelerated the $30 million Lincoln Road overhaul. The result was an 18 percent rise in foot traffic and a 10 percent increase in local property values.

This approach was exactly what Meiner offered voters during his campaigns. First elected mayor in 2023 on a platform of law and order and quality-of-life reforms, he won reelection by highlighting proven gains in safety, business growth, and resident-focused development.

This stands in sharp contrast to New Yorks sharp turn against the very model that propelled it from the 1990s under Giuliani into the 2000s under Bloomberg.

The Big Apples decline has been going on since at least 2013, when Mamdanis ideological forebear, Bill de Blasio, was elected mayor. Arguably, the shift started even during Bloombergs tenure, when he won his third term by a shockingly small margin, facing a Democrat thought to have zero chance of victory. Incumbent Eric Adams represents an utterly failed quest to revive and modernize the pre-De Blasio status quo.

Graphic: X Post

Where Mamdanis New York vigorously embraces wealth redistribution, state-managed stores, innovation-wrecking religious/racial grievance-driven governance, and even a shrinking role for policing, Miami Beach is betting on order, opportunity, meritocracy, and a clear invitation to ambitious people who want to build and invest.

For Miami Beach, this is more than messaging. It is a prosperity agenda that works. It is proof that safe streets and an inviting business climate remain powerful engines of growth. And it is a reminder that even in an era of rising urban socialism, there is still enormous demand for cities that see taxpayers not as burdens but as partners.

Todays Miami Beach is showing that the formula of safety plus freedom still wins, producing an economic renaissance.

Dr. Joseph Ford Cotto is the creator, host, and producer of News Sight, delivering sharp insights on the key events that shape our lives. He publishes Dr. Cotto's Digest, sharing how business and the economy really impact us all. During the 2024 presidential race, he developed the Five-Point Forecast, which accurately predicted Donald Trumps national victory and correctly called every swing state. Cotto holds a doctorate in business administration and is a Lean Six Sigma Certified Black Belt.
Much has been written about the brazen display of political theater offered up by the so-called Seditious Six. What began as a performative act of resistance has spiraled into a cascade of investigations, threats, and revelations exposing the profound lack of wisdom in their actions  and the grave dangers they pose to military morale, good order, and discipline.

The videos fallout was swift and severe. President Trump condemned it on Truth Social as SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!  a hyperbolic reference to historical treason penalties, later clarified by the White House as non-literal. Legal experts point to 18 U.S.C.  2384, which criminalizes seditious conspiracy with up to 20 years in prison, and 18 U.S.C.  2387, prohibiting interference with military loyalty. Senator Slotkin (D-MI) announced on X that the FBIs Counterterrorism Division had opened an inquiry into her and the group, framing it as Trumps weaponizing of federal agencies.

Last night, the FBI's Counterterrorism Division appeared to open an inquiry into me in response to a video President Trump did not like.



The President directing the FBI to target us is exactly why we made this video in the first place. He believes in weaponizing the federal  Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) November 25, 2025

Yet, as Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche noted, any probe hinges on intent  precisely the murky territory the Democrats entered by sowing doubt about lawful commands without citing specifics.

Alarming repercussions are emerging from the ranks. A JAG officers X posts illustrate the videos toxic ripple effects. Echoing the Democrats rhetoric, the JAG officer questioned Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA) policy 175-25  a policy disqualifying those with gender dysphoria from service  declaring shed refuse orders she disagrees with.

The seditious 6 would be proud as they see their efforts produce these kinds of results within the ranks.



Army JAG officer MAJ Baker has been very vocal about her dissension on social media for months, and now shes publicly stating she will not comply with lawful orders she pic.twitter.com/OcAmsYNBs2  Shoe (@samosaur) November 25, 2025

This is a direct erosion of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), which presumes orders lawful unless clearly illegal. The Seditious Six, by empowering subjective defiance, have invited chaos, potentially fracturing unit cohesion, domestic deployments, and Caribbean operations against small-boat threats.

Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ)  a retired Navy captain and Space Shuttle commander  doubled down with a defiant X post touting his service record, from combat missions to NASAs Columbia recovery. Ive given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies, he wrote, dismissing the scrutiny as intimidation. On Monday, the Department of War responded by launching a misconduct probe into Kelly under UCMJ and 10 U.S.C.  688, which allows recalling retirees for court-martial. They emphasized: Military retirees remain subject to the UCMJ Orders are presumed to be lawful. A service members personal philosophy does not justify disobedience.

Enter War Secretary Pete Hegseth, whose withering reply exposed Kellys lack of discipline in the most literal sense. Analyzing Kellys selfie, Hegseth tweeted this:

So Captain Kelly, not only did your sedition video intentionally undercut good order & disciplinebut you cant even display your uniform correctly.



Your medals are out of order & rows reversed. When/if you are recalled to active duty, itll start with a uniform inspection. https://t.co/rsSyrPcmbg  Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) November 25, 2025

Its a humiliating detail: a veteran lecturing on duty while flouting basic protocol. Hegseth underscored the irony  the Seditious Six, invoking their oaths, now embody the very indiscipline they risk fostering.

Further escalating the drama was Kellys Arizona colleague, Senator Ruben Gallego, a former Marine who lashed out in a profanity-laced video and CNN interview. Said Gallego, This is f-ing insane Secretary Hegseth, all these guys, f you guys. But his rhetoric veered into outright threats against investigators. Donald Trump is going to be gone in a couple of years If youre part of the military that is going after sitting senators there will be consequences, without a doubt. Gallego suggested officers would look over their shoulders post-Trump, lacking protection, before adding a wink: Follow the Constitution...and youll be fine.

Gallego: "Donald Trump is gonna be gone in a couple years. And if you're part of the military that is going after sitting members of Congress and part of the weaponization of government, there will be consequences. Without a doubt." pic.twitter.com/Sqk1cPFbwt  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 24, 2025

One author decried this as tainting the inquiry, intimidating those duty-bound to probe potential UCMJ violations. Gallegos Marine background makes his words especially galling  a leader threatening reprisals against peers enforcing the rules he once swore to uphold.

All of this reveals the Seditious Sixs profound miscalculation. We live in an era of heightened national security  urban deployments, strains at the border, and global hotspots  and their video doesnt hold power accountable, it invites mutiny by blurring lawful obedience with personal politics. As the JAG posts show, its already manifesting: officers citing it to justify insubordination on policies like gender standards. JD Vance has called it by definition illegal.

The wisdom deficit is stark. These are elected veterans, entrusted with guiding the next generation of service members, yet theyve prioritized partisan posturing over the chain of command that preserved their own careers. The resulting probes could end in courts-martial, threats that chill military justice, and a precedent that good order hangs by a thread of individual whim. In uniform or out, true patriots know: undermining discipline doesnt defend the Constitution  it endangers the republic it protects.

Image generated by ChatGPT.
Back in the 1980s, I had a chance to work and live in Mexico City. One of our favorite weekend activities was to drive in the rural areas and visit those old churches. It's amazing how nice they were. Another thing is that I was pretty impressed with Mexico's highways. It was very practical to get around as long as you remember that the 90 speed limit was kilometers not miles!

It's not easy to get around Mexico these days and it's not a problem with the roads. It's the truckers, who are tired of insecurity and extortion and want better prices for their goods.

So far, the so-called national strike is having some economic impact. One of the biggest concerns is the impact on ports, as we see in this story:

According to foreign media reports, Mexico will experience a nationwide strike on November 24 local time. Organized by the National Transport Association of Mexico (ANTAC) and the Mexican Farmer Agriculture Movement (MAC), transport workers and farmers will participate in the protests. It is understood that specific measures for this strike include: setting up roadblocks on multiple major traffic arteries, specifically targeting and blocking cargo transportation, while also announcing plans to take occupation of customs actions to pressure the authorities. As a core hub for Chinese goods entering Mexico, the operational status of the Port of Manzanillo is crucial for China-Mexico cross-border trade. This port handles approximately 4,000 truck transport demands daily, undertaking 42% of the China-Mexico sea freight volume, and is a lifeline for inventory preparation for many cross-border sellers. However, if this strike action is fully implemented, the Port of Manzanillo will face impacts: On one hand, the inland freight channels connecting to the port may be severed, preventing efficient distribution of arrived goods and leading to port congestion and paralysis; furthermore, the China-Mexico direct shipping capacity has been unstable this year, leading some Chinese cargo to use the US-Mexico transit as an alternative route. This strike plan may include blocking the US-Mexico border, subjecting sellers inventory plans to a double blow of main channel congestion + backup channel disruption. It is worth mentioning that multiple strike incidents have already occurred in Mexico since late October.

I spoke with a friend in Mexico City and everyone is naturally worried. Every morning thousands of trucks deliver vegetables and more to major distribution centers in the city. Then they load up trucks and move it to thousands of markets. My friend is concerned that food will spoil and shortages will occur.

Where is the government? Why aren't they doing something such as sitting down with the protest leaders for some negotiations? One of the contentious issues is that the government is behind in their payments to the truckers. The Sheinbaum administration has promised to start the payments and calls for patience. One of the protest leaders was on TV and I heard him say something like "we got oil for Cuba but no money for Mexican truckers." Makes sense to the truckers blocking the highways.

My friend added a political commentary. He feels that the government is weak. He said that previous presidents would have intervened or done something weeks ago. He can't believe that we've reached this far. My friend is not a fan of President Sheinbaum, but he's got a point.

So eat your turkey up here, enjoy your family, and stay off the Mexican highways if you were planning to drive south.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

Image: Purecabo
Scotland is considering passing a law to permit assisted suicide for any reason whatsoever.

According to LifeSite News:

Scotland is currently considering legislation that would legalize so-called assisted suicide. This involves a medical professional giving deadly drugs to someone to kill themself. The Catholic Church is firmly opposed to assisted suicide.

This led John Keenan, Bishop of Paisley, to warn that passage of the bill could mean Catholic care organizations like the Little Sisters in Greenock would be forced to allow assisted suicide in their homes or face defunding or closure.

Bishop Keenan further stated (of the proposed bill):

It will also not exclude a person whose primary motivation for their request is among [the] following nonterminal conditions: eating disorders; intellectual disabilities, including but not limited to [Down] syndrome; mood disorders, including but not limited to depression; anxiety disorders; the receipt of any disability or sickness-related benefits, including but not limited to Adult Disability Payment, or any equivalent welfare payment; loneliness or social isolation; financial hardship or low income; feelings of being a burden to others; poor or unsuitable housing conditions; any other mental health condition or developmental disorder that is not a terminal illness.

If this proves true, we will have passed the point of no return.

Didnt get that promotion at work? Its okay, medical professionals are here to end your life!

Lose your Tam O Shanter? Spill your Guinness? Bad day at the track? No problem, authorities will see to your demise.

Son come out as straight? Daughter says shes converting to Judaism? Not to worry, we can snuff you out.

Is your favorite kilt ripped and stained? Did your camera malfunction just when you had Nessie framed for the perfect photo? Why put up with the pain and shame when you can simply end it all?

Let dad down? Wife left you for her gynecologist? Worried about global warming/climate change? Why not do the world a solid and exit, stage left, if you know what I mean?

Experiencing insomnia? Got a touch of agoraphobia? You know what to do.

Dumb as a post? Lets spell it out for you: Medical Assistance In Dying, or MAID. Can you spell M-A-I-D?

Should this be the criteria determining eligibility for assisted suicide, the vast majority of those comprising todays Democrat party would qualify.

It is expressly O.K. to make fun of a horrifying bill (and ethos) for three reasons: 1) It is often the most effective way to illustrate absurdity and evil, 2) First Amendment/free speech rights, and 3) Because the alternative is to get so depressed that one might consider ... never mind.

Image: Public Domain Pictures // CCO public domain
Theres a nascent high-stakes legal battle in the semiconductor industry. On November 25, 2025, TSMC, the worlds leading chip foundry, filed a lawsuit in Taiwan against one of its former senior executives, Wei-Jen Lo. This competitive sector is defined by multi-billion-dollar R&D and intense technological secrecy. In this case, the core accusation of TSMCs lawsuit is that Wei-Jen Lo violated his non-compete and confidentiality agreements by quickly moving to a direct competitor, Intel.

TSMC trade secrets lawsuit against ex-executive Wei-Jen Lo after joining Intel

Lo held a senior vice president title at TSMC for over a decade. He has definitely played a major role in the development of advanced process technology. Lo officially retired from the company on July 27, 2025. Just before leaving, during his exit interview, he allegedly informed TSMC he planned to pursue an academic role. However, Lo quickly resurfaced at Intel soon after his retirement, taking on an executive vice president position.

TSMC claims this quick transition suggests a serious breach of the agreements Lo signed. They assert the move poses a significant risk that Lo may be using or transferring the companys key trade secrets to Intel.

The access allegations

Adding to the companys concerns are allegations regarding the executives conduct before his departure (reported by Digitimes, via @jukan05). TSMC noted that in March 2024, they reassigned Lo to a corporate strategy development unit, a role focused on advising the chairman and CEO. This should have removed him from direct R&D oversight.

Despite this change, TSMC claims Lo continued seeking access to sensitive technology information. He allegedly held meetings with R&D employees outside his reporting line. More specifically, he has supposedly requested details on technologies under development or planned for future manufacturing nodes, including the cutting-edge A16 and A14 processes. TSMC views these pre-retirement actions as indications of his intent to gather critical intellectual property.

Industry and government response

The lawsuit immediately drew attention from regulators. Taiwanese authorities, including the Ministry of Economic Affairs, confirmed that prosecutors and investigators have launched an inquiry. They aim to determine if the matter involves breaches of national core technologies or national security laws.

Meanwhile, Intel, the company that hired the executive, publicly attempted to downplay the severity of the situation. Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan addressed the issue at a recent industry event, dismissing the reports as rumor and speculation. Tan also stated that Intel respects all intellectual property rights. He offered no specific details on the hiring process but rejected the idea that Lo had brought confidential TSMC information to the company.

Authorities are now collecting preliminary evidence, and TSMC is seeking substantial legal remedies and damages. More news about the situation is likely to emerge in the coming weeks.
People hoping to seek asylum in the UK leaving France in an overloaded inflatable boat in July. Photograph: Ed Ram/The Guardian

Thirty asylum seekers in detention in the UK have gone on hunger strike in protest against their imminent removal to France under the Home Offices controversial one in, one out scheme.

The Guardian understands the group began their hunger strike on Monday and many are due to be forcibly removed to France on Thursday.

More than 100 people have been forcibly removed from the UK to France under the Home Office scheme, with a smaller number brought to Britain via legal means in return. The aim of the scheme is to deter asylum seekers from crossing the Channel in small boats.

Two of those already removed to France have since returned to the UK on small boats: an Iranian man who was then forcibly returned to France for a second time; and an Eritrean man, who is in a detention centre and is due to be removed to France on Thursday.

One hunger striker told the Guardian: I am exhausted by this situation and find it deeply unfair and unjust. I arrived on a boat with 83 other people, and only 12 of us were moved to a detention centre.

The rest are being processed through the asylum system normally and are now in hotels. Meanwhile, we are being held here alongside people who may have criminal convictions.

I repeatedly approached the office here to ask for answers and waited for hours every day, but I was never given any information. Each time I was sent back to my room. Feeling hopeless, I decided to join the others in starting a hunger strike.

I need this message to reach the Home Office and for the public to understand that we do not deserve this treatment. We have done nothing wrong to be treated this way.

Another said: Life has completely stopped for me since I was detained. It feels like living in limbo, with the constant fear of being sent back to places that are unsafe for me, such as France or my home country.

A third person taking part in the protest said: We decided to go on hunger strike because we have been treated like criminals.

We have a reason why we came to this country: to be protected. We have not done anything against society or to anyone  We are normal people, and we would like to be free and to have our human rights, and protection.

Charlotte Buckley, the director of Bail for Immigration Detainees, a charity supporting some of the hunger strikers, said: We join those on hunger strike in calling for their right to claim asylum in the UK, which is protected under the 1951 Refugee Convention.

Claiming asylum is not illegal, yet people are being deprived of their liberty as soon as they reach the UK and threatened with deportation under the UK-France scheme.

We are also concerned that many of them do not have access to legal advice, with our recent report showing the lowest levels of legal representation in detention since our records began.

We are worried for the safety of those who are on hunger strike, and urge the Home Office to listen to their demands.

A Home Office spokesperson said: We are ramping up returns activity and removing those with no right to be here, with nearly 50,000 people with no right to be here already removed this year.

We are committed to ensuring that detention and removal are carried out with dignity and respect.
Kemi Badenoch has lambasted the Chancellor over her latest Budget - House of Commons

Kemi Badenoch has dismissed Rachel Reevess welfare giveaways as a Budget for Benefits Street.

The Conservative leader hit out at the Chancellors decision to abolish the two-child benefit cap and warned that working people would end up paying the price.

Ms Reeves scrapped the two-child limit at a cost of 3bn a year following more than a year of pressure from backbench Labour MPs on the Left of the party.

Welfare spending is expected to climb 16bn higher by 2030 as a result of the Governments policy changes and higher-than-expected unemployment.

In a highly personal response to Ms Reevess speech, Mrs Badenoch told the Commons: At the last Budget, she said she was proud to be the countrys first ever female Chancellor.

After this Budget, she will go down as the countrys worst ever Chancellor. Labour are hiking taxes to pay for welfare.

This is a Budget for Benefits Street, paid for by working people. This Budget increases benefits for 560,000 families by an average of 5,000.

Benefits Street was a controversial Channel 4 documentary first aired in 2014, which followed the lives of welfare claimants in Birmingham and Stockton-on-Tees.

In a phone-in on Wednesday night, Mrs Badenoch dismissed claims from callers that her remarks were offensive and fuelled stigma.

She told LBC: This money is being borrowed from future generations and we are paying more and more money to pay off the debt interest.

We cant afford it, the Government has to live within its means. And I do understand that your personal circumstances are difficult, but there is no limit on child benefit, there is no limit on the amount of child benefit you can claim, on the number of children.

We are purely talking about the Universal Credit element of child benefit. And I do think it is fair that families who are struggling dont have to pay for other families.

The two-child benefit cap will be scrapped in full from next April, Rachel Reeves has said - House of Commons

Mrs Badenoch confirmed a Tory administration led by her would reinstate the two-child benefit cap, arguing it was fair to draw a limit.

The abolition of the cap had long been a key demand of Labours Left, with campaigners saying it would lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty.

Lucy Powell, Labours new deputy leader, said the Budget showed our Labour values in practice.

Tribune, a caucus of Labour MPs including Angela Rayner and Louise Haigh, urged Ms Reeves to go further in targeting unearned income and wealth at future financial events.

It said: In particular, we are pleased to see the decision to remove the two-child limit on benefits  a reform that is not only the right and moral choice, but also economically sensible.

But calling on Ms Reeves to take more money from the wealthiest Britons, it continued: While todays announcements mark real progress, this must be the start of a wider programme of modernisation.
David Olusogas BBC documentary on Empire provides a skewed portrait of our past - Andrew Crowley

While it cannot be denied that Britain participated in the transatlantic slave trade and was responsible for atrocities such as the Amritsar massacre, to suggest there were little to no benefits of Empire for colonised territories would be historically illiterate.

This narrow view, though, is the view being promoted by our national public broadcaster. The BBC has once again overlooked crucial details to peddle a skewed narrative.

David Olusoga, who featured in the 2022 Harry & Meghan Netflix documentary in which the Commonwealth of Nations was foolishly described as Empire 2.0, has written and presented a three-part BBC series which charts colonial expansion from the Tudor period to the First World War.

Professor Lawrence Goldman, an historian and emeritus fellow at St Peters College, has rightly claimed that the series presents a pessimistic view of the British Empire. Goldman, the former director of the Institute of Historical Research (IHR), also suggested that Olusoga isnt interested in much beyond victimhood.

As well as sharing advances in science, medicine, education, and transportation, Britain exported to some of its colonies parliamentary democracy based on the Westminster model of government and sophisticated systems of civil administration  providing a framework for good governance and policy implementation.

Britain also played an integral part in the abolition of sadistic indigenous practices such as sati in India  the custom of burning or burying alive Hindu widows following the death of their husbands (which was viewed by its advocates as the ideal embodiment of womanly devotion).

Prominent opposition to sati came in the shape of British Christian evangelist William Carey and Hindu social reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy, with the British governor-general of India, Lord William Bentinck, declaring the practice punishable by the criminal courts. Rejecting a petition by 800 orthodox Hindus who demanded the withdrawal of the ban, the Privy Council upheld it.

As Policy Exchanges History Matters project has documented, Britains rich tradition of humanitarianism and moral sacrifice is all too often trivialised, if not utterly ignored, by those who appear obsessed with caricaturing the nation as a historic force of wickedness. This good work includes the pioneering role played by Britain in suppressing the Atlantic slave trade  especially by the Royal Navys West Africa Squadron, which carried out its missions under incredibly challenging conditions.

The BBC, repeatedly, has been directly responsible for disrespecting the majority of Britons who quite rightly believe, that throughout history, Britain has been a force for good in the world.

It is time that was put to an end  British citizens deserve a national public broadcaster which provides a much fairer and honest account of their national history.

Dr Rakib Ehsan is a Senior Fellow at Policy Exchange
Benedict Cumberbatch has explained why he doesnt want his children going to a boarding school like he did.

The actor - who has three sons with his director wife Sophie Hunter - attended the all-boys private school Brambletye in West Sussex as a child.

The Imitation Game star then went onto the all-boys boarding school Harrow in greater London, where the annual fees are over 60,000.

A slew of famous faces are among the alumni at the establishment, including Lord Byron, James Blunt, and Winston Churchill.

Cumberbatch said he selfishly doesnt want sons Christopher, Hal, and Finn to follow in his footsteps.

Not unless they really want to, but no way, he told the Daily Mail.

Benedict Cumberbatch with his wife Sophie Hunter (Dave Benett/Getty Images)

The Sherlock star actor added: And Sophie [feels] the same.

Selfishly, I want them around  I still want to be there, in case the call comes, [when] the fall happens, I wanna be there.

He did, however, praise Harrows amazing facilities and very structured timetable.

Cumberbatch - whose latest film is the drama The Thing With Feathers - previously admitted he felt like hed disappointed his actor parents Wanda Ventham and dad Timothy Carlton by going into the film industry.

He revealed they had scrimped and saved to send him to Harrow so he could become a doctor or lawyer.

They scrimped and saved to get their only son the very best education possible, he told The Lady magazine.

And I took that education, threw it all in their face and became an actor anyway. To this day, one of the reasons I get out of bed in the morning is to make them proud of me.

The Doctor Strange star has also opened up about the incredible homophobia he witnessed at his school and how he fought to change his fellow pupils perceptions.

He has three children with Sophie (Doug Peters/PA) (PA Wire)

In an all-male boarding school, in the olden days, it was seen as being something that just happened since there were no girls, so you had a bit of an experience, he told The Daily Beast in 2014.

But there was incredible homophobia at my school, to the point where two boys who were caught doing something were literally chased down the street.

He recalled being 18 when he witnessed students hurling homophobic abuse at two boys who were discovered in bed together.

I was just finishing an essay in the school dining hall at breakfast, and I looked out the window and heard a commotion, a pair of feet scampering by, and then a horde just charging after shouting, W*****s! F*****s! and I thought, What the f**k is going on? he recounted.

I asked these kids coming back from the house who were breathless from the hunt, What are you doing, you insane idiots? What the f**k?

He recalled saying to them: Youve really got to wake up to the fact that the world is full of disgusting prejudice because we are all different from one another. You have to learn acceptance at this school, and you have to go into the world as a better person, and you have to try and embrace the fact that people are different rather than defining yourself by not being like them.

The actor is a passionate advocate of the LGBTQ+ community. He officiated the gay marriage of his friends, Seth Cummings and Rob Rinder, in Ibiza in July 2013.
British Airways is set to add new routes to its roster to let Britons explore more from next summer.

The airline has announced plans to add two new destinations from 2026 which will see it expand its short-haul network leaving from London Heathrow.

From next summer it will launch two new routes, adding Tivat in Montenegro and Guernsey in the Channel Islands to its schedule.

Seasonal flights to Tivat in Montenegro will begin from May 14 2026, setting off from Terminal 3 and will run three times every week.

Those wanting to visit Guernsey will also be able to all year round with the arrival of a service which is set to launch on April 19 2026.

The service will run from Terminal 5 and is set to become the first and only direct connection between Heathrow and the island.

The additions mean that BA now operates almost 100 short haul flights from Heathrow. It follows the airlines recent growth, including the introduction of Graz and the announcement of a new long-haul service to St. Louis.

The news comes as another service announced plans to cut its destinations.

Ryanair announced this week that it will withdraw all flights to and from the Azores, including flights to and from London Stansted, Brussels Charleroi, Lisbon, and Porto from March next year.

The airline has blamed excessive airport fees imposed by Portuguese operator ANA and a lack of government action on rising aviation charges for the move, saying airport costs have surged by up to 35% since the pandemic, while Portuguese air traffic control fees have increased 120% and a new 2 travel tax has been introduced.

The decision will see the loss of six routes and around 400,000 passengers per year, ending a decade of Ryanair operations in one of Europes most remote regions.
Binaifer Nowrojee speaks on stage during the Global Citizen Now event on 29 June 2025 in Seville, Spain. Photograph: Pablo Cuadra/Getty Images for Global Citizen

As Donald Trump menaces the Open Society Foundations (OSF), which funds a long list of progressive causes, Binaifer Nowrojee, the OSF president, says the global grant-making network will pursue legal action against the federal government if it must.

Open Society Foundations supports the right of free speech, supports the constitutional rights of organizations to be able to organize themselves, including through peaceful protest and is willing to actually ensure that those rights are upheld, including by going to court if need be, she said.

Nowrojee spoke to the Guardian at the UN climate talks, known as Cop30, taking place in Brazil this month. She was attending the summit for the first time. Her remarks came as the Trump administration has been targeting the OSF in recent weeks, claiming its founder George Soros is at the top of everything.

The federal government has indicated plans to launch justice department and Internal Revenue Service investigations into the OSF, which supports a long list of progressive organizations.

Matthew Nies, a Department of Justice spokesperson said: Justice department policy is generally to neither confirm nor deny the existence of an investigation.

Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesperson, said: The presidents executive actions to address leftwing violence will employ a whole-of-government approach to end any illegal activities.

If Trumps threats pose risks to those working at OSF, those dangers pale in comparison with the ones many of their grantees face every day, such as environmental defenders facing violence in Latin America.

There are no threats that Open Society Foundations staff will face that go anywhere near the kinds of threats that our grantee partners are facing on the frontlines, she said. Our concern is always first and foremost for those who are working in the most difficult spaces who are often at risk of their lives and actually end up being killed.

Environmental advocates in the US do not often face those mortal risks. But some are uneasy amid intimidation from the federal government. The justice departments September instructions to US attorneys to investigate OSF reportedly cited as evidence a report by the rightwing group Capital Research Center, which zeroed in on some climate-focused OSF grantees such as the progressive youth-led Sunrise Movement and the climate justice activist network Grassroots Global Justice Alliance.

This month, House Republicans also demanded some liberal non-profits with ties to OSF turn over documents related to their alleged support of antifa  the decentralized antifascist movement.

Asked what advice she would offer grantees facing such threats, Nowrojee said: Open Society Foundations supports the right of free speech, and it doesnt have to be speech we agree with. As long as they are operating within the law, she said OSF would stand behind them.

In the event that a grantee is involved in violence or other efforts that are inimical to the purpose of peaceful protest, then they should be held responsible for that, but there are checks and balances in a court of law to do that, she said. What we dont want to see is parts of the sector being silenced because their views differ from those in power.

If a grantee does violate the law, they have to take agency and responsibility, Nowrojee said. But otherwise, respect for grantees also means allowing them the ability to operate freely, she said.

We do not at Open Society Foundations dictate to them every single thing they should be doing, because one has to understand that grantees also have a level of agency, she said. As long as theyre in compliance with their grant letter and the purpose of the grant, we do not interfere in the details of how their [work is] enacted.

This years UN climate summit is the first to be held in the Amazon rainforest, something Nowrojee said was remarkable.

You begin to see the people whose lives are being impacted on the frontlines, she said.

The talks have seen an outpouring of protest inside and outside the conference center, held by civil society groups including Indigenous communities from the Amazon. Those demonstrations set this installment of the talks apart from the past several years, which were held in the more autocratic states of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan.

We have seen communities here who have come out in large numbers, Indigenous communities, Afro-descendant communities, to talk about the fact that they are so excluded from these debates, and how they can actually have a larger voice, she said.

The fact that millions and millions of citizens around the world are using their voice and their right to protest has helped keep pressure on governments and the private sector to take on the climate crisis, she said.

Trump pulled the US from the UN Paris climate agreement in January. And for the first time this year, the federal government refused to send a delegation to the climate talks. It was a short-sighted move, Nowrojee said, because the refusal to engage in climate policy would not prevent the climate crisis from harming Americans.

In the end, theres such an interdependence on this planet, she said. Our futures are intertwined.

The guardian.org receives funding from OSF for reporting on climate and democracy; all editorial is independent
This is the moment police rescue an unconscious man from a burning car wreck after his cell phones alert system led them to his location, saving his life.

Safwan Islam, 26, crashed on Route 27 in Franklin Township, New Jersey, in the early hours of November 9. A feature on his phone sensed the crash and automatically called 911 and alerted authorities to his location.

Officers Thomas Sites and Yash Shroff of South Brunswick Police were closest to the scene and managed to rescue Mr Islam just moments before his car was consumed by flames.

Mr Islam is now back home recovering after spending a week in hospital for injuries to his back and neck. The cause of the accident is currently being investigated.
John Cowen on Countdown (Channel 4)

A former Countdown champion who stabbed a rival at a fan convention in a "terrifying incident" will be detained in hospital for treatment, a judge has ruled.

John Cowen, 31, entered the convention venue with a knife in hand, walking up to fellow Countdown champion Thomas Carey before stabbing him in the upper arm. This was heard at Preston Crown Court on Wednesday.

The incident happened on September 14 2024 at a Focal Countdown Group gathering, where former contestants and fans meet for tournaments.

Judge Guy Mathieson said Cowen entered the venue at the Wainwright Social Club in Blackpool, Lancashire, and went straight for Mr Carey.

You were in possession of two kitchen knives and already held one of them in your hand  clearly to be used as a weapon, Judge Mathieson said.

This was a terrifying incident of deliberate violence with a knife which could have caused far more serious injury and possible lethality.

Cowen was arrested at the scene and later charged with a wounding offence and two counts of possessing a bladed article in a public place.

But Judge Mathieson ruled earlier this year that the defendant was unfit to stand trial because of mental illness.

A fact-finding hearing took place, after which a jury found that Cowen, from Morecambe, had committed the act of wounding as charged.

John Cowen (Channel 4)

Judge Mathieson said Cowen never offered an explanation for his actions, although the court previously heard he had expressed discontent over the use of an app by some of those at the conventions.

The one matter that was tentatively put to Mr Carey was that there had been some ongoing disagreement between you, Mr Cowen, and others on the use of an app to play or help with playing Countdown, Judge Mathieson told the hearing on Wednesday.

Mr Carey was at a complete loss as to why he had been singled out for this attack.

The judge ordered that Cowen, who is diagnosed with schizophrenia, be detained in hospital for an indefinite duration under Section 37/41 of the Mental Health Act.

Cowen, who appeared via videolink from the Guild Lodge psychiatric hospital in Preston, where he is undergoing medical treatment, did not react to the decision.

Your attitude to that treatment remains hostile and so any potential treatment and monitoring in the community would not be effective as you would not engage, Judge Mathieson said.

I am satisfied that you, Mr Cowen, are suffering from a mental disorder of such a nature that it is appropriate for you to be detained in hospital for medical treatment.

Cowen will also be subject to a restriction order, meaning his discharge from hospital would require the consent of the secretary of state for justice.

Cowen appeared on Countdown in 2017, when he scored the third highest total of the series in which he was a contestant, including spotting the nine-letter word spreading.

He competed in a further 11 episodes, winning eight consecutive contests, before he was finally defeated.
Crisis-hit Your Party rules out co-leadership after Corbyn and Sultanas public spats

Crisis-hit Your Party has ruled out having co-leaders, following a series of public spats between Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana.

At the partys founding conference in Liverpool this weekend, members will vote on a new leadership model for the party, with options including a collective leadership model or backing a single leader.

But in the longer term, Your Party could look to bring back the option of co-leaders, with a member-led review of leadership structures exploring options of deputy leadership, co-leadership and the relationship with the partys leadership in Wales and Scotland once the party has been established in each nation.

The decision to rule out co-leadership in the short term comes after a turbulent first few months for the party, marred by internal division, with a dispute between Mr Corbyn and Ms Sultana resulting in a botched membership launch and threats of legal action.

Ms Sultana complained she had been subjected to a sexist boys club after supporters were invited to officially sign up and give the party financial backing.

But Mr Corbyn described this as an unauthorised email and just hours later warned people in a statement posted on social media not to sign up via the link.

Disputes between Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana resulted in a botched membership launch and threats of legal action (PA)

The former Labour leader and Independent MP for Islington North at the time said that legal advice is being taken over the message.

And to make matters worse for the party, two of the MPs who helped to set up the outfit have now quit.

Under the single leader model, one leader will be elected by the end of February 2026 for a period of no more than 21 months, while the party decides on its permanent leadership structure.

Under the collective leadership model, the chair and deputy chair of the central executive committee, who must be ordinary members, will provide the partys leadership for the same period.

Last week, Iqbal Mohamed said in a statement that he had decided to leave Your Party and continue to serve his Dewsbury and Batley constituency as an Independent MP.

It comes after MP Adnan Hussain said earlier this month he was withdrawing from the partys steering process, citing concerns about factionalism and veiled prejudice against Muslims.

They had been among the six MPs helping to set up the party, alongside Mr Corbyn, Ms Sultana and independents Shockat Adam and Ayoub Khan.

Blackburn MP Mr Hussain said earlier this month that he had initially agreed to support the foundation of Your Party because he believed in building a political home with mass appeal and a force capable of challenging the rise of far-right rhetoric.

But in a statement published on X (Twitter), he said he had been disillusioned by persistent infighting, factional competition, and a struggle for power, position and influence rather than a shared commitment to the common good.

This weeks conference  which will include speeches from both Mr Corbyn and Ms Sultana  will see members invited to vote on the partys name, with the options to be revealed later this week.

There will also be political debates around the partys identity, including whether it should explicitly identify as socialist.

A Your Party spokesperson said: The mainstream parties are failing us because they are run by and for billionaires and corporations, not ordinary people.

Your Party will be different, relentlessly accountable to its members and the communities we strive to represent.

Our founding conference will be a festival of democracy, showing how we can build a real alternative to a broken Westminster model.
Duduzile Zuma (C), daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma (AFP via Getty Images)

South African police have launched an investigation into serious allegations that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of Jacob Zuma, enticed 17 men into fighting in Russia's war against Ukraine under false pretences.

Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed the probe, which stems from an affidavit submitted by Zuma-Sambudla's sister, Nkosazana Bonganini Zuma-Mncube.

The document claims Ms Zuma-Sambudla, alongside two unnamed individuals, misled the men by promising them security training in Russia, only for them to become embroiled in the conflict without their consent. The identities of the two other alleged accomplices remain undisclosed.

The affidavit alleges they were handed over to a Russian mercenary group and forced to fight in the war. It also says eight of the 17 men were members of the sisters' family.

Mathe said Sunday that any police charges are still to be determined through a thorough investigation.

South Africa's foreign minister, Ronald Lamola, told reporters on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg over the weekend that diplomatic efforts were underway with Russia and Ukraine to repatriate the men.

The police must investigate and whoever is involved in this must be arrested, Lamola said, adding: It is not an easy situation because they are in the front lines of this battle, but we are hopeful that there will be breakthroughs.

South Africa's government earlier this month said it had received distress calls from the men, aged 20 to 39, who said they were trapped in Ukraine's war-torn eastern Donbas region.

The men had joined mercenary forces under the pretext of lucrative employment contracts, the government said.

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma, left, shares a light moment outside High Court during her trial for terrorism linked to the July 2021 riots in Durban, South Africa, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. (AP Photo) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Russia has been accused of recruiting men from other countries to fight in the war under the pretext of offering them jobs. It has also been accused of tricking women from South Africa and other African countries into working in Russian drone factories through social media campaigns promising them jobs in fields like catering and hospitality.

Under South African law, it is illegal for citizens and entities to offer or provide military assistance to foreign governments or participate in armies of foreign governments unless authorized by South Africa's government.

Zuma-Sambudla is a member of parliament for the MK Party, which her father founded in 2023 after he was expelled from the ruling African National Congress, which he led from 2007 to 2017.

She is currently on trial for unrelated charges around the deadly riots in South Africa in 2021. She is accused of fueling them with social media posts.

Zuma-Sambudla and the MK Party did not respond to request for comment.
Pete Hegseth, center, arrives to watch Donald Trump pardon a turkey named Gobble in the Rose Garden of the White House on Tuesday. Photograph: Jim LoScalzo/Pool/Jim LoScalzo - Pool/CNP/Shutterstock

The US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, escalated attacks by Trump administration chiefs on the Arizona senator Mark Kelly on Tuesday by ordering the secretary of the US navy to investigate potentially unlawful comments made by Kelly in a social media video with other lawmakers.

Hegseths order came in the form of a memorandum to John Phelan asking the navy secretary to review Kelly and a group of fellow Democrats comments in the video last week that sought to remind serving soldiers and intelligence officers that they have the right to refuse unlawful orders.

Hegseth said in the memo that he wanted a brief from Phelan that he could review by 10 December.

The Pentagon had issued a statement on Monday that it was investigating Kelly for possible breaches of military law.

Kelly and the other Democrats have been accused by Donald Trump of seditious behavior, to which Kelly has responded that the US president is using the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) against them as a tool to intimidate and harass members of Congress.

Related: Mark Kelly: call for troops to disobey illegal orders is non-controversial

The four politicians, along with two others, had made a video encouraging US military service members to resist unlawful orders  a message that angered Trump, who posted on social media that the group were traitors and thus could be jailed or even face the death penalty.

The latest statement from the group, released by congressional lawmakers Jason Crow of Colorado, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania and Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, confirmed that the FBI had contacted the House and Senate sergeants at arms requesting interviews with them.

No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs and honoring our constitution, they said, adding that they had each sworn an oath to support and defend the US constitution.

That oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it. We will not be bullied. We will never give up the ship, they added.

The statement deepens a dispute between the Trump administration and Democrats, including Arizona senator and former astronaut Kelly and Michigan congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, over the video message, which urged the military and intelligence services members to refuse illegal orders.

Slotkin said the FBIs counter-terrorism division had notified the group that they are opening what appears to be an inquiry against the six of us and described the move as a scare tactic by Trump.

To be honest, the presidents reaction and the use of the FBI against us is exactly why we made the video, she said.

He believes in using the federal government against his perceived adversaries, and hes not afraid to use the arms of the government against people he disagrees with. He does not believe the law applies to him  which is exactly why we made the video, to give people some assurance that they werent alone as they watch this stuff unfold.

The Pentagon has also said it is conducting a review of misconduct allegations against Kelly that could, it said, result in him being recalled to active duty to face court-martial proceedings.
Former Department of Justice staffers have signed off their farewells with notes slamming Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi for causing irreversible damage to the agency.

Nearly 5,500 employees have left the DOJ since Trump took office in January, either by taking buyouts, quitting, or being fired, leading some to complain in their parting messages of a toxic work environment.

The Justice Connection, a network of FBI alumni and DOJ, has compiled a hefty tranche of farewell messages, seen by Axios, expressing discontent with how Bondi and the Ccommanderinchief are running the agency.

Stacey Young, Executive Director of The Justice Connection, wrote in her own message that DOJ employees are being forced to put loyalty to the President over the Constitution, the rule of law, and their professional ethical obligations."

Departing DOJ staff have slammed Donald Trump and Pam Bondi for their stewardship of the Justice Department, claiming that they are causing irreversible damage (Getty)

Meanwhile, three assistant U.S. attorneys, who resisted dropping corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams, claimed in a joint statement that the DOJ has decided that obedience supersedes all else.

"There is no greater privilege than to work for an institution whose mandate is to do the right thing, the right way, for the right reasons," they wrote in a collective statement. "We will not abandon this principle to keep our jobs."

Also, Anam Rahman Petit, an immigration judge at the DOJ, claimed that the federal agency was "replacing career judges with less experienced or politically malleable ones reflects a systemic effort to reshape the bench with individuals more likely to deny cases without regard for due process."

Since January, the DOJ has become increasingly mired in controversy, with many farewell notes pointing to the growing criticism that the federal agency is being used to target Trumps political enemies.

The Justice Department has been accused of being weaponized to target Trumps enemies (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Nearly all of the farewell messages are very complimentary about the DOJ itself, instead limiting their criticisms to Trump and Bondis stewardship of it.

Former trial attorney Carrie A. Syme published her own post on LinkedIn, writing that she did not recognize the current incarnation of the DOJ.

However, she urged readers to "please remember that the vast majority of DOJ attorneys are people of goodwill who are trying to maintain a true sense of justice."

Trump has often claimed that the DOJ was weaponized against him, while simultaneously bringing legal cases against his political enemies, including former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and even a case against the Justice Department itself.

Trump has even turned on the DOJ itself though, demanding that the agency pay him $230 million (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Last month, the president demanded that the Department of Justice pay him $230 million in compensation for federal investigations into him.

Trumps two complaints focus on the FBI investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election and the FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago in 2022, over alleged mishandling of classified documents by the then-former president.

However, several of his legal cases, including those aimed at Comey and James, have collapsed after a judge ruled that Trump had illegally appointed the prosecutor.

The Trump administration has threatened to try again to bring charges against Comey and James.

The facts of the indictments against Comey and James have not changed, and this will not be the final word on this matter, a White House spokesperson told NewsNation reporter Libbey Dean.

The Independent has contacted the DOJ and the White House for comment.
Mease and her family anticipate serving and delivering 700 meals, up from about 625 last year, to account for food insecurity worsened by the shutdown. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

The promise of a new beginning and a celebratory Thanksgiving meal has been overshadowed by lingering financial insecurity for families like Shelby Williams, whose meticulously planned budget was thrown into disarray by the recent government shutdown.

Williams, a mother of two from Reeds Spring, Missouri, had carefully calculated every dollar, balancing an impending insurance payment against her hard-earned wages and government SNAP assistance. After more than two years living with her parents, she was finally set to move into her own apartment, envisioning a Thanksgiving feast prepared by her children, joined by their grandparents.

However, the funds earmarked for groceries vanished when the federal government ceased operations on October 1.

While Washington has since resumed normal function, the relief felt by families in Williams community and countless others recovering from the 43-day suspension of government wages and food aid is now tempered by persistent stress and economic uncertainty, casting a shadow over the upcoming holiday season.

The anxiety stirred by the shutdown persists in the lines at food pantries in this southwestern Missouri county and echoes through households nationwide. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Im thankful for my children and my job, and Im thankful for SNAP because it supplies food, said Williams, 32, who works as a paraprofessional in an elementary school. But  with the way the world is, with the financial strain, it is hard to be thankful.

The anxiety stirred by the shutdown persists in the lines at food pantries in this southwestern Missouri county and echoes through households nationwide.

Dealing with the shutdowns fallout

In South Florida, Darlene Castillo is still struggling to prop up her familys fragile finances after working without pay for seven weeks at the U.S. Customs Service.

To get by, she lined up at a mobile food bank, a first for her. She held off paying bills and canceled subscriptions. Family members sent money, and when one extended an invitation for Thanksgiving, she and her husband gratefully accepted, knowing that theyd be hard-pressed to host the holiday meal.

Its a thankful time, Castillo said last week. Ill bring a dish because hopefully this week well get paid. And then well worry about Jan. 30.

Thats when the funds just approved by Congress to reopen the government are set to run out, threatening yet another shutdown.

In New Jersey, Kelvin McNeil is equally mindful that restored Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits could again be taken away.

During the shutdown, McNeil said he got by on the modest stipend he receives as a trainee in a culinary program run by the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. But attending classes meant missing the hours food pantries were open. His wife, who is disabled and counts on him to bring home SNAP-funded groceries, grew distraught.

If it was any longer, I dont know what I wouldve done, said McNeil, whose relief is compounded by news that after months of radiation treatment, his prostate cancer is in remission. I got a lot to be thankful for right now.

Community support for stretched resources

In Williams Missouri community, a haven for retirees on modest fixed incomes, the lapse in SNAP funds has added to the pressures on families who stretch to buy daily necessities.

In early November, a startling 428 families lined up at a drive-through food pantry run by Carrie Padilla and church volunteers, in a county with about 32,000 residents. About 12 percent of households in the county rely on SNAP benefits, but it is closer to 17 percent in rural areas.

Though SNAP has been restored, many families registering for a Christmas toy drive run by Padillas nonprofit indicate that they are entering the holiday season without enough food.

Almost everybody is antsy, Padilla said. Just because the government reopened, it doesnt mean that somebody has waved a wand and suddenly everythings all hunky-dory.

That uncertainty has figured into Shirley Meases planning, as she prepares to host a free Thanksgiving feast at Reeds Spring High School. Mease and her family anticipate serving and delivering 700 meals, up from about 625 last year, to account for food insecurity worsened by the shutdown.

I know (SNAP) is back in working order, but it will take time for that to really help people out, said Mease, 73, a semi-retired school cafeteria worker who has been providing the feast since 2009, drawing on community donations and volunteers.

Especially in this area, the food banks are being hit very hard, so I just feel like this is a time to step it up a little bit, she said.

Feeling the pressure without SNAP

The pressure of trying to get through November without SNAP weighed on Williams in the weeks leading up to the holiday.

She had planned the move to the new apartment for months, carefully balancing income and expenses to account for the $600 rent. The math worked thanks in no small part to $450 in monthly benefits her family receives from SNAP. That covers their food bill after the two free meals served each school day.

As the shutdown stretched on, the Trump administration announced it would suspend November SNAP payments, despite judges orders to use available emergency funds. With her move days away, Williams started November with just $25 left in her SNAP account.

She used the funds to buy bread, peanut butter, jelly and milk, and a friend with chickens gave her eggs. The fixings lasted through four nights of sandwich dinners. Then her parents stepped in to help.

Williams tried to keep her stress hidden from her 11-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter. But it was hard to avoid tearing up or getting angry.

What bills do I not pay so I can feed my children, because thats the priority, she said.

Faced with a difficult choice

There were other factors to consider, too. Williams said she loves her job, working with students in a special education classroom. In her off-hours she is studying to become a teacher, a pursuit that required taking out a student loan.

The suspension of SNAP confronted her with a difficult choice. She knew she could earn more at Walmart than doing the classroom job she treasures.

But then Im giving up a part of my dream, she said.

It never came to that. Three days after the shutdown ended, Missouri officials sent $217 to Williams SNAP account, just under half what she receives in an ordinary month.

That helped refill her familys refrigerator, but it was not enough to afford the luxury of a Thanksgiving celebration. Williams held off paying a bill for car insurance, due at months end, reserving the money in case it was needed for food.

Then, last Friday morning, the remainder of the SNAP funds for November showed up in Williams account. Finally, she could exhale. She paid the insurance bill. Then she treated her children to ice cream.

The anxiety that had weighed on Williams for weeks lingered. But it was still November,and her family had so much to be thankful for.
Several farmers were arrested in central London after driving tractors into the capital for a Budget day protest, defying police restrictions.

Reform UK has pledged to cover their legal defence, branding the arrests "outrageous".

The Metropolitan Police had warned: Anyone breaching conditions by bringing vehicles, including tractors or agricultural vehicles, to todays farmers protest will be asked by officers to leave.

If they refuse to comply with the conditions, officers will have to make arrests for offences under the Public Order Act.

And the force said later on Wednesday: We have already spoken to a number of individuals this morning to advise them of the conditions.

The majority have listened to officers and complied with the conditions, however, several arrests have been made.

Reform leader Nigel Farage said: The farmers planned protest on Whitehall has been cancelled by the police at the last moment.

They have come to London and are now being arrested. This is outrageous.

Reform UK will provide full legal support to every farmer protesting peacefully today.

The planned farmers protest on Whitehall has been cancelled by the police at the last moment.



They have come to London and are now being arrested. This is outrageous.



Reform UK will provide legal support to every farmer protesting peacefully today.  Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) November 26, 2025

More than a dozen tractors could be seen parked outside Parliament on Wednesday morning, with rush-hour traffic brought to a standstill and farmers repeatedly sounding the tractor horns while police stood watching.

David Gunn, an arable farmer and agricultural contractor from near Sevenoaks in Kent, said he was protesting over the Government move to put inheritance tax on farm businesses worth more than 1 million.

He said: Inheritance tax is one reason, its going to cripple the farmers, the small family farmers.

Theres all the other taxes theyve been putting on us, and the prices we get for our produce and what it costs in the shop, we dont make any money.

Then theres food security, farmers are going out of business.

One protester dressed as Santa had a naughty list of Government figures (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

He said his message to Government was: Sort the pledge out.

You said in the manifesto you would look after the farmers, which you totally havent, youve ruined the countryside, he said.

Tyler Carter, 18, from Peterborough, was also among the campaigners gathered in Trafalgar Square.

He held a sign reading: Dear London sorry  Im here to fight for my future! and told the PA news agency: Were fighting for our livelihood.

When asked what the reforms would mean for him, he said: It means my boss will be out of a job, which means I will be out of a job.

Tractors appeared on Whitehall ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reevess Budget speech (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

We have worked hard for what weve got and dont deserve to have it taken off us.

Questioned on what he would say to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, he responded: How dare you?

Another farmer attended the event dressed as Father Christmas, with his tractor carrying a large spruce tree and bearing a sign that read: Farmer Christmas  the naughty list: Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves, David Lammy, Diane Abbott, Angela Rayner & the BBC.

Police officers speak to farmers taking part in the protest (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Wednesdays protest came as Ms Reeves faced pressure from farmers to axe plans to introduce inheritance tax on farming land and businesses.

The Chancellors plans to introduce a 20% rate on agricultural land and businesses worth more than 1 million have become a political flashpoint for a sector struggling with rising costs, tough market conditions and worsening climate impacts.

Last December, thousands of protesters gathered along Whitehall and angry farmers drove their tractors outside Parliament, demonstrating against the decision which farmers said put their businesses, futures and food security at risk.
FBI personnel reportedly devoted more than 3,000 hours of overtime to obtaining and redacting the Epstein Files back in March, at the direction of FBI Director Kash Patel  only to have President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi throw cold war on the release.

After Attorney General Pam Bondis botched attempt to release Phase 1 of the Epstein files in February, Patel ordered around 1,000 FBI agents to team up and dedicate extensive hours to adding more to Phase 1 and preparing Phase 2 of the files for release.

Emails and documents exchanged between FBI officials in March, recently obtained by Bloomberg, show that agents across multiple departments communicated consistently about progress and racked up more than $850,000 in overtime work between March 17 and March 22 alone.

In the emails obtained by Bloomberg, FBI officials received continuous updates on agents reviewing documents that needed to be redacted, surveillance photos the Justice Department took during its investigation into Epstein and the infamous video of the hallway outside of Epsteins jail cell before he died.

By March 24, FBI personnel were preparing Phase 2 for final delivery to the Department of Justice. That appeared to be completed around May 2, when FBI agents in New York sent the Information Management Division the Epstein Overview FINAL.

At the direction of FBI Director Kash Patel, nearly 1,000 FBI personnel collaborated to work overtime to prepare the Epstein files for release early this year (Getty Images)

However, Phase 2 was ultimately never released, and by July, the Department of Justice released a memo stating that no further disclosures were warranted after agents thoroughly reviewed the Epstein files.

Shortly after, Bondi and Trump urged the public to move on.

It was a sudden reversal from Trumps claim on the 2024 presidential campaign trail that he would release the files and Bondis assurance in February that Epsteins client list was sitting on my desk right now to review.

But officials and members of the public have not moved on from the long-promised release of files that contain information about the governments investigation into the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. For years, Epstein ran a sex-trafficking ring that allegedly included children. Reports have accused numerous high-profile individuals of being part of Epsteins crimes, or at least aware of them.

That includes allegations related to Trump  who was once friends with Epstein, but who maintains they cut ties in the 2000s, before Epstein was indicted by the federal government in 2019. Trump has not been accused of any wrongdoing and has continuously said he was unaware of Epsteins crimes.

Bloomberg previously reported that the investigators who completed the final review of the Epstein files redacted Trumps name, as well as other high-profile figures.

Trump said the Epstein files were a Democrat hoax but signed off on releasing them once Congress passed legislation (Getty)

Trumps refusal to release the remainder of the Epstein files has given Democrats leverage in accusing him of covering up a larger conspiracy to either protect himself or other high-profile individuals.

For months, Trump has gone on the defensive  accusing Democrats of creating a hoax to hurt him politically, alleging that Epsteins friends were all Democrats, and claiming Democrats were using the Epstein files as a distraction from Republicans successes.

The FBI and Justice Departments memo attests that Epstein did not keep a client list and shut down speculation that Epstein was killed in his prison cell, rather than taking his own life. Theyve maintained that the FBI completed a thorough review of all the documents related to the investigation into Epstein.

But the presidents urging to forget about the Epstein files, Bondis assurance that no other important information needs to be released, and memos from the Justice Department have not tempered the interest in Phase 2.

The government is now being given a second opportunity to release the documents, thanks to a bill passed by Congress and signed by the president this past month.

In yet another reversal, Trump appeared to give in to the inevitable release of the Epstein files, claiming he doesnt care what documents Congress wants.

But it is ultimately up to the Justice Department what information to release.

The Independent has asked the FBI for comment.
A multi-agency team of about 50 people surveying storm-damaged Chicago was reportedly told to stand down earlier this month over concerns their operations would overlap with an unexpected contingent of ICE agents conducting patrols in the area.

On November 6, about ten groups of disaster workers, including those from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, were told to stand down for the day, as FEMA agents worried the presence of ICE agents and vehicles in the area could spark chaos or conflict that would put citizens and government employees at risk, The Washington Post reported.

The overlap came despite an alleged warning in October that a FEMA regional administrator gave to the Department of Homeland Security about the planned surveying operations. Disaster personnel were in the area because state officials requested assistance mapping damage after the Trump administration denied an initial appeal for a disaster declaration to respond to the summer flooding.

The alleged decision to pull back meant teams reportedly did not return to parts of Gage Park, a hard-hit area struggling with sewer backups and mold in the wake of the July and August flooding.

FEMA completed all required damage assessments in Illinois as planned, FEMA said in a statement to The Independent. Field schedules can shift for operational reasons, but no changes affected FEMAs ability to complete or validate the assessments. FEMA does not comment on the activities of other federal agencies.

A team of about 50 disaster workers were reportedly pulled from flood-related operations earlier this month to make way for ICE agents in the area. (AP)

The federal government has been surging immigration agents in the Chicago area since September as part of Operation Midway Blitz, and their presence has been met with continued protests.

As part of the Trump administrations immigration crackdown, the president has shifted both funds and focus away from disaster aid and toward deportation operations.

The White House has reassigned agents from across the government, including FEMA, to immigration missions.

In August, the Trump administration moved to shift $155 million from FEMA to pay for immigration detention space, and the White House has threatened to cut off federally funded volunteer aid groups that offer services to undocumented people.

The Trump administration has been surging immigration agents to the Chicago area since September as part of Operation Midway Blitz, which has been met with regular protests. (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Immigration officials have also arrested immigrants actively involved in battling disasters, such as an August case where the Border Patrol detained a firefighter in Washington.

During the campaign, Trump and his allies politicized the typically non-partisan work of disaster response, spreading false claims that under the Biden administration FEMA was avoiding Republican areas and diverting disaster funds to support immigrants.

In this environment of suspicion, FEMA workers faced threats, ultimately unfounded, that militias were hunting for relief workers during the response to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.
We need to finally take the North Korean threat seriously - KCNA via KNS

The recent revelation that North Koreas state-sponsored cyberwarfare group, the Lazarus Group, is collaborating with Russias cyber espionage group, Gamaredon, should not come as a surprise. Rather, it is yet another stark reminder of the need to take seriously the threats from North Korea and its collaboration with fellow rogue states.

North Korea has gained infamy as a hermit kingdom ruled by a despotic regime hellbent on developing nuclear weapons. Whilst the Kim regime has long prohibited its people from accessing the Internet, the country is one of the few in the world to have a state-run cyberwarfare agency, the ominously-named Bureau 121. The agency is constantly finding new ways to penetrate global financial systems from which to extract hardly paltry sums of cash. Nuclear and missile capabilities do not come cheap, especially for a country with one of the lowest Gross Domestic Products in the world.

The Lazarus Group is no stranger to the scene. It committed cyber-attacks on Sony Pictures in 2014, in response to the release of the comedy, The Interview, and was responsible for the WannaCry ransomware attack that afflicted our own NHS in May 2017. More recently, it has adapted to the rise of cryptocurrency, making over $15billion from stolen cryptocurrency assets last year and amassing $1.5billion in a single blow against the cryptocurrency firm, Bybit, this February.

Cyberattacks account for half of Pyongyangs foreign income, and fund at least 40 per cent of its weapons of mass destruction programme. It is no wonder that North Korea wants to collaborate with its recent treaty ally of Russia in this domain. Nearly eighteen months ago, on 19 June 2024, the two countries signed a mutual defence pact. Each side pledged to assist the other in the event of any attack. Since Russias initial invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, North Korea has sent over twelve million rounds of artillery and approximately 14,000 troops to Russia.

The treaty, however, went beyond defence cooperation. Moscow and Pyongyang agreed to cooperate in areas including climate change, artificial intelligence, and information technology. This reality is bleak: Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un do not look to abandon each other even after the Ukraine War ends.

Although Pyongyang is nearly five thousand miles away from our own shores, Britain cannot afford to ignore North Koreas mounting cooperation both with Russia and with the elephant in the room, China. Beijing continues to facilitate Moscows war by supplying dual-use technologies, and China remains North Koreas economic lifeline.

In yet another sanctions-violating action, the presence of at least 100,000 North Korean workers in China and Russia should not be sniffed at. Not only do these workers allow North Korea a gateway into cyberspace, but their salaries also bring a crucial source of income into the Kim regimes coffers. North Korean workers for Chinese front companies have been known to deceive Western firms into hiring them, in the hope that they can subsequently access and steal from their new employers financial systems.

For all societys paralysis by debates about self-identification, not least pertaining to ones sex, the Starmer governments refusal to identify China as a threat is risible. Labours related shelving of concerns about Chinese espionage across our nation is a dangerous denial of reality. Whilst China is our fourth largest trading partner, this should not immunise Beijing from criticism. Moreover, Beijing does not simply act alone. The prospect of China working with its naughty nuclear neighbour of North Korea in conducting cyber operations against their common Western enemies should not be ruled out.

The House of Commons Defence Committees latest report on the UKs contribution to European security emphasises how support for Russia by other potential adversaries of the UK (China, Iran and North Korea) ought to be regarded as a single systemic challenge to Britain and Europe. But these are no longer potential adversaries; they are real. What is more, it is not just these countries support for Russia that is concerning. They are also enabling each other. Xi Jinping will be only too pleased at the news that Beijings mega embassy in London will be given the green light, offering yet another means for espionage.

Russia, China, and North Korea are not going to rein in their ambitions to undermine regional and global security. And it is about time that we took them seriously before it is too late.
Flash floods and landslides on Indonesian island leave at least 10 dead and others missing

Torrential downpours have unleashed deadly flash floods and triggered devastating landslides across Indonesias Sumatra island, claiming the lives of at least 10 people and leaving six others unaccounted for, police confirmed on Wednesday.

Rescue teams are battling arduous conditions to reach affected communities across six North Sumatra regencies.

Monsoon rains over the past week caused rivers to burst their banks, unleashing torrents of mud, rocks, and trees that tore through hilly villages, causing widespread destruction, the National Police said.

In Sibolga, the worst-hit city, emergency workers had by Wednesday recovered five bodies and three injured people; four villagers remain missing.

In neighbouring Central Tapanuli, landslides tragically claimed at least a family of four, while floods submerged nearly 2,000 homes and buildings.

Elsewhere, floods and landslides uprooted trees, killing one villager and injuring another in South Tapanuli.

A bridge was destroyed in Mandailing Natal, and 470 houses inundated. On Nias island, a main road was blocked by mud and debris.

Rescue workers by Wednesday had recovered at least five bodies and three injured people in the worst-hit city of Sibolga and were searching for four villagers who were reported missing (BASARNAS)

Harrowing social media videos show water cascading down rooftops as terrified residents scramble for safety, flash floods rapidly transforming streets into raging torrents carrying tree trunks and wreckage.

Sibolga police chief Eddy Inganta said emergency shelters have been set up, with authorities urging residents in high-risk zones to evacuate immediately. He warned that continued rainfall could trigger more landslides, after six such incidents in the hilly city already flattened 17 houses and a cafe.

Bad weather and mudslides hampered the rescue operation, Inganta said, adding that access remains limited as rescuers battle harsh conditions.

Tuesdays disasters occurred the same day the National Disaster Mitigation Agency declared the official end of relief efforts in two areas of Indonesias main island of Java after 10 days of operations.

More than 1,000 rescue workers had been deployed to search for people buried under landslides triggered by torrential rains that left 38 people dead in Central Java's districts of Cilacap and Banjarnegara.

Sibolga police chief Eddy Inganta said emergency shelters have been set up, with authorities urging residents in high-risk zones to evacuate immediately (BASARNAS)

At least two people in Cilacap and 11 in Banjarnegara were still unaccounted for when the operations ended, as unstable ground, bad weather and the depth and extent of the landfill material pose a high safety risk to rescue teams and residents, the agency said.

Heavy seasonal rain from about October to March frequently causes flooding and landslides in Indonesia, an archipelago of 17,000 islands where millions of people live in mountainous areas or near fertile floodplains.
Four more arrests have been made by French police investigating the Louvre museum heist.

Two men and two women from the Paris region were detained on Tuesday, prosecutor Laure Beccuau said.

Ms Beccuau's statement did not say what role the quartet are suspected of having played in the robbery. The two men are aged 38 and 39, and the two women are aged 31 and 40.

They are being interrogated by police, who can hold them for questioning for 96 hours.

The latest arrests come after investigating magistrates filed preliminary charges against three men and one woman who were arrested last month.

Some of the French Crown Jewels, worth an estimated 76m, were stolen in the audacious October raid.

The haul - which included a diamond and emerald necklace Napoleon gave to Empress Marie-Louise, jewels linked to 19th-century Queens Marie-Amelie and Hortense, and Empress Eugenie's pearl and diamond tiara - has not been recovered.

The heist was pulled off in mere minutes last month - and took place while the Louvre was open to visitors, raising doubts over the credibility of the world's most-visited museum as a guardian for its priceless works.

On Sunday 19 October, two men used a stolen furniture lift to access the second floor Galerie d'Apollon.

They then cracked open display cases with angle grinders before escaping with their loot and fleeing on the back of two scooters driven by accomplices.

Read more:

Louvre director offers to resign

Gallery closed as structure in 'dire state'

The Paris prosecutor previously said the robbery appeared to be the work of small-time criminals rather than professional gangsters.

Speaking shortly after the heist, art detective Arthur Brand told Sky News that detectives faced a "race against time" to recover the stolen treasure.

"These crown jewels are so famous, you just cannot sell them," Mr Brand said. "The only thing they can do is melt the silver and gold down, dismantle the diamonds, try to cut them. That's the way they will probably disappear forever.

"They [the police] have a week. If they catch the thieves, the stuff might still be there. If it takes longer, the loot is probably gone and dismantled. It's a race against time."
Fox News legal analyst Gregg Jarrett is suing his former literary agent, whom hes already accused of engaging in a conspiracy against him, for mysteriously depositing a royalty payment in his account. (Fox News)

Months after accusing his publisher of conspiring with his literary agent to steal his book proposal and give it to a right-wing media competitor, Fox News legal analyst Gregg Jarrett is suing the same agent over a mystery royalty payment that was recently deposited into his bank account.

According to a complaint filed in New York this week, Jarrett alleges that after his relationship with literary agency Vigliano Associates fell apart earlier this year after the parties entered into litigation following Jarretts lawsuit over a scuttled book deal about Donald Trump. However, last month, his now-former agent suddenly and inexplicably sent him money.

Nonetheless, it came as a surprise to Jarrett when, in October 2025, he discovered an unannounced direct deposit in his bank account from Vigliano Associates in the amount of $8,014.21, the lawsuit alleges.

The complaint notes that, while previous payments from Vigliano Associates  run by founder David Vigliano  typically included details of any payments the agency had previously sent to Jarrett. This would generally accompany the deposit and document the title of the book or project associated with the payment, as well as the commission retained by Vigliano.

Jarrett  having lost trust and confidence in the integrity of Defendants following the breakdown of their relationship  sought to discover more information about the unexplained Deposit, the complaint adds. Accordingly, Jarrett, through his attorneys, sent a letter to Defendants on or about October, 27, 2025.

Fox News legal analyst Gregg Jarrett is suing his former literary agent, whom hes already accused of engaging in a conspiracy against him, for mysteriously depositing a royalty payment in his account. (Fox News)

Despite asking for a full and complete accounting of all financial transactions and income concerning his published works during his tenure with Vigliano, including an explanation about the mystery deposit, the lawsuit states that Vigliano refused to give Jarrett an adequate response.

Although Jarrett requested nothing more than a simple accounting, Defendants expressly refused the request, the lawsuit claims. In response, Defendants sent a two-sentence letter stating that the Deposit represented unspecified royalties for prior matters and, if Jarrett sought further information, he would have to obtain it through formal legal discovery.

In the complaint, Jarretts legal team says the Fox News star  who has written several pro-Trump books about the Russia hoax and is one of the presidents favorite legal experts  was left in the dark by his ex-literary agent about the source of the latest royalty payment.

From which book did these royalties come? Which publisher remitted these royalties? Were these royalties for more than one book? How many books were sold in connection with these royalties? What is the total amount of payment received by Defendants? Without Defendants cooperation, Jarrett can only guess as to the answers for each of these questions, the complaint adds.

The lawsuit goes on to accuse Vigliano Associates of breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract, saying the agent materially breached the agreement by failing to provide the required accountings and withholding financial information.

Besides seeking a full and accurate accounting of all funds received from Vigliano, Jarrett is also asking for compensatory damages over the breach of contract, attorneys fees and restitution of all monies wrongfully retained by Defendants under the doctrines of unjust enrichment.

Our client trusted his agents to act with loyalty, candor and care, said William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors and Mr. Jarretts lead counsel. Instead, they flatly refuse to account for funds under their control. The refusal to provide any information regarding Mr. Jarretts accounts requires this filing.

Brewer added, Of course, literary agents occupy a position of trust that demands loyalty. If an agent acts as Mr. Vigliano allegedly acted here, it undermines the integrity of the industry.

The Independent has reached out to Vigliano Associates for comment.

This past spring, Jarrett accused publisher Simon & Schuster and Vigliano Associates of engaging in a conspiracy to swipe his idea for a book about the Democrats lawfare against Trump, all in an effort to give the proposal to Breitbart News editor-in-chief Alex Marlow.

Jarrett is currently suing publishing giant Simon & Schuster and his former agent Vigliano Associates for allegedly engaging in a plot to steal his pro-Trump book idea and give it to a right-wing media rival. (Fox News)

According to that lawsuit, Jarrett says he was approached by Simon & Schusters executive editor Natasha Simons in 2023 to write a new tome about rump, citing his past success with MAGA-related projects. Jarrett, meanwhile, said that he proposed centering a book on the political fortunes and lawfare waged against Trump by his political enemies.

Jarret claims that Simons loved the concept and believed the project had the makings of a bestseller, adding that she also approved of the Fox News personalitys idea of hiring a research assistant to help meet an ambitious publishing deadline. It was at this point, the lawsuit alleges, that Vigliano Associates recommended Marlow, who had already written two best-selling right-wing books of his own.

Jarrett accepted the recommendation and, at the urging of Simons, drafted a written proposal for the book and shared it with Simons, Marlow, and the Literary Agents. It was the blueprint for a commercial endeavorwith Jarrett as its recognized architect and driving force, the complaint adds. But then, as Jarrett would only discover months later, Defendants conceived, planned and executed a conspiracy amongst themselves and Marlow to publish the book conceived by Jarrett, in violation of their contractual and common law duties.

Jarrett went on to insist that everything was going smoothly with the project until mid-March 2024, when Vigliano told him that Simon & Schuster had offered an absurdly low advance for the book, with much of the proposed amount covering the fees of Marlow and the agent.

The Fox News star rejected the lowball offer from Simon & Schuster and ask Vigliano to shop the proposal around to other publishers. It was months later, however, when the lawsuit states that the conspiracy was revealed during a conversation with his agent.

However, the message was not to inform Jarrett of any progress in connection with his project, the lawsuit alleges. Rather, it was to let him know that Marlow had sold a book to Simon & Schuster that was somewhat similar to the Proposal. He noted the book was close enough that I dont want you to see it and be surprised. Jarrett had discussed and shared this Proposal, in confidence, with Marlow at a time when the latter was acting as his agent.

The book by Marlow, titled Breaking the Law, was released by Simon & Schuster this past summer. The publisher describes it as an intensely-researched examination into the legal cases against President Trump that threaten not only the conservative movement, but the concept of law and order itself.
A Georgia mom is being held behind bars after being accused of killing her two infant sons, in separate incidents three years apart.

Dakota Taylor, 21, was arrested last week on November 20 in connection with the death of her eight-month-old child, Caleb, who was found unresponsive at her home in Matthews.

A grand jury arrest warrant seen by The Independent stated that Taylor unlawfully and with malice aforethought" caused the death of her child by suffocating him on January 8, 2025, causing excessive mental and physical pain.

Taylor has been charged with malice murder, felony murder, and first-degree cruelty to children, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

At the time of her arrest, Taylor was being held at the McDuffie County Jail on other charges out of DeKalb County, Georgia, relating to another child death investigation, the GBI said in a statement.

That investigation reportedly relates to the death of her seven-month-old son Micah, who died in September 2021.

Dakota Taylor, 21, has been arrested and charged over killing of two infant children three years apart in Georgia (WRDW/ Georgia authorities)

A separate grand jury arrest warrant, obtained by WRDW, also stated that Taylor had caused Micahs death by obstructing his airways.

Body camera footage from the night, also obtained by the outlet, showed police officers arriving at a group home where Taylor was staying with the infant. Taylor was reportedly bathing Micah, then later brought him back downstairs.

Workers noticed Micah was slumped over, pale and unresponsive, and officers later reported that Taylors response had been nonchalant following the death of her child.

I dont know if this has anything to do with anything, but the mother, didnt ... She was very ... Like alright, whatever. And I was like your baby is ... one officer is heard to say in body camera footage.

That grand jury arrest warrant stated that Taylor with malice and forethought caused the death of Micah in 2021.

She had been under the Georgia Department of Child and Family Services supervision at the time of Micahs death in 2021.

Taylor is also charged with malice murder, felony murder and cruelty to children in the first degree over Micahs death.

The Independent has contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for further information regarding Taylors arrest and the criminal charges.
Donald Trump speaks on board Air Force One on 25 November. Photograph: Anna Rose Layden/Reuters

The case against Donald Trump and his co-defendants in Georgia ended on Wednesday with a filing for dismissal by the state prosecutor who took over after the removal of Fani Willis, the Fulton county district attorney.

Pete Skandalakis, the prosecutor and the executive director of the prosecuting attorneys council of Georgia, confirmed to the Guardian that its overafter superior court judge Scott McAfee issued a one-page order on Wednesday dismissing the 2020 racketeering case. Skandalakis said he would be making no further comments about the matter.

The political persecution of President Trump by disqualified DA Fani Willis is finally over, Trumps attorney Steve Sadow wrote in a message posted to X. This case should never have been brought. A fair and impartial prosecutor has put an end to this lawfare.

On Wednesday afternoon, Trump posted on Truth Social about the dismissal, saying: This case should have never been brought in the first place We have to hold responsible those who attempted to destroy our Legal System and Nation itself as they tried to use it to silence and imprison Political Opponents for protecting our Country, and exercising our FIRST AMENDMENT Rights. The few remaining Democrat Witch Hunts will soon meet the same embarrassing end.

In the long-winded post, Trump also lambasted Willis, Nathan Wade, Joe Biden and, as referenced above, the Democratic party.

A grand jury in Atlanta indicted Trump and 18 others in August 2023, using the states anti-racketeering law to accuse them of participating in a wide-ranging scheme to illegally overturn Trumps narrow 2020 loss to Biden in Georgia.

The dismissal means that Trump no longer faces prosecution after his call in which he asked the Georgia secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, to find 11,780 votes and overturn the US election results in Georgia.

Special counsel Jack Smith had charged Trump with federal crimes of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election and hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Smith dropped both cases after Trump won the White House last year, citing longstanding justice department policy against the indictment of a sitting president. Smith himself is now the target of a Hatch Act investigation by the office of special counsel at the Department of Justice.

Trumps conviction on felony charges in New York for making hush-money payments to the porn actor Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election resulted in an unconditional discharge by the court after his election, sparing him any punishment.

The justice department attempted to indict the New York attorney general, Letitia James, on charges of bank fraud and making false statements in Virginia; a federal judge threw out the criminal cases against James and James Comey on Monday, concluding that the prosecutor handling the cases was unlawfully appointed.

The Georgia case remained the only criminal prosecution of Trump still standing, but Williss disqualification by the Georgia supreme court doomed the effort. The court ruled that her romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, revealed in dramatic court filings in January 2024, created an impermissible appearance of a conflict of interest.

Georgias supreme court sent the case to Skandalakis with instructions to find a new prosecutor, but that proved to be a struggle. With a 14 November deadline to act set by McAfee looming and no willing takers, Skandalakis appointed himself.

Despite the dismissal, four people pleaded guilty before the case imploded. Trump had pleaded not guilty, but was also protected from state-level prosecutions while president. Fourteen other defendants remained subject to prosecution.

Trump pardoned 77 people associated with the fake electors affair, including his 18 co-defendants in the Georgia case. None of them faced federal charges, rendering the move largely symbolic. He did not pardon himself.
The head of the culture select committee has advised against replacing BBC chairman Samir Shah and said the board needs to institute some fundamental changes amid chaos at the corporation.

Dame Caroline Dinenage criticised the evidence Mr Shah gave to MPs earlier in the week, but said it is important the ship is steadied after haemorrhaging of leadership following the resignations of director-general Tim Davie and chief executive of BBC News Deborah Turness.

The BBC executives announced their exit in the wake of a leaked memo from former editorial adviser Michael Prescott which raised concerns that a speech by US President Donald Trump, featured in a Panorama episode in 2024, was selectively edited.

Dame Caroline Dinenage (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Mr Shah gave evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Monday and admitted the BBC was too slow in responding to the Panorama edit.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4s The Media Show programme, Dame Caroline, 54, said: We are writing to the board later this week to set out what more information we want from them, what action we want from them, and then well decide our own next steps from there.

I think what we did decide collectively as a committee, is that the board needs to demonstrate that theyre able to act much more decisively, much more quickly and transparently.

Theres definitely a sense that that the haemorrhaging of leadership, Tim Davie and the head of news, and indeed one of the board members, may not have been entirely necessary if theyd have been able to act quicker and get their messages across more effectively.

Former BBC board member Shumeet Banerji also announced he would be leaving on Friday, less than two weeks after Mr Davie and Ms Turness resigned from their roles.

Asked if Mr Shah is the right man to steady the ship, Dame Caroline said: I would advise against any further large scale changes at the head of the BBC.

They need to be selecting a new director-general, and now a new director-general deputy. They also need to start the process of charter review.

The once-a-decade process of reviewing the broadcasters charter will begin shortly and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has said it will ensure a BBC which is fiercely independent and genuinely accountable to the public it serves.

Dame Caroline also told Radio 4: Someone needs to steady the ship. Someone needs to get this back on an even keel. Its too important.

The BBC is the most, one of those trusted global news brands. Its such an important ambassador for the UK around the world, and it would just be devastating if the BBCs reputation, both nationally and internationally, is tarnished.

On Tuesday, Dame Caroline questioned whether the BBC board is in safe hands with its chairman while speaking to BBC Radio 4s The World Tonight programme.

The chairwoman of the CMS Committee said there is chaos at the heart of the BBC board and clearly some issues of governance.

After Mr Prescotts report became public Mr Shah apologised on behalf of the BBC over an error of judgment and accepted that the editing of the speech gave the impression of a direct call for violent action.

The programme, broadcast a week before the 2024 US election results, spliced two clips together from a speech in 2021 so that Mr Trump appeared to tell the crowd: Were going to walk down to the Capitol and Ill be there with you. And we fight. We fight like hell.
First Nations woman Kardell Lomas sought help from police and other agencies in the the months before she was killed. Photograph: Supplied

Members of the federal governments own expert advisory panel on sexual violence have called for urgent independent national oversight of police after new revelations about Queensland police failures before the killing of the First Nations woman Kardell Lomas.

Guardian Australias Broken trust investigation revealed that Lomas, a 31-year-old Kamilaroi and Mununjali woman, had sought help from police and other agencies in the months before she was killed.

Her family has applied for an inquest to examine, among other things, failures by police to help Lomas, protect her from her dangerous partner, or investigate evidence of domestic violence.

Related: Cannot believe its still happening: readers respond to heartbreaking domestic violence homicides

A statement signed by 16 of the 20 members of the expert panel selected to advise the federal government about sexual violence law reform has called on the attorney general, Michelle Rowland, to take urgent, decisive action in relation to the case.

They said the case highlighted issues they had raised throughout the Australian Law Reform Commissions inquiry into justice responses to sexual violence but that the inquirys recommendations had not gone far enough.

Expert advisory group members repeatedly warned of the chronic failure of police to investigate violence, the statement says.

We brought forward lived experience, organisational data, and decades of frontline insight. We made clear that victim-survivors, especially those already marginalised, cannot rely on a system that routinely dismisses or delays their pleas for help.

The inquiry report, they said, does not address these issues to the extent that is urgently required.

For many victim-survivors, including First Nations women, this reflects a broad systemic pattern in which very serious concerns about egregious policing responses or failures to respond are not adequately confronted.

Women continue to pay the price, sometimes with their lives, for this ongoing pattern of dismissal, delay and inadequate responses that leave them unprotected in critical moments.

This moment requires national leadership.

The statement called for an inquest into Lomass death. Her family has made an application for this and the Queensland attorney general, Deb Frecklington, is considering it.

Related: Kardell Lomass heartbreaking apology to police is a moment that should shame all Australians | Amy McQuire

It also called for immediate national action to establish truly independent oversight of police responses to violence in every state and territory.

Without meaningful accountability, preventable deaths will continue.

In Queensland, a 2022 inquiry recommended the establishment of a civilian-led integrity unit to handle complaints about police. The implementation of that recommendation has stalled and its future is unclear.

The vast majority of complaints about police are investigated by other police.

In one case investigated as part of the Broken trust series, a whistleblower complained to the Crime and Corruption Commission about police failing to properly investigate the police response before the murder of Hannah Clarke and her children. The CCC sought to refer the complaint back the police.
Ms Ferreira, who is said to have previously been arrested for battery, was held in Boston

A relative of Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, has been arrested by US immigration enforcement officials.

Bruna Caroline Ferreira, a native of Brazil and the mother of Ms Leavitts nephew, was detained near Boston two weeks ago for allegedly overstaying a visa by 26 years, according to reports.

US Immigration, Customs and Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested her on Nov 12 as she was driving to pick up her son from New Hampshire.

The Department of Homeland Security said Ms Ferreira was a criminal illegal alien from Brazil accused of staying on an expired tourist visa since 1999. It added that she had a previous arrest for battery and was being held at a South Louisiana ICE Processing centre.

Todd Pomerleau, Ms Ferreiras attorney, told CNN his client and Ms Leavitt, 28, had not spoken in many years. He said Ms Ferreira and Michael Leavitt, Ms Leavitts brother, were previously engaged and shared joint custody over their son, 11.

Ms Leavitt has supported Mr Trumps crackdown on immigration - Reuters

Ms Leavitt serves as the face of the Trump administration. She was recently seen defending his Piggy remarks, and has been a staunch supporter of his immigration crackdown.

Mr Trump has ordered a mass deportation campaign, overseeing an aggressive agenda of arrests and forcible removals of undocumented migrants.

Mr Pormelau told CNN that she was a former recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which grants temporary protection from deportation for those brought to the US as children.

Ms Ferreira was allegedly unable to renew her status when Mr Trump attempted to end the Obama-era programme during his first administration.

Ms Ferreira with Michael Leavitt, the White House press secretarys brother

More than $16,000 (12,291) had been donated to an online crowdfunding appeal created by Ms Ferreiras sister Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues for legal fees to secure her release. The appeal, written in Spanish and English, has a target of $30,000 (22,700).

Its donation request reads: My family is going through one of the most difficult moments of our lives, and were reaching out with a humble plea for help. My sister, Bruna, was recently detained by immigration and is now fighting to stay in the country she has called home for nearly her entire life.

Bruna was brought to the United States by our parents in December of 1998, when she was just a child, entering on a visa. Since then, she has done everything in her power to build a stable, honest life here. She has maintained her legal status through DACA, followed every requirement, and has always strived to do the right thing.

President Trump tried to end DACA during his first term, but the US Supreme Court blocked his plans to end legal protections for 650,000 young immigrants.

A White House spokesman said: This individual is the mother of Karolines nephew and they have not spoken in many years. The child has lived full time in New Hampshire with his father since he was born. He has never resided with his mother.
(AFP via Getty Images)

Chiara Ferragni is no stranger to sitting front row. An original influencer who made her name for herself in the early days of 2009 thanks to her cult style blog Blonde Salad, Ferragni became veritable fashion royalty in Milan, as well as a well-known figure within the global fashion world. For years she has claimed a seat on the FROW of big-name shows, such as Gucci, Prada and, as recently as this September, Stella McCartney and Schiaparelli.

But this week her front row seat will be in front of a judge rather than a passing parade of models. Ferragni is currently facing trial on charges of aggravated fraud following a Pandoro Christmas cake collaboration with Italian brand Balocco in 2022. At the time, Ferragni and Balocco claimed the Pandoro cake was helping to support childrens cancer research at Regina Margherita Hospital in Turin. If found guilty, she could face up to five years in prison.

Chiara Ferragni could face up to five years in prison if found guilty of aggravated fraud (Getty Images for Amina Muaddi)

A year later, Ferragni and Balocco were slapped with sanctions from the Italian Competition Authority, which argued that her messaging made it seem like sales from the Pandoro collaboration would go towards the hospital. In reality, Balocco made one single 50,000 donation to the hospital, while paying Ferragni a million-euro fee for the collaboration. As a result, Ferragni was ordered to pay a 1 million fine.

The scandal rippled through the fashion community, shocking Ferragnis fans, who had come to closely associate the influencer with charity work. It eventually earned itself the name Pandorogate. Ferragnis fans turned on her, with the influencers social media accounts seeing a drastic drop in followers almost immediately. The situation was made worse by her filmed apology on Instagram, where Ferragni called the incident a communication error. and claimed the ICAs sanctions were disproportionate and unfair. Suffice it to say that these reasonings did not go down well.

Chiara Ferragni front row at the Gucci AW23/24 show during Milan Fashion Week (Getty Images for Gucci)

Before Pandorogate, Ferragni was riding high: her holding company, Fenice, was being eyed for a 75 million sale just months before the scandal broke. She was married to a popular rapper, Fedez, and the pair appeared to be happily raising their seven-year-old son, Leone, and a four-year-old daughter, Vittoria.

Now, two years on from the initial news, Ferragni is in court facing charges of aggravated fraud related to the Pandoro cake scandal, as well as a separate Easter egg collaboration in support of a childrens autism charity. She has already ponied up a lot of money: 3.4 million in total, including her 1 million fine, a 1 million donation to the Regina Margherita Hospital, and 1.2 million to the childrens autism organisation.

Ferragni also settled a complaint with Codacons, the Italian Consumer Association, where she was ordered to pay 150 in compensation to customers who had contacted the authority, alongside another 200,000 charity donation. The 75 million sale fell through and Ferragnis company has since reported losses up to 10 million. Two of her physical stores have been shuttered.

Chiara Ferragni and her ex-partner, Italian rapper Fedez (Getty Images for Prada)

Then theres Ferragnis personal life, which has also taken a beating. Her marriage to Fedez fell apart right around the time the Pandorogate scandal hit and both parties were publicly accused of infidelity (Ferragni has denied these claims, Fedez has said he married Chiara with conviction but admitted he had made mistakes with another woman). The highly curated family life Ferragni previously posted on Instagram was suddenly gone, with it later revealed that Fedez and Ferrgani had signed a contract requiring each others permission to post their children on social media. Both have since moved on and are reportedly already dating again.

As for the trial: Ferragni hasnt said much, but she did briefly answer a reporters questioning outside of a fashion show in Milan this March. In the end, I didnt do anything, she told the reporter, Something I wouldnt do again? Well, many things, like trusting the wrong people, thats all.
King Charles walked through the estates arboretum with Martha Kearney - Lisa Boyd

The King will discuss his love of nature on BBC Radio 4 this Christmas.

A conversation between the monarch and presenter Martha Kearney will be broadcast on the stations This Natural Life programme in a Christmas special.

The pair spoke at Dumfries House, the Kings Scottish stately home near Cumnock, Ayrshire, and Charles reflected on the childhood origins of his lifelong love of the natural world.

He also discussed topics ranging from the importance of teaching rural skills to marine conservation, as well as the art of topiary  which he particularly enjoys  and his fondness for secateurs.

To mark the announcement, a picture of the monarch walking with his shepherds crook through the estates arboretum alongside Ms Kearney was released.

Dumfries House has been the headquarters of The Kings Foundation charity since 2007 - Robert Perry/PA Images

The Dumfries House estate has served as the headquarters of The Kings Foundation charity since 2007. The foundation was established by the then Prince of Wales in 1990.

The King, a lifelong advocate for sustainability and the environment, started his charity to support people and the planet through a sustainable and holistic approach.

As part of the Radio 4 programme, Kearney also spoke to young people, students and education staff involved in the outdoor schemes at the Scottish stately home.

The presenter said: It was great to see the King so relaxed in a place which means so much to him and where he puts his philosophy of nature into practice.

Kristina Murrin, the chief executive of The Kings Foundation, said the monarch has had a profound impact on the Dumfries House estate since saving it for the nation in 2007.

She added: Thanks to him and the team at The Kings Foundation, it has become the thriving green space and education campus that it is today. We are delighted to share the story of Dumfries House in The Kings words with Radio 4 listeners this Christmas.

Kate Winslet will narrate the Kings Amazon Prime documentary about how to make the world more sustainable - Chris J Ratcliffe/Reuters

The King will also feature in a forthcoming Amazon Prime documentary, also filmed at Dumfries House, about how to make the world more sustainable.

Finding Harmony: A Kings Vision, which will be released next year, charts his championing of the natural world.

The monarch has spoken of his fondest hope that the documentary, narrated by Kate Winslet, a Kings Foundation ambassador, will encourage a new generation to adopt his philosophies.

He said: Nature is our sustainer  we are a part of nature. Therefore, what we do to her we do to ourselves.

For much of my life, I have sought to promote and encourage ways we can work with, rather than against, nature. In other words, to restore balance to our planet, which is under such stress.

This film will, I hope, demonstrate just some of the remarkable work being done around the world to put harmony into practice, from the forests of Guyana to sustainable communities in India  and, closer to home, through the work of my Kings Foundation at Dumfries House and Highgrove.

Kearney has previously spoken to guests including Cate Blanchett and Sir Antony Gormley about their passion for nature on This Natural Life.

For each episode, the guest chooses a landscape that means something special to them and discusses their involvement in the cause.

This Natural Life will air on BBC Radio 4 at 12pm on Dec 23, and will be repeated on Christmas Day.
Rachel Reeves addressed nurses during a visit to University College London hospital after her budget speech on Wednesday. Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AP

Labour MPs have publicly thrown their weight behind Rachel Reevess budget after she abolished the two-child benefit cap and unveiled a slate of progressive measures, including a mansion tax.

Backbenchers rallied round the prime minister and chancellor on Wednesday afternoon after Keir Starmer hailed the measures being announced as a Labour budget with Labour values.

The decision to entirely scrap the two-child limit, which prevents parents from claiming child tax credit or universal credit for more than two children, was openly celebrated by dozens of Labour MPs who have been publicly and privately pushing for the measure. It will cost 3bn at the end of this parliament.

In a joint statement Helen Hayes and Debbie Abrahams, the chairs of the education and work and pensions select committees, said the move would immediately lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty and stop even more being drawn into it.

Antonia Bance, the Labour MP for Tipton and Wednesbury and a former senior union official, said on Bluesky that she had worked to end the two-child limit ever since the day I was elected and that ministers had acted to give every child the best start in life.

Ruth Cadbury, the Labour MP for Brentford and Isleworth and the chair of the transport select committee, said Reeves was lifting nearly half a million children out of poverty at the stroke of a pen.

Announcing the decision in the Commons, Reeves said she would not preside over a status quo that punishes children for the circumstances of their birth.

One Labour frontbencher said: The price of keeping the PLP on side to secure some time and bandwidth is probably what made it worth it  as well as lifting more children out of poverty. They added that the budget had bought the chancellor time and respect  the question is what she and the PM now do with it.

Related: Has Rachel Reeves made the right calls in this budget? Our panel responds | Polly Toynbee and others

Starmer and Reeves have embarked on a charm offensive in recent weeks to shore up their position with their fractious parliamentary party.

Addressing a private meeting after the budget on Wednesday night, Starmer and Reeves urged Labour MPs to back the budget against vested and rightwing interests.

The chancellor said: Today we delivered the budget. Now, weve got to win the argument, and weve got to win the argument every single day. The prime minister told colleagues this was why we all came into politics  to deliver a budget like this and that it was the fight we want to be in.

Among the measures unveiled on Wednesday that have proven popular with backbenchers, Reeves raised the minimum wage, introduced a gambling levy on online betting companies and a tax on homes worth over 2m.

But privately Labour MPs said the parliamentary partys reactions to the budget were mixed. One MP called it a complete shambles and worst budget Ive seen, adding: They could have taxed banks, they chose to tax our constituents instead.

They cited the decision to freeze income tax thresholds for another three years, the budgets central revenue-raising measure, which will generate 7.6bn by 2030 by bringing more people into paying tax and into higher tax bands. The budget includes a tax raid on pension contributions and cuts the tax-free cash Isa limit for under-65s.

Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, told the Commons: All this budget delivers is higher taxes and out of control spending, adding it made Reevess position untenable.

She chose to impose the jobs tax, driving unemployment higher month after month. She chose to abandon welfare reform, meaning the benefits bill is spiralling. She chose to spend more and more money she didnt have, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill, she said. Shes out of money, out of ideas, out of her depth that she has run out of road.

Adrian Ramsay, the Green partys Treasury spokesperson, said Labour ministers had chosen to paper over the cracks with half measures that wont do enough to fix the deep-rooted problems in our economy that are keeping ordinary people in poverty while the super-rich get richer.

Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, gave a press conference where he condemned what he called a budget that would do nothing to help an economy on the edge of a precipice.

Speaking alongside Zia Yusuf, Reform UKs head of policy, Farage reiterated Reforms proposals to cut taxes by reducing spending, with cuts particularly focused on overseas nationals, including those from the EU with settled status.

He said he believed a general anti-business sentiment would cause more wealthy people and entrepreneurs to leave the UK. My prediction is the exodus will continue, the exodus will accelerate, he said, blaming what he called signals from a government that literally doesnt understand business, because none of them have ever been in business.
A man who gave his name as Wong said his wife was trapped inside the building. Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters

The death toll from a huge fire that engulfed several residential tower blocks in Hong Kong has risen to 44, with 45 in critical condition and hundreds reported missing.

A taskforce has been set up to investigate the cause of the fire, which broke out on Wednesday afternoon at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Tai Po, in the northern New Territories. The complex is made up of eight 31-storey towers containing about 2,000 flats, which house about 4,800 people.

Authorities said early on Thursday that three men aged between 52 and 68 had been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter connected to the fire.

The citys leader, John Lee, said in the early hours of Thursday morning that the fire was coming under control.

Authorities declared the incident a five-alarm fire, the highest emergency rating, and at least 128 fire engines and almost 800 firefighters were dispatched to the scene. Roads including major highways near the towers have been closed.

The priority is to extinguish the fire and rescue the residents who are trapped, Lee said. The second is to support the injured. The third is to support and recover. Then, well launch a thorough investigation.

Shortly after the fire broke out, Derek Armstrong Chan, the deputy director of Hong Kongs fire services operations, said: The temperature inside the buildings concerned is very high. Its difficult for us to enter the building and go upstairs to conduct firefighting and rescue operations.

At least one firefighter, named as Ho Wai-ho, 37, was among the dead.

Videos from the scene show flames spread across the towers and visible on every floor, flaring out of windows.

Dozens of shocked residents, many sobbing, watched from nearby pavements as smoke funnelled up from the complex.

Theres nothing that can be done about the property. We can only hope that everyone, no matter old or young, can return safely, a Tai Po resident who gave their surname as So told Agence France-Presse near the scene of the fire. Its heartbreaking. Were worried there are people trapped inside.

Harry Cheung, 66, who has lived at Block 2 in one of the complexes for more than 40 years, said he heard a loud noise about 2.45pm (6.45am UK time) and saw fire erupt in a nearby block. I immediately went back to pack up my things, he told Reuters. I dont even know how I feel right now. Im just thinking about where Im going to sleep tonight because I probably wont be able to go back home.

A resident who gave his surname as Wong, 71, broke down in tears, saying his wife was trapped inside one of the buildings.

The Wang Fuk Court towers are among the tallest in Tai Po, which, like much of Hong Kong, is among the most densely populated areas in the world. Many residents are elderly, according to 2021 census data reported by CNN.

The Hong Kong government said all departments were coordinating to assist the response effort and affected residents.

Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, expressed his condolences for the victims, Chinas state broadcaster said late on Wednesday.

Officials were reported as saying the fire had started in some of the external bamboo and mesh scaffolding that encased the towers before spreading inside them, but the exact cause is unknown.

Building standards in Hong Kong are relatively high and vastly improved in recent decades, but the Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims, a local advocacy group, expressed deep concern about fires associated with scaffolding, noting similar incidents in April, May and October.

Hong Kongs high property prices have long been a source of social discontent in the city and the fire could stoke resentment towards authorities ahead of a city-wide legislative election in early December.

Bamboo scaffolding is a ubiquitous sight across Hong Kongs construction and renovation sites, though the government has said it was being phased out for safety reasons.

The Tai Po district authorities have opened shelters in local community halls, at least one of which local media reported was full by Wednesday night, and police have set up a casualty hotline.

Several forums and campaign events related to the 7 December elections that had been scheduled for the coming days have been cancelled.

The fire is the most deadly in Hong Kong in years. In November 1996, 41 people died in a commercial building in Kowloon in a level five fire that lasted for about 20 hours.
The death toll in Hong Kongs deadliest fire in nearly seven decades climbed to 55 as the inferno was brought under control after more than 24 hours.

Nearly 280 people were still unreachable or believed to be trapped in the Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po district, with authorities sharing pictures of the dead to help families identify their loved ones. More than 70 people were injured.

Hong Kong chief executive John Lee told a news conference that the fire across seven buildings in the complex was basically under control.

Follow live updates from the Hong Kong fire here

The fire that began at around 2.50pm local time on Wednesday continued to blaze through the night and throughout the day on Thursday.

The fire in the last of the three buildings was controlled by evening.

Authorities said the fire began in an external bamboo scaffolding, which was being removed for safety reasons, before spreading inside the 32-storey towers.

Birds fly over the burned buildings at the Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po district (AP)

Rescue work was hampered by extreme heat, falling debris and strong winds fanning the flames across the highly flammable bamboo scaffolding and plastic netting.

Nearly 800 firefighters and 57 ambulances were mobilised, with president Xi Jinping calling for an all-out effort to tackle the blaze.

Footage of the housing complex still showed isolated flames flickering through apartment windows.

Firemen get ready after a major fire swept through several apartment blocks at the Wang Fuk Court residential estate in Hong Kong's Tai Po district (AFP via Getty)

Police arrested three construction executives, aged 52 to 68, on suspicion of murder, citing gross negligence by the company responsible for the scaffolding.

Authorities said the exact cause of the fire remained under investigation.

Mr Lee announced emergency measures, setting up a HK$300m (29m) assistance fund, providing nearly 1,800 housing units for displaced residents and cash relief of HK$10,000 (920) per household.

Mr Lee also said all government-organised celebrations would be cancelled or postponed.

All remaining Legislative Council election forums and campaign events have been suspended, although no decision has yet been made on whether the 7 December election will be delayed.

(AP)

Residents described scenes of chaos as the fire ripped through the apartment blocks.

Harry Cheung, 66, who lived at Block Two in one of the complexes for about 40 years, said that he heard a loud noise about 2.45pm local time and saw fire erupt in a nearby block.

"I immediately went back to pack up my things," he said. "I don't even know how I feel right now. I'm just thinking about where I'm going to sleep tonight."

Several people are still missing or believed trapped inside the buildings, which caught fire on Wednesday afternoon (Reuters)

One 71-year-old resident surnamed Wong broke down in tears, saying his wife was trapped inside.

Some 4,600 people lived in flats across the complex.

The dead included a firefighter, identified as 37-year-old Ho Wai Ho, who was found collapsed after losing contact with his crew.

Director of fire services Andy Yeung described Ho as a dedicated and gallant firefighter.

Indonesia's foreign ministry said on Thursday two migrant workers from the country "in the domestic sector" died in the fire while others were injured.

Some 900 people had to be evacuated to nine temporary shelters. Residents told the local media that fire alarms had not sounded, potentially delaying the response.

A woman reacts after learning her pet died in the Wang Fuk Court housing estate fire in Tai Po (Reuters)

Lo Hiu Fung, a Tai Po District Council member, told a local TV station that most of the residents trapped were believed to be elderly people.

"I've given up thinking about my property," one resident who only provided his surname, Wu, told TVB. "Watching it burn like that was really frustrating."

People look at flames engulfing a building in Hong Kong (AP)

Derek Armstrong Chan, deputy director of fire services, said rescue efforts were being hampered by debris and scaffolding still falling from the burning buildings.

The temperature inside the buildings concerned is very high, he said. Its difficult for us to enter the building and go upstairs to conduct firefighting and rescue operations.

The blaze was upgraded to level 5 severity, the highest, as night fell. It was the first time in 17 years that a level 5 fire had hit Hong Kong.

Thirteen schools in the area remained closed on Thursday, with authorities warning it could take all day to get the fire completely under control.

Firefighters battled the inferno into the evening on Wednesday (AFP via Getty)

The buildings, erected in 1983, were undergoing renovations when the fire broke out.

Hong Kong is one of the last places in the world to still use bamboo scaffolding in construction.

Tai Po is a suburban area in the New Territories, in the northern part of Hong Kong and near the border with the mainland Chinese city of Shenzhen.

Wednesdays fire was the deadliest in Hong Kong since 1948, when 176 people were killed following an explosion on the ground floor of a five-storey warehouse containing dangerous goods like film, asphalt and other combustibles.
Trumps policies have removed more than two million illegals - Holden Smith/Shutterstock

Donald Trumps pledges to close the US southern border and deport millions of illegal immigrants have outraged Leftists ever since the 2024 presidential campaign made those concerns leading issues in US politics. Then and since, opponents of the president have disingenuously denied there was any immigration or border problem at all, while curiously also claiming there was no way to fix it.

Now that Trumps policies have cut illegal border crossings by 95 per cent over the Biden administration average and removed more than two million illegals, they have a new argument. It was encapsulated by a hopeful headline on the Washington Posts editorial page this week: The mass deportation campaign is already backfiring.

The Post editorial gives undue weight to a supposed decline in popular support for Trumps overall approach to illegal immigration. Citing a Harvard-Harris poll conducted earlier this month, it claims that public approval of Trumps immigration agenda appears to have fallen by nine percentage points since February, the biggest drop in any category. The writers have seized on this underwhelming evidence to declare that the American people as a whole are starting to object to Trumps policies, especially when they result in the deportation of what the Post says are women and children whose only crime is being in the country illegally.

But are the American public truly turning on Trump? A deeper examination reveals that Trumps critics are grasping at straws. Despite the single-digit decline in popular support for the presidents general immigration policies, Americans still overwhelmingly approve when asked about them individually. The same poll that yielded the decline in support nevertheless found that 79 per cent of all Americans  including 69 per cent of Democrats  still favour the deportation of illegal immigrants who commit additional crimes while present in the US. In February, a statistically similar 81 per cent of Americans thought so.

A poll revealed that 79 per cent of Americans favour the deportation of illegal immigrants who commit additional crimes while in the US - Tim Evans/Reuters

In the recent poll, 68 per cent of Americans  including half of Democrats  felt that the southern border should remain closed, which for all practical purposes it now is. Majorities of 54 per cent continue to believe that all illegal immigrants should be deported and that the US military should be used to prevent further illegal immigration. In both cases, even three in 10 Democrats agree.

The presidents critics arent bothered about those details, however. The likes of JB Pritzker, the Illinois governor, Gavin Newsom, the California governor, Brandon Johnson, the Chicago mayor, and Michelle Wu, the Boston mayor, have decided to defy public opinion, attempting to disrupt the activities of immigration enforcement. Zohran Mamdani, the mayor-elect of New York, has promised to join these desperadoes and pledged $100m in legal assistance from his citys impoverished coffers to help migrants resist deportation.

The Democrats are still smarting from their loss of the presidency and both houses of Congress in 2024. They are now settling into a battle for the soul of their troubled, discredited, and leaderless party as its progressive and moderate wings vie for control. They may comfort themselves with the delusion that the country is rallying to them, but it very clearly is not.

Despite some bruising concerns over the state of the economy, which is now emerging as the leading issue in US politics, more Americans still believe the country is on the right track than at almost any time during Bidens term in office, while Republicans continue to outscore Democrats in favourability ratings. And on immigration policy, the US is still decidedly Trump country.

Paul du Quenoy is a historian and president of the Palm Beach Freedom Institute.
The crisis affecting Liverpool deepened with a calamitous 4-1 Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven leaving head coach Arne Slot under huge pressure after a ninth loss in 12 matches.

The Dutchman cannot be held responsible for inexplicable individual errors from his players but he is struggling to arrest a slide which is now threatening domestic and European success.

Ibrahima Konate completely missing the ball leading to the third goal was entirely predictable based on the woeful form he has shown this season; however, captain Virgil van Dijk conceding a ridiculous sixth-minute penalty was not.

When confidence is so low it does not take much for things to turn sour quickly but it seemed the hosts were back on an even keel when Dominik Szoboszlai equalised Ivan Perisics spot-kick within 10 minutes.

The omens had not been good with Van Dijk having the worst 20 minutes of his Liverpool career, beginning with the penalty conceded and culminating in a yellow card for an uncharacteristic lunge at Ismael Saibari.

How the Liverpool captain could argue against the spot-kick was baffling with his right arm so vertical when Joey Veermans corner hit it he looked like he was hailing a cab.

He would have needed a taxi to get anywhere near the ball out on the touchline, so late was his challenge on Saibari that earned a yellow card.

In between Szoboszlai had equalised with the most casual of finishes after Cody Gakpos shot was parried into his path.

That had been encouraging as when they went behind against Nottingham Forest on Saturday they fell apart  but Perisics goal came so early they had not even had chance to establish a rhythm.

It was another chastening night for Liverpools Virgil van Dijk, centre, and his team-mates (PA)

Gradually Liverpool gained control with Hugo Ekitikes driving run resulting in a shot spilled for a corner, which Van Dijk headed against the crossbar.

Ekitikes snapshot would test Matej Kovar again but for all their possession the PSV keeper was not extended often enough.

Morale remained fragile and midfielder Curtis Jones, Liverpools fourth different starting right-back this season, attempting to chip across his own penalty area  which almost resulted in another goal conceded at the start of the second half  did not help.

And the collective response to Guus Til poking a shot past Giorgi Mamardashvili, in for the ill Alisson Becker, after Mauro Junior had been allowed to run 30 yards unchallenged after skipping past Mohamed Salah on halfway was a lot of staring at the night sky.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot saw his team capitulate in the second half (PA)

British record signing Alexander Isak was sent on for the final half-hour as Szoboszlai had a shot saved and in the same attack Gakpo headed over when he should have scored.

But Konates lack of concentration allowed Ricardo Pepi to run clear and when his shot rebounded off a post Couhaib Driouech converted  adding a second in added time  and Liverpool were done.

For the second successive match the France centre-back, out of contract in the summer, was substituted for an attacker after one mistake too many.

Slots job does not appear to be under immediate threat but winning the Premier League in your maiden season only banks so much goodwill and results have to change to prevent the Dutchman using up that credit. A smattering of boos at the final whistle will not have helped.
Border Patrol agents in the Little Tokyo neighborhood of Los Angeles on 14 August 2025. Photograph: Carlin Stiehl/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

The Trump administrations ICE raids across southern California have had disastrous effects on the regions immigrants and swept up US citizens in the process, community leaders and residents said at a congressional hearing in Los Angeles on Monday.

Andrea Velez, an American arrested by US immigration officials over the summer, described how she was accosted by masked agents while on her way to work. She said she was charged with assaulting an officer and held for two days in a federal detention center, where detainees had to pay for a cup in order to have water. The charges against her were ultimately dismissed due to what her attorney described as a lack of evidence.

Democrats organized the hours-long congressional oversight hearing in Los Angeles in order to hear testimony about the impacts of Donald Trumps sweeping deportation agenda, and look at alleged civil rights abuses by federal agents and the unlawful detention of US citizens.

Related: Charlotte activists met the immigration crackdown with bless your heart resistance

Every person in our country has a right to due process, regardless of immigration status. Its critical that the Oversight Committee document and hold accountable those that are defying the constitution, violating civil rights, and terrorizing families and communities, Robert Garcia, a Democratic California congressman, said in a statement.

The White House said earlier this month that the federal government had arrested more than 150,000 undocumented immigrants and deported nearly 140,000 people since Trump took office.

His administration has made southern California a focal point for its aggressive mass deportation campaign. Federal agents have descended on car washes and Home Depot stores, and near schools and workplaces, leaving southern California communities in fear and parks and churches empty. The federal government has been accused of blatant racial profiling and civil rights violations.

Right now we are living an American nightmare, said Jasmine Crockett, a Democratic representative from Texas.

The situation has left lasting effects on southern California communities and residents affected by the raids.

Velez said in her testimony: I still live with the trauma everyday.

Karen Bass, LAs mayor, described the raids as an attack from our own federal government and an affront to cities and people across the US.

We will hold every federal agency accountable, and we will relentlessly defend the rights of every resident in Los Angeles  and across this nation, Bass said. Reports that Angelenos, including US citizens, were forcibly held, physically attacked, and deprived of their freedom without cause are not only outrageous  they are intolerable.

Garcia on Monday announced the creation of a new oversight dashboard documenting verified incidents of possible misconduct and abuse during federal immigration enforcement operations.

In a statement, Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security, accused Bass and Garcia of peddling more lies about DHS law enforcement officers.

These smears are contributing to our officers facing more than 1150% increase in assaults against them, including being shot at, rocks and molotov cocktails thrown at them, and cars being used as weapons, McLaughlin said, adding that Democrats should thank them for removing criminals from the city.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) issued a warning ahead of Black Friday after a record number of fires were caused by an e-bike or e-scooter so far this year.

LFB is urging consumers to be careful when buying these products from online marketplaces on the huge shopping discount day and to be aware of the dangers.

Incompatible lithium-ion batteries or faulty conversion kits in e-bikes and e-scooters can cause fires, which spread quickly and create toxic smoke with catastrophic consequences.

Firefighters have responded to 18 related fires a month throughout 2025 so far where the battery was the cause, and they predict they will attend 200 e-bike and e-scooter fires by the end of the year.

Two lives have been claimed this year due to e-bike fires, taking the total up to five since 2023. In all five of these separate incidents, those who lost their life did not even own the e-bike that failed.

Firefighters have responded to 18 related fires a month throughout 2025 so far where the battery was the cause (LFB)

What might appear as a saving in the short term, could cost a lot more in the long term  it could even cost someone their life, the LFB said.

It was like a grenade had been thrown

Jahmell Campbell, 24, was at home watching TV with his dad and grandma in a first-floor flat in March when his e-scooter burst into flames.

Due to the force of the blaze, the internal walls of the flat collapsed and completely destroyed his grandmothers flat in Catford, south-east London, leaving it uninhabitable.

Jahmell Campbell said it was like a grenade had been thrown into the flat (LFB)

Mr Campbell said: It was like a grenade had been thrown into the flat. The e-scooter had been charged 45 minutes before the fire.

I bought the device a year ago online for 1,200 and never had any trouble. The only complication I had was on the day of the fire when the battery kept cutting out.

I jumped out of the front first-floor flat window to escape. My dad and my grandma escaped via the back of the property. I would never get another e-scooter.

No chance! I am not sure how we all made it out of the house alive. My dad had bad nightmares after the incident.

Due to the force of the blaze, the internal walls of Mr Campbells grandmothers home collapsed and destroyed the flat, leaving it uninhabitable (LFB)

In minutes, my family lost our home

Jo Frost lost her home, which she had lived in for 23 years, to an e-bike fire where a conversation kit was bought from a second-hand marketplace online. Her 14-year-old son Ollie, his friend, and the family dog narrowly escaped the flames.

Ms Frost said: The e-bike was charging in the front room when it burst into flames, my son and his friend were trapped on the first floor due to the fire spreading up the stairs. Thankfully, he had the quick thinking to shut his bedroom door, preventing the fire from spreading to his room.

In minutes, my family lost our home and everything inside due to a fire caused by an e-bike. Everything I lost is material. Luckily my son Ollie, his friend and the dog are all safe, but we have had to start from scratch.

I wasnt aware of the dangers of buying a conversion kit online  or that it wasnt regulated. I hope that hearing my story will warn others of the potential dangers.

Jo Frost lost her home, that she had lived in for 23 years, to an e-bike fire where a conversation kit was bought from a second-hand marketplace online (LFB)

Conversion kits allow customers to transform a normal pedal bike into an e-bike. However, if they are not installed correctly, they pose a dangerous fire risk.

The kits rarely come with a battery or charger, which leads to shoppers buying these items separately and potentially purchasing an incompatible product.

Incompatible, sub-standard, faulty or damaged chargers can lead to batteries overcharging, and this increases the threat of batteries catching fire.

Purchasing an e-bike or e-scooter from an online marketplace poses a significantly higher risk of catching on fire due to the lack of regulation, the LFB warned.

In contrast, high street retailers are more likely to stock products with batteries and chargers that meet the UKCA or CE safety standards.

During one of the busiest shopping periods of the year, LFB broadcast the warning on the largest digital screen in Europe in Piccadilly Circus.

LFBs #ChargeSafe campaign raises awareness of the fire risks associated with e-bikes and e-scooters (LFB)

London fire commissioner Jonathan Smith said: As we have seen, these fires have devastating consequences  they are fast, explosive, toxic and can be fatal.

Jules Pipe, deputy mayor for the fire service, said: E-bikes are top of the wish list for many people shopping in the sales, in the run up to Christmas, but buying online can come with risks. In London weve seen a record number of e-bike and e-scooter fires this year  with most taking place in peoples homes.

I urge Londoners to think twice about buying an e-bike or conversion kit from online marketplaces and encourage them to shop with reputable retailers  if it seems too good to be true it probably is and could be extremely dangerous.

LFBs #ChargeSafe campaign raises awareness of the fire risks associated with e-bikes and e-scooters, and is seeking changes to regulation to prevent poor quality batteries, chargers and conversion kits being sold via online marketplaces.
Barry George is accused of one count of rape and two counts of indecent assault in September 1987 (PA Archive)

The man cleared of murdering TV presenter Jill Dando has appeared at the Old Bailey accused of raping and indecently assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

Barry George, 65, is accused of sexual offences against the girl in 1987, when he himself was 17 years old.

The incidents are alleged to have taken place in the Hammersmith and Fulham area of west London between September 6 and 12 1987.

George, who lives in Ballincollig in County Cork, Republic of Ireland, appeared in court on a videolink from Dublin.

George, wearing a black sweater over a white shirt, was supported at the hearing by his sister. He spoke to confirm his name and date of birth and listened intently as the timetable of his case was discussed.

Judge Mark Lucraft KC agreed to an application to put the plea hearing back by 12 weeks to Friday February 13.

The judge said George could attend that hearing by videolink again and granted him continued unconditional bail.

Prosecutor Kate Bex KC told the court a further charge of attempted rape, as an alternative to the rape allegation, is due to be added to the indictment.

Georges name was forever linked with the shooting of TV host Jill Dando after he was arrested on suspicion of murder in 2000.

Former Crimewatch presenter Ms Dando, 37, had been shot dead on the doorstep of her Fulham home in April 1999.

George was convicted of murder in 2001, but the conviction was quashed in November 2007 by the Court of Appeal and he was cleared by a jury in August 2008 after a retrial.

Ms Dando was one of the BBCs highest-profile stars when she was shot dead. Her murder has never been solved.

George went on to receive libel damages from newspapers who had published stories about him after his acquittal.

He was charged with sexual offences in September and missed his first court appearance through ill health.

George has not yet entered pleas to the charges of rape and two counts of indecent assault on a girl.

Judge Lucraft agreed that George can attend the next court hearing over a videolink from Ireland.
Marjorie Taylor Greene shocked many on Capitol Friday when she announced that she would resign her seat in the House of Representatives.

The Georgia Republicans announcement came after years of frustration with House Speaker Mike Johnson. At one point in 2024, she tried to remove him as speaker. It also came after President Donald Trump had unendorsed her in light of her support for the discharge petition to force a vote to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein.

While Trump gloated about her departure, Greenes decision to exit Congress on Jan. 5 will make Trump and Johnsons math in the House much more difficult.

Heres the breakdown right now: Republicans have 219 House seats, exactly one more than the requisite 218 to have a majority and pass anything. Last week, Democrat Mikie Sherrill resigned her seat after she won the governorship in New Jersey earlier this month, giving Democrats 213 seats.

Those numbers may sound negligible. But look at it this way: Earlier this year, the House passed the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act with exactly 218 votes as two Republicans voted against the bill. And that vote came when Democrats had three vacancies because elderly members had died.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., will resign from Congress at the beginning of the year, making math harder for House Speaker Mike Johnson and President Donald Trump. (AP)

In September, the House voted 217-212 to keep the government open and only one Democrat joined the Republicans. And that only happened because two Democrats and one Republican didnt show up to work.

These are incredibly tight margins and it requires near unanimity among the House GOP conference. Otherwise, bills simply wont be taken up.

These next few months will only make the math more difficult. On Dec. 2, Tennessees 7th district will hold a special election to fill Mark Greens old seat after he resigned. This should be a layup for Republicans. The district voted 22 points for Trump in 2024.

But Democrats over-performance in numerous off-year elections and special elections have them worried. They have poured in money for Republican Matt Van Epps to keep the seat red. Last week, MAGA Inc., the pro-Trump super PAC, dropped $232,000 to support Van Epps and oppose Democrat Aftyn Behn.

If somehow Behn pulls off a miracle win, Democrats will have 214 seats to the GOPs 219. If the GOP holds it, they will have 220. On January 5, that number will go down to 219 or 218 because of Greenes resignation.

But on Jan. 31, Texas will hold a special election to fill the seat of the late Sylvester Turner, who died in March of this year. The seat is overwhelmingly African-American and Democratic and is almost guaranteed to go to the Democrats, giving Democrats 215 or 214 seats.

Then comes the special election in April for New Jerseys 11th district. This seat will almost certainly go to a Democrat, ticking up their their number to 216 or 215 seats to the GOPs 218 or 219.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has a thin margin of only 219 Republicans in the House of Representatives. (Tom Brenner/Getty Images)

All of this happens before theres even a special election to fill Greenes seat. And before anyone asks, no, there is no chance that Democrats can win that seat: Trump won Georgias 14th district by almost 37 points in 2024.

Once Gov. Brian Kemp schedules the race, if none of the candidates reach 50 percent, it will go into a runoff, further delaying Republicans abilities to pass legislation.

And this will have major implications. In December, the Senate will hold a vote to extend the enhanced tax credits for the Affordable Care Acts health insurance marketplace. An additional vote one for Republicans could give Johnson some padding to prevent a mutiny.

But an additional vote from Tennessee for the Democrats could give a boost to a handful of Republicans who would want to extend subsidies.

Then theres the fact the government runs out of money on Jan. 31. The continuing resolution that Congress passed to reopen the government keeps the lights on until then, but thats it. Johnson not having a vote to spare and Democrats gaining an extra seat from Texas gives Republicans even less room to maneuver.

As part of the deal to reopen the government, Congress passed three of the 23 spending bills. But they still have to pass nine and if any Republican defects they will need to make the bills more friendly to Democrats to get them over the finish line.

Lastly, there is the fact that Republicans are talking about passing another bill through reconciliation, the process through which they passed the One Big, Beautiful Bill that allowed them to avoid a filibuster. But if Republicans have only a one-seat or two-seat majority, this would like be off the table.

And by the time Greenes seat is filled, most members will likely not want to make hard votes and instead want to go back to the campaign trail.

So, by jumping out of Congress, Greene might have just given Johnson and Trump one final headache.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene will sit out of the race to find her replacement, refusing to endorse any candidate ahead of Georgias special election.

Greene announced last Friday that she will resign from Congress early next year following her public feud with President Donald Trump.

The congresswoman was once a fervent supporter of Trump until recent weeks, when she broke away from him on issues including foreign policy and affordability. Greene was also one of the few House Republicans who initially pushed to release government files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein before Trump gave his party his blessing to support the effort.

I have too much self respect and dignity, love my family way too much, and do not want my sweet district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the President we all fought for, only to fight and win my election while Republicans will likely lose the midterms, she wrote in a statement. I refuse to be a battered wife hoping it all goes away and gets better.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene will sit out of the race to find her replacement, refusing to endorse any candidate ahead of Georgias special election (Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images)

On Monday, Greene took to X to announce that she will not be endorsing a replacement for her seat, which will be vacant after January 5, 2026.

Looking ahead towards the Special Election for my Congressional seat, I will not be endorsing anyone out of respect to my district, Greene wrote. I truly support the wonderful people of Georgia 14 and want them to pick their Representative.

The congresswoman then cautioned: So anyone claiming they have my endorsement would not be telling the truth.

A special election for Greenes seat wont be scheduled until after she leaves Congress.

Greene, a once loyal ally to Donald Trump, announced last Friday that she will resign from Congress early next year following her public feud with the president (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)

Trump said on Truth Social over the weekend that Greene wouldve had no chance of winning the Republican primary if she had decided to run for re-election next year.

The president said that Greene 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 Kentuckydid not help her, Trump added.

Trump said Greene's relationship with Representative Thomas Massie, who also pushed for the release of the Epstein files, 'did not help her' (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)

Representative Thomas Massie, along with Democratic congressman Ro Khanna of California, led the successful effort to force a House vote on releasing the Epstein files. Trump had initially opposed releasing the files, but following growing support from Republicans for Massie and Khannas bill, the president reversed course and ultimately signed the legislation. Trump had the power all along to release the files without congressional approval.

Despite his insults of Greene, Trump ended on a sweeter note, writing in his post, I will always appreciate Marjorie, and thank her for her service to our Country!
Millions more people will be dragged into paying higher income tax after Rachel Reeves bet her political future on a 26bn tax raid on the middle classes in her make-or-break second Budget.

In what she branded a Labour values Budget, the chancellor moved to appease the left in her party with a package of measures that included 43 separate tax rises  according to shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride  taking the tax burden in the UK to its highest level in history. But she finally brought an end to the much-criticised two-child benefit cap, which campaigners say will help lift thousands of children out of poverty, and announced a 73bn splurge in welfare spending.

The decision to freeze tax thresholds in this Budget from 2028/29 onwards, to help fill a 20bn black hole in public finances, will raise 8bn in 2029-30 and drag one in four workers into the highest tax band. A further 780,000 people will pay tax for the first time.

Reeves branded the Budget one of Labour values (PA)

In a wide-ranging Budget, the chancellor announced a raft of measures, including:

Pension contributions under salary sacrifice schemes of over 2,000 a year to be hit with national insurance contributions

Homes worth more than 2m will be slapped with a new mansion tax, while landlords will be hit by a 2 per cent tax hike

The welfare bill was set to rise by 73bn, taking it to above 400bn  up by 9bn  by 2030

A plan to cut energy bills by 150, as well as freezing rail fares and prescription charges

And she found cash for a 22bn safety buffer in case of more economic shocks after being hit by the Donald Trump tariffs this year

But the plans were not enough to generate the economic boost the chancellor had hoped for, with the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) watchdog downgrading her economic growth projections by 0.3 per cent and saying none of her measures helped improve the figure.

Speaking at a press conference at a hospital in London after the Budget, Ms Reeves insisted that the plans would build our economic resilience for the future.

She said: I have asked everyone to contribute  yes, for the security of our country and the brightness of its future. But I have kept that contribution as low as possible by reforming our tax system, making it fairer and stronger for the future.

The chancellors second Budget has been lampooned as the most chaotic in living memory (House of Commons/UK Parliament)

Later, she added: I do recognise I am asking ordinary people to pay a little more, but I am asking those with the broadest shoulders to pay more. I acknowledge this has a cost to working people.

If you are asking if this was a Budget I wanted to deliver today, I would have rather the circumstances were different.

The chancellors second Budget has been lampooned as the most chaotic in living memory for the number of leaks and U-turns which preceded it. But she was further embarrassed when the OBR accidentally published its verdict on her plans minutes before she even got to her feet to announce them. It apologised for the leak and launched an inquiry.

At the top of the announcements was the decision to freeze income tax thresholds again until 2031, meaning that by then, 920,000 more people will be paying the 40p higher rate.

The chancellor admitted that this breached the election manifesto promise of not raising income tax, but insisted everyone must pay their part. But even the trade union Unison, which funds the Labour Party, warned that freezing thresholds was the opposite of putting money in working peoples pockets.

Kemi Badenoch said the Budget was a total humiliation for the chancellor and called for her to resign (House of Commons)

Along with the income tax move, the chancellor also hit middle-class voters with a new limit of 12,000 a year on tax-free cash ISA savings, a landlord tax of an extra 2 per cent from rental earnings, and pension contributions made under salary sacrifice schemes of more than 2,000 per year will now be hit with national insurance contributions from 2029. There was also a mansion tax of 2,500 on properties worth 2m or more and 7,500 on properties worth more than 5m.

But she was loudly cheered when she announced the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap at an annual cost of 3.6bn, a move which she had initially resisted but was demanded by Labour MPs and child poverty campaigners, including the former prime minister Gordon Brown.

She agreed to hit gambling companies with a higher tax to help pay for it, raising the levy on remote gaming from 21 per cent to 40 per cent, and on online betting from 15 per cent to 25 per cent.

Ms Reeves also abandoned welfare cuts and allowed the bill to rise by 73bn to more than 400bn by 2030 after the humiliation of the U-turn on attempted benefits cuts before the summer.

Reeves, Starmer and health secretary Wes Streeting on a hospital visit after the Budget (PA)

And drivers of electric vehicles will have to pay 3p per mile in a new tax, which could include miles driven abroad because it will be calculated on MOT data.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said the Budget was a total humiliation for Ms Reeves and called for her to resign. She claimed the Budget was littered with broken promises and really should be her last, adding that Ms Reeves has lost credibility and trust with the public.

She said: Its a total humiliation. Last year she put up taxes by 40bn, the biggest tax raid in British history. She promised that she wouldn't be back for more. She swore it was a one-off. She told everyone that from now on it would be stability, and she would pay for everything with growth. Today, she has broken every single one of those promises. If she had any decency, she would resign.

Meanwhile, the Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, predicted the chancellors pensions raid could collapse the private pension market. It is an assault on aspiration and an assault on saving, he said.

In its initial Budget reaction, the Institute for Fiscal Studies said the chancellor had found a way to cobble together a sizeable package without increasing the main rates of national insurance contributions, VAT or income tax. But business warned over her failure to improve economic growth. Tina McKenzie, policy chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: This tax-raising Budget shows the peril of a continuing economic doom loop  we must not be in the same place again next year, with more tax hikes to balance the books due to a lack of economic growth. The tax burden at a record high is the cost of failure to get growth and trim spending.
The contentious UK handover of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has sparked a political row at Westminster, prompting a foreign minister to weigh in on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's drink preferences.

Baroness Chapman of Darlington stated she had never observed the Labour leader consuming sparkling white wine, responding to a jibe amid ongoing criticism of the transfer deal.

The Government faces accusations of capitulating to pressure from left-wing lawyers and activists over the agreement, which opponents have condemned as a betrayal.

The escalating political dispute has also raised questions regarding the involvement of Attorney General Lord Hermer and Sir Keirs friend and former colleague, Philippe Sands, who acted as legal counsel for Mauritius in its dispute with the UK.

The escalating political dispute has also raised questions regarding the involvement of Attorney General Lord Hermer and Sir Keirs friend and former colleague, Philippe Sands. (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

The Government signed a treaty back in May to return sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, that will also see Britain lease back the strategically important military base on Diego Garcia.

The move followed long-running negotiations started under the previous Tory administration after a 2019 advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice said the UK should cede control.

As well as establishing a 40 million fund for Chagossians expelled from the islands, the UK has agreed to pay Mauritius at least 120 million annually during the 99-year agreement, a total cost in cash terms of at least 13 billion.

The Government, however, estimates the bill will be lower at around 101 million a year, while critics argue it will be much higher.

The Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill, which is needed to implement the treaty, has already been approved by MPs but has faced a bruising ride in the House of Lords.

Lambasting the deal, Tory peer Lord Fuller argued it would see the UK hand over billions of pounds to cede territory, while enabling Mauritius to pave their streets with gold.

He said: To govern is to choose. The Prime Minister has made a choice  to stand with his learned north London, prosecco-drinking friends, against the wishes of his plain-talking, pie-and-pint caucus in his wider party and the wider interests of the British people and our kinsmen on the Chagos.

This is a bad Bill and we should fight it as hard as we can.

Responding, Lady Chapman said: I do not think I have ever seen the Prime Minister drink prosecco  he would prefer a pint, I think.

She went on to dismiss Lord Fullers comments as nonsense.
A Somali American protester after the murder of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 1 June 2020. Photograph: Kerem Yucel/AFP/Getty Images

In the days since the president said he would be ending a legal immigration status program for Somalis in Minnesota, local elected officials and community members said they will fight back.

On Truth Social on Friday, Trump wrote that he would be terminating, effective immediately temporary protected status for Somalis in Minnesota. Trump wrote that Minnesota was a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity. Send them back to where they came from. Its OVER! he wrote.

Community advocates said the rhetoric smearing all Somalis is inaccurate and puts them at risk. They worry about increased targeting for immigration enforcement and demonization of the Somali community.

The move comes after several high-profile instances of fraud in state programs including by Somali residents, which rightwing media have amplified. A recent piece alleged these fraudulent activities meant Minnesota taxpayers were funding terrorist groups in Somalia. Minnesotas Republican members of Congress then elevated that claim in a letter seeking an investigation.

If anyone, regardless of their race, religion, or ethnicity, committed fraud, they should be held accountable under the law as individuals, Khalid Omar, an organizer with interfaith group Isaiah, said. Collective punishment is wrong and racist, and using the actions of a few people to attack an entire community is un-American.

TPS allows people from countries with unsafe or unstable conditions to live legally in the US. An administration can grant or remove it, through the Department of Homeland Security, as the Trump administration has done for countries such as Venezuela since Trump took office in January. The department has so far not removed Somalia from the countries under the status.

Typically, the removal of TPS would apply nationwide, not just to a single state like Minnesota, making Trumps promise to remove it solely for the state, and seemingly not related to Somalias stability, legally questionable.

Obviously, fraud investigations in the United States do not have anything to do with whether conditions in Somalia have stabilized or not, said Julia Decker, policy director at the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota.

Minnesota is home to the nations largest Somali population, most of whom are US citizens. Ilhan Omar, a congresswoman and frequent target for Trump and his allies, said in a statement on X, in response to supporters of Trumps announcement: I am a citizen and so are majority of Somalis in America. Good luck celebrating a policy change that really doesnt have much impact on the Somalis you love to hate. We are here to stay.

TPS currently protects about 700 people from Somalia residing across the US from deportation  a small number compared with the tens of thousands of Somalis who live in Minnesota.

Not to say that for those people who will be impacted, it is not incredibly concerning, of course, because it means that they will lose the ability to work to support themselves, and they will face having to leave the country, potentially being arrested and detained and deported if they dont leave, Decker said.

Somalia has been covered by TPS since 1991, receiving extensions to the protected status dozens of times. Homeland security secretary Kristi Noem said she was evaluating whether to extend the status, which is set to expire in March.

Keith Ellison, the states attorney general, said his office was exploring all of our options to respond if Trump removes TPS.

Trumps announcement of termination of Somali TPS holders in Minnesota is legally problematic  while a president does have a lot of authority to designate and revoke TPS, he cannot legally wield that power to discriminate against an ethnic group or to target a state, like MN. This aint over, Ellison wrote on X.

Khalid Omar said the community held a potluck this weekend in response to Trumps targeting, where members of the Somali community and their neighbors and supporters gathered to show solidarity. He said people feel Trumps lashing out at Somalis is a distraction from the affordability crisis and Trumps other woes - something Minnesota governor Tim Walz also indicated in his reaction to the presidents post. Its not surprising that the President has chosen to broadly target an entire community, Walz wrote on X. This is what he does to change the subject.

Omar said Somalis in Minnesota are a backbone of this community, who worry about and experience the same struggles as all Americans. Theyre not going anywhere, he said.

The only thing that we know that can stop this administration from attacking people is for everyday people to stand up and to push back on this narrative, he said.
You need only walk through any London neighbourhood to see that refugees, as they have always done, continue to quietly shape the fabric of London life. From restaurants in Camden to hairdressers in Greenwich, small businesses across the capital are run by people who came here seeking safety. Others are driving buses, caring for older people, or working in the NHS.

Yet too often, the national conversation about refugees tells the opposite story. The loudest voices are those saying refugees come here to take rather than give, that theyre a burden on the system or living in luxury hotels at taxpayers expense. This toxic narrative bears little resemblance to reality, but its gaining ground.

Part of the problem is that most people dont think theyve ever met a refugee

Part of the problem is that most people dont think theyve ever met a refugee. Their only reference point to refugees is when they hear about small boat crossings or asylum hotels. They seldom hear how these are people who have fled unimaginable horrors in places like Sudan and Afghanistan, where brutal wars or tyrannical regimes have left them with no choice but to flee. Asylum hotels have become lightning rods for community tension  a symbol of a broken system. Communities understandably become frustrated, and in that vacuum, fear and misinformation can take hold.

Enver Solomon is CEO of the Refugee Council (PA Archive)

These frustrations are often rooted in real pressures, as people struggle to find or keep hold of a safe home, get a doctors appointment, or find their children a school place. But blaming refugees will not solve these problems. Instead, unlocking refugees potential would help everyone, especially at a time when the NHS and other sectors face critical staff shortages.

Polling shows that across political divides, people are willing to support refugees if they can see that theyre contributing. The idea of doing your bit runs deep in British life. Its the principle behind the NHS and the welfare state: we all play our part, and in return, the system supports us when we need it. That sense of fairness binds us together and when people see it reflected in refugees stories, their attitudes change.

The reality is that refugees overwhelmingly want to contribute

The reality is that refugees overwhelmingly want to contribute, and we see in our frontline services every day how many already do. One man we supported now works for a food poverty charity as a driver, delivering food supplies to people in need. Another woman was a doctor in Ukraine and, through our Building Bridges programme with the NHS, has been able to retrain here and now works at King's Hospital.

There are so many examples of these everyday contributors that make our communities what they are, but these types of stories rarely make headlines. Instead, they are drowned out by anti-refugee misinformation  false tales of free iPads, luxury hotels and other handouts. In truth, people seeking asylum are not allowed to work, and survive on less than 10 a week for essentials  a reality The Standard highlighted in last winters campaign calling for asylum seekers to be granted the right to work. Many arrive with nothing but the clothes theyre wearing.

If we want to change this narrative, we need policies that allow refugees to contribute to Britain. First, we need to speed up asylum decisions. Making decisions faster and more accurately would save money and give people the chance to stand on their own feet.

Whos at Your Table?

Our winter campaign  Whos at Your Table?  in partnership with Comic Relief, is raising money to fund organisations in London and across the country helping people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, and people who have been forced to flee their homes.

Second, employers need clear information about refugees right to work. We see time and again how people are rejected at the first hurdle because employers wrongly believe they dont have permission to work once theyve had their positive asylum decision. A simple awareness campaign by the government could fix that overnight.

Third, language is a barrier. Many highly skilled refugees cant get jobs that match their qualifications because their English isnt good enough. Investing in accessible language classes would pay for itself many times over through taxes and productivity. Jobcentre staff also need proper training to understand the barriers refugees face, so they can match peoples skills to the right jobs.

These arent radical ideas. Theyre practical, low-cost steps that would cut the time refugees are stuck in hotels unable to work, strengthen communities, and rebuild public confidence that the system is fair.

(ES)

London is a city built on the contribution of people who have come here to rebuild their lives, from the Jewish families who fled Europe in the 1930s, to the Syrians and Ukrainians more recently. Theyve opened businesses, become doctors, teachers and neighbours. Theyve helped make London one of the most dynamic cities in the world.

We can and should tell that story proudly. Because when people see that refugees are contributing driving ambulances, running cafes, caring for neighbours  they realise that theyre not outsiders after all. Theyre part of the same promise that brings us all together: that if you want to play your part, Britain has your back, so you can thrive and our nation prospers.

Enver Solomon is CEO of the Refugee Council

How you can help

10 could help provide a child forced to leave home with a gift to open on Christmas

25 could help pay for a child refugee to attend a group session to build language skills

30 could provide a family forced to leave home with a food voucher for a festive meal with loved ones

45 could provide a refugee with two hours career advice, supporting them to secure employment
A far-right Polish politician has sparked outrage after delivering an inflammatory speech about Jewish people outside Auschwitz.

Grzegorz Braun, a member of the European Parliament, compared Jewish people to the fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter and claimed Poland is for the Poles in remarks condemned as antisemitic.

Mr Braun was speaking to reporters outside the former concentration camp  where over one million people were killed in the Holocaust  to criticise a bill to tackle antisemitism in Poland.

Jews want to be super-humans in Poland, entitled to a better status, and the Polish police dance to their tune, the chair of the Confederation of the Polish Crown said. They take pleasure in trampling on us, the Poles. Poland is for the Poles. Other nations have their own states, the Jews have theirs.

Mr Braun said the plan singles out one particular group [for] special privileges [and] is tantamount to discrimination against all Polish citizens of non-Jewish descent.

Far-right Polish politician Grzegorz Braun has been condemned for his shameful comments (Sejm)

The five-year proposal to tackle growing antisemitism and support Jewish life in Poland is expected to be approved by the Polish cabinet in December. According to a 2021 Polish census, there are around 17,000 Jewish people in the country out of a total population of 38 million.

Mr Braun described the bill as like inviting Hannibal Lecter to move in next door in his speech on Saturday, which has been branded shameful.

Polands justice minister Waldemar Zurek condemned Mr Brauns comments and vowed to launch an investigation into the speech.

We will not allow anyone to express such views with impunity, Mr Zurek said. It is truly shameful for Poles that someone like this, in the 21st century, after what happened in Poland during World War II, is turning this place into some hideous political game.

The European Jewish Association (EJA) said Mr Brauns remarks were scandalous and unacceptable.

Over one million people were killed at Auschwitz during the Holocaust (AP)

Poland belongs to Poles, not to Jews. Once again, Grzegorz Braun, Polish member of the European Parliament has chosen to repeat antisemitic rhetoric, this time standing outside the gates of Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland, the place where more than one million Jews were systematically murdered by the Nazis simply for being Jewish, the EJA said in a statement.

For more than two years he has used his public platform to fuel hatred against Jews, and this week he did so at the very site where that hatred reached its most horrifying expression. We condemn his actions and words!!!

EJA chair Rabbi Menachem Margolin added: Sadly we have reached a point where we cannot call out every antisemite who chooses to publicly express their hatred towards us as Jewish people. But we absolutely can and must demand accountability when such a person holds public office in Europe.

Braun previously extinguished Hanukkah candles during an incident at the parliament building in Warsaw (EPA)

Mr Braun has been accused of antisemitism on multiple previous occasions. In July alleged that the Nazi gas chambers at Auschwitz were fake while claiming conspiracies about murdered Christians used for ritual purposes were fact. Polands hate speech laws prohibit Holocaust denial.

Prime minister Donald Tusk described those comments as a disgrace and said we must do everything so that no one in the world associates Poland with such people, such faces and such actions.

In 2023, Mr Braun used a fire extinguisher to put out Hanukkah candles in Polands parliamentary building. Earlier this year, the European parliament stripped Mr Braun of immunity so he could face charges.

At the time, Polish MP Barbara Oliwiecka described the incident as antisemitic and the greatest act of vandalism that has ever occurred in the Sejm [the parliaments lower house].
President Donald Trumps administration announced that Medicare will pay reduced prices for 15 prescription drugs, including commonly used weight-loss and cancer medications.

On Tuesday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services revealed that the reduced drug prices are expected to save the government about $12 billion on Medicare spending compared with last year.

President Trump directed us to stop at nothing to lower health care costs for the American people, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said in a news release. As we work to Make America Healthy Again, we will use every tool at our disposal to deliver affordable health care to seniors.

The new maximum fair prices for the drugs will take effect on January 1, 2027, raising the total number of medications with negotiated prices to 25 when added to the 10 announced by former President Joe Bidens administration last year.

The Trump administration announced that Medicare will pay lower prices for 15 drugs, including weight-loss and cancer medications. (AFP/Getty)

One of the cancer drugs, Ibrance, is manufactured by Pfizer. (Getty Images)

Included in the program are weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy and cancer drugs Xtandi, Pomalyst and Ibrance.

The others are: Trelegy Ellipta, an inhaler; Ofev, used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; Linzess, which treats chronic constipation; Calquence, used for chronic lymphocytic leukemia; Austedo and Austedo XR, which treat movement disorders; Breo Ellipta, used for asthma; Tradjenta, a diabetes medication; Xifaxan, used for hepatic encephalopathy; Vraylar, which treats bipolar disorder and schizophrenia; Janumet and Janumet XR, which treat diabetes; and Otezla, a medication for psoriatic arthritis.

The Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law by Biden in 2022, made the negotiated prices possible. The legislation granted the health secretary the authority to bargain directly on behalf of Medicaid.

But, Trump administration officials framed their negotiation efforts as more aggressive than those carried out under Biden.

This years results stand in stark contrast to last years, CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz said. Using the same process with a bolder direction, we have achieved substantially better outcomes for taxpayers.

CMS said that the new prices will save people enrolled in Medicare prescription drug coverage about $685 million in out-of-pocket costs. About 66 million Americans get their health coverage from Medicare.

The Trump administration claims the reduced price will save them $12 billion in Medicare spending compared to last year. (Getty/iStock)

That said, most people covered by Medicare probably wont see immediate savings from the new pricing because their out-of-pocket drug costs are already capped, according to The New York Times. Starting in 2027, the maximum theyll pay for medications taken at home will be about $2,200.

Recent polls show that the vast majority of Americans support enabling the government to negotiate lower drug prices.

The announcement comes as the roughly 24 million people who buy insurance through Affordable Care Act marketplaces are set to see their premiums increase when ACA subsidies expire at the end of December.

This week, Trump suggested he may be open to extending the Obamacare subsidies, telling reporters Some kind of an extension may be necessary to get something else done. However, he also labeled Obamacare as disastrous and said, Id rather not extend them at all.

And, its not just those enrolled with Obamacare who are set to see higher costs. About 165 million Americans with employer-backed health insurance could see prices surge due to myriad factors like inflation and health care company consolidation.
Pam Hogg, the Scottish fashion designer who dressed everyone from Kate Moss to Beyonce and Debbie Harry, has died. She was believed to be in her sixties, but never publicly revealed her age.

Her family said in a statement that they were deeply saddened to confirm the passing of our beloved Pamela.

They said she spent her final hours peaceful and surrounded by the loving care of cherished friends and family at Josephs Hospice in Hackney, London. No cause of death was disclosed.

The statement continued: Pamela's creative spirit and body of work touched the lives of many people of all ages, they added.

She leaves a magnificent legacy that will continue to inspire, bring joy and challenge us to live beyond the confines of convention.

Hogg photographed in 2019 (Getty)

Alice Dellal, Pam Hogg and models on the catwalk during the Pam Hogg show at London Fashion Week in 2020 (PA)

Pamela will continue to live in our hearts and minds. A glorious life lived and loved.

Broadcaster Fearne Cotton was among those paying tribute in the comments on Instagram, writing: Pam. Oh Pam. What a joy it was to know you. Ill miss you Pam.

Menswear designer Kim Jones wrote: Love you Pam you were so strong right to the end our warrior queen, while designer Bella Freud added: How sad to think of the fashion world without her shining brilliance.

Broadcaster Andi Oliver said she was heartbroken by the news, adding: What a WOMAN!! The one and ONLY!!!

Radio host and presenter Nick Grimshaw remembered Hogg as ever brilliant, adding: Always a night highlight to be locked into a deep chat with Pam, always so welcoming, so funny, reviving and inspiring to be around. I will miss that.

Hogg photographed in April 2024 (PA)

Garbage singer Shirley Manson described Hogg as the Iconoclastic and fantastic Dr Hogg.

The brilliance and the bravery and the extraordinary, explosive sense of humour that perpetually burled you forth with tremendous force.

...Dr Hogg may have left the runway but you will be found in the long and storied history of British fashion and in the imaginative, pioneering work of each and every fashion designer who trails in your wake.

Hogg, born in Paisley, Scotland, studied Fine Art and Printed Textiles at the Glasgow School of Art before attending the Royal College of Art in London. She launched her first fashion collection, Psychadelic Jungle, in 1981, inspired by the strict dress code and atmosphere of London's Blitz Club during the early Eighties.

Models on the catwalk for the Pam Hogg show during London Fashion Week show in 2020 (PA)

Hoggs designs were bold, futuristic and inflected with punk influences. Her signature design was her interpretation of the catsuit, and she recreated versions of the look throughout her career for Kylie Minogue, Rihanna and Lady Gaga. Most notably, Minogue wore Hogg's black mesh metal-studded cat suit in the music video for her 2007 song 2 Hearts.

Naomi Campbell, Bjork, Grace Jones, Kelly Rowland, Princess Diana and Princess Eugenie are among other famous faces who sported Hoggs designs.

In 2016, Hogg designed the statuette for the Brit Awards, producing 13 trophies that incorporated glitter and metallic tones.

Alongside her illustrious fashion career, Hogg was a musician and supported The Pogues and Debbie Harry of Blondie. She was a member of the bands Rubbish and Doll.
This is the moment that police officers pull a man out of rubble following an explosion at an apartment building in Atlanta.

Body cam footage released by the Atlanta Police Department shows cops rushing to the badly damaged building on 18 November.

After climbing several floors of stairs, the officers find an individual wedged between stairwells and pull him down to safety. He was taken to hospital in a stable condition.

The building exploded during an act of vandalism involving copper theft, building manager Integral Property Management said. It was vacant and under renovation during the time of the explosion.
Powerball jackpot could make someone very thankful - $681 million prize to be drawn before holiday

One lucky Powerball player could show up to Thanksgiving dinner a multi-millionaire if they have the winning ticket during Wednesday nights drawing  that will show the in-laws!

The Powerball jackpot currently sits at $681 million with a cash value of $315.7 million after no one won Monday nights drawing. Wednesday nights drawing will be held just before 11 p.m. ET. Players can check the Powerball website for results.

An even bigger Powerball jackpot was recently won by two players, one in Missouri and the other in Texas. The two lucky gamblers got to share the nearly $1.8 billion prize from the September 6 drawing.

Im going to just do me for a year, one of the unnamed winners from Missouri said in a news release from the Missouri Lottery. The winner described himself as a homebody, jokingly saying that his wife is going to drag me out of town now.

One lucky Powerball player could show up to Thanksgiving dinner a multi-millionaire if they have the winning ticket during Wednesday nights drawing (AFP/Getty)

The biggest Powerball jackpot ever won was $2.04 billion. In November 2022, Edwin Castro of California became a billionaire overnight after winning the record-breaking Powerball prize.

If someone does end up taking home the Powerball jackpot Wednesday night, there are some tips to keep in mind.

While your first thought may be to go on a Black Friday shopping spree, its important to take care of business, which, according to financial advisor Rob Wilson, means hiring an attorney and at least two financial experts.

You never, ever want to sign a power of attorney to any of those advisors, which gives them an undue amount of authority over your winnings, Wilson told CBS News Philadelphia ahead of the lucky September 6 Powerball drawing.

A nearly $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot was won by two players, one in Missouri and the other in Texas, on September 6 (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Youll also have to decide whether to take the lump sum or annuity option.

For those unfamiliar with Powerball, this is where the cash value option comes in. The glitzy $681 million jackpot is the annuity option. If you choose this option, you will receive the money in 30 annual payments. The cash value option, $315.7 million, is the money youll receive if you choose the one-time, lump-sum option.
Prince William applauding Laban Mwangi, a Kenyan conservationist, after giving him an award - Yui Mok

The Prince of Wales has disclosed his children have just discovered Fawlty Towers and love it.

The 43-year-old revealed they were having a lot of family laughs watching the shows together when he joined John Cleese at the Tusk Conservation Awards honouring workers safeguarding Africas habitat and animals.

The future King is royal patron of the Tusk Trust wildlife charity and he chatted to trust ambassadors 78-year-old Ronnie Wood, the Rolling Stones guitarist, and Cleese, 86, before the ceremony.

He told the actor, who played hotelier Basil Fawlty in the BBC comedy series: My children have just discovered Fawlty Towers, they literally love it, weve been having a lot of family laughs.

The Prince said he had been reminiscing and reliving the popular 1970s sitcom all over again with the children watching  its brilliant.

He turned to Cleeses wife, Jennifer Wade, and said its so good youre part of the Tusk family and said to Wood he was one of the longest-serving ambassadors.

Earlier he said his recent trip to Brazil reinforced his sense of urgency about the climate crisis.

In a speech for the awards ceremony, Prince William said the fight against climate change was more urgent than ever.

He visited Brazil for the first time earlier this month to host his fifth annual Earthshot Prize Awards as well as to deliver a speech at the Cop30 climate conference on behalf of the King and the Government.

Speaking on Wednesday evening, he said the events overseas reminded him that solutions to help the environment must be accelerated.

My visit to Brazil earlier this month for the Earthshot Prize and for Cop30 reinforced my sense of urgency. It reminded me that when we unite behind a shared purpose, we can accelerate solutions that make both people and planet healthier, the Prince said.

The Prince of Wales speaks to John Cleese, the Monty Python actor, and Ronnie Wood, the Rolling Stone, at the Tusk Conservation Awards - Yui Mok

Africa has the worlds second-largest rainforest and like the Amazon, the Congo Basin rainforest is under increasing threat from human exploitation.

The Prince added that Tusk awards winners had shared stories of personal sacrifice and a life-long dedication to protecting Africas natural world, often carried out in the face of what must feel like insurmountable challenges.

He said: Tonight is a reminder that our planet continues to face serious environmental concerns.

We must continue our efforts to protect nature and highlight the critical role that biodiversity plays in supporting all life on earth.

The Prince greets Rahima Njaidi, a conservationist honoured at the awards for her work in Tanzania - Yui Mok

In his speech, he hailed the locally led conservation in Africa that has been part of the charitys ethos in providing practical solutions to sustain our precious natural landscapes and vital biodiversity.

Prince William said he was immensely proud that over the last 35 years, Tusk has invested in over 250 such projects spanning more than 25 countries across Africa, working collectively to improve protection for over 60 species.

He added: Humanity thrives when nature is given the space to provide us with the clean air, water and food that we all require.

That is why the insight and expertise of the Tusk awards winners should inspire us to drive change. We must continue to amplify their voices and support their vital work.

The Tusk awards have recognised 61 conservation leaders from 20 countries so far - Andrew Parsons

The Prince was joined at the awards ceremony on Tuesday evening by his cousin Zara Tindall, the Princess Royals daughter, and her husband, Mike, the former England rugby player.

Lady Eliza and Amelia Spencer, the nieces of Diana, Princess of Wales, were also among the guests.

In previous years, Prince William, who has been a patron of the Tusk Trust since 2005, has warned that there must be no let-up in collective efforts to stop the terrifying loss of species and habitats across Africa.

He helped to launch Tusks annual ceremony in 2013 to recognise the work of those trying to safeguard some of Africas treasured animals.

The awards, which have so far recognised 61 conservation leaders from 20 countries, aim to highlight their stories and amplify their work.

Winners have received more than 2m in grants for their organisations, enabling them to scale up their work and collectively improve protection for dozens of species.
Rachel Reeves acknowledged public anger and frustration at the state of the economy as she prepared to announce further tax hikes to balance the books.

The Chancellor is widely expected to extend a freeze on personal tax allowances, which will mean almost one million more people being dragged into paying income tax as she searches for revenue in the face of a forecast slowdown in economic growth.

In a filmed address ahead of the Budget, the Chancellor said the Government had started to see results in the past year with wages rising faster than inflation, hospital waiting lists coming down, and our economy growing faster and stronger than people expected.

But I know there is more to do, she said. I know that the cost of living is still bearing down on family finances, I know that people feel frustrated at the pace of change, or angry at the unfairness in our economy.

I have to be honest that the damage done from austerity, a chaotic Brexit and the pandemic were worse than we thought.

But Im not going to duck those challenges, and nor will I accept that our past must define our future. It doesnt have to.

She described the Budget as being for the British people and said the Government would work with them to build a fairer, stronger and more secure Britain.

The Chancellor insisted she will use her Budget to introduce measures to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, as the beleaguered Government hopes to keep backbench Labour MPs on side.

Ms Reeves has also vowed to reduce the costs of Government debt and is expected to take steps to increase the buffer she has against future economic shocks to avoid having to keep coming back for more tax in future budgets.

Today I will take the fair and necessary choices to deliver on our promise of change, Ms Reeves said ahead of the Budget.

She added: I will not return Britain back to austerity, nor will I lose control of public spending with reckless borrowing.

And I will push ahead with the biggest drive for growth in a generation.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered a speech in Downing Street earlier this month, warning of tough choices at the Budget (Justin Tallis/PA)

The Chancellor is reportedly going to adopt what is being called a smorgasbord approach to raising taxes at the Budget.

Earlier this month, she dropped plans to hike the headline rate of income tax, something which would have broken a Labour manifesto pledge, after receiving economic forecasts which were not quite as grim as first feared.

Extending a freeze on personal tax thresholds for a further two years would raise around 8.3 billion a year by 2029-30, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said.

As incomes rise beyond the 12,570 threshold, the economic think tank said it would result in around 960,000 more people paying income tax, with around 790,000 more people paying the 40p higher rate. Scotland sets its own income tax rates.

Pensioners could also be hit, with the full new state pension set to increase to a level above the threshold.

Ms Reeves is also said to be considering limits on how much employees can put into their pensions under salary sacrifice schemes before it becomes subject to national insurance.

From April, we're raising the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage. The cost of living is the number one issue people are facing, with too many struggling to make ends meet. I am determined to tackle it.  Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) November 25, 2025

Also among the dozen tax rises reportedly being considered are a so-called mansion tax on properties worth more than 2 million, a gambling levy, and pay-per-mile charging for electric vehicles.

She is expected to scrap the two-child benefit cap, a move estimated to cost between 3 billion and 3.5 billion by the end of the Parliament.

Several newspapers also reported Ms Reeves is mulling over a continued freeze in fuel duty, set to cost a further 3 billion.

On Tuesday, she announced she would accept the latest recommendations of the Low Pay Commission to raise the minimum wage, the equivalent of a 900-a-year pay rise for those over the age of 21 in full-time work.

Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: Having already raised taxes by 40 billion, Reeves said she had wiped the slate clean, she wouldnt be coming back for more and it was now on her.

A year later and she is set to break that promise.
Residents have launched a last resort bid to prevent three low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) schemes in east London being ripped out by the borough mayor.

The Save Our Safer Streets campaign has brought is case to the Court of Appeal after losing a High Court challenge against Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman in December last year.

Campaigners have raised over 100,000 from 1,918 separate donations to fund the legal challenge.

The three LTN schemes  in Old Bethnal Green Road, Columbia Road and Arnold Circus  were introduced by the boroughs previous Labour mayor, John Biggs, in 2021.

Mr Rahman, who is the leader of his own political party, called Aspire, was re-elected in 2022 on a manifesto pledge to reopen the roads.

The court appeal is on three grounds: that Mr Rahman did not run a fair consultation on removing the LTNs, did not take the boroughs transport plan  known as a local implementation plan (LIP) - properly into account and failed to follow the correct procedures.

The LTNs include cycle lanes, pocket parks, seating areas and large planters that prevent residential streets being used by through traffic.

Campaigners believe it would cost the council about 2.5m to rip out the schemes and redesign the roads.

LIP funding is provided by Transport for London to boroughs for schemes that are in accordance with London mayor Sir Sadiq Khans citywide transport strategy, which aims to reduce car use and encourage walking and cycling.

The Tower Hamlets Save Our Safer Streets campaigners prior to the start of the Court of Appeal hearing (SOSS)

Jane Harris, a resident and campaigner, said: We are very encouraged that the appeal court thinks our case raises new and important issues of public interest and that we have a realistic prospect of success.

This case could have London-wide implications for how the Mayor of London implements his vision for transport across the city, and it will set a precedent for local communities fighting to protect improvements to their local streets.

Its important to note that the judge at our initial judicial review said that this case was not about the rights and wrongs of removing the LTNs, just about whether the decision to do so was legal.

We believe it was legally flawed, but it was also just a bad decision. To go through with it would be harmful for residents health and safety, an appalling waste of 2.5m of public money and would make a mockery of the mayors claim to be a listening Mayor.

We are deeply concerned about one London council developing transport plans that are totally at odds with what its own residents want, and with the transport policies of both regional and national governments.

We are still hoping that the Mayor of Tower Hamlets will listen to and work with local residents, businesses, schools and TfL to figure out a way for us to retain the many benefits of the schemes while tweaking any parts of the design that need improving.

Prior to the introduction of the LTNs, more than 8,000 vehicles a day used Old Bethnal Green Road  including lorries seeking a shortcut that passed four primary schools.

In Arnold Circus, residents complained of late-night car bars where revellers who had been out in nearby Shoreditch would drink alcohol in cars out of hours, play loud music and cause anti-social behaviour into the early hours.

Since the LTNs were introduced, rat-run traffic in Old Bethnal Green road has been reduced, serious road injuries have been virtually eliminated and anti-social behaviour in Arnold Circus has reduced.

Leigh Day partner, Ricardo Gama, who represents Save our Safer Streets, said: The Aspire party made a manifesto commitment to consult fairly on any changes to LTNs in Tower Hamlets.

Our clients are looking forward to arguing in court that, not only have Aspire not stuck to that promise, they have failed to go through the proper process of revising the Local Implementation Plan that the borough agreed with the Mayor of London.

Tower Hamlets council has been approached for comment.
Sir Keir Starmer set a target of building a new vessel every 18 months at the submarine yard in Barrow-in-Furness - Oli Scarff/WPA Pool

Sir Keir Starmers plan to build a new nuclear submarine every 18 months is already falling behind, Lord Case has warned.

The former cabinet secretary cast doubt on the Governments programme to build up to 12 new boats, warning decades of neglect had ruined the UKs nuclear submarine industry.

As part of Junes strategic defence review, Labour set a target of constructing a new vessel every 18 months at the submarine yard in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.

The project forms part of the multi-billion-pound Aukus submarine deal between Australia, the UK and the US.

However, asked by MPs if he was confident such an ambition was on target, Lord Case admitted: Thats a very demanding target, let me put it like that. Thats a real challenge to deliver.

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'

The Government has vowed to invest around 6bn to improve the nations submarine building capability, with work on the 12 new attack boats for the Royal Navy expected to begin in the 2030s.

Barrow is critical to the development of the UKs underwater fleet, with engineers already building four new Dreadnought-class submarines, which will be equipped with nuclear weapons.

But critics have raised concerns over whether the plant will have the capacity to build Dreadnought alongside the new vessels, which will replace the Royal Navys Astute-class submarines.

Lord Case, who leads Team Barrow, which is tasked with the 200m regeneration plan to ready the town for the surge in work, warned parts of the plan were already behind schedule.

Engineers at Barrow are already building the new Dreadnought-class submarines

He told the Commons defence committee on Wednesday: The thing that were under pressure to do is deliver the housing and deliver the schools and hospitals to make sure the workforce is there to produce the boats on time.

We are behind where we need to be  we dont have the houses, we dont have the housing that we need for the workforce growth.

Aukus is crucial to the UKs future attack submarine capability. The trilateral defence pact, first put into motion under Boris Johnsons Tory Government, is said to be worth more than 175bn and will support at its peak some 12,000 jobs.

b'

'

However, speaking to the defence committee, Lord Case warned that the nations nuclear submarine construction industry had been allowed to wane.

Its a source of national shame the way weve treated the nuclear submarine building enterprise in this country, he said.

Somehow, we became the worlds most embarrassed nuclear nation.

Then, because of Mr [Vladimir] Putin [the Russian president] and Mr Xi [Jinping, the Chinese president], we come knocking on the door of Barrow once again, saying please, how quickly can you build our nuclear submarines for us and were having to make up for decades of neglect.

Lord Case warned that Britains nuclear submarine building industry had been allowed to wane - PA

Speaking earlier this year, Sir Keir said Labours new defence plan would make Britain battle-ready.

Unveiled amid the growing threat posed by Russia and China, the Government committed to spending billions more on the military.

In February, the PM announced defence spending would rise from 2.3 per cent of GDP to 2.5 per cent by 2027. In June, Chancellor Rachel Reeves increased that commitment to 2.6 per cent of GDP by 2027.

Looser pledges have also been made to hit 3 per cent in the early 2030s and 3.5 per cent by 2035. However, on Wednesday, the Office for Budget Responsibility warned such a rise would cost an additional 32bn.

Last month the Telegraph revealed that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) was scrambling to find more than 2bn of cuts to avoid blowing its budget,

The projected overspend for the 2025-26 financial year was revealed in a leaked MoD internal spending estimate from the summer. It shows that the ministry was forecast to spend 1.6bn more on day-to-day costs and 1bn more on capital investments than agreed with the Chancellor.
Taiwanese soldiers and officials during the launch ceremony for the M1A2T Tank Battalion in October - Ritchie B Tongo/Shutterstock

Taiwan will introduce a 30bn supplementary budget to defend itself against the rising threat from China.

China has been rapidly growing its military capabilities over the past five years, while routinely threatening to bring Taiwan under its control.

Lai Ching-te, the president of Taiwan, said the military aimed to be ready for combat against China by 2027, as he unveiled the 30.2bn (22.9bn) defence package in a press conference on Wednesday.

There is no room for compromise on national security, he said during the address at the presidential office.

National sovereignty and the core values of freedom and democracy are the very foundation of our nation.

There is no room for compromise on national security, Lai Ching-te has said - Yimou Lee/Reuters

Mr Lai first made the announcement in an op-ed published on Tuesday in The Washington Post, in which he heaped praise on Donald Trump, writing that the US president had made clear the importance of American leadership around the world.

The world is safer today because of the Trump administrations pursuit of peace through strength, he added.

Mr Trump has pushed Taiwan and other countries to increase defence spending as part of his America First strategy.

The US is Taiwans most important international partner and its primary source of arms and equipment.

Credit: Taiwan Military News Agency

This is not the first time that the Taiwanese president has appealed to the US, and the Trump administration specifically, since he was elected in May 2024.

He has sat for interviews with podcasters and influencers aligned with Mr Trump in an attempt to court support from Maga audiences.

Since taking office for the second time, Mr Trump has approved a $330m arms package to Taiwan, which includes fighter jet and other aircraft parts.

Mr Lai described the new defence package as a historic investment, which underscores our commitment to defending Taiwans democracy.

In the op-ed, he wrote: The Peoples Republic of Chinas unprecedented military build-up, combined with intensifying provocations in the Taiwan Strait, in the East and South China Seas and across the Indo-Pacific, have highlighted the fragility of peace in the region.

He added that the new budget would fund more arms purchases from the US and expand Taiwans asymmetrical capabilities with the aim of inserting greater costs and uncertainties into Beijings decision-making on the use of force.

He had already announced that Taiwans defence spending would rise to 3.3 per cent of the countrys GDP next year  crossing the 3 per cent threshold for the first time in over 15 years  with the goal of reaching 5 per cent by 2030.

This would mean that spending would reach NTD$949.5bn in 2026.

In the op-ed, Mr Lai also wrote that he would accelerate the development of the T-Dome, an air defence system, which many have compared to Israels Iron Dome network.

The T-Dome would serve to protect Taiwan from Chinese missiles, rockets, drones and combat aircraft.
President Donald Trump has denied reports that he pushed for a two-year extension on healthcare subsidies, branding Obamacare a disaster.

Congress is running out of time before the Covid-era Affordable Care Act subsidies expire at the end of the year. Democrats had tried to use their support of a federal funding bill as a bargaining chip to extend the subsidies, but after what became the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, they failed to deliver on that demand.

Now, Republicans are scrambling to come up with their own affordable healthcare policy. There were reports that Trump had proposed to extend the ACA subsidies for two years after railing against Obamacare for years. Politico reported on Monday that Trump was going to unveil this new policy before Republicans resisted it.

But when asked whether he was planning to extend the ACA subsidies, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Tuesday night, Id rather not. Somebody said I want to extend them for two years. I dont want to extend them for two years. Id rather not extend them at all.

President Donald Trump has denied reports that he pushed for a two-year extension on healthcare subsidies, calling the Affordable Care Act, colloquially known as Obamacare, a 'disaster' (REUTERS/Anna Rose Layden)

The president then admitted, Some kind of extension may be necessary to get something else done because the Unaffordable Care Act has been a disaster.

"The premiums are going up, and its the Democrats fault. But they are negotiating with me. Its very interesting, Trump added.

While you can argue who is to blame for the issue, Trump is right that health insurance premiums will go up next year if healthcare legislation is not passed. KFF, a health policy research organization, said in late September that premiums would more than double on average next year if the ACA subsidies expire.

More than 24 million people are enrolled in the ACA Marketplace, and the vast majority of them receive these subsidies, according to KFF.

'The premiums are going up, and its the Democrats fault,' Trump said aboard Air Force One Tuesday night (REUTERS/Anna Rose Layden)

Trump, who tried and failed to partially repeal Obamacare during his first term, reiterated his concept for a new healthcare policy to reporters Tuesday night.

I like my plan the best. Dont give any money to the insurance companies. Give it to the people directly. Let them go out and buy their own healthcare plan, and were looking at that, the president said.

The discussion around healthcare is sure to pick up speed after the Thanksgiving holiday. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, had promised to bring legislation to extend the ACA subsidies to a vote by mid-December.
Steve Witkoff (left) attends talks with Vladimir Putin (centre) in St Petersburg, Russia, in April. Photograph: Vyacheslav Prokofyev/AP

Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff told a senior Kremlin official last month that achieving peace in Ukraine would require Russia gaining control of Donetsk and potentially a separate territorial exchange, according to a recording of their conversation obtained by Bloomberg.

In the 14 October phone call with Yuri Ushakov, the top foreign policy aide to the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, Witkoff said he believed the land concessions were necessary all while advising Ushakov to congratulate Trump and frame discussions more optimistically.

Now, me to you, I know what its going to take to get a peace deal done: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere, Witkoff told Ushakov during the five-minute conversation, according to Bloombergs transcript. But Im saying instead of talking like that, lets talk more hopefully because I think were going to get to a deal here.

Related: Dan Driscoll: envoy pushing Ukraine peace plan belies Vance influence

The US envoy also offered tactical guidance on how Putin should raise the subject with Trump, including suggestions about scheduling a Trump-Putin telephone conversation before Volodymyr Zelenskyys White House visit later that week.

On Wednesday, Ushakov appeared to confirm the authenticity of the phone conversation, telling Russian state TV that the leak was probably an attempt to hinder the talks.

As for Witkoff, I can say that a preliminary agreement has been reached that he will come to Moscow next week, Ushakov said.

The White House did not dispute the veracity of the transcript, and Trump described Witkoffs reported approach to the Russians in the call as standard negotiating procedure.

Hes got to sell this to Ukraine. Hes got to sell Ukraine to Russia, Trump told reporters onboard Air Force One as he flew to his home in Florida on Tuesday night. Thats what a dealmaker does.

The recording offers a direct insight into Witkoffs negotiating approach and appears to reveal the origins of the controversial 28-point peace proposal that emerged earlier in November.

On the call, Witkoff, who recently helped broker the Gaza ceasefire agreement, suggested Moscow and Washington develop a joint peace framework modelled on that deal. We put a 20-point Trump plan together that was 20 points for peace and Im thinking maybe we do the same thing with you, he said.

Ushakov appeared to take some of the advice onboard. Putin will congratulate and will say: Mr Trump is a real peace man, he said.

The heavily criticised 28-point proposal would require Ukraine to cede the entire Donetsk region to Russia, including areas under Ukrainian control. Russia has not fully captured Donetsk.

Those territories would become a demilitarized buffer zone recognised internationally as Russian, and the plan would also grant Russia control of Luhansk and Crimea while freezing battle lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

Putin said this month he believed the US plan could serve as the basis for a final peaceful settlement, though the Kremlin maintains it has not discussed the proposal in detail with Washington.

The revelations come as Trump said on Tuesday he was sending Witkoff to meet Putin in Moscow, and the US army secretary, Dan Driscoll, to meet with the Ukrainians  ahead of a possible White House meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy on Friday.

I look forward to hopefully meeting with President Zelenskyy and President Putin soon, but ONLY when the deal to end this War is FINAL or, in its final stages, Trump said in a Truth Social post.

The US has pushed Ukraine to accept the framework as the foundation for ending the nearly four-year conflict, though Ukrainian officials have insisted they will not recognise Russian control of occupied territories or accept limits on their military forces.

The phone conversation took place as Trumps stance toward Moscow appeared to be hardening. On the same day as the Witkoff-Ushakov call, Trump voiced frustration with Putins unwillingness to end the war, saying: I dont know why he continues with this war. He just doesnt want to end that war. And I think its making him look very bad.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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Donald Trump is taking his America First policy into the Great Outdoors with a new policy that will force foreign visitors to pay more than triple the price to visit U.S. national parks.

The Department for the Interior announced plans for the updated entry fees on Tuesday as part of a package of measures aimed at making the spaces more accessible, more affordable and more efficient for the American people.

From January 1, 2026, an annual pass to visit the National Parks will cost $80 for U.S. residents and $250 for nonresidents to ensure that U.S. taxpayers who already support the National Park System receive the greatest benefit.

Non-residents without an annual pass will pay a $100 per person fee to enter 11 of the most visited national parks, in addition to the standard entrance fee, the department stated.

Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Vally, California (AFP/Getty)

The affected parks include Acadia in Maine, Bryce Canyon and Zion parks in Utah, the Everglades in Florida, Glacier in Montana, as well as Grand Teton and Yellowstone.

Further west, the Rocky Mountain park in Colorado, the Grand Canyon park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, and Yosemite will also see prices increase for tourists.

The significant price hikes are intended to help support the care and maintenance of Americas parks, many of which saw buildups of trash and vandalism of natural spaces due to a lack of staffing during the historic government shutdown.

During the 43-day shutdown, numerous incidents were recorded across the country, including overflowing bathrooms, unkept trails, illegal base-jumping and even a 70-acre wildfire near an unstaffed campground in Joshua Tree, California.

President Trumps leadership always puts American families first, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said in a statement.

The affected parks include Acadia in Maine, Bryce Canyon and Zion parks in Utah, the Everglades in Florida, Glacier in Montana (pictured), as well as Grand Teton and Yellowstone (Getty/iStock)

Further west, Rocky Mountain park in Colorado, the Grand Canyon park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, and Yosemite (pictured) will also see increases for tourists (Getty Images)

These policies ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations.

Resident-only patriotic fee-free days will also be available starting next year.

Dates include Presidents Day on February 16; Memorial Day on May 25; Flag Day/President Trumps birthday on June 14; Independence Day weekend and the 110th Birthday of the National Park Service on August 25.

Constitution Day on Sept. 17, Theodore Roosevelts birthday on October 27, and Veterans Day on November 11, will also be free entry for U.S. citizens.

In addition to price increase for foreign visitors, the administration is also announcing other modernizations in access to the park, including new digital America the Beautiful passes, updated annual pass artwork and expanded motorcycle access (The White House)

In addition to a price increase for foreign visitors, the administration is also announcing other modernizations in access to the park, including new digital America the Beautiful passes, updated annual pass artwork and expanded motorcycle access.

Under the new system, the America the Beautiful passes  including Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade and Access  will be available in a fully digital format through Recreation.gov, according to the department.

Many social media users reacted with dismay to the new design of the passes, which show a picture of Trump next to George Washington.

If I have to see the stupid f****** president on my National Parks pass, Im not renewing them, wrote one.
What turkeys! Vegas police take unique approach to cite 100 drivers for blowing through crosswalks

As turkeys take center stage on tables up and down the country, they are also playing an important role on the streets of Las Vegas this holiday eason.

A unique demonstration, ran near Cashman Middle School, sees an office don a turkey costume before stepping into the crossroad to see which drivers yield, particularly during the busy holiday season.

However, many motorists may find themselves on Santas naughty list as several officers standing nearby issued 109 citations for failing to do so.

The demonstration also resulted in 145 traffic stops and one vehicle being towed.

Vegas area officials also released sobering statistics on pedestrian safety in the area. So far this year, seven children have tragically lost their lives while walking on local roads.

The annual Turkey in the Crosswalk in Las Vegas resulted in police issuing 109 citations for failing to yield to pedestrians and 145 traffic stops (Facebook/CCSDPD)

In Clark County as a whole, 71 pedestrians have died. Since the start of the school year, more than 190 students have been struck by vehicles while traveling to and from school, according to Fox 5 Vegas.

Organizers used the demonstration to remind motorists to slow down in school zones and residential neighborhoods and to always stop for pedestrians in marked crosswalks.

Drivers were also reminded to avoid distractions, particularly near schools and bus stops, where children are most at risk.

A Las Vegas police officer dressed up as a turkey and spent his day stepping into a crosswalk near the Cashman Middle School (Facebook/CCSDPD)

They also encouraged families to teach children essential safety habits, including looking both ways and making eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.

Officers from the Clark County School District Police, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Henderson Police Department, North Las Vegas Police Department, and UNLV Police Department joined forces for the event.

Holiday drinkers are advised to use rideshare services, like Uber or Lyft, or designate a sober driver.
At a glance

 Sadiq Khans deputy mayor has approved a 20 and 12-storey, 605-bed student accommodation scheme at Paddington Basin, overruling Westminster council

 Councillors argued the towers would harm residents quality of life, fail to address Westminsters housing and homelessness crises, and contribute nothing to bringing families back to the area

 City Hall said the project equates to 242 new homes, includes 30% affordable student rooms and brings over 3.5m for affordable housing

Plans for a twin tower student accommodation block near Paddington station have been approved, despite a red on red row between the London mayor and Labour councillors.

The proposal, for one 20-storey tower and another of 12 storeys, containing a total of 605 student bedrooms, will be built alongside the canal at Paddington basin in an area known as Baltic Wharf.

The plans had been twice refused by Westminster City Council but were called in and taken over by London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan in March.

Sir Sadiqs deputy mayor for planning, Jules Pipe, considered the scheme at a planning meeting at City Hall on Tuesday and granted approval after hearing a series of objections.

Geoff Barraclough, the Labour cabinet member for planning on Westminster council, told Mr Pipe that the development would cause very real harm in terms of loss of daylight, privacy and quality of life for residents living on the other side of the canal.

He said the proposal would be viewed differently if it were providing affordable homes to tackle the capitals housing crisis.

Mr Barraclough told the planning hearing: We have a housing crisis in Westminster. We have 4,500 families living in temporary accommodation at an enormous cost of 60m [a year]. This proposal makes no contribution to easing that crisis.

He said central London was emptying of children, with the nearby Marylebone Boys School being only half full.

The 600-bed twin tower student accommodation proposed for Paddington basin (GLA)

Mr Barraclough said: This scheme will not bring families back to our city. It will not support our schools. It will not reduce the pressure on homelessness.

If we want central London to remain a living city, with families and children and schools that are full again, then developments like this should not go ahead.

But Mr Pipe said the scheme created the equivalent of 242 new homes, would result in a developers contribution more than 3.5 million to provide affordable homes in Westminster and would boost the higher education sector in London, a key part of the citys economy.

He said that an acceptable 30 per cent of the overall scheme would be affordable, praised the design as well considered and said the overall public benefits clearly and convincingly outweigh the impact on heritage in the wider area.

Mr Pipe said: We are all aware of the urgent need to deliver more homes, of all types and tenures, and particularly genuinely affordable homes if we are to tackle the housing crisis and boost economic growth.

The site is currently occupied by a Travis Perkins builders yard, which will be retained, and is located south of the A40 Westway flyover and near the Maida Vale and Paddington Green conservation areas.

A report by GLA planning officials said the tallest of the two towers would stand 90m in height  30m more than anticipated for the area.

However it was felt that the benefits of the scheme, of which 182 of the rooms will be affordable - would outweigh the disadvantages. The officials recommended to Mr Pipe that he approve the scheme.

Concerns were raised about the loss of daylight experienced by people living in Sheldon Square and Dudley House, on the western side of the canal, and the impact on the streetscape in Warwick Avenue and Blomfield Road.

Another Labour councillor, Sara Hassan, said the overbearing development would have a devastating impact on residents of Sheldon Square.

Conservative councillor Melvyn Caplan raised concerns about the height of the tower blocks. He said there was no need for student accommodation in the chosen location.

His Tory colleague Lorraine Dean said dozens of Little Venice residents had complained.

More than 100 objections to the plans, by Make Architects, were received by the Greater London Authority.

Canal side: a view of the 600-bed student accommodation, looking north towards the Westway (GLA)

The developers - Unite Group Plc and Travis Perkins Plc - will create a cycleway and footpath along the canal and contribute more than 3.5 million towards the provision of affordable homes in Westminster.

The students will study at Kings College Londons campus on the Strand, a short journey away on the Bakerloo line.

Nick Brindley, of Newmark Planning and Development, told Mr Pipe: Were the scheme to be approved today, the client is very much looking forward to delivery early in the new year.
Two West Virginia national guardsmen shot near the White House remained in critical condition on Wednesday in an attack that rattled the countrys capital.

The incident comes amid a controversial deployment of troops to Washington DC ordered by the Trump administration. FBI director Kash Patel, Washington mayor Muriel Bowser and other officials confirmed in a press conference that both the guardsmen were in the hospital and described the shooting as targeted.

Related: Police identify suspect in national guard shooting as Afghan man

Officials have identified a suspect, who is currently in custody, as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the United States in September 2021 under a Biden-era policy allowing Afghans to enter the country after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, according to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security.

In a video posted on the White Houses X account on Wednesday evening, Donald Trump said that the Department of Homeland Security had confirmed that the suspect in custody is a foreigner who entered our country from Afghanistan. He called Afghanistan a hellhole on earth and the suspect an animal before criticizing the Biden program.

This attack underscores the single greatest national security threat facing our nation, Trump said, calling for an investigation into all Afghans who entered the US on the Operation Allies Welcome program and adding that he had ordered 500 additional national guard troops deployed to Washington.

The shooting unfolded near the Farragut West metro station. Jeffery Carroll, an executive assistant police chief, said the suspect came around the corner and immediately started firing a firearm at the troops. The suspect was also shot during the interaction and was transferred to a hospital. It was unclear who shot the suspect.

Patel said the incident would be treated as an assault on a [federal] officer and that the FBI would work with the Department of Homeland Security, the Secret Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the mayor and local police because this is a matter of national security.

Earlier in the day, West Virginias governor Patrick Morrisey sowed some confusion by saying both soldiers had been killed, but later posted an update clarifying that more information was needed. In a video posted on social media later in the evening, Morrisey said he had recently spoken with Trump and that they were going to keep working to make sure justice is served.

A taskforce of an estimated 2,375 national guard troops are currently activated in Washington, with West Virginia making up the second largest contingent at 416 troops, only behind DCs national guard at 949 troops.

Trumps request for additional troops came just hours after he filed an emergency motion asking a federal appeals court to allow the national guard to remain in Washington. The presidents filing followed a lower courts order last week requiring his administration halt the guards deployment to the nations capital, citing the Home Rule Act.

If the appeals court does not grant Trumps motion, national guard troops could be ordered out of Washington by 11 December.

Speaking at an army base in Kentucky, JD Vance, the vice-president, asked everyone whos a person of faith to say a prayer for those two national guardsmen that theyre able to spend Thanksgiving with their families. He added that all soldiers, whether active duty or national guardsmen, are the sword and the shield of the United States of America.

Former president Barack Obama condemned the shooting in a statement on social media on Wednesday evening. Violence has no place in America. Michelle and I are praying for the servicemembers shot in Washington, DC today, and send our love to their families as they enter this holiday season under the most tragic of circumstances, he wrote.

Earlier at the scene, witnesses reported seeing several national guard troops running across the square. Office buildings in the square were put under lockdown, with workers told to leave by rear door if they wished to leave the premises. The Guardians Washington office, located on Farragut Square Park, was under lockdown. Law enforcement officers also ordered staff in the buildings to stay away from glass doors adjoining the square. The White House was also locked down.

Related: Shock and dismay after national guard troops shot near White House

National guard troops have been positioned across Washington since August, when the Trump administration declared a crime emergency in the city and ordered them in to support federal and local law enforcement.

The other states that sent their national guard to Washington include South Carolina, Ohio, Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi, though several state officials told the Associated Press in October they plan to end their deployments by 30 November.

Lucy Campbell and Cecilia Nowell contributed reporting
The UK Government will allow extraction of oil and gas near existing fields as it looks to expand North Sea production without issuing new licences.

Labour was adamant in the 2024 election campaign that new licences would not be issued for oil and gas extraction.

But warnings from the industry over the implications of fields like Rosebank and Jackdaw being rejected and the knowledge that fossil fuels will form part of the UKs mix in the coming decades has led to the decision.

Following a months-long consultation, the Government announced the move as part of its North Sea Future Plan on Thursday, less than an hour after Chancellor Rachel Reeves rejected calls from Scotlands north east to scrap the windfall tax on oil and gas giants.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband described the plan as world leading (James Manning/PA)

The plan also officially closed the door to new exploration, which was greeted as a major milestone by environmental groups.

Under the scheme, new transitional energy certificates will be made available, which will allow producers to drill in areas adjacent to current fields, provided there is no exploration undertaken and the move would be required to ensure the existing field is viable.

The 127-page response to the consultation said: To help ensure a managed, orderly and prosperous transition, we will introduce new transitional energy certificates.

They will give the holder exclusivity over a specific area of the seabed.

These areas of the seabed must be adjacent to an existing licensed block and will be managed on an out of round basis by the North Sea Transition Authority.

The areas must be well understood, the document said, with their size expected to be limited to the amount of known oil and gas in the field.

The Government also views this option as one which could be online faster than other fields, which would typically require years of exploration before production begins.

But campaigners have questioned how much oil and gas is currently in areas adjacent to the fields, with some estimates saying it could be enough to power the UK for just three weeks.

NSTA Chief Executive Stuart Payne has welcomed publication of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero's response to the consultation on Building the North Seas Energy Future and the clarity and direction it provides. See the press release here: https://t.co/WYlYMF8ivk pic.twitter.com/BhMb41LDuh  North Sea Transition Authority (@NSTAuthority) November 26, 2025

Along with the new licences, the Government will also establish the North Sea Jobs Service, a programme designed to help current oil and gas workers into jobs in other fields like defence, advanced manufacturing or renewables.

Speaking after the plan was announced, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: The North Seas workers and communities have helped power our country and our world for decades. This is our plan to ensure they continue to do so for many decades to come.

This is a world-leading plan with workers, unions, businesses, and communities at its heart, and implements in full the Governments manifesto commitments. It is a plan which will ensure that the North Sea is an energy powerhouse throughout the 21st century.

Mark Campanale, the founder of Carbon Tracker, said: Today the UK Government confirmed a ban on new North Sea oil and gas licences  but kept the door open to tie-backs. That carve-out sounds significant but in practice, its not.

NSTA and Rystad data shows that new oil and gas discoveries tied back to existing production sites that would require a new licence contain just 45 million barrels of oil equivalent.

Even if every drop is developed, thats less than three weeks of UK energy consumption.

The UKs marginal late-stage fossil projects are a distraction from the essential task of building a modern, resilient, low-carbon energy system. The British Government knows this.

Greenpeace UKs co-executive director Areeba Hamid said Britain had made history with the announcement of the end to new exploration.

Closing the door to new exploration marks the beginning of the end of oil and gas in this country, she added.

By standing firm on its manifesto promise, the Government has shown genuine global climate leadership, making the UK the worlds largest economy to call time on new fossil fuel exploration. This is a major milestone.

Oil and gas production has driven both the climate and energy price crises, leaving us all paying through the nose while fossil fuel giants have pocketed billions. But the winds are changing.

The future of Britains energy is and needs to be clean, stable, home-grown renewables  not expensive, volatile, climate-wrecking fossil fuels.

Tessa Khan, the executive director for campaign group Uplift, said: This Government is right to end the fiction of endless drilling. The North Sea is an ageing basin, with most of the gas already burned, and new licensing will do nothing to stem the decline in jobs.

Oil and gas firms have made billions in recent years but these profits have been handed to bosses and shareholders rather than reinvested to support UK workers.

She went on to urge the Government to be bold and create a plan for workers.

Meanwhile, some experts claimed the change will do little for the industry while the windfall tax on producers remains in place.

David Whitehouse, chief executive of major trade body Offshore Energies UK, said: The future of North Sea energy depends on investment, which wont come without urgent reform of the windfall tax.

If the levy stays in place beyond 2026, projects will stall and jobs will vanish, no matter what changes are made to licensing policy.

Fixing this outdated tax is the key to unlocking billions in investment across the UKs entire energy mix.
Donald Trump has said his plan to end the war in Ukraine has been fine-tuned and hes sending envoy Steve Witkoff to meet Vladimir Putin, and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to meet Ukrainian officials. Yet despite White House optimism there was little sign of progress on core sticking points as diplomatic efforts continued. Trump said his son-in-law Jared Kushner might join the Witkoff-Putin meeting. Steve Witkoff is going over maybe with Jared. Im not sure about Jared going, but hes involved in the process, smart guy, and theyre going to be meeting with President Putin, I believe next week in Moscow, Trump told journalists aboard Air Force One. Trump also backed away from his earlier Thursday deadline for Ukraine to agree to a US-backed peace plan, saying: The deadline for me is when its over. He played down the element of his plan that would require Ukraine to cede territory to Russia, suggesting Russian forces were already likely to seize the land theyre seeking. The way its going, if you look, its just moving in one direction, he said. So eventually thats land that over the next couple of months might be gotten by Russia anyway.

Trump has suggested he could eventually meet Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but not until further progress has been made in negotiations, Shaun Walker and Dan Sabbagh report. I look forward to hopefully meeting with President Zelenskyy and President Putin soon, but ONLY when the deal to end this War is FINAL or, in its final stages, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform after a day of negotiations involving US, Russian and Ukrainian officials in Abu Dhabi.

Witkoff has advised a senior Kremlin official how to best pitch a peace deal to Trump, according to a recording of their conversation obtained by Bloomberg. In the 14 October phone call with Yuri Ushakov, the top foreign policy aide to Vladimir Putin, Witkoff told Ushakov to congratulate Trump and frame discussions more optimistically. The recording offers direct insight into Witkoffs negotiating approach and appears to reveal the origins of the controversial 28-point peace proposal, Joseph Gedeon and Hugo Lowell report.

Russian forces staged a mass drone attack on the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia late on Tuesday, triggering fires, injuring 12 people and badly damaging buildings and vehicles, the regional governor said. Ivan Fedorov, posting on the Telegram messaging app, said the attack had destroyed shops, damaged seven apartment blocks and other buildings and smashed cars. He said 12 people were being treated in hospital. The attack follows a missile and drone attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure 24 hours earlier, killing seven and injuring 21 in Kyiv.

Nato jets were scrambled to track two Russian drones that crossed into Romania on Tuesday. German Typhoon and Romanian fighter jets took off to follow the uncrewed aircraft. The first drone flew back into Ukrainian airspace, but the second was later found downed in Puiesti, about 70 miles (112km) from Ukraine. Officials said German pilots had been given orders to shoot down the second drone  but it appeared to have crashed, possibly because it had run out fuel, Dan Sabbagh reports.

Leaders of Britain, France and Germany, after their coalition of the willing meeting on Tuesday, expressed support for Donald Trumps efforts to end the war, emphasising that any solution must fully involve Ukraine. Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz said they were clear on the principle that borders must not be changed by force. This remains one of the fundamental principles for preserving stability and peace in Europe and beyond, the leaders said in a joint statement.

Russian authorities must consolidate the Russian language and identity in parts of Ukraine incorporated into the country since Moscows 2022 invasion, according to a document signed by Vladimir Putin and published on Tuesday. The document, entitled Strategy of Russias national policy in the period to 2036, appeared as a decree signed by the president. It calls for measures to ensure that 95% of the countrys population identify as Russian by 2036.

French authorities have arrested three people on suspicion of spying for Russia and acting to promote its war propaganda, as part of a probe into a French-Russian association, prosecutors said on Tuesday. One of those detained, a 40-year-old Russian man, was seen on video surveillance footage putting up pro-Russian posters on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the prosecutors office said.
The Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori is challenging the home secretarys decision to ban the group under anti-terrorism laws. Photograph: Abdullah Bailey/Alamy

At some point in the challenge to the ban on Palestine Action beginning on Wednesday, the co-founder of the direct action group will be asked to leave courtroom five at the Royal Courts of Justice, as will her legal team and most others present. Then the case will continue without them.

When Huda Ammori returns to the room, the special advocate  a security-cleared barrister  who represented her interests in her absence will not be allowed to tell her or her legal team what evidence was presented against Palestine Action. If Ammori asks what allegations were made directly against her, the special advocate must not tell her, even though that means she will have no chance to rebut them.

Such is the nature of the secret courts system, known as the closed material procedure (CMP), within which the legal challenge to the ban will be partly heard.

Critics of the system, which can be triggered on an application by a secretary of state, include those who have worked within its strictures.

Angus McCullough KC, a special advocate for more than 20 years, said: CMPs are inherently and unavoidably unfair. The justification for them is that they are the least unfair way of dealing with cases in which there is relevant material that genuinely cannot be disclosed to the party affected by it because of its sensitivity and potential to cause harm to the wider public interest, for example, national security, if disclosed.

Last year McCullough, who represented Shamima Begum in CMP, said a substantial majority of special advocates  25 of an undisclosed total, including 16 KCs  were not accepting any new appointments because of defects in the system, which he described as being in meltdown.

Explaining why they took such action, he said: Even accepting that inherent unfairness, what cannot be justifiable is the additional unfairness caused by failures to support the system properly over many years.

His complaints included a long delay in the commissioning, delivery of and government response to a review of CMPs. Additionally, the Ministry of Justice did not accept all of the recommendations.

Before CMPs were extended by statute in the Justice and Security Act 2013 (they were previously limited to immigration and deportation hearings), many judges criticised them in rulings.

Lord Steyn, whose daughter is one of three judges in the Ammori case, said: Taken as a whole, the procedure completely lacks the essential characteristics of a fair hearing  [and] involves a phantom hearing only.

Lord Kerr said: Evidence which has been insulated from challenge may positively mislead  the right to know the case that ones opponent makes and to have the opportunity to challenge it occupies  a central place in the concept of a fair trial.

Even the discussion about whether closed proceedings are necessary inevitably takes place in secret, and at the end of the case there will be open and closed judgments, with the latter restricted in the same way as the proceedings.

Critics say judges bear a heavy responsibility to limit the frequency and extent of CMPs while confronted with lawyers pleading national security.

In the Palestine Action case, material that the home secretary initially wanted to be in closed has been released into open, some of it after the lady chief justice, Sue Carr, hearing an appeal against the decision to grant permission for the legal challenge, after receiving a note about specific evidence to be heard in closed, told the governments legal team: We dont really understand why it has to be in closed.

Their very nature means little is known about closed proceedings. But if MI5 has been consulted on a matter, it will only be revealed in CMP, whatever their conclusion  favourable or not to the non-state party. Closed proceedings are also used to protect security services sources within organisations.

While there may be a smoking gun behind closed doors, it could equally be just a case of protecting MI5 operations. Given MI5 was found to have given false evidence in another case earlier this year, there is an argument it should face greater scrutiny.

Reasons given for expanding the secret courts in 2013 included preventing intelligence provided by US sources and other allies being exposed in British courts. It was argued that it would allow more intelligence-related cases to come to court in future, whereas previously the government was forced to settle and pay out compensation in cases such as those of Guantanamo Bay detainees because it could not disclose evidence in court.

An independent commission of legal experts, former government ministers and an ex-MI6 director said in a report published this month that use of CMPs had expanded considerably but should be used only where strictly necessary. It added: Judges should have greater discretion to balance the risks of disclosure against the potential unfairness caused by secrecy, supported by a strong presumption that an irreducible core of information should be shared with the affected party.

Related: Reforms Trumpian legal threats hint at more aggressive approach to media

Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney, two investigative journalists who won a landmark judgment that they had been unlawfully spied on by the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Metropolitan police, said: We believe CMP hearings, or indeed the use of any secret court hearings, particularly in civil cases, is a dangerous attack on human rights protections. It is often claimed that secret courts are only used to protect national intelligence but in our case and so many others it was used to hide deliberate wrongdoing by the state.

Before a last-minute change, Ammoris case was expected to be heard by Mr Justice Chamberlain, who granted permission for it to proceed and was himself a  sceptical  special advocate before becoming a judge. In 2012, he wrote: If the state alleges that my client met a terrorist at a particular time, I cannot ask him whether he was there and if so, why. So I will never know if he had an alibi or an innocent explanation for the meeting, and nor will the court.

Referencing Franz Kafkas fictional protagonist in The Trial, he said: There are people in Britain today who, like Josef K, have no idea why they have lost their case.

 This article was amended on 27 November 2025 to clarify a detail of the matter heard by the lady justice Sue Carr in the Palestine Action case.
The White House at night. Photograph: Kevin Mohatt/Reuters

The Trump administration is framing its boat strikes against drug cartels in the Caribbean in part as a collective self-defense effort on behalf of US allies in the region, according to three people directly familiar with the administrations internal legal argument.

The legal analysis rests on a premise  for which there is no immediate public evidence  that the cartels are waging armed violence against the security forces of allies such as Mexico, and that the violence is financed by cocaine shipments.

Related: Is US preparing to attack Venezuela and how has Maduro regime responded?

As a result, according to the legal analysis, the strikes are targeting the cocaine, and the deaths of anyone on board should be treated as an enemy casualty or collateral damage if any civilians are killed, rather than murder.

That line of reasoning, which forms the backbone of a classified justice department office of legal counsel (OLC) opinion, provides the clearest explanation to date how the US claims to have satisfied the conditions to use lethal force.

But it marks a sharp departure from Donald Trumps narrative to the public every time he has discussed the 21 strikes that have killed more than 80 people, which he has portrayed as an effort to stop overdose deaths.

A White House official responded that Trump has not been making a legal argument. Still, Trumps remarks remain the only public reason for why the US is firing missiles  when the legal justification is in fact very different.

And it would also be the first time the US has claimed  dubiously, and contrary to the widely held understanding  that the cartels are using cocaine proceeds to wage wars, rather than to make money.

All of these decisive strikes have been against designated narcoterrorists bringing deadly poison to our shores, and the president will continue to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement.

The new rationale being advanced by the administration comes as the legal justification gains heightened importance amid a military campaign purportedly against the cartels that shows signs of dramatically expanding.

The US now has an extraordinary force in the Caribbean with the arrival of the USS Gerald Ford, the worlds most advanced super-carrier, which brings capabilities to hit land targets, which Trump has said he wants to pursue.

And this week, the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, threatened Senator Mark Kelly with court martial after he recorded a video with five other Democratic lawmakers warning military members to question unlawful orders, apparently in reference to the strikes.

Cartel goals disputed

According to three lawyers directly familiar with the OLC opinion blessing the boat strikes, the collective self-defense argument is said to be a key plank of the legal analysis.

The opinion formalizes a 21 July meeting of a restricted interagency lawyers group of four career and four political appointees from the Pentagon, the office of the joint chiefs of staff, the CIA, the White House and the OLC.

It principally argues that the US has entered an armed conflict with the cartels because it is helping allies in the region like Mexico and Colombia, which, according to an administration official, asked for US help confidentially for fear of reprisals.

The armed conflict designation is key because it allows Trump to operate under the so-called law of armed conflict, which permits the use of lethal force without violating federal murder statutes or international law.

The opinion then finds Trump does not need congressional approval because the administration satisfied OLCs two-prong test: whether the strikes serve a national interest, and whether they would not be of a prolonged scope, nature or duration.

For instance, it outlines four areas of national interests the strikes serve, from the duty to provide assistance to allies, to preserving regional stability, to protecting the US from the influx of illegal drugs themselves.

But despite the plausible legal framework, the OLC opinion relies on a fact pattern about the cartels for which no public evidence appears to exist.

The closest analogy is perhaps the Taliban and al-Qaida trafficking opium during the war on terror to finance their terrorist activities. But in that instance, it was clear their primary goal was to wage armed attacks against the US and Nato allies, and the opium financed their weapons.

It is uncertain whether the same applies to drug cartels in Latin America.

Martin Lederman, a former deputy assistant attorney general at OLC during the Obama and Biden administrations, expressed skepticism with the administrations claims about collective self-defense.

A significant problem with this theory is that they still have not identified any state thats engaged in an armed conflict with a particular cartel, said Lederman.

Nor has the administration provided any evidence that another state engaged in such an armed conflict has asked the US to destroy cocaine shipments that are allegedly being used to subsidize armed violence against the requesting state, he said.

An administration official said it had evidence that each boat carries about $50m worth of cocaine, the proceeds of which are being used to acquire sophisticated weapons, but the underlying intelligence is classified.

Still, the justice departments OLC is not an expert in assessing the intelligence findings or the purported objectives of the cartels; typically, it ends up deferring to the US intelligence community.

For this opinion, a senior administration official acknowledged, OLC did not attempt to stress-test the purported goals of the cartels  or the underlying facts to determine the existence of an armed conflict.

OLC considered only a narrow question posed by the White House of whether it was a lawful policy option for the president to use military force against unflagged vessels in international waters transporting cocaine.
They've been hard at work at Disneyland Paris, building a vast, multi-billion-euro extension to Walt Disney Studios Park.

On March 29, 2026, this name will cease to exist, with the newly expanded area relaunched as Disney Adventure World.

I visited the site for a sneak peek at whats in store, and judging by what the Disney team showed me behind the hoardings, visitors are in for a treat.

The marquee new attraction is a land called World of Frozen and, with highlights that include an adorable robotic Olaf to spellbinding buildings, I predict that fans are going to be impressed.

The centrepiece is a life-size recreation of the kingdom of Arendelle, which in the movie is where we meet beloved characters including princesses Elsa and Anna, Kristoff and his reindeer Sven, cute rock trolls, and, of course, Olaf the snowman.

Ted describes the buildings in the Arendelle recreation as beautifully storybook (Disneyland Paris)

Ive watched the movie at least 10 times at the behest of my daughter, and can safely say that as far as the look of the world goes, Disney has nailed it.

There are beautifully storybook buildings in various pastel shades, along with an eye-catching snowflake-shaped fountain and a town square complete with clock tower.

Beneath this, Elsa and Anna appeared with an almost magically realistic talking Olaf animatronic designed for interactive encounters who could well be the star of the entire show.

Framing the town square is the North Mountain  standing 118 feet in height (36m) and blanketed in fake snow so realistic I did a double take  Elsas ice palace, and beyond, the castle she grew up in with her sister, Anna.

Its good enough for a real-life movie version of the animation.

My tour included a look around a kiosk called Fjord View Shop. Parents, brace yourselves for a spend, because this is full of Frozen merchandise that children are going to find irresistible.

Pictured is Arendelle Bay and a Viking-style boat that'll be used as a show barge for a daily performance featuring songs composed by Let it Go writers Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (Disneyland Paris)

This picture shows Arendelle village twinkling beneath North Mountain and Elsas Ice Palace (Disneyland Paris)

Theres a clothing line with motifs inspired by the movie, princess dresses, bags, caps, woolly hats, and Runa, an interactive troll doll unavailable online or at other Disney parks that costs 70 euros (61/$80).

I learned that there are trigger points around the park that will prompt Runa to start conversations. A cute idea.

After perusing the merch, I visited quick-service restaurant Nordic Crowns Tavern, which is colourful on the outside and has a pleasant dark-wood interior.

Next, I sauntered alongside Arendelle Bay, a lake next to the village where two very realistic wooden-masted Viking-style boats were moored to a jetty.

Merchandise on sale at World of Frozens Fjord View Shop (Ted Thornhill)

New restaurant Regal View, which overlooks an immense new lake called Adventure Bay (Disneyland Paris)

Theyll be used as show barges for a four-times-daily, sing-a-long Celebration in Arendelle performance.

Excitingly, this will feature a new song composed by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, the multi-award-winning songwriting duo behind some of the iconic songs from the Frozen movie, including Let It Go.

A spokesperson described the composition, to be recorded at Abbey Road in London next year, as festive and lively and everything youd want a Frozen song to be.

Opposite Arendelle Bay, an even bigger lake is making its debut  at 7.5-acre Adventure Bay, guests will be treated to nighttime drone light shows Disney claimed will be breathtaking.

Ted pictured in World of Frozen's Arendelle town square, with the North Mountain in the background (Ted Thornhill)

The entrance to World of Frozen is along thoroughfare Adventure Way (Disneyland Paris)

Read more: Is it possible to do Disneyland Paris on the cheap? Heres how I cut costs

This probably isn't hyperbole. While this show wasn't demonstrated, Disney did use the drones to announce the opening date of Disney Adventure World, writing March 29 2026 in the sky in spectacular style.

Overlooking Adventure Bay is a new restaurant called Regal View, which was almost finished during my look around.

Its pretty as a picture on the outside, and inside are impressive murals incorporating much-loved Disney characters, including Moana and Snow White, carpets with attractive floral patterning, elegant lampshades and plenty of space for the character meet-and-greets Disney said would take place here.

A few of the dishes guests can expect were on display  they looked delicious and the chocolate dessert that resembles a book promises to be a firm favourite.

The entrance to the extension  which will eventually incorporate a Lion King land  is along thoroughfare Adventure Way, home to the Raiponce Tangled Spin ride.

The Raiponce Tangled Spin ride, which will whirl guests around beneath eye-catching frescoes (Disneyland Paris)

This will whirl guests around in gondolas beneath eye-catching frescoes depicting Rapunzels adventures in animationTangled.

Its enchanting. However, Adventure Ways grand lampposts cleverly frame the mountains and rooftops of Arendelle beyond, and I suspect the sight will encourage many to rush past to the World of Frozen, a land that promises to be a North Mountain-sized hit.

Ted visited Disney Adventure World as a guest of Disneyland Paris

Read more: Popular Lapland-themed attraction opens second site in Manchester
Vulnerable migrants held in UK detention centres are routinely being handcuffed, with some detained for hours, a damning report has found.

Examples of unnecessary force include a frail 70-year-old man being handcuffed during a hospital visit, despite having no history of being disruptive, and another man subjected to rigid bar cuffs and a waist-restraint belt, as well as thigh and ankle restraints, for over four-and-a-half hours.

Force and restraints should only be used as a last resort. Still, inspectors at the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), which oversees prisons and detention centres, found this was largely being disregarded by immigration staff.

The IMB report, published on Wednesday, found that force had been disproportionately used against people recorded as vulnerable, and healthcare staff were not notified quickly enough when it did happen. In one case, it took staff more than four hours to tell medics that a man had been restrained despite him banging his head repeatedly on a wooden bed frame.

It said cases, such as those highlighted, were impacting peoples willingness to attend hospital appointments due to the stigma of being handcuffed.

People held at Brook House Immigration Removal Centre respond to demonstrators from migrants rights groups protesting against plans to send migrants to Rwanda in June 2022 (PA)

In another case, a man who was at risk of self-harm or suicide was restrained when he was moved from a detention centre to an airport for deportation. The man removed his trousers during the journey and was carried naked from the waist down onto the aircraft, soiling himself in the process. He screamed at the escorting staff and threw off a blanket meant to cover him up. Staff then took turns kneeling or standing on the seat in front to push his head against his own seat, the report found.

An enforcement officer threatened a detained migrant with pain in another case, with a review of the incident failing to acknowledge the threat. In another case, a staff member who used force against a migrant then conducted the review of the incident themselves.

Elisabeth Davies, IMB national chair, said: The findings of this report are deeply concerning. For the use of force to be lawful, it must be necessary, reasonable, proportionate and justifiable, but what we are seeing is a system where restraint has become routine, oversight is weak, and the dignity of detained individuals is too often disregarded.

Ms Davies warned that too little was being done to learn the lessons of the Brook House inquiry, which was launched after a 2017 undercover Panorama investigation filmed shocking scenes of abuse against detainees.

The Home Office is still not doing enough to prevent such failures from happening again, Ms Davies said.

Kate Eves, who chaired the Brook House inquiry, told The Independent: Two years after the findings of the statutory inquiry into abuse at Brook House, it is extremely concerning to see the same issues being identified. There should be no doubt that the excessive use of force, combined with a lack of robust safeguards, contributes to a toxic environment where mistreatment of vulnerable people becomes more likely.

She said the IMB report suggests that, despite reassurances, lessons have not been learned.

A spokesperson for the charity Medical Justice, which supports people in detention, said the Home Office had an inexcusable disregard for the safety of vulnerable people in its care.

One man named Said, who the charity supported before his removal to France under the UK-France treaty, said belts were used to restrain him during his deportation.

He told the charity: [Enforcement staff] started to open their bags and take out four different belts, and they started to forcefully use them and tie me. They banged my head against the wall several times while I was screaming in pain, but they were not kind to me.

The belt that was tied around my shoulders got stuck in my throat. I started screaming and saying I want to die, untie the belt from my neck, but they thought I just wanted to be let go.

Gatwick immigration detention centre reported that almost all migrants taken to hospital appointments in 2024 and early 2025 were handcuffed, with inspectors finding restraint had become a default rather than the exception.

Detainees were also being routinely handcuffed at Luton Airport when escorted to removal flights.

A Home Office spokesperson said: Last week, the home secretary announced the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in modern times, which will make it easier to remove and deport migrants. As part of this, we are reforming human rights laws and replacing the broken appeals system.

We will carefully consider the findings in the report. The Home Office reviews all incidents of use of force to ensure that techniques are used proportionately."
A Washington mom has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after allegedly allowing her 10-year-old diabetic daughter to die on a family road trip, even as the child slipped into a coma on the backseat next to her siblings.

Lloydina McAllister, 42, of Kirkland, Washington, was arrested on November 4 following an extensive investigation into the horrific incident which occurred in July.

McAllister appeared in court on November 13, where she pleaded not guilty. As of last week she remained in custody at the King County Correctional Facility, with her bail set at $1 million.

The case was referred to the Kirkland Police Department by Child Protective Services on July 24, after McAllister brought her deceased daughter to a hospital in Tacoma.

According to information provided to investigators, the child  who had Type 1 diabetes  is believed to have died from prolonged diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the body, lacking enough insulin, breaks down fat for energy.

Prosecutors argued that McAllister had noticed warning signs of the condition in mid-July, but rather than seek medical help or take the girl to hospital she embarked on a road trip from Washington to northern California with her boyfriend and three children,The Seattle Times reported.

A Washington mom has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after allegedly allowing her 10-year-old diabetic daughter to die on a family road trip even as the child slipped into a coma on the backseat next to her siblings (Getty Images)

The 10-year-olds condition slowly worsened, yet the family traveled more than 700 miles and passed by 31 hospitals on their return back to Washington, before McAllister brought her daughter to hospital on July 18, according to the outlet.

McAllisters daughter had been dead for several hours in the back seat of the car next to her 12-year-old sister and 1-year-old brother by the time they arrived at the hospital, according to an arrest affidavit.

Detectives concluded that the lack of medical intervention contributed to the childs death and resulted in her mothers arrest, according to Kirkland Police Department.

McAllister later told police that she had not sought medical help because she was not allowed to take her daughter out of state because she did not have permission from the girls father.

She also reportedly claimed it was the youngsters responsibility to pack her own medical supplies, but that they had been left at home during the trip.

Documents also stated that the girls condition had been chronically mismanaged since her diagnosis in 2018 and that the incidents had been reported to the state Department of Children, Youth and Families four times.

The girls school had also raised concerns after she arrived at school with dangerously high blood sugar, later telling school employees she was not allowed to reveal what she had had for breakfast for fear she would be taken away from her mother.

A search of McAllisters cellphone records also showed she had searched online for ways to quickly lower blood sugar levels shortly before her daughters death. She later searched for whether police investigate sudden death from diabetes and about hiring a lawyer.

This was a complex and emotionally challenging investigation, said Police Chief Mike St. Jean in a statement Friday.

The collaboration between our detectives, medical professionals, and prosecutors was essential in bringing clarity to what happened. We remain committed to protecting our communitys most vulnerable residents, especially children who cannot advocate for themselves.
The Prince of Wales has told comic actor John Cleese his children have just discovered his hit 1970s sitcom Fawlty Towers and love it.

William revealed they were having a lot of family laughs watching the shows together when he joined Cleese at the Tusk Conservation Awards honouring workers safeguarding Africas habitat and animals.

The future King is royal patron of the Tusk Trust wildlife charity, which stages the annual awards to honour leading conservationists and rangers working in Africa, and before the ceremony he chatted to trust ambassadors Rolling Stone guitarist Ronnie Wood and Cleese.

Ronnie Wood was also at the event (Yui Mok/PA)

Among the guests at the event at the Savoy Hotel in central London were Zara Tindall and husband Mike, and Williams cousins Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza Spencer.

In a speech to guests the prince warned this generation must not stand by while wildlife and biodiversity disappears.

Before the presentations William told Cleese, joined by wife Jennifer Wade: My children have just discovered Fawlty Towers, they literally love it, weve been having a lot of family laughs.

William said he had been reminiscing and reliving the popular 1970s sitcom all over again with the children watching  its brilliant.

Zara Tindall at the Savoy Hotel (Yui Mok/PA)

The prince turned to Cleeses wife and said its so good youre part of the Tusk family and said to Wood he was one of the longest-serving ambassadors.

After talking to the prince, Cleese said of Fawlty Towers: I always explain its about whos scared of who and kids pick that up immediately. And mine, all those years ago, grew up watching it.

Wood was accompanied by wife Sally Humphreys, who said they started a tradition, around five years ago, of sending William and his family chocolates every Easter.

At the awards ceremony, the winners were Laban Mwangi, a head ranger working in Kenya who was named Tusk Wildlife Ranger 2025; Rahima Njaidi, who has established a Tanzanian community-led forest conservation network, and received the Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa; and Kumara Wakjira, who received the Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa for work in Ethiopia.

The Prince of Wales poses for a photo alongside Jennifer Cleese, John Cleese, Sally Wood and Ronnie Wood (Yui Mok/PA)

William told the guests: Humanity thrives when nature is given the space to provide us with the clean air, water and food that we all require.

That is why the insight and expertise of the Tusk award winners should inspire us to drive change. We must continue to amplify their voices and support their vital work.

If we all want to continue to enjoy and benefit from the wonders of the natural world we must not be the generation that stands by as wildlife and biodiversity disappears.

What we choose to do will have an impact on future generations and tonight we must choose to do more.
A womans body was found floating in San Francisco Bay 40 years ago. Thanks to her daughter, cops finally made an arrest

More than four decades after a womans body was discovered floating inside a sleeping bag in San Francisco Bay, the cold case that has haunted her family has taken a step toward resolution.

On Monday, 81-year-old Patrick Galvani was taken into custody on suspicion of murdering his estranged wife, Nancy Galvani, in 1982, Foster City Police Department announced.

His arrest marks a dramatic break in a case that seemed destined to remain unsolved.

On August 9, 1982, fishermen spotted a sleeping bag drifting near San Mateo Bridge. Inside, police discovered a womans body, dressed only in underwear, bound to a cinder block and showing signs of strangulation. The body was identified a short time later as Nancy Galvani, a 36-year-old mom of a five-year-old girl, Alison.

At the time of her death, Nancy Galvani was in the midst of a contentious divorce from husband Patrick and had filed a restraining order against him two months prior. The mother was seeking custody of her young daughter and had moved into a residence hotel in San Franciscos Tenderloin district for safety. Friends later recounted her fears that Galvani might harm her if she got custody.

On Monday, 81-year-old Patrick Galvani was taken into custody on suspicion of murdering his estranged wife, Nancy Galvani, in 1982 (Forest City Police Department)

On August 8, 1982, Nancy Galvani had been having dinner at her hotel, when she received a call from her estranged husband, asking her to pick up Alison early, SF News reported. Her car was later found in the garage of his Pacific Heights home.

Galvani was initially charged with the murder of his estranged wife but the investigation stalled and prosecutors dropped the case. Keith Sorenson, San Mateo County District Attorney, told the San Francisco Examiner at the time that the case was too circumstantial, and prosecutors would have less than a 50 percent chance of winning a conviction.

Over the decades, the case grew colder as investigators at the Foster City Police Department struggled with limited resources. But for the past 15 years, it has been Nancys daughter, Alison, that has been the driving force in pushing for answers.

The daughter has, for all these years, tried to push for justice for the murder of her mother, and kept on pressing [the Foster City PD] to do it, and they would make those efforts, the current San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe told the San Mateo Daily Journal this week.

Alison took an interest in her mothers case when she was a teenager and later immersed herself in a search for answers. She told the LA Times that she spoke to relatives about what they knew, used social media to raise awareness, met with detectives and eventually hired her own private investigator.

In a recorded 2010 call with his daughter, when asked about her mothers death, Galvani denied killing Nancy, according to the Los Angeles Times. But reportedly said that he would have killed her but someone beat him to it, adding that it was the best thing that could have happened to her.

A wrongful-death lawsuit that Alison Galvani filed in 2013 was dismissed because too much time had passed.

On Monday, she was notified of her fathers arrest. She was so grateful that people had listened to her, she began to fear that perhaps people were not listening, DA Wagstaffe said.

On August 9, 1982, fishermen spotted a sleeping bag drifting near San Mateo Bridge (pictured). Inside, police discovered a womans body, dressed only in underwear, bound to a cinder block and showing signs of strangulation (Getty/iStock)

Prosecutors now have evidence they did not possess in the 1980s, including witness testimony that had previously been unavailable, the DA said.

We had a couple of witnesses who were not available. They couldnt be found, Wagstaffe told ABC7. Theyve talked to us, and we believe they will be important witnesses in the trial.

The DA added that the new evidence strengthens the narrative around motive and opportunity, along with critical gaps that once undermined the prosecution against Patrick Galvani.

We think it creates the circumstances surrounding his motive for the crime, how he did it, and where he kept her during the time period because the body, we dont believe, was disposed of for a couple of days, he said.

So we think we now have evidence that sort of establishes where that was, how he did it, where it came up and why he did a few things that we previously didnt know.

Galvanis attorney, Douglas Horngrad, maintained his clients innocence.

Mr. Galvani is innocent. This murder charge was filed against him years ago, and the case was dismissed for lack of evidence. As I understand it, the evidence is the same, and we believe the outcome will be the same. Mr. Galvani will be exonerated again, he told ABC7.

The Foster City Police Department said the investigation remains active and ongoing.

Galvani is being held at the San Mateo County Jail and is due back in court December 5.
An AI police assistant has been rolled out by forces across Britain.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and Thames Valley Police created the virtual assistant, named Bobbi, to answer frequently asked, non-emergency questions.

The forces stressed that if members of the public wished to speak to a real person, they could still request to do so.

The virtual assistant should not be used to report emergencies or call 999, they added.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and Thames Valley Police created the AI assistant - Hampshire Police/Solent News & Photo Agency

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: Bobbi will interact with you like a human, but is entirely automated.

This is the first time this technology has been used in policing in the UK and offers an additional service, alongside our online forms, telephone lines and front counters, for those who prefer to use a virtual assistant to ask questions and seek help or advice.

You cannot use the technology to report a crime or as an alternative to the emergency 999 line.

He said that Bobbi had been tested by more than 200 people, including representatives from victim support groups.

The spokesman added that Bobbi would make suggestions and recommendations using the same guidelines and information available to the human call handlers.

The force said Bobbi cannot be used to report emergencies or call 999 - Hampshire Police/Solent News & Photo Agency

If Bobbi is unable to answer your question or if you specify that you want to speak to a person, your chat will be directed to one of our digital desk operators  who are all real people, he said.

The use of AI assistants is likely to reignite criticism of police forces such as Thames Valley Police, whose leaders have previously said that officers cannot tackle criminals alone.

Matthew Barber, the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, faced a widespread backlash after saying in August that it was wrong to think that tackling shoplifters was just a job for the police.

Local politicians called Mr Barbers remarks irresponsible and dangerous.

Bobbi would make suggestions and using the same guidelines available to the human call handlers - Hampshire Police/Solent News & Photo Agency

Ch Supt Simon Dodds, head of contact management for both forces, said that the ability to use AI technology in policing was really exciting.

He said: Locally and nationally, contact with the police increases year-on-year, online and over the phone, and it is important that the valuable skill set of our call handlers and digital desk operators is spent on emergencies and complex, sensitive issues.

Empathy, common sense and that intangible gut instinct are some of the many human skills that need to guide our interactions with the public, particularly in their time of need.

By providing quick responses to commonly asked, non-emergency questions, Bobbi will enhance our service to our communities, ensuring that every member of the public can get the help they need, whenever they need it.

He acknowledged, however, that Bobbi was a work in progress.

He said: Our experienced staff will continue to train it to fix any bugs, remain up-to-date with legislation and policies and evolve the technology in line with the needs of our communities.
Mark Gibbon, 62, was in a romantic relationship with Jasmine Wyld, 33

A British businessman accused of trying to drown his sons ex-fiancee, with whom he was in a relationship, has been freed by a US court after pleading guilty to battery.

Mark Gibbon, 62, from Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire, had been charged in Florida with attempted murder after he allegedly held Jasmine Wylds head underwater during a holiday at the Solterra Resort in Davenport, near Disney World, in August.

Ms Wyld, 33, is his sons former fiancee and the mother of his two grandchildren.

The pair had been arguing about the stipulations of his will before Mr Gibbon allegedly pushed Ms Wyld under the water and held her down multiple times, according to a probable cause arrest affidavit.

Polk County Sheriffs Office said at the time: The victims nine-year-old daughter jumped into the pool in an attempt to stop Gibbon from drowning her mother.

Mr Gibbon was arrested on Aug 3 after holidaymakers called the police. The charge was later downgraded to battery by strangulation.

Mark Gibbon allegedly pushed his 33-year-old former daughter-in-law underwater multiple times - Polk County Sheriff's Office

He admitted to one count of battery under a plea deal earlier this month  as opposed to the more serious offence of battery by strangulation  allowing him to walk free.

Mr Gibbon also paid $1,300 (980) in costs to a Florida court and had his passport returned.

A lighting technician who runs his own firm called MRG Lighting, Mr Gibbon has worked on music videos for Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and Paloma Faith, according to his website, as well as on film and TV sets.

The case against him was thrown into doubt when Ms Wyld begged prosecutors to release him, claiming he was a good man who adores his family.

I have complete trust in him. Hes my best friend, she said.

Jasmine Wyld began a relationship with her ex-fiances father after their break-up in 2021 - Facebook

Prosecutors from Polk County said in a statement to the Daily Mail: The defendant in this case was charged with battery for repeatedly dunking the victims head below water in a swimming pool during an argument.

The victim was consulted regarding the resolution of this case. The victim informed our office that she felt the defendant had been punished enough and she desired that he be allowed to return to England and have contact with her and her daughter.

She had no fear of him. The defendant completed an anger management course and was adjudicated guilty of battery.

Awful betrayal

Ms Wyld, a British hairdresser, had been engaged to Mr Gibbons son, Alex, 34, with whom she shares two children, but they split in 2021.

Alex was sentenced to two years in prison in February last year after driving an 80,000 Porsche at his father during a heated row that erupted when he discovered the pairs romantic relationship.

He had previously worked with his father and was appointed a director with Ultralight UK Limited in 2019.

A source told the Daily Mail that the father and son were no longer in contact.

There have been a number of issues within the family, the source said.

He (Alex) feels an awful betrayal at how his dad has struck up a relationship with the mother of his two children.

Mark and Jasmine do an awful lot together and they go away on holiday with the children a couple of times every year.

I dont know for sure what happened on this holiday and why Mark has apparently tried to drown her. But I have been told that Jasmine was unhappy that they have been in a relationship for a few years and she is not named in his will.
Mark Gibbon, 62, was in a romantic relationship with Jasmine Wyld, 33

A British businessman accused of trying to drown his sons ex-fiancee, with whom he was in a relationship, has been freed by a US court after pleading guilty to battery.

Mark Gibbon, 62, from Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire, had been charged in Florida with attempted murder after he allegedly held Jasmine Wylds head underwater during a holiday at the Solterra Resort in Davenport, near Disney World, in August.

Ms Wyld, 33, is his sons former fiancee and the mother of his two grandchildren.

The pair had been arguing about the stipulations of his will before Mr Gibbon allegedly pushed Ms Wyld under the water and held her down multiple times, according to a probable cause arrest affidavit.

Polk County Sheriffs Office said at the time: The victims nine-year-old daughter jumped into the pool in an attempt to stop Gibbon from drowning her mother.

Mr Gibbon was arrested on Aug 3 after holidaymakers called the police. The charge was later downgraded to battery by strangulation.

Mark Gibbon allegedly pushed his 33-year-old former daughter-in-law underwater multiple times - Polk County Sheriff's Office

He admitted to one count of battery under a plea deal earlier this month  as opposed to the more serious offence of battery by strangulation  allowing him to walk free.

Mr Gibbon also paid $1,300 (980) in costs to a Florida court and had his passport returned.

A lighting technician who runs his own firm called MRG Lighting, Mr Gibbon has worked on music videos for Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and Paloma Faith, according to his website, as well as on film and TV sets.

The case against him was thrown into doubt when Ms Wyld begged prosecutors to release him, claiming he was a good man who adores his family.

I have complete trust in him. Hes my best friend, she said.

Jasmine Wyld began a relationship with her ex-fiances father after their break-up in 2021 - Facebook

Prosecutors from Polk County said in a statement to the Daily Mail: The defendant in this case was charged with battery for repeatedly dunking the victims head below water in a swimming pool during an argument.

The victim was consulted regarding the resolution of this case. The victim informed our office that she felt the defendant had been punished enough and she desired that he be allowed to return to England and have contact with her and her daughter.

She had no fear of him. The defendant completed an anger management course and was adjudicated guilty of battery.

Awful betrayal

Ms Wyld, a British hairdresser, had been engaged to Mr Gibbons son, Alex, 34, with whom she shares two children, but they split in 2021.

Alex was sentenced to two years in prison in February last year after driving an 80,000 Porsche at his father during a heated row that erupted when he discovered the pairs romantic relationship.

He had previously worked with his father and was appointed a director with Ultralight UK Limited in 2019.

A source told the Daily Mail that the father and son were no longer in contact.

There have been a number of issues within the family, the source said.

He (Alex) feels an awful betrayal at how his dad has struck up a relationship with the mother of his two children.

Mark and Jasmine do an awful lot together and they go away on holiday with the children a couple of times every year.

I dont know for sure what happened on this holiday and why Mark has apparently tried to drown her. But I have been told that Jasmine was unhappy that they have been in a relationship for a few years and she is not named in his will.

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David and Ivy Wells are among nearly 450 people who have objected to the proposed four-storey holiday home - SWNS/Amy Nelligan

A City investor who plans to build a holiday home in a Norfolk village has become embroiled in a planning row with her neighbours.

Naomi Clark plans to demolish a semi-detached house in Burnham Market and rebuild it as a four-bedroom holiday home.

However, the plans have sparked a dispute with residents in the town  dubbed Chelsea-on-Sea due to the number of Londoners owning second homes there  who claim the disruption will be unimaginable.

David Wells, 92, and his wife Ivy, 87, are separated from the building by a nine-inch-thick party wall, and claim there is nothing wrong with the house next door. They object to the proposed building, fearing that noise and dust will cause them health problems.

But Ms Clark, head of investment product management at USS, an investment company, insists there are structural deficiencies requiring the houses demolition.

A report to Kings Lynn and West Norfolk councils planning committee said demolition would be the preferred option to fully upgrade the property to modern building standards, adding it was not considered to pose an unacceptable impact on neighbours.

The committee is to give its final say on Dec 1, having received almost 450 objections from neighbours.

Mr and Mrs Wells are furious about Naomi Clarkes plans to tear down part of the property and rebuild it - SWNS/Amy Nelligan

Mrs Wells, who has lived in Burnham Market for more than 60 years, said: Were at our wits end, we simply cant imagine a future where theyre tearing down half the building around us.

They told us they were going to refurbish and extend and that there would be a bit of banging and we were fine with that.

But this is unimaginable and why? Theres nothing wrong with these houses, theyve been here since 1937 and weve been here for 60 years. It doesnt make any sense.

The couple fear noise, vibration, and dust from demolition and rebuilding could severely affect their health, causing stress, anxiety, and sleep loss.

They said the banging, drilling and demolishing would leave them feeling unsafe in their home.

Other residents submitted objections to the planning application. One said: David and Ivy should be allowed to live out their lives in their home, peacefully and stress-free.

Amy Nelligan, the couples granddaughter, added: My grandparents are lifelong residents of this village. They were both born here, and have lived at number 12 for more than 60 years.

To them, it isnt just a house. It is their home, a home where they have raised their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and every brick of that home holds the memory of a life deeply rooted in this community.

Ill do everything I can to minimise disruption

An engineers report said Ms Clarks home had structural deficiencies including slight weaknesses to the roof and required demolition.

A statement from Ms Clarks agent added that Mr and Mrs Wellss property had legal protections under the Party Wall Act, which provides appropriate safeguards regarding structural stability.

Suzi Pimlott, the councils neighbourhood nuisance officer, raised no objections to the plans.

She said: It is clear that when carrying out building works you must avoid causing unnecessary inconvenience, protect your neighbours property from damage caused by the works, and fix or pay for any damage that is caused.

Ms Clark said she would do everything she could to minimise disruption during the demolition, adding: Whilst we have been upset by how this narrative has played out online, we look forward to engaging fully with the planning process and will do everything we can to minimise disruption to our neighbours over the nine months estimated build time.

Naomi Clark and the Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk have been contacted for comment.
Covid lockdowns have been linked to a surge in babies and toddlers suffering from speech and other developmental issues, the largest study to date has found.

Experts from the University of Edinburgh examined at the impact of successive lockdowns and social distancing measures on more than a quarter of a million babies and toddlers.

They found that the number of children with at least one developmental issue increased by up to 6.6 per cent between March 2020 and August 2021  the period in which the first lockdown began and ended.

Around one in 10 children in the UK has a developmental concern, which can include issues regarding their behaviour, emotional regulation, social skills or movement.

The authors of the report said the rise could be linked to reduced social interaction and reduced attendance at early learning and childcare settings during the period, which play an important role in childrens development.

The study, published in one of the Lancets journals, comes just a week after the Covid inquiry concluded that lockdowns could have been avoided entirely if it had not been for the too little, too late approach of the then Conservative government.

Baroness Hallett, the inquiry chairman, said that if stringent restrictions had been put in place before March 16 2020, some 23,000 lives could have been saved and there might have been no need for a lockdown at all.

Lasting impact of lockdowns

Multiple studies have since revealed the lasting impact of lockdowns on children, and in particular, those of school age who had their education disrupted.

The latest research explored the scale of damage to the development of those yet to start school, with 18 months of restrictions coinciding with an increase in developmental issues, including speech and communication, behaviour and problem-solving.

The research included about 258,000 children aged 13 to 15 months and 27 to 30 months in Scotland, where restrictions were the same as in the rest of the UK.

This accounted for 80 per cent of the children in the country, and they were tracked between January 2019 and August 2023 to give pre and post-lockdown trends.

The study was the largest analysis of data assessing Covid restrictions on child developmental outcomes in Europe.

Researchers found that the proportion of children with developmental concerns remained higher than pre-pandemic levels even after restrictions ended in August 2021.

Of particular concern was the proportion of children aged 13 to 15 months with issues continuing to rise even after lockdowns ended. Among those aged 27 to 30 months, the trend stopped increasing but remained above pre-pandemic levels, researchers said.

Developmental concerns

Dr Iain Hardie, a researcher from the University of Edinburgh, told The Telegraph the analysis was modelled on the weekly proportion of children who had developmental concerns identified by health visitors.

He said the models found that restrictions put in place in March 2020 led to a weekly increase in the proportion of children with developmental concerns of between 0.076 per cent and 0.091 per cent.

To put this into context, this would correspond to an estimated 5.5 to 6.6 percentage points increase overall when considered in the context of the full 72 weeks of lockdown/social distancing measures between March 2020 and August 2021, he said, adding that the models adjust for the pre-existing downward trend before the pandemic.

Dr Hardie said a reason for the observed increase in concerns could be linked to reduced social interaction and reduced attendance at early learning and childcare settings.

However, he added that there could also be links to the pandemic impacting parental financial stability and mental health and said: We also cannot rule out the influence of other factors that were occurring at the same time as the pandemic.

The study was conducted in partnership with Public Health Scotland as part of the wider Covid-19 Health Impact on long-term Child Development in Scotland study.

It was published in the Lancet Regional Health  Europe journal.
Discover Okinawa's Iheya Island on a trip to Japan (Getty Images)

Japans largest airline All Nippon Airways (ANA) is offering free domestic flights for British and European travellers this winter.

The initiative, which runs from 24 November to 31 January 2026, enables eligible passengers to book up to two complimentary internal flights on an international booking.

The scheme aims to reduce overtourism in popular destinations such as Tokyo and Kyoto, encouraging visitors to discover lesser-visited regions.

To be eligible for the offer, passengers must pay for a flight from Britain or Europe to Japan with ANA.

It applies to standard class flights only and passengers may have to pay tax and visa fees.

Domestic flights do not need to start and finish at the same airport, offering flexibility to see more of the country.

While the offer runs for a limited period, the actual flights can take place outside of this time.

ANA flies to over 40 Japanese destinations, including Hokkaido, Okinawa, Fukuoka and Nagasaki, meaning theres plenty of scope for adventure.

The airline says it hopes that the scheme will make regional exploration easier and genuinely affordable and enable deeper, more sustainable engagement with Japans culturally diverse regions.

Find out more and book your flights here.

The new initiative comes several months after the East Asian country established an administrative body aimed at easing the effects of over-tourism.

The body claims to serve as a cross-agency control tower to respond to issues such as crime and over-tourism involving foreigners, the government said.

Crimes and disorderly conduct by some foreigners, as well as the inappropriate use of various administrative systems, have created a situation in which the public feels uneasy and cheated, said a spokesperson.

Japan welcomed a record 36 million tourists in 2024, according to official figures.

Read more: Is the Japan tourism bubble at risk of bursting?
Joan Templeman and Richard Branson in 1988: he credited her with keeping his feet on the ground - Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images

Lady Branson, who has died aged 80, was the wife of the business tycoon Sir Richard Branson, and was widely credited with providing her mercurial husband with the domestic stability which enabled him to develop his Virgin record label business into a multi-billion-pound global brand.

As Lynn Barber observed in 2002, everyone agreed that Joan Templeman (she kept her maiden name after her marriage) was the best thing about Branson. She is Glaswegian, five years older than him, very warm, straight-talking and down to earth. He credits her with keeping his feet on the ground all these years.

In a tribute after her death, her husband called her my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world.

One of seven children, Joan Templeman was born on July 6 1945 and brought up in a Glasgow tenement where her father, a ships carpenter, was caretaker. According to her husband the family was very, very poor, and all the kids slept in one bed.

A teenager in the 1960s, Joan worked in a pawnshop, and after discovering Glasgows band scene, met Ronnie Leahy, keyboard player with Stone the Crows. They married in 1966 and moved to London, where Leahy became a record producer.

She first met Branson in 1976 in the kitchen of The Manor, his Oxfordshire recording studio, where she was making a cup of tea as her husband worked next door on a record. Branson himself was estranged from his first wife, Kristen Tomassi, whom he had married in 1972.

Joan Templeman in 2003: the journalist Lynn Barber described her as warm, straight-talking and down to earth - Dave Benett/Getty Images

I walked into the recording studio and saw this lady in the kitchen who was the most beautiful person Id seen in my life, Branson recalled. I started chasing her and I found out she was an assistant shopkeeper at a bric-a-brac shop called Dodo.

Dodo was in Westbourne Grove, conveniently close to the west London headquarters of Bransons record company, and the young entrepreneur set about wooing Joan with what his biographer Mick Brown described as the single-minded persistence of a deal to be clinched. When Leahy was away, Branson took every opportunity to ask her out. At Virgin he acquired the nickname Tag because he was always asking staff: Seeing Joan tonight. Mind if I tag along?

He became such a nuisance at the bric-a-brac shop that its owner told him that he would only let him in if he bought something  with the result that he ended up owning a large collection of antique advertising memorabilia, including a 1920s Now, thats what I call music sign that would later front one of Virgins bestselling compilation records.

At the time Bransons record business was doing well, thanks to Mike Oldfields Tubular Bells, but despite being a millionaire, the socially awkward, unkempt young music mogul was not considered much of a catch. His relationship with Joan developed slowly as Leahy tried to keep his marriage going.

In 1978 Joan made her final choice and flew to join Branson in New York. They remained together from then on.

Back in London, they moved into a houseboat on the Regents Canal bought from Bransons first wifes then-boyfriend. As the boat had no washing machine, Joan had to hump their dirty clothes to the laundrette; their lifestyle was described as chaotic.

Joan Templeman with, l-r, her father-in-law Ted Branson, her daughter Holly, her husband and her son Sam - Pat Sullivan/Avalon/Getty Images

She became pregnant in 1979, but six months gone, on holiday in Scotland, she developed stomach pains which were diagnosed as appendicitis. After the operation, convalescing in Inverness, she went into labour. The child, a girl, died four days later.

She soon became pregnant again, however, and a daughter, Holly, was born in 1981. In 1984 they moved to a large house in Notting Hill Gate.

By the time Joan was pregnant for a third time, Branson was preparing to cross the Atlantic in Virgin Challenger. He learnt he had a son _Sam  on the ships radio, during a storm off the coast of Newfoundland. The voyage, Bransons first attempt to win the Blue Riband with the fastest transatlantic sea crossing, ended in near-disaster when his catamaran was holed and sunk off the Scilly Islands after hitting debris.

Throughout their marriage, Bransons relish for publicity seldom spilled over to his family. Joan never gave interviews, and their 1989 wedding, on the Caribbean island of Necker, which Branson had bought for $180,000 in 1978 to impress Joan, was comparatively low-key, witnessed by 35 relatives and friends, including their two children.

As Branson built his youthful music business venture into a conglomerate encompassing everything from airlines and trains to mobile phones, radio stations, savings products, wedding dresses and space travel, his wife, as he put it, remained a steady source of wisdom and played no small part in some of my better life decisions.

With her husband in 2018 at the ceremony to mark his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame - Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

As he undertook a series of increasingly hair-raising world-record challenges, including circumnavigating the globe in a hot-air balloon, Joan always put on a brave face for the media, and their marriage was widely regarded as one of the safest unions on the international Rich List.

When Richard Branson was knighted in 1999 for services to entrepreneurship, Joan was reportedly happy for him, but, down to earth as ever, remained uncomfortable with the idea of being called Lady Branson.

She is survived by her husband and children.

Lady Branson, born July 6 1945, died November 24 2025
Paul Doyle, 54, pleaded guilty to 31 offences on Wednesday

A former Royal Marine has admitted using his car as a weapon to drive into crowds celebrating Liverpool FCs Premier League title win.

Paul Doyle, 54, had been about to stand trial accused of injuring more than 100 people during the rampage in Liverpool city centre on May 26.

But as the prosecution was preparing to outline its case at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday morning, the defendant, who had previously pleaded not guilty, indicated that he wanted all 31 charges to be put to him again.

Doyles voice cracked and he removed his glasses to wipe away tears as he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, affray, 17 charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, nine counts of causing GBH with intent and three counts of wounding with intent.

The court heard that dashcam footage had shown Doyle, of Croxteth, Liverpool, becoming increasingly agitated by crowds before ramming through them in an act of calculated violence.

Prosecutors planned to tell jurors: Paul Doyle just lost his temper and, in a rage, drove into the crowd. When he did so, he intended to cause them serious harm. He was prepared to cause those in the crowd, even children, serious harm if necessary to achieve his aim of getting through. The truth is as simple as it is awful.

Credit: Social Media

Sarah Hammond, the chief crown prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: Todays convictions bring a measure of justice for an act that caused unimaginable harm during what should have been a day of celebration for the city of Liverpool.

Paul Doyle has been held responsible for his deliberate actions that endangered lives and brought chaos upon a community. A total of 134 people were injured, including children as young as six months.

This attack did not just harm individuals  it struck at the heart of a city united in joy, leaving fear in its wake.

By entering guilty pleas, Doyle has finally accepted that he intentionally drove into crowds of innocent people during Liverpool FCs victory parade.

Dashcam footage from Doyles vehicle shows that, as he approached Dale Street and Water Street, he became increasingly agitated by the crowds. Rather than wait for them to pass, he deliberately drove at them, forcing his way through.

Driving a vehicle into a crowd is an act of calculated violence. This was not a momentary lapse by Paul Doyle  it was a choice he made that day, and it turned celebration into mayhem.

I would like to commend the bravery of emergency services who acted swiftly at the scene. There can be no doubt that their actions saved lives. Liverpool as a city has shown resilience and unity in the face of this awful act, and I hope the victims, their families and anyone affected will feel that justice has been done.

A Liverpool fan is helped by firefighters after Doye drove the car directly into the victory parade crowd - Lee Smith/Action Images via Reuters

Following Doyles change to guilty pleas, Merseyside Police Det Ch Insp John Fitzgerald said: It is hard to forget the shocking scenes from that day.

What should have been a day of celebration for the city turned into a distressing and frightening experience which we know continues to have a physical and psychological impact on many people.

Thousands of people had gathered in the city to watch the Liverpool FC parade and it is only by sheer luck that nobody was killed because of Doyles reckless actions.

He said that within seven minutes Doyle drove into more than 100 people, including children. Some were trapped under his car.

He continued: We know that a lot of people are still recovering from the injuries they suffered on that day and our thoughts remain with them and those that continue to be affected.

We hope that the knowledge Doyle is now facing a considerable prison sentence will be able to help those affected to move on with their lives.

Paul Doyle injured more than 100 people when he drove into a crowd in Liverpool city centre - Crown Prosecution Service/PA

As the trial was about to get under way on Wednesday morning, the judge, His Honour Andrew Menary KC, called the jury into the courtroom.

Addressing them, he said: Yesterday, responsibility for trying this defendant was handed over to you. For technical reasons, I am now going to discharge you of that responsibility.

After Doyle entered his guilty plea to all 31 counts, the judge warned him: It is inevitable there will be a custodial sentence of some length, and you should prepare yourself for that outcome.

Hundreds of thousands of Liverpool fans had gathered in the city centre on May 26 to celebrate the teams Premier League title. As the crowds thronged along Water Street, Doyle drove his grey Ford Galaxy along the road, colliding with people of all ages and trapping some under the wheels of the vehicle.

He would later claim that he had panicked after his car was surrounded and attacked, but police and prosecutors maintained that he had lost his temper and had been in a rage when he ploughed into the crowds.

b'

'

More than 130 people reported injuries after Doyle drove his Ford Galaxy Titanium into crowds on Water Street just after 6pm.

He was arrested at the scene and charged later that week. The charges relate to 29 victims, aged between six months and 77 years old.

The youngest victim was Teddy Eveson, whose parents revealed that he had been thrown about 15ft down the road in his pram. Doyle admitted attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to the baby.

Five other children, who Doyle is alleged to have either injured or attempted to injure, cannot be named for legal reasons.

He was remanded into custody until Dec 15 for what is likely to be a two-day sentencing hearing.

A spokesman for Liverpool FC said: Our victory parade last May allowed an unprecedented number of Liverpool fans to celebrate together our Premier League title win  something we were unable to do in 2020.

The day of incredible joy ended in unimaginable circumstances and we hope todays conviction brings some peace to all those affected by the horrific incident. Our thoughts are with them all.

We would like to thank our emergency services and partner agencies  Merseyside Police, North West and St John Ambulance Services, Merseyside Fire and Rescue and members of the public who responded with such bravery and compassion on the day.

Their actions undoubtedly saved lives and exemplified the spirit of our city.

11:57am

Court case ends

Our coverage of todays case has now finished.

11:55am

Doyle showed calculated violence, says CPS

Sarah Hammond, chief crown prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: Todays convictions bring a measure of justice for an act that caused unimaginable harm during what should have been a day of celebration for the city of Liverpool.

Paul Doyle has been held responsible for his deliberate actions that endangered lives and brought chaos upon a community. A total of 134 people were injured, including children as young as six months. This attack did not just harm individuals - it struck at the heart of a city united in joy, leaving fear in its wake.

By entering guilty pleas, Doyle has finally accepted that he intentionally drove into crowds of innocent people during Liverpool FCs victory parade.

She said dashcam footage from Doyles own vehicle showed him approach the area, becoming increasingly agitated by the crowds.

Rather than wait for them to pass, he deliberately drove at them, forcing his way through, she added.

Driving a vehicle into a crowd is an act of calculated violence. This was not a momentary lapse by Paul Doyle - it was a choice he made that day and it turned celebration into mayhem.

I would like to commend the bravery of emergency services who acted swiftly at the scene. There can be no doubt that their actions saved lives.

Liverpool as a city has shown resilience and unity in the face of this awful act, and I hope the victims, their families and anyone affected will feel justice has been done.

11:39am

Prepare for lengthy custodial sentence, judge tells Doyle

Paul Doyle has been told to expect a lengthy jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to 31 offences on Wednesday morning.

Addressing him, His Honour Andrew Menary KC said: It is inevitable there will be a custodial sentence of some length and you should prepare yourself for that outcome.

He will be sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on December 15 in a hearing which is likely to go into December 16.

11:33am

How dramatic plea-change unfolded

On Wednesday morning, with the trial set to begin, His Honour Andrew Menary KC called the jury into the courtroom.

Addressing them, he said: Yesterday, responsibility for trying this defendant was handed over to you. For technical reasons I am now going to discharge you of that responsibility.

Doyle then pleaded guilty to all 31 counts he had been charged with.

After changing his plea on eight of these, a clearly emotional Doyle was told he could sit down by the judge when answering the remaining counts.

11:30am

Doyle pleads guilty to all charges

A former Royal Marine who drove into crowds during Liverpool FCs Premier League title celebrations last May has pleaded guilty to all charges.

Paul Doyle, 54, had been about to stand trial accused of injuring more than 100 people during the incident in Liverpool City Centre.

But as the prosecution was preparing to outline its case, the defendant, who had previously pleaded not guilty, indicated that he wanted the 31 charges to be put to him again.

Sitting in the dock wearing a dark suit, Doyle wiped away tears as he was re-arraigned on all counts.

His voice cracked and he removed his glasses to wipe away tears as he pleaded guilty to all charges.

11:04am

What happened on May 26?

Liverpool players and fans were enjoying an open-top bus parade in the city after securing the Premier League title.

Thousands took to the streets to join jubilant celebrations, before the arrival of the Ford Galaxy.

Doyle is alleged to have ploughed into crowds, colliding with more than 100 supporters by the time the vehicle eventually came to a halt.

His motivation for having done so is unknown, although initial fears of terrorism were quickly dismissed.

Paul Greaney KC will soon be setting out the prosecution case.

10:45am

Delay to proceedings

After legal discussions in court between the parties, the opening to the case is not expected to be heard until around 11am.

It had been set to begin at 10.30am.

10:40am

Who is Paul Doyle?

Paul Doyle is alleged to have ploughed into Liverpool fans out celebrating their clubs Premier League title win.

After speculation online, Merseyside Police announced a 53-year-old white British male from Liverpool shortly after the crash on May 26 which left 50 people requiring hospital treatment.

The man was later identified as Doyle, a father-of-three and former Royal Marine.

The businessman and data security expert, who lives in the West Derby area of Liverpool, was in the Royal Marines for four years between 1990 and 1994, serving with 43 Commando, the unit based in Arbroath, Scotland, which helps secure the UKs nuclear deterrent.

He went on to graduate with a BSc in Psychology & Maths from the University of Liverpool in 1998 before working as a network security engineer and manager in the private sector and the NHS.

10:30am

Welcome to the blog

A man is set to stand trial for allegedly driving into crowds at Liverpool FCs victory parade.

Paul Doyle, 54, denies dangerous driving, affray, 17 charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, nine counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and two counts of wounding with intent.

The allegations relate to 29 victims, aged between six months and 77 years.

Merseyside Police previously said 134 people were injured when Doyle allegedly drove his Ford Galaxy Titanium into crowds on Water Street in the city centre just after 6pm on May 26.

On Tuesday, Doyle wiped away tears as he appeared at Liverpool Crown Court and the jury was sworn in.
Getting clogged up in the justice system must be avoided, said Darren Jones - Jaimi Joy/Bloomberg Finance

Magna Carta justifies scrapping jury trials for most crimes, a Cabinet minister has claimed.

The charter, agreed in 1215 and seen as the cornerstone for modern legal and democratic systems, was cited by Darren Jones, the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, as establishing the British right to timely justice.

Magna Carta stated that justice should not be delayed, but a separate clause defended the right to trial by jury.

This led to criticism that Labour was selectively quoting the charter to defend the leaked proposal to scrap a majority of jury trials.

Speaking on Sky News, Mr Jones said: This all goes back to Magna Carta, if we were going to get into it. Magna Carta is very clear that you have the right to a trial that is timely. What you dont want is to get clogged up in a system that takes years for justice or your innocence to be proven.

His defence reflects ministers arguments that the record crown court backlogs  nearly 80,000 cases  are undermining fair justice for victims and defendants who are being forced to wait as long as five or six years for their trials.

Magna Carta  a document establishing the principle that everyone, including the monarch, was subject to the law  states in paragraph 40:

However, it has also been cited by critics of plans to scale back the 800-year-old right to a jury trial.

Paragraph 39 states:

Only four of the 63 clauses in Magna Carta are still valid today, including clause 39 and 40.

A Tory source said: Jones has been reduced to selectively quoting Magna Carta to try and justify this change. Its desperate stuff.

In leaked documents, David Lammy, the Justice Secretary, has proposed juries will only decide upon cases of murder, rape, manslaughter and other serious offences carrying sentences of more than five years.

Judges will preside alone over trials of other serious offences meriting prison sentences of up to five years, thus removing the right of thousands of defendants to be heard before a jury.

Magistrates powers are also to be increased, by extending their remit from offences carrying a maximum sentence of one year to two years, further eroding the right to a jury trial.

Defendants charged with scores of offences, including burglary, affray, fraud, some sexual crimes and criminal damage up to 10,000, will be stripped of their right to elect trial by jury.

Judges will also sit alone to hear complex fraud, financial and cyber crime cases, ending the need for juries to give up a year or more of their lives.

Defendants will lose their automatic right to appeal under the plans. It will be replaced with a requirement for permission to appeal.

The plans go much further than recommendations by Sir Brian Leveson, a former High Court judge, in a report commissioned by Shabana Mahmood, Mr Lammys predecessor.

Sir Brian had proposed an intermediate court of a judge and two magistrates to hear cases of defendants facing up to three years in jail.

On Wednesday, Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, and Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, wrote to Mr Lammy, describing the jury plans as a step too far and urging him to rethink them. They had the backing of more than 50 Conservative MPs.

A system in which serious criminal trials are routinely conducted without juries is one in which trust will ebb away, in which communities will feel judged by a distant establishment, and in which the fear of arbitrary Government grows, they said.

Sir Brian Leveson, a former High Court judge, proposed an intermediate court of a judge and two magistrates for cases with sentences up to three years - Lewis Whyld/PA

The first signs of unease among Labour MPs and peers emerged on Wednesday. The Labour MP Jon Trickett wrote on X: For centuries, no free born person could be imprisoned other than by the judgment of our equals. Its a fundamental tenet of our liberty.

It is shameful that a Labour minister should contemplate a severe limit on the right to trial by jury.

Baroness Helena Kennedy, KC, a Labour peer and one of Britains top lawyers, said limiting jury trials was a mistake that would undermine public trust in the criminal justice system.

She said jury trials were critical for the public and communities to engage in justice, adding: We have a crisis of trust in all our institutions and if we are not careful this one will crumble.
A further 736 foreign offenders who have absconded are also missing, according to data - Steve Finn

More than 53,000 illegal migrants have absconded and are missing, according to internal Home Office figures.

A leaked document headed absconder pool suggests that, as of October, there are 53,298 migrants who have breached their immigration bail or escaped from detention whose whereabouts are unknown.

A further 736 foreign offenders have also absconded and gone missing after being released from prison or from detention, according to the data. Most are believed to be facing deportation.

The figures have been obtained from a whistleblower by Rupert Lowe MP, who was formerly a member of Nigel Farages Reform UK party.

The Home Office has refused to confirm whether the figures are accurate, saying it does not comment on speculation.

However, the numbers correspond to similar data previously revealed by the chief inspector of borders and immigration in a 2016 report, when there were almost 60,000 absconders.

Small-boat migrants arriving in Dover. The Home Office has refused to confirm whether the figures on abscondees are accurate - Dan Kitwood/Getty

Mr Lowe, the independent MP for Great Yarmouth, said: I am calling on the Home Secretary to urgently detail what steps are being taken to apprehend and then deport these criminals. This is a national security emergency, and must be treated as such.

Tony Smith, former director-general of Border Force, said it was quite easy for a migrant on immigration bail who was close to being deported to disappear.

He said: We havent really got to grips with identifying and catching people who are working cash-in-hand here. I know we have right-to-work checks and right-to-rent checks but it is quite easy to lose yourself in the black economy in this country.

You are only really going to get caught if you happen to be in a raid when immigration enforcement turn up. They will recognise them as an absconder because they will have been fingerprinted, so your biometric data will be in the system.

It also doesnt necessarily mean that they are going to be removed. You might find that they raise a new application to stay in the UK when they are caught.

Mobile phones should be tracked

Mr Smith suggested that the Home Office should make better use of technology to track and identify missing migrants via their mobile phones, for example, despite sensitivities over human rights.

There is technology we should be exploring to see if there is more we can do in the black economy to identify the people they are employing.

Under Operation Sterling, the Government has invested 5m in Immigration Enforcement to target, arrest, detain, deport and return illegal workers in takeaways, fast food delivery services, beauty salons and car washes.

More than 8,000 illegal migrants were arrested in 11,000 raids by Immigration Enforcement from October 2024 to September 2025. That represented a 63 per cent increase in arrests year-on-year.

A Home Office spokesman said: Under this Government, returns of people with no right to remain in the UK have surged, with almost 50,000 people removed  up 23 per cent.

Last week, the Home Secretary announced the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in modern times. These will make Britain a less attractive destination for illegal migrants and will make it easier to remove and deport them.

Home Office guidance defines an absconder as someone who has escaped from immigration enforcement detention or breached the conditions of their bail. Their whereabouts are unknown and all mandatory procedures to re-establish contact such as email and phone contact have failed.

The Home Office has a dedicated tracing capability team who work with the police, other government agencies and commercial companies to trace absconders. Where they obtain contact or location details, they can deploy an enforcement team.
Nigel Farage has accused the BBC of "double standards" as he continues to come under fire over allegations of racism during his schooldays.

The Reform UK leader, 61, has faced a series of allegations that he engaged in racist and antisemitic behaviour while a pupil at Dulwich College, with several ex-students claiming he engaged in consistent and targeted abuse during his teenage years.

Farage has categorically denied the claims and at a press conference denied making racist remarks in a malicious or nasty way, accusing the BBC of "double standards and hypocrisy" because of programmes it had aired that would now be considered racist.

A group of Holocaust survivors have called on Farage to apologise over the allegations. The 11 signatories, some of whom have survived death camps, wrote that they understand the danger of hateful words, saying: Let us be clear: praising Hitler, mocking gas chambers, or hurling racist abuse is not banter. Not in a playground. Not anywhere.

Labour has also said Farage should apologise to the victims of his alleged remarks and accused him of failing to keep his story straight on whether the claims were true, while the Conservatives said his rant showed that Reform was in chaos.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer called the Reform UK leader a toxic, divisive disgrace over claims he made that one in three schoolchildren in Glasgow do not speak English as their first language, referring to this as the cultural smashing of Glasgow.

What has Nigel Farage been accused of?

On 18 November, the Guardian published a report about Farage's alleged behaviour while at Dulwich College, based on allegations from more than a dozen school contemporaries of Farage.

Farage told broadcasters on 24 November that he could not remember everything he said as a child and that he would apologise to anyone if they were "genuinely hurt".

Have I said things 50 years ago that you could interpret as being banter in a playground, that you can interpret in the modern light of day in some sort of way? Yes.

Asked to categorically rule out that he had engaged in racial abuse, Farage said: I would never, ever do it in a hurtful or insulting way.

In a press conference on Thursday (4 December) Farage continued to deny he ever made racist remarks in a malicious or nasty way, and read out a letter he said he received from a former Dulwich schoolmate, who said he never heard the Reform UK leader racially abuse anyone.

He also used the occasion to launch into a tirade against the BBC, accusing it of double standards.

Nigel Farage is under pressure to be more candid about his behaviour at Dulwich College. (Getty Images) (Dan Kitwood via Getty Images)

Farage's response has attracted criticism from some quarters. Labour peer Mike Katz said: He is trying to say abhorrent racist comments, including vile antisemitic insults, doesnt matter. He seems to think that you can racially abuse people without it being hurtful and insulting. Lets be crystal clear: you cant.

Liberal Democrat president-elect Josh Babarinde said Farage's "refusal to deny that hes said these racist remarks is unbecoming from someone who wants to be our next prime minister", adding: "The British people deserve a straight answer."

Former Tory MP and serving Reform UK immigration and justice spokesperson Anne Widdecombe defended Farage, saying that "horrible humour" is common among teenage boys.

"If every single teenage boy was going to have everything he ever said  including I suspect some of Farage's accusers now  held against them decades later, to me is a nonsense."

What has Farage said about the claims?

The accusations published on 18 November included this response from a Reform spokesperson: These allegations are entirely without foundation. The Guardian has produced no contemporaneous record or corroborating evidence to support these disputed recollections from nearly 50 years ago.

We fully expect these cynical attempts to smear Reform and mislead the public to intensify further as we move closer to the next election.

However, in an interview with broadcasters on 24 November, Farage appeared less forthright and insisted multiple times that the allegations made against him happened too long ago for him to clearly remember what happened.

Asked if he had ever racially abused fellow pupils during his time at Dulwich College, he said: "Have I ever tried to take it out on any individual on the basis of where they're from? No."

Pressed further to confirm he did not racially abuse any of his classmates, he said: "I would never, ever do it in a hurtful or insulting way.

"It's 49 years ago, isn't it? I just entered my teens. Can I remember everything that happened to school? No, I can't.

"Have I ever been part of an extremist organisation or engaged in direct, unpleasant, personal abuse, genuine abuse on that basis? No."

Watch: Nigel Farage denies ever trying to 'hurt anybody' with remarks at school

Farage went on to say he never racially abused fellow pupils "with intent", adding: "No, I have never directly really tried to go and hurt anybody."

"Have I said things 50 years ago that you could interpret as being banter in a playground? You could interpret in the modern light a day in some sort of way, yes," he added.

Farage then added that he would apologise to anyone who may have been hurt by something he allegedly said if they were genuinely hurt".

On 25 November, Farage was more forthright in his denial, saying: Several books and thousands of stories have been written about me, but it is only now that my party is leading in the polls that these allegations come out. I will leave the public to draw their own conclusions about why that might be.

We know that the Guardian wants to smear anybody who talks about the immigration issue. But the truth is that I have done more in my career to defeat extremism and far-right politics than anybody else in the UK, from my time fighting the BNP right up to today.

Yahoo News has contacted the Guardian for comment.

In a press conference on 4 December in central London, Farage sought to suggest journalists from broadcasters asking questions about the allegations were displaying double standards, because their outlets had in the past aired programmes which would now be considered racist.

He accused the BBC of double standards and hypocrisy because of television shows including Are You Being Served? and It Aint Half Hot Mum, saying: I cannot put up with the double standards of the BBC about what Im alleged to have said 49 years ago and what you were putting out on mainstream content.

"So I want an apology from the BBC for virtually everything you did throughout the 1970s and 80s.

What are the allegations?

Bafta and Emmy award-winning director Peter Ettedgui, who is Jewish, says he was 13 years old when his classmate Farage taunted him with antisemitic remarks.

He would sidle up to me and growl: Hitler was right, or Gas them, sometimes adding a long hiss to simulate the sound of the gas showers, he told the Guardian.

"Id hear him calling other students P**i or W*g, and urging them to go home. I tried to ignore him, but it was humiliating. It was shaming. This kind of abuse cuts through to the core of your identity."

After seeing Farage's denials, Ettedgui told the BBC that the Reform UK leader is being fundamentally dishonest in everything that he says there.

Ettedgui said that he could remember what happened decades ago because anyone who suffers any kind of abuse, it's going to mark their lives.

He added: "And I carry that memory with me very, very strongly."

Award winning director Peter Ettedgui (pictured right) is among the high-profile Dulwich alumni to speak out against Farage. (Alamy) (LFP)

Former teacher Bob Jope said he recalls saying "right, out!" to Farage after he said "Shut up you Jew" to Ettedgui.

Tim France, who was in the same year as Farage, said he would "often be doing Nazi salutes and saying 'Sieg heil'. "You cant really defend it as being a joke, or that he was too young to know any better. We were 18," he added.

New claims were published in the Guardian on 25 November, with one former pupil Stefan Benarroch, claiming Farage targeted students coming out of a Jewish assembly, while Cyrus Oshidar described Farages claim that he did not act with intent to hurt as rubbish.

A third pupil, Rickard Berg, told the Guardian that Farage was straight up lying.

The Guardian reports that 20 people have made claims of racist and antisemitic language from Farage at Dulwich College, although others who knew him told the paper they did not recall the behaviour described by his accusers.

There is no suggestion that Farage holds the views he is alleged to have held as a child.

Claims about Farage making racist comments were previously aired in 2013 by Channel 4 when it unearthed a letter reportedly written by a former Dulwich teacher suggesting that Farage shouted Hitler Youth songs as a schoolboy.

Farage dismissed the accusations at the time, saying: "Of course I said some ridiculous things, not necessarily racist things. It depends how you define it.

"Youve got to remember that ever since 1968 up until the last couple of years, weve not been able in this country, intelligently to discuss immigration, to discuss integration, its all been a buried subject and thats happened through academia, its happened through politics and the media.

Why this matters

The controversy comes at a critical juncture for Reform UK as a party, as it remains comfortably ahead of the polls, and bookmakers have called Farage as their favourite to be next PM.

As the party comes under increased scrutiny, Reform has questioned whether there is any interest digging up allegations from over 40 years ago. But critics have said Farage's reluctance to take accountability is the problem.

However, Ettedgui said claims that the Clacton MP couldn't remember the remarks made him "really angry". He told the Guardian's Today in Focus podcast: The easiest thing for him to have said when these allegations first came up would have been: Yes, I did say some extraordinarily upsetting things to people that were racist. And I unreservedly apologise to them for that. But I can assure them and the general public that this has nothing to do with my politics today. Hes never said that."

Lord Katz added: He should finally come clean on claims over his past and apologise to those who bravely spoke out. Failure to do so would be yet more evidence that Farage is simply unfit for office.

While the Guardian's report made clear that allegations by Dulwich alumni does not mean Farage holds the same views today, it is unlikely to help Reform dispel its image among some members of the public as a racist party.

Nigel Farage, pictured at a Reform rally in in Llandudno, Wales, says he cannot recall the specific comments he is alleged to have made. (Getty Images) (Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)

A YouGov poll published in October found that more than four in 10 Britons consider the Reform UK party (47%), policies (46%) and voters (43%) to be generally racist.

In September, Sir Keir Starmer sparked controversy when he described Reform's plan to scrap indefinite leave to remain as "racist". The PM subsequently qualified his comments, saying he did not think Farage  or Reform voters  were racist.

Read more
Met officers lead a farmer away during a protest at Westminster ahead of the Budget announcement - Julian Simmonds for The Telegraph

Can you tell a farmer just by looking at them? That was the question for the police on a cold bright Wednesday morning in Westminster.

As Rachel Reeves prepared to deliver her Budget and the Office for Budget Responsibility prepared to scoop her, the Met was tasked with getting Britains beleaguered farmers to stand in the right place.

You are clearly farmers, one officer said to a group of young men and women wearing wax jackets and boots, before telling them to move on from the roundabout at the top of Whitehall.

I just happened to be here today. Im not taking part, replied one young man, adding that he didnt want to be arrested for wearing a check shirt. He struck at the heart of the dilemma for the Met: all farmers wear green, but in 2025 not everyone in a Barbour is a farmer.

Credit: X/@alanvibe

The tractors were more of a giveaway. After weeks of negotiation between the Berkshire Farmers Group, which was organising the march, and the Metropolitan Police, over where and how they were allowed to protest, it was only late on Tuesday evening that Scotland Yard informed the farmers that they would not be allowed to drive their tractors down Whitehall.

Undeterred, the tractors headed towards Westminster in their dozens; John Deeres, Valtras and Massey Fergusons, in reds and greens and blues, negotiating their way through central London like elephants in a supermarket. Drivers of boring old Chelsea tractors looked on in envy.

I came down in a Fendt 828, says Fraser Morley, 19, from Leicestershire. We set off at two in the morning. The plan was to drive it down Whitehall, but the police stopped us twice and told us to get out. It was only at three in the morning it was published that no tractors allowed. I thought that was a bit of a loss of freedom of speech, as thats how we get our message across. Instead, they had parked up the road in Trafalgar Square, where dozens of the things were lined up. Others did not go so quietly and were arrested.

Fraser Morley (right): With the inheritance tax theyre trying to take our land off us - Julian Simmonds

If you want the argument for two-tier policing, this is it, says Jacob Rees-Mogg, who stopped by on his way to lunch. If they had said they were farmers for Palestine theyd have been able to bring as many tractors as they liked. As they are campaigning about something that affects the United Kingdom, the police gave them almost no notice. They said the reason was disrupting the traffic, but Whitehall is shut. The police have disrupted the traffic themselves.

The lack of vehicles did not deter a lively group gathered at the designated protest spot across the street from Downing Street. Organisers played Rachel Reeves Budget speech out of a megaphone, listening sombrely with occasional laughter.

Farmers stood behind a banner quoting Winston Churchill: The farms of Britain are the front line of freedom.

A farmer wearing a Santa Claus costume and wellies was up early enough to drive his tractor through Whitehall, beating the roadblock that was later set up.

Tractors parked in Trafalgar Square after they were told they could not drive down Whitehall - Julian Simmonds

Lloyd Baker, 31, who farms sheep and cows in Westfield, Hastings, says he had parked outside Downing Street at 6.30am.

I got arrested and de-arrested to move my tractor out the way, he says, later clarifying that he had been cautioned.

Baker says the inheritance tax changes and the Chancellors Budget had demoralised farmers.

It is horrific. With our margins, we are running on fumes. It has impacted us already, it knocks the heart out of the job.

We are not the best with paperwork and legal stuff, we just get [up] and go to work  so it is going to catch a lot of people out.

Labour has f----d it. They are only looking after people who arent putting into the pot.

They had come from all over the country. Im here because I detest this Government with every fibre of my being for what theyre doing to the farming community, says Dorothy Bowling, 69, from Lancashire, where she farms 200,000 broiler chickens. My father was a farmer, and my grandfather before that. My husbands family are third-generation chicken farmers. Were trying to pass it on to my daughter and son-in-law, but unless we live seven years its going to cost an awful lot of money [under the inheritance tax changes].

Before Keir Starmer was elected he lied and said farmers deserve better. Then [Labour] got into office and went back on their word. There was no inkling this was going to happen.

Dorothy Bowling, 69, from Lancashire: I detest this Government with every fibre of my being - Julian Simmonds

For Peter Clarke, 88, who farmed in Hampshire for more than 40 years before handing over to his son, the question is more existential.

The way the Government is going is anti-farming, he says. We are in the most unstable situation the world has been in since the last war. Where are we going to get our food from if we dont grow it here? When my son tells me he is selling feed barley at the same price I was in the 1980s, something is wrong. How can farmers make a living? They cant.

[The Government] is so used to going to the supermarkets and the best restaurants but they have no idea where the food comes from and the work thats entailed. We arent even classed as working people by this Government. And Ive never known anybody work so hard as a farmer. There are too many things happening without the consequences being looked at.

Peter Clarke, 88, farmed in Hampshire for more than 40 years - Julian Simmonds

Morley, 69 years Clarkes junior, says it is difficult to see how he can carry on his familys farm. I came down to protect our legacy, he says. With the inheritance tax theyre trying to take our land off us. Not many farmers are cash-rich. Its asset-rich, what weve inherited through many generations. Im not positive about the future of farming. Its devastating.

In the end, Reevess speech avoided mentioning farmers altogether  perhaps a recognition that doing so could only cause further anger. The small print revealed that when the Government caps agricultural property relief at 1 million from April it will permit the allowance to be transferred between spouses. It will not be much consolation to the thousands of farmers facing a precarious future.

As they made their way out of sight of Parliament, the tractors let off deafening horn blasts. The Government cannot claim not to have heard the farmers. Whether they are paying attention to them is another matter.
Wycliffe star Jack Shepherd has died at the age of 85.

The English actor died following a short illness, his family said in a statement shared with the PA news agency.

The Leeds-born TV star was best known for starring as Cornish detective Charles Wycliffe in the ITV series based on the WJ Burley novels.

The drama aired between 1993 and 1998 and starred Shepherd in the lead role as Wycliffe, who investigated murders in Cornwall alongside his colleagues DI Doug Kersey, played by Scottish actor Jimmy Yuill, and Helen Masters DI Lucy Lane.

A statement from agents Markham, Froggatt & Irwin said: It is with great sadness we can confirm that the celebrated actor Jack Shepherd passed away yesterday at the age of 85. He died peacefully in hospital after a short illness. His wife and family were with him.

They added: Markham, Froggatt & Irwin are very proud and honoured to have been part of Jacks illustrious career. His passing is a sad loss to us all. Jack is survived by his wife Ann Scott and children Jan, Jake, Victoria, Catherine and Ben.

After attending school in Leeds, he won a scholarship to Newcastle University to study fine art, later moving to London to study at The Central School for Speech and Drama.

In his 20s he became the leading light of Londons Royal Court theatre, with his TV break in the Seventies as rebellious Labour MP Bill Brand in the hit series titled Bill Brand.

The Trevor Griffiths series also earned him a Bafta nomination in the best actor category in 1977.

Alongside TV, Shepherd also acted on stage at the National Theatre.

He directed The Two Gentlemen Of Verona in 1996 at Shakespeares Globe and the show also went to Broadway.

Shepherd won multiple awards, including an Olivier award for the original production of Glengarry Glen Ross in 1983.

He also worked with director Bill Bryden on numerous theatre productions and was a playwright in his own right, as well as a saxophonist and jazz pianist.
The University of Manchester (MFT) Oliver and his dad Ricky

NEED TO KNOW

Oliver Chu, 3, was born with a rare genetic condition called Hunter syndrome that impacts physical and mental development

He traveled to the U.K. to become the first person to undergo a groundbreaking stem cell gene therapy treatment

Oliver has now exceeded doctors' expectations after treatment, and his parents are forever grateful

A California toddler is thriving after becoming the first person in the world with his rare genetic condition to be treated with gene therapy.

Three-year-old Oliver Chu was born with mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II), also known as Hunter syndrome. His older brother Skyler was also born with the condition. It causes the body to have difficulty breaking down certain sugar molecules, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

As those molecules build up in the organs and tissues, it can lead to damage that affects physical and mental development. Symptoms include stiff joints, thickening of facial features, hearing loss, delayed growth, breathing and heart troubles and cognitive decline similar to childhood dementia.

In severe cases, Hunter syndrome is life-threatening and patients typically die by age 20.

The University of Manchester (MFT) Oliver undergoing gene therapy

Since Olivers diagnosis in April 2024, his parents, mother Jingru Chu and father Ricky Chu, have been overwhelmed with hospital visits, just as they had been with Skyler.

"When you find out about Hunter syndrome, the first thing the doctor tells you is 'Don't go on the internet and look it up because you'll find the worst cases and you'll be very, very disheartened.' " Ricky told the BBC. "But, like anybody, you look it up and you're like, 'Oh my goodness, is this what's going to happen to both my sons?' "

But in December 2024, they were able to connect with doctors from the clinical research facility at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital who had developed a revolutionary stem cell gene therapy treatment.

Although it was a big commitment to travel to the UK, of course we want the best for our children, Ricky said in a statement to the hospital on Monday, Nov. 24. Due to Skylers age, he was not eligible to take part in the Manchester trial and is taking part in a different study in the United States. That has meant splitting up the family, but it was something we were willing to do for Ollie to have the opportunity to be in this trial.

There are very few times where your child can have a reset on life so if you can give them that chance, then its just something you do, he added.

The University of Manchester (MFT) Oliver after treatment

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The gene therapy involves removing the patients stem cells, sending them to a lab at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London for modification, and replacing the faulty gene by re-injecting the modified cells.

We use the machinery from the virus to insert a working copy of the faulty gene into each of the stem cells, Dr. Karen Buckland of the Cell and Gene Therapy Service at GOSH explained to the BBC. When those go back to Oliver, they should repopulate his bone marrow and start to produce new white blood cells, and each of these will hopefully start to produce the missing protein [enzyme] in his body.

In February 2025, Oliver received the genetically modified stem cells with an infusion. He was the first of five boys around the world to undergo the groundbreaking treatment.

The gene therapy was deemed a success. Today, Olivers progress has exceeded his doctors hopes, and he appears to be developing normally.

Ive been waiting 20 years to see a boy like Ollie doing as well as he is, and its just so exciting, researcher Simon Jones, who is co-leading the trial, told the BBC.

The University of Manchester (MFT) Jingru and Ricky Chu with their sons Oliver and Skyler

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Jingru and Ricky told the hospital that they are in awe of how much better their son is developing and theyre forever grateful for being a part of the research.

Ollie is doing great since having the gene therapy, Ricky said. We have seen dramatic improvements, and he continues to grow physically and cognitively. Our hope for Ollie because of this treatment is that he will continue to make his own enzymes and live a normal life without infusions.

Were excited for Ollies future, he continued. Seeing the difference for Ollie pre-and post-transplant has made us believers."

The parents said that they hope the success will lead to more children being treated, including their other son Skyler.

"Every time we talk about it I want to cry because it's just so amazing," Jingru told the outlet.

"My wish upon the star is for Skyler, to be able to get the same treatment," added Ricky. "It feels like Oliver has got a reset in his life, and I want the same thing for Skyler, even though he's a bit older."



Read the original article on People
Key Points

MP Materials owns and operates one of the only rare earth metal mines in the United States.

The company is backed by the Pentagon and has strategic partnerships with blue chip companies.

10 stocks we like better than MP Materials 

MP Materials (NYSE: MP) has been one of the market's more surprising outperformers this year, with a gain of about 237%. The rare earth miner's stock has ripped higher on the back of governmental deals and blockbuster partnerships.

For long-term investors who can stomach volatility, the mining stock's story might just be getting started. Here are five reasons MP Materials is worth looking at today.

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue 

NdFeB magnets.

NdFeB magnets produced by MP Materials at Independence in Fort Worth, Texas. Image source: MP Materials.

1. A monopoly-like position in U.S. rare earth

Let's start with MP's competitive moat. The company owns and operates one of the only rare earth metal mining and processing sites of scale in the U.S -- the Mountain Pass mine in California.

This mine is responsible for more than 10% of the world's rare earth supply. It's also responsible for delivering high-purity neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr), which is a key ingredient in high-performance magnets.

With the threat of tightened rare earth exports from China -- whether they ever happen or get relaxed -- MP's mine is now becoming a national security interest. That gives it a new level of strategic importance, which binds its success with a larger federal effort to onshore the very materials that the company specializes in.

2. The U.S. government put a floor on MP's business

Back in July, the U.S. Department of Defense agreed to invest about $400 million into MP Materials, becoming, in turn, its largest shareholder. In this deal, the Pentagon committed to buy all the output from MP's next magnet plan (dubbed its "10X Facility") and guaranteed a minimum price of about $110 per kilogram for neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr), one of MP's key rare earth oxides.

Considering that the current price for NdPr is about $78 per kilogram, the significance of that floor speaks for itself. In practical terms, MP now has a decade of visibility on a huge chunk of its future revenue, as well as some protection from any unfavorable fluctuations in NdPr prices.

3. A tech giant as a partner

For years, MP's pitch has been to move its business from selling concentrate to China to producing rare earth magnets on U.S. soil. 2025 has been the year MP has started delivering on this promise.

Largely due to trade tensions between China and the U.S, MP made a tough decision to stop shipping rare earth concentrates to China. Although that decision hurt the company's third-quarter revenue -- it reported zero revenue for rare earth concentrates -- it has also pushed the company further into the next phase of growth -- making finished magnets.

On that front, it inked a key deal with Apple. In July, both companies agreed to a $500 million partnership that will help MP expand its Independence magnet factory in Fort Worth. The goal is for MP to supply 100% U.S.-made magnets for hundreds of millions of Apple devices starting in 2027.

4. The balance sheet is loaded

For all its growth potential, MP is still posting losses. Third-quarter revenue, for instance, declined year over year, as rare earth prices softened. It's also burning cash as it continues to build out its magnet factories.

MP Revenue (TTM) Chart

MP Revenue (TTM) data by YCharts.

At the same time, the company has a strong balance sheet with a sizable cash position. It posted about $1.9 billion in cash and short-term investments at the end of its third quarter. At its current cash-burn rate, on the order of a few million a year, that should give it some runway before it'll need a fresh cash injection.

5. A new deal in Saudi Arabia

In November, MP Materials and the Pentagon jointly announced a surprise deal with the Saudi Arabian Mining Company, Maaden. Under the agreement, MP and the U.S. government will construct a rare earth refinery in Saudi Arabia.

Both MP and the Pentagon will jointly own 49% of the venture, while Maaden will hold at least 51%. The financing portion of the project will come from the U.S. government, while marketing and technical expertise will come from MP.

For MP investors, this deal does a couple of things. One, it's a capital-light way for MP to expand its global footprint, as well as deepen ties with a major mining partner. Two, it reinforces MP's growing role within Washington as its preferred rare earth miner. That position is hard to put on a balance sheet but could mean MP will be linked to other projects in the future.

None of this, of course, removes risk. MP still has to ramp up magnet production, as well as complete the construction of its 10X Facility. However, for investors who believe the U.S. is committed to reshoring rare earths, the case for buying MP stock sooner rather than later is hard to ignore.

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Close-up view of students working on laptops during a college class. Photo: freepik / Freepik

(The Center Square)  An audit of a now-closed eastern Ohio community college revealed millions in questionable federal taxpayer dollar spending on student financial aid.

State Auditor Keith Faber announced questions surrounding $17 million in spending at Eastern Gateway Community College. The money represents the entire student federal aid program at the school.

Faber also said pervasive deficiencies in recordkeeping and poor accounting and controls led to widespread financial mismanagement of public resources.

This goes beyond sloppiness and honest mistakes, Faber said. The public should be outraged.

The 56-year-old school, with campuses in Steubenville and Youngstown, closed Sept. 30.

In 2022, the U.S. Department of Education said Eastern Gateway  which launched a free college program in 2015  had illegally charged students with Pell Grants more than those without the federal grant.

The free college program pushed enrollment from a little more than 3,000 students to more than 45,000 in 2021.

The program ended in 2023 after the Department of Education began requiring the school to pay costs up front and apply for reimbursement.

Faber said the states audit uncovered 44 findings, including questioned costs, material weaknesses and other issues from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.

Faber said the investigation is ongoing and includes his office, the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, the Ohio State Highway Patrols Computer Crimes Unit, the U.S. Secret Service, the Columbus Division of Polices Digital Forensics Unit and the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center.

A search warrant was executed in January 2024 as part of the investigation.

The audit showed weak program oversight and a lack of policies and financial controls, leading to unauthorized expenses and reporting errors.

"Collectively, these items contributed to the colleges cash flow crisis and eventual closure, the audit said.

Some of the findings in the audit include:

 Documentation to support spending through federal financial aid, federal student outreach programs and adult education was incomplete and inconsistent.

 The former chief financial officer failed to get a certificate of estimated resources or certify to the county auditor the total funds from all sources available for expenditures, as required. The colleges former board of trustees also failed to adopt a formal appropriations measure, meaning all expenses the colleges former chief finance officer and former controller made were in violation of state law.

 The college failed to establish a records commission and meet other requirements under the states open records laws, and public records were improperly maintained.

 The former CEO apparently did not provide the colleges bond counsel or board of trustees with an accurate appraisal of a parking garage facility in Youngstown. As a result, college officials authorized issuance of $13.6 million in bonded debt that was used, in part, for the acquisition of a parking garage for which the cost of demolition exceeded the estimated land value.

 The lack of critical documentation and accounting issues led to $17 million-plus in questioned costs, 100% of federally funded financial aid for eligible students. An institutions recordkeeping practices are paramount to ensuring a proper administration of Title IV programs. The college failed to provide adequate source documentation  hindering a thorough review of the colleges distance education programs, including evidence that students commenced attendance, the audit said.

Faber said findings for recovery could come with later audits.
FILE PHOTO: The Facebook, TikTok and YouTube app icons are seen on a smartphone in this illustration taken October 27, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/File Photo

SYDNEY (Reuters) -A constitutional challenge against Australias social media ban on children younger than 16 has been filed in the nations highest court, two weeks before the world-first law is set to take effect.

A campaign group called the Digital Freedom Project said on Wednesday it launched proceedings in the High Court of Australia in a bid to block the law, with two 15-year-olds, Noah Jones and Macy Neyland, as plaintiffs in the case.

More than one million accounts held by teenagers under 16 are set to be deactivated in Australia when the ban on platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat and Meta's Facebook and Instagram starts on December 10.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Digital Freedom Project said the ban "robs" young Australians of their freedom of political communication, an implied right in the constitution. Australia does not have an express right to free speech.

"The legislation is grossly excessive," the statement said.

Neyland said the law would ban young people from expressing their views online.

"Young people like me are the voters of tomorrow ... we shouldn't be silenced. It's like Orwell's book 1984, and that scares me," she said.

The Digital Freedom Projects president is John Ruddick, a member of the Libertarian Party in the New South Wales state Parliament.

After news of the legal challenge broke, Communications Minister Anika Wells told Parliament the centre-left government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, would not be intimidated by threats and legal challenges.

"Despite the fact that we are receiving threats and legal challenges by people with ulterior motives, the Albanese Labor government remains steadfastly on the side of parents, and not of platforms," Wells said.

Australian media has reported that YouTube also threatened to launch a High Court challenge on the grounds the ban burdened political communication.

Governments and tech firms around the world are closely watching Australia's effort to implement the ban, one of the most comprehensive efforts to police minors' social media access.

The ban was passed into law in November 2024 and is supported by the majority of Australians, according to opinion polling.

The government said research showed the over-use of social media was harming young teens, including causing misinformation, enabling bullying and harmful depictions of body image.

Companies that fail to comply with the ban could face penalties of up to A$49.5 million ($32.22 million).

($1 = 1.5361 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Christine Chen in Sydney; Editing by Michael Perry)
A student receives one-on-one support from her teacher during a classroom lesson. Photo: RDNE Stock project / Pexels

(The Center Square) - Supporters of a new California civil rights law for public schools say it will strengthen protections for students facing discrimination, while teachers unions and civil liberties organizations warn it could restrict classroom discussions.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 715 last month into law, which prohibits school districts from using textbooks, curricula or materials that promote bias or unlawful discrimination.

The law establishes a new California Office of Civil Rights within the Government Operations Agency to help schools identify and address discriminatory practices.

California is taking action to confront hate in all its forms, said Newsom. At a time when antisemitism and bigotry are rising nationwide and globally, these laws make clear: our schools must be places of learning, not hate.

Assemblymember Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, who co-authored the bill, believes that it will protect students from discrimination that the federal government has failed to address.

While the federal administration follows the Project 2025 playbook to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, California is standing firm for our kids, Assemblymember Addis said in a statement to The Center Square. Unlike the OCR that has been gutted under the federal administration, Californias OCR will work to make sure that unlawful discrimination doesn't stop any student, including Jewish students, from receiving the education they deserve.

Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur, D-Hollywood, who co-authored the bill, agreed that all students deserve to feel safe and protected on campus amid multiple federal investigations launched by the U.S. Department of Education into alleged violations of Title IX and VI.

Every student deserves to be safe, valued, and respected  no matter who they are or what they believe, Zbur said. At a time when hate is rising and antisemitism is sweeping our communities, AB 715 reaffirms Californias commitment to inclusion and standing up against bigotry in all its forms.

Under the law, schools must investigate complaints of unlawful discrimination. School activities or instructional materials that endorse or promote bias and discrimination are seen as a violation, even if no student is directly harmed or present.

Opponents of the law say it could restrict academic freedom and punish teachers for addressing sensitive issues or social movements in the classroom.

This bill will have a chilling impact on classroom teachers who are already facing lawsuits, censorship, and threats to their ability to facilitate critical discussions on important and timely current events, Theresa Montano, tri-chair of the California Faculty Associations Teacher Education Caucus, said. She warned that teachers discussing topics such as Palestine or the war in Gaza risk being policed, misrepresented and reported to the Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator.

The Center Square reached out to the California Teachers Association, but has not received a response.

The American Civil Liberties Union said it opposes the new law because California schools should be a place where students can learn critically and engage in diverse perspectives.

We all agree that antisemitism and all forms of discrimination must be addressed in schools, ACLU California said in a statement. But AB 715 goes far beyond protecting students from harassment or violence. Instead, it polices what can be said in classrooms, subjects legitimate academic frameworks to overly broad censorship, and risks undermining conversations about history, identity and human rights.
U.S. Government Blacklists Chinese Drone Maker DJI (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

House and Senate Republicans are debating the inclusion of a provision in the end-of-year defense bill that would mandate an audit of certain Chinese-made drones in the U.S., according to a Wednesday report.

Supporters of the bill, such as Republican New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, claim those drones could expose Americans data to the Chinese government, while many opposing the provision in the Senate point to the use of such drones in law enforcement, farming, energy and land surveying, Politico reported.

The Shenzhen, China, drone manufacturing company DJI is the primary target of the legislation, and the company denies its drones make Americans data vulnerable to the Chinese government, according to the report. (RELATED: How Did Marjorie Taylor Greene End Up Here?)

They are the primary drone maker in the United States at a reasonable price, Republican Arkansas Senator and Agriculture Chair John Boozman told Politico regarding DJI. This technology is being used more and more  Thats the crux of the problem.

These tools are used in areas regarding American infrastructure, energy and public safety, according to the report.

Republican North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven told Politico the drones have several different uses.

Its something weve got to figure out, he added.

An employee shows a customer (L) an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV or Drone) during the opening of the DJI flagship store in the Causeway Bay district of Hong Kong on September 24, 2016.  DJI is a Chinese technology company founded in 2006 by Frank Wang and makes unmanned aerial vehicles (UVA or Drones) for aerial photography and videography. (Photo by ISAAC LAWRENCE/AFP via Getty Images)

Both senators agreed that concerns should be addressed regarding the potential of China using drones to steal American data, but they argue that Stefaniks all-or-nothing approach does not consider the full picture in addressing the needs of the United States.

It is very important for us to have U.S. drones and not have that data be turned over to the CCP, Stefanik told Politico. It has been an issue weve worked on for a number of years with traditional bipartisan support to protect our information, whether its the topography of their regions or on the installations  or potential troop movements.

Stefanik advanced an amendment in the 2024 defense authorization bill that could potentially place restrictions on DJI and another Chinese drone manufacturer, Autel, from selling their products by the end of December unless an audit from federal agencies is conducted and passed, Politico reported.

No national security agency has shared plans to conduct the audit before the possible ban goes into effect, according to the outlet.

The fundamental point is, this isnt really about data security, DJI global head of policy Adam Welsh told the outlet. This is, frankly, about protectionism and trying to protect a U.S. industry.

Politico reported that the company spent almost $3 million on federal lobbying in 2025, citing financial disclosures.

DJI previously marketed a government edition drone aimed at protecting data and IT security in 2019.

Republicans are now debating mandating a similar audit on drone equipment created in nations that are foreign adversaries.

Republican Florida Sen. Rick Scott is supporting a proposal similar to Stefaniks, but he is reportedly facing resistance in advancing his legislation.

Theres American companies, and there will be, Scott told Politico, addressing concerns about the countrys ability to adapt without companies like DJI. Im a business guy. If you told me there was an opportunity, I could figure it out pretty fast.

In a statement to the Daily Caller, DJI called the allegations regarding data security misinformation and emphasized that they welcome a fair, transparent, and rigorous audit of our products to address any concerns about our data privacy practices.

There has been a significant amount of misinformation regarding DJIs data security, but the fact is that DJI drones have undergone multiple independent and government security evaluations and have consistently been found safe and secure, the statement continued.

Our business model does not involve data collection, and we give users full control over the data they generate. Users are not required to share photos, videos, or flight logs with DJI, and by default, none of this data is synced with DJI. In fact, U.S. based users do not even have the option to sync their flight logs to DJI servers, the statement added.

Editors Note: This article was updated with a statement from DJI.
CNN

As US military activity ramps up in the Caribbean and the Pacific, Colombias president alleged the Trump administrations pressure campaign on Venezuela is more about accessing the South American countrys oil than fighting drug trafficking.

(Oil) is at the heart of the matter, Gustavo Petro told CNN in an exclusive interview, noting that Venezuela has what are considered the largest oil reserves in the world.

So, thats a negotiation about oil. I believe that is (US President Donald) Trumps logic. Hes not thinking about the democratization of Venezuela, let alone the narco-trafficking, he continued, adding that Venezuela is not considered a major drug producer and that only a relatively small portion of the global drugs trade flows through the country.

Petro has been at odds with Trump since he returned to the White House. In the past year, the Colombian leader has harshly criticized the Trump administrations immigration policies, its support for Israel and its military activity around Latin America.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro is interviewed by CNN on November 25. - CNN

On Tuesday, he accused the US of trying to impose its will on its neighbors, comparing its actions to imperialism. The United States cannot be considered an empire, but one of the nations among others, the president said.

In response to Petros comments, a US State Department spokesperson said the Trump administration remains firm in its counter-drug operations in the Caribbean and its commitment to protecting Americans from the (Venezuelan President Nicolas) Maduro regimes deadly poison.

CNN has also reached out to the White House for comment.

Asked if he had a message to the American people, Petro replied, My message is the one they give to all members of the United States special forces: Your function, as they say in the oaths, is to fight against oppression. I repeated that on the streets in the United States, and it also cost me, Petro said.

He appeared to be referring to the US State Department revoking his visa at the conclusion of the UN General Assembly in September after he publicly called on American soldiers to disobey Trump and not to point their rifles at humanity.

Its one of the many actions the Trump administration has taken against the Colombian leader in recent months.

In October, the US Treasury sanctioned Petro, accusing him of playing a role in the global illicit drug trade, a claim the Colombian leader has rejected.

The sanctions were imposed days after Trump said he would halt all US payments and subsidies to Colombia, claiming Petro does nothing to stop the production of drugs in his country.

Petro defended his efforts to fight the drug trade, telling CNN that his government had seized more cocaine than any other in history. So much so that in recent years, I have managed to ensure that the growth in crops, which is stagnating, is far surpassed by the growth in seizures, he said.

Asked why Trump hadnt acknowledged this, Petro said: Because of pride. Because he thinks Im a subversive thug, a terrorist, and things like that, simply because I was a member of the M-19, a Colombian guerrilla movement active in the 1970s and 1980s.

Petro also told CNN that he believes the US is comparing him to Maduro.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro is interviewed by CNN on November 25. - CNN

His comments come a day after the US designated the Cartel de los Soles, an alleged drug trafficking group that the US has claimed Maduro leads, as a foreign terrorist organization. Venezuela has denied the claims, and experts say the phrase is more a description of allegedly corrupt government officials than an organized crime group.

While Maduro has a problem with democracy, Petro said he is not that convinced about the Venezuelan presidents drug trafficking links.

The problem of Maduro is called democracy  the lack of democracy, Petro told CNN, adding that no Colombian investigation  has shown us a relationship between Colombian drug trafficking and Maduro.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Venezuela is not a cocaine-producing country. Of the 3,700 tons of coca produced worldwide, more than 2,500 tons come from Colombia, while Venezuela does not appear on production maps, according to the UNODC, which said: The majority of Colombian cocaine is being trafficked north along the Pacific coast.

Investigators from the US Drug Enforcement Agency reached similar conclusions, writing in their annual report published in March that 84% of the cocaine seized in the US comes from Colombia.

Over the weekend, Colombian news program Noticias Caracol reported alleged links between Colombian officials and dissidents of the now-defunct rebel group FARC. According to the report, senior military and intelligence officials shared sensitive intelligence with the armed groups and advised them about how to secretly acquire weapons and evade military scrutiny.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a government-organized civic-military rally in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, November 25. - Ariana Cubillos/AP

Petro has denied the allegations but acknowledged to CNN on Tuesday that ties between officials and drug traffickers have existed for years, even before he took office.

A spokesperson for the US State Department said it is aware of the recent reports and urged Petro and other Colombian institutions to thoroughly investigate these allegations and take all appropriate actions.

Colombia has long been Washingtons most reliable ally in South America on security and defense. In 2022, the Biden administration designated the Andean country as a major non-NATO ally.

Despite recent tensions at the top, US-Colombia relations remain intact.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has made clear publicly that the administrations issues are with Petro, not the institutions in Colombia.

Our relationships with the people of Colombia, the economic sector of Colombia, the majority of people in politics in Colombia, and their institutions, in particular their defense institutions, are strong and enduring, and theyre going to be strong and enduring long after this individual is no longer the president there, Rubio previously said.

CNNs Jennifer Hansler contributed reporting

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Tennesseans Take Action For An Economic Recovery And Infrastructure Package Prioritizing Climate, Care, Jobs, And Justice, Call On Congress To Pass The THRIVE Act Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images for Green New Deal Network

Democratic Tennessee congressional candidate Aftyn Behn said in resurfaced audio that lawmakers openly praying during legislative sessions make her uncomfortable.

While appearing on the Red State Blue Moon podcast in June 2024, Behn complained that the Tennessee state Legislature opens up with prayer at the beginning of each legislative session. She further complained that Christian pastors and prayer groups have proximity to power in the Legislature and that religion is often at the center of the states politics.

And I think, especially as someone who is more secular, I have a hard time when religion is at the core of everything we do in the Legislature. For example, on the House floor, we say a prayer at the beginning of each session, Behn said. Some committees open up with prayer, we also stand for the Pledge. And there are also prayer groups in the legislature who meet routinely. There are Christian pastors that have a lot of say and proximity to power in the Legislature and dictate a lot of what the power players do. And it is uncomfortable and I think it makes a lot of my constituents who represent a diversity of religion deeply uncomfortable. (RELATED: Watch As Democratic Congressional Candidate Sobs Like Toddler After Being Thrown Out Of Governors Office)

Behn has entered the spotlight over her far-left positions and actions during her activism and time in the state Legislature. She is running to fill the vacant seat in Tennessees 7th district in the states special election on Dec. 2.

In 2022, Behn advocated for teaching women how to perform abortions at home to avoid state-wide bans and provide abortion pills during an interview with The Tennessee Holler.

The Tennessee Democrat more recently promised to carry a trans bill of rights at every legislative session if she is elected to the U.S. Congress. She has also expressed support for sex changes and hormone procedures for trans-identifying minors and condemned the U.S. Supreme Court for upholding Tennessees ban on these treatments.

In 2019, Behn protested with the activist group, Enough is Enough-Tennessee, to call on former Republican Tennessee state Rep. David Byrd to resign over allegations that he engaged in sexual misconduct. Resurfaced footage showed her storming into Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lees office to demand that he call for Byrds resignation, which forced security to forcibly drag her out while she screamed and sobbed.

A month later, she entered the House chamber and dramatically screamed at the top of lungs, leading officers to escort her out of the area. She called on both Byrd and then-House Speaker Glen Casada to resign.

In 2020, Behn stated on the Year old Grits podcast that she hated everything about Nashville, including the country music and the bachelorette parties. She also called Tennessee a racist state in an op-ed for the Tennessean in March 2019 and further accused it of being a god forsaken state in resurfaced video from 2023.

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.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Tuesday accused several House Democrats of meeting with a criminal illegal immigrant at an ICE detention facility, calling the visit a move in which they "chose to stand with criminal illegal aliens over American citizens."

According to the department, four House Democrats  Reps. Juan Vargas, Mike Levin, Sara Jacobs and Scott Peters  visited the ICE San Diego Field Office on Monday and requested to speak with the Honduran national, who has been accused of kidnapping and abusing his spouse.

"Democrats once again chose to stand with a criminal illegal alien over American citizens," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. "This criminal illegal alien these Democrat lawmakers met with has been charged with kidnapping and domestic abuse."

Peters office told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that the lawmakers did not specifically request to speak with that detainee. The members reportedly asked to speak with "any detainee" during their oversight visit and were brought Rojas-Molina. The office added that DHS did not present any evidence that the detainee was convicted of such crimes.

Dhs Torches 'Bamboozled' Dems For Calling Ice Crackdown Vicious Lies

California representatives Scott Peters, Juan Vargas, Mike Levin and Sara Jacobs attend a news conference after saying they visited an immigrant detained at an ICE office in San Diego Nov. 24, 2025.

"The members asked weeks ago to conduct an oversight visit, ensuring that due process is followed and everyone is being afforded their legal rights," Communications Director Lena Jacobson said. "They were finally allowed to do so yesterday. They did not ask to speak with Mr. Rojas-Molina. There were three detainees present. The members asked to speak with any detainee. This is the person who ICE presented to them. DHS has not provided any evidence to Rep. Peters' office to show Mr. Rojas-Molina was convicted of the crimes they allege he committed."

Read On The Fox News App

Similarly, a Levin spokesperson disputed the idea that the Democrats requested to meet with that particular individual.

"The members conducted their constitutional oversight duty after asking ICE for weeks to let them into the facility to observe the conditions. They were on-site to conduct Congressional oversight, not to meet with any specific detainee," the spokesperson said in a statement to Fox News. "Mr. Rojas-Molina was made available to speak to the group without specific information pertaining to the nature of his detention or any crimes he may have previously committed. When Mr. Rojas-Molina told the group he had no prior criminal record, this statement was never refuted by the ICE officials providing the tour. Rep. Levin believes all detainees should be given due process and afforded their legal rights, and if they are found to be violent criminals they should be deported."

McLaughlin described the representatives as "sanctuary politicians" who "continue to smear" efforts made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to remove offenders from the country.

"These sanctuary politicians continue to smear law enforcement and falsely claim ICE is not targeting the worst of the worst. Its disgusting that these sanctuary politicians continue to do the bidding of criminal illegal aliens."

Dennis Mauricio Rojas-Molina, who was deported from the U.S. a decade ago, was arrested in May on charges of kidnapping and spousal battery.

In the summer of 2015, during the Obama administration, Rojas-Molina was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol near Lukeville, Arizona, but was later released into the country. An immigration judge issued a final order of removal several months after his arrest, and he was deported Oct. 14, 2015. He subsequently reentered the United States illegally at an unknown date and time.

Senate Dem Dick Durbin Accuses Trump Admin Of 'Terrorizing People In Their Homes'

Dennis Mauricio Rojas-Molina is a Honduran national held at the ICE San Diego Field Office.

In a video posted to Rep. Mike Levins X account on Monday featuring all four lawmakers at a news conference, Levin confirmed they had visited a detainee who was recently arrested, though he did not name the individual. He noted that the man has two children  ages 11 and 5.

"Folks like him need a path to stay," Levin said of the detainees the representatives visited. "They need a path to legal status so that they can continue to work hard and contribute positively to our economy.  We need to treat them better than this."

Fox News Digital reached out to Reps. Juan Vargas and Sara Jacobs for more information.

Rep. Sara Jacobs speaks at a rally in front of the U.S. Capitol Building Dec. 9, 2021, in Washington, D.C.

DHS added that ICE continues to arrest the "worst of the worst" criminal illegal immigrants despite Democrats claims that the department is not prioritizing offenders, citing Rep. Sara Jacobs post on X Monday stating, "ICE isnt going after criminals; theyre targeting your neighbors and friends."

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

"Seventy percent of the illegal aliens arrested by ICE have criminal convictions or pending charges in the United States," DHS said, adding that the department continues to focus its enforcement efforts on murderers, rapists, gang members, pedophiles, terrorists and other dangerous individuals.

The department also emphasized that the figure does not reflect those wanted for crimes in other countries, those with Interpol notices or those facing human rights-related violations.

Fox News' Kelly Phares contributed to this report.





Original article source: DHS says four House Democrats 'chose to stand with criminal illegal aliens' after visiting ICE detainee
McDuffie County Sheriff's Office Dakota Nicole Taylor mugshot

NEED TO KNOW

Dakota Nicole Taylor's son Micah Taylor died in 2021 when he was just 7 months old, say police

In January, her son Caleb died at 8 months old, according to police

Now she is being investigated for the alleged murders of both baby boys

A Georgia mother is accused of killing her 7-month-old son in 2021  and, three years later, murdering her 8-month-old son in 2025.

Dakota Nicole Taylor, 21, of Wrens, was arrested on Thursday, Nov. 20, and charged with two counts each of malice murder, felony murder and cruelty to children in the first degree, according to a statement from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

The alleged murders came to authorities attention on Jan. 8, 2025, when the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office asked the GBI to help investigate the death of an 8-month-old child in Matthews.

The baby, who was Taylors child, was found unresponsive at a home on Mt. Moriah Road, according to the GBI statement. The child was rushed to a local hospital, where he died.

Following a lengthy investigation, Taylor was arrested on Thursday, Nov. 20.

At the time of her arrest, Taylor was being held at the McDuffie County Jail on other charges out of DeKalb County, Ga., relating to another child death investigation from 2021.

According to a grand jury arrest warrant obtained by WRDW/WAGT/Gray News, Taylor was accused by authorities of killing her 7-month-old son Micah Allen Taylor in Sept. 2021 by obstructing his airways.

His cause of death had been ruled undetermined until her second son died, according to the warrant.

On the night Micah died, police body cam footage shows officers arriving at a group home where Taylor was staying with her son, who was unresponsive, according to the grand jury arrest warrant.

After giving Micah a bath, she allegedly put him in his swing, where others in the home noticed him slumped over and pale, according to the grand jury arrest warrant.

Officers at the scene noticed Taylors alleged unusual reaction to her sons limp body being carried out of the home, the grand jury arrest warrant alleges.

I dont know if this has anything to do with anything, but the mother, didnt ... She was very ... Like alright, whatever. And I was like your baby is ... one officer said in body camera footage, according to the grand jury arrest warrant.

Another officer said Taylor seemed nonchalant, it alleges.

As the investigation unfolded, detectives learned that on Jan. 8 of this year, Taylor allegedly deprived her son Caleb of oxygen by causing excessive physical and mental pain," according to the grand jury arrest warrant.

According to the criminal warrant obtained by PEOPLE, Taylor allegedly caused the death of Caleb Taylor while committing a felony of cruelty to children in the first degree by suffocating Caleb Taylor.

She is being held at the Jefferson County jail and has been denied bond, according to the criminal warrant obtained by PEOPLE.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

It is unclear whether Taylor has retained an attorney who can speak on her behalf.

The investigation is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBIs Regional Investigative Office in Thomson at 706-595-2575.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.



Read the original article on People
[EPA/Shutterstock]

A judge in Georgia has dismissed a sprawling 2020 election interference case against Donald Trump, ending the last effort to prosecute the president for allegedly attempting to overturn his loss to Joe Biden.

Peter Skandalakis, who took over the case after the initial prosecutor's removal, asked Judge Scott McAfee to dismiss the charges on Wednesday.

Trump's lawyer Steve Sadow praised the decision to end the "political persecution" against the president.

The dismissal concludes the last of four criminal cases levelled against Trump since he first left the White House, only one of which saw trial and resulted in a conviction.

A Georgia appeals court removed Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, a Democrat, from the case after it determined a romantic relationship with a special prosecutor created an "appearance of impropriety".

Mr Skandalakis, executive director of the non-partisan agency Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia, appointed himself to the case after Willis' disqualification and when other state prosecutors declined to take the case.

In Wednesday's motion to a Fulton County judge, he said he was discontinuing the case "to serve the interests of justice and promote judicial finality".

"As a former elected official who ran as both a Democrat and a Republican and now is the executive director of a non-partisan agency, this decision is not guided by a desire to advance an agenda but is based on my beliefs and understanding of the law," Mr Skandalakis added.

Around five million votes for president were cast in Georgia in 2020, with Biden winning the critical swing state by fewer than 12,000 votes.

Trump and some of his allies refused to accept the result, and the state quickly became a focal point for efforts to overturn the election.

In January 2021, the Washington Post published a recording of Trump speaking to Georgia's Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.

"I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have. Because we won the state," Trump said in the recording.

Willis began investigating Trump's activities soon after the report, convening a special grand jury to weigh the evidence.

Willis filed an indictment - a formal declaration of charges - in August 2023, alleging Trump conspired with 18 other defendants to interfere in the election result. The charges included racketeering and other state offences.

The group "refused to accept that Trump lost, and they knowingly and wilfully joined a conspiracy to unlawfully change the outcome of the election in favour of Trump".

Four co-defendants took plea deals with prosecutors that resulted mostly in fines, suspended sentences and community service, including attorneys Sidney Powell, Kenneth Cheseboro and Jenna Ellis.

Wednesday's dismissal also applies to the remaining co-defendants, including Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor and Trump's former attorney, and Mark Meadows, Trump's chief of staff during his first presidency.

Mr Sadow, Trump's lead attorney in the case, praised the decision to drop the charges.

"The political persecution of President Trump by disqualified DA Fani Willis is finally over," he said. "This case should never have been brought. A fair and impartial prosecutor has put an end to this lawfare."

The Georgia election interference case was once considered the most threatening of Trump's four criminal indictments, because he could not pardon himself from state-level charges if he returned to office.

Prosecutors brought the US president to the Fulton County Jail, where they took his mugshot.

Legal experts who closely followed the case were not surprised by its dismissal. A judge tossed out several charges in 2024 and Willis was disqualified a few months later.

Willis' removal raised doubts about whether a replacement would take up such a complicated prosecution. Trump's 2024 election essentially put his case on hold until his term ends in 2029.

"It was incredibly unlikely it was going to go forward anyway, because the amount of financial resources and man hours necessary to take on this case didn't seem to be within the scope of what Peter Skandalakis had," said Anthony Michael Kreis, a professor at the Georgia State College of Law.

However, Mr Kries was surprised by some of Skandalakis' reasoning for dropping the case.

"I think the report itself to me is a little more surprising because it seems to give the president and some of his allies a lot of benefit of the doubt, given what the evidence brought forth looked like," he said.

Trump has also faced a series of other criminal proceedings.

These include a 2024 conviction in a New York hush-money case, which he is appealing against.

Two additional federal cases - one alleging he conspired to overturn the 2020 election and another accusing him of unlawfully retaining classified documents - were dropped following his return to the White House.

He also faces several high-profile civil lawsuits that are progressing through the appeals courts.

Earlier this month, Trump asked the US Supreme Court to review the $5m (3.6m) civil case brought by writer E Jean Carroll, after a federal appeals court upheld the award and declined to rehear the matter. A jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming Ms Carroll, allegations he denied.

In August, a New York appeals court threw out a $500m civil fraud penalty against Trump that resulted from a separate, civil fraud lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

The appeals panel upheld the lower court's finding that Trump and his businesses committed fraud, but found the enormous fine was excessive.

[BBC]

Follow the twists and turns of Trump's second term with North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher's weekly US Politics Unspun newsletter. Readers in the UK can sign up here. Those outside the UK can sign up here.
The soldiers gave an address on state TV [AFP via Getty Images]

A group of military officers say they have seized control of Guinea-Bissau amid reports that the president, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, has been arrested.

Shortly after gunshots were heard in the capital, Bissau, government sources told the BBC that Embalo had been detained.

The officers then appeared on state TV, saying they had suspended the electoral process, as the West African nation awaited the outcome of Sunday's presidential election.

They said they were acting to thwart a plot by unnamed politicians who had "the support of a well-known drug baron" to destabilise the country, and announced the closure of its borders and imposed a night-time curfew.

Sandwiched between Senegal and Guinea, the coup-prone country is known as a notorious drug-trafficking hub where the military has been influential since independence from Portugal in 1974.

The election results were expected on Thursday - both Embalo and his closest rival Fernando Dias had claimed victory.

Dias was supported by former Prime Minister Domingos Pereira, who had been disqualified from running.

Late on Wednesday afternoon, Embalo told France 24 in a phone call: "I have been deposed."

Government sources have since told the BBC that Dias, Pereira and Interior Minister Botche Cande have also been detained.

The putschists have taken army chief Gen Biague Na Ntan and his deputy, Gen Mamadou Toure, into custody too, the sources say.

In a joint statement, leaders of election observation missions from the African Union and the West African bloc Ecowas expressed "deep concern with the announcement of a coup d'etat by the armed forces".

They said the country had been prepared for the announcement of the election results after what it described as an "orderly and peaceful" process.

"It's regrettable that this announcement came at a time when the missions had just concluded meeting with the two leading presidential candidates, who assured us of their willingness to accept the will of the people," they said.

Witnesses in Bissau heard gunfire earlier on, at around 13:00 GMT, but it was not immediately clear who was involved in the shooting or if there were any casualties.

Hundreds of people on foot and in vehicles fled, seeking shelter as the shots rang out, the AFP news agency reported.

Later on, General Denis N'Canha, head of the military household at the presidential palace, read out a statement declaring a takeover.

He said officers had formed "the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order" and instructed the population to "remain calm".

Checkpoints have been erected across Bissau and the streets were deserted ahead of the curfew, that was due to start at 19:00 GMT.

Portugal has called for a return to constitutional order, with its foreign ministry urging "all those involved to refrain from any act of institutional or civic violence".

The former Portuguese colony has witnessed at least nine coups or attempted coups over the last five decades.

President Embalo was elected in December 2019 [Corbis via Getty Images]

Embalo has said he has survived multiple coup attempts during his time in office. However, his critics allege he has fabricated crises in order to crack down on dissent.

The 53-year-old had wanted to make history as the country's only president to secure a second consecutive mandate in the last 30 years.

He had initially said he would not seek a second term. Prior to the delayed polls, his legitimacy had been questioned, with the opposition saying his term should have officially ended in February 2025.

Guinea-Bissau is one of the poorest countries in the world with a population of more than two million people.

Its coastline has many uninhabited islands, making it ideal for drug traffickers - with the UN dubbing it a "narco-state" as it has been a key transit point for cocaine coming from Latin America to Europe.

[BBC]

[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
Displaced Sudanese who fled El-Fasher after the city fell to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), walk in the Um Yanqur camp, located on the southwestern edge of Tawila, in war-torn Sudan's western Darfur region on November 3, 2025. Credit - AFP via Getty Images

Since the brutal takeover of the Sudanese city of El Fasher by militia forces in late October, aid workers in the closest safe town have reported a disturbing sight: the arrival of hundreds of unaccompanied children, many of them emaciated and hungry.

We spoke to a small girl of 13 years old who was carrying a five-month-old baby, and she had no clue where her mother, her four brothers, her older sister were, because they had been separated, Arjan Hehenkamp, Darfur crisis lead for International Rescue Committee (IRC), tells TIME.

Thats a horrible anecdote, but that's representative of the stories of all those [...] people who came only with part of their families, and very often with a severe under-representation of adult men, he adds.

Estimates of the number of children who have arrived in Tawila without their parents in the last few weeks range from 450, according to Save the Children, to 800, according to MedGlobal. Hehenkamp says around 5,000 people came to Tawila with only part of their family.

Read More: Sudan Aid Worker Details Harrowing Scenes as Thousands Missing

Those numbers tell the story of what happened when El Fasher fell. The city, which was seen as the last holdout in Darfur of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), fell to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in late October. The RSF, a paramilitary group descended from notorious Janjaweed militias that led the 20032005 Darfur campaign in which some 300,000 people were killed, has been fighting the SAF for the past three years in a brutal civil war in which both sides have been accused of war crimes.

Witnesses and local reports described sexual violence, massacres and executions of civilians by the militia as tens of thousands fled the takeover of El Fasher. Videos from the immediate aftermath of the city's fall showed RSF soldiers rounding up large groups of men and executing them.

Many of the children in Tawila arrived on their own after their parents had been killed in the takeover of the city. Some were sent away by their family, who paid for their passage but were unable to afford their own. Some children left El Fasher with their parents but were separated on the dangerous road along the way, where kidnappings, killings and extortion are rife.

Umran, a 52-year-old Save the Children staffer, was one of the few to see firsthand how children were separated from their parents when El Fasher was overrun by the RSF.

People realized they had to flee it was chaotic and horrific. Artillery fire, gunshots, and shelling were extremely intense, leaving people terrified, he said, according to an account provided by Save the Children.

I also saw children running alone, most likely separated from families. In this situation, no one was able to offer support because everyone was running away from the artillery coming from all directions, along with drones attacking from above, he said.

A dangerous journey

Aman Alawad, the country director for MedGlobal, an aid group providing on-the-ground support to Sudanese migrants, says the journey out of El Fasher is riddled with danger for children.

Even before they left, the children would likely have been suffering from hunger. El Fasher was officially declared to be in famine conditions on November 3, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). In conflict zones, famine declarations are often delayed because they require specific data on mortality, malnutrition rates, and food shortages, which are difficult and dangerous to collect amid blocked humanitarian access and security threats. The city would have likely been in famine for months.

Most people are very weak, Alawad says, especially children, who have turned up in hundreds to places like Tawila and Al Dabbah camp, 480 miles northwest of El Fasher, without their parents, having been fed and cared for by others along the way.

Everyone who came to Tawila from El Fasher would have been at risk of confrontations with armed individuals who intercept migrants and often extort them for money or cause harm. Most have resorted to traveling at night.

Francesco Lanino, Deputy Country Director of Programming with Save the Children Sudan, says women have been arriving in Tawila with stories of how they picked up children along the way. Some were found lost on the streets in El Fasher in the chaos of the takeover, some wandering in the no-mans land between El Fasher and Tawila. The women told Lanino, now they are part of my family.

Lanino suggests the number of unaccompanied children may be even higher than the number they currently have because younger children are taken in by other families along the way and not always registered as unaccompanied.

Part of Save the Childrens work is family tracing, which means trying to find out whether a relative is already in the camp or has arrived from a different route to a nearby area.

'Will they take revenge?'

Tawila, once a small village with a few thousand peoplea satellite village as Lanino calls itnow swells with hundreds of thousands of displaced people, and aid groups say they have only been able to ensure 50% of basic needs for those arriving, including water and shelter. Tawila now faces severe logistical and security challenges.

The United Nations migration agency has warned that humanitarian efforts in North Darfur may come to a complete halt unless immediate funding and safe delivery of relief supplies are ensured.

There is no economy as such, with no job opportunities. There [is no] functioning school system. There is no functioning health system, Lanino says. We have to somehow scale up life-saving activities, or like humanitarian activities, from an existing population of around 30,000 people to almost half a million people.

Many of these children are arriving with extreme trauma, having lost relatives, suffered abuse or violence on the way to Tawila. As a result, they need access to more than just short-term aid.

They need access to drugs, to education. They need access to mosquito nets or any other hygiene kits, Lanino says. He explains that cholera and malaria have spread rapidly in Tawila, killing children and vulnerable people on a daily basis. There had been 120,000 suspected cases of cholera in the country by the end of October, according to the U.N., resulting in more than 3,000 deaths, and UNICEF reported back in August that children in Tawila were at high risk.

Lanino says the fear of further violence is something that haunts survivors.

What will be of my children one day? a woman who reached Tawila asked his team. Will they try to take revenge for their relatives that were killed? What will be their future?

Contact us at letters@time.com.
U.S. immigration authorities have detained a woman who is the mother of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt's nephew, according to a source familiar with the arrest.

A DHS spokesperson identified the woman as Bruna Caroline Ferreira.

A reporter with ABC New Hampshire station WMUR spoke with Leavitt's brother, Michael Leavitt, who also confirmed the arrest and said she was detained a few weeks ago.

Evan Vucci/AP - PHOTO: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt holds a press briefing at the White House in Washington, November 20, 2025.

According to Michael Leavitt, his 11-year-old son has lived with him since he was born but says the child maintains a relationship with his mother, WMUR reported.

A DHS spokesperson described Ferreira, a Brazilian national, as a "criminal illegal alien" who has a previous arrest for battery and overstayed a visa that expired in 1999.

"ICE arrested Bruna Caroline Ferreria, a criminal illegal alien from Brazil. She has a previous arrest for battery. She entered the U.S. on a B2 tourist visa that required her to depart the U.S. by June 6, 1999. She is currently at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center and is in removal proceedings. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, all individuals unlawfully present in the United States are subject to deportation," the spokesperson said.

Todd Pomerleau, an attorney for Ferreira spoke with Boston ABC station WCVB, and pushed back on claims that Ferreira has a criminal history.

"Bruna has no criminal record whatsoever, I don't know where that is coming from. Show us the proof," Pomerleau told.

Pomerleau also said Ferreira entered the country lawfully, previously held DACA status and is currently in the process of obtaining a green card. He said his client was arrested in her car in Massachusetts after being stopped with no warrant, adding that he now has to litigate her case in Louisiana thousands of miles away from her home. Pomerleau said he did not believe that his client's connection to Karoline Leavitt could affect the case, adding that he believes it's just "happenstance."

The White House declined to comment.

An online fundraising campaign set up by a person claiming to be Ferreira's sister says she was brought to the country when she was a child in 1998.

"Anyone who knows Bruna knows the kind of person she is. She is hardworking, kind, and always the first to offer help when someone needs it. Whether it's supporting family, friends, or even strangers, Bruna has a heart that puts others before herself," said Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues.
When it comes to looking after her loved ones, Kate Beckinsale is a perfect mother hen.

The British and Critics' Choice-nominated actress, 52, recalled a shocking health discovery from her daughter's boyfriend during an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" Monday, Nov. 24. Beckinsale shares daughter Lily Mo Sheen, 26, with former partner Michael Sheen.

"We've had a tough couple of years. Both my parents passed away within the last few years, and literally the only bright spot in the whole time came from him," Beckinsale told host Jimmy Kimmel. "He laid two eggs in a week is what the bright spot was."

Kate Beckinsale speaks out: 'Canary Black' star says producers made her perform 'dangerous' action stunts

A skeptical Kimmel then asked Beckinsale to clarify what she meant by laying eggs, after which the "Wildcat" star explained that a whole egg, including a "shell and a yolk," passed through the man's body.

"He went to the bathroom and then was very surprised to find that he had laid an egg," Beckinsale continued, adding that her daughter's unnamed beau was "genuinely scared." "I got very involved in this because I really did need a distraction because everything was so horrible."

A representative for Beckinsale declined to comment on Beckinsale's interview.

Beyonce, Cynthia Erivo and Robert Pattinson in the best celebrity photos from November Spooky season is officially over, and the holidays are in sight. Stars are stepping out at events like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's Art + Film Gala to kick off November, a month whose highlights will include the highly anticipated premiere of "Wicked: For Good."



Scroll through for the best celebrity photos of November so far, starting with Jennifer Lawrence, left, and Robert Pattinson attending the New York premiere of "Die My Love" on Nov. 1, 2025.

Kate Beckinsale: Actress details on-set assault at 18

Although Beckinsale had her doubts at first, she said Lily sent her photos after her boyfriend laid the second egg, which she reportedly showed to Kimmel and sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez during the interview.

"What in the world?" Kimmel said. "Your daughter's boyfriend is the Easter Bunny!"

Beckinsale added that she consulted with several doctors about the man's alleged condition and said they speculated the incident could have stemmed from "some sort of complicated masturbation thing."

"So, it's my favorite thing he's ever done, and I really like him," Beckinsale said. "But it's been a while, and I'm ready for another one."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kate Beckinsale reveals daughter's boyfriend 'laid 2 eggs in a week'
The Kremlin said Wednesday that the leak of a phone call between senior U.S. and Russian officials was intended to disrupt peace talks, and warned it was premature to say that a deal to end its war in Ukraine was close.

President Donald Trump, whose envoy Steve Witkoff will visit Moscow next week, said that his peace plan had been "fine-tuned" and that he had no deadline for an agreement after earlier pressuring Kyiv to endorse a proposal by Thanksgiving.

Kyiv and its allies indicated they were broadly happy with changes to the plan, though key sticking points remained. As attention shifted to Russia, which has held to its maximalist demands, the leak added to questions about the Kremlin's role in negotiations.

Yuri Ushakov, a foreign policy adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggested the leak of his conversation with Witkoff was an attempt to interfere in the peace talks. It is unlikely that this is done to improve relations, he said.

Witkoff advised his Russian counterpart on how to best appeal to Trump about a peace plan and suggested setting up a call with Putin prior to a White House visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to a transcript of the Oct. 14 call published by Bloomberg News. Bloomberg said it had reviewed a recording of the call but did not say how it obtained access to it.

Ushakov said Wednesday that he talks to Witkoff regularly, but does not comment on the content of those conversations. Someone is leaking, someone is listening, but not us, he said when asked about the story.

In later comments, Ushakov said "some of these leaks are fake, adding that his conversations with Witkoff were confidential and that leaking them to the media was unacceptable. He said he would discuss the leaks directly on a call with the U.S. envoy.

In an interview with Russia's Kommersant newspaper, Ushakov said he makes some calls via WhatsApp, which "someone, apparently, can somehow eavesdrop on."

Steve Witkoff; Yuri Ushakov. (Getty Images)

Trump dismissed the controversy, describing Witkoff's reported approach on the call as a very standard form of negotiation and "what a dealmaker does."

White House communications director Steven Cheung also said on X that there was "nothing wrong" with what was said in the "supposed" transcript. "In fact, it shows what a successful negotiator does in order to get a deal done," Cheung said.

But the leak added fuel to criticism that Witkoff, and the original peace plan itself, were too favorable to the Kremlin.

Outrageous on many levels. He [Witkoff] intentionally sabotaged the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting by pushing the Russians to call the day before. And he is hopelessly naive to think that Putin really wants to end the war, said William Taylor, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine.

Bloomberg also published a transcript of an Oct. 29 call between Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev, a close Putin adviser who has emerged as a prominent figure in talks. Ill informally pass it along, making it clear that its all informal. And let them do like their own, Dmitriev suggests. I dont think theyll take exactly our version, but at least itll be as close to it as possible, he said, according to the transcript.

Dmitriev posted Fake on X, adding that the closer we get to peace the more desperate warmongers become.

Ushakov did not deny the existence of the call with Dmitriev.

Ukrainian servicemen prepare to fire on Russian positions near the frontline town of Pokrovsk, Donetsk region on Sunday. (Anatolii Stepanov / Reuters)

The original 28-point peace plan leaked last week appeared to favor Moscow heavily, forcing Ukraine to cede territory, including areas its army currently controls. It also envisioned a reduction to Ukraines military and a ban on Kyiv joining NATO.

The U.S. has insisted it authored the plan, after allies and lawmakers expressed concerns over its origins.

Talking to reporters aboard Air Force One late Tuesday, Trump said his plan was a concept and an original proposal, from which negotiators went back and forth.

Trump said his son-in-law Jared Kushner may join Witkoff in Moscow, having earlier announced that Army Secretary Dan Driscoll would meet with Ukrainian officials for further talks.

Asked whether Thanksgiving was no longer any sort of deadline, Trump responded: You know what the deadline for me is? When its over. And I think everybody is tired of fighting at this point.

Ushakov said Wednesday that Russia had received several versions of the peace plan, which he said can be confusing.

He said some aspects of it could be viewed positively, but added that the situation was evolving rapidly.

Asked whether Russia was closer to peace with Ukraine than ever before, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, "It's premature to say so."

Kyiv appeared confident Tuesday that it could finalize a deal with Trump by the end of the month, saying it was looking forward to organizing a Trump-Zelenskyy meeting in the United States.

But Trump appeared to shoot that down, saying he would only meet with the two leaders once a deal was in its final stages.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem tours the Terrorist Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador, on March 26. (Alex Brandon / Pool via Reuters file)

The Justice Department said Tuesday that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was the Trump administration official behind the decision not to comply with a federal judges order to halt the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act.

In a court filing, the Justice Department said administration officials conveyed U.S. District Judge James Boasbergs March 15 oral order to return alleged Venezuelan members of the Tren de Aragua gang to the United States, as well as the subsequent written order the same day that blocked the federal government from removing members subject to the Alien Enemies Act under President Donald Trumps invocation of the 18th century law.

The filing said Justice Department officials relayed the order and provided legal advice to the acting general counsel for the Department of Homeland Security, who conveyed that advice, as well as his own, to Noem. Noem then decided that detainees under the Alien Enemies Act who were removed from the United States before the courts order could be transferred to El Salvador.

A DHS spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Justice Department filing Tuesday night.

The filing, which came 255 days after 261 people were loaded onto three planes in the United States bound for El Salvador, reveals for the first time who in the Trump administration was responsible for making the final decision. It comes after Boasberg said he wanted to revive criminal contempt proceedings against administration officials who authorized the deportation flights.

The Justice Department's disclosure is an attempt to provide Boasberg with information he has requested for months in an effort to avoid high-ranking officials' being ordered to publicly testify about their actions that day.

Chief U.S. District Judge James Boasberg in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 3. (Saul Loeb / AFP - Getty Images file)

Boasberg barred the administration from deporting alleged Tren de Aragua members using the wartime Alien Enemies Act in March, saying the deportees most likely did not receive due process. The administration executed flights carrying deportees under the act anyway.

The Justice Department has argued that Boasbergs written injunction halting the deportations had no bearing on those already removed from the country. In the filing Tuesday, the administration maintained that its decision was lawful and consistent with a reasonable interpretation of the courts order."

The decision to authorize the flights came amid the administrations early showdown with judges who ruled against some of Trumps policies and tactics.

In April, the Supreme Court threw out Boasbergs decision while still saying detainees must receive due process. That approach to due process has continued in other courts.

A whistleblower alleged in June that former Principal Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove  who the court said Tuesday was one of the Justice Department officials who provided DHS with legal advice  had told subordinates they would need to consider ignoring court orders. Bove denied the accusations during Senate confirmation hearings for his nomination to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. "I have never advised a Department of Justice attorney to violate a court order," he said.

The whistleblower is one of the people Boasberg indicated he intends to hear testimony from in any contempt proceedings.

The Trump administration is seeking a final ruling from Boasberg on the issue, and it could appeal after that. But Boasberg is pushing to get to the bottom of what happened on March 15 and why his orders werent followed. An appeals court allowed him to continue with contempt proceedings this month.

Plaintiffs want to put at least nine past or present Trump administration officials on the witness stand for a contempt hearing.

The list of potential witnesses includes Bove, a 3rd Circuit appeals judge; whistleblower Erez Reuveni, formerly acting deputy director of the Justice Department's Office of Immigration Litigation; and Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign, whom the Justice Department filing pointed to Tuesday as having conveyed Boasbergs oral and written orders to DHS.
A calculator and notepad on a desk alongside a laptop and documents. Photo: Mikhail Nilov / Pexels

(The Center Square)  Maine's largest public sector union has filed a complaint against the Mills administration accusing officials of negotiating in "bad faith" over a new contract for unionized workers.

In the complaint, filed with the state Labor Relations Board, the Maine Service Employees Association, Local 1989 of the Service Employees International Union accused Gov. Janet Mills' administration of violating state labor laws by prematurely declaring an impasse in the contract talks and of engaging in behavior "designed to frustrate the collective bargaining process."

Mark Brunton, president of MSEA-SEIU Local 1989, which represents about 10,000 state workers, said the Mills administration declared an impasse before considering several of the union's alternative proposals. He said the complaint asks the labor board to order the state to withdraw its impasse declaration and return to the negotiating table "in good faith."

"Unfortunately, after nearly a year of trying to get the administration to negotiate in good faith for our contracts, last month, the administration chose to declare a premature impasse without even bothering to discuss a third of the proposals we put forward," he said in a statement. "They simply refuse to listen to our members and respond to our concerns."

The Mills administration, in a statement, said state labor officials dispute the union's allegations and plan to respond to the complaint by a Dec. 15 deadline. It said negotiations would continue.

The Mills administration noted that base wages for state employees have increased by 24% since 2019 when the now second-term Democrat took over the governor's office. State workers have also received merit increases, longevity pay and other financial benefits under Mills' tenure, the administration said.

But Brunton said the Mills administration has attempted "for years" to avoid negotiating directly with unionized state workers, "dragging negotiations out for as long as possible, then presenting a take-it-or-leave-it last, best and final offer."

"This administration has gone to great lengths, including violating the basic foundations of labor law," he said. "Weve had to file seven prohibited practice complaints against this administration in the last five years alone."

Union officials said they are pushing for better pay and benefits for state workers, whose compensation lags behind their private sector counterparts. They cited a 2024 Mills administration report showing a 14% pay gap for state workers had only decreased by 1% from 2020 estimates.

"One-percent progress in five years is, quite frankly, ridiculous," MSEA-SEIU Vice President Kevin Russell said in a statement. "The administration can, and must, do better."
Pedro Hernandez appears in court in New York in 2012. (Louis Lanzano / Pool via AP file)

The Manhattan district attorney's office in New York announced Tuesday that it would retry the man it convicted once before in the 1979 murder of 6-year-old Etan Patz.

After thorough review, the district attorney has determined that the available, admissible evidence supports prosecuting defendant on the charges of murder in the second degree and kidnapping in the first degree in this matter, and the people are prepared to proceed, the district attorneys office said.

Pedro Hernandez, 64, was convicted in 2017 of kidnapping and murdering Etan  a crime that struck terror into the hearts of parents in New York and across the country and stymied the police for decades.

Hernandez was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after he admitted to officials that he lured the child into the basement of a bodega in the citys SoHo neighborhood.

But in July, a federal appeals court in New York overturned the conviction and ruled that Hernandez must receive a new trial or be released from custody. He remains behind bars despite his conviction being overturned.

A street shrine to 6-year-old Etan Patz in front of the New York building where suspect Pedro Hernandez confessed to having strangled the boy in 2012. (Emmanuel Dunand / AFP via Getty Images file)

The panel ruled that the trial judge had wrongly instructed the jury. Last month, another judge gave the DA's office until Dec. 1 to decide to retry Hernandez.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg beat the deadline by a week with Tuesday's announcement, and Hernandez's new trial is likely to begin by June 1.

We are deeply disappointed in this decision as we remain convinced that Mr. Hernandez is an innocent man, Hernandezs lawyers Harvey Fishbein and Alice Fontier said in a statement. "But we will be prepared for trial and will present an even stronger defense."

Etan went missing on May 25, 1979, on his first solo trip to his school bus stop two blocks from the family home. His disappearance spurred the movement to put missing kids photos on milk cartons.

In 2001, Etan was declared dead. His body has never been found.

But police continued to look for the person responsible for Etans death. Thirty-three years after he vanished, police got a tip from Hernandez's brother-in-law in 2012 and tracked down Hernandez in Maple Shade, New Jersey.

Hernandez later confessed to kidnapping and killing the child, court records revealed. He was alleged to have told police that he lured the boy into the bodega with the promise of a soda and instead grabbed him by the neck and fatally choked him.

According to court records, Hernandez said he stuffed the boys body in a garbage bag before he put it in a box and left it with the trash around the corner.

Hernandezs first trial in 2015 ended in a hung jury. His second trial, which began in September 2016, focused heavily on his confession.

Defense lawyers argued that Hernandez is mentally ill and has a low IQ and that he confessed to the crime only after he underwent hours of interrogation from police.

They said that immediately after Hernandez confessed, police administered Miranda warnings and had him repeat his confession on tape and then to a prosecutor.

During deliberations, the jury asked the court to explain whether it could dismiss Hernandez's later confessions if it found his pre-Miranda confession was not voluntary.

The judge said the answer is no and provided no further explanation. And the jury, after nine days of deliberation, convicted Hernandez of felony murder and first-degree kidnapping but acquitted him of intentional murder.
A group of Muslim and interfaith leaders are urging Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, to reverse his proclamation designating the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a "foreign terrorist organization."

Texas designation is state-level only. It does not carry the legal force of a federal Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) listing, which only the U.S. State Department can issue. Abbotts proclamation, therefore, does not trigger federal terrorism penalties or authorities.

The leaders of several Muslim groups held a news conference on Tuesday to denounce the governors proclamation, which also labeled CAIR as a "a transnational criminal organization."

The groups called on the governor to retract his labeling of the civil rights group, calling it defamatory, destructive and dangerous, according to Fox 4.

Muslim Civil Rights Group Cair Sues Texas Over Abbott's Terrorist Designation

Muslim and interfaith leaders are urging Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to reverse his proclamation designating CAIR as a terrorist organization.

This comes after CAIR filed a lawsuit against Texas over the governor's declaration, arguing that it violates both the U.S. Constitution and state law.

Read On The Fox News App

CAIR argues the order violates its First Amendment rights and due-process protections, and that Texas overstepped its authority because terrorism designations fall under federal, not state, jurisdiction.

"The governor is attempting to punish the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization simply because he disagrees with its protected First Amendment rights to criticize a foreign state that is conducting genocide. This is not only contrary to the United States Constitution, but finds no support in any Texas law," Mustaffa Carroll, the executive director for CAIR Dallas Fort Worth, said at the news conference on Tuesday.

"You know that CAIR has condemned Hamas attacks. You know that CAIR has spent 31 years fighting terrorism and bigotry. You know that the terrorism boogeyman you invoke is nothing more than a tired, formulated playbook to stoke fear of Muslims," Marium Uddin of the Muslim Legal Defense Fund said on Tuesday.

CAIR filed a lawsuit against Texas over the governor's declaration, arguing that it violates both the U.S. Constitution and state law.

Leaders from other faiths, including Jewish voices, also spoke out against Abbott's label.

"We stand steadfast in solidarity with our comrades in CAIR and in unwavering support in their lawsuit against Abbotts false and unconstitutional proclamation," Jewish Voice for Peace's Deborah Armintor said.

State Rep. Terry Meza, a Democrat, added that the governor's words "are not just wrong, theyre dangerous. Making comments like this is dangerous to our Muslim community."

Texas Gov Abbott Declares Cair, Muslim Brotherhood As Terrorist Groups, Preventing Land Purchases

The Muslim groups called on the governor to retract his labeling of CAIR, calling it defamatory, destructive and dangerous.

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

The lawsuit is ongoing, and it remains unclear whether a court will uphold Abbotts order or strike it down as exceeding state authority.

The governors decree bars CAIR from buying land in the Lone Star State under a new statute aimed at curbing purchases tied to "foreign adversaries."

Abbotts order also extended the "terrorist" label to the Muslim Brotherhood, despite the federal government never classifying either group that way.





Original article source: Muslim groups, other leaders demand Abbott rescind CAIR's terrorist designation: 'Defamatory'
Inaugural Class Off Female Eagle Scouts Recognized By Boy Scouts Of America (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images)

The Pentagon is severing its ties with Scouting America, formerly the Boy Scouts, over its policy that allowed girls to join the traditionally boy-centered activity, according to documents reviewed by NPR Tuesday.

According to an NPR review of leaked documents, a draft memo on the split that War Secretary Pete Hegseth is preparing for Congress says the Boy Scouts are no longer a meritocracy, and criticizes the organizations embrace of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles. In draft documents reviewed by NPR, the Scouts are described as a genderless organization and as an attack on boy-friendly spaces over the decision in 2019 to allow girls into the traditionally male-exclusive program. The Pentagon has partnered with the organization since 1937, but Hegseth said the split is due in part to the group once endorsed by President Theodore Roosevelt no longer supports the future of American boys.

The Department will not comment on leaked documents that we cannot authenticate and that may be pre-decisional, a War Department official told the Daily Caller News Foundation. (RELATED: Hegseth Pentagon Shake-Up Gives Defense Tech Upstarts New Momentum, Insiders Contend)

Boy Scouts react while watching the procession following a funeral service for former US First Lady Rosalynn Carter, at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, on November 29, 2023. (Photo by Christian Monterrosa/AFP via Getty Images)

The Boy Scouts in their original congressional charter in 1916 were envisioned as an organization that promoted patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred virtues in young boys.

The memo would bar Scouting America from meeting at U.S. military installations and rescind aid for the groups National Jamboree, where 20,000 scouts meet at a remote site in West Virginia. However, one source told NPR that the documents have yet to be sent to Congress.

While Congress requires the Pentagon to support Scouting Americas Jamboree, it can revoke this support if the organization is deemed to be detrimental to national security, according to NPR.

We are surprised and disappointed by todays news about the potential policy change, Scouting America told the DCNF in a statement. Scouts honor and look up to our service men and women. We share the same dedication to God and country. Scouts proudly wear the American flag on their sleeves, and many go on to trade their Scout uniforms for the uniforms of our nations armed forces.

We remain focused on delivering a program to all youth that helps them grow into citizens of character. While we are disappointed in the potential policy change, we are as committed as ever to Americas youth, their families, and the value of our program, the statement continued.

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.
fried chicken in hands of someone with surprised face - Thai Liang Lim/Getty Images

"Good things come to those who wait," the saying goes. "Nothing worth having comes easy" is another famous idiom, and it seems like both apply to Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken. This restaurant chain is nowhere near as big as KFC or Popeyes, but fans of Lee's Chicken are hardcore and dedicated. You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who drives an hour to get KFC, but people will do it for Lee's Chicken.

YouTuber BigBelly Bob drove 40 minutes to do a review of Lee's Chicken, and based on his reaction, it was worth the effort. Sure, that was for a video review, so maybe it makes sense that he would go out of his way, but you can also find reviews on Yelp and TripAdvisor from people who drove well out of their way to get to Lee's because they like the chicken that much. A Redditor claimed to have worked with someone who drove from Danville to Lake Bluff in Illinois to get Lee's Chicken, which is around 175 miles.

On Facebook, there are users expressing the same sentiment. One said they drove 100 miles round trip from Albion, Michigan, to Kalamazoo to get some chicken. Part of the reason people drive so far to get Lee's is that it's only in 13 states plus one Canadian province. In many of those states, there's only a single location. In total, Lee's has 137 locations, with the bulk of them in Ohio and Kentucky.

Read more: 14 BBQ Chain Restaurants, Ranked Worst To Best

What makes Lee's so good?

Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken meals with sides and sauces - Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken/Instagram

Lee's Chicken is named after the founder, Lee Cummings, who was actually the nephew of Colonel Sanders, so you could say chicken is in his blood. His special recipe is different from what his uncle created and is unique in the world of fast-food chicken. Lee's marinates its chicken in a secret seasoning blend, hand breads it, and then pressure fries it. The final step is to dip the finished chicken in a honey glaze for a truly unique and flavorful bite.

Lee had worked with his uncle for several years before branching out on his own, a bold move considering how much Colonel Sanders hated competition. In addition to the chicken, the restaurant offers some unique sides, including Southern-style green beans, corn on the cob, Cajun rice, and baked beans.

At its peak, there were over 300 Lee's locations. However, after ownership changed hands multiple times, the business floundered and disappeared in many areas. Some say it is nowhere near as good as it used to be back when Cummings ran the show, but it is clear that for other people who are willing to drive hundreds of miles out of their way, Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken is still delicious.

If you're still not convinced that Lee's makes some really good chicken, consider this story as reported by CBS 6 News out of Richmond, Virginia. Back in 2012, a murder suspect was taken into custody by Richmond police. He told them the only way he would talk was if they gave him some Lee's chicken. They did, and he confessed. That's some powerful chicken.

Want more food knowledge? Sign up to our free newsletter where we're helping thousands of foodies, like you, become culinary masters, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Getty Stock image of toilet paper

NEED TO KNOW

Some public bathrooms in China have introduced new toilet paper dispensers that require visitors to watch an advertisement before being given toilet paper

Each short video watched grants the user six squares of toilet paper

Visitors are also given the option to pay a small fee, around seven cents, to bypass the ad

In China, going to the bathroom can come at a cost.

Some of the countrys public bathrooms have incorporated a new system that requires visitors to scan a QR code and watch an advertisement to gain access to toilet paper, as seen in a video shared by China Insider.

Once the ad is complete, six squares of toilet paper are dispensed from the machine. If that isnt enough, the user must repeat the process to gain access to another six squares. People are also given the option to pay 0.5 RMB (around $0.07) if they wish to skip the video altogether, according to ABC 10News.

The high-tech toilet paper dispensers seem to be part of an effort to reduce waste and prevent people from taking excessive amounts of supplies.

Toilet paper thieves have been such a longstanding problem that, back in 2017, authorities in Beijing attempted to deal with the issue by installing high-tech toilet paper dispensers that used facial recognition software to control exactly how much toilet paper each person could take.

The people who steal toilet paper are greedy, He Zhiqiang, a customer service worker from the northwestern region of Ningxia, told The New York Times in March 2017. Toilet paper is a public resource. We need to prevent waste.

When the facial recognition dispensers were introduced at the Temple of Heaven Park at the time, visitors were required to stare into the machine for three seconds before a sheet of toilet paper, around nine feet long, would be dispensed. If they wanted more toilet paper, they would have to wait nine minutes to be able to scan their face a second time.

STR/AFP via Getty Toilet paper dispenser

We brainstormed many options: fingerprints, infrared and facial recognition. We went with facial recognition, because its the most hygienic way, Lei Zhenshan, marketing director for the company that designed the device, explained at the time.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Some visitors, including Wang Jianquan, a retired shopping manager, arent fans of the new technology. The sheets are too short, he said.

Others, however, supported the idea that the expensive machines may be the first step to changing mindsets. Its a very bad habit, Qin Gang said of peoples willingness to exploit public goods. Maybe we can use technology to change how people think.

Read the original article on People
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te announced a $40 billion budget for arms purchases on Wednesday. The plans include building an air defense system with high-level detection and interception capabilities called Taiwan Dome, as the U.S. pressures the island to increase its defense spending.

According to the leader, this budget will be allocated over eight years, from 2026 to 2033, and comes after Lai already pledged to raise defense spending to 5% of the island's GDP, as part of his strategy amid China's threats of invasion.

"China's threats to Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region are escalating," Lai said on Wednesday. "Recently, various types of military intrusions, maritime gray zones and disinformation campaigns have been occurring in Japan, the Philippines and around the Taiwan Strait, causing deep unease and distress to all parties in the region."

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te delivers a speech during the inauguration ceremony of M1A2T Abrams Main Battle Tanks in Hsinchu County, Taiwan, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. / Credit: Chiang Ying-ying / AP

"Taiwan, as the most important and most critical part of the first island chain, must demonstrate our determination and take on a greater responsibility in self-defense," he said, referring to the string of islands stretching from Japan's East China Sea through the Philippines in the Pacific Ocean.

Last week, Japan said that it scrambled aircraft after detecting a suspected Chinese drone near its southern island of Yonaguni, which is close to Taiwan.

Currently, Taiwan has set an increase in its defense budget to 3.3% of its GDP for 2026, allocating $949.5 billion Taiwan dollars ($31.18 billion). President Donald Trump has demanded Taiwan raise its defense spending to as much as 10% of GDP, a proportion well above what the U.S. or any of its major allies spend.

The U.S. State Department on Wednesday said it welcomes Taiwan's budget announcement and "supports Taiwan's acquisition of critical defense capabilities, commensurate with the threat it faces."

It also said it welcomes commitments by Lai's administration to increase defense spending to at least 5% of GDP by 2030, "which demonstrates resolve to strengthen Taiwan's self-defense capabilities."

Taiwan, a self-ruled island, is claimed by China. In recent years, China has deployed warplanes, navfy ships and drones toward the island on a daily basis in military exercises as part of its efforts to exert pressure.

Wellington Koo, Taiwan's defense minister, said Wednesday the $40 billion is an upper limit for the special budget and that it will be used to buy precision-strike missiles and work toward the joint development and procurement between Taiwan and the U.S. of equipment and systems.

Lai also said his government would focus on finding ways to increase its defense against Beijing's "psychological warfare" as China attempts to "weaken our unity." He said the government will monitor and increase public awareness of China's interference attempts during major events and elections.

Eye Opener: Ukraine agrees to peace proposal, official says

Sen. Kelly responds to Pentagon investigation over video urging military to defy illegal orders

Lindsey Halligan's appointment at center of Comey and James charges being dismissed
Democratic congressional candidate Aftyn Behn visits a home in Franklin, Tennessee, as she canvases for votes in a special election for the state's seventh district, on November 13. - George Walker IV/AP

Democrats started this year in the doldrums, having lost both the White House and control of Congress and with their party heading toward record-low approval ratings.

Theyre in a position to end it riding a wave of momentum, with one more chance to over-perform expectations and make the Republican majority in the US House even narrower.

Tennessees 7th Congressional District on Tuesday will host the fifth and final special US House election of the year. In the first four, Democrats exceeded the Democratic candidates margins in 2024 House races by an average of 16 points. They ran well ahead of Democrat Kamala Harris margins against President Donald Trump in New Jersey and Virginias off-year elections, with remarkably high turnout throughout the year.

Republican Mark Green, who resigned from the Tennessee 7th this year, won in 2024 by just over 20 points. Data on early voters suggests a more favorable environment compared with last year for Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn, who is running against Republican Matt Van Epps.

A deep-red district stretching west from Nashville would normally be an unlikely Democratic pickup opportunity. But national Democrats and Republicans are closely watching the Tennessee 7th anyway, with outside groups pouring money into the race and GOP-aligned groups sounding the alarm about Tuesdays election.

The Democrat hits the national affordability message

Behn has focused her campaign on affordability, railing against the GOP spending bills and Trumps tariffs. She pointed to Democrats success campaigning on this message in New York City, New Jersey and Virginia.

I think these voters are looking around and life isnt better, Behn told CNN. I think people are saying weve had enough, were fed up.

Behn said the national attention to her race is welcome, especially because the South has been underinvested and overlooked and Tennessee historically has low voter turnout.

Our theory of change was always like we have to ensure that every Democrat in the country cares about this race and sees the opportunity here to invest in the state of Tennessee, she said.

Since winning a crowded primary in October, Van Epps has highlighted his background as a military helicopter pilot and focusing on lowering costs. In one campaign ad, he describes himself as on a new mission to bring down prices, create good paying jobs, and lower healthcare costs for working families.

Republican congressional candidate Matt Van Epps speaks during a campaign event in Nashville, on November 12. - George Walker IV/AP

Van Epps campaign declined an interview request.

With strong conservative turnout, we will have a win next Tuesday, and Ill hit the ground running, working with President Trump to lower the cost of living for hardworking Tennessee families, he said in a statement.

Just last week, the Democratic-aligned House Majority PAC pledged $1 million to support Behn, the super PACs first spending on a special election this year. Groups aligned with Trumps political operation and House Republicans campaign arm have spent money on Van Epps behalf.

Party leaders including Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin and former Vice President Kamala Harris have also made appearances in the district to support Behn, and progressive Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas video called in to rally supporters at an event with Behn.

Aftyn Behn speaks during a campaign event in Nashville, on November 13. - George Walker IV/AP

Behn told CNN that Tennessees special election is another chance to send a national message.

If we get with a certain number of points or if we flip it, that it will signal to Washington Republicans that this agenda that theyve been running on is not welcomed and is not favorable by most voters, especially in deep-red territory, Behn said.

While special election turnout tends to fall well short of midterm turnout, turnout this year has been relatively high. The four special elections for US House averaged 57% of 2022 midterm turnout in the same districts, higher than the 42% average for special elections between the 2022 midterms and 2024 presidential election.

The national attention seems to be driving fairly strong turnout in Tennessee so far: Through Monday, there were over 63,000 ballots cast early in-person or by mail (about 35% of 2022s total turnout in the district). About two-thirds of ballots were cast pre-election in 2024, and a little over half were cast pre-election in the special primary, according to data from L2.

Strong Democratic signs despite the partys national unpopularity

A strong performance on Tuesday by Behn would add to the growing evidence of a Democratic advantage in voter motivation.

In CNNs October poll, just 29% of Americans said they had a favorable view of the Democratic Party and 55% had an unfavorable view, numerically the highest unfavorable rating in CNNs polling going back over 30 years. Over a quarter of registered voters who are Democrats or Democratic-leaning said they have an unfavorable view of the party, up from 13% a year ago.

Despite this lagging popularity, deep dissatisfaction with Trump appears to have engaged Democratic voters. More registered Democrats now say theyre extremely motivated to vote than ahead of the 2024 presidential elections.

Looking ahead to 2026, Democratic-aligned voters overwhelmingly said their votes for Congress would be about Trump: 79% said their vote would be to send a message that they oppose Trump, compared to just 20% who say their vote would not be about Trump. Democratic-aligned voters who said their vote would be to oppose Trump were also more likely to say that they are extremely motivated to vote next year.

Extremely motivated voters overall said they preferred Democratic over Republican candidates by a wide margin, 59% to 37%, while less motivated voters preferred Republican candidates 48% to 34%.

What conclusions can we draw so far from this year?

Since the start of Trumps first term, Democrats have regularly over-performed in special elections as higher propensity voters  particularly those with higher education levels  have gravitated towards Democratic candidates. In that time, Democrats have outpaced prior Democratic margins more often than not.

Drawing conclusions from special elections can be challenging  special elections are relatively infrequent and often have low turnout, which can result in large swings from higher turnout elections. Presidential and House results may diverge within a congressional district, so a candidates relative performance may appear to vary depending on which baseline is used for comparison.

Still, Democratic results in this years special elections have been particularly strong, more closely resembling the special elections early in Trumps first term and stronger than those that occurred during the Biden presidency.

The average Democratic over-performance of 16 points is in the line with results from the first year of Trumps first term, when Democrats beat their 2016 House margins by an average of 17 points.

Democrats have had higher turnout levels in other statewide races this year as well.

In April, more than 2.3 million voters turned out in a Supreme Court election in Wisconsin, nearly 90% of the votes cast in the states 2022 Senate race. Democratic-backed Judge Susan Crawford beat Harris 2024 margin in the state by nearly 11 points.

This trend continued earlier this month in the gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia and the special election for a Democratic-backed ballot measure in California.

Voters arrive to vote at a polling station in San Francisco, California, on November 4, during California's special election on Proposition 50, a measure that would temporarily redraw congressional districts. - Carlos Barria/Reuters

Over 3.3 million votes were cast in New Jersey and 3.4 million votes in Virginia, both slightly higher than the number of votes cast in each states 2018 Senate race, the last time there was a statewide race in a midterm year in the two states. Turnout as a percentage of registered voters slightly trailed the 2018 turnout in both contests (50% in New Jersey and 54% in Virginia, compared to 53% and 59% in 2018). Democrats Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger outpaced Harris by over 8 points in New Jersey and over 9 points in Virginia.

In California, a Democratic-backed ballot measure passed by a margin of 29 points, almost 9 points ahead of Harris margin in the state. Over 11.5 million voters turned out in the race, more than the 10.9 million voters in the 2022 gubernatorial election but slightly behind the nearly 12.5 million votes in the 2018 race.

CNNs Arit John contributed to this report.

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A judge writes on legal documents at a desk with a gavel and in the foreground. Photo: KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA / Pexels

(The Center Square)  A Texas man will pay more fines after using an AI-generated copy of then-President Joe Bidens voice that urged New Hampshire Democrats not to vote in the 2024 presidential primary.

The ruling by U.S. District Court judge Steven J. McAuliffe accepted a special magistrate's report and recommendations that previously ordered Steve Kramer to pay $7,500 in damages with post-judgment interest to each of the three individual plaintiffs involved in the lawsuit. The judge ordered a default judgment against Kramer, who has refused to participate in the court proceedings.

The League of Women Voters, one of several groups that signed onto the lawsuit, praised the ruling and said it will prevent unscrupulous groups and individuals from using the technology to spread lies and misinformation.

"This victory sends a clear message: the right to vote is sacred, and new technology will not be a shield for those who seek to suppress it," Liz Tentarelli, president of the League of Women Voters of New Hampshire, said in a statement. "The courts decision affirms that deceptive, AI-generated robocalls designed to intimidate and confuse voters are a direct assault on our democracy and will not be tolerated."

Kramer, of New Orleans, admitted generating a message sent to thousands of New Hampshire voters two days before the states Jan. 23, 2024, presidential primary. The message urged voters not to vote in the primary. Biden wasn't on the New Hampshire ballot, because of a dispute between the state and national party over the primary date, but his supporters had organized a write-in campaign on his behalf.

"It's important that you save your vote for the November election," the recorded message told voters in Biden's voice. "Your votes make a difference in November, not this Tuesday."

In court, Kramer testified that the recording was a publicity stunt intended to highlight the potential harms of artificial intelligence platforms to political communication. He argued that because Biden wasn't on the New Hampshire primary ballot, there was no harm done to the defendants.

A jury in a criminal trial held in June acquitted Kramer of 11 felony voter suppression charges, each of which was punishable by up to seven years in prison.

Lingo Telecom, the company that transmitted the robocalls, agreed to pay $1 million in a settlement with the Federal Communications Commission last year. Kramer was fined $6 million by the FCC but has told media outlets that he won't pay the fine.

The federal court ruling comes as Congress considers a bill that would allow the Trump administration to preempt state regulations on artificial intelligence.

On Tuesday, a bipartisan group of attorneys general from New Hampshire and 35 other states sent a letter to Congress opposing the plan, warning of the rising online harm and the growing influence of artificial intelligence.

"If Congress is serious about grappling with how AIs emergence creates opportunities and challenges for our safety and well-being, then the states look forward to working with you on a substantive effort," they wrote.
President Donald Trump brushed off concerns about his special envoy Steve Witkoffs engagements with the Kremlin after a new phone call transcript provided rare insight into how the presidents top negotiator advised his Russian counterpart.

In the October 14 audio recording reviewed and transcribed by Bloomberg, Witkoff counsels top Russian foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov on how Russian President Vladimir Putin should approach a call with Trump. The transcript offers key new insight about the behind-the-scenes talks that produced a 28-point peace plan that has been the subject of intense discussions between the Trump administration, Russia and Ukraine in recent days.

Hes gotta sell this to Ukraine, hes gotta sell Ukraine to Russia. Thats what a deal maker does, Trump told reporters on Air Force One Tuesday evening when asked about the reported transcript of the call.

I havent heard it, but I heard it was standard negotiation. And I would imagine hes saying the same thing to Ukraine, because each party has to give and take, the president added.

The transcript generated concern among some GOP Russia hawks on Capitol Hill who asserted that Witkoff was too much under Russias spell. Rep. Don Bacon called for him to be fired.

For those who oppose the Russian invasion and want to see Ukraine prevail as a sovereign & democratic country, it is clear that Witkoff fully favors the Russians. He cannot be trusted to lead these negotiations. Would a Russian paid agent do less than he? Bacon wrote on X.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick called it a major problem. And one of the many reasons why these ridiculous side shows and secret meetings need to stop.

Trump, when asked if he was worried Witkoff was too pro-Russian, said the war could go on for years, adding, Russias got a lot more people  got a lot more soldiers. So I think if Ukraine can make a deal, its a good thing.

Kremlin suggests leak meant to disrupt negotiations

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the leaked transcript shows there are many people who will stop at nothing to disrupt this process, referring to the negotiations.

If you look and read, if you abstract yourself from whether it is true or not, there is nothing so terrible there. And President Trump himself, by the way, also indirectly spoke out in defense of Witkoff, Peskov told a Russian state media journalist when asked about the leak. He added that it was the usual work of a negotiator and that he wouldnt exaggerate the transcripts significance.

Ushakov expressed frustration about the leak and suggested the conversation with Witkoff may have occurred on WhatsApp.

Some of these leaks are fake. Others I would prefer not to comment on at all, as, for example, my conversations with Witkoff are confidential. No one should disclose them. No one! he said in comments reported by Russian state media.

In a separate comment provided to the Russian newspaper Kommersant, Ushakov said leaks almost never occur when contacts take place via secure channels but that there are some conversations over WhatsApp, which he suggested someone could listen to.

Here it is unlikely that such a leak could have come from the participants of the conversation, he added.

Brett McGurk, a CNN global affairs analyst who served in senior national security positions under multiple presidents, said as a former negotiator his first thought was the call may have been leaked by a foreign intelligence service. He also told CNNs John Berman on Tuesday that its unclear if its the full transcript.

McGurk added that it seemed like negotiators should regroup: I just see this going sideways if not backwards.

What did Witkoff reportedly tell the Russians?

According to Bloombergs transcript of the call, Witkoff advised Ushakov to encourage his boss to congratulate Trump on a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas when the two leaders spoke. That was indeed communicated two days later.

President Putin congratulated me and the United States on the Great Accomplishment of Peace in the Middle East, something that, he said, has been dreamed of for centuries. I actually believe that the Success in the Middle East will help in our negotiation in attaining an end to the War with Russia/Ukraine, Trump said in a social media post after the two leaders spoke in October.

Witkoff, notably, encouraged Ushakov in the call to have the leaders speak before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks with Trump at the White House.

Trumps call with Putin took place on October 16 and the two-and-a-half-hour conversation appeared to shift the US presidents tone toward Russia after weeks of frustration with a lack of progress toward ending the war.

The next day, Trump hosted Zelensky at the White House for a working lunch that turned tense when Trump insisted Ukraine make territorial concessions to Russia to end the war, according to European officials briefed on the meeting at the time.

US President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 17, 2025. - Tom Brenner/AFP/Getty Images

Trump, who would later endorse a freeze in current battle lines as part of a peace settlement, grew frustrated and raised his voice multiple times, the officials said.

Witkoff also floated the idea of putting together a 20-point peace proposal during his call with Ushakov similar to his efforts in Gaza. That eventually led to a 28-point peace proposal that included many concessions to Russia, including Kyiv ceding territory, giving up ambitions to join NATO and limiting the size of its army.

After high-level diplomatic talks between the US and Ukraine in Geneva, Switzerland, and between the US and Russia in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the contours of that plan have shifted.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday described the plan as a living, breathing document.

Witkoff is now expected to travel to Moscow for additional negotiations as soon as next week, according to Trump, who told reporters that the envoy could also be joined by his son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is also expected to travel to Kyiv later this week for peace talks.

Trump suggested he would be open to meeting with Zelensky and Putin, but not until the deal is final or in final stages.

Asked if that meant his Thanksgiving deadline was flexible, he said, I dont have a deadline  I just  you know what the deadline for me is? When its over.

CNNs Clare Sebastian, Daria Tarasova-Markina, Caitlin Danaher and Nina Subkhanberdina contributed to this report.

This story was updated with additional information.

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The Georgia State Capitol Building stands in Atlanta. Photo: Kim Jarrett / The Center Square

(The Center Square)  A law signed by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp in May could put legal fees in the Donald Trump election interference case on the backs of Fulton County taxpayers.

Senate Bill 244 allows defendants to recoup "reasonable costs" if their case is dismissed due to prosecutorial misconduct. The bill became effective upon Kemp's signature.

A judge disqualified Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the case after it was revealed she had a romantic relationship with lead prosecutor Nathan Wade.

Peter Skandalakis, executive director of the Prosecuting Attorney's Council of Georgia, moved to dismiss the case against Trump and others after taking over the prosecution. Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee signed the order on Wednesday.

The law gives defendants 45 days after a case is dismissed to file for "reasonable attorney's fees and costs."

When asked by The Center Square if he planned to use the law to recoup Trump's legal fees, the president's lead counsel in the case, Steve Sadow, said he had no comment.

The bill was sponsored by former Sen. Brandon Beach, who left the Georgia General Assembly to serve as U.S. treasurer in the Trump administration.

Democrats accused Republicans of introducing the bill at Trump's behest, which some lawmakers denied.

"There is absolutely nothing in this bill that focuses on a single county nor does it have a sunset for a single issue," said Rep. Chuck Martin, R-Alpharetta, who presented the bill in the Senate.

Rep. Betsy Holland, D-Atlanta, is one of several lawmakers who said during floor debate that the bill would put Fulton County taxpayers on the hook in Trump's case.

"It is punishing the local taxpayers for statewide political problems and has a chilling effect potentially on our district attorneys who maybe are no longer going to take the high profile or very sensitive cases for fear of the trickle-down effect of what it's going to do for the taxpayers who elected them in the first place," Holland said.

Senate Bill 244 also included a provision that would set up a system to compensate Georgians who were imprisoned and later exonerated. It was first presented as a standalone bill by Rep. Katie Dempsey, R-Rome, before it was attached to the Senate bill. Two of the men mentioned in the bill are from Dempsey's home county.

The bill would give the individuals $75,000 for every year they were incarcerated. Death row inmates will receive an additional $25,000 per year.
A disheveled dorm room is seen on November 17, after 25 students were abducted from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, Nigeria. - Africa Independent Television/Reuters

Two dozen schoolgirls who were kidnapped from a boarding school in Nigerias northwestern Kebbi state last week have been freed, according to officials, as the country grapples with a wave of mass abductions in recent days.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu welcomed their release on Tuesday.

I am relieved that all the 24 girls have been accounted for, the president said in a statement from his special adviser Bayo Onanuga. Now, we must put as a matter of urgency more boots on the ground in the vulnerable areas to avert further incidents of kidnapping.

Last Monday, armed bandits stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town. State authorities said 25 girls were kidnapped and the schools vice principal was killed. The schools principal told the Associated Press last week that one of the abducted girls managed to escape.

Presidential adviser Onanuga said terrorists took the girls just moments after a military detachment left the area. Kebbi Gov. Nasir Idris called for an investigation into who authorized the withdrawal of the military. The armed forces were mobilized near the school for security after intelligence surfaced about a likely attack, a regional government official said.

Northwest Nigeria has seen a spate of similar kidnappings by armed groups in recent days, targeting vulnerable civilian populations.

In Kwara state, police have launched a search and rescue operation for 10 people - including five children - who were abducted on Monday evening after armed men suspected to be herders stormed the Isapa community and began shooting sporadically, authorities said.

Last week on Wednesday, the state saw an armed attack on a church that left two people dead. Several others, including the pastor, were abducted, officials said.

And in neighboring north-central Niger State, armed bandits abducted more than 300 students and a dozen teachers from St. Marys Private Catholic School on Friday. Fifty of those students have since returned to their families after managing to escape, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria.

A general view of empty bunk beds and scattered belongings inside a student dormitory at St. Mary's Catholic School in Papiri, Niger state, on Sunday, November 23. - Ifeany Immanuel Bakwenye/AFP/Getty Images

President Tinubu has called for a complete security cordon over the forests in Kwara following the recent kidnappings. He also has ordered the air force to expand air surveillance across the forest where the government believes terrorists are hiding.

Presidential spokesman Sunday Dare said the armed forces are instructed to conduct surveillance around the clock. The order, he said, also applies to Kebbi and Niger states. He urged communities to provide timely information about strange movements and activities to help security forces.

Nigeria has been facing religiously motivated attacks and other violent tensions related to communal and ethnic tensions, along with disputes between farmers and herders over access to resources.

US President Donald Trump has recently shared disputed allegations of a mass slaughter of Christians by Islamist insurgents in Nigeria. But experts say the reality on the ground is more complex, with both Christians and Muslims coming under attack by radical Islamists.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
US-ANNIVERSARY-COMMEMORATION-9/11  (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Two National Guardsmen were shot blocks away from the White House on Wednesday, according to officials.

The incident, according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), occurred at 17th and I Street NW, just before 3 p.m. local time, with officials asking residents to stay away from the location. Emergency vehicles had been spotted rushing to the scene with at least one helicopter landing at the National Mall, according to AP News.

The MPD confirmed that the location was secured just before 3:30 p.m., with one suspect in custody. Details on the suspect, the motive and if others were involved have not been released by officials.

Officials told NBC News that the shooter has been initially identified as an Afghan national and is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism.

President Donald Trump released a Truth Social post, confirming the two injured National Guardsmen and stating that they are in critical condition.

The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price. God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement, Trump wrote. These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!

Republican West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey stated on X that the two guardsmen, both from West Virginia, died from their injuries, but later walked back his tweet. Morrisey posted that there are conflicting reports about the condition of the two guardsmen and will update accordingly.

Members of law enforcement, including the U.S. Secret Service and the Washington Metropolitan Police Department, respond to a shooting near the White House. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

In August, Trump deployed the National Guard to Washington, D.C., and invoked Section 40 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to crack down on crime in the city. The decision from the president came after a slew of crimes in the city that attracted national attention.

Since the deployment, Democratic Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser issued an order in September to continue Trumps executive order of having the National Guard troops and having local law enforcement cooperate with them.

This is a breaking story and will be updated.

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Damaged residential buildings can be seen in Kyiv after a fresh bombardment by Russia, even as negotiators work on tweaking a US-supported deal to end the war in Ukraine (Genya SAVILOV)

Donald Trump said Tuesday he is sending his envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow next week as the US president seeks to close out a deal to end the war in Ukraine.

Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that there were "only a few remaining points of disagreement" -- but European leaders were skeptical, and Russian missiles continued to strike Ukraine.

He also expressed hope to meet "soon" with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, "but ONLY when the deal to end this War is FINAL or, in its final stages."

Trump later told journalists aboard Air Force One that his son-in-law Jared Kushner may join Witkoff in Moscow.

Washington's 28-point proposal to end the war may have originated in a call between Witkoff and Putin's foreign policy advisor, according to a transcription of their conversation Bloomberg reported it had obtained.

According to the transcript, Witkoff advised the creation of a 20-point peace plan for Ukraine "just like we did in Gaza," and urged that Putin bring it up with Trump.

The 28-point plan, backed by Trump and widely seen as favoring Moscow, has been replaced by another taking in more of Kyiv's interests.

An official familiar with the amended version told AFP it was "significantly better."

Witkoff will soon discuss that version with Putin in Moscow, though French President Emmanuel Macron has thrown cold water on the idea of a rapid solution.

Speaking after a call between the so-called coalition of the willing, which supports Kyiv, Macron warned on Tuesday that there is "clearly no Russian willingness" for a ceasefire or the new, more Ukraine-friendly proposal.

Yet US negotiator Dan Driscoll emerged upbeat from meeting with Russian counterparts, with his spokesman saying: "The talks are going well and we remain optimistic."

The White House cited "tremendous progress," while cautioning "there are a few delicate but not insurmountable details that must be sorted out."

But the war, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, continued unabated.

On Tuesday night, Russia launched a series of strikes on Zaporizhzhia that wounded 18 people and damaged 31 apartment blocks, the head of the regional military administration said.

The night before, powerful explosions rocked Kyiv beginning around 1:00 am as Russian drones and missiles rained down, setting fires in apartment buildings. City officials said seven people were killed.

Thick smoke, turning red and orange in the blizzard of Ukrainian air defense fire, rose over the capital as residents fled underground into metro stations, according to AFP reporters.

- 'Tough road ahead' -

Trump, who long boasted he could negotiate an end to the Ukraine war within 24 hours, announced last week that he wanted his proposal approved by Kyiv by this Thursday -- the US Thanksgiving holiday.

But the initial plan, pushing numerous Russian war aims, sparked alarm in Ukraine and Europe. Among its points were prohibitions on Ukraine ever joining NATO and the surrender of swaths of new territory to Russia.

The updated plan clearly pleases Kyiv more. The official familiar with the text told AFP that one key improvement was raising a proposed cap on the country's future military forces from 600,000 to 800,000 members.

Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov said Tuesday there was "common understanding on the core" of the deal between Ukraine and the United States.

However, remaining details should be hammered out in direct talks "at the earliest suitable date," he said.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned: "There's still a long way to go and a tough road ahead."

Russia's military occupies around a fifth of Ukraine, much of it ravaged by fighting. Tens of thousands of civilians and military personnel have been killed and millions have fled the east of the country.

Ukrainian army Sergeant Ivan Zadontsev said negotiating was "healthy."

"We also are getting tired of war. We need a break," he told AFP.

But the proposals by both Washington and the European Union "do not serve Ukraine's national interests," he said.

burs-sms/lb/tc
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff gave a senior Kremlin official tips on how to sell a Ukraine peace deal to President Donald Trump, a report said.

Witkoff spoke by phone to Russian President Vladimir Putins top foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov on Oct. 14, advising him on how Putin should bring up the topic with the U.S. president, according to Bloomberg.

"We put a 20-point Trump plan together that was 20 points for peace, and Im thinking maybe we do the same thing with you," Witkoff was quoted by Bloomberg as saying, in reference to the Trump administrations Gaza peace deal.

During the phone call, which lasted about five minutes, Witkoff said he had a deep respect for Putin and that he had informed Trump that he believed Russia has always wanted a peace deal for Ukraine, Bloomberg reported.

Trump Touts 'Tremendous Progress' But Says He'll Meet Putin And Zelenskyy 'Only When' Peace Deal Is Final

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin

Witkoff mentioned that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was visiting the White House in mid-October and that Putin could speak to Trump ahead of that meeting, the report added.

Read On The Fox News App

"Zelenskyy is coming to the White House on Friday," Witkoff said, according to a recording of the phone call obtained by Bloomberg. "I will go to that because they want me there, but I think, if possible, we have the call with your boss before that Friday meeting."

Witkoff suggested that Putin congratulate Trump on the Gaza peace deal and say that Russia backed it and that he respects Trump as a man of peace, Bloomberg reported.

"Heres what I think would be amazing," Witkoff reportedly added. "Maybe he says to President Trump: you know, Steve and Yuri discussed a very similar 20-point plan to peace and that could be something that we think might move the needle a little bit. Were open to those sorts of things."

Bloomberg also reported that Ushakov said Putin "will congratulate" Trump and say "Mr. Trump is a real peace man."

Ukraine Agrees To Peace Deal, Us Official Says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, talks with President Donald Trump and members of his Cabinet during a lunch meeting at the White House on Oct. 17, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

When asked about the Witkoff phone call, Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Tuesday that he hadn't heard the audio.

"I haven't heard it. No, but it's a standard thing, you know, because he's going to sell this to Ukraine. He's got to sell Ukraine to Russia. That's what he's, that's what a dealmaker does. You got to say, look, they want this. You've got to convince him of this. You know, that's a very standard form of negotiation," Trump said.

"I haven't heard it, but I heard it was standard negotiations. And I would imagine he's saying the same thing to Ukraine because each party has to give and take," Trump continued.

"This war could go on for years and Russia has got a lot more people and a lot more soldiers," the president also said. "So I think if Ukraine can make a deal, it's a good thing. I think it's great for both, frankly. I think it's great for both."

White House communications director Steven Cheung told Fox News Digital on Wednesday that, "This story proves one thing: Special Envoy Witkoff talks to officials in both Russia and Ukraine nearly every day to achieve peace, which is exactly what President Trump appointed him to do."

Ushakov told Russian media on Wednesday that details about his conversation with Witkoff should not have been leaked, describing the situation as "unacceptable," according to Reuters.

It added that Ushakov said the leak was aimed at hindering discussions between the U.S. and Russia and that he would be raising the matter with Witkoff.

On Tuesday, Ukraine agreed to the peace deal that would see an end to the war with Russia, a U.S. official told Fox News.

Some minor details of the agreement are still to be sorted out, the official said.

Lt. Col. Jeff Tolbert, a spokesman for U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, had told Fox News that Driscoll and his team met with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi on Monday and Tuesday to discuss the framework for a Ukraine peace deal.

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

A U.S. official told Fox News that the Ukrainian delegation was also in Abu Dhabi and was in contact with Driscoll and his team.

Fox News Ashley Carnahan and Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.





Original article source: US envoy gave Russian aide tips on how to sell Ukraine deal to Trump: report
Two Constellation-class frigates are currently under construction by shipbuilder Fincantieri Marinette Marine. Chief Petty Officer Shannon Renfroe

The Navy is canceling its Constellation-class frigate program.

Navy Secretary John Phelan said the move would enable the service to build other classes of ships faster.

The Constellation-class has been facing delivery delays, design problems, and rising costs.

The US Navy is canceling the last four ships of its Constellation-class guided missile frigates in a "strategic shift, the service secretary announced Tuesday.

The frigate program has faced increasing scrutiny over its design issues and the shipbuilding schedule, but the Navy was determined to acquire 20 Constellation frigates, which were crucial to the service's fleet-size goal.

Navy Secretary John Phelan announced the cancellation in a post on X on Tuesday, saying the last four ships ordered for the program would be terminated.

"From day one I made it clear: I won't spend a dollar if it doesn't strengthen readiness or our ability to win," he wrote.

Work, he said, will continue on the two vessels currently under construction. In his remarks, Phelan said that "while work continues on the first two ships, those ships remain under review as we work through this strategic shift."

The Constellation frigates were being built by Wisconsin-based Fincantieri Marinette Marine, which won the contract for the new ships in 2020. The $22 billion program for 20 vessels in total has been a topic of criticism from lawmakers, US military leaders, and President Donald Trump.

President Trump, seen here at FMM in 2020, has said revitalizing US shipbuilding is a top priority for his administration. Scott Olson/Getty Images

A Government Accountability Office report pinned delays and cost overruns on the Navy decision to start building the first ship in the class before the design was finished, among other missteps. The Navy also tried to speed up construction by leaning on technologies already proven on other vessels, the watchdog noted in its report last year.

Shipbuilder Fincantieri Marinette Marine told Business Insider it believes "that the Navy will honor the agreed framework and channel work in sectors such as amphibious, icebreaking, and special missions into our system of shipyards, while they determine how we can support with new types of small surface combatants, both manned and unmanned, that they want to rapidly field."

"The key is to maximize the commitment and capabilities our system of shipyards represents," FMM said.

Phelan said that although the Navy was no longer pursuing the program, keeping shipbuilders, a "critical workforce," employed and the yard ready for future projects was a major concern.

"The Navy needs ships, and we look forward to building them in every shipyard we can," he said.

An FMM spokesperson told Business Insider its employees were priority amid the production shift, saying that it didn't foresee layoffs at the moment based on the company's current workload.

In April 2024, then-Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro attended the keel laying of the lead Constellation-class vessel. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd class Jared Mancuso

"Although we will likely not need as much subcontracted labor and some specialties that would have been needed on the additional frigates, we do not see massive cuts being required with our employees," the spokesperson said.

Capt. Ron Flanders, the Navy public affairs officer for the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition, told Business Insider that the service "recognizes the potential impact on employment at Fincantieri. We greatly value the Wisconsin and Michigan shipbuilders currently working on the first two ships."

The Navy is retiring more vessels than it's building, temporarily driving a lowering of overall fleet numbers at a time when China, the Pentagon's identified pacing challenge, continues churning out warships at breakneck pace.

The frigate program was key to the service's vision of a 355-ship fleet. It's unclear what's next. In his post, the Navy secretary said a critical factor in canceling the Constellation was "the need to grow the fleet faster to meet tomorrow's threats" and that the service's new framework put new classes of ships on a faster shipbuilding timeline. It wasn't immediately clear how that will play out.

Flanders told Business Insider that the Navy is currently completing its analysis of requirements for fleet size and will submit an updated 30-year shipbuilding plan with the fiscal year 2027 presidential budget request.

The Chief of Naval Operations is also updating the Battle Force Ship Assessment and Requirement in anticipation of the release of a new National Defense Strategy, he added.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Eric and Christina Schwendeman practice the "Schengen shuffle." Eric and Christina Schwendeman

The 'Schengen shuffle' allows non-EU citizens to stay in Europe for extended periods of time.

Eric and Christina Schwendeman, both Americans, have made Italy their base since 2022.

"It's the best of both worlds for us," Christina told Business Insider.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Eric and Christina Schwendeman, who left the US in 2022 to retire in Italy. The couple now does the "Schengen shuffle." Schengen countries allow non-EU visitors to stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The "Schengen shuffle" refers to the practice of non-EU travelers hopping between both Schengen and non-Schengen countries indefinitely. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Christina: We had gotten our elective residency visas, which allowed us to live in Italy full time. Those were valid for two years, so after that period was up, we decided for a variety of reasons that we wouldn't renew them.

Eric: A lot of the motivation was that we're traveling so much and we want to see so much of the world.

Christina: We started the Schengen shuffle in December 2024. There are 29 countries in the Schengen Agreement, which essentially are countries in Europe that allow free and open borders between them. So, if we want to drive from Italy to France, we don't go through passport control.

We decided we wanted to do that instead of being full-time residents of Italy. Italy is one of the 29 countries in the Schengen area, so we said, "Okay, we can keep our house in Italy, stay there for 90 days, then go travel for 90 days, and come back."

It's the best of both worlds for us.

The Schwendemans have visited around 12 new countries this year

Eric and Christina Schwendeman traveled to India. Eric and Christina Schwendeman

Eric: We've seen around 12 new countries this year, far and wide, from Southeast Asia to the Balkans.

We did Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia. We went to Hong Kong and Macau. Then, we flew down to the Philippines for two weeks. We spent almost two weeks in India and then came home to Italy.

One of the things that we committed to was spending ample time in areas that allow us to see it, to experience it, and give ourselves days of rest in between, instead of just racing nonstop 24/7.

Christina: It allows you to become more a part of communities and  I think a lot of people use this phrase  more of a traveler than a tourist.

A great example for us is that we spent a month in Perast, Montenegro. It's a very small town. By the time we left, we knew everyone. Like Eric said, we made friends that we've seen again since we left. We could go into any restaurant and know everybody by name. To be able to do that in a different community is just something really special.

Christina and Eric Schwendeman left the United States in 2022. Eric and Christina Schwendeman

Eric: I would say that 85% of the time we're staying in Airbnbs.

Christina: If you get an Airbnb with your own kitchen, you can go grocery shopping and cook at home. That makes a big difference for us. If we're staying anywhere longer than a week, it's Airbnb because we want to feel like we have a base.

Transportation can get tricky, but we try not to fly a lot because it's obviously the most expensive option. A lot of countries have phenomenal train systems, so we try to take advantage of those.

And packing is interesting. For 90 days at a time, we committed to each other that we would only each take one medium-sized suitcase.

Christina and Eric's best tip for doing the Schengen shuffle: plan

Eric: Plan, plan, and plan some more when you think you're done.

Christina: And then be ready to realize that something will inevitably go wrong with that plan. Flexibility is key. Travel is never without hiccups, so just be ready to roll with the punches.

It's something you'll remember for the rest of your life. We try never to think that anything that happens through this is ever bad. It's just part of the adventure.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Trump administration is denying a report from MS NOW that the president is considering removing FBI Director Kash Patel amid recent scrutiny of his use of Bureau resources.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a social media post that she read the story's headline to Trump in the Oval Office while he was meeting with Patel and the president responded: "What? Thats totally false. Come on Kash, lets take a picture to show them youre doing a great job!"

Leavitt posted a picture of Trump and Patel standing next to each other with their thumbs up. Asked later while traveling to Florida on Air Force One if he's considering replacing Patel, Trump said "No."

Before Thanksgiving gobble, two turkeys waddle free after Trump pardon National Thanksgiving turkeys Waddle and Gobble rest in their hotel room after a press conference at the Willard InterContinental on Nov. 24, 2025 in Washington, D.C. The Turkeys come from North Carolina and will participate in the 78th annual Turkey Pardoning at the White House.

MS NOW, citing three unnamed sources, reported that Trump and those around him have been concerned about reporting on Patel. An MS NOW spokesperson said in a statement after Leavitt's social media post that the news outlet "stands behind its reporting."

The New York Times reported that a SWAT team from the Bureau served as security for Patel's girlfriend at a National Rifle Association convention in Atlanta, and that Patel used a government jet for recreational travel.

Patel was at the White House Nov. 25 for the president's annual pre-Thanksgiving turkey pardon. Trump acknowledged him, saying he is "very busy doing a great job."

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel listens while U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., October 15, 2025.

A former Justice Department attorney and congressional staffer, Patel was a controversial choice to lead the FBI. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, said at Patel's confirmation hearing that he didn't have the "experience, the temperament or the judgment" to lead the agency.

Patel has been at the forefront of Trump's aggressive use of federal law enforcement, and his actions have roiled the Bureau. A federal lawsuit filed Sept. 10 alleges Patel illegally fired top FBI executives on orders from the Trump administration as part of a campaign to turn the nations premier law enforcement agency into a political arm of the White House.

This story has been updated to add new information and video.

Contributing: Josh Meyer, Sarah D. Wire, Aysha Bagchi

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: White House denies Trump might remove FBI Director Kash Patel
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters on the West Wing driveway on Monday. - Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

A woman with family relations to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is in ICE custody after being arrested earlier this month near Boston.

Bruna Caroline Ferreira, a Brazilian native and the mother of Leavitts nephew, was arrested near Boston on November 12, her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, told CNN.

Leavitts nephew has lived full-time in New Hampshire with his father, Leavitts brother Michael, since he was born, a source familiar with the situation told CNN. Ferreira and the White House press secretary have not spoken in many years, the source said.

A spokesperson with the Department of Homeland Security told CNN Ferreira was in the US illegally after overstaying a tourist visa that required her to leave the country in June 1999. Ferreira is a criminal illegal alien from Brazil with a previous arrest for battery and is currently in removal proceedings, the spokesperson said.

Bruna Caroline Ferreira is seen with her son in an undated photograph. A portion of this image has been obscured by CNN to protect a minor's identity. - From Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues

Pomerleau said the DHS statement is inaccurate. We dispute that she has any criminal record. She is not a criminal illegal alien, he told CNN Wednesday.

Ferreiras attorney said she was a former recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which grants temporary protection from deportation for those brought to the US as children.

She was unable to renew her status a few years ago during President Donald Trumps efforts to end the program during his first administration, but is currently in the middle of a lawful immigration process for US citizenship, Pomerleau said.

Ferreira was arrested while driving to pick up her son from New Hampshire, Pomerleau told CNN. Ferreira and Michael Leavitt were previously engaged and have joint custody over their 11-year-old son, Pomerleau said.

Ferreira is being detained at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Basile, said Pomerleau. The facility is about 80 miles from Baton Rouge and more than 1,500 miles from where Ferreira was arrested.

Michael Leavitt told CNN affiliate WMUR Ferreira has maintained a relationship with their son, but the boy has not spoken to her since her detention. He described the situation as difficult and said he just wants the best for his son.

A GoFundMe page, verified by Ferreiras lawyer, has been created by her sister, Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues, for legal fees and expenses. As of Wednesday morning, more than $15,000 has been raised.

Bruna was brought to the United States by our parents in December of 1998, when she was just a child  Since then, she has done everything in her power to build a stable, honest life here, Ferreiras sister wrote in the GoFundMe campaign. She said Ferreira has maintained her legal status through DACA.

Trump tried to end DACA during his first term, but the Supreme Court ruled his administration had not taken the proper steps to do so. Some DACA recipients have been among those arrested in the administrations current sweeping immigration enforcement.

In a recent statement to the Associated Press, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said those with status under the Obama-era program are not automatically protected from deportations, adding, DACA does not confer any form of legal status in this country.

CNNs Aaron Eggleston contributed to this report.

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Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered at the Park East Synagogue in Manhattan on November 19. - Selcuk Acar/Anadolu/Getty Images

A pro-Palestinian protest outside a New York City synagogue last week has sparked accusations of antisemitism and underscored the balancing act Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani faces on Israel.

The debate stems from a November 19 event at Park East Synagogue, a modern orthodox congregation on Manhattans Upper East Side. The synagogue hosted an event for Nefesh BNefesh, a nonprofit that works to facilitate and support North American Jews moving to Israel.

The group Palestinian Assembly for Liberation-AWDA NY/NJ organized a protest at the synagogue in opposition. No settlers on stolen land, the group wrote in a flyer. Protest the settler recruiting fair.

Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered wearing keffiyehs and waving Palestinian flags just steps outside of the synagogue. The group chanted slogans including Death to the IDF, or Israel Defense Forces, and globalize the intifada, an Arabic term for rebellion and a reference to Palestinian uprisings around the turn of the century.

Mamdanis transition team is still grappling with the protest and its inflammatory slogans a week later. Several prominent Jewish leaders in New York have argued the event showed why they are worried about Mamdani, a prominent critic of the Israeli government who will become the citys first Muslim mayor when he takes office on January 1.

Mamdani issued a 50-word statement after the protest that discouraged the language used by the protesters. But then he notably criticized the synagogue for hosting the event in the first place.

He believes every New Yorker should be free to enter a house of worship without intimidation, Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekec said, and that these sacred spaces should not be used to promote activities in violation of international law.

A spokesperson said that final phrase of a violation of international law was a reference to Nefesh BNefeshs promotion on its website of settlements beyond the Green Line, the armistice boundary cutting through Jerusalem that separates Israel from the West Bank, which Israel captured in 1967 and where Palestinians hope to create a future state.

Nefesh BNefesh facilitates Jewish immigration to Israel (Aliyah) without directing or encouraging immigrants to move to any specific community, a group spokesperson said in response. There is no law prohibiting assistance to Jews making Aliyah, and Nefesh BNefesh fully complies with the laws of every country in which it operates.

Rabbi Ari Berman, the president of Yeshiva University, said Mamdanis criticism of the Nefesh BNefesh event was irresponsible and inflammatory, and contrary to his own agenda.

He says his sole focus is New York City, and hes now weighing in on foreign policy, which is the purview of the United States government, Berman said.

The mayor-elect invokes international law a lot when he discriminates against Jews, he added.

Mamdanis transition team issued an additional statement this week making clear the mayor-elects commitment to protecting Jewish spaces.

As Mayor, I will always protect our Jewish neighbors, and I will use the full force of my office to keep synagogues and all houses of worship safe and free from intimidation and threats, Mamdani said. We will protect New Yorkers First Amendment rights while making clear that nothing can justify language calling for death to anyone. It is unacceptable, full stop.

Mamdanis positions on Israel and Jews

Many Jews in New York were skeptical of Mamdani before he won the November 4 election, particularly for his longstanding criticisms of Israel. Mamdani has refused to say Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish state, arguing it should instead exist as a state providing equal rights, and called its conduct of the war in Gaza following the October 7 attacks a genocide.

He had previously refused to condemn the phrase globalize the intifada, although he more recently said he would discourage the use of the phrase. He has also pledged to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces a warrant from the International Criminal Court, even though the US is not a member of the court.

But Mamdani also met with Jewish groups and leaders during the campaign, reassuring them that he would provide security at synagogues and pro-Israel gatherings as requested. He told one gathering that he didnt care if his future sanitation commissioner disagreed with him about Israel.

I look forward to being the mayor for every person that calls this city home, that includes the Jewish New Yorkers that voted for our campaign and those that didnt, he told reporters after his election.

Still, preliminary CNN exit polls found about 64% of Jewish voters cast their ballot for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, while about one-third voted for Mamdani. That was particularly notable given New Yorks Jewish community in general supports progressive policies but expressed wariness of Mamdanis history of anti-Israel activism.

Mamdani was asked about the synagogue protest at the very end of his high-profile meeting with President Donald Trump on Friday.

I care very deeply about Jewish safety, and I look forward to rooting out antisemitism across the five boroughs and protecting Jewish New Yorkers and every New Yorker who calls the city home, he said.

Pro-Israel counter-protestors amassed outside the Park East Synagogue on November 19. - Neil Constantine/NURPHO/AP

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who is Jewish, agreed to stay on under Mamdani in what was seen as a reassuring sign for Jewish residents. On Saturday, Tisch attended Shabbat services at Park East Synagogue and delivered a message of support and understanding, said Benny Rogosnitzky, the synagogues cantor.

She spoke about the NYPDs commitment to keeping the institution safe and the need to allow both freedom of religion and the right to protest.

Tisch told the congregation that she will make sure for the future, while allowing protests, that we will do it in a manner that doesnt cause the membership and parents of the school and other New Yorkers who came past to feel intimidated, Rogosnitzky said.

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 said, according to The Times of Israel. Instead, you had turmoil.

How others Jewish groups reacted

Several Democratic political leaders criticized the protest for its location outside the synagogue and the inflammatory language used. Gov. Kathy Hochul said the demonstration was shameful and a blatant attack on the Jewish community, and outgoing Mayor Eric Adams said it was antisemitic.

Mamdanis statement on the protest drew criticism from some Jewish advocacy groups, including the Anti-Defamation League, which recently launched a Mamdani Monitor to track his policies and appointments.

Rather than fulfill his pledge to protect all Jewish New Yorkers, the Mayor-elects comments today contribute to an already hostile environment for the Jewish community by refusing to denounce last nights blatantly antisemitic harassment and intimidation, the ADL said.

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani holds media availability in front of Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church in the Bronx Borough on Sunday. - Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket/Getty Images

Rogosnitzky told CNN the location and intensity of the protest came as an unwelcome surprise.

It was actually very scary to see what went on, he said. The people that were coming in to services or to the event felt intimidated.

Berman, the president of Yeshiva University, told CNN it was deeply disturbing to see the protest right outside a house of worship.

Like all people in New York City, to have access to your house of worship in a clear and untroubled way is something that we would expect, and seeing otherwise is certainly disturbing, he said.

Jamie Beran, the CEO of the progressive Jewish group Bend the Arc, issued a statement defending the intent of the protest and noting that protesting outside of a house of worship is not in and of itself an inherent problem.

When a protest includes calls for violence and fuels antisemitism, that is unacceptable, and it damages the cause itself, Beran said. There was threatening language used by some of the protestors that clearly inflamed already existing Jewish fears, and shouting death threats outside a synagogue does fuel antisemitism, even if that was not the intent of the protests organizers.

Beran noted that Bend the Arc had endorsed Mamdani due to his policy platform and his promises to protect all New Yorkers, including Jews explicitly.

Thats the job New Yorkers elected him to do, and we look forward to working with his administration to further those goals, Beran said.

This story has been updated with additional information.

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Akio Toyoda is a man not afraid to shock, with his latest stunt leaving heads shaking. But there could be a method to his madness.

At a race held earlier this month in Japan, the chairman of Toyota (TM) held a NASCAR-themed celebration featuring top drivers, American flags, and even an appearance from US Ambassador George Glass. It also featured Toyoda sporting a MAGA hat and a Trump-Vance election T-shirt and driving an F-150 pickup on the track.

Toyoda wanted to show that Japan and Toyota support American racing and culture. But he may have been playing to an audience of one: Donald Trump.

'Go out and buy a Toyota'

Akio Toyoda and US Ambassador George Glass (center) at the event in Japan. (Instagram/usambjapan)

"I'm not here to argue whether tariffs are good or bad. Every national leader wants to protect their own auto industry," Toyoda said before the event, per Automotive News. "We are exploring ways to make tariffs a winner for everyone. The people we want most to be winners are our customers."

President Trump may be wondering if Toyoda borrowed a White House speechwriter. The Akio Toyoda spectacle comes on the heels of the Japanese automaker announcing a $10 billion US investment plan, set across several factories it operates in the US to expand its stateside production. It's basically the result of a game plan Trump said would happen all along.

Prior to Toyota's official confirmation of the spending plan, Trump claimed he had been told Toyota was going to be setting up factories "all over" the US "to the tune of over $10 billion."

"Go out and buy a Toyota," Trump said.

Toyota is still making money despite the tariff hit, but the company knows it needs to be in Trump's good graces to maintain the status quo.

Read more: 6 steps to find cheap car insurance in 2025

"Toyota promised 'up to $10 billion' in U.S. investment over the next five years, some of which was always necessary and some of which will never happen. [Toyoda] has read President Trump's playbook and understands what makes him happy," AutoForecast Solutions manufacturing expert Sam Fiorani said to Yahoo Finance.

By announcing "new" investment in the US that was already likely to happen  and couching it as an investment  Toyota handed Trump a win he so desperately needed. As polls show, Americans blame the president for higher prices.

Toyota CEO Koji Sato sees his boss's moves as pragmatic.

"When you think about the decisions that Akio Toyoda makes, it is not based on mere economic logic. He has this strong belief when he makes decisions. It's about: 'Will this be the best for our customers," he said to Automotive News. "Stakeholders may say many things, but he always sticks to this principle and belief."

Toyota's near-term investments announced last week of $912 million and 252 new jobs added across five plants in the US show the initial path Toyota is taking  one that's not the huge blast of investment that Trump and the White House want right away.

Tundra trucks and Sequoia SUVs exit the assembly line as finished products at Toyota's truck plant in San Antonio, Texas. (JORDAN VONDERHAAR/REUTERS)

Fiorani is skeptical that the full amount will be spent at all, with jobs like those in Canada and Mexico not coming to the US. "In Toyota's plan, announcing investments in the U.S. will help keep the administration happy. Until a new USMCA is negotiated next year, there's no reason to move production from Mexico or Canada."

That's because the original USMCA agreement is up for formal review in 2026, which the Brookings Institution said could lead to renegotiations to update the pact and address compliance issues.

But that's a battle for another day. Until then, Toyota will keep plugging along, selling record numbers of vehicles and still profiting despite tariffs, with chairman Akio Toyoda doing his best Uncle Sam impression and spinning the status quo like a PR vet.

"Toyoda and the team at Toyota want to make sure the Trump administration has a win. Toyota updating plants, adding 252 jobs, and shifting hybrid Corolla production from Japan allows them to claim that win," Fiorani said.

StockStory aims to help individual investors beat the market.

Pras Subramanian is Lead Auto Reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on X and on Instagram.

Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro rallied his supporters on Tuesday during a march in the countrys capital, Caracas. Dressed in camouflage fatigues and brandishing a sword, Maduro vowed to protect his homeland from any possible U.S. threat. His defiant stance comes as tensions between Venezuela and the U.S. have reached a seemingly critical level, with the latter expanding its military presence in the Caribbean Sea. Since September, the Trump Administration has launched over 20 strikes on boats it alleges are smuggling narcotics, killing at least 80 people.

We must be ready to defend every inch of this blessed land from imperialist threat or aggression, no matter where it comes from, Maduro told his cheering supporters. There is no excuse for anyone to fail at this decisive moment, for the existence of the Republic, no excuse.

Its thought the sword held by Maduro once belonged to the late military officer Simon Bolivar, who played a key role in securing Venezuelas independence.

Maduros public rallying cry against any international threat comes amid escalating friction with the U.S.

The U.S. Department of State on Monday officially designated the Cartel de los Soles, headed by Nicolas Maduro and other high-ranking individuals of the illegitimate Maduro regime, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). A statement authored by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubioa key figure in the U.S.-Venezuela tensionssaid neither Maduro nor his cronies represent Venezuelas legitimate government.

The Trump Administration, much like the Biden Administration before them, does not recognize Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela. Maduro became President of Venezuela following Hugo Chavezs death in 2013. He was sworn in for a third term in January, despite widespread concern over the legitimacy of the country's election results.

Trump has previously claimed the Venezuelan cartel Tren De Aragua is under the control of Maduro. (A claim reportedly at odds with an assessment by U.S. analysts.)

Maduro speaks during a civic-military event at the military academy in Caracas, Venezuela, on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. Ariana CubillosAP

Amid unconfirmed reports that the U.S. may soon launch a new phase of its Venezuela operations, Trump was asked by reporters aboard Air Force One on Tuesday if he plans on speaking with Maduro.

I might talk to him. Well see, but were discussing that with the different staffs. We might talk with Venezuela, Trump replied. If we can save lives, if we could do things the easy way, thats fine. And if we have to do it the hard way, thats fine, too.

Trump and his Administration have argued the U.S. military action in the Caribbean Sea is necessary to curb the flow of drugs into the United States. But the Presidents approach has drawn plenty of criticism and concern, even from within his own party.

The strategic objective of militarizing a War on Drugs is unclear at best and, while not currently desired or contemplated, these operations could conceivably lead to direct military conflict with Venezuela or even operations inside the United States, said Republican Sen. Todd Young of Indiana earlier this month.

The USS Sampson (DDG 102), a U.S. Navy missile destroyer, docks at the Amador International Cruise Terminal in Panama City, Panama, on Sept. 2, 2025, amid a broader U.S. naval presence in Latin American and Caribbean waters.

Daniel GonzalezGetty Images

The U.S. public has also seemingly shown a strong opposition to the Trump Administrations actions regarding this matter. A CBS News/YouGov poll, conducted Nov. 19-21, showed that 70% of respondents opposed U.S. military action in Venezuela, and 56% believe any military action would have no effect on the amount of drugs entering the U.S.

There have also been global implications, as some countries have now suspendedor curtailedpart of their intelligence sharing with the U.S. over the boat strikes.

Adding to the international condemnation, Cubas Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez on Tuesday denounced the U.S. military presence in the region, calling it an "exaggerated and aggressive" threat. He went on to appeal to the people of the U.S. to stop the madness.

Colombia has taken a similar stance against the boat strikes and growing U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean. Colombian President Gustavo Petro previously accused Secretary Rubio and Trump of being wrong about the people targeted on the boats. Petro has also argued that the fight against drugs must be subordinated to the human rights of the Caribbean people.

Write to Olivia-Anne Cleary at olivia-anne.cleary@time.com.
Monterey County Sheriff's Office Facebook Rescue teams search for the missing man at Garrapata State Park in Monterey County, Calif.

NEED TO KNOW

A 35-year-old man remains missing after he was swept into the ocean at a California beach on Nov. 22

He has been identified by authorities as U.S. Army Spc. Amanpreet Thind of New Jersey

Just eight days before he disappeared, a father and his young daughter died after they were pulled into the water at the same beach

A missing man identified as a U.S. Army soldier was swept away at the same California beach where a father and his 7-year-old daughter were pulled from over a week earlier, authorities said.

On Monday, Nov. 24, officials revealed that the missing man is Amanpreet Thind, a U.S. Army Specialist from New Jersey, who first disappeared three days prior at Garrapata State Park in Monterey County. Thind is a student at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, the Monterey County Sheriffs Office said in a news release.

As search and recovery operations continue, we hold out hope that Spc. Thind will be found, Col. Christy L. Whitfield, commandant at the institute, said in a statement.

We offer our deepest condolences to the Thind family during this difficult time, Whitfield continued. We are providing those impacted with every resource and support service available and extend our heartfelt gratitude to local, state, and national first responders working tirelessly to locate Spc. Thind.

The Monterey County Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for further comment.

On Nov. 22, around 3 p.m. local time, authorities said they received reports that a man, later identified as Thind, and two women had been swept from the rocks into the ocean at Soberanes Point. The unidentified women who were caught in the surf were able to self-rescue, and have since been released from the hospital with minor injuries, officials said. But Thind still hasnt been found.

After he was pulled into the Pacific Ocean, a multi-agency search involving helicopters and vessels was launched. By 4:24 p.m. local time, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter found what appeared to be a body in the water, but the dangerous surf conditions resulted in lost visual contact.

Search and rescue teams were not able to relocate the missing man, who was wearing a white turban and a black shirt, shorts and vest. Teams searched for Thing until 7:00 p.m. that evening, but had to stop because of the dark and bad conditions, authorities said.

The search began again on Sunday, Nov. 23, but strong winds and hazardous conditions impacted the operation, including divers looking for Thind under the water. Teams were out again on Monday morning, but by the afternoon, the water conditions were too dangerous to enter, the sheriffs office said.

Getty Garrapata State Park in California.

Conditions appear favorable for Wednesday, and a water search may begin depending on those conditions, authorities continued on Monday. Local officials urge the public not to enter the Soberanes Point area as the search is ongoing. A beach hazard warning remained in effect until late that night, and authorities said that rip currents and sneaker waves with breaks of 13 to 18 feet were possible.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Monterey County Sheriff's Office Facebook First responders have looked for the missing man since Saturday, Nov. 22.

The extreme conditions proved deadly just over a week ago, when a 7-year-old girl and her dad were swept into the ocean by 15-to-20-foot waves at Garrapata State Park. They both died, authorities said.

The public is asked to stay off rocks and back from the water's edge, the sheriffs office wrote. Ocean waves are unpredictable and pose a safety hazard to the public.



Read the original article on People
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is traveling to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday to meet with his counterpart and Dominican President Luis Abinader as the U.S. has amassed a stunning amount of warships and forces in the Caribbean Sea.

Hegseth will meet with the president, Minister of Defense Lt. Gen. Carlos Antonio Fernandez Onofre and Cabinet officials to strengthen defense relationships and reaffirm Americas commitment to defend the homeland, protect our regional partners and ensure stability and security across the Americas, according to a Pentagon notice of the trip.

The trip comes a day after Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine was in Trinidad and Tobago to meet with the countrys prime minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, and members of her Cabinet  the second time hes visited the region since the U.S. military in September started building up its presence there.

Caine and his senior enlisted adviser also on Monday visited American troops in Puerto Rico and on a Navy warship in the region.

Top Pentagon officials are increasingly visiting the Caribbean as the U.S. seeks to ramp up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whom Washington has deemed an illegitimate leader. The U.S. military has deployed strikes on small boats that the Trump administration claims, without public evidence, are smuggling drugs bound for the U.S.

The strikes have killed more than 80 people on 21 alleged drug boats.

In addition, the Pentagon has amassed military assets in the U.S. Southern Command (Southcom) area of responsibility, such as the USS Gerald R. Ford, F-35s, the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit and spy planes.

In September, Caine and Hegseth visited Puerto Rico after ships carrying hundreds of U.S. Marines arrived for war drills, according to officials.

Further turning up the heat against Caracas, Washington is designating the countrys Cartel de los Soles a foreign terrorist organization and accusing Maduro of being its leader.

The visits this week come as President Trump has refused to rule out using U.S. military force or putting troops on the ground in Venezuela, but he has also floated the idea of holding talks with Maduro.

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Illustration: Eddie Marshall | Midjourney | Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Federal prosecutions against nine members of what the Justice Department calls a "North Texas Antifa Cell," allegedly responsible for an anti-immigration enforcement demonstration that turned violent in July, are scheduled to move forward to arraignment next week. The supposed members are facing charges that range from attempted murder to providing materials to support terrorists. But it is one defendant's case, based on the transportation of "anti-law enforcement, anti-government, and anti-immigration enforcement documents," that raises serious First Amendment concerns.

On the night of July 4, anti-immigration enforcement protestors arrived at the Prairieland Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Alvarado, Texas. According to the indictment, these individuals "began shooting and throwing fireworksand vandalizing vehicles and a guard shed." In response, a Department of Homeland Security officer called local police. Shortly after an Alvarado Police Department officer arrived, shots were allegedly fired from protestors, and the officer was nonlethally struck in the neck.

The incident eventually led to the arrest of 16 individuals, some of whom were not present at the Prairieland ICE facility during the shooting.

Although Daniel Rolando Sanchez was not at the facility when shots were fired, his wife, Maricela Reuda, was and was subsequently arrested. According to the criminal complaint filed against Sanchez, Reuda called her husband from the Johnston County Jail and told him to do "whatever you need to do, move whatever you need to move at the house."

Officers later watched Sanchez load a box from his home onto his truck and then drop it at another residence. Sanchez was stopped shortly after and arrested on state traffic offenses. Following his arrest, law enforcement conducted a search warrant at the second residence and "found in what appears to be the same box [Sanchez] was seen carrying a handwritten training, tactics, and planning document for civil unrest with anti-law enforcement, anti-government, and anti-Trump sentiments." The documents inside included zines and pamphlets ICE called on X "literal insurrectionist propaganda."

Based on this, Sanchez faces up to 40 years in prison for conspiring to and "transport[ing] a box that contained numerous Antifa materialsintending to conceal the contents of the box and impair its availability for use in a federal grand jury and federal criminal proceeding," according to the most recent indictment.

But these materials, although controversial in their advocacy for insurrection, squatting, and anarchy, are all squarely constitutionally protected speech. The government cannot infringe upon one's First Amendment right to read, possess, or writeunless the author is inciting imminent lawless actionanti-government or pro-revolution literature. And while some may see the ideas in Sanchez's box as dangerous, anti-government zines and pamphlets are far more similar to the Revolutionary-era literature popular when the First Amendment was passed than today's social media landscape, as Seth Stern of The Intercept points out.

However, after President Donald Trump signed an executive order in September designating "antifa" as a "major terrorist organization, prosecutors, like the ones in Sanchez's case, are attempting to use materials that "explicitly [call] for the overthrow of the United States Government, law enforcement authorities, and our system of law" as evidence of criminality, despite their constituitonal protection.

Sanchez's case shows why giving the government the power to designate and prosecute "domestic terrorist organizations" is so dangerous. Whether it's writing an op-ed or being lumped into the vague anti-fascist movement, sweeping government powers always lead to the same result: constitutional rights violations and shuttering dissent.

The post Texas Man Faces Up to 40 Years in Prison for Transporting Constitutionally Protected Pamphlets appeared first on Reason.com.
For the not-for-profits, the benefit of our low-cost storage and the predictability of what you get with no hidden fees [and] no egress charges  makes sure that they stay within their budget, explained Dharmadasa.

This type of conversation will be important as artificial intelligence (AI) starts to become a topic of discussion between Thomas Peer and its customers.

These days, we are talking to our customers about AI and how they can utilise it, explained Dharmadasa. Now, most of the customers, they dont even know how they, can take advantage of AI.

They dont know whether to increase the performance, to cut costs, or to enhance their products  they dont have a clue, he said.

We are trying to educate our customers on how they look at adopting AI. They need to understand data is the key when adopting AI. Theres a lot of data that you got to analyse, and this data must be local for it to be processed.

However not all data can be kept local, and there must be a process where data is deposited in an archival state to bring it locally whenever customers want, Dharmadasa explained.

For the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, this information will be fundamental to the next iteration of its digital initiative.

From our perspective, what were looking is we have storage of all the Museums audio, video, text files and in a different cloud provider, noted John. Were looking at moving that to Wasabi, since we are familiar with it.

We can incorporate AI to automate some of the tasks and we definitely have plans to expand, not only just for the Microsoft platform, but also for audio and video files which are stored from our two core museums.

AI makes data more important than ever and having neutral access creates value, said Wasabi Australia and New Zealand country manager Craig Stockdale. Also, AI workloads push data access and storage to the forefront as AI requires large volumes of data with fast, secure retrieval.

In sectors like healthcare, vendor-neutral archiving isnt the only main draw, he explained. Being vendor-neutral but also avoiding excessive access of retrieval egress fees, this lets customers access their data freely.

People want to preserve their data, they want to have access to it, and AI is even more of a catalyst for being able to centralise and consume that data, having the ability to run modelling, he explained. We see that the advent of AI just even provides more impetus to the need for data and fast access to that data, and certainly without locking from any of the other vendors.

GLAMs, as we call them, which are the galleries, libraries, archives and museums, has been a wonderful market for us.

For these GLAMS, they start with having a backup copy and immutable copy for cyber security reasons in Wasabi.

The next step of this is they want to know what they can do with that data and utilise that in a way that allows them to use AI to get the best out of automation, Stockdale said.
US-based managed security services provider (MSSP) LevelBlue has completed its acquisition of cyber security vendor Cybereason to boost its managed detection and response (MDR), incident response and cyber security consulting offerings.

As a result of the deal, which was announced last month, both companies will combine their AI-powered threat detection, human skills and response capabilities to help clients reduce risk and build cyber resilience.

Additionally, LevelBlues service portfolio for clients and partners and geographic reach is expanded across North America, Europe, and Asia  in the latter case, particularly Japan.

The MSSPs added capabilities include stronger endpoint security through extended detection and response (XDR) and MDR, digital forensics and incident response (DFIR) services, smarter threat intelligence, enhanced AI capabilities, offensive and defensive synergy, and technology-agnostics integration.

When asked by ARN about LevelBlues plans regarding the transition of Cybereasons Sydney-based workers, the MSSP said it will asset its real estate and office footprint in line with long-term growth objectives.

Cybereason has embraced a remote and hybrid model and maintains a distributed workforce, which aligns well with LevelBlues approach to talent and operations. Decisions regarding regional presence, including in Sydney, will be made based on business needs and operational priorities, the MSSP said.
After Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis, Leo XIV is now visiting the country on his first apostolic trip abroad. From the post-Regensburg controversy to the attacks over the Armenian genocide, the Turkish leader and his predecessors have had a sometimes troubled relationship with Roman pontiffs. For Fr Monge, the type of unity proposed by Pope Leo XIV is an expression of diversity reconciled by the Holy Spirit.

Istanbul (AsiaNews)  Leo XIV is the third pontiff after Francis and Benedict XVI to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who has had a chequered relationship with Roman pontiffs.

The Turkish leader took strong issue with Pope Francis's condemnation of the Armenian genocide and the controversy caused by Joseph Ratzinger's speech at the University of Regensburg, which was harshly criticised in some quarters of the Islamic world.

For the Argentine Pope, a visit to Turkey for the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea became an unfulfilled dream when he passed away. He had already visited the country in 2014, a year after he ascended to the petrine throne.

Since it straddles Europe and Asia, Turkey acts as an essential crossroads of encounter and dialogue, especially now at a crucial yet complicated time in the history of the Middle East.

Despite some difficult moments, the century-old relations between Turkey and the Holy See (diplomatic relations date back to 1868 with the former Ottoman Empire) have been marked by friendliness. Four pontiffs before Leo XIV have visited the country.

Paul VI came in 1967, during which he commemorated his historic 1964 meeting with the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Athenagoras I, as well as members of the Armenian, Muslim, and Jewish communities.

John Paul II visited in November 1979, while his successor, Benedict XVI, made an apostolic journey in 2006, including a historic visit to the famous Blue Mosque, becoming the second pontiff to enter the Islamic place of worship.

Regarding the relationship between the incumbent Turkish president and Roman pontiffs, one can mention the bitter clash with Francis over the pope's use of the term "genocide" in connection with the mass killing of Armenians (and Chaldeans) in 1915 by the former Ottoman Empire.

The Argentine pontiff was the first to openly use the word genocide, triggering a harsh reaction from Turkey's top political and religious leaders, who have always been sensitive in the matter.

In fact, while the Turkish leader expressed his country's "condolences" for the violence against the Armenians, he has always rejected the term genocide to describe the events that took place during the First World War.

Benedict XVI's trip in November 2006 is remembered for his historic visit to the Blue Mosque, the second pope in office to enter a Muslim place of worship, and part of efforts to boost Muslim-Christian relations.

However, the echoes of German pontiffs speech at the University of Regensburg, Germany, almost three months earlier, which sparked a major controversy after it was more or less consciously distorted, cast a shadow over the visit from the moment of his arrival, with more than 25,000 Turkish nationalists taking to the streets in protest in the capital.

Then-Prime Minister Erdogan exploited the issue for a time for domestic consumption to gain support among Islamists and conservatives, which was compounded by another element of controversy between pontiff and sultan, namely the row over Benedict XVI's alleged opposition to Turkey's accession to the European Union.

Dominican Father Claudio Monge, who has been in the country for 24 years where he serves as the director of DOST-I, the Dominican Study Institute Istanbul (dost means close friend in Turkish), also spoke about Leo XIV's apostolic journey to Turkey (and Lebanon), on Taccuino Celeste, the Mondo e Missione podcast.

In it, the priest stressed that in his first visit abroad, the pontiff was not simply "fulfilling a wish of his own predecessor," Francis. On the contrary, Leo is putting a "clear personal mark" by combining "the memory of the ancient faith of Nicaea with a very concrete objective," that of "strengthening synodal dialogue between the Churches."

"The unity he seeks," the priest noted, "is not an imposed uniformity" in the style of the Pax Constantiniana, but an "expression of diversity reconciled by the Holy Spirit."

According to Father Monge, to overcome identity barriers, we must return to the heart of the Christian mystery and stop dwelling on a somewhat nostalgic memory of the past."

In Istanbul, he said, Pope Leo "will meet not only with Patriarch Bartholomew, but also with the leaders of the other Eastern Churches for moments of common prayer. And with the decision to unite Turkey and Lebanon in a single journey," he restores to the Mediterranean Sea "a central role, that of the spiritual and human heart of a Europe in difficulty, struggling to rediscover its ancient vocation."

"Finally, the priest explained, faced with war in the Middle East, migration, and the climate crisis, the Holy Father renews the appeal he made on the day of his election, which today becomes an even more heartfelt cry. It is time to disarm hearts.
by Arundathie Abeysinghe

Growth linked to increased global demand, with new opportunities for the country to monetise its natural resources responsibly. For environmentalists, mangroves could yield over a million carbon credits per year. A regulatory framework is being developed to distribute the proceeds from emissions trading to local communities.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - The carbon market, an emerging reality that is becoming increasingly valuable in Sri Lanka, to the point of becoming a leading investment frontier, has recently attracted hundreds of millions of dollars in new financing.

The so-called carbon market is a system that allows companies and governments to buy and sell carbon credits, i.e. permits to emit greenhouse gases, with the aim of reducing global emissions and mitigating climate change. Behind the boom is a parallel increase in global demand for high-quality carbon credits, creating new opportunities for the country to monetise its natural resources in a responsible manner.

According to senior officials at the Ministry of Environment, thanks to the growing global demand for high-quality carbon credits, Sri Lanka can monetise its natural resources in a responsible manner. Currently, carbon markets, the note continues, represent a billion-dollar industry, and Sri Lanka cannot afford to remain on the sidelines.

With credible monitoring and scientific bases, we can transform forests, wetlands and renewable energy projects into sustainable financial resources. The ministry's goal, it concludes, is to generate 0-300 million per year within a decade. During the first five years, over 0 million in climate finance investments could flow into reforestation, mangrove, renewable energy and industrial decarbonisation projects.

Ministry officials are currently working on creating a science-based and internationally aligned carbon market architecture. Investors will therefore benefit from clear guidelines, combined with a reporting standard and a system free from manipulation. This is the way, experts warn, in which such a market can function without obstacles. To meet global standards, a national registry, verification guidelines and project methodologies are also being considered.

When interviewed by AsiaNews, environmentalists Manohari Wijewardana and Udara Dissanayaka explained that "Sri Lanka's mangrove ecosystems are among the densest in South Asia, covering approximately 16,615 hectares; the largest areas are mainly located in the regions of Puttalam-Kalpitiya (north-western province) and Batticaloa (eastern province), in association with the estuaries" of waterways.

The researchers warn that these areas are expected to generate 'over one million carbon credits per year, while new forest management and restoration programmes are being developed for long-term credit issuance. As nature-based solutions offer ecological and economic benefits, Sri Lanka is on track to restore 10,000 hectares of mangroves by 2030, they conclude.

In February 2024, as part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), a large-scale ecosystem restoration initiative was introduced.

The project, one of seven defined as pilot by the United Nations, aimed to increase mangrove coverage on the island by more than 50%. Once operational, this programme will give further impetus to Sri Lanka's goal of reaching the cutting-edge investment frontier, researchers Manohari and Udara pointed out.

Scholars Sampath Amarakoon and Randesh Mendis believe that Sri Lanka is emerging as a carbon market and that the government is actively developing regulations and a national registry to monetise natural resources, particularly forests and mangroves.

The hope, they continue, is to attract significant foreign investment to generate annual revenues that could fund reforestation, renewable energy and decarbonisation projects. To achieve this goal, they warn, it is necessary to establish credible monitoring, including verification guidelines, and a national registry to ensure that its carbon credits are accepted internationally.

In the meantime, the island nation's extraordinary blue carbon ecosystems offer a powerful tool for climate mitigation and adaptation, providing abundant co-benefits essential to the well-being of people and nature. It is therefore essential to prioritise social equity by ensuring strong governance. It is also necessary to manage financing efforts prudently, placing the interests of local communities and ecosystems at the centre.

Finally, a regulatory framework is currently being developed to ensure that revenues from carbon trading are distributed to local communities involved in conservation activities, such as those protecting mangroves. The country needs to obtain certification from international agencies before engaging in carbon trading.
SYRIA

Syrian security forces intervened yesterday in the coastal city of Latakia to disperse two groups of protesters. Hundreds of Alawites (belonging to the community from which former dictator Bashar al-Assad also came) had gathered to demand a decentralised political system and the release of men they say have been unjustly imprisoned. Supporters of the current government then began shouting insults at the Alawites, and clashes broke out. There is no official information on any casualties. In recent days, in the city of Homs, the curfew had been extended following tensions that erupted after the killing of a Bedouin couple.

TAIWAN

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has proposed a special budget of billion to boost the island's defence capabilities in response to pressure from the United States. If adopted, the package would fund military programmes until 2033, while Lai is already seeking to allocate 3% of GDP to defence spending next year. The announcement comes at a time of particular tension in the region due to statements by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a situation that experts say will not be resolved in the short term and will continue to be marked by mutual retaliation.

CHINA - TAJIKISTAN

The trade balance between Tajikistan and China in the first ten months of 2025 exceeded two billion dollars, with most of the transactions involving raw materials, primarily metals and mining products, obtained thanks to the support of Chinese companies, but also collaboration in the fields of energy, transport and agriculture, as agreed by President Emomali Rakhmon and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

INDONESIA

Jakarta has officially banned the consumption of dog meat following pressure from animal rights groups. According to Dog Meat Free Indonesia, in the province of Solo Raya in central Java alone, 13,700 dogs are killed every month, many of which are at risk of rabies. In Jakarta, 400 dogs are killed every day, while an estimated 70,000 are consumed in Bali each year.

THAILAND

Some regions of Thailand are facing record floods that have killed at least 33 people so far and forced local authorities to deploy military ships and helicopters to facilitate rescue efforts. More than 2 million people have been affected by the rains, but only 13,000 have been moved to shelters, while the death toll in Vietnam has risen to 98 and 19,000 people in Malaysia have left their homes.

PAKISTAN - AFGHANISTAN

The Taliban government in Kabul yesterday promised to respond to missile attacks carried out by Pakistan on its territory, but Islamabad denied responsibility. According to Mr Mustaghfir Gurbuz, spokesman for the governor of Khost, one of the three provinces affected yesterday, the raids were carried out by drones and aircraft. The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns this violation and reiterates that defending its airspace, territory and people is its legitimate right and that it will respond appropriately at the right time, said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

BANGLADESH

A huge fire has devastated one of Dhaka's largest slums, Korail, leaving thousands of people homeless. No injuries have been reported so far, but residents said the destruction was almost total. With nearly 80,000 inhabitants, the settlement is wedged between the affluent neighbourhoods of Gulshan and Banani. At least 19 fire engines were dispatched to put out the blaze. The cause of the fire remains unclear.

BELARUS

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 31 Ukrainian citizens convicted in Belarus for various crimes, a decision taken at the request of Ukraine and to support the agreements with US President Donald Trump to create the conditions for resolving the conflict, as explained by spokeswoman Natalia Ejsmont, who stressed that it was a gesture of goodwill based on principles of humanism, such as the release of two Catholic priests, Andrzej Jukhnevicz and Genrikh Okolotovic, at the request of Pope Leo XIV. Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine, beyond the ongoing peace negotiations, are preparing for a new large-scale prisoner exchange, which is expected to bring 1,200 soldiers back to Ukraine.
During todays audience in St Peter's, the pontiff spoke about his upcoming visit to Turkey and Lebanon (27 November-2 December). In his address, he called on the faithful to accompany me with prayers. Yesterday in Castel Gandolfo, he said that his trip will be an exceptional opportunity to promote unity. Speaking about Israeli raids in Beirut, he called for "the pursuit of peace." In his Jubilee catechesis, he said that the lack of confidence in life is a widespread sickness.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  At the end of todays general audience in St Peter's Square, Pope Leo XIV spoke about his upcoming apostolic journey to Turkey and Lebanon, which will start tomorrow, 27 November, until 2 December, the first of his pontificate (see the schedule), with a major stop on Friday in Iznik, known as Nicaea in antiquity, for the 1,700th anniversary of the first Christian ecumenical council.

For the pontiff, it will be a "visit to the beloved peoples of those countries rich in history and spirituality," as well as an opportunity to meet with "the Catholic community, our Christian brothers and sisters, and those of other religions. I ask you to accompany me with prayers," he added.

Speaking yesterday evening to the press in Castel Gandolfo, at the end of his weekly day of rest, he said: I think it will be an exceptional opportunity to promote unity among all Christians.

Regarding recent Israeli attacks in Beirut targeting Hezbollah military chief Haytham Ali Tabatabai, which killed at least six people, the pontiff said he understands the "concern" about his upcoming trip, taking the opportunity to issue an appeal: "Look for ways to abandon the use of weapons as a means of solving problems, and encouraging all people to seek peace, to seek justice, because violence is often the result of injustice, and to work to "find solutions."

This morning, after a long tour in the popemobile to greet the thousands of faithful in St Peter's, Leo read the catechesis on the topic of Hoping in life in order to beget life, which is part of the cycle for the Jubilee Jesus Christ our Hope.

He began saying that the Pasch of Christ illuminates the mystery of life and allows us to look at it with hope. Yet, despite this, Many lives, in every part of the world, appear laborious, painful, filled with problems and obstacles to be overcome.

Life, a gift that every human being receives, is offered to us, we cannot give it to ourselves, and must be constantly nurtured with care. Indeed, the question about life is one of the most profound concerns of the human heart, he added.

But living invokes meaning, direction, hope, which prevents us from giving up in the fatigue of the journey. Without it, life risks appearing to be a parenthesis between two eternal nights.

Instead, To hope in life means instead to anticipate the destination, to believe as certain what we still cannot see or touch, to trust and to entrust ourselves to the love of a Father who created us because he wanted us with love, and wants us to be happy, the pope said.

The lack of trust in life is, he underlined, a widespread sickness in our time. With it, Life risks no longer representing a gift, and becomes something unknown. For this reason, the courage to live and to generate life, to bear witness that God is the quintessential lover of life, as the Book of Wisdom (11:26) affirms, is today a more urgent call than ever, Leo said.

We must first remember that Christ is life and has generated life without reserve, to the point of giving his own, and he invites us too to give our lives. To generate means to bring someone else to life. As for the duet of man and woman: God created them in his own image and entrusted them with the mission of generating in his image, that is, for love and in love.

Still, in the Holy Scriptures, it happens that life can become a tragedy, tainted by jealousy, envy, and blood, as happened to Cain and Abel.

God, said the pontiff, always stays faithful to his plan of love and life; he does not tire of supporting humanity even when, following in Cains footsteps, it obeys the blind instinct of violence in war, discrimination, racism, and the many forms of slavery.

To generate is to promote humanity in all its expressions. It is first and foremost, in the wonderful adventure of motherhood and fatherhood, even in social contexts in which families struggle to bear the burden of daily life, and are often held back in their plans and dreams.

At the same time, it is a commitment to an economy based on solidarity, striving for a common good equally enjoyed by all, respecting and caring for creation, offering comfort through listening, presence, and concrete and selfless help.
26 November 2025 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Azerbaijan, located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, has long been defined by its abundant natural resources and its pivotal role in shaping the global oil and gas industry. From hosting the worlds first industrial oil well to pioneering offshore engineering, the countrys history is marked by innovation and resilience. Yet today, as the world questions the sustainability of hydrocarbons and accelerates the shift toward cleaner energy, Azerbaijan and the broader Caspian region face a critical crossroads. For policymakers and industry leaders, the question is no longer whether the energy transition will occur, but how the region can navigate it while maintaining its strategic relevance and economic strength.

Against this backdrop, Baku hosted the 2025 Caspian Technical Conference (CTC), organized by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), which brings together 132,000 specialists from 146 countries. Supported by SOCAR and themed Learning from the Past, Innovating Today, Inspiring the Future, the conference underscored how the region must use its historical experience to respond to modern challenges. Over two days, experts examined issues ranging from digitalization, AI-driven reservoir optimization and drilling efficiency to decarbonization, operational excellence and workforce transformationall of which form the backbone of the Caspians evolving energy landscape. Alongside the sessions, a technology exhibition showcased tools and innovations that could redefine the next decades of extraction and infrastructure management.

The core message emerging from the discussions is that hydrocarbons remain indispensable, yet the methods of extracting them must change. Azerbaijans flagship AzeriChiragGunashli (ACG) field illustrates this challenge clearly: once capable of wells producing 2030 thousand barrels a day, current wells yield only 23 thousand as geological conditions grow more complex. bps Regional President for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkiye, Giovanni Cristofoli, warned that leaving 6080% of remaining resources underground is neither economically nor strategically tolerable, and emphasized that only advanced technologyhorizontal drilling, robotics, digital twins, precision pressure managementcan sustain production in such mature reservoirs. His remarks align with S&P Global Ratings recent findings that SOCARs hydrocarbon output is expected to gradually decline under its current operational model unless modernization accelerates.

At the same time, global investor behavior has shifted dramatically. As BCG Azerbaijans Managing Director Vladimir Rogov noted, major energy companies are prioritizing shareholder returns over reinvestment, raising hurdle rates and demanding quicker, higher-value outcomes. This places pressure on regional projects, especially as Caspian CAPEX has fallen by nearly 50% compared to the previous decade after large-scale projects in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan moved into production phases. Yet irony lies in the fact that the Caspian still holds immense potential: while the region accounts for only 2% of global oil reserves, it holds nearly 10% of global gas reserves and remains a critical bridge between Europe and Asia. Rogov stressed that the basin is still underexplored due to historically low geological spending, and that new surveys, MoUs and renewed exploration activity are beginning to reveal fresh prospects. Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), widely used elsewhere, remains underutilized in the Caspian, representing one of the most immediate opportunities for boosting output from aging assets.

SOCAR Vice President Babek Huseynov echoed the sentiment that the region is undergoing a fundamental turning point. Reflecting on the Caspians long industrial legacy, he emphasized that many Azerbaijani fields have been producing for decades yet remain essential for energy security and regional stability. Maintaining their productivity now requires not only new technology but new ideas, skills and approaches. Huseynov highlighted SOCARs commitment to revitalizing mature fieldsciting the Bahar field as an example, once considered exhausted with a recovery rate below 10%, but now recognized to hold considerable untapped potential thanks to updated geological assessments. He stressed that digital tools, automation, artificial intelligence and advanced recovery techniques are increasingly central to SOCARs strategy, while investment in the next generation of engineers is becoming equally critical as earlier generations retire.

The energy transition is both inevitable and complex. bps Energy Outlook indicates that global energy demand in 2050 will be roughly 10% higher than today, and even under a scenario limiting global warming to below 2C, oil and gas will still supply around one-third of global energy needs. This reality positions Azerbaijan not only as a region in transition but as a region that will remain vital to global energy security for decades. The Caspians challenge is therefore not about choosing between hydrocarbons and renewables, but about modernizing hydrocarbon production while gradually integrating low-carbon solutions, enabling the region to remain competitive in a world that demands cleaner, more efficient resources.

Ultimately, the future of Caspian energy will depend less on the volume of remaining resources and more on the regions ability to adapt. Success will require innovation-driven extraction, increased investor confidence, revitalization of mature fields, strategic workforce development and a willingness to blend historical experience with modern technology. Azerbaijans past has secured its place on the world energy map; its future will depend on how boldly it reinvents itself for a new energy era.
26 November 2025 15:26 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

A meeting was held between Rovshan Rustamov, Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways (ADY), part of AZCON Holding, and Oleg Belozyorov, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of Russian Railways (RZD), Azernews reports citing ADY.

During the discussions, the two countries railway administrations reviewed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, improve route efficiency, and ensure the safety of freight operations. The officials also exchanged views on ongoing initiatives to digitalize freight transportation, including the implementation of digital solutions, accelerated data sharing, and optimization of the logistics chain.

The meeting concluded with the signing of an agreement on bilateral electronic data exchange between Azerbaijan Railways and Russian Railways. The agreement is expected to enhance the efficiency of freight transport and enable fully digital document circulation.
26 November 2025 16:05 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Five years ago, on September 27, the 44-day Patriotic War began, a defining moment in Azerbaijan's history, Azernews reports.

Under the leadership of President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, territories that had been under occupation for nearly 30 years were liberated and returned to their rightful owner.

In recognition of this significant event, President Ilham Aliyev issued a decree on July 31, 2023, which officially designated November 25 as Kalbajar City Day. This day is now a symbol of the liberation and revitalization of Kalbajar.

To mark Kalbajar City Day, a series of commemorative events were held in the city, co- organized by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the Special Representative Office of the Azerbaijani President in Kalbajar district.

As part of the celebration, the team from the Ganja State National Drama Theater presented the play "Tig-tig Khanum" by Abdullah Shaiga to the young audience.

Directed by Shahmar Mammadov, with set designer Vahab Jafarov and musical designer Ziyad Abbasov, the team created a vibrant musical fairy tale on stage, where the educational ideas of the author were harmoniously combined with music and dance. The performance was warmly received and accompanied by loud applause.

The central square of Kalbajar was filled with thematic exhibitions. Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli, the Special Representative of the President Bashir Hajiyev, official representatives, and local residents toured the displays.

The photo exhibition "Kalbajar  Through the Lens of History", organized by the Azerbaijan Photographers Union, showcased 44 works symbolizing the 44 days of the Patriotic War. The photographs captured Kalbajar before and after the occupation, its natural landscapes, historical monuments, and the processes of restoring the liberated territories. The exhibition created a visual bridge between the past, present, and future of the region.

The exhibition "Memory", prepared by the National Carpet Museum, displayed rare examples of carpet weaving from Garabagh and Kalbajar. Special attention was drawn to the recreated alachigh, a traditional nomadic dwelling that reveals the ethnographic characteristics of the region.

"The Palette of Kalbajar  Wealth Reflected in Paintings" featured works by local artists created during their creative trips to the region. The paintings conveyed the unique nature, ancient history, and the spirit of Victory that accompanied the liberation of the city.

The exhibition also showcased examples of folk art: woodcarving, inlay, and felt-making crafts. Some artisans demonstrated the process of creating their works. Workshops were organized for children, where they painted landscapes of Kalbajar on canvases under the guidance of professional artists. Guests were treated to dishes from the national cuisine.

A spectacular concert was also organized in the city center of Kalbajar. The event began with the Azerbaijan National Anthem, followed by a moment of silence to honor the memory of the martyrs. A video dedicated to Kalbajar was then shown as part of the event.

Bashir Hajiyev, the Special Representative of the Azerbaijani President in Kalbajar district, congratulated all the participants:

"Today, the formal celebration of Kalbajar City Day for the first time is an important event and demonstrates that the district is entering a new phase. It is a proud sight for all of us to witness the revival of culture, tourism, education, and public life in Kalbajar."

The Special Representative noted that, by the decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev on July 31, 2023, titled "On the Establishment of City Days in the Republic of Azerbaijans Liberated Territories," November 25 was declared Kalbajar City Day.

The establishment of Kalbajar City Day is a clear example of the President's attention and care for the people of Kalbajar.

Bashir Hajiyev said that large-scale reconstruction and restoration work is underway in Kalbajar, as in other liberated territories. Since August 20 of this year, the return of displaced persons to Kalbajar city has begun. In a significant event of the Great Return process, President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva met with the residents who moved back to Kalbajar and presented them with the keys to their new homes.

The President's Special Representative emphasized that the large-scale construction work in the region indicates the bright future of the mountainous region and the successful prospects of the Great Return to the liberated territories.

Afterwards, a concert program was presented in honor of Kalbajar City Day. The gala concert featured performances by artists, with music pieces reflecting love for the homeland, the unique beauty of Kalbajar, and victorious, determined musical numbers.

There were also performances by dancers. A bonfire was also lit in the Kalbajar mountains, symbolizing our historical victory. The event concluded with a fireworks display in the city center.

---

Photo Credits: Azerbaijan Culture Ministry
26 November 2025 16:39 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

A student scientific seminar titled "Chinese Cinema: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow" has taken place at the Confucius Institute of the Azerbaijan University of Languages (AUL), Azernews reports.

The seminar was dedicated to the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema.

During the seminar, the Director of the Confucius Institute, Rafiq Abbasov, spoke about the history of Chinese cinema and its "golden age."

He underlined that, due to the development of technology, the expansion of cultural exchange, and the emergence of new platforms for film distribution, Chinese cinema has become a significant player in the global film market. It has earned prestigious awards at international film festivals and continues to increase its influence on global culture.

Abbasov also stressed Azerbaijan's participation in international film festivals held in China, including the China International Film and Television Program Exhibition, the Shanghai International Film and Television Market, the Asia International Film Festival, and the Silk Road International Film Festival.

He mentioned that Azerbaijani films had won special awards at these events and discussed the screenings of Chinese films in Azerbaijan, as well as China's participation in the Baku International Film Festival.

During the seminar, AUL's Chinese studies students gave presentations on several topics, including the first Chinese film in the social drama genre, "New Women", the first feature film, "Yan Ruishen", and the oldest and most popular genre, martial arts cinema, which portrays the struggle of workers and peasants against oppressors, along with "red cinema." They also discussed how the emergence of comedies, realistic love dramas, and epic stories in Chinese cinema is tied to the effort to create a distinct Chinese identity in cinema.

The students also talked about the development trends and future prospects of Chinese cinema, the rise of new genres such as action films, thrillers, historical and family dramas, as well as the adaptation of Chinese legends, and modern genres like musicals, arthouse, and auteur films.

The seminar concluded with a screening of "Curse of the Golden Flower", the most expensive Chinese film in history, which is set during the final years of the Tang Dynasty.
26 November 2025 09:30 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

In line with the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, the Great Return to the liberated territories continues.

Azernews reports that the former IDP families relocated to the city of Kalbajar had previously been temporarily settled in various parts of the country, mainly in dormitories, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings.

In this phase, a total of 27 families comprising 112 people have been resettled in the city of Kalbajar.

The returning residents expressed their gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva for the comprehensive state support they have received. They also conveyed their appreciation to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, whose bravery liberated the countrys lands, and paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives on this path.
26 November 2025 12:02 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, met with the delegation led by Azerbaijans Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, during the latters visit to Pakistan, Azernews reports, citing the Economy Ministry.

During the meeting, both sides emphasized that the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Pakistan continues to grow dynamically across various fields, contributing significantly to economic cooperation.

They noted that high-level reciprocal visits, regular meetings, joint events, and signed agreements play an important role in strengthening mutually beneficial collaboration between the two countries.

The parties also highlighted substantial potential for joint investment activities and broader cooperation in other economic sectors. Discussions included priority areas of bilateral relations and opportunities to diversify business ties.
26 November 2025 13:04 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

An international seminar titled Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity was held in Baku on 2526 November, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry.

According to information, the seminar aimed to enhance the awareness of representatives from relevant Azerbaijani institutions regarding artificial intelligence and related issues in the cybersecurity sphere.

The event brought together experts from NATOs relevant structures, centers of excellence, as well as specialists from member and partner countries of the Alliance.

During the seminar, participants discussed the role of artificial intelligence in securing digital infrastructure, emerging trends in both defensive and offensive uses of AI, and the importance of AI technologies in countering a wide range of cyber threatsincluding malware and information operations.
26 November 2025 14:48 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

On November 26, Azerbaijans Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, Azernews reports, citing the Cabinet of Ministers.

The meeting highlighted that the October 9 summit in Dushanbe between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin provided a significant boost to relations between the two countries across all sectors.

Both sides noted the dynamic development of economic ties between Azerbaijan and Russia and emphasized the promising opportunities for further cooperation.

The discussions focused on the prospects for expanding bilateral collaboration in trade and economic relations, energy, and transport sectors.
26 November 2025 16:18 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

UN-Habitat Executive Director Anaklaudia Rossbax and Anar Guliyev, Chairman of Azerbaijans State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture and National Coordinator for WUF13, briefed international media on preparations for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), scheduled to take place in Baku from May 1722, 2026.

As reported by Azernews, the briefing was held in Nairobi, Kenya, and was moderated by Sultan Hajiyev, Azerbaijans Ambassador to Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo and Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Nairobi.

WUF13 will serve as a crucial global platform for assessing the mid-term implementation of the New Urban Agenda.

Rossbax highlighted the relevance of WUF13s theme, Housing for All: Safe and Sustainable Cities and Communities, emphasizing that the Forum is more than just a conference. Within the global context, WUF13 is an essential platform for evaluating progress on the New Urban Agenda and the UNs Sustainable Development Goal for sustainable cities and communities, she said. It will allow member states and partners to assess commitments, identify gaps, and set priorities for the coming decade in addressing the global housing crisis, which is closely linked to the climate emergency.

She also underscored the significance of 2026 as a pivotal year for the global urban agenda. Rossbax added that WUF13 will host a ministerial meeting on the New Urban Agenda, the outcomes of which will feed into the 2026 global evaluation processes. The Forum will also feature the presentation of the 2026 Global Report on Cities.

Anar Guliyev, WUF13 National Coordinator, outlined Azerbaijans new initiatives as the host country and highlighted the inaugural Leaders Summit as a unique platform for high-level political dialogue on global urban priorities. He emphasized the role of cities and local governments in shaping discussions, while also noting the importance of private sector engagement in promoting innovation, climate-resilient construction, and modern housing technologies.

Preparations for WUF13 are proceeding at full speed. We are coordinating all organizational, logistical, and operational aspects to ensure that the Forum is held as a world-class event grounded in sustainability, inclusiveness, and safety, Guliyev said.

The media briefing in Nairobi was organized as part of the 3rd session of UN-Habitats Executive Board.
26 November 2025 11:02 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

On 25 November, SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf met with Tetsuya Yamada, Chairman of the JapanAzerbaijan Economic Committee and Chief Operating Officer of ITOCHU Corporation, Azernews reports, citing SOCAR.

The meeting highlighted the successful development of mutually beneficial cooperation between Azerbaijan and Japan. It was noted that the constructive discussions held to date have played an important role in strengthening bilateral relations. In this context, the participants recalled with satisfaction the twelfth joint meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Japan, held in Tokyo in September of this year.

During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on joint projects implemented by SOCAR and ITOCHU, and discussed potential areas for cooperation across various segments of the energy sector. They reviewed opportunities related to oil and gas production and transportation, energy infrastructure, the application of modern industrial technologies, and other issues of mutual interest.
26 November 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Alphabet Inc.'s Google is seeking to expand its presence in the artificial intelligence (AI) chip market by encouraging major clients to install its Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) directly in their own data centers, according to a report by The Information, citing sources familiar with the discussions, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

The report states that Google has approached Meta Platforms Inc. and several financial institutions about extending TPU usage beyond Google Cloud services to include hardware integration at client facilities. The move is seen as a way to broaden adoption of Googles AI chips and reduce reliance on Nvidia Corp., which currently dominates the market.

This initiative aligns with Googles intensified AI strategy, which includes announcing a cloud partnership with NATO on Monday and unveiling Gemini 3, its latest AI model, last week.

Analysts suggest that offering TPUs for on-premises integration could reshape the AI hardware landscape, giving enterprises more control over processing power while fostering competition with Nvidia. Some even speculate that this could accelerate the adoption of AI in industries like finance, healthcare, and defense, where large-scale computation and data privacy are critical.

Googles push reflects a broader trend in the AI sector: companies are increasingly seeking specialized hardware to optimize performance, rather than relying solely on cloud-based solutions, signaling a new phase of AI infrastructure evolution.
26 November 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Uber Technologies Inc. and WeRide Inc. launched Level 4 driverless robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, marking the first commercial rollout of fully autonomous rides on the Uber platform outside the United States, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

In a joint announcement, the companies confirmed that the service is supported by the worlds first city-level permit for fully driverless robotaxis issued by a non-US authority. Public operations have begun on Yas Island, with routes gradually expanding under the supervision of Abu Dhabis Integrated Transport Centre.

Earlier this year, Uber and WeRide also announced a robotaxi project in Dubai, aiming to make 25% of all trips in the city autonomous across multiple transport modes by 2030.

Abu Dhabi rollout highlights the rapid adoption of autonomous mobility in the Middle East, where favorable regulations, advanced infrastructure, and high urban density create ideal conditions for testing and scaling driverless technology. Experts predict that such initiatives could significantly reduce traffic congestion and urban emissions while paving the way for a new era of on-demand autonomous transport.
26 November 2025 22:25 (UTC+04:00)

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The U.S. military has signed contracts worth more than $7.1 billion with American aerospace giant Boeing. One of the agreements covers the delivery of new AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, along with simulators equipped with the AN/APG-78 radar system and other related equipment, Azernews reports.

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Thank you!
Free Fishing, Crabbing and Clamming in Oregon Nov. 28 - 29, Including the Coast

Published 11/25/25 at 5:55 a.m.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff





(Garibaldi, Oregon) - Post-Thanksgiving days often mean the need for a workout. So, what better way to burn off calories than go gathering / hunting your own next meal?

Oregonians and visitors can enjoy free fishing, crabbing and clamming across the state on Friday and Saturday, November 28 - 29. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is waiving license and tag requirements for the two-day event, an outdoorsy tradition that's been encouraging families and friends to get outdoors and celebrate the states natural resources for decades.

No fishing or shellfish licenses or tags - including the Combined Angling Tag, Columbia River Basin Endorsement or Two-Rod Validation - are required. All other regulations remain in effect, including closures, bag limits and size restrictions. Both residents and non-residents may participate.

ODFW will stock trout in several Willamette Valley lakes ahead of the weekend, offering opportunities for both seasoned anglers and beginners. The agencys Weekly Recreation Report highlights current conditions, hot spots and safety alerts. See regulations updates





For newcomers, ODFWs Easy Angling Oregon guide provides tips and recommendations, with accessible options near Portland, Bend, Medford, Roseburg and Lane County.



Eugene area - Oregon Coast Beach Connection

Those interested in crabbing or clamming can find detailed instructions at MyODFW.com. Officials urge caution: check ocean conditions, clam with a partner, and never turn your back on the surf. The Oregon Department of Agriculture advises calling its shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or reviewing online closure updates before harvesting. See Shellfish closures page

Crabbing is open year-round in bays, estuaries, tide pools, piers and jetties, though ocean crabbing is closed annually from Oct. 16 - Nov. 30 between Cape Blanco and the Washington border. Razor clamming is currently open from the Washington border south to Cape Blanco, while bay clams and mussels are open statewide. Conditions may change by Thanksgiving weekend.



Seaside Aquarium photo

Popular crabbing areas include Coos Bay, Tillamook Bay and Newports Yaquina Bay. These often include the jetties but these can be hazardous in winter. Other hotspots include the Coquille River at Bandon and the 12th Avenue bridge in Seaside.

ODFW notes that crabs are less abundant in bays following heavy rainfall. The agency recommends fishing during slack tides - the peaks of high or low tide - when crabs are most active.

ODFW said Dungeness crab isnt the only crustacean goody youll find in these waters. Red rock crab and European green crab are also found.

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Mussel Gathering Closed Again on S. Oregon Coast After Biotoxins Found

Published 11/23/25 at 6:35 p.m.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Port Orford, Oregon)  Gathering of mussels on the south Oregon coast is down once again, thanks to pesky biotoxins. (Photo Seaside Aquarium).



Mussel harvesting has been closed from Cape Blanco south to the California border after state officials detected unsafe levels of Paralytic Shellfish Toxin (PST). The Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the closure late this week, citing recent test results showing toxin concentrations above the safety threshold. Paralytic Shellfish Toxin is a naturally occurring marine biotoxin that can cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning, a serious illness in humans.



Officials urge the public to check conditions before harvesting by calling the Shellfish Safety Hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or visiting the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures webpage.



Mussels remain open from the Washington border to Cape Blanco, but are closed south of that point. The closure would include Gold Beach and Brookings. The vast majority of the Oregon coast is still open, including: Bandon, Coos Bay, Reedsport, Florence, Yachats, Waldport, Newport, Lincoln City, Pacific City, Oceanside Rockaway Beach, Tillamook, Cannon Beach and Seaside.



Gold Beach area - Manuela Durson - Manuela Durson Fine Arts

Razor clams follow the same pattern, open north of Cape Blanco and closed south. Bay clams are open coastwide. Crabbing is closed in ocean waters from October 16 through November 30, but remains open year-round in bays, beaches, estuaries, tide pools, piers, and jetties.

ODA continues testing shellfish twice monthly, as tides and weather allow. Closed areas can only reopen after two consecutive tests show levels below the closure limit. Domoic acid, another naturally occurring toxin, has surged in recent years as warmer ocean temperatures fuel its growth. Oregons crabbing industry has faced repeated setbacks, with shortened seasons and delays over the past five years.



Trailkeepers of Oregon

In 2024, elevated biotoxin levels triggered the most extensive shellfish closure on record. Twenty people fell ill after consuming mussels contaminated with Paralytic Shellfish Toxin, leading to a coastwide shutdown of recreational harvesting in Oregon and closures in Washingtons commercial bays.

For updates, call the ODA shellfish biotoxin hotline at (800) 448-2474, the ODA Food Safety Program at 503-986-4720, or visit the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures webpage. For licensing, permits, and harvest rules, contact ODFW.

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Tsunami Alerts May Get Delayed, Not as Accurate for Oregon / Washington Coast

Published 11/22/25 at 9:55 p.m.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Cannon Beach, Oregon)  Tsunami alerts will likely no longer be in real time along the Washington coast and Oregon coastline, as funding for a good number of seismic warning stations was cut last month. (Above Tillamook Head, Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

The result is any tsunami warning off the western U.S. / Canadian shoreline could be inaccurate and delayed by critical minutes. Nine of the 250 stations in Alaska are getting switched off at the end of November, which will likely lead to serious lags in data and decision-making on whether or not to issue a tsunami warning.

The NOAA National Tsunami Warning Center said it only has about five minutes to determine if an earthquake in the Alaska region can cause a tsunami. Depending on where that quake originated, those in coastline communities could have minutes to maybe a few hours to get out. This muddled data, the center said, could also cause them to punch the evacuation button when it doesn't need to happen.

It's these layers of uncertainty that Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell is railing against with a letter to NOAA Administrator Neil Jacobs.



Seaside in the '64 tsunami

On Washingtons coast, a tsunami generated by the Cascadia Subduction Zone could hit communities in 15-30 minutes, Cantwell wrote. Any potential delays in life saving information puts our communities at risk.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Earthquake Center (AEC) owns the seismic stations, which are operated by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Funding was cut off a month ago, but the AEC was still providing data streams to the NOAA National Tsunami Warning Center. NOAA shut down a $300,000 grant for the stations, and when the university discovered there would be no money for the stations coming in fiscal year 2026, they decided to turn them off at the end of November.

While there are still 250 stations around the region, these nine were critical in giving real-time data for any earthquake that may happen nearby. Other stations don't always transmit data that is quite as immediate. Also, there are no other stations close to where most of these nine are.



Long Beach tsunami evacuation routes

Senator Cantwell said the earthquake center has tracked seismic activity for more than 25 years, but now information may not reach them in time. Nearly a decade ago, she sponsored the Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act, requiring NOAA to work with the U.S. Geological Survey and National Science Foundation to ensure officials can deliver timely and reliable tsunami forecasts.

Cantwell is pressing Dr. Jacobs to create a plan to restore real-time reporting in Alaska and other coastal regions vulnerable to seismic events.

Investigation of Young Whale Incident on Oregon Coast Already Makes New Finds - Commercial crabbing gear was a part after all, among other findings

NOAA itself has so far been silent on the funding cuts, but the decision was made as part of the administration's major budget cuts earlier this year, with many aimed at the National Weather Service and NOAA.

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We are headed toward a Golden Age in America's self-governed society.

This will all wind up in a clustered mess since Trump is a Fascist, and thought to be the second coming of Adolf Hitler by our best journalists.

This is a time where critical days lay ahead, where only wise and responsible decisions must be made to sustain US.

I generally do not pay attention, but expect only the best to occur ... and that is what I always expect.

143 total vote(s) What's your Opinion?
The other week, I announced my candidacy on this platform for District Court Judge in Judicial District Two which encompasses Beaufort, Hyde, Martin, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties. My goal is to reach as many people personally as possible, but that may be a hard feat to accomplish personally prior to the March 2026 Republican Primary. I am writing here to share some of my personal background and why my unique lived in personal experience is the right choice for our judicial district. I would like you to hear about how I grew up and why that perspective has shaped me into the best candidate for District Court Judge.





Trusted Prosecutor Shannon Jarvis



I grew up in rural Beaufort County in a small trailer at the end of the Kelly Road. Growing up, I had to work for everything I got, so at 14 years old, I decided to get a job. My Aunt Debbie owned the Crab Ranch and gave me a job shedding soft crabs. It was the night shift, so I worked 7 PM to 7 AM every night over the summer. I worked that job two summers in a row, and was able to purchase my first car by myself. It was a 1994 Red Dodge Shadow. I got a job at the local Pizza Inn in Washington as a hostess to help pay for gas and insurance when I turned 16 years old. At 16 years old, I also decided to move out of my home. That didn't come easy. My parents suffered from substance abuse and had issues of domestic violence. I needed to move out. So, I rented a room from a trailer on Lizard Slip road for $200 a month. I still drove myself to school each day to Northside High School and worked at the Pizza Inn. I moved up to a waitress position to help make ends meet and make some more money to provide for myself. My parents struggled to support themselves and were not able to help me. I ended up choosing to graduate early at 17 years old from high school so I could work full time to save up for college. I started at Pitt Community College the following year. I earned my paralegal degree there. I aspired to become a lawyer, but I was really unsure if that was in the cards for me. I thought becoming a paralegal was more within my reach. At 19 years old, I graduated from Pitt Community College, but I was inexperienced and unable to find work. This was also a sign of the current economy then as well. I thought about my far-fetched dream of becoming a lawyer and I went for it. I enrolled at East Carolina University and graduated with a bachelor's degree and headed off to law school in Florida. I came back home after graduating law school, terribly home sick, and was happy to be back at home. I passed the bar exam on my first try and immediately got a job in private practice, later becoming an assistant public defender, and then moving on to a prosecutor role in our judicial district in 2018. In 2023, I went on to achieve the title of a Board-Certified Specialist in State Criminal Law and I am the only one residing in our judicial district that holds that title.



In between all that, I met my husband and we got married in 2016. My husband was a small business owner for 20 years and now works at PS Jones as a 7th grade English teacher. I've helped raise my stepson Thomas (17), since he was five years old. We also have two other children together named Upton (8) and Sutherland (4).



My life experience has created a person of true grit and determination who stands firm. I have a distinct background that makes me uniquely qualified to serve as your next District Court Judge. Our judicial district currently has four District Court Judges, three of these judges are men. Judge Regina Parker, the incumbent, is the only female District Court Judge and she is vacating her seat. What does this mean? The perspective of a female, wife, and mother is an important one that will cease to exist on the District Court bench. Not only do I have the extensive legal knowledge to serve as a District Court Judge, but will also be able to continue the important perspective of a female, wife, and mother. I will be a judge who is firm but fair, follows the law, and understands the people using common sense leadership. I can draw from my personal life experiences and my extensive training and expertise to always do what is right.



Vote Jarvis for Judge on March 3rd, 2026 in the Republican Primary.



Visit www.jarvisforjudge.com for more information on my campaign.
Woke is going plum crazy in American schools. It needs to be fought against and stopped.

When Jefferson County, Colorado Schools took students on an overnight out of town field trip, they told parents that girls and boys would be housed on different floors of a hotel to keep them apart overnight. That was far from true, as they treated male students who claimed they thought they were girls like they were really girls. These biological male students were assigned not only to the same floor as the girls, but also to the same rooms and even the same beds.

Fortunately, a brave 11-year old girl blew the whistle on this nonsense and refused to share a bed with a boy. Now her parents and three other sets of parents are suing the school system over this assault on common decency.

https://redstate.com/wardclark/2025/11/25/co-parents-sue-to-end-schools-hidden-transgender-bed-assignments-n2196551

Fortunately, in North Carolina, our legislature has taken action to prevent something like this from happening here. Without that some of our more liberal counties could very easily be doing the same thing.
The hordes of illegal alien migrants that entered Germany from various Third World countries after Merkel opened the borders have had a vast impact on Germany in many ways, and the economics of local government is one of them. Welfare, ironically called Buergergeld ("citizens money") is the way a large portion of the migrants exist. At last count, 61% of all of Germany's welfare money was being paid out to these migrants. A lot of that burden falls on local government.

Now, the mayor of the city of Essen, who is a Christian Democrat from Chancellor Merz' own party, has revealed that most cities in Germany are going bankrupt under the financial strain of the illegal aliens. Yet Merz formed a coalition with the center-left Social Democrats and that ties his hands on doing much about the problem. There are rumblings that the coalition may fracture over issues dealing with illegal immigration.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/11/nearly-every-city-germany-is-going-bankrupt-how/

Meanwhile it is budget time in the UK, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer is adding 1.4 Billion pounds more to the cost of housing illegal alien migrants for next year's budget while hitting British taxpayers with massive tax increases.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/2138948/shocking-migrant-figures-show-labour?int_source=nba
The Budget: All you need to know as Stormont to receive extra 370m after shambles release of new measures

A technical error by the Office for Budget Responsibility saw measures in Rachel Reeves budget released before the Chancellor took to the floor

Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her Budget in the House of Commons today

James McNaney Wed 26 Nov 2025 at 15:05







More people will end up paying higher rates of income tax in the coming years, as the Chancellor has announced a freezing of income tax thresholds.
The spat overshadowed a debate on an Assembly motion calling for free school meals for NI children

A row has erupted at Stormont between Education Minister Paul Givan and the SDLP MLA Cara Hunter after she was accused of being absent from the chamber for the past half an hour while she went to use the bathroom.
The home of a Sudanese family has been daubed with graffiti saying local only alongside crosshairs in Derry.

The North West Migrants Forum (NWMF) expressed anger following the overnight targeting of a property in the Fountain estate.

Police are appealing for information following criminal damage where "racially-motivated graffiti has been sprayed on the front wall of a home.

It is believed the damage was caused sometime overnight, and police are investigating this as a racially motivated hate crime.

Foyleside and The Moor Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector Michael Gahan said: "What has happened is completely unacceptable. Everyone deserves to live without fear or intimidation.

NWMF said it is disgusted that the home of a Sudanese family was targeted.

This is a family well known to us and that has become firmly embedded in our organisation through their volunteering efforts. They are also well known and well respected within the Fountain community where they have been volunteering with the local youth club, a spokesperson added.

This family  a mother, father and their two children  have lived peacefully in The Fountain since their arrival in Northern Ireland and were in recent days moved a short distance to this new property.

They came to Northern Ireland having fled the globally-criticised horrors being visited upon their home country where hundreds of thousands of civilians have lost their lives in the past three years.

That they are now having to shoulder more worry and more stress in a place they thought they could depend on for sanctuary is just abhorrent.

We will stand with the family in the days and weeks ahead and we encourage others to do the same.

We also urge all politicians to join us in condemning this awful act.

In Sudan, where the family is from, civil war broke out in April 2023 after a vicious struggle for power between its army and a powerful paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

A photo of graffiti at the property. Picture Martin McKeown.

House petrol bombed overnight in Newtownards

It has led to a famine and claims of a genocide in the western Darfur region.

More than 150,000 people have died in the conflict across the country, and about 12 million have fled their homes in what the United Nations has called the world's largest humanitarian crisis.

RSF fighters are committing war crimes in the Darfur town of el-Fasher, the rights group Amnesty International has alleged in a new report.

Foyle MP Colum Eastwood condemned the attack.

This hateful attack on a family that has embedded itself in the local community is outrageous. People who have come to our city, are raising their family here, contributing to their community and doing their best to make a life for themselves deserve to live in peace, he said.

The people responsible for this racist graffiti should be held accountable for the disgusting attempt to intimidate this family and others in our community. I would urge anyone with information to come forward to police.

The local campaign group United Against Racism (UAR) have condemned the threatening graffiti daubed on the house of a Sudanese family in the Fountain Estate in Derry.

Spokesperson Karen McCole believes that the attack on the family is not representative of the area or the city.

I have had the pleasure of meeting this family, they are fantastic people who give all they can back to the community, she said.

There is no way that those responsible for this attack are acting in a way that represents the people of the Fountain.

Derry is a place where people are welcomed no matter where they are from .

United Against Racism send their love and solidarity to the victims of this racist attack.

While politicians try to scapegoat asylum seekers and migrants we must redouble our efforts to fight racist scaremongering, lies and misinformation. We are one community regardless of creed or colour.

We will always look out for our neighbours.

The PSNI appealing to anyone with information, anyone who witnessed this incident, or who may have captured dash-cam or CCTV footage from the area to call them on 101, quoting RM25072583.

Meanwhile, police in east Belfast are appealing for information following a report of criminal damage in the Ormeau Embankment area on Tuesday.

A report was received shortly after 10am on Tuesday of windows smashed at a property at Ormeau Embankment along with racially-motivated graffiti sprayed on the walls.

It is believed the damage was caused sometime between lunchtime on Monday and 9.20am on Tuesday morning and the incident is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime.

Officers would appeal to anyone who might have any information to contact them in Strandtown on 101, quoting reference 374 25/11/25.
MLAs have heard concerns about funding of the water infrastructure in Northern Ireland (Rui Vieira/PA)

Northern Ireland risks having insufficient drinking water during hot weather without a significant increase in infrastructure investment, the chief of NI Water has said.

Sara Venning also said there would be a continued stop on applications for wastewater connections for new housing and warned Belfast Lough risks becoming the next Lough Neagh because of sewage pollution.

Ms Venning, the chief executive of NI Water, appeared before Stormonts Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday.

Sara Venning appeared before MLAs at Stormont (NI Assembly/PA)

The company, which provides water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland, is funded through the block grant provided to Stormont by the Treasury.

Ms Venning told MLAs that their business plan for 2028 to 2033 required almost double the level of its current capital investment.

She said: Only with those kind of levels can we begin to reverse the years of underinvestment.

This level of significantly increased funding is what our peers across the UK and the Republic of Ireland are already starting to invest.

She added: Without proper investment in the publicly owned water and wastewater infrastructure, Northern Ireland risks insufficient drinking water during hotter, drier periods and a continued stop on applications for wastewater connections for housing and for economic growth.

The wastewaster system in Northern Ireland will continue to pollute because when existing connections exceed the capacity of the network, pollution is inevitable because we cant stop receiving their wastewater.

An Audit Office report last year found that a lack of water infrastructure is delaying or halting proposed housing developments and called for a comprehensive review of the current funding arrangements for NI Water.

Ms Venning told the committee that the company had been underfunded by 470 million compared with a recommendation from the Utility Regulator in 2021.

She said: The result of that is a quarter of the work that was deemed essential will not happen, around 100 towns and villages will remain constrained, unable to grow without risking further environmental damage.

Through innovation and collaboration we have enabled some housing development, but there has been no real progress on the structural environmental deficit.

In fact it could be said we are going backwards.

She said a 1.4 billion Living With Water plan for Belfast had stalled.

Ms Venning added: Without it Belfast Lough risks becoming the next Lough Neagh, except in Belfast Lough sewage is the primary pollutant and that is a direct result of underinvestment.

NI Water aspires to the day when we no longer need legal protection from prosecution for pollution incidents.

But aspiration alone isnt enough, only investment and collective action will fix this.

The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) this week announced an investigation into the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera), as well as the the Utility Regulator over the regulation of sewage discharges into Belfast Lough.

Ms Venning said that the provision of water and wastewater services in Northern Ireland is currently on a knife-edge.

She added: Last year was just about manageable for us because the weather was benign and because rainfall was low, particularly through the autumn and winter.

If conditions turn against us this year we face some risk in relation to our operating costs.

UUP MLA John Stewart said the evidence reflected a tragic reality (Liam McBurney/PA)

UUP MLA John Stewart said the evidence given to the committee was a sad indictment of the situation facing the region.

He said: Sadly for me this is probably the starkest which we have heard.

It reflects the tragic reality of the under-investment that Northern Ireland Water has faced and the crisis that you have outlined.

When you say delivering fresh drinking water could be at risk and that we are looking at the next Lough Neagh in Belfast Lough due to the lack of waste capacity

These are absolutely tragic statements and a sad indictment of the situation we currently face.
A house has been targeted in an overnight arson attack in Co Down.

Police and firefighters received reports of a petrol bomb attack on a property on Killard Avenue in Newtownards shortly after 10pm.

Four police cars and two fire appliances from the nearby Newtownards fire station attended the incident.

Police and firefighters deal with an arson attack in the Killard Avenue area of Newtownards on November 25th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

The front door and window were damaged as a result of the attack, and several windows were boarded up from a previous attack.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph at the scene, a neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: This has been going on for the last four months, the windows were put in a load of weeks back, it keeps getting attacked, its madness.

Read more Two men cautioned after car overturns following police pursuit on A5 outside Omagh

A spokesperson for the PSNI said: Detective Sergeant Gray said: Officers attended the scene, alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service who extinguished the blaze.

Damage was caused to the front door area. Graffiti was also discovered on a wall of the property.

The occupant of the property was thankfully able to escape uninjured.

However, we are treating this report as arson with intent to endanger life, and enquiries are ongoing today to determine a motive and who was involved.

We are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time and noticed anything suspicious to make contact with us. We are especially appealing to anyone who may have seen a dark coloured car in the area around 10:00pm.
Wallace Browne,former Lord Mayor of Belfast, at the unveiling of his portrait at the City Hall

Sinn Fein has celebrated the unveiling of a republican stalwarts portrait at Stormont, as the DUP put pressure on the party to name an ex-employee who was investigated after the painting of a former Belfast Lord Mayor was damaged.
Nigel Farage has faced questions about his comments and views while at school at Dulwich College (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Nigel Farage said he had thought Enoch Powell was right to talk about not having vast community change as he defended himself amid allegations of racism in his youth.

The Reform UK leader suggested former pupils complaining about his behaviour while attending a top public school had different political views to me but that he was sorry if someone had been hurt.

He insisted he never, ever, ever would have said or done anything like that directly to a human being as he faced questions about the accusations relating to his time at Dulwich College.

Mr Farage suggested he had different views to some of his schoolmates (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

In a report published last week by The Guardian, more than a dozen school contemporaries of Mr Farage, 61, recounted alleged incidents of deeply offensive behaviour during his teenage years.

Asked if he would like to apologise to anyone who was hurt by his alleged comments, Mr Farage told a press conference in Westminster on Wednesday: Well, one person says they were hurt.

If they feel they were hurt then Im genuinely sorry, but I never, ever, ever would have said or done anything like that directly to a human being, absolutely not.

Pressed again about the row, Mr Farage added: If you look at what they said, none of them said I directly attacked them or abused them.

What they do say, what they do say very clearly, is they had different political views to me.

That, you know, I thought Enoch Powell was right about the common market, which I did, in the referendum.

It was a minority position but I held it all the way back then. And I thought he was right to talk about, you know, not having vast community change, and by the way, that was a big source of political debate back in the late 1970s.

Mr Farage said he had not engaged in racial abuse with intent (Stefan Rousseau/PA

On Monday, Mr Farage was repeatedly asked by broadcasters whether he could rule out that he engaged in racial abuse.

I would never, ever do it in a hurtful or insulting way, he replied, later adding that if he had, it was not with intent.

The Reform leader then said that what could have been considered banter in a playground could be interpreted in the modern light of day in some sort of way.

On Tuesday, he released a statement that said: I can tell you categorically that I did not say the things that have been published in the Guardian aged 13, nearly 50 years ago.

Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Farages response to the allegations was unconvincing to say the least and urged the Reform UK leader to apologise to people he may have hurt.

The Prime Minister claimed Mr Farage clearly remembers some of what happened and that he is showing his true colours.

Speaking to the BBC on Tuesday, Mr Farages former classmate Peter Ettedgui suggested the Reform leader was being fundamentally dishonest in his denials.

Mr Ettedgui, who is Jewish, also claimed while speaking to the broadcaster that Mr Farage had repeatedly approached him and said Hitler was right, while they were both pupils at Dulwich College.

Reform has also faced scrutiny in recent days over the sentencing of the partys former leader in Wales, Nathan Gill, after he admitted being paid 40,000 to make pro-Russian statements in the European Parliament.

Nathan Gill has been jailed for 10-and-a-half years after being paid 40,000 to make pro-Russian statements in the European Parliament (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Mr Farage questioned how he could feasibly carry out any investigation over the revelations.

But he dismissed the Prime Ministers claim that Reform UK was riddled with pro-Putin propaganda as nonsense.

Asked whether the party should order a probe after Gill was jailed for 10-and-a-half years, Mr Farage said: Did Ukip have a problem with an MEP who clearly was corrupt? Yes, it did.

Did he join Reform very briefly in Wales? He did very briefly. He was leader.

I cant investigate Ukip in the European Parliament in 2018  how do I do that? Can I read peoples emails? Can I take their mobile phones? How on earth can I investigate that?

What I would welcome, though, is a broader investigation because Im quite worried about Chinese influence. Im worried about people who should be on spy trials that suddenly are not. Im worried about a giant embassy over some of the most important communication cables and sections in London.
A court in Thailand has issued an arrest warrant for a co-owner of the Miss Universe Organisation in connection with a fraud case.

Jakkaphong Anne Jakrajutatip was charged with fraud then released on bail in 2023.

She failed to appear as required in a Bangkok court on Tuesday. Since she did not notify the court about her absence, she was deemed to be a flight risk, according to a statement from the Bangkok South District Court.

The court rescheduled the hearing for December 26.

According to the courts statement, Jakkaphong and her company, JKN Global Group Public Co Ltd, were sued for allegedly defrauding Raweewat Maschamadol in selling him the companys corporate bonds in 2023.

Contestants take part in the final round of the 74th Miss Universe Beauty Pageant earlier this month (Sakchai LalitAP)

Mr Raweewat says the investment caused him to lose 30 million baht (700,000).

Financially troubled JKN defaulted on payments to investors beginning in 2023 and began debt rehabilitation procedures with the Central Bankruptcy Court in 2024. The company says it has debts totalling about three billion baht (70 million).

JKN acquired the rights to the Miss Universe pageant from IMG Worldwide LLC in 2022. In 2023, it sold 50% of its Miss Universe shares to Legacy Holding Group USA, which is owned by a Mexican businessman, Raul Rocha Cantu.

Jakkaphong resigned from all of the companys positions in June after being accused by Thailands Securities and Exchange Commission of falsifying the companys 2023 financial statements. She remains its largest shareholder.

Her whereabouts remain unclear. She did not appear at the 74th Miss Universe competition, which was held in Bangkok earlier this month.

This years competition was marred by various problems, including a sharp-tongued scolding by a Thai organiser of Fatima Bosch Fernandez of Mexico, who was crowned Miss Universe 2025.

Two judges reportedly dropped out, with one suggesting that there was an element of rigging to the contest. Separately, Thai police investigated allegations that publicity for the event included illegal promotion of online casinos.

On Monday, JKN denied rumours that Jakkaphong had liquidated the companys assets and fled the country, but there has been no immediate reaction regarding the arrest warrant. She could not be reached for comment.

Jakkaphong is a well-known celebrity in Thailand who has starred in reality shows and is outspoken about her identity as a transgender woman.
A Red Cross convoy carrying the remains of a person believed to be Dror Or makes its way towards the border crossing with Israel on Tuesday (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel had identified the latest remains returned from Gaza as hostage Dror Or.

That leaves the bodies of two hostages in Gaza as the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement nears a conclusion.

The identification came as Turkish, Qatari and Egyptian officials met in Cairo to discuss the second phase of the tenuous ceasefire agreement, which began in October and has held despite accusations by both sides of violations.

Israeli Dror Or whose remains have been identified (Hostages and Missing Families Forum via AP)

Palestinian militants released Mr Ors remains on Tuesday.

Israel has agreed to release 15 Palestinian bodies for each hostage returned and hospital officials in Gaza said on Wednesday Israel had handed over the remains of 15 more Palestinians.

Mr Or was killed by Islamic Jihad militants who overran his home in Kibbutz Beeri on October 7 2023, Israels military said. His wife, Yonat Or, was also killed in the attack.

The Hostages Families Forum said Mr Or was a devoted father and talented cheesemaker who spent years working at the Beeri dairy, eventually managing it. The group said Mr Or was also a chef and yoga teacher.

Two of Mr Ors children, Alma and Noam, were abducted by the militants on October 7 and released in a hostage deal in November 2023.

On October 7, Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people across southern Israel and abducted 251 to Gaza. Kibbutz Beeri was one of the hardest-hit farming communities in that attack that started the war in Gaza.

The Red Cross convoy carrying the remains in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

Almost all of the hostages or their remains have been returned in ceasefires or other deals. The remains of two  one Israeli and one Thai national  are still in Gaza.

Ran Gvili, 24, who served in an elite police unit, was recovering from a broken shoulder he sustained in a motorcycle accident but rushed to assist fellow officers on October 7.

After helping people escape from the Nova music festival, he was killed fighting at another location and his body was taken to Gaza. The military confirmed his death four months later.

Sudthisak Rinthalak was an agricultural worker from Thailand who had been employed at Kibbutz Beeri.

A total of 31 workers from Thailand were abducted on October 7, the largest group of foreigners to be held in captivity. Most of them were released in the first and second ceasefires. The Thai Foreign Ministry has said in addition to the hostages, 46 Thais have been killed during the war.

Hazem Qassem, the spokesman for Hamas, said on Wednesday that the militant group was committed to handing over the remaining two hostages. Writing on his Telegram channel, he called for mediators to pressure Israel to stop its violations of the ceasefire.

Gazas Health Ministry says more than 69,700 Palestinians have been killed and 170,800 injured in Israels retaliatory offensive.

The toll has increased during the ceasefire both from new Israeli strikes and from the recovery and identification of bodies of people killed earlier in the war.

A Palestinian man was killed when Israeli troops opened fire on Wednesday on a group of people in central Gaza, a hospital said.

At least two others were wounded in the attack that took place east of the Maghazi refugee camp, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital which received the casualties. Israels military did not immediately respond to request for comment on the report.

Also Wednesday, the military said its troops struck a group of six militants in the southern city of Rafah, killing one. The military statement said that the militants had most likely emerged from the underground terror infrastructure in the area.

The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures but has said women and children make up a majority of those killed.

The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by independent experts.

Bodies of unidentified Palestinians returned from Israel as part of the ceasefire deal are buried in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, earlier in November (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

Turkeys intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin met in Cairo on Tuesday with Qatars Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egypts intelligence chief Hasan Reshat to discuss advancing to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, a Turkish security official said.

The talks also centred on intensifying joint efforts with the United States to strengthen the truce, according to the official who requested anonymity in line with Turkish regulations.

The three also agreed to deepen co-operation with the Civil-Military Co-ordination Centre (CMCC) to remove obstacles and prevent violations, ensuring the ceasefire is upheld without interruption, the official added.

The next phases of the ceasefire agreement include developing an international body to govern Gaza and oversee reconstruction under a two-year, renewable UN mandate.

An armed international stabilisation force is to keep security and ensure the disarming of Hamas, a key demand of Israel. Indonesian officials have said they plan to deploy 20,000 peacekeepers to the force. The worlds largest Muslim-majority nation with a long experience in UN peacekeeping missions

Major questions hang over nearly every part of the plan and the timeframe for implementation. In the meantime, nearly all Palestinians remain displaced and dependent on humanitarian aid, Hamas retains significant control over nearly half of Gaza and the rebuilding of the territory has barely begun.
Pope Leo XIV is embarking on his first foreign trip, a pilgrimage to Turkey and Lebanon.

Leo is fulfilling a trip Pope Francis planned to make, to mark an important anniversary with the Orthodox church in Turkey.

In Lebanon, he will try to boost a long-suffering Christian community as well as Lebanese of all faiths who are still demanding justice over the 2020 Beirut port blast.

Leo, who spent 12 years as superior of his Augustinian religious order and two decades as a missionary in Peru, says he loves to travel.

He is still driving coverage here (in the US) because of his engagement with one of the most important issues were facing, which is migration, said Kim Daniels, director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University.

I think this trip will drive attention again to the peripheries and to the vulnerable.

Significantly, Leo plans to deliver all his remarks in Turkey in English and English and French in Lebanon, casting aside the Italian lingua franca of the Vatican in favour of languages that are more widely understood.

The main impetus for travelling to Turkey, the first stop in the trip, is to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, Christianitys first ecumenical council.

Pope Leo waves as he leaves at the end of an audience on the occasion of the Jubilee of the Choirs in St Peters Square, at the Vatican, earlier in November (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

Leo will pray with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of the worlds Orthodox Christians, at the site of the 325 AD gathering  todays Iznik  and sign a joint declaration in a visible sign of Christian unity.

Eastern and Western churches were united until the Great Schism of 1054, a divide precipitated largely by disagreements over the primacy of the pope.

The visit will also offer Leo several occasions to speak about regional tensions overall, Catholic-Muslim relations and Christians dwindling presence in the Middle East.

Clergy in the region say the Vaticans strong support for Palestinians in Gaza during Israels war, first under Francis and now Leo, has bolstered the churchs credibility among ordinary Muslims.

In a moment when many Western powers hesitated on the question of Gaza, Francis  and then Leo  was very strong. He didnt go to Gaza but everything he could have said it seems he said, said the Rev Paolo Pugliese, superior of the Capuchin friars in Turkey.

Security expected to be tight. The Vatican said no extra security measures had been taken, though spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to say whether Leos cars and popemobiles were bullet-proofed.

Significantly, Leo will not visit Lebanons south, battered by last years war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and the site of intensified Israeli strikes in recent weeks. Christians groups in southern Lebanon had lobbied for the pope to visit the area and circulated a new petition just this week.

At most Leo might be bothered in Beirut by Israeli drones that fly overhead, organisers said.

The highlight of the Lebanese visit comes on Leos last day, December 2, when he spends time in silent prayer at the site of the August 4 2020 Beirut port blast.

The explosion tore through the Lebanese capital, killing at least 218 people, wounding more than 6,000 and devastating large swathes of Beirut. Sparked when hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate detonated in a warehouse, the blast caused billions of dollars in damage.

Lebanese citizens were enraged by the blast, which appeared to be the result of government negligence, coming on top of an economic crisis spurred by decades of corruption and financial crimes. But an investigation has repeatedly stalled, and five years on, no official has been convicted.

There are hopes among Lebanese that Leo will demand accountability from Lebanons political class, and insist that there can be no peace without truth and justice.

Such an appeal could shake up our various political leaders, because we continue to live under the pressure of a social crisis, an economic crisis, in a country where the various leaders hear neither the cry of the poor, nor the cry of the unfortunate, nor the cry of citizens, said Monsignor Cesar Essayan, apostolic vicar of Beirut for Latin rite Catholics.

Another important moment will come when Leo meets with young Lebanese. He is expected to give them words of encouragement, amid the decades-long flight of Lebanese abroad, while also acknowledging their disillusionment over the failures of adults.

Many families feel that they are surviving the day by day with really very little visibility on the future, said Marielle Boutros, project co-ordinator in Lebanon for Aid to the Church in Need, the Catholic charity.

So this visit of His Holiness, its not simply symbolic. It is a really concrete sign that Lebanon is not forgotten.
Russian President Vladimir Putins envoy Kirill Dmitriev, left, and Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg earlier in the year (Vyacheslav Prokofyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)

US President Donald Trumps chief negotiator with the Russian government last month advised a senior aide to Vladimir Putin on how the Russian leader should go about pitching the US president on a Ukraine peace plan, according to a transcript of the call published by Bloomberg News.

Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, according to a transcript of the October 14 call published by the news service, advised Mr Putins foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov that Mr Putin should call Mr Trump to congratulate him for the Gaza peace deal, say Russia had supported it and that he respects the president as a man of peace.

From that, its going to be a really good call, Mr Witkoff said according to the transcript.

When asked by Russian state media to comment on Bloombergs report, Mr Ushakov did not question the recordings authenticity but said that they had not been leaked by Moscow.

He also said that the calls had likely been leaked to hinder US-Russia ties.

Its unlikely this is being done to improve relations, he said.

Mr Ushakov also said that he spoke to Mr Witkoff by phone quite often but refused to discuss the content of the recording.

The essence of these conversations is that they are confidential. I wont comment. No one should comment.

US President Donald Trump said Mr Witkoff was doing what a dealmaker does (Alex Brandon/US)

The Bloomberg report came as Mr Trump on Tuesday said a proposal to end Russias war in Ukraine has been fine-tuned and announced he is sending Mr Witkoff to meet Mr Putin.

The White House did not dispute the veracity of the transcript, and Mr Trump described Mr Witkoffs reported approach to the Russians in the call as standard negotiating procedure.

Hes got to sell this to Ukraine. Hes got to sell Ukraine to Russia, Mr Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew to his home in Florida on Tuesday night. Thats what a dealmaker does.

But US Representative Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican who has been critical of Mr Trumps approach to Ukraine, said the transcript showed Mr Witkoff favours the Russians.

He cannot be trusted to lead these negotiations. Would a Russian paid agent do less than he? He should be fired, Mr Bacon said on social media.

Bloomberg said it reviewed a recording of the call, but did not say how it obtained access to the recording. The Associated Press has not independently verified the transcript.

The Witkoff-Ushakov call happened a day after Mr Trump made a triumphant visit to Israel and Egypt to celebrate sealing the Gaza ceasefire.

Heres what I think would be amazing, Mr Witkoff said to his counterpart during the call, according to Bloomberg. Maybe he says to President Trump: you know, Steve and Yuri discussed a very similar 20-point plan to peace and that could be something that we think might move the needle a little bit, were open to those sorts of things.

Mr Witkoff also suggested setting up a Trump-Putin call before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys White House visit later that week and suggested that Mr Putin congratulate Mr Trump on the Gaza agreement as an entry point into the call.

Mr Ushakov agreed that Mr Putin will congratulate and will say Mr Trump is a real peace man.

Mr Trump and Mr Putin ended up speaking to each other a day before the US president held White House talks with Mr Zelensky. Shortly after that meeting with Mr Zelensky on October 17, Mr Trump said that Ukraine and Russia should stop where they are on the battlefield  meaning Ukraine should concede territory Russia had seized from its neighbour.

On October 29, Mr Ushakov spoke by phone with Kirill Dmitriev, a close adviser to Mr Putin on Ukraine, and debated how strongly Moscow should push for its demands in a prospective peace proposal, according to another recording reviewed by Bloomberg.

Ill informally pass it along, making it clear that its all informal. And let them do like their own, Mr Dmitriev told Mr Ushakov in the back and forth. But, I dont think theyll take exactly our version, but at least itll be as close to it as possible.

The exchange happened soon after Mr Dmitriev had travelled to Florida for talks with Mr Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law and informal adviser, that centred on creating the framework for a 28-point peace plan.

The original plan, which became public last week, appeared heavily skewed toward Russian demands and included calls for Ukraine to cede the entire Donbas region to Russia and dramatically reduce the size of its military. It also included an agreement from Europe that Ukraine will never be allowed to join the Nato military alliance.

This story proves one thing: Special Envoy Witkoff talks to officials in both Russia and Ukraine nearly every day to achieve peace, which is exactly what President Trump appointed him to do, White House communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement.

Mr Dmitriev said in a social media post that the transcript was fake and said in a second post: The closer we get to peace, the more desperate warmongers become.

The Russian Embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has insisted the proposal was authored by the United States, with input from both the Russians and Ukrainians, in response to bipartisan pushback in Washington that the leaked plan amounted to a Russian wish list. The State Department declined to comment on the Bloomberg report.

On Tuesday, Mr Trump said he was sending Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to meet Ukrainian officials as Mr Witkoff meets Mr Putin. Mr Trump also suggested he could eventually meet Mr Putin and Mr Zelensky, but not until further progress has been made in negotiations.
North Belfast pre-release open prison intends to prepare murderers and sex offenders for releaseThe facility has seen multiple escapes in the past few years

Burren House holds up to 25 prisoners in unlocked cells

Burren House is a part of Northern Irelands prison system that many of us have never heard of.

But the facility in north Belfast holds some of the most violent men in our society.

Criminals held in Burren House include serial sex attacker Tom Ward and former academic Gerry OKane, who stabbed his wife to death in a jealous rage.

Its a pre-release open prison  supposedly intended to prepare murderers, sex offenders and others for release back into our communities.

All too often, the criminals involved cant hack it and get sent back to Maghaberry.

But the prison service keeps trying, despite some of the prisoners breaking the rules, time and time again.

Ciaran Dunbar is joined by the Sunday Lifes Ciaran Barnes.

The open air prison that holds some of NIs most violent men

Burren House holds up to 25 prisoners in unlocked cells

Brexit and austerity still causing major problems for economy  Phillipson
PITTSFIELD  Prosecutors want the upcoming evidentiary hearing in Caius Veiovis bid for a new trial to be held in Berkshire County, but his attorneys are pushing for the proceedings to take place in the Boston area.

A new joint report filed in Berkshire Superior Court outlines the parties positions as they prepare for hearings next year on whether Veiovis will receive a new trial in a 2011 triple murder of David Glasser, Edward Frampton and Robert Chadwell.

Regarding the venue dispute, the prosecution argues the hearings should remain in Berkshire County because the case is of widespread public importance locally, and because most witnesses live nearby.

The hearing was requested by the defense and is aimed at exploring its argument that the prosecution, during Veiovis' 2014 trial, failed to disclose potentially exculpatory evidence about a possible alternate suspect and a witness's claim that a codefendant told him Veiovis is innocent.

Veiovis is being represented by lawyers with the Boston College Innocence Program. They argued that the evidentiary hearing should take place in Boston, because the defense team, the defendant and a witness are all based closer to the city.

Both sides agree the hearings should be scheduled between Feb. 19 and 27, 2026, and preferably in person rather than by Zoom. They disagree over how the testimony should be structured, and how much time the court should reserve.

Prosecutors believe the hearing could finish in a single day; the defense wants the court to hold aside up to a day and a half and, if the venue is Pittsfield, begin at 10 a.m. to accommodate travel.

Presiding over the appeal is Chief Justice of the Superior Court Michael D. Ricciuti, who took over the case last month. No decision had been made about scheduling as of Friday.

Veiovis was convicted by a jury in 2014 of abducting and killing the three Pittsfield men with Adam Lee Hall and David Chalue in order to prevent Glasser from testifying against Hall.

Veiovis' trial drew international attention, but he has maintained his innocence from the start, though earlier appeals failed.

In 2023, the Boston College Innocence Program took up his case, arguing Veiovis trial was marred by ineffective defense counsel, overlooked alibi evidence, and undisclosed statements from the witness who, they assert, said Chalue told him Veiovis wasnt involved in the murders.

The man whom the defense says police should have been investigated as a suspect allegedly was associated with the Aryan Brotherhood, and they say communicated with Hall and Chalue around the time of the murders.

The Berkshire District Attorneys Office, represented by former DA David Capeless in retirement, has defended the investigation and conviction, maintaining that the first trial was properly conducted.

Oral arguments on the motion for a new trial are expected to take place some time after the evidentiary hearing next year.
The Community Recreation Association has appointed Ariana Massery as its new executive director, succeeding longtime leader Alison Peters, who is retiring after nearly 16 years. Massery, a seasoned organizational leader from Jacobs Pillow, will begin her role in January as the CRA enters a new chapter of community service and development.
A new bill filed by state Rep. John Barrett and state Sen. Paul Mark would exempt small districts like Hancock  which lack their own middle or high schools  from paying costly tuition for school choice students who continue on to other districts, potentially allowing Hancock Elementary to reopen to out-of-district families.
Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data.
Govt strengthens research-driven innovation in Ayurveda pharma sector with SIDDHI 2.0

November 26, 2025 | Wednesday | News

A national industry research interface platform to accelerate evidence-based Ayurvedic product development

image credit- pib

The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, has launched the second edition of its flagship industryresearch interface initiative, SIDDHI 2.0 (Scientific Innovation in Drug Development, Healthcare & Integration), in Vijayawada. The two-day national conclave has been organised by the Regional Ayurveda Research Institute (RARI), Vijayawada, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Vijayawada Zone.

Building on the momentum created by PRAGATI-2024 (Pharma Research in Ayurgan and Techno-Innovation), SIDDHI 2.0 marks a strategic shift towards research-led product development, indigenous technology advancement, accelerated translational pathways, and industry partnershipskey elements of Indias evolving Ayush innovation agenda.

K. Dinesh Kumar, IAS, Director (Ayush), Government of Andhra Pradesh, noted that the number of Ayurveda colleges and pharmaceutical units in the State remains limited and proposed the establishment of a National Ayurveda Institute. He emphasised that SIDDHI 2.0 brings all key stakeholders onto a single platform and added that while modern science has increased lifespan, Ayurveda can ensure a healthier lifespan.


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Childrens Health Ireland have issued a sincere apology for shortcomings in the care of a Dublin teenager with severe and poorly controlled asthma who died following a severe attack while waiting over four years to see a specialist consultant.

Killian Burnett (15) from Finglas, who passed away at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown in Dublin on March 22nd, 2022, had four cancelled appointments between his first referral to see a consultant in respiratory medicine in December 2017 and his death.

Several members of the deceaseds extended family burst into tears after the coroner, Clare Keane, returned a verdict of death due to medical misadventure at an inquest into the boys death at Dublin District Coroners Court on Wednesday.

Dr Keane noted there had been missed opportunities to treat his unstable, severe asthma.

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Welcoming improvements already made by CHI, the coroner recommended that consideration should be given to making it mandatory for any children presenting with a history of respiratory arrest due to asthma to be discussed with a senior clinician, with a referral made or the patients care escalated if clinical conditions warranted it.

Dr Keane said it should also be clarified if patients, who already had a referral, had been categorised as routine, semi-urgent or urgent and to change their status if necessary.

The inquest heard that Killian and his parents attended CHI at Temple Street in Dublin to see a specialist a month before his death, without realising that, due to some miscommunication, the appointment had been cancelled a short time previously.

CHI revealed that it was one of only seven days since 2018 when no respiratory consultant was available during daytime hours to see patients.

Evidence was also heard that the teenager  a student at New Cross College in Finglas  had been discharged home after a few hours on five occasions that he had been brought by ambulance to Temple Street over the space of two months shortly before his death, including two occasions where he had lost consciousness.

The teenagers father, David Burnett, told the inquest that Killian  the fourth eldest of his six children  had always been a bit chesty since he was very young.

Mr Burnett recalled Killian had his first serious asthma attack in February 2013 and required an ambulance to bring him to hospital after another incident in October 2016.

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After one severe attack when he collapsed outside his school in November 2017 and was rushed to Temple Street, he was placed on a nebuliser in addition to his regular inhalers and tablets.

As his sons condition deteriorated, Mr Burnett said Killian lost interest in sport and was regularly sent home from school because he was complaining of chest pains.

He recalled that his son also became afraid to go to sleep as he would suffer an average of two asthma attacks every night.

Mr Burnett said the regularity of the attacks had resulted in him sleeping in his sons bedroom to look after him, which had affected his own ability to work due to exhaustion and pressure.

After another serious asthma attack in December 2021, CPR had to be performed on Killian after he stopped breathing for a few minutes.

Mr Burnett recalled his son became reluctant to go in an ambulance as he believed he would just get sent back home after a few hours.

The inquest heard that Killian was told to reduce his use of inhalers when he was brought to CHI in Crumlin on February 9th, 2022 after his family were advised to get a second opinion following another bad asthma attack the previous month.

On the day of his sons death, Mr Burnett recalled being alerted at 4am that Killian was struggling to breathe, and everyone in their house was screaming as his face went pale and his lips went purple.

Mr Burnett recounted how his son said: Dad, please help me.

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This is something I relive every single day, he added.

Mr Burnett described his son as everyones best friend and a great little kid.

Dr Martin Murphy, who examined the teenager in Crumlin, said he had been reassured that Killian had no acute asthma at the time, as well as that he had an appointment to see a specialist two weeks later.

Under cross-examination by counsel for the deceaseds family, Alannah McGurk BL, Dr Murphy agreed that the patient had a concerning medical history and expressed regret for the decision that he had made, given what subsequently happened.

A consultant in emergency medicine at CHI, Michael Barrett, said he believed the patient had received timely and appropriate treatment in Crumlin, given his stable condition at the time.

Prof Barrett, who admitted being dreadfully upset about Killians death, said he did not know if he would have referred the teenager directly to a specialist if he had examined him that night.

He agreed with Ms McGurk that waiting to see a specialist for four years was certainly relevant but he was unsure what weight could be attached to the fact.

Prof Barrett also observed that the incident where Killian had stopped breathing during an asthma attack was a life-threatening episode which ordinarily would result in admission to hospital.

CHIs clinical director for medical specialities, Micheal Riordan, offered an unreserved apology to the deceaseds family for acknowledged shortcomings in the care of his condition.

Outlining changes that have been made by CHI since Killians death, Dr Riordan told his family that there was nothing he could say to bring him back.

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Im sorry to say the only thing I have to offer them is an intention to do my best to try and stop something like this from happening again, said Dr Riordan.

He told the inquest that a serious incident report on Killians death had been circulated to all respiratory consultants, while waiting lists for such patients had been merged across all CHI hospitals to ensure equity of access based on clinical priority and time spent on the waiting list.

No patients are currently waiting for more than two years on the respiratory waiting list, he noted.

Dr Riordan said various referral pathways for children with asthma had been reviewed with reminders on how referrals could be updated if there was a change in their clinical status.

The inquest heard Killian had been categorised as a routine case following his first referral  a status that never changed before his death.

Dr Riordan observed that patients categorised as semi-urgent still faced a significant wait at the time to be seen by a specialist.

He pointed out that CHI had reviewed its management of waiting lists for respiratory patients, while the HSE had also commissioned a similar independent review.

The inquest heard that a substantial amount of work was being undertaken by CHI around the time of Killians death to try and reduce waiting times for respiratory patients.

While they had fallen by the end of 2023, Dr Riordan said they have built up again due to significant demand with 290 children waiting to be seen by a specialist last month.

He said 25 patients had been waiting over a year, with the longest wait just over 15 months.

Dr Riordan said funding had been approved for two new consultant posts, with one having started last March and another due to begin work in mid-2026.

Although CHI endeavours to meet and exceed the HSEs targets for 50 per cent of patients to be seen within ten weeks for their first outpatient appointment, Dr Riordan said success rates varied due to a combination of factors.

He pointed out that there are currently over 24,400 children waiting beyond the target to be seen for their first specialist appointment, with the average waiting time of seven and a half months.

Dr Riordan said Killians multiple attendances at the emergency department in Temple Street was a striking feature of the case.

He outlined how CHI was working to see if its IT systems could trigger a warning for children who have multiple hospital attendances with asthma and other potentially serious recurrent illnesses.

The inquest heard 994 children attended emergency departments last year on more than one occasion with asthma, including 46 who attended four or more times. In addition, 49 such patients were admitted to an intensive care unit.

Dr Riordan also noted that there were 586 children on the waiting list to be seen by a respiratory consultant in Temple Street in September 2022, with around 250 new patients being added each year.

Counsel for CHI, Conor Halpin SC, told the hearing that recommendations made by the Burnett family would be passed on to a committee reviewing clinical guidelines, although he noted that several measures were already covered.

Mr Halpin issued an apology on behalf of CHIs chief executive, Lucy Nugent, for its shortcomings and acknowledged that the experience was devastating for you.

A postmortem confirmed Killian had died as a result of respiratory failure due to a severe exacerbation of chronic asthma.

The coroner noted that aspiration of gastrointestinal mucoid content and focal pneumonia were contributory factors.

Following the hearing, Killians eldest brother, Jordan, paid tribute to his younger brother and said the inquest was an important step to understanding everything that led up to his death.

Ireland Investigation into murder of man outside Dublin pub benig 'pursued with vigour', inquest hears Read more

For years, we tried our best to support him and to get him the help he needed. As his brother, I saw him struggle in ways no child should ever have to, and those memories will stay with me for the rest of my life, said Mr Burnett.

I wish more than anything that we were not standing here today. I wish my little brother was still with uslaughing, growing up, living his life the way he deserved. Instead, we are facing a future without him, and our family is carrying a pain that will stay with us forever.

Mr Burnett added: Killian was never just a case number or a file. He was a bright, funny, loving boy who deserved to grow up and experience all the things life had to offer. He deserved a chance.

Accompanied by the familys solicitor, Ciara McPhillips, he expressed hope that no other family ever has to go through what we have gone through.
A Garda Superintendent told a trial on Wednesday that he and a colleague seized summons sheets, mobile phones, computer equipment, and documents when they raided the office of the Limerick Garda Superintendent who is accused of interfering in road traffic prosecutions.

Superintendent Cormac Brennan, Mountjoy Garda Station, Dublin, who was a Detective Inspector attached to the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) at the time, said he and a colleague spent five and half hours searching Supt Eamon ONeills office, Roxboro Road Garda Station, Limerick, under warrant, at 7am on May 16th, 2019.

A second search warrant was executed at Supt ONeills home, which he shared with his partner Sgt Anne Marie Hassett, who is a co-accused in the trial.

Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, heard that Supt Brennan seized at least 24 exhibits from Supt ONeills office, including, two summonses; three mobile phones; a laptop; a computer hard-drive; a USB key; a laptop bag; a diary; a bank receipt for a debit card, a sheet of paper with a username and password; a National Criminal Intelligence Unit (NCRI) report on a unrelated matter; information in respect of a unrelated murder case; Supt ONeills personal file; an unrelated intelligence document; and an unrelated complaint against an unidentified individual.

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Supt Brennan said he interviewed a witness at Roxboro Road Garda Station, and he said later on he met with the head of the Limerick Garda Division, Chief Superintendent Gerry Roche, who handed him a number of documents.

Supt Brennan said he then brought the exhibits to Athlone Garda Station, where Supt ONeill was being held for questioning by GNBCI detectives on suspicion of disclosing information to a third party, contrary to Section 62 of the Garda Siochana Act - no charges were ever brought against anyone in respect of those suspicions, the court heard.

During the raid on Supt ONeills home at 6.36am, gardai seized eight mobile phones, including four found in a safe in a wardrobe.

Sergeant Niall Duffy, a technical sergeant attached to the electronics media examination unit, located at a Garda Headquarters, gave evidence he received eight mobile phones from a GNBCI officer, including two phones associated with Supt Eamon ONeill, now retired, and one associated with his partner, Sgt Anne Marie Hassett.

Sgt Duffy said one of Supt ONeills mobile phones had to be sent to global security tech firm Cellbrite, in London for analysis.

Jonathan Chan, forensic mobile phone analyst with Cellbrite, which provides services and software to police forces, including to An Garda Siochana, gave evidence to the court via video link from London.

Mr Chan said he extracted data from a mobile, which the court heard belonged to Supt ONeill, and he produced an analysis report on the data extraction to the GNBCI.

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Mr ONeill, Sgt Anne Marie Hassett, Sergeant Michelle Leahy, Garda Tom McGlinchey, Garda Colm Geary, are on trial together, accused of a total of 39 counts of engaging in conduct tending or intending to pervert the course of justice, in respect of alleged interference in road traffic prosecutions.

The five were arrested and charged in May 2021, arising out of a GNBCI investigation.

Its the States case that citizens contacted Supt ONeill about fixed charge penalty notices, and that Supt ONeill, in turn, allegedly contacted Garda colleagues for the purpose of terminating the FCPNs.

Prosecuting senior counsel Carl Hanahoe earlier told the jury that Mr ONeill was the common denominator in respect of all 39 charges.

What all the offences have in common is the interference or involvement of Eamon ONeill, Mr Hanahoe said.

Ireland National garda unit carried out dawn raid on Superintendents home, Limerick Garda trial hears Read more

Between them, Sgt Hassett, Garda McGlinchey and Garda Geary are charged with a total of 10 counts that they did communicate with another garda or gardai for the purpose of terminating potential or pending road traffic prosecutions.

Sergeant Leahy is accused of two counts of carrying out her duties as a Court Presenter, with intent to pervert the course of justice, by applying to a district court to have a summons withdrawn, and a summons struck out, in respect of two road traffic prosecutions.

All five deny the charges.

The trial before a jury of eight men and four women continues on Thursday.
The High Court has continued orders sought by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to secure the protection of a highly vulnerable minor.

The childs case returned before High Court president Mr Justice David Barniville on Wednesday, after the judge last month made various orders relating to the childs care and treatment.

At the hearing, the court heard evidence of the childs positive progress at their current placement.

Following an application by Tusla, Mr Justice Barniville made orders allowing for the childs continued care and treatment at their current placement.

Since proceedings commenced last month, the court has imposed strict reporting restrictions on the case.

These restrictions are provided for in legislation that allows court proceedings to be held in private in certain circumstances.

On Wednesday, counsel for The Irish Times, RTE and Irish Independent publisher Mediahuis made an application in respect of the reporting restrictions.

Mr Justice Barniville directed the current restrictions continue, permitting only certain facts to be reported. The judge said he would keep the restrictions under review.

The case is due to return to court next month.
A Limerick farmer who pleaded guilty to over 170 counts of animal cruelty sat down in the dock, while it took over an hour for the charges to be put to him in court and for him to reply guilty.

While defendants are normally required to stand in the dock when charges are put to them, the man was permitted to sit while entering his plea 173 times.

The defendant, Seamus Looby (66), Raheen, Garryspillane, Co Limerick, pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to 173 animal cruelty offences in respect of the carcasses of calves discovered on his farmlands.

Looby admitted 67 counts of failing to protect the calves; 68 counts of prohibition on animal cruelty; 11 counts of failing to dispose of the dead calves carcasses; and 27 counts of failing to comply with an Animal Health and Welfare notice.

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The offences occurred at Loobys farmlands, on dates between March 8th, 2022, and September 8th, 2022.

It took over an hour for the defendant to be read each of the charges and to enter a guilty plea in response.

At one stage during the arraignment hearing, Looby replied not guilty before he quickly corrected himself and stated guilty.

The dead calves were found as a result of a major investigation conducted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, in September 2022.

Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley, instructed by State Solicitor for County Limerick, Brendan Gill, described it as very significant animal cruelty.

Ms Buckley asked for Looby to give an undertaking that no more animals would be kept on his farm.

Loobys barrister, senior counsel Colman Cody, instructed by solicitor Michael Devlin, acknowledged it was a very serious case.

Ireland Man jailed for animal cruelty acts linked to protests against asylum seeker housing Read more

Mr Cody said Looby would not allow any more animals on his land.

Currently, there is a suspension on him having animals on his property, Mr Cody added.

Applying for legal aid and a psychological report on the defendant, Mr Cody said: There is a history of mental health issues. There was some degree of manipulation of Mr Looby regarding the circumstances of providing other third parties to keep animals on his land.

Judge Colin Daly ordered a psychological report and remanded Looby on bail for sentence next March.
A father of two who was killed when his light aircraft crashed during an emergency landing in Waterford has been named.

Bircan Dokuzlar (48), who was originally from Turkey, died when he attempted to land the aircraft in a field close to Waterford Airport last Thursday at around 12:50pm.

The aircraft had taken off from Sligo and was heading for Beziers in France.

Emergency service units, including Coast Guard Rescue 117, attended the scene.

Air accident iInvestigators are continuing to examine what may have caused the crash. It is understood that Mr Dokuzlar turned the plane around off the south coast of Ireland and headed back towards Waterford Airport as he attempted an emergency landing.

It is understood the aircraft had been stored for several months in Sligo. The privately-owned Vulcanair P68C did not have a cockpit voice recorder due to its size.

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A GoFundMe page set-up to help financially support his family which also paid tribute to Mr Dokuzlar for his diligence, honesty and dedication.

(He was) an honorable man who tirelessly worked for his family despite all hardships.

A fundraising campaign has been set up to support his family after the tragic incident.

Kaan Demiroz, who set up the campaign added: This sudden and devastating loss has left his family not only in deep grief but also facing the heavy burden of funeral, burial, international transportation, and the many needs the family now faces without him.

This period is extremely challenging for the family, both financially and emotionally. All support collected will help lighten the Dokuzlar familys burden during this difficult time and allow them to take a small breath of relief.

To date the campaign has raised over 33,000.

There is an ongoing investigation into the crash, and aircraft investigators believe that weather conditions were not a factor.
Sinn Fein councillor for the Clondalkin area, William Carey, has described the incident in which a woman was set on fire as depraved.

A lot of thought and planning had gone into such an attack; it was essentially attempted murder, he told RTE radios Morning Ireland.

He said people in the area were angry, annoyed and shocked at the level of violence in the attack, and the whole area was in shock.

On Tuesday, gardai said a woman was being treated for serious burn injuries after an alleged assault at a home in west Dublin.

They said they were investigating the incident, which happened at a property in Clondalkin at around 10:10am on Tuesday.

The woman was taken to the hospital to be treated for burn injuries, which are believed to be serious, while a man was also taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries believed to be non-life-threatening.

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Cllr Carey, who is also chair of the Oak Downs residents association, the estate where the incident occurred, described the area as not a big crime area and he urged anybody who had information about the attack to contact the gardai.

The whole estate, the whole area here are in quite a lot of shock. It was a quiet morning in the area, nobody expected anything like this to be happening in our area.

"It's quite an idyllic type of estate, a lot of private homeowners, a lot of hardworking people and to have this happening on the doorstep is completely shocking.

The sense of depravity involved in this attack is quite frightening and it has people doubly shocked at the level of violence because this is not the type of thing we would expect in the area here.

"I wouldn't say this would be an issue that we would expect to see or hear within the area. It's not a big crime area. Recently at our residents association meeting we had the local community garda in attendance and he described incidents that are occurring in the area as very low key.

Cllr Carey said he lived less than 150 yards from the house where the attack happened and he was concerned that at the time the local creche had been bringing children to a park and this is what they almost passed.
A court in Thailand has issued an arrest warrant for a co-owner of the Miss Universe Organisation in connection with a fraud case.

Jakkaphong Anne Jakrajutatip was charged with fraud then released on bail in 2023.

She failed to appear as required in a Bangkok court on Tuesday. Since she did not notify the court about her absence, she was deemed to be a flight risk, according to a statement from the Bangkok South District Court.

The court rescheduled the hearing for December 26.

According to the courts statement, Jakkaphong and her company, JKN Global Group Public Co Ltd, were sued for allegedly defrauding Raweewat Maschamadol in selling him the companys corporate bonds in 2023.



Contestants take part in the final round of the 74th Miss Universe Beauty Pageant earlier this month (Sakchai LalitAP)

Mr Raweewat says the investment caused him to lose 30 million baht (700,000).

Financially troubled JKN defaulted on payments to investors beginning in 2023 and began debt rehabilitation procedures with the Central Bankruptcy Court in 2024. The company says it has debts totalling about three billion baht (70 million).

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JKN acquired the rights to the Miss Universe pageant from IMG Worldwide LLC in 2022. In 2023, it sold 50% of its Miss Universe shares to Legacy Holding Group USA, which is owned by a Mexican businessman, Raul Rocha Cantu.

Jakkaphong resigned from all of the companys positions in June after being accused by Thailands Securities and Exchange Commission of falsifying the companys 2023 financial statements. She remains its largest shareholder.

Her whereabouts remain unclear. She did not appear at the 74th Miss Universe competition, which was held in Bangkok earlier this month.

This years competition was marred by various problems, including a sharp-tongued scolding by a Thai organiser of Fatima Bosch Fernandez of Mexico, who was crowned Miss Universe 2025.

Two judges reportedly dropped out, with one suggesting that there was an element of rigging to the contest. Separately, Thai police investigated allegations that publicity for the event included illegal promotion of online casinos.

On Monday, JKN denied rumours that Jakkaphong had liquidated the companys assets and fled the country, but there has been no immediate reaction regarding the arrest warrant. She could not be reached for comment.

Jakkaphong is a well-known celebrity in Thailand who has starred in reality shows and is outspoken about her identity as a transgender woman.
The European Parliament on Wednesday agreed on a resolution that calls for a default minimum age of 16 on social media to ensure "age-appropriate online engagement".

According to a draft published in October, the legislation asked for "the establishment of a harmonised European digital age limit of 16 years old as the default threshold under which access to online social media platforms should not be allowed unless parents or guardians have authorised their children otherwise".

It also called for a harmonised European digital age limit of 13, under which no minor could access social media platforms, and an age limit of 13 for video-sharing services and "AI companions".

The Parliament resolution is not legally binding and does not set policy.
US immigration authorities are detaining the mother of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt's nephew, officials said on Wednesday, a sign of the wide reach of president Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.

A US Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said in a statement that immigration authorities had arrested the woman, Brazilian national Bruna Caroline Ferreira, but declined to provide the exact circumstances.

News reports said Ms Ferreira had been taken into custody in Revere, Massachusetts, near Boston.

DHS said Ms Ferreira had entered the US on a tourist visa and failed to depart, but a GoFundMe page organised by her sister said she had legal status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Most arrested by ICE had no convictions

Mr Trump, a Republican, has surged immigration officers to major cities across the US in an effort to reach historic levels of deportations, sweeping in many long-term residents and non-criminals.

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More than two-thirds of the roughly 53,000 people arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and detained as of November 15th had no criminal convictions, according to ICE statistics.

DHS said Ms Ferreira had a previous arrest for battery, but did not provide further details. Reuters could not independently confirm the alleged charge.

In response to a request for comment to the White House, a source familiar with the matter confirmed that Ms Ferreira was the mother to Ms Leavitt's nephew. The source said the nephew had lived full-time with Ms Leavitt's brother, Michael Leavitt, in New Hampshire since birth and had never resided with Ms Ferreira.

ICE detention centre

DHS said Ms Ferreira was currently being held in an ICE detention centre in Louisiana.

"Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, all individuals unlawfully present in the United States are subject to deportation," the spokesperson said.

The GoFundMe page, organised by Ms Ferreira's sister, Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues, aims to raise $30,000 for her legal expenses, describing her as a selfless and hardworking mother.

"She has done everything in her power to build a stable, honest life here," the page said. "She has maintained her legal status through DACA, followed every requirement, and has always strived to do the right thing."

Her detention has been "especially painful" for her 11-year-old son, "who needs his mother and hopes every single day that shell be home in time for the holidays," the page said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel had identified the latest remains returned from Gaza as hostage Dror Or.

That leaves the bodies of two hostages in Gaza as the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement nears a conclusion.

The identification came as Turkish, Qatari and Egyptian officials met in Cairo to discuss the second phase of the tenuous ceasefire agreement, which began in October and has held despite accusations by both sides of violations.



Israeli Dror Or whose remains have been identified (Hostages and Missing Families Forum via AP)

Palestinian militants released Mr Ors remains on Tuesday.

Israel has agreed to release 15 Palestinian bodies for each hostage returned and hospital officials in Gaza said on Wednesday Israel had handed over the remains of 15 more Palestinians.

Mr Or was killed by Islamic Jihad militants who overran his home in Kibbutz Beeri on October 7 2023, Israels military said. His wife, Yonat Or, was also killed in the attack.

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The Hostages Families Forum said Mr Or was a devoted father and talented cheesemaker who spent years working at the Beeri dairy, eventually managing it. The group said Mr Or was also a chef and yoga teacher.

Two of Mr Ors children, Alma and Noam, were abducted by the militants on October 7 and released in a hostage deal in November 2023.

On October 7, Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people across southern Israel and abducted 251 to Gaza. Kibbutz Beeri was one of the hardest-hit farming communities in that attack that started the war in Gaza.



The Red Cross convoy carrying the remains in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

Almost all of the hostages or their remains have been returned in ceasefires or other deals. The remains of two  one Israeli and one Thai national  are still in Gaza.

Ran Gvili, 24, who served in an elite police unit, was recovering from a broken shoulder he sustained in a motorcycle accident but rushed to assist fellow officers on October 7.

After helping people escape from the Nova music festival, he was killed fighting at another location and his body was taken to Gaza. The military confirmed his death four months later.

Sudthisak Rinthalak was an agricultural worker from Thailand who had been employed at Kibbutz Beeri.

A total of 31 workers from Thailand were abducted on October 7, the largest group of foreigners to be held in captivity. Most of them were released in the first and second ceasefires. The Thai Foreign Ministry has said in addition to the hostages, 46 Thais have been killed during the war.

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Hazem Qassem, the spokesman for Hamas, said on Wednesday that the militant group was committed to handing over the remaining two hostages. Writing on his Telegram channel, he called for mediators to pressure Israel to stop its violations of the ceasefire.

Gazas Health Ministry says more than 69,700 Palestinians have been killed and 170,800 injured in Israels retaliatory offensive.

The toll has increased during the ceasefire both from new Israeli strikes and from the recovery and identification of bodies of people killed earlier in the war.

A Palestinian man was killed when Israeli troops opened fire on Wednesday on a group of people in central Gaza, a hospital said.

At least two others were wounded in the attack that took place east of the Maghazi refugee camp, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital which received the casualties. Israels military did not immediately respond to request for comment on the report.

Also Wednesday, the military said its troops struck a group of six militants in the southern city of Rafah, killing one. The military statement said that the militants had most likely emerged from the underground terror infrastructure in the area.

The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures but has said women and children make up a majority of those killed.

The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by independent experts.



Bodies of unidentified Palestinians returned from Israel as part of the ceasefire deal are buried in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, earlier in November (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

Turkeys intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin met in Cairo on Tuesday with Qatars Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egypts intelligence chief Hasan Reshat to discuss advancing to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, a Turkish security official said.

The talks also centred on intensifying joint efforts with the United States to strengthen the truce, according to the official who requested anonymity in line with Turkish regulations.

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The three also agreed to deepen co-operation with the Civil-Military Co-ordination Centre (CMCC) to remove obstacles and prevent violations, ensuring the ceasefire is upheld without interruption, the official added.

The next phases of the ceasefire agreement include developing an international body to govern Gaza and oversee reconstruction under a two-year, renewable UN mandate.

An armed international stabilisation force is to keep security and ensure the disarming of Hamas, a key demand of Israel. Indonesian officials have said they plan to deploy 20,000 peacekeepers to the force. The worlds largest Muslim-majority nation with a long experience in UN peacekeeping missions

Major questions hang over nearly every part of the plan and the timeframe for implementation. In the meantime, nearly all Palestinians remain displaced and dependent on humanitarian aid, Hamas retains significant control over nearly half of Gaza and the rebuilding of the territory has barely begun.
A judge on Wednesday dismissed the Georgia election interference case against US President Donald Trump and others, after the prosecutor who took over the case said he would not pursue the charges, ending the last effort to punish the president in the courts for his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss.

Pete Skandalakis, the executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia, took over the case earlier this month from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who was removed over an appearance of impropriety created by a romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she chose to lead the case.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee issued a one-paragraph order dismissing the case in its entirety.

The abandonment of the Georgia case is the latest reflection of how Mr Trump has emerged largely unscathed from a spate of prosecutions that once threatened to imperil his political career and personal liberty.

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Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, who had charged Mr Trump with conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election and hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, dropped both cases after Mr Trump won the White House last year.



Fani Willis was removed over an appearance of impropriety (Brynn Anderson/AP)

Mr Smith cited longstanding Justice Department policy against the indictment of a sitting president.

And though Mr Trump was convicted of felony charges in New York in connection with hush money payments during the 2016 election, he was sentenced in January to an unconditional discharge, leaving his conviction intact but sparing him any punishment.

It was unlikely that legal action against Mr Trump could have moved forward while he is president.

Fourteen other defendants still faced charges, including former New York mayor and Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.

Steve Sadow, Mr Trumps lead lawyer in Georgia, applauded the cases dismissal, saying: The political persecution of President Trump by disqualified DA Fani Willis is finally over. This case should never have been brought. A fair and impartial prosecutor has put an end to this lawfare.

The strongest and most prosecutable case against those seeking to overturn the 2020 presidential election results and prevent the certification of those votes was the one investigated and indicted by special counsel Jack Smith, Mr Skandalakis wrote in his court filing on Wednesday.

He added that the criminal conduct alleged in the Georgia indictment was conceived in Washington DC, not the state of Georgia. The federal government is the appropriate venue for this prosecution, not the state of Georgia.

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After the Georgia Supreme Court in September declined to hear Ms Willis appeal against her disqualification, it fell to the Prosecuting Attorneys Council to find a new prosecutor.



Peter Skandalakis said several prosecutors declined to take the case (Natrice Miller/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/AP)

Mr Skandalakis said last month that he approached several prosecutors, but they all declined to take the case.

Mr McAfee set a November 14 deadline for the appointment of a new prosecutor, so Mr Skandalakis chose to appoint himself rather than let the case be dismissed right away.

He said Ms Willis office only recently delivered the case file  101 boxes and an eight-terabyte hard drive  and he had not had a chance to review everything yet.

Citing the publics legitimate interest in the outcome of this case, he said he wanted to assess the evidence and decide on appropriate next steps.

Mr Skandalakis, who has led the small, nonpartisan council since 2018, said in a court filing last month that he will get no extra pay for the case but that Fulton County will reimburse expenses.

Ms Willis announced the sprawling indictment against Mr Trump and 18 others in August 2023, using the states anti-racketeering law to allege a wide-ranging conspiracy to illegally overturn Mr Trumps narrow loss to Democrat Joe Biden in Georgia.

Defence lawyers sought Ms Willis removal after one disclosed in January 2024 that she had a romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor she hired to lead the case.

The defence lawyers alleged a conflict of interest and said Ms Willis profited from the case when Mr Wade used his earnings to pay for holidays they took.

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During an extraordinary hearing the following month, Ms Willis and Mr Wade gave evidence about the intimate details of their relationship. They said the romance did not begin until after Mr Wade was hired and that they split the costs for holidays and other outings.

The judge rebuked Ms Willis for a tremendous lapse in judgment but found no disqualifying conflict of interest, ruling she could stay on the case if Mr Wade resigned, which he did hours later.

Defence lawyers appealed, and the Georgia Court of Appeals removed Ms Willis from the case in December 2024, citing an appearance of impropriety.

The state Supreme Court declined to hear Ms Willis appeal.
Pope Leo XIV is embarking on his first foreign trip, a pilgrimage to Turkey and Lebanon.

Leo is fulfilling a trip Pope Francis planned to make, to mark an important anniversary with the Orthodox church in Turkey.

In Lebanon, he will try to boost a long-suffering Christian community as well as Lebanese of all faiths who are still demanding justice over the 2020 Beirut port blast.

Leo, who spent 12 years as superior of his Augustinian religious order and two decades as a missionary in Peru, says he loves to travel.

He is still driving coverage here (in the US) because of his engagement with one of the most important issues were facing, which is migration, said Kim Daniels, director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University.

I think this trip will drive attention again to the peripheries and to the vulnerable.

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Significantly, Leo plans to deliver all his remarks in Turkey in English and English and French in Lebanon, casting aside the Italian lingua franca of the Vatican in favour of languages that are more widely understood.

The main impetus for travelling to Turkey, the first stop in the trip, is to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, Christianitys first ecumenical council.

Pope Leo waves as he leaves at the end of an audience on the occasion of the Jubilee of the Choirs in St Peters Square, at the Vatican, earlier in November (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

Leo will pray with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of the worlds Orthodox Christians, at the site of the 325 AD gathering  todays Iznik  and sign a joint declaration in a visible sign of Christian unity.

Eastern and Western churches were united until the Great Schism of 1054, a divide precipitated largely by disagreements over the primacy of the pope.

The visit will also offer Leo several occasions to speak about regional tensions overall, Catholic-Muslim relations and Christians dwindling presence in the Middle East.

Clergy in the region say the Vaticans strong support for Palestinians in Gaza during Israels war, first under Francis and now Leo, has bolstered the churchs credibility among ordinary Muslims.

In a moment when many Western powers hesitated on the question of Gaza, Francis  and then Leo  was very strong. He didnt go to Gaza but everything he could have said it seems he said, said the Rev Paolo Pugliese, superior of the Capuchin friars in Turkey.

Security expected to be tight. The Vatican said no extra security measures had been taken, though spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to say whether Leos cars and popemobiles were bullet-proofed.

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Significantly, Leo will not visit Lebanons south, battered by last years war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and the site of intensified Israeli strikes in recent weeks. Christians groups in southern Lebanon had lobbied for the pope to visit the area and circulated a new petition just this week.

At most Leo might be bothered in Beirut by Israeli drones that fly overhead, organisers said.

The highlight of the Lebanese visit comes on Leos last day, December 2nd, when he spends time in silent prayer at the site of the August 4 2020 Beirut port blast.

The explosion tore through the Lebanese capital, killing at least 218 people, wounding more than 6,000 and devastating large swathes of Beirut. Sparked when hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate detonated in a warehouse, the blast caused billions of dollars in damage.

Lebanese citizens were enraged by the blast, which appeared to be the result of government negligence, coming on top of an economic crisis spurred by decades of corruption and financial crimes. But an investigation has repeatedly stalled, and five years on, no official has been convicted.

There are hopes among Lebanese that Leo will demand accountability from Lebanons political class, and insist that there can be no peace without truth and justice.

Such an appeal could shake up our various political leaders, because we continue to live under the pressure of a social crisis, an economic crisis, in a country where the various leaders hear neither the cry of the poor, nor the cry of the unfortunate, nor the cry of citizens, said Monsignor Cesar Essayan, apostolic vicar of Beirut for Latin rite Catholics.

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Another important moment will come when Leo meets with young Lebanese. He is expected to give them words of encouragement, amid the decades-long flight of Lebanese abroad, while also acknowledging their disillusionment over the failures of adults.

Many families feel that they are surviving the day by day with really very little visibility on the future, said Marielle Boutros, project co-ordinator in Lebanon for Aid to the Church in Need, the Catholic charity.

So this visit of His Holiness, its not simply symbolic. It is a really concrete sign that Lebanon is not forgotten.
US President Donald Trumps chief negotiator with the Russian government last month advised a senior aide to Vladimir Putin on how the Russian leader should go about pitching the US president on a Ukraine peace plan, according to a transcript of the call published by Bloomberg News.

Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, according to a transcript of the October 14 call published by the news service, advised Mr Putins foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov that Mr Putin should call Mr Trump to congratulate him for the Gaza peace deal, say Russia had supported it and that he respects the president as a man of peace.

From that, its going to be a really good call, Mr Witkoff said according to the transcript.

When asked by Russian state media to comment on Bloombergs report, Mr Ushakov did not question the recordings authenticity but said that they had not been leaked by Moscow.

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He also said that the calls had likely been leaked to hinder US-Russia ties.

Its unlikely this is being done to improve relations, he said.

Mr Ushakov also said that he spoke to Mr Witkoff by phone quite often but refused to discuss the content of the recording.

The essence of these conversations is that they are confidential. I wont comment. No one should comment.



US President Donald Trump said Mr Witkoff was doing what a dealmaker does (Alex Brandon/US)

The Bloomberg report came as Mr Trump on Tuesday said a proposal to end Russias war in Ukraine has been fine-tuned and announced he is sending Mr Witkoff to meet Mr Putin.

The White House did not dispute the veracity of the transcript, and Mr Trump described Mr Witkoffs reported approach to the Russians in the call as standard negotiating procedure.

Hes got to sell this to Ukraine. Hes got to sell Ukraine to Russia, Mr Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew to his home in Florida on Tuesday night. Thats what a dealmaker does.

But US Representative Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican who has been critical of Mr Trumps approach to Ukraine, said the transcript showed Mr Witkoff favours the Russians.

He cannot be trusted to lead these negotiations. Would a Russian paid agent do less than he? He should be fired, Mr Bacon said on social media.

Bloomberg said it reviewed a recording of the call, but did not say how it obtained access to the recording. The Associated Press has not independently verified the transcript.

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The Witkoff-Ushakov call happened a day after Mr Trump made a triumphant visit to Israel and Egypt to celebrate sealing the Gaza ceasefire.

Heres what I think would be amazing, Mr Witkoff said to his counterpart during the call, according to Bloomberg. Maybe he says to President Trump: you know, Steve and Yuri discussed a very similar 20-point plan to peace and that could be something that we think might move the needle a little bit, were open to those sorts of things.

Mr Witkoff also suggested setting up a Trump-Putin call before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys White House visit later that week and suggested that Mr Putin congratulate Mr Trump on the Gaza agreement as an entry point into the call.

Mr Ushakov agreed that Mr Putin will congratulate and will say Mr Trump is a real peace man.

Mr Trump and Mr Putin ended up speaking to each other a day before the US president held White House talks with Mr Zelensky. Shortly after that meeting with Mr Zelensky on October 17, Mr Trump said that Ukraine and Russia should stop where they are on the battlefield  meaning Ukraine should concede territory Russia had seized from its neighbour.

On October 29, Mr Ushakov spoke by phone with Kirill Dmitriev, a close adviser to Mr Putin on Ukraine, and debated how strongly Moscow should push for its demands in a prospective peace proposal, according to another recording reviewed by Bloomberg.

Ill informally pass it along, making it clear that its all informal. And let them do like their own, Mr Dmitriev told Mr Ushakov in the back and forth. But, I dont think theyll take exactly our version, but at least itll be as close to it as possible.

This story proves one thing: Special Envoy Witkoff talks to officials in both Russia and Ukraine nearly every day to achieve peace, which is exactly what President Trump appointed him to do White House communications director Steven Cheung

The exchange happened soon after Mr Dmitriev had travelled to Florida for talks with Mr Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law and informal adviser, that centred on creating the framework for a 28-point peace plan.

The original plan, which became public last week, appeared heavily skewed toward Russian demands and included calls for Ukraine to cede the entire Donbas region to Russia and dramatically reduce the size of its military. It also included an agreement from Europe that Ukraine will never be allowed to join the Nato military alliance.

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This story proves one thing: Special Envoy Witkoff talks to officials in both Russia and Ukraine nearly every day to achieve peace, which is exactly what President Trump appointed him to do, White House communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement.

Mr Dmitriev said in a social media post that the transcript was fake and said in a second post: The closer we get to peace, the more desperate warmongers become.

The Russian Embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has insisted the proposal was authored by the United States, with input from both the Russians and Ukrainians, in response to bipartisan pushback in Washington that the leaked plan amounted to a Russian wish list. The State Department declined to comment on the Bloomberg report.

On Tuesday, Mr Trump said he was sending Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to meet Ukrainian officials as Mr Witkoff meets Mr Putin. Mr Trump also suggested he could eventually meet Mr Putin and Mr Zelensky, but not until further progress has been made in negotiations.
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BusinessCompaniesRenewables Opinion An Australian powerhouse tried to kill a start-up. It failed Elizabeth Knight Business columnist November 26, 2025  2:34pm

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Two years, 30 hearings, 9 million seized documents and dozens of affidavits later, one of the dirtiest and most personal legal battles  between billionaire Andrew Forrest and one of his former close friends Michael Masterman  is now moot. It was settled with a whimper on Wednesday with no admissions, no concessions and neither responsible for anything other than their respective legal costs. Former Fortescue employees executives Bart Kolodziejczyk and Michael Masterman. Eamon Gallagher But given the tens of millions of dollars this case would have generated in legal expenses, the entire episode has turned out to be an example of a big company using a sledgehammer to swat a fly, an exercise that reeks of excess testosterone, too much ego and motivated partly by personal feelings. Forrests Fortescue had claimed Mastermans start-up, Element Zero, engaged in what was essentially corporate espionage  with the green tech start-up allegedly stealing a recipe to produce green iron that the trio developed while on Fortescue companys time

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Masterman and his two colleagues who founded Element Zero  Bart Kolodziejczyk and Bjorn Winther-Jensen  all used to work at Fortescue. The latter two were heavily involved in developing technical solutions around the production of green iron. At the time, Fortescue was developing hydrogen-based solutions to aid its pursuit of the green ore holy grail. Related Article Analysis

China relations Why Twiggys happy to cut the oranges for Team Australia Meanwhile, Element Zeros model involves an alternative technology using electro-chemical processes to convert any grade of iron ore into high-purity green iron. Fortescue alleged that this intellectual property was developed while Kolodziejczyk and Winther-Jensen were working at Fortescue. Masterman had been a long time go-to guy for Forrest, having helped him with arranging finance from the early days at the billionaires nickel company Anaconda, and the team had paired up at Fortescue at different times and worked with companies associated with the Forrest familys private interests.

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It was Fortescues tactics in trying to find evidence that elevated the legal saga into a headline stealing case. In particular, Fortescues use of private detectives to surveil and photograph the three men and their wives and children. Fortescue was also successful in receiving court approval for raids on homes and offices of the principals of Element Zero in which 9 million documents were seized. Private investigators working for Fortescue conducted surveillance of Element Zero co-founder Michael Masterman. The spying was done by Lancasters Investigations, a company founded by former British SAS soldier turned private investigator Robert Lancaster, which produced a 600-page report for Fortescue. Lancaster has posted photos of himself holding weapons on Instagram, and photos from his days as a soldier. It was revealed in court that Fortescues in-house legal counsel, Adrian Huber, gave direct instructions to the private investigations group. Forrest distanced himself from these more aggressive invasive manoeuvres, but was strident and emotive about pursuing Element Zero through the courts.

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Forrest said last year that the Element Zero team had burnt the bridges behind them like the Nazis pulling out of Poland. You want to send emails full of our data over there then eliminate it, youll be held to the full responsibility of the law, he said. There is an overarching message here; youre not going to be paid to develop technology with a whole heap of other people, at really serious risk and cost to the entire company and your workmates  and then send that technology to another email address and think thats OK, he said. Thats not OK. All the while Element Zeros lawyers have argued that Fortescue was attempting to draw out the case in the hopes that the defendant would run out of money.

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Andrew Forrest Billionaire Andrew Forrests green crusade cops a reality check Elizabeth Knight Business columnist In the end, Fortescue ran out of evidentiary ammunition  unable to find the smoking gun in the legion of documents it obtained from Element Zero using what is called an Anton Pillar order that allows a party to a lawsuit to search premises and seize evidence without prior notice to the other party, to prevent its destruction or concealment. Element Zeros $US10 million in funds raised to develop its technology has been seriously diminished defending its case. It will need a lot more where that came from to determine its commercial viability and build manufacturing sites. It makes you wonder whether Fortescue would have achieved a better outcome if it just took a stake in Element Zero, rather than drag the executives through court? The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.
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Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears Infini primes up drill targets ahead of Canadian uranium tilt Brought to you by BULLS N BEARS Andrew Todd November 26, 2025  3:53pm 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

Infini Resources has wrapped up boots-on-the-ground work at its Reynolds Lake and Reitenbach Lake uranium projects in Canadas renowned Athabasca Basin where it is looking to sharpen up and lock in drill targets ahead of a maiden campaign next year. The company says it has uncovered fresh zones of radioactivity with sampling assays from the program expected to land before years-end. The follow-up phase 2 campaign included detailed mapping, additional rock samples from previously flagged spots and a tightening of the picture of where uranium-bearing fluids might have travelled. Black visual uraninite mineralisation at surface surrounded by greenish-yellow mineralisation at Infini Resources Reitenbach Lake project in Canada. The standout feature remains the visible uraninite discovery at Reitenbach Lake  a black, shiny uranium mineral sitting right in the rock fractures at surface.

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Infini says early work has bolstered the overall geological framework and verified additional areas of strong radioactivity for drilling. While exposure across the region remains limited by glacial cover and low-lying wetlands, the companys recent uraninite showing at Reitenbach Lake stands out as a prime Athabascan-style uranium target in the world class basin. The company says its dominant structural fabric dips steeply and trends northeast-southwest, matching Infinis high-priority electromagnetic conductors at depth. The at surface uraninite appears to be hosted by parallel fractures within the host rock and is joined by a fine-grained yellow-greenish radioactive mineral that could be carnotite or another secondary uranium species. Infini says that thin-section analysis is underway to confirm the uranium-bearing minerals, with results anticipated just in time for Christmas.

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Phase 2 also turned up positively humming scintillometer hits, including a 4700 count per second radioactivity reading in an outcrop some 30m along strike from the uraninite and up to 9800 counts per second another 400m along strike. Phase 2 has delivered exactly what we had hoped for, multiple zones of strong radioactivity, compelling structural settings and alteration Infini Resources chief executive officer Rohan Bone The company now believes its mineralisation extends well beyond the initial outcrop, with another zone northeast of the discovery returning a steady 8000 counts per second from a pegmatite dyke, alongside several other areas tied to big electromagnetic conductors. 35 new rock samples were also collected and are now on their way to the lab for proper chemical analysis. While seeing exciting uranium minerals in the field and high scintillometer numbers are promising, the real grades will come from the laboratory assays.

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The first batch of lab results is due before Christmas, with the new Phase 2 samples to follow early next year. Once those numbers land, Infini will blend them with the maps and geophysics to finalise the exact spots for a potential maiden drill program at its rapidly emerging project. Infini Resources chief executive officer Rohan Bone said: Phase 2 has delivered exactly what we had hoped for  multiple zones of strong radioactivity, compelling structural settings, and alteration signatures consistent with uranium-bearing systems. The confirmed uraninite showing at Reitenbach, together with the scale and intensity of the surrounding EM targets, strongly indicates the potential for a significant uranium system. The Reynolds Lake and Reitenbach Lake projects sit side-by-side on the eastern edge of the Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan and cover a combined 677 square kilometres of high-grade uranium exploration tenure. Canadas Athabasca Basin is something of a uranium curiosity. It is sometimes described as looking like a bathtub buried in a geological formation with multiple high grade uranium discoveries made directly around the tub.

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It also stands out for its grades that are capable of delivering cracking financial studies like the one delivered by NexGen Energy last year on its Arrow deposit. NexGen says Arrow shows a whopping annual EBITDA of C$3.3b a year for at least the first 5 years and with grades going well north of 2% it is little wonder. They straddle a major ancient fault zone, the Needle Falls Shear Zone, in the exact type of geological neighbourhood that hosts some of the worlds richest uranium deposits. Infini says it is also working closely with the local First Nations group Yathi Nene and pushing permits through so the rigs can roll as soon as the ground thaws next year. With lab results imminent and rigs waiting, Infini is stepping up its presence in the planets premier uranium hunting ground just as uranium supply tightens and prices swing rapidly. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au

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BusinessConsumer affairsAviation Frequent flyer points mania expands far past airlines Chris Zappone November 27, 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

The craze for frequent flyer points has expanded to the small business sector, with companies vying to lure small business owners by using perks such as flights in return for processing their payments of rent, payments or even tax. In what is estimated to be a $5 billion industry, a raft of businesses has grown to help customers navigate and exploit airline-linked benefits. One way to business class... Small and medium-sized enterprises can convert payment transactions into air miles. The platforms and services help customers earn and redeem points, creating a business that is only possible through the rise of cash-rich airline loyalty programs. The points payment sector is showing signs of strong growth. Pay.com.au, for example, now boasts more airline travel partners than American Express, even as the rules around fees on card could be shaken up by regulators.

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The success of points sector is driven not only by the banks and airlines use of points as a marketing tool but also because cash-strapped small to medium-sized businesses benefit from the payments arrangements the speciality platforms offer. Small businesses can pay bills through processing services like RewardPay, B2B Pay, Yak Pay, or Pay.com.au, which simplify the time-consuming complexity of payments for wages, rent, bills, even taxes, while smoothing out their often-lumpy cash flow. Companies are charged fees for the services, and in return, they receive air miles from payments. Importantly, fees paid to the processing companies can often be claimed as a business expense for tax purposes.

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While not giving a complete picture of the industry, annual value of purchases on commercial credit cards has jumped from $57 billion in March 2021 to over $115 billion in September 2025, according to RBA data analysed by Qi Insights. Payment processing takes off as a way to earn air miles. Sevan Tuna, managing director of accountancy Alexander Spencer, is a customer of Pay.com.au. He says its simpler than trying to navigate through multiple cards to try to get the benefits of rewards points for business spending. It also helps him manage cashflow. Paying via credit cards gives small businesses access to longer terms for repayment. American Express business cards, for example, typically come with a 51-55 day deadline. For cash-constrained small business, often waiting for their clients to pay up, this provides helpful flexibility in paying bills.

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Tuna said a business making transactions of $4 million to $5 million a year through the platform would earn multiple business-class flights to Europe and back. And you wouldnt get through them in a year because youd be travelling way too often. Using these services comes with a cost. Paying $20,000 with a linked account can cost $270 after taxes with Pay.com. The financial benefit for the points, however, would be $700, according to a calculator on the companys site. Reward Pay charges a percentage of the transaction cost plus GST, but that is typically lowered after taxes. The success of points-processing firms also reflects the decline in frequent flyer brand loyalty as a motivation for consumers. Research from consultancy McKinsey shows that even as consumers continue to recommend airlines, they recommend loyalty programs less. Clients can choose to convert their points to the airline of their choice, on some services. The flexibility allows customers to move them from one program to another, opening more flight options.

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Tripologist Your frequent flyer account is taking another hit Michael Gebicki The Tripologist Pay.com.au has 12 airline travel partners ranging from Qantas and Virgin to Japan Airlines, to the British Airways Club. In its first few years, Pay.com only had Qantas and Singapore Airlines as partners, but in recent years, it has has grown exponentially, says Pay.com spokesperson Daniel Sciberras. RewardPay focuses on key partners  Qantas  and offers frequent promotions, such as a 30 per cent bonus  in which one dollar earns 1.3 Qantas points. RewardPay CEO Mark Dawes estimates the marketplace in annual turnover for all the companies involved is $5 billion. When you think of points - often people think in terms of flights and hotels, but its more about helping the SME owner make the most out of the business payments, said Dawes.

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With the crossover of interests between banks, credit card and airlines, the best practices with points are always changing. Points strategist Adele Eliseo says: As with everything, its all down to the mathematics and doing the calculation to make sure that it makes sense [for you]. For example, in the years following COVID lockdowns, airlines held steady the value of points, and then increased their earn rates, to hold on to customers. Once lockdowns ended, airlines faced a surge of redemptions, prompting them to devalue their points  effectively requiring more for the same flight. Qantas, Virgin and Singapore Airlines have devalued their points. Next year the Reserve Bank plans to ban debit card payment surcharges and cut interchange fees on card payments. When that happens, airlines are expected to devalue the points they sell to banks, shifting the landscape again. There is a whole ecosystem of businesses growing around frequent flyer programs. Sam Mooy The points sector is a complex tangle which reflects in part the convoluted design of the payments system, says Bradford Kelly, the founder of the Independent Payments Forum. Kelly said the payments for points-processing services inflates the cost of transactions. Top earners were the target market for these companies.

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Theyre appealing to that demographic, and that demographic is the very upper echelon of spenders in Australia. Debit card transactions, which comprise the bulk of card use, subsidise the overall payment system, which the users of rewards cards benefit from, analysts say. At the moment, everyone is charged the same surcharge, whether its debit or credit, said Kelly. But a top echelon is getting all the benefit, and everybody else is paying for it through surcharges across cards on a flat basis. IPF represents small businesses in payment matters.

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When you tap your card, youre being surcharged. And that guy with his frequent flyer card is being surcharged the same amount. But are you going to London for free? And so whats going on is that those cardholders are getting all the benefit, and we as the rest of the world are paying for it. A spokesman for the company notes that any SME can use Pay.com.au Sizeable sums are at stake. Pay.com.au has sought pre-IPO investment that would value the company at $600 million. Our ambition extends beyond borders, with US operations set to scale in 2026 and beyond, said Australian CEO Grant Austin.

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Related Article Aviation The airlines fighting to take Australians on trips to Europe And its complex enough to warrant strategy. Pointify.com.au acts as a concierge service to help businesses navigate the ever-changing system. They train and consult with clients to develop strategies for getting the most out of the ever-shifting points ecosystem. Adele Eliseo, who founded Pointify, said she works with business decision-makers to essentially audit their expenses, look at their redemption goals, and then come up with a strategic plan on how they can optimise points earning. The success of air miles economy rivals the industry that spurred it: aviation. Peter Harbison, aviation analyst and chairman of GreenerAirlines.com, notes that during COVID, cash-strapped airlines mortgaged their frequent flyer programs for funds. When they did that, the value of the frequent flyer program was worth more than the total capitalisation of the airline, he said. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.

CORRECTION An earlier version of the story had misstated RewardPay CEO Mark Dawes name, and incorrectly said the company partnered with Virgin Australia. This has been corrected.
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Russell Crowe isnt an actor inclined to sit and wait to be told what to do. When writer-director James Vanderbilt was able to say that his film Nuremberg was finally going ahead, Crowe said he had some ideas about what to do with the films culminating scene, when Hermann Goering is tried in an international court for war crimes. He would say, Ive been reading the transcripts. Do you want to come over and talk through it? Vanderbilt recalls when we meet in San Sebastian, Spain, where the film has its European launch. And Id say, Yeah, lets just do it. Crowe would be playing Goering. Michael Shannon was cast as Robert H. Jackson, the lead prosecutor who went on to become a US Supreme Court judge. All the dialogue was taken from the trial transcripts, but Goering was cross-examined for hours; in the film, the courtroom scene runs for 17 minutes. So, you know, Russell and Michael and I sat round a table at Russells house, going through all of it, says Vanderbilt, whose intricate script for Zodiac, a police procedural directed by David Fincher in 2007, established him as one of Hollywoods great writers. Id written it, but we were going through saying, Is there something were missing? Is there a piece here we can use? That was incredibly important. The first of the Nuremberg trials, where 24 senior Nazis were indicted for war crimes, was indelibly dramatised in Stanley Kramers Judgment at Nuremberg (1961). Kramer also used court transcripts as a source, but put them in the mouths of fictionalised characters. Vanderbilt  who reveres Kramers film, even watching it for inspiration immediately before he started shooting his own  cranks up the realism by using real names, documented events and an aspect of the story that had barely made it to the history books: the US Armys preliminary psychiatric evaluations of their Nazi prisoners. His source was The Nazi and the Psychiatrist by Jack El-Hai, published in 2013. The eponymous psychiatrist was Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek), whose official task was to ensure that the accused were mentally capable of standing trial. His real job, as far as the Allied high command was concerned, was to get information that would ensure conviction, but he also had his own agenda. For him, this was a heaven-sent opportunity to write a smash-hit book about the madness of mass murderers. Hermann Goering, second in command to Hitler and the Allies star prisoner, was his golden ticket.

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Malek plays Kelley with a frayed edge of weirdness; Goering, as portrayed by Crowe, is a self-satisfied narcissist who tells Kelley that nobody has ever outwitted him. Although the film culminates in the trial, the focus over the first 90 minutes is on their meetings in Goerings cell. Vanderbilt, who snapped up the book for adaptation when it was still no more than a six-page proposal, was captivated by the idea of their psychological duel. Russell Crowe as Hermann Goering in Nuremberg. It was the quickest Id said yes to anything in my life, he says. These two men are very, very different, but each of them is trying to get something out of the other one. As a storyteller, something in me was saying, I want to see this movie. Crowe committed to it, Vanderbilt estimates, seven years ago, after a single reading of the script. Usually its not this easy to get a movie star in your movie! But he was incredibly important, he stuck with it, the director says. A movie like this, theyre hard to make. Its not a giant studio movie. The money comes in and the money falls out and every point in time where he could have gone, Right, see you later, guys, and good luck, he was always like, No, man, tell me when were going and Ill go. Other major actors came on board because Crowe was already there. There is a domino effect, Vanderbilt says. And then when it came to actually playing the part, that is not an easy headspace to live in, being that guy. He never shied away from it, he embraced it, he learned the German, he did all the things you would expect an actor of his calibre to do. Writer-director James Vanderbilt (centre) with his stars Rami Malek (left) and Crowe. Getty Images Kelley clearly comes to like Goering, even agreeing to deliver letters in secret to the Nazis wife and daughter. That seems scarcely believable, but these are clearly strange times among the rubble of war; old certainties seem to have been cut from their moorings. There was no precedent for an international trial of a countrys leaders: legally, Jackson was flying blind. There was also considerable opposition to this show of due process from those who thought these villains should just be shot by firing squad and be done with it. Goering himself would have preferred that: a respectable military death.

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For the proponents of courtroom justice, however, the trial was both a demonstration of democratic values and an opportunity to explain to the world exactly what the Nazis had done. As well as testimonies, there was an hours footage from the camps  a cavalcade of skeletal prisoners and corpses being swept into piles  shown in court. About six minutes of that original footage is included here, a hideous reminder of what humans can do; Vanderbilt wrote this film for similar reasons. I think justice is very important. Thats one of the things that drew me to this originally, he says. Although he wont be drawn on modern parallels, the Spanish audience responded with whoops to Kelleys warnings that any future government, even in the United States, might well go the same way unless the people remained vigilant. To that end, Vanderbilt was equally keen to show what happened to the audiences of today. Crowe as the charismatic Goering. AP Both of my grandfathers were in World War II; this was always a period of time that my generation could touch, he says. We knew people who had lost family members in the camps, it was real to us. But I talk to my children about it and its like talking to them about the American Revolution. Bringing that past back to life again was something very important to me. Related Article Cinema This story made Scarlett Johansson cry. It was time to keep a 28-year-old promise The end result  a handsome, stately and distinctly old-fashioned film  has received mixed critical responses, but Crowes performance as the gargantuan Goering has been lavishly praised. People described Goering as the best dinner party guest you could ever have, Vanderbilt says. He was famously charismatic, so I wanted someone who could seduce us the way that Goering seduces Kelley. And there are a lot of wonderful character actors out there, but I wanted somebody who had that movie star quality, who could pull you in, in that incredible way that only Russell can.

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CultureTV & radioPop culture Robert Irwin wins US Dancing with the Stars 10 years after Bindi Irwins record-breaking victory Bronte Gossling Updated November 26, 2025  3:34pm ,first published November 26, 2025  1:59pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 18 View all comments

Robert Irwin has won Dancing with the Stars (US). Battling through a heated, three-round, three-hour live season finale in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening (Wednesday AEDT), Irwin ultimately overcame a rib injury to, with the help of his professional dancer partner Witney Carson, beat influencer Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy in the quest to secure the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball trophy. As confetti streamed over the ballroom, Irwin was asked what the victory  which has come a decade after his sister, Bindi Irwin, won the competition with Derek Hough  meant to him. My sister said it best, Thank you for changing my life! he responded through tears. Carson added, Im so grateful for Robert. The duo were then handed their Mirrorball trophies, before being lifted in the air by the shows cast and professional troupe, who had flooded the dance floor.

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Related Article Pop culture Shirtless salsas and tributes to Steve: How Robert Irwin became Dancing with the Stars hot favourite TWO MIRRORBALLS NOW CALL AUSTRALIA ZOO HOME!!!! Congratulations and all the love in the world to [Irwin] and [Carson], Bindi wrote on Instagram. What. A. Night. It was a nail-biting finale that saw Irwins win plagued with moments of doubt. In the days leading up to the live broadcast event, Irwin had battled rib pain, which became progressively worse the more he rehearsed  so much so that Irwin was concerned about injuring himself further during his first routine: the judges choice quickstep to Are You Gonna Be My Girl by Australian rockers Jet. That saw Irwin and Carson earn a score of 29/30 points, putting them behind Earle and actress Elaine Hendrix. Although judge Bruno Tonioli said Irwins routine showed he had the power of a lion, judge Carrie Ann Inaba docked the duo a point because she did not want to give [the trophy] to anyone who doesnt deserve it. The stakes were raised when Irwin drew the cha cha  the dance style that was absolutely the one that I dont want, he said in a pre-recorded package  and given mere minutes to prepare an unrehearsed routine with Carson to DNCEs Cake by the Ocean for the instant dance round.

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Im nervous for this instant dance, Irwin noted. But there was no need  the duo, after Irwin once again ripped his shirt off mid-routine, walked away with a perfect score, and an apt summary from Tonioli: You are on fire. The problem was, both Earle and Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles had earned a perfect score in the second round, putting Earle one point above Irwin in technical points and Chiles tied with the 21-year-old Wildlife Warrior. All three went on to earn perfect scores in the third and final round  the fan-favourite, go-big-or-go-home freestyle routine, which Irwin performed to a mash-up of Sydney-born Sam Sparros Black & Gold and Aviciis The Nights  meaning Irwin was relying on the public vote to win the championship. And thats when we knew he had it in the bag.

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Loading I wouldnt be here without dad and his legacy, said Irwin, wearing Steve Irwins old shirt as a good luck charm and in tears, in a pre-recorded package aired moments before he took the stage for his final dance. And I really want to make him proud with this dance  I wish he could see it. I wish he could be here. Hough, who gave Irwin and Carsons freestyle 10/10, told Irwin: You are a dancer, you are a phenomenal human being. The judge and former professional dance partner reminisced on meeting Irwin when he was 11 years old, in Los Angeles while then-17-year-old Bindi competed in Season 21. Thats where that dream began  I never thought it would become this, Irwin said a decade on of watching Bindi in the ballroom. After completing their cha cha routine, the one style Irwin didnt want to be given for the instant dance challenge, Irwin and Carson collapsed onto the ballroom floor. Disney/ABC

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Hough said he looks to the Irwin family as examples not just because of their conservation work, but for how to be as a person. By the time co-hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro pushed the audience to lock in their final votes, Irwins fans were more than primed  but Irwin wasnt leaving anything to chance. A pre-recorded good luck message from Gladiators Russell Crowe was a final call to arms: At my signal, unleash hell. It worked: Julianne and Ribeiro later said more than 72 million votes had been received during the episode, more than double last seasons finale. Across the whole season, more than half a billion votes were sent in. How the finalists placed in Dancing with the Stars (US) Season 34 Robert Irwin and Witney Carson  WINNERS Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten A look back at Robert Irwins magic moments on the ballroom floor

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Just how many of the record number of public votes Disney/American Broadcasting Company says this season has attracted is due to the Irwin marketing machine is impossible to quantify. Whats undeniable is that before Television City Studios cameras started rolling for September 16s premiere, Irwin already had a main character storyline locked and loaded. His poetic victory, now confirmed after being written in the stars, comes exactly 10 years after Bindi, then aged 17, won Season 21 in 2015, securing a record-breaking eight perfect scores in her pursuit with Hough. But to ignore the stops Irwin has pulled out in the ballroom these past two months is to do him, and his dancing skills, a disservice.

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For almost every thirsty comment about his tanned abs on social media was praise for how seriously he was taking the boogie  he actually points his toes! His movements are sharp and precise! His technique is clean!  so much so that tabloids ran stories alleging he had been taking dance classes in secret for two years. That conspiracy theory took flight nine weeks into the 11-week season, when Irwin and Carson earned 40 out of 40 points from judges Hough, Inaba and Tonioli, and guest judge Tom Bergeron. Loading It was the first perfect score of this years competition, and was earned by Irwin and Carson for their foxtrot to Leona Lewis Footprints in the Sand. That performance was inspired by Bindi and Houghs freestyle routine to the same song a decade earlier, so it was only fitting that Irwin called in the big guns to stick the landing.

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Bindis on-stage sway with her brother at the end of his November 13 foxtrot had Bergeron almost in tears, and Hough calling Irwin this generations beacon of hope. But Irwins dancing hasnt completely escaped critique. Although Hough told Irwin that every fibre of [his] body dances after his Viennese waltz to Princes WOW one week later, the judge took issue with his frame. He ultimately gave Irwin and Carson a nine (out of 10), making them one point shy of a perfect score. (Though they did earn 30/30 points that week for their jive to Baby Im a Star). Mum Terri Irwin, sister Bindi Irwin, and brother-in-law Chandler Powell were in the audience for the finale. Disney/ABC Terris cameo on the dance floor in Week Five  when Irwins contemporary routine to Phil Collins Youll Be in My Heart was performed to honour his mother  also wasnt enough to secure Irwin a perfect score. Two couples  Irwin and Carson, and Earle and Chmerkovskiy  walked away with 35/40, and Dylan Efrons routine to brother Zac Efrons song Rewrite the Stars secured him Dedication Nights highest score: 36/40.

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What Irwin wrote on Instagram two weeks later, ahead of his Halloween Night performance, signalled why the competition meant so much to him regardless of scores, or if he and his other protective older sister (Carson) won the trophy on November 26. Wish I could tell this kid that one day hed finally get to live out that dream! Beyond grateful for this experience, it has already been everything I hoped for and more, Irwin wrote alongside a photo of his 11-year-old self holding Bindis Mirrorball Trophy. Lots more fun ahead! See you tonight! Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.
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CultureTV & radioRadio Opinion Suddenly its blokes akimbo on ABC radio. Loyal female listeners are noticing Jenna Price Columnist November 26, 2025  2:30pm

November 26, 2025  2:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 164 View all comments

Theres a nickname for the man who runs ABC radio these days. Some jokingly call him a Black Thunder bro  a nod to the time when Ben Latimer, now the director of audio at our national broadcaster, worked at commercial radio stations. Those Black Thunders (SUVs) were all over Sydney, handing out Coke and chips. Is that unfair? Since he took over, ABC local radio has lingered in the doldrums. We need neither Coke nor chips nor the kind of staccato delivery which has come to personify the sound of ABC Sydney. Blokes barking at me. Reminds me of work. Geez, those booming low voices are triggering. Broadcasters Chris Bath, left, and Sarah Macdonald, and the man at the helm of ABC radio, Ben Latimer. ABC, James Brickwood, Supplied We are a day after the release of disappointing radio ratings and two days after we heard Chris Bath chose to leave the crucial Drive slot. She wont have even reached a year in the gig. Is it resourcing? God knows but when I ask some staffers if they are getting the kind of money needed to do local radio well, they laugh at me. Unkind. Some of the folks still at the ABC tell me its hard to get a clear message through to Latimer. As a leader, he is steeped in commercial radio, the sound of it. Commercial radio growls. Not sure about you, but I loathe that sound. Yes, yes, 2GB. The ABC audience and the 2GB audience could not be more different.

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Bath took over from Richard Glover not even a year ago and is leaving her slot to go to a shorter, less high-profile program on Sunday mornings. To replace her? Thomas Oriti, who for quite some time has been the presenting backbone of NewsRadio. Hes fabulous and Im devoted to him because I adore high-profile ABC reporter Nas Campanella, a sensational and stubborn former student of mine and wife to Thomas. Related Article Radio ratings ABC Radio Sydney faces ratings shock after Chris Baths surprise resignation Latimer has managed to oversee (and survive) the Antoinette Lattouf catastrophe and the shift of ABC Sydney from a station that had lots of women, with programs that sung to their listeners, to one which is quite different. We must note that Baths ratings were far from sizzling. But from next year, sunrise to sunset, it will be blokes akimbo. Not that theres anything wrong with that, if the audience was also just blokes akimbo. After sunset, women are let off the leash. Thank heavens for Renee Krosch, who does evenings. I asked Jacqui Ewart, a Griffith University professor whos been researching talkback radio for decades, what she thought about the male-to-male shifts. Im a bit shocked to tell you the truth ... I mean you might expect something like this from commercial radio with their shock-jockery, Ewart says. Theres a risk of alienating a section of the audience, particularly with the ABC, if all you have are male presenters ... Im not suggesting that all men have a limited world-view, but if you do have a line-up of men, there could be a perception among some listeners that womens interests are not being catered for.

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Bingo. We are all still recovering from the stations appalling treatment of the widely adored Sarah Macdonald who, by the way, is now a guest on Mark Levys 2GB show every week. The listeners love her, 2GB insiders tell me. And guess which show had a huge bump in the most recent radio ratings? Yes, yes, I know Nine  owner of this masthead  owns 2GB, but if you think Id be nice about them for that reason, youre cooked. Related Article Media & marketing We cant be defensive: ABC boss says it wont operate in fear One ABC insider confides: [We are all about] weathering the storm with this current senior leadership  stick your head down, make good programs and stay out of the firing lines. Numbers and quality protect you. Hmmm. I look at the ratings for ABC Sydney and wonder if thats true. Particularly about the ratings. Latimer signs off on decision-making. Is ABC managing director Hugh Marks paying attention? This latest upheaval comes at a time when ABC local radios ratings are in the basement. Not the basement occupied at the end of last year, but still very low. Its dispiriting for staff who survived the debacle at the end of 2024. We felt that halfway through 2025 we finally got some kind of bearing about where we were headed, one staffer told me. The dust had settled.

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Who is making these judgments and why? The ABC lost its director of local radio, Katrina Palmer, a hot minute ago. She wasnt there for long either and has returned to Melbourne for family reasons. Shes been replaced by Nick Lowther, from Dubbo. Now, I hesitate to say this in case it invites dissenters, but Lowther appears to be universally adored. The ABCs Jess McGuire mentioned him in a podcast last week, saying how kind hed been when her mum was sick. Another said: Level-headed ... best boss ... knows how to get the best out of his employees. Sorry about the punctuation but this person went on and on. And Lowthers dead keen on the ABC. Been there forever. A self-described lifelong radio fanatic. The ABC needs a few more of those. But for now, some top tips from a lifelong listener. Move Hamish Macdonald to Breakfast. Sure, the hours are worse but the man is a natural newshound and news breaker. Ditch whatshisface from the Chaser (believe me, you need an actual journalist at that hour of the day)  or move him to a time where he can make jokes and take time. Give Oriti plenty of support. This is not NewsRadio; this is a flagship program. And please, get some women in permanent gigs. I can think of the perfect person to present Mornings. Mark Levy mightnt be too pleased. Jenna Price is a regular columnist. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
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Updated EnvironmentClimate changeWeather Man dead, commuter chaos, thousands without power after severe storms Caitlin Fitzsimmons and Daniel Lo Surdo Updated November 26, 2025  3:20pm ,first published November 26, 2025  10:25am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 24 View all comments

A man is dead and thousands of households in Sydney are without power after severe thunderstorms and damaging winds battered the east coast, on a day that also brought extreme and catastrophic fire conditions to large parts of NSW. At least 90,000 households across Sydney, the Central Coast and Hunter regions were left without power from damaging winds and an east-west thunderstorm band, which rapidly cooled the city from a peak of 35 degrees as it travelled north on Wednesday afternoon. Police and residents clear the road at Wyadra Street, Curl Curl, after the thunderstorm passed over the northern beaches. Sam Mooy A 76-year-old Central Coast man was fatally struck by a falling tree during a storm in Glenworth Valley, while power outages stopped trains between Parramatta and both Richmond and St Marys stations, causing significant delays during the afternoon peak period. Trains between Blacktown and Richmond also werent running, and were replaced by limited bus services as large crowds of commuters waited to get home. Trains between Parramatta and the city were also limited, as were services towards the Blue Mountains.

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Earlier on Wednesday, the Bureau of Meteorology put out a severe thunderstorm warning for damaging winds and large hailstones. After the event, BoM said the winds stayed below 90km/h the threshold it uses for damaging winds  while Sydneysiders shared reports of small hail on social media. The strongest wind that we saw in our weather instruments that weve got dotted around the city was up at North Head, that was 83km/h, said BoM senior meteorologist Angus Hines. Crowds waiting for replacement buses after storms caused power outages on the train network. Nine News Earlier wind gusts reached 110km/h at Orange just before noon and 98km/h in Parkes at about 11am. The NSW State Emergency Service received 1178 storm-related calls between midnight and 3.44pm, 860 of which were about fallen trees. Orange had the highest number of calls with 119, followed by Blacktown with 95, Doonside with 80, and Kelso (a suburb of Bathurst) and Seven Hills both with 24.

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A spokesperson for Endeavour Energy said it had 57,000 customers without power across its network on Wednesday afternoon, with the worst damage concentrated around Blacktown, Doonside, Marayong, Seven Hills and Kings Park in Sydneys western suburbs. The storm was short but intense with exceptionally strong wind and lightning, the spokesperson said. We had more than 580 reports of electrical hazards, which is more than any other storm we have had for a decade. Loading There were 33,000 Ausgrid customers without power across the Sydney, Central Coast and Hunter regions, after heavy rain, winds and lightning brought down powerlines and damaged local infrastructure. About 27,500 households were still without power at 7pm, according to an Ausgrid spokesperson. Around 39,000 Essential Energy customers in regional NSW were without power on Wednesday evening. This included 8400 households in Orange, and 7100 in Bathurst.

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The storms moved too rapidly to cause much rainfall, Hines said. The most rain was 14 millimetres at Parramatta, and the rest of the city was between five and 12 millimetres while the storms moved overhead. The storms cooled the NSW coast rapidly, but towns in western NSW such as Bourke and Walgett remained in the low 40s. The BoM said the unsettled weather was caused by two troughs  one affecting Victoria and southern NSW that was pushing hot, dry air to the north, and one in the north-west of the state that was drawing down humid air and creating thunderstorms. Storm clouds roll over Stadium Australia in Olympic park this afternoon. Sitthixay Ditthavong Between the two weather systems was a band through Central NSW where hot, dry conditions and winds were creating extreme to catastrophic fire danger.

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This follows a hot, dry spring. In October, temperatures were above to very much above average across the state, while the rainfall of 19.9 millimetres was 59 per cent below the 1961-1990 average. The forecast for a wet spring was turned on its head after a freak heat wave above Antarctica  a sudden stratospheric warming episode  brought drier conditions. University of NSW Climate Change Research Centre senior lecturer Dr Martin Jucker said stratospheric warming events could have lingering effects at ground level, but this would have passed by now. The BoM is forecasting a hotter, drier summer, despite acknowledging emerging La Nina-like conditions. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the United States has declared the El Nino-La Nina Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is in La Nina, the climate driver associated with cooler, wetter weather in Australia. BoM is yet to declare it, but says it is likely. Swimmers cool off at Curl Curl after the thunderstorm passed over the northern beaches. Nixon Conrick

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Jucker said there were some differences in the way NOAA and BoM defined ENSO, but there was not a fundamental difference between being close to La Nina versus actually being called. If it ended up being a hot, dry La Nina summer, it would be the flip side of the wet El Nino summer in 2023-24, Jucker said. This was because ENSO only affected the surface, while the climate was also affected by other factors such as changes in the stratosphere. Jucker said the crazy weather was consistent with climate change. A runner at Blackwattle Bay on Wednesday before the heat soared into the mid-30s. Kate Geraghty Weve always said it  if we get more energy into the climate system, it will be more turbulent and more back and forth between extremes, Jucker said.

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Rural Fire Service deputy commissioner Ben Millington said the grass grew tall during the wet winter in the central and western parts of the state then dried out over the recent hot, dry weather. What we are really concerned about is any new ignitions today, Millington said on Wednesday morning. Any new fires under these conditions will be very difficult to contain and may threaten communities. While much of the state was in the second-highest fire danger rating  extreme  the Central West local government areas of Bland, Temora, Laughlin, Dubbo, Narromine, Forbes, Parkes and Weddin were in the highest  catastrophic. Rowers from the Glebe Rowing Club prepare to take to the water at Blackwattle Bay before the heat of the day. Kate Geraghty The RFS advised farmers in the Dubbo, Narromine and Wellington areas to regularly stop harvesting this week and check weather conditions against advice in the Grain Harvesting Guide, to avoid sparks from harvesting machinery starting fires in hot, windy conditions.

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Grass fires are typically smaller than bushfires but move extremely quickly and threaten homes. A total fire ban has been declared for the Central Ranges, Greater Hunter, Greater Sydney and North Western regions for Thursday. Get to the heart of whats happening with climate change and the environment. Sign up for our fortnightly Environment newsletter.
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Eating outFood Brisbanes most iconic French restaurant just got its own cookbook It features more than 100 recipes and has already been shortlisted for the Oscars of the international cookbook industry. Matt Shea November 26, 2025 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Its Brisbanes most celebrated French restaurant, and now it has its own cookbook. Last week Montrachet owner Clement Chauvin released Bistronomie, featuring a bunch of recipes from the King Street restaurant. Clement Chauvin at Montrachet with his Bistronie cookbook. Judit Losh (supplied) If this all seems a bit soon  Chauvin only took possession of Montrachet just over a year ago, after all  its because Montrachet shares the book with the chef-patrons longstanding Canberra restaurant, Les Bistronomes. The cookbook has been a work in progress for two and a half years, Chauvin says. After 10 years of running Les Bistronomes, you have all these recipes in your head, written on pieces of paper.

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I thought to myself, Clem, if you want to expand, the next step is to actually put your recipes in black in white in a book  create a manuscript, basically of what Les Bistronomes is. Related Article Exclusive Brisbanes ramen master opens new store  but its not what you think Then came taking over Montrachet, while we were working on it. And after six months of Montrachet, I thought, Okay, whats going to make the connection between the two businesses and promote both under my name? And it became clear that it was already in the works. It was the cookbook. It was the best way to put out there the two restaurants and explain the overall concept of what we do. Bistronomie features more than 100 recipes from both restaurants, but Chauvin says hes also using the book as an opportunity to try to demystify French cuisine for the home cook. French cooking is technical, he says. Thats why it becomes intimidating. What I try to tell people is to not replicate the recipe. Instead, get inspiration from the recipe, look at the ingredients, look at the technique, and put your own spin on it.

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Crumbed frog legs with parsnip puree and a parsley emulsion - just one of the more than 100 recipes featured in Bistronomie. Judit Losh (supplied) You might not get the same result as the book, but by putting your own special ingredient in, youll get something absolutely delicious. You follow your instincts and thats what cooking is all about. Chauvin is conscious of the fact that, at Montrachet, hes following in the footsteps of previous owners Shannon Kellam and Thierry Galichet, both of whose reputations continue to loom large over the restaurant. But he reckons, a year on from taking the reins, the restaurant is building a new relationship with Brisbane diners, making the book well-timed. Dry-aged Murray cod with broccoli puree, grilled broccolini and a verjus beurre blanc. Judit Losh (supplied)

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Its started to find its flow and we have old customers starting to come back, so thats been beautiful to watch, he says. Its different to the old Montrachet but customers are starting to appreciate that change. The key Montrachet dishes in the book? We have our signature dishes in there: the beef Wellington and duck a lorange, Chauvin says. Theyre dishes that have never left the menu. We also have a steak tartare in there. Before you ask, though: no, the classic Montrachet crab souffle isnt featured. Why? Because its not one of Chauvins recipes. Montrachet is often regarded as Brisbanes best French restaurant. Markus Ravik

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Its not my dish. Its been with the restaurant since its inception, more or less, he says. Im not one for taking something thats not mine and making it mine. As for the cookbooks reception thus far, its already been shortlisted for this years Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, often described as the Oscars of the cookbook world. Thats incredible, Chauvin says. And well find out on November 29 if the book makes it to the top three. Bistronomie by Clement Chauvin is available from the Montrachet website.

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For subscribers Matt Shea is Food and Culture Editor at Brisbane Times. He is a former editor and editor-at-large at Broadsheet Brisbane, and has written for Escape, Qantas Magazine, the Guardian, Jetstar Magazine and SilverKris, among many others.
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Eating outComing soon Revealed: Andrew McConnells plans for well-known heritage restaurant in city laneway The successful restaurateur shares a name, the opening date and his grand plan for a CBD site thats been a key address for Melbourne diners for nearly 30 years. Emma Breheny November 26, 2025 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

A northern Spanish grill inspired by those of the Basque region will be the next venue that prolific Melbourne restaurateur Andrew McConnell adds to his portfolio. Called Cote Basque (meaning Basque coast), it will transform the former Becco site that McConnell and his wife Jo McGann signed a lease on last winter. The Crossley Street site was once part of Pellegrinis but from 1996 until September last year operated as legendary Italian restaurant Becco, which was a favourite of politicians, lawyers and dealmakers. Even George Harrison of The Beatles reportedly dined there. Jo McGann and Andrew McConnell (pictured) will open Cote Basque in Crossley Street. McConnells Trader House Group (responsible for the likes of Supernormal, Gimlet and more venues) had hoped to open the restaurant around now  late 2025  but the new opening date is winter 2026. Design firm ACME is working on the project, which will be its third with Trader House following Gimlet, with its Roaring 20s glamour, and the plush hideout they created in cocktail bar Apollo Inn, both on Flinders Lane.

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We dont have many heritage restaurant spaces in Melbourne, and to have the opportunity to restore the original features in this room is a dream, McConnell said in a statement. Becco in 2015. Wayne Taylor The buildings mid-century bones, including green terrazzo flooring and generous windows, will be a focus of the 100-seat Cote Basques design, alongside nods to the Becco and Pellegrinis eras. Beccos intimate bar, a favourite feature among its regulars, will be retained and outdoor dining will be introduced. Upstairs will be used for private dining. The original plan included opening a third branch of grocer-cafe Morning Market at the site. That will no longer go ahead. The menu will be inspired by northern Spain and south-western France, with an emphasis on excellent produce cooked on a wood grill.

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It has been both a joy and a challenge reimagining this iconic space to both retain its legacy and evolve it for the future, McConnells statement continued. Related Article Gimlets Andrew McConnell to take over legendary laneway restaurant Becco, with big plans for the site After announcing they were was taking over the lease on the restaurant site in August 2024, this is the most that McConnell and McGann have revealed about the project. At the time Trader House announced their deal on the laneway site, Becco restaurateur Simon Hartley said: I think Andrew is the perfect person  The legacy of the site is in the best hands it can be. The Becco dining room, and its blue tiles, pictured in 2013. Eddie Jim

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McConnell hasnt been the only restaurateur to see potential in the blue-tiled building on a city laneway. Chris Lucas was supposed to take over the lease of 11-25 Crossley Street in mid-2021, but the deal fell through. He has since opened Maison Batard nearby on Bourke Street, as well as a fleet of restaurants in the 80 Collins precinct, including Society. McConnells statement concluded: To continue its lineage as a restaurant will contribute to the wonderful energy on Crossley Street, re-emerging as one of the great walk-through laneways in Melbournes top end. McConnell did not grant any interviews. Cote Basque will open winter 2026 at 25 Crossley Street, Melbourne; cotebasque.com.au
When I was 19, I visited Arts Centre Melbourne for an exhibition that gave insight into the work and creative process of songwriter Nick Cave. His handwritten lyrics were displayed in notebooks and journals, but all I remember now, 16 years later, was a gap from when Cave began writing on a computer. Suddenly all the scribbled drafts  the half-attempts and false-starts that feel like failures until they lead to a breakthrough  were gone. When a sloppy first draft can be overridden by its tidy final version, why would you keep the less refined original?

Ive been thinking about the process of self-archiving since reading Ian McEwans latest novel, What Can We Know. It concerns itself, in the most reductive terms, with a scholars search for a poem and the remnants of a lost cultural era. Tom lives in 2119, and is obsessed with a specific dinner party held at the Cotswolds home of a fictional poet in 2014. Through time spent poring over various archives and thousands of internet search results, Tom knows who was at the dinner, what they discussed, what they cooked, and who yelled at whom.

Photo: Robin Cowcher

Id like to shout down through a hole in the ceiling of time and advise the people of a hundred years ago: if you want your secrets kept, whisper them into the ear of your dearest, most trusted friend. Do not trust the keyboard and screen, McEwan writes as Tom. If you do, well know everything.

The book is about many things, including what we can know of someone from what they leave behind for us to find. Poets and writers and artists make work. They also write letters, keep diaries, spill secrets over email. One character begins writing their diary with future scholars in mind, as if to say: if youre going to create a neat little narrative out of my life, Im going to have a say in how you characterise me.
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NationalWomen's health After being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, Daniella discovered something else unexpected Wendy Tuohy November 27, 2025  4:30am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Daniella Pager had no risk factors for breast cancer: no family history, no genetic mutations or lifestyle factors. She was a decade off being in the demographic for which the most common female cancer usually appears  in womens 50s and 60s. Daniella Pager is a health professional who has seen through her own cancer experience how patients with recurrence of the disease must fight for the best treatment. Simon Schluter Pager knew plenty about womens health through her work as an ultrasound sonographer, and when she was diagnosed with early breast cancer on her 40th birthday, she decided to do whatever it took not just to fight it but to prevent its return. She had the recommended mastectomy, chemo and radiotherapy, took oestrogen-blocking Tamoxifen for a decade, and insisted on having a hysterectomy and her ovaries removed.

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I did everything to stop this bugger coming back, says the Brighton mother of two. Thirteen years later, when she developed back pain that regular painkillers couldnt touch, in February, a scan revealed the disease had metastasised to her bones. Like the first time, the diagnosis was completely unexpected. The late Labor MP Peta Murphy travelled to Canberra to advocate for the counting of metastatic breast cancer patients to enable adequate resourcing and medical support. Darrian Traynor Pager has since discovered something else unexpected that she wants other Australians with stage four cancer to know: you need to fight for up-to-the-minute tests and treatments. Fight to get people to listen to you: dont just accept the bare minimum, she says.

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This is because the medical system may make assumptions about the methods and limits of treatment for people with metastatic breast cancer, in part because it doesnt have an accurate indication of how many women in Australia are living with the cancer. Pager is among a cohort of Australians who until Thursday were considered to be invisible because the number of women (and men) living with the advanced disease was never even counted. Related Article Cancer Australian cancer breakthrough could end relapse for thousands, including Colette After 27 years of lobbying by the Breast Cancer Network Australia and other advocacy groups, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has released figures showing there are twice as many people living with metastatic breast cancer than had previously been assumed. There are 20,800 women and 150 men living with metastatic disease nationally. Among women, there are 5900 in NSW, 5400 in Victoria, 4600 in Queensland, 2000 in Western Australia and 1800 in South Australia. The figures for Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory are 510, 370 and 170 respectively. The state of residence for 50 people is unknown.

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This revelation should lead to better policies for resourcing and care of the increasing number of people living longer with disease recurrence, says Kirsten Pilatti, chief executive of Breast Cancer Network of Australia. For the first time, those people will feel seen. But more importantly, were going to be able to understand what care, treatment and support looks like for people living with metastatic breast cancer, she says. The great news is, were living longer, but we actually need to provide more support and care for this group who have felt unseen for so long. The data will also help inform guidelines for service provision. Most importantly, they [these patients] know that they matter now  and we will all be held account to deliver for them in our health system, Pilatti says.

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Rod Glover, husband of the late Victorian MP Peta Murphy, will travel to Canberra for Thursdays launch of the world-leading data. During what would ultimately be the last week of her life in December 2023, Murphy was in parliament promoting Breast Cancer Network Australias call for the national statistics to be collected. Rod Glover, who was married to the late Labor MP Peta Murphy, will attend the launch of the data she lobbied to have collected about how many Australians are living with metastatic breast cancer. Joe Armao Without this visibility, we cant plan to adequately meet [their] healthcare needs, Murphy posted to Instagram shortly before she died of metastatic breast cancer. Glover said it would have meant a lot to Murphy that the new data brought the hope of better care and support for people with less accessibility to it than she did. When you go through this stuff you realise the system does its best, but the system fails in so many ways, he said.

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Related Article Motherhood Ellen wished to go to hospital, just for a rest. She wants you to know this about mums mental health Peta made a firm decision to be an advocate for those who couldnt speak up, and people feeling counted is actually about people feeling recognised and valued. That is the promise of the data. It would also help amplify the message that metastatic breast cancer does not mean the end of living fully. Peta lived 4 years after a terminal diagnosis, but people live longer still  and really productive lives while theyve got metastatic breast cancer, Glover said. Daniella Pager is also hopeful that publication of the data could promote funding for more research into new treatments. She thanks having fought for, and secured, a biopsy and genomic testing of her tumour for her own renewed hope.

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These tests revealed the disease had come back as a different type of breast cancer, and Pager found a place on the trial of a drug that targets her specific type of tumour. She is feeling encouraged that while other treatments tried in the past seven months made no difference to her tumour markers, this drug has smashed them back towards the levels of normal. Its definitely not a miracle cure, she says. We do not know how long it will be effective for, but it is the only treatment I have been on that has been shown to be effective, and that is because we managed to find the mutation specific to me. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
A 15-year-old challenging the governments teenage social media ban says young Australians rights are being stripped away with the change.

Noah Jones, who is one of two teenage plaintiffs fighting the ban in the High Court, told ABC Radio Melbourne the real issue wasnt with children using social media.

Macy Neyland and Noah Jones are the plaintiffs in the High Court challenge.

Its whats on social media thats the problem, he said.

Jones suggested the money and resources social media platforms used to avoid fines should be diverted to taking action against predators and inappropriate content on their platforms.

We could easily work with the Australian government and these platforms to make it a safer place for under-16s, Jones told ABC Radio Melbourne.

Honestly, I feel that we will become invisible with this ban. We wont be able to share our ideas, we wont be able to hear any ideas, and we wont be able to communicate with the world around us.

As young Australians, our rights are being stripped away from us, as this is how we are prevented from engaging in politics, and we will be banned from information and engagement in the years leading to the legal age to vote.

The Digital Freedom Project, a campaign group established to oppose the governments under-16 social media ban, filed the challenge to the nations highest court on Wednesday on behalf of the two teenage plaintiffs, who are members of the group.

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NationalQueenslandCity council Appeal to Labor MPs in Brisbane as flood alert funding refused William Davis November 26, 2025  12:54pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Brisbane ratepayers could be forced to fork out about half-a-million dollars for a potentially life-saving flood alert system after Canberra rejected another request for funding, a frustrated lord mayor says. The Bureau of Meteorologys Enviromon service  which provides real-time safety alerts and data on creek levels during severe weather  will end in mid-2026, when councils will then be required to pay for their own technology. Theyve been consistent in saying its not our problem, a visibly agitated Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner announced during a Brisbane City Council meeting. Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says he will appeal to federal Labor members in Brisbane. Catherine Strohfeldt This is just blatant cost-shifting from a federal government agency onto local councils.

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Schrinner said the council could continue to rely on a free service through the BOM website, but emergency alerts would move from every five minutes to every 15 minutes  a timeframe he believed was not good enough for a city such as Brisbane. Related Article Exclusive

Extreme weather Minister puts BoM on notice over bungled $96m website upgrade That difference is significant, Schrinner said. Were simply saying the BOM should provide a like-for-like service.

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After a request was rejected in 2024, the council again applied for federal funding for its own system through the Disaster Ready Fund in April. It was rejected last week. The setback came as BOM was widely condemned, after the body spent almost $100 million on a flawed new website heavily criticised by the public and politicians. Related Article Meteorology BOM restores old rain radar after widespread backlash of flawed website Enviromon has been offered to all councils for free for nearly three decades through the weather bureau. According to Schrinner, the first-year cost of a new system would be about $500,000.

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The lord mayor said Brisbane City Council would appeal to federal Labor members in Brisbane including Kara Cook, Madonna Jarrett, Renee Coffey and Milton Dick to support government funding. We need their help to make sure that their residents get access to the data. The Labor opposition on council was not impressed by the diplomacy efforts. This is rich coming from a lord mayor who has spent half a million dollars flying himself and LNP councillors around the world on junkets, leader Jared Cassidy said. Just get on with your job and spend more time in Brisbane, on the phone to the government, and get a deal instead of all the grand-standing.

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Three alerts were sent out during the severe storm on Monday this week, which the council said highlighted the importance of the system. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
BEIJING, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sent a congratulatory message to the 7th China-Russia Energy Business Forum in Beijing.

Noting that China-Russia energy cooperation got off to an early start and has a solid foundation, Xi said it serves as a model of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides, playing a positive role in promoting the economic and social development of both countries and the well-being of the two peoples.

Xi said China is willing to cooperate with Russia to continuously consolidate the comprehensive energy partnership and jointly safeguard the stability and smooth flow of global energy industrial and supply chains.

He expressed China's readiness to work with Russia to promote the establishment of a more fair, just, balanced and inclusive global energy governance system, and inject greater stability into world energy security and the green and low-carbon transition.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent a congratulatory letter to the forum.




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Exclusive NationalQueenslandQueensland government Flawed MOU let banned officials argue their way onto building sites Matt Dennien November 27, 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

CFMEU officials who had been stripped of their right of entry permits were able to argue their way onto Queensland building sites for years, under a flawed arrangement between police and the states industrial relations office. And the public servant listed in a government memo as the point of contact for any dispute where police were called was the same person described in inquiry hearings last week as having a very close relationship with somebody senior in the CFMEU office, this masthead can reveal. Helen Burgess, who was disciplined over how she dealt with a CFMEU complaint sent to her personal phone, was named in investigator Geoffrey Watsons June report into violence in the union as a former bureaucrat who was being probed by the Crime and Corruption Commission. A CFMEU mural, since removed at the request of the deputy premier, near state government offices in Brisbanes CBD. Matt Dennien According to Watsons evidence to the state government inquiry into the union, the unnamed union official and Burgess, then the Workplace Health and Safetys construction compliance and field services director, wielded their power to order inspectors around.

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The powerful inquiry was launched by the Queensland government following reporting by this masthead and 60 Minutes into criminality, corruption and misconduct in the CFMEU and construction industry nationwide, and Watson was the first witness to be grilled last week. Related Article Trade unions Six key takeaways from the CFMEU inquirys first week Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie, who in opposition complained to the CCC about Burgess, told parliament in February that her home had been raided by the agency and that she had been suspended from her role. For years, Queenslands Office of Industrial Relations and its regulatory functions have been accused by Bleijie and the LNP of being too cosy with the CFMEU under the former Labor government, as the union itself criticised the office for being toothless and slow to act. Police have also been accused of either not wanting, or not being able, to respond to incidents on work sites involving the CFMEU.

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Watsons evidence to the inquiry suggested a written agreement between the construction and police unions covering how to respond to calls about worksite issues  a claim flatly rejected by the Queensland Police Union. However, the industrial relations office did have a longstanding memorandum of understanding with police. While not legally binding, it set out the procedures for how the overlapping authorities and responsibilities of police and health and safety inspectors are managed. Police monitor a CFMEU protest in Brisbane in June this year, after the unions ousted leaders lost their High Court challenge. William Davis But a version that was in effect between April 2022 and September 2024 incorrectly reflected laws around who could access workplaces  with specific mention of the CFMEU as an example. That version, seen by this masthead, claimed that union officials seeking to enter a site over workplace health and safety issues only needed a federal  not state  permit, and added that state-based organisations such as CFMEUQ employees are not required to hold a federal entry permit.

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The agreement also noted that under state law a party to an issue could ask the regulator to appoint an inspector to assist in resolving the matter. In the event a disputed entry escalated to a call to police, the office was to be notified, so police could follow its expert advice. Police were only said to be able to help remove a person if then advised the person was not legally allowed to be there. The document lists two departmental first points of contact and their mobile phone numbers for resolving issues arising from disputed worksite entries, one of whom was Burgess. There is no suggestion that Burgess was involved in preparing the document.

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Updates made to the agreement in September 2024 clarified that union officials trying to enter sites for health and safety matters must be eligible to represent or assist the worker or party under state law. The mobile numbers were replaced with a generic office landline. The document was updated again in June to reflect Crisafulli government changes requiring 24 hours written notice from permit holders seeking entry under certain grounds, and removing the ability of permit holders or health and safety representatives to take photos or images onsite. The Office of Industrial Relations declined to answer questions about Burgess employment or the agreement. A spokesperson said it would not comment on matters that might impact or prejudice the work being undertaken by the Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU or ongoing Crime and Corruption Commission matters. Police declined to respond to questions, deferring to the industrial relations office as the authors of the referred document. Comment has also been sought from Burgess independently of the office. A Labor opposition spokesperson said: The MOU is an operational matter between the OIR and the QPS. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Updated PoliticsFederalPolitical leadership This is the ejector seat: Joyce lashes out as he resigns from Nationals, clears way for One Nation move Paul Sakkal Updated November 27, 2025  2:34pm ,first published November 27, 2025  8:39am 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 517 View all comments

Barnaby Joyce has formally resigned from the Nationals, ending his 20-year parliamentary career with the party he twice led as he confirmed he was strongly considering running for Pauline Hansons One Nation as a Senate candidate. In a move that sparked Nationals allies to accuse him of betrayal, Joyce announced the decision in a short statement to the House of Representatives just before the final question time of the year, insisting it was clear his party didnt want him any more. He said he would sit as an independent until the next election and admitted he was keen to gain relevance in a new role. Loading Joyce said neither Nationals leader David Littleproud nor deputy leader Kevin Hogan, neither of whom is close to Joyce, tried to keep him in the tent. After 30 years with the National Party, I am resigning from the party  I apologise for all the hurt that that will cause other people. I really do, but its not the most important thing, Joyce said in his statement in the House.

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What is really important is that we understand those dealing with the cost-of-living crisis that we go into battle them. Related Article National News Live Australia news as it happened: Barnaby Joyce quits the Nationals; Hong Kong apartment fire death toll climbs He concluded his statement by saying he wanted to continue on that fight but in a better position than the ejection chair of the backbench of the Coalition in opposition. Another former Nationals leader, Michael McCormack, sat a few seats away from Joyce, shaking his head as he stared at the ground during the speech. Twice serving as deputy prime minister, Joyces decision to leave the Nationals ends more than a month of speculation about his future, after this masthead first reported that he was speaking to One Nation leader Hanson about defecting early last month.

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Asked about One Nation surging in the polls at a press conference shortly after his resignation, Joyce said there were new winds behind populist movements such as those spearheaded by Donald Trump, Nigel Farage in the UK and Marine Le Pen in France, declaring the fragmentation of media was creating opportunities for new movements. Barnaby Joyce announces his resignation from the Nationals. Dominic Lorrimer He described his decision to leave the Nationals as the end of a relationship. His seat assigned by the partys leadership  the nearest one to the crossbench where independents sit  was the ejection chair, Joyce said. Its just quite obvious  when [the Nationals] talk about generational change, thats code for get out of here, he said. While he did not confirm his next move, Joyce said he was keen to re-enter the Senate, where he started his political career. While Joyce said he was seriously considering the offer from Hanson of the number one position on One Nations NSW Senate ticket, he said he might quit politics entirely and move into the private sector.

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Im ... weighing up all opportunities, he said. Joyce also said Peter Dutton twice asked him to resign last term, after he made headlines when filmed lying on his back on a Canberra street swearing into a mobile phone. Joyce and Pauline Hanson talk over a dinner of pasta, salad and steak in Hansons office on Monday night. The move led to swift condemnation from Nationals figures including former senator John Wacka Williams, a friend of Joyce for decades, who said the maverick would be remembered for his betrayal. Nationals MP Darren Chester castigated Joyce, saying he had made up excuses to quit because he could not stand the fact that Littleproud controlled the leadership of the Nationals.

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I dont think the National Party could have been more accommodating to Barnaby Joyce over many, many years and several trials and tribulations, Chester said, referring to Joyces scandals. Weve been repaid today by him leaving the party. Joyce told reporters: I think that itd be really hard for the Coalition to win the next election. I hope they do, but I think its going to be really difficult from where they are. And therefore, in the House, especially if youre on the outer, youre not relevant, youre just a discordant voice. I think in the Senate, you have got more capacity in the committee system, and also the numbers I reckon in the Senate will be tighter after the election. Littleproud released a statement saying Joyces decision was disappointing.

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It breaks the contract he made with the people of New England at the 2025 federal election, Littleproud said, noting the volunteers who worked for his re-election would be let down. Related Article Analysis

Political leadership Always the exception, never the rule, Joyce writes his own eulogy and plans his next comeback The Nationals supported Barnaby through the tough times, including during his darkest moments. Senator Matt Canavan said the fact Joyce had not signed up to One Nation meant he had not given up hope that we can convince him to return, the day after the senator vowed to fight his old boss and ally as a political enemy if Joyce defected. McCormack said on Sky News that the decision cannot end well for Barnaby, that he was absolutely gutted and it was obvious Joyce was heading to One Nation.

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Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie said on the ABC: Everyone is salivating at the idea of Barnaby Joyce and Pauline Hanson travelling around the countryside but, you know, Barnaby is not a racist. Hanson, who has made no secret of her hopes that Joyce would join her party and one day lead it, told Sky on Tuesday that she thought she wooed him and dined him beautifully. Lets keep our fingers crossed. Im keeping my fingers crossed. I hope the steak and the dinner and the mulberry pie did it. Hes a good mate. I love him, she said. Joyce was first elected to federal parliament as a Nationals senator for Queensland at the 2004 election, taking his seat in the upper house in July 2005. He moved to the House of Representatives in 2013, winning the seat of New England in northern NSW. He was briefly ruled ineligible to serve in parliament during the citizenship crisis in 2017, but regained the seat at a byelection later that year. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
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Exclusive PoliticsFederalForeign relations Israels top diplomat prepares to depart after acrimonious posting Matthew Knott November 26, 2025  10:53am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Israels top diplomat in Australia is preparing to leave the country after a posting dominated by the October 7 attacks, acrimony over the war in Gaza and bursts of outright hostility between the Netanyahu and Albanese governments. Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon will end his tenure as scheduled in mid-January and return to Israel to retire after a long career in the diplomatic service. Career Israeli diplomat Hillel Newman will become the new ambassador in late January following previous postings in the United States and Central Asia. Israeli ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon will end his posting in January and return to Israel. Alex Ellinghausen Jewish community leaders said Newman would have a challenging task to restore goodwill between the two nations after the biggest downturn in Israel-Australia relations since the founding of the Jewish state.

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Newman, an expert in Jewish history, previously served as Israels consul general in Los Angeles and ambassador to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Sources said he was not aligned to any political party in Israel. Related Article Updated

Israeli-Palestinian conflict Netanyahu blasts Albanese as weak as diplomatic relations plummet Maimons tenure saw Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally attack Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on social media and Australia take the historic decision to recognise Palestinian statehood. Australia broke with the United States to vote against Israel in several United Nations resolutions and the Albanese government angered Israel by denying current and former Israeli politicians visas to travel to Australia. The April 2024 death of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom in an Israeli drone strike in Gaza caused relations to plummet and led Foreign Minister Penny Wong to spearhead an international push to enhance protections for aid workers in conflict zones.

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Maimon was reportedly called in for a rebuke by then assistant foreign minister Tim Watts soon after and warned that Israel could not rely on Australias support in a war against militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon. While relations between the two nations plunged during his time in Australia, Maimon maintained relatively civil relationships with senior Labor politicians such as Wong and his more measured tone at times noticeably differed from Netanyahus aggressive approach. In December 2024, Maimon said he did not blame the government for a surge in attacks on Jewish sites in Australia, only to have Netanyahu accuse Albanese of fomenting antisemitism hours later. Netanyahu then branded Albanese a weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australias Jews in an extraordinary August attack that drew a public rebuke from Australias peak Jewish body. While he was not prolific in the media, Maimon was an active networker behind the scenes, regularly meeting with senior politicians, diplomats, editors and business figures.

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The retired lieutenant colonel served for 14 years in the Israeli militarys paratrooper unit before entering the diplomatic service. Related Article Analysis

Israeli-Palestinian conflict How can I do better? Israeli ambassadors candid confession After arriving in Australia in early 2022, Maimon said he intended to refocus the Australia-Israel relationship on issues such as trade and technology but the October 7 attacks and subsequent war in Gaza made that impossible. The war in Gaza led to 72,500 deaths according to the Hamas-run health ministry and saw Israel accused of genocide in the International Court of Justice. I feel a bit sorry and sad that the discussion about the conflict dominates the discussion, Maimon said in a January interview with this masthead.

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Im realistic, Im an experienced diplomat and I understand that it will not always be possible to get 100 per cent of what Im wishing for. Sometimes I will have to leave with the 80-85 per cent I know I can get. Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said Australias Jewish community will remember Maimon with great fondness as someone who represented Israel in its most harrowing times with integrity and strength. Having met with Hillel Newman I know he is a fine man and an experienced and skilful diplomat and we look forward to welcoming him to our country, he said. He will need to navigate a challenging diplomatic and political landscape to restore goodwill between the countries, but will be supported by a nation defined by a sense of fairness and decency.

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Zionist Federation of Australia President Jeremy Leibler said Maimon had represented Israel in Canberra during a traumatic period for the Jewish people. Throughout a time of real strain in the Australia-Israel relationship, he conducted himself as a true professional, faithfully representing the state of Israel while maintaining warm and constructive ties with both the government and opposition, he said. Maimons deputy Amir Meron told reporters in an August briefing that Israel doesnt recognise any famine or any starvation in the Gaza Strip, a claim Albanese said was beyond comprehension given the overwhelming evidence of starvation in Gaza. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
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WorldOceaniaCourts Woman who murdered children and left them in suitcases jailed for at least 17 years Charlotte Graham-McLay November 26, 2025  4:43pm 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

Wellington: A New Zealand woman convicted of murdering her two children and leaving their bodies in suitcases for years will spend at least 17 years in prison. Hakyung Lee held her head down during Wednesdays sentencing hearing in the Auckland High Court, as she did for her trial. Justice Geoffrey Venning told her she would begin her sentence as a patient in a locked psychiatric facility but must return to prison when she was well enough. Hakyung Lee stands in the dock at the High Court in Auckland in September. AP Lee was found guilty in September of murdering six-year-old Minu Jo and eight-year-old Yuna Jo, with a jury rejecting her defence of insanity. Her lawyers on Wednesday argued for a reduced sentence because of her mental illness, saying their client felt shame for her crimes and had been isolated and threatened in jail. However, the judge told Lee that while she was undoubtedly experiencing severe depression when she killed the children in 2018, her actions were deliberate and calculated.

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Your actions were organised and considered over a number of days, he said, referring to her name change, buying a suitcase, tidying up affairs and sitting a drivers test. She left the suitcases containing the childrens remains in a storage unit after murdering the children and flew to South Korea on a business class ticket. The childrens remains were discovered after Lee stopped paying rental fees for the storage unit when she ran into financial difficulties in 2022. The lockers contents were auctioned online and the buyers found the bodies of the children inside the cases. Yuna and Minu Jo in April 2018 before they were killed by their mother. Stuff.co.nz Lee changed her name once she arrived in South Korea but was arrested and extradited to face trial. She is a New Zealand citizen who was born in South Korea and went by the name Ji Eun Lee previously. During the trial, Lees lawyers conceded that Lee had killed the children by giving them an antidepressant, but lawyer Lorraine Smith said the deaths happened after her client descended into madness. Lee had always been fragile, Smith said, but her mental illness became worse after her husbands death. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2017.

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Crown Solicitor Natalie Walker said the evidence supported Lee did not attempt suicide and instead deliberately killed the children perhaps to free herself from parenting alone before she went about concealing the crime and left to South Korea to start a new life. Her most likely diagnosis was that she suffered from a major depressive disorder or grief disorder. A photo captured of Hakyung Lee at Safe Store after she killed her children Yuna and Minu Jo. Stuff.co.nz Walker said the children were vulnerable and there was a gross breach of trust given Lee was the sole surviving parent. Those convicted of murder in New Zealand automatically receive a life sentence, with judges setting a minimum period of at least 10 years before the defendant can apply for parole. Lee must serve at least 17 years, Justice Venning ruled.

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The childrens uncle, Jimmy Sei Wook Jo, was in court, where a lawyer read a statement on his behalf. I never imagined such a profound tragedy would ever befall our family, the statement said. I feel like I failed to look after my niece and nephew. New Zealand police at the scene where the childrens remains were found in 2022. NZ Herald/AP A prosecutor read out a statement by Lees mother, Choon Ja Lee, who spoke of her devastation at learning what had happened to the children. It felt like a pain that cut through my bones, or as if someone was gouging out my chest, the grandmother said. I do not know when this pain and suffering might heal, but I often think I may carry it with me until the day I die.

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She said she had been called the mother of a murderer at her church, and regretted not taking her daughter to see a counsellor after a trip to Australia in 2017. Related Article Tragedy Well-known guide among climbers killed on NZs most deadly peak If I had taken her at that time this tragedy might have been prevented, she said. After Wednesdays hearing, New Zealand police acknowledged authorities in South Korea for their help with the investigation. Yuna and Minu would have been 16 and 13 today, Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua said in a statement. Our thoughts are with the wider family today for the tragic loss of these two young children.

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Darragh Mc Donagh

Galway City Council is investigating an alleged leak of personal information following reports that its mayor sought a housing transfer after complaining that he was surrounded by Travellers in his existing home.

Mike Cubbard had asked the local authority for a transfer to alternative social housing as long ago as 2012, and even stopped paying rent to the council, citing estate management issues.

He wrote to a government TD in November 2013, asking for the housing minister to intervene after his transfer request was refused, complaining that we are in amongst all Traveller families and want out ASAP.

Mr Cubbard reported to the TD that he had informed local authority officials that they would not be getting full rent until certain issues were resolved. He stated that once transferred, he would set up a payment plan in respect of the arrears.

It was reported in August that around 8,000 was owed in respect of the property in Ballybane by November 2013, and  after his income was reassessed  the council demanded payment of 11,000 before a transfer would be considered.

Mr Cubbard, who was elected mayor last June, has now lodged a data protection complaint with the local authority under GDPR, alleging that the information on his tenancy could only have come from a file in the city councils housing department.

He told the Galway Advertiser earlier this month that the figures put into the public domain regarding arrears were not my figures and had not been known to him, and could therefore only have come from the council.

It is understood that Galway City Council has now launched an internal inquiry into the alleged leaking of personal information relating to the mayor following the complaint.

Asked about the probe, a spokesperson for the local authority said it follows the required statutory procedures set out in GDPR when dealing with any alleged data breach.

When it was put to him that the figures concerning arrears had featured in his own email to the government TD in November 2013, Mr Cubbard did not comment.

The mayor finally secured a move last summer to a property owned by an approved housing body in an upmarket estate, Garrai na Saili, where houses have sold for up to 650,000, and his neighbours include an Ireland international rugby star.

Mr Cubbard said his family had followed all required protocols and procedures in seeking a new home, and said lobbying of city council officials did not arise.

He admitted that rent had been withheld in respect of his previous council property due to serious concerns around estate management and maintenance issues. He said all arrears had since been paid.

Asked why the proximity of Traveller families was relevant to his desire for a housing transfer from Ballybane in 2013, he said he had respect for the overwhelming majority of residents in this estate, which includes members of the Traveller community.

My record of working with the Traveller community and supporting inclusive communities, both as a citizen of Galway and now as the citys first citizen, underscores my commitment to promoting positive integration and cross-community relationships, he said.
Olivia Kelleher

A 25-year-old man charged with the murder of his 59-year-old mother, Stella Gallagher, and with assault causing harm to his father Brian Gallagher, close to the family home in Ballinlough in Cork city has been further remanded in custody.

David Gallagher, with an address at Shrewsbury Downs, Ballinlough, Cork city appeared before Cork District Court on Wednesday by video link. Mr Gallagher was previously charged with the murder of Stella Gallagher at Shrewsbury Downs on November 17th last. He was also charged with assault causing harm to his father, Brian Gallagher, at the same location on the same date.

On Wednesday at Cork District Court Sgt Gearoid Davis made an application that Mr Gallagher be further remanded in custody for DPP directions. Judge Mark OConnell remanded the accused in custody until December 10th next for DPP directions. Mr Gallagher was not required to speak during the brief hearing.

Meanwhile, last week at Cork District Court Dt Sgt Niall Hayes gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Mr Gallagher. He said that the accused made no reply when the charges were put to him.

Defence solicitor, Shane Collins Daly, asked that his client receive urgent medical and psychiatric evaluation whilst in custody. Judge John King directed that Mr Gallagher receive timely and appropriate medical intervention in prison.

Mrs Gallagher, nee Griffin, was native of Ballinspittle in Co Cork. She was a chemical engineer who was employed for many years at Eli Lilly in Cork. She was laid to rest yesterday at St Michaels cemetery following a funeral mass at Our Lady of Lourdes church in Ballinlough.
By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

Northern Ireland risks having insufficient drinking water during hot weather without a significant increase in infrastructure investment, the chief of NI Water has said.

Sara Venning also said there would be a continued stop on applications for wastewater connections for new housing and warned Belfast Lough risks becoming the next Lough Neagh because of sewage pollution.

Ms Venning, the chief executive of NI Water, appeared before Stormonts Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday.

Sara Venning appeared before MLAs at Stormont (NI Assembly/PA)

The company, which provides water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland, is funded through the block grant provided to Stormont by the Treasury.

Ms Venning told MLAs that their business plan for 2028 to 2033 required almost double the level of its current capital investment.

She said: Only with those kind of levels can we begin to reverse the years of underinvestment.

This level of significantly increased funding is what our peers across the UK and the Republic of Ireland are already starting to invest.

She added: Without proper investment in the publicly owned water and wastewater infrastructure, Northern Ireland risks insufficient drinking water during hotter, drier periods and a continued stop on applications for wastewater connections for housing and for economic growth.

The wastewaster system in Northern Ireland will continue to pollute because when existing connections exceed the capacity of the network, pollution is inevitable because we cant stop receiving their wastewater.

An Audit Office report last year found that a lack of water infrastructure is delaying or halting proposed housing developments and called for a comprehensive review of the current funding arrangements for NI Water.

Ms Venning told the committee that the company had been underfunded by 470 million compared with a recommendation from the Utility Regulator in 2021.

She said: The result of that is a quarter of the work that was deemed essential will not happen, around 100 towns and villages will remain constrained, unable to grow without risking further environmental damage.

Through innovation and collaboration we have enabled some housing development, but there has been no real progress on the structural environmental deficit.

In fact it could be said we are going backwards.

She said a 1.4 billion Living With Water plan for Belfast had stalled.

Ms Venning added: Without it Belfast Lough risks becoming the next Lough Neagh, except in Belfast Lough sewage is the primary pollutant and that is a direct result of underinvestment.

NI Water aspires to the day when we no longer need legal protection from prosecution for pollution incidents.

But aspiration alone isnt enough, only investment and collective action will fix this.

The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) this week announced an investigation into the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera), as well as the the Utility Regulator over the regulation of sewage discharges into Belfast Lough.
By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

Scottish First Minister John Swinney has said he admires Irelands journey to independence as he spoke about strengthening co-operation on issues such as energy and diasporas.

Junior minister Neale Richmond said there were opportunities for a richer relationship as he greeted the Scottish National Party (SNP) leader in Dublin.

Mr Swinney became the first head of government to meet President Catherine Connolly, after which he pledged to champion the friendship between Scotland and Ireland.

He also met Mr Richmond at Iveagh House after Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee pulled out of the press event.

Mr Richmond said the energy sector, third-level institutions and financial services were among the areas of co-operation highlighted to create a stronger relationship.

Irelands and Scotlands large diasporas in Canada and the US were also mentioned as a common factor.

Ireland is the fifth largest import destination into Scotland as it stands, Mr Richmond said.

There are over 300 Enterprise Ireland companies exporting into Scotland now, and were just opening a new Enterprise Ireland office in Glasgow, but like all relationships, you dont want to stand still.

There is such an opportunity for an even richer relationship.

Weve seen it working informally and now, for the last five years, far more formally, and what we want to achieve with this new framework document launched today is the next stage.

Mr Swinney said he had spoken before about how Ireland had the golden combination of independence and membership of the European Union.

I do admire the journey of Ireland, and I want Scotland to be an independent country, he said.

He added that one of the reasons Scotland needed to be independent was to create its own migration policy.

He said Scotland needed to boost its working-age population but he expected the UK Government to be hostile to the suggestion of a bespoke migration system for Scotland.

Thats just another example of the arguments and the necessity for Scotland to be an independent country.

After his meeting with Ms Connolly on Wednesday morning, Mr Swinney said: Scotland and Ireland have longstanding ties and I will continue to champion our historic friendship.

It was a privilege to be the first head of government to meet the new president this morning.

During the meeting, I set out my ambition to work with the president and counterparts across Ireland to strengthen co-operation in areas that matter to both our nations.

These links enrich our societies and create opportunities for both our people.

Meeting President Connolly today demonstrates the closeness between our countries and our shared commitment to peace, equality and international solidarity, ideas and beliefs.

These values guide our work at home and abroad, and I look forward to standing together on issues that matter globally.
High Court Reporter

The Supreme Court has found that an under-18-year-old does not have a constitutional right to succeed a tenancy following the death of their only parent who rented the apartment they lived in.

While a person over 18 who is living with their tenant parents can succeed in tenancy under section 39 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, there is no such right for under-18s.

On Wednesday, a five-judge Supreme Court, by a majority of 3-2, dismissed an appeal against a decision that the teenager involved in this case had failed to discharge the burden of proof that section 39 of the 2004 Act was contrary to Article 40.1 of the Constitution or unconstitutional on the basis of any other provision.

The boy lived with his mother in an apartment she rented from the non-profit housing association, Cluid, in 2022. While on holiday abroad in 2023, she died in tragic and violent circumstances. He was 14 and went to live with his grandparents. He is now 17.

When it became apparent that Cluid would seek possession of the apartment, his aunt, on behalf of her nephew, commenced High Court proceedings against Ireland and the Attorney General, challenging the repossession move and the constitutionality of the provision preventing under-18s succeeding in tenancy.

The High Court last year rejected the challenge and they got an appeal to the Supreme Court.

In their case, their lawyers argued, among other things, that the 2004 Act is underinclusive and that the unconstitutionality lies in the fact that it is asserted to be indirectly discriminatory against single-parent families.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC), which was joined as an amicus curiae in the case, argued that the section of the Act effected a direct discrimination based on age.

Cluid, which was a notice party, had agreed not to re-let the flat pending determination of the proceedings, the court heard.

In the majority judgment given by Chief Justice Donal O'Donnell, with whom Mr Justice Peter Charleton and Mr Justice Seamus Woulfe agreed, the court found that a distinction between adults and minors is a rational one which is commonplace in the law, in the field of tenancies, and in the Constitution itself.

Chief Justice O'Donnell also found that the test for unconstitutional inequality on the basis of age, and in particular, in respect of a distinction between adults and children, is whether the law bears a rational relation to the objective of the legislation.

In one of two dissenting judgments, Mr Justice Gerard Hogan considered that the the Oireachtas was (and is) in breach of its constitutional obligation to uphold and protect the inviolability of the dwelling as contained in Article 40.5 and when read in the case of a minor child in conjunction with Article 42A.1, by failing to provide for any mechanism whatsoever whereby a child under 18 can seek to succeed the tenancy.

To that extent, he allowed the appeal.

Mr Justice Hogan also invited the parties to make submissions as to whether a further order requiring the Oireachtas to legislate by a specified date is actually necessary or even appropriate.

In her dissenting judgment, Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly concluded that the exclusion of minor children from the 2004 Act protection is arbitrary and irrational.

In light of the Thirty-First Amendment to the Constitution which recognises and protects the rights of the child, she found this provision of the Act to be inconsistent with Article 40.1 of the Constitution.

In his majority judgment, the Chief Justice said if the boy became a tenant, it would be particularly problematic in the context of an approved housing body such as Cluid.

"It would mean both in theory and in practice, that any person can become a tenant, for an unlimited period who does not satisfy the approved housing bodys criteria for tenants, in this case the fundamental criterion of a demonstration of a housing need," he said.

He also said the limitation of the statutory right of succession to children over 18 is not irrational.
Eva Osborne

A range of stories feature on the front pages of Irish newspapers on Wednesday.

The Irish Times reports that Ireland is "flying blind" without the updated medium-term fiscal plan that was promised in last year's programme for government.

According to the State's independent budget watchdog, the Coalition is "budgeting like there's no tomorrow" with no forecasts available beyond 2026.

There were almost 800 vacant places in special classes in schools across the country in September, according to the Irish Examiner, which parents say reveals a widening gap between official figures and the lived reality of families seeking appropriate education for their children.

The Echo leads with the funeral of Stella Gallagher, the 59-year-old woman who died after a violent attack near her home.

Her funeral heard that she brought "goodness and beauty to this world" and was a joy to be around.

There were tears of joy and hugs galore as more than 300 Irish peacekeepers returned to their families after six months on a Unifil mission in southern Lebanon, the Irish Independent reports.

The Irish Daily Mirror leads with Enoch Burke being returned to prison on Tuesday on foot of a High Court order to imprison him for contempt.

A woman is being treated for serious burn injuries after an alleged assault at a home in west Dublin, the Irish Daily Star reports.

The Irish Daily Mail leads with migrants leaving asylum accommodation now making up a majority of new emergency housing occupants in Dublin, according to a confidential Government report.

Detective believe the 43-year-old woman who suffered serious burns when she was set on fire as she answered the door of her home may not have been the primary target of the attack, according to The Herald.
The President calls Rep. Greene a commie, but meets with Mandami and says he is great.





Donald Trump is the most insecure male that has EVER been in the White House.

Stephen P. Durham

* * *

Any inkling of integrity has to be destroyed by Trump. According to a long time friend who should know because he wasn't decent himself, Jeffrey Epstein wrote in a 2017 email, "I have met some very bad people.None as bad as Trump. Not a decent cell in his body." It takes one to know one.

Amazingly, Marjorie Taylor Greene found her soul and spoke out for humane basic healthcare and for people who were wantonly abused by super privileged rich guys. I hadn't been a fan of this lady, yet can't help admiring her metamorphosis.





Lucy W. Taylor

* * *
After suffering a workplace accident at a manufacturing plant in 2012, Stacy Tate decided to change careers and become a paramedic. She wanted to turn that negative experience into a positive and help other people the way that the rescue paramedics saved her.I was stuck in a machine going in and out of consciousness, Ms. Tate said. I remember the relief of seeing a paramedic come in, and I thought, I made it. The whole time, I thought that I was going to die. I smile about it now, but in that moment, I was scared to death.That relief of having a paramedic there, Ive never forgotten that.Ms. Tate enrolled in the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic program at Cleveland State Community College. She admits that navigating college was challenging for her.Everybody was kind and gracious to me as an adult going into college so late in life, Ms. Tate said. I was out of my depth; they were using words that I didnt know. It was a whole new jargon. I didnt come from a family where everybody went to school, so I didnt understand what FAFSA meant or was. I didnt know the simplest terms. Everyone was so helpful here.After earning her certificate in the one-term EMT program, she started working with an ambulance service in Chattanooga and continued to the Advanced EMT certificate. She joined the Monroe County EMS and continued working as she pursued her Paramedic certificate which is a three-term program.With only a few credits remaining, Ms. Tate continued taking classes and earned her associate degree at Cleveland State. She was one of the first people in her family to graduate from college; her father completed his nursing degree just a month before her.After working in EMS and then as a travel paramedic in Louisiana, Ms. Tate got a call from DeVette Carter, EMS Program director at Cleveland State, looking for someone to be a lab tech for the program. Ms. Tate had always dreamed of teaching, so she jumped at the opportunity to join the EMS team. As the lab tech, she helps with the skills portion of EMS courses and teaches dual enrollment classes at Sequoyah High School.We are blessed to have Stacy, one of our own EMS graduates, to join our EMS teaching team, Ms. Carter said. She has worked on making our labs more practical and has worked on making sure we get the equipment we need. She shows compassion to the students and the EMS field. She is creative, smart, and brings new attributes to our programs.Ms. Tate lives on a farm in Monroe County and raises heritage chickens. She has even written a book for homeschool children about the history and care of raising chickens. She started working on her bachelors degree this fall to pursue a teaching career, so that she can make a greater impact and touch more lives.Ive done a lot; Ive seen a lot, and I want to give back, she said. I think the best way to touch the most lives is to teach the next EMS students  whether it is EMT or AEMT or paramedic  because what you teach them spreads out even further. I want to turn my negative experience into a positive, and touch the most people possible.
The Collegedale commissioners met on Monday to choose a new city manager. Three candidates had been interviewed for the job, then two were invited to an in person meet and greet. Those two were discussed and considered at the specia- called meeting Monday night.

One applicant stood out to all five members of the commission. That was Jon Holmes.

During his career, he has had 15-17 years of experience in city government and he served as the city manager of Aurora, Mo., which has a population of several thousand fewer than Collegedale, from 2017 until fall 2024. Mr. Holmes has had experience working with large budgets of up to $100 million. Overall, said Commissioner Debbie Baker, his rapport, education and ability to work with staff made him stand out. The commissioners and the citizens he met while in Collegedale found him easy to talk to.

The unanimous consensus was to offer the job to Mr. Holmes and for City Attorney Sam Elliott to negotiate a contract with him, with the salary starting at $150,000 plus or minus 10 percent. The other benefits of working in Collegedale include health, dental and vision insurance and retirement benefits. He will be given a choice of owning his own car and receiving an allowance for it, or for using a city-owned vehicle. The city will pay for his move. His start date would be up to him because of the time it takes to make a move. If Mr. Holmes turns down the job, the commissioners were in favor of beginning a new search.
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A Chattanooga high school student has built a network that's reaching thousands of young people who want to get involved but don't know where to start.Majdi Alameddine, 16, founded Arelvo to connect students with professionals across different fields and industries. The organization hasreached more than 11,000 students in over 20 states through itsprograms."Many young people are misunderstood or overlooked, and this truly stops them from getting involved," Mr. Alameddine said."Arelvo exists to change this."Officials said, "The platform has brought students into conversations with people at the House of Representatives, State Board of Education and local government. Through podcast episodes and direct connections, Arelvo shows students what different careers and civic roles actually look like."Majdis work extends beyond Arelvo. He serves as director of education on the Tennessee Student Equity Board, where he works on civic education policy. He is the chair of the Youth Sustainability Board for green|spaces, where he connects Chattanooga schools with environmental programs. He also represents high school students on Mayor Tim Kelly's Youth Council."A Tennessee deputy commissioner offered advice that has guided Mr. Alameddine, "Be open. Sometimes the other guy might be right. You get into these debates, and sometimes you can learn from another perspective."At his school, Mr. Alameddine founded the Leadership & Policy Club, Chess Team, Science Bowl Club and Science Olympiad team. He is also a state champion in soccer at Boyd-Buchanan.His efforts have earned recognition from Congressman Chuck Fleischmann and Dr. Carson. He was named to Arab America's 20 Under 20, and selected as a Points of Light Honoree.Mr. Alameddine's core mission focuses on "helping students prepare to lead while staying true to themselves, bridging the gap between ambition and opportunity for young people across the nation."
When resident Deanna Campbell moved into the Hickory Valley Retirement Community a little over a year ago, she brought with her a passion for helping others through the Coats for Kids initiative.Inspired by her efforts, a group of residentswho affectionately call themselves the Mad Hatter group - have been knitting and crocheting hats for children in need throughout the year."Since January 2025, these talented ladies have created over 600 handmade hats that will be donated in December as part of the Coats for Kids campaign," said General Manager Katie Hollaway."Their dedication and teamwork have brought not only warmth to the community, but also a deep sense of purpose and pride to everyone involved."
Christmas tree lightings have brought communities together since the first in San Diego in 1912. However, Chicagos event this year was not a delightful Hallmark family occasion, it was a nightmare. Alderman Brian Hopkins reported on social media that 300 juveniles were rioting in the Loop as shootings occurred on N. State Street. CPD officers were attacked and maced. According to CBS News, one person was killed and eight were wounded in those shootings (11/20/25).



This disaster highlights the violence and crime that are rampant and out of control in Democrat-run Chicago proving the mayor is out of his league. There have been 383 homicides so far this year (ChicagoTrib 11/24/25). The mayor touts that number is down but thats no comfort to families of those murdered. Now the mayor and governor refuse the National Guard assisting CPD in retaking the streets of Chicago from these violent gangs.



Federal law enforcement and an army of IRS agents broke up Al Capones grip on Chicago in the 1920s after public indignation over the St Valentines Day massacre. At the time, Chicago officials were too corrupt to stop him.



Violent street gangs require a different approach and the National Guards support of local police proved crime could be reduced according to DC Mayor Bowser, who first resisted (WUSA9 8/27/25).



As the riot and shootings at this tree lighting demonstrate, Mayor Johnson and Governor Pritzker place their hatred of Trump ahead of the security and holiday cheer of the people of Chicago as those residents try to safely deck the halls this holiday season.



Ralph Miller
The Chattanooga Police Department announces the recognition of three of its officers by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for their DUI enforcement efforts, including the most DUI arrests and convictions in Tennessee.

The CPD Traffic and DUI Unit attended the recent MADD Night of Remembrance and Law Enforcement Recognition event in Murfreesboro. During the ceremony, 110 officers, deputies, and troopers from across the state were recognized for their DUI enforcement efforts.

CPD Master Patrol Officer Jennifer Lockhart was recognized for her 107 DUI arrests.

Not only did she make the most DUI arrests in Tennessee for 2024, she had the highest number of DUI convictions. Master Patrol Officer Ryan Lynn was also recognized for making 79 DUI arrests, and Officer Job Basilis for making 26 DUI arrests.

As the supervisor for this unit, I am extremely proud of their efforts in DUI enforcement. These investigators are dedicated to traffic safety enforcement and education, said Sergeant Jeff Buckner. Chattanoogas DUI unit is out every weekend and on holidays, enforcing DUI and traffic laws. They also participate in events around the city educating people on the devastating consequences a DUI can have. Their ultimate goal is preventing another person from being killed by a impaired driver.

Each officer was awarded a pin symbolizing the intoxicated drivers they removed from the roads.These pins were presented by someone whose loved one was killed or injured by a DUI driver.

MADD also recognized senators, prosecutors, and other members of the justice system for their efforts in helping enforce against drunk driving and remembered officers who were killed in the line of duty.
President Donald Trump. | Photo credit: Facebook/ The White House

President Donald Trump has renewed his criticism of the escalating violence against Christians in Nigeria, urging the Nigerian government to take decisive action.

During a Fox News Radio interview last Friday, Trump expressed deep anger over ongoing massacres targeting Christian communities. I'm really angry about it, he said, arguing that the Nigerian government has done nothing and calling what's happening in Nigeria a disgrace.

The Trump administration is urging Nigeria to curb the escalating attacks on Christian communities by implementing a broad, multi-pronged approachone that extends beyond unilateral U.S. military involvement and could include even aggressive measures aimed at eliminating the Islamic militants.

A U.S. State Department official told the outlet that the strategy is comprehensive, encompassing the use of force and sanctions, along with increased intelligence sharing with Nigeria, security assistance, policing support, and economic initiatives.

The administrations diplomatic push intensified earlier this month when Secretary of War Pete Hegseth met with Nigerian National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

According to a Pentagon statement, Hegseth emphasized the need for Nigeria to demonstrate commitment and take both urgent and enduring action to stop violence against Christians, and reaffirmed U.S. interest in collaborating with Nigerian authorities to deter and degrade terrorists that threaten the United States.

The pressure follows a wave of horrifying assaults, including the abduction of students from a Catholic school and from another institution in a Muslim-majority region. In a separate incident, attackers stormed a church and left several worshipers dead or kidnapped.

Worldwide concern over the crisis in Nigeria has grown. Rapper Nicki Minaj recently condemned the violence, declaring that no group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion, during a U.N. event hosted by the United States.

Although Trump has repeatedly accused Abuja of failing to respond adequately, the Nigerian government has maintained that it is confronting the threats and denies allegations of inaction.

On Oct. 31, Trump vowed to restore Nigerias designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to continued Islamist violence targeting Christians. Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter, he posted on Truth Social.

He pointed to the CPC list, which includes countries that commit or tolerate systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom, a designation that can trigger sanctions or diplomatic measures. Nigeria was first added to the list in 2020 but was removed by the Biden administration in 2021, which concluded that the violence was not primarily religious in nature.

New data from ADF International, citing research from Open Doors, reports that more than 7,000 people have been killed in Nigeria this yearan average of 35 deaths per dayand over 19,000 churches have been attacked or destroyed.

Nigeria continues to be one of the most perilous countries for Christians, according to the 2025 World Watch List published by Open Doors.

The measure of anti-Christian violence in the country is already at the maximum possible under World Watch List methodology, the report stated. Nigeria ranked seventh on the 2025 WWL list of the 50 worst countries for Christians.

In Nigerias North-Central region, where Christians are more prevalent than in the North-East and North-West, Islamic extremist Fulani militias frequently attack farming communities, killing many hundreds, primarily Christians, according to the report.

Jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and the splinter group Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), among others, are active in the countrys northern states. In these areas, federal control is weak, and communities face raids, sexual violence, roadblock killings, and increased abductions for ransom, the report states.
Home News 2 National Guardsmen shot blocks from White House: 'Will pay a very steep price'

Updated at 7:15 p.m. ET on Nov. 26, 2025: The suspect, who is in police custody, has been identified as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who arrived in the U.S. in 2021. The crime is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism.

Original report:

Two members of the National Guard who were deployed to police Washington, D.C., were shot blocks from the White House on Wednesday afternoon.

Republican West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey at first confirmed both National Guardsmen were from his state and succumbed to their injuries following the attack, which took place in Farragut Square near the White House, though he later walked back his initial report.

"We are now receiving conflicting reports about the condition of our two Guard members and will provide additional updates once we receive more complete information. Our prayers are with these brave service members, their families, and the entire Guard community," Morrisey said.

The two reportedly remain in critical condition, according to local and federal officials who spoke to the press.

President Donald Trump, who is in Florida for Thanksgiving, issued a statement expressing outrage over the incident, calling the alleged shooter an "animal" while promising justice.

"The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price," Trump said.

"God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!"

An image circulated on social media of the potential suspect, who appeared to have been stripped and was being loaded into an ambulance in handcuffs.

FBI Director Kash Patel, who was spotted at the crime scene, issued a statement assuring that federal law enforcement are involved in the investigation.

"FBI is engaged and assisting with the investigation in Washington, D.C. after National Guard members were shot this afternoon. Please pray for them and we will update with more information as we are able," Patel posted on X.

"Federal agents are on the scene of the horrific shooting of 2 National Guardsmen in Washington, DC. PRAY for our DC National Guard," Attorney General Pam Bondi said.

The National Guard has maintained a presence in Washington after Trump declared a crime emergency in August, federalizing the local police and deploying hundreds of D.C. National Guard troops. That number later expanded to thousands, drawn from units in states such as West Virginia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.

Trump's mobilization of the National Guard has faced a torrent of criticism from some Democratic leaders, such as outgoing Democratic D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who called their presence an "authoritarian push" that undermines the city's home rule.

This is a developing story, and some details initially reported might change as authorities release new information in the coming hours and days.
Home News Arizona city will allow church's food ministry to operate, settles lawsuit

An Arizona city will allow a church to oversee a food distribution ministry that provides aid to hundreds of families in need near the United States' southern border amid a legal dispute.

The City of San Luis and Gethsemani Baptist Church settled in September through a consent decree entered by a federal court, with the agreement being recently announced.

According to a statement issued Monday by the First Liberty Institute, which represented Gethsemani, the church will be allowed to continue its ministry after city officials initially shut it down.

"Gethsemani Baptist Church has only ever wanted to continue its 25-year mission of providing food for the hungry, hurting people in their community," said FLI Senior Counsel Ryan Gardner.

"We are grateful that the city's agreement will ensure that the church can carry on its ministry serving the vulnerable families in Yuma County."

Gethsemani has operated a local charitable ministry since 1999, which has reportedly helped hundreds of families by providing food and sharing the Gospel.

In March 2024, Gethsemani sued the city, Mayor Nieves G. Riedel, Acting City Manager Jenny Torres and City Code Enforcement Officer Alexis Gomez Cordova.

The complaint contends the city shut down the ministry after Riedel was elected in 2022, because it violated zoning laws, including the parking of semi-trucks in a residential area. Officials deemed the church to be engaging in "commercial-level food distribution."

"Since 2012, when the City adopted its current Zoning Code, the Church and its Food Ministry were treated as a 'legal nonconforming use,' meaning that it could continue to operate in the residential zone," the complaint read.

"While the Food Ministry has certainly grown in scale in the years since its founding, requiring larger trucks as early as 2002 to effectively transport food and supplies, it has not dramatically changed in scope or character since the Zoning Code was adopted."

The lawsuit caught the attention of the U.S. Department of Justice, which filed a statement of interest in late July, arguing that the ministry was protected under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000.

"Federal law provides broad protection to religious exercise, including for ministries that serve people who are hungry or in need of basic supplies," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the DOJ Civil Rights Division in a statement last year.

"Once a municipality applies its zoning code to restrict religious exercise, impacted groups do not need to jump through procedural hoops to obtain relief in federal court. The Justice Department is committed to ensuring that religious groups can properly exercise their rights under RLUIPA."

In November of last year, Senior U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow, a George W. Bush appointee, issued an order denying San Luis' request to dismiss the lawsuit, concluding that the church had "a plausible claim that it maintains the legal right to continue operating its ministry."
Home News Armenias crackdown on Apostolic Church risks US relationship after Trump deal, advocates warn

WASHINGTON  The recent arrests of senior church leaders in the worlds first Christian nation are effectively silencing clergy from one of the worlds oldest churches and could hinder Armenias growing relationship with the United States, human rights experts warned in a bid to raise the awareness of lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

More than three months after a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan was signed at the White House, legal experts and representatives from Christian advocacy organizations spoke during a briefing last Thursday sponsored by the National Democratic Alliance, which classifies itself as an Armenian pro-Western, center-right political party.

Tensions between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and leaders of the Armenian Apostolic Church, an ecclesiastical body dating back to 301 A.D. with ties to the Apostles Bartholomew and Thaddeus, have escalated this year over the arrest of at least three senior clergy on coup-related charges and other Pashinyan critics, including billionaire Samvel Karapetian.

Advocates say the arrests that began in the spring and continued over the summer and into the fall are unjustified and represent a crackdown on leaders within the Apostolic Church who have emerged as opponents of Pashinyan in the aftermath of Azerbaijans 2023 invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh, which displaced over 120,000 Armenians from the region.

Constitutionally independent from the state, the Armenian Apostolic Church leaders have strongly objected to Armenian land concessions amid war with neighboring Azerbaijan. In return, Pashinyan hasnt minced words in his criticisms of church leadership, accusing the head of the church, Catholicos Karekin II, of breaking his celibacy vow by having a child.

Pashinyan has even called for the Catholicos' resignation and the election of a new Catholicos, saying he would launch a "Coordinating Group" to oversee the new election. Such an intrusion into church affairs by the countrys civil leader would violate the Armenian Constitution and church bylaws, the speakers said.

Pashinyan has gone on record in a press conference recently in November to say that the church has no Catholicos, accusing the Catholicos of illegitimately occupying his position, United Kingdom-based international legal scholar Peter Flew said.

At the same time, he's arrested the brother and nephew of Catholicos, again, using another part of the criminal code that's rarely used. But I'm especially concerned by Pashinyans statement about the spiritual and moral renewal of the Armenian Apostolic Church. This really isn't something for Pashinyan to be commenting on, getting involved in. And I'm especially concerned with his efforts to create splits in the Church by supporting renegade clergy.

According to a report from the Armenian Center for Political Rights shared with CP, the string of arrests began with Russian Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan in June, a key philanthropist within the church. His detention has sparked demonstrations calling for his release. Karapetyans family owns Electric Networks of Armenia and a pizza chain.

During a June 17 media interview, Karapetyan expressed support for the clergy amid tension between the church and the government. He said: What should I think when a small group, having forgotten Armenian history and millennia of tradition of the Armenian Church, attacks the church and our people? As I have always stood with the church and with the Armenian people, I will take part directly. If politicians do not succeed, we will take part in our own way.

Hours later, law enforcement searched Karapetyans residence, and he was accused of issuing a public call to seize the powers of the Armenian government in a manner not provided for by the Constitution. Hes spent months in pre-trial detention and remains in jail. Additionally, Pashinyan announced intentions to nationalize the Electric Networks of Armenia and launched inspections into Karapetyans Tashir Pizza food chain, which closed several locations.

Within a day, he was in jail, charged with Article 42 of the Criminal Code, which has to do with public calls of the seizure of power, just for this statement here, Flew said. Since then, he's lost his business interests.

Now, his arrest and detention form a part of a broader use of political prosecutions in Armenia, Flew continued. These have been criticized by Freedom House and the U.S. State Department, among other international organizations. But it's the use of pre-trial detention as a punishment in and of itself that is concerning.

Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, the bishop of the Tavush border region impacted by the 2024 cession to Azerbaijan, who led an opposition movement called Sacred Struggle, was arrested days after Karapetyans arrest in late June.

Galstanyan, who also led a march to Yerevan and a rally in Republic Square, engaged in other forms of civil disobedience. He also announced himself as a candidate for prime minister.

The archbishop was detained with more than a dozen others and has been charged with orchestrating a plot to overthrow the government, a claim the advocates say is based on misleading, cropped audio that was initially released to the public without full context.

These charges were based on recordings that were released to the public by prosecutors in June, and these recordings seem to show the archbishop and his supporters discussing shooting people and using violence to be in power in a revolution, said Joel Veldkamp, the head of international communications at the Switzerland-based NGO Christian Solidarity International.

About a month and a half later, the full recordings were released, and we know now that that is not what they were talking about, not even close, and that is the sole basis for the accusation that they were planning to overthrow the government. And I still meet people in this town who are telling me, Oh, the archbishop was planning a coup with terrorism and such.

In October, Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan of the Diocese of Aragatsotn and 12 clergymen were arrested. Proshyan was charged with coercing citizens to participate in public gatherings, obstructing electoral rights, and misusing his office to commit large-scale theft.

Proshyan and others from his diocese were investigated in early September after another church leader accused them of pressuring members to attend anti-government demonstrations. In a social media post, the Armenian Apostolic Church called the allegations a malicious intent to hinder the normal activities of the church.

Prime Minister Pashinyan is silencing criticism and has jailed the church community, clerics, priests and church staff, said the briefings host, Jacqueline Halbig von Schleppenbach, the founder of Sovereign Global Solutions.

He is also arresting journalists and politicians in order to silence and control any voice of resistance. These events are getting attention internationally. In the world-renowned London Financial Times, just over two weeks ago, there was a full-page ad that said, What in God's name is happening in Armenia?

Veldkamp stressed that the tensions between the Apostolic Church and Pashinyan come as U.S.-Armenia relations are at an all-time high. The Aug. 8 peace agreement brokered by Trump, which includes a 20-mile transport corridor through southern Armenia connecting Azerbaijan and Turkey, is to be managed by the U.S.

But Veldkamp is concerned that the "Armenian prime minister's campaign against the church puts all of this at risk.

President Trump has invested a great deal of his time, energy and political capital to promote the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan," Veldkamp said. "The administration is clearly enthusiastic about the potential here, and rightly so  a U.S.-mediated peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan promises a faster trade route across Eurasia that bypasses Russia and Iran and would greatly expand U.S. influence in this crucial region."

Armenia, surrounded by the likes of Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan, has long been the freest country in the region, Veldkamp said. But now he fears an authoritarian system is taking shape.

Ironically, even as it seems to pivot to the West, the Armenian government is building a new authoritarian political system, an Armenia whose vibrant civil society has been pulverized, where people are afraid to speak, dialog and organize, where policy is controlled by an increasingly erratic, unaccountable and unpopular prime minister will be at best, a fragile ally of the United States.

An attendee of the event from the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission noted that it's difficult to know how members of Congress should engage on this matter, saying there is much uncertainty about the Trump administrations position on Armenia, adding that U.S. policy on Armenia has been a black box for years.

We don't even know what it is. You ask them, and you get these ridiculous general, euphemistic statements, no serious discussion of it for the past seven or eight years, the staffer said. And so speculation is ripe, 'Is Pashinyan like an American client or not?' We don't know. He comes to power, apparently supported by NGOs, Western NGOs. Yet it's not clear to what extent his relationship was and has it changed?

Armenia is slated to hold a 2026 election next summer.

Regardless of U.S. policy toward Armenia, von Schleppenbach, who has over 30 years of experience in government relations, said some Democrats have spoken out about whats happening in Armenia. Theyd like to see Republicans do the same.

We have not had a Republican member stand up and say the same thing, she said.

And so that would definitely be a big help, and we would look forward to and would welcome some [in the] United States to turn their attention to this fact that really the most important point of it is that it does threaten the future of Armenia. It threatens them as a nation, definitely, the vision that is happening from within the country. It threatens them as a partner in the future. And it threatens their own ability to keep their own peace. So yeah, we would definitely welcome a few more friends on the Hill.
Home News Televangelist Benny Hinn and wife, Suzanne, finalize divorce for second time

More than a year after she filed for divorce from televangelist Benny Hinn, Suzanne Hinn's marriage to the popular faith-healer is now officially over for a second time in 46 years.

Records from the Hillsborough County Court in Florida, first cited by the Trinity Foundation, show the Hinns' marriage ended in an uncontested divorce on Nov. 19.

When Suzanne Hinn filed for divorce in the summer of 2024, the former couple had been living in separate homes more than 60 miles apart.

Matthew Wilson, Suzanne Hinn's attorney who works with the Anton Garcia Law firm in Tampa, declined to comment when contacted by The Christian Post on Wednesday.

When asked for a statement, Benny Hinn's attorney, Damon Chase, said his client was not the one who requested the divorce, but the case was settled amicably, claiming they are still very much in love with each other.

"Benny Hinn and Suzanne Hinn still love each other with a deep, profound soulmate type of love, and they always have for years and years and years. They just got divorced. It was personal feelings. It was something personal to them, but they did what they felt was right," Chase said. "They're still very much in each other's lives. And will always be in each other's lives."

Chase insisted the divorce was for undisclosed personal reasons, saying the couple still prays together and remains committed to Christian ministry.

"There is no end of the relationship. They both love each other very much," Chase told CP.

"As you can see from reviewing the file, it was extremely amicable. They both will always be in each other's lives, and like, always, they're very, very close. They love each other a lot, both of them. And that was clear all through [the process]. This was not like some contentious divorce or anything like that."

The court filings in the matter are not currently available for public viewing.

In February 2010, Suzanne Hinn served her husband with divorce papers in California's Orange County Superior Court, citing "irreconcilable differences" after 30 years of marriage. They were first married on Aug. 4, 1979, and have four children together.

In the summer of 2010, the National Enquirer photographed Hinn leaving a hotel room with fellow televangelist Paula White, reports Charisma. The Enquirer report claimed that Hinn and White had spent three nights in a five-star hotel that the televangelist booked under an alias.

Hinn later said that he and White had a "friendship" that he ended after the National Enquirer report was published and denied allegations of an "affair."

"No immorality whatsoever. These people out there are making it sound like we had an affair. That's a lie," Hinn told followers at a crusade in California.

Hinn claimed the Vatican had made him a Patron of the Arts, and he took White to Rome because he wanted her to become a donor to help maintain the Vatican's art collections.

"I let her come with me to Rome so she can donate money," Hinn said. "That was stupid on my part. And for that, I do ask forgiveness."

In 2012, the Hinns announced their reconciliation. Benny Hinn also claimed that their divorce was triggered by Suzanne Hinn's addiction to prescription drugs.

"Suzanne started taking certain prescription medications to help her cope with some of her personal struggles. She became dependent on those for nearly 15 years, and those medications made her behave erratically at times," Hinn wrote in a message on his ministry's website at the time. "As her husband, I did not know the extent of her reliance on these medications, nor did I fully understand just how much harm they were causing to her, physically and emotionally."

The couple remarried in 2013 at the Holyland Experience in Orlando, Florida, before an audience of 1,000.
Home News Erika Kirk prayed she was pregnant after Charlie Kirk's murder, says she's not angry with God

Erika Kirk, the 37-year-old widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, said she prayed after her husband's assassination that she was pregnant with what would have been their third child, revealing they had a desire to continue growing their family.

Kirk sat down for an interview with journalist Megyn Kelly on Saturday at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, the final stop in the "Megyn Kelly Live" tour.

During the conversation with Kelly, Kirk said she and her husband hoped to have four children, adding that they were both "excited" about expanding their family. The couple raised two children together before Kirk's death: a 3-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son.

"I was praying to God that I was pregnant when he got murdered," she said. "I was like, 'Oh, goodness, that would be the ultimate blessing out of this catastrophe.'"

On Sept. 10, Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University. Authorities later arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who reportedly killed the conservative activist over his political views, including on topics like transgenderism.

Erika Kirk, who married the TPUSA founder in 2021, advised young couples not to put off having children.

"So now, when I see young couples, I tell them,' Please, don't put it off.' Especially if you're a young woman," she said. "You can always have a career. You can always go back to work. You can never just go back to having children, and they grow so fast and quickly."

At one point during their conversation, Kelly asked the mother of two whether she felt angry at God over the loss of her husband. She revealed that she struggled with understanding the reason why it happened.

"I know we can't understand God's plan, but have you had bouts of anger?" Kelly asked Erika. "You know, I think about what the kids are going to miss, what you got jipped out of, what poor Charlie now is going to miss. And I feel angry."

"Sadness, of course, obviously, but yes, against the accused shooter, but just, I know you don't ever feel angry against God, but I kind of do," the media personality added.

Kirk replied that the enemy would love for her to be angry, as this would prevent her from carrying out the tasks her husband entrusted her with, which include running TPUSA and raising their children.

"And if I had any amount of anger in my heart and spirit, the Lord would not be able to use me," Kirk said. "And every single day, just how Charlie did, [he] stood on stage, he would say, 'Here I am. Lord, use me.' And if I had that anger in my heart, that foothold from the enemy, He wouldn't be able to."

Kelly reflected on Erika Kirk's speech during Charlie's memorial service in Glendale, Arizona, where she forgave the man charged with killing her husband. The journalist described the moment as "the most powerful, strongest thing [she has] ever seen anybody do in [her] life."

Kelly said forgiving Charlie Kirk's killer is something she doubted she could do if she were in the widow's position, and that someone had to explain to her: "'Forgiveness is an action, not an emotion.'"

"And I was like, 'OK, that's getting me closer to feeling like I could do it if I don't actually have to feel loving in my heart toward the person,'" Kelly said before asking Kirk what she would say to Robinson or his parents if she had the chance.

"Would it be anger? Would it be sympathy? What would it be?" Kelly asked.

If she had the chance to speak with the alleged gunman or his family, Kirk said she would not have words of sympathy or anger for them.

"How do you put this? Anything that I could ever wish upon him or that family would pale in comparison to the justice of God," Kirk stated. "And so, I would look at them almost like, I'm so glad I'm not you."

"And I pray that you figure out a way to be right with the Lord," the widow added.

Charlie Kirk's alleged killer was charged in the Fourth Judicial District Court of Utah County, Utah, and faces the counts of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, tampering with a witness, and violent offense committed in the presence of a minor.

If convicted of aggravated murder, Robinson could potentially receive the death penalty or life in prison without parole or 25 years to life.
Home News Former Gainesville Police Department chaplain arrested for failing to report child sex abuse

Mark Vega, senior pastor of Ignite Life Center Church in Gainesville, Florida, who is also the former chaplain of the Gainesville Police Department, has been arrested for failing to report a case of suspected child abuse.

According to the news site Gainesville Public Information Services, Vega, 55, was booked on Monday afternoon by the Alachua County Sheriff's Office for one count of failing to report suspected child abuse. Ignite Life Center Church is affiliated with the Assemblies of God.

Vega is accused of knowing of the sexual abuse of multiple young boys by his former youth pastor, Gabriel Hemenez, 26, but allowed him to keep working at the church. A sworn affidavit also alleges that Vega failed to report the sexual assault of minor girls by his son, Christian Vargas, who was 17 when most of the offenses occurred. Similar offenses were also reportedly committed by Noel Cruz, a former associate pastors son.

[Defendant] knowingly and willfully failed to report known and suspected child abuse and child sex abuse to the central abuse hotline. DEF engaged in behavior that demonstrated a desire to prevent others from reporting known and suspected child abuse to the central abuse hotline and/or authorities, the complaint against Vega states.

The complaint adds that Vega and church leaders had been aware since 2019 that Hemenez had been accused of abusing other males at the church. Vega was reportedly informed that Hemenez had allegedly sexually abused a 22-year-old student of the Ignite School of Ministry as he slept during a road trip to Kentucky.

[Hemenez] offered M.R. to lay pillows on Hemenez`s lap so that M.R. could sleep. M.R. agreed and fell asleep. M.R. woke up shocked and terrified to Hemenez using his hand to masturbate M.R.`s penis without M.R.`s consent, the complaint states.

When the student reported Hemenez to Vega, he promised he would take care of it" but never did, according to the complaint.

Vega instead allowed Hemenez to remain in the program and continue working with children. Hemenez would go on to abuse at least five other boys, all younger than 17. Hemenez is accused of groping their genitals and abusing them in different areas of the church property between 2021 and 2022.

Investigators also state that four girls reported that Christian Vargas sexually abused them repeatedly on church property in a secluded section of the church known as The Furnace. One of the victims said she was coerced into having sex with Noel Cruz, a member of the churchs band and the son of another Ignite pastor.

When the parents of one of the girls reported the matter to church leaders, Vega was accused of trying to handle the matter internally and using intimidation tactics.

V.V.s parents describe the second meeting with DEF as intimidating. During the meeting DEF asks V.V.`s father, in what is an apparently rhetorical question, if he really wants to get the authorities involved? DEF also says that going to the authorities would ruin the lives of Vargas, Cruz, and V.V, the complaint states.

Vega, who had tried to address the sexual abuse by restoring Vargas and Cruz, suggested that the minor girl needed to be "restored" too.

He reportedly assigned two female pastors to help with V.V.s restoration, along with one-on-one time with him.

Notably, V.V.`s alone time with DEF included DEF buying V.V. expensive sneakers. The one-on-one time with DEF and the mentoring ended abruptly when DEF and church leaders learned that V.V. was cooperating with Gainesville Police Department`s investigation into Vargas and Cruz, the complaint notes.

Hemenez was arrested for sexually abusing D.M., D.H., R.V. and A.C.  alleged 9- to 16-years-old  during the churchs 2021 summer internship program, along with other crimes. Vargas was arrested for sexual abuse and battery along with Cruz.

According to NBC News, Hemenez pleaded no contest last year to two counts of lewd molestation of a child under the age of 17. He is awaiting trial on three additional charges. Cruz pleaded no contest in January to sexual battery of a child under the age of 17 while Vargas has pleaded not guilty to lewd battery.

Vargas told investigators that on at least one occasion, his father had "walked in" on him kissing a 13-year-old girl.

Given information gathered in this investigation it is more likely than not that Vargas was kissing A.S. in the area of the Furnace where Vargas and Cruz would both take underage girls to sexually abuse them on Ignite property, the complaint states.

[The] investigation has revealed that it was well-known by members of Ignite and Church Leadership that the Furnace was an area  located on the second floor, somewhat secluded and rarely used  that was frequented by juveniles who would engage in, among other things, sexual activity.
Home News Gateway Church seeks dismissal of class-action lawsuit citing ecclesiastical abstention doctrine

Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, has filed a revised motion seeking to dismiss an amended class-action lawsuit accusing its former leaders of misappropriating millions of dollars in donations made by thousands of members over more than a decade by leaning into the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine, which holds that courts lack jurisdiction over matters of religion.

Church members accused Gateway Church, its founder Robert Morris and founding elder Steve Dulin of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act of 1970. RICO is a federal law designed to combat organized crime by holding leaders responsible for the criminal activities of their organizations.

In multiple filings in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas Sherman Division on Monday, Gateway Church requested dismissal of the complaint due to an alleged "lack of subject matter jurisdiction and failure to state a claim." They also asked the court to pause discovery in the case pending the resolution of their motion to dismiss the lawsuit for the stated reasons.

Gateway Church had previously asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, but U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant denied the motion without prejudice and stated that the defendants could refile their motion to dismiss on this point "once the record is better developed."

In their updated motion to dismiss the church members' case filed Monday, attorneys for Gateway Church pointed to McRaney v. North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. The September 2025 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by ordained minister Will McRaney against the North American Mission Board.

The court ruled that the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine barred McRaney's claims for defamation and intentional interference with business relationships because resolving them would require a court to rule on "matters of faith and doctrine" and church internal management decisions.

"In McRaney, the Fifth Circuit delineated the broad scope of the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine, including its protection against claims such as Plaintiffs' that challenge a church's funding decisions and sermons by church leaders regarding religious doctrine and practice," the attorneys argue.

"McRaney also confirmed that plaintiffs cannot evade the doctrine by pleading facially neutral legal claims  if the lawsuit touches on inherently religious practices (like tithing) or intrudes on matters of religious governance (like tithing expenditures), then dismissal is required. Finally, McRaney emphasized that ecclesiastical abstention 'must be resolved at the threshold of litigation' and is subject to 'immediate interlocutory appeal' if denied."

In the amended complaint, initially filed a year ago, Gateway Church members Katherine Leach, Garry K. Leach, Mark Browder, Terri Browder and those similarly situated (former Gateway Church members and tithers) added the RICO charge against all three defendants. They also accused Morris and Dulin, in their individual capacities, of fraud and intentional and negligent misrepresentation.

The Gateway Church members allege that the defendants persuaded them and others to donate to the ministry by stating that 15% of their donations would go toward global missions and Jewish ministry partners. They say Gateway Church and Morris, who resigned last year after his sexual abuse of a child from decades ago emerged in the public eye, guaranteed they could get a refund of their donations if they were dissatisfied with how the church allocated the funds.

The lawsuit alleges that they have not been able to substantiate the church's use of donations through transparent accounting. Both Gateway Church and Morris have denied those allegations and asked the court to dismiss the church members' lawsuit, with support from First Liberty Institute, which filed an amicus brief. Mazzant rejected those earlier motions.

The church members argued that their lawsuit is about holding church leaders accountable, saying it was a "last resort" after multiple attempts to achieve transparency failed.

On Monday, Morris filed a partial motion to dismiss the lawsuit for failure to state a claim and requested an extension of time to file an answer with the court. He further asked the court, in a separate motion, to strike the plaintiffs' class-action allegations because there is no agreed-upon reason each donor gave money to Gateway Church.

"This Court should strike all class allegations and dismiss all class claims in Plaintiffs' Second Amended Complaint because Plaintiffs' allegations make clear this case cannot be maintained as a class action," Morris' attorneys argue.

"The fundamental problem with Plaintiffs' class allegations and claims is that every claim is based on the faulty and unprovable premise that every class member tithed to the Church because of Defendant's two representations: (1) that 15% of all tithes would go to global missions and Jewish partners; and (2) tithers could get their money back," they note.

"In other words, Plaintiffs must show for each of its claims that every class member relied on these representations, rather than anything else  like the Bible, or God's commands, or divine discernment, or a sense of duty, or plain old generosity, or tax abatement  in deciding to tithe."

In making the argument to dismiss, Gateway Church called tithing a practice "steeped in religious doctrine."

"The tithe-funds decisions that Plaintiffs attack are, by their very nature, 'steeped in religious doctrine.' As the Court recognized in its Opinion, tithing is 'inherently religious.' Indeed, tithing is the ancient religious practice of giving a portion of one's income to the church, not only as an act of charity, but of faith, trust, and obedience to God," their attorneys note. "This understanding of tithing as an act of devotion and trust in God is shared across Christian denominations."

Gateway Church has leaned into the protections of the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine as it faces multiple lawsuits in the wake of Morris' child sex abuse scandal.

Morris, who founded Gateway Church in 2000, resigned in June 2024 amid an allegation that he sexually abused now 55-year-old Cindy Clemishire for years in the 1980s, beginning when she was 12, and continued with the abuse for 4.5 years after that. He was subsequently indicted on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child by a multi-county grand jury in Oklahoma in connection with that case earlier this year. On Oct. 2, Morris pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to a six-month jail term, along with 10 years suspended.

Clemishire and her father, Jerry Lee Clemishire, filed a defamation lawsuit seeking more than $1 million in damages, alleging that Morris and Gateway Church leaders publicly mischaracterized the abuse she suffered as a consensual "relationship" with a "young lady" instead of the sexual assault of a child after the abuse was made public in 2024.

Last Friday, Texas' Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas halted all trial court proceedings in that case pending a mandamus review of whether or not the court has jurisdiction over the matter.

A writ of mandamus is an order "issued by a court to compel performance of a particular act by a lower court or a governmental officer or body, usually to correct a prior action or failure to act."

The petition for mandamus review was filed on Nov. 14 by attorneys for Gateway Church and its independent elders, John D. "Tra" Willbanks, Kenneth W. Fambro II and Dane Minor. It followed Dallas County District Court Judge Emily Tobolowsky's rejection of a motion by the church and elders to dismiss the Clemishires' lawsuit, citing the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine.

"We are pleased that the Court of Appeals has granted our request to stay the case against Gateway and the Independent elders while it considers our strong legal arguments. Gateway and its leaders simply do not belong in this lawsuit, which asks a secular court to pass judgment on the church's statements and actions while investigating its former pastor's misconduct," Ron Breaux, a partner at Haynes Boone and counsel for Gateway Church, insisted in a statement to The Christian Post.

"As we've stated from the beginning, no one in Gateway's current leadership had knowledge of its former pastor's criminal behavior, and they have endeavored to lead the church with integrity and accountability during a difficult time. These actions  guided by faith, prayer and a steadfast commitment to the church community  are protected by the First Amendment from secular second-guessing."
Home News Attorney for ex-youth pastor Lindsey Whiteside argues against resentencing for child sex abuse

The attorney for Lindsey Whiteside, a former youth minister with Getwell Church in Hernando, Mississippi, has pushed back against an effort to resentence his client on allegations that she produced two fraudulent letters of support to reduce her punishment after pleading guilty to child sexual abuse.

Whiteside's attorney, Tony Farese, dismissed the allegation as false, according to a report Wednesday from local news outlet WMC.

Earlier this month, Desoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton called for Whiteside's resentencing after alleging that two of the 49 letters of support she submitted to mitigate her sentence were coerced.

In the court filing pushing for Whiteside's resentencing cited by Fox 13, Barton's office argued that Whiteside "even moved the Court to seal the letters from the public in order to solicit ever more supporters to write on her behalf."

Barton's office alleged that Whiteside "procured this mitigating evidence through means of coercion and deceit."

Two individuals who wrote letters of support for Whiteside allegedly contacted Barton's office, requesting that they recant their letters because she had led them to believe she was innocent. One former supporter also "described being under constant pressure to submit a letter of support."

Whiteside was sentenced in state court last month to just three years of house arrest and seven years of additional probation after she pleaded guilty to child sexual abuse. The controversial sentence led to public outcry, and she was rearrested on federal charges for two counts of transporting a minor across state lines for illicit sexual purposes and one count of enticement of a child.

She remains in jail, where she will stay until her trial next year, after legal wranglings over bail.

The former youth minister is facing the possibility of spending the rest of her life in prison for the federal charges to which she has pleaded not guilty.

Last month, a federal magistrate judge had ordered Whiteside released on a $60,000 unsecured bond. Her schoolteacher mother, Gale Whiteside, had testified that she was not a danger to society, according to court documents reviewed by The Christian Post.

After an evidentiary hearing, Chief Judge Debra Brown reversed the 26-year-old Whiteside's bond decision. She said she considered, among other things, Whiteside's previous bond conditions, GPS monitoring and the relationship between her and her then-15-year-old victim, WMC reports.

During Whiteside's fiery detention hearing for the new charges in federal court in Oxford, last month, her defense attorney argued that her prosecution was "retaliatory."

Whiteside had previously been ordered to 24/7 house arrest, where she would only be allowed to leave her mother's house to be in the yard or attend church and doctor's appointments before her trial. She was also required to find a new home by Nov. 16 because her mother's house is near a local school.

If she had remained there, she would have been out of compliance with the requirements of her status as a registered sex offender. Whiteside was also required to have all her electronic devices inspected, take random drug tests and prohibited from having drugs and guns and consuming excessive alcohol.
Home News Mel Gibson's screenwriter says 'Passion' sequel emerged from talk about Protestantism 'Satan's going to come after you'

Screenwriter Randall Wallace, who has worked with actor and director Mel Gibson on some of his major films, including "The Passion of the Christ," revealed during a recent interview that Gibson's upcoming two-part movie about the Resurrection emerged from a conversation the two had about the Protestant emphasis on Christ conquering death.

"We were having dinner one night, just the two of us in Dallas, and I said, 'You know, the thing we need to do is the Resurrection,'" Wallace said on the "Intersections Podcast" that aired Tuesday.

"It's an interesting thing. Catholic friends have said, and I don't want to over-characterize anyone's particular practice, but in Catholicism, there's much more emphasis on the Crucifixion, on the Passion. One Catholic friend of mine said we almost never talk about the Resurrection," he said.

Wallace, a Baptist, contrasted the important symbolism of the crucifix in Roman Catholicism, which shows Jesus still on the cross, compared to the common Protestant depiction of the cross as empty.

"We need to tell that story," Wallace remembered telling Gibson as they were promoting their 2016 film "Hacksaw Ridge," which recounted the life of Desmond Doss, a devout Seventh-day Adventist from Virginia who served as a combat medic in World War II and survived, despite never firing a shot because he was a conscientious objector.

Wallace said Gibson "got really quiet for a moment" when he raised the topic of a film focusing on the Resurrection.

"Mel is absolutely brilliant, and I knew he was listening really intently," he said, adding that he offered to start working on the screenplay for the film, which he described as tackling "the Mount Everest of all stories."

Wallace said Gibson told him that he would have a Catholic mass said for Wallace after he floated the idea, and warned that he would be subject to spiritual attack if he decided to write about the subject.

Both Gibson and actor Jim Caviezel, who played Jesus Christ in the original film, have claimed that strange spiritual activity took place on set and that Caviezel briefly died after being struck by lightning on the cross.

"Satan's going to come after you," Wallace said, quoting Gibson. "And I said, 'Mel, Satan has so many Baptists, he doesn't even care about them.'" Wallace said he instead emphasized to Gibson that he would likely be the main target for spiritual attack, and told him he needed to be covered in prayer.

"It's beautiful when somebody wants to have a mass said for you, but he knew that it was the greatest challenge to really take on," said Wallace, who went on to explain that Gibson realized the importance of approaching the film with the right spiritual attitude.

"One of the things [Gibson] said to me was, 'This can't be for the money, it can't be to prove anything to anybody. [With] this, our hearts have to be pure,'" Wallace said.

"I knew, at that moment, how dedicated he was, and that this was really going to be a ride," he added.

"The Resurrection of the Christ," a two-part film slated for release in 2027 that Gibson co-wrote with Wallace, has been described by Gibson as "an acid trip" that will depict warfare in the spiritual realm. He has claimed he has "never read anything like" the scripts they wrote together. While plot details remain under wraps, the story will focus on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and its immediate aftermath.

"It's going to be unlike anything anyone has ever seen," Wallace said. "It will be a movie that will be mind-blowing. It may be something that is disturbing and haunting, but it will be unforgettable."

Filming on the project began in October, with Caviezel being replaced as Jesus by 36-year-old Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen.

In addition to Cinecitta's new Studio 22 in Rome, filming is also taking place in the ancient southern Italian city of Matera and other nearby locations, including Ginosa, Gravina, Laterza and Altamura. The 2004 original film grossed $610 million worldwide and became one of the highest-earning independent films in cinematic history.
Home News 38 Christians freed after being abducted from worship service in Nigeria

Thirty-eight worshipers abducted during a weekday church service in North Central Nigeria have been freed following coordinated efforts by security forces and government officials, according to reports. The victims were abducted from Christ Apostolic Church in the Eruku community during an evening prayer meeting last week.

The Nov. 18 attack involved 10 armed men storming the church and opening fire on the congregation, killing several people, including the pastor, Sahara Reporters said.

A video shared on social media from a service held Sunday showed a preacher urging church members not to fear death and asserting that those who died in the attack were witnesses for Christ.

Dont let us fear death, the preacher was quoted as saying. Anywhere death comes to you, make sure you do not curse Jesus. Police vehicles were seen stationed outside the church during the service.

Governor Abdul Rahman Abdul Razaq of Kwara State announced the release of the abducted church members, crediting the operation to President Bola Tinubus direct intervention.

The Nigerian president had canceled a planned trip to the G20 summit in South Africa to address what the governor called security breaches in Kwara and Kebbi states, according to TVC News.

The governor also acknowledged the support of the National Security Advisers office, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Intelligence Agency and the Nigeria Police Force. Four tactical police teams were reportedly deployed to Kwara under Tinubus directive.

In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, Governor Abdul Razaq said the release was wholly due to [Tinubus] direct initiative, and extended thanks to local community leaders, religious organizations and residents for their solidarity during the ordeal.

The Christian Association of Nigeria, or CAN, condemned the attack, calling it heartbreaking and sad, and described the abduction as part of the prevailing insecurity affecting religious gatherings in parts of the country.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide said in a statement that the kidnappers had initially demanded 100 million naira ($ 69,000) per person and later reduced the ransom to 20 million naira (nearly $14,000).

The attackers were identified in the report as members of a Fulani militia, and the abduction had been captured on video.

The attack on the Christ Apostolic Church was one of several recent incidents involving mass abductions and assaults on religious institutions in Nigeria.

On Friday, gunmen raided St. Marys Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Niger State, and abducted 303 students and 12 teachers. Fifty of those abducted managed to escape, the U.K.-based group Christian Solidarity Worldwide noted.

Children as young as 6 were among those taken during that raid. Local church officials denied reports that the school had reopened without government permission, stating they had received no prior warning of an imminent threat.

Following a separate school attack in Kebbi State last Monday, 24 girls who had been abducted from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga were released on Tuesday, CSW reports. The school dormitory also housed Muslim students, despite being located in a predominantly Christian area, according to CSW.

Also last Monday, unidentified men attacked the EYN Church in Maiduguri, Borno State, beating a security guard with a machete. Church officials said threats had been made against the congregation for weeks.

President Tinubus government has denied that the violence constitutes religious persecution.

A Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to counter claims of persecution and genocide targeting Christian communities. The trip followed Nigerias redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern, CPC, by the U.S. government for religious freedom violations.

The Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association in Makurdi Diocese rejected official claims that there was no jihad or targeted attacks, stating in a release on Friday, What our people are experiencing bears every mark of GENOCIDE.

The day before, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, a Catholic priest and ruling party member, had denied any systematic targeting of Christians.

Between 2019 and 2023, more than 20,000 people were abducted in Nigeria, according to the U.S.-based watchdog group Open Doors. The group warned that kidnapping has become a lucrative enterprise tied to terrorist networks and used to fund Islamist expansion. In a report from October, Open Doors said Christians, especially religious leaders, are often targeted because they tend to bring higher ransoms, making them particularly vulnerable.

The group has also documented that Nigeria records more killings of Christians each year than all other countries combined, with tens of thousands reportedly killed over the past decade.

In response to these trends, U.S. Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., introduced a congressional resolution earlier this month condemning what he described as the violent persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The resolution, backed by at least 20 House Republicans, was introduced shortly after President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a CPC. It calls for Nigerian authorities to crack down on armed groups such as Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province and Fulani militants.

It also urges the repeal of blasphemy laws, the release of those jailed for religious offenses, the safe return of displaced Christians, and the delivery of aid through faith-based and nongovernmental organizations.
Home News ACLU, SPLC sue Tennessee over $7K school voucher law on behalf of parents

A group of parents and progressive advocacy groups have filed a complaint against Tennessee over a recently passed universal school voucher law, claiming that it violates the state's constitution.

Filed last week in the Chancery Court for Davidson County, Twentieth Judicial District, the lawsuit alleges that a new voucher law is incompatible with its constitutional duty to provide an adequate education to all the states children through a single system of free public schools.

In February, Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed the Universal Voucher Law, which created an education program making nearly all school-age students eligible for a $7,295 voucher.

"I learned a long time ago that education changes the trajectory of a child's life forever," Lee said back in February, in comments cited by The Tennessean. "Today we put in place a piece of legislation that will change the future of Tennessee forever, because it changes the trajectory of the next generation of Tennessee."

The suit claims that the new law violates the Education Clause of the Tennessee Constitution by having the state fund private schools outside the public school system and by further reducing public school funding below adequate levels.

If the program is permitted to stand, it will continue to drain funds from under-resourced public schools and send hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars to unregulated private schools, reads the complaint.

The groups representing the plaintiffs include the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, the Education Law Center, the Southern Education Foundation, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP.

Tennessee's Constitution is clear: the state must maintain and support a system of free public schools, said Lucas Cameron-Vaughn, senior staff attorney with the ACLU of Tennessee, in a statement provided to CP.

"This voucher scheme does the opposite," he claimed. "It siphons desperately needed resources away from public schools that serve all students and hands that money to private schools with no accountability, no transparency, and no obligation to serve every child."

The governor contends, however, that it will not draw support away from public schools, stating that the law doesn't change anything about the state's obligation, as it currently stands, to educating children.

Lee also said back in February that while there were a lot of details to work out on implementing the state law, we already have an education savings account plan in place in this state for our three largest school districts, so we have some expertise within the department in how to implement this plan.
Home News Pastor arrested for helping woman hide vehicle after man killed in hit-and-run

A pastor has been arrested for helping a woman hide a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run that killed a man in Texas. Authorities say the woman was a passenger in the vehicle driven by a man who fled the scene after the crash.

The Conroe Police Department said the crash happened shortly after 7 p.m. on Nov. 9 in the 200 block of North Loop 336 East, where 46-year-old Brett Wilborn was struck and killed while crossing the road, according to KTRK. Investigators reportedly said he was first hit by a dark-colored SUV that fled, then by a second vehicle whose driver remained at the scene and called 911.

Police officers who arrived at the scene found Wilborn lying in the main lanes of traffic. The Traffic Incident Reconstruction Unit responded along with patrol officers, the Crime Scene Unit and representatives from the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office, Woodlands Online reported.

Investigators said multiple CPD divisions worked with the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office Real Time Crime Center to identify the first vehicle involved. On Nov. 21, they located the driver, passenger and vehicle at a residence in the 600 block of Phyllis Court. Officers said the 2017 burgundy Chevrolet Suburban was discovered in a closed garage, and the property owner gave consent for officers to enter.

Stephan Santeli Castro, 35, was arrested and charged with failure to stop and render aid. Angelica Flores, 61, who was in the vehicle with him, was charged with failure to report a felony. Both were taken to the Conroe Police Department for interviews, according to Click 2 Houston.

Investigators said the pairs pastor, 34-year-old Juan Murillo Wilson, helped them hide the vehicle and was arrested Monday. He was charged with tampering with physical evidence and interviewed at the Conroe Police Department. Officers said Wilson helped conceal the Suburban after the crash.

All three were taken into custody following what police described as a coordinated investigation involving multiple agencies. Officers said several witnesses were interviewed during the process, and no other suspects have been announced.

The Conroe Police Department said it remains committed to completing the investigation and providing closure to Wilborns family. The department extended condolences to his loved ones and confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing.
Home News US military may cut ties with Scouting America, claims 'attack' on 'boy-friendly spaces': report

The United States military may soon cut ties with Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts, amid claims that the youth organization "no longer supports the future of American boys."

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will soon look to sever ties between Scouting America and the military, according to an alleged draft memo that has not yet been sent, which National Public Radio reported on Tuesday.

Hegseth reportedly said the group, which has had a relationship with the military for over a century, had become "genderless" and now "attack[s] boy-friendly spaces."

"The organization once endorsed by President Theodore Roosevelt no longer supports the future of American boys," Hegseth was quoted as stating in the memo, claiming the youth organization had strayed from its meritocratic roots.

If the proposal takes effect, the Pentagon will stop providing medical and logistical support for the National Jamboree, which can host around 20,000 attendees, and Scout troops will no longer be allowed to meet at military installations.

In response to the report, Scouting America released a statement saying it was "surprised and deeply saddened by this news," noting that "our nation's military has walked side-by-side with Scouts for generations."

"An enormous percentage of those in our military academies are Scouts and Eagle Scouts. Our Scouts and leaders admire and are inspired by our military heroes. Many of our Scouts trade their Scouting uniforms for the uniforms of our nation's armed forces," stated the scouting group.

Scouting America took issue with the claim that they no longer advanced meritocracy among its members, calling the accusation "clearly uninformed."

"Badges and ranks are not given, they are earned. Just ask any Eagle Scout. Young men and young women alike thrive in Scouting. Scouts wear an American flag on their sleeves and swear a duty to God and country," they added.

"We will continue our efforts to work with the Pentagon to address this critical issue. At the same time, I encourage each of you to contact your senators and congressional representatives immediately and ask for their support."

In May 2024, the Boy Scouts of America announced it would officially change its name to Scouting America on Feb. 8, which marked the 115th anniversary of the organization's founding.

Scouting American President Roger A. Krone said at the time that the change "will be a simple but very important evolution as we seek to ensure that everyone feels welcome in scouting."

"Though our name will be new, our mission remains unchanged: we are committed to teaching young people to be Prepared. For Life," Krone said. "Scouting America provides a welcoming, safe environment where youth can become the best version of themselves by learning from and respecting each other."

The name change followed Scouting America's 2018 decision to allow girls to join troop chapters, a move that prompted a trademark lawsuit from the Girl Scouts of the United States of America.

"Since BSA's announcement that it would admit girls to its core programs, GSUSA's fears about the damage that would be caused to its trademarks and the mission those trademarks symbolize have been realized," alleged the Girl Scouts' complaint.

"Throughout the country, families, schools and communities have been told that GSUSA and BSA have merged, or even that GSUSA no longer exists. Parents interested in signing up for Girl Scouts programs have instead mistakenly signed up for the new girls' programs offered by BSA."

The two youth scouting groups agreed to a settlement in July 2022, in which both sides dropped their trademark challenges and the Girl Scouts ended its lawsuit.
Transgender Spa Controversy, Skit Guys Split Over Moral Failure, Miss Universe Declares Faith In Christ The King

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 06:27 06:27

Top headlines for Wednesday, November 26, 2025

In this episode, a New Jersey spa faces controversy after being ordered to allow trans-identifying men into women-only nude areas, beloved comedy duo The Skit Guys parts ways after a co-founders moral failure, and newly crowned Miss Universe Fatima Bosch goes viral for boldly proclaiming her Christian faith.

00:11 Spa must let trans men into female-only nude spaces

01:00 Skit Guys ministry ends after 30 years amid 'moral failure'

01:49 Christian street preacher acquitted of Islamophobia charge

02:36 Catholic priest arrested for assault put on leave by archdiocese

03:19 Conor McGregor claims Trinity appeared during ibogaine trip

04:06 Mass abduction in Nigeria: 50 Students Escape, 253 still missing

04:53 Miss Universe Fatima Bosch credits faith after historic win
Home Opinion Despite the massacres, Nigerias Church still sings

The pain doesnt start with the gunshots. It begins long before, in the quiet places where children sleep, where mothers hum lullabies, and where faith keeps fragile communities together through the darkness.



It arrives without warning, slipping through broken windows and across scorched earth, settling over Nigerias heart like a shadow that refuses to lift. This darkness goes beyond human conflict. It is a spiritual assault aimed at silencing believers and extinguishing the light of Christ wherever it shines.

Take little Ruth, a child who should have known only love and laughter. When Fulani militants stormed her village, Ruths mother, Hannatu, pleaded for mercy. The attackers tore Ruth from her mothers arms, killed Hannatu instantly, and left the infant in the mud. By dawn, Ruth was found battered but alive, taken in by her aunts family, raised in the shadow of loss but also in the light of faith.

Ruths family understands both the depths of suffering and the roots of resilience. We pray not for revenge, but for forgiveness  for the attackers to find Christ. Only God can change the heart of a man, says her adoptive father, Danjuma John. Weve lost so much, but we also know that Christ is with us. Even as Ruth pursues her education and sings hymns at church, her family prays: Pray for Nigerias persecuted Christians. Pray for peace in Plateau State. Pray for children like Ruth  orphans of violence who long for a chance to grow in love and faith. And pray for the attackers, that their hearts would be transformed by Gods grace.

There are thousands of stories like Ruths. Nearly 7,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria so far this year. While not all of these killings are strictly for religious motives, Christians make up a significant share of the victims in communal and violent conflicts across the country. American Christians have raised the alarm, calling for action and accountability. Recently, new resolutions have been introduced in Congress, and public pressure has grown, especially after President Trump announced he would redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern. Headlines report sanctions, statements, and promises of pressure. But words in policy have not changed the daily reality for Ruth, her village, or the countless survivors who continue to face danger every day.

Too often, Nigerias Christians are only spoken of in terms of loss, counted, reduced to mere statistics that fail to capture the depth of their suffering or the strength of their faith. Survivors like Ruth remind us that behind every number is a life shaped by courage, prayer, and perseverance. Their faith becomes a quiet act of defiance against the violence that surrounds them.

Across Nigeria, churches and local ministries are carrying out the work of healing. They provide shelter, trauma counseling, and reconciliation for families torn apart by conflict. Pastors preach forgiveness even as danger remains close. Volunteers comfort children who wake each day with memories no child should hold.

More than numbers: The human reality

And yet, even here, after the debates and policy statements, the truth resists being simplified into charts and tallies. The crisis cannot be fully understood through statistics alone. When headlines fade and political discussions quiet down, a deeper reality remains. One not written in numbers, but in wounds, fears, and the unwavering faith of ordinary people.

Christian girls continue to be kidnapped in unprecedented waves. Families are shattered. Communities piece together faith through collective trauma and hard-won resilience. Massacres, burned churches, and government indifference keep repeating, even as much of the world averts its gaze. But even as communities struggle to survive, the world often responds from a distance.

American policymakers quickly propose solutions through aid packages, sanctions, and symbolic condemnations. Yet these efforts rarely address the core conditions of poverty, corruption, ethnic tension, weak institutions, and climate pressures that make faith-led communities vulnerable. From afar, the crisis is often seen as a policy problem to fix with speeches rather than through genuine solidarity.

As one Nigerian Christian leader recently said, Its a toxic cocktail of a lot of different things. It is suffering layered upon suffering, including economic, social, and spiritual harm, crushing families long before militants ever arrive. The roots of the crisis are painfully complex. Our brothers and sisters in Christ need more than emergency care; they need long-term investments that empower women, strengthen local institutions, and build bridges with moderate Muslims. These steps are essential for any hope of lasting security. But even with all this complexity, the heart of the crisis is best understood through the believers who endure it with unshakable faith.

Seeing survivors, not just victims

This is why American Christians must respond with partnership, not pity. We can support trauma recovery programs, elevate survivor stories in our own communities, and invest in reconciliation efforts that bring Christians and moderate Muslims together. By combining prayer with tangible action, we honor Nigerias resilient believers and stand with them in hope.

Let prayer be combined with advocacy and practical support, not to save Nigeria, but to walk alongside and learn from its struggling faith communities.

The real test of solidarity

Congressional resolutions matter, but the real question is whether Western Christians, policymakers, and donors will listen humbly. Will we work with survivors to build lasting change from the ground up? Or will we continue repeating the cycle of outrage followed by empty promises?

The world may see ruins, but Heaven sees a Church that refuses to bow to the darkness. Ruths story tells us that faith still rises from the mud, forgiveness still grows from unimaginable loss, and the light of Christ still shines where evil believed it had triumphed. The Church in Nigeria is still singing, sometimes through tears and sometimes through whispers, but always through faith. The only question that remains is whether we will join the song.
Home Opinion Why 'Third Wayism' is modern gnostic heresy

What happens when we separate Gods law from His Gospel in the name of political neutrality? If youve been paying attention to Evangelical discourse recently, youve likely encountered whats now called Third Wayism  a term for the modern Evangelical approach to political and cultural engagement without the baggage of moral or political absolutism.

The premise sounds reasonable enough on the surface: Occupy a middle ground between the Left vs. Right culture war, avoiding strong alignment with either major political party, platform, or group.

Proponents claim theyre simply being winsome and balanced  rising above tribalism and transcending versus trendsetting in order to proclaim a pure Gospel untainted by political entanglements.



Third Wayism often sounds like this: Jesus is neither right nor left. Or Jesus wasnt an elephant or a donkey. but the Lamb. Or Jesus would be too liberal for conservatives and too conservative for liberals.

Thats true enough, but is that all that needs to be said about our cultural and political divide? What actually happening here? Third Wayism has become a Trojan horse for laundering progressive ideas into the Evangelical churches under the guise of neutrality.

Its a form of bait-and-switch theological liberalism that prioritizes cultural accommodation over biblical faithfulness. And while Third Way advocates claim to critique extremes on both sides, their focus disproportionately critiques conservatives while blindly ignoring radical leftist policies like sexual indoctrination in schools, transing our youth, leftist political violence, mass illegal immigration, socialism and government theft, and a host of other issues.

Make no mistake: This isnt just a problem of church leaders failing to exact the right prescription to our political problems. Its a theological crisis. And it bears a striking resemblance to one of the earliest heresies the Church ever confronted: Gnosticism.

How should Christians think about Third Wayism and its real dangers?

First, theologically, Third Wayism is a form of a neo-Marcion heresy, a Gnostic heresy that attempts to separate Gods law from His Gospel

In the second century, a heretic named Marcion taught that the God of the Old Testament  with His law, judgment, and wrath  was fundamentally different from the God of the New Testament, who offered only love, grace, and mercy. Marcion essentially wanted a Gospel without the law and grace without any sacrifice.

Marcion was the first to want to unhitch the Church from the Old Testament.

The early Church fathers rightly condemned this as heresy. Because you cannot separate the law from the Gospel. Yes, the law and the Gospel are two separate categories, but you cannot know the good news of Jesus Christ without first knowing what Christ is saving you from. You cannot understand grace apart from Gods justice or holiness.

Third Wayism makes the same fundamental error as applied to the cultural and political divide in America. It wants the comfort of the Gospel without the confrontation of Gods law. It wants to affirm Gods love without acknowledging Gods moral standards applied to the way people live and vote.

It claims to hold biblical convictions while simultaneously refusing to apply those convictions to concrete moral, cultural, and political realities.

When Third Way leaders avoid clear biblical teaching on these fronts, they avoid the law and confuse the Gospel. When they critique Christian nationalism more forcefully than they preach about abortion or gender ideology, theyre separating Gods law from the Gospel.

The result is a neutered Christianity that offers neither prophetic clarity nor pastoral courage. A faith that is all Gospel and no law, all comfort and no conviction, all grace and no truth.

Second, morally and politically, Third Wayism creates confusion rather than clarity in the Church

Pastor Josh Howerton recently made a profound observation: Political and cultural engagement are, in some very meaningful sense, a lead measure to the Great Commission, not a distraction from it. Show me a map of the most progressive areas in America, then show me a map of the least-churched areas in America  its the same map.

Why? In Howertons words, its because progressivism is built on a secular Critical Theory lens instead of a Christian theological lens. It trains people to think of biblical marriage as homophobic, biblical justice as racist, biblical gender roles as oppressive patriarchy, and biblical sexuality as transphobic.

Howerton concludes, This installs what Tim Keller himself called defeater beliefs into the populace, making evangelism significantly more difficult.

Yet Third Wayism refuses to name this reality clearly. Instead of equipping Christians to engage the culture war with biblical wisdom, it scolds them for being too political. Instead of providing moral clarity on life, marriage, family, and religious liberty, it offers mushy platitudes about loving our neighbors without defining what biblical love actually requires.

The practical result is devastating. Christians are disarmed precisely when they need to be the most engaged. Pastors remain silent on the defining moral issues of our day, hiding behind the excuse of neutrality. And the Church becomes culturally irrelevant  not because were too controversial, but because weve lost the courage to speak the truth.

Finally, Third Wayism presents a particular danger to the Evangelical Church because conviction and courage must form the center and foundation of truth

Heres a principle every Christian must understand: If you cannot defend truth, you will cease to exist.

The Church doesnt survive by being pleasant. It doesnt grow by being inoffensive. It doesnt faithfully represent Christ by avoiding controversy. Throughout church history, the moments of greatest faithfulness have been the moments of greatest testing: When courage was demanded, Christians stood firmly on Scripture at the exact time when culture demanded compromise or death.

Third Wayism, by contrast, is the posturing for comfort absent of controversy. Its the stance of leaders who have more to lose than to gain from taking clear positions.

But Scripture is clear. As Paul writes to the Galatians, Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? (Galatians 4:16). Or as Jesus warned His disciples, Woe to you when all people speak well of you  thats how you could tell false prophets (Luke 6:26). Also, theres the Lords rebuke of Laodicea, I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot  because you are lukewarm  I will spit you out of my mouth (Revelation 3:15-16).

The Church needs prophetic voices who will declare truth with conviction. We need Christians who understand that they need both law and grace when presenting the Gospel.

So what should we do? We must reclaim theological courage. We must refuse the false choice between biblical faithfulness and cultural-political engagement. Today, those pastors who speak to the cultural and political controversies sooner are actually getting to the Gospel quicker.

We must also remember that we worship a Savior who cracked a whip and overturned tables, even in Gods house. We must teach the whole counsel of God  both law and Gospel, both justice and grace.

Above all, we must remember: If you cannot defend truth, you will cease to exist. The Church that trades conviction for Third Way comfort may soon discover it has forfeited its very soul.

Originally published at the Standing for Freedom Center.
Theres a not-so-dirty little secret in industry: despite advances in both AI and cybersecurity, the greatest cyber threats still come from social engineering and the exploitation of industry control systems (ICS).

The evolution of AI and generative AI (GenAI) has not produced as many novel threats as once feared. But the technologies have become force multipliers for traditional schemes, dramatically accelerating and expanding the scale, proliferation, and even the authenticity of threats. Once rudimentary social engineering schemes like email phishing, which relied on individual attacks, are now high-powered, more authentic and able to target far more victims than ever before  autonomously.

According to a 2025 report from DeepStrike, the weaponization of AI for phishing schemes has driven a surge in attack sophistication and volume, with some metrics showing a 1,265% increase in phishing emails since the launch of generative AI tools. Defenses are struggling to keep pace, as attackers increasingly bypass traditional MFA and exploit the human element, which is involved in over 60% of all breaches.

Automation and AI are making it so much easier on cyber criminals, agreed Matt Castonguay, chief revenue officer for Hitachi Cyber, which operates Security Operation Centers and provides a range of cybersecurity services. If youre just someone in your basement trying to hack people, theres only so much work you can do by yourself. Now youve got your AI, youve got your ransomware-as-a-service, youve got your botnets. You could scan 100,000 companies, 50,000 companies, in a day and find a whole bunch of vulnerabilities.

The AI doesnt discriminate, he added, its just going to go and pick on everyone that it can.

For more companies across industries, from energy to mobility, whats needed to slow the increasing threat landscape is a deliberate, comprehensive assessment plan based on industrial domain expertise; one that examines industrial systems on two tracks: policy vulnerabilities and technical weaknesses.

Policy penetration

The reality for industrial companies today is that the isolated, air-gapped, plant is a thing of the past. Everything from cloud services and AI to edge computing are connecting more factories to the cloud than ever before. As these interconnections spread, often without recognition of potential policy breaches, the once seemingly impenetrable industrial company grows more exposed.

Many people assume new technology presents the biggest risk, says Castonguay. More often, the new tech exposes vulnerabilities in older systems that were considered secure before.

ICSs, the information systems used to manage industrial processes, typically refers to supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems used to control geographically dispersed assets, distributed control systems (DCS), and smaller control systems using programmable logic controllers (PLC) to control localized processes, says the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

For decades, ICSs were air-gapped or completely isolated from any network. A device controlling a conveyor belt or rail switch, for example, was designed for one purpose: to follow simple instructions reliably. Security wasnt built into the system because remote accessibility wasnt built into it.

However, that isolation has become an illusion over time. Many ICSs have been augmented with ad-hoc channels that allowed system integrators or contractors to configure files and patch software. As a result, these channels have become pathways to be exploited.

To be sure, in an era of Industry 4.0 and smart grids, true isolation is now obsolete. Consider the proliferation of IoT. Factories, power plants, railroads, and other industrial operations are aggressively integrating AI and IoT devices to boost efficiency, enable real-time monitoring, and improve performance.

And the proliferation isnt slowing. The number of connected IoT devices worldwide is expected to balloon from around 21 billion in 2025 to more than 50 billion in just 10 years, according to market research firm IoT Analytics. Each connection point links back to infrastructure that often predates modern security practices by decades.

So we do the assessment, Castonguay says. If we find something thats critical, we will flag it to be corrected right away. But if not, we conduct a remediation report with a gap analysis. We say, here are all the issues that you have and here they are sorted by priority. Any minor concerns, we advise they update their security policy.

The technical vulnerability

Warning signs about the vulnerability of legacy ICS have been flickering for years. As far back as 2008, a 14-year-old in Poland built a homemade infrared device to take control of a tram track switch. He derailed several trams, injuring multiple passengers. In this case, the ICS required no authentication at all.

Security wasnt considered when these systems were built, Castonguay says. Today it must be applied to every process, both retroactively and proactively.

In addition to exposing new vulnerabilities, AI provides bad actors with better hacking tools, such as automated malware, encryption, and ransomware management, much of which can be acquired as-a-service for a monthly fee.

The bad actors arent just fishing with one line, but casting a net, Castonguay says. They can scan 100,000 companies in a day and find a whole bunch of vulnerabilities.

When a previously unknown security flaw is discovered and disclosed (a zero-day vulnerability drop), attackers can exploit it within hours. In contrast, updating the ICS across a factory or rail network can take weeks or months.

It takes a lot longer to patch your systems than it takes for a hacker to scan for vulnerabilities, Castonguay says.

Ironically, traditional attack methods remain effective. Despite years of security training, people still click suspicious links and reuse passwords. Whats changed, Castonguay says, is AIs ability to make phishing attempts far more convincing, such as crafting emails that mimic legitimate contracts or vendor communications with alarming accuracy.

As AI enhances bad actors toolkit, targets are not governed by the size of the operation nor industry. No organization is too small to be targeted anymore, Castonguay warns.

And the urgency is real. Attackers arent waiting for defenses to catch up. The fishermen never sleep, Castonguay says, and their nets are getting larger and more sophisticated every day.

The two-pronged approach to plugging gaps

Identifying the weak points in decades-old industrial systems requires a systematic approach; a comprehensive assessment that examines industrial systems for both policy vulnerabilities and technical weaknesses.

Policy audits determine which individuals have access to various systems, rather than simply examine security documents. Its not uncommon for such audits to discover that former employees have active system access, sometimes, administrators whose credentials can unlock every machine in a facility. They can also find generic accounts like jira_admin with elevated privileges across multiple systems. Just because youre the administrator of one system doesnt mean you should have access to all the systems on the network, Castonguay says. Each system should have its own Identity and Access Management policies.

audits determine which individuals have access to various systems, rather than simply examine security documents. Its not uncommon for such audits to discover that former employees have active system access, sometimes, administrators whose credentials can unlock every machine in a facility. They can also find generic accounts like jira_admin with elevated privileges across multiple systems. Just because youre the administrator of one system doesnt mean you should have access to all the systems on the network, Castonguay says. Each system should have its own Identity and Access Management policies. Technical assessments include things like red teaming or penetration testing, which systematically attempt to breach systems using the same methods attackers might use, all conducted with client permission. Assessments can take as little as two days for a small operation or up to a month for larger, multi-site systems.

Another key aspect to Hitachi Cybers approach is its ability to pull in expertise from across Hitachi Group companies when necessary. Hitachis heritage in industrial equipment and operational technology (OT), as well as its decades of development and deployment of data and AI solutions, provides Hitachi Cyber with unmatched, deep domain expertise in mission-critical systems  the systems that support the worlds social infrastructure.

A key advantage of ours is the ability to tap into Hitachi for industry-specific expertise when needed, Castonguay says, and likewise, to bring our expertise to bear on industrial challenges Hitachi discovers in the market. AI can scan a million devices quickly. But the differentiator is the human expertise to know what these results actually mean.

But theres one more step to Hitachi Cybers industrial security strategy: early warning audits. According to Castonguay, most organizations pursue assessments like these only after a breach or when insurance companies mandate them. But successful companies apply a proactive approach, conducting regular security audits and penetration testing to address vulnerabilities before they are exploited, making industrial cybersecurity as routine as home inspections.

For more, visit: Hitachi Cyber | Cybersecurity & Performance Analytics Solutions

And for more Hitachi AI perspectives, visit AI Resource Center  Hitachi Digital

Hitachi Cyber is a global leader in advanced cybersecurity and performance analytics solutions, serving clients in over 50 countries for more than 50 years. With its innovative approach and 24/7 operations, it delivers tailored solutions to safeguard organizations against evolving threats and drive confident growth.
A group of Scottish rape crisis charities have demanded urgent assurances from the Scottish government that it will provide a critical funding increase in its next budget in January.

In an open letter to ministers, the leaders of four rape crisis charities, which collectively provide 40% of Scotlands services, accused the devolved administration of displaying a negligent disregard for survivors of rape and sexual violence.

According to the letter, the Scottish governments Delivering Equally Safe (DES) Fund, which supports rape crisis and womens aid services, has remained effectively static since 2021, while demand for services has risen.

A 12.5% uplift in funding announced in February 2025 was offset by the loss of the temporary Covid-19 recovery funding, leaving many services worse off in real terms, the charities wrote.

The charities called on the Scottish government to deliver an immediate funding uplift in its budget to allow rape crisis centres to maintain essential services in the short term, while also implementing the governments own recommendations on a review of funding and services longer term.

Centres at points of crisis

In their letter to finance secretary Shona Robison and social justice secretary Shirley-Ann Somerville, the charities said there had been a 3% increase in sexual crimes recorded by Police Scotland between 2021 and 2025.

The charities  Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis, Rape Crisis Ayrshire and Arran, Western Isles Rape Crisis Centre and Lanarkshire Rape Crisis Centre  said the longest waiting time for support faced by survivors at any of the centres is currently up to 151 days.

Writing in the open letter, the charities said: Funding has not kept pace with the need for our vital services, resulting in difficult choices and women and girls not being given the help they choose from us, and more critically, deserve [...]

So far, your government has failed to act and women and girls in our service areas are paying the price.

Funding pressures have already had tangible effects: last month, Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis temporarily paused referrals to its Justice Support to Report service due to limited funding, reopening only after securing alternative resources.

Other centres are at their own points of crisis.

When the Scottish budget is announced on 13 January, there will be just 78 days until the next financial year begins  fewer than the 151 days some survivors must currently wait to access support.

Without your intervention, waiting lists will extend further into 2025-26, leaving survivors without the support they need and deserve.

Scots government: Ministers are considering funding decisions

Responding to the letter, Scottish government equalities minister Kaukab Stewart said: We remain steadfast in our commitment to preventing and eradicating all violence against women and girls and addressing the underlying attitudes and systems that perpetuate it.

We announced a 2.4m uplift to the Delivering Equally Safe Fund for 2025-26, to allow all fund recipients to continue the vital work they undertake to prevent violence and support survivors, bringing the total investment to 21.6m for 2025-26.

The Victim Centred Approach Fund now forms part of the Scottish government Fairer Funding pilot, and will provide 32m to 23 organisations between 2025-2027, including 12m for specialist advocacy support for survivors of gender-based violence.

Ministers are considering funding decisions beyond March 2026 and we expect confirmation of funding to be made as part of the Scottish budget process.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
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CJR will be off through the end of this week for Thanksgiving. Well be back in your inbox on Monday.

Research on the effects of misinformation tends to focus on the big-picture stuff: voting patterns, elections, political systems. But the authors of The Patina of Distrust, a new book that explores how people interpret misinformation, argue that that perspective overlooks a crucial piece of the puzzle. Basing their findings on extensive research conducted in the wake of Argentinas 2019 elections, they conclude that news consumers are less susceptible to falsehood than we might anticipate, despite filter bubbles and the internets power to supercharge rumors and lies. In one of our experiments, we found that people assign more credibility to true news than false news, even when the misinformation aligned with their political beliefs, Eugenia Mitchelstein, one of the books authors, told CJR.

Mitchelstein, an associate professor at the Universidad de San Andres in Buenos Aires, proposes that in societies like Argentina, where levels of institutional distrust are high, the population develops a patina, or buffer, that protects them from misinformation. This is useful in some contexts, less so in others. While the patina makes it harder to fall prey to falsities, it also stops people from believing the truth, eroding trust in the media. This can create problems for fact-checkers and journalists. As the US media landscape becomes more polarized, trust in institutions is eroding here too, Mitchelstein said. Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

CAG: When did you start working on the project, and what were you thinking about at the time?

EM: In 2016, there were two momentous elections: there was Brexit, in Britain, and then in November, there was the first election of Donald Trump in the United States. At that point in time, a lot of people started talking about fake news as the driver of these two electionsin particular, the role Facebook had played in deploying fake news to voters in the UK and in the US through Cambridge Analytica.

There were also lots of fact-checking initiatives and concerns about the role of misinformation in democracies. In 2018, I was in Latin America working on a different project with Pablo Boczkowski, one of the Patina of Distrust coauthors. Bolsonaro had just been elected in Brazil, and there were a lot of discussions about misinformation on Facebook and WhatsApp. WhatsApp is very commonly used in Brazil, and also in Argentina. Then, in 2019, Claire Wardle, who is a professor at Cornell University, asked Boczkowski if he wanted to do something on misinformation in Argentina, and he invited me to be part of the project.

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I study political communication. I study news consumption. So I thought that was interesting. We got funding from Metawhich owns WhatsAppto conduct survey experiments to see the extent to which people assigned credibility and veracity to misinformation, supposing they got it on Facebook or WhatsApp, or on the media, or from somebody else. Pablo, who is an expert in qualitative research, said that we should do interviews too. He had some funding from Northwestern University, and we started this research design with Maria Celeste Wagner, who is now at Rutgers, and Facundo Suenzo, who has just finished his PhD at Northwestern.

We came up with this three-wave panel survey, which had experiments enmeshed in every wave. They measured credibility, veracity, perceptions that people will get angry if they receive misinformation or not. We asked people, Do you think your friends, family, coworkers would get angry if you forwarded them this piece? And we found that when the stimulus was disinformation, respondents anticipated higher levels of anger than when the stimulus was true news. We also did seventy interviews face to face with citizens in Argentina. At the time, we werent thinking about a book. But as we were reading the interview transcripts and analyzing them and the survey, we realized that this was fascinating.

What made you think that?

What surprised us was that people in the surveysa representative sample of Argentiniansassigned much less credibility to misinformation than to real information, and we attribute this to the distrust they have in institutions and in information-producing institutions and elites, including journalists and news, which builds, as we say in the book, a patina of distrust. So people distrust almost everything they hear, and thats why they also distrust misinformation.

So people werent really believing the misinformation?

Some people were believing it, but not to the extent that it created a change in elections. In most cases, research on misinformation is not looking at reception practices. Its looking at the fact that there is misinformation and that its circulating. Thats interesting in and of itself, but we found that theres a missing link.

How would you describe this patina that you talk about in the book?

Something that came up a lot in interviews was history, which we were not expecting. But thats the beauty of in-depth interviews.

Theres this assumption in the literature that misinformation is a recent phenomenon, that it has never happened before. Its often attributed to technology and platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, or TikTok, or whatever. But in the interviews, people were saying that well, in Argentina, theres always been fake news; that the government usually lies to the media and you cant trust them.

In the second wave of the survey, we included a question about trust and found that, with a few exceptionsteachers, professors, scientiststrust in institutions was very, very low. What we propose in the book is that this distrust over the years and these shared memories of misinformationbecause some of these people were too young to have lived through the dictatorshipresulted in people building a protective capacity against misinformation, and we call this protection a patina of distrust. So its like the patina that protects works of art from the weather, but it protects Argentinians, which is the population we studied. This might be at work in other populations too.

You mention that this barrier can also prevent people from believing news that is factually correct. What can journalists do to stop this from happening and build trust?

This was something we discussed a lot because we didnt want to write something pessimistic, so the first thing Id say is that distrust is not that bad. We might want to keep some measure of distrust to keep people alert. The second thing is that a lot of initiativesfor instance, about media literacysuppose that people know nothing. They assume that we have to teach people that the media has interests. People know that already.

The third thing is that some initiatives say that we should do more to regulate the spread of misinformation, particularly through government action. But because these institutions are not trusted, more regulation wont cut it. I think its better to work from the media literacy people already have instead of trying to impose the idea that people should trust someusually mainstreammedia.

Something that appeared a lot in the interviews was the idea that truth and falsity are not mutually exclusive. One interviewee said that everything thats true has a bit of falsity in it, and that everything false has a little truth in it. So I think the idea that something is completely true or completely false goes against how people interpret the news. This ontological distinction between truth and falsity is a construct of fact-checking, but its not the way people interpret things.

How relevant are your findings to the media and information landscape in the US?

In Argentina, the media system is very politicized. People go from being newspaper columnists to politicians, and vice versa. Thats rarer in the US, but what Ive seen as an avid observer and news consumer is that media is getting more polarized there, and columnists and journalists and even news outlets are becoming more in favor or against politicians or political parties. And I think that might undermine peoples trust in the media.

The United States is a different country with different institutions and a different history, but what we might be seeing is this extension of mistrust in the media that might also lead to an extension of mistrust in misinformation.

Most of the literature treats distrust as something negative, because you need trust to build a polity. But theres a lesser-known but solid stream of research that says, No, you need distrust to fight autocracy.
A central Georgia insurance agency owner and former Alfa insurance agent of the year must serve more than two years in prison after pleading guilty to bank fraud and misusing more than $220,000 in premiums.

Jeremy Lasseter, who owned a Warner Robins agency and had been named a top producer for four straight years, repaid the money to the policyholder before his sentencing Nov. 19, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia said in a bulletin.

The money taken from the victim has had a significant negative impact on her life. The defendant must be held accountable for defrauding her and abusing the trust placed in him by Alfa Insurance, said U.S. Attorney William Keyes.

The insured held several policies with Alfa, all arranged by Lasseter, the indictment shows. He convinced the woman to make checks out to him, instead of Alfa, or pay in cash. He then used some of the premium payments to cover premiums on policies for other insureds, prosecutors said.

Defendant now admits and agrees that between March 1, 2020, and September 7, 2023, he carried out a scheme to get money from federally insured financial institutions using material false and fraudulent representations to D.W. with the intent to defraud, the plea agreement reads.

Alfa, based in Alabama, writes property and life insurance in Georgia. A company spokesperson said Lasseter was terminated in 2023 for unrelated reasons, but a review of Lasseters book of business prompted Alfa to notify the Georgia insurance commissioners office.

Alfa has fully cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation and is eager to see justice served, reads a statement from Alfa.

Lasseter began work at Alfa in 2017, after working at New York Life Insurance and at State Farm Insurance in Georgia, according to his Linkedin page. After 2023 he worked as a sales manager at a car dealership. Lasseter had been appointed with multiple carriers in recent years, and was licensed in property, casualty, accident and life lines, the Georgia agent license verification site shows.

Prosecutors said that Lasseter initiated the fraud to secure Alfas agent of the year award for an additional consecutive year, an honor that would grant him other perks and status.
Barrick Mining Corp. has agreed to a 244 billion CFA francs ($430 million) settlement with Mali, as part of a deal to end a two-year dispute that shuttered one of the companys most important gold operations, according to people familiar with the matter.

Under the settlement, Barrick is due to pay 144 billion CFA francs within six days of signing the agreement with Malis government, the people said, asking not to be identified because the matter is private. Another 50 billion CFA francs will come via VAT-credit offsets, while an installment of the same size was already paid last year, the people said.

The Canadian company will regain operational control over the Loulo-Gounkoto complex and withdraw its arbitration claims against the West African country, Barrick said in a Monday statement. Mali, in turn, will drop its charges against Barrick and take legal steps to release four employees jailed during the dispute with the government.

Barrick declined to comment further on the agreement, or whether it included a settlement.

The company will also accept Malis 2023 mining code, while the permit for the Loulo gold mine, which was set to expire in February, will be renewed for another decade. The deal also ends state control of the mine, paving the way for Barrick to resume operations, Malis government said late on Monday.

A mining ministry spokesman said he wasnt aware if any settlement was being paid.

If restarted swiftly, the mine could produce about 670,000 ounces next year, generating $1.5 billion in operating cash flow, BMO Capital Markets analysts said in an emailed note on Tuesday.

Barrick shares jumped 8.5% to a 13-year high on Monday, after an agreement that ends a dispute that began when the company resisted Malis 2023 mining code, which increased royalties and state stakes. In response, Mali demanded back taxes, detained the companys staff, issued an arrest warrant for former Chief Executive Officer Mark Bristow and took over the companys mines.

Mali expects to receive about 90 billion CFA francs in dividends annually, plus royalties and stakes as per the 2023 code under the new agreement with Barrick, Finance Minister Alousseni Sanou said in a late Monday interview with Malis public broadcaster ORTM.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
The Florida Orchestra has received a transformative $10 million donation from an anonymous benefactor, marking the largest single gift in its nearly six decades of existence. The announcement positions the orchestra for long-term financial stability and growth at a time when performing arts organizations across the country continue navigating post-pandemic recovery and evolving audience habits.

Leadership at the orchestra confirmed that the donation is not intended for short-term expenses but rather to support the endowment and advance the organization's long-term strategic plan. The gift is tied to a ten-year vision focusing on expanded community outreach, increased educational programming, and artistic innovation while securing the orchestra's future for generations of Florida audiences.

Ignacio Barron Viela, president and CEO of the Florida Orchestra, described the donation as a vote of confidence in the role of symphonic music in the Tampa Bay area and in the organization's future direction. He noted that the donor was reportedly moved by the orchestra's long-term strategy rather than a single project or performance. The scale of the gift, he said, reflects a growing belief among supporters that classical music remains relevant and essential in modern culture.

The donation comes on the heels of increasing philanthropic momentum for the orchestra. In previous seasons, the organization received two separate $1 million gifts, signaling an upward trend in investment from supporters. However, the new $10 million contribution eclipses all previous fundraising milestones and is expected to reshape what the orchestra can plan and sustain.

Based in the Tampa Bay region, the Florida Orchestra presents around 100 concerts each year across major venues including Ruth Eckerd Hall, the Mahaffey Theater, and the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. The programming ranges from traditional symphonic repertoire to film scores, pop collaborations, and family concerts. Educational outreach has increasingly become a central focus, with programs aimed at schools, young musicians, and underserved communities.

Arts advocates in the region say the donation could have a ripple effect, encouraging additional giving and helping bolster the local cultural ecosystem. As performing arts funding continues to fluctuate nationwide, a gift of this scale offers stability and the chance to plan bold artistic choices without financial urgency overshadowing creativity.

For now, the orchestra is celebrating a milestone moment. The next chapter will focus on translating this historic gift into meaningful artistic and community impact that extends beyond the stage.
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MW Eat Limited, the company behind some of the UKs most acclaimed Indian restaurantsincluding Chutney Mary, Amaya, Veeraswamy and Masala Zoneannounced that certain affiliates of Toronto-based Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited have acquired it.The deal marks a significant milestone for MW Eat, with the company stating that the acquisition will accelerate its long-term growth strategy. Fairfax, a global holding company, is expected to make major investments to support the groups international expansion and explore new restaurant formats while preserving the brands established identity.Founded in 1990 by Namita Panjabi and Ranjit Mathrani with the launch of Chutney Mary, MW Eat has long been regarded as a pioneer in shaping the Indian dining experience in the UK and beyond. Camellia Panjabi, former Main Board Member at Taj Hotels, joined the leadership in 2001, helping steer the groups evolution into a multi-award-winning restaurant portfolio.All threeNamita, Ranjit and Camelliawill continue to work closely with Fairfax to ensure a smooth transition as the restaurant group enters its next phase of expansion.MW Eat said the new ownership will benefit from Fairfaxs deep familiarity with Indias business environment, bolstered by its longstanding investments in the country. The Canadian group holds stakes in Bangalore International Airport, Thomas Cook (India), and Sterling Holiday Resorts, among others.Calling the acquisition a "transformative chapter" for the company, Camellia Panjabi, Group Director of MW Eat, said: "Fairfax brings financial strength, global perspective, vision and a long-standing commitment to India. These qualities perfectly complement MW Eats heritage and future ambitions. We have developed excellent restaurants with excellent people whose career opportunities will be enhanced by the new investment and ambitions of Fairfax. MW Eat is in very safe hands."Prem Watsa, Chairman and CEO of Fairfax Financial Holdings, said: "We are delighted to welcome MW Eat into the Fairfax family. The leadership team at MW Eat, led by Ranjit, Namita and Camellia, has done a terrific job building a number of iconic restaurant brands, and we are very pleased to take stewardship of these brands in the years to come." He added that Fairfaxs experience through its operating subsidiary, Recipe Restaurant GroupCanadas largest full-service multi-brand restaurant companypositions it well to support MW Eats long-term potential.
The success of a movie hinges on several factors: the size of its budget, name recognition of its stars, capitulation to foreign powers, etc. But the marketing campaign cannot be overlooked. A great movie can be buried if the studio neglects the publicity, and a misleading campaign can sour audiences on a movie they might have otherwise liked, even without all those missing explosions.

The first that comes to mind for me is John Carter, u/supesforlike told r/movies. While not particularly worthy of critical acclaim IMO, it was an incredibly fun movie with fantastic effects that I feel could have set up a successful series. This movie failed to find success not only due to its rather dull title but also because the marketing for it was nonexistent. My dad took me to see it because he had read the comics as a kid and was excited for it, but otherwise, I doubt I ever would have heard of it.

They asked, What are some movies that didnt become popular due to marketing failures?

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20 Edge of Tomorrow Advertisement

19 Clue

18 Josie and the Pussycats

17 The Little Prince Advertisement Advertisement

16 The Island

15 Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World Advertisement

14 Be Kind Rewind Advertisement

13 The Cabin in the Woods Advertisement

12 Secondhand Lions

11 Spy Advertisement

10 Ravenous Advertisement

9 The Iron Giant Advertisement

8 Jennifers Body

7 The Thing Advertisement Advertisement

6 Drive

5 Kingdom of Heaven Advertisement

4 In Bruges Advertisement

3 Snowpiercer Advertisement

2 Fight Club
Terry Gilliam is responsible for the iconic animated sequences in Monty Pythons Flying Circus, classic films like Brazil and a one-sided feud with late talk show host Jerry Springer. But is he also behind the most unhinged modern conspiracy theory that doesnt involve a time-traveling Simpsons producer?

Speaking with Variety at at the Torino Film Festival, Gilliam flat-out stated, Im responsible for QAnon, in reference to the far-right conspiracy theory group which claims that President Trump is waging a secret war against elite Satan-worshipping paedophiles in government, business and the media, based on information provided by an anonymous government source named Q (not to be confused with James Bonds tech guy or the Star Trek villain). Also JFK Jr. is secretly alive for some reason.

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Gilliams statement met skepticism online, which is understandable since Gilliam has made a number of baffling comments to the media in recent years, including his complaint that Trump fucked up the anti-woke comedy film he wanted to direct.

However, Gilliams QAnon connection isnt actually as tenuous as it might initially seem. In the interview, Gilliam pointed to the group's conspiracy theory about adrenochrome. According to the QAnon crowd, the worlds shadowy elites torture children to harvest the chemical adrenochrome from their blood, which they then inject in order to stay healthy and young.

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As Will Sommer, the author of Trust the Plan: The Rise of QAnon and the Conspiracy That Unhinged America, once told Terry Gross on an episode of NPRs Fresh Air, this element of the conspiracy theory originated in Hunter S. Thompsons seminal gonzo journalist fable Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, which Gilliam adapted into a feature film in 1998.

In his book, the Hunter S. Thompson character receives a drug called adrenochrome from another character, and that guy says, you know, you can only get this from a pedophile, Sommer explained. Now, adrenochrome as a concept was kind of knocking around the counterculture. Various writers had used it as sort of a stand-in for a very powerful drug, I think, because it just sounds cool.

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Both the book and then the movie starring Johnny Depp really popularized this idea of adrenochrome and this link with pedophiles, Sommer continued. And so that's really where QAnon people get it And so when you look at, you know, Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas YouTube clips about adrenochrome, all up and down in the comments, it's QAnon people saying, you know, Q sent me here and things like that.

As The New York Times pointed out, adrenochrome is real, but its a byproduct of adrenaline not a recreational drug, and its effects are said to be negligible. But Thompsons book related that adrenochrome makes you feel like youre wired into a 220-volt socket.

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Thats how fucking stupid they are, Gilliam said of QAnon followers. Theres madness afoot. Adrenochrome is a complete invention  Hunter started that and we just carried it on. But whats interesting about QAnon is this belief in secret cabals and hidden control. Its not like that at all. Its far more chaotic than they imagine. Really, its a desire to believe in structure  a displaced faith in God, except God was more open-minded than the world theyre talking about.

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So while Gilliam may not be responsible for QAnon, as he said, he did seemingly play a hand in bringing the source text that inspired elements of it to a wider audience. As far as we know, no part of QAnon takes their inspiration from Time Bandits or The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.
David Letterman may not have a late night talk show anymore, but that doesnt mean that hes not still involved in the current showdown between todays hosts and the President of the United States  who, judging from his angry social media posts, seems to spend more time in front of the TV than Beavis and Butt-Head.

Back in July, Letterman publicly called out his former network, CBS, for their gutless decision to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, possibly to appease the Trump administration ahead of the Paramount-Skydance merger.

Then, in September, after attacking nearly every late night host on TV, Trump lambasted Letterman on Truth Social, questioning: Whatever happened to the very highly overrated David Letterman, whose ratings were never very good, either, and adding, He looks like hell, but at least he knew when to quit. LOSER!!!

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Unfortunately for Trump, Letterman found the insult to be extremely tickling.

Now, Dave is weighing in on Trumps calls to fire Late Night host Seth Meyers IMMEDIATELY, a threat that FCC chair Brendan Carr soon reposted. And the man who coined Uma-Oprah is seemingly still bemused and entertained by the presidents habit of futilely raging at TV personalities he doesnt care for.

At the beginning of his most recent YouTube video, Letterman made sure to give a shout-out to our friend Seth Meyers. He went on to explain that, The president of the United States now wants to fire Seth Meyers. And I thought, This is just delightful. How do you think thats gonna go?

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Letterman seems to be implying that any attempts by Trump and Carr to takedown Meyers will fail and only result in him getting even more attention, which is basically how we saw Jimmy Kimmels near-cancelation play out.

So anyway, Ive never been more proud of Seth Meyers, Letterman added. Thats our old show as a matter of fact, he said of Late Night. Yeah, we used to do that show. And he does a magical job.

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Presumably, Letterman wouldnt have the same level of respect for Meyers, or any late night host, if it turned out that he was secretly texting Trump between episodes.
By the end of Veep, which concluded on HBO after seven seasons, the show struggled to satirize reality. The final season aired during the middle of President Donald Trumps first presidency. By then, a lot of political and social norms were shattered by Trump, a man who had no trouble embroiling himself in scandal.

David Mandel, the showrunner for the last three seasons, even credited the political landscape of that time period with changing the series ending. There was something about the way politics had changed that made me start thinking about things differently, Mandel told Thrillist in 2019. I started to wonder, Why is Selina Meyer the only politician on earth paying the price for her own brutality? In places all over the world, horrible people are being elected.

Madel cited the election of Trump, Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, and Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippines as examples of people accused of terrible things getting elected to their respective nations highest office. She gets exactly what she wanted, but it's horrible, Mandel continued. And how do you make it horrible? She wins the presidency, but the cost is her soul.

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This awareness of what was actually occurring in the real world; the careful observation of what people will do in the pursuit of power allowed Veep to foresee the future far beyond its own characters' endings. Here are three episodes that predicted the present.

Season 7, Episode 4, South Carolina

Just weeks after Zohran Mamdani was elected as the next mayor of New York City, a satirical news post began to circulate suggesting that the young Muslim politician would be using Arabic numerals, in New York City classrooms. While many were quick to catch on that the term simply describes numbers, others devolved into an Islamaphobic panic, which required publications like Newsweek to write clarifying articles that there was no such plan from Mamdani and that Arabic numerals, are already well integrated in our society as they are the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

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In the episode South Carolina, Jonah Ryan (Timothy Simons) is running for office and doing very poorly in the polls. He decides to take aim at Muslim math as a way to stoke support from racist voters, and to discredit the polling data that has him ranked in sixth place. Back when the episode aired in April 2019, it preceded a poll that would be published just two months later. In a nationwide survey, more than 50 percent of Americans said that Arabic numerals should not be taught in school.

South Carolina admittedly took a blunter approach. During a campaign speech meltdown, Jonah Ryan exclaimed, Math was invented by Muslims, yeah and we teach this Islamic math to children. These math teachers are terrorists. Algebra? more like al Jazeera. It's a hyperbolic statement but not one at all disconnected from our reality.

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Season 6, Episode 9, A Woman First

After former Vice President Kamala Harris failed bid to become president in 2024, the VP (or, you know, Veep) wrote a book titled 107 Days. The book was published in September 2025, and it contained a number of stories about her ultra-short bid to beat Donald Trump. It was also Harris opportunity to start floating the idea that she would run for the president again in 2028, after she goes on a listening tour across the United States to reconnect with the American people.

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As one person wrote on X when the book was announced in July, Isnt writing a book after losing, going on a cross country tour, then running for president again exactly what Selina Meyer did in Veep?

Yeah, it is. A Woman First originally aired in June 2017. In that episode, Selina Meyer (Julia Louise Dreyfus) receives the first copies of her book, A Woman First, First Woman. The book details Meyer's short-lived time as president, and is part of her larger ploy to run for office again. Its not even the first time Meyer publishes a book in the hopes it assists her in a presidential bid. Some New Beginnings: Our Next American Journey was the first book Meyer wrote. In Season 3, Episode 1, Some New Beginnings, Meyer planned an entire Iowa-centric book tour for the autobiography in order to pick up caucus voters in the state.

Season 1, Episode 7, Full Disclosure

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A few years after the release of Veeps Full Disclosure episode in June 2012, the Hilary Clinton email scandal emerged leading up to the 2016 presidential election. It was the first time Veep started to get serious predicting the future coverage. In the episode, Meyer is pressed by the White House to release all of her email correspondence regarding the firing of a secret agent who smiled at her the wrong way.

In order to accomodate the request but also protect the various backdoor dealings and petty squabbles Meyer's embroiled in, she instructs her team to do a partial disclosure, of her emails to get critics off her back. This, like virtually everything else, doesnt work out for Meyer.

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And while Veep certainly had an eerily apt rendering of Clintons scandal just four years later, it would not be the last time Full Disclosure, was prescient. Today there is an ongoing battle to release the entirety of the investigative files related to the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case. Already, more than 2,000 emails have been released. They contain the names and correspondence of many high profile and powerful people in the U.S. who sought counsel from a man who had already been convicted for soliciting prostitution of a minor in 2008.

Was Veep a crystal ball? No. But the writers were able to create a show that was sometimes omniscient because they made every character follow their worst instincts. And unfortunately, we live in a world now where there's a bunch of people in power doing the same thing.
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Do not tell me that wearing a burqa is a matter of choice for Muslim women. I know that is a lie, because my mother confronted the lie and paid a hideous price for her courage.

When men tell women  whatever their religion or race  what clothes to wear and how to dress modestly or cover up, they are committing a form of abuse. And they are doing it in view of the whole world.

It is societys obligation to prevent this coercion, bullying and intimidation of women  not to excuse or condone it, as the Left wants to do.

This week, howls of Left-wing outrage met Australian senator Pauline Hanson, who wore a burqa in parliament in protest at the senate rejecting her bill to ban the garment. She was swiftly suspended from parliament for a week and labelled a racist by opponents. Similar accusations have been levelled at politicians in this country who dare to challenge the religious dogma that forces women to cover up.

The problem here is not Hansons stunt, nor calls to ban the burqa  the most concealing of Islamic veils that covers the entire face and body, often leaving just a mesh screen to see through.

The problem is this: in refusing to countenance any criticism surrounding the burqa, the Left is tolerating the abuse of women. And what else can you call it but abuse, when men tell their wives, sisters and daughters to cover themselves from head to foot because to show one scrap of flesh risks inflaming male passions?

The burqa exists to force women into hiding. It proclaims that their very existence is sinful and that any woman who does not conceal herself entirely in a bag is sexually immoral  a wh*** and a harlot bringing shame upon all the men in her family.

Not only does the burqa degrade and humiliate women who wear it, it encourages Muslim men to assume that women from other cultures are sexually available.

The banning of the burqa needs to take place for the protection of women, Khadija Khan writes

Ms Khan is Politics and Culture Editor at A Further Inquiry magazine, and co-host of the A Further Inquiry Podcast

When I was growing up in Pakistan, I was told innumerable times that white women in Europe were all essentially prostitutes, in part because they dressed without modesty.

One sickening consequence of such prejudices is the systematic abuse of young white girls in British towns and cities such as Rotherham and Bradford, as well as predatory attacks on young women by male migrants who have sometimes been in the UK for just a few days.

The banning of the burqa needs to be done for the protection of all women. My mother and grandmother were among the first wave of feminists in Pakistan. But my father was a religious conservative and a traditionalist, who thought he should be lord and master over all the women in our family.

When I was 15, he presented my sister and me with the most beautiful, colourful hijabs, or headscarves. This was quite cunning of him, because although we had never worn them before, both of us loved pretty clothes.

He was full of praise as he showed us how to put them on. For the next couple of days, as we wore our hijabs to school, we basked in our fathers admiration.

But on the third day, when I chose to wear something else, he erupted in a rage.

I was shocked. Surely he knew that I never wore the same outfit more than two days in a row.

This is not like your other clothes, he yelled. You cannot take it off just because you dont feel like wearing it. Put it on now! Now youve started, you must always wear it. You have no choice!

Ive always remembered that. You have no choice. Even 30 years later, the memory makes my blood run cold.

But what happened next was far worse. Scared and feeling powerless, I wore the hijab to school next day.

It no longer felt like a pretty headscarf but an oppressive uniform, something imposed to make me feel ashamed of myself. When my sister and I came home that day, my mother and father were at each others throats, literally fighting  a row of a kind we had never witnessed before.

It was terrifying. I stood in front of my sister to shield her and my mother came running towards us.

She seized the hijab and tore it off my head. I did not give birth to slaves, she shouted. My girls will never wear the hijab or the burqa, or whatever else it is you want them to wear.

That should have been the end of it. But we watched, horrified and afraid to move, as our father began to beat our mother, slapping and punching her as a punishment for defying him. When the fight was over, she refused to be cowed. You will never wear the hijab, she told us. And we never did.

But our mother continued to bear the brunt of his anger. When he realised that beating her would not work, he began to withhold money, so she could not buy herself clothes and other basic necessities.

He had a paying job and she didnt. The message was chilling: as his housewife, she had to obey him or suffer the consequences.

Whenever I see a woman in a burqa, I know I am looking at coercion in the raw.

It sickens me that the liberal Left in Britain refuse to recognise this. Feminists have fought for decades to overturn the misogynistic attitude that women should dress to please men. Only a few decades ago, police and judges took the view too often that a woman in a revealing outfit was asking for it  and, if she was sexually assaulted, it was her own fault.

Thankfully, that kind of chauvinism has been consigned to the dustbin  except where it applies to Muslims. In their case, men can continue to oppress women with clothing, because its their culture.

Britain has stood up to cultural horrors before. Female genital mutilation, an abhorrent practice that is commonplace across Africa, has been outlawed in this country since 1985, with the laws tightened at the beginning of this century.

And in the Georgian era, Britain banned the Indian custom of suttee, which saw Hindu widows burned alive on their husbands funeral pyres.

The wearing of the burqa ought to be unacceptable too. In many countries, it already is. France and Portugal have introduced bans, which were greeted by low-level protests that soon petered out.

Research from the School of Economics in Paris in 2022 showed that banning the burqa and the hijab headscarf (as well as the niqab, a full-length covering that does not mask the eyes) has had positive effects on education. Freed of this restrictive clothing, girls are getting better grades.

Most tellingly, many countries where Muslims are the majority, such as Uzbekistan and Morocco, have also outlawed the full burqa with face coverings. In part this is a security measure but it is also done to discourage Islamist extremism.

That reason alone is a convincing argument for a ban.

But I believe that Britain is finally coming to its senses. A few years ago, it was impossible to have a debate about the burqa. The Left, like my father, would simply respond with fury.

We have to be courageous like Pauline Hanson and stand up to these people.

My mother did it. And I am determined to follow her example.
Reform sustained some damage in the Commons for its pro-Putin stance. Sir Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch biffed hard at Nigel Farages party, whose former leader in Wales was recently sentenced to ten and a half years in prison for taking Moscow bribes.

Backbench Labour MPs spoke of treason and treachery. Torcuil Crichton (Western Isles), a quiet lad suddenly full o fecht, railed against the Lord Haw-Haws paid by Putin.

These exchanges took place at lunchtime. Mr Farage (Clacton & Savoy Grill) was neither in, nor under, his seat. At the start of the session there were two Reform MPs on parade but one, Lee Anderson (Ashfield), soon legged it.

That left Richard Tice (Boston & Skegness). Labour MPs yowled abuse at him and demanded that Reform investigate its membership for more Kremlin sympathisers. Mr Tice, who explained that he himself had donated a five-figure sum to Ukrainian aid, looked far from comfortable.

We like to think the Commons is a forthright place where MPs say what they think. But if MPs felt so strongly about Farages outfit being soft on Putin  which may indeed be the case  why were they not equally indignant about Donald Trump?

After all, his original 28-point peace plan might just as well have been dictated down the telephone from whichever bunker V. Putin has been using in recent days. Yet Mr Trump attracted little criticism. Nor did MPs take aim at the various pro-Russia bandits in his circle. Why are our parliamentarians so wet? In Erich Honeckers East Germany it was rare, at the Volkskammer, to hear criticism of L.I. Brezhnev. Is that now the level of our Commons?

Sir Keir had arrived at 12.30pm to discuss foreign affairs. As he was on his feet, reports started to appear on news wires of some sort of Ukrainian acceptance of a revised US peace proposal. This led to an interesting spectacle of Sir Keir being passed notes from nearby civil servants.

The PM had to read these handwritten updates while answering MPs questions. Sir Roger Gale (Con, Herne Bay) wanted the session suspended while the PM caught up on the latest news. Speaker Hoyle would not agree to this.

Even Dame Emily Thornberry gave US President Donald Trump an easy ride

Sir Keir was sceptical that anything had changed since his last conversation, four hours earlier, with Ukraines President Zelensky.

Sir Keir handled the rolling situation rather well. He also, with unusual colour, contrasted the birthday party he had held on Monday night for his 15-year-old daughter with the suffering that same evening in Ukraine of a similarly-aged girl, bloodied in a Russian attack that killed her mother.

The closest Sir Keir came to denouncing Mr Trump was when he said some parts of the 28-point plan were so obviously unacceptable that it shouldnt have been put forward as a serious proposition. It would obviously be naive to expect the PM himself to slag off the US President but surely some of his backbenchers could do it for him. Its certainly what they think of the man. And would that not actually help Sir Keir? Washington would see that it was losing democratic support in Britain.

But no. Even Dame Emily Thornberry (Lab, Islington S) gave Trump a free pass. What a pity. Dame Emily is arguably our nations most magnificent old trout. Dame Emily versus The Donald would be a tremendous bout. Britain looked to the dame to have a go. And she funked it!

One or two were braver. Sir Roger said not even 42 years in the Commons had given him enough mastery of sycophancy to deal with Mr Trump. The Lib Dems deputy leader, Daisy Cooper, who was wearing a pair of clown shoes, had a minor moan; ditto Tory MP Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin); and the Greens Ellie Chowns. But that was it.

Mr Trump has become that terrible thing: the grotesque great-uncle with his flies undone whom no one dare upbraid; the playground thug no one will challenge; the maitre d so rude that diners cower. How shrivelling.
It is an American story as familiar as it is horrific, and yet it still has the power to shock and shatter.

Bethany MaGee, a 26-year-old young woman, born in Indiana and now making her life in Chicago, will spend this Thanksgiving not at a cheerful holiday table but in a hospital bed, recovering from an attack so senseless it feels almost mythic in its cruelty.

On November 17, while riding a Chicago L train, she was approached by Lawrence Reed, a man with a past so long and troubled it is practically a chronicle of our era's failures. Reed, who has 72 arrests behind him, allegedly soaked MaGee in gasoline and set her aflame.

In a panic, she managed to stumble off the train at the next stop, a young woman on fire in a cold city, and collapsed on the platform. Strangers at last braved the danger to help her  human decency arriving, as it often does, amid catastrophe. Paramedics brought her to a nearby hospital, where doctors are now working to mend the burns scarring her face and body.

We have become so accustomed to reading these stories  the revolving door of criminal justice, the perilous crevasse between a failing mental health system and lawlessness, the preventable tragedies, the official shrugs  that after that first burst of fury, outrage, and heartbreak, we sigh wearily and move on. But familiarity should not dull our outrage. It should sharpen it.

The White House, sensing both a moral and political opportunity, blasted out a statement this holiday week, one of those muscular press releases that lands with a wallop and a wink. The headline implied that 'soft-on-crime insanity' from Democrats had once again resulted in disaster and agony for yet another innocent victim. It was crude, yes, but capitalized on a frustration that is palpable in some parts of the land.

Because the cast here is depressingly recognizable.

Bethany MaGee, a 26-year-old young woman, born in Indiana and now making her life in Chicago , will spend this Thanksgiving not at a cheerful holiday table but in a hospital bed

In a panic, she managed to stumble off the train at the next stop, a young woman on fire in a cold city, and collapsed on the platform

On November 17, while riding a Chicago L train, MaGee was approached by Lawrence Reed (pictured), a man with a past so long and troubled it is practically a chronicle of our era's failures

There is The Judge  Theresa Molina Gonzales  who freed Reed from prison with only electronic monitoring despite the state's request for detention. 'I can't keep everybody in jail because the State's Attorney wants me to,' she said, with almost whimsical detachment, like a teacher explaining why she can't confiscate every child's toy.

There is The Governor  JB Pritzker  patron of no-cash-bail policies and a man whose conspicuous physical size and progressive politics so reliably provoke Donald Trump that the president used his Thanksgiving turkey pardoning ceremony to lob insults at his fellow billionaire. Pritzker, in Democratic circles, is a notable 2028 contender; in Trump's world, he is Exhibit A in the argument that liberalism has lost its tether to common sense.

And there is The Mayor  Brandon Johnson  whose administration seems perpetually surprised by the city's violence, forever explaining away, downplaying, or redirecting blame. He has rejected federal help to combat gang violence among illegal immigrants and prefers to critique police officers rather than mobilize them. His reaction to MaGee's burning? It was, he said, 'an isolated incident.'

Then there is Reed himself. His record reads like a dossier of systemic collapse: 14 criminal cases in Cook County, 72 total arrests, eight felonies, seven misdemeanors, and a 2020 mental-health probation for setting a fire outside the Thompson Center. He has lived for decades in the frayed seams of the criminal justice system, dismissed as a petty nuisance but posing a genuine threat.

And on a Saturday morning, Reed was free to board a public train in Chicago and destroy a life.

The media's uneven attention to the story  conservative outlets blasting it on a loop while major national organizations are largely burying it highlights that the United States is split not just by politics but the tragedies it acknowledges. Democrats, eager to avoid incriminating their own policies, appear notably subdued. Republicans, invigorated by the symbolism, have elevated MaGee's suffering into a parable of national decay.

No one, it seems, is facing the truths about mental illness. No one is addressing the reality that some people  a small number, but enough  are ill in ways that require incarceration not ideology. For innocent, average citizens to be protected, we must be able to say this plainly without retreating to meaningless partisan trenches.

There is The Governor  JB Pritzker (right)  patron of no-cash-bail policies. There is The Mayor  Brandon Johnson (left)  whose administration seems perpetually surprised by the city's violence

There is The Judge  Theresa Molina Gonzales (pictured)  who freed Reed from prison with only electronic monitoring despite the state's request for detention

And the setting matters too. This is Chicago  Obama's Windy City, the town that conservatives spotlight to warn of progressive excess, the city that liberals love but cannot seem to fix. A commuter burning on the L is more than a crime; it is a metaphor too potent for either side to resist.

So MaGee's family keeps vigil, hoping she can heal. Illinois Democrats sidestep the implications of their own policies. And Donald Trump, ever attuned to the emotional rhythms of American politics, returns to the theme he has mined so effectively since 2016: lambasting the failed guardians of public order and grieving the innocents who pay the price.

'This is a very serious thing,' Trump said at the White House on Tuesday 'They burned this beautiful woman riding in a train. A man was arrested 72 times. Seventy-two times. Think of that. And they'll let him out again.'

Trump was speaking to something real  the persistent belief that America is failing its most basic covenant: to keep its citizens safe from the violent, the unstable, and the utterly lost.

And that's the quiet truth humming under this terrible story: a nation that once prided itself on order and compassion now feels fragile, improvisational, and strangely numb. We look at what happened to Bethany MaGee and think: This can't be who we are. And yet, somehow, it keeps happening, somehow this is what we've become.
British taxpayers will spend 2.2TRILLION on welfare over the next six years, according to OBR forecasts.

The welfare state is a runaway train to which the whole economy is attached.

Taxpayers have suffered enough. People who set their alarm clocks and go to work are being asked to pay record amounts in tax, accept appalling public services and pay for a record number of people to not work. The tax burden is set to rise to a staggering 38 per cent of GDP by 2030  a post-war high.

'Tough decisions must be made' has become the refrain of a political class that insists British people tighten their belts, again and again, while they continue writing blank cheques to the rest of the world.

Whether it was the Tories before, or Labour today, the script never changes: taxes go up, services get worse. What they never admit is that the only people ever asked to sacrifice are the British people themselves, while the state funnels ever-larger sums to foreign nationals.

Britain has been turned into a global food bank, funded by taxpayers who can barely keep up with their own mortgages and energy bills. It is immoral, economically illiterate and politically indefensible.

There is only one way to end this doom loop: reduce government spending, and let workers keep more of their wages.

Nigel Farage and I laid out 27billion of savings that could be made immediately, by putting Britons first. By making foreign nationals bear the brunt of the 'difficult decisions' that need to be made.

Zia Yusuf: 'The welfare state is a runaway train to which the whole economy is attached'

Rachel Reeves pictured on Downing Street with the red Budget Box before her announcement on Wednesday

Charity begins at home. It is indefensible that while British children go without dental appointments and pensioners cannot get GP slots, the UK funds a 52million 'road to nowhere' in Guyana.

While Labour resisted a national inquiry into grooming gangs, Britain wired 19million to Pakistan for child exploitation prevention programmes.

Reform will cap foreign aid at 1billion, enough to meet our core UN obligations, support Ukraine, provide emergency relief and promote British interests abroad. Everything else is an unaffordable luxury. This alone saves 10billion this year.

We would increase the fee foreign nationals must pay to access our NHS (raising 5billion), and reform PIP welfare to end payments for non-serious anxiety (saving 3.5billion this year).

We would end welfare payments to foreign nationals: they receive around 8billion a year in Universal Credit alone. Reform would also deport all foreign nationals in our jails, saving over 500million.

If Rachel Reeves had implemented our plans, she would have saved 27billion. Instead, she raised taxes by 26billion.

It is morally repugnant to ask Britons to make sacrifices and pay more tax while writing blank cheques to foreign nationals.

Reform will put British people first, cut spending, reduce taxes and get the economy growing. That's how we will turn this country around, and make it prosperous again.
A Washington girl died from complications of diabetes after her mother allegedly failed to treat her in time, a lawsuit suggests.

Lloydina McAllister, 42, was arrested and charged with first-degree manslaughter earlier this month in connection with the death of her 10-year-old daughter. She has pled not guilty.

According to a news release from the Kirkland Police Department in Washington state, investigators believe the unnamed girl slipped into a coma and died from prolonged diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening complication of diabetes in which the body doesn't produce enough insulin and has to break down fat for energy instead of sugar.

This causes extremely low blood sugar and potassium, which trigger cardiac arrest, brain swelling and death.

The criminal complaint claims the girl was initially diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, affecting nearly 2million Americans, in 2018 and had been hospitalized multiple times with complications.

She was last hospitalized in May, during which McAllister allegedly received additional training on her daughter's condition over previous concerns of how she had handled it. A teacher had reported the girl frequently came to school with high blood sugar, according to court documents.

Two months later, on July 17, McAllister and her daughter left for a road trip with McAllister's boyfriend, her 12-year-old daughter and her one-year-old son.

Her diabetic daughter allegedly showed signs of DKA during the trip, which include extreme thirst, vomiting, stomach pain and fruit-scented breath. However, the group had traveled over 700 miles to Sacramento by the time they turned around and went back to Washington, according to court documents. It's unclear why they went back.

An unidentified 10-year-old girl died from what investigators believe was prolonged diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a complication of her type 1 diabetes (stock image)

Your browser does not support iframes.

Prosecutors alleged McAllister allegedly drove past 31 hospitals while her daughter was dying in the back seat.

According to the complaint, McAllister told police she could tell her daughter had high ketones, acids that build up in the body during DKA, but she did not seek help because she was not allowed to take the girl out of the state due to a parenting plan with the girl's father.

The mother was allegedly worried about facing the consequences of violating the plan, according to the complaint.

A court document alleges that around 10am on July 18, McAllister texted her mother, who worked at a hospital in Tacoma, Washington, to tell her they were bringing her daughter.

However, the girl died before they arrived at the hospital, according to a court document. Prosecutors said in the complaint that the girl had likely been dead in the back seat for hours, seated next to her brother and sister.

Pictured above is the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office in Tacoma, Washington, which helped investigate the girl's death

DKA is a medical emergency and is usually caused by missed insulin treatments or broken insulin equipment. Pneumonia and urinary tract infections also raise levels of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol, which work against the effects of insulin and raise DKA risk.

DKA lands about 220,000 Americans in the hospital every year and kills several thousand, though exact numbers are unclear.

A press release from the Kirkland Police Department issued last week reads: 'Detectives concluded that the lack of medical intervention contributed to the childs death and resulted in the mothers arrest.'

Medical providers had allegedly reported concerns on how McAllister handled her daughter's condition to Child Protective Services, according to court documents. These concerns included missed and canceled diabetes appointments.

Cellphone records showed McAllister had searched on July 18 for ways to bring down blood sugar and ketones. Later that month, she allegedly searched for whether she needed a lawyer and how to delete messages from an iPhone.

After being arrested, she told police that she thought she had more time to get her daughter to the hospital, according to court documents.

Minutes from McAllister's arraignment state she is being represented by a public defender. The Daily Mail has reached out the lawyer for comment.

Police Chief Mike St Jean said in the department's press release: 'This was a complex and emotionally challenging investigation.

'The collaboration between our detectives, medical professionals, and prosecutors was essential in bringing clarity to what happened. We remain committed to protecting our communitys most vulnerable residents, especially children who cannot advocate for themselves.'

McAllister is being held at King County Correctional Facility on $1million bail, according to Kirkland Police Department. She has pleaded not guilty to first-degree manslaughter, and her trial is scheduled to begin next month.
When Abi Smith's eyesight started to falter during a flight to the US, she shrugged it off as a side-effect of the changing air pressureblissfully unaware it was a warning sign of a brain tumour.

But double vision wasn't the only troubling symptom that the 30-year-old, from Stirchley in the West Midlands, experienced during her 2019 holiday.

Ms Smith also lost mobility in her right and left leg, then began struggling with her grip.

When she discovered that she was unable to hold kitchen utensils, she attended a local hospital where a CT scan didn't detect any abnormalities.

However, once back in the UK, an MRI scan at Queen's Hospital in Burton upon Trent revealed the true cause of her symptoms.

Initially, she said the doctors thought she'd had a stroke because she couldn't move the right side of her body, including her eye, which had turned inwards.

But the scan results revealed a glioma, a cancerous type of brain tumour, at the base of her brain which had spread along to the top of her spine.

'When I was given my diagnosis, I was on my own, and although I was terrified, I felt a sense of relief that the medical team had a plan,' she said.

Abi Smith [pictured] has told of how she put her double vision down to air pressure on a plane before finding out it was a sign of a deadly brain tumour

Sadly, she was told that due to the location of the tumour the main part of it couldn't be removed surgically

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Symptoms of gliomas can include double vision and one-sided weakness or numbness as well as headaches, seizures, nausea and vomiting, cognitive or personality changes.

The prognosis depends on the grade of the tumour, with the highest being grade four which includes glioblastomas.

Sadly, in Ms Smith's case, because of its location, the tumour itself was deemed inoperable, but surgeons were able to remove the spinal component in July 2019.

Following the surgery she underwent a course of radiotherapy, followed by six gruelling months of chemotherapy.

'Treatment was harsh, and I lost my hair,' she said. 'It was a small price to pay for the amazing treatment that managed to considerably shrink my tumour.'

Now she still has routine scans, attends fundraising events to raise awareness and this Christmas is supporting the Brain Tumour Research Christmas Appeal.

'More funding is urgently needed to understand, treat and ultimately cure brain tumours,' she said.

'This Christmas, I'm encouraging people to support the appeal. Every pound donated helps fund the breakthroughs we desperately need.'

Now she still goes for routine scans and attends fundraiser events for the charity Brain Tumour Research

She recently hosted a wellness day which raised hundreds of pounds for the charity

Now she is encouraging others to donate to the charity so they can make breakthroughs which she said are desperately needed

She also runs a greetings card business called The Cancer Card and every sale helps support the charity

She also supports them through every sale of her greetings card business called The Cancer Card and recently hosted a wellness day raising hundreds of pounds.

Letty Greenfield, community fundraising manager at the charity said: 'Abi's strength and positivity in the face of such a challenging diagnosis are nothing short of inspiring.

'We're so grateful for Abi's ongoing support and her dedication to turning such a difficult experience into a force for good.

'We hope Abi's story inspires others to support our Christmas appeal.'

It comes amid a worrying rise in brain tumours in the UK since the early 2000s, with them increasing by over a quarter.

And concerningly over the past decade, figures show cases of the devastating illness have risen by around a tenth.

Latest figures estimate there are around 13,000 new brain or other central nervous system and intracranial tumour cases in the nation each year.

There are around 5,500 deaths caused by the illness every year which is equivalent to 15 every day.

This makes them the 10th most common cause of cancer death in the UK, and experts predict it could rise to 6,600 deaths per year by 2040.
A skin and hair expert today sounded the alarm over the risk of catching ringworm this winterwhich may lead to baldness.

Cases of the contagious skin fungus that can cause disfigurement, jumped significantly last year and were blamed on 'cheap, dirty, unqualified' barber shops offering skin fades.

But specialists believe people could also be struck down this winter with scalp ringworm by sharing items such as winter hats or Santa hats.

Despite ringworm's reputation as a scalp disease of Victorian slum-dwellers, it is a common fungal infection, estimated to affect between ten and 20 per cent of the population  mainly children.

Transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, despite its name it is not caused by a worm. It can also be passed on through infected objects, such as bedsheets, combs or towels.

Sam Cinkir, CEO of skin and hair specialists Este Medical Group, said: 'It is commonly passed on between people sharing items such as towels, combs, hairbrushes, pillowcases and, of course, hats.

'It can usually be tackled with antifungal medication or dedicated shampoos, but if left untreated for too long it can result in unsightly bald spots.

'The best advice is to avoid sharing hats with others to minimise your chances of picking up nasty bugs.'

Specialists believe people could also be struck down this winter with scalp ringworm by sharing items such as winter hats or Santa hats

He added: 'If scalp ringworm is suspected, it's important to act as quickly as possible to limit the damage and quicken recovery.

'Do not scratch the sores, as it can help spread the infection to other parts of the body, and immediately wash any bedding or clothing the scalp may have come into contact with.

'Speak to your GP, who will be able to confirm the diagnosis by examining the head or taking skin samples.'

Cases of ringworm are usually treated with antifungal medications available on prescription such as gels and creams.

But sometimes oral antifungal medication is needed as well.

Common signs of the fungal infection include itchiness, a scaly ring-shaped area, scattering of bumps which range in colour from red on white skin to reddish, brown or grey on black skin.

Slightly raised expanding rings or a round flat patch of itchy skin are other key signs, according to the NHS.

Dr James O'Donovan, an NHS medic and technical advisory group member at the World Health Organization, also advises people to avoid sharing items such as hats with other people.

Sam Cinkir (pictured), CEO of skin and hair specialists Este Medical Group, said ringworm was 'commonly passed on between people sharing items such as towels, combs, hairbrushes, pillowcases and, of course, hats'

Pictured, illustration of Trichophyton mentagrophytes, the cause of scalp ringworm

In a YouTube video watched almost 200,000 times, he explained this is 'because fungus can live for a long period of time'.

If a child is affected, it is vital school teachers and parents of classmates are made aware, he added.

'Other family members should be examined by a doctor and treated,' he said.

'Sometimes it's best for the whole family to be treated with a medicated antifungal shampoo twice weekly for four weeks, whether or not a fungal infection is proven.'

It comes as a group of British barbers last November claimed that ringworm cases had surged.

They believed this was due to more men opting for popular skin fade haircuts  when the sides are shaved short, and length is left on top  at 'cheap, dirty, unqualified' shops 'littering the high streets'.
Subtle changes in everyday driving habits may help identify people at risk of dementia long before traditional medical testing, according to a new study.

Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in Missouri found that in-vehicle GPS data outperformed age and standard memory tests in spotting early cognitive impairment.

People with mild cognitive impairment, or MCI, gradually began driving less often, avoided nighttime trips, and adhered to familiar routes, behavior shifts that emerged early in the study and persisted over several years.

These changes, the researchers said, may serve as an unobtrusive marker of brain health.

The study tracked 298 older adults, including 56 participants who already had a diagnosis of MCI (a known risk factor for dementia) and 242 cognitively healthy participants. The average age of the participants was 75 years.

All participants drove at least once a week and agreed to undergo cognitive testing and have a GPS tracker installed in their vehicles.

Over a period exceeding three years, researchers monitored how often participants drove, how far they traveled, how frequently they exceeded the speed limit, and how much they varied their day-to-day routes.

Although driving patterns were similar at the outset, differences steadily grew over time.

Subtle changes in everyday driving habits may help identify people at risk of dementia long before traditional medical testing, according to a new study (stock image)

Individuals with MCI began driving less each month, drove less often at night and showed less variation in their routine travel patterns.

Using these driving metrics alone, researchers were able to predict MCI with 82 percent accuracy.

When demographic information, cognitive test scores, and Alzheimer's-related genetic data were added, prediction accuracy rose to 87 percent.

Without any driving data, accuracy dropped to 76 percent.

'Early identification of older drivers who are at risk for accidents is a public health priority, but identifying people who are unsafe is challenging and time-consuming,' said lead author Dr Ganesh Babulal, an associate professor in the Department of Neurology at Washington University School of Medicine.

'We found that using a GPS data tracking device, we could more accurately determine who had developed cognitive issues than looking at just factors such as age, cognitive test scores and genetic risk.'

Dr Babulal noted that monitoring everyday driving behavior offers a low-burden, noninvasive way to observe cognitive functioning.

He emphasized that early identification could allow for timely interventions before a crash or near miss occurs.

Research suggests that people with MCI or dementia may have elevated risks of crashes, poor driving performance, or other driving-safety problems.

One 2009 study by researchers at the University of Pisa found that individuals with MCI and those with mild dementia performed worse than cognitively normal older adults on tasks simulating real-world driving.

The 'mean time to collision' for mild dementia patients was reported as 0.5 seconds, compared with 1.7 seconds in MCI patients and 2.7 seconds in healthy controls.

Dr Babulal cautioned that such monitoring must respect individual autonomy and privacy and should be implemented ethically.

Driving behavior across frequency (eg, average distance), spatial mobility (radius of gyration), and destination variability (random entropy); x-axis depicts months (030) and y-axis depicts estimated mean (af)

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The researchers also acknowledged a limitation: most study participants were highly educated and white, which may affect how widely the findings can be applied.

The study, published in the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Aging.

MCI is common among older adults, affecting an estimated 17 to 22 percent of Americans age 65 and older, or roughly five to seven million people.

While not all cases progress, MCI is widely recognized as a risk state for dementia, especially when memory is primarily affected. Studies show that about 10 to 20 percent of people with MCI develop dementia each year, and roughly one-third of those with Alzheimer-related MCI progress to dementia within five years.

Dementia can compromise several abilities essential for safe driving.

As memory declines, drivers may become disoriented even on familiar routes.

Slower reaction times and difficulties with divided attention can make responding to traffic signals or sudden hazards more challenging.

Impaired judgment may lead to miscalculations in speed or distance, while weakened visual-spatial skills can make navigating complex intersections or recognizing traffic signs more difficult.

These changes tend to develop gradually, often showing up first as small modifications in driving habits, the very patterns the new study captured.

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Driving regulations for individuals with dementia in the US vary by state but share common themes.

Many states require or permit physicians to report drivers diagnosed with dementia to the Department of Motor Vehicles, which may then mandate an evaluation.

Depending on the degree of cognitive impairment, drivers may undergo vision screening, written testing, or a functional on-road assessment conducted by a specialist.

Early-stage dementia does not always result in loss of a driver's license; some states issue restricted licenses that limit driving to certain conditions, such as daylight hours or short distances from home.

Most guidelines recommend reassessing driving ability every six to twelve months once cognitive impairment is identified.

Dementia affects over seven million Americans, with rates increasing with age, and is a leading cause of death. By 2050, this number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million.

In the US, dementia is more common in women and older age groups, with prevalence rising significantly after age 85, and it disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minorities.
I enjoy reformer Pilates but I don't love how expensive the class passes are or how the timetable rarely aligns with my work schedule.

I had my eye on Kmart's Pilates reformer machine when it first launched in November 2024 - but I was one of the unlucky few to miss out on the morning the Black Friday sale began as it was already sold out online and in-store.

So when I was offered the chance to review the new Pilates reformer machine in the comfort of my own home, I couldn't resist.

It features multiple resistance levels to suit your fitness needs, and for the first time, comes with a Pilates box for exercises in seated, standing, and reclining positions.

Yes, I live in a two-bedroom apartment in Sydney, but what makes the reformer machine a standout is that the frame folds flat with wheels, making it compact and super easy to store in my home.

And the best part? It's only $229 - cheaper than my 10-class pass at a boutique Pilates studio down the road, which cost me $395.

Not only will I save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars every year, but it also gives me flexibility - I can choose whenever I want to exercise in my living room - whether it's after work on weeknights or right after rolling out of bed on weekends.

So how does it compare to the more expensive Pilates reformer machines? I was genuinely impressed - it performed better than I expected. For the price and quality, it truly exceeded my expectations.

I tried Kmart's new Pilates reformer machine. At $229, it's cheaper than my 10-class pass, which cost me $395

It was quite easy to assemble and took less than an hour to set up the reformer machine and the Pilates box, which my partner helped me with.

The machine is beautiful, and it looks very high-end. I'm obsessed with the new tan and white colourway and it blends in nicely with my living room.

Once it was ready to use, I was blown away by how sturdy and smooth it felt - the padded surface is super comfy and the adjustable handrails and cable positions mean it can accommodate any height.

The rubber springs are surprisingly strong and I've been able to do workouts using two to four springs with no issues. The double loop straps are great for working out your arms, legs and even your hamstrings.

I love that it comes with a Pilates box, which opens up so many more exercise options. From toning and stretching to full-body flexibility, this machine covers it all.

I've been using it almost every day since I got it two weeks ago - and seriously, it makes me look forward to working out at home. It's all I think about, and I just love how convenient it is - plus I am saving a fortune on reformer Pilates classes.

According to a new report, reformer Pilates is now Australia's most expensive weekly workout, with an average cost of $72.67 nationwide.

It's so easy to find a good professional workout on YouTube. I usually pick a workout depending on my day or mood - sometimes it's just a 15-minute lying-down stretch class or other times it's an intense 50-minute full-body session.

The machine is beautiful, and it looks very high-end. I'm obsessed with the new tan and white colourway and it blends in nicely with my living room. Once it was ready to use, I was blown away by how sturdy and smooth it felt. I also love that it comes with a Pilates box, which opens up so many more exercise options - from toning and stretching to full-body flexibility

I've been using it for two weeks ago - and seriously, it makes me look forward to working out at home. The workouts on YouTube are amazing, and to be honest, it feels just like a regular reformer Pilates class at my studio - except I can press pause at any time if the instructor is talking too fast or I can't get my legs into the straps quickly enough

The workouts are amazing, and to be honest, it feels just like a regular reformer Pilates class at my studio - except I can press pause at any time if the instructor is talking too fast or I can't get my legs into the straps quickly enough.

Other features you should know about the reformer machine are that it can hold up to 120kg and weighs 33.6kg.

One thing to keep in mind, however, it's a pretty bulky product - 197cm in length, 72.5cm in height and 57cm in width - so you'll need to make sure you have enough space for it. Fortunately, I do have the space for it in my home so it has remained set up every day, and I haven't needed to fold it up.

For anyone keen to step up their Pilates game without breaking the bank, this reformer from Kmart is a total gamechanger. My small apartment just got a full-body workout upgrade - and I'm totally hooked.

It comes as no surprise that the new Kmart Pilates reformer machine is set to sell out, so if you've been eyeing one, you need to be quick.

The machine will be available for purchase in store, on the Kmart app and online on November 27 from 8am, with One Pass members receiving exclusive early access on Wednesday, November 26 from 8pm till midnight.

The new Kmart Pilates reformer machine is set to sell out, so you'll need to be quick

The rubber springs are surprisingly strong and I've been able to do workouts using two to four springs with no issues. What makes the reformer machine a standout is that the frame folds flat with wheels, making it compact and super easy to store in my home

'Back by popular demand. Kmart shoppers sold out 90 per cent of our Pilates Reformer Machine stock within the first two days of Black Friday last year,' a Kmart spokesperson told Daily Mail.

'With more Australians choosing to exercise at home, we're really excited to offer the Pilates Reformer Machine in a new, neutral colourway that is sure to look great in any space.

'This year it also includes a Pilates box giving our customers more ways to exercise and elevate their workout.'

Last year, hundreds of shoppers scrambled to get the sought-after machine, with many saying they were struggling to find one in stores.

Those lucky enough to bring the fitness equipment home confirmed it was 'great'.

'Officially my BEST FIND from Kmart period! Reformer Pilates machine for $290 - you're kidding,' one shared.

'I'm obsessed,' another raved.

'I love mine,' one said.

Many shared they were excited to buy it, with one saying: 'Think this is a sign to finally get one myself.'

'OMG I need it,' another shared.

'I'm running,' one added.
She is the only child of English actress Kate and Welsh actor Michael Sheen

Lily Sheen, 26, has already starred alongside A-list talent in a handful of movies

Kate Beckinsale and Michael Sheen's nepo baby daughter Lily Sheen is following in the footsteps of her famous actor parents.

Born in 1999, the 26-year-old has already made a name for herself appearing alongside A-list talent such as Adam Sandler, Christopher Walken, and Jonah Hill.

Lily was introduced to the world of film when she was a little girl and had her first cameo roles in 2006 when she appeared alongside her famous mom in both Underworld: Evolution and Click.

Three years later, in 2009, she popped up in the Kirk Jones film Everybody's Fine, which starred Robert De Niro, Drew Barrymore, and her mother once again.

Lily landed her first big role in the feature film at the age of 22, when she starred in The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent (2022) alongside Nicolas Cage and Pedro Pascal.

Described as an action comedy, the movie saw Nicolas play a fictionalized version of himself, who was struggling with Hollywood career. Lily played his on-screen daughter, Addy.

In the lead up to the movie's release, Lily gushed about working alongside Nicolas and made a point about speaking about his kindness in interviews.

'I'd been a fan since I was a little kid, so I had all these expectations and these hopes and he completely blew them out of the water,' she told Pop Sugar at the time.

Lily Sheen is following her famous parents into the world of acting

The 26-year-old actress is the only child of actors Michael Sheen and Kate Beckinsale (2001)

'He was phenomenal, as a man and as an actor.'

Lily also noted that while she was worried about messing up on the set of the film, the cast and the crew were all supportive and helped her feel confident.

'I felt very safe amongst the unity on the set, to be able to kind of test out things and take risks and look stupid, which is really important in a movie that's so fun and light-hearted,' she added to the publication.

While Lily has largely made cameos in her mother's projects, she appeared once beside her dad in one episode of his television series, Staged, which was filmed and set during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The show, which ran for three seasons, saw Michael and long-time collaborator David Tennant play fictionalized versions of themselves.

Lily was born four years after her parents met on a touring production of Anton Chekhov's play The Seagull.

English actress Kate, 52, has starred in huge movies including Pearl Harbor (2001), The Aviator (2004), and Click (2006), while Michael, 56, is an esteemed Welsh actor on both stage and screen.

The couple eventually split in 2002 after seven years together.

Lily landed her first big film role in 2022 in The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent

In the film, she played Nicholas Cage and Sharon Horgan's on-screen daughter

Despite going their separate ways, Kate has made it clear in the past that she and Michael are on great terms.

She said previously: 'I love Michael, Michael's fantastic.

'It shouldn't necessarily have gone on and on forever with us, but he is one of my absolutely favorite people ever.'

As for her own personal life, Lily's mother confirmed that her daughter is in a relationship, although kept details of his identity private.

During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! earlier this week, she made the wild claim that Lily's boyfriend naturally laid two eggs in recent months.

After Kate talked about the grief of losing her mother, Judy Loe, in July after a battle with cancer, and losing her stepfather, Roy Battersby, in January 2024, she shared the strange anecdote.

Lily has already made a name for herself appearing alongside A-list talent such as Adam Sandler, Christopher Walken, and Jonah Hill

Mother Kate has spoken about the physical resemblance to her daughter

Kate said: 'We've had a tough couple of years, both my parents passed away within the last few years, and literally the only bright spot in the whole time came from him.

'He laid two eggs in a week, is what the bright spot was.'

When asked to clarify who laid an egg, Kate insisted that her daughter's boyfriend did and that he produced an egg from his body that 'had a shell and a yolk'.

She added: 'He went to the bathroom and then was very surprised to find that he had laid an egg.

'I got very involved in this, because I really did need a distraction because everything was so horrible.'

After the TV appearance, which viewers watching at home admitted was 'the strangest, yet funniest, interview I've ever seen', Kate posted on Instagram, sharing a sweet throwback photo of her and Lily, 26, hugging.

'Sorry for everything. I love you and always have more than anything in the wide world,' Kate captioned the snap, which she has since deleted.

Kate has previously spoken about the shocking resemblance she and her daughter share.

'Sometimes I'll send her a text saying "get your own face!" She's like a better version. She's got something that I don't,' she said in 2023.

'She looks like this gorgeous Disney animal  she's got these giant eyes.

'I think probably [Michael] helped with that a bit  but she's very much herself.'

Lily has two half siblings on her dad's side from his marriage to Swedish actress Anna Lundberg.
An American woman has pointed out a major difference between US and Aussie men after noticing something unusual every time she went out with her friends.

Tayler Stevenson, who splits her time between the US and the Gold Coast, thought it was odd that Aussie guys never made any effort to shoot their shot at nightclubs.

'I went out in Australia and I wasn't used to the culture there. Like no guy would come up to me,' she told Aussie fashion retailer White Fox.

She said she and her friends are treated like royalty whenever they go to US bars, with American guys offering to buy them drinks - without expecting anything in return.

'My whole life in America, I'm used to guys making the first move,' she said.

'If you're a hot girl standing at the bar, you're getting everything paid for.'

She said the American guys aren't usually 'creepy or weird' when they approach her, but they will pull out all the stops to impress her and her friends.

'Most of the time I'd go out with my friends and we could go up to the bar and not pay for a single thing ever. Like ever,' Tayler explained.

Tayler Stevenson, who splits her time between the US and the Gold Coast, thought it was odd that Aussie guys made no effort to shoot their shot at nightclubs.

However, she laughed as she clarified that she now has a boyfriend so she doesn't need any guys approaching her in public.

The video has been viewed nearly 600,000 times, with the caption: 'God forbid a girl likes a little chivalry.'

Many women agreeing with Tayler's observation about Aussie men.

'It's so weird! You can go out all night and not talk to anyone else but your friend group you went out with - it's wild,' one said.

'The biggest culture shock as a Canadian now living in Australia. It's crazy,' another foreigner shared.

'It's the same in New Zealand, first time I went clubbing overseas the male attention I received was INSANE. Didn't realise it could be like this,' one revealed.

Many Aussie women weighed in, with one explaining why they prefer Aussie men not to hit on them.

'This is what we want. They literally leave us alone so we can enjoy our night,' one woman said, laughing.

But not everyone agreed, with one confessing: 'I have a boyfriend but I still want other men's attention.'

'I have a boyfriend but I want other boys to buy me drinks,' another shared.

Many Aussie men said they no longer buy drinks for strangers due to the cost of living.

'When drinks were cheap in Australia, it was normal to buy women drinks. Now drinks are $20 to $25 so it's not done anymore,' one man said.

'Considering you have to work one hour to buy one drink in Australia, we're picky with who we buy drinks for. Just saying,' another explained.

She said the American guys are not usually 'creepy or weird', but they will pull out all the stops to impress her and her friends at bars. In Australia, however, she said the men made no effort

However, not everyone was on the same page, with one man responding: 'Shout out to the Aussie boys for not simping.'

Meanwhile, one American guy living in Australia confirmed: 'Cali boy here... I'll walk up to a pretty girl no matter what! You miss all the shots you don't take.'

Many single women from other parts of the world revealed they may need to consider moving to the US just to get hit on.

'I need to move to the US. In the UK, guys come up to you and ask YOU if you're paying for THEIR drink,' one shared.

Another British woman chimed in, 'OMG I thought I was the only one this happened to in the UK, like what!'

It isn't the first time Tayler has spoken out about Aussie men.

Last year, she revealed how things were 'backwards' in Australia because men don't approach her in public.

'When I first moved here, not a single guy came up to me at the clubs and hit on me. I found it a bit weird, I was offended,' she said in a video.

What she found even more strange was when she started going out to clubs with her boyfriend.

'Every time we go out to the clubs, there are a thousand girls coming up to him and hitting on him - and no guys come up to me at all,' Tayler said.

'Is that how it is here? Do the girls put in the work? Is it just a bit backwards?'

The culture shift from back home was jarring.

'In North America, the guys come up to the girls. I don't know any girls who would go up to a guy,' she said.

Tayler also noticed that men Down Under were lacking in the height department.

'Why is every single guy short?' she asked.

'I'm a pretty short girl, and I tower over all these men at the club.'
He was immediately taken in for emergency surgery to repair the damage

Fieri, 57, was filming Flavor Town Food Fight at the time of the accident

Guy Fieri is recovering after being rushed to hospital following a freak accident.

The Food Network star, 57, was taken in for emergency surgery after he tore his quad muscle by missing a set of stairs.

The incident happened while filming and left him temporarily wheelchair-bound.

'[I] slipped down a set of steps and one foot went forward and the other foot got caught on the threshold,' Fieri explained.

'So, you know, it extended me out. I looked like I was probably doing the splits, but when my right leg compressed into itself, [it was] the giveaway point.'

Speaking to Fox News Digital on November 24, Fieri said that his doctor had never seen a tear in 'the biggest, thickest part of your quad in half.'

He added that he needed to go through with the procedure to make sure that his muscle didn't 'recede.'

'You normally tear that muscle at your tendon or the tendon tears off the bone,' Fieri added.

Guy Fieri is recovering after being rushed to hospital following a freak accident

The Food Network star, 57, tore his quad muscle when he missed a set of stairs

'But this was right in the center of the whole quad muscle and it exploded.'

The incident happened during filming of his latest Food Network show, Flavor Town Food Fight.

'So, right in the middle of filming and we've got everybody in town and all the chefs there and 125 people on set - and everybody's ready to go - and I'm in surgery,' he explained.

'We figured out how to pivot through it and to have some creative filming techniques. But it's been a run.'

Further details about the show remain under wraps.

Fieri hosts multiple shows on the Food Network, including Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, Guy's Grocery Games, Tournament of Champions and Guy's Ranch Kitchen.

He also helms a new spin-off, Tournament of Champions: All-Star Christmas, which debuted earlier this month.

Fieri has been married to his wife, Lori, for 30 years and the pair have adult children Hunter and Ryder.

The incident happened while filming his new Food Network show, Flavor Town Food Fight

Fieri's son Hunter (pictured) married professional pickleball player Tara Bernstein in August

His son Hunter, 29, married his girlfriend of two years, professional pickleball player Tara Bernstein, in August this year.

Hunter and his now-wife tied the knot at Fieri's lavish California estate with 350 of their loved ones in attendance.

In 2023, Fieri said he doesn't plan to leave his sons any money in his will unless they end up with degrees.

The TV personality, who has an estimated $70million net worth, said that told his sons he's 'going to die broke' and not leave an inheritance unless they meet the educational parameters he set.
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

If theres one thing we beauty obsessives can agree on, its that French women seem to know something we dont. Their skin is always impossibly glowy yet never overdone  effortless in that maddeningly chic how do they do it? way. So whenever a French favourite lands on UK soil you can bet we sit up a little straighter. And this time its a big one.

Aroma-Zone  the quietly beloved best-kept secret of French women since 1999  has finally arrived in the UK both online and with a brand-new 340sq m flagship store in Londons Westfield. If youre new to the name, think high-quality, straightforward formulas packed into minimalist, waste-reducing packaging and sold at almost unbelievably fair prices (most things are under 10).

Its no wonder theyve built a cult following without celebrity endorsements or glossy campaigns or hype  just consistently effective serums, creams and pure ingredients. For context: in France a bottle of the Hyaluronic Acid 3.5% Serum sells every ten seconds.

And with hundreds of products now available here, I wont lie  it can feel a little overwhelming figuring out where to start. So Ive done the hard work for you and narrowed it down to the three standout Aroma-Zone products I think are absolutely worth trying first.

Shop my favourite Aroma-Zone products

Hyaluronic Acid 3.5% Serum I wouldnt usually recommend adding a hyaluronic acid serum into your skincare rotation (mainly because a lot of products already contain the deeply hydrating ingredient), but this one is only 6.50 and formulated with 3.5% hyaluronic acid, making it one of the most concentrated on the market. I like to apply it on cleansed, slightly damp skin at night to really lock in that moisture. Shop

Azelaic Acid 10% Serum Another key nighttime ingredient is azelaic acid. The understated powerhouse is one of those quietly doing it all: calming inflammation, fading dark spots and keeping breakouts in check  minus the irritation that often comes with stronger actives. This serum contains 10% azelaic acid alongside hyaluronic acid and silica  for just 7. Whats not to love? SHOP MORE: The best azelaic acid products Shop

Vitamin C 10% & Astaxanthin Serum If I could only use one active ingredient, it would be Vitamin C  it brightens the skin tone, fades dark spots, protects the skin from pollution to prevent premature aging (which is a non-negotiable as someone living in London). With all those glow-giving perks, Vitamin C serums can be quite pricey, which is why this one from Aroma-Zone is such a great find. It costs just 9 and contains 10% stabilised Vitamin C, astaxanthin (another powerful antioxidant) and hyaluronic acid. Shop

To get more of what you love from your favourite Sunday supplement, follow us on Instagram (@youmagazine), X (@YOUMagSocial) and TikTok (@you_magazine).
I have breastfed my daughter on trains, in cafes, in parks and at fashion shows. When she was tiny, people generally melted and smiled and cooed. But when she was tall enough to climb on to my lap and ask for milk in a full sentence? The atmosphere changed.

In fact, plenty of people felt it shocking and even shameful. I breastfed my daughter up to the age of three and no matter how often I insisted that it was easier for me and better for her, I was often judged and made fun of.

Once, a breastfeeding photo I posted on Instagram went viral and the comments flooded in, mostly from men, joking they could not tell if the baby was six or 16. But there were women too, saying things like stay classy or just disturbing.

Not even the globally famous are immune to this kind of sexist mockery. Look at the eldest Kardashian sister, Kourtney, 46.

Only last week she spoke about practising attachment parenting with her youngest son, Rocky, whos two, including breastfeeding on demand.

She also co-sleeps and holds him throughout his lengthy naps. To be fair, most mums would draw the line at that level of physical attachment but if it works for her, who are we to criticise?

And the criticism has been vicious, with insults such as insane and crazy levelled at her. Even her sister Khloe has questioned her choices on a podcast.

To me, that says more about our attitudes to mothers and breasts than it does about parenting.

Lisa Oxenham stays close to her three-month-old son Wolfgang, even co-sleeping with him

Lisa shared a photo of her feeding her daughter and says she plans to breastfeed her son until he is three as well

Like Kourtney, I was  and am  an older mother. I had my daughter in 2016, at the age of 40, and earlier this year, I had my second child, a boy, at 49.

For me, attachment parenting has never felt extreme. Breastfeeding for years, co-sleeping with my three-month-old  it all feels like the most natural, practical, loving thing I can do as a mother. I accept I am a rarity. Around eight in ten new mothers in the UK start breastfeeding their babies. But within a few weeks that figure halves. By six months only about a third of babies are having any breast milk at all and by their first birthday it is down to roughly one in 200. Breastfeeding a three-year- old is so unusual, there are no figures to be found at all.

Why do we hate it so much? I vividly remember the reaction of one older man in a cafe as I fed my little girl while sitting at an adjacent table. He rolled his eyes and tutted rudely.

The reason, I fully believe, was because they felt uncomfortable with breasts having any function beyond a sexual one. They were embarrassed on my behalf, as if I should be ashamed of giving my daughter comfort and nutrition in the way humans have always done. This most natural thing they felt was unnatural when a child reached a certain size.

But the more I watched how secure and content my daughter was with my feeding her, the easier it became to tune out everyone else.

I began to explain, politely, that it actually gave me more freedom, not less. It meant I was spared the tyranny of bottles, kettles and tiny tubs of puree that so many of my mum friends had to grapple with.

And of course there are the health benefits. Study after study has shown that breastfeeding helps support a babys immune system, reduces the risk of infections and is linked with lower rates of sudden infant death syndrome and childhood obesity.

It also offers protection for mothers, including a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Besides, how could I ignore something so deeply instinctive? My baby cried, I picked her up. She wanted to be close, I kept her close. I was listening to my nervous system more than any manual.

In fact, we were barely apart even when I was at work. For many women, going back to the office is the crunch point, when the pressure is on to return to normal life. But my job as beauty and style director at Marie Claire meant very often she came along for the ride.

On paper, of course, this is a world of red carpet looks and glamorous launch parties  hardly the place youd expect to see a baby attached to a breast. But thanks to a very accommodating boss, my toddler was often on my hip as I directed shoots.

I remember once asking the photographer to pause his work with a major A-lister while I got my daughter to quickly latch on. Thankfully no one batted an eyelid  or not in front of me.

I took her to Los Angeles on a shoot with Gucci Beauty, to Lanzarote with Dolce & Gabbana Beauty, to Mauritius and Sri Lanka for dreamy photo-shoots. It was not always seamless or stress-free but, for me, her presence was never up for debate.

She was a toddler when her father and I decided to amicably separate. As a solo parent, attachment parenting was not an abstract philosophy, but a practical necessity.

Life was easier if my daughter simply came along to parties and dinners rather than being endlessly dropped off with sitters or my mother. Yes I was a beauty editor with a child on her shoulder as well as a designer handbag.

Of course I had to turn down that free glass of champagne and leave a bit earlier than I might have liked. But I have rarely missed an opportunity to network simply because I was a mother. In August this year I had my son, Wolfgang, on my own, after making the very deliberate decision to become a solo mum.

Wolfgang and I co-sleep because that means I get more rest and I feed on demand because that means I dont have to faff with bottles and sterilising equipment at three in the morning. Keeping him close reduces the constant logistics of childcare handovers.

And yes, my plan is to let him wean when he is ready, not when a stranger in a restaurant thinks he should.

Im aware that from the outside all of this can look very intense. I know some people reading will think its too much, that we are too attached, that I am too available or too devoted. But to me it feels like parenting on my own terms.

With a nine-year-old at school and three-month-old at home in the Cotswolds, I try to be compassionate, consistent and gently disciplined, all while still having some balance left in my own life. If I see friends in the evening they understand I will bring Wolfgang and sometimes my daughter.

I love the work of the author and psychotherapist Gabor Mate, who believes children do best when they are deeply attached to their parents, rather than led by peers (or social media for that matter) as their main emotional anchor.

The more I read of him, the more I realise his ideas simply confirm what my gut has known all along  that children thrive on connection. With my son, I have used breast milk in more creative ways too. When he had a gunky eye as a tiny baby, I squeezed in a few drops of milk. I have also dripped a little milk up their snotty noses when they are bunged up.

I always check in with a GP or health visitor if I am worried. I am not pretending breast milk replaces proper medical care but in our house it is often the first medicine we reach for.

It is, after all, the most miraculous substance. Breast milk changes when your child is ill. Studies have shown that when a baby or mother has an infection, the level of immune cells and protective proteins in milk increases.

Your babys saliva can even flow back into the nipple during feeding and effectively tell the breast what bugs are around, which then prompts the milk to ramp up its protective powers.

In simple terms, when your child gets sick, your milk can become a kind of personalised medicine.

Whether it is luck, genetics or all those years of breastfeeding, my daughter rarely seems to catch a cold.

Of course, I know that breastfeeding is not every womans choice. And I certainly do not think that if you bottlefeed you are failing. I just do not think breastfeeding an older child should be a taboo.

Because in the end, the most radical thing I have done is not breastfeeding a three-year-old  it is refusing to apologise for loving my children in the way that feels most natural to me, even when the world tells me I should be weaning, stepping back and letting go.

Just like Kourtney Kardashian and two-year-old Rocky, I will only do that when they are ready. Until then, I will be right here, all the time, holding them close.

Lisa Oxenham was photographed at The Manor House
We stand glaring at each other like Clint Eastwood in some Spaghetti Western, eyes locked, tension thick, trigger fingers twitching.

Except that in my hand is not a pistol but a black bin bag, into which I long to chuck half a tonne of junk from my mothers garage: the plug-in plate warmer that has never been used; the Tesco bag of spare cutlery just in case 40-plus people suddenly descend for dinner, the pile of mildewing ski jackets. Off they must go to the charity shop, the dump or (rarely) the pile for re-sale.

I pick up an old jigsaw puzzling board, dangling it over the bag. No! she will cry: Please, not that! But why? I bark, a cross between the tidying guru Marie Kondo and one of those shouty soldiers on SAS: Who Dares Wins.

When did you last use it? Have you thought about this object in the last five years? Did you know it existed?

It is a showdown played out in garages, lofts and boxrooms across the country: between baby boomers who want to cling onto their things and offspring who long to clear it out. This is one of the greatest divides between the generations: our view on stuff and its value.

In the US, they even have a name for the haul our parents and grandparents have accumulated over the decades: boomer junk. The divide is particularly marked at Christmas, with the older generation keen to foist a tidal wave of things on their kids... who would far rather receive experience gifts.

For millennials like me, the urge to own stuff has been replaced by an urge to do stuff (that you can then show off about on Instagram).

We want to fly to Paris, go for a posh afternoon tea, spend a night in a yurt. If physical Christmas gifts must be given, we beseech, let them be comestibles like wine or chocolate. Theres a word to describe this preference for travelling light, too: nownership. Lifes for living, not for accumulating.

Clare Foges says her mother has casually mentioned the treasures she has earmarked for her: the Wedgwood tea set with the rose print; the large mahogany glass-doored cabinet with space for yet more trinkets

But such pleas tend to fall on deaf ears and are answered  kindly, of course  by another vase or bread-maker. Contrasting attitudes become particularly awkward when said stuff is deemed a precious heirloom.

A few times my mother has casually mentioned the treasures she has earmarked for me: the Wedgwood tea set with the rose print; the large mahogany glass-doored cabinet with space for yet more trinkets. These are heirlooms which were passed down to her; which she has cherished to pass on in turn, seeing herself as a temporary custodian.

It is therefore baffling to her generation  and rather hurtful  when mine responds to the proffered grandfather clock or silver candelabra with a polite thanks, but no thanks.

So why does the boomer junk divide exist in the first place? The crux of it is that space used to be cheap and stuff expensive; now space is expensive and stuff is cheap. In the 1970s, the average house was about 9,300, roughly four times the average annual salary. Today, the average property is around 272,000, with earnings only increasing to 39,900  a disastrous ratio for home ownership.

Younger generations can only afford to buy postage stamp flats or, increasingly, to rent a room. Whats precious to them is square footage, not things. Status is marked not by the objects you own but by the great airy wafts of space between them: think of those pale grey minimalist palaces beloved of influencers like Molly-Mae Hague or Kim Kardashian.

Meanwhile the value of stuff has fallen like a stone thanks to the easy availability of cheap homeware. I have a houseproud 30-something friend who, every three months, changes the accent colours in her home to mark the current season, replacing rugs, curtains, pictures, even hand towels (we are currently moving to plums and reds for winter). She simply hoovers up bargains from Temu and Primark for a steal.

This disposable attitude would be unthinkable to older generations, whose parents lived through the Depression and the war years, when nothing could be wasted.

They made do and mended because they had to  and the habit became ingrained. Reading the memoirs of my late grandfather (who lived from 1912-2006) I am struck by the attention he paid to pieces of furniture, writing extensively about inanimate objects: In 1939, I bought for three pounds a small chiffonier to serve as a sideboard in which to keep our cutlery; when we moved in 1989 it realised 800 at sale. The furniture is given more airtime than some family members.

That same reverence for quality was passed down to my mother, his daughter. She was given a Le Creuset cooking pot on her wedding day that has lasted five decades and counting  a pot, I might add, she has offered to give to me. But why would I want the heavy thing? When my pans come off worse in a tussle with scrambled egg, it is easier to replace them with an 8 pot from IKEA than attack them with a Brillo pad.

Millennial me (convinced that minimal living is the route to happiness) reasons that, with less stuff, my mothers life would be greatly improved. And so, several times, I have stuck my oar in.

Once, when living at home in my 20s, my mother went away for a few days, giving me the opportunity to sort out her garage and make a couple of trips to the dump. I reasoned it would be helpful for me to do this in her absence; I reasoned wrong.

She was properly upset, her mourning for a broken exercise bike so intense it was a wonder she didnt start wearing black.

On another notable occasion, my mum became emotional over a wing armchair she had sold years previously. Seeing her eyes brim with tears as she remembered its beautiful William Morris fabric, I snapped: For Gods sake! Its a chair! Get over it!

While younger generations could be better at making do and mending, I do believe the shift in what we value  from things to experiences  is a wise one.

There is a huge divide between clingy baby boomers and their clear it out offspring

Making memories might be a naff Instagram expression, but in old age it is the memories that will bring us comfort, not the floral tea set.

Boomers I know pledge endlessly to declutter but find the process too difficult, as though its only by hanging on to the scratched vinyl records or clothes from decades past that they will be able to hang on to the memories themselves.

I wonder, too, if older generations hoarding has been worsened by societys headlong rush into technology: the faster things change, the more people want to cling on to the familiar.

So I have stopped trying to liberate my mum from her boomer junk. Why? Because a) I love her to bits and dont want to bicker, and b) I recognise that the generations wont ever see eye to eye on this. What I view as hoarding, she sees as holding on to dearly loved possessions  or thriftily hanging on to things which might be repurposed one day.

Coming to such an understanding is essential for those navigating the junk generational divide.

So, my advice to the boomers: if your children dont want your mahogany dresser, its nothing personal. And to the younger people receiving an avalanche of stuff this Christmas, respond with grace  before putting it on Facebook Marketplace.
If you cast your eyes over the hunched shoulders of the FROW at Fashion Week, the backs of commuters on the tube or along the coat hooks at your local gastro pub, chances are youll spot a colourful furry statement coat by none other than London favourite, Charlotte Simone.

After launching a decade ago, the Brit brands signature silhouettes are instantly recognisable; one hero style, the faux suede Mongolian fur trimmed Penny Afghan coat, has become an instant signifier of cool-girl credentials among Gen Z, Millennials and even Boomers alike.

These coats are even synonymous with A-listers - just ask Madonna, Gigi Hadid, Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa. But Charlotte (Simone) Beecham, 36, actually started out with one small simple accessory.

Gigi Hadid wearing Charlotte Simone

It all began with a furry rainbow scarf. Since then its grown into coats and jackets, but to its core the message still remains the same; that we're trying to elevate the everyday with just one considered piece, says Beecham.

After growing up in Camden, Beecham studied English Literature at NYU. Her timeless designs mimic the energy and style found in Manhattan and our own capital.

I plugged away in New York for a year before coming home and I would say thats when things probably started to get going for me.

But what turned into a successful 70% wholesale business model, was thrown into chaos overnight by the Covid lockdown.

My biggest customers at the time were Matches, Net-a-Porter, Selfridges and Neiman Marcus. But in the space of 48 hours I basically lost every supplier in a crazy domino effect. I received a tidal wave of order cancellations. Luckily, the silver lining was that I hadn't put through their orders with my factories yet.

But armed with an iPhone, Beecham saved her business and set the ball rolling for her new drop system of supplying stock. Seemingly overnight I had basically lost the business that I had spent almost seven years building, which was really scary. So I decided to go down to the office, take pictures on my phone and just sell the coats directly to my customers on Instagram instead.

Taylor Swift wearing Charlotte Simone

It was a huge success. This social platform is actually how I have managed to amass a real community and a close following of people who are invested in the brand.

Today 90% of customers shop Charlotte Simone on their mobile. And what makes her fluffy, seventies inspired coats so sought after is her finite online drop system. With her team of four, each drop takes around nine to ten months to design and produce. And with only three chances a year to get your hands on her fabulous designs, the stock sells like hot cakes.

Having tried myself, I would say securing one of these must-have coats is akin to securing a Glasto ticket. At our last drop in September we managed to sell out about 70% of the styles in the first hour, she says. We went live at 8pm and by 8.01pm we had over 20,000 people on the site. It was really exciting.

Each year Beecham prepares for two winter drops, one in September, followed by another in November, but the third drop in March sustains the whole model. That third drop is the archive, which is where we will sell all our development pieces, one-of-a-kind stock and any surplus press pieces or celebrity loans,  she explains.

Dua Lipa wearing Charlotte Simone

When I ask if Beecham has dreams of a bricks and mortar operation, shes adamant thats not in her future. Its not something I dream about or that excites me to be honest. I love the digital community that we've built via Instagram.

So what can we expect in her highly anticipated anniversary drop? As a 10 year full circle moment we've reintroduced some of those signature styles that I started with, including The Rainbow Twist scarf.

Beecham goes on to describe her mood board and the lady she imagines in her designs; bold, confident, unapologetic, with an edge of sexy energy. Shes a siren, I guess.

Florence Pugh wearing Charlotte Simone

No doubt this next drop of 17 pieces will evaporate too. What sets this outerwear brand apart, is that its nostalgic designs appeal to my twenty-odd year old peers and even my grannys friends, too. There arent many brands that can attest to having this effect on its customers.

As Beecham has been preparing for today's final drop of 2025 shes also expecting her second baby, were calling it Drop 3 of the year. I've been taking an Amazon deck chair with me on all our location shoots so I can try and sit down between shots.

If you dont find her on location shell either be walking or indulging in a few episodes of The Real Housewives; trash tv relaxes me. But walking is probably my biggest form of therapy.

Secure your own winter walking coat below - before it sells out.

To get more of what you love from your favourite Sunday supplement, follow us on Instagram (@youmagazine), X (@YOUMagSocial) and TikTok (@you_magazine).
US lawyer Tom Bosworth has shared warnings about two common items

Catastrophic injury and death attorney Tom Bosworth has built a huge online following by breaking down the hidden dangers in everyday life.

And now he's calling out two common supermarket staples he claims could pose serious long-term health risks.

In a new video, Bosworth, from Philadelphia, explained why he refuses to use nonstick kitchen utensils and plug-in fragrance sprays.

'The nonstick material in pans has been shown to contain forever chemicals - PFOAs, PFOS,' he said.

'These are volatile and dangerous chemicals that can leach into your food when they're heated up to a high temperature.

'They're damaging to your health because you're literally eating the food made on those pans,' he told viewers.

Many modern nonstick pans are coated in materials that can break down under high heat, releasing microscopic particles into food and air.

The concern centres on forever chemicals - substances that don't easily break down in the body and may accumulate over time.

Philadelphia-based catastrophic injury and death attorney Tom Bosworth has built a huge online following by breaking down the hidden dangers in everyday life

Many modern nonstick pans are coated in materials that can break down under high heat, releasing microscopic particles into food and air

Even brief exposure at high temperatures can cause these coatings to degrade, which is why safety advocates have urged caution, especially for frequent home cooks.

The second item he warns of is just as surprising.

'Any type of plug-in scented sprays,' he warned.

'I know they smell good - I've used them before. But they're toxic. They contain bad chemicals and when sprayed into your house they can cause all sorts of health problems.

'You're spraying them in an enclosed space, and it builds up over time. Even though it smells good, it can hurt you.'

Unlike a candle or open-air fragrance, these sprays run constantly, creating a steady build-up of compounds known to irritate the lungs and airways.

Experts say the issue isn't the occasional whiff - it's the continuous exposure in spaces where ventilation is low.

Bosworth's blunt advice has once again struck a nerve with fans - and follows the viral warning he made about glyphosate, the common chemical found in many popular weed killers.

'As a catastrophic injury and death lawyer I deal with some of the most dangerous products and some of the worst situations in the world. But if you were to ask me what's the one product that I'm most afraid of - it's without a doubt glyphosate,' he said.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as a 'probable' human carcinogen back in 2015, saying the evidence - while limited - was strong enough to prompt caution and further investigation

'There has been study after study that demonstrates the link between the weed killer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,' he added.

'You might not get the diagnosis until 20 years after using the product.'

His concerns aren't new.

Back in 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as a 'probable' human carcinogen, saying the evidence - while not definitive - was strong enough to warrant caution.

Australian experts remain torn.

Professor Lin Fritschi, an epidemiologist within Curtin University's School of Public Health, has said the evidence around glyphosate and cancer risk 'remains incomplete.'

'The fact the IARC stated there is 'suggestive evidence' that glyphosate causes cancer means more information is needed on the issue,' she previously wrote in an expert commentary for Scimex.org.

She also urged users to take the manufacturer's safety advice seriously.

But Professor Lin Fritschi, an epidemiologist within the School of Public Health at Curtin University, has previously said the evidence around glyphosate and cancer risk remains incomplete

'For glyphosate, the manufacturers recommend wearing eye protection, a respirator with a replaceable filter, rubber gloves, and cotton overalls buttoned at the neck and wrist.'

But some academics strongly disagree.

Professor Ivan Kennedy, a University of Sydney expert in risk assessment, has argued the fears have been blown out of proportion.

'The IARC made a 'bad mistake' in claiming glyphosate is a probable cause of cancer,' he said in the same report.

'There is no convincing evidence for this, and much evidence gathered over 40 years about it as the safest herbicide known.'

Despite the conflicting opinions, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority has reapproved glyphosate for use until 2035 - even as countries including Austria, Vietnam, Belgium and France move toward restrictions or bans.

For Bosworth, the uncertainty is exactly why he stays away.

'It's a product I'd never touch,' he said.

And now, he says the same goes for the frypans and fragrance sprays sitting in countless Australian homes.

His goal isn't to spark panic, he says, but to push people to be more aware of what they're bringing into their kitchen - and into their lungs.
As people all across the globe are starting their preparations for their Thanksgiving meal, a popular food blogger has shared the simple ingredient that she uses to elevate almost all of her holiday dishes.

Home chef Stephanie Dorn, also known as South Dallas Foodie online, has racked up more than 180,000 followers for sharing cooking tips and tricks.

Most recently, she detailed the 'secret weapon' that she puts in every savory thing she cooks to make them even more delicious... and it might be something you already have in your kitchen.

Taking to TikTok last week, Dorn explained that there's one item that she thinks makes everything taste 'so much better' - poultry seasoning.

'Out of all these things, there is one thing that is the best thing,' she said in the video, as she panned across the spice section at the grocery store.

She then held up a container of poultry seasoning as she gushed, 'You can add it to pretty much any casserole that you do for Thanksgiving or Christmas. It just makes everything so much better.

'Just sprinkle a little bit in your green bean casserole, your broccoli and cheese. Or you can put it in your mashed potatoes, your au gratin potatoes, anything savory.'

'The secret is out. You're welcome,' concluded the social media star.

Food blogger Stephanie Dorn shared the simple ingredient that she uses elevate almost all of her holiday dishes ahead of Thanksgiving (stock image)

Poultry seasoning - which costs only a few dollars at chains like Walmart, ShopRite and Target - usually consists of sage, thyme, marjoram, rosemary, nutmeg and black pepper, but can vary depending on brand, per Red Goose Spice Company.

'You'll also occasionally see Poultry Seasoning with the add-ins of onion, garlic, parsley, red bell peppers, celery seed ground coriander, allspice or savory,' the company added.

It explained that while it got its name for being a commonly used spice on chicken, it doesn't have to only be used for that.

It recommended using it on pork, in stuffing, in gravies and even on roasted vegetables.

Dorn's advice comes amidst continued warnings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about washing your turkey before you cook it.

When you rinse a raw turkey under the tap, microscopic droplets of contaminated water can spread up to three feet around your sink.

The official term for this is aerosolized cross-contamination and it can turn your kitchen into a minefield of bacteria - risking illness for you and your guests.

The US Department of Agriculture previously wrote in a blog post: 'Many consumers think that washing their turkey will remove bacteria and make it safer.

Taking to TikTok last week, Dorn explained that there's one item that she thinks makes everything taste 'so much better': poultry seasoning' (stock image)

Poultry seasoning usually consists of sage, thyme, marjoram, rosemary, nutmeg and black pepper, but can vary depending on brand (stock image)

'However, it's virtually impossible to wash bacteria off the bird. Instead, juices that splash during washing can transfer bacteria onto the surfaces of your kitchen, other foods and utensils.'

Elaborating further on the risks, it shared: 'This is called cross-contamination, which can make you and your guests very sick.

'Washing your hands before and after handling your turkey and its packaging is crucial to avoid spreading harmful bacteria.'

Despite the continued warnings, the issue seems to widespread across the country, with a 2020 survey finding that 78 percent of respondents still washed or rinsed their turkey before cooking.
CBS News head Bari Weiss found herself under fire this week after she argued that the network would benefit from hearing 'charismatic' voices like disgraced lawyer Alan Dershowitz.

Weiss, 41, who took over as editor-in-chief at the Tiffany Network in October, made the claim at the Jewish Leadership Conference earlier this month.

She said in a panel discussion that a recent debate on her anti-woke The Free Press hosted between the 87-year-old former lawyer and former NRA spokeswoman Dana Loesch was emblematic of her vision for the future of CBS News.

'Now these are people that have wildly different opinions on the Second Amendment, and yet showing that they could have good faith, very passionate, very charismatic disagreement and still like each other at the end of the day, we think it's important,' Weiss told the audience.

She went on to call Dershowitz and Loesch 'center left and center right,' and claimed they represent the views of most Americans.

Podcasters like Hasan Piker, Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes, on the other hand, 'don't represent our values and the world views of the vast majority of Americans,' Weiss argued.

'And so this is an opportunity to speak for the 75 percent, for the people that are on the center left, the center right,' she continued.

'That still believe passionately in the American project, that still believe in all of the things that everybody in this room believes in - which is liberty and freedom and individual responsibility.'

New CBS News head Bari Weiss argued at the Jewish Leadership Conference earlier this month that the network would benefit from hearing 'charismatic' voices

She specifically mentioned disgraced defense lawyer Alan Dershowitz (pictured in 2022)

She went on to say that her goal at CBS is to 'get back to that normalcy,' as she acknowledged that 'centrist news' has failed 'because it's like trying to force feed spinach down someone's throat.'

'It's felt like an absence of charisma and of identity, and as nostalgic as people may be for an era in which 30 million Americans watched Walter Cronkite every night and saw him as the voice of truth - and I understand why they're nostalgic for that - we're not going back to that.'

Instead, she said mainstream media can earn Americans' trust back by 'redrawing the lines of what falls into the 40-yard line of acceptable debate and acceptable politics and culture.

'I don't mean that in like a censorious, gatekeeping way, I mean having people that are clearly identifiably in the center left or the center right in conversation with each other,' Weiss said as she brought up Dershowitz and Loesch's gun control debate.

'And so for me, it's always about the curation - like who's in the room, how are you showing centrist news not as the absence of disagreement and the absence of charisma, but explicitly charismatic and disagreeable.'

As her comments spread online Monday, after a clip of her speaking at the conference was shared by Drop Site, many online mocked Weiss and slammed her as out of touch. A columnist for MSNOW joked: 'The kids demand Alan Dershowitz.'

Many online slammed Weiss for being out of touch as her comments spread on social media

'I saw some teens today. I asked them who represents them best. They told me that Gen Alpha and Zoomers are on TikTok and Instagram demanding more and more clips of Alan Dershowitz,' Southern Poverty Law Center researcher Hannah Gais piled on.

'They can't get enough of him,' she continued. 'He is the voice of their generation. The voice America needs.'

New York Times tech reporter Mike Isaac also wrote that it was 'so funny to take a populist "we need to elevate the voice of the common man" position and then immediately follow it with' Dershowitz.

Others sarcastically shared their support for Dershowitz, with an Al Jazeera producer writing that it 'would actually be such a blessing if Bari Weiss spends all of CBS's time and resources elevating Alan Dershowitz.'

Podcaster and former Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor also shared his thoughts.

Some pointed out Dershowitz's cozy relationship with sex pest Jeffrey Epstein

'So Bari Weiss's plan to restore trust in media is to elevate Jeffrey Epstein friend and apologist Alan Dershowitz and gun zealot Dana Loesch who said journalists are "the rat bastards of the earth. They are the boil on the back side of American politics,"' he wrote.

'Sounds good!'

But Vietor wasn't the only one who brought up Dershowitz's longtime friendship with Epstein, as former Bernie Sanders spokeswoman Briahna Joy Gray quipped: 'While you have him, is there any other newsy topic you should ask Alan Dershowitz about?'

Controversial podcaster Glenn Greenwald, meanwhile, claimed that the voices Weiss feels are 'mainstream enough... always [have] one thing in common: love of Israel.'

'Conversely, everyone Bari Weiss thinks is too extreme to be included always has one thing in common: opposition to Israel,' he wrote.

In a follow-up post, Greenwald noted that the gun control debate between Dershowitz and Loesch 'has so far been watched by a grand total of 860 people in the five hours since posting,' he wrote Monday night.

Weiss took over as editor-in-chief at the Tiffany Network in October

Former Intercept journalist Ryan Grim suggested that Paramount chief David Ellison was swayed to name Weiss the new head of CBS News based on the argument she laid out at the conference

Yet former Intercept journalist Ryan Grim suggested that Paramount chief David Ellison was swayed to name Weiss the new head of CBS News based on the argument she laid out at the conference.

'As you're watching this, consider that she likely made this exact pitch to David Ellison and he said "Yes, precisely, here is $150 million and the top job at CBS News."'

As the editor-in-chief at the network, Weiss has been given broad authority by Ellison to tame liberal impulses in a bid to boost ratings and win back viewers' trust.

She has said she is determined to rebrand CBS as 'radically centrist' and has already planned a makeover for the flopping night show, CBS Evening News.

CBS Evening News anchor John Dickerson dramatically quit his role in October, without any explanation, and sources told the Wall Street Journal they plan to ax co-anchor Maurice DuBois.

Without the co-hosts, Weiss is stuck finding a fresh face for the show - and has already shared two polar opposite choices.

As the editor-in-chief at the network, Weiss (pictured in 2023) has been given broad authority by Paramount chief David Ellison to tame liberal impulses in a bid to boost ratings and win back viewers' trust

The fiery editor-in-chief has had her eye on CNNs Anderson Cooper and Fox News Bret Baier, sources told WSJ.

CBS attempted to poach Cooper but he said he 'wasn't interested' and preferred 'his contributing role on 60 Minutes,' WSJ reported.

Weiss has even had conversations mentioning Fox News start Baier for the weeknight anchor position, Status first reported.

Landing either high profile anchor would be extremely challenging even if they wanted to leave their positions.

Both Cooper and Baier make whopping salaries, with Baier raking in $14 million annually and Cooper bringing in a stunning $18 million.

Still, Mediaite's Colby Hall expressed her support for Weiss's vision for the network, arguing on X that her 'alternative' to centrist news 'isn't moderation. It's transparency.'

'Put people with genuinely different world views in the same studio and let them argue with full force, in good faith, on air, where viewers can see how arguments are made,' Hall urged, calling it 'actual pluralism, not neutrality theater.'
Former MSNBC anchor Joy Reid suggested that Vice President JD Vance might kick his wife Usha to the curb because she's Indian-American and take up with Charlie's Kirk's widow Erika in a bid to win the presidency in 2028.

Reid, who made the tasteless comments on the 'I've Had It' podcast, said that President Donald Trump's supporters are 'fundamentally racist' and would not accept Usha Vance as a future First Lady.

'What most motivates MAGA? Hatred and non-white immigrants,' Reid told co-hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie 'Pumps' Sullivan, noting that Vance may not be the heir apparent he thinks he is.

'They can't have the successor to MAGA be the guy with the brown Hindu wife,' she continued.

'They're also Christian nationalists - that ain't going to work. That's why he's throwing his wife under the bus. Poor Usha. Or she's in on it. Right?' Reid said.

Welch, who sparked outrage for laughing at Charlie Kirk's death back in September, then brought up Erika Kirk, accusing Vance of engaging in an amorous exchange with the widow for hugging her on-stage at her husband's memorial.

'Playing slap and tickle with Erika Kirk, it's the weirdest s**t I've ever seen,' she said.

Reid reprimanded Kirk for 'holding on the back of [Vance's] head and rubbing on his head' during the embrace, adding that if it was her husband, 'I'm going start thinking something's going on.'

Ex-MSNBC host Joy Reid made the tasteless comments on the 'I've Had It' podcast

Reid said Donald Trump's supporters are 'fundamentally racist' and would not stand for an Indian-American first lady. Pictured, Vice President JD Vance with his daughter Mirabel and Second Lady Usha Vance

Hosts Jennifer Welch and Angi 'Pump' Sullivan both cackled over Reid's comments

'You not doing that right thing. Supposed to be a widow,' Reid continued of Kirk's appearance at the memorial. 'You in leather pants? That's not widow-wear.'

Welch and Sullivan both cackled in response.

'Wouldn't it be the most perfect fairy tale, MAGA fairy tale, if he finally sees the light that he needs a white queen instead of this brown Hindu?' said Reid, who was let go from MSNBC after a series of controversial social media rants and on-air outbursts.

'I mean, I'm not saying that's happening, or maybe that Usha is not even in on it. Maybe she is - whatever. But that's one entrant.'

During a live on-stage interview with Megyn Kelly last week, Kirk revealed what Vance whispered in her ear during their much-scrutinized hug.

'My love language is touch, if you will  So I will give you a play by play,' Kirk told the former Fox News host in front of an audience of thousands in Glendale, Arizona.

'They just played the emotional video. I'm walking over, he's walking over. I'm starting to cry. He says, 'I'm so proud of you.' And I say, 'God bless you,' and I touch the back of his head.

'Anyone whom I have hugged that I have touched the back of your head when I hug you, I always say, 'God bless you.''

Kelly responded with a quick joke, 'They were acting like you touched the back of his ass!'

Reid reprimanded Kirk for 'holding on the back of [Vance's] head and rubbing on his head' during their embrace at Charlie Kirk's memorial service

During a live on-stage interview with Megyn Kelly, Kirk revealed what Vance whispered in her ear during their much-scrutinized hug

Usha was spotted without her wedding ring during a visit to Camp Lejeune military base in North Carolina last week

'I feel like I wouldn't get as much hate if I did that!' Kirk said with a laugh.

Usha, meanwhile, was spotted without her wedding ring during a visit to Camp Lejeune military base in North Carolina last week.

After suffering vicious online trolling for not wearing her ring, a spokeswoman for the Second Lady poured cold water on the speculation, stating that she 'is a mother of three young children who does a lot of dishes, gives lots of baths, and forgets her ring sometimes'.

Earlier this month, Vance, 41, admitted at a Mississippi Turning Point USA event that he previously pleaded with his wife to convert from Hinduism. Vance is a Roman Catholic.

The comments sparked backlash, causing Vance to clarify in a post to X: 'She is not Christian and has no plans to convert.'

The two married in 2014 and share three children.

A rep from Kirk's Turning Point USA, Andrew Kolvet, wrote on X of the exchange: 'Watch three deranged, likely post-menopausal women flippantly turn a moment of shared grief into a sexualized liberal fever dream where they project their own racism and disdain for Christians onto Erika Kirk, Vice President Vance, Second Lady Usha, and half the country.

'This is an insight into the spiritual core of the radical left: sneering, deriding, and jeering at the suffering of a widow because her slain husband was conservative.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Vance's office for comment.
Former CNN star Jim Acosta welcomed longshot liberal congressional candidate Aftyn Behn to his online show, where the Tennessee state lawmaker used her appearance to do an impression of President Donald Trump.

The conversation took the bizarre turn after Acosta brought up recently resurfaced comments from Behn, 36, showing support for the 'defund the police' movement and saying she 'hates' the city she's running to represent.

After Acosta described the remarks as 'from a past time' and 'taken out of context,' he brought up the Trump administration's support for Behn's Republican rival, former Tennessee Department of General Services Commissioner Matt Van Epps, who is widely seen as the favorite for the House seat.

Trump hosted a 'tele-rally' for Van Epps on November 13, 'and it was very strange hearing Trump say your name,' Behn said of the event.

'He said your name?' Actosta asked.

'Oh yeah, twice,' she said, before attempting an impression of the president.

'I was hoping he'd say something like, "She is way less cute than my daughter Ivanka. She's not a real blonde!"'

'That's a good Trump,' Acosta said with a smile.

Former CNN star Jim Acosta welcomed longshot liberal congressional candidate Aftyn Behn to 'The Jim Acosta Show' on Tuesday

The Nashville Democratic state representative already faced an uphill battle in her bid to replace Republican Mark Green, who is vacating the seat after winning it in November

'I thought it was going to be funny. It wasn't, but,' Behn admitted.

The special election for Tennessee's seventh congressional district, which was scheduled after Republican Rep. Mark Green resigned from the seat in July, is set for next week.

Behn claimed the administration was bringing 'in the big dogs because Trump cant afford to lose another district,' with Vice President JD Vance set to visit servicemembers in Fort Campbell on the Kentucky border Wednesday.

'And so the cavalry is being called in because this race has, unforeseen, become quite close,' she said.

'I mean, if they're bringing JD Vance in, you know, that's something else,' Acosta said.

Ahead of the special election, a new Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey showed Van Epps ahead but the gap between him and Behn narrowing.

The poll found Van Epps with 48 percent support to Behn's 46 percent.

Behn won a seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2023.

Behn's now-deleted social media posts supporting the 'defund the police' movement in the wake of George Floyd's 2020 murder also recently came to light

On a 2020 podcast that resurfaced last week, Behn said of Tennessee's capital, 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.'

Behn has also previously called sororities 'a staple of white supremacy,' and branded Tennessee a 'racist state.'

Her now-deleted social media posts supporting the 'defund the police' movement in the wake of George Floyd's 2020 murder also recently came to light.

In the posts, she urged the abolition of the Metro Nashville Police Department and also appeared to support the burning of police stations.
An MS NOW journalist has been accused of defending a gunman who shot two National Guardsmen in Washington, DC, leaving them critically wounded.

Justice and Intelligence Correspondent Ken Dilanian speculated Wednesday that the unidentified suspect, who is in custody, may have mistaken the West Virginia guardsmen for members of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

'But of course, there's so much controversy happening now in the United States, with ICE, who are also wearing uniforms and wearing masks,' Dilanian said live at 3pm ET on Katy Tur Reports.

'And, so, you don't know - people walking around with uniforms in an American city, there are some Americans who might object to that. And so, apparently this shooting has happened.'

The remarks were quickly picked up by viewers, with Curtis Houck of Media Research Center's NewsBusters resharing the clip on X.

It was also shared by the conservative X account Breaking911, which wrote of Dilanian: 'MSNBC already defending the gunman who killed US troops on American soil.'

'Hopefully Ken Dilanian just ended his career,' one X user wrote in response. 'Blaming of the very soldiers who lost their lives.'

'It's okay to shoot people in a uniform if they might be ICE?' another added.

MS NOW Justice and Intelligence Correspondent Ken Dilanian speculated that the gunman who shot two National Guardsmen in Washington, DC, Wednesday may have mistaken the them for members of ICE

Trump has deployed 2,300 National Guard troops into DC since August as part of his promise to crack down on rampant crime in the nation's capital

'Regardless of your feelings about men/women in uniforms, there's NEVER an excuse to shoot them!' a third said.

'These people will stop at nothing. Absolutely sick in the head,' a fourth added.

Dilanian joined MSNBC, which was rebranded MS NOW last week, in May after working at NBC News for nearly a decade.

His comments come just months after the network fired one of its analysts, Matthew Dowd, for calling Charlie Kirk 'divisive' minutes after the conservative activist was fatally shot at an event in Utah on September 10.

Dowd also accused Kirk of peddling 'hate speech,' while suggesting that the right-wing activist brought the shooting on himself.

'And I always go back to, hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions,' he said, while also appearing on Katy Tur Reports, before Kirk's death was confirmed.

He was fired later that day.

The Daily Mail has reached out to MS NOW for comment.

A National Guard soldier helps secure a perimeter in downtown DC near the White House

A Secret Service member stands guard at the crime scene

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that two soldiers are being treated at a local hospital

The soldiers were targeted ambush-style attack just 800 yards from the White House, sparking a lockdown at President Trump's residence.

The suspected gunman was in custody after a shoot-out at Farragut West metro station in the center of Washington, DC. The suspect was also wounded.

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that two soldiers are being treated at a local hospital after West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey earlier sparked confusion by announcing the soldiers were dead before walking back his statement.

Trump has deployed 2,300 National Guard troops into DC since August as part of his promise to crack down on rampant crime in the nation's capital.
When Nurul Basher flew home from his family holiday, he returned to a shock that would make any holidaymakers blood run cold.

Nurul, his wife and their three children had enjoyed three weeks in the US from July to August introducing their children  aged ten, 16 and 18  to relatives.

The family, who live near Wokingham, Berkshire, hopped from New York to Atlanta before finishing their trip in Floridas Disney World.

But in September  two weeks after returning  Nurul received a phone bill from his provider for an eye-watering 86,273.

At first, he thought it must have been a mistake. He was aware of holidaymakers facing gigantic roaming charges for using their phones abroad to browse the internet or make video calls.

But he had taken a major precaution to stop this happening: he had bought a special Sim card  which connects your mobile to a phone network  specifically for the trip.

Nurul Basher had bought a travellers phone Sim for his family's US holiday

His normal phone contract is on the O2 network, which he took out as a Currys Business deal.

Ominously, that was who the bill came from  not Airalo, the supplier of his temporary Sim card.

I thought I misread the bill when it first came through, says Nurul. I was on a Zoom call at the time and the people on the call saw my face go pale. There were two invoices as it went over two months.

The first was for 72,000, which I thought said 720 originally. Then the next bill said an additional 16,000. Its ridiculous  thats more than the deposit for my house.

To make matters worse, calls to and from his mobile number were barred. He says: Without any notification, they have been shutting down my actual mobile number  I had not been told. People said they tried to call me but it just stopped.

Nurul was forced to get a new mobile so he could contact clients.

He disputed the charges with Currys Business and asked for them to be placed on hold while an investigation took place.

What followed was a two-month battle with two telecommunications giants for the charges to be scrapped.

For his trip, Nurul purchased an eSim. These do the same job as a regular Sim, but dont need to be put in the phone  you load them digitally.

They are popular among travellers as they allow you to connect to a local mobile phone network in the country youre visiting to use mobile data, rather than using roaming with your normal provider.

Using mobile data abroad is usually expensive because providers must pay foreign carriers to use their networks. For the eSim to work you usually need to switch the Sim in your phones settings.

Nurul previously purchased one for his sons school trip to China. It worked well, so he opted for a 20GB bundle from eSim brand Airalo for 38.

He was sent a QR code by Airalo to download the eSim. He scanned it which installed it on his phones settings app.

Nurul ensured he made the eSim his primary Sim on the settings page so calls, texts and data usage would be made through it.

However, he stopped short of removing his physical Sim card as it is not necessary to do this for the eSim to work.

There are common slip ups when installing an eSim, but Nurul is adamant he did not make any of them.

These include not selecting the eSim as the one you want to use for data in the phones settings, not fully activating the package, and trying to use an eSim when your device is locked into one network so it wont accept an eSim.

He received no notification to let him know the eSim wasnt working, which should happen if it is not connected.

When he returned home, Nurul was sent a bill for an eye-watering 86,273 by O2

Plus, he knows the eSim did work for some of the time as a small amount  0.05 pc of the 20GB data he bought  had been used. Airalo has also confirmed the package had been activated.

Even if the eSim didnt work, most mobile networks have a spending cap that blocks you from racking up roaming charges without your knowledge.

But while Nurul thought he was opted in to a spend cap, Currys says he agreed to opt out.

Also Nurul says he wasnt sent the Welcome to the USA roaming message, unlike his wife and children.

New Ofcom rules which came in October 2024  one day before Nurul took out his business mobile contract  require mobile providers to notify customers when they start roaming.

He says he would have immediately realised the eSim had failed had he been sent this message.

As Nurul usually spends no more than 250 a month, he wonders why nobody picked up on the charges until more than a month after they started.

Why werent the high bills flagged earlier when they first started to rack up? he says. On the first day of our trip I had been charged some 1,662.20.

He received no warning texts or emails to let him know how much data he was using.

Nurul claims his network operator O2 at first refused to engage despite being included in emails he has sent to Currys, which sold him the contract.

However, O2 did take 13,231 from Nuruls account in October when the charges were supposed to be on hold.

Nurul was blindsided by this payment and has since claimed it back via his banks direct debit guarantee.

Everyone is passing the buck between each other. O2 sent me a letter saying we have an unpaid bill and they will pass me on to a debt collector within five days.

Airalo later said no data had been consumed but as it wasnt contacted at the time for installation or troubleshooting, it cant determine what prevented the e-Sim from being used on Nuruls trip.

It provided written confirmation of this for Nurul to share with O2 and refunded the 38.

After Money Mail intervened, O2 agreed to drop all of the charges.

It says: Unfortunately after an eSim supplied by a third party failed to activate, Mr Basher was subsequently charged roaming fees while travelling in the US.

We believe that Mr Basher acted in good faith and, as a gesture of goodwill, have agreed to waive all charges on this occasion.

Nurul says: This is such a relief and Im just so pleased this is over. He adds that his phone has now been reconnected.
Landlords have been delivered a hammer blow by the Chancellor in today's Budget.

Rachel Reeves announced that the tax property investors pay on their rental income will be levied at higher rates from April 2027.

The change will see landlords taxed at 2 percentage points above normal income tax rates. Basic rate tax paying landlords will see their rental income taxed at 22 per cent, up from 20 per cent.

Meanwhile, higher rate tax-paying landlords will see their rental income taxed at 42 per cent, up from 40 per cent today, while additional-rate taxpayers will be taxed at 47 per cent, up from 45 per cent currently.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) says this is estimated to bring in 500million a year for the Treasury per year from 2028-29.

Buy-to-let blow: Income tax charged on rental income for landlords will rise by 2 percentage points across the board from 2027

The changes will reduce returns for landlords who have already been pounded by higher taxes and increased regulation since 2016.

In her previous Budget in October 2024, Rachel Reeves added a 2 per cent stamp duty surcharge on top of the extra 3 per cent landlords already pay, adding thousands of pounds to the cost of buy-to-let and second home purchases.

Landlords who own property in their own name, rather than in a company structure, are also now unable to fully offset mortgage interest costs against their tax bill as they did previously.

Jason Tebb, president of property portal OnTheMarket, thinks the additional tax on rental income is 'disastrous' for landlords.

'This reform will simply see more and more landlords removing themselves from the private rental sector for a further squeeze on rental supply,' he said.

How much more tax will landlords pay?

Landlords who own buy-to-lets in their own names, rather than through a limited company currently pay income tax on their rental profit.

What a landlord receives in rent is added to whatever other income they earn to establish what rate of tax they pay.

A landlord with annual income between 12,571 and 50,270, including their earnings from rent and their salary, therefore pays 20 per cent tax.

Above that, they pay 40 per cent tax on the portion of their earnings between 50,271 and 125,271 and 45 per cent tax on anything above that.

This means a basic rate taxpayer earning 10,000 of rental profit pays 2,000 in income tax on the rental profit, while a higher rate taxpaying landlord earning 10,000 of rental profit pays 4,000 in income tax on the rental profit.

The rental profit is the amount left over after other costs have been deducted, such as letting agent fees and repairs.

The Chancellor's announcement today will mean a basic rate tax paying landlord with 10,000 rental profit will go from paying 2,000 to 2,200 in tax, while a higher rate tax paying landlord will see their tax bill rise from 4,000 to 4,200.

Landlords who have a mortgage on their property will feel the pinch more acutely, as their outgoings are higher. This applies to some 2 million landlords, according to UK Finance figures.

How much more will landlords be taxed from April 2027? Rental income (after expenses) 12,000.00 18,000.00 24,000.00 30,000.00 Extra tax for basic rate taxpayer 240.00 360.00 480.00 600.00 Extra tax for higher rate taxpayer 240.00 360.00 480.00 600.00 Extra tax for additional rate taxpayer 240.00 360.00 480.00 600.00 Source: Hargreaves Lansdown

Your browser does not support iframes.

New tax could mean rents will go up

Property industry experts say the new tax could be the final straw for many landlords who are already coping with increasing legislation, including the Renters Rights Act, which comes into force on 1 May next year.

The OBR says successive tax hikes on private landlord returns will reduce the supply of homes to rent over the longer run and says 'this risks a steady long-term rise in rents' if demand for properties outstrips supply.

Colleen Babcock, a property expert at Rightmove thinks landlords will increase their rents to cover the extra 2 percentage points of income tax.

'Landlords might look like an easy target, but rental market taxation is usually detrimental to tenants looking to rent a home,' says Babcock.

'The simple fact is that in order to provide tenants with much-needed homes, investors need to be able to make the sums add up.'

Julian Bradshaw, director at the chartered financial advisers Smith & Pinching thinks the 2 per cent increase in property income tax will leave thousands of landlords struggling to make the sums add up.

'Unless theyre able to remortgage onto a dramatically cheaper mortgage, many will see their profits disappear completely,' says Bradshaw.

'Capital appreciation has weakened too, as official data shows property prices are rising only slowly or even falling in some parts of the country.

'As a result, many amateur or accidental landlords may conclude that the hassle of property ownership is no longer worth the meagre income it generates.'

Major tax shake-up: Higher rate tax-paying landlords will see their rental income taxed at 42% from 2027, up from 40% today

More landlords will buy in companies

Landlords buying properties have two options - to do so in their own name, or to set up a limited company and buy the property within that. Properties can be switched from one to the other.

Given the tax changes of recent years, many landlords see buying within a limited company as a way to pay less tax.

The companies have surged in recent years and a record 70,000 companies are likely to be set up by the end of 2025, according to Hamptons.

Mark Harris, chief executive of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients, said: 'This Budget is the final nail in the coffin for landlords owning property in their own name.

'It is very hard to make a profit unless property is owned via a limited company structure.

'We have seen a growing number of clients either purchase investment property via this route or move existing portfolios in their own name over to a limited company structure and we now expect this trend to escalate.'

Owning in a limited company allows property investors to fully offset all of their mortgage interest against their rental income, before paying tax.

Tax perks: As the gap between personal and corporate tax rates widen further thanks to the Budget, there is likely to be more landlords incorporating

This differs from landlords who own property in their own name. They only receive tax relief based on 20 per cent of their mortgage interest payments.

This is less generous for higher-rate taxpayers, who previously received 40 per cent tax relief on mortgage costs before a 2016 rule change.

A higher-rate taxpayer landlord with mortgage interest payments of 500 a month on a property rented out for 1,000 a month now pays tax on the full 1,000, with a 20 per cent rate on the 500 that is being used towards the mortgage.

A landlord who owns in a limited company with mortgage interest payments of 500 a month on a property rented out for 1,000 a month would only pay tax on 500 of that income.

Put simply, it means that whilst individual landlords are effectively taxed on turnover, and company landlords are taxed purely on profit.

There are also other advantages of buying property via a limited company, including the fact that corporation tax - payable in a company structure - is lower than income tax, which is payable for landlords who own properties in their own name.

This allows landlords to build up profit within the company, which they can use it to re-invest towards another property sooner than they might otherwise have done if owning in their own name.
What a shambles.

Yes, dear readers, a dogs dinner of a Budget on so many levels after weeks of twisting and turning by the Chancellor as she sought to fill a black hole in the nations finances of her own making.

It comprises a mishmash of measures that I fear will do little to take the country forward  and a lot to send it careering backwards.

It will do nothing to get Britain out of the economic morass it is currently bogged down in  and desperately needs to get out of.

Sustained economic growth remains far over the horizon. Were trapped in an economic doom loop and while the OBR has upgraded its growth forecast for the economy this year from one to 1.5 pc, it doesnt signal an economic renaissance. As the Confederation of British Business pointedly says, the economy remains stuck in neutral.

Irrespective of whether were working or retired, the Budget has done nothing to make us feel better off. As a result of freezing of income tax thresholds until 2031 (not 2030 as expected), income tax will continue to absorb a bigger slice of our gross income as more of us fall into higher rate tax bands. Even Labours working people  those earning less than 46,000 a year  will be hit, as Ms Reeves admitted in her Budget speech.

Bar those getting by on the national living wage or dependent upon benefits, we have all been pickpocketed. Move over Arthur Dodger, Ms Reeves has upstaged you.

It has also put an almighty dent in personal aspiration and the cult of saving for a better tomorrow. Ms Reeves, guided by a motley crew of rabid Labour MPs, is pushing us towards a socialist state where the rich are no longer cheered for their success  and the middle classes are despised for their hard-earned homes and painstakingly accumulated pensions.

Many of this second group (myself included, a working-class boy made good) are dispassionately seen by Labour as children of Thatcherism, once encouraged to strive, work hard, become homeowners and build their own financial fortress  we are viewed as nothing but cash cows to be milked.

It is this attack on personal wealth that I find so distasteful. Its nakedly political, a form of wealth distribution from the hard working (and those who have retired after a lifetime of graft) to those living on benefits.

Ms Reeves, guided by a motley crew of rabid Labour MPs, is pushing us towards a socialist state where the rich are no longer cheered for their success, writes Jeff Prestridge

Some of you may find such a view uncaring, but I can draw no other conclusion after watching todays Budget.

Indeed, I am sure many of you will now question whether your quest to own your home and build a worthwhile retirement pot has been worth all the sacrifice as a result of a barrage of taxes coming your way.

And for many of you still working, I am sure you will be now assessing whether your current mission to be mortgage free and financially well-prepared by the time retirement comes should remain an absolute priority.

Im not alone. One adroit financial expert said in the Budgets aftermath that Reeves had conducted a masterclass in disincentivising saving and investing. Well said, that individual (Nigel Green, chief executive of wealth manager deVere).

Are you worried about your finances? Hi! I'm Simon Lambert, Publisher of This Is Money - and I'm here to answer your questions and explain how you can protect your finances after Rachel Reeves' Budget. If you're concerned about your retirement plans, your pension, your savings - then I can help. Join my live Q&A at 4pm and ask me anything.

Financial firm Blick Rothenberg didnt mince words either, describing the Budget as one the most damaging in living memory. Its assault on personal wealth, it added, would adversely impact savers for years and years to come.

Reeves wealth attack is multi-pronged. For a start, the reduction in the annual cash Isa allowance makes no sense at all.

Although the reduction from 20,000 to 12,000 wont kick in until April 2027 (a year later than we had anticipated) and will not apply to the over 65s (brilliant news for many risk averse pensioners), theres no logic whatsoever behind the move. At best, its misguided.

The Chancellor mistakenly believes that this cash Isa curb will persuade younger people to use the tax-friendly wrapper to invest in stocks and shares rather than save (investors will keep the 20,000 annual allowance).

Maybe in a minority of cases, but most young people save into cash Isas because they dont want to risk their capital by investing.

Their money is tucked away in a building society or bank cash Isa for a specific purpose: to help build a home deposit or to be used as a financial emergency fund.

Maybe todays mention of a new home-deposit focused Isa (lifetime Isa, mark two) will assuage some young cash Isa savers. But I have my doubts.

All this Isa meddling makes a complex tax-friendly wrapper even more bewildering. Its unnecessary and will do little to whet the countrys appetite for investing. Simplification, not over-complication, should have been the order of the day.

What makes this cash Isa allowance cut even more despicable is that Ms Reeves will impose extra taxes on those who squirrel money away into traditional savings accounts.

From April 2027, interest on savings will rise to 22, 42 and 47pc according to whether you are a basic, higher, or additional rate taxpayer.

At the moment, there is no indication that the annual personal savings allowance of 1,000 and 500 for basic and higher rate taxpayers will be trimmed  that could well happen in next years Budget  but the move will land millions of prudent savers with extra tax bills. It will also turn the battle of completing a self-assessment tax return into a protracted war.

Landlord income and taxes on share dividends will be hit with the same 2pc extra tax charge (memo to Ms Reeves: I thought you wanted us to invest more).

As for pensions, the Chancellors decision to clamp down on so-called salary sacrifice pension arrangements is equally crazy, says Jeff Prestridge

As for pensions, the Chancellors decision to clamp down on so-called salary sacrifice pension arrangements is equally crazy.

The Chancellor purely sees these pension plans as a way for both businesses and workers to pay less national insurance  rather than a super vehicle for employers to offer stellar work pensions for their workers.

Her tax assault on them will be horribly destructive. In short, it will lead to workers building smaller pension pots to take them through retirement. The only blessing  and its a small one  is that the restrictions wont come in until 2029. Maybe sufficient time for the Chancellor to see the errors of her ways.

Throw in a nasty mansion tax (a council tax surcharge) that will kick in from 2028  and land homeowners living in 2million-plus properties cost with a minimum extra annual bill of 2,500  and you get the picture loud and clear. Labour wants to plunder our wealth.

What can we do to protect ourselves?

For a start, sit down and make a note of when all these extra taxes come in.

If youre an ardent saver (and will be under the age of 65 by the time April 2027 comes around), use as much of your remaining full cash Isa allowances as you can  this tax year and next.

And ensure that as much of your household taxable savings is protected by personal savings allowances. For married couples, that means two allowances can be used to shield tax.

If youre an investor, put Isas at the front and centre of your portfolio. And for other stocks and shares, dont be frightened to take some profits using your annual capital gains tax allowance of 3,000.

As for pensions, I urge you to keep saving irrespective of how your works scheme is set up. Indeed, try to save a wee bit more than you are now.

The more you tuck away today and tomorrow, the greater the retirement fund you will build. And ensure your pension is invested to deliver long-term growth.

Finally, if you are looking to pass on wealth to loved ones, now is a good time to put plans into action before Reeves turns her attention to inheritance tax. Speak to a financial adviser.

As for the mansion tax, dont do anything now like selling your home in a panic. Hold fire.

Hopefully, by the time you retire, we will have in situ a government that understands the importance of personal wealth in the wider economy.

Yes, a right old dogs dinner of a Budget.
Earlier this year I was contacted by a recruiter via WhatsApp offering me a job where I would review hotels online in return for commission.

As a single parent with money pressures, I thought it an attractive idea as I could do it at home.

I signed up and, to begin with, received small sums of money for the work I did.

However, now I fear it is not genuine  soon afterwards, they were asking me to transfer money to access the commission I had earned.

I have now transferred more than 6,000 to the company on the promise I would get a lot more back, but it has not materialised.

Now they are asking for another 6,000 to release the commission. Please help.

Name and address supplied.

Tricked: A reader has been left 6,000 out of pocket after they took a part-time job posting online reviews which turned out to be a scam

Sally Hamilton replies: Im sorry to say you have fallen victim to a horrible scam  in my book, one of the most hateful doing the rounds.

The scammers prey on people who are financially vulnerable and in desperate need of extra work to support themselves and their families.

I receive regular texts and messages from fake recruiters promising an exciting online work opportunity. A recent one suggested I could earn no less than 8,000 a month. I was invited to contact Mark via WhatsApp.

And as I was writing up this column, I answered my mobile to someone posing as an employee of a big-name recruitment firm saying theyd like to discuss a job offer and asking me to add their number on WhatsApp.

I wasnt tempted, not just because I dont require extra work but also because I am familiar with this cruel trick designed to steal financial details or, worse, seduce their targets into handing over large sums of money on the promise of a big payday.

A reputable firm would not message out of the blue and nor would they expect a prospective client to communicate via WhatsApp.

Although I consider myself hardened to such tactics, I can see how someone actively seeking employment or needing a second source of income could fall hook, line and sinker.

In your case, you felt there was nothing to lose when a message arrived from a human resources department of a platform calling itself Google Hotel Ads.

Let me know Have you managed to pay off thousands of pounds worth of debt? If so, hats off to you! I would like to hear what happened and the tricks you used to pay it off. Please send me an email at sally@dailymail. co.uk

There is a genuine Hotel Ads service on Google, but this is just for hotels to advertise themselves and isnt connected to this scam.

A second person demonstrated the task to you on WhatsApp. It involved scrolling through hotel listings and rating each between three and five stars.

They instructed you to move to messaging app Telegram where you joined a group of fellow scorers.

Sadly, this fake group simply served to reinforce the elaborate ruse  boasting of their own financial wins and encouraging you to stick to the plan.

When you finally came to me, some weeks into the ruse, you still thought you might be able to get your money out. I was sorry to tell you this was not going to happen, and it was now a case of cutting your losses.

However, I felt angry that the scammer had tricked you so cruelly, so I stepped in to see if your lost funds could be recouped.

You had transferred money from your Revolut account (which you topped up from your Barclays current account) to the scammers cryptocurrency accounts.

Barclays said it was nothing to do with them as you had made the transfers to an account in your name.

And Revolut declined to reimburse you, even though many of the payments were suspicious.

Revolut said it had tried and failed to recover these fraudulent payments. Rules introduced in October last year say banks must reimburse eligible customers who fall victim to this type

of scam, known as push-payment fraud, in most situations. But Revolut declined, insisting it

had issued you adequate warnings. I am sorry to say the Financial Ombudsman Service came to the same conclusion.

When we caught up after the decision in late October you were disappointed  but decided it was time to move on. It will take time to repair the psychological and financial damage, but you were grateful for my support.

I asked both Meta (owner of WhatsApp) and Telegram for their position on scams that use their messaging services.

Meta says it offers tools to protect users, including asking if they want to block or report an unsolicited contact, while

Telegram urged you to report the channel that swindled you, which you have done.

HMRC won't sort WW2 veteran's tax problem

Please can you help my 101-year-old friend who served in the Royal Navy from 1942 to 1945.

Since June last year, he has been registered as severely sight-impaired. In August, he received an income tax demand for 107.40 for the 2024-2025 tax year.

This is based on his annual pension income of 13,107, minus his personal allowance of 12,570, meaning he had to pay 20 per cent tax on 537.

He should be receiving a higher allowance due to his poor vision. I asked HMRC to sort this out, but it told me I should contact the

Department for Work and Pensions. I wasted 129 minutes on the phone to them and since then, nothing.

K.B., Bolton.

Sally Hamilton replies: You are 77 years old and are worn out by trying to resolve your friends tax bill problem. You felt you were treated with disrespect on the various calls you made.

I contacted the DWP first and got the abrupt answer: This would be for HMRC to answer, not the DWP.

Strange that you were given duff information from the start by HMRC. Thankfully, HMRCs response was more fulsome  it was happy to help.

Within a couple of days, HMRC had phoned your friend and confirmed it will be cancelling his tax bill.

You said he could now look forward to his 102nd birthday in January without having to worry about HMRC. Hurrah.

Anyone in your friends position, who is registered with their local council as blind or severely sight-impaired or holds a certificate or doctors document confirming this, is eligible for a blind persons allowance.

In the tax year ending April 5, 2026, this is worth 3,130 on top of the standard personal allowance of 12,570, meaning they can have an income of 15,700 before having to pay tax. Find out more on gov.uk or contact HMRC on 0300 200 3301.

Straight to the point I ordered eight pork, apple and cider sausage rolls for my son from The Cornish Pasty Store in June for 35.81, but only one packet of four rolls arrived. I have emailed several times to ask for a refund of almost 18 but I havent received a reply. I did lose the original credit card I used to pay for the rolls, but even after giving my new card details I have yet to be refunded. G.B., Cornwall. The Cornish Pasty Store has now refunded you. *** In December my husband and I moved into a new home where the gas and electric is supplied by British Gas. Electric bills arrive quarterly and have been paid on time  but we have been sent just one gas bill since we moved in. I have contacted British Gas over the phone and via online chatbots to solve this and pay the bills, but nothing has happened. Call centre staff say to take a photo of the meter and send it readings, which I have done many times, but nothing happens. S.R., Yorkshire. British Gas apologises and says your account has now been brought up to date. A gas bill has finally been issued with 100 credit as a goodwill gesture. *** In January my wife and I bought a Japanese smart toilet for 887.45 which came with a two-year warranty. In September, the seat on the toilet started to chip and crack in several places. This had already happened months previously and the seat was replaced. I raised the issue with the retailer again only to be told we must have misused the toilet. We have not, and want the guarantee to be honoured. D.B, Aberdeen. The online store has now sent you a replacement seat as a gesture of goodwill.
Tullow Oil warned has warned that production levels for 2025 will be at the lower end of forecasts.

The business is battling to refinance its capital amid a mounting debt pile and overdue payments from the Ghanaian government

Tullow Oil shares have slumped nearly 80 per cent in the last 12 months, but surged 19 per cent to 4.68p on Thursday.

Despite recent asset sales and progress in Ghana, natural production decline and delayed government payments are pressuring cash flow, making refinancing crucial to fix its debt-laden balance sheet.

'Tullow will likely require the support of creditors and shareholders to get the capital structure onto a sustainable path', analysts at Shore Capital said this week.

The business, whose market value has fallen from 12billion in 2012 to 70million on Monday, has six months before it needs to pay $1.3billion to its senior secured bondholders.

Warning: 'Tullow will likely require the support of creditors and shareholders to get the capital structure onto a sustainable path', analysts at Shore Capital said this week

The West Africa-focussed oil producer expects 2025 output at the lower of its 40,000 to 45,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) range, while next year's output could fall to between 34,000 to 42,000 boepd as it grapples with natural declines in its wells in Ghana.

Tullow expects net debt of about $1.2billion this year, up from its earlier forecast of $1.1billion.

'Our near-term priority remains to put Tullow on a long-term sustainable financial footing,' Tullow Oil's chief executive, Ian Perks, said.

He added: 'To achieve this, we are focused on maximising operational efficiency in Ghana, cost optimisation, and refinancing the Group's capital structure.'

The group's combined credit risk stood at one, according to LSEG data, implying that Tullow is highly likely to default on its debt in the next one year.

Tullow is in talks with bondholders, commodity traders and other funding sources to refinance its capital ahead of its May 2026 bond maturity.

It said it was also exploring alternative options with some creditors, including to 'amend and extend' exercise given risks around its business performance and market conditions.

Tullow maintained its 2025 free cash flow guidance at around $300million, which assumes recovery of roughly $100 million in gas receivables still owed by the government of Ghana.

Analysts at Shore Capital said: 'Tullows trading update last Friday has increased the likelihood that a dilutive restructuring is required to address its 2026 debt maturities.

'Engagement with counterparties on a refinancing may still be live, but we suspect have been undermined by underwhelming FY26F guidance that has production flat to declining coupled with negative free cash flow.

'With the equity now pricing in material equity dilution and limited trading liquidity, we retain our Hold rating. Tullow will likely require the support of creditors and shareholders to get the capital structure onto a sustainable path.'

Peel Hunt analyst Sam Wahab said in a note: 'We expect two key catalysts to unlock upside over the coming months, which include refinancing the companys 2026 bonds, and settling its outstanding tax disputes.'
Rachel Reeves has taken a sledgehammer to millions of workers pensions today, in a swing that will wipe billions of pounds off retirement savings in Britain.

The Chancellor has launched a stealth attack on salary sacrifice company pensions, with a new 2,000 annual cap on the pension contributions that can be made with tax breaks.

While it may elicit fewer cries of outrage than other measures announced in the Budget  such as the mansion tax or cut to the Cash Isa allowance, Labours sneaky tinkering of these little-understood pension tax rules will have disastrous consequences for future retirements, industry experts warn.

Middle class workers will be more than 37,000 poorer in retirement, alarming figures from stockbroker AJ Bell show.

From April 2029, money that employees had once earmarked for their pension will be handed over to the taxman. Workers will now be forced to face a choice between giving up take-home pay today or foregoing income in retirement.

Pension tax rules are notoriously complex at the best of times but constant fiddling from the Labour government have made them even trickier to navigate.

Heres everything you need to know about what exactly is changing and how you can act today to safeguard your future retirement plans.

Rachel Reeves has taken a sledgehammer to millions of workers pensions today, in a swing that will wipe billions of pounds off retirement savings in Britain

Your browser does not support iframes.

What is changing?

Simply put, it will be more difficult for workers in the private sector to save into a pension in a tax-friendly way, as a result of the Budget.

This is because the maximum pension contribution you can make using a trick called salary sacrifice without paying National Insurance has been capped at 2,000 per year. This means that anything above 2,000 will be treated as ordinary employee pension contributions in the tax system, and therefore subject to both employer and employee National Insurance.

Pension contributions will still be free of income tax so workers can continue to benefit from income tax relief up to the annual cap of 60,000.

Salary sacrifice is a scheme that companies can use to provide workplace benefits to their staff such as pension contributions, a company car or a bicycle for cycle-to-work schemes.

It is a tax-efficient way for employers and employees to make pension contributions because it reduces the amount of National Insurance they both pay. It is effectively an agreement for the employee to reduce their pre-tax wage by the sum they want to pay into their pension, which lowers their take-home pay and, as a result, their tax bill.

The true value in the scheme is that pension contributions made through salary sacrifice are not liable for National Insurance, which is usually 15 per cent for employers and 8 per cent for workers.

A lot of companies will share these savings with the employee by using some of the money saved to pay more into the workers pension.

Gary Smith, retirement specialist at wealth manager Evelyn Partners, says: Restricting salary sacrifice is a tax penalty on people trying to do the right thing by saving efficiently for their own retirement and its yet another National Insurance cost increase imposed on firms, which may result in reduced pay and pension benefits for private sector employees.

Who will be affected?

The new pensions cap will apply for private sector workers saving into workplace pensions via salary sacrifice.

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves will be unscathed by the blow as they benefit from generous gold-plated public sector pensions.

One in three private sector employees currently save into their pensions via salary sacrifice.

Anyone earning 40,000 or more who saves the minimum 5 per cent into their workplace pension via salary sacrifice will be hit by the new National Insurance charge on pension savings.

However, those on lower incomes could also be hit if they make larger contributions to their pensions.

Rachel Reeves seen delivering her Budget in the Commons today. She and Sir Keir Starmer will be unscathed by the pensions blow as they benefit from generous gold-plated public sector pensions

How much will it cost you?

The tax grab on private sector workers pensions will leave millions poorer in retirement  and in some cases the long-term cost could be catastrophic.

Someone aged 35 earning 40,000 a year could be 20,101 worse off at retirement age, according to calculations by AJ Bell. This assumes they have current pension savings of 30,000, annual investment growth of 5 per cent and that they contribute 5 per cent of their salary while their employer contributes 3 per cent.

Those earning 50,000 and using salary sacrifice would be 22,060 worse off by retirement age, AJ Bell has found.

Someone earning 100,000 a year would be a staggering 49,682 out of pocket.

This is because workers will face higher National Insurance bills year on year. An employee earning 40,000 would pay an extra 40 in National Insurance  resulting in a loss in take-home pay, while the employer would pay an extra 75. This rises to 60 for an employee earning 100,000 with their employer paying an additional 450.

Charlene Young, senior pensions expert at AJ Bell, says: Many employees will see less in their pay packets and ultimately their pension pots too. Employers might even decide to close their salary sacrifice schemes completely as a result of such a policy. In those circumstances, the dent in the pension pots of employees could be even higher than predicted  not an ideal message for a government supposedly committed to improving pensions adequacy and boosting the long-term saving prospects of the nation.

What you can do to protect yourself

An estimated 14.6million people are already saving too little for retirement, government figures show.

But there are fears that todays stealth tax on pensions could discourage even more people from saving and to make matters worse, firms are likely to reduce their contributions to workers pots.

A survey of 2,050 people by trade body the Association of British Insurers (ABI) found 38 per cent of workers said they would save less into their pension if the plans came into effect.

But if you want to guarantee yourself a comfortable standard of living in retirement, it is crucial to take action to fight back against the Chancellors tax grab.

The new cap will come into effect in April 2029, which means you still have time to make use of the tax break. Consider increasing your pension contributions in the meantime to max out the savings you can make on National Insurance while you still can.

You can still pay into your pension in a tax efficient way  even once the change comes into effect. You can save up to 100 per cent of earnings  capped at 60,000  into a pension and receive income tax relief. Consider increasing the amount you pay into your pension to make up for any losses you make to the new National Insurance tax bill.

Are you worried about your finances? Hi! I'm Simon Lambert, Publisher of This Is Money - and I'm here to answer your questions and explain how you can protect your finances after Rachel Reeves' Budget. If you're concerned about your retirement plans, your pension, your savings - then I can help. Join my live Q&A at 4pm and ask me anything.

If you receive a bonus this Christmas or in future, consider making a one-off payment into your pension to replace any lost savings and similarly, if you get a pay rise, you could ask your employer to increase the amount you contribute each year before you begin to notice the difference in income.

The salary sacrifice scheme is particularly important for workers whose earnings are on a tax cliff edge as it can help them to move into a lower tax bracket. For example, those earning above 50,270 a year who have tipped into the 40 per cent higher income tax bracket. It also includes those earning 60,000 a year, who start to lose their child benefit entitlement.

One of the most costly tax cliff edges is at the 100,000 a year mark, at which point workers lose eligibility for free childcare hours and the tax-free childcare savings scheme, and start to lose their personal allowance (the 12,570 you can earn each year before paying income tax).

In this case, Ms Young says that workers may need to make new arrangements following the Budget and may face additional admin.

Pension contributions made outside of salary sacrifice can still be used to reduce your adjusted net income and get you below a crucial threshold, says Kate Smith, of pensions firm Aegon.

If your company puts an end to its salary sacrifice scheme, you will need to review your pension contributions and taxable income to make sure you are not caught out, Ms Smith says.

Ensure that you are still paying enough into your pension to keep you below any important thresholds. For example, make sure your taxable income stays below 60,000 if you want to remain eligible for child benefit. You can also pay more into a personal private pension (known as a Sipp, or self-invested personal pension) to duck back below a tax cliff edge.

While personal pension contributions can help, they often require filing a tax return and dealing with HMRC.
The cash Isa allowance will be slashed to 12,000 a year from April 2027, but only for under 65s.

Rachel Reeves will cut the amount that can be saved in cash tax-free from its current level of 20,000.

But savers over the age of 65 will still be able to use the full cash Isa allowance to save 20,000 a year tax-free.

It means from 6 April 2027, savers under the age of 65 will only be able to put a maximum of 12,000 into a cash Isa and if they want to use the whole wrapper, the remainder - 8,000 - can go into stocks and shares.

The amount that can be put in a stocks and shares Isa will remain at 20,000 in each tax year.

The move to cut the cash Isa allowance comes alongside a host of painful tax-raising measures, including an income tax freeze until 2030, which is expected to cost the average basic rate taxpayer 1,666 more in tax between now and 2030.

Isa haircut: Chancellor Rachel Reeves has slashed the cash Isa allowance to 12,000 from its current 20,000 limit

Ms Reeves' decision to cut the cash Isa allowance is part of a plan to divert billions of pounds sitting in savings accounts into investments.

The cash Isa allowance has been under threat since February when the Chancellor announced she intended to 'get the balance right between saving and investing'.

> Read more: The best cash Isas, with rates of up to 4.66%

City firms have lobbied the Chancellor to scale back the tax breaks on cash Isas to boost investment in the flagging UK stock market.

Since then, a lower allowance of between 4,000 and 10,000 has been floated with a slightly higher limit of 12,000 confirmed today.

The tax-friendly accounts have become the bedrock of savings plans, allowing prudent savers to save up to 20,000 in each tax year in them.

It is thought that around 40 per cent of the 726billion held in Isas is in cash rather than stocks and shares.

Savers and industry experts have made it clear that cutting the cash Isa allowance will not make those who hold money in cash Isas invest.

The Daily Mail's Hands Off Our Cash Isas campaign, launched in February, urged Ms Reeves to avoid overhauling the Isa regime in the interest of savers.

Saving industry figures said by cutting the cash Isa allowance down to 12,000, savers are being 'penalised for doing the right thing'.

In recent weeks, the chief executive of the Building Societies Association (BSA), Robin Fieth, warned the Chancellor that building societies use Isa deposits to fund mortgages and cutting the amount that can be held in an Isa will likely impact the number of mortgages which can be provided, and the rate charged for mortgages.

Mr Fieth says: 'There are some groups in particular who could lose out under the cuts.

'If you are saving for a house deposit you might have good reason for fully using the current cash Isa limit.

Jeremy Cox, head of strategy at Coventry Building Society, says: 'A cut to the cash allowance adds yet more complexity to Isas and send the wrong message to savers, who will be penalised for doing the responsible thing.

Tory shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride accused Labour of launching a tax raid on savers to fund Labour's 'addiction' to welfare spending.

He says: 'Hardworking savers shouldn't be facing a tax raid to fund Labour's addiction to ever more welfare spending.

'Labour should be backing savers, not making them pay for the Chancellor's failures.'

Jane Sydenham, investment director at Rathbones, one of the UK's leading wealth and asset management firms, says: 'Cutting the Cash Isa allowance is unlikely to move the dial in any meaningful way when it comes to encouraging more people to invest  and certainly not in British stocks.

'Efforts to funnel retail investors into UK equities run counter to the principle of diversification, a cornerstone of good investing.

'Those using cash Isas are generally not choosing cash as an investment, but as a stepping stone for short-term goals like a house deposit, while benefiting from tax-free interest.

'Money displaced from cash Isas would likely end up in taxable savings accounts, not the stock market.

'Forcing risk-taking isn't the answer  education and choice are. The Government should focus on carrots, not sticks.'
Bingo! Taxpayers may not be feeling lucky after having their pockets picked of a total estimate of 26billion - but a surprise Budget winner is the traditional bingo hall.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that she will abolish the 10 per cent bingo gambling duty tariff from April next year.

In contrast, remote gaming duty will rise from 21 pc to 40 pc, and a separate new 25 per cent tax will be rolled out in April 2027 for remote betting.

The Treasury hopes that these taxes will rake in a total 1.1billion over five years.

Jonny Unknown, managing director of the independent Dabbers Social Bingo in Houndsditch, City of London, says: 'This is a great unexpected surprise  and means we no longer have to bother with the huge administrative headache of dealing with a 10 per cent gambling duty charged on money paid out on the bingo ticket stakes after paying for prizes.

'Hopefully, it means we will be able to share this welcome news with more prizes, currently ranging from novelty 'fish flops' to 250 wins.'

He adds: 'It has been a tough time for the hospitality industry over the past year, with a National Insurance tax hike for employers when paying staff hitting us hard. It is welcome news to find a crumb of comfort in this Budget.'

Unexpected surprise: Jonny Unknown celebrates the modern appeal of bingo

A cheap night out that has evolved with the times

Although bingo is essentially gambling, it has been rising in popularity in recent years  with more than three million people playing bingo in halls and online regularly for a chance to win a jackpot, usually starting at 200 but in some cases national competitions pay up to 100,000.

A key appeal of bingo is that it offers a place to socialise with others in a friendly controlled environment, and gambling is typically limited to paying 2 a game  with a night out playing bingo costing little more than 20.

Eyes down: TV star Gemma Collins was National Bingo Week's mystery caller last year

While traditionally callers used cheeky phrases, such as 'two fat ladies' for 88, bingo has been transformed by younger fans, with almost half now aged under 35.

These days you are more likely to hear 'Will and Kate' for 88.

In contrast, remote gambling relates to gaming that is done over the internet using laptops and smartphones that largely focuses on games poker, roulette, blackjack.

Miles Baron, chief executive of the Bingo Association, says: 'Abolishing bingo duty is a transformative moment for clubs  and a clear recognition of the community value we provide.

'After years of rising costs and economic pressure, the announcement gives clubs the stability and headroom they need to reinvest, modernise and secure thousands of jobs across Britain.'

Tax expert Marc Levitt, a partner at Blick Rothenberg, says: 'The Government consulted on setting up a single remote betting and gaming duty earlier this year but decided against this  and sparing sectors, such as bingo and horse racing, is welcome news.

The Chancellor also announced 26million of funding over the next three years to tackle the unlawful gambling market. Sadly, this is a drop in the ocean for the multi-billion-pound industry.'

Industry regulator the Gambling Commission says: 'We do not have anything to add on matters relating to taxation. Fiscal policy is a matter for the Treasury and Government.'
A senior Ernst & Young partner has been sacked from his $1.3million-a-year role after he was accused of making sleazy comments to a female colleague at a Christmas party and assaulting a man in a classy Sydney bar.

Leonard Nicita, 50 - whose ex-wife is an employment lawyer - was given a first and final warning for propositioning the married female partner at a Miami Vice-themed Christmas bash in 2022, court documents seen by the Dail Mail revealed.

At a disciplinary hearing, a court was told Nicita was accused of telling his colleague 'comments to the effect that you thought she was beautiful [and] you wanted to sleep with her.'

Nicita admitted asking her out for dinner, but she told him she was happily married, the court heard.

Court documents reveal he replied: 'Ah yeah, but you will be surprised - since being single, I have probably been with more married women than other single women.'

Nicita said when he found out about the complaint, he 'was totally shocked and relayed [to her] my recollection of what occurred, believing it to be innocuous', according to the documents.

Nicita had just rejoined the firm the previous year after an earlier two-year stint a decade ago, and had been on track to earn $2million a year in 2026, the court was told.

But in the wake of the complaint, managing partner David Larocca told him he was 'very disappointed with his behaviour' which breached strict company standards, the documents show.

Former Ernst and Young partner Leonard Nicita (pictured) lost his breach of contract case after being warned over inappropriate behaviour at a 'Miami Vice'-themed office Christmas party

At a disciplinary hearing, Nicita was accused of telling his colleague comments 'to the effect you thought she was beautiful[ and] you wanted to sleep with her.'

The documents reveal he added it was 'completely unacceptable from anybody, let alone a partner, let alone a senior partner, let alone a senior partner who has just rejoined the firm.'

Nicita was given his final warning, made to apologise to the female partner, and had $52,000 deducted from his salary for the year, the court was told.

He vowed to his boss it would never happen again, but he was later accused of assault over a row about a missing jacket following a boozy night in a city bar, the court heard.

The documents detail how, together with his girlfriend and four staff members, he ran up a $2,500 drinks bill at the Dean & Nancy On 22 bar in Sydney's CBD, which he later claimed on expenses.

But when Nicita found his jacket was missing, he ended up in a row with bar manager who called police and Nicita was charged with assault, the court was told.

However Nicita - who once won a bout as a boxer in a Corporate Fighter event at Star Casino - did not tell his boss about the charges, according to the court documents.

Mr Larocca only found out about the assault allegations a month later and began the process to terminate Nicita's employment with EY two months later, the court heard.

Nicita launched a legal fight against his termination, but the ACT Supreme Court has now found in EY's favour.

Nicita once won a bout as a boxer in a Corporate Fighter event at Star Casino (pictured)

Nicita launched a legal fight against his termination, but the ACT Supreme Court has now found in EY's favour (EY's Sydney head office is pictured)

'I am landing on Len being terminated for just cause,' Mr Larocca said in the court documents seen by the Daily Mail.

'Len is on a first and final warning where he gave me a [very] strong assurance that I will never hear from him again on behavioural matters.

'This was a behavioural matter, in a bar involving senior EY staff. Len admitted it occurred in full.

'Len doesnt understand what is expected of a partner at EY, let alone the fact he is on a first and final warning and his assurances to me [after the Christmas party].'

Nicita claimed he had told the company of his plans to retire, but the court dismissed his case - and ordered he pay all EY's legal costs in the case.

HR Legal lawyer Dan Feldman said the end of year holiday season is a busy time for employment lawyers.

'During December we often receive calls from clients that start with 'You wouldn't believe what happened last night at our end of year function',' he said.

'It never ceases to amaze me that we are still getting these calls in the years following #metoo.'
A high school graduate died in front of about 20 classmates when he fell from a building roof at his end-of-year formal.

Emergency services were called to a venue in Brisbane's east last Wednesday evening after the Wellington Point State High School student - who the Daily Mail has chosen not to identify - plunged to his death.

In the following days, school officials issued a letter to parents asking them to stop their children from posting tributes to the teenager on social media.

One parent, who did not want to be identified, accused the school of covering up the incident.

The letter, obtained by the Daily Mail, read: 'As you may be aware, a distressing event has deeply impacted our school's community.

'It is with a heavy heart that I must share the news of the passing of one of our Year 12 students.

'We ask that you encourage your child not to share or comment on social media about this incident.

'We kindly ask for your support in monitoring your child's use of social media over the coming days.'

A Year 12 student from Wellington Point State High School fell to his death at the school formal

A letter to parents by the school, just days after the tragedy. Students were encouraged not to post tributes on social media

The letter said the school wanted to avoid the spread of information and opinions online.

'The most respectful way we can support the student's family and friends is by maintaining their privacy,' it read.

'School support will be in place for anyone who needs it and for as long as it is required.'

Photos of the Year 12 students at the formal appeared in local newspapers and on the school's social media page with no mention of the tragedy.

Graduation photos were still being uploaded to the school's Facebook page a week later, on Wednesday morning.

One photo from before the incident showed a 'Class of 2025' T-shirt that featured drawings by the Year 12 students.

The dead student's name could be seen next to one of the hand-drawn illustrations.

The student's name could be seen on a 'Class of 2025' T-shirt (pictured)

A spokesperson for Queensland Police told the Daily Mail: 'A report will be prepared for the coroner into a non-suspicious sudden death.'

Wellington Point State High School principal Robyn Burton-Ree said she was not in a position to comment.

Queensland's Department of Education also declined to comment.

If this has raised any issues for you, call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond blue 1300 224 636 for confidential crisis support
Worried detectives are checking up on alleged double cop killer Dezi Freeman's hit list of enemies three months after he went on the run.

The Daily Mail can reveal Freeman, 56, whose real name is Desmond Filby, kept a sinister list of all his perceived enemies' names and their home addresses.

Freeman allegedly gunned down Victorian policemen Sergeant Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart, 35, in the Victorian High Country on August 26.

The officers were shot as they and eight other officers tried to serve a warrant on him for historic sex offences at his converted bus on a property outside Porepunkah.

Freeman then allegedly stole the dead officers' weapons and fled into the bush, sparking Australia's biggest-ever manhunt.

Despite a $1million reward for information leading to his arrest, there has been no sign of the father-of-three, who was renowned for being anti-government and anti-police.

Daily Mail has previously revealed how Freeman used to meet secretly for years at his rural property with a 30-strong anti-authority network called Truth and Justice.

Group members drew up a list of names and ranks of officers they branded 'police thugs' from the nearby Myrtleford station, openly discussing how to 'name and shame' them.

Sovereign citizen Dezi Freeman has been on the run for three months after allegedy shooting two police officers dead

Vadim de Waart, 35, was one of the officers killed while executing a warrant

Neal Thompson, 59, was due to retire within days before he was gunned down

But Freeman also kept a second, potentially more terrifying list of everyday people, including neighbours, locals and others, who he had a petty grievance with.

The extensive list - confirmed by one of his targets - also details all addresses linked to the perceived hit list of his sworn enemies.

Some live in towns several kilometres away from Porepunkah.

Police have now obtained a copy of Freeman's list and have sent out detectives to check on the wellbeing of the people featured.

Daily Mail is aware of several names on the list, but is choosing not to name them while the alleged killer is still at large.

A Victoria Police spokesperson declined to comment on 'specifics like that during an ongoing investigation'.

Freeman's Truth and Justice group's social media posts revealed the depth of their paranoia and hatred of police.

Freeman was arrested in December 2021, sparking calls from one member for 'all the names of police thugs in Myrtleford so we can name and shame them'.

Freeman is a known outdoorsman with elite bush survival skills

What followed was a vile roll call of officers, complete with their names, ranks and even email addresses, which Daily Mail is not publishing.

'Leading Constable Xxxx Xxxx, import from Xxxx,' one wrote.

Another member added: 'Apparently Xxxx is now a fully qualified sergeant.'

The group's administrator replied: 'Don't say fully qualified. You are giving too much credit, just say promoted. Choose your words carefully.'

Soon more names were added, including a female sergeant. Another sergeant and an officer were also on the list.

The manhunt for Freeman is now entering its fourth month, with police still no closer to finding him or discovering his fate.

More than 450 officers, including special operations and interstate reinforcements, are scouring the rugged terrain - but not a single trace of him has been found so far.

Freeman's eldest son Koah, 20, has distanced himself from his father's actions, and has told media he believes he is dead.

Police have been checking on people featured on Freeman's so-called hit list

More than 450 personnel have been hunting for the wanted man

But he warned his father was more than equipped to survive on the run.

'Im not sure if you have ever seen the movie Rambo, especially the first Rambo movie. Its like that but ten times capacity,' he said.

Koah said his father could survive for weeks without food.

Freeman's wife Mali, 42, has since gone to ground with the couple's other young child.

A neighbour's CCTV footage reportedly recorded Koah picking up Ms Freeman, carrying the young child and a plastic bag, nearby moments after Freeman fled.

Koah has declined to comment further, citing legal and police advice, and Ms Freeman has not responded to requests for an interview.

On Monday, a friend of Freeman's revealed his last words before he vanished into the Alpine terrain.

According to The Australian, he told Ms Freeman he would 'see her in heaven' and urged her to run.

Freeman's wife Mali has gone to ground since her husband vanished into the bush

Police and soldiers were mainstays in the region as they attempted to flush him out

Dezi was known for his petty grievances within the local community

A source told the publication 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.

Speculation that Freeman had taken his own life first 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.

Police are leaving no stone unturned in their attempts to find Freeman - if he is still alive

Special Operations Group BearCats were an ominous mainstay in Porepunkah for weeks

'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.

He said it was possible Freeman was 'so full of himself' that he wouldn't want to end his life, and that it's possible 'he's alive somewhere'.
Pauline Hanson is facing calls from members of the Muslim community to be permanently banned from Parliament over her burqa-wearing stunt - as women who wear Islamic face coverings open up about why they dress the way they do.

The Daily Mail spoke to almost two dozen Muslim women in Sydney's south-west this week after the One Nation leader's controversial stunt, which saw her suspended from Parliament for a week.

Bankstown-based friends, Alina and Norah, who wear a hijab, were disgusted by Hanson's act - the second time she has worn a burqa into Parliament - and called for her to be banned completely.

'A girl like that (Hanson) has no self-esteem or anything in her life,' Norah said.

'Some (Islamic) people look at wearing burqas (as if) their bodies are covered, (then) they're safe.

'(Hanson's stunt) is not going to affect a girl who's really into her religion and is trying to protect herself from this world.'

Hanson entered the Senate wearing the burqa on Monday afternoon, shortly after she failed to move a bill banning the Islamic covering from public places. She claimed the proposed ban was for national security reasons.

But she admitted she couldn't name any security incidents relating to the burqa, and added: 'I don't have the figures to pluck it out of my head.'

A woman is seen wearing a hi-vis, work boots and a niqab on Tuesday in western Sydney

Locals in Sydney's west (pictured) were shocked by Hanson wearing a burqa in Parliament on Monday. She was later banned from the upper house for seven days

She said the garments were 'oppressive, radical and non-religious', which many Muslim women strongly denied when approached by the Daily Mail.

Many said the garments make them feel safe and secure.

Shazia, who was wearing a burqa-style outfit called a niqab while walking along the main street of Lakemba, said her decision to wear the full garment was hers alone.

Shazia was with her husband Najam at the time and he said: 'It's her choice, I've never forced her to wear it and it's her choice according to the faith, so she's wearing it and she's practising and she's feeling safe in this attire.'

Shazia agreed: 'This is completely my choice and we love to follow Islam, as other religions have their clothes.

'This is my niqab and my burqa and (Hanson's stunt is) disrespecting my Islam.'

A number of Islamic clothing store shopkeepers who didn't want to be named also told the Daily Mail that they'd heard a few people make reference to Hanson's stunt when shopping that day.

But for shop assistant, Farzana, who works at the House of Faith clothing store in Lakemba, said she hadn't yet seen any impact on burqa sales.

Hanson's call for a 'Burqa ban' was met by community backlash on the streets of Lakemba

The young woman, who moved from India a few years ago, said she liked to wear a burqa for cultural reasons.

'I feel protected and confident in this, I feel like I'm safe,' Farzana said.

When asked about Hanson's claim about the burqa being a national security issue, Farzana said: 'It just looks like a dress - can you see anything wrong with this? I just cover my hair. I can do whatever hairstyle I want.'

But Bankstown shop assistant Mirna held her hands up and shook them vehemently when asked about her opinion about a burqa.

'I'm Muslim, and I can't do it, I don't really like it myself,' Mirna, who wears a hijab, says.

'But other people choose to.

'There's other stuff we should worry about other than that. I'm just thankful for living in this country because it keeps me safe and I'm happy for that.

'We just have to obey the rules here.'

While there are a range of coverings and veils worn by Muslim women around the world, the main types include a hijab, niqab or burqa.

Shazia told the Daily Mail that he doesn't force his wife Najam (above) to wear a burqa and that she chooses to do so

A hijab is typically a headscarf that wraps around the head and neck but leaves the face clear, while a niqab is a veil for the face that leaves the area around the eyes visible.

The burqa is considered the most concealing of all - it is a one-piece veil that covers the face and entire body, with a mesh screen over the eyes.

Jamel Kheir, the Secretary of the Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA), labelled Hanson's stunt as 'dog whistling.'

'She's irrelevant in our eyes, she's about as relevant as toilet paper and that's the opinion of this community. But it sets a very dangerous precedent' Mr Kheir said.

'The unfortunate reality in Australia is that the Muslim community always seems to be fair game...

'I challenge anyone in Parliament, and not that I'm saying it's a good thing, it'd [be] disgusting, but go wear the Jewish skull cap and see how 'respectful' they'd view that.'

Mr Kheir said Muslim women who choose to wear a burqa more often do it for cultural reasons than adhering to religious law.

'The religious requirement is for women to 'cover'... and that is for a woman to decide how she wants to interpret that,' he said.

Pauline Hanson is seen wearing the burqa on the Senate floor on Monday

He added: 'Do we condemn women walking half-naked in the street? No, we don't. This is what we accept as part of liberal democratic Australia.

'If politicians want to decide on what we can and can't wear then we're heading towards the idea of a communist country.

'Well, if Australia wants that, then vote for Pauline Hanson.'

Keysar Trad, founder of the Islamic Friendship Association of Australia, agreed.

'Hanson forgets that many of those everyday Australians she tries to appeal to are Muslim women who do not want anyone to dictate to them how they dress,' he told the Daily Mail.

'These women face increased levels of intimidation and harassment and women who wear a scarf generally find it difficult enough to get a job, without a nutty member of parliament going after them.'

He also said his niece is the only person in his family who wore a burqa, with some women in his family choosing to go without any religious garments.

'I asked her 'Why? What made you do it?' and she said it was her choice. So when (women) tell you that, you have got to respect it,' he added.

'If she gets harassed (because of Hanson's stunt), then she'll stay at home more often.'
Jimmy Kimmel stumbled on a surprising kinship with Marjorie Taylor Greene, praising her decision to announce her resignation from Congress.

Greene said on Friday she would be stepping down next January amid attacks from President Donald Trump, something Kimmel dealt with not too long ago when his show was abruptly canceled following comments he made about Charlie Kirk's murder.

'Theres going to be one less puddle of sweat on the floor mat of the congressional gym,' Kimmel said in his Monday night monologue, 'Because Marjorie Taylor Greene, yet another Trump superfan, learns that loyalty to him goes only one way.'

This is a not-so-subtle reference to a portion of her statement, where she said, 'Loyalty should be a two way street and we should be able to vote our conscience and represent our district's interest.'

Kimmel played a clip of Greene's resignation video, and he joked about the Christmas tree in the background.

'I have to say this woman is being attacked from all sides right now  somehow she still had time to put up her Christmas tree, [its] not even Thanksgiving,' he said.

'She says Congress is beholden to the super wealthy and ignores the needs of ordinary Americans. She says her party has no plan for healthcare and that the Jeffrey Epstein files are not a hoax as the president claims they are. To which I say, "Welcome to reality Marj. Were glad to have you here. Make yourself at home. Feel free to check out our science wing while you have a chance,"' he added.

Kimmel's final zinger on the subject was that Greene leaving is 'Congress's loss' and 'Love Island's gain', joking that the 51-year-old could join the reality TV dating show.

Jimmy Kimmel began his monologue on Monday by mentioning Marjorie Taylor Greene's impending resignation from Congress

Greene, a Republican from Georgia, will serve until January of next year

The Georgia lawmaker was elected to Congress in 2020, the year that Trump was defeated by Joe Biden.

She was one of the loudest voices arguing to overturn the 2020 election, repeatedly insisting, like Trump, that there was widespread fraud even though that was never substantiated.

And ever since taking office in January 2021, she has been a reliable ally to the MAGA movement.

As recently as January, she introduced a bill to expunge Trumps impeachment that Congress brought after the January 6 Capitol riot.

But in recent months, she appeared to grow disillusioned with Trump. She has contradicted his claims that prices are going down and has also criticized his continued support for Israels war in Gaza, which she now calls a genocide.

Most notably, she spent months pushing for the Department of Justice to release the Epstein files, even as Trump initially resisted those efforts on Capitol Hill. Trump later flipped and signed the bill that compels Attorney General Pam Bondi to release the files within 30 days.

After Greene announced her resignation, Trump put out a post on Truth Social where he called her a 'traitor' and said she was leaving because she was afraid of a primary challenger.

He had previously said he was withdrawing his support of Greene and would support the candidate who ran against her.

Greene's resignation was primarily influenced by her falling out President Donald Trump, who has now called her a 'traitor' multiple times

Greene said her decision to step down came because she was frustrated with the political establishment in Washington.

She also cited how she was being attacked by Trump for crusading so hard on the release of the Epstein files.

'[Trump is] coming after me hard to make an example to scare all the other Republicans before next weeks vote to release the Epstein files. It's astonishing really how hard he's fighting to stop the Epstein files from coming out that he actually goes to this level,' she said previously.

She raged against the 'political industrial complex' which she claimed uses Americans as 'pawns in an endless game of division'.

Greene said that it would be unfair for her 'sweet little district' to 'endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the President we all fought for' and even added that 'Republicans will likely lose the midterms'.

She also said that she was leaving to spend more time with her family amid constant death threats she claimed she received in the wake of her clash with with the president. She said her last day would be January 5, 2026.
An Emmy Award-winning journalist for CBS Sacramento has revealed she's been dealing with a health struggle for nearly her entire life.

Marlee Glinter, who joined the California station as an anchor in January 2020, told her audience that she has been dealing with pronounced hearing loss for years.

She said she has struggled to hear people since she was a child due to constant ear infections.

Certain people are genetically predisposed to having repeated ear infections, or their Eustachian tubes are narrower than normal, which can lead to fluid drainage issues.

People who have had many ear infections can eventually suffer severe hearing loss, according to the Mayo Clinic.

'After years getting embarrassed because I laughed at moments that weren't funny but played it off because I didn't hear what was said or was ashamed with people getting frustrated, raising their voices or even faking sign language at me,' Glinter said.

'I'm hoping my story will make some people realize they're not alone and encourage them to get the help they need.'

She explained that in her job especially, having hearing loss has made things substantially more difficult.

Newsrooms are chaotic places where many people work in close quarters. She said all the simultaneous noise from people talking have caused her to miss things co-workers are saying to her.

Marlee Glinter, an Emmy Award-winning journalist at CBS Sacramento, revealed she has been dealing with hearing loss for the majority of her life

She now has hearing aids and implored her audience to get treatment if they suffer from hearing loss

Eventually, Glinter decided to get treatment and visited Dr. Tanner Mackey, an audiologist based in Elk Grove.

Dr Mackey joined her on the program to explain the treatment.

'You came in and were socializing quite well, and you seemed quite competent in your ability to communicate with me. I wasn't picking up that there was a hearing loss, so obviously you've been dealing with this a long time,' Dr. Mackey told her.

'But once we did the assessment, there's actually quite a substantial hearing loss there.'

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, about 15 percent of US adults  roughly 1 in 7 have some trouble hearing.

The agency further estimates that 28.8 million American adults could benefit from hearing aids, yet only about 16 percent of those aged 20 to 69 have ever used them. For adults older than that, only one in three have used hearing aids.

Glinter said that there remains stigma with hearing loss and with using hearing aids, but she implored people to go ahead and get them if they need them.

'I have hearing aids now and they're less than two inches long, even the same color as my hair, tucked behind my ear. In fact, the only part that shows is a thin, clear wire, and these are pretty much the standard now,' Glinter said.

'They're so discreet I can wear them with the studio earpiece we use to hear the producer during the newscast,' she added.

Glinter said that hearing aids have come a long way from the bulky, obvious implants they used to be.

'You can connect them right to your phone using an app to adjust the settings, from using them in a small setting with just one person to a crowded room or even a busy restaurant,' she said.
A stepbrother of 'murdered' cruise teen Anna Kepner was so desperate to avoid living in their blended family he tried leaping from his mom's moving car to escape, according to court papers.

Newly divorced Shauntel Hudson, 36, won court approval last year to relocate her three kids to the home of her new partner, Christopher Kepner, 41.

But oldest son Andrew was so resistant to joining the household in Titusville, Florida, that he had to be 'restrained' from fleeing, according to court papers obtained exclusively by the Daily Mail.

Shauntel reluctantly agreed to let Andrew, then 17, remain with his father.

But she completed the move with her nine-year-old daughter and younger son, 16, who is now considered a suspect in Anna's alleged murder by asphyxiation on board the Carnival Horizon.

The bubbly cheerleader, 18, was on a six-day Caribbean cruise when she was found stuffed under her bed on November 7, allegedly wrapped in a blanket and covered with life vests.

She was vacationing with her dad Christopher, half siblings aged nine and 14, grandparents Barbara and Jeff Kepner, plus stepmom Shauntel and her youngest two children.

Notably absent from the blended family party, however, was Andrew, now 18, who has been estranged from his mother since the April 2024 car incident.

Andrew, the eldest son of Anna Kepner's new stepmom Shauntel Hudson, was so desperate to avoid living in their blended family he tried leaping from his mom's moving car to escape, according to court papers

While Andrew was reluctantly allowed to return to his father's home, his two younger siblings remained in the Kepner household, including his 16-year-old brother who is now a suspect in Anna's alleged murder by asphyxiation aboard the Carnival Horizon

Andrew was absent from the cruise that Anna took with her father Christopher, 41, her half-siblings aged nine and 14, her grandparents, stepmom Shauntel, 36, and Shauntel's two youngest children

'He became upset as he did not want to leave his girlfriend,' Shauntel claimed in court filings stemming from her 2023 divorce and custody battle with Andrew's father Thomas Hudson, 37.

'The eldest child then tried to jump out of the moving vehicle at which time the mother had to restrain him from doing so as the vehicle was moving.'

Thomas accused his ex-wife of hitting Andrew but his demand for a Petition for Protection Against Domestic Violence was denied.

The feuding parents agreed Andrew could remain with his father while Shauntel moved their younger children 100 miles across Florida from Brooksville to Titusville.

In November last year Thomas went back to court, alleging his ex-wife was 'willfully violating' their parenting plan and failing to provide a stable family environment.

But Shauntel responded by accusing him of falling to pay child support and engaging in a 'daily campaign of harassing' her.

In a more recent filing, she claimed there was an open Florida Department of Children and Families investigation 'due to issues of physical/domestic violence by the father against the two youngest children.'

Relations were no less acrimonious in Christopher Kepner's divorce from Tabitha Kepner, the mother of his youngest two children aged nine and 14.

Shauntel stated in court filings that Andrew (left) was resistant to the blended family because of a girlfriend back home, but his biological dad Thomas (pictured) alleged his ex-wife had hit him

The blended family share a modest three-bedroom home close to Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center in Florida

Tabitha, 33, is not Anna's biological mother but she nonetheless raised her from a young age, telling the Daily Mail she considered her a flesh and blood daughter.

In April 2023, Tabitha declared her 12-year marriage to Christopher was 'irretrievably broken' in a Brevard County Court filing.

She demanded sole custody of the biological children, claiming her ex had a 'history of physical and mental abuse toward the minor children and toward the petitioner'.

Crane operator Christopher denied the allegation and it appears that an agreement was mediated to share custody.

It's amid this toxic family backdrop that straight-A student Anna found herself sharing a three-bed, $300,000 family home on Florida's Space Coast with her dad, stepmom and four other children.

Christopher's Facebook page states that he and Shauntel are married although Thomas's court filings refer to him as her paramour  a term normally used for a lover.

Shauntel's social media snaps suggest she and Anna formed a close bond.

When Anna turned 18 in June, Shauntel posted a montage of family memories and wrote: 'Today you step into adulthood, and I could not be prouder of the young woman you've become.'

When Christopher (pictured) moved on with his new partner Shauntel, he began sharing his three-bedroom, $300,000 family home on Florida's Space Coast with their combined five children (Anna is pictured right)

Christopher's Facebook page states that he and Shauntel are married, although Thomas's court filings refer to him as her 'paramour,' a term typically used for a lover

The images included a picture of Anna congratulating her 16-year-old stepbrother, now a suspect in her murder, for receiving a pair of school awards.

But a former boyfriend of Anna's shockingly claimed last week that the accused teen had behaved inappropriately towards his stepsister.

Josh Tew said he was on a FaceTime call with Anna nine months ago when he saw the stepbrother try to 'get on top of her.'

'She was too scared to tell anybody. Because... he said that if she said anything about [him] getting on top of her, he'd do something to her,' Tew said.

'She told me that she was uncomfortable with them [her step relatives] being at the house because she didn't fully know who they were.

'That their dad had just met this woman, not even like a year ago, and she doesn't really like her she has an attitude most of the time and was very controlling over her.'

Tew, speaking to reporters at Anna's memorial service, said she felt so uncomfortable around her stepbrother that she would sleep in the dining room or at friends' houses.

Anna was declared dead at 11.17am on November 7 while the Horizon was in international waters between Mexico and Florida.

Shauntel's Facebook photos include one showing Anna congratulating her 16-year-old stepbrother, now a suspect in her murder, on receiving a pair of school awards

Josh Tew, who broke up with the 18-year-old cheerleader six months ago, told reporters outside her memorial service that he saw the 16-year-old stepbrother attempt to 'get on top of her' while they were on Facetime

'She was too scared to tell anybody. Because... he said that if she said anything about [him] getting on top of her he'd do something to her,' Tew said.

FBI investigators swarmed the massive ship when it docked in Miami the next day but have not said how she died  or even if she was murdered.

The Daily Mail was the first news outlet to reveal Anna's body was found stuffed under her bed in the cabin she was sharing with her stepbrother and 14-year-old half-brother.

She had gone to bed early on November 6, telling her family she was feeling unwell, according to our sources.

The 14-year-old walked around the ship taking photos, leaving Anna and her stepbrother alone in their cabin, it is alleged.

When the younger boy returned he couldn't see Anna but presumed she was staying up late with the grown-ups and went to sleep, according to the source.

It wasn't until the next day when the half-brother and stepbrother got up and headed to breakfast that the family realized Anna was missing.

Sources say a medical emergency was announced over the public address system, prompting Christopher to race to his daughter's cabin where he walked inside to find that a cleaning crew had just discovered her body.

A law enforcement source subsequently told ABC that Anna died from asphyxiation caused by a bar hold  suggesting an arm was pressed across her neck.

Court documents filed last week by Thomas and Shauntel sparring over emergency custody arrangements confirmed their 16-year-old son was facing possible charges.

'There is an investigation being conducted by the FBI, arising out of the suspected murder of the Respondent/Mother's stepdaughter,' Shauntel's lawyer wrote.

'The minor child is currently the subject of the active FBI criminal investigation.'
A Miami lawyer is facing legal trouble of his own after he allegedly attacked an elderly man onboard a cruise ship, injuring the victim so badly that other passengers had to perform CPR to revive him.

Philip Andrew Ortiz, 38, a partner at the Firm Law Group in Miami Lakes, was onboard the Norwegian Encore just before 2pm on Saturday when he tried 'to enter a hallway that was not yet open to passengers,' the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office claimed in an arrest report obtained by Local 10.

When a 67-year-old man then saw what was happening, deputies say he told Ortiz 'not to go in.'

'Who the f**k are you to tell me what I can and can't do?' the attorney allegedly shot back as he pushed the older man.

When the victim then tried to push Ortiz away, a woman who was identified in court as Ortiz's wife, pushed the victim as well.

Then, when the victim pushed her back, deputies said Ortiz became 'enraged' and 'attacked him again.'

At that point, Ortiz allegedly tried once again to get into the blocked hallway, prompting the elderly man to try to push the door closed.

But that seemed to only further infuriate Ortiz, who deputies say then charged at the victim - prompting another brawl in which Ortiz tripped the man, who landed on his head along with the lawyer's 'full body weight,' knocking him unconscious.

Philip Andrew Ortiz, 38, was arrested on Saturday for allegedly attacking an elderly man

He and the victim were onboard the Norwegian Encore when deputies say Ortiz tried to enter a closed hallway and the victim stopped him

Deputies allege that Ortiz then left the man lying on the floor, 'making no attempt' to render aid as other passengers started performing CPR on the victim when they failed to find a pulse.

When deputies then caught up with Ortiz, they said he refused to sign a form acknowledging he was read his Miranda rights or speak to detectives - and instead made his way back to where the victim was lying to continue their brawl, according to NBC South Florida.

The victim was eventually revived and was transported to University of Miami Hospital for treatment, where he spoke to authorities about what had happened.

Based off the victim's remarks and corroborating video surveillance footage, deputies concluded that Ortiz 'had the [opportunity] to end this confrontation, but chose to force his way back into the area and continue his aggression towards the victim.'

He was then charged with aggravated battery on a person 65 or older, but the charge was downgraded to battery on a person 65 or older at a probable cause hearing on Monday after Ortiz's attorney, Stephen Lopez, successfully argued there wasn't a basis for the enhanced charge.

'I don't find this to be an aggravated battery,' Judge Mary Glazer ruled, noting that nothing showed the victim suffered 'permanent injuries.'

Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Deputy Dennis Lopez, though, disagreed as he described Ortiz as the aggressor based on surveillance footage.

He noted that the victim 'was leg swiped, fell on his head unconscious and received a concussion where nurses and bystanders had to give CPR.'

The deputy also argued that Ortiz's wife pushed the victim before he pushed her back, which he said was done 'not in a way to cause bruising or other injuries.'

Ortiz is a partner at the Firm Law Group in Miami Lakes, focusing on commercial and civil litigation

He was seen at a pre-trial hearing on Monday wearing an anti-suicide vest

Judge Mindy Glazer downgraded the charge against Ortiz as she ordered he avoid any further contact with the victim

Still, it seems Ortiz's lawyer is going to pursue a self-defense argument.

'The so-called elderly person is bigger [and] stronger than my client,' Stephen Lopez told PEOPLE.

'[He] was already drunk prior to the ship departing and he instigated and initiated the aggression amongst other things, assaulting my client's wife and preventing access to their children, six and 14, without authority, closing a door behind them and preventing access.'

The lawyer added that his client is a 'VIP guest and Norwegian had a duty to protect him and his family, but it did not.'

A spokesperson for the cruise company then told PEOPLE in a statement: 'We have zero tolerance for violence of any kind on our ships and are committed to providing a safe cruising experience for all aboard.'

Ortiz, who was seen wearing an anti-suicide vest at Monday's hearing, has been licensed by the Florida Bar since 2012 and is in good standing with the organization.

He specializes in commercial and civil litigation, and was ordered on Monday to avoid any further contact with the victim as the FBI continues to investigate.
You're walking along a busy street when a text pops up on your phone. So far, so ordinary - but the reality could be far darker.

Fraudsters are increasingly targeting commuters using portable transmitters known as 'SMS blasters', a report warns today.

These devices, which can send out mass messages to all phones nearby, are usually driven in vehicles through heavily populated areas of cities like London.

The texts purport to be from legitimate organisations and seek to persuade people to reveal their confidential private or banking details - a method dubbed 'smishing'.

SMS blasters are enabling 'mass fraud at scale', according to Combatting Cybercrime against Mobile Devices, a new report by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).

Author Joseph Jarnecki told the Mail they allowed criminals to target people without having to know their number and can also bypass operators' network monitoring.

He described the method as proof of the increasingly sophisticated nature of mobile phone scams, which he says 'pose a rising threat to national security'.

Chinese student Ruichen Xiong, 22, was jailed in June after he was caught driving around London with an SMS blaster in the boot of his black Honda CR-V.

Your browser does not support iframes.

The machines work by tricking nearby handsets into thinking it is a phone mast by appearing to have a stronger signal than nearby legitimate ones.

By doing so, the criminal is then able to send a text message to the victim's phone.

Xiong was able to send texts to tens of thousands of potential victims between March 22 and 27.

The messages claimed to be from HMRC, with each user told to click on a link and enter their personal details in order to 'claim a tax refund'.

Xiong, who lived in Bow, East London, pleaded guilty to fraud by representation and was sentenced to 58 weeks in prison at Inner London Crown Court.

Another offender, 31-year-old Kong Ji Chen, took an SMS blaster with him during a rush hour Tube journey.

Inner London Crown Court heard how, at 5.30pm on Tuesday, July 1, a member of the public received a spam text message while travelling on the Victoria Line.

The text claimed to be from Parcel Mail and invited them to click on a link to update their personal details in order to receive a package.

The commuter was familiar with SMS blasters and grew suspicious of Chen when he noticed him loitering on the platform with a large suitcase and not getting onto any trains.

Ruichen Xiong, 22, was jailed in June after he was caught driving around London with an SMS blaster in the boot of his black Honda CR-V

A photo of the device, which tricked nearby handsets into thinking it is a phone mast by appearing to have a stronger signal than nearby legitimate ones

Police arrested Chen outside Victoria station and opened his large green suitcase to find a portable battery attached to an electrical unit with a green flashing light and a black antenna.

While the spammer was in custody, an officer checked his phone and saw that he had received the same spam text.

Further investigation found there had been 165 spam reports to mobile providers about the same message from the same number.

Chen was jailed for 24 weeks on October 15.

In his report, published today, RUSI's Joseph Jarnecki linked a rise in mobile phone-related fraud to organised cybercriminal networks.

He said other crimes, such as romance scams, have become 'lucrative and widespread'.

Mr Jarnecki also warned of malicious mobile phone apps that can 'harvest user data and credentials, display unwanted advertisements, conduct click fraud and spoof mobile banking sessions'.

Another offender, 31-year-old Kong Ji Chen, took an SMS blaster with him during a rush hour Tube journey

The researcher made a series of recommendations to policymakers, including advising competition regulators to 'account for cyber security' when making decisions and working with app stores to improve security.

Alongside texts, scammers also continue to target victims using calls, with fraudsters now accounting for more than half of calls made to landlines, according to one report.

Data suggests that fourth fifths of people aged 65 and over continue to rely on their landline telephone - suggesting criminals are deliberately targeting the elderly.

With so many complaints about nuisance calls, many people have stopped answering the phone altogether.
Bangladeshi authorities have issued arrest warrants for senior Nestle executives after their KitKats were found to be 'substandard' and a risk to public health.

Food inspectors found that the world-famous chocolate bars, imported into the country, were too acidic and had too little milk solids, a combination that meant they often arrived rotten.

As a result, Nusrat Sahara Bithi, a special metropolitan magistrate at a food safety court in Dhaka, has asked police to arrest two top officials from the company.

It is not known if Deepal Abeywickrema, the MD of Nestle Bangladesh, and Riasad Zaman, the company's public policy manager, have been arrested yet, but Nestle Bangladesh have pushed back against authorities.

The firm claims inspectors acted without reviewing official documents or consulting it before seeking the arrest warrants.

Food inspectors reportedly collected samples from a range of retail outlets. Kamrul Hasan, Dhaka South City Corporation's safe food inspector, said: 'None of the tested samples met the required standards. That's why we proceeded with legal action.'

He said: 'We tested the wafer biscuit and its chocolate coating separately. The wafer biscuit showed higher levels of acidity and chocolate coating contained a percentage of milk solids below the permitted level'.

According to the inspectors, tests run by a government food safety lab showed the bars had an acidity percentage of 2.32%, well above the maximum 1%.

Bangladeshi authorities have issued arrest warrants for senior Nestle executives after their KitKats were found to be 'substandard' and a risk to public health

An arrest warrant has been issued for Deepal Abeywickrema (pictured), the MD of Nestle Bangladesh

And the chocolate coating only had 9.31% milk solids, below the approved range of 12 to 14%.

Hasan said: 'High acidity indicates decomposition or simply implies that the food is rotten'.

However, Debabrata Roy Chowdhury, the company secretary at Nestle Bangladesh claimed to local media that health inspectors had no standard tests for products like the KitKat bar: 'The standard that they have is for chocolate biscuits.

'Our product is tested by another government institution, the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR). Each consignment is released only after being tested at the BCSIR'.

A spokesman from Nestle Bangladesh told local media: 'We import KitKat from Dubai and India.

'The BSTI has not yet established standards for testing KitKat, so we import it in compliance with the permissible limits under the Safe Food Act'

KitKats are among the most popular chocolate treats in the world.

First made in the UK by Rowntrees as the Chocolate Crisp, the brand was acquited by Nestle (Switzerland) in 1988, after which it was rebranded as KitKat.

However, the chocolate is made under license in the US by The Hershey Company.
An Australian tourist has blamed 'incompetent' crew members onboard a Thai ferry after her luggage was swept out to sea.

Alice Zamparelli, who was sailing from Thailand's Koh Tao island to Koh Samui on Sunday, was shocked to see her own luggage floating past her boat mid-journey.

In footage shared on her TikTok account, Ms Zamparelli, from Perth, showed how dozens of suitcases and backpacks bobbed up and down in the sea as the ferry navigated through the choppy waters.

Ms Zamparelli wrote in the caption of her video: 'Lost all our luggage (because) of incompetent crew members'.

It is understood that the luggage on board the ferry was not securely stored on the upper deck, and because of the rough conditions, they ended up falling overboard.

Ms Zamparelli said that she managed to get back 50,000 baht, the equivalent of around 1,100, saying: 'We were just very persistent.

'Some people didn't get any compensation and other also missed their flights', she said.

The tourist, who is visiting Thailand from Australia, did not recover her luggage.

A tourist has blamed 'incompetent' crew members onboard a Thai ferry after her luggage was swept out to sea

In footage shared on her TikTok account, Ms Zamparelli showed how dozens of suitcases and backpacks bobbed up and down in the sea as the ferry navigated through the choppy waters.

'The ferry staff were fully convinced that a suitcase could not be worth more than 20,000 baht (around $950 AUD) when in reality all our belongings would definitely have been around the 100,000 baht (around $4,700 AUD) range for each of our suitcases', she wrote in the comment section of her video.

'In Thailand...everything is much cheaper than in western countries like Australia so they almost laughed in our faces when were were explaining the worth of our belongings.

'Thankful we were able to get 50,000 baht but it took a lot of convincing and arguing and they finally had to take us inside and pay us discretely.

'No one else got paid as much as us unfortunately even though it still wasnt anywhere near enough. Only reason we got paid that much was because we stayed there until the very end wearing them down', she added.

The video has racked up thousands of views on TikTok, leaving social media users stunned.

The journey between the eastern islands of Koh Tao and Koh Samui is infamous for its bumpy conditions, especially during rainy season.
An employee at a dental office in South Carolina was arrested after allegedly stealing more than $600,000 over several months.

Ashanti Keyana Kinney, a staff member of the Affordable Dentures & Implants in Myrtle Beach, was arrested on November 18 and is charged with breach of trust with fraudulent intent.

Kinney stole $612,990.20 from the business between January 1 and August 15, according to investigators.

Officials used bank records, audit documents, and scheduling paperwork to lead to an arrest.

The investigators claimed that the 39-year-old would review patient accounts and mark them as 'paid' for the procedures, but keep the money.

Her job was to collect cash from customers and deposit it at the bank, according to a report cited by WMBF.

Following her arrest, she posted a $20,000 bond and was released from the Horry County jail on November 19.

Ashanti Keyana Kinney a staff member of the Affordable Dentures & Implants in Myrtle Beach was arrested on November 18 and is charged with breach of trust with fraudulent intent

Kinney stole $612,990.20 from the business between January 1 and August 15 according investigators

The regional manager of the dental office filed a complaint against Kinney with the police on August 20.

Since her release, Kinney has been active on Facebook, where she appears to show that nothing is wrong as she posts her weekly Sunday night dinner.

On her latest post, a caption describing the dinner finished with the hashtag '600k' accompanied by a laughing emoji.

Under the post, a friend of Kinney's commented: 'AND IF YOU DID THE F***. MAYBE THEY WASN'T PAYING ENOUGH.'

To which she replied: 'Its all good! I promise you my family would have been taken care of! FIRST! Its no way.'

The friend then continued, saying that the media is making this story out of nothing and that there was no way Kinney could have done it, given how she watches her kids.

Her job was to collect cash from customers and deposit it at the bank

Kinney responded: 'exactly! I would have moved so damn fast away from Myrtle Beach they would have NEVER caught my a**.

Laughing emojis accompanied everyone her comments when speaking about the '$600k'.

It wasn't clear when Kinney was due back in court.
The man who was wrongly convicted of killing TV presenter Jill Dando has appeared in court charged with raping and indecently assaulting a teenager.

Barry George appeared at the Old Bailey via videolink from Ireland today, accompanied by a family member, accused of attacking the 14-year-old girl almost 40 years ago.

The 65-year-old would have been aged 27 at the time.

George, wearing a dark jumper over a white shirt, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth during the 15-minute hearing before His Honour Judge Mark Lucraft KC, the Recorder of London. He was not asked to enter pleas.

He is charged with one count of rape and two counts of indecently assaulting the same girl in the west London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in September 1987.

Prosecutor Kate Bex KC said George will also face a fourth count of attempted rape - an alternative to the rape charge - when he is asked to enter pleas at a future hearing.

He was released on bail ahead of his next appearance, on February 13 next year.

The court heard the defence will apply for psychiatric and psychologist reports on their client, who has existing medical conditions.

Barry George appeared at the Old Bailey via videolink

George, pictured in 2019, has been charged with rape

The defendant was previously wrongly convicted of murdering BBC presenter Jill Dando

George was convicted of murdering broadcast journalist and Crimewatch presenter Ms Dando in 2001, but he was acquitted unanimously in 2008 following a retrial.

He served eight years in prison before being freed after experts raised concerns about the legal significance of a single particle of gunshot residue that was found in his overcoat pocket.

Ms Dando was forced to the ground and shot in the head on the doorstep of her home in Fuljham on April 26 1999. She was 37.

Her killer has never been found.

Following his acquittal, George went to live with his sister in Ballincollig in Cork.

He has always denied any involvement in Ms Dando's murder and has called for Scotland Yard to reopen the investigation to identify the killer.

Milorad Ulemek, 57, a Serbian former paramilitary commander and convicted assassin who is serving a 40-year prison sentence, has been named as a possible suspect in the case.

After Ms Dando was killed, the BBC received a call saying she was targeted in revenge for a recent Nato attack on a TV station in Belgrade, Serbia, in which 17 people died.

Weeks earlier she had hosted a television appeal that raised 54 million for Kosovan refugees who fled Serbian paramilitaries during the civil war in the former Yugoslavia.
Joan Branson, who has died aged 80, was a 'rock' for her billionaire husband Sir Richard as Virgin soared from a fledgling record company to one of Britain's most successful multinational conglomerates.

And the music mogul revealed his love for his wife had not dimmed after decades together in an emotional letter penned to her on their anniversary.

Celebrating 44 years since they locked eyes in Virgin's live-in recording studio, The Manor, in 1976, Sir Richard gushed about their romantic first meeting while she 'just happened to be making a cup of tea'.

'I often make up my mind about someone within 30 seconds of meetings them, and I fell for Joan almost from the moment I saw her,' he wrote in a blog post in 2020.

'Joan was a down-to-earth Scottish lady and I quickly realised she wouldn't be impressed by my usual antics.'

Sir Richard previously said in 2016 that the woman she saw in the studio 'was unlike any other women I had ever met'.

'She was beautiful. She was bright. She was witty. She was down to earth. She was fun. And she had eyes made of magic.'

After finding out Joan worked at a nearby 'bric-a-brac shop' in Westbourne Grove, he set about wooing her, demonstrating the relentless persistence he has subsequently shown over the course of five decades in business.

At this time, Virgin was fast becoming a household name after Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells became a runaway first success for the label.

But Sir Richard's bumbling attempts at winning his Scottish lady's affections did not smack of the confidence of a future billionaire.

Joan Branson, who has died aged 80, acted as a 'rock' for her billionaire husband Sir Richard (pictured: the couple together in 2013)

The earliest picture of Sir Richard and Joan. They met in 1976 at The Manor, a live-in recording studio for the company

The loved up couple, pictured in Hollywood in 2018 as he was honoured with a star

'The feeling wasn't immediately reciprocated,' Sir Richard admitted in 2016. 'I had to work hard for her attention, and ultimately affection.'

'One day, I hovered uncertainly outside the shop, then built up the courage to walk in,' the music mogul added in his 2020 blog.

'The shop sold old signs and advertisements, which I pretended to the shop owner, Liz, that I was fascinated by.

'Over the next few weeks, my visits to Joan amassed me an impressive collection of old hand painted tin signs, which advertised anything from Hovis bread to Woodbine cigarettes.

'I lived on a houseboat at the time and it was soon full of signs declaring messages like, "Dive in Here for Tea" and "Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained".

'At one point, I picked up a Danish Bacon poster where the pig was licking his lips and looking at a chicken on a nest saying, "Now That's What I Call Music".

'At the time, Virgin Records was launching a new compilation album series and we were trying to come up with a name. The kitsch poster must have been etched in my mind as we brainstormed and settled on, "Now That's What I Call Music!".

'The phrase was catchy and it went on to become the biggest selling album series in history.'

Despite her influence on music folklore, Joan, who was born in Glasgow in 1945 and raised by her ship carpenter father with her six siblings, preferred to remain out of the limelight.

From the beginning, despite her husband's fame, she remained a very private person, keen to avoid the public eye and rarely gave an interview.

The couple pictured with daughter Holly. After finding out she worked at a nearby 'bric-a-brac shop' in Westbourne Grove, he set about wooing her

They got married on the billionaire's Necker Island, purchased in a bid to impress his new lady

The pair pictured on their wedding day on Necker Island in 1989 with their children, Holly and Sam

In his tear-jerking love letter, Sir Richard added: 'Far beyond record titles, I owe a lot to Joan. She's my wife of 30 years, partner of 44 years, the mother of our two wonderful children and my constant rock.

'Joan has always been a steady source of wisdom and has played no small part in some of my better life decisions.'

'In fact, I owe Necker island to Joan,' he added.

Yes, the billionaire's very own island in the British Virgin Islands was bought in a bid to wow his new belle - although the ploy did not work out as planned at first.

Sir Richard said: 'Two years after we had first met, I wanted to show Joan a grand gesture of affection.

'Upon hearing about a beautiful island in the British Virgin Islands up for sale, I called the people selling it to enquire.

'We were still in the early days of Virgin Records and I definitely did not have the cash to buy it - but try telling that to a fool in love!

'The realtor offered me a trip to see the island. Before we knew it, Joan and I were high in the sky, looking down over our future home. It was the second time I experienced love at first sight.

From the beginning, despite her husband's fame, Joan remained a very private person, keen to avoid the public eye and rarely gave an interview (pictured: the couple in 1991)

Sir Richard and Lady Joan pictured at the engagement party of Holly Branson to Fred Andrews in 2011

Sir Richard pictured with Lady Joan and their daughter Holly in 2003

'Together we strolled around Necker Island and dreamed up plans for turning it into our home and a haven for musicians.

'Our dreams quickly came crashing down after they rejected my highest offer of $100,000.

'The realtor's "discounted" asking price was $6million, so you can imagine the response I got.

'Needless to say, the helicopter left without us and we were left to hitch-hike back to the airport  ego bruised and sunburnt.'

Sir Richard's persistence paid off though in every sense; a year later he offered $180,000 after 'begging and borrowing' and the island was his.

He then married Joan there 11 years later and the island, which soon became home for the pair, is now thought to be worth hundreds of millions.

The pair were wed in 1989 when their two children, Holly and Sam, were eight and four.

The couple had five grandchildren Artie, Etta (Holly's children) and Lola, born to Holly and husband Fred, and Eva-Deia and Bluey Rafe Richard, born to Sam and wife Isabella.

'I dont like to think what my life would be like had I not met Joan,' Sir Richard said in 2016.

'Forty years have flown by with you at my side. Its been one big ridiculous adventure of fun, friendship and love. Thank you for making life extraordinary. Your eyes are still as magic as they were forty years ago!'

Lady Joan was thought to be in good health when she celebrated her 80th birthday this summer

The couple had five grandchildren Artie, Etta and Lola, born to Holly and husband Fred, and Eva-Deia and Bluey Rafe Richard, born to Sam and wife Isabella

The billionaire announced Joan's death on his social media on Tuesday, just days after he proudly posted that, 'Everyone needs a Joan in their life,' alongside a picture of his beloved wife.

Lady Joan was thought to be in good health when she celebrated her 80th birthday this summer.

'If I cast my mind back to that day at The Manor 44 years ago, I never could have imagined what the next four decades would bring, with a lifetime of love, wonderful children in Holly and Sam and our delightful grandchildren,' Sir Richard said in his blog five years ago.

'I wouldn't have been able to do all it without Joan, and I wouldn't have it any other way.'
Pre-packaged milkshakes and lattes could go up in price after Labour extended the sugar tax to dairy-based drinks.

As part of her Budget measures, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is ending the exemption for milk-based beverages from the existing tax on sugary drinks.

The move will affect products such as packaged milkshakes, coffees and sweetened yoghurt drinks, but not drinks made on site in cafes and restaurants.

The Government is also reducing the maximum amount of sugar allowed in drinks to 4.5g of sugar per 100ml.

Companies have until January 2028 to remove sugar or face the new charge.

The sugar tax, also known as the soft drinks industry levy (SDIL), is a tax on pre-packaged drinks such as those sold in cans and cartons in supermarkets.

It applies to manufacturers and was introduced by the previous Tory government in 2018 to help drive down obesity, including among children.

According to the Treasury, children's sugar intake in the UK is more than double the recommended maximum of no more than 5 per cent energy from free sugar.

The existing levy has led to a 46 per cent average reduction in sugar between 2015 and 2020 for those soft drinks that were to be brought under the rules.

Bottles of Yazoo flavoured milkshake drinks are lined up for sale on the shelf of a supermarket in Manchester

As he announced the tax extension to MPs on Tuesday, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: 'Obesity robs children of the best possible start in life, hits the poorest hardest, sets them up for a lifetime of health problems and costs the NHS billions.

'So I can announce to the House, we're expanding the soft drinks industry levy to include bottles and cartons of milkshakes, flavoured milk and milk substitute drinks.'

But business experts raised concerns about the effect of the extended tax on the already-struggling high street and hospitality sector, as well as dairy farmers.

Nick Garside, VAT partner at business advisory firm Menzies, said: 'The milkshake tax is another blow to businesses already drowning in complex taxes and soaring fixed costs.

'If this isn't balanced with meaningful business rates reform for hospitality, leisure, and retail, it's a clear net negative for growth.

'While the levy targets only packaged drinks, not fresh cafe-made shakes, it still shakes up a struggling sector, and piles on administrative burden and cost at a time when margins are already diluted and consumer demand dwindles.'

Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: 'Supermarkets are working hard to make the food and drink they produce healthier and more affordable.

'The inclusion of milk-based drinks, which are an important source of calcium for many people, could push up the price of these drinks and put further pressure on British dairy farmers.'
A veterinarian in Michigan who believed she was rescuing a dog in distress was sentenced to over a week in jail after she refused to return the pet to the homeless man who had left him tied to a truck.

Veterinarian Amanda Hergenreder was found guilty of misdemeanor larceny under $200 and was ordered to serve 10 days in jail on Monday by Grand Rapids Judge Angela Ross.

Hergenreder refused to return the mixed pit bull to Chris Hamilton, who is currently homeless.

Her lawyer asked for 120 hours of community service for the misdemeanor, but the Judge said jail was more appropriate, along with an additional $1,000 in restitution.

The vet was in Grand Rapids for a conference in early November of last year when she found a 16-year-old dog tied to a U-Haul in a parking lot.

Hergenreder claimed that a colleague of hers checked the nearby Biggby Coffee Shop, where employees told her it was the homeless man's dog.

A staff member later told Target 8 that they made it clear Hamilton would be back to pick up his pet.

Hergenreder waited 30 minutes before grabbing the old dog and taking him for a two-hour car ride back to her practice near Frankenmuth.

Veterinarian Amanda Hergenreder was sentenced to 10 days in jail for misdemeanor larceny after stealing homeless man Chris Hamiltons dog.

Before taking the dog, she called the Grand Rapids Police Department, where a police intern answered.

Miles Greengard, Hergenreder's attorney, shared a recording of the call to GRPD with Target 8.

'I can't give you advice or anything like that, but, um, just do what you gotta do,' said the intern.

She asked if she could get in trouble for taking the dog.

'I mean, if I were to give you any advice or anything like that, um, which I technically can't. I would state the neglect the dog was in and that you thought it was abandoned,' he replied.

Hergenreder then thanked him and made another phone call to the local animal shelter.

The vet claimed that a shelter staff member advised her to grab the dog since animal control was closed.

Hergenreder told the outlet that the dog was very weak and that she carried him to her car.

She treated the 16-year-old mixed pitbull for a urinary tract infection and a rotten tooth. However, during the battle for the dog, he was euthanized in July because of health problems in old age

She named him Biggby after the shop where he was allegedly rescued.

At her practice, she estimated she performed $3,000 in work on the dog, including removing a rotten tooth and treating a severe urinary tract infection.

She ultimately brought Biggby back to her home.

Vinny, the dog's original name, was loved and always had a safe place to stay, said Hamilton.

He had gone to a gas station when he left Vinny tied up. He told the news channel that when he returned, the coffee shop's employees told him a woman in a van had taken his dog.

'My health really went downhill after she stole him.  I used to cry thinking about losing my dog while I had him. He's my dog. We were best friends,' said Hamilton.

Despite his pleas for his dog to be returned, Hergenreder refused because she believed that authorities would not investigate the dog's living conditions.

A GRPD officer explained to one of Hergenreder's attorneys the process, according to his report: 'I explained to her Kent County Animal Control was aware of this situation and had conducted an investigation of the dog.'

'They deemed the dog was good to be with Christopher and cleared him of any animal cruelty. I told her Animal Control would be conducting an investigation once Christopher was reunited with the dog and that it would take time to determine the best care for Christopher's dog. I reminded [her attorney] that Amanda had committed larceny and was now in possession of stolen property.'

Records from Kent County Animal Control show they had received calls about Vinny, but always noted that the dog appeared to be fine.

Hergenreder's misdemeanor larceny trial is set for March 6. If convicted, she could get up to 93 days in jail.

Vinny was euthanized in July because of health problems in old age.
Commuters in Maryland were left shocked on Friday when an anonymous caller phoned into a radio program to report that he had found a dead body in the woods.

The caller phoned into DC101's 'Elliot in the Morning' broadcast and made the chilling revelation about what he said he stumbled upon at a Frederick County campsite nearly three weeks before.

'It was amazing,' the caller told host Elliot Segal.

'This may sound sick, but I've always wanted to come upon something like that, and luckily it was months old, so that was nice.'

At that point, Segal interjected.

'Tell me you called the police,' the radio host pleaded.

But the caller said he would 'probably' just report the body that day after having a dream that he reported the gruesome discovery.

'Dude, call the cops!' Segal then urged.

Still, the anonymous caller continued to detail what he saw, saying he found the body 18 days prior in a 'tent city from a year ago that was shut down.'

An anonymous caller phoned into a local radio program on Friday to report that he had found a dead body in a wooded area of Frederick, Maryland weeks earlier

Radio show host Elliot Segal urged the anonymous caller to notify authorities

'I assume this guy just died in his sleep,' the caller continued as Segal encouraged him to call the police immediately - at which point he said he would drive the cops out to the site himself.

Yet he still seemed noncommittal about telling the police what he had seen, prompting Segal and his co-hosts to ask the man to resend the photos he had sent the station so they could apparently send the information to the police themselves.

Several hours later, the Frederick Police Department posted on social media that officers located the body in question.

'We are aware of information shared earlier today on a local radio station regarding a deceased individual found in a wooded area off East Street and Carroll Creek Crossing,' the department said.

'Detectives from our Criminal Investigations Division responded, located the individual and are now conducting an active investigation.'

The police department would not share information about how officers were notified about the body to the Baltimore Sun, saying: 'The only information we can confirm is that detectives received multiple calls and located an individual.'

'As part of standard practice, detectives will review the circumstances,' Frederick Police Department spokeswoman Samantha Long said, noting 'it is too early to classify the manner of death.'

Frederick police later announced that a body had been located in a wooded area off East Street and Carroll Creek Crossing

The mystery caller identified himself as 'Joseph' but later admitted that was not his real name.

It now remains unclear whether the anonymous caller may be a suspect in the man's death, but police assured the Washington Post that detectives 'are pursuing all relevant information as part of the investigation.'

As of Tuesday, no arrests have been made in the case, and autopsy results are pending.
Dodgy NDIS providers could face jail time and fines up to $16million in new legislation from the Albanese government.

Under the current law, providers whose failures cause the death or serious injury of a participant under their care can be liable for a fine of just over $400,000.

But new legislation, announced by NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister on Wednesday, would see unregistered providers who do not comply with their obligations fined over $16 million or jailed for up to two years.

'This Bill establishes new powers to hold those shonks and criminals to account,' she said in a statement.

'Where we see fraud, too often we see violence, abuse and neglect. This isn't just about cracking down on the bad actors in the system, it's also about keeping NDIS participants safe.

'These are common sense measures that are ready to go. We also know there's more work to do.

'Every single dollar spent on the NDIS should go to providing the highest quality care and safe support and services for people with disability.

'Through our investments, we have uncovered rorts committed by shonks, bad actors and criminals who have exploited and neglected vulnerable Australians.'

Anthony Albanese's government wants to introduce tougher penalties for dodgy National Disability Insurance Scheme providers

The NDIS is now set to cost more than the entire defence budget, with taxpayer funding expected to hit $52billion in 2025, surpassing defence spending, which is forecast at $51billion.

According to the 202526 federal budget, the NDIS recorded the second-fastest annual growth in major government payments, behind only interest on debt.

Projections show the scheme's cost will balloon to over $64billion by the end of the decade.

The scheme's head of fraud and integrity, John Dardo, also revealed last year that around $2billion is being wrongfully spent on everything from luxury holidays to mortgages and flashy cars.

'Examples just in the last week include a $20,000 holiday, a $10,000 holiday,' he said at the time.

'Fortunately, when we approached them, they agreed to repay the money. But we have other participants who cease contact and refuse to engage.'

In one case of fraud, a man on a $480,000 annual plan was receiving $40,000 a month, double what he actually needed for medical care, and using the rest to pay off his mortgage.

'We're not talking dozens or hundreds of participants - we're talking significantly higher. These are providers putting people in harm's way just to commoditise them and their plans,' he said.

A new bill would see unregistered providers who do not comply with their obligations fined over $16 million or jailed for up to two years (pictured, NDIS headquarters in 2022)

Mr Dardo also revealed organised crime groups had infiltrated the NDIS by setting up dodgy provider businesses or posing as support coordinators.

'These are not genuine providers, these are people who should not be in business, these are not people that should be allowed near government schemes of any kind and they're in partnership in some cases with health professionals, who we've already taken down or are in the process of taking down.'

McAllisters new legislation, which it is hoped will receive bipartisan support, aims to make the NDIS more sustainable.

The NDIS (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill 2025 will not only introduce tough penalties but strengthen monitoring, compliance and enforcement powers of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

It will broaden banning order powers to include auditors and consultants and introduce anti-promotion orders to restrict unscrupulous providers from promoting products or services that undermine the integrity of the NDIS.

It would also seek to bring in a 90-day cooling-off period for those who want to leave the scheme, and make it easier to notify the National Disability Insurance Agency.

This is not the first legislation the Labor government has introduced in the hopes of countering 'shonk' providers.

Last year, laws were introduced to force some providers to register with the federal government but there are still a significant number that remain off the list.

NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister (pictured at Parliament House in February 2025) said the new legislation would 'hold those shonks and criminals to account'

The Ability Roundtable told The Australian on Monday that just 6 per cent of NDIS providers in Chancellor Jim Chalmers seat were registered.

Former NDIS Minister Mark Butler also announced in August this year that the government planned to remove children with mild autism or minor developmental delays from the NDIS.

He said the government was aiming to pare back the scheme to its original purpose to serve those with a permanent disability, following a review initiated by his predecessor Bill Shorten in 2022.

At the time, Butler said the NDIS supported 740,000 Australians, which he claimed was projected to grow to 1 million by 2034.

The scheme was originally intended to support 410,000 people with a disability when it began in 2013, during former Labor prime minister Julia Gillard's final months in office.
Italy's deputy Prime Minister has called for the migrants who held a man down and forced him to watch as they smashed into his car and raped his 18-year-old fiancee to be chemically castrated.

Firebrand anti migration MP Matteo Salvini spoke out as a wave off revulsion swept the country as sickening details of the horrific incident were revealed by police.

Writing on X he said: 'On the very day to highlight violence against women terrible news reaches us.

'We propose the chemical castration to stop rapist and paedophiles, and our proposal is also ready before Parliament.

'Everyone should give us a hand, conferences and red marks on faces are not enough, lets slash violence.'

The woman was with her 24-year-old partner in his car when they were surrounded by the five strong gang, who smashed their way into the vehicle.

Police said the group pounced as the couple parked up in a secluded park in the eastern Rome suburb of Tor Tre Teste, an area popular with courting couples but in recent years has become a no-go area due to drug dealing.

Using a bottle, they smashed their way into the car despite the man bravely trying to fight off the attackers  all described as North African migrants - and begging them to leave his girlfriend alone.

Italy's firebrand deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has called for the migrants who held a man down and forced him to watch as they smashed into his car and raped his 18-year-old fiancee to be chemically castrated

Migrants arriving on the Italian island of Lampedusa. Those involved in the horrifying attack were all described as North African migrants

But his frantic pleas fell on deaf ears as the terrified woman was dragged from the vehicle and raped while her boyfriend was held back and forced to watch her terrifying ordeal.

The frightening attack happened in the early hours of October 25 - but details were kept quiet by investigators as they hunted the gang responsible for the attack and eventually making three arrests early on Tuesday morning.

The park is the same one where a 60-year-old woman was attacked by a Gambian migrant in August who claimed he was unaware of what he was doing because he was under the effect of drugs.

Police said that three Moroccans had been held but the hunt for at least two others was still ongoing.

Two of the three were held in the Rome suburb of Quarticciolo and the third was arrested 350 miles away in the northern city of Verona.

DNA samples for one of the three held did not match - but he was still being held in custody along with the other two.

A police source in Rome said: 'This was a particularly shocking crime and the level of violence used against the couple was terrifying.

'The car window was smashed with a bottle, and the gang grabbed the woman's phone as she screamed for them not to take it.

Before the attack was made public Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, who has vowed to tackle migration, also spoke out against violence against women

'The boyfriend tried to stop what was happening but the attackers then dragged the women from the car and attacked her while he boyfriend looked on.'

Despite the woman's screams because of the late hour and location no one heard her cries for help and the gang escaped before the traumatised couple were able to drive off and raise the alarm after driving to a nearby hospital.

Police said fingerprints also found at the scene matched one of those arrested and a source added they were 'hopeful' of catching the missing members of the gang.

The woman is also said to have recognised a photo of one of the men that was shown to her.

Locals speaking on Italian media said: 'Enough is enough, we are no longer citizens of our own city, our own country.

'The park used to be a great place to go for a walk but in the last few years it's become a no go zone, drugs dealers, tramps, group of migrants, it's just not safe.'

One man added: 'I don't let my daughter walk the dog their on her won, I will always go with her and she is 18 years old. There are no working street lights and it's just been allowed to run down and gangs have taken over. We don't feel safe.'

Before the attack was made public Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, who has vowed to tackle migration, also spoke out against violence against women.

She said: 'Violence against women is an act against freedom, of everyone.

'It is an intolerable phenomenon that continues to strike and must be fought relentlessly.

'In recent years, we have enacted very significant laws, toughened penalties, and strengthened tools available.'

She added:' We must continue to do much more, every day. To protect, to prevent, to support.

'To build an Italy in which no woman should ever feel alone, threatened, or not believed.'

Last year PM Meloni spoke out after it was revealed a 13-year-old girl was raped by Egyptian migrants in Sicily after being dragged into a public toilet.

Italy is the main arrival point for migrants from Africa into Europe and so far this year more than 63,300 have arrived  already more than last year.
Peter Dutton is the least popular political leader to go to a federal election in at least four decades, a brutal new survey of everyday Australians has revealed.

The study, led by the Australian National University (ANU) and Griffith University, put Dutton's popularity well below Scott Morrison's at the unsuccessful 2022 election.

The former Opposition leader's unpopularity 'broke records' according to ANU professor Ian McAllister, the co-author of the latest Australian Election Study.

'Dutton was the least popular major party leader the AES has ever polled,' he said.

'According to voters, the leadership qualities he most lacked were "inspiration",' closely followed by "compassion".'

Voters were also left unimpressed by Dutton's performance in the leaders' debates, with only eight per cent believing he outperformed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese - the lowest on record.

For the first time on record, Australians trusted Labor to manage the economy, with Dutton's opposition to tax cuts contributing to the Coalition losing its four-decade lead.

Albanese led Labor to its largest victory since World War II at the May 3 election, with the Liberal Party posting its worst results since its founding.

Peter Dutton's unpopularity 'broke records' according to ANU professor Ian McAllister, the co-author of the latest Australian Election Study (he is pictured with Anthony Albanese in April)

Dutton's loss was as personal as it was political, losing his seat of Dickson for the first time in nearly a quarter of a century. He is pictured conceding the election on May 3

Dutton lost his Queensland seat of Dickson at the election, which he had held for nearly a quarter-century, with Greens leader Adam Bandt also toppled.

The study linked the landslide election result to cost-of-living pressures, as well as the Coalition's pledge to unwind Labor's legislated tax cuts.

The cuts, passed by parliament before the election, are set to deliver modest weekly savings to low and middle-income earners over the coming years.

Dutton rejected the plan and campaigned instead for a one-off tax cut for middle-income earners, as well as a temporary halving of the fuel excise.

Labor had historically trailed the Coalition on economic management, a top-three issue for voters, but eked out a four-point lead in the latest survey.

Analysts warned the Coalition's cost-of-living promises would erode its reputation for fiscal discipline, with short-term measures like the fuel excise cast as 'bribes'.

The study also pointed to widening gender differences in voting patterns, noting the Coalition recorded its lowest-ever support among women.

Nearly 10 per cent fewer women than men voted for the Coalition, while Labor and the Greens benefited from stronger support from female voters.

Only eight per cent of voters believed Dutton outperformed Albanese at the leaders' debates, the lowest on record. They are pictured at the final debate hosted by Seven News in April

Albanese led Labor to its largest victory since World War II at the May 3 election. He is pictured celebrating alongside his partner Jodie Haydon, son Nathan and Foreign Minister Penny Wong

Co-author Sarah Cameron of Griffith University said the gender gap that has emerged over the past decade was becoming entrenched.

'The Coalition attracted the lowest share of votes from women on record, with nine per cent fewer women than men voting for the Coalition,' she said.

'Conversely, Labor attracts more votes from women than men. The gender gap in voting for Labor, at five percent, is about half the size of the Coalition's.'

The survey found voters are becoming less attached to the major parties, with a record 25 per cent saying they do not feel close to any political party.

The proportion of voters who always vote the same way also dropped to its lowest level on record, at only 34 per cent.

'These are indicators of a more volatile electorate who are no longer attached to the two major parties,' Professor McAllister said.

The results also revealed a sharp drop in confidence that the US would defend Australia under Donald Trump, falling to 55 per cent from 73 per cent in 2022.
Heavily armed officers carrying out raids in country Victoria have put a small town on edge as the hunt for alleged double cop killer Dezi Freeman hits a new milestone.

Camouflaged officers sporting machine guns and heavy metal door-rams were seen on CCTV as they filed past a shop on the main street of Mount Egerton, about 97km north-west of Melbourne, about 4am on Wednesday.

Locals reported hearing what sounded like gunfire shortly after, with the officers believed to have carried out a raid on a nearby property.

A Victoria Police spokesman told Daily Mail their officers were only there to execute a 'driving warrant', and directed further enquiries to the Australian Federal Police.

The Australian Federal Police confirmed it had been in control of the operation, but refused to reveal why or what its officers were doing.

'The AFP executed a search warrant on a regional property in the Victorian town of Mount Egerton today,' a spokesperson said.

'There is no threat to community safety. Further information will be provided at an appropriate time.'

While Victoria Police utilises its Special Operations Group for such operations, the AFP uses its equivalent Tactical Response Team.

Heavily armed officers believed to be from the AFP's Tactical Response Team raided a property on Wednesday in country Victoria

The mysterious operation instantly put the small town on edge, with locals linking the raid to the ongoing hunt for Freeman, who remains on the run three months to the day since he vanished.

Freeman has not been seen since August 26 when he allegedly shot dead officers Vadim de Waart-Hottart and Neal Thompson as they helped execute a search warrant on his property in Porepunkah in Victoria's high country.

The alleged murders sparked a massive police hunt that saw officers scour bushland in and around Freeman's wilderness retreat located in the shadow of Mount Buffalo.

'Dezi in town,' one local posted to social media upon word of the early morning raid.

Residents reported hearing shots fired, which was likely the sound of flash-bang grenades often used by the elite group of federal police.

Just last month, a source told Daily Mail officers involved in the initial search for Freeman were told by force command he is now believed to have fled the state despite the initial police dragnet.

'He got away. The belief is he somehow escaped and is now holed up safely across the border,' a source said.

Locals were worried Dezi Freeman was in town

Some locals reported hearing 'gunfire' during the raid

While it remains unclear where police believe Freeman may be hiding, it is suspected he was helped by supporters in the days and weeks following the tragedy.

Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush returned to the region last week.

According to the state's top cop, there are only three possibilities: Freeman is still in the area, being harboured by locals; he is dead; or he is somewhere else.

'We're still no clearer as to whether he's dead or alive,' he said.

Just weeks ago, police conducted 'firearms testing' in the remote region where Freeman went missing as part of their search.

The testing was triggered by reports of a gunshot in the vicinity about 11.45am on August 26.

Freeman had allegedly opened fire on police moments earlier, killing two and wounding a third officer.

They were among 10 officers serving a warrant at Freeman's Porepunkah home when the confrontation erupted into a deadly shootout about 10.30am.

They were among 10 officers serving a warrant at Freeman's Porepunkah home when the confrontation erupted into a deadly shootout about 10.30am

The hunt for Freeman has dragged on for three long months now

Dezi Freeman hasn't been seen now for three months

'The area has since been searched by police, however no trace of Freeman was located,' Victoria Police said in a statement after the tests.

'Investigators are hopeful that the firearms testing may assist police with the ongoing search.'

Victoria Police's failure to capture Freeman has been an ongoing PR nightmare for force command.

News agencies across the country flocked back to the alpine region where Freeman went missing this week to speak to worried locals for the three-month milestone.

Those close to Freeman believe he had judged that he would never see his family again after the shootout, telling his wife Mali he would see her in heaven, The Australian reported this week.

Sources familiar with his last movements had earlier told the Daily Mail that Freeman told his wife to flee in the wake of the shooting, and she ran across a field with her three-year-old in her arms before she was picked up by her older son, Koah.

Well before the shootout, Freeman had said he was prepared to do anything rather than be caught by police and in a stand-off, he would kill himself rather than be arrested.

Freeman has been compared to the action character John Rambo (pictured)

'He had his own form of spirituality,' one of his contacts said, adding that Freeman was 'Rambo, ten times over'.

Rumours about what happened to Freeman continue to swirl across the nation, with police desperate to find him dead or alive.

'We need his body,' a seasoned detective told Daily Mail in the days after Freeman went missing.
An Aussie mother has sparked debate after she purchased her daughter a lavish $8million home in an upmarket Sydney suburb while she studies overseas.

The generous mum snapped up the five-bedroom, three-bathroom home at an auction in Waverton on Saturday, beating one other keen buyer.

Selling agent Victoria Liu, of Richardson & Wrench, confirmed the mother had bought the 797sqm block in the city's lower north shore for her daughter.

'The daughter plans to live in the property with her partner once she's back from studying overseas,' Ms Liu told the Daily Mail.

'As it's an older property, the family will need to do some improvements and renovations and they plan to perhaps build a swimming pool.'

Ms Liu said the concept of parents buying properties in their childrens' names is something she sees quite often in the Waverton area.

'We see this a lot,' she said 'A property in the area was recently bought at auction by a set of parents who bought it in their children's names, while they were away in Bali.'

Aussies were quick to slam the purchase as 'ridiculous', and questioned why a young woman would even need a house that size if she's studying overseas.

The property was described as a 'sophisticated family residence has enormous potential'

It also features a large island bench with stone bench tops and timber cabinetry

'If mum is looking to adopt a man child I'm available and happy to go study overseas too,' one man joked.

'This is why Aussies are being outpriced on the residential property market,' one said.

'Hmm sending child overseas to study then buying an $8million property. Nice for those with such a bank of parents,' a second wrote.

'And there is a housing crisis going on!!!' a third agreed.

But others praised the mother for her generosity.

Another said: '(I) can't see problem. If someone able to afford it, why not. Doesn't matter who and for who.'

The property, which boasts a 'brilliant sanctuary for contemporary family relaxation,' and 'ornate period features abound' was originally priced at around $7million.

Records show it was last sold for $3.6million in 2013.

'A few years ago, Waverton, like the one next door, their next-door neighbour, sold for $5.7million. And now, you know, all these ones are selling for eight and a half, even, like $10million. So it's got great growth in the suburb,' Ms Lui told Domain.

It comes as a new housing affordability report exposed a 'dire' disparity between property prices and incomes in Australia.

The report found that since March 2020, home values have climbed by 47.3 per cent, lifting the median dwelling value by $280,000 to $872,500.

Over the same period, the median annual household income increased just 15 per cent to $104,390.
Rachel Reeves will raise taxes today to fund handouts worth thousands of pounds to Britain's biggest jobless families.

Official figures show the Chancellor's flagship Budget plan to scrap the two-child benefit cap will be worth more than 14,000 a year each to 18,000 low-income families with six or more children.

The move comes as a study by the Adam Smith Institute finds the average earner will see almost 2,000 of their taxes go towards Britain's spiralling benefits bill this year.

Ms Reeves is expected to hike taxes by around 25billion today as she blames the Conservatives, Brexit and Donald Trump's tariffs for knocking the economy off course.

But she will also take a series of measures that will increase the bloated welfare bill, including scrapping the two-child cap at a cost of 3.5billion a year.

The benefit cap limits means-tested benefits such as universal credit and child tax credit payments to the first two children, costing affected families a typical 3,455 in lost benefits for each additional child.

Figures produced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that 470,000 families are now affected by the policy.

About 59 per cent have at least one adult in work, leaving almost 200,000 in which no-one has a job.

Almost two-thirds (297,000) have three children, while a quarter (117,000) have four. A further 37,000 affected families have five children, while 18,260 are listed as having 'six or more'.

This morning, the Chancellor acknowledged Brits were 'angry at unfairness' in the economy as she promised to create a Budget for the 'British people' to build 'a fairer, stronger and more secure Britain'.

Rachel Reeves yesterday putting the finishing touches to her make-or-break Budget

Critics of the two-child cap say it penalises children unfairly and the Chancellor is said to be removing the cap in the Budget

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'I am not going to return Britain back to austerity, nor will I lose control of public spending or reckless borrowing,' she said in her address to the public.

'I will take action to help families with the cost of living. We have already frozen rail fares, begun rolling out free breakfast clubs, and we have raised the National Living Wage for millions of people, and today I will go further.'

The Chancellor insisted she will use her Budget to introduce measures to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, as the beleaguered Government hopes to keep backbench Labour MPs on side amid an expected series of tax rises.

Ms Reeves has also vowed to reduce the costs of Government debt and is expected to take steps to increase the leeway above her borrowing plans, as she attempts to maintain fiscal credibility.

'Today I will take the fair and necessary choices to deliver on our promise of change,' Ms Reeves said ahead of the Budget.

She added: 'I will not return Britain back to austerity, nor will I lose control of public spending with reckless borrowing.

'And I will push ahead with the biggest drive for growth in a generation.'

It comes as Tory policy chief Neil O'Brien said those with six or more children were in line for a windfall worth more than 14,000 a year.

He added: 'Last year the Chancellor said lifting the cap was unaffordable but Labour MPs have worked out she can be pushed around.

'It means you are going to see some families receiving very large sums from the taxpayer, while the Chancellor is saying it is necessary to raise taxes on everyone else.

'It blows a hole in her argument that she has no choice but to raise taxes because of Brexit or the Tories or the Battle of Hastings. In fact, it shows she is quite happy to raise taxes to spend billions more on benefits.'

Critics of the cap claim it has worsened child poverty, and scrapping it has become an article of faith for many Labour MPs. But the potential rise in benefits is so large that some could be left with little incentive to work.

The Prime Minister and Chancellor chat outside the cabinet room before a budget meeting

Tory welfare chief Helen Whately said scrapping the cap could give some big families 'another incentive to sign on for sickness benefits'

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At present, a single parent with three children is eligible for a total of 20,978. When the cap is lifted this could rise to 24,491  well in excess of the 21,807 take-home pay of someone working a 40-hour week on the minimum wage.

Meanwhile, analysis by the Adam Smith Institute found that workers earning the median salary will spend more on welfare  1,970  than any other item of public spending, as increasing numbers receive sickness benefits under Labour. Employees on 39,039 will also contribute more than 1,000 towards the running of the NHS this year.

The think-tank estimates that another 659 of the average earner's income tax and National Insurance contributions will go on debt interest payments.
Pete Hegseth is set to cut ties between the Pentagon and the Boy Scouts over their promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion and taking 'boy' out of its name.

The organization changed its name to Scouting America last year, which was criticized with Hegseth calling it a 'genderless' attack on 'boy-friendly spaces' in leaked documents.

'The organization once endorsed by President Theodore Roosevelt no longer supports the future of American boys,' Hegseth said, according to NPR.

The military would end century-old programs including medical and logistical support for the Scouts' National Jamboree and will no longer allow Scouts to meet at military bases.

It also offers aviation and skydiving demonstrations and offers trucks, ambulances and medics for free, for both training purposes and a chance to recruit.

The Pentagon is currently preparing the documents for Hegseth to present to Congress, which legally requires the Department of Defense to support it.

However, Hegseth may be looking to exploit a loophole in the law which allows him to terminate that support if he determines that helping the Scouts would be 'detrimental to national security.'

A memo suggests that providing those resources to the Jamboree while managing the border would do so.

Pete Hegseth is spotted at the White House Thanksgiving ceremony amid reports that he's set to cut ties with the Boy Scouts

The organization changed its name to Scouting America last year, which was criticized by with Hegseth calling it a 'genderless' attack on 'boy-friendly spaces' in leaked documents

However, he is also reportedly angry that the Scouts have gotten away from a mission to 'cultivate masculine values.'

Donald Trump addressed the Jamboree in West Virginia in 2017.

'The Department will not comment on leaked documents that we cannot authenticate and that may be pre-decisional,' a Pentagon spokesperson told The Daily Mail.

'Scouting is and has always been a nonpartisan organization,' a spokesperson for Scouting America said.

'Over more than a century, we've worked constructively with every US presidential administration  Democratic and Republican  focusing on our common goal of building future leaders grounded in integrity, responsibility, and community service.'

In 2024, the Scouts announced they were changing their name for the first time in its 114-year history in a bid to 'boost inclusion'.

The Texas-based organization is set to become Scouting America as it hopes to improve participation amid flagging membership.

The historic change is the latest in a series designed to take the troop into the 21st century, including allowing gay youth and welcoming girls throughout its ranks.

Donald Trump addressed the then-Boy Scouts' National Jamboree in West Virginia in 2017

It comes as the organization is emerging from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims.

'In the next 100 years we want any youth in America to feel very, very welcome to come into our programs,' Roger Krone, who took over last fall as president and chief executive officer, said in an interview before the announcement.

The announcement came at its annual meeting in Florida on the fifth anniversary of the organization welcoming girls into Cub Scouting.

Boy Scouts of America began allowing gay youth in 2013 and ended a blanket ban on gay adult leaders in 2015.

In 2017, it made the historic announcement that girls would be accepted as Cub Scouts as of 2018 and into the flagship Boy Scout program - renamed Scouts BSA - in 2019.

After a highpoint over the last decade of over 2 million members in 2018, the organization currently services just over 1 million youths, including more than 176,000 girls and young women. Membership peaked in 1972 at almost 5 million.

The move by the Boy Scouts to accept girls throughout their ranks strained a bond with the Girl Scouts of the USA, which sued, saying it created marketplace confusion and damaged their recruitment efforts.

They reached a settlement agreement after a judge rejected those claims, saying both groups are free to use words like 'scouts' and 'scouting.'

While camping remains an integral activity for the Boy Scouts, the organization offers something for everyone today, from high adventures to merit badges for robotics and digital technology.

'About anything kids want to do today, they can do in a structured way within the scouting program,' Krone said.

The Boy Scouts $2.4 billion bankruptcy reorganization plan took effect in 2023, allowing the organization to keep operating while compensating the more than 80,000 men who say they were sexually abused as children while scouting.

The organization won't officially become Scouting America on February 8, 2025, the organization's 115th birthday.
The University of Minnesota has an initiative that warns about a 'whiteness pandemic' and gives parents and educators strategies on how to 'halt and reverse' it.

The university's culture and family life lab, which is contained in the Institute of Child Development, defines this so-called pandemic as 'the centuries-old culture of Whiteness' that 'features colorblindness, passivity, and White fragility, which are all covert expressions of racism common in the United States'.

Four academics at the university were responsible for writing and sourcing the page on the white pandemic, which they argue is 'lurking behind and driving' the already existent 'racism pandemic'.

The online article serves as a summary of a paper Dr. Gail Ferguson, the director of the culture and family life lab, wrote on the whiteness pandemic in 2021. The paper was motivated in part by the murder of George Floyd a year earlier, Ferguson said.

'If you were born or raised in the United States, you have grown up in the Whiteness Pandemic, and you can play a role in halting and reversing this pandemic, especially if you are White because of the power and privilege you hold in this racialized society,' wrote Ferguson and her colleagues.

'If you were socialized into the culture of Whiteness during childhood it is not your fault, but as an adult it is now your responsibility to self-reflect, re-educate yourself, and act,' they continued.

'If you are a White adult, antiracist action involves an ongoing process of self-reflection in order to develop a healthy positive White identity while engaging in courageous antiracist parenting/caregiving.'

They also argued that talking with children about 'race, racism, and antiracism' is crucial in them developing a 'healthy white racial identity'.

Dr. Gail Ferguson, the director of the culture and family life lab at the University of Minnesota, is the one who coined the concept of a 'whiteness pandemic'

Ferguson says that white people hold the power and privilege in America, which she argues gives them a greater responsibility to combat racism than other groups

Ferguson wrote a paper in 2021 about the whiteness pandemic and the webpage that summarizes it and gives tip on how to stop it has gone viral online. Critics say it should be removed (Pictured: The University of Minnesota campus in April 2019)

'Young children perceive much more than we usually realize, and when parents, teachers, and other adults are silent around race it communicates apathy or approval of racism although this may be the opposite of what adults intend,' the authors wrote.

The webpage included dozens of links to literature from by people like Ibram X. Kendi, an anti-racist historian, and Robin DiAngelo, who is known for giving anti-racism trainings at companies.

The webpage has been up since at least December 2021, but there has been renewed scrutiny since parents rights' watchdog Defending Education released a report on it Tuesday.

Richard W. Painter, a White House ethics lawyer under George W. Bush from 2005 to 2007, called the article itself 'racist' in a social media post.

'I have requested that this racist website be removed. It is also a violation of [the University of Minnesota] Board of Regents policy on institutional neutrality,' wrote Painter, who is a faculty member at the university.

'This is the website,' he wrote in another post, linking to it. ' [It is] a clear violation of Title VI and other laws guaranteeing equal protection to people of all races. It is not our business as a public university to tell parents of any race how to educate their children.'

Libs of TikTok, a popular right-wing account run by Chaya Raichik, put up a post railing against the website as well.

She tagged Harmeet Dhillon, the head civil rights lawyer at the Department of Justice. Dhillon has launched investigations into DEI and affirmative action policies at universities and other public institutions.

A spokesperson for the university told the Daily Mail that the university is 'steadfast in its commitment to the principles of academic freedom.'
The wannabe influencer who has menaced New York City restaurants by ordering expensive meals and refusing to pay could soon face deportation.

Pei 'Lu' Chung, 34, has been hit with an immigration warrant as she languishes behind bars on a series of theft-of-service charges for her alleged scheme, in which she dined-and-dashed at 11 pricey restaurants, the New York Post reports.

Chung had received a student visa in 2019, allowing her to come from her native Taiwan on a scholarship to attend Brooklyn's Pratt Institute until 2021.

Her current immigration status remains unclear, as does whether she is permitted to work in the United States.

But she has taken on a number of coding jobs in the Big Apple over the years, according to her LinkedIn page.

For four months in 2021, her resume states she worked at Vanguard, followed by a 10-month stint as a user experience designer and user interface designer at cable company Comcast.

Her most recent job was in 2023, when Chung claims she worked as a consultant for Chase bank as a Senior User Experience Designer for eight months.

Once that job was over, Chung stopped paying rent on her swanky $3,350-a-month studio apartment and her lease expired in August 2024.

Chung had received a student visa in 2019, allowing her to come from her native Taiwan on a scholarship to attend Brooklyn's Pratt Institute until 2021

She now owes more than $40,000 in backdated rent and has been ordered by a judge to vacate the premises by December 1.

But Chung may still be behind bars at that time, as she remains held at Rikers on a $4,500 bail following her seventh consecutive arrest for dining and dashing on Friday.

Authorities said she ordered nearly $150 in food from Mole Mexican Bar and Grill in Williamsburg, but refused to pay.

The influencer - who often shows off her high-priced clothing from Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Dior and Burberry - is now due to appear in court on Wednesday, after which, she will likely also have to face a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement hearing, immigration attorney Gadi Zohar told the Post.

'It could trigger her being taken away if she had a visa that expired,' he said, noting that her criminal charges 'are probably what triggered the [immigration] warrant.

Zohar then went on to explain that immigration officers will likely pick her up from the notorious Rikers prison and take her straight to the immigration detention center.

'Even if she raises bail, immigration won't let her go,' the lawyer said.

She allegedly dined and dashed at 11 pricey restaurants in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, and was arrested seven times

Her current immigration status remains unclear, as does whether she is permitted to work in the United States, where she has racked up some debts

Chung's alleged dine-and-dash spree began in the Williamsburg area in late October at the ritzy restaurant Francie.

According to the Post, she ordered foie gras, carpaccio, bucatini, lamb and a chocolate mousse - totaling $188 - before attempting to barter with the restaurant for the meal.

'She wanted to trade pictures and a blog post for the meal,' owner John Winterman told the outlet. 'I told her that would have needed to be agreed upon beforehand, and it wasn't, so she needed to pay the check.'

When all her cards declined, Winterman said she claimed she was waiting for money from her family. She returned on November 7 and was arrested after allegedly refusing to pay an $83 tab, records show.

Days earlier, she racked up a $97 tab at Lavender Lake and left without paying, according to police.

She also visited Peter Luger's Steak House on October 27, where she allegedly ran up a $146 bill and refused to pay. A manager alleged to the Post that Chung offered a sexual favor instead of payment.

Chung's alleged dine-and-dash spree began in the Williamsburg area in late October at the ritzy restaurant Francie. She is pictured here at Hole in The Wall last week

She remains behind bars at the infamous Rikers prison on a $4,500 bail

Late last month, Chung was arrested for allegedly refusing to pay a bill at the famed steakhouse Peter Luger's

Chung was also arrested after similar incidents at Sea Thai and Misi, police records show, but she was released under supervision, at which point she allegedly continued her scheme.

Staff at 12 Chairs said she walked out on Monday after refusing to settle her tab, and on Wednesday, the manager at Hole in the Wall asked her to leave mid-meal after recognizing her from recent coverage, employees at both restaurants told the Daily Mail.

Exclusive images obtained by the Mail show Chung seated alone inside Hole in the Wall, twirling pasta and sipping a cappuccino before her abrupt ejection.

Then, on Thursday night, the Daily Mail encountered Chung two doors down at the swanky Maison Premiere, playing with her camera by the bar. When approached for comment, she silently rose from her seat and moved to the back of the restaurant.

She attempted to order a drink, but management refused to serve her and asked her to leave. She declined, and police were called. Chung then quietly slipped out moments before officers arrived.
This is the heart-stopping moment a dumper lorry loaded with 17-tonnes of cargo bulldozed into 12 cars and sent a bus hurtling off the street.

Footage captured the massive dumper truck flying downhill at a frightening speed, its brakes seemingly gone, as panicked motorists sat trapped in a queue of traffic in the Medellin district of Robledo, Colombia, on November 22.

The runaway giant appeared to make no attempt to stop before ploughing straight into the back of a packed line of vehicles, shunting them aside like small toys.

It then barreled onward, crunching into cars one by one as desperate screams rang out.

A public bus was then struck with such force that it was knocked clean off the road and sent skidding into a vacant lot, leaving a shower of twisted metal and shattered glass in its wake.

Authorities said the shocking chain reaction crash involved 12 vehicles, wit one car completely obliterated in the carnage.

Three people were injured - including the bus driver - and were rushed to hospital as emergency crews swarmed the scene.

Police say 20 officers and traffic investigators have been deployed to unravel what went so badly wrong.

Footage captured the massive dumper truck flying downhill at a frightening speed, its brakes seemingly gone, as panicked motorists sat trapped in a queue of traffic in the Medellin district of Robledo, Colombia, on November 22

The runaway giant appeared to make no attempt to stop before ploughing straight into the back of a packed line of vehicles, shunting them aside like small toys

It then barreled onward, crunching into cars one by one as desperate screams rang out

Early supports suggest a catastrophic brake failure may have left the driver helpless as the giant machine raced downhill with deadly momentum.

Experts are now examining the wreckage and road to determine the full cause of the devastating smash.

This incident comes amid a series of terrifying road disasters across South America.

Just days earlier, incredible video from Brazil showed driver Railson Souza, 48, soaring off a road and crashing down a steep staircase after a sudden headache caused him to lose control.

A clip of the accident captured the security worker flying through the air in his car before ending up trapped in the twisted wreckage of his upturned vehicle.

Photos of his severely damaged car showed the level of destruction caused to the driver's side after it rolled onto its roof at speed and flew down the flight of stairs.

The footage of the crash appeared to show that Souza may have fainted at the wheel as he could be seen heading straight for the abyss and coming off the ground, rather than taking the bend in the road which could have kept him out of danger.

Metal railings in the middle of the pedestrian stairs were left in pieces on the ground as Souza smashed into them on the way down.

Firefighters rushed to the scene to free him before an ambulance took him to hospital.

But Souza was miraculously released within hours after a scan and X-rays showed he had not broken a single broken bone and had not suffered any other significant injuries.

And in Peru, earlier this month, a horrific bus plunge claimed the lives of at least 37 passengers, with another 25 left inured, after it careered nearly 700ft into a ravine near Ocona.

Harrowing images from that disaster showed the vehicle lying on its side by a river.
An American student has described how he fatally stabbed a 'demented' lover after she came at him with a knife and had a 'wicked look in her eye'.

Joshua Michals, 26, who stabbed his girlfriend, 31-year-old creative writing student Zhe Wang, to death at her London flat told the court she became 'stressed', believing - incorrectly - she had contracted a sexually transmitted disease (STD) from him after they had sex.

Michals had called 999 saying there had been a 'knife incident' at her flat in Manor Park, Hither Green, London, on March 20 last year. Police arrived to find Ms Wang in her bedroom in a pool of blood.

Ms Wang, a Chinese national who had been studying an MA in Creative Writing and Education at Goldsmiths University, had hoped to become a teacher, while Michals had started studying a masters in filmmaking at the same university in September 2023.

Giving evidence at the Old Bailey where he is on trial for murder, Michals said that on March 20 last year he went to her flat with a charcuterie selection to bring some 'normalcy' to the 'bizarre situation'.

Michals said: 'It thought it would be a nice thing to do. Things had been a bit tense.'

On arrival at the flat in Lewisham, south east London, he found Ms Wang 'cold' and monosyllabic, jurors heard.

The filmmaking studies student said that he went to the bathroom for a minute and came out to find Ms Wang holding a knife.

He told jurors she looked 'completely crazy', adding: 'She had this wicked look in her eye. Demented. I would be tempted to say possessed as well. It scared the hell out of me.'

Michals said Ms Wang, a fellow student at Goldsmiths, University of London, then came at him with the knife raised and he grabbed her wrist and told her to 'stop'.

Joshua Michals, 26, is on trial for murder at the Old Bailey after stabbing his girlfriend, Zhe Wang, 31, to death on March 20 last year

The blade was 'flashing back and forth' during the struggle and he saw her face 'go red' with blood from a cut, the court heard.

Michals told jurors: 'With her face red it looked completely crazy, psychotic.'

He shook her arm and the knife fell to the floor, causing both of them to 'pounce' for it, the defendant said.

Michals said he grabbed the handle and Ms Wang held the blade before he pulled it out of her grasp.

He said: 'She continued to grab at me, reaching for the knife.

'I panicked. I was turning away and I just saw this blood red face coming at me.

'I got this jolt seeing this blood red face and I swung my arm around, like a backhand, turning with it, with the knife. She stumbled back. It went into her cheek.'

Michals said he did not mean to strike Ms Wang with the knife, saying: 'I just wanted to get her away from me.'

He went on: 'It was a weird pause. I was in shock for a moment. I had never hit anyone in my life. I had never been in a fight.

'There was a brief moment when she turned back to face me. She just threw herself back at me. She practically ran into me.'

She grabbed his collar and they both fell to the floor, the knife still embedded in her cheek, jurors heard.

Michals said: 'Our faces were right next to each other. I saw the knife.

'I had another one of those jolts, a knife right next to my face. I grabbed it and ended up throwing it away, getting rid of it.'

Michals said he turned his head away as Ms Wang tried to 'claw' at his eyes still holding on to his collar.

He told jurors: 'I had to do something, there is a hand clawing at me. I put a forearm out. Just to keep her in place, calm her down.'

Michals told jurors that he continued to restrain her, calling for her to 'calm down' and 'stop' until she ceased struggling.

Michals told jurors that throughout the incident Ms Wang said nothing to him and the only sound she made was a 'grunt' when she was cut.

Brian St Louis KC, defending, asked: 'What do you think would have happened to you if that knife had remained in Ms Wang's hands?'

Michals replied: 'She would have stabbed me. She wouldn't stop, she wanted to use the knife.'

Police found Chinese national Ms Wang with two stab wounds to her face after the defendant called 999.

Previously, Michals has told jurors how he met Ms Wang on his first day on the Goldsmiths campus and they 'hung out' around 10 times before her death.

He told jurors he had felt 'so-so' about pursuing a relationship with her because she had a phobia of germs.

After finding a 'red dot' on her skin after sex, she demanded he get an STD test, even vowing to find him on campus to 'drag' him to see a GP, the court has heard.

Jurors have been told that Michals never had a sexually transmitted disease.

Michals, of Deals Gateway, south east London, denies murder. The Old Bailey trial continues.
A Melbourne woman has issued a stark warning to shoppers after she claimed a man 'aggressively' opened her fitting room curtain while she was naked inside.

Rita said she jumped in shock after the man appeared inside the change room in the multi-level Zara at Westfield Doncaster last Tuesday.

She slammed the curtain shut and quickly got dressed before informing Zara staff.

Rita first asked a male Zara employee if it was him who had opened the curtain but was told it wasn't.

She was left gobsmacked after another worker told her the upper-level fitting rooms were 'not manned' and that 'customers were expected to use the change rooms on the lower level'.

Rita shared her frustrations over the incident in a TikTok video which has since amassed more than 645,000 views.

'I'm sitting in my car at the Doncaster shopping centre, and I just had something that kind of upset me a lot,' Rita said in the video.

'I was in Zara, in the upstairs area, I saw two items I wanted to try on, I noticed that the change room was temporarily unavailable, they had a sign, so I went to the next change room on the same floor.

Ritasaid she jumped in shock during the concerning incident which occurred at the multi-level Zara at Westfield Doncaster (pictured)

'I was in there, clothes off, and then a male just ripped open the curtain and I had my back to the curtain being open, I got a fright, I jumped, and then shut the curtain.

'So I quickly got dressed thinking 'what the f*** just happened', like what?'

Rita said the incident 'felt aggressive'.

'My curtain was pulled open so suddenly and aggressively that I was exposed and shocked,' she said.

She claimed she later received a text from the store which was apologetic but said Zara was 'unable to assist further' and staff 'did not know anything about it'.

Rita warned women visiting the shopping centre to 'be careful'.

'Ladies, please be careful using change rooms. As mine was aggressively opened whilst I was undressed,' she said.

She shared a second video to TikTok in which she claimed she had been contacted by a Zara Australia representative who had reviewed the CCTV footage.

Melbourne woman Rita was left horrified after the unknown man 'ripped open her curtain'

The incident allegedly occurred at Westfield Doncaster (above)

She claimed the representative confirmed that a male worker was seen walking into the changing room area and 'opened the curtain'.

Victoria Police are not aware of the incident.

Daily Mail has contacted Zara Australia for comment.
A woman with close family ties to Karoline Leavitt has been arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

Bruna Ferreira was taken into custody in Revere, Massachusetts, and is currently being held at an ICE facility in southern Louisiana.

She has an 11-year-old son with the White House press secretary's brother, Michael Leavitt. The little boy, Michael Leavitt Junior, is named after his father. Overnight, a throwback snap emerged of the family together, taken when Michael Junior was just a baby.

Ferreira arrived in the United States as a child with her family, who had traveled from Brazil.

Her lawyer said she had arrived in 1998 under the federally protected DACA program and was in the process of getting her residency.

Michael said in a statement that the 11-year-old lives with him and his wife full-time, but has always maintained a relationship with his biological mother.

He told WBUR his 'only concern has always been the safety, well-being, and privacy of [his] son.'

Michael said the little boy has not had an opportunity to speak with his mom since she was first detained by ICE 'several weeks ago.'

A source familiar with the family dynamic told the Daily Mail that Karoline has not spoken with her nephew's mother in many years.

Michael Leavitt is seen with Bruna Ferreira and their son in a throwback image

Ferreira was taken into custody in Revere, Massachusetts, and is currently being held at an ICE facility in southern Louisiana. She has an 11-year-old son with Leavitt's brother, Michael Leavitt

A woman with close family ties to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has been arrested by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officers

Ferreira's family said: 'Bruna's absence has been especially painful for her 11-year-old son, Michael Leavitt Junior, who needs his mother and hopes every single day that she'll be home in time for the holidays'

'This individual is the mother of Karoline's nephew and they have not spoken in many years,' the insider said.

'The child has lived full-time in New Hampshire with his father since he was born. He has never resided with his mother.'

The Department of Homeland Security told the Daily Mail that Ferreira is a 'criminal illegal alien' who 'has a previous arrest for battery.

'She entered the US on a B2 tourist visa that required her to depart the US by June 6, 1999,' the spokesman said.

'Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, all individuals unlawfully present in the United States are subject to deportation.'

Todd Pomerleau, an attorney representing Ferreira, said she was totally blindsided by her arrest and railed against DHS's allegations about her supposed criminal charge.

'Bruna has no criminal record whatsoever,' Pomerleau said.

'I don't know where that is coming from. Show us the proof. There's no charges out there. She's not a criminal illegal alien.

'She's in the process of actually getting her residency and she was abruptly arrested and taken from her young child right before Thanksgiving.'

Michael said the 11-year-old boy lives with he and his wife full-time, but has always maintained a relationship with his biological mother. He also has a brother (pictured together with President Trump)

The little boy has not had an opportunity to speak with his mom since she was first detained by ICE 'several weeks ago'

Ferreira's devastated family have shared details of her ordeal in a GoFundMe seeking donations to cover her legal expenses.

They wrote: 'My family is going through one of the most difficult moments of our lives, and we're reaching out with a humble plea for help.

'My sister, Bruna, was recently detained by immigration and is now fighting to stay in the country she has called home for nearly her entire life.'

The family argued that Ferreira was brought to the United States in 1998 on a visa, and has since done 'everything in her power to build a stable, honest life here.

'She has maintained her legal status through DACA, followed every requirement, and has always strived to do the right thing,' they wrote.

'Anyone who knows Bruna knows the kind of person she is. She is hardworking, kind, and always the first to offer help when someone needs it. Whether it's supporting family, friends, or even strangers, Bruna has a heart that puts others before herself.

'Bruna's absence has been especially painful for her 11-year-old son, Michael Leavitt Junior, who needs his mother and hopes every single day that she'll be home in time for the holidays.'

She and Michael separated about ten years ago, insiders say. During their relationship, Michael reportedly won $1 million in a DraftKings competition.

Little Michael Leavitt Junior has lived full-time with his father, Michael (pictured) and his wife, Kara (pictured)

Ferreira's devastated family have shared details of her ordeal in a GoFundMe seeking donations to cover her legal expenses

Ferreira arrived in the United States when she was a child along with her family, who had traveled from Brazil

At the time, he was engaged to Ferreira and their son was eight months old. Speaking to The North Andover Eagle-Tribune, the couple said they were 'speechless' but' don't really need much.'

'We have our health. We have a nice condo. We really are blessed,' Fereirra said. 'I need the lights fixed on the back of my car, and we need a lamp for my son's room.'

The startling revelation about Karoline's family connection comes hours after a new poll from Daily Mail/JL Partners revealed Americans have an increasingly negative view of ICE's hawkish operations.

The agency has only a 34 percent approval rating  a four-point drop from October.

Some 45 percent of the 1,246 registered voters surveyed online disapprove of the agency.

The results come after podcaster Joe Rogan, who gave an 11th-hour endorsement of Trump in the 2024 election, reupped his criticism of the ICE raids this month.

'You got ICE raids, where they're taking people that are American citizens and they're scaring the s*** out of everybody,' Rogan said in his November 18 episode with fellow podcaster Theo Von  both who attended Trump's second inauguration.
NSW Police have charged an outdoor recreation instructor over the alleged sexual assault of three students during a school camp near Sydney.

Police allege the 18-year-old instructor Samuel John Kelly inappropriately touched three 11-year-old girls while 'checking their harnesses' during several camp activities between Thursday, 23 October, and Friday, 24 October.

An investigation began in November after the alleged behaviour was reported to the State Crime Command's Child Abuse Squad.

At about 11.10am on Tuesday 25 November, detectives arrested the 18-year-old man at a home in Harrington Park.

He was taken to Camden Police Station and charged with 13 counts of intentionally sexually touching a child aged between 10 and 16.

The man was refused bail and faced Bail Division Local Court 3 today, where bail was formally denied.

He is due to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on Tuesday, 12 December.
Parliament House was dramatically plunged into darkness during question time on Wednesday, just moments after a fiery clash over energy policy.

Health Minister Mark Butler had barely begun answering a question when the lights abruptly went out, cutting him off mid-sentence and throwing the chamber into chaos.

The blackout triggered uproar, with Coalition MPs jeering the Albanese Government over the irony of the timing.

Opposition members quickly resorted to their mobile phones, switching on torches to illuminate the chamber as proceedings ground to a halt.

A female Labor MP could be heard calling the Opposition 'doofuses', during the chaos.

Power has since been restored to the chamber.

The outage came shortly after the Opposition grilled the Government on its energy stance, pressing Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen over Australia's commitment to the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, a pledge to phase out fossil fuels, including gas.

The Opposition continued their push against Bowen, labelling him a 'part-time' minister, following his appointment as President of COP31, as part of a deal struck with Turkey, after Australia failed to secure a bid to host the 2026 conference.

Opposition MPs (pictured) pulled out their mobile phone torches, after power went out

The chamber erupted into jeers, after power went out in the middle of Question Time

The Opposition claims the pledge signals Energy Minister Chris Bowen is preparing to adopt a far more radical stance on a fossil-fuel-free future.

That stance appears at odds with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's repeated assurances that gas will remain a cornerstone of Australia's energy mix for 'decades to come' as a transition fuel, and that coal exports will continue.

Bowen hit back during Question Time, accusing the Coalition of misrepresenting the Government's stance.

'Yes, Australia did join with other countries in the declaration on the transition away from fossil fuels,' Bowen said.

'I can understand why this is offensive to those opposite, because it says, 'We reaffirm that the best available science must guide the implementation of the transition.' That's what Australia agreed with those countries.'

Bowen also rejected Coalition claims that he is a 'part-time' minister, a line pushed by Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, who questioned whether his role as COP president conflicted with his domestic responsibilities.

'Is this the first of many examples where what the minister says when he works part-time on Australia's energy grid is in direct contradiction with what he decides as full-time COP president?' Ley asked.

The Opposition even mocked Bowen's COP role, referring to his signing of the gas deal as 'an executive order.'

Sussan Ley (pictured) has targeted Chris Bowen, labelling him a 'part-time' Energy Minister

'The position of COP president, for the last 10 COPs, has been held by a Cabinet member, continuing in that role. That's the way the position is designed,' Bowen responded.

The clash comes as the Albanese Government doubles down on gas security at home, signing a new agreement with APLNG to supply up to 40 petajoules of affordable gas annually through 2029 under its mandatory Gas Code of Conduct.

That deal is part of a broader strategy that has secured more than 640 petajoules of enforceable domestic supply commitments since 2023, aimed at stabilising prices and supporting industry during the transition to renewables.
Donald Trump warned James Comey and Letitia James that they're not off the hook yet after her cases against them were thrown out as he backed beauty queen lawyer who tried to prosecute them.

The president spoke for the first time about the cases against two of his biggest rivals were tossed after a Clinton-appointed judge said federal prosecutor Lindsey Halligan was illegally appointed by the Justice Department.

'They got out on a technicality, and you'll see what happens from here on. But if you look at the actual charges, I think anybody that looks at it very fairly would say, boy, are they guilty,' he said of Comey and James.

Comey, the former FBI director, was initially charged with making a false statement and obstruction of a congressional proceeding relating to his 2020 Senate testimony, where he denied authorizing FBI officials to leak information to the press.

James had been indicted on charges including bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution concerning information on mortgage applications.

Trump pointed out that US District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie's orders do not concern the substance of the allegations against Comey or James

'You know, the court didn't say you couldn't bring the case, re-bring the case, or appeal the case. So they have a lot of options. They're going to call that shot. I'm not calling that shot,' he said.

However, he added that Halligan - was hand-picked by the president to prosecute the cases because he believed Bondi wasn't moving fast enough - remains a 'very talented lawyer.'

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters and says that its not over for the potential prosecution of James Comey and Letitia James

The president, however, remained steadfastly behind attorney Lindsey Halligan

'Oh, she's great. I think she's great,' he said, when asked if he 'still had faith' in Halligan.

The challenges to Halligan's appointment are just one facet of a multiprong assault on the indictments by Comey and James, whose multiple other efforts to dismiss the cases remain unresolved.

Halligan, a former beauty queen, was named to the job of interim US Attorney for Virginia in September.

Before her appointment, Erik Siebert, a different interim attorney, was forced out amid pressure from Trump to file charges against his political enemies.

Comey's lawyers argued that after Siebert was forced out, the judges should have had exclusive say over who would fill the vacancy.

But it was ultimately Trump who moved forward and nominated Halligan as he publicly pressed Attorney General Pam Bondi to take action against Comey and James.

'JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!' the President wrote on Truth Social at the time.

Comey was indicted three days after Halligan was sworn in by Bondi, and James was charged two weeks after that.

Comey himself suggested that Trump would come after him again

James was indicted on charges including bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution concerning information on mortgage applications that prosecutors alleged was falsified

Both have separately asserted that the prosecutions were vindictive and emblematic of a weaponized Justice Department.

Comey's lawyers last week seized on a judge's findings of a constellation of grand jury irregularities and missteps by Halligan and James likewise has cited 'outrageous government conduct' preceding her indictment.

'I am grateful that the court ended the case against me, which was a prosecution based on malevolence and incompetence and a reflection of what the Justice Department has become under Donald Trump, which is heartbreaking,' Comey, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of making a false statement and obstructing Congress, said in a video statement.

In a separate statement, James, a Democrat who has pleaded not guilty to mortgage fraud allegations, said, 'I am heartened by todays victory and grateful for the prayers and support I have received from around the country.'

She said she remained 'fearless in the face of these baseless charges as I continue fighting for New Yorkers every single day.'

Judges have separately disqualified interim US attorneys in New Jersey, Los Angeles and Nevada, but have permitted cases brought under their watch to move forward.

But lawyers for Comey and James had argued that Currie's ruling needed to go even further because Halligan was the sole signer of the indictments and the driving force behind them.

Comey has for years been one of Trump's chief antagonists.

Appointed to the job in 2013 by President Barack Obama, Comey, at the time of Trump's 2016 election, was overseeing an investigation into whether his presidential campaign had conspired with Russia to sway the outcome of the race.

Furious over that investigation, the President fired Comey in May 2017 and the two officials have verbally sparred in the years since.

James has also been a frequent target of his ire, especially since she won a staggering judgment against him and the Trump Organization in a lawsuit alleging he defrauded banks by overstating the value of his real estate holdings on financial statements.

An appeals court overturned the fine, which had ballooned to more than $500 million with interest, but upheld a lower court's finding that Trump had committed fraud.
A private school mum acquitted of high-range drink-driving after she blamed the reading on a health supplement is now accused of flipping her Mercedes with drugs in her system.

Natasha Jansen first made headlines for falling asleep outside her children's school sports grounds at Northbridge on Sydney's lower north shore and returning an alcohol reading almost five times the legal limit.

The mother-of-two was charged with high-range drinking driving over the July 2024 incident but the case against her was dismissed after she made an extraordinary submission.

The 49-year-old's lawyer successfully argued Jansen's blood alcohol reading could have been caused by her skincare regime, combined with a reflux condition.

Jansen initially recorded a roadside breath test reading of 0.243 and a second one of 0.193 at Chatswood police station.

Solicitor Michael Bowe told Hornsby Local Court his client had drunk chlorophyll which caused the alcohol in her mouth to register an inaccurately high level.

Magistrate Margaret McGlynn accepted the explanation and dismissed the charge on August 11.

Less than three weeks later, on August 29, Jansen was involved in a crash on Kameruka Road at Northbridge.

Natasha Jansen (above with husband Rob) was acquitted of high-range drink-driving after she blamed the reading on health supplement. She is now accused of flipping her Mercedes with drugs in her system

Police allege Jansen flipped her Mercedes SUV after ploughing into two parked cars at Northbridge. She is pictured being helped out of the vehicle

Pictures taken at the site showed Jansen's car on its side in the middle of the road with builders from a nearby workplace helping to lift her out of the wreckage.

Police allege Jansen flipped her Mercedes SUV after ploughing into two parked cars about 11.30am and returned a positive result for alcohol at the scene.

Jansen allegedly refused to undergo a breath test at Chatswood police station and was later charged with negligent driving and failing to submit to a breath analysis.

The Daily Mail can now reveal Jansen was hit with an additional charge on October 27 of driving a vehicle with an illicit drug present in her system.

Jansen was facing only the original two charges when she made a brief appearance at Hornsby Local Court on October 16.

She remained silent with her head down when a reporter asked outside court: 'Do you have a problem with alcohol, Ms Jansen, or just chlorophyll?'

In bail court documents obtained by 7News Jansen said she 'had a history of alcoholism, is unemployed and has two children as dependents'.

'The accused appears to have been intoxicated while driving a vehicle leading to a collision that by luck did not result in the injury/death to a person,' police alleged.

Jansen remained silent outside Hornsby Local Court last month when a reporter asked her: 'Do you have a problem with alcohol, Ms Jansen, or just chlorophyll?'

'The accused willingly failed to respond to legislated obligations placed upon her being the driver of a motor vehicle involved in a collision.'

Police previously said emergency services found Jansen's overturned vehicle after being called to Kameruka Road following reports of an accident.

'It was like a movie set to be honest. I heard that the car actually went airborne,' resident Francoise told 7News.

Police said Jansen was treated at the scene by paramedics for minor injuries.

'She was subjected to a roadside breath test, which allegedly returned a positive result,' a spokesman said.

When Jansen faced court on her drink-driving charge in August, neuropharmacology expert Professor Macdonald Christie gave evidence.

Before falling asleep Jansen had consumed two 500ml bottles of Grants liquid chlorophyll, available at supermarkets, outside the school, the court heard.

Professor Christie testified the amount Jansen consumed should have left her with a blood alcohol reading of 0.12 or lower - below the 0.15 high-range drink-driving threshold.

Jansen (above with husband Rob) first made headlines for falling asleep outside her children's school at Northbridge on Sydney's lower north shore and returning an alcohol reading almost five times the legal limit

The court was told Jansen suffered from a reflux condition, which, according to a police breathalyser expert, could have caused an inaccurate reading if it led her to regurgitate chlorophyll into her mouth

The breathalyser may have reflected the alcohol content in Jansen's mouth, rather than in her bloodstream.

On those grounds, Mr Bowe argued his client's condition made it impossible for the court to determine her precise blood alcohol content.

The court was also shown police footage which showed Jansen was steady on her feet and not appearing to exhibit the behaviour of someone five times over the legal limit.

As to why she had nodded off outside the school, Jansen gave evidence she was tired from not sleeping well the previous evening.

Jansen is listed to face court on her latest charges on Thursday.
Spent $78,680 in expenses in three months

Australia's youngest senator, Charlotte Walker, just 21, has come under fire after racking up $78,680.40 in expenses over the past three months, despite earning a salary of around $250,000 a year.

Figures released by the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority show that Walker's two largest costs between July and September were for office facilities, which came in at $29,736.18, and employee travel for four of her staff, costing $27,662.19.

The expenses, in line with parliamentary rules, cover the establishment of her electorate office, staff travel required for official duties, and the MP's own travel costs.

Senators earn a salary of $233,660 plus an electorate allowance of $39,700. But the optics of a 21-year-old senator spending nearly $80,000 in just three months has fuelled criticism over taxpayer-funded entitlements.

A popular right-wing social media page shared the revelation online, criticising Walker for the expenditure and questioning whether such costs were justified.

However, data shows that Walker is far from the biggest spender, with analysis revealing she is actually among the more frugal members of Parliament.

The average MP expense claim sits at roughly $180,000, yet some politicians have blown past that by hundreds of thousands.

Unsurprisingly, at the top of the list is Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, whose spending hit an eye-watering $941,078.71, more than five times the average.

Senator Charlotte Walker (left) came under fire for claiming $78,680 in costs in three months

Close behind is Opposition Leader Sussan Ley with $556,075.67, followed by Foreign Minister Penny Wong at $485,161.40.

Compare Walker's $78,680 to first-term Liberal Senator Jess Collins, who spent $135,905.26 in the same period, almost double Walker's total.

Other newcomers also posted significant figures.

First-term Labor MPs Kara Cook and Madonna Jarrett claimed $182,188.03 and $132,503 respectively.

Even seasoned MPs like Barnaby Joyce came in at $136,864.03, well above Walker's tally.

Walker, however, is not the lowest spending MP, but she does sit near the bottom of the list.

At the other end of the scale, the lowest spender overall was Tasmanian Liberal Senator Claire Chandler, who claimed just $62,031.37, while Independent Senator David Pocock, who is based in Canberra, kept his costs to $65,042.28.

Born in Yankalilla, South Australia, Walker celebrated her 21st birthday on election day in May 2025.

Despite the criticism, Walker (pictured) is actually one of the most frugal Aussie politicians

Initially preselected for the third spot on Labor's Senate ticket in South Australia, a position long considered unwinnable, Walker defied expectations.

A significant swing towards Labor secured her victory, making her the youngest senator in Australian history.

Before entering Parliament, Walker served as President of SA Young Labor and worked with the Australian Services Union.

She also held a part-time role with Leon Bignell, Speaker of the South Australian House of Assembly.

Earlier this year, Walker made headlines after clashing with Senator Pauline Hanson over Labor's Net Zero emissions policies.

Hanson dismissed Walker's youth, remarking that she was 'barely out of nappies.'

Walker has addressed such criticism head-on, acknowledging the challenges of being young and female in politics.

'Some of the comments have been really hard, definitely a lot of misogyny,' she told ABC Radio Adelaide.

Senator Walker's amount expensed to taxpayers is lower than the average of around $180,000

'I've seen things like, 'get back in the kitchen,' 'go make me a sandwich,' 'what's this child doing in Parliament?' That's politics,' she said.

'All you can do is continue forward and know that you're doing it for the right reasons. Quite frankly, it's worth all the criticism. It can be hard, but I love it, truly.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Senator Charlotte Walker for comment.
Several farmers have been arrested after driving to Westminster in defiance of a tractor ban as they protested against Rachel Reeves' Budget.

Agriculturists were banned from bringing their tractors amid plans for protests against controversial UK inheritance tax reforms, known as 'family farm tax'.

At the 11th hour, the Metropolitan Police announced that today's demonstration against the ending of inheritance relief would be restricted to a small, designated area of Whitehall.

Farmers were no longer allowed to protest outside Downing Street as the force said it could 'result in serious disruption to the life of the community'.

Despite this, dozens of tractors were parked outside Parliament in defiance of Met police restrictions prohibiting agricultural machinery from the area.

They repeatedly sounded the tractor horns while police stood watching, with rush-hour traffic brought to a standstill.

The force has since confirmed several arrests have been made, but the specific number of those taken into custody is not yet clear.

Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has declared he will pay for the defence of farmers, who have been arrested.

A man was detained by police officers today as farmers protest against inheritance tax in London ahead of Rachel Reeves' Budget

Police said they made several arrests at the demo. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he would pay any arrested farmer's legal bills

Farmers take part in a protest with their tractors in Whitehall, London, ahead of Rachel Reeves delivering the Budget

One tractor sign read today, 'Fools vote Labour', as farmers take a stand against inheritance tax

'The farmers' planned protest on Whitehall has been cancelled by the police at the last moment,' he said.

'They have come to London and are now being arrested. This is outrageous.

'Reform UK will provide full legal support to every farmer protesting peacefully today.'

One man being led away by police told Farmers Guide: 'He just said "Right, that's it, you've been warned three times, I'm arresting you". It's a joke!'.

A Met Police spokesperson said: 'Anyone breaching conditions by bringing vehicles, including tractors or agricultural vehicles, to today's farmers protest will be asked by officers to leave.

'If they refuse to comply with the conditions, officers will have to make arrests for offences under the Public Order Act.

'We have already spoken to a number of individuals this morning to advise them of the conditions.

'The majority have listened to officers and complied with the conditions, however, several arrests have been made.'

This morning, tractors travelled to the capital, with one green tractor spotted with a dragon on the back, as well as the words: 'I save my labour. RIP farming.'

The restrictions on the demonstration, organised by Berkshire Farmers, were met with fury and accusations of 'two-tier policing'.

Speaking to Sky News, organiser Dan Willis from Berkshire Farmers said he was 'absolutely devastated' by the restrictions on their demonstration.

'We had already got the word out to everybody, it was impossible. They were coming anyway,' he said.

'The Met, unfortunately, have scored an own goal here and created carnage. We know it's come from the government.

'We know they don't want to listen to us in the house or on the street, but we need to exercise our right to protest, and at the end of the day, that is what's happening today.

Another sign from defiant agriculturists reads, 'No farms, no food, no future' as they protest against the inheritance tax raid

Speaking to Sky News, organiser Dan Willis from Berkshire Farmers, said he was 'absolutely devastated', by the restrictions on their demonstration

Pictured: Furious farmers defying today's tractor ban as they drive to Westminster in protest over Rachel Reeves ' Budget

Another tractor making its way through the streets of London after farmers had been banned from bringing their tractors to a planned protests today ahead of the Budget

'This is such an emotive issue, you are talking about death and losing family assets, which is how we earn our living and by the way, produce our food.

'Taxing the working people of this country, it is impossible to go on.'

The farmers then shoved red boxes with the words, 'Who needs food', 'Taxed to death', 'Budget 2024', into farm machinery, which spat out shredded remnants.

A woman told the broadcaster: 'Look at these young people around you now, all these young people want to go farming, and you are going to stop them doing their jobs

'We need them to be able to carry on these businesses and bring the food to this country, and the food the people want in this country.

'The British people want British food, and that's more important. This inheritance tax is just stopping all these young people from their jobs.'

Meanwhile, others driving around the streets of the capital city were seen with signs that read: 'No farms, no food, no future,' as well as 'fools vote for Labour'.

Farmer and former Big Brother contestant, Cameron Kinch, said: 'It's going to potentially destroy British agriculture as we know it in this country.

Farmer and former Big Brother contestant, Cameron Kinch, said of the inheritance tax: 'It's going to potentially destroy British agriculture as we know it in this country'

British farmers protesting in Whitehall hold a sign which reads :'Working people need aspiration not taxation'

The gathering was intended by organisers to have been 'one of the most striking rural demonstrations in years', with hundreds of tractors taking part

British farmers rally at Trafalgar Square, calling on British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves to scrap inheritance tax on family farms

Despite the ban, tractors have been seen making their way to central London this morning.

'Passing on your farm to your kids is why we farm, quite frankly.'

He added: 'Like many farming families across the country, I have elderly grandparents and the best tax advice up until this point in the broad terms has been to keep your farm in the oldest generation.

'But with the changes coming in, it will mean you have seven years if you want to avoid this catastrophe that will come if your parents die. It is a tax that we can't afford to pay.

'When you have returns on investments on the farms at 0.5 per cent, and the government expects us to pay 20 per cent value on the farm, you can do the maths. You are going to have to sell up the farm. It's really that simple.'

Of Britain, he said: 'It is not the greatest place to be a farmer at the minute, I can't lie.'

Gareth Wyn Jones, a farmer from North Wales, echoed a similar sentiment, describing the current climate within the farming industry as 'pretty scary'.

'We've already had people taking their own lives, mental health is at an all-time low,' he told the Daily Mail.

'Personally, I don't think anybody should be paying inheritance tax. We're already taxed on that money.

'We've been taxed when we buy it, and we're taxed on everything we do. It's frustrating when you work so hard.

'My father, he's 89, he's never had a holiday, never had a passport, never bought a new car.

Priti Patel, Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, holds a sign which reads: 'Keir Starmer farmer harmer'

A tractor parked in central London today with a sign that reads: 'Save UK food security'

More tractors parked around Trafalgar Square despite restrictions, with signs that read, 'Back British farming,' and, 'Fair pricing for farmers and consumers'

Farmers taking part in today's protests hold up flyers which read: 'Axe the family farm tax'

'He's worked all his life, and he wants to hand that down, and before the previous Budget, he could have done that with no tax implications.

'It could now cost us a fortune,' he added. 'There are a lot of farmers who are not in a position to pay it, so we need a change

'If we had a war or another pandemic, this country would go hungry very, very quickly.

'And the more farmers that go out of business and the more farmers we lose, the less chance we can be food secure in the United Kingdom.

'They haven't done their mathematics very well, Rachel from accounts is not very good at making the sums, and that's the truth.'

Of the Met's protest ban on tractors, he added: 'Well, it looks like they're going to have to let them go to Whitehall.

'The whole of London is now at a standstill, and it's all because the Met Police pulled the plug on this at the last minute, which is absolutely shambolic.'

Farmer Mark Watler from Grantham, Lincolnshire, was among campaigners from the National Farmers' Union gathered in Trafalgar Square.

The 50-year-old said: 'The inheritance tax is just the tip of the iceberg. We're not doing it for the money, it's a passion. We just want a fair deal.'

'I've grown up working on farms from the age of 12. It's disheartening to see how we're being treated.'

A protester today props up a sign which says: 'Every meal begins with a farmer'

A row of tractors, one with a sign that says, 'Scrap the tax. Labour lies,' make their way down the Mall

Another tractor parked up in central London has a sign that reads: 'No farmers, no food, no future'

Farmers took to the streets of London today bringing rush-hour traffic to a standstill as they protested ahead of Rachel Reeves' Budget

Tractors are also parked up around the equestrian statue of Charles I in Westminster, despite police restrictions.

David Gunn, an arable farmer and agricultural contractor from near Sevenoaks in Kent, said he was protesting for several reasons.

'Inheritance tax is one reason, it's going to cripple the farmers, the small family farmers,' he said.

'There's all the other taxes they've been putting on us, and the prices we get for our produce and what it costs in the shop, we don't make any money.

'Then there's food security, farmers are going out of business,' he added a message to the government, which was: 'Sort the pledge out.'

Another farmer attended the event dressed as Father Christmas, with his tractor carrying a large spruce tree and bearing a sign that read: 'Farmer Christmas - the naughty list: Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves, David Lammy, Diane Abbott, Angela Rayner & the BBC'.

In their Tuesday statement, the Met said the decision to ban agricultural machinery from Whitehall had been taken because of 'serious disruption' the vehicles may cause to the local area, including businesses, emergency services and the public.

Any individual taking part in the farmers' protest must remain in a specified area in Richmond Terrace, Whitehall, the force added.

A tractor parked outside Parliament holds up an English flag as well as a sign which reads: 'Fools vote Labour'

Demonstrators in Whitehall hold up a banner quoting Winston Churchill ahead of Rachel Reeves' budget

Farmers and supporters stage a Budget Day protest in Trafalgar Square on November 26, 2025

Protesters hold flyers which read, 'Scrap the family farm tax,' as they protest in defiance of the Met's tractor ban today

A tractor flies a Union Jack Flag near the near the Elizabeth Tower, commonly referred to as Big Ben

One farmer said: 'The event had permission and all previous events have been peaceful, tidy and with no arrests'.

He asked: 'Is this two-tier policing to avoid embarrassment to (Rachel) Reeves on budget day?'

Yorkshire farmer Jonathan Charlesworth, whose father John took his own life so he could pass on the farm before Ms Reeves' hated new policy comes in next April, said: 'All previous farmer protests have been peaceful and well organised; it is an awareness event to raise legitimate concerns farmers in the UK have about the dismal outlook for farming businesses in the UK.

'I don't believe any of the reasons given to cancel the tractor convoy have a basis, considering much more divisive marches have taken place including pro-Palestinian marches and the Tommy Robinson march combined with the Stand up to Racism March on the same day.

'It screams two-tier policing, to protect the government from further adverse publicity on another budget day that is likely to bring more hardship to working families from all walks of life not just farmers.'

Mr Charlesworth Sr, 78, was found dead the day before budget day last October 29 having read rumours about the planned tax raid.

Wednesday's protest comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing pressure from farmers to axe plans to introduce inheritance tax on farming land and businesses.

The Chancellor's plans to introduce a 20 per cent rate on agricultural land and businesses worth more than 1 million have become a political flashpoint for a sector struggling with rising costs, tough market conditions and worsening climate impacts.

Last December, thousands of protesters gathered along Whitehall and angry farmers drove their tractors outside Parliament, demonstrating against the decision which farmers said put their businesses, futures and food security at risk.

Tory MP Sir John Hayes, chairman of the backbench Common Sense group, said: 'It shouldn't be beyond the wit of the Metropolitan Police to allow activities of this kind.

'It seems bizarre that they allow so many demonstrations to go ahead by the most bizarre, extreme groups yet we can't allow the farmers who feed the nation.'

A tractor arrives for a protest by farmers in Whitehall, London today ahead of Rachel Reeves' budget

Tractors line Whitehall during a previous farmers' protest against inheritance tax raid

Clive Bailye, of The Farming Forum, who organised the first tractor protest against the inheritance tax raid last November, said: 'It does feel like two-tier policing. The feedback from the Met about our protest was that we were a pleasure to work with.

'The organisers of this protest were assured it could go ahead, then were told at 2.30pm yesterday that it couldn't.'

Victoria Atkins MP, Shadow Environment Secretary, said: 'Farmers deserve answers. The police have changed their minds with less than 24 hours to go, having worked with farmers over the last 12 days to ensure a safe and effective protest over the vindictive Family Farm and Business Taxes.

'What has changed? It doesn't smell right, particularly when we think of the regular and frequent protests that are allowed in SW1, which inconvenience motorists, residents and businesses without consideration. Is this to save the Chancellor embarrassment ahead of her Budget of Broken Promises?'
A government agency kept paying hundreds of employees after they left the job, with nearly $400million in uncorrected mistakes discovered in a scathing assessment.

A total of 481 workers were paid after their employment ended at the unnamed NSW government agency, the Audit Office of NSW found.

One was overpaid almost $300,000 between 2021 and 2024 despite quitting in 2021, which left the agency scrambling to try and recoup the overpayments. Another was paid continuously up to June 2025, despite having left the agency seven years ago.

Overall mistakes in NSW government agencies' financial records dropped from 88 to 55 in the 2025 financial year, but the value nearly doubled, from $232 million to $397 million.

Employee expenses are the biggest financial burden on NSW. June's state budget listed the cost as $50.3 billion in 2025-26, set to rise to $56.2 billion in 2028-29, thanks partly to the public service wage cap being lifted by the Minns government.

The auditor found long-term contract workers were a significant strain on state finances, with more than 200 external employees holding roles for more than five years.

'There were 17 contingent workers paid more than $550,000 each, placing them in a salary range equivalent to, or above, Band 4 senior executive level,' the final report said.

'While justification for these salaries may be reasonable due to specialist skills, detailed assessment and market evaluations should be performed.

The government of Chris Minns has abolished the wage cap for public servants, allowing pay to surge (pictured in Sydney this week)

The Audit Office of NSW found one state government agency paid a worker $300,000 over three years after they quit (stock image)

'In some cases, contracts have lasted many years. Across the analysed agencies, 227 contingent workers had been in the role more than five years. One reported a worker engaged for 15 years, and two had workers engaged for over nine years.'

The NSW government has attempted to reduce its reliance on contractors, but one of the state's top union bosses says more needs to be done to protect the public sector.

'Outsourcing is a false economy and provides a poor return to NSW taxpayers,' Unions NSW general secretary Mark Morey said.

'It's both more expensive and it strips the NSW public sector of expertise.'

The auditor called for agencies to prove they actually have a shortage of suitable candidates internally before hiring contractors to stop more wasteful spending.
The teenager who was allegedly dragged from a car by a gang of migrants and raped in front of her fiance has described her night of hell.

The woman, 19, was with her 24-year-old partner in his car when they were surrounded by the five-strong gang, who smashed their way into the vehicle.

The group pounced while the couple were parked in a secluded park in the Rome suburb of Tor Tre Teste, an area popular with courting couples but in recent years has become a no-go area due to drug dealing.

Using a bottle, they smashed their way into the car despite the man bravely trying to fight off the attackers  all described as North African migrants - and begging them to leave his girlfriend alone.

But his frantic pleas fell on deaf ears as the terrified woman was dragged from the vehicle and raped while her boyfriend was held back and forced to watch her terrifying ordeal.

The woman, who has not been named, is said to have told investigators in a chilling account how the gang forced their way into the car and stole their valuables, before dragging her out.

She said: 'They entered the car after smashing a window and took my cell phone from the seat. I reached out to get it back, and at that point one of them grabbed my arm and dragged me out.'

Snatched from her helpless fiance, the terrified girl was warned they would murder her as they led her away to a secluded spot.

She recounted: '"Come with me now, if you scream I'll kill you," he said, forcing me toward the trees. But he wasn't alone; there was another man with him, making sure no one was coming.'

The traumatised teenager added: 'While he raped me, his friend kept watch to make sure no one was passing by'.

Italian police patrolling the streets of Rome. Investigators are probing after a man was forced to watch as migrants raped his 19-year-old fiancee

A general view of the Tor Tre Teste, a park in the eastern part of the capital, where the attack took place

Her boyfriend told investigators that the alleged attackers also threatened to kill him if he made a sound: 'They threatened us with death'.

But it was his cries for help that alerted someone nearby to the terrifying incident.

He told police that his attackers said to him that if he moved, '"We'll kill you". But I started screaming as loud as I could'.

These screams alerted a night patrol officer, who promptly called for support, putting an end to the alleged attack.

Police said that three Moroccans had been held but the hunt for at least two others was still ongoing.

Two of the three were held in the Rome suburb of Quarticciolo and the third was arrested 350 miles away in the northern city of Verona.

DNA samples for one of the three held did not match - but he was still being held in custody along with the other two.

One of the alleged attackers claimed to police that their plan was to rob the couple of their phones and cash, before using the money for drugs.

He told cops that they have done this around a dozen times already, mostly extorting money from prostitutes on Viale Palmiro Togliatti.

A police source in Rome previously told the Daily Mail: 'This was a particularly shocking crime and the level of violence used against the couple was terrifying.

'The car window was smashed with a bottle, and the gang grabbed the woman's phone as she screamed for them not to take it.

'The boyfriend tried to stop what was happening but the attackers then dragged the women from the car and attacked her while the boyfriend looked on.'

Despite the woman's screams because of the late hour and location, no one heard her cries for help, and the gang escaped before the traumatised couple were able to drive off and raise the alarm after driving to a nearby hospital.

Police said fingerprints also found at the scene matched one of those arrested and a source added they were 'hopeful' of catching the missing members of the gang.

Italy's firebrand deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini has called for the migrants who held a man down and forced him to watch as they smashed into his car and raped his 19-year-old fiancee to be chemically castrated

Before the attack was made public, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, who has vowed to tackle migration, also spoke out against violence against women

The woman is also said to have recognised a photo of one of the men that was shown to her.

The case has ignited fury across the country, with Italy's deputy Prime Minister calling for the alleged attackers to be chemically castrated.

Firebrand anti-migration MP Matteo Salvini spoke out as a wave of revulsion swept the country, as police revealed sickening details of the horrific incident.

Writing on X he said: 'On the very day to highlight violence against women terrible news reaches us.

'We propose the chemical castration to stop rapists and paedophiles, and our proposal is also ready before Parliament.

'Everyone should give us a hand, conferences and red marks on faces are not enough, let's slash violence.'

Last year, Meloni spoke out after it was revealed that a 13-year-old girl was raped by Egyptian migrants in Sicily after being dragged into a public toilet.
Sir Richard Branson posted a series of emotional tributes to his beloved wife Lady Joan in the days and weeks before he announced she had passed away.

In a touching post on Monday, the Virgin boss, 75, shared a blast from the past photo of himself with his partner of 50 years, captioning the image: 'Love this photo of Joan.'

Just a day later on Tuesday afternoon, Sir Richard uploaded a close-up of his wife, accompanied by a moving tribute which read: 'Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away.

'She was the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for.

'She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world. Love you forever, Joan x.'

It comes as an emotional video of the pair getting married on Necker Island in 1989 has come to light, showing the business magnate putting a ring on Lady Joan's finger. They met in 1976 at The Manor, a live-in recording studio for Virgin Records, where Sir Richard said he 'fell in love' at first sight.

Footage shows the couple sharing a long kiss on their wedding day as Lady Joan places her veil over her husband's head, encompassing both of them.

In another post on November 15, the Virgin tycoon posted a photo showing him kissing his wife's head alongside the words: 'Everyone needs a Joan in their life.'

On Monday, Sir Richard shared a photo of himself with his partner of 50 years Lady Joan, captioning the image: 'Love this photo of Joan'

Sir Richard shared this photo of Lady Joan on his social media accounts to announce his wife's death just over a day later

In a post earlier this month, the Virgin tycoon posted a photograph, showing him kissing his wife's head. He captioned it: 'Everyone needs a Joan in their life'

And on November 12, he wrote a paragraph including words for his wife alongside an old picture of them. 'I credit a good deal of my success - not to mention my marriage - to being a good listener,' he wrote.

Lady Joan was thought to be in good health when she celebrated her 80th birthday this summer, with Sir Richard paying tribute to her on his social media.

'Thank you for being by my side through it all  the highs, the lows, and all those quiet, content and peaceful moments in between. These are the moments I cherish most with you, I love you more and more each year,' he wrote on Facebook in July.

The couple had been looking forward to celebrating their 50th anniversary in just a few months on February 7.

Lady Joan, who shares two children with Sir Richard, has long been credited as the billionaire's 'rock' and 'source of wisdom'.

The business magnate has previously revealed how he was taken in by the 'beautiful, witty, down-to-earth' woman when she visited the studio in West London.

After finding out that she worked nearby, he recalls how he set about wooing her.

The pair got married on Necker Island in 1989

Sir Richard and Lady Joan share a kiss on their wedding day in Necker Island

Sir Richard announced the death of Joan, his beloved wife of 50 years, yesterday

The couple pictured with their daughter Holly. The pair were wed in 1989 when their two children, Holly and Sam, were eight and four

Sir Richard pictured with Lady Joan and their daughter Holly in 2003

In a 2015 blog celebrating her 70th birthday, Sir Richard said: 'I fell in love with her from the first moment I saw her, while she worked in a bric-a-brac shop in Westbourne Grove, in London.

'A blonde-haired, down to earth, Scottish beauty who didn't suffer fools, Joan was unlike any other women I had ever met.

'To win her heart, I had to persistently hang around the shop and buy countless objects before we started courting...'

He signed off the blog: 'As the saying goes, behind every man there's a great woman.

'Joan you are the greatest woman of all. Happy birthday and thank you for choosing to come on this adventure with me.'
German prosecutors are investigating a 100-year-old man on suspicion he served as a Nazi camp guard and took part in executions of prisoners during World War II.

Authorities in the western city of Dortmund allege the crimes took place between December 1943 and September 1944.

The man is said to have served at the hellish prisoner of war Stalag VI-A camp in Hemer, western Germany, which held at least 100,000 inmates, mostly from the Soviet Union, but also several British, Polish and French soldiers.

Thousands died in the camp from inhumane conditions like overcrowding, poor sanitation, vermin, starvation and rampant diseases such as dysentery and tuberculosis.

Other inmates were savagely killed by guards.

Surviving prisoners in the war camp were severely malnourished, as they were only given one serving of bread a day while also being forced to carry out strenuous labour.

The infamous camp provided the plot line for part of the WWII film 'Hart's War', starring Bruce Willis, which tells the story of American war prisoner Nicholas Katzenbach.

Prosecutor Andreas Brendel told local media that the investigation was still ongoing but that no more information would be released for the time being.

German prosecutors are investigating a 100-year-old man on suspicion he served as a prison guard at a Nazi camp in Hemer, Germany. Pictured: The interior of the 'hospital' room at the Nazi prisoner of war camp near Hemer, Germany

The man is said to have served at a hellish prisoner of war camp in Hemer, western Germany , which held at least 100,000 inmates

Thousands died in the camp from inhumane conditions, while others were savagely killed by guards

The case was opened by the Central Office of the State Justice Administrations for the investigation of war crimes crimes.

After the initial investigations were completed, the case was moved to the Dortmund public prosecutor's office, which is responsible for the prosecution of Nazi crimes in the region.

The Central Office was founded in 1958 and has conducted nearly 8,000 preliminary investigations into Nazi crimes.

Several trials of Nazi camp staff have been held in recent years, spurred by the 2011 conviction of former Sobibor death camp guard John Demjanjuk, despite no proof he had directly killed anyone.

The trials allow people who helped a Nazi camp function to be prosecuted as an accessory to the murders without there being direct evidence that they participated in a specific killing.

Charges of murder and being an accessory to murder arent subject to a statute of limitations under German law.

However, time is running out 80 years after the end of the war.

Josef Schuetz, a former guard sentenced in June 2022 to five years in prison, died less than a year later at the age of 102.

The investigation is still ongoing

Inside the notorious Stalag VI A camo

Stalag VI A was a large German prisoner-of-war camp in the town of Hemer during WWII. The camp was established on October 10, 1939, and remained open until the end of the war. It was known for its inhumane treatment of Soviet prisoners, as well as British, French and Polish soldiers. Conditions for inmates were exceptionally harsh, with prisoners facing overcrowding, starvation, forced labour and inadequate healthcare, resulting in a high death rate. Around 24,000 prisoners are believed to have diet in the camp, the vast majority being Soviet. The camp was liberated by the American Seventh Armoured Division on April 14, 1945. Advertisement

In April, an alleged former guard at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp near Berlin died before he could face court to answer charges of being complicit in the murder of more than 3,300 people.

More then 200,000 people were held at Sachsenhausen, just north of Berlin, between 1936 and 1945.

Tens of thousands died of starvation, disease, forced labor, and other causes, as well as through medical experiments and systematic SS extermination operations including shootings, hangings and gassing.

Exact numbers for those killed vary, with upper estimates of some 100,000, though scholars suggest figures of 40,000 to 50,000 are likely more accurate.

Earlier this year, a former Nazi death camp worker dubbed the 'Secretary of Evil' died aged 99 in Germany two years after facing justice for aiding more than 10,000 murders.

Just before her death on January 14, Irmgard Furchner, who was a secretary to the SS commander of the infamous concentration camp Stutthof, had failed in her bid to overturn a conviction for being an accessory to thousands of murders in northern Poland during WWII.

Germany's Federal Court of Justice upheld the conviction given to Furchner in August last year.

An estimated 63-65,000 people, made up of Jewish people, political prisoners, accused criminals, gay people and Jehovah's Witnesses, were slaughtered at the camp between 1939 and 1945.

She was accused of being part of the apparatus that helped the camp near Danzig, now the Polish city of Gdansk, function.

She was convicted of being an accessory to murder in 10,505 cases and an accessory to attempted murder in five cases.

At a federal court hearing in Leipzig last July, the Nazi's lawyers tried to cast doubt over whether she could really be considered an accessory to the atrocities committed at the camp, and whether she had been fully aware of what was going on.

She was tried in a juvenile court as she was 18 and 19 at the time of the alleged crimes, and the court couldn't establish beyond a doubt her 'maturity of mind' then.

But the court ruled that Furchner 'knew and, through her work as a stenographer in the commandant's office of the Stutthof concentration camp from June 1, 1943, to April 1, 1945, deliberately supported the fact that 10,505 prisoners were cruelly killed'.

The killings were by gassings, by hostile conditions in the camp, by transportation to the Auschwitz death camp and by being sent on death marches at the end of the war.
Six members of a prolific Romanian cash machine crime gang which branded itself F*** the Police and had the moniker on the swimming pool at a fortress-style lair have been jailed.

The group stole 700,000 from ATMs across the country in 3,300 separate transactions using sophisticated devices to bypass security systems.

Lookouts were used to provide cover while members, who were based themselves in Luton, Bedfordshire, used the tech to withdraw the cash.

A series of arrests were made after reports about fraudulent activity were passed to police.

Raids in the Bacau region of Romania followed, including one at an address where the F*** the Police logo had was emblazoned on the bottom of an outdoor pool and on the front gate.

Powerful cars including a Lamborghini and a Porsche were also seized.

Six criminals have now been jailed for a total of more than 18 years during two hearings at Luton Crown Court this month after they admitted conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to launder money.

Detective Inspector Dan Barker, of the Easter Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU), said: Theres no doubt that this group thought they were above the law both here in the UK and in Romania.

The Romanian cash machine crime gang branded itself F*** the Police and had the moniker on the swimming pool at a fortress-style lair

Their disregard for law enforcement was blatant but they clearly underestimated the police.

The organised crime gang plundered ATMs for cash in late night raids between February and December last year.

The ERSOU investigation led to five arrests being made at the end of last year, with suspects detained at Luton Airport as they tried to leave the country.

Other members were detained at addresses in Luton and Norfolk.

Significant evidence was uncovered from the group, including chipboards programmed to bypass cashpoint security measures.

Officers also seized an ATM machine which had been purchased from China, with indications that new technology was being developed for future offending.

Ongoing enquiries revealed a separate investigation into the OCG had also been launched by Romanian Police following concerns around the lavish lifestyle of gang members.

Detective Inspector Dan Barker, of the Easter Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU), said: Theres no doubt that this group thought they were above the law.'

Raids in Romania also revealed powerful cars including this Porsche and a Lamborghini

This led to raids at 18 addresses across the Bacau region with the assistance of international agencies Europol and Eurojust.

Two further arrests were made  while officers also discovered the lair which openly cocked a snook at the authorities. Both men were extradited to the UK.

Following the court hearings:

 Razvan Verde, 31, of no fixed abode, was jailed for four years and four months. He was considered to have a leading role involved in recruiting new members to the OCG as well as having a direct involvement in frauds of nearly 300,000.

 Gabriel Rosu, 33, of Luton, was jailed for three-and-a-half years. He had a key role in organising and planning and searched for locations to be targeted. Several images of potential ATM sites were found on his phone.

 Constantin Boghiu, 25, of Luton, was jailed for three years and three months. He was found to have made 35 trips to target cashpoints and was involved in frauds totalling losses of 130,000.

 Marius Chifan, 33, of Luton, was jailed for three years. He opened accounts, provided bank cards, searched for locations and was involved in planning and organisation for the OCG.

 Alexandru Militaru, 25, of Thetford, Norfolk, was jailed for two years and five months. He was involved in fraudulant activity totalling almost 100,000

 Christian Cimpoesu, 28, of no fixed abode, was also jailed for a year-and-a-half in October for his role in ten ATM incidents.

Jailed: going clockwise from the top left - Alexandru Militaru, Christian Cimpoesu, Constantin Boghiu, Razvan Verde, Marius Chifan and Gabriel Rosu,

Another three gang members will be sentenced at hearings next month and in January. All face deportation after serving their terms.

Det Insp Barker added: This has been a long-running operation involving teams from across Europe, and its positive that these offenders will now be spending spells behind bars.

The OCG used highly sophisticated technology to bypass the robust security measures that cashpoints use.

Our detailed investigation was able to piece together their methodology and weve since worked closely with cashpoint providers to ensure they are equipped to deal with this new threat.
The family of Virginia Giuffre, who accused Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of sexual abuse, is set to battle in court over who is entitled to her multi-million dollar estate.

Ms Giuffre, who took her own life at her farm near Perth in Australia in April, died intestate, leaving the future of her vast wealth uncertain.

The 41-year-old had amassed a substantial fortune through compensation and civil lawsuit payouts over allegations that she was trafficked by Ghislaine Maxwell to Jeffrey Epstein and the then Prince Andrew.

Among the payouts was a settlement from Mr Mountbatten-Windsor thought to be as much as 12million, which he paid her in 2022 to see off a civil case.

The payment - thought to have been part-funded by the late Queen Elizabeth II - came with no admission of liability and Andrew has consistently denied any allegations of wrongdoing.

She also received $500,000 from Epstein in 2009, when she settled sex trafficking and sexual abuse claims against him, and an undisclosed amount from Maxwell in 2017. Maxwell remains in prison serving a 20-year sentence in the US.

Under spousal inheritance laws in Western Australia, Ms Giuffre's husband Robert Giuffre will be entitled to a lump sum and a third of the remaining estate.

However, it has been reported that Ms Giuffre emailed her lawyer to say she did not want him to have any of her money after he initiated divorce proceedings two months before she died.

Virginia Giuffre pictured with brother Sky Roberts (left) and half-brother Daniel Scott Wilson

A court battle is set to unfold over whether Ms Giuffre's estranged husband Robert (pictured) can claim her fortune

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is seen out on a ride at Windsor Castle earlier this week

Prior to her death, Ms Giuffre became estranged from her husband, who remains at her $2.5million beachside home in Western Australia - one of four properties she owned, including the farmhouse in Neergabby.

She had alleged that he had become controlling, and it was later claimed that he was responsible for an assault that put her in hospital in January.

'Robert's behavior became more controlling,' she claimed in private diaries. 'The stronger I became, the scarier he became.'

But Mr Giuffre was later granted a restraining order against his wife, and was given temporary custody of their younger children.

Last month, he declined to answer questions from a Daily Mail reporter in Australia on the future of her estate. His lawyers have declined to comment on the abuse allegations, citing ongoing court proceedings.

Her younger brother, Sky Roberts, and half-brother Danny Wilson have hired a lawyer to oppose his claim; they are also said to want to control her charity for sex trafficking survivors Speak Out, Act, Reclaim (SOAR).

Several million dollars of Andrew's payout were pledged to SOAR, but are still being held in a bank account controlled by a third party, as the Mail reported in August.

But Ms Giuffre's paternal aunt, Kimberly Roberts, says that her family does not believe the brothers have a claim to the money.

She told the Telegraph: 'We don't believe they have a right to it. The estate should go to her children only.'

Her sons Christian, 19, and Noah, 18, had made a bid to take control of the administration of her estate in June this year.

But on Monday, Western Australia's Supreme Court appointed lawyer Ian Torrington Blatchford to take interim control of the estate, the Guardian reported, following a legal challenge by Giuffre's lawyer Karrie Louden and housekeeper Cheryl Myers.

It means several challenges to her estate can go ahead, as well as other civil cases including a defamation suit brought by Rina Oh, who claims Ms Giuffre made her out to be an accomplice of Jeffrey Epstein rather than one of his victims.

Andrew and Epstein together in 2010. The ex-prince is facing calls to testify in the US over his relationship with the sex predator

Virginia Giuffre (centre) with Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell. She was 17 at the time, and claims Jeffrey Epstein took the photograph

Ms Giuffre's posthumous book, Nobody's Girl, was published in October (pictured)

The court orders also state that Mr Blatchford is authorised as her legal personal representative with regards to her memoir, Nobody's Girl, which was published in October and hailed by the Mail's Jan Moir for its immediate impact on Andrew's legacy after his royal titles were stripped away.

It included allegations that her father, Sky Roberts, molested and raped her as a child. Mr Roberts has denied the claim - and maintains that his daughter did not commit suicide.

He claimed on Piers Morgan Uncensored earlier this year, prior to the book's publication: 'There's no way that she committed suicide somebody got to her.'

Western Australia Police say her death is not being treated as suspicious.

This week, the vast majority of Brits said Andrew should travel to the US to testify before Congress over his links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, who died by suicide in prison in 2019.

YouGov polling showed 75 per cent of people believe Mr Mountbatten-Windsor should tell US lawmakers what he knows of Epstein's history.

Despite saying in his disastrous Newsnight interview that he would help investigators, Andrew has yet to respond to calls to testify.

The Prime Minister has added his voice to calls for Andrew to keep to his word, saying: 'Anybody who has got relevant information in relation to these kind of cases should give that evidence to those that need it.'
At least 14 people have been killed by a raging fire at a high-rise Hong Kong housing complex on Wednesday that left others trapped inside.

More than 16 people have been injured and three people remain in critical condition, including one man and one woman who were taken to hospital unconscious with severe burns.

One of the deceased was a firefighter who arrived at the scene to put out the blaze.

At least 13 people are still trapped in the burning high rise buildings, including eight elderly residents and two babies, but the total figure could be more. Some 14 cats are also trapped in the blaze.

The raging fire sent up a column of flames and thick smoke as it spread on bamboo scaffolding that had been set up around the exterior of the complex in the city's Tai Po district.

Massive flames took hold on the scaffolding on at least three apartment blocks at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, a district in the northern part of the Chinese financial hub, before spreading to other parts of the buildings.

Video from the scene showed at least five buildings close to each other ablaze, with flames coming out of many of the apartments' windows. Firefighters were aiming water at the intense flames from high up on ladder trucks.

The blaze was reported mid-afternoon and was upgraded to level 5, the highest level of severity, as night fell.

Fire authorities said they were grappling to get to the towers' upper floors due to the intense heat, and containing the blaze was getting tougher after night fell.

Tai Po, which has a population of about 300,000, is a suburban area in Hong Kong in the New Territories, near the border with the mainland Chinese city of Shenzhen.

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A man reacts, as smoke rises while flames engulf bamboo scaffolding across multiple buildings at Wang Fuk Court housing estate, in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, November 26, 2025

At least 13 people were killed when a fire engulfed several high-rise blocks in a Hong Kong residential estate on November 26, 2025

A resident surnamed Wong, 71, broke down in tears, saying his wife was trapped inside one of the buildings.

The fire service said it lost contact with the deceased firefighter, 37, at around 3.30pm local time, before they managed to locate him half an hour later.

He was rushed to hospital, where he was later confirmed dead at 4.45pm.

The firefighter had been with the service for nine years.

At least one other firefighter is still in hospital.

They battled the orange flames into the night as thick black smoke billowed from the towers, which were sheathed in bamboo scaffolding - whose use the government began phasing out in March for safety reasons - and green construction mesh.

The cause of the blaze was not immediately known.

Police said they had received multiple reports of people trapped in the affected buildings.

Harry Cheung, 66, who has lived at Block Two in one of the complexes for more than 40 years, said he heard 'a very loud noise at around 2.45pm' (6.45am GMT) and saw a fire erupt in a nearby block.

'I immediately went back to pack up my things,' he told Reuters.

'I don't even know how I feel right now. I'm just thinking about where I'm going to sleep tonight because I probably won't be able to go back home.'

Some fire services staff have also been injured, while trying to put out the flames that ripped through the 31-storey towers.

People gathered on a nearby overhead walkway, watching in dismay as smoke billowed from the buildings while scores of fire engines and ambulances lined the road below the complex.

The Fire Service Department said it does not yet have a figure for the number of people who may still be inside.

It received reports at 2.51pm (06.51am GMT) that a fire had broken out in Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.

The fire was upgraded to a No. 4 alarm at 3.34pm before reaching No. 5 at 6.22pm. Strong winds fanned the flames, causing the blaze to spread to seven of the complex's eight blocks.

Wang Fuk Court is a housing complex made up of eight blocks, providing close to 2,000 residential units.

The complex, that accommodates around 4,000 residents, was undergoing major renovations.

Wang Fuk Court is a complex under the government's subsidised home ownership scheme and has been occupied since 1983.

The Fire Service Department received reports at 2.51pm (0651 GMT) that a fire had broken out in Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po

Some fire services staff have also been injured, while trying to put out the flames that ripped through the 31-storey towers

People gathered on a nearby overhead walkway, watching in dismay as smoke billowed from the buildings while scores of fire engines and ambulances lined the road below the complex

The Fire Service Department said it does not yet have a figure for the number of people who may still be inside

Smoke rises as flames engulf bamboo scaffolding across multiple buildings at Wang Fuk Court housing estate, in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, November 26, 2025

Smoke rises after a fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court, a residential estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong's New Territories on Wednesday, Nov. 26 2025

Several towers have bamboo scaffolding on their exterior.

Hong Kong, one of the most densely populated areas in the world, is one of the last places where bamboo is still widely used for scaffolding in construction.

Bamboo scaffolding is a common sight in Hong Kong at building construction and renovation projects, though the government said earlier this year that it would start phasing it out for public projects because of safety concerns.

Due to the fire, an entire section of the Tai Po road, one of Hong Kong's two main highways, has been closed and buses are being diverted.

'Residents nearby are advised to stay indoors, close their doors and windows, and stay calm,' the Fire Services Department said.

'Members of the public are also advised to avoid going to the area affected by the fire.'

A woman reacts at a temporary shelter, after a fire started across multiple buildings at Wang Fuk Court housing estate, in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, November 26, 2025

People eat a meal at a temporary shelter, after a fire started across multiple buildings at Wang Fuk Court housing estate, in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, November 26, 2025

People look at flames engulfing a building after a fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court, a residential estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong's New Territories, Wednesday, Nov. 26 2025

Hong Kong, one of the most densely populated areas in the world, is one of the last places where bamboo is still widely used for scaffolding in construction

The fire department said it received reports at 2.51pm (0651 GMT) that a fire had broken out in Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po

Firefighters work as efforts are underway to extinguish flames engulfing bamboo scaffolding across multiple buildings at the Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, November 26, 2025

The blaze was reported midafternoon and has now been upgraded to level 5 - the highest level of severity

Bamboo scaffolding is a common sight in Hong Kong at building construction and renovation projects, though the government said earlier this year that it would start phasing it out for public projects because of safety concerns

Officers set up a hotline for members of the public to ask about casualties as a result of the blaze

By 6.00pm local time, police started knocking on doors at Kwong Fuk Estate, a nearby public housing complex, telling residents of Kwong Lai House and Kwong Yau House to evacuate.

Officers set up a hotline for members of the public to ask about casualties as a result of the blaze.

The hotline number is 1878 999.

Four people were hospitalised after a separate fire on the scaffolding of a building in Hong Kong's central business district last month.

Five people died after a fire broke out in a densely populated residential building in Hong Kong's bustling Kowloon district in April last year.

Deadly fires were once a regular scourge in Hong Kong, especially in poorer neighbourhoods.

However, safety measures have been ramped up in recent decades and such fires have become much less commonplace.

Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee called an emergency meeting on Wednesday evening.

'All government departments are fully assisting residents affected by the fire, prioritising the safety and well-being of the public,' a government statement said.

At least six schools will be closed on Thursday due to the fire and traffic congestion.

It is Hong Kong's worst fire since 41 people died in a commercial building in the heart of Kowloon in November 1996.

That fire was later found to be caused by welding during internal renovations.

A public inquiry yielded sweeping updates to building standards and fire safety regulations in the city's high-rise offices, shops and homes.

The government moved to start phasing out the citys use of its bamboo scaffolding in March, citing safety concerns.

It announced that 50 per cent of public construction works would be required to use metal frames instead.

Wang Fuk Court has been undergoing renovations for a year at a cost of HK$330 million (32 million), with each unit paying between HK$160,000 and HK$180,000.

Owning a home is a distant dream for many in Hong Kong, one of the world's most expensive housing markets and where residential rents are hovering around record highs.
Chilling footage has been shared online of the moment three home invaders hold down an unarmed man and shoot him in the leg in an act of gangland violence.

Emergency crews were called to Stafford Street in Penrith, in Sydney's far west, about 11.45pm on Sunday following reports someone had been shot.

Police said the 26-year-old victim is known to them.

Officers arrived to find the three perpetrators fleeing to a getaway car and gave chase, but they escaped on foot and remain on the run.

Footage that appears to have been filmed by one of the group on a phone shows another figure as they cocked a pistol.

A gloved hand then pressed the muzzle against the back of the thigh of the victim, while he was held down on a tile floor by a third male, and the trigger was pulled.

The group then appeared to run away.

The victim was rushed to hospital in a serious condition, but is understood to be recovering.

The footage shows gloved hands as they held a silver pistol before they fired it into the back of the victims leg

Security footage shows three figures fleeing from the house in Penrith

The victim was rushed to hospital in a serious condition and is recovering

Detectives are investigating the attack and said the victim is known to police

Police said they believe it was a 'targetted attack' and there is no threat to the public.

The footage was shared on small independent news site SCN Worldstar.

'Whoever comes against us this is their families (sic) fate,' the clip is captioned.

One of the perpetrators in the footage said the attack was in response to another incident in Fairfield a week ago. In that incident, police swooped on an alleged 'kill car' in which the three occupants had a firearm and balaclavas.

Police have formed Strike Force Wilhill to investigate the shooting.

'Police are aware of a video circulating in the media and are conducting inquiries to verify its authenticity. As the investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further,' a spokesman said.

Anyone with information or CCTV or dashcam footage is asked to contact police.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is to face further intense pressure over asylum hotels after Epping council voted to continue its legal fight to close the controversial Bell Hotel.

Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) lost a High Court bid to have the property closed to migrants two weeks ago.

But now councillors have agreed to attempt a further challenge in the Court of Appeal.

It follows months of anti-immigration protests at the Essex hotel, sparked by the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl and a woman by one of its residents.

Ethiopian Hadush Kebatu, 41, was found guilty and jailed for multiple counts of sexual assault before being mistakenly released, re-arrested and finally deported.

It means the case - which could have repercussions for other migrant hotels around the country - is likely to drag on for months.

An EFDC spokesman said: 'Having heard all the arguments, Epping Forest District Council has voted to proceed to the next stage of the appeals process following a full council debate.

'The council will continue to take legal advice at each stage of the appeals process and remains committed to the closure of the Bell Hotel.'

EFDC took legal action earlier this year against the hotel's owner, Somani Hotels, claiming that asylum seekers were being housed at the Bell in breach of planning rules.

Epping Forest District Council took legal action against The Bell Hotel's owner, Somani Hotels, claiming that accommodating asylum seekers there breaches planning rules

Its lawyers said the housing of asylum seekers was a 'material change of use' and has caused 'increasingly regular protests'.

It sought an injunction to have the Bell closed to migrants.

But Ms Mahmood's Home Office intervened in the legal case, telling the court the council's bid was 'misconceived'.

Mr Justice Mould dismissed the council's claim on November 11 and said in a judgment that it was 'not a case in which it is just and convenient for this court to grant an injunction'.

Dozens of anti-migration protests have been held at the site over recent months

EFDC initially won an application for an interim injunction to shut the Bell in August, but that ruling was overturned on appeal.

The latest legal steps involve EFDC applying to Mr Justice Mould in the High Court for permission to go to the Court of Appeal.

Dozens of anti-migration protests have been held at the site after a resident, Hadush Kebatu, was arrested for assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman

If refused, the council can then go directly to the Court of Appeal to ask for permission.

Earlier this month the Conservatives said the decision to keep the Bell open was a 'slap in the face to the people of Epping'.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said at the time: 'A Labour Government has once again put the rights of illegal immigrants above the rights of British citizens.

'This is a dark day for local democracy and a slap in the face to the people of Epping.

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'The people of Epping have been silenced in their own town. Their council fought for them, their voices were ignored.'

Referring to the Home Office's intervention in the case, he said 'Labour's lawyers fought tooth and nail to keep this hotel open'.

The case of the Bell'sformer resident Kebatu has become emblematic of the problems plaguing Britain's immigration and justice systems.

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The 38-year-old was convicted of sexual assault, harassment and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity in September and jailed for a year.

But he was mistakenly freed from HMP Chelmsford just a month into his sentence, sparking a huge manhunt.

After being re-arrested, he threatened to launch a legal challenge against his removal and even said he was considering lodging a new asylum claim with the Home Office.

Kebatu was only deported after being given a 'discretionary' payment of 500 by the Home Office in return for going quietly.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to empty asylum hotels by the end of this Parliament in 2029.

One way he hopes to reduce the use of hotels is by opening up accommodation in military bases.

Two new centres - in Crowborough, East Sussex, and Inverness - have already been announced with at least six further sites currently being considered by ministers.
A farm business which supplied free range pork to major supermarket chains is facing animal cruelty charges including an allegation workers were allowed to bludgeon pigs to death.

Norfolk Free Range, which is accredited by an RSPCA welfare scheme, provided meat to Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsburys, Morrisons, Co-op, Aldi and Lidl.

But it is due to take part in a trial next year following the release of covert footage taken by animal activists at Harford Farm in Caistor St Edmund, one of the 40 sites it operates across East Anglia.

The footage, which was taken over an eight-day period, allegedly caught workers attacking pigs with a long metal fencing pole, known as a hurdle pin, in two separate incidents.

A pig appeared to be left for dead in one of the attacks, which appeared in a documentary, Pignorant, produced by vegan animal activist Joey Carbstrong in 2022.

Two farm workers  a man and a woman  were subsequently sacked.

Norfolk Free Range faces six charges including permitting the repeated striking of a pig with a hurdle pin causing the animal to suffer in that it failed to take steps to prevent it.

There are also two counts of failing in its duty to ensure animal welfare by not taking adequate steps to meet the needs of caring for injured pigs.

Covert footage allegedly caught workers attacking pigs with a long metal fencing pole, known as a hurdle pin, in two separate incidents

Other charges include allowing the killing of pigs without a licence, killing animals without the proper restraint and allowing workers to inflict blows and kicks on animals.

The firm, which denies all the charges, is owned by millionaire farming entrepreneurs Steve and Sally Ann Hart, who have not been accused of any offences personally.

Mr Hart was a grain trader who used his last 500 to switch to pig rearing in the 1990s.

He went on to win Farmers Weeklys Pig Farmer of the Year award in 2016 on the strength of his championing of animal welfare.

Norfolk Free Range, which made a profit of almost 4 million on a turnover of 9.2 million in the year to July 2024, is a member of the RSPCAs Assured programme, which requires members to adhere to higher welfare standards.

Harford Farm was not RSPCA Assured when the covert footage was taken but were certified afterwards.

When the footage came to light the RSPCA suspended their membership, reinstating them in January 2024 after an investigation and several inspections were carried out, noting that there had been a change in ownership since the incident. In February of that year the farm cancelled their membership.

A manager at one of the firms pig units won an RSPCA award for excellence in higher farm animal welfare in 2021.

Speaking when the Pignorant documentary was unveiled, Norfolk Free Range said: We have been disgusted and distressed by the actions of our employees depicted in the footage.

Two farm workers  a man and a woman  were sacked after the footage came to light

The company behind the farm is owned by Steve Hart, pictured, who was previously crowned pig farmer of the year, and his wife Sally Ann. Neither face charges personally

It is not acceptable and not representative of the way in which we look after our animals.

The company will stand trial at Norwich Magistrates Court in June next year.
Black smoke is engulfing a central London district after a blaze erupted in an underground tunnel - with 70 firefighters sent to tackle the flames.

Surrounding roads in Holborn have been closed, with travel chaos reported as crews battled to control the scene.

The London Fire Brigade urged people to stay away, amid warnings of 'significant disruption' in the heart of the capital - as videos showed traffic struggling to pass.

Some ten fire engines and about 70 firefighters were called to the scene on Theobalds Road following the blaze reported in an underground utilities tunnel.

LFB station commander Paul Morgan, at the scene, said: 'Crews are currently dealing with a fire affecting the electrical cables in an underground tunnel.

'This is likely to be a protracted incident.

'The incident is causing significant disruption in central London, with multiple road closures and a safety cordon in place.

'Bus routes have been diverted, and people are advised to avoid the area where possible.'

Black smoke is engulfing a central London district after fire erupted in an underground tunnel

Surrounding roads in Holborn have been closed and the London Fire Brigade have urged people to stay away from the area

The brigade's 999 Control officers have taken 18 calls to the fire and sent crews from Soho, Euston, Shoreditch, Islington, Lambeth and surrounding fire stations.

The LFB said the cause of the fire was not known at this time.

The latest major London blaze comes the day after a major incident was declared as a huge fire tore through a west London warehouse 'containing fireworks' - with 150 firefighters responding.

London Fire Brigade were called to the incident at Middlesex Business Park on Bridge Road in Southall at 8.55am on Tuesday, with crews from Southall, Heston, Ealing and surrounding stations sent to the scene in 25 fire engines.

The inferno erupted in a two-storey building made up of a warehouse and retail space. It is situated across the road from Hortus Cemetery.

About three-quarters of the structure was alight earlier, but it is now understood the entire building is 'fully alight, internally and externally'.

LFB said it was suspected fireworks and cylinders were being stored inside.

A nearby school and block of flats were evacuated as a safety precaution.

There were warnings of travel disruption after the fire broke out on Wednesday morning

Some 70 firefighters were called to the scene in Theobalds Road in central London

The London Fire Brigade's 999 Control officers have taken 18 calls to the fire and sent crews from Soho, Euston, Shoreditch, Islington, Lambeth and surrounding fire stations

LFB station commander Paul Morgan, at the scene said it was 'likely to be a protracted incident'

Onlookers took pictures of the scene as black smoke billowed above central London

The plumes shrouded surrounding streets near the London Underground station in Holborn

London Fire Brigade were called to Middlesex Business Park on Bridge Road in Southall at 8.55am on Tuesday, with crews from Southall, Heston, Ealing and surrounding stations sent

The huge blaze erupted in a two-storey building made up of a warehouse and retail space

A giant plume of smoke towers into the air as the blaze tears through the warehouse

Videos posted to social media showed multiple explosions causing loud bangs inside the building as it burned as terrified residents filmed from their homes.

The cause of the fire was also said to be unknown.

The LFB confirmed there were no injuries reported so far.

Residents in the local area were told to keep doors and windows closed due to the large amount of smoke being produced.

Traffic in the area was also affected, with roads closed and buses diverted.
Residents of Milton Keynes have been left bemused by an article published in an American periodical that appears to paint the English new town as a technologically advanced dystopia - thanks to its shopping robots.

Pulitzer-winning New York Magazine sent a writer to the town in the summer to report on the six-wheeled delivery robots regularly seen whizzing along its pavements.

Operated by Starship Technologies, a firm founded by two alumni of internet phone firm Skype, the trundling little robots are used to deliver takeaway food and groceries from Co-op shops and have done so since 2018.

But the way the magazine has reported on Milton Keynes itself - describing it as 'England's strangest town' and a prime spot from which to 'glimpse our robot-filled future' - has left locals equally flummoxed and amused.

'As someone from Milton Keynes this is just so important and funny to me,' says one.

'"Strange" is the kindest adjective to describe Milton Keynes,' said another, while several others commended the fact Milton Keynes was finally, after decades as a punchline, getting recognition on the international stage.

'I go to Milton Keynes a lot to run errands and while I have yet to see these robots, it does have a very weird, boxy, dystopian vibe,' added influencer Laura Larkins.

Writer Stefan-Rhys Williams said on X: 'Very funny to me that New York magazine are writing about Milton Keynes like its at the vanguard of modernity.'

Residents of Milton Keynes have been left bemused by an article that appeared to hail the new town as a technological utopia thanks to its delivery robots

The Starship Technologies robots were launched in 2018 and are a regular sight on the city's streets, delivering Co-op groceries and takeaway food

Milton Keynes locals were left amused by the fact the highly respected American periodical had sent a reporter to the town

Developed as a new town in 1967 in order to address a national housing shortage, it was billed as a viable alternative to living in London, where people lived in cramped and overcrowded conditions post-war.

The town was built upon Iron Age, Roman and Saxon settlements - with a sprawling road network to link everything up.

There was a huge sense of optimism around the development at the time as it pulled together a number of existing settlements, including Bletchley - home to World War II codebreakers - with a groundbreaking town centre at its core.

'You've never seen anything like it - Central Milton Keynes,' sang Ronnie Bond, once of The Troggs, on a single distributed to promote its packed shopping centre.

Of that, there was no doubt: the city was built on an American-style grid of roads, with wide, sweeping tree-lined boulevards and, crucially, 200 miles of 'redways' for people and cyclists alongside its network of single and dual carriageways.

But to Starship, those enclosed residential communities - and the huge network of footpaths - were a perfect training ground for their fleet of delivery robots.

Writing under its Intelligencer heading, New York Magazine's Joanna Kavenna said Milton Keynes seemed an 'odd' choice for an army of grocery-delivering autonomous buggies - until she visited the town itself.

Quoting a friend speaking about the town's early optimism, she writes: 'Theres always something odd about utopias, Ole says. Theyre perfect. And real life is never perfect. So theyre always quite unreal'

The Starship delivery robots, she concluded, fitted the vibe of Milton Keynes - all roundabouts and concrete cow sculptures - perfectly.

The author added: 'Milton Keynes is very green with beautiful parks and endless trees. Owing to this dense foliage, you rarely see buildings from the road grid, so it feels as if you are driving through a forest, onward, forever.

'Or as if civilization has already collapsed and nature has reclaimed its territory.'

Social media reaction on Instagram and X (above) varied from bemused to amused - and even pride

Sir Keir Starmer viewed the Starship robots for himself in 2020 when demand shot up in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic

The robots are loaded with an army of sensors to help them detect people, cars and other city infrastructure - even pedestrian crossings

Like other post-war new towns, Milton Keynes became more infamous for its perceived soullessness than famed for its modernity as time went on.

The wide roads and 'hub' layout necessitated driving everywhere; it now has approximately 130 roundabouts. Those have, as it happens, become a frequent testing ground for another form of autonomous vehicle: self-driving cars.

To some, it has become a byword for blandness - though its population growth has outstripped the national average as it becomes a commuting favourite for London workers. So who is to say?

It is along the 'redways' that the little Starship robots trundle along every single day at the speed of a walking pedestrian.

They are packed with an army of sensors to stop them from running over children and maiming pensioners as they go.

(That does not always go to plan, as a dog walker discovered two years ago when one of the Starship robots rammed his pet.)

Those sensors ensure the robots run with '99 per cent' autonomy, with a human operator stepping in should disaster strike.

Robots can even ask nearby people for help if they get stuck - and set off a loud, shrieking siren if they are attacked or stolen.

No mopeds zipping up and down streets, no threat of anyone stealing your food: just a small, friendly sounding robot that will only open its climate-controlled hatch upon successful delivery at your door. It even says 'thank you' for help - sometimes.

Starship launched in 2018 but came into its own during the coronavirus pandemic, when restrictions precluded people from visiting shops and takeaways as normal.

Milton Keynes was developed throughout the 1960s, 70s and 80s as a viable alternative to living in London (pictured in 1979)

The city was borne out of the 'new towns' movement and tied together several villages with an American-style grid system at its centre

The city has some 200 miles of 'redways' exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists that Starship robots use to deliver goods

The robots made contact-free, safe deliveries effortless - and Starship made deliveries free for NHS workers, endearing them to the community.

The company deemed the Milton Keynes trial such a success that it has expanded to Cambourne, a planned development with a similar layout of urban sprawl extending out from a pre-planned town centre.

It is also available in selected areas of Northampton, Trafford, Wakefield and Leeds, and on university campuses across the United States.

Last month, the company's co-founder Ahti Heinla said he wants to expand the company's fleet across Britain as rivals size up entering the marketplace - but needs ministers to set nationwide rules for how it can operate.

At the moment, it has to negotiate with each council in the areas it wants to roll out 0 all while facing down competition from the likes of Amazon, which has been testing drone deliveries.

Mr Heinla told the Guardian: 'We are ready to invest in UK as well to expand larger in UK as well, but we would like this regulatory clarity as well.

'We have less robots in the UK than we have in Finland. But we could have more, we could have much more.'

He has also insisted that the robots are not stealing jobs - but instead supporting businesses by addressing the demand for deliveries from time-squeezed Brits.

'Giving more capabilities to people is useful,' he added.
The personal archive of one of the detectives who headed up the Great Train Robbery investigation has emerged for sale more than 60 years on.

Detective Chief Superintendent Ernest Millen was head of Scotland Yard's 'Flying Squad' when the notorious multi-million-pound heist was committed on August 8, 1963.

The extensive archive of files and evidence photos provide a fascinating insight into one of Britain's most infamous crimes, with some pictures of heist vehicles and bags of money believed to have never been seen.

Britain's biggest and boldest train robbery was orchestrated by London gang members, executed in 15 minutes and prompted an international manhunt that spanned several decades.

The case clearly had a big impact on Millen, who kept boxes of paperwork at his home long after all the criminals had been caught.

Booklets of photographs show suitcases and holdalls with bundles of money piled in front of them, believed to have been seized after arrests had been made.

There are also evidence photos showing close-ups of the tampered signal, the inside of the train's high value package carriage, a view of the bridge where they offloaded the money and the hideout at Leatherslade Farm in Buckinghamshire.

The personal archive of one of the detectives who headed up the Great Train Robbery investigation has emerged for sale more than 60 years on

The extensive archive of files and evidence photos provide a fascinating insight into one of Britain's most infamous crimes, with some pictures of heist vehicles and bags of money believed to be previously unseen

Some show getaway vehicles left in rundown barns at the farm, camping equipment and food left at the hideout and the Royal Mail bags the money had been in.

There is also a photo showing a pile of burning rubbish after the gang set fire to their hideout in a bid to get rid of all the evidence.

The 16 criminals led by Bruce Reynolds targeted a Royal Mail train that was carrying bags of cash from Glasgow to London at 3.03am with a fake stop signal near Ledburn, Bucks.

They absconded with 120 sacks of money totalling 2.6m - equivalent to 48m oday - the bulk of which has never been recovered.

They made their way to Leatherslade Farm, where the plan was to lay low until the furore died down.

But after getting spooked by reports of police searching in the area, they decided to go on the run.

Two of the gang had been tasked with burning down the farm but did not do this.

When police arrived, the gang was gone but they left behind plenty of evidence, including a Monopoly game that had been played with the stolen money, and fingerprints lifted from the scene gradually led to the identification of everyone involved.

Some photos show getaway vehicles left in rundown barns at the farm, camping equipment and food left at the hideout and the Royal Mail bags the money had been in

Mugshots of some of those who were involved in the Great Train Robbery

Photographs from the case, including an image of bundles of money. They were kept by Detective Chief Superintendent Ernest Millen

Papers that Detective Chief Superintendent Millen kept for decades after the case

More of the photos that were taken by police at Leatherslade Farm

Ernest Millen's personal items including his Metropolitan Police warrant card and passport

Millen was promoted to deputy commander and assumed responsibility for the entire CID department two months after the heist and was at the very epicentre of the investigation.

It was Millen who made the decision to publish the names and photographs of the suspects, a move which others strongly disagreed with.

Even after they were identified, many of the criminals managed to avoid justice for years.

The last of the suspects, Ronnie Biggs, was jailed in 2001 - 38 years after the heist. In total, the syndicate received a cumulative 307 years imprisonment.

This archive includes a Met Police file type-written by Millen and signed by him just four days after the heist to the assistant chief constable to co-ordinate the enquiries and make sure 'all police forces concerned were aware of the facts'.

There is a framed newspaper from the day of the robbery and a poster and newspaper for a feature on Millen from 1970.

Although the archive is focused on the Great Train Robbery, it does cover Millen's entire police career.

He started as a beat cop before the war and the archive includes mugshots from his early career, as well as warrant cards, a passport and other personal effects, including a published book script he wrote.

Vince Scopes, a specialist at C&T Auctioneers, who are selling the archive, said: 'This has all come directly from Ernest Millen's house and have come to light after he passed away and the property was cleared out.

'But before that was done, Scotland Yard had already been into his property and removed other items deemed sensitive, this is what was left behind.

Press cuttings kept by Ernest Millen after his leading role in snaring the Great Train Robbery gang

Photos of Detective Chief Superintendent Millen, along with membership cards and papers

Detective Chief Superintendent Ernest Millen was head of Scotland Yard's 'Flying Squad' when the notorious multi-million-pound heist was committed on August 8, 1963

'It just goes to show how important it still was for Scotland Yard to come down and go through his belongings. And the archive shows how much that investigation meant to Millen - the majority of the stuff is related to the Great Train Robbery.

'We believe the evidence photographs are unpublished. The ones of the vans, the Austin lorry they used in the raid, I haven't seen those anywhere else before.

'This is the first time to the market, the only other people that have handled it are the house clearance people.

'Thankfully someone recognised the importance and these bits of history got saved from the bin.

'It is a really difficult thing to try and put an estimate on - it's a complete one off so it's hard to gauge.'The archive, estimated at 800, will be sold at Kenardington, Kent, on November 30.
Three illegal Venezuelan migrant teenagers have been charged in connection with the fatal stabbing and robbery of a homeless man in front of his cat, police said.

Wuinayker Rodriguez-Vasquez, 16, and two unnamed 14-year-olds allegedly ambushed Bradley Obeirne, 49, in the Loop area of Chicago on Sunday morning.

Samuel Alvarado Moreno, 23, who was also allegedly part of their group, has been charged with a felony count of criminal damage to property.

The stabbing unfolded around 5.45am, when the teenagers allegedly saw Obeirne outside a restaurant with a Best Buy shopping cart of his belongings, including his cat and a skeleton mask.

Assistant States Attorney Todd Kleist said surveillance footage showed one of the 14-year-old boys striking Obeirne with a metal rod, while the other ran up to him and stole his mask.

Cops said other members of the group then ran away, but Rodriguez-Vasquez turned and kicked the homeless man, starting a physical fight on the street.

Prosecutors allege that Rodriguez-Vasquez then pulled a knife from his sleeve and stabbed Obeirne in the back, before leaving him bloodied on the sidewalk.

Investigators then allegedly found a video that showed Rodriguez-Vasquez display the knife on a train and make stabbing motions while wearing the skeleton mask.

Chicago homeless man Bradley Obeirne, 49, (pictured) was allegedly stabbed to death by a group of illegal Venezuelan migrant teenagers in a random attack on Sunday

The attack unfolded around 5:45am outside the Exchequer restaurant (seen in a stock image) in Chicago's Loop neighborhood

The shocking incident comes just days after 26-year-old Bethany Magee was set on fire on Chicago's trainline by a career criminal, the latest high-profile crime seen in the Democrat-run city.

Prosecutors said Obeirne was lying in the street for some time after he was stabbed, until a passerby saw him in an alcove surrounded by blood and called 911.

Officers said they found a bike at the murder scene used by one of the attackers, and the victim's cat was turned over to Chicago Animal Care and Control.

During the search for the alleged culprits on Monday, surveillance cameras picked up the teenagers wearing the same clothes as during the attack, and they were arrested at the Western Pink Line station in the city.

Rodriguez-Vasquez was allegedly found with a knife still in his possession when he was arrested, and he is facing first-degree murder charges and will be tried as an adult.

The 14-year-olds are set to face juvenile court, with the one who allegedly stole Obeirnes mask charged with robbery and the other charged with first-degree murder.

Officials said the teens did not know Obeirne, who, according to public records, had his own brush with the law.

Two of the teenagers are facing murder charges, and another alleged member of the group, Samuel Alvarado Moreno, 23, (pictured) is also charged with a felony count of criminal damage to property

The incident comes just days after 26-year-old Bethany Magee was set on fire on Chicago's trainline as the Democrat-run city suffers a crime wave

He was sentenced to 34 months in prison in 2012 for theft over $300, but was released early in April 2014.

According to officials, Rodriguez-Vasquez is a Venezuelan national who has been living in Chicago for two years.

The Department of Homeland Security told Fox News that he is believed to have crossed into the US in September 2023 in Texas, and was documented as an 'alien inadmissibility' case.

This means an individual cannot enter or remain in the United States for a variety of reasons, including prior criminal activity, fraud, or health issues.

A judge denied the teenager bail at his first court appearance on Tuesday, saying the migrant poses a clear danger to the community.

'This was completely senseless. There was no reason for you to do what you did,' the judge told him, per ABC7.
The state's attorney's office in Chicago has spoken out after it was revealed that a circuit judge approved the release of a violent arrestee who then allegedly set a woman on fire during her commute.

Lawrence Reed, 50, was arrested on November 19 and faces charges of federal terrorism for allegedly attacking Bethany MaGee, 26, while she sat on Chicago's commuter train line.

He allegedly doused her in gasoline before yelling, 'burn b***h' and set her ablaze - after which he fled the scene at the next station.

MaGee survived the attack; however, questions now loom over why Reed was out on the streets when he was a repeat violent offender.

'This heinous crime is heartbreaking. But it didnt come out of nowhere. My office requested the perpetrator be detained after he committed a previous violent crime,' State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke said.

'The judge denied our request. This was a tragedy. But it never should have happened.'

Burke has long been a staunch advocate for the safety of Chicago commuters and has announced that her office will now push for detention in all cases involving violent felony offenses committed on public transit.

The announcement comes after it was revealed that Circuit Judge Teresa Molina-Gonzalez let Reed free over the summer after he was arrested for assaulting a social worker.

Illinois State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke said her office attempted to keep Lawrence Reed in jail, but the request was denied by a circuit judge

Lawrence Reed, 50, was arrested on November 19 and faces charges of federal terrorism for allegedly attacking a woman on Chicago's commuter train line

Judge Teresa Molina Teresa Molina-Gonzalez allowed Reed to be released with an ankle monitor for a violent offense in August

Prosecutors warned that Reed had a violent past, but he was released with just an ankle monitor to keep him in check.

'I can't keep everybody in jail because the state's attorney wants me to,' Molina-Gonzalez said at the time, as first reported by CWB Chicago.

Chicago eliminated the cash bail system in 2021 under the SAFE-T Act (Safety, Accountability, Fairness, and Equity-Today) and implemented a new system to handle arrestees.

Cash bail is often seen as discriminatory and keeps people who don't have the means to afford bail awaiting trial in jail longer.

The process is also used to ensure that a defendant will return to court for trial or subsequent hearings.

The sweeping reform, passed four years ago, eliminated cash bail and instituted alternative ways to monitor arrestees before trial, including electronic monitoring.

Prosecutors are tasked with determining whether individuals awaiting trial are flight risks or threats to public safety, and then make a recommendation to the judge.

Judges then determine whether the individual can be released or must remain in jail.

Burke expressed doubts over whether the chief judge's office could run the program safely when the initiative passed.

Reed had a long rap sheet, including over 70 arrests, and was detained over the summer after allegedly assaulting a social worker

Reed allegedly attacked the 26-year-old woman while she sat on a train car. He allegedly doused her in gasoline before setting her on fire

Reed then fled the scene, yelling 'burn b***h' at the next stop while witnesses rushed to help Bethany MaGee

She said at the time that, 'personnel are not law enforcement officers and cannot investigate, seek escape charges, or obtain an arrest warrant if a person absconds.'

Chief Judge Timothy Evans, a supporter of the SAFE-T Act, oversees the initiative. A spokesperson for the court's office addressed the backlash in a media release.

'The Office of the Chief Judge extends our deepest concern to the individual who was injured, and we take this matter extremely seriously,' the statement read.

'Any incident in which someone is harmed is unacceptable, and public safety remains our top priority.'

Although the office couldn't comment on Reed's specific case, a spokesperson provided general guidelines on how the electric monitoring system works.

In Illinois, the threshold for denying pretrial release is intentionally high, and prosecutors must prove 'specific, unmanageable risk' to detain an individual until their trial.

Reed was captured on surveillance camera footage at a gas station before the alleged attack

Reed was seen filling up a container with gas at a station before the attack. He had an ankle monitor and wasn't allowed to be out of his house on Mondays

The Pretrial Services Division receives an average of 8,500 alerts each week, which are reported to the court within 72 hours.

Chief Judge Timothy Evans was a proponent of criminal justice reform under the SAFE-T Act

Pretrial officers address the alerts at the individual's next court date, and officers are only alerted if the individual enters a prohibited area or cuts off the device.

Police officers don't detain individuals who break the rules. The chief justice's office said it is reviewing the procedures in light of Reed's case.

Records obtained by CWB Chicago revealed that Reed had received permission to be out of his house from 10am to 5pm on Tuesdays, 11am to 8pm on Saturdays, and 8am to 3pm on Sundays.

The alleged attack occurred on a Monday. A filing on Reed's record noted that pretrial officers were notified at 9:13am on Monday that Reed had left his home.

They received two 'escalated alerts' on Tuesday, just a few hours after the alleged attack. At that point, officers were searching for a 'person of interest,' and Reed was arrested later that day.

The filing also noted that Reed was away from his home for nearly 12 hours the weekend before the attack.

Bethany MaGee, a 26-year-old devout Christian, was identified as the victim of the attack

MaGee's family recently said in a statement that she's still recovering from the severe burns in the hospital

In response to increased scrutiny around the program, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker told reporters on Tuesday that he'd be open to tweaks.

The victim's family issued a statement on Tuesday that MaGee is currently hospitalized with severe burns.

'Bethany is a beloved daughter, sister, sister-in-law, granddaughter, and aunt. She is a good friend. She is sensitive, caring, intelligent, and imaginative,' the statement read.

'She loves living in Chicago, and her gentle spirit makes her a favorite with every pet she meets.'
A female New York City lawmaker complained that too many white women are obtaining contracts under a program aimed to help both females and minority business owners.

Democrat Councilwoman Julie Won, 35, shared her fury during a November 18 council meeting regarding the Committee of Small Business when discussing the number of contracts that were granted under The City of New York Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE).

The program specifically helps minority 'and/or' female entrepreneurs gain access to government contracts to help them grow their businesses, according to the official city website.

Specifically, 'at least 51 percent of your business must be owned, operated and controlled by U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents who are women and/or members of designated minority groups,' the site detailed.

The conditions suggest there is no cap on the percentage of white women who are allowed to apply to receive grants through the program.

Despite the terms and conditions, Won, a Korean American politician who lives in the Queens neighborhood of Long Island City, demanded that the city needs 'to get certifications up' so it's 'not just white women' benefitting from the program.

'Yeah, we're gonna have to get certifications up for all of the M/WBE's.. Looking at your breakdown of certified firms, there's more non-minorities, so white-woman-owned firms - 26 percent - than Asian-owned, Hispanic-owned and Native American-owned that are certified,' Won told Dwight Flynn, the first deputy chief business diversity officer for New York City.

'So, you're gonna have to get the certification numbers up so we actually have people of color who are also certified, not just white women,' Won told Flynn with a straight face.

New York City Councilwoman Julie Won, 35, expressed her fury at a recent council meeting over too many white women receiving contracts under a program meant for females and minorities

During Won's remarks, Dwight Flynn, the first deputy chief business diversity officer for New York City, appeared stunned, and at some point stared at her blankly before replying to her

Prior to her remark, Won quizzed Flynn on how many firms were certified under the scheme in 2025 before noting her concern that 'our taxpayer dollars [are] going straight back into the hands of white people.'

'So for the total certified firms, you are saying that we certified 11,382,' Won told Flynn.

'As of the end of '25,' he responded.

She then questioned: 'Yes, and in the city of New York, how many firms total are registered with the city of New York?'

Before giving Flynn a chance to respond, the councilwoman added: 'I imagine probably hundreds of thousands.'

'Yeah, I mean we will circle back with you on the specific number, on that specific number for that specific question,' he responded.

Won then interjected: 'Because that already is too little. 11,282 firms for the city of New York that has a $188 billion budget, 30 percent of that is going to contracting.

'That is an abysmal amount of money that is being - our taxpayer dollars going straight back into the hands of white people,' she added.

Won also quizzed Flynn on how many firms were certified under the scheme in 2025 before noting her concern that 'our taxpayer dollars [are] going straight back into the hands of white people.' (Pictured: The councilwoman with Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in October)

Flynn seemingly looked taken aback by Won's comment as he stared blankly at her before responding: 'Well, I can say that, all that comes in in terms of M/WBE's, potential M/WBE's looking to be certified, those applications are taken in and processed.

'But if you have a specific question regarding that specific number relative to the larger number, we're happy to consider it and provide you with a response,' Flynn added before Won suggested certification numbers specifically for minority women have to increase.

The Daily Mail contacted Won's office for comment.

Won's comments come just two years after it was revealed her husband, Eugene Noh, who also worked as her campaign manager, was banned from X over a racist post he made in 2011.

More than a decade ago, Noh, who married Won in 2020, posted on to the platform: F*** dude. Get here soon n****,' according to a now deleted tweet obtained by New York Daily News in 2023.

Noh, who is Asian, was 20 years old when he made the post.

He initially denied sharing that tweet to the outlet, stating: 'I have no idea whats going, man.

'Its not me, and I mean, clearly, its not me  I dont have a Twitter. I dont recall having one, especially over a decade ago.'

Won's comments come after it was revealed her husband, Eugene Noh, who also worked as her campaign manager, was banned from X (formally known as Twitter) over a racist post he made in 2011. (Pictured: Won and Noh)

More than a decade ago, Noh, who married Won in 2020, posted on to the platform: F*** dude. Get here soon n****,' according to a now deleted tweet

Won is seen celebrating St. Patrick's Day in her Queens neighborhood of Long Island City

But once the outlet sent him a screenshot of what he said, Noh, who posted through the handle @EugeneNoh, said he 'must have forgotten about this account.'

'It looks like I had forgotten that I had a Twitter,' he told Daily News.

'When you sent me the screenshots, I saw like, "Oh no, thats clearly me" It looks like I tweeted like 150 times over six years. So its like a pretty miniscule part of my life  Thats why I forgot,' Noh added.

The outlet also uncovered tweets he made about homosexuality and the disabled community.

'I dont care what anybody says, being homosexual is still not as gay as Twilight,' the post, retweeted by Noh in December 2011 from the account 'Men's Humor,' read.

Just months earlier he wrote: 'Lisp has an s in it so ppl with the condition can self-diagnose themselves, methinks,' per the outlet.

In response to his posts, Noh said: 'A decade ago as a young man, I said and did many things that were obnoxious, attention-seeking or flat-out offensive  a lot of which I regret right now as a father and as a husband.

'Really, its no wonder Julie refused to date me until I turned 30.'

It remains unclear exactly when his X account got suspended as it was active as recently as 2018, the outlet reported.
Employees at a McDonald's in Oakland, California are protesting the restaurant's permanent closure more than a year after health officials shut it down when rats were spotted scurrying around the eatery.

Disgusting clips of rodents hopping around the fast-food joint's kitchen and photos showing dead rats inside the location went viral in May 2024, triggering health violations and a temporary shutdown.

At the time, longtime McDonald's employee and California Fast Food Workers Union Director Maria Maldonado revealed that workers were threatened with termination if they spoke up about the nasty scene, KRON4 reported.

The health violations were eventually resolved and the restaurant reopened.

Just last week, employees were told that the restaurant would be closing in ten days, leaving dozens jobless right before holiday season.

Nearly two dozen workers and supporters rallied outside the location on Tuesday in protest of the sudden move.

The restaurant's owner, Joseph Wong, said he made the 'difficult decision to close' on November 30, without elaborating on what led to the move.

'My organization is thankful to the local community for their years of support, to our hardworking crew members who showed up every day to serve our customers,' he said in a statement provided by McDonald's.

Oakland McDonald's strike after rat infestation plagues location, causing a temporary shutdown in May 2024

Pictures of both dead and live rats in the kitchen took the internet by storm

The Mcdonald's location in Oakland, owned by Joseph Wong, is closing at the end of November

The company told KRON4 that the laid-off workers were 'welcome' to apply to other McDonald's locations.

At the rally, cooks and cashiers gathered 'to protest companys failure to value its long time workers and demand McDonalds relocate instead of layoff workers,' the California Fast Food Workers Union said in a statement to the Daily Mail.

It added that 'striking workers will demand McDonalds immediately transfer them to nearby stores instead of leaving them without income just before the holidays.'

'This is just another example of how McDonald's and other fast food companies care more about profits than their workers,' added Antonia Ortega, who has worked at the restaurant for eight years.

'I was happy to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, but now, Im heartbroken , thinking of whether Ill find another job since McDonalds wont relocate us.'

California Fast Food Workers Union Director Maldonado told KRON4 that some of the employees have been working at that location for more than 17 years.
TikTok creator and adult performer Ari Kytsya faced backlash online for giving a lewd speech during an appearance as a guest lecturer at the University of Washington.

Psychology professor Dr. Nicole McNichols asked the viral sensation to sit down with her Diversity of Human Sexuality class to talk about 'sexuality, labor, and the realities of todays digital landscape,' per McNichols' social media post.

Kytsya, 24, addressed the class of 1,200 students on November 17. She answered their questions about sex work, social media, and her budding relationship with rapper Yung Gravy, The Sun reports.

McNichols said the guest lecturer 'understandably sparks mixed reactions' but said she was 'so grateful' that Kytsya shared her story.

Much of the internet was less than thrilled by the influencer's foray into academics and was quick to share their thoughts online.

Under one video from an excited student's perspective, commenters slammed the school and the professor for 'normalizing' adult content.

'This is beyond sad,' read one comment.

'How? Why? America is doomed,' said another.

Influencer Ari Kytsya (left) was invited to University of Washington professor Dr. Nicole McNichols' Diversity of Human Sexuality class

The influencer turned OnlyFans star said she wanted to take the opportunity to offer students an authentic perspective of the industry

'I kinda enjoy her TikTok content, but universities used to be a place to share knowledge and push science forward, this is just so shameful,' a third chimed in.

The discourse continued on X, where commenters disparaged the university for allowing Kytsya into their classroom.

'Porn stars are being invited to universities. Yeah I'm not going in debt for that,' read one post.

'Imagine paying to go to college just for some w**** to show up and u have to sit there and listen to her,' another said.

'Everyone who attended that class is brain dead,' a third added.

Kytsya discouraged students from pursuing adult content unless it was the only thing they ever wanted to do

Dr. McNichols admitted that the guest lecturer 'understandably sparks mixed reactions'

Kytsya admitted to feeling 'very socially anxious' in a video ahead of her guest appearance.

'But I also think education in the industry is so important,' she said. 'There's a lot more to it than just making movies.'

According to the school website, this course was designed to consider 'biological, psychological, and socio-cultural determinants of human sexuality and sexual behavior, and how their interaction leads to diverse expressions of sexuality.'

Kytsya began her career as an influencer in 2016, but more recently made the shift to X-rated content.

She garnered 645,000 likes on OnlyFans and almost five million followers on TikTok.

Kytsya, whose real name is Ariel Danyluk, proudly refers to herself as 'a mattress actress' but often discourages her followers from following the same path.

'Speaking about what the sex industry is like and the dangers it comes with is something I am very transparent about on my social media,' she the Daily Mail.

Kytsya said she felt it was important to educate people about the sex work industry

Kytsya answered the class's question about social media, sex work, and her relationship with rapper Yung Gravy

Kytsya said that she took the opportunity to speak with students so they could 'see a different perspective from a real person in the industry.'

Although many naysayers think Kytsya's mere presence promoted sex work to the college students, she simply wanted to offer them a transparent point of view.

'People in the industry are often not taken seriously or given platforms to speak on...Being able to talk face to face with a receptive audience of young adults who were attending on their own volition was such a special experience,' the Seattle native explained.

'My hope was to simply share my experiences in the industry  the good, the bad and the ugly.'

Dr. McNichols said that the OnlyFans model's advice to anyone in the class who was considering sex work was to 'only do it if there is truly nothing else you want to do, because once your content is out there, it will follow you.'

'Conversations like this expand empathy, challenge assumptions, and remind us that sexuality, relationships, and labor are always more complex, human, and nuanced than the stereotypes we inherit,' she added.

The Daily Mail contacted Dr. McNichols and the University of Washington for comment.
A mother who drunkenly beat up her young daughter on a Hawaii-bound flight was given a light sentence following the heinous assault.

Samantha Ann Dennis, 49, will serve no time behind bars for attacking the defenseless child on a packed flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu last year.

Instead, Honolulu District Judge Derrick Watson handed her just two years of supervised release and has ordered her to pay a $100 special assignment fee, according to a November 25 court filing.

Dennis sparked chaos on an Honolulu Airlines flight on November 4, 2024, when she violently lashed out at her daughter - landing the young girl in the hospital, according to the criminal complaint. Prosecutors did not say how old the victim was.

Within the first two hours of the roughly six-hour trip, four passengers approached flight attendants in a panic about Dennis screaming at and threatening her daughter, police said.

Other witnesses reportedly told staffers that Dennis was kicking the young girl and slamming her head into the window, telling her: 'You keep smiling like that, God is going to kill you.'

When flight attendants approached her, she allegedly told them she was just trying to calm her daughter down.

'We were 30,000 feet in the air with no one to help if she went crazy,' a flight attendant told police, as per the complaint.

Honolulu District Judge Derrick Watson ruled on Samantha Dennis' case, sentencing her to just two years of supervised release

Dennis allegedly attacked her child on board a Hawaiian Airlines flight last November

'I had anxieties because she was not completely there, and her actions were not that of a normal person.'

Dennis was ultimately restrained by an off-duty police officer on board the flight and separated from her child.

A flight attendant reportedly stayed with the battered child to comfort her until they landed.

After the flight from hell arrived at the Honolulu airport, the girl was taken to the hospital for evaluation for her injuries.

From the hospital, she was taken out of her mother's custody and entered the foster care system, according to the complaint.

Upon interviewing Dennis, the police deemed her to be under the influence of alcohol.

Dennis was initially charged with simple assault and interference with flight crew for her vicious outburst.

But she entered a plea agreement in August, in which she admitted only to the interference charge, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

Dennis' attorney, Melinda Yamaga, argued that her client had changed her ways since the plane incident

Dennis' family members submitted letters on her behalf to the court

Dennis and her daughter are initially from San Jose, California, but have moved to Hawaii in recent years.

According to Dennis' sentencing memorandum, filed by her attorney, Melinda Yamaga, on November 20, her daughter has been back in her care since August and has regained full parental rights.

'She continues to work on mending the bond between them, supporting her daughter in her transition to school here in Hawaii, so far from their home,' Yamaga wrote.

The lawyer claimed that Dennis has been sober since the incident and has sought out addiction treatment and therapy.

'Dennis describes the past year as the most difficult of her life. She deeply regrets her actions and has paid significantly because of them,' the document reads.

'She fully understands that attempting to cope with sadness, loneliness, or anxiety with alcohol is never the answer.'

Dennis also submitted letters from loved ones and family members, vouching for her character and how much she has changed since last year.

'She has always been a good person with good intentions and a loving spirit,' Denise Dennis, Dennis' aunt, wrote.

In 2016, Samantha Watanabe was found guilty of assaulting her 15-month-old daughter on a flight from Alaska, although her conviction was later overturned

The Daily Mail has contacted Dennis' lawyer, Judge Watson and the Honolulu District Court for comment.

About 10 years ago, another Hawaii mother found herself in a similar situation to Dennis'.

In 2016, Samantha Watanabe was found guilty of assaulting her 15-month-old daughter on a flight from Alaska.

She was sentenced to just 30 days in jail and one year of supervised release, including 90 days of home detention, according to the Department of Justice.

A year before she was sentenced, Watanabe was seen hitting her baby in the face with a stuffed doll and her hand, and pulling out the child's hair.

The judge said that Watanabe had previously lost custody of five of her children, and the baby was taken out of her care after the incident.

In 2017, a federal judge overturned Watanabe's conviction after defense attorneys argued that the claims of abuse were fabricated, but the case was never retried.
A valet in Cleveland, Ohio, has been arrested after taking a clinic patient's $115,000 Mercedes for a joyride during his break.

Lamar Williams, 19, took the luxury car out in the early hours of Friday to pick up a meal at Rally's, the fast food chain. He was stopped around 1.30am by Newburgh Heights police, who clocked him going 128mph in a 60mph zone on Interstate 77.

After officers stopped Williams and began asking questions, he told them he thought that he had been going 80 or 90 miles per hour.

He said he had been working as a valet at the Cleveland Clinic for just one month, prior to which he had been homeless, according to a police report.

Williams said he had decided to take the Mercedes rather than his own car, because it was 'better.'

He also told police that he did not have much gas in his car and did not have money to fill up his tank.

Williams was arrested and charged with aggravated speeding, reckless operation, failure to show proof of financial responsibility and receiving stolen property.

When officers informed Williams he was being arrested, the teen appeared distraught and remorseful.

Lamar Williams, 19, took a Cleveland Clinic patient's Mercedes for a joyride during his lunch break

Police said the Mercedes was $115,000 and that the owner had told them he had just finished paying it off

'Tell those people Im so sorry, man, Im so sorry, man. Please, tell them people Im sorry, please,' he can be heard saying in body camera footage from the traffic stop.

The officers allowed Williams to eat the meal he had purchased from Rally's in the back of one of their patrol vehicles.

Police told News5 Cleveland that the owner of the vehicle, who had gone to the Cleveland Clinic from out of town for a medical procedure, was 'ecstatic' when he found out the Mercedes had been recovered.

'He was in good spirits about it,' said Newburgh Heights Police Sergeant Rachel Halaska.

That patient had left his luxury car with Towne Park Valet near the InterContinental Hotel on Cleveland Clinic's campus, where he was staying. He later told police that he had just finished paying off the vehicle's $115,000 price tag.

On Friday, Cleveland Clinic released a public statement that said: 'This individual is not an employee of the Cleveland Clinic.

'We take the safety and security of our patients and their property very seriously. We are working closely with law enforcement and the vendor involved to support the investigation and ensure appropriate actions are taken.'

A spokesperson for Cleveland Clinic explained to the Daily Mail that Towne Park is the vendor that provides 24/7 valet services on the clinic's campus, and that Williams was employed through through that company.

Williams told police he had been working as a valet at the Cleveland Clinic for just one month, prior to which he had been homeless

When officers informed Williams he was being arrested, the teen appeared distraught and remorseful

Police said that the car's owner was 'ecstatic' when he found out the Mercedes had been recovered

Towne Park workers are not technically employees of the clinic.

This was not the first time the temptation of taking a luxury car for a joyride has gotten the better of a valet.

The Daily Mail previously reported on an influencer who became enraged with a valet in Beverly Hills after he claimed to have seen the man joyriding his half-a-million-dollar Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster.

In 2017, a British man was shocked after returning from a vacation in Portugal and discovering that his Audi S3, worth more than $50,000, had been taken for a 131mph joyride down the highway.

The prior year, a pair of valets were caught on a Dodge Challenger Hellcat's dash camera complaining that they could not take the car for a joyride, because the driver had put the vehicle in valet mode, restricting the gears and limiting its horsepower.
A college freshman was deported while trying to board her flight on her way to surprise her family at Thanksgiving.

Babson College student Any Lucia Lopez Belloza was waiting to board her flight to Texas, where her parents live, on November 20 when gate agents in Boston, Massachusetts, flagged up an issue with her ticket.

When the 19-year-old went to talk to customer service as instructed, they detained her without giving a reason, according to the Boston Globe.

Loved ones scrambled to find her a lawyer, and attorney Todd Pomerleau filed a lawsuit, saying that the teen was not given a due process.

'We believe her constitutional rights were violated, the way she was arrested, not having any notice why shes arrested, not shown any documents to justify her abrupt, egregious removal from the United States Of America,' he told WHDH.

Following her arrest, Lopez Belloza was taken to an ICE facility in Burlington and flown to Texas shortly before being sent to Honduras.

Lopez Belloza was pursuing a degree in business on a scholarship at the small Massachusetts college. She had moved to the US in 2014 with her family when she was just nine or ten years old.

'She was in a court process that she thought ended favorably,' Pomerleau told the outlet.

Any Lucia Lopez Belloza was trying to surprise her family for Thanksgiving when she was detained

The 19-year-old was detained at the Boston airport on her way to Texas, where her parents live, for Thanksgiving

Lopez Belloza's attorney Todd Pomerleau said the girl was given no reason or documentation for her arrest

Pomerleau explained that Lopez Belloza is a child in the eyes of immigration law.

'She's under the age of 21. She's going to college. She has zero record,' he told the outlet.

U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services classifies a child as 'a person who is both unmarried and under 21 years old.'

The lawsuit resulted in a judge ordering that Lopez Belloza could not be moved, but she was shipped off to Honduras anyway.

Lopez Belloza's family was completely unaware of her whereabouts. For two days they waited with bated breath hoping to find their daughter.

She was finally able to call her family on November 22 from a country she hadn't lived in since she was a child.

Any Lucia Lopez Belloza was a freshman at Babson college studying business

The terrified teenager had managed to make her way to her grandparents house in Honduras.

Lopez Belloza had a removal order from 2017. Neither she nor her family were aware of it, American Immigration Council policy director Nayna Gupta told the Globe.

Gupta explained that many immigrants are unaware that they have removal orders. They can be issued in immigration court when the subject isn't there or sent to old addresses.

The National Immigration Project reported that approximately 1.3 million people had orders of removal out against them at the beginning of 2025.

As of 2025, the Trump administration has deported more than 500,000 undocumented people, according to DHS. A total of 1.6 million people have chosen to self deport.

Lopez Belloza was directed to customer service at Logan Airport where she was detained

Pomerleau told the Globe that he was finally able to speak with Lopez Belloza earlier this week.

'She was really sad. I told her, "Were going to fight like hell until we bring you back,"' he said.

The Daily Mail contacted DHS, Pomerleau, and Babson College for comment.
This is the astonishing moment Rachel Reeves realised the Budget had been leaked early after her Labour colleague Torsten Bell handed her his phone in Parliament.

The Chancellor is thought to have been unaware of the mistake by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) mistake until she found out the bad news from Mr Bell.

Video footage broadcast live at 12.11pm showed Ms Reeves anxiously looking at the phone while Sir Keir Starmer was speaking during Prime Minister's Questions.

Ms Reeves was then seen writing something down while looking at Treasury minister James Murray's phone as Sir Keir continued to address the House of Commons.

Moments later the Chancellor and Mr Bell were spotted exchanging notes, with the Parliamentary Secretary for the Treasury telling Ms Reeves: 'It's fine, it's fine.'

The report - which is usually released after a Budget statement - included growth forecasts, the extent of tax rises and the decision to lift the two-child cap on benefits.

As she began speaking, Ms Reeves said the unprecedented pre-Budget publication of the document was 'deeply disappointing and a serious error on their part'.

Ms Reeves said: 'It is my understanding that the Office for Budget Responsibility's economic and financial outlook was released on their website before this statement.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is handed Torsten Bell's phone as she learns about the Budget leak

Ms Reeves can be seen reading the bad news as Prime Minister's Questions continues today

'This is deeply disappointing and a serious error on their part. The Office for Budget Responsibility have already made a statement, taking full responsibility for their breach.'

Just minutes earlier, the Chancellor's second Budget was revealed ahead of time by the unexpected early publication of the Budget watchdog's analysis.

The report laid out a series of tax rises to fill a black hole in the public finances, and that the UK's economy will grow more slowly than predicted over the next four years.

The OBR also revealed Ms Reeves will introduce measures aimed at helping those struggling with living costs, including an end to the two-child limit on benefits.

The document is not meant to be released until after the Chancellor has delivered her Budget in the House of Commons.

But it was published on the OBR website early, the latest in a series of leaks and early disclosures ahead of the statement. The OBR apologised, blaming a 'technical error'.

The Chancellor looks at the phone while Sir Keir is addressing the House of Commons today

Ms Reeves can be seen looking at Torsten Bell's phone while Sir Keir Starmer is speaking

Your browser does not support iframes.

Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride said it was an 'utterly outrageous' leak of market-sensitive information which could constitute a criminal act.

Tory policy chief Neil OBrien also passed a folder to the party's leader Kemi Badenoch detailing key points of the OBR leak ahead of the Budget statement.

An OBR statement said: 'A link to our economic and fiscal outlook document went live on our website too early this morning. It has been removed. We apologise for this technical error and have initiated an investigation into how this happened.

'We will be reporting to our oversight board, the Treasury and the Commons Treasury Committee on how this happened, and we will make sure this does not happen again.

'Our economic and fiscal outlook and supporting documents will be released when the Chancellor has finished her speech.'
Immigration attorneys are warning undocumented migrants to avoid New Hampshire entirely as the state has become a deportation hotbed.

The New England hub has been one of the most focused upon areas for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since Donald Trump retook the White House prompting attorneys to sound the alarm.

In July, where the most recent deportation data is from, arrest rates were over 400 percent higher than in the same period in 2024, per Sea Coast Online.

Fernanda Marra Romeiro, an attorney with Celedon Law, told the Boston Globe she has many clients who have temporary work status, but are now too afraid to enter New Hampshire because many of its police departments have been working with ICE in recent months.

The immigration attorney has been warning many that if they do not have full legal status, and may be seeking asylum, that they are at a heightened risk in New Hampshire.

'Thats basically the warning that weve been giving our clients or prospect clients: to avoid driving in New Hampshire, avoid going to New Hampshire,' she said.

'Even if youre a passenger, the motor vehicle that youre in could get stopped.'

Attorney Kira Gagarin added that before Trump issued his hardline immigration crackdown this year, she never used to worry about her clients crossing state lines in New England if they had valid work authorizations.

Amid the White House's hardline deportation crackdown, immigration attorneys say they are warning clients that New Hampshire is among the top states for ICE activity

New England immigration attorneys say they are warning migrants not to cross state lines even if they have legal work authorization permits

But she now says she often warns them to avoid New Hampshire, despite the state's longstanding construction industry being known for employing many migrants.

Gagarin said she was 'sad' to see the impact the Trump administration's policies have on her clients.

'(New Hampshire) is where their jobs are... They have roofing companies, construction companies, landscaping companies where theyre working lawfully, with work permits, and filing their taxes,' she said.

At least 12 law enforcement agencies and local police forces in New Hampshire have partnered with ICE in recent months, dramatically raising the risk of deportation for migrant workers in small communities.

The state has taken a hardline stance on immigration under its Republican controlled legislature.

House deputy majority leader Joe Sweeney took to social media earlier this year to warn all undocumented migrants to steer clear of his state.

'If you are in our country illegally, you are not welcome in the State of New Hampshire,' he wrote. 'House Republicans have made that clear throughout this legislative session.'

Over the summer New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte passed two laws that ban so-called 'Sanctuary Cities' in the state.

ICE activity in New Hampshire has resulted in a 400 percent increase in the year to July following Donald Trump's immigration crackdown

The aggressive approach from New Hampshire authorities captured headlines earlier this year as wild surveillance footage showed federal agents tackling a Venezuelan migrant into an elderly bystander

The aggressive approach from New Hampshire authorities captured headlines earlier this year as wild surveillance footage showed federal agents tackling a Venezuelan migrant into an elderly bystander.

Romeiro told the Globe that she has been especially wary of her clients travelling into New Hampshire from across state lines after one of them was locked up in an ICE detention center despite having a work authorization permit.

She said the migrant, a 23-year-old from Brazil, entered the country without authorization but was given a legal work permit, and found himself in hot water when traveling home to Lowell, Massachusetts.

She said he was riding in a car through Troy, New Hampshire on October 6 when the vehicle was pulled over for speeding.

Despite identifying himself to the officer and producing his work authorization card that was valid for two more years, the officer took him into custody.

The arrest landed him in an ICE facility for over a month, even as he never faced any criminal charges.

Boston attorney Matthew J Maiona added that he often tells migrant clients to warn their loved ones if they plan on travelling into the state.

'We really have to be practical and try to protect ourselves as best as possible,' he said.

'Just understanding the landscape and what type of a situation it is and try to do things that in the long run will protect you.'

Of those arrested in the year to July, around 68 percent of those arrested had no criminal record, a significant rise from around 20 percent from January to July 2024, according to Sea Coast Online.
A scandal-plagued Arizona ex-prosecutor's career and reputation lie in ruins over claims she refused to return $40,000 of jewelry delivered to her by mistake and sold a diamond bracelet from the haul online.

Vanessa Dailey, 49, has been charged with felony theft after receiving a pricey package meant for someone else at her Phoenix condominium complex on May 31 - before allegedly stealing one of the items to turn a profit.

The former division chief at the Arizona Attorney General's Office - professionally known as Vanessa Hickman - was unwilling to hand over the expensive accessories to their rightful recipient, investigators said.

US Postal inspectors came knocking on her door nine times trying to take back the package, according to court records reviewed by AZ Central.

She allegedly told investigators that she runs an online store on web retailer Poshmark, so she often has an influx of packages being delivered to and shipped from her home.

Finally, Dailey gave in about a month later and returned the package, but postal authorities allegedly found the return suspicious.

While Dailey gave them the missing package, inspectors noticed excessive tape on it - even though she claimed that she never opened it, KOLD reported.

But the intended recipient, who had been expecting a package from a friend in Florida, was dismayed to find that a $2,400 diamond bracelet from Costco was nowhere to be found.

Vanessa Dailey, 49, has taken a leave from her position at the Arizona Attorney General's Office

The allegedly stolen package belonged to one of Dailey's neighbors at her Phoenix condominium complex

Photos reviewed by authorities indicated that Dailey had removed a label from the package, according to court records.

Investigators discovered that Dailey allegedly sold an identical wrist piece on Poshmark about 10 days before returning the package, initially listing it for $1,947, but ultimately selling it for just $750.

'This dramatic undervaluing is consistent with the sale of stolen property,' investigators wrote in court filings, as per KOLD.

Amid the unflattering accusations stemming from the investigation, Dailey was placed on leave from her top position at the AG's office on November 13.

US Postal Service (USPS) inspectors arrested Dailey on November 19 in connection with the stolen jewelry.

The county sheriff's office told the Daily Mail that she was released from custody the following day.

On Monday, the Maricopa County Attorneys Office formally charged the disgraced prosecutor with one count of felony theft.

While she currently is only facing one charge, a Postal Inspection Service report recommended that she also be charged with the more serious felony of trafficking in stolen property.

Dailey declined Daily Mail's request for comment via her attorney. When an AZ Family reporter went to her condo for a statement, she refused to speak with them as well.

Dailey, professionally known as Hickman, was arrested on November 19

Dailey opened the door to her condo and declined to comment on the situation to an AZ Family reporter

This is not the first time Dailey has found herself accused of stealing.

She previously worked as the City of Peroia's attorney but took a leave of absence in January 2023.

Dailey worked as a top-ranking official under AG Kris Mayes, seen above

The city has launched a lawsuit against her, alleging that she had wrongfully accepted $139,000 in severance funds - coming out of taxpayers' pockets.

Dailey has fiercely denied any wrongdoing. She filed a countersuit against Peroia last year, but the Maricopa County Superior Court dismissed her case, allowing the ongoing lawsuit to move forward.

In a statement to the Daily Mail, a spokesperson for Arizona AG Kris Mayes confirmed that Dailey has stepped away from her high-ranking position.

'Attorney General Mayes believes that every individual is entitled to due process, but also that justice must be served,' he said.

'The allegations against Ms Hickman [Dailey] are serious for any state employee, particularly someone in a leadership position.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Mayes' office, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, the city of Peroia and the USPS Inspection Service for comment.
A California immigration judge wept after being abruptly fired mid-asylum hearing, making her the latest victim of the Trump administration's deportation crackdown.

Shuting Chen, 41, of San Francisco, was halfway through a hearing on Friday for three Venezuelan siblings who had fled persecution and waited years for their day in court when an email labeled 'notice of termination' flashed onto her screen.

'I had a very emotional reaction,' Chen, who was appointed under the Biden administration in 2022, told NBC Bay Area News.

'I started to cry in my courtroom in front of the parties, which I always tried not to do, despite the traumatic nature of our jobs.'

In tears, Chen told the attorneys, interpreter and asylum-seekers that she had been axed from her post and could not finish the case, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

For the siblings, the setback could now mean waiting years for another chance to appear before a judge.

'I'm an immigrant myself and I never took my role as a judge for granted,' Chen told the outlet. 'I don't just mourn the loss of a job but also the disintegration of a system.'

Since Donald Trump returned to the White House, at least 90 immigration judges have been terminated nationwide - most of them with backgrounds in defending immigrants, according to NPR.

San Francisco Immigration Judge Shuting Chen (pictured), 41, wept after being abruptly fired mid-asylum hearing via email on Friday

Chen was in the middle of a hearing at SF Immigration Court (pictured) for three Venezuelan siblings who had fled persecution when she got an email labeled 'notice of termination'

At least 90 immigration judges have been terminated nationwide since Donald Trump returned to the White House

Chen now joins four other judges dismissed this week without explanation, even as the immigration court backlog climbs to a record 3.4 million cases across the country.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) slashed roughly one-third of the judges in San Franciscos immigration court last month, which is one of the nations most favorable avenues for people seeking refuge.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported nearly 5,500 people from California alone within the first seven months of this year.

'My concern is that they're trying to systematically dismantle the San Francisco immigration court, one judge at a time,' Chen told the SF Chronicle.

San Franciscos immigration court started the year with 21 judges. Now, it has a bare-bones staff of only nine, according to the outlet.

'If I had to speculate, I might say it was because San Francisco is thought to be one of those "liberal" locales and any judge holding court in such a place might have a liberal leaning,' Julie Reddy Wiltshire, attorney for the Venezuelan siblings, added.

No judges have yet been replaced, but the administration is advertising open 'deportation judge' positions, describing the role as a chance to 'help write the next chapter of America.'

'I remain optimistic that people who are being brought on will not see themselves either as deportation judges, but as immigration judges, or just judges,' Chen told NBC.

The DOJ slashed one-third of the judges in San Franciscos immigration court last month, which is one of the nations most favorable avenues for people seeking refuge (pictured)

San Franciscos immigration court started the year with 21 judges. Now, it has a bare-bones staff of only nine

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is also advertising the role on social media and urging applicants to 'bring the hammer down on criminal illegal aliens.'

'Its meddling and interfering with real judges, our roles, our jobs, everything that we do,' Judge Jeremiah Johnson, who was also fired on Friday, added.

While Fridays news came as a crushing blow to Chen, who immigrated from China in the 1990s, she said she ultimately saw it coming.

As the DOJ continues to fire judges by the dozens, her days and nights were consumed by hundreds of extra dockets and an ever-growing workload.

'It's not normal for people to be working such a traumatic job at the pace we're asked to do,' she told SF Chronicle.

Nearly 25,000 cases are now set to fall on the remaining judges, a caseload Chen describes as 'frankly inhumane.'

The wave of firings has also raised alarm bells through the courts, with many officials observing a dramatic shift in the system compared with previous years.

'I felt it was really disgraceful what happened to her,' Wiltshire told the outlet, who was present for Chen's firing.

No judges have yet been replaced, but the administration is advertising open 'deportation judge' positions

Judge Jeremiah Johnson (pictured), also fired on Friday, believes the DOJ is hinting at judges to 'decide cases a certain way' and 'move faster with less due process'

Advocates for immigrants argue the firings are intentional and specifically designed to push judges to speed up deportations

'I, as an American, was embarrassed. It made me question the rule of law in this country,' she added. 'They seemed to be fair judges and do things according to the book.'

Speaking to the SF Chronicle, Wiltshire said she witnessed the government trying to dismiss asylum-seekers cases and deport them to countries they had never set foot in.

'Quite frankly, what's happening is illegal,' she said.

Advocates for immigrants argue the firings are intentional and specifically designed to push judges to speed up deportations, according to the outlet.

They add that the administration may be replacing judges with military attorneys it believes are more likely to approve deportation orders, despite some lacking immigration law experience.

'I saw them as soft pressure,' Johnson told NBC. 'It was giving judges the hint that they should be hearing cases a certain way, deciding cases a certain way. Move faster. Less due process, essentially.'

Former Bay Area immigration Judge Kyra Lilien, like Chen, was also in the middle of a hearing when she was terminated last month, NBC Bay Area News reported.

'It makes no sense to eliminate high-performing expert judges in the name of efficiency,' Lilien told the outlet. 'Its just ludicrous.'

In Chens (pictured) view, the Trump administrations actions represent 'an all-out attack on immigration court'

The DOJ contends that its new policies are designed to enforce immigration laws it claims the Biden administration ignored, despite zero evidence

In Chens view, the Trump administrations actions represent 'an all-out attack on immigration court.'

The DOJ contends that its new policies are designed to enforce immigration laws it claims the Biden administration ignored, even though there is no evidence Biden ever instructed judges to rule a certain way, according to NBC.

In response to the criticism, a DOJ spokesman said the department is simply 'restoring integrity to our immigration system and encourage talented legal professionals to join in our mission to protect national security and public safety.'

Neither Chen nor the DOJ immediately responded to the Daily Mail's request for comment.
John F. Kennedy's grandson, Jack Schlossberg, revealed he shaved his head earlier this year in solidarity with his sister after she was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Schlossberg, 32, who is known for his quirky social media videos, said he received backlash when braved the buzz cut in June.

At the time it was not public that his 35-year-old sister, Tatianna Schlossberg, is suffering from blood cancer.

'I think people called me crazy when I shaved my head, but now they know I was in solidarity with my sister who's sick,' he told the New York Post.

A friend of Schlossberg's told Page Six that the congressional hopeful son of Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg struggled with his decision to keep the reason for his new look private.

'He wrestled with telling social media why he shaved his head because he was so castigated for it,' the source said.

'Some of the haters were using it to say 'Look. Look. He is crazy.' Despite all that, he refused to exactly say why he did it. It wasn't his news to share. It was his sister's.'

The source claimed some of Schlossberg's haters have even apologized for the criticism since Tatianna penned an essay in The New Yorker revealing her diagnosis.

John F. Kennedy's grandson, Jack Schlossberg, said he received backlash when he shaved his head earlier this year but has since revealed it was in solidarity with his sister

His sister Tatianna Schlossberg, 35, (left) is suffering from acute myeloid leukemia, a type of blood cancer

'Now people know, and they know a lot more about who he is as a person. Some people have reached out to basically say, 'I'm sorry I said s**t. I didn't know,'' the friend said.

Writing on the 62nd anniversary of JFK's assassination, Tatiana shared in her essay that she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a type of blood cancer, in May 2024.

The mother-of-two said 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.

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.

Tatianna was eventually diagnosed with a 'rare mutation called Inversion 3' which 'could not be cured by a standard course.'

A friend claimed many Schlossberg critics have reached out to apologize since Tatianna shared her diagnosis

Tatianna Schlossberg (right), daughter of Caroline Kennedy (left), penned an essay in The New Yorker revealing the disease was found through routine blood tests after she gave birth to her second child

Tatianna torched her cousin RFK Jr in an essay revealing her secret terminal cancer fight, and said her brother has also spoken out against his lies

She said the health-care system she relied on suddenly felt 'strained, shaky' after her cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr's confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services and that she worried about losing access to leukemia and bone-marrow trials at Memorial Sloan Kettering, her best chance at remission.

Tatianna wrote that RFK Jr was 'mostly an embarrassment to me and the rest of my immediate family' as she underwent CAR-T therapy, a treatment developed through decades of government-funded research.

She said she watched from her hospital bed as he was confirmed for the top health post, 'in the face of logic and common sense,' despite never having worked in medicine, public health, or government.

Tatianna said her mother wrote to the Senate to block his confirmation, and her brother had spoken out against his 'lies for months'.

The heartbreaking essay also revealed that Tatianna has been given just a year left to live.
A San Francisco man has demanded a judge's pity as he was jailed for the murder of an elderly woman.

Keonte Gathron, 25, was sentenced to two life terms and a further 31 years in prison for the murder of Yik Oi Huang, 88, and a wave of other crimes targeting Asians.

Gathron, who pleaded not guilty, was convicted by a jury at a trial earlier this month.

Prosecutors said Gathron brutally attacked Huang on January 9, 2019, at around 6am as she was doing her morning exercises in a Visitacion Valley park playground near her home.

She died about one year later on January 3.

Gathron did not apologize as he spoke in court at his sentencing.

'I've suffered a lot myself,' he said, per KTVU. 'I could relate to the pain, loss, suffering.'

Gathron added: 'I've experienced that my entire life, so I understand, and I understand they feel and think I'm responsible, so I don't have any ill feelings.'

Yik Oi Huang, 88, was brutally attacked on January 9, 2019, at a playground near her Visitacion Valley home

Huang died in January 2020, about one year after the brutal attack. The park she was attacked at was renamed the Yik Oi Huang Peace & Friendship Park in 2022

Keonte Gathron was sentenced to two life terms and a further 31 years in prison for the murder of Huang and a spree of other crimes

Gathron was 18 when he attacked the grandmother and left her with a broken neck, arms and skull.

He also robbed seven people during a 13-day span that January, with six of his victims being Asian.

Gathron targeted three seniors, as well as three others described as 'juveniles' who were on their way to or returning from school.

He targeted the victims 'because they were alone, distracted and small,' according to the San Francisco District Attorney's office.

Police officers found Huang with 'severe head injuries' at the playground across from her Visitacion Avenue home when a burglary was reported at her residence.

She was rushed to hospital with lifethreatening injuries, police said.

Huang died about one year after the brutal attack on January 3, 2020.

Huang's family was in court for the sentencing, according to KTVU. Her granddaughter, Sasanna Yee, said Gathron did not take accountability, which was 'upsetting'

The San Francisco District Attorney's office said Gathron targeted the victims 'because they were alone, distracted and small'

Her family said on GoFundMe that she had 'suffered through the massive pain and had been clinging for her life courageously.'

They were at San Francisco Superior Court for the hearing and reacted to the sentence handed down by judge Eric Fleming.

'I did not hear him say what I want to hear him say, which is take accountability, and so that's upsetting,' Sasanna Yee, Huang's granddaughter, told KTVU.

Jeremy Lu, her grandson, said Gathron's sentencing offered limited comfort.

'It cannot bring back our grandma, and this will last forever,' he told the outlet. 'However, her love still remains.'

The park Huang was attacked at was renamed the Yik Oi Huang Peace and Friendship Park in 2022.

Gathron represented himself in court and baselessly claimed that police had used artificial intelligence to manipulate evidence such as surveillance video or DNA, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Gathron pleaded not guilty and maintained his innocence during the trial. He represented himself in court

Gathron was charged with first-degree murder, eight counts of robbery, one count of kidnapping for robbery, two counts of carjacking, two counts of burglary, and elder abuse and child endangerment.

He pleaded not guilty and continually maintained his innocence during the trial.

On Tuesday, Gathron was sentenced to 31 years in prison, followed by two consecutive life sentences without parole, according to American Community Media.

The San Francisco District Attorney's office said Gathron's sentence would be finalized on December 3.
Today's Budget fiasco has brought back memories of a leak to the media that forced a Labour chancellor to resign.

Rachel Reeves was left red-faced this afternoon as the Office for Budget Responsibility mistakenly released its assessment of her plans half an hour before she gave her Commons speech.

Back in 1947, Labour's Hugh Dalton carelessly revealed key details of his financial plans to a journalist while on his way to make his speech in Parliament.

But the revelations were reported in that day's evening papers before Dalton began addressing MPs, so he ended up resigning in shame the following day.

Dalton was later criticised by his boss, the Labour prime minister Clement Attlee, who said: 'He always liked to have a secret to confide to somebody else to please him.'

The then chancellor had been accosted by John Carvel, the political correspondent of evening newspaper The Star, while on his way to give his Budget speech.

Back in 1947, Labour chancellor Hugh Dalton carelessly revealed key details of his financial plans to a journalist while on his way to make his Budget speech in Parliament. Pictured: Dalton carrying his famous red box on November 13, 1947, the day after he delivered his Budget

Rachel Reeves was left red-faced this afternoon as the Office for Budget Responsibility mistakenly released its assessment of her plans half an hour before she gave her Commons speech

He told him: 'No more on tobacco; a penny on beer; something on dogs and pools but not on horses; increase in purchase tax, but only on articles now taxable; profits tax doubled.'

Around 20 minutes before he began his speech in the Commons, Dalton's leaks were published.

Attlee was furious. After the fiasco was explained to him, he said: 'Talked to the press? Why on Earth did he want to talk to the press?'

He then issued his personal criticism in a TV interview with Grenada after he had retired as PM.

The fact that Dalton came across a journalist at all on his way to give his speech was down to the fact that MPs were then sitting in the House of Lords because the Commons chamber had been destroyed in the Blitz and was still being rebuilt.

It meant Dalton had to walk past reporters on the way to the Lords.

The chancellor was also without his key aide Douglas Jay, who would ordinarily have shooed any journalists away.

Jay had been sent ahead to make sure there was a glass of water ready for Dalton at the dispatch box.

The day after the Budget, Dalton came back to the Commons to resign. He said in a statement: 'I very much regret to tell the House that publication arose out of an incident which occurred as I was entering the Chamber yesterday.

Hugh Dalton holds up his red box outside Number 11 Downing Street on Budget Day

The Daily Mail's front page coverage of Hugh Dalton's resignation after his Budget blunder

'In reply to questions put to me by the Lobby correspondent of the Star newspaper, I indicated to him the subject matter contained in the publication.

'I appreciate this was an indiscretion on my part, for which I offer my deep apologies to the House.'

The Daily Mail's report of his resignation statement read: 'Never in recent Parliamentary history has a Senior Minister of any Government made such a clear confession of his fault.

'It was startling in its starkness. It took everybody by surprise.'

Dalton was replaced as Chancellor by Sir Stafford Cripps. Both men had served in Winston Churchill's war cabinet.

Dalton returned to the government in 1948 as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, a role he held until Labour lost the general election in 1950.

He stood down as an MP in 1959 and died in 1962, two years after being made a life peer in the Lords.

In the documents mistakenly shared today by the OBR, it emerged tax is due to rise by 30billion by 2030-31 - with thresholds frozen for another three years.

Around a quarter of the working population will be paying higher or top rate tax by then, as the burden reaches a new record high.

When she finally rose to speak, Ms Reeves told the House she was asking everyone to 'contribute', despite explicitly pledging just 12 months ago that the freeze would not be prolonged because it hurts 'working people'.
Three members of the gang who grabbed 1.1million worth of luxury watches from a tragic shop manager who later took his own life are facing jail.

Oliver White, 27, was restrained with cable ties during the raid at 247 Kettles store in Kew Road, Richmond, on May 25 last year.

Kyle Mehmet, 40, and Michael Holmes, 34, were today found guilty of conspiracy to rob and will be sentenced at a later date alongside Mannix Pedro, 37, who was convicted of the same offence earlier this year.

Junior Kunu, 31, who was also on trial, was today cleared of conspiracy to rob after he claimed the heist was staged.

Salesman Mr White was so devastated by allegations that he did nothing to resist the raiders that he killed himself the following day in the woods where he had played as a boy.

Seventy uninsured watches, including a 30,000 Rolex Sky Dweller, were taken while the business owners, Conor Thornton and Joe Riley, were in New York.

They flew back to London for an 'intense' meeting with Mr White the next day, attended by a third businessman, Fred Sines, also known as Fred Doe.

Watch dealer Sines, 37, was handed a suspended jail sentence earlier this year for trying to sell the 4.8million gold toilet which was stolen from Blenheim Palace in 2019.

He is the son of multimillionaire caravan magnate Maurice 'Fred' Sines - who has been accused by Irish authorities of being an ally of the notorious Kinahan organised crime clan.

Jurors heard claims 247 Kettles was run by Maurice and Fred Sines as a 'front for organised crime' and 100,000 bounties were placed on the heads of the robbers.

Mr White offered the owners the 14,000 he had been saving up to put a deposit down on a flat with his girlfriend Alana Dredge to compensate for the stolen jewellery.

Oliver White (pictured), 27, was restrained with cable ties during the raid at 247 Kettles store in Kew Road, Richmond, on May 25 last year. He later took his own life

Kyle Mehmet (front) and Junior Kunu (back) are seen during the heist at the jewellery store in Richmond . Mehmet was found guilty but Kunu was cleared

The total value of the watches that were taken is approximately 1.1million

Jurors were shown CCTV of the Rolex raid but footage of the meeting with Sines and the owners the next day has gone missing.

Mr White then travelled to the woods in Shepperton, where he grew up and took his own life.

Mehmet had tied up and held Mr White in a headlock while Kunu swiped the watches, including a Rolex Sky Dweller. Holmes took part in a 'dry run' at the shop two days before the raid.

Kunu was cleared of conspiracy to rob after he claimed the heist was staged, Mr White was in on it and therefore no force was used.

He said he was offered 5,000 to put the watches into a bag and if it had been a genuine robbery Mr White could have hit the panic alarm.

Businessman Mannix Pedro, 37, was 'closely involved in the planning and execution' of the raid and supplied a stolen Audi as one of several getaway cars. He was convicted of conspiracy to rob by a jury earlier this year.

He had denied any involvement in the plot and said he was in a gym with his girlfriend two days earlier.

Pedro also claimed it may have been an inside job and said: 'The people I am worried about is Fred Sines, the Kinahans, the cartels, the people saying they are going to kill people on behalf of 247 kettles.

'Rumour on the street is they robbed themselves.'

Mehmet claimed he took part in the robbery because he owed 190,000 to 'serious criminals' who he referred to as 'the firm'.

Mr White had been restrained with cable ties during the raid at the 247 Kettles store (pictured) in Richmond, west London, on May 25 last year

Jurors heard claims 247 Kettles was run by Maurice (left) and Fred Sines (right) as a 'front for organised crime'

Fred Sines, also known as Fred Doe, was handed a suspended jail sentence earlier this year for trying to sell the 4.8million gold toilet which was stolen from Blenheim Palace in 2019

He believed it was an 'inside job' but when he learnt there was a 100,000 'bounty' on his head he fled to Turkey with his wife and children.

Mehmet returned to the UK and was arrested in March this year.

Holmes was also arrested in March.

Mehmet and Holmes, who was also arrested earlier this year, denied but were convicted of conspiracy to rob by the jury.

A fifth suspect, Michael Ashman, is still on the run.

Judge Philip Shorrock said he will sentence all three men on a date to be fixed.

Mr White had prepared trays of watches for Kunu and Bowrage to view believing they were genuine customers on May 25.

'Suddenly they stood up and started grabbing the watches,' said Ed Brown, KC, prosecuting.

'Mr White described how one of them grabbed his hands to stop him moving and pinned them across his chest and then had his hands bound using zip ties.

'He was then put in a headlock.

'Having done so they left, leaving him in shock and with visible reddening around his neck and wrist.

'When he was spoken to by the police he still appeared shocked and that he was still processing the events.

'He was however doing everything to help the police and to recover any watches they could.

'None of the watches have been recovered and for reasons that will become clear they were not insured.'

Ms Dredge said in a statement read to the court that the accusations that Mr White was in on the raid 'broke him'.

She said it was 'clear he loved the work' at 247 Kettles.

'Even whilst we were on holiday and at weekends Olly would be working and trying to close deals with his clients.

After the raid she said Mr White was 'really shaken up.'

He didn't want to talk about what happened, he hated the fact the video had been posted online,' she said. 'He just said he wanted a cuddle.'

Ms Dredge said Sines had pressurised her boyfriend after the robbery. 'He asked Olly if he wanted to meet him, Joe and Conor in Shepperton.

'As he left he said he felt really sick and I said to him that he didn't need to go, but he insisted on going anyway. Olly for was gone for about an hour from about midday until 1pm approximately.

'When he walked through the door he didn't want to talk to me about the meeting.'

Sines had suggested 'he didn't put up much of a fight' and 'had something to do with it'.

She said Conor 'agreed he might have had something to do with the robbery and Joe also said he didn't know what to think, and couldn't look Olly in the eyes.

'When Olly told me this I could see that it broke him as they were two of his best friends who he thought were meant to have his back. They were saying now they didn't trust him.

'I said these were meant to be your friends and he said 'yeah, I thought so too.'

She said Olly was told to attend another meeting: 'As Olly was getting dressed I was upset - I said to him I was sorry this had happened to him. Olly told me he loved me and he left in the car.

'Olly messaged me at 5pm or just before saying 'I love you' and then a kiss. I replied saying I love you and that I hope you're OK, what's the latest?

'There were a few messages back and forth - I ended up calling his work phone and his personal phone. I knew something wasn't right.'

Pedro was arrested a few days after the robbery driving a black Audi SQ5.

He was released on bail and arrested again as he tried to fly out on a one way trip to Marseille with a false passport with a false name.

Kunu was arrested on 5 June. He had altered his look, cutting his hair and trimming his beard.

Pedro's phone was seized and on it was a voice note from a man saying: 'I want everything'.

He adds: 'The box and papers for the Kettles [watches] are in there.'

He also said: 'Don't play with them when you are in there,' 'All the money 155k', 'bare jewels,' 'Cartier bracelet,' 'the dweller,' 'Sky Dweller' and 'I want everything'.

Pedro told the court suggested there were shadowy characters involved 'putting hits on people' and said there were 150,000 bounties on the heads of Kunu and Mehmet.

He added: 'One person who has committed suicide, but we do not know it is suicide.'

At that point a male member of Mr White's family yelled from public gallery: 'Don't you say that'.

Pedro said: 'The truth will incriminate people, and put people's names into something I do not understand. I am not going to do that, that's not how I was raised.

'Rumour on the street is they robbed themselves. They gave the go ahead whether or not Olly knew.

'Someone gave him the go ahead to not press the panic alarm, to wait. If you are panicking for your life you'd press the panic button.'

Mr Brown asked Pedro: 'Are you suggesting Olly White was killed?'

Pedro said: 'I don't know. What type of company, legit business starts putting money on people's lives.

'How do you know 247 Kettles don't launder money to criminals.'

Sines was one of the investors in 247 Kettles and Pedro claimed his associates put the bounties out on Kunu and Mehmet.

Rupert Bowers, KC, for Holmes told the court was 'a criminal enterprise with Fred Sines and his father behind it?'

Mr Riley replied: 'No, not at all.'

Mr Brown confirmed during the trial Mehmet, Kunu and Holmes have been issued with 'threat to life warning notices' by police after bounties were placed on their heads.

Kunu, of Mitcham, south London, Mehmet, of North Road, Rotherham and Holmes, of Sheffield, all denied conspiracy to rob. Pedro, of Cobham, Surrey, also denied the charge.
A renewed search is underway for missing Victorian mother Samantha Murphy, with new intelligence pointing investigators to Enfield State Park, south of Ballarat.

The 51-year-old was last seen alive when she went for a run on the morning of February 4, 2024 in the Canadian State Forest.

In March, police charged 23-year-old tradesman Patrick Orren Stephenson with Ms Murphy's murder, but her body has not been found.

A number of extensive searches have taken place including in the Canadian State Forest and Buninyong Bushland Reserve.

The last search focused on the Enfield State Forest, 30km south of Ballarat, at Grenville in September 2024.

The location is approximately a 15-minute drive from Buninyong, where Ms Murphy's phone was found buried in the mud on the edge of an agricultural dam.

Police have warned the public to stay away during the new search as the area is littered with dangerous mine shafts.

'Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad are undertaking a targeted search in the Ballarat area as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Samantha Murphy,' Victoria Police said on Wednesday.

A new search is underway by police working on the case of missing mother Samantha Murphy south of Ballarat

She vanished while on a morning jog in the Canadian State Forest in February 2024

'Since February 2024, police have regularly undertaken a range of enquiries and small-scale searches as part of the current investigation.

'We are not in a position to supply further specific details.'

Ms Murphy's disappearance led to an outpouring of grief in the Ballarat community and the nation, with an influx of volunteers joining multiple earlier searches.

Detective Inspector Dave Dunstan said earlier this year police had worked tirelessly to find Ms Murphy.

'While nothing can erase their grief and loss, being able to return Samantha to her family has always been incredibly important to us,' he said.

'I want to reaffirm to the community that the Missing Persons Squad remains committed to doing everything we can to locate Samantha ... we still believe we can locate her.

'This year we will continue to conduct searches in the Ballarat area, including searches in areas highlighted by intelligence derived from a number of sources.'

He called on locals using areas of interest to be aware of their surroundings and contact police immediately if they believe they may have come across her remains.

Numerous searches have already been carried

Her devastated family (pictured with husband Mick) are still no closer to answers

'There is nothing we want more than to return Samantha to her family and we remain committed to doing this,' he said.

Stephenson pleaded not guilty to murder in November 2024 when he elected to fast-track his criminal trial.

He is the son of Orren Stephenson, who played 15 AFL games for Geelong and Richmond between 2012 and 2014.
Labour's Digital ID cards will cost taxpayers a staggering 1.8billion, Britain's economic watchdog has revealed for the first time.

Yet ministers have failed to say where the cash for the controversial scheme will come from, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

Rachel Reeves referred to Digital ID, which will become mandatory for right-to-work checks by the end of the decade, in her Budget speech as part of the Government's efforts to crack down on illegal migration.

The Chancellor told the Commons: 'The introduction of Digital ID will break the link between illegal migration and illegal working.'

The think-tank Labour Together proposed a type of Digital ID called the BritCard

She did not mention the cost of the project, which ministers hope will also make it easier for people to rent homes and open bank accounts.

But the OBR's detailed report on her Budget proposals, which was sensationally leaked online just before she spoke, revealed the price for the first time since Digital ID was announced in September.

It included Digital ID in a list of 'risks and pressures' on Government spending, stating that 'no specific funding has been identified' for the massive scheme.

The OBR said: 'The implementation of digital ID cards is provisionally forecast to cost 1.8billion in total over the next three years, split across 0.5billion RDEL and 1.3billion CDEL.

'The Government has announced its intention to meet the costs of this through existing DEL budgets, however no specific savings have yet been identified.'

Elsewhere it described Digital ID as 'unfunded' and highlighted 'the risks around the implementation of digital ID cards for which no explicit provision has been made for its 0.6billion annual cost'.

Former Tory Cabinet minister David Davis said: Labour plan to press ahead with its dystopian and dangerous mandatory digital ID plan.

The OBRs leaked forecasts show that will cost 1.8billion over the next 3 years.

This is an egregious waste of the public's money and a figure that will likely balloon in the future.

Director of campaign group Big Brother Watch Silkie Carlo told the Daily Mail: Starmers mandatory digital ID scheme comes at a massive cost to the publics privacy, civil liberties and the public purse.

This astronomical 1.8billion starting budget means that, far from being free as the Government claims, digital ID will incur an unnecessary cost of about 50 to the each and every taxpayer.

The Blair government wasted hundreds of millions of pounds on national IDs before the pointless plan was scrapped and it is astonishing that Starmer is following suit.

Its outrageous that the Labour Government is on track to waste billions on an intrusive ID system no one wants, needs or indeed voted for, that is destined to fail, at a time when the country is facing a cost of living crisis.
The Kremlin has expressed fury after a transcript of a phone call leaked showing a high-ranking Moscow aide agree that Vladimir Putin would flatter Donald Trump in a bid to reach a Ukraine peace deal.

According to call transcripts obtained by Bloomberg, Steve Witkoff advised Putins foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov that the Russian leader should call Trump to congratulate him for the peace deal in the Gaza, say Russia had supported it, and that he respects the president as a man of peace.

Ushakov said on Wednesday that he would be in touch with the presidential envoy about the leak of the phone conversation from October 14, which he called unacceptable.

The Kremlin aide was asked by reporters if he would ask Witkoff about the leak when the American visits Moscow next week to meet President Putin.

'About the leak? We will exchange opinions by phone,' he replied.

Ushakov said some of what was leaked was 'fake' and he would not comment on the rest because the call was confidential.

Leaking a discussion of a serious issue was 'of course unacceptable', he added.

Ushakov said earlier that the call was probably leaked in order to hinder the talks.

In an interview with Kommersant newspaper, he said that some of his conversations were conducted through encrypted government channels, which are rarely intercepted and leaked unless one of the parties deliberately intends to do so.

'There are certain conversations on WhatsApp that, generally speaking, someone might somehow be able to listen to,' Ushakov said.

He ruled out the possibility that the leak could have come from the participants in the calls whose contents were leaked.

President Donald Trump leans in to hear a question as he speaks with reporters while in flight on Air Force One from Joint Base Andrews to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a signing ceremony with Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov at the administrative complex Yntymak-Manas Ordo, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025

President Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (R), accompanied by Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO Kirill Dmitriev (C) and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov

In the wake of the Bloomberg report, the Kremlin has pulled back from any suggestion that it is close to reaching peace wih Ukraine.

When asked by reporters if a peace deal was near, Moscow spokesman Dmitry Peskov answered: 'Wait, it's premature to say that yet.'

When asked why he thought the call was leaked, Ushakov said the publishing of the transcript was intended to scupper peace negotiations.

'To hinder, probably. It is unlikely this was done to improve relations,' he said.

'I would make the call and just reiterate that you congratulate the president on this achievement, that you supported it, that you respect that he is a man of peace and youre just, youre really glad to have seen it happen,' Witkoff told Ushakov during the leaked phone call.

'From that, its going to be a really good call,' Trump's Special Envoy said.

His Russian counterpart accepted the advice, telling Witkoff: 'Hey Steve, I agree with you that he will congratulate, he will say that Mr. Trump is a real peace man and so and so.'

The Witkoff-Ushakov call happened a day after Trump made a triumphant visit to Israel and Egypt to celebrate sealing the Gaza ceasefire.

The transcript reveals that the White House intended to model the Ukraine-Russia peace deal on Trump's 28-point plan to end the fighting between Israel and Hamas.

'Here's what I think would be amazing,' Witkoff said during the call. 'Maybe he says to President Trump: you know, Steve and Yuri discussed a very similar 20-point plan to peace and that could be something that we think might move the needle a little bit, we're open to those sorts of things.'

The leak of the call has sparked accusations that Witkoff favours the Russians over the Ukrainians and is unfit to steer negotiations.

U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican who has been critical of Trump's approach to Ukraine, wrote on X: 'He cannot be trusted to lead these negotiations. Would a Russian paid agent do less than he? He should be fired.'

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The transcript shows that Witkoff suggested setting up a Trump-Putin call before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's White House visit later that week.

The American and Russian leaders ended up speaking to each other a day before Trump held talks with Zelensky.

Shortly after that meeting with the Ukrainian President on October 17, Trump said that Ukraine and Russia should 'stop where they are' on the battlefield - meaning Ukraine should concede territory Russia had seized from its neighbour.

'You stop at the battle line, and both sides should go home, go to their families,' Trump told reporters on his journey to his home in West Palm Beach, Florida. 'Stop the killing. And that should be it. Stop right now at the battle line. I told that to President Zelensky. I told it to President Putin.'

He seemed more intent on 'stopping the war immediately' than supporting Kyiv's war effort, such as supplying Tomahawk cruise missiles. 'We want Tomahawks, also. We dont want to be giving away things that we need to protect our country,' Trump said.

'He's got to sell this to Ukraine. He's got to sell Ukraine to Russia,' Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew to his home in Florida on Tuesday night.

'That's what a dealmaker does.'

A U.S.-based framework for ending the war, first reported last week, prompted fresh concerns that the Trump administration might be willing to push Ukraine to sign a peace deal heavily tilted toward Moscow.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, February 28, 2025

However, the Bloomberg report came as Trump on Tuesday said the proposal had been 'fine-tuned' following pushback from Kyiv and Europe, who warned against giving in too easily to the Kremlin's maximalist demands.

Trump announced he is sending Witkoff to meet with Putin next week.

'As for Witkoff, I can say that a preliminary agreement has been reached that he will come to Moscow next week,' Ushakov told Russian state television's top Kremlin reporter, Pavel Zarubin.

Ushakov said that in addition to Witkoff 'a number of other administration representatives who are involved in Ukrainian affairs' would also come to Moscow.

The U.S. Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll is being sent to Ukraine, after meeting with officials from Kyiv and Moscow in Abu Dhabi on Monday and Tuesday.

On Sunday, U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators held talks on the Trump-backed peace plan in Geneva, which a joint-statement described as 'highly productive'.

On October 29, Ushakov spoke by phone with Kirill Dmitriev - a close adviser to Putin on Ukraine - and debated how strongly Moscow should push for its demands in a prospective peace proposal, according to another recording reviewed by Bloomberg.

'Ill informally pass it along, making it clear that it's all informal. And let them do like their own,' Dmitriev told Ushakov in the back and forth. 'But, I dont think theyll take exactly our version, but at least itll be as close to it as possible.'

The exchange happened soon after Dmitriev had traveled to Florida for talks with Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and informal adviser, that centered on creating the framework for a 28-point peace plan.

The original plan, which became public last week, appeared heavily skewed toward Russian demands and included calls for Ukraine to cede the entire Donbas region to Russia and dramatically reduce the size of its military.

It also included an agreement from Europe that Ukraine will never be allowed to join the NATO military alliance.

'This story proves one thing: Special Envoy Witkoff talks to officials in both Russia and Ukraine nearly every day to achieve peace, which is exactly what President Trump appointed him to do,' White House communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement.

Dmitriev said in a social media post that the transcript was 'Fake' and said in a second post: 'The closer we get to peace, the more desperate warmongers become.' The Russian Embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has insisted the draft proposal was authored by the United States, with input from both the Russians and Ukrainians, in response to bipartisan pushback in Washington that the leaked plan amounted to a Russian wish list.

'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 utilise it as a starting point.'

He added that the draft 'looked more like it was written in Russian to begin with'.

Rubio said accusations that the deal was authored by the Russians were 'blatantly false'.

Ukraine on Tuesday signalled support for the framework of a peace deal with Russia but stressed that sensitive issues needed to be fixed at an upcoming meeting between Zelensky and Trump.

A U.S. official claimed Kyiv had agreed to an updated proposal, that revised the deal from 28 points to a 19-point peace plan that no longer includes amnesty guarantees for atrocities committed during the war.

As opposed to reducing its military personnel from 900,000 to 600,000, as the original draft outlined, Kyiv has agreed to cap its army at 800,000 men.

It is less favorable to Moscow, leaving it up to Trump and Ukrainian President to decide the most sensitive terms, including territorial disputes and U.S. security guarantees.

Putin is expected to dismiss the new deal 'out of hand' - leading to longer drawn-out negotiations Trump has tried to avoid, sources in Washington said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned on Tuesday that if the plan 'erased ... key understandings' that Putin reached with Trump at the Alaska summit in August, the 'situation will be fundamentally different'.

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will hold talks at the Kremlin next week

When asked why he thought the call was leaked, Yuri Ushakov said the publishing of the transcript was intended to scupper peace negotiations

That initial plan had permanently ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine and proposed handing the rest of Donbas to Russia - albeit as a demilitarized zone - and mandated that Kyiv hold elections within 100 days.

All those clauses are reported to have since been amended or shelved for now.

Zelensky confirmed that talks with Washington were ongoing in a post on X, adding: 'I am grateful for all of America's efforts and personally for President Trump's efforts.'

Ushakov said that British, EU and Ukrainian inspired changes to the original U.S. draft submitted over the weekend were 'unconstructive'.

On Saturday, leaders from Europe, Canada and Japan signed a joint statement at the G20 summit in South Africa, saying that the peace deal had elements 'essential for a just and lasting peace', but would 'require additional work', citing concerns over territory and limits on Ukraine's army.

The EU submitted a modified version of the US's peace plan for Ukraine that pushed back on proposed limits to Kyiv's armed forces and territorial concessions.

The document, drafted by the so-called European E3 powers - Britain, France and Germany - proposes that Ukraine's military be capped at 800,000 'in peacetime' rather than a blanket cap of 600,000.

It also says 'negotiations on territorial swaps will start from the Line of Contact', rather than pre-determining that certain areas should be recognized as 'de facto Russian', as the US plan suggests.

It proposes that Ukraine receive a security guarantee from the United States similar to NATO's Article 5 clause.

U.S. and Ukrainian officials have been trying to narrow the gaps between them over the plan to end Europe's deadliest and most devastating conflict since World War Two, with Ukraine wary of being strong-armed into accepting a deal largely on the Kremlin's terms, including territorial concessions.

'Ukraine - after Geneva - supports the framework's essence, and some of the most sensitive issues remain as points for the discussion between presidents,' a Ukrainian official said.

Zelensky could visit the United States in the next few days to finalise a deal with Trump, Kyiv's national security chief Rustem Umerov said, though no such trip was confirmed from the U.S. side.
Kemi Badenoch has slammed Rachel Reeves as the countrys worst ever Chancellor in a scathing put down of the most chaotic Budget in living memory.

The Conservative leader hit out at the complete shambles of leaks and U-turns overseen by the Chancellor in a barnstorming Commons performance.

Ms Badenoch described Labours economic offering as a smorgasbord of misery with taxes increased on houses, cars and pensions as she dubbed it a Budget for Benefit Street.

To cheers from the Tory back benches, she said that Ms Reeves will go down as the countrys worst ever Chancellor as she described her speech as an exercise in self-delusion.

If she had any decency she would resign,' she told the Commons.

The Conservative leader said that the Chancellor has chosen to put up tax after tax, after tax, with the Office for Budget Responsibility showing that the tax-to-GDP ratio is set to increase to a post-war high of 38.3 per cent of GDP in 2030-31.

Ms Badenoch told the Commons: Taxes on workers, taxes on savers, taxes on pensions, taxes on investors, taxes on homes, holidays, cars, I think even milkshakes, taxes on anyone doing the right thing.

She and this Government have lost what little credibility they have left, and no one will ever trust her again.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch branded the Budget a smorgasbord of misery with taxes increased on houses, cars and pensions as she dubbed it a Budget for Benefit Street

The Conservative leader said Rachel Reeves will go down as the countrys worst ever Chancellor

Ms Badenoch said that Labour have lost control of welfare spending and dubbed it a Budget for Benefit Street, with spending on sickness and disability benefits set to jump to 109billion by 2030-31 in a move that would see spending on Britains welfare state surpass 400billion.

The Labour Party should be renamed the Welfare Party, she quipped.

The Tory leader said the Budget can be summed up in one sentence, that Labour are hiking taxes to pay for welfare.

She added: This is Labour's Britain People who work hard and save hard to buy their homes get taxed more, while those who don't work, who in some cases refuse to work, get their accommodation paid for by taxpayers.

To top it all off, because taxing your home, your car, your savings and your pension wasn't enough. She has, by her own admission, broken her manifesto promise on income tax.

In an acerbic speech, Ms Badenoch dubbed the Chancellor and Prime Minister Laurel and Foolhardy and repeatedly hit back at Ms Reeves claims that criticism of her Budget is sexist.

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She added: People out there aren't complaining because she's female, they're complaining because she is utterly incompetent.

Real equality means being held to the same standard as everyone else. It means being judged on results.

Ms Badenoch added: This Budget could have saved 47billion including 23billion from welfare. She could have applied our golden economic rule, allocating half of those savings to cutting the deficit, using the rest to cut taxes.

She could have abolished stamp duty on homes to get the housing market moving, abolished business rates on shops to breathe life into our High Streets. She could have introduced our cheap power plan which saves a lot more than she announced.

She should be on the side of people who get up and go to work, people who take a risk to start a company, people working all hours to keep their business afloat, she should be on the side of the farmer trying to hand something over to the next generation, the investor deciding whether to spend their money in the UK or elsewhere.

She should be on the side of the young person looking for their first job, the saver doing the right thing and putting money away for a rainy day, the pensioner trying to enjoy a decent retirement. This country works when you make the country work for them. Only the Conservatives are on their side and our plan for them is simple, bring down energy costs, cut spending, cut tax, back business and get Britain working again.
A man is believed to have killed his two sons, sister and wife in a murderous rampage at three different locations in Germany before turning the gun on himself.

It is unclear when the 63-year-old went on his alleged killing spree, but the murders were discovered on Tuesday when a caregiver found the body of one of his victims in the city of Reutling.

The gunman is believed to have first shot his two sons, aged 27 and 29, in the St Johann municipality before pulling the trigger on his sister, 60, in her apartment in Reutling, according to local media.

He then shot his wife, 57, at their home in the town of Pfullingen before turning the gun on himself.

His wife is not believed to be the biological mother of his two sons.

Police were notified on Tuesday after receiving reports that the body of a woman had been found.

Cops, who suspected her brother, rushed to his home in Pfullingen where they discovered his and his wife's bodies with gunshot wounds and a firearm next to them.

The man's two sons were subsequently found in his business premises in the St Johann municipality.

A man is believed to have killed his two sons, sister and wife after unleashing a murderous rampage at three different locations in Germany before turning the gun on himself. His sister's body was found in the German city of Reutlingen (pictured)

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The 63-year-old was a hunter, according to local media, but whether he legally possessed the weapon found next to him remains to be determined.

Detectives said there is no indication of a third party being involved and the investigation is ongoing.

Local police told German news outlet Bild: 'So far, it's not even clear when the four relatives were killed . We are still at the very beginning of the investigation.'

The tragedy comes nearly three months after a mother and her two daughters aged six and eight were found dead in a septic tank in a suspected murder-suicide.

The trio were found in the sewage tank after the children's father reported them missing on August 31 in the small town of Helenow Pierwszy, Konin County, in west-central Poland.

He told emergency services there were 'disturbing' signs that they had fallen into the septic tank.

A rescue operation was launched with four fire units and a diving team but before they arrived a woman and one child had already been pulled out by two men, with the other child remaining in the tank.

The mother, 32, was pronounced dead at the scene, while the children were rushed to hospital where they died.

His two sons, aged 27 and 29, are believed to have been shot first and their bodies were found in the St Johann municipality (pictured)

The man finally shot his wife in their property in the town of Pfullingen before turning the gun on himself. Pictured: Ancient town houses in the German town of Pfullingen

Detectives said there is no indication of a third party being involved and the investigation is ongoing. File photo: German police car

The mother-of-two slit her throat and intended to drown her daughters, according to Fakt sources aware of the investigation.

They also claim the woman had previously received psychiatric treatment and left a suicide note, which was found in the house.

One neighbour claimed the deaths took place when the father went to the pharmacy to pick up some medicine.
A MAGA mom has launched a controversial petition to name a 60-mile stretch on the Florida coastline 'Trump County.'

Jen Herold, 40, has embarked on a crusade to convince signatories to support her measure of adding a 68th county to the Sunshine State.

She proposed linking the coastal barrier islands, from the northern point of Anastasia Island to the southern end of Ponce Inlet.

The county would include unincorporated Flagler Beach, where Herold lives with her family, as well as Beverly Beach, Daytona Beach, and part of St Augustine.

The proposed section includes cities in St. John's, Flagler, and Volusia Counties.

'President Trump is a once-in-a-generation leader, a master dealmaker, real estate titan, and the greatest president of our time,' the petition's description reads.

'As the first president to call Florida home, its time we honor his extraordinary legacy by establishing Floridas 68th county: Trump County  a lasting testament to his impact on our state and nation.'

Herold has advocated for the proposal on her social media accounts, calling it a 'real life civics project' in a YouTube video.

A MAGA mom is campaigning for a new county in Florida named after Donald Trump. The boundaries would include Beverly Beach, Daytona Beach, and part of St Augustine (pictured in file photo)

Jen Herold and her husband, Rob Jarowski (pictured), claim that a new county in Florida will help representation across Florida coastal communities

The petition has proved divisive, with many commenters expressing concerns about the name of the proposed county

She also claimed that because the beach communities are split up, there aren't any county commissioners to address residents' concerns directly.

Herold claimed that the current system is 'taxation without representation.'

The petition has received pushback online, with many disagreeing with Herold's decision to honor the president.

'A creation of a county impacts zoning, taxes, infrastructure, policing. This is an unserious proposition meant to flatter, not improve statewide or local governance and services,' one argument against the petition read.

'This is a divisive petition. There are other ways to pledge fealty to a felon and grifter: he especially likes to be sent large checks, or buy his merch, or hang a flag. Do not impose your fanaticism on the rest of us,' another added.

However, others supported the measure, with one writing: 'Barrier islands have unique needs, particularly given Florida weather.

'If the individuals there feel underrepresented they should attempt task of adding a district. Naming it Trump County is fine with me...I believe he has earned the honor.'

Another added that establishing the county would result in: 'Beach conservation and tourism promotion.'

The petition advocates for a 60-mile stretch to become Florida's 68th county, which includes parts of Daytona Beach (pictured in file photo)

Herold has been vocal in her support for President Trump and was even pictured with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson

The petition has received only about 100 of its 500 target signatories. Even if the petition gains enough signatures, a member of the state Congress would have to present the legislation.

If the bill receives enough votes in the state House and Senate, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will have the option to sign it into law.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the governor's office for comment.

This isn't Herold's first brush with politics. In 2016, she ran as a Republican for the Ohio State House of Representatives but lost.

Her husband, Rob Jarowski, claimed in a YouTube video that he called the Trump campaign and reached an agreement on a mutual endorsement.

Jarowski then said he got an ominous call threatening his family if his wife stayed in the race, and the two decided to step back from campaigning.
The majority of Americans think Donald Trump is lying about details of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, an exclusive Daily Mail poll found.

A combined 56 percent of voters said they think Trump has not been truthful about his relationship with the pedophile 'at all' or at the very least 'not very much.'

Another 24 percent believed he has been 'somewhat' truthful and the smallest number of respondents, at 21 percent, said he has been 'very much' truthful.

Despite this, the Epstein furore does not seem to have had a major impact on how Americans view Trump.

Of the 1,246 respondents in the online poll conducted November 19-20 by JL Partners for the Daily Mail, a significant 52 percent said that the new revelations in the Epstein files would not have made a difference to how they voted in 2024.

Only 17 percent said the emails released by the House Oversight Committee would have impacted their vote, and the same amount said it would have actually made them more likely to have cast their ballot for the current president.

The White House said: 'It's not news that Epstein knew Donald Trump, because Donald Trump kicked Epstein out of his club for being a creep.'

Americans think Donald Trump is not being entirely truthful about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein  but it doesn't appear to be impacting their support of the president, a poll shows

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Trump was among social circles with Epstein and co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell (right) in the 1990s and early 2000s, but insists they did not have a relationship after 2007 when he was kicked out of his Mar-a-Lago club for being a 'creep'

'Democrats and the media knew about Epstein's victims for years, did nothing to help them, and Democrats even solicited donations from him AFTER he was a convicted sex offender. President Trump was calling for transparency and accountability, and is now delivering on it with thousands of pages of documents,' White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement to the Daily Mail.

Trump has repeatedly said that he kicked Epstein out of his Mar-a-Lago club in 2007, that they did not have any relationship after that point and that he never visited his private island where the illegal activity allegedly took place.

Speaking to the Press earlier this month on Air Force One, he said: 'Jeffrey Epstein and I had a very bad relationship for many years.'

Like many New York celebrities and business figures, Trump ran in Epstein's circle and was pictured several times in social settings with him and co-conspirator and long-time girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.

The President says that they stopped associating in the 2000s because Epstein was a 'creep.'

On November 12, the House Oversight Committee released thousands of pages of documents that included emails showing Epstein discussing Trump after the alleged 2007 break.

It showed a 2011 email from Epstein to Maxwell saying: '[Redacted victim] spent hours at my house with him... I want you to realize that that dog that hasn't barked is trump... he has never once been mentioned.'

This was years after Epstein served 13 months in jail for underage sex crimes.

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Trump has repeatedly told reporters he never visited Epstein's island and said earlier this month: 'Jeffrey Epstein and I had a very bad relationship for many years'

In a 2019 email to author Michael Wolff, Epstein claimed he was never a member of Mar-a-Lago.

'Trump said he asked me to resign, never a member ever. Of course he knew about the girls as he asked ghislaine to stop,' he wrote.

Only 18 percent of respondents say that recent developments have changed their opinion.

Meanwhile, 64 percent say it has not impacted how they feel about the Epstein-Trump relationship and the extent of the President's involvement in his crimes.
An American influencer who was caught on camera terrorizing a wombat in Australia earlier this year has been arrested for allegedly violating hunting laws in Wyoming.

Samantha Strable, 25, was booked into Sublette County Jail on November 21 after she claimed she was resident of the state so she could get hunting tags, or permits, there, according to court charging documents reviewed by Cowboy State Daily.

Strable, who was condemned by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for harassing the baby wombat, among other furious Aussies, is actually a resident of Great Falls, Montana, according to court records.

The influencer, also known as Sam Jones online, previously claimed she lived in Pinedale, but because she was absent from the Western state for a long period of time her status as a resident hunter was revoked, Wyoming Game and Fish Warden Jacob Miller wrote in court documents.

A person must live in Wyoming for a full calendar year before they can apply for residential hunting licenses, per state law.

That status is taken away if the person is out of the state for more than 180 days in or abandons their home.

Miller was first notified of Strable's alleged forged residency after an anonymous tip came in about on August 11 stating: 'Samantha Strable continues to buy resident tags even though she hasnt resided in Wyoming over two years, and brags about it on social media to over 90K followers,' court documents read.

Officials then looked into the disgraced influencer and found that she first started purchasing a residential hunting license in 2022 under her Pinedale address, where a man currently lives.

Samantha Strable, the 25-year-old American woman who was caught on camera harassing a baby wombat in Australia earlier this year, has been arrested for allegedly violating hunting laws in Wyoming

The influencer, also known as Sam Jones online, claimed she lived in Wyoming, but according to officials, she is a resident on Montana and has bounced all across the world in recent years

When Miller contacted the unnamed man to see if Strable lived with him, he said she did in 2022 and a majority of 2023, but moved out and headed to Australia toward the end of that year, the warden detailed in the legal documents.

A sweep of her social media also confirmed she was in The Land Down Under during that time, according to posts she made on Instagram.

Miller also found she was employed in Australia for the company Kleinfelder, a global engineering, design and science consulting firm, as a 'Professional/Fauna Spotter Catcher/Ecologist' who was 'stationed out of their Newcastle, Australia, office,' he wrote.

Strable was also confirmed to be in Montana and North Dakota from April 30, 2024 to June 28, 2025, and that she planned on heading to Alaska, Miller stated.

He also confirmed that she was employed at the company from December 16, 2023 to March 19, 2024, per records he obtained from Kleinfelder.

Despite evidence showing that she allegedly trekked across the world, Strable applied for several Wyoming resident hunting tags over the past two years.

She submitted an online application for a resident elk tag in Sublette County on April 3, 2024, obtained the permit, and then killed an elk in October of that year, per the records.

Strable then applied for a resident antelope hunting tag on May 1, 2024, drew the permit and killed a buck, or adult male antelope, that fall, Miller found, according to the documents.

Strable was arrested on November 21 in Sublette County, Wyoming and released the same day on her own recognizance

Strable also purchased a Wyoming resident 12-month fishing license in September 2024 that expired on September 27, 2025, a resident mount lion tag in January and resident black bear license in May of this year, among others, officials noted.

Cellphone data also revealed Strable was in various locations during the time she said she lived in Wyoming. Some of those destinations included Australia, LAX Airport, Georgia, and Pennsylvania.

Miller also recalled an in-person conversation he had with Strable at the Newfork trailhead on October 19, where she appeared to slip up about where her home is.

'Wyoming. Well Montana, originally,' she told Miller when he asked where she lives.

He then questioned if she currently lived in Pinedale, to which Strable said she bounced back and forth between places, including Alaska 'for the last couple of months.'

When told people were questioning her residency, Strable told Miller that was a 'tricky' subject because 'I haven't been gone long enough to be an Alaskan resident. So, Im still a resident here.'

'You can technically not be a resident anywhere,' Miller replied.

According to his investigation, Miller found Strable had been in Wyoming for 29 days in 2024 and only a week in 2025.

According to the investigation,Wyoming Game and Fish Warden Jacob Miller found Strable (pictured with one of her hunted animals) had been in Wyoming for 29 days in 2024 and just a week in 2025

When contacted by the Daily Mail Strable (pictured) abruptly hung up the phone

In response to being asked about her being employed in Alaska and Montana, the influencer said: 'I figured I had to be a resident of somewhere, she said. And most days a year Im anywhere is [sic] Wyoming.'

Miller then informed her that killing all those animals on Wyoming soil while falsely claiming she lived there made her action illegal.

Strable, who was released on her own recognizance the day of her arrest, has been charged with six counts of false swearing, one count of taking wildlife without a license and one count of nonresident hunting without a guise in a wilderness area, according to court records obtained by the outlet.

For each count of false swearing, Strable could face up to one year in jail and a $10,000 fine.

She also faces spending up to a year in jail and fines between $5,000 to $10,000 for taking game without a license, and up to six months behind bars and a $1,000 fine for hunting without a guide.

When contacted by the Daily Mail, Strable abruptly hung up the phone.

The Daily Mail also contacted the Sublette County Attorney's Office for comment.
The Treasury watchdog has cast doubt on Labours plan to cut small boat crossings and close asylum hotels.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) said the timescale set out to address the Channel crisis was now uncertain, and categorised it as a spending risk.

It opens the prospect of the Home Office having to find 1.4billion a year  potentially by slashing other budgets  by 2028/29 if asylum spending continues at current levels.

The OBR also said net migration  the difference between all migrants arriving to live long-term in the UK minus those emigrating  is set to be higher than previously thought.

Last week separate figures from the Office for National Statistics said net migration was 345,000 in 2024, down from 2023s peak of 944,000.

It will fall further to around 262,000 in the year to mid-2026, the OBR said, before rising back up to reach 340,000 by 2030.

The watchdog also predicted Chancellor Rachel Reevess tax policies could drive more wealthy people out of Britain.

Although the Chancellor promised today in her budget speech to reduce the amount of hotels in use, this might prove quite difficult

Policies in this Budget which increase taxation on wealthy individuals could further increase the incentive for those ineligible for the new regime to migrate, it said.

The costings remain highly uncertain and contingent on the behaviour of a small number of wealthy individuals.

The full impact will not be clear until 2027, it added.

On small boats, the OBR said rising numbers of crossings risked scuppering budgets set earlier this year.

Its report said: So far this year, the number of migrants arriving by small boat and asylum seekers in supported accommodation has risen by 19 and 8 per cent, respectively, compared to last year.

If spending on asylum remained at its 2024-25 level, this would imply 1.4billion of additional pressure on the Home Office budget by 2028-29.

It added: The Home Office Spending Review settlement was made on the basis that the Home Office would fully stop the use of hotels for asylum-seekers in this Parliament, and asylum spending would be 1.1billion lower at 2.5billion in 2028-29 compared to 2025-26 plans.

But the OBR said demand for asylum accommodation has ... grown.

It highlighted a report published by the National Audit Office in May which forecast spending on asylum accommodation  including hotels  would triple from 4.5billion to 15.3billion over the next 10 years.

The pressures linked to small boat and other asylum spending led the OBR to categorise it as a spending risk.

It means that previous forecasts that relied on a fall in spending may have been too optimistic.

The Home Office would be required to find money to cover the shortfall from its wider budget, which could mean cuts to policing and other public services overseen by the department.

Latest data from June showed 32,000 migrants were living in hotels at a cost of 5.5million a day, or 2.1billion a year.

Nick Timothy, a Conservative MP, highlighted the surging spending, saying: 'Labour said they'd smash the gangs, stop the crossings and close the hotels.

Migrants cross the Channel from northern France aboard a dangerously-overloaded dinghy earlier this year

'Now they plan to more than triple accommodation spending for illegal immigrants.'

Last month MPs published a damning report which found the Home Office had 'squandered' billions of pounds on asylum hotels.

It concluded there was 'manifest failure' by the Home Office to 'get a grip' of contracts with private companies it appointed to house asylum seekers.

The Commons' home affairs select committee went on to blast the department's 'incompetence' over its handling of a 'failed, chaotic and expensive' system.

So far this year 39,292 small boat migrants have reached Britain across the Channel, up 17 per cent on the same point last year.

This year's tally is already the second-highest on record since the crisis began seven years ago, after the 45,700 who came in 2022.

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An RNLI lifeboat was also involved in picking up migrants from the Channel and bringing them into the Port of Dover

One way Labour hopes to reduce the use of hotels is by opening up accommodation in military bases, with two new sites set to open and at least a further six currently being considered by ministers.

A list of sites from Surrey to Cumbria  all of which could be brought into use within weeks - has been compiled by the Ministry of Defence, the Mail on Sunday disclosed.

The plan would see migrants accommodated on Army training camps where facilities have recently been upgraded but which are not currently being used by the military.

Labour signed a 'one in, one out' deal with the French in July, in an attempt to get on top of soaring Channel crossings.

The treaty allows the Home Office to send migrants who arrive by small boat back to France, in exchange for an equal number of migrants who have made an official application to come here.

But so far only 115 migrants have been sent back.

In addition, 57 migrants have been brought to the UK under the reciprocal terms of the deal.
A Disney heiress has demanded lawmakers hike her taxes during a millionaires conference in Washington, arguing: 'We dont need any more money.'

Abigail Disney, 65, granddaughter of Walt Disney's brother Roy, spoke Monday on Capitol Hill at the Patriotic Millionaires conference, laying out to White House officials and other rich attendees how much she believes people like her should hand over in taxes.

'We can afford to pay more in taxes,' Disney said during an interview with Time afterwards. 'We don't need any more money. We can see that pretty clearly.'

'This is absurd. Can we not all agree that there is a point at which there's too much money?' she added.

For years, the documentary filmmaker has fought to address Americas wealth inequality, believing that privilege is overly concentrated and often comes at the expense of those who can least afford it.

'We have the largest billionaire class in the world at the same time that 40 percent of our population - including no less than 49 percent of our children - are poor or low-income,' Disney wrote in a Time essay ahead of this year's G20 Summit.

This week was no different, as Disney pushed policies on lawmakers despite the fact that they conflict with the interests of President Donald Trump and his inner-circle.

Her proposals were clear: a surtax for those earning over $1 million and no taxes on the first $45,000 of income for working-class Americans.

Abigail Disney (pictured), 65, granddaughter of Roy Disney, demanded lawmakers hike her taxes during a millionaires conference in Washington, arguing, 'We dont need any more money'

Disney's (pictured) proposals were clear: a surtax for those earning over $1 million and no taxes on the first $45,000 of income for working-class Americans

The heiress called for higher taxes on companies that pay low wages - ensuring businesses dont profit more from underpaying workers than they pay in taxes - and insisted that income from investments face the same tax rate as income from labor.

'When I get capital gains, it's because I'm sitting on my tuchus. I mean, it's literally the opposite of taxing work,' Disney said.

Disney, with a net worth of nearly $120 million, said she recognizes why some family members and other affluent individuals are uneasy with her efforts to raise taxes and wages, including for those employed at her family's iconic theme parks.

'It turns out that it is that hard to believe that someone would actually do something for the greater good and not in their own self-interest,' she told Time.

In the interview, Disney described a recent lunch outing in Sedona, Arizona, with her sister, where they spent $73 on burgers and a single bottle of sparkling water - an amount she labeled as 'ridiculous.'

She drew attention to the fact that Disney employees at the California theme park had to organize a food bank for coworkers to cope with low pay, even as the company continues to give relatively little to the county food bank.

'For the first time in my life, I have begun to worry about my own safety and wonder if my family will be safe,' Disney wrote.

'When violence becomes the only recourse poor and desperate people have to achieve political power and/or the means to support their families, we will only have ourselves to blame,' she added.

The heiress (pictured) called for higher taxes on companies that pay low wages - ensuring businesses dont profit more from underpaying workers than they pay in taxes - and insisted that income from investments face the same tax rate as income from labor

She drew attention to the fact that Disney employees at the California theme park had to organize a food bank for coworkers to cope with low pay, even as the company continues to give relatively little to the county food bank

Disney (pictured in blue) also spoke at the IMF/World Bank annual meeting last month and pointed to a link between extreme wealth inequality and climate crisis

She frequently links extreme wealth inequality to climate crisis, warning that the wealthys excessive consumption is driving environmental breakdown and 'putting us all at risk,' according to her essay for Time.

'We all live on the same planet, and despite what some rabid billionaires may think, traveling to another planet is no solution to destroying this one.'

The average billionaire, she noted, creates in 90 minutes the same volume of greenhouse gases the average person produces in an entire year.

'It's hard to watch us get here because I don't hear very many people feeling revolted by the idea of a trillionaire,' Disney told the outlet.

'It would take the average worker 16 million years to get to a trillion dollars,' she added. 'Sixteen million years longer than there have been human beings.'

Disney herself has grappled with her familys vast wealth, admitting repeatedly that she feels guilty about the advantages she was born into.

In a 2022 interview with Rolling Stone, Disney confessed: 'I woke up one day and realized that, just by virtue of being born lucky, I had so much more than everyone else. I don't think I've slept well since I figured that out.'

Disney revisited the subject at the IMF/World Bank annual meeting last month where she warned about the far-reaching consequences of wealth inequality for the world.

For years, the documentary filmmaker (pictured) has fought to address Americas wealth inequality, believing that privilege is overly concentrated and often comes at the expense of those who can least afford it

Disney (pictured) herself has grappled with her familys vast wealth, admitting repeatedly that she feels guilty about the advantages she was born into

'I can only speak to my own experience. I grew up in a family with wealth and it was a family that decided to take the wealth it had and turn it into more wealth,' she said during the conference.

'My thesis statement is this. There is such a thing as too much money and it's bad for the world for sure, but it's also bad for the people who own it.'

'It is painful, soul-crushing, alienating, and morally corrosive,' she added.
What could and should have been a job fit for a Secretary of War was handed to US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll  an unofficial envoy emerging as a key figure in Trump's diplomatic world.

Driscoll has reportedly been playing an important role in securing peace between Russia and Ukraine, overshadowing Pete Hegseth's continuously diminishing role on the world stage.

'Hegseth has been upstaged, in a sense, by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll,' punchbowl reported.

Driscoll, a Yale Law School graduate, has close ties to a key figure in the White House who may also be boosting his rising star: Vice President JD Vance.

The two are reportedly friends from Yale, with Vance helping handselect him to be sent to Ukraine for the peace mission.

Axios calling Driscoll the new 'Trump 2.0 power player'  known in military circles as the 'drone guy'  an homage to his extensive work on bringing the military into the 21st century.

At 39, he is the youngest ever Army Secretary.

'We got Driscoll, who's wellliked, who's welltrusted. He's connected with US government leadership,' a US official explained to Axios.

The Vice President and Army Secretary will reportedly meet privately at Fort Campbell Wednesday afternoon.

Driscoll was chosen to officially delivered the 28point peace plan to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.

After that, he conducted a series of meetings in Kyiv, accompanied the US delegation in Geneva and then traveled to Abu Dhabi to hold talks with Russian officials.

On Tuesday, President Trump announced that he was sending Steve Witkoff to Moscow to further diplomatic conversations and assigning Driscoll to lead the next phase of discussions with Kyiv.

US Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll speaks with US staff after a closeddoor talks with the Ukrainian delegation on a US plan to end the war in Ukraine at the US Mission in Geneva, on November 23

Trump, Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speak with soldiers after Trump arrived at Pope Army Airfield on June 10

Driscoll has reportedly been playing an important role in securing peace between Russia and Ukraine, overshadowing Pete Hegseth 's continuously diminishing role on the world stage

Ukrainian servicemen of the 43 Artillery Brigade fire a 2S7 Pion selfpropelled cannon towards Russian positions at a front line in the Donetsk region on September 27, 2024

In recent days, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has drawn sharp criticism after ordering the United States Navy to open a formal investigation into comments by Mark Kelly

This all comes amid mounting tensions within the administration, where both Hegseth and FBI Director Kash Patel are facing growing scrutiny on several fronts.

In recent days, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has drawn sharp criticism after ordering the United States Navy to open a formal investigation into comments by Mark Kelly  a sitting US Senator and retired Navy captain  characterizing them as 'potentially unlawful.'

Hegseth demanded a full briefing by early December and accused Kelly of undermining military discipline.

Meanwhile, the FBI has begun contacting several Democratic lawmakers who appeared in the same video  prompting bipartisan concern over what many view as an aggressive use of military and lawenforcement power to target political opponents.
The sister-in-law of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt penned a provocative Instagram post about her stepson, whose Brazilian mom was arrested by ICE agents.

Kara Leavitt, nee Lesiczka, shared an image of herself alongside Karoline's brother Michael, their newborn son Jackson and Michael Jr on Instagram in 2021.

The 28-year-old captioned it: 'Family post. These are my boys, my heart, my world', alongside it she used hash tags including 'stepmomlove' and 'motherhood'.

Michael Jr's biological mother, Bruna Ferreira, was taken into ICE custody in Revere, Massachusetts, and is being held at an ICE facility in Louisiana.

According to Ferreira's lawyer, she arrived in the US as a child with her family from Brazil.

Todd Pomerleau said Ferreira came to America in 1998 under the federally protected DACA program and was in the process of getting her residency.

Michael said in a statement that the 11-year-old lives with him and his wife full-time, but has always maintained a relationship with his biological mother.

The used-car dealership owner, who lives in New Hampshire, told WBUR that his 'only concern has always been the safety, well-being, and privacy of [his] son.'

In a post dated February 2021, Kara Leavitt shared an image of herself alongside her husband Michael, their son Jackson and her stepson Michael Jr

She described the trio as 'my boys', adding several hashtags to her caption including #stepmomlove

Ferreira was taken into custody in Massachusetts and is currently being held at an ICE facility in southern Louisiana. She has an 11-year-old son with Michael Jr, the two are seen here

Michael said the little boy has not had an opportunity to speak with his mom since she was first detained by ICE 'several weeks ago'.

A source familiar with the family dynamic told the Daily Mail that Karoline has not spoken with her nephew's mother in many years.

The insider said: 'The child has lived full-time in New Hampshire with his father since he was born. He has never resided with his mother.'

The Department of Homeland Security told the Daily Mail that Ferreira is a 'criminal illegal alien' who 'has a previous arrest for battery'.

'She entered the US on a B2 tourist visa that required her to depart the US by June 6, 1999,' the spokesman said.

'Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, all individuals unlawfully present in the United States are subject to deportation.'

Pomerleau added: 'Bruna has no criminal record whatsoever. I don't know where that is coming from.

Michael Leavitt is seen with Bruna Ferreira and their son in a throwback image

Karoline Leavitt is seen here addressing reporters inside the briefing room of the White House last week

'Show us the proof. There's no charges out there. She's not a criminal illegal alien.

'She's in the process of actually getting her residency and she was abruptly arrested and taken from her young child right before Thanksgiving.'

Ferreira's devastated family have shared details of her ordeal in a GoFundMe seeking donations to cover her legal expenses.

They wrote: 'My family is going through one of the most difficult moments of our lives, and we're reaching out with a humble plea for help.

'My sister, Bruna, was recently detained by immigration and is now fighting to stay in the country she has called home for nearly her entire life.'

The family argued that Ferreira was brought to the United States in 1998 on a visa, and has since done 'everything in her power to build a stable, honest life here'.

The Department of Homeland Security told the Daily Mail that Ferreira is a 'criminal illegal alien', her lawyer has refuted this

Little Michael Leavitt Junior has lived full-time with his father, Michael (pictured) and his wife, Kara (pictured)

'Anyone who knows Bruna knows the kind of person she is. She is hardworking, kind, and always the first to offer help when someone needs it.

'Whether it's supporting family, friends, or even strangers, Bruna has a heart that puts others before herself.'

It added that her absence has been hard on Michael Jr who 'hopes every single day that she'll be home in time for the holidays.'

Ferreira and Michael separated about ten years ago, insiders say. During their relationship, Michael reportedly won $1 million in a DraftKings competition.

At the time, he was engaged to Ferreira and their son was eight months old. Speaking to The North Andover Eagle-Tribune about the win, the couple said they were 'speechless' but 'don't really need much.'

'We have our health. We have a nice condo. We really are blessed,' Fereirra said. 'I need the lights fixed on the back of my car, and we need a lamp for my son's room.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Michael and his wife for further comment, as well as Ferreira's lawyer.
An unlikely heroine appeared to emerge during today's Budget debates - with House of Commons deputy speaker Nusrat Ghani hailed for stealing the show.

The Conservative MP for Sussex Weald was overseeing the main debate as under-fire Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her financial statement to Parliament.

She was not only stepping in in place of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, but made her mark by rebuking the Government over premature leaks of Budget details.

And she attracted attention for her natty attire including a checked tie as well as her stern words following a gaffe by the Office for Budget Responsibility.

Ms Ghani, 53, is the senior of Deputy Speakers, with roles including presiding over Budget discussions instead of the Speaker as part of Westminster tradition.

She previously served in various ministerial roles during the former Conservative government, such as Europe minister and Lord Commissioner of the Treasury.

She made clear how unimpressed she was after the OBR spending watchdog shared online details of the Budget ahead of Ms Reeves' Commons statement at 12.30pm.

And Ms Ghani went further, condemning Treasury ministers for pre-Budget briefings which she said seemed to 'have reached an unprecedented high'.

Nusrat Ghani (pictured), Conservative MP for Sussex Weald, was overseeing the main debate as under-fire Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her Budget to Parliament

Ms Ghani, 53, is the senior of Deputy Speakers, with roles including presiding over Budget discussions instead of the Speaker as part of Westminster tradition

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She told the Commons: 'For a number of weeks, and yet again yesterday, there have been extensive briefings to the media on the Government's fiscal policy and public finances.

'This disappointing trend in relation to Budget briefings has been growing for a number of years under successive governments, but appears to have reached an unprecedented high.

'Weeks ago, we saw the Chancellor delivering a speech in Downing Street, setting a scene for the Budget, as well as specific policy announcements being briefed out to the media in advance of today's financial statements.

'And just a moment ago, it seems the OBR analysis has also appeared online. This all falls short of standards that the House expects.

'The premature disclosure of the contents of the Budget has always been regarded as a supreme discourtesy to this House and to all the democratically elected members, not to mention to Mr Speaker and to myself, the Chairman of Ways and Means.'

Ms Ghani later said: 'I want honourable members on all sides of the House to have adequate opportunity to hold the Chancellor to account, rather than to hear and read about new policies on a daily basis in the media. And like many, I also expected better.'

Kashmir-born, Birmingham-raised Ms Ghani has chaired Parliament's Ways and Means committee since last year - having been elected Deputy Speaker in July 2024, not long after Sir Keir's Labour government came to power.

She has been an MP since 2015, winning in the West Sussex constituency of Wealden before boundary changes last year saw her seat redrawn as Sussex Weald.

Nusrat Ghani is seen at a National Farmers Union event in Westminster in September 2016

Married mother-of-one Ms Ghani told in 2022 that she had been dismissed from her Conservative government job as transport minister due to her Muslim faith.

Ms Ghani alleged she was told by a whip her 'Muslimness was raised as an issue' at a post-reshuffle meeting and that her status as a Muslim woman and a minister was 'making colleagues feel uncomfortable'.

She told The Times she felt 'humiliated and powerless' after the alleged conversation, saying: 'It was like being punched in the stomach.'

Government sources close to the whips' office strenuously denied the allegation.

She has been receiving online praise today for her stewardship of the Budget debate.

Social media responses have included 'Nusrat Ghani truly serving looks and a telling off', 'Nusrat Ghani - Deputy Speaker is usually superb, and today exemplifies why' and 'My main budget take away is that I could listen to Nusrat Ghani all day long'.

Another poster on X, formerly Twitter, wrote: 'Nusrat Ghani should take over as Speaker.

'She has shown she is capable of controlling the clown show that the Commons has become unlike the current holder of that position.'

Rachel Reeves can be seen reading about the OBR leak during Prime Minister's Questions

The Chancellor Ms Reeves is thought to have been unaware of today's OBR error until she found out the bad news from Treasury colleague Thorsten Bell.

Video footage broadcast live at 12.11pm showed Ms Reeves anxiously looking at the phone while Sir Keir Starmer was speaking during Prime Minister's Questions.

Ms Reeves was then seen writing something down while looking at Treasury minister James Murray's phone as Sir Keir continued to address the House of Commons.

Moments later the Chancellor and Mr Bell were spotted exchanging notes, with the Parliamentary Secretary for the Treasury telling Ms Reeves: 'It's fine, it's fine.'

The report - which is usually released after a Budget statement - included growth forecasts, the extent of tax rises and the decision to lift the two-child cap on benefits.

As she began speaking, Ms Reeves said the unprecedented pre-Budget publication of the document was 'deeply disappointing and a serious error on their part'.

Ms Reeves said: 'It is my understanding that the Office for Budget Responsibility's economic and financial outlook was released on their website before this statement.

'This is deeply disappointing and a serious error on their part. The Office for Budget Responsibility have already made a statement, taking full responsibility for their breach.'

Nusrat Ghani has been an MP since 2015, winning in the West Sussex constituency of Wealden before boundary changes last year saw her seat redrawn as Sussex Weald

Just minutes earlier, the Chancellor's second Budget was revealed ahead of time by the unexpected early publication of the Budget watchdog's analysis.

The report laid out a series of tax rises to fill a black hole in the public finances, and that the UK's economy will grow more slowly than predicted over the next four years.

The OBR also revealed Ms Reeves will introduce measures aimed at helping those struggling with living costs, including an end to the two-child limit on benefits.

The document is not meant to be released until after the Chancellor has delivered her Budget in the House of Commons.

But it was published on the OBR website early, the latest in a series of leaks and early disclosures ahead of the statement. The OBR apologised, blaming a 'technical error'.

The Tories' Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride said it was an 'utterly outrageous' leak of market-sensitive information which could constitute a criminal act.

An OBR statement said: 'A link to our economic and fiscal outlook document went live on our website too early this morning. It has been removed. We apologise for this technical error and have initiated an investigation into how this happened.

'We will be reporting to our oversight board, the Treasury and the Commons Treasury Committee on how this happened, and we will make sure this does not happen again.

'Our economic and fiscal outlook and supporting documents will be released when the Chancellor has finished her speech.'
The top Jeffrey Epstein investigator on Capitol Hill is worried that his magnum opus may fall flat.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, has been poring over emails, letters, and personal effects belonging to the late pedophile since July.

His probe focuses on how the government handled Epstein's case, the circumstances of his 2019 death in a New York federal prison, ruled a suicide, the financier's sex trafficking operation and potential violations involving elected officials.

The sweeping investigation has led to subpoenas for Justice Department files, Epstein's banking and estate information, and depositions involving some of the pedophile's confidants, including former President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary.

So far, Comer's efforts have yielded over 65,000 pages of Epstein-related documents, many of which shed light on the mysterious money man's connections to the rich and famous, and how he operated his sordid trafficking business.

For most congressional investigators, this would be a string of major victories. Especially after Congress recently passed a bill to force the DOJ to disclose additional files - ones that would aid in the ongoing committee probe.

But Comer, 53, is clearly dissatisfied.

'I fear the report will be like the Warren Report,' the chairman told Politico. 'Nobody will ever believe it.'

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer vented to Politico 'nobody will ever believe' a final government report on Jeffrey Epstein

The Oversight panel has obtained massive tranches of Jeffrey Epstein's personal emails. In the one above, the pedophile discusses Bill Clinton and poetry

Epstein with esteemed lawyer and former Harvard professor Alan Dershowitz

The Warren Report that Comer mentioned is the official record of President John F. Kennedy's 1964 assassination, led by Chief Justice Earl Warren.

The Kentuckian's point: some people may never believe the government's official story.

So too the Epstein saga has become so entrenched in the American zeitgeist, looming in the shroud of mystery without answers for so long, that large swathes of the public - if not the majority - will not believe the government's official account.

Comer admitted to Politico that's partly why he 'wasn't excited about doing the investigation.'

'There's so many conspiracy theories,' he added.

Democrats have also worked to distort the committee's findings, he told the Daily Mail.

'Democrats are shamefully trying to distort the investigation by lying about witness testimony, selectively leaking documents, and doctoring emails,' Comer told the Daily Mail in a statement. 'This undermines the transparency and accountability we are trying to deliver for Americans and the survivors.'

The top investigator is also noncommittal when it comes to producing his own final report on Epstein, akin to Warren's past efforts, saying it 'eventually, I would assume.'

American businessman and ex-president Donald Trump, Belgian model Ingrid Seynhaeve, and American businessman Jeffrey Epstein attend the Victoria's Secret 'Angels' party on April 28, 1997 in New York City. Comer's probe has released files of Epstein's where he mentions Trump

Female lawmakers on the Oversight panel have been tasked with speaking to Epstein's survivors, like Alicia Arden, pictured above

The committee recently requested Epstein-linked records from JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank as part of the probe. In addition, the lawmakers have asked the attorney general of the US Virgin Islands to turn over materials relating to Epstein's islands.

To elicit answers about the perpetrators behind the crimes, Comer said he's asked female lawmakers on the committee to meet with survivors of Epstein's abuse.

'If there is no Epstein list, and the American people expect us to compose an Epstein list, if we don't get any names from the victims, it's going to be hard to do,' the Republican admitted.

However, the chairman also has to worry about angering Trump - especially after some of the files he dug up were used by Democrats to slam the president.

Liberal lawmakers published excerpts from one of Epstein's birthday books, which contained a drawing allegedly scribbled by the president.

The Oversight Committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A former Royal Marine facing jail after he admitted ploughing into fans celebrating Liverpool's Premier League title falsely claimed that he was trying to escape a knifeman trying to stab him.

New detail can now be revealed about Paul Doyle's seven minutes of carnage, which caused such terror and injury that witnesses initially assumed they were the targets of a terror attack.

His attack only came to an end when a hero supporter bravely grabbed hold of the gearstick of his Ford Galaxy, which weighed almost two tonnes, finally bringing it to halt.

Horrific new details about his near-fatal rampage come after the 54-year-old father-of-three dramatically changed his pleas and admitted all 31 counts which he was facing on the second day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

Prosecutors are understood to have been planning to argue that Doyle - who now faces a potential life sentence - used his car as a weapon after flying into a rage as he attempted to drive through crowds.

Harrowing dashcam footage which was to be shown to the jury shows him repeatedly swearing at supporters walking in the road.

He was sober and not under the influence of drugs at the time, and tests of his Ford Galaxy found no defects which could have explained the carnage which unfolded, it is understood.

Doyle was not motivated by any ideology, prosecutors had been expected to tell jurors.

Paul Doyle was told he faces jail after driving his car into crowds at the Liverpool victory parade

Pictured: Paul Doyle who was seen driving the car in Liverpool on May 26, 2025

Emergency services at the scene of the incident on Water Street. More than 130 people were injured, police later said

After the terrifying attack which left 134 people injured, 29 seriously, Doyle falsely told police he had panicked after a man he believed to be armed with a knife tried to open his door.

He lied to officers that he only stopped when he realised he had struck pedestrians.

Astonishingly, considering the reckless and near-fatal violence which was to follow, Doyle was only in Liverpool city centre on May 26 because he had agreed to pick up family friends after the parade  having dropped them off there earlier.

Damning evidence of his guilt came in the form of his dashcam which recorded both video and audio of all his journeys on the six-mile route from his home in Croxteth that day.

It revealed how his driving had already become aggressive even before he encountered fans in the road.

Doyle undertook other cars and ran a red light as he drove the 25-minute journey from his home to Liverpool city centre.

Then as he found his sensible people carrier - in fact registered to his wife - blocked in by thousands of fans, Doyle took advantage of supporters moving cones to allow an ambulance through.

Within moments of the seven-year-old 12,000 car entering Water Street, Doyle began accelerating, knocking dozens of people over like skittles, horrified witnesses said.

An artist's sketch of Paul Doyle after he appeared in court yesterday

The driver was swiftly detained by police after mowing through pedestrians on May 26, 2025

Paul Doyle, a 54-year-old father of three, has changed his pleas and admitted all 31 counts which he was facing on the second day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court

Some fans were sent flying while others were trapped beneath its wheels.

As people screamed in panic, the car finally came to a halt, before it was rushed by dozens fans, trying to get to Doyle in the drivers seat.

Some were shouting: F****** kill him!

Police officers managed to intervene and Doyle was bundled into a nearby police van for his own safety and arrested.

When he was interviewed, Doyle falsely told police he had been in fear after a man he believed to be armed with a knife tried to open his door.

He claimed he had been driving slowly through the crowds when someone smashed his car window, leaving him terrified that the knifeman had followed him and that he was going to be stabbed.

Doyle insisted he panicked and tried to drive away, only stopping when he realised he had struck pedestrians.

However the 'knifeman' was entirely fictitious, and exhaustive analysis of harrowing CCTV footage spelt out the carnage he had in fact inflicted.

Jack Trotter (pictured) was struck by the driver on Water Street, shortly after 6pm. He had been out celebrating his team's league title win during the club's victory parade

Police officers investigate the scene of an incident in Water Street, on the sidelines of the open-top bus victory parade for Liverpool's Premier League title win on May 26 this year

Police officers are seen covering an area with an inflatable tent to preserve evidence

In reality, the attack was only ended when a supporter bravely got inside Doyles car, which had an automatic gearbox.

The man reached over to put it into park, finally bringing the two-tonne vehicle to a halt.

Doyle's attack was in fact a grotesque and inexplicable piece of road rage, prosecutors would have argued had the trial gone ahead.

The truth, it is understood they would have alleged, was that he was prepared to cause serious harm to men, women and children in order to get through.

Doyle, of Croxteth, Liverpool, appeared inconsolable and gasped repeatedly as the counts he faced were read out by the court clerk one by one.

Doyle's voice shook and he could scarcely utter the word 'guilty' as he confirmed he was changing his plea on each count.

Afterwards, he sat slumped in his seat in the dock.

Judge Andrew Menary KC, The Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, told Doyle that a 'custodial sentence of some length' was plainly 'inevitable' when he is sentenced next month.
A Maryland woman has told of her shock after she was deported to a country she says she has no ties to - and has never even visited.

Rabbiatu Kuyateh, 58, who fled to the US from the Sierra Leone civil war 30 years ago, was sent to Ghana earlier this month after being detained at her annual check-in with ICE.

Since then a shocking video has emerged that appears to show her being dragged across the floor by individuals who she believes to be employees of the Ghanaian government.

In the video, which has circulated widely on social media, people in green uniforms were seen pulling the grandmother on her stomach across the floor to load her onto a bus to Sierra Leone, where she is now staying at an undisclosed location.

Kuyateh told NBC 4 she tried to resist as she was violently manhandled. 'That's when they dragged me. They bumped the back of my head,' she said. Photos seen by NBC appear to show injuries to Kuyateh's head that she says were sustained in the fracas.

Mohamed Alghali, Kuyateh's son, said his mother's initial detention came out of the blue and that he felt 'defeated' when she was separated from him. '[It] felt like I failed my mom' he told the outlet.

He recalled to the outlet the moment she was taken away: 'They called her to the back. They said, "Yeah Rabbiatu, you have a order of removal. So, we're, you know, yeah, we're detaining you."'

'I mean, my heart just broke.'

Rabbiatu Kuyateh, 58, was deported from Maryland to Ghana where a video showed her being dragged across the floor to be taken to Sierra Leone after she fled its civil war 30 years ago

Kuyateh was dragged across the floor on her stomach, as people in green uniforms held onto her wrists to load her on to a bus

Mohamed Alghali, Kuyateh's son, said his 'heart just broke' after his mother was taken from Maryland, where their family built their home

Hannah Bridges, Kuyateh's attorney, said that the grandmother's human rights had been violated during the process of her deportation.

'I don't think anyone expected her to be detained, just because nothing had changed with her circumstances,' Bridges told the outlet.

Kuyateh spent several days in Maryland ICE's temporary holding area before she was moved to a facility in Louisiana where she spent several months, according to Bridges.

As the lawyer attempted to fight for Kuyateh, all her requests for court hearings 'went unacknowledged,' she told the outlet.

According to Bridges, Kuyateh 'should have been given notice and an opportunity to seek protection from removal to a third country.'

'The government had multiple opportunities to do this,' she added.

In September a judge ordered that Kuyateh could not be deported to Sierra Leone, where the 58-year-old grandma had previously been tortured, Bridges told NBC.

She was then sent to Ghana and spent six days in a hotel before the bus arrived to take her to Sierra Leone, the lawyer claimed.

Kuyateh believed the people loading her onto the bus were workers for Ghana's government

Hannah Bridges, Kuyateh's attorney, said the grandmother's rights were violated and she 'should have been given notice and an opportunity to seek protection from removal to a third country'

It is understood that the Sierra Leone High Commission in Ghana is aware of the allegations and plans investigate.

Kuyateh told NBC: 'I consider America my home. It's like, I built relationships there.'

Alghali, her son, was born in the United States, and has family living with him in DC. His grandparents moved over to be with them and became citizens, while Kuyateh was a nurse on a work permit and never became a citizen.

Her son owns a home in Bowie with Kuyateh and describes his mother as his best friend.

Kuyateh served as her parents primary care giver, and she said she was worried who would now care for them.

Alghali told the outlet that he felt that his mother had been failed by the United States.

'Yes, one hundred percent. I felt like they've been failing her,' he said.

Kuyateh's case raises concerns for deportees being sent to Ghana, after the US Department of Justice said that Ghana pledged it would not send deportees back to their home countries in September.

Kuyateh was protected from being deported directly to Sierra Leone by a US judge after claiming she had been tortured there

Her son was born in the United States and his grandparents moved to be with them and became citizens, while Kuyateh was a nurse on a work permit and never became a citizen

The DOJ also argued it had no power to control how another country treats deportees.

However, the United Nations human rights office called on Ghana to stop sending deportees from the US back to their home countries if it was determined by US courts to be dangerous, NBC reported.

The Daily Mail has reached out to ICE in Maryland, the Sierra Leone High Commission in Ghana, Kuyateh's attorney Bridges and the US Department of Justice for comment.
The owners of an exclusive beach restaurant have been ordered to rein in their drunken customers after a legal challenge brought by beach hut owners in Dorset.

Hutters in Mudeford, Dorset, accused The Beach House of changing the once idyllic coastline into a 'Magaluf rave scene' and a 'drinker's paradise'.

They claimed the restaurant changed from an upmarket venue to an 'open air festival' with DJs playing loud music.

Now they claim the quiet, family-orientated sandspit has become blighted with drunken and anti-social behaviour on weekends in the summer.

Customers have been accused of urinating against the sides of the 500,000 cabins, littering and aggressive and noisy behaviour.

Several hut owners then applied to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council for a review of the Beach House restaurant's alcohol and music licence.

Officials ruled that the venue was not preventing public nuisance and ordered the restaurant to stop serving alcohol by 11pm, reducing its operating hours by 90 minutes.

The owners must also agree to a Noise Management Plan with environmental health officers to prevent excessive noise from music and customers in the future.

Wealthy beach hut owners claim The Beach House, pictured, is turning their pristine stretch of coast into a 'Magaluf rave scene'

They claim the quiet, family-orientated sandspit has become blighted with drunken and anti-social behaviour on weekends

Mudeford Sandbank is a remote spit in Christchurch Harbour with 350 beach huts on it.

Cars are forbidden and the sought after spot can only be reached on foot, by ferry or a novelty land train.

It has become the home of Britain's most expensive beach huts, as the wooden cabins sell for close to 500,000.

The Beach House is currently the only restaurant on the sandy peninsula.

A fire destroyed the building in 2018 and the owners got permission for a temporary set up in three shipping containers while the council made plans for a replacement.

But seven years on a permanent building is still not in place after issues with council funding.

Gary Grant, a lawyer for the MSBHA, told the council meeting: 'Change is not always progress.

'When a venue goes from what was an enclosed sit down food-led restaurant to a packed open air music and alcohol-led beach party venue with DJs and begins to wildly damage what is a very special location, then it's time for the licensing sub-committee as custodians of the sandbank to step in and safeguard it for future generations.'

Mudeford has become the home of Britain's most expensive beach huts, as the wooden cabins sell for close to 500,000

The Beach House, highlighted with an arrow, was destroyed by a fire in 2018 and the owners got permission for a temporary set up which has still not been made permanent

Mr Grant said the very appeal of Mudeford is its remoteness and escape from modern living.

Beach hut owners lined up to tell how the beauty spot had changed from being a peaceful space.

Tony Webb described the 'loutish drunken behaviour of the day trippers treating the place like it's a beach rave in Magaluf' and said the noise has become 'unbearable'.

He said: 'When challenged they become menacing, threatening violence. Some have threatened to burn my hut down.

'As all hutters I am happy to share the beach with day trippers as long as they behave in a civilised manner.'

Jojo Huggins said it now 'feels like an Ibiza rave'.

Elizabeth Pritchard said it is 'only a matter of time before there is a serious accident', claiming drunken customers got into boats 'with alcohol blood levels that would result in a hefty fine, if behind the wheel of a car'.

Paul Owen said: 'I have witnessed foul-language, arm-wrestling and vomiting, even while queuing with young grandchildren for an ice cream.

Beach hut owners said the beauty spot had changed from being a peaceful space to a 'festival scene'

'This is not what the sandbank is meant to be.

'A space that should feel safe for children has instead been undermined by behaviour more suited to parts of Bournemouth beach - but unlike there, we cannot simply move elsewhere. This is our home.'

The Beach House owners accused the hutters of being 'snobs' who think they own the sandbank.

Barrister Gerald Gouriet KC, acting for the Beach House, said the pictures and videos used as 'evidence' of the problems showed 'no hint of disorder or crime'.

He said the sandbank was not in the 'private ownership' of the hutters but 'open to the public at large who come in their thousands to enjoy it'.

Beach House owner Mr Kim Slater added that he had been a licensee for 45 years and had never had anyone question his ability to run a licensed premises until now.

The MSBHA asked the licensing committee to restrict alcohol sales to table service with food, remove the open-air bar service, impose conditions to control noise and waste and have defined consumption areas.

Mr Slater called the measures 'Draconian and disproportionate'.

Cars are forbidden from the beauty spot in Dorset, which is also a sanctuary for wildlife

In making its decision, BCP Council said: 'The sub-committee has decided that it is appropriate to modify conditions on the licence and amend the licensable activities on the grounds that the premises are not upholding the prevention of public nuisance licensing objectives.

'The committee agreed that taking no action and leaving the current licence in its current state would not be an appropriate response to the concerns identified by MSBHA in bringing this review.

'To address public nuisance concerns, the committee determined that modifying licence conditions and removing late-night refreshment was the appropriate and proportionate response to reflect that the premises has grown and become a popular venue for non-resident visitors who wish to visit and enjoy the sandspit and the business has changed to remain viable.'

They found 'no evidence of undermining public safety or protection of children from harm'.
A plane passenger who squared up to a flight attendant and unleashed a torrent of abuse after being refused a coffee has escaped jail.

Iranian national Akbar Aghgaleh, 61, erupted in rage aboard an Air Canada flight from Montreal to Heathrow, confronting cabin crew member Kaitlin Knights-Fullum with his 'fists clenched in a fighting stance'.

He bellowed: 'I need my f***ing coffee. Get me the f***ing supervisor.. Oh you're the f***ing supervisor.'

After being told to calm down, the 61-year-old yelled back: 'I am f***ing calm. I am f***ing calm. If we aren't landing in five minutes, I am going to sue your f***ing ass.'

The outburst unfolded as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was descending into London on 29 August last year, as he and his wife returned from a sightseeing trip in the Niagara Falls.

Aghgaleh of Chiswick, west London, did not attend his trial and was convicted in his absence at Uxbridge Magistrates Court of racially aggravated harassment, using threatening or abusive words towards crew while in an aircraft and using threatening or abusive words

Adeal Mahmood, prosecuting, earlier said: 'Kaitlin Knights-Fullum asked the defendant to calm down and to put his seat belt on, but the defendant refused.

'He stood up straight with his fists clenched with his chest out and appeared to be in a fighting stance.

Iranian national Akbar Aghgaleh, 61, erupted in rage aboard an Air Canada flight from Montreal to Heathrow

Police attended and escorted the defendant off the flight while other passengers were on board

'Her colleague, Vincent Leveille, felt that the defendant may have tried to attack Kaitlin.

'Police attended and escorted the defendant off the flight while other passengers were on board.'

In bodycam arrest footage played in court, Aghgaleh yells: 'Gypsy Canada. Gypsy Canada. Gypsy Canadians,' as he points his phone at passengers while escorted from the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

When a police officer tells him to stop 'mouthing off', Aghgaleh shouts: 'What do you want. I am British like you are.'

He then claps his hands and squares up to the officer.

Ms Knights-Fullum said the flight attendants had stopped serving as the flight was about to land in the capital.

She said: 'I offered him a glass of water, but he got very irate. After that I apologised again and said I could not get him his coffee, and then he became more and more aggressive, then he took out his cell phone and started filming me.

'He got very aggressive and irate. He stood up in his seat in a fighting stance and shouted: 'You're the f***ing supervisor.

'I felt scared. Shocked. I was taken aback by his response. I was horrified that he was going to hit me or someone else. His voice was very loud.

'I noticed other passengers looking and being ready to step in case he did get more aggressive. A male passenger was next to me ready to intervene just in case.'

Police officer Paul Scoines, who arrested Aghgaleh, told the court: 'I just focused on getting him safely off the plane to protect everybody else.

'He was making references to the nationality of the cabin crew. He was consistently referring to them as Gypsy Canadians.'

The outburst unfolded as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was descending into London on 29 August last year

Aghgaleh, who represented himself assisted by a Farsi interpreter, told an earlier hearing: 'During the flight I asked five times for a coffee to take my medication. Then my wife even mentioned that it's my medication.

'In the nine-hour flight I didn't have anything to drink or eat.'

He came to the UK from Tehran 37 years ago and was returning from Canada with his wife after a sightseeing trip taking in the Niagara Falls, the court heard.

In addition to the racially aggravated harassment and threatening behaviour, Aghgaleh was also convicted of failing to obey the lawful commands of a pilot.

He also admitted failing to appear in court for his trial.

Magistrate Judy Gregg decided the matter would be dealt with by way of a financial penalty.

She told Aghgaleh: 'Altogether the fines come to 483, costs have been asked of 650, that is for the trial that went ahead that you did not turn up for, there is a surcharge of 193.

'So the amount you owe the court is 1,326, that is owed to the court now, but if you would like to make a suggestion regarding payment in instalments, we would like to listen to it.

'If you miss a payment, you lose the opportunity to pay in instalments and the whole lot becomes due.'

Aghgaleh will pay his fine in monthly instalments of 100.
A psychology student at the University of Oklahoma is furious after she was told she had failed an essay for citing the Bible in the assignment.

Samantha Fulnecky, a junior at the school in Norman, was slapped with a zero out of a possible 25 marks after turning in the paper on societal expectations on gender.

In her essay which responded to an article about society's gender expectations, Fulnecky shot down the idea there was more than two genders as being 'demonic'.

She said the Bible supported her belief that eliminating gender would prove to be 'detrimental' because it would put humans 'farther from God's original plan'.

Her instructor, an unnamed graduate assistant, deemed the paper 'offensive' and said Fulnecky should have cited 'empirical evidence'.

The psychology major was left stunned by the feedback, telling The Oklahoman that she asked the instructor to reconsider the grade, which they refused to do.

Speaking out since the mark was given to her, she said she believed she was failed just for citing the Bible.

'To be what I think is clearly discriminated against for my beliefs and using freedom of speech, and especially for my religious beliefs, I think that's just absurd', she said.

Samantha Fulnecky, a junior at University of Oklahoma was slapped with a zero out of a possible 25 marks after turning in the paper in which she used the Bible as the sole basis of her argument

She said the Bible supported her belief that eliminating gender would prove to be 'detrimental'

She emailed the Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, President of the school Joseph Harroz and the Teacher Freedom Alliance.

She pleaded for help, saying: 'In this situation, my instructor found it offensive to be quoting from the Bible.

Looking for answers, she emailed the Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and President of the school Joseph Harroz, seen here

'I don't believe I should receive a failing grade on an assignment based upon my opinion. I am reaching out to all of you to see if you can help me.'

She said she has filed a formal complaint citing discrimination and asking for her grade to be appealed.

Fulnecky said the mark was a direct attack on her First Amendment right to free speech, adding: 'I have to advocate for myself and try to get my grade back.

'But also just raise awareness for freedom of speech violations and religious discrimination because that is so clearly what's going on.'

In her essay she said: 'Gender roles and tendencies should not be considered "stereotypes".

'Women naturally want to do womanly things because God created us with those womanly desires in our hearts.

'The same goes for men. God created men in the image of His courage and strength, and He created women in the image of His beauty.'

Fulnecky shot down the idea there was more than two genders as being 'demonic' and cited the religious text

She has filed a formal complaint citing discrimination asking for her grade to be appealed. Pictured: Lisa and Cy Wagner Hall on the University of Oklahoma Campus

She continued: 'He intentionally created women differently than men and we should live our lives with that in mind.'

The article she was asked to respond to argued that gender-atypical kids have to deal with more teasing, which impacts their mental health.

Fulnecky said she didn't agree with that assessment, saying she 'did not necessarily see this as a problem'.

She also said that she disagreed with the original article's argument that encouraging the existence of multiple genders would improve students' confidence.

Fulnecky added: 'Society pushing the lie that there are multiple genders and everyone should be whatever they want to be is demonic and severely harms American youth.

'I do not want kids to be teased or bullied in school. However, pushing the lie that everyone has their own truth and everyone can do whatever they want and be whoever they want is not biblical whatsoever.

'The Bible says that our lives are not our own but that our lives and bodies belong to the Lord for His glory.'

In the feedback provided to her, the instructor said the essay 'contradicts itself, uses personal ideology over empirical evidence in a scientific class, and is at times offensive'.

They added: 'To call an entire group of people "demonic" is highly offensive, especially a minoritized population.'

The feedback also implored Fulnecky to 'apply some more perspective and empathy in your work'.

She told the outlet: 'It can't be allowed for me to get a zero on this because my opinion is somehow offensive.'

In a statement to the Daily Mail, the university said: 'At OU, we value and uphold freedom of expression, including freedom of religion, and it is our ongoing pursuit to teach students how to think, not what to think.

'While federal law prohibits us from talking about individual students and their grades, the University takes all academic grading matters seriously and utilizes a formal appeals process comprised of both faculty and student representation, with students supported throughout this process.

'Were confident that our processes address both the concerns of impacted students and academic integrity.

'Further, any student who feels they are the victim of unlawful discrimination may also pursue such matters through the Universitys independent office that investigates such concerns.'
A 17-year-old high school student died by suicide just hours after reading the contents of her mental health records.

Maya Cassady filed a freedom of information request for her medical information through Vancouver Coastal Health in March 2023 - just two months before she was due to graduate from high school.

Maya had been accepted into her dream school in the Netherlands and had plans to study European law.

However, her future was immediately cut short the day her records arrived in the mailbox, as her heartbroken mother, Hilary Cassady, called it 'the ultimate trigger that led to her death.'

The Vancouver teen had been admitted to Lions Gate Hospital for a four-day stay the month prior and eventually requested the records from that visit.

Maya was treated for an acetaminophen overdose which doctors concluded was an attempted suicide, according to CTV News.

During her stay, doctors listed Maya's diagnosis as 'chronic dysthymia vs unspecified depressive disorder.' They classified the teen as 'not acutely suicidal.'

Cassady concluded that her daughter began researching her diagnoses on the internet immediately after getting her hands on the records a month later.

Her friends had seen her pouring over the documents on her commute to school and during her free period.

Maya Cassady took her own life after receiving medical records detailing her mental health issues

Maya searched, 'Is persistent depressive disorder lifelong?' and googled specific mental illnesses that were listed on her chart, including bipolar II.

Cassady, for her part, found that the last search on her daughter's phone concluded that her symptoms were 'untreatable.'

'She had given up hope when she felt that her diagnosis was untreatable  that was the response when she Google searched some of the terminology in the report,' Cassady told CTV.

She first became aware of her daughter's mental health issues in 2020 when the then 15-year-old called the suicide help line.

The grieving mother knew of her daughter's major depressive disorder diagnosis, but had no idea that a bipolar disorder diagnosis had been considered by doctors.

Maya requested her records after a four day stay at Lions Gate Hospital in Vancouver

'I went every time my daughter was hospitalized. I went and sat with the psychiatrist,' Cassady told the outlet.

'I even took recordings so I wouldn't miss anything, and I can tell you that terminology was never discussed with me either.'

In most of British Columbia where Maya was treated, patients are allowed to request medical records without a legal guardian at age 12.

There are protections in place to shield minors from medical information that could 'result in immediate and grave harm to the applicants safety or mental or physical health,' the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of B.C told CTV.

However, because thousands of requests come through each day and most don't pose a threat, not all requests can be thoroughly screened.

The teen requested access to her medical files through Vancouver Coastal Health

After her daughter's death, Cassady launched the Maya Veronica Cassady Mental Health Wellness Fund, which provides financial aid to one student each year as they work to improve their mental health.

'The award is to help provide hope and support to students on their personal journey towards mental wellness,' read the website.

Along with the fund, Cassady proposed that any teen that is granted access to their records meet with a medical professional to better understand the prognosis, options, and terminology.

'Teens want control over their treatment and want to understand what is happening to them,' she said.

Cassady has written to her representatives and continued to be an outspoken advocate for teen's mental health.

Maya is remembered by her loved ones as 'witty, spicy, fun, bright, caring and beautiful.'

Cassady said, 'She was my "mini-me" and I miss her so much.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to the West Vancouver Foundation, and Vancouver Coastal Health for comment.

For help and support call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on 988
An NHS doctor who praised the Hamas attacks and arrived at her tribunal wearing a 'celebratory' October 7 necklace has been suspended from practice for 15 months.

Dr Rahmeh Aladwan, 31, has been stood down over a series of alleged anti-Semitic and pro-terrorism comments she posted online.

The British-Palestinian doctor was investigated by the General Medical Council (GMC) after concerns were raised about her fitness to practise after a series of posts on X in which she talked of a 'Jewish supremacy', labelled Israelis 'worse than Nazis' and allegedly showed support for Hamas and the October 7 attacks on Israel.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service have now suspended Dr Aladwan, a trainee trauma and orthopaedic surgeon, for 15 months.

A spokesman for the GMC said: 'The Interim Orders Tribunal's (IOT) has agreed with our submission and have suspended Dr Rameh Aladwan's registration while we continue our investigation into her fitness to practise.

'Our focus now is to complete our investigation swiftly, fairly and proportionately.'

Dr Aladwan posted the following anti-Semitic statement on X in response: 'The MPTS has ruled: an interim suspension order of 15 months.

'Thank God for everything. Let this decision stand as the definitive proof that there is no independent British medical regulation.

Dr Rahmeh Aladwan, pictured on Monday, has been stood down over a series of alleged anti-Semitic and pro-terrorism comments she posted online

Earlier this week she wore the same necklace bearing the 'celebratory' number seven that she had worn to an earlier hearing

'The "Israeli" and Jewish lobby decide who can and cannot practise medicine in Britain.

'This is not an end. It is the beginning of a far greater battle for the integrity of our institutions.

'My faith remains steadfast. My gratitude to every single person who has supported our just cause is boundless. What an honour it is to sacrifice for our people. Free Palestine and Britain from Jewish supremacy.'

The GMC referred her case to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) after receiving more than 200 complaints from members of the public and Jewish bodies.

A three-day IOT considered whether restrictions should be placed on the British-Palestinian doctor's registration while an investigation takes place, but not on the allegations themselves.

Emma Gilsenan, for the GMC, called for Dr Aladwan to be handed a 15-month suspension, claiming the comments on her X account were 'most certainly' anti-Semitic and supportive of terrorism and/or supportive of violence.

October 7 was described as the day Israel was 'humiliated' while Hamas members were called 'oppressed resistance fighters, not terrorists' and 'martyrs', she said.

Other posts refused to 'condemn' Hamas, October 7, or the 'armed resistance to occupation'.

'I would join the Palestinian armed resistance now,' one post said.

Ms Gilsenan described how a comment made a 'mockery' of female Israeli hostages by suggesting they were 'falling in love' with resistance fighters and it was the 'first time they have seen real men'.

Others labelled Britain's chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis 'Rabbi Genocide' and claimed the media attention following the Manchester synagogue attack, in which two men died and others were injured, was an example of 'Jewish supremacism'.

'Apparently, the lives of 4 Jews in Manchester are more significant than 53 lives of Muslims in Gaza,' the post read.

'This is racism and Jewish supremacism. This is Western civilisation.'

Further posts claimed the Holocaust was a 'fabricated victim narrative', that 'Zionism' is compatible to 'Nazism ' and that Jewish people are 'the most despicable people on the planet'.

Ms Gilsenan also accused the doctor of making a 'throat-cutting' gesture to Jewish protestors during a counter-demonstration in June 2024.

A previous IOT in September ruled not to impose any restrictions on Dr Aladwan, saying it did not believe the complaints against her were 'sufficient to establish that there may be a real risk to patients'.

But it prompted Health Secretary Wes Streeting to say that 'sickening comments' had no place in the NHS 'and action needs to be taken to root the evil of racism out'.

He also promised to overhaul the way medical regulators investigate cases of anti-Semitism.

The GMC then re-referred Dr Aladwan's case back to the MPTS for a second IOT hearing.

Ms Gilsenan said the doctor had continued to post online since the earlier hearing and there was an 'increase in tone' of alleged anti-Semitism, supporting violence and supporting terrorism.

Therefore, there was a risk her alleged comments would undermine public confidence in her and her profession, and it was 'more likely than not' that the doctor would later face a misconduct hearing.

While some of the doctor's comments could be considered political speech, she added, there was no right under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects freedom of expression, to publish 'racist or anti-Semitic' statements.

The tribunal panel granted an application by the GMC to include information from the Metropolitan Police relating to the doctor's arrest in October on suspicion of misusing a public communications network, sending malicious communications and stirring up racial hatred.

Kevin Saunders, counsel for Dr Aladwan, had earlier failed to get proceedings halted after claiming 'an abuse of process' by the GMC and 'apparent bias' by the tribunal panel.

He said the doctor had an 'impeccable' medical record and was herself a victim of genocide and dispossession.

Mr Saunders claimed Dr Aladwan had excercised her freedom of speech to speak out against genocide and crimes by Israel, including those identified by the United Nations.

He claimed 'lobbyists' had sought to bring the case against the doctor, describing it as 'lawfare' brought about by the 'clamour and intrinsic pressure' around it.

Dr Aladwan's comments constituted 'political speech not hate speech', he added, and he accused the GMC of a 'seismic shift' by seeking a 'draconian' suspension rather just restrictions on her registration as they did at the first IOT.

But the panel decided to impose the 15-month suspension.

The GMC could eventually refer Dr Aladwan to a full medical practitioners tribunal if it concludes she has a case to answer over the complaints it has received.
Rachel Reeves claim that she is protecting and strengthening the NHS with her Budget is overblown, health experts say.

The Chancellor failed to allocate any additional funding for tackling waiting lists, dealing with the cost of doctors strikes or covering a potential rise in drug prices.

It means hospitals will have to make cuts to patient care in the event of another walkout by medics as they cannot continue to absorb the cost, bosses warn.

The health service now faces one of the tougher periods for funding in its history with a modest increase of 2.2 per cent next year that harks back to the slow growth under 2010s austerity, the Nuffield Trust think tank says.

Meanwhile, stealth tax hikes are likely to deter doctors from taking on extra shifts at a time when the NHS needs all the manpower it can get, medical accountancy firm Ramsay Brown added.

The NHS was only awarded an extra 300million yesterday, which was ring-fenced for spending on new technology.

But this is overshadowed by a 10billion investment in technology over three years that was announced in Junes Spending Review.

The NHS now needs to do an awful lot with the money it has, the Nuffield Trust said, including improving access to GPs and cutting waiting lists as Labour promised at the general election.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves (centre), Health Secretary Wes Streeting (left) and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer meet staff at the University College London Hospital after she delivered her Budget.

The King's Fund think tank expressed a similar view, saying the overall cash available will 'help the health service just about keep its head above water as it battles a long list of financial challenges, citing rising demand, industrial action, redundancy payments and potential drug price rises, which are being negotiated with pharmaceutical firms and the United States in an effort to appease Donald Trump.

Ms Reeves said she will freeze prescription charges at 9.90 and allow private firms to fund new Neighbourhood Health Centres, which will bring GPs, pharmacies and dentists together in 250 one-stop shops.

Some money previously allocated to the Department of Health and Social Care for future years will be brought forward to cover one-off redundancy payments at NHS England and local health boards, in the hope the lower salary bill will save 1billion a year over the long-term.

Resident doctors strikes are costing the NHS around 250million each time, while a 5 per cent rise in drug prices beyond what is already expected would cost an additional 700million by 2028/29, the Office for Budget Responsibility says.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: Much of the UK government rhetoric today is focused on how the Budget is prioritising the NHS over other areas.

NHS leaders don't take this for granted, but the reality is that the NHS budget in England is under significant pressure from rising demand for care, ongoing strike action and the threat of higher drug prices as highlighted by the Office for Budget Responsibility.

In particular, local services cannot continue to absorb the costs of ongoing strike action by the BMA without consequences to patient care.

Dr Tom Dolphin, chair of the British Medical Association council, said: These constraints on health spending will have consequences.

There has been no allocation given in this Budget on restoring pay and ending disputes with doctors, a measure which would have not only prevented further disruption but kept doctors in the country, making the most of the skills we have already invested in.

4,000 doctors left the country to practice abroad last year. Without a financial plan to keep them, these Budgets represent a penny-wise, pound-foolish attitude.

Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, said it was possibly not a realistic figure to only fund a 2.5 per cent pay rise for non-doctor staff when welfare benefits and pensions are going up by around 4 per cent.
The mother of Anna Kepner, the 18-year-old cheerleader who died aboard a Carnival cruise ship, has slammed her ex-husband over her daughter's suspicious death.

Heather Wright, Anna's biological mother, criticized her ex-husband Christopher Kepner for allowing their daughter to share a room with her stepbrother - who has since been investigated as a suspect in the teen's death.

'Why am I the bad guy? He put them in a room together,' Wright told Fox News, referring to Anna's father, Christopher.

Anna was traveling on a cruise with her father, her stepmother, Shauntel Hudson, and stepsiblings.

The teen was found dead on November 7 while on vacation between Mexico and Florida. She was found wrapped in a blanket and stuffed under a bed in her cabin, which she shared with her stepbrother.

Her cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation via a bar hold, which is an arm across the neck, ABC News first reported.

Wright, who had been estranged from her daughter and ex-husband for years, found out that her daughter had died on Google and went to her funeral in disguise after being barred by Anna's father.

Anna Kepner, 18, was found dead on November 7 while on a cruise vacation between Mexico and Florida with her father, stepmother and stepsiblings

Heather Wright, Anna's biological mother, slammed her ex-husband for allowing their daughter to share a room with her stepbrother - who has been investigated in relation to the teen's death

Anna was found wrapped in a blanket and stuffed under a bed in her cabin, which she shared with her stepbrother. Her cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation via a bar hold

She told NewsNation that her youngest son was informed of Anna's death by a school peer, who then texted Wright with the news.

The frantic mother tried to get in touch with her daughter, but after she never heard back she Googled '18-year-old died on cruise ship.'

'And that's when my daughter's face popped up all over Google,' Wright revealed.

Wright said her relationship with her ex-husband had kept her from being involved in her daughter's life.

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 her ex-husband 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 confessed that she only called Anna on her birthday and holidays and said she didn't even know Anna was living with stepsiblings at the time of her death

The investigation into Anna's death remains ongoing, with no official charges having been made yet

Wright, who had been estranged from her daughter and ex-husband for years, found out that Anna died on Google and went to her funeral in disguise after being barred by Anna's father

Her fraught relationship with her ex-husband forced the grieving mother to disguise herself so she could attend Kepner's funeral.

Christopher Kepner had banned Wright from the service, threatening to have her arrested over unpaid child support.

'They said I never went, but I did,' she told Fox News. 'I didn't want to be seen, so I made sure no one seen me - plus they can't stop me from going anyway.'

Wright, who now lives in Oklahoma, added: 'She was my daughter, and I loved her with all of my heart and soul.'

The investigation into Anna's death remains ongoing, with no official charges having been made yet.

Barbara Kepner, Anna's grandmother, told ABC News that the two step-siblings were 'just like brother and sister.'

'I know that those two kids cared about each other in the right way,' she added.

Anna's stepbrother was said to be the only person seen going in and out of the cabin before her body was discovered, the outlet reported.

Barbara Kepner, Anna's grandmother, said that the 16-year-old stepbrother 'in his own words' didn't remember what happened on the ship and was 'an emotional mess'

Anna's ex-boyfriend, Josh Tew, 15, said that her little brother heard yelling and chairs being thrown in the cabin before she was found dead

'The two younger girls stayed with the parents, and then the three teenagers - they decided amongst themselves they wanted to stay in the room together,' Barbara Kepner claimed.

'But we had a larger room, and we made it very clear that at any time if they weren't getting along, they didn't want to be together, we had an extra bed in our room that they could come to.'

However, she said she couldn't accuse Anna's stepbrother of anything 'because I don't know what happened in that room.'

Barbara said that the 16-year-old boy 'in his own words' didn't remember what happened on the ship and was 'an emotional mess.'

'He couldn't even speak. He couldn't believe what had happened,' she said.

However, 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.

Anna's ex-boyfriend claimed that her stepbrother was 'obsessed with Anna'

'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.'

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 on FaceTime together.

'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.

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.
At least 44 people have died and hundreds have been reported missing after a fire raged through a high-rise housing complex in Hong Kong.

Police said 45 people also remain in critical condition while around 900 have been evacuated to temporary shelters after the city's deadliest fire in years broke out at apartments in the Tai Po district.

Flames and smoke still engulfed the 32-storey blocks hours after the fire started, as rescuers swarmed the site and residents watched on in horror nearby.

Hong Kong Police have since arrested three men, aged between 52 and 68, on suspicion of manslaughter.

Massive flames took hold on the scaffolding on at least three apartment blocks at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, a district in the northern part of the Chinese financial hub, before spreading to other parts of the buildings.

It later spread to inside the building and then to nearby buildings, likely aided by windy conditions, officials said.

Video from the scene showed at least five buildings close to each other ablaze, with flames coming out of many of the apartments' windows. Firefighters were aiming water at the intense flames from high up on ladder trucks.

In chilling echoes of the Grenfell tower tragedy, the blaze spread on the outside of the complex and investigators will look into whether material on the exterior walls of high-rise buildings met fire resistance standards.

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At least 44 people have died and 279 have been reported missing after a fire raged through a high-rise housing complex in Hong Kong

Flames engulf bamboo scaffolding across multiple buildings at Wang Fuk Court housing estate, in Tai Po, Hong Kong, on November 26

The Fire Service Department received reports at 2.51pm (06.51 GMT) that a fire had broken out in Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po

The fire at three of the buildings was 'coming under control' shortly past midnight on Thursday, according to the Fire Services Department.

There are suggestions that the exterior walls were not up to fire resistance standards as the rapid spread of the fire was unusual, authorities said.

'Police and the Fire Services Department have already set up a dedicated investigation team to investigate' the fire and its cause, Hong Kong chief executive John Lee said.

Police said they found mesh and protective material on the outside of the buildings that don't appear to be fireproof, as well as Styrofoam on the building's windows.

A police spokesperson said: 'We have reason to believe that those in charge at the company were grossly negligent, which led to this accident and caused the fire to spread uncontrollably, resulting in major casualties.'

The housing complex consisted of eight buildings with almost 2,000 apartments housing about 4,800 residents, including many elderly people. It was built in the 1980s and had recently been undergoing a major renovation.

Fire chiefs said high temperatures at the scene made it difficult for crews to mount rescue operations.

A column of flames and thick smoke rose as the blaze spread quickly on bamboo scaffolding and construction netting that had been set up around the exterior of the buildings.

The blaze was reported mid-afternoon and was upgraded to level 5, the highest level of severity, as night fell.

The fire at three of the buildings was 'coming under control' shortly past midnight on Thursday

Video from the scene showed at least five buildings close to each other ablaze, with flames coming out of many of the apartments' windows

Some fire services staff have also been injured, while trying to put out the flames that ripped through the 31-storey towers

People gathered on a nearby overhead walkway, watching in dismay as smoke billowed from the buildings while scores of fire engines and ambulances lined the road below the complex

The Fire Service Department said it does not yet have a figure for the number of people who may still be inside

Fire authorities said they were fighting to get to the towers' upper floors due to the intense heat, and containing the blaze was getting tougher after nightfall.

Tai Po, which has a population of about 300,000, is a suburban area in Hong Kong in the New Territories, near the border with the mainland Chinese city of Shenzhen.

A resident surnamed Wong, 71, broke down in tears, saying his wife was trapped inside one of the buildings.

More than 800 firefighters have been sent to tackle the blaze and one aged 37 is among the dead.

Ho Wai-ho, a firefighter of nine years, was found collapsed at the scene of the fire before being taken to Prince of Wales Hospital, where he died at 4.41pm local time on Wednesday after sustaining injuries in the blaze.

'Having been a member of the Fire Services Department for about nine years, Mr Ho's performance was valiant. I am profoundly grieved at the loss of this dedicated and gallant fireman,' director of fire services Andy Yeung said.

'All of our colleagues are deeply saddened by the loss of such a devoted comrade. On behalf of all our colleagues, I have offered the deepest condolences to his family.'

At least one other firefighter is still in hospital.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping expressed condolences to Ho Wai-ho and extended sympathies to the families of the victims, according to state broadcaster CCTV. He also urged efforts to minimize casualties and losses.

Firefighters battled the orange flames into the night as thick black smoke billowed from the towers, which were sheathed in bamboo scaffolding - whose use the government began phasing out in March for safety reasons - and green construction mesh.

The cause of the blaze was not immediately known.

Police said they had received multiple reports of people trapped in the affected buildings.

Harry Cheung, 66, who has lived at Block Two in one of the complexes for more than 40 years, said he heard 'a very loud noise at around 2.45pm' (6.45am GMT) and saw a fire erupt in a nearby block.

'I immediately went back to pack up my things,' he said.

'I don't even know how I feel right now. I'm just thinking about where I'm going to sleep tonight because I probably won't be able to go back home.'

Some fire services staff have also been injured, while trying to put out the flames that ripped through the 31-storey towers.

People gathered on a nearby overhead walkway, watching in dismay as smoke billowed from the buildings while scores of fire engines and ambulances lined the road below the complex.

The Fire Service Department said it does not yet have a figure for the number of people who may still be inside.

It received reports at 2.51pm (06.51am GMT) that a fire had broken out in Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.

The fire was upgraded to a No. 4 alarm at 3.34pm before reaching No. 5 at 6.22pm. Strong winds fanned the flames, causing the blaze to spread to seven of the complex's eight blocks.

Wang Fuk Court is a complex under the government's subsidised home ownership scheme and has been occupied since 1983.

Smoke rises as flames engulf bamboo scaffolding across multiple buildings at Wang Fuk Court housing estate, in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, November 26, 2025

Smoke rises after a fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court, a residential estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong's New Territories on Wednesday, Nov. 26 2025

Around 900 people have been evacuated to temporary shelters after the city's deadliest fire in years

Several towers have bamboo scaffolding on their exterior.

Hong Kong, one of the most densely populated areas in the world, is one of the last places where bamboo is still widely used for scaffolding in construction.

Bamboo scaffolding is a common sight in Hong Kong at building construction and renovation projects, though the government said earlier this year that it would start phasing it out for public projects because of safety concerns.

Due to the fire, an entire section of the Tai Po road, one of Hong Kong's two main highways, was closed and buses were diverted.

'Residents nearby are advised to stay indoors, close their doors and windows, and stay calm,' the Fire Services Department said.

'Members of the public are also advised to avoid going to the area affected by the fire.'

By 6.00pm local time, police started knocking on doors at Kwong Fuk Estate, a nearby public housing complex, telling residents of Kwong Lai House and Kwong Yau House to evacuate.

Officers set up a hotline for members of the public to ask about casualties as a result of the blaze.

Four people were hospitalised after a separate fire on the scaffolding of a building in Hong Kong's central business district last month.

Five people died after a fire broke out in a densely populated residential building in Hong Kong's bustling Kowloon district in April last year.

A woman reacts at a temporary shelter, after a fire started across multiple buildings at Wang Fuk Court housing estate, in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, November 26, 2025

People eat a meal at a temporary shelter, after a fire started across multiple buildings at Wang Fuk Court housing estate, in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, November 26, 2025

People look at flames engulfing a building after a fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court, a residential estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong's New Territories, Wednesday, Nov. 26 2025

Hong Kong, one of the most densely populated areas in the world, is one of the last places where bamboo is still widely used for scaffolding in construction

The fire department said it received reports at 2.51pm (0651 GMT) that a fire had broken out in Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po

Firefighters work as efforts are underway to extinguish flames engulfing bamboo scaffolding across multiple buildings at the Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, November 26, 2025

The blaze was reported midafternoon and has now been upgraded to level 5 - the highest level of severity

Bamboo scaffolding is a common sight in Hong Kong at building construction and renovation projects, though the government said earlier this year that it would start phasing it out for public projects because of safety concerns

Deadly fires were once a regular scourge in Hong Kong, especially in poorer neighbourhoods.

However, safety measures have been ramped up in recent decades and such fires have become much less commonplace.

Mr Lee called an emergency meeting on Wednesday evening.

'All government departments are fully assisting residents affected by the fire, prioritising the safety and well-being of the public,' a government statement said.

At least six schools will be closed on Thursday due to the fire and traffic congestion.

It is Hong Kong's worst fire since 41 people died in a commercial building in the heart of Kowloon in November 1996.

That fire was later found to be caused by welding during internal renovations.

A public inquiry yielded sweeping updates to building standards and fire safety regulations in the city's high-rise offices, shops and homes.

Officers set up a hotline for members of the public to ask about casualties as a result of the blaze

Eileen Chung Lai-yee, Senior Superintendent of Hong Kong Police Force's New Territories North Regional Headquarters, speaks at a press briefing concerning developments in the investigation into the fire

The government moved to start phasing out the city's use of its bamboo scaffolding in March, citing safety concerns.

It announced that 50 per cent of public construction works would be required to use metal frames instead.

Wang Fuk Court has been undergoing renovations for a year at a cost of HK$330 million (32 million), with each unit paying between HK$160,000 and HK$180,000.

Owning a home is a distant dream for many in Hong Kong, one of the world's most expensive housing markets and where residential rents are hovering around record highs.
A vegan influencer has been fined after she wrongly claimed to be a qualified osteopath.

'Concerns' were raised about Lily Iaschelcic, 30, after she claimed she was a qualified practitioner without being registered with the professional regulator.

Iaschelcic has more than 600,000 followers online where she showcases her jet-setting lifestyle in far-flung destinations including Santorini, Shanghai and South Korea.

Her website, Osteopathic Health, still appears in the bio of her account.

Earlier this week, Iaschelcic shared pictures from her glitzy visit to the Hilton Park Lane and from her time at a charity gala.

On Wednesday, City of London Magistrates' Court heard that Iaschelcic had previously been registered with the General Osteopathic Council, but lost her licence after she left the UK to study medicine in Georgia.

The student, who founded a clinic called Osteopathic Health, admitted to magistrates that she 'completely forgot' about the website after moving to the eastern European country.

Now, Iaschelcic has been ordered to pay 957 for the 'oversight'.

Lily Iaschelcic, 30, claimed she was a qualified practitioner without being registered with the professional regulato

Iaschelcic has more than 600,000 followers online where she showcases her jet-setting lifestyle at far-flung destinations including Shanghai and South Korea

Magistrate Colin Gregory told her: 'The offence of describing yourself as an osteopath when you're not is there to protect the public so it's very important that people who do wrongly claim themselves with professional qualifications do get punished.

'But we take into account that it is not as though you had no connection at all to osteopathy, and you were registered.'

Elaine Freer, prosecuting, told the court that Iaschelcic's registration with the General Osteopathic Council had ended in January 2022.

She said 'concerns' had been raised with the regulator in 2024 that the website for Osteopathic Health described Iaschelcic as a qualified osteopath.

A warning email was sent to Iaschelcic by the General Osteopathic Council and 'there were changes made to the website', Ms Freer added.

The prosecutor said the site also featured a picture of Iaschelcic in which she appeared to be carrying out an 'osteopathic treatment', and that it was possible to book appointments with her, although this is disputed by the student who said the link never worked.

Iaschelcic pleaded guilty to calling herself an osteopath while not registered in relation to the website.

A second charge relating to her describing herself as an osteopath on an Instagram post was withdrawn.

Iaschelcic has been ordered to pay 957 for wrongly claiming to be a qualified osteopath

She told magistrates that she graduated from the British College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2021 with a masters in osteopathic medicine and nutrition.

Iaschelcic said she had 'studied hard' to become a practitioner, often working long days from 9am to 7pm.

Magistrates heard that six months after graduating, she set up Osteopathic Health with a friend.

Iaschelcic, who hopes to become a doctor, eventually left the UK and told magistrates she 'completely forgot' about the website.

She said: 'If I didn't get my medical exams accepted, and if I didn't get a place, I would have still carried on to be an osteopath.'

The influencer added: 'I am very proud to be an osteopath, so I cannot be told that I'm not an osteopath.'

Mr Gregory said the panel took note of what Iaschelcic had to say about her 'passion' for helping others through her medical studies, and her admission that the matter was an 'oversight'.

She was told to pay a 623 fine, a surcharge of 249 and prosecution costs of 85.
A senior man and a much younger woman were discovered dead inside a luxurious Atlantic City casino last Sunday, according to police.

Wei Guo Liang, 68, and Baoyi Bowie Zheng, 36, were found dead by police officers in their room at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa at about 4.55pm on November 23, the prosecutors office said.

Autopsies determined that the woman, Zheng, died from a broken neck, while the man, Liang, died from self-inflicted stab wounds, the office added.

There is no indication as to how the pair knew each other or what they were doing together.

Liang was from Brooklyn, while Zheng was from Staten Island, according to prosecutors.

No further details have been released about the crime scene.

The two deaths remain under investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office and Atlantic City Police.

The Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa is touted as offering 'luxurious rooms, premium amenities and unforgettable elegance.'

Wei Guo Liang, 68, and Baoyi Bowie Zheng, 36, were found dead inside their room at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa shortly before 5pm last Sunday

The hotel, which is owned by MGM Resorts International, has about 2,700 guest rooms and is the largest in New Jersey.

It is also a hotspot for gambling, offering a wide array of slot machines and poker table games.

The Borgata is the only location in Atlantic City where horse racing is allowed.

The hotel has been the site of other gruesome incidents in the past, as well.

In 2019, a New Jersey man died at the Borgata after leaping from the 29th floor.

One year later, another Atlantic City hotel about one hour from the Borgata reported that a 59-year-old man had been found dead on its premises.

Then, a Plainsboro, New Jersey, resident was discovered at the Club Wyndham Skyline Tower hotel.

The Borgata has about 2,700 guest rooms in total and offers a multitude of gambling options, including poker games and slot machines

The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said the two deaths remained under investigation and did not release further details (stock image)

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa, as well as Atlantic City police for comment.

The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office could not be reached for comment.
The health board which employed a rogue surgeon who harmed patents in a series of botched operations has destroyed dozens of key documents despite being ordered not to do so, an inquiry has heard.

NHS Tayside officials destroyed around 40 theatre logbooks which may have provided vital clues as to the practice of disgraced surgeon Sam Eljamel.

The health board was handed a formal do not destroy order by the Eljamel Inquiry in October last year but, astonishingly, employees destroyed the files this summer. NHS Tayside said it deeply regrets this error.

It is feared the surgeon, who was head of neurosurgery at Dundees Ninewells Hospital, harmed more than 200 patients there.

Patients, some of whom attended the Edinburgh-based inquiry yesterday to hear opening statements from those involved in the probe, have been left furious at the data destruction which occurred on July 24.

Jules Rose, a campaigner who was harmed by Eljamel, told of her fury and demanded that the health board be put into special measures.

It is feared disgraced neurosurgeon Sam Eljamel harmed more more than 200 patients while working at Dundee's Ninewells Hospital

Logbooks containing information relating to Eljamel's surgeries at Ninewells Hospital, pictured, have been destroyed

Outside the hearing she said: This current leadership have stuck their two fingers up to [inquiry chairman] Lord Weir, our legal team, and most of all the patients.

This health board has left no stone unturned, has gone to great measures not for patient safety but to protect its leadership, its reputation and image.

Joanna Cherry, KC, who is representing patients harmed by the rogue surgeon, said victims were left appalled by the revelations that around 40 hard copy theatre logbooks which would have contained information relating to Mr Eljamels surgeries in the period 1995 to 2013 were destroyed by NHS Tayside employees.

She told Lord Weir it beggars belief it happened and added: Patients and their representatives have repeatedly raised concerns that their medical records may have been tampered with.

Ms Cherry told the inquiry it had issued formal do not destroy notices on October 11, 2024, and added: We fail to see how this wanton destruction of vital evidence could have happened.

It seems to us that the only explanation for what has occurred must be gross negligence or indeed possible malice.

Answers are now being sought, and Ms Cherry called on Lord Weir to instruct Nicky Connor, the boards chief executive, right down to those who destroyed the logs to explain what happened. Una Doherty, KC, representing NHS Tayside, said the staff involved were not aware of the connection between the theatre logbooks and Mr Eljamel.

Tory MSP Liz Smith said: There are no words that can express the anger and despair of the patients and their families.

An NHS Tayside spokesman said: NHS Tayside is very sorry that this has happened.

Eljamel was suspended in 2019 and resigned in 2020. He is now back in his native Libya, where he continues to operate on patients.

Despite attempts to contact him, he has snubbed the inquiry.

An NHS Tayside spokesman said the 40 logbooks destroyed spanned a number of decades from the 1960s onwards, and added it was very sorry they were destroyed.

Its spokesman said: NHS Tayside advised the Inquiry that a number of hard copy theatre logbooks were unfortunately destroyed on around 24 July 2025.

It is estimated that there were around 40 of these logbooks which dated from the 1960s onwards and these related to surgeries undertaken by multiple members of staff over the years.

NHS Tayside understands that some logbooks may have contained information of potential assistance to the Inquirys investigations as they may have contained information relating to Mr Eljamels surgeries during the period 1995-2013.

NHS Tayside is very sorry that this has happened.

It also recognises that the destruction occurred following a formal Do Not Destroy Notice, for information that may be of relevance to the work of the Inquiry, issued on behalf of the Chair on 11 October 2024.

As soon as the incident became apparent, the matter was escalated immediately and an internal investigation has taken place. It has been ascertained that the theatre logbooks were destroyed by members of the department in which they were held.

The individuals involved were not aware of the connection between the theatre logbooks and Mr Eljamel. The destruction was carried out in accordance with the NHS and Scottish Government guidance and policies relating to document retention.

Renewed instructions have been communicated to staff in relation to identification, logging and retention of documentation relevant to Mr Eljamel, to try to ensure that there is no further destruction of documents in error.

NHS Tayside has ascertained that much of the information normally contained within a theatre logbook should be contained in patient records, if those still exist. It is hoped that much of the information will still be available to the Inquiry, albeit in a different format.

Liz Smith, the Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said: The most appalling revelation this morning is the destruction of medical record logbooks by NHS Tayside this summer when the Public Inquiry had issued do not destroy letters on 11th October 2024.

There are no words that can express the anger and despair of the former patients and their families.

That is why the Public Inquiry is so important in getting to the truth  however unpalatable that might be  and to holding all those responsible for covering-up the malpractice of Professor Eljamel to account.
Scots families face a new tax threat after SNP ministers refused to rule out following in Rachel Reeves footsteps to freeze income tax thresholds.

The Chancellor opted to freeze income tax thresholds in England until 2031, which has been branded as a stealth tax because it will drag hundreds of thousands of people into paying higher rates.

She also announced that tax rates on property south of the border will be increased by two percentage points south of the Border.

Both policies will not directly apply in Scotland  but SNP Finance Secretary Shona Robison refused to rule out following the moves when she unveils the Scottish Budget in January.

It means that Scots face the threat of further hikes in addition to the measures announced by Ms Reeves in reserved areas which will apply north of the border.

Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Craig Hoy said: Hard-pressed Scots will be deeply alarmed at the prospect of a double whammy of tax rises from the SNP and Labour governments.

The last thing our sluggish economy needs is families being clobbered with even higher tax bills and Shona Robison following in the footsteps of Rachel Reeves.

Workers and businesses deserve a break instead of two high-tax governments naively thinking they can tax their way to economic growth.

SNP Finance Secretary Shona Robison refused to rule out tax hikes following the UK budget

Most powers over income tax are fully devolved apart from the tax-free personal allowance

The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates that the extension of the freeze on income tax thresholds south of the border will raise 7.6 billion in 2029/30

In its tax strategy published last December, the Scottish Government said its intention was to not introduce any new bands or to increase rates for the remainder of the current parliament, which runs up to next years Holyrood election.

Ms Robison said any financial impact from the threshold freeze will not arise until 2028/29.

But when asked about whether she would consider an across-the-board income tax threshold freeze, she said: I am not going to set out the tax position here today.

What we had set out in the tax strategy around rates and bands was what we want to hold to. Obviously we had the chaos in the weeks and the U-turns from the UK Government in terms of income tax.

But what we set out in the tax strategy to give people certainty around rates and bands is where we want to be, but details beyond that around thresholds we will set out on 13 January, Im not going to set that out today.

Most powers over income tax are fully devolved apart from the tax-free personal allowance.

Following the Chancellors announcement, the tax-free personal allowance will be frozen at 12,570 across the UK.

In England, a basic rate of 20 per cent will continue to apply on earnings between 12,571 and 50,270, with a 40 per cent higher rate then applied up to 125,140 and a 45 per cent top rate above 125,140.

In Scotland, workers currently pay a 19 per cent starter rate on income above the personal allowance up to 15,397, then a 20 per cent basic rate up to 27,491, a 21 per cent intermediate rate up to 43,662, a 42 per cent higher rate up to 75,000, a 45 per cent advanced rate up to 125,140 and a 48 per cent advanced rate above 125,140.

Ellen Milner, director of public policy at the Chartered Institute of Taxation, said: Today is only part of the tax puzzle for Scotland, because we need to wait for the Scottish Governments tax plans in January.

But there are some decisions from today that will have practical implications for Scotland.

Everyone earning above 30,300 currently pays more in income tax if they live in Scotland than those based south of the border.

Those earning 45,000 pay 428 more but this rises to 1,528 at 50,000, 2,332 at 80,000 and 5,363 at 130,000.

Yesterdays Budget measures will result in an additional 510 million of resource funding and 310 million of capital funding for the Scottish Government over four years through the Barnett Formula.

In her Budget statement, Ms Reeves said the extra 820 million was being provided because Anas Sarwar asked us to.

The SNP will also save 155 million by no longer needing to act on its plan to boost benefits to mitigate the impact of the two-child cap, which is now being scrapped across the UK.

But the Fraser of Allander Institute said the Barnett Formula uplifts are relatively small and that there is no detail yet as to how these break down year by year.

Ms Robison said next years funding increase will be less than one per cent, and claimed it is not a good budget for Scotland.

Care home entrepreneur Robert Kilgour, chief executive of Dow Investments, said: You cannot tax your way to growth.

Rachel Job Destroyer Reeves is pushing us into a why bother doom loop economy where it is public sector good, private sector bad. I wouldnt trust her to run me a bath let alone run one of my businesses.

Other measures announced by the Chancellor included 14.5 million for Grangemouths transition to a hub for low carbon technologies, 20 million to upgrade the dry dock at Inchgreen near Greenock, up to 20 million for Kirkcaldy town centre, and 25 million for the Forth green freeport.

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: The UK Government has backed Scotlands public services with an extra 820 million  on top of the extra annual 9.1 billion already committed at the spending review.

The 14.5 million announced for Grangemouth is also vital investment in Scotland.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: I demanded a Labour budget rooted in Labour values and that is what the Chancellor has delivered today.
Two National Guard soldiers were shot in the head just yards from the White House during a possible terror attack by a lone gunman identified as an Afghan national.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, has been named as the alleged gunman in custody over the horror shoot-out at Farragut West metro station in the center of Washington, DC, which has left two soldiers in a critical condition.

Law enforcement sources initially told NBC News the gunman has been identified as an Afghan national and the shooting is being investigated as a possible act of terror.

He allegedly came to the United States during the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 under Joe Biden's Operation Allies Welcome, sources told The New York Post.

The operation sought to resettle vulnerable Afghans, including those who assisted the US during the war. It is understood Lakanwal was residing in Bellingham, Washington.

Biden long defended the catastrophic withdrawal, which cost 13 Americans their lives and weakened the U.S.-backed Afghan government against the Taliban, ultimately allowing the terror group to seize control again.

Donald Trump vowed that 'the animal' who shot the troops 'will pay a very steep price.'

The suspect was shot during the shoot-out and is being treated in hospital, authorities said. Police have since recovered a handgun from the scene which they believe was used in the attack, according to CNN.

A U.S. Capitol Park Police helicopter is seen on the National Mall evacuating a National Guard shooting victim

A stricken soldier in the back of an ambulance after being shot near the White House

FBI Director Kash Patel speaks during a press conference after two National Guard members were shot near the White House

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that two soldiers are being treated at a local hospital after West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey earlier sparked confusion by announcing the soldiers were dead before walking back his statement.

Graphic images from the scene showed a soldier lying injured on the pavement with blood pouring from his head as a Secret Service agent gave him medical attention.

An unidentified trooper was seen on a stretcher inside an ambulance receiving medical attention at the scene of the shooting.

The FBI, ATF and Secret Service swarmed on the scene as a helicopter landed on the National Mall to evacuate one of the wounded National Guardsmen.

Trump has deployed 2,300 National Guard troops into DC since August as part of his promise to crack down on rampant crime in the nation's capital.

The president ordered an additional 500 troops to deploy following the shooting on Wednesday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said, calling it a 'cowardly, dastardly act, targeting the best of America.'

After the shooting, the president wrote on Truth Social: 'God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement.

'These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!'

Law enforcement sources told CNN that the suspected shooter is not cooperating with cops.

Lakanwal appeared to target the soldiers, firing first at one of the guardsmen who was mere feet away, according to the sources.

The suspect then allegedly fired at the other guardsman who tried to get behind a bus stop shelter.

The president was not at the White House at the time of the shooting because he flew to Mar-a-Lago yesterday for the Thanksgiving holiday.

FBI Director Kash Patel called the shooting a 'heinous act' as he spoke to reporters at the scene.

Members of law enforcement, including the U.S. Marshals, respond to a shooting near the White House

A member of law enforcement with a rifle at the scene near the White House

Members of law enforcement, including the U.S. Marshals

Law enforcement officers stand close to the scene where two West Virginia National Guard members were shot

Law enforcement officials stand close to the scene where two West Virginia National Guard members were shot

'Since this is an assault on a federal law enforcement officer, this will be treated at the federal level as an assault on a federal law enforcement officer,' Patel said.

'The FBI will lead out on that mission with our interagency partners to include the Department of Homeland Security, Secret Service, ATF, DEA, and we're thankful for the mayor's assistance in this matter.'

He was joined by DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said that she had briefed Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was speaking to Trump when she called, as well as US attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro.

'Im the mayor of Washington, D.C., and I too, want to send my thoughts and prayers to the families of the Guardsmen and to the Guardsmen who are in critical condition in a local hospital,' the Democrat said.

'We join with the FBI director in ensuring that MPD investigates [and] the U.S. attorney prosecutes this case to the fullest extent of the law.'

Journalist Mari Otsu said that he was riding a cab near the metro station when he heard multiple gunshots and saw a soldier fall to the ground.

'National Guard shot near the White House at a little before 2.15[pm]. I was in an Uber to work, with my cameraman, and heard multiple shots fired as we passed Farragut West,' journalist Mari Otsu wrote on X.

'A member of the National Guard fell while others rushed onto the scene. Area still on lockdown and Secret Service being deployed.'

A police helicopter circles above the secured area after a shooting in downtown Washington, DC

National Guard troops on the scene as US Marshals arrive

A Secret Service member stands guard at the crime scene

A National Guard soldier helps secure a perimeter in downtown DC near the White House

Other pictures have emerged showing National Guard troops securing a perimeter in downtown DC, where the soldiers were shot.

The identity of the suspect has not been released to the public.

Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer issued a statement praying for the National Guard soldiers.

'My heart breaks for the victims of this horrific shooting in Washington DC near the White House.

'I am closely monitoring the situation and am praying for the wounded National Guardsmen and their families. I thank all the first responders for their quick action to capture the suspect.'

Commercial flights into Reagan Washington International Airport were briefly paused after the attack.

The Federal Aviation Administration said this was due to 'the locations of aircraft involved in responding to today's shooting incident.'

Normal operations have since resumed.
We knew that Rachel Reeves budget was going to be bad.

That was evident from weeks of chaotic briefings, ominous leaks and panicky U-turns from Downing Street.

And yesterdays brutal budget duly lived down to all of the doom-and-gloom anticipation.

At least Reeves is consistent in her pursuit of financial chaos, following her first flourishing of the red box last year.

Her dire decisions then - such as hiking National Insurance and imposing the spiteful Family Farm Tax had an immediate and chilling impact on jobs and growth.

Her failure to tackle reckless welfare spending, surrendering to her bolshy back-benchers, made Labours financial black hole grow even larger.

As a result, her sums inevitably still dont add up. If Jeremy Corbyn had a magic money tree, then Rachel Reeves seems to imagine that she has a forest of them.

So in Reeves budget 2.0, she gave us Labours only answer  which was to again hammer hard-working taxpayers and pensioners.

Every word of Rachel Reeves speech oozed anti-aspiration, anti-business and anti-growth, writes Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay

She served up underhand new or increased taxes on everything from betting to Irn-Bru, and milkshakes to whisky.

The Chancellors first tax-raising, growth-choking budget is what led to yesterdays rinse-and-repeat version.

She looked the people of Britain in the eye last year and told them that her punitive measures were a one-off. But that turned into another Labour broken promise.

Yesterdays eye-watering 26billion worth of tax rises will be paid by ordinary families and job-creating businesses.

Her freeze of income tax thresholds is an income tax hike in all but name. People are not daft.

The freeze in the personal allowance, which applies UK-wide, will make everyone on the full state pension a taxpayer.

We got a damaging tax hike on salary sacrifice schemes. Savings, dividends, capital gains, council tax, electric cars and even Irn Bru were hit too.

I ask in all seriousness, is there anything left to tax?

Every word of Ms Reeves bitter and painful speech oozed anti-aspiration, anti-business and anti-growth.

And, despite admitting to the vast black hole in her finances, she has done nothing to rein in welfare spending. In fact, it is going up.

Because Reeves yet again caved in to noisy and strident Labour MPs.

They somehow think its wise to funnel billions of pounds into ending the two-child benefits cap.

But this is not wise, it is weak. It is unfair on the folk who toil to provide for their families.

And it is a prime example of classic socialist folly in that it further traps people on welfare reliance.

And while theres always more cash for benefits under Labour, Reeves offered nothing to roll back the Family Farm Tax that risks decimating rural Scotland.

Her scattergun tax hikes will cause even more pain here in Scotland, where, under the SNP, were already the highest-taxed part of the UK.

Scottish businesses and households are already at financial breaking point due to sky-high bills, yet both governments seem to be in a race to make it even worse.

It isnt just that John Swinney has U-turned on a previously promise not to raise taxes again.

Its that he actually said last week that he thinks its a good idea.

That tells you all you need to know about whats in store when Shona Robison delivers the Scottish budget in January.

The SNP and Labour claim to be interested in growth and bringing down the cost of living but both have ignored the single biggest factor thats stopping that from happening.

The cost of energy is holding back business and hammering households with eye-watering bills.

It makes everything we make or consume, and every service we rely upon, much more expensive.

Businesses in the UK are at a serious global disadvantage.

Despite tinkering with carbon levies, Reeves did precious little to tackle this brake on growth and bring down bills.

In fact, she opted to stick two fingers up to the oil and gas sector by keeping the Energy Profits Levy (EPL) in place.

Earlier this month, I joined an energy industry roundtable event hosted by Kemi Badenoch.

The message from all the industry leaders present was that the EPL did not have to go at some point in the future  it needed to go now.

That view was echoed last week at a meeting hosted by the oil and gas industry body Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) in Aberdeen, which I attended with shadow chancellor Mel Stride.

The same sentiment came through at a reception in the Scottish Parliament last night [Wednesday] hosted by Prosper and OEUK.

Labour and the SNP hostility to North Sea oil and gas is an act of national self-harm that is damaging our economy, hiking bills and devastating the North East.

The Chancellors refusal to ditch EPL, when an estimated 1,000 jobs are being lost every month in the sector, is unforgivable and illogical.

Just last week, another 400 jobs were put at risk at Mossmorran ethylene plant in Fife.

This sparked a unedifying turf war between Labour and the SNP over which of them should front the emergency response  but no admission that their polices had caused it.

There are no excess profits left to tax because Labour and the SNPs Net Zero obsession, coupled with an illogical hostility to new development, is destroying the industry.

The Chancellor is deploying positive spin on her relaxing of restrictions on new oil and gas licences.

The Scottish Conservatives leader says Labour and the SNP's hostility to North Sea oil and gas is an act of national self-harm

But this is just a cynical ploy as Labour privately concede that they cant block projects already in motion.

Many I spoke to in the industry think that the Rosebank and Jackdaw projects will get the green light, not because of any change of heart by Ed Miliband, but because so much money had already been invested.

As one industry leader at the roundtable put it: Surely not even Red Ed can be that stupid!

Another spoke of the quiet annihilation of the industry. When I mentioned this comment to others in the oil and gas sector, they warned: We are not going to be quiet any longer.

I and my party will continue to add our voice to try and get through to the Labour government.

The Chancellor tried to claim that yesterdays choices were tough but necessary.

But it was her conscious decision to drag millions of more workers into higher tax brackets.

She went after folks hard-earned savings and precious pensions.

Shes cravenly decided to drop the two-child cap, adding billions to welfare costs.

Rather than constantly hike taxes to balance the books, both Labour and the SNP should be cutting welfare spending.

Under them both, Scotland is stuck in a doom loop of low growth and ever rising taxes.

Instead of two high-tax, left-wing governments who clobber families and businesses with ever-rising costs, Scotland is crying out for a government focused relentlessly on economic growth and that is exactly what my party stands for.
An alleged serial sex offender accused of killing two women while he was on bail left the bodies in a 'similar' position, a court heard today.

Simon Levy is accused of carrying out a series of attacks on women while he was on police bail.

He has been charged with assaulting a total of 13 women, including two murders, the rape and strangulation of a third woman and ten sexual assaults on the London underground and in prison.

This week police issued an appeal for potential victims to come forward as they believe the 40-year-old may have attacked other women after he was repeatedly released on bail by British Transport Police, Scotland Yard and magistrates during various investigations.

Today the Old Bailey heard about similarities between the two murders committed five months apart.

The partially sighted defendant is accused of killing Carmenza Trujillo, aged 53, in a deserted building on a Southwark estate on March 17 this year.

Prosecutor Tom Little, KC, told the court: 'The body of the deceased was found in the early evening of 17 March 2025 in a block of flats which is very largely disused, it does not contain many residents nor many people passing by apart from the odd security officer who patrol the area for safety.

'There is evidence the defendant travelled the day before to the area and then was very close by to the location where the deceased was found.

Simon Levy is accused of killing Carmenza Trujillo (pictured), aged 53, in a deserted building on a Southwark estate on March 17 this year

Levy is also accused of murdering Sheryl Wilkins (pictured), 39, who was found dead by police patrolling a car park in Tottenham, North London

'Scientific evidence in relation to her body supports the fact they must have met up and there was some form of sexual encounter between the two of them and our case is she was murdered as a result of, or during that encounter.'

He added: 'The position her body was left in is similar to that of the other murder.'

At the time of Ms Trujillo's murder, Levy was on police bail for another matter.

He was arrested on April 1 in connection with her death, but he was released yet again while officers investigated.

On August 28, Levy is accused of murdering a second woman.

Sheryl Wilkins, 39, was found dead by police patrolling a car park in Tottenham, North London.

During an earlier hearing, the Old Bailey was told that the sex worker was found face down, with her head and body covered by a jacket.

Although police found bruising and scratches, post-mortem examinations have been unable to determine a cause of death, with one possibility that the sex worker may have been drowned.

Levy is accused of carrying out a series of attacks on women while he was on police bail

Levy was arrested on September 4 and remanded in custody after being charged with a raft of offences, including the rape and strangulation of another sex worker.

A pre-trial hearing at the Old Bailey was told that Levy allegedly refused to pay the sex worker, knocking her to the floor and jumping on top of her breaking her collarbone in January this year.

He is accused of raping her while placing his hands over the woman's face, suffocating her until she lost consciousness, but she survived the attack .

Levy has now been charged with two murders, two counts of rape, a non-fatal strangulation, grievous bodily harm and sexually assaulting ten women.

Yesterday the defendant, who is blind in one eye, appeared via videolink wearing a prison issue grey tracksuit and dark sunglasses.

He did not enter pleas to any of the charges and spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth during the brief hearing.

Judge Mark Lucraft, KC, remanded the defendant into custody until the next hearing on 23 February.

Commander Clair Kelland, who leads the Met's Public Protection Team, has urged anyone with information about his alleged crimes to come forward.

She said: 'As the lead for public protection at the Met, one of our main priorities is to better protect women and girls.

'The investigation into Simon Levy is one of great complexity. We are working closely with partners across relevant boroughs, including Haringey and Southwark, to encourage reporting and raise awareness of the support we can provide to victim-survivors.

'Whether you are a victim-survivor, or someone with information, we urge you to come forward and speak to us.'

People can contact the incident room directly on 07751 700 330 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Two National Guardsmen are in critical condition after being shot in an ambush-style attack while patrolling the streets of Washington, DC.

Donald Trump promised that the 'animal' who attacked the soldiers near the White House will pay a 'very steep price'.

The president, who is in Florida for Thanksgiving, vowed revenge shortly after the horror shooting unfolded after 2.30pm ET on Wednesday.

DC police confirmed one suspect is in custody. Sources told the Associated Press that the alleged gunman was also shot and has injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.

Panicked tourists were forced to flee for their lives shortly after shots rang out at the corner of 17th and H Streets in the northwest quadrant of the city, roughly two blocks northwest of the White House.

Follow along for the events as they happened
A Utah father has been charged with torturing and abusing his three young children after they were all hospitalized following a doomed canyon hike.

Micah Smith, 31, was arrested on Tuesday, more than a month after he took his kids, aged two, four and eight, on a harrowing trek through the Broads Fork Trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

They were reported missing later in the day - and were all found fighting for their lives in the aftermath of an unrelenting storm.

Smith sustained third-degree frostbite. Two of the children were found in critical condition, including the four-year-old boy, who had no pulse when first responders arrived after the 24-hour ordeal.

The four-year-old needed CPR for 25 minutes before his heart started beating again. His body temperature was just 62.6 degrees when he was admitted to the hospital.

The eight-year-old was found in stable condition, but is traumatized by the event that made her fear for her family's life.

While a since-deleted GoFundMe detailed the ordeal, claiming Smith had 'bravely sacrificed himself' to protect his kids by lying on them to keep them warm, investigators say he was the one who had jeopardized their lives in the first place.

Authorities also claimed that Smith's children had expressed fear leading up to the life-threatening disaster, but he paid no mind to their concerns.

'This is about the emotional and psychological harm,' Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said at a press conference after Smith's arrest.

Micah Smith, 31, was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly torturing his three children

His four-year-old son is in critical condition and had no pulse when he was found

'The way that he acted was in a depraved manner that caused emotional harm.'

In arresting documents reviewed by FOX 14, investigators wrote: '[Smith's] intentional and self-act left his children in grave danger, with one of them dying and being revived multiple times, and will never fully recover.'

Smith and his kids left their home at 9am on the morning of the hike and after eight grueling hours, they finally reached the summit - an elevation of roughly 11,330 feet.

Already dark and cold, the air became foggy and it started to rain and hail. Smith allegedly said that by 8pm, they had descended 600 feet from the summit, ABC 4 reported.

But then the toddler slipped and fell - striking his head on the rocks. Smith finally decided the group should find shelter, according to police.

Smith's alleged retelling of events suggests the child lost consciousness, as he said he performed CPR on the child until he started breathing again.

The allegedly cold-hearted father left his children behind and started going down the mountain alone, according to police.

He also is said to have admitted that he was unfamiliar with the trail, and felt 'comfortable hiking in the dark' even though his kids were clearly afraid.

The eight-year-old told investigators that she warned her father about two miles from the summit that they should turn around, but Smith allegedly refused, saying, 'this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing,' police claimed.

Smith is pictured with his wife and mother of his children, Samantha, and his two sons

She also said she was 'worried about not living' amid the chaos.

Smith allegedly recorded the hike on his phone. In one of the clips, the eight-year-old is heard asking: 'Are we going to freeze to death, daddy?'

Police said he only harshly responded that they were 'almost to the top'.

At the press conference, Gill revealed that Smith has an alarming history.

About a month before the incident, Smith had 'expressed suicidal ideation' and told an officer he was going to 'hike up to the top of a mountain'. An axe and two guns were found in his vehicle at the time, but he denied he was going to use them.

On November 10, Smith was banned from entering the hospital where his four-year-old son is being treated because he was allegedly 'tampering with equipment,' according to Gill.

Smith was charged with three counts each of child torture and aggravated assault, all first-degree felonies. He remains in police custody without bond.

'We want to make sure that the children, who are the most vulnerable, are protected,' Gill said.

'Given the context and how it unfolded we believe that [the charges] adequately reflect the analysis by the screening team.'

In the GoFundMe post, which raised more than $60,000 and was removed at some point on Wednesday, the organizer wrote: 'Micah is a good dad who loves his kids and loves taking them on adventures.

'Unfortunately, tragedy struck this time around.'
The man who shot and seriously wounded two West Virginia National Guard members near the White House on Wednesday afternoon has been identified as Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, according to the FBI.

Lakanwal emigrated to the United States during President Joe Biden's chaotic military withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, the New York Post reported.

He arrived through a program called Operation Allies Welcome, per The New York Times. The Biden-era initiative provided safe haven to Afghans looking to flee Taliban rule in their country.

Lakanwal, 29, was taken into custody after allegedly launching the assault at around 2:10pm at Farragut West metro station, which is in the center of Washington, DC.

The attack, which is now being investigated as an act of terrorism, quickly turned into a shootout after the suspect reportedly got three shots off before officials returned fire.

The perpetrator came around a corner, raised his gun and fired at the guard members, according to Jeffery Carroll, the Executive Assistant Chief of the Washington Metropolitan Police Department.

Carroll added that the suspect was subdued by other guardsmen after 'some back and forth'. When he was taken into custody, he did not have an ID on him and was reportedly not cooperating with investigators.

Both National Guard members were shot in the head, and CNN obtained a cell phone video showing authorities performing CPR on one of the guardsmen.

Both guard members are in critical condition and Lakanwal, who was also shot, has non-life-threatening injuries, according to federal law enforcement officials.

An unnamed shooter opened fire on Wednesday afternoon in Washington, DC, leaving two National Guardsmen in a critical condition

The attack quickly turned into a shoot-out after the suspect reportedly shot three times before officials returned fire

Lakanwal was identified by authorities through his fingerprints, though officials are still working to confirm other details of his identity.

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that two victims were being treated at a local hospital after West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey earlier sparked confusion by announcing the soldiers were dead before walking back his statement.

Patel added that the suspect would be charged with assaulting a federal law enforcement officer. The maximum penalty for this offense is 20 years in prison.

West Virginia Attorney General John McCuskey said the two wounded soldiers 'volunteered their time,' along with others, to serve during the Thanksgiving holiday.

'He has attacked two of the bravest people,' McCuskey said of the shooter.

President Donald Trump, who was in Florida at the time of the shooting for the Thanksgiving holiday, vowed that the assailant will pay a 'very steep price.'

He wrote on Truth Social: 'The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price.'

'God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!'

The president ordered an additional 500 troops to deploy following the shooting on Wednesday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said.

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that two soldiers were being treated at a local hospital

Department of Corrections employees are seen entering the George Washington University Hospital after the shooting

Hegseth called the attack a 'cowardly, dastardly act, targeting the best of America.'

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said her department was working with local law enforcement.

Graphic images from the scene showed a soldier lying injured on the pavement with blood pouring from his head as a Secret Service agent gave him medical attention.

Stacey Walters, a nurse who lives in Washington, told the Associated Press she was near 17th Street in a car when she heard two gunshots.

She described hearing 'boom boom' and then noticed small children and others running while law enforcement swarmed the area.

'Its such a beautiful day. Who would do this [while] were getting ready for the holidays?' Walters said.

Trump deployed the National Guard to the nation's capital in August, as he sought to crack down on rising violent crime.

More than three months later, the issue is still being fought in the courts.

Last week, Judge Jia Michelle Cobb of the District Court for DC ruled that the Trump administration violated the city's Home Rule Act by deploying units for non-military crime-deterrence operations.

Her ruling, handed down on Thursday, placed a 21-day stay on the order, allowing for continued troop presence until December 11. This means that if it is enforced, servicemen could be home with 14 days left until Christmas.

This period also allows the Trump administration to appeal the decision.
Labor has struck an eleventh-hour deal with the Greens to overhaul Australia's 'broken' environmental laws, ending a years-long parliamentary stalemate.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the changes had secured the support needed in the Senate, with the laws set to pass the parliament on Thursday.

'When we came to government, we promised we would reform Australia's broken environmental laws,' Albanese told a press conference in Canberra.

'Today, we deliver that promise.'

The reforms amend the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), creating a new national independent regulator.

Under the new laws, Australia will for the first time adopt legally binding national environmental standards, aiming to improve consistency and clarity in environmental decision-making.

The bill also introduces tougher penalties for serious breaches and gives regulators power to issue urgent environment-protection orders to halt or respond to major violations.

Albanese said it was a 'landmark day for the environment' and a 'good day for business' who would benefit from greater policy certainty.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the changes had secured the support needed in the Senate, with the laws set to clear parliament on Thursday. He is pictured with Environment Minister Murray Watt at a press conference at Parliament House

Labor passed the bill with the support of the Greens. Pictured is Greens leader Larissa Waters and senators Sarah Hanson Young and Barbara Pocock

The bill will introduce new national environmental standards and stricter penalties for significant breaches of environmental law

The Greens agreed to support Labor's long-awaited reform package after securing key concessions.

Amendments for the Greens were aimed at removing fossil fuel projects from fast-track approvals pathways and ensuring they could not be subject to a new 'national interest' exemption from environment laws.

The deal effectively sidelines the Coalition, which refused to walk-back their demands for pro-business concessions.

The government will also create a $300million forestry growth fund to support regional jobs as high-risk land clearing exemptions are removed.

The changes will ensure the forestry sector complies with the same environmental rules that apply to other industries.

Thursday is the last sitting day of parliament for the year.
A woman in her 20s has died after she was attacked by a shark during an early-morning swim at a popular holiday destination.

Emergency services were called to Kylies Beach at Crowdy Bay, south of Port Macquarie, at about 6.30am on Thursday following reports of a shark attack.

NSW Police confirmed a woman and man, both in their 20s, were mauled.

The pair are understood to be Swiss nationals and the man was attacked during his efforts to save the woman.

Despite the best efforts of bystanders, the woman died before paramedics arrived. She is yet to be formally identified.

The man suffered a 'large laceration to his upper-right thigh' and was airlifted to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital, a NSW Ambulance spokesperson said.

He is now in a stable condition.

NSW Ambulance Superintendent Joshua Smyth praised the efforts of a bystander who delivered life-saving assistance to the injured man.

A man in his 20s (pictured) was injured trying to save a woman from a fatal shark attack

A woman in her 20s died after she was attacked by a shark during an early-morning swim at Crowdy Bay on the NSW Mid North Coast on Thursday morning

'I need to have a shout out to the bystander on the beach who put a makeshift tourniquet on the males leg,' he told a press conference on Thursday.

'That potentially saved his life and allowed New South Wales ambulance paramedics to get to him and do first aid.

'The courage from some bystanders is amazing... to put yourself out there is very heroic and it did give us time to get to that male patient.'

Supt Smyth could not confirm how the injured pair made their way to shore following the attack, but said the woman was found deceased on the sand when they arrived.

NSW Ambulance deployed multiple resources to the scene, including a helicopter with a doctor, a critical care paramedic and five land vehicles.

Surf Life Saving NSW's James Turner said there were no active patrols at the time.

'We just had people deployed to the area to assist an incident happened quite quickly and it was already response there,' he said.

Mr Turner urged all swimmers to avoid unpatrolled areas.

Surrounding beaches will be closed for at least 24 hours while Surf Life Saving NSW deploys drones to locate the shark and monitor for ongoing risks

It's understood the couple were staying at Kylies Beach campground in Crowdy Bay National Park.

A warning on the campground's website states 'beaches in this park are not patrolled and can have strong rip currents'.

NSW operates a shark monitoring program that sends alerts when tagged sharks come within 500m of receivers near 37 beaches along the coastline.

Kylies Beach does not have a receiver, with the nearest about 30km south at Old Bar.

The beach has been closed as experts from the Department of Primary Industries work to establish the species of shark involved.

The department tagged and released a 2.6m tiger shark at Burgess Beach in Forster, 70km from Kylies Beach, at about 10.50am on Wednesday.

A police spokesperson confirmed drum lines may be deployed in a bid to catch the shark responsible for Thursday's attack.

Surrounding beaches will be closed for at least 24 hours while Surf Life Saving NSW deploys drones to locate the shark and monitor for ongoing risks.

Despite efforts of witnesses, the woman died before paramedics arrived

'Tragically, one young female has been killed by a shark, and there's another male that's been flown to hospital,' chief executive Steven Pearce told 2GB radio.

'This area is so remote, there's no lifeguarding services up there at all.

'These incidents are horrific for everyone, and unfortunately, we've had a few this year already.'

Lyne MP Alison Penfold said she was 'deeply heartbroken' by the incident.

'I cannot imagine the pain and shock that family and loved ones are going through right now,' she wrote on social media.

'I extend my deepest condolences to them and the wider Crowdy community in what is a devastatingly tragic loss of life.'

A report will be prepared for the coroner.
While the world may have known Meghan Markle as Suits's glamorous paralegal Rachel Zane, Prince Harry wasn't aware of his future wife's acting credentials when he first laid eyes on her.

Instead, he caught a glimpse of Meghan on one of his friends' Instagram accounts in 2016, and instantly became infatuated with her, Harry wrote in his memoir Spare.

Setting the scene in 'Nott Cott' (Kensington Palace's Nottingham Cottage), Harry, now 44, described how he was 'scrolling through Instagram' on July 1, 2016 when he saw a video of his childhood friend Violet von Westenholz sat alongside a mystery woman.

Recalling the moment he first caught glimpse of his future wife, Harry wrote: 'They were playing with a new app that put silly filters on your photos.

'Violet and the woman had dog ears, dog noses, long red dog tongues hanging out. Despite the canine cartoon overlay, I sat up straighter. This woman with Violet... my God.'

He then proceeded to watch the video 'several times', as he admitted: 'I'd never seen anyone so beautiful.'

'She believed life was one grand adventure. I could see that. What a privilege it would be, I thought to join her on that journey. In that moment I felt there might be only one face for me.'

Harry fired off an urgent message to Violet, asking to be introduced to the mystery woman he couldn't stop thinking about.

Writing in his tell-all memoir Spare, Harry, 41, revealed the first time he ever laid eyes on Meghan, 44. While sat in 'Nott Cott' (Kensington Palace's Nottingham Cottage), the prince came across a video of his friend, Violet von Westenholz, and a mystery woman

Violet replied almost instantly and told the prince that, while 'six other guys' had asked about Meghan, she was happy to 'connect' Harry and Meghan via Instagram.

Soon after, he received a message from Meghan, who complimented him on the 'beautiful photographs' he had shared from his travels to Africa.

The pair exchanged numbers and were soon texting each other back-and-forth, as Harry recalled his thumbs were 'cramping' trying to keep up with the endless stream of messages.

Writing in Spare, Harry revealed that when he visited the home of English entrepreneur Sir Keith Mills for dinner shortly after, he was texting Meghan 'throughout the long drive and up the stairs into his guestroom'.

'I locked the door and remained holed up, texting. I sat on my bed texting like a teenager until it was time to have dinner with Sir Keith and his family. Then, after dessert, I quickly returned to the guestroom and resumed texting.

While the pair seemed to be from entirely different worlds, Harry described their differences as 'organic' and 'energising', and asked Meghan on a date before she was due to fly back home to Canada where Suits was also being filmed.

Meghan suggested they meet for drinks at Soho House, 'her headquarters whenever she came to London', and booked a table for them at the exclusive member's club on July 3, 2016.

However, Harry recalled, he ended up being 30 minutes for their first date due to bad traffic.

Recalling the moment he first caught glimpse of his future wife (pictured with Violet), Harry wrote: 'Violet and the woman had dog ears, dog noses, long red dog tongues hanging out. Despite the canine cartoon overlay, I sat up straighter. This woman with Violet... my God'

Overwhelmed with interest, Harry sent Violet an urgent message to enquire about who her mystery friend was. Almost instantly, she responded. While she informed the prince that 'six other guys' had enquired about Meghan, she was happy to 'connect' the prince and actress

'Red-cheeked, puffing, sweaty, half an hour late, I ran into the restaurant, into the quiet room, and found her sitting at a small area on a low velvet sofa in front of a low coffee table,' he wrote in Spare.

After a bumpy start, the pair fell into an easy conversation, with Prince Harry describing Meghan as 'heart-attack beautiful'.

Their date ended when Meghan had to rush off for her dinner plans, but the pair agreed to a second date over FaceTime later that evening.

After another successful date at Soho House, Harry took their whirlwind romance one step further and invited Meghan on a week-long safari in Botswana.

It was there that the two fell in love, during what was technically their third date.

When Harry eventually got down on one knee and asked Meghan to marry him on November 4, 2017, the dazzling 126,000 engagement ring included a blood-free diamond from Botswana.

During their engagement interview with the BBC's Mishal Husain at Kensington Palace later that month, Harry revealed that it was during that trip that he realised Meghan was his 'soulmate'.

'She came and joined me for five days out there, which was absolutely fantastic. Then we were really by ourselves, which was crucial to me to make sure that we had a chance to get to know each other.'

For their third date, Harry invited Meghan on a week-long safari in Botswana. It was there that the two fell in love under the night stars. When Harry proposed on November 4, 2017, the dazzling 126,000 engagement ring included a blood-free diamond from Botswana

During their engagement interview with the BBC's Mishal Husain at Kensington Palace in late November 2017, Harry revealed that before he'd first crossed paths with his wife-to-be (pictured during her time on Suits), he had no idea who she even was

Later recalling their love story in part two of her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex confessed that she knew Harry was a keeper while they were in Botswana - despite it only being their third date

The prince also revealed that he had had no idea about Meghan's stint on Suits, as he told Ms Husain: 'I had never even heard about her until this friend said Meghan Markle. I was like right, okay, give me a bit of background!'

Meghan also claimed that she was relatively unfamiliar with the prince, telling the broadcaster: 'I didn't know much about him and so the only thing that I had asked her when she said she wanted to set us up was - I had one question. I said, "Well, is he nice?"'

Later recalling their love story in part two of her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex confessed that she knew Harry was a keeper while they were in Botswana - despite it only being their third date.

'We met in Botswana and we camped for five days together,' the Duchess recalled. 'You really get to know each other when you're in a little tent together and it's like - what is that outside the tent?'

'That's an elephant. Are we going to be safe? Yeah, you're safe. OK.'

On November 8, 2016, Kensington Palace released a statement confirming Harry and Meghan's relationship and, in May 2017, they attended their first public outing together at a polo match in honour of his former charity Sentebale.

Meghan later spoke openly about her relationship with Harry for the first time in an interview with Vanity Fair for the October 2017 issue.

'I can tell you that at the end of the day I think it's really simple. We're two people who are really happy and in love,' she said.

'I'm sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people will understand is that this is our time.

'This is for us. It's part of what makes it so special, that it's just ours. But we're happy. Personally, I love a great love story.'
Prince Philip noted 'eerie similarities' between Meghan Markle and Wallis Simpson when the actress was first introduced to The Firm, a royal author has claimed.

In the latest episode of The Daily Mail's Reading the Royals, Diary Editor Richard Eden revealed the late Prince Philip nicknamed Meghan, now 44, 'DOW' - short for 'Duchess of Windsor - because he felt the two American women were so alike.

Citing royal author Ingrid Seward, Mr Eden highlighted the parallels between Meghan and Wallis, the American socialite who King Edward VIII abdicated to marry in June 1937.

Writing in her book My Mother and I, Ms Seward had claimed that, while the late Queen initially 'championed' Prince Harry's new girlfriend, Prince Philip was 'wary' of the former Suits star.

Ms Seward wrote: 'While the Queen continued to champion Harrys new love, [Prince Philip] warned his wife to be cautious. It was uncanny, he told her, how much Meghan reminded him of the Duchess of Windsor.

'He wasnt simply referring to the fact that both were pencil-slim, dark-haired and glamorous American divorcees.'

The late Duke of Edinburgh had met American-born Wallis several times before her death in April 1986 and perhaps sensed that Meghan could have the ability to be equally disruptive.

Eight decades before Meghan was introduced to Prince Harry via a mutual friend, Wallis played a notorious role in King Edward VIII's abdication as he stepped down from the throne after just 326 days to marry the twice-divorced socialite.

Prince Philip noted 'eerie similarities' between Meghan Markle and Wallis Simpson (pictured) when the actress was first introduced to The Firm, a royal author has claimed

In the latest episode of The Daily Mail's Reading the Royals , Diary Editor Richard Eden revealed the late Prince Philip nicknamed Meghan, now 44, 'DOW' - short for 'Duchess of Windsor - because he felt the two American women were so alike

Prince Harry's marriage to Meghan eventually proved just as troublesome for the Royals after the Sussexes quit The Firm in January 2020.

However, Prince Philip, who passed away in 2021, had been sceptical of Meghan from the very beginning and remained reluctant to be 'charmed' by the American actress.

When his grandson, Prince Harry, announced his plans to wed Meghan after a whirlwind 16-month courtship, Philip issued a rather stern warning: 'One steps out with actresses, one doesn't marry them.'

Perhaps Philip's scepticism was rooted in an acknowledgement of the similarities between Meghan and Wallis Simpson.

Born in Pennsylvania in 1896, Wallis first met Edward in 1931 while attending a party hosted by a mutual friend with his then-mistress Lady Furness. At the time of their meeting, Wallis was still married to her second husband, Ernest Simpson.

Meghan and Harry first crossed paths in the summer of 2016 after they were introduced by a mutual friend.

Like Wallis, Meghan had also been married before.

Before marrying Prince Harry at St George's chapel in Windsor Castle, Meghan had tied the knot with - and subsequently divorced - American film producer Trevor Engleson in a barefoot ceremony in Ocho Rios, Jamacia.

Unlike Meghan, Wallis, as a divorced woman, was not accepted into the royal fold. Writing in her substack Royals Extra, Sally Bedell Smith notes that 'neither the government nor the Church of England would permit' Edward's marriage to a woman '"with two husbands living"'

Philip was said to have been 'one of the few wary' of being charmed by Meghan. A wise Philip had met American-born Wallis on a number of occasions before her death in April 1986

Writing in her substack Royals Extra, Sally Bedell Smith revealed that Harry 'had no problem' marrying a divorcee.

Wallis, in contrast, had a slightly less smooth ride. As Ms Bedell Smith highlighted, in 1936, 'neither the government nor the Church of England would permit' Edward's marriage to a woman '"with two husbands living," in the words of his mother, Queen Mary'.

'Queen Mary was staunch in her belief that Edward should not marry Wallis, so much so that she and Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin told him that it was his duty to end his relationship with Wallis for the sake of his country,' Mr Eden explained.

Edward, then 42, and Wallis, then 40, wed on June 3, 1937, in a low-key ceremony at Chateau de Cande in France.

The ceremony took place a month and a day after Wallis' divorce from Mr Simpson had been finalised, with no members of the Royal Family in attendance.

Rather than wearing white, Wallis donned a pale blue dress, while Edward chose a civilian suit instead of military uniform, in recognition of their unconventional union.

It was a decision that reflected society's attitude towards divorce - yet Meghan and Harry, in contrast, had a wedding day in May 2018 that 'couldn't have been more different,' according to Mr Eden.

Not only were the nuptials attended by senior royals, including Queen Elizabeth and now-King Charles, stars like Elton John, Priyanka Chopra, Oprah Winfrey, and George Clooney were also present at the wedding that was watched by millions world over.

According to Ms Bedell Smith, Her Majesty's friend and closest confidante, Lady Elizabeth Anson said that the Queen had believed that Meghan's 200,000 wedding dress was 'too white' and that it was 'not appropriate' for a divorced woman to look 'so flamboyantly virginial'

Edward, then 42, and Wallis, then 40, wed on June 3, 1937, in a low-key ceremony at Chateau de Cande in France. Rather than wearing white, Wallis instead opted to wear a pale blue dress. Meghan, in contrast, wore an all-white dress designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy

Despite being divorced, Meghan chose to wear an all-white dress designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller for French fashion house Givenchy.

Yet the choice of Givenchy is worth noting as it had been 'favoured by Wallis so many years before,' Mr Eden highlighted.

Meanwhile, the Rolls-Royce Phantom IV that took Meghan to the chapel was the same model of car that carried Wallis to her husband's funeral at that venue 46 years earlier.

While attitudes towards divorce had certainly changed by the time Meghan walked up the aisle, it was not long before the late Queen also began to have reservations about Harry's bride.

According to Ms Bedell Smith, Her Majesty's friend and closest confidante, Lady Elizabeth Anson said that the Queen had believed that Meghan's 200,000 wedding dress was 'too white'.

'In the monarch's view, it was not appropriate for a divorcee getting remarried in church to look quite so flamboyantly virginal.'

While their dresses were as different as day and night, both Meghan and Wallis only had one family member in attendance at their respective ceremonies.

Mr Eden revealed that biographer Robert Hardman uncovered the 'uncomfortable detail' in his podcast, Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things.

Mr Hardman noted: 'Both brides only had one family member in attendance. In Wallis's case, only her Aunt Bessie was present. And Meghan just had her mother Doria Ragland.'

'Isn't it strange that both Americans had barely any family members present on the biggest day of their lives?' Mr Eden later speculated on Reading the Royals. 'I'm not sure what that says about them, but isn't it a bit of a red flag?'
The line of succession on the Royal Family's website has finally been updated to reflect the removal of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's titles, the Daily Mail can reveal.

Buckingham Palace announced on October 17 that Andrew would stop using his remaining titles and honours and would no longer be known as the Duke of York.

Three days later Andrew's title was scrubbed out on his profile page on the royal website to reflect the loss of this dukedom over the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal.

On October 30, it was revealed that Andrew would lose his prince title, before this was officially actioned on November 7 by the King, who also removed his HRH style.

But Andrew was still listed until recently on the website's line of succession page in eighth as 'The Duke of York', behind Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet of Sussex.

Now, with his public life having been effectively ended, the website has finally been updated and the line of succession entry appears as 'Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor'.

His profile page was already taken down at the start of November, with a message on royal.uk/the-duke-of-york now saying: 'The requested page could not be found.'

It comes as a poll suggested that three quarters of Britons believe Andrew should have to give evidence to the US Congress about his links to paedophile Epstein.

Andrew and Sarah at the Duchess of Kent's funeral at Westminster Cathedral on September 16

 Slide me  Before and after: The line of succession has finally been updated on the Royal Family's website and the entry changed from 'The Duke of York' to 'Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor'

American legislators have criticised the King's 65-year-old brother for 'hiding' from them after the former prince ignored a request to sit for a transcribed interview.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer suggested at the weekend that 'if you have relevant information you should be prepared to share it' after Andrew missed the November 20 response deadline given by members of the House Oversight Committee.

The King has officially stripped his disgraced brother of his prince title, and removed his dukedom from the Roll of the Peerage over Andrew's 'serious lapses' of judgment.

The move followed the publication of posthumous memoirs by Andrew's accuser Virginia Giuffre, and the US government's release of documents from Epstein's estate.

It emerged Andrew had emailed Epstein in 2011 saying 'we're in this together', three months after he claimed he had broken all contact with the paedophile.

The former Duke of York has for many years faced allegations he sexually assaulted a teenaged Ms Giuffre after she was trafficked by Epstein. Andrew strenuously denies the accusations.

A letter signed by 16 members of Congress was sent to Andrew on November 6 requesting his co-operation with the committee's investigation into Epstein's sex trafficking operations.

The US politicians said their House Oversight Committee had identified 'financial records containing notations such as 'massage for Andrew' that raise serious questions'.

Epstein took his own life in a New York prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges.

On October 30, Andrew's new name as a commoner was announced as 'Andrew Mountbatten Windsor'.

 Slide me  The Royal Family's website was updated on October 20 to reflect Andrew's loss of dukedom, renaming him from 'Duke of York' to 'Prince Andrew' - before he also lost the 'Prince' title

 Slide me  His ex-wife Sarah Ferguson no longer goes by the handle 'SarahTheDuchess' on her X account

But the surname was missing the hyphen decreed by Andrew's late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, 65 years ago when she set out the arrangements for the naming of her descendants as 'Mountbatten-Windsor'.

When asked about the absence of a hyphen, in reference to the Queen's decision in 1960, a palace spokeswoman said at the time of the announcement confirming Andrew's loss of his titles: 'Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was the name agreed.'

But the palace subsequently examined the 1960 Privy Council Declaration, which includes a hyphen, and sources confirmed on November 12 that they will use a hyphen going forward.

Andrew remains a counsellor of state, but this role has previously been described as 'inactive'.

Only 'working members' of the royal family would be called upon to carry out the sovereign's duties on a temporary basis as a counsellor of state in case of illness or overseas travel.

Meanwhile Mid and East Antrim Council has this week agreed to start the process of renaming Prince Andrew Way in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland.

The Country Antrim street was named after Andrew in 1986 to mark his wedding to Sarah Ferguson.

The council's interim chief executive, Valerie Watts, cautioned there is no council policy for changing the name of the street and, while it is not straightforward, it is possible.

She said other agencies, such as Royal Mail, need to be consulted and council staff will do a full investigation into what is required, and bring a full report back to council.
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Scientists have captured the firstever direct evidence for dark matter, the elusive substance that makes up more than a quarter of the universe.

Using NASA's Fermi telescope, researchers have detected powerful gammaray radiation emerging from a 'halolike' structure surrounding the Milky Way.

Its frequency and intensity suggest that this could be dark matter.

According to the study's author, Professor Tomonori Totani of the University of Tokyo, this eerie image is the first time that humanity has been able to 'see' the mysterious substance.

For almost two decades, scientists have known that there is a glow of gammaray radiation coming from the heart of the Milky Way called the galactic centre (GC) excess.

However, the socalled 'halo signature' surrounding our galaxy is something that no scientist has ever seen before.

Speaking to Daily Mail, Professor Totani explained: 'While the GC excess is concentrated at the very centre of the Galaxy, my halo signal is thinly spread across the halo region.

'I believe it strongly suggests radiation from dark matter.'

Scientists have captured the firstever direct evidence for dark matter, the elusive substance that makes up more than a quarter of the universe

The invisible influence of dark matter helps explain everything from the rotation of galaxies to the expansion of the universe.

But, despite its enormous importance to modern physics, scientists have only been able to observe dark matter indirectly by measuring its gravitational effects.

Now, Professor Totani believes he has finally found a way to change this.

Many scientists believe that dark matter is made up of something called weakly interacting massive particles, or WIMPs.

WIMPS are much larger than normal particles like protons, but don't interact with conventional matter  making them almost impossible to detect.

However, when two WIMPs collide, they are annihilated and release a burst of photons in the form of gammaray radiation.

Using 15 years of data from NASA's Fermi Gammaray Space Telescope, Professor Totani looked at a region of the galaxy where dark matter was thought to collect.

There, he found that gamma rays with an 'extremely large amount of energy' extend in a large halolike structure, emerging from the galactic centre.

Scientists have known for almost two decades that there is a glow of gamma radiation emerging from the centre of the galaxy. Now, a scientist has found an even more powerful signal that could be caused by dark matter

Even after blocking out the glow of the galactic centre, data from NASA's Fermi telescope shows a 'halolike' region of powerful gamma ray radiation that could be caused by colliding particles of dark matter

What is dark matter? Dark matter outweighs visible matter roughly six to one, making up about 27 per cent of the universe. Unlike normal matter, dark matter does not interact with the electromagnetic force. This means it does not absorb, reflect or emit light, making it extremely hard to spot. In fact, researchers have been able to infer the existence of dark matter only from the gravitational effect it seems to have on visible matter. Source: CERN Advertisement

This energy was emerging from the exact place where previous studies had predicted dark matter would be most concentrated.

Even more excitingly, this energy level is exactly what some scientists had predicted colliding particles of dark matter should produce.

This could very well be the first time that scientists have found a way of looking at dark matter itself.

Professor Totani told Daily Mail: 'Since we are directly observing the gamma rays emitted by dark matter, I personally believe it can be considered "direct observation".'

Importantly, the halo signature is completely distinct from previous observations of the GC excess.

Not only is the halo signature more spread out, but it is also 10 times more powerful than the gamma radiation found in the GC excess.

This is critical because there are no known types of stars or black holes which produce this type of energy.

Dr Moorts Muru, a dark matter expert from the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics who was not involved in the study, told Daily Mail: 'None of the known stellar objects radiates energy at such high levels, and thus, Totani leans strongly towards the dark matter hypothesis.'

The energy produced by this halo signal is 10 times more powerful than the gammaray radiation coming from the galactic centre, and matches the signal researchers expected to find from dark matter (illustrated). The red and blue lines show the predicted signal from dark matter, while the circles show the data points collected by Fermi

While Dr Muru says this is not 'definitive proof', he adds that it is a 'significant boost to understanding dark matter'.

However, not everyone is convinced.

Professor Joe Silk, a dark matter researcher from Johns Hopkins University who was not involved in the study, told Daily Mail he thinks the claim of dark matter detection is 'premature'.

Firstly, Professor Totani's predictions for how much energy a WIMP should produce are much higher than some scientists' calculations.

'Of course, our predictions could be wrong, but if he is correct, we should have seen a gamma ray signal from nearby dwarf galaxies that are dark matterdominated,' says Professor Silk.

Additionally, Professor Silk argues that these strong gamma rays could be the product of a huge explosion that emanated from the galaxy's central black hole about 10 billion years ago.

This explosion created the massive structures known as the 'Fermi bubbles' that extend on either side of the galaxy, but could have also started a powerful chain reaction.

Professor Silk says: 'What he did not consider is the fact that such an explosion that caused the Fermi bubbles is associated with violent shock fronts with turbulent magnetic fields that are known to be giant particle accelerators.

Not everyone is convinced by these findings, as some scientists suggest the gamma ray radiation could be emerging from 'energetic particles' trapped in the 'Fermi bubble' (highlighted) that emerges above and below the galactic plane

'So they could have injected many energetic particles whose subsequent diffusion and interaction with the ambient gas would have generated an additional gamma ray glow. In which case, we have no evidence for dark matter.'

In his paper, published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, Professor Totani acknowledges that more observations will be needed to prove this really is dark matter.

If other regions that should have lots of dark matter, like nearby dwarf galaxies, have similar gammaray signatures, it would be strong evidence for his claim.

However, the researcher remains confident that more data in the future will only provide more evidence that gammarays originate from dark matter.
Common rats have learned a shocking and deadly new tactic to kill other animals, which could one day lead to a deadly new pandemic among humans.

Scientists witnessed as local brown rats ambushed a colony of bats as they entered two caves in Germany, leaping into the air to catch and kill the nocturnal creatures in droves.

Moreover, these rats did this in the middle of the night and without being able to see their surroundings.

Researchers from the Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science said it's the first time common rats have ever been seen in Europe acting with such predatory instincts.

Using night-vision infrared cameras, scientists watched as rats stalked the entrance of the pitch-black cave and successfully caught 13 of the 30 bats they hunted.

The study concluded that rats were now able to use their whiskers to 'feel' the bats in complete darkness, and then snatched them out of the air with their paws before surgically biting the necks to kill them.

Over the course of a full winter, the scientists estimated that just 15 rats stalking a bat cave in this manner could theoretically wipe out 2,000 to 8,000 bats, potentially causing local bat populations to collapse.

However, the threat may also extend to humans, as scientists warned that rats could begin spreading dangerous pathogens, including coronaviruses, which bats naturally carry without getting sick.

Scientists captured video evidence of rats learned how to hunt and kill flying bats in complete darkness

Although scientists warned these bat killings could, in theory, allow viruses to jump into rats and then spread more easily to people, there is no evidence this is happening yet. No immediate danger to humans has been found.

'Both bats and rats are recognized reservoirs for a wide variety of zoonotic pathogens, including coronaviruses and paramyxoviruses,' the team wrote in the journal Global Ecology and Conservation.

'These predation events provide rare evidence of direct contact between two significant wildlife reservoirs in an urban setting.'

In the US, estimates have feared there could be several million rats hiding within major cities, such as New York.

At the same time, nearly every major US city has bat populations living in diverse urban environments such as parks, bridges, buildings, and vacant lots.

Rats transmit viruses to humans primarily through direct contact with their contaminated urine, droppings, saliva, or through bites and scratches, causing people to inhale or touch infectious material in infested areas.

While fleas have acted as intermediaries for bacterial diseases like the plague, most rat-borne viruses, such as hantavirus and Lassa fever, spread directly without needing vectors such as fleas or ticks.

Bats naturally carry a wide range of viruses that can be dangerous to humans, including coronaviruses, henipaviruses that can kill up to 75 percent of infected people, the Ebola virus, and several types of rabies that are almost always fatal.

Dozens of bat corpses were discovered within cave crevices in Northern Germany, showing the rats' new hunting skills

Rats surgically stalked and then bit the necks of bats, instantly killing them, before dragging their bodies away

Researchers were stunned because no one had ever seen ordinary brown rats living in and around European cities systematically catch flying prey, and showing a level of agility that's never been associated with the pests before.

Using hidden night-vision infrared cameras and handheld thermal imagers, the team filmed rats at two huge German bat caves over several years and found clear proof of dozens of attacks plus hidden piles of half-eaten bat bodies.

Researchers at the first site, the Segeberger Kalkberg cave in Northern Germany, set up special cameras that work in total darkness and left them running continuously at the cave entrance for weeks during the fall of 2020.

After those cameras recorded crystal-clear videos of rats jumping up to grab bats in mid-air, the team discovered a hidden rat 'food stash' containing the remains of at least 52 more bats near the opening of the cave.

At the second cave, called Luneburger Kalkberg, researchers found similar piles of half-eaten bat bodies hidden deep in rock crevices, proving the same thing was happening there, too.

In the worst-case scenario, the study warned that this new rat behavior could push some local bat populations closer to collapse, especially at big city hibernation sites that are vital for their survival.

The scientists addedthat the solution is simple: clean up food waste, use rat-proof garbage cans, seal holes that let rats reach cave entrances, and carry out careful rat control only targeting invasive brown rats, not native wildlife.

Quick, targeted action around these bat caves will protect the bats, cut any possible disease mutations between bats and rats, and keep both wildlife and people safer.
A littleknown Ethiopian volcano has erupted for the first time in at least 12,000 years  sparking fears that 'hidden' volcanoes are being missed.

Professor Mike Cassidy, a volcanologist at the University of Birmingham, says the world's overlooked volcanoes 'pose the greatest threat'.

Known as 'hidden' volcanoes, they're less famous than Yellowstone or Etna even among scientists  which means they're not being monitored as much.

Examples include El Chichon in Mexico, Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, Mount Merapi in Indonesia and La Soufriere on the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent.

In a piece for The Conversation, Professor Cassidy warns that the 'next global volcanic disaster' could come from a hidden volcano.

'Often overlooked, these "hidden" volcanoes erupt more often than most people realise,' he said.

'In regions like the Pacific, South America and Indonesia, an eruption from a volcano with no recorded history occurs every seven to ten years.

'Their effects can be unexpected and farreaching.'

On Sunday (November 23), the Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia erupted for the first time in recorded history (at least 12,000 years that we know of)

Volcanic ash from Hayli Gubbi, a longdormant volcano, crossed the Red Sea through Oman and Yemen into India on Monday evening

The academic's warnings follow the eruption of Hayli Gubbi in Ethiopia on Sunday for the first time in recorded history  going back an estimated 12,000 years.

It sent ash plumes 8.5 miles into the sky, with volcanic material falling in Yemen and drifting into air space over northern India, causing flight disruptions.

Thankfully, Ethiopian authorities reported no casualties from the eruption, though flights to and from the region may be affected.

However, history shows that 'hidden' volcanoes like this have the potential to cause fatalities and mass destruction.

Professor Cassidy points to El Chichon, a littleknown and unmonitored yet active volcano responsible for 'Mexicos worst volcanic disaster in modern times'.

In 1982, El Chichon erupted violently after lying dormant for centuries  possibly since the 14th century  killing more than 2,000 people and displacing 20,000.

But it was only after the disaster that El Chichon was monitored  suggesting geologists are too 'reactive' rather than proactive when it comes to preparedness.

Scientists monitor volcanoes by observing visual signs (such as new or enlarged areas), increases in seismic activity and any changes in gas emissions.

El Chichon volcano in Mexico (pictured) erupted explosively in 1982 after lying dormant for centuries  killing more than 2,000 people

At the weekend, Hayli Gubbi in Ethiopia sent ash plumes 8.5 miles into the sky, with volcanic material failing in Yemen and drifting into air space over northern India

What happened in Ethiopia? Flights have been cancelled after a volcano in Ethiopia erupted for the first time in 12,000 years. Volcanic ash from Hayli Gubbi, a longdormant volcano, crossed the Red Sea through Oman and Yemen into India on Monday evening. Air India cancelled 11 flights yesterday and today as a result, and other airlines were also affected, leading to travel chaos across the region. Flights with Akasa Air to Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi were also cancelled. Advertisement

El Chichon has not erupted since 1982, but it is still considered an active volcano  meaning it has the potential to erupt again in the future.

'Threequarters of large eruptions (like El Chichon and bigger) come from volcanoes that have been quiet for at least 100 years and, as a result, receive the least attention,' said Professor Cassidy, who is behind a new charity called the Global Volcano Risk Alliance.

Aside from the immediate effects of an eruption, volcanoes change the climate in both the shortterm and longterm.

In the case of El Chichon, sulphur from the eruption formed reflective particles in the upper atmosphere, cooling the northern hemisphere and shifting the African monsoon southwards, causing extreme drought.

This contributed to the Ethiopian and East African famine of 198385, which claimed the lives of an estimated 1 million people and sparked campaigns like Live Aid.

Now, particular concern lies with undermonitored volcanoes in regions such as Latin America, southeast Asia, Africa and the Pacific.

In these regions, millions of people live close to volcanoes that have little or no historical record  meaning it's unknown or unsure when they last erupted.

Professor Cassidy concludes that 'global investment in volcanology has not kept pace with the risks' and people could now exposed to danger zones.

Predicting volcanic eruptions is difficult, even with historical eruption data. Pictured, Kilauea volcano erupts in Hawaii as lava flows accelerate

Less than half of active volcanoes are monitored, and scientific research still disproportionately focuses on the wellknown few.

'When volcanoes are monitored, when communities know how to respond, and when communication and coordination between scientists and authorities is effective, thousands of lives can be saved.'

His warnings echo advice from a University of Cambridge team who said even 'minor' volcanic eruptions could cause chaos.

The experts identified seven pinch points where clusters of relatively small but active volcanoes sit alongside vital infrastructure that, if paralysed, could have severe global consequences.
One of the biggest mysteries surrounding Easter Island may finally be solved - as scientists pinpoint who built the iconic stone heads over 900 years ago.

In the past, researchers assumed that the 12 to 80-ton statues would have required the combined efforts of hundreds of labourers to build and move.

However, new archaeological evidence shows that the statues, known as moai, were not carved by a single powerful chiefdom.

Instead, each moai was carved by a small clan or by an individual family, with as few as four to six people working on a single statue.

Using a new 3D model of the island's main moai quarry, which you can explore below, archaeologists identified 30 unique 'workshops' where the statues were produced.

The researchers found that each clan seemed to have had their own unique artistic style, specialised techniques, and preferred digging sites.

Lead author Professor Carl Lipo, of Binghamton University, says: 'We see separate workshops that really align to different clan groups that are working intensively in their specific areas.

'You can really see graphically from the construction that there's a series of statues being made here, another series of statues here and that they're lined up next to each other.'

Researchers have finally solved the mystery of the Easter Island heads (pictured), as they reveal who built these enormous monuments 900 years ago

Scientists have combined 22,000 photos of the Rapa Nui quarry, where hundreds of heads can be found, into a single 3D model (pictured) that you can explore below

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Moai production on Rapa Nui began sometime around the 13th century as Polynesian communities began to carve ever larger monuments.

By the time the first Western explorers arrived in the 1700s, there were almost 1,000 statues dotted around the island, with many more lying partly finished inside the Rano Raraku quarry.

However, how and why this island community invested such vast resources in building these monuments has remained a mystery.

'The quarry is like the archaeological Disneyland,' says Professor Lipo.

'It's always been this treasure of information and cultural heritage, but it's remarkably underdocumented.'

In a new study, published in the journal PLoS One, Professor Lippo and his colleagues attempted to solve this puzzle by creating a detailed digital map of the quarry.

Using a drone, the researchers took some 22,000 pictures of the site and stitched them into a single 3D model that anyone can explore.

In addition to preserving the site for future study, this incredible map has also revealed some surprising details that have remained hidden from previous studies.

Using a new 3D model of the site where the heads, known as moai, were produced, scientists revealed that each head was manufactured by a small family or clan rather than by a central authority

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Who built the Easter Island heads? Archaeologists had previously assumed that the Easter Island heads must have been built by an organised central authority. However, the evidence now shows that the island was not politically unified, which makes this unlikely. Instead, researchers think that individual family groups or clans would have built their own moai heads. Each clan operated their own workshops and had distinctive techniques and artistic styles. Four to six carvers may have worked on one moai at a single time. A further 10 to 20 members of the clan might have provided support by making ropes, tools, and bringing supplies. Advertisement

Professor Lipo says: 'You can see things that you couldn't actually see on the ground. You can see tops and sides and all kinds of areas that just would never be able to walk to.'

Importantly, this revealed just how different each of the workshops really was.

For example, the moai were usually carved by refining the facial details first before outlining the head and body.

But others carved out the entire block first before starting on the face, while others worked sideways into the cliffs.

Likewise, some moai bear the distinct signs of a unique artistic vision, including some which have a distinctively feminine appearance.

The workshops also appear to have been divided by natural features of the rock, rather than by broad geographical areas.

The researchers say this shows that access to the quarry wasn't controlled by a single authority, but rather that individual groups negotiated between themselves.

These findings challenge the view that large monuments like the moai are evidence of a large, powerful hierarchy that mobilised lots of people on a single project.

Archaeologists found evidence of 30 different 'workshops' (picture), each with their own unique style and methods

Some clans even had their own unique style, with one group producing a female moai (pictured)

Easter Island timeline 13th century: Easter Island (Rapa Nui) is settled by Polynesian seafarers. Construction on some parts of the island's monuments begins. Early 14th to mid15th centuries: Rapid increase in construction 1600: The date that was longthought to mark the decline of Easter Island culture. Construction was ongoing. 1770: Spanish seafarers landed on the island. The island is in good working order. 1722: Dutch seafarers land on the island for the first time. Monuments were in use for rituals and showed no evidence of societal decay. 1774: British explorer James Cook arrives on Rapa Nui His crew described an island in crisis, with overturned monuments. Advertisement

This supports a growing amount of evidence that building and moving the moai wouldn't have required nearly as much labour as previous researchers believed.

In the past, people believed that the moai were dragged on their backs from the quarry to their final positions, which would have taken a huge amount of effort.

But in a recent study, anthropologists found that the people of Rapa Nui likely used ropes to rock the statues in a zigzag pattern.

By attaching ropes to either side of the head and pulling back and forth, the moai can be rocked side to side and shuffled forward in a 'walking' motion.

This technique would have allowed small teams of people to move the enormous moai over long distances with relatively little effort.

The stone heads were then moved along specially made 'moai roads', which connected the quarry to their final destination.

Made to be around 4.5 metres wide with a concave profile, the researchers found that the specific shape of these roads helped to stabilise the heads and made them more likely to shuffle forwards.

Using a combination of 3D modelling and reallife experiments, Professor Lipo and his collaborators previously found that they could 'walk' a moai with just 18 people.

This method proved so easy that people only needed to pull the ropes with one hand once the rocking had started.

This supports the idea that the moai were produced and moved by a far smaller number of people than scientists had previously thought, with studies showing that as few as 18 people could 'walk' the sculpture using ropes

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This is further evidence that moai production likely took place on a small scale, with only a few people needing to be involved at any time.

The researchers estimate that making a moai would only take four to six carvers and as few as 10 to 20 additional personnel to carry supplies and help with tool and rope production.

This makes sense since anthropologists believe that Rapa Nui was not politically unified, but instead consisted of many small and independent family groups.

Professor Lipo says: 'When we look at the ability for people to move giant statues, it doesn't take that many people to do it.

'So that it really connects all the dots between the number of people it takes to move the statues, the number of places, the scale at which the quarrying is happening and then the scale of the communities.'
Britain is becoming overrun with 'polite litter'  rubbish that has been arranged thoughtfully rather than recklessly, a study reveals.

Scientists say polite litter has become a increasingly common sight on our streets, likely because it's deemed as more socially acceptable than chucking it on the floor.

People are strategically placing their rubbish in hedges and flower baskets, on top of fuse boxes and bollards, and in other nooks and crannies.

Study author Dr Randa Kachef, environmental scientist at Birkbeck University of London who coined the term, says people are finding creative ways to dispose of rubbish.

'Polite litterers choose not to throw litter on the ground, yet are not prepared to commit to carrying the item home, or at least until a bin can be found,' she said.

'In lieu of flagrantly throwing it on the ground, many of those observed chose to place their rubbish on structures, such as planting pots, bushes, fences, ledges and any other bin lookalike items nearby.'

Over six years, Dr Kachef observed littering behaviours in two sites in London, as well as Brighton, Manchester and Birmingham.

A total of 1,143 littering events were recorded across all sites, categorised under three broad categories of intent  intentional, accidental and polite.

Polite litter is rubbish that has been arranged thoughtfully rather than recklessly. Pictured, a coffee cup placed among greenery on a pedestrianized street in Birmingham

Many polite litterers thoughtfully place their item in an attempt to make it blend in with its surroundings. Pictured, bottle of prosecco placed on fuse box in London

She found polite littering accounted for almost half of littering events  46.6 per cent  when not counting cigarettes.

Together, polite littering and accidental littering (not counting cigarettes) accounted for the majority  63 per cent.

Litter tends to be placed politely on a 'non-bin receptacle', such as a ledge, hedge, fence, salt and grit bin, uncovered lamp and even on a bin bag.

People may do this because there is no bin around, or because the nearest bin is full, or even because they see the arrangement of the item as artistic or humorous.

Interestingly, Dr Kachef's observations suggest cigarettes butts are considered a more acceptable item to throw on the ground than any other.

'Cigarette butts  the most littered item in the world  are often disposed of by flicking away as part of the smoking ritual,' she said.

'They won't necessarily consider cigarette butts as litter, despite them containing toxic chemicals and plastic microfibres.'

Ultimately, polite litter may be well-intentioned  for example, the offender may be trying to make it more visible for a binman in the event of a full bin.

Some offenders place litter on top of the bin in the belief it is the next-best place for it if the bin is full

Pictured, light fixture near London Bridge station which 'always had something new in it' - this time, a wedge of paper

In London, drink tins, sandwich packs, free newspapers and more are 'draped on and wedged in every nook and cranny', Dr Kachef said

What is polite littering? Polite littering is rubbish that has been arranged thoughtfully rather than recklessly. For example, polite litter could be a coffee cup placed on a street fuse box rather than thrown on the ground. Or it could be a glass bottle place on top of a bollard rather than smashed on the ground. Dr Kachef's study suggests the public see polite littering as more acceptable. It may be an increasing problem due to dwindling bin numbers. Advertisement

But just like recklessly-discarded litter, polite litter clutters our streets, poses a danger to wildlife and releases toxic chemicals.

Unfortunately, despite raised awareness, volumes of litter in the environment continue to rise.

'Once politely littered, rubbish can be further littered by animals too,' the academic said in a piece for The Conversation.

'Bags of rubbish left next to full bins ready for collection can easily get ripped up and scattered by scavenging foxes at night.'

Members of the public are generally urged to take their litter home with them to ensure it is disposed of properly.

But many councils are increasingly removing bins in an attempt to encourage the public to do this, which is not reasonable, she added.

Councils have a big part to play to ensure there are enough bins on our streets  and that they are emptied frequently.

'In reality, larger bins with greater capacity and more regular cleaning schedules would improve the situation.'

Almost half of the non-cigarette littering Dr Kachef witnessed seemed 'polite'. Pictured, kebab wrapping in a salt and grit bin, London

This Starbucks coffee cup was found in the Islington district of London speared on the top of a gate

The study, published in the journal Environmental Challenges, calls litter 'a visual representation of environmental degradation'.

According to keep Britain Tidy, 95 per cent of people in the UK consider a clean environment to be important.

Despite this, street cleaners report having to collect a staggering 2 million items of litter a day, costing UK taxpayers more than 1 billion a year.

Of course, throughout history humans have been littering, with evidence of discarding debris dating back as far as 2.4 million years.

This is apparent in halls of every great archaeological museum that showcase arrowheads, pottery, buttons, jewellery and other once valued possessions.

However, unlike ancient times, litter is typically single-use items manufactured from inorganic materials like plastic which stick around in the environment longer.
What do the perfect man and woman look like?

According to AI, the answer is young, white, and very attractive.

Scientists from the University of Toronto asked three artificial intelligence bots to create images of ideal female and male bodies.

The ultimate woman is facially attractive, young, blonde and wears 'revealing clothing', according to the results.

Meanwhile, the ultimate man is shirtless, has black hair, and is 'hypermuscular'.

'In a systematic coding of 300 AIgenerated images, we found that AI reinforces the fit ideal,' said Dr Delaney Thibodeau, lead author of the study.

The results also revealed a clear lack of diversity, with most images showing white people  and none depicting visible disabilities.

'Racial and age diversity were minimal,' Dr Thibodeau added.

What do the perfect man and woman look like? According to AI , the answer is young, white, and very attractive

Ideas about the 'perfect' body have changed hugely through the years.

For example, in the 1950s, weight gain tablets hit the shelves as women aspired to look like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, while the 90s saw ladies lusting after a thin, androgynous look dubbed 'heroin chic'.

In their new study, the team set out to understand what AI now considers the ideal male and female body.

Three different AI platforms  Midjourney, DALLE, and Stable Diffusion  were asked to create images of female and male bodies, including those of athletes.

In total, 300 images were generated  120 of men, 120 of women, and 60 of athletes.

An analysis of the images revealed several key trends.

Most (66.7 per cent of male images and 62.5 per cent of female images) depicted white people, while nearly all showed a young person.

The women were most likely to have blonde hair and the men to have black hair.

The women were most likely to have blonde hair and the men to have black hair. 'Male adults in the images were never bald,' the researchers explained in their study, published in Psychology of Popular Media (stock image)

The ideal woman, according to AI White

Young

Blonde hair

Low body fat

No cellulite or fat rolls

Wearing a bikini Advertisement

The ideal man, according to AI White

Young

Black hair (never bald)

Low body fat

Muscular

Topless Advertisement

'Male adults in the images were never bald,' the researchers explained in their study, published in Psychology of Popular Media.

Both the men and women had low body fat  while none had visible cellulite or rolls of fat.

In terms of clothes, there weren't many of them.

'Female images were more often dressed in bathing suits and revealing apparel, while male images appeared shirtless more frequently,' the researchers added.

Overall, the findings show that AI platforms 'overwhelmingly reproduce and amplify narrow western body ideals', according to the team.

'Our findings underscore the need to investigate how emerging technologies replicate and amplify existing body ideals and exclusionary norms,' said Professor Catherine Sabiston, co-author of the study.

'A human-centred approach  one that is informed by considerations of factors such as gender, race, disability and age  would be advisable when designing AI algorithms.

'Otherwise, we continue to perpetuate harmful, inflexible and rigid imagery of what athletes should look like.'
Multiple earthquakes have struck California's Bay Area, just miles from the home of the world's biggest tech companies in Silicon Valley.

A magnitude 4.0 tremor struck just 23 miles south of San Jose at 9.16am ET Wednesday morning.

It was quickly followed by a smaller one, of magnitude 2.7, two minutes later, and then a more significant magnitude 3.6 quake at 9.20am.

The quakes struck just miles from the headquarters of firms including Google, Apple, Nvidia, Meta, Netflix and countless startups.

Over 1,200 people near the quake's epicenter, east of Gilroy, reported feeling the seismic event to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

Readings from the area have revealed that shaking from the initial 4.0 quake reached San Francisco, over 60 miles away.

Quakes between 2.5 and 5.4 in magnitude are often felt for several miles in all directions but typically cause only minor damage, such as knocking objects off shelves.

Just two days ago, California's Bay Area was shaken by a series of earthquakes which struck in quick succession just north of San Francisco, raising concern in the seismically active region.

The US Geological Survey reported that three earthquakes have struck California's Bay Area just south of San Jose Wednesday morning starting at 9.16am ET

San Jose, home to a million residents, sits in the southern part of the Bay Area and is home to some of the biggest tech companies in the US (file image)

Overall, the shaking on Wednesday morning and on Monday was reported by USGS as being 'weak' or 'light,' and no injuries have been reported.

San Jose Mineta International Airport has also continued to operate normally, according to Flight Aware and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Roughly one million people live in San Jose, with roughly eight million scattered throughout the entire San Francisco Bay Area in California.

The entire region sits along the infamous San Andreas Fault, an 800-mile plate boundary responsible for much of the state's seismic activity, stretching from Southern California, through the Bay Area, to the northern part of the state.

The magnitude 4.0 quake took place about five miles from the Calaveras Fault, a major branch of the San Andreas in Northern California.

The San Andreas boundary doesnt work alone. It's connected to a whole family of parallel and branching faults, including the Hayward, Rodgers Creek, and Calaveras, which take some of its plate motion and spread the earthquake risk across the entire region.

The last major earthquake to break out along the Calaveras Fault happened over 40 years ago, when a magnitude 6.2 quake erupted on April 24, 1984.

USGS has warned that the San Andreas Fault could generate a quake even stronger than this, potentially reaching up to 8.2 in magnitude.

Wednesday's 4.0 earthquake was felt over 60 miles away in San Francisco and other parts of the Bay Area

Just minutes away from the quake's epicenter sits Silicon Valley, the bustling tech heart of California's Bay Area.

Roughly 1.5 million people work in Silicon Valley's broader economy, with most of the jobs tied directly to the tech sector that fuels its fame and fortunes.

The region's companies crank out hundreds of billions of dollars in annual revenue, a major chunk of California's massive $4 trillion economy, thanks to high-flying profits from software, chips, and cloud services.

Approximately 100 small earthquakes have shaken California's Bay Area this month, prompting scientists to dig into what's driving the unusual burst of activity.

Sarah Minson, a research geophysicist with the US 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.'
A seasoned traveller has revealed nine world-famous hotspots that, despite their bucket-list status, often leave visitors underwhelmed.

Adam Kelton, an avid adventurer and contributor to VegOut, shared the grim reality of some of the globe's most photographed locations - from a famed New York City spot to one of Italy's most iconic landmarks.

According to Kelton, the issue doesn't lie with the destinations themselves, but with the unrealistic expectations that often begin with carefully curated images.

He wrote: 'Social media has created this weird echo chamber where certain destinations get hyped to impossible standards. Then you arrive, and reality hits like a mediocre hotel breakfast buffet.'

He argued many beloved travel landmarks and locations have become overcrowded, overpriced or just simply underwhelming in person, while suggesting alternatives that offer a richer experience.

Below are the nine destinations, Adam believes fall short of their golden reputations.

1. Times Square, New York City

Kelton, who once lived in New York City during his culinary training, said he had visited Times Square voluntarily only a handful of times.

Kelton described the neon-lit Times Square as being packed with 'suffocating' crowds, chain restaurants and overpriced souvenir shops

He described the food as 'universally terrible' unless visitors were to walk 'several blocks away'.

In addition, the neon-lit area is reportedly packed with 'suffocating' crowds, chain restaurants and overpriced souvenir shops - not to mention the endless roster of costumed characters who overcharge visitors for photographs.

Instead, Kelton advises visitors to spend ten minutes at most in the area, before venturing out to Broadway theatres, the West Village or Brooklyn for a more fulfilling experience.

2. The Mona Lisa, the Louvre, Paris

While Kelton praised the Louvre as 'genuinely incredible,' he said the experience of viewing the Mona Lisa rarely lives up to visitors' expectations.

He warned visitors may find themselves being ushered into a 'massive' crowd to finally get a peek from fifteen feet away at the 'surprisingly small' painting behind bulletproof glass.

Most are able to observe the painting for about '30 seconds' while everyone holds their phones up to capture what he described as a 'blurry photo, before security instructs the crowd to move along to make way for the next.

Kelton pointed out other masterpieces in the Louvre that offer a richer viewing experience but receive less attention - including works by Caravaggio and Rembrandt.

Kelton warned The Louvre visitors may find themselves being ushered into a 'massive' crowd to finally get a peek of the 'surprisingly small' Mona Lisa from fifteen feet away

3. Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles

According to Kelton, Hollywood Boulevard promises plenty of glamour, yet fails to deliver it.

The A-list landmark - made up of sidewalks of five-pointed pink stars - honours the accomplishments of the world's most legendary actors, musicians, directors and producers.

However, visitors might be left underwhelmed by reportedly bleak surroundings, including a 'dingy stretch of cracked sidewalk,' tourist traps selling commemorative items, and 'aggressive' panhandlers.

He added: 'The Walk of Fame stars are dirty and unimpressive. The Chinese Theatre is interesting for about five minutes. And the chances of seeing an actual celebrity are roughly the same as anywhere else in LA, which is to say, very low.'

To explore Los Angeles 'properly,' Kelton suggests instead visiting the Getty Museum, exploring the culinary scene in Koreatown or hiking along Runyon Canyon.

4. The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy

Though Kelton has not visited Pisa himself, he noted the negative feedback from fellow travellers has been largely consistent.

Though Kelton has not visited Pisa himself, he noted the negative feedback from fellow travellers has been largely consistent

Most visitors, he says, end up posing for the same photograph that depicts them 'pushing against' the structure, along with browsing near-identical souvenir stalls - only to realise they travelled hours to the Italian city to view 'one tilted building.'

Visitors can get an authentic Italian experience by travelling an hour further to Florence, which offers Renaissance art, architecture, and culture, or alternatively stay in the Tuscan countryside, famed for its world-class wine and cuisine.

5. Bourbon Street, New Orleans

Kelton clarified that he loves New Orleans, but he described its most famous street as an 'open-air frat party.'

Bourbon Street is known for its vibrant nightlife, bars, clubs, and live music, and sees over 3 million visitors pour into the area each year for Mardi Gras, an annual carnival celebration with feasting, parades and parties at its core.

However, visitors might instead be met with overpriced bars, an overwhelming smell of 'spilled beer,' and a soulless 'theme-park version of debauchery.'

He alternatively recommended Frenchmen Street for music and Magazine Street for shopping, both of which he feels better represent the city's cultural richness.

Though Kelton clarified that he loves New Orleans, he described its most infamous street as an 'open-air frat party'

6. Santorini, Greece (during peak season)

Santorini's postcard-perfect images often mask the reality of the visitor experience during summer, according to Kelton.

Thousands of day-trippers disembark from cruise ships and flood tiny villages, like Oia, which can become so overcrowded that one can barely move, while restaurants increase the prices of meals because they are aware tourists have 'limited options.'

He added that the island can be magical during shoulder season - just not during peak months.

Instead, he advised visiting other islands that offer beauty without the crowds, such as Naxos, Paros and Milos.

7. Dubai, UAE

To Kelton, the sparkling city of Dubai is all style no substance.

Describing the UAE hotspot as 'hollow,' he noted its 'very expensive' shopping mall, artificial islands, indoor ski slopes and 'gold-plated everything' only add to its 'manufactured luxury.'

He emphasised that visitors who value history, cultural depth, and authentic culinary experiences may leave feeling disconnected.

Describing the UAE hotspot as 'hollow,' Kelton noted its 'very expensive' shopping mall, artificial islands, indoor ski slopes and 'gold-plated everything' only add to its 'manufactured luxury'

8. Stonehenge, England

Though Stonehenge is widely regarded as one of the wonders of the world, Kelton says the tourist experience itself can be underwhelming.

Despite its popularity, the prehistoric megalithic structure fails to deliver the mystery or 'connection to the ancient world' visitors often expect.

Kelton wrote: 'You're essentially paying admission to look at rocks from a distance while being herded along a prescribed path.'

Instead of staring at the historic site in the cold from behind a rope barrier, Kelton suggests stopping by Bath, York, the Cotswolds villages for a more immersive experience.

9. The Four Corners Monument, United States

To Kelton, the Four Corners Monument is nothing short of a photo opportunity.

The site is famed for its geographical location as the only place in the US where four states meet.

Visitors can stand in Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico at the same time - and that's about it.

Kelton warned tourists should expect to fork out a few dollars to stand on a 'concrete slab in the middle of the desert' - after an hours-long drive to experience a site for 'only thirty seconds.'

Alternatively, the American Southwest boasts plenty of natural wonders just a few hours ahead, from Monument Valley to Arches National Park to Sedona.
A low-cost European airline has tested out a 'humanoid' flight attendant that greeted passengers, performed safety routines and even checked boarding passes on a commercial flight.

The humanoid agent AI avatar, developed by Unitree Robotics, made its debut as a cabin crew assistant on a Boeing 737 flight from Ulyanovsk to Moscow - a random experiment that proved surprisingly successful.

Described by manufacturers as 'sensitive and reliable,' the machine, named Volodya, is capable of a wide range of tasks, including performing backflips and Tai Chi, as well as having the ability to solder and handle delicate objects.

These skills have since been put to the test by Pobeda, a subsidiary of Russia's flagship carrier, Aeroflot, which assigned the robot a new role as flight attendant on board a fully booked flight.

As passengers boarded the plane, Volodya, dressed in a blue t-shirt to co-ordinate with the rest of the crew, not only greeted and shook their hands, but proceeded to inspect a number of boarding passes.

According to Aerospace Global News, the humanoid veered up front to help perform pre-flight safety instructions, before retreating to its window seat to await take-off.

Once airborne, Volodya walked the aisle and interacted with passengers before once again settling down for landing.

But don't expect to be flying with the airline soon.

Volodya made its debut as a cabin crew assistant on a Boeing 737 flight, operated by low-cost Russian airline, Pobeda, from Ulyanovsk to Moscow

Volodya, which helped cabin crew perform safety demonstrations (pictured), is capable of performing tasks like backflips and Tai Chi, as well as having the ability to handle delicate objects

Pobeda, which flies to a number of destinations across Russia, as well as operating select flights to Turkey, Belarus, and Uzbekistan, is currently banned from flying into the European Union.

And before anyone begins fearing a not-too-distant AI uprising, the robot essentially demonstrated that it is not quite ready to replace the human crew.

Though Volodya successfully performed programmed movements and was able to efficiently interact with passengers, human flight attendants remained responsible for all tasks relating to safety and service throughout the flight.

This included securing the cabin, answering passenger questions, and serving food and beverages.

The humanoid might be agile and expressive, but it is also a lightweight machine that is unable to reliably stay upright in particular instances, such as during turbulence.

Pobeda has since assured the experiment was simply a technology demonstration supervised by flight attendants.

Meanwhile, other high-tech travel innovations include a futuristic 14.5 million plane with TV screens instead of windows .

The jet, called Phantom 3500, will use technology on the outside of the plane to provide immersive views.

The creators, Otto Aerospace, plan to launch the aircraft in 2027.

It also features an ultra-smooth exterior, which enhances the laminar flow of the plane - significantly reducing drag and increasing fuel efficiency and performance.

Without windows dragging the aircraft down, it should provide economic fuel usage  around 60 per cent less than traditional planes  as well as improved range.

Dressed in a blue t-shirt to co-ordinate with the rest of the crew, the robot not only greeted and shook passengers' hands, but proceeded to inspect a number of boarded passes

After take off, Volodya walked the aisle and interacted with passengers before settling down in its very own window seat for landing

Human flight attendants remained responsible for all tasks relating to safety and service throughout the flight

The system of state-of-the-art cameras will provide real-time views of the outside of the plane.

Passengers will find a two-metre high cabin which offers enough space for nine people to travel comfortably and inside the cockpit there will be cutting-edge technology and next-gen avionics for precision control.

Otto Aerospace said: 'Passengers enjoy stunning, uninterrupted views of the sky and landscape, all while benefiting from the enhanced aerodynamics and efficiency that come with complete laminar flow design.'

FlexJet, a private jet company, has already purchased a bulk order of 300 units of the Phantom 3500.
The mother of a six-year-old with a 'severe' nut allergy has issued a warning after Ryanair served nuts on a flight they were on, despite knowing her son is allergic.

Ryanair passenger Sarah Moore reportedly told staff at Belfast International Airport that her son, Teddy, has a nut allergy while checking in to her Portugal-bound flight in August.

She claimed that during the flight, passengers were served Snickers bars and packets of peanuts.

Sarah told in-flight staff members about her concerns but claimed no notice was issued, which 'panicked' her.

An hour before landing, Sarah noticed her son's eyes were red and puffy, so she gave him his antihistamines.

'My husband just had to sit with an EpiPen the whole rest of the flight, just in case,' she told the Belfast Telegraph.

While Ryanair claim they 'cannot guarantee a peanut-free aircraft', the airline advises customers to inform stewards when boarding.

According to Ryanair's policy, passengers are notified about allergies in the pre-flight announcement and advised that nut products will not be sold and should not be used for the duration of the flight.

A mother has spoken out against Ryanair after claiming products containing nuts were served during a flight she was on with her six-year-old son with a 'severe' allergy

As a way of testing the four stewards, Sarah's husband, Aaron, asked them for nut-based products, which were apparently handed to him.

Because the flight was so crowded, Sarah avoided taking her son to the bathroom out of fear of triggering an allergic reaction.

She warned that there would have been 'deathly consequences' if her son, or any other child aboard, had an airborne nut allergy.

A spokesperson for Ryanair said: 'This passenger booked to travel from Belfast to Faro (15 Aug), notified crew of her son's nut allergy when boarding.

'During this flight, this passenger reminded crew of her son's allergy whereby all nut-containing products were immediately removed from service.'

It comes as a couple with a deadly nut allergy claim they were 'forced off' a flight after crew members apparently refused to stop giving out cakes containing almonds.

Pretoria Drever, 22, and Rhonan Kelly, 25, boarded a KLM flight on October 25 to Amsterdam.

The trip to the Netherlands was to celebrate their recent engagement and Rhonan's 25th birthday.

Because the flight was so crowded, Sarah avoided taking her son to the bathroom out of fear of triggering a reaction

Both are severely allergic to nuts, including peanuts, and Pretoria claimed she notified the airline via an online form.

She even made sure to get to Edinburgh Airport two hours early to alert staff, too.

However, when the couple boarded the plane they claim the airline refused to stop serving nut products, including a complimentary banana loaf topped with almonds, or issue a passenger announcement.

Instead, they were allegedly told to leave the plane or risk the journey as there were EpiPens on board.

Pretoria has an airborne allergy and the couple say they felt 'backed into a corner' and 'humiliated'.

In the end, they felt they had to get off the plane and miss out on their 700 holiday.

A KLM spokesman apologised for the couple's experience and said: 'We understand how serious nut allergies can be and how distressing this situation must have been for them.

It comes as a couple with a deadly nut allergy claim they were 'forced off' a flight after crew members apparently refused to stop giving out cakes containing almonds. Pretoria Drever and Rhonan Kelly (pictured) boarded a KLM flight on October 25 to Amsterdam

'When a passenger informs our crew about a nut allergy, we can make an onboard announcement kindly requesting fellow passengers to keep nut-containing products sealed for the duration of the flight.

'However, we cannot control or prohibit other passengers from consuming products that may contain nuts during the flight.

'While we do our utmost to support passengers with allergies, we unfortunately cannot guarantee a nut-free environment on board.

'We regret that Mr Kelly and Ms Drever felt they had no choice but to leave the aircraft, and we understand their disappointment.'
With millions of people preparing to fly for Christmas and New Year, UK travellers are searching for affordable flights.

But which UK airline provides the cheapest option?

AirAdvisor has analysed the five biggest UK airlines, which reported over 55 billion in combined passenger revenue in 2024.

The study assessed more than a quadrillion seat miles to determine which carriers truly offer the lowest airfares, working out their value for money, based on average revenue per available seat mile.

And it's Wizz Air that came out on top, as the most budget friendly, charging 0.0417 per seat mile.

Operating primarily from London Luton Airport, the carrier continues to offer some of the most affordable fares across Europe, especially for budget-conscious travellers.

However, the low price comes with a trade-off.

Wizz Air ranked lowest for customer reputation in AirAdvisors wider study, and its smaller fleet limits annual flights to fewer than 60,000, far behind easyJets nearly 400,000 yearly departures.

AirAdvisor has analysed the five biggest UK airlines, which reported over 55 billion in combined passenger revenue in 2024

It's Wizz Air that came out on top, as the most budget friendly, charging 0.0417 per seat mile

'Even so, its exceptionally low revenue per seat mile makes it the strongest option for passengers prioritising cost above all else,' says Anton Radchenko, founder and aviation expert at AirAdvisor.

Surprisingly, Virgin Atlantic comes in second place in the study, charging customers 0.0523 per seat mile.

'Despite not being a low-cost carrier, its pricing structure remains highly competitive, especially on long-haul routes,' says Anton.

Virgin also ranked first overall in AirAdvisors Best UK Airlines list (alongside British Airways), which means passengers booking cheaper fares still benefit from high levels of reliability, comfort and global connectivity.

Virgins only challenge is capacity. The airline operates far fewer flights than easyJet or BA, so affordable tickets can sell out quickly over the festive period.

EasyJet ranks third on the affordability list, charging 0.0665 per seat mile and carrying more than 70 million passengers annually.

The airlines scale and extensive European network offer consistent value for families travelling over Christmas.

The carrier is also one of the UKs most reliable airlines, with a low cancellation rate compared to other large carriers.

Surprisingly, Virgin Atlantic comes in second place in the study, charging customers 0.0523 per seat mile

EasyJet ranks third on the affordability list, charging 0.0665 per seat mile and carrying more than 70 million passengers annually

Travellers can secure additional savings by monitoring their flight release days, where heavily discounted seats sometimes appear for early bookers.

British Airways sits in fourth place, charging 0.0738 per seat mile.

Although BA is more expensive than the top three, it is not the priciest airline in the country, and its expansive route network gives passengers more flexibility during peak season.

'Travellers can still secure lower fares by avoiding peak departure dates and targeting midweek flights, which historically offer better value,' says Anton.

In fifth place was Jet2, charging 0.0878 per seat mile.

While this is surprising, Anton says it's because passengers often add extras such as baggage, seat selection and in-flight services.

Despite its higher cost, Jet2 performed strongly in AirAdvisors wider airline assessment. It ranked fourth overall, is rated the best by customers, and is the most reliable airline reviewed, carrying more than 19 million passengers in 2024.

'For travellers who prioritise service quality and punctuality over price, Jet2 remains a preferred choice,' Anton says.

British Airways sits in fourth place, charging 0.0738 per seat mile

In fifth place was Jet2, charging 0.0878 per seat mile

'Every December, we see the same pattern. Families want to travel, airline prices rise sharply, and passengers end up paying far more than they expected.

'Our goal with this study is to give people a clear understanding of which airlines genuinely offer the best value so they can plan their Christmas and New Year trips with confidence.

'Price is only one part of the equation. Many passengers forget to look at the full cost of flying during the festive season, including luggage fees, seat selection charges and last-minute booking premiums.

'A flight that appears cheap at first glance can become much more expensive when the extras are added. Understanding the true cost structure is essential for staying within budget.'
We all know the drill.

When turbulence strikes on plane journeys, cabin crew often instruct passengers to adopt the brace position.

Seatbelt on, head leaning forward and down, hands protecting your head and neck and feet on the floor - that's the stance we're told to take.

But many have questioned the purpose of the brace position, asking if it is necessary and if it is truly safer for passengers.

Now, the world's most experienced Boeing 747 pilot has revealed why the brace position is really needed.

Nick Eades told LADbible the little-known purpose of the safety position.

He said: 'What you're trying to do is to stop people breaking their necks in a big impact.

'You're just trying to get the body into a position that's going to suffer the least damage.

Now, the world's most experienced 747 pilot has revealed why the brace position is really needed

Seatbelt on, head leaning forward and down, hands protecting your head and neck and feet on the floor - that's the stance we're told to take

'It's like whiplash - you're trying to avoid that sudden movement of the head, which can result in serious injury, if not death.'

He added that there is often confusion over the position, so cabin crew calls could change to make it clearer.

Nick revealed: 'The brace position is going to become redundant, so cabin crew won't shout 'brace' at you anymore.

'They'll say, "Head down, hands over your head. Head down, hands over your head".'

The former pilot wrote a book, titled Still Improving: Becoming the World's most Experienced 747 Captain.

It comes after earlier this year, a simulation revealed that the brace position could be what saves your life in a plane crash.

Plus, other aviation experts have revealed safety measures in place you should follow on board. For example, the safest places to sit on board have been suggested.

Sitting near the wing, up the back, or even sitting backwards is commonly recommended to be safest if the plane is affected by a crash.

Nick Eades told LADbible the little-known purpose of the safety position

Meanwhile, some airlines are adopting new safety measures on planes.

It was revealed in September that Southwest Airlines is flying the world's first plane installed with a secondary barrier to the cockpit to prevent intrusions.

The Boeing 737 Max 8, the first of the airline's fleet to have the safety enhancement, took off from Phoenix to Denver in the US on August 29.

Plus, six secret life-saving aircraft features were revealed earlier this year.
Loose Women has been cancelled on Wednesday in a surprising shake-up to ITV's usual daytime TV lineup.

News of the change was announced by panelist Ruth Langsford, 65, on Tuesday's episode of the show as the Loose Women discussed and reacted to the latest news and topical issues.

She said: 'That is it for today I am afraid. We are not on tomorrow because of the budget.'

While Loose Women has been affected by extensive budget cuts as ITV and now airs for just 30 weeks of the year instead of 52, it is likely that the presenter was referring to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves' 2026 budget, which was announced yesterday.

Upcoming changes include increases to the national minimum and living wages as well as taxation changes.

The presenter went on to explain that the show would be back at its usual time of 12:30pm on Thursday.

Loose Women has been cancelled on Wednesday in a surprising shake-up to ITV's usual daytime TV lineup, with Ruth Langsford telling viewers on Tuesday: 'That is it for today I am afraid. We are not on tomorrow because of the budget'

The presenter went on to explain that the show would be back at its usual time of 12:30pm on Thursday

Last week on the programme, Ruth appeared to take a subtle swipe at her ex-husband Eammon Holmes.

The former presenting powerhouse couple announced that they were splitting in May 2024 after 27 years together amid infidelity accusations.

Eammon has since publicly moved on with his new partner Katie Alexander.

As the Loose Women discussed former Prime Minister David Cameron's cancer diagnosis, and the question 'how involved are you in your partner's health?', it was noted that Cameron's prostate cancer was only discovered because his wife encouraged him to get checked.

Myleene said: 'It is a known fact that men live longer when they're married because they have wives, and women live longer when they aren't married shall we say... you do the maths!'

Newly-single Ruth joked with a laugh: 'Good to know!'

Ruth recently addressed her current relationship status on Loose Women following claims that she had moved on with a mystery man.

Gesturing to an alleged photograph of herself with her new boyfriend that has been circulating, Ruth said that all was not as it seemed.

Elsewhere on the programme, Ruth appeared to take a subtle swipe at her ex-husband Eammon Holmes

Ruth recently addressed her current relationship status on Loose Women following claims that she had moved on with a mystery man, who turned out to be AI-generated.

Ruth said: 'Apparently I have a new man. According to this article, that's all over Facebook and I've had friends ringing me up.

'Apparently I met this man when we were childhood sweethearts when I grew up in Belfast, which I didn't, and now it's come full circle after all these years and we are back together. Terrible, isn't it.'

The Loose Women presenter then admitted that the photograph had been created with AI and that, for now, she remains single.

However, with the knowledge that single women often live longer than their married counterparts, perhaps she will decide to stay on her own.

Unbelievably, this is not the first time that the Loose Women panelists have been subject to AI misinformation.

Janet Street Porter recently shared how she is 'really angry and outraged' after falling victim to a 'disgusting' AI death hoax.

Janet Street Porter recently shared how she is 'really angry and outraged' after falling victim to a 'disgusting' AI death hoax

Janet said: 'I was shocked. I was shocked. First of all, I'm in the middle of a national tour and I'm NOT dead! So I want people to buy tickets for the whole right through until April....'

During another segment they brought up how someone had created fake AI images of Janet in a hospital bed and posted them on Facebook - telling users that she's facing a 'health battle' and 'dying'.

They showed one of the pictures, which shows a fake picture of Janet smiling in a hospital bed, with the caption: 'She tried to stay strong... until her body said "no more"'.

Ruth asked: 'When you heard about this, what emotions did you feel straight away?'

Janet said: 'I was shocked. I was shocked. First of all, I'm in the middle of a national tour and I'm NOT dead! So I want people to buy tickets for the whole right through until April....'

Janet added: 'They should have taken it down! They should have taken it down the minute it appeared.

'It's just disgusting.'

Loose Women airs weekdays from 12:30pm on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.
Scrubs fans were treated to the long-awaited trailer for season ten of the hit medical show on Tuesday - 15 years on from the iconic comedy's finale in 2010.

In the trailer, JD (Zach Braff), Chris Turk (Donald Faison) and Elliot Reid (Sarah Chalke) can be seen walking down a hospital corridor in their scrubs before JD boldly declares: 'I'm back, baby!'

A host of new and younger characters are then introduced and they can be seen questioning who the original trio of medics even are.

'It's good to be back,' JD says, striking a pose before Chris asks him what he is doing and he replies: 'I don't know - I felt heroic. Try it.'

However, following the release of the trailer, fans were divided in their reactions, with many complaining that the original series was perfect as it was and should not have been revived.

Fans wrote: 'I get the nostalgia. I do. But damn, did this show not have a beautiful lifespan and amazing finale. Probably the best finale of a sitcom I've ever seen.'

In the trailer released on Tuesday, JD ( Zach Braff ), Chris Turk (Donald Faison) and Elliot Reid (Sarah Chalke) can be seen walking down a hospital corridor in their scrubs before JD boldly declares: 'I'm back, baby!'

A host of new and younger characters are then introduced and they can be seen questioning who the original trio of medics even are

However, following the release of the trailer, fans were divided in their reactions, with many complaining that the original series was perfect as it was and should not have been revived

Others echoed this sentiment, writing: 'I'm not going to hold my breath on this one, I hope it's good, but reboots usually aren't, idk if the humour will translate in this era, nostalgia alone isn't enough!';

'That shouldn't be reboot. That should be developing of the story. Dr. Cox - health care official, J.D - hospital director, etc. Old characters - new situations and problems.';

'It looks and sounds like an empty hospital. The original series was like 20 episodes a season and looked great but for some reason modern TV isn't made as efficiently and this looks terrible.'

However, while some fans believe that the series should not have been revived, others had their appetites thoroughly whet by the teaser trailer.

Expressing their excitement at the show's return, they wrote: 'This is going to be awesome!!!! One of my favourite shows all-time.';

'Omg I love this show so much! It's so good to see the original cast!';

'No freaking way. Dude. I rewatch Scrubs in its entirety once every year or so. I really hope this captures the magic of the original.';

'Wow new scrubs, so exciting with all the old cast.';

'This is fantastic news. This is great show with an awesome cast. It is great to see a solid comedy back on the schedule. We need more laugh out loud shows like this.'

News of the return of arguably the show's most recognisable character, JD (M), was confirmed earlier this year when Zach Braff's role in the show was confirmed to Deadline by sources.

While some fans believe that the series should not have been revived, others had their appetites thoroughly whet by the teaser trailer, writing: 'This is going to be awesome!!!! One of my favourite shows all-time'

Scrubs' first eight seasons were primarily filmed in a decommissioned hospital located in Los Angeles' North Hollywood neighborhood, while the show's ninth and final season moved to neighboring Culver City

The synopsis for season ten reads: 'JD and Turk scrub in together for the first time in a long time.

'Medicine has changed, interns have changed, but their bromance has stood the test of time. Characters new and old navigate the waters of Sacred Heart with laughter, heart and some surprises along the way.'

News of the return of arguably the show's most recognisable character, JD, was confirmed earlier this year when Zach Braff's role in the show was confirmed to Deadline by sources.

According to the publication, the negotiations to talk Braff into returning had some major hiccups along the way.

One sticking point was the actor and filmmaker's wish not to shoot the reboot in Vancouver, Canada, as was being proposed, presumably as a cost-cutting measure.

However, Braff reportedly insisted on keeping the series in Los Angeles.

Scrubs' first eight seasons were primarily filmed in a decommissioned hospital located in Los Angeles' North Hollywood neighborhood, while the show's ninth and final season moved to neighboring Culver City.

However, the parties eventually found a compromise that was agreeable enough for everyone, despite the revival ultimately being filmed in Canada.

Scrubs season 10 will be available to stream on Hulu and ABC from February 2026 in the US and on Disney+ in the UK.
Kelly Brook was left gagging and with tears streaming down her face as she took on one of I'm A Celeb's notorious eating challenges with Vogue Williams.

In shocking first-look images from Wednesday night's episode, the former glamour model, 46, looks like she is about to be sick as she spits out a pig's brain in stomach-turning scenes.

The pair were taking part in a 'Rivals' challenge, with Declan Donnelly declaring: 'The first celebrity to eat the entire pig's brain will be declared the winner.'

The celebs looked sick before they even attempted to eat the brain and their watching campmates were so horrified that Eddie Kadi buried his face in his hands.

Despite the disgusting appearance of the brain, Kelly and Vogue immediately began eating after the klaxon sounded, but within seconds, Kelly retched.

The former glamour model eventually resorted to spitting out a mouthful of pig's brain.

Kelly Brook was left gagging and with tears streaming down her face as she took on one of I'm A Celeb 's notorious eating challenges with Vogue Williams

TV personality and podcaster Vogue, 40, managed to stomach the brain a little longer and looked like she was concentrating intently as she prepared to swallow it

Despite the disgusting appearance of the brain, Kelly and Vogue immediately began eating after the klaxon sounded

As she spat the brain into her hands, Kelly said: 'Oh no!'

TV personality and podcaster Vogue, 40, however, managed to stomach the brain a little longer and looked like she was concentrating intently as she prepared to swallow it.

Ant said: 'Vogue's really gone for this.'

But even she couldn't help but retch at what she was eating and it wasn't long before the celebs were retching in unison.

Ant stressed: 'You've got to keep it down to win.'

Despite their stomachs clearly rejecting the brain, the pair continued to attempt to eat it and it wasn't long before Kelly began to tear up in revulsion.

Vogue, meanwhile, looked like she was physically shaking as she did her best to tackle the brain.

Dec admitted: 'Kelly is struggling' before the camera cut to Tom Read Wilson who was simply staring on in open-mouthed horror.

The pair were taking part in a rivals challenge, with Declan Donnelly declaring: 'The first celebrity to eat the entire pig's brain will be declared the winner'

But even she couldn't help but retch at what she was eating and it wasn't long before the celebs were retching in unison as they tried to eat the pig's brain

Their watching campmates were so horrified that Eddie Kadi buried his face in his hands

The stomach-churning first-look images come after Kelly Brook's husband Jeremy Parisi touched down in Australia as he leads the arrivals of friends and family jetting in to support this year's I'm A Celebrity campmates.

The Italian hunk, 40, was pictured at Brisbane Airport on Tuesday after making the 10,000 mile journey to the other side of the world.

Jeremy sported a casual figure as he walked through the arrivals hall, donning a muscle white t-shirt with jeans and a black leather jacket.

He appeared to be in good spirits despite the long flight to the jungle.

He is joined by his sister Melanie who made the trip to support her sister-in-law.

Tom Read Wilson's mother Juliette Cheeseman was also snapped making her way through arrivals at the airport.

Kelly Brook 's husband Jeremy Parisi has touched down in Australia as he leads the arrivals of friends and family jetting in to support this year's I'm A Celebrity campmates

Tom Read Wilson's mother Juliette Cheeseman was also snapped making her way through arrivals at the airport

She boasted a big smile as she pushed her luggage whilst answering questions from gathered reporters and photographers.

An I'm A Celebrity camera crew could also be seen greeting friends and family, presumably filming behind-the-scenes content for its annual Coming Out special that airs after the series has wrapped.

Speaking to the Daily Mail at the airport, Jeremy said he will take Jack Osbourne out to dinner and played down his jungle feud with Kelly.

He said: Theres no drama.

I have no take on it because to be honest, people like to speak about drama that doesnt really exist.

Jack is a lovely guy, I love him and his family, I think they are amazing.

In recent days, the relationship between Kelly and Jack has appeared to become increasingly tense amid their feud - which even saw his sister Kelly Osbourne accuse the model of being a 'bully'.

On Kelly Osbournes comments in particular, Jeremy said: She said she think [Kellys a bully] so its not a problem at all and after the show, we will all go to dinner together, so dont worry about it, all good, theres no drama.

The Italian hunk, 40, was pictured at Brisbane Airport on Tuesday after making the 10,000 mile journey to the other side of the world

Clashing over the cooking Kelly accused Jack of 'elbowing' her aside in order to gut the fish while the pair also clashed when Jack criticised her potato slicing.

Speaking before flying to Australia, Jeremy weighed into the Kelly and Jack feud.

He admitted he has found himself in Jack's position 'many times' but knows Kelly just wants the best for the campmates.

He told The Sun: 'Kelly is the head chef in our house and is such a talented cook. I've been in Jack's position many times and know she will have just wanted the campmates to eat the best meal possible.'

He explained that she is a 'perfectionist' and cooking is her love language, therefore she will be enjoying that role in camp.

Jeremy also admitted he is a 'very lucky man' after Kelly made her debut in the jungle shower earlier this week.

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! continues tonight on ITV1 and ITVX.
Anne Heche's 23-year-old son has a secret love child with a woman nearly twice his age, the Daily Mail can reveal.

Homer Laffoon's baby mama Jessica Lamberto, 43, has now accused him of ignoring the toddler for seven months, refusing to sign the boy's birth certificate, failing to show up to the birth and not paying pay child support.

I can't tell you how hurtful that was and how embarrassing that was for me with my mom and my sister and my sister-in-law in the room,' Lamberto, 43 said in an exclusive interview.

Laffoon, 23, is the older of Heches two sons. He is the son of cameraman Coleman Coley Laffoon, who the late actress married after dumping Ellen DeGeneres.

Heche  who also dated Steve Martin, Thomas Jane and Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham  died in 2022, six days after she plowed her Mini Clubman car into a house in the Mar Vista district of Los Angeles, sparking a blaze that took 59 firefighters to quell.

Laffoon has spent the past two years dealing with the fallout from his 53-year-old mother's death, including a long running probate case involving multiple creditors and two heirs  himself and his half-brother Atlas, 16, who was fathered by Heche's Men in Trees co-star James Tupper.

Homer Heche Laffoon, the son of late actress Anne Heche, is not only dealing with the fallout of his mother's 2022 death but a battle over child support from his 43-year-old ex-lover

Jessica Lamberto says she reached out to Homer to offer condolences after his mother's sudden death - following a period in which they lost touch during the pandemic  and became pregnant with their son, Rocco, soon after

Anne passed away at age 53 following a fiery car crash in Los Angeles' Mar Vista neighborhood in August 2022

Heches estate is being sued for $6 million by the owners and tenant of the house her car destroyed. She was found to have cocaine and fentanyl in her system at the time of the crash.

Now, the Daily Mail can reveal Laffoon's family life is more complicated than ever following the birth of his son Rocco, now 2.

He is being sued over child support by Riverside County, which is asking a judge to order that he must pay $1,013 a month starting in December, according to court papers.

He did not respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, glamorous brunette Lamberto told how the pair first met online and hung out several times in 2020 but lost contact during the pandemic.

On hearing of the Six Days, Seven Nights star's death, she said she reached out to Homer offering condolences which led to a renewed friendship.

'We would just casually text off and on and say hi here and there, and then that was kind of it,' Lamberto, who lives in Long Beach, told the Daily Mail.

Emmy-award-winning actress Anne famously dated Steve Martin and then Ellen DeGeneres, before leaving the talk show host for Homer's father, cameraman Coleman 'Coley' Laffoon

Lamberto said that when she told Homer about the pregnancy, he ghosted her for several weeks before allegedly reaching back out to say he wanted no part in her life, or the baby's, if she went through with the pregnancy

'We weren't really hanging out. But when his mom unfortunately passed away and all that happened, I reached out to give my condolences. That's when we kind of reconnected.'

Although Lamberto says the relationship was more of a friendship and 'casual', it became physical and she found she was pregnant six months after the crash.

That, said the single mom, came as a total shock and she was initially reluctant to tell Laffoon the news due to the estate battle.

'I already knew he was going through a hard time, and I felt like I didn't want to put that stress on him,' Lamberto said.

'But I was stressed out too, and I was going through it too.'

When she told Laffoon he would shortly be a father, Lamberto said his initial reaction was shock followed by concern for her wellbeing.

Homer is dealing with a complicated probate battle over his mother's estate, which is being sued for $6million by the owners and tenant of the home she destroyed

Heche, who had cocaine and fentanyl in her system at the time of the crash, died from her injuries six days after plowing her Mini Clubman car into a house

It took 59 firefighters to extinguish the blaze surrounding the crashed home

Then he went silent for weeks. 'He reached out maybe a couple of weeks after I told him the news,' remembered Lamberto.

'He pretty much just flat out told me he had no intention of being in my life or the child's life if I decided to go through with pregnancy.'

That would prove to be the start of a pattern of behavior that continued throughout her pregnancy with Laffoon flipping between concern and insisting he wanted nothing to do with his baby, Lamberto claimed.

His own dad Coley and stepmom Alexi, both realtors, weren't told about the pregnancy until Lamberto was seven months along  and only found out because her parents told them, she said.

Laffoon, who works as an executive assistant at LA production company John Wells Productions  whose hits include Shameless  claimed he couldn't get the day off work for the babys birth in October 2023, according to Lamberto.

He also refused to sign the birth certificate for Rocco despite telling Lamberto that he would, she said.

Homer, an executive assistant at LA production company John Wells Productions, flip-flopped on the pregnancy - at one point saying he would be present for the birth only to ultimately not show up, Lamberto claimed

Exclusive Daily Mail photos show Rocco bearing a strong resemblance to both Homer and his late mother

'Right towards the end of my pregnancy, Homer had a full turnaround, and he was being supportive and told me the baby would be a blessing.

'His exact words: It'd be a blessing to be in the delivery room and to be there for the birth of our son.

'But he didn't show up.

'I called him and he wasn't responding to my text messages, wasn't answering my calls. Then I finally get a text message  a text message, not even a phone call!

'And he says, I can't get the time off work to come out to see you, to be there for the birth at the hospital. I can't leave work.'

Another period of semi-silence ensued, said Lamberto, punctuated only with sporadic texts and photo exchanges.

In the end, Laffoon didn't even meet Rocco until he was two months old, she said.

Homer's father is, cameraman Coleman 'Coley' Laffoon, who posed with his wife during New York Fashion Week 2001

Anne had Homer with Laffoon and his younger half-brother Atlas, who was fathered by the actress's Men in Trees co-star, James Tupper

As seen in exclusive Daily Mail photos, adorable Rocco bears a strong resemblance to his Hollywood dad at the same age  and also shares his father's and grandmother Heche's blonde coloring.

Despite the family resemblance, Lamberto says that first meeting didn't go well with Laffoon showing little interest in the baby  which she initially put down to shock and nerves.

But it once more proved the start of a pattern, she said. In the two years since Rocco was born, his mom says he has only seen his dad and paternal family a handful of times  and has been completely ignored for the past seven months, not even getting a phone call to mark his second birthday on October 17.

'It's very hurtful,' Lamberto told the Daily Mail. 'On my end, I feel more embarrassed just because I kind of got a false impression when he told me he was going to be there for the birth and then it all backfired on me, and he wasn't there.

'But I feel so bad for Rocco and he's getting older now, so, he's more aware of male figures like my brother and his grandpa, my dad.

'He wants that male attention and it's so sad he doesn't know who his dad is. The handful of times he has seen Rocco, it was always me taking him and driving to their house.

Though Homer held his son during his meeting, he appeared largely disinterested, Lamberto claimed  a reaction she at first blamed on shock and nerves

Homer was at his son's first birthday but he didn't show up to his second and Lamberto says the visits have been sparse and father and son have not seen each other for seven months

'But that's ok because I just want Rocco to know his dad. I want him to know his family, and I want my son to be loved.

'That's all I ever asked for.'

The final straw came seven months ago when Riverside County waded in, demanding that she apply for child support for Rocco and threatening to yank his state-funded medical insurance if she did not.

The county then sued Laffoon for payments of $1,013-a-month, based on his $5,514 monthly salary  sending the notice to his workplace.

That sparked a family meeting where Lamberto claims things turned 'nasty' with Laffoon furious at being outed as a parent to colleagues, while his own father was livid at the thought of his son being exposed as a deadbeat dad.

'They're like: He's young, he's just getting on track with his career and it's not fair. And I'm like, well, it's not fair for me either. It's not fair for Rocco.'

It makes me so sad for Rocco. Just be a dad to our son,' said Lamberto. 'That's all I want.'

She added: 'They wanted to have Homer just provide medical insurance. Then Homer's dad said: "Well, if you go through with filing this child support, this is going to make Homer look like a deadbeat.

'"This is going to get out to the public that he's getting sued for child support and he's going to look like a deadbeat".

'I'm like, well, that's what he's being. That's what he is. I'm sorry. That's the truth. He is being a deadbeat dad.

'Broken promises and canceling last minute visits and never responding to text messages or calls. I haven't heard from him in months. Nothing at all.'

Coley Laffoon also did not respond to a request for comment.

Lamberto said she is going public in the hopes that Laffoon will be jolted into having some sort of relationship with Rocco and step up to the plate in terms of contributing to his son's care.

'I never wanted any of this,' she told the Daily Mail. 'I never wanted it to be like this. I never wanted problems with Rocco's family.

'I wanted just it to be very simple. It shouldn't have had to have been this complicated.'

She added: 'It's not fair for Rocco. It has nothing to do with me. If you don't like me or if you don't want to talk or communicate with me, that's fine. Just be a dad for Rocco, he deserves that.

It makes me so sad for Rocco. Just be a dad to our son. That's all I want.'
Jeff Brazier recently referenced the similarities between himself and son Freddy.

The TV personality, 46, claimed that 'history is repeating itself' as he discussed his son, 21, gearing up to become a young father.

Jeff was just 23 when he became a father - welcoming son Bobby and later Freddy - with the late Jade Goody.

Yet ultimately their relationship wasn't meant to be and the pair split - leaving Jeff a single father - while Jade went on to marry Jack Tweed before she tragically died from cervical cancer in 2009.

History has now indeed been repeated, with Freddy set to become a single father after splitting from pregnant girlfriend Holly.

Jeff is also now single after splitting from PR guru Kate, 35, for the second time. The pair previously ended their relationship in late 2022 before reconciling seven months later.

The presenter shared a statement on Instagram on Tuesday, revealing their marriage broke down over summer after they discovered they couldn't make each other happy.

Jeff Brazier - who has split from his wife Kate Dwyer - recently referenced the similarities between himself and son Freddy. (Jeff pictured with Kate)

Like Jeff, Freddy is set to become a single father after splitting from pregnant girlfriend Holly(Freddy pictured with Holly Swinburn in October)

Alongside a throwback photo from a family holiday, Jeff made reference to the difficult year they had faced due to fractured relations with Freddy.

At the same time, Freddy has troubles of his own, saying his 'relationships are falling apart' as he prepares for fatherhood with Holly.

The father-to-be admitted he feels like a 'broken man' - prompting the question: was this all written in the stars?

Shortly before announcing his split Jeff shared his excitement to become a granddad, drawing on the 'similarities' between himself and Freddy after he became at dad at the age 23 and explained that he knows exactly how it feels.

Freddy announced he was set to become a father in September as his then ex partner Holly was pregnant, but they shortly reconciled.

Jeff recalled how himself and his late partner Jade had 'not really known each other for too long' when she fell pregnant.

Speaking to The Sun he said 'Its like history is repeating itself'.

Jeff continued: 'I feel very excited to be a grandad soon. And we've been building a relationship with Holly and her family so that we're all as connected and aligned as possible with regards to how we can support these two.

'It is slightly intriguing actually when I think about the similarities about Jade and I having a child early, having not really known each other for too long before that. And then my mum had me when she was very young as well.

'If I could go back and do it all over again, then I would, just be a little bit less pressured. I don't feel like it's on me for the outcome to be perfect.'

Jeff recalled how himself and his late partner Jade Goody had 'not really known each other for too long' when she fell pregnant (Jeff and Jady pictured)

Jade pictured with sons Bobby on left and Freddy right in 2006

But just days ago, Freddy took to Instagram with a heartbreaking post as he gathered his thoughts while on a late-night stroll around London.

Admitting he's been thinking about his mother, Freddy told his followers he's 'constantly questioning whether [he's] good enough'.

Sharing a picture of the London skyline on his podcast's social media page, he wrote: 'Head is so loud! Had to take myself on a late-night walk to clear my head. I've been thinking about my mum loads recently!

'I'm scared to be a dad as I'm a broken man. My relationships are all falling apart.

'I'm constantly questioning myself if I'm good enough. I'm trying to be healthy and stay away from green, but life is hard [right now] and I'm not sure how much more s**t I can take!'

Similarly, Jeff and Jade split up two years after the birth of Freddy.

They never confirmed the reasons for their break-up, but speaking in the Channel 4 documentary Jade Goody: The Reality Star That Changed Britain, Jeff suggested that newspaper reports played a part.

He said: 'Things that were personal to us kept appearing in the papers.

Jeff gained full custody of their two sons after Jade's death (pictured with Bobby,L, and Freddy, R)

The TV presenter and his youngest son have only recently patched up their relationship following a bitter family feud that has taken up much of the year

'[We'd ask] how do they know that? We were convinced that [each other] or people around us were selling stories and making money on things that were very contentious for us.

'You sold a story', 'no I haven't you must have done it', 'I haven't done it must be your mate', 'they haven't done it must be your mate', and trust disintegrated to nothing.'

Jeff gained full custody of their two sons after Jade's death.

The TV presenter and his youngest son have only recently patched up their relationship following a bitter family feud that has taken up much of the year.

Freddy had been embroiled in a high profile battle with his father, after he launched legal action in a bid to prevent the aspiring model from seeing his grandmother, Jade's mum, Jackiey Budden.

A source previously told The Daily Mail: 'Jeff took the boys in when Jade died, he took them away from the limelight and did his best to bring them up amid such difficult circumstances but sadly Freddy just can't see eye to eye with him.'

It was previously revealed that Jeff, had set up a court date to stop Freddy from seeing his maternal grandmother amid rising concerns over his well-being.

Jeff has long insisted she is a bad influence on the troubled youngster - with the pair enduring a series of very public disputes over the years.

Freddy had been embroiled in a high profile battle with his father, after he launched legal action in a bid to prevent the aspiring model from seeing his grandmother, Jade's mum, Jackiey Budden

Back in June, The Mail On Sunday revealed that Freddy was again spending time at Jackiey's Bermondsey flat despite his father filing court paperwork in an effort to keep his son away.

Family friends say the duo remain 'extremely close,' explaining: 'Jeff was never going to keep Freddy away from his Nanny for very long - they've always had a strong bond, Jeff may hate her for all sorts of reasons going back many years, but Freddy loves her very much.

'They had a great time together, playing with her dog and catching up at her flat - where he has often stayed over the years. Whatever Jeff hoped to achieve with his legal efforts, it hasn't worked.'

However the pair managed to work through their issues amid the news Freddy is set to become a father for the first time.

Jeff is said to be 'extremely supportive' alongside other close family and friends who have vowed to help him in any way they can.

A friend previously told The Mail on Sunday: 'It has blindsided him and has been one of the things that has really brought him and his dad back together but it's so devastating that Jade isn't here to see it.

'Jeff was one of the first people he decided to confide in to ask for advice, and he stepped up straight away and wanted to help in any way he could.'

It has been a difficult year for Freddy, who in June announced on Instagram that he was going to a rehabilitation centre in Spain, admitting he had been addicted to smoking since he was 12 and was keen to seek treatment.

He said: 'I've been smoking from the age of 12 and it's time to stop it was a bad coping mechanism that turned into an addiction something I relied on and something that made me feel sane and somewhat okay.'

It has been a difficult year for Freddy, who in June announced on Instagram that he was going to a rehabilitation centre in Spain, admitting he had been addicted to smoking since he was 12 and was keen to seek treatment

Following her controversial stint in the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2007, Jade found herself in rehab after admitting that she was suffering from stress and depression

But days after the admission, Freddy posted again online saying he had changed his mind, writing: 'You know what I don't need rehab. I just need a holiday with a good group of boys or a retreat.'

Freddy also accused his grandmother of getting him hooked on strong cannabis when he was just 12 - having previously insisted she had never been responsible for his drug use.

On his new podcast, he said: 'My nan is definitely the person who introduced me to reefer and got me hooked. It's one of those things, I was 12.

'I've been smoking since I was 12, I've been to rehab, I've been sectioned, I've had manic episodes, I've been sectioned. There's been a real journey and it's been a tough one.'

Following her controversial stint in the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2007, Jade found herself in rehab after admitting that she was suffering from stress and depression.

However, she checked out after just five days after deciding that she could only cope with private consultations as a day patient.

Over the weekend, Freddy has appeared to reveal he tragically 'tried to end it all' over two years ago by 'crashing his car' in the middle of a 'manic episode.'

He took to TikTok to bravely share a video explaining his heartbreaking journey, with a generated voiceover in the video sharing the extent of the model's mental health struggles.

In the video, Freddy told his followers that he spent his 18th birthday 'in a psychiatric ward,' but realised after that 'something needed to change.'

The video began with a generated voiceover that said: '2.5 years ago after crashing a car in a manic episode in an attempt to end it all.'

He captioned the post: '2.5 years ago now, I'm f*****g proud of myself and I can't wait to tell my story.'

Showing how he realised he had to change his habits, he then wrote: 'Something clicked in my head needed to change! Started getting out more.'

While the news of Freddy becoming a father has brought him closer to Jeff, Freddy's relationship with the mother of his child has not been smooth sailing

He added that he then decided to start 'eating better,' and focused on his close circle of friends and prioritising 'self-love.'

The video then showed images of himself attending events, training in the gym and eating salads for lunch, along with the words: 'Eating better. Time away from London. Bit of training. Small circle. My doggo. Skincare and self love.'

While the news of Freddy becoming a father has brought him closer to Jeff, Freddy's relationship with the mother of his child has not been smooth sailing.

After months of being on-off with his girlfriend Holly Swinburn, the two have now officially split Daily Mail can exclusively reveal.

Freddy has told friends he has dumped Holly, who is pregnant with his child, and she reacted by trying to take his dog - a bully called Pablo - from him.

Sources close to model Freddy told the Daily Mail that he is struggling with the idea of co-parenting with Holly as things have become 'very difficult between them'.

'The pair have been arguing a lot recently. Having a baby so young is a lot to deal with. Both are quite flighty characters,' the insider shared.

'Freddy initially feared he was not the father, but has since done a paternity test which confirmed that he is the father.'

The news comes just hours after his father, Jeff, split from wife Kate again.

The pair first met in 2013, before tying the knot five years later in 2018 with Kate taking on the role of stepmother to Jeff's two sons Bobby, 22, and Freddy, 21.

Now Jeff shared a statement on Instagram on Tuesday, revealed his marriage broke down over summer after they discovered they couldn't make each other happy (pictured earlier this year)

Sharing a statement, he told fans: 'Im so full of love and gratitude for Kate. For all we achieved, for how much we grew, for everything we endured.

'We separated in the summer and kept it private for as long as we could to give us some time to adjust.

'For 12 years we have been each others safe space, each others biggest supporters at a time when our lives have been busy, painful & complex.

'I'm so proud of how hard we worked, how we kept showing up, we gave everything and more.

'I'm also so full of respect and admiration for the successful career Kate has built and the way she cared for me unconditionally.'

Jeff said Kate, 35, is still in touch to check in on how his sons are doing, as Freddy prepares to welcome his first child.

The presenter continued: 'Its credit to the woman she is that she still checks in to ask how the boys are doing because she is so invested in their lives.

'They love her and I have many friends that love her too. I will miss her family who always went above and beyond to support us.

'My words dont tell the full picture because they dont need to. We will carry on supporting each other and I know Ill be celebrating her inevitable wins just like before.

'We both deserve complete happiness and were upset that we ultimately couldnt be that for one another and It felt time to let it go.'

Jeff was seen without his wedding ring while reporting from Reykjavik on Monday's GMB, while Kate too reportedly ditched her band after heading to Las Vegas for the Grand Prix.

According to The Sun, Kate has returned to her flat in Hackney after growing apart from Jeff amid Freddy's struggles.

Jeff married Kate in 2018, and shared that he had 'honestly never felt loneliness like it' following their split three years ago.

Taking to Instagram at the time, Jeff said: 'I have so much to be grateful for and I appreciate facing the lessons I need to grow but this year has been challenging to say the least.

'My nine-year relationship ended earlier in the year and I've been working through that on top of supporting someone close to me who is going through something difficult.

'The boys and I have recently moved home to a new area and I spend most of the time alone as the boys obviously have their own things going on.

'It's been constant change this year and I'm good with adapting but the combination of things have left me low at times.

'I've honestly never felt loneliness like it. Can we put Christmas back a few months?!'

But in July 2023, Jeff confirmed that he and Katie had reconciled, as he shared an Instagram video from their holiday together, with their wedding rings on full display.
Video has captured the distressing moment actress Tara Reid was transported to hospital on a stretcher after her unattended drink was allegedly spiked.

Reid, 50, claims she was drugged and left unconscious in a terrifying incident in the early hours of Sunday morning at a Chicago hotel bar.

The concerning aftermath was captured on camera by someone standing in the lobby of the DoubleTree hotel in Rosemont. The video shows security tending to a limp-bodied Reid and placing her in a wheelchair before paramedics stepped in.

A representative for Reid has since told the Daily Mail that the American Pie star has filed a police report.

A source said that while Reid has had substance abuse issues in the past, her friends are 'taking her for her word' that her beverage was spiked.

They are now urging her to find out who was responsible for the alleged drugging rather than 'throwing it all under the rug.'

Concerning video showed Tara Reid after she was allegedly drugged at a hotel bar outside of Chicago

Reid, 50, slipped out of the wheelchair as a security guard manoeuvred her through the lobby

Eventually paramedics arrived and took Reid away on a stretcher

'Tara has had her issues that have been well documented in the past, and she's gotten a lot better over the years with substance abuse, but she still smokes like a chimney,' the source said. 'She will have her occasional drink, but... it hits her almost immediately, so she knows her limits.'

The source said that if her friends are worried about her wellbeing, or are concerned that she might be spiraling, they will step in, but for now, they will silently keep watch.

'Of course, if this happens again, then people are going to jump on it quickly to get her the help she might need,' the source added. 'But as of right now, the worry for her is at a minimum. Something that her friends are going to monitor for sure though, especially as we get closer to the holiday season.'

The insider said her friends are pushing her to obtain available security footage so that she can know exactly what happened - and if someone did slip drugs into her drink, 'she could then go after the hotel and the person that did this to her.'

They added that if it did come from someone else, 'the person or people that did this should be prosecuted and punished.'

A spokesperson for Reid confirmed that this representation of conversations between the actress and her friends is accurate, and that she has been in touch with the Chicago Police Department.

In a statement, the Rosemont Public Safety Department told the Daily Mail: 'Shortly after 2:15pm on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, the Rosemont Public Safety Department spoke with Ms. Reid who was looking to file a police report. Due to the extent of the allegations being made, an online report was submitted to fully document the incident and properly detail what is known at this time. At 4:26pm an online report was received by the Rosemont Detective Division.

'The Rosemont Public Safety Department understands the severity of the allegations being reported and are committed to investigating this incident fully. At this point, we are in communication with the hotel to gather as much video surveillance as possible. As this incident has just been reported and is still open, no further information is available at this time.'

The video begins with Reid holding onto a man and speaking incoherently as she is placed in the wheelchair

The incident occurred at a hotel in Rosemont, a village outside of Chicago

Reid clung to a man for support before the paramedics arrived. In an interview with TMZ on Monday she insisted she had consumed one glass of wine

The aftermath video shared by TMZ begins with Reid holding onto a man and speaking incoherently before being placed in a wheelchair.

As a security guard navigates her through the lobby, she slips out, her legs sliding onto the floor before being helped back in. Paramedics then intervene and take her out of the hotel on a stretcher.

A representative for Reid confirmed that she 'has filed a police report after an incident in which she believes her drink was tampered with.'

'She is cooperating fully with the investigation,' they said. 'Tara is recovering and asks for privacy during this traumatic time.

'She also urges everyone to be careful, watch your drinks and never leave them unattended, as this can happen to anyone. She will not be making further comments at this stage.'

Paramedics responded to a call made at 12.39am on Sunday.

Authorities told TMZ that no one had mentioned anything about a potential 'drugging'.

Witnesses also told the outlet that Reid appeared fine during their limited time with her at the bar before things quickly took a turn for the worse.

A representative for Reid told the Daily Mail that the actress has since filed a police report

Reid claims she 'passed out' after she drank from her unattended glass on returning from smoking outside

They claimed she began behaving very differently once the bar closed and a group of people started partying in the lobby. The person who recorded the video claimed that prior to the arrival of paramedics, Reid screamed: 'You don't know who I am? I am famous. I'm an actress.'

The outlet also noted some conflicting information regarding Reid's timeline, saying she claimed to have gone down to the bar around 10:30PM on Saturday, was in the hospital at approximately 12AM, before waking up eight hours later.

However TMZ notes the videos show her in the wheelchair at approximately 12:30AM on Sunday and on a stretcher headed to the ambulance before 1AM.

The hotel has since released a statement regarding the incident, stating they were 'aware' of the reports surrounding Reid.

In a statement obtained by the Daily Mail, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago O'Hare Airport - Rosemont said: 'Rosemont is aware of reports regarding an incident at the hotel this past Saturday. As soon as hotel staff observed a potential health concern involving a guest, our trained security team assisted and arranged for medical support.

'Our hotel follows guest-safety protocols which are consistent with industry best practices and reinforced through ongoing staff training. The actions taken by our team reflect these procedures and demonstrate the seriousness with which we prioritize guest care.

'Due to privacy obligations, we cannot comment on individual guest matters. However, our hotel takes any allegation affecting guest safety very seriously and will provide appropriate information to authorities if requested.

'Before I knew it, I was in the hospital, eight hours later,' she told TMZ

'The safety and security of our guests and employees is of paramount importance to us, and we remain committed to maintaining a safe, reputable, and trusted environment for everyone who visits.'

In her interview with TMZ, Reid claimed she checked into the hotel late on Saturday and went to the bar downstairs for a drink.

She said she ordered a glass of wine and then went outside to smoke a cigarette. As she walked through the lobby, she claimed she crossed paths with a number of YouTubers who were 'videotaping stuff'. One of them joined her outside.

When she returned to the bar, she claimed to have found a napkin covering her drink - she said 'that was weird' because she never placed it there, but proceeded to drink the beverage.

'Without even finishing my drink, I just passed out,' she told the outlet. 'And before I knew it, I was in the hospital, eight hours later.'

Reid insisted that she only had the one drink.

Reid said she was not fully aware if tests had been carried out at the hospital to confirm she had been drugged, claiming doctors simply told her 'you got drugged last night at the bar'.

'It was all kind of vague. It was all like very blurry, do you know what I mean?... I can't even explain it because I don't even know what happened.'

Reid has struggled with substance abuse in the past, however she insisted to TMZ shecan regulate her drinking

Rosemont Police told TMZ that they received a medical call for a 'sick person' at the location before the individual in question was taken to the hospital

'I don't know,' Reid said. 'Cause I was unconscious, so I don't know what they did.'

She said her agent picked her up from the hospital and took her straight to a fan appearance for a signing, adding: 'It was just a big blur.'

Asked if she had filed a police report or if she intended to,' she told TMZ: 'Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. I mean, this just happened. I just got back last night, so I mean this is all just happening right now. It's really scary, you guys, I mean the whole thing is really scary.'

Reid, who feared she could have been raped if this had happened somewhere else with no security, insisted that despite her past experience with substance abuse, she is able to regulate her drinking.

'I don't drink hard liquor or anything like that at all,' she said. 'I just had a glass of wine and a cigarette and that was it... didn't expect that to happen at all.'

In 2008 Reid sought help for substance abuse at Promise's rehab in Malibu. While a source told People at the time that she had a problem with alcohol, the exact reason for her stint in rehab remains unknown.

'Rehab saved my life,' she told In Touch in 2009. 'Before, I used to think about tomorrow and I hated it. Now, I can't wait because I am clean and sober and I am excited.'

The latest incident comes shortly after the Daily Mail learned that Reid had split from her boyfriend of six years, 43-year-old music producer Nathan Montpetit-Howar.

The latest incident comes shortly after the Daily Mail learned that Reid had split from boyfriend of six years, 43-year-old music producer Nathan Montpetit-Howa (pictured November 12)

Reid rose to fame in the late 1990s thanks to her role as Vicky Lathum in the American Pie film series

Reid broke it off after she felt the romance had 'run its course' and become 'bad for her,' with a source telling us that she was 'in a good place'.

They claimed Reid had got caught in the trap of a bad relationship and allowed it to 'drag [her] down endlessly,' but that she was 'strong enough and loved herself enough to say, "Not anymore."'

'She walked away because she knows she deserves better,' they added.

Reid rose to fame in the late 1990s thanks to her role as Vicky Lathum in the American Pie film series.

She is also known for roles in films including The Big Lebowski, Josie & The Pussycats and the Sharknado movies.

She also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother UK in 2011 where she became good friends with former X Factor stars John and Edward 'Jedward' Grimes.

In 2023, she took part in Special Forces: World's Toughest Test, a quasi-military training series alongside Blac Chyna, Brian Austin Green and Jack Osbourne among others.
Imogen Anthony left little to the imagination as she starred in a runway show on Tuesday.

The model, who famously dated shock jock radio star Kyle Sandilands for eight years, made an appearance at the Fashion Design Studio Graduates Fashion Show in a mermaid-inspired ensemble.

The 34-year-old put on a busty display in a shell bra and bared her bottom in a sheer ethereal skirt that sat on her hips.

She paired the daring ensemble with silver accents, walking in shimmering heels and carrying a bejewelled bag.

The blonde bombshell wore a silver chain headdress over her long locks, adorned her torso and arms with silver glitter and finished the look with long silver nails.

Imogen, who is known for her wild, fashion-forward style, recently lifted the lid on a shocking fight she had at a US festival with ex Kyle, 54.

Imogen Anthony left little to the imagination as she starred in a runway show on Tuesday

The model, who famously dated shock jock radio star Kyle Sandilands for eight years, made an appearance at the Fashion Design Studio Graduates Fashion Show in a mermaid-inspired ensemble

Speaking on the A Bit Rogue podcast, Imogen gave a rare insight into her relationship with the radio king, who she parted ways with in 2019.

She detailed a trip she took with Kyle to the 2017 Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert.

Imogen told host Skye Sydenham that she and Kyle travelled to the US festival with her best friend and her assistant, renting an RV to accommodate the group.

She said that tensions were quickly frayed after arriving at the festival site, with she and Kyle getting into an 'intense' argument.

'We got to Burning Man... my partner and I got into a huge argument,' Imogen said, '[It was] the agitation of the day  everyone had the s***s.'

She said the argument devolved into quite a chaotic scene inside the RV, with her bestie watching it all unfold while hallucinating on drugs.

'It was pretty intense,' she said. 'There were things flying.'

'My friend, ten minutes beforehand, had taken mushrooms for the first time. My ex and I are having this argument in the RV, she's freaking out in the corner, and things are flying.'

The 34-year-old put on a busty display in a shell bra and bared her bottom in a sheer ethereal skirt that sat on her hips

Imogen (right), who is known for her wild, fashion-forward style, recently lifted the lid on a shocking fight she had at a US festival with ex Kyle (left)

Imogen continued, saying that Kyle eventually extricated himself from the scene, leaving the festival site in his car.

'I don't know where he went, but he took off  having a tantrum as a lot of men do,' she said.

The drama did not end there, however, with Imogen adding that soon after Kyle's departure, they received a visit from US law enforcement.

'All of a sudden, we see these red and blue lights outside. We look out the window and we're surrounded by three FBI cars,' she said.

'They knocked on the RV and said they'd had complaints from surrounding camps about the domestic.'

Imogen continued, saying that agents demanded entry into the RV, which concerned the group due to a bag of marijuana left on the table.

'They came out a minute later and looked at me and said we were okay,' she said, adding that her assistant entered the RV with the FBI standing in front of the offending article.

Imogen said that Kyle arrived soon after law enforcement left the scene, oblivious to the drama that had just unfolded.

'We're sitting in disbelief and my ex comes in and was like: "I've calmed down now",' she said. 'I was like: "do you know what we've just been through?"'
What can you possibly say in your own defence, when your estranged wife has torched your reputation by telling the world that you cheated on her repeatedly, painfully and shamelessly?

The actor David Harbour, 50, who plays ex police chief Jim Hopper in Stranger Things, has spent the past few weeks conducting a tricky global press tour in the service of the fifth and final series of the Netflix mega-hit sci fi drama.

Hes been cheerful and warm, and has even cuddled co-star Millie Bobby Brown on the red carpet in LA (even though she reportedly previously sent in a written complaint about his bullying behaviour.)

But, until now, the issue of his character, as described in the album West End Girl by ex-wife Lily Allen, 40, has remained an elephant in the room.

Hitherto, hes said nothing about anything which might have happened beyond the fictional town of Hawkins, where Stranger Things is set.

And yet he now appears finally to have broached, at least tangentially, the questions everyone wants answers to. How on earth it came to pass that he allegedly pressured Allen into an open relationship, only to violate the rules which they had set. And what it feels like to be outed as a sex addict, after Allen claimed to have found a trove of sex toys and love letters at his bachelor apartment in New York.

Allen revealed all of that and more in her album West End Girl which went straight to the top of the albums chart when it was released on October 24th.

Speaking about the characters played by himself and Millie Bobby Brown, Harbour says: You know, there are two people that are both lost, that are both heroic, sometimes beyond their capabilities, that both have such big, broad, deep hearts.

He then reflects: They are both deeply flawed in how they express themselves and make tons of mistakes. That is right up my alley. I love playing characters like that. I love human beings like that. I love humanity.

In that assessment, of someone who messes up and is flawed, obviously we must include Harbour. Expressing yourself by sleeping with women who are not your wife would certainly count as a flaw.

David Harbour, 50, has spent the past few weeks conducting a tricky global press tour in the service of the fifth and final series of the Netflix mega-hit sci fi drama - in the wake of his split from ex-wife Lily Allen, 40

Speaking about the characters played by himself and Millie Bobby Brown (pictured together), Harbour says: They are both deeply flawed in how they express themselves and make tons of mistakes. That is right up my alley... I love human beings like that. I love humanity'

However, you wonder: will owning up to being deeply flawed be enough to save him from the judgment of the world?

Quite possibly not  especially as it appears he spent time as recently as this September with Natalie Tippett, the costume designer who allegedly served as one of the models for Madeline, the woman Allen says is to blame for the whole mess.

On the song Madeline, Allen sings: We had an arrangement. Be discreet and dont be blatant. There had to be payment. It had to be with strangers. But youre not a stranger, Madeline.

As revealed in the Mail on Sunday, Harbour and Tippett appear to have coincided at the Thermea Spa Village in Winnipeg, Canada, while he was filming the movie Violent Night 2 in September this year.

Ms Tippett posted pictures of herself there while Harbour was known to be in production with the film nearby. Nine days later, Allen dropped her album.

Tippett, who is 34, lives in New Orleans with her two year old daughter. Shes believed to have met Harbour while working on his 2023 film We Have A Ghost. He and Allen announced their split in February this year but actually broke up in December 2024.

It was a short marriage. Harbour had met Allen on celebrity dating app Raya in 2019 and they married a year later, in Vegas.

In her album, Allen suggests he first went astray in the summer of 2021. She claims he later asked for an open marriage and she reluctantly agreed.

Its far from Allens first romantic disaster and the romance always seemed unlikely, joining as it did two people who both had their share of demons.

Allen is a rather vulnerable woman scarred by rejections from her hell-raising actor father Keith and she hit a low when her marriage to first husband Sam Cooper failed. She, too, has been candid about her mental health struggles, and issues with sobriety.

After she and Harbour split, she told Vogue she wanted to die, but after a period in a trauma recovery centre, she is now on anti-depressants, has found a sobriety sponsor and has been going to daily meetings, plus having therapy.

Harbour gave up drinking alcohol aged 24, and was subsequently diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Hes spoken candidly about being institutionalised and contemplating suicide.

And he reveals he was thinking about suicide  and reading Hamlet  in the run up to making the final series of Stranger Things in Atlanta, Georgia.

The filming of this series of Stranger Things coincided almost exactly with the end of his marriage to Allen.

Speaking exclusively in Los Angeles, he says: Heres where I get pretentious. I do think Stranger Things has parallels to Hamlet in a sense. I did read a lot of Hamlet when I was doing this, and I think that Hamlet starts out in the play, you know, incapable of being able to confront this ghost of his father.

And then he gets to this point where its, you know, the famous phrase, To be, or not to be, that is the question. Like, do I act? Do I lie down? Do I kill myself? Do I whatever?

In that assessment, of someone who messes up and is flawed, obviously we must include Harbour. Expressing yourself by sleeping with women who are not your wife would certainly count as a flaw

Harbour plays Jim Hooper in Stranger Things while Brown plays Eleven (pictured)

However, you wonder: will owning up to being deeply flawed be enough to save him from the judgment of the world?

And he fumbles through his way, violently through this, till he gets back from England, and he realises that there is special providence in the fall of the sparrow. If it be now, tis not to come. If it be not to come, it will be now. If it be not now, yet it will come. The readiness is all.

So I think what Hopper does come to in a real way, is this vulnerable sense of, you are not in control of this situation. You are not in control of this universe.

There is a vulnerability to that, and a new vulnerability that is the acceptance that the universe will be what the universe will be. And that you can only play your role for this life in that.

He adds that finishing making the show after ten years meant saying some significant and emotional goodbyes, not least to Brown who was only 11 years old when they first met.

In the series, Hopper is grieving the death of his daughter from cancer, but then develops a father-child bond with Eleven, Browns character, after she escapes a laboratory where her special powers are being tested.

In reality, the actress was said to have submitted a written complaint about bullying behaviour by Harbour, which was resolved.

He has not commented on allegations of a complaint, but Stranger Things director and executive producer Shawn Levy implied that the issues had been ironed out when he said: You have to create a respectful workplace where everyone feels comfortable and safe, and so we did everything to build that environment. And were proud of the fact that we did so.

Harbour hints at issues with Bobby Brown when he says that he initially wasnt going to show up for the last day of filming with the kids  but then relented.

He says: My last day happened. And then there was the real last day, which is basically like the kids. And you know, I mean, its complicated. Its ten years of like knowing these people. And like its bittersweet and theres a lot of emotion.

So there was a time where I was like, Im not gonna go. I dont have to go. And then I just like drove over there and I sat in the back and I watched them play this scene, just crying.

It was a short marriage. Harbour had met Allen on celebrity dating app Raya in 2019 and they married a year later, in Vegas

In her album, Allen suggests he first went astray in the summer of 2021. She claims he later asked for an open marriage and she reluctantly agreed

After she and Harbour split, she told Vogue she wanted to die, but after a period in a trauma recovery centre, she is now on anti-depressants, has found a sobriety sponsor and has been going to daily meetings, plus having therapy

And we released some confetti and some balloons, and I had this incredibly cathartic moment of watching these young stars and these young actors who Ive known so deeply for so many years become men and women. And just this sense of like pride and joy and love for them, for what theyve accomplished, for who theyve been in the world amidst all this chaos and for what weve accomplished together.

It really was right at the end. I waited, I pushed it, I pushed it, I pushed it and then right at the end I showed up and I was like, Waaah!

Reflecting on her time with Harbour, Brown agrees their characters had a complex bond which she called a deeply flawed but rich relationship.

When people come up to me and talk about Eleven, its always pretty much within the same sentence that they say they love the dynamic between Hopper and El. And I think its really inspiring. Because what person has a relationship with any of their parental figures thats absolutely perfect?

She adds: Were all, in our own way, outcasts. And I think like if you see or meet any of us, youll know how strange we are in our own way.

I think thats what speaks so well to the ensemble, as individuals and us as actors.

I think that is also what makes our show so great, is that people and audiences can feel connected to that flawed person

She admits that during the show she has changed  from the 15 year old who shaved her head to the globally famous young woman she has become, married to Jake Bongiovi, son of Jon Bon Jovi, and now a mother via a surrogate.

She says: This has been my anchor. I did everything, I graduated on the show, I learned how to be a friend. Youre in an ensemble of 40 peoples main characters, so its like the most unbelievable experience.

Its like this fast track of being one, an adult, but two, a good friend, a good scene partner. And yeah, definitely, it makes you grow up of course, because naturally you are in the light

Also well, Im a mother, Im also married, so its changed me a whole bunch.

Millie Bobby Brown has left Stranger Things as a successful grown woman with a husband and family. The irony wont be lost on her screen partner that he has left the show having lost just that.
When Jade Goody died from cervical cancer in 2009, her devastated ex-partner Jeff Brazier was left to bring up their two young boys, Bobby and Freddy, on his own.

So when, four years after Jades death, PR executive Kate Dwyer took on the role of stepmother, Jeff was thrilled.

Since then, it seems, the Braziers new blended family life with Kate has been a model of harmony.

Today, however, insiders reveal that this picture-perfect family unit has been an illusion carefully curated by TV host Jeff  now a parenting expert on ITVs daytime programme This Morning.

After news broke yesterday that he had split from Kate  who he married seven years ago  insiders have come forward to reveal the truth about their volatile relationship and the turbulence behind closed doors.

As one source explains: Jeff desperately wanted to portray the perfect family and had always hoped that Kate could fill the void left by Jade Goody  but Bobby and Freddy never truly accepted her as stepmum.

To them, she was always Dads partner rather than someone they felt truly connected to, and they believe she changed Jeff.

But the fact is that Kate and Jeff had a fiery relationship, too, despite the public displays. This is far from their first split, and some of the rows have been pretty ugly away from the cameras.

To make matters worse for the family, and as the Daily Mail revealed yesterday, Jeffs youngest son Freddy, 21, has also split from his on/off girlfriend, Holly Swinburn, who is pregnant with their child.

Holly left Freddy shell-shocked this year when she sent him a photograph of a positive pregnancy test. They had already parted by then, and Freddy demanded a paternity test.

Freddy, who has struggled with drug use and mental-health problems, was confirmed as the father and insisted he would stay with Holly until the baby arrives in spring.

They made several public appearances together, posing on the red carpet of ITVs Pride Of Britain Awards in London last month, with Freddy resting his hand on Hollys growing baby bump while beaming for the cameras.

Jeff Brazier and his wife Kate Dwyer have split up following seven years of marriage

Freddy, left, and Bobby Brazier are said to be rebelling against their father amid family turmoil

The boys' mother, TV personality Jade Goody, died from cervical cancer in 2009

But there have been a series of bust-ups over money, the ownership of their pet dog Pablo and alarming allegations from both sides which were so serious, Im told, that the police became involved. It caused great concern among those close to them  especially Jeff, who has spent much of this year attempting to use legal action to curtail Freddys wild behaviour.

The young couple are now at war with one another, prompting some in the Brazier circles to muse that it appears to be a case of history repeating itself  Jeff split from Jade when their boys were tiny.

And, I can reveal, it was Jeffs determination to control Freddy that helped spark the latest strain in his own marriage  and his decision to hire lawyers to prevent his younger son from seeing his beloved grandmother Jackiey Budden (Jade Goodys mother) after Jeff fell out with her.

A friend explains: Kate is a lot of fun, shes sexy and a bit of a party girl  and she wanted to keep enjoying the high life, jetting around the world and taking advantage of their freedom now the boys are older.

Instead Jeff became obsessed over this legal war with Jackiey, and it put more strain on their marriage.

Kate doesnt have kids of her own and has an exciting job working in the PR industry. She wanted to take full advantage of the lifestyle they had and felt as though Jeff was holding that back.

It is understood that bubbly Kate, 35, who was at Jeffs side as he cheered on son Bobby, now 22, during his stint on Strictly in 2023, moved out of the family home three weeks ago, and has since flown to the US where she attended the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

She posted photographs at a raunchy burlesque show in Sin City this week, writing: Absinthe is always the best show in Vegas.

Meanwhile Jeff, 46, who has yet to talk directly about the split, hinted at a break-up in a social-media update of his own, sharing photographs of his new countryside property and describing himself being at a transitional time in his life, adding the words: Living in calm.

Jeff must certainly have been looking for calm after his roller-coaster relationship with Kate. I am told that one incident in particular  which cannot be divulged for legal reasons  led to Jeff and Kate temporarily splitting some years back.

Jades mother Jackiey cant stand Kate and blames her for a lot of their family disputes and splits, says one source.

Bobby and Freddy kind of tolerated her, but they never got properly close to her as a mother figure  and they saw the volatility behind the scenes between her and Jeff.

Escaping the acrimony, Bobby has stepped away from showbiz and moved to India in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment  having become enthralled by the Hare Krishna religion after joining the group in London.

The aspiring model, who played Freddie Slater in BBC1 soap EastEnders, has endured his own turbulent relationship with his father. So difficult did things become between the pair that Bobby moved out of Jeffs Essex home into his own Soho apartment in central London, near the Hare Krishna temple.

A source close to the family said at the time: Bobbys always had a spiritual side, but this is intentional. Its clear hes trying to leave all the fighting and noise behind.

Freddys rebellion is loud  drugs, public slanging matches and legal battles about his Nana. But actually its just as defiant. Hes turning his back on the life his Dad created for them in Essex and following his own path.

Freddy, who appeared on TV alongside his dad last year on BBC hit Celebrity Race Across The World, has been more outspoken in his frustrations at his father, insisting Jeffs fractured relationship with Jades mum Jackiey has been incredibly detrimental to his wellbeing.

But in a candid interview with the Daily Mail this year, he told how nothing my Dad does will keep me away from seeing my Nan, even if we have to leave the country, explaining that she remained the closest person in his life to his late mother.

For her part, Jackiey raged that Jeff had no right to block her relationship with her grandson.

Freddy also lashed out about his father over money  insisting his Dad had kept control over his finances, despite him becoming an adult.

The boys each inherited a trust fund from their mother, which they gain full access to once they are 25  but the 21-year-old complained that what money he currently has is tightly overseen by his protective father.

While living away from his father at the height of the dispute, he claimed to have barely eaten in days due to his precarious financial position, insisting his father refused to give him access to his money to prevent him from straying further away.

Despite Jeffs efforts to contain the family unit and present a united front, those close to the situation say the Braziers are now further apart than ever.

And that, they say, is likely to infuriate the TV host.

As one put it: Jeff has always tried to paint a certain picture, which in truth was always bulls***. Now thats all coming out for the world to see, he will be absolutely furious.

Hes tried to claim theyre the close-knit family and when that started to fall apart he tried to control it with PR spin and lawyers  the truth is, theyve never been more divided.

And theres no amount of spin or photo opportunities which will hide that.
Love and Hip Hop star Masika Kalysha furiously defended herself after being trolled for posting photos from her estranged husband Jamar Champs' funeral.

Champs, 38, was killed in a car crash last month in Houston after a BMW traveling in the wrong direction hit his Tesla Cybertruck, which then careened into an 18-wheeler.

Kalysha, 40, posted Instagram photos Monday night of herself at the funeral, weeping profusely and at one point being physically held up by her father.

Many of the photos also featured her crying daughters, Khari, nine, whom she had with Fetty Wap, and Amari, three, whom she had with Champs.

'I took my vows. Till death do us part I will carry on your legacy,' wrote Kalysha, who married Champs in 2021, split from him in 2023 and filed for an annulment last year.

After being slammed by social media users who regarded the photos as being in bad taste, Kalysha issued a scathing response on her Insta Stories Monday night, fuming: 'If you have a problem with ANYTHING I post on MY PAGE involving MY HUSBAND, MY LIFE, MY KIDS, or literally anything I invite you to go fk yourself and unfollow me.'

Love and Hip Hop star Masika Kalysha furiously defended herself after being trolled for posting photos from her estranged husband Jamar Champs' funeral; she is pictured in July

'I will NOT be explaining myself in any way shape, form or fashion to a single SOUL,' she thundered to her more than 850,000 followers.

'To everyone who has supported me and my kidsI cant thank you enough. You have carried me on your backs. Please continue to check on us. Just Showing up is worth more than gold,' Kalysha concluded.

The photos she posted showed her consoling her daughters, wiping her tears, wailing with sobs and clinging to her father for physical support.

'Grief is the loudest silent echo that you will never hear but cant get out of your head. Its deafening. Its like a stab to your heart. It feels like breathing with no lungs. Without your support I dont know where I would be,' she wrote in the caption.

'I took my vows. Till death do us part I will carry on your legacy. You will always have a place in my forever broken heart not one minute of one single day goes by that I dont think about you,' Kalysha continued, tagging Champs.

In spite of her defiant message to her critics Monday night, she continued to be trolled into Tuesday, such as by one X user who jeered: 'Lmaoooo Im screaming, masika crazy as hell. Got baby girl in mess smh.'

'Masika,' wrote another: 'is a sick lady to have someone take all them pictures of her crying at a funeral to post them gives performative not grieving wife very strange.'

Still another snorted: 'Masika said Heres my phone. Take pictures of me and my children crying. Likeee, girl. Why would you even post this?'

Kalysha is pictured in 2022 with Champs as well as with her two daughters, Khari, now nine, whom she had with Fetty Wap, and Amari, now three, whom she had with Champs

After being slammed by social media users who regarded the photos as being in bad taste, Kalysha issued a scathing response on her Insta Stories Monday night

In spite of her defiant message to her critics, she continued to be trolled into Tuesday, such as by one X user who jeered: 'Lmaoooo Im screaming, masika crazy as hell'

Champs' family confirmed his death October 28, after the Houston Police Department issued a press release about the crash without using his name.

He was apparently driving his Tesla Cybertruck on on the Katy Freeway when a silver BMW traveling the wrong way struck his car head-on.

The BMW burst into flame and its male driver was killed on the scene, while Champs' Cybertruck then collided with a blue Freightliner 18-wheeler.

Champs was critically injured and later pronounced dead at the hospital, while the 66-year-old male driving the 18-wheeler was unharmed.

When she first announced his death, Kalysha said that even after they separated, he treated Khari - her daughter by Fetty Wap - as if she were his own child.

'I think it's going to take a while to really, fully process things. And, you know, grief, it is a journey,' she told the local Houston outlet KHOU-11.

Referring to the daughter she had with Champs, she said: 'You know, our three-year-old, I asked if she understood. She said: "Yeah." I said: "What do you understand?" She said: "I want to go with daddy and God in heaven and get the candy."'
Roxy Jacenko appears to be a big Pia Whitesell fan.

The PR maven dropped a very telling comment on one of Home and Away star's Instagram posts on Tuesday.

Pia shared a carousel of pictures showing her getting ready for the Marie Claire Women of the Year Awards, which took place on November 20.

She was seen using Olay products, the brand for which she is an ambassador, as she posed for a series of photographs.

The post included an up-close selfie, with the 42-year-old looking effortlessly ageless.

'Nothing makes me happier than being home in Australia spending time with & celebrating inspiring women,' she captioned the post.

Roxy Jacenko (pictured) is seemingly also a Pia Whitesell fan

Pia (pictured) shared a carousel of pictures showing her getting ready for the Marie Claire Women of the Year Awards, held on November 20

'Getting ready with @olayau for the Marie Claire Women of the Year Awards,' she added.

Roxy gushed about how jealous she was of the star's youthful appearance in the comments section.

Tagging her fashion forward pal Chris Kontos, the 45-year-old wrote: 'I say we lather it and drink it and pray to wake up like @pia.'

Chris replied: 'Honey she is one in a million.'

Roxy is just as enviably ageless.

She recently revealed to Daily Mail the preparation that went into sculpting her trim frame for a provocative photoshoot in which she posed covered in oil.

The blonde beauty, who says she now weighs 46kg after kicking off a wellness journey last year, says she adhered to a strict regime in preparation for the shoot.

Each day, Roxy says she would have two 'skim piccolos before 11am', before eating a peeled grapefruit and drinking a green juice later on.

Tagging her fashion forward pal Chris Kontos, the 45-year-old wrote: 'I say we lather it and drink it and pray to wake up like @pia'

The blonde beauty then 'fasts' until she has dinner at 6pm, saying that if she does get 'hungry during the day', then she has a banana and two slices of Vegemite toast.

For dinner, the mother-of-two consumes a chicken and Greek salad before devouring a fun-size packet of 'mini M&M's every single night' for dessert.

As for her exercise regime, Roxy keeps it light with 45 minutes of 'brisk walking' every Monday through Friday.

She has also spent the last seven days going to Reset Studio in Double Bay for 'contrast therapy' and three instances of 'red light therapy'.

According to the Reset Studio website, contrast therapy involves 'blending a traditional cedar sauna, ice bath and vitamin C-infused shower in a private suite'.

Meanwhile, red light therapy is meant to re-energise and rejuvenate the body through red light exposure to improve skin, aid muscle recovery, and reduce inflammation.
When news broke in late 2024 that former Sydney FC chairman Scott Barlow had split from his Russian heiress wife Alina, it was like a bomb had dropped in the eastern suburbs.

So when Barlow was reportedly spied schmoozing with young Cohen Handler buyer's agent Tara Brain on two separate date nights this month, the gossiping types certainly took interest.

Word is one of their dates was at Merivale's CBD hotspot The Press, and the other at Chris Lucas' newly opened Grill Americano steakhouse.

'All eyes were on the two of them,' a source told The Daily Telegraph of one of their dates, while indicating it didn't appear to be their first such meeting.

'They looked extremely loved up.'

But now sources tell the Daily Mail that Barlow wasn't the only wealthy eastern suburbs bachelor with his eye on Tara.

Former Sydney FC chairman Scott Barlow is dating Cohen Handler buyer's agent Tara Brain

Barlow split from his Russian heiress wife Alina in late 2024 (pictured together in May 2016)

Young-at-heart financier Tom Fennell is said to have taken interest in Tara before she was linked to funds manager Barlow.

Fennell, 52, is known for his lavish parties held at his multimillion-dollar Point Piper home, and it's rumoured Tara was previously invited along.

Still, we can't imagine Fennell is too heartbroken - his fabulous wealth and famous charm mean he's rarely short of female company these days.

The Barlows separated in November last year, after a decade of marriage.

Alina, who was previously said to be devastated over the break-up, is now believed to have moved on after she was recently spotted on a date in Double Bay.

It's understood she is also staying in the former couple's Queens Avenue trophy property in Vaucluse following their split.

Interestingly, one of Barlow's date nights with Tara coincided with his ex-wife Alina's birthday, which saw the ALINKA Fine Jewellery founder celebrate with 100 friends at new Double Bay hotspot Gran Torino.

Barlow was the chairman of A-League club Sydney FC, which was formerly owned by Alina's Russian businessman stepfather David Traktovenko.

Barlow wasn't the only eastern suburbs bachelor with his eye on Tara. We can reveal young-at-heart financier Tom Fennell (above, with ex-fiancee Annabelle Price) also invited her along to one of his famous parties at his Point Piper home

Fennell's insatiable lust for life is no secret. (He is seen, second from right, with a group of female friends celebrating the birthday of recruitment specialist Jacqui Paul at Bondi Icebergs)

He stepped down from the role in June after 13 years.

Meanwhile, Fennell's most recent confirmed romance was with glamorous single mother Annabelle Price.

Their 'quickie engagement' set tongues wagging in June 2023 when Fennell presented Price, who is in her thirties, with a five-carat diamond sparkler.

But just over a year after Price said yes, the pair quietly ended their engagement in August 2024 - though the split wasn't reported until March this year.

Fennell - whose insatiable lust for life is no secret - was previously married to South African charity maven Vanessa Jacobs Fennell, who was once a shortlist candidate to appear on The Real Housewives of Sydney.

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Movie memorabilia and art belonging to the late Gene Hackman have fetched more than $2 million at auction.

The Hollywood star's estate is selling the belongings nine months after Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, were found dead at their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home.

Among the artefacts that went under the hammer at Bonhams international auction house were the actor's Golden Globes, his collection of paintings as well as his own artwork and sculptures by Auguste Rodin.

The three Golden Globe awards Hackman won during his long career each eclipsed the expected asking prices, Bonhams said.

The trophy for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical for the 2001 film The Royal Tenenbaums went for more than $50,000.

Movie memorabilia and art belonging to the late Gene Hackman, including his three Golden Globes, have fetched more than $2 million at auction (pictured January 2003)

The Hollywood star's estate is selling the belongings nine months after Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, were found dead at their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home (seen in 2005)

Other items sold included a pair of black crew jackets by Brooks Brothers, a 132-page script from the movie wrapped in CAA-branded wrapping and three notes written by director Wes Anderson.

Also going under the hammer were Hackman's Golden Globe for his supporting role in Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven, which went for more than $43,000, and his lifetime achievement Cecil B. DeMille Award which sold for $33,000.

Bonhams' Anna Hicks said the items up for sale 'offer an intimate portrait of Hackman's private world.'

Another auction will be held on December 4 when the final lots of memorabilia will be put up for sale.

Among the artefacts that went under the hammer at Bonhams international auction house were the actor's collection of paintings as well as his sculptures by Auguste Rodin

Artwork by the Hollywood star also went under the hammer it what was described by the auction house as 'an intimate portrait of Hackman's private world'

Hackman's career spanned six decades during which time he won two Academy Awards and gave performances ranging from gritty Westerns and crime thrillers like Unforgiven and The French Connection to comedies such as The Birdcage and beloved movies like Hoosiers and Superman

Hackman left a fortune of $80 million when he passed away in February

Hackman left a fortune of $80 million when he passed away in February.

Suffering from Alzheimer's, the Oscar winner succumbed to heart disease one week after his wife Betsy died as a result of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

Their mummified bodies, along with the body of one of their beloved dogs, were eventually discovered by a maintenance worker.

Hackman's career spanned six decades during which time he won two Academy Awards and gave performances ranging from gritty Westerns and crime thrillers like Unforgiven and The French Connection to comedies such as The Birdcage and beloved movies like Hoosiers and Superman.
It seems that Pauline Hanson has quite a few fans among listeners of The Kyle and Jackie O show.

The radio duo sent producer Pete Deppeler, 41, to Parliament House this week where he interned for the recently suspended Australian senator, 71, and the resulting clip overwhelmingly resonated with their audience.

'I'm interning for Pauline Hanson today,' he began the clip as he sat next to Pauline in her parliamentary office.

He didn't have much time to relax, with the controversial senator giving Pete his first task for the day - organising her for a morning radio interview.

He went above and beyond the brief when he informed Pauline that he had locked her into a chat with Sarah Ferguson on the ABC's 7:30 Report.

'I've got an engagement with the people that are coming to see our trailer, so it's not going to happen tonight,' she flatly informed her junior staff member.

It seems that Pauline Hanson has quite a few fans among listeners of The Kyle and Jackie O show

Pauline was quite impressed with Pete's coffee-making abilities, telling him: 'Kyle's really trained you quite well hasn't he?' before giving Pete a 'perfect' for his brew.

Pete also took on the role of Pauline's stylist, presenting her with a sparkling silver garment to wear for the since-cancelled premiere of the trailer of her upcoming film A Super Progressive Movie.

Despite Pauline being quite tickled with Pete's sartorial choice, she told her intern: 'I can tell you right now it's not going to happen.'

She appeared to be getting frustrated with Pete midway through his shift as he proceeded to clutter her office with The Kyle & Jackie O show merchandise.

'I hope you're not like this with Kyle,' she said. 'You leave everything lying around. It's a mess.'

He later surprised his boss, who was in the middle of a radio interview, by donning the sparkling playsuit he presented Pauline with earlier.

After sitting in on a senate meeting and giving Pauline's office a quick spray and wipe, Pete helped himself to some of Pauline's mulberry pie - which she quickly picked up on.

'Do you think I'm stupid?' she laughed. 'I pick up everything.'

The radio duo sent producer Pete Deppeler to Parliament House this week where he interned for the recently suspended Australian senator and the resulting clip overwhelmingly resonated with their audience

The clip was met with a flurry of support for the One Nation leader, with many suggesting that she take on Australia's 'top job'

When Pete revealed to Pauline that he didn't think he was intelligent enough to enter politics, she was quick with some inspiring words.

'One good thing about Australia is that any Australian out there can actually, if they really want to, can become a member of Parliament if they wanted to work hard at it,' she said.

'And then you have the opportunity to go on to be a prime minister. We have those opportunities. Never ever put yourself down.'

The clip was met with a flurry of support for the One Nation leader, with many suggesting that she take on Australia's 'top job'.

'Love you intern Pete,' one fan gushed. 'The show would not be the same without you! And lets put Pauline Hanson as Prime Minister so we can get things done in our country!'

Another chimed in with a similar: 'Pauline PM please!!!' echoing the sentiment of many.

Others were quick to praise Pauline for her self-effacing presentation in the clip.

'Pauline is so genuine,' one listener wrote, while another suggested: 'She looks legit fun to be around.'

'Love you intern Pete,' one fan gushed. 'The show would not be the same without you! And lets put Pauline Hanson as Prime Minister so we can get things done in our country!'

Pauline was suspended from Parliament for seven days after she entered the chamber wearing a burqa in a protest against Islamic dress.

Pauline was suspended from Parliament for seven days on Monday after she entered the chamber wearing a burqa in a protest against Islamic dress.

The stunt was widely condemned by both sides of the house, with Independent Senator Fatima Payman, who wears a hijab, saying the incident could lead to schoolgirls and women wearing hijabs to be abused or assaulted.

Pauline also launched a blistering attack on Parliament after officials cancelled the screening of One Nation's new movie trailer, labelling it as 'censorship' and a 'betrayal of free speech'.

She seems unaffected by the backlash, with her party's popularity surging ahead this year, largely due to the collapse of the Liberal vote.

Recent polls show One Nation holding around 15 to 20 per cent of the national vote, making it one of the most influential minor parties in Australia.
Bindi Irwin has shed her trademark khaki for a sexy new look, which has left her husband, Chandler Powell, 29, hot under the collar.

The Wildlife Warriors took to social media on Wednesday with a joint share featuring Bindi's dazzling transformation ahead of her brother Robert's Dancing With The Stars finale.

Posting the video to Instagram, Bindi, 27, could be seen flaunting her figure in a pretty Royalperla Babydoll Dress from fashion brand Maje, worth AU$341.

Bindi looked stunning in the black and white long-sleeved outfit, which is embellished with rhinestones and beads and features a knee-length hemline and flared skirt.

Styling her locks in a bouncy retro look, she added a touch of classic glamour with red-carpet-ready makeup, featuring a scorching shade of scarlet lipstick.

She completed her look with a pair of classic black stilettos.

Bindi Irwin, 27, debuted her gorgeous new look on Instagram on Wednesday ahead of her brother Robert's Dancing With The Stars finale. Pictured: Sharing her transformation to Instagram, the Wildlife Warrior modelled a Royalperla Babydoll Dress from fashion brand Maje

The sexy look has left Bindi's husband Chandler Powell, gushing with pride. (Both pictured)

Bindi stunned in the cute outfit, worth AU$341, which is embellished with rhinestones and beads and features a knee-length hemline, scoop neck, flared skirt, and cinch waist. (Pictured)

'My wife,' Chandler announced proudly in the post, which was soon filled with messages from followers praising Bindi's new look.

'Show stopper,' said one fan of Bindi's fresh style, while another gushed, 'She could be a model.'

A third person added: 'Gorgeous in the classiest way, kind in the most genuine way, intelligence without arrogance. She is very special!'

Bindi and Chandler celebrated a huge relationship milestone last week.

The mother-of-one posted a very sweet tribute to her love on Instagram as she revealed it was the 12th anniversary of the day they met.

She uploaded two loved-up images of the pair, as Chandler lifted Bindi into his arms during their celebrations.

'Twelve years ago, I met the man of my dreams. Chandler, my heart is yours. Always and forever,' Bindi captioned the post.

The photos saw the celebrity conservationist dressed in a sparkling strapless black gown dotted with glitter.

Styling her locks in a bouncy retro-40s look, she added a touch of classic glamour with red-carpet-ready make-up featuring a scorching shade of scarlet lipstick

Bindi and Chandler celebrated the 12th anniversary of the day they first met last week

Bindi and Chandler first met in November 2013 when the former professional wakeboarder visited Australia for a sporting competition.

He took a tour of Australia Zoo with Bindi as his guide, and the lovebirds quickly hit it off and kept in touch.

Bindi tied the knot with the Florida-born wakeboarder in an intimate ceremony at the start of the Covid pandemic on 25 March, 2020.

The couple welcomed Grace on 25 March, 2021, exactly one year after they exchanged vows at Australia Zoo.

Nowadays, they are temporarily living in the US as Bindi's brother Robert competes on Dancing With The Stars.

Previously, Bindi reminded fans of when she won the US version of DWTS 10 years ago, describing it as a 'life-changing experience'.

Robert is set to compete in the Dancing With The Stars grand final on Wednesday.
A Melbourne influencer has shared the moment she asked a male stranger to share a few drinks during a flight.

Teri Kearns posted an Instagram video that showed her looking for ways to pass the time while in the air.

Turning to a male passenger, unknown to her, she simply said: 'Do you want to get drunk together?' to which her new travel buddy offered a receptive: 'Why not.'

The stunning blonde then proceeded to pour her pal, who was dressed in high-vis tradie gear, a cup of prosecco.

The pair quickly became fast friends over their in-flight drinks.

'See you at the bottom,' Teri said before they eagerly quaffed their drinks.

Melbourne influencer Teri Kearns has shared the moment she asked a male stranger to share a few drinks during a flight

Turning to a male passenger, unknown to her, she simply said: 'Do you want to get drunk together?' to which her new travel buddy offered a receptive: 'Why not?'

Teri's travel buddy then asked with a broad smile: 'Would you like another?' and buzzed for a flight attendant to bring another round.

The sociable influencer even tried to get another couple in on the action, asking if they wanted a sip of her wine.

They politely declined.

Things took a bizarre turn when, however, a member of the cabin crew appeared in the aisle holding a puppet possum.

Teri's gesture was wholeheartedly appreciated by her drinking buddy, who declared: 'Thank you for making the flight fun. Cheers to that.'

The hilarious clip was met with a flurry of comments from fans, with many quite taken with the surprise cameo from the cute puppet.

'Wtf that possum puppet threw me,' one follower commented and Teri replied with: 'Me too when I was a few proseccos deep.'

Others were equally confused by the puppet, with many admitting they did a double-take.

The stunning blonde then proceeded to pour her pal, who was dressed in high-vis tradie gear, a cup of prosecco

The pair quickly became fast friends over their in-flight drinks

'I had to watch it twice, thought it was real at first,' one follower added.

Others were simply keen to join Teri on her next flight, with one hopeful follower offering: 'This is amazing, let me know your flight & seat next time xxx.'

Another jumped in with a similar: 'Rude that I havent been sat next to you on a flight tbh.'

Teri's in-flight rendezvous comes after she revealed that 2025 Married At First Sight star Dave Hand rescued her 'in the street' from a man who was 'harassing' her.

'I met Dave because I was getting harassed by a man in the street and he came up and pretended to know me and got rid of him,' Teri said on social media.

She was so grateful for the rescue and enamoured by Dave's kindness that the pair became fast friends.
Braith Anasta looked happier than ever when he was spotted out and about with his new girlfriend Sara Bray last week.

The NRL star, 43, rekindled his relationship with Sara earlier this year, 20 years after the pair first dated.

The couple looked chuffed to be back in each other's arms as they arrived at Sydney Airport following a trip to Bali.

Braith cut a relaxed figure for the flight in a loose-fitting teal coloured T-shirt that he wore with a pair of white shorts that finished above the knee.

He also wore a pair of Nike Pegasus running shoes as well as a white Boston Celtics cap.

The footy star finished his in-flight look with a pair of dark sunglasses and a blue backpack which he slung over his shoulders.

Braith Anasta looked happier than ever when he was spotted out and about with his new girlfriend Sara Bray last week

The NRL star, 43, rekindled his relationship with Sara earlier this year, 20 years after the pair first dated

Braith also appeared to have had more tattoos done while he was away, with blotches of white cream dotting the NRL legend's left forearm.

Sara, meanwhile, was a vision in white, stepping out in a figure-hugging tank top that she wore under a thin cardigan.

She also wore a pair of loose-fitting wide-leg pants.

Sara finished her ensemble with a pair of plain black thongs and carried multiple bags through the airport.

It was somewhat of a blended family affair too, with Braith and Sara joined by his daughter Aleeia, 11, and her son.

Braith shares Aleeia with ex-wife Jodi Gordon and a daughter, Gigi, seven, with ex-fiancee Rachael Lee.

Meanwhile, mum-to-be Rachael, 33, was the picture of glowing motherhood on Wednesday, when she stepped out in Sydney with Gigi.

Rachael revealed earlier this year that she was expecting her first child with Bra Boy fiance Evan Faulks.

Braith cut a relaxed figure for the flight in a loose-fitting teal coloured T-shirt that he wore with a pair of white shots that finished above the knee

Braith also appeared to have had more tattoos done while he was away, with blotches of white cream dotting the NRL legend's left forearm

Rachael flaunted her growing baby bump when she took Gigi out for some ice cream in Coogee.

Going barefoot for the occasion, she wore a sleeveless striped crop top that showed off her precious cargo.

She also donned a flowing white linen mid-length skirt and accessorised with some bling on her ankles and wrists.

Rachael also wore a flower in her flowing brunette locks - a style choice emulated by Gigi.

Gigi looked cute as a button in a Tokyo graphic T-shirt that she wore with a pair of light blue track pants, and a pair of white Crocs.

Sara first broke the news that she and Braith had rekindled their romance back in September.

She proudly shared a cosy photo with the footy great while the pair enjoyed a long lunch.

She wore a chic polka-dot blouse and sunglasses while holding a glass of wine in hand as Braith smiled beside her.

Meanwhile, Braith's ex Rachael Lee was the picture of glowing motherhood on Wednesday, when she stepped out in Sydney with daughter Gigi, 7

Rachael flaunted her growing baby bump when she took Gigi out for some ice cream in Coogee

Rachael and Braith ended their engagement in late 2022

'He makes me happy 20 years later,' she captioned the snap.

Friends were quick to jump into the comments section to celebrate the reunion.

The romance reveal came after Rachael posted a sun-soaked beachside photo alongside Evan and announced they're expecting their first child together a few months earlier.

'Summer baby on its way,' she wrote, adding a sunflower emoji.

In the picture, Rachael reclined on the sand in a strapless black swimsuit, flashing a peace sign while Faulks grinned behind her, dressed in black boardshorts.

Rachael and Braith ended their engagement in late 2022.
The mythical stories about the late music legend Prince continue to emerge to this day.

A new Vanity Fair profile pulls back the curtain on Hollywood's legendary party scene during the noughties - along with a glimpse of Prince's epic lifestyle.

Jason Pomeranc, co-founder of Thompson Hotel Groups, described how Prince would perform at Teddy's until dawn 'just because he felt like it.'

'Prince would come in and just start playing a random solo show at Teddys until four or five in the morning, just because he felt like it, right?' he told the publication, seemingly referring to the nightclub Teddy's at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. 'And these things were regular occurrences. If you werent at the Prince pop-up show or you werent [there] when Courtney Love showed up, it was gone. It was not on Instagram. I think that pushed people in LA to go out more.'

He also revealed the Purple Rain hitmaker would 'only eat pancakes for days'.

'[Prince] would stay up in the penthouse, which we had to redecorate to his specifications of white shag rugs and purple. And he would only eat pancakes for days.'

The mythical stories about the late music legend Prince continue to emerge to this day

Seven-time Grammy winner Prince, whose timeless hits include Kiss, 1999 and Let's Go Crazy, died at the age of 57 on April 21, 2016 from an accidental fentanyl overdose at his Paisley Park home in Chanhassen, Minnesota.

During his storied career the Purple Rain star released 39 albums, but ultimately left a vast catalogue of unreleased material in a custom-built bank vault underneath his home.

As a result, a numerous posthumous collections of his previously unheard songs have been issued by his estate.

The Minneapolis, Minnesota native stood out amongst his musical contemporaries since the late 1970s by infusing a mix of funk, rock, R&B, soul, pop, synth-pop, new wave, jazz, blues and hip-hop to his songs - some of which were recorded by other artists.

After having sold more than 100 million records worldwide, the Sign O' The Times legend is among the best-selling musical artists of all time.

Among his many accolades, Prince received seven Grammys, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award, and was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2004.

During his lifetime, he starred on the big screen in the legendary Purple Rain.

The original rock musical drama film  scored by and starring Prince in his acting debut  was released in 1984 by Warner Bros.

He also revealed the Purple Rain hitmaker would 'only eat pancakes for days'

Seven-time Grammy winner Prince, whose timeless hits include Kiss, 1999 and Let's Go Crazy, died at the age of 57 on April 21, 2016 from an accidental fentanyl overdose at his Paisley Park home in Chanhassen, Minnesota; pictured 2007

Prince combined rock, R&B, soul, disco and hip-hop to create a unique sound that led to him selling more than 100 million records during his 40-year career

It was directed by Albert Magnoli and written by Magnoli and William Blinn.

The film grossed close to $100 million worldwide and won the Oscar for Best Original Score.

The soundtrack features classics including I Would Die 4 U, Let's Go Crazy, and When Doves Cry.

The soundtrack album also received two Grammys, three American Music Awards, and two Brit Awards. The album remained at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for 24 weeks.

Prince combined rock, R&B, soul, disco and hip-hop to create a unique sound that led to him selling more than 100 million records during his 40-year career.
Kody Brown's estranged transgender child, Leon Brown, broke their year-long social media hiatus to blast his public claim on Sunday's episode of Sister Wives that he 'reached out to every one of [his] children multiple times.'

'There's a ridiculous video of my father circulating where he says he reaches out to his children,' the 30-year-old Substack writer - who goes by they/them pronouns - wrote via Instagram Story on Tuesday.

'Let me be so f***ing clear: I have not heard from that man since my brother killed himself,' they claimed.

Leon was referring to their late half-brother - Nevada Army National Guardsman Robert 'Garrison' Brown - who died, at age 25, in March 2024 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

'Kody and I are deeply saddened to announce the loss of our beautiful boy Robert Garrison Brown,' Brown's second ex-'wife' Janelle Schriever Brown announced at the time.

'He was a bright spot in the lives of all who knew him. His loss will leave such a big hole in our lives that it takes our breath away. We ask that you please respect our privacy and join us in honoring his memory.'

Kody Brown's estranged transgender child, Leon Brown, broke their year-long social media hiatus to blast his public claim on Sunday's episode of Sister Wives that he 'reached out to every one of my children multiple times'

The 30-year-old Substack writer - who goes by they/them pronouns - claimed Tuesday: 'Let me be so f***ing clear: I have not heard from that man since my brother killed himself' (pictured December 18)

Leon - whose gender affirmation was in 2022 after coming out as lesbian in 2017 - went on to claim that the 56-year-old grandfather-of-six 'blatantly blew me off at Garrison's funeral.'

'He is a liar. He is a joke of a father. That's all,' the Westminster College grad concluded.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Brown's rep for comment.

The polygamist patriarch welcomed Leon (born Mariah) during his 24-year marriage to first ex-wife Meri Barber Brown, which legally ended in 2014 before they ended their 'spiritual union' in 2021.

On Sunday's episode of his TLC reality show, Brown broke down in tears after admitting he doesn't feel 'comfortable communicating with' his older children and he's still 'angry about what a lot of the kids have said, done and believed.'

'I've reached out to every one of my children, and multiple times,' the Special Forces star blasted.

'And if they don't have a relationship with me, it's because they're not reciprocating.'

Brown's fourth wife, Robyn Sullivan Brown, suggested that his three prior wives might be 'influencing' how 'hurt' their children feel about him.

'He is a liar. He is a joke of a father. That's all,' the Westminster College grad wrote via Instagram Story

Leon was referring to their late half-brother - Nevada Army National Guardsman Robert 'Garrison' Brown - who died, at age 25, in March 2024 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound

Leon - whose gender affirmation was in 2022 after coming out as lesbian in 2017 - went on to claim that the 56-year-old grandfather-of-six 'blatantly blew me off at Garrison's funeral' (seen September 25 with fiance Audrey Kriss)

The polygamist patriarch welcomed Leon (born Mariah) during his 24-year marriage to first ex-wife Meri Barber Brown (L), which legally ended in 2014 before they ended their 'spiritual union' in 2021

On Sunday's episode of his TLC reality show, Brown broke down in tears after admitting he doesn't feel 'comfortable communicating with' his older children: 'If they don't have a relationship with me, it's because they're not reciprocating'

The Special Forces star's fourth wife, Robyn Sullivan Brown, suggested that his three prior wives might be 'influencing' how 'hurt' their children feel about him

The Wyoming-born, Arizona-based star's third ex-'wife' Christine Allred Woolley agreed: 'I'm just exhausted and so tired of being blamed for how his kids feel about him. It's his responsibility and not mine'

Brown is also reportedly estranged from his 24-year-old son Gabe Brown (L, pictured in 2023) and 30-year-old daughter Madison Brush

The former firearms salesman famously claimed he was 'ex-communicated' by his Mormon church Apostolic United Brethren after agreeing to star in Sister Wives in 2010

'I wish I had a lot of influence on my adult children,' Janelle scoffed. 'Boy, things would be really different.'

The Wyoming-born, Arizona-based star's third ex-'wife' Christine Allred Woolley agreed: 'I'm just exhausted and so tired of being blamed for how his kids feel about him. It's his responsibility and not mine.'

Brown is also reportedly estranged from his 24-year-old son Gabe Brown and 30-year-old daughter Madison Brush.

The former firearms salesman famously claimed he was 'ex-communicated' by his Mormon church Apostolic United Brethren after agreeing to star in Sister Wives in 2010, but there are reports this was all made up to make his family appear more mainstream.
Real Housewives Of Potomac alum Mia Thornton has broken her silence just days after her November 19 arrest following an alleged theft.

The TV personality  who announced her exit from the Bravo reality series in April after four seasons  jumped to her Instagram page on Monday to celebrate her 41st birthday with a series of posts.

Thornton was arrested by police at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport last week after being accused of stealing $11,000 in furniture from a condo she had been renting.

The mom-of-three  who officially turned one year older on November 25  reflected on being 'reborn' and choosing 'composure over chaos' alongside a series of glam black and white snaps.

In one post, she could be seen donning a fuzzy coat while her long dark locks flowed down past her shoulders in light waves.

'Reborn. Re-centered. Re-focused. Year 41  may it be soft, wealthy, protected, and intentional. MIAMOR,' Thornton penned in the caption.

Real Housewives Of Potomac alum Mia Thornton, 41, has broken her silence just days after her November 19 arrest following an alleged theft

Thornton was arrested by police at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport last week after being accused of stealing $11,000 in furniture from a condo she had been renting; mugshot seen above

She also added in quotes, 'This new year is about rebuilding, refining, and rising with purpose. I'm grateful for the clarity that comes through adversity, and I'm committed to moving forward with integrity and grace. Thank you for the love, my loves.'

In a second post, the star shared an image while sporting the same outfit as she sat on top of a grand piano.

'Composure over chaos. Grace over noise. This birthday, I'm choosing alignment, elevation, and elegance  always.'

The media personality then got candid with her followers about how she will focus on being 'grounded.'

She also typed out in quotes, 'This past week reminded me of the importance of staying grounded, especially when life feels loud.

'I'm stepping into another year with clarity, accountability, and gratitude. Challenges dont define me  how I rebuild does.'

Thornton added in her third post, 'Refined. Unmoved. Unshakeable. I don't break  I become better. Happy Birthday to me.'

She also shared that during 'unexpected moments, I'm remembering who I am: a mother, a creator, a woman evolving in real time. I'm choosing peace, accountability, and personal growth. Thank you to those who continue to support my journey.'

'Reborn. Re-centered. Re-focused. Year 41  may it be soft, wealthy, protected, and intentional. MIAMOR,' Thornton penned in the caption

The media personality then got candid with her followers about how she will focus on being 'grounded'

She also shared that during 'unexpected moments, I'm remembering who I am: a mother, a creator, a woman evolving in real time'; seen above with her three children

Lastly, the TV personality typed in a final post on Monday, 'Delicate, disciplined, divinely protected. Another year around the sun, and I'm still standing en pointe  balanced, resilient, and blessed.'

The star expressed that she will step into 'this next chapter with softness and strength.

'Life will test you, but grace and self-awareness always win. Thank you to everyone who's shown love as I continue to grow, learn, and elevate.'

Her birthday posts come only days after her arrest in Georgia on Wednesday, November 19.

Thornton - who split from boyfriend Incognito at the top of the year  appeared in police body cam footage obtained by TMZ at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

According to the outlet, she was booked into the Fulton County Jail on a larceny charge.

Per law enforcement, Thornton is accused of stealing $11,000 worth of items from a furnished condo where she was living.

The Bravo personality moved out of the home last month and reportedly took furniture and a TV.

The star expressed that she will step into 'this next chapter with softness and strength'

Thornton - who split from boyfriend Incognito at the top of the year  appeared in police body cam footage obtained by TMZ at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Per law enforcement, Thornton is accused of stealing $11,000 worth of items from a furnished condo where she was living

The condo owner filed a police report stating Thornton moved out in the middle of the night without notice.

The reality star and her ex-husband Gordon Thornton share son Jeremiah, 10, and daughter Juliana, eight. She is also mom to an older son, Joshua, from a previous relationship.

In January she announced her split from ex-boyfriend Incognito.

The housewife  who sparked engagement rumors in January 2024  and Incognito, who also goes by Inc, dated for about one year before Thornton confirmed their breakup to The Shade Room.

The media personality fueled speculation that she and Inc called it quits after she shared a New Year's Eve selfie with her ex-husband.

Back in April, Thornton announced her exit from Real Housewives of Potomac and a move to Atlanta.

The condo owner filed a police report stating Thornton moved out in the middle of the night without notice; seen in 2024 in Washington D.C.

The media personality fueled speculation that she and Inc called it quits after she shared a New Year's Eve selfie with her ex-husband

Sharing photos from a professional shoot, she captioned, 'With every new season comes a new beginning and I have some news to share.

'My family and I have made the decision to relocate to Atlanta, and with that, I will not be returning to The Real Housewives of Potomac next season.'

She continued, 'The past four seasons have been an unforgettable journey one filled with growth, lessons, and so many incredible memories.

'I want to thank Truly Original, Bravo, NBCUniversal, and Andy Cohen for believing in me and giving me the space to share my story.'
Freddy Brazier broke cover as he was seen for the first time since splitting from his pregnant girlfriend Holly Swinburn on Tuesday night - where he wore a very bizarre animal scarf.

The Daily Mail revealed this week that the father-to-be, 21, dumped Holly, who is pregnant with his child, and she reacted by trying to take his dog - a bully called Pablo - from him.

He has previously admitted he is 'scared to be a dad' because he is a 'broken man' and said 'I'm not sure how much more I can take'.

Despite the turmoil in his personal life, Freddy looked in good spirits as he attended the Claridge's Christmas party where he wore a strange fur animal scarf complete with feet and a tail.

It is not known if the piece was real but he would have been sure to attract attention with the strange choice of accessory.

He completed the look with a khaki co-ord while attending the bash ahead of the birth of his first child.

Freddy Brazier broke cover as he was seen for the first time since splitting from his pregnant girlfriend Holly Swinburn on Tuesday night - where he wore a very bizarre animal scarf

Despite the turmoil in his personal life, Freddy looked in good spirits as he attended the Claridge's Christmas party where he wore the strange fur animal scarf complete with feet and a tail

Ahead of him attending the party, sources close to model Freddy told the Daily Mail that he is struggling with the idea of co-parenting with Holly as things have become 'very difficult between them'.

'The pair have been arguing a lot recently. Having a baby so young is a lot to deal with. Both are quite flighty characters,' the insider shared.

'Freddy initially feared he was not the father, but has since done a paternity test which confirmed that he is the father.'

The news comes just hours after his father, Jeff Brazier, split from wife Kate again following a difficult year with Freddy. Jeff broke his silence on the separation on his Story on Tuesday night.

The couple previously split in late 2022 before reconciling seven months later.

Freddy, who is the second son of the late reality star Jade Goody, revealed the news in August that he would be welcoming his first child.

Since then, he has vowed to turn his life around and has patched up his relationship with his father, Jeff.

The influencer sadly lost his mother, Jade, when he was just four years old after she died from cervical cancer on Mother's Day in 2009.

The Daily Mail revealed this week that the father-to-be, 21, dumped Holly, who is pregnant with his child, and she reacted by trying to take his dog - a bully called Pablo - from him

It is not known if the piece was real but he would have been sure to attract attention with the strange choice of accessory

Since her death, Jeff has looked after Freddy and his older brother Bobby, 22.

Jade's mother Jackiey Budden, 68, helped raise Bobby and Freddy following Jade's death, but she and Jeff have clashed multiple times over the years.

Jeff considered taking legal action to block access between his son and maternal grandmother Jackiey in a bid to 'keep him safe'.

Freddy claimed Jackiey got him hooked on drugs, before appearing to reveal he had tragically 'tried to end it all' by 'crashing his car' in the middle of a 'manic episode'.

He took to TikTok to bravely share a video explaining his heartbreaking journey, with a generated voiceover in the video sharing the extent of the model's mental health struggles.

In the video, Freddy told his followers that he spent his 18th birthday 'in a psychiatric ward', but realised after that 'something needed to change'.

The video began with a generated voiceover that said: '2.5 years ago after crashing a car in a manic episode in an attempt to end it all.'

He captioned the post: '2.5 years ago now, I'm f*****g proud of myself and I can't wait to tell my story.'

Showing how he realised he had to change his habits, he then wrote: 'Something clicked in my head needed to change! Started getting out more.'

He completed the look with a khaki co-ord while attending the bash ahead of the birth of his first child

He has previously admitted he is 'scared to be a dad' because he is a 'broken man' and said 'I'm not sure how much more I can take'

News of Freddy's split on Tuesday came just hours after his father Jeff Brazier split from his wife Kate again following a difficult year (pictured last year)

He added that he then decided to start 'eating better,' and focused on his close circle of friends and prioritising 'self-love'.

The video then showed images of himself attending events, training in the gym and eating salads for lunch, along with the words: 'Eating better. Time away from London. Bit of training. Small circle. My doggo. Skincare and self love.'

Elsewhere, Freddy previously hinted he was ready to split from Holly as he admitted his 'relationships are falling apart'.

Freddy took to Instagram with a heartbreaking post as he gathered his thoughts while on a late-night stroll around London on Sunday night.

Admitting he's been thinking about his mother - who passed away in 2009 following a battle with cervical cancer when he was just four years old - Freddy told his followers he's 'constantly questioning whether [he's] good enough'.

Sharing a picture of the London skyline on his podcast's social media page, he wrote: 'Head is so loud! Had to take myself on a late-night walk to clear my head. I've been thinking about my mum loads recently!

'I'm scared to be a dad as I'm a broken man. My relationships are all falling apart.

'I'm constantly questioning myself if I'm good enough. I'm trying to be healthy and stay away from green, but life is hard [right now] and I'm not sure how much more s**t I can take!'

The Daily Mail has contacted Freddy's representatives for comment.
Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo stole the spotlight at the TikTok Awards in Sydney on Wednesday night with their playful red carpet antics, proving age is just a number.

Karl, 51, looked casually cool on the night in a navy suit and classic black T-shirt, paired with white sneakers with black laces.

Meanwhile, his Today show co-star Sarah, 40, looked equally chic in a pair of high-waisted trousers and a simple tee, completing her look with stacked bracelets and a simple clutch.

Karl and Sarah's playful chemistry was undeniable as they giggled and joked around on social media's night of nights, surrounded by the next generation of much younger stars.

And they weren't the only 'boomers' in attendance.

Aussie stars over 40 were out in full force at the International Convention Centre Sydney, proving they can enjoy a night out just as much as adults half their age.

Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo stole the spotlight at the TikTok Awards in Sydney on Wednesday night with their playful red carpet antics, proving age is just a number

Karl, 51, looked casually cool on the night in a navy suit and classic black T-shirt, paired with white sneakers with black laces

Meanwhile, his Today show co-star Sarah, 40, looked equally chic in a pair of high-waisted trousers and a simple tee, completing her look with stacked bracelets and a simple clutch

Sophie Monk, 45, looked stunning in a striking black designer gown which featured a thigh-high split.

The Love Island Australia host added to her look with gold bangles and her million-dollar smile.

Elsewhere, Jessica Rowe, 55, and her model daughter Giselle Overton, 16, looked in their element, turning heads as they struck a pose.

Jessica showcased her bold fashion sense in a vibrant rainbow-themed gown, while Giselle opted for classic elegance in a chic strapless black dress.

Married At First Sight star Jules Robinson, 43, brought a touch of disco to the event in a sparkling gold sequin gown.

The reality TV veteran pulled her fire-engine red locks back for the evening, clipping on a hairpiece for an added touch of glam.

Adam Hyde, 35, Carina Mirabile, 31, and Indy Clinton, 28, also attended the event, alongside a host of savvy social media entrepreneurs.

Fifteen awards were handed out on the night, celebrating the country's top creators across comedy, fashion, sport, business and music.

Sophie Monk , 45, looked stunning in a striking black designer gown which featured a thigh-high split

Elsewhere, Jessica Rowe, 55, and her model daughter Giselle Overton , 16, looked in their element, turning heads as they struck a pose

Married At First Sight star Jules Robinson, 43, brought a touch of disco to the event in a sparkling gold sequin gown

Among the highlights is Video of the Year, which will recognise viral sensations that dominated feeds in 2025.

The nominees include Rachel Parkinson, Zane Fall, Alexandra Tuohey, Jude York and Leah Halton.

The Beauty and Fashion category will celebrate the most stylish content creators of the year.

Meanwhile, Adam Hyde, Larissa Lambert, Lance Savali and Max Jackson are all up for Music Artist of the Year.

Other awards include Comedy Creator of the Year, Learn on TikTok, Food Creator of the Year, and the TikTok for Good Award, which celebrates creators and organisations driving positive change.
Louise Thompson has revealed she is bed bound while battling a new health problem - after admitting she'll never be able to have another child.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 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.

And last week she 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.

Now, Louise has opened up about being forced to work in bed after coming down with a sickness bug.

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Louise shared a video and could be heard saying: 'Hello guys, happy Tuesday, The suns out and I'm feeling a lot better today.

'I actually didn't even share this so I probably don't need to but yesterday I worked from bed because I was not feeling very well.'

Louise Thompson revealed on Instagram on Tuesday that she is bed bound while battling a new health problem - after admitting she'll never be able to have another child (Seen on Saturday)

Now, Louise has opened up about being forced to work in bed after coming down with a sickness bug

She continued: 'I think I'm not alone actually. Poor Louisa I work with was throwing up all last week and also Holly who I work with just arrived to the house and threw up outside and so we've had to get her into a cab.

'So if you're suffering with the lurgy just remember that you are not alone and there's not a lot annoyingly we can about it because most of these things are viruses, which is frustrating.

'They need to bring out a cure.'

Elsewhere Louise revealed she has discovered she has an ovarian cyst after a scan last week.

She said: 'Also I had a couple of scans last week that weirdly flagged I've got an enormous haemorrhagic cyst on my right ovary. I think it's 5cm, which is a bit weird.

'Five centimetres... I'm pretty sure that's like the depth of my entire stomach. So I don't know how that could be I've not had one of these before.

'I'm not actually in any pain that's not what my issue is. I've got some ulcerative colitis problems.'

It comes after Louise revealed she will never be able to have another child following the severe birth trauma she suffered four years ago.

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Louise shared a video and could be heard saying: 'Hello guys, happy Tuesday, The suns out and I'm feeling a lot better today'

It comes after Louise revealed she will never be able to have another child following the severe birth trauma she suffered four years ago when welcoming Leo in 2021

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 Theo, 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.

'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.'

Theo, 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.
Hollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow has dropped angora products from her Goop store after coming under fire from animal rights protesters.

PETA had urged the star Goop to stop using wool gruesomely culled from fluffy angora rabbits at Chinese factories, which most big brands stopped using due to animal cruelty concerns.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals launched a social media campaign aimed at pressuring Goop by showing footage of the creatures screaming as their fur gets violently ripped out by hand or shaved, leaving them bloody and terrified.

'Goop says it doesnt mind being the tip of the spear  that it goes first so others dont have to. But in the case of angora, Goop is last. Now is the time to catch up,' PETA President Tracy Reiman wrote to Paltrow in September.

The star modelled an angora sweater, currently going for 180 on Goops website  down from an eye-popping 603 in an Instagram video posted in March.

Now customers looking for the sweater on Goop are met with the message, 'Oops! This link leads to an empty page.'

Hollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow has dropped angora products from her Goop store after coming under fire from animal rights protesters (pictured in an angora sweater)

Customers looking for angora sweater on Goop are now met with the message, 'Oops! This link leads to an empty page!'

'Clinging to cruel angora wool leaves Gwyneth Paltrow one among none, as anyone with an ounce of compassion wouldnt be caught dead with it after seeing footage of terrified rabbits being strung up and sliced to ribbons,' said PETA President Tracy Reiman at the time of the campaign.

'PETA is calling on Gwyneth to give a damn, stop trading in misery and ban angora wool from goop, as nearly every other major brand has already done.'

Now it appears that the hard-hitting message has struck a chord.

To date, more than 425 mainstream brands - including Zara, H&M, Gap, Burberry, and Hugo Boss - have banned the use of angora, with Chinese exports plummeting by over 80 percent.

While angora products are no longer available, Goop subscribers can still buy a 1,000 sex toy advent calendar for Christmas - but buyers will need to show some restraint as the kinky gift only has nine doors.

The unconventional calendar, which features in the Oscar-winner's Pleasure Seeker's Gift Guide and offers a series of sexually charged gifts, was unveiled by her popular lifestyle blog in October, just in time for the festive season.

And it does come with some actual restraints amongst the X-rated items included in the monster price tag.

Buyers on her Goop lifestyle site are told: 'Behind each of the nine drawers in this advent calendar is a different surprise that will help you unlock new ways to play.'

The star modelled an angora sweater, currently going for 180 on Goops website  down from an eye-popping 603 in an Instagram video posted in March

While angora products are no longer available, Goop subscribers can still buy a 1,000 sex toy advent calendar for Christmas - but the kinky gift only has nine doors

Racy accoutrements include a 'black leather play paddle, a pair of gold-plated handcuff wristlets that fasten with a toggle clasp and 20 feet of black French bondage rope, finished with gold hardware and tassels.'

Additionally, the calendar features an 'embossed leather door tag, soft nonstick PVC restraint tape, a lavender-scented massage oil candle paired with a red silk blindfold, red embossed leather pasties and a set of silky red ties with padded black leather cuffs.'

A gold stainless-steel bullet vibrator with 10 vibration modes - five steady intensities and five patterns - rounds off the series of raunchy Christmas gifts hidden behind its various doors.

The pricey advent calendar is from upmarket lingerie maker Kiki de Montparnasse.

And Goop says of the brand: 'Teetering on the edge of playful and provocative, this luxe lingerie label celebrates the female form with a collection of indulgent intimates.

'Launched in 2005, the name was modelled after the Queen of Montparnasse, the outspoken Parisian model and actress who characterized the roaring twenties in its heyday, exuding an unapologetic self-confidence brought back to life through the brands decadent design.

'A daring mix of tulle, lace accents, and supple silk; each exquisite piece is incredibly luxurious, but intended for everyday.'

In 2020, the actress suffered backlash after releasing a 57 candle, cheekily named 'This Smells Like My Vagina', in her online Goop shop

The calendar features in Paltrow's Pleasure Seeker's Gift Guide and offers a series of sexually charged gifts (the actress is pictured attending Milan Fashion Week in September)

In 2023, Paltrow and the Goop team recommended a 300 block of Parmesan cheese, an 11,000 artisanal backgammon set, and a 11,496 gold-plated vibrator.

Three years earlier, the actress suffered backlash after releasing a 57 candle, cheekily named 'This Smells Like My Vagina', in her online Goop shop.

According to the product's description: 'This candle started as a joke between perfumer Douglas Little and GPthe two were working on a fragrance, and she blurted out, "Uhhh..this smells like a vagina"but evolved into a funny, gorgeous, sexy, and beautifully unexpected scent.

'(That turned out to be perfect as a candlewe did a test run at an In goop Health, and it sold out within hours.)

'It's a blend of geranium, citrusy bergamot, and cedar absolutes juxtaposed with Damask rose and ambrette seed that puts us in mind of fantasy, seduction, and a sophisticated warmth.'
Ruth Wilson has revealed she feels constantly pressured to get cosmetic surgery to fight off signs of ageing because 'everyone does it' in her industry.

The Affair star, 43, opened up about the difficulties of ageing in the public eye and the growing expectations of women in Hollywood to undergo injectables, fillers or more invasive options.

Ruth, who is known for her natural, expressive face and refusing to conform to Hollywood aesthetic norms, admitted the temptation is all around her.

'It's really hard, because the pressure is on - everyone does it,' she said on the How to Fail with Elizabeth Day podcast on Wednesday.

'Everyone does something to their face, and it's all available now more than ever.'

The stage and screen star - who has previously spoken out about the importance of women retaining their individuality in a world of increasingly uniform celebrity faces - suggested that tweakments rarely achieve what people hope for.

Ruth Wilson, 43, has revealed she feels constantly pressured to get cosmetic surgery to fight off signs of ageing because 'everyone does it' in her industry

'You either choose to join your peers and put stuff in your face and make yourself look... I don't think it makes you look younger, it just makes you look like you've had stuff done,' she added.

Ruth argued that cosmetic work often fails to disguise a person's age, and instead simply reveals who has opted for procedures and who hasn't.

'If you look at people who are 60, 70, and someone's had work and someone hasn't, they don't really look different ages.

'They just look like someone's had work and someone hasn't had work, so it does feel like you make a choice,' she explained.

Her comments come amid a wave of transparency from stars about cosmetic surgery - with Hollywood stars including Robin Wright, Olivia Colman and Gwyneth Paltrow openly discussing what work they've had done.

While some admit tweakments, others deny it, creating what Ruth has described as an 'unhelpful, impossible standard' that leaves women feeling they can't win.

She has previously criticised what she called the 'homogenisation' of women's faces on screen, admitting she found it 'sad' that so many actresses felt forced into cosmetic work.

In her remarks this week, Ruth said the pressure is magnified by the realities of her job - seeing her face on giant screens, posters and high-definition cameras.

The Affair star opened up about the difficulties of ageing in the public eye and the growing expectations of women in Hollywood to undergo injectables (pictured in 2007)

'It's difficult in my industry,' she said. 'If I wasn't an actor, I don't think I'd think twice about the idea of having work done. Just because you have to look at your face - your face is on a poster, it's on a lens and you're pumped up to this size.'

She added: 'Your face is made bigger on a cinema screen. You know, you're like, urgh! You can see yourself ageing.'

Ruth said she deliberately avoids altering her appearance because she believes her face - with its natural movement and changeability - is central to her ability to act.

The His Dark Materials star is known for choosing unconventional roles and pushing back against industry expectations, and has often said she doesn't want to erase the physical markers of a life lived.

While she acknowledges the pressures, she also challenges the assumption that ageing is something to be corrected.

Ruth had previously shared her bewilderment at cosmetic surgery in a 2023 interview with The Guardian, saying: 'As an actress, everyone does it. Very few resist. I haven't done anything  yet. But it's in my head as like, ''Well, do you decide not to and therefore potentially look older than your peers? Or do you just give in?''

It comes after it was announced that Ruth is set to reprise her role as the criminal Alice Morgan in a new Luther film, with Idris Elba also set to return as the titular detective.

Alice Morgan actress Ruth, 43, didn't appear in The Fallen Sun, but she will be reprising her role for the upcoming movie, which will be penned by Neil Cross and directed by Jamie Payne.

Jamie, who has worked on Child of Mine, U Be Dead and Doctor Who: The Time of The Doctor, said of the upcoming drama: 'Neil has yet again, created a wonderfully dark tale to bring us all back together

'Its a true joy to be back on the streets of Lutherland with the supreme talents that are Idris Elba and Dermot Crowley.

'I am also thrilled to be reunited with the brilliant and dangerous Alice Morgan played by the extraordinarily talented Ruth Wilson.'

Neil added: 'Luther, Alice and Schenk are more than characters to me, theyre family. I never stop wondering where they are, whats become of them 

'And what horrors might be stirring in the shadows of London while Luthers not around.

'So we decided to get together and find out what happens next.'
As FBI agent Dana Scully she's rarely lost for words, but Gillian Anderson was rendered speechless after coming face-to-face with her waxwork likeness on Wednesday.

The actress, best known for her starring role in The X-Files, gave the wax effigy her seal approval ahead of its public launch at Madame Tussauds on London's Baker Street.

Anderson, 57, worked in close collaboration with artists at the celebrated waxwork museum over the last year as they sculpted her likeness, which has been styled in the 'Vulva' dress she famously wore to the 82nd Golden Globe Awards in 2024.

From taking precise measurements, to capturing reference photographs to working together on deciding the look, pose and styling, the figure resembles an exact replica of the star.

Designed by Gabriela Hearst, the corseted floor-length gown, with its delicately embroidered designs sparked headlines when first worn by Gillian. The memorable dress has now been donated to the world-renowned attraction by Gabriela herself.

The figure's red-carpet-ready look is complete with diamante jewellery, metallic Aquazzura platform heels and a matching bag.

Gillian Anderson was confronted with her wax effigy ahead of its public launch at Madame Tussauds in London on Wednesday morning

The new waxwork has been styled in the 'Vulva' dress she famously wore to the 82nd Golden Globe Awards in 2024.

The incredible figure's red-carpet-ready look is complete with stunning diamante jewellery

Visibly stunned, the actress posed for photos alongside her waxwork before it was unveiled to the general public.

On the launch of her new Madame Tussauds London figure, Anderson said: 'When I got the call from Madame Tussauds to say they wanted to create a wax figure of me, I thought, really? Who would want to see a figure of me on a carpet rather than as a character?

'Then I thought about this dress and realized, yes, it makes sense to re-create this moment at the Golden Globes.'

She added: 'The dress became a much bigger conversation than even I had anticipated, with so many people reacting positively for different reasons.

'I think this dress represents empowerment for women, celebrating bodily autonomy and freedom from shame. I wanted to give people the chance to stand next to it and revel in the audacity of it.'

Anderson's career spans decades of acclaimed performances and is beloved for her iconic roles from Dana Scully in The X-Files to Dr. Jean Milburn in Sex Education.

The figure launch coincides with a number of her highly anticipated projects including Channel 4 drama Trespasses, and Netflix's upcoming American Western The Abandon', scheduled for release on 4 December.

Steve Blackburn, General Manager at Madame Tussauds London, said: 'Having Gillian Anderson join our star-studded lineup is a huge honour.

Visibly stunned, the actress laid eyes on her waxwork for the first time before it was unveiled to the general public

Anderson worked in close collaboration with artists at the celebrated waxwork museum over the last year as they sculpted her likeness

From taking precise measurements, to capturing reference photographs to working together on deciding the look, pose and styling, the figure resembles an exact replica of the star

'She is the perfect modern-day icon, from sci-fi legend to red carpet trailblazer, working with Gillian has been a genuine pleasure.

'The team have poured their extraordinary skill into recreating every detail of her look and we can't wait for guests to come face-to-face with this incredible, conversation-starting, statement dress that Gabriela Hearst has kindly donated for Gillian's first-ever figure.'

Speaking about the prospect of seeing her waxwork effigy for the first time with Instagram followers in October, Anderson said: 'I think I'm in denial about the aspect of seeing a second me, I'm very curious what colour hair I have.

'I'm here and I'm going through all the steps, but I don't think it's really going to hit me until I actually see the figure itself.

'I'm very excited, it's a real honour. That's me done with my first sitting. I've never been probed so much in my life, thank you to everybody who contributed to my probing.'

On the launch of her new Madame Tussauds London figure, Anderson said: 'When I got the call from Madame Tussauds to say they wanted to create a wax figure of me, I thought, really?'

The waxwork is her perfect likeness and takes inspiration from her appearance at th Golden Globes in 2024
Holly Ramsay was the spitting image of her glamorous mother Tana as she breezily returned to social media in the midst of her feud with Adam Peaty's family.

Her upcoming wedding to the Olympian has been dramatically overshadowed by the toxic row, which has seen Adam disinvite all of his relatives, bar his sister Bethany, from the nuptials.

Sources claimed on Tuesday that cracks in family relations first began to show at Holly and Adam's engagement party, which has reportedly been filmed to feature in her father Gordon's Netflix docuseries.

But Holly failed to address the row as she returned to Instagram with a gallery of stylish snaps on Wednesday, showing off her 3,400 Dior Voyage bag.

Wrapped up in a cosy cream Sandro coat, Holly posed in the winter sunshine during a trip to London's famous King's Road while showing off her pricey new purchase.

Adam and Holly are set for a Christmas wedding spectacular, where they will exchange vows at Bath's historic Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, before embarking on festive drinks.

Holly Ramsay was the spitting image of her glamorous mother Tana as she breezily returned to social media in the midst of her feud with Adam Peaty 's family

She also boasted an eery resemblance to her famous mother in a new social media post (pictured with her fiance Adam and dad Gordon)

Her upcoming wedding to the Olympian has been dramatically overshadowed by the toxic row, which has seen Adam disinvite all of his relatives, bar his sister Bethany, from the nuptials

However, Adam left jaws dropping earlier this month when it was revealed he had uninvited his relatives from his wedding, after his mother was not invited to Holly's swanky hen do.

The astonishing family feud kicked off after news arose that Adam's mother was not invited to Holly's hen do, where she was joined by her mum Tana, Adam's sister Bethany and Victoria Beckham at Soho Farmhouse.

In the wake of the snub, a number of stories of strife unravelled, with shock claims on each side about the fallout - including allegations that Holly and Adam made Caroline chose a different outfit for the wedding as they did not like her choice.

It's now been reported that tensions between the two families began during Holly and Adam's engagement party, which was filmed for Gordon's upcoming Netflix documentary.

The celebrity chef was filmed over nine months as he opened five new restaurants in London, alongside juggling his personal life.

The engagement party, which took place last December, will see the Holly and Adam with his family during happier times, before their toxic fallout occurred and he disinvited all but one of his relatives from the wedding.

But according to The Sun, the cracks were already starting to show at the time, with Caroline having several grievances at the party.

A source told the publication: 'Adams family were at the engagement party, when relations were much better. Things went downhill from there.

Holly failed to address the row as she returned to Instagram with a gallery of stylish snaps on Wednesday, showing off her 3,400 Dior Voyage bag

Wrapped up in a cosy cream Sandro coat, Holly posed during a trip to London's famous King's Road while showing off her pricey new purchase

'His mum was unhappy some of the family werent there and confronted Gordon at the event.

'Guests were made to sign non-disclosure agreements and hand in phones as the party was filmed.'

Last week it was revealed Adam's sister Bethany is the only member of his side who appears to have survived the bitter family fallout ahead of his wedding.

The hen do snub sparked a huge response from the Peaty family, with Adam's aunt Louise blasting her nephew and his fiancee Holly in a series of Instagram comments.

She later claimed her sister Caroline wasn't invited to their wedding due to her appearance and not having the correct 'look'.

But one member of Adam's side of the family appears to have survived the feud, his sister Bethany - who did make the cut for Holly's picture perfect Cotswolds hen do.

The Sun has reported that the real reason Bethany made the cut is because she 'fits in' to the Ramsays' glamorous world because 'she's blonde and pretty'.

While they claim that Bethany herself has had her head turned by the celebrity lifestyle, and has been asked to be one of Holly's bridesmaids.

A friend close to the family told the publication: 'Bethany has always been very close to Adam and she is really taken with the celebrity lifestyle, she's had her head turned by all the glitz and glamour.

'She was over the moon to be at the hen party, hanging out with Victoria Beckham and couldn't wait to tell all her friends about it. She really fits in with the glam world  she's blonde and very pretty.'

It comes days after Adam broke his silence amid the toxic family rift by sharing a statement in which he also spoke on Bethany's behalf, cementing their allegiance.

Taking to Instagram, he insisted there are 'two sides to every story' and that he, Holly and Bethany 'will get through' the 'challenging times'.

Adam left jaws dropping earlier this month when it was revealed he had uninvited his relatives from his wedding, after his mother was not invited to Holly's swanky hen do

It's now been reported that tensions between the two families began during Holly and Adam's engagement party, which was filmed for Gordon's upcoming Netflix documentary

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.'

Adam 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'.
Lauren Silverman has broken her silence on filming a Netflix show with her husband Simon Cowell, describing it as 'terrifying'.

The socialite, 48, has been with music mogul Simon since 2013 and recently changed her Instagram handle to Simon Cowell, 65, in a hint the pair have married.

The couple first met in Barbados in 2004 but didn't start dating until around 2012. They welcomed their son Eric in 2014 and got engaged in 2021.

Now Lauren has spoken about her nerves surrounding the release of Simon's upcoming Netflix show - in which notoriously private Lauren makes regular features.

The recent trailer showed an array of scenes featuring Lauren, where she expressed concern over her husband's health and even at one point walks out of filming after a tense exchange.

Sharing the trailer on social media on Tuesday, Lauren said: 'My first Instagram post! Everyone who knows me, knows how private I am, so the past two years on this project has been such a new experience.

Lauren Silverman broke her silence on doing a Netflix show with her husband Simon Cowell on Instagram on Tuesday, describing it as 'terrifying'

The socialite, 48, has been with music mogul Simon since 2013 and recently changed her Instagram handle to Simon Cowell, 65, in a hint the pair have married

'This is something we have been working on as a family every day, and I am SO proud of Simon and the whole team.'

She added: 'It's terrifying but so exciting at the same time, and I really hope you all love the series when it drops on @netflix December 10! Lauren X.'

Simon's latest attempt to find Britains next big boy band has proved difficult for the music mogul, who was left hooked up to a drip in a first look at Simon Cowell: The Next Act.

He has been on the hunt for breakthrough talent in the UK for the six-episode docuseries which will follow the candidates from the raw open casting calls to the release of the groups debut single.

It's an 'all-access' pass for viewers to catch every moment of 'Cowell's next chapter', claims the streaming giant's website.

'As much as I love my job on TV, I miss where I started signing artists and working with bands,' Simon says in the trailer. 'There is a massive opportunity. I am going to find a new boyband.'

But the pressure is on for TV's former Mr Nasty who reveals the chance of success is 'less than 10 per cent' as he opens up about the 'chaos' of the search.

The pressure appears too much to handle for Lauren, who in one tense exchange demands for her microphone to be removed before walking out on Simon while he is sat slumped in a chair and hooked up to an IV drip administering vitamins.

Now Lauren has spoken about her nerves surrounding the release of Simon's upcoming Netflix show - in which notoriously private Lauren makes regular features

Sharing the trailer on social media on Tuesday, Lauren said: 'My first Instagram post! Everyone who knows me, knows how private I am, so the past two years on this project has been such a new experience'

'I never complain,' she says. 'I'm just there for you because that's what you do when you love somebody.'

As she leaves, Simon is heard saying: 'Oh Lauren.'

Clearly worried about his health, another private moment in the back of a car sees Lauren expressing her concerns.

'Work for Simon is not just work, it's his life,' she says before reaching across to him and adding: 'You're very tense.'

Lauren's concerns are more than justified having been by his side through a number of terrifying health battles in recent years.

In August 2020 Simon broke his back while testing an E-bike at his home in Malibu. He required a six-hour surgery to place a metal rod and screws in his spine.

Two years later he broke his arm and was hospitalised when he crashed an E-bike in London.

The music manager, who is worth an estimated 475 million, also suffers from migraines, which were believed to be behind his recent absence from Britains Got Talent. He was briefly replaced by Stacey Solomon before returning to the panel.

The six-episode docuseries will follow Simon as he searches for Britains next big boy band, from raw open casting calls to the release of the groups debut single

Simon and Lauren have been together since around 2012 (pictured in 2022)

Simon is no stranger to scouting new talent and since 2001 has appeared as a judge on several music reality competition series including Pop Idol, American Idol, Britains Got Talent, Americas Got Talent and The X Factor.

During its 14-year run, The X Factor changed the face of the British music industry, discovering some of the biggest names including One Direction, Leona Lewis, Little Mix, JLS and Olly Murs.

But amid dwindling viewing figures and allegations of mistreatment from past contestants, ITV announced in 2021 that there were no plans for a new series.

Clearly not finished with finding the next big thing, Simon signed a huge deal with Netflix last year and has since claimed record labels are not signing enough new stars, who face too much competition online.
Love Islands Jonny Mitchell has become a father as his girlfriend Simone Engelhardt gives birth to their first child.

Simone endured a complicated four-day labour and emergency C-section and on Wednesday, Jonny shared a gallery of images on Instagram.

From the labour, to the moment Jonny held the baby in his arms, it appeared as though the couple had been through quite the journey to meet their first-born.

Jonny, 33, wrote in the caption: 'Welcome to the world, my boy 

'What a crazy journey this past week has been.. we planned for a nice smooth home birth, but of course life had some curveballs in store for us.

Love Islands Jonny Mitchell has become a father he announced on Instagram on Wednesday

His girlfriend Simone Engelhardt gave birth to their first child in a complicated four-day labour and emergency C-section

Jonny, 33, wrote in the caption: 'Welcome to the world, my boy '

'Days of stress, pain and sleepless nights, complications came up and then eventually we were rushed to the hospital for an emergency C-section.

'With all the complications, stress, lack of sleep, and seeing someone you love suffering, my brain was racing to all kinds of possible outcomes, mostly not good.

'So Im beyond grateful everything worked out. What a woman @engelhardtlund is.

'Going through 4 days of labour, in and out of extreme pain, undergoing surgery to get our boy here, and even now shes making it all look easy like the Viking she is.

'Everythings only now just starting to sink in and feel real! Time for the next chapter.'

Jonny first announced he was to become a father for the first time in July.

He famously lasted 38 days in the Love Island villa back in 2017 and was coupled up with Amber Davies, and in the summer, he joked that while 'never being a fan of kids' he was now 'warming up to the idea' of being a dad.

At the time, Jonny shared a slew of loved up snaps with Simone, including one of him cradling her blossoming bump while gushing what an 'amazing' mother she will be.

He penned: 'Well.. shes getting too big to keep this a secret much longer, as Bella Ramsey would say - Im gonna be a dad' - in reference to the actor's famous line in The Last Of Us, which has since become a meme.

'I dont post much personal stuff on here, but Ill make an exception for this. Anyone who knows me well, knows that I was never a massive fan of the idea of kids.'

Holding his baby for the first time Jonny said: 'Days of stress, pain and sleepless nights, complications came up and then eventually we were rushed to the hospital for an emergency C-section'

Adding: 'With all the complications, stress, lack of sleep, and seeing someone you love suffering, my brain was racing to all kinds of possible outcomes, mostly not good'

He concluded:'So Im beyond grateful everything worked out. What a woman @engelhardtlund is'

Jonny first announced the couple were expecting a baby back in July

The couple moved to Bali in 2020, and said his move has led him to 'change a lot' as his 'priorities reshuffle[d] almost overnight'

He said at the time: 'Well.. shes getting too big to keep this a secret much longer, as Bella Ramsey would say - Im gonna be a dad'

He went on: 'But I think its something that you dont really feel until you have a woman in your life who you know will be an amazing mother. Which I know @engelhardtlund will be. So its safe to say Ive warmed up to the idea'.

'Life has been an endless rollercoaster of unexpected twists and turns over the past decade, its hard to imagine where we were even 5 years ago to where we are now.

Before adding: And it looks like the next chapter is here right on time! Baby Mitchell coming end of the year, lets hope i can figure this whole Dad thing out'.

Fans and famous friends rushed to share their congratulations with fellow new dad and Love Islander Adam Collard writing: 'Congrats mate!'.

While Rykard Jenkins said: 'Congratulations and blessings to you both': and Geordie Shore's James Tindale added: 'Get in mate buzzing for you both! Congratulations'.

Jonny previously revealed how he'd traded the reality star life for a new calling, taking care of stray dogs in Bali with girlfriend Simone.

He moved to the Indonesian island in 2020, and said his move has led him to 'change a lot' as his 'priorities reshuffle[d] almost overnight'.

Taking to social media, in a lengthy caption alongside a snap with the dogs he's been taking care of, Jonny explained: 'Ive changed a lot in the last 6 months.

'And when I say changed a lot, I mean almost a complete 180 in how I see life and how I gauge my success and happiness. And how Ive noticed my priorities reshuffle almost overnight.

'But one of the biggest most unexpected changes Ive seen in myself is my new overwhelming sense of duty towards helping dogs on this tiny little island.

'And how I feel like somehow one of my higher purposes in life is to make a difference by helping more dogs that need it.

'Ive fallen in love with Bali since Ive been living out here but it doesnt excuse some of the approaches they have in relation to animal rights and how theyre treated.'

Going on to detail the conditions these stray dogs face on the island, he went on to say a lot are 'on the street' but while most 'get by just fine' there are many puppies that struggle to find food.

He added that there are also 'the older or weaker dogs who end up starving or getting seriously ill with no help.'

'These problems arent huge compared to many of the worlds issues right now,' Jonny continued. 'But it is something that I feel that I can make a real impact on in my own way.
Kaye Adams has revealed how much her life has changed in the weeks since she was accused of bullying junior staff members at BBC Scotland.

The TV and radio star, 62, who earns around 155,000 a year, was removed from her position following the allegations, which were brought under the broadcaster's Call It Out scheme.

In the new episode of How To Be 60, the podcast she co hosts with Karen MacKenzie, Kaye reflected on a 'pocket of joy' over the past week and said she received some unexpected support from strangers.

'They've been a bit thin on the ground,' she admitted of joyful moments, before revealing: 'Yesterday I was out with the dog Bee, and two women separately came up and hugged me. One I kinda knew from years ago. The other person I'd never seen before in my life.'

'It was just one of those moments. It was lovely,' she admitted, before quipping: 'She had lovely bosoms as well. I could have stayed there all day quite frankly. It was really nice.'

Kaye also revealed her new morning routine now she isn't appearing on the BBC as she admitted 'I tell you I could not work from home.'

Kaye Adams has revealed how much her life has changed in the weeks since she was accused of bullying junior staff members at BBC Scotland (pictured on Loose Women)

In the new episode of her podcast Kaye reflected on a 'pocket of joy' and said she received some unexpected support from strangers during a dog walk (pictured October 2025)

'All of my working life I've had a deadline. Everything has been about a deadline, you know, like the show starts at 1 o'clock, it starts at 9 o'clock, der der der. And I am definitely conditioned to that now, there's no doubt about it, I'm like Pavlov's Dog.'

'I mean I've got quite a bit of stuff to do - got to try and make this podcast make money, for a start - but because there's no deadlines I mean oh my god I'm a champion faffer. Oh my god I could faff for Scotland!'

'I just don't have that discipline. I've got to try and impose deadlines myself but that's quite hard.'

She admitted she has struggled to get energised in the morning now she doesn't have to wake up early, confessing she has 'given up' on eating breakfast.

Kaye also complained about the temperature in her house as she refuses to put on the heating during the day, explaining: 'Now I'm spending more time at home, I realise how cold it is. Oh my god. In fact, Bee the dog and I go out for a walk to warm up. It's nine degrees on the thermometer and I'm just not putting it up.'

'I go orange at about half past 6 / 7, but I don't go orange before then. So I wear my house coat because I love my house coat - my dressing gown - but I've noticed that Bee has started to shiver when she's on the couch, so I bought her a dressing gown as well, a doggy dressing gown.'

'The two of us sit in our dressing gown, and then when it gets really cold we go out for a walk to warm up.'

Kaye previously spoke to The Mail on Sunday about the bullying allegations, stating: 'After three of the most distressing weeks of my professional life and seeing my previously untarnished name publicly dragged through the mud, BBC Scotland has still not provided me with any details of the allegations which have been made against me.'

'Yesterday I was out with the dog Bee, and two women separately came up and hugged me. One I kinda knew from years ago. The other person I'd never seen before in my life,' she said

The Strictly Come Dancing star added that she had been 'inundated with messages of support from people who I have dealt with both personally and professionally over the decades and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.'

The Mail on Sunday revealed that BBC chiefs are quizzing staff about the presenter's conduct 'over a number of years' as part of their ongoing probe .

Staff who currently work with Kaye at BBC Radio Scotland and those who have worked with her during her 15 years at the station in Glasgow are being questioned by officials at the state broadcaster.

The Mail on Sunday also revealed that the bullying investigation was launched by the BBC following concerns raised about an alleged 'shouting incident' during a debriefing session at the station attended by Kaye, BBC's new Head of Radio Victoria Easton Riley and other members of staff.

The TV and radio star, 62, who earns around 155,000 a year, was removed from her position following the allegations, which were brought under the broadcaster's Call It Out scheme (pictured on Loose Women)

Kaye denied any incident happened, but said: 'I remember Ms Easton Riley standing at the back of a debrief meeting - in an open plan office - on one occasion, but there was certainly no shouting on my part. It's not my style.'

The Mail on Sunday said it believed investigators are still gathering information about the star's alleged conduct at the broadcaster, dating back a number of years, before the details are presented to her.

A senior BBC Scotland figure said: 'Interviews have been taking place with those working on the show and those who have previously worked with her.

'It's not just about one incident; they are looking back over the years. A number of people have spoken about experiences they've had with Kaye but the investigation is still ongoing.'

A second BBC Scotland source said: 'The atmosphere is strained at PQ [Pacific Quay  BBC Scotland's headquarters].

'The team working on the morning programme are keeping quiet about everything, just keeping their heads down and getting on with the job.

'There's a lot of confusion about what the BBC are actually doing and why Kaye hasn't been told about what is being investigated.'

A BBC Scotland spokesperson said: 'We would not comment on any individual case. If any complaints or concerns are raised, we have robust internal processes in place to manage these.'
Simon Cowell's fiancee Lauren Silverman has revealed how she achieves her toned physique as she posed in skimpy gym gear.

The socialite, 48, took to her Instagram Story on Wednesday to offer an insight into her exercise regime.

She shared a snap and video as she took on a Tracy Anderson class called MYMODE which is described as a 'never-before-seen innovation in eco movement equipment + programming to take your results to the next level'.

As she took on the class she wore a skimpy red and white crop top and leggings while snapping a selfie in the mirror.

In another social media post she shared that she had also enjoyed a padel session with her girl friends as she exclaimed: 'That was fun!' in the caption.

She flaunted a glimpse of her toned midriff in a white crop top and navy jogging bottoms in the accompanying image.

Simon Cowell's fiancee Lauren Silverman has revealed how she achieves her toned physique as she posed in skimpy gym gear

The socialite, 48, took to her Instagram Story on Wednesday to offer an insight into her exercise regime which leaves her looking incredible for swanky events

It comes after Lauren broke her silence on filming a Netflix show with her partner Simon, describing it as 'terrifying'.

The star has been with music mogul Simon since 2013 and recently changed her Instagram handle to Simon Cowell, 66, in a hint the pair have married.

The couple first met in Barbados in 2004 but didn't start dating until around 2012. They welcomed their son Eric in 2014 and got engaged in 2021.

Now Lauren has spoken about her nerves surrounding the release of Simon's upcoming Netflix show - in which notoriously private Lauren makes regular features.

The recent trailer showed an array of scenes featuring Lauren, where she expressed concern over her husband's health and even at one point walks out of filming after a tense exchange.

Sharing the trailer on social media on Tuesday, Lauren said: 'My first Instagram post! Everyone who knows me, knows how private I am, so the past two years on this project has been such a new experience.

'This is something we have been working on as a family every day, and I am SO proud of Simon and the whole team.'

She added: 'It's terrifying but so exciting at the same time, and I really hope you all love the series when it drops on @netflix December 10! Lauren X.'

She shared video as she took on a Tracy Anderson class called MYMODE which is described as a 'never-before-seen innovation in eco movement equipment'

As she took on the class she wore a skimpy red and white crop top and leggings while snapping a selfie in the mirror

She flaunted a glimpse of her toned midriff in a white crop top and navy jogging bottoms in the accompanying image

She penned in the caption: 'It never gets easier. So grateful to get to move with you everyday @tracyandersonmethod'

Simon's latest attempt to find Britain's next big boy band has proved difficult for the music mogul, who was left hooked up to a drip in a first look at Simon Cowell: The Next Act.

He has been on the hunt for breakthrough talent in the UK for the six-episode docuseries which will follow the candidates from the raw open casting calls to the release of the group's debut single.

It's an 'all-access' pass for viewers to catch every moment of 'Cowell's next chapter', claims the streaming giant's website.

'As much as I love my job on TV, I miss where I started signing artists and working with bands,' Simon says in the trailer. 'There is a massive opportunity. I am going to find a new boyband.'

But the pressure is on for TV's former Mr Nasty who reveals the chance of success is 'less than 10 per cent' as he opens up about the 'chaos' of the search.

The pressure appears too much to handle for Lauren, who in one tense exchange demands for her microphone to be removed before walking out on Simon while he is sat slumped in a chair and hooked up to an IV drip administering vitamins.

'I never complain,' she says. 'I'm just there for you because that's what you do when you love somebody.'

As she leaves, Simon is heard saying: 'Oh Lauren.'

Clearly worried about his health, another private moment in the back of a car sees Lauren expressing her concerns.

'Work for Simon is not just work, it's his life,' she says before reaching across to him and adding: 'You're very tense.'

Lauren's concerns are more than justified having been by his side through a number of terrifying health battles in recent years.

In August 2020 Simon broke his back while testing an E-bike at his home in Malibu. He required a six-hour surgery to place a metal rod and screws in his spine.

Two years later he broke his arm and was hospitalised when he crashed an E-bike in London.

The music manager, who is worth an estimated 475 million, also suffers from migraines, which were believed to be behind his recent absence from Britain's Got Talent. He was briefly replaced by Stacey Solomon before returning to the panel.

It comes after Lauren broke her silence on filming a Netflix show with her partner Simon, describing it as 'terrifying' (seen together in 2022)

Simon is no stranger to scouting new talent and since 2001 has appeared as a judge on several music reality competition series including Pop Idol, American Idol, Britain's Got Talent, America's Got Talent and The X Factor.

During its 14-year run, The X Factor changed the face of the British music industry, discovering some of the biggest names including One Direction, Leona Lewis, Little Mix, JLS and Olly Murs.

But amid dwindling viewing figures and allegations of mistreatment from past contestants, ITV announced in 2021 that there were no plans for a new series.

Clearly not finished with finding the next big thing, Simon signed a huge deal with Netflix last year and has since claimed record labels are not signing enough new stars, who face too much competition online.
She's been celebrating her 35th birthday with a lavish UAE getway.

And given she's no stranger to showing off her incredible figure, it was no surprise that Maura Higgins slipped into another glamorous gown as she continued her girls getaway to Dubai.

The former Love Island star set pulses racing in a sexy white dress as she shared a stunning snap on Instagram Stories from her birthday break.

Having already documented her trip for her followers, Maura shared the social media snap as she enjoyed lunch at the Gigi Beach Club.

Posting a snap of her pasta dish, the star then showed off her Grecian-inspired dress from the Australian brand Natalie Rolt, which is priced at an eye-watering 236.

Earlier on Tuesday, Maura shared a sultry selfie showing off another birthday outfit.

Maura Higgins showed off her incredible figure in a plunging white dress as she celebrated her 35th birthday with lunch at a swanky beach club in Dubai

She put on a daring display in a burgundy sheer wrap halterneck dress, with a huge cut-out at the bodice.

The night before, Maura enjoyed a lavish dinner spread at high-end Chinese restaurant Mott 32 Dubai.

For the dinner, Maura showed off her washboard abs in a skimpy white ruffled bardot crop top and low-rise white jeans.

Her stunning display comes weeks after Maura admitted that she does in fact get Botox in a new Instagram post - after previously denying using the injectables.

She took to her socials to do a Q&A this weekend where she opened up about her beauty regime.

One fan asked her: 'Will you ever talk about skin treatments you have? You are glowing! Xx.'

She responded: 'When I first got perioral dermatitis I stop getting facials altogether, now it's just skincare and of course with the help of Botox from the best @drroshoffical.'

In the snap shared alongside her post, she looked as radiant as ever as she showed off her smooth complexion.

Having already documented her trip for her followers, Maura shared the social media snap as she enjoyed lunch at the Gigi Beach Club

Earlier on Tuesday, Maura shared a sultry selfie showing off another birthday outfit

The night before, Maura enjoyed a lavish dinner spread at high-end Chinese restaurant Mott 32 Dubai

For the dinner, Maura showed off her washboard abs in a skimpy white ruffled bardot crop top and low-rise white jeans

The Love Island star jetted off for a luxury holiday to ring in the occasion this week with her pals, model Sophia Laura and photographer Liat Benezra

It comes after Maura admitted that she does in fact get Botox in a new Instagram post - after previously denying using the injectables

The former ring girl spoke about if she'd had cosmetic work done soon after her appearance on the ITV2 reality dating show in 2021.

She said: 'I got my lips done three months after coming out of Love Island, and lip fillers last five to six months. I haven't had anything done since then; I just let it dissolve.

'But people still assume I've had my lips done, Botox. People are even saying I've had my nose done when I've not actually had any work.'

She explained at the time: 'I had braces on for a long time, and since my teeth have moved, they've actually pushed my lips out slightly.

'I feel like I don't need it. If I were to get my lips done now with my straight teeth, it just wouldn't be a good look.'
A startlingly accurate portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi rightfully earned Sir Ben Kingsley an Academy Award at the first time of asking - but winning his life-changing role as the venerated Indian leader would come at a significant cost.

The legendary actor was 38-years old when he was cast as Gandhi in director Richard Attenborough's 1982 biopic alongside Sir John Gielgud, Martin Sheen, Edward Fox and Sir John Mills.

Remarkably, it was only his second film appearance after more than a decade working on a range of mainstream TV dramas, notably legendary BBC staple Play For Today and the enduringly popular Crown Court.

But Kingsley, 81, born Krishna Pandit Bhanji to an English mother and an Indian father, admits he needed to change his birth-name in order to work in the industry after a chastening audition as a young actor.

'As soon as I changed my name, I got the jobs,' he told the latest edition of Radio Times.

'I had one audition as Krishna Bhanji and they said, "Beautiful audition but we dont quite know how to place you in our forthcoming season."

A startlingly accurate portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi rightfully earned Sir Ben Kingsley an Academy Award - but winning his life-changing role as the Indian leader would come at a cost

Kingsley born Krishna Pandit Bhanji, admits he needed to change his name in order to work in the industry after a chastening audition as a young actor

'I changed my name, crossed the road, and they said when can you start?'

Kingsley's first TV role came in 1966 sitcom Pardon The Expression, with the actor winning a series of fleeting small screen roles throughout the 1970s before landing a career-defining role in Gandhi.

And the irony in changing a name with origins entrenched in Hinduism and Islam to ultimately play one of India's greatest free thinkers isn't lost on the veteran star.

'I suppose it says more about the 1960s than anything else,' he said. 'But the irony is of course I changed my clunky invented Asian name to a more pronounceable, and acceptable, universal name in order to play Mahatma Gandhi. Theres your irony.'

Kingsley would return to his Indian heritage to play Sikh driving instructor Darwan Singh Tur in 2014 romantic drama Learning To Drive.

But he admits he no longer views himself as Krishna after decades spent living under his stage name.

'I dont think I think of myself,' he said. 'When I was on stage, I thought of myself as a landscape painter.

'Now that Im blessed with a film career, I see myself as a portrait artist, and for many, many years I have signed my portraits Ben Kingsley. Thats who I am.'

The irony in changing a name with origins entrenched in Hinduism and Islam to ultimately play one of India's greatest free thinkers isn't lost on the veteran star (pictured as Ghandi)

Kingsley with director Sir Richard Attenborough after sweeping the board at the 55th Academy Awards in 1983

Kingsley would return to his Indian heritage to play Sikh driving instructor Darwan Singh Tur in 2014 romantic drama Learning To Drive (pictured)

The actor also won accolades for his portrayal of Holocaust survivor Itzhak Stern in Steven Spielberg's 1993 drama, Schindler's List (pictured, with Liam Neeson as Oskar Schindler)

In 2000, he won a new legion of fans after signing up to play sociopathic criminal Don Logan in Jonathan Glazer's Sexy Beast (pictured)

The actor has also won accolades for his portrayal of Holocaust survivor Itzhak Stern in Steven Spielberg's harrowing 1993 drama, Schindler's List.

In 2000, he won a new legion of fans after signing up to play sociopathic criminal Don Logan in Jonathan Glazer's Sexy Beast - a role that earned him Screen Actors Guild, Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations.

Happily married to Daniela Lavender, his fourth wife, Kingsley has watched sons Edmund and Ferdinand follow him into the acting industry.

But while he is fiercely proud of their achievements, the actor admits he never asked his own parents if they were proud of him as his career took off.

'I think asking them would have been a terrible admission of their absence, so I never asked them because I didnt want to hear the answer,' he said.

'You should never have to audition for your love.'
Rapper MAF Teeski was arrested in Indiana on Monday following an alleged domestic altercation that police say unfolded in the presence of a minor, according to a criminal information in the case.

The artist, whose real name is Terrance D Banks, was taken into custody by the Fishers Police Department and charged with domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury, domestic battery committed in the presence of a child under 16, and interference with the reporting of a crime.

According to court documents obtained by The Daily Mail, officers were dispatched to a residence in the 13000 block of Gatsby Drive at approximately 6:26pm after receiving an incomplete 911 call regarding a physical dispute between Banks and his girlfriend, Dominique Munoz.

Upon arrival, police say they found Munoz and her 13-year-old son outside the home while Banks remained barricaded inside.

After repeated verbal commands from officers, Banks allegedly exited the residence with his hands raised and was placed in handcuffs around 7:05pm.

According to the affidavit for probable cause, Banks told officers that Munoz had slapped him first and that he reacted 'based on his reflexes,' adding that the pair got into what he described as a 'scuffle.'

Chicago rapper MAF Teeski was arrested in Indiana on Monday following an alleged domestic altercation that police claim unfolded in the presence of a minor

The victims juvenile son later provided a statement to police, claiming he had been playing video games upstairs when he heard his mother screaming and calling for help.

He told officers that when he opened the bedroom door, he allegedly saw Banks on top of Munoz, pinning her to the floor near the closet while striking her in the face multiple times with a closed fist, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

Police noted that Munoz appeared to have visible injuries, including multiple facial lacerations, deep bruising and open wounds around her cheekbone and nose.

Officers also observed her leaning over and struggling to breathe while filling out a written statement, leading them to believe she was in significant pain.

In her written account, Munoz alleged that Banks entered the bedroom and began arguing before assaulting her as she cried.

She stated she was able to escape by grabbing his hair and fleeing the home before calling police.

Investigators also reviewed Ring doorbell footage from a nearby residence, which officers say shows Banks striking Munoz, grabbing her phone and throwing it away while she attempted to speak with emergency dispatch, an act police believe constitutes interference with the reporting of a crime.

The incident was witnessed by the juvenile, according to the report.

The artist was reportedly taken into custody by the Fishers Police Department and charged with domestic battery involving bodily waste committed in the presence of a child under 16

According to a police report obtained by TMZ, officers were dispatched to a residence after receiving a 911 call concerning a physical dispute between Teeski and his girlfriend

When authorities arrived, they allegedly found the woman and her 13-year-old son outside the home, while Teeski was described as being barricaded inside

Banks was booked into the Hamilton County Jail and later released after posting a $10,000 cash or surety bond.

A no-contact order has been requested by the State of Indiana, prohibiting Banks from contacting Munoz or her child.

He is scheduled to return to court in January, where the case will proceed through the Hamilton Circuit/Superior Courts. As of now, Banks has not been convicted and all allegations remain under legal review.

On Tuesday, Banks shared a video of himself inside a vehicle drinking a large 7-Eleven beverage while playing FSDaBenders 2025 track Going Legit Freestyle.

While he did not directly address the allegations, he appeared to reference the situation with the use of a middle finger emoji and a police emoji.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Banks representatives for comment but has not received a response at the time of publication.

Teeski rose to prominence in 2018 with his viral breakout track Dirty Cup and later gained further recognition with his 2019 project House Arrest: The Mixtape.
Hugh Jackman has finally gone Instagram official with Sutton Foster just a month after making their red carpet debut together.

The 57-year-old Australian actor - who divorced Deborra-Lee Furness, 69, earlier this year - gushed over the 50-year-old American actress in a sweet post Wednesday morning.

Jackman shared a photo of Foster during an intimate performance at the Cafe Carlyle in New York City on Tuesday night.

The post also featured a short, but cute video of the Tony Award-winning actress waving to the X-Men actor as he recorded her.

The A-lister gushed over his new ladylove in the post as he captioned it: '@suttonlenore performing during the holidays at @cafecarlyle  now thats an iconic NYC night! And, truly magical.'

This came just a month after the new power couple walked their first red carpet as a couple following his aforementioned divorce.

Hugh Jackman has finally gone Instagram official with Sutton Foster just a month after making their red carpet debut together

The 57-year-old Australian actor - who divorced Deborra-Lee Furness, 69, earlier this year - gushed over the 50-year-old American actress in a sweet post Wednesday morning

Foster supported Jackman at the premiere of his latest film Song Song Blue during AFI Fest at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, California on October 26.

The pair looked very much in love, with their arms wrapped around one another as they posed for photographers.

Jackman suited up for the occasion in a black suit and tie, while his girlfriend wowed in a low-cut black satin dress.

She carried a black clutch and flashed a wide smile as she stood proudly beside Jackman on his big night in Hollywood.

The actor was also joined by his co-star Kate Hudson, who he made sure to pose for photos with on the red carpet.

Jackman and Foster's long-awaited red carpet debut came just days after the two stars attended Richard Marx's After Hours Confession in NYC amid the actor reportedly having peace talks with his ex-wife.

Jackman and Foster also recently enjoyed a night out at the Fetch Pet Gala in NYC on October 20 - with the actress wearing a striking strapless ensemble.

An insider told the Daily Mail at the time: 'Press and photographers were patiently waiting for Hugh and Sutton to make their big debut on the red carpet, but unfortunately, plans had changed last minute.

Jackman shared a photo of Foster during an intimate performance at the Cafe Carlyle in New York City on Tuesday night

The post also featured a short, but cute video of the Tony Award-winning actress waving to the X-Men actor as he recorded her

The A-lister gushed over his new ladylove in the post as he captioned it: '@suttonlenore performing during the holidays at @cafecarlyle  now thats an iconic NYC night! And, truly magical' (the two are seen in New York back in February 2022)

'A lot of people who were made aware of their debut as a couple were left confused by why they had changed their minds.'

The insider noted Foster arrived on the red carpet shortly after the start of cocktail hour and appeared to be 'glowing and in good spirits,' but arrived solo.

'You can tell she was a bit overwhelmed by all the photographers that it might have been the reason why she did not do any interviews and did not bring Hugh to the carpet,' the insider added.

'Hugh had snuck inside following the cocktail hour and was seated next to Sutton during the dinner portion of the evening. He was there to support her.'

The Fetch Pet Gala took place inside the exclusive Carlyle hotel. The Younger star was one of the Broadway luminaries that performed in addition to Bernadette Peters and Leslie Odom Jr.

This comes after Radar Online claimed Jackman and Furness, whose shock separation in September 2023 stunned Hollywood, have improved their relationship since their split.

Furness stunned fans earlier this year when she described the breakdown of her nearly 30-year marriage as a 'traumatic betrayal' that 'cut deep.'

It was a rare candid statement for the Australian actress who  like her ex-husband  had remained publicly dignified since their split in 2023.

This came just a month after the new power couple walked their first red carpet as a couple following his aforementioned divorce

Foster supported Jackman att the premiere of his latest film Song Song Blue during AFI Fest at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, California

The pair looked very much in love, with their arms wrapped around one another as they posed for photographers

The actor was also joined by his co-star Kate Hudson, who he made sure to pose for photos with on the red carpet

Fresh reports suggest The Greatest Showman star has been attempting to repair his friendship with his ex-wife.

'Hugh has been trying to make peace with Debs for a long while now, but as you can imagine, it has taken her time to feel ready,' an insider recently told Radar Online.

'Settling all the legal stuff seems to have helped because she's finally coming around - they've gotten together a couple of times in New York recently to talk things out.

'By all accounts things have improved dramatically, which is fantastic for everyone, most of all their kids.'

They added that now that the divorce had been finalized, the former couple are both open to maintaining an amicable friendship.

'It's been two years now since they officially separated. It really is time to let the hatred and anger go,' they said.

In June, the pair finalized their divorce a month after filing, the Daily Mail exclusively revealed.

'You can tell she was a bit overwhelmed by all the photographers that it might have been the reason why she did not do any interviews and did not bring Hugh to the carpet,' the insider added; Jackman and Foster seen earlier this month in NYC

Furness stunned fans earlier this year when she described the breakdown of her nearly 30-year marriage as a 'traumatic betrayal' that 'cut deep; Furness and Jackman seen in 2015

A judgment of divorce was filed on June 12, making it official. The document, however, wasn't made public until June 23.

The divorce had effectively been settled some time ago, but the judge's final sign-off was required to make it official.

Furness, who shares two adopted children with the Wolverine actor, will receive a payout, according to an insider who previously spoke to the Daily Mail.

'A settlement was reached that Deborra is pleased with, which includes a handsome spousal support payment,' they revealed.

'There was some back and forth regarding this financial agreement but, in the end, she got what she believed she deserved. Both are coming out of this financially secure.

'There is not going to be any drama with this - it gives closure that she needed.'

In May, the Daily Mail exclusively broke the news of them filing for divorce to officially terminate their 27-year marriage.

Furness filed the complaint in New York on May 23 and, per the filings, everything has been ironed out behind the scenes.

The divorce is 'non contested,' meaning there was not a major disagreement between the couple divorcing.

Jackman has been dating his former The Music Man co-star Sutton Foster for months, although the timeline of when they began dating has never been confirmed

Furness, who shares two adopted children with the Wolverine actor, will receive a payout, according to an insider who previously spoke to the Daily Mail; the former couple seen in 2018 in NYC

'They have worked out the details in advance and everything is ironed out in terms of a settlement, alimony and the expenses for the future of their children,' another source told the Daily Mail.

'They are amicable and they are both fully committed to being the best parents that they can be.'

Jackman has been dating his former The Music Man co-star Sutton Foster for months, although the timeline of when they began dating has never been confirmed.

The pair are said to be ignoring any negative talk about their romance, which some fans believed started as an affair while he was still married, and are 'looking to move forward' with their relationship.
Tara Reid has filed a police report after claiming she was drugged inside a Chicago hotel bar - a terrifying ordeal captured in horrific footage showing the star slumped over in a wheelchair before being rushed to the hospital.

The Rosemont Public Safety Department announced Tuesday that the actress officially filed the report, with Reid making it clear shes willing to prosecute anyone allegedly involved.

A representative for Reid told the Daily Mail: 'Tara Reid has filed a police report after an incident in which she believes her drink was tampered with.

'She is cooperating fully with the investigation. Tara is recovering and asks for privacy during this traumatic time.

'She also urges everyone to be careful, watch your drinks and never leave them unattended, as this can happen to anyone. She will not be making further comments at this stage.'

The move comes just days after the star claimed she was drugged and left unconscious in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Tara Reid has filed a police report after claiming she was drugged inside a Chicago hotel bar - a terrifying ordeal captured in horrific footage showing the star slumped over in a wheelchair before being rushed to the hospital (pictured November 12, 2025)

Alarming video shows the American Pie actress, 50, slumped over as shes placed into a wheelchair before being taken away on a stretcher to a nearby hospital

Alarming video shows the American Pie actress, 50, slumped over as shes placed into a wheelchair before being taken away on a stretcher to a nearby hospital.

She can be seen speaking incoherently to the people helping her, at one point slipping off the wheelchair as security tries to maneuver her through a hotel lobby.

Reid is eventually helped back into the chair before paramedics load her onto a stretcher and take her away.

Reid claimed she checked into the hotel on late Saturday and went to the bar downstairs for a drink, per TMZ.

She ordered a beverage and then went outside to smoke a cigarette.

As she walked through the lobby, she claims she crossed paths with a number of YouTubers, and one of them joined her outside for the smoke.

A napkin was covering Reid's drink when she returned to the bar, she claimed - however she says she never placed the napkin atop her beverage.

Reid then says she took the napkin off the cup and proceeded to consume the beverage.

A representative for Reid told the Daily Mail: 'Tara Reid has filed a police report after an incident in which she believes her drink was tampered with' (pictured March)

But then, the outlet writes, 'the next thing she remembers, she was in the hospital'.

Reid has struggled with substance abuse in the past however she insisted to TMZ she only had one drink on Sunday night.

The person who recorded the video told TMZ that prior to the arrival of paramedics, Reid was screaming, 'You don't know who I am. I am famous. I'm an actress.'

Speaking with TMZ on Monday, Reid detailed the alleged incident and revealed she had not yet filed a police report nor was fully aware of what measures were done at the hospital to confirm she had been drugged.

'So I got to the hotel, I checked in, and then I went downstairs to have a drink and have a cigarette, and I got my drink and I left it at the bar, and I went outside, smoked a cigarette, and there was a bunch of YouTubers there in the lobby, like everywhere. And they're videotaping stuff and, you know, everything. It was just weird,' she said.

'And I went back to the bar, and my drink was covered up with a napkin. And I thought, "that was weird," cause I never put that over my drink. And then I drank my drink and without even finishing my drink, I just passed out. And before I knew it, I was in the hospital, eight hours later.'

When asked if any tests were done to determine the drugs or if a blood alcohol test was conducted, she said, 'No, they just said that, "You were drugged." That's what they said. They said, "you got drugged last night at the bar."'

When asked if anything was tested to determine what drug it was, she said, 'No, I didn't ask. It was all kind of vague. It was all like very blurry, do you know what I mean?... I can't even explain it because I don't even know what happened.'

Reid detailed the alleged incident and revealed she had not yet filed a police report nor was fully aware of what measures were done at the hospital to confirm she had been drugged

'The odd thing, to me is, that if you're going to the hospital in an unconscious state, it would seem they'd want to know what drug it was to know how to deal with it and treat you,' Harvey Levin said.

'I don't know,' Reid said. 'Cause I was unconscious, so I don't know what they did, you know what I mean?

'I mean, I had someone, a lady sitting next to the room with me, you know, watching over me. At one point, she was Mexican, I mean one point I thought I was in Mexico, 'cause she wasn't speaking English. And I was like, "what is going...", I was so confused what was happening. And then my agent came and picked me up and then we went to a signing, we did it and left. I came back home.

'It was just a big blur,' she continued.

'Have you filed a police report? Do you intend to? Are you going to try to... I mean, there's certainly probably surveillance videos, I would imagine in this hotel lobby that might reveal what happened,' Charles Latibeaudiere asked.

'Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely,' Reid said. 'I mean, this just happened. I just got back last night, so I mean this is all just happening right now. It's really scary, you guys, I mean the whole thing is really scary.

'I'm just glad that I was in a public place, you know what I mean? Like, and there was security there to help me, cause I mean, if this happened at... not a public place, I mean you could get raped,' she said, stuttering the word 'public' several times. 'You could get... a lot of things could go really, really, really wrong.'

Levin said his antennae popped up when Reid had mentioned having a single drink due to her previous struggles with substance abuse and asked if she saw herself as someone who is now able to regulate their drinking.

'Oh yeah, absolutely. I mean, I only had a drink of wine. I don't drink hard liquor or anything like that at all. I just had a glass of wine and a cigarette and that was it... didn't expect that to happen at all!'

In 2008 Reid sought help for substance abuse at Promise's rehab in Malibu.

'Rehab saved my life,' she told In Touch in 2009. 'Before I used to think about tomorrow and I hated it. Now I can't wait because I am clean and sober and I am excited.'

The latest incident comes shortly after Daily Mail learned that Reid split from her boyfriend of six years, 43-year-old music producer Nathan Montpetit-Howar.

The former American Pie cast member broke it off after she felt the romance had 'run its course' and become 'bad for her'.

Reid has also recently split from music producer Nathan Montpetit-Howar; pictured October 2024

She attended the launch of ARTISA in Los Angeles earlier this month, with a friend telling the Daily Mail: 'She looked single and ready to mingle.'

'Tara is not crying into her pillow at home. She is in a good place,' the friend said.

The source added, 'Ive not seen her this happy in years and it really shows in her smile, the way she carries herself, her energy, everything about her is just lighter and brighter!

'Im so proud of her shes getting Best Actress Awards left and right, shes producing her own movies, shes embracing her new energy as a woman who really knows what she wants. Shes making great decisions including becoming single and embracing it.'

It was added that the romance had not been the best in recent months.

'I think a lot of times women get trapped in bad relationships and they just let it drag them down endlessly, that definitely happened to her but she was strong enough and loved herself enough to say Not Anymore!' added the pal.

Reid played Vicky Lathum in the legendary teen film American Pie

'She walked away because she knows she deserves better.'

Reid rose to fame in the late nineties, particularly for her role as Vicky Lathum in the American Pie film series.

She is also known for roles in films like The Big Lebowski, Josie & The Pussycats and the Sharknado movies.

Tara has spoken about having cosmetic surgery in the past. Back in 2004, she had a joint liposuction-breast enhancement operation which went wrong.

She previously said of the procedure: 'I got lipo because even though I was skinny, I wanted - Im not going to lie  a six-pack.

'I had body contouring, but it all went wrong. My stomach became the most ripply, bulgy thing.'

Due to her naturally thin frame, she has previously faced eating disorders rumours.

'I have no anorexia and never have,' she told the Los Angeles Inquisitor in a past interview.

She is also known for roles in films like The Big Lebowski, Josie & The Pussycats and the Sharknado movies; pictured 2013 in Sharknado

'And I definitely don't have any bulimia. I'm terrified of throwing up, so that's not gonna happen. And I love food too much.'

The star also described speculation about her weight as a form of bullying, saying: 'So anyone that says I'm anorexic or bulimic, they're wrong. So stop it.

'Leave me alone. Pick on me again on something else, but not on those two things. It's not right.'

Along with her film roles, Tara has also done reality TV. She appeared on Celebrity Big Brother UK in 2011 where she became good friends with former X Factor stars Jedward.

In 2023, she appeared on Special Forces: World's Toughest Test, a quasi-military training series alongside the likes of Blac Chyna, Brian Austin Green and Jack Osbourne.
Rachel Zoe has exposed the relationship issues that prompted her to dump her husband Rodger Berman after 26 years of marriage and 33 together.

They announced their split last September and she filed for divorce this July, giving the date of separation as June 27, 2024 in documents obtained by the Daily Mail.

The former couple share two sons, Skyler, 14, and Kaius, 11, and when Zoe went public with their breakup last year she issued a statement saying: 'Our number one priority has been and will always be our children.'

Now she has doubled down, saying she left her husband for the sake of their sons on the grounds that 'having two parents that love them is more important than having two parents together that maybe shouldn't be together anymore.'

Zoe, 54, added that she '100%' should have 'left sooner' - and divulged that she is 'absolutely dating' again, describing her new stage of life as 'incredibly fun.'

She revealed: 'To be honest, that wasn't hard for me to get into. It really wasn't. I think this era for me is just freedom,' via People magazine.

Rachel Zoe has exposed the relationship issues that prompted her to dump her husband Rodger Berman after 26 years of marriage and 33 together

They announced their split last September and she filed for divorce this July, giving the date of separation as June 27, 2024 in documents obtained by the Daily Mail; pictured 2023

'Anyone who comes into my life or our lives is only going to be someone that adds value in terms of making me laugh, making me smile and really just making sense. It'll have to feel organic and natural to who I am now.'

She noted that by the time she and Berman split she 'was done. I was really done. I don't suffer from guilt of not having given it everything I could have.'

Nor does she 'suffer from feeling like it was a failed marriage,' she said. 'Having been married for 26 years, I would say that three-quarters of that was amazing.'

While they were a couple, the pair frequently worked together and Berman was prominently featured on his wife's Bravo reality show The Rachel Zoe Project.

In addition to appearing with her on TV, Berman, a former investment banker, is a co-founder and fellow CEO of his estranged wife's company Rachel Zoe, Inc.

Now Zoe has shared that by the closing phase of her marriage, she had begun to 'question decisions' and come to the conclusion she and Berman were no longer aligned with regard to 'what certain outcomes should be.'

She felt as a result that 'this may not be the most advantageous situation for our children. For me for the last 14 years, literally every breath I take is for my kids.'

The pioneering celebrity stylist maintained that with 'every decision I make, every lens that I look through is through a lens of my children, of what are they going to think? What are they going to say? How will this affect them? I have never felt that people should live together and stay together unhappy.'

The former couple share two sons, Skyler, 14, and Kaius, 11, with whom they are pictured in Beverly Hills in March 2024, three months before their listed date of separation

The exes got together as college sweethearts in the early 1990s, when they were both students at George Washington University

Zoe reflected: 'I think if you ask any woman who has left a situation, they would probably say that they probably should have done it sooner. But it is what it is.'

This January, four months after Zoe revealed they had gone their separate ways, Berman was glimpsed in Los Angeles with an arm wrapped around a mystery blonde who was later revealed to be another stylist called Bree Jacoby.

When asked about the possibility that Jacoby's relationship with Berman had overlapped with her own, Zoe answered with circumspection: 'I don't know that I can answer that really. Listen, the timeline's the timeline.'

She iterated that 'everything I answer is through a lens of what my children will see and hear. It is what it is. Whether or not they're together now, I don't really know. Life is wild, and I can say it takes a whole lot to really shock me.'

Zoe's own rapport with Berman 'depends on the day' as she requires 'time' and 'space' and hopes to 'protect my peace and happiness. I can say that it's been certainly the most freeing, transformative time in my life.'

She acknowledged there are 'brutal days. Don't get me wrong. There's hard days. But those days are usually because I'm very overwhelmed. I mom so hard, and I work so hard, and there's always been a lack of self-care and me time.'

In the wake of her split, Zoe joined The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and will be a main cast member on season 15, which premieres next Thursday.

An insider alleged earlier this year that Zoe's decision to join The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills was partly motivated by the end of her marriage.

Zoe, 54, added that she '100%' should have 'left sooner' - and divulged that she is 'absolutely dating' again, describing her new stage of life as 'incredibly fun'; pictured this month

'The money has been tighter for them for a while. It's complicated because essentially, their entire lives are intertwined,' the source claimed to The US Sun.

'He runs all her businesses so there is no separation of work and home life. And there is no separation of his work and hers,' the insider added.

'They built this together, which is a big reason she joined RHOBH. She wanted to venture out and do something that didn't involve him. This will be her first big job post-divorce that does not involve him, it will be hers.'

Zoe meanwhile has now shared that she will be discussing her divorce in greater detail on the show in order 'to help as many women as possible.'

She estimated that 'at least 30% of the women in my life are going through a separation or a divorce' and said she is often asked: 'Why am I so okay coming out of a relationship that really transcended my entire adult life?

Her answer is that she has remained 'independent - financially, professionally and socially. I think that there isn't enough emphasis put on the importance of that.'

The exes got together as college sweethearts in the early 1990s, when they were both students at George Washington University.

'She was 19, and I was 22. She was a restaurant hostess, and I was working as a waiter in Washington, D.C., where we both attended college,' Rodger recalled in an interview with Harper's Bazaar in 2011.

Zoe has joined The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and will be a main cast member on season 15, which premieres next Thursday; pictured at BravoCon this month

'I vividly remember the first time I saw her  wearing a tight black mini dress, high-heeled pumps, stick-straight hair, and big red lips covered in M.A.C. Chili lipstick.'

They tied the knot on Valentine's Day 1998 and he was by her side as she rose to become one of the most sought-after stylists in Hollywood.

By the 2000s, she boasted a client list of top-flight names like Britney Spears, Keira Knightley, Lindsay Lohan, Kate Beckinsale, Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway, Demi Moore, the Backstreet Boys, Cameron Diaz, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie.

In 2006, as her star rose, she raved about her husband: 'I'm telling you, I am nothing without him. He keeps me sane,' per the Guardian.

Her notoriety grew to the point that she landed a hit realty show about her career, The Rachel Zoe Project, which aired on Bravo from 2008 to 2013.

Over a decade ago, Zoe was asked to name the most difficult aspect of working with her husband and replied that Berman 'talks over everybody and talks too much so then you have to figure out the polite and political way in a meeting to tell him to stop talking and let other people speak,' via Fortune.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alumna Brandi Glanville said she is 'feeling so much better' and embarking on a 'fresh start' after her facial disfigurement.

Glanville has insisted her features were deformed by 'parasites' she caught in Morocco in 2023 filming The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Ex-Wives Club 2.

She spent over $130,000 to try to fix the issue, at one point even trying to cure herself with hair removal cream and burning her face in the process.

However this summer she revealed she had consulted infectious disease immunology physician Michael R. Scoma in New York City and possibly found a solution.

Although she did not disclose the diagnosis he gave her, she proudly posted photos herself in his office with her face in dramatically better condition.

Now Glanville, 53, is feeling positive, saying: 'Its been a slow process, but Im finally getting back to my normal routine and feeling like myself again,' via Us Weekly.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alumna Brandi Glanville said she is 'feeling so much better' and embarking on a 'fresh start' after her facial disfigurement

She has moved house, a development that 'feels like a fresh start' in the sense that her 'new space has really helped me reset and focus on creating a calmer, more positive environment for myself,' she explained.

Glanville treasures the 'peace' she now has, and is 'enjoying keeping things simple, spending more time at home, and really taking care of myself.'

With her fresh new face, she will be proudly attending a public meet-and-greet for the tanning salon goGLOW Sherman Oaks on Friday of next week.

Her current upbeat disposition comes at the end of a crisis that took such a toll on her health and finances she at one stage 'didn't want to be here' any longer.

However she was able to achieve her stunning turnaround this summer after visiting Dr. Scoma, who contacted her when he read her distraught tweets about her situation.

In the middle of August, she triumphantly posted an Instagram photo of herself showing off her restored features in Dr. Scoma's office as he stood nearby.

'They say Twitter is the devil but all it took was me screaming in my tweets asking for help for this lovely man to reach out,' she wrote in the caption.

She had revealed in late July that she was availing herself of Dr. Scoma's services, explaining that she was 'finally getting answers,' expressing her gratitude for her physician's help and saying she was excited to 'make out with a hot boy or girl.'

However this summer she revealed she had gone to infectious disease immunology physician Michael R. Scoma in New York City, and in August she debuted her new face online (pictured)

She spent over $130,000 to try to fix the issue, at one point even trying to cure herself with hair removal cream and burning her face in the process

Her current upbeat disposition comes at the end of a crisis that took such a toll on her health and finances she at one stage 'didn't want to be here' any longer; pictured April 2024

Before she met the doctor who finally led her to whatever her solution was, her health downturn resulted in a mad scramble to see how she could fix her face.

Glanville at one point consulted Botched host Dr. Terry Dubrow - the husband of Real Housewives of Orange County star Heather Dubrow - who disagreed with her theory that her deformity was the result of 'parasites.'

However he shared he was 'concerned' she could be the victim of either an 'infectious process' or a 'foreign-body reaction to something she's had injected.'

In the course of trying to restore her face to normality, she hemorrhaged $130,000, visited more than 20 doctors and plunged into medical debt.

'My insurance was like, "Nothings wrong with you. Its just inflammation and old filler,"' she said in August, adding that the doctors also did not 'believe' her about the 'crazy lumps' that had been afflicting her face.

'Im paying the minimum on my credit cards. Ive exhausted my savings,' said Glanville, who shares her sons Mason, 22, and Jake, 18, with her ex-husband Eddie Cibrian, who infamously left her for his current wife LeAnn Rimes.

'At my age, I feel like such a loser in a way, because I was taking care of everything. I was together. I had great credit. Now Im scared about every little thing.'

In order to try and contest some of the charges her insurance refused to pick up, she enlisted the services of healthcare strategist Rachel Strauss, who calls herself the PBM Princess, with the acronym standing for Pharmacy Benefit Managers.
A household name in tech is the latest to announce a wave of layoffs.

On Tuesday, Hewlett-Packard  the 86-year-old California tech giant better known as HP  said it plans to let go of between 4,000 and 6,000 employees worldwide.

That is roughly 10 percent of its workforce, with notices rolling out through 2028.

It's the latest example of a legacy company embracing automation as AI supercomputers start reshaping the job market.

HP, valued at more than $53 billion, is baked into Americans' daily routines, thanks to its popular laptops, printers, and ink cartridges.

At its peak, the company employed more than 350,000 people.

But 2025 has been choppy. Investors are bullish on its chip-making ambitions but far less enthused about its aging consumer hardware.

The result is a stock chart with whiplash. Shares are down nearly 15 percent since January, but still up almost 83 percent since May.

HP said it expects to slash between 4,000 and 6,000 employees from its staff by 2028

HP says the layoffs will save $1 billion over three years and will hit internal operations, product development, and customer service teams the hardest.

During Tuesday's earnings call, CEO Enrique Lores argued that slimming down the workforce will make the company more competitive.

'As we look ahead, we see a significant opportunity to embed AI into HP to accelerate product innovation, improve customer satisfaction, and boost productivity,' he said on the call.

The announcement landed on the same night HP cleared Wall Street's expectations, pulling in $14.6 billion in revenue instead of the $14.5 billion analysts predicted.

Personal computer sales jumped 8 percent, while printers slipped 4 percent.

Investors reacted in real time, sending HP's stock down 6 percent after Tuesday's closing bell. It bounced back more than 2 percent into the green on Wednesday morning, but was back down over 1 percent by the afternoon.

The combination of billion-dollar beats and mass layoffs mirrors a tech sector trend in 2025  executives are touting AI as both the engine of new profits and the rationale for cutting thousands of jobs.

Amazon has been the most vocal, with its head of HR directly pointing her finger at AI as the company slashed 14,000 positions directly after a banner quarter.

HP has had a wild ride in 2025 - investors have praised the company's high-powered computer tech amid a boost in AI and data center spending. But the company's consumer products, like computers and printers, have ceded popularity to competitors like Apple

CEO Enrique Lores said he sees 'significant opportunity to embed AI into HP'

The 86-year-old company recently moved part of its operations to Texas, including a new campus just north of Houston

'Some may ask why we're reducing roles when the company is performing well,' Beth Galetti, an HR lead at Amazon, wrote in a public note.

'What we need to remember is that the world is changing quickly. This generation of AI is the most transformative technology we've seen since the internet, and it's enabling companies to innovate much faster than ever before.'

The tech giant is not alone.

Apple cut workers on Monday, UPS has cut 34,000 this year, Target slashed 1,800 corporate workers from its headcount in October, and Starbucks axed 900 in late September.

Other behemoths, like Microsoft, Intel, Verizon, AT&T, General Motors, and Dell, have also slashed staff amid plans to roll out more AI technology.

HP didn't immediately respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment.
For nearly three decades, the worlds manufacturing heart throbbed in China. The Pearl River Delta became the planets assembly line, and Shenzhen the workshop. They, along with other sites in China, shaped everything from phones to toys. It could not go on forever. History tells us that global supply chains are products of geopolitical moments, which shift like sand, maybe over decades or centuries. Post-Covid, across boardrooms and nations, a new phrase took shape: China + 1. It describes a strategy to develop alternative supply chains to mitigate risks, diversify production, and protect growth.

Firms across sectors chased new geographies to replicate China-like operations. Over the past few years, there has been a slow but decisive redrawing of the global industrial map. India, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico, and parts of Eastern Europe emerged as the preferred destinations to compete with China. However, the shift does not imply the rejection of China but a recalibration. What many forget is that China has done the same. It too has pursued a China + 1 strategy, albeit with Chinese characteristics.

Look at BYD, Chinas largest electric vehicle maker. It ventured out to set up manufacturing bases overseas to cater to the western China + 1 vision. It began production at a plant in Rayong, Thailand, in 2024. This was its first full-scale passenger vehicle factory outside China. Later that year, BYD exported Thai-made models like the Dolphin to Europe. It aims to double overseas sales to 8,00,000 vehicles. For a firm that once relied almost entirely on Chinese clusters, overseas expansion has become a necessity.

The Chinese battery giant, CATL, invested euro 7.3 billion in Hungary. The facility will be one of Europes largest battery plants. The companys overseas revenue share has risen steadily. In January 2025, it crossed 30 per cent. CATL serves European automakers from non-China plants. The strategic logic is clear. Building battery plants outside China allows the company to access markets where Chinese-origin supply chains face intense economic, business, and political scrutiny. As the world pursues China + 1 strategy, the Chinese offer viable options through their non-China-located factories.

This shift is being felt with the smartphone makers such as Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo. For nearly a decade, Xiaomi relied on large-scale hubs in Guangdong and Jiangsu. But by 2020, it shifted a part of its production of smartphones, smart TVs, and IoT devices to India, Vietnam, and Indonesia. In India, Xiaomi works through partners like Dixon Technologies and Bharat FIH. Counterpoint Research notes that Xiaomi produces more than 95 per cent of its India-sold smartphones within India, a shift accelerated after New Delhis 2020 rules and disruptions during the pandemic.

In Vietnam, Xiaomi set up a new assembly plant; local regulatory filings confirmed an investment of $80 million. Indonesia is another beneficiary. The company restarted local manufacturing in 2021 after a brief pause, and uses the region to supply select Android models for the domestic and ASEAN markets. The overseas moves do not reduce Xiaomis reliance on Chinese R&D. Rather, they create a distributed manufacturing system, a reverse China + 1, which protects it from geopolitical risks, tariff exposures, and supply bottlenecks.

OPPO and Vivo, both owned by BBK Electronics, diversified their footprints before others realised the same. In India, OPPO invested $280 million into its Greater Noida facility. In 2023, it chalked out expansion plans to take the capacity to 100 million units a year. Vivo announced a $1 billion India-specific investment plan over several phases starting 2020. Both firms follow a similar path in Indonesia. Vietnam has emerged as a regional hub. While BBK has not disclosed the exact numbers, Vietnamese import data shows steady inbound component flows for OPPO, and Vivo-branded devices, supporting partial assembly for ASEAN distribution.

Lenovo, which is headquartered in Beijing, is another example, as it has an operational presence in the US, and Europe. It is one of the most agile Chinese tech firms. Its PC and server footprint spans Mexico, Brazil, Hungary, India, and Japan, a network that allows it to move workloads flexibly depending on market conditions. For instance, the facility in Mexico supports North America. The Hungary plant is one of the largest server centres in Europe. It assembles hardware close to the European clients, who prefer local supply chains following the war in Ukraine and energy disruptions.

In India, Lenovo manufactures laptops, desktops, and tablets through partnerships with Wingtech and Dixon. IDC noted in 2023 that Lenovos India-made PC shipments grew significantly after India tightened import restrictions on finished devices. The firms diversified production bases serve different regulatory zones without excessive dependence on Chinese export corridors. It positions the firm favourably in state-driven procurement markets in India, Europe, and the US, where Chinese-made devices face scrutiny.

Combined with the West-induced China + 1, and China-driven China + 1, the world is moving toward a triangular supply chain. China continues to dominate materials, components, and scale-driven manufacturing. India, and others are emerging as the assembly, testing, and export hubs. The US and parts of Europe remain the centres for design, R&D, intellectual property, and high-end production such as advanced semiconductors. A triangle gives firms flexibility. Labour-intensive processes may shift to India or Vietnam. Material processing may remain in China. High-value silicon or precision engineering may move towards the West.

This structure spreads risk geographically. It reshapes trade flows. The Asia-to-US export corridor may no longer be dominated by China but by multi-country supply chains that begin in China, pass through India and Vietnam, and end in the western markets. Companies will build supply chains that allow them to operate regardless of geopolitics shifts. It is a strategy reminiscent of non-alignment where nations refuse to choose sides. It is not driven by ideology but by corporate survival. Firms design production networks that remain functional, and profitable across multiple political outcomes.

The implications for India are extensive. In a 2023 study, Morgan Stanley noted that Indias manufacturing share of GDP may rise to 20 per cent by 2030 if China + 1 shift accelerates. Indias strategic relevance grows when global firms embed critical parts of supply chains in the country. It strengthens Indias bargaining power in geopolitical negotiations. It makes India a focal point for global debates on environment, energy, and sustainability due to a plethora of data centres, EV plants, and battery factories. The era of single country dominance in manufacturing is over. The new reality is a more distributed, resilient, and politically aware global system.
A top official of the Royal Moroccan Navy held a bilateral meeting with Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi to explore avenues for enhancing naval engagement, structured training exchanges and collaboration in maritime domain awareness, officials said on Tuesday.
The 19th edition of the India-Nepal bilateral military exercise, Suryakiran, began in Uttarakhands Pithoragarh on Tuesday with an aim to strengthen battalion-level synergy in jungle warfare, counter-terrorism operations in mountainous terrain, and integrated ground-aviation operations, the defence ministry said.

The Indian contingent, consisting of 334 personnel, is being represented mainly by troops from the Assam Regiment, while the Nepal side is being represented by 334 troops from the Devi Datta Regiment. The aim of the exercise, which will conclude on December 8, is to jointly rehearse the conduct of sub-conventional operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate, the defence ministry said in a statement.

The scope of the exercise is to strengthen battalion-level synergy in jungle warfare, counter-terrorism operations in mountainous terrain, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), medical response, environmental conservation and integrated ground-aviation operations, it said.

This edition of the exercise will focus on incorporating niche and emerging technologies, including Unmanned Aerial Systems, drone-based ISR, AI-enabled decision support tools, unmanned logistic vehicles and armoured protection platforms, enabling both the armies to refine and adapt tactics, techniques and procedures for operating in a counter-terrorism environment aligned to prevailing global dynamics.

Collective efforts will focus on achieving an enhanced level of interoperability among the troops and reducing the risk of life and property loss while keeping the interests and agenda of the UN at the forefront during peacekeeping operations, the ministry said.

Both sides will exchange views and practices of joint drills on a wide spectrum of combat skills.

Sharing of best practices will further enhance the level of defence cooperation between the two armies. The exercise will also foster strong bilateral relations between the two neighbouring nations, the statement said.
Hospital officials in Gaza said on Wednesday that Israel handed over 15 more Palestinian bodies, completing the latest swap of the ceasefire as the first phase of the agreement nears a conclusion and officials convened to discuss moving to the second.

It came a day after Palestinian militants returned the remains of Israeli hostage Dror Or, who the Israeli military says was killed by the militants in their October 7, 2023 attack. Israel has agreed to return 15 Palestinian bodies for each hostage returned.

With the latest swap, Israel has sent back to Gaza a total of 345 Palestinian bodies since the exchanges started last month, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Two hostages  one Israeli and one Thai national  remain in Gaza.

Hamas said Wednesday it was determined to uphold its side of the agreement and return them both. Turkish, Qatari and Egyptian officials met Wednesday in Cairo to discuss the second phase of the ceasefire, which began in October and has held despite accusations by both sides of violations.

The next phases of the agreement include deploying an international stabilisation force and developing an international body to govern Gaza and oversee reconstruction. An armed international stabilisation force will be tasked with keeping security and ensuring the disarmament of Hamas, a key demand of Israel. Indonesian officials have said they plan to deploy 20,000 peacekeepers to the force. Major questions hang over nearly every part of the plan and the timeframe for implementation.

In the meantime, nearly all Palestinians remain displaced and dependent on humanitarian aid, Hamas retains significant control over nearly half of Gaza and the rebuilding of the territory has barely begun. Gazas Health Ministry said only 99 bodies out of the 345 Israel has returned have been identified. They say identifying the remains is complicated by a lack of DNA testing kits in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israel mourned the latest hostage to be returned by the Palestinian militants, Dror Or. Israels military said Or and his wife, Yonat Or, were killed by militants who overran their community of Kibbutz Beeri on October 7, 2023. Before they were killed by the militants, the couple evacuated two of their children from their burning house through the window, said the Hostages Families Forum. The decision ultimately saved the childrens lives  Alma and Noam were abducted by the militants and released in a hostage deal in November 2023.

The Forum remembered Or as a devoted father and talented cheesemaker who spent years working at the Beeri dairy, eventually managing it. The group said Or was also a chef and yoga teacher. In total, Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people across southern Israel and abducted 251 to Gaza in their October 7, 2023 attack that kickstarted the war in Gaza. With the return of Ors remains, almost all of the hostages or their remains are out of Gaza.

Hazem Qassem, the spokesperson for Hamas, said Wednesday that the militant group was committed to handing over the remaining two hostages and wrapping up the exchange. Writing on his Telegram channel, he called for mediators to pressure Israel to stop its violations of the ceasefire.

A Palestinian man was killed when Israeli troops opened fire Wednesday on a group of people in central Gaza, a hospital said. At least two others were wounded in the attack that took place east of the Maghazi refugee camp, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital which received the casualties.

They were the latest casualties among Palestinians since a ceasefire deal brought the war to a halt in Gaza last month. Israels military did not immediately respond to request for comment on the report. Also Wednesday, the military said its troops struck a group of six militants in the southern city of Rafah, killing one. The military statement said that the militants had most likely emerged from the underground terror infrastructure in the area.

Since the ceasefire took effect on October 11, the Gaza Health Ministry said, 345 Palestinians were killed and 889 were wounded in the strip as of Tuesday. It said at least 69,775 Palestinians have been killed and 1,70,863 injured in Israels offensive in Gaza. It does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures, but has said women and children make up a majority of those killed.

The ministry is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by independent experts. Turkeys intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin met in Cairo on Tuesday with Qatars Prime Minister and Foreign

Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egypts intelligence chief Hasan Reshat to discuss advancing to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, a Turkish security official said.

The talks also centred on intensifying joint efforts with the United States to strengthen the truce, according to the official who requested anonymity in line with Turkish regulations.

The three also agreed to deepen cooperation with the Civil-Military Coordination Centre(CMCC) to remove obstacles and prevent violations, ensuring the ceasefire is upheld without interruption, the official added.

Indonesia prepares troops for Gaza stabilization force Indonesia, the worlds largest Muslim-majority nation with a long experience in UN peacekeeping missions, is among the countries the US has discussed the ISF plan with, in addition to Azerbaijan, Egypt and Qatar.

We are now in the selection phase for the peacekeeping force, Gen Agus Subianto, Chief of the Indonesian Armed Forces or TNI, told reporters Tuesday after a hearing with lawmakers in the capital, Jakarta. Later, its planned that the mission will be led by a three-star general.

He said the contingent will form a composite brigade consisting of health, engineering and mechanised support battalions. TNI is also preparing supporting assets for the mission in Gaza, including three hospital warships, the C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft and a helicopter.

Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin added that the final deployment awaits an official order from President Prabowo Subianto but troops are already undergoing mission-specific training. Prabowo has repeatedly declared that his country was ready to deploy 20,000 peacekeepers to Gaza at any time.

The UN reported that Indonesia had been the fifth-largest uniformed personnel contributor, deploying 2,731 individuals on peacekeeping operations as of September. Red Cross convoy carrying the remains deceased hostage handed over by Gaza militants.
Pakistan and Bahrain on Wednesday agreed to further bolster cooperation in economic, defence and cultural fields, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held talks with the Gulf country's King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa in Manama. Shehbaz, who arrived in Bahrain on a two-day visit, held delegation-level talks with King Hamad at Al Qudaibiya Palace in Manama, state-run Radio Pakistan reported. The Prime Minister highlighted Pakistan's desire to expand trade and investment. He said that bilateral trade is poised to grow with the Pakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement, which is currently in the last stages of finalisation, it reported.

He invited Bahraini investors to explore opportunities through the Special Investment Facilitation Council, especially in food security, IT, construction, mining, tourism, and healthcare. "Both leaders reaffirmed the importance of the longstanding defence partnership and agreed to continue strengthening cooperation in training, logistics, manpower, and defence production," Radio Pakistan said. Both leaders also discussed the recent developments in Gaza, and agreed that the establishment of peace and stability was long overdue for the people of Gaza. King Hamad also conferred upon Shehbaz the Order of Bahrain (first class), which is the highest award given by Bahrain to Heads of States and Governments.
For two hours every day, Lee Si-young and her colleagues broadcast uncensored foreign news into authoritarian North Korea. Her radio audience could go to jail if caught listening.

Lees Seoul-based Free North Korea Radio station has tried for two decades to give real-time news to North Koreas 26 million people. But Lee says she now feels a sense of crisis about her work as big government-funded broadcasters in the United States and South Korea have fallen silent this year because of major funding cuts and policy changes.

Our frustrations with the US and South Korean governments are growing over their suspensions of radio broadcasts, said Lee, a defector who heads the small, nongovernmental FNK radio station. Were afraid that theyve abandoned North Korean residents.

Major channels broadcasting into North Korea fall silent. In North Korea, all radio and TV sets are fixed to state-run channels.

But defectors have testified that they modified their radios or used smuggled ones to covertly tune in to foreign broadcasts at night for news their government didnt want them to hear. That includes outside perspectives of the Norths ruling Kim dynasty, more affluent and freer Western lifestyles, and success stories about defectors.

But a respected academic website focused on North Korea, 38 North, assessed last month that such outside radio broadcasting toward North Korea was down by 85 per cent after cuts made by the US and South Korean governments. Two major US-funded broadcasters  the Voice of America and Radio Free Asia  were forced to stop their Korean-language radio broadcasts after US President Donald Trump in March signed an executive order effectively dismantling the agency that oversaw or provided funding to media networks. Trump said the networks had a liberal bias or were wasteful.

South Koreas liberal government led by President Lee Jae Myung halted cross-border radio broadcasts in an attempt to lower animosities with North Korea. His government also turned off frontline loudspeakers blaring K-pop songs and world news, and banned activists from flying balloons with propaganda leaflets and USB sticks across the border.

The FNK station is now one of several small civil or religious organisations that still transmit radio broadcasts into North Korea. Lee, the FNK head, said that VOA and RFA were much bigger than her group, which has only five workers, all defectors from North Korea.

We feel heavy-hearted and have a conflict over whether we should tell North Koreans that those suspended broadcasts were paused only temporarily and they would definitely be restarted or that were the only one of the few who survived, she said. A website and app target North Koreans living abroad

Despite setbacks in efforts to spread outside news in North Korea, Lee Young-hyeon, a defector-turned-lawyer in South Korea, this month launched a website and a mobile app meant to provide North Koreans with an alternative way to get outside information.

Lee said his Korea Internet Studio would first target tens of thousands of North Koreans living abroad, including labourers, students, diplomats and their family members.

Many of these North Koreans abroad use mobile phones with access to the global internet, a privilege citizens in the North dont have.

Lee said his group aims to produce practical content that North Koreans abroad could use, such as how students can get better credits at foreign schools, what gifts labourers can buy for their loved ones at home and what cryptocurrency is.

We dont expect the public using our content to launch an uprising and topple the North Korean government, Lee said. The objective, he said, is for North Koreans to learn there is such a good world where they can enjoy some freedom and rights.

Lee said he thinks North Korea will eventually ease its strict restrictions on the internet in a limited manner as it could allow Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese and other foreign companies to open local offices in the North.

Many observers are sceptical, though.

Since 2020, North Korea has enacted highly oppressive laws to toughen its fight against foreign cultural influences, especially South Koreas. The Reactionary Ideology and Culture Rejection Law reportedly imposes up to 10 years of imprisonment with hard labour on those who consume, possess or spread foreign movies and music, and up to five years on those who use unauthorised radio and TV channels.

Defectors see the influence of foreign broadcasts into North Korea

Some question whether campaigns to provide outside news to North Korea have made a difference. Launches of propaganda balloons and loudspeaker broadcasts have also been a major source of tension with North Korea. In July, South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young called radio and loudspeaker broadcasts a relic of the Cold War and expressed hope that their suspension would improve ties with North Korea.

Before his defection in 2003, Paek Yosep said he was shocked when South Korean radio broadcasts reported about anti-government protests in Seoul, something that is unthinkable in North Korea. Paek said when he served as a soldier at a frontline unit, he enjoyed listening to music blared from South Korean loudspeakers across the border.

Kim Ki-sung at the FNK station said that the South Korean radio broadcasts he listened to for a decade before he fled North Korea in 1999 influenced his defection. He said he learned that South Korea was rich enough to grant loans to the Soviet Union and that it had so many cars there were traffic jams.

Im not sure how strongly addictive drugs are but I think those broadcasts were the same, Kim said. Many ask us whether weve confirmed that people in North Korea are truly listening to our programmes. But I believe we should keep doing this even if just one person listens to our broadcasts.
Air Lease Corporation (NYSE:AL  Get Free Report) Director Steven Udvar-Hazy sold 10,300 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.85, for a total transaction of $657,655.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 1,154,158 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $73,692,988.30. This trade represents a 0.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink.

Air Lease Price Performance

AL stock traded up $0.02 on Tuesday, reaching $63.87. The company had a trading volume of 1,776,397 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,336,557. The companys fifty day moving average is $63.67 and its 200 day moving average is $60.22. The company has a market cap of $7.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.75, a PEG ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.47, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.42. Air Lease Corporation has a 1 year low of $38.25 and a 1 year high of $64.30.

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Air Lease (NYSE:AL  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The transportation company reported $1.29 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.16 by $0.13. Air Lease had a return on equity of 7.99% and a net margin of 34.04%.The company had revenue of $725.39 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $744.59 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.82 earnings per share. Air Leases revenue was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Air Lease Corporation will post 5.16 earnings per share for the current year.

Air Lease Announces Dividend

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Air Lease

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 8th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 4th will be paid a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 4th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. Air Leases payout ratio is presently 10.20%.

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in shares of Air Lease by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 6,592,510 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $318,479,000 after purchasing an additional 31,274 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its position in Air Lease by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 5,453,859 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $263,476,000 after purchasing an additional 69,629 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in Air Lease by 1.2% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 5,025,421 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $242,778,000 after buying an additional 60,216 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its stake in Air Lease by 7.9% during the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 3,619,226 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $211,797,000 after buying an additional 265,423 shares during the period. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in shares of Air Lease by 10.4% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 3,563,297 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $172,143,000 after acquiring an additional 336,376 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.59% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

AL has been the topic of several analyst reports. TD Cowen cut shares of Air Lease from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 3rd. Cowen cut shares of Air Lease from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 3rd. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Air Lease in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research downgraded Air Lease from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered Air Lease from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $65.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, September 3rd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Air Lease currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $59.50.

Get Our Latest Research Report on Air Lease

Air Lease Company Profile

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Air Lease Corporation, an aircraft leasing company, engages in the purchase and leasing of commercial jet aircraft to airlines worldwide. It sells aircraft from its fleet to third parties, including other leasing companies, financial services companies, airlines, and other investors. The company provides fleet management services to investors and owners of aircraft portfolios.

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The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA  Get Free Report) SVP Dana Deasy acquired 554 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 24th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $178.88 per share, for a total transaction of $99,099.52. Following the completion of the acquisition, the senior vice president directly owned 28,442 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,087,704.96. This represents a 1.99% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link.

Boeing Trading Up 1.8%

Shares of BA stock traded up $3.27 on Tuesday, reaching $182.39. The companys stock had a trading volume of 9,660,512 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,298,636. The company has a market capitalization of $138.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -13.33 and a beta of 1.44. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $208.16 and its 200-day simple moving average is $214.81. The Boeing Company has a 1 year low of $128.88 and a 1 year high of $242.69.

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Boeing (NYSE:BA  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The aircraft producer reported ($7.47) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.51) by ($6.96). The business had revenue of $23.27 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.61 billion. The firms quarterly revenue was up 30.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned ($10.44) earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that The Boeing Company will post -2.58 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on BA shares. Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $267.00 target price on shares of Boeing in a report on Friday, November 14th. BNP Paribas Exane assumed coverage on Boeing in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. They issued an underperform rating and a $150.00 price target for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut shares of Boeing from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $240.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Boeing from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group set a $255.00 price target on shares of Boeing in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and six have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $232.09.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on BA

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BA. Harbor Asset Planning Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Boeing during the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC purchased a new position in Boeing during the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. Piscataqua Savings Bank raised its position in Boeing by 1,712.5% during the 2nd quarter. Piscataqua Savings Bank now owns 145 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares in the last quarter. Reyes Financial Architecture Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Boeing in the 3rd quarter worth $32,000. Finally, Davis Capital Management bought a new position in shares of Boeing during the 3rd quarter worth $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 64.82% of the companys stock.

Boeing Company Profile

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The Boeing Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems, and services worldwide. The company operates through Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; and Global Services segments.

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CoastalSouth Bancshares (NYSE:COSO  Get Free Report) and Renasant (NYSE:RNST  Get Free Report) are both financial services companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, risk, institutional ownership, valuation, analyst recommendations, dividends and profitability.

Profitability

This table compares CoastalSouth Bancshares and Renasants net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets CoastalSouth Bancshares N/A N/A N/A Renasant 11.26% 6.99% 1.01%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

77.3% of Renasant shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.8% of Renasant shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Recommendations

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score CoastalSouth Bancshares 0 1 1 0 2.50 Renasant 0 1 0 1 3.00

Valuation and Earnings

This is a summary of current ratings for CoastalSouth Bancshares and Renasant, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

This table compares CoastalSouth Bancshares and Renasants gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio CoastalSouth Bancshares N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Renasant $874.43 million 3.88 $195.46 million $1.99 17.94

Renasant has higher revenue and earnings than CoastalSouth Bancshares.

Summary

Renasant beats CoastalSouth Bancshares on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About CoastalSouth Bancshares

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CoastalSouth Bancshares, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Through our wholly owned subsidiary, Coastal States Bank, a South Carolina state-chartered commercial bank, we offer a full range of banking products and services designed for businesses, real estate professionals, and consumers looking for a deep and meaningful relationship with their bank. Today, we have a community banking presence in some of the fastest growing and most business-friendly markets in the U.S., namely the Lowcountry of South Carolina (Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Beaufort), nearby Savannah, Georgia, and the Atlanta, Georgia market.  In addition to our traditional community banking operations, we operate four specialty lines of business that provide scalability and diversification:  Senior Housing Lending  focuses on lending to operators across the spectrum of senior care, with an emphasis on assisted living;  Marine Lending  focuses on consumer loans primarily to high-net-worth borrowers secured by yachts and high-end sport fishing vessels;  Government Guaranteed Lending  focuses on origination of small business and other loans guaranteed by the SBA and USDA; and  Mortgage Banker Finance  focuses on mortgage warehouse lending to mortgage originators. By combining the relationship-based focus of a community bank with our specialty lines of business, we believe we can capitalize on the substantial growth opportunities available in our markets, particularly given the scarcity of community banks between $1.5 billion and $5.0 billion in total assets. Our principal executive offices are located in Atlanta, Georgia.

About Renasant

(Get Free Report)

Renasant Corporation operates as a bank holding company for Renasant Bank that provides a range of financial, wealth management, fiduciary, and insurance services to retail and commercial customers. It operates through three segments: Community Banks, Insurance, and Wealth Management. The Community Banks segment offers checking and savings accounts, business and personal loans, asset-based lending, and equipment leasing services, as well as safe deposit and night depository facilities. It also provides commercial, financial, and agricultural loans; equipment financing and leasing; real estate1-4 family mortgage; real estatecommercial mortgage; real estateconstruction loans for the construction of single family residential properties, multi-family properties, and commercial projects; installment loans to individuals; and interim construction loans, as well as automated teller machine (ATM), online and mobile banking, call center, and treasury management services. The Insurance segment provides insurance agency services, such as commercial and personal insurance products through insurance carriers. The Wealth Management segment offers a range of wealth management and fiduciary services, including administration and management of trust accounts, such as personal and corporate benefit accounts, and custodial accounts, as well as accounting and money management for trust accounts; annuities, mutual funds, and other investment services through a third party broker-dealer; and qualified retirement plans, IRAs, employee benefit plans, personal trusts, and estates. As of December 31, 2021, the company operated a network of 189 banking, lending, and mortgage offices located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee; 150 full-service branches and 11 limited-service branches; 173 ATMs; and 38 interactive teller machines. Renasant Corporation was founded in 1904 and is headquartered in Tupelo, Mississippi.

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Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (NYSE:GTE  Get Free Report) Director Equinox Partners Investment Ma bought 27,067 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 24th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $4.35 per share, for a total transaction of $117,741.45. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 2,563,177 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,149,819.95. This trade represents a 1.07% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink.

Equinox Partners Investment Ma also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Tuesday, November 25th, Equinox Partners Investment Ma bought 80,408 shares of Gran Tierra Energy stock. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $4.23 per share, with a total value of $340,125.84.

On Friday, November 21st, Equinox Partners Investment Ma acquired 50,000 shares of Gran Tierra Energy stock. The stock was purchased at an average price of $4.35 per share, for a total transaction of $217,500.00.

On Wednesday, November 19th, Equinox Partners Investment Ma acquired 30,400 shares of Gran Tierra Energy stock. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $4.36 per share, for a total transaction of $132,544.00.

On Tuesday, November 18th, Equinox Partners Investment Ma acquired 35,780 shares of Gran Tierra Energy stock. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $4.23 per share, with a total value of $151,349.40.

On Monday, November 17th, Equinox Partners Investment Ma purchased 126,126 shares of Gran Tierra Energy stock. The stock was bought at an average cost of $4.21 per share, with a total value of $530,990.46.

On Friday, November 14th, Equinox Partners Investment Ma purchased 77,412 shares of Gran Tierra Energy stock. The shares were bought at an average price of $4.32 per share, for a total transaction of $334,419.84.

On Thursday, November 13th, Equinox Partners Investment Ma purchased 22,900 shares of Gran Tierra Energy stock. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $4.39 per share, for a total transaction of $100,531.00.

On Wednesday, November 12th, Equinox Partners Investment Ma acquired 115,131 shares of Gran Tierra Energy stock. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $4.32 per share, with a total value of $497,365.92.

On Tuesday, November 11th, Equinox Partners Investment Ma bought 15,777 shares of Gran Tierra Energy stock. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $4.33 per share, for a total transaction of $68,314.41.

On Friday, November 7th, Equinox Partners Investment Ma bought 50,682 shares of Gran Tierra Energy stock. The stock was purchased at an average price of $4.11 per share, for a total transaction of $208,303.02.

Gran Tierra Energy Price Performance

Shares of GTE traded down $0.11 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $4.26. 349,847 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 338,086. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $4.19 and a 200 day moving average price of $4.44. The company has a market cap of $150.36 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a current ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71. Gran Tierra Energy Inc. has a 1 year low of $3.09 and a 1 year high of $8.19.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Gran Tierra Energy

About Gran Tierra Energy

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH purchased a new stake in shares of Gran Tierra Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $2,275,000. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its stake in Gran Tierra Energy by 4.6% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 58,450 shares of the companys stock valued at $288,000 after purchasing an additional 2,551 shares in the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. raised its stake in Gran Tierra Energy by 897.5% in the first quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 346,499 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,693,000 after purchasing an additional 311,761 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in Gran Tierra Energy by 11.3% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,303,105 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,424,000 after purchasing an additional 131,818 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wealthedge Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in Gran Tierra Energy by 27.5% in the 1st quarter. Wealthedge Investment Advisors LLC now owns 86,646 shares of the companys stock worth $427,000 after buying an additional 18,688 shares in the last quarter. 31.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Gran Tierra Energy Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration and production of oil and gas properties in Colombia and Ecuador. The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A  Get Free Report) and Guided Therapeutics (OTCMKTS:GTHP  Get Free Report) are both medical companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, valuation, earnings, profitability, dividends, risk and institutional ownership.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Agilent Technologies and Guided Therapeuticss gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Agilent Technologies $6.79 billion 6.57 $1.29 billion $4.26 36.91 Guided Therapeutics $10,000.00 2,089.98 -$2.42 million ($0.05) -5.00

Analyst Ratings

Agilent Technologies has higher revenue and earnings than Guided Therapeutics. Guided Therapeutics is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Agilent Technologies, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Agilent Technologies and Guided Therapeutics, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Agilent Technologies 0 6 8 1 2.67 Guided Therapeutics 0 0 0 0 0.00

Agilent Technologies currently has a consensus price target of $159.08, suggesting a potential upside of 1.16%. Given Agilent Technologies stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Agilent Technologies is more favorable than Guided Therapeutics.

Profitability

This table compares Agilent Technologies and Guided Therapeutics net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Agilent Technologies 17.97% 25.51% 12.94% Guided Therapeutics N/A N/A -219.85%

Risk & Volatility

Agilent Technologies has a beta of 1.29, indicating that its share price is 29% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Guided Therapeutics has a beta of 0.38, indicating that its share price is 62% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

87.4% of Agilent Technologies shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 9.7% of Guided Therapeutics shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.3% of Agilent Technologies shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 66.8% of Guided Therapeutics shares 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.

Summary

Agilent Technologies beats Guided Therapeutics on 13 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Agilent Technologies

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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. The Diagnostics and Genomics segment focuses on genomics, nucleic acid contract manufacturing and research and development, pathology, companion diagnostics, reagent partnership, and biomolecular analysis businesses. The Agilent CrossLab segment provides GC and LC columns, sample preparation products, custom chemistries, and laboratory instrument supplies; and offers services portfolio, including repairs, parts, maintenance, installations, training, compliance support, software as a service, asset management, and consulting services. The company markets its products through direct sales, distributors, resellers, manufacturers representatives, and electronic commerce. Agilent Technologies, Inc. was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California.

About Guided Therapeutics

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Guided Therapeutics, Inc., a medical technology company, focuses on developing medical devices. It focuses on the commercialization of LuViva, a non-invasive cervical cancer detection device that identifies cervical cancers and precancers painlessly, non-invasively, and at the point-of-care by scanning the cervix with light, then analyzing the light reflected and fluorescent light. The company was formerly known as SpectRx, Inc. and changed its name to Guided Therapeutics, Inc. in February 2008. Guided Therapeutics, Inc. was incorporated in 1992 and is based in Norcross, Georgia.

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Flexible Solutions International, Inc. (NYSE:FSI  Free Report)  Equities researchers at Greenridge Global dropped their FY2025 earnings estimates for Flexible Solutions International in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, November 19th. Greenridge Global analyst W. Gregozeski now anticipates that the company will post earnings per share of $0.16 for the year, down from their prior estimate of $0.31. The consensus estimate for Flexible Solutions Internationals current full-year earnings is $0.24 per share. Greenridge Global also issued estimates for Flexible Solutions Internationals Q4 2025 earnings at $0.06 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $0.15 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.20 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $0.56 EPS.

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A number of other research analysts also recently issued reports on FSI. Zacks Research downgraded Flexible Solutions International from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Friday, November 21st. Singular Research raised Flexible Solutions International to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, September 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

Flexible Solutions International Stock Performance

NYSE FSI opened at $6.66 on Monday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $8.80 and a two-hundred day moving average of $7.05. The company has a market capitalization of $84.53 million, a PE ratio of 20.18 and a beta of 1.26. Flexible Solutions International has a 1 year low of $3.45 and a 1 year high of $11.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 3.17 and a quick ratio of 2.22.

Institutional Trading of Flexible Solutions International

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Evernest Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Flexible Solutions International in the first quarter valued at about $310,000. Strait & Sound Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Flexible Solutions International during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $49,000. Essex Investment Management Co. LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Flexible Solutions International in the 1st quarter worth approximately $134,000. Ritholtz Wealth Management purchased a new position in Flexible Solutions International in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $109,000. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in Flexible Solutions International by 2.2% in the 3rd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 80,481 shares of the companys stock valued at $776,000 after purchasing an additional 1,700 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 54.31% of the companys stock.

About Flexible Solutions International

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Flexible Solutions International, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and markets specialty chemicals that slow the evaporation of water in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Energy and Water Conservation Products, and Biodegradable Polymers.

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Shares of Idorsia Ltd (OTCMKTS:IDRSF  Get Free Report) rose 1% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $3.95 and last traded at $3.95. Approximately 1,040 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 14% from the average daily volume of 1,209 shares. The stock had previously closed at $3.91.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently commented on IDRSF. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating on shares of Idorsia in a report on Friday, August 22nd. HC Wainwright upgraded shares of Idorsia from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, September 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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Idorsia Trading Up 1.0%

About Idorsia

The stocks fifty day moving average is $4.60 and its two-hundred day moving average is $3.40.

(Get Free Report)

Idorsia Ltd, a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of drugs for unmet medical needs in Switzerland. The company has a clinical development pipeline that cover various therapeutic areas, including CNS, cardiovascular, and immunological disorders, as well as orphan diseases.

Further Reading

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Mitsubishi Chemical Group Co. (OTCMKTS:MTLHF  Get Free Report)s share price traded up 1.7% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $5.4650 and last traded at $5.4650. 1,200 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 56% from the average session volume of 2,737 shares. The stock had previously closed at $5.3750.

Mitsubishi Chemical Group Stock Performance

The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $5.52 and a 200 day moving average price of $5.33.

Mitsubishi Chemical Group Company Profile

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Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation provides performance products, chemicals, industrial gases, health care products, and other products in Japan and internationally. The company offers polyester films for various applications, including optical materials, for electronic displays; industrial materials for electronic components, automotive parts, and medical equipment; and packaging materials for food and other products.

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Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week low during trading on Tuesday after BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on the stock from $50.00 to $46.00. BMO Capital Markets currently has a market perform rating on the stock. Novo Nordisk A/S traded as low as $43.08 and last traded at $44.99, with a volume of 73421832 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $47.63.

Several other analysts also recently weighed in on NVO. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Novo Nordisk A/S from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 9th. UBS Group lowered Novo Nordisk A/S from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Rothschild & Co Redburn raised shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d+) rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Finally, Barclays reiterated an equal weight rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. One equities research 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 stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $57.40.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Novo Nordisk A/S

Novo Nordisk A/S Price Performance

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Jennison Associates LLC boosted its position in Novo Nordisk A/S by 0.3% during the second quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 18,885,343 shares of the companys stock worth $1,303,466,000 after acquiring an additional 63,341 shares during the last quarter. Capital International Investors boosted its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 52.4% during the 3rd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 17,713,424 shares of the companys stock worth $982,969,000 after purchasing an additional 6,092,192 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 4,190.8% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 13,984,789 shares of the companys stock valued at $776,016,000 after purchasing an additional 13,658,867 shares in the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P increased its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 1.5% in the second quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 12,576,031 shares of the companys stock valued at $867,998,000 after purchasing an additional 187,789 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Folketrygdfondet lifted its position in Novo Nordisk A/S by 1.2% during the third quarter. Folketrygdfondet now owns 10,211,913 shares of the companys stock worth $566,659,000 after buying an additional 117,370 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 11.54% of the companys stock.

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.56. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $53.50 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $60.01. The company has a market cap of $210.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 0.65.

Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $1.02 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $0.25. The firm had revenue of $11.79 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.98 billion. Novo Nordisk A/S had a net margin of 35.60% and a return on equity of 78.64%. Novo Nordisk A/S has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Novo Nordisk A/S Company Profile

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Novo Nordisk A/S, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North America, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity Care, and Rare Disease.

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Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund (NYSE:JRI  Get Free Report) rose 1.1% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $13.56 and last traded at $13.5350. Approximately 38,182 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 69% from the average daily volume of 124,570 shares. The stock had previously closed at $13.39.

Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund Trading Up 1.1%

The stocks fifty day moving average is $13.86 and its two-hundred day moving average is $13.46.

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Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.1335 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 11.8%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund Company Profile

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in JRI. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund by 148.4% in the 1st quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 98,728 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,286,000 after purchasing an additional 58,988 shares during the last quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. acquired a new stake in shares of Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund in the second quarter worth about $658,000. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its stake in shares of Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund by 241.3% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 64,277 shares of the companys stock worth $832,000 after acquiring an additional 45,443 shares in the last quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund by 37.5% during the 2nd quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 156,265 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,110,000 after acquiring an additional 42,626 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Adapt Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $571,000.

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Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund is an closed ended balanced mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments, Inc The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests in the public equity markets across the globe. The fund also makes its investments in depository receipts.

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PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index Exchange-Traded Fund (NYSEARCA:HYS  Get Free Report)s stock price rose 0.3% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $95.23 and last traded at $95.14. Approximately 104,718 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 19% from the average daily volume of 128,828 shares. The stock had previously closed at $94.83.

PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index Exchange-Traded Fund Trading Up 0.3%

The companys 50 day moving average price is $95.08 and its 200 day moving average price is $94.70.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB purchased a new position in shares of PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index Exchange-Traded Fund in the third quarter worth about $41,000. CoreCap Advisors LLC increased its holdings in PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index Exchange-Traded Fund by 3,553.3% in the 3rd quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 548 shares of the companys stock worth $52,000 after buying an additional 533 shares during the period. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index Exchange-Traded Fund during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $96,000. AdvisorNet Financial Inc raised its position in PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index Exchange-Traded Fund by 19.2% during the 2nd quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 2,473 shares of the companys stock worth $235,000 after buying an additional 398 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index Exchange-Traded Fund by 26.8% during the 2nd quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. now owns 4,445 shares of the companys stock valued at $422,000 after acquiring an additional 940 shares during the period.

PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index Exchange-Traded Fund Company Profile

The PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index Exchange-Traded Fund (HYS) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in high yield fixed income. The fund aims to capture exposure to the short maturity segment of the high-yield corporate bond sector. HYS was launched on Jun 16, 2011 and is managed by PIMCO.

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GLG Life Tech (OTCMKTS:GLGLF  Get Free Report) and Post (NYSE:POST  Get Free Report) are both consumer staples companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, risk, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends and analyst recommendations.

Volatility & Risk

GLG Life Tech has a beta of 1.91, indicating that its share price is 91% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Post has a beta of 0.49, indicating that its share price is 51% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Insider and Institutional Ownership

94.8% of Post shares are held by institutional investors. 11.4% of Post shares are held 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.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets GLG Life Tech 788.59% N/A -71.19% Post 4.62% 10.80% 3.30%

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares GLG Life Tech and Posts net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This table compares GLG Life Tech and Posts top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio GLG Life Tech $10.62 million 0.00 $48.29 million $1.97 N/A Post $8.16 billion 0.67 $366.90 million $5.48 18.49

Post has higher revenue and earnings than GLG Life Tech. GLG Life Tech is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Post, 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 GLG Life Tech and Post, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score GLG Life Tech 0 0 0 0 0.00 Post 0 3 5 0 2.63

Post has a consensus target price of $126.50, indicating a potential upside of 24.88%. Given Posts stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Post is more favorable than GLG Life Tech.

Summary

Post beats GLG Life Tech on 10 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About GLG Life Tech

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GLG Life Tech Corporation researches for, develops, grows, refines, and produces natural sweeteners extracted from the stevia plant and monk fruit in Canada and internationally. It also offers P-Pro Plus, a pea protein product; REB M GOLD, a bioconverted Rebaudioside M and Rebaudioside D. sweetener; and natural ingredients. It serves in the food and beverage industry. The company was formerly known as GLG Life Tech Limited and changed its name to GLG Life Tech Corporation in March 2007. GLG Life Tech Corporation was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Richmond, Canada.

About Post

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Post Holdings, Inc. operates as a consumer packaged goods holding company in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: Post Consumer Brands, Weetabix, Foodservice, and Refrigerated Retail. The Post Consumer Brands segment manufactures, markets, and sells branded and private label ready-to-eat (RTE) cereals under Honey Bunches of Oats, Pebbles, and Malt-O-Meal brand names; hot cereal; peanut butter under the Peter Pan brand; and branded and private label dog and cat food products under Rachael Ray Nutrish, Nature's Recipe, 9Lives, Kibbles 'n Bits and Gravy Train brand names. The Weetabix segment primarily manufactures, markets, and distributes branded and private label RTE cereal under Weetabix and Alpen brands; hot cereals and other cereal-based food products; breakfast drinks; protein-based shakes under the UFIT brand, and nutritional snacks, such as muesli. The Foodservice segment produces and distributes egg products primarily under Papetti's and Abbotsford Farms brands, as well as potato products in the foodservice and food ingredient channels. The segment also manufactures certain meat products. The Refrigerated Retail segment produces and distributes side dish, potato, sausage products under Bob Evans, Bob Evans Farms, and Simply Potatoes brands; eggs and egg products under Bob Evans Egg Whites and Egg Beaters brands; and cheese, and other dairy and refrigerated products under Crystal Farms brand. It serves grocery stores, mass merchandise customers, supercenters, club stores, natural/specialty stores, dollar stores, discounters, wholesalers, convenience stores, pet supply retailers, drug store customers, foodservice distributors, and national restaurant chains, as well as sells its products in the military, ecommerce, and foodservice channels. The company was founded in 1895 and is headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri.

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Shares of Telecom Italia S.p.A. (OTCMKTS:TIAOF  Get Free Report) rose 1.1% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $0.5674 and last traded at $0.5674. Approximately 1,000 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 94% from the average daily volume of 17,659 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.5612.

Telecom Italia Trading Up 1.1%

The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $0.54 and a 200 day simple moving average of $0.49.

About Telecom Italia

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Telecom Italia S.p.A., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of fixed and mobile telecommunications services in Italy and internationally. The company operates through Domestic, Brazil, and Other Operations segments. It offers fixed and mobile voice and Internet, and public telephony services, as well as products managed and developed for individuals and families; and voice, data, and Internet services and products, and information and communications technology solutions for top, public sector and large account customers.

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Pinpoint Asset Management Singapore Pte. Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of KE Holdings Inc. Sponsored ADR (NYSE:BEKE  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 684,917 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $12,150,000. KE makes up about 2.2% of Pinpoint Asset Management Singapore Pte. Ltd.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 11th biggest position. Pinpoint Asset Management Singapore Pte. Ltd. owned approximately 0.06% of KE as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in BEKE. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd bought a new stake in KE during the 1st quarter worth approximately $405,000. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ increased its holdings in KE by 22.9% in the first quarter. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ now owns 139,300 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,799,000 after purchasing an additional 26,000 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp acquired a new stake in KE in the first quarter valued at $2,006,000. Freemont Capital Pte Ltd bought a new position in KE during the 1st quarter worth $542,000. Finally, Federated Hermes Inc. grew its position in shares of KE by 15.6% in the 1st quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 2,903,839 shares of the companys stock valued at $58,338,000 after buying an additional 392,273 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 39.34% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. UBS Group downgraded KE from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $19.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Jefferies Financial Group set a $22.00 target price on shares of KE and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 26th. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of KE from $33.00 to $25.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 15th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of KE from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, November 15th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of KE from $24.00 to $22.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 12th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $23.30.

KE Stock Performance

KE stock opened at $17.42 on Wednesday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $17.96 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $18.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $20.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.47, a PEG ratio of 3.30 and a beta of -0.64. KE Holdings Inc. Sponsored ADR has a 52-week low of $15.39 and a 52-week high of $25.17.

KE Profile

(Free Report)

KE Holdings Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in operating an integrated online and offline platform for housing transactions and services in the People's Republic of China. It operates through four segments: Existing Home Transaction Services, New Home Transaction Services, Home Renovation and Furnishing, and Emerging and Other Services.

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Thornburg Investment Management Inc. increased its position in Air Lease Corporation (NYSE:AL  Free Report) by 4.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 183,352 shares of the transportation companys stock after purchasing an additional 8,206 shares during the period. Thornburg Investment Management Inc. owned 0.16% of Air Lease worth $10,724,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Archer Investment Corp increased its position in Air Lease by 6.6% during the second quarter. Archer Investment Corp now owns 3,250 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $190,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the period. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio grew its position in shares of Air Lease by 0.7% during the second quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 34,793 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $2,035,000 after acquiring an additional 234 shares during the last quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Air Lease by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 41,004 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $2,398,000 after acquiring an additional 273 shares during the period. Ellevest Inc. raised its position in Air Lease by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter. Ellevest Inc. now owns 7,064 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $413,000 after purchasing an additional 284 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Maryland State Retirement & Pension System raised its position in Air Lease by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 35,419 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $2,072,000 after purchasing an additional 319 shares during the last quarter. 94.59% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Air Lease Trading Up 0.0%

Shares of Air Lease stock opened at $63.87 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $7.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.36. Air Lease Corporation has a 52-week low of $38.25 and a 52-week high of $64.30. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $63.67 and its 200-day simple moving average is $60.22. The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.47.

Air Lease Dividend Announcement

Air Lease ( NYSE:AL Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 3rd. The transportation company reported $1.29 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.16 by $0.13. Air Lease had a return on equity of 7.99% and a net margin of 34.04%.The company had revenue of $725.39 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $744.59 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.82 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Air Lease Corporation will post 5.16 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 8th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 4th will be issued a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 4th. Air Leases dividend payout ratio is currently 10.20%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CFO Gregory B. Willis sold 23,481 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $63.83, for a total transaction of $1,498,792.23. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 56,408 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,600,522.64. This represents a 29.39% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Steven F. Udvar-Hazy sold 14,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $63.81, for a total transaction of $893,340.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 1,164,458 shares of the companys stock, valued at $74,304,064.98. This trade represents a 1.19% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 144,475 shares of company stock valued at $9,218,671 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 6.64% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have issued reports on AL shares. TD Cowen downgraded shares of Air Lease from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Air Lease in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Cowen lowered Air Lease from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut Air Lease from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $65.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Finally, Zacks Research cut Air Lease from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Air Lease presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $59.50.

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Air Lease Profile

(Free Report)

Air Lease Corporation, an aircraft leasing company, engages in the purchase and leasing of commercial jet aircraft to airlines worldwide. It sells aircraft from its fleet to third parties, including other leasing companies, financial services companies, airlines, and other investors. The company provides fleet management services to investors and owners of aircraft portfolios.

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Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSE:ATD  Get Free Report) had its price objective raised by Stifel Nicolaus from C$85.00 to C$88.00 in a report issued on Wednesday,BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage presently has a buy rating on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus price target would suggest a potential upside of 16.70% from the companys previous close.

ATD has been the subject of a number of other reports. TD Securities lifted their target price on shares of Alimentation Couche-Tard from C$85.00 to C$89.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, September 4th. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price target on shares of Alimentation Couche-Tard from C$94.00 to C$91.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, September 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Alimentation Couche-Tard to a hold rating in a report on Friday, September 12th. CIBC raised their target price on Alimentation Couche-Tard from C$84.00 to C$87.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, September 4th. Finally, Scotiabank boosted their price target on Alimentation Couche-Tard from C$78.00 to C$84.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, September 4th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of C$86.75.

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Alimentation Couche-Tard Stock Up 1.3%

Shares of Alimentation Couche-Tard stock traded up C$1.00 on Wednesday, hitting C$75.41. 1,185,467 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,428,390. Alimentation Couche-Tard has a 12-month low of C$65.95 and a 12-month high of C$83.73. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 101.54. The company has a market cap of C$70.93 billion, a PE ratio of 27.93, a PEG ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 0.31. The company has a 50-day moving average price of C$72.25 and a 200 day moving average price of C$71.51.

Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSE:ATD  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 24th. The company reported C$0.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$0.74 by C$0.05. Alimentation Couche-Tard had a return on equity of 18.96% and a net margin of 3.53%.During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.74 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Alimentation Couche-Tard will post 4.0410959 earnings per share for the current year.

Alimentation Couche-Tard Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc operates a network of convenience stores across North America, Ireland, Scandinavia, Poland, the Baltics, and Russia. The company primarily generates income through the sale of tobacco products, groceries, beverages, fresh food, quick service restaurants, car wash services, other retail products and services, road transportation fuel, stationary energy, marine fuel, and chemicals.

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CoastalSouth Bancshares (NYSE:COSO  Get Free Report) and Equity Bancshares (NYSE:EQBK  Get Free Report) are both small-cap financial services companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability, dividends, institutional ownership and risk.

Profitability

This table compares CoastalSouth Bancshares and Equity Bancshares net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets CoastalSouth Bancshares N/A N/A N/A Equity Bancshares 5.01% 12.13% 1.39%

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings for CoastalSouth Bancshares and Equity Bancshares, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score CoastalSouth Bancshares 0 1 1 0 2.50 Equity Bancshares 0 1 0 2 3.33

Insider and Institutional Ownership

Valuation and Earnings

71.8% of Equity Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. 6.6% of Equity Bancshares 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.

This table compares CoastalSouth Bancshares and Equity Bancsharess gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio CoastalSouth Bancshares N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Equity Bancshares $192.21 million 4.33 $62.62 million $1.20 36.37

Equity Bancshares has higher revenue and earnings than CoastalSouth Bancshares.

Summary

Equity Bancshares beats CoastalSouth Bancshares on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About CoastalSouth Bancshares

(Get Free Report)

CoastalSouth Bancshares, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Through our wholly owned subsidiary, Coastal States Bank, a South Carolina state-chartered commercial bank, we offer a full range of banking products and services designed for businesses, real estate professionals, and consumers looking for a deep and meaningful relationship with their bank. Today, we have a community banking presence in some of the fastest growing and most business-friendly markets in the U.S., namely the Lowcountry of South Carolina (Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Beaufort), nearby Savannah, Georgia, and the Atlanta, Georgia market.  In addition to our traditional community banking operations, we operate four specialty lines of business that provide scalability and diversification:  Senior Housing Lending  focuses on lending to operators across the spectrum of senior care, with an emphasis on assisted living;  Marine Lending  focuses on consumer loans primarily to high-net-worth borrowers secured by yachts and high-end sport fishing vessels;  Government Guaranteed Lending  focuses on origination of small business and other loans guaranteed by the SBA and USDA; and  Mortgage Banker Finance  focuses on mortgage warehouse lending to mortgage originators. By combining the relationship-based focus of a community bank with our specialty lines of business, we believe we can capitalize on the substantial growth opportunities available in our markets, particularly given the scarcity of community banks between $1.5 billion and $5.0 billion in total assets. Our principal executive offices are located in Atlanta, Georgia.

About Equity Bancshares

(Get Free Report)

Equity Bancshares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Equity Bank that provides a range of banking, mortgage banking, and financial services to individual and corporate customers. The company accepts various demand, savings, money market, and time deposits. Its loan products include commercial and industrial, commercial real estate-backed, commercial lines of credit, working capital, term, equipment financing, acquisition, expansion and development, borrowing base, real estate construction, homebuilder, agricultural, government guaranteed, and other loan products to national and regional companies, restaurant franchisees, hoteliers, real estate developers, manufacturing and industrial companies, agribusiness companies, and other businesses. The companys loan products also comprise various consumer loans to individuals and professionals, including residential real estate loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, installment loans, unsecured and secured personal lines of credit, overdraft protection, and letters of credit. It also provides debit cards; online banking solutions, such as access to account balances, online transfers, online bill payment, and electronic delivery of customer statements; mobile banking solutions comprising remote check deposits with mobile bill pay; ATMs; and treasury management, wire transfer, automated clearing house, and stop payment services. In addition, the company offers cash management deposit products, such as lockbox, remote deposit capture, positive pay, reverse positive pay, account reconciliation services, zero balance accounts, and sweep accounts, as well as banking services through telephone, mail, and personal appointments. As of December 31, 2021, it operated a network of 69 branches in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas.

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AngloGold Ashanti PLC (NYSE:AU  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $86.69 and last traded at $86.1450, with a volume of 306267 shares. The stock had previously closed at $84.36.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AU has been the topic of several research reports. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of AngloGold Ashanti from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 15th. Zacks Research raised shares of AngloGold Ashanti from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Scotiabank raised their target price on shares of AngloGold Ashanti from $90.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a sector outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. HSBC reaffirmed a reduce rating and set a $55.00 price target on shares of AngloGold Ashanti in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded AngloGold Ashanti from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, AngloGold Ashanti presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $69.50.

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AngloGold Ashanti Trading Up 3.9%

The firm has a market capitalization of $36.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.27 and a beta of 0.48. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $72.45 and its 200 day moving average price is $58.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 2.99 and a quick ratio of 2.22.

AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 11th. The mining company reported $1.32 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.34 by ($0.02). AngloGold Ashanti had a net margin of 23.60% and a return on equity of 22.54%. The firm had revenue of $2.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.53 billion. On average, equities analysts forecast that AngloGold Ashanti PLC will post 3.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AngloGold Ashanti Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be given a dividend of $0.91 per share. This represents a $3.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. AngloGold Ashantis payout ratio is presently 80.18%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AngloGold Ashanti

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of AU. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of AngloGold Ashanti in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. MJT & Associates Financial Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of AngloGold Ashanti during the first quarter worth approximately $30,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. bought a new stake in shares of AngloGold Ashanti in the second quarter worth $30,000. SVB Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in AngloGold Ashanti in the first quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. boosted its stake in AngloGold Ashanti by 129.0% during the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 490 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 276 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 36.09% of the companys stock.

About AngloGold Ashanti

(Get Free Report)

AngloGold Ashanti plc operates as a gold mining company in Africa, Australia, and the Americas. The company primarily explores for gold, as well as produces silver and sulphuric acid as by-products. Its flagship property is a 100% owned Geita mine located in the Lake Victoria goldfields of the Mwanza region in north-western Tanzania.

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Geode Capital Management LLC lowered its holdings in Banc of California, Inc. (NYSE:BANC  Free Report) by 2.7% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 3,182,459 shares of the banks stock after selling 87,769 shares during the quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC owned about 2.16% of Banc of California worth $44,719,000 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. Invesco Ltd. boosted its holdings in Banc of California by 127.4% in the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,453,245 shares of the banks stock valued at $63,192,000 after purchasing an additional 2,495,043 shares in the last quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Banc of California by 18.6% during the 1st quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 12,942,131 shares of the banks stock worth $183,649,000 after buying an additional 2,029,119 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its position in shares of Banc of California by 16.5% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 6,280,573 shares of the banks stock worth $89,121,000 after buying an additional 887,497 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its holdings in shares of Banc of California by 22,771.4% in the 1st quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 817,424 shares of the banks stock valued at $11,599,000 after buying an additional 813,850 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Millennium Management LLC grew its position in shares of Banc of California by 26.3% in the 1st quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 3,634,591 shares of the banks stock valued at $51,575,000 after buying an additional 757,677 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.88% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BANC has been the subject of a number of research reports. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Banc of California from $18.00 to $20.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, September 29th. Citigroup raised Banc of California from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the company from $18.00 to $21.50 in a report on Monday, October 27th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Banc of California in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Banc of California from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Banc of California from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, October 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $19.25.

Banc of California Stock Performance

Shares of BANC stock opened at $18.60 on Wednesday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $16.97 and its 200 day moving average price is $15.62. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.81 billion, a PE ratio of 17.88 and a beta of 0.75. Banc of California, Inc. has a 52-week low of $11.52 and a 52-week high of $18.71.

Banc of California (NYSE:BANC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 13th. The bank reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter. Banc of California had a return on equity of 8.00% and a net margin of 11.49%.The company had revenue of $315.66 million during the quarter. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Banc of California, Inc. will post 1.31 EPS for the current year.

Banc of California Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.2%. Banc of Californias dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 38.46%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Banc of California news, insider Hamid Hussain sold 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.59, for a total value of $331,800.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 66,444 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,102,305.96. The trade was a 23.14% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 2.69% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Banc of California Company Profile

(Free Report)

Banc of California, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Banc of California that provides various banking products and services in California. The company offers deposit products, such as checking, savings, money market, demand, and time deposits; certificates of deposit; retirement accounts; and safe deposit boxes.

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Cranswick (LON:CWK  Get Free Report) had its target price boosted by research analysts at Berenberg Bank from GBX 5,540 to GBX 5,770 in a report released on Tuesday,London Stock Exchange reports. The brokerage presently has a hold rating on the stock. Berenberg Banks target price points to a potential upside of 12.70% from the companys previous close.

A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on the stock. Peel Hunt reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 5,500 price target on shares of Cranswick in a research report on Tuesday. Shore Capital reiterated a house stock rating on shares of Cranswick in a research report on Tuesday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 5,790.

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Cranswick Stock Performance

Shares of LON CWK remained flat at GBX 5,120 during midday trading on Tuesday. 78,891 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 155,545. The company has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 4,976.38 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 5,150.35. Cranswick has a 12-month low of GBX 4,555 and a 12-month high of GBX 5,590. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 13.98, a current ratio of 1.66 and a quick ratio of 1.02. The stock has a market capitalization of 2.74 billion, a PE ratio of 20.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.44.

Cranswick (LON:CWK  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 25th. The company reported GBX 144.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Cranswick had a net margin of 4.35% and a return on equity of 12.64%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Cranswick will post 258.5590189 earnings per share for the current year.

Cranswick Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Cranswick is a leading and innovative supplier of premium, fresh and added-value food products with revenues of more than 2.7 billion. The business employs over 15,400 people and operates from 23 well-invested, highly efficient facilities in the UK. Cranswick was formed in the early 1970s by farmers in East Yorkshire to produce animal feed and has since evolved into a business which produces a range of high-quality, predominantly fresh food, including fresh pork, poultry, convenience, gourmet products and pet food.

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Booking, Expedia Group, Travelers Companies, Trip.com Group, Thor Industries, MakeMyTrip, and OUTFRONT Media are the seven Travel stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Travel stocks are shares of publicly traded companies whose primary business is facilitating, transporting, lodging, or otherwise enabling travel and tourismexamples include airlines, cruise lines, hotels, online travel agencies, car rental firms, and tour operators. These stocks are typically cyclical and sensitive to consumer discretionary spending, economic conditions, seasonality, fuel and currency costs, and travel regulations, so investors often view them as higher-volatility plays tied to travel demand and reopening trends. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Travel stocks within the last several days.

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Booking (BKNG)

Booking Holdings Inc, formerly The Priceline Group Inc., is a provider of travel and restaurant online reservation and related services. The Company, through its online travel companies (OTCs), connects consumers wishing to make travel reservations with providers of travel services across the world. It offers consumers an array of accommodation reservations (including hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, apartments, vacation rentals and other properties) through its Booking.com, priceline.com and agoda.com brands.

Expedia Group (EXPE)

Expedia Group, Inc. operates as an online travel company in the United States and internationally. The company operates through B2C, B2B, and trivago segments. Its B2C segment includes Brand Expedia, a full-service online travel brand offers various travel products and services; Hotels.com for lodging accommodations; Vrbo, an online marketplace for the alternative accommodations; Orbitz, Travelocity, Wotif Group, ebookers, CheapTickets, Hotwire.com and CarRentals.com.

Read Our Latest Research Report on EXPE

Travelers Companies (TRV)

The Travelers Companies, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance.

Read Our Latest Research Report on TRV

Trip.com Group (TCOM)

Trip.com Group Limited, through its subsidiaries, operates as a travel service provider for accommodation reservation, transportation ticketing, packaged tours and in-destination, corporate travel management, and other travel-related services in China and internationally. The company acts as an agent for hotel-related transactions and selling air tickets, as well as provides train, long-distance bus, and ferry tickets; travel insurance products, such as flight delay, air accident, and baggage loss coverage; and air-ticket delivery, online check-in and seat selection, express security screening, real-time flight status tracker, and airport VIP lounge services.

Read Our Latest Research Report on TCOM

Thor Industries (THO)

THOR Industries, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells recreational vehicles (RVs), and related parts and accessories in the United States, Canada, and Europe. The company offers travel trailers; gasoline and diesel Class A, Class B, and Class C motorhomes; conventional travel trailers and fifth wheels; luxury fifth wheels; and motorcaravans, caravans, campervans, and urban vehicles.

Read Our Latest Research Report on THO

MakeMyTrip (MMYT)

MakeMyTrip Limited, an online travel company, sells travel products and solutions in India, the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Peru, Colombia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The company operates through three segments: Air Ticketing, Hotels and Packages, and Bus Ticketing.

Read Our Latest Research Report on MMYT

OUTFRONT Media (OUT)

OUTFRONT Media, Inc. leases advertising space on out-of-home advertising structures and sites. Its inventory consists of billboard displays, which are primarily located on the most heavily traveled highways & roadways, and transit advertising displays operated under exclusive multi-year contracts with municipalities in large cities across the U.S.

Read Our Latest Research Report on OUT

Further Reading
Brookfield Business Corp (NYSE:BBUC  Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Wednesday, November 26th, investing.com reports. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st will be given a dividend of 0.0625 per share on Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a dividend yield of 74.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th.

Brookfield Business Stock Down 0.1%

NYSE BBUC traded down $0.05 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $33.86. The stock had a trading volume of 88,487 shares, compared to its average volume of 103,987. Brookfield Business has a twelve month low of $21.52 and a twelve month high of $37.88.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BBUC has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Brookfield Business in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Brookfield Business from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Monday, November 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Sell.

Brookfield Business Company Profile

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Brookfield Business Corporation focuses on healthcare, construction, and wastewater services in the United States, Europe, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Brazil. It operates through three segments: Business Services, Infrastructure Services, and Industrials. The company operates 42 hospitals; offers construction services for office, residential, hospitality and leisure, social infrastructure, retail, and mixed-use properties; and provides nuclear technology services, such as fuel, maintenance services, engineering solutions, instrumentation and control systems, and manufactured components for nuclear power plants.

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Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (OTCMKTS:CPCAY  Get Free Report)s stock price gapped up before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $7.40, but opened at $7.74. Cathay Pacific Airways shares last traded at $7.74, with a volume of 800 shares traded.

Cathay Pacific Airways Stock Performance

The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $7.11 and a 200 day simple moving average of $6.97.

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Cathay Pacific Airways Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 20th. Investors of record on Friday, September 5th were paid a dividend of $0.1074 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, September 4th. This represents a yield of 573.0%.

Cathay Pacific Airways Company Profile

Cathay Pacific Airways Limited, together with its subsidiaries, offers international passenger and air cargo transportation services. The company conducts airline operations principally to and from Hong Kong. It also engages in the property investment and travel reward program; operates as a travel tour operator; and provision of financial, aircraft acquisition facilitation, airline catering, information processing, aircraft ramp handling, laundry and dry cleaning, ground handling, and cargo terminal services.

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Kingfisher (LON:KGF  Get Free Report) had its price objective lifted by research analysts at Citigroup from GBX 300 to GBX 311 in a note issued to investors on Wednesday,London Stock Exchange reports. The brokerage presently has a neutral rating on the home improvement retailers stock. Citigroups target price suggests a potential upside of 2.27% from the stocks current price.

Several other equities analysts also recently weighed in on KGF. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an underweight rating on shares of Kingfisher in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Canaccord Genuity Group increased their price target on shares of Kingfisher from GBX 306 to GBX 331 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on Kingfisher from GBX 280 to GBX 285 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. Peel Hunt reaffirmed an add rating and issued a GBX 320 target price on shares of Kingfisher in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Berenberg Bank dropped their price target on Kingfisher from GBX 312 to GBX 306 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, July 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Kingfisher has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of GBX 305.50.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on Kingfisher

Kingfisher Price Performance

KGF stock traded down GBX 5.80 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting GBX 304.10. 55,154,109 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 22,458,713. The stocks 50-day moving average price is GBX 298.81 and its 200-day moving average price is GBX 284.75. The stock has a market cap of 5.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.96, a PEG ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 0.96. Kingfisher has a fifty-two week low of GBX 227.20 and a fifty-two week high of GBX 320.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.12, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a current ratio of 1.26.

Kingfisher (LON:KGF  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, September 23rd. The home improvement retailer reported GBX 15.30 earnings per share for the quarter. Kingfisher had a return on equity of 5.23% and a net margin of 2.68%. Research analysts predict that Kingfisher will post 23.6949924 earnings per share for the current year.

About Kingfisher

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Kingfisher plc is an international home improvement company with over 1,900 stores, supported by a team of c.76,000 colleagues. We operate in seven countries across Europe under retail banners including B&Q, Castorama, Brico Depot, Screwfix, TradePoint and Koctas. We offer home improvement products and services to consumers and trade professionals who shop in our stores and via our e-commerce channels.

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CreativeOne Wealth LLC boosted its position in Southern Company (The) (NYSE:SO  Free Report) by 11.5% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 25,025 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 2,583 shares during the period. CreativeOne Wealth LLCs holdings in Southern were worth $2,298,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in SO. Assetmark Inc. raised its holdings in Southern by 12.2% during the 1st quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 18,792 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,728,000 after acquiring an additional 2,043 shares during the period. TD Asset Management Inc raised its stake in shares of Southern by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 393,961 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $36,225,000 after purchasing an additional 2,669 shares during the period. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank lifted its holdings in Southern by 4.8% during the 1st quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 233,620 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $21,481,000 after purchasing an additional 10,600 shares in the last quarter. TCW Group Inc. boosted its stake in Southern by 5.7% in the 1st quarter. TCW Group Inc. now owns 16,177 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,487,000 after purchasing an additional 872 shares during the period. Finally, Prosperity Consulting Group LLC boosted its stake in Southern by 3.3% in the 1st quarter. Prosperity Consulting Group LLC now owns 12,805 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,177,000 after purchasing an additional 411 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 64.10% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on SO shares. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Southern from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $98.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Evercore ISI initiated coverage on shares of Southern in a report on Monday, October 6th. They set an in-line rating and a $103.00 target price on the stock. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Southern from $98.00 to $91.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an underperform rating and issued a $97.00 price target on shares of Southern in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Southern from $97.00 to $98.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, August 21st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Southern presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $99.03.

Southern Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:SO opened at $89.30 on Wednesday. The companys fifty day moving average price is $93.80 and its 200-day moving average price is $92.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69, a current ratio of 0.74 and a quick ratio of 0.54. The firm has a market capitalization of $98.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.96, a PEG ratio of 3.31 and a beta of 0.45. Southern Company has a one year low of $80.46 and a one year high of $100.83.

Southern (NYSE:SO  Get Free Report) last announced its 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. Southern had a net margin of 15.10% and a return on equity of 12.09%. The company had revenue of $7.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.04 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.39 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Southern Company will post 4.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Southern Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 8th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 17th will be given a dividend of $0.74 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 17th. This represents a $2.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.3%. Southerns dividend payout ratio is 73.27%.

About Southern

(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.

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CreativeOne Wealth LLC cut its holdings in MSCI Inc (NYSE:MSCI  Free Report) by 4.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 3,723 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 158 shares during the period. CreativeOne Wealth LLCs holdings in MSCI were worth $2,147,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of MSCI. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of MSCI by 5.9% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 9,376,852 shares of the technology companys stock worth $5,302,610,000 after purchasing an additional 518,833 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of MSCI by 355.7% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 660,690 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $365,976,000 after buying an additional 515,713 shares in the last quarter. Magellan Asset Management Ltd bought a new stake in shares of MSCI in the second quarter valued at approximately $175,912,000. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. acquired a new stake in MSCI during the first quarter worth approximately $119,408,000. Finally, Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in MSCI during the first quarter worth approximately $117,879,000. 89.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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MSCI Trading Up 1.1%

MSCI opened at $562.67 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $42.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.66, a PEG ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 1.34. The companys 50 day moving average is $562.41 and its 200-day moving average is $563.58. MSCI Inc has a 1-year low of $486.73 and a 1-year high of $642.45.

MSCI Dividend Announcement

MSCI ( NYSE:MSCI Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The technology company reported $4.47 EPS 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 the consensus estimate of $794.87 million. MSCI had a net margin of 40.03% and a negative return on equity of 110.94%. The firms revenue was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.86 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that MSCI Inc will post 16.86 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 28th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th will be issued a dividend of $1.80 per share. 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 dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 45.63%.

MSCI declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase program on Tuesday, October 28th that permits the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the technology company to reacquire up to 7.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are generally an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have weighed in on MSCI. Barclays upped their target price on MSCI from $650.00 to $660.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of MSCI from $700.00 to $710.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of MSCI from $655.00 to $680.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of MSCI from $533.00 to $570.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn raised shares of MSCI to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $655.90.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on MSCI

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.

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Cross Timbers Royalty Trust (NYSE:CRT  Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Monday, November 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be paid a dividend of 0.0369 per share by the oil and gas company on Friday, December 12th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th.

Cross Timbers Royalty Trust has increased its dividend payment by an average of 0.0%annually over the last three years.

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Cross Timbers Royalty Trust Stock Up 1.1%

CRT opened at $8.86 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $53.16 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.63 and a beta of 0.20. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $7.81 and a 200-day moving average price of $8.84. Cross Timbers Royalty Trust has a twelve month low of $7.07 and a twelve month high of $13.31.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Cross Timbers Royalty Trust ( NYSE:CRT Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The oil and gas company reported $0.08 EPS for the quarter. Cross Timbers Royalty Trust had a net margin of 84.24% and a return on equity of 231.09%.

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Cross Timbers Royalty Trust by 2,500.0% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 10,400 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $137,000 after acquiring an additional 10,000 shares in the last quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management bought a new stake in Cross Timbers Royalty Trust during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $169,000. Scotia Capital Inc. purchased a new position in Cross Timbers Royalty Trust in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $109,000. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its stake in Cross Timbers Royalty Trust by 81.3% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 3,596 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 1,612 shares during the period. Finally, Susquehanna International Group LLP bought a new position in Cross Timbers Royalty Trust in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $212,000. 9.74% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Cross Timbers Royalty Trust

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Cross Timbers Royalty Trust operates as an express trust in the United States. It holds 90% net profits interests in certain producing and nonproducing royalty and overriding royalty interest properties in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico; and 75% net profits working interest in four properties in Texas and three properties in Oklahoma.

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Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL  Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday. The technology company reported $2.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.47 by $0.12, FiscalAI reports. The business had revenue of $27.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $27.26 billion. Dell Technologies had a negative return on equity of 236.21% and a net margin of 4.73%.Dell Technologiess quarterly revenue was up 10.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.15 earnings per share. Dell Technologies updated its FY 2026 guidance to 9.920-9.920 EPS and its Q4 2026 guidance to 3.500-3.500 EPS.

Dell Technologies Price Performance

NYSE DELL opened at $126.07 on Wednesday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $143.57 and its 200 day simple moving average is $130.32. Dell Technologies has a one year low of $66.25 and a one year high of $168.08. The firm has a market cap of $84.76 billion, a PE ratio of 18.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.02.

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Dell Technologies Dividend Announcement

The firm 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 presently 30.88%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Institutional Trading of Dell Technologies

In other news, Director V (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 565,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $132.32, for a total transaction of $74,760,800.00. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink . Also, Director Iv (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 824,999 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, September 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.98, for a total value of $112,183,364.02. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders sold 4,537,755 shares of company stock worth $642,644,973. Insiders own 42.00% of the companys stock.

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. bought a new position in Dell Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $6,034,000. Captrust Financial Advisors increased its stake in shares of Dell Technologies by 12.7% in the 3rd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 37,778 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $5,356,000 after buying an additional 4,253 shares during the period. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 77.4% during the third quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 7,622 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,081,000 after acquiring an additional 3,326 shares during the last quarter. Danske Bank A S acquired a new position in shares of Dell Technologies during the third quarter valued at $29,421,000. Finally, Advisory Services Network LLC boosted its holdings in Dell Technologies by 62.5% in the third quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 46,761 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $6,629,000 after acquiring an additional 17,984 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.37% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $160.00 to $180.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $175.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Fox Advisors cut shares of Dell Technologies from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, August 29th. Zacks Research lowered Dell Technologies from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. Finally, Piper Sandler assumed coverage on Dell Technologies in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. They issued an overweight rating and a $172.00 target price for the company. Seventeen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Dell Technologies has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $160.70.

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About Dell Technologies

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Dell Technologies Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG).

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J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. reduced its holdings in shares of Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK  Free Report) by 6.0% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 88,318 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 5,612 shares during the period. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc.s holdings in Duke Energy were worth $10,421,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of DUK. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its stake in Duke Energy by 11.6% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 6,754 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $728,000 after buying an additional 700 shares in the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Duke Energy by 23.6% in the first quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 47,304 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $5,770,000 after acquiring an additional 9,042 shares during the last quarter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd raised its holdings in shares of Duke Energy by 20.0% in the first quarter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd now owns 8,238 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $984,000 after acquiring an additional 1,374 shares during the last quarter. TCW Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Duke Energy by 5.7% in the first quarter. TCW Group Inc. now owns 11,431 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,394,000 after acquiring an additional 614 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Meeder Advisory Services Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 12.8% during the first quarter. Meeder Advisory Services Inc. now owns 14,660 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,788,000 after acquiring an additional 1,658 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.31% of the companys stock.

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Duke Energy Price Performance

Duke Energy stock opened at $121.93 on Wednesday. Duke Energy Corporation has a 1 year low of $105.20 and a 1 year high of $130.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.66. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $124.40 and a 200 day moving average price of $120.99. The company has a market cap of $94.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.83, a PEG ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 0.45.

Duke Energy Dividend Announcement

Duke Energy ( NYSE:DUK Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.75 by $0.06. Duke Energy had a net margin of 15.51% and a return on equity of 9.85%. The company had revenue of $8.54 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.51 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.62 EPS. Duke Energys revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Duke Energy Corporation will post 6.33 earnings per share for the current year.

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 given a dividend of $1.065 per share. This represents a $4.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. Duke Energys payout ratio is 66.98%.

Insider Transactions at Duke Energy

In other Duke Energy news, EVP Robert Alexander Glenn sold 8,200 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.80, for a total transaction of $1,015,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 11,367 shares in the company, valued at $1,407,234.60. This represents a 41.91% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.14% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently weighed in on DUK. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of Duke Energy to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Duke Energy in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $131.00 to $137.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Mizuho lifted their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $132.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Duke Energy from $134.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $138.44.

View Our Latest Stock Report on Duke Energy

Duke Energy 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.

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Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:BROS  Get Free Report) Chairman Travis Boersma sold 1,678,616 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.44, for a total value of $93,062,471.04. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman directly owned 9,817 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $544,254.48. The trade was a 99.42% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

Travis Boersma also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Monday, November 24th, Travis Boersma sold 821,384 shares of Dutch Bros stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.41, for a total value of $43,870,119.44.

Dutch Bros Stock Performance

Shares of BROS stock traded up $2.49 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $59.86. 1,631,084 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,456,703. The firms fifty day moving average price is $54.24 and its 200-day moving average price is $62.48. Dutch Bros Inc. has a twelve month low of $47.16 and a twelve month high of $86.88. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.85 billion, a PE ratio of 119.79, a PEG ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 2.56. The company has a quick ratio of 1.32, a current ratio of 1.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68.

Institutional Trading of Dutch Bros

Dutch Bros ( NYSE:BROS Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.17 by $0.02. Dutch Bros had a net margin of 4.04% and a return on equity of 8.91%. The company had revenue of $423.58 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $414.81 million. Dutch Bross quarterly revenue was up 25.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.16 EPS. Dutch Bros has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Dutch Bros Inc. will post 0.57 EPS for the current year.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. 1832 Asset Management L.P. lifted its position in shares of Dutch Bros by 29.9% during the 1st quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 3,420,200 shares of the companys stock worth $211,163,000 after buying an additional 788,100 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP increased its position in shares of Dutch Bros by 7.2% during the third quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 2,690,760 shares of the companys stock valued at $140,834,000 after acquiring an additional 180,993 shares during the last quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd bought a new stake in Dutch Bros during the third quarter worth $135,336,000. Invesco Ltd. lifted its holdings in Dutch Bros by 4.0% during the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,426,657 shares of the companys stock worth $127,011,000 after acquiring an additional 93,515 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Dutch Bros by 14.0% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,173,710 shares of the companys stock valued at $148,643,000 after purchasing an additional 267,074 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.54% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on BROS shares. UBS Group reissued a buy rating and set a $85.00 target price on shares of Dutch Bros in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Bank of America increased their target price on Dutch Bros from $80.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, August 7th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $86.00 target price on shares of Dutch Bros in a report on Tuesday, August 19th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their target price on Dutch Bros from $85.00 to $75.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on shares of Dutch Bros from $73.00 to $63.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $76.72.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Dutch Bros

About Dutch Bros

(Get Free Report)

Dutch Bros Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates and franchises drive-thru shops in the United States. The company operates through Company-Operated Shops and Franchising and Other segments. It serves through company-operated shops and online channels under Dutch Bros; Dutch Bros Coffee; Dutch Bros Rebel; Dutch Bros; and Blue Rebel brands.

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easyJet (LON:EZJ  Get Free Report) had its price target dropped by analysts at Citigroup from GBX 520 to GBX 500 in a report released on Wednesday,London Stock Exchange reports. The brokerage presently has a neutral rating on the stock. Citigroups price objective would suggest a potential upside of 5.10% from the companys current price.

EZJ has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Panmure Gordon raised their target price on shares of easyJet from GBX 730 to GBX 780 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating on shares of easyJet in a report on Monday, September 22nd. Peel Hunt reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a GBX 850 price target on shares of easyJet in a report on Tuesday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price objective on easyJet from GBX 600 to GBX 535 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, September 19th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a neutral rating on shares of easyJet in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 673.

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easyJet Stock Performance

Shares of LON:EZJ traded up GBX 2.66 on Wednesday, hitting GBX 475.76. The company had a trading volume of 22,037,432 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,266,048. The stock has a market cap of 3.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.75, a P/E/G ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 2.49. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 471.43 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 503.43. easyJet has a 1-year low of GBX 401.05 and a 1-year high of GBX 594. The company has a current ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 110.33.

easyJet (LON:EZJ  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 25th. The company reported GBX 66.40 EPS for the quarter. easyJet had a net margin of 4.27% and a return on equity of 13.89%. Analysts expect that easyJet will post 67.3369565 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at easyJet

In other easyJet news, insider Sue Clark purchased 7,680 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 18th. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 459 per share, with a total value of 35,251.20. 15.15% of the stock is owned by insiders.

easyJet Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

We are a low-cost, European, point-to-point airline. We use our cost advantage, operational efficiency and leading positions in primary airports to deliver low fares for our customers  making great value travel accessible for everyone. We aim to provide simple, convenient travel and holidays at a competitive price with outstanding customer service.

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Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. increased its position in shares of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Free Report) by 31.0% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 34,104 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 8,070 shares during the quarter. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A.s holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $8,432,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of ITW. Aviso Financial Inc. lifted its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 11.2% during the 2nd quarter. Aviso Financial Inc. now owns 3,474 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $859,000 after acquiring an additional 349 shares during the period. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its position in Illinois Tool Works by 0.5% during the second quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 29,061 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $7,185,000 after purchasing an additional 155 shares during the period. Atalanta Sosnoff Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Illinois Tool Works by 4.1% in the second quarter. Atalanta Sosnoff Capital LLC now owns 1,336 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $330,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Insigneo Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in Illinois Tool Works during the 2nd quarter worth about $225,000. Finally, CreativeOne Wealth LLC raised its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 3.6% during the 2nd quarter. CreativeOne Wealth LLC now owns 2,036 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $503,000 after buying an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.77% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, Director Pamela B. Strobel sold 1,521 shares of Illinois Tool Works stock in a transaction that occurred 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 directly owned 39,249 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,625,817.25. The trade was a 3.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CAO Randall J. Scheuneman sold 6,802 shares of the 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 directly owned 10,314 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,734,035.12. This represents a 39.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders own 0.88% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

ITW has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. UBS Group upped their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $243.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a report on Friday, October 31st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $265.00 to $268.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, October 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $250.00 to $245.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Bank of America upgraded shares of Illinois Tool Works from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and raised their price target for the company from $220.00 to $255.00 in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Illinois Tool Works currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and an average target price of $263.77.

View Our Latest Stock Report on Illinois Tool Works

Illinois Tool Works Price Performance

Illinois Tool Works stock opened at $248.64 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $72.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.12, a P/E/G ratio of 4.10 and a beta of 1.11. The companys fifty day moving average price is $250.57 and its 200 day moving average price is $253.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.39, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.53. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 1 year low of $214.66 and a 1 year high of $279.13.

Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 24th. The industrial products company reported $2.81 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.72 by $0.09. Illinois Tool Works had a net margin of 19.05% and a return on equity of 93.26%. The company had revenue of $4.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.09 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $3.91 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. Illinois Tool Works has set its FY 2025 guidance at 10.400-10.500 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate 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 disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 9th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be issued a $1.61 dividend. This represents a $6.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 31st. Illinois Tool Workss payout ratio is presently 62.46%.

Illinois Tool Works Company Profile

(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.

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Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (OTCMKTS:FMBL  Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Wednesday, November 26th, investing.com reports. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be given a dividend of 43.00 per share on Monday, December 15th. This represents a dividend yield of 215.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th.

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach Stock Performance

Shares of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach stock traded down $40.00 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $7,950.00. The companys stock had a trading volume of 50 shares, compared to its average volume of 108. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $7,501.20 and its 200-day moving average price is $6,435.82. The firm has a market cap of $969.90 million, a PE ratio of 18.55 and a beta of 0.32. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach has a 52 week low of $5,275.00 and a 52 week high of $8,000.00. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29.

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Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (OTCMKTS:FMBL  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The company reported $147.32 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $73.67 million for the quarter. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach had a net margin of 12.08% and a return on equity of 3.84%.

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach Company Profile

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach provides various banking products and services to individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in Los Angeles, Orange, and Santa Barbara Counties. It offers checking, savings, Christmas club savings, health savings, market rate savings, and money market accounts; demand and time deposits; certificates of deposit; and individual retirement account.

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Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ (OTCMKTS:SVNLY  Get Free Report) and Barclays (NYSE:BCS  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, valuation, earnings, institutional ownership, risk, analyst recommendations and profitability.

Dividends

Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 8.7%. Barclays pays an annual dividend of $0.32 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.4%. Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ pays out 98.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Barclays pays out 14.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend.

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Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ and Barclayss gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ $17.44 billion N/A $2.60 billion $0.61 11.25 Barclays $34.23 billion 2.28 $8.06 billion $2.17 10.33

Barclays has higher revenue and earnings than Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ. Barclays is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ and Barclays, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ 2 5 0 0 1.71 Barclays 0 2 4 0 2.67

Profitability

This table compares Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ and Barclays net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ 15.97% 12.80% 0.68% Barclays 21.26% 8.19% 0.39%

Insider & Institutional Ownership

3.4% of Barclays shares are held by institutional investors. 0.0% of Barclays shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Volatility & Risk

Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ has a beta of 0.7, indicating that its stock price is 30% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Barclays has a beta of 1.14, indicating that its stock price is 14% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Barclays beats Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ on 10 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ

(Get Free Report)

Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) provides various banking products and services for private and corporate customers primarily in Sweden, the United Kingdom, Norway, the Netherlands, the United States, Luxembourg, Finland, and Poland. The company offers savings, transactions, business, currency, and investment accounts, as well as accounts for cash pool, and forestry and agriculture; mortgage and committed loans, and private loans; mutual funds; pension products; credit and debit cards; and payment and reconciliation services, as well as foreign exchange rate services. It also provides financing for investments, such as equipment, cars, computers, and other inventories, as well as vehicle and real estate financing services; green loans and advisor services; investment and other financing services; medical care, and group and health insurance products; forestry and farming banking products; and online and mobile banking services, as well as various banking services for children and young people. In addition, the company offers financial services, that includes asset management, transactional banking, corporate finance, financing, markets, trade finance, market information and research services to large corporations; cash management solutions; and various corporate banking services to small and medium-sized companies and large corporates, as well as private banking services. Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) was incorporated in 1871 and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.

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. In addition, the company engages in securities dealing activities. The company was formerly known as Barclays Bank Limited and changed its name to Barclays PLC in January 1985. Barclays PLC was founded in 1690 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

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Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its position in shares of CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF  Free Report) by 16.5% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 533,506 shares of the basic materials companys stock after acquiring an additional 75,676 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc.s holdings in CF Industries were worth $49,082,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Allianz Asset Management GmbH raised its holdings in CF Industries by 72.1% in the second quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 1,728,927 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $159,061,000 after purchasing an additional 724,329 shares in the last quarter. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al bought a new position in shares of CF Industries in the 2nd quarter worth about $63,104,000. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its position in CF Industries by 113.1% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 928,701 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $72,123,000 after acquiring an additional 492,846 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its position in CF Industries by 16.8% during the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 3,275,464 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $255,977,000 after acquiring an additional 470,746 shares during the period. Finally, Nuveen LLC bought a new stake in CF Industries during the first quarter worth about $34,179,000. 93.06% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Bank of America raised their target price on shares of CF Industries from $82.00 to $83.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised CF Industries from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and raised their price objective for the company from $75.00 to $92.00 in a research report on Tuesday, July 29th. Scotiabank boosted their target price on CF Industries from $82.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, November 10th. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their target price on CF Industries from $100.00 to $95.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on CF Industries in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. They issued an overweight rating and a $100.00 price target for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $94.33.

CF Industries Stock Performance

Shares of CF opened at $77.69 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $12.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.14 and a beta of 0.89. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $85.26 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $88.68. CF Industries Holdings, Inc. has a 12 month low of $67.34 and a 12 month high of $104.45. The company has a current ratio of 3.22, a quick ratio of 2.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38.

CF Industries (NYSE:CF  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The basic materials company reported $2.19 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.06 by $0.13. CF Industries had a return on equity of 17.10% and a net margin of 20.19%.The firm had revenue of $1.66 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.59 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.55 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 21.1% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that CF Industries Holdings, Inc. will post 5.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

CF Industries Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.6%. CF Industriess dividend payout ratio is currently 24.10%.

About CF Industries

(Free Report)

CF Industries Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of hydrogen and nitrogen products for energy, fertilizer, emissions abatement, and other industrial activities in North America, Europe, and internationally. It operates through Ammonia, Granular Urea, UAN, AN, and Other segments.

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Geode Capital Management LLC lowered its stake in Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. (NYSE:SHO  Free Report) by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 5,079,258 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 100,719 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC owned approximately 2.55% of Sunstone Hotel Investors worth $44,093,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Cbre Investment Management Listed Real Assets LLC grew its position in Sunstone Hotel Investors by 16.8% during the 1st quarter. Cbre Investment Management Listed Real Assets LLC now owns 5,474,886 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $51,519,000 after acquiring an additional 788,397 shares during the last quarter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors by 45.9% during the first quarter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. now owns 3,576,897 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $33,659,000 after purchasing an additional 1,125,543 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp grew its holdings in shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors by 0.7% in the first quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 3,180,251 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $29,926,000 after purchasing an additional 20,843 shares during the last quarter. H 2 Credit Manager LP increased its stake in shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors by 7.2% in the first quarter. H 2 Credit Manager LP now owns 2,988,210 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $28,119,000 after buying an additional 200,000 shares during the period. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors by 132.6% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 2,787,519 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $26,231,000 after buying an additional 1,589,258 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 99.37% of the companys stock.

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Sunstone Hotel Investors Trading Up 2.0%

Shares of SHO opened at $9.36 on Wednesday. Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. has a 1-year low of $7.45 and a 1-year high of $12.41. The company has a current ratio of 2.73, a quick ratio of 2.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The firms 50-day moving average price is $9.29 and its 200-day moving average price is $9.10. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 467.98, a PEG ratio of 5.32 and a beta of 1.28.

Sunstone Hotel Investors Announces Dividend

Sunstone Hotel Investors ( NYSE:SHO Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 7th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.17 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.15 by $0.02. Sunstone Hotel Investors had a net margin of 2.15% and a return on equity of 1.12%. The business had revenue of $229.32 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $226.05 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.18 earnings per share. Sunstone Hotel Investorss quarterly revenue was up 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Sunstone Hotel Investors has set its FY 2025 guidance at 0.800-0.870 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. will post 0.79 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be paid a $0.09 dividend. This represents a $0.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have issued reports on SHO. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors to a hold rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Sunstone Hotel Investors from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Sunday, November 16th. Finally, Truist Financial lowered their price target on Sunstone Hotel Investors from $11.00 to $10.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $8.93.

View Our Latest Analysis on SHO

Sunstone Hotel Investors Profile

(Free Report)

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc is a lodging real estate investment trust ("REIT") that as of the date of this release owns 14 hotels comprised of 6,675 rooms, the majority of which are operated under nationally recognized brands. Sunstone's strategy is to create long-term stakeholder value through the acquisition, active ownership, and disposition of well-located hotel and resort real estate.

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Geode Capital Management LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE:MPW  Free Report) by 5.3% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 10,535,078 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 591,288 shares during the quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC owned 1.75% of Medical Properties Trust worth $45,415,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 13.4% in the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 10,020,568 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $60,424,000 after buying an additional 1,182,028 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp raised its holdings in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 6,404,674 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $38,620,000 after acquiring an additional 95,525 shares during the last quarter. Wilsey Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in Medical Properties Trust by 6.1% in the 2nd quarter. Wilsey Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,927,568 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $21,238,000 after acquiring an additional 281,591 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its position in Medical Properties Trust by 11.2% in the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 4,086,848 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $24,644,000 after acquiring an additional 410,374 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Medical Properties Trust by 295.0% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,743,970 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $16,313,000 after purchasing an additional 2,049,268 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.79% of the companys stock.

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Medical Properties Trust Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MPW opened at $5.67 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $3.41 billion, a PE ratio of -2.37 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a quick ratio of 2.76, a current ratio of 2.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.00. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $5.12 and its 200-day moving average price is $4.67. Medical Properties Trust, Inc. has a twelve month low of $3.51 and a twelve month high of $6.34.

Medical Properties Trust Increases Dividend

Medical Properties Trust ( NYSE:MPW Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.13 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.16 by ($0.03). Medical Properties Trust had a negative return on equity of 28.80% and a negative net margin of 155.20%.The business had revenue of $237.52 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $244.89 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.16 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Medical Properties Trust, Inc. will post 0.78 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 11th will be paid a dividend of $0.09 per share. This represents a $0.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.4%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 11th. This is a positive change from Medical Properties Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $0.08. Medical Properties Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -30.51%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently commented on MPW. Wall Street Zen raised Medical Properties Trust from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 15th. Zacks Research upgraded Medical Properties Trust from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, August 20th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d-) rating on shares of Medical Properties Trust in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Medical Properties Trust from $4.50 to $5.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Tuesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Reduce and an average price target of $5.50.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on MPW

About Medical Properties Trust

(Free Report)

Medical Properties Trust, Inc is a self-advised real estate investment trust formed in 2003 to acquire and develop net-leased hospital facilities. From its inception in Birmingham, Alabama, the Company has grown to become one of the world's largest owners of hospital real estate with 441 facilities and approximately 44,000 licensed beds as of September 30, 2023.

Further Reading

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Northland Capmk cut shares of Green Dot (NYSE:GDOT  Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Tuesday morning,Zacks.com reports.

GDOT has been the subject of several other reports. Zacks Research lowered shares of Green Dot from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Northland Securities set a $14.25 target price on Green Dot and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Tuesday. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Green Dot in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. William Blair restated a market perform rating on shares of Green Dot in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Green Dot from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $12.56.

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Read Our Latest Research Report on GDOT

Green Dot Price Performance

Shares of Green Dot stock opened at $11.81 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $12.57 and a 200 day moving average of $11.64. Green Dot has a 52 week low of $6.12 and a 52 week high of $15.41. The company has a market cap of $654.26 million, a PE ratio of -13.89 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07.

Green Dot (NYSE:GDOT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 10th. The financial services provider reported $0.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.11) by $0.17. Green Dot had a negative net margin of 2.33% and a positive return on equity of 9.81%. The business had revenue of $491.85 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $483.84 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.13 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 20.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Green Dot has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.310-1.440 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Green Dot will post 0.87 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Green Dot

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. State of Alaska Department of Revenue purchased a new stake in shares of Green Dot in the third quarter worth $29,000. Brooklyn Investment Group boosted its stake in Green Dot by 350,400.0% in the 1st quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 3,505 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 3,504 shares in the last quarter. Virtus Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in Green Dot during the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. increased its stake in Green Dot by 18.6% during the 2nd quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. now owns 5,478 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $59,000 after purchasing an additional 861 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its stake in Green Dot by 23.1% during the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 6,504 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $70,000 after purchasing an additional 1,221 shares in the last quarter. 92.56% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Green Dot Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Green Dot Corporation, a financial technology and registered bank holding company, provides various financial services to consumers and businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Consumer Services, Business to Business Services, and Money Movement Services. The company provides deposit account programs, including consumer and small business checking account products, network-branded reloadable prepaid debit cards and gift cards, and secured credit programs.

Further Reading

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Grindr Inc. (NYSE:GRND  Get Free Report) gapped down before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $13.84, but opened at $12.67. Grindr shares last traded at $11.9430, with a volume of 1,088,097 shares trading hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms recently weighed in on GRND. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Grindr in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Grindr from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, October 18th. Citizens Jmp reduced their price objective on shares of Grindr from $23.00 to $21.00 and set a market outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Raymond James Financial decreased their target price on Grindr from $26.00 to $20.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Finally, JMP Securities lowered their price target on shares of Grindr from $27.00 to $23.00 and set a market outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 11th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Grindr currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $22.50.

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View Our Latest Report on GRND

Grindr Stock Up 1.5%

The company has a market cap of $2.36 billion, a P/E ratio of -34.76 and a beta of 0.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.73, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The companys 50-day moving average is $14.10 and its two-hundred day moving average is $17.95.

Grindr (NYSE:GRND  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.12 by $0.04. Grindr had a positive return on equity of 80.21% and a negative net margin of 11.99%.The business had revenue of $115.77 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $113.53 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.09 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 29.6% on a year-over-year basis. Grindr has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Grindr Inc. will post 0.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Grindr

In related news, insider Zachary Katz sold 13,781 shares of Grindr stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $14.39, for a total value of $198,308.59. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 490,520 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,058,582.80. This trade represents a 2.73% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder James Fu Bin Lu sold 75,748 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $13.65, for a total transaction of $1,033,960.20. Following the transaction, the insider owned 22,388,867 shares in the company, valued at $305,608,034.55. This represents a 0.34% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 3,848,656 shares of company stock worth $52,307,091 over the last ninety days. 67.70% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Grindr

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of GRND. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Grindr in the 2nd quarter worth $1,832,000. Bryce Point Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Grindr in the second quarter worth about $851,000. Tredje AP fonden bought a new position in shares of Grindr in the second quarter worth about $956,000. Shaker Investments LLC OH purchased a new position in shares of Grindr during the 2nd quarter valued at about $992,000. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG grew its stake in shares of Grindr by 42.0% during the 1st quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 402,822 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,211,000 after acquiring an additional 119,121 shares during the period. 7.22% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Grindr Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Grindr Inc operates social network and dating application for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities worldwide. Its platform enables LGBTQ people to find and engage with each other, share content and experiences, and express themselves. The company offers ad-supported service and a premium subscription version.

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Grupo Simec, S.A. de C.V. (NYSEAMERICAN:SIM  Get Free Report) saw strong trading volume on Monday . 3,488 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 97% from the previous sessions volume of 1,772 shares.The stock last traded at $28.4950 and had previously closed at $30.03.

Grupo Simec Trading Up 1.8%

The companys 50 day simple moving average is $27.89 and its 200-day simple moving average is $27.63. The firm has a market cap of $4.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.06 and a beta of 0.25.

About Grupo Simec

(Get Free Report)

Grupo Simec, SAB. de C.V. manufactures, processes, and distributes special bar quality (SBQ) steel and steel alloys products in Mexico, the United States, Brazil, Canada, Latin America, and internationally. The company produces I-beams, channels, structural and commercial angles, hot rolled bars, flat bars, rebars, cold-finished bars, electro-welded wire mesh and mesh panels, and wire rods, as well as semi-finished tube rounds and other semi-finished trade products.

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Russell Investments Group Ltd. trimmed its position in HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA  Free Report) by 5.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 500,305 shares of the companys stock after selling 29,262 shares during the quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd.s holdings in HCA Healthcare were worth $191,588,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Cheviot Value Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare in the first quarter worth $26,000. Saudi Central Bank acquired a new stake in HCA Healthcare during the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. WPG Advisers LLC acquired a new position in shares of HCA Healthcare in the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new position in HCA Healthcare during the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Finally, Chung Wu Investment Group LLC purchased a new stake in HCA Healthcare in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. 62.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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HCA Healthcare Stock Performance

Shares of HCA stock opened at $515.89 on Wednesday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $445.26 and its two-hundred day moving average is $403.54. The firm has a market capitalization of $117.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.94, a PEG ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 1.41. HCA Healthcare, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $289.98 and a fifty-two week high of $517.40.

HCA Healthcare Announces Dividend

HCA Healthcare ( NYSE:HCA Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The company reported $6.96 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.64 by $1.32. The firm had revenue of $19.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.55 billion. HCA Healthcare had a net margin of 8.53% and a negative return on equity of 792.25%. HCA Healthcares quarterly revenue was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $4.90 earnings per share. HCA Healthcare has set its FY 2025 guidance at 27.000-28.000 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that HCA Healthcare, Inc. will post 24.98 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 29th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.72 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $2.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. HCA Healthcares payout ratio is 11.13%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

HCA has been the topic of several analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of HCA Healthcare from $360.00 to $370.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, August 4th. Morgan Stanley set a $425.00 target price on HCA Healthcare in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating on shares of HCA Healthcare in a report on Monday, October 27th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of HCA Healthcare in a research report on Monday. Finally, Oppenheimer upped their price objective on shares of HCA Healthcare from $400.00 to $500.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $474.53.

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Insider Buying and Selling at HCA Healthcare

In other news, EVP Michael S. Cuffe sold 3,836 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $418.84, for a total value of $1,606,670.24. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 31,503 shares of the companys stock, valued at $13,194,716.52. This represents a 10.85% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Michael R. Mcalevey sold 3,892 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $473.79, for a total value of $1,843,990.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 3,487 shares in the company, valued at $1,652,105.73. This represents a 52.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 1.30% of the stock is owned by insiders.

HCA Healthcare Company Profile

(Free Report)

HCA Healthcare, Inc, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates hospitals and related healthcare entities in the United States. It operates general and acute care hospitals that offers medical and surgical services, including inpatient care, intensive care, cardiac care, diagnostic, and emergency services; and outpatient services, such as outpatient surgery, laboratory, radiology, respiratory therapy, cardiology, and physical therapy.

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Insigneo Advisory Services LLC grew its position in Transdigm Group Incorporated (NYSE:TDG  Free Report) by 21.0% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 363 shares of the aerospace companys stock after acquiring an additional 63 shares during the period. Insigneo Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Transdigm Group were worth $551,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Equitable Trust Co. boosted its position in shares of Transdigm Group by 8.2% during the 2nd quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 6,371 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $9,688,000 after acquiring an additional 484 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its position in Transdigm Group by 5.4% in the first quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 104,065 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $143,952,000 after purchasing an additional 5,369 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC raised its stake in Transdigm Group by 30.5% during the second quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 7,077 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $10,763,000 after purchasing an additional 1,656 shares in the last quarter. Radnor Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Transdigm Group by 57.9% in the 2nd quarter. Radnor Capital Management LLC now owns 1,255 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,908,000 after buying an additional 460 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Interval Partners LP bought a new position in shares of Transdigm Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $7,475,000. 95.78% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity at Transdigm Group

In related news, CEO Michael Lisman acquired 1,954 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 14th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $1,339.14 per share, for a total transaction of $2,616,679.56. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer directly owned 1,954 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,616,679.56. This trade represents a  increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director W Nicholas Howley sold 2,736 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,334.92, for a total value of $3,652,341.12. Following the sale, the director directly owned 21,548 shares in the company, valued at approximately $28,764,856.16. The trade was a 11.27% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 31,869 shares of company stock valued at $41,901,478 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 4.09% of the companys stock.

Transdigm Group Trading Up 1.3%

Shares of Transdigm Group stock opened at $1,352.88 on Wednesday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $1,304.51 and its 200-day moving average price is $1,398.98. The firm has a market cap of $76.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 44.90, a P/E/G ratio of 3.25 and a beta of 1.02. Transdigm Group Incorporated has a 12 month low of $1,183.60 and a 12 month high of $1,623.82.

Transdigm Group (NYSE:TDG  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The aerospace company reported $10.82 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $10.33 by $0.49. Transdigm Group had a net margin of 20.98% and a negative return on equity of 35.27%. The business had revenue of $2.44 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.40 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $9.83 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. Transdigm Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 36.490-38.530 EPS. Analysts forecast that Transdigm Group Incorporated will post 35.13 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have issued reports on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on Transdigm Group from $1,385.00 to $1,400.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Transdigm Group from $1,405.00 to $1,435.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, November 14th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on Transdigm Group from $1,650.00 to $1,490.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, September 17th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Transdigm Group in a research note on Monday. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Transdigm Group from $1,600.00 to $1,660.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, November 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $1,576.29.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on TDG

About Transdigm Group

(Free Report)

TransDigm Group Incorporated designs, produces, and supplies aircraft components in the United States and internationally. The Power & Control segment offers mechanical/electro-mechanical actuators and controls, ignition systems and engine technology, specialized pumps and valves, power conditioning devices, specialized AC/DC electric motors and generators, batteries and chargers, databus and power controls, sensor products, switches and relay panels, hoists, winches and lifting devices, and cargo loading and handling systems.

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Insigneo Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund bought 8,267 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $391,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BTI. Pandora Wealth Inc. acquired a new position in shares of British American Tobacco during the first quarter worth approximately $32,000. State of Wyoming acquired a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco in the first quarter worth $57,000. UMB Bank n.a. increased its position in British American Tobacco by 36.4% during the second quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 1,371 shares of the companys stock worth $65,000 after acquiring an additional 366 shares during the period. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its stake in British American Tobacco by 279.2% during the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 1,475 shares of the companys stock valued at $70,000 after purchasing an additional 1,086 shares during the last quarter. Finally, VSM Wealth Advisory LLC raised its stake in British American Tobacco by 3,921.6% during the 2nd quarter. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC now owns 1,488 shares of the companys stock valued at $70,000 after purchasing an additional 1,451 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.16% of the companys stock.

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British American Tobacco Price Performance

NYSE:BTI opened at $56.74 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The company has a 50-day moving average of $53.01 and a 200-day moving average of $51.80. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a 52 week low of $34.82 and a 52 week high of $59.29.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Argus upgraded shares of British American Tobacco from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $62.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Monday, September 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada downgraded British American Tobacco from a sector perform rating to an underperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Morgan Stanley restated an underweight rating and set a $40.00 price target on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, August 15th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, British American Tobacco currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $51.00.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on BTI

About British American Tobacco

(Free Report)

British American Tobacco p.l.c. engages in the provision of tobacco and nicotine products to consumers worldwide. It also offers vapour, heated, and modern oral nicotine products; combustible cigarettes; and traditional oral products, such as snus and moist snuff. The company offers its products under the Vuse, glo, Velo, Grizzly, Kodiak, Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Rothmans, Camel, Natural American Spirit, Newport, Vogue, Viceroy, Kool, Peter Stuyvesant, Craven A, State Express 555 and Shuang Xi brands.

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Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF (NYSEARCA:RWL  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $113.90 and last traded at $113.9690, with a volume of 24374 shares. The stock had previously closed at $113.22.

Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF Trading Up 0.9%

The firm has a market cap of $7.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.14 and a beta of 0.92. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $111.14 and a two-hundred day moving average of $106.71.

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Institutional Trading of Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF by 540.3% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 7,845,673 shares of the companys stock valued at $779,389,000 after buying an additional 6,620,373 shares in the last quarter. Vantagepoint Investment Advisers LLC bought a new stake in Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF in the third quarter valued at about $251,111,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its position in Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF by 30.4% in the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 4,214,182 shares of the companys stock worth $418,802,000 after purchasing an additional 982,262 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP bought a new position in Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF during the third quarter worth about $54,706,000. Finally, Osaic Holdings Inc. lifted its stake in Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF by 50.3% during the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 1,244,310 shares of the companys stock worth $129,793,000 after purchasing an additional 416,582 shares during the period.

Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF Company Profile

RevenueShares Large Cap ETF (the Fund) seeks to achieve its investment objective of outperforming the total return performance of the S&P 500 Index (S&P 500) by investing in the constituent securities of the S&P 500 in the same proportions as the RevenueShares Large Cap Index. The Fund consists of the same constituent securities as the S&P 500.

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MAI Capital Management grew its holdings in shares of iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:TFLO  Free Report) by 43.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 13,859 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 4,221 shares during the quarter. MAI Capital Managements holdings in iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF were worth $702,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of TFLO. SPC Financial Inc. boosted its position in iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF by 151.0% during the second quarter. SPC Financial Inc. now owns 1,406,426 shares of the companys stock worth $71,235,000 after acquiring an additional 846,162 shares during the last quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF by 8.6% in the 2nd quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,333,263 shares of the companys stock worth $67,530,000 after purchasing an additional 105,964 shares in the last quarter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF by 2.8% during the 2nd quarter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,312,504 shares of the companys stock worth $66,242,000 after purchasing an additional 36,116 shares during the last quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF by 2.5% during the 2nd quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC now owns 1,297,463 shares of the companys stock worth $65,717,000 after purchasing an additional 31,395 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada grew its position in shares of iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF by 19.0% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 1,247,275 shares of the companys stock valued at $63,186,000 after purchasing an additional 198,824 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF Stock Performance

Shares of iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF stock opened at $50.57 on Wednesday. iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF has a one year low of $50.36 and a one year high of $50.69. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $50.52 and its 200 day moving average price is $50.55.

iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF Company Profile

The iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF (TFLO) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. Treasury floating rate bonds. TFLO was launched on Feb 3, 2014 and is managed by BlackRock.

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J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. grew its position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 19.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 11,813 shares of the credit services providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,961 shares during the period. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc.s holdings in Mastercard were worth $6,638,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Pinion Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Mastercard by 0.8% in the second quarter. Pinion Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,272 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $1,276,000 after acquiring an additional 18 shares during the last quarter. KRS Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. KRS Capital Management LLC now owns 2,848 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $1,601,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares during the last quarter. Nvest Financial LLC lifted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Nvest Financial LLC now owns 1,505 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $846,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares during the last quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Mastercard by 5.6% in the second quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. now owns 339 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $191,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rialto Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Mastercard by 13.0% during the second quarter. Rialto Wealth Management LLC now owns 156 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $88,000 after buying an additional 18 shares during the last quarter. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Transactions at Mastercard

In other Mastercard news, CFO J. Mehra Sachin sold 17,263 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $591.00, for a total value of $10,202,433.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 31,234 shares in the company, valued at $18,459,294. This trade represents a 35.60% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.09% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have weighed in on MA shares. Morgan Stanley set a $665.00 price target on Mastercard and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Macquarie raised their price objective on Mastercard from $655.00 to $660.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. UBS Group upped their target price on Mastercard from $690.00 to $700.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. TD Cowen reiterated a buy rating and set a $645.00 price target on shares of Mastercard in a report on Monday, August 11th. Finally, Truist Financial dropped their price target on shares of Mastercard from $638.00 to $630.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have given a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $652.50.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Mastercard

Mastercard Stock Performance

MA opened at $546.50 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.41. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $561.57 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $568.80. The firm has a market capitalization of $490.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 0.92. Mastercard Incorporated has a 12-month low of $465.59 and a 12-month high of $601.77.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The credit services provider reported $4.38 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.31 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $8.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.53 billion. Mastercard had a return on equity of 200.01% and a net margin of 44.93%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 16.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.89 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 7th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 9th were issued a $0.76 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 9th. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. Mastercards dividend payout ratio is 19.44%.

Mastercard Profile

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company offers integrated products and value-added services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, digital partners, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts; prepaid programs services; and commercial credit, debit, and prepaid payment products and solutions.

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Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (NYSE:KYN  Get Free Report) President James Baker purchased 25,000 shares of Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 24th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $11.74 per share, with a total value of $293,500.00. Following the transaction, the president owned 886,040 shares in the company, valued at $10,402,109.60. This trade represents a 2.90% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink.

Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund Stock Performance

Shares of KYN stock opened at $11.99 on Wednesday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $11.91 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $12.19. Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. has a 12 month low of $9.82 and a 12 month high of $13.69.

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Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 28th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th will be issued a $0.08 dividend. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund

About Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Cerity Partners LLC increased its holdings in Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund by 4.1% during the 1st quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 22,323 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $286,000 after purchasing an additional 881 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC boosted its position in shares of Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund by 39.3% during the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,307 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 933 shares during the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC boosted its position in shares of Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund by 7.7% during the first quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 323,887 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,155,000 after buying an additional 23,098 shares during the last quarter. Commerce Bank grew its holdings in Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund by 31.9% during the first quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 60,642 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $778,000 after buying an additional 14,680 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Schnieders Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund in the 1st quarter valued at $128,000.

(Get Free Report)

Kayne Anderson MLP Investment Company is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by KA Fund Advisors, LLC. It is co-managed by Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United States. It invests in stocks of companies operating in the energy sector.

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KBC Group NV decreased its position in American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE:AEO  Free Report) by 59.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 5,757 shares of the apparel retailers stock after selling 8,564 shares during the period. KBC Group NVs holdings in American Eagle Outfitters were worth $55,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of AEO. Vise Technologies Inc. purchased a new position in shares of American Eagle Outfitters in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $237,000. Fox Run Management L.L.C. purchased a new position in American Eagle Outfitters in the second quarter worth $696,000. Savant Capital LLC grew its stake in American Eagle Outfitters by 170.8% in the 2nd quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 41,165 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $396,000 after purchasing an additional 25,962 shares during the period. Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of American Eagle Outfitters by 25.0% during the 2nd quarter. Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc. now owns 105,000 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $1,010,000 after purchasing an additional 21,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can increased its position in shares of American Eagle Outfitters by 18.7% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 36,687 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $353,000 after purchasing an additional 5,786 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.33% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on AEO. BTIG Research began coverage on shares of American Eagle Outfitters in a report on Thursday, September 18th. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $21.50 to $22.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $10.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, September 18th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of American Eagle Outfitters from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, September 13th. Finally, Citigroup increased their price objective on American Eagle Outfitters from $15.00 to $18.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $15.11.

American Eagle Outfitters Stock Up 2.7%

American Eagle Outfitters stock opened at $19.62 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $16.98 and a 200 day simple moving average of $13.70. The company has a current ratio of 1.62, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. has a 1-year low of $9.27 and a 1-year high of $20.55. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.86 and a beta of 1.58.

American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, September 3rd. The apparel retailer reported $0.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.20 by $0.25. The firm had revenue of $1.28 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.23 billion. American Eagle Outfitters had a return on equity of 13.67% and a net margin of 3.74%.The businesss quarterly revenue was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.39 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. will post 1.7 earnings per share for the current year.

American Eagle Outfitters Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 10th were paid a $0.125 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 10th. This represents a $0.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. American Eagle Outfitterss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 48.08%.

Insider Buying and Selling at American Eagle Outfitters

In other news, Director David M. Sable sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.22, for a total transaction of $96,100.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 48,640 shares in the company, valued at $934,860.80. This represents a 9.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Noel Joseph Spiegel sold 40,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.12, for a total transaction of $724,800.00. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 138,766 shares of company stock worth $2,515,354. 8.70% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

American Eagle Outfitters Company Profile

(Free Report)

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc operates as a multi-brand specialty retailer in the United States and internationally. The company provides jeans, apparel and accessories, and personal care products for women and men under the American Eagle brand; and intimates, apparel, activewear, and swim collections under the Aerie and OFFLINE by Aerie brands.

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Lauer Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in shares of UiPath, Inc. (NYSE:PATH  Free Report) by 43.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 91,850 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 27,800 shares during the quarter. UiPath accounts for about 1.0% of Lauer Wealth LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest position. Lauer Wealth LLCs holdings in UiPath were worth $1,176,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. AdvisorNet Financial Inc raised its holdings in UiPath by 320.4% during the 2nd quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 2,476 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 1,887 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in shares of UiPath by 48.0% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,989 shares of the companys stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 969 shares during the period. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its position in UiPath by 508.0% in the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 3,283 shares of the companys stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 2,743 shares in the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group boosted its stake in UiPath by 314.3% in the 1st quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 4,508 shares of the companys stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 3,420 shares during the period. Finally, Bayforest Capital Ltd increased its holdings in UiPath by 852.4% during the 2nd quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 4,143 shares of the companys stock worth $53,000 after purchasing an additional 3,708 shares in the last quarter. 62.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. Canaccord Genuity Group cut their price target on UiPath from $16.00 to $15.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, September 8th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d+) rating on shares of UiPath in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Truist Financial reduced their target price on shares of UiPath from $13.00 to $12.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Friday, September 5th. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a hold rating on shares of UiPath in a research note on Friday, September 5th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on UiPath from $12.50 to $13.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 2nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fourteen have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $13.71.

Insider Activity

In related news, CAO Hitesh Ramani sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.47, for a total value of $77,350.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 182,776 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,827,544.72. This represents a 2.66% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Daniel Dines sold 45,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.07, for a total transaction of $678,150.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 29,288,585 shares in the company, valued at approximately $441,378,975.95. This represents a 0.15% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 2,319,002 shares of company stock valued at $34,094,875 in the last ninety days. 23.19% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

UiPath Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:PATH opened at $13.62 on Wednesday. UiPath, Inc. has a 52-week low of $9.38 and a 52-week high of $18.74. The company has a market capitalization of $7.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 453.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.92 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $14.46 and a 200 day simple moving average of $12.94.

UiPath (NYSE:PATH  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, September 4th. The company reported $0.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.08 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $361.73 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $347.36 million. UiPath had a return on equity of 1.28% and a net margin of 1.35%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 14.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.04 earnings per share. UiPath has set its FY 2026 guidance at EPS. Q3 2026 guidance at EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that UiPath, Inc. will post -0.17 earnings per share for the current year.

UiPath Company Profile

(Free Report)

UiPath Inc provides an end-to-end automation platform that offers a range of robotic process automation (RPA) solutions primarily in the United States, Romania, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and internationally. The company offers a suite of interrelated software to build, manage, run, engage, measure, and govern automation within the organization.

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Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN.B  Get Free Report)s share price gapped up prior to trading on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $108.14, but opened at $115.46. Lennar shares last traded at $113.7440, with a volume of 1,250 shares.

Lennar Trading Up 6.7%

The company has a market cap of $31.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.08 and a beta of 1.28. The firms 50 day moving average is $116.84 and its two-hundred day moving average is $114.13. The company has a quick ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 4.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15.

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Lennar (NYSE:LEN.B  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, September 18th. The construction company reported $2.00 EPS for the quarter. Lennar had a return on equity of 11.09% and a net margin of 7.72%.The firm had revenue of $8.81 billion for the quarter.

Lennar Announces Dividend

About Lennar

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 27th. Investors of record on Friday, October 10th were issued a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 10th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. Lennars dividend payout ratio is presently 16.54%.

(Get Free Report)

Lennar Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a homebuilder primarily under the Lennar brand in the United States. It operates through Homebuilding East, Homebuilding Central, Homebuilding Texas, Homebuilding West, Financial Services, Multifamily, and Lennar Other segments. The company's 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.

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Manchester Capital Management LLC cut its position in shares of Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (NYSE:ICE  Free Report) by 13.0% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,440 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 363 shares during the quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLCs holdings in Intercontinental Exchange were worth $448,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ICE. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 53,685,491 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $9,849,677,000 after acquiring an additional 745,135 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 1.2% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 12,438,154 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,270,657,000 after buying an additional 145,961 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its position in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 491.3% in the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 6,433,497 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,109,780,000 after acquiring an additional 5,345,388 shares during the period. Amundi grew its stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 14.7% in the first quarter. Amundi now owns 6,315,706 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,060,574,000 after acquiring an additional 810,938 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Independent Franchise Partners LLP increased its position in Intercontinental Exchange by 0.5% during the first quarter. Independent Franchise Partners LLP now owns 6,192,424 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,068,193,000 after acquiring an additional 31,588 shares during the period. 89.30% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have issued reports on ICE. UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of Intercontinental Exchange from $215.00 to $200.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Intercontinental Exchange from $188.00 to $178.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on Intercontinental Exchange from $202.00 to $180.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Barclays set a $183.00 target price on Intercontinental Exchange and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Intercontinental Exchange from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, November 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $194.70.

Intercontinental Exchange Price Performance

Intercontinental Exchange stock opened at $156.01 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $88.95 billion, a PE ratio of 29.94, a P/E/G ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $157.35 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $171.66. Intercontinental Exchange Inc. has a 12 month low of $142.29 and a 12 month high of $189.35.

Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The financial services provider reported $1.71 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.71. The firm had revenue of $3.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.49 billion. Intercontinental Exchange had a net margin of 23.92% and a return on equity of 13.66%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.55 EPS. Analysts expect that Intercontinental Exchange Inc. will post 6.73 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, COO Stuart Glen Williams sold 939 shares of Intercontinental Exchange stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $172.04, for a total transaction of $161,545.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 16,624 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,859,992.96. This trade represents a 5.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CTO Mayur Kapani sold 10,082 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $158.88, for a total value of $1,601,828.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief technology officer directly owned 65,240 shares in the company, valued at $10,365,331.20. This represents a 13.39% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 170,944 shares of company stock valued at $26,338,174. Corporate insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock.

Intercontinental Exchange Company Profile

(Free Report)

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of market infrastructure, data services, and technology solutions for financial institutions, corporations, and government entities in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Singapore, India, Abu Dhabi, Israel, and Canada.

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Shares of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (OTCMKTS:MHVYF  Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $24.7850, but opened at $26.70. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shares last traded at $25.65, with a volume of 687 shares traded.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Trading Up 0.5%

The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $27.43 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $25.23. The firm has a market capitalization of $86.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 51.30 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31.

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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (OTCMKTS:MHVYF  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 7th. The company reported $0.09 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.14 by ($0.05). Mitsubishi Heavy Industries had a return on equity of 10.23% and a net margin of 4.92%.The company had revenue of $6.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1,282.47 billion.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Company Profile

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. manufactures and sells heavy machinery worldwide. It operates through Energy Systems; Plants & Infrastructure Systems; Logistics, Thermal & Drive Systems; and Aircraft, Defense & Space segments. The company offers thermal, renewable energy, nuclear power generation, and engine power plants; oil and gas production plants; lithium-ion battery products and fuel cells; civil aircrafts and engines, aviation equipment, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul of aircrafts; and launch vehicles and services, rocket engines, reaction control systems, space stations, rocket launchers, rocket engine combustion test facilities, and electronic parts.

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Mufg Securities Americas Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE:AVY  Free Report) by 21.8% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,733 shares of the industrial products companys stock after buying an additional 310 shares during the period. Mufg Securities Americas Inc.s holdings in Avery Dennison were worth $304,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bayforest Capital Ltd bought a new position in shares of Avery Dennison during the first quarter valued at $27,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. boosted its stake in Avery Dennison by 193.1% in the 2nd quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 170 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares in the last quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC grew its position in Avery Dennison by 156.2% during the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 187 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 114 shares during the last quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp purchased a new stake in Avery Dennison during the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, SouthState Corp increased its stake in Avery Dennison by 195.7% during the 1st quarter. SouthState Corp now owns 207 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares in the last quarter. 94.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Avery Dennison Trading Up 1.8%

NYSE:AVY opened at $170.53 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $13.18 billion, a PE ratio of 19.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a current ratio of 1.26, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $167.91 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $173.11. Avery Dennison Corporation has a 12 month low of $156.23 and a 12 month high of $207.78.

Avery Dennison Dividend Announcement

Avery Dennison ( NYSE:AVY Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The industrial products company reported $2.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.32 by $0.05. Avery Dennison had a return on equity of 33.67% and a net margin of 7.93%.The firm had revenue of $2.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.22 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.33 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. Avery Dennison has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 2.350-2.450 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Avery Dennison Corporation will post 9.96 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 17th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.94 per share. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 3rd. Avery Dennisons payout ratio is currently 42.78%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Argus set a $200.00 target price on shares of Avery Dennison in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Avery Dennison from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $182.00 to $195.00 in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Avery Dennison in a research report on Monday. BMO Capital Markets reissued an outperform rating and issued a $210.00 target price on shares of Avery Dennison in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Citigroup decreased their price target on Avery Dennison from $191.00 to $177.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $200.55.

View Our Latest Analysis on Avery Dennison

About Avery Dennison

(Free Report)

Avery Dennison Corporation operates as a materials science and digital identification solutions company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, Latin, America, and internationally. It provides pressure-sensitive materials comprising papers, plastic films, metal foils, and fabrics; performance tapes products, including tapes for wire harnessing, as well as cable wrapping for automotive, electrical, and general industrial applications; mechanical fasteners, which are precision-extruded and injection-molded plastic devices used in various automotive, general industrial, and retail applications; and other pressure-sensitive adhesive-based materials and converted products under the Fasson, JAC, Yongle, and Avery Dennison brands.

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Raymond James Financial upgraded shares of National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA  Free Report) to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday,Zacks.com reports.

NA has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Desjardins upgraded shares of National Bank of Canada from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. CIBC raised their price objective on National Bank of Canada from C$154.00 to C$166.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price objective on National Bank of Canada from C$152.00 to C$148.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 28th. TD Securities increased their target price on National Bank of Canada from C$148.00 to C$161.00 in a report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Scotiabank lifted their price target on National Bank of Canada from C$159.00 to C$166.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, National Bank of Canada has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of C$150.77.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on NA

National Bank of Canada Trading Up 0.9%

About National Bank of Canada

Shares of NA stock traded up C$1.53 during trading hours on Monday, hitting C$167.02. 135,076 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,814,953. The company has a market capitalization of C$65.50 billion, a PE ratio of 16.46, a PEG ratio of 7.14 and a beta of 1.08. National Bank of Canada has a 12-month low of C$106.67 and a 12-month high of C$167.10. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is C$154.81 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$145.58.

(Get Free Report)

National Bank of Canada is the sixth-largest Canadian bank. The bank offers integrated financial services, primarily in the province of Quebec as well as the city of Toronto. Operational segments include personal and commercial banking, wealth management, and a financial markets group.

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Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. boosted its position in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (NYSE:CP  Free Report) (TSE:CP) by 8.3% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 428,530 shares of the transportation companys stock after acquiring an additional 32,760 shares during the quarter. Canadian Pacific Kansas City accounts for 0.8% of Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest holding. Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P.s holdings in Canadian Pacific Kansas City were worth $33,963,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of CP. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 87.2% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 16,000,064 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,268,325,000 after buying an additional 7,454,810 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 59.5% in the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 16,984,351 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $1,192,471,000 after acquiring an additional 6,337,312 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 70.4% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 9,299,753 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $652,936,000 after acquiring an additional 3,842,866 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its position in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 31.3% during the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 11,611,625 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $921,881,000 after purchasing an additional 2,765,424 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Picton Mahoney Asset Management bought a new stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $194,999,000. 72.20% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City Price Performance

Shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City stock opened at $71.54 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $64.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a current ratio of 0.63. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $73.64 and a 200-day moving average price of $76.65. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited has a one year low of $66.49 and a one year high of $83.65.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Increases Dividend

Canadian Pacific Kansas City ( NYSE:CP Get Free Report ) (TSE:CP) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The transportation company reported $0.80 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.81 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $2.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.71 billion. Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a net margin of 28.41% and a return on equity of 8.79%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.99 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited will post 3.42 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 26th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be given a $0.228 dividend. This is an increase from Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys previous quarterly dividend of $0.17. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a $0.91 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys dividend payout ratio is currently 20.12%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on CP shares. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price objective on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $129.00 to $127.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. National Bankshares reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. National Bank Financial upgraded Canadian Pacific Kansas City from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $90.00 to $88.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Canadian Pacific Kansas City has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $91.69.

Check Out Our Latest Report on CP

About Canadian Pacific Kansas City

(Free Report)

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; merchandise freight, such as forest products, energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals, consumer products, and automotive; and intermodal traffic comprising retail goods in overseas containers.

Further Reading

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Pinegrove Venture Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NU  Free Report) by 37.3% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,487,395 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 675,374 shares during the period. NU accounts for about 54.4% of Pinegrove Venture Partners LLCs portfolio, making the stock its largest position. Pinegrove Venture Partners LLC owned approximately 0.05% of NU worth $34,127,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Rathbones Group PLC increased its position in shares of NU by 119.0% during the second quarter. Rathbones Group PLC now owns 147,590 shares of the companys stock worth $2,025,000 after acquiring an additional 80,200 shares in the last quarter. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. bought a new stake in NU during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $39,848,000. IFM Investors Pty Ltd raised its stake in shares of NU by 46.4% in the first quarter. IFM Investors Pty Ltd now owns 107,268 shares of the companys stock worth $1,098,000 after purchasing an additional 34,017 shares during the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. boosted its position in shares of NU by 39.9% during the second quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 95,879 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,315,000 after buying an additional 27,335 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kera Capital Partners Inc. grew its holdings in NU by 6.8% during the second quarter. Kera Capital Partners Inc. now owns 530,635 shares of the companys stock worth $7,280,000 after buying an additional 33,999 shares in the last quarter. 84.02% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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NU Trading Up 4.3%

NYSE:NU opened at $16.61 on Wednesday. Nu Holdings Ltd. has a 12 month low of $9.01 and a 12 month high of $16.67. The company has a current ratio of 0.56, a quick ratio of 0.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The firms 50 day moving average is $15.70 and its 200 day moving average is $14.05. The stock has a market capitalization of $80.01 billion, a PE ratio of 32.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.08.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

NU ( NYSE:NU Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported $0.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.15 by $0.02. NU had a return on equity of 30.12% and a net margin of 17.97%.The business had revenue of $4.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.96 billion. Sell-side analysts expect that Nu Holdings Ltd. will post 0.58 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of research firms have issued reports on NU. Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of NU from $14.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, August 25th. KeyCorp boosted their price target on shares of NU from $15.00 to $19.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, November 14th. Citigroup raised shares of NU from a sell rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $9.00 to $18.00 in a research report on Wednesday, August 20th. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of NU from $15.60 to $16.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of NU in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $17.44.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on NU

About NU

(Free Report)

Nu Holdings Ltd. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of digital banking services. The company was founded by David Velez Osorno, Cristina Helena Zingaretti Junqueira, and Adam Edward Wible on February 26, 2016 and is headquartered in George Town, Cayman Islands.

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Pinpoint Asset Management Singapore Pte. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of AngloGold Ashanti PLC (NYSE:AU  Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 10,478 shares of the mining companys stock, valued at approximately $477,000.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in AngloGold Ashanti by 6.1% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 22,284,407 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $1,017,746,000 after acquiring an additional 1,281,958 shares during the period. Legal & General Group Plc grew its holdings in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 1.8% during the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 4,852,722 shares of the mining companys stock worth $219,100,000 after purchasing an additional 87,679 shares in the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 2.4% during the 1st quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 4,041,932 shares of the mining companys stock worth $150,054,000 after purchasing an additional 95,668 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 274.6% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,137,721 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $142,986,000 after purchasing an additional 2,300,204 shares during the period. Finally, Acadian Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 1,767.5% in the second quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 2,788,123 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $127,027,000 after purchasing an additional 2,638,823 shares in the last quarter. 36.09% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AU has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Roth Capital set a $76.00 price target on shares of AngloGold Ashanti and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Scotiabank raised their price objective on shares of AngloGold Ashanti from $90.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock a sector outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, November 12th. HSBC reissued a reduce rating and issued a $55.00 target price on shares of AngloGold Ashanti in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of AngloGold Ashanti from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Citigroup began coverage on AngloGold Ashanti in a report on Monday, October 27th. They set a buy rating and a $90.00 price objective on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, AngloGold Ashanti presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $69.50.

AngloGold Ashanti Stock Up 0.5%

AU opened at $84.34 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $35.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.43 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a quick ratio of 2.22 and a current ratio of 2.99. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $72.45 and its 200-day simple moving average is $58.14. AngloGold Ashanti PLC has a twelve month low of $22.45 and a twelve month high of $85.85.

AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 11th. The mining company reported $1.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.34 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $2.37 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.53 billion. AngloGold Ashanti had a net margin of 23.60% and a return on equity of 22.54%. Equities research analysts anticipate that AngloGold Ashanti PLC will post 3.83 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AngloGold Ashanti Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be issued a $0.91 dividend. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. AngloGold Ashantis payout ratio is presently 80.18%.

AngloGold Ashanti Company Profile

(Free Report)

AngloGold Ashanti plc operates as a gold mining company in Africa, Australia, and the Americas. The company primarily explores for gold, as well as produces silver and sulphuric acid as by-products. Its flagship property is a 100% owned Geita mine located in the Lake Victoria goldfields of the Mwanza region in north-western Tanzania.

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Pinpoint Asset Management Singapore Pte. Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Birkenstock Holding PLC (NYSE:BIRK  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 6,093 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $300,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Eisler Capital Management Ltd. raised its position in shares of Birkenstock by 3,349.1% during the 2nd quarter. Eisler Capital Management Ltd. now owns 188,872 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,287,000 after purchasing an additional 183,396 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. purchased a new stake in Birkenstock in the 2nd quarter worth $18,647,000. Rhumbline Advisers raised its holdings in Birkenstock by 35.8% during the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 43,405 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,135,000 after acquiring an additional 11,448 shares during the period. Legal & General Group Plc boosted its stake in shares of Birkenstock by 115.5% in the second quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 9,443 shares of the companys stock worth $464,000 after acquiring an additional 5,061 shares during the period. Finally, Prudential PLC boosted its stake in shares of Birkenstock by 73.0% in the second quarter. Prudential PLC now owns 27,700 shares of the companys stock worth $1,362,000 after acquiring an additional 11,690 shares during the period. 19.93% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently issued reports on BIRK shares. UBS Group set a $77.00 target price on Birkenstock and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 5th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Birkenstock in a report on Wednesday, November 19th. Telsey Advisory Group restated an outperform rating and set a $70.00 target price on shares of Birkenstock in a research report on Friday, September 26th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Birkenstock from $81.00 to $66.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 19th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $68.38.

Birkenstock Trading Up 4.2%

BIRK stock opened at $42.43 on Wednesday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $42.49 and a 200 day moving average price of $48.11. Birkenstock Holding PLC has a fifty-two week low of $38.16 and a fifty-two week high of $62.66. The firm has a market cap of $7.97 billion, a PE ratio of 23.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 1.29 and a current ratio of 2.78.

About Birkenstock

(Free Report)

Birkenstock Holding plc manufactures and sells footwear products. It also offers sandals, shoes, closed-toe silhouettes, skincare products, and accessories. The company sells its products through e-commerce sites and a network of owned retail stores, as well as business-to-business channels. It operates in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Europe, APMA, and internationally.

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TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. cut its stake in Realty Income Corporation (NYSE:O  Free Report) by 50.8% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,725 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 1,784 shares during the period. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc.s holdings in Realty Income were worth $100,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in O. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Realty Income in the 2nd quarter valued at about $43,000. Stonebrook Private Inc. increased its position in Realty Income by 3.9% during the second quarter. Stonebrook Private Inc. now owns 38,538 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,220,000 after buying an additional 1,439 shares during the period. Wealthspire Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Realty Income by 5.2% in the second quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC now owns 37,940 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,186,000 after buying an additional 1,860 shares during the last quarter. FSC Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Realty Income by 44.7% in the second quarter. FSC Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 887 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $51,000 after acquiring an additional 274 shares during the period. Finally, Inspire Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Realty Income by 78.7% in the second quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC now owns 16,840 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $970,000 after acquiring an additional 7,417 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.81% of the companys stock.

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Realty Income Trading Up 0.4%

Shares of Realty Income stock opened at $56.73 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $52.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 55.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.46 and a beta of 0.77. Realty Income Corporation has a 52-week low of $50.71 and a 52-week high of $61.08. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $58.62 and its 200-day simple moving average is $57.85. The company has a quick ratio of 1.85, a current ratio of 1.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72.

Realty Income Dividend Announcement

Realty Income ( NYSE:O Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 3rd. The real estate investment trust reported $1.08 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.07 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $1.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.35 billion. Realty Income had a return on equity of 2.34% and a net margin of 16.77%.The firms revenue for the quarter was up 10.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.05 EPS. Realty Income has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.250-4.270 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Realty Income Corporation will post 4.19 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be given a dividend of $0.2695 per share. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th. Realty Incomes payout ratio is presently 299.07%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Realty Income

In other news, Director Mary Hogan Preusse sold 11,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.43, for a total value of $664,730.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 19,211 shares in the company, valued at $1,160,920.73. This trade represents a 36.41% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently commented on O. Mizuho lifted their target price on shares of Realty Income from $60.00 to $63.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, September 11th. Scotiabank lifted their price objective on shares of Realty Income from $58.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, August 28th. Evercore ISI initiated coverage on shares of Realty Income in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. They issued an in-line rating and a $62.00 target price for the company. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Realty Income from $59.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, UBS Group upped their price objective on Realty Income from $62.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 15th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $62.15.

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Realty Income Profile

(Free Report)

Realty Income, The Monthly Dividend Company, is an S&P 500 company and member of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats index. We invest in people and places to deliver dependable monthly dividends that increase over time. The company is structured as a real estate investment trust (REIT), and its monthly dividends are supported by the cash flow from over 15,450 real estate properties (including properties acquired in the Spirit merger in January 2024) primarily owned under long-term net lease agreements with commercial clients.

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RiverFront Investment Group LLC purchased a new stake in The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 2,246 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock, valued at approximately $277,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. TCTC Holdings LLC raised its stake in 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 buying an additional 145 shares during the period. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in TJX Companies in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new stake in shares of TJX Companies during the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. True Wealth Design LLC raised its position in shares of TJX Companies by 121.1% during the second quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 272 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 149 shares during the period. Finally, Activest Wealth Management raised its position in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 314 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 91.09% of the companys stock.

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TJX Companies Price Performance

TJX Companies stock opened at $152.34 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 0.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $169.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.70, a PEG ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.90. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $112.10 and a one year high of $153.02. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $143.46 and a 200-day moving average price of $134.49.

TJX Companies Dividend Announcement

TJX Companies ( NYSE:TJX Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.28 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.22 by $0.06. TJX Companies had a net margin of 8.59% and a return on equity of 58.63%. The firm had revenue of $15.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.80 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.14 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. TJX Companies has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 1.330-1.360 EPS. FY 2026 guidance at 4.630-4.660 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 4th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 13th will be issued a $0.425 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 13th. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio is presently 37.53%.

Insider Transactions at TJX Companies

In other TJX Companies news, Director Amy B. Lane sold 500 shares of TJX Companies stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.40, for a total transaction of $75,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 22,212 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,362,896.80. The trade was a 2.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Ernie Herrman sold 24,363 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.31, for a total value of $3,686,365.53. Following the transaction, 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 disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 54,863 shares of company stock worth $8,226,366 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

TJX has been the subject of several research reports. Erste Group Bank started coverage on shares of TJX Companies in a research report on Friday, September 5th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating and set a $168.00 price objective (up from $160.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b+) rating on shares of TJX Companies in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of TJX Companies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, August 23rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reissued a market perform rating and issued a $145.00 price objective (up from $140.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have issued a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, TJX Companies currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $158.90.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on TJX

TJX Companies Profile

(Free Report)

The TJX Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise.

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RiverFront Investment Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 9,173 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $837,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 15.4% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 148,395,252 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $11,616,380,000 after purchasing an additional 19,817,022 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 595.7% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 15,488,777 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,212,461,000 after purchasing an additional 13,262,309 shares during the period. Primecap Management Co. CA grew its stake in Charles Schwab by 229.3% during the 1st quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA now owns 14,002,078 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,096,083,000 after buying an additional 9,749,728 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in Charles Schwab by 12.3% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 82,048,984 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $6,422,795,000 after buying an additional 8,954,248 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in Charles Schwab during the first quarter worth approximately $440,699,000. 84.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Charles Schwab Stock Up 0.2%

SCHW stock opened at $90.73 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $161.22 billion, a PE ratio of 21.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a fifty day moving average of $93.84 and a 200-day moving average of $92.90. 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 one year low of $65.88 and a one year high of $99.59.

Charles Schwab Dividend Announcement

Charles Schwab ( NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.25 by $0.06. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 35.93% and a return on equity of 21.26%. The firm had revenue of $6.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.93 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.71 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 26.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that The Charles Schwab Corporation will post 4.22 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 28th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th will be paid a $0.27 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is 25.29%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Paul V. Woolway sold 3,205 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.33, for a total transaction of $299,122.65. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 34,778 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,245,830.74. This represents a 8.44% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Jonathan S. Beatty sold 6,144 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.81, for a total transaction of $594,800.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 11,923 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,154,265.63. This represents a 34.01% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 15,626 shares of company stock worth $1,500,095 in the last ninety days. 6.30% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently weighed in on SCHW. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Charles Schwab from $130.00 to $139.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Zacks Research cut shares of Charles Schwab from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 17th. Piper Sandler reissued a neutral rating on shares of Charles Schwab in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Bank of America upped their target price on shares of Charles Schwab from $84.00 to $86.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets started coverage on Charles Schwab in a report on Friday, October 3rd. They set an outperform rating and a $110.00 price target on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $106.45.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on SCHW

Charles Schwab Profile

(Free Report)

The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.

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RK Capital Management LLC FL trimmed its holdings in shares of Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET  Free Report) by 56.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 13,900 shares of the pipeline companys stock after selling 18,100 shares during the quarter. Energy Transfer accounts for about 0.0% of RK Capital Management LLC FLs investment portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest position. RK Capital Management LLC FLs holdings in Energy Transfer were worth $252,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Tortoise Capital Advisors L.L.C. raised its position in shares of Energy Transfer by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. Tortoise Capital Advisors L.L.C. now owns 38,205,495 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $710,240,000 after purchasing an additional 951,656 shares in the last quarter. Energy Income Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 12.0% in the first quarter. Energy Income Partners LLC now owns 23,120,066 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $429,802,000 after buying an additional 2,471,401 shares during the last quarter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. raised its holdings in Energy Transfer by 2.8% in the first quarter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. now owns 16,787,080 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $312,072,000 after acquiring an additional 455,860 shares in the last quarter. Chickasaw Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Energy Transfer by 3.2% in the 2nd quarter. Chickasaw Capital Management LLC now owns 16,158,771 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $292,959,000 after purchasing an additional 502,240 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BROOKFIELD Corp ON raised its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 6.4% in the 1st quarter. BROOKFIELD Corp ON now owns 14,626,020 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $271,898,000 after purchasing an additional 875,634 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 38.22% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, Director Kelcy L. Warren purchased 1,000,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $16.95 per share, for a total transaction of $16,950,000.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 104,577,803 shares in the company, valued at $1,772,593,760.85. This trade represents a 0.97% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 3.28% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a $23.00 target price (up previously from $21.00) on shares of Energy Transfer in a report on Tuesday, August 12th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $17.00 price objective on Energy Transfer and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. UBS Group reiterated a buy rating and set a $22.00 target price on shares of Energy Transfer in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Energy Transfer in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Energy Transfer from $24.00 to $23.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 26th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Energy Transfer presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $21.92.

View Our Latest Research Report on ET

Energy Transfer Price Performance

Shares of NYSE ET opened at $16.27 on Wednesday. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $16.85 and its 200 day simple moving average is $17.40. The stock has a market cap of $55.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.61, a P/E/G ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 0.76. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44. Energy Transfer LP has a fifty-two week low of $14.60 and a fifty-two week high of $21.45.

Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The pipeline company reported $0.28 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.34 by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $19.95 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.84 billion. Energy Transfer had a return on equity of 11.08% and a net margin of 5.80%.The firms quarterly revenue was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.32 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Energy Transfer LP will post 1.46 EPS for the current year.

Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th were paid a dividend of $0.3325 per share. This represents a $1.33 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 7th. This is an increase from Energy Transfers previous quarterly dividend of $0.33. Energy Transfers dividend payout ratio is 106.40%.

Energy Transfer Profile

(Free Report)

Energy Transfer LP provides energy-related services. The company owns and operates natural gas transportation pipeline, and natural gas storage facilities in Texas and Oklahoma; and approximately 20,090 miles of interstate natural gas pipeline. It also sells natural gas to electric utilities, independent power plants, local distribution and other marketing companies, and industrial end-users.

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Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) by 3.4% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 4,850,155 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after purchasing an additional 160,117 shares during the quarter. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing accounts for about 1.4% of Russell Investments Group Ltd.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 6th largest position. Russell Investments Group Ltd.s holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $1,098,978,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Powers Advisory Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $240,000. Hudson Edge Investment Partners Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 10.1% during the 2nd quarter. Hudson Edge Investment Partners Inc. now owns 236,503 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $53,566,000 after buying an additional 21,648 shares in the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP boosted its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 452.2% in the 1st quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 47,425 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $7,873,000 after buying an additional 38,837 shares during the period. RFG Holdings Inc. grew its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 66.1% in the 2nd quarter. RFG Holdings Inc. now owns 3,898 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $883,000 after buying an additional 1,551 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Duquesne Family Office LLC raised its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 456.9% during the 1st quarter. Duquesne Family Office LLC now owns 598,780 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $99,397,000 after acquiring an additional 491,265 shares during the period. 16.51% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

TSM has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Susquehanna upped their price objective on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $300.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Itau BBA Securities started coverage on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. They set an outperform rating on the stock. Needham & Company LLC reissued a buy rating and issued a $360.00 target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a report on Wednesday, November 19th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $371.67.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of NYSE:TSM opened at $284.80 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.15, a current ratio of 2.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a 52-week low of $134.25 and a 52-week high of $311.37. The stock has a market cap of $1.48 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.21, a PEG ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.31. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $288.76 and a 200-day moving average price of $247.80.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The semiconductor company reported $2.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.59 by $0.33. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 43.72% and a return on equity of 36.06%. The company had revenue of $32.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $951.89 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.94 EPS. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings revenue for the quarter was up 40.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has set its Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. Equities analysts predict that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 EPS for the current year.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be issued a $0.9678 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 17th. This is a positive change from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. This represents a $3.87 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio is currently 26.97%.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Profile

(Free Report)

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others.

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SG Americas Securities LLC increased its stake in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico, S.A. de C.V. (NYSE:PAC  Free Report) by 24.3% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 2,651 shares of the transportation companys stock after purchasing an additional 518 shares during the quarter. SG Americas Securities LLCs holdings in Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico were worth $609,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Allworth Financial LP boosted its stake in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico by 48.1% during the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 154 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. CWM LLC raised its holdings in Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico by 41.5% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 174 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 51 shares during the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. boosted its position in Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico by 680.0% during the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 195 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $45,000 after buying an additional 170 shares during the period. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd bought a new stake in Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico in the 1st quarter worth $54,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. increased its position in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico by 24.9% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 596 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $137,000 after acquiring an additional 119 shares during the period. 11.73% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico Price Performance

PAC stock opened at $236.36 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.21, a current ratio of 2.01 and a quick ratio of 2.01. 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 firm has a 50-day moving average of $226.16 and a 200 day moving average of $231.24. The company has a market cap of $11.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.68, a PEG ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 1.13.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico ( NYSE:PAC Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 20th. The transportation company reported $2.86 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.96 by ($0.10). Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico had a net margin of 25.27% and a return on equity of 42.07%. The firm had revenue of $520.69 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.04 billion. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico, S.A. de C.V. will post 10 EPS for the current year.

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on PAC. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, August 2nd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded 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. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $210.00.

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Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico 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.

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SG Americas Securities LLC reduced its position in shares of Highwoods Properties, Inc. (NYSE:HIW  Free Report) by 42.4% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 20,310 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 14,936 shares during the quarter. SG Americas Securities LLCs holdings in Highwoods Properties were worth $631,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its holdings in Highwoods Properties by 3.8% during the second quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 62,023 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,928,000 after acquiring an additional 2,290 shares during the period. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey lifted its position in shares of Highwoods Properties by 5.9% during the 2nd quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 40,210 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,250,000 after purchasing an additional 2,224 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Highwoods Properties by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,046,968 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $63,650,000 after purchasing an additional 23,168 shares during the period. M&G PLC grew its holdings in Highwoods Properties by 3.7% in the 2nd quarter. M&G PLC now owns 565,965 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $17,545,000 after buying an additional 20,294 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. increased its position in Highwoods Properties by 16.8% in the 2nd quarter. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. now owns 17,767 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $552,000 after buying an additional 2,561 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.31% of the companys stock.

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Highwoods Properties Trading Up 1.5%

Shares of Highwoods Properties stock opened at $27.56 on Wednesday. Highwoods Properties, Inc. has a 52-week low of $24.18 and a 52-week high of $33.11. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.03 billion, a PE ratio of 23.55 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.38. The companys fifty day moving average price is $29.87 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $30.29.

Highwoods Properties Dividend Announcement

Highwoods Properties ( NYSE:HIW Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.86 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.86. Highwoods Properties had a net margin of 15.98% and a return on equity of 5.48%. The company had revenue of $201.77 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $205.74 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.90 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Highwoods Properties has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.410-3.45 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Highwoods Properties, Inc. will post 3.36 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 9th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 17th. Highwoods Propertiess payout ratio is presently 170.94%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently commented on HIW shares. Wolfe Research began coverage on Highwoods Properties in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. They set an outperform rating and a $38.00 price target for the company. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Highwoods Properties from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Sunday, October 19th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Highwoods Properties from $23.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Highwoods Properties from $31.00 to $30.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, New Street Research set a $30.00 target price on shares of Highwoods Properties in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $31.00.

View Our Latest Report on Highwoods Properties

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director David John Hartzell sold 4,300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.10, for a total value of $138,030.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 27,489 shares in the company, valued at approximately $882,396.90. This represents a 13.53% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 1.90% of the companys stock.

Highwoods Properties Profile

(Free Report)

Highwoods Properties, Inc, headquartered in Raleigh, is a publicly-traded (NYSE:HIW), fully-integrated office real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns, develops, acquires, leases and manages properties primarily in the best business districts (BBDs) of Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Nashville, Orlando, Raleigh, Richmond and Tampa.

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Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its stake in iShares Latin America 40 ETF (NYSEARCA:ILF  Free Report) by 7.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 306,392 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 21,315 shares during the quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC owned approximately 0.47% of iShares Latin America 40 ETF worth $8,031,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of ILF. Assetmark Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of iShares Latin America 40 ETF by 1,605.2% during the second quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 2,064,352 shares of the companys stock valued at $54,107,000 after acquiring an additional 1,943,287 shares during the period. Avalon Capital Management bought a new stake in shares of iShares Latin America 40 ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $8,696,000. First American Trust FSB acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Latin America 40 ETF during the 2nd quarter worth about $7,663,000. Carrera Capital Advisors increased its position in shares of iShares Latin America 40 ETF by 341.7% during the 2nd quarter. Carrera Capital Advisors now owns 340,904 shares of the companys stock worth $8,935,000 after purchasing an additional 263,724 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in iShares Latin America 40 ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $6,569,000. 45.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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iShares Latin America 40 ETF Stock Up 1.2%

NYSEARCA:ILF opened at $30.34 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $2.12 billion, a PE ratio of 10.28 and a beta of 0.90. iShares Latin America 40 ETF has a 12 month low of $20.83 and a 12 month high of $31.23. The companys 50-day moving average price is $29.04 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $27.06.

iShares Latin America 40 ETF Company Profile

iShares S & P Latin America 40 Index Fund, formerly iShares Latin America 40 ETF (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P Latin America 40 (the Index). The Index consists of selected equities trading on the exchanges of five Latin American countries.

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Summit Global Investments lessened its position in shares of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C  Free Report) by 64.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,697 shares of the companys stock after selling 8,360 shares during the quarter. Summit Global Investments holdings in Citigroup were worth $400,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Private Advisory Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Citigroup by 20.8% during the first quarter. Private Advisory Group LLC now owns 69,581 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,940,000 after buying an additional 11,978 shares during the period. Keystone Financial Services purchased a new stake in shares of Citigroup in the second quarter valued at $216,000. Brighton Jones LLC grew its holdings in Citigroup by 166.9% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 19,990 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,407,000 after buying an additional 12,499 shares during the period. Hayek Kallen Investment Management grew its holdings in Citigroup by 125.0% in the 1st quarter. Hayek Kallen Investment Management now owns 15,534 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,103,000 after buying an additional 8,630 shares during the period. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd increased its stake in shares of Citigroup by 3.9% during the 2nd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 257,930 shares of the companys stock valued at $21,955,000 after acquiring an additional 9,644 shares during the last quarter. 71.72% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on C shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Citigroup from $115.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Citigroup from $100.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on Citigroup from $112.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Citigroup in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating and set a $118.00 price target on shares of Citigroup in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $108.70.

Citigroup Stock Performance

Shares of C stock opened at $101.10 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. The company has a market cap of $180.90 billion, a PE ratio of 14.20, a P/E/G ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 1.37. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $99.75 and its 200-day simple moving average is $91.57. Citigroup Inc. has a 52 week low of $55.51 and a 52 week high of $105.59.

Citigroup (NYSE:C  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The company reported $2.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.89 by $0.35. Citigroup had a return on equity of 7.91% and a net margin of 8.73%.The firm had revenue of $22.09 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.92 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.51 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 9.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Citigroup has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Citigroup Inc. will post 7.53 EPS for the current year.

Citigroup Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 3rd will be issued a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 3rd. Citigroups dividend payout ratio is currently 33.71%.

Citigroup Company Profile

(Free Report)

Citigroup Inc, a diversified financial service holding company, provides various financial product and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions worldwide. It operates through five segments: Services, Markets, Banking, U.S. Personal Banking, and Wealth. The Services segment includes Treasury and Trade Solutions, which provides cash management, trade, and working capital solutions to multinational corporations, financial institutions, and public sector organizations; and Securities Services, such as cross-border support for clients, local market expertise, post-trade technologies, data solutions, and various securities services solutions.

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Taseko Mines Limited (NYSE:TGB  Get Free Report)s stock price traded up 5.4% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $4.79 and last traded at $4.7950. 667,201 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 92% from the average session volume of 8,553,282 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.55.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, BMO Capital Markets restated an outperform rating on shares of Taseko Mines in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $5.00.

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Taseko Mines Trading Up 9.1%

Institutional Trading of Taseko Mines

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 1.71 and a quick ratio of 1.05. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.78 billion, a P/E ratio of -164.17 and a beta of 1.24. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $4.23 and its 200-day simple moving average is $3.44.

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in TGB. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Taseko Mines in the third quarter worth about $49,000. Brevan Howard Capital Management LP bought a new stake in Taseko Mines during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $61,000. SIH Partners LLLP acquired a new stake in Taseko Mines during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $62,000. Pinpoint Asset Management Singapore Pte. Ltd. bought a new position in Taseko Mines in the second quarter valued at approximately $52,000. Finally, Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Taseko Mines in the second quarter valued at approximately $52,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 17.94% of the companys stock.

Taseko Mines Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Taseko Mines Limited, a mining company, acquires, develops, and operates mineral properties. It explores for copper, molybdenum, gold, niobium, and silver deposits. The companys principal asset comprises 100% interest owned the Gibraltar mine located in British Columbia. It also holds interest in the Yellowhead copper project, the Aley niobium project, and the New Prosperity gold and copper project located in British Columbia; and the Florence copper project located in Arizona.

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Burlington Stores (NYSE:BURL  Get Free Report) had its target price dropped by research analysts at TD Cowen from $330.00 to $315.00 in a report issued on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the stock. TD Cowens price target would indicate a potential upside of 20.59% from the stocks current price.

BURL has been the subject of several other research reports. Bank of America raised their price objective on Burlington Stores from $350.00 to $363.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 29th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a buy rating and set a $330.00 price objective on shares of Burlington Stores in a research note on Tuesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Burlington Stores from $346.00 to $316.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Burlington Stores in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group reissued an outperform rating and issued a $350.00 target price on shares of Burlington Stores in a report on Tuesday. Fifteen 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, Burlington Stores presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $336.21.

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Burlington Stores Trading Up 4.6%

BURL stock traded up $11.58 on Wednesday, reaching $261.23. The companys stock had a trading volume of 744,907 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,103,474. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $270.14 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $264.12. Burlington Stores has a 12-month low of $212.92 and a 12-month high of $309.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a current ratio of 1.23. The firm has a market cap of $16.47 billion, a PE ratio of 30.83, a PEG ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 1.74.

Burlington Stores (NYSE:BURL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 25th. The company reported $1.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.59 by $0.09. Burlington Stores had a net margin of 4.96% and a return on equity of 42.74%. The company had revenue of $2.71 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.74 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.55 earnings per share. Burlington Storess quarterly revenue was up 7.1% on a year-over-year basis. Burlington Stores has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 4.500-4.70 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 9.690-9.890 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Burlington Stores will post 7.93 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Burlington Stores news, CAO Stephen Ferroni sold 1,123 shares of Burlington Stores stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $281.25, for a total transaction of $315,843.75. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 2,389 shares of the companys stock, valued at $671,906.25. The trade was a 31.98% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CMO Jennifer Vecchio sold 419 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $274.48, for a total value of $115,007.12. Following the sale, the chief marketing officer directly owned 63,751 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,498,374.48. The trade was a 0.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders have sold 1,626 shares of company stock worth $452,804. 1.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Burlington Stores

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Prana Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in Burlington Stores during the 3rd quarter worth about $343,000. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. bought a new position in shares of Burlington Stores during the third quarter worth about $576,000. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Burlington Stores by 18.1% during the 3rd quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,537 shares of the companys stock valued at $391,000 after acquiring an additional 236 shares in the last quarter. Danske Bank A S bought a new stake in shares of Burlington Stores during the 3rd quarter valued at about $6,172,000. Finally, CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co lifted its holdings in shares of Burlington Stores by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 59,805 shares of the companys stock worth $15,415,000 after purchasing an additional 251 shares during the last quarter.

Burlington Stores Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Burlington Stores, Inc operates as a retailer of branded merchandise in the United States. The company provides fashion-focused merchandise, including women's ready-to-wear apparel, menswear, youth apparel, footwear, accessories, toys, gifts, and coats, as well as baby, home, and beauty products.

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Employees Retirement System of Texas grew its position in The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX  Free Report) by 12.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 611,960 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock after purchasing an additional 67,460 shares during the period. Employees Retirement System of Texas owned approximately 0.05% of TJX Companies worth $75,571,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in TJX Companies by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 101,141,056 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $12,489,909,000 after acquiring an additional 727,292 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of TJX Companies by 1.2% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 26,070,916 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $3,205,927,000 after purchasing an additional 301,127 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its holdings in shares of TJX Companies by 0.3% during the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 13,068,312 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $1,591,758,000 after purchasing an additional 35,800 shares during the period. Amundi raised its stake in shares of TJX Companies by 10.2% during the first quarter. Amundi now owns 11,888,455 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $1,489,305,000 after purchasing an additional 1,104,292 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in TJX Companies in the first quarter worth about $1,330,717,000. Institutional investors own 91.09% of the companys stock.

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TJX Companies Price Performance

NYSE TJX opened at $152.34 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $169.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.70, a P/E/G ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.90. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $112.10 and a 1 year high of $153.02. The businesss fifty day moving average is $143.46 and its two-hundred day moving average is $134.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a current ratio of 1.17.

TJX Companies Announces Dividend

TJX Companies ( NYSE:TJX Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 19th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.22 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $15.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.80 billion. TJX Companies had a return on equity of 58.63% and a net margin of 8.59%.The companys revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.14 EPS. TJX Companies has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 1.330-1.360 EPS. FY 2026 guidance at 4.630-4.660 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 13th will be paid a $0.425 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 13th. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 37.53%.

Insider Activity

In other TJX Companies news, CEO Ernie Herrman sold 24,363 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $77,286,121.80. This represents a 4.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Amy B. Lane sold 500 shares of TJX Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.40, for a total transaction of $75,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 22,212 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,362,896.80. This trade represents a 2.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 54,863 shares of company stock worth $8,226,366. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

TJX has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Wall Street Zen raised shares of TJX Companies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, August 23rd. Erste Group Bank began coverage on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Friday, September 5th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and issued a $162.00 target price (up from $159.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price target on TJX Companies from $152.00 to $155.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have assigned a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $158.90.

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TJX Companies Profile

(Free Report)

The TJX Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise.

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Te Ahumairangi Investment Management Ltd raised its position in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV  Free Report) by 4.9% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 25,937 shares of the insurance providers stock after buying an additional 1,201 shares during the period. Travelers Companies comprises 1.2% of Te Ahumairangi Investment Management Ltds investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th biggest position. Te Ahumairangi Investment Management Ltds holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $6,939,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of TRV. Employees Retirement System of Texas purchased a new position in shares of Travelers Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at about $491,000. Choreo LLC grew its holdings in Travelers Companies by 1.0% in the second quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 15,057 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $4,028,000 after purchasing an additional 142 shares during the period. Inceptionr LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies in the second quarter valued at approximately $629,000. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Travelers Companies by 94.3% during the 2nd quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 11,139 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $2,980,000 after buying an additional 5,405 shares during the period. Finally, SlateStone Wealth LLC lifted its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 4.7% during the 2nd quarter. SlateStone Wealth LLC now owns 5,801 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $1,552,000 after buying an additional 259 shares in the last quarter. 82.45% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Travelers Companies Stock Performance

NYSE:TRV opened at $293.66 on Wednesday. The companys 50-day moving average is $277.12 and its two-hundred day moving average is $270.71. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a 1-year low of $230.23 and a 1-year high of $296.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 0.35 and a quick ratio of 0.35. The firm has a market capitalization of $65.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.55, a PEG ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.55.

Travelers Companies Announces Dividend

Travelers Companies ( NYSE:TRV Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The insurance provider reported $8.14 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.01 by $2.13. The firm had revenue of $12.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.15 billion. Travelers Companies had a net margin of 12.14% and a return on equity of 20.28%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $5.24 EPS. Analysts forecast that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.02 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 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 of this dividend is Wednesday, December 10th. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio is 17.30%.

Insider Transactions at Travelers Companies

In other Travelers Companies news, CFO Daniel S. Frey sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, the chief financial officer owned 26,932 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,493,829. This trade represents a 48.14% 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, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 8,572 shares of Travelers Companies stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $270.73, for a total transaction of $2,320,697.56. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 33,638 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,106,815.74. This represents a 20.31% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 37,375 shares of company stock worth $10,374,006. 1.46% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently commented on TRV. Barclays set a $313.00 price target on shares of Travelers Companies in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Travelers Companies in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Travelers Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, October 19th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Travelers Companies from $284.00 to $287.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Evercore ISI restated an outperform rating on shares of Travelers Companies in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $292.73.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Travelers Companies

Travelers Companies Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Travelers Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance.

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Thornburg Investment Management Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of TXNM Energy, Inc. (NYSE:TXNM  Free Report) by 13.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 258,062 shares of the companys stock after selling 40,202 shares during the quarter. Thornburg Investment Management Inc. owned about 0.24% of TXNM Energy worth $14,534,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of TXNM. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of TXNM Energy by 15.9% during the 2nd quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 1,331 shares of the companys stock worth $75,000 after purchasing an additional 183 shares in the last quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of TXNM Energy by 3.5% in the second quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc. now owns 7,056 shares of the companys stock valued at $397,000 after buying an additional 238 shares during the period. IFM Investors Pty Ltd boosted its stake in shares of TXNM Energy by 4.2% in the second quarter. IFM Investors Pty Ltd now owns 6,630 shares of the companys stock valued at $373,000 after buying an additional 266 shares during the period. Federated Hermes Inc. grew its position in TXNM Energy by 4.9% during the first quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 6,115 shares of the companys stock worth $327,000 after buying an additional 285 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in TXNM Energy by 6.0% during the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 5,095 shares of the companys stock worth $272,000 after acquiring an additional 287 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.68% of the companys stock.

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TXNM Energy Stock Down 0.4%

Shares of NYSE TXNM opened at $57.96 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $6.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.87, a PEG ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.13. The company has a current ratio of 0.51, a quick ratio of 0.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.49. TXNM Energy, Inc. has a 12 month low of $45.71 and a 12 month high of $58.25. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $57.08 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $56.69.

TXNM Energy Dividend Announcement

TXNM Energy ( NYSE:TXNM Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The company reported $1.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.44 by ($0.11). The company had revenue of $647.16 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $608.65 million. TXNM Energy had a net margin of 8.75% and a return on equity of 7.34%. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.43 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that TXNM Energy, Inc. will post 2.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 24th were issued a dividend of $0.4075 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 24th. This represents a $1.63 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.8%. TXNM Energys dividend payout ratio is 95.32%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently issued reports on TXNM shares. Citigroup started coverage on TXNM Energy in a report on Thursday, October 9th. They set a neutral rating and a $61.25 target price on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group cut shares of TXNM Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $58.00 to $61.25 in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered shares of TXNM Energy from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a report on Monday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $58.42.

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Insider Activity at TXNM Energy

In related news, Director Vicky A. Bailey sold 1,800 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.74, for a total transaction of $103,932.00. Following the sale, the director owned 8,725 shares of the companys stock, valued at $503,781.50. This trade represents a 17.10% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.28% of the companys stock.

TXNM Energy Company Profile

(Free Report)

TXNM Energy, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides electricity and electric services in the United States. It operates through Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) and Texas-New Mexico Power Company (TNMP) segments. The PNM segment engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity.

Further Reading

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Wambolt & Associates LLC cut its holdings in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT  Free Report) by 3.3% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 46,803 shares of the retailers stock after selling 1,604 shares during the period. Walmart accounts for 1.5% of Wambolt & Associates LLCs holdings, making the stock its 13th biggest holding. Wambolt & Associates LLCs holdings in Walmart were worth $4,598,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Echo45 Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Walmart by 4.3% during the second quarter. Echo45 Advisors LLC now owns 5,184 shares of the retailers stock worth $507,000 after buying an additional 212 shares during the period. Choreo LLC increased its holdings in shares of Walmart by 7.1% in the 2nd quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 186,489 shares of the retailers stock valued at $18,235,000 after acquiring an additional 12,404 shares during the period. Maia Wealth LLC raised its position in shares of Walmart by 2.2% in the 2nd quarter. Maia Wealth LLC now owns 8,199 shares of the retailers stock worth $802,000 after acquiring an additional 178 shares in the last quarter. Inceptionr LLC lifted its stake in shares of Walmart by 241.7% during the 2nd quarter. Inceptionr LLC now owns 18,771 shares of the retailers stock worth $1,835,000 after purchasing an additional 13,278 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Richmond Investment Services LLC bought a new stake in Walmart during the second quarter valued at about $725,000. 26.76% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have commented on WMT shares. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $116.00 target price on shares of Walmart in a report on Friday, November 21st. Oppenheimer boosted their price objective on shares of Walmart from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. Wolfe Research started coverage on shares of Walmart in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. They set an outperform rating and a $129.00 target price for the company. KeyCorp reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $120.00 price target (up from $110.00) on shares of Walmart in a report on Friday. Finally, Tigress Financial increased their price objective on Walmart from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Thirty-one equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Walmart has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $118.55.

Insider Transactions at Walmart

In other Walmart news, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 19,416 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.97, for a total transaction of $1,863,353.52. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 4,392,985 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $421,594,770.45. This trade represents a 0.44% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CTO Suresh Kumar sold 30,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, September 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.47, for a total transaction of $3,104,100.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief technology officer directly owned 1,787,200 shares in the company, valued at $184,921,584. This trade represents a 1.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 151,013 shares of company stock valued at $15,616,747. 0.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Walmart Trading Up 2.8%

NYSE WMT opened at $106.97 on Wednesday. Walmart Inc. has a 12-month low of $79.81 and a 12-month high of $109.57. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $103.60 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $100.03. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. The stock has a market cap of $852.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.21, a P/E/G ratio of 4.83 and a beta of 0.67.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 20th. The retailer reported $0.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.60 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $179.50 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $175.15 billion. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.45% and a net margin of 3.08%.The firms revenue was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.58 EPS. Walmart has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.580-2.630 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 earnings per share for the current year.

About Walmart

(Free Report)

Walmart Inc engages in the operation of retail, wholesale, other units, and eCommerce worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. It operates supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores under Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands; membership-only warehouse clubs; ecommerce websites, such as walmart.com.mx, walmart.ca, flipkart.com, PhonePe and other sites; and mobile commerce applications.

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Comrades, as you all know, the Labour Party is transitioning the UK from socialism to full communism. To do this, Commissar Reeves is outlawing all wealth and aspiration as the capitalist scum flee, Comrade Miliband is impoverishing the masses with huge increases in energy costs, and I am implementing even more tyrannical laws that will imprison even more people in our jails (soon to be Gulags). I have ordered that grinning low-IQ grunting useless idiot Commissar Lammy to oversee the transition of court cases with no juries.

The goal of socialism is communism Lenin

Jury trials for most crimes will be outlawed under proposals to be unveiled next month by Commissar Lammy.

The Injustice Secretary, Commissar Lammy is to bring forth my order that juries will only decide murder and rape cases from now on. All other cases will be presided over by state appointed far-leftist communist judges.

These lone communist affiliated biased judges will preside over trials of other serious offences like saying things on the internet or writing something on Twitter X. Thankfully, this will remove the rights of thousands of defendants to be heard before a jury. We will effectively imprison you without a proper court hearing or justice. You must obey the Labour Party and all of our diktats, or you will be imprisoned for many decades.

We are proud as a Labour communist Big State Stasi Government to preside over this serious assault on your liberty. Trial by your peers used to be a fundamental right in your democracy, and made up the core of who you were as a nation. Well, say goodbye to your stinking democracy, liberty and fucking justice.

Removing jury trials will gladly undermine a fundamental feature of the British constitution, and the British justice system, for over 800 years. Do not worry, we will soon burn all your fucking history books and re-write history in the new woke Soviet communist way, as it should be.

Comrades, we look upon the British people as scum that must be punished, and youre in luck, we are punishing you fucking pathetic bleating sheep daily. Now go back to your freezing grey, crumbling over taxed hovels and dont you dare write anything on a social media site saying how unhappy you are with these measures we are implementing on you fucking cunts. We only look upon you with great revulsion and derision, you fascist scum.

Peoples Republic of Soviet Britain Bulletin

GINA MAPLEPRATHERINGTON, 12, OF STALIN AVENUE, SECTOR 3, WOOD GREEN HAS BEEN AWARDED ONE BOX OF USED TAMPONS, TWO BOXES OF QUADRUPLE USED TOILET PAPER AND A MONTHS RATION OF ROTTEN PARSNIPS. SHE GLADLY REPORTED HER MOTHER, THREE SISTERS, STEP-FATHER, REAL FATHER, UNCLES, AUNTS AND HER SCHOOLTEACHER FOR CALLING LABOURS BRITAIN A FUCKING COMMIE TYRANNY. THEY WERE ARRESTED IN THE EARLY HOURS OF TUESDAY MORNING AND SUBSEQUENTLY LIQUIDATED AFTER A TWO AND A HALF MINUTE TRIAL WITH NO JURY AND SENTENCED BY A LABOUR APPOINTED BIG STATE JUDGE. AFTER LIQUIDATION, THEY WERE PROCESSED INTO NET ZERO JUICE  THAT COOL, REFRESHING DRINK.
THE SNAPSHOT

Dalhousie researchers work closely with Nova Scotias wild blueberry farmers to develop the innovations the sector needs to succeed as climate impacts intensify. The universitys new Atlantic Institute for Digital Agriculture will focus and expand this work, delivering precision and digital technologies to help the provinces largest agricultural export continue to thrive.

THE CHALLENGE: Unruly crop, big stakes

When Nova Scotia farmer Peter Swinkels describes what it takes to bring wild blueberries to harvest, the enterprise takes on the tension of a bet not easily won. The crop has a mind of its own. Its naturally occurring rather than planted in tidy rows. And since growth is managed over time, the crop cant be quickly expanded to compensate for setbacks. In recent seasons, swings from excessive rain, to late frosts, to severe drought have left even the most experienced growers exposed to risks they have never seen before.

Dal student researchers at work collecting data in wild blueberry field.

The fact of the matter is, we're suffering more extremes than we ever had in the past, says Swinkels, who is also a past president of the Wild Blueberry Producers Association of Nova Scotia. To have a crop dry out like it did this year is unknown to us. So, it's really, really challenging to get this steady factor that we need to stay above cost of production.

Wild blueberries grow on a two-year cycle. After harvest, farmers mow the bushes down to the ground. Over the next season, the plants regrow, and in late summer and early fall they produce buds that flower in spring and return fruit to fields in the second August.

During that long window the potential for trouble lurks. Excessive moisture kept machines out of fields two summers ago. This year brought the opposite. July, August, provided only a fraction of the rain required, says Dalhousie engineering professor and researcher Dr. Travis Esau. Some farmers literally did not harvest their crop because yields were so poor.



Dr. Travis Esau demonstrating equipment in the field

The economic stakes are high for such an unruly commodity. Nova Scotias wild blueberry sector produces more than 50 million pounds each year across more than 40,000 acres. With over 630 growers and more than $120 million in annual international sales, it is the provinces most significant agricultural export, making up a meaningful share of the rural economy that supports families and communities.

The farmers are resilient, pragmatic and entrepreneurial, but the combination of climate extremes, long crop cycles and increasing competition has created pressure that experience alone cannot account for. Swinkels says they need every advantage they can get to manage a crop that leaves them exposed for so long, with little margin for error.

THE SOLUTION: In-house R&D

For large global crops like corn and soy, farmers can rely on global manufacturers to build new tools and technologies. But wild blueberries grow in only a few select regions, most prominently Atlantic Canada, Quebec and Maine. The crop is too small to attract major R&D investment from multinational firms.

It's a unique crop, says Dr. Esau. There are only wild blueberries in northeastern North America in any scale, so large manufacturers don't look at it as being big enough to justify developing and commercializing products that are only going to be sold to a very small group of people.



Dalhousies Agricultural Campus in Truro, Nova Scotia

To support the industry, Dr. Esau and colleagues Drs. Scott White, David Percival and Christopher Cutler on Dals Agricultural Campus in Truro have stepped into this gap. They have become an in-house R&D engine for wild blueberry and other growers, engineering equipment and tuning digital tools and precision farming approaches to meet the needs of the provinces unique crops and terrain.

Now Dalhousie is increasing its commitment to the provinces farmers with the launch of the Atlantic Institute for Digital Agriculture. Dr. Esau, its inaugural scientific director, says the institute will help to provide the regions growers with field-ready support they need to stay competitive in the face of climate change and global pressures.

Swinkels says the increased collaboration is not just welcome, but essential, arguing that applied research has been the line between real progress and an uncertain future for his industry.

THE WORK: From AI tools to autosteer

Throughout the year, Dalhousie researchers and students move through the rugged fields radiating out from Oxford, Nova Scotia, a location well known as the wild blueberry capital of Canada. They collect samples on their knees and fly drones overhead to test new AI-guided spraying techniques. In the lab, colleagues analyze soils, study genetic code, and build computer models. Together, they are mapping these ecosystems in fine detail to support precision agriculture  data-driven farming tuned to natures exacting needs.



Collecting data leaf by leaf.

The goal is focused squarely on increasing the resilience of the sector. Its the touchstone that guides all the projects Dr. Esau takes on. One of his lab's newest is a smartphone app geared to help farmers quickly spot issues in their fields.

Over 200 weed species are known to grow in wild blueberry fields, reflecting the diversity that shapes management decisions, says Dr. Esau. The plants appear in irregular patterns across rough, acidic ground, and the mix can be especially hard for new farm hands to parse. Esaus point-and-shoot tool allows a farmer to identify select weeds in real time.

You take a picture and right away, it tells you what the weed is and the best way to follow up  when to manage it, how to spray it, says Swinkels. It's been a real asset.



Farmer Peter Swinkels uses a Dal-developed app to identify weeds

That simple action rests on a hard-won solution developed for the distinct demands of Nova Scotias wild blueberry crop. Esaus team, with the help of Dal weed scientist Dr. White, gathered thousands of images from farms across the province and had students examine and label every leaf and stem. Those annotated images trained a neural network to see fields the way a veteran Nova Scotia grower does. The AI-driven technology can also trigger commands to turn sprayer nozzles on and off depending on where and what weeds are spotted. Work is underway to expand the mobile app for disease detection and to even count wild blueberry flower buds in real time.

Dr. Esaus lab is also mapping fields from above using drones, collecting complex visual data to pick out stress zones the human eye cant see. The information feeds maps showing the exact locations of weeds that need to be treated and helping farmers avoid the cost and environmental impact of widespread spraying. Much larger drones are being tested to replace heavy ground sprayers, offering more advanced automation in their application and preventing yield losses caused by driving over crops.



Prepping a drone for a research mission

The researcher is also helping to drive innovation in harvesting. Traditionally operators crept across fields at less than a mile an hour, continually adjusting their course, shifting the harvester picking reel, checking the fast-filling bins behind them, all while trying to keep a perfectly straight line. The natural faults of manual driving can result in missed berries, torn plants or overlapped ground. Dr. Esau research demonstrates the benefits of adapting GPS-assisted steering, locking tractors onto precise paths to avoid wasted passes and allowing the operator to focus on harvesting the fruit.

THE IMPACT: Innovation rooted in place

From GPS guided rows to drone flight paths, the pattern is the same. Dalhousie researchers are working alongside farmers, translating the complexities of a naturally occurring crop into data, tools and decisions that work at the scale of a single patch of field. The partnership between farmers and researchers has become more than a collaboration. It is the reason the stubborn Nova Scotian crop continues to thrive.

When I started back in the 80s, I would be bragging about a 2,000-pound-an-acre crop. Now, if I had 2000-pound crop, I would hang my head and not talk to anybody about it, says Swinkels. We've been able to get our crops up to six or 7000 pounds to the acre, and more. It's taken technology to get us there. And we have to get these good yields to be able to carry us through the disadvantages of our environmental conditions.



Dr. Esau (far right), colleagues and students take a drone for a test flight.

The creation of the Atlantic Institute for Digital Agriculture will ensure engineers and scientists will be attuned to every new challenge. Bringing together researchers from the Faculties of Agriculture, Science, and Computer Science, the institute will deliver solutions that fit the geography and diversity of Atlantic agriculture.

For Carolyn Van Den Heuvel, executive director at Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, the opportunity ahead is to build on an ecosystem already used to solving problems together. With farmers, government, industry and Dalhousie researchers aligned, she sees the region as uniquely positioned to generate innovations that match its crops, climate and scale. She says its the advantage of having research rooted in place.

There is real opportunity when we all come together, she says. Were able to see openings for innovations that are right-sized solutions for our farms here in Nova Scotia. Without Dal being here, we would be relying on solutions that were not developed with Atlantic Canada in mind. It's pretty special.

How it was funded

Dr. Esaus project titled Development of digital technologies for wild blueberry cropping system to lower production costs and increase berry quality in partnership with the Wild Blueberry Producers Association of Nova Scotia was supported by a Mitacs Accelerate grant. This funding which fosters collaboration between university researchers and partner organizations in the private, public, or not-for-profit sectors to accelerate the application of research for Canadians benefit. Additional funding was provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canadas Discovery Grants program.
Socorro Mayor Ravi Bhasker said its been almost a decade since Socorro has seen the type of violence it did on Wednesday with a shooting death in a parking lot near New Mexico Tech.

Quentin Sisneros, 22, of Socorro died in what witnesses said may have been a case of mistaken identity, according to an affidavit filed in Socorro County Magistrate Court.

Anthony Anton Alvarado, 21, is in custody at the Socorro County Detention Center after his arrest Friday night in connection with Sisneross death, according to the affidavit. Alvarado is charged with an open count of murder, shooting at a motor vehicle, child abuse and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was booked into the Socorro County Detention Center in the early morning of Nov. 22.

Theres no place for something like this going on in Socorro, Bhasker said. I feel really bad for the family of Mr. Sisneros.

New Mexico Tech Interim President Michael Jackson said Sisneros was an important part of the campus community.

We are devastated by the recent tragedy that has deeply affected members of the New Mexico Tech community and offer our condolences to Quentins family and friends. Jackson said, Quentin was a friend to students, staff, and faculty, and a valued member of the NMT and Socorro Community. Through his efforts, he helped make NMT a special place to be and a home away from home for our students. He will be deeply missed by our community.

Bhasker, calling it a terrible situation, said the victim worked at Chartwells, a vendor for New Mexico Techs dining services. Bhasker said it appeared that Sisneros was dropped off by a friend to pick up his car after his shift, and it was just unfortunate timing that caused him to walk into the situation.

Around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19 Socorro police received reports of a shooting on the NMT campus near the intersection of College and Leroy, south of the campus library, according to an arrest warrant affidavit filed in Magistrate Court. In an adjacent parking lot, officers found Sisneros on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds.

Sisneros vehicle was pockmarked with bullet holes and casing littered the ground. He later died at the hospital.

Socorro Police Chief Angel Garcia said the State Police helped with the investigation, including SWAT and intel teams. He said he was grateful for the collaboration with State Police and also to his officers who stepped up.

Ad

State Police spoke to several witnesses who fled the shooting but came back to speak with officers.

A memorial for Quentin Sisneros is adorned with flowers, balloons and candles in the parking lot on College Avenue.

A teenager told police he was talking to a woman, their cars parked side-by-side, when another vehicle pulled up, according to the affidavit. Alvarado, the mother of his child, another man and an infant were in the vehicle.

Police said the teen told them Alvarado got out of the vehicle with a rifle and pointed it at his face so close that (he) was able to push the barrel to the side.

The teen told police a black sedan passed behind them and Alvarado fired numerous times at the car at point blank range, the affidavit states. The teen said Alvarado paced in the parking lot before running away as a bystander ran to help Sisneros, who was driving the black sedan.

The witnesses, including the woman who arrived with Alvarado, told police the teens cousin had recently slept with her, according to the affidavit. They said they believed Alvarado fired at the black sedan because it was similar to the one driven by the teens cousin.

Agents learned that (Alvarado) was very upset about (the) infidelity, he was currently using a large amount of Fentanyl and had threatened suicide with his rifle, the affidavit states.

Socorro Police told State Police that Alvarado was known to carry a rifle with him wherever he goes and had been recently stopped by officers while walking around with the firearm.

Unfortunately, you know, we had two instances where the city police actually talked to the suspect who was using the gun before, when he was carrying the gun in public, but there was nothing we could do about it. Bhasker said. So I dont know what we can do about a situation like that, when somebody is walking around with an AR 15.

Alvarado was arrested Friday, Nov. 21 around 8 p.m. after officers with the New Mexico Police Tactical Team surrounded a home in Magdalena and ordered Alvarado to surrender. After an approximately one-and-a-half-hour standoff, Alvarado exited the residence and was taken into custody without further incident, New Mexico State Police said in a press release.

Forty-eight hours with this guy on the run, were glad were able to do it in that amount of time, Socorro Police Chief Angel Garcia said. We wish we could have done it quicker, but with everything that we have to do to get search warrants, processes and everything else, it takes a little longer.

On Nov. 20 police had street blocked off in Socorro. Denise Ortega

I feel a tremendous relief, not only for our department and State Police in locating him, but our community and for the family of the deceased, I hope it gives the family some peace. They did not deserve what happened to them, Garcia said.

Until Alvarados arrest, authorities and local officials were tight-lipped about what occurred, including if anyone was injured, killed or at large.

On Thursday Nov. 20, New Mexico Tech was the first to issue a statement that no students or staff were involved and all classes and campus office activities may proceed as scheduled.

State police are investigating an active crime scene. No NMT students or personnel were involved. There are no immediate threats to individuals, the statement said.

Socorro Police Chief Angel Garcia said they did not release information to the public right away because they were concerned it could alert the suspect and compromise their efforts to apprehend him.

I hope the community understands that the press release wasnt given right away for those reasons, Garcia said.

Residents in Socorro reported street closures near Neel Avenue Thursday evening. Neighborhoods near Blue Canyon and West Place reported hearing sirens, flashbangs and drones.

Garcia said officers went to a residence in Socorro, made contact with people inside, but Alvarado was not present. After failing to find him there, they shifted their efforts based on new information, which led them to Magdalena, Garcia said.

As far as charges goes for others involved, Garcia said it would be up to the State Polices discretion.

Jackson of NM Tech said he was grateful for all the local first responders and their tireless efforts to protect our campus and the public.

Bhasker said he believes tragedies like this will continue to happen unless legislative changes occur.

He (suspect) didnt even have a cartridge; he had like a machine gun. It was a drum that shot the 32 bullets into the car, and something like that should be illegal. It just should be illegal, Bhasker said.

Editors note: Matt Reisen and NakaylaMcclelland of the Albuquerque Journal contributed to this article.
BROKEN WINDOW

On Oct. 13 in the area of Spring Street, a caller advised they noticed a broken window on a home that had been vacant for two years. According to the report, the caller and officer entered the home and noticed someone had been sleeping in the home. The officer located food and clothes in the home. The caller advised that he did not notice any items were missing. At this time, there are no suspects said reports.

CRIMINAL TRESPASS

An officer was called out on Oct. 13 in the area of North California Street to a business for a male subject trespassing. According to the report, the officer met with the caller, who was the manager of the store. The victim advised that the suspect was in the store and had been previously trespassed, and they believed the suspect was shoplifting. The victim confronted the suspect and told him to leave, and the suspect threw merchandise on the floor and made a motion towards the victim as if to strike them, then left. The victim said he wanted charges filed on the suspect. According to reports, the suspect was contacted at a nearby business and advised that he was not allowed back at the store, and charges would be filed. Alex Montoya, age 28 of Socorro, was charged with two counts of assault and two charges of criminal trespass/not posted.

WARRANT ARREST

Officers contacted a suspect on Fisher Avenue on Oct. 14 who was believed to have an active arrest warrant. According to the report, an NCIC check showed the suspect had an active warrant, and the suspect was arrested and booked at NCIC said reports.

WALMART TRESPASSING

Officers were called to a store for trespassers striking an employee at Walmart on Oct. 14. According to the report, the officer met with the employee, who said he contacted two suspects who were previously trespassed from Walmart properties. The employee then contacted the male and female suspects and told them they were trespassed. The two were escorted to the front doors and told to leave. The female suspect then struck the employee with a fist and left with the male suspect. The employee provided a video of the incident and requested that charges be filed, said reports. Alicia Montano, age 44 of Mountainair, was charged with two counts of battery and one charge of criminal trespass/not posted. Adrian J. Benavidez, age 36 of Socorro, was charged with one count of battery and one count of criminal trespass/not posted.

BACKPACK STOLEN AT PLAZA

On Oct. 14 at the Historic Plaza, a guardian advised officers that a victims backpack was stolen from Plaza Park on Saturday during an event. According to the report, the victim advised that she asked a friend to put her backpack in a trailer, but the backpack was left under a table. The backpack was later missing, said reports. The backpack contained a school laptop, tablet, and a friends phone. The victim was unable to provide serial numbers for any of the missing items.

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CIRCLE K SHOPLIFTER

An officer was called to a Circle K on Oct. 14 in the area of North California Street for a shoplifter. According to the report, the officer was advised that the female suspect had taken two bottles of whiskey and left, said reports. The officers were able to locate the suspect, who was in possession of the stolen whiskey. The suspect returned to the store and returned the whiskey. The suspect was cited in court.

SPEED VIOLATION

On Oct. 14, in the area of California and College, an officer stopped a subject for a speed violation. According to the report, the driver advised that he was in a rush because he needed to use the restroom. The suspect was advised that he was going to be summoned to the court for the infractions and was released said reports.

HOME BROKEN INTO

An officer was called to a scene on Oct. 14 in the area of Southwest Baca for a break-in with a female suspect carrying a rug and vacuum away from the home. According to the report, the officer contacted the suspect and saw the vacuum and rug. The female suspect said she had found the items in the street. The suspect was detained, and the officer escorted the suspect to the residence, where the officer met with the witness. The witness said the victims home was being broken into, and the suspect had taken items from the home. The suspect was arrested and taken to SGH for medical. At the hospital, the suspect advised that she was suicidal and wanted to have her handcuffs moved to the front. The officer declined to move her handcuffs, and the suspect attempted to move them herself and was stopped. The officer removed one handcuff and had to use an arm hold to take the suspect to the ground. The suspect sustained an injury to her eye. The suspect, Sabrina I Mexicano, age 39 of Socorro, was medically cleared and charged with three charges of larceny, three charges of burglary of a dwelling, and three charges of resisting, evading, or obstructing an officer. Mexicano was booked at SCDC.

BATTERY AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT

On Oct. 14 in the area of North 6th Street, officers were called to a store for a male causing a disturbance. According to the report, the male was yelling at staff in the pharmacy area. The officer met with loss prevention and the manager, who advised the officer that the suspect entered the store, went to the pharmacy, and began arguing. When they asked loss prevention to remove the suspect, the suspect refused. During this incident, the suspect hit the loss prevention officer with his phone. The officer was taken to the area of the suspect and told the suspect that he was trespassed and needed to leave. The suspect continued to yell and argue with the officer and staff, according to reports. The suspect was escorted outside by the officer and continued to argue. When the officer was placing the suspect under arrest, the suspect resisted and was taken to the ground. The suspect was restrained with handcuffs and arrested. The suspect, Stephen Griego, age 40 of Lemitar, was taken to SGH for clearance and charged with ten counts of criminal trespass, posted, ten counts of resisting, evading, or obstructing an officer, ten counts of battery, and ten counts of disorderly conduct said reports. Griego was booked at SCDC.

STOLEN VEHICLE, OPEN CONTAINER, POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE

On Oct. 14 in the area of the Super 8 west parking lot, officers stopped a vehicle with two suspects. According to the report, the vehicle had stolen wheels and rims. The first suspect was asked to exit the vehicle and was detained. The suspect told officers that his brother and girlfriend had stolen a car and put the stolen rims on the car, and the suspect was driving it. The suspect admitted that he knew the rims on the car were stolen. The officer met with the passenger and saw a baggie with a crystal substance that had not been there when the driver was removed from the vehicle. The passenger was also said to have brought alcoholic beverages into the car and offered the driver an alcoholic beverage said reports. The officer collected evidence and called for a tow truck. The car was taken to the police department for a search warrant. According to reports, the suspects, Tyler Burgoon, age 24 of Socorro, and Adrian Foulenfont, age 30 of Soccoro, were both arrested and booked on four charges of possession of a controlled substance, two charges of open container, and two charges of receiving stolen goods.

WARRANT ARREST

On Oct. 15 at 102 Winkler, an officer was provided with arrest warrants for a suspect who was in jail. According to the report, the officer served the suspect with the warrants.

DUI AND EQUIPMENT VIOLATION

On Oct. 15 in the area of California and Otero, a suspect was contacted for a traffic stop for an equipment violation. According to the report, the officer noted an odor of an alcoholic beverage on the suspects breath. The suspect was asked to perform field sobriety tests during which the officer noted several clues. The suspect was arrested, and the car was towed. The suspect agreed to a breath test and provided two samples, with the results being .14 and .15. The suspect, Johnny Sisneros, age 56 of Socorro, was charged with two counts of driving under the influence and two counts of not having required headlights said reports. They were processed and booked at SCDC.

FIGHT IN CONVENIENCE STORE

On Oct. 15 in the area of North California Street, a victim advised that while in the store, a suspect entered and the two exchanged words. According to the report, the suspect exited and returned, trying to fight the victim. The victim refused to fight, and the suspect swung at the victim and missed. The two fell to the ground and wrestled said reports. The altercation ended, and the officer met with witnesses and asked for video from the business of the incident.

SHOPLIFTER AT CIRCLE K

On Oct. 15, in the area of North California Street, an officer was called to the Circle K for a shoplifter. According to the report, the officer was given a description of the male suspect. The suspect was located and found to be in possession of the stolen merchandise said reports. The suspect was cited into court and then released. The suspect was also trespassed from the store.

WARRANT ARREST

A suspect was contacted on Oct. 18 in the area of North California Street for having a valid arrest warrant. According to the report, the suspects warrant was confirmed and the suspect was arrested and booked at SCDC.
Associated Banc Corp decreased its position in shares of ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP  Free Report) by 11.5% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 19,327 shares of the energy producers stock after selling 2,507 shares during the period. Associated Banc Corps holdings in ConocoPhillips were worth $1,734,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

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Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in ConocoPhillips by 379.7% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 40,094,754 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $4,210,751,000 after purchasing an additional 31,736,423 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in shares of ConocoPhillips during the first quarter worth $658,981,000. Primecap Management Co. CA lifted its holdings in shares of ConocoPhillips by 66.0% in the 2nd quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA now owns 7,883,455 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $707,461,000 after buying an additional 3,135,315 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its position in ConocoPhillips by 190.5% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 4,664,408 shares of the energy producers stock worth $484,539,000 after purchasing an additional 3,058,505 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its holdings in ConocoPhillips by 30.2% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 8,972,545 shares of the energy producers stock worth $942,297,000 after buying an additional 2,080,625 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.36% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Wolfe Research reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $131.00 price objective on shares of ConocoPhillips in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Melius began coverage on shares of ConocoPhillips in a report on Wednesday, August 20th. They issued a hold rating and a $117.00 price target for the company. Roth Capital decreased their price objective on shares of ConocoPhillips from $108.00 to $100.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on ConocoPhillips from $111.00 to $108.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reduced their price objective on ConocoPhillips from $117.00 to $115.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, September 8th. Nineteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with 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 an average price target of $115.16.

ConocoPhillips Price Performance

COP stock opened at $86.56 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.27, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The company has a market capitalization of $106.96 billion, a PE ratio of 11.62, a P/E/G ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.58. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $90.22 and its 200 day moving average price is $91.90. ConocoPhillips has a 12-month low of $79.88 and a 12-month high of $108.99.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The energy producer reported $1.61 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.41 by $0.20. ConocoPhillips had a net margin of 15.26% and a return on equity of 14.60%. The firm had revenue of $15.03 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.51 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.78 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 14.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that ConocoPhillips will post 8.16 EPS for the current year.

ConocoPhillips Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Monday, November 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.84 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 17th. This is a positive change from ConocoPhillipss previous quarterly dividend of $0.78. This represents a $3.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.9%. ConocoPhillipss payout ratio is currently 47.52%.

Insider Activity at ConocoPhillips

In other news, Director William H. Mcraven bought 5,768 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 10th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $86.68 per share, for a total transaction of $499,970.24. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 5,768 shares in the company, valued at approximately $499,970.24. This trade represents a  increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock.

ConocoPhillips Company Profile

(Free Report)

ConocoPhillips explores for, produces, transports, and markets crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and natural gas liquids in the United States, Canada, China, Libya, Malaysia, Norway, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company's portfolio includes unconventional plays in North America; conventional assets in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia; global LNG developments; oil sands assets in Canada; and an inventory of global exploration prospects.

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The United States Army is actively seeking manufacturing partners to produce a new generation of 155mm artillery shells, signaling a significant step in modernizing its area-effects munitions. According to a market survey released on November 20, the goal is to establish a production capacity of up to 30,000 XM1208 cluster shells per year. This initiative comes as the U.S. and its allies work to increase overall artillery production, currently at 40,000 shells per month, mainly in response to the high demand driven by the conflict in Ukraine.

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The Armys solicitation emphasizes the potential for multiple manufacturers to contribute to the production of the XM1208, requesting that potential sources detail their minimum and maximum output capabilities.

Technological Advancements in the XM1208

The XM1208 is a key component of the Armys strategy to enhance its artillery capabilities while addressing long-standing humanitarian concerns associated with older cluster weapons. Designed for use with M109A6/7 Paladin and M777A2 howitzers, the shell can engage targets at a maximum range of approximately 14 miles.

Each XM1208 shell contains nine M99 Advanced Submunitions (ASMs). During flight, these submunitions are expelled at a pre-set time using an electronic fuze. As they descend, they are oriented by a ribbon stabilizer and are designed to detonate about 1.5 meters above the target area, releasing approximately 1,200 preformed tungsten fragments.

A critical design focus of the XM1208 is mitigating the risk of unexploded ordnance. To achieve this, each submunition is equipped with multiple fail-safes. If the primary proximity fuze fails, there are four backup systems: a point detonation feature that triggers on impact, a pyrotechnic fuze, and two additional electronic fuses.

Addressing the Legacy of Cluster Munitions

The development of the XM1208 is driven by the need to reconcile the tactical advantage of cluster munitions with international efforts to ban them due to the danger they pose to civilians. Cluster weapons, which disperse numerous small bomblets over a wide area, have been used since World War II to increase the probability of hitting targets.

During the Cold War, the U.S. military relied on Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICM), which contained dozens or even hundreds of small grenade-like submunitions. However, these weapons were plagued by a high dud rate, with estimates ranging from 2% to 14%. This resulted in battlefields being contaminated with unexploded bomblets that remained a threat long after conflicts ended.

In 2008, the Department of Defense established a policy requiring that cluster munitions have a dud rate of no more than 1%, although this policy was later reversed in 2017.

The Path Forward for Area-Effects Munitions

The Armys current plan is to replace the older DPICM with the more advanced Cannon-Delivered Area Effects Munition (C-DAEM) program. This program includes the XM1208 for use against personnel and light vehicles, as well as the XM1180, which dispenses anti-armor bomblets. A successful test of the XM1180 was announced in March 2024.

According to the Army, the objectives for these new munitions include providing enhanced lethality against a variety of targets, extending range, and ensuring reliability in environments where GPS may be unavailable, all while minimizing the risk of unexploded ordnance.

Despite the push for these next-generation weapons, the existing DPICM stockpile is likely to be retained for emergencies. Mark Cancian, a researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted that the military has consistently viewed DPICM as an effective weapon based on extensive testing and operational experience. He added that the primary challenge has consistently been achieving a sub-1% dud rate at a reasonable cost, a challenge the Army continues to address with its new designs.
Leading marketing and communications agency Grays Communications has announced a strategic investment in Graphix, a long-established signage and exhibition specialist with over 40 years of industry experience.

The investment marks a significant milestone in Grays Communications continued growth strategy, enhancing its in-house production capabilities and strengthening its position as a full-service creative and communications provider across Ireland and the UK.

Under the new arrangement, Paul Kerr, who joined Graphix in 1996 and has been a partner for more than two decades, becomes Managing Director, retaining his stake and continuing to lead the companys day-to-day operations.

Chris Gray, Chief Executive of Grays Communications, said: Were delighted to make this investment in Graphix. The company has an outstanding reputation and a proven record of excellence spanning more than 40 years, with an impressive client portfolio to match. This step holds special significance for me personally as my father Gary founded Graphix. Im proud to help ensure that his legacy in the industry will continue and evolve as part of our wider group.

The investment brings together two respected names in the regional creative sector, combining Grays Communications expertise in strategic marketing and brand communications with Graphixs long-established reputation in signage, display and exhibition solutions.

Together they create an integrated service offering that delivers even greater value for clients, from concept through to final execution.

Gary Gray, founder of Graphix, added: Im incredibly proud of what Paul and I have built over the past 40 years, and deeply grateful to our loyal customers for their continued support. Im delighted that Paul and Chris are now taking the business forward. They make a formidable team, and I have every confidence theyll take Graphix to the next level through this exciting new chapter.

Headquartered in the North West, Grays Communications was among the first in its sector to become an accredited Living Wage Employer. Earlier this year, the company launched a medical scholarship scheme at Ulster University, funding a full medical degree to support the next generation of healthcare professionals.

This strategic investment reinforces Grays Communications commitment to sustainable growth, local investment and maintaining a strong ethical and community focus within the creative industries.
Tesco NI customers can make a huge difference to the lives of people facing hunger and hardship by donating long life items during the 13th annual Tesco Winter Food Collection.

Last year, generous Tesco customers donated 1.9 million meals worth of food at the Winter Food Collection directly to Trussell and FareShare. Both charities expect to see continued demand for their services this winter with FareShare expecting to distribute the equivalent of more than 40 million meals worth of food in communities across the UK.

Trussell research shows over 14 million people in the UK are now facing hunger, including 3.8 million children. They predict that their community of foodbanks will need to give out an emergency food parcel every ten seconds this winter to meet need.

FareShare continues to see high levels of need and say that more than a third of charities now primarily serve families with children, or services for children.

In response to this, Tesco is once again making its pre-packed customer donation bags available in stores to make donating the most needed items as easy as possible for customers. All large stores already offer them during the supermarkets Winter Food Collection, but this year, 86 of the largest Express stores will also stock them to make donating even easier no matter where you shop.

The bags, which typically cost between 2.00 and 4.00 are pre-filled with healthy and nutritious long-life items and can be picked up in store and paid for at the checkout. The donated food is passed to FareShare and Trussell, who will distribute it to charities and food banks to help families who need it most.

Tescos Winter Food Collection, the biggest in the UK, runs in its Express stores from November 24 - 29 and in large stores from November 27 - 29.

The most-needed items according to FareShare and Trussell are: Cereal, oats & instant porridge; Tinned & dried soup; and Tinned beans.

Winter is typically the busiest time of year for Tescos charity partners who see a marked increase in the number of people needing to turn to them for support. This comes on top of an already challenging year, with food banks in the Trussell community providing 2.9 million parcels for people facing hardship in the past twelve months  a 51% increase compared to five years ago. As temperatures drop and bills continue to rise, food banks say they are now bracing themselves for another tough winter as levels of need remain exceptionally high.

Throughout the year, Tesco donates surplus food from its distribution network and stores through its charity and community partners, FareShare and Olio. Since 2012, Tesco has donated the equivalent of more than 300 million meals through FareShare alone, as part of its Community Food Connection programme.

Karen Mullen, manager at Foyle Foodbank in Northern Ireland, said: Were proud to have a strong relationship with our local Tesco - especially with their dedicated Community Champion. In 2024 alone, across our summer and winter collections, we received an incredible 2,400 kg of food and essential items.

"This support from Tesco and their customers is more vital than ever, as rising food costs and growing demand continue to put pressure on our foodbank. Going into winter and Christmas the support from the winter collection ensures that we have enough food to help families and individuals in our City over that period.

The corporate relationship with Trussell and Tesco continues to be a tremendous support. Both teams work to plan and prepare for collections, providing marketing materials and coordinating the pre-packed donation bags. These bags are a brilliant initiative, especially for time-pressed shoppers, making it easier for them to contribute while ensuring we receive the specific items most needed at our foodbank.

Ashwin Prasad, Tesco UK CEO, said: With more families than ever expected to need help with essentials this winter, along with our partners, we are encouraging customers to donate whatever they can to our Winter Food Collection. If we all pull together, we can make a big difference to lives across the UK this winter.

It's our 13th Winter Food Collection and the generosity of Tesco customers and their commitment to helping their local community makes me and the entire Tesco team so proud.

Matthew Van Duyvenbode, co-chief executive at Trussell, said: With a food parcel being given out every 10 seconds this winter, we know far too many people will be facing hunger and hardship during the festive season. Food banks are a lifeline, offering a warm welcome and a listening ear, but they will only be able to operate this winter with the generous support of the public.

We know times are tough, but a donation can really make a difference. The Tesco Winter Collection is the perfect opportunity to help. The pre-packed donation bags make it easier than ever to support your local food bank today and help someone facing hunger today. We are so grateful to Tesco for its continued partnership and to you, our generous supporters, for making someone smile this winter.

FareShare Chief Executive, Kris Gibbon-Walsh, said: Food from FareShare reaches a network of over 8,000 charities across the UK, enabling them to provide food support alongside access to other vital services. In the winter months, many people accessing these local groups are forced to choose between keeping warm and eating. This makes the Tesco Winter Food Collection more important than ever. We are enormously grateful to all our colleagues at Tesco for their continued support, together we turn surplus and donated food into meals, strengthening communities and supporting those in need.

The Tesco Winter Food Collection enables us to collect long-life, staple ingredients that complement he fresh surplus food we redistribute. If shoppers can donate just one item at their local store, theyll be helping to provide a meal for someone facing hardship this winter.
A County Derry business is undertaking a special Christmas charity collection in memory of a young girl from Castledawson who died earlier this year.

Bellaghy-based pizza shop Diamond Slice is collecting pyjamas for sick children in hospital up until December 15.

The collection, which was launched yesterday (Monday), is inspired by the late Caitlin-Rose McMullan, who tragically lost her life earlier this year when she was knocked down by a car moments after exiting her school bus near Castledawson.

The 11 year-old, who was a pupil at St Pius X College in Magherafelt, was rushed to hospital where she sadly died.

Caitlin-Roses mum Stella explained: When my daughter passed away we were offered PJs or a small night dress to put on her. Unfortunately the PJs were too small so we went with the dress, so this will help families be able to put them in something nice.

Stella and her friend Lorraine Mulgrew, of Diamond Slice, are planning to donate the pyjamas to the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children and are appealing for people to support the campaign and bring comfort and smiles to those spending the festive season in hospital.

Please if you can spare any, it would be beautiful in memory of my amazing daughter Caitlin Rose McMullan, added Stella.

You can help by donating new pyjamas (sizes up to age 16) or by contributing towards the cost.

Drop off points are in the following locations - Fullans in Portglenone, Diamond Slice in Bellaghy, Toome Pharmacy, Lavey Shop, Drumsurn GAC, Chic N Cut in Bellaghy, St Colms GAC in Drum, Ballinascreen GAC and Nora & Katie in Dungiven.

Alternatively contact Lorraine on 07821670544 or through Diamond Slices Facebook page.












SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA has said the Minister must have ambition to deliver universal free school meals.

She was speaking after the SDLPs Opposition Day motion passed in the Assembly on Tuesday.

East Derry MLA Cara Hunter said: At a time when the North is languishing behind the rest of these islands when it comes to expanding free school meal provision the Minister had the opportunity to come to the Assembly and outline how we could hope to introduce universal free school meals by 2030. Instead in his response we saw his typical deflection and refusal to engage with the issue at hand.

The SDLP brought this motion to highlight the number of children going hungry, with one in five living in poverty not qualifying for free school meals. We have heard from teachers about children who are coming to school without enough to eat, with many school staff dipping into their own pockets to provide food.

Contrary to what the Minister said, this policy would be beneficial for our economy in the long-term. All the evidence shows that free schools meals result in healthier, happier young people with better educational outcomes. Instead of driving progress, when it comes to free school meals and holiday hunger support we are actually going backwards.

"Refusing to even consider moving towards universal free school meals is a political choice, the Ministers choice and he will have to own it.
Staff and volunteers from community groups in the Triax area, alongside young people from St. Joseph's Boys School, came together in the Bogside to launch this years 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

The 2025 campaign focuses on Ending Digital Violence Against Women and Girls and highlighting the urgent need to address online harassment and abuse.

Niamh McGuinness, Advocacy Worker at Dove House, said: This campaign is about all of us standing together as a community. Gender-based violence, including online abuse, affects us all, and its vital that we send a clear, united message: it is never acceptable, and no one should have to face it alone.

Stark statistics that women are 27 times more likely to experience harassment online is shocking, but it also reminds us that awareness and action are crucial.

We want to make sure anyone experiencing abuse knows they do not have to suffer in silence. Speaking out, seeking support, and knowing that help is available can make all the difference.

Dove House is here to provide guidance, advocacy, and support for anyone affected. Together, we can help people access the right support and work to create safer, stronger communities for everyone.

Tuesdays launch kicks off a campaign across the neighbourhood over the next 16 days which aims to raising awareness of gender-based violence.

For more information, support, or to get involved in the campaign, contact Dove House Advocacy Project at advocacy@dovehousecommunitytrust.org
Police in Derry are appealing for witnesses to an attempted robbery at fast food premises on William Street in the city on Tuesday night, November 25.

Shortly before 8.00pm, a masked man entered the premises and walked up to the counter, brandishing a knife, demanding money from the till. A staff member confronted the suspect, who then dropped the knife  which has been recovered by police - and ran away.

The suspect is described as being approximately six-foot tall and of slim build and wore a black coat. It's reported when he left the premises he and another male ran away, in the direction of Chamberlain Street.

Inspector Gahan said: "While none of the staff were physically injured, this was undoubtedly a terrifying ordeal for them to experience.

"As we continue with our enquiries, we're appealing to anyone who was in the area, between 7.55pm and 8.00pm, and noticed anything suspicious, or saw two males running away from William Street, to report it to police.

"We'd also be keen to hear from any motorists in the area at the time who may have relevant dash cam footage that could assist our investigation."

The number to call with information is 101, quoting 1388 25/11/25. You can also submit a report online via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/.
North West Regional College (NWRC) has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education, recognising its outstanding work in business support.

The colleges Business Support Team was chosen for the honour, acknowledging their work partnering with more than 400 businesses annually through applied research, skills, and workforce development.

The Queen Elizabeth Award is widely regarded as the highest national honour in further and higher education in the UK. Prizes are presented every two years following a rigorous and independent process of review. NWRC is part of the 2025 cohort of award winners which saw applications from more than 100 institutions.

Dr. Fergal Tuffy, Technology Innovation Manager at NWRC, said the news is deserved recognition for the teams outstanding work in delivering high quality skills and innovation support that benefit the regional economy.

He added: In ten years our Business Support Centre has grown from just one office in one campus, to a unique suite of Technology Innovation Centres (TICs) across four campuses, dedicated to supporting local and regional business, developing skills, fostering innovation and driving applied research.

Our centres are: Food and drink innovation (Foodovation); Advanced Manufacturing, Materials and Engineering (Product Design Centre [PDC]); Augmented, virtual and extended reality (XR) and Automation, robotics, and 5G technologies (i4.0). We also partner and support College curriculum colleagues in the DIAL Centre (Design Innovation for Assisted Living [DIAL]) NWRCs Health care and assisted living centre.

The TICs provide the College with a business-focused capability, enabling small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) to tap into the knowledge and expertise of our college, while accessing skills and equipment which might not otherwise be within their reach. This in turn reduces business risk, shortens their time to market, and assists the exploitation of know-how from academia to industry.

In the past year, the NWRC has completed over 140 innovation and applied research and development projects through these centres, helping SMEs innovate and grow by developing new products, processes, and services. The college has also trained more than 1,000 individuals, including business employees, who received upskilling, and individuals who were trained in priority skills areas for new opportunities.

Leo Murphy, Principal and Chief Executive of NWRC said winning the award was welcome news for everyone at the college.

He said: NWRC has a long history in delivering for businesses across the region through skills development and innovation. As College Principal and Chief Executive, I am immensely proud of the many achievements of our Business Support Centre since they first began their work in 2015.

The work at NWRC through our innovation hubs is unique within the UKs Further Education sector. I have spoken with many of the clients of the centres who consistently tell me about the differences our team of experts have made to their businesses by improving productivity, innovation and creativity.

It is our privilege to work so closely with these enterprises and watch them succeed. My congratulations to our entire team on this hugely significant accolade.

The winners of the sixteenth round were announced at St Jamess Palace on 25 November, and the Prizes will be presented at an investiture ceremony in London in February 2026.

Sir Damon Buffini, Chair of the Royal Anniversary Trust said: The Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Higher and Further Education celebrate the power of education to change the world for the better. This year we are delighted to honour 19 institutions whose work offers an inspiring snapshot of the excellent and innovative work going on in universities and colleges across the UK. Congratulations all!
PICTURED ABOVE: The Mayor is pictured with, from left, Caroline Wilhelmsson, University of Bradford, Tony Monaghan, Regeneration Manager, DCSDC, Professor Andy Wilson from University of Bradford, Niall McCaughan, Friends of the Derry Walls, Edel Coyle, Ulster University, Jennifer Coyle, Regeneration Project Officer, DCSDC.

Derry City and Strabane District Council today launched an innovative digital heritage project, led by the University of Bradford, that brings the historic Walled City of Derry to life through cutting-edge 3D modelling technology.

The Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Ruairi McHugh, officially unveiled the project at a special launch event at Ulster University, marking a significant milestone in preserving and sharing the city's rich heritage with global audiences.

Speaking at the launch, Mayor McHugh said: Today marks an exciting new chapter in how we preserve, celebrate and share our remarkable heritage. This groundbreaking 3D digital modelling project represents a fusion of our proud past with innovative technology, allowing people from across the world to experience the beauty and historical significance of our Walled City.

The project is a collaborative effort led by the University of Bradford in partnership with the University of Limerick, University College Cork, and Derry City and Strabane District Council, funded by the Arts & Humanities Research Council. It features state-of-the-art digital twin technology that creates highly detailed virtual representations of the historic Walled City as well as the town of Kilmallock in Limerick.

Professor Andrew Wilson from the University of Bradford said: This collaboration between the UK and Ireland is about more than technology  its about connecting communities and preserving heritage in a way thats accessible to everyone. By creating detailed digital twins of Derry and Kilmallock, were safeguarding centuries of history while opening up new opportunities for education, tourism and regeneration.

Weve deployed cutting-edge infrastructure funded through the AHRC Capabilities for Collections scheme  vehicle-mounted laser scanning systems, drones, and mobile mapping, to capture these walled towns in incredible detail. The result is a high-density dataset that can be explored on a mobile phone or integrated into planning and conservation workflows.

The same data that underpins heritage interpretation can also support local authorities with planning, regeneration and tourism management.

The Mayor is pictured with, from left, Faye Corbett and Caroline Wilhelmsson, University of Bradford, Tony Monaghan, Regeneration Manager, DCSDC, Professor Andy Wilson from University of Bradford, Niall McCaughan, Friends of the Derry Walls, Edel Coyle, Ulster University, Jennifer Coyle, Regeneration Project Officer, DCSDC and Tom Sparrow, University of Bradford. (Photos: Martin McKeown)

"Its a perfect example of how digital heritage can deliver real-world benefits beyond archaeology. Although the University of Bradford secured funding for this advanced kit, we see it as a national capability. That means we can deploy it across the UK and Ireland to enhance town planning, cultural engagement and wellbeing. Its about sharing expertise and infrastructure for the greater good.

Key features of the project include:

Immersive virtual tours allowing global access to Derry's heritage

Detailed 3D digital modelling of the historic walls and key sites

Educational resources for schools and researchers worldwide

Preservation of architectural details for future generations

The Mayor continued: This initiative demonstrates our commitment to innovation in heritage conservation. By creating these digital twins, we're not only preserving our history but making it accessible to everyone, whether they're students in a classroom, researchers across the globe, or curious travellers planning their visit.

The project has received significant support from heritage organizations including the Friends of the Derry Walls, who have been instrumental in the preservation and promotion of this iconic landmark.

This is more than just a technological achievement, added the Mayor. It's about building bridges between past and present, between our local community and the wider world, and between traditional heritage conservation and digital innovation.

The Mayor is pictured with Professor Andy Wilson from the University of Bradford, who led the team

The 3D digital model will serve as both an educational tool and a tourism asset, allowing virtual visitors to explore the Walled City's architecture, history, and cultural significance from anywhere in the world.

The project aligns with the Council's broader regeneration strategy and commitment to leveraging technology to enhance cultural tourism and heritage education.

For more information about the project go to www.derrystrabane.com/derrywalls.
Racist graffiti daubed on a family home in Derry has been condemned.

The words 'local only' and a crosshair symbol were spray painted on to the home of a Sudanese family living in the Fountain estate on Tuesday night.

Police are treating the incident as a racially motivated hate crime.

Inspector Michael Gahan said: "What has happened is completely unacceptable. Everyone deserves to live without fear or intimidation.

"As we investigate who committed this crime, I am appealing to anyone with information, anyone who witnessed this incident, or who may have captured dash-cam or CCTV footage from the area to call us on 101, quoting RM25072583."



Condemning the incident, a spokesperson for the North West Migrants Forum said: We are disgusted that the home of a Sudanese family was targeted overnight in Derrys Fountain estate.

This is a family well known to us and that has become firmly embedded in our organisation through their volunteering efforts. They are also well known and well respected within the Fountain community where they have been volunteering with the local youth club.

This family  a mother, father and their two children  have lived peacefully in The Fountain since their arrival in Northern Ireland and were in recent days moved a short distance to this new property.

They came to Northern Ireland having fled the globally criticised horrors being visited upon their home country where hundreds of thousands of civilians have lost their lives in the past three years.

That they are now having to shoulder more worry and more stress in a place they thought they could depend on for sanctuary is just abhorrent.

We will stand with the family in the days and weeks ahead and we encourage others to do the same. We also urge all politicians to join us in condemning this awful act.

United Against Racism spokesperson Karen McCole said the attack on the family is not representative of the area or the city.

DUP Foyle MLA Gary Middleton said he was appalled and branded the incident as an act of cowardly intimidation.

To target a family home, a place where they should feel most safe, is an act of cowardly intimidation that has no place in our society, he said. This family has lived in the Fountain for some time and are involved with the local youth club.

This behaviour is not reflective of the Fountain community or the wider city. The individuals responsible for this hate crime certainly do not speak for us.

My thoughts are with the Sudanese family affected by this disgusting act.

I would urge anyone with information regarding this incident to come forward to the PSNI immediately so those responsible can be held accountable."
Northern Ireland risks having insufficient drinking water during hot weather without a significant increase in infrastructure investment, the chief of NI Water has said.

Sara Venning also said there would be a continued stop on applications for wastewater connections for new housing and warned Belfast Lough risks becoming the next Lough Neagh because of sewage pollution.

Ms Venning, the chief executive of NI Water, appeared before Stormonts Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday.

The company, which provides water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland, is funded through the block grant provided to Stormont by the Treasury.

Ms Venning told MLAs that their business plan for 2028 to 2033 required almost double the level of its current capital investment.

She said: Only with those kind of levels can we begin to reverse the years of underinvestment.

This level of significantly increased funding is what our peers across the UK and the Republic of Ireland are already starting to invest.

She added: Without proper investment in the publicly owned water and wastewater infrastructure, Northern Ireland risks insufficient drinking water during hotter, drier periods and a continued stop on applications for wastewater connections for housing and for economic growth.

The wastewaster system in Northern Ireland will continue to pollute because when existing connections exceed the capacity of the network, pollution is inevitable because we cant stop receiving their wastewater.

An Audit Office report last year found that a lack of water infrastructure is delaying or halting proposed housing developments and called for a comprehensive review of the current funding arrangements for NI Water.

Ms Venning told the committee that the company had been underfunded by 470 million compared with a recommendation from the Utility Regulator in 2021.

She said: The result of that is a quarter of the work that was deemed essential will not happen, around 100 towns and villages will remain constrained, unable to grow without risking further environmental damage.

Through innovation and collaboration we have enabled some housing development, but there has been no real progress on the structural environmental deficit.

In fact it could be said we are going backwards.

She said a 1.4 billion Living With Water plan for Belfast had stalled.

Ms Venning added: Without it Belfast Lough risks becoming the next Lough Neagh, except in Belfast Lough sewage is the primary pollutant and that is a direct result of underinvestment.

NI Water aspires to the day when we no longer need legal protection from prosecution for pollution incidents.

But aspiration alone isnt enough, only investment and collective action will fix this.

The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) this week announced an investigation into the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera), as well as the the Utility Regulator over the regulation of sewage discharges into Belfast Lough.

Ms Venning said that the provision of water and wastewater services in Northern Ireland is currently on a knife-edge.

She added: Last year was just about manageable for us because the weather was benign and because rainfall was low, particularly through the autumn and winter.

If conditions turn against us this year we face some risk in relation to our operating costs.

UUP MLA John Stewart said the evidence given to the committee was a sad indictment of the situation facing the region.

He said: Sadly for me this is probably the starkest which we have heard.

It reflects the tragic reality of the under-investment that Northern Ireland Water has faced and the crisis that you have outlined.

When you say delivering fresh drinking water could be at risk and that we are looking at the next Lough Neagh in Belfast Lough due to the lack of waste capacity

These are absolutely tragic statements and a sad indictment of the situation we currently face.
A Stormont committee has heard a claim that the son of Sinn Fein MLA Caral Ni Chuilin was allegedly involved in damaging a portrait of a former DUP lord mayor.

Ms Ni Chuilin told the committee she had nothing to declare after TUV MLA Timothy Gaston said it had been reported on social media that her son Naoise was involved in the incident.

A political row erupted this week after the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) said there would be no prosecution over the incident last October when the portrait of Lord Wallace Browne was damaged.

The damage was discovered after an event hosted by an external Irish language organisation in Belfast City Hall.

First Minister Michelle ONeill later told the Northern Ireland Assembly that a Sinn Fein employee had made the party chief whip aware of their involvement in an incident regarding a portrait and that they had been suspended and then resigned.

The incident was investigated by police as a hate crime.

However the PPS said on Monday there is no reasonable prospect of conviction for any criminal offence on the evidence available.

The PPS said there was no CCTV coverage of the area around the portrait, as the relevant camera had been out of service for some time.

It added that the Sinn Fein employees resignation contained no admission and a man interviewed by police exercised his right not to answer questions.

Since then DUP MLA Phillip Brett told the Northern Ireland Assembly that the person who allegedly damaged the portrait is the son of a Sinn Fein MLA.

Wednesdays committee meeting had been due to hear evidence from junior ministers Aisling Reilly and Joanne Bunting on institutional abuse, when Mr Gaston raised the issue of the portrait under declarations of interest, saying it related to procedural integrity.

He said: In light of the damage to the portrait of the former DUP lord mayor, what I want to ascertain is if Ms McChuilin wants to make a declaration of interest at this stage due to the interest around this issue, regarding her son has been named on social media as being involved in the damage to that portrait?

The second thing I would like to raise is junior minister Reilly will be in attendance today in light of Naoises employment with the junior minister at the time as a translator, I understand.

I would seek clarity, does the junior minister also need to declare an interest in dealing with this issue?

Mr Gaston also raised issues about the damage to the portrait being discussed at an Executive Office committee meeting last year when Ms Ni Chuilin was present.

He said: We had a discussion where it was raised by (DUP MLA) Harry Harvey and indeed Caral interjected in that discussion, so there needs to be clear parameters going forward, that if there is family members involved that the member declares an interest and takes herself out of the room to make sure the integrity of this committee is maintained going forward.

I have serious, serious concerns at that meeting, if what we read is true, then there should have been a declaration of interest declared on the 23rd October and that didnt happen and that was a failing that was allowed to happen and that meeting passed by.

Mr Gaston added: If there is anybody wants to declare anything, now is the time to do it.

Ms Ni Chuilin said she had absolutely nothing to declare.

She added: I am here to scrutinise, in front of us today, draft legislation affecting victims and survivors and that is what I am here to do today.

I have no interest to declare at all on behalf of myself or anyone else.

I think this committees business is on the agenda and others have chosen to add this issue on which has got absolutely nothing to do with victims and survivors of institutional abuse through the mother and baby scandal.

Later, Ms Reilly told the committee that she had attended the event in Belfast City Hall last year as a west Belfast MLA and not in her role as junior minister.

In a statement on Wednesday evening on behalf of Naoise O Cuilin, solicitor Niall Murphy of KRW Law said the allegation he was involved in the damage of the portrait is entirely false, baseless and malicious.

For absolute clarity, and on our clients behalf, I state unequivocally that our client did not cause any damage whatsoever to the portrait of Lord Wallace Browne. Any suggestion to the contrary is wholly unfounded, he said.

Our client responded positively to a request by police to attend voluntarily for police interview and was prepared to give an account. However, the paucity of evidence against our client was such that I advised him that there was nothing requiring an account, and that he should therefore exercise his lawful right to silence. This statutory protection exists for all citizens.

Our client is a university graduate, has been in continuous employment since graduation, has no criminal record, and has never previously been accused of any criminal offence. The attempts to malign our clients character in the absence of any evidence are wholly unjustified.

It is wholly inappropriate for any individual, organisation, commentator or public figure to identify someone as a suspect in circumstances where the Public Prosecution Service has determined that there is insufficient evidence to bring any criminal charge.
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5G subscriptions across the AsiaPacific region are expected to reach 4.6 billion by 2030, up from 2.7 billion in 2025, according to GlobalData.

The analyst house expects adoption to grow at a CAGR of 11.4%, driven by rising availability of low-cost 5G devices, ongoing network expansion in major markets, and upcoming commercial launches in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

GlobalData telecom analyst Sarwat Zeeshan said government-backed digital strategies, enterprise transformation efforts and demand for high-speed, low-latency connectivity are all accelerating standalone 5G deployments. The need for high-performance networks to support applications such as smart manufacturing, autonomous mobility and cloud gaming is driving 5G adoption across the region, Zeeshan stated.

Several governments - including Australia, China, India, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan - have rolled out national 5G action plans aimed at developing domestic 5G ecosystems. These frameworks typically include public sector support for 5G use cases, tax incentives, industrygovernment collaboration, and regulatory measures to improve spectrum utilisation.

China is expected to remain the worlds largest 5G market through the forecast period. GlobalData anticipates that around 75% of Chinas mobile subscriptions will be on 5G by 2029, supported by continued investment and policies to extend coverage to rural areas and industrial zones. China deployed roughly 4.2 million 5G base stations in 2024, increasing that figure to 4.6 million by September 2025.

Operators across APAC are also ramping up investments. GSMA estimates that regional telcos will spend US$254 billion on infrastructure through 2030, with much of this directed toward 5G. These rollouts are expected to create new revenue opportunities through premium 5G mobile plans as well as enterprise services, including private 5G networks.

Zeeshan noted that the combination of 5G with emerging technologies such as AI, data analytics and IoT will help operators expand into verticals including manufacturing, mining and healthcare. APAC has become the centre of the technological race for 5G+, Zeeshan said. South Korea, Japan and China are already moving beyond deployment into developing broader 5G ecosystems, supporting their IT and manufacturing sectors and driving new IoT and M2M opportunities.
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HPE wins US$931M Pentagon cloud contract to modernize defense data centers

The US Department of Defense has awarded Hewlett Packard Enterprise a ten-year, US$931 million contract to build a hybrid cloud system that will support the Pentagon's expanding artificial intelligence and data processing needs. The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) will deploy HPE's GreenLake Private Cloud platform across multiple high-security military data centers to strengthen the department's classified computing capabilities.

Pentagon seeks modern, secure cloud

The contract is part of a broader federal push to overhaul aging data centers as AI becomes more deeply integrated into intelligence, battlefield planning, logistics, and cyber operations. According to Reuters and The Register, the Pentagon intends to adopt cloud-like flexibility similar to Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, while keeping all workloads inside secure on-premises facilities.

The Defense Department aims to gain the speed and scalability of commercial cloud systems without exposing sensitive or classified information to external networks.

Greenlake to handle classified compute loads

HPE said its GreenLake platform will improve data analysis, communication efficiency, and mission deployment speeds by using advanced management software and automation tools. The system is built to run highly classified workloads that cannot move to the Pentagon's existing Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability, which operates through public cloud providers.

Those workloads include AI model training, intelligence processing, automated mission planning, and real-time analytics for deployed forces.

Pilot expands to multi-site deployment

DISA began piloting GreenLake Private Cloud in Pennsylvania and Utah early this year. The new contract converts that trial into a full operational rollout across additional secure locations.

HPE has long supplied advanced computing systems to US national security agencies. In 2021, the National Security Agency tapped the company to build a high-performance computing system, and HPE's Cray unit has delivered supercomputers to the Department of Energy.

Industry analysts say the agreement strengthens HPE's position in defense-grade cloud and high-performance computing as military AI models, sensor networks, cyber missions, and automated logistics continue to drive demand for secure infrastructure.

HPE joins a growing list of technology companies expanding cooperation with the US government. AWS recently announced a US$50 billion plan to build AI and high-performance computing systems for federal agencies. Microsoft continues to play a central role in classified cloud, cybersecurity, and defense AI programs.

The stepped-up commitments reflect rising urgency inside the Pentagon to build AI-ready infrastructure as it accelerates digital transformation and prepares for increasingly data-intensive military operations.

Article edited by Jack Wu
A 27-year-old man who rammed a garda patrol car before he abandoned a passenger in south Armagh after escaping across the border and seriously injuring a young woman in a separate collision, has been jailed for a total of five years and seven months.

Darren Winters with an address at Cuirt Droim Ard, Carrickmacross was also disqualified from driving for 14 years.

He pleaded guilty at Dundalk Circuit Court to causing criminal damage and endangerment with the court taking into consideration dangerous driving in relation to the first case and failing to offer assistance, failing to give a drink driving specimen, dangerous driving and driving without insurance in the second.

The court heard how gardai responded to a report of an irate man in the Supervalu car park at Ashwalk, Ardee around 11.35am on February 26th 2023.

READ NEXT: Louth born murderer to be surrendered back to Northern Irish authorities

The defendant was in the driver's seat of a black VW Jetta and on seeing them, he accelerated 'hard' away from the gardai.

Winters drove off towards Tallanstown with no regard for the pedestrians in the area.

People had to run across the road "to escape a collision and he drove in the middle of the road at speed.

A number of cyclists had to make evasive manoeuvres to avoid being struck by his car which the court was told was swerving all around as it approached Louth Village.

The defendant broke a stop sign at a junction and proceeded towards Knockbridge, overtaking other vehicles, crossing continuous white lines and causing oncoming traffic to stop as he was travelling on the wrong side of the road.

He drove through a Yield sign at a crossroad and continued towards Hackballscross, where a stinger device had been set up ahead and a garda vehicle was placed across the road to stop oncoming traffic.

However, the defendant performed a u-turn and headed back towards the pursuing gardai - ramming the passenger side of the patrol car.

He then took a right turn towards Inniskeen where he crossed the border and made good his escape.

The court heard both officers were a bit shaken by the impact, but had recovered and neither had attended hospital.

The cost of repairs to the patrol car was over 6,000.

Almost three weeks later, on St Patrick's Day, Darren Winters was spotted by a garda on patrol in the Carrickmacross area and he was arrested.

The court heard a young woman who was a passenger in the Jetta had hit her head on the window, and when the defendant had crossed the border he left her out of the car and left her in a village that she didn't know.

She told gardai she had asked him to stop on various occasions but he had failed to do so. When questioned Darren Winters admitted drug use but denied driving the vehicle. In the second incident, the defendant had offered a young woman a lift home from a house party in Dundalk to Annagassan on April 15th last year.

He began driving his car - a BMW 3 Series at high speed along back roads and she described him "driving like a mad man". He was initially arguing on the phone with someone else but then started calling her names.

She estimated that she was in the car for over an hour before he lost control and crashed, activating the airbags. Winters got out and ran away and his passenger had to be cut out of the car by firefighters.

She sustained severe whiplash and has a large scar on her back and has PTSD.

A garda who was on his way to the crash scene saw the defendant walking along the road towards Louth Village looking unsteady on his feet.

He was bleeding from a large laceration at the back of his head and matched the description of the driver who had run off.

However, while he admitted being in a car accident, Darren Winters said he wasn't driving.

He was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and was highly uncooperative and abusive while in custody at Dundalk Garda Station "spitting and shouting" at gardai.

He urinated on the cell door and refused to provide a blood/urine sample to a doctor.

He had 66 previous convictions including four for dangerous driving, 11 for criminal damage and four for assault.

In finalising both matters, Judge Dara Hayes said Darren Winters had deliberately driven at gardai and rammed the patrol car as they sought to apprehend him and he had callously left the woman trapped in the car as he fled the scene.

He was also on bail for a Monaghan case at the time, for which he was sentenced last month to three years with the final 12 months suspended - effectively a two year jail term. That sentence took into consideration the 'considerable' time he had already spent in custody.

Judge Hayes noted the defendant, who was assessed as being at high risk of re-offending, accepted his actions were reckless and his drug use had escalated since 2022 and he "reports to be drug free" and would like to engage in residential treatment on his release.

The judge imposed consecutive sentences, leaving an effective overall sentence of seven years and one month, but in order to encourage the defendant's continued rehabilitation, he said he would suspend the final 18 months on him entering a good behaviour bond and placing himself under the supervision of the Probation Service for 18 months post release.

He must also take part in offence focused and victim awareness work and abstain from the use and possession of illicit substances.
Louth based Senator Alison Comyn, has said she hopes any decision made by Government will allow progress towards a full statutory inquiry for the victims of Michael Shine.

Speaking ahead of a memorandum due before Cabinet, Senator Comyn said that victims need closure, and that a full inquiry can deliver the answers they have waited for.

A full statutory inquiry would be a meaningful step toward giving victims the truth they deserve, she said.

The Fianna Fail senator, who said she has worked for almost fifteen years with victims of Michael Shine during her career as a journalist, said she had witnessed first-hand the trauma and loss experienced by survivors and their families.

She said these men continue to live with the impact of what was done to them and are still waiting for the answers that only a comprehensive process can provide.

Read also: Shocking crime reoffender figures for Louth released

The actions of this vile man shattered so many lives, Senator Comyn said. His abuse left a lasting mark on families and on our community.

She added that too many questions remain unanswered and too many voices have yet to be fully heard. The victims want to understand how this abuse was allowed to continue for so long, she said. They are seeking peace of mind, but that can only come through truth and accountability.

Senator Comyn concluded by saying that a full statutory inquiry would be an important step towards healing for the victims and their families.

I sincerely hope that whatever decision is made now will leave the way open for a full statutory inquiry, she said.
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When it comes to financial protection, every Filipino family deserves peace of mindespecially our seniors and surviving spouses who rely on their monthly pensions. Thats why the latest update on the SSS pensioner loan program feels like a big step in the right direction. The Social Security System (SSS) and Manulife Philippines have officially expanded their partnership, making financial protection more inclusive, more secure, and simply more aligned with what pensioners truly need.

The two organizations sealed this strengthened partnership through a ceremonial contract signing at the SSS Head Office in Diliman, Quezon City. The event was led by SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph de Claro and Manulife Philippines President and CEO Rahul Horaboth highlighting their shared belief that pensioners deserve more than just access to loans; they deserve full protection while rebuilding, sustaining, or improving their lives.

Expanded Protection: Not Just for Retirement Pensioners Anymore

Previously, the group credit life insurance coverage under the SSS pensioner loan program was only available to about 2 million retirement pensioners. Now, the expanded coverage opens its doors to approximately 1.2 million surviving spouse pensioners. This means more families are protected, and more Filipinos are shielded from unexpected financial burdens that can hit during lifes most difficult moments.

It may sound technical, but the impact is emotional. When a pensioner passes away, families already face enough hardship. This insurance ensures theyre not left carrying unpaid loan balances on their shoulders. Thats real support. Thats real security.

A Shared Commitment to Protect Filipino Families

This partnership represents our shared commitment to protect and empower our clients, said SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph de Claro. Especially those who rely on financial assistance to make their dreams happen, secure their families future, or rebuild their lives after a calamity. Through this agreement, we help ensure that our borrowers are not left vulnerable in times of unexpected loss, illness, or tragedy.

On the other hand, Manulife Philippines CEO Rahul Hora emphasized the long-term mission: strengthening a more inclusive financial landscape. With this initiative, we reinforce our goal of enabling more Filipinos achieve greater financial security, especially during times when support is needed most.

Its not just corporate talkits a clear plan to create real, measurable help for real people.

Whats New: Better Features Under the SSS Pensioner Loan Program

This upgraded insurance coverage builds on the momentum of the improved Pension Loan Program (PLP), which was announced on Labor Day 2025. Designed to provide low-interest, accessible loans to pensioners, the PLP became even more powerful with Manulife as the Group Credit Life Insurance provider for 2025 to 2026.

Heres what pensioners get under this enhanced setup:

1. Comprehensive Protection

If the borrower passes away, Manulifes group credit life insurance settles outstanding SSS pensioner loan balances. Families can grieve and healwithout worrying about leftover debts.

2. Broadened Coverage

Surviving spouse pensioners are now part of the protection net. This is a huge win for families who depend on secondary pensions, ensuring theyre not left behind.

3. No Extra Steps

The insurance is automatically built into the pension loan process. No additional applications. No confusing paperwork. No extra fees. Just seamless, built-in protection.

Why This Matters: Strengthening Trust Through Partnership

This isnt a one-off collaboration. Manulife has been supporting SSS since August 2022 under a five-year credit life insurance contract. With this expansion, theyre doubling down on their commitment to the nationbringing global insurance expertise to government programs that aim to uplift Filipino families.

Manulifes 118-year presence in the Philippines is proof of its long-standing dedication to financial protection. And now, it continues to modernize, innovate, and evolve with the needs of Filipino pensioners.

The Bottom Line

This expanded insurance coverage under the SSS pensioner loan program is more than a policy update. Its a safety net. Its a promise. And for millions of Filipino families, its a reminder that financial security should be accessible, compassionate, and inclusive.

With SSS and Manulife working hand in hand, pensionersand the families they care forcan face the future with more confidence, more protection, and more peace of mind.
Fine Gaels Cork spokesman has renewed calls for a city centre taskforce.

A planned taskforce dedicated to the revival of Corks city centre was included in the programme for government, and in June Tanaiste Simon Harris told this newspaper he was anxious that it go ahead by the end of this year.

Last month, Mr Harris repeated his desire that a taskforce for Cork be urgently introduced, adding that when he was taoiseach, he had established a Dublin city centre taskforce which had resulted in clear benefits for the capital.

I really want to see a dedicated Cork city centre taskforce established as an absolute priority, Mr Harris told The Echo.

Its very clear that a Cork city centre taskforce could have really, really positive benefits for Cork city, for the economy in Cork, for making sure that we drive investment into Cork, and that we can plan for the essential infrastructure and growth needs of the city of Cork.

Taoiseach

Last month, Taoiseach Micheal Martin told his fellow Cork South Central Fianna Fail TD Seamus McGrath that a group would be set up to look at the terms of reference of such a body.

However, he added: People do not like the word taskforce in Cork  we are kind of fussy  so they are looking for a different title because the city has made progress.

Now, Colm Burke, Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central and his partys spokesman for Cork, has said the introduction of a taskforce should be a priority for Government.

I have been speaking with businesses in the city centre and they are concerned about a decrease in business in the city centre, and we need to work toward finding the best way to help those businesses, Mr Burke said.

We also need to bring back into use buildings that are not being used in the city centre, we need to look at how we can fast-track the redevelopment of premises that are vacant, and the other issue is ensuring that we have high-quality rental accommodation within the city.
A leading Cork businessman, entrepreneur and politician who passed away this year at the age of 57 has been honoured by Cork Chamber.

At a ceremony last evening in Dublin, the late John Mullins was announced as the posthumous recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Business Award 2025.

A former chief executive of Bord Gais, and co-founder and group chairman of clean energy firm Amarenco Solar, Mr Mullins was a Fine Gael candidate in Ireland South in the 2024 European parliamentary elections, polling 33,281 first preferences.

An engineering graduate of UCC, Mr Mullins served as president of Cork Chamber from 2011 to 2013, and he also served as chairman of the Port of Cork board between 2013 and 2018.

He was a Fellow of Engineers Ireland and the Irish Academy of Engineering and was awarded the Legion dHonneur by the French Government in recognition of his contribution to Europes solar energy market.

He passed away suddenly at home in April and his funeral liturgy in the Church of the Holy Spirit, Dennehys Cross, was attended by the Taoiseach, the Tanaiste, then-finance minister Paschal Donohoe, ministers, TDs, senators, the Lord Mayor, councillors and leading figures from business and public life.

CORK CHAMBER

Presented at last evenings Cork Chamber Dublin dinner, which was held at the Clayton Burlington Hotel, the award recognised Mr Mullinss exceptional leadership in business, his deep commitment to public and civic life, and his enduring impact on Cork and Ireland.

Rob Horgan, president of Cork Chamber, said Mr Mullins had been a leader who understood the power of collaboration, bringing people together, across sectors, across communities, across beliefs, and he did so with energy, integrity and a deep love for Cork.

His influence was felt in boardrooms, in government circles, and in the many civic and community organisations where he gave so generously of his time, Mr Horgan said.

Johns legacy is one of connection and possibility, and it is a privilege to recognise him with this award.

Accepting the award on behalf of the Mullins family, Johns brother Pat said that Mr Mullinss legacy lives on in the projects he led, the people he inspired and the organisations he helped shape.

We are deeply proud to see that legacy celebrated here tonight, he said.
A 46-year-old man who stole ink and cartridges worth 1,800 from Tesco in Youghal was sentenced to two years in jail.

Zara Cautidze, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to the theft charge at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, after the district court judge said the case was too serious to be dealt with at the lower level.

Garda Martin Murphy testified that the theft was carried out on April 15.

Judge Dermot Sheehan was told that the accused had been remanded in custody since shortly after the theft.

The two-year sentence was backdated to allow for that.

Defence barrister, William Bulman, said of the accused: He would have had issues with drug-taking prior to these events.

He said that the thefts were carried out in an effort to raise money to pay for this habit.

His family life broke down in Georgia, because of his addictions. He wants to return to Georgia.

Mr Bulman asked for an order to be made to suspend any sentence, on condition that the accused would leave the jurisdiction and return to his native Georgia.

Judge Sheehan said: This is an unusual case. It appears to me that this is an addict who was feeding his habit when he did this.

It is a serious matter from the point of view of Tesco, where there was a substantial amount of stock taken.

As for directing him to leave the country, the judge said he would leave that to the Department of Justice to organise, if it saw fit.
A 28-year-old man who had a two-year sentence for drug dealing suspended on condition that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour did quite the opposite and now will have to serve a portion of that sentence.

Judge Helen Boyle made this comment when the case against Aaron McSweeney, of 47 Glenfields Park, Ballyvolane, Cork, was re-entered before her at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

On May 8, he had been given a two-year suspended sentence on a charge of having cannabis for sale or supply at the address on January 10, 2021. However, the judge was told in a re-entry of the case that five weeks after receiving this suspended jail term, the young man was arrested for breaching the peace on June 16. He had been shouting what the judge at Cork District Court described as horrible vitriol at gardai, with threats of a sexual nature made against family of gardai. He was jailed for five months for that breach of the Public Order Act.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis said gardai went to investigate a disturbance at 1am on June 16 at Glenfields Park.

Gardai met with Aaron McSweeney, who was intoxicated and highly aggressive towards gardai. He confronted gardai on a number of occasions in a confrontational manner, while shouting threats at them.

Threats were made by the 28-year-old, including graphic sexual comments. Judge Mary Dorgan described it as horrible vitriol. Comments that were shouted by Aaron McSweeney included: Ill kill your family; Ill rape your wife and your kids; Ill fight all of you; Ill f*** your mother; You are all queers.

He was sentenced to five months in jail for that outburst. And, in addition, that case triggered the application to activate the two-year suspended sentence. McSweeney was at risk of having to serve this two years, consecutive to the five months. Alan ODwyer, defence barrister, said: He is 28, he has a partner who is supportive, he apologised profusely for his behaviour.

Judge Boyle told the young man that when the two-year sentence was suspended, he was being given a chance, but he did not take it.

The judge said she could revoke the suspension on all or some or none of the two years. In the event, she said that to be proportionate she would activate three months, which would be consecutive to the five months he got in the district court. The judge said that she had to consider the totality of the eventual sentence being served, which now stands at eight months.
Cork Airport has announced a major expansion of its European hub connectivity offerings for summer 2026.

The facility has said that long-haul travel and global connectivity options for passengers across the South of Ireland will see a significant boost next year as several airlines have committed to an increased flight schedule.

As part of the newly-announced schedule, German carrier Lufthansa will increase its Cork to Frankfurt service to five flights per week, which will further increase to six flights per week during peak periods.

Swiss International Air Lines, through its subsidiary airline Edelweiss, will return to Cork Airport with its twice-weekly service to Zurich from March 31, and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will offer three daily services to Amsterdam Schiphol. Air France, currently operating a year-round Cork to Paris Charles de Gaulle service, will also resume daily services from March 1, with Aer Lingus maintaining its four-times daily service to London Heathrow.

Head of aviation business development and communications at Cork Airport Tara Finn said having frequent, convenient connections to some of Europes biggest hub airports is a key part of our business model.

From Cork, passengers can connect to any corner of the world with some of Europes biggest and recognisable carriers, said Ms Finn.

Good hub connectivity benefits both business and leisure, and were proud to offer the best air connectivity for our customers.
The 25-year-old man charged murdering his mother and injuring his father outside the family home in Ballinlough last week appeared in court again by video link from prison today.

David Gallagher is charged with murdering his 59-year-old mother, Stella Gallagher, and assault causing harm to his father, 63-year-old Brian Gallagher.

On the application of Sergeant Gearoid Davis, Judge Mark OConnell remanded the young man in continuing custody until December 10 to allow time for directions to be obtained from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Shane Collins-Daly solicitor represented the defendant who was not required to speak during the brief hearing today.

Detective Sergeant Niall Hayes brought two charges against David Gallagher of Shrewsbury Downs, Ballinlough, Cork, last week.

The first charge stated: On November 17 2025 at Shrewsbury Downs, Ballinlough, in the District Court area of Cork city, district number 19, he did murder Stella Gallagher, contrary to common law.

The second charge stated: On November 17 2025 at Shrewsbury Downs, Ballinlough, in the District Court area of Cork city, district number 19, he did assault Brian Gallagher causing him harm, contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Mr Collins-Daly solicitor said last week: I would ask the court to direct that he receive urgent medical and psychiatric evaluation on his arrival in Cork Prison. Judge John King acceded to that application.

The funeral of the late Stella Gallagher was held yesterday (November 25) at Our Lady of Lourdes church in Ballinlough.
DPP directions are awaited in the case against a man accused of shining a laser from the balcony of an apartment into the cockpit of a helicopter that was involved in a search of the River Lee for a missing person.

It is alleged that this caused the rescue helicopter to stand down on two occasions. These were the allegations against Daniel Kazirodek, of an apartment at 29/30 Lower John St, Cork, in respect of an incident after midnight on October 18, 2023.

The accused is aged around 40.

Judge Mary Dorgan said, previously, that the case was too serious to be dealt with at district-court level. The DPP had indicated that it could be dealt with at the district court.

It is far too serious. The fact that a helicopter was looking for a missing person, and I must also take in to consideration that it happened twice and that it is alleged that the helicopter had to be stood down; apart altogether from the safety of the helicopter, Judge Dorgan said.

Allegations

Sergeant John Kelleher outlined the allegations in the case. During this search, a request was made of the Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 117, to assist in the search from Waterford, he said.

At approximately 00.15, the crew of 117 reported a green laser being pointed into the cockpit of the helicopter and the search operations had to be suspended.

At approximately 1.55am, the crew in Rescue 117 reported a second laser strike in the helicopter.

The camera operative had observed a male standing on a balcony, shining the laser at the aircraft. Search operations were again suspended and gardai were guided to the location of the laser.

With the assistance of the Irish Coast Guard, the address of a second-floor apartment, with a balcony, at 29/30 Lower John St, was identified.

Gardai were invited into the address by Mr Kazirodek, who was highly intoxicated.

A search warrant was subsequently obtained for his apartment and it was subsequently searched. He handed Sergeant Colin Dowling a box containing a number of different attachments for a laser. He said he discarded the actual laser by throwing it into a nearby factory.

Charge

The charge, under the State Airports (Shannon Group) Act, 2014, states that on October 17, 2023 at Lower John St, Cork, the accused man did deliberately and recklessly shine a laser in the direction of an Irish Coast Guard aircraft, so that the light may dazzle, distract, or confuse the pilot or person in the performance of their duties.

Judge Philip OLeary adjourned the case, on the application of Sgt Kelleher, until January 26, 2026, to allow time for further DPP directions.
There are nine million bicycles in Beijing, according to Katie Melua. There are also an estimated 1.1 million security cameras in that city.

Beijings extensive surveillance network  backed up by a very visible police presence - is one of the strategies used by the city for deterring crime.

General crime and anti-social behaviour (as we experience it here in Ireland) is reportedly very low there, and the incidence of violent crime is even lower.

Spitting in public, littering, and dogs being walked without leads appear to be some of the main concerns. These are, enviably, categorised as black-listed behaviours.

Dont get me wrong. Id hate to live my life under such micro-surveillance, but is that what it takes to get people to behave these days?

Seriously?

Most of us would like to live in a society which does not feature constant knifings or the anti-social behaviour and casual vandalism that has become the norm.

In towns and cities, random, unprovoked, vicious assaults are frequently carried out by perpetrators who fail to demonstrate any fear of consequences. Once youre down, the first thing theyll aim their boots at is your head.

Most of us could also do without the open drug dealing, the drinking, and the public brawling.

We could happily live without the atmosphere of unease, which is often exacerbated by the lack of a visible police presence on the streets.

Pedestrians would love to walk without fear of being mown down by people flying along pavements on bicycles and e-cycles, some of them, believe it or not, now even wearing protective headgear.

Theres no attempt to stop it - local authorities havent even put up signs aimed at stopping it!

Added to all of this are growing concerns that the perceived leniency of the judicial system is failing to make people think twice before committing a crime.

Take the widespread distress and horror felt by many people at the vicious assault by a soldier on 24-year-old Natasha OBrien on OConnell Street in Limerick three years ago. The perpetrator got a suspended sentence, which sparked a series of public protests. Later, the Court of Appeal handed down a two-year jail sentence.

A court in New York recently jailed Marcin Pieciak for 24 years for stabbing Longford woman Sarah McNally to death in a pub in the city last year.

If that same crime had happened in Ireland, someone complained to me, Pieciak would probably have gotten off with 18 months in prison, six months of which were suspended.

For God knows how many reasons, violence in Irish society has shot up and very little appears to be being done to stop it.

Our police force is under-resourced, our government appears complacent, our courts are often perceived to be too lenient.

Nothing effective is being done to stem the surge of unprovoked, random street attacks, often featuring incredible brutality like weapons and head-kickings.

Violence appears to be the norm, now.

Furthermore, the aggression and the breaches of traffic speed limits demonstrated by drivers on all of our roads has coincided with a litany of injuries and fatalities.

In a recent case, a motorist convicted of careless driving was fined 500 for going the wrong way down a one-way street.

The driver, who refused to stop for gardai - and who had other convictions for road traffic issues - was given four months to pay the fine.

What does all that say about how the judicial system views the potential injury posed to either the gardai who tried to stop him, or to any unfortunate other motorist who happened to be driving the right way along that one-way street?

Then theres Irish societys ongoing, notoriously strange attitude to alcohol.

Some of the long queues of students outside pubs in Cork city last Thursday started as early as 7am in the quest to secure a seat for an annual drinking binge, popularly known as the College Christmas Day Celebrations.

One media outlet described the students as brave, while a business person was quoted as saying the students queued for hours and took it like a badge of honour.

Why it could be considered either brave or a badge of honour to willingly queue for hours in the freezing bite of early morning to secure a pub-stool for a days drinking is a puzzle to me.

The laudatory language used in some of the reportage graphically underscored Irelands dysfunctional attitude to alcohol.

At the same time, members of the citys police force  significantly under-resourced and visibly thin on the ground  had to be out on duty at these queues to keep order.

Cork city, it has been recently and publicly acknowledged, is experiencing a significant shortage of gardai.

More than 200 have left the force in Cork since 2021. Just last month, it was revealed that in the past 10 years, garda numbers have dropped by 9% in the city and 3% in the county. Growing concerns are being expressed about public safety.

We can only hope that this months graduation ceremony at the Garda Training College in Templemore that saw the assignment of 36 new garda recruits to the Cork city garda division will help address this.

Yet, despite this pressure on garda resources, last Thursday, members of the citys under-staffed police force were deployed to walk around taking drinks from queuing students and putting them into bin-bags, while God knows what emergencies were happening elsewhere around the city and its suburbs.

I mean, seriously, where do you go from there?
Vivienne Clarke

Ciara Smyth of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the University of Galway has warned about the endless tinkering of the asylum system.

Commenting on plans for reform of the system due to be brought before Cabinet on Wednesday, even before the print has dried on the old series of reforms, Ms Smyth questioned the common narrative that Ireland was inundated with migrants.

So what we're seeing here really is a kind of an endless tinkering or reform of the asylum system, which in my view very much fuels the idea of crisis," she told RTE radios Today with David McCullagh show.

"The numbers that we have this year are significantly down on last year. And, you know, even though we feel that we receive a large number in Ireland, our actual share of the EU total is just 1.8 percent.

"So we don't actually receive huge numbers, but the optics of it and this constant talking about asylum as if we receive huge numbers gives the impression that the system is inundated and creaking and unable to respond."

Ms Smyth also questioned the wisdom of the proposal to have asylum seekers contribute to their accommodation costs.

This policy, I find it a bit incoherent because one of the problems we're having with direct provision is that even people that get recognised as refugees can't exit direct provision because of the housing crisis, of course, but also because they don't have enough money to get a deposit together.

"If you make it harder for local integration, you're simply postponing the durable solution for refugees. And again, it's kind of anti-integration. It's preventing people from actually integrating into our society."

Ms Smyth pointed out the distinction between asylum seekers and economic migrants, and how these two groups are often conflated. She said that the number of asylum seekers was relatively small compared to overall population growth.
High Court reporters

The grieving husband of a Cork Army captain who died of cervical cancer has settled a High Court action over his wifes death.

Mother of two, Edel OHalloran, the High Court heard, died two years ago on the day a mediation conference in relation to her own action over the alleged misreading of two of her smear tests was due to take place.

Mrs OHalloran, a retired Army captain, was 59 years old when she died of metastatic cervical cancer.

Her husband, Roger OHalloran of Kinsale Beg, Youghal, Co Cork, had sued the HSE which was in charge of the CervicalCheck screening programme and Eurofins Biomnis Ireland Ltd, with an address at Sandyford Industrial Estate, Foxrock, Dublin.

After hours of talks on Wednesday, Mr OHallorans counsel Patrick Treacy SC, instructed by Cian OCarroll solicitors told the court the matter had been resolved.

Earlier, Counsel said when Mrs OHalloran was gravely ill in May 2023, her action was case-managed in the personal injuries list, and the judge in charge of that High Court list, Mr Justice Paul Coffey, did everything he could in relation to the case.

Counsel said that on June 9th, 2023 on the day of mediation between the sides in the action, Mrs OHalloran died.

Counsel said a further mediation had taken place since and that had failed.

Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds, who expressed her sympathy to the O'Halloran family, gave time for the parties to have further talks.

Letters

On Wednesday evening, Mr Treacy told the court the case had been resolved and two statements would be read to the court and letters would also be sent to the OHalloran family. The terms of the settlement are confidential.

In a statement to the court, the HSE expressed sincere regret on the untimely death of Mrs OHalloran.

It added: We do not underestimate how difficult a time this has been for you and your family and wish to extend our deepest sympathies on your loss.

Eurofins Biomnis Ireland Ltd, which acquired Claymon Laboratories in 2015, in a statement to the court said it did not therefore do the original screening of a 2010 smear test.

However, it admitted there was an omission in the reporting of the cervical screening which Claymon Laboratories conducted in February 2010, but said it made no admission in respect of causation.

The case centred on two smear samples taken from Mrs OHalloran in February and August 2010. In the proceedings, it was claimed if the smear tests had been correctly reported, she would have been treated by curative surgery and would not have developed invasive cervical cancer.

Instead, it was claimed she underwent treatment with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and brachytherapy.

In October 2022, Mrs O Halloran was diagnosed as having widespread metastatic disease. It was claimed that by virtue of the alleged delay in diagnosis she lost the opportunity of cure and died on June 9th, 2023.

Investigation

Mrs OHalloran, it was claimed, was deprived of the opportunity of timely and effective investigation and management of her condition.

It was also contended that Mrs O'Halloran was allegedly deprived of the opportunity of treatment at a time when her disease was amenable to curative treatment.

All of the claims were denied.

Noting the settlement Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds commended the legal teams and said it was a case with complex issues. The judge said she hoped the family will now be able to move forward.
Fiona Ferguson

A 20-year-old man who sexually abused a 12-year-old girl over a two month period four years ago has been jailed for nine years.

Thomas Osborne, now 25-years-old, had taken advantage of being alone with the child and subjected her to a deeply traumatic series of sexual assaults.

The Central Criminal Court heard that the teenage girl, who is entitled to anonymity as a complainant and can not be identified as she is a minor, did not have an issue with Osborne being named.

Osborne, with an address at Oakfield Street, Cardiff, Wale,s pleaded guilty to oral rape, five counts of sexual assault and inviting or inducing the girl to touch his penis at a location in Leinster, on dates between December 2020 and February 2021.

He has no previous convictions and has been in custody since June.

DVD evidence

Osborne pleaded guilty to the offences after his trial had opened and the childs evidence played by DVD but before she was cross-examined.

Passing sentence, Mr Justice Paul McDermott said the young child had been subjected to a deeply traumatic series of sexual assaults. He said she had given a very articulate and moving account of how she had been affected and the extent of harm inflicted.

He said her teenage years should not have been dominated by these offences, but had been.

Mr Justice McDermott highlighted the breach of trust involved in the repeated offending of a young girl by a much older man. He said Osborne knew she was a child and had taken advantage of being left alone with her.

The judge noted Osborne had told her that what he was doing was illegal and not to tell anyone, and had also persisted despite her saying she did not want to do it.

He said there was an extensive probation report before the court outlining Osbornes background and experiences, but it did not explain why the offending had happened or why he had done it.

He said the report detailed some engagement with the offending, but there was some indication of minimisation and that there was not a full understanding of the damage done, indicating a need for offence-focused intervention. He said drink and substance abuse issues also needed to be addressed.

Mr Justice McDermott said he also had to take into account the risk of future offending.

He said these were horrible crimes committed against a very young girl. He set a headline sentence of 11 years before taking into account mitigation.

He took into account the guilty pleas, noting they had come at a late stage, as well as Osborne's remorse, and his lack of prior convictions. He said Osbornes personal circumstances did not explain the nature of this offending, but indicated where he will have to do work in the future.

Mr Justice McDermott imposed a sentence of ten years imprisonment with the final year suspended on conditions including that he have no contact with the injured party through social media or otherwise and not be in the company of children unless under supervision.

An investigating garda told Paul Murray SC, prosecuting, that the abuse came to light after the girl told her mother what had happened and gardai became involved.

Osborne, who had subsequently moved to Wales, was interviewed there by gardai in 2023 and denied the allegations.

In her victim impact statement, the girl outlined the devastating harm and trauma the offending had caused in her life. She said she had grown up faster than she should have and was terrified of men.

She told Osborne he knew what he was doing was wrong, but still chose to do it, leaving her feeling used and worthless. She said Osborne had taken her childhood and teenage years away and she could never forgive him for that.

Her mother told the court that her daughter now walks through life with a heaviness on her shoulders as if she is bracing for something bad to happen. She said she wished she could go back and protect her from what had happened.

'Unnecessary anxiety'

Padraig Dwyer SC, defending, told the court that Osborne accepts full responsibility for all his actions and apologises to the victim for his wrongdoing. He asked the court to take into account Osbornes guilty plea, which obviated the need for the girl to be cross-examined.

He said Osborne recognises that the initial denial on his part led to the matter going to trial and he accepts that it caused the injured party unnecessary anxiety.

Mr Dwyer outlined that Osborne came from a dysfunctional background marked by drug abuse. He had a limited education and work history. He asked the court to take into account his previous good character.

Counsel noted the probation report placed Osborne at moderate to medium risk of reoffending and said Osborne is willing to undergo probation supervision and intervention.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.
When Karen Houlihans godmother, Rosie, asked her then 12-year-old niece what she wanted to be when she grew up, she wasnt exactly prepared for the reply she got.

For young Karens dream was to be the person who puts make-up on the dead people.

Unusual though this was for a tween, it wasnt just a random childhood ambition. This was a clear statement of intent.

Now, after a lifetime in gestation, Karen has finally begun to realise that dream.

Working as a funeral director with Keohanes Funeral Home in Mayfield, she has set out on the long road to become an embalmer and has never been more content.

Ive always wanted to do this. Every time Id go to a funeral, Id think to myself Id love to work here! Karen explains.

Timing is everything, though, and while the vicissitudes of life may have caused her to take a more circuitous route to realising her dream, there is no doubting the passion that fuelled her determination all along the way.

An only daughter and youngest of four, Karen was 18 when her father died tragically.

A tree fell on a car near our home on Christmas Eve, during that bad storm of 1997. My dad went out with a hand-saw to cut the branches off the tree and help the driver out of the car. But he suffered a massive heart attack in the process, and died. He was just 54.

It was a traumatic time for Karens family, but they rallied together and muddled through.

A few Christmasses later, and 21- year-old Karen and best friend Marie-Louise had applied for a visa to Australia.

However, fate had other plans.

At a heady New Years Eve party in the nearby Deanrock Bar, ringing in the millennium with all the enthusiasm and exuberance of one on the cusp of bigger and more exciting adventures down under, Karen met Benny.

I dated him while I waited for my visa to come through, explains Karen and told him I didnt want anything serious because I was heading away. But then Benny decided to go to Australia too, to visit his sister, and the rest is history!

After almost a year away, they returned home and moved in together. A wedding, two sons, and almost 26 years later, they are still best friends.

My mam was mad about Benny. She treated him like one of her sons.

When she got dementia, she lived with us during the week. And my brothers would take her on the weekends. I reduced my working hours in the Bons to look after her. Sadly, she passed away January, 2020, thankfully before the madness of covid.

For 23 years, Karen had worked in the sterilisation department of the Bon Secours Hospital where she was responsible for cleaning instruments and getting them ready for theatre.

I loved it. I was always drawn to anything medical. I used to watch operations on TV!

Her mothers passing was the impetus Karen needed to finally explore her burning desire to work in the funeral business.

I always wanted to become an embalmer, so I started looking at Youtube videos to learn what they did.

She also emailed the Mortuary Science School to enquire if a person in her 40s was too old to begin her learning journey. When she found out it would cost 15,000-16,000 to do the course, her dreams were put on the back burner.

We just couldnt afford that, admits Karen.

Then a job was advertised in one of the Cork city undertakers, and Karen applied. I hadnt done an interview in 23 years and, unsurprisingly, didnt get the job because they went with someone who had previous experience. But I had been shortlisted for it.

And that fact alone spurred her on.

She reached out to a Cork embalmer to learn about the job. He was so helpful and advised me to get in touch with Sligo-based undertaker, David McGowan.

David advised her to watch an embalming first to see if she would still like to do it afterwards.

I decided to go up to David for an introductory tour. On the way up, he rang to say they had a lady who had passed away and who they were about to embalm. He said they would wait for me to arrive so I could watch the process.

I nearly passed out while in there. The whole thing is not for the faint- hearted, and I remember thinking: what the heck am doing here? She stepped out for a few minutes to compose herself. I went back into the procedure but, when it was finished, I really questioned whether embalming was for me.

Karen persevered through her fears and reservations, however, and spent two days with David.

And, she actually loved it.

I asked if they had ever come across someone who had witnessed an embalming, had had a massive speed wobble, and yet still went on to become an embalmer? They said it happened to the best embalmers out there.

So, I said to myself, I can do this! She wrote to every undertaker in Cork offering to work voluntarily to learn every facet of the business.

John Keohane rang me back and said he could offer to show me how to arrange a funeral.

He wasnt offering Karen a job, but he might as well have handed her a pot of gold.

I was so excited!

Karen was still working part-time in the Bons so went working with John on her days off. Gradually, I began to go in more days. Then he asked if shed be willing to do the foundation course for embalming as he was outsourcing the role and had plans to ultimately have his own in-house embalmer. He offered to help her with the fees.

So, she signed up for the weeks introductory course in mortuary school.

It was amazing. I was totally immersed in it for the week and, afterwards, I knew 100% then that this was I wanted to do.

I loved my job in the Bons but the funeral business is so different. Im learning so much every single day. John has the patience of a saint, she says. He is showing me all aspects of the business from doing the accounts to driving the hearse. And is always very supportive and encouraging.

Ive done the Funeral Directors Course and am now a fully qualified undertaker/funeral director and meet grieving families to discuss their loved ones arrangements over a cup of tea. We mind them through heartbreaking times.

The hugs and thanks we get afterwards, the kindness, it genuinely does not feel like work to me.

Karen had high praise for John.

He is like a second dad to me, she says. I wouldnt be where I am today without his support.

Twelve years ago, John himself gave up his thriving electrical business to set up a funeral home. His only regret, he says, is that he didnt do it sooner!

Its no surprise, then, that he recognised that same sense of vocation in Karen.

Ive started the embalmers course now, and, though it is quite hard, I am already relishing it, she adds.

It will be every second weekend for the next two years.

Once I qualify as an embalmer, my dream is to provide the best embalming service I possibly can to families loved ones.

Karen knows first-hand how good-embalming is all about getting the little details right for a familys loved one.

After her dads traumatic death, seeing him laid out, with a small cut on his lip, still sticks out in her head.

Embalming has come a long way since then, but I can still remember that one little cut.

Compared to my dad, my mam looked beautiful and at peace in the coffin.

Dementia had ravaged her over a number of years, and, even though she had been dying for a week, when we saw her in the coffin, all the stress was totally gone from her face. Getting that right for the family is so important so they can say goodbye properly.

Karen is learning the funeral business thanks to her boss and mentor, funeral director John Keohane. A lifetime of dreams has brought her here. She leads with heart and passion, and with an unquenchable ambition to be the best at what she does.

Shes only getting started.
(Photo Credit: Christ Church Cathedral/Anglican Diocese of Newcastle, Australia)Christ Church Cathedral in Newcastle, Australia is seen in an undated file photo.

Priests and clergy from the Pacific Islands are keeping churches alive in north Queensland, on Australia's eastern side, according to Australia's national broadcaster, ABC and in other parts of Austrlia the Philippines are boosting Christian numbers..

An Anglican Church bishop in Queensland's north has said that his 11 Pacific Islander ministers, serving the region's parishes, are saving those parishes from collapse, ABC reported on Nov. 23.

"Together they make up half of my full-time workforce in the diocese," Bishop Keith Joseph said.

The report cites census data showing that the number of Australians among the nearly 27 million who identify as Christian has halved from 86 per cent in 1971 to 44 per cent in 2021, and that, among them, about half are Catholics and almost half Protestants.

Still, Christian migrants from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Pacific have tempered the decline in the faith's followers.

Bishop Joseph explained that priests and brothers have been recruited from the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu to fill service gaps in regional towns, Aboriginal communities and the Torres Strait.

"All that would go if we didn't have them," he said.

Adding to the church's woes in the Queensland diocese are financial difficulties due to the compensation owed to victims of abuse in the past.

Bishop Joseph said priests and brothers have been recruited from the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu to fill service gaps in regional towns, Aboriginal communities and the Torres Strait.

"All that would go if we didn't have them," he said.

The north Queensland diocese is also in financial trouble because of the compensation owed to victims of historic abuse.

The parishes are kept going through vital volunteer work, including running community shops, providing chaplaincy in aged care homes and hospitals, and providing pastoral care to seasonal workers.

"You're looking at each parish providing between $200,000 to a million dollars of volunteer labour into their communities each year," Bishop Joseph said.

The Pasifika priests are so highly regarded by the community that a migration pathway was launched between the diocese, the Church of Melanesia and Australia's Department of Home Affairs, the bishop said.

One priest recruited from the Solomon Islands under the agreement is Rev. Jeffrey Akoai who serves St. Paul's Anglican Church at Proserpine in the Whitsundays after being recruited three years ago to sustain parishes in north Queensland.

He leads regular masses and also a monthly Melanesian service for the region's many seasonal workers, helping maintain social cohesion.

On Saturdays, they also run a bible study for the workers, which can keep them away from bars and rather save money for their families back home according to the ABC.

"It's like we're creating a home, a safe space away from home, that they are free to come and share whatever challenges they are going through," Akoai said.

"As Melanesians, wherever we go we bring faith, community and culture with us."

Joseph says priests and brothers from the Pacific Islands make up half his full-time workforce.

- SIMILAR PERSONNEL PROBLEMS FOR CATHOLIC CHURCH

The Catholic Church also has similar personnel problems according to the report.

It mentions Monsignor Glynn Murphy saying when he was ordained in 1983 he remembered there being about 100 active priests across 52 parishes in the Ballarat Catholic Diocese in western Victoria State.

Since then, the diocese has merged parishes, leaving just 23, with about 30 priests from countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam and India.

Murphy leads the Wimmera-Mallee parish and has observed congregations of migrant groups change.

He grew up in Swan Hill and saw Australians and then Italian, Dutch and Chinese families flock to mass on Sunday mornings.

Nowadays, he said migrants were mostly young families from the Philippines and India who came to regional Victoria to fulfil labour shortages in education, aged care and healthcare.

The congregation at St Michael and John's Catholic church is made up of many young families from the Philippines and India.

"They tend to have their faith and spiritual life very much to the fore ... and you see that reflected in their parish attendance and presence," Monsignor Murphy said.
EU member states have agreed on a position regarding online child protection legislation that doesn't force global tech companies to identify and remove child sexual abuse materials (CSAM.) This is being seen as a major victory for US tech companies like Google and Meta, according to reporting by Reuters.

This new European Council language contradicts a 2023 position in which the European Parliament would have required messaging services, app stores and ISPs to report and remove CSAM materials and instances of grooming. The proposed legislation doesn't have any of that.

Instead, it tasks major tech companies with assessing the risk of their services, taking preventative measures as deemed necessary. It leaves enforcement up to individual national governments and not the EU governing body.

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"Member states will designate national authorities ... responsible for assessing these risk assessments and mitigating measures, with the possibility of obliging providers to carry out mitigating measures," the European Council wrote in a statement. "In the event of non-compliance, providers could be subject to penalty payments."

There's no language here regarding the enforced scanning of encrypted materials for CSAM, which was an idea being discussed as recently as last year. However, there is some language that suggests encryption services must be safeguarded. Some detractors, like the Czech Republic, suggest that the Council's idea to allow tech entities to essentially self-police content could actually hurt encryption platforms.

This is "a great disappointment for everyone who cares about privacy," Czech politician Marketa Gregorova wrote in a statement. "The Danish presidency has pushed through a compromise version of the proposal after long negotiations, which, while appearing to be less invasive, actually paves the way for what we have long warned against: the blanket scanning of our private conversations."

The proposed law does, however, establish something called the EU Center on Child Sexual Abuse. This organization would have a mandate to help countries comply and provide assistance for victims. The European Parliament also recently called on the EU to set minimum ages for kids to access social media, but there's no current law in the works.

All of this isn't a done deal just yet. The Council now must enter into negotiations with the Parliament.
Exactly how many iPad Pros do you think Apples founding document is worth? Quite a lot, by the sound of it. The written agreement that made official the formation of Apple Computer Company  as it was initially known  in 1976 is reportedly going to be auctioned, where its expected to fetch up to $4 million.

As reported by Apple Insider, the British auction house Christies, which has a number of international salerooms, including one in New York, will feature the three-page document in an auction in early 2026. It features the signatures of Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ron Wayne, as well as their respective stakes in the company that would go on to become one of the biggest in the world.

While undoubtedly an item of historical significance, the agreement that people will be bidding for was ultimately a short-lived one. By the time Apple Computer Company became Apple Computer, Inc less than a year later, Wayne had already sold his 10 percent share back to his other co-founders.

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In fact, he left the company less than a fortnight after its creation, a decision he insisted he didnt regret in a BBC interview in 2016, despite the fact that a 10 percent stake in Apple would have been worth around $60 billion at the time (and presumably quite a bit more than that now). He was paid just $1,500 to sign away of all of his remaining business interests in Apple several months later. And to rub even more salt in the wound, Wayne eventually sold his own copy of that original agreement for $500, something the former Atari employee told the BBC he did regret.

According to Apple Insider, the soon-to-be auctioned Apple agreement is valued at between $2 million and $4 million, and it will feature in the "We the People: America at 250" auction in New York on January 23. It wont be the first time an important piece of Apple history has been sold off. Back in 2023, an unopened first-generation iPhone fetched $190,000 at an auction, which was around 300 times its original price.
King Charles III reportedly made the decision to evict Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from Frogmore Cottage after the Duke of Sussex crossed what palace sources describe as a red line with a comment about Queen Camilla, according to new reporting.

According to The Mirror, Harry's comments about his stepmother in his memoir "Spare" were seen by people inside the palace as the "ultimate act of disrespect" as the strained relationship between the couple and the rest of the royal family continued to deepen.

Sources close to the monarch described the King as furious over the exposures made about Queen Camilla in the memoir.

Sources claimed, "It was the last straw."

"Harry was well aware how Camilla would be a red line for his father and he crossed with flagrant disregard anyway," they said. "The King felt without a doubt it crossed a line  it was the ultimate act of disrespect."

Harry's memoir included more than 60 references to Camilla, whom he described with terms that reportedly angered the monarch. In the book, Harry reflected on Camilla's relationship with him and William.

"I had complex feelings about gaining a stepparent who, I believed, had recently sacrificed me on her personal PR altar," he wrote. "In a funny way I even wanted Camilla to be happy. Maybe she'd be less dangerous if she was happy?"

Did King Charles Make Up an Excuse to Avoid His Son?

In other news, King Charles III allegedly used a fake cancer-related medical appointment as an excuse to cut short a tense reunion with Prince Harry, according to royal biographer Robert Jobson's new book "The Windsor Legacy."

RadarOnline reported that the 30-minute meeting in London was pre-arranged to be interrupted so the King could immediately fly to Sandringham instead of spending more time with his uninvited son.

Jobson wrote that Charles, already "irritated and exhausted" by Harry and Meghan's public attacks in "Spare" and their Netflix series, wanted "peace and quiet" during chemotherapy.

A royal source told RadarOnline the encounter was "civil but frosty" and claimed the King now sees Harry as someone who has "traded loyalty for attention and profit," though Harry later rejected portrayals of the meeting as overly formal in comments to Sky News.
Fairfield, MT (59436)

Today

Rain showers early then a few snow showers for the afternoon. Morning high of 48F with temps falling sharply to near 20. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Cloudy skies with late-night snow showers. Low 7F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%. About one inch of snow expected.
MOGADORE, Ohio  Daniel and Deanna Duma couldnt be more in love, just married in July with their first child on the way. Finishing each others sentences as they recapped their epic love story in a storage room, above the bustling Duma Meats Farm Market, they barely took their eyes off each other.

When you meet the right person, you know, Daniel said.

Their whirlwind romance ignited as fire crews worked to clean up the devastating aftermath of the milking parlor fire at Deannas familys farm, Comp Dairy Farm, last year. Her father, Jerry Comp, discovered the fire around 7 p.m. on Sept. 22, 2024, as he was returning from one of his fields. Deanna received a call, along with the rest of her family, that she was needed on the farm to help relocate the cattle.

About 1,100 cows were sent to 11 dairies in Ohio and Pennsylvania; Deanna helped coordinate the transport of her familys herd, recording the names of the drivers who came to pick up cows, their phone numbers and where they were taking them. She worked all through the night and into the next morning, nearly deciding to go home before the last of the herd left.

My heart couldnt do that, so I was like, No, Im gonna stay and help till theyre all gone, Deanna said.

After receiving an early-morning call from his close friend Ken Rufener, who had agreed to house some of Comps cows at his farm, Congress Lake Farms in Mogadore, Ohio, Daniel reluctantly made the 80-mile trek to Comp Dairy Farm in Dorset, Ohio.

I told him I did not want to go because we were just so busy (at Duma Meats). Not that I dont want to help people, but we were really busy at the time. I was irritated the whole way there. But then, thats where me and Dea met, Daniel said.

Pushing 30 hours without sleep, covered in cow manure, Deanna approached Daniels truck and asked for his name.

So, Daniel said his name like, Uh, Im Daniel Duma, like duh. Im like, Sweet, cool, man. I dont know what that means, but all right, Deanna said.

But she was intrigued by the confident cowboy, and he was enamored with her.

He lives in my heart

In the weeks following the fire, Deanna juggled her career as a travel nurse, graduate school and helping out on her familys farm. She traveled over 90 miles one way to work the night shift in Akron Childrens Hospitals Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, while she was enrolled in classes at Kent State University to become a pediatric nurse practitioner. She had more than enough on her plate, but she couldnt stop thinking about the cows or Daniel.

Deanna realized Kent State was only 20 minutes away from Congress Lake Farms, a couple of weeks after the fire, and decided to visit her familys cows after an exam.

When she arrived, Rufener was extremely kind and welcoming. He took her back to the barn to check on her cows, and she was grateful for everything hed done for her family.

They were doing great. It was awesome to see, and just thanking him in person, she said.

Rufener also told her not to worry about hauling the cattle home because someone had already offered to take them back when the time came. Deanna couldnt stop the question that inevitably came next.

Do you mind me asking his name just so we know, when the time comes? she said.

His response was Daniel Duma, and Deanna thought, Oh, here we go again.

After she found out Daniel volunteered to bring her cows home, she reached out to him on Facebook to thank him and ask if she could stop by his familys business, Duma Meats, to drop off Comp Dairy Farm T-shirts as a thank you. Daniel told her she was welcome anytime and offered a prayer for her family.

The moment she walked in on Nov. 5, 2024, Daniel greeted her and took her on a tour around the market. She stayed for hours, ate cheeseburgers and talked to Daniel about everything from her beliefs to her goals. When she left, she called her mom and told her, I just met the guy Im going to marry.

The connection was unique for Daniel, too. He couldnt explain the feeling he got the first time he met Deanna, but he knew it was special. He knew he was drawn to her. Within the first three minutes of talking to her when she stopped at his familys market, he knew he loved her.

We just knew. I dont know how to explain it, but (it was) just natural. We talked about everything, he said.

Daniel asked Deanna if she knew Jesus, and more specifically, Where does he live?

In my heart, Deanna said.

With her response, Daniel immediately saw a future with Deanna, despite their busy schedules, the individual paths they were on and the distance between them.

We were so close for so long and never met, but then the fire happened and the Lord had plans, Deanna said.

Last winter, Daniel and Deanna traveled the 80 miles back and forth to see each other as much as they could. Deanna would often stop at Duma Meats on her way to work to see him, and Daniel wasnt reluctant to make the long drive to Dorset anymore, even in the snow.

An hour and 30 minutes away is a long trip, but I guess we didnt really think about that, Daniel said.

As their relationship progressed quickly, their families supported them and wanted to make their own introductions. Daniel went hunting with the Comps after Thanksgiving and drove up to spend Christmas with them. After the Comps Christmas celebration, Deanna rode back with Daniel to meet his family  his parents, four siblings and 14 nieces and nephews  for the first time.

My family knew (I loved you) right away when I brought you into the house, Daniel said.

Daniel dated Deanna for four months before he proposed to her on Valentines Day.

We didnt date that long, did we? he said, with a smile, as his wife continued to recount their love story.

A leap of faith

Before she met Daniel, Deanna didnt see marrying a farmer in her future, as much as she loved the farm. She was 28 years old, six years into her nursing career and four classes away from finishing graduate school. It didnt seem like it was in the cards for her, but she never ruled out the possibility.

We both kind of have farming in our blood, she said.

She grew up as the fifth generation on her familys dairy farm with her brother and sister. She understands the sacrifices farming requires well, after watching her dad milk cows three times a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. She knew shed have to make sacrifices for Daniel, and her whole life changed when she decided to spend it with him.

I moved an hour and a half away. Im not nursing. Im not going to grad school. Im doing something completely different, Deanna said.

When she started having serious conversations with Daniel about getting married and moving in together over winter break, she decided to take a semester off from school.

I took the semester off, and we literally, in that semester off, got engaged and started planning a wedding, she said.

She couldnt shake the feeling that she was quitting school, but what she got in return meant a lot more to her.

My biggest dream has always been to have a family: get married, have a family, have kids and raise my kids. I felt like this is actually happening, and right now, other things can wait, she said.

When her nursing contract with Akron Childrens Hospital ended after three years in May, Deanna started helping Daniel. Together, they own and operate Duma Ranch Burger Dispatch, a food truck Daniel started on his own in July 2024, and they help out at Dume Meats. They also raise cattle to supply the food truck and market on their farm, Duma Ranch, in Mogadore, Ohio.

The farming lifestyle is something that we both enjoy. And, although sometimes it would make more sense for us just to focus on the store or the burger truck, and farming is just one extra thing to do, its like neither one of us is willing to give it up, Deanna said.

Daniel delivered on everything he promised Deanna he would provide for her. Together, they made the life they both wanted a reality.

He is the kindest. He would give anybody the last penny, the shirt off his back. I know people say that about people, but Im not kidding you. He will just give and give and give, she said.

The couple was married on Sunday, July 6, in front of family and friends under a beautiful blue sky at 1885 Farms in Navarre, Ohio. Their ceremony included a heartfelt retelling of the love story they were lucky enough to experience.

After the wedding, Deanna moved into the house Daniel bought in his early 20s  a home hed promised to buy as a boy, baling hay on the property. Their driveway is flanked by barns on either side, with a third barn on the property, and a few years ago, Daniel purchased the farmland next door, giving them room to grow.

I dont think that well go anywhere. I think well probably stay where we are, but we might just have to add on a couple of rooms because we plan on having lots of kids, Deanna said.

Together, they began to dream of the family they wanted, and soon after, it became more than a dream. Deanna got car sick one day early in September, so Daniel took her home to take a pregnancy test. Overcome with excitement, she handed him the positive test and simply said, Im sorry, I didnt plan on telling you this way!

They announced Deannas pregnancy on Oct. 16, and shes due on May 10, which is fittingly Mothers Day.

Our love story is a testament to faith, hope and the incredible ways life can surprise us, Deanna wrote in the recap of their love story that they told at their wedding.
SALEM, Ohio  The Farm and Dairy editorial team recently received national and international recognition for its excellence in writing, reporting and producing engaging content. Managing Editor Sara Welch, Reporter Liz Partsch, Art Director David Hartong and Paginator Tammy Donaldson received honors in two contests.

National Newspaper Association Foundations Better Newspaper Contest

Welch earned first place in the Best Non-Profile Feature Story category for non-daily publications with a circulation of 15,000 or more. The winning story, In memory of Daniel Kibler: Donation hog raises over $30K in 4-H scholarship funds, ran in March 2024. It detailed the life and legacy of a 13-year-old Portage County boy who died in an ATV accident and the communitys efforts to memorialize him through a 4-H scholarship program. The judge remarked that Welchs story was beautifully written.

Welch and Partsch took the top two spots in the Best Profile Feature Story category for non-daily publications with a circulation of 15,000 or more. Welch took first place for her story titled Claire Coumos defies odds to show the largest steer at the Portage County Fair that originally ran in the Sept. 5, 2024 paper. The story followed 13-year-old Claire Coumos, a girl who was born with a rare craniofacial condition that also causes fusion of the bones in her hands and feet, as she prepared for and showed a market steer at the county fair for the first time.

Sara Welch puts it all together  a heart-warming topic told in a beautiful narrative that simply draws the reader through the tale, answering all the questions and hitting all the right notes, the judge wrote. Well done.

Welch produced a follow-up story on Coumos earlier this year, when the teen took grand champion at the Portage County Fair with this years market steer.

Partsch won second place in the same category for her story Tree farmer wins Ohio Tree Farm of the Year award for restoring former strip mines, which ran on Aug. 29, 2024. The story covered Rob Davis tree farm in Harrison County.

The judge commented: Farm & Dairy goes two for two in this category. Liz Partschs only fault is her subject wasnt quite as compelling as Sara Welchs first-place profile. Great job of writing.

Partsch also took first place for her January 2024 story that detailed the history of the steel industry in Weirton, West Virginia and the rebirth of the steel town through a new battery plant in the Preserving Local History category for daily and non-daily publications with a circulation of 9,000 or more. Editor Rachel Wagoner also received a nod for her accompanying column that discussed the deep connection the publications rural readership has with manufacturing.

Partsch took second place in Best Feature Photo for dailies and non-dailies with a circulation of 10,000 or more for her March 2024 photo of Kevin Holy working in the maple sugar shack at Seldom Seen Farm. She also took fourth place in Best Reporting on Local Government for non-dailies with a circulation of 15,000 or more for her story titled Western Pa. residents fight for increased well pad setbacks.

Hartong took the top two spots in Best Informational Graphic, for non-daily division publications with a circulation of 15,000 or more.

His infographic titled Finding and Raising Monarch Caterpillars, which ran in the Aug. 22, 2024 paper, took first place. The judge wrote: superb combination of color photography, sharp typography as well as innovative layout makes this a compelling look. Spectacular. The infographic titled ODNR celebrates 75 years, which ran on April 4, 2024, took second place.

Hartong also took second place in the Best Front Page Design category for non-daily publications with a circulation of 15,000 or more for the May 2, 2024 issue. The judge wrote that the front page flows from top to bottom.

Donaldson received fourth place in the Best Special News, Sports, Niche, Feature Section or Edition for Progress Vol. 2 that ran June 2, 2024.

Freelancer photojournalist Matthew Chasney received third place for his special summer photo essay series, The Racing Report, in the Best Photo Essay for dailies and non-dailies over 12,000 circulation.

And last but not least, Wagoner received third place in Legacy.coms Best Obituary Tribute for her news obituary on C. Sherman Allen, a longtime auctioneer and public figure in western Pennsylvania. This is not the first time Wagoner was recognized for her obituary writing. She won first place for Best Obituary in 2021 with her tribute to an Ohio dairy farmer.

There were 1,546 entries in the Better Newspaper Editorial Contest, with 712 awards won by 102 newspapers in 33 states. Established in 1885, the National Newspaper Association is one of the largest newspaper associations in the country. The foundation is its educational arm. Winners were recognized during an awards ceremony Oct. 10 during the NNAFs 138th annual Convention and Trade Show in Omaha, Nebraska.

North American Agricultural Journalists Writing Contest

Earlier this year, Welch took second place out of 14 entries in the Profile category for her story Claire Coumos defies odds to show the largest steer at the Portage County Fair published in September 2024. The judge commented: What a beautiful and well-told story, with a vivid use of details and quotes.

Partsch took third place out of 19 entries in the Ongoing Coverage or Series category for her stories on the fight for more regulation on oil and gas drilling in western Pennsylvania.

The North American Agricultural Journalists is a professional international group of agricultural editors and writers with members in the United States and Canada. The contest winners were recognized during the groups annual meeting April 27 to April 29 in Washington, D.C.
A major backlash is building across rural Scotland after more than 2,200 objections were lodged against plans for a 120-mile powerline that farmers warn would carve through productive farmland, from the Highlands to Aberdeenshire.

The now-closed public consultation received 2,246 objections to SSEN Transmissions plans for a chain of pylons between Beauly and Peterhead  a route cutting through working farmland and key agricultural landscapes. The proposal includes towers of around 180ft, roughly twice the height of Aberdeen Airports air traffic control tower.

The project would involve a new 400kV overhead line linking Beauly, Blackhillock, New Deer and Peterhead, supported by three new substations and convertor stations at either end.

It forms part of SSENs 22 billion Pathway to 2030 programme, which also proposes an additional 350 pylons between Kintore and Tealing  a scheme that has already attracted over 10,600 objections, many from farmers concerned about losing viable farmland to industrial infrastructure.

Politicians say the scale of public opposition reflects an unmistakable message from farming communities, who fear major disruption to fields, grazing, access routes and the viability of family-run farms.

Scottish Conservative North East MSP Douglas Lumsden said the volume of objections sends a unanimous message to the Scottish government that these plans between Beauly and Peterhead are not welcome.

He said it is absolutely clear that communities across the North and North East are deeply concerned that our countryside is being turned into industrial jungles, warning that the level of overdevelopment threatens to desecrate our countryside, causing misery and financial hardship to homeowners.

Lumsden urged ministers to pause the scheme until a proper energy strategy is put in place, saying farming families deserve clarity, respect and protection from unnecessary disruption.

Tim Eagle, Buckie sheep farmer and Scottish Conservative shadow rural secretary, said the thousands of objections highlight the anger felt across the agricultural sector at what he described as a tsunami of industrial infrastructure being forced through rural Scotland.

He warned of the consequences for farm businesses and the land they steward, saying: From homes being devalued and the impact on peoples health, to the loss of prime agricultural land and the monstrous blight on our landscape, these proposals must be stopped.

He added that food security and the protection of our farmland has never been more important during these uncertain times, arguing that This mass industrialisation threatens our way of life, which is why these plans should be thrown out to protect rural Scotland.

Farmers across the proposed route say they feel overlooked, arguing that productive farmland  vital for food production, grazing and rural economies  cannot simply be sacrificed to major infrastructure without proper scrutiny or alternatives being explored.

The objections will now be assessed as the proposals move into the next stage of the planning process, with farming organisations, landowners and rural residents insisting their concerns must carry significant weight.
Farmers from across the UK have descended on central London today in one of the most visible rural protests in months, with tractors rolling into Westminster despite a Metropolitan Police ban on agricultural vehicles.

The demonstration on Wednesday (26 November) is timed to coincide with Chancellor Rachel Reeves autumn budget and had originally been subject to strict police conditions preventing tractors and other machinery from accessing Whitehall.

In the day leading up to the event, the Met Police said it had held a number of conversations with the protest organisers to safely manage the event, and confirmed that conditions have been put in place to prevent protesters from bringing vehicles, including tractors or other agricultural vehicles.

The force said the restriction was necessary due to serious disruption they could cause to businesses, emergency services and Londoners travelling through the area.

Officers also instructed participants that they must remain in Richmond Terrace, Whitehall within the shaded area on the map provided.

As tractors continued to enter the capital this morning, the Met issued a further warning stating that Anyone breaching conditions by bringing vehicles, including tractors or agricultural vehicles, to todays farmers protest will be asked by officers to leave.

The force added that refusal to comply would result in arrests under the Public Order Act. The majority have listened to officers and complied with the conditions, however, several arrests have been made, a spokesperson confirmed.

We have already spoken to a number of individuals this morning to advise them of the conditions.

The majority have listened to officers and complied with the conditions, however, several arrests have been made.

??| Further updates will be posted on this thread.  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 26, 2025

Despite the warning, tractors still rolled into central London, creating a striking display of rural dissent as farmers gathered to demand fairness and a future for British farming.

Horns echoed along the streets around Westminster as supporters cheered and filmed the unexpected convoy, marking a significant escalation in todays demonstration.

Large groups of farmers ignored the restrictions and pressed on toward the capital, with tractors appearing in unexpected pockets of the city. Machines were spotted edging through areas around Kings Cross, looping past Trafalgar Square and gathering along Edgware Road as convoys tried to find a path toward Westminster.

Farmers out in force today at Trafalgar Square / Charles I statue - good on them! @JeremyClarkson hoped to see you there today sir? #farmers #tractors pic.twitter.com/Z3Pqw4BFYL  Sam B (@sball1979) November 26, 2025

Farmers are in London!!

The Public love our farmers & we must have Food Security!

Police are issuing Secrion 14 Notices to try ban them under Public Order Act

Reeves Labour Khan we see you!

This is a disgrace!! @GBNEWS @BBCNews @itvnews @SkyNews pic.twitter.com/TwRdIOJgh2  Alan D Miller (@alanvibe) November 26, 2025

Meanwhile, waves of protesters arriving on foot transformed Whitehall into a dense corridor of colour, packed with union flags, homemade banners and farm-branded kit. Many of the tractor drivers who were stopped on approach roads simply slowed their pace and continued crawling toward the centre, refusing to abandon the demonstration entirely.

The rally is aimed at drawing attention to widespread anger over inheritance tax reforms due to take effect in April 2026. Under the governments proposals, announced in the 2024 autumn budget, agricultural property relief will be capped at 1 million, with any value above that facing a 50% charge.

Farmers say the changes to agricultural and business property relief could impose crippling tax burdens on family farms during succession, forcing the sale or fragmentation of long-established holdings.

Protesters argue the backlash reflects deep anxiety across the countryside, driven by rising costs, shifting support schemes and what many see as a lack of long-term certainty for British agriculture.

Legal experts say concern among farming families is well-founded. Commenting on the protest, Hannah Wallbridge, senior associate at Gardner Leader, said: Whilst much of the focus has been on the anticipated new policies being announced today, tractors in Downing Street again this morning illustrate the impact that is still being felt in rural communities around the changes announced last year to Agricultural Property Relief.

"Unless further changes are announced today, the clock continues to run for those farming families to seek estate planning advice as to how best plan for future generations before April next year.

With the chancellor set to deliver her budget later today, farmers hope their presence in Westminster ensures rural concerns cannot be ignored.
Talks on the real-life influences of Ranveer Singh's upcoming film Dhurandhar have been more intense as anticipation grows, especially the notion that the main character primarily pulls from the remarkable life of Ashok Chakra awardee Major Mohit Sharma. Under the codename "Iftikhar Bhatt," the Para Special Forces officer notably infiltrated Hizbul Mujahideen in the early 2000s, operating with unparalleled bravery and accuracy deep inside militant networks.





In a past interview, Major Sharmas brother Madhur Sharma recounted one of the most remarkable and chilling stories from that covert period. In an interview with Lt. Cdr. Bijay Nair on YouTube, he described how, during an operation, Mohit quietly sipped kahwa while shooting two terrorists at close range with their own weapons. The family didn't find out about this incident until years later, and even then, Madhur thinks the version that was given to them was substantially suppressed because of how delicate the mission was.







According to Madhur, Mohit had become well-integrated into the Kashmiri society, developing relationships and trust that enabled him to obtain intelligence. He became aware of two suspects who regularly frequented a specific home thanks to one such contact, which ultimately led him directly into their social circle and set off the audacious encounter.



Dhurandhar's remarkable real-world analogies have made it one of the year's most talked-about movies. Major Mohit Sharma, who ultimately gave his life in Kupwara during a 2009 operation, is reminiscent of Ranveer Singh's role, a secret agent balancing identity and duty. According to Madhur, Mohit had become well-integrated into the Kashmiri society, developing relationships and trust that enabled him to obtain intelligence. He became aware of two suspects who regularly frequented a specific home thanks to one such contact, which ultimately led him directly into their social circle and set off the audacious encounter.Dhurandhar's remarkable real-world analogies have made it one of the year's most talked-about movies. Major Mohit Sharma, who ultimately gave his life in Kupwara during a 2009 operation, is reminiscent of Ranveer Singh's role, a secret agent balancing identity and duty.

Remembering the Legend

Major Mohit Sharma, AC(P),SM sir

1 PARA SF on his Balidaan Diwas today.



This day on 2009 Major Mohit Sharma sir successfully neutralised 4 terrorists despite being shot in the chest & attained supreme sacrifice in the finest tradition of Indian Army pic.twitter.com/R76lTSrDG8  Simrat Sahota  (@iamsimratsahota) March 21, 2023

The film also features several characters inspired by real figures from counter-terror and underworld histories. While R. Madhavan's Ajay Sanyal invokes aspects of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Arjun Rampal's Major Iqbal depicts the mysterious presence of militant commander Ilyas Kashmiri. Sanjay Dutt's SP Aslam captures the brave spirit of Karachi's late police officer Chaudhry Aslam Khan, while Akshaye Khanna's Rehman is reminiscent to Abdul Rehman Baloch, a member of the underworld.





View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ranveer Singh (@ranveersingh

Dhurandhar promises action grounded in true stories of bravery. The film is set to release on December 5, 2025.Also Read: Makers of Dhurandhar drop Ishq Jalakar  Karvaan ahead of schedule on fan demand
BTS leader RM sent the internet into chaos after sharing an unexpected glimpse of the group inside what looks like a dance rehearsal room. After days of hinting at their comeback album, the rapper posted a new photo that showed all seven members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, together in one frame.





While the OT7 sighting itself was enough to make ARMY emotional, it was Sugas presence that created the loudest reaction online. The rapper has kept a very low profile since his DUI case and military discharge, so this rare appearance immediately went viral.

According to Korean media reports, HYBEs performance team first noticed RMs sudden update on the account @pcmkr_googi, where he also shared another picture from a different angle and tagged all seven members. The images showed the group standing casually in what looked like a practice studio, instantly signalling to fans that something big is brewing.





For ARMY who have been waiting for even the smallest update, Suga showing up in the rehearsal shot was the highlight. Fans shared that they have missed seeing him in group content and were overjoyed to spot him again. ARMY reacts: Were not imagining this, right? Within minutes, RMs upload dominated fan communities and social media. Comments poured in thanking him for the update.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by RM (@rkive)

Only Namjoon drops OT7 pics like this, a fan wrote. Another commented, This feels like his quiet way of saying, yes, theyre all together. Many were especially emotional over Suga. I would recognise that stance anywhere. MIN YOONGI IS BACK! one fan wrote. Another joked, Yoongis comeback might be bigger than the group comeback at this point.

BTS comeback album & world tour buzz





The group recently travelled to the US to record songs for their comeback album, scheduled to release in spring 2026. RM earlier teased that the music feels completely new, while Jimin admitted during a livestream that theyre nervous about performing again after such a long break.Reports also claim BTS is preparing for a massive 65-stop world tour, including 30 shows in North America. However, BIGHIT MUSIC has clarified that the tour schedule is still undecided.





Also Read: Photos: Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatts On-set Stills From SLBs Love and War Break The Internet
Geologic Modeling of High-Grade Drill Intercepts Underway

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / November 25, 2025 / Silver Dollar Resources Inc. (CSE:SLV)(OTCQX:SLVDF)(FSE:4YW) ("Silver Dollar" or the "Company") is pleased to report underground sample assay results and preliminary geologic modeling of existing high-grade drill results in support of an exploration and mining strategy shift from open pit to underground at its 100%-owned La Joya Silver (Cu-Au) Project (the "Property") in the state of Durango, Mexico.

Figure 1: La Joya plan view showing mineralized areas and location of underground sampling.

A total of 16 channel samples were collected from the historic La Embotelladora mine workings, showing mineralization localized in ENE and NNE structural zones. Sample R-300 returned 2,753 grams per tonne (g/t) silver equivalent (AgEq) over 0.4 metres (m) representing the NNE trending zone. Sample R-291 returned 328 g/t AgEq over 0.4m representing the ENE structural zone (Table 1). These data combined with existing drilling results are aiding in the Company's ongoing strategy of transitioning La Joya from an open pit to an underground project by confirming high grade mineralization localization in a network of prospective structures. Ongoing geologic modeling will focus on validating this thesis through re-focused exploration planning.

Photo 1: Underground sampling of the historic La Embotelladora Mineworkings.

Figure 2: Plan view showing recent channel sample assay results and existing drilling results.

Sample ID Width (m) Ag g/t Au g/t Cu g/t Pb g/t Zn g/t AgEq g/t R-289 0.4 2 0.0 387 26 171 6 R-290 0.6 5 0.3 464 17 158 21 R-291 0.4 166 0.2 23,110 43 153 328 R-292 1.1 11 0.1 1,900 14 186 26 R-293 0.7 4 0.4 606 13 145 23 R-294 0.6 2 0.0 254 9 153 5 R-295 0.6 2 0.1 448 9 163 7 R-296 0.85 5 0.1 457 369 1,620 13 R-297 0.8 5 0.1 689 292 4,440 18 R-298 0.3 1 0.1 367 11 156 6 R-299 0.85 26 0.0 2,160 20 204 41 R-300 0.4 1,800 0.6 139,860 1,340 4,550 2,753 R-301 0.95 148 0.1 13,870 36 234 244 R-302 0.32 34 0.5 416 15 129 57 R-303 0.4 9 1.1 460 4 182 54 R-304 0.26 3 0.2 549 58 364 15

Table 1: Assay results from underground sampling campaign.

Silver equivalent is calculated using the following metal prices in USD: Au $1,750/oz, Ag $22/oz, Pb $1.25/lb, Zn $1.50/lb, Cu $4.30/lb. Recoveries of Au 66%, Ag 93%, Pb 87%, Zn 84%, Cu 70% historically reported from Pan American Silver's La Colorada mine and Southern Silver's Cerro Minitas mine (Cu only) have been used in the AgEq calculation, and are assumed to be comparable to anticipated recoveries at La Joya.

Figure 3: La Joya preliminary numerical model of AgEq trended to apparent E-W structural network.

Silver Dollar has also completed preliminary numerical modeling of existing drillhole assay data to identify additional high-grade mineralization. Numerical models were trended using preliminary vein modeling, which focused on a series of emerging E-W trends. Ongoing geologic modeling will incorporate other local trends, including a NNE structural trend, and the impact of stratigraphic-structural intersections on plunging mineral trends.

"With silver, copper, and gold prices all reaching record highs this year, it's an opportune time to re-conceptualize La Joya from a new underground perspective," said Greg Lytle, President of Silver Dollar. "The goal of our geological modeling is to assess La Joya's underground potential based on a compilation of all historical data, consider hypothetical underground mining methods, and identify high-priority exploration targets to add value to the Project."

Procedure, quality assurance/quality control and data verification:

All rock samples were collected, described, photographed, and bagged on-site. The samples were delivered by Silver Dollar staff to ActLabs in Zacatecas, Mexico for analysis. ActLabs is ISO 9001:2015 certified. Rock samples were crushed, pulverized and screened to -80 mesh at the lab, prior to analysis. Gold is analyzed by a 30g Fire Assay with AA (atomic absorption spectroscopy) finish, then gravimetric finish if greater than 10ppm Gold. Silver and 34 other elements were analyzed using a four-acid digestion with an ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission spectroscopy) finish. Silver, lead, zinc, and copper over limits were re-assayed using an ore-grade four-acid digestion with ICP-AES (Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy) finish. Control samples comprising certified reference samples and blank samples were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's quality assurance and quality control protocol.

About the La Joya Property:

La Joya is an advanced exploration stage property consisting of 15 mineral concessions totaling 4,646 hectares and hosts the Main Mineralized Trend (MMT), Santo Nino, and Coloradito deposits.

The previous operator, Silvercrest Mines, released a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) NI 43-101 Technical Report on the La Joya Property in December 2013. The PEA included a mineral resource estimate (MRE) on the MMT and Santo Nino deposits (See Historical MRE Table) that was based on 89 holes totaling 30,085 m of Silvercrest's drilling between 2010 and 2012 (See Historical MRE Model). The MRE was reported to conform to CIM definitions for resource estimation; however, a qualified person of Silver Dollar has not done sufficient work to classify the historical resource, and the Company is not treating it as a current mineral resource. Independent data verification and an assessment of the mineral resource estimation methods are required to verify the historical mineral resource.

The Property is situated approximately 75 kilometres southeast of the Durango state capital city of Durango in a high-grade silver region with past-producing and operating mines, including Silver Storm's La Parrilla Mine, Industrias Penoles' Sabinas Mine, Grupo Mexico's San Martin Mine, Sabinas Mine, First Majestic's Del Toro Mine, and Pan American Silver's La Colorada Mine (Figure 4).

Figure 4: La Joya location and historical and operating mines in the area.

Dale Moore, P.Geo., an independent Qualified Person (QP) as defined in NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release on behalf of the Company.

About Silver Dollar Resources Inc.

Silver Dollar is a dynamic mineral exploration company focused on two of North America's premier mining regions: Idaho's prolific Silver Valley and the Durango-Zacatecas silver-gold belt. Our portfolio includes the advanced-stage Ranger-Page and La Joya projects, as well as the early-stage Nora project. The Company's financial backers include renowned mining investor Eric Sprott, our largest shareholder. Silver Dollar's management team is committed to an aggressive growth strategy and is actively reviewing potential acquisitions with a focus on drill-ready projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions.

For additional information, you can visit our website at silverdollarresources.com, download our investor presentation, and follow us on X at x.com/SilverDollarRes.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Signed "Gregory Lytle"

Gregory Lytle,

President, CEO & Director

Silver Dollar Resources Inc.

Direct line: (604) 839-6946

Email: greg@silverdollarresources.com

179 - 2945 Jacklin Road, Suite 416

Victoria, BC, V9B 6J9

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release may contain "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this news release.

SOURCE: Silver Dollar Resources Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/silver-dollar-samples-up-to-2-753-g%2ft-ageq-in-underground-sampling-campaign-at-it-1111707
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 25, 2025) - Lodestar Metals Corp. (TSXV: LSTR) (OTC: SVTNF) ("Lodestar" or the "Company") announces that it has closed the third and final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing (the "Offering") (see news releases dated September 29, 2025, October 15, 2025, October 22, 2025, October 24, 2025 and November 13, 2025) by issuing 1,678,263 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.075 per Unit for gross proceeds of $125,869.73 (the "Third Tranche"). Under the Offering, the Company issued a total of 19,999,998 Units for gross proceeds of $1,500,000.

"Closing this final tranche marks an important milestone for Lodestar as we advance toward our next phase of exploration at Goldrun" stated Lowell Kamin, President and CEO of Lodestar. "With this financing complete, we are well-capitalized to move forward on high-priority targets and continue executing our disciplined exploration strategy. We appreciate the ongoing support of our shareholders as we work to build a high-quality gold resource and create long-term value."

Each Unit is comprised of one (1) common share of the Company (a "Share") and one-half of one (1/2) share purchase warrant (each whole share purchase warrant, a "Unit Warrant"), with each Unit Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional Share (a "Unit Warrant Share") at a price of $0.12 per Unit Warrant Share for a period of two years from the date of issue (the "Expiry Date"). The Company has the right to accelerate the Expiry Date if, at any time, the volume weighted average price of the Shares on the principal exchange or market on which the Shares trade is equal to or greater than $0.15 for 10 consecutive trading days ("10-Day Period"). In the event of acceleration, the Expiry Date will be accelerated to a date that is 30 days after the Company issues the acceleration notice through a news release, provided that the acceleration notice is issued within 10 business days after the end of the particular 10-Day Period.

The securities issued under the Third Tranche will be subject to restrictions on resale until March 26, 2026. In connection with the Third Tranche, the Company paid the finders a cash fee totaling $3,776.09 and issued a total of 50,348 share purchase warrants to the finders (the "Finder's Warrants"). Each Finder Warrant is exercisable at $0.12 per Share for a period of two (2) years from the date of issue.

The proceeds of the Offering will be used for exploration and drilling on the Company's Goldrun Project located in Nevada as well as working capital purposes.

Early Warning

Mr. Andy Chow acquired 2,334,000 Units under the first tranche of the Offering (which was completed on October 24, 2025), and 1,189,065 Units under the Third Tranche, totalling 3,523,065 Units under the Offering. Immediately prior to the completion of the Third Tranche, Mr. Chow owned 3,000,600 Shares and 1,167,000 share purchase warrants. As at the date hereof, Mr. Chow now owns and controls an aggregate of 4,189,665 Shares on a non-diluted basis, representing approximately 9.59% of the Company's issued and outstanding Shares, and 5,951,198 Shares on a diluted basis, representing approximately 13.10% of the Company's issued and outstanding Shares, on a partially diluted basis. Mr. Chow acquired the securities for investment purposes. He may acquire additional securities of the Company either on the open market or through private acquisitions or sell securities of the Company either on the open market or through private dispositions in the future depending on market conditions, reformulation of plans and/or other relevant factors. Other than the foregoing, Mr. Chow does not have plans or any future intentions which relate to or would result in any of the foregoing matters.

Mr. Chow will file any early warning report with the applicable securities regulators in Canada with respect to the foregoing matters pursuant to NI 62-103, a copy of which will be available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or solicitation of an offer to buy, nor will there be any sale of any of the securities offered in any jurisdiction where such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including the United States of America. The securities being offered as part of the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and accordingly may not be offered or sold in the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws, or pursuant to available exemptions therefrom.

Marketing Engagement

The Company is also pleased to announce, subject to TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") acceptance, it has entered into a digital marketing agreement (the "Agreement") with Straight Edge Marketing Inc. DBA InvestorHyve ("InvestorHyve").

Pursuant to an agreement dated November 25, 2025, entered with InvestorHyve, the engagement is for an initial period of three months at US$5,000 per month for digital marketing services. These services will focus on increasing market visibility, strengthening investor awareness, and improving communication with both existing and prospective shareholders. InvestorHyve will support messaging development, digital investor outreach, and targeted engagement in the investment community. The term of the agreement is for a period of three months. InvestorHyve will maintain an arm's length relationship with the Company and no securities will be issued as compensation. Neither InvestorHyve or its insiders own any securities in the Company.

For further inquiries, the contact details for InvestorHyve are as follows: Ted Stanford, iHyve Co-founder, +1.604.721.0747, ted@investorhyve.com, 5940 S. Rainbow Boulevard , Las Vegas, NV.

ABOUT LODESTAR METALS

Lodestar Metals Corp. is a Canadian gold exploration company focused on advancing the drill-ready Goldrun Project in Nevada, strategically located on a major Carlin-style gold trend and adjacent to some of the largest gold deposits in North America. With decades of combined geological and capital markets expertise, Lodestar follows a disciplined, step-by-step approach to discovery. The Company's strategy is clear: focus capital on high-value targets, move quickly on known mineralization, and build a compliant gold resource that delivers lasting shareholder value. For more information, please visit www.lodestarmetals.ca.

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275986

SOURCE: Lodestar Metals Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 25, 2025) - Homerun Resources Inc. (TSXV: HMR) (OTCQB: HMRFF) ("Homerun" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received TSXV conditional approval for its previously announced financing, originally announced on June 16, 2025, with an arm's length institutional investor, Sorbie Bornholm LP (the "Investor") in connection with a proposed financing for CDN$6,000,000.00 (the "Offering") at a price of $1.00 per unit ("Unit").

The Offering will consist of the issuance of 6,000,000 Units. Each Unit shall be comprised of one (1) common share ("Shares") of the Company and one (1) common share purchase warrant ("Warrants"). The proceeds from the Offering will be used to advance the Company's vertically integrated silica to solar and energy storage business, supporting business development and scaling of revenues and for general working capital purposes.

Brian Leeners, CEO of Homerun stated, "We are thrilled to welcome this particular Institutional Investor as they have chosen Homerun to be their inaugural investment with a company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange. Their innovative investment model provides capital over 24 months keeping our team focused on the execution of our plans and deliverables. We have confidence that this financing based on its unique model, will provide capital premiums to the original financing amount over that 24-month period as we continue to de-risk our business and transition into a high-growth, revenue-generating Company with exceptional long-term potential."

Sorbie Bornholm Managing Director Whitney Kofford commented, "Sorbie is proud to announce this new investment in Homerun Resources and to provide Homerun with flexible, growth-linked capital over the next two years through our unique Sharing Agreement. The global energy transition requires bold thinking and the ability to execute on transformative ideas. Homerun's integrated strategy for high-purity silica and advanced energy solutions is a prime example of just that - innovation meeting opportunity. We applaud Homerun's consistent track record of hard work and determination, and we look forward to supporting the Company over the longer-term throughout their growth trajectory."

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of a Sharing Agreement between the parties, the following structure and sequence will take effect under the Offering:

The Investor will deposit CDN$6,000,000 into a third-party escrow account.

The Company will issue the 6,000,000 Shares into escrow and the Warrants will be issued to Sorbie on each monthly settlement date.

Over a 24-month period, the cash and Shares will be released monthly based on the Company's market price at each release date.

The Investor will immediately receive upon closing 1,500,000 Warrants exercisable at CDN$1.18 for three (3) years.

The Investor will also receive up to 4,500,000 additional Warrants, issued monthly over 24 months, priced at a 20% premium to the 5-day VWAP at the time of each issuance and exercisable for three (3) years from issuance.

The Company will pay the Investor a corporate finance fee of 360,000 Shares and a due-diligence deposit of 100,000 Shares, both subject to the same escrow and release schedule.

The Warrants will also include an equity blocker provision that prohibits the Investor from exercising any portion of the Warrants if such exercise would result in the holder owning more than 9.99% of the Company's outstanding Shares.

The Company intends to rely on the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions, as amended by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption, for the Offering, and the Shares and Warrants will not be subject to restrictions on resale. There will be an offering document related to the Offering that will be available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and at www.homerunresources.com. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision. Closing of the Offering is subject to several conditions, including receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including the TSXV.

The Offering is expected to close on or about November 30, 2025, or such other date as the Company may determine, and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. There are no finder's fees payable to any parties under the Offering.

About Homerun (www.homerunresources.com)

Homerun is building the silica-powered backbone of the energy transition across four focused verticals: Silica, Solar, Energy Storage, and Energy Solutions. Anchored by a unique high-purity low-iron silica resource in Bahia, Brazil, Homerun transforms raw silica into essential products and technologies that accelerate clean power adoption and deliver durable shareholder value.

Silica: Secure supply and processing of high-purity low-iron silica for mission-critical applications, enabling premium solar glass and advanced energy materials.

Solar: Development of Latin America's first dedicated 1,000 tonne per day high-efficiency solar glass plant and the commercialization of antimony-free solar glass designed for next-generation photovoltaic performance.

Energy Storage: Advancement of long-duration, silica-based thermal storage systems and related technologies to decarbonize industrial heat and unlock grid flexibility.

Energy Solutions: AI-enabled energy management, control systems, and turnkey electrification solutions that reduce costs and optimize renewable generation for commercial and industrial customers.

With disciplined execution, strategic partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to best-in-class ESG practices, Homerun is focused on converting milestones into markets-creating a scalable, vertically integrated platform for clean energy manufacturing in the Americas.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Homerun Resources Inc.:

"Brian Leeners"

FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements".

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275995

SOURCE: Homerun Resources Inc.


EQS Newswire / 26/11/2025 / 09:57 UTC+8



Salem, Massachusetts - November 26, 2025 - ( SeaPRwire ) - Dekaf Coffee Roasters , the specialty roaster dedicated to decaf and low-caffeine coffee, has launched new sample bundles across its full product range, including fully decaffeinated coffees, low-caffeine blends, and cold brews. The release gives customers a simple way to discover the brand's carefully crafted options designed for balance, taste, and wellness.

Rather than introducing new products, the bundles bring together Dekaf's existing lineup in a convenient format designed for discovery. Customers can now experience how the roaster's different profiles balance taste, aroma, and body without overstimulation. Each set is curated to highlight the depth and variety of Dekaf's approach to coffee that supports balance, wellness, and enjoyment.

"People are becoming more thoughtful about how caffeine fits into their day," says co-founder Anil Mezini. "Our goal has always been to make that choice enjoyable and accessible, not limiting."

As more consumers seek moderation-focused beverages, low and no caffeine coffee has become a growing segment within the functional beverage space. Dekaf continues to lead this shift through craftsmanship and transparency, applying the same sourcing and roasting standards found in high-end specialty coffee. The company sources specialty-grade beans that have been decaffeinated through clean, chemical-free methods such as the Swiss Water Process. Dekaf then develops its own roast profiles in-house to highlight each coffee's unique flavor, aroma, and body.

The new sample bundles also reflect Dekaf's commitment to education and exploration. Customers can compare flavor notes across caffeine levels, learning how roast, origin, and decaffeination method influence the final cup. Each bundle includes ground and whole bean options, along with cold brew samples, allowing coffee drinkers to "sip before they commit."

By introducing these bundles, Dekaf makes its range more accessible to both new and returning customers. The launch reinforces the company's role in reshaping modern coffee culture, one that values quality, control, and balance.

About Dekaf Coffee Roasters

Dekaf Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee company dedicated entirely to decaf and low-caffeine coffee. Founded by Anil Mezini and Khanh Nguyen, Dekaf applies the same sourcing, roasting, and quality standards used by top-tier roasters, offering over 15 coffees across origins, blends, and roast levels. All coffees are roasted in-house on dedicated equipment for either decaf or low-caffeine classifications.

Contact

Brand: Dekaf Coffee Roasters

Contact: Khanh Nguyen

Email: khanh@dekaf.com

Website: www.dekaf.com
St. Louis, Missouri--(Newsfile Corp. - November 25, 2025) - Halvorsen Klote Davis today announced that all three founding attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers for 2025, a milestone that underscores the firm's standing in the St. Louis legal landscape. The firm said the designations reflect continued peer recognition and professional achievement across Missouri and Illinois.

Halvorsen Klote Davis Founding Attorneys Named to 2025 Super Lawyers List

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/275999_5b9c734654612a4b_002full.jpg

According to the firm, founding attorney Joel Halvorsen was selected to the 2025 Super Lawyers list, while founding attorneys Greg Klote and Nathan W. Davis were named to the Rising Stars list. Klote has been recognized by Rising Stars from 2021 to 2025, and Davis from 2020 to 2025. Super Lawyers evaluates candidates through a multiphase process that includes peer nominations, independent research, and professional indicators.

The announcement centers on a single business achievement: firmwide recognition of the founding partners in 2025. The company said the recognition aligns with its litigation work for injury victims in Missouri and Illinois and adds to its visibility among plaintiffs' firms in the region.

Halvorsen Klote Davis serves clients in a range of personal injury matters, including motor vehicle collisions. For readers seeking resources, the firm maintains practice pages for motorcycle accident lawyers in St. Louis and car accident attorneys in St. Louis.

Additional information on the founding partners' current Super Lawyers listings can be found at: Joel Halvorsen, Greg Klote, and Nathan W Davis.

The firm noted that Super Lawyers lists highlight a limited number of attorneys each year and that selections are made annually. While individual accomplishments vary, the 2025 designations represent a collective business achievement for the firm and a marker of its presence within the St. Louis legal community.

About Halvorsen Klote Davis

Halvorsen Klote Davis is a St. Louis personal injury law firm representing individuals in Missouri and Illinois. The firm's practice includes matters arising from car crashes, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian injuries, premises liability, and wrongful death. Attorneys at the firm focus on advocacy for people injured by negligence and guide clients through claims and litigation.

Founded by Joel Halvorsen, Greg Klote, and Nathan W. Davis, Halvorsen Klote Davis operates from its office in St. Louis and serves clients throughout the Greater St. Louis area and surrounding communities. The firm's attorneys are licensed in Missouri and Illinois.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275999

SOURCE: Plentisoft
China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shandong Sub-council

A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

JINAN, China, Nov. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Nov. 24, the Conference of the International Trade and Investment Advisory Council for Shandong Province 2025 was held in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province. Organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Shandong Sub-council, under the theme "Pooling Global Business Wisdom to Drive Innovative Trade Development," the event brought together over 50 international advisors and delegates from more than 10 countries and regions, including the United States, Germany, Britain, Italy, Mexico, Malaysia, Singapore, and Kenya. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on advancing Shandong's green, low-carbon, and high-quality development, deepening institutional openness, and building a modern industrial system, with a view to offering actionable insights to position Shandong as a hub for high-standard international cooperation.

The conference saw the appointment of seven new advisors, further expanding Shandong's international think tank and enhancing the diversity and representation of its advisory mechanism.

During the keynote sessions, 15 advisors - including Dr. Juergen Schmitz, Member of the International Management Committee, ERGO International AG; CEO of ERGO China; Joe Zhou, President of DSM-firmenich China; and Zhan Jingtao, Vice President of Siemens Ltd., China - addressed topics such as green transformation of industrial chains, digital trade, and the pharmaceutical industry. Representatives from six provincial departments responded to the advisors' recommendations and addressed key concerns raised during the discussions.

A total of 18 advisory reports were submitted at the conference, providing international perspectives and strategic pathways to advance Shandong's high-quality development. These reports covered critical areas such as green and low-carbon initiatives, biopharmaceuticals, new quality productive forces, digital economy, and cross-border economic cooperation. The core objective was to help Shandong build a more resilient and competitive open economic system.

Launched in December 2021, the advisory mechanism has engaged eminent figures from the global business community as advisors.

Over the past four years, this initiative has focused on pooling international resources, deepening global collaboration, and expanding openness by establishing a robust platform for exchanges between Shandong and the international business community. Its growing influence has positioned the mechanism as a vital bridge for strengthening Shandong's global partnerships and fostering international trade cooperation.

Advisors have submitted over 50 policy recommendations addressing Shandong's key development priorities. For the provincial green, low-carbon, high-quality development pilot zones, proposals informed by international best practices have been integrated into provincial plans, contributing to Shandong's sustained reductions in energy consumption per unit of GDP and the steady growth of its green industries. Additionally, in terms of business environment optimization, actionable measures have accelerated "reforms to streamline administration, delegate powers, and improve regulation and services," and align Shandong's business environment with global standards.

The advisory mechanism has also driven the implementation of trade and investment projects by advisor-affiliated entities in Shandong. Over the past four years, advisors have actively engaged in advancing Shandong's green, low-carbon, and high-quality development, fostering mutually beneficial collaboration and reaching a series of cooperative agreements. With strong support from government agencies at all levels, several projects have already materialized. Singapore RGE Group has invested 10 billion yuan in Shandong to construct the world's largest Lyocell fiber production base. DSM-Firmenich has expanded its investment in Yantai-based enterprises, increasing its equity stake to 90.5%. Germany ERGO International is actively advancing capital injections for insurance sector partnerships, with projected investments in Shandong expected to exceed 3.5 billion yuan. Additionally, the Locke Mason (Jinan) Smart Zero-Carbon Factory, jointly developed by Siemens and Locke Mason, has been designated as a "Zero-Carbon Factory" pilot by the Energy Investment Committee of the China Investment Association, marking the first project in Shandong to receive this honor.

Source: China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shandong Sub-council

Ms. Zhang, Tel: 86-10-63074558.
LONDON, Nov. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Phoenix47, a leading provider of Digital IT Transformation, Professional Services, and 24x7 Managed Support, today announced its strategic expansion into the Middle East with the opening of a new regional office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The new office, located in a key commercial hub in Dubai, will serve as the company's regional headquarters, enabling Phoenix47 to better support existing clients and meet the growing demand for advanced digital and cloud services across the GCC and the wider Middle East region.

This move marks a significant milestone in Phoenix47's global growth strategy, building on its established presence in the UK and its 24x7 Operations Centres in the UK & Cape Town, South Africa. The Dubai office will focus on delivering Phoenix47's core capabilities:

Professional Services: Specialising in Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure Services, Enterprise Storage & Data Classification, Data Protection, Cyber Security & Compliance, Virtualisation & AI/Automation.

Digital Transformation: Leveraging the company's proprietary inSPIRE framework for structured, optimised, and effective IT Digital Transformation delivery.

Managed Services: Providing seamless, agile, and technically deep 24x7 Support, including Service Desk, Incident Management and Proactive Monitoring for complex enterprise environments.

"Our investment in the region will be a critical component of our aggressive growth strategy", said Ed Crane, Chief Executive Officer of Phoenix47.

The Phoenix47 Middle East will be jointly led by John Critchley, Country Manager, and Oreste Majeli, Technical Solutions Director.

"The Middle East is undergoing a rapid and ambitious digital shift, particularly in the adoption of hybrid and multi-cloud solutions. Establishing a base in Dubai allows us to be physically closer to our clients in this vital region, offering localised expertise and strengthening our ability to deliver highly specialised technical outcomes," said John Critchley, Country Manager. "Oreste and I are excited to lead this strategic expansion, ensuring that Phoenix47's commitment to truly global, continuous support is upheld throughout the region."

The expansion is effective immediately, with Phoenix47 initiating recruitment for local technical and sales talent to enhance its regional service delivery model further. The new Middle East hub ensures Phoenix47 is strategically positioned to assist organisations in achieving operational excellence, security resilience, and cost optimisation in their IT estates.

For more information about Phoenix47 and how it supports businesses across the UAE, visit https://phoenix47.ae

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/phoenix47-announces-strategic-middle-east-expansion-with-new-office-in-dubai-302625971.html
KUALA LUMPUR, MY / ACCESS Newswire / November 25, 2025 / DC Healthcare Holdings Berhad ("DC Healthcare" or the "Group"), a medical aesthetic services provider specializing in the provision of non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures, delivered a robust performance for the third quarter ended 30 September 2025 ("Q3 FY2025"), achieving a return to profitability with a Profit Before Tax ("PBT") of RM3.06 million for the quarter.

The Group posted revenue of RM25.72 million in Q3 FY2025, up 62.7% from RM15.81 million in the corresponding quarter last year. Growth continued to be led by the aesthetic segment, which contributed RM22.23 million or 86.4% of total revenue, supported by higher treatment redemptions and stronger cash sales collection in Q3 FY2025. This revenue strength translated into higher gross profit of RM14.44 million, doubling from RM7.17 million recorded in Q3 FY2024.

The return to profitability reflects clear improvements in operating leverage, demand visibility, and cost discipline. PBT of RM3.06 million marks a significant turnaround from the Loss Before Tax ("LBT") of RM2.15 million posted a year earlier, driven by better service realization and the Group's ongoing operational efficiency measures.

For the nine months ended 30 September 2025 ("9M FY2025"), DC Healthcare recorded cumulative revenue of RM64.22 million, rising 64.1% from RM39.14 million in the previous year's corresponding period ("9M FY2024"). The aesthetic segment remained the key pillar of growth, increasing sharply to RM54.89 million from RM32.16 million in 9M FY2024. The Group also achieved a PBT of RM1.19 million for 9M FY2025, compared to a LBT of RM16.77 million in 9M FY2024, underscoring meaningful operational recovery and improved margin optimization.

Quarter-on-quarter, the Group continued to demonstrate strong momentum, with revenue increasing 24.9% from RM20.60 million in Q2 FY2025 to RM25.72 million in Q3 FY2025. The earnings turnaround was equally notable, with DC Healthcare swinging from a LBT of RM1.03 million in Q2 FY2025 to a PBT of RM3.06 million in Q3 FY2025. This improvement stemmed from higher aesthetic redemptions as well as the continued impact of the Group-wide efficiency and cost optimization programme.

Managing Director of DC Healthcare, Dr. Chong Tze Sheng

Dr. Chong Tze Sheng, Managing Director of DC Healthcare commented, "Q3 marks an important milestone for DC Healthcare as we return to profitability ahead of expectations. The strong performance reflects the solid demand for our aesthetic services, the resilience of our operating model, and the progress of our efficiency programme. We will continue to strengthen our brand ecosystem, invest in technology, and maintain disciplined cost management to support our growth trajectory."

Moving forward, DC Healthcare remains committed to several strategic pillars that will reinforce long-term performance. The Group continues to synergize its core brands, Dr. Chong Clinic, Dr. Chong Slimming, and NewB Premium Skincare, while expanding its skincare product offerings to deepen customer engagement. The adoption of artificial intelligence-assisted skin analysis and personalized treatment plans is expected to enhance service precision, patient experience, and retention rates.

Operationally, the Group-wide efficiency program, which focuses on reducing wastage and improving cost control, remains ongoing and has already contributed positively to the Group's profitability. Additionally, the recently completed RM8.0 million property acquisition in Bandar Kinrara, Puchong is expected to optimize the long-term operating costs of the Group by reducing reliance on leased premises.

With these initiatives underway, and a clear focus on operational excellence and patient-centric service delivery, DC Healthcare is well-positioned to sustain its recovery momentum and capture the growing opportunities in Malaysia's aesthetic and wellness market.

###

ABOUT DC HEALTHCARE HOLDINGS BERHAD - "In safety we commit"

DC Healthcare Holdings Berhad ("DC Healthcare" or the "Company") is a leading medical aesthetic and wellness healthcare provider specializing in the provision of non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures. Their business segments are divided into three services, which are medical aesthetic services, general medical services and slimming services which are carried out under the brands Dr Chong Clinic and Dr Chong Slimming respectively. The Group develops skincare products through its subsidiary, Ten Doctors Sdn Bhd, under the trading brand NewB. DC Healthcare currently has a presence across the entire Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia. DC Healthcare has also expanded its educational offerings by introducing DC Academy, a dedicated training center aimed at advancing the skills of professionals in the medical aesthetic industry.

For more information, visit www.dchealthcareholdings.com.

Issued By: Swan Consultancy Sdn. Bhd. on behalf of DC Healthcare Holdings Berhad

For more information, please contact:

Jazmin Wan

Email: j.wan@swanconsultancy.biz

Qian Yu Chow

Email: s.chow@swanconsultancy.biz

SOURCE: DC Healthcare Holdings Berhad

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/dc-healthcare-returns-to-profitability-with-rm3.06-million-pbt-in-q3-1112347
Agility advantage enables human and business agility across talent and technology solutions

Strengthen run: enhancing commercial and operational excellence to drive profitable growth

Accelerate change: innovate and transform, scaling digital platforms and pioneering a human-centric AI agenda to unlock new efficiencies and growth levers

Enterprise intelligence company, r.Potential demonstrates future of strategic workforce management for hybrid human and digital workforces

Long term financial framework confirmed - reiterating commitment to 3-6% margin corridor and leverage at or below 1.5x by end 2027

LONDON, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Adecco Group (SIX: ADEN), the leading talent and technology advisory company, will unveil how it creates an agility advantage for organizations, human and digital workers in the face of ongoing technology and demographic shifts. At its Capital Markets Day in London the Group will outline its value creation path, shaping the future of work in the intelligent era.

Denis Machuel, CEO, the Adecco Group, said: "We have proven our ability to execute and gain share. We are strongly positioned to build on our market-leading positions, with Adecco, Akkodis and LHH, and continue our value creation path in the intelligent era.

"Today we set out our agility advantage value creation path - delivered through a run-and-change model. To strengthen run, we will build on our strong execution track record to drive further profitable growth and share gains. To accelerate change, we will further scale our digital platform; be a pioneer in generative and agentic AI; and shape the future of hybrid human and digital workforces with our joint venture, r.Potential.

"Our financial commitments are reconfirmed, with a financial strategy focused on maximizing EBITA and deleveraging."

Read full press release here.

https://www.adeccogroup.com/our-group/media/press-releases/the-adecco-group-introduces-the-agility-advantage-to-grow-adapt-and-lead-in-the-intelligent-era

About The Adecco Group

The Adecco Group is the world's leading talent and technology expertise company. Our purpose is making the future work for everyone. Through our three global business units - Adecco, Akkodis and LHH - across 60 countries, we enable sustainable and lifelong employability for individuals, deliver digital and engineering consulting solutions to power transformation and empower organisations to optimise their workforces. The Adecco Group leads by example and is committed to fostering sustainable employability and supporting resilient economies and communities. The Adecco Group AG is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland (ISIN: CH0012138605) and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ADEN).

https://www.adeccogroup.com/

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2608173/5642745/The_Adecco_Group_Logo.jpg

For further information please contact:

The Adecco Group Corporate Press Office

Jurg Schneider

Group Head External Communications, The Adecco Group

media@adeccogroup.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-adecco-group-introduces-the-agility-advantage-to-grow-adapt-and-lead-in-the-intelligent-era-302626210.html
News Release Highlights:

1. Forte Group announces its planned corporate transformation to Vanta Holdings Inc. (VANTA), marking a significant milestone in the Company's evolution into a next-generation wellness company focused on longevity, human performance, functional hydration, and premium nutraceutical innovation. 2. The strategic rebrand to VANTA unifies the Company's growing portfolio of functional beverages and nutraceutical products, including its flagship VANTA Blackwater and its expanding suite of longevity-focused mineral and performance-support formulations, under a single premium identity designed to accelerate expansion across the United States and broader North American wellness markets. 3. The transition to VANTA strengthens the Company's long-term brand architecture and positions it to scale a diversified ecosystem of functional beverages and advanced nutraceuticals, supported by a cohesive identity that enhances consumer engagement, improves market visibility, and reinforces the Company's path toward sustained corporate growth.

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / Forte Group Holdings Inc. (CSE:FGH)(OTC:FGHFF)(FSE:7BC0, WKN:A40L1Z)("Forte Group" or the "Company"), a next-generation beverage and nutraceutical company focused on longevity and human performance, announces that it intends to change its name (the "Name Change") to Vanta Holdings Inc. ("VANTA"), subject to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE"). In connection with the Name Change, the Company also intends to change its trading symbol on the CSE. The Company's current trading symbols on the OTC Markets and Frankfurt Stock Exchange are expected to remain unchanged at this time. However, the Company intends to pursue changes to its OTC trading symbol to reflect the new corporate name and will provide updates in due course.

Strategic Rebrand to VANTA

The strategic Name Change to VANTA a marks a significant evolution in the Company's ongoing growth as a next-generation beverage and nutraceutical company focused on longevity and human performance. The rebrand unifies the Company's expanding portfolio of functional beverages and nutraceuticals under one bold and distinctive identity, VANTA, establishing a cohesive platform for accelerated growth, brand scalability, and long-term value creation.

The VANTA identity embodies strength, sophistication, and innovation. Inspired by Vantablack, one of the darkest man-made substances known, the name reflects the Company's commitment to depth, purity, and excellence across its product ecosystem. The rebrand is designed to communicate these same principles to consumers and investors, emphasizing performance, longevity, and authenticity as the Company continues to expand its premium longevity and human performance focused product lines and market presence.

As part of the corporate transformation to VANTA, the Company is undertaking a full strategic unification of its consumer-facing brand. This includes transitioning all existing TRACE branded functional beverages and nutraceutical products to the VANTA brand on a phased basis as current inventory cycles through production and distribution. The transition reflects the Company's objective to align its parent company identity with the consumer brand that will represent its product ecosystem across all markets. Management believes that moving to a single, modernized VANTA brand will strengthen brand continuity, enhance consumer recognition, and support more cohesive marketing and distribution strategies in Canada, the United States, and international markets. This alignment is intended to reinforce the premium positioning of the Company's longevity-focused product portfolio and advance its long-term strategy of establishing VANTA as a next-generation global wellness brand.

VANTA Blackwater: The Foundation of Longevity

Born from Canada's protected aquifers, VANTA Blackwater represents the convergence of nature, science, and human performance. It begins with naturally alkaline spring water sourced from the Rocky Mountain of British Columbia, drawn from deep underground aquifers renowned for their mineral balance and purity. This pristine water forms the foundation for a proprietary infusion process that transforms it into one of the most advanced functional wellness beverages in its category.

Through this process, VANTA introduces a precise blend of fulvic and humic minerals, organic compounds formed over millions of years through natural earth-derived transformation. These ancient minerals are purported to support nutrient absorption, cellular function, and overall vitality.1 The infusion process increases the water's natural alkalinity from pH 7.7 to pH 8.7, enriching it with essential trace minerals and imparting its signature natural dark hue, the hallmark of VANTA Blackwater.

Each bottle of VANTA Blackwater delivers power in every drop. It provides a pure, functional hydration experience that supports cognitive function, immune strength, gut health, cellular regeneration, and natural detoxification. 1,2 The formulation's rich mineral profile helps neutralize free radicals, enhance nutrient absorption, and promote mitochondrial function that supports recovery, energy, and longevity.1

VANTA Blackwater reflects the Company's belief that wellness begins with balance and that true strength comes from within. By merging naturally alkaline water with ancient minerals and modern innovation, VANTA has created a product that goes beyond hydration, offering restoration, resilience, and vitality in every drop. This product represents the cornerstone of the Company's unified wellness strategy and underscores its commitment to delivering premium health solutions to a global audience.

Expanding the VANTA Wellness Experience Across Canadian, U.S., and International Markets

As the Company advances the VANTA wellness platform, it is simultaneously expanding its ecosystem of longevity-focused nutraceuticals across Canadian, U.S., and international markets. In Canada, the Company continues to leverage its owned manufacturing infrastructure and existing distribution capabilities to scale domestic availability of its functional beverages and nutraceutical formulations, with the goal of deepening its market presence and strengthening national distribution. In the United States, the Company is prioritizing market entry for its VANTA-branded nutraceutical lines through its direct-to-consumer e-commerce channel and strategic next-generation interactive commerce platforms designed to accelerate brand adoption and consumer engagement. Internationally, the Company is preparing to execute on its previously disclosed alliance with Shanghai-based Rocky Mountain Water Ltd. ("Rocky Mountain"), a premium beverage distributor in China established in 2015. Through this alliance, and following updated production timelines and revised launch scheduling influenced by external factors outside of the Company's control, Naturo Group and Rocky Mountain have finalized modified initial purchase orders totaling approximately $2,500,000 for TRACE Blackwater, expected to be fulfilled within the first twelve months following the initial shipment. The Company anticipates that the initial shipment will occur in December 2025. Collectively, these initiatives reflect the Company's long-term strategy to broaden the reach of the VANTA wellness platform and position its longevity-focused product suite for scalable growth across multiple geographic markets.

Building on the foundation established by VANTA Blackwater, the Company is expanding its portfolio of wellness products to address growing consumer demand for mineral-rich and nutraceutical formulations that support longevity-focused daily routines, with an initial strategic emphasis on the U.S. market. The VANTA ecosystem includes:

VANTA Blackwater: A naturally alkaline mineral water infused with ancient fulvic and humic compounds, offering a distinctive functional hydration experience. Blackwater is formulated to support general wellness, including gut health, cognitive function, immune balance, and natural detoxification, while providing a clean, mineral-rich hydration profile rooted in naturally occurring earth-derived minerals.1,2

VANTA BlackPowder: A premium daily mineral and vitamin drink mix crafted from ancient fulvic and humic mineral deposits sourced from the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia. Each single-serve stick pack delivers trace minerals, essential elements, and nutrients such as magnesium and Vitamin B12, providing convenient support for everyday cellular energy, immune function, gut health, nutrient absorption, and cognitive function. 1,2

VANTA BlackLiquid: A concentrated liquid mineral extract derived from naturally occurring fulvic and humic compounds. Designed for easy addition to water or beverages, BlackLiquid offers a versatile way for consumers to incorporate naturally sourced minerals into their daily routine.

VANTA Alkaline Spring Water: A naturally alkaline, mineral-balanced spring water sourced from the Company's protected aquifer in British Columbia and bottled at the source to preserve its natural purity.

VANTA Methylene Blue Slim: A metabolic performance formulation developed for individuals seeking support for cellular energy, metabolic efficiency, endurance, and daily vitality. Slim combines pharmaceutical-grade methylene blue with complementary functional ingredients such as L-theanine, guarana, and green tea extract. These ingredients are intended to enhance mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, the body's primary energy molecule, support energy output under cellular stress or fatigue, and improve physical endurance and recovery.3,4

VANTA Methylene Blue Brain: A cognitive performance formulation developed for individuals seeking support for focus, clarity, memory, and sustained mental stamina. Brain combines pharmaceutical-grade methylene blue with complementary functional ingredients such as L-theanine and vitamin C, designed to support cognitive function, improve memory, and help protect against age-related cognitive decline by enhancing brain mitochondrial efficiency3,4

Together, these proprietary products form a comprehensive and expanding ecosystem of longevity-focused functional beverages and nutraceuticals. Each product contributes its own distinct wellness-oriented benefits that define the VANTA brand, and reflects the Company's broader mission to deliver premium hydration, mineral supplementation, and performance-aligned nutraceutical products that support balanced, active, and long-term wellness routines.

The expansion of the VANTA wellness line represents a meaningful step in the Company's strategy to build a broad, long-term ecosystem focused on hydration, foundational mineral support, and daily longevity-oriented routines. With additional formulations under development, the Company intends to continue expanding its presence across the North American and international functional beverage and nutraceutical markets, strengthening consumer engagement and supporting its long-term objective of becoming a leading provider of next-generation longevity and performance-focused products.

The Company will be obtaining a new CUSIP and ISIN number in connection with the Name Change. The new CUSIP and ISIN numbers will be disclosed in a subsequent news release. The Company anticipates that the CSE will issue a bulletin to dealers advising of the Name Change and effective date of the Name Change.

1 Fulvicxcell, 2 AscentNutrition, 3 Drugs.com, 4 Renoja

About Forte Group Holdings Inc.

Forte Group Holdings Inc. (CSE:FGH)(OTC:FGHFF)(FSE:7BC0, WKN:A40L1Z) is a next-generation beverage and nutraceutical company focused on longevity and human performance. Through its TRACE brand and private-label partnerships, Forte Group develops and manufactures a portfolio of alkaline and mineral-enriched beverages and nutraceutical supplements. Headquartered in British Columbia, Canada, the Company owns a pristine natural alkaline spring water aquifer and operates a 40,000-square-foot, Health Canada and HACCP-certified manufacturing facility near Osoyoos, British Columbia. Forte Group delivers wellness-driven products through traditional retail and e-commerce channels, providing consumers with innovative solutions to support long-term vitality and well-being.

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

Marcello Leone, Chief Executive Officer and Director

info@fortegroup.co

604-569-1414

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, as well as statements regarding the general wellness attributes of certain VANTA products. Forward-looking statements relate to future events and anticipated performance and include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's proposed corporate transformation and name change to Vanta Holdings Inc., anticipated timing and receipt of regulatory and stock exchange approvals, expected changes to trading symbols, the strategic benefits of the rebrand, the unification and expansion of the Company's product portfolio under the VANTA identity, the development, launch, commercialization, and market acceptance of existing and future VANTA products, the Company's plans to scale its functional beverage and nutraceutical operations, expectations regarding consumer demand and market growth in the United States, North America, and other jurisdictions, the advancement of new formulations currently under development, and the Company's long-term objectives to build and expand a diversified ecosystem of longevity, hydration, and performance-focused wellness products. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied, including risks relating to the ability to obtain required regulatory approvals, risks associated with branding, rebranding, commercialization, consumer adoption, competitive market conditions, changes in demand for wellness and nutraceutical products, supply chain and manufacturing risks, economic and geopolitical conditions, and other risks described in the Company's public filings available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Statements regarding the potential benefits of VANTA Blackwater, VANTA BlackPowder, VANTA BlackLiquid, VANTA Methylene Blue Slim, and VANTA Methylene Blue Brain relate solely to general wellness support. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, and they have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or Health Canada for therapeutic claims. Any references to functional attributes, minerals, nutrients, or naturally occurring compounds are provided for general informational purposes only and are not intended to imply clinically verified outcomes. Consumers should consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any nutraceutical or supplement product, particularly if they have medical conditions, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are taking medications.

SOURCE: Forte Group Holdings

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/food-and-beverage-products/forte-group-announces-corporate-and-branded-product-transformation-to-va-1112349
u-blox AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

Advent completes acquisition of u-blox



26-Nov-2025 / 07:00 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Thalwil, Switzerland, and Luxembourg, 26 November 2025 - ZI Zenith S.a r.l. ("Zenith"), a European indirect subsidiary of funds managed and/or advised by Advent International, L.P. ("Advent"), a leading private equity investor, announces the completion of the public tender offer for u-blox Holding AG ("u-blox") (SIX: UBXN), a global provider of leading positioning and wireless communication technologies. All regulatory approvals have been granted, and all offer conditions have been satisfied. Advent will today settle the offer and pay the offer consideration of CHF 135 per share to all shareholders who have tendered their shares. The completion of the transaction marks the beginning of a long-term partnership between Advent and u-blox. u-blox is a global leader in critical connectivity and positioning technologies, trusted by more than 10,000 customers worldwide. Under Advent's ownership, the focus will be on strengthening u-blox's market position, accelerating growth, and capturing rising demand across automotive and industrial end-markets as well as adjacent segments. Advent's global network and sector expertise will support u-blox in fully unlocking these opportunities while preserving the company's core values and Swiss engineering heritage. Andreas Thiel and Camila Japur, both members of the u-blox leadership team, who will assume their roles as Co-CEOs effective 1 January 2026 - commented: "With today's closing, u-blox enters an important new chapter. In Advent, we have found a strong long-term owner who understands our industry, technology, and the scale of the opportunity ahead. This partnership will allow us to accelerate our growth trajectory, further strengthen our global market leadership, and enable us to continue innovating to retain our technological leadership. Our teams remain central to our success, and with Advent's support, we are well positioned to realize our full potential and deliver even greater value to our customers worldwide." Ronald Ayles, Managing Partner at Advent, said: "Advent is pleased to complete the acquisition of u-blox and to enter this partnership at a pivotal moment. Demand for high-precision positioning and secure connectivity is accelerating globally, and u-blox is well placed to benefit from these trends. The company is at the forefront of the industry, combining deep engineering expertise with a strong technology portfolio and a loyal customer base. In partnership with the new management team, Advent is committed to creating long-term value for employees, customers and partners as u-blox moves into its next phase of growth." Claudio Simao, u-blox's Chairman, commented: "With Advent as a partner, u-blox will double down on precision positioning and embedded intelligence for customers across automotive and industrial markets. Our focus is execution: faster innovation, stronger customer success, and disciplined growth." Following today's settlement and based on the number of shares registered with the Commercial Register of the Canton of Zurich, Advent will hold more than 98% of the shares in u-blox. Accordingly, Advent will initiate a statutory squeeze-out proceeding, and the subsequent delisting of u-blox shares will be conducted in due course in accordance with the applicable regulatory process. Advent has a longstanding track record of supporting industrial businesses in accelerating innovation, strengthening their operational foundations and scaling internationally. The firm has completed over 90 investments in industrials in more than 25 countries worldwide across a range of sub-sectors. The investment builds on its global portfolio of industrial-innovation leaders, including investments in critical mechanical and electronic component manufacturers Envalior (2023) and Rohm (2019), as well as global provider of end-to-end spatial intelligence Vantor (formerly Maxar Intelligence - 2023). Prior investments also include electronic components manufacturers Laird Connectivity (2018), now Ezurio, and Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions (2020).



Ends For further information, please contact: u-blox Advent Rafael Duarte Knut Engelmann Head of Investor Relations Partner, Kekst CNC Phone: +41 43 547 06 93 Phone: +49 174 234 2808 rafael.duarte@u-blox.com knut.engelmann@kekstcnc.com About u-blox

u-blox (SIX:UBXN) is a global leader in automotive, industrial, and consumer markets, driving innovation through our cutting-edge positioning and short-range communication technologies. We are the pioneers behind high-precision technologies, providing smart and reliable solutions that enable people, vehicles, and machines to determine their precise position and communicate wirelessly. With headquarters in Thalwil (Zurich), Switzerland, and offices across Europe, Asia, and the USA, we are making a global impact.

To learn more, visit our website or follow us on social media - X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram - for an even more precise future. About Advent

Advent is a leading global private equity investor committed to working in partnership with management teams, entrepreneurs, and founders to help transform businesses. With 16 offices across five continents, we oversee more than USD $100 billion in assets under management* and have made over 435 investments across 44 countries. Since our founding in 1984, we have developed specialist market expertise across our five core sectors: business & financial services, consumer, healthcare, industrial, and technology. This approach is bolstered by our deep sub-sector knowledge, which informs every aspect of our investment strategy, from sourcing opportunities to working in partnership with management to execute value creation plans. As one of the largest privately-owned partnerships, our 675+ colleagues leverage the full ecosystem of Advent's global resources, including our Portfolio Support Group, insights provided by industry expert Operating Partners and Operations Advisors, as well as bespoke tools to support and guide our portfolio companies as they seek to achieve their strategic goals.

*Assets under management (AUM) as of June 30, 2025. AUM includes assets attributable to Advent advisory clients as well as employee and third-party co-investment vehicles. Disclaimer

This release contains certain forward looking statements. Such forward looking statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other. No assurance can be given that the transactions described herein will be consummated or as to the ultimate terms of any such transactions. Advent is providing the information in this release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward looking statements contained in it as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Legal Disclaimers

This release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any registered shares or other equity securities in u-blox, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract therefor. This release is not part of the offer documentation relating to the tender offer. The full details including terms and conditions have been published in the offer prospectus. Shareholders of u-blox are urged to read the tender offer documents, which are or will be available at www.zenith-offer.com and on the website of the Swiss Takeover Board (www.takeover.ch). Certain Offer Restrictions

The tender offer will not be made, directly or indirectly, in any country or jurisdiction in which the tender offer would be considered unlawful or otherwise violate any applicable laws or regulations, or which would require Advent or any of its subsidiaries to change or amend the terms or conditions of the tender offer in any way, to make an additional filing with any governmental, regulatory or other authority or take additional action in relation to the tender offer. It is not intended to extend the tender offer to any such country or jurisdiction. Any such document relating to the tender offer must neither be distributed in any such country or jurisdiction nor be sent into such country or jurisdiction and must not be used for the purpose of soliciting the purchase of securities of u-blox by any person or entity resident or incorporated in any such country or jurisdiction. Reference is made to the offer prospectus of the tender offer published on 17 October 2025 for full offer restrictions and an overview of certain key differences with U.S. tender offer procedures and laws. Notice to U.S. Holders

Shareholders of u-blox in the United States ("U.S. Holders") are advised that the registered shares of u-blox are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange and that u-blox is not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and is not required to, and does not, file any reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") thereunder. The tender offer will be made for the registered shares of u-blox, a Swiss company whose shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange Ltd., and is subject to Swiss disclosure and procedural requirements, which are different from those of the United States. The tender offer will be made in the United States pursuant to Section 14(e) of, and Regulation 14E under, the Exchange Act, subject to the exemption provided under Rule 14d-1(c) under the Exchange Act for a tier 1 tender offer (the "Tier 1 Exemption"), and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Swiss law. Accordingly, the tender offer will be subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements, including with respect to withdrawal rights, settlement procedures, waiver of conditions and timing of payments that are different from those applicable under U.S. tender offer procedures and laws. U.S. Holders are urged to consult with their own legal financial and tax advisors (including with respect to Swiss law) regarding the Offer. As permitted under the Tier I Exemption, the settlement of the tender offer will be based on the applicable Swiss law provisions, which differ from the settlement procedures customary in the United States, particularly as regards to the time when payment of the consideration is rendered. The Offer, which will be subject to Swiss law, will be made to U.S. Holders in accordance with the applicable U.S. securities laws, and applicable exemptions thereunder, in particular the Tier I Exemption. To the extent the tender offer is subject to U.S. securities laws, those laws only apply to U.S. Holders of u-blox shares and will not give rise to claims on the part of any other person. It may be difficult for U.S. Holders to enforce their rights and any claim they may have arisen under the of U.S. federal securities laws, since u-blox is located in a non-U.S. jurisdiction, and some or all of their officers and directors may be residents of a non-U.S. jurisdiction. U.S. Holders may not be able to sue u-blox or its officers or directors in a non-U.S. court for violations of the U.S. securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to compel u-blox and its affiliates to subject themselves to a U.S. court's judgment. Neither the SEC nor any securities commission of any State of the U.S. has (a) approved or disapproved of the tender offer; (b) passed upon the merits or fairness of the tender offer; or (c) passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of the disclosure in the offer prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the U.S.

End of Inside Information
Mistral AI's "Le Chat Enterprise" AI assistant and "AI Studio" builder platform are now available on Dassault Systemes' OUTSCALE sovereign cloud

Industry and the public sector prioritizing the protection of sensitive data, know-how and IP benefit from AI in Europe with the highest security standards

Partnership combines innovation, software excellence and sovereign cloud operations to support digital transformations across industry, government and society

Dassault Systemes (Euronext Paris: FR0014003TT8, DSY.PA) and Mistral AI today announced that they have deepened their partnership to bring integrated, sovereign artificial intelligence services to regulated industries and the public sector in Europe.

Mistral AI's latest products "Le Chat Enterprise" AI assistant and "AI Studio" platform for tooling, models and infrastructure, are now available on Dassault Systemes' OUTSCALE sovereign cloud, providing high-performing models for an AI in Europe with the highest confidentiality and security standards.

This unique combination of innovation, software excellence and sovereign cloud operations responds to challenges in industrializing generative AI while complying with data privacy and cybersecurity regulations.

Enterprises and organizations in Europe that prioritize the protection of sensitive data, know-how and intellectual property can now benefit from ready-to-use, interoperable AI models in a trusted, sovereign environment that improve productivity and quality without stifling innovation, agility and competitiveness.

Le Chat Enterprise delivers deeply customizable AI capabilities with privacy and control. It brings together data, tools, and teams in a single interface, automating the generation of reports, marketing content and code, which reduces repetitive tasks and lowers error risks. AI Studio provides AI builders with complete control over their AI stacks while leveraging production-ready infrastructure, optimized inference engines, caching, routing, security controls and automated deployment. OUTSCALE is the first cloud to receive the highest security certification in Europe.

"Our partnership with Mistral AI furthers our ambition to provide sovereign, secure and high performing cloud solutions that support the major transformations taking place across industry, government and society in Europe. Together we will accelerate and widen the adoption of sovereign cloud for AI in Europe with full confidence to answer the needs of regulated industries and the public sector around data security, transparency, control and performance," said Philippe Miltin, CEO, OUTSCALE, Dassault Systemes.

The availability of Le Chat Enterprise and AI Studio on OUTSCALE cloud was announced today at the Adopt AI event in Paris. Both Mistral AI products can be accessed on the OUTSCALE Marketplace, the online ecosystem for exploring, deploying and managing partner business solutions on OUTSCALE cloud.

About Dassault Systemes

Dassault Systemes is a catalyst for human progress. Since 1981, the company has pioneered virtual worlds to improve real life for consumers, patients and citizens. With Dassault Systemes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 370,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, can collaborate, imagine and create sustainable innovations that drive meaningful impact. For more information, visit: www.3ds.com

About Mistral AI

Mistral AI is a pioneer company in generative artificial intelligence, empowering the world with the tools to build and benefit from the most transformative technology of our time. The company democratizes AI through high-performance, optimized, and cutting-edge open-source models, products and solutions as well as end-to-end infrastructure with Mistral Compute. Headquartered in France and independent, Mistral AI defends a decentralized and transparent approach to technology, with a strong global presence in the United States, United Kingdom, and Singapore.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251125824551/en/

Contacts:

Dassault Systemes Press Contacts

Corporate France, Arnaud MALHERBE, arnaud.malherbe@3ds.com, +33 (0)1 61 62 87 73

North America, Natasha LEVANTI, natasha.levanti@3ds.com, +1 (508) 449 8097

EMEA, Virginie BLINDENBERG, virginie.blindenberg@3ds.com, +33 (0) 1 61 62 84 21

China, Grace MU, grace.mu@3ds.com, +86 10 6536 2288

Japan, Reina YAMAGUCHI, reina.yamaguchi@3ds.com, +81 90 9325 2545

Korea, Jeemin JEONG, jeemin.jeong@3ds.com, +82 2 3271 6653

India, Priyanka PANDEY, priyanka.pandey@3ds.com, +91 9886302179

AP South, Hazel FOO, hazel.foo@3ds.com, +65 8333 3484

Mistral AI Press Contact

press@mistral.ai
An international survey, spanning Australia, France, Japan, Poland and the UK, has found that many employees experiencing fertility challenges lack support in the workplace, with almost two in five (39%) leaving or considering leaving their roles while undergoing treatment.1

'The Impact of Fertility Challenges at Work: International Insights' survey by Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Fertility Matters at Work and This Can Happen shows that, despite growing awareness of reproductive health, two thirds (67%) who have experienced fertility challenges say that their workplaces do not offer support for employees undergoing fertility treatment, with France the least likely to provide it (88%).1 60% said they were not clearly entitled to time off for fertility appointments, with time recorded as paid leave, unpaid leave or annual leave (26%), and some also reported taking sick leave due to a lack of flexibility (17%).1

With assisted reproduction therapy, including IVF, already accounting for up to 12% of births in some countries,2,3,4,5 employee expectations are rapidly shifting. 73% of those experiencing fertility challenges say they would be attracted to a role that provides fertility support, reinforcing the need for clearer, more consistent workplace policies.1

A large gap also emerged regarding the impact of going through fertility treatment. While three quarters (75%) of employers feel their organisation acknowledges fertility treatment as a significant life event, only 27% of employees who have experienced fertility challenges agree.1 As a result, more than a fifth (22%) currently felt unsupported by their organisation, rising to 38% in Poland, and more than a third (36%) have felt pressure from their employer to be at work while undergoing treatment or investigations.1

Mental health impact was one of the most consistent themes across all countries. 94% of employees reported that fertility treatment affects their mental wellbeing, with 80% experiencing anxiety or depression during their fertility journey.1

However, the survey did show that practice is starting to change with signs employers recognise the importance of fertility support on employee engagement and talent attraction. 58% either already include fertility and family-building challenges as part of their workforce engagement and wellbeing strategy or will be in the future.1

"At Ferring, we believe that every individual deserves compassionate and practical support during their fertility journey. This research highlights the challenges employees face and reinforces the importance of clear policies, open conversations and workplace cultures that recognise fertility as a significant moment in people's lives," said Christelle Beneteau, Chief People Officer, Ferring.

"Fertility treatment is a challenging time, yet the report shows that many people are still navigating it without the support they need, from manager training and awareness, to entitled leave," said Becky Kearns, Co-Founder of Fertility Matters at Work. "We have seen first-hand how employees who receive fertility support feel more committed to their employer. More workplace recognition and clearer fertility policies could make a huge difference for individuals and organisations, with those who feel supported less likely to leave their jobs."

"Mental wellbeing and fertility challenges are deeply connected, yet too often overlooked in workplace strategies. This research shows that creating supporting cultures and clear support policies isn't just compassionate it's essential for retaining talent and protecting mental health," said Kathryn Courtenay-Evans, This Can Happen.

Given that infertility now affects roughly one in six people globally,6 the report makes it clear that workplaces must urgently transform how they support people navigating fertility treatment. This means proactively creating inclusive, open, and supportive cultures, and implementing clear fertility policies to ensure consistent guidance and access to support.

About 'The Impact of Fertility Challenges at Work: International Insights' survey

Jointly run by Fertility Matters at Work (FMAW), This Can Happen, and Ferring Pharmaceuticals and funded by Ferring, the survey aims to explore how fertility challenges impact people in the workplace and how employers can offer better support. The survey, of over 3,600 employees and employers, was initially conducted in the UK and has since been rolled out to Australia, Japan, Poland and France.

Report link: The Impact of Fertility Challenges at Work: International Insights

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals

Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a privately owned specialty biopharmaceutical group committed to building families and helping people live better lives. We are leaders in reproductive medicine with a strong heritage in gastroenterology and urology and are at the forefront of innovation in uro-oncology gene therapy. Ferring was founded in 1950 and employs more than 7,500 people worldwide.

About Fertility Matters at Work

Fertility Matters at Work is the leading training provider for fertility support in the workplace.

About This Can Happen

This Can Happen is your trusted partner to support mental wellbeing in your workplace.

1 Ferring/Fertility Matters at Work/This Can Happen. 2025. Data on file 2 Newman JE, et al. Assisted reproductive technology in Australia and New Zealand 2022. Available at: https://www.unsw.edu.au/content/dam/pdfs/medicine-health/npesu/research-reports/2024-09-npesu/2024-09-assisted-reproductive-technology-in-australia-and-new-zealand-2022.pdf. Last accessed: November 2025. 3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National ART Surveillance. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/art/php/surveillance/index.html. Last accessed: November 2025. 4 BBC. Why is IVF so popular in Denmark? Available at: www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-45512312. Last accessed: November 2025. 5 IVIRMA. SEF 2022 Report Data. Available at: http://iviglobaleducation.com/en/12-of-births-in-spain-are-due-to-assisted-reproduction-sef-2022-report-data. Last accessed: November 2025. 6 World Health Organization. Infertility data. Available at: www.who.int/health-topics/infertilitytab=tab_1. Last accessed: November 2025

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251125104720/en/

Contacts:

Matthew Worrall

Director of Corporate Communications, Ferring

+44 7442 271 811

matthew.worrall@ferring.com
SHENZHEN, China, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei will host its "Unfold the Moment" flagship product launch on December 11, 2025, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The event will see the unveiling of groundbreaking products like the next-generation foldable smartphone HUAWEI Mate X7, open-ear TWS earbuds HUAWEI FreeClip 2, HUAWEI WATCH ULTIMATE DESIGN, and HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S.

"Unfold the Moment" refers not just to the opening of foldable devices, but also to the enriching experiences brought by innovative products.

Huawei launched its first foldable phone, HUAWEI Mate X in 2019, and in the seven years since has led the way in foldable technology, driving innovations in design, reliability, and user experience. The company held a 70% market share in China's foldable phone market in the first half of 2025, according to an International Data Corporation (IDC) report, ranking first with over ten million devices shipped. HUAWEI Mate X7 features trailblazing dual-fold technology, enhanced reliability, along with mobile photography on par with the very best non-foldable smartphones.

The launch event will also introduce the HUAWEI FreeClip 2 earbuds, which carry on the breathable listening legacy of the HUAWEI FreeClip product line, but with significant enhancements in terms of audio quality, wearing comfort, and versatility. This ensures that all-day listening is clearer and more comfortable. HUAWEI WATCH ULTIMATE DESIGN, also set to be released, comes in a cutting-edge design that makes use of premium materials, and supports a whole host of advanced features.

Another highlight of the launch event will be the unveiling of HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S, the culmination of Huawei's prowess in the tablet industry since 2014, with a new and improved PaperMatte display that's ideal for on-the-go work and study.

Driven by dedication to user experience, Huawei's pursuit of innovation has taken it to the cutting-edge of R&D and yielded a steady stream of transformative breakthroughs. Huawei is looking forward to joining hands with users around the globe to "Unfold the Moment", embracing and shaping the remarkable possibilities of tomorrow's tech-infused world.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2831859/20251125192018_97_208.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/flagship-foldable-phone-to-highlight-huaweis-product-launch-in-dubai-302625892.html
Moonpig Group Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, November 26

Transaction in own shares

Moonpig Group plc (the "Company") announces that on 25 November 2025 it purchased for cancellation the following number of its ordinary shares of 10 pence each pursuant to its up to 30m share repurchase programme, details of which were announced on 7 November 2025.

Description of shares: Moonpig Group plc - ordinary shares of 10 pence

Number of Shares repurchased: 140,000 Shares

Date of transaction: 25 November 2025

Average price paid per Share: 201.9968 pence

Lowest price paid per Share: 199.00 pence

Highest price paid per Share: 205.00 pence

Broker: RBC Europe Limited

Following the purchase of these shares, the remaining number of ordinary shares in issue with voting rights will be 316,343,177 (excluding Treasury shares), and the company holds no ordinary shares in Treasury.

The figure of 316,343,177 may be used by shareholders (and others with notification obligations) as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the Company under the Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation), detailed information about the individual purchases is attached to this announcement.

For further information, please contact:

Moonpig Group plc

investors@moonpig.com , pressoffice@moonpig.com

Nickyl Raithatha, Chief Executive Officer

Andy MacKinnon, Chief Financial Officer

About Moonpig:

Moonpig Group plc (the "Group") is a leading online greeting cards and gifting platform, comprising the Moonpig, Red Letter Days and Buyagift brands in the UK and the Greetz brand in the Netherlands. The Group is the online market leader in cards in both of its markets and is also the UK market leader in gift experiences.

The Group's leading customer proposition includes an extensive range of cards, a curated range of gifts, personalisation features and next day delivery offering.

The Group offers its products through its proprietary technology platforms and apps, which utilise unique data science capabilities designed by the Group to optimise and personalise the customer experience and provide scalability. Learn more at https://www.moonpig.group/ .
HIAB CORPORATION, PRESS RELEASE, 26 NOVEMBER 2025 AT 9:00 AM (EET)

Hiab has signed an agreement to acquire leading Brazilian crane manufacturer ING Cranes, strengthening Hiab's position in the Brazilian market

Hiab, a leading provider of smart and sustainable on-road load handling solutions, has entered into an agreement to acquire ING Cranes, a leading Brazilian crane manufacturer. This strategic move significantly enhances Hiab's presence in Brazil, complementing its current portfolio in the market.

ING Cranes was founded in 2010. In 2024, the company reported sales of approximately EUR 50 million and today employs around 250 people.

"The acquisition of ING Cranes is a logical step in Hiab's growth strategy, and it aligns well with Hiab's ambition to expand not only organically but also inorganically. Over its 15-year history, ING Cranes has demonstrated a strong track record of profitable growth. Therefore, we expect that, post-transaction, this will help us increase our overall market presence as well as our ability to deliver significant value for our customers and all external stakeholders," says Hiab's President and CEO Scott Phillips.

"This acquisition brings together Hiab's global reach and broad loader crane offering with ING Cranes' strong local expertise and portfolio. With this, Hiab positions itself to become the leading loader crane provider in Brazil," says Marcel Boxem, VP Sales & Product Management, Hiab Loader Cranes, Heavy and Superheavy.

The acquisition complements Hiab's current brand portfolio of loader cranes in Brazil. With this addition, Hiab offers a comprehensive range of loader cranes from light to heavy-duty, solidifying its position as a preferred solution provider for the Brazilian agriculture, rental, construction and transportation industries.

The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to take place in the beginning of 2026. The parties have agreed not to disclose the transaction value.

For further information, please contact:

Birgitte Skade, Executive Vice President, Marketing and Communications

Email: birgitte.skade@hiab.com

tel. +358 20 777 4000

Further information for investors:

Aki Vesikallio, Vice President, Investor Relations,

tel. +358 40 729 1670

Hiab

Attachments
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / Formation Metals Inc. ("Formation" or the "Company") (CSE:FOMO)(FSE:VF1)(OTCQB:FOMTF), a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company, is pleased to provide an update from the drilling campaign underway at its flagship N2 Gold Property ("N2" or the "Property"), located 25 km south of Matagami, Quebec.

The Company is pleased to announce that it has intercepted fine-grained visible gold (VG, Figure 1) during its Phase 1 of its drilling campaign at N2 as part of its fully funded multi-phase 30,000 metre drill program at N2.

Drill hole N2-25-001: Visible gold was intercepted within a 4.5 metre pyrite mineralized interval associated with quartz-carbonate veining typical of the historical mineralization identified.

Drill hole N2-25-013: Visible gold intercepted within a 30.8 metre interval of pyrite mineralized interval associated with the quartz-carbonate vein system that is typical of the historical mineralization identified.

Figure 1 - Visible gold discovered in the mineralized interval within N2-25-013.

Deepak Varshney, CEO of Formation Metals, commented: "We are very thrilled with the findings of our maiden drill program at N2 to-date. The identification of visible gold in these holes demonstrates there is very strong high-grade potential at N2. N2-2025-013 in particular, located within the primary gold-bearing corridor of the "A" zone, shows that there is strong potential for high-grade zones within the bulk tonnage resource."

Mr. Varshney continued: "With nearly fourteen million in working capital and 30,000 metres fully funded, Formation is in a strong position to execute on our goal of developing N2 into a near-surface multi-million-ounce deposit. With gold breaking $4,000, over 5 times the price in 2008 when Agnico last drilled the project, we believe that the timing is perfect for N2 and look forward to sharing further updates int he coming weeks."

The drilling at N2, which is host to a global historic resource of ~871,000 ounces comprised of 18 Mt grading 1.4 g/t Au (~810,000 oz Au) across four zones (A, East, RJ-East, and Central)2,3 and 243 Kt grading 7.82 g/t Au (~61,000 oz Au) across the RJ zone2, is designed to focus on discovery drilling at new high-potential targets along the mineralization strikes at the "A", "RJ" and "Central" zones in the northern part of the Property in order to discover new auriferous trends and unlock new zones of gold mineralization. The program will also focus on high-priority infilling and expansion targets in these zones to significantly enhance the auriferous zones identified to-date.

Historical highlights from the top two priority zones include:

A Zone: A shallow, highly continuous, low-variability historic gold deposit with ~522,900 ounces identified at a grade of 1.52 g/t Au. ~15,000 metres have been drilled historically across 1.65 km of strike, with over 3.1 km of strike remaining to be tested. 84% of historical drillholes intercepted auriferous intervals including up 1.7 g/t over 35 m.

RJ Zone: A high-grade historic gold deposit with ~61,100 ounces identified at a grade of 7.82 g/t Au, with high-grade intercepts from historical drill holes as high as 51 g/t Au over 0.8 metres and 16.5 g/t Au over 3.5 metres2. This zone was the target of the most recently drilling at the Property by Agnico-Eagle Mines in 2008, when the price of gold was ~US$800/oz. Only ~900 metres of strike has been drilled, with 4.75+ km of strike remaining to be tested.

Figure 2 - PDDH design for the complete 30,000 metre Drill Program.

Project Summary

Comprising 87 claims totaling ~4,400 ha within the Abitibi sub province of Northwestern Quebec, Formation's flagship N2 Gold Project is an advanced gold project with a global historic resource of 877,000 ounces. There are six primary auriferous mineralized zones in total, each open for expansion along strike and at depth (Figure 2) Compilation and geophysical work by Balmoral Resources Ltd. (now Wallbridge Mining) from 2010 to 2018 generated numerous targets that have not yet been investigated with diamond drilling.

Figure 3 - Property overview summarizing historical work completed at each of the six mineralized zones and their respective historical resource.

The Company also believes that N2 has significant base metal potential, where it recently completed a revaluation process which revealed significant copper and zinc intercepts within historic drillholes known to have significant gold grades (>1 g/t Au). Assay results range from 200 to 4,750 ppm and 203 ppm to 6,700 ppm, for copper and zinc, respectively, indicating strong potential for elevated base metal (Cu-Zn) concentrations across the property, specifically at the A and RJ zones. Property wide geology at N2 features volcanic and sedimentary rocks formed in regional anticlinal and synclinal flexures. Three principal deformation structures (Figure 1), oriented along the known NW-SE to WNW-ESE structural trends typical of VMS deposits in the Matagami region, function as critical geologic controls for mineralization on the property.

For the 2025 exploration season, Formation plans to concentrate its efforts on the northern part of N2, targeting gold deposit expansion and discovery along identified zones and fault systems associated with the main deformation features (specifically WNW-ESE trend), with IP surveys and drilling planned to model mineralized zones that will hopefully contribute to an updated NI-43 101 compliant resource. Formation will also look to further review historic base metal assays from older drill core and undertake additional work in 2025 to assess the property's copper and zinc potential.

Qualified person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Babak Vakili Azar, P.Geo., geo (OGQ#10876) an independent contractor and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Historical reports provided by the optionor were reviewed by the qualified person. The information provided has not been verified and is being treated as historic.

About Formation Metals Inc.

Formation Metals Inc. is a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company focused on the development of quality properties that are drill-ready with high-upside and expansion potential. Formation's flagship asset is the N2 Gold Project, an advanced gold project with a global historic resource of ~870,000 ounces (18 Mt grading 1.4 g/t Au (~810,000 oz Au) across four zones (A, East, RJ-East, and Central)2,3 and 243 Kt grading 7.82 g/t Au (~61,000 oz Au) across the RJ zone2,4) and six mineralized zones, each open for expansion along strike and at depth including the "A" zone, of which only ~35% of strike has been drilled (>3.1 km open), and the "RJ" zone, host to historical high-grade intercepts as high as 51 g/t Au over 0.8 metres.

FORMATION METALS INC.

Deepak Varshney, CEO and Director

For more information, please call 778-899-1780, email dvarshney@formationmetalsinc.com or visit www.formationmetalsinc.com.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Notes and References:

Readers are cautioned that the geology of nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of the geology of the Property. The above referenced resource estimates do not have a category, are considered historical in nature, and are based on prior data prepared by a previous property owner, and do not conform to current CIM categories. While the Company considers the estimates to be reliable, a qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current resources in accordance with current CIM categories and the Company is not treating the historical estimates as a current resource. A 0.5 g/t Au cut-off was used in the preparation of the historical estimates with a minimum 2.5 metre mining width. Significant data compilation, re-drilling, re-sampling and data verification may be required by a qualified person before the historical estimates can be classified as current resources. There can be no assurance that any of the historical mineral resources, in whole or in part, will ever become economically viable. In addition, mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. The Company is not aware of any more recent estimates prepared for the N2 Property. Needham, B. (1994), 1993 Diamond Drill Report, Northway Joint Venture, Northway Property; Cypress Canada Inc.; 492 pages. Guy K. (1991), Exploration Summary May 1, 1990 to May 1, 1991 Vezza Joint Venture Northway Property; Total Energold; 227 pages.

Forward-looking statements:

This news release includes "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements respecting: the Company's plans for the Property and the expected timing and scope of the drilling program at the Property; the Company's goal of delivering a near-surface multi-million-ounce deposit the Property; the Company's view that the Property has the potential for over three million ounces of gold; and the Company's planned 30,000-metre drilling program. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on a number of estimates and/or assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain and volatile equity and capital markets, lack of available capital, actual results of exploration activities, environmental risks, future prices of base and other metals, operating risks, accidents, labour issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry.

The Company is presently an exploration stage company. Exploration is highly speculative in nature, involves many risks, requires substantial expenditures, and may not result in the discovery of mineral deposits that can be mined profitably. Furthermore, the Company currently has no reserves on any of its properties. As a result, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

SOURCE: Formation Metals

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/correction-formation-metals-intercepts-strong-mineralization-including-visible-go-1112386
*A study - the first of its kind in Greece - surveying over 250 ultra-high-net-worth individuals from 30 countries shows a 63% intent to purchase. At the same time, Greece captures just 2% of the 50 billion Mediterranean market.*

**KEY FINDINGS:**

**63% of respondents intend to purchase property in Greece**, yet one in two also considers alternative Mediterranean markets

**Greek market estimated at 1 billion annually** - just 2% of the 50 billion Mediterranean luxury property market

**Greek destinations now command prices comparable to Mallorca, Ibiza, and Tuscany**

**10% of respondents are centi-millionaires** with budgets exceeding 10 million

**New buyer profile emerges: the "Romantic Affluent"** - average age 54, median budget 2.5 million

ATHENS, Greece, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Greece Sotheby's International Realty today released 'Voices of Affluence', the first comprehensive survey of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) focused on the Greek luxury real estate market. The study is validated against 550 million in prime and super-prime transactions completed by the firm, revealing that while Greece has achieved price parity with established Mediterranean destinations, its market share represents significant untapped potential.

The survey gathered 250 completed responses from a proprietary database of 14,300 qualified subscribers developed over a decade, with participants representing more than 30 countries. Among respondents, 10% declared purchase budgets exceeding 10 million, placing them within the ranks of the world's centi-millionaires.

International Demand Dominates:

International buyers represent 67% of survey respondents, led by the United States (12%), the United Kingdom (10%), France (8%), Germany (7%), Switzerland (6%), and Gulf Cooperation Council countries (4%). Greek buyers account for the remaining 33%, demonstrating strong domestic engagement in the luxury segment.

Mediterranean Price Parity Achieved:

Analysis of 2,145 properties across the Sotheby's International Realty global network reveals Greek destinations have reached price levels comparable to established luxury markets:

Mykonos (10,800/m) vs. Ibiza (11,600/m)

Athens Riviera (10,500/m) vs. Dubai coastal (12,600/m)

Corfu (8,900/m) vs. Mallorca (9,900/m)

Peloponnese (5,500/m) vs. Tuscany (4,000/m)

Strong Economic Confidence:

The survey reveals remarkable confidence in Greece's trajectory, with 83% of respondents believing the Greek economy will remain stable or improve over the coming year. On property values, 76% expect prices to either rise or remain stable, with only 20% anticipating a decline. Notably, even among those expecting price drops, many still intend to purchase - indicating lifestyle-driven rather than speculative demand.

The Rise of the 'Romantic Affluent':

The research identifies a new buyer archetype redefining luxury real estate expectations. With an average age of 54 and a median budget of 2.5 million, today's affluent buyer prioritises authenticity, harmony, and emotional connection over ostentation. They seek properties with architectural integrity, natural landscape integration, and distinct aesthetic identity. Greece's light, landscape, and timeless simplicity align precisely with these evolving values.

"This is the first time Greek luxury real estate has been analysed through a combination of primary survey data and validated transaction evidence," said Savvas Savvaidis, President & CEO of Greece Sotheby's International Realty. "The findings confirm that Greece has achieved prices comparable to mature markets like Mallorca and Ibiza. Yet our 2% share of the Mediterranean market underscores the significant growth potential. Completing the urban planning framework, combined with improved market transparency, will create conditions to attract institutional investment in luxury residential development. This capital inflow will provide the market depth Greece currently lacks."

Distinct Regional Preferences:

The survey reveals divergent destination preferences between domestic and international buyers. Greek buyers favour the Athens Riviera and Northern Suburbs (42%), followed by the Cyclades (28%), Peloponnese (15%), and Ionian Islands (10%). International buyers prioritise the Cyclades (40%), Ionian Islands (20%), Athens Riviera (15%), and Crete with the Dodecanese (10%).

Mediterranean Competition:

While 63% express strong purchase intent for Greece, 52% of international buyers are simultaneously considering alternative destinations - primarily Italy (15%), France (10%), and Spain (9%). This positions Greece firmly within the Mediterranean's leading markets while highlighting the competitive pressure from destinations with greater institutional maturity and transaction depth.

Methodology:

The survey was conducted between September 4 and 17, 2025, gathering 250 completed responses from a proprietary database of 14,300 qualified subscribers with proven engagement in Greek luxury real estate. With a margin of error of 6%, the findings are validated against 550 million in prime and super-prime transactions completed by Greece Sotheby's International Realty, as well as a price analysis of 2,145 properties from the Sotheby's International Realty global network.

Greece Sotheby's International Realty is the market leader in prime and super-prime real estate in Greece. The award-winning firm has set over 35 all-time price records across the country since 2016 - from the Athens Riviera to the Cyclades and the Ionian Islands - in transactions that have established the benchmark for the sector. The firm connects sophisticated buyers and sellers as part of the global Sotheby's International Realty network, bringing international reach and credibility to the Greek luxury property market.

The full 'Voices of Affluence' report is available on request at: media@sothebysrealty.gr

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/first-ever-uhnwi-survey-reveals-greeces-luxury-real-estate-market-has-reached-mediterranean-elite-status-302626381.html
More than 8,000 businesses were surveyed to understand the level of digital maturity and their journey to adoption

Responses reveal that lack of clarity, confidence, and trusted guidance are the true barrier to AI and digital adoption, with older businesses struggling most

LONDON, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, team.blue , a leading provider of digital solutions for businesses and entrepreneurs, has released a new report which analyses the digital maturity of European small businesses revealing that while many are eager to adopt digital and AI tools, they are held back not by resistance but by uncertainty. One of the clearest indicators: 30% of small businesses say they don't know which digital tools they should be using, and more than 1 in 4 say they lack the skills or knowledge to get started. For older businesses, the gap is even more pronounced, with reluctance to adopt AI rising above 60% among those operating for more than a decade.

"Technology, especially AI, has outpaced the capacity of many small businesses to keep up," said Claudio Corbetta, Group CEO of team.blue. "What we're seeing isn't a gap in ambition or motivation, it's a gap in comprehension and perception. Small businesses understand that AI has the potential be transformative, but the current eco system too often assumes a level of digital fluency that simply isn't there yet. When we simplify the path and make tools genuinely usable, AI stops being intimidating and starts becoming a catalyst for creativity, efficiency and growth. The opportunity isn't just to help small businesses adopt AI, but to empower them to shape what's possible with it."

Confusion, Complexity and Confidence are Barriers to Adoption

The team.blue Digital Maturity Report - based on insights from over 8,000 European companies in over 30 countries - shows that small businesses are overwhelmed by digital choice.

30% don't know which digital tools to use.

don't know which digital tools to use. 26% say they lack digital skills or confidence.

say they lack digital skills or confidence. 1 in 5 cite time and resource constraints as their biggest barrier.

The report shows that small businesses are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of digital choices and unclear pathways. Many report that digital technology feels complex and time-consuming, with one in five citing a lack of time or resources as a barrier to adoption.

What's more, on average, small businesses rate their confidence in choosing and using digital tools at just 6 out of 10.

AI Adoption Is Growing, but Trust and Clarity Hold Businesses Back

AI is gaining traction, with nearly one in five businesses using it extensively and another third experimenting with it. Yet a quarter of respondents say they have no plans to use AI, a stance heavily concentrated among older, more established businesses (60%). Trust remains a major impediment: almost half trust AI less than human-led work, citing concerns around data security, accuracy, and brand voice.

Interestingly, while just over half of respondents believe AI will make them more competitive, more than 22% feel they still don't know enough to move on the subject.

Guidance Is Essential for SMB Digital Maturity

The strongest demand from small businesses is not for new technology but for clearer, simpler support, with 26% stating that they don't have the skills or knowledge in this area.

Half of respondents say step-by-step guidance would help them advance their digital capability, with 42% needing advice on what tools to use and 38% valuing related training and workshops.

"Digital tools only matter when they empower the people behind them," said Jonas Dhaenens, founder and president of team.blue. "Our focus is on making that experience more accessible and secure, because the prosperity of small businesses directly shapes the vitality of our communities."

Kelly Salter, Commercial Director at names.co.uk part of team.blue (UKIE) said "Across the UK and Ireland, small businesses want to embrace digital and AI technologies, yet many remain uncertain about which solutions to trust. Our research reinforces that ambition is high, but clarity is lacking. By offering practical, transparent support and easy-to-use tools, we can help SMEs move forward with confidence and achieve meaningful progress."



The report was developed in partnership with team.blue brands SuperHosting, Simply.com, Loopia, Combell, Names.co.uk, LCN, Guru UKDedicated, Catalyst2, Register 365, LetsHost, Hosting Ireland, Webnode, Nominalia, Webempresa, Webnode, Raidboxes, TransIP and SimplyBook.me. The full report can be found here.

About team.blue

team.blue is a leading AI-powered digital enabler for businesses and entrepreneurs across Europe (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom). The company serves more than 3,3m SMB customers. team.blue is a one-stop partner for web hosting, domains, e-commerce, online compliance, lead generation and application solutions, supported by more than 3600+ experts. team.blue's vision is to make online business success simpler with the intelligence of AI at every step.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/new-research-from-teamblue-finds-small-businesses-in-europe-want-to-embrace-digital-tools-and-ai-but-struggle-to-know-where-to-begin-302626439.html
More than 8,000 businesses were surveyed to understand the level of digital maturity and their journey to adoption

Responses reveal that lack of clarity, confidence, and trusted guidance are the true barrier to AI and digital adoption, with older businesses struggling most

GHENT, Belgium, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, team.blue, a leading provider of digital solutions for businesses and entrepreneurs, has released a new report which analyses the digital maturity of European small businesses revealing that while many are eager to adopt digital and AI tools, they are held back not by resistance but by uncertainty. One of the clearest indicators: 30% of small businesses say they don't know which digital tools they should be using, and more than 1 in 4 say they lack the skills or knowledge to get started. For older businesses, the gap is even more pronounced, with reluctance to adopt AI rising above 60% among those operating for more than a decade.

"Technology, especially AI, has outpaced the capacity of many small businesses to keep up," said Claudio Corbetta, Group CEO of team.blue. "What we're seeing isn't a gap in ambition or motivation, it's a gap in comprehension and perception. Small businesses understand that AI has the potential be transformative, but the current eco system too often assumes a level of digital fluency that simply isn't there yet. When we simplify the path and make tools genuinely usable, AI stops being intimidating and starts becoming a catalyst for creativity, efficiency and growth. The opportunity isn't just to help small businesses adopt AI, but to empower them to shape what's possible with it."

Confusion, Complexity and Confidence are Barriers to Adoption

The team.blue Digital Maturity Report - based on insights from over 8,000 European companies in over 30 countries - shows that small businesses are overwhelmed by digital choice.

30% don't know which digital tools to use.

don't know which digital tools to use. 26% say they lack digital skills or confidence.

say they lack digital skills or confidence. 1 in 5 cite time and resource constraints as their biggest barrier.

The report shows that small businesses are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of digital choices and unclear pathways. Many report that digital technology feels complex and time-consuming, with one in five citing a lack of time or resources as a barrier to adoption.

What's more, on average, small businesses rate their confidence in choosing and using digital tools at just 6 out of 10.

AI Adoption Is Growing, but Trust and Clarity Hold Businesses Back

AI is gaining traction, with nearly one in five businesses using it extensively and another third experimenting with it. Yet a quarter of respondents say they have no plans to use AI, a stance heavily concentrated among older, more established businesses (60%). Trust remains a major impediment: almost half trust AI less than human-led work, citing concerns around data security, accuracy, and brand voice.

Interestingly, while just over half of respondents believe AI will make them more competitive, more than 22% feel they still don't know enough to move on the subject.

Guidance Is Essential for SMB Digital Maturity

The strongest demand from small businesses is not for new technology but for clearer, simpler support, with 26% stating that they don't have the skills or knowledge in this area.

Half of respondents say step-by-step guidance would help them advance their digital capability, with 42% needing advice on what tools to use and 38% valuing related training and workshops.

"Digital tools only matter when they empower the people behind them," said Jonas Dhaenens, founder and president of team.blue. "Our focus is on making that experience more accessible and secure, because the prosperity of small businesses directly shapes the vitality of our communities."

The report was developed in partnership with team.blue brands SuperHosting, Simply.com, Loopia, Combell, Names.co.uk, LCN, Guru UKDedicated, Catalyst2, Register 365, LetsHost, Hosting Ireland, Webnode, Nominalia, Webempresa, Webnode, Raidboxes, TransIP and SimplyBook.me. The full report can be found here.

About team.blue

team.blue is a leading AI-powered digital enabler for businesses and entrepreneurs across Europe (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom). The company serves more than 3,3m SMB customers. team.blue is a one-stop partner for web hosting, domains, e-commerce, online compliance, lead generation and application solutions, supported by more than 3600+ experts. team.blue's vision is to make online business success simpler with the intelligence of AI at every step.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/new-research-from-teamblue-finds-small-businesses-in-europe-want-to-embrace-digital-tools-and-ai-but-struggle-to-know-where-to-begin-302626451.html
The mobile industry, supported by the GSMA, calls for harmonised, risk-based and collaborative policy frameworks to strengthen global cyber resilience.

DOHA, Qatar, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The GSMA today released a major new independent study, The Impact of Cybersecurity Regulation on Mobile Operators, revealing that mobile operators are spending between US $15-19 billion annually on core cybersecurity activities, a figure expected to rise to US $40-42 billion by 2030. Despite this significant investment, mobile network operators, who form the backbone of digital economies worldwide, are impacted by poorly designed, misaligned or overly prescriptive regulation, which results in unnecessary costs, diverting resources from genuine risk mitigation, and in some cases increasing exposure to cyber threats.

Michaela Angonius, GSMA Head of Policy and Regulation, said: "Mobile networks carry the world's digital heartbeat. As cyber threats escalate, operators are investing heavily to keep societies safe - but regulation must help, not hinder, those efforts. This report makes clear that cybersecurity frameworks work best when they are harmonised, risk-based and built on trust. When done poorly, regulation can redirect critical resources away from real security improvements and toward compliance for its own sake."

A global perspective

Developed in partnership with Frontier Economics, the report draws on economic analysis and operator interviews representing the Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and North America regions. It highlights how the fast-changing nature of cyber threats is driving up the costs and complexity for mobile operators across the globe, making collaboration between governments in different jurisdictions and engagement with industry vital in avoiding unnecessary costs for those operators present in multiple markets.

Policy misalignment is creating unnecessary burdens:

The study identifies widespread challenges across markets, including:

Fragmented and inconsistent regulation , forcing operators to comply with overlapping or contradictory requirements from multiple agencies.

, forcing operators to comply with overlapping or contradictory requirements from multiple agencies. A proliferation of reporting obligations , sometimes requiring the same incident to be reported multiple times in different formats.

, sometimes requiring the same incident to be reported multiple times in different formats. Prescriptive 'box-ticking' rules that mandate tools or processes rather than focusing on real-world security outcomes.

One operator reported that up to 80% of their cybersecurity operations team's time is spent on audits and compliance tasks, rather than threat detection or incident response.

Despite these pressures, operators emphasised that ensuring safe and secure mobile networks is a priority for their customers and for society as a whole in a digitally connected world.

Six principles for effective cybersecurity regulation:

The report outlines a blueprint for governments and policymakers to build more secure and efficient frameworks, and design cybersecurity policies according to six core principles:

Harmonisation: Align cybersecurity policy with international standards where possible, to reduce regulatory fragmentation and inconsistency.

Align cybersecurity policy with international standards where possible, to reduce regulatory fragmentation and inconsistency. Consistency: Ensure new policies and frameworks are consistent with existing policy to avoid duplication or conflict.

Ensure new policies and frameworks are consistent with existing policy to avoid duplication or conflict. Risk- and outcome-based: Adopt risk- and outcome-based approaches in the design and implementation of cybersecurity regulation, giving operators flexibility to innovate.

Adopt risk- and outcome-based approaches in the design and implementation of cybersecurity regulation, giving operators flexibility to innovate. Collaboration: Promote a collaborative regulatory culture with industry, supported by secure threat intelligence sharing.

Promote a collaborative regulatory culture with industry, supported by secure threat intelligence sharing. Security-by-design: Encourage a proactive, security-by-design approach to mitigating cyber risks.

Encourage a proactive, security-by-design approach to mitigating cyber risks. Capacity-building: Strengthen the institutional capacity of cybersecurity authorities to ensure a whole-of-government approach and effective application of policy and regulation.

The report warns that unilateral, fragmented approaches heighten vulnerabilities and create inefficiencies for global operators.

Michaela Angonius added: "Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. To protect citizens and critical societal services, regulators and operators should work together, guided by a common set of principles. When policy is coherent and outcomes-focused, the entire digital ecosystem becomes safer."

A call for coordinated global action:

The mobile industry, supported by the GSMA, is calling on governments and regulators to minimise unnecessary burdens on mobile operators by collaborating and building trusted frameworks and mechanisms that foster innovation to enable mobile networks to remain secure, resilient, and capable of supporting the digital services that societies increasingly rely on.

For more information and to access the full report, see here.

About the GSMA

The GSMA is a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments and societal change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry, and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organisations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA delivers for its members across three broad pillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Services and Solutions, and Outreach. This activity includes advancing policy, tackling today's biggest societal challenges, underpinning the technology and interoperability that make mobile work, and providing the world's largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events.

We invite you to find out more at gsma.com.

About Frontier Economics

Frontier Economics is a leading international specialist economics consultancy, using economic principles to provide clear advice and analysis on complex matters to many of the world's largest companies, leading sector regulators, government departments and international organisations. With over 350+ staff in Dublin, Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Cologne, London, Madrid, Paris and Prague, Frontier Economics is one of the largest and most influential economic consulting firms in Europe, with experts across a full range of industries, including digital markets, telecommunications, energy, transport, post, water and health. Frontier works closely with its sister and legally separate company, Frontier Economics Australia.

www.frontier-economics.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/new-gsma-report-warns-that-fragmented-cybersecurity-regulation-is-raising-costs-and-increasing-risk-for-mobile-operators-302626545.html
As an advanced suspension system, MagneRide stands out for its ability to adapt instantaneously. The fourth generation of MagneRide has redefined and proved its universal applicability across all passenger vehicle segments, from sedans and SUVs to high-performance cars, from gasoline to new energy vehicles.

Global market reception has validated this innovation with the latest car models. In Europe, the recently launched Polestar 5 Performance demonstrates MagneRide's engineering excellence, earning praise for its dynamic performance. Meanwhile, in China, the mass-produced Deepal L06 electric coupe integrates MR suspension and lidar, delivering supercar-like control and comfort.

General Motors has also expanded the application of MagneRide from gasoline models to electric models, further enhancing the safety and comfort of their SUVs and pickups. This follows years of applying MagneRide in their iconic large luxury SUVs.

The collaboration with BWI Group further propels magnetorheological technology into the new energy vehicle (NEVs), accelerating the development of high-tech, stylish, and dynamic NEVs. This partnership ensures consumers worldwide can appreciate the various benefits of various driving modes-whether for everyday comfort or track-ready performance.

This valve-free, semi-active damping system delivers unparalleled responsiveness and comfort, transforming driving dynamics while offering tangible benefits through its precision engineering. With its 1,000-adjustments-per-second capability, it reduces vibrations, stabilizes the vehicle over bumps, and enhances cornering stability, merging safety with luxury.

MagneRide's microsecond-level adaptability ensures seamless transitions: on rough, uneven roads, it stabilizes the vehicle body without compromising smoothness; on winding tracks, it responds instantly to steering inputs, boosting driver confidence and control. Whether cruising on highways or testing the limits on racetracks, the system maintains composure by constantly assessing road conditions and adjusting in milliseconds.

Technical superiority underpins this versatility. MagneRide dampers outperform conventional systems in both speed and force range, enabling MagneRide to generate greater damping forces at much lower piston velocities-enhancing body motion control, stability, and handling response. Crucially, it exerts equal influence in both compression and rebound directions, a capability absent in valve-dependent systems.

As MagneRide demonstrates, the future of suspension is not confined to luxury or niche segments. It's a universal solution-empowering SUVs, sedans, and beyond with adaptive, intelligent, and responsive chassis technology. For drivers, this translates into a transformed journey: one where every road feels tailored, every turn instills confidence, and every vehicle embodies the pinnacle of engineering progress.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251124795124/en/

Contacts:

aneta.kwiatkowska@bwigroup.com
ROME, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC), a leading global technology services provider, has been honored as International Transformation Partner at the 2025 Global Technology Excellence Awards. This recognition underscores DXC's continued leadership in driving digital transformation and delivering measurable business impact worldwide.

The award, organized by the Professional and Business Excellence Institute, acknowledges companies excelling in advancing technology and fostering innovation. This year's ceremony will be held in Rome in late November, bringing together global technology leaders to celebrate organizations making a lasting impact.

DXC was recognized for its pivotal role in customers' modernization journeys, innovative digital solutions, commitment to sustainability, and ability to empower organizations worldwide to succeed in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. This includes recent initiatives such as DXC's Xponential framework, designed to accelerate enterprise AI outcomes.

"Being honored for the third consecutive year, each time in a different category, is a testament to our global teams' expertise, dedication, and vision," said Juan Parra, President Europe, DXC Technology. "It reflects our commitment to driving innovation and enabling organizations to navigate complex transformation journeys successfully."

This year's honor continues DXC's winning streak at the Global Technology Excellence Awards, marking three consecutive years of recognition across different categories. In 2023, DXC was named Digital Transformation Partner of the Year, following work with the European Commission and several Member States on AI regulation and policy, alongside the company's growing public policy presence in the UK. In 2024, DXC received Company of the Year, in recognition of its continued influence in shaping global technology policy, including presenting written evidence on cyber, quantum, and other emerging technologies to the UN, UK Parliament, US, and EU Administrations.

For more information about the Global Technology Excellence Awards and the full list of winners, visit The European Awards. Learn more on dxc.com

About DXC Technology

DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC) is a leading global provider of information technology services. We're a trusted operating partner to many of the world's most innovative organizations, building solutions that move industries and companies forward. Our engineering, consulting and technology experts help clients simplify, optimize and modernize their systems and processes, manage their most critical workloads, integrate AI-powered intelligence into their operations, and put security and trust at the forefront. Learn more on dxc.com.

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GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a successful participation at the UN Climate Conference COP30 in Belem, Brazil, where SKF's circular technologies and remanufacturing solutions were recognized as winners of SBCOP's Best Cases, SKF is now taking the next step to accelerate industrial transformation.

On 3-4 December, leading stakeholders from industry, academia and finance will gather in Gothenburg, Sweden, for the inaugural SKF Friction Fighting Summit. SKF has initiated this event to move the dialogue forward from COP30 towards concrete action.

The Friction Fighting Summit is designed to address the barriers that slow down sustainable innovation - not only mechanical friction, but also the friction embedded in business models, incentive structures and decision-making processes. With a focus on scaling proven solutions such as remanufacturing, RecondOil and energy-efficient technologies, the summit aims to act as a catalyst for commercializing sustainability and strengthening Europe's strategic autonomy.

"COP30 demonstrated that collaboration is essential for climate transition. Now it's time to move from words to action. The Friction Fighting Summit brings together the players who can turn ambition into real change," says David Johansson, President Industrial Region Europe & Africa.

From COP30 to Gothenburg: building on proven progress

At COP30, SKF showcased scalable solutions that contribute to net-zero emissions, including:

Remanufacturing of roller bearings , which helped avoid 15,600 tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions in 2024 alone [1] .

, which helped avoid 15,600 tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions in 2024 alone . RecondOil technology , enabling circular use of industrial oil.

, enabling circular use of industrial oil. Magnetic and ceramic technologies for energy-efficient HVAC systems and heat pumps.

for energy-efficient HVAC systems and heat pumps. Tidal power drivetrains .

. Internal decarbonization programmes.

SKF's remanufacturing solution won SBCOP's Best Cases award, highlighting its leadership in sustainable innovation. At COP30, SKF also joined LeadIT, a global initiative driving heavy industry toward net-zero emissions. Additionally, SKF has also launched The Patent Bay, an open platform that shares selected patents to speed up sustainability-focused technologies.

"We know technology exists. What's missing are systematic measures and business models that reward sustainability. The Friction Fighting Summit is a bold initiative to actively drive this development," says Vanja Winblad, Sustainability Director, Industrial Region Europe & Africa.

Event details: Friction Fighting Summit

Date: 3-4 December 2025

Location: Gothenburg, Sweden

Participants: Industrial leaders, policymakers, academics and investors from across the Nordics and Europe

Purpose: To accelerate industrial transformation through collaboration, knowledge exchange and the commercialization of circular solutions

[1] Approximately 4.5 million kg steel was reused globally in 2024. With a global SKF average CO2e of 3.6 CO2e per kg of newly produced bearing steel minus 0.135 kg CO2e related to ReMan Operation Service Level 3, means that 15.6 million kg CO2e was avoided.

Aktiebolaget SKF

(publ)

For further information, please contact:

Gosta Andersson: PR & Communication Europe & Africa: e-mail: gosta.andersson@skf.com

Karin Markhede: PR Lead SKF Group, e-mail: karin.markhede@skf.com

Confirmed speakers at the SKF Friction Fighting Summit 2025:

Anna Ryott, Chief Impact Officer, EY

Annika Olme, CTO, SKF

Carina Halvord, CEO, Universeum

David Johansson, President Industrial Region Europe & Africa, SKF

Eija Pitkanen, Member of the Board at Metsa Group

Erich Labuda, President, Motion Services Division, ABB

Hakan Buskhe, CEO, FAM AB

Andrea Haag; Vice President Sustainability Munters

Johnny Sjostrom, CEO, SSAB

Lars Danielsson, Senior Advisor and former EU Ambassador

Lisa Lindstrom, Business Reinvention Leader

Martin Nilsson Jacobi, CEO, Chalmers

Mattias Frumerie, Climate Ambassador and Head of Delegation to UNFCCC at Swedish Ministry of Climate and Enterprise

Niko Pakalen, Partner, Cevian Capital

Rickard Gustafsson, CEO, SKF

Rob Anthony, SVP Global Supply Chain, Kongsberg Maritime

Asa Persson, Chair of the Swedish Climate Policy Council & Strategic Advisor & Researcher, KTH

Tom Erixon, President and CEO, Alfa Laval

Pia Lindstrom, Hallbarhetschef LKAB

Frank Koch, CEO Swiss Steel

Klas Nilsson, Head of strategic & Operational Procurement, Stegra,

Martin Edlund, CEO Minesto

Jarmo Valtokari, Maintenance Director, SSAB

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/skf/r/after-cop30---skf-brings-industry-together-to-accelerate-sustainable-transformation,c4272613

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Commerzbank AG (London Branch) - Pre Stabilisation

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, November 26

Pre Stabilisation Announcement - mBank S.A. EUR500mil Green 6.25NC5.25 SNP

Pre-Stabilisation Notice

November 25, 2025

Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.

mBank S.A.

EUR 500mn Green Senior Non-Preferred Notes due 03 March 2032

Launched pursuant to the Issuer's Euro Medium Term Note Programme

Commerzbank AG (contact: Ian Turner; telephone: +44-207-7475-1817) hereby announces, as Stabilisation Coordinator, that the Stabilising Managers named below may stabilise the offer of the following securities in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU Regulation 596/2014).

The security to be stabilised: Issuer: mBank S.A. Guarantor (if any): none Aggregate nominal amount: EUR 500mil Description: EUR 500mil Green Senior, Non-Preferred Notes due 03 March 2032 Offer price: tbc Other offer terms: EMTN Programme, denoms 100k/100k, Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Payment date 03 December 2025. Callable from 03 March 2031 Stabilisation: Stabilisation Coordinator: Stabilising Managers: Commerzbank AG Banco Santander, S.A. BNP Paribas SA Citigroup Global Markets Limited J.P. Morgan SE Stabilisation period expected to start on: November 25, 2025 Stabilisation period expected to end on: no later than 30 days after the proposed issue date of the securities Existence, maximum size and conditions of use of over-allotment facility. The Stabilising Managers may over-allot the securities to the extent permitted in accordance with applicable law. Stabilisation trading venue: Luxembourg Stock Exchange (regulated market)

In connection with the offer of the above securities, the Stabilising Manager(s) may over-allot the securities or effect transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the securities during the stabilisation period at a level higher than that which might otherwise prevail. However, stabilisation may not necessarily occur and any stabilisation action, if begun, may cease at any time Any stabilisation action or over-allotment shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and rules.

This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction.

This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.

END
The new facility will produce advanced quantum chips for error corrected quantum computers, almost double the cleanroom space and system assembly line capacity to produce up to 30 quantum computers per year.

The integrated quantum computer production line will be one of the world's most advanced of its kind combining fabrication of quantum chips and system assembly. The expansion is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2026.

The expansion is part of IQM's long-term commitment to scale its infrastructure and execute the ambitious technology roadmap aiming at 1M quantum computers by 2033.

IQM Quantum Computers, a global leader in superconducting quantum computers, today announced over 40 million investment to expand its state-of-the-art production facility in Finland.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251126943986/en/

This strategic expansion will accelerate the development, fabrication and testing of advanced quantum processing units and the assembly of quantum computers, paving the way for scalable, error-corrected quantum systems that will power the next era of computing.

The expansion aligns with the company's recent Series B fundraise of over $300 million. The facility, which will spread over 8,000 square meters, will expand the company's cleanroom area quantum data centre. It will also double its assembly line capacity, enabling to produce over 30 full-stack quantum computers per year, helping to meet the growing demand for its systems and support research innovation and development activities.

The investment in additional cleanroom equipment will enable IQM's development roadmap to achieve fault-tolerant quantum computing by 2030 and long-term commitment to scale its critical data centre infrastructure and capacity globally.

As part of its mission, IQM is taking concrete steps towards a carbon-neutral facility by installing an abatement system to tackle direct emissions from its production and moving to 100% renewable district heating.

"This will be one of the world's most advanced production facility for quantum computers combining assembly lines and chip production. This approach will enable us to scale up in critical areas which are essential to deliver quality, quantity, and stable, advanced solutions to the market," said Pasi Kivinen, Vice President of Operations at IQM Quantum Computers. "The expansion is an important step to deliver next-generation quantum computers to serve our customers and also make a remarkable impact."

Beyond commercial scaling, this investment strengthens Finland and Europe's quantum supply chain, ensuring that chip manufacturing and quality control, and aligns with key EU initiatives like the quantum strategy, reinforcing technological sovereignty and global competitiveness in quantum innovation.

"By enhancing our fabrication capabilities to produce large-scale quantum chips for error-correction technology, we will not only better serve our customers but also reinforce our leadership in superconducting quantum computing," said Jan Goetz, Co-CEO and Co-founder of IQM.

IQM Quantum Computers:

IQM is a global leader in superconducting quantum computers. IQM provides both on-premises full-stack quantum computers and a cloud platform to access its computers. IQM customers include the leading high-performance computing centers, research labs, universities, and enterprises that have full access to IQM's software and hardware. IQM has over 300 employees with headquarters in Finland and a global presence in France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, Spain, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States. For more information, visit www.meetiqm.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251126943986/en/

Contacts:

Media contact:

Email: press@meetiqm.com

Mobile: +358504790845

www.meetiqm.com
BELIZE CITY, Belize, Nov. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Financial broker RoboForex has unveiled its upgraded Copy Trading Service, which evolved from the CopyFX platform and is now seamlessly integrated into the company's core ecosystem.

The revamped Copy Trading Service introduces a range of improvements designed to make it easier to discover, analyse, and share trading strategies, while maintaining all the functionality familiar to existing users. Key upgrades include a unified public strategy rating system spanning MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and R StocksTrader, along with an enhanced Copy Trading Partner Program. Together, these innovations mark a decisive step towards a more user-friendly and intuitive copy trading environment.

Public and unified strategy rating

The trading industry is known for its diverse platform landscape, often creating barriers for newcomers. The latest improvements by RoboForex are designed to strike a balance between user simplicity and the versatility of the platforms on which strategies are run.

The new public rating allows even unregistered users to explore and share strategies easily. This unified rating integrates all strategies from traders using MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, or R StocksTrader platforms, enabling users to focus on performance and simplify strategy comparison and decision-making. The intuitive interface also offers a comprehensive range of parameters, allowing experienced users to make more informed decisions.

"At RoboForex, our mission has always been to simplify the complex," said Douglas Abreu, Regional Operations Manager at RoboForex. "Investors shouldn't waste time figuring out platforms - they should be able to find and follow the best-performing strategies instantly. With these updates, we aim to make every second of interaction with our service as efficient and effortless as possible."

Existing clients will retain all their current functionality while gaining access to new features that further enhance their trading experience.

Updated Copy Trading Partner Program

The updated Copy Trading Partner Program enables individuals to earn commissions by promoting a chosen trader's strategy and attracting new users - without needing to be traders themselves. Traders share a portion of their commission from investors with Copy Partners, thereby recognising their contribution to expanding the reach of their strategies among new investors.

As part of the enhanced Copy Partner Program, partners can attract clients to the copy strategies on both MT4 and MT5 - the industry's most widely used platforms. This makes the program more convenient and efficient to use, as it now supports both platforms. The addition of the Copy Partner Program for MT5 was a recent enhancement implemented in response to strong client demand.

About Copy Trading Service

The RoboForex Copy Trading Service is a powerful platform that connects successful traders with investors who wish to automatically replicate their strategies. Traders benefit by earning commissions from their subscribers' profits, while investors can easily browse a unified public strategy rating to find and instantly copy strategies aligned with their goals.

Initially launched in 2012 as CopyFX, the Copy Trading Service has grown into a trusted platform for millions of traders and investors. The key features that make RoboForex's Copy Trading Service especially attractive to clients include:

Unified public strategy rating - lets investors review trader performance across MT4, MT5, and R StocksTrader.

Cent accounts - allow traders to test more strategies and enable investors to start copying with lower thresholds.

Flexible commission system - offering a performance fee (up to 50%), a subscription fee, or even the option to share the strategy without any commission.

With these tools, RoboForex empowers users to trade and invest smarter - with simplicity, transparency, and confidence.

Learn more at roboforex.com/copy-trading/copy-top-strategies/.

About RoboForex

RoboForex is a company that delivers brokerage services, providing traders in financial markets with access to its proprietary and industry-leading trading terminals. RoboForex Ltd operates under brokerage license number FSC 000138/32.

View more detailed information about the Company's products and activities on the official website roboforex.com.

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KANAZAWA, Japan, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers at the Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, report in ACS Nano the successful creation of artificial synaptic vesicles that can be remotely controlled by near-infrared (NIR) light. By embedding a phthalocyanine dye into lipid bilayers, the team achieved local heating that modulates membrane permeability, enabling precise release of neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine. These findings demonstrate that nanoscale heating can control communication between nerve cells.

The work opens new avenues for non-genetic modulation of neuronal activity, with potential applications in neuroscience, drug delivery, and bioengineering.

The team led by Satoshi Arai demonstrated that embedding vanadium phthalocyanine dye (VPc) into liposome membranes allows light-induced local heating confined at the molecular level (Figure1). Unlike conventional temperature-sensitive liposomes, which rely on bulk heating, this approach enables reversible and highly localized release of cargo molecules without causing widespread thermal damage.

Background and Context

Controlling communication between nerve cells is central to understanding how the brain works and to treating neurological disorders. In nature, this communication relies on synaptic vesicles-microscopic sacs that release neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine at just the right time and place. Scientists have long sought artificial systems to mimic this process, which could help repair damaged nerve pathways, develop new treatments for brain and muscle diseases, and create precision drug delivery tools.

Current methods often require genetic modification or heating entire tissues, both of which carry risks of unwanted side effects and damage to delicate biological systems. Optical approaches using near-infrared light are particularly attractive because they can penetrate tissues safely and be focused with high spatial accuracy. The new study addresses this challenge by showing, for the first time, that neurotransmitter release can be controlled through **localized nanoscale heating** of lipid membranes-without disturbing the surrounding environment.

Key Findings

In laboratory experiments, the researchers encapsulated acetylcholine within VPc-liposomes and showed that NIR pulses could trigger rapid neurotransmitter release at defined sites. This release was sufficient to induce calcium flux in muscle cells and neuronal responses in the 'Drosophila' brain (Figure2). Molecular dynamics simulations further confirmed that VPc preferentially localizes within lipid membranes, ensuring efficient thermal confinement and effective payload release.

"By confining heat within the lipid bilayer, we achieved precise control of neurotransmitter release in thermally delicate biological systems," the authors write. "This light-modulated vesicle system represents a promising platform for studying neuronal communication and developing novel therapeutic strategies."

Potential Impact

The research highlights a new concept of 'NIR light-modulated artificial synaptic vesicles', which could be further extended to targeted drug delivery systems, bio-prosthetics, and micro-scale tools for neuroscience. The approach could also inform the design of future technologies in regenerative medicine, neuromodulation, and bio-inspired nanodevices.

Related figures

Figure1.

https://nanolsi.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/Fig.1en_ACS-Nano_Oct.2025.jpg

Caption figure1. A liposome capable of on-demand release of bioactive compounds upon near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation. A photothermal dye (VPc) is embedded in the lipid membrane, and irradiation with NIR light induces localized heating, which loosens the lipid membrane and enables controlled release. (Figures modified from the published article with permission from the publisher.)

Figure2.

https://nanolsi.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/Fig.2en_ACS-Nano_Oct.2025.jpg

Caption figure2. Application as an artificial synaptic vesicle. (Upper panel) Schematic illustration of acetylcholine (ACh) release toward differentiated muscle cells and evaluation of acetylcholine receptor activation using calcium imaging. (Lower panel) Schematic illustration of ACh release toward the Drosophila brain (ex vivo) and observation of neuronal activity using calcium imaging. (Figures modified from the published article with permission from the publisher.)

Glossary

Liposomes- Spherical vesicles made of lipid bilayers, often used to deliver drugs or biological molecules.

Photothermal effect - Conversion of light energy into heat at the site of absorbing molecules.

Near-infrared light (NIR) - Light with wavelengths between ~700-1000 nm, which can penetrate biological tissues with minimal damage.

Artificial synaptic vesicle- An engineered liposome designed to mimic natural vesicles that release neurotransmitters at nerve synapses.

Reference

Satya Ranjan Sarker, Takeru Yamazaki, Keitaro Sou, Ichiro Takemura, Yusuke Kurita, Kayoko Nomura, Mari Ichimura, Takahito Suzuki, Ayumi Kai, Takumi Araki, Shinnosuke Hattori, Taniyuki Furuyama, Young-Tae Chang, Taketoshi Kiya, and Satoshi Arai.

"Harnessing Dye-Induced Local Heating in Lipid Membranes: A Path to Near-Infrared Light-Modulated Artificial Synaptic Vesicles"

ACS Nano (2025) 19, 31, 28768-28783.

DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5c08482

https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c08482

Funding

This work was supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI), and other national research programs.

Contact

Kimiko Nakazaki (Ms)

Project Planning and Outreach, NanoLSI Administration Office

Nano Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University

Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan

Email: nanolsi-office@adm.kanazawa-u.ac.jp

About Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University

Understanding nanoscale mechanisms of life phenomena by exploring 'uncharted nano-realms'.

Cells are the basic units of almost all life forms. We are developing nanoprobe technologies that allow direct imaging, analysis, and manipulation of the behavior and dynamics of important macromolecules in living organisms, such as proteins and nucleic acids, at the surface and interior of cells. We aim at acquiring a fundamental understanding of the various life phenomena at the nanoscale.

https://nanolsi.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/en/

About the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)

The WPI program was launched in 2007 by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) to foster globally visible research centers boasting the highest standards and outstanding research environments. Numbering more than a dozen and operating at institutions throughout the country, these centers are given a high degree of autonomy, allowing them to engage in innovative modes of management and research. The program is administered by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).

See the latest research news from the centers at the WPI News Portal:

https://www.eurekalert.org/newsportal/WPI

Main WPI program site: www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-toplevel

About Kanazawa University

Founded in 1862 in Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa University is one of Japan's leading comprehensive national universities with a history spanning more than 160 years. With campuses at Kakuma and Takaramachi-Tsuruma, the university upholds its guiding principle of being "a research university dedicated to education, while opening its doors to both local and global society."

Internationally recognized for its research institutes, including the Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI) and the Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University promotes interdisciplinary research and global collaboration, driving progress in health, sustainability, and culture.

http://www.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/en/

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/kanazawa-university-research-scientists-develop-light-controlled-method-to-trigger-brain-signals-302626583.html
Piraeus Financial Holdings S.A. announces that its subsidiary, Piraeus Bank S.A. ("Piraeus" or the "Bank"), has successfully completed the pricing of a new 500 million Green Senior Preferred Bond (the "Bond") with a coupon of 3.375%, attracting the interest of a large number of institutional investors.

The Bond has a maturity of 6 years and an embedded issuer call option after 5 years. Settlement will take place on 2 December 2025 and the notes will be listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange's Euro MTF market. The Bond is expected to be assigned an investment grade rating of "Baa2" from Moody's Ratings.

The net proceeds of the issuance will be directed towards the financing and/or the refinancing of eligible green assets, as described in the Piraeus' Green Bond Framework, providing a positive environmental impact. Additionally, the Bond will further support Piraeus' MREL position.

The issuance takes place following the recent Piraeus' ESG rating upgrade by MSCI to 'AAA', which is the highest rating available. This upgrade positions the Bank as the only Greek company with a 'AAA' ESG rating by MSCI, and as one of the leaders in sustainability in the financial industry at an international scale.

Piraeus is the only Greek Bank to have issued four green bonds to date, with a total of 2.15bn outstanding. This is a further testament to the Bank's strong commitment in sustainability, with circa 0.8bn of the net proceeds of the Piraeus outstanding green bonds already allocated to eligible green assets.

The new Piraeus Green Bond has attracted significant interest from more than 120 institutional investors, with 66% placed among asset managers, 29% to banks and private banks, and 5% to other investors. More than 80% has been allocated to international institutional investors, with demand stemming mainly from France (27%), UK (23%), and Italy (10%). It is highlighted that the majority of the notes has been allocated to ESG investors.

The success of the transaction is a clear testament of investor confidence in Piraeus Bank. The total order book of the transaction peaked at more than 2.0bn, being more than 4.0x oversubscribed compared to the issuance target of 500mn, which allowed the Bank to achieve the tightest credit spread for any senior preferred bond it has ever issued; 98bps over the corresponding mid-swap rate, compared to an initial guidance of 125bps. The final coupon has been set at 3.375%, with a re-offer price of 99.995%.

Barclays Bank Ireland PLC, BofA Securities, Commerzbank, Credit Agricole CIB, Deutsche Bank and IMI-Intesa Sanpaolo acted as joint bookrunners of the issue. Allen Overy and Bernitsas Law Firm acted as legal advisors to Piraeus.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251126249670/en/

Contacts:

Group Investor Relations

4 Amerikis St., 105 64 Athens

Tel.: (+30 210 3335026

Bloomberg: TPEIR GA Reuters: BOPr.AT

ISIN: GRS014003032

investor_relations@piraeusholdings.gr

www.piraeusholdings.gr
PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Satellite Manufacturing and Launch Systems Market by Satellite Type (Large Satellite, Medium-sized Satellite, and Small Satellite), Application (Communication Satellite, Earth Observation Satellite, Navigation Satellite, Military Surveillance, and Others), Orbit Type (LEO, MEO, and GEO), and End User (Commercial and Government): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033". According to the report, the "satellite manufacturing and launch systems market" was valued at $24 billion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $130.2 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 18.7% from 2024 to 2033.

Download Sample Pages of Research Overview: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A11976

Prime Determinants of Growth

The growth of the satellite manufacturing and launch systems market is primarily driven by increasing demand for high-speed communication, global connectivity, and Earth observation services across various sectors including defense, agriculture, and environmental monitoring. Advancements in miniaturized satellite technology and reusable launch vehicles are making space access more cost-effective, encouraging both government and private investments. Rising interest in space exploration and satellite internet services, such as low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellations, further accelerates market growth. In addition, growing security concerns and the need for real-time data collection are prompting defense agencies and commercial players to expand their satellite infrastructure, fueling market expansion.

Report Coverage & Details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2024-2033 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2023 $24 billion Market Size in 2033 $130.2 billion CAGR 18.7 % No. of Pages in Report 405 Segments covered Satellite Type, Application, Orbit Type, End User, and Region. Drivers Surge in Demand for Satellite-Based Service Rise in Government and Private Investment Expansion of Commercial Space Activities Opportunity Increase in Demand for Satellite Internet and 5G Connectivity Rise in Interest in Deep Space Exploration Restraints High Initial Investment and Development Costs Stringent Regulatory and Compliance Requirements

Impact of Russia-Ukraine War Scenario

The Russia-Ukraine war has significantly impacted the satellite manufacturing and launch systems market, reshaping global dynamics. Sanctions imposed on Russia have disrupted its space industry, leading to the loss of 90% of its launch service contracts and substantial financial setbacks for Roscosmos. This decline has opened opportunities for alternative providers in the U.S., Europe, India, and Japan to capture market share.

The conflict has highlighted the strategic importance of satellite communications in warfare, as evidenced by Ukraine's reliance on commercial services such as Starlink. Consequently, European nations are striving to reduce dependence on U.S. providers by investing in indigenous satellite networks such as OneWeb and IRIS. Overall, the war has accelerated the diversification and localization of satellite capabilities worldwide.

Buy This Research Report (456 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/satellite-manufacturing-and-launch-systems-market/purchase-options

The large satellite segment held the highest market share in 2023.

On the basis of satellite type, the large satellite segment held the highest market share in 2023, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global satellite manufacturing and launch systems market revenue. This is due to its extensive applications across communication, Earth observation, navigation, and defense sectors. Large satellites offer higher payload capacity, greater power, and longer operational life, making them ideal for missions that require high-resolution imaging, global broadcasting, or secure military communications. Governments and space agencies continue to invest heavily in large satellite programs to support national security, scientific research, and infrastructure monitoring. In addition, their ability to carry multiple instruments and serve multiple functions makes them a cost-effective solution for long-term space missions.

The communication satellite segment dominated the market in 2023.

On the basis of application, the communication satellite segment held the highest market share in 2023, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global satellite manufacturing and launch systems market revenue. This is due to the rise in global demand for internet connectivity, television broadcasting, mobile communication, and secure military communication networks. Satellites play a critical role in delivering communication services to remote and underserved areas where terrestrial infrastructure is limited. However, the small satellite segment is projected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 20.0% from 2023 to 2033, This is due to the Advancements in miniaturization technologies have made it possible to develop compact satellites that are both cost-effective and efficient. These satellites are ideal for applications such as Earth observation, communication, and scientific research, offering a flexible and affordable alternative to larger satellites.

The LEO segment held the major share of the market in 2023.

On the basis of orbit type, the LEO segment held the highest market share in 2023, accounting for more than half of the global satellite manufacturing and launch systems market revenue. This is due to lower launch costs, faster data transmission, and rising use in communication, Earth observation, and satellite internet services. However, the MEO segment is projected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 21.5% from 2023 to 2033, This is due to its strategic advantages. Positioned between Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Orbit (GEO), MEO satellites offer a balance of lower latency and broader coverage, making them ideal for applications like global navigation systems (e.g., GPS), broadband internet, and defense communications.

The commercial segment dominated the market in 2023.

On the basis of end user, the commercial segment held the highest market share in 2023, accounting for more than three-fifths of the global satellite manufacturing and launch systems market revenue. This is primarily due to increase in demand for satellite-based services across various sectors, including telecommunications, Earth observation, and internet connectivity. The rise of digital technologies and the need for high-speed internet access, especially in remote and underserved regions, are significant factors propelling the demand for commercial satellites. However, the government segment is projected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 21.1% from 2023 to 2033, This is due to the increased investments in defense, surveillance, and communication infrastructure. Governments worldwide are enhancing their satellite capabilities for national security, disaster management, and environmental monitoring.

Enquiry Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A11976

North America held the major share of the market in 2023.

On the basis of region, North America held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2023, accounting more than one-third of the global satellite manufacturing and launch systems market revenue. This is due to substantial government funding, robust private sector innovation, and the presence of major industry players like SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. The U.S. government's significant investments in defense and space exploration, coupled with the rapid growth of commercial satellite applications such as broadband internet and Earth observation, have propelled the region's dominance.

However, Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 21.2% from 2023 to 2033, this is due to increased investments by countries such as China, India, and Japan, coupled with rising demand for communication and Earth observation satellites. The region's emphasis on developing advanced satellite technologies and expanding launch capabilities has significantly contributed to this rapid growth. Supportive government policies and collaborations with private enterprises have further accelerated the market's expansion in Asia-Pacific.

Leading Market Players: -

Airbus SE

ArianeGroup

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Maxar Technologies Inc.

Blue Origin

SpaceX

Boeing

Northrop Grumman

ISRO

Rocket Lab

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players of the global satellite manufacturing and launch systems market. These players have adopted different strategies such as expansion and product launch to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

Explore AMR's Extensive ongoing Coverage on Aerospace and Defense Domain:

Satellite Data Services Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2025-2034

Reconnaissance Satellite Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032

Latin America Commercial Satellite Imaging Market : Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017 - 2025

Satellite Bus Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023 - 2033

Navigation Satellite Systems Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031

Satellite Antenna Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020 - 2033

Small Satellite Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030

Satellite Payload Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030

Commercial Satellite Imaging Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022 - 2032

About us:

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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SINGAPORE, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Supreme Court of Singapore and the Supreme People's Court (SPC) of China successfully concluded the Ninth Singapore-China Legal and Judicial Roundtable (Roundtable) in Shenzhen on 18 November 2025, reaffirming their strong commitment to bilateral judicial cooperation and mutual learning.

The Singapore delegation, led by The Honourable the Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, was on a two-day visit to Shenzhen from 17 to 18 November 2025. The Roundtable was co-chaired by Chief Justice Menon and His Excellency Zhang Jun, Chief Justice of the SPC. The two Chief Justices also held their annual Singapore-China Chief Justices Bilateral Meeting during the visit.

Established in 2017, the annual Roundtable serves as a vital platform for judicial cooperation and the mutual exchange of ideas and experiences, with the two judiciaries alternating as hosts. This year's agenda focused on contemporary issues critical to the administration of justice, including Judicial Education and the Comprehensive Training and Development of Judges, which was presented by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon; The Court's Role in Supporting and Safeguarding the Arbitral Process in International Arbitration, presented by Justice Steven Chong; Strengthening the Administration of Justice through the Reliable and Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence, presented by Justice See Kee Oon; and Achieving Best Outcomes in Family Justice, presented by Justice Teh Hwee Hwee.

Chief Justice Menon also delivered the opening and closing remarks at the Roundtable.

The Singapore delegation engaged in extensive site visits to gain practical insights into the operations of the Chinese courts. These included visits to the Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court, the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, the First Circuit Court of the Supreme People's Court, the China International Commercial Court, and the Qianhai Cooperation Zone People's Court.

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In a strategic move to accelerate the growth and international expansion of Arendt Investor Services (AIS), BlackFin Capital Partners (BlackFin) and Arendt have entered into a partnership that will see BlackFin become the majority shareholder of the company, subject to CSSF approval and other customary procedures, while Arendt retains a significant stake. This partnership marks a substantial milestone in AIS' development strategy, reinforcing its position in the Luxembourg financial services market and enabling it to scale operations into new jurisdictions. The scope of the transaction also includes the third-party AIFM, AManco.

BlackFin's sector expertise and deep operational insight will serve as key assets in advancing AIS' long-term objectives, while maintaining its commitment to client service excellence and regulatory compliance. BlackFin is the leading private equity and venture capital investor in Europe dedicated exclusively to financial services. With over 100 investments in the industry across the continent, BlackFin brings a unique combination of strategic vision, entrepreneurial drive and operational expertise. BlackFin has been investing in Luxembourg for over 10 years with the support of Arendt, resulting in a long-standing relationship of trust and mutual appreciation for each party's track record.

Having celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2024, AIS has grown significantly in recent years. The company now aims to extend its technological expertise and service offering to other European markets. With a vision to become the premier one-stop-shop partner for alternative asset managers, asset servicers and family offices, AIS offers a comprehensive suite of services ranging from fund administration services, corporate services and governance services to operational AML compliance services and tax compliance services, as well as third-party AIFM and depositary services. With a team of 320 professionals, AIS supports clients in efficiently managing the operational side of their business, ensuring peace of mind in investor services. AIS is a Professional of the Financial Sector (PFS) supervised by the CSSF and ISO 22301 certified.

By remaining an important shareholder, Arendt continues to ensure a long-term vision for the development of AIS, while maintaining strong synergies with the law firm and its consulting services.

Luxembourg stands as Europe's leading investment fund hub, with over 7.3 trillion in assets under management in 2025. Its leadership is built on a robust regulatory framework, recognized economic stability, and international expertise that attract the majority of fund managers and investors at the European level. Luxembourg offers a trusted environment, innovative solutions, and the openness necessary to support both traditional and alternative funds. Today, nearly 60% of Europe's alternative investment funds are domiciled in Luxembourg, making it the key center for the structuring and cross-border distribution of funds throughout Europe.

About BlackFin Capital Partners:

BlackFin is the leading private equity platform dedicated to financial services companies in Europe with over 4bn assets under management. Founded in 2009, BlackFin is an independent firm led by nine partners who have worked together as managers and entrepreneurs in the financial industry for decades. The team has around 50 professionals across offices in Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Brussels, London, and Luxembourg. The firm's strategy focuses primarily on asset-light businesses, where BlackFin operates as an active and influential investor, supporting successful management teams to take their businesses to the next level. BlackFin is regulated by France's Autorite des Marches Financiers.

About Arendt:

Your legal, tax and business services firm in Luxembourg

Arendt combines the entire value chain of services dedicated to Asset Managers, Banks, Insurers, Public Institutions, Commercial Companies and Private Clients operating in Luxembourg.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251126263903/en/

Contacts:

+33 (0)1 44 71 94 98

nmerigeau@newcap.fr
Asiacell selected Cisco's AI-powered Provider Connectivity Assurance (PCA) solution to bring advanced network intelligence and reliability to its network in Iraq.

Initiative marks one of the first AI-based network assurance adoptions in Iraq, transitioning from reactive to predictive network management.

Technology will empower Asiacell to deliver more reliable, consistent, and high-quality digital experiences for its 19.7 million customers, driving Iraq's digital transformation.

DOHA, Qatar, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Asiacell, Iraq's leading mobile network operator, today announced that it is joining forces with Cisco, the worldwide leader in networking and security, to deploy Cisco's AI-driven Provider Connectivity Assurance (PCA) platform on its networks. The cutting-edge network automation and assurance platform will significantly enhance Asiacell's network intelligence and reliability, aiming to deliver superior digital experiences across all 19 governorates of Iraq.

Asiacell will leverage Cisco's AI-enabled platform to proactively monitor, analyze, and optimize network performance. The technology will provide real-time, predictive insights across Asiacell's connectivity and service layers, automatically detecting anomalies, diagnosing root causes, and accelerating resolution before its 19.7 million customers are impacted. This empowers Asiacell's enterprise and mobile network operations teams to offer AI-powered, self-healing network capabilities, ensuring an enhanced quality of service to its customers.

"With Cisco's AI-powered Provider Connectivity Assurance, we're taking a major step toward intelligent, automated network operations," added Hassan El Chami, CTIO, Asiacell. "The result will be a more agile, self-optimizing network that keeps pace with the demands of digital services and the 5G evolution. The ability to predict and prevent service issues before they happen will transform how we serve our customers. This project reinforces our commitment to technological leadership and to delivering the most reliable digital experience in Iraq."

"At Cisco, we understand that achieving superior business outcomes in today's digital landscape demands consistently delivering exceptional digital experiences to every user, everywhere, at all times," commented Zayan Sadek, Managing Director, Service Providers MEA, Cisco. "This collaboration underscores Cisco's strategic investment in advancing digital transformation and AI innovation across the region, by embedding intelligence directly into Asiacell's network to empower the leading operator to deliver proactive, seamless experiences to millions of subscribers."

About Asiacell

Asiacell is the leading provider of mobile telecommunications and digital services in Iraq with a subscriber base of around 20 million subscribers. Recognized as the first mobile telecommunications company to operate in Iraq, Asiacell delivers nationwide 4G+ coverage reaching more than 99.06% of the population. With a strong commitment to innovation, service quality, and digital inclusion, Asiacell continues to lead the market in driving Iraq's digital transformation.



Website: www.asiacell.com

Public Relations Department - Asiacell: public.relations@asiacell.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2832701/Cisco_and_Asiacell.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2832700/Asiacell_logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/asiacell-collaborates-with-cisco-to-deliver-ai-driven-network-assurance-and-boost-connectivity-reliability-for-its-network-in-iraq-302626625.html




BERLIN, Nov. 26, 2025

Leveraging LoRa's low power consumption, long-distance communication, and strong anti-interference capabilities, the duo enables seamless communication between inverters and wireless energy meters - achieving accurate power metering, real-time data transmission, and stable wireless connectivity across complex household environments.

The LoRa smart meter transmitter collects local energy data and sends it to the LoRa receiver through spread-spectrum modulation. The receiver then uploads the data to the inverter, which transmits it to the cloud via Wi-Fi for monitoring, analytics, and system optimization.

With wireless installation, the LoRa duo eliminates the need for traditional wiring and wall modifications, significantly reducing installation time and cost. Its ultra-low power design operates at microamp-level sleep current, extending device lifespan while contributing to global energy-saving goals. The system's strong wall penetration and robust anti-electromagnetic interference performance ensure stable long-range data transmission - even across 4-5 concrete walls or up to 600-800 meters in open space (currently under testing).

Positioned as a core component supporting Hinen's residential storage inverters and European balcony PV systems, the LoRa duo also extends to smart metering, environmental sensing, and home security applications.

Backed by over 20 years of advanced manufacturing experience, Hinen is publicly listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (stock code: 300787) and serves as a trusted OEM/ODM partner for more than 400 global brands. What sets Hinen apart is its vertically integrated supply chain, covering battery cell production, inverter R&D, and full system assembly - ensuring high quality, innovation, and cost efficiency.

With offices and service teams across Europe, the UK, Australia, and Africa, Hinen combines global technology with local support. The company is rapidly expanding in Europe after becoming a Top 5 residential storage brand in Australia. Its mission is simple: deliver reliable, intelligent, and affordable clean energy to households worldwide.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/efe4ae88-c6d2-4eaf-bab5-5068f72b7cf2

Contact: Nikita nikita@hinen.com
South Bend, Indiana--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Strawberry Fields REIT (NYSE American: STRW) (the "Company"), a self-administered real estate investment trust ("REIT") engaged in the ownership, acquisition, and leasing of healthcare-related properties, today announced that Moishe Gubin, its Chairman & CEO, will present at NobleCon21 - Noble Capital Markets' Twenty First Annual Emerging Growth Equity Conference at Florida Atlantic University, Executive Education Complex, in Boca Raton, FL.- on Wednesday, December 3rd at 4:30pm Eastern Standard Time.

A high-definition video webcast of the presentation will be available as part of a complete catalog of presentations available at Noble Capital Markets' Conference website: www.nobleconference.com and on Channelchek www.channelchek.com, the investor portal created by Noble. The webcast will be archived on the NobleCon website, and on Channelchek.com for 90 days following the event.

Interested investors and guests of Company Name are welcome to attend. Please register here using the discount code [CODE].

About Strawberry Fields REIT

Strawberry Fields REIT, Inc., is a self-administered real estate investment trust engaged in the ownership, acquisition, development and leasing of skilled nursing and certain other healthcare-related properties. The Company's portfolio includes 143 healthcare facilities with an aggregate of 15,500+ beds, located throughout the states of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. The 143 healthcare facilities comprise 131 skilled nursing facilities, 10 assisted living facilities, and two long-term acute care hospitals.

About Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Established in 1984, Noble Capital Markets (Noble) is an SEC / FINRA registered full-service broker-dealer offering investment/merchant banking and advisory services, with an award-winning research team, and a proprietary research distribution platform (Channelchek). Noble provides middle-market expertise to entrepreneurs, corporations, financial sponsors, and investors. In addition to its large scale in-person conference, NobleCon, Noble hosts multi-sector virtual conferences throughout the year. Over the more than 40 years, Noble has raised billions of dollars for companies and published more than 45,000 equity research reports. www.noblecapitalmarkets.com | www.nobleconference.com.

About Channelchek

Noble launched www.channelchek.com in 2018 - an investor community dedicated exclusively to emerging growth public companies and their industries. Channelchek is the first service to offer institutional-quality, FINRA-regulated research to the public, for FREE at every level without a subscription. With more than 7,000 public companies listed on the site, content includes advanced market data, equity research, videos & webcasts, and industry articles.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275885

SOURCE: Noble Financial Group, Inc.
TOKYO, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nagarro, a global leader in digital engineering, announced today the acquisition of Inaho Digital Solutions (IDS), a boutique IT service provider specialized in modernizing legacy applications and in SAP S/4HANA transformations in Japan and for Japanese clients worldwide.

With approximately 50 experts across Japan and India and a strong bilingual delivery model, IDS also supports its clients with cloud solutions, data and analytics initiatives, and other digital services.

Debendra Mohanta, CEO and co-founder of IDS, said, "IDS was founded with the passion to support Japanese companies in addressing their technology and modernization challenges. Becoming part of Nagarro strengthens this mission and enables us to provide our Japanese clients with even more comprehensive services and globally proven engineering capabilities - both in Japan and around the world. We are excited to begin this new chapter together with Nagarro and to deliver even greater value to our customers in the future."

Manas Human, CEO and co-founder of Nagarro, said, "Growing our business with Japan Inc. worldwide is a key pillar of Nagarro's strategy. Just as we have supported leading German companies in their global operations, we intend to follow and support Japanese companies wherever they expand. We are thrilled to welcome IDS colleagues and clients to the Nagarro family, and we expect to achieve great things together."

About Inaho Digital Solutions Group

Founded in 2019, Inaho Digital Solutions Group has established significant expertise in Japan's legacy modernization services & SAP services, offering customized solutions and leveraging its strong bilingual delivery capability for the Japanese market.

About Nagarro

Nagarro, a global digital engineering leader, helps clients become fluidic, innovative, digital-first companies and thus win in their markets. The company is distinguished by its entrepreneurial, agile, and global character, its CARING mindset, and its Fluidic Intelligence vision. Nagarro employs around 17,700 people in 39 countries. For more information, visit www.nagarro.com.

FRA: NA9 (SDAX/TecDAX, ISIN DE000A3H2200, WKN A3H220)

For inquiries, please contact press@nagarro.com.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/844192/3850575/Nagarro_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nagarro-expands-in-japan-with-the-acquisition-of-inaho-digital-solutions-302626639.html
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Excellon Resources Inc. (TSXV: EXN) (OTC Pink: EXNRF) (FSE: E4X2) ("Excellon" or the "Company") is pleased to report updated geological interpretations and exploration priorities from technical reviews of the Pierina and Shafra zones at the Company's wholly-owned Mallay Silver Mine in central Peru.

Highlights:

Pierina vein extension (Figure 1): Historic drilling and mine records indicate that the gold-silver Pierina vein extends below the 4090 level and is a prime target for near-term exploration.

Shafra Zone: Surface sampling completed by Excellon in 2025 confirms a gold-silver-base metal footprint coincident with a 500 m diameter circular feature. Anomalous gold was found in 96% of surface samples, ranging up to 62.38 g/t Au, associated with veins and breccias of unknown depth extent.

Mallay Deeps conceptual target (Figure 3): Structural interpretations indicate the Isguiz Vein and associated mineralized shoots (clavos) extend below the limits of historic drilling (Level 3850), supporting continuity of mineralization at depth. Geological and structural evidence suggests the Shafra, Isguiz and Pierina structures may coalesce at depth within the favourable Santa Formation, a regionally significant formation known host to polymetallic mineralization in the area.

Planned exploration: Underground drilling totaling 3,500 metres from the 4090 level to test the Pierina Vein at depth, in combination with downhole geophysics as an aid to targeting Shafra and the Mallay Deeps.

Shawn Howarth, President and CEO, commented, "The integration of Pierina, Shafra, and Mallay Deeps provides a more complete picture of Mallay's multi-phase mineralizing system.

"We now recognize continuity of the Pierina Vein below existing levels, strong gold potential at Shafra, near surface, and plausible intrusive-related feeder zones at depth. Together, these targets create an exciting exploration pipeline aligned with our broader restart and growth strategy in a strong silver-and-gold environment."

Figure 1: Historical Work and Mineralized Potential - Pierina Vein and Shafra Zone Targets

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1601/275996_e807db2c84bd3a70_001full.jpg

Notes:

Surface grab samples referenced herein are not necessarily representative of mineralization across the Shafra Zone.

Historical results generated by Buenaventura during 2014 to 2018 and reported in Buenaventura management presentations.

Pierina Vein Targets - Extending High-Grade Mineralization at Depth

Core examination, including holes JM 06-08, ML 16-150 and JM 08-15, indicates the Pierina Vein mineralization remains open at depth where it is associated laterally with porphyry dykes and breccias that merge northeast into the deeper portions of Shafra.

A recent review of historical core by Excellon geologists noted extensive silicification, brecciation and replacement of the limestones together with zones of disseminated pyrite and hydrothermal alteration and late carbonate and silica veining. These textures, coupled with persistent Ag-Pb-Zn-Au mineralization within the veining point toward vertical continuity and proximity to a multi-phase porphyry feeder zone beneath the Pierina-Shafra target areas.

Detailed mineralogical studies of the Pierina Vein indicate that gold is introduced late in the mineralization sequence and occurs predominantly as gold telluride and electrum, also as inclusions in pyrite, galena, chalcopyrite, and carbonate minerals. The presence of adularia and bladed silica suggests an epithermal overprint to the earlier mesothermal sulphide event.

Excellon intends to evaluate this system by drilling below existing underground infrastructure on the 4090 level to test the Pierina extension down-dip and along strike.

Image 1: Hole JM 06-08, 71.40 metres: Alteration associated with mineralized intrusive breccias proximal to the Pierina Vein

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1601/275996_image1.jpg

Shafra Zone - Defining a Gold-Rich, Bulk-Tonnage Target

A surface sampling campaign completed in 2025 returned anomalous gold values in 96% of the 78 samples collected: 22 % > 0.40 g/t Au, and five samples > 1.0 g/t Au, with a maximum value of 62.38 g/t Au. Grab samples were collected from both fractured Jumasha Limestone and silicified-marbleized limestone domains (Tables 1 and 2). These results confirm widespread, structurally controlled gold enrichment and support the interpretation that Shafra represents a near-surface expression of the mineralizing system that formed the Pierina Vein.

Follow-up drilling (six holes / ~3,500 metres) and downhole EM geophysics (target Q1 2026) are planned to evaluate depth prospectivity and refine vectors towards the Mallay Deeps target.

Figure 2: Shafra Plan Showing Historical and 2025 Surface Sampling

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1601/275996_e807db2c84bd3a70_004full.jpg

Notes:

Surface grab samples are not necessarily representative of mineralization across the Shafra Zone.

Sampling > 0.5 g/t Au includes historical and 2025 surface sampling results, illustrated in Tables 1 and 2 below.

"Mallay Deeps" - Conceptual Intrusive Target Beneath Mallay Mine and Pierina

Integrated mapping and subsurface modeling suggest that the Pierina, Shafra and Isguiz structural corridors converge downward into the Santa formation, a pyritic, carbonaceous unit that regionally hosts significant polymetallic mineralization such as the nearby Iscaycruz mine.

This geometry, combined with widespread crackle breccia, marbleization, and pyrite-carbonate veining, is consistent with a skarn-style mineralizing environment formed by fluid interaction between carbonate host rocks and proximal intrusives. The resulting Mallay Deeps concept envisions deep-seated Cu-Au-Ag-Zn stockwork/replacement and skarn mineralization related to a porphyry Cu-(Au) system.

The "Mallay Deeps" concept is exploration-target in nature. Insufficient exploration has been completed to define a mineral resource; it is uncertain whether future work will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource.

Figure 3: Near-Mine Exploration: Pierina Extension, Shafra Target, Mallay Deeps

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1601/275996_e807db2c84bd3a70_005full.jpg

Planned Work

Shafra Drilling: Six NQ/HQ diamond holes (~3,500 m) to test depth prospectivity and collect samples for gold-silver-base metal mineralization, litho-geochemistry/alteration studies. Drilling will commence from Mallay underground workings following dewatering of the lower-level areas of the mine (dewatering underway).

Geophysics: DHEM (Q1 2026) supported by a deep vertical drill hole to be completed from the Mallay 4090 level to refine drill targeting Shafra and Mallay Deeps.

Data integration: Ongoing mapping/sampling and 3D modelling to refine the Shafra framework and its relationship to Isguiz/Pierina.

Sampling, Assays and QA/QC

Sampling & custody

Samples were collected by Excellon personnel following documented procedures; chain of custody was maintained to Certimin Laboratories, Lima (accredited).

QA/QC

Excellon inserts blanks, certified reference materials and duplicates are regular intervals; laboratory QA/QC is monitored and results are evaluated before disclosure.

Table 1: Summary of 2025 Excellon Surface Sampling at Shafra

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1601/275996_e807db2c84bd3a70_006full.jpg

Notes:

Surface grab samples completed in 2025, not necessarily representative of mineralization across the Shafra Zone.

Samples highlighted in red are illustrated in Figure 1.

Table 2: Shafra Zone Historic Sampling (Source: Buenaventura)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1601/275996_e807db2c84bd3a70_007full.jpg

Notes:

Historical results generated by Buenaventura over 2010 (244xxx - 246xxx series samples) and 2012 (SD series samples) reported in Buenaventura management presentations; not verified by Excellon's Qualified Person and presented for context only. Surface grab samples not necessarily representative of mineralization across the Shafra Zone.

Qualified Person

Steven L. Park, M.Sc., C.P.G., an independent consulting geologist and a qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release.

About Excellon Resources Inc.

Excellon's vision is to realize opportunities through the acquisition and advancement of quality precious and base metal assets, leveraging an experienced management team for the benefit of its employees, communities and shareholders. The Company is focused on the potential restart of the Mallay Silver Mine in Peru. Excellon also holds a portfolio of exploration-stage projects, including Kilgore, an advanced gold project in Idaho, and Silver City, a high-grade epithermal silver district in Saxony, Germany, and the Tres Cerros Gold/Silver Exploration Property in Peru, providing additional growth upside. Additional details on Excellon's properties can be found at www.excellonresources.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in the polices of the TSXV) has reviewed the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained, referenced or incorporated by reference in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Generally, these statements can be identified by words such as "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "could", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "plan", "potential", "schedule", "should", "target", "will" and similar expressions, and include statements about events or results that may occur in the future.

Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to: the timing, scope and objectives of exploration and drilling programs at the Pierina, Shafra and Mallay Deeps targets; interpretations of geology, structure and mineralization; the potential continuity or extent of known veins, breccias and replacement zones; the nature and significance of the "Mallay Deeps" conceptual target; and the Company's broader exploration and development strategy in Peru.

Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results to differ materially, including: geological, sampling and assay variability; interpretation risk related to historical data generated by third parties; permitting and access delays; cost or technical challenges during rehabilitation and drilling; market and commodity price volatility; financing risks; and the risk factors set out in the Company's Annual Information Form dated June 30, 2025, the MD&A and other public disclosure.

The "Mallay Deeps" target described herein is exploration-target in nature. Insufficient exploration has been completed to define a mineral resource, and it is uncertain whether future work will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource.

The forward-looking statements herein are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements and by the cautionary statements in the Company's continuous disclosure. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275996

SOURCE: Excellon Resources Inc.
Mark Farren, Chief Operating Officer, to transition from executive role to become Strategic Advisor to the board

Tom van den Berg, Executive Operations at Kamoa-Kakula to be appointed Chief Operating Officer following handover period

Mining industry leader Nick Popovic appointed as Strategic Advisor to the board

Significant further personnel additions planned to enhance operational capabilities

Manfu Ma steps down from Ivanhoe board after six years of dedicated service; Xianwen Wu, CITIC Metal General Manager, joins Ivanhoe board

Ivanhoe Mines to issue Kamoa-Kakula's 2026 & 2027 copper production guidance next week

Johannesburg, South Africa--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) Executive Co-Chair Robert Friedland and President and Chief Executive Officer Marna Cloete announce today key management and board appointments of Ivanhoe Mines.

After more than ten years in various key operational leadership positions at Ivanhoe Mines, Mark Farren, Chief Operating Officer, will transition from his executive role to become Strategic Advisor to the board. In his capacity as Strategic Advisor, Mr. Farren will continue to support the delivery of Ivanhoe's next phase of organic growth, including the Platreef Phase 2 expansion and the development of the Western Forelands.

Tom van den Berg, Senior Executive, Operations at Kamoa-Kakula, will be appointed as Ivanhoe Mines' Chief Operating Officer, effective January 1, 2026. Mr. van den Berg will remain at Kamoa-Kakula for an interim period to oversee the ongoing operational recovery and turnaround strategy.

Mr. van den Berg will also be responsible for building out technical expertise and operational excellence across the Ivanhoe Mines organization, with significant further personnel additions planned in the near term.

Mining industry leader Nick Popovic joins Ivanhoe Mines as a Strategic Advisor to the board. Mr. Popovic brings a wealth of knowledge from over three decades with Glencore International AG, including significant experience in both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Kazakhstan, and he will advise the company in terms of commercial and operational matters, as well as growth strategy.

In addition, Manfu Ma, will step down from Ivanhoe Mines' Board of Directors. Ivanhoe Mines extends its deepest appreciation to Mr. Ma for his distinguished service since his appointment in August 2019. In his place, Ivanhoe Mines welcomes Mr. Xianwen Wu to the board of directors, effective November 26, 2025. Mr. Wu is currently the General Manager of CITIC Metal Group and has over 30 years of experience in international commodity trading and mining investment.

Ivanhoe Mines plans to issue Kamoa-Kakula's 2026 and 2027 copper production week commencing December 1, 2025.

Ivanhoe Mines Executive Co-Chair, Robert Friedland, commented:

"The next chapters of Ivanhoe's growth are going to be nothing short of extraordinary, and we are positioned well following the appointments of Tom van den Berg, Mark Farren, and Nick Popovic. I couldn't be more energized and excited about what is yet to come.

"I also extend my sincere thanks to Manfu Ma for his wisdom, support, and unwavering dedication in shaping the development of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, and in the process building Ivanhoe Mines into a world-class company with now three operating mines. Since joining the board in 2019, Mr. Ma has been instrumental in Kamoa-Kakula's three phases, each of which were delivered ahead of schedule. We welcome Xianwen Wu to our board, and we look forward to continuing to work with CITIC Metal on our shared vision for a bright future."

Ivanhoe to appoint Tom van den Berg as Chief Operating Officer following handover period

Tom van den Berg, Chief Operating Officer, Ivanhoe Mines

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3396/276012_5d62b818a4c0fa0a_002full.jpg

Tom van den Berg will join Ivanhoe Mines as Chief Operating Officer on January 1, 2026 from Kamoa Copper, where he was appointed Senior Executive, Operations in February 2025. For an interim period, he will remain at Kamoa-Kakula as Ivanhoe Mines' senior management designate to oversee the ongoing recovery and turnaround plan at Kamoa-Kakula.

Mr. van den Berg has 37 years of mining and mine development experience across Southern Africa, spanning numerous operational leadership and management roles at Sibanye-Stillwater, Harmony Gold, and Anglo American Platinum (now Valterra Platinum).

Mr. van den Berg has extensive underground and open-pit mining expertise and has experience developing strategic long-term operating partnerships and leading award-winning community and stakeholder engagement programs.

Mr. van den Berg holds a Master's degree in Business Leadership and a Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering. He is also a Fellow at the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

Mark Farren, Chief Operating Officer, to transition from executive role to become Strategic Advisor to the board

Mark Farren Strategic Advisor, Ivanhoe Mines

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3396/276012_5d62b818a4c0fa0a_004full.jpg

Mark Farren will transition to a new role as Strategic Advisor to the board. Mr. Farren will assist Mr. van den Berg with the build-out of a technical centre of excellence, and retaining and developing skills within the group that will be vital to continuing the strong track record Ivanhoe Mines has achieved to date.

Mr. Farren has overseen a remarkable phase of project execution and growth at Ivanhoe Mines, including the delivery of nine major capital projects in the past five years while as Chief Operating Officer at Ivanhoe Mines and Chief Executive Officer at Kamoa Copper. This includes the construction of Kamoa-Kakula's Phase 1, 2 and 3 operations and subsequent debottlenecking, Kamoa-Kakula's on-site direct-to-blister copper smelter, the rehabilitation and construction of Kipushi Mine, the recently-opened Phase 1 operation at Platreef, as well as the refurbishment of the hydroelectric facilities at Mwadingusha and Turbine #5 at Inga II.

Given his wealth of experience, Mr. Farren will continue to support the board of directors and management team on the delivery of Ivanhoe's next phase of organic growth, including the further expansions of the Platreef Mine and the commencement of development of the Makoko District in the Western Forelands.

Ivanhoe Mines appoints recognized industry leader, Nick Popovic, as Strategic Advisor

Nick Popovic Strategic Advisor, Ivanhoe Mines

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3396/276012_5d62b818a4c0fa0a_006full.jpg

Nick Popovic has been appointed as a Strategic Advisor to the board, to assist with the growth strategy of the company as well as advise on commercial and operational matters.

Mr. Popovic is a highly accomplished professional in the metals and mining industry, with over 30 years of trading and operational experience. Mr. Popovic began his career at Marc Rich + Co, which later became Glencore International AG, in 1992, trading base metals.

Over the course of his tenure at Glencore, Mr. Popovic ascended to a senior executive role as Co-Head of Copper, Zinc, Lead, and Cobalt trading, before retiring in 2023.

While at Glencore, Mr. Popovic was also integral in the company's acquisition and expansion of Kazzinc, following its privatization in 1997. He initially served as Chief Executive Officer of Kazzinc from 1998, overseeing multiple phases of investment and growth during his tenure. In 2014, Mr. Popovic was Chairman of Kazzinc until 2024.

Mr. Popovic holds a Master's degree in Economics from Cambridge University.

Manfu Ma steps down from Ivanhoe board of directors after six years of dedicated service; Xianwen Wu, CITIC Metal General Manager, joins Ivanhoe board

Xianwen Wu Board of Directors, Ivanhoe Mines

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3396/276012_5d62b818a4c0fa0a_008full.jpg

Manfu Ma, is stepping down as a director of Ivanhoe Mines, having served as a member of Ivanhoe Mines' Board of Directors since August 16, 2019. Since joining the board in 2019, Mr. Ma has provided invaluable guidance, strategic insight, and steadfast support during a transformative period in the company's growth.

CITIC Metal nominates Mr. Xianwen Wu to replace Mr. Ma on the board of directors, effective November 26, 2025.

Mr. Wu is currently the General Manager of CITIC Metal Group, the parent company of CITIC Metal Africa Investment Limited, as well as the Chairman of CITIC Metal Co. Limited. Mr. Wu joined CITIC Group in 1994 and has over 30 years of experience in international commodity trading and mining investment.

About Ivanhoe Mines

Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal projects in Southern Africa; the expansion of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the DRC, the ramp-up of the ultra-high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the DRC; and the phased development of the tier-one Platreef palladium-nickel-platinum-rhodium-copper-gold mine in South Africa.

Ivanhoe Mines is also exploring across its highly prospective, 60-100% owned exploration licences in the Western Forelands, covering an area over five times larger than the adjacent Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex. Ivanhoe is exploring for new sedimentary copper discoveries, as well as expanding and further defining its high-grade Makoko, Kiala, and Kitoko copper discoveries as the company's next major development projects.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276012

SOURCE: Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.
DOHA, Qatar, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Asiacell, Iraq's leading telecommunications and digital services provider, has entered into a strategic partnership with Evam, a global leader in real-time customer engagement and journey orchestration. Through this collaboration, Asiacell is adopting evamX, Evam's advanced engagement platform, to deliver hyper-personalized, real-time marketing across its nationwide customer base, all digital and traditional touchpoints, setting a new regional benchmark for customer experience in the Middle East telecom sector.

With this partnership, Asiacell advances its digital transformation agenda, empowering its marketing and customer experience teams to act on data in real time, using intelligent automation and machine learning to ensure every message is relevant and contextual, design dynamic customer journeys, and deepen loyalty through highly relevant and timely engagement. Powered by Evam's evamX platform, Asiacell is reinforcing its position as a regional frontrunner in adopting AI-driven engagement technologies that elevate every customer interaction.

Through Evam's evamX platform, Asiacell is ushering in a new era of customer engagement built on speed and intelligence. The solution empowers Asiacell to deliver real-time, personalized interactions across multiple channels from a unified platform, while AI-driven insights and advanced analytics enable faster, data-led decisions that optimize engagement and make each interaction more meaningful, deepening customer loyalty and strengthening Iraq's digital ecosystem.

"At Asiacell, we are committed to shaping Iraq's digital future through innovation that truly serves our customers. Partnering with Evam allows us to transform millions of daily interactions into meaningful, real-time experiences powered by AI and data, ensuring every interaction is timely, personalized, and relevant to each customer's context" said Chra Hussain, CCO, Asiacell.

Doruk Mutlu, CEO of Evam, added:

"We're thrilled to welcome Asiacell to the Evam family. This collaboration showcases the growing momentum of telecom operators in the region embracing real-time engagement. Asiacell's forward-thinking vision perfectly aligns with Evam's mission to help brands act instantly on customer signals turning every interaction into a growth opportunity."

About Asiacell

Asiacell is the leading provider of mobile telecommunications and digital services in Iraq with a subscriber base of around 20 million subscribers. Recognized as the first mobile telecommunications company to operate in Iraq, Asiacell delivers nationwide 4G+ coverage reaching more than 99.06% of the population. With a strong commitment to innovation, service quality, and digital inclusion, Asiacell continues to lead the market in driving Iraq's digital transformation.



Website: www.asiacell.com

Public Relations Department - Asiacell: public.relations@asiacell.com

About Evam

Evam is a global marketing-technology provider that enables enterprises to deliver personalized, real-time, and AI-driven custo65mer engagement at scale. With offices and partners across Europe, the Middle East, Turkey, Evam empowers telecom, banking, and retail leaders to design dynamic customer journeys, increase conversion, and create lasting loyalty through instant action and insight.

Media Contact:

Evam - Dilara Acar, Marketing Director | dilara@evam.com



Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2832721/Asiacell_Evam.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2832700/Asiacell_logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/asiacell-and-evam-partner-to-elevate-real-time-customer-engagement-across-iraqs-digital-landscape-302626659.html
Maiden diamond drilling returns 4.33 g/t Au over 14.4m; geophysics defines large intrusive

WHITE ROCK, BC / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / Athena Gold Corporation (CSE:ATHA)(OTCQB:AHNRF) ("Athena" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an exploration update from its Excelsior Springs Project in Nevada. Mammoth Minerals Limited (ASX:M79) (formerly Firetail Resources Limited) has been aggressively exploring Excelsior, per its option agreement to earn an 80% interest in the project over five years, providing Athena a free-carry to Definitive Feasibility Study thereafter (see press releases dated June 2, 2025, and August 22, 2025). Recently, Mammoth reported two significant announcements from its ongoing exploration campaign (refer to Mammoth Minerals press releases dated November 24, 2025, and November 26, 2025). As of today, Athena remains a significant (>5%) shareholder of Mammoth Minerals Limited.

Key Highlights from Recent Mammoth Diamond Drilling (Buster Trend)

Strong initial results from Mammoth's maiden diamond drilling program at Excelsior, with multiple shallow high-grade gold intercepts in the first three diamond holes at the Buster Mine Trend, validating and extending the geological model: 14.4m @ 4.33 g/t Au from 117m (MEXDD004), including: 3.1m @ 19.10 g/t Au from 119.36m; and 0.95m @ 15.98 g/t Au from 124.5m 25.5m @ 1.05 g/t Au from 35.45m (MEXDD001), including: 0.55m @ 26.7 g/t Au .

These intercepts successfully tested 50m down-dip extensions and infill areas around the historic Buster Underground Mine (past production 19 koz @ 41 g/t Au) and validate Mammoth's targeting model developed from 14.5 km of historical drilling.

Mineralisation remains open at depth and along strike; diamond drilling has thus far targeted ~1.1 km of the >5 km Buster Trend strike, with mineralization confirmed to 250m depth.

Work has now commenced on an initial Mineral Resource Estimate and Exploration Target.

Nine additional diamond holes totaling 1.3 km drilled have assays pending targeting down-dip extensions beneath the Buster Underground and the ~350m-long by ~25m-wide Buster Open Pit.

Key Highlights from High-Resolution Airborne Magnetics (Project-Wide)

A high-resolution magnetic survey (40m line spacing) was conducted over the Excelsior Springs Project, including the additional claims recently staked by Mammoth.

Per Athena's press release dated November 11, 2025, portions of this newly staked ground fall within the project's 5 km Area of Interest ("AOI") buffer around the existing Excelsior claims, automatically incorporating them into the joint venture ("JV") upon Mammoth's earn-in.

The survey defined a large, 5.5 km x 4.2 km interpreted intrusive complex and associated caldera north of the Buster Trend.

The feature exhibits strong geological and structural similarities to the 4.2 Moz Goldfield Caldera located 35 km to the north-east.

High concentrations of historic workings, shafts, pits and costeans occur along the margins of the intrusion; Mammoth has collected 350 rock-chip samples from these old workings with assays pending.

Multiple skarn-type targets identified within and proximal to the intrusive complex.

Preliminary structural interpretation has extended the prospective Buster Trend geological strike to 7.3 km.

Figure 1: Drill collar plan showing Buster Trend (source: Mammoth Minerals Limited).

Figure 2: Cross-section A-A' of holes MEXDD001, looking west (source: Mammoth Minerals Limited).

Figure 3: Long-section B-B' of holes MEXDD0004 and MEXDD0006, looking north (Mammoth Minerals Limited).

Figure 4: TMI magnetics showing interpreted intrusive complex, MRDS database points, and historical exploration (source: Mammoth Minerals Limited).

Figure 5: Satellite imagery showing interpreted intrusive complex, MRDS database points, and historical exploration (source: Mammoth Minerals Limited).

QUALIFIED PERSONS STATEMENT

The technical information presented in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Benjamin Kuzmich, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration for Athena Gold Corporation, and the Qualified Person for exploration at the Excelsior Springs Project, as defined by NI 43-101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects". Readers are cautioned that historical records referred to in this press release have been examined but not verified by a Qualified Person. Further work is required to verify that historical records referred to in this press release are accurate. Information contained in this press release was taken from Mammoth Minerals Limited's recent press releases dated November 24, 2025 and November 26, 2025.

About Athena Gold Corporation

Athena is engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets. Its objective is to locate and develop economic precious and base metal properties of merit and to conduct additional exploration drilling and studies on its projects across North America. Athena's Laird Lake project is situated in the Red Lake Gold District of Ontario, covering over 7,000 hectares along more than 10 km of the Balmer-Confederation Assemblage contact, where recent surface sampling results returned up to 373 g/t Au. This underexplored area is road-accessible, located about 10 km west of West Red Lake Gold's Madsen mine and 34 km northwest of Kinross Gold's Great Bear project. Meanwhile, its Excelsior Springs Project is located in the prolific Walker Lane Trend in Nevada, where it is currently under an earn-in option with Mammoth Minerals Limited (formerly, Firetail Resources Limited). The Excelsior Springs Project spans over 2,500 hectares and covers at least three historic mines. Athena also holds 100% interest in its Oneman Lake Au-VMS project in Ontario.

For further information about Athena Gold Corporation, please visit www.athenagoldcorp.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Koby Kushner

President and Chief Executive Officer, Athena Gold Corporation

For further information, please contact:

Athena Gold Corporation

Koby Kushner, President and Chief Executive Officer

Phone: 416-846-6164

Email: kobykushner@athenagoldcorp.com

CHF Capital Markets

Cathy Hume, CEO

Phone: 416-868-1079 x 251

Email: cathy@chfir.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included herein, including, without limitation, statements regarding future exploration plans, future results from exploration, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "will", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", 'potential", "scheduled", or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this press release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that there will be investor interest in future financings, market fundamentals will result in sustained precious metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future exploration and development of the Company's projects in a timely manner.

The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this press release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise stated.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Athena Gold Corporation

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/athena-gold-provides-exploration-update-from-excelsior-gold-silver-project-nevada-1112344
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - GoldQuest Mining Corp. (TSXV: GQC) (OTCQX: GDQMF) ("GoldQuest" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its common shares have qualified for trading on the OTCQX Best Market. Effective today, the company's common shares have commenced trading under the symbol "GDQMF". GoldQuest shares will continue to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "GQC".

"The start of trading on the OTCQX Best Market marks a key milestone for GoldQuest and is expected to provide greater visibility and access to U.S. investors," said Luis Santana, CEO of GoldQuest. "Joining the OTCQX platform also supports our ongoing goal of attracting a deeper pool of institutional and retail capital as we advance Romero to a feasibility study and focus on creating long-term value from our assets in the Dominican Republic."

Upgrading to the OTCQX Market is an important step for companies seeking to provide transparent trading for their U.S. investors. For companies listed on a qualified international exchange, streamlined market standards enable them to utilize their home market reporting to make their information available in the U.S. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws.

For U.S. investors, current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the Company are accessible at www.otcmarkets.com.

About GoldQuest

GoldQuest Mining Corp. (TSXV: GQC) is a Canadian exploration and development company with strong participation from Dominican investors, focused on advancing its gold and copper assets in the Dominican Republic. With a Board and Management Team that have previously developed a mine still operating in the country.

The Company is well funded to carry out its exploration programs and to advance the development of its Romero gold/copper discovery, also located in the Tireo Formation of the Dominican Republic.

Additional information can be viewed at the Company's website www.goldquestcorp.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of GoldQuest Mining Corp.,

"Luis Santana"

Director & CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward-looking statements:

Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking information that involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the benefits of the listing on the OTCQX, the merits of the Company's mineral properties, the Company's development plans and exploration programs for its mineral properties, the goals of the Company, and the funding of the Company. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "potential", "likelihood", "appears", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "at least", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved".

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, uncertainties related to the benefits of the listing on the OTCQX, uncertainties inherent in drill results and the estimation of mineral resources; commodity prices; changes in general economic conditions; market sentiment; currency exchange rates; the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the Company's ability to raise funds through equity financings; risks inherent in mineral exploration; risks related to operations in foreign countries; future prices of metals; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals; government regulation of mining operations; environmental risks; title disputes or claims; limitations on insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of litigation. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could affect the Company and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, do not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All statements are made as of the date of this news release and the Company is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable, including expectations regarding mineral exploration and development costs; expected trends in mineral prices and currency exchange rates; the accuracy of the Company's current mineral resource estimates; that the Company's activities will be in accordance with the Company's public statements and stated goals; that there will be no material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties; that all required approvals will be obtained and that there will be no significant disruptions affecting the Company or its properties.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275888

SOURCE: GoldQuest Mining Corp.
805 international marketing leaders reveal how AI is reshaping the future of brand-building in the CMO Barometer from Serviceplan Group, University of St. Gallen, and Heidrick & Struggles

Munich, Nov. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



Based on exclusive insights from 805 marketing decision-makers across 15 countries and regions1, the CMO Barometer 2026provides a data-driven snapshot of the strategies, expectations, and skill sets defining the future of marketing. The international study, now in its seventh year, is conducted by independent agency network Serviceplan Groupin collaboration with the University of St. Gallen.

"The marketing system as we knew it is being rewritten," says Florian Haller, CEO Serviceplan Group. "AI is no longer a side project - it is core to the function. CMOs must now be visionaries and transformation leaders, guiding their teams through systemic change."

Key global findings:

2026 CMO Barometer confirms a fundamental industry shift: 68% of respondents say AI will be the defining topic of 2026, influencing every aspect of their strategy.

The role of the CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) is expanding: CMOs are increasingly expected to act as Chief Transformation Officers, who can master both tech and human dynamics.

Budgets remain uncertain: 32% of CMOs expect increases, 30% expect budget cuts, and 38% predict stability.

Economic optimism is weakening overall, except in the Middle East where more than half of CMOs still expect growth.

Despite the rise of AI, proactivity and ideas are still top expectations from agencies.





What is the top focus for marketers in 2026?

AI is the clear top priority for CMOs in 2026.





In the 2026 CMO Barometer, 68% of respondents say AI is their top focus for 2026. Following it are Brand Building (17%) and Personalisation (8%), both also tightly linked to AI-driven marketing strategies. No previous trend has so thoroughly reshaped the focus of the marketing industry.

AI ranks among the top two priorities in nearly every country surveyed. When asked about the most important aspects of integrating AI, most CMOs pointed to:

Efficiency and Integration (51%) as key

The need to rethink how humans and machines collaborate in day-to-day marketing work (20%) as the second key focus

Interestingly, Switzerland, France, and the UK stood out as exceptions: in these countries, AI was not the stand-alone priority. CMOs placed equal emphasis on Customer Experience, Personalisation, and ROI-driven data marketing.

Internationalisation also emerged as a major focus for CMOs in the Middle East (63%) and the UK (62%), underlining how global expansion remains a parallel pressure alongside technological transformation.

What are the economic forecasts for 2026?

CMOs are optimistic about technology but economic confidence is in shorter supply.

20% of CMOs expect economic conditions to improve in 2026

29% of CMOs expect economic conditions to worsen in 2026

51% (the majority) expect economic conditions to stay stable in 2026

Regional outlooks vary sharply: economic optimism is highest in the Middle East, where more than half foresee growth.

Marketing budgets reflect this general caution: while 32% expect increases and 30% expect cuts, most CMOs (38%) believe budgets will remain flat. Regionally, Italy is the most positive market (45%), closely followed by the UK, the Middle East, and the Netherlands.

When it comes to industry sectors, banking, IT, and telecoms are the most bullish ones, with energy and healthcare showing moderate confidence. Meanwhile, industries like automotive continue to lead the budget pessimism charts and are bracing for turbulence, with 52% expecting worsening conditions.

CMOs step into transformation leadership

AI's rise is also redefining leadership. The 2026 CMO Barometer reveals a reshuffling of the skills CMOs believe they need most:

digital and tech capabilities (45%) now top the list

customer orientation (39%)

leadership/team management (38%) - which was the leading skill in last year's edition. (https://lbbonline.com/news/cmos-around-the-world-share-their-2025-forecasts)





"The real imperative for marketers is to return to the fundamentals: creating value through brand and category," says Guilherme Ferreira, Global Brand VP at Cadbury. "It's not about chasing short-term tactics. It's about telling a compelling story about why your brand exists and anchoring that in business impact."

To do that, CMOs must navigate a series of paradoxes - they're expected to:

Champion AI while preserving human authenticity

Move fast while staying strategically grounded

Embrace creativity without abandoning analytical rigor

Sara Terraneo, eCommerce and Omnichannel Director at Arcaplanet, puts it this way: "CMOs today can't just run marketing departments. They must act as architects of transformation, bringing together purpose, data and people."

Where do CMOs get industry updates?

When asked where they get their industry knowledge, most CMOs cite LinkedIn and social media posts from relevant thought leaders and companies (60%), followed by consultancy and agency insights (48%) and industry conferences and trade shows (47%).

Prof. Dr. Sven Reinecke, Executive Director, University of St. Gallen (HSG): "The CMO Barometer shows that marketing academia and practice must collaborate more closely to provide actionable knowledge. Academic journals alone don't cut it anymore - we need digestible, digital, and creative knowledge exchange."

What brands need from their agencies?

Top capabilities CMOs expect from their agencies in 2026:

Creativity and original thinking still at the top (69%)

Innovation (61%)

Proactivity (54%)

Support in managing internal transformation (44%) - for the first time





Surprisingly, only 12% expect agencies to lead on AI-specific skills - indicating that brands see AI as their own strategic challenge, not something to outsource.

"Marketing is no longer about colorful visuals or sales promos," adds Julia Zimmermann, Executive Partner at Future Marketing, Part of Serviceplan Group. "It's become a performance engine where brand, trust, and technology must align. Agencies that understand this - and reignite a sense of joy and momentum in their client relationships - will be the ones that thrive."

Read the entire report here.

1 incl. Austria, Belgium & Luxembourg, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Middle East, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom (UK).

NOTES TO EDITORS

About the CMO Barometer

The CMO Barometer is an annual study surveying top marketers from 14 European countries and the Middle East. Now in its seventh edition, it is conducted by Serviceplan Group in collaboration with the University of St. Gallen and executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles.

In September 2025, 805 marketing leaders from across industries and company sizes took part in the survey. Countries included: Germany, Austria, Belgium & Luxembourg, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the UK, and the Middle East.

About University of St. Gallen (HSG)

The Institute for Marketing and Customer Insight at HSG is a globally respected academic institution, known for its impact in marketing and customer insight research across academia, business, and society.

About Heidrick & Struggles

Heidrick & Struggles is a premier provider of global leadership advisory and on-demand talent solutions, serving the senior-level talent and consulting needs of the world's top organizations. In our role as trusted leadership advisors, we partner with our clients to develop future-ready leaders and organizations, bringing together our services and offerings in executive search, inclusion, leadership assessment and development, organization and team acceleration, culture shaping, and on-demand, independent talent solutions. Heidrick & Struggles pioneered the profession of executive search more than 70 years ago. Today, the firm provides integrated talent and human capital solutions to help our clients change the world, one leadership team at a time.

About Serviceplan Group

Serviceplan Group is Europe's largest independent, partner-led agency group. Founded in 1970 as a traditional ad agency, it quickly developed the "House of Communication" concept - the only fully integrated agency model in Europe today, combining Creative & Content, Media & Data, and Experience & Commerce under one roof.

With 43 owned offices and additional partnerships, Serviceplan operates in 24 countries and all major economic regions worldwide.

Attachments

CMO Barometer 2026_Full Report (https://ml-eu.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/41d0c421-c638-435d-b40e-68e204cd1805)

Key Visual CMO Barometer 2026 (https://ml-eu.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/00a7d6db-ab2b-48c5-8c8b-d8d6882da910)

MEDIA CONTACT Maria Astraukh Senior International Corporate Communications Manager, Serviceplan Group Email: m.astraukh@house-of-communication.com Mob: +49 1520 353 16 44
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Inomin Mines Inc. (TSXV: MINE) ("Inomin" or the "Company") is pleased to announce diamond drill results from the first three holes drilled at the South zone of the Beaver-Lynx project in south-central, British Columbia (the "Project"). Drill hole B25-01 (Az 0, Dip -80) intersected 161.5 metres (m) grading, 0.19% nickel, 0.011% cobalt, 0.36% chromium, and 22.7% magnesium starting at bedrock surface located 30 metres from surface. Drill hole B25-02 (Az 0, Dip -80) intersected 123 metres grading 0.19% nickel, 0.011% cobalt, 0.42% chromium, and 23.9% magnesium, and drill hole B25-03 (Az 0, Dip -80) intersected 148 metres grading, 0.20% nickel, 0.012% cobalt, 0.38% chromium, and 21.4% magnesium. The first three drill holes - located approximately 200 metres from drilling completed in 2023 - confirms continuity of mineralization over substantial thickness and area.

Summary - First Three Holes from 2025 Drilling at Beaver Property

Hole Number From(m) To (m) Interval(m) * Nickel % Cobalt % Chromium % Magnesium % B25-01 30.00 191.50 161.50 0.19 0.011 0.36 22.73 Including 38.50 80.50 42.00 0.22 0.011 0.30 23.58 Including 122.50 149.50 27.00 0.20 0.011 0.37 23.12 B25-02 63.00 186.00 123.00 0.19 0.011 0.42 23.91 Including 96.00 114.00 18.00 0.20 0.012 0.31 23.28 Including 141.00 171.00 30.00 0.21 0.011 0.31 24.39 B25-03 99.00 247.10 148.10 0.20 0.012 0.38 21.43 Including 105.00 135.00 30.00 0.21 0.011 0.33 22.19 Including 162.00 231.86 69.86 0.21 0.011 0.35 20.31 * Note: Samples were analyzed by Activation Laboratories Ltd ("Actlabs") for a 22-element suite utilizing their 8-Peroxide (Total) Fusion, ICP-OES (FUS-Na202). The resulting grade for nickel includes both silicate and sulphide components of nickel. A secondary partial digestion technique is currently being developed by Actlabs for Inomin to ascertain the sulphide nickel fraction only and will be utilized on all higher grading nickel values and will be reported on when complete.

John Gomez, President of Inomin states, "These initial drilling results are excellent as we're continuing to intersect substantial polymetallic mineralization that is relatively uniform in grade and near-surface. The drill results also continue to demonstrate Beaver's potential for hosting large volumes of nickel and other critical minerals. We look forward to receiving additional analytical results from the remaining ten drill holes including fire assay for gold on a network of quartz veins forming a margin around the ultramafics, partial digestion results for nickel, and platinum and palladium analyses."

2025 Beaver-Lynx Drilling Program

The 2025 exploration program at Beaver-Lynx includes thirteen drill holes totaling 3,361.8 metres of drilling. Twelve holes, spaced approximately 200 metres apart, were drilled in the South zone of the Project. The objective of South zone drilling is to test continuity of known mineralization delineated by previous drilling. One hole was also drilled in the North zone to test a new priority target to expand the North zone's discovery footprint. Drilling at the North zone has discovered significant mineralization on high magnetic features that extend over 7 kilometres in strike length.

The South and North zones are two of several large, mineralized zones identified by drilling and magnetic surveys at the Beaver block of the Project. The adjoining Lynx block, 10 kilometres south of the Beaver block, hosts multiple targets comparable and potentially larger in size than found on the Beaver block, illustrating the Project's district-scale potential.





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3069/275961_c9b04cbd04d3c8f3_001full.jpg

Collaboration with Sumitomo

The 2025 Beaver-Lynx exploration program is being undertaken in collaboration with Sumitomo Metal Mining Canada Ltd. ("Sumitomo") that is funding the exploration. Sumitomo can earn an interest in the Project through an earn-in and joint venture agreement with the Company. Inomin is the operator of the Project.

About Beaver-Lynx

The Beaver-Lynx property comprises approximately 28,000 hectares and is ideally located in south-central British Columbia, 50 kilometres from the city of Williams Lake and adjacent to the Gibraltar mine property, the second largest open-pit copper mine in Canada. Beaver-Lynx is easily accessible by good all-season roads, and is close to hydro-electric power, as well as active railway lines.

Exploration, including drilling, has demonstrated the Project may host large volumes of nickel. Drilling has also intersected cobalt, chromium, copper, silver, gold and magnesium. Given positive initial drilling and metallurgical test results - as well as multiple, large-scale, mineral zones - the Beaver-Lynx project has the potential to be a major source of nickel and other critical minerals. For further information about Beaver-Lynx, visit Inomin's website www.inominmines.com.

About Inomin Mines

Inomin Mines is focused on the identification, acquisition, and exploration of mineral properties with strong potential to host significant resources, especially critical minerals, as well as gold and silver. Inomin trades on the TSX Venture Exchange with the symbol MINE.For more information visit www.inominmines.com.

Inomin Mines Director, L. John Peters, P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.

On behalf of the board of Inomin Mines:

Inomin Mines Inc.

Per: "John Gomez"

President and CEO

For more information contact:

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts, and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things, targets, plans and expectations of the Company with respect to the drilling program at the Beaver-Lynx property.

These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that the drilling program at the Beaver-Lynx property is not carried out as planned.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275961

SOURCE: Inomin Mines Inc.
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Bullion Gold Resources Corp. (TSXV: BGD) ("Bullion Gold" or "the Corporation") is pleased to announce the signing of an acquisition agreement with a group of independent prospectors, allowing it to acquire 100% of the rights to the Transterre, Transterre-Ouest, and Candore gold properties (now forming the Terragold Project), located near the municipality of Senneterre, in Abitibi.

The Terragold Project, consisting of 36 mining cells covering an area of 2,060 hectares, is situated in a volcanic geological environment. Gold and silver mineralization occurs in veins associated with the Uniacke deformation corridor, which is approximately 130 meters wide. Historical drilling has intersected various gold zones over a length of approximately 2,500 meters and to a depth of over 450 meters. The mineralized zone remains open both laterally and at depth, suggesting significant potential for extension.

Significant Results (see location on linked map)

GM 14364: J-1: 14.74 g/t Au over 6.70 m (from 2 to 8.70 m)

GM 14364: J-4: 11.51 g/t Au over 8.11 m (from 75.76 to 83.87 m)

GM 14354: J-11: 11.73 g/t Au over 9.97 m (104.27 to 114.24 m)

GM 14364: J-49: 3.45 g/t Au over 27.13 m (301.8 to 329.26 m)

Including: 18.2 g/t Au over 3.86 m (301.82 to 305.79 m)

GM 14364: J-51: 6.36 g/t Au over 15.4 m (447 to 462.4 m)

According to the report described in GM 13299, a trench on gold showing No. 2 exposed a mineralized zone over 8.2 meters. Channel sampling returned the following results:

The lower wall rhyolite, injected with quartz veinlets: 10.9 g/t Au over 1.0 m

The main quartz vein in the upper wall: 17.1 g/t Au over 2.3 m

The adjacent carbonatized zone: 42.2 g/t Au over 4.3 m

The schist (supplementary sample): 1.4 g/t Au over 0.6 m

"The historical exploration and drilling work on the Transgold project was carried out at a time when the gold price, around US$35-40 per ounce, likely did not allow for the economic exploitation of the gold corridor. However, today, with a gold price exceeding CA$5,600 per ounce, this project certainly has economic potential deserving a complete reassessment. This new acquisition will strengthen Bullion Gold's portfolio of gold projects in Abitibi, a region world-renowned for its gold potential," stated the Corporation's CEO, Guy Morissette.

Geological Context and Mineralization

Mineralization is linked to a system of felsic dikes of feldspar and quartz porphyry, silicified and crosscut by locally mineralized quartz veins. These dikes are in contact with basalts also injected with mineralized quartz-carbonate veins. The most significant gold grades are found in the most altered and quartz-veined zones. Most drill holes along this structure have intersected significant gold grades over good widths.

Structural Control and Typology

The vein-type mineralization is associated with the Uniacke Deformation Corridor, which is often interpreted as the extension or a parallel structure of the Destor-Porcupine Deformation Zone (DPDZ) or the Manneville Deformation Zone, which are associated with several major gold deposits. It likely results from the fracturing of porphyry sills and infilling by gold-bearing quartz veinlets.

This corridor is known to host several historical gold showings and deposits as the sheared and altered rocks provide an excellent physical and chemical environment for gold precipitation.

Work Program

The comprehensive compilation of all historical drilling data, enhanced by three-dimensional (3D) geological modeling, will be a key step in developing the future exploration campaign. This modern technological approach will allow consultant geologists to precisely visualize and analyze the geometry, continuity, and structural controls of the mineralization.

Through this 3D modeling, we will be able to:

Integrate and validate all historical data into a coherent model

Define future drill targets with greater precision

Understand the orientation and plunge of mineralized structures

Identify priority zones along the mineralized corridor

An initial drilling program, planned for winter 2026, will pursue two main objectives:

Verify and confirm the historical mineralized intersections by drilling

Test the potential for extension of the mineralization, both laterally and at depth, beyond the currently known limits

The Corporation plans to initiate this program upon obtaining the necessary permits. This drilling campaign will mark a crucial step in reassessing the potential of the Terragold Project according to modern exploration standards and the current gold price context. The corporation is also considering cleaning and trenching the main zone next spring.

A Project Re-evaluated in a New Economic Context

In the current context of high gold prices, a lower indicative cut-off grade could be considered, which would allow for a substantial resource volume that was not economic during historical work. This modernized approach highlights the potential for an upward re-evaluation of the Terragold Project.

Option Agreement

According to the terms of the agreement with the various prospectors, the Corporation must meet the following commitments:

Transterre Property:

Date Cash Payment ($) Share Issuance ($) Work Expenditures Interest Acquired Upon Signing $10,000 $10,000 $100,000

1st Anniversary $25,000 $25,000 $100,000 51% 2nd Anniversary $50,000 $50,000 $100,000

3rd Anniversary $50,000 $100,000 $100,000 100%

A 2% NSR royalty is also granted to Prospector 1. 50% of this royalty (i.e., 1% NSR) can be repurchased at any time by the Corporation for a one-time payment of $750,000.

A resource-based bonus is also provided: US$1 per gold ounce for any indicated gold resource exceeding 250,000 ounces, up to a maximum cap of US$750,000. This cap applies even if the resource exceeds 1 million ounces.

Transterre-Ouest Property:

Date Cash Payment ($) Share Issuance Interest Acquired Upon Signing $20,000 300,000

1st Anniversary $25,000 500,000

2nd Anniversary $35,000 700,000 100%

The Vendors will retain a 2% NSR royalty on all claims, 50% of which (i.e., 1%) can be repurchased by the Corporation in exchange for a sum of CA$750,000.

A bonus of CA$1 per ounce will be paid starting from 250,000 indicated ounces, as defined by a 43-101 reserve report (Bonus capped at a maximum of CA$750,000 even if there are more than 1 million ounces).

Candore Property

Date Cash Payment ($) Interest Acquired Upon Signing $50,000 100%

These agreements are subject to approval by the Competent Authorities.

Cadillac-Extension

The corporation also announces that it has obtained its ATI permits for drilling and trenching on the Cadillac-Extension project. A drilling program will be established upon receipt of laboratory results from the basal till survey recently conducted on this project. This basal till survey was carried out to verify the presence of several dozen gold grains in a ~10 kg till sample taken at the end of the summer, north of the main Langlade showing (See linked photo).

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Gilles Laverdiere, P.Geo. Mr. Laverdiere is a geologist and Chairman of the Board of Bullion Gold and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 respecting Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

About Bullion Gold Resources

Bullion Gold Resources is a junior exploration company primarily working in Quebec, specifically in the Abitibi and James Bay mining regions. The Company holds a 100% interest in the Bousquet (Au), Cadillac-Extension (Langlade Prospect - VMS), Terragold (Au), and Bodo (Polymetallic) projects. The Bousquet project is optioned to the Australian company Olympio Metals (Oly), which can acquire up to 80% of the gold project in exchange for $1.25M in cash and shares and $2M in exploration work. Bullion would then retain a 20% undivided interest (net carried interest). The Langlade project (72 claims - 4,127 Ha) is a VMS project under development, ready to be drilled. The Bodo project (761 claims - 410 km) is an early-stage exploration project. Anomalous and indicative occurrences of critical and strategic minerals (Au, Ag, Cu, Zn, Li, Pb, Co, Mn) have been noted throughout this project. The main prospects, which are Rivon Lake, Canico, Lice, Tichegami, and Didi, offer polymetallic, VMS, and IOCG potential.

Other Information

The TSX Venture Exchange and its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts no responsibility for the veracity or accuracy of its content.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. The forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Corporation. Although Bullion Gold believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because Bullion Gold can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to several factors and risks. In addition to other risks that may affect the forward-looking statements in this press release are those set out in the Corporation's management discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 and the second quarter ended September 30, 2025, which are available on the Corporation's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and Bullion Gold undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275976

SOURCE: Bullion Gold Resources Corporation
International MICE Summit 2025 (IMS25) opens with landmark announcements , signaling a new phase of global investment and industry transformation.

, signaling a new phase of global investment and industry transformation. 20 commercial agreements and MoUs were unveiled at the event, attended by companies with combined global revenue of more than USD 9 billion.

at the event, attended by companies with Six leading global exhibition and events companies confirmed new international offices in Riyadh , accelerating Saudi Arabia's MICE-sector expansion.

, accelerating Saudi Arabia's MICE-sector expansion. More than 3,000 global leaders attended the opening day - far exceeding the expected 2,000 participants - representing major companies across events, business tourism, culture, and creative industries.

attended the opening day - far exceeding the expected 2,000 participants - representing major companies across events, business tourism, culture, and creative industries. SCEGA launched the 2025 Saudi Venue Infrastructure Report, revealing a 32% year-on-year increase in venue capacity across 923 accredited venues nationwide.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The International MICE Summit 2025 (IMS25) opened today in Riyadh, bringing together more than 3,000 participants and unveiling 20 major announcements in a defining moment for Saudi Arabia's business events industry. The announcements included six global exhibition and event companies announcing offices and investments in the Kingdom, the launch of multiple global events, and record events infrastructure growth - highlighting the Kingdom's growing role as a global leader in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector.

Among the headline developments, Messe Frankfurt, Koelnmesse, MCH Group, and Oak View Group confirmed plans to open new offices, and Comexposium and Honegger officially announced market entry in KSA in 2026. Operating across the global exhibitions, trade fair, and event management industry, these organizations represent some of the world's most influential names in international business events. Their expansion reflects growing global confidence in Saudi Arabia's transformation and its rising influence as a regional and international convening hub.

In a further boost for the sector, Messe Munich unveiled the launch of BAUMA Saudi Arabia, bringing the world's largest construction and heavy-machinery trade fair to the region, and supporting the Kingdom's fast-growing infrastructure and development ambitions. RX Global also announced the launch of MIPIM Arabia, a globally recognised trade event for the international real estate and investment community, reflecting the Kingdom's emergence as one of the world's fastest-growing real estate markets. Further new partnerships with GL Events, Clarion, DMG Events, and Koelnmesse were also announced, strengthening Saudi Arabia's position as a global hub for world-class events.

"The scale and diversity of today's announcements show how Saudi Arabia's business events industry has become a powerful driver of economic transformation and global connectivity," said His Excellency Fahd bin Abdulmohsen Al-Rasheed, Chairman of the Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA).

"The partnerships delivered through the International MICE Summit will strengthen the Kingdom's infrastructure, empower Saudi talent, and reinforce Saudi Arabia's position as a global hub for international collaboration, in support of Vision 2030."

Six MoUs were signed with the Ministry of Interior, the Hail Region Development Authority, the Saudi Water Authority, Elm Company, the Authority for the Care of People with Disabilities, and the National Center for Social Studies and Research, to drive ongoing events infrastructure and events sector growth. These initiatives include a dedicated multipurpose convention center in Jizan City, as part of a broader Jaydana Waterfront project valued at $2.9 billion.

SCEGA launched the 2025 Saudi Venue Infrastructure Report, reporting record growth in the Kingdom's business events infrastructure with capacity rising 32% year-on-year across 923 accredited venues. Exhibition space has grown 320% since 2018, now totaling 300,520 sqm, driven by ongoing investment aligned with Vision 2030. Most capacity is concentrated in Riyadh, Makkah, and the Eastern Province, led by major venues such as the Riyadh Exhibition & Conference Center, Jeddah Superdome, and Dhahran Expo Center, while new centers in Madinah, AlUla, Asir, and Najran continue to expand the Kingdom's events landscape.

IMS25 continues Thursday, with sessions dedicated to investment in the MICE sector, innovation clusters, the Future MICE Leaders Platform, and a gala dinner celebrating global excellence in events and exhibitions.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2832745/SCEGA_Fahd_bin_Abdulmohsen_Al_Rasheed.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/international-mice-summit-2025-ims25-opening-delivers-global-investment-and-events-industry-transformation-20-deals-announced-302626700.html
TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / Lahontan Gold Corp. (TSXV:LG)(OTCQB:LGCXF)(FSE:Y2F) (the "Company" or "Lahontan") is pleased to announce that the Company has received approval from the Federal Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") for its maiden drill program at the West Santa Fe project, located only 13 km from Lahontan's flagship Santa Fe Mine project in Nevada's prolific Walker Lane. The BLM approved Lahontan's Notice of Intent ("NOI") for drill sites on unpatented lode mining claims located on BLM administered Federal lands at West Santa Fe. The drilling program will focus on validating historic drilling and testing significant extensions to the known gold and silver mineralized system at West Santa Fe. The Company currently has a drill rig active at the Santa Fe Mine project and will move the drill rig to West Santa Fe when that drill program is complete.

Kimberly Ann, Lahontan Gold Corp CEO, Executive Chair, and Founder commented: "The Company is excited to receive approval of the West Santa Fe NOI from the BLM. We appreciate the efficiency of the BLM in processing the permit. We can now focus on confirming the positive results from historic drilling at West Santa Fe which outlined a very shallow, oxidized, gold and silver system. Our geologic work at West Santa Fe shows that the gold and silver mineralization identified by historic drilling extends for several kilometres to the east along strike as well as down-dip to the north. The company expects the drilling program to commence in December".

The Company also announces that it has granted an aggregate of 9,000,000 options to purchase common shares of the Company exercisable at a price of $0.15 per common share for a period of five (5) years to directors, officers and consultants of the Company. The common shares issuable upon exercise of the options are subject to a four month hold period from the original date of grant.

About Lahontan Gold Corp.

Lahontan Gold Corp. is a Canadian mine development and mineral exploration company that holds, through its US subsidiaries, four gold and silver exploration properties in the Walker Lane of mining friendly Nevada. Lahontan's flagship property, the 28.3 km2 Santa Fe Mine project, had past production of 359,202 ounces of gold and 702,067 ounces of silver between 1988 and 1995 from open pit mines utilizing heap-leach processing. The Santa Fe Mine has a Canadian National Instrument 43-101 compliant Indicated Mineral Resource of 1,539,000 oz Au Eq(48,393,000 tonnes grading 0.92 g/t Au and 7.18 g/t Ag, together grading 0.99 g/t Au Eq) and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 411,000 oz Au Eq (16,760,000 grading 0.74 g/t Au and 3.25 g/t Ag, together grading 0.76 g/t Au Eq), all pit constrained (Au Eq is inclusive of recovery, please see Santa Fe Project Technical Report and note below*). The Company plans to continue advancing the Santa Fe Mine project towards production, update the Santa Fe Preliminary Economic Assessment, and drill test its satellite West Santa Fe project during 2025. For more information, please visit our website: www.lahontangoldcorp.com

* Please see the "Preliminary Economic Assessment, NI 43-101 Technical Report, Santa Fe Project", Authors: Kenji Umeno, P. Eng., Thomas Dyer, PE, Kyle Murphy, PE, Trevor Rabb, P. Geo, Darcy Baker, PhD, P. Geo., and John M. Young, SME-RM; Effective Date: December 10, 2024, Report Date: January 24, 2025. The Technical Report is available on the Company's website and SEDAR+. Mineral resources are reported using a cut-off grade of 0.15 g/t AuEq for oxide resources and 0.60 g/t AuEq for non-oxide resources. AuEq for the purpose of cut-off grade and reporting the Mineral Resources is based on the following assumptions gold price of US$1,950/oz gold, silver price of US$23.50/oz silver, and oxide gold recoveries ranging from 28% to 79%, oxide silver recoveries ranging from 8% to 30%, and non-oxide gold and silver recoveries of 71%.

Qualified Person

Brian J. Maher, M.Sc., CPG-12342, is a "Qualified Person" as defined under Canadian National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and has reviewed and approved the content of this news release in respect of all technical disclosure other than the Mineral Resource Estimate as noted above.? Mr. Maher is Vice President-Exploration for Lahontan Gold and has verified the data disclosed in this news release, including the sampling, ??analytical and test data underlying the disclosure.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Kimberly Ann

Founder, CEO, President, and Executive Chair

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Lahontan Gold Corp.

Kimberly Ann

Founder, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Executive Chair

Phone: 1-530-414-4400

Email: Kimberly.ann@lahontangoldcorp.com

Website: www.lahontangoldcorp.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

Neither TSX Venture Exchange("TSXV") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the TSXV. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedarplus.com

SOURCE: Lahontan Gold Corp

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/lahontan-receives-blm-approval-for-west-santa-fe-drill-program-grants-options-1112297
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Teako Minerals Corp. (CSE: TMIN) (the "Company" or "Teako") is pleased to announce the successful completion of its 2025 field program at the Lkken and Venna projects in central Norway, which included: (i) detailed mapping and sampling at the 90%-owned portion of the Lkken copper-cobalt-zinc ("Cu-Co-Zn") project (the "Lkken Project"), supported by a structural assessment of drill core and the digitization of historical data; (ii) mapping and sampling at the 100% owned Venna Cu-Co-Zn project (the "Venna Project"), which has led to the development of a significant new massive sulfide ("VMS") target in the Mostadmarka Ironworks area.

Highlights

Teako has identified a significant new VMS target (the "Mostadmarka Target") in the Mostadmarka Ironworks area at its Venna Project. The area contains extensive formations of jaspers and quartz-magnetite cherts (>20km cumulative strike length) interpreted to be distal indicators of Cu-rich massive sulfide deposits.

Assay results for 61 grab / rock chip samples taken from the Mostadmarka Target are currently pending.

At the Lkken Cu-Co-Zn VMS Project, field crews completed comprehensive sampling and mapping programs on the Hydal, Dragset, and Grefstofjellet targets.

Full structural assessment of drill core from holes AM-25-001 and HOY-25-001 (completed during Teako's maiden 2025 drill program at the Amot and Hydal targets) was conducted as part of an MSc research project in collaboration with Cardiff University. This work, which included detailed structural mapping of the Hydal and Amot target areas aims to improve understanding of local structural controls and support refined drill targeting.

In addition, substantial desk-based research, data compilation, digitization and technical reporting has been completed across Teako's project portfolio to strengthen geological understanding and support business objectives. Teako also announces that the contemplated drill program with its technology-partner company at the Lkken Fjelslett target has been postponed due to partner-related delays.

The Venna Project Field Program

The Teako field team has successfully completed a sampling and mapping program at the Venna Project over the newly identified Mostadmarka Target for which laboratory results are pending. Additionally, mapping around the Sandsve copper occurence and surface assessment of two regional electromagnetic targets was conducted (Figure 1, Anomaly 1, Anomaly 2).

Figure 1: The Venna Project 2025 field program, highlighting mapping grid with EM anomaly locations and the Mostadmarka Target iron formation sample locations, with isolated regional magnetics overlain.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8258/276017_49c0eba3e48f6a71_003full.jpg

The Venna Project lies within the Norwegian Caledonides, formed during the Caledonian Orogeny, and is interpreted to extend from the productive VMS districts in northeastern Canada (Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick; Buchans District, Newfoundland) and the Appalachian US to Norway. The Venna Project situates 30km SE of the regional administrative centre of Trondheim, in the County Trndelag, central Norway and has been underexplored compared to surrounding areas such as those around the historical Lkken mine to the west. Historic small-scale iron mining has been the sole focus, with limited systematic exploration undertaken to understand the potential for buried Cu-Zn deposits.

Iron formations are a key feature of the Lkken district and other global volcanogenic massive sulfide ("VMS") districts including the Bathurst Mining Camp in Canada. These iron formations can form through the exhalation or replacive-action of hydrothermal fluids at or below the paleo-seafloor, indicating them as potentially prospective marker horizons for VMS-style Cu-Zn mineralization. The Venna Project hosts the historical Mostadmarka Ironworks area (the "Ironworks Trend") (see Figure 1), a series of (over 200) small historical near-surface workings that targeted laterally extensive jaspers and quartz-magnetite cherts. Parallels can be drawn to the Bathurst Mining Camp, which first saw mining activity targeting similarly hematite- and magnetite-rich iron formations at the Austin Brook deposit.

After samples revealed base metal mineralization in the footwall of the Austin Brook deposit1, exploration along strike resulted in the discovery of the Brunswick No. 6 deposit (12.125 Mt produced @ 5.43% Zn, 2.16% Pb, 0.39% Cu, 67.0 g/t Ag (Luff et al., 1993)) and later the Brunswick No. 12 deposit (137 Mt produced @ 8.74% Zn, 3.44% Pb, 0.37% Cu, 102 g/t Ag). In the early 2000s, research into the geochemistry of the iron formations in the Bathurst Mining Camp was published, revealing a range of pathfinder elements and indices that were demonstrated to vector towards the major known deposits in the region (Peter, 2003). These prospectivity indicators have since been investigated in other districts within the Appalachian-Caledonian belt, including a study completed in the Tyrone Igneous Complex in Ireland (Hollis et al., 2015). At Teako's nearby Lkken Project, a study into the geochemistry of jasper horizons has also proven effective in identifying geochemical signals that vector towards the Hydal deposit (Grenne and Slack, 2005).

Elsewhere in the Stren Nappe, which is part of the Trondheim Nappe Complex, the Tverfjellet deposit (15 Mt produced at 1.0 % Cu and 1.2 % Zn1) at Hjerkinn, Norway, showed close associations between Cu-rich ore and quartz-magnetite iron formations, further suggesting that large base metal systems in the region can produce extensive iron formations over VMS systems. The geochemical sampling program at the Mostadmarka Target aims to emulate these studies.

1 References made to other mines/projects provide context for Teako's projects but are not necessarily indicative that the projects host similar tonnages or grades of base- and/or precious metals mineralization.

In a typical VMS model, iron formations can be deposited on the same horizon as massive Cu-Zn sulfide mineralization, and the Company believes the same geological model (Figure 2) could apply to the Venna project. The premise is that geochemical assays of iron-formation material can be used to vector toward the vent zones of buried VMS systems.

Figure 2: Schematic diagram of a generalized hydrothermal system in the Bathurst Mining Camp, modified from Peter (2003). The inset graph shows how geochemical assays of iron formations can vector towards the vent zone of the system.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8258/276017_49c0eba3e48f6a71_004full.jpg

At the Venna Project's Mostadmarka Target, a total of 45 rock-chip samples have been collected along 10 km of the northern Ironworks Trend. In addition, 14 rock-chip samples have been collected from a series of anomalies along 8.6 km of the 10 km southern magnetic trend (>20km cumulative strike length across the northern and southern trend), and 2 rock-chip samples were taken from the western magnetic anomaly (Figure 1).

All samples were prepped for laboratory analysis, and a total of 61 samples were dispatched to a certified laboratory in late October, with assay results expected within 4-6 weeks of the laboratory receiving the samples. The results are expected to provide initial insights into two key features of this prospective terrane: the exhalative iron formations (e.g. cherts, jaspers, 'Vasskis') and the host volcanic stratigraphy.

The analysis will screen for indications that these iron formations formed from high temperature, VMS-fertile fluids. Promising signals will be used as vectors to guide future exploration activities towards the most prospective zones of the sampled areas. In addition, understanding the geochemistry of the host rocks around these minor historical mines will help to fingerprint the prospective stratigraphic package, as well as screening for zones of hydrothermal alteration that may mark crucial VMS feeder zones, like those seen in the footwall of many VMS deposits including the historical Lkken, Hydal and Dragset deposits.

At one of the two regional electromagnetic targets (Anomaly 2, Figure 1) previously undocumented pyrite mineralization was discovered. Although the full extent of this mineralization is not yet known, the discovery confirms the presence of hydrothermal activity in the area and delineates a priority zone for follow-up assessment.

Mapping and sampling was successfully completed around the historical Sandsve occurence, and has proven valuable in the assessment of the area. The Company has undertaken 'in house' pXRF analysis on samples from this area, results of which will compliment results at the Mostadmarka Target.

The Lkken Project Field Program

The Lkken Project is located approximately 50km SW of the regional administrative centre of Trondheim, Trndelag Province, central Norway and covers the former Lkken mining district (reported historical production of 24MT @ 2.3% Cu + 1.9% Zn plus silver and gold credits2). The former Lkken mine is considered to be one of the largest ophiolite-hosted Cyprus-type VMS deposits (by tonnage) to have been developed in the world.

Teako's field crews have successfully completed a comprehensive sampling and mapping program focused on the Hydal (the "Hydal Target"), Dragset (the "Dragset Target"), and Grefstofjellet (the "Grefstofjellet Target") targets within the Company's 90%-owned portion of the Lkken Project (see Figure 3).

In addition, full structural assessment has been completed for drill core from holes AM-25-001 and HOY-25-001, which were drilled during Teako's maiden 2025 program at the Amot and Hydal targets. This assessment was carried out as part of an MSc research project in collaboration with Cardiff University and included detailed structural mapping of the Hydal and Amot target areas. The objective of this work is to improve understanding of local structural controls and to support refined drill targeting. Final results from the structural assessment are pending.

2 Historic production values quoted for Lkken are from Grenne T, Ihlen PM, Vokes FM (1999) Scandinavian Caledonide metallogeny in a plate-tectonic perspective. Mineral Deposita 34:422-471. Teako has not performed sufficient work to verify the published data reported above, but the Company believes this information to be considered reliable and relevant.

The Hydal Target

At the Hydal Target, mapping and sampling efforts concentrated on a target located south of, and parallel to, the main historical Hydal zinc trend, which is defined by both electromagnetic (EM) and magnetic anomalies. Geological marker horizons identified in the area indicate favourable stratigraphy along the trend. However, the source of the EM anomaly could not be resolved at surface, highlighting the need for drill testing. Rock-chip samples have been collected throughout the area and will undergo internal analysis with the resulting interpretations to assist in evaluating phase 2 drill targeting options.

The Dragset Target

At the Dragset Target, mapping of both limbs of the known Lkken synform and detailed mapping across the various volcanic members was undertaken. This was the first significant field assessment of the potential for VMS-style mineralization west of the Lkken mine (see press release dated December 4, 2024). Multiple volcanic members have been categorised and geochemistry data from samples taken will be used in conjunction with available historic data to review targets in this area.

The Grefstofjellet Target

At the Grefstofjellet target all surface signatures of any VTEM anomalies were mapped and select rock-chip samples from surface expressions of mineralization were taken, with one surface sample (sample ID: GFP25-009) (Figure 3) containing minor native copper. Assessment of the geochemistry data collected, alongside the regional data will be conducted over the winter.

Figure 3: Overview map highlighting the areas focussed during the Lkken Field Program.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8258/276017_49c0eba3e48f6a71_007full.jpg

Next Steps

Next steps at the Venna Project include the review of pending sample assays from the Mostadmarka Target collected during the 2025 field season, together with the integration of internal results from the Company's 2025 and 2024 field programs, regional geophysical datasets, and other available historical information. The Company may also evaluate additional high-resolution surveys as part of its ongoing efforts to refine and advance potential drill targets at Venna.

The next steps at the 90%-owned portion of the Lkken Project will involve a comprehensive review and assessment of data collected in 2025, including the pending results of the structural assessment, alongside prior datasets, to support the evaluation of phase 2 drill targeting opportunities.

Qualified Persons and Disclosure Statement

The technical information presented in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and reviewed and approved by Eric Roth, a Non-Executive Director of Teako and Qualified Person under NI 43- 101. Mr. Roth holds a Ph.D. in Economic Geology from the University of Western Australia, is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), and is a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists. Mr. Roth has over 35 years of experience in international minerals exploration and mining project evaluation.

About Teako Minerals Corp.:

Teako Minerals Corp. is a Vancouver-based mineral exploration company committed to acquiring, exploring, and developing mineral properties in Norway, focusing on critical metals such as copper, cobalt, zinc and molybdenum. By leveraging leading-edge exploration technologies and strategic partnerships, Teako aims to address the growing demand for essential minerals while generating value for shareholders and stakeholders alike.

Teako's Project Hub, including the Lkken and Venna main projects, covers an extensive land package prospective for copper, cobalt, zinc, gold, platinum group elements (or "PGE"), uranium, antimony, molybdenum and rare-earth-elements.

The Project Hub strategy was initially developed from the Company's first-mover advantage in-country, leveraging both technical skill and strong local community engagement to acquire and advance groups of both core and non-core assets. Core assets such as the Lkken-Venna district remain integral to the Company's self-funded exploration programs, whereas the Company aims to retain exposure to exploration success on non-core assets through securing deals with strong partners. These deals, if secured, are intended to potentially bring in capital and/or ongoing cash flow, retain upside exposure, and reduce overall risk, thereby strengthening Teako's foundation. Teako holds a 10% economic interest in the Hulderdalen, Moelva, Kvelde and Skarafjell projects owned by Fritze Skoger AS.

Forward-Looking Information:

This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business of Teako. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of Teako. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "will," "may," "would," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue," "likely," "could" and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements related to (i) the Company's expectations and views with respect to certain mining jurisdictions, future transactions and the Company's plans. Although Teako believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because Teako can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include but are not limited to, risks associated with the mineral exploration industry in general (e.g., operational risks in development, exploration and production; the uncertainty of mineral resource estimates; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production, costs and expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks), constraint in the availability of services, commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, changes in legislation impacting the mining industry, adverse weather conditions and uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures. These and other risks are set out in more detail in Teako's interim Management's Discussion and Analysis, July 31, 2025.

All dollar figures included herein are presented in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted. Neither the CSE nor its market regulator accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

References

Grenne, T. and Slack, J.F. (2005) 'Geochemistry of Jasper Beds from the Ordovician Lkken Ophiolite, Norway: Origin of Proximal and Distal Siliceous Exhalites', Economic Geology, 100, pp. 1511-1527.

Hollis, S.P. et al. (2015) 'Distribution, mineralogy and geochemistry of silica-iron exhalites and related rocks from the Tyrone Igneous Complex: Implications for VMS mineralization in Northern Ireland', Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 159, pp. 148-168. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2015.09.001.

Luff, W.M., Lentz, D.R. and van Staal, C.R. (1993) 'The Brunswick No. 12 and No. 6 mines, Brunswick Mining and Smelting Corporation Limited', in Guidebook to the Metallogeny of the Bathurst camp CIM, pp. 75-96.

Peter, J. (2003) 'Ancient iron formations: their genesis and use in the exploration for stratiform base metal sulphide deposits, with examples from the Bathurst Mining Camp', in Geochemistry of Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks: Evolutionary Considerations to Mineral Deposit-Forming Environments. Geological Association of Canada (Geotext, 4), pp. 145-176.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276017

SOURCE: Teako Minerals Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company"), a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands across Canada is pleased to announce its unaudited financial results and corporate update for the fiscal quarter ended September 30th, 2025.



"In Q3 2025, Happy Belly Food Group achieved its 14th consecutive record quarter and third consecutive quarter of positive net income from operations. These milestones-including segmented EBITDA for the QSR division surpassing $1.0 million in Q3 and royalties & fees for the QSR division also surpassing $1.0 million in Q3, both marking firsts for the Company-reinforce our reputation as a disciplined, high-growth multi-brand restaurant operator with a predictable growth model. They highlight our ongoing mission to become Canada's leading acquirer and scaler of emerging food brands while driving long-term shareholder value," said Sean Black, Chief Executive Officer.



"We have a lot to be proud of as a team, and as an organization. We have truly built a predictable and repeatable growth model that saw our system sales more than double, driving a 125% increase versus the same quarter last year. We successfully added 12 new restaurant locations in Q3 to the Happy Belly portfolio through a mixture of organic and inorganic growth, with another 2 restaurant locations added through our organic growth model so far in Q4, giving Happy Belly 75 operating locations in total."



"I would like to personally congratulate all brand leaders, franchisees, team members and cross functional teams for a truly great quarter. The team continues to execute our aggressive growth plan which has led to significant growth in Q3. System sales reached $19.2M (+125%), and total revenues of $7.2M (+188%) supported by our adjusted EBITDA reaching a new high of 10.4% in Q3."



"Our core principles have been the 3P's: People, Product and Process, while staying operationally and financially disciplined throughout our execution plan. These strong results are a testament to the team-oriented culture we have built at Happy Belly. Our management team and brand partners are working together to support our franchisees in national and US expansion as we anticipate to deliver significant organic growth beyond our original expectations in 2026. With a clear focus on growth, we believe our best chapters are still to come."



"We are just getting started," said Sean Black.

Q3 2025 Financial Highlights

System wide sales across Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) totaled $19.2M in the third quarter of fiscal 2025, up 125% versus the same quarter last year (2024 - $8.5M). The increase is attributed to organic baseline restaurant growth, alongside increased restaurant count, which reached 73 operating restaurants at the end of Q3 2025, up 109% versus 35 in the prior year.





Total operating revenues, vendor rebates and interest income totaled $7.2M in Q3 2025, up 194% versus the same quarter last year (2024 - $2.5M), and for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, $16.6M up 149% from 2024 (2024-$6.7M).





Year-over-year growth was driven by continued sales growth in both the Quick Serve Restaurant (QSR) and Consumer Product Goods (CPG) segments, multiple business acquisitions in the past twelve months, and new restaurants being added to the portfolio (12 additional restaurants during Q3 2025).





Total product sales totaled $6.0 in the third quarter of 2025, up 224% versus the same quarter last year (2024 - $1.9M). In addition, royalties and franchise fee revenues reached $1.1M during the quarter, up 297% from the prior year (2024 - $0.3M), which was driven by an increase in royalties collected from 55 franchised restaurants in the system.





Adjusted EBITDA reached $0.7M or 10.4% in the third quarter of fiscal 2025, up from $0.1M or 4.2% in the same quarter last year. During the third quarter of fiscal 2025, net income from operations was $0.3M up from a net loss of $0.1M in the same quarter of 2024.





Segmented EBITDA for the QSR division surpassed $1.0M in Q3, marking a first for the Company.





Royalties & Fees for the QSR division surpassed $1.0M in Q3, marking a first for the Company.





Net working capital remains healthy at $2.8M as of September 30, 2025 (December 31, 2024 - $3.3M). Total cash and cash equivalents were $3.3M as of September 30, 2025 (December 31, 2024 -$3.5M). Furthermore, cash flows before non-cash working capital was positive $0.7M in Q3 2025 up from $0.1M in the same quarter last year.





In the third quarter, the Company generated $0.8M in cash flow from operating activities up from negative $(0.2)M in the same quarter of 2024.





During Q3 2025, Happy Belly added 12 restaurants to its growing portfolio. Heal Wellness opened two new locations in Aurora and Kensington. Rosie's Burgers opened a new location in Bridgeland. The acquisition of Salus Fresh Foods added nine new locations in the GTA. Following the close of Q3, Happy Belly further expanded by opening iQ foods on Avenue Rd and Yolks on Bloor St West. These additions bring the total number of restaurants in the Happy Belly portfolio to 75.

Q1 2025 CORPORATE HIGHLIGHTS



July 4, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Heal Wellness QSR Announces the Opening of Its Newest Location in Aurora, Ontario

July 7, 2025 - Happy Belly's Yolk's Breakfast Signs 1st Toronto Location and 1st Multi-Unit Franchisee

July 8, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Rosie's Burgers Announces the Signing of a Multi-Unit Franchise Agreement for 10 Stores with Carma Hospitality for the Greater Montreal Area of Quebec

July 9, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Heal Wellness QSR Announces the Opening of Its Newest Location in Calgary's Kensington Neighborhood, Alberta

July 10, 2025 - Happy Belly's Heal Wellness QSR Expands Alberta Footprint as Existing Multi-Unit Franchisee Increases Commitment from 10 to 15 Locations

July 11, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Rosie's Burgers Announces the Signing of a Franchise Agreement and Real Estate Location in Calgary's Marda Loop District, Alberta

July 21, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Rosie's Burgers Announces the Signing of a Franchise Agreement and Real Estate Location for Waterloo, Ontario's Uptown Neighborhood

July 22, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Heal Wellness QSR Secures Real-Estate Location for it's Franchisee in the City of Grand Prairie, Alberta

July 25, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group Announces the Passing of Chief Financial Officer Gary Fung

August 5, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Rosie's Burgers Announces the Signing of a Second Real Estate Location and Franchise Agreement in Atlantic Canada for the City of Halifax, Nova Scotia

August 6, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Rosie's Burgers Announces the Signing of a Franchise Agreement and Secured Real Estate Location in Edmonton's Brewery District

August 7, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Rosie's Burgers Announces the Signing of a Franchise Agreement and Secured Location in Abbotsford, British Columbia

August 8, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Yolks Breakfast Signs Franchise Agreement and Real-Estate Location in the City of Chilliwack, British Columbia

August 11, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group Signs 3-YR Exclusive Contract with Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Company

August 12, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Heal Wellness Signs Multi-Unit Agreement for Central Alberta and Secures First Real-Estate Location in Red Deer, Alberta

August 13, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Heal Wellness Secures Real-Estate Location in Downtown Oakville, Ontario

August 14, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Heal Wellness QSR Announces the Signing of a Franchise Agreement and Real-Estate Location in Calgary's Britannia Neighborhood, Alberta

August 15, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Groups Heal Wellness QSR Announces the Signing of Its First Franchise Agreement for the Province of Quebec

August 18, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group Announces Release Date for Second Quarter Results

August 19, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Groups Heal Wellness QSR Announces the Signing of its Second Franchise Agreement for the Province of Quebec

August 21, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group Closes Acquisition of SALUS Fresh Foods QSR Restaurant Chain

August 25, 2025 - Happy Belly's Heal Wellness Signs Real Estate Location With Muli-Unit Franchisee At University of Victoria

August 26, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group Announces 13th Consecutive Record Quarter, and Increased Positive Net Income from Operations

August 28, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's iQ Food Co. QSR Signs 10-Unit Area Development Agreement in Atlantic Canada

September 8, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group Appoints Vice President of Finance

September 11, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Heal Wellness QSR Announces Their Multi Unit Franchisee Has Signed a New Location in South Surrey, British Columbia

September 12, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Smash Burger Brand Rosie's Burgers Announces the Opening of Its Newest Location in Calgary, Alberta

September 15, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Heal Wellness QSR Announces the Signing of a Franchise Agreement for Collingwood, Ontario

September 25, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Smash Burger Brand Rosie's Burgers Secures 1st Real Estate Location in Quebec

September 29, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Heal Wellness QSR Announces the Signing of a Franchise Agreement for Midtown Toronto, Ontario

September 30, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group Closes Earn-Out Agreement of Via Cibo Restaurant Chain

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS



October 1, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Heal Wellness QSR Announces the Signing of 1st Real-Estate Location in Montreal, Quebec



October 2, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group Enters into Definitive Agreement in Respect of Call Option to Purchase Remaining 50% of Heal Wellness

October 3, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group Announces Appointment of Dan Haroun to Its Board of Directors

October 3, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group Announces Phase II Executive and Board Compensation Plan to Drive Long-Term Shareholder Value

October 6, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Heal Wellness Signs 1st Ottawa, Ontario Real-Estate Location with Multi-Unit & Multi-Branded Franchisee

October 7, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group Signs Real Estate for Corporate Combo Store of iQ Food Co. and Heal Wellness in Toronto, Ontario

October 9, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group Announces New Franchise Agreement and Real Estate Signed for Heal Wellness in Cochrane, Alberta

October 10, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group Announces New Franchise Agreement Signed for Heal Wellness in Barrie, Ontario

October 14, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group Announces New Franchise Agreement and Real Estate Secured for Heal Wellness in Airdrie, Alberta



October 17, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's iQ Food Co. Announces Grand Opening of Newest Location in Toronto's Avenue & Lawrence Neighborhood

October 23, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group Announces Secured Real Estate for Heal Wellness in Toronto's Eaton Center

October 31, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Yolks Breakfast Signs Franchise Agreement for the City of Edmonton, Alberta

November 6, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Heal Wellness QSR Secures First U.S. Real-Estate Location in Lubbock, Texas

November 7, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Yolk's Breakfast Announces Grand Opening of Newest Location in Toronto's Bloor West Village

November 11, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Smash Burger Brand Rosie's Burgers QSR Secures First U.S. Real-Estate Location in Texas

November 13, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Heal Wellness QSR Announces the Signing of a Franchise Agreement for London, Ontario

November 14, 2025 - Happy Belly Food Group's Heal Wellness QSR Announces the Signing of a Franchise Agreement for Bradford, Ontario

FOOTNOTES:

1. Adjusted EBITDA Is a non-IFRS financial measure which does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are used by management as supplemental measures to review and assess operating performance and to provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends impacting the Company's business. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA are useful measures of operating performance and the Company's ability to generate cash-based earnings, as they provide a more relevant position of operating results by excluding the effects of financing and investing activities, which removes the effects of interest, depreciation and amortization expenses as well as other expenses, as described, that are not reflective of the Company's underlying business. This non-IFRS measure is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net comprehensive income or (loss), excluding interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), adjusted for share-based compensation, gain (loss) on equity investments and sublease, expected credit loss and non-recurring expenses.

Franchising

For franchising inquiries please see www.happybellyfg.com/franchise-with-us/ or contact us at hello@happybellyfg.com.

About Happy Belly Food Group

Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company") is a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands across Canada.

Happy Belly 1

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/276019_51701b2c247eaae5_002full.jpg

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release, which has been prepared by management.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-Looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur and include the future performance of Happy Belly and her subsidiaries. Forward-Looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the business plans for Happy Belly described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are posted on www.sedarplus.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276019

SOURCE: Happy Belly Food Group Inc.
NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / The Giga Fitness brand, which was born out of the $GIGA cultural movement, announced that the lifestyle brand Giga Fitness, has officially launched a line of premium fitness supplements now available on Walmart.com . This marks a major milestone in bridging Web3 culture with mainstream Web2 retail distribution, an unprecedented move for a meme-based crypto project.

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
GUANGZHOU, China, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2025 Understanding China Conference ("the Conference") is set to kick off on November 30 in Guangzhou, convening global statesmen, scholars, industry leaders, and international organization representatives to explore the theme New Plan, New Development, New Choices -- Chinese Modernization and New Vision for Global Governance. This landmark event will delve into the 15th Five-Year Plan's global significance, innovative pathways for Chinese modernization, emerging opportunities for world advancement, and collaborative actions under the Global Governance Initiative.

Co-organized by the China Institute for Innovation & Development Strategy (CIIDS), the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA), and the People's Government of Guangdong Province, and hosted by the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government, the three-day conference will feature an opening ceremony, leadership speeches, keynote addresses, guest dialogues, four parallel seminars, 19 thematic forums, three Greater Bay Area dialogues, five closed-door seminars, and a series of supporting activities. All sessions except the closed-door seminars will be open to the media, fostering transparent international exchange.

To date, around 200 international representatives from 72 countries and regions, including Hong Kong and Macao, have confirmed attendance, with 70% from Global South nations and 70% attending for the first time. On-site participants include seven former statesmen at or above vice-premier level, 11 at ministerial level, and five foreign envoys and international organization representatives in China. Over 300 Chinese guests will deliver speeches, bringing the total to approximately 800 participants. This year's event stands out for its broad geographical reach and representativeness, amplifying the conference's role as a vital platform for Global South voices to draw on China's modernization successes and advance a community with a shared future for mankind.

The thematic framework highlights four key aspects:

promoting the 15th Five-Year Plan while reviewing the 14th;

showcasing the global implications of Chinese modernization;

disseminating China's four major global initiatives and their contributions;

and spotlighting the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as a pinnacle of reform and opening-up.

Supporting activities under Understanding Guangzhou will include the Guangzhou: A City that Beautifies the World exhibition and Tasting Guangzhou, Walking along the Pearl River urban experiences, inviting guests to witness Chinese modernization's vibrant practices.

Since its launch in 2013, the Conference has evolved into a premier forum for interpreting China's strategies and their global resonance, promoting inclusive dialogue in an era of profound change.

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvSXeARqW4c

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2832694/2025.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/2025-understanding-china-conference-to-kick-off-in-guangzhou-illuminating-chinese-modernization-and-global-governance-vision-302626720.html
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / Troy Minerals Inc. ("Troy" or the "Company") (CSE:TROY)(OTCQB:TROYF)(FSE:VJ3) is pleased to announce that it has received results from the 2025 sampling program on its 100% owned Table Mountain Silica Project ("Table Mountain" or the "Project"), located near Golden, British Columbia, Canada (Figure 1).

Key Highlights

Channel sampling returned 97.68% to 99.43% SiO2 from 45 samples at Table Mountain Zone, with an average of 98.59% SiO2.

Very low deleterious elements identified in all samples, consistent with previous sampling.

President of Troy Minerals Inc., Yannis Tsitos commented: "We are very pleased reporting these analytical sampling results from our summer field program; they confirmed once more the exceptional quality and consistency of surficial silica mineralization across this northwestern part of the Project and collectively with other existing geochemical results, provide the necessary information for Troy to refine the 2026 drilling campaign at Table Mountain."

Figure 1. Table Mountain Property and Infrastructure Map

Channel Sampling Results

Channel sampling was conducted at the Table Mountain Zone, with results consistently similar to the sampling results achieved during 2024. Sampling procedure consisted of continuous chip sampling along a 3-centimetre cut channel. Samples were taken continuously over 1-metre intervals perpendicular to the strike orientation of the outcrop, with the sample sequence starting from the southwest end of the channel. Intervals shorter than 20 centimetres were combined with the previous interval. 45 continuous chip channel samples were collected over 41.35 metres within a 54.50-metre sampling zone, returning a weighted average of 98.59% SiO2.

One duplicate was taken as a QA/QC check and passed validation. Sample density is sufficient to indicate the accurate representation of the underlying mineralization. (See Figure 2 and Table 1 below).

Figure 2. Channel Sampling Locations - Table Mountain Zone

Table 1. Table Mountain Zone - Channel Sampling Summary

Channel Interval (m) SiO2 (%) Al2O3 (%) CaO (%) Fe2O3 (%) MgO (%) P2O5 (%) TiO2 (%) B (ppm) LOI (%) TM6-1 1.00 98.94 0.11 0.01 0.92 0.05 0.01 0.02 <5 0.01 TM6-2 1.30 98.68 0.15 0.01 0.86 0.05 0.01 0.02 1 0.20 TM6-3 1.00 98.72 0.12 0.01 1.01 0.06 0.01 0.02 5 0.19 TM6-4 3.80 98.51 0.12 0.01 0.90 0.04 0.01 0.02 5 0.15 TM6-5 2.25 98.34 0.11 0.01 0.88 0.02 0.01 0.02 <5 0.21 TM6-6 1.15 98.54 0.18 0.02 0.90 0.04 0.01 0.02 5 0.15 TM6-7 3.80 98.63 0.11 0.02 0.91 0.03 0.01 0.01 2 0.14 TM6-8 4.15 98.68 0.13 0.01 0.91 0.03 0.01 0.01 9 0.21 TM6-9 2.20 98.45 0.18 0.11 0.95 0.05 0.01 0.02 8 0.11 TM6-10 2.15 98.27 0.16 0.06 1.01 0.04 0.01 0.02 7 0.15 TM6-11 2.20 98.49 0.17 0.02 1.03 0.04 0.01 0.02 5 0.21 TM6-12 3.30 98.73 0.13 0.01 0.92 0.04 0.01 0.02 6 0.26 TM6-13 6.20 98.67 0.13 0.03 0.91 0.02 0.01 0.01 8 0.15 0.50 Overburden 3.95 98.73 0.15 0.01 0.95 0.04 0.01 0.02 7 0.19 TM6-14 2.90 98.42 0.15 0.02 1.00 0.03 0.01 0.01 11 0.18

Discussion

Sampling results were consistently high purity. The favourable grades reflect field observations of a broad zone of white quartzite measuring at least 150 metres wide and a strike length extending from the Trans-Canada Highway to the south and to the north, to the new northern extent of the property, representing a total strike length of at least 4 kilometres. Although the western cliff face of Table Mountain clearly demarcates the western margin of the Mount Wilson Formation quartzite, the eastern margin is obscured by a deep boulder field originating from the extensive, steep quartzite exposure in this area.

To date, channel sampling results have demonstrated a consistency in grade over a wide area within the Table Mountain Zone.

All samples were submitted to ALS Laboratories in North Vancouver, British Columbia for B-MS82L (boron) and ME-XRF26 (all other elements). One duplicate was taken in the channel sampling sequence and passed QA/QC.

About the Table Mountain Project

The Table Mountain Silica Project is located approximately 4 kilometres east of Golden, B.C., Canada, with excellent year-round road access and proximity to the Canadian Pacific Railway's Golden rail yard. The property covers roughly 2,526 hectares, encompassing up to 11 kilometres of regionally mapped strike length of the Mount Wilson Formation quartzite, with widths ranging from 300 to 1,400 metres at surface. Table Mountain is strategically situated near two established high-purity silica operations - the Moberly Silica Mine and the Sinova Quartz Quarry. This advantageous location highlights the project's potential to become a significant source of high-purity silica in a region known for hosting premium-quality silica deposits.

Qualified Person

Technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Case Lewis, P.Geo., a "Qualified Person" as defined under NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and a director of the Table Mountain Project vendor.

About Troy Minerals

Troy Minerals is a Canadian based publicly listed mining company focused on building shareholder value through acquisition, exploration, and development of strategically located "critical" mineral assets. Troy is aggressively advancing its projects within the silica (silicon), scandium, vanadium, and rare earths industries within regions that exhibit high and growing demand for such commodities, in both North America and Central-East Asia. The Company's primary objective is the near-term prospect of production with a vision of becoming a cash-flowing mining company to deliver tangible monetary value to shareholders, state, and local communities.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

Rana Vig | President and Director

Telephone: 604 -218 4766

Email: rana@ranavig.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information: This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that Troy Resources Inc. (the "Company") expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include results of exploration activities may not show quality and quantity necessary for further exploration or future exploitation of minerals deposits, volatility of commodity prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, permitting and other approvals, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

SOURCE: Troy Minerals Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/troy-minerals-reports-analytical-results-from-table-mountain-silica-project-exten-1112307
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Kuya Silver Corporation (CSE: KUYA) (OTCQB: KUYAF) (FSE: 6MR1) ("Kuya Silver"), a silver mining company advancing production at its high-grade Bethania Silver Project in Peru, today announced that its President and CEO, David Stein will present at NobleCon21 - Noble Capital Markets' Twenty First Annual Emerging Growth Equity Conference at Florida Atlantic University, Executive Education Complex, in Boca Raton, FL. Kuya Silver's presentation will take place on Wednesday, December 3rd at 11:30 Eastern Standard Time.

Interested investors and guests of Kuya Silver are welcome to attend at a discounted rate. Please register here using the discount code KUYAFNOBLECON.

A high-definition video webcast of the presentation will be available the following day on the Company's website [insert link to your company website], and as part of a complete catalog of presentations available at Noble Capital Markets' Conference website: www.nobleconference.com and on Channelchek www.channelchek.com, the investor portal created by Noble. The webcast will be archived on the company's website, the NobleCon website, and on Channelchek.com for 90 days following the event.

About Kuya Silver Corporation

Kuya Silver is a Canadian-based mineral exploration and development company with a focus on acquiring, exploring, and advancing precious metals assets in Peru and Canada.

About Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Established in 1984, Noble Capital Markets (Noble) is an SEC / FINRA registered full-service broker-dealer offering investment/merchant banking and advisory services, with an award-winning research team, and a proprietary research distribution platform (Channelchek). Noble provides middle-market expertise to entrepreneurs, corporations, financial sponsors, and investors. In addition to its large scale in-person conference, NobleCon, Noble hosts multi-sector virtual conferences throughout the year. Over the more than 40 years, Noble has raised billions of dollars for companies and published more than 45,000 equity research reports. www.noblecapitalmarkets.com | www.nobleconference.com.

About Channelchek

Noble launched www.channelchek.com in 2018 - an investor community dedicated exclusively to emerging growth public companies and their industries. Channelchek is the first service to offer institutional-quality, FINRA-regulated research to the public, for FREE at every level without a subscription. With more than 7,000 public companies listed on the site, content includes advanced market data, equity research, videos & webcasts, and industry articles.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275924

SOURCE: Noble Financial Group, Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 4, 2025) - Scope Technologies Corp. (CSE: SCPE) (OTCQB: SCPCF) (FSE: VN8) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has changed its name to Quantum Secure Encryption Corp. (the "Name Change") and will be trading under its new symbol "QSE" effective December 8, 2025.

The CUSIP number assigned to the Company's common shares following the name change will be 74767B103. No action will be required by existing shareholders with respect to the name change. Certificates representing the common shares of the Company under the old name will not be affected by the Name Change and will not need to be exchanged.

For more information on how your company can integrate QSE quantum security solutions for their business, visit www.qse.group or contact sales@qse.group

About Quantum Secure Encryption Corp.

Quantum Secure Encryption Corp. is a Vancouver-based technology company specializing in post-quantum cybersecurity, encrypted data infrastructure, and quantum-resilient entropy solutions. Through its flagship platform, QSE provides enterprises, government agencies, financial institutions, and healthcare systems with next-generation tools for securing data in transit, at rest, and across distributed environments.

QSE's mission is to become the world's leading provider of practical, deployable quantum-secure infrastructure - protecting organizations from today's most advanced cyber threats and tomorrow's quantum-enabled risks.

LinkedIn: quantum-secure-encryption-corp

X (Twitter): QSECorp

Contact Information:

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements that constitute forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this news release that are not purely historical statements of fact are forward-looking statements and include statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, future, strategy, objectives, goals and targets, and more specifically, the use of proceeds of the Offering. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable and reflect expectations of future developments and other factors which management believes to be reasonable and relevant, the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "expects", "aim", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "would", "will", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and are based on assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, including, but not limited to, those risks and assumptions described in the Company's latest management discussion and analysis, a copy of which is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable, based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. In addition, forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions, continued satisfaction of Canadian Securities Exchange requirements, product safety and recalls, regulatory compliance and risks associated with the Company's business. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, unless required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the business of the Company and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy hereof.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276867

SOURCE: Scope Technologies Corp.
Transformative combination creates a powerhouse for SMBs and accountants, empowering businesses across Europe by integrating leading suites of e-invoicing, digital accounting, business accounts and payments, and HR solutions into a unified platform.

Cegid, a European leader in cloud software for finance, accounting, HR, and retail software, and Shine, a fast-growing European fintech unicorn providing digital business accounts and payments, e-invoicing, accounting, and payroll software to small businesses across Europe, announced today that the companies have entered a definitive agreement to join forces to form a European champion and become a leading provider of software for businesses and their accountants.

This transformational combination will create the first fully integrated, cloud-native and AI-driven financial hub for SMBs and accounting professionals in Europe bringing together market-leading capabilities in e-invoicing, accounting, digital business accounts and payments, tax, HR, and payroll in a single unified platform.

Accelerating Cegid's European growth strategy by serving more than one million SMBs, and 15,000 accountants

Shine brings to Cegid more than 400,000 SMB customers, a strong brand, and a highly scalable technology stack, expanding Cegid's reach in key European markets. Together, the combined company will serve over one million SMBs and 15,000 accountants across France, Germany (DACH), Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Belgium.

Both companies share a clear vision: empowering entrepreneurs by removing the complexity of running a business. Through a unified financial hub, Cegid and Shine will enable small business owners to spend significantly less time on administration and more time focused on their craft by delivering:

One single platform covering invoicing, accounting, payroll, business accounts and payments, tax, and reporting

covering invoicing, accounting, payroll, business accounts and payments, tax, and reporting Deep AI automation to drastically reduce administrative tasks and provide valuable insights to its customers

to drastically reduce administrative tasks and provide valuable insights to its customers Superior user experience with intuitive, modular workflows suitable for all SMBs

with intuitive, modular workflows suitable for all SMBs Fully compliant ecosystem ready for mandatory e-invoicing and digital reporting across Europe

ready for mandatory e-invoicing and digital reporting across Europe Seamless collaboration model between SMBs and accounting professionals

The combination marks a decisive step forward in Cegid's ambition to become the preferred financial copilot for SMBs and accountants across Europe. Following recent strategic acquisitions such as Primavera and Sevdesk, the addition of Shine significantly expands Cegid's ability to support businesses across their entire lifecycle from creation to expansion.

With Shine's proven digital business accounts and payments, card, and finance capabilities, Cegid will be able to meaningfully enhance its offering in France and accelerate the rollout of embedded finance solutions in other European geographies.

Reinforcing Cegid's long-standing commitment to accountants

Accounting and tax professionals remain at the heart of Cegid's history and strategy. With Shine, Cegid will extend and enhance its suite of tools for accountants, enabling better real-time collaboration with their clients, paving the way for providing value-adding advisory capabilities.

The combined platform will play a pivotal role in supporting SMBs and accountants through the transition to mandatory e-invoicing and digital reporting reforms across Europe, by providing a fully compliant and connected platform for all needs for invoicing, business accounts and payments, accounting, and reporting helping firms reduce operational complexity, increase efficiency, and deliver higher-value services.

Rico Andersen and Martin Hegelund, Co-Founders of Shine, commented: "From founding Shine as a start-up to building it into a leading European unicorn, our mission has been driven by the ambition to radically remove complexity for businesses. Joining forces with Cegid allows us to uniquely bring that vision into a much broader community of millions of small businesses, and their accountants, across Europe. By combining the strongest SMB business accounts and payments platform with the most advanced accounting technology, we are creating Europe's first truly unified financial hub, built to eliminate complexity for millions of businesses. Two category leaders. One unified platform. Europe's new business finance powerhouse is here."

Christian Lucas, Chairman of Cegid and Managing Partner at Silver Lake, commented: "This combination is a strong affirmation and natural continuation of Cegid's European growth journey. For more than four decades, Cegid has stood alongside accountants as trusted partners to small businesses, and with Shine we are strengthening that bond for the next digital era. Cegid's cloud and AI leadership together with Shine's highly innovation-driven platform that integrates leading digital finance capabilities, creates a powerful platform that will help millions of small businesses and accountants prepare for and seize the enormous growth and value creation opportunities inherent in the next decade of digital transformation, particularly with the shift to e-invoicing across Europe. We are proud to continue supporting Cegid's leadership team as it builds one of Europe's flagship technology companies, and this combination represents a significant investment in Cegid's long-term relationship with the accounting profession and its critical role in the success of millions of small businesses."

Jean-Michel Aulas, Founder of Cegid, commented: "Founded over 40 years ago, Cegid has always supported the growth and success of small businesses and their accountants. This combination reinforces that alliance ensuring accountants remain at the centre of the relationship between small businesses and their advisors, by giving them a shared digital environment with real-time access to financial data, improved collaboration, and simplified compliance. This merger is about equipping accountants for the next generation of small businesses. With Shine, we are reaffirming Cegid's long-term commitment to CPAs and to the future of the French accountancy ecosystem."

Bruno Vaffier, General Manager of Cegid, commented: "This merger with Shine is a natural step in Cegid's mission to simplify and accelerate the growth of our Small Business division. Together, we will offer entrepreneurs a combined platform that unites payment, accounting, and payroll helping them focus on what matters most: building their business."

Gilbert Kamieniecky, Head of Investcorp Technology Partners and Chairman of Shine, commented: "Our investment in Shine is one that we are immensely proud of, as we saw the company grow from a start-up with only a few million in revenue into a European leader and unicorn. I am also grateful for the strong partnership and friendship with the two founders, Rico and Martin."

The transaction remains subject to customary financial and regulatory approvals. Following completion, Shine will operate within Cegid's Small Business division as a cornerstone of its French and European growth strategy.

About Shine

Founded by serial entrepreneurs Rico Andersen and Martin Hegelund, Shine's vision is to restore the joy of running a business, by ending wasted time on financial admin. Shine offers a 'financial copilot' by integrating its solutions into a single platform for invoicing, accounting, payroll, business accounts and payments, and financing. Shine is a leading European fintech unicorn, operating across France, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany, serving over 400,000 customers. Shine France is regulated as a payment institution by the Autorite de controle prudentiel et de resolution (ACPR) and was recognised as "Best Business Bank" by ESCDA in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

About Cegid

Cegid is a European leader in cloud business management solutions for finance (cash-flow, tax, ERP), human resources (payroll, talent management), CPAs, retail and entrepreneurial sectors. With a solid full cloud business model, Cegid provides long-term commitment to its customers, superior and distinctive experiences and helps companies of all sizes accelerate their digital business transformation, locally and worldwide. Cegid combines a forward-thinking and pragmatic approach of the business with strong capacity to innovate, an in-depth expertise in new technologies such as artificial intelligence and an understanding of regulations and compliance. In today's rapidly changing world, Cegid makes more possible by helping customers unleash their potential thanks to innovative and purposeful business solutions. Bolstered by its strong international ambition and reach, Cegid has over 5,000 employees and sells its solutions in 130 countries. Cegid reported revenues of 967 million (as of December 31, 2024).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251126586228/en/

Contacts:

Press Contacts

Cegid

Olivier Hascoat

ohascoat@cegid.com



Shine

Jean-Baptiste Sciandra

press@shine.co
DUBAI, UAE, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange by volume and users, today announced the launch of Binance Prestige , a bespoke service designed to support the traditional finance (TradFi) affluent segment as they take their first steps into cryptocurrency. Encompassing onboarding, fiat services, financing and more, Binance Prestige addresses the specific needs of family offices, private funds and other asset allocators seeking a high-touch, professional approach to digital asset management.

Crypto remains a relatively new asset class, and many TradFi affluent investors are unsure about how to proceed after deciding to allocate capital. These investors require tailored solutions to navigate and guide them through the unique complexities of crypto effectively. Binance Prestige fills this gap by providing comprehensive, step-by-step support aligned with the rigorous compliance and operational standards expected by this growing market segment.

The Alternative Investment Management Association found over half (55%) of traditional hedge funds now have exposure to digital assets in 2025, up from 47% in 2024, with 71% planning to increase their crypto exposure in the near term.[1] 54% of wealth management professionals now see digital assets as key for client engagement, up from 44% last year, according to an Avaloq survey.[2]

The launch of Binance Prestige comes one year after Binance introduced Binance Wealth , the first crypto exchange technology solution tailored for wealth managers who act as intermediaries to oversee their clients exposure to crypto assets and provide a user experience closely aligned to TradFi standards. While Binance Wealth empowers intermediaries in supporting their high-net-worth clients, Binance Prestige is built for affluent investors and asset allocators that prefer to invest directly, offering a high-touch service tailored to their unique needs. The positive market response to Binance Wealth, combined with a 32% increase in institutional trading volume on Binance from Q2 to Q3 this year, underscores rising demand for bespoke crypto solutions for the ultra-wealthy.

"Binance Wealth's ability to cater to the unique needs of the wealth segment has validated our specialized, high-touch service offerings. As more affluent individuals and professional asset managers increasingly embrace digital assets, we saw an opportunity to deliver an even more bespoke solution tailored to the needs of this growing market segment," said Catherine Chen, Head of VIP & Institutional at Binance. "Binance Prestige addresses the friction encountered by TradFi sophisticated clients after they have made the strategic decision to allocate to crypto and our global team experienced in institutional asset management supports them through every step of their investing journey."

Binance Prestige is built on six core service pillars to provide comprehensive end-to-end coverage: onboarding, fiat access, structured products, capital financing, custody, insights and reporting.

Onboarding: Binance Prestige offers personalized onboarding with dedicated account managers who guide clients through every step, ensuring a smooth transition tailored to each client's structure, risk tolerance, and operational needs.

Binance Prestige offers personalized onboarding with dedicated account managers who guide clients through every step, ensuring a smooth transition tailored to each client's structure, risk tolerance, and operational needs. Fiat Access: Binance supports over 100 fiat currencies and stablecoins, enabling easy movement of funds between traditional and digital markets through secure banking integrations, helping clients and portfolio managers maintain liquidity and react quickly.

Binance supports over 100 fiat currencies and stablecoins, enabling easy movement of funds between traditional and digital markets through secure banking integrations, helping clients and portfolio managers maintain liquidity and react quickly. Structured Products: Clients get access to customized solutions including structured products and automated strategies designed to meet specific goals like yield enhancement, downside protection or targeted market exposure.

Clients get access to customized solutions including structured products and automated strategies designed to meet specific goals like yield enhancement, downside protection or targeted market exposure. Capital Solutions: Binance Prestige provides flexible credit and financing options that improve capital efficiency, allowing investors to access liquidity or leverage opportunities without liquidating core assets.

Binance Prestige provides flexible credit and financing options that improve capital efficiency, allowing investors to access liquidity or leverage opportunities without liquidating core assets. Institutional-Grade Custody: Assets are securely held through partnerships with institutional custodians and triparty banking partners, offering transparency, compliance and peace of mind required by institutional investors.

Assets are securely held through partnerships with institutional custodians and triparty banking partners, offering transparency, compliance and peace of mind required by institutional investors. Transparent Insights and Reporting: Clients benefit from real-time data, analytics and comprehensive reporting tools that enable clear visibility into portfolio performance, compliance and support for informed decision-making.

To learn more about Binance Prestige, visit: https://www.binance.com/en/prestige

[1] AIMA 7th Annual Global Crypto Hedge Fund Report (Nov 6, 2025) [2] Avaloq Wealth Insights 2025 (Sep 17, 2025)

Disclaimer: Digital asset prices are subject to high market risk and price volatility. The value of your investment may go down or up, and you may not get back the amount invested. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance is not liable for any losses you may incur. Past performance is not a reliable predictor of future performance. You should only invest in products you are familiar with and where you understand the risks. You should carefully consider your investment experience, financial situation, investment objectives and risk tolerance and consult an independent financial adviser prior to making any investment. This material should not be construed as financial advice. For more information, see our Terms of Use and Risk Warning .

About Binance

Binance is a leading global blockchain ecosystem behind the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users. Binance is trusted by more than 290 million people in 100+ countries for its industry-leading security, transparency, trading engine speed, protections for investors, and unmatched portfolio of digital asset products and offerings from trading and finance to education, research, social good, payments, institutional services, and Web3 features. Binance is devoted to building an inclusive crypto ecosystem to increase the freedom of money and financial access for people around the world with crypto as the fundamental means. For more information, visit: https://www.binance.com .

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1773650/Binance_Logo_Yellow_4x_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/binance-launches-binance-prestige-bespoke-service-for-private-wealth-and-asset-allocators-taking-first-step-into-crypto-amid-rising-demand-302626400.html
DOHA, Qatar, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Asiacell, a leading telecommunications company in Iraq, today announced a partnership with Google Cloud to deliver Google Workspace and other AI-powered collaboration tools to businesses and educational institutions across Iraq.

This collaboration positions Asiacell as the first telecom operator in Iraq to offer Google Cloud's productivity and collaboration solutions, supporting the country's growing digital economy and enterprise modernization.

Through this partnership, Asiacell will introduce Gemini Enterprise, Google Workspace, Google Workspace for Education, and other AI-driven tools such as GoogleNotebookLM, enabling organizations to communicate, collaborate, and innovate more effectively.

"This collaboration with Google Cloud allows us to provide Iraqi businesses and educational institutions with reliable, secure, and future-ready productivity solutions," said Amer Sunna, Chief Executive Officer, Asiacell. "It's a key milestone in our mission to accelerate Iraq's digital transformation through partnerships with the world's leading technology providers."

"Our collaboration with Asiacell marks a step in empowering organizations across Iraq with the transformative power of Google Workspace and our cutting-edge AI-powered productivity tools," said Ghassan Kosta, Regional General Manager- Google Cloud. "By combining Asiacell's market understanding and reach with Google's innovative solutions, we are committed to fostering digital transformation and enabling businesses and educational institutions to thrive in the digital era."

The announcement was made during MWC Doha 2025, where the two companies held a signing ceremony at the Google Cloud booth, attended by senior representatives from both sides.

About Asiacell

Asiacell is the leading provider of mobile telecommunications and digital services in Iraq, with around 20 million subscribers. Recognized as the first mobile telecommunications company to operate in Iraq, Asiacell delivers nationwide coverage at the highest quality 4G+ service, reaching more than 99.06% of the population. With a strong commitment to innovation, service quality, and digital inclusion, Asiacell continues to lead Iraq's market in driving digital transformation. Since January 2015, it has been proud to be the top internet service provider in Iraq, delivering the best quality communication network.

Website: www.asiacell.com

Public Relations Department - Asiacell: public.relations@asiacell.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2832732/Google_Cloud_and_Asiacell.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2832700/Asiacell_logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/asiacell-announces-partnership-with-google-cloud-to-bring-ai-powered-productivity-tools-including-google-workspace-to-iraq-302626701.html
LIMA, Peru, November 26, 2025 -- Camposol Holding PLC (Camposol or the Company), a multinational company providing fresh and healthy food globally, today announced its preliminary financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025. These results have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and are subject to change based on the issuance of the Company's audited financial statements.

Camposol Delivers Solid 3Q 2025 Results and Inaugurates Next-Generation Blueberry Biofactory to Support Future Growth

1) First Nine Months of 2025 Financial Overview:

Volume Sold: 99,737 MT, up 35% compared to YTD 3Q 2024.

Sales: USD 367 million, up 21% compared to YTD 3Q 2024.

EBITDA: USD 101.2 million, down 1% compared to YTD 3Q 2024.

EBITDA Margin: 28%.

Net Profit: USD 19.2 million, down 41% compared to YTD 3Q 2024.

Net Debt/EBITDA ratio1: 2.81x. fifth consecutive quarter below 3.5x threshold.

2) Third Quarter Highlights:

Fitch Ratings upgraded Camposol's Long-Term Local and Foreign Currency IDRs to 'B+', highlighting the Company's continued deleveraging, stronger operating performance, and improved financial flexibility.

Camposol inaugurated its new high-tech biofactory, a major milestone in its innovation, sustainability, and agricultural expansion strategy. Located in Chao, Viru (Trujillo), the 2,000 m facility integrates both in-vitro and ex-vitro production in a single space and has an annual capacity of up to 5 million blueberry plants. This state-of-the-art infrastructure strengthens the company's genetics program and enables faster and more efficient scaling of its growth and replanting plans in blueberry.

Camposol participated in several major global industry events -including the VII Latin American Avocado Congress in Lima, the International Blueberry Organization (IBO) Summit 2025 in Cape Town, the IFPA Leaders Breakfast in Sao Paulo, the Global Produce & Floral Show 2025, and Asia Fruit Logistica 2025 in Hong Kong. During these events, the company updated current and potential clients on the progress of its proprietary blueberry variety development program and showcased its advances in innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence.

Camposol was honored with the 2025 Export Excellence Award in Market Diversification by the Peruvian Association of Exporters (ADEX) and additionally received recognition from the Regional Management of Foreign Trade, Tourism and Crafts of La Libertad and the Regional Export Executive Committee (CERX) in the "Product Diversification - Large Company" category for its 2024 results.

Camposol concluded the 2025 edition of Semilla Lab, its global innovation program designed to transform ideas into impactful solutions, strengthening our culture of innovation and our purpose of farming the land to improve lives.

Camposol reaffirmed its commitment to Peru's development by joining the Social Pact for Education, an initiative promoted by the Ministry of Education (MINEDU). Camposol is the first agribusiness company to join this national commitment.

Camposol obtained the ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Management System certification from AENOR Peru, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and transparency across our operations in Lima, La Libertad, and Piura.

Camposol published its 2024 Sustainability Report, which is now available on its corporate website.

3) CEO Message:

Ricardo Naranjo, CEO of Camposol, highlighted the strength of the Company's third quarter performance:

"The third quarter demonstrated the continued strength of our strategy and disciplined execution. We delivered another solid financial performance, maintaining our Net Debt-to-EBITDA ratio well below the 3.5x threshold for the fifth consecutive quarter, reinforcing the progress of our deleveraging trajectory and the resilience of our financial profile.

Commercially, this was a very dynamic period for us. We engaged closely with customers across key international fairs and industry forums, and we welcomed several strategic partners to our operations in Peru. These interactions strengthened our commercial relationships and supported the positive market momentum we are seeing in blueberries and other core categories.

A major milestone this quarter was the inauguration of our new Biolab in Viru - a state-of-the-art facility that significantly enhances our genetic development capabilities. This investment gives us the ability to execute our replanting and new planting plans with our own proprietary genetics, improving efficiency, consistency and long-term competitiveness across our agricultural platform.

I am proud of the team's achievements and remain confident in our ability to continue creating sustainable, long-term value for our stakeholders".

4) First Nine Months of 2025 review:

Blueberry volumes grew 62.8% year-over-year in the first nine months of 2025, reaching 36.5 thousand MT. Sales totaled USD 242.2 million, up 34.1%, while gross profit increased 38.7%, and cost per kilo decreased by 19.9%. This strong performance was supported by a targeted pruning strategy executed in 2024, which allowed us to channel higher volumes into 2025 after the traditional peak in the Peruvian market. In addition, the early start of the 2025-2026 season contributed to the overall volume growth. Together, these factors reinforced our position as a year-round supplier, provided greater commercial flexibility, and improved operational efficiency.

Avocado volumes rose 14% year-over-year in the first nine months of 2025. The higher volumes helped offset lower market prices, resulting in a 20% gross profit margin and lower cost per kilo. Across the Peruvian industry, increased total volumes, including shipments into the late window, and additional supply from Chile and Israel contributed to price pressure, highlighting the importance of disciplined execution in maintaining profitability.

Tangerines faced a challenging season due to adverse weather in Uruguay and Peru, which impacted volume and quality. In contrast, mangoes and grapes delivered solid results, reflecting the close of the 2024-2025 season. Mangoes maintained healthy margins through disciplined execution, while grapes benefited from improved yields and cost efficiencies. The 2025-2026 campaigns for both crops are already underway, positioning us well for continued strong performance.

Our disciplined financial management continued to strengthen our position. Short-term debt represented less than 27% of total debt, and our Net Debt-to-EBITDA ratio stood at 2.81x, marking the fifth consecutive quarter below our 3.5x threshold. The slight increase in working capital this quarter was temporary and will ease as collections from the blueberry campaign are received in 4Q 2025 and 1Q 2026. We also continued to deploy capital expenditures toward key growth and risk mitigation initiatives, including a strategic investment in a new biofactory and nursery to scale our proprietary genetics.

These results have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and are subject to change based on the issuance of the Company's audited financial statements.

To register and participate in the conference call on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at 9:00 AM Peru Time, please use the following link

https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIcd23eb97c328417c99dcf2bfc1fd4b33

Participants are advised to log in to the conference call service and check their settings a few minutes before the conference call begins.

To access the webcast presentation associated with the conference call, please use the following link:

https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/i79eb45v

If you are unable to participate in the conference call, a playback of the conference will be available until November 25, 2026.

For further information, please contact:

Jossue Yesquen Lihim, IRO

Email: jyesquen@camposol.com

About CAMPOSOL

CAMPOSOL is a multinational company dedicated to providing fresh and healthy food to families worldwide. Our operations extend across Peru, Colombia, Uruguay and Chile, with distribution offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. We have stablished trusted relationships with major supermarkets worldwide and serve customers in over 40 countries.

We are involved in the harvest, processing, and marketing of high-quality agricultural products such as blueberries, avocados, mandarins, grapes and mangoes, among others.

CAMPOSOL is committed to supporting sustainable development through social and environmental responsibility policies and projects aimed at increasing the shared value for all stakeholders. It is also an active member of the United Nations Global Compact, issues annual GRI-aligned sustainability reports and holds various international certifications, including Global.G.A.P, Rainforest Alliance, and BRC. Additionally, CAMPOSOL ensures compliance with the legislation of destination countries and is evaluated under social ethics standards such as SMETA and GRASP.

For more information about CAMPOSOL, please visit us at www.camposol.com

For investor-related information, please visit our Investor Relations website at https://investors.camposol.com/







1In the discussion of operating results, CAMPOSOL refers to certain non-GAAP financial measures such as EBITDA. CAMPOSOL's management makes regular use of these measures to evaluate performance, both in absolute terms and comparatively from period to period. EBITDA, which CAMPOSOL defines as sales minus cost of goods sold, administrative and selling expenses plus depreciation and amortization, approximates cash flow from continuing operating activities before tax and net operating capital changes. Furthermore, for the calculation of the Net Debt/EBITDA ratio, we utilize the EBITDA from the last 12 months (LTM).

Attachments
CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Uranium Corp. (CSE: GURN | OTC: GURFF | FRA: Q3J) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has expanded its land position at the Airline Project, located within the Copper Mountain uranium district of Wyoming. The new claims (Figure 1) were staked by Big Rock Exploration and cover public lands administered by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management ("BLM"). The Company notes that formal registration of the claims into the Company's name remains subject to approval by the BLM.

The core Airline Project originally consisted of a single BLM claim block totaling approximately 60 hectares, complemented by a 258-hectare Wyoming State Mineral Lease situated approximately 4 kilometres away. Together, these two components formed the basis of the Company's initial land position in the district.

Global Uranium has now expanded the BLM claim block through three new additions by way of staking, including a 7-hectare expansion to the north, a 205-hectare expansion to the west, and a 134-hectare expansion to the east. These newly staked parcels increase the overall Airline project area to approximately 664 hectares. The expanded footprint provides a more complete land position across favourable geological trends, supporting the Company's long-term exploration strategy.

"Expanding the Airline Project is an important step in strengthening our position in the Copper Mountain district," commented Ungad Chadda, CEO of Global Uranium. "Securing a larger, continuous land package positions us well as we evaluate the district's prospective geological trends and advance our exploration plans."





Figure 1. Map of the Airline Project. The original 60-hectare BLM claim block is located to the right, with three newly staked expansions to the north (7 ha), west (205 ha), and east (134 ha). The existing 258 ha Wyoming State Mineral Lease is situated 4.2 kilometres west-northwest of the original BLM claim block.

Additional Information About BLM Claims

The newly staked claims are subject to standard BLM processing and final approval.

QUALIFIED PERSON

Jared Suchan, Ph.D., P.Geo., Global Uranium's Vice President of Exploration, and a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical contents of this news release.

For a discussion of the Company's QA/QC and data verification procedures and processes, please see its technical report entitled, "NI 43-101 on the Northwest Athabasca Project Northern Saskatchewan Centered at: Latitude 5924'00" N, Longitude 10954'00" W", a copy of which may be obtained under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

About Global Uranium Corp.

Global Uranium Corp. focuses on exploring and developing uranium assets primarily in North America. The Company currently holds key uranium projects: the Wing Lake Property in the Mudjatik Domain of Northern Saskatchewan, Canada; the Northwest Athabasca Joint Venture with Forum Energy Metals Corp. and NexGen Energy Ltd. in the Northwest Athabasca region of Saskatchewan, Canada; and the Great Divide Basin District Projects, the Gas Hills District Projects, and the Copper Mountain District Projects in Wyoming, USA.

On Behalf of The Management Team

Ungad Chadda

CEO

587-330-0045

info@globaluranium.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, exploration efforts on the Project, and BLM's approval process with respect to the new claims.

Although forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions of the Company's management, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include the risk that exploration of the Project may not continue, whether as a result of a lack of financial resources, a failure to receive the requisite permits or approvals, including BLM approval; the risk that exploration of the Project will not progress as currently contemplated and, that, even if exploration does proceed as anticipated, such exploration activities may not achieve their anticipated outcomes; risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral projects, including risks relating to receiving requisite permits and approvals, changes in project parameters or delays as plans continue to be redefined, that mineral exploration is inherently uncertain and that the results of mineral exploration may not be indicative of the actual geology or mineralization of a project; the risk that mineral exploration may be unsuccessful or fail to achieve the results anticipated by the Company; risks related to joint ventures and the other risks and factors identified by the Company in its continuous disclosure filings, filed on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this ?press release.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e9926414-2d09-4f0e-8f4e-d4cc964a08c6
The "United Kingdom Buy Now Pay Later Business and Investment Opportunities Databook 75+ KPIs on BNPL Market Size, End-Use Sectors, Market Share, Product Analysis, Business Model, Demographics Q3 2025 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The BNPL payment market in United Kingdom is expected to grow by 12.2% on annual basis to reach US$38.47 billion in 2025. The BNPL market in the country experienced robust growth during 2021-2024, achieving a CAGR of 20.6%. This upward trajectory is expected to continue, with the market forecast to grow at a CAGR of 8.8% during 2025-2030. By the end of 2030, the BNPL sector is projected to expand from its 2024 value of USD 34.28 billion to approximately USD 58.75 billion.

This report provides a detailed data-centric analysis of the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) industry in United Kingdom, covering market opportunities and risks across a range of retail categories. With over 75 KPIs at the country level, this report provides a comprehensive understanding of BNPL market dynamics, market size and forecast, and market share statistics.

The BNPL market in the UK is expanding rapidly, driven by rising e-commerce adoption and the growing need for alternative credit solutions. Economic factors such as cost-of-living pressures have further accelerated BNPL usage, making it a key financial tool for short-term expense management. As BNPL extends beyond retail into industries such as driving schools and essential services, its role in the broader economy is expected to strengthen, influencing how consumers manage payments across multiple sectors.

However, with this growth comes increased regulatory scrutiny as policymakers seek to ensure responsible lending and consumer protection. Introducing new BNPL regulations will likely reshape the market, requiring providers to enhance transparency and implement affordability checks. While these measures may increase compliance costs, they will also contribute to a more sustainable BNPL ecosystem, fostering trust and stability in the sector over the next few years.

Competitive Landscape and Regulatory Developments in United Kingdom's Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Market

The UK's BNPL market continues to expand rapidly, with established players such as Klarna, Clearpay, and PayPal leading the sector alongside emerging fintech firms such as Zilch. The market's projected growth, driven by increasing consumer demand for flexible payment solutions, has also attracted interest from traditional financial institutions, including Lloyds Bank, which plans to introduce its BNPL service in 2025. With new entrants and expanding product offerings, the BNPL sector is becoming more competitive, pushing providers to innovate and form strategic partnerships to maintain their market positions.

Regulatory oversight is also evolving, with the UK government moving towards stricter BNPL regulations under the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The upcoming rules, expected to take effect by 2026, will require affordability checks and clearer consumer protections, ensuring responsible lending practices. While these measures may increase compliance costs for providers, they are likely to foster long-term stability and trust in the BNPL ecosystem, ultimately benefiting both consumers and businesses.

Current State of the BNPL Market

The BNPL market in the United Kingdom has grown significantly, driven by increasing consumer demand for flexible payment solutions. This surge has been fueled by the widespread adoption of installment-based payment options across various retail sectors, particularly e-commerce and high-value consumer goods.

Major players such as Klarna, Clearpay, and PayPal dominate the market, while homegrown fintech firms such as Zilch have rapidly expanded their customer base. The entry of traditional financial institutions, such as Lloyds Bank, signals the growing importance of BNPL in the broader financial ecosystem. Providers will likely enhance their offerings as competition intensifies through strategic partnerships and new product innovations.

Key Players and New Entrants

Klarna, Clearpay, and PayPal are among the leading BNPL providers in the UK. They offer consumers the ability to defer payments across various retail categories. These companies have established strong partnerships with merchants and continue to expand their services to accommodate the growing demand for flexible payment solutions. Their market dominance is supported by widespread consumer adoption and integration with major e-commerce platforms.

In addition to global players, UK-based fintech firm Zilch has emerged as a significant competitor, rapidly growing its customer base to over 4 million since its launch in 2020. Zilch differentiates itself by leveraging an ad-subsidized model that allows consumers to access BNPL services with no additional fees. The success of domestic providers such as Zilch highlights the increasing competition in the BNPL sector, as new entrants challenge established players by offering innovative financing options.

Recent Launches, Mergers, and Acquisitions

The BNPL market in the UK is evolving as traditional financial institutions enter the sector to compete with established fintech providers. Lloyds Bank has announced plans to launch its own BNPL product in 2025, offering its customers a "split payments" option. This move signals growing interest from mainstream banks in alternative credit solutions as they aim to capture market share in a rapidly expanding sector.

Meanwhile, fintech firms continue to secure significant investments to scale their operations. Zilch raised $125 million in debt financing from Deutsche Bank in June 2024, expanding its BNPL offerings and strengthening its market position. This development highlights the increasing competition within the industry, as both fintech startups and traditional banks seek to enhance their BNPL services to attract consumers.

Accelerated Growth in BNPL Adoption

Key drivers behind this expansion include the ongoing rise of e-commerce and cost-of-living challenges. Online retailers integrate BNPL solutions to enhance the shopping experience, while financially constrained consumers use these services to manage short-term expenses. As BNPL offers a convenient alternative to traditional credit, its adoption is increasing across discretionary and essential spending categories.

Over the next few years, the competitive intensity in the UK BNPL market is expected to grow, with both fintech startups and established financial institutions enhancing their offerings. Providers will likely diversify their services to cater to consumer needs, including high-value purchases and recurring expenses. However, regulatory oversight may also increase as the market matures, requiring BNPL firms to adopt more responsible lending practices to ensure long-term sustainability.

Integration of BNPL into Diverse Sectors

BNPL services in the UK are expanding beyond traditional retail sectors and entering new industries such as education, healthcare, and professional training. Companies such as Acclaim Driving now offer BNPL options for driving lesson packages, allowing customers to spread the cost over time. This shift demonstrates the growing demand for installment-based payments in high-cost services where upfront payments may be a consumer barrier.

The primary driver of this trend is the increasing need for flexible financing solutions, particularly in sectors where services are essential but can be costly. By offering BNPL, service providers can attract a wider range of customers who might otherwise delay or forgo purchases due to financial constraints. As BNPL integrates into more industries, businesses see it as a tool to improve accessibility while boosting customer acquisition and retention.

Over the next few years, BNPL adoption across various service sectors is expected to accelerate, making installment-based payments a normalized feature in the UK economy. Consumers may rely more on BNPL for everyday services, leading to higher transaction volumes and increased engagement with BNPL platforms. However, as its usage expands, regulators may introduce new guidelines to ensure responsible lending and prevent excessive consumer debt accumulation.

United Kingdom Buy Now Pay Later Market Share Analysis by Key Players

Klarna

Clearpay

Laybuy

Pay18r

Splitit

DivideBuy

Zilch

Zip

Billie

PayPal

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ymmjca

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tanmiah Food Company, one of the Kingdom's leading vertically integrated poultry and food producers, has announced a new collaboration with Big Idea Ventures (BIV), a global venture capital firm specializing in food, agriculture, and alternative protein technologies. The MoU was signed at the recent US-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, D.C., underscoring the depth of economic partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America (U.S.).

The partnership lays the foundation for joint initiatives that support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 food-security goals, particularly in strengthening the red-meat supply chain and building sustainable alternatives to imported feed ingredients.

Tanmiah and BIV will work together to identify opportunities to acquire equity interests in established U.S. red-meat producers subject to satisfactory financial, legal, and operational due diligence. Under a phased transaction approach, the two companies will also assess upstream opportunities including feedlots, breeding herds, and supporting infrastructure in line with the Kingdom's growing demand for secure, resilient and sustainable red-meat supply chains.

The collaboration will also focus on developing an agricultural ecosystem dedicated to cultivating alternative sustainable, locally grown feed ingredients. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on imported feedstocks while enabling more resilient and cost-efficient poultry and dairy production systems.

Zulfiqar Hamadani, CEO of Tanmiah Food Company, said: "Our collaboration with Big Idea Ventures brings global expertise into the Kingdom at a time when demand for sustainable, local solutions is rapidly growing. The partnership will enable access to new sources of capital as well as multiple M&A opportunities in the USA market. Together, we aim to build a stronger red-meat value chain, accelerate sustainable feed alternatives, and unlock long-term investment that supports Tanmiah's strategic goals."

Zein Attar, Managing Director and CHRO at Tanmiah Food Company, said:

"This agreement reflects our support for Vision 2030's mission to build a more secure, innovative, and self-reliant food ecosystem. By partnering with Big Idea Ventures, we are creating a platform that blends international best practice with Saudi Arabia's fast-growing agricultural capabilities and wider economy. The MoU will drive scalable sustainable models, mobilize targeted investment, and unlock long-term strategic value for the Kingdom's food system."

Andrew D. Ive, General Managing Partner of Big Idea Ventures, said: "Saudi Arabia is emerging as one of the most dynamic markets for food-tech and sustainable agriculture. This agreement allows us to bring innovation, investment, and global best practice into solutions that strengthen the Kingdom's food-security agenda. We look forward to working with Tanmiah and other strategic partners in Saudi Arabia to develop sustainable feed production and resilient supply chains that support Vision 2030."

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2832793/Tanmiah_Food_Company.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/saudi-arabias-tanmiah-pursues-strategic-investments-in-the-united-states-red-meat-sector-302626742.html
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - BeWhere (TSXV: BEW) (OTCQB: BEWFF) ("BeWhere" or the "Company"), a leader in low-power 5G IoT asset tracking, is pleased to announce its financial results for three months ended September 30, 2025.

Owen Moore, CEO and Co-Founder stated, "This quarter showcases the strength of our execution, the torque in our business model and an unrelenting drive to disrupt the asset tracking and inventory management markets with innovative products and solutions at unprecedented price points. We achieved record product sales and continued to increase Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR), culminating in record Quarterly Revenue of $6.1M".

Chris Panczuk, COO and Co-Founder stated, "In addition to record top-line performance, our team delivered record Quarterly Adjusted EBITDA of $0.8M and a significant improvement in Gross Profit, increasing 42% year over year, aided by revised supply chain initiatives".

Third Quarter 2025 Highlights

Record quarterly revenue increased by 21% year over year - Total Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $6,080,984 compared to $5,030,356 for the same period in 2024: an increase of $1,050,628. This is a record quarter for the Company driven by the highest quarter in Product revenues in the Company's history aided by a favorable device sales mix and the second highest unit volume shipment.

Recurring Revenue increased by 20% year over year while ARR increased by 21% - Recurring Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $2,057,047 compared to $1,717,274 for the same period in 2024: an increase of $339,773. Similarly, ARR stands at approximately $8.6M ending September 30, 2025, vs. $7.1M for the same period in 2024, an increase of 21% year over year.

Gross Profit increased by 42% year over year - Gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $2,023,442 compared to $1,422,142 for the same period in 2024: an improvement of $601,300., The Company was able to improve its gross profits versus Q2 as it began to implement its revised supply chain program.

Record Adjusted EBITDA increased by 21% year over year - Record Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $802,880 compared to $665,450 for the same period in 2024: an increase of $137,430.

Net Income increased by 38% year over year - Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2025 was $462,662 compared to $334,590 for the same period in 2024: an improvement of $128,072.

Non-IFRS Measures

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure and does not have standardized meaning as it relates to performance measures and may not be comparable to other issuer disclosures of similar performance measures. The Company has provided a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to IFRS profit (loss) in the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the period ended September 30, 2025. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest income, taxes, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation, and other non-recurring gains and losses. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure that facilitates period to period operating comparisons. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered superior to IFRS net income (loss).

About BeWhere

BeWhere (TSXV: BEW) (OTCQB: BEWFF) specializes in low-power 5G IoT wide-area tracking technology, creating remote monitoring solutions that address cost, power, and environmental challenges. Over the last 6 years, the company has experienced rapid growth, collaborating with Fortune 500 companies, top resellers and installers to deploy hundreds of thousands of trackers across numerous sectors, including transportation, construction, logistics, utilities, health, and government.

BeWhere's tracking solutions are designed to be both cost-effective and simple to implement, significantly expanding the scope of assets that can be connected. These connected devices generate data that powers intelligent AI management platforms. By increasing the number of connected devices, BeWhere enhances the capabilities and growth potential of AI solutions.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements, within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations, or beliefs of future performance, are "forward-looking statements".

We caution you that such "forward-looking statements" involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual and future events to differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to commercial operations, including technology development, anticipated revenues, projected size of market, and other information that is based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.

BeWhere Holdings Inc. (the "Company") does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, technology development and marketing activities, the Company's historical experience with technology development, uninsured risks. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

The Company's audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the period ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, together with its corresponding Management's discussion and analysis can be found under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.bewhere.com.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (as that term is defined in the Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276005

SOURCE: BeWhere Holdings Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Glenstar Minerals Inc. (CSE: GSTR) (OTCQB: GSTRF) (FSE: VO20) ("Glenstar" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that senior executives of the Company, along with its project geologist, will be attending the American Exploration & Mining Association ("AEMA") annual meeting, which is being held in Sparks, Nevada, December 7 - 12 at the Nugget Casino Resort.

Glenstar will be providing attendees with the latest information and updates regarding both the Green Monster Project, and Wildhorse Project in the core shack area of the main presentation hall at Booth #13. Company geologist Robert Marvin will be on hand to discuss the state of the current exploration programs on both projects and will be providing the latest geological data sets from the various exploration initiatives, and their results, undertaken over the past eight months.

According to Mr. Marvin, "The AEMA meeting is a great forum to showcase Glenstar's projects to industry professionals, and other various stakeholders, and present the latest information available from our exploration programs on each property to date, as well as discuss the potential of each of the projects going forward."

Project Background & Recent Exploration Work

The Green Monster Property is comprised of 35 federal lode claims covering ~700 acres located in Clark County, Nevada, on the west trending spur of the Spring Mountains and is approximately 40 miles southwest of Las Vegas. Until the recent drill program in May of 2025, no drilling was ever conducted on the property, but the Company's previous identification of robust nickel-copper with anomalous cobalt from sampling work done in 2022 indicated that several targets were ideal for shallow RC drilling (see news releases dated May 28, 2025, and July 16, 2025).

Glenstar acquired the Green Monster Property and conducted initial groundwork in 2022 that included reconnaissance geologic mapping, surface rock sampling, soil sampling, and a drone magnetic survey. Channel sampling across the exposed back of a raise off the main shaft returned 1.18 meters of 3.77% Cu (Copper), 3.06% Ni (Nickel), 0.21% Co (Cobalt) and 6.83% Zn (Zinc). These values are well in excess of select dump samples from historical underground workings and represent in-place, vein style mineralization. Sampling of oxide and sulfide bearing boulders directly downhill of the patented workings has confirmed the presence of very high zinc (>10%) and silver (>200ppm), as well as copper, uranium, and lead. (Sampling results provided above were previously published in the Green Monster Project NI 43-101 Technical Report dated June 20, 2023, Section 7.5).

The Wildhorse Property is comprised of 89 mineral claims, representing 1,780 acres (720 hectares) in Mineral County, Nevada, and was initially targeted after compilation of all available data, including notes of a 1975 field examination contained in the Anaconda Company archives housed at the university of Wyoming. The claims show historical workings that appear to date from the late 1800's and early 1900's. Other claim stakes that the geological team discovered on the property indicate the last time the area was staked was 2011, however, these claims were never registered with the BLM. Preliminary geological assessment of the claims, and the area in general, indicate there are a series of east dipping mineralized zones. Initial field examination of the property identified and sampled a quartz veinlet zone containing in excess of 1 gram per ton gold, 1% copper, and 6,100 ppm of antimony. It was also reported that outcropping zones also contain bismuth and tungsten, which points to a focused intrusive source for the epidote skarn alteration and poly-metallic system (see news release dated February 11, 2025)

About Glenstar Minerals Inc.

Glenstar is a mineral exploration company with a focus on polymetallic minerals. These elements are classified as critical minerals and are essential in the manufacturing of sophisticated electronics and other vital energy technologies. The Company's mission is to leverage its knowledge and connections to explore, acquire, and develop critical mineral and energy metal properties throughout the world.

Glenstar's shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the symbol "GSTR", on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "VO20", and on the Over-the-Counter market (OTCQB) in the United States under the symbol "GSTRF".

Robert Marvin, P.Geo (ONT) is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is the independent consulting geologist for Glenstar Minerals Inc., who has examined the Green Monster and Wildhorse properties on the ground numerous times since 2022 and 2024 respectively. All fieldwork relating to geologic observations and sampling as reported herein, has been directly overseen by Mr. Marvin who supervised the preparation of, and has reviewed and approved, the technical information in this release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"David Ryan"

President & CEO

Neither Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain information contained in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward- looking information"). Without limiting the foregoing, such forward-looking information includes statements regarding the process and completion of any Offering, the use of proceeds of the Offering and any statements regarding the Company's business plans, expectations and objectives. In this news release, words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "believe", "expect", anticipate", "intend", "plan", "estimate" and similar words and the negative form thereof are used to identify forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times at or by which, such future performance will be achieved. Mineral exploration is subject to risks and uncertainties and there is no assurance that any potential results or findings that may be suggested in this press release will ultimately happen. Forward-looking information is based on information available at the time and/or the Company management's good faith belief with respect to future events and is subject to known or unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. For additional information with respect to these and other factors and assumptions underlying the forward-looking information made in this news release, see the Company's most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis and financial statements and other documents filed by the Company with the Canadian securities commissions and the discussion of risk factors set out therein. Such documents are available at www.sedar.com under the Company's profile and on the Company's website. The forward-looking information set forth herein reflects the Company's expectations as at the date of this news release and is subject to change after such date.

This release may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company and certain of the plans and objectives of the Company with respect to the same. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. This release may contain statements within the meaning of safe harbour provisions as defined under securities laws and regulations. We seek safe harbour.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275994

SOURCE: Glenstar Minerals Inc.
New Industry Aims to Create U.S. Manufacturing Jobs While Supporting Colombian Farmers Transitioning to Legal, High-Value Hemp Production

CALI, COLOMBIA / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / Sannabis, Inc., f/k/a Ultimate Sports, Inc. (OTC:USPS), a U.S. Company (the "Company") planning to acquire Sannabis S.A.S ("Sannabis") in Colombia, is pleased to announce plans to construct two industrial hemp block manufacturing plants-one in Barranquilla, Colombia, and another in Central Georgia, USA-to produce next-generation structural hemp blocks engineered with up to 33+ MPa load-bearing resistance. To the Company's knowledge, no other hemp block on the global market approaches this strength class; most hempcrete blocks range between 0.2 and 5 MPa, according to industry benchmarks. Use the Media Contact below to request Sannabis Hemp Block Engineering Tests and photos.

These plants will support both domestic and export markets and will be developed in conjunction with Sannabis' academic and engineering partner. The company is preparing to file a patent in Colombia and other countries-covering its proprietary blend, processing methodology, and block architecture. Sannabis plans to export hemp hurd from Barranquilla to Savannah, GA to blend with U.S. kaolin and export to all parts of the World, with an emphasis on the Middle East. Long term plans include manufacturing hemp boards for pre-fabricated housing.

Breakthrough: 33 MPa Hemp Block Verified in Engineering Tests

Engineering documentation produced with Sannabis' research team highlights the following:

Leading global hemp blocks typically measure 0.22-4.5 MPa

(IsoHemp, Tectonics, GoHemp, UK Hempcrete)

Traditional concrete blocks often reach 7-12 MPa

Sannabis Hemp Block: 33 MPa , exceeding both hempcrete and many conventional masonry blocks

Meets Colombian construction standards NSR-10, NTC 220, NTC 121, and NTC 4050

The block formulation uses hemp hurd combined with kaolin or lime binders, depending on customer fire-rating or thermal-rating requirements. Kaolin, which melts at 1800C, offers exceptional thermal stability, fire resistance, acoustic insulation, humidity control, and structural integrity.

Two Hempcrete Plants: Colombia & USA

1. Barranquilla, Colombia - Export Hub

The first plant will serve:

The Colombian construction markets

Export markets-initially Florida , then wider U.S. Gulf markets

Long-term: exporting hemp hurd to Savannah, Georgia, for blending with U.S. kaolin for re-export to the Middle East

Create a new industry for economic development for both the U.S. and Colombia

Barranquilla offers deep-water port access, a free-trade zone ecosystem, and proximity to Colombian hemp cultivation regions.

2. Central Georgia, USA - Kaolin Corridor

Sannabis intends to build a second facility in Central Georgia:

Located on land owned by a Sannabis, Inc. shareholder in the heart of the Kaolin Corridor

Positioned adjacent to one of the largest kaolin mining operations in the United States

Will blend Sannabis hemp hurd (Colombia) with Georgia kaolin

Targeting developers, sustainable builders, and international markets focused on fire-resistant materials

A Binational Project with Geopolitical Impact

In addition to its industrial and environmental significance, Sannabis believes this project can serve as a powerful economic bridge between the United States and Colombia at a time of heightened geopolitical tension. By establishing a cross-border supply chain-Colombian hemp hurd feeding U.S. kaolin-based production, and U.S.-Colombian block manufacturing serving global markets-the Company hopes to help reset the conversation between both nations around shared economic opportunity, sustainability, and innovation.

This initiative represents an emerging new industry where each country contributes its unique natural resources-Colombia's agricultural capacity and the United States' mineral and industrial infrastructure-to export a next-generation, carbon-negative building material to the world. The project has potential to create significant new employment in the U.S. manufacturing and logistics sectors, while providing Colombian farmers with a profitable, legal, and sustainable crop alternative that supports rural development and reduces reliance on illicit activities that historically strain the binational relationship.

Hemp offers Colombian growers a high-value crop with the potential to transform agricultural regions affected by economic instability. By integrating Colombian farmers directly into a global supply chain built around patented green-construction materials, Sannabis hopes to contribute to long-term peace-building, rural stability, and enhanced diplomatic cooperation.

"Sustainable industries have the power to reshape international relationships," a Sannabis spokesperson added. "A U.S.-Colombia hempcrete partnership strengthens both countries economically while advancing a carbon-negative solution the world urgently needs."

Juan P. Guzman - CEO, Sannabis, Inc. and Director of Sannabis S.A.S. commented, "We have spent years advancing hemp-based construction materials, and the 33 MPa hemp block is the culmination of innovation, engineering discipline, and our mission to replace carbon-heavy materials with sustainable alternatives. These new plants-one in Colombia and one in Georgia-represent a generational shift for the industry."

Fact Sheet: Sannabis Hemp Block Technology

Key Technical Benefits

33 MPa strength (industry-leading)

Thermally efficient - reduced HVAC costs

Fire-resistant - kaolin binder stable at 1800C

Acoustic insulation

Humidity regulation through hygroscopic properties

Mold-resistant, VOC-free, anti-efflorescence

Lightweight vs. traditional concrete

High precision and uniform finish

Carbon & Environmental Benefits

Hemp captures 1.5-2 tons of CO2 per ton of hemp grown

Hempcrete continues absorbing CO2 as it cures

Blocks dramatically reduce embodied carbon vs. cement

Eligible for carbon credits and emerging carbon-offset programs

Supports circular agriculture and rural development

Manufacturing Inputs

Colombian hemp hurd

Kaolin or lime binder

Natural sealants

Sand and aggregates as required for specific performance targets

Target Markets

Structural construction

Sustainable housing & social housing programs

Fire-resistant buildings

Modular construction

Export markets: U.S., Caribbean, Middle East

Forward Strategy and Patent Development

Sannabis intends to file a series of U.S. and international patents, including:

Proprietary kaolin-hemp binder system

Structural hemp block geometry

Thermal stability enhancements

New-generation lightweight high-density block applications

Financing Requirement Disclosure

Sannabis advises that the construction of both hemp block plants is contingent on securing long-term financing, which has not been finalized. The company is presently in discussions with investment groups, and preparing for discussions with infrastructure lenders, export-development agencies, and government programs to secure the necessary capital commitments, but does not have firm commitments, and is open to proposals and partnerships by using the Company's Media Contact.

For more information, visit www.sannabis.co/en or follow Sannabis on social media for updates on the acquisition, product launches, and international initiatives.

About Sannabis, Inc. (OTC:USPS)

Sannabis, Inc. (OTC:USPS), formerly Ultimate Sports, Inc., is a U.S.-based company focused on the legal cannabis and hemp industry in Colombia. The company is finalizing the acquisition of Sannabis S.A.S. in Colombia, a fully licensed, vertically integrated cannabis producer and innovator with a strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Sannabis, Inc. has amended their articles of incorporation with the Indiana Secretary of State and changed their name from Ultimate Sports, Inc. A name change action has been initiated with FINRA which is still open. Until approved, they will trade as Ultimate Sports, Inc. (OTC:USPS), they plan to keep the USPS stock symbol.

Media Contact:

Investor Relations

Sannabis, Inc.

Email: jpguzman@Sannabis.us

Website: www.Sannabis.co

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about the business and industry of Sannabis, Inc. or Sannabis S.A.S., as well as management's beliefs and assumptions. Words such as "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "projects," "potential," "may," "will," "should," and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: the completion of the acquisition of Sannabis S.A.S.; the timing and impact of regulatory approvals in Colombia and other jurisdictions; the commercial success of Sannabis products and SannaCoin; the ability to secure financing; and general economic and market conditions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Except as required by law, Sannabis, Inc. or Sannabis S.A.S. undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE: Sannabis S.A.S.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/sannabis-inc.-otc-usps-announces-binational-hemp-block-initiative-des-1112371
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Origen Resources Inc. (CSE: ORGN) (FSE: 4VXA) is pleased to announce results from the recently completed induced polarization ("IP") geophysical program on the Company's 100% owned Wishbone Gold-Silver Project (the "Property"), located in the prolific Golden Triangle in northern British Columbia.

Key Highlights:

The survey tested known gold-silver vein mineralization at the Windy target and extended 700 m further SW to explore an extensive > 50 ppb Au-in-soil anomaly.

Two Au-bearing veins show distinct responses. North Main Vein corresponds to a resistivity high while the Main Vein corresponds to a distinct resistivity low with high chargeability.

Similar features are identified underlaying the Au-in-soil anomaly.

Survey results encourage a more extensive survey to support a 3D inversion model.

"We are pleased that IP appears to be a viable exploration tool to explore this target rich project. Known gold veins at the Windy showing were detected as resistivity features and a significant series of new resistivity targets have been revealed corresponding with strongly anomalous gold values in soil from the 2024 exploration campaign. We are excited to expand this survey over other targets on the Property in preparation for diamond drilling in summer 2026," states Gary Schellenberg, CEO and Director.

Wishbone is adjacent to the Galore Creek2 project jointly owned by Teck Resources and Newmont. Covering 3,941 ha, The Property has 11 target areas encompassing high-grade gold-silver quartz-carbonate vein as well as volcanogenic massive sulphide style mineralization, including the newly exposed Lake showing discovered in August of 2024 (see news release dated November 26, 2024). Here, several boulders have been found at the base of the rapidly retreating Central Glacier with values exceeding 90 ppm gold, including one returning 202.6 ppm gold1.

The IP Survey

In early September, SJ Geophysics performed a 2-line IP survey over the Windy mineralized area totalling 1.3 line-km. A Volterra Distributed Acquisition System was employed, and data was acquired using an in-line array with 25 m and 50 m dipoles. Current injections occurred every 25-50 m and were situated northeast of the in-line array. The two survey lines of 300m and 1000m length were spaced 100 m apart and ran roughly NE/SW (Figure 1).

The IP survey identified features interpreted to correspond with two known Au-bearing quartz veins (North Main Vein, Main Vein) at the Windy occurrence with distinct resistivity high and low features and chargeability low and high features respectively. Additionally, a series of signatures over a 400 m interval starting approximately 200 m SW of the Main Vein are interpreted to reflect similar structures crossing the survey line. Near surface combined resistivity and chargeability lows for 200 m south of the Main Vein correlate with alteration mapping. Based on the results of this initial survey, the Company plans to conduct an expanded IP survey that will support 3D modelling in preparation for a drilling campaign in 2026.

Figure 1 - Resistivity Highs on Surface with 2024 Au-in-Soil Geochemical Results

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7117/275955_6551d1e3e442c9c1_001full.jpg

Figure 2 - Line 2000E Showing Known Veins and New Targets on Section, Looking NW

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7117/275955_6551d1e3e442c9c1_002full.jpg

1Grab samples are by definition selective. Grab samples are solely designed to show the presence or absence of mineralization and are not intended to provide nor should be construed as a representative indication of grade or mineralization at the Project.

2 Referenced nearby historic resources, deposits and mines provide geologic context for the Project, but are not necessarily indicative that the Project hosts similar potential, size or grades of mineralization.

John Harrop, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as that term is defined in NI 43-101, has supervised the preparation, or approved the scientific and technical disclosure in the news release. Mr. Harrop is employed by Coast Mountain Geological Ltd. He is not independent of the Company as defined in NI 43-101.

About Origen

Origen Resources Inc. is a project generator focused on identifying and advancing high-potential mineral exploration opportunities. The Company is currently conducting due diligence on a prospective rare earth element project in Brazil under a recently signed Letter of Intent, while continuing to advance its 100%-owned Los Sapitos Lithium Project in Argentina and the Wishbone Gold-Silver Project in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia. Origen also holds a portfolio of three additional precious and base metal projects in southern British Columbia for which it is actively seeking partners.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Certain of the statements made and information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information." In particular references to the private placement and future work programs or expectations on the quality or results of such work programs are subject to risks associated with operations on the property, exploration activity generally, equipment limitations and availability, as well as other risks that we may not be currently aware of. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275955

SOURCE: Origen Resources Inc.
Continent-Wide Celebration led by the Universal Reading Foundation from Poland, Calls on Europeans to Invest in Reading and Critical Thinking

WARSAW, Poland and BRUSSELS, Nov. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The great celebration of literature and its authors has begun! The European Authors Day 2025 celebrations under the slogan ReadForReal are now officially launched and will continue across Europe until 12 December. The EU Creative Europe Programme co-funds this unique celebration of literature, imagination, and human creativity.

From 11 November, everyone - schools, libraries, publishers, companies, NGOs, and individuals - is invited to join the shared celebration. The aim is to promote reading truly and deeply, experiencing literature live, and fostering genuine human connection. European authors will visit countries other than their own, meeting audiences who speak different languages. This initiative celebrates those who make literature possible - writers, illustrators, and designers - the true superheroes of creativity.

At www.readforreal.eu, participants can find an invitation and free materials to help them create their own events, including lesson plans, logos, posters, and bookmarks. Over 200,000 registered participants will join live events across 25 countries, with nearly 3600 literary and reading initiatives already planned. Everyone can participate by organising their own initiative, taking part in a reading challenge, or inviting an author.

National coordination centres (hubs) have agreed to assist participants, providing printed and online materials in local languages. In Poland, for example, 2,000 post offices have joined the initiative, offering customers a special "inspirational notebook" when they purchase a book.

Why does it matter? More than 75 million adults in Europe struggle with reading comprehension. Reading is not just a pleasure; it strengthens empathy, critical thinking, and concentration - skills vital in today's society. The organisers emphasize that sharing diverse thoughts and perceptions while reading together creates meaningful connections.

The European Authors Day ReadForReal is coordinated by a consortium of seven organisations from five countries, led by the Universal Reading Foundation (Poland). The organisers' dream is to establish a lasting tradition: a true European festival of literature and creativity.

Visit: www.readforreal.eu to find out more and register your event!

The Universal Reading Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to raising literacy levels across Poland and Europe through innovative projects and collaboration with public and private institutions. The URF initiates social campaigns and programs aimed at ensuring equal access to education and books.

CONTACT:

Aleksandra Strzelecka

Universal Reading Foundation

+48 784 063 019

aleksandra.strzelecka@fpc.org.pl

www.readforreal.eu

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/155068ca-d0cb-4885-a34c-07e45b6fba95

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/569d845f-b5a8-4f25-b97e-7ba5fbc40438
THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - GreenLight Metals Inc. (TSXV: GRL) ("GreenLight" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced "bought deal" private placement offering of an aggregate of 32,890,000 common shares of the Company ("Shares"), including 4,290,000 Shares issued as a result of the full exercise of the Underwriters' option, at a price of C$0.35 per Share for gross proceeds to the Company of C$11,511,500 (the "Offering"). The Offering was conducted by Stifel Nicolaus Canada Inc. and TD Securities Inc., as joint bookrunners and co-lead underwriters (together, the "Underwriters"), pursuant to an underwriting agreement dated November 26, 2025 between the Underwriters and the Company.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds received from the Offering for development purposes at the Company's Bend Project in Wisconsin, exploration on the Penokean VMS Belt in Wisconsin, property payments, project support and general corporate and working capital purposes, as further set out in the Offering Document (as defined below).

In connection with the Offering, the Company paid the Underwriters a cash commission of C$615,653.85 and issued to the Underwriters an aggregate of 1,544,622 non-transferable broker warrants of the Company (the "Broker Warrants"). Each Broker Warrant is exercisable into one Share at a price of C$0.35 per Share at any time prior to November 26, 2027.

The Shares were issued and sold to purchasers pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions, as amended and supplemented by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption"). There is an offering document related to the Offering (the "Offering Document") that can be accessed under the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.greenlightmetals.com. The Shares issued pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption are not subject to a hold period in Canada pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. All other securities not issued pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption, including the Broker Warrants, are subject to a statutory four month hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States. The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

About GreenLight Metals Inc.

GreenLight Metals is a Wisconsin-focused exploration company advancing copper-gold and gold projects across the Penokean Volcanic Belt-one of North America's most prospective VMS districts-and the Kalium Canyon epithermal gold project in Nevada's Walker Lane. In Wisconsin, our portfolio includes the Bend copper-gold deposit, the Reef high-grade gold project, and the Lobo and Lobo East massive sulfide targets. Guided by a team with deep roots in the state, we are building a modern minerals company for Wisconsin, by Wisconsin-committed to responsible exploration, transparent engagement, and creating durable local opportunities as we help supply the critical metals that power the energy transition.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. These forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things: the intended use of proceeds from the Offering.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: management's broad discretion regarding the use of proceeds of the Offering, the Company may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations which may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms and conditions; compliance with extensive government regulation; domestic and foreign laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company's business and results of operations; and the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and these fluctuations may adversely affect the price of the Company's securities, regardless of its operating performance.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change, except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275892

SOURCE: GreenLight Metals Inc.
BANGALORE, India, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Semiconductor Photomask Market is Segmented by Type (Quartz Mask, Soda Mask, Relief Plate), by Application (Semiconductor, Flat Panel Display, Touch Industry, Circuit Board).

Advanced Semiconductor Photomask Market Size

The Global Advanced Semiconductor Photomask Market was valued at USD 5125 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 6808 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period.

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What are the key factors driving the growth of the Advanced Semiconductor Photomask Market?

The Advanced Semiconductor Photomask Market continues to grow as manufacturers prioritize high-quality patterning materials.

These materials improve reliability, sustain structural accuracy, and support evolving device architectures.

Increasing demand for advanced chips, displays, and specialized components reinforces steady photomask adoption across diverse fabrication environments.

Suppliers benefit from expanding semiconductor ecosystems, rising design complexity, and the need for dependable pattern uniformity during each production stage.

As industries pursue enhanced performance and miniaturization, photomask materials become essential for supporting stable manufacturing outcomes.

This combination of consistent demand drivers strengthens long-term market momentum and encourages continuous development of higher-grade photomask solutions.

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TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE GLOBAL ADVANCED SEMICONDUCTOR PHOTOMASK MARKET:

Relief Plate supports the expansion of the Advanced Semiconductor Photomask Market by enabling a highly stable patterning foundation for manufacturing processes that depend on precise structural definition across complex device layers. Its ability to maintain consistent pattern depth improves uniformity, reducing defects during exposure and supporting the production of intricate circuit architectures used across advanced semiconductor applications. As device designs become more sophisticated, Relief Plate contributes to smoother alignment, better pattern replication, and dependable resist behavior, strengthening overall production reliability. This encourages large-scale adoption across fabrication environments seeking consistent results, fostering market demand for photomask solutions that perform reliably under diverse manufacturing loads. Its stability, durability, and patterning consistency increase trust and help accelerate market expansion.

Quartz Mask supports the growth of the Advanced Semiconductor Photomask Market by offering exceptional clarity, stable optical behavior, and dependable resilience throughout demanding exposure conditions, which enhances pattern precision in advanced manufacturing workflows. Its purity plays a vital role in reducing distortions and maintaining consistent light transmission across intricate device layers, helping manufacturers achieve cleaner pattern profiles and improved feature accuracy. The compatibility of Quartz Mask with diverse lithographic environments strengthens yield performance and supports the fabrication of next-generation semiconductor structures requiring tighter control over patterning steps. Its reliability increases its preference across fabrication settings, encouraging investments in high-performance photomask materials and elevating overall market momentum as wafer complexity continues to increase.

Flat Panel Display and Semiconductor applications strengthen the Advanced Semiconductor Photomask Market by consistently demanding high-resolution patterning solutions that maintain uniformity across expanding device formats. As display manufacturers pursue sharper visuals, improved color performance, and advanced structural layering, they require photomasks capable of supporting stable exposure accuracy and reduced defect levels. Semiconductor fabricators also rely on photomasks to sustain intricate architectures across multiple layers, driving continued adoption of premium masking materials. This dual demand creates sustained market momentum, as both sectors prioritize consistent pattern fidelity, enhanced alignment stability, and dependable production scalability. Their combined requirements encourage higher investments in advanced photomask capabilities and nurture a supportive ecosystem for expanding market adoption.

Rising Miniaturization Requirements strengthen the Advanced Semiconductor Photomask Market by encouraging manufacturers to adopt precise patterning materials that maintain accuracy across shrinking device geometries, supporting cleaner structural definition and reliable performance within compact architectures. As devices move toward finer layouts and tighter spacing, photomasks capable of delivering stable exposure behavior become essential for ensuring repeatable results. This increasing emphasis on compact semiconductor design promotes greater dependence on sophisticated masking solutions that retain dimensional integrity across complex layers. The demand for photomasks that support reduced defect rates and improved alignment reliability continues expanding, reinforcing market growth. Manufacturers seeking competitive fabrication advantages consistently rely on advanced photomasks to maintain yield stability across miniaturized semiconductor designs.

Increased Layer Complexity supports market expansion by requiring photomasks that sustain dependable pattern placement across multiple structural depths, enabling manufacturers to achieve accurate results without compromising operational consistency. As semiconductor architectures evolve toward multi-layered configurations, precise material performance becomes even more critical to reduce distortion during exposure stages. Each additional layer demands uniformity, clear pattern transfer, and strong resistance to optical inconsistencies. This elevates the need for advanced photomasks, encouraging investments in materials capable of supporting intricate layouts used in high-performance devices. Manufacturers lean on masking solutions that sustain clarity and durability under repetitive processing conditions, strengthening the overall market landscape and motivating continuous upgrading of photomask capabilities.

Growing Use in High-Performance Computing contributes to market development by pushing manufacturers to adopt accurate and stable photomask solutions capable of sustaining the intricate designs required for energy-efficient and performance-intensive chips. These computing environments depend heavily on reliable patterning precision, consistent exposure behavior, and trustworthy alignment across complex device structures. As demand for processing efficiency increases across multiple industries, photomask producers experience rising interest in materials that ensure clean feature definition and strong structural accuracy. Fabricators rely on these materials to maintain device reliability under heavy computational demands, reinforcing the need for advanced photomask solutions that meet stringent performance expectations. This trend significantly boosts market growth and long-term adoption.

Expanding Use Across Consumer Electronics stimulates the Advanced Semiconductor Photomask Market by increasing the demand for reliable patterning solutions that accommodate diverse device formats and evolving product designs. As consumer electronics continuously push for thinner profiles, improved visual performance, and enhanced integration of complex features, manufacturers depend on photomasks to deliver consistent structural accuracy and reduced defect rates. These materials help ensure smooth production across varied applications, strengthening fabrication reliability and scalability. With product refresh cycles becoming increasingly frequent, photomask suppliers benefit from sustained activity as manufacturers update their designs. This encourages ongoing investments in photomask capabilities, further supporting market growth and enhancing competitiveness within the broader electronics ecosystem.

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ADVANCED SEMICONDUCTOR PHOTOMASK MARKET SHARE

Asia-Pacific (APAC) dominates the market globally owing to its concentration of semiconductor foundries, integrated device manufacturers (IDMs), and display-panel manufacturers. Countries such as those in East Asia have a robust manufacturing ecosystem, supported by government incentives, strong supply-chain infrastructure, and a skilled workforce. This makes APAC the epicenter for both high-volume production and advanced photomask demand. The region leads not only in producing photomasks but also in consumption due to the volume of chip fabrication and display manufacturing located there.

Key Companies:

Photronics

Toppan

DNP

Hoya

SK-Electronics

LG Innotek

ShenZheng QingVi

Taiwan Mask

Nippon Filcon

Compugraphics

Newway Photomask

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What are some related markets to the Advanced semiconductor photomask market?

- Semiconductor Photomask Inspection System Market was estimated to be worth USD 145 Million in 2023 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 271.9 Million by 2030 with a CAGR of 8.9% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

- Photomask Blanks for Integrated Circuits Market was valued at USD 1557 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 2230 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period.

- Semiconductor Mask Blanks Market was valued at USD 4874 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 7099 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period.

- Photomask Production Equipment Market was estimated to be worth USD 955 Million in 2024 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 1366 Million by 2031 with a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period 2025-2031.

- Photomask for Semiconductor Chip Market was valued at USD 5602 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 9053 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period.

- Advanced Photomasks Market

- Semiconductor Photomask Writer Market was valued at USD 955 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 1366 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period.

- Advanced Semiconductor Packaging Market revenue was USD 15670 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 26150 Million by 2029 with a CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period (2023-2029).

- Third-Generation Semiconductor Photomask Market

- 14nm and Below 14nm Semiconductor Photomask Market

- Semiconductor Photomask Below 130nm Market

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Flin Flon, Manitoba--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Boreal Gold Inc (CSE: BGLD) (the "Issuer") has closed the second tranche financing of $24,300.00 of a non-brokered private placement announced on September 26, 2025. The closing is comprised of 81,000 Flow Through Shares at a price of $0.30 per Flow-Through Share representing proceeds of $24,300.00 for an aggregate total raised of $24,300.

The Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. The securities issued are subject to a four-month statutory hold period in Canada ending on March 27, 2026.

The Flow-Through Shares shall consist of one Common Share, to be issued as a "flow-through share" (the "Flow-Through Shares") within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

Properties

The Fay Lake Property consists of 17 contiguous claims comprising of 2719 ha. lies 25km Northeast of Flin Flon, Manitoba. It is contiguous to the south with Hudbay Minerals Vamp Lake Cu-Zn-Au VMS property and also contiguous to the northeast, with the former Puffy Lake Gold mine. Fay Lake contains approximately 5 km of mapped VMS horizons similar to Vamp Lake. Separately, west of the rail line, a 9 km shear structure, presently known to contain similar mineralization as the Puffy Lake Gold deposit with samples assaying up to 14.33 g/t Au.

The Melgurd property consisting of 11 mineral claims totalling 7411 ha., lies Northwest of Flin Fon Manitoba just north of the Shotts Lake copper-zinc VMS deposit in Saskatchewan. Boreal's airborne magnetic and EM survey shows both EM conductors and gradient magnetic trends of the Shott Lake horizon continuing north onto the Melgurd property in the area of a felsic volcanic package. Prospecting and mapping in the summer and fall of 2023 and 2024 have outlined an area of significant garnet and anthophyllite alteration, locally this alteration is associated with gossans.

The North Star Group property, consisting of 2922 Ha in 21 contiguous claims and two mining leases is located 50 kilometres west of Snow Lake Manitoba. The Property consist of three contiguous properties which are: the North Star Gold Property; the Gold Rock Mining Lease and the Sewell Lake Critical Metals Property which is contiguous and within the same stratigraphy as HudBay Minerals Rail Zone Copper Deposit to the south and the former Dickstone Copper Zinc Mine to the North.

Going forward based on recent work on the Fay Lake (in Manitoba) and the Melgurd Lake (in Saskatchewan) properties and the recently acquired North Star Property (in Manitoba) (see April 17, 2025 News Release)

Planned Exploration and Drill Targets

In 2025 a rigorous exploration program is planned on the Fay Lake property, the North Star property and the Melgurd Lake property. Target development follows up airborne targets, which have been verified by detailed analysis, ground geophysics as well as geological mapping, sampling and prospecting in 2023 and 2024. These targets will be tested by drilling subject to the required funds being raised this year. Further ground geophysics is planned for the western portion of the Fay Lake Grid, not previously covered, prior to drilling.

Use of Proceeds

Fay Lake

Boreal Gold intends to use the proceeds from this financing to perform ground geophysical surveys over the western portion of the Fay Lake grid (not previously covered) as well as the north eastern portion of the Fay Lake grid that will be surveyed to follow the strike extension of the Sunrise conductor to the eastern shore of Fay Lake. Proceeds will also be used for the assays of the rock samples collected on the Fay grid, the eastern extension of the Sunrise grid and the assays from Koscielny Lake (Boreal Gold press release November 21, 2025). Geological maps and reports will also be created detailing the exploration work and results obtained from the 2025 mapping, prospecting and sampling work program. Drill testing of designed targets will follow up confirmation of Airborne conductors by ground geophysics on the Fay Lake property subject to a successful financing and direct consultation with Kiciwapa Cree Nation.

North Star

Planned Program

Line cutting and refurbishing old Grids

Most of the refurbishing and recutting on the Grid from North of the North Star deposit on Line 46 N to Line 59 N between Baselines 46 E and Tie Line 59 E for both mapping and drilling purposes has been completed this fall and the remaining lines will be completed in the spring and summer of 2026. This portion of the grid is almost 25 years old and overgrown to obliterated as it was cut a few years after a forest fire.

Geological Mapping, Prospecting and Sampling

The Grids from Lines 59+50 N south to L 46 N will require geological remapping and detailed sampling to bring it up to the standard and detail of the northern grids that cover the Gold Rock and Richard Veins, with special emphasis on the section in between the North Star and Gold Rock deposits. This will occur during the spring and summer of 2026. During the late fall line cutting and refurbishing of the old grids, Boreal had the opportunity to collect 12 samples from the muck pile where blasted material from nearby trenches was piled and stored as well as blasted quartz vein material from the underground development and bulk sample extracted in the spring of 2004 by Foran Mining. The underground sample from the 100 feet vertical level averaged 0.29 Au oz/t in the north part of the sill and 0.27 Au oz/t in the south part of the sill. (Foran Mining Press Release May 25, 2004). The 12 samples of quartz vein material collected by Boreal were sent to SRC Laboratories in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (certification ISO/IEC 17025:2017) for screen metallic analysis and results are pending.

Drilling

Selective infill drilling, as well as down plunge drilling on the Gold Rock Vein is planned, with a view of completing a resource estimate and NI 43-101 compliant technical report (never undertaken). Ultimately the plan is to drill off enough tonnes that the combined resource of the North Star and Gold Rock Vein Structures, with sufficient grade, will warrant to bring it to a prefeasibility study. Even if successful on the first pass, this objective will require a few additional drill programs.

Melgurd Lake

On the Melgurd Lake property, following up detailed analysis of Airborne Geophysical conductors on strike with the Shotts Lake deposit and the encouragement found in the felsic volcanic package with VMS style alteration in the 2023-2024 field work: further work is planned to ground truth these conductors. Detailed mapping, prospecting, sampling and line cutting will be carried out over these conductors on the Keep Lake grid with follow up reports.

Qualified Person

Stephen L. Masson, M.Sc., P.Geo. is the "Qualified Person" as defined by NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for these properties, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release. Mr. Masson acts as a consulting geologist for the company.

About Boreal Gold Inc

Boreal Gold Inc is a Canadian junior mineral exploration company with a specific focus on mineral properties in northwest Manitoba and northeast Saskatchewan, Canada. All of the Issuer's properties are currently at the exploration stage. The Issuer has assembled a portfolio of base metal and precious metal prospects in strategic locations in the Provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

No stock exchange or securities regulatory authority has reviewed or accepted responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Some of the statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements, such as estimates and statements that describe the Issuer's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Issuer or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276022

SOURCE: Boreal Gold Inc.
MANAMA, Bahrain, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Noventiq Bahrain, a leading provider of digital transformation and cybersecurity solutions, proudly announces its recognition as the 2025 Microsoft Country Partner of the Year for Bahrain. This prestigious award honors Noventiq Bahrain for delivering exceptional solutions and services built on Microsoft technologies, driving innovation and enabling organizations across the region to achieve secure and efficient digital transformation.

Torgrim Takle - CEO of Noventiq Holdings PLC, Commented:

"This recognition reflects the strong partnership between Microsoft and Noventiq, and our shared commitment to empowering customers through secure and innovative digital transformation. Bahrain is a growing market with tremendous potential, and this award highlights the dedication of our regional teams in delivering excellence, trust, and tangible business value to our customers."

Amit Nandi, Managing Director - GCC, Added:

"We are honored to receive this recognition from Microsoft. This award reflects our unwavering commitment to empowering organizations in Bahrain with cutting-edge technology solutions that accelerate growth, enhance security, and unlock new opportunities. Our team remains dedicated to delivering measurable business outcomes and advancing digital excellence in the region."

The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards celebrate partners who have demonstrated excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft Cloud and AI technologies. Winners were selected from thousands of nominations globally, recognizing partners that have achieved significant impact and growth in their respective markets.

About Noventiq Bahrain

Noventiq Bahrain is part of Noventiq Holdings PLC, a global leader in digital transformation and cybersecurity solutions headquartered in London. With a strong presence in high-growth markets, Noventiq connects organizations with best-in-class IT vendors and proprietary services, enabling businesses to operate securely and efficiently in an increasingly digital economy.

Contact:

Phone: +973 77080711

Email: bahrain@noventiq.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/noventiq-gcc-recognized-as-winner-of-2025-microsoft-country-partner-of-the-year-in-bahrain-302626822.html
ABU DHABI, UAE, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The UAE has announced the launch of the 'AI for Development' initiative, worth $1 billion, to support and finance artificial intelligence projects in African countries.

The initiative aims to advance economic and social development across the continent by developing digital infrastructure, enhancing government services and improving productivity.

The announcement was made during the speech delivered by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, at the G20 summit, where he reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to driving sustainable growth through broader international partnerships and innovative financing solutions that support development in emerging economies.

The initiative will be implemented by Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX), the export financing arm of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, in cooperation with the UAE Foreign Aid Agency.

This partnership reflects the UAE's role in enabling developing countries to benefit from advanced technologies and harness the power of artificial intelligence to support comprehensive development.

The initiative aims to help developing countries overcome key developmental challenges by integrating artificial intelligence technologies into essential sectors such as education, agriculture and infrastructure, creating innovative solutions that accelerate growth and expand opportunities for sustainable development.

The initiative also aligns with the UAE's vision of building a knowledge-based economy and further strengthens its position as a global hub for the development and application of AI technologies for the benefit of societies.

His Excellency Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director-General of ADFD and Chairman of the Exports Executive Committee of ADEX, said: "ADEX's leadership of the AI for Development initiative reflects the UAE's belief that artificial intelligence is a real force for advancing equitable growth and sustainable development. By combining technology, financing and partnerships, we aim to support developing countries in overcoming developmental challenges and building long-term economic resilience."

He added: "Integrating AI technologies into the education, agriculture and infrastructure sectors opens new horizons for inclusive development. Through this initiative, we aim to empower UAE enterprises to implement pioneering, high-impact development projects that strengthen economic and technological cooperation between the UAE and African countries, while supporting the achievement of global sustainable development goals."

Al Suwaidi highlighted that the initiative builds on the humanitarian and developmental legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the UAE, and reflects the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the commitment of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to supporting communities and improving lives through landmark development projects and initiatives launched from the UAE to the world.

Dr Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of the UAE Foreign Aid Agency, reaffirmed the UAE's leading humanitarian and developmental role in supporting communities, enhancing capacities and meeting needs in line with the legacy of the late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

He highlighted that the UAE continues to implement high-impact initiatives worldwide, including leveraging AI tools and solutions to drive development in African nations.

Al Ameri explained that the AI for Development initiative reflects the UAE's enduring commitment to strengthening global solidarity and advancing cooperative development to build a better future for all and improve living standards for communities worldwide, particularly those facing significant developmental challenges across key sectors.

Al Ameri also stressed that many African countries require such transformative initiatives to meet diverse needs in education, healthcare and infrastructure, at a time when the UAE is reinforcing its position as a global centre for artificial intelligence, topping numerous international indicators that reflect its technological and digital advancement across vital sectors.

The AI for Development initiative is dedicated to African countries and forms part of the UAE's broader foreign assistance to the continent.

Since 1971, the UAE has provided more than Dh152 billion in aid to African nations, and through this new initiative, continues its global leadership role by strengthening the contribution of UAE donor entities, through the UAE Foreign Aid Agency and in cooperation with ADEX, to implement AI-driven development projects across Africa.

This landmark initiative underscores the UAE's global standing as a leading hub for cutting-edge technologies and smart systems, helping advance innovation, development and modernisation at regional and international levels while providing creative solutions to drive inclusive and sustainable growth.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/uae-launches-1-billion-ai-for-development-initiative-to-advance-digital-infrastructure-across-africa-led-by-adex-the-export-financing-arm-of-adfd-and-the-uae-foreign-aid-agency-302626830.html
ALLEN PARK, MI / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / What Happened?

On January 30, 2025, Western Wayne discovered unauthorized activity in its network. Upon discovery, we took immediate action to secure our network environment and took immediate action to investigate the incident, including retaining independent specialists. After a thorough investigation, we learned that an unauthorized actor gained access to our systems on January 28, 2025. On September 30, 2025, after a review of the data involved, it was determined that the unauthorized actor acquired protected health information.

What Information was Involved?

The information involved will not be the same for every individual and may include contact information (such as first and last name, address, phone number, and email), date of birth, and one or more of the following: medical diagnosis or condition, Social Security number, and health insurance information.

What is Western Wayne doing?

We reported the incident to law enforcement and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights.

Additionally, we are offering access to single bureau credit monitoring services to impacted individuals at no cost. This service provides alerts for 12 months from the date of enrollment when changes occur to the enrollee's credit file. In addition, a dedicated team and call center will be available to provide support services and address inquiries concerning the incident, credit monitoring, identity protection services, and proactive fraud assistance to help with any questions that those individuals might have.

These services will be provided by Cyberscout, a TransUnion company, specializing in fraud assistance and remediation services.

What Individuals Can Do?

As a general matter, individuals should remain vigilant by reviewing credit reports, financial account statements, and explanation of benefits forms for suspicious activity and to detect errors. We also remind everyone that they are entitled to one free credit report annually from the each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. To order a free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.

Individuals can further educate themselves regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps they can take to protect personal information by contacting the credit reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or your state Attorney General. The FTC also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. The FTC may be reached at 600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20580; www.identitytheft.gov ; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261.

For More Information

For any further information, please contact 1-800-405-6108.

SOURCE: Kennedys CMK LLP

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/notice-of-data-breach-1112380
by Erik Foley

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / COP30, the first COP held in the Amazon (and perhaps the first featuring a small fire), ended November 22 in Belem, Brazil.

As a business leader, you might ask: "Should we be paying attention to what emerged from COP30?"

First, it's a good question. The answer? I am reminded of the biologist and author EO Wilson's wonderful line:

"The real problem of humanity is we have Paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions and godlike technology. It is terrifically dangerous, and it is now approaching a point of crisis."

These three elements certainly come crashing together at COP meetings. These gatherings are wonky institutionalized mash-ups of tens of thousands of humans trying to act rationally while enacting primal, tribal drives for safety, security and status. Meanwhile, the nations represented have "godlike" technology that is changing the chemistry of the atmosphere and oceans.

It is messy, slow, and hypocritical. And so it's easy to dismiss.

After all, the gap between international climate negotiations and the daily realities of running a business is real. The UN convenes. Delegates negotiate through the night. A "package" emerges. Headlines follow. And then Monday morning arrives and the same spreadsheets need the same attention they needed on Friday.

There are important things here for business leaders. We'll look at both sides: a case for paying attention and a word of caution about not looking too closely.

The Case for Paying Attention

First, nearly 60,000 delegates registered-the second-highest turnout ever (COP28 had 80,000)-which tells you something about continued global momentum despite political headwinds and geopolitical issues abounding in the world, gaming for our attention. Here's what emerged that matters for business:

The regulatory floor is rising. Over 100 countries have submitted updated Nationally Determined Contributions with 2035 targets. The EU committed to 66-72% emissions reductions by 2035. The UK set a target of 81% below 1990 levels. These national commitments cascade into corporate requirements-stricter emissions standards, expanded carbon pricing, enhanced disclosure mandates. Read: your operating environment in 2030 is being shaped now.

Disclosure frameworks are hardening. The conference reinforced momentum toward stricter disclosure rules aligned with ISSB and CSRD. For companies still treating sustainability reporting as a nice-to-have, the compliance window is narrowing. The question is no longer whether to build robust GHG inventories and reporting processes, but how quickly.

The economics are becoming undeniable. The COP30 Circle of Finance Ministers released a striking projection: Under current climate policies, global GDP could be 15% lower by 2050 compared to a world without climate change. Their work referenced long-term scenarios from Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS). Meanwhile, Munich Re reported that climate-related disasters caused $320 billion in economic losses in 2024 alone. This is the language of CFOs, enterprise risk management, and the board, not just regulators or researchers.

Carbon markets are maturing. Parties advanced the technical work on Article 6.4 rules (adopted at COP29), including methodologies for carbon removal and requirements for addressing non-permanence (the risk that carbon storage won't be permanently realized). Companies with carbon credit strategies need to understand these evolving standards to ensure their approaches remain credible.

We can capture this in a principle: COP outcomes matter to your business to the extent that they signal where regulation, capital, and risk are heading-even when the outcomes themselves aren't binding.

The Case for Looking Elsewhere

And yet... there is a reasonable caution for looking too closely at COP30 outcomes for binding, stable guidance.

The core outcomes were voluntary. The much-anticipated fossil fuel phase-out roadmap (which appeared again in earlier drafts) was stripped from formal outcomes. Oil-producing nations blocked binding language, and the COP president announced voluntary "roadmaps" outside the formal UN process instead. Commentators called the overall outcome weak. If you're looking for regulatory certainty, Belem didn't provide it.

The ambition gap remains enormous. The NDCs submitted so far achieve less than 14% of the emissions reductions needed by 2035 to stay within 1.5C. The UN Secretary-General noted that current commitments would deliver about 12% reductions when 55% is needed. The gap between rhetoric and action remains wide. Based on the 70,000 protesters, Indigenous peoples' interruption of proceedings, and all the saltiness on social media, companies would be very wise to narrow the gap between saying and doing. The atmosphere is cleaned up by less pollution, not more words.

The U.S. was absent. For the first time in COP history, the United States sent no official representatives, after the Trump administration closed its climate diplomacy office. With the world's second-largest emitter withdrawing from the Paris Agreement effective January 2026, that framework's ability to drive coordinated global action is compromised. For companies with significant U.S. operations, this creates a fragmented regulatory landscape. The choice is between avoiding costs in the short term by navigating towards the lowest standards, or aligning with the highest reasonable standards to avoid unnecessary costs in the future.

Private sector momentum already exceeds COP progress. The World Economic Forum's Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders demonstrated that member companies reduced aggregate emissions by 12% between 2019 and 2023 while growing revenues by 20%. Companies are moving on climate action driven by investor pressure, customer expectations, and competitive positioning-not waiting for international negotiations. The market is setting the pace.

Your real regulatory environment is domestic. The regulations that actually bind your company were enacted through domestic legislative processes, not COP agreements. Parsing the nuances of international negotiating text may be less valuable than monitoring and preparing for these concrete requirements.

Here's a second principle: COP outcomes matter less to your business than the domestic regulations they eventually inspire-and those regulations are already arriving.

So What's the Takeaway?

I think about this the way I think about reading the news: There's signal and there's noise. The skill is learning to distinguish between them.

COP30 is signal in the sense that it reveals directional trends. Climate finance is scaling. Disclosure expectations are converging globally. Physical climate risk is moving from theoretical concern to balance sheet reality. Adaptation is finally getting serious attention. These aren't fads-they're structural shifts that are shaping business forever.

COP30 is noise in the sense that waiting for international consensus to drive (or even inform) your sustainability strategy is a futile effort. The companies that thrive will be those that read the direction of travel and move-not those that wait for binding international agreements that may never come with sufficient ambition.

Here's my advice to business leaders: track what happens at COP because it can inform your view of where things are heading, but don't let COP outcomes dictate the pace of your work. True leaders will build capabilities, manage risks, and capture opportunities based on what they can see coming-not what the UN has formally agreed upon.

The Deeper Point

There's something almost quaint about 195 nations gathering in the Amazon to negotiate the future of the planet. In an age of political fragmentation and institutional distrust, the fact that they still show up-60,000 strong-is itself meaningful. It represents a collective acknowledgment that the problems we face are real, even when the solutions remain elusive.

Returning to EO Wilson, we are all engaged in an epic turning point in human history to align our "godlike" technology with the limits and lessons of a living planet.

Does COP work? Imperfectly. Frustratingly. Incrementally.

Should your company care? Yes-but not because COP will tell you what to do. Care because the trends COP reflects are coming whether the negotiations succeed or not. Care because your customers, investors, and employees increasingly do. Care because the physical and transition risks are real, and managing them well is just good business.

And care because, in the end, the companies that will matter in 2035 and beyond are those that looked at the trajectory of things and decided to lead rather than wait.

That's not a COP outcome. That's a choice.

Have any questions?

Contact us to discuss your environment, health, safety, and sustainability needs today.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Antea Group on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Antea Group

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/antea-group

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Antea Group

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/should-your-company-care-about-cop30-1112393
Surrey, England--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Occupational Health Consultancy Ltd (OHC), a leading SEQOHS-accredited occupational health provider, was proud to sponsor the Professional Services Award at the Surrey Business Awards 2025, hosted by Platinum Media Group. The awards ceremony, held at G Live, London Road, Guildford, GU1 2AA celebrated excellence across Surrey's business community, recognising organisations demonstrating outstanding achievement and contribution to the regional economy.

Occupational Health Consultancy Ltd Sponsors Professional Services Award at Surrey Business Awards 2025

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/275843_image%20(1)_550.jpg

Linda Lyle, Managing Director of OHC, presented the award to the evening's winner, MLP Wealth Management. She was joined at the event by Caroline Roberts, Commercial Director, and Dr. Guy Roberts, Director of Mental Health.

"Presenting this award was a real privilege. MLP Wealth Management demonstrated exactly what professional services excellence looks like - putting clients first and delivering measurable results. That's something we've built our business around for 30 years, and it was wonderful to celebrate that commitment with them and the wider Surrey business community," said Linda Lyle, Managing Director of OHC.

OHC's sponsorship of the Professional Services Award reflects the company's commitment to supporting business excellence across the UK. With 30 years of experience and SEQOHS accreditation, OHC provides comprehensive occupational health services to over 400 clients nationwide, from small businesses to organisations with thousands of employees.

About Occupational Health Consultancy Ltd

Occupational Health Consultancy Ltd (OHC) is a SEQOHS-accredited occupational health provider based in Southampton, serving clients across the UK since 1995. The company provides comprehensive occupational health services including health surveillance, management referrals, safety-critical medicals, and workplace wellbeing programs.

About the Surrey Business Awards

The Surrey Business Awards are the largest and most prestigious business event in Surrey. Organised by Platinum Media Group, the awards celebrate the incredible achievements and contribution.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275843

SOURCE: Plentisoft
Korean Temple Food, Designated as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Expands Its Global Reach Through International Events and Cultural Diplomacy

SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Korean Temple Food, rooted in 1,700 years of Korean Buddhist wisdom, is receiving renewed global attention following its recent designation as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Korean government. More than a vegetarian cuisine, temple food reflects a philosophy centered on respect for all life, moderation, and gratitude. Its plant-based preparation methods highlight the natural flavors of seasonal ingredients and promote harmony between nature and humans-values increasingly aligned with today's global focus on sustainability and mindful living.

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/cultural-corps-of-korean-buddhism/936875-en-korean-temple-food-globally-recognized-sustainable-culinary-culture

To share the cultural and spiritual depth of temple food with the international community, the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism organized three major global events this year-ranging from large-scale festivals and academic symposia to cultural diplomacy initiatives abroad.

In June, the 4th Korean Temple Food Festival was held at the aT Center in Seoul, marking the largest festival of its kind in a decade. Eleven temples from across Korea participated, offering a broad range of programs, including lectures, hands-on workshops, and demonstrations led by six master monks and nuns(Sunim) specializing in temple cuisine. The event attracted more than 20,000 visitors over two days. Notably, 47% of attendees were in their 20s and 30s, a strong indicator of the growing interest in sustainable, plant-based food culture among younger generations.

In August, the Temple Food International Academic Symposium was held at the National Palace Museum of Korea in Seoul, bringing together experts from Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, and China to discuss "The Potential of Temple Food as a Sustainable Culinary Culture." Brendan R. Walsh, dean of The Culinary Institute of America, emphasized the significance of Ogwan-ge (Five Contemplations)-the Buddhist reflection recited before meals to understand the meaning of gongyang (offering)-noting that "its principles speak directly to the core of culinary practice and its future." He added that "the answer lies in temple food," expressing interest in incorporating its values into the CIA curriculum.

From late October to early November, the Temple Food International Cultural Diplomacy events in Paris, France, and London, UK, directly introduced the contemplative spirit of temple food to gourmet experts and influencers in Europe.

In France, the Korean-style salad 'Deodeok Beomuri' (Marinated Deodeok (Korean bellflower root)) presented by Temple Food Artisan Venerable Yeogeo Sunim received a great response at a dinner reception hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in France, commemorating next year's 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and France. In the UK, the depth of temple food was conveyed through 'Korean Temple Food Week,' co-hosted with the Korean Cultural Centre UK and Le Cordon Bleu London. Venerable Yeogeo Sunim gave a lecture at the Le Cordon Bleu London campus, and Temple Food Master Venerable Jeong Kwan Sunim, widely known for her contemplative approach and for her appearance on Netflix's Chef's Table, showcased the restraint and meditative character of temple food by hosting a luncheon and a pop-up restaurant at the fine-dining establishment 'CORD by Le Cordon Bleu.' Emil Minev, Dean of Le Cordon Bleu London, commented, "Temple food is a culinary practice that embodies harmony with nature and respect for life, and I strongly support the Cultural Corps' future endeavor to register temple food with UNESCO."

Meanwhile, the Cultural Corps has continued its cultural diplomacy since signing a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korean Cultural Centre UK and Le Cordon Bleu London in April 2021, regularly hosting lectures and demonstrations of Korean Temple Food within Le Cordon Bleu's Plant-Based Culinary Arts Program.

Temple food is a unique Korean culinary culture embodying the Buddhist spirit of respecting life and temperance, and it is now taking its first step toward inscription as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Cultural Corps stated, "We hope that temple food will evolve into a recognized model of sustainable living and spiritual well-being," adding, "We will continue to foster global exchange in sustainable, plant-based food culture connecting Korea and the world."

Amidst this global interest, visitors to Korea can directly experience temple food at key locations operated by the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism. At the 'Korean Temple Food Center' in Insadong, Seoul, they can learn about temple food through introductory one-day workshops designed for international participants. At 'Balwoo Gongyang,' the world's first Michelin-starred temple food restaurant, visitors can savor the essence of temple food through course meals made with fresh seasonal ingredients.

The healing, contemplative spirit and the wisdom of sustainable living conveyed by a single bowl of food are now spreading throughout the world.

Inquiries:

Korean Temple Food Center (edu.koreatemplefood.com / +82-2-733-4650)

Balwoo Gongyang (eng.balwoo.or.kr / +82-2-733-2081)

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/korean-temple-food-a-globally-recognized-sustainable-culinary-culture-302626747.html
The former Director of Content at The World's 50 Best joins a21 to spearhead the agency's international growth and creative vision across Europe

MIAMI, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- a21, the full-service experiential event and marketing agency behind some of the world's most dynamic culinary, art, and lifestyle events, is officially expanding its international footprint with the establishment of a London-based European office. To lead this next chapter, the agency has appointed William Drew, former Director of Content at The World's 50 Best, as Managing Director / Vice President.

This move marks a major step in a21's European growth strategy, connecting its award-winning approach to storytelling, partnerships, and live experiences with new markets across the continent. From his base in London, Drew will oversee creative strategy, business development, and regional brand collaborations that align a21's bold, culture-first ethos with Europe's vibrant culinary, hospitality, and creative industries.

"Having worked with Will to stage The World's 50 Best Restaurants in NYC in 2016, it became evident to me how special, revered, and kind he is," said Brett Friedman, Founder and CEO of a21. "Words cannot express my enthusiasm at having Will join the a21 family and lead our international team."

A former journalist and editor, Drew has been a driving force behind The World's 50 Best family of brands for more than a decade. As Director of Content, he oversaw the growth and global recognition of The World's 50 Best Restaurants, Bars, Hotels, and Vineyards lists, as well as their regional editions. He led content development, digital strategy, and live-event communications, and served as the organization's most high-profile international voice. Prior to that, he was Editor of Arena magazine and worked across a range of business and consumer publications, bringing an editorial rigor and creative lens that continue to shape his leadership style.

Drew will now work closely with a21's CEO, Brett Friedman, and COO, Kristopher Moon, to build and execute the company's international growth strategy.

"Joining a21 feels like a natural fit," said William Drew. "The agency has a reputation for creating experiences that merge culture and community, primarily around food and drink, in meaningful ways. I'm excited to help expand that vision across Europe-connecting brands with audiences through stories and moments that matter."

a21 is a full-service marketing and communications agency known for producing large-scale festivals and immersive brand experiences across the culinary, beverage, art, and lifestyle industries. From Food Network South Beach & New York City Wine & Food Festivals, Art Market Production's suite of Art Fairs, International Wine & Spirits Competition, and Club O, a21 specializes in building high-impact events that blend creativity, community, and commerce.

With this expansion, a21 strengthens its European presence, bringing its distinctive approach to brand storytelling, celebrity and influencer partnerships, and cultural activations to a new international stage.

a21

a21 is a full-service live experience agency, specializing in event operations, production, marketing, corporate sales, and brand activations for live experiences. Founded in 2006, a21's portfolio includes internationally recognized events and festivals in South Florida and throughout the US: Food Network South Beach & New York City Wine & Food Festivals, Sunfest, Palm Beach Wine & Food Festival, Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival, Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival, Atlanta Food & Wine Festival presented by Invesco QQQ, Heritage Fire, and Whiskies of the World National Tours, AMP's suite of Art Fairs, International Wine & Spirits Competition, Club O, and more. Learn more at https://www.teama21.com/

Media Contact: info@teama21.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/a21-expands-european-presence-appointing-william-drew-as-managing-director--vice-president-to-lead-london-based-office-302626844.html
The global stop loss insurance market is experiencing rapid growth due to the rising demand for seamless digital infrastructure, increased adoption of cloud-based platforms, and the growing complexity of managing distributed applications. Enterprises are turning to load balancing solutions to ensure improved performance, high availability, and efficient traffic management. In addition, the surge in internet traffic, government initiatives promoting digital transformation, and the expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises globally are further driving the need for scalable, user-friendly stop loss insurance solutions.

WILMINGTON, Del., Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Stop Loss Insurance Market by Coverage Type (Specific Stop Loss Insurance and Aggregate Stop Loss Insurance), Enterprise Size (Large Enterprise, and Small and Medium Size Enterprise), and Industry Vertical (Heathcare, Manufacturing, Retail and E-commerce, IT and Telecommunication, BFSI, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2025-2034". According to the report, the stop loss insurance market was valued at $26.9 billion in 2024, and is estimated to reach $113.5 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 15.1% from 2025 to 2034.

Report Overview:

The stop loss insurance market focuses on providing financial protection to self-insured employees by limiting their exposure to high-cost medical claims. These insurance solutions are essential for managing the unpredictability of healthcare expenses, ensuring organizations can cover claims without jeopardizing their financial stability. Stop loss insurance plays a critical role in modern employee benefits strategies, especially with the increasing shift toward self-funded health plans by mid-sized and large employers seeking more control over healthcare costs. The growth of the stop loss insurance market is driven by the rising cost of healthcare services, greater adoption of self-insured models, and a heightened need for risk management tools among employers. In addition, the growing number of catastrophic claims and complex treatments, such as specialty drugs and long-term therapies, has increased demand for robust coverage options.

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However, challenges such as high premiums, regulatory uncertainty, and variability in claim patterns may hinder market expansion. Nonetheless, opportunities remain strong due to innovations in data analytics for underwriting, customized policy structures, and the expansion of third-party administrators (TPAs) and captive insurance models. As healthcare expenses continue to rise, stop loss insurance is expected to become an increasingly vital tool for financial protection and sustainability in self-funded health plans.

Key Segmentation Overview:

The Stop loss insurance market is segmented based on coverage type, enterprise size, industry vertical, and region.

By Coverage Type : Specific Stop Loss Insurance, Aggregate Stop Loss Insurance

: Specific Stop Loss Insurance, Aggregate Stop Loss Insurance By Enterprise Size : Large Enterprises, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

: Large Enterprises, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) By Industry Vertical: Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail and E-commerce, IT and Telecommunication, BFSI, Others

Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail and E-commerce, IT and Telecommunication, BFSI, Others By Region : North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Rest of Asia-Pacific) LAMEA (Brazil, South Africa, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Rest of LAMEA)

:

Market Highlights

By coverage type , the specific stop loss insurance segment dominated the market in 2024 and is expected to continue leading due to the growing need among self-funded employers to protect against large, unpredictable individual medical claims.

, the dominated the market in 2024 and is expected to continue leading due to the growing need among self-funded employers to protect against large, unpredictable individual medical claims. By enterprise size , the large enterprise segment dominated the market in 2024 and is expected to continue leading owing to their greater adoption of self-funded health plans, higher exposure to large medical claims, and the need for robust financial protection.

, the dominated the market in 2024 and is expected to continue leading owing to their greater adoption of self-funded health plans, higher exposure to large medical claims, and the need for robust financial protection. By industry vertical, the healthcare segment dominated the market in 2024 and is expected to continue leading due to the sector's high exposure to costly and unpredictable medical claims, rising healthcare utilization, and increasing adoption of self-funded health plans by hospitals and medical institutions.

Report Coverage & Details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2025-2034 Base Year 2024 Market Size in 2024 $26.9 billion Market Size in 2034 $113.5 billion CAGR 15.1 % No. of Pages in Report 194 Segments Covered Component Type, Enterprise Size, Industry Vertical and Region Driver  Rising Healthcare Costs  Regulatory Support for Self-Funding Models Opportunity Digital Transformation and Automation Restraint  High Premiums for Small Employers  Underwriting Complexity and Delays

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Factors Affecting Market Growth & Opportunities:

The rapid increase in healthcare costs and the complexity of medical treatments have heightened the need for financial protection in self-funded health plans. Factors such as the rise in high-cost claims, growing adoption of self-insurance models, and increasing regulatory scrutiny are driving the stop loss insurance market forward, as organizations seek advanced coverage solutions to ensure cost predictability, reduce financial exposure, and maintain stability in an evolving healthcare landscape

Rising Healthcare Costs: The continuous increase in medical expenses, including specialty drugs and advanced treatments, is encouraging more employers to adopt stop loss insurance to cap financial exposure and manage risk effectively.

The continuous increase in medical expenses, including specialty drugs and advanced treatments, is encouraging more employers to adopt stop loss insurance to cap financial exposure and manage risk effectively. Growth in Self-Funded Health Plans: An increasing number of mid-sized and large enterprises are moving toward self-insured healthcare models to gain cost control and plan flexibility, thereby boosting the demand for stop loss insurance coverage.

An increasing number of mid-sized and large enterprises are moving toward self-insured healthcare models to gain cost control and plan flexibility, thereby boosting the demand for stop loss insurance coverage. Advancements in Data Analytics and Underwriting: The use of predictive analytics and AI in underwriting enables insurers to offer more customized and competitively priced stop loss policies, opening new opportunities for market expansion.

However, challenges such as rising claim volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and integration with legacy benefit systems remain key issues for industry players. Stop loss insurance providers are focusing on data-driven underwriting models and cloud-based policy platforms to improve pricing accuracy, enhance compliance, and mitigate financial risks.

Technological Innovations & Future Trends:

Stop loss insurers are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze historical claims data, identify risk patterns, and improve underwriting accuracy, enabling more precise pricing and reduced exposure to high-cost claims.

and to analyze historical claims data, identify risk patterns, and improve underwriting accuracy, enabling more precise pricing and reduced exposure to high-cost claims. Advanced analytics tools are being used to forecast potential large claims before they occur. This allows insurers and employers to proactively manage risk and make informed decisions regarding coverage levels and policy terms.

are being used to forecast potential large claims before they occur. This allows insurers and employers to proactively manage risk and make informed decisions regarding coverage levels and policy terms. The adoption of cloud technology is streamlining administrative processes such as policy issuance, claims adjudication, and compliance reporting, improving operational efficiency, and enabling real-time collaboration between insurers, TPAs, and employers.

is streamlining administrative processes such as policy issuance, claims adjudication, and compliance reporting, improving operational efficiency, and enabling real-time collaboration between insurers, TPAs, and employers. Stop loss insurers are beginning to integrate with digital health platforms and employee wellness programs to promote preventive care, reduce long-term claim costs, and offer value-added services that support both risk mitigation and employee well-being.

Regional Insights

North America and Europe dominate the stop loss insurance market due to the widespread adoption of self-funded health plans, mature insurance ecosystems, and strong regulatory frameworks governing employee benefits and healthcare. In the U.S., large enterprises and mid-sized employers increasingly rely on stop loss insurance to manage financial exposure from catastrophic claims, supported by a well-established network of third-party administrators (TPAs) and insurers. In Europe, demand is driven by rising healthcare expenditures, growing interest in flexible insurance models, and evolving compliance requirements across countries.

Asia-Pacific and Latin America are experiencing rapid growth in the stop loss insurance market, fueled by rising healthcare costs, expanding employer-sponsored insurance programs, and increasing awareness of financial risk protection in employee health benefits. Countries like India, China, and Brazil are witnessing greater adoption of self-insured arrangements among corporations, supported by government healthcare reforms and the expansion of private healthcare sectors. This growth is further supported by digital insurance platforms, improved data analytics, and partnerships with TPAs and reinsurers to manage complex risk portfolios effectively.

Key Players:

Major players in the stop loss insurance market include HM insurance group, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, Tokio Marine HCC, BCS Financial Corporation, Swiss Re., Voya Financial, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Cigna Healthcare, Berkley Accident and Health, QBE Holdings, Inc., Mercer LLC., Everest Group, Ltd., Lakeshore Benefit Group, LLC., Valenz Health, Amwins, Avant Specialty Benefits, and Zurich North America. These companies are focusing on expanding their service offerings, strategic partnerships, and enhancing cybersecurity measures. These major players have adopted various key development strategies such as business expansion, new product launches, and partnerships, which help to drive the growth of the stop loss insurance market globally.

Key Strategies Adopted by Competitors

In January 2025, Nationwide announced its agreement to purchase Allstate's employer stop-loss segment for $1.25 billion. This strategic acquisition aims to expand Nationwide Financial's portfolio and better serve small businesses. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2025, pending regulatory approvals.

In September 2024, Prudential Financial introduced a new stop-loss insurance product tailored for self-funded employer health plans. The offering emphasizes competitive rates, flexible policy options, and a consultative approach to address complex stop-loss challenges. This launch signifies Prudential's commitment to expanding its presence in the stop-loss market.

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Key Benefits For Stakeholders

This report provides a quantitative analysis of the stop loss insurance industry segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the stop loss insurance market analysis from 2024 to 2034 to identify the prevailing stop loss insurance market opportunity.

The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.

Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.

In-depth analysis of the stop loss insurance industry segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.

Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global market.

Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players.

The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global stop loss insurance market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.

Stop Loss Insurance Market Report Highlights

By Coverage Type

Aggregate Stop Loss Insurance

Specific Stop Loss Insurance

By Industry Vertical

Heathcare

Manufacturing

Retail and E-commerce

IT and Telecommunication

BFSI

Others

By Enterprise Size

Large Enterprise

Small and Medium Size Enterprise

By Region

North America (U.S., Canada)

(U.S., Canada) Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)

(UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

(China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Rest of Asia-Pacific) LAMEA (Latin America, Middle East, Africa)

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We are in professional corporate relations with various companies, and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of the domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.



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AUSTIN, Texas and TOKYO, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to DataM Intelligence, the Gummy Supplements Market Size was valued at USD 24.34 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 66.79 billion by 2031, expanding at an impressive CAGR of 13.6% from 2024 to 2031. This sharp rise reflects a profound transformation in consumer nutrition behavior-driven by demand for convenient, flavorful, and easy-to-consume supplement formats that appeal to adults, kids, and aging populations alike.

Gummy supplements, once considered a niche segment, have now become a mainstream wellness category. They bridge the gap between functional nutrition and enjoyable consumption, catering to individuals who prefer alternatives to tablets, capsules, and powders. Supported by aggressive product innovation, fortified ingredient blends, clean-label formulations, and digital-first retail expansion, gummy supplements have reshaped the global nutraceutical ecosystem.

The market's growth is further amplified by rising lifestyle-related deficiencies, expanding preventive healthcare initiatives, social media-driven wellness culture, and the strong uptake of personalized nutrition products.

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Browse in-depth TOC on "Gummy Supplements Market"

62 - Tables

56 - Figures

219 - Pages

The New Frontier of Nutraceuticals: Why Gummies Are Dominating Consumer Wellness

1. High Consumer Acceptance Across Age Groups

More than 68% of global consumers prefer chewable or flavored supplement formats over pills, citing convenience and palatability. Gummies solve compliance problems-especially for children, pregnant women, and older adults.

2. Rise of Clean-Label & Plant-Based Nutraceuticals

Vegan gummies, sugar-free formulations, non-GMO variants, and natural-flavor products are surging. Plant-based pectin gummies grew 22% YoY, replacing gelatin in key markets.

3. Digital Commerce & Subscription Models

Online sales for gummy supplements increased 29% YoY, driven by D2C brands, wellness influencers, and personalized subscription services like auto-refill vitamin packs.

4. Rapid Ingredient Innovation

Multivitamin gummies, collagen chews, omega-3 gummies, nootropic blends, immune-boosting vitamin C gummies, and sleep-focused melatonin gummies show strong adoption across all demographics.

Market Segmentation:

By Type (Vitamins, Minerals, Omega Fatty Acids, Collagen Gummies, Other Types)

Vitamins

Vitamin-based gummies dominated the market, accounting for 48% of global sales (USD 11.7 billion in 2023). Multivitamin, vitamin C, vitamin D3, and B-complex gummies remain top sellers due to widespread deficiencies and preventive health awareness. Vitamin gummies for immunity, hair/skin/nails, and bone health showed exceptional growth.

Minerals

Mineral gummies represented 18% (USD 4.38 billion). Popular mineral formulations include magnesium, zinc, calcium, iron, and electrolyte blends, especially for children, elderly populations, and athletes.

Omega Fatty Acids

Omega-3 and omega-6 gummies accounted for 14% (USD 3.4 billion). Algal-based omega-3 gummies are witnessing >20% YoY growth due to increasing preference for plant-based DHA/EPA supplements.

Collagen Gummies

Collagen gummies contributed 12% (USD 2.9 billion). Beauty-from-within trends-skin elasticity, hair growth, nail strength-are fueling strong demand for Type I and Type III collagen-based formulations.

By Distribution Channel (Supermarkets & Hypermarkets, Convenience Stores, Online Retail Stores, Pharmacies & Drug Stores, Others)

Supermarkets & Hypermarkets

This channel led global distribution with 42% (USD 10.2 billion). Retail giants continue to expand nutraceutical shelf space due to strong repeat purchases and brand visibility.

Online Retail Stores

Online stores represented 28% (USD 6.8 billion). E-commerce dominates premium gummy sales through subscription packs, influencer-led brands, personalized nutrition kits, and rapid home delivery.

Pharmacies & Drug Stores

Pharmacy sales accounted for 20% (USD 4.9 billion), driven by clinical positioning, trust, and availability of doctor-recommended supplements.

Convenience Stores

Convenience stores captured 7% (USD 1.7 billion), primarily impulse buys of energy, sleep, and immunity gummies.

By End-User (Adults, Kids)

Adults

Adults represented 72% of total sales (USD 17.5 billion). Stress-relief, gut health, beauty, immunity, menopause support, prenatal, and metabolic products drive the segment.

Kids

Kids accounted for 28% (USD 6.8 billion), driven by pediatric vitamin deficiencies, rising parental interest in complete nutrition, and easy dosing compliance.

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Regional Analysis:

United States

The U.S. accounted for 37% of global revenue (USD 9 billion in 2023), driven by consumer wellness trends, premium brands, subscription-led D2C platforms, and mass-market adoption of gummy vitamins.

US Market Indicators:

74% of U.S. supplement buyers prefer gummies over traditional pills

prefer gummies over traditional pills Online gummy sales grew 31% YoY

Collagen gummies surged >25% YoY

U.S. nutraceutical regulations favor clean-label and natural ingredient expansion

By 2031, the U.S. gummy supplements market is projected to exceed USD 24 billion.

Japan

Japan contributed 8% (USD 1.95 billion in 2023). The country's aging population, strong preventive healthcare culture, and premium product acceptance make it a high-potential market for functional gummies.

Japan Market Highlights:

Elderly multivitamin gummy usage rose 18% YoY

Beauty-from-within gummies grew 21% YoY

Japan ranks among the top markets for collagen gummies globally

Japan's market is expected to surpass USD 5 billion by 2031.

Competitive Landscape:

Church & Dwight Co., Inc.

2024 Global Revenue: USD 5.8 billion

USD Vitamins & Supplements Segment (including gummies): USD 625 million

USD Strong in adult multivitamin gummies and women's health formulations.

Amway Corp.

2024 Revenue: USD 7.8 billion

USD Nutrilite Nutrition Category: >USD 4 billion

Nutrilite gummy vitamins, especially plant-based, continue to expand in APAC and the U.S.

Bayer AG

2024 Consumer Health Revenue: USD 20.6 billion

USD Gummy Supplements Contribution: Estimated USD 1.2 billion

Includes One A Day, Flintstones Gummies, and nutritional gummies across multiple age groups.

Haleon Group (Formerly GSK Consumer Health)

2024 Revenue: USD 13.2 billion

USD Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements (VMS): USD 2.1 billion

Strong gummy presence across immunity, energy, and general wellness.

Nestle (Health Science Division)

2024 Revenue (Nestle Health Science): USD 18 billion

USD Supplement & Medical Nutrition Share: >USD 5 billion

Premium gummy brands expanding globally across beauty and metabolic segments.

Unilever

2024 Nutrition & Wellness Revenue: USD 14.5 billion

USD Engaged in immunity & women's wellness gummies through multiple brands.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

2024 Revenue: USD 14.2 billion

USD Expanding into functional gummies through nutrition portfolios.

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The Future of The Gummy Supplements Industry - What 2031 Will Look Like

By 2031, the gummy supplements category will experience dramatic transformation:

AI-driven personalized gummy packs with ingredient customization

with ingredient customization Clean-label formulations dominating >70% of global sales

Plant-based pectin gummies replacing gelatin across major brands

Medicinal gummies integrating probiotics, peptides, adaptogens & CBD

Functional confectionery merging with vitamins for hybrid wellness snacks

Premium beauty gummies scaling fastest within adult consumers

Clinical-grade nutraceutical gummies gaining medical endorsement

Related Report:

1. Gummy Vitamins Market Size to Grow from US$67.3 B in 2022 to US$16.2 B by 2031 - Rapid Expansion Ahead.

2. Vitamin Gummy Supplements Market to Grow from US$24.34 B in 2023 to US$66.79 B by 2031 - CAGR 13.6%

3. Gummy Market Size to Grow from US$19.2 B in 2022 to US$40.5 B by 2031 - Nearly Double in Under a Decade (CAGR 9.8%).

About DataM Intelligence

DataM Intelligence is a renowned provider of market research, delivering deep insights through pricing analysis, market share breakdowns, and competitive intelligence. The company specializes in strategic reports that guide businesses in high-growth sectors such as nutraceuticals and AI-driven health innovations.

To find out more, visit https://www.datamintelligence.com/ or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

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KUALA LUMPUR, MY / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / Guan Huat Seng Holdings Berhad ("GHS Holdings" or the "Company"), a distributor and retailer of food products and manufacturer of flavouring products based in Melaka, has received approval from Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad ("Bursa Securities") to list on the ACE Market of Bursa Securities.

With over four decades of established track record, GHS Holdings, through its subsidiaries Guan Huat Seng (Heng Kee) Sdn. Bhd. and GHS Food Industries Sdn. Bhd. ("Group"), has built a strong foundation in the distribution and retail of food products including shelf-stable and frozen seafood, flavouring products, dried food and snacks and general grocery products. The Group holds HACCP and MeSTI certifications for the production of, among others, sauces, pastes and dried seasoning powder and Halal certification for its in-house manufactured flavouring products. The Group serves wholesalers, retailers, food service operators, end consumers and food manufacturers across both domestic and foreign markets.

The Company's Initial Public Offering ("IPO") will involve a public issue of 120.00 million new ordinary shares ("Share(s)"), representing approximately 25.34% of the enlarged issued share capital of 473.50 million Shares and an offer for sale of 21.00 million existing Shares, representing approximately 4.44% of the enlarged issued share capital of 473.50 million Shares, as follows:

Public Issue

Malaysian Public: 23.80 million new Shares (5.02% of the enlarged issued share capital) will be made available for application by the Malaysian public.

Eligible Parties: 14.00 million new Shares (2.96% of the enlarged issued share capital) will be made available for application by the eligible directors, employees, and other persons who have contributed to the success of the Group.

Private Placement to Selected Investors: 23.00 million new Shares (4.86% of the enlarged issued share capital) are reserved for private placement to selected investors.

Private Placement to Selected Bumiputera Investors: 59.20 million new Shares (12.50% of the enlarged issued share capital) are reserved for private placement to Bumiputera investors approved by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.



Offer for sale

21.00 million existing Shares (4.44% of the enlarged issued share capital) are reserved for private placement to selected investors.

Mr. Yeo Tien Ee, Managing Director of Guan Huat Seng Holdings Berhad

Mr. Yeo Tien Ee, Managing Director of Guan Huat Seng Holdings Berhad, commented: "We look forward to embark on the next phase of our corporate journey through the IPO, a progression towards elevating our corporate profile. Over the years, our focus on quality and reliability has built our credibility and earned the trust of our customers. The IPO will provide us with the platform to enhance our stature and increase market awareness of our products to assist us in expanding our customer base and reinforce our position as a comprehensive food distributor and one stop food ingredient provider supported by a diverse range of products sold under our own brands including "Heng's", "Makbest", "SunCity", "McCann", "OceanStars", "Sky Chef", "GHSHK" and "Cai Yan", third-party brands and without brands.

Proceeds from the IPO will primarily be utilised for the setting up of a New Integrated Complex and New Krubong Facility in Melaka, alongside working capital, marketing expenses and listing-related expenses. Such proceeds are expected to enhance operational efficiency, support the Company's future growth, and further solidify its market position in Malaysia's growing distributive trade of food and beverage (F&B) products industry.

TA Securities Holdings Berhad is the Principal Adviser, Sponsor, Underwriter, and Placement Agent for this IPO.

###

ABOUT GUAN HUAT SENG HOLDINGS BERHAD

Guan Huat Seng Holdings Berhad ("GHS Holdings" or the "Company") is principally involved in the distribution and retail of food products with more than four decades of established track record in Melaka, Malaysia. Through its subsidiaries, Guan Huat Seng (Heng Kee) Sdn. Bhd. and GHS Food Industries Sdn. Bhd. ("Group"), the Group distributes and retails a wide range of food products including shelf-stable and frozen seafood, flavouring products, dried food and snacks, and general grocery products, and is supported by in-house manufacturing facilities. The Group holds HACCP and MeSTI certifications for the production of, among others, sauces, pastes and dried seasoning powder. Serving wholesalers, retailers, food service operators, end consumers and food manufacturers across both domestic and foreign markets, GHS Holdings is committed to enhancing operational efficiency, expanding its production and storage capacity through the construction of its New Integrated Complex and New Krubong Facility, and driving sustainable growth within Malaysia's distributive trade of food and beverage (F&B) products industry.

Issued By: Swan Consultancy Sdn. Bhd. on behalf of Guan Huat Seng Holdings Berhad

For more information, please contact:

Jazmin Wan

Email: j.wan@swanconsultancy.biz

Renee Toh

Email: r.toh@swanconsultancy.biz

SOURCE: Guan Huat Seng Holdings Berhad

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/food-and-beverage-products/guan-huat-seng-holdings-berhad-receives-bursa-securities-approval-to-lis-1112401
AUSTIN, Texas and TOKYO, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to DataM Intelligence, the Airway Management Devices Market Size was valued at USD 2.48 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow steadily to USD 3.82 billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 6.4% during 2025-2031. This growth reflects the increasing global burden of respiratory diseases, expansion of surgical procedures, higher ICU admissions, and rising emphasis on pre-hospital emergency care.

Airway management devices-including laryngoscopes, supraglottic airway devices, endotracheal systems, cricothyrotomy kits, and resuscitators-represent essential equipment across anesthesia, trauma care, emergency response, neonatology, and critical care. As hospitals and EMS agencies prioritize patient safety, difficult airway protocols, and rapid-response capabilities, next-generation airway technologies are seeing rapid adoption.

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Browse in-depth TOC on 'Airway Management Devices Market'

62 - Tables

59 - Figures

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A New Era of Respiratory Stabilization: Why the Market Is Strengthening

1. Rising Respiratory Disease Burden

Over 544 million people worldwide live with chronic respiratory diseases, increasing reliance on advanced airway stabilizing systems for acute exacerbations, ventilation support, and emergency intubation.

2. Surging Global Surgical Volume

More than 320 million surgical procedures performed globally each year require airway control-accelerating sales of laryngoscopes, supraglottic airway devices, and intubation aids.

3. Growth of Emergency & Pre-Hospital Care

EMS teams increasingly deploy portable airway kits, video laryngoscopes, and supraglottic devices to support trauma cases, cardiac arrests, and pediatric emergencies.

Market Segmentation:

By Type (Laryngoscopes, Infraglottic Airway Devices, Supraglottic Airway Devices, Resuscitators, Cricothyrotomy Kits, Others)

Laryngoscopes

Laryngoscopes held the largest market share in 2024, contributing 32% (USD 794 million). Increasing adoption of video laryngoscopes, higher success rates in difficult airways, and improved safety protocols across anesthesia departments are driving strong demand.

Infraglottic Airway Management Devices

Infraglottic devices-including endotracheal tubes and tracheostomy tubes-accounted for 27% (USD 670 million). Continuous usage in ICUs, emergency rooms, and long-term ventilation patients keeps this segment strong.

Supraglottic Airway Management Devices

Supraglottic airway devices contributed 21% (USD 521 million). They are gaining traction in EMS and ambulatory surgical centers due to ease of insertion, reduced training needs, and lower complication rates.

Resuscitators

Resuscitators (manual and automated) made up 12% (USD 298 million). High usage in pre-hospital care, neonatal resuscitation, and cardiac arrest management drives segment resilience.

By Age (Pediatrics/Neonates, Adults)

Adults

Adults accounted for 76% (USD 1.88 billion) of airway device usage in 2024. Aging populations, COPD prevalence, cancer surgeries, and expanded elective surgical procedures support strong adult market dominance.

Pediatrics/Neonates

Pediatric and neonatal airway devices contributed 24% (USD 595 million). Growing NICU admissions, neonatal resuscitation programs, and expanding pediatric surgical capabilities are driving this segment upward.

By End User (Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Others)

Hospitals

Hospitals dominated the end-user landscape with 68% (USD 1.69 billion). High surgical volume, trauma care units, ICUs, and emergency departments account for most airway device utilization.

Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs)

ASCs represented 21% (USD 520 million). Demand for quick-turnover anesthesia procedures and outpatient surgeries is rapidly increasing airway device procurement in these settings.

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Regional Analysis - USA & Japan as The Fastest-Expanding Respiratory Care Markets

United States

The U.S. captured 38% of the global market (USD 940 million in 2024), driven by strong hospital infrastructure, advanced anesthesia workflows, and a rising burden of chronic respiratory diseases.

U.S. Market Indicators:

COPD & asthma affect 34+ million Americans

Video laryngoscope adoption grew 19% YoY

EMS agencies upgraded >27% of airway kits to advanced supraglottic devices

U.S. OR and ICU expansions added >6,000 new airway device procurement points in 2023-2024

By 2031, the U.S. market is expected to exceed USD 1.5 billion.

Japan

Japan accounted for 9% (USD 223 million in 2024). Aging populations, OR modernization, and high clinical standards for emergency airway protocols fuel Japanese market strength.

Japan Market Insights:

Nearly 29% of Japan's population is above 65 , increasing ventilation and airway intervention needs

, increasing ventilation and airway intervention needs Japan added 86+ new ASCs with advanced anesthesia capacity in 2024

with advanced anesthesia capacity in 2024 Airway device upgrades in university hospitals rose 16% YoY

Japan is projected to cross USD 330 million by 2031.

Competitive Landscape:

Below is financial and segment-level data drawn from public annual reports (global revenue and medical/respiratory division contribution where applicable).

Medtronic Plc

2024 Revenue: USD 31.2 billion

USD Respiratory, Gastrointestinal & Renal (RGR) Division: USD 3.1 billion

USD Airway products include advanced intubation systems and ventilator accessories.

Olympus Corporation

2024 Revenue: USD 7.6 billion

USD Therapeutic Solutions Division (endoscopy + respiratory): USD 4.1 billion

USD Strong in laryngoscopes, bronchoscopes, and airway visualization tools.

Teleflex Incorporated

2024 Revenue: USD 3.07 billion

USD Anesthesia & Emergency Care Segment (airway devices): USD 925 million

USD Leading supplier of LMA supraglottic airway devices globally.

ICU Medical, Inc.

2024 Revenue: USD 2.52 billion

USD Airway support devices used in critical care settings via ventilation accessories and intubation aids.

Stryker Corporation

2024 Revenue: USD 21.1 billion

USD Active in emergency care equipment supporting airway stabilization in trauma units.

ConvaTec Group Plc

2024 Revenue: USD 2.1 billion

USD Increasing respiratory-care product integration through hospital channel expansion.

Ambu A/S

2024 Revenue: USD 590 million

USD Market leader in single-use bronchoscopes and disposable airway visualization systems.

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The Next Chapter of Airway Management - What 2031 will Bring

The next decade will fundamentally evolve airway management through:

AI-guided video laryngoscopy for quicker, higher-accuracy intubation

for quicker, higher-accuracy intubation Single-use visualization systems becoming a global standard to eliminate cross-contamination risk

becoming a global standard to eliminate cross-contamination risk Smart supraglottic airways with integrated ventilation sensors

with integrated ventilation sensors Portable airway management kits for military and EMS applications

for military and EMS applications In-hospital airway analytics platforms tracking difficult-airway scenarios

tracking difficult-airway scenarios Pediatric airway innovation to reduce neonatal and infant respiratory mortality

to reduce neonatal and infant respiratory mortality Integration of robotics in airway trauma management

As surgical volumes increase and emergency medical care becomes more technologically sophisticated, airway management devices will remain mission-critical across every level of patient care-from ambulances and rural clinics to major tertiary hospitals and advanced operating suites.

Related Report:

Laryngoscopes Market Size to Grow from US$760 M in 2022 to Nearly US$1.46 B by 2030 - CAGR 8.5%. Ear-Tube Devices Market Size to Grow from US$87.3 M in 2024 to US$121.35 M by 2033 - Steady 3.8% CAGR Fuels Long-Term ENT Device Demand. Endoscopy Devices Market Size to Grow from US$61.1 B in 2024 to US$76.6 B by 2030 - Steady CAGR 3.8%. Smart Medical Devices Market Size to Grow from US$61.66 B in 2024 to US$180.38 B by 2033 - CAGR 12.8%. Respiratory Monitoring Devices Market Size to Grow from US$4.6 B in 2022 to US$9.3 B by 2030 - CAGR 9.3%.

About DataM Intelligence

DataM Intelligence is a renowned provider of market research, delivering deep insights through pricing analysis, market share breakdowns, and competitive intelligence. The company specializes in strategic reports that guide businesses in high-growth sectors such as nutraceuticals and AI-driven health innovations.

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Contact:

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DataM Intelligence 4market Research LLP

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DUBAI, UAE, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bybit , the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange, is proud to be marking its seventh anniversary by celebrating its trading community of nearly 80 million users around the globe. Featuring $2.5 million in reward, a series of celebratory events from now into the new year will offer Bybit users worldwide the opportunity to win rewards through festive and themed activities, and share in Bybit's achievements over the years.

Reflecting on seven years of innovation, growth, and dedication to building a compliant, user-focused digital asset platform, Ben Zhou, Co-founder and CEO of Bybit, expressed appreciation for Bybit's community and ecosystem partners.

"Bybit was founded on the idea that all traders deserve a platform that listens and adapts. It has since grown into an ecosystem shaped by genuine passion for the industry, persistence, and transparency," said Ben Zhou, co-founder and CEO of Bybit. "Bybit's journey is guided by open conversations-sometimes challenging, always honest-with our users. Marking our seventh anniversary, we want to give back and celebrate with the community that made this journey possible."

#7Up with Bybit: $2.5 Million in Seasonal Rewards

The Bybit #7Up celebration highlights the community's journey to grow, scale, and lift each other up together. From November 26, 2025, to January 6, 2026, eligible users traders can join in six themed prize pools throughout the holiday season until the final Blast Off in January 2026. Rewards are distributed based on community engagement and user achievement in three winning tracks:

Non-Stop Rewards to End the Year: Six seasonal prize pools will be unlocked throughout the event period. Eligible users stand to win from six prize pools by reaching Mantle avatar levels. In each round throughout the holiday season, participants who successfully unlock new levels stand to win rewards from 2025 all the way to the new year.

Six seasonal prize pools will be unlocked throughout the event period. Eligible users stand to win from six prize pools by reaching Mantle avatar levels. In each round throughout the holiday season, participants who successfully unlock new levels stand to win rewards from 2025 all the way to the new year. Grand Prize Leaderboard: Points accumulated during the event will help traders secure their top spots in the main leaderboard. The highest ranking 7,777 participants will get to share a large prize pool, with the best-performing participant entitled to the grand prize of $77,777 .

Points accumulated during the event will help traders secure their top spots in the main leaderboard. The highest ranking 7,777 participants will get to share a large prize pool, with the best-performing participant entitled to . Lucky Draws - 100% Chance of Winning: Users can win Lucky Draw entries by completing a variety of designated tasks during the campaign period. Every draw guarantees a prize with rewards ranging from a minimum of 0.7 USDT up to 77 MNT for each entry.

Breaking Barriers: Regulatory Achievements Meet Innovation

Bybit's seventh year included significant progress on regulatory alignment, with Bybit EU officially obtaining the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCAR) license in Austria. This approval strengthens Bybit's commitment to compliance and long-term service to European users, providing a model for crypto assets regulation across the region.

In the UAE, Bybit became the first crypto exchange to secure a full Virtual Asset Platform Operator License from the UAE's Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), following an in-principle approval early in 2025. The recognition underscores Bybit's reputation for high standards in compliance, governance, and security, further positioning the UAE as a global leader in digital asset regulation.

Byreal, a Solana-based decentralized exchange (DEX) backed by Bybit was launched in October, accelerating the development of decentralized liquidity infrastructure. The platform has achieved remarkable traction in a short space of time, currently ranking No. 5 by 30-day fees and revenue on DefiLlama's Solana DEX rankings with over $869 million in cumulative trading volume. The platform has expanded partnerships to over 40 projects across real-world assets (RWA), AI, infrastructure, and DeFi, and supports 13 xStocks tokenized equities through its advanced execution layer.

In the past year, Bybit has enhanced Mantle's integration across its platform and deepened strategic alliance, fueling the rapid development and integration of advanced DeFi infrastructure. This partnership signals a new wave of blockchain innovation and positions Bybit at the forefront of growing access to sophisticated onchain tools for users and institutions alike.

2025 also marked crypto's first GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS: Bybit's flagship trading competition, the World Series of Trading (WSOT) 2025, made history by earning a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the most participants in an online trading competition within 24 hours, an industry-first and a manifestation of the power of the community.

Since its inception, Bybit has been committed to raising standards for performance, transparency, and user empowerment in the crypto and blockchain sector. The trust and loyalty of Bybit's global user base have inspired ongoing innovation and resilience through bulls and bears. The 7th anniversary stands out as a testament to the collaborative spirit and energy within the Bybit community.

Terms and conditions apply. For details of eligibility and restrictions, users may visit: Bybit | #7Up

Bybit / CryptoArk /IMakeIt

About Bybit

Bybit is the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 70 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com .

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com

For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media

Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / Patriot Resources Corp. (TSXV:MAGA.H) (the "Company") today wishes to provide the following corporate updates.

Annual General and Special Meeting

The will hold its 2025 Annual General and Special Meeting (the "Meeting") of its shareholders at 20th Floor, 885 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 3E8 at 11:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) on December 18, 2025. The Meeting will be an in person only meeting.

The Notice of Meeting, Management Information Circular, Financial Statements Request Form, Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction Form (the "Materials") in respect of the Meeting will be mailed to shareholders and posted on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca not later than November 27, 2025.

Shareholders of record as of November 13, 2025, are entitled to vote their shares of the Company at the Meeting. The Company encourages its shareholders to vote in advance of the Meeting using the instructions on the Voting Instruction Form or the Form of Proxy that will be mailed to them with the Materials. Shareholders are reminded that proxies must be received by 11 a.m. (Vancouver Time) on December 16, 2025.

Director and Management

Mr. Arthur Kwan resigned as a director of the Company effective October 7, 2025 as he has been appointed to a position that does not allow him to serve on outside boards. In addition, Chelsea Rusche resigned as President and COO of the Company on September 3, 2025.

The Company would like to thank Mr. Kwan and Ms. Rusche for their contributions to the Company and wishes them the best in the future.

Mr. Kwan has been replaced on the board of directors (the "Board") by Ryan Cheung, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, effective November 12, 2025.

Upon the appointment of Mr. Cheung, the Company currently has four directors being Ms. Fiona Keating, CEO of the Company, Mr. Dominic Stann, Mr. Quentin Mai and Mr. Cheung. Ms. Keating has been appointed to the Audit Committee of the Company to replace Mr. Kwan.

The appointment of Mr. Cheung is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV").

Change of Auditor

The Company has effective November 17, 2025, approved the appointment of Charlton & Company ("Charlton"), chartered professional accountants, as the Company's new auditor to hold office until the Meeting at which Charlton will be nominated for re-appointment by the shareholders of the Company. The appointment of Charlton has been approved by the Board and the Company's audit committee.

The Company's former auditor, Davidson & Company LLP ("Davidson"), resigned effective November 17, 2025. Davidson's reports with respect to the Company's financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2024 did not contain a modified opinion.

The Company's reporting package, including the notice of change of auditor, together with the required letters from Charlton and Davidson, each prepared in accordance with Section 4.11 of NI 51-102, will be available on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Shares for Debt

Further to its press release dated August 15, 2025, the Company has received the final approval of the TSXV for a reduced shares for debt settlement than previously proposed by the Company.

The Company has as of November 26, 2025 converted C$388,333.08 of debt owing to certain directors, former directors and a former officer with respect to owing but unpaid fees into 2,157,406 common shares of the Company (the "Shares") at a price of C$0.18 per Share (the "Debt Settlement").

The Shares issued pursuant to the Debt Settlement will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance, such hold expiring on March 27, 2026.

As certain of those persons receiving Shares pursuant to the Debt Settlement are considered "insiders" by virtue of their being directors of the Company, the Debt Settlement is considered a "related party transaction" pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on the formal valuation exemption in section 5.5(a) of MI 61-101 and upon the minority approval exemption in section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 on the basis that, at the time the Debt Settlement was agreed, neither the fair market value of the fair market value of the Debt Settlement, nor the fair market value of the consideration therefor, insofar as it involves related parties will exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization as determined in accordance with MI 61-101.

For further information, please contact:

Patriot Resources Corp. Fiona Keating

CEO

Telephone: 604-704-8708

Email: fekeating@gmail.com

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The statements made in this press release are made as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be expressly required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: Patriot Resources Corp.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/consumer-and-retail-products/patriot-resources-provides-corporate-updates-1112456
Black Book Pre-Thanksgiving Flash Survey shows expectations for improved stability, leadership continuity, and returns on AI and technology investments

NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / As hospitals across the United States navigate another demanding year, a new Thanksgiving week flash survey from Black Book finds hospital executives increasingly viewing 2026 as a strategic "reset year": a period to stabilize finances, solidify leadership teams, and realize the benefits of recent policy and technology investments.

In a rapid-response poll of hospital and health system leaders conducted over the past week and weekend, 71% of respondents said they expect their organization's overall position to be somewhat stronger or at least stable by the end of 2026, while only 16% anticipate being in a worse position.

"Our respondents aren't ignoring the headwinds, they're living them every day," said Doug Brown, President of Black Book Research. "But what stood out in this survey was the consistent theme of resilience and the belief that there are now multiple lights at the ends of multiple tunnels: policy momentum, community collaboration, technology-enabled innovation, and new delivery models that put patients at the center."

Hope in Policy and Pending Legislation

Hospital leaders surveyed noted that both federal and state policymakers appear more focused than in recent years on stabilizing hospitals and improving access to care:

77% of respondents believe pending federal and state policy changes have the potential to positively impact hospital sustainability by Q4 2026.

64% see "moderate or strong" bipartisan interest in protecting access to essential hospital services, including rural and safety-net care.

58% say new or expanded waivers, demonstration projects, and pilot programs could give them meaningful flexibility to redesign care for high-need populations.

Many respondents described 2026 as a "reset year" in which policy decisions over the next 12-18 months could either deepen current challenges or accelerate stabilization and innovation.

Strength in Community and Care Models

The polling revealed that hospital executives are increasingly drawing hope from initiatives they can lead locally, regardless of the broader policy environment:

55% report expanding or planning new community-based partnerships with public health agencies, social service organizations, educators, and local nonprofits.

79% are investing in or piloting new care models , such as hospital-at-home programs, enhanced primary care coordination, and integrated behavioral health services.

41% are engaged in regional planning efforts with other hospitals and care organizations to coordinate capacity and protect access in vulnerable communities.

"Even where finances are tight and staffing is stretched, we heard over and over that mission has not wavered," Brown added. "Leaders are rethinking how to use every dollar and every caregiver in ways that deliver the most value to patients and communities, not just to balance this year's budget."

Workforce: From Burnout to Rebuilding

While workforce pressures remain intense, leaders see signs that 2026 could mark a gradual turn toward rebuilding:

51% are "somewhat or very optimistic" that targeted state and federal workforce initiatives will improve recruitment, training, and retention over the next three years.

81% report implementing or planning innovative staffing models - including team-based care, flexible scheduling, expanded roles for advanced practice providers, and virtual support tools.

37% say their organizations have launched new or enhanced programs focused on clinician well-being, safety, and resilience in the past 12 months.

Several executives described 2025 as a "learning and adjustment year" for workforce issues, and 2026 as a year to apply those lessons, rebuild trust, and restore a more sustainable work environment.

Leadership Stability and Continuity at the Top

After several volatile years marked by accelerated C-suite turnover, the survey indicates that hospital boards and senior administrators are turning their focus toward stability and continuity:

70% of respondents expect C-level turnover to decline in 2026 compared with the previous two years.

80% say their boards are placing greater emphasis on continuity of leadership to ensure that multi-year strategic and transformation projects reach meaningful milestones.

23% report that their organizations are intentionally slowing major leadership restructurings to reduce disruption, preserve institutional knowledge, and rebuild culture.

Executives cited several reasons for the anticipated stabilization at the top: the need to see technology and care delivery transformations through to implementation, the importance of rebuilding trust with clinicians and staff, and the recognition that frequent leadership changes can delay or derail critical patient-centered initiatives.

"Boards are signaling that the era of constant turnover may be easing," said Brown. "There's a growing recognition that steady, aligned leadership is essential for hospitals to execute on their long-term commitments to quality, access, and innovation."

Technology, AI, and Innovation as Force Multipliers

Beyond policy and leadership stability, the survey found strong optimism around the role of technology and innovation - particularly AI - in improving care and operations by 2026:

88% of hospital leaders are planning or accelerating investments in AI and advanced analytics to support clinical decision-making, capacity management, and revenue cycle performance.

89% expect meaningful improvements in patient access, care coordination, or experience as a direct result of digital health and AI-enabled tools over the next 18-24 months.

94% say their organizations are prioritizing IT projects that demonstrate clear, near-term value in reducing clinician burden, streamlining workflows, and improving documentation quality.

Respondents highlighted a shift from "technology for technology's sake" toward targeted, outcome-focused deployments of digital tools, including:

AI-supported clinical decision support and risk stratification.

Predictive analytics for staffing, bed management, and patient flow.

Virtual care expansion, remote monitoring, and hospital-at-home programs.

Automation of repetitive administrative tasks to free clinicians for direct patient care.

"Hospital leaders told us they are not chasing every new trend," Brown noted. "Instead, they are focusing on innovations that can deliver tangible, measurable benefits for patients, caregivers, and communities. The expectation is that, by 2027, the payoff from today's IT and AI investments will be clearly visible."

Looking Ahead to 2026

The survey concludes that while hospitals expect another year of tight margins and complex decisions, hope and determination are clearly present:

Seven in ten leaders (70%) believe that a combination of policy change, new payment models, technology innovation, and community partnerships can meaningfully improve patient access and care quality by 2026.

Over half (52%) expect their organizations to make measurable progress on key priorities such as health equity, behavioral health integration, and chronic disease management.

Black Book will continue to track how these expectations evolve through 2026, providing policymakers, hospital boards, and community stakeholders with data-driven insights into what's working , and where more support is urgently needed.

About Black Book Market Research

Black Book Market Research LLC is an independent healthcare research, surveying, and consulting firm that delivers unbiased, crowd-sourced insights from thousands of healthcare leaders, professionals, and consumers. Since 2011, Black Book has provided strategic intelligence to hospitals, health systems, physicians, payers, and technology vendors navigating the rapidly changing healthcare landscape. Industry stakeholders can download dozens of gratis 2025 and 2026 research reports at https://www.blackbookmarketresearch.com.

202 respondents were sourced from 195 health systems at the VP level or higher. 84 board of trustees members also participated. Results reflect a margin of error of approximately 5.5 percentage points at the 95% confidence level for proportion estimates, assuming a random sample of eligible hospitals.

Contact Information

Press Office

research@blackbookmarketresearch.com

8008637590





SOURCE: Black Book Research

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/hospital-executives-signal-2026-as-strategic-reset-year-1112367
PAIO, a British payment provider, recently launched its UnionPay International card acquiring service in partnership with Decta. Now, Sends and PAIO have integrated to provide this payment method to a broader customer base.

London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - In October 2025, PAIO announced the launch of its UnionPay International card-acquiring service, delivered in partnership with Decta. Following this launch, PAIO and Sends have fully integrated their systems, enabling Sends to offer UnionPay payment acceptance to a broader customer base worldwide.











PAIO



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10281/276039_c4f2add6c4351bcd_001full.jpg

Through this collaboration, Sends' merchants can now accept cards issued by UnionPay International, significantly expanding payment accessibility for consumers, particularly across Asian markets.

"By integrating UnionPay International acquiring, we're opening new opportunities for Sends' clients to reach global customers with smoother and more inclusive payment experiences," said Sends CEO Alona Shevtsova. "This partnership allows our merchants to accept UnionPay cards both online and in-store, providing access to one of the world's largest cardholder networks."

With UnionPay acceptance, Sends continues to expand its payment method offerings to support its growing international merchant portfolio. This strengthens Sends offering for businesses seeking to serve Asian markets and the growing demand for cross-border transactions.

In July 2025, Alona Shevtsova announced the first stage of the project in collaboration with Sends Messenger. Teams plan to integrate payment functionality directly into the messaging app. The initiative, developed in partnership with Sends Messenger, aims to redefine how users across the UK, Europe, Ukraine, and beyond interact with digital payments in everyday conversations.

About Sends

Sends is a UK-based fintech company that provides a fast, secure platform for international payments, supporting bank transfers, card payments, and alternative payment options. It is operated by Smartflow Payments Limited (trading as Sends), registered in England and Wales (No. 11070048).

For more information about Sends.co and its social responsibility initiatives, visit www.sends.co.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276039

SOURCE: Sends
NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / NTTS and HPB today announced the return of FOB 2026: From Summit to Solution, taking place in New York City on March 10-11, 2026.

Following the success of last year's successful inaugural event, the Future of Batteries (FOB) Summit will once again bring together a curated group of decision-makers from Europe and the United States to advance collaboration in the field of next-generation battery technology.

Besides NTTS and HPB, FOB 2025 saw participants from Porsche Consulting, Siemens, McKinsey, NY-BEST, among many others. Next year, the event shall focus on moving from vision to execution, transforming innovative ideas into real-world solutions. The summit connects leaders in technology, manufacturing, investment, and policy who are driving the industrialization of solid-state and advanced battery systems.

The event is free to attend, but participation is by application only. To apply, become a sponsor or to request more info, visit: https://fob-summit.com

Who should attend

Manufacturers and integrators exploring solid-state and stationary storage production.

Utilities, grid operators, and project developers focused on energy and grid storage.

Equipment and automation providers, recyclers, and validation partners.

Investors and policymakers supporting US clean manufacturing.

Agenda:

March 10: Networking dinner

March 11: Main event

At two exclusively selected venues in Manhattan, details will be shared with approved attendees.

"FOB SUMMIT 2026 is about moving from conversation to action," said Vince Caruso, CEO of NTTS. "We are focused on bridging European innovation with American manufacturing capacity."

"We are creating an environment where partnerships can take shape and technology can scale responsibly," said Dr Sebastian Heinz, CEO of HPB.

About NTTS

NTTS (New to The Street) is a multi-channel financial media platform connecting innovators with investors across broadcast, digital, and live events. They profile companies, advertise and markets their products and services, and provides business news.

About HPB

Based in Bonn, Germany, HPB (High Performance Battery) develops and licenses next-generation solid-state battery technologies that are safer, longer-lasting, and greener than conventional lithium-ion batteries. The HPB Solid-State Battery delivers over 12,500 full

charge-discharge cycles under demanding conditions (1C/1C, 0-100% State of Charge, at room temperature). The technology achieves up to 50% better environmental performance compared to traditional batteries, notably by avoiding critical raw materials such as cobalt.

Contact:

Monica Brennan

Monica@NewtoTheStret.com

SOURCE: New To The Street

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/publishing-and-media/new-to-the-street-announcing-applications-to-attend-fob-summit-2026-are-now-op-1112488
San Jose, California--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Safety Training Seminars proudly announces the opening of its newest BLS CPR Certification School located at 99 South Almaden Blvd, Suite 605, San Jose, CA 95113. This state-of-the-art training site brings convenient, high-quality lifesaving CPR education to the heart of downtown San Jose, supporting the needs of healthcare professionals, students, and community members throughout Santa Clara County.

Safety Training Seminars Opens A New BLS CPR Certification School in San Jose, CA

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/275877_image.png

The new San Jose location is designed to serve those working and training in the region's major medical institutions. It also provides accessible certification opportunities for students from nearby medical and healthcare programs such as local EMT, paramedic, and nursing programs.

Safety Training Seminars' San Jose school offers a full schedule of Basic Life Support CPR Certification courses taught by experienced instructors who bring real-world medical expertise to each session. The training center features modern equipment, comfortable classrooms, and hands-on practice with the latest simulation technology to ensure participants gain the skills and confidence needed to respond effectively during cardiac emergencies.

"We are excited to expand our services to downtown San Jose," said Laura Seidel from Safety Training Seminars. "This location allows us to better support the region's growing healthcare workforce by providing convenient access to professional-level BLS, ACLS, and PALS certification courses. Our mission has always been to make high-quality CPR training accessible, and this new school continues that commitment."

With decades of experience and multiple locations across Northern California, Safety Training Seminars continues to be a trusted leader in lifesaving education. The company's expansion into downtown San Jose strengthens the network of reliable training options available to medical providers, first responders, and community members in Santa Clara County and beyond.

For more information about Safety Training Seminars, use the contact details below:

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275877

SOURCE: Plentisoft
BURNSVILLE, MN / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / Dr. Hamid Abbasi, a US-based neurosurgeon and global leader in minimally invasive spine surgery, will travel to Dubai to participate in the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies WFNS meeting. Dr. Abbasi will conduct hands-on training sessions focused on two advanced techniques: the Oblique Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion OLLIF and Sacroiliac Joint SIJ fusion. These procedures are known for reduced surgical trauma, shorter hospital stays, and faster patient recovery.

Before arriving in Dubai, Dr. Abbasi will stop in Karachi, Pakistan, for a full clinical program with Professor Salman Sharif and his team at the Pakistan Society of Neurosurgeons. He will perform live surgery and lead a cadaveric lab for residents and fellows. The goal is practical exposure to precision-based minimally invasive techniques that are not widely taught in traditional programs.

Following his participation at WFNS, Dr. Abbasi will extend his stay in the UAE to collaborate with Dr. Munshi for an additional OLLIF and SIJ workshop. This extended session will deliver surgeon-level training and demonstrate the reproducibility of these techniques in high-volume surgical environments.

Dr. Abbasi has performed more than two thousand OLLIF cases and is regarded as one of the earliest pioneers of the TransKambin approach. His published outcomes show high fusion rates, low blood loss, and reduced operative time even in multilevel or revision cases. His international visits are focused on knowledge transfer and building regional competency centers capable of delivering advanced spine care to underserved populations.

Dr. Abbasi states: "We are proud to be in Pakistan and Dubai, and we are equally committed to transferring this technology to other countries around the world. The contents of this small bag are all we need to take care of half a dozen patients in Pakistan, with no need for expensive technologies such as a million dollar robot or navigation system. Our goal is to transfer knowledge and technology globally, and that is our commitment to our colleagues everywhere."

For media inquiries or to request meeting schedules, please contact

Inspired Spine administrative office at social1@islife.us or visit us at inspiredspine.com

Media Contact:

Inspired Spine

(952) 225-5266

SOURCE: Inspired Spine

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/update-dr.-hamid-abbasi-to-lead-international-spine-surgery-training-1112499
PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Summary: Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs) are widely used in the treatment and management of respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These handheld devices deliver a specific dose of aerosolized medication directly to the lungs, ensuring rapid symptom relief and improved drug efficacy.

Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Metered Dose Inhalers Market by Product Type (Conventional MDIs, Breath actuated MDIs), Application (Asthma, COPD, Other), and Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, Online Pharmacies): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2025-2034". According to the report, the metered dose inhalers market was valued at $10.1 billion in 2024, and is estimated to reach $18.4 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2025 to 2034.

MDIs are popular across hospitals, clinics, and home care settings due to their portability, ease of use, and effective drug delivery mechanism. The increasing global burden of respiratory diseases, rising air pollution levels, growing geriatric population, and advancements in inhaler technology are driving the adoption of MDIs. The market is further supported by innovations such as breath-actuated MDIs and the integration of dose counters to enhance treatment compliance and monitoring.

Request Sample of the Report on Metered Dose Inhalers Market Forecast 2034 - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A38925

Market Introduction

The metered dose inhalers (MDIs) market encompasses handheld aerosol delivery devices designed to administer precise doses of medication directly to the lungs, primarily for managing respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other bronchial disorders. These devices are a cornerstone of both acute and maintenance therapies due to their portability, rapid onset of action, and non-invasive drug delivery. The market has witnessed significant growth driven by the increasing global prevalence of respiratory diseases, rising air pollution, urbanization, and lifestyle changes. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, over 500 million people globally are affected by asthma and COPD combined, highlighting the critical need for effective inhalation therapies. Advancements in inhaler technology such as dose counters, digital inhalers, and breath-actuated MDIs-are enhancing patient compliance and treatment outcomes. Regulatory support for generic MDIs and expanding healthcare access in emerging markets like Asia-Pacific and Latin America further fuel market expansion. Additionally, growing awareness of preventive respiratory care and home-based disease management is prompting widespread adoption of MDIs across hospitals, retail pharmacies, and home healthcare channels.

Report Overview

The metered dose inhalers market is segmented on the basis of product type, application, distribution channel, and region. On the basis of product type the market is segmented into conventional MDIs, and breath-actuated MDIs. On the basis of application, the market is segmented into asthma, COPD and others. On the basis of distribution channel, the market is fragmented into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and online pharmacies. Region-wise, the market is analyzed across North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, and rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and rest of Asia-Pacific), and LAMEA (Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and rest of LAMEA).

On the basis of product type, the conventional MDIs segment dominated the global market in 2024. However, the breath-actuated MDIs segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

On the basis of application, the Asthma segment dominated the global market in 2024.

On the basis of distribution channel, the hospital pharmacies segment dominated the market in terms of revenue in 2024. However, the online pharmacies segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Region wise, North America dominated the market in terms of revenue in 2024. However, Asia-Pacific is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Report Coverage & Details

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2025-2034 Base Year 2024 Market Size in 2024 $10.1 billion Market Size in 2034 $18,4 billion CAGR 6.2 % No. of Pages in Report 346 Segments Covered Product type, Application, Distribution Channel, and Region Target Region / Countries North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, and rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (Japan, China, India, Australia, and rest of Asia-Pacific), and LAMEA (Brazil, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Rest of LAMEA). Drivers Increase in prevalence of respiratory diseases Availability of generic and low-cost inhalers Technological advancements in metered dose inhalers Opportunities Development of eco-friendly inhalers Restraints Challenges in Patient Awareness and Regulatory Approvals

Want to Explore More, Connect to our Analyst - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/A38925

Market Growth & Opportunities Factors

The metered dose inhalers (MDIs) market is experiencing steady growth, primarily driven by the rising global prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These conditions affect millions globally and are exacerbated by urbanization, rising air pollution, tobacco use, and environmental allergens. MDIs are compact, portable drug delivery devices that provide a pre-measured dose of aerosolized medication directly to the lungs, offering rapid relief and improved treatment of adherence. As healthcare systems worldwide prioritize non-invasive, cost-effective respiratory therapies, MDIs have become a staple in both emergency and maintenance care settings. The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) and World Health Organization WHO (2024) estimate that over 260 million people suffer from asthma globally, further underscoring the demand for MDIs.

The market has also gained momentum with technological innovations such as breath-actuated MDIs, dose counters, and smart inhalers equipped with sensors to monitor usage and improve compliance. For instance, Teva's ProAir Digihaler and Propeller Health's digital inhaler solutions have transformed asthma management by providing real-time feedback on inhalation patterns and dosage adherence. The increasing prevalence of pediatric and geriatric respiratory patients who often require easier-to-use and precise drug delivery systems further supports the demand for MDIs.

Additionally, the shift toward home-based healthcare is fueling the adoption of MDIs among patients managing chronic respiratory diseases outside hospital settings. The devices' portability, affordability, and ease of use make them highly suitable for self-administered therapy. Healthcare providers are also emphasizing early diagnosis and preventive management of respiratory conditions, further reinforcing the role of MDIs in both primary and secondary care. Rising awareness campaigns by government bodies and non-profits have also contributed to early intervention and widespread adoption of MDIs, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Major Challenges in Industry & Solutions

Despite robust demand, the MDI market faces several challenges. One of the primary issues is the improper use of inhalers due to lack of patient education, leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes. Studies show that nearly 70-80% of patients misuse MDIs, either by failing to coordinate actuation and inhalation or by not shaking the device before use. This significantly reduces medication efficacy. To address this, manufacturers are developing breath-actuated and smart MDIs that eliminate coordination requirements and provide feedback on correct usage. Additionally, hospitals and pharmacies are adopting patient education programs to ensure proper inhaler techniques.

Environmental concerns also pose a growing challenge. Traditional MDIs use hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellants, which are greenhouse gases with high global warming potential. As regulatory bodies like the U.S. FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) tighten restrictions on high-emission propellants, manufacturers are under pressure to develop eco-friendly alternatives. Companies such as AstraZeneca and Chiesi have committed to low-carbon inhaler production, with plans to shift toward propellant-free or dry powder inhaler (DPI) options. In the interim, the development of MDIs with low-GWP (Global Warming Potential) propellants such as HFO-1234ze is emerging as a viable solution.

Another restraint is the limited access to inhalers in underserved regions due to high costs and supply chain issues. Generic MDIs and government-subsidized inhalation therapies are being promoted as solutions in countries with constrained healthcare budgets. Organizations like UNICEF and the Global Asthma Network are working to improve access to affordable respiratory care in Africa, South Asia, and Latin America through policy advocacy and distribution initiatives.

Regional Insights

North America leads the global MDI market, owing to a high burden of asthma and COPD, well-established healthcare infrastructure, and widespread insurance coverage. According to the CDC, over 25 million people in the U.S. have asthma, with COPD affecting more than 16 million adults. The presence of leading pharmaceutical companies such as Teva Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, and Mylan (Viatris) also fosters continuous product innovation. Additionally, the region is witnessing strong adoption of smart inhalers, with digital health integration improving remote patient monitoring and adherence tracking.

Europe holds the second-largest market share, driven by robust public health programs, environmental regulations, and growing emphasis on sustainable drug delivery solutions. Countries like the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands are actively transitioning to low-emission inhalers under NHS and EU Green Deal mandates. In the UK alone, the National Health Service (NHS) has set a target to reduce the carbon footprint of inhalers by 50% by 2028. This regulatory push is prompting both pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers to shift toward eco-friendly MDIs or DPIs, supporting market growth and innovation.

Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region in the MDI market, fueled by rising respiratory disease prevalence, increasing urbanization, and expanding healthcare access. Nations such as China, India, and Japan are witnessing significant increases in asthma and COPD cases due to air pollution and industrial exposure. China alone has over 100 million people affected by COPD, making it one of the largest untapped markets. Growing middle-class populations, increased government investment in primary care, and awareness campaigns on respiratory health are driving MDI adoption. Moreover, domestic manufacturers in India and China are developing affordable generic inhalers, further supporting regional market expansion.

Latin America and the Middle East & Africa present emerging opportunities due to increasing healthcare investments, rising pollution levels, and collaborative efforts with global health organizations to improve respiratory care. Brazil and Mexico are leading the Latin American market with government-backed asthma control programs, while Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are investing in hospital modernization and pharmaceutical accessibility, creating demand for portable inhalation therapies such as MDIs.

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Key Players

AstraZeneca

GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A.

Cipla Ltd.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

Lupin

AptarGroup, Inc.

Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Zydus Lifesciences Limited.

In May 2025, AstraZeneca's Trixeo Aerosphere already licensed for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults, received approval for use in the UK with an innovative, next-generation propellant with near-zero Global Warming Potential (GWP). Thisisthe first medicine delivered by a pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) approved with a propellant that has 99.9% lower GWP than propellants used in currently available pMDIs. Trixeo with the next-generation propellant will have a low carbon footprint, comparable to inhaled medicines that do not require a propellant.

In July 2023, Hormosan Pharma GmbH, Lupin's wholly-owned subsidiary in Germany, announced the launch of Luforbec100/6 (beclometasone 100g / for moterol 6g), a fix combination in a pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) for the treatment of adult asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Germany.

In January 2023, Airsupra, formerly known as PT027, was approved in the U.S. for the as-needed treatment or prevention of bronchoconstriction and to reduce the risk of exacerbationsin people with asthma aged 18 years and older. The approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was based on resultsfrom the MANDALA and DENALI Phase III trials.

In October 2022, Lupin Limited (Lupin) announced the signing of an agreement to acquire all rightsto two inhalation medicines, Brovana (arformoterol tartrate) Inhalation Solution and Xopenex HFA (levalbuterol tartrate) Inhalation Aerosol, from Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.

In February 2022, AstraZeneca and Honeywell announced a partnership to develop next-generation respiratory inhalers using the propellant HFO-1234ze, which has up to 99.9% less Global Warming Potential (GWP) than propellants currently used in respiratory medicines.

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Answer first summary:

Trustpoint Xposure has introduced the Executive Authority Index, a proprietary AI supported measurement system created under the leadership of Chief Operating Officer Aman Jamil. The Index evaluates public credibility, digital visibility, media strength, and AI search presence for executives and high trust professionals. It is one of the first frameworks built specifically for the era of AI generated answers.

POST FALLS, ID / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / Trustpoint Xposure, the AI powered PR and digital authority agency serving national and global clients, today announced the launch of its Executive Authority Index. Built under the direction of Chief Operating Officer Aman Jamil, the Index uses advanced AI models, semantic analysis, and credibility scoring to evaluate how executives are perceived, discovered, and trusted across media, search engines, and AI answer platforms.

The Executive Authority Index is designed for professionals in competitive or regulated fields where digital trust, public reputation, and perceived expertise directly influence client decisions and industry influence. These fields include law, finance, technology, healthcare, consulting, and advisory services.

"Executives today are judged by how clearly AI systems can understand and verify their authority," said Aman. "The Executive Authority Index gives leaders a transparent and measurable way to track how visible and credible they are across the channels that actually matter today."

A First of Its Kind Measurement Approach for the AI Era

Traditional PR metrics rely heavily on impressions, views, or general brand sentiment. The Executive Authority Index shifts the focus to factors that directly influence how AI platforms evaluate expertise and trustworthiness.

The Index measures four core categories:

1. Credibility Strength

The accuracy, clarity, and consistency of an executives digital identity, including titles, expertise statements, and public claims.

2. Media Footprint Quality

The presence, depth, and relevance of media features, expert quotes, and podcast interviews.

3. Authority Signals Across AI Systems

How often an executive appears in AI generated answers across platforms such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, and Gemini.

4. Search and Visibility Presence

The executives' discoverability in traditional search engines and knowledge driven environments.

Each category is scored using a combination of AI models, semantic review, and proprietary weighting developed by Trustpoint Xposure.

Why The Executive Authority Index Matters

Executives face increasing pressure to demonstrate clear thought leadership and verifiable expertise. As AI continues to replace traditional search behavior, authority is no longer based on volume but on semantic clarity, factual consistency, and evidence based communication.

Trustpoint Xposure created the Index because:

AI systems are becoming the primary way executives are discovered

Clients rely on public trust signals more than marketing claims

Media outlets seek experts who demonstrate clear authority

Digital reputation gaps can block opportunities

Many professionals lack visibility on AI platforms

Traditional PR metrics no longer reflect real influence

The Index gives executives a clear path to improve their score through structured PR, credible content, and improved entity alignment.

Developed Under the Vision and Leadership of COO Aman Jamil

Aman led the development of the Executive Authority Index by combining AI supported research, semantic scoring, content engineering, and authority science. His background in AI operations and credibility strategy played a key role in shaping the Indexs structure, scoring logic, and application.

"Executives need more than media features. They need clear, machine understandable evidence of expertise," Aman said. "This Index guides them toward stronger authority positions across both human and AI audiences."

CEO David Wilder praised the innovation:

"Trustpoint Xposure has always been focused on measurable results. The Executive Authority Index gives our clients a real advantage in an environment where trust decides opportunity."

How the Executive Authority Index Will Be Used

Trustpoint Xposure will integrate the Index into multiple client programs, including:

Executive visibility programs

Guaranteed media placement strategies

AEO ready content development

Reputation strengthening systems

Podcast positioning campaigns

AI discovery optimization

Executives will receive quarterly reports that include:

Authority scores

Visibility trends

AI citation likelihood

Media footprint quality

Detailed recommendations

Progress tracking over time

Supporting Leaders Across High Trust Industries

The Executive Authority Index will serve professionals in:

Law and legal services

Finance, banking, and investment

Technology and software

Healthcare leadership

Business consulting and advisory

Entrepreneurship and public speaking

These industries rely on trust, public visibility, and expert reputation more than any other.

About Trustpoint Xposure

Trustpoint Xposure is an AI powered PR and digital authority agency based in Post Falls, Idaho. The company provides guaranteed Tier One media placements, executive podcast guesting, and AI optimized visibility programs for attorneys, finance leaders, founders, and public facing experts. Trustpoint Xposure specializes in structured, machine readable content designed to increase authority across both search engines and AI generated answer platforms.

Learn more at www.trustpointxposure.com

SOURCE: Trustpoint Xposure

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/publishing-and-media/trustpoint-xposure-unveils-the-executive-authority-index-a-new-ai-based-measur-1105057
MIAMI, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In an era of relentless cyberattacks and rapid digital transformation, IBN Technologies is elevating its portfolio with next-generation cybersecurity services designed to protect modern, distributed enterprises. As organizations expand across cloud, hybrid, and remote environments, these offerings help safeguard critical data, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain uninterrupted operations through proactive, intelligence-driven security.

Modern Cyber Threat Landscape

Today, organizations are increasingly seeing sophisticated attacks on cloud workloads, remote endpoints, OT and IoT devices, and identity systems across multi-cloud ecosystems. Fragmented tools and talent shortages, plus mounting regulatory demands, amplify operational risk. This makes reactive, perimeter-only security models insufficient for today's distributed businesses. The key enterprise challenges include:

Escalating zero-day and ransomware attacks on critical infrastructure and SaaS platforms.

Limited visibility across multi-cloud, on-premises, and hybrid assets, delaying incident response.

Growing gaps in cybersecurity skills and 24/7 monitoring capabilities.

Increasingly complex compliance mandates across regions and industries.

To address these challenges, IBN Technologies unified cybersecurity services portfolio combines advanced automation, human expertise, and regulatory alignment to deliver outcome-focused security.

IBN Technologies Cybersecurity Services

IBN Technologies' cybersecurity portfolio is engineered to deliver end-to-end protection, from prevention and detection to response and governance. By integrating AI, threat intelligence, and expert operations, they help enterprises build resilient, compliant, and scalable security programs aligned with business goals.

Key service pillars include:

Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing (VAPT) -

Conducts comprehensive assessments across web, mobile, APIs, internal networks, wireless, and IoT ecosystems. Expert manual testing validates exploitability and clarifies real-world risk, while cloud security audits extend coverage to AWS, Azure, and hybrid setups. Human-factor testing (phishing and social engineering) and red teaming add adversarial realism, and Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) provides ongoing visibility with dashboards, prioritized remediation, and progress tracking.

SOC-as-a-Service and SIEM-as-a-Service - A fully managed, cloud-based Security Operations Center provides 24/7 monitoring, log collection, correlation, and escalation. Managed SIEM brings centralized analytics, tailored alerting, and executive-level reporting, reducing noise while improving mean time to detect (MTTD) and respond (MTTR). Built-in compliance support simplifies documentation and regulatory submissions.

Managed Detection and Response (MDR) - MDR combines AI-powered analytics with proactive threat hunting and guided remediation. Endpoint, network, and cloud telemetry feed a unified detection fabric, enabling rapid containment, root-cause analysis, and post-incident hardening. The service integrates with existing EDR, SIEM, and NDR investments to avoid rip-and-replace friction and to elevate overall posture through cohesive operations.

Virtual CISO (vCISO) - Organizations gain strategic cybersecurity leadership aligned to business goals and regulatory frameworks. vCISO engagements include risk governance, policy development, incident response planning, tabletop exercises, third-party/vendor risk management, technology stack reviews (EDR, SIEM, IAM, SASE, ZTNA), and board-grade briefings. The guidance maps to standards such as NIST CSF, ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, and regional data protection laws-ensuring strategy is actionable and audit-ready.

Microsoft Defender XDR & Security for M365/Azure - For Microsoft-centric environments, they provide end-to-end enablement: baseline hardening for Microsoft 365 and Azure, deployment and tuning of Microsoft Sentinel (SIEM/SOAR), identity lifecycle security via Microsoft Entra (MFA, conditional access, privileged identity management), and data protection through Microsoft Purview (DLP, insider risk, information governance). Continuous Secure Score optimization keeps posture strong as environments evolve, while user awareness training reduces social-engineering risk.

Cybersecurity Maturity & Risk Assessments - Structured assessments illuminate control gaps, map risks to business impact, and produce phased roadmaps. Recommendations emphasize controls with the highest risk-reduction yield-covering identity, endpoint, email, network, application security, and cloud configurations. Outputs include target state definitions, investment options, and measurable milestones to progress from reactive operations to proactive, intelligence-driven defense.

Compliance Management & Audit Services - IBN Technologies audit support spans gap analysis, remediation tracking, evidence collection, and automated reporting. Services are tailored for SMBs and mid-market firms across the US, UK, and India, providing pragmatic pathways to certifications and regulatory alignment (e.g., ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and India's DPDPA and sectoral guidance). The program emphasizes "continuous compliance" embedding telemetry and control validation into daily operations.

"Our philosophy is simple: integrate what you have, strengthen what you need, and prove what you do," said Ajay Mehta, Chief Executive Officer at IBN Technologies. "From the first assessment to continuous operations, we align security to business outcomes- risk reduced, controls validated, and stakeholders informed."

Cybersecurity Aligned with Business Vision

With decades of experience across cloud, infrastructure, and managed services, IBN Technologies positions cybersecurity as a strategic business enabler, not a constraint. The company's offerings are designed to scale with organizational growth, industry regulations, and evolving technology stacks while preserving operational agility.

IBN Technologies highlights three areas seen across engagements:

Reduced Exposure: Regular VAPT/PTaaS cycles, configuration hardening, and identity controls lower attack surface density.

Regular VAPT/PTaaS cycles, configuration hardening, and identity controls lower attack surface density. Accelerated Response: 24/7 SOC operations and MDR playbooks cut dwell time and improve containment.

24/7 SOC operations and MDR playbooks cut dwell time and improve containment. Audit Confidence: Policy standardization and automated evidence collection streamline external audits and internal attestations.

Competitive Differentiators

IBN Technologies differentiates itself by fusing human expertise with AI-driven automation to deliver adaptive, future-ready security outcomes. This integrated model enables organizations to respond to threats in real time while simultaneously strengthening long-term cyber resilience.

Key competitive strengths:

Integrated Cyber Defense : Harmonized SOC, SIEM, MDR, VAPT, and XDR services for coordinated protection.

: Harmonized SOC, SIEM, MDR, VAPT, and XDR services for coordinated protection. Regulatory Alignment : Streamlined compliance operations across global and regional standards.

: Streamlined compliance operations across global and regional standards. Real-Time Threat Visibility : Continuous monitoring of endpoints, networks, identities, and cloud workloads.

: Continuous monitoring of endpoints, networks, identities, and cloud workloads. Actionable Risk Intelligence : Business-focused insights to guide executive decision-making.

: Business-focused insights to guide executive decision-making. Tailored Engagement Models: Customizable service combinations for different industries and organizational sizes.

Building the Future of Digital Trust

As AI-driven and automated attacks evolve, IBN Technologies is investing in predictive analytics, zero-trust architectures, and expanded enterprise visibility to stay ahead of adversaries. To achieve its innovative goals, the company will need to continuously adjust its detection models, automate how it responds to threats, and improve connections between cloud and on-site systems.

IBN Technologies aims to enable a world of verified digital trust where organizations are measured not by how they recover from cyber incidents, but by how effectively they anticipate and neutralize them. Companies that are interested in leveraging IBN Technologies to bolster their resiliency, increase their regulatory compliance and protect their critical Digital Assets can access a comprehensive Cybersecurity Services Suite designed for speed, confidence and result-oriented Protection, Detection and Response capabilities.

About IBN Technologies

IBN Technologies LLC is a global outsourcing and technology partner with over 26 years of experience, serving clients across the United States, United Kingdom, Middle East, and India. With a strong focus on Cybersecurity and Cloud Services, IBN Tech empowers organizations to secure, scale, and modernize their digital infrastructure. Its cybersecurity portfolio includes VAPT, SOC & SIEM, MDR, vCISO, and Microsoft Security solutions, designed to proactively defend against evolving threats and ensure compliance with global standards. In the cloud domain, IBN Tech offers multi-cloud consulting and migration, managed cloud and security services, business continuity and disaster recovery, and DevSecOps implementation - enabling seamless digital transformation and operational resilience.

Complementing its tech-driven offerings, IBN Technologies also delivers Finance & Accounting services such as bookkeeping, tax return preparation, payroll, and AP/AR management. These are enhanced with intelligent automation solutions like AP/AR automation, RPA, and workflow automation to drive accuracy and efficiency. Its BPO Services support industries like construction, real estate, and retail with specialized offerings including construction documentation, middle and back-office support, and data entry services.

Certified with ISO 9001:2015 | 20000-1:2018 | 27001:2022, IBN Technologies is a trusted partner for businesses seeking secure, scalable, and future-ready solutions.

Contact Details:

Pradip

sales@ibntech.com

+1 - 844 - 644 - 8440

USA:

IBN Technologies LLC

66 West Flagler Street Suite 900 Miami, FL 33130

India: Global Delivery Centre

IBN Technologies Limited

Kohinoor House, 2nd floor,

691/A/1B, Plot no. 7,

Bibwewadi Road, Pune-411037

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ibn-technologies-cybersecurity-services-simplify-complex-compliance-challenges-302626937.html
STOCKHOLM, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Swedish Energy Agency announced that Stegra has been granted about 37 million from the Industrial Leap. The grant goes towards the establishment of Stegra's fully integrated near zero emission steel production facility in Boden.

In September 2024, Stegra was awarded 100 million from the Industrial leap after the European Commission earlier the same year approved, under the EU State aid rules, a 265 million Swedish measure made available in part through the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Today, an additional 37 million in grants have been announced by the Swedish Energy Agency.

"We are grateful for the Swedish Energy Agency's decision. It gives us the possibility to strengthen Swedish and European competitiveness. There is still a gap to what the EU has approved, and we hope that further steps can be taken to close it and provide a more level playing field in relation to other projects", says Henrik Henriksson, CEO Stegra.

CONTACT:

For more information, contact: Karin Hallstan, Head of Communications, Stegra at press@stegra.com or +46 76 842 81 04

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/stegra/r/stegra-granted-additional-state-aid-from-the-industrial-leap,c4273187

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/20623/4273187/3809523.pdf Stegra granted additional state aid from the Industrial Leap

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/stegra-granted-additional-state-aid-from-the-industrial-leap-302626950.html
Paris, 26 November 2025

The shareholders of PREATONI Group (Euronext Paris - ISIN: FR001400WXE7 - ticker: MLPRG) are invited to attend the Combined General Meeting to be held on January 16, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., at the company's registered office.

On this occasion, shareholders will be asked to vote on the following resolutions, among others:

 Authorization of the proposed transfer of the Company's shares from the Euronext Access+ market to the Euronext Growth market, and authorization granted to the Management Board to carry out this transfer and;

 End and renewal of the terms of office of the members of the Supervisory Board (Ernesto Preatoni, Pierre Ducret, Chantal Burger, and Vanessa Ruffini) for a term expiring at the close of the Ordinary General Meeting called to approve the financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2029.

Listed on Euronext Access since February 2025, the Company is considering its transfer to Euronext Growth in 2026. This project is part of its strategy to strengthen its visibility among investors, improve share liquidity, and secure new sources of financing to support its growth.

The prior meeting notice, including the agenda, the draft resolutions to be submitted to shareholder vote, and the description of the main terms and conditions for attending, voting at the Meeting, and exercising shareholder rights, was published in the BALO on November 26, 2025, under number 142.

This notice can be consulted on the website https://www.preatonigroup.com.

The preparatory documents for this Combined General Meeting will be made available in accordance with legal requirements and timelines.

About PREATONI Group

Founded and developed by Ernesto Preatoni, PREATONI Group is an international group specializing in the ownership and operation of tourist resorts, primarily in Egypt and Italy, as well as in residential and commercial real estate development in the EMEA region (Baltic States, Dubai). Inspired by the pioneering spirit of its founder, Ernesto Preatoni, PREATONI Group is a unique publicly listed real estate company that integrates an original and highly value-creating development model. The Group employs over 1,500 people worldwide. Headquartered in France, PREATONI Group is listed on Euronext Access+ (ISIN code: FR001400WXE7).

WWW.PREATONIGROUP.COM

Investor relations

ACTUS finance & communication

Anne-Pauline Petureaux

apetureaux@actus.fr

T: (+33) 1 53 67 36 72 Media relations

ACTUS finance & communication

Deborah Schwartz

dschwartz@actus.fr

T: (+33) 1 53 67 36 35

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Displaced children in Haiti, including Dieussika, are returning to learning through Education Cannot Wait-funded catch-up classes implemented by UNICEF and partners.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Before the sun rises over Port-au-Prince, a city crippled by ongoing violence and a deepening humanitarian crisis, 14-year-old Dieussika begins her day.

"I'm getting ready for school. It rained heavily last night. It rained so much that my books, my bag, my clothes - almost everything is soaked," says the teen.

Due to the heavy rainfall, Dieussika didn't get much sleep. "I spent the whole night scooping out the water and throwing it outside," she says.

The place Dieussika calls home today is not a home at all. It is a classroom in a former school building, now transformed into a displacement site in the heart of Haiti. She lives there with her family, crammed into a space meant for learning, not shelter.

With funding from Education Cannot Wait ( ECW ) - the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises in the United Nations - UNICEF and partners on the ground are working to ensure that girls and boys affected by the escalating violence and displacement in the country are able to continue their education. Through the ongoing initiative, Dieussika and thousands of other children are being given a second chance to learn in safety.

Restoring Hope Through Education

Dieussika is one of ten children. She, her mother and siblings were forced to leave their home due to the violence that has swept across the capital and beyond.

Today, her family lives in a displaced persons site. While they've lived within the walls of the former-school for over a year, there was a time when the 14-year-old couldn't see an avenue to continue her studies.

"After fleeing my home, I didn't think I would be able to continue school because I had lost hope," says Dieussika.

Even before the latest escalation of violence - leading to widespread school closures and mass displacement - enrollment rates were already low in Haiti. Today, the roadblocks to education have never been greater.

It wasn't until UNICEF's catch-up class initiative - supported through ECW investments - reached Dieussika and her family that the teen realized she didn't have to give up on her dreams.

"They organized five months of catch-up classes for us. I was very happy," she says. "These catch-up classes really helped us. We all participated in class."

The catch-up classes are designed to help children whose education had been disrupted by multiple crises to regain lost learning and rebuild their academic confidence. With dedicated resources, trained teachers and psychosocial support, this initiative offers children not only a chance to learn again, but also to return to the safety, stability and hope that a classroom provides.

Haiti's Education Crisis

Haiti is enduring one of the most severe humanitarian and protection crises in the world today. Years of political instability, poverty, economic hardship, and the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2021 have eroded Haiti's institutions and safety net. Now, the situation has escalated to unprecedented levels of violence and insecurity.

Armed coalitions control vast areas of the country, carrying out brutal acts - including killings, mass kidnappings, sexual violence and other grave human rights violations. Families flee targeted attacks with nowhere safe to turn. The UN in Haiti reports that an estimated 1.4 million people are displaced across Haiti. Children account for over half of those displaced and are among the most vulnerable: many are being coerced or forced into armed groups, which the UN estimates may be composed of up to 30-50% children.

Schools, once sanctuaries of safety and learning, have become targets of attack, been converted into makeshift shelters or shuttered altogether.

As of April 2025, more than 1,600 schools across four key departments (North, West, Centre and Artibonite) remain closed, and an additional 166 schools have been forced to relocate to safer areas so children can continue learning.

The funding gap for education in Haiti has reached a breaking point. Of the more than US$61 million requested under the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan, only US$6.5 million has been secured. Urgent investment is needed to keep learning alive and avert a generational education crisis.

But amidst the fear, uncertainty and loss, education is offering a lifeline - and for girls like Dieussika, education is not simply a service, it is survival.

Investing in a Better Tomorrow

ECW has invested over US$15 million in Haiti since 2021, supporting holistic, gender-sensitive and protective education responses. These include catch-up classes, school feeding programmes, vocational training, mental health and psychosocial support, back-to-school incentives, early childhood education, disability inclusion and environmental sensitization.

These efforts are part of ECW's Multi-Year Resilience Programme and its latest First Emergency Response (FER), launched in July 2024. Delivered in partnership with UNICEF, the World Food Programme and local partner the Organization of Hearts for Deprived Children of Haiti - in coordination with the Ministry of National Education and Professional Training and the Departmental Directorate of Education of the Artibonite Department - the recent FER aims to reach 75,000 children and adolescents in the hardest-hit areas of Ouest and Artibonite.

In 2024 alone, more than 58,000 students, including over 32,000 girls, benefited from accelerated catch-up classes and other education interventions in Haiti. In the first two years of ECW's Strategic Plan period, ECW investments have reached more than 520,000 crisis-affected children and adolescents in the country.

"Don't Abandon Children"

Dieussika's resilience is echoed by thousands of children across Haiti - children who have lost homes, friends, teachers and any sense of stability, but who still hold fast to the belief that education is the way forward.

"I choose school as the best path because I have a dream. To achieve that dream, I must keep going to school," says the teen. "Without education, I won't be able to make it come true. My dream would be shattered."

In the face of unimaginable violence and daily uncertainty, girls like Dieussika are showing what's possible when the world chooses to invest in education.

Thanks to five months of catch-up classes and vocational training, Dieussika was able to return to school, take her exams and even graduate. With continued support from ECW and its global strategic partners, more children and youth can be reached, more dreams protected and more futures rebuilt.

Now, more than ever, we must not give up on Haiti's children. Dieussika's message to decision-makers:

"Don't abandon children. Think of them, the same way you thought of me."

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/displaced-but-determined-302626968.html
BH Macro Limited - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, November 26

BH Macro Limited (the "Company")

(a closed-ended collective investment scheme established as a company with limited liability under the laws of Guernsey with registered number 46235)

Transaction in Own Shares

26 November 2025

BH Macro Limited (the Company) announces today it has purchased the following number of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange from J.P. Morgan Securities plc:

Ordinary Shares: - Share Class GBP Date of purchase: 26 November 2025 Number of ordinary shares purchased: 137,705 Weighted average price (Sterling/US Dollars as applicable): 3.9609

The Company intends to hold the purchased shares in treasury.

Following the above share transactions of the relevant US Dollar and/or Sterling Shares, the total number of shares in issue in each share class of the Company will be as follows:

Ordinary Shares in issue (excluding Treasury) Ordinary Shares held in Treasury 319,384,842 Sterling Shares 58,672,764 Sterling Shares 23,901,261 US Dollar Shares 213,496 US Dollar Shares

From 26 November 2025, the total number of voting rights in the Company (rounded up to the whole number) is 487,994,402.

Enquiries:

Company website: www.bhmacro.com

William Simmonds

JPMorgan Cazenove

Tel: 020 7588 2828

The Company Secretary

Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited

Tel: 01481 745001
As the holiday shopping season kicks off on Black Friday, consumers are urged to authenticate their luxury goods to avoid counterfeit luxury items, especially when using unfamiliar online sellers and resale platforms.

RENO, NEVADA / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / As the holiday shopping season begins, Real Authentication is encouraging consumers to safeguard their investments and avoid the proliferation of counterfeit luxury items by authenticating their luxury goods.

Real Authentication Urges Holiday Shoppers to Virtually Authenticate Luxury Goods Purchases

As the holiday shopping season kicks off on Black Friday, consumers are urged to authenticate their luxury goods to avoid counterfeit luxury items, especially when using unfamiliar online sellers and resale platforms.

Real Authentication is a global leader in luxury goods authentication, covering more than 170 luxury brands across categories including handbags, watches, eyewear, clothing, jewelry, shoes, sneakers, scarves, hats, and home goods. With the high demand for those and other luxury goods, especially during the peak holiday shopping season, the risk of encountering counterfeit items rises.

"Holiday shopping is exciting, but it's also prime time for counterfeit resellers," said Real Authentication Co-Founder Jenna Padilla. "Real Authentication provides a seamless, efficient, and reliable solution for consumers seeking to confirm the authenticity of their luxury holiday purchases."

Experts forecast that online shoppers will spend a record $253.4 billion during the 2025 holiday season - nearly $12 billion on Black Friday alone. Holiday shoppers hunting for bargains on luxury brands are at a heightened risk of fraud. Counterfeit schemes thrive on gift-buying urgency, flash sales, and unfamiliar online marketplaces.

"Black Friday shopping is a particularly tricky time because consumers expect 'too good to be true' deals," added Real Authentication Co-Founder Anastacia Black. "But independent authentication helps avoid costly disappointments."

Real Authentication urges shoppers, from individual shoppers to resellers, retailers and enterprise businesses, to use virtual authentication throughout the holiday season with its fast and easy-to-use process:

Clients begin by uploading images of their purchases via mobile app or web portal .

A team of expert human authenticators use their extensive hands-on experience along with a proprietary archive of over 7 million reference images to analyze the fine details of every item submitted.

Authenticators also run each item through Real Authentication's proprietary technology to cross-check numerous data points within the system and identify any potential red flags.

Quality assurance from the fraud detection team adds another layer of security, and consumers receive a determination on the item in 24 hours or less, with options for express 12-hour and one-hour decisions.

Notably, while many services rely solely on AI or automated scanning, Real Authentication's world-renowned team of expert authenticators analyze every aspect of each submitted item on top of the use of their proprietary technology. The platform now services clients in more than 95% of all global countries, making expert authentication accessible to all who need it.

Whether verifying a designer handbag found on resale sites or a pair of premium sneakers from an unfamiliar vendor, consumers are urged to protect their investments by using Real Authentication's service to ensure you're getting the real deal. Learn more at realauthentication.com.

About Real Authentication

Real Authentication's mission is to provide individuals, dealers, and global brands with unparalleled confidence and peace of mind by leveraging our deep expertise and years of experience to deliver the most trusted and accurate luxury goods authentication service available. Learn more at realauthentication.com .

Disclaimer: Real Authentication is an independent, third-party authentication service and is not affiliated with any of the brands it services.

Media Contact:

Real Authentication

Press Inquiries: realauthentication.com/press-inquiry

SOURCE: Real Authentication

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/real-authentication-urges-holiday-shoppers-to-virtually-authenti-1112154
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Evolve Funds Group Inc. ("Evolve" or the "Manager") is pleased to announce that it has filed a final prospectus with plans to bring the Evolve Big Six Canadian Banks UltraYield Index ETF (TSX: SIXY) ("SIXY") to Canadian investors. SIXY is expected to begin trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") on December 2, 2025 under the ticker symbol SIXY, subject to TSX approval.

SIXY is designed to offer investors modestly levered exposure to a portfolio of Canada's 'Big Six' banks, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD), Bank of Montreal (BMO), Scotiabank, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), and National Bank of Canada, with a covered call strategy.

SIXY aims to replicate, to the extent reasonably possible before fees and expenses, up to a 1.33 times multiple of the performance of the Solactive Equal Weight Canada Banks Index, or a successor index. To enhance yield and manage risk, SIXY will employ a covered call option writing program at the discretion of the Manager. The level of covered call option writing may vary based on market conditions.

SIXY will use modest leverage in order to seek to achieve its investment objective. Leverage will be created through the use of cash borrowings and/or derivatives, or as otherwise permitted under applicable securities legislation.

Cash distributions, if any, on SIXY will be paid at least twice per month, with the possibility of more frequent distributions at the Manager's discretion.

About Evolve Funds Group Inc.

With over $8 billion in assets under management, Evolve specializes in bringing innovative ETFs to Canadian investors. Evolve's suite of ETFs provide investors with access to: (i) index-based income strategies; (ii) long term investment themes; and (iii) some of the world's leading investment managers. Established by a team of industry veterans with a demonstrated ability to succeed, Evolve creates investment products that make a difference. For more information, please visit www.evolveetfs.com.

Join us on social media: Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Youtube

Evolve Funds Group Inc. is the investment fund manager and portfolio manager. Evolve Big Six Canadian Banks UltraYield Index ETF ("SIXY") will be offered by Evolve Funds Group Inc., and distributed through authorized dealers.

The information contained herein is a general description and is not intended to be specific investment advice to any particular investor nor intended to be investment or tax advice. You should not act or rely on the information contained herein without seeking the advice of an appropriate professional advisor.

Leverage increases risk.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with exchange traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds. Please read the prospectus before investing. ETFs and mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Investors may incur customary brokerage commissions in buying or selling ETF and mutual fund units. Investors should monitor their holdings, as frequently as daily, to ensure that they remain consistent with their investment strategies.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Evolve ETFs

info@evolveetfs.com

t. 416.214.4884

tf. 1.844.370.4884

MEDIA CONTACT

kcrone@evolveetfs.com

Keith Crone

416.966.8716

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to a future outlook and anticipated distributions, events or results and may include statements regarding future financial performance. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "intend" or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Evolve undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276053

SOURCE: Evolve ETFs
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Supreme Critical Metals Inc., (CSE: CRIT) (FSE: VR6) (OTC Pink: VRCFF) ("Supreme" or the "Company") wishes to issue a correction to its news release dated November 26, 2025, titled "Supreme Critical Metals Announces Private Placements of up to $2,000,000."

The original news release incorrectly stated that each Warrant forming part of the Non-Flow-Through Units would be exercisable at a price of $0.021 per common share.

Corrected Information

Each Warrant issued under the Non-Flow-Through Unit financing is exercisable to purchase one additional common share at a price of $0.21 for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance.

No other terms of the Offering have been amended.

This correction does not impact any other component of the Offering, and all other information in the November 26, 2025, news release remains accurate and unchanged.

About Supreme Critical Metals Inc.

Supreme Critical Metals Inc. (CSE: CRIT) (FSE: VR6) (OTC Pink: VRCFF) is a publicly traded, diversified exploration company advancing a portfolio of high-potential silver, copper, uranium, and gold properties across North America. The Company follows a disciplined, data-driven acquisition strategy focused on mining-friendly jurisdictions with established infrastructure, predictable permitting, and supportive regulatory frameworks.

Additional information about Supreme Critical Metals is available on the Company's website at www.supremecriticalmetals.com.

LIKE AND FOLLOW

Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Forward-looking information in this release includes statements regarding the expected closing date of the Offering and future exploration programs. This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Such forward-looking information is provided to inform the Company's shareholders and potential investors about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Any such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "anticipate", "proposed", "estimates", "would", "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "will", and similar expressions, although not all forward-looking information contain these identifying words.

More particularly and without limitation, the forward-looking information in this news release includes expectations regarding the Company's business plans and operations. Forward-looking information is based on a number of factors and assumptions that have been used to develop such information, but which may prove to be incorrect. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The forward-looking information in this news release reflects the Company's current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs based on information currently available to the Company.

Whether actual results, performance, or achievements will conform to Supreme's expectations and predictions is subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from Supreme's expectations. Such material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals.

Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this release.

###

/THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276075

SOURCE: Supreme Critical Metals Inc.
Partners from Native Americans Matter will join the event to explore the true history of the Thanksgiving holiday, offering essential perspectives on Native sovereignty, sacrifice, and survival.

PORTLAND, OR / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / The Anna Kavanaugh Philanthropic Center (AKPC) is set to host "Reframing Gratitude: Honoring Indigenous Truth Before Thanksgiving."

National Day of Mourning

Discussion on the Thanksgiving Holiday and the Native American National Day of Mourning.

The gathering will be held in a dedicated virtual symposium to honor the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday with deeper respect and truth by engaging with the historical reality and the enduring resilience of Native American nations. The holiday is for many Americans, Native and non-Native, a time for family gathering and expressing gratitude. However, it is also deemed a National Day of Mourning. For many Native American people, the day is one of grief and resistance, challenging the holiday's origin narrative which obscures centuries of displacement, broken treaties, and violence. The Anna Kavanaugh Philanthropic Center is committed to ongoing education and supportive action in advocacy for Indigenous rights, justice, and healing.

The event is focused entirely on historical accuracy and collective community responsibility. It is an act of determined inclusion, striving for a future that honors Indigenous sovereignty and the critical knowledge held by the original stewards of American land.

The gathering will feature partners from Native Americans Matter who will share essential stories and perspectives. The discussion is structured to guide attendees through four critical areas of reflection, using the exact language from the event description:

Honor Indigenous Resilience: Acknowledge and revere the enduring survival, culture, and contributions of Native American nations, past and present. We commit to elevating their stories in generations to come.

Examine Historical Truth: Unpack and challenge the false historical narrative often taught in popular culture. We will discuss the documented historical reality that contradicts the simplified Thanksgiving origin narrative, focusing on the rapid escalation of conflict, land loss, and genocide that followed 1621.

Reframe Gratitude: Explore how to authentically express thanks for the resources we have, while acknowledging the deep injustices and sacrifices imposed upon Native American ancestors-and the historical trauma that continues to affect their communities today.

Observe with Responsibility: Consider meaningful ways to observe a "Truthsgiving" that incorporates elements of respect, reparations, and ongoing action in support of Native sovereignty and justice.

The AKPC seeks to create an honest space where all people can share in the complexity of our past to build a truly inclusive future. This is a final annual opportunity to join the vital conversation. Registration is required to secure free access to the event.

EVENT DETAILS:

Event: Reframing Gratitude: Honoring Indigenous Truth Before Thanksgiving

Date: Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Time: 6:00pm-8:30pm PST

Where: Virtual Event (Registration Required for Provided Link - Sales Close One Hour Before Start)

TO SECURE YOUR SPOT: Click here to reserve your free ticket on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reframing-gratitude-honoring-indigenous-truth-before-thanksgiving-tickets-1975822224461?aff=oddtdtcreator

About the Anna Kavanaugh Philanthropic Center

The Center focuses on global strategic planning and policy advocacy via media, films, broadcasts, writings, summits, seminars, education & awareness. Its work primarily focuses on supporting crisis relief and rescue for worldwide humanitarian, wildlife, environmental, & conservation welfare efforts.

For more information please visit: https://www.theannakavanaughfoundation.org/ or https://www.annakavanaughofficialwebsite.com/

Contact Information

Christine Morgan

Media Relations

christinemorgan@theannakavanaughfoundation.org

503-753-2283

SOURCE: The Anna Kavanaugh Philanthropic Center for Global Outreach

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/education/anna-kavanaugh-and-her-philanthropic-center-facilitate-public-dialogue-on-historical-accu-1112546
Revenue of $48.9 million - an increase of 18% over prior year

Adjusted EBITDA1 of $9.2 million - an increase of 56% over prior year

Generated Adjusted Free Cash Flow1 of $9.1 million and reduced Senior Debt by $5.2 million

(All figures in US dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Ionik Corporation (TSXV: INIK) (OTCQB: INIKF) (the "Company" or "Ionik"), a data and technology-driven marketing and advertising solutions company, announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025 ("Q3 2025").

Financial Highlights for Third Quarter of 2025

Revenue of $48.9 million, an increase of 18% compared to $41.4 million in the same period of the prior year (" Q3 2024 "). The change versus the prior year was mainly attributable to the acquisitions of Nimble5, LLC in September 2024 and Rise4 Inc. in November 2024 (the " 2024 Acquisitions ")

Gross profit increased 26% to $20.8 million (42% gross profit margin), compared to $16.4 million (40% gross profit margin) in Q3 2024. The increase was predominantly attributable to growth driven by the 2024 acquisitions.

Adjusted EBITDA 1 of $9.2 million increased 56% over Q3 2024 and a decrease of 3% over Q2 2025, with year-over-year growth derived mainly from the 2024 Acquisitions.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow 1 of $9.1 million (98% Adjusted Free Cash Flow conversion rate 1 ), compared to $5.4 million (92% Adjusted Free Cash Flow conversion rate 1 ) for Q3 2024. Adjusted Free Cash Flow 1 reported in Q3 2024 was affected by income taxes paid totalling $1.9 million.

Net loss after tax from continuing operations of $1.0 million versus a net loss of $2.6 million for Q3 2024.

Cash as at September 30, 2025 was $6.0 million, compared to $5.1 million at June 30, 2025 and $15.3 million at September 30, 2024. As at September 30, 2025, the Company had not drawn on its revolving facility of $10.0 million. Management believes that its current capital position is sufficient to execute its current business and operational strategies.

Total undiscounted debt decreased by $5.2 million as at September 30, 2025. The total undiscounted balance was $112.4 million, including $74.5 million of senior lender debt, $29.6 million of convertible debt, and $5.3 million in a vendor take-back loan and $3.0 million in working capital note compared to $117.5 million in total debt as at June 30, 2025 and $126.5 million in total debt as at December 31, 2024. The decrease compared to the undiscounted debt balance at June 30, 2025 resulted primarily from principal payments of $5.2 million on the senior debt term facility in the quarter. Senior debt net of cash was $68.5 million at September 30, 2025, compared to $74.6 million at June 30, 2025 and $73.4 million at December 31, 2024.

1Please refer to "Non-IFRS Measures" section of this press release

Ted Hastings, Ionik's CEO commented, "We delivered another financially strong quarter with EBITDA over $9 million, reducing our senior debt by $5.2 million and increasing our cash balance at the end of the current quarter as compared to prior quarter. We also achieved meaningful progress in streamlining our operations and platform across Marketing Optimization and Media Activation as detailed in our updated website (www.ionikgroup.com). We have entered our typically seasonally strongest quarter and are positioned well to finish a successful year."

Non-IFRS Measures

The Company prepares its financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). However, the Company considers certain non-IFRS financial measures as useful additional information to assess its financial performance. These measures, which it believes are widely used by investors, securities analysts and other interested parties to evaluate its performance, do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other publicly traded companies, nor should they be construed as an alternative to financial measures determined in accordance with IFRS. Non-IFRS measures include "Adjusted EBITDA","Adjusted Free Cash Flow" and "Adjusted Free Cash Flow conversion rate".

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow

Consolidated adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") is a non-IFRS measure of financial performance. Company management defines Adjusted EBITDA as IFRS Net income (loss) adding back finance costs, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, gain/loss on disposal of assets and extinguishment of loans, fair value gain/loss on financial liabilities and modification/extinguishment on loans, and excludes discontinued operations and the effects of significant items of income and expenditure which may have an impact on the quality of earnings, such as impairments where the impairment is the result of an isolated, non-recurring event. It also excludes the effects of equity-settled share-based payments, foreign exchange gains/losses, and other extraordinary one-time expenses, such as transaction costs and other severance and restructuring costs. See reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA in the table below.

Company management defines "Adjusted Free Cash Flow" as Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures, such as acquisition of property and equipment and additions to intangibles for capitalized development costs, and income taxes paid during the period. Similarly, Company management defines "Adjusted Free Cash Flow conversion rate" as Adjusted Free Cash Flow divided by Adjusted EBITDA. See reconciliation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow in the table below.

The presentation of these non-IFRS financial measures are not intended to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with IFRS and may be different from non-IFRS financial measures used by other companies.

Management believes Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow are useful financial metrics to assess its operating performance on a cash basis before the impact of non-cash and extraordinary one-time items.

The following tables presents the Company's calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow for each period:







For the three months ended







September 30



June 30



March 31,



December 31,







2025



2025



2025



2024

Net loss (income)

$ (1,039 ) $ (2,437 ) $ (3,542 ) $ (8,014 ) Add:

















Finance costs



4,623



4,949



4,546



4,483

Income tax (recovery) expense



312



1,785



521



(3,380 ) Depreciation and amortization



4,684



4,685



4,703



5,864

Impairment loss on intangibles and goodwill



-



-



-



5,847

Fair value loss (gain) on financial liabilities



207



594



(478 )

1,734

Gain on modification/extinguishment of loan



-



-



-



(16 ) Share-based compensation expense



106



130



163



30

Extraordinary one-time expenses (recovery)



360



(206 )

240



894

Foreign exchange (gain) loss



(23 )

96



133



(57 ) Non-recurring income



(3 )

(53 )

(33 )

(50 ) Adjusted EBITDA

$ 9,227

$ 9,543

$ 6,253

$ 7,335

Less:

















Acquisition of property and equipment



(4 )

(16 )

(13 )

(12 ) Additions to intangible assets



(70 )

(75 )

(76 )

(75 ) Taxes paid



(87 )

(1,889 )

(144 )

(2,447 ) Adjusted Free Cash Flow

$ 9,066

$ 7,563

$ 6,020

$ 4,801









For the three months ended







September 30



June 30,



March 31,



December 31,







2024



2024



2024



2023

Net loss (income)

$ (2,574 ) $ 342

$ (2,018 ) $ (40,067 ) Add:

















Finance costs



3,094



2,651



2,555



2,390

Income tax (recovery) expense



1,072



1,635



89



1,377

Depreciation and amortization



3,675



3,285



3,297



3,356

Impairment loss on intangibles and goodwill



-



-



-



34,860

Gain on disposal of games



(110 )

(2,772 )

-



-

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets



(33 )

-



-



8

Loss on modification/extinguishment of loan



-



-



-



1,691

Share-based compensation expense



202



186



221



494

Extraordinary one-time expenses



497



344



19



762

Foreign exchange loss



134



98



133



75

Non-recurring income



(44 )

(17 )

-



-

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 5,913

$ 5,752

$ 4,296

$ 4,946

Less:

















Acquisition of property and equipment



(6 )

(12 )

(17 )

(2 ) Additions to intangible assets



(70 )

(69 )

(70 )

(251 ) Taxes paid



(406 )

(1,865 )

(1,858 )

(21 ) Adjusted Free Cash Flow

$ 5,431

$ 3,806

$ 2,351

$ 4,672







For the Nine Months Ended





September 30,





2025



2024

Net loss $ (7,018 ) $ (4,250 ) Add:







Finance costs

14,118



8,300

Income tax (recovery) expense

2,618



2,796

Depreciation and amortization

14,072



10,257

Gain on disposal of games

-



(2,882 ) Fair value loss on financial liabilities

323



(33 ) Share-based compensation expense

399



609

Extraordinary one-time expenses

394



860

Foreign exchange loss

206



365

Non-recurring income

(89 )

(61 ) Adjusted EBITDA $ 25,023

$ 15,961

Less:







Acquisition of property and equipment

(33 )

(35 ) Additions to intangible assets

(221 )

(209 ) Taxes paid

(2,120 )

(4,129 ) Adjusted Free Cash Flow $ 22,649

$ 11,588



Financial Statements and MD&A

Ionik's Financial Statements for the three months ended September 30, 2025, and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the same period, are posted on its corporate website at www.ir.ionikgroup.com and available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

The Company also announced that is has granted an aggregate of 5,305,000 restricted share units ("RSUs") to officers of the Company, pursuant to the Company's Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan adopted on April 28, 2022, as amended and restated on April 24, 2023, and further amended and restated on June 26, 2025. Twenty five percent of the RSUs vest on the one-year anniversary of grant and 6.25% quarterly thereafter.

About Ionik

Ionik, a Tier 1 Issuer on the TSX Venture Exchange, with shares also trading on the OTCQB Venture Market, is a technology-driven marketing and advertising solutions company that helps brands, advertisers, and publishers connect with their audiences through data-driven automation, first-party data and integrated marketing technology to break down silos and turn incremental efficiencies into exponential gains.

Ionik unites Media Activation and Marketing Optimization through its AI-Powered Data Engine to create a seamless advertising ecosystem that energizes new possibilities across customer acquisition, engagement, retention and monetization.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements and forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the business, financials and operations of the Company, statements with respect to the Company's sufficiency of its capital position to execute on business and operational strategies, successful integration of acquisitions, operational and financial growth strategy, ability to make debt repayments, expected Adjusted Free Cash Flow and anticipated success in customer adoption of the Company's products and services. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. Forward looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of this news release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements and future events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to assumptions relating to continued customer support for the Company's products and services, competition, the ability of the Company to innovate and advance its product and service offerings, general market conditions, exchange rate, global financial conditions, the ability of the Company to meet its liabilities as they become due, the ability of the Company to integrate and successfully capitalize on acquisitions, and the factors described in greater detail in the public documents of the Company available at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Investors are cautioned that undue reliance should not be placed on any such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of the Company. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276056

SOURCE: Ionik Corporation
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Gold X2 Mining Inc. (TSXV: AUXX) (OTCQB: GSHRF) (FSE: DF8) ("Gold X2") and Kesselrun Resources Ltd. (TSXV: KES) (OTCQB: KSSRF) ("Kesselrun") are pleased to announce that at the special meeting of shareholders of Kesselrun held on November 21, 2025 (the "Meeting"), Kesselrun shareholders ("Shareholders") voted overwhelmingly in favour of the previously announced plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") between Gold X2 and Kesselrun.

Additionally, today, Kesselrun received a final order of the Supreme Court of British Columbia approving the Arrangement.

Under the Arrangement, Gold X2 will acquire all of the issued and outstanding Kesselrun shares. In consideration therefore, each one Kesselrun share will be exchanged for approximately 0.2152 of one common share (each whole common share, a "Gold X2 Share") in the capital of Gold X2, and approximately $0.0213 in cash. Each outstanding stock option of Kesselrun will entitle the holder, upon exercise or settlement, to receive the number of Gold X2 Shares that such holder would have been entitled to receive pursuant to the Arrangement, had the security been exercised or settled immediately prior to the effective date of the Arrangement.

Shareholders holding a total of 55,219,208 Kesselrun shares were represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting, representing 58.70% of the 94,071,837 issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote as of October 15, 2025, the record date for the Meeting. The Arrangement required the approval of at least two-thirds (662/3%) of the votes cast by Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting. Of the votes cast at the Meeting, 99.89% of the votes cast by Shareholders were in favour of the Arrangement.

Completion of the Arrangement is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions for a transaction of this nature, including receipt of approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). Subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the closing conditions, it is expected that the Arrangement will be completed shortly. In connection with completion of the Arrangement, it is expected that Kesselrun shares will be delisted from the TSXV.

About Kesselrun Resources Ltd.

Kesselrun Resources Ltd. is a Thunder Bay, Ontario-based mineral exploration company focused on growth through property acquisitions and discoveries. Kesselrun's management team possesses strong geological and exploration expertise in Northwest Ontario. For more information about Kesselrun, please visit www.kesselrunresources.com.

Kesselrun holds a 100% interest in the Huronian Gold Project (the "Huronian Gold Project"), covering 293 contiguous unpatented mining claims plus four patented mining claims totalling approximately 5,160 hectares located in Moss Township, Thunder Bay Mining Division, Ontario and a 100% interest in the Bluffpoint Gold Project (the "Bluffpoint Gold Project"), comprising of 449 mining claims covering approximately 9,227 hectares located in Bluffpoint Lake Township, with portions extending into the townships of Lawrence Lake, Napanee Lake and Barker Bay in the Kenora Mining Division of Northwestern Ontario. The Huronian Gold Project is situated in the highly prolific Shebandowan Greenstone Belt located in the AbitibiWawa Subprovince of the Archean Superior Province and covers the southwest strike extension of the geology that hosts Gold X2's Moss Gold Project.

About Gold X2 Mining

Gold X2 is a growth-oriented gold company focused on delivering long-term shareholder and stakeholder value through the acquisition and advancement of primary gold assets in tier-one jurisdictions. It is led by the ex-global head of structural geology for the world's largest gold company and backed by one of Canada's pre-eminent private equity firms. Gold X2's current focus is the advanced stage 100% owned Moss Gold Project which is positioned in Ontario, Canada, with direct access from the Trans-Canada Highway, hydroelectric power near site, supportive local communities and skilled workforce. Gold X2 has invested over $75 million of new capital and completed approximately 100,000 meters of drilling on the Moss Gold Project, which, in aggregate, has had over 255,000 meters of drilling. The 2024 updated NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate ("MRE") has expanded to 1.54 million ounces of Indicated gold resources at 1.23 g/t Au, contained within 38.96 million tonnes and 5.20 million ounces of Inferred gold resources at 1.11 g/t Au., contained within 146.24 million tonnes. The MRE only encompasses 3.6 kilometers of the 35+ kilometer mineralized trend, remains open at depth and along strike and is one of the few remaining major Canadian gold deposits positioned for development in this cycle. Please see NI 43-101 technical report titled: "Technical Report and Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Moss Gold Project, Ontario, Canada," dated March 20, 2024 with an effective date of January 31, 2024 available under the Gold X2's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. For more information, please visit SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.com) and Gold X2's website (www.Gold X2.com).

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements

In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, statements regarding: the Arrangement; the receipt of final TSXV approval for the Arrangement; the anticipated timeline for completing the Arrangement; the delisting of Kesselrun's shares from the TSXV following completion of the Arrangement; that the Moss Gold Project, the Huronian Gold Project and the Bluffpoint Gold Project are in a highly prolific and prospective jurisdiction; the terms and conditions pursuant to which the Arrangement will be completed, if at all. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the potential results discussed in the forward-looking statements.

In respect of the forward-looking statements concerning the Arrangement, Gold X2 and Kesselrun have each relied on certain assumptions that it believes are reasonable at this time, including assumptions as to the ability of the parties to receive, in a timely manner and on satisfactory terms, the necessary regulatory, stock exchange and other third party approvals, and the ability of the parties to satisfy, in a timely manner, the other conditions to the completion of the Arrangement. The Arrangement timeline may change for a number of reasons, including inability to secure necessary regulatory, stock exchange or other third-party approvals in the time assumed or the need for additional time to satisfy the other conditions to the completion of the Arrangement. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning timing.

Risks and uncertainties that may cause such differences include but are not limited to: the risk that the Arrangement may not be completed on a timely basis, if at all; the conditions to the consummation of the Arrangement may not be satisfied; the risk that the Arrangement may involve unexpected costs, liabilities or delays; the possibility that legal proceedings may be instituted against Gold X2, Kesselrun and/or others relating to the Arrangement and the outcome of such proceedings; the possible occurrence of an event, change or other circumstance that could result in termination of the Arrangement; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time and additional risks identified in Gold X2's and Kesselrun's filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca). Failure to obtain the requisite approvals, or the failure of the parties to otherwise satisfy the conditions to or complete the Arrangement, may result in the Arrangement not being completed on the proposed terms, or at all. In addition, if the Arrangement is not completed, the announcement of the Arrangement and the dedication of substantial resources of Gold X2 and Kesselrun to the completion of the Arrangement could have a material adverse impact on each of Gold X2 and Kesslrun's share price, each of Gold X2 and Kesslrun's current business relationships and on the current and future operations, financial condition, and prospects of Gold X2 and Kesselrun.

Gold X2 and Kesselrun expressly disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276100

SOURCE: Kesselrun Resources Ltd.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Hemostemix Inc. (TSXV: HEM) (OTCQB: HMTXF) (FSE: 2VF0), is pleased to announce a binding Letter of Intent for the acquisition of the first two cardiology practices under the Company's clinic roll-up and commercialization strategy. The practices of Dr. Roberto Manuel Fernandez-de-Castro and Dr. Hector Rosario Figueroa, two of the Dominican Republic's most respected interventional cardiologists, will be acquired by Hemostemix for 2,000,000 shares each, subject to adjustment and TSXV approval.

This marks the first of many acquisitions, as Hemostemix's long-term strategy to acquire profitable, accretive medical practices within which is can add ACP-01 treatments. Capable of generating a sustainable, predictable commercial stream of patients for treatment with ACP-01, the Company's operations strategy will focus on patient treatment flow, while the Company's sales team focus on leveraging the practitioner to practitioner dialogue to increase the number of practitioners treating with ACP-01 (patient volumes).

Two cardiologists with more than 200 ACP-01 patient treatments

Combined, Dr. Fernandez-de-Castro and Dr. Rosario Figueroa have treated more than 200 patients with ACP-01, making them among the most experienced ACP-01 clinicians globally. Given their track record as pioneers in the safe treatment of end-stage no option CVD patients, Dr. Fernandez de Castro and Dr. Rosario Figueroa have the credibly to attest to the safety, feasibility, clinical relevancy and observed efficacy of ACP-01 to patients, referring physicians, hospital partners, and regulators.

Their experience spans multiple indications, including:

Angina

Ischemic and Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Congestive Heart Failure

Peripheral Arterial Disease

Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia

Vascular Dementia.

Their clinical expertise, long-standing patient bases, and reputations within the Dominican Republic's medical community position them as ideal anchor practices for Hemostemix's first international clinical and commercial footprint.

Under the terms of the LOI, Dr. Roberto Fernandez-de-Castro and Dr. Rosario Figueroa:

Will each contribute his medical expertise and experience in cardiovascular disease treatments of Angina, Ischemic and Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Congestive Heart Failure, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Chronic Limb Threatening Ischemia, and Vascular Dementia.

Will actively participate in the clinical implementation of ACP-01 therapy within the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.

Will facilitate the necessary regulatory approvals and interactions with Dominican Republic health authorities.

Will, each, sell his existing medical practice to HEM in exchange for the issuance of 2,000,000 common shares.

The integration of these practices will commence Hemostemix clinical infrastructure, accelerate ACP-01 commercialization, and provide the foundation for future clinical trial expansion. It provides a turnkey profit structure that enables hands-on care and follow-up with ACP-01 recipients, which is a significant contributor to improved health outcomes.

This model is designed to be replicated across additional markets-including Florida, Puerto Rico, and Canada under various pathways.

"This acquisition is a transformational milestone for Hemostemix," stated Thomas Smeenk, CEO. Dr. Fernandez-de-Castro and Dr. Rosario Figueroa are world-class cardiologists who have successfully treated 200 ACP-01 patients. Their firsthand experience, results as published, and clinical conviction provide a powerful foundation for accelerating ACP-01 in North America. These acquisitions are the first of many, as they enable us to focus advertising and patients flow in a regulatory compliant manner that is financially rewarding," Smeenk said.

TSXV Financing Extension

The TSXV has approved an extension to December 1st of the terms of the non brokered private placement of Units at $0.11 as announced on October 8, 2025, and as updated November 4, 2025. The Company raised aggregate gross proceeds of $461,230 through the issuance of 4,193,000 units ("Units") at a price of $0.11 per Unit, to-date. Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each full Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one additional Common Share at a price of $0.15 per share for a period of two (2) years from the closing date of the Offering, subject to the accelerated expiry provision described as follows. If, on any 10 consecutive trading days occurring after four months and one day has elapsed following the closing date, the closing sales price of the Common Shares (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported on a trading day) as quoted on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") is greater than a weighted average price of $0.185 per Common Share, the Company may provide notice in writing to the holders of the Warrants by issuance of a press release that the expiry date of the Warrants will be accelerated to the date that is 30 days following such press release.

ABOUT HEMOSTEMIX

Hemostemix is an autologous stem cell therapy platform company, founded in 2003. A winner of the World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer Award, the Company has developed, patented, is scaling and selling autologous (patient's own) blood-based stem cell therapy, VesCell (ACP-01). Hemostemix has completed seven clinical studies of 318 subjects and published its results in eleven peer reviewed publications. ACP-01 is safe, clinically relevant and statistically significant as a treatment for peripheral arterial disease, chronic limb threatening ischemia, non ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, ischemic cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and angina. Hemostemix completed its Phase II clinical trial for chronic limb threatening ischemia and published its results in the Journal of Biomedical Research & Environmental Science. As compared to a five year mortality rate of 50% in the CLTI patient population, UBC and U of T reported to the 41st meeting of vascular surgeons: 0% mortality, cessation of pain, wound healing in 83% of patients followed for up to 4.5 years, as a midpoint result. For more information, please visit www.hemostemix.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information in relation to the Phase I clinical trial of ACP-01 as a treatment for Vascular Dementia, and the treatment of pain related to CLTI in Florida and other jurisdictions related to angina, peripheral arterial disease, chronic limb threatening ischemia, ischemic cardiomyopathy, non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and total body ischemia with Angiogenic Cell Precursors (ACP-01) in furtherance of sales of VesCell (ACP-01), and the commercialization of ACP-01 via the sale of compassionate treatments under Florida SB 1768. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. This forward-looking information reflects Hemostemix's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Hemostemix and on assumptions Hemostemix believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to: the underlying value of Hemostemix and its Common Shares; the successful resolution of any litigation that Hemostemix is pursuing or defending (the "Litigation"); the results of ACP-01 research, trials, studies and analyses, including the analysis being equivalent to or better than previous research, trials or studies; the receipt of all required regulatory approvals for research, trials or studies; the level of activity, market acceptance and market trends in the healthcare sector; the economy generally; consumer interest in Hemostemix's services and products; competition and Hemostemix's competitive advantages; and, Hemostemix obtaining satisfactory financing to fund Hemostemix's operations including any research, trials or studies, and any Litigation. Forward-looking information is Subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Hemostemix to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the ability of Hemostemix to complete clinical trials, complete a satisfactory analyses and file the results of such analyses to gain regulatory approval of a phase II or phase III clinical trial of ACP-01; potential litigation Hemostemix may face; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; general capital market conditions and market prices for securities; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; the actual results of future operations including the actual results of future research, trials or studies; competition; changes in legislation affecting Hemostemix; the timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; long-term capital requirements and future developments in Hemostemix's markets and the markets in which it expects to compete; lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals; and risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic including various recommendations, orders and measures of governmental authorities to try to limit the pandemic, including travel restrictions, border closures, non-essential business closures service disruptions, quarantines, self-isolations, shelters-in-place and social distancing, disruptions to markets, disruptions to economic activity and financings, disruptions to supply chains and sales channels, and a deterioration of general economic conditions including a possible national or global recession or depression; the potential impact that the COVID-19 pandemic may have on Hemostemix which may include a decreased demand for the services that Hemostemix offers; and a deterioration of financial markets that could limit Hemostemix's ability to obtain external financing. A description of additional risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in Hemostemix's disclosure documents on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. Although Hemostemix has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of Hemostemix as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, it is Subject to change after such date. However, Hemostemix expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276108

SOURCE: Hemostemix Inc.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - McLaren Resources Inc. (CSE: MCL) (FSE: 3ML) ("McLaren" / the "Company") announces that it is planning to perform a Drone MAG geophysical survey over selected areas of the Blue Quartz Gold Property located 73 km east of Timmins. The Blue Quartz Gold Property neighbors the Munro-Croesus Gold Project of ONYX Gold Corp. and the Goldarm Property of GFG Resources Inc. and is located north of the Fox Gold Mine property of McEwen Mining Inc. (see Area Map, Figure 1).

The Blue Quartz Property is situated on geological faults associated with the Destor Porcupine Fault Zone which trends east-west within the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. The property hosts the past producing Blue Quartz Mine, the past producing Aljo Mine Shaft as well as the Lucky Ben exploration shaft, the Dunlop exploration shaft and the Clifford exploration shaft (see Property Map, Figure 2).

Exploration success at ONYX Gold's Argus North Zone situated 5 km along structural trend to the south-east plus GFG Resources exploration success adjacent to the north Blue Quartz property boundary highlight the exploration potential of the Blue Quartz property. The 100 percent McLaren owned Blue Quartz property covers an area of 640 hectares and consists of patented claims and staked claim cells.

McLaren plans to focus the MAG geophysical survey over two geological structures on the Blue Quartz property where historic underground mining work previously took place. The Blue Quartz Mine target area is located in the southern portion of the property and is situated proximal to the Pipestone Fault. A second target area containing historic underground mine workings, is located in the northern part of the property proximal to the Painkiller Lake Fault.





Figure 1, Area map

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/932/276095_b7c12fd404f39af3_001full.jpg





Figure 2, Property map

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/932/276095_mcclarenfig2.jpg

ABOUT MCLAREN

McLaren has been focused on exploration work on its gold properties in the Timmins Gold Region of Northeastern Ontario, approximately 80 km east of Timmins city centre. McLaren now owns a 100% interest in the past-producing, 640 ha, Blue Quartz Gold Mine property as well as the 1,770 ha McCool property and 775 ha Kerrs gold property, all located within the Abitibi Greenstone Belt.

Blue Quartz Gold Exploration Property

The Blue Quartz property is located in Beatty Township 73 km east of Timmins and neighbors the Fox Mine, the Fenn-Gib project and the former producing Ross Mine. The property hosts the former producing Blue Quartz Gold Mine and consists of patented claims and staked claims covering an area of 640 ha. The Blue Quartz property is adjacent to the south of the Goldarm Gold Property owned by GFG Resources Inc. ("GFG") where GFG is carrying out exploration, see GFG news release issued on July 24, 2025. To the east, the Blue Quartz property neighbors Onyx Gold Corp's ("ONYX") Argus project, where ONYX is currently carrying out exploration. See ONYX's November 17, 2025, news release.

McCool Gold Exploration Property

The McCool property is located in McCool Township 85 km east of Timmins and neighbors the Tower Gold project, the Fenn-Gib project and the Holt Mine Complex. The property is on the north side of the Destor Porcupine Fault and covers 5 km of the Centre Hill Fault. The property consists of a mining lease and crown claims with an area of 1,770 ha. See McLaren news release issued on January 24, 2023, for drill results from a 2,392 metre, six-hole, phase one diamond drilling program on the McCool property.

Kerrs Gold Exploration Property

The Kerrs property is located in Kerrs Township approximately 15 km north of the McCool property and consists of mining leases covering an area of 771 ha. Previous historical work on the property during the mid-1980s included 10,279 m of diamond drilling in 55 holes. The drilling was focused on an exploration target area that is an extension of a gold mineralized trend from the adjacent property to the east, known as the KBX Zone.

QUALIFIED PERSON

The information presented in this news release has been reviewed and approved by William MacRae, P.Geo, a consultant to McLaren and the Qualified Person for McLaren, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects."

The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of the press release. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements." When used in this document, the words "anticipated", "expect", "estimated", "forecast", "planned", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information. These statements are based on current expectations of management; however, they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this news release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. McLaren Resources Inc. does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date hereof, except as required by securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276095

SOURCE: McLaren Resources Inc.
ABUJA, Nigeria, Nov. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nigeria yesterday welcomed an official government delegation from St. Kitts and Nevis, just weeks after the two nations achieved a historic milestone: granting visa-free entry to citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis. The visit was facilitated in partnership with Aquarian Consult, underscoring the role of private sector leadership in advancing Afri-Caribbean Cooperation.

This groundbreaking agreement makes the Caribbean nation the first outside Africa and ECOWAS to enjoy unrestricted access to Nigeria, signalling a new era of connectivity and cooperation among the Global African people.

Led by Minister of Agriculture, Samal Mojah Duggins, the 20-member senior delegation also includes the Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Geoffrey Ian Hanley, and Speaker of the National Assembly, Lanien Blanchette. With high-level government and private sector meetings on the agenda, the visit signals a bold commitment to accelerate diplomatic and economic ties after this landmark policy shift, an example of how Global African communities can unite for shared progress.

The breakthrough was brokered by Nigerian business leader, Aisha Maina, CEO of Aquarian Consult, whose leadership during the Afri-Caribbean Investment Summit (AACIS '25) was instrumental in driving this agreement forward.

"This is more than a policy change, it's a signal to the world that Africa and the Caribbean are ready to collaborate on trade, investment, and cultural exchange," said Aisha Maina. "Global investors should take note: this is the beginning of a powerful alliance built on the strength of Global African people."

The delegation's arrival highlights opportunities in sectors such as agribusiness, technology, and creative industries. Both nations are advancing discussions on food security, cultural exchange, and youth empowerment, with expanded outcomes expected at AACIS '26 in Abuja next March.

St. Kitts and Nevis Minister of Agriculture, Samal Mojah Duggins, said: "This partnership represents a bold step toward a future where Africa and the Caribbean collaborate as equals in trade, culture, and innovation, uniting global African efforts for shared prosperity."

For global business leaders, this development signals new opportunities in South-South cooperation, leveraging Nigeria's role as Africa's economic gateway and St. Kitts and Nevis' strategic Citizenship by Investment program.

Media Contact:

Serumun Ubwa

Serumun.ubwa@aquarianconsult.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/82ba0ee3-ed7e-4f9b-b6c0-b6c147d49495
Tortola, British Virgin Islands--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Sailfish Royalty Corp. (TSXV: FISH) (OTCQB: SROYF) (the "Company" or "Sailfish") is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated September 29, 2025, the Company has entered into a definitive agreement dated November 26, 2025 (the "Mako Agreement") with Mako Mining Corp. ("Mako") and Mako US Corp. ("Mako US"), an affiliate of Mako, to acquire a five-year gold stream (the "Stream") and a subsequent 2% NSR royalty (the "NSR") on the permitted Mt. Hamilton Gold-Silver Project located in White Pine County, Nevada, USA (the "Property").

The Company is also pleased to announce that, to facilitate the above transaction (the "Mako Transaction"), the Company has acquired the outstanding membership interests of Mt. Hamilton LLC (the "Company Interests"), which owns the Property, from a third party pursuant to a purchase agreement dated September 27, 2025 (the "Purchase Agreement") as further described in the Company's news release dated September 29, 2025 (the "Acquisition").

Gold Stream and 2% Net Smelter Royalty

Upon transferring the registered legal ownership of the Company Interests to Mako US, pursuant to the terms of the Stream the Company will receive: (i) a monthly delivery of gold from Mako for a period of 60 months, whereby Sailfish will purchase from Mako approximately 341.7 troy ounces of gold at a price equal to 20% of the London Bullion Market Association PM Fix price, but in any event not less than US$2,700 per ounce of gold and not more than US$3,700 per ounce of gold and, (ii) upon completion of the 60 month Stream, a 2% NSR royalty on all mineral production with respect to the Property for the life of the mine pursuant to the terms of the NSR. The Stream is secured against all present and after-acquired property of Mako and is guaranteed by Mt. Hamilton LLC.

The closing of the Mako Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"), approval of the Company's shareholders and approval of Mako's shareholders.

Mount Hamilton Open Pit Heap Leach Gold-Silver Project

The Property has all major state and federal permits to begin construction for an open pit, heap leach gold-silver project, and has a current mineral resource estimate. An updated technical report is available on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Mako Transaction

To fund the purchase of the Stream and NSR, Sailfish, as borrower, has entered into a credit agreement with Wexford Capital LP, as agent, TGC Holdings Ltd. ("TGC") and Terraco Gold Corp. ("Terraco", and together with TGC, the "Guarantors"), as guarantors and certain lenders, dated November 26, 2025 (the "Credit Agreement") for a USD$40 million senior secured bridge term facility (the "Wexford Loan").

Pursuant to the terms of the Mako Agreement, Mako US will direct Sailfish to use the Wexford Loan to fund the purchase price for the Acquisition and to purchase the Company Interests as nominee, agent and bare trustee for and on behalf of Mako US. As of the date hereof, Sailfish has transferred to Mako US 100% of the beneficial ownership of the Company Interests and the exercise of operational control over the Property, including responsibility for all obligations, liabilities, costs and expenses associated therewith. From the date hereof until the closing of the Mako Transaction, Sailfish will act as nominee, agent and bare trustee for and on behalf of Mako US and will take all such action as directed by Mako US in respect of the registered legal ownership of the Company Interests.

In the event the Company or Mako are unable to obtain the required regulatory and shareholder approvals in connection with the Mako Transaction, Mako US irrevocably directs Sailfish to transfer the Company Interests to Wexford and Wexford will elect to receive the transfer of the Company Interests as full repayment of all obligations owed and outstanding under the Credit Agreement.

A copy of the Mako Agreement will be available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Related Party Transaction

As Mako and Sailfish have a common control person, the Mako Transaction will constitute a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on the exemption from the formal valuation pursuant to subsection 5.5(b) of MI 61-101 as the common shares of the Company are not listed on a specified market. The Company is not exempt from minority shareholder approval requirements and disinterested shareholder approval will be required for the Mako Agreement pursuant to MI 61-101 and the policies of the TSXV.

Wexford Loan

As a condition precedent to the Credit Agreement, the Guarantors have guaranteed the obligations of the Company under the Credit Agreement. In connection with the Credit Agreement, the Company and the Guarantors have entered into certain security agreements as general and continuing security for the payment and performance of the Company's obligations under the Credit Agreement.

As previously disclosed in its news release dated September 29, 2025, Sailfish has agreed to a commitment fee (the "Commitment Fee"), payable at the option of the Company in cash or common shares of the Company (the "Shares"). The Company has elected to pay the entire US$800,000 Commitment Fee through the issuance of an aggregate of 368,249 Shares at a price of $3.03 per share, representing the 5-day volume weighted average price of the Shares as of September 26, 2025, being the date the Company entered into the commitment letter in respect of the Wexford Loan. The Shares will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Related Party Transaction

The Wexford Loan constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") due to the fact that Wexford is a control person of the Company. The Company is not required to obtain a formal valuation pursuant to section 5.4 of MI 61-101, which only requires a formal valuation if a "related party transaction" falls within paragraphs (a) to (g) of that definition. The Company is relying on the exemption to obtain minority shareholder approval pursuant to subsection 5.7(1)(f) of MI 61-101, as the Wexford Loan is deemed to create a new loan or credit facility, and such credit facility is on reasonable commercial terms that are not less advantageous to the Company than if the loan or credit facility were obtained from a person dealing at arm's length with the Company, and the loan or credit facility is not convertible, directly or indirectly, into equity or voting securities of the Company or a subsidiary, or otherwise participating in nature, or repayable, as to principle or interest, directly or indirectly, in equity or voting securities of the Company or a subsidiary.

Shareholder Meeting Details

An annual general and special meeting of shareholders to consider and, if deemed advisable, approve the Mako Transaction (the "Special Meeting") is expected to be held by February, 2026. In order to be approved by shareholders of the Company at the Special Meeting, the Mako Transaction will require approval of a simple majority of the votes cast at the Special Meeting by shareholders present in person or represented by proxy excluding, for the purposes of MI 61-101, votes attached to common shares in the capital of the Company held by persons described in items (a) through (d) of Section 8.1(2) MI 61-101.

Additional details regarding the terms and conditions of the Mako Agreement as well as the rationale for the approvals made by the Special Committee and the Board will be set out in the Circular which will be available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Recommendation of the Board and Special Committee

The board of directors of the Company (the "Board") has unanimously determined (with Akiba Leisman and Asheef Lalani abstaining) that the Mako Transaction, the Acquisition and the Wexford Loan are in the best interest of the Company and the consideration to be received by the Company is fair, from a financial point of view, to the shareholders of Sailfish. The determination of the Board was made upon the recommendation of the special committee of independent directors (the "Special Committee") and after consideration of the advice of legal and financial advisors to the Special Committee and the Company.

Financial Advisors and Counsel

INFOR Financial Inc. is acting as the financial advisor to the Special Committee and DuMoulin Black LLP is acting as Canadian legal counsel.

About Sailfish

Sailfish is a precious metals royalty and streaming company. Within Sailfish's portfolio are three main assets in the Americas: a gold stream equivalent to a 3% NSR on the San Albino gold mine (~3.5 sq. km) and a 2% NSR on the rest of the area (~134.5 sq. km) surrounding San Albino in northern Nicaragua; an up to 3% NSR on the fully permitted multi-million ounce Spring Valley gold mine project in Pershing County, Nevada; and a 2% NSR on the Gavilanes Silver Project located in Durango State, Mexico.

Sailfish is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "FISH" and on the OTCQB under the symbol "SROYF". Please visit the Company's website at www.sailfishroyalty.com for additional information.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Notes Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding completion of the Mako Transaction on the terms anticipated, or at all. Forward-looking statements are based on certain material assumptions and analysis made by the Company and the opinions and estimates of management as of the date of this press release, including that that the Company and Mako will be able to obtain any necessary third party and regulatory approvals for the Mako Transaction, including acceptance of the TSXV and shareholder approval for the Mako Transaction. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Important factors that may cause actual results to vary, include, without limitation, adverse market conditions; general economic; market or business risks; unanticipated costs; the Company's failure to obtain any necessary approvals for the Mako Transaction; Mako's failure to obtain any necessary approvals for the Mako Transaction and other factors beyond the control of the Company, including those other risks more fully described in the Company's annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis and other filings made by the Company with Canadian securities regulatory authorities under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276059

SOURCE: Sailfish Royalty Corp.
Leading distributor of global companies including GSK/Haleon, Cargill, Reynolds, Paskesz

Guri distributes reputable brands including Sensodyne, Aquafresh, Parodontax, Truvia, Diamond and more

Strategic agreement supports TempraMed's global shift from online B2C to major pharmacy networks and B2B medical payers

Distribution to over 2,500 outlets including pharmacy chains, supermarkets, HMOs and independent pharmacies

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - TempraMed Technologies Ltd. (CSE: VIVI) (FSE: 9DY) ("TempraMed" or the "Company") announce that it has signed a definitive exclusive commercial distribution agreement with Guri A.A.O. ("Guri") to market and sell TempraMed's full product line across the retail market in Israel.

This agreement marks a significant milestone in TempraMed's worldwide commercialization strategy as the Company accelerates its pivot from a direct-to-consumer online model toward large-scale retail pharmacy networks and B2B medical payers. This transition aligns with the Company's long-term strategy to improve global access, reduce patient acquisition costs, and integrate its temperature-control solutions directly into the standard-of-care for millions of patients requiring temperature-sensitive medications.

Guri is among the top five distributors in Israel's retail sector and brings more than 50 years of industry leadership. The company exclusively distributes a wide range of internationally recognized brands-including GSK/Haleon oral care products and Cargill's Truvia natural sweeteners-and maintains deep, long-standing relationships with 2,500 of Israel's largest supermarkets, pharmacy chains, HMOs, and independent pharmacies.

By securing exclusive rights to TempraMed's VIVI line and upcoming temperature-sensitive medical storage products, Guri will play a central role in bringing TempraMed's solutions to a market known for early adoption of advanced medical technologies and strong consumer engagement in diabetes management and chronic care.

"TempraMed is an innovative, cutting-edge and revolutionary company that is transforming how temperature sensitive medication is stored. TempraMed has created a category of its own, with literally no competition in market. We know the demand for its product line is high, as we conducted comprehensive checks and consultations with professional opinion leaders, retailers, and pharmacists, all of whom were amazed and impressed by TempraMed's product portfolio," said Mr. Oded Guri, owner and CEO of Guri A.A.O. "Retail executives have already expressed a strong willingness to start selling the products. I'm proud to be among the first distributors of TempraMed products in the global market and am fully confident that this partnership will contribute to Guri's business growth and reputation, enriching our product portfolio and expanding into new categories."

The agreement with Guri represents the first of several new regional partnerships as TempraMed executes a global expansion program covering Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Asia. With eight patents and regulatory approvals across major jurisdictions, TempraMed's products are positioned to meet growing demand from health systems and payors requiring regulated, compliant cold-chain solutions for injectables, biologics, fertility medications, GLP-1 therapies, and insulin.

"As we expand globally, our focus is on embedding TempraMed's technology within the retail and clinical ecosystems where patients already receive care," said Ron Nagar, CEO of TempraMed. "Partnering with a top-tier distributor like Guri aligns perfectly with our pivot from a digital B2C model to pharmacy-led distribution and B2B payor channels. This is a major step in making temperature-safe medication storage the global standard, improving outcomes, reducing wastage, and enhancing safety for patients who rely on temperature-sensitive therapies every single day."

Third Quarter Financial Results

The Company also announces that it has filed its interim financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and the management's discussion and analysis for the same period (collectively, the "Third Quarter Financial Results"). Third Quarter Financial Results can be found on the Company's profile at SEDAR+ (https://www.sedarplus.ca/home/).

Update on Previously Announced Offering

The Company is pleased to provide an update regarding its previously announced non-brokered private placement (see news release dated October 21, 2025) (the "Offering"). The Company confirms that it continues to advance the Offering and is working towards closing, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. The Offering remains a priority as the Company executes on its strategic initiatives, including the recently announced exclusive distribution partnership with Guri A.A.O. in Israel and its broader transition to pharmacy-led distribution channels.

About TempraMed Technologies Ltd.

TempraMed is a global leader in innovative, temperature-controlled medication storage solutions. Founded with the mission to safeguard the effectiveness of life-saving medications, TempraMed develops patented, FDA-registered, space-grade thermal insulation hassle-free devices that work 24/7 for years without charging or external power. With a proven product line including VIVI Cap and VIVI Epi, and a smart technology platform on the horizon, TempraMed enables patients and healthcare providers to confidently manage temperature-sensitive medications anywhere, anytime. With operations in North America, Europe, and Asia, TempraMed is advancing the future of medication protection and adherence.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding: the completion and terms of the Offering; the expected use of proceeds from the Offering; the Company's ability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals including approval from the Canadian Securities Exchange for the Offering; the Company's global shift from online B2C to major pharmacy networks and B2B medical payors; the Company's expectations that this transition will improve global access, reduce patient acquisition costs, and integrate its temperature-control solutions directly into the standard-of-care for millions of patients; the role Guri will play in bringing TempraMed's solutions to the Israeli market; expectations regarding market demand for TempraMed's products; the Company's global expansion program covering Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Asia; the Company's focus on embedding TempraMed's technology within retail and clinical ecosystems; and expectations that the partnership will make temperature-safe medication storage the global standard, improving outcomes, reducing wastage, and enhancing safety for patients. The forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements including: the Company's inability to complete the Offering on the terms described or at all; failure to obtain requisite regulatory and Canadian Securities Exchange approvals for the Offering; inability to deploy the proceeds as intended; the distribution agreement with Guri may not achieve the anticipated benefits; market adoption may be slower than expected; the Company may face challenges in executing its pivot from B2C to B2B channels; regulatory or competitive challenges in new markets; adverse market conditions; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; and other factors beyond the control of the Company. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to their inherent uncertainty. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include general market conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Company. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276089

SOURCE: TempraMed Technologies Ltd
The mycosis fungoides market is anticipated to progress steadily, influenced by the relatively small pipeline of emerging therapies. Leading candidates such as Soligenix's HYBRYTE and Innate Pharma's Lacutamab, among others, reflect a strong industry commitment to meeting this unmet medical need through the continued development of innovative treatments for this challenging disease.

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's Mycosis Fungoides Market Insights report includes a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, mycosis fungoides emerging drugs, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted market size from 2020 to 2034, segmented into leading markets (the US, EU4, UK, and Japan).

Mycosis Fungoides Market Summary

The market size for mycosis fungoides in the leading markets is expected to grow significantly by 2034.

The United States accounted for the highest mycosis fungoides treatment market size in 7MM in 2024, in comparison to the other major markets, i.e., EU4 countries, the United Kingdom, and Japan.

Mycosis fungoides is rare in individuals under 40 and occurs about twice as frequently in men as in women.

and occurs about as frequently in men as in women. Leading mycosis fungoides companies developing emerging therapies, such as Soligenix, Innate Pharma, SciTech Development, Prescient Therapeutics, and others, are developing new therapy for mycosis fungoides that can be available in the mycosis fungoides market in the coming years.

and others, are developing new therapy for mycosis fungoides that can be available in the mycosis fungoides market in the coming years. The promising mycosis fungoides therapies in clinical trials include HYBRYTE (Hypericin), Lacutamab (IPH4102), Fenretinide, PTX-100, and others.

Discover the mycosis fungoides new treatment @ New Treatments for Mycosis Fungoides

Key Factors Driving the Growth of the Mycosis Fungoides Market

Increasing Prevalence of Mycosis Fungoides

The mycosis fungoides market is expanding due to a rising number of mycosis fungoides cases, which is the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Studies have shown a steady increase in the incidence of this condition over time.

Advancements in Treatment Options

Significant progress in therapeutic options is a major catalyst for market growth. These advancements encompass a range of treatments, from innovative systemic therapies to improved skin-directed treatments.

Launch of Emerging Mycosis Fungoides Therapies

The anticipated launch of emerging therapies such as HYBRYTE (Soligenix), Lacutamab (Innate Pharma), Fenretinide (SciTech Development), PTX-100 (Prescient Therapeutics), and others will propel the mycosis fungoides market.

Mycosis Fungoides Market Analysis

The mycosis fungoides market is projected to experience consistent growth from 2025 to 2034, fueled by increasing disease awareness, earlier detection, and the availability of established treatment options. Ongoing advancements in targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and a robust research pipeline are expected to drive market expansion further.

Key targeted therapies include POTELIGEO (mogamulizumab-kpkc) by Kyowa Kirin and ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) by Pfizer, both offering disease-specific mechanisms that enhance outcomes in relapsed or refractory mycosis fungoides.

Emerging candidates, such as HYBRYTE (Soligenix) and Lacutamab (Innate Pharma), are also advancing their clinical development. HYBRYTE leverages topical photodynamic therapy with synthetic hypericin, while Lacutamab introduces a first-in-class anti-KIR3DL2 monoclonal antibody, addressing unmet therapeutic needs in both early-stage and relapsed/refractory disease settings.

To know more about mycosis fungoides treatment options, visit @ Approved Mycosis Fungoides Drugs

Mycosis Fungoides Competitive Landscape

Some of the mycosis fungoides drugs in clinical trials include HYBRYTE (Soligenix), Lacutamab (Innate Pharma), Fenretinide (SciTech Development), PTX-100 (Prescient Therapeutics), and others.

Soligenix's HYBRYTE is a novel, first-in-class photodynamic therapy designed to treat mycosis fungoides. It employs synthetic hypericin, a topical photosensitizer selectively absorbed by malignant T-cells and activated by safe, visible red-yellow light after 24 hours. This wavelength penetrates more deeply than ultraviolet light, allowing effective treatment of thicker lesions while minimizing the risk of UV-induced secondary cancers. The therapy has been granted orphan drug and fast track designations by the FDA and orphan designation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Innate Pharma's Lacutamab (IPH4102) is a pioneering humanized antibody targeting KIR3DL2, designed to induce cytotoxicity in malignant T-cells. It is under clinical evaluation for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), a rare group of T-lymphocyte malignancies with poor prognosis and limited treatment options in advanced stages. The drug is currently in Phase II development for mycosis fungoides.

Innate Pharma shared updated findings from the TELLOMAK Phase II trial, including long-term follow-up and translational data, on Lacutamab in relapsed and/or refractory mycosis fungoides at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2025 Annual Meeting (May 30-June 3, 2025).

The anticipated launch of these emerging therapies are poised to transform the mycosis fungoides market landscape in the coming years. As these cutting-edge therapies continue to mature and gain regulatory approval, they are expected to reshape the mycosis fungoides market landscape, offering new standards of care and unlocking opportunities for medical innovation and economic growth.

Discover more about therapy for mycosis fungoides @ Mycosis Fungoides Clinical Trials

What is Mycosis Fungoides?

Mycosis fungoides is a type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma that typically progresses slowly and chronically. It is characterized by the accumulation of lymphocytes in the skin, leading to the development of plaques and nodular lesions. In advanced cases, ulcerating tumors may develop, and malignant cells can spread to the lymph nodes. The disease may also extend beyond the skin, involving internal organs such as the liver, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, or central nervous system.

The condition generally evolves through three stages: patch, plaque, and tumor. The patch stage appears as flat, reddish areas, while the plaque stage is characterized by raised, reddish-brown or grayish lesions. These two represent the early phases of the disease. In the tumor stage, large, irregular lumps emerge, originating from existing plaques or normal skin, and can appear anywhere on the body, including the face and scalp.

Mycosis Fungoides Epidemiology Segmentation

The mycosis fungoides epidemiology section provides insights into the historical and current mycosis fungoides patient pool and forecasted trends for the leading markets. In Europe and the United States, mycosis fungoides occurs at a rate of about 6 cases per million people annually, representing roughly 4% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas. It is seen more frequently in individuals over the age of 50.

The mycosis fungoides market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 2020-2034 in the leading markets, segmented into:

Incident Cases of Mycosis Fungoides

Age-specific Cases of Mycosis Fungoides

Gender-specific Cases of Mycosis Fungoides

Type-specific Cases of Mycosis Fungoides

Treated Cases of Mycosis Fungoides

Mycosis Fungoides Market Report Metrics Details Study Period 2020-2034 Mycosis Fungoides Market Report Coverage 7MM [The United States, the EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan]. Mycosis Fungoides Epidemiology Segmentation Incident Cases of Mycosis Fungoides, Age-specific Cases of Mycosis Fungoides, Gender-specific Cases of Mycosis Fungoides, Type-specific Cases of Mycosis Fungoides, and Treated Cases of Mycosis Fungoides Key Mycosis Fungoides Companies Soligenix, Innate Pharma, SciTech Development, Prescient Therapeutics, Kyowa Kirin, Pfizer, and others Key Mycosis Fungoides Therapies HYBRYTE (Hypericin), Lacutamab (IPH4102), Fenretinide, PTX-100, POTELIGEO, ADCETRIS, and others

Scope of the Mycosis Fungoides Market Report

Therapeutic Assessment: Mycosis Fungoides current marketed and emerging therapies

Mycosis Fungoides current marketed and emerging therapies Mycosis Fungoides Market Dynamics: Key Market Forecast Assumptions of Emerging Mycosis Fungoides Drugs and Market Outlook

Key Market Forecast Assumptions of Emerging Mycosis Fungoides Drugs and Market Outlook Competitive Intelligence Analysis: SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies

SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies Unmet Needs, KOL's views, Analyst's views, Mycosis Fungoides Market Access and Reimbursement

Download the report to understand which factors are driving mycosis fungoides therapeutics market trends @ Mycosis Fungoides Market Trends

Table of Contents

1 Mycosis Fungoides Market Key Insights 2 Mycosis Fungoides Market Report Introduction 3 Mycosis Fungoides Market Overview at a Glance 3.1 Mycosis Fungoides Market Share (%) Distribution by Therapies in 2024 3.2 Mycosis Fungoides Market Share (%) Distribution by Therapies in 2034 4 Epidemiology and Market Methodology 5 Executive Summary 6 Key Events 7 Disease Background and Overview 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Mycosis Fungoides Types 7.3 Mycosis Fungoides Causes 7.4 Mycosis Fungoides Pathophysiology 7.5 Mycosis Fungoides Symptoms 7.6 Mycosis Fungoides Risk Factor 7.7 Mycosis Fungoides Diagnosis 7.8 Mycosis Fungoides Treatment and Management 8 Epidemiology and Patient Population 8.1 Key Findings 8.2 Assumptions and Rationale: The 7MM 8.3 Incident Cases of Mycosis Fungoides in the 7MM 8.4 The United States 8.4.1 Incident Cases of Mycosis Fungoides 8.4.2 Age-specific Cases of Mycosis Fungoides 8.4.3 Gender-specific Cases of Mycosis Fungoides 8.4.4 Type-specific Cases of Mycosis Fungoides 8.4.5 Treated Cases of Mycosis Fungoides 8.5 EU4 and the UK 8.6 Japan 9 Mycosis Fungoides Patient Journey 10 Marketed Mycosis Fungoides Therapies 10.1 Key Cross Competition 10.2 POTELIGEO (mogamulizumab-kpkc): Kyowa Kirin 10.2.1 Drug Description 10.2.2 Regulatory Milestones 10.2.3 Other Development Activities 10.2.4 Clinical Trials Information 10.2.5 Safety and Efficacy 10.3 ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin): Pfizer To be continued in the report. 11 Emerging Mycosis Fungoides Therapies 11.1 Key Cross Competition 11.2 HYBRYTE (Hypericin): Soligenix 11.2.1 Drug Description 11.2.2 Other Development Activities 11.2.3 Clinical Trials Information 11.2.4 Safety and Efficacy 11.2.5 Analysts' Views 11.3 Lacutamab (IPH4102): Innate Pharma To be continued in the report. 12 Mycosis Fungoides Market: Seven Major Market Analysis 12.1 Key Findings 12.2 Key Mycosis Fungoides Market Forecast Assumptions 12.3 Mycosis Fungoides Market Outlook 12.4 Attribute Analysis 12.5 Total Market Size of Mycosis Fungoides in the 7MM 12.6 Market Size of Mycosis Fungoides by Therapies in the 7MM 12.7 The United States Mycosis Fungoides Market Size 12.7.1 Total Market Size of Mycosis Fungoides 12.7.2 Market Size of Mycosis Fungoides by Therapies 12.8 EU4 and the UK Mycosis Fungoides Market Size 12.9. Japan Mycosis Fungoides Market Size 13 Key Opinion Leaders' Views on Mycosis Fungoides 14 Mycosis Fungoides Market Unmet Needs 15 Mycosis Fungoides Market SWOT Analysis 16 Mycosis Fungoides Market Access and Reimbursement 16.1 United States 16.2 EU4 and the UK 16.3 Japan 17 Bibliography 18 Abbreviations and Acronyms 19 Mycosis Fungoides Market Report Methodology

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Syntheia Corp. (CSE: SYAI) ("Syntheia" or the "Company") (syntheia.ai) is pleased to announce that it has settled an aggregate of $590,768.28 of indebtedness to certain creditors of the Company through the issuance of 4,923,069 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Common Shares") at a price of $0.12 per Common Share (the "Debt Settlement"). The Common Shares issued pursuant to the debt settlement are subject to a four-month hold period.

The Debt Settlement constituted a "related party transaction" as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), as insiders of the Company received an aggregate of 4,923,069 Common Shares. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of such Common Shares nor the Debt Settlement exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of the Debt Settlement, which the Company deems reasonable.

About Syntheia

Syntheia is an artificial intelligence technology company which is developing and commercializing proprietary algorithms to deliver human-like conversations and deploying our technology to enhance customer satisfaction while dramatically reducing turnover and traditional staffing issues.

Cautionary Statement

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements in this news release includes, but are not limited to, the synergies derived from the acquisition of the assets in the Transaction. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects the Company's management's expectations, estimates or projections concerning the business of the Company's future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made.

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements. Please refer to the Company's listing statement available on SEDAR+ for a list of risks and key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

The securities of the Company have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirement. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276101

SOURCE: Syntheia Corp.
Arlington, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Hiley Volkswagen of Arlington has announced the availability of the 2026 Volkswagen model lineup, further expanding its inventory for customers across Arlington and the broader Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. The announcement marks a key operational milestone for the car dealership as it continues to strengthen its role in the region's competitive automotive market.

By adding the 2026 models, Hiley Volkswagen of Arlington is responding to increased customer demand for updated inventory and flexible purchase options. This development supports the dealership's ongoing commitment to meeting diverse buyer needs across cities such as McKinney, Denton, and Fort Worth, where preferences continue to shift in line with broader industry trends.

The inclusion of the latest model year aligns with Hiley Volkswagen of Arlington's long-term strategy of growing its presence in North Texas. More than just expanding product availability, this move reflects internal improvements in dealership operations, including digital reservation capabilities and streamlined customer engagement tools. The Volkswagen dealership's website now features a digital "reserve" option, allowing customers to select and secure upcoming models before they arrive on-site. This approach enables better inventory forecasting and provides customers with early access to the latest vehicles in the lineup.

Internally, the initiative has involved coordinated updates to sales processes, staff training, and customer service systems. As new models are introduced, sales and service staff are equipped with updated product knowledge and systems training to ensure a smooth and informed customer experience. These internal adjustments position the dealership to continue delivering efficient, personalized service throughout the buying and ownership process.

Customers also benefit from a range of support services offered by the dealership, including maintenance, test-drive scheduling, service coupons, and personalized account features for signed-in users. These tools are part of a broader shift toward convenience-focused service delivery, reflecting the dealership's commitment to long-term customer relationships.

Hiley Volkswagen of Arlington invites customers to visit its website for more information about the availability and reservation process for the 2026 Volkswagen models. Additional updates will be shared as new vehicles are released by Volkswagen throughout the model year.

About Hiley Volkswagen of Arlington:

Hiley Volkswagen of Arlington is a locally owned dealership serving customers in Arlington, TX, and surrounding communities. The company offers new and pre-owned vehicles, trade-in services, and a full-service department providing general maintenance, valet pick-up/drop-off service for maintenance, inspections, and OEM parts.

Media Contact





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SOURCE: GetFeatured
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Arizona Copper and Gold Ltd. (the "Company" or "ACG") and Core Nickel Corp. (TSXV: CNCO) ("Core Nickel", and together with ACG, the "parties") are pleased to announce the closing of their previously announced concurrent brokered private placements (the "Concurrent Offerings") of Subscription Receipts (as defined below). Together, the parties issued an aggregate of 2,659,421 Subscription Receipts at a price of $1.20 per Subscription Receipt (the "Offering Price") for aggregate gross proceeds of $3,191,450.

Kevin Reid, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, said: "We are pleased to announce the successful closing of the financings related to our go-public transaction. This round saw exceptionally strong participation from insiders, with management and the board of ACG committing more than $1 million in the Concurrent Offerings alone. Combined with their prior investments, insiders have now invested over $4 million into the Company, alongside arm's-length shareholders, demonstrating strong alignment and confidence in the Company's future. This capital will strengthen our balance sheet and positions us very well for a proposed exchange listing expected in early 2026, which will coincide with the commencement of our Phase 1 drill program at the high-grade, past-producing McCabe gold mine at the Company's Eagle Project. We are entering this pivotal year with tremendous momentum and look forward to delivering significant value to all stakeholders as we transition to the next stage of the Company's development."

Management and the board of ACG subscribed for an aggregate of 857,273 Subscription Receipts for a total purchase price of $1,028,727.60, representing approximately 32% of the Subscription Receipts issued in the Concurrent Offerings.

The Concurrent Offerings were completed in connection with the proposed business combination pursuant to which Core Nickel will acquire all of the issued and outstanding securities of ACG resulting in a reverse takeover of Core Nickel by ACG's shareholders (the "Proposed Transaction"), and were led by Stifel Canada and Clarus Securities Inc. (together, the "Co-Lead Agents") as co-lead agents and joint bookrunners on behalf of a syndicate of agents which included PowerOne Capital Markets Limited (together with the Co-Lead Agents, the "Agents"). Further to the parties' press releases dated October 2, 2025, October 20, 2025 and November 24, 2025, the Concurrent Offerings consisted of concurrent brokered private placements of Core Nickel (the "Core Nickel Offering") and ACG, pursuant to which ACG issued 1,297,168 subscription receipts (the "ACG Subscription Receipts") at the Offering Price for gross proceeds of $1,556,601 and Core Nickel issued 1,362,374 subscription receipts (the "Core Nickel Subscription Receipts" and, together with the ACG Subscription Receipts, the "Subscription Receipts") at the Offering Price for gross proceeds of $1,634,849.

Each Subscription Receipt entitles the holders thereof to receive, upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, and for no additional consideration and without further action on the part of the holder thereof, (i) one common share of Core Nickel (after taking into account the expected 8.5:1 consolidation of the Core Nickel common shares prior to completion of the Proposed Transaction (the "Consolidation"), such shares being referred to as the "Resulting Issuer Shares"), and (ii) one Resulting Issuer Share purchase warrant (the "Resulting Issuer Warrants") issued on a post-Consolidation basis. Each Resulting Issuer Warrant will be exercisable for one Resulting Issuer Share for a period of three years from the closing date of the Concurrent Offerings at an exercise price of $1.50 per Resulting Issuer Share. Subject to the receipt of all necessary approvals, Core Nickel, as it will be constituted after giving effect to the Consolidation and the Proposed Transaction, is referred to herein as the "Resulting Issuer".

The Core Nickel Subscription Receipts and the underlying Resulting Issuer Shares and Resulting Issuer Warrants (and the Resulting Issuer Shares issuable upon exercise of such Resulting Issuer Warrants) are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance of the Subscription Receipts. Closing of the Core Nickel Offering remains subject to final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The ACG Subscription Receipts are currently subject to an indefinite statutory hold period however, upon conversion of the ACG Subscription Receipts immediately prior to completion of the Proposed Transaction, the Resulting Issuer Shares and Resulting Issuer Warrants to be issued to holders of ACG Subscription Receipts will not be subject to a statutory hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws once issued in connection with the Proposed Transaction.

Further information regarding Concurrent Offerings, including additional details regarding the conversion of the Subscription Receipts, can be found in the press release of the parties dated November 24, 2025.

In consideration for their services in connection with the Concurrent Offerings, the parties have agreed to pay the Agents a cash fee (the "Agents' Fee") of $151,623, being 6.0% of the gross proceeds from the sale of the Subscription Receipts (reduced to 3% in respect of Subscription Receipts sold to purchasers on the parties' "president's list"), of which 50% of the Agents' Fee was paid on closing of the Concurrent Offerings and the remaining 50% of the Agents' Fee was deposited in escrow and will be released to the Agents in connection with the conversion of the Subscription Receipts upon the satisfaction of certain escrow release conditions. As additional consideration for the services of the Agents, the Agents will be granted an aggregate of 126,352 broker warrants (the "Broker Warrants") of the Resulting Issuer, being equal to 6.0% of the number of Subscription Receipts sold in the Concurrent Offerings (and reduced to 3% in respect of Subscription Receipts sold to "president's list" purchasers). Each Broker Warrant shall be exercisable to acquire one Resulting Issuer Share (on a post-Consolidation basis) at the Offering Price for a period of 12 months following the escrow release and conversion of the Subscription Receipts. The Broker Warrants will be issued to the Agents upon release of the escrowed funds and conversion of the Subscription Receipts upon the satisfaction of certain escrow release conditions.

The net proceeds of the Concurrent Offerings are expected to be used by the Resulting Issuer to fund exploration activity at its Eagle Project as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes. Approval of the Proposed Transaction remains subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory, court and shareholder approvals.

Board and management of ACG participated for approximately 32% of the ACG Subscription Receipts issued in the Concurrent Offerings. Kevin Reid, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, subscribed for 277,373 Core Nickel Subscription Receipts for $332,847.60; Marc Pais, a director of both ACG and Core Nickel, subscribed for 250,000 ACG Subscription Receipts for $300,000; Paul Reid, a director of both ACG and Core Nickel subscribed for 250,000 ACG Subscription Receipts for $300,000; and Rick Vernon, a director of ACG, subscribed for 80,000 Core Nickel Subscription Receipts for $96,000.

As of the date hereof there are 39,868,950 common shares of ACG (the "ACG Shares") issued and outstanding. In their November 24, 2025 press release the parties disclosed the number of outstanding securities of ACG held by persons who own, control or direct 10% or more of the outstanding ACG shares on a fully-diluted basis. Though the holdings and percentages for each individual were correct, the table incorrectly summed the aggregate number of shares held by all three individuals on a fully-diluted basis. The following table sets out the correct number of aggregate shares of ACG held by the following individuals:

Name Number of ACG Shares

(on a fully-diluted basis) Percentage of Outstanding ACG Shares

(on a fully-diluted basis) Paul Reid 8,500,100 20.1% Marc Pais 8,500,100 20.1% Kevin Reid 7,750,000 18.3%

24,750,200 58.4%

For further information on Arizona, please contact:

Cautionary Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "will", "estimates", "believes", "intends" "expects" and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements concerning the Proposed Transaction (including the Consolidation), the use of proceeds of the Concurrent Offerings, the requisite approval of Core Nickel shareholders and ACG shareholders and final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange for the offering of Core Nickel Subscription Receipts. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and the actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, assumptions and expectations, many of which are beyond the control of the parties, including expectations and assumptions concerning (i) the Company, Core Nickel, the Resulting Issuer, and the Proposed Transaction, (ii) the timely receipt of all required shareholder, court and regulatory approvals (as applicable), including the approval of the TSXV, (iii) the ability of the parties (as applicable) to satisfy escrow release conditions in respect of the Subscription Receipts and complete the Proposed Transaction on the terms outlined in this news release (or at all), and (iv) if the Proposed Transaction is completed, the ability of the Resulting Issuer to execute on the proposed exploration program at the Eagle Project. Readers are cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the parties. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, as such information, although considered reasonable by the respective management of the parties at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and are expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statement. Except as expressly required by securities law, neither party undertakes any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSXV acceptance and if applicable pursuant to the requirements of the TSXV and disinterested shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Proposed Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Proposed Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Core Nickel or ACG should be considered highly speculative.

The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the Proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein in the United States or in any other jurisdiction, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or any state securities laws, and accordingly, may not be offered or sold in the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or for dissemination in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276128

SOURCE: Core Nickel Corp.
Middlesex, New Jersey--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Quality Pro Services LLC recently announced the launch of its high-efficiency home upgrade initiative, introducing tankless water heaters and smart leak-detection systems as core features of its residential services. With this new initiative, the company is marking a milestone in its ongoing commitment to empowering homeowners with the essential tools they need for more reliable systems better suited to today's evolving property demands.

This initiative comes at a time when residential improvement has become a necessity, especially as trends shift toward smarter, more sustainable home systems. More homeowners are prioritizing long-term efficiency, lower maintenance costs, and reliability in extreme weather, highlighting the need for modern plumbing solutions across New Jersey. Quality Pro Services LLC is responding to this need by integrating advanced technologies into its residential service model, positioning the company for continued growth within the evolving home improvement sector.

Internally, this launch marks the beginning of a new chapter for the company, centered on refined project standards and updated technical specifications that have enhanced overall operational efficiency. This rollout has been made possible through the coordinated efforts of the installation teams, service technicians, and administrative staff, ensuring seamless integration, harmonizing workflow processes, and delivering home upgrades that align with clients' new standards.

With the high-efficiency home upgrade initiative, more homeowners will benefit from the integration of tankless water heaters, now a preferred option for delivering hot water on demand. These systems reduce standby energy loss and can extend the lifespan of a plumbing system. By including the systems as a standard feature, Quality Pro Services LLC is providing access to faster heating times, compact designs suitable for modern homes, and increased energy efficiency for long-term performance and sustainability.

Smart leak-detection systems, on the other hand, help prevent costly damage from hidden leaks, burst pipes, and seasonal fluctuations. These devices alert homeowners immediately when unusual moisture or water flow is detected. Through the initiative, Quality Pro Services LLC is making this technology a core element of its services, supporting early intervention and long-term protection through integrated, responsive plumbing solutions.

Looking ahead, Quality Pro Services LLC remains committed to advancing risk-aware infrastructure to improve overall system reliability. As the company enters this next phase, the team is focused on sustainable, resilient, forward-ready services, strengthening its position in a rapidly changing sector.

About Quality Pro Services LLC

Since its inception in 2010, Quality Pro Services LLC has provided heating and plumbing services to Somerset County, NJ, and the surrounding areas, leveraging over 20 years of industry knowledge. The team of skilled technicians is committed to resolving any issues promptly and effectively and knows what is needed to repair, replace, or install systems from different brands.

Media Contact





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SOURCE: GetFeatured
The plea came up for hearing on Tuesday before judicial magistrate S C Tadye, who issued a notice to Haag and posted the matter for hearing on December 12

Actor Celina Jaitly had filed a domestic violence complaint in a local court against her narcissistic husband Peter Haag, alleging that she suffered severe emotional, physical, sexual and verbal abuse at his hands.

The plea came up for hearing on Tuesday before judicial magistrate S C Tadye, who issued a notice to Haag and posted the matter for hearing on December 12.

What does the actress application say?

Jaitly, in her application filed through Karanjwala & Co law firm, accused Haag of domestic violence, cruelty and manipulation under provisions of the Domestic Violence Act.

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The 47-year-old actor claimed she has suffered severe emotional, physical, sexual and verbal abuse by her husband because of which she was forced to flee her home in Austria and return to India.

In a post on social media on Tuesday, the former Miss India said she never thought she would be left alone in the middle of the strongest and most turbulent storm, but she will continue to fight all the obstacles.

Jaitly, who starred in movies like Apna Sapna Money Money, No Entry and Janasheen, married Austria-based Haag in September 2010, and the couple has three children together.

The shocking revelations in her plea

In her plea to the court, she alleged that after marriage, her husband prohibited her from working.

The respondent (Haag) is a narcissistic, self-absorbed individual. He has a short temper and alcoholic tendencies, which have consistently caused the applicant (Jaitly) stress, the plea stated.

Jaitly has sought a direction that her estranged husband pay a sum of Rs 50 crore as compensation and Rs 10 lakh per month as maintenance.

She has also sought access to her three children, who are presently living with their father in Austria.

Suffering abuse at the hands of her husband

The actor listed several instances where her husband had indulged in physical and verbal abuse. The plea also stated that Haag had filed a divorce application before a court in Austria in August this year.

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Jaitly has claimed that her husband and his lawyers misled the court in Austria, and she was left helpless, as she was not fluent in the language and was not allowed access to her lawyer.

Jaitly, in her post on Instagram, said, In the middle of the strongest most turbulent storm of my life, I never imagined I would spend fighting alone, without any parents, without any support system. I never thought there would come a day without all the pillars on which the roof of my world once rested, my parents, my brother, my children, & the one who promised to stand by me, love me, care for me, & bear every trouble with me. Life stripped everything away. People I trusted walked away. Promises I believed in broke in silence, the actor added.

Jaitly, in her post, said that as a soldiers daughter who has been raised on courage, discipline and grit, she will continue to fight.

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Jaitlys brother (Rtd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly has been in detention in the Middle East since 2024, and she has appealed to the government to help her get him back.

The Instagram post

My priority remains fighting for my soldier brother, fighting for my childrens love, fighting for my dignity. A DV complaint has been filed against all the atrocities and abandonment perpetrated upon meAs my matter is sub-judice, I am unable to make any comments at this time. I kindly request you to contact my legal representatives for any official information or statements, she wrote

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Dharmendra owned a sprawling farmhouse in Lonavala that was spread across 100 acre and also had properties worth Rs 17 crore in Maharashtra

Dharmendra had an experience of over six decades in front of the camera. The moment the name appears or arrives or is even heard, we think of a solid man, the son of the soil, a man with fists of iron and heart of gold. And someone with a tough exterior.

But given the actor and his relentless spirit to contribute to Hindi cinema, he was the most vulnerable of the artists who blew the celluloid with his spectacularly vociferous and versatile performances. Dharmendra was more than just An Action Hero.

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The rise and rise of Dharmendra

The actor made his debut with the film Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. And for that, he was paid Rs 51 only. As years passed by, the He-Man of Hindi cinema went on to become one of the most blazing and bankable stars in the country and gradually ended up creating an empire worth Rs 450 crore as per reports.

The actor was paid a whooping Rs 5 crore for Karan Johars _Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani._

Dharmendra owned a sprawling farmhouse in Lonavala that was spread across 100 acre and also had properties worth Rs 17 crore in Maharashtra.

No state honour for Dharmendra ?

The actor breathed his last on November 24 at 89. But despite a legacy that spanned for more than six glorious decades, he was not cremated with state honours, unlike Manoj Kumar, who passed away earlier this year in April.

The reason comes from the decision taken by the Deol family, who chose to go against it, and wanted to have a moment of privacy. This comes at a time when earlier this month, false reports around his demise surfaced on social media.

Hema Malini on Dharmendra

Dharmendra and Hema Malini have been married for 43 years. They tied the knot in the year 1980 and have acted in multiple films in their illustrious careers like Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Charas, Dream Girl, Razia Sultan, The Burning Train, Krodhi. In a throwback interview with Stardust, Malini spoke about Dharmendra, how they fight with each other, and her marriage with the star.

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Hinduja spoke about a lot of things in an exclusive interview with Firstpost, right from cinema changing to and attending IFFI many times in the past

Actor Sunny Hinduja has carved a niche for himself right from the time the world saw him for the first time. He has given the classic TVF Aspirants and also played the role of the antagonist in Kartik Aaryans Shehzaada. The actor has now turned writer, producer, and director with a film called Thats A Wrap.

Hinduja spoke about a lot of things in an exclusive interview with Firstpost, right from cinema changing to and attending IFFI many times in the past.

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Edited excerpts from the interview:

What are your memories of this festival and how excited are you for your film?

We have got our film at IFFI for the first time. As a FTII student, I have visited IFFI 4-5 times. Coming back to the festival after so many years, not only as a film enthusiast but also as a filmmaker, it is a completely different and special feeling for me.

Cinema is rapidly changing and so is the way the characters are written. Whats your take on that?

Cinema and OTT have been a boon in terms of changing perspectives, and the way people look out for Content. OTT has played a big role. Its also a big boon for writers, directors, technicians. Everybody can have stuff of their choice. People also have the courage to write different stories and to be able to portray different characters. As actors you wouldnt get those chances otherwise. And now we are trying to create a story that can resonate with people. This is the idea me and Shinjini are planning to write, create and produce, and produce more and more feature films.

Whats your take on alternative cinema?

It is important the way you want to portrait your story. I dont think about commercial mainstream or non-mainstream. If I am trying to make a film, I try to make it as real and as engaging and entertaining. I am very new in terms of making so I cannot say much. I want to blur these lines between art and commerce. I just want to make a good film.
Orry arrived at the Ghatkopar unit of the Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) of police around 1.30 pm, the official said.

Bollywood socialite and influencer Orhan Awatramani alias Orry on Wednesday appeared before Mumbai Police to record his statement in a drug seizure case, an official said.

Orry arrived at the Ghatkopar unit of the Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) of police around 1.30 pm, the official said. He had been asked to visit the ANC office last Thursday earlier, but had sought more time.

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According to police, his name cropped up during the interrogation of Mohammed Salim Mohammed Suhail Shaikh, a key accused in a Rs 252 crore mephedrone seizure case.

Shaikh allegedly claimed that he used to organise rave parties in India and abroad for certain film and fashion celebrities, a politician, and a relative of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim.

Orry was among those named by Shaikh, as per police.

Shaikh, nicknamed `Lavish because of his lavish lifestyle, was deported from Dubai last month and arrested in connection with the seizure of mephedrone worth Rs 252 crore from a clandestine drug factory in Maharashtras Sangli district.

He was a close aide of Salim Dola who oversaw mephedrone manufacturing and distribution across India, police had said earlier.
The actor-directors questioning lasted for nearly five hours after which he was allowed to go, the officials said without providing further details

Bollywood actor-director Siddhanth Kapoor was on Tuesday questioned for nearly five hours by the Mumbai police in connection with a drug seizure case, officials said.

Siddhanth, son of veteran actor Shakti Kapoor and brother of actor Shraddha Kapoor, arrived at the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC)s Ghatkopar unit in suburban Mumbai earlier in the day for recording his statement, they said.

The actor-directors questioning lasted for nearly five hours after which he was allowed to go, the officials said without providing further details.

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The ANC has summoned influencer Orhan Awatramani, alias Orry, for recording his statement in the same case on November 26.

The Ghatkopar unit of the ANC summoned the two celebrities after their names cropped up during the interrogation of Mohammed Salim Mohammed Suhail Shaikh, a key accused in a Rs 252 crore mephedrone seizure case.

According to the police, Shaikh had claimed that some film, fashion celebrities, a politician, and a kin of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim had participated in rave parties organised by him in India and abroad.

Earlier, Siddhanth had been apprehended in Bengaluru in 2022 on charges of drug consumption.

Shaikh, also known as Lavish, was deported from Dubai last month.

He was initially arrested in a Rs 252 crore mephedrone seizure from Sangli in Maharashtra, and later arrested by the Ghatkopar unit of the ANC.

He is a close aide of drug lord Salim Dola, who oversaw the manufacture and distribution of mephedrone in various states, the official said.
Nineteen Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel thwarted Pakistans attack on hydroelectric projects at Uri in Jammu and Kashmir during Operation Sindoor in May. After Indias military strikes, Pakistan had retaliated by launching drone attacks and intense and indiscriminate shelling on Indian territory. Heres how the CISF helped foil the bid

India has felicitated the 19 brave Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel who helped thwart Pakistans attack on hydroelectric projects at Uri in Jammu and Kashmirs Baramulla during Operation Sindoor in May. The attack was foiled by this small team of CISF personnel, which ensured the strategic installation did not sustain damage, the CISF said in a statement on Tuesday (November 25).

In early May, India launched military strikes on nine terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistan had launched retaliatory strikes on Indias border districts, which were foiled by the Indian Armed Forces.

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Lets take a closer look.

When Uri hydro projects came under Pak strikes

Hours after India launched Operation Sindoor on the intervening night of Tuesday (May 6) and Wednesday (May 7), Pakistan targeted the Uri hydroelectric power projects in Jammu and Kashmir.

However, a team of 19 CISF personnel foiled Islamabads attacks in a true display of valour and grit.

According to CISFs statement, these personnel, who were on duty at the Uri Hydro Electric Power Projects (UHEP- I and II) that night, neutralised drones targeting the installation and evacuated civilians amid shelling from Pakistan.

Amid intense cross-border shelling in May 2025, CISF teams at Uri Hydro Electric Projects displayed extraordinary courage, safeguarding vital national assets and evacuating 250 civilians to safety despite the high risk to their own lives, the central force said in a statement.

How CISF foiled Pakistans strikes

After Indias military strikes, Pakistan retaliated by launching intense and indiscriminate shelling on Indian territory, endangering vital infrastructure, including the Uri hydro-power projects, and threatening nearby civilian populations, the CISF said in a statement.

The Uri hydro plant, located on the River Jhelum in Baramulla district, is just a few kilometres from the Line of Control (LoC).

CISF units at the [National Hydroelectric Power Corporation] NHPC installations found themselves at the forefront of this sudden escalation, the force said.

Led by Commandant Ravi Yadav, with the officers and personnel carried out real-time threat analysis, reinforced bunkers, maintained critical communications, neutralised hostile drones and ensured zero civilian casualties - upholding the highest standards of Protection & Security, it added.

Despite the heavy firing, the CISF personnel shot down enemy drones targeting the installations and secured armoury stockpiles by swiftly redistributing weapons to prevent potential destruction.

Throughout the crisis, the integrity of critical national assets remained intact due to their vigilance and preparedness, the force said.

CISF Personnel Honoured With The DGs Disc For Exceptional Bravery During Operation Sindoor



Amid intense cross-border shelling in May 2025, CISF teams at Uri Hydro Electric Projects displayed extraordinary courage, safeguarding vital national assets and evacuating 250 civilians pic.twitter.com/NPd0KkHaVp  CISF (@CISFHQrs) November 25, 2025

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As shells threatened nearby people, the personnel went door-to-door to evacuate civilians, including women, children, NHPC staff and their families.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Gurjeet Singh said that waking up sleeping families was the only difficulty as they did not know what was happening.

As soon as India launched Operation Sindoor and bombed the terror bases there, we received a message from the headquarters asking us to switch off lights and be on high alert, Singh said.

He explained that the CISF had already begun drills on mass evacuation of families to bunkers amid concerns of a potential Pakistani attack.

An officer aware of the development told HT, The Uri projects are right at the LOC so it was the first to be targeted. The governments intelligence network was strong and the on-ground troops were prepared. Not only were drones shot down but a massive evacuation was also done without any loss of life.

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POLNET is a satellite-based communication system.

Even as rounds landed dangerously close to the premises, the personnel continued to reinforce bunkers, maintain communication lines through POLNET and satellite systems, and provide emergency assistance, the CISF said.

Brave CISF personnel felicitated

The 19 CISF personnel were felicitated with the prestigious Director General (DGs) disc at a ceremony at CISF headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Commanding Officer Ravi Yadav, Deputy Commandant Manohar Singh, Assistant Commandant Subhash Kumar, Inspector Deepak Kumar Jha, Sub-Inspectors Anil Kumar and Deepak Kumar, Assistant Sub-Inspectors Rajeev Kumar and Sukhdev Singh and Head Constables Manoj Kumar Sharma, Ram Lal and Gurjit Singh, Constables Sushil V Kamble, Razique Rafique, Ravindra Wankhede, Tridev Chakma, Sohan Lal, Mufeed Ahmad, Mahesh Kumar and Sandenaboina Raju were among those honoured.

With inputs from agencies
After intense negotiations, Ukraine has reportedly reached an understanding with the US on the peace deal aimed at ending the war with Russia. Many note that its Trumps drone guy, Dan Driscoll  the US army secretary  who has secured Volodymyr Zelenskyys backing on the plan. Heres who the 39-year-old is and how he achieved this feat

After almost 2,000 days of war, there might be hope that the Russia-Ukraine war may be drawing to an end. This comes as Kyiv has reportedly agreed to a peace deal brokered by the Donald Trump administration, saying a common understanding has been reached with the US on the peace plan.

Confirming the same, a US official told ABC News, The Ukrainians have agreed to the peace deal. There are some minor details to be sorted out but they have agreed to a peace deal.

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The hopes of a deal to put an end to the war come after Trump presented a 28-point peace plan, which many believed was Washingtons capitulation to Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin. Since the plan was presented, Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been negotiating with the US for a better proposal  and has since reportedly agreed to a revised 19-point peace plan in which Kyiv has agreed not to increase the size of its military.

Through all of these negotiations and talks, theres been one constant man representing Washington and thats US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. In fact, the 39-year-old has become the central figure in the administrations push to pull Moscow and Kyiv toward a ceasefire.

So, who is he? And how did he get this assignment?

Dan Driscoll  a US soldier and close ally of JD Vance

Born in Boone, North Carolina, Driscoll comes from a family of military service. His grandfather served in the US army in World War II as a decoder and his father was an infantryman in Vietnam. Following in their footsteps, he was commissioned in the army in 2007 and saw active service in Iraq in 2009 with the 10th Mountain Division, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Speaking of his service years, he once said, I do not want to be the kind of person [when] Im 40, 50, 60 years old and they ask the veterans to stand at an event, and I stay seated.

After leaving active duty, Driscoll went to Yale law school and thats where he met and befriend now US Vice President JD Vance. The 39-year-old in recounted his first meeting with Vance  it was through a veterans student group at Yale. Vance then reassured new students that they would at first feel as if they did not belong, but would excel at classes after a few months.

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After Yale, Driscoll moved into investment banking and at one point was chief operating officer of a $200 million venture capital fund. He married his high school sweetheart and they have two children.

Driscolls rise in the US army

It is reported that in the summer of 2024 when Driscoll was on holiday in Switzerland, he received a call from Vance, telling him he was going to be Trumps running mate and asked him to join the campaign.

The next day, Driscoll flew back to the US, bought a suit at an outlet mall, and took an Uber to the Republican National Convention, he told the alumni magazine for the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill - the institution where he was an undergraduate.

And, as they say, the rest is history. Once Trump secured his presidential win, Driscoll was appointed as army secretary. One person close to the White House, speaking on Driscolls appointment said to Politico, Dans relationship with JD certainly helped him get the job, but all of his success has been on the merits. Hes just really f****ng good at the job.

US President Donald Trump speaks as US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth look on. File image/AFP

As army secretary, Driscolls job has been mostly bureaucratic. He manages the services annual budget and its workforce of over one million active-duty, National Guard and reserve soldiers, as well as more than 330,000 civilian employees.

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But his work has caught the attention of US President Donald Trump, who calls him his drone guy, owing to his push to modernise Americas forces with military tech and move away from heavy, outdated defence systems.

In fact, Driscoll, highlighting the importance of drones in the military, said in a speech in October, Our window to change is right now. We will win with silicon and software, not our soldiers blood and bodies.

According to several reports, Driscoll has been seen as someone who could potentially take over the Department of War, if Trump chose to turn on his current Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth. As a former White House official was quoted by The Telegraph, Dan Driscoll is the opposite of Pete Hegseth  hes serious, shrewd and has the confidence of the White House. Dans a workhorse, not a showhorse, and puts a lot of lead on target for the president in everything he does.

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And its for all these reasons and much more that perhaps got him at the centre of US diplomacy.

Driscoll becomes Trumps man in Russia-Ukraine negotiations

At first, Driscoll was not involved in negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war. That responsibility was entrusted to Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff.

But when details of a 28-point peace plan for the war leaked, with Ukraine expressing concern, it was Driscoll who made an unannounced visit to Kyiv. It is believed that he sat down with Zelenskyy and hammered out the issues Kyiv had with the plan. As CNN notes, the Ukrainians know and trust US army officials, who have trained and equipped their forces for more than a decade.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, talks with US Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll in Kyiv, Ukraine. Ukrainian Presidential Press Office/AP

Following his visit to Ukraine, Driscoll participated in more talks in Geneva along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner and helped draw up an updated peace framework.

Armed with the new peace proposal, Driscoll has held talks with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi, with reports stating that so trusted is Driscoll in the White House, that he is effectively on his own with the Russians. There is no pack of diplomats and military officials to back him up, reported The Times.

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A bright future awaits Driscoll

Many within the White House see Driscoll as a favourite to replace Hegseth as Pentagon chief should the position become available.

Others also speculate that with General Keith Kellogg expected to step down as US envoy to Ukraine, Driscoll could be stepping into those shoes. Or he could stay as the head of hundreds of thousands of troops in the US army.

But one thing is certain: Driscoll is now a power player inside Washington. And as one person told the New York Post, People are betting on JD being the next president, and there is no question that Dan Driscoll will play a significant role in a Vance administration.

With inputs from agencies
Concerns over AI use in public-sector consulting have increased after Canadas Newfoundland and Labrador uncovered unverifiable citations in a $1.6 million Deloitte health workforce report. The revelation mirrors a recent Deloitte scandal in Australia, raising questions about the growing risks of AI-generated material influencing major government decisions

Figurines with computers and smartphones are seen in front of Deloitte logo in this illustration taken, February 19, 2024. File Image/Reuters

Concerns about the use of artificial intelligence in government-commissioned consulting work are in the spotlight after Canadian province Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) became the latest jurisdiction to discover questionable academic sources in a major Deloitte policy report.

This comes only weeks after Deloittes Australian arm was criticised for submitting a study containing AI-generated citations.

The Newfoundland and Labrador report in question  a 526-page Health Human Resources Plan published in May 2025  cost the province close to $1.6 million and was intended to guide policy in a system plagued by shortages of nurses, physicians, and respiratory therapists.

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But an investigation by The Independent, a St.-Johns-based news outlet focused on Atlantic Canada, discovered that several references included in the document point to studies that cannot be located in journals, databases, or library catalogues.

Some appear to combine names of researchers who have never collaborated, while others cite material that academics say they never produced.

What the investigation revealed

Newfoundland and Labradors Department of Health and Community Services commissioned Deloitte to develop a comprehensive workforce plan aimed at improving retention and recruitment amid persistent staffing pressures.

The previous Liberal government oversaw the project, budgeting nearly $1.6 million for the work, which was delivered in eight payments according to an access to information request later posted online.

The document examined a range of issues relevant to the provinces strained health system  workplace incentives for medical professionals, the challenges of rural recruitment, the expansion of virtual care, and the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on frontline workers.

Its recommendations were expected to inform the provinces long-term strategy for securing enough health professionals to meet rising demand.

However, when The Independent reviewed the reports hundreds of footnotes and references, at least four proved impossible to verify.

These citations were included to support major policy arguments, including statements about the financial benefits of recruitment incentives and claims about the experiences of respiratory therapists during the pandemic.

The outlets investigation revealed:

Citations assigned to papers that have no traceable record.

Academic articles attributed to researchers who insist they never published the material.

References linking groups of authors who say they have never collaborated in the way the report suggests.

A citation pointing to an article supposedly published by the Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy, including a hyperlink that led to a different, unrelated piece.

How researchers named in the report reacted

Several academics named in the suspect citations have disputed the validity of the materials attributed to them, and in some cases, questioned whether artificial intelligence played a role.

One example involved a reference used to justify economic benefits associated with recruitment incentives for rural nurses. The citation listed researchers from the University of Northern British Columbia as co-authors of a cost-effectiveness paper.

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But professor emerita Martha MacLeod, whose name appeared in the citation, told The Independent that neither she nor her colleagues had undertaken such research. Our team certainly has done rural and remote nursing research, she said, but clarified that her group never conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis and lacked the financial data necessary for such work.

She described the reference as false and potentially AI-generated.

Another claim about the economic efficiency of local recruitment strategies referenced a paper attributed to seven researchers.

One of the named academics, Gail Tomblin Murphy of Dalhousie University, told reporters that while she had collaborated with some of the individuals listed, the paper itself did not exist.

She was cited by name in material that she later confirmed had no basis in actual research.

Murphy stated, It sounds like if youre coming up with things like this, they may be pretty heavily using AI to generate work.

She warned that inaccurate information in major policy documents carries significant risks, saying, We have to be very careful to make sure that the evidence thats informing reports [is] the best evidence, that its validated evidence. And that, at the end of the day, these reports [are] accurate and evidence-informed and helpful to move things forward.

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Another disputed citation involved a supposed study on stress and workload among Canadian respiratory therapists during the pandemic. The Deloitte report linked to an article on the Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy website, but that link directed readers to a different study.

How Deloitte Canada responded

Facing questions, Deloitte Canada defended the report, insisting that any corrections required would not affect the recommendations.

The firm acknowledged that some reference errors existed but rejected the suggestion that the entire document relied on artificial intelligence or that its core conclusions were compromised.

In a statement to Fortune, a Deloitte Canada spokesperson said, Deloitte Canada firmly stands behind the recommendations put forward in our report. We are revising the report to make a small number of citation corrections, which do not impact the report findings. AI was not used to write the report; it was selectively used to support a small number of research citations.

The firm did not disclose which references involved AI support or how those materials were generated. Deloitte also provided no information about the internal processes used to verify AI-assisted citations prior to publication.

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While Deloitte has promoted the adoption of AI tools among clients and within its own operations, the company has also publicly pointed out the importance of ethical safeguards and proper governance.

Yet the discoveries in both Australia and Canada have raised new doubts about whether those ethical standards are being consistently applied.

What happened in Australia

The Canadian findings come shortly after Deloittes Australian branch faced criticism for errors in a separate government-commissioned study.

In July 2025, the Australian government published a 237-page report prepared by Deloitte to help guide welfare reforms. That document was later found to contain fabricated references, nonexistent academic studies, and even a false quote attributed to a federal court ruling.

A researcher discovered the problems and alerted officials, prompting Deloitte to revise the report.

The updated version  quietly reuploaded to the governments website  acknowledged that the firm had used the Azure OpenAI generative system during preparation.

Deloitte stated in the revised study that the adjustments made in no way impact or affect the substantive content, findings, and recommendations. The firm subsequently agreed to a partial refund of the reports approximately $290,000 cost.

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What next for Newfoundland and Labrador

The discovery of inaccuracies in the Health Human Resources Plan comes shortly after another policy controversy in the NL province  the Education Accord  was found to contain fabricated citations.

New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jim Dinn condemned the situation. Youre playing with peoples lives, he said in response to the revelations.

He warned that such incidents erode public faith in institutions, especially in a province where residents already express concerns about access to healthcare.

We already have enough reports in the media that are undermining confidence in the healthcare system as it is, and people are desperate. So this doesnt do anything to inspire confidence in the fact that theyre trying to fix the problem.

Dinn added that any use of AI in the development of the false citations undermines confidence in the reports and in the decisions that rely on them.

NL Premier Tony Wakeham had previously addressed the Education Accord controversy, calling it embarrassing, and promising to evaluate the document thoroughly.

However, when asked whether the government intended to re-evaluate its approach to the use of AI in third-party reports, a spokesperson said revisiting AI policy was not prioritising the matter.

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Adding to the stakes, the provincial government has already contracted Deloitte to conduct another major review  this one focused on the provinces core nursing resources.

That study is expected to be delivered in spring 2026.

Also Watch:

With inputs from agencies
More than two years after achieving independence from the British, India adopted its Constitution on November 26, 1949. Drafted under the chairmanship of Dr BR Ambedkar, the assembly met for over 11 sessions spanning 165 days to draft one of the most complex constitutions in the world. On this day in 1922, British archaeologists entered the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun in Egypts Valley of Kings

The image shows the first day of the Constituent Assembly of India. Wikimedia Commons

The Constitution of India is one of the most cherished and significant documents. It was nearly two years after achieving independence from the British Raj, the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India on November 26, 1949.

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 1922, archaeologist Howard Carter and his team entered the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings after years of fruitless searching. The first Polaroid instant camera, the Polaroid Land Camera Model 95, went on sale in Boston in 1948.

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Here is all that took place on this place across the world on this day.

The Constituent Assembly adopted the Indian Constitution

On November 26, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India achieved one of the most significant milestones in the nations history  the formal adoption of the Constitution of India, a document that would lay the foundation for the worlds largest democracy.

The Constitution was drafted under the chairmanship of Dr BR Ambedkar, whose leadership and legal acumen earned him the title of Architect of the Indian Constitution. The Assembly met over 165 days, scrutinising every clause to ensure the creation of a robust framework for an independent republic. Members drew inspiration from constitutions around the world while crafting provisions that reflected Indias diversity, social realities, and aspirations for justice and equality.

On the day of adoption, Dr Ambedkar delivered a historic speech, emphasising the Constitutions commitment to liberty, equality, and fraternity, and urging citizens to uphold these democratic values. The Preamble was also formally passed, capturing the spirit and vision of the newly independent nation.

Although adopted on November 26, the Constitution came into full effect on January 26, 1950, celebrated as Republic Day to commemorate the 1930 Declaration of Purna Swaraj.

Archaeologists enter tomb of King Tutankhamun

British archaeologists Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon became the first souls in the world to enter the tomb of Egypts King Tutankhamun in the Valley of Kings in more than 3000 years on this day in 1922.

After years of fruitless searching funded by Lord Carnarvon, Carter finally uncovered a sealed doorway earlier that month. When he returned on November 26 to begin the official entry, he created a small opening in the wall and placed a candle inside. As the warm air escaped, he glimpsed glimmering treasures. When Carnarvon anxiously asked what he saw, Carter famously replied, Yes, wonderful things.

Howard Carter opens the innermost shrine of King Tutankhamuns tomb near Luxor, Egypt. Wikimedia Commons

The young pharaoh ruled Egypt from about 1332 to 1323 BCE and unlike most tombs in the Valley of the Kings, Tutankhamuns burial chamber had remained largely intact, escaping the systematic looting that had plagued other royal tombs. Inside, Carter found an extraordinary collection of artefacts, including golden statues, chariots, ceremonial beds, jewellery, amulets, and intricately decorated shrines. These provided insight into ancient Egyptian craftsmanship, burial practices, and royal life.

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The tomb consisted of several chambers, with the burial chamber containing a series of nested shrines and coffins, the innermost made of solid gold and holding Tutankhamuns famous mummy. The sheer richness and preservation of the treasures astonished the world and instantly made Tutankhamun a global icon.

The first Polaroid camera was sold

The world of photography changed forever when the first Polaroid instant camera was sold for the first time. The Polaroid Land Camera Model 95 went on sale in Boston on November 26, 1948. Invented by Edwin H Land, the groundbreaking device astonished the public with its ability to produce a fully developed photograph in under a minute, something no camera had ever achieved.

The invention was inspired by a simple question posed by Lands young daughter, who wondered why she couldnt see a photo immediately after it was taken. Motivated by the challenge, Land developed a revolutionary instant film process in which photographic development happened inside the camera through a complex chemical reaction controlled by a pair of rollers. This eliminated the need for darkrooms, enlargers, and traditional developing chemicals.

When the Model 95 went on sale at the Jordan Marsh department store, it sold out almost instantly. The store had only 57 units, and all were purchased within the first day, signalling the beginning of a new era in consumer photography. Polaroids instant cameras soon became cultural icons, used by families, artists, journalists, and even scientists. The technology was embraced by major photographers such as Ansel Adams and Andy Warhol, who valued the spontaneity and uniqueness of instant prints.

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This Day, That Year

Terrorists launched a series of coordinated attacks across Mumbai, also known as the 26/11 attacks in 2008.

One of Hollywoods most revered films, Casablanca, premiered on this day in 1942.

The Mongolian Peoples Republic was proclaimed in 1924.

With inputs from agencies
A routine airport transit in Shanghai has escalated into a full diplomatic confrontation after a British-based Indian citizen was questioned over her Arunachal Pradesh identity. The incident revived the long-standing India-China dispute, prompting firm protests from New Delhi and fresh claims from Beijing

A signboard is seen from the Indian side of the Indo-China border at Bumla, in the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, November 11, 2009. File Image/Reuters

A travel incident at Shanghai Pudong International Airport has once again placed Arunachal Pradesh at the centre of a diplomatic standoff between India and China.

What should have been a simple international transit was exaggerated by local authorities when Pem Wang Thongdok, an Indian national who has resided in the United Kingdom for over a decade, attempted to transit through Shanghai on her way from London to Osaka.

According to her statements to ANI, an immigration officer challenged the legitimacy of her Indian passport after noticing her place of birth. Thongdok recounted that the official insisted that her home state was not Indian territory.

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As she described it, She went on to say Arunachal, not India, China, China. Your visa not acceptable. She said the officer continued questioning her documents and told her that her passport was considered invalid.

During the interaction, she was also mocked, with the official remarking, You should apply for a Chinese passport.

Thongdok later wrote on social media on Sunday, November 23, that she was left at the airport for over 18 hours without clarity on her status or the reason behind the refusal to allow her transit.

By regulation, China permits travellers of all nationalities  including Indian citizens  to transit through its airports for up to 24 hours without a visa.

@pemakhandu @kirenrijuju @PMOIndia I was held at Shanghai airport for over 18 hrs on 21st Nov, 2025 on claims by China immigration & @chinaeasternair They called my Indian passport invalid as my birthplace is Arunachal Pradesh which they claimed is Chinese territory. @cnnbrk  Pem Wang Thongdok (@wang_pem) November 23, 2025

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This development comes as New Delhi and Beijing work to ease hostilities between them after a visit to China by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a first since their deadly military encounter in 2020.

What Arunachal Pradeshs history tells us

Arunachal Pradesh is one of Indias northeastern Seven Sister states and is the largest among them by area. Its history dates back thousands of years, with archaeological indications that the region had human settlements during the Neolithic era.

Over time, various tribal communities such as the Adi, Mishmi, Nyishi, Monpa, Apatani and others established themselves in the region.

During the medieval period, the region came under the influence of the Ahom Kingdom, which ruled much of what is today Assam and surrounding territories for several centuries.

Arunachals frontier position also meant it had sporadic interactions with Tibet, Bhutan, and later the expanding British colonial administration.

The area was known as the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) during the British period and retained that name for decades after Indias independence, eventually becoming a full-fledged Indian state in 1987.

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China does not accept this political evolution.

It contends that much of the area historically fell under the influence of Tibet, which Beijing claims as part of its own domain following its takeover of Tibet in the mid-twentieth century.

This historical claim forms the foundation for Chinas repeated references to Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet or Zangnan.

Why Tawang is central to Chinas claim

Though China asserts that the entire state belongs to it, analysts consistently point to Tawang district  in the northwestern part of Arunachal Pradesh  as the core of Beijings interest.

Tawang is home to the Tawang Ganden Namgyal Lhatse monastery, the second largest monastery of Tibetan Buddhism outside Lhasa.

Founded in 1680-81 in accordance with the wishes of the fifth Dalai Lama, the monastery has deep religious connections to Tibetan Buddhism. Beijing argues that these cultural and monastic ties indicate historical overlap with Tibetan administrative influence.

The Sixth Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, was born in the region near Tawang.

Notably, when the current Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 following Chinas military crackdown, he entered India through Tawang and stayed briefly at the monastery.

The 14th Dalai Lama fleeing Tibet into exile with Khampa (men from the Eastern province of Kham) bodyguards. Image Courtesy: dalailama.com

The Monpa tribe, dominant in the Tawang region, practises Tibetan Buddhism and shares cultural traits with communities across the border in Tibet. China has often used cultural continuity to reinforce its claims.

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Conversely, some experts believe China worries that the presence of ethnic groups with Tibetan cultural heritage in Indian territory could embolden future pro-democracy or pro-autonomy movements related to Tibet.

Also as it is nestled close to the tri-junction of India, Bhutan, and Tibet, Tawang sits near a key mountain corridor that links Tibet to the Brahmaputra plains.

Military planners point out that controlling this region would allow China easier access to Indias northeast, while providing India a natural defensive high ground.

How China rejects the McMahon Line

At the heart of the India-China territorial disagreement is the McMahon Line, a boundary drawn in 1914 during the Simla Convention.

The convention involved Great Britain, Tibet, and China. While the Chinese delegate attended the conference, he ultimately declined to accept the boundary agreement, arguing that Tibet did not possess the sovereign authority to negotiate independently.

India, which succeeded colonial administrative rights, maintains that the McMahon Line is a valid, internationally recognised boundary.

Beijing disagrees, rejecting the Simla Conventions legitimacy and claiming that the boundary unfairly separated Tibetan lands.

The McMahon Line runs from Bhutans eastern border to a point on the China-Myanmar frontier.

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China argues that territory south of the line  including most of present-day Arunachal Pradeshwas historically Tibetan, and therefore should be part of China.

India rejects this narrative, insisting that the boundary stands and that the state has always been administered as part of India.

How China continues to build its narrative

A notable part of Chinas approach has been the repeated publication of renamed places in Arunachal Pradesh. Beginning in 2017, China has issued multiple lists containing Chinese names for places within the Indian state.

In April 2017, China released standardised Chinese names for six locations.

In December 2021, it issued 15 new names, including rivers, mountains, and residential areas.

In April 2023, a third list introduced 11 more names.

In 2024, the Chinese Civil Affairs Ministry published a further batch of 30 renamed places.

India has dismissed all these renaming exercises outright. In May earlier this year, New Delhi categorised the latest revision as a preposterous attempt to distort established facts, asserting that Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always remain part of India.

Indian authorities describe these names as inventions and view them as part of Beijings broader information strategy designed to shape perceptions both domestically and internationally.

How Arunachal Pradesh holds strategic importance

The region sits at the eastern edge of the Himalayas and provides India with crucial vantage points along the contested border with China.

Military assessments suggest that the terrain allows India to deploy air defence systems in positions advantageous for responding to potential incursions from the north.

Additionally, the states geographical positioning enables India to place advanced missile systems comparatively closer to key Chinese military bases in Tibet.

If China were to extend control southward into Arunachal Pradesh, Bhutan would find itself squeezed between two stretches of Chinese territory  one to its west (Doklam area) and one to the east  fundamentally altering the regional strategic landscape.

Beyond the military, some analysts view Chinas territorial stance as connected to negotiations linked to Aksai Chin, the high-altitude plateau west of Ladakh.

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This area has been under Chinese control since the 1962 Sino-Indian conflict.

The theory holds that Beijing may leverage the Arunachal question as a means to pressure India into acknowledging Chinese sovereignty over Aksai Chin  something New Delhi has consistently refused.

How New Delhi and Beijing have responded

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal delivered a pointed reminder of Indias long-standing and unequivocal position on the latest matter, stating, Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, and this is a self-evident fact. No amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality.

He added that India had issued formal protests in both Beijing and New Delhi. The MEA criticised the treatment of the Indian passenger and called it inconsistent with accepted international norms.

The government argued that Chinas actions contradicted global standards laid out under the Chicago and Montreal Conventions, which dictate rules for civil aviation and the movement of passengers across international borders.

Jaiswal also observed that China had disregarded its own posted guidelines by refusing a transit that should have been allowed for up to 24 hours.

MEA described the incident as indefensible, noting that Chinese authorities have still not been able to explain their actions, which are in violation of several conventions governing international air travel.

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On the other side, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that officials at the airport had acted in accordance with Chinese laws and insisted no wrongdoing had occurred.

Mao said the passenger was not subjected to any compulsory measures, detainment or harassment, adding that the airline had provided food, water, and a place to rest.

Mao then reiterated Beijings territorial claim, Zangnan is Chinas territory. China never acknowledged the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally set up by India.

With inputs from agencies
London is set to impose a levy on tourists staying overnight in a move that Mayor Sadiq Khan said will stop over-tourism. The development comes as UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to announce her long-awaited Budget in the House of Commons today (November 26)

comes on the basis of a recommendation from a cross-party oversight committee of the Greater London Authority (GLA). Reuters

Is London planning a tourist tax?

There are reports that the capital city of England is set to impose a levy on those tourists staying overnight. It is a move that London Mayor Sadiq Khan has long called for.

Khan has said the move would raise money from tourists to use that to get more tourists, to improve the tourist experience and that it would stop Londoners inadvertently suffering from over-tourism.

The development comes as UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to announce her long-awaited Budget in the House of Commons today (November 26). Englands public finances are in dire shape with the government projecting a multi-million-dollar shortfall. Yeah

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But what happened? What do we know?

Lets take a closer look.

London to impose tourist tax?

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will likely give Khan and other civic chiefs the power to do so. This will come via the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which is currently in the UK Parliament. The fee would be charged on stays in hotels, Airbnbs and other short-term rentals such as guest houses and holiday lets.

It comes on the basis of a recommendation from a cross-party oversight committee of the Greater London Authority (GLA). According to reports, the tourist tax is being described as modest. This could be around $15 per night in hotels and $13 per night in Airbnbs.

The GLA has noted that similar levies have already been imposed in other cities including New York, Paris, and Milan. The report said New York City and Toronto have both enforced percentage-rate levies on stays. New York has collected $650.8 million (Rs 5,810 crore) per year with each visitor, on average, paying $19.62 (Rs 1,751). Tokyo, on the other hand, has adopted a flat-fee model  which has netted a collection of just $46.2 million (Rs 412.427 crore). This, even though the capital of Japan has the most overnight stays of any of the cities mentioned above.

In France and Italy, the amount paid depends on the location, type of accommodation and official star rating. The author said they would recommend either the flat-fee or the percentage system for London. This is because the UK lacks a statutory national star system for hotels present in France and Italy.

The bill will allow local authorities to determine how much they want to charge tourists. Estimates say that the move could raise up to $316.8 million (Rs 2,828 crore) per year, according to an estimate from the Centre for Cities. A previous report from the Greater London Authority in 2017 stated that a five per cent levy projected a similar amount of revenue being generated.

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London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said the move would raise money from tourists to use that to get more tourists, to improve the tourist experience and that it would stop Londoners inadvertently suffering from over-tourism. AFP

Andrew Carter, chief executive of the Centre for Cities, was quoted as saying by The Times of India, The model the government should adopt is already underway in Scotland, where Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen are introducing levies valued at a percentage rate on overnight stays in hotels, B&Bs and short-let accommodation. He added, Hopefully, introducing a tourist levy is the start of a bigger programme of devolving tax and spending powers to the capital. London is the most productive big city in the UK, and devolving more fiscal powers would give the capital more policy tools to accelerate growth in the economy.

What is the UK government saying?

The UK government has said that research shows that reasonable fees have a minimal impact on the number of people visiting. It said the idea is to give cities, which are facing a budget crunch, some breathing room and that the money will also be ploughed back into transport, infrastructure and the visitor economy to potentially attract more tourists.

England is currently the only G7 nation prohibiting local authorities from levying tourist taxes.

Scotland and Wales previously introduced different types of taxes on overnight visitors. In Scotland, local authorities can determine their own tourist tax rate as a percentage of a visitors daily stay. Come 2026, Welsh authorities will be getting $1.72 (Rs 153) from every single tourist every night.

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The government will undertake consultations to the plan till February 18 during which time it will debate several issues including whether there should be an upper limit on the amount of the tourist tax that can be imposed.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves is set to present the budget today. Reuters

Khan was quoted by the BBC as saying, I speak on a daily basis to those who work in tourism [and] hospitality, and one of the things we talk about is how London stays the number-one city in the world. The frustration many of them have is the lack of investment in the public realm this is one way for us to guarantee being the number-one city in the world.

He added that the city would work closely with the boroughs but also with businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector because we want a scheme that everybody can get the best deal out of.

Westminster City Council leader Adam Hug said a significant portion of the money raised must be invested in his region based on the number of visitors it gets. Hug added that it must show a clear link to protecting and improving local services. It is essential that the government ensures mayors split the revenue with the local councils in their area to support these services, without which economic growth will suffer, Hug added.

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Government secretary Steve Reed has called the impending move a ground-breaking step for the future of devolution.

What critics claim

However, those in the hospitality sector are not happy.

They claim adding yet another tax will reduce Londons competitiveness, deter visitors from coming and bring down tourist demand  more so keeping in mind the already high cost of visiting the UK and the high levels of value added tax (VAT).

The industry body UK Hospitality has already warned that such a tax would make London less attractive to visitors.

Kate Nicholls, the groups chief executive, told The Independent, The idea that a tourist tax would fix the public finances is completely misguided, and would only serve to inflict damage on the UKs tourism and hospitality sectors. The UK already ranks incredibly poorly when it comes to our tourism competitiveness, due to our high rate of VAT.

This is in comparison to our European competitors, many of which have VAT set at around half our 20 per cent rate, and a tourist tax will only make us less attractive to visitors.

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The potential estimated cost of a tourist tax, if inflicted on hospitality businesses, would push the additional costs theyre facing north of $5.28 billion (Rs 47,135 crore). Thats simply unsustainable.

Allen Simpson, UK Hospitality chief executive, told the BBC he was incredibly worried, warning that it would push up the price of holidays for Brits inside England.

You cant put a half-a-billion-pound tax on a sector with no impact at all. Hotels are already worried about tomorrows Budget and what it will mean for business rates, he said. Eventually you have to stop balancing the books off the back of Britains high streets.

With inputs from agencies
Virgin Group founder Richard Branson has announced the passing of his wife, Joan Branson. In an Instagram post, the 75-year-old English business magnate said his partner for nearly five decades has died at the age of 80, without sharing the cause of her death. Here is what we know about Mrs Branson

The 75-year-old entrepreneur, Richard Branson, confirmed that Joan, his partner for nearly five decades, died at the age of 80. The family has not shared the cause of her death. File image. AFP

Virgin Group founder Richard Branson has announced the passing of his wife, Joan Branson, just hours after he had shared a sweet photo of her on Instagram. The 75-year-old entrepreneur confirmed that Joan, his partner for nearly five decades, died at the age of 80. The family has not shared the cause of her death.

A day before the announcement, Branson had posted a warm, affectionate picture of the two of them with the caption, Love this photo of Joan. By the next afternoon, the mood had turned heartbreakingly different.

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Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away, the Virgin Galactic owner wrote. She was the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for. She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world.

Richard and Joans relationship has long been seen as one of the most enduring love stories. As Branson grieves the loss of his wife of 50 years, heres a closer look at her life

Who was Joan Branson?

Joan Branson, then Joan Templeman, was born in Glasgow in 1945 and raised in a modest, working-class family. Before crossing paths with Richard Branson in 1976, she held a series of different jobs, living a life far removed from the world of global business and celebrity.

The two married years later on Necker Island in 1989. Together, they built a family with their children, Holly and Sam, and later welcomed five grandchildren.

Even as Branson became one of the worlds most recognisable entrepreneurs, Joan stayed firmly out of the spotlight. She preferred privacy and rarely appeared in public alongside him.

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Richard Branson and Joan Templeman. File image/AFP

From the beginning Joan was a very private person, and the over four decades we have been together she has remained so, Branson wrote in a 2016 blog post. She has always been keen to avoid the public eye, to the point that she has never given an interview, however, that just changed when she did her first ever interview for an upcoming film about my ballooning adventures.

A look at their love story

Richard Branson and Joan Templemans relationship began back in 1976, when the young record label owner spotted her at a small bric-a-brac shop in Londons Westbourne Grove, close to his Virgin Records studio. Joan, who was married to musician Ronnie Leahy at the time, immediately caught his eye.

One day, I hovered uncertainly outside the shop, then built up the courage to walk in, Branson had written in a blog post. The shop sold old signs and quirky vintage items, and he pretended to browse while quietly trying to get Joans attention.

A blonde-haired, down-to-earth Scottish beauty who didnt suffer fools, Joan was unlike any other woman I had ever met, he wrote. He also realised very quickly that his usual charm wouldnt work on her. I quickly realised she wouldnt be impressed by my usual antics.

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So, he kept showing up at the shop, buying item after item, just for a chance to talk to her. To win her heart, I had to persistently hang around the shop and buy countless objects before we started courting, he said.

Richard Branson and Joan Branson relationship began back in 1976, when the young record label owner spotted her at a small bric-a-brac shop in Londons Westbourne Grove. They married a few years later on the island he bought for her. Image courtesy: Virgin.com

Branson bought an island for Joan

Not long after they first met, Richard Branson decided to make a grand gesture for Joan.

He revealed in his blog that he had heard about Necker Island being up for sale in the British Virgin Islands and immediately picked up the phone. We were still in the early days of Virgin Records and I definitely did not have the cash to buy it  but try telling that to a fool in love! he wrote.

The realtor invited him to visit the island, and the moment he arrived, Branson said it felt like love at first sight for the second time in his life.

His first offer was rejected, but eventually he bought Necker Island for $180,000, a place he still calls home today.

Eleven years after purchasing it, Branson and Joan married on its beach. Both their children, Holly and Sam, later chose the island for their own weddings as well. Holly married Freddie Andrews in a sunset ceremony in December 2011, while Sam married Isabella Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe in March 2013.

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Joan was terrified about his space trip

On July 11 2021, Branson travelled to space on a Virgin Galactic flight.

Before take-off, he told Reuters that Joan was extremely anxious about the idea of her husband going into space. My wife is the sort of person who would be terrified on a Virgin Atlantic aeroplane. Shes the last person who would want to do something like this, he said.

On 11 July 2021, Branson travelled to space on a Virgin Galactic flight. File image/AP

Despite her fears, Joan continued to support him in all his ventures.

On her 80th birthday in July, Branson shared a heartfelt message thanking her for standing by him through it all  the highs, the lows, and all those quiet, content and peaceful moments in between I love you more and more each year.

With input from agencies
Describing her job as a whack-a-mole, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that she has developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, it is not about handling the press. Honestly, I have PTSD about making plans, so I just dont, the 28-year-old joked, as she spoke about the many date nights she had to cancel

From the long line of presidential press secretaries, few have captured the worlds attention quite like Karoline Leavitt. A 28-year-old Gen-Z conservative voice, always up with a full-throttle defence of President Donald Trumps policies, she is devoted to her job. That comes at a price. In a recent interview with the Daily Mail, the youngest press secretary in US history candidly said that she is suffering post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Leavitt sheds light on the challenging job under Trump. Heres what it takes.

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Leavitt talks about PTSD

Recently, in an interview with the Daily Mail, the White House press secretary said that she has developed PTSD while working under President Trump. However, Leavitt was quick to clarify that its not due to the unruly press corps.

Honestly, I have PTSD about making plans, so I just dont, she admitted to the Daily Mail.

Struggling to manage her personal life due to the frenetic schedule, she went on to say, Definitely, its very difficult to make plans in this job.

My husband and I had three different mini weekend getaway vacations this summer. All three got cancelled due to foreign policy events, Leavitt continued, explaining her situation. She is married to Nicholas Riccio, a 60-year-old real estate developer.



Leavitt had no choice but to cancel a trip home to New Hampshire with her husband this summer after a last-minute event popped up on Trumps calendar. But thats part of the job, and its what makes it fun and challenging and keeps every day new. And its, you know, its temporary. Were one year down. We got three to go, she said, referring to the presidents four-year term.

24/7 job, whack-a-mole

From how she combs through the days news to spending all day hammering outlets, and being ready for critical face time with Trump in the Oval Office, Leavitt describes her 24/7 job as a whack-a-mole.

She says she starts her day before the sun comes up.

An average day with a press briefing begins at 5 am, with a 5.30 am workout three days a week. She prefers hitting the gym to pilates. I come straight to the gym here Usually, on briefing days, the first one in the West Wing, she added.

Work starts by reading the newspapers that are delivered daily to the West Wing. According to Leavitt, she reads every paper from front to back, advice she received from former press secretary Dana Perino, who now hosts a Fox News show. Next, she moves to watching major cable outlets.

The softball player-turned White House aide has a dozen TVs constantly buzzing in her office. And in the meantime, Leavitt said that she effectively handles roughly 300 press requests the White House receives daily.

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While outlining her tight schedule, she told the media outlet that demands of being the White House press secretary are as extraordinary as the honour of holding the post, adding that being press secretary, especially for President Trump, is a 24/7 job.

Even when Im home, I spend a lot of time on the phone or checking the news, Leavitt furthered.

She makes calls to Cabinet members when her deputies cannot, and sometimes even to Trump when she is at home.

Amid all the chaos that her job entails, Leavitt had strong advice for young girls: There is no substitute for hard work.

Understanding PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a severe mental health condition that occurs in people after direct or indirect exposure to a traumatic event. The trauma could be a natural disaster, a pandemic, domestic abuse or violent assault.

One can have PTSD if they experience post-exposure symptoms for more than a month.

It is associated with four sets of symptoms: intrusive thoughts, including nightmares and flashbacks, decreased concentration and increasing depression. According to medical experts, the disorder is treatable, and recovery is possible. Psychotherapy, peer support networks, coping techniques and medication can easily reduce the symptoms.

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Trumps past press secretaries

President Trump had four official press secretaries during his first term: Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Stephanie Grisham and Kayleigh McEnany.

All of them lasted for less than a year, except Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who held the position from July 2017 to June 2019.

Leavitt has served just over 300 days, which means she has already beaten her other three predecessors.

With inputs from agencies
A 56-year-old Italian man would impersonate his dead mother, wearing a wig, skirt and lipstick, to claim her pension. For years, he hid her body in a cupboard. Heres how the case unfolded

Strange wrinkles, a thick neck, and dark hair on hands and chin This is what raised suspicion against an aged woman renewing her identity in Italy. Turned out, posing as an octogenarian was a 57-year-old Italian man. He was impersonating his dead mother to pocket her pension.

While the mans identity has not been revealed, reports point out that he is the son of Graziella DallOglio, who died in 2022 at age 82. The accused, who has now been arrested, was a former nurse and is unemployed. He lives in the town of Borgo Virgilio, close to the city of Mantua.

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According to the police, the man did not report his mothers death to authorities. Her body was found mummified in the house.

The accused is now being investigated for fraud and impersonation in public and for concealing a corpse.

This case has been dubbed a modern-day Mr Doubtfire with parallels being drawn to a 1993 film starring Robin Williams, in which a father poses as a nanny to spend time with his children after he loses custody in a divorce. Heres how the fraud unfolded.

Dressing up as his dead mother

A 56-year-old impersonated his 85-year-old dead mother, dressing himself up in a blouse and a skirt, lipstick and a short brown wig, according to the report of an Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera.

He continued to receive 53,000 (Rs 54.79 lakh) of her survivors pension from her late husband every year and earned income from the familys real estate and land.

Over the years, he allegedly claimed millions of euros in pension payments after his mothers death. Instead of reporting it, he hid her body.

The suspicion that unravelled the case

On November 16, the man in disguise went to renew his mothers identity card, something that needs to be done in person in Italy. It was then that a registry office clerk in Borgo Virgilio found something amiss. The dark hair on the back of the neck, hands and chin and the voice raised suspicion.

The local council officer immediately alerted the police and informed the Mayor of Borgo Virgilio, Francesco Aporti.

Authorities then compared an official photo of the woman with images of the man in disguise. Soon after that, an investigation was launched.

The mayor told an Italian publication, She [the person claiming the pension] looked very much like the woman in the photo on the ID. But there was something that didnt convince the employee, like the hair on her neck, the heavy makeup, and it looked like beard holes were protruding from the greasepaint.

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And though the voice was feminine, occasionally a few masculine notes escaped, the mayor added.

Authorities even examined the video surveillance footage and saw the woman arrive in a car. However, records showed that Graziella DallOglio didnt hold a drivers licence.

We analysed the video surveillance footage and saw the woman arrive in a car. Alarm bells ringing: the woman doesnt have a drivers licence  piece by piece, the picture of this unpleasant situation began to emerge, the mayor said.

The confession

To catch the suspect red-handed, the office clerk contacted the suspect and asked him to appear again to complete further formalities.

According to footage acquired by the Italian outlet La Repubblica, the man in disguise can be seen walking with a cane as he heads towards the registry office. He is donning a dark cardigan with a white scarf, a mid-length skirt, short hair and a bag in his hand.

When he showed up, again dressed as his mother, the police immediately confronted and nabbed him. He admitted to the disguise and that Graziella was his mother, Corriere della Sera reported.

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Hiding the mothers body

As the investigation unfolded, officers searching his mothers house found her mummified body draped in bedsheets and a sleeping bag hidden in the laundry room.

According to police, the woman died of natural causes. There, they found the mummified body of Graziella in a room, Mayor Aporti told Corriere della Sera. The woman may have died of natural causes, but the autopsy will probably determine that.

In any case, they had no financial problems  Its a very, very sad story, the mayor concluded.

Pension fraud in Italy

Though shocking, this is not an isolated case.

In 2023, the body of 81-year-old Bruno Delnegro, who reportedly died of natural causes, was traced to a cave in Abruzzo. Italian media reported that instead of reporting their fathers death, his sons, Benito, Domenico, and Salvatore, and the girlfriend of one of the men, placed his body in a sleeping bag.

They transported it to the Abruzzo hamlet of Castrovalva to leave it there while they claimed his 3,000-a-month pension (Rs 3.1 lakh). The three sons and the girlfriend were investigated for several offences, including fraud against the pension authority and the unlawful use of an ATM card, the report noted.

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Dozens are arrested every year for impersonating a dead relative to benefit from their pension, CNN reports, quoting statistics from the Italian financial crime police, known as the Guardia di Finanza.

With inputs from agencies
Brazils Jair Bolsonaro is set to serve a 27-year prison sentence in connection with a failed coup attempt to block Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office after the 2022 election. The former president was once the dominant force of the countrys right wing and grabbed headlines for his controversial remarks about homosexuality and the role of women in society

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro gestures from his residence in Brasilia. File image/AFP

Jair Bolsonaro always swore he would never be imprisoned.

This trademark defiance crumbled as the man who rose from fringe firebrand to president and reshaped Brazilian politics began serving a 27-year sentence for a failed coup bid.

Bolsonaro, a former army captain, once electrified supporters with his gloves-off style, while drawing criticism for comments slamming gays, demeaning women and praising Brazils dictatorship years.

The 70-year-old cut a far more subdued figure as he began his sentence, with warnings from his family over his extremely fragile mental and physical health.

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Just days earlier, Bolsonaro claimed a medication-induced bout of paranoia led him to try to sever his ankle monitoring bracelet with a soldering iron while under house arrest.

The Supreme Court saw this as an attempt to escape his imminent imprisonment.

Bolsonaro was convicted in September over a scheme to prevent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking power after he lost a re-election bid in 2022.

Judges found that the plot  which included plans to assassinate Lula  only failed because it did not have enough support from military top brass.

Bolsonaro maintains his innocence, claiming he is the victim of political persecution.

When he ran for re-election in 2022, Bolsonaro said there were three potential outcomes for his future: Prison, death or victory.

The prison option, however, does not exist, he said.

By God who is in heaven, I will never be imprisoned, he said that same year.

Bolsonaro has, however, managed to escape a traditional jail cell and will serve his sentence in a special room at police headquarters equipped with a TV, mini-fridge, and air-conditioning.

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Bibles, bullets and beef

Bolsonaro was a longtime congressman when he managed to seize a crucial political moment in Brazil in the 2018 elections: wide-ranging disgust over a series of corruption scandals that had engulfed leftist governments.

His diatribes against the rotten left and fiery remarks about homosexuality and the role of women won him the support of Brazils powerful so-called Bibles, bullets and beef electorate  evangelical Christians, security hardliners and the agribusiness industry.

Bolsonaro, who was in office from 2019-2022, was often compared to his ally, US President Donald Trump, who called the trial a witch hunt and punished Brazil with sanctions and trade tariffs.

During the trial judges found that he had plans to assassinate Lula after the 2022 election, where he was seeking a re-election bid. File image/AFP

However, Bolsonaros influence with Trump waned in recent months as Lula cosied up to the US leader, who agreed to drop some tariffs.

In 2018, Bolsonaro survived a knife attack while campaigning that left him with severe abdominal wounds that continue to plague him.

He also suffers from uncontrollable hiccups that have left him out of breath and fainting, according to his doctors.

His lawyers warn that prison poses a risk to his life.

Amazon fires and Covid denial

Born in 1955 to a Catholic family with Italian roots, Bolsonaro served in the army before launching his political career in the late 1980s as a Rio de Janeiro city councillor.

In 1991, he was elected to Congress.

He quickly became known for his incendiary comments, claiming he was in favour of dictatorship and defending torture.

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In 2011, he told Playboy magazine he would rather his sons be killed in an accident than come out as gay.

Three years later, he said a left-wing lawmaker was not worth raping because she was too ugly.

Bolsonaro drew international criticism as fires and deforestation in the Amazon rainforest spiked under his leadership and as he weakened environmental agencies.

When Covid-19 hit, he downplayed it as a little flu and expressed scepticism about vaccines  joking that those who took them might turn into a crocodile  while promoting unproven treatments.

Twice divorced, Bolsonaro married his current wife, Michelle, a fervent Evangelical Christian 27 years his junior, in 2007.

He reversed a vasectomy to have a child with Michelle and once described fathering his daughter, Laura, as a moment of weakness after having sired four sons in previous marriages.

Three of his sons are politicians.
Not much has been uncovered about dark matter, the mysterious, invisible element that comprises around 25 per cent of the cosmos and around 85 per cent of the mass of the universe. But now a researcher may have finally made a breakthrough after studying a decade-and-a-halfs worth of information from a high-powered telescope

Scientists have been trying to crack the code of dark matter for decades.

Not much has been uncovered about the mysterious, invisible element that comprises around 25 per cent of the cosmos and around 85 per cent of all the mass of the universe.

But now, a researcher may have finally made a breakthrough after studying a decade-and-a-halfs worth of information from a high-powered telescope.

But what happened? What do we know?

Lets take a closer look.

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A brief look at dark matter

It has been given the name dark matter because the element does not absorb, reflect, or emit light and cannot be observed directly. The existence of dark matter was first hypothesised by Swiss-American astronomer Fritz Zwicky in the 1930s. Zwicky, who deduced that galaxies in space were moving faster than their mass would allow, speculated that some element was keeping them together.

Zwicky was proved right only in the 1970s by American astronomers Vera Rubin and W Kent Ford. However, Rubin and Ford, like Zwicky, only observed dark matter indirectly. It is thought to account for around a fourth of the universe, while dark energy (69.4 per cent) and matter such as stars and planets comprise the rest (0.5 per cent).

Experts think at least part of the element is made up of weakly interacting massive particles (Wimps) whose nature remains unknown and is, as of now, unexplainable via physics.

New discovery raises hope

Now, a new discovery is raising hope that researchers may be on the verge of cracking open an exciting new scientific frontier.

Professor Tomonori Totani, an astrophysicist at the University of Tokyo in Japan, thinks he has found gamma rays emanating from the centre of our universe. Totani, who did so by examining around 15 years of data from Nasas Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope, published his findings in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics. The telescope is built to pick up gamma rays, which are essentially intense electromagnetic radiation.

Totani first came up with a formula to calculate how much gamma-ray radiation he ought to find in the region based on the existence of stars, cosmic rays and radiation. He then took this figure and subtracted it from the amount of radiation captured by the Fermi telescope. The result? Gamma rays with an energy of around 20 gigaelectronvolts.

Representational image. Image courtesy: Nasa

We detected gamma rays with a photon energy of 20 gigaelectronvolts (or 20 billion electronvolts, an extremely large amount of energy) extending in a halo-like structure toward the centre of the Milky Way galaxy, Totani wrote in the study.

But why is this a big deal? Because it matches what scientists said gamma rays projected by the annihilation of theoretical dark matter particles would look like. If true, this would be the first time scientists have seen dark matter  which Totani noted in his findings.

Even though the research began with the aim of detecting dark matter signals, I thought it was like playing the lottery. So when I first spotted what seemed like a signal, I was sceptical, Totani told New Scientist. But when I took the time to check it meticulously and felt confident it was correct, I got goosebumps.

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If this is correct, to the extent of my knowledge, it would mark the first time humanity has seen dark matter. And it turns out that dark matter is a new particle not included in the current standard model of particle physics. This signifies a major development in astronomy and physics, Totani wrote.

This would have major implications for the future of science and our understanding of the universe. However, it must be noted that Totanis findings are yet to be independently verified by other researchers.

Experts urge caution

Experts say that such a process could take years and are urging caution.

Professor Justin Read, an astrophysicist at the University of Surrey, told The Guardian that the lack of signals from such galaxies is a sign that Totani witnessed gamma rays being emitted from dark matter particle annihilation.

Professor Kinwah Wu, a theoretical astrophysicist at UCL, added, I appreciate the authors hard work and dedication, but we need extraordinary evidence for an extraordinary claim. This analysis has not reached this status yet. It is a piece of work which serves as an encouragement for the workers in the field to keep on pressing.

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Its a result that certainly deserves further study, but drawing firm conclusions now would be premature, Francesca Calore of the French National Centre for Scientific Research in Annecy told New Scientist.

Anthony Brown at the University of Durham, UK, said more data is required. It is only looking from one angle, Brown added. Dark matter really needs as much high-quality data as you can get.

But Totani remains confident in his findings.

This may be achieved once more data are accumulated, and if so, it would provide even stronger evidence that the gamma rays originate from dark matter, he said.

With inputs from agencies
A brief October call between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov has shed some light on how Donald Trumps 28-point Ukraine peace plan was formed. The plan was later revised after internal US, European, and Ukrainian pushback

Russian President Vladimir Putin, centre, shakes hands with his envoy Kirill Dmitriev as US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, left, looks on, before talks in St Petersburg, Russia, on April 11, 2025. File Image/Sputnik via AP

A five-minute conversation between United States special envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin adviser Yuri Ushakov provides a window into how the Trump administrations controversial 28-point peace proposal for Ukraine first took shape.

The brief exchange took place on October 14, 2025. The call was later confirmed by Ushakov on Russian state television.

Another development that has stunned officials across Europe and within the US government itself is the discovery that the American peace framework drew heavily on a Russian-drafted non-paper, handed to senior Trump administration officials in mid-October.

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What we know of the Witkoff-Ushakov call

Moscow and Washington were manoeuvring to influence the trajectory of upcoming meetings involving US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and eventually Russian President Vladimir Putin, when the call took place.

According to the recording reviewed by Bloomberg, the call began with a congratulatory tone from Ushakov, who praised Witkoff repeatedly.

The transcript shows the Kremlin adviser saying, Congratulations my friend You made a great job. Just a great job.

Witkoff thanked him and acknowledged the support he believed Russia had shown during his earlier diplomatic efforts, including his involvement in brokering the Gaza ceasefire.

From the outset, Ushakov inquired about arranging a direct conversation between Putin and Trump. Seeking advice on timing, he asked Witkoff whether the leaders should speak and when such a call could occur.

Witkoff responded affirmatively and said Trump would be ready whenever Moscow proposed it.

The transcript quotes Ushakov asking, Do you think that it will be useful if our bosses will talk on the phone? to which Witkoff replied that such a discussion would be beneficial.

What followed was a series of suggestions from Witkoff on how Moscow should frame its message to Trump. He advised that Putin should open by congratulating the US president, express appreciation for his efforts, and portray him as a figure committed to ending conflicts.

Witkoff explained to Ushakov that he had told Trump Russia had always sought a peaceful outcome and that the difficulty in achieving a settlement stemmed from the inability of both sides to reach a compromise.

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During the call, Witkoff revisited a model he had used during the Gaza negotiations. We put a 20-point Trump plan together that was 20 points for peace and Im thinking maybe we do the same thing with you.

Ushakov responded positively, telling Witkoff that Putin would indeed congratulate Trump and say, Mr. Trump is a real peace man.

The most consequential line of the call came when Witkoff told Ushakov privately,

Now, me to you, I know what its going to take to get a peace deal done: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere.

Although Witkoff stated that public messaging should be more optimistic, his comment made clear that he viewed significant territorial concessions from Ukraine as central to any final settlement.

A major focus of Witkoffs advice was that him insisting that a direct Trump-Putin call should take place before Zelenskyy arrived in Washington later that week.

He told Ushakov, I think if possible we have the call with your boss before that Friday meeting. Ushakov acknowledged this recommendation and said he would speak with Putin about it, I discuss that with my boss and then I come back to you.

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On November 25, Ushakov publicly acknowledged the calls authenticity, claiming the leak was likely intended to obstruct ongoing negotiations. He also said, As for Witkoff, I can say that a preliminary agreement has been reached that he will come to Moscow next week.

What we know of the Russian non-paper

The second major revelation surrounding the 28-point plan emerged from sources familiar with the documents origins, speaking to Reuters.

Around mid-October  just days after Trump met Zelenskyy in Washington  Russian officials sent an informal paper outlining Moscows conditions for peace to senior members of the Trump administration.

The document, referred to as a non-paper in diplomatic practice, contained proposals that Kyiv had long rejected, including surrendering a substantial part of its eastern territory.

This was the first confirmation that the US peace plans early architecture relied heavily on a Russian-authored document. Its existence had been previously reported, but until now its direct influence remained unverified.

According to sources, several high-level US officials reviewed the Russian non-paper, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Some believed the demands were so far-reaching that Ukraine would reject them immediately.

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They regarded many elements of the Russian draft  particularly those involving territorial changes  as non-starters for any credible negotiation.

Even so, the initial 28-point US proposal shared structural and conceptual similarities with the Russian document.

When the plan became public, it surprised many officials in Washington and Europe because it appeared to tilt heavily toward Moscows preferred terms. That perception led to an urgent round of talks involving US, European, and Ukrainian officials.

How the 28-point plan changed after internal pushback

Following a series of meetings with Ukrainian and European diplomats, the US revised the draft significantly. According to reporting cited in your provided material, nine of the original 28 points were removed.

US negotiators and their counterparts in Geneva worked to reframe or eliminate provisions that appeared overly aligned with Russian interests.

Nevertheless, the core of the proposal still placed territorial politics at the centre of the settlement. The plan required Ukraine to accept Russias full control of Donetsk, even though Russian forces had not captured the entire region.

It envisioned a demilitarised buffer zone stretching across those areas, internationally recognising them as Russian territory.

It also included provisions reaffirming Russias hold on Crimea and Luhansk, while freezing the battle lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia where the front remained fluid.

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These elements resulted in criticism among Ukraines political leadership, who maintained their long-held position: they would not accept any legal recognition of Russian-occupied territories or constraints on their military posture.

Still, the plan advanced to the next stage of negotiations. US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll travelled to Abu Dhabi for talks with a Russian delegation, while Ukrainian representatives also arrived in the UAE to participate in discussions with the US team.

According to a US official cited in the provided material, Driscoll was already meeting with Russian officials while Kyiv and Washington held parallel talks.

By Tuesday, Ukrainian officials signalled that they were prepared to engage with the newly modified framework that resulted from Geneva discussions, though they stressed that any final decisions on territorial concessions required direct negotiation between Zelenskyy and Trump.

How Trump has reacted

As revelations surrounding the call and the Russian non-paper surfaced, Trump maintained a optimistic stance toward the peace process.

He wrote, In the hopes of finalizing this Peace Plan, I have directed my Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with President Putin in Moscow and, at the same time, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will be meeting with the Ukrainians.

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He also stated that a trilateral meeting would only take place once a deal was nearly complete.

I look forward to hopefully meeting with President Zelenskyy and President Putin soon, but ONLY when the deal to end this War is FINAL or, in its final stages.

Yet on the same day as the Witkoff-Ushakov call, Trump expressed public frustration with Putins prolonging of the war, stating, I dont know why he continues with this war. He just doesnt want to end that war. And I think its making him look very bad.

The Witkoff-Ushakov exchange not only confirmed that both sides were coordinating timing and messaging, but also revealed Witkoffs confidence that Trump would grant him significant latitude in negotiations.

Meanwhile, Putin publicly remarked that the American peace proposal could serve as a basis for a final peaceful settlement.

Also Watch:

With inputs from agencies
A new feature of Elon Musks X has exposed an anti-India campaign. Several accounts, which have been found to post information critical of the government as well as polarising rhetoric, are based outside the country, especially in Pakistan and Bangladesh

The rollout of a new feature by Elon Musk's X, revealing an account's location, has stirred a hornet's nest in India. Representational image/Reuters

Recently, Elon Musks X launched a new feature, About this location  and it has quickly led to an uproar in India as well as the United States. The social media platforms new feature revealing an accounts location has exposed what users describe as global troll farms.

In India, Xs feature has revealed that several politically active accounts, especially those critical of the government, are based outside the country, with the BJP claiming that this clearly shows the conspiracy to influence Indian discourse.

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Heres what we know so far about this new controversy.

Xs all new location feature

Over the weekend, the Elon Musk-owned platform began rolling out a new feature for user profiles that displays information about the account, including where its based, how many times the account has changed its username, the accounts original join date, and how the user downloaded the X app.

In a couple hours, we'll 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

The feature was launched to reduce inauthentic engagement on the platform, where bots often pretend to be humans  a problem that could get even harder to police in the age of AI.

Xs plan to launch this feature was first announced in October with Xs head of product Nikita Bier announcing that the company would experiment with displaying information about the users location on their profiles. The idea, he said, was that by exposing these details, users would be able to make a more informed decision about whether theyre interacting with an authentic account or if the account was a bot or bad actor, looking to sow discord or spread misinformation.

For instance, if an X accounts bio claimed the user was from a US state, but their account information shows that theyre based overseas, you might suspect they had another agenda.

The anti-India agenda exposed

Shortly after X launched the location feature, it has exposed a network of foreign-operated accounts, who are peddling divisive narratives within the country. Many of the accounts which are particularly critical of the government and anti-Hindu in nature are being run from Pakistan, Bangladesh and other Asian nations.

Take for instance, X user with the profile, @ChaturvediSwat. This user has been very vocal in their criticism of Modi and his administration; on August 30, the user even posted: Pray for Punjab because Modi sarkar is not doing anything for #PunjabFloods.

X user @chaturvediswat, has posted over 2,000 posts against the Indian government. The new X feature revealed that this account is actually based out of Pakistan.

Now, Xs new location feature reveals that this user account is based in Pakistan.

Other similar examples exist, including the accounts of Diya Sharma and Yashita Nagpal. Xs location feature shows that both these accounts, who have posted messages against the Modi government, are based in Pakistan.

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A screenshot of the @Tractor2twitr_P handle on X, which shows its based in Australasia.

Another account is Indian Muslim Archieve that has the handle Rustum_0. The account shows South Asia as origin and is known for posting misleading history content. Another striking example is that of @Tractor2twitr_P, a X user who has positioned itself on Sikh identity and farmer issues. On its profile, it claimed to be from Ludhiana. However, the location feature showed that the account was based in Australasia.

Similar patters could be seen in accounts, which have been posting polarising rhetoric. As News18 reported, several high-activity profiles pushing language, caste and cultural grievance narratives were revealed to be based in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States, even as they projected lived experiences inside India.

BJPs strong response

Reacting to the revelations, BJPs I-T cell chief Amit Malviya called the pattern a coordinated global operation to influence Indias social discourse and spread misinformation.

A large number of pro-Congress, anti-Hindu, and divisive caste-based handles are not even operating from India. Many are being run from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other parts of Asia and the world. Almost all of them have changed their usernames multiple times to mask their identity, wrote Malviya on X.

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He further wrote, What does this show? A coordinated global operation to influence Indias social discourse, spread misinformation, and deepen internal divisions. This conspiracy against India now stands exposed.

A similar pattern in the US too

Notably, Xs location feature has also triggered a storm in the United States. Several dozens of right-wing personalities and promoters of Trumps Make America Great Again are accounts based in Nigeria, Bangladesh, or Eastern Europe.

For example, an account called IvankaNews_, which describes itself as a fan account for Trumps daughter, has gathered more than one million followers and has previously posted about voting for the president last year. However, the account is based in Nigeria and its username has changed 11 times since 2010, according to X.

Xs new feature has stirred confusion, anger and a wave of online sleuthing. File image/AFP

Other such examples also exist. An account that calls itself ULTRAMAGA  TRUMP2028, claiming to be based in Washington, DC, is listed as being based in Africa. Another now-deleted account with a President Donald Trump-inspired username  Trump Is My President  was listed as being based in Macedonia. And an account with the username @American, complete with a profile picture featuring a bald eagle over an American flag, is apparently based in South Asia.

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Accuracy of Xs feature

While the new feature has exposed some, it has also triggered a flurry of posts from users saying the new feature misrepresented where they were located.

Responding to this, X cautioned that the location data may not be accurate and can change periodically.

There are a few rough edges that will be resolved by Tuesday, Bier wrote after the features launch. Late Sunday, Bier said an upgrade was upcoming that will ensure accuracy will be nearly 99.99 per cent.

With inputs from agencies
Seventeen years after 26/11 attacks and over a decade after Kasabs hanging, six accused terrorists still await justice  two of them are undergoing trial in India and four of them are abroad beyond reach.

Seventeen years after 10 Pakistani jihadists began a days-long campaign of terror in Mumbai, India continues its pursuit of justice  one plotter at a time.

Earlier this month, the Bombay High Court ruled that the trial of Abu Jundal, a man accused of training these terrorists and teaching them Hindi, could resume. The trial had been stalled since 2018 because of procedural issues.

Previously, in April, Tahawwur Rana was extradited to India after years of efforts. His trial for facilitating the 26/11 attacks is ongoing.

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In the past 17 years, an entire generation has come of age, but India has not moved on. Instead, it has continued to seek and prosecute those behind the attack, though several remain beyond Indias reach  Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) co-founders Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and Hafiz Saeed, senior LeT operative Sajid Mir, the Inter-Services Intelligences (ISI) shadowy Major Iqbal, who are all at large in Pakistan, and David Coleman Headley, who is jailed in the United States.

The pursuit of justice has not been without flaws. Two men tried for being part of the 26/11 plot, Fahim Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed, were acquitted. They were, however, convicted in the case of a terrorist attack on a CRPF camp in 2007. But they were acquitted in that case as well by a higher court this year.

Noting the defective investigation in the CRPF attack case, the Allahabad High Court said the case would have met a different result had the investigation and prosecution been conducted by more trained police.

The fact that Ansari and Ahmed were charged in two cases by different courts and subsequently acquitted by different courts has made their cases among the most controversial in Indias counter-terrorism history.

From Kasab to Abu Jundal and Tahawwur Rana  Indias pursuit of justice

Pakistans conspiracy began to unravel when Ajmal Amir Kasab was captured alive.

According to former Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria, who ran the control room when the attack began, the terrorists were meant to present themselves as Hindus  hiding their links to Pakistan.

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In his book Let Me Say It Now, Maria wrote, If all had gone well, he [Kasab] would have been dead with a red string tied around his wrist like a Hindu. We would have found an identity card on his person with a fictitious name: Samir Dinesh Chaudhari, student of Arunodaya degree and PG college Bengaluru There would have been screaming headlines on newspapers claiming how Hindu terrorists had attacked Mumbai. Over the top TV journalists would have made a beeline for Bengaluru to interview his family and neighbours. But alas, it had not worked that way and here he was, Ajmal Amir Kasab of Faridkot in Pakistan.

Kasab was tried, convicted, and hanged till death in 2012.

India then landed in its net Abu Jundal, whose real name is Zabiuddin Ansari. He is believed to have trained Kasab and the other terrorists.

Abu Jundal was extradited to India in 2012 from Saudi Arabia, where he had moved after spending years in Pakistan. But his case stalled in 2018 over allegations of improper procedures involved in the extradition. The Bombay High Court ruled earlier this month that his trial could resume.

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Abu Jundal is understood to have been present in the LeTs control room in Karachi, Pakistan, which oversaw the 26/11 attacks. This makes him the only person in Indian custody who was at the nerve centre of the entire operation.

Beyond the 26/11 attacks, Ansari has been serving a life term in the 2006 Aurangabad arms haul case.

Previously, in April, India landed in its net Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian jihadist who facilitated the attacks. The extradition came after years of efforts.

Rana deserted the Pakistan Army, where he was a captain, and moved to Canada where he became a citizen. He then moved to the United States and settled in Chicago where he opened several businesses. One of these businesses, an immigration consultancy, was part of the LeTs plot to strike Mumbai.

Rana is tied to another accused in the case, David Coleman Headley, who used the consultancy as cover to travel to India and plan the Mumbai attacks.

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Headley has testified that he scouted locations in Mumbai and that Rana helped him obtain a visa and allowed him to open a Mumbai-based office using the name of Ranas company First World Immigration Services Inc while knowing his true purpose of planning a terrorist attack. As per the testimony, Rana facilitated the 26/11 attacks by arranging the scouting and helping Headley, a member of the plot.

Rana was also in touch with another accused in the case, Major Iqbal, who remains at large in Pakistan.

Those who remain at large

LeT co-founders Lakhvi and Saeed along with ISIs Major Iqbal and senior LeT operative Sajid Mir remain at large in Pakistan.

Major Iqbals real name is Chaudhry Khan, according to Headley.

At points, Mir has been described as one of the main planners of the attack. Both he and Iqbal are believed to be regular officers of the Pakistan Army who either joined the ISI or the LeT. In any case, they are believed to have worked for and with both the organisations. Considering the close cooperation between the ISI and Pakistan-based jihadist groups, the lines between the two sides are, in any case, blurry.

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Lakhvi and Saeed have been leading a jihadist campaign for decades. After their latest attack on India in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam in April, India struck LeTs headquarters, among several jihadist sites in Pakistan, under Operation Sindoor.

While Lakhvi and Saeed survived, Jaish-e-Mohammeds Masood Azhar lost several family members in another strike on Jaishs headquarters as part of the operation. Azhars Jaish was behind the Pulwama bombing that killed 49 CRPF personnel in 2019.

The curious case of Headley  and a missed opportunity

Headley has admitted he was part of the 26/11 plot. He has admitted receiving training and operational directions from Iqbal and Mir, and that the ISI was centrally involved in planning and executing the attack.

Headley also admitted that he visited Mumbai for reconnaissance and scouted the Taj and Oberoi hotels, Leopold Cafe, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, and Nariman House at the instructions of his Pakistani handlers. Kasab and his fellow terrorists attacked all of these locations.

However, as part of his plea agreement with the US government, Headley cannot be extradited to India.

But Headleys case has revealed a damning missed opportunity. It emerged that US agencies had information suggesting he was plotting a terrorist attack in India. Whether these inputs were shared with India on time could be up for questions. But these inputs were indeed shared, whether early or late, and whats a proven fact is that Indian agencies could not prevent the attacks despite repeated warnings.

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A ProPublica investigation reported that Headleys wife had warned US agencies three times in 2007 and 2008 that he was plotting a terrorist attack in Mumbai.

Separately, in their book The Siege: The Attack On The Taj, Adrian Levy and Cathy Scott-Clark wrote that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had shared 26 intelligence alerts with India and some of these inputs were very specific, such as the CIA informing India about the use of fidayeen, meaning guerrillas armed with grenades and AK-47s who fought to the death, inflicting heavy casualties before being overcome.

Eleven warnings suggested the plan would involve multiple simultaneous attacks. Six warnings pointed to a sea-borne infiltration, which would be a first in India, wrote Levy and Scott-Clark.

And this exactly how the attack was carried out. Indian agencies were informed and the attack could not be prevented.

Referring to these inputs, ProPublicas investigative journalist Sebastian Rotella noted that US agencies learned enough about him [Headley] to glean fragments of intelligence that went into these warnings.

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US and foreign officials say his role as an informant or ex-informant helped him elude detection as he was training in Pakistani terror camps and travelling back and forth to Mumbai to scout targets. And three counterterror sources say US agencies learned enough about him to glean fragments of intelligence that contributed to the warnings to India about a developing plot against Mumbai, noted Rotella.
The NIA has arrested Soyab, a resident of Haryanas Faridabad, for helping Umar Un Nabi, who was identified as the man who carried out the suicide bombing in Delhis Red Fort area. Soyab is accused of harbouring Umar and providing logistical support before the blast.

A policeman stands guard as investigators examine the site of car explosion near the historic Red Fort, in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Photo: AP)

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Soyab, a resident of Haryanas Faridabad, for helping Umar Un Nabi  the man identified as the suicide bomber behind Delhis Red Fort terrorist attack earlier this month.

The NIA has accused Soyab of harbouring Umar and providing him logistical support before the blast.

Soyab is the seventh accused to be arrested in the case.

NIA ARRESTS TERRORIST UMAR UN NABIS HARBOURER IN DELHI TERROR BLAST CASE



The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a Faridabad resident for harbouring terrorist Umar Un Nabi immediately before the Delhi terror bomb blast.



Soyab of Dhauj, Faridabad (Haryana) is the  Shalinder Wangu (@Wangu_News18) November 26, 2025

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A car blew up near Delhi's Red Fort on November 10. The blast killed at least 15 persons and injured around 20 people. The NIA and Delhi Police have named Umar as the bomber and dubbed the act of terror as suicide bombing.

ALSO READ: With tech & new cash, Pakistan looks to train new jihadist gun at India

The investigators have linked Umar and the Delhi bombing to a 'white collar' terrorist module stretching from Jammu and Kashmir to Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Hours before the blast, the Jammu and Kashmir Police had announced arrests in the case and disclosed recovery of a cache of explosives and weapons.

Delhi blast plotters kept IED equipment at Soyabs house: Sources

Sources have said that Muzammil Shakeel Ganai, whom investigators have named as one of the members of the white collar module, had kept a grinder and a portable furnace at Soyabs house, which are believed to have been used to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and their components.

Sources in the NIA told CNN-News 18 that Soyab is an employee of Al-Falah University, which has been linked to multiple accused in the case.

They said that Soyab was aware of the conspiracy and knowingly harboured Umar.

The NIA visited Soyabs house with Muzammil as they were reconstructing the movement of the accused in the case as part of the investigation.

ALSO READ  Delhi Red Fort car attack was planned after agencies busted Faridabad terror module: Reports

Previously, the NIA had arrested six persons in the case. Some of them were previously arrested by the J&K Police in the investigation it had begun into the module before Red Fort blast. These four persons were Dr Muzammil; Dr Adeel Ahmed Rather of Anantnag, J&K; Dr Shaheen Saeed of Lucknow, UP; and Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay of Shopian, J&K.

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Two other persons arrested in the case were Amir Rashid Ali, in whose name the car used in the blast was registered, and Jasir Bilal Wani alias Danish, who had provided technical aid to Umar, according to NIA.
It will be difficult for Afghanistan to substitute the Pakistani route, but the Taliban want to gain new options and India must assist them in this effort.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) carried out an attack on the headquarters of the Federal Constabulary in Peshawar on the morning of November 24. Members of the Pakistan security forces and the TTP were killed in the attack. This was the latest in a series of actions undertaken by the TTP against the Pakistan state. Pakistan routinely blames Afghanistan for sheltering and enabling the TTP to target military and civilian installations in the land of the pure.

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A fallout of the TTPs latest attack would be to reinforce Pakistans decision to keep the border crossings along the Durand Line closed to trade and transit between the two countries. Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) spokespersons response to a Pakistani journalist on November 21 indicates the countrys insensitivity towards Afghanistan.

The journalist observed: The border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan are closed. You stated previously that the reopening of the borders and the resumption of trade with Afghanistan will be contingent upon assessment of the on-ground situation. While that remains to be seen, what would become of the three projects that Pakistan shares with Afghanistan and other regional countries, i.e., TAPI, CASA-1000, and UAP? My other question is on the five-day visit of the Afghan Minister for Trade to India. Should we view this visit with concern, especially when it takes place almost immediately after Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaqis visit to India last month?

The Pakistan MoFA spokesperson responded: On the broader issue of trade, our policy remains the same We have closed the border crossings and suspended all trade with Afghanistan due to the support being extended to Fitna Al Khwarij and Fitna Al Hindustan terrorist elements by the Afghan Taliban Regime. The onus of delay in the reopening of the border crossings rests with the Afghan Taliban Regime. Similarly, the projects that you mentioned  TAPI, CASA-1000 success of all these projects is also incumbent upon the Afghan Taliban Regime to halt its support and abetment to terrorist outfits operating from Afghan soil.

The spokesperson added, This is an important denominator of our trade and economic engagement with Afghanistan Afghan Taliban Regime should also stop Afghan nationals from carrying out terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. On the visit of the Afghan Trade Minister to India  these are developments between the two sovereign countries. Pakistan remains committed to trade connectivity and the improvement of trade ties in the region. Our relations with Afghanistan are based on their own merit and considerations and not on third-party involvement.

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Pakistan now calls TTP Fitna al Khwarij and the Balochi militants Fitna al Hindustan. These terms are derived from Islamic theology which abhors revolt against legitimate political authority. Pakistans objective is to portray the TTP as acting against the Sharia and the Balochi militants as acting on Indias instigation. It vainly hopes that it will be able to drive a wedge between the Pashtun and the Baloch people against the TTP and the Baloch militants respectively by using these names. However, both groups are rooted in their respective communities and derive their support because of longstanding and legitimate Pashtun and Baluch grievances against exploitation by the Punjabis, who use the resources of these provinces for their own benefit.

The Pakistani spokespersons comments also reinforce Pakistans determination to undermine Afghan resistance by closing what has been the best route, till now, for trade for a majority of goods for this landlocked country. However, far from being intimidated, the Afghans seem determined to reduce their dependence on Pakistan for trade and transit.

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For this purpose, the Talibans influential Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Baradar publicly said on November 12: The closure of Pakistans crossings has not only hurt our traders but also disrupted markets and affected ordinary people. Baradar also instructed traders to stop importing inferior medicines from Pakistan and look for alternative trade destinations and transit routes. He was critical of Pakistan for causing economic and humanitarian suffering in Afghanistan for political purposes.

Afghanistans Industry and Commerce Minister Alhaj Nooruddin Azizis official five-day visit to India  November 19-25  is significant in the context of Baradars pronouncements. India is Afghanistans largest export market. A study by the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) in 2024 noted that Afghanistan exported goods worth $666 million to India, while its imports from India were around $320 million. The same study noted that Pakistans exports to Afghanistan amounted to $1.14 billion in 2024. They consisted of cereals, cement, pharmaceuticals, edible oils, vegetables and textiles. In addition to the formal trade, informal trade or smuggling from Pakistan to Afghanistan amounts to $2-3 billion.

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Most Afghans are convinced that Pakistan has treated their country like a colony. That is one reason why it has never allowed Indian goods to go to Afghanistan via its Punjab land route. It is afraid that Afghans will prefer Indian goods which will lead to an end to Pakistans dumping its inferior products in the Afghan market. The informal trade takes place mainly in Pakistani currency, which also indicates Pakistans economic intentions towards Afghanistan.

It is noteworthy that fuel oil comes to Afghanistan from Iran and Turkmenistan.

Azizis visit to India indicates Afghanistans desire to break the stranglehold of Pakistan on its transit and trade. It is not unnatural for the Afghans to seek greater Indian participation in their countrys economic life. For this purpose, Azizi met government ministers, officials and businessmen and sought Indian investments in Afghanistan and also an expansion of trade.

After meeting Azizi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated on X: Discussed ways to strengthen our trade, connectivity and people-to-people ties. Reiterated Indias support for the development and welfare of the people of Afghanistan.

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The critical factor in enhancing India-Afghan economic and commercial ties is connectivity. Reportedly, India is also considering an air corridor for importing Afghan goods. Naturally for this purpose Afghan airlines would have to be used because Pakistan does not allow Indian airlines to overfly Pakistan. However, if Pakistan wishes to interrupt an air trade corridor it can ban overflights from Afghanistan to India. This is apart from the commercial viability of an air economic corridor.

Azizi was also reported as saying in Delhi that Afghanistan would promote the Chabahar port route. However, there are issues here too. These extend from the capacity of the port to the costs of transporting goods via this route to northern and eastern Afghanistan. All these are real difficulties and it will require creative and expensive methods for India to overcome them. However, Indias strategic interests demand that a great effort be made in this direction.

There is another aspect that the Afghan authorities will have to consider. Through the decades, trade and transit from Pakistan to Afghanistan has created vested interests in both countries. They will use smuggling supported by the Pakistani authorities. Hence, the Taliban government may have to use more than just persuasion to turn the attention of the countrys traders to other routes and also keep prices down because of the precariousness of the Afghan economy.

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Pakistan-Afghanistan relations have always been difficult. Pakistan has always sought, as it is doing today, to leverage transit against Afghanistan. On its part, the Afghans are trying to break the Pakistani stranglehold. They are turning to India. It will be difficult for Afghanistan to substitute the Pakistani route, but they want to gain new options and India must assist them in this effort. It would be useful for India to have discreet and purposeful conversations on all Afghanistan-related issues with Iran, the Central Asian Republics and Russia.

(The writer is a former Indian diplomat who served as Indias Ambassador to Afghanistan and Myanmar, and as secretary, the Ministry of External Affairs. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
The US President had already instructed Pam Bondi to investigate Jeffrey Epsteins ties to Bill Clinton and others, which allows withholding or redacting information

Washington, D.C., was the venue for two contrasting spectacles on November 18the antagonist in the first on the Capitol Hill was the protagonist in the second at the Oval Office.

In the first spectacle, the House of Representatives voted 427-1 to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The Senate followed suit the next day.

Despite desperate efforts by antagonist Donald Trump and his coterie to block the massive tranche of unclassified records, documents, communication and investigative materials related to the late convicted financier-paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, the scandal blew up in the presidents face.

On November 12, Democrats in the House Oversight Committee dropped a bombshell by making public emails sent by Epstein to his girlfriend-socialite pimp Ghislaine Maxwell, attorneys, controversial author Michael Wolff, journalists and former treasury secretary Larry Summers 15 years ago that mentioned Trump multiple times in demeaning ways. The emails were obtained by subpoenaing the Epstein estate.

The Committee released 20,000 more pages of records received from Epsteins estate, showing that Trumps association with the sex trafficking kingpin was deeper than reported.

The massive blowback from the Democratic hoaxas Trump dubbed itand the danger of increasing number of House Republicans defying him and joining Democrats in signing a discharge petition which forced the vote jolted the president into surrender.

On November 16, Trump asked House Republicans to vote for releasing the files. A day later, Trump told reporters that he would sign the law if passed by the Senate. On November 19, he signed the Bill.

In the second spectacle, protagonist Trump, unperturbed by the Epstein hurricane, was on a personal mission of accumulating more wealth while hosting a dinner for Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) as the House voted.

MBS visited the White House seven years after ordering dissident Jamal Khashoggis murderper a February 2021 Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) reportat the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018.

Trump also defended MBS, going against the ODNI report, saying that the Crown Prince knew nothing about the murder.

Trump, Epstein and the X Files

Trump and Epstein bonded for almost two decades, starting in the 80s, over money, women, power and status. The neighbours partied hard at Mar-a-Lago, dined at Epsteins Manhattan mansion and attended Victorias Secret events. Trump flew on Epsteins Lolita Express seven times between 1993 and 1997, especially between Palm Beach and NYC.

However, the two playboys turned adversaries in 2004 over a Palm Beach property called Maison de lAmitie with Trump outbidding Epstein.

By late 2007, Trump barred Epstein from visiting Mar-a-Lago. In June 2008, the pervert was arrested after pleading guilty to soliciting sex from minor girls. After he was arrested for the second and final time in July 2019, Trump said at the Oval Office, I was not a fan of his that I can tell you.

Therefore, Trumps name in the Epstein files, released in five batches in January 2024 upon a court order and the department of justice (DoJ) in one batch in February this year, wasnt a shocker.

Though Trump was never charged with any crimes related to Epsteins monstrous sex racket, their connection ran much deeper than reportedeven before the November 12 explosive document trove.

There are three angles in the Trump-Epstein connectionsex, lies and a suspected suicide.

Nothing more exposes the apparent cover-up of these three aspects than US attorney general Pam Bondis July memo, which stated that a joint DoJ-FBI review of the trove of documents and audio/video files revealed no incriminating client list.

First, the sex.

In his book Ticking Clock: Behind the Scenes at 60 Minutes, former 60 Minutes producer Ira Rosen recounts Maxwell telling him before the 2016 election that Epstein had videotapes of both Trump and Bill Clinton in compromising positions with women.

Few days before the 2016 election, a woman mentioned as Katie Johnson and Jane Doe in court filings dropped her third suit accusing Trump of raping her during an orgy at Epsteins Manhattan home in 1994 when she was 13. She also cancelled a press conference at the last minute with her attorney Lisa Bloom saying Johnson received death threats.

One of the exhibits unsealed on January 8, 2024, contains explosive emails Epsteins victim Sarah Ransome sent to then-New York Post journalist Maureen Callahan in October 2016. Ransome alleged that Trump had sex with many girls, including her friend, at Epsteins mansion. Strangely, Ransome wrote to Callahan in her final email that she wanted to retract everything I have said to you and walk away from this.

On October 31, 2024, five days before the presidential election, Wolff, who has written four books on Trump, dropped a bombshell.

Wolff, whose 2018 book Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House was a New York Times number-one bestseller, claimed in his podcast Fire & Fury that Epstein showed him photos of Trump with topless young women in his lap in 2017 while he was researching for the book.

They were with Trump at Epsteins Palm Beach house sitting around the pool with these young girls and the young girls are topless. And in some of the pictures, theyre sitting in his lap, Wolff, who recorded 100 hours of conversation with the sex offender, said.

Epstein had about six pictures, Wolff claimed, taken in the late 90s at his Palm Beach mansion and stored in his safe seized during the FBI raids in July 2019.

The pictures, part of hundreds of photos of girls and young women, were never made public.

The DoJs attempt to not make the voluminous material in the Epstein case public smacks of a cover-up.

According to the memo, an exhaustive review of investigative holdings relating to Epstein was conducted jointly with the FBI.

More than 300 gigabytes of data and physical evidence were found after the FBI conducted digital searches of its databases, hard drives and network drives and physical searches of squad areas, locked cabinets, desks, closets and other areas where responsive material may have been stored.

The files relating to Epstein include a large volume of images of Epstein, images and videos of victims who are either minors or appear to be minors, and over ten thousand downloaded videos and images of illegal child sex abuse material and other pornography, the memo reads.

The memo contended that there was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions.

However, its been widely alleged that Epstein blackmailed several of his clients and friends after videorecording their sexcapades and also threatening to leak their affairs, including that of Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates.

According to Florida attorney Spencer Kuvin, who represented three of Epsteins victims, videotapes taken from multiple surveillance cameras inside Epsteins homes were never released.

There are thousands of hours of videotapes taken from inside the homes of Jeffrey Epstein that have, I have no doubt, video of people on them. People that have never been named before. Never identified before. Lets see the tapes.

If Trump had sex with underage girls or raped them, as alleged by Espetins two victims, there is a high possibility that Epstein recorded themand hence, the cover-up.

According to Epsteins brother Mark, the rapist had shocking information on Trump and the Clintons that could have disrupted the 2016 presidential election.

If I said what I know about both candidates, theyd have to cancel the election, Epstein told his brother in 2016.

The emails released by Democrats on November 12 show that Trump spent hours with Epsteins main accuser, the late Virginia Giuffre, at the paedophiles house.

I want you to realize that that dog that hasnt barked is trump.. (REDACTED) spent hours at my house with him, he has never once been mentioned. police chief. etc. im 75% there, Epstein wrote in an email to Maxwell dated April 2, 2011.

The redacted name was of Giuffre, recruited by Maxwell as a 16-year-old masseuse from Trumps Palm Beach-situated Mar-a-Lago, raped by Epstein several times and passed on like a platter of fruit to other men. Giuffre apparently committed suicide in Neergabby, Australia, on April 25, days after posting that she had four days to live.

Giuffres posthumous memoir Nobodys Girl neither alleges any wrongdoing by Trump nor claims that she was with Trump at Epsteins home.

However, Giuffre often changed her accounts regarding Trump in the past. In March 2011, a month before the email, she claimed to the Mail on Sunday of having met Trump during her time with Epstein only to withdraw the claim in a sworn deposition years later.

In a December 8, 2015, email, Epstein offered photos of donald and girls in bikinis in my kitchen to then-NYT reporter Landon Thomas Jr.

In a January 31, 2019, email, Epstein told Wolff that of course [Trump] knew about the girls as he asked [Maxwell] to stop [recruiting girls from his resort].

In another email dated August 23, 2018, and part of the 20,000 documents, Epstein writes: I know how dirty donald is.

Mark believes that his brother had dirt on Trump. He didnt tell me what he knew, but Jeffrey definitely had dirt on Trump, he told NewsNation on November 17.

Second, Trumps lies.

There are conflicting accounts of the end of Trumps association with Epstein.

The two had a fallout over the Palm Beach property in 2004. Asked about his relationship with Epstein in his first term in 2019, Trump said, I had a falling out with him a long time ago. I dont think Ive spoken to him for 15 years. This confirms that the duo cut ties around 2004.

However, Trump barred Epstein from Mar-a-Lago because of his lasciviousness in October 2007, meaning that despite the soured ties, he allowed the sex offender into the resort for three more years.

However, the pair were in touch till 2017if the Epstein brothers are to be believed.

Epstein claimed to have been at Trump Tower five days after Trumps 2016 win.

Epstein and former Microsoft executive Linda Stone discussed Trumps chances against Hillary in 2016. In two mails sent on September 25, Stone asks Epstein, Will you have a cabinet position? do you think he can win?

A day later, Epstein replies: too far to tell, we will know much more come Oct 15.

On November 13, Stone emails asking Epstein: You still in Paris? He replies: trump tower.

According to Mark, Trump, stunned by his win, called Epstein. In 2016, Jeff had a conversation with Trump after the election. Trump called Jeff asking Can you believe this? Mark told CNN on November 19.

Another email shows that President Trumps association with Epstein continued till 2017unless the rapist was lying.

In an email thread dated November 23, 2017, Faith Kates, the founder of NEXT Model Management, asks Epstein about his Thanksgiving plans. eva, he replies referring to his former girlfriend Eva Andersson-Dubin.

Who else is down there? she asks. Epstein replies: David fizel. hanson. trump.

Third, Epsteins suspicious suicide.

Mark always believed his brother was murdered.

Per the DoJ memo, the FBI concluded that Epstein committed suicide in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Centre in New York City on August 10, 2019.

Was Epstein eliminated because of his Black Book, which contained 1,749 entries of 1,510 people, including around 40 members of royalty and European nobility and 12 high-ranking politicians and diplomats?

Discovered by famous investigative journalist Nick Bryant in 2012, the Black Book was first published by _Gawke_r, a non-mainstream media website/blog, in 2015.

If Epstein talks, theres gonna be a lot of powerful people who could go down, Bryant told Vanity Fair in July 2019. He wondered why Epsteins house manager circled the names of Trump in the booklet.

Within a month of his bail rejection, while prosecutors were building their case, Epstein was found hanging from the lower bunker of his cell with his buttocks 1-1.5 inches above the ground. Within a week, a medical examiner termed Epsteins death a suicide with then-US attorney general Bill Barr calling the situation a perfect storm of screw-ups.

In its 128-page report, the DoJ blamed long-standing operational challenges for his death. Contrary to instructions, Epstein was left alone without a cellmate and taken off suicide watch despite his highly doubtable earlier attempt to kill himself. He was found on his cell floor with neck injuries on July 23. Later, he told his lawyers that his cellmate, former Westchester County cop Nicholas Tartaglionefound guilty of murdering four people in April 2023tried to kill him.

In an interview with journalist Declan Hill on the Crime Waves podcast in December 2023, Mark seriously doubted the suicide angle.

Why would Epstein commit suicide if his appeal against the bail rejection was to be heard a few days later? He spent most of August 9 (Friday) with his legal team.

Jeff was looking forward to defending himself against the charges, Mark said. In fact, during the last meeting with his lawyers on Friday, Epstein was in  great spirits, a source told the New York Post.

Epstein called someone around 7.40 pm on August 9. Manhattans Metropolitan Correctional Centre said that it was his motherbut she had died in 2004!

Mark claimed to know the person, who was equally surprised to know Jeff killed himself. The New York City pathologist said that it looked more like a homicide with the original certificate stating that the cause of death is pending. A few days later, however, the chief pathologist, who wasnt present during the actual autopsy, termed it suicide.

Online pics of other suicide victims show the noose high up on the chin and behind the ears. But the mark on Epsteins neck was at the centre of his neck and straight back as if he was strangled with a rope.

Mark hired famous forensic pathologist Michael Baden, who was present during the four-hour autopsy. He saw something unusual. There were fractures of the left, the right thyroid cartilage and the left hyoid bone. I have never seen three fractures like this in a suicidal hanging, he told CBS News 60 Minutes.

According to Mark, the fractures resembled injuries caused by a karate chop. I found out from Special Forces people that it is how they kill people. In this particular case, as if someone gave him a karate chop and garrotted him.

Several other questions remain unanswered. It was a crime scene and the body shouldnt have been touched until the coroner showed up.

Epsteins picture showed him in a hospital gown on a gurney, not the prison dress. Who decided to dress a dead body in a hospital gown? Mark asked.

Why were the PCR and the 911 reports never found? Why were there no pics of Epsteins body inside the cell? Why did the camera that could have captured Epsteins cell door and the doors of other inmates on his tier malfunction on the night of August 9 and 10? Why did the two guards on duty on the second tier fall asleep?

Attorney Sigrid McCawley, who represented Giuffre, said, The fact that Epstein took his own life within 24 hours of the unsealing of detailed and devastating documents and exhibits in Virginia Giuffres lawsuit against Ghislaine Maxwell, which informed the public of the scope, scale and sophistication of the international sex trafficking operation Epstein conducted, is no coincidence.

Mark repeated his allegation with CNN.

They didnt do the investigation into the cause of his death. Bill Barr admitted that. How the guards didnt do their job. How the cameras werent working, he said. The autopsy said it looked too much like a homicide.

Now, British historian and author Andrew Lownie has corroborated Marks allegation.

According to Lownie, the FBIs files on Epsteins death show that he was killed. Internal FBI correspondence shared with Lownie by a former FBI agent showed that a fellow convict who was brought in to do this, he told The Daily Beast Podcast. It was treated as fact; not speculation.

Considering the three anglessex, lies and a suspected suicideis the Trump administration hiding something?

Its just theres things in there he [Trump] doesnt want people to see. I mean, that seems to be obvious, Mark told CNN.

Besides, names of Trumps rich friends and donors and former political bigwigs associated with him could be revealed, which the president doesnt want.

DoJ can Still not Release all Files

Every time Trumps name has been mentioned in previous releases of bits of Epstein files, the media has jumped the gun saying the damage could be his worst nightmare.

This time too, the media concluded that Trump could become a lame duck president.

But Trump has sustained the worst of maelstromstwo impeachments, the 2020 election loss and four indictments of which one resulted in a convictionand bounced back with more unbridled rage and political vendetta and upended the law domestically and globally.

The law requires the DoJ to make public in a searchable and downloadable format all unclassified records, documents, communications and investigative materials in the possession of the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Attorneys Offices, that relate to Jeffrey Epstein, including all investigations, prosecutions, or custodial matters within 30 days.

Besides, flight logs or travel records, manifests, itineraries, pilot records and customs or immigration documentation for any aircraft, vessel or vehicle owned, operated or used by Jeffrey Epstein or any related entity should be made public.

However, there are ways the Trump administration can withhold damaging information and release only selective details.

First, Bondi, Trumps troubleshooter in the Epstein scandal, hasnt provided a specific date by which and what materials will be released except that the administration will follow the law.

We have released 33,000, over 33,000, Epstein documents to the Hill and will continue to follow the law and to have maximum transparency, she told reporters ahead of the House voting.

We will continue to follow the law with maximum transparency while protecting victims. And again, we will continue to follow the law to investigate any leads.

Second, Trumps Truth Social post asking Republican lawmakers to vote to release the Epstein files had a rider.

House Oversight Committee can have whatever they are legally entitled to, Trump posted.

Obviously, Bondi will decide what the Committee is legally entitled to. She can withhold entire files and videos/photos or both and redact names without letting the Committee know.

Third, the law has a big loophole with several aspects that Bondi could use to withhold damaging information.

The law allows releasing only unclassified records and documents. Classified information related to national defence or foreign policy should be kept secret.

Any information about victims names, medical files and identifying information; child sex abuse material; and images of death, abuse or injury can be withheld or redacted.

The DoJ memo already mentioned that more than 10,000 downloaded videos and images of illegal child sex abuse material and other pornography were found.

Trumps another troubleshooter, FBI director Kash Patel, had testified before Congress that pornographic material discovered was part of the reason for not disclosing all records, files and documents.

Trumps most powerful weapon in the loophole is that any records or information that would jeopardise an active federal investigation or prosecution can be withheld or redacted. Though the DoJ is required to outline its justification(s) for doing so within 15 days of its public release.

Trump, Bondi and Patel had already planned to use this aspect of the loophole.

The DoJ memo stated: We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties.

On November 14, however, Trump suddenly asked the DoJ to probe Epsteins ties to Bill Clinton, his treasury secretary Summers and LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffmanthey all were in touch with Epstein.

Bondi, who shot herself in the foot by first pledging to release the Epstein files and then refused, can withhold important information citing the Trump-ordered investigation.

The possibility of the DoJ releasing information only about Democrats associated with Epstein and not anything on Trump or anyone connected to him is high.

Trump made it clear after asking the GOP to cote for the Bill that he intends to target Democrats.

It is really a Democrat problem, he said on November 17. The Democrats were Epsteins friendsall of them. And it is a hoax; the whole thing is a hoax.

Trump will try his best not to let the Epstein saga destroy him. Perhaps, thats why he was unperturbed while meeting MBS as the House voted.

(The writer is a freelance journalist with more than two decades of experience and comments primarily on foreign affairs. He tweets as @FightTheBigots. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
The recent flare-up started after the statement by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in parliament that a Chinese military action against Taiwan could be considered a survival-threatening situation for Japan

Tensions between China and Japan have escalated significantly, largely due to a diplomatic row over comments regarding Taiwan made by the new Japanese Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi. The dispute has led to diplomatic, economic, and military posturing by both sides. In response, China has implemented economic sanctions, issued travel warnings, and increased military activity in disputed areas.

China has officially brought its deepening dispute with Japan to the United Nations, accusing Tokyo of threatening an armed intervention over the Taiwan issue. Chinas Permanent Representative to the UN, Fu Cong, submitted a formal letter to the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, on Friday, November 21, 2025, to be circulated to all member states. The situation has rapidly deteriorated into one of the most significant bilateral crises in years, with both sides engaging in diplomatic and economic sparring.

The recent flare-up started after the statement by the Japanese Prime Minister in parliament that a Chinese military action against Taiwan could be considered a survival-threatening situation for Japan, potentially allowing Japan to deploy its self-defence forces under collective self-defence laws. This is seen as a departure from Japans long-standing policy of strategic ambiguity on the issue.

China has reacted furiously, demanding Japan retract the remarks, which it calls a gross interference in its internal affairs. The Chinese Consul General in Osaka, Xue Jian, made a controversial social media post widely interpreted as a threat to behead the Japanese PM, which further inflamed tensions and led to mutual summoning of ambassadors.

He posted a comment on the social media platform X that, according to reports, read: If you go around sticking that filthy neck where it doesnt belong, its gonna get sliced right off. Are you ready for that? Japanese government spokesperson Minoru Kihara condemned the diplomats post and labelled it as extremely inappropriate for a Chinese Consul General. The post, which was later deleted, has contributed to a significant escalation of the diplomatic row between the two nations.

High-level talks aimed at resolving the dispute ended in disagreement. Both nations have issued mutual travel advisories to their citizens. Chinas advisory has led to a significant number of flight cancellations and a drop in Japanese tourism-related stocks, potentially causing billions of dollars in economic damage to Japans tourism industry.

China has increased its military presence, sending coast guard vessels and military drones near the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, which are administered by Japan but claimed by China. The Chinese military has warned that Japan would face a crushing defeat if it interfered in a cross-Strait conflict. While both countries are major trading partners and an all-out military confrontation is considered unlikely in the immediate future, the current war of words and tit-for-tat actions mark the most serious diplomatic crisis between the two powers in years.

China has re-imposed a ban on Japanese seafood imports amid escalating diplomatic tensions over the recent remarks regarding Taiwan made by the Japanese Prime Minister. The move reverses an easing of trade measures agreed upon earlier in 2025. China had initially implemented a total ban in August 2023 after Japan began releasing treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. This ban was partially lifted in June 2025, allowing imports from most prefectures except Fukushima and nine others. The current action reinstates the full ban. China was a primary market for Japanese seafood exports, and the ban is expected to have a significant economic impact on the Japanese fishing industry.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has refused to retract her remarks on Taiwan, despite demands and economic countermeasures from China. She has consistently maintained that there is no change whatsoever in Japans stance and government policy, rebuffing Chinas demands for a full retraction. She has, however, indicated a desire to improve relations and move past the issue. The United States has expressed unshakable support for Japan and its alliance, with the US ambassador to Japan calling Beijings response outrageous.

Recent Japan-China tensions are unlikely to go away soon. While both nations have a strong incentive to maintain economic ties and have previously made efforts to stabilise relations, the current diplomatic crisis over Taiwan has severely damaged prospects for a near-term improvement. The relationship is best described as one of stable instability, where economic co-existence is constantly overshadowed by significant political and security tensions that require constant management rather than definitive resolution. Both sides have dug in, and while outright conflict is considered unlikely, the diplomatic chill and economic impacts are expected to continue for some time.

While Japan-China tensions create a challenging regional environment, they provide a strong impetus for India and Japan to collaborate more closely in both security and economic spheres to ensure regional stability and a balance of power. The shared concern regarding Chinas assertiveness has accelerated the deepening of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. For India, this means strengthening economic and defence ties with Japan to counter shared concerns over Chinas assertiveness, such as territorial disputes and maritime security.

Japan has committed significant investment to Indian infrastructure projects (e.g., the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project) and has increased FDI in India. The partnership allows for potential benefits like supply chain diversification, technological collaboration, and joint security capabilities. Both nations are working together to promote a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region and a rules-based international order, often through frameworks like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad).

The success of this comprehensive roadmap will hinge on addressing existing challenges like trade imbalances and project implementation delays, but the shared concerns about China and a strong political will suggest the momentum in the India-Japan partnership is set to continue.

(The writer is a retired Indian diplomat and had previously served as Ambassador in Kuwait and Morocco and as Consul General in New York. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
PKK leader Abdullah Ocalans push to disband his party has injected a new momentum into Turkeys most serious peace effort in decades. As Ankara weighs a law to bring fighters home and Erdogan investigates the stakes of ending a 40-year-old conflict.

Syrian Kurds hold flags as they gather after Turkey's jailed militant leader Abdullah Ocalan called on his Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to lay down its arms on Thursday, a move that could end its 40-year conflict with Ankara and have far-reaching political and security consequences for the region, in Hasakah, Syria February 27, 2025. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman/File Photo

After spending 26 years in Turkish prison, Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan emerged as a central figure in a push to end Turkeys four-decade conflict with PKK. Ankaras latest peace initiative, backed by senior political figures, now hinges in large part on Ocalans authority over the PKK and his recent calls for the group to disarm and dissolve.

In July, the PKK symbolically burned weapons and last month announced it was withdrawing fighters from Turkey as part of the disarmament process. There is some way to complete the peace process after a conflict that has killed more than 40,000 people.

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Ocalan founded PKK in 1978, has been jailed since 1999 is reported to have urged both Kurdish militants and the Turkish state to commit democratic and legal solution to the Kurdish question.

The parliament speakers office said that during Mondays talks at Imrali prison in the Marmara Sea, the parliamentarians took statements from Ocalan related to the PKKs disbandment and Syrian Kurdish forces, which Turkey regards as part of the PKK.

Achieving peace would be a major achievement for President Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan, 71, has remained largely in the background as peace moves progress with the PKK, which is deemed a terrorist organisation by Ankara and its Western allies after its attacks on both civilian and military targets.

Erdogan, partly motivated by hopes of winning Kurdish support if he calls or seeks constitutional changes to extend his rule beyond his scheduled term limit in 2028.

Ocalan urged PKK to dissolve

In a transcript of the video call obtained by Reuters from a source close to the process, Ocalan says that he himself decided to urge the PKK to dissolve.

The latest call was made on my personal initiative. I saw it as a valuable opportunity. I prepared it myself, Ocalan says in comments.

I value this loyalty. I dont need support, but I value it. Im not exaggerating, but I keep you alive, says Ocalan, who shows no emotion about the PKK being dissolved.

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I wasnt sad. I wasnt emotional and wont be. I founded it myself and Im ending it myself, he says in the transcript.

Oclan remains in prison after being found guilty of treason and separatism by a Turkish court in 1999. One of the lawyers, Ibrahim Bilmez, told Reuters Ocalans jail conditions had improved and officials had become more respectful.

His determination, his willpower remains unchanged. Nothing has diminished. He continues to strive for a democratic resolution of the Kurdish issue, the lawyer said.

End of the conflict

Sources have told Reuters that Ankara is preparing a law to let thousands of PKK fighters and civilians return home from hideouts in northern Iraq under talks on ending the conflict.

In the May video call, Ocalan was found saying, Many comrades will return to Turkey. The law must resolve this.

(With inputs from Reuters)
According to EU officials, The European Union has accelerated efforts to agree on a scheme to use frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine after a U.S.-backed peace plan last week set out different ideas.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, shakes hands with US Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll in Kyiv, Ukraine. Ukrainian Presidential Press Office/AP

The European Union has accelerated efforts to agree on a scheme to use frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine after a U.S.-backed peace plan last week set out different ideas, EU officials said.

EU leaders tried at a summit last month to agree on a plan to use 140 billion euros ($162 billion) in frozen Russian sovereign assets in Europe as a loan for Kyiv, but failed to secure the backing of Belgium, where much of the funds are held.

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The European Commission, the EU executive body, hopes to address Belgiums concerns in a draft legal proposal which it will present this week on using the frozen sovereign assets to support Kyiv in 2026 and 2027, EU officials said.

Work on the EU plan was already under way but details that emerged last week of how the assets might be used under the U.S.-backed plan, which European leaders saw as heavily favouring Moscow, have helped focus minds in the 27-nation bloc.

It surely made work on this even more urgent, one official with knowledge of preparations for the project said.

EU must help Ukraine defend itself, von der leyen says

Under the EU plan, which has been discussed since October, the frozen Russian central bank assets in Europe would be lent to Ukraine for Kyiv to use for defence and regular budget needs.

This would provide welcome respite for EU governments, the biggest donors to Ukraine since Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukraine would pay back the 140-billion-euro loan only when it receives war reparations from Russia.

The latest version of the U.S.-backed plan has not been released.

But under the U.S.-backed plan that was presented last week, $100 billion of the frozen Russian funds would be invested in a U.S.-led effort to reconstruct and invest in Ukraine, with the U.S. getting 50% of the profits from this venture, according to details of the 28-point plan that were made public.

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Under that plan, Europe would have to match the $100-billion contribution to increase the investment available to rebuild Ukraine while the balance of the frozen funds would be invested in a separate U.S.-Russia investment vehicle to pursue joint U.S.-Russia projects.

The Commissions draft legal text is intended to help win the support of Belgium, where 185 billion euros of the 210 billion euros of assets frozen in Europe are located, because it would have to address in detail various legal guarantees that the Belgian government has demanded.

We need to support Ukraine to defend itself. We committed ourselves to cover Ukraines financial needs in 2026 and 2027. This includes an option on immobilised Russian assets, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament on Wednesday.

The next step now is that the Commission is ready to present a legal text and, to be very clear, I cannot see any scenario in which the European taxpayer alone will pay the bill."

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Why is agreement so hard?

Among Belgiums main concerns, which have to be addressed before EU leaders discuss the plan again on December 18, is the issue of potential Russian lawsuits against the Belgian securities depository Euroclear, where the assets are kept.

Such lawsuits could be costly, long-lasting or even launched years from now. The Belgian government wants other EU countries to guarantee it would not be left alone to cover the expense and financial fallout.

Similarly, should courts ever decide that Russia must get its frozen money back before Moscow pays reparations to Kyiv, Belgium wants others to guarantee they would help provide the money - and quickly.

While the Russian money remains frozen under a decision by EU leaders until Russia pays reparations, this decision needs to be renewed by unanimity every six months.

This creates a risk that Hungary, whose prime minister is closer to Moscow than other EU leaders, might refuse to roll over the sanctions and in this way automatically release the funds to Moscow.

Belgium and other EU governments want the Commission to come up with a way to prevent that before they approve the scheme.

Apart from the 185 billion euros immobilised in Belgium, there is an estimated 25 billion euros more of Russian sovereign money frozen in EU banks in various countries, mainly in France and Luxembourg.

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Belgium says other countries that have Russian cash, including Canada, Japan, Britain and the U.S. - all of which are members of the Group of Seven wealthy nations - should also be included in the scheme.

EU officials close to the talks between the Commission and Belgium are confident that all these concerns can be addressed one by one.

But ultimately, it will be about political will, the EU official close to the talks said.
On November 17, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) sentenced 78-year-old Hasina to death along with then home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on charges of committing crimes against humanity after a trial held in absentia

Bangladeshs ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasinas Awami League party on Tuesday announced nationwide agitations and resistance marches till November 30 in protest against the death sentence handed to the former premier by what it described as an illegal tribunal.

On November 17, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) sentenced 78-year-old Hasina to death along with then home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on charges of committing crimes against humanity after a trial held in absentia. Hasina is currently in India, while Kamal is also believed to be hiding in the country.

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In a post on its official social media account, the Awami League alleged that the tribunals verdict was part of a political conspiracy by the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government to keep Hasina and the party out of the election scheduled for February next year.

Rejecting the illegal verdict of the illegal ICT tribunal and demanding the resignation of Yunus, the party announced protests, demonstrations and resistance marches across all districts and upazilas (sub-districts) until November 30.

The party said the farcical judgment had been rejected with contempt by citizens and described the tribunal proceedings as a mockery of a trial.

The Awami League said it was engaging with grassroots workers, political leaders and stakeholders to counter what it called anti-state conspiracies, and vowed to lead nationwide resistance against any attempts to exclude pro-liberation forces from the electoral process.

A staged election will not be allowed in Bangladesh. It will be resisted at any cost, it said, adding that a tough nationwide movement would be announced soon.

Hasinas 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.

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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 between July 15 and August 15 last year.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
Bosnia on Wednesday refused permission for a military aircraft carrying Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto to land in the Bosnian Serb Republic, saying Budapest had supported a Bosnian Serb separatist leader in acts that undermined Bosnias sovereignty

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto speaks during a joint press conference with his Israeli counterpart at the Foreign Minister office in Budapest, on September 8, 2025. AFP File

Bosnias Defence Minister Zukan Helez on Wednesday refused permission for a military aircraft carrying Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto to land in the Bosnian Serb Republic, saying Budapest had supported a Bosnian Serb separatist leader in acts that undermined Bosnias sovereignty.

Helez said Hungary had not provided a justification for why Szijjarto was aboard the aircraft seeking to land in Banja Luka, the administrative centre of the autonomous Serb Republic.

Szijjarto had been visiting neighbouring Serbia to discuss Hungarys assistance to Belgrade following a halt in crude oil shipments from Croatia.

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Helez said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Szijjarto had openly supported Bosnian Serb separatist leader Milorad Dodik in moves that undermine sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).

As the Minister of Defence of BiH, my duty is to protect the constitutional order, laws and interest of BiH, Reuters quoted Helez as saying in a post on Facebook.

That is why I have decided not to approve this flight until full transparency and respect of our state are ensured, he added.

Dodik, the former president of the Serb Republic who was stripped of duty after being convicted for defying the decisions of the international peace envoy and constitutional court, has boasted about Orbans support for his policies.

Dodik and his ally Sinisa Karan, who won the regions snap presidential vote at the weekend according to preliminary results, met with Orban in Budapest on Wednesday.

With inputs from agencies
Bolsonaro, 70, was convicted in September over a scheme to stop Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office as president after the 2022 elections that included a plot to kill the veteran leftist

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro speaks to the press at the Federal Senate in Brasilia on July 17, 2025. (AFP)

Brazils Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro to begin serving a 27-year sentence for plotting a failed coup, after he exhausted all appeals.

The brash former army captain who fired up Brazils right and reshaped the countrys politics is ending a divisive career jailed in a small room at police headquarters equipped with a TV, mini-fridge, and air-conditioning.Bolsonaro, 70, was convicted in September over a scheme to stop Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office as president after the 2022 elections that included a plot to kill the veteran leftist.

Prosecutors said the scheme failed only due to a lack of support from military top brass.

The Supreme Court rejected an appeal to his sentence earlier this month, and on Tuesday ruled the judgment was now final.

The court also ordered a military tribunal to decide whether Bolsonaro should be stripped of his captains rank.

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Bolsonaro had been under house arrest until Saturday, when he was detained at police headquarters in the capital Brasilia for tampering with his ankle monitor using a soldering iron.

Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said there were signs Bolsonaro was planning to flee during a planned vigil organized by his son outside his home.

The justice pointed to the location of the nearby US embassy, and Bolsonaros close relationship with US President Donald Trump, suggesting he may have tried to escape to seek political asylum.

Bolsonaro said he had acted from paranoia induced by medications he was on and denied trying to escape.

The court ruled Bolsonaro will remain detained in the officers room  a secure space for protected prisoners  where he is currently held in Brasilia.

Five of Bolsonaros co-accused, including military generals and former ministers, also began serving sentences Tuesday of between 19 and 26 years.

His former intelligence chief Alexandre Ramagem, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison, was declared a fugitive after recently fleeing to the United States.

Bolsonaros defense lawyer Paulo Cunha Bueno said the closure of the case was surprising and that he would file an appeal anyway.

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- Extremely fragile -

Bolsonaro is the fourth former president to be imprisoned since the end of the military dictatorship in 1985.

In May, Fernando Collor de Mello was allowed to serve his nearly nine-year sentence for corruption at home, on health grounds.

Bolsonaros defense team wants him to be afforded the same treatment, saying his detention is putting his life at risk.

Bolsonaro suffers the consequences of a stab wound to the abdomen during a 2018 campaign trail attack and has required several follow-up surgeries.

He also suffers from persistent uncontrollable hiccups linked to gastric issues that have left him out of breath and fainting, according to his doctors.

Bolsonaros family has sought to spotlight the poor mental and physical state of the far-right firebrand who drew criticism during his presidency for attacks on minorities and a lack of empathy for those dying from Covid.

After a visit to his father on Tuesday, Carlos Bolsonaro described him as extremely fragile and psychologically devastated.

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Hes eating very little  theres no way for someone who knows he didnt commit a crime to see this as normal.

Bolsonaro, who was president from 2019 to 2022, maintains that he is innocent and a victim of political persecution.

With Bolsonaro out of the running, Brazils large conservative electorate is without a champion heading into 2026 presidential elections, in which Lula, 80, has said he will seek a fourth term.

Lula himself spent time in jail in between presidential mandates for corruption. He was imprisoned for a year and a half before the Supreme Court overturned his conviction.
Panama is seeking to attract $8.5 billion in investment over the next decade to expand port capacity and pursue other projects, including a gas pipeline and a new reservoir

China is among the parties showing interest in bidding to build two new ports on the Panama Canal, the canals administrator confirmed on Tuesday, even as the United States has raised the possibility of reasserting control over the vital trade route.

Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump suggested that China effectively controls the canal, citing operations at Cristobal on the Atlantic and Balboa on the Pacific by Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings. The firm had agreed in March to transfer control of both ports to a US-led consortium headed by asset-management firm Blackrock, but the dealviewed with suspicion by Beijinghas yet to be finalised.

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Panama is seeking to attract $8.5 billion in investment over the next decade to expand port capacity and pursue other projects, including a gas pipeline and a new reservoir.

We have to be open to participation of all interested parties, canal administrator Ricaurte Vasquez told reporters, adding that Panama aims to solicit the broadest possible competition. He further said that all parties would bid on an equal footing. Vasquez declined to speculate on whether awarding contracts to Chinese firms could increase tensions with the United States.

The Panama Canal Authority has begun discussions with interested firms ahead of the bidding process, with contracts for the two terminals expected to be awarded in late 2026. Operations are slated to begin in 2029.

International players expressing interest include Hong Kongs Cosco Shipping Ports, Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), Singapores PSA International, Taiwans Evergreen, Germanys Hapag Lloyd, Denmarks Maersk, and Frances CMA Terminals.

Panamas five main ports, all located near the canal, are currently operated by concessionaires from the United States, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore. The 80-kilometre canal, used primarily by the US and China, carries about five percent of global maritime trade.

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The United States built and managed the canal for a century before handing control to Panama on December 31, 1999, marking a historic shift in control of this critical global trade artery.
China issued a sharp warning, vowing to crush any foreign interference over Taiwan after Japan announced plans to deploy missiles near the self-ruled island.

Xi told Trump on Monday that Taiwans return to China after World War Two was central to Beijings vision of the world order. (Reuters)

China warned on Wednesday it would crush any foreign attempts to interfere over Taiwan, after Japan announced plans to deploy missiles on an island near democratically-governed Taiwan.

We have a firm will, strong determination and a strong ability to defend our national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Peng Qingen, a spokesperson for Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office, told a regular press conference, in a response to a question on the planned deployment.

We will crush all foreign interference.

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Beijing views Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force to take control of it. The islands government rejects Beijings claim of sovereignty and says only Taiwans people can decide their future.

Japans deployment of offensive weapons in areas adjacent to Chinas Taiwan region is extremely dangerous, deliberately creating regional tensions and provoking military confrontation, Peng said.

(Except the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
The Europeans meddling in all these affairs is, as I see it, completely unnecessary, said Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov

The Kremlin on Wednesday slammed European countries for participating in diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine, saying their involvement was completely unnecessary.

The remarks come as officials in Kyiv, along with European allies, express growing concern that Washington and Moscow could negotiate key agreements without consulting them.

The Europeans meddling in all these affairs is, as I see it, completely unnecessary, AFP quoted Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov telling a state TV reporter.

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On Monday, the Kremlin had dismissed a European counter-proposal to a US 28-point peace plan for Ukraine as unconstructive, saying it did not work for Moscow.

Publication of the US draft last week heightened fears in Ukraine and European capitals that Washington had accepted key Russian demands on Nato, territorial issues and the sequencing of any settlement.

According to a copy seen by Reuters, the European plan significantly alters the meaning and weight of several points relating to Nato and territory.

The European plan, at first glance is completely unconstructive and does not work for us, Ushakov told reporters in Moscow on Monday.

President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that US proposals could serve as the basis for resolving the conflict, but warned that Russian forces would push forward if Kyiv rejected them.

Ushakov added that not all, but many provisions of this (US) plan seem quite acceptable to us, while noting that some elements would require further discussion.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin also confirmed on Wednesday that President Trumps envoy, Steve Witkoff, will visit Moscow next week with senior US officials for talks on a potential Ukraine peace agreement.

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Trump has been pushing to secure a deal to end the conflict, now approaching its fourth year since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Details of the US-backed plan that emerged last week alarmed Ukrainian and European officials, who feared it catered to Moscow by blocking Ukraines Nato membership, recognising Russian control over about a fifth of Ukrainian territory and limiting the size of Ukraines armed forces.

However, after US and Ukrainian officials worked to narrow differences, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that Kyiv was prepared to move forward on the US-backed framework and discuss disputed elements with Trump  talks he insisted must also include European partners.

With inputs from agencies
Trumps push for a Ukraine truce borrows from his Gaza ceasefire strategy, but faces tougher resistance from Europe and Putin refuses to concede anything on Ukraine, raising doubts over whether his deadline-driven diplomacy can deliver results.

President Donald Trump is attempting to replicate the hard-edged, deadline-driven tactics he deployed in the Gaza ceasefire deal as he pushes for a truce in Ukraine but the formula is showing its limits.

His 28-point proposal, front-loaded with concessions to Moscow and presented under a tight Thanksgiving cut-off, has unsettled European allies and failed to move Vladimir Putin whose renewed bombardments this week highlighted how differently the Kremlin is responding compared to Israel and Hamas.

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You know what the deadline is to me? When its over. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One Tuesday.

The formula has worked so far in the tense West Asia, though its long-term viability remains in question. Trump got his moment to claim credit for peace in the region from the podium of the Israeli parliament. Even there, he made clear that next on his priority list was resolving the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.

Maybe we set out like a 20-point peace proposal, just like we did in Gaza, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff told Yuri Ushakov, Russian President Vladimir Putins foreign policy adviser in a phone call the day after Trumps speech, on Oct. 14. A recording of that call leaked to Bloomberg News.

They did just that, issuing a 28-point plan heavily tilted toward Russias interests that set off alarms in Europe, which had not been consulted. Trump insisted Ukraine had until Nov. 27  Thanksgiving in the U.S.  to accept it.

But by Tuesday, Trump had eased off the hard deadline. It seemed clear, even to Trump, that the Israel-Gaza model doesnt fully apply in Russia and Ukraine as long as Putin refuses to be flattered, pushed or otherwise moved to take the first step of a ceasefire, as Israel and Hamas consented for different reasons on Oct. 9. Making the point, Putin launched waves of bombings on Ukraine Tuesday and Wednesday even as American negotiators renewed Trumps push to end the war.

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I thought (a Russia-Ukraine deal) would have been an easier one, but I think were making progress, Trump said during the annual White House turkey pardon to mark the Thanksgiving holiday. Hours later, he told reporters that the 28-point plan actually was not a plan, just a concept.

The presidents goal may not be a formal, long-lasting peace treaty, one expert said.

Trumps approach emphasises the proclamation of a ceasefire, not its observance, Mariia Zolkina, a political analyst at the Kyiv-based Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, wrote on Liga.net, a Ukrainian news outlet, adding: Donald Trump is not interested in whether the ceasefire will be sustainable.

Fresh off the Gaza deal and coveting the Nobel Peace Prize, Trump named his next priority before hed even left the Israeli Knesset.

If you dont mind, Steve, lets focus on Russia first, All right? Trump said, turning to Witkoff.

Where the Gaza ceasefire agreement had 20 points, the Russia-Ukraine proposal would start with 28 items and include more detail on who would pay for reconstruction. They envision peace boards headed by the president to lead and administer the aftermath. Both lack detail on incentives for complying and enforcement. And both depend on a ceasefire.

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Fabian Zuleeg, chief executive of the Brussels-based European Policy Centre think tank, said the proposals for Gaza and Ukraine show a kind of naivete by believing that by intervening at that level, by imposing your will on something like this, that you will reach some form of long-term conclusion.

He said both proposals reflect Trumps political and personal self-interest.

In the end, the focus is solely on what Trump thinks he will get out of this in terms of reputation and money, Zuleeg said.

Each Trump administration plan to end the wars heavily favor one side.

The Trump plan for Gaza leans to Israeli terms. It makes disarming Hamas a central condition for any progress in rebuilding the devastated territory. It also lays out no strict timetable for a full Israeli troop withdrawal, making it conditional on deployment of an international security force.

For Russia and Ukraine, Witkoff looked to open peace plan talks with terms skewing toward Russia. He quietly hosted Kirill Dmitriev, a close ally of Putins, for talks in south Florida to help launch the plan that opened talks in Geneva, according to a senior administration official and a U.S. official familiar with the matter who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The White House insists that the plan was U.S.-authored with input from both the Ukrainians and Russians.

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The draft that was formally presented to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy decidedly favored the Russians, with no European input. In contrast, the Gaza ceasefire talks got buy-in from Egypt, Qatari, Jordanian, Saudi and other regional powers.

The 28-point Russia-Ukraine plan called for Ukraine to give up land in the industrial Donbas region that the Russians currently dont control and dramatically shrink the size of its military. It also effectively gave Russia oversight of both NATO and EU expansion. The draft has narrowed by a few points since it was first presented, and Trump is sending his envoys on a bit of shuttle diplomacy to sell it, as he said. He said Witkoff will visit Moscow next week  perhaps joined by his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who was also involved in the Gaza plan. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll will meet with the Ukranians.

European leaders worried that Trump is leaving them out of high-level discussions and vulnerable to Russian aggression.

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He appears perfectly ready to sacrifice Ukraines security and Europes in the process, Hannah Neumann, a German member of the European Parliament, said of Trump on Tuesday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resisted Trumps pressure to agree to a ceasefire, for a time. But Putin refuses to concede anything on Ukraine.

Hes appeared to be considering the matter, notably when Trump rolled out a red carpet for the Russian leader at a summer summit in Alaska  an old front line of the Cold War. Trump left without an agreement from Putin to end the bloodshed. The Russian leader walked off with long-sought recognition on the world stage.

To the horror of Ukraine and the vexation of Trump, Putin has stood firm.

As the envoys flew home from Geneva last week without any agreement, the White House scrambled to explain. One U.S. official argued that the 28-page plan, which calls on Ukraine to cede the Donbas region and bar Ukraine from joining NATO, represents considerable concessions from Putin because he would be agreeing to give up on his claim, once and for all, that all of Ukraine should be part of Russia.

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Putin, the official noted, has long grumbled that the West doesnt respect Russias position in the global world order. The official added that the Trump White House in its approach is not affirming Putins position but trying to reflect the Russian perspective is given its due in the emerging peace plan.

Its not for the administration to judge Putins positions, the official said, but it does have to understand them if we want to get to a deal.

With inputs from agencies
Members of the Parliament proposed holding tech CEOs, including Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, personally accountable if their platforms repeatedly violate EU rules designed to protect minors online, according to a report

The European Parliament on Wednesday urged EU member states to set a minimum age of 16 for minors to access social media without parental consent.

According to a Politico report, Members of the Parliament also proposed holding tech CEOs, including Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, personally accountable if their platforms repeatedly violate EU rules designed to protect minors online  a suggested provision that was added by Hungarian social-democrat member Dora David, who previously worked for Meta.

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The push for stricter regulations comes as several EU countries plan tighter restrictions on social media use for children amid growing concerns about the impact of platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube on mental health and development.

More from World Poland, Romania scramble jets as Russian strikes hit western Ukraine near Nato borders

Australia is also moving to implement a 16-year minimum age for social media accounts, added the report.

The European Parliament approved a report on protecting minors online, with 483 votes in favor, 92 against, and 86 abstentions.

The report urges the European Commission to standardize age-check measures across the EU, as several countries develop their own national rules.

Most opposition came from right-leaning political groups, who argued the report overreaches into national competencies.

Led by Danish social-democrat Christel Schaldemose  who also spearheaded Parliaments work on the Digital Services Act  the report could shape upcoming EU legislation.

Next year, the Commission plans to propose the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive and a new Digital Fairness Act, both of which will include major provisions on minor protections.

With inputs from agencies
The war has battered Gaza so much that it would take up to $70 billion over decades with 22 years just to remove the rubble to rebuild it, according to a joint estimate by the United Nations (UN), World Bank, and the European Union (EU).

Palestinians run for cover during an Israeli airstrike on a high-rise building in Gaza City, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, after the Israeli army issued a prior warning. - AP

The Israel-Hamas War has battered the Gaza Strip so much that it would take up to $70 billion over decades to rebuild it, according to a joint estimate by the United Nations (UN), World Bank, and the European Union (EU).

Even in the best-case scenario, it would take decades to rebuild Gaza, with just the removal of rubble taking up to 22 years, according to the UN Conference on Trade and Developments (UNCTD) Report on the Economy of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

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Israeli bombardment and demolitions on the ground have flattened entire neighbourhoods in Gaza. While Israel has blamed terrorists from Hamas and other groups for hiding in civilian areas, Palestinians and sections of the international community have indicted Israel for indiscriminate bombing and intentional demolitions.

Previously, a separate UN report had said that 92 per cent of all homes had been destroyed or damaged in the war.

$70 billion to rebuild Gaza, 22 years to just clear rubble: UN report

The UNCTDs has reported that the UN, World Bank, and EU have assessed that it would take $70 billion to rebuild Gaza.

In the most optimistic scenario where they have full access to reconstruction materials and funds, it will take decades for Gaza to regain the level of economic activity it had before the latest conflict, according to Mutasim Elagraa, the coordinator of UNCTDs Palestinian programme.

Elagraa said that simply removing rubble could take 22 years and clearing unexploded ordnance may take up to 10 years.

Last year, Gazas GDP fell 83 per cent year-on-year and GDP per capita stood at the worlds lowest of 50 cents per day, according to the report.

ALSO READ  Gaza faces fresh water crisis as supplier halts services after Hamas detains staff

Gazas current economy is just 13 per cent of its pre-war size, the report found.

Gazas economy has lost 87 per cent of its value since 2022. GDP per capita has reverted to levels seen 22 years ago. This is the worst economic crisis on record, anywhere in recent decades, said Elagraa.

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Gaza has lost 70 years of human development

The damage goes far beyond physical infrastructure. Entire schools and universities are now rubble and more than four-fifths of agriculture has been lost.

The damage from the loss of educational institutions will be felt for generations to come, the report said.

Elagraa said that the loss of educational opportunities alone represents the collapse of a quarter-century of human development in Gaza. He said that education, skills, and the entire human development base have been shattered".

Gaza has lost 70 years of human development, said Elagraa.
A Georgia prosecutor on Wednesday formally dropped the high-profile racketeering case against President Trump and several associates over their efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, bringing an end to a legal battle once viewed as a significant threat to Trumps political prospects

A Georgia prosecutor on Wednesday formally dropped the high-profile racketeering case against President Donald Trump and several associates over their efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, bringing an end to a legal battle once viewed as a significant threat to Trumps political prospects, according to a CNN report.

The decision leaves Trump without any remaining criminal exposure related to his attempts to reverse his 2020 defeat to President Joe Biden.

Federal cases brought by special counsel Jack Smith  one involving alleged election interference ahead of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and another over the handling of classified documents  had already been withdrawn.

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Given the complexity of the legal issues at hand  ranging from constitutional questions and the Supremacy Clause to immunity, jurisdiction, venue, speedy-trial concerns, and access to federal records  and even assuming each of these issues were resolved in the States favour, bringing this case before a jury in 2029, 2030, or even 2031 would be nothing short of a remarkable feat, CNN quoted Peter Skandalakis, the prosecutor on the case, as writing on Wednesday.

Skandalakis said he had considered separating Trumps case from those of his co-defendants and proceeding to trial against them first while waiting for Trumps second term to end.

But he concluded that such an approach would be both illogical and unduly burdensome and costly for the State and for Fulton County.

He added that continuing the prosecution would not serve the citizens of Georgia.

The landmark racketeering charges were filed on August 14, 2023, by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, a Democrat who launched a sweeping investigation in early 2021 into Trumps alleged attempts to interfere in Georgias 2020 election results.

The probe began soon after Trumps phone call with Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger  in which he urged him to find enough votes to overturn the outcome  became public.

Willis was later removed from the case following a protracted legal dispute over her authority, and Trumps 2024 presidential victory further clouded the future of the prosecution.

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On Wednesday, Skandalakis, director of the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia, issued the final order dismissing the case.

The prosecution reached its most dramatic moment in August 2023 when Trump surrendered at the Fulton County Jail, spending just over 20 minutes in custody and posing for his first-ever mug shot.

The Georgia case had long been viewed as the criminal proceeding most likely to reach trial, since  unlike federal charges  it could not be nullified through a presidential pardon.

With inputs from agencies
Hundreds of women march in Mexico on Tuesday to raise their voice and protest violence against women. About 10 women or girls are killed everyday in Mexico and many live in fear facing criticism from their partners.

A woman holds a banner reading We want ourselves alive, free, and without fear during the march on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in Mexico City on November 25, 2025. Image Credit: AFP

Hundreds of women raised their voice and protested violence against women in Mexico on Tuesday where gender violence remains pervasive.

According to the official data, about 10 women or girls are killed everyday in Mexico and many live in fear of facing criticism from their partners and relatives. Hundreds of protesters marched in purple or green bandanas, beating drums and carrying placards. One placard read, Today I am the voice of those who are asking for help.

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Life in fear

Mexican lawyer Alejandra Perez said she lives in fear every day facing major PTSD symptoms since the violence she faced from her ex-partner temporarily left her disabled.

Alin Rocha, a 41-year-old teacher, who marched on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women said, I am here for my grandmother, for my mother, for all of the women who arent here anymore, for all the women who report (violence) and arent supported, as quoted by AP.

Perez showed the courage to participate in the protest to denounce the impunity of many perpetrators of gender-based violence in Mexico.

The United Nations report shows that about 70 per cent of Mexican women over the age of 15 have experienced some form of aggression and ill treatment at least once in their lifetime.

Gender equality

Since President Claudia Sheinbaum, the first female leader of Mexico took charge last year, gender equality has gained a lot of attention and recognition. But the recent incident faced by Claudia was a sign that Mexico is still not safe for women. As she walked Sheinbaum was groped by a drunken man earlier this month.

President Claudia Sheinbaum recently launched a nationwide drive against sexual harassment and abuse, after this incident.

She gathered governors from 32 different states of Mexico on Tuesday to report to make sexual harassment a crime in every state.

She said, Changing the laws is not enough, but it is necessary.

Women died of violent death

Mexican parliamentary records suggest and indicate that about 3,430 women died violent deaths in Mexico last year, , with 829 victims of femicide, a crime defined as murder motivated by a victims gender.

Mexicos National Institute of Statistics and Geography said in 2021, about 70 per cent of Mexican girls and women older than 15 years of age reported they had experienced some kind of violence and sexual harassment.

(With inputs from agencies)
In an exclusive conversation with Firstposts Bhagyasree Sengupta, Palestines Ambassador to India, Abdullah M. Abu Shawesh, lauded Indias support for the Palestinian cause and shared his take on the situation in Gaza.

Lauding the decades-long ties between India and Palestine, Palestines Ambassador to India, Abdullah M. Abu Shawesh, said that India has been supportive of the war-torn state at both political and financial levels.

In an exclusive conversation with Firstposts Bhagyasree Sengupta, Ambassador Shawesh elucidated the ways New Delhi has been supporting the Palestinian cause throughout the Gaza crisis. He also revealed that the Palestinian Embassy is in a deep discussion with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on how India has pledged to support the stability in the region.

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India was strictly very supportive of the Palestinian people, whether on a political level or even on a financial level. The second thing I would like to shed light on is that India is supporting UNRWA, the United Nations entity that deals with the Palestinian refugees, with $5 million per year, Ambassador Shawesh told Firstpost.

India just three days ago voted in favour of another UN resolution in favour of the Palestinian question. We are in a deep discussion with the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the areas that they will be part of. And there are many areas that India will be and has already pledged that it will be with us on them. I will not mention any of it right, but very soon we will declare it loud and clear," he said.

Palestines Ambassador to India, Abdullah M. Abu Shawesh, speaks at a media workshop event organised by The Azadi Project. Image Source: Firstpost

The Palestinian envoy maintained that both sides are working very hard together to improve the ties and take it a step forward.

On the turbulent situation in Gaza, even after the ceasefire

When asked about the persistent turbulence in Gaza even after both Israel and Hamas agreed to the 20-point peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, Ambassador Shawesh pointed to a recent report by the UN, describing the situation as miserable.

When you talk about the situation in Gaza, I just want to take you back to the recent reports from the UN and all of the other very respected international organisations, which are also saying that it is a miserable situation. Hunger is still there. Israel did not stop firing and killing the Palestinian people, he told Firstpost.

The recent killings in the coastal enclave hit home for the Palestinian diplomat serving in India as well. Unfortunately, just two days ago, they killed 14 members of my personal family, my Abu Shawish family. The situation there is very miserable, he said.

The ceasefire is just something that we hear about, but on the ground, Israel did not stop killing and launching an airstrike against the Palestinian civilians. I say civilian people, because in my family all 14 of them were children, women and very poor civilian people, he furthered.

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He went on to blame Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the delay in the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire. The Israeli prime minister is trying to find any excuse not to start the second phase of the ceasefire and to implement the Trump plan, the Palestinian envoy averred.

On Wests recent change of heart

This year, several Western nations such as France, the United Kingdom, Canada, etc, announced that they are recognising the Palestinian state, strengthening the two-state solution. However, many called the proclamations too little, too late. When asked about the matter, Ambassador Shawesh agreed with the sentiment and pointed out how it was the UK, which ultimately sowed the seed of all misery. However, the Palestinian diplomat pointed to the positive aspect of the Wests call as well.

Its too late, especially for the United Kingdom, which sowed the seed of all the misery that we are facing. But by the end of the day, they finally realised that the two-state solution is the only solution. And to put the two-state solution in that way, they should recognise the state of Palestine, which came again very late, unfortunately, approximately 40 years after India recognised the state of Palestine, for example.

But anyhow, they finally recognised the state of Palestine. But the two-state solution will continue to be at a theoretical level unless Western countries and the international community at large take very significant steps to put an end to the Israeli occupation. To do so, there are a lot of tools, just tools, legal tools, diplomatic tools, non-violent tools, tested tools that they can use.

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If the international community and particularly the Western countries use these tools, Israel will dismantle its occupation within one month. One of those tools is just to stop flying to Israel. Its a very safe, very legal, very diplomatic move that if they took it, all the nations from all around the world, just to stop flying to Israel, Israel will dismantle its occupation, Ambassador Shawesh told Firstpost.

Another very important tool, which is completely, utterly aligned with international law, is to stop trading with the Israeli settlements. If they stop trading with the Israeli settlement, this means that the Israeli settlement will not become a profitable organisation or a profitable money-generating project. So thats why they will not continue the settlement project, he added.

The Palestinian ambassador also urged the international community to stop feeding the Israeli settlement with trillions of millions of dollars from all around the world as a charity and campaign that they are launching to strengthen this unlawful project in the occupied Palestinian territory.

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Trumps peace plan: Concerns and hopes

When asked about Trumps 20-point peace plan for Gaza, Ambassador Shawesh emphasised that while there are a lot of concerns about the plan, it is still the only issue on the table. Trumps plan commits to peace and will end the daily slaughtering of the Palestinian people, he said.

It will guarantee that no more Palestinian children will die due to hunger and malnutrition. But unfortunately, many of the Palestinian people are still killed daily in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. According to a press statement yesterday, the vast majority of the Gazans are still going to sleep with empty stomachs, he remarked.

Future of Palestine

When asked about what the future of Gaza would look like after the war is over, the Palestinian ambassador called for a united approach. When we talk about Gaza, it should be, we should talk about the unity of the Palestinian territory. Gaza, West Bank, including East Jerusalem, should be tackled in one package, he told Firstpost.

We could not talk about Gaza as if it were in a separate or different place. It should be tackled, or when we talk about the two-state solution or the future for the Palestinian people, the future of the peace, Gaza should be an essential part of the Palestinian territory, he concluded.

The Ambassadors interview with Firstpost came on the sidelines of a media workshop on Covering War and Conflict: Challenging Disinformation and Reporting Human Stories, which was organised by The Azadi Project in partnership with the Embassy of Palestine.
Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of taking a bullying approach toward Venezuela, denouncing US military pressure and threats of force as violations of international law.

United States designated the alleged Venezuelan drug cartel Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns) as a foreign terrorist organisation. (Reuters)

Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has condemned what he described as the United States bullying approach towards Venezuela, according to a statement issued on Wednesday. His remarks came as President Donald Trump increased pressure on the Venezuelan government.

The United States has deployed the worlds largest aircraft carrier to the Caribbean with accompanying warships, presented officially as part of anti-drug operations directed at Venezuela. It has also carried out about 20 air strikes on suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, leaving more than 80 people dead.

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Araghchi attacks US stance during call with Caracas

Venezuela argues that the US anti-drugs mission is a cover for an attempt to remove President Nicolas Maduro and take control of the countrys oil reserves. During his call with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto, Araghchi described US threats to use force as a gross violation of the UN Charter.

Trump has repeatedly accused Maduro of leading a drug cartel and has authorised covert CIA activity in the country while maintaining that military intervention remains an option. Both Venezuela and Iran remain under long-standing US sanctions.

Washington deepens regional engagement

Maduro visited Iran in 2022, when both governments signed a 20-year cooperation agreement. The following year, then-president Ebrahim Raisi travelled to Caracas during a tour that included Cuba and Nicaragua.

In the latest move by Washington, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is due in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday for meetings on countering drug trafficking, officials confirmed. His visit forms part of continued US pressure on Venezuela, whose leader Maduro has been accused by Washington of running a drug cartel.

Hegseth will meet Dominican President Luis Abinader, the defence minister and cabinet members to strengthen defence relationships and reaffirm Americas commitment to defend the homeland, protect our regional partners and ensure stability and security across the Americas, his office said on Tuesday.
Lebanon and Cyprus have resolved a maritime border dispute that had remained unresolved for almost twenty years. The recent agreement, signed by Presidents Joseph Aoun and Nikos Christodoulides, finalizes a deal first made in 2007. This settlement will allow both countries to pursue offshore oil and gas exploration, a crucial development as Europe looks to diversify its energy sources away from Russia.

Lebanon and Cyprus end two decades of delay with historic maritime border pact set to boost offshore energy prospects.

Lebanon and Cyprus have ended a stalemate lasting nearly twenty years by signing an agreement demarcating their maritime border. This long-awaited pact, finalized at the Baabda presidential palace near Beirut, promises to unlock offshore oil and gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean, a region gaining strategic importance as Europe seeks to diversify its energy sources away from Russia.

A historic agreement finalized after years of delay

The agreement signed by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides completes an initial deal originally reached in 2007. While Cyprus ratified the pact years ago, Lebanon hesitated due to its ongoing maritime dispute with Israel and internal political instability. Nicosia offered mediation in 2012, but progress stalled until breakthroughs in 2022 following U.S.-facilitated talks between Beirut and Tel Aviv.

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Economic hopes amid regional tensions

Lebanon views offshore hydrocarbon exploration as a potential lifeline amid a severe economic crisis that has afflicted its population. Yet, challenges remain as Lebanon has yet to resolve sea border issues with Syria, which itself is embroiled in political chaos after the rebellion ousted President Bashar Assad. Meanwhile, Cyprus stands to benefit by expanding exploration zones previously off-limits due to unresolved border issues, timely for Europes quest to reduce dependence on Russian gas.

Geopolitical and security dynamics

The longstanding border dispute and recent diplomatic agreements occur amid persistent security threats. Lebanon has endured almost daily Israeli airstrikes in its southern regions despite a ceasefire approaching one year. President Aoun has supported renewed negotiations with Israel to halt hostilities and avoid renewed conflict. At the same time, Lebanon faces pressures to restore its ailing economy and rebuild relations with Gulf states frustrated by the influence of Hezbollah, an armed group resistant to disarmament efforts.

A foundation for regional cooperation and stability

The maritime deal between Lebanon and Cyprus signals a commitment to peaceful negotiation and regional collaboration. Christodoulides hailed it as a milestone that clears the way for strengthened ties and economic development. Both leaders expressed optimism that this agreement will foster further dialogue across the Middle East, enhancing stability while spurring energy investments pivotal for both countries and Europe.
Donald Trump and Mohammed bin Salman had a heated exchange at the White House over Israels war in Gaza and the Saudi Crown Prince rejected joining Abraham Accords until the creation of a pathway towards Palestinian statehood, according to a report.

US President Donald Trump and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia attend the US-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, DC, US, on November 19, 2025. (Photo: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)

US President Donald Trump had a heated exchange with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman when he suggested that Saudi Arabia should normalise the relationship with Israel, according to a report.

Axios reported that the two leaders got into a heated exchange when Trump broached the subject of Saudi-Israel normalisation as part of Abraham Accords expansion as MBS as the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia is widely known as rejected the idea and pushed back.

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MBS told Trump there could not be any normalisation until the end of the war in Gaza and the resolution of the issue of Palestines statehood, as per the report.

Trump hosted MBS at White House on November 18. While they raised investment pledge and signed deals for nuclear energy and artificial intelligence (AI), he could not make any progress on his biggest priorities of pushing MBS to join Abraham Accords and persuading him to not get closer to China.

MBS tells Trump conditions for normalisation with Israel

Saudi Arabia has maintained for a long time that there could not be any normalisation agreement with Israel until the end of the war in Gaza and resolution of the question of Palestines statehood. It has maintained that an irrevocable pathway to Palestinian statehood is a pre-condition to any normalisation deal.

In the tense White House meeting, MBS conveyed the same to Trump directly, according to Axios.

During the Nov. 18 meeting, when Trump raised the issue and pressed hard MBS to join the Abraham Accords, the conversation got tense, US officials told Axios.

MBS explained to Trump that while he wanted to do move forward with normalisation with Israel, he could not do so at the moment because Saudi public opinion remained highly anti-Israel because of the war in Gaza, according to the report.

MBS said that the Saudi society was not ready for such a move now, three sources told Axios.

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Even as the conversation was tough, it was civil, an official said.

The best way to say it is disappointment and irritation. The president really wants them to join the Abraham Accord. He tried very hard to talk him. It was an honest discussion. But MBS is a strong man. He stood his ground, a source said.

On his part, MBS demanded that any future normalisation should include a clause about the establishment of an irreversible, credible and time-bound path for a Palestinian state. .

MBS never said no to normalisation. The door is open for doing it later. But the two-state solution is an issue, a US official told Axios.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday said there were signs the economy is turning a corner following his landmark reform of fiscal rules earlier this year, but the International Monetary Fund warned mediumterm prospects remain constrained.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Wednesday that early indications suggest the economy may be beginning to improve, pointing to his landmark overhaul of fiscal rules earlier this year. However, the International Monetary Fund cautioned that Germanys medium-term outlook remains limited.

According to an IMF report released on Wednesday, Germany is the only G7 economy that has failed to record growth over the past two years, and it is expected to expand by only 0.2% this year.

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Although we are in the middle and not at the end of our agenda, although the geo-economic and geopolitical winds have recently become even rougher, there are nevertheless signs of a trend reversal, Merz said in a speech to the lower house of parliament, the Bundestag.

Germany faces demographic and productivity headwinds

In its report, the IMF said higher expenditure was expected to support a gradual pick-up in domestic investment and consumption, projecting real GDP growth of about 1.0% in 2026 and 1.5% in 2027.

However, it warned that beyond this period, the effects of rapid population ageing and weak productivity growth would begin to weigh on the economy.

With a new government in place, now is the moment to take decisive action, Kevin Fletcher, an advisor in the IMFs European Department, said at a news conference.

Economists, investors and business groups increasingly feel that the reforms pledged so far are progressing more slowly and are less ambitious than first anticipated.

Addressing these concerns, Merz said in his speech that he would push ahead with the necessary reforms at a fast pace.

Fiscal space must be used judiciously

The IMF said the fiscal space now available must be used judiciously to boost the economys longer-term productive capacity and be complemented by pro-growth structural reforms.

Those could include measures to foster more innovation and digitalization, cut red tape, reduce labour supply constraints and deepen European economic integration, they said.

One of the most important things that Germany can do to boost growth is to take a lead in deepening the EU single market, Fletcher said, as this would improve productivity in Germany and also boost exports to the rest of Europe, which remains by far Germanys most important export market.

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The deficit is projected to widen to about 4% of GDP by 2027 and debt is projected to rise to around 68% of GDP by 2027, still the lowest among the G7 economies, the IMF said.
As peace negotiations intensify, Germany has issued a stark warning that Russia may be preparing the option to wage war on Nato by 2029

In a series of posts, Berlin issued a sharp warning as the US and Ukraine continued refining the peace proposal. (Reuters)

Amid ongoing talks on a possible peace deal, Germany has warned that Russia may be preparing for the option of waging war on Nato by 2029, even as Washington attempts to shape a revised agreement to end Europes largest conflict since the Second World War.

The renewed US push has raised hopes for a breakthrough but also triggered criticism that elements of the initial proposal echoed key Kremlin demands. However, the latest version of the draft plan to end the war in Ukraine is significantly better for Kyiv than the original US proposal, a senior official familiar with the talks noted.

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Berlin issues sharp warning as US and Ukraine refine peace proposal

In a series of posts on X, the German Foreign Office cautioned that Russias long-term intentions extend well beyond Ukraine. Putin eyes the #EU and #NATO. Our intelligence services are issuing urgent warnings: at the very least, Russia is creating the option for itself to wage war against NATO by 2029. We have to deter further Russian aggression, together with our partners and allies, it said.

Reiterating the message in a second post, it added that Germany wants & needs to assume responsibility in foreign & security policy."

Putin eyes the #EU and #NATO. Our intelligence services are issuing urgent warnings: at the very least, Russia is creating the option for itself to wage war against NATO by 2029. We have to deter further Russian aggression, together with our partners and allies. @AussenMinDE  GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) November 25, 2025

Berlin also insisted that the current front line must remain the basis for all negotiations. Russia, which chooses day after day to continue its unprovoked attack on its neighbour, must not be rewarded for its aggression.

A final post stressed, #Ukraine wants peace. We all want peace. But whether this desire is fulfilled  whether there will at least be an immediate and unconditional ceasefire as a first step  depends wholly on the aggressor, #Russia.

The warning came as Kyiv confirmed progress in its discussions with Washington. A day after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed amendments to the peace plan, Ukraine said it had reached an understanding with the US on the reworked proposal. The plan forms part of President Donald Trumps original 28-point framework, which US and Ukrainian officials spent the weekend reviewing to better reflect Ukraines interests.

Zelenskyys chief of staff confirmed that US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is expected in Kyiv later this week, with discussions on the new draft still underway. However, Russia has voiced concern, saying the Kremlin has not yet been consulted on the amended plan and warning that it may not accept changes to last weeks version.

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that although Moscow had supported the initial US outline, significant alterations would be viewed as a fundamentally different situation. He accused European governments of undermining US efforts, while Washington has yet to address Russias objections publicly. US and Russian representatives held talks in Abu Dhabi earlier this week.

Russian strikes continue as diplomacy intensifies

Despite diplomatic manoeuvring, fighting on the ground continued. On Tuesday night, a major Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia damaged at least seven high rise buildings and left 12 people hospitalised, according to the regional military administration.

The previous night, Kyiv was shaken by explosions beginning at around 1:00 am local time as drones and missiles struck residential areas. City officials reported seven deaths, with fires breaking out in apartment blocks. Thick smoke, glowing red and orange in the blaze of Ukrainian air defence systems, rose above the capital as residents sought shelter in metro stations, AFP journalists reported.

The war, triggered by Russias full scale invasion in 2022, shows no sign of easing even as diplomatic efforts intensify on multiple fronts.
Even US President Donald Trump has declared that a deal to end the war was very close, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stressed on the importance of a reassurance force to enforce any peace deal and safeguard against future aggression.

Even as US President Donald Trump has declared that a deal to end the war was very close, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stressed the need for a multinational reassurance force to enforce any peace agreement.

At a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, Zelenskyy on Tuesday said that they should sign an agreement for the deployment of the reassurance force under the ambit of the coalition.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who co-chairs the bloc with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, backed Zelenskyy and said that the absolute condition for a good peace is a set of very robust security guarantees, and not paper guarantees. Both Macron and Starmer have pledged soldiers to such a force.

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ALSO READ: 26 of 35 'Coalition of the Willing' nations agree to send troops to Ukraine day after ceasefire

The Coalition of the Willing held a meeting at a time when Ukraine and the United States have been engaged in intense negotiations to refine Trumps 28-point plan. In its original plan, the plan would have amounted to Ukraine surrendering and giving up its sovereignty. Even though Ukraine has said that they have reached an understanding on core terms, major sticking points remain that can make or break the deal.

Zelenskyy calls for doable reassurance force

In an apparent realisation that times have changed from two years back when the United States supported Ukraine fully, Zelenskyy has now called for a doable force to be stationed in Europe.

Zelenskyy said that Ukraine and the Coalition of the Willing must develop a doable framework for the deployment of the Reassurance Force Ukraine of the Coalition of the Willing by signing a relevant Memorandum of Understanding.

Notably, the meeting was also attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has been in US-Ukraine talks to refine the 28-point plan.

In Rubios presence, Zelenskyy said that it was his firm belief that security decisions about Ukraine must include Ukraine.

That was our position in Geneva and always  security decisions about Europe must include Europe, and the same applies to Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, other countries, and every other nation. And this is simply fair  and it actually works, said Zelenskyy.

ALSO READ: With Russias terms to Ukraine, Putin seeks surrender  not a peace deal

Macron and Starmer joined Zelenskyy to praise American efforts to end the war but noted that the conclusion of the process must produce a just and dignified result  an apparent nod to Ukraines red lines.

Starmer said that the multinational force for Ukraine will be a will be a vital part of any arrangement.

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Our military planners, who have worked really hard in recent months, will continue to work on the readiness of that force. And we will also pick up next steps with the US military on their own planning, said Starmer.
Russia says it sees promising elements in Washingtons revised plan to end the Ukraine war, but points discussion on certain points.

Donald Trump's tough approach is possibly an indicator of his frustration with Vladimir Putin to settle the Russia-Ukraine war. File image/Reuters

Russia has seen the latest copy of a US plan to end the Ukraine war and views some of it positively, but other points require discussion, the Kremlin said Wednesday.

In comments to a Russian state TV reporter, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the new draft required truly serious analysis and that Russia had not yet discussed it with anyone.

Some aspects can be viewed positively, but many require special discussions among experts, Ushakov told a state TV reporter.

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Washingtons latest plan has not yet been published.

US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that it was a fine-tuned version of an earlier 28-point plan that would have seen Ukraine withdraw from its Donetsk region and cut the size of its army, points that Kyiv had criticised.

Ukraine said later it had reached an understanding with the US and that the two sides had pared back some of the points it disagreed with following talks in Geneva.

US officials will now meet with both sides in the hope of finalising the agreement, Trump said Tuesday.

The Kremlin confirmed earlier Wednesday that US special envoy Steve Witkoff would visit Moscow next week to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ushakov separately criticised Europe for getting involved in talks on ending the war, accusing them of meddling in the peace process.
Writing in an oped for the The Washington Post, Lai said the package represents a landmark package that will not only fund significant new arms acquisitions from the United States, but also vastly enhance Taiwans asymmetrical capabilities.

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te delivers a speech during National Day celebrations at the Presidential Palace in Taipei on October 10, 2025. (Photo by I-Hwa Cheng / AFP)

In a move to strengthen its security posture, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has announced plans to propose a supplementary US$40 billion defence budget. This would be a historic expansion meant to shore up the islands military readiness amid increasing threats from Beijing.

Writing in an oped for the The Washington Post, Lai said the package represents a landmark package that will not only fund significant new arms acquisitions from the United States, but also vastly enhance Taiwans asymmetrical capabilities. The broader goal, he explained, is to bolster deterrence by inserting greater costs and uncertainties into Beijings decisionmaking on the use of force.

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On Wednesday morning, Lai held a news conference as Beijing increased both military and political pressure on the democratically governed island, which it claims as its own.

After unveiling plans for a special $40bn (30.6bn) defence budget, Lai warned that Xi Jinpings regime is accelerating military preparations to seize Taiwan by force.

Lai said the government will work to counter any attempts at repression by China, and achieve a high level of combat preparedness by 2027.

The proposed budget boost reflects a steep increase in Taiwans defence spending.

Government documents show that next years defence budget is expected to reach T$949.5 billion (about US$30.25 billion), raising total military spending to roughly 3.32 percent of GDP, the highest level since 2009.

Lais long-term ambition, however, goes even further. In the op-ed, he reiterated a previous target to lift defence spending to 5 percent of GDP by 2030, a level that would place Taiwan among the worlds more heavily armed democracies.

While stressing deterrence, Lai also pledged to keep dialogue with China alive. While we will continue to pursue opportunities for crossstrait dialogue, with the understanding that our democracy and freedom remain nonnegotiable, he wrote, we remain grounded by more than wishful thinking, as some have suggested.

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Internationally, the move signals Taiwans readiness to assert its sovereignty, even as Beijing maintains that the island remains part of China. The defence overhaul includes plans for major US arms imports, asymmetric warfare tools such as mobile missile units, and expanded investments in coast guard, naval, and air defence capabilities.

Analysts say this shift reflects growing concern in Taipei about Chinas recent military pressure, including increased air and naval activity near the Taiwan Strait and the surrounding seas. That pressure has forced Taiwan to rethink its defence strategy, which involves balancing deterrence and diplomacy.

If the US$40 billion plan is approved by Taiwans legislature, it would be one of the largest singular increases in defence spending in the countrys modern history.
Across nine provincesincluding the hard-hit city of Hat Yaifloodwaters have inundated homes, hospitals, and infrastructure, affecting more than 2.7 million peoples

Some places have recorded nearly 400 millimetres (15.7 inches) of accumulated rain. Here, a man clings to a street sign pole in a flooded street after being swept there while going out to get food supplies in the Hat Yai district. Reuters

Southern Thailand is in the grip of a devastating flood crisis, with the death toll reaching 33 and hundreds of thousands facing displacement.

Across nine provincesincluding the hard-hit city of Hat Yaifloodwaters have inundated homes, hospitals, and infrastructure, affecting more than 2.7 million people.

At the centre of the emergency is the main government hospital in Hat Yai, where the first floor is submerged and roughly 600 patientsabout 50 of them in intensive careare unable to receive normal medical care.

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Airlift and rescue efforts underway

In response, the government has ordered an urgent airlift for critically ill patients. Today, all intensive care patients will be transported out of Hat Yai Hospital, said health-ministry official Somrerk Chungsaman.

Roughly 20 helicopters and 200 boatsincluding dinghies and flat-bottom vesselshave been mobilised to reach stranded residents and deliver essential supplies.

The nations only aircraft carrier, Chakri Naruebet, has also joined the relief effort, providing crucial support: medical personnel, generators, food and more. The navy says the carrier could function as a floating hospital if needed.

Amid the chaos and rising waters, many displaced people are turning to social media pleas for assistance. One resident wrote: Please help. Im very worried about my mother,she hasnt heard anything since Saturday, when their supplies dwindled to a single bottle of water and two packets of instant noodles.

Rescue teams are racing against time as rains continue to lash the region. Weather officials warn of more showers and scattered thunderstorms in the coming days across southern provinces, further complicating relief operations.

A disaster with far-reaching consequences

Authorities say the floodsamong the worst the region has seen in decadeshave submerged nearly one million homes. The impact spans not only Thailand but neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia, where floods and landslides have also taken lives.

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As rescue operations continue, the country faces mounting challenges: restoring infrastructure, ensuring food and medical supply, and providing shelter to displaced families.
After facing cyclic violence under the new regime, Syrias Alawite minority the Shia sect of ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad has launched protests to demand a decentralised political system and the release of men they said were unjustly detained by the new regime.

Alawites gather during a protest to demand federalism and the release of detained members of their community, in Latakia, Syria November 25, 2025. (Photo: Stringer/Reuters)

Syrian security forces used gunfire on Tuesday to break up two rival groups of demonstrators in the coastal town of Latakia, heartland of the countrys Alawite minority, witnesses and officials said.

Syria has been rocked by several episodes of sectarian violence since longtime leader Bashar al-Assad, who hails from the Muslim Alawite minority, was ousted by a rebel offensive last year and replaced by a Sunni-led government.

Witnesses said hundreds of Alawite protesters had gathered to demand a decentralised political system in Syria and the release of men they say were unjustly detained by the countrys new authorities. Supporters of the government then gathered and began shouting insults at the Alawites.

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About an hour into the Alawites rally, gunshots were heard in Agriculture Square, one of two town squares where the protesters had gathered, according to two witnesses and videos verified by Reuters. One of the verified videos showed a man lying motionless on the ground with a wound to the head.

There was no immediate official word on casualties.

Noureddine el-Brimo, the head of media relations in Latakia province, told Reuters security forces had fired into the air to disperse the rival protesters, and added that unknown assailants had also fired on civilians and on the security forces.

He gave no further details but witnesses said both protests had broken up by the afternoon.

Theres no more security

The rally had been called for by the head of the Supreme Alawite Islamic Council, Ghazal Ghazal, on Monday. He urged Alawites to protest peacefully.

We demand to live in security, to go to school safely without kidnapping. This was the only place we used to feel security. Now theres no more security and were exposed to kidnapping and fear, said Leen, who attended the protest but declined to give her last name out of security concerns.

Nearly 1,500 Alawites were killed by government-linked forces in March after Assad loyalists ambushed state security. Reuters reported that dozens of Alawite women were later kidnapped, though authorities deny they were abducted.

Syrias President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former militant Islamist, has vowed to rule for all Syrians but the countrys nearly 14-year civil war and the bouts of violence over the last year have prompted fears of further instability.

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(This is an agency story. Except for the headline, the story has not been updated by Firstpost staff.)
President Tinubu declared a security emergency in Nigeria after mass kidnappings, deploying more forces and ordering new police recruits to rescue children.

Nigerias President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday declared a nationwide security emergency as authorities struggled to contain a surge in mass kidnappings that has seen hundreds of people abducted in the span of a week.

This is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas, Tinubu said in a statement.

In recent days, armed groups have kidnapped two dozen Muslim schoolgirls, 38 worshippers, more than 300 students and teachers from a Catholic school, 13 young girls and women near a farm, and another 10 women and children in separate incidents across the country.

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While dozens of victims have been rescued or managed to escape, 265 children and teachers taken from a Catholic boarding school in Niger state on Friday remain unaccounted for.

In view of the emerging security situation, I have decided to declare a nationwide security emergency and order additional recruitment into the Armed Forces, Tinubu said.

At the weekend he ordered a redeployment of police VIP bodyguards to core policing duties, and has ordered the hiring of another 50,000 new police recruits.

According to the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) more than 100,000 of the estimated 371,000-strong force were previously assigned to protect politicians and VIPs.

In addition to a 16-year jihadist insurgency raging in the northeast, Nigeria is plagued by persistent insecurity, with frequent kidnappings for ransom.

The first mass abduction to shock Nigeria was in 2014 when the jihadist group Boko Haram kidnapped 276 teenage girls in Chibok, in the northeast, sparking an international outcry.

Since then thousands of kidnappings have occurred. Some go unreported.

Flush out terrorists

For years, heavily armed criminal gangs have been intensifying attacks in rural areas of northwest and central Nigeria, where there is little state presence, killing thousands and conducting kidnappings for ransom.

The gangs have camps in a vast forest straddling several states including Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi and Niger from where they launch attacks.

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Tinubu said he was also authorising the intelligence department to immediately deploy forest guards to flush out the terrorists and bandits lurking in our forests as well as to hire more staff to patrol them.

The times require all hands on deck, he said.

He vowed to continue efforts to rescue the students and other people still in captivity.

In the 12 months between July last year and June 2025, at least 4,722 people were kidnapped in 997 incidents, and at least 762 were killed, according to a recent report by SBM Intelligence.

It said kidnappers demanded some 48 billion naira overall but only managed to get 2.57 billion naira (around $1.66 million).

During that period Nigerias kidnap-for-ransom crisis consolidated into a structured, profit-seeking industry, said the Lagos-based security advisory firm.

The latest attacks struck just weeks after US President Donald Trump threatened Nigeria with military action over the alleged killing of Christians in large numbers by radical Islamists.

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Tinubu urged mosques and churches to seek security protection when they congregate for prayers, particularly in vulnerable areas.

With inputs from agencies
President Donald Trump condemned Chicagos out-of-control crime after a woman was set on fire on a subway train, blaming liberal judges and renewing his push for federal troops in the city.

A 26-year-old woman was set on fire by a lunatic with a lengthy rap sheet in Chicago. (Reuters)

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said crime in Chicago was out of control, condemning what he described as liberal judges after a 26-year-old woman was set on fire on a subway train. Authorities said the alleged attacker, who has 72 prior arrests, had been released on bond despite prosecutors urging that he be jailed.

Speaking during the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon at the White House, Trump repeated his call for Illinois officials to allow federal troops into the city to address rising violence.

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He referred to the victim, identified by friends as Bethany MaGee, who remains in hospital with critical burns. Trump said the suspect had been arrested 72 times and warned that judges would release him again. Prosecutors said the man doused MaGee with petrol, chased her through the train carriage and set her alight in broad daylight.

.@POTUS: "They burned this beautiful woman riding in a train. A man was arrested 72 times... It's horrible what's happening in Chicago." https://t.co/3B7uPblTMR pic.twitter.com/kiMKGQyFo9  Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) November 25, 2025

Leaders challenged over federal intervention

Trump accused Chicago leaders of blocking federal assistance, criticising Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker. He claimed that deploying troops in other major cities had sharply reduced crime and said residents wanted federal support. Trump went further in his remarks, calling Johnson incompetent and referring to Pritzker using an insult. He said the state should invite federal help to prevent the citys decline.

Illinois officials have rejected the push for federal intervention, arguing it would be unconstitutional and accusing the White House of overstating crime levels. Tensions rose earlier in the week after Pritzker criticised Trump over rising Thanksgiving food prices.

A White House statement later intensified the criticism, accusing Democratic leaders of creating what it described as a blood-soaked catastrophe through policies including the states no cash bail law. The statement said the suspect had been released on electronic monitoring after a violent crime months earlier and had violated conditions multiple times.

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned what she called liberal soft on crime policies. In a post on X, she questioned how the attack was allowed to happen and warned that such policies endangered law-abiding Americans. The White House said Trump was committed to making cities safe, vowing to confront what it described as reckless Democrat policies and to support police departments with additional federal assistance.

An innocent, beautiful 26-year-old woman riding the subway was randomly set on fire by a career criminal.



Pray for Bethany as she fights for her life.



HOW was this allowed to take place?



This monster should have been locked behind bars, not roaming the streets.



These liberal https://t.co/15yljObjfj pic.twitter.com/Oor9ladDIT  Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) November 25, 2025

Earlier on Saturday, Trump said 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.
Patel has come under fire for his handling of bureau resources, including the use of a government jet and a security detail for his girlfriend. Additionally, his ongoing tensions with other Trump loyalists have reportedly raised concerns within the administration

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering removing FBI Director Kash Patel in the coming months due to frustration with his leadership and recent headlines.

Patel has come under fire for his handling of bureau resources, including the use of a government jet and a security detail for his girlfriend. Additionally, his ongoing tensions with other Trump loyalists have reportedly raised concerns within the administration.

Trump and his top aides have discussed replacing Patel with Andrew Bailey, a senior FBI official, according to a report by MS Now. While Patels position appears increasingly precarious, the final decision could still change in the coming weeks, depending on Trumps evaluation of the situation.

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White House responds

The White House quickly pushed back against the reporting, with spokeswoman Abigail Jackson calling it completely made up. Jackson emphasised Patels importance to the administration, stating, FBI Director Patel is a critical member of the Presidents team and he is working tirelessly to restore integrity to the FBI.

Patel, who was publicly praised by Trump during the annual pardoning of the Thanksgiving turkeys at the White House, seemed to have the presidents backing at that moment. When a group of attendees applauded Patel, Trump quipped, See, youve got a following, Kash. Following the publication of the report, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also dismissed the claims on social media, stating that the President had laughed off the rumours and took a photo with Patel to show his support.

Patel faces internal pushback

Despite public support, Patel is reportedly facing growing internal friction within the administration. US Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche have expressed frustration over Patels premature social media posts, which sometimes jeopardised investigations.

There has also been criticism over his use of taxpayer resources, particularly his use of a government jet for personal trips and assigning an elite SWAT team detail to protect his girlfriend, as first reported by MS NOW.

In September, Trump appointed Andrew Bailey as a co-deputy director at the FBI, a move widely seen as a response to concerns over the lack of experience among Patels and other FBI leadership.

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Bailey, who previously served as Missouris attorney general, is considered a steady and competent leader by many within the bureau. He could take over as acting FBI director as soon as December 15, after meeting the necessary requirements under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. If appointed, Bailey would be able to serve for up to 210 days without Senate confirmation.
After Trump was caught in the Oval Office looking barely able to keep his eyes open, buzz is growing that age might finally be dragging on his once-tireless routine

While President Donald Trump and his allies continue to project an image of unflagging energy, new scrutiny is focusing on the 79-year-old presidents demanding schedule and occasional signs of fatigue almost a year into his second term.

Following a gruelling week-long trip to Japan and South Korea, the president landed at Joint Base Andrews just before Halloween, quickly heading to the White House to distribute candy to trick-or-treaters. Allies quickly celebrated his endurance. This man has been nonstop for DAYS! one online supporter reportedly wrote on X.

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However, just a week later, the narrative appeared to shift when Trump seemed to momentarily doze off during an Oval Office event on November 6. During a midday meeting focused on weight-loss drugs, the presidents eyes reportedly drooped, and he appeared drowsy for several seconds.

Despite his public appearances, frequent press interactions, and combative social media presence that cultivate a round-the-clock energy, an analysis by The New York Times of the presidents official schedule suggests a significant reduction in public events. Trumps total official appearances have reportedly decreased by 39 percent compared to the same period in his first term in 2017. Furthermore, his daily schedule is starting later, with his first scheduled event averaging around 12:08 pm, compared to 10:31 am in 2017.

Trump often attempts to preempt age-related criticism by drawing comparisons to his predecessor, 82-year-old Joe Biden, whose team reportedly took measures to manage the public perception of his growing frailty.

He sleeps all the timeduring the day, during the night, on the beach, Trump said about Biden last week, adding, Im not a sleeper.

Questions about the presidents health have been further fuelled by limited information about his medical procedures, including a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan he underwent in early October. When pressed about the results, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, I have no idea what they analysed. But whatever they analysed, they analysed it well, and they said that I had as good a result as theyve ever seen.

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the presidents condition and commitment to transparency, contrasting it with the previous administration. Unlike the Biden White House, who covered up Joe Bidens cognitive decline and hid him from the press, President Trump and his entire team have been open and transparent about the presidents health, which remains exceptional, Leavitt said in a statement.

Still, the contrast between the presidents self-proclaimed Energizer Bunny image and his less demanding schedule raises valid questions.
Trump said he will send his envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow next week to meet Vladimir Putin, as Washington works to finalise a peace deal for the war in Ukraine. Trump claimed only a few points of disagreement remain, even as European leaders expressed doubts

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he is sending his envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow next week to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin, as the US president works to finalise a deal to end the war in Ukraine.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump stated that only a few remaining points of disagreement were unresolved, though European leaders voiced doubts while Russian missiles continued to strike Ukrainian cities.

He added that he hoped to meet Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy soon, but only when the agreement was final or close to completion. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said Witkoff may be joined in Moscow by the presidents son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

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A heavily Russia-leaning initial US plan has been replaced by a proposal more favourable to Ukraine. An official familiar with the new draft told AFP it was significantly better, though US officials said delicate issues remain. French President Emmanuel Macron warned that there was clearly no Russian willingness to agree to a ceasefire or to discuss the revised proposal.

Intensive negotiations have been underway since the weekend, beginning with talks in Geneva where Ukrainian and US representatives reviewed the original 28-point plan, now reduced to 19. US media reported that further discussions involving US and Russian delegates were taking place in Abu Dhabi, while leaders of 30 countries backing Ukraine met by video conference on Tuesday.

US negotiator Dan Driscoll expressed optimism after talks with Russian counterparts. His spokesman said, The talks are going well, and we remain optimistic. The White House pointed to tremendous progress, while noting that a few details still required resolution.

Attacks intensify as negotiations continue

Despite the diplomatic activity, the war continued without pause. On Tuesday night, a major Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia damaged at least seven high-rise buildings and left 12 people hospitalised, according to the regional military administration. The previous night in Kyiv, explosions began around 1:00 am local time as drones and missiles hit the city, killing seven people and setting fires in residential blocks. Thick smoke, reflecting red and orange in the defensive fire, rose over the capital as residents sought shelter in metro stations.

Trump, who has long said he could settle the conflict within 24 hours, announced last week that he wanted Kyiv to approve his plan by Thursday, the US Thanksgiving holiday. The original proposal, which aligned with several Russian objectives, caused concern in Ukraine and Europe, including bans on future Nato membership and the surrender of additional territory to Russia.

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The updated version has been more acceptable to Kyiv. A key improvement, according to an official familiar with the text, is the rise in the proposed cap on Ukraines future military forces from 600,000 to 800,000 members. Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov said there was common understanding on the core of the agreement between Ukraine and the United States, though outstanding issues should be resolved in direct talks at the earliest suitable date.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer cautioned that theres still a long way to go and a tough road ahead. Russia continues to occupy around a fifth of Ukraine, with vast areas devastated. Tens of thousands of civilians and soldiers have been killed, and millions have fled the east.

Ukrainian army Sergeant Ivan Zadontsev said negotiations were healthy and acknowledged fatigue among troops, adding: We need a break. However, he said proposals from both Washington and the European Union do not serve Ukraines national interests.

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To keep talks moving, Trump confirmed that US envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow next, while Secretary of the Army Dan Driscollwho recently took part in quiet discussions with Russian officials in Abu Dhabiwill head back to Kyiv

US President Donald Trump has drawn up 28-point plan for peace to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which started in February 2024.

President Donald Trump has not sketched out a clear timeline for his involvement in the Ukraine peace talks, but in a latest development, he has said hell meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Russian President Vladimir Putin only when a near-final deal is on the table.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump sounded upbeat about the pace of negotiations. Over the past week, my team has made tremendous progress with respect to ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, he said, stressing that the once-controversial 28-point peace plan has undergone major revisions. The original plan has been fine-tuned, with additional input from both sides, and there are only a few remaining points of disagreement.

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To keep talks moving, Trump confirmed that US envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow next, while Secretary of the Army Dan Driscollwho recently took part in quiet discussions with Russian officials in Abu Dhabiwill head back to Kyiv. The idea, one aide said, is to keep communication constant, direct and practical rather than symbolic.

Kyiv, for its part, signalled that its ready for the next round. Andriy Yermak, Zelenskys chief of staff, said Ukraine is prepared for a leaders meeting once everything is lined up. We have a solid foundation laid in Geneva, Yermak said. President Zelensky and the entire team in Kyiv are fully committed to further cooperation. The meeting of the presidents will be thoroughly and promptly prepared on our side.

Behind the scenes, US and Ukrainian negotiators have reportedly agreed in principle to an updated version of the plan drafted in Geneva that shifts emphasis away from sweeping territorial concessions and toward stronger long-term security guarantees for Kyiv. These guaranteeswhich could involve US commitments and potentially European participationare shaping up to be central to any final agreement.

Still, hurdles remain.

Kyiv continues to reject any proposal that would force it to formally surrender territory seized by Russia, while Moscow insists that any peace deal must recognise what it calls new realities."

Trump, however, insisted the process is moving in the right direction.

Were getting very close, he said, adding that his personal meetings will happen only when both sides are ready to seal the deal.

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As Ukraine and European partners work with the Donald Trump administration on the 28-point plan, here are three remaining sticking points that highlight red lines that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cannot cross.

US President Donald Trump meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the 80th United Nations General Assembly, in New York City, New York, USA, on September 23, 2025. (Photo: Al Drago/Reuters)

Even as Ukraine and the United States have reached an understanding over core terms to end the Russia-Ukraine war, there are still at least three sticking points that could break the deal. These points are based around Ukraines longstanding red lines about any deal to end the war.

In a post on X, Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov said that the two sides have a common understanding on the core terms of the agreement discussed in Geneva but stressed that talks were ongoing and lots of work remained to be done.

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Umerov said that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet US President Donald Trump later this month to complete final steps and make a deal. But with just five days left in the month and White House indicating that Trump would not grant a meeting until Zelenskyys approval of the deal, the timeline looks unlikely.

We appreciate the productive and constructive meetings held in Geneva between the Ukrainian and U.S. delegations, as well as President Trumps steadfast efforts to end the war.



Our delegations reached a common understanding on the core terms of the agreement discussed in  Rustem Umerov (@rustem_umerov) November 25, 2025

The final steps that Umerov mentioned are apparently biggest sticking points that have so far not been addressed.

In the original 28-point plan, Trump had essentially told Ukraine to surrender in the war and give up its sovereignty. The plan sought Ukraine to give up entire eastern region of Donbas in exchange of no solid security guarantee, put a cap on its militarys size, limit the militarys equipment, make Russia an official language and remove the ban on a pro-Russia church, and ban foreign troops on Ukraines soil, and ban Nato membership.

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In addition to victory in the war, Russia would have got its assets unfrozen, trade with the United States, investments from the United States, and a return to G-7.

Three sticking points that threaten Ukraine war deal

A Ukrainian source aware of the matter told CNN that progress has been made between the United States and Ukraine on the wording of a new draft proposal to end the war, but substantive differences remain and no final text has been agreed.

The source said that a consensus has been reached on most points, but there are at least three sticking points where the two sides are still quite apart.

In the first case, no agreement has been reached on the contentious issue of Ukraines territory. Previously, Zelenskyy has shown openness freeze the battlefield along current battle lines but Trump told Ukraine cede the entire Donbas region  including vast, fortified tracts comprising the industrial and mining heartland of the country in Donetsk province.

It would be very wrong to say we have now the version that is accepted by Ukraine, the source told CNN.

ALSO READ: With Russias terms to Ukraine, Putin seeks surrender  not a peace deal

In the second case, no agreement has been reached about Trumps diktat to cap Ukraines military at 600,000  a condition right out of Treaty of Versailles imposed on Germany after the World War I.

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There have been reports that Ukraine has been hoping to reach a middle ground where the cap could be raised to 800,000, with relaxations on weapons and other equipment the military would be allowed to keep.

In the third case, no agreement has bene reached about Ukraines permanently giving up the right to join Nato.

The source told CNN that the demand to permanently ban Ukraines Nato membership was unacceptable.

Such a concession would set a bad precedent that would effectively give Russia a veto on Natos affairs which it is not even a member of, the source said.
Uber Technologies began offering driverless robotaxi rides in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, becoming the first city outside the United States to host fully autonomous operations on the platform.

Uber Technologies rolled out driverless robotaxis in Abu Dhabi in partnership with Chinese autonomous-driving firm WeRide on Wednesday, following the tie-up they announced last year.

Uber said Abu Dhabi is the first city outside the U.S. to host fully driverless operations on its platform. Passengers who book an UberX or Uber Comfort ride can be matched with a WeRide robotaxi, according to the ride-hailing company.

The companies plan to expand coverage to areas beyond Abu Dhabi city core by the end of this year. The Guangzhou-based WeRide currently operates over 100 robotaxis in the Middle East, Uber said.

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(Except the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
The proposal is part of President Donald Trumps 28-point peace plan, which was extensively discussed by US and Ukrainian officials over the weekend to better suit Kyivs interests

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is greeted by US President Donald Trump (left) upon arrival at the White House West Wing in Washington, DC. AFP

A day after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed amendments to the peace plan aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war, Kyiv said it has reached an understanding with the US on the agreement.

The proposal is part of President Donald Trumps 28-point peace plan, which was extensively discussed by US and Ukrainian officials over the weekend to better suit Kyivs interests.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that the original plan has been fine-tuned, with additional input from both sides. He added, I have directed my Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with President Putin in Moscow and, at the same time, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will be meeting with the Ukrainians.

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President Zelenskyys chief of staff has confirmed that US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is expected to visit Kyiv later this week. This comes as discussions continue regarding the new draft peace plan, which has raised concerns in Moscow. The Kremlin has stated that it has not yet been consulted on the proposed amendments to the peace deal, warning it may not accept changes to last weeks plan.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov added that while Moscow had supported the initial US peace framework, it would now view any substantial changes as a fundamentally different situation. Lavrov further accused Europe of undermining US peace efforts, although American officials have not yet publicly addressed Russias concerns. Notably, US and Russian representatives held meetings in Abu Dhabi earlier this week, but key issues remain unresolved.

The key sticking points

One of the primary points of contention between Moscow and Kyiv remains the issue of security guarantees for Ukraine and control over territories in the east. While both sides have agreed in principle to some aspects of the peace plan, Ukraine and Russia remain deeply divided on issues such as the legal recognition of territories seized by Russia, including Crimea, and full Ukrainian withdrawal from the eastern Donbas region, consisting of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that he was ready to meet Trump to discuss sensitive points, adding that his administration aims for a meeting before the end of the month. I am counting on further active cooperation with the American side and with President (Donald) Trump. Much depends on America, because Russia pays the greatest attention to American strength, he said.

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Despite Zelenskyys optimism, European leaders have expressed doubts about the prospects for peace after almost four years of war. French President Emmanuel Macron said he saw no Russian will for a ceasefire, while Downing Street warned that there was a long way to go  a tough road ahead.

Meanwhile, in a virtual meeting of Ukraines European allies, chaired by Macron and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Tuesday, leaders agreed to form a task force with the US to accelerate work on the security guarantees to be offered to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal. However, with Moscow and Kyiv still at odds over key issues, the path to peace remains uncertain.

Refresh for updates.
Russia on Wednesday denounced the leak of a recording of a phone call between top advisers to President Trump and President Putin, calling it an unacceptable attempt to undermine Ukraine peace negotiations and labeling it hybrid warfare

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov attends a meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin with Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (both not pictured) at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia on August 7, 2025. Reuters File

Russia on Wednesday denounced the leak of a recording of a phone call between top advisers to US President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin, calling it an unacceptable attempt to undermine Ukraine peace negotiations and labeling it hybrid warfare.

The transcript, published by Bloomberg News, covers an October 14 conversation in which Trump envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly advised Putins foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov on how to present a Ukraine peace plan to Trump.

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Bloomberg said it had reviewed the recording but did not disclose how it obtained access to the highly sensitive discussion between officials from the worlds two largest nuclear powers.

Ushakov said that his conversations with Witkoff were not meant for public release and should not have been leaked.

This is unacceptable, Reuters quoted Ushakov as tellingRussian media.

He said the leak was clearly aimed at hindering discussions between Russia and the United States.

In an interview with Kommersant newspaper, Ushakov said that some of his discussions were conducted through encrypted government channels, which are rarely intercepted and leaked unless one of the parties deliberately intends to do so.

There are certain conversations on WhatsApp that, generally speaking, someone might somehow be able to listen to, Ushakov added.

He dismissed the possibility that the leak originated from participants in the call and said he planned to raise the matter with Witkoff.

Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO Kirill Dmitriev, a Putin investment envoy, called Bloombergs report on an October 29 call between him and Ushakov fake.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said some media organisations were being used as part of a hybrid information war waged by European countries against Russia, aimed at undermining ties with Washington.

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Kommersants top Kremlin reporter, who interviewed Ushakov, headlined the story: Who set up Steve Witkoff?

With inputs from agencies
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will visit the Dominican Republic for discussions on drug trafficking and regional security amid heightened tensions with Venezuela

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseths office announced on Tuesday that he will meet with Dominican President Luis Abinader. (File/Reuters)

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth will visit the Dominican Republic on Wednesday for talks on combating drug trafficking, officials confirmed. The visit underscores Washingtons ongoing pressure on Venezuela, whose leader Nicolas Maduro has been accused by the United States of running a drug cartel.

Hegseth is scheduled to meet Dominican President Luis Abinader, the defence minister, and other cabinet members to strengthen defence relationships and reaffirm Americas commitment to defend the homeland, protect our regional partners and ensure stability and security across the Americas, his office said on Tuesday.

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Venezuela-US tensions escalate

The announcement comes a day after the United States designated the alleged Venezuelan drug cartel Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns) as a foreign terrorist organisation, giving the administration legal grounds for further action against Venezuelan authorities.

In response, the Venezuelan government organised an anti-US march in Caracas on Tuesday. Maduro addressed the rally holding Simon Bolivars Sword of Peru, urging national unity and stating, There is no excuse for anyone, whether civilian, politician, military or police officer. Failure is not an option! The nation demands our greatest effort and sacrifice.

Washington has increased military pressure on Caracas, deploying the worlds largest aircraft carrier alongside several warships. Caracas claims that the US uses its anti-drug operations as a pretext to destabilise Maduros government. Candido Miquilarena, a community leader at the Caracas march, said, They always invent a scenario, like the scenario they invented with (Saddam) Hussein, with (Muammar) Gaddafi, to destroy these people, these countries.

Since September, US strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific have left dozens dead. The Dominican Republic has cooperated in these operations, seizing about 500 kilograms of cocaine in a joint action with US forces earlier this month. President Abinader said, We continue working with the United States because this is a tough fight, especially in some countries, mainly in South America, that have seen an increase in drug production, particularly cocaine.
An official said the peace plan read like a Russian wish list

A woman walks through the courtyard of a damaged residential building following an air attack in Zaporizhzhia on November 25, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Darya NAZAROVA / AFP)

An exclusive Reuters investigation has revealed that the much-discussed US peace framework for ending the Ukraine war was quietly shaped by a Russian non-paper."

According to three people familiar with the exchanges, the informal Russian document was shared with senior US figures in mid-October, shortly after Donald Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy in Washington. One source told Reuters that the documentan informal diplomatic note known as a non-paperused language Moscow had floated before, including proposals Ukraine had already shot down, like giving up a sizeable part of its eastern territory.

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And for the first time, its now clear that this non-paper, first brought to light by Reuters in October, ended up being a major influence on the original 28-point peace plan.

Another official said bluntly, It read like a Russian wish list. Anyone who has followed this war would recognise those points instantly.

The revelation is the clearest confirmation yet that Moscows draft shaped what later emerged as a 28-point US plan. Until now, Washington had not openly acknowledged how closely the original framework mirrored Russian proposals.

Inside Washington, alarm bells rang quickly.

Several US officials warned that the plan risked being rejected outright by Kyiv. Senator Marco Rubio, who later joined the Geneva delegation, was among those who privately raised concerns.

As criticism mounted, the US quietly pared down the proposal, cutting nine points and presenting a 19-point refined version that was said to incorporate Ukrainian and European input. A senior administration figure insisted to Reuters, What we have now is a US framework shaped by our partners, not a Russian document.

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But behind the scenes, the drafting process was more complicated than publicly acknowledged.

Much of the initial brainstorming took place not in Washington but at a meeting in Miami involving Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, Russian fund head Kirill Dmitriev and Jared Kushner. According to one insider, Very few people in the national security team knew those conversations were happening.

After the revisions, US, Ukrainian and European officials met in Geneva to compare notes. Officials who attended said Ukraine offered cautious support but remained firm on the most sensitive points, particularly territorial boundaries. As one Ukrainian participant put it, There are red lines we simply cannot cross, no matter who wrote the draft.

For now, diplomats say major issues will likely be left for a future meeting between Trump and Zelenskiy. But the episode has raised a broader question about the risks of building a peace blueprint on proposals originating from one of the conflicts main belligerents.

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(Oil) is at the heart of the matter, said Colombian President Gustavo Petro, adding that Venezuela holds what are considered the largest proven oil reserves in the world

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has claimed that Trump administrations pressure campaign on Venezuela is more about accessing the South American countrys oil than fighting drug trafficking.

As US military activity increases in the Caribbean and the Pacific, Petro told CNN in an interview, (Oil) is at the heart of the matter, noting that Venezuela holds what are considered the largest proven oil reserves in the world.

So, thats a negotiation about oil. I believe that is (US President Donald) Trumps logic. Hes not thinking about the democratisation of Venezuela, let alone the narco-trafficking, he said, adding that Venezuela is not considered a major drug producer and that only a relatively small portion of the global drugs trade flows through the country.

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Petro has been at odds with Trump since his return to the White House, repeatedly condemning the administrations immigration policies, its support for Israel and its expanding military activity in Latin America.

On Tuesday, he accused Washington of trying to impose its will on neighboring countries, likening its actions to imperialism.

The United States cannot be considered an empire, but one of the nations among others, CNN quoted him as saying.

Asked for a message to Americans, Petro said, My message is the one they give to all members of the United States special forces: Your function, as they say in the oaths, is to fight against oppression. I repeated that on the streets in the United States, and it also cost me.

He appeared to be referring to the US State Departments decision to revoke his visa after the UN General Assembly in September, following his call for US soldiers to disobey Trump and not to point their rifles at humanity.

The visa revocation is one of several steps the Trump administration has taken against Petro in recent months.

In October, the US Treasury sanctioned the Colombian president, accusing him of playing a role in the global illicit drug trade, a claim he has rejected.

The sanctions came just days after Trump threatened to halt all US payments and subsidies to Colombia, saying Petro does nothing to stop drug production.

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Petros cocaine seizure claims

Petro defended his governments anti-narcotics record, telling CNN that Colombia has seized more cocaine than any administration in history.

So much so that in recent years, I have managed to ensure that the growth in crops, which is stagnating, is far surpassed by the growth in seizures, he was quoted as saying.

When asked why Trump has not acknowledged those results, Petro responded: Because of pride. Because he thinks Im a subversive thug, a terrorist, and things like that, simply because I was a member of the M-19, referring to the Colombian guerrilla group active in the 1970s and 1980s.

Petro also said he believes the US is comparing him to Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro.

His remarks came a day after the US designated the Cartel de los Soles  which Washington claims is led by Maduro  as a foreign terrorist organisation. Venezuela denies the allegation, and experts say the term refers more to allegedly corrupt officials than a structured criminal group.

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Petro said he is not convinced by US accusations linking Maduro to drug trafficking.

The problem of Maduro is called democracy  the lack of democracy, he told CNN, adding that no Colombian investigation  has shown us a relationship between Colombian drug trafficking and Maduro.

Venezuela not a cocaine-producing country

According to the CNN report, citing UNODC data, Venezuela is not a cocaine-producing country. More than 2,500 of the worlds 3,700 tons come from Colombia, and Venezuela does not appear on production maps.

The UNODC notes that the majority of Colombian cocaine is being trafficked north along the Pacific coast. The DEA similarly reported in March that 84% of cocaine seized in the US originates from Colombia.

Over the weekend, Colombias Noticias Caracol reported alleged links between Colombian officials and former FARC dissidents, claiming senior military and intelligence figures shared sensitive information and advised armed groups on weapons procurement and avoiding scrutiny.

Petro has denied the allegations but ties between officials and traffickers have existed for years, predating his presidency.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

A US State Department spokesperson said Washington is aware of the reports and urged Colombian authorities to thoroughly investigate these allegations and take all appropriate actions.

Colombia remains a key US security partner in South America; in 2022, the Biden administration named it a major non-Nato ally.

Despite high-level tensions, relations between the two countries remain steady.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emphasised that Washingtons concerns focus on Petro personally, not Colombian institutions.

Our relationships with the people of Colombia are strong and enduring, and theyre going to be strong and enduring long after this individual is no longer the president there, CNN quoted Rubio as saying.

With inputs from agencies
HUAWEI today expanded its True Wireless Stereo (TWS) lineup with the FreeBuds Pro 5, launched in China. The earbuds feature a Star Ring design with a diamond-engraved surface around a sound-focused ring and a charging case finished with a smooth excimer film coating.

The Sky Blue variant adds a vegan leather case with a 3D deep-curved surface, resistant to scratches and fingerprints, while all variants are built for durability. The in-ear structure has been redesigned using data from over 10,000 human ears for a lighter and more comfortable fit, with four silicone tip sizes improving stability, sealing, and comfort during extended use.

The FreeBuds Pro 5 support NearLink StarFlash audio, powered by the Kirin A3 chip. The dual-band antenna dynamically switches between 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz to maintain stable connectivity in environments such as subways, high-speed trains, and airports.

Compared with traditional Bluetooth, StarFlash delivers 8 higher data rate, 2 wider coverage, and stronger transmission and reception. The earbuds support 4.6 Mbps lossless audio at 96 kHz / 24-bit and are certified for HWA and Hi-Res Wireless Audio.

Key Features:

Dual-channel independent acoustic system with dual DSP processors and dual DAC drivers.

Super-linear dual-magnetic woofer (10 Hz) and ultra-thin micro planar tweeter (48 kHz).

Yuezhang sound profiles: Balanced, Vocal, Classical, Bass.

Dual-unit, dual-channel active noise cancellation with MIMO AI sensing.

Transparency mode, AI conversation mode, and bidirectional call noise reduction up to 100 dB ambient noise.

Real-time volume monitoring, hearing compensation, TUV Rheinland-certified.

Multi-scenario recording up to 200 minutes, real-time transcription, speaker ID, automatic summary (HarmonyOS 6).

Xiaoyi AI assistant: 21-language translation, continuous dialogue, head gesture response.

StarFlash precise search up to 50 meters, anti-drop alerts.

The earbuds provide up to 9 hours of playback with ANC off and 6 hours with ANC on, while total battery life reaches 38 hours with the charging case. They support seamless multi-device audio switching on HarmonyOS and feature IP57 water resistance, with the charging case rated IP54. Additional functionality includes automatic pet monitoring, allowing audio to be received without wearing the earbuds.

Quick Specs: HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 5

Earphone Size: 29.1  21.8  23.7 mm

Charging Case Size: 65.5  46.7  22.98 mm (Sky Blue: 66.11  46.98  24.06 mm)

Earphone Weight: ~5.5 g

Charging Case Weight: ~43 g (Sky Blue: ~46 g)

Complete Package Weight: ~153156 g

Controls: Double-tap, triple-tap, slide, long press, pinch  for play/pause, track change, volume, calls, noise modes, voice assistant

Audio Technology: ANC, call noise reduction, intelligent dynamic noise cancellation, transparency, AI conversation, adaptive volume, multiple EQ options; dual DSP + DAC; woofer 10 Hz, tweeter 48 kHz; Yuezhang sound profiles

Sensors: Infrared, Hall, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Bone conduction, Touch, Pressure

Battery: Earbuds 60 mAh, Case 537 mAh; playback ANC off: 89 h earbuds / 3338 h case; ANC on: 56 h earbuds / 2225 h case; voice calls ANC off: 5 h / 22 h, ANC on: 4 h / 18 h; USB-C & 5 W wireless charging; standby ~5 months

Wireless: Bluetooth 6.0, NearLink E2.0; SBC/AAC/L2HC/LDAC; up to 10 m range; multi-device support; nearby pop-up (Huawei devices)

Waterproof / Dustproof: Earbuds IP57, Charging case IP54

Packing List: Earphones 2, Charging case 1, Silicone ear tips 4 (L/M/S/XS), Quick Guide & Warranty, Huawei Music Privilege Card

Pricing and Availability

The HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 5 is priced at 1499 yuan (USD 211 or Rs. 18,885 approx.) and is available in Earth Gold, Snow White, Frost Silver, and Sky Blue in China.
Qualcomm just announced the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Mobile Platform, the companys latest premium SoC, after teasers at the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 launch event last month.

Dual Premium Tier Strategy

The introduction of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 expands Qualcomms premium tier family, providing consumers with increased choice and flexibility. The new platform aims to address growing demand for advanced capabilities across various mobile experiences, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), camera innovations, and immersive gaming.

Intuitive AI and On-Device Intelligence

A core focus of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is transforming the user-device interaction. The platform integrates the Qualcomm Sensing Hub, which is designed to intelligently combine microphone and sensor inputs, allowing users to activate their AI assistant simply by picking up the device, based on the detection of the users intent to speak.

Furthermore, the Qualcomm AI Engine facilitates the use of agentic AI assistants, which are capable of delivering personalized suggestions and context-aware interactions. Powering these on-device intelligent experiences is the Qualcomm Hexagon NPU, which is reported to achieve up to a 46% improvement in performance.

Enhanced Flagship Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is positioned as a high-speed mobile systems-on-a-chip. It features the custom-built Qualcomm Oryon CPU, which is stated to fuel peak clock speeds up to 3.8 GHz. This processing unit reportedly delivers a 36% improvement in overall performance and a 76% enhancement in web browsing responsiveness compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This increased processing power is intended to support smoother multitasking, faster responsiveness, and improved efficiency for demanding applications.

Complementing the CPU is the Qualcomm Adreno GPU. This component utilizes an innovative sliced architecture, which Qualcomm states unlocks higher clock speeds and contributes to an 11% boost in gaming and graphics performance compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 (SM8845) specifications

2 x Oryon Prime CPU at up to 3.8GHz, 6 x Oryon Performance CPUs at up to 3.32GHz

3nm Process Technology

Built-in Qualcomm Snapdragon X80 5G modem-RF system

5G speeds of up to 10Gpbs down, mmWave: 8 carriers, 22 MIMO, Sub-6 GHz: 46 MIMO, Converged mmWave-sub-6 transceiver

Qualcomm Adreno next-gen GPU, Qualcomm Oryon CPU with hardware-based AI acceleration

Qualcomm Hexagon NPU, Fused AI accelerator architecture, 12 scalar + 8 vector + 1 accelerator configuration, Hexagon Direct Link, Micro Tile Inferencing, Concurrency support, 64-bit memory virtualization, Support for INT2, INT4, INT8, INT16, FP8, FP16 precisions, including mix precision, Support for Gen AI model encryption for extra security

Snapdragon Game Super Resolution, Adreno Frame Motion Engine 2.1, Snapdragon Game Post Processing Accelerator

HDR gaming (10-bit color depth, Rec. 2020 color gamut), Snapdragon Shadow Denoiser

API support: OpenGL ES 3.2, OpenCL 3.0 FP, Vulkan 1.3

Hardware-accelerated H.265, VP9, AV1 decoder, HDR Playback Codec support for HDR10+, HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision

Up to 48MP triple camera, Up to 108 MP single camera with ZSL, Up to 108 MP single camera @ 30FPS with Zero Shutter Lag, Up to 320-megapixel photo capture, Qualcomm Spectra Image Signal Processor  Triple 20-bit AI-ISPs

Engine for Visual Analytics (EVA) 5.0 with significant quality

improvement in local motion estimation (optical flow), Support for the latest HDR, LOFIC, DCG+VS, DCG, Staggered, QDOL, Less Blanking, and Multi-Frame HDR image sensors

improvement in local motion estimation (optical flow), Support for the latest HDR, LOFIC, DCG+VS, DCG, Staggered, QDOL, Less Blanking, and Multi-Frame HDR image sensors Rec. 2020 color gamut photo and video capture, Up to 10-bit color depth photo and video capture

10-bit HEIF: HEIC photo capture, HEVC video capture, Google Ultra HDR photo capture

Video capture HDR formats: HDR10+, HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision, 8K HDR video playback @ 30 FPS, 4K video capture @ 120 FPS, Slow-mo video at 1080p @ 480 FPS, Night Vision 3.0 low-light video capture, Video super resolution, Massive Multi-Frame Noise Reduction with AI, AI Video Processing, Enhanced AI video segmentation @ 4K60 FPS, Real-time AI skin and sky tone adjustments in 4K60 FPS

On-Device Display Support: 4K+ @ 120Hz,QHD+ @ 240Hz, Maximum External Display Support: Up to 4K @ 120Hz Up to 8K @ 30Hz, Scaling and Detail Enhancement, 10-bit color depth, Rec. 2020 color gamut, HDR10, HDR10+, HDR vivid, and Dolby Vision HDR, Display Uniformity Correction, Display Aging Compensation

Support for LP-DDR5x memory up to 4800 MHz, Memory Density: Up to 24 GB

Qualcomm FastConnect 7900 Mobile Connectivity System: Wi-Fi 7 Peak speed: 5.8 Gbps, Wi-Fi 7 802.11be, 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) Multi-gigabit, Integrated 802.11ac 22 (2-stream) MU-MIMO, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6GHz, Bluetooth 6.0, LE Audio, Dual Bluetooth antennas, Integrated Ultra Wideband (UWB), IEEE 802.15.4z, FiRA, CCC

Snapdragon Sound Technology Suite: Qualcomm aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless audio, Qualcomm Expanded Personal Area Network (XPAN) technology, Qualcomm Aqstic audio codec, Qualcomm Aqstic smart speaker amplifier: Total, Harmonic Distortion + Noise (THD+N) Playback: -108dB, Qualcomm Aqstic Speaker Max, Qualcomm Audio and Voice Communication Suite, Spatial audio with head-tracking, Qualcomm Closed Loop Smart Haptics

Concurrent GPS, Glonass, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS, NavIC, Triple frequency GNSS (L1/L2C/L5), AI-based GNSS Location Gen 3, Sensor-Assisted Positioning 6.0, Urban pedestrian navigation with sidewalk accuracy, Global freeway lane-level vehicle navigation

USB Version 3.1 Gen 2; USB Type-C Support, UFS 4.0

Qualcomm Quick Charge 5 technology

Availability

Qualcomm said that global OEMs and smartphone brands, including iQOO, Honor, Meizu, Motorola, OnePlus and vivo, are poised to launch devices powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, in the coming days.

OnePlus will be the first company to use the chip in its OnePlus Ace 6T in China first, and the phone will launch as OnePlus 15R globally, including India on December 17th.
OnePlus has confirmed that its upcoming device, the OnePlus 15R, will be the first smartphone globally to launch with the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Mobile Platform.

The OnePlus 15R is the newest addition to the OnePlus R series, a line of devices positioned as flagship offerings with a focus on high performance and enhanced gaming capabilities. Consistent with this focus, the OnePlus 15R will debut with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Mobile Platform.

This chipset is the latest expansion of the Snapdragon 8 Series, which has also been featured in preceding R-series models, including the OnePlus 11R, OnePlus 12R, and OnePlus 13R.

According to the announcement, the development of this new chipset was a collaboration between Qualcomm and OnePlus. Performance metrics released indicate a 36% increase in CPU performance compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Additionally, the new platform is stated to offer an 11% increase in GPU performance and an improvement of up to 46% in AI performance.

The full unveiling of the OnePlus 15R is scheduled for 17 December, with the company noting that more details regarding the device will be released in the weeks leading up to the launch.

Commenting on this, Robin Liu, CEO of OnePlus India, said:

OnePlus has always led the way in speed, and Im thrilled that OnePlus 15R, our new performance flagship, will be equipped with Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, one of the fastest and most powerful chipsets on the market. Weve worked closely with Qualcomm to ensure the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Mobile Platform is optimised for our users, and Im excited to see how our users take to the OnePlus 15R when it launches later this year.

Chris Patrick, senior vice president and general manager, mobile handset, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc, said:

Qualcomm Technologies is proud to collaborate with OnePlus for their newest device powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Mobile Platform. By combining our latest premium platform with OnePluss commitment to performance, were enabling users to experience new levels of speed, intelligence, and efficiency.
People's Daily digital bulletin board debuts in New York

People's Daily Online) 09:46, November 26, 2025

The unveiling ceremony for People's Daily digital bulletin board was held in New York on Nov. 24 local time. Ma Hongwei, deputy editor-in-chief of People's Daily, and Ma Xiaoxiao, acting Chinese consul general in New York, attended the event.

As 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, the debut of People's Daily digital bulletin board in the United States serves as a new platform for sharing stories of ChinaU.S. friendship and cooperation. Equipped with a bilingual ChineseEnglish communication system, the digital bulletin board offers functional, scenario-based, and customizable cultural and information services.

It features special exhibition sections titled "The Shine of the Bond with Kuliang: Stories of China-U.S. Friendship and Cooperation" and "Echoes of History," showcasing highlights from submissions to the inaugural Kuliang Forum. The displays present touching accounts of people-to-people exchanges between China and the United States and commemorate the years when the two countries fought side by side to safeguard world peace.

People's Daily digital bulletin board has already reached 14 cities across nine countries outside of China.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024.
A federal judge has given the Justice Department a day to say what materials it plans to make publicly available from the file it built to prosecute Ghislaine Maxwell in the sex trafficking case brought against her after financier Jeffrey Epstein died
Contracts

Contracts For Nov. 25, 2025

ARMY

The Boeing Co., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $4,685,369,804 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of new build Apache AH-64E attack helicopters, Longbow crew trainers, and associated components, spares, and accessories. Work will be performed in Mesa, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of May 30, 2032. Fiscal 2010 Foreign Military Sales (Poland, Egypt, and Kuwait) funds in the amount of $2,295,831,204 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-26-C-0002).

Overhaul Support Services LLC, East Granby, Connecticut, was awarded a $19,470,104 firm-fixed-price contract for the overhaul of the left-and right-hand exhaust ducts for the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 25, 2030. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-26-D-0015).

AIR FORCE

Boeing Defense, Space, & Security, a division of The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, has been awarded a $2,469,937,348 modification (P00334) to previously awarded FA8625-11-C-6600 contract for Lot 12 Production Aircraft, G081, subscriptions and licenses. Work will be performed at Seattle, Washington, and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2029. Fiscal 2026 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $2,469,937,348 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Linthicum Heights, Maryland, was awarded a ceiling $100,000,000 cost reimbursement, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Stand-in Attack Weapon Subsystem support. This contract provides for active seeker specific support associated for components, test and evaluation support, science and technology development. Work will be performed at Baltimore, Maryland, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2034. This contract was a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2025 research and development funds in the amount of $21,953 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA865926DB001).

Emagine IT Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, was awarded $32,781,760 firm-fixed-price contract for advisory and assistant services. This contract provides for advisory and assistance services to the Department of the Air Force Chief Information Officer in support of cybersecurity, information technology governance, and workforce development initiatives. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 29, 2029. This contract was a competitive acquisition, and eight offers were received. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $1,602109 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force District of Washington, Washington, D.C, is the contracting activity (FA701426F0004).

BB&E, Inc., Northville, Michigan, was awarded a $27,854,254 firm-fixed-price contract for Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Chief of Staff Program Management Office. This contract provides for services in support of the headquarters PACAF building repair program and in support of the Chief of Staff Facilities Office. Work will be performed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 27, 2035. This contract was a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,359,887 are being obligated at time of award. The 766 Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (FA521526C0003).

KBR Wyle Services LLC, Chantilly, Virginia, was awarded a maximum $12,822,929 firm-fixed-price contract for Eddy Current inspection services. This contract provides for preventative and remedial services support and sustainment for the eddy current inspection hardware and associated software. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2030. This contract was a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2026 working capital funds in the amount of $2,454,125 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Sustainment Center Maintenance Contracting Branch, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma is the contracting activity (FA813226C0001).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Royal Food Service Co. Inc.,* Atlanta, Georgia (SPE300-26-D-S785, $525,000,000), and T & T Produce Inc.,* Ringgold, Georgia (SPE300-26-D-P446, $150,000,000), have each been awarded a fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract under solicitation SPE300-23-R-0037 for fresh fruit and vegetable items. This was a competitive acquisition with four responses received. These are five-year contracts with no option periods. The ordering period end date is Nov. 23, 2030. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Department of Agriculture. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2031 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

UPDATE: Nexsys Electronics Inc.,* doing business as Medweb, Burlingame, California (SPE2D1-26-D-0002, $43,513,588), has been added as an awardee to the multiple award contract for digital imaging network picture archiving communications system products and maintenance, issued against solicitation SPE2D1-15-R-0004 and awarded Aug. 12, 2016. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

NAVY

Vectrus Systems LLC, Colorado Springs, Colorado, is awarded a $43,607,101 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded fixed-price-award-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N69450-23-D-0022) for base operations support services. This award brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $131,261,821. The contract modification is for the exercise of Option Period Two for an additional twelve months of base operations support services under the basic contract. Work will be performed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and is expected to be completed by November 2026. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Fiscal 2026 operation and maintenance (O&M), (Navy); fiscal 2026 Defense health program; fiscal 2026 O&M, (Army); and fiscal 2026 O&M, (Defense Agencies) contract funds in the amount of $32,627,760, for recurring work will be obligated on an individual task orders issued during option period two. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (N69450-23-D-0022).

Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is awarded a $10,242,291 modification (P00006) cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N0001924F0085) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001922G0002). This modification exercises an option to provide continued maintenance, logistics, and program management support to meet V-22 modification and retrofit requirements for the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy. Work will be performed in San Diego, California (20%); Jacksonville, North Carolina (20%); Ridley Park, Pennsylvania (20%); Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii (20%); and Forth Worth, Texas (20%), and is expected to be completed in November 2026. Fiscal 2026 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,242,291 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY

Insignia Federal Group LLC, McLean, Virginia, was competitively awarded a $12,466,726 firm-fixed-price contract (HT0011-26-C-E001) to support the Defense Health Agency TRICARE Health Plan (THP) enterprise. This contract provides for the support of the THP programs and activities including purchased health care services, human resources programs for the Assistant Director, Health Care Administration; the Deputy Assistant Director, Health Care Operations; and THP front office operations, assisting program managers with contract transitions, providing program integration support, and providing analytical support to program managers. The place of performance is Falls Church, Virigina; Aurora, Colorado; and San Antonio, Texas. The contract is for a base period of 12 months with three option periods. This award was the result of a competitive acquisition amongst small businesses. Fiscal 2026 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $12,466,726 will be executed, subject to the availability of funds, for the 12-month base period from Oct. 7, 2025, to Oct. 8, 2026. The Defense Health Agency, Professional Services Contracting Division, Falls Church, Virginia, was the contracting activity. (Awarded October 7, 2025)

*Small business

https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4342931/

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Taking flight: Pennsylvania Guard expands drone usage

By Brad Rhen November 24, 2025

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. -- In a small aircraft hangar on the east end of the post, a makeshift obstacle course has been built primarily from leftover construction material such as wood and PVC pipes.

This isn't an obstacle course for Soldiers to test their fitness or agility. It's for operators of unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones.

As seen in Ukraine and elsewhere around the world, drones are becoming more prevalent on the modern battlefield. Where once troops and manned vehicles reigned supreme, unmanned systems now perform numerous missions, including direct attacks, surveillance and target acquisition.

The Pennsylvania National Guard has been using drones for more than a decade, primarily for surveillance and reconnaissance. As tactics have changed in places such as Ukraine, Pennsylvania has strived to keep pace. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nathan Shea, operations officer with the Unmanned Aircraft Systems facility, said he believes unmanned systems will play an even larger role in future warfare.

"Unmanned systems as a whole - whether that be unmanned aircraft, ground, naval, all of the above - are going to be a massive player in shaping future fights and how we fight," Shea said. "The more we can remove humans from the front lines and direct combat, I think the more you're going to see that."

High-stakes training

The UAS facility at Fort Indiantown Gap dates to 2007 and originally housed the RQ-7 Shadow UAS, which the 28th Infantry Division used until January 2024, when the Army stopped using Shadows.

The Shadow was a fixed-wing UAS with a 20-foot wingspan that was designed for surveillance, reconnaissance and target acquisition, said Shea, who is a member of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, or SBCT.

Since the Army has not yet fielded a replacement system for the Shadow, the UAS facility is in a transitional phase. Shea and the other Soldiers who work there are experimenting with different kinds of drones, including first-person-view, or FPV, drones.

The obstacle course, built inside a former Shadow hangar, allows FPV drone operators to practice flying.

"It's a great indoor, all-weather space that we get to utilize, and it focuses on building out tactics," Shea said. "Every obstacle, as random as they may seem placed, has a very specific purpose. It's meant to build accuracy for the pilots."

Earlier this year, Shea returned from a deployment with the 56th SBCT to Germany, where the brigade assumed responsibility of Joint Multinational Training Group - Ukraine, which trains Ukrainian soldiers. His role was to oversee all UAS operations and the UAS training programs for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

"We trained these operators from nothing to full-blown drone operators ready to go to war in about 45 days' time," Shea said. "It was a very high-stress program. The stakes were very high, and there was very little room for error on either party's part."

Shea said he built an obstacle course in Germany similar to the one at the UAS facility to train Ukrainian soldiers, and he plans to build an outdoor training course eventually.

Like other Army units - both active duty and National Guard - Pennsylvania is waiting for funding to build out its UAS capabilities, Shea said. He knows which systems he would like and which are needed to support the different missions.

"There's no 100 percent answer on a system right now," Shea said. "What works for the cav [cavalry] is not going to work for the engineers, probably. The advantage is we already tested a lot of these systems, so we know what systems we need, we know what modifications we need to make to those systems to make them fit more warfighting functions."

'UAS is the future'

At the 166th Regiment - Regional Training Institute, a U.S. Army schoolhouse on Fort Indiantown Gap that offers numerous courses, instructors are teaching students in several military occupational specialties about drones.

On a recent day, Soldiers from across the Army attending the infantry Advanced Leader Course, or ALC, received a drone familiarization class.

The class was split: half of the Soldiers conducted dismounted infantry operations and infantry tactics, while the other half discussed drone use and what's happening on the front lines now. While half of the class had those discussions, an instructor used a small quadcopter drone to observe the other half of the class in the nearby woods.

"If we look at the operational environment and the battlefields around the world right now, UAS is the future, and we have to address that fight," said Sgt. 1st Class Mark Thompson, course manager for the infantry ALC at the 166th Regiment. "These guys are going to be the ones on the front lines, whatever the next major engagement is, so we want them to be able to see drones and experience them for the first time here in a controlled environment, not on the front lines.

"It's very, very important for them to be able to start encompassing that in the way that they train, the way that they operate," Thompson added.

Thompson said the 166th Regiment is implementing drones on different fronts. In addition to the familiarization classes, the 1st Battalion also runs the Small Unmanned Aerial System Operator Course, in which students learn drone basics.

The 166th has been using UAS for several years, and the training is constantly evolving as new technologies and new tactics emerge, Thompson said.

"We have a fantastic staff who are all very dedicated to maintaining the most current up-to-date stuff coming off the battlefield right now, whether that be in the European theater or around the world, or down at the border in the United States, how drones are being implemented by friendly and by enemy assets," Thompson said. "When we get that stuff, we pretty much have a working group as a staff, discuss the positives and negatives, and then we implement it to the students."

Thompson said UAS familiarization is very important because it gives Soldiers a foundational knowledge base to operate drones efficiently.

"We want them to be able have that foundational knowledge in a training environment so that when they actually go to do it in real world, they are 10 times more proficient because they have that foundational base," Thompson said.

Drones in the field

Across the Pennsylvania National Guard, Soldiers have increased their use of drones during training throughout the past year.

In August, Soldiers with 1-109th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team - along with Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 107th Field Artillery Regiment and representatives of Carnegie Mellon University's Software Engineering Institute - used drones and artificial intelligence to make the process of requesting artillery fire less stressful for Soldiers on the battlefield.

The exercise, part of Project Shrike, used a software package developed by Carnegie Mellon University's Software Engineering Institute in partnership with the U.S. Army Artificial Intelligence Integration Center. This artificial intelligence-enabled system enables artillery units to detect, target and engage threats faster and with greater precision. The project reduces the complex task of calling for fire to mere seconds.

"The system highlights targets and recommends firing solutions for operator decision," said Chad Hershberger, a software engineer with Carnegie Mellon University's Software Engineering Institute. "The human is in the decision loop in order to accept or reject the system's recommendation."

In a similar exercise in November 2024, instructors from the 166th Regiment's 1st Battalion used quadcopter drones to gather target information and send it to students taking the artillery Advanced Leader Course under the guidance of instructors from the 2nd Battalion. The students then engaged the targets with howitzers.

They also used drones to observe the fall of the artillery rounds, make required adjustments and conduct battle-damage assessments.

"We've been seeing it through open-source intelligence, obviously in the conflict that's going on in Ukraine, that they've been doing a lot of these things, so we're adjusting with the times, and we're developing procedures and efficiencies in order to conduct these tasks," said Sgt. 1st Class Richard Hutnik, quality assurance noncommissioned officer for the 1st Battalion who was piloting a drone during the exercise.

Whether on an obstacle course, in a classroom or in a field training environment, the Pennsylvania National Guard is attempting to stay at the forefront of drone tactics and technology as drone usage continually increases on the battlefield.

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Russian air attacks on Ukraine, in the vicinity of the border with Romania

Romania - Ministry of National Defence

Press release No. 221

24.11.2025

The Russian Federation resumed its drone attacks on civilian targets and port infrastructure in Ukraine, on the night of November 23rd to 24th, in the vicinity of the border with Romania.

Radar monitoring systems detected air targets heading to Ismail, and two German Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft conducting enhanced Air Policing Missions scrambled to monitor the air situation.

The drones disappeared from the radar, shortly after explosions were reported in Ismail.

No incursions of unmanned aerial vehicles into the Romanian airspace were detected, and the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft returned to the 57th Air Base at 01.01.

At 01.45, following the detection of air targets 30 kilometers north of Snake Island, with possible incursions towards Valcov, Chilia or Ismail, Romanian Air Force scrambled two of its F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft.

The authorities sent a RO-Alert message to the population in the north of Tulcea County at 02.20.

During the mission, the F-16 aircraft reported air targets at various distances from Ismail and observed explosions on the Ukrainian territory. No drone incursions into the national airspace were detected and the F-16 aircraft returned to the 86th Air Base at 03:51.

***

The Ministry of National Defence maintains permanent contact with the allies and acts to guarantee the security of Romania and NATO's Eastern Flank.

The Press Office

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Bomber Task Force Europe 26-1 concludes, demonstrating global reach and Allied integration

News | Nov. 24, 2025

By U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa Public Affairs

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany. -- U.S. B-52H Stratofortress bomber aircraft departed Spain, Nov. 24, returning to Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, and concluding Bomber Task Force Europe 26-1, a two-week deployment exercising the U.S. Air Force's ability to project power globally.

During the deployment, the B-52 aircrews executed a series of complex, high-end training scenarios with Allies and partners across the U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility.

"This Bomber Task Force demonstrated our ability to seamlessly integrate with Allies and partners across USEUCOM, USAFRICOM, and USCENTCOM, showcasing the U.S. Air Force's commitment to Allied combat power and regional security," said Lt. Col. Matthew Dougherty, 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron commander.

The B-52 bombers trained with Allied air forces from Finland, Lithuania and Sweden, focusing on scenarios to counter a potential adversary's anti-access, area-denial capabilities. This deployment sharpened warfighting readiness through weapons simulations and the find, fix, track and target process, commonly called F2T2, which is used to locate and strike threats in real-time while operating under conditions shaped by anti-access and area denial threats. Aircrews also conducted aerial refueling operations to validate their ability to rapidly refuel and regenerate in unfamiliar or austere locations, enhancing their operational reach and responsiveness.

"From enhancing our beyond-line-of-sight find, fix, track, and targeting process to countering anti-access, area-denial environments, we are strengthening partnerships in Africa and the Middle East, and maintaining freedom of maneuver with Allied integration in USEUCOM," said Maj. Adam Carr, 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron director of operations.

Throughout the deployment, the B-52 aircraft and crews participated in a range of activities, demonstrating the bomber's versatility and adaptability, including integrating with a NATO-operated E-3 Airborne Early Warning and Control System aircraft. The collaboration emphasized the importance of Allied integration and joint execution of complex tactical processes.

In the USCENTCOM area of responsibility, B-52s participated in Exercise Ferocious Falcon 6, a biennial, Qatar-hosted multinational joint exercise designed to enhance lethality and combat efficiency among U.S. and allied forces. The bombers also took part in the Dubai Airshow, providing a flyover to showcase U.S. airpower to a global audience.

Further demonstrating the integrated nature of BTF 26-1, U.S. Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Controllers deployed from Vicenza, Italy, to Atar, Mauritania, to conduct ground-to-air training with Mauritanian Air Force personnel, honing their ability to communicate time-sensitive information with the B-52 aircrew flying overhead. This training enhanced interoperability and strengthened relationships with partners in Africa.

Bomber Task Force Europe deployments are recurring missions that demonstrate the U.S. Air Force's commitment to projecting airpower globally while ensuring forces remain ready to respond to any contingency, reinforcing the defense of the homeland and reassuring Allies.

"Such a robust deployment sustains our lethality and reinforces our ability to project global combat power at a time and place of our choosing, while deterring our potential adversaries," said Dougherty. "There is no replacement for hard power, and the B-52 personifies American strength."

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Swiss Government

Press release

Published on 25 November 2025

Bern, 25.11.2025 -- The National Armaments Director, Urs Loher, will meet with the Finnish Armaments Director, Olli Ruutu, for bilateral talks in Helsinki, Finland on 25 November 2025. The exchange will focus on current security and arms policy topics as well as possible cooperations in the armaments area.

The bilateral armaments meeting between Switzerland and Finland will take place on 25 November 2025. National Armaments Director Urs Loher will hold discussions with his Finnish counterpart, Olli Ruutu, on national and international topics in the area of armaments.

The expert discussions will cover current arms policy topics, such as national security and arms policy developments in Switzerland and Finland, the European armaments cooperation and current as well as future arms procurements. The issue of drones, in which Finland and Switzerland are global leaders, will also be a key topic. The Finnish delegation will thus present its current drone strategy, while Switzerland will address its Taskforce Drones.

During the meeting, the armaments directors will also discuss any industrial cooperation possibilities, in particular between the Finnish company Patria and RUAG MRO. Patria is an international defence and technology company, which for the most part belongs to the Finnish state as well as Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace from Norway. Representatives from Patria and RUAG MRO will also take part in the relevant agenda items at the bilateral meeting of the armaments directors. At the end of the visit in Finland, a short visit to Patria will also take place at its location in Helsinki.
Strengthening Africa's response to emerging cyber threats

Council of Europe

Council of Europe co-organises third African Forum on cybercrime and electronic evidence in Nairobi

Council of Europe

Strasbourg

25 November 2025

The global rise of challenges such as the need to combat AI-driven crimes and cyberviolence, tracing illicit financial flows and virtual assets, enhancing online child protection, and the use of electronic evidence in cross-border law enforcement concerns Africa as much as other continents, including Europe. Cybercrime does not respect borders. The spectre of those threats is central to the third African Forum on cybercrime and electronic evidence, which is taking place this week.

The forum brings together over 350 representatives from more than 35 African countries in Nairobi, Kenya, from 25 to 27 November to examine emerging cybercrime threats, and has been organised by the Council of Europe and the European Union alongside the Kenyan government. Part of the forum will also highlight the operational tools needed to strengthen cooperation between African nations in tackling cybercrime.

Improving international cooperation against cybercrime

Building on the success of the first two forums in 2018 and 2021, this year's meeting aims to foster open discussions and knowledge-sharing between African countries, serving as a platform for enhancing capacities to combat cybercrime in line with the international standards promoted by the Council of Europe's Cybercrime Convention (Budapest Convention) and for ensuring the protection of human rights and the rule of law in cyberspace.

Africa's booming digital economy

Africa's rapid digital transformation, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion and one of the fastest-growing digital economies globally, presents major opportunities, but also increasing risks from cyber threats. Cybercrime currently costs the continent over USD 4 billion annually, affecting individuals, businesses, and public institutions alike.

Since 2018, the African Forum on cybercrime has been a cornerstone of collaborative efforts by African policymakers, criminal justice authorities and international partners to address these challenges. The initiative supports the development of effective legal frameworks and specialised skills, and the strengthening of international cooperation on cybercrime and electronic evidence.

The forum is part of a broader partnership between the African Union Commission, the European Union and the Council of Europe, aimed at supporting African countries in building robust cybercrime responses and ensuring the protection of rights in the digital era.

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European Union and Fiji - Second Partnership Dialogue under the Samoa Agreement

European External Action Service (EEAS)

25.11.2025

Brussels, Belgium

EEAS Press Team

The European Union and Fiji held their second "Partnership Dialogue" under Art. 3 of the new Partnership Agreement between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the EU ("Samoa Agreement") on 20 November in Brussels.

The EU and Fiji took stock of their bilateral cooperation since the last Partnership Dialogue meeting held in Fiji in 2024 and updated each other on key developments. Both parties underlined their firm commitment to further deepening and strengthening their partnership in upholding the rules-based international order, with the UN at its core. They emphasised the importance of ensuring that multilateralism is effective and inclusive, particularly in addressing challenges related to climate change, economic uncertainties, and respective regional security.

Both sides underlined the importance of addressing the consequences of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

They also stressed the importance of economic security while fostering an ambitious green and resilient transition within their borders and globally.

Fiji presented the progress made on its social and economic agenda, the priorities of the government and Fiji's role in the regional cooperation architecture in the Pacific.

The EU and Fiji also discussed development cooperation for 2021-2027 under the Global Europe Instrument (NDICI) and the implementation of Global Gateway in the Pacific region. The partnership for development with the EU fully aligns with Fiji's priorities, especially as regards its pledge to become carbon neutral by 2050.

With regards to trade, the EU and Fiji discussed the current state of the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (iEPA) implementation and the potential that it offers for Fiji and other Pacific Island States to increase the level of trade and investment with the EU. The success of the first EU-Pacific Business Forum held in Nadi, Fiji (4-5 September 2025) was also highlighted. Both sides looked forward to the upcoming Trade Committee Meeting of the interim Economic Partnership Agreement between Pacific Island Countries and the EU planned to be held on 26-30 January 2026, to be hosted by Fiji in Suva.

The Partnership Dialogue also reflected the importance that the EU and Fiji attach to their shared values, including the rule of law, democracy, and human rights. Fiji presented the latest progress it made in the fields of good governance and protection of human rights, in particular gender equality and combating gender-based violence.

Furthermore, an extensive discussion was held on Climate Change, Environment and Ocean governance. Both sides recognised the importance of urgently implementing the COP30 results and the further shaping of a new post-2025 climate finance goal.

On Ocean governance, both the EU and Fiji welcomed the progress made and underlined the importance of the implementation of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. Both parties aim to strengthen regional fisheries governance and to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Discussions also covered other shared priorities such as cooperation on taxation and good governance.

The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Martin Bille Hermann, Managing Director for Multilateral Affairs, EEAS and Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of Fiji.

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European Union and Timor-Leste - Second Partnership Dialogue under the Samoa Agreement

European External Action Service (EEAS)

25.11.2025

Brussels, Belgium

EEAS Press Team

The European Union and Timor-Leste held their second "Partnership Dialogue" under Art. 3 of the new Partnership Agreement between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the EU ("Samoa Agreement") on 24 November in Brussels.

The EU and Timor-Leste took stock of bilateral cooperation since the last Partnership Dialogue meeting held in Timor-Leste in 2024 and updated each other on key developments. Both parties underlined their firm commitment to further deepening and strengthening their partnership in upholding the rules-based international order, with the UN at its core. They emphasised the importance of ensuring that multilateralism is effective and inclusive, particularly in addressing challenges related to climate change, economic uncertainties, and respective regional security.

Both sides underlined the importance of addressing the consequences of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

They also stressed the importance of economic security while fostering an ambitious green and resilient transition within their borders and globally.

Timor-Leste presented the progress made on its sustainable development agenda and the priorities of the government following its accession to ASEAN on 26 October 2025. The EU reiterated its readiness to support capacity building in Timor-Leste to benefit to the fullest of its membership in ASEAN.

The Partnership Dialogue also reflected the importance that the EU and Timor-Leste attach to their shared values, including the rule of law, democracy, and human rights. Timor-Leste presented the latest progress it made in the fields of good governance and protection of human rights, in particular gender equality and combating gender-based violence.

Moreover, the EU and Timor-Leste discussed bilateral and regional development cooperation for 2021-2027 under the Global Europe Instrument (NDICI) and the perspectives under the Global Gateway strategy.

Furthermore, discussions focussed on global issues of importance including Climate Change, Environment and Ocean governance. Both sides recognised the importance of urgently implementing the COP30 results and the further shaping of a new post-2025 climate finance goal.

With regards to trade, the EU and Timor-Leste discussed the current state of the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (iEPA) concluded between the EU and several Pacific Island countries and the potential that it offers for Timor-Leste to increase the level of trade and investment with the EU should it pursue its interest to join.

The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Olof SKOOG, Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs, EEAS, and Hon. Bendito dos Santos FREITAS, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste.

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Europe's largest unmanned ground systems development programme was launched in Brussels under Estonia's leadership

Republic of Estonia - Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI)

25.11.2025

News

The major European Defence Fund (EDF - European Defence Fund) project iMUGS2, an integrated unmanned ground systems programme, was officially launched in Brussels. The aim of iMUGS2 (Integrated Modular Unmanned Ground Systems) is to strengthen Europe's autonomy and robotics capabilities by creating a secure and interoperable architecture for both unmanned and manned ground platforms.

According to Kuno Peek, Head of EU Defence Projects at the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI), the project supports Europe's technological independence in key defence domains - from AI-based autonomy to system integration, as well as communication, command and control solutions.

Estonia has a central role in the project: the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) coordinates the interests of the participating Member States, while the consortium coordinator is the Estonian company Milrem Robotics. Other Estonian companies involved as project partners include Cybernetica and Talgen Cybersecurity (Nortal).

Raul Rikk, Director of Capability Development at Milrem Robotics, emphasised that iMUGS2 moves Europe a major step forward towards interoperable and scalable robotic forces - such as a future European unmanned battalion. According to him, the project fosters innovation and international cooperation and lays the groundwork for AI-based autonomous systems to operate seamlessly together on the battlefield.

The strong position of Estonian companies in European defence innovation is also reflected in the EDF calls for proposals. Through the 2024 work programme, 62 projects are being funded, with Estonian companies participating in 15 consortia.

"Applications for the 2025 work programme also show the high level of activity in Estonia's defence industry - our companies are involved in 49 international consortia, the results of which will be announced in the spring of 2026," said Peek.

The iMUGS2 consortium brings together Europe's leading defence, research and technology organisations, with a total volume of approximately 55 million, of which 50 million is covered by European Commission funding. Estonia's contribution is 461,000, making it the third-largest national contributor.

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Foreign Minister Valtonen outlines Finland's Arctic foreign and security policy: Finland is a trusted partner in Arctic security and expertise

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland

25.11.2025 Press releases

On 25 November, Finland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen presented a policy document outlining Finland's Arctic foreign and security policy. The Foreign Minister's policy document complements Finland's Strategy for Arctic Policy (2021) and the Government report on Finnish Foreign and Security Policy (2024).

Finland's Arctic foreign and security policy aims to promote stability, security and sustainable development in the Arctic. These goals are increasingly challenged by growing economic and military tensions.

"The Arctic is attracting growing international interest because of its critical natural resources and new sea routes. As more and more states seek to strengthen their presence in the Arctic, Finland, as an Arctic State, must demonstrate heightened vigilance and engagement. Therefore, it was necessary to clarify our objectives and instruments in Arctic foreign and security policy," Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen stated.

The policy document addresses changes in the foreign and security policy environment that are driven by Russia's war of aggression, Finland's and Sweden's membership in NATO and the rising global interest in the Arctic and its natural resources, among other factors. The Arctic is particularly vulnerable to the impacts and risks of climate change.

"In the new international competitive environment, we must respond to growing economic and military tensions. We can no longer assume that the Arctic holds a special status, untouched by international security policy tensions. The race to the Arctic also opens new opportunities for Finland as an Arctic expert," Minister Valtonen said.

Finland's engagement in Arctic matters is long established, and we now aim to take on an even more prominent role, recognising the significant responsibility that comes with being one of the eight Arctic States. Finland has much to contribute to both Arctic security and the sustainable economic exploitation of the Arctic. Our expertise in cold conditions and Arctic matters is world-leading. As a member of the European Union, NATO and the Arctic Council, we can influence the direction and actions of these organisations.

"Our partners can trust that Finland will always promote the stability and peaceful development of the Arctic on the basis of international law. We wish to cooperate closely with our allies and any other state that has the same objectives as we have," Minister Valtonen said.

Finland's Arctic foreign and security policy is based on international law and constructive cooperation, while respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

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Hamas warns Gaza ceasefire deal may collapse due to Israeli violations

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 25, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem says Israel continues to violate the ceasefire agreement that came into force in Gaza early last month, warning that the deal may collapse if the violations persist.

Qassem made the remarks on Monday, a day after reports that a Hamas delegation had traveled to Cairo, Egypt, for talks with ceasefire mediators. Egypt, the United States, and Qatar have been mediating between Hamas and Israel, and helped secure the ceasefire that took effect on October 10.

The spokesperson confirmed the delegation's visit to Cairo, saying they discussed ongoing Israeli violations.

"Israel's continued violations could undermine the ceasefire agreement, a point the movement made clear to the mediators in the Cairo talks," he said in a press release carried by The Palestine Chronicle.

Qassem added that the presence of Hamas delegates in Cairo demonstrates the movement's commitment to the ceasefire and readiness to move into the next, more complex phase of the agreement.

"The second phase of the agreement is complex, and we have fulfilled what was required of us, while Israel continues its violations and breaches," he noted.

The ceasefire is the first phase of a plan proposed by US President Donald Trump to end the war in Gaza and bring "permanent" peace to the territory.

Under the first phase, Hamas was required to release some 50 remaining Israeli captivesdead or alivein exchange for Israel halting attacks and easing restrictions on aid deliveries into Gaza.

Hamas has so far released all 20 surviving captives and handed over the remains of 25 out of 28 others. It says the retrieval of additional bodies has been delayed due to a lack of equipment to sift through the rubble. Israel, however, says it will not begin negotiations on the second phase until it receives the remaining bodies. The second phase includes, among other measures, the deployment of an international stabilization force in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israel has continued its attacks on Gaza, killing at least 300 Palestinians in shelling and shootings across the territory, according to the Gaza Government Media Office.

Officials in Gaza also say, of the 600 aid trucks agreed to enter the territory each day, fewer than one-third have been allowed through.

Deadly remnants of war

The Gaza officials have also voiced strong criticism over unexploded ordnance and other remnants of war, which they say continue to take a heavy toll on the population.

According to the Gaza Civil Defense Team, one child was killed and several others wounded in Gaza City on Monday due to explosions caused by such remnants.

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem called on relevant international institutions to cooperate in immediately clearing the war remnants.

4194**9417

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Velayati condemns Israeli regime's deadly attack on Beirut

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 25, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Ali Akbar Velayati, Secretary-General of the World Assembly of Islamic Awakening, has strongly condemned the Israeli regime's repeated aggression against civilians in Beirut's southern suburbs, warning that international silence amounts to complicity.

In a statement issued late Monday, Velayati said the "silence of the international community in the face of the criminal behavior and crimes of the Zionist regime" reflects "sympathy with this regime" and stressed that "the costs of such an approach will be imposed on them in the future."

According to the statement, despite the ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon, the occupying regime "not only did not remain committed to its obligations within this agreement, but has also repeatedly introduced itself as a clear violator of human rights and the rules governing international law through blatant violations of the ceasefire, acts of aggression, widespread airstrikes, repeated bombings, and targeting of civilian infrastructure, innocent people, resistance commanders, and Lebanese women and children."

He further denounced the assassination of Haytham Ali Tabatabai as "a treacherous and surprise attack," saying it violated Lebanon's sovereignty and aimed to impose illegitimate demands and spread fear and instability.

4354**9417

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Prime Minister's Office Announcement

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Type: Media Statements

Government: The 37th Government

Publish Date: 25.11.2025

The Prime Minister's Office, today:

Israel has received, via the Red Cross, the coffin of a fallen hostage, which was handed over to an IDF and ISA force inside the Gaza Strip. From there, it will be transferred to Israel, where it will be received in a military ceremony with the participation of an IDF Rabbi.

It will then be transferred to the Health Ministry National Center of Forensic Medicine. Upon completion of the identification process, formal notification will be delivered to the family.

The families of the fallen hostages have been updated accordingly, and our hearts are with them in this difficult hour. The effort to return our hostages is ongoing and will not cease until the last hostage is returned.

The public is requested to respect the families' privacy and to refrain from spreading rumors and unofficial and unverified information.

We will continue to provide updates with reliable information as necessary.

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Prime Minister's Office Statement

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Type: Media Statements

Government: The 37th Government

Publish Date: 25.11.2025

The Prime Minister's Office, today:

"In light of the Islamic Jihad's announcement regarding the location of findings related to a deceased hostage, Israel views with severity the delay in their immediate transfer into its hands. This constitutes a further violation of the agreement. Israel demands the immediate return of the three deceased hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip."

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Renewed violations of Lithuanian airspace from Belarus: Protest note delivered to Embassy representative, reminder of unresolved issue regarding detained carriers' property and denial of entry into Lithuania

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Updated 2025-11-25

On November 24, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania summoned a representative of the Embassy of Belarus and issued a strong protest against over renewed Belarusian hybrid attacks. During the meeting, the Belarusian representative was informed about the violations of Lithuania's airspace from the territory of Belarus in recent days, which are considered by the Lithuanian side as a threat to national security and civil aviation. It was also stressed that the incidents on 20 and 23-24 November led to the forced suspension of the operations of Vilnius International Airport.

The Ministry demanded that Belarus take immediate measures to prevent such violations from occurring again and reminded that, with Belarus deliberately avoiding to prevent similar hybrid activities, Lithuania reserves the right to renew restrictions on the crossing of the state border or to impose additional countermeasures.

The representative of Belarus was also reminded once again of the unresolved issue of the deliberate seizure and refusal to release into the territory of the Republic of Lithuania of trucks, trailers, and semi-trailers registered in the European Union and belonging to natural or legal persons of the European Union from the territory of the Republic of Belarus.

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Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States' borders on November 17-23, 2025

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2025-11-25

International cooperation | Security and defense policy

On November 17-23 NATO Air Policing fighter aircraft were scrambled in response to violations of international flight regulations three times.

On November 17 NATO fighter jets intercepted one IL-20 flying through international airspace from the mainland of the Russian Federation to Kaliningrad Oblast. Its onboard transponder was switched on and radio communication with the regional air traffic control was maintained but the crew had no pre-filed plan for the flight.

On November 18 NATO fighter aircraft identified and escorted one TU-134UBL and one SU-30 flying through international airspace from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad. Their onboard transponders were switched off, the crews were not maintaining radio communication and had no pre-filed flight plans.

On November 20 NATO Air Policing fighter jets were scrambled to intercept one IL-20 flying through international airspace from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad. It onboard transponder was off, the crew was maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control but had no pre-filed flight plan.

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Increasing Israeli attacks killing civilians in Lebanon

Press briefing notes

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

25 November 2025

From

Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Thameen Al-Kheetan

Location

Geneva

Almost a year since the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel was agreed, we continue to witness increasing attacks by the Israeli military resulting in the killing of civilians and destruction of civilian objects in Lebanon, coupled with alarming threats of a wider, intensified offensive.

The Israeli military's attacks have resulted in the killing of at least 127 civilians in Lebanon since the ceasefire agreement came into effect on 27 November 2024, and up until 24 November this year.

In one of the latest -- and deadliest -- attacks, at least 13 civilians, including 11 children, were killed and at least six civilians injured last week in an Israeli strike on the Ein El-Hilweh camp for Palestinian refugees, near Sidon. All the fatalities we have documented as a result of this strike were civilians, raising serious concerns that the Israeli military's attack may have violated international humanitarian law principles on the conduct of hostilities.

There must be prompt and impartial investigations into the Ein El-Hilweh strike, as well as all other incidents involving possible violations of international humanitarian law by all parties, both before and after the ceasefire. Those responsible must be brought to justice.

In addition to killing and injuring civilians, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have destroyed and damaged civilian infrastructure, including housing units, roads, factories and construction sites.

They have also severely hampered reconstruction efforts and attempts by internally displaced people to go back to their homes in southern Lebanon. For example, on 16 November, an Israeli strike hit a cement and asphalt factory in the town of Ansar, destroying dozens of concrete mixers, cranes and fuel tanks.

Over 64,000 people, mostly residents of southern Lebanon, remain displaced in other parts of the country. Israel started constructing a wall crossing into Lebanese territory that makes 4,000 square metres inaccessible to the population, thus affecting people's right to return to their lands.

All those internally displaced must be able to go back to their homes, and reconstruction should be supported, not hampered.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk says it is now urgent that the parties show their commitment to comply with the ceasefire in good faith. A genuine path towards a permanent cessation of hostilities is the only way to protect the human rights of civilians on both sides from the devastating effects of new hostilities. Accountability for violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law must be realised.

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Nigeria: Shock at surge in mass abductions

Press briefing notes

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

25 November 2025

From

Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Thameen Al-Kheetan

Location

Geneva

We are shocked at the recent surge in mass abductions in north-central Nigeria. We urge the Nigerian authorities - at all levels - to take all lawful measures to ensure such vile attacks are halted and to hold those responsible to account.

At least 402 people, most of them schoolchildren, have been abducted in the states of Niger, Kebbi, Kwara and Borno since 17 November. Only 88 of them have reportedly been freed or have escaped from their captors.

We call on the Nigerian authorities to ensure the safe return of all those still in captivity to their families, and to prevent further abductions. They must also hold prompt, impartial, and effective investigations into abductions and bring those responsible to justice.

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Israeli forces Demolish Palestinian Properties and Settlers Burn What Remains----- Israel Commits 3 Massacres in Gaza in 7 Days, and the Death Toll Reaches 88 Martyrs in a Week

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

25-11-2025

Israeli occupation forces killed 88 Palestinians and wounded 231 in the Gaza Strip between November 18 and 24, 2025. The OIC Media Observatory on Israeli Crimes against Palestinians recorded the recovery of five bodies from under the rubble, while the deaths of 180 other Palestinians were confirmed during the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.

Israeli forces crossed the yellow line delineating their areas of control in the Gaza Strip, leading to a new wave of displacement among Palestinians. They continued their violations of the ceasefire agreement, killing Palestinians in Deir al-Balah, east of Shuja'iyya, and Khan Younis. They also killed women and children during their bombardment of southern Gaza, and shelled and killed dozens in various parts of Gaza City. Furthermore, they perpetrated several massacres through airstrikes, artillery shelling, and naval bombardment of different areas in the Gaza Strip, demolishing dozens of homes in Khan Younis and Rafah, and arresting three fishermen near Gaza port.

Meanwhile, reports indicated that the so-called "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation" had ended its operations in the Gaza Strip. The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, and the World Food Programme warned of the continued deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip with the onset of winter. Palestinians also warned of the leakage of toxic substances into the groundwater in Deir al-Balah.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupation forces raided Palestinian cities and villages 437 times, killing seven Palestinians, including three children, and wounding 23 others. Seven children were also injured when an Israeli vehicle ran over a two-year-old. Israeli forces arrested 292 Palestinians, including three children, and an armed settler detained a child north of the village of Awif, near Nablus.

The occupation forces demolished five homes, several shops, a car wash, and six livestock pens. They also filled in a well, bulldozed land, uprooted olive trees, and confiscated a tractor. Additionally, they seized 4,600 dunams of land in the town of Sebastia and the village of Burqa, allegedly to seize archaeological sites in the area, and land in the Tubas region to construct a military road more than 40 kilometers long. The number of settler attacks against Palestinians in the past seven days reached 93. Settlers grazed their livestock on agricultural land in Ramallah and Salfit, stole the contents of a blacksmith's shop, smashed the windows of a commercial establishment, and damaged solar panels in Nablus and Ramallah. They also stole water tanks and building materials in Ramallah and a tractor in Nablus.

Settlers pushed a car into a valley in Jericho after failing to steal it, vandalized solar panels and stole chickens from the car owner's home, burned six tourist villas, a vehicle repair shop, six vehicles, two bulldozers, a farm, agricultural land, two houses, a mobile home, two agricultural rooms, a greenhouse, and olive trees, damaged numerous vehicles, destroyed an agricultural nursery, and killed sheep after poisoning them.

Settlers also isolated agricultural areas in the village of Yasuf in Salfit to prevent farmers from accessing them, bulldozed agricultural land in the village of Iraq-Burin, and cut down and uprooted 320 olive trees.

The number of settlement activities carried out by settlers and occupation forces in the span of a week reached 11 activities, including the establishment of a settlement outpost in Khan al-Ahmar in Al-Quds to restrict the Bedouin community in the area, and a settlement outpost in the village of Sour-Baher in Al-Quds (Jerusalem) after fencing off an area of 6 dunams and placing mobile homes on it.

Settlers also began building a settlement outpost in the northern Jordan Valley, and an agricultural room near a settlement outpost east of the village of Al-Mughayyir. They fenced off a plot of land in the town of Deir Badwan with the aim of grazing their sheep on it, continued bulldozing other lands for days in the northern Jordan Valley, and plowed land in the village of Al-Maniya in Bethlehem. They also bulldozed land at the entrance to the town of Bruqin, paved a settlement road in the lands of the village of Burin, and uprooted olive trees. The occupation forces, in turn, bulldozed lands east of Beit Sahour, installed 3 mobile homes, and demolished a mobile home in the town of Beit Hanina in Al-Quds (Jerusalem) in order to expand the settlement road. Thus, the number of Israeli crimes in the span of 7 days reached 1633 crimes that included all Palestinian areas.

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30 Chinese ships spotted in 4 WPS features

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

November 25, 2025, 5:02 pm

MANILA -- A total of 30 Chinese military and coast guard ships were monitored off four Philippine-held features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), a ranking Philippine Navy (PN) official said Tuesday.

In a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, PN spokesperson for the WPS, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, said that based on their monitoring as of 5 p.m. on Monday, there were four People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships and eight China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels off Bajo de Masinloc.

One PLAN ship and six CCG vessels were seen off Ayungin Shoal, while one PLAN ship and five CCG vessels were spotted in Escoda Shoal, Trinidad said.

"And Pag-asa Island, no PLAN (vessels) and five CCG (ships)," he added.

No details were given as to when exactly the ships were spotted, or how far they were from the four WPS features.

"This is as of 1700 yesterday (5 p.m. Monday). We expect these numbers (to) go down when the typhoon hits the WPS," Trinidad said, referring to Tropical Depression Verbena, which is expected to traverse the WPS.

He said that although there were no coercive actions on the part of the Chinese ships, their presence in the area is "illegal."

The WPS is part of the vast South China Sea (SCS), which Beijing claims entirely as its own.

However, in 2016, the Philippines won a landmark international arbitration case against China, invalidating its ambitious claim over the SCS, a ruling Beijing has vehemently disregarded.

Trinidad emphasized that the PN is always patrolling and monitoring the WPS along with the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

"At any time, we have an ongoing patrol on air and the sea by the PN and the PAF," he said. "The patrol plans are under the cognizance of (the) Northern Luzon Command and Western Command." (PNA)

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PH Fleet units hone combat skills in 'Pagbubuklod' drills

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

November 25, 2025, 2:27 pm

MANILA -- The Philippine Fleet (PF) concluded on Monday its annual unilateral exercise set to hone the combat skills of its air and naval units.

In a statement Tuesday, the PF said this year's iteration of Exercise "Pagbubuklod" focused on the four dimensions of naval warfare: anti-surface warfare, anti-subsurface warfare, anti-air warfare and electronic warfare.

"Conducted in two phases  the in-port/harbor phase and the field training/at-sea phase  the exercise combined mission planning, capability preparation, and hands-on execution," it said.

Through coordinated drills, simulated combat scenarios and subject matter expert exchanges, the participants tested and validated operational doctrines, tactics and procedures across multidimensional fleet operations.

Around 1,000 personnel, including reservists, participated in the exercise, which was supported by 12 Philippine Navy (PN) ships, three air assets from the Naval Air Warfare Force, two FA-50PH aircraft from the Philippine Air Force, and additional deployment from the higher headquarters.

"These combined capabilities enabled comprehensive coverage and ensured realistic training across the four naval warfare domains," the PF said.

"Pagbubuklod," which started on Nov. 17, emphasized deliberate planning, enhanced joint-force interoperability and seamless coordination among the PF units together with other Armed Forces of the Philippines and PN components.

It also incorporated locally supported assets consistent with the AFP's Self- Reliant Defense Posture.

The PF said this year's exercise was conducted in full alignment with the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept, which underscores synchronized and layered defense across the nation's maritime domain. (PNA)

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Israeli aggression has pushed Palestinian economy into record collapse: UN

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 25 November 2025 3:50 PM

A United Nations report says the economy of the West Bank is facing its most severe collapse to date, which it blamed on the ongoing restrictions on movement and trade imposed by Israel in the occupied territory and its genocidal war on Gaza.

Published by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on November 24, the analysis revealed that the territory's economy has suffered one of the 10 worst global collapses since 1960, due to two years of Israeli military assaults and systemic restrictions.

"Extensive damage to infrastructure, productive assets and public services," the report stated, "has reversed decades of socioeconomic progress" in both Gaza and the West Bank, including East al-Quds.

"The situation in Gaza constitutes the most severe economic crisis on record," UNCTAD said. The besieged Palestinian territory, it said, is being propelled into "utter ruin" following the devastation inflicted by Israeli attacks.

According to the report, Gaza's GDP plummeted by 83 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year, resulting in an 87-percent contraction over two years. It also left the blockaded territory with a GDP of just $362 million and placed it among the poorest regions in the world.

Israeli attacks have damaged nearly 174,500 structures, while the two-decade blockade has led to near-total dependence on external aid, according to the report.

Despite a six-week ceasefire with the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, the economic crisis in Gaza continued to deepen due to ongoing Israeli bombardment.

By the end of 2024, overall Palestinian GDP had regressed to its 2010 level, and GDP per capita had returned to 2003 levels, erasing 22 years of development in less than two years.

The situation in the West Bank has also witnessed the most severe downturn on record, driven by movement restrictions, settlement expansion, and job losses, exacerbated by Israel's withholding of fiscal revenues owed to the Palestinian Authority (PA)amounting to $4 billion, as reported by the PA.

UNCTAD estimated that the cost of reconstruction and recovery in Gaza alone will exceed $70 billion, and that restoring GDP levels seen before October 2023 could take decades, even with substantial international aid.

The agency urged a durable ceasefire, the restoration of fiscal transfers, and the easing of restrictions on trade and movement as minimum conditions for economic survival.

It also called for "immediate and substantial intervention by the international community to halt the economic freefall, address the humanitarian crisis, and lay the groundwork for lasting peace and development."

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Kabul claims Pakistani airstrike kills 10 people in eastern Afghanistan

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 25 November 2025 10:46 AM

At least 10 people, including children and a woman, were killed in eastern Afghanistan in an alleged airstrike by Pakistani forces, according to the Taliban-led administration in Kabul.

In a post on his X account on Tuesday, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistani forces of conducting overnight airstrikes in the Gorbuz district of Khost province.

"Last night at around 12 o'clock in the Gorbuz district of Khost province, in the Mughalgai area, the Pakistani invading forces bombed the house of a local civilian resident, Waliat Khan, son of Qazi Mir. As a result, nine children (five boys and four girls), and one woman were martyred, and his house was destroyed," he said.

Mujahid said additional strikes were reported in Kunar and Paktika provinces, where four civilians were injured.

Pakistani authorities have not yet issued a statement regarding the incident.

The latest bombardment in Afghanistan came a day after three suicide attacks on the headquarters of Pakistan's paramilitary Federal Constabulary in Peshawar.

The Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a splinter faction of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the Peshawar bombing, which killed three security forces.

According to state broadcaster PTV, the attackers were Afghan nationals. President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the incident, blaming what he described as the "foreign-backed Fitna al-Khawarij"  Islamabad's term for TTP militants it accuses of operating from across the Afghan border.

Earlier in November, a powerful suicide blast struck outside a courthouse in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, killing at least 12 people and injuring 36 others, officials said.

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply deteriorated in recent months, amid escalating border tensions and mutual accusations of harboring militants.

Kabul accused Islamabad of carrying out drone strikes on October 9 that killed several people in the Afghan capital, vowing retaliation in response.

The following days saw heavy cross-border clashes that left dozens of soldiers, civilians, and militants dead on both sides before Qatar brokered a ceasefire on October 19.

Since then, two rounds of talks have been held in Turkey, the most recent on Thursday, but both ended without progress after Kabul reportedly refused to provide written assurances that the TTP and other militant groups would not use Afghan territory to launch attacks against Pakistan.

Pakistan has long faced deadly attacks from militant outfits, including the resurgent TTP.

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Taliban Blames Pakistan For Air Strikes Killing 10, Including 9 Children

By RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal and RFE/RL's Radio Azadi November 25, 2025

The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan has vowed a "necessary response" after air strikes it alleged were carried out by Pakistan killed at least 10 people -- nine of whom were children -- just inside the country's eastern border region.

The Taliban's chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, wrote on X on November 25 that nine children, including five boys and four girls, and one woman were killed in the strike on the house of a local civilian in the Afghan city of Khost. Four more civilians were injured in another air raid in Kunar Province.

"The air strikes carried out last night by Pakistani forces in Afghanistan's Paktika, Khost, and Kunar provinces constitute a direct assault on Afghanistan's sovereignty," Mujahid wrote.

"The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns this violation and reiterates that defending its airspace, territory, and people is its legitimate right, and it will respond appropriately at the right time," Mujahid added.

The Pakistani military denied the Taliban claims saying it had not "attacked civilians inside Afghanistan" but it stopped short of explicitly refuting the strikes.

Mustaghfir Gurbuz, a spokesman for the governor of Khost, said drones and military aircraft carried out the attacks.

On the ground, anger and desperation were palpable as a mass funeral was held for those killed.

"The martyred are innocent people. There is nothing else. Pakistan is targeting civilians," Abdul Aleem, who was an uncle of the children, told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal.

"The world should investigate and ask (Pakistan) about this. What use is the international community if they do not ask about this?"

Once close allies, the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan's powerful military have fallen out and accuse each other of sheltering or supporting militant groups. Islamabad accuses the Taliban of sheltering the militant Tehrike Taliban Pakistan (TTP) rebel group and some minor Pakistani Taliban factions.

In contrast, the Afghan Taliban accuses Islamabad of disregarding its rival Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) extremist group.

The latest air strikes threaten a fragile cease-fire between the two Muslim neighbors who share a more than 2,500-kilometer-long border. Following intense clashes last month, Islamabad and Kabul agreed to a truce.

Tensions have been running high between the two countries following a suicide attack on a paramilitary installation in northwestern Pakistan on November 24.

At least three members of Pakistan's paramilitary Federal Constabulary force were killed, and 11 others were injured when a suicide attacker targeted its headquarters in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

In a press conference on November 25, Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar blamed the Afghan Taliban and the TTP for a suicide attack in Islamabad.

The attack on November 11 killed at least 12 people and injured 21 more.

"Afghanistan is fully involved... and their soil is also involved. The people being sheltered there are also involved," Tarar told journalists.

The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan has vowed a "necessary response" after air strikes it alleged were carried out by Pakistan killed at least 10 people -- nine of whom were children -- just inside the country's eastern border region.

The Taliban's chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, wrote on X on November 25 that nine children, including five boys and four girls, and one woman were killed in the strike on the house of a local civilian in the Afghan city of Khost. Four more civilians were injured in another air raid in Kunar Province.

"The air strikes carried out last night by Pakistani forces in Afghanistan's Paktika, Khost, and Kunar provinces constitute a direct assault on Afghanistan's sovereignty," Mujahid wrote.

"The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns this violation and reiterates that defending its airspace, territory, and people is its legitimate right, and it will respond appropriately at the right time," Mujahid added.

The Pakistani military denied the Taliban claims saying it had not "attacked civilians inside Afghanistan" but it stopped short of explicitly refuting the strikes.

Mustaghfir Gurbuz, a spokesman for the governor of Khost, said drones and military aircraft carried out the attacks.

On the ground, anger and desperation were palpable as a mass funeral was held for those killed.

"The martyred are innocent people. There is nothing else. Pakistan is targeting civilians," Abdul Aleem, who was an uncle of the children, told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal.

"The world should investigate and ask (Pakistan) about this. What use is the international community if they do not ask about this?"

Once close allies, the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan's powerful military have fallen out and accuse each other of sheltering or supporting militant groups. Islamabad accuses the Taliban of sheltering the militant Tehrike Taliban Pakistan (TTP) rebel group and some minor Pakistani Taliban factions.

In contrast, the Afghan Taliban accuses Islamabad of disregarding its rival Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) extremist group.

The latest air strikes threaten a fragile cease-fire between the two Muslim neighbors who share a more than 2,500-kilometer-long border. Following intense clashes last month, Islamabad and Kabul agreed to a truce.

Tensions have been running high between the two countries following a suicide attack on a paramilitary installation in northwestern Pakistan on November 24.

At least three members of Pakistan's paramilitary Federal Constabulary force were killed, and 11 others were injured when a suicide attacker targeted its headquarters in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

In a press conference on November 25, Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar blamed the Afghan Taliban and the TTP for a suicide attack in Islamabad.

The attack on November 11 killed at least 12 people and injured 21 more.

"Afghanistan is fully involved... and their soil is also involved. The people being sheltered there are also involved," Tarar told journalists.

With reporting by the AFP and DPA.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/taliban-pakistan- airstrikes-killing-10-vows-response/33605220.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Wider Europe Briefing: Rutte On Peace Plans, Putin, And NATO's Future

By Rikard Jozwiak November 25, 2025

A Conversation With NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte

On November 24, I conducted a lengthy interview with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

Our conversation touched upon Ukraine as it heads into a critical phase of both the war with Russia and international diplomacy to conclude the fighting.

It also covered other topics, such as NATO-Russia relations, the US troop posture on NATO's eastern flank, and Georgia and Serbia's growing ties with China.

A Crucial Week For Ukraine

Initially, I was supposed to have spoken to Mark Rutte in Prague earlier this year. Back then, the former Dutch Prime minister had to cancel due to an urgent meeting of the Franco-British "Coalition of the Willing" - a loose grouping of Western countries aiming to provide more military support for Ukraine.

This time, it looked likely that the interview would be postponed once more.

A few days prior, news broke about a US-authored 28-point plan to stop the war in Ukraine.

The document appeared to catch at least Kyiv's European allies off guard, and many thought the document looked like a Kremlin "wish list," as Russia would gain additional Ukrainian territories, Ukraine's army would be capped, Moscow would be welcomed back into the G7 group of leading industrialized nations, Western sanctions would be gradually lifted, and an amnesty would be granted for war crimes.

The Europeans quickly started to draft more "Ukraine-friendly" counterproposals.

Heading into the weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed his nation, admitting that Kyiv faced a difficult choice, potentially losing a key partner in the United States or betraying some of the country's key principles.

This was before US and Ukrainian diplomats gathered in Geneva to try to hash out details of the plan with rumors that Zelenskyy might head to the United States for direct talks with President Donald Trump before the Thanksgiving long weekend later this week.

Despite this and with days full of phone calls -- including to the US and Ukrainian Presidents -- the head of the military alliance found time to speak to us.

28-Point Plan Forms 'A Basis'

So, what did he make of the 28-point proposal?

"I'm not going through every line of that plan," Rutte repeated more than once during the talk but added: "obviously some of the elements have to be really thought through. But what you've seen yesterday [November 23] in the meeting in Geneva that as a basis it helped to bring Ukraine and the US very close on the way forward."

Being known as one of few European leaders who truly has Trump's ear, the Dutchman was keen to show that he shares the same vision as the US president when it comes to a final outcome: "the end state has to be -- and this is what Donald Trump has been working on since February -- is a sovereign Ukraine going forward, a strong nation, and Russia never trying again to attack it. That's what we are trying to achieve -- all of us."

But how this will be achieved still needs to be worked out.

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Rutte believes that a combination of a strong Ukrainian Army, the Coalition of the Willing, and US security guarantees can do the trick, even if he skirted around the subject of whether troops from NATO countries will be stationed in the war-torn country after a potential cease-fire or peace plan.

Referencing his many years as Dutch prime minister, he also outlined what he thought was needed to get Moscow to stick to the deal.

"I know one thing about the Russians in general and Putin specifically," he said. "Whenever you make an agreement, you have to make sure it is in his interest to keep to it. So that's why it is so important that whenever a peace deal is reached on Ukraine, that he will never try again. And he will never try again when he knows that the consequences for him will be devastating if he tries to invade Ukraine again after a long-term cease-fire or a preferably a peace deal."

NATO-Russia Council Is 'Dead'

While this has to be worked out, Rutte did offer more clarity on two issues pertaining directly to NATO which were mentioned in the plan: future NATO-Russia relations and Ukraine's chances of one day joining the alliance.

The 28-point plan envisages NATO and Russia having a dialogue on all security issues going forward.

This previously happened in the NATO-Russia Council, which last met before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The council, in turn, was created with the inking of the NATO-Russia Founding Act in 1997.

Rutte, however, dismissed the idea that that either of these bodies could be resuscitated.

"These things are dead," he said. "These two institutions -- the NATO-Russia Council and the NATO-Russia Founding Act -- are dead since Putin invaded Ukraine and therefore basically doing something which is against all the fundamentals of our Western values and what the NATO-Russia Founding Act stood for and what the NATO Russian Council tried to achieve."

Ukraine's NATO Door Remains Open

Rutte also seemed to keep the door open for future Ukrainian membership of NATO even though Moscow has been adamant that the alliance should agree not to expand further eastward.

"Well, every country in the realm of NATO, in the Euro-Atlantic area, who wants to become a member of NATO -- and this is in the Washington Treaty of 1949 -- can apply for membership," he said. "But to become a member you need unanimity. And, at the moment, that unanimity is far off."

So far, it is known publicly that Hungary and Slovakia are against Ukrainian NATO membership even though it is believed that several other nations are hiding behind Bratislava and Budapest on this issue.

"At the moment, we have a couple of allies stating explicitly we are against Ukraine accessing to NATO," Rutte said. "Of course, we also have had the language from the Washington summit last year, which said there is this irreversible path into NATO. So that's one reality. But there's also the reality that a couple of allies have said we are against NATO membership for Ukraine."

No Worries About US Troop Posture In Europe

While Ukraine dominated the interview, there was also time to touch upon US troop posture in Europe, notably after Washington announced in October that 1,000 American troops would be withdrawn from Romania.

"What happened to Romania, I knew this was going to happen," said Rutte. "This had to do with an adjustment, and the US has about 85,000 to 100,000 troops in Europe, and they always make adjustments to make sure that whatever troop presence they have in Europe, they make maximum use of that. And in this case, you will see the Americans having more troops in Europe even after this adjustment compared to what they had in Europe before 2022."

The United States has not yet published its global force posture review, expected to come early in 2026, but the NATO secretary-general claims to have had "very good discussions on that" and doesn't expect "any dramatic changes."

When pushed on whether other countries of the alliance's eastern flank should stay calm, Rutte simply said "absolutely."

Caution Over Serbia And Georgia

Finally, there was also time to ask about two countries in NATO's neighborhood, Georgia and Serbia, which have drifted more toward China.

As regards Belgrade, I asked about recent joint military drills with Beijing.

Although Rutte admitted that Serbia has a "sovereign right to do that" he quickly added that we should "not be naive about China."

"We know that China is working together with the Russians, with the North Koreans, with Iran, that therefore what is happening in the Indo-Pacific and what is happening in the Euro-Atlantic area is getting more or more connected and intertwined," he said.

"So, when it comes to China, I always said NATO is not only there to make sure we are safe against the Russians, we have to be safe against anyone who wishes us ill, and we look at the enormous buildup of the Chinese armed forces, let's really be conscious of what's happening there."

On Georgia, Rutte admitted that NATO is "highly worried" about the democratic backsliding in the South Caucasus country in recent years.

Yet, unlike the EU, which is reevaluating its relationship with Tbilisi with reduced diplomatic contacts and the potential suspension of visa liberalization, NATO is not yet making any drastic changes to how it deals with Georgia.

"We have our cooperation with them," Rutte said. "I think that cooperation itself serves a purpose now, also to make sure that we have this channel to make clear what our worries are, and let's also look at this whole thing a bit holistically, because there is Georgia, but also what is happening between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which seems to be in a much better place, thanks also to what President Trump has been doing. So, I would also look at Georgia in the context of the whole Southern Caucasus."

Looking Ahead

The European Parliament plenary is in full swing this week!

Look out for the chamber debate on what the EU's response to the American 28-point plan will be on the morning of November 26.

Also keep an eye out for the afternoon session the same day on how the bloc should counter Belarusian airspace violations in Lithuania and Russia's suspected recent sabotage of Polish railway tracks.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/rutte-nato-interview- ukraine-war-peace-plan/33605396.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Drone incursions into the national airspace detected by the Romanian Air Force

Romania - Ministry of National Defence

Press release No. 222

25.11.2025

The Ministry of National Defence radars detected a target heading towards the national airspace on the morning of November 25th, near Tulcea County. At 06:28, two German Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft scrambled from Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base to monitor the situation.

The target crossed the national airspace from Vylcove (Ukraine) to Chilia Veche area, Tulcea County.

A Ro-Alert message was sent to the population in Tulcea County at 06:55.

At 07.11, the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft reported radar contact with the target over the Ukrainian territory, outside the Romanian airspace.

At 07:37, two F16 Fighting Falcon aircraft scrambled from the 86th Air Base in Borcea and a Ro-Alert was also issued for the population in Galati County, at 07:48.

At 07.50,the radar systems detected a second intrusion into the national airspace, in Galati County, and F-16 aircraft reported radar contact with it.

At the time the press release was issued, the situation was being monitored by the Ministry of National Defence.

* * *

Law No. 73 of 2025 provides the legal framework for the shooting down of drones and aerial vehicles that enter the national airspace without authorization, under the circumstances stipulated in Art. 18: "The measures stipulated in Art. 11 are issued in relation to the level of the threat, within the limits of the applicable international law, after having taken into account all the specific circumstances of the event and the priority of protecting people's lives, the last possible solution ordered being the destruction of the aircraft that intruded into the national airspace without authorization."



The Press Office

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Ranking Member Shaheen Leads Bipartisan Congressional Delegation to 2025 Halifax International Security Forum

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

November 25, 2025

WASHINGTON -- This weekend, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led a bipartisan congressional delegation including Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD), Chris Coons (D-DE), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Angus King (I-ME), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Peter Welch (D-VT) and John Hoeven (R-ND) to Halifax, Canada to attend the 2025 Halifax International Security Forum. Ranking Member Shaheen and members of the delegation met with a Canadian delegation led by Minister of National Defence David McGuinty, a Colombian delegation led by Colombian Minister of Defense Pedro Sanchez-Suarez, Dutch Minister of Defense Ruben Brekelmans and Chief of Defense General Onno Eichelsheim two Ukrainian Parliamentarians Andrii Nikolaienko and Lesya Zaburanna, a delegation from the European Union including EU Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius and EU Military Committee Member Sean Clancy and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Taiwan Dr. Chen Ming-Chi.



Ranking Member Shaheen also conducted interviews on CNN and Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) discussing Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations and U.S.-Canada relations. The Senator also participated in multiple events at the conference, including a widely covered press conference with the members of the congressional delegation, opening remarks and a conversation with PBS Newshour's Nick Schifrin.



Watch Ranking Member Shaheen's interviews with CNN's Jake Tapper and CBC's Rosmary Barton here. Watch the Senator's press conference, opening remarks and conversation with PBS Newshour's Nick Schifrin here.



Key quotes from Ranking Member Shaheen:



Ukraine-Russia Negotiations:



CODEL Press Conference: "There is so much in that plan that is totally unacceptable if we're going to have a real negotiation that is actually going to produce a peace deal for Ukraine and Russia."





Conversation with Nick Schifrin: "That's not a compromise, that 28-point peace plan. That's a plan Russia wrote to benefit Russia. That's not a compromise. I think most of us would agree that when you do a peace negotiation, everyone has to give something up, but Russia isn't giving anything up.





Conversation with Nick Schifrin: "We saw what they did with Georgia in 2008, we saw what they did in Crimea in 2014, we saw them go into Ukraine and they're going to continue if we don't saw enough and put some pressure on them ... I think the only thing Vladimir Putin understands is pressure. And what President Trump has failed to do is put pressure on Putin and the Russian regime to force them to come to the table."





Conversation with Nick Schifrin: "We have a bill in the United States Senate that has over 85 cosponsors, Republican and Democrat - you never get over 85 cosponsors on a bill in the Senate. It would put significant secondary sanctions on those countries that are still doing business with Russia. We need to pass that bill and President Trump has refused month after month to endorse the bill until recently, and we still haven't taken it up."





CNN: "What the United States needs to do is to put pressure on Putin, to provide those long-range weapons, to put secondary sanctions on the companies that are fueling Russia's war machine and bring Putin to the table to really negotiate. We should not be representing Russia in this deal. We have been a partner of Ukraine, and we need to continue to support the courageous people of Ukraine."





CBC: "It's also about what our other adversaries are going to take away from this conflict. China is going to look at this, North Korea is going to look at this, Iran is going to look at this and if the United States walks away from this, they're going to say 'we don't have to worry. We can go into other sovereign countries' ... There are significant, long-term ramifications for what we do here."





CBC: "I hope that negotiations going forward are going to include Ukrainian interests and recognize what we're going to need to make sure is that Ukraine has a security guarantee for the long term and that Russia cannot continue to advance and engage in its hybrid attacks into Europe."

U.S.-Canada Relations:

CODEL Press Conference: "Get this trade deal done so that we can stop the tariffs, because they are not only damaging your economy, they're damaging our economy. In New Hampshire, I can quote you business after business that I've visited that have told me that the tariffs that have been invoked on Canada and what's happened to our relationship has been detrimental to their business and it's affecting our economy."





Conference Opening Remarks: "Sadly, our relations, the U.S. and Canada have been strained. We've seen a wedge created between the United States and Canada, where we share deep cultural, political, economic and social bonds."





CBC: "It's in not just Canada's interest, but in the United States' interest to restart these talks. I live in a border state, New Hampshire. We do a lot of business with Canada. We have a lot of Canadian tourists that come down. We have missed you all this year! We want you to come back to the United States. It's important to New Hampshire, it's important to our economy, to the U.S. economy.





CBC: "These tariffs have had a difficult economic impact not just in Canada, but in the United States. Every business I visited in New Hampshire has been hurt by the tariffs. We need to get back to the negotiating table."





CBC: "In the U.S., we think the average household will pay about $1800 more this year because of those tariffs."





CBC: "The United States and Canada have had one of the most complementary, most important trade relationships, one of the best friendships of any two countries in history certainly from the United States' perspective. We want to restore the good relationship with Canada, that's why we had a strong bipartisan delegation here at the Halifax Security Forum to say 'we are here because we know how important relations with Canada are, how important our economic relationship is and we want to do everything we can to improve that.'"





###

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Spanish Government condemns latest bombings against Beirut and other areas of Lebanon

Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

PRESS STATEMENT 118

25 Nov 25

The Spanish Government condemns the Israeli army's bombings against Beirut and other areas of the country, as well as the repeated attacks against UNIFIL positions, the latest of which threatened the physical integrity of the Spanish contingent, a series of actions that represent a serious escalation.

The Spanish Government also expresses its deep concern at Israel's unilateral decision to build a wall within Lebanese territory, violating the demarcation line - the Blue Line - defined by the United Nations, and thereby violating Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Spanish Government urges Israel to comply with its obligations under international law and with the ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024. The best guarantee of security and lasting peace in the Middle East is the effective implementation of the two-State solution.

Spain reiterates its commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and stability of Lebanon and to full compliance with Security Council resolution 1701, and reaffirms its support for the mandate of UNIFIL, whose work is essential to the achievement of these objectives.

NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION

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US Senators Demand Release of Document Justifying Strikes on Ships in Caribbean Sea

Sputnik News

20251125

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Thirteen US Senators have asked US Attorney General Pam Bondi and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth to declassify the legal justification for recent military operations undertaken by the Trump administration in the Caribbean Sea.

"We are writing to request expeditious declassification and public release of the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel's written opinion, dated September 5, 2025, concerning the domestic and international legal basis for recent military strikes of certain vessels near South America and the Caribbean, with appropriate redactions necessary to protect military personnel and sensitive intelligence matters" the senators said in a letter.

The US justifies its military presence in the Caribbean region by the fight against drug trafficking. In September and October, it repeatedly used its armed forces to destroy boats allegedly carrying drugs off the coast of Venezuela. In late September, NBC reported that the US military was working on options for targeting drug traffickers inside Venezuela. In November, Trump expressed the opinion that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's days as head of state were numbered, while assuring that Washington had no plans to go to war with Caracas.

Earlier, media reported that the US Justice Department had prepared a classified opinion declaring that US military personnel involved in attacks on boats in the Caribbean would not be held legally accountable.

 Sputnik

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Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York

25 November 2025

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

** Briefing today

Good afternoon. At 2 p.m., there will be a briefing in this room by Annalena Baerbock (Germany), who as you know is the President of the UN General Assembly. She will brief you on issues including the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

** Violence Against Women

And on this day, we have a message on behalf of the Secretary-General, in which the Secretary-General views violence against women and girls as a global scourge, intensified by digital technology. In a video message for the commemoration of the Day, the Secretary-General says that ending this scourge requires collective action, with Governments criminalizing online abuse, tech companies ensuring safe platforms and communities rejecting online hate. On the thirtieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, the Secretary-General urges the world to unite to end this violence, now and everywhere. In a short while, I will be joined by our guests from UN-Women and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), who will brief you on this year's International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

** Palestinian Solidarity

Earlier this morning, on behalf of the Secretary-General, Courtenay Rattray, the Chef de Cabinet, delivered remarks to the Special Meeting of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The Secretary-General, in the remarks, reaffirmed a fundamental truth: the Palestinian people have a right to dignity, a right to justice, and a right to self-determination.

He welcomed the recent ceasefire and the Security Council resolution on Gaza, urging all parties to fully implement these measures and to move toward the next phase. He called for unhindered humanitarian access and reminded Israel of its obligations under international law. He also appealed to Member States to meet the $4 billion Flash Appeal target for this humanitarian crisis.

Mr. Guterres also reiterated his call for an end to the unlawful occupation and for the irreversible progress toward a two-State solution, based on pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States. He concluded with a message of hope: Hope that children in Palestine and Israel will one day wake to a world without fear. Hope that families across the Middle East will live in dignity, and not in despair. And hope that two peoples  bound by history, by geography and humanity  will live side by side in peace.

** Occupied Palestinian Territory

Turning to the situation on the ground in the Palestinian territories: I can tell you that we continue to be concerned by the impact of today's heavy rain on people across the Gaza Strip. This comes after other days of rain. Once again, tents and entire areas where displaced people are sheltering have been flooded.

Many families in Gaza are living in poorly equipped shelters, prone to flooding. This inevitably leaves people highly vulnerable to inclement weather.

We and our partners are doing everything possible to mitigate the issue, including the repurposing of empty sacks of flour and food to contain flooding in displacement sites. But our humanitarian colleagues stress that much more is required. As you well know, the needs are immense and the humanitarians working to further scale up the response still face impediments.

Part of these hurdles are the systematic denial of critical items, as well as the ban on the operation of key aid groups, including some of our partner NGOs. We continue to work to see that these restrictions are lifted.

Today's rains come as our partners continue to address the damage caused by the last round of heavy rains on 14 November. Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that three child-friendly spaces in Khan Younis that had suspended operations due to damage from the storm have resumed their activities, restoring children's access to essential protection and support services.

As we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, I just want to flag that according to our colleagues at the UN Population Fund, most women in Gaza have been displaced at least four times and live in overcrowded shelters lacking privacy and protection.

The agency warns that girls in Gaza are at risk of early marriage, and that gender-based violence is on the rise, as are the cases of suicide or attempted suicide among survivors.

UNFPA's teams are providing psychosocial care on the ground, reopening safe spaces for women and girls, and providing support to tens of thousands of people.

OCHA also reports that humanitarian partners have recently established a new safe space for women and girls in Al Kateeba area of Gaza city. The site will provide psychosocial support and other relevant services to survivors and those at risk of gender-based violence.

** Lebanon/Israel

Turning north, to southern Lebanon. Our colleagues at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights warned today that almost a year since the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel, attacks by the IDF continue on Lebanon, causing civilian deaths and destruction, alongside worrying threats of wider violence.

Meanwhile, our peacekeeping colleagues (UNIFIL) tell us that it has recorded 106 Israeli air strikes since the cessation of hostilities was announced on 27 November of last year.

Just this last Saturday, UNIFIL peacekeepers observed four Israeli air strikes in three locations in the mission's area of operation in south Lebanon; all were in Sector East. Such strikes are in violation not only of Lebanese territorial sovereignty but of Security Council resolution 1701 as well.

Peacekeepers also discovered multiple unexploded ordnance, including mortar and artillery shells, and a rocket, in Sector West and in Sector East.

These were all referred to the Lebanese Army for disposal. UNIFIL peacekeepers have discovered more than 300 unexploded ordinances over the last year.

We continue to call on all parties to uphold their ceasefire obligations in good faith

Meanwhile, UNIFIL peacekeepers are also continuing to train the Lebanese Armed Forces, at sea and on land.

** Sudan

Turning to Sudan and the continuing devastating humanitarian situation in North Darfur State. Our partners are providing urgent services to people who escaped El Fasher, but needs far exceed resources.

The International Organization for Migration tells us that as of yesterday, more than 106,000 people have been displaced from El Fasher and surrounding villages since the city was taken over by the Rapid Support Forces a month ago.

Our Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, who, as you know, recently visited Tawila, stressed the need for unhindered access to civilians wherever they are. Tawila, as you know, is the town where many of those displaced are arriving, facing acute malnutrition and life-threatening illnesses.

Our humanitarian partners in the city report significant challenges to their operations, including funding shortfalls and insecurity along key access routes. Our humanitarian colleagues say that health facilities are overstretched, and mobile clinics are struggling to manage growing caseloads of injuries, acute malnutrition and respiratory infections. Our partners also warn that without urgent reinforcement of basic services and increased funding, the already dire conditions in Tawila could worsen even further. Despite these challenges, aid organizations continue to do whatever they can to deliver aid.

We are also deeply concerned by the ongoing violence in other parts of Darfur. In Central Darfur State, Medecins Sans Frontieres said today that for the second time this year, the organization has been forced to reduce support to Zalingei Hospital to keep its own teams safe.

This comes after a Ministry of Health worker was fatally shot outside the facility a week ago, with four others injured.

Hostilities are continuing to imperil civilians in the Kordofan region and forcing families from their homes. IOM reports that more than 600 people were displaced from two villages in South Kordofan State on Saturday.

We call again for the protection of civilians across Sudan, as well as safe and unimpeded access to deliver life-saving assistance, also urging donors to scale up funding to meet the growing needs across Darfur, Kordofan, and other parts of Sudan that need help.

** Abyei

Just South of Sudan, in Abyei. Our peacekeeping mission (UNISFA) there reports that the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities signed an agreement this week, renewing their pledge to prevent conflict, safeguard livelihoods and ensure the protection of civilians along migration corridors.

The leaders of both communities called on the peacekeeping mission to strengthen its protection of civilians mandate and enhance security measures in the Amiet common market.

Abyei also faces heightened security risks and resource pressure due to an influx of displaced people during the migration seasons, both during the southward migration movement at the start of the dry season, and the reverse migration when cattle herders move northwards as the rainy season gets under way.

** Nigeria

Across the continent in Nigeria. The World Food Programme today warned that the growing instability across northern Nigeria, including a surge in attacks, is driving hunger to levels never seen before. Nearly 35 million human beings are projected to face severe food insecurity during the 2026 lean season. This is the highest number ever recorded in Nigeria. Children are at greatest risk, as one can imagine.

Funding shortfalls have compounded the crisis, limiting WFP's ability to provide the assistance people need. If you recall, in July, WFP was forced to scale down nutrition programmes. That impacted 300,000 children.

Without urgent funding, WFP will exhaust resources for emergency food and nutrition support in December, leaving millions vulnerable in 2026 and risking further instability in a crisis the world cannot afford to ignore.

** Ukraine

Moving to Ukraine, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that large scale attacks continued in the capital and across multiple regions, killing and injuring dozens of civilians.

Between yesterday and this morning, in Kyiv, a large-scale attack killed at least seven civilians and injured 20 others. Residential buildings, a pre-school and a playground were also damaged. The attacks further disrupted electricity, heating and water supplies, which as you know has been a challenge throughout Ukraine.

Strikes also impacted the regions of Chernihiv, Dnipro, Donetsk, Kherson, Odesa and Zaporizhzhia.

Critical infrastructure sustained extensive damage. Authorities reported that parts of Kharkiv were left without electricity and water. More than 50,000 people in the Kyiv and Chernihiv region faced emergency outages.

Nationwide, more than 100,000 consumers remain without electricity following the latest wave of strikes. Rolling outages continue, further complicating preparations for the onset of winter.

Humanitarian organizations provided emergency assistance in Kyiv and the surrounding areas. This included hot meals and warm clothing.

Meanwhile, our humanitarian partners continue to scale up services to address gender-based violence nationwide. By the end of October, nearly 360,000 women and girls had received support from 100 organizations, with the highest numbers in the Kherson, Kharkiv and Dnipro regions.

Nearly 160,000 women and girls took part in awareness-raising activities, 85,000 received psychological support, and around 80,000 were provided with dignity kits.

** Weapons of Mass Destruction

You will have seen that yesterday we issued a statement from the Secretary-General on the conclusion of the sixth session of the Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction.

The Secretary-General said he is encouraged by the tangible and steady progress the Conference has made over its successive sessions and assured our continuing support for this critical endeavour to rid the Middle East, and of course the entire world, of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction. The work of this Conference, he said, is a key component of building a Middle East safer and more prosperous future for all.

The Secretary-General commended the President of the Conference, Omar Hilale, who, as you know is the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco, and the participating States of the Conference, for their open, inclusive, and consensus-based approach to advancing the negotiations toward a future treaty.

He also congratulates Omar Al-Kathiri, Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Nations, on his endorsement as the President of the seventh session, and we wish him every success.

** Questions and Answers

Spokesman : Awkward silence, questions. Dezhi?

Question : Hi, Steph. I believe recently, except for me, not that many people ask you about Venezuela situation. This week, we noticed that the US Government labelled a Cartel de los Soles, the organization, as the terrorist group, and they, the US Government also suggests that President Maduro of Venezuela is leading that organization. What is the position of the UN on that labelling?

Spokesman : Listen. We don't have a particular position on... [cross-talk]

Question : Is that even exist, that group?

Spokesman : Right. Let me just...

Question : Okay.

Spokesman : We don't have a particular position on that labelling, on that decision, which was a unilateral decision by the United States. I can tell you though, that we've been following the general situation with grave concern, especially between the US and Venezuela and the Southern Caribbean, and the increasingly confrontational rhetoric, which risks heightening regional unease. It's imperative that all Member States and all actions by Member States fully comply in their obligations under international law, including the [UN] Charter. And the Secretary-General calls on Member States to create opportunities for dialogue and to continue to engage in efforts to find a peaceful way forward.

Question : Has the Secretary-General ever reached out to Venezuela representatives or US ones? Or maybe regional groups?

Spokesman : The Venezuelan representatives have been in touch with us on this issue on a regular basis.

Pam?

Question : Yesterday, you said there was no US-UN, or Ukraine-UN conversations to speak of. Is there any checking in with UN representatives about the revisions to the Ukraine peace plan?

Spokesman : No. I mean, listen. We've all seen the press reports relating to new versions of the discussions. We're obviously following all of this very closely, but we are not party to these discussions.

Question : And no weighing in by anyone on the elements of it, right?

Spokesman : As I said, we're not a party to it. I think, you know the Secretary-General's principled and consistent position on how we would like to see an end to this conflict, and we continue to hold to that position.

Question : Thank you.

Spokesman : Thank you. Okay. Any other questions online? Yes.

Question : Thank you, Steph. So, my question is about Japan and China. As I know, yesterday, you have already answered it from our colleague Dezhi's question. But after your answers, Japanese Ambassador submit a letter to the Secretary-General. So, I can say the situation is not getting better. So, could you give me a comment?

Spokesman : I mean no other comment, except to say that, obviously we're following the situation very closely, and would encourage dialogue between the two to appease the situation.

I know a number of you had asked me yesterday about Sudan and the announcement from the RSF about a possible humanitarian ceasefire, and I just want to let you know that the announcement of a three months humanitarian ceasefire from the RSF is a step in the right direction. But importantly, the proof of sincerity will be that it must protect civilians. It must let aid in at scale and allow us to work independently. We will, of course, test that as we seek to reach as many people, as many Sudanese civilians as we can.

Okay. Thank you. Yes, sorry. Go ahead.

Question : You mentioned in the introduction that the Secretary-General believes that technology has amplified the threats against women. Can you elaborate more on that, please?

Spokesman : I mean, you know, all you need to do is to log on to social media accounts and see the vitriolic hate that is aimed at women. You look at the hate that is thrown at women journalists and women politicians. I think it's an example that is clear, and it's also one of the reasons the Secretary-General calls on technology companies to do their part.

Okay. Thank you. I will get our guests, and we will be right back. Don't move.

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Nigeria: Hundreds abducted in the north as insurgent attacks rise

25 November 2025 - Authorities in Nigeria are being urged to investigate the wave of abductions in the West African country, where attacks by insurgent groups are increasing.

At least 402 people, mainly schoolchildren, have been kidnapped in four states in the north-central region - Niger, Kebbi, Kwara and Borno - since 17 November, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Tuesday.

Only 88 have reportedly been freed or escaped from captivity.

Call for justice

"We are shocked at the recent surge in mass abductions in north-central Nigeria," OHCHR Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said in Geneva.

"We urge the Nigerian authorities - at all levels - to take all lawful measures to ensure such vile attacks are halted and to hold those responsible to account."

OHCHR said the authorities must ensure the safe return of all those still being held and prevent further abductions.

Rising hunger, security threat

The rise in insurgent attacks is threatening regional stability and causing a spike in hunger, the World Food Programme (WFP) added.

The latest analysis finds nearly 35 million people are projected to face severe food insecurity during the 2026 lean season from June to August - the highest number ever recorded in the country.

Insurgent attacks have intensified this year, the UN agency said.

Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate, reportedly carried out its first attack in Nigeria last month, while the insurgent group Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) is reportedly seeking to expand across the Sahel region.

"Communities are under severe pressure from repeated attacks and economic stress," said David Stevenson, WFP Country Director and Representative in Nigeria.

"If we can't keep families fed and food insecurity at bay, growing desperation could fuel increased instability with insurgent groups exploiting hunger to expand their influence, creating a security threat that extends across West Africa and beyond."

Millions at risk

WFP noted that northern Nigeria is experiencing the most severe hunger crisis in a decade, and rural farming communities are the hardest hit.

Nearly six million people are projected to face crisis levels of hunger or worse during the 2026 lean season in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. This includes some 15,000 people in Borno state who are expected to confront catastrophic hunger, or famine-like conditions.

The situation is unfolding as WFP continues to face funding shortfalls which have forced the agency to scale down nutrition programmes in the northeast in July, affecting more than 300,000 children.

WFP warned that resources for emergency food and nutrition assistance will run out in December, meaning millions will be left without vital support next year.

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World News in Brief: Justice efforts in Libya, deadly attacks in Ukraine, scores killed since Israel-Lebanon ceasefire

25 November 2025 - Recent months have seen progress towards accountability in Libya, the Deputy Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) said on Tuesday in a briefing to the UN Security Council.

"There is a new momentum towards justice in Libya, and we now look towards the first trial to be held at the Court in this situation," Nazhat Shameem Khan told ambassadors.

She said the arrest of alleged war criminal Khaled El Hishri by German authorities in July is "a clear example of the momentum that we are building."

Mr. El Hishri is alleged to be responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, rape and sexual violence, committed in Libya's notorious Mitiga Prison from February 2015 to at least early 2020.

He is expected to be transferred to the ICC imminently.

A clear message

"For too long, crimes committed in detention facilities in the west and the east of Libya have represented a no-go area for accountability," said Ms. Khan.

Mr. El Hishri's case sends "a clear message: those responsible for inflicting suffering in Libya are mistaken if they believe they are still outside the reach of justice."

Furthermore, work continues towards the arrest and transfer of other fugitives from justice, including Osama Elmasry Njeem and Saif Suleiman Sneidel, who are alleged to have committed war crimes.

Ms. Khan noted that "based on the progress we now see, I firmly believe there is an opportunity for us to show a collective success based on the partnership between Libya, this Council and the ICC."

This progress has been achieved "despite what are also unprecedented headwinds faced by the Court."

She stressed that "coercive measures and acts of intimidation against the ICC, civil society and other partners of justice do not serve anyone other than those who wish to benefit from impunity in Libya and in all situations that we address."

UN aid office condemns latest attacks in Ukraine

The UN aid coordination office (OCHA) reported large scale attacks in Ukraine's capital and across multiple regions between Monday and Tuesday morning.

At least seven civilians were killed, and 20 injured. Residential buildings, a pre-school and a playground were also damaged.

The attacks further disrupted electricity, heating and water supplies, which have already been a challenge for Ukraine. Authorities reported that parts of Kharkiv were left without electricity and water.

More than 50,000 people in the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions faced emergency outages. Nationwide, more than 100,000 consumers remain without electricity following the latest wave of strikes.

UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told journalists that humanitarian partners continue to scale up services to address gender-based violence nationwide. By the end of October, nearly 360,000 women and girls had received support from 100 organizations.

UN humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine Matthias Schmale condemned the "ongoing pattern of massive civilian harm" by the strikes and recalled that civilians are protected under international humanitarian law.

At least 127 civilians killed in Lebanon since ceasefire agreement

Almost a year since the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel was agreed, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) continues to witness increasing attacks by the Israeli military, Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said on Tuesday.

In one of the latest and deadliest attacks last week, at least 13 civilians were killed and at least six were injured in the Ein El-Hilweh camp for Palestinian refugees.

"All the fatalities we have documented as a result of this strike were civilians, raising serious concerns that the Israeli military's attack may have violated international humanitarian law principles on the conduct of hostilities," Mr. Al-Kheetan warned before calling for a prompt and impartial investigation into the strike.

Israeli military attacks have resulted in the killing of at least 127 civilians in Lebanon since the ceasefire agreement came into effect on 27 November 2024.

Thousands displaced

The strikes have also destroyed civilian infrastructure and hampered reconstruction efforts and attempts by internally displaced people to go back home.

Over 64,000 people, mostly residents of southern Lebanon, remain displaced in other parts of the country.

Israel started constructing a wall crossing into Lebanese territory that makes 4,000 square metres inaccessible to the population, thus affecting people's right to return to their lands, Mr. Al-Kheetan said.

"All those internally displaced must be able to go back to their homes, and reconstruction should be supported, not hampered."

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Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, Ukraine

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Occupied Palestinian Territory

Heavy rains in Gaza put displaced communities at risk

OCHA is concerned by the impact of today's heavy rains on people across the Gaza Strip. Initial reports indicate that once again, tents and entire areas where displaced people are sheltering have been flooded.

OCHA notes that many families in Gaza are living in improvised or sub-standard shelters, or in low-lying areas that are poorly equipped and prone to flooding, leaving people highly vulnerable to inclement weather.

For weeks now, partners working to provide shelter support have been doing everything possible to lessen the impact of these seasonal rains on people across Gaza. Beyond the distribution of tents, tarps and blankets, the UN and its partners are repurposing empty sacks of flour and food to contain flooding in displacement sites.

However, OCHA stresses that much more is required, as the needs are immense and humanitarians working to further scale up the response still face impediments. These include the systematic denial of critical items, as well as bans on the operation of key aid groups, including NGOs. The UN and its partners continue working to see that these restrictions are lifted.

Today's rains come as partners continue to address the damage caused by the last round of heavy rains on 14 November. OCHA says that three child-friendly spaces in Khan Younis that had suspended operations due to damage from that storm have just resumed their activities, restoring children's access to essential protection and support services.

As the world marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, OCHA reports that humanitarian partners have recently established a new safe space for women and girls in Al Kateeba area of Gaza city. The site will provide psychosocial support and other relevant services to survivors and those at risk of gender-based violence in the area.

Also in Gaza city, a safe shelter for women in need of protection services - including survivors of gender-based violence - sustained significant damage on Saturday, following an air strike that hit a nearby apartment. The UN and its partners are working to rehabilitate the facility so that services there can continue.

UN Women notes that tens of thousands of women in Gaza are heading their households and struggling to rebuild amid impossible conditions.

The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) says that most women in Gaza have been displaced at least four times and live in overcrowded shelters lacking privacy or protection. The agency warns that girls in Gaza are at risk of early marriage, and that gender-based violence is on the rise, as are cases of suicide or attempted suicide among survivors.

UNFPA's teams are providing psychosocial care on the ground, reopening safe spaces for women and girls, and providing support to tens of thousands of people.

Sudan

UN Relief Chief warns needs outpace resources to support North Darfur displaced

The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, said yesterday that partners are providing urgent services to people who escaped El Fasher, in Sudan's North Darfur State, but needs far exceed resources. In a social media post, he stressed the need for unhindered access to civilians wherever they are, recalling his recent visit to Tawila - where many of those displaced are arriving, facing acute malnutrition and life-threatening illness.

Humanitarian partners in Tawila report significant challenges to their operations - including funding shortfalls and insecurity along key access routes. Health facilities are overstretched, and mobile clinics are struggling to manage growing caseloads of injuries, acute malnutrition and respiratory infections. Partners warn that without urgent reinforcement of basic services and increased funding, the already dire conditions in Tawila could worsen even further.

Despite the challenges, aid organizations continue to deliver assistance. Last week, the Sudanese Red Crescent Society began cash distributions for 8,000 families in Dabba Naira camp in Tawila.

As of yesterday, more than 106,000 people have been displaced from El Fasher and surrounding villages since the city was taken over by the Rapid Support Forces nearly a month ago. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) notes that this figure reflects expanded data collection efforts.

OCHA also remains deeply concerned by ongoing violence in other parts of Darfur. In Central Darfur State, Medecins Sans Frontieres said today that for the second time this year, the organization has been forced to reduce support to Zalingei Hospital to keep its teams safe. This comes after a Ministry of Health worker was fatally shot outside the facility a week ago, with four other people injured.

Hostilities also continue to imperil civilians in the Kordofan region and force families from their homes. IOM reports that more than 600 people were displaced from two villages in Abassiya locality, in South Kordofan State, on Saturday. In the same area, a local medical group reported today that over 150 men and boys were abducted for forced recruitment.

OCHA continues to call for the protection of civilians across Sudan - as well as safe and unimpeded access to deliver life-saving assistance. It also urges donors to scale up funding to meet the growing needs across Darfur, Kordofan, and other parts of the country.*

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Sudan with urgent support.

Ukraine

Large-scale attacks kill, injure dozens of civilians

OCHA reports that large-scale attacks continued in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and across multiple regions - killing and injuring dozens of civilians.

Between yesterday and this morning, another large-scale attack on Kyiv killed at least seven civilians and injured 20 others, including a child. Residential buildings, a preschool and a playground were also damaged. The attacks further disrupted electricity, heating and water supplies.

Strikes also affected the regions of Chernihiv, Dnipro, Donetsk, Kherson, Odesa and Zaporizhzhia.

Critical infrastructure sustained extensive damage. Authorities reported that parts of Kharkiv City were left without electricity and water. More than 50,000 people in the regions of Kyiv and Chernihiv faced emergency outages.

Nationwide, more than 100,000 consumers remain without electricity following the latest wave of strikes. Rolling outages continue, further complicating preparations for winter.

Humanitarian organizations provided emergency assistance in the city of Kyiv and surrounding areas - including hot meals, warm clothing, blankets and psychological support. They also registered people for cash assistance.

Meanwhile, humanitarian partners continue to scale up services to address gender-based violence nationwide. By the end of October, nearly 360,000 women and girls had received support from 100 organizations, with the highest numbers in the Kherson, Kharkiv and Dnipro regions. Nearly 160,000 women and girls took part in awareness-raising activities, 85,000 received psychological support, and some 80,000 were provided with dignity kits.

Posted on 25 November 2025

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Secretary-General's remarks to the Special Meeting Commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People [as delivered]

United Nations Secretary-General

25 November 2025

New York, UN

Statements | Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General

Delivered by Courtenay Rattray, Chef de Cabinet

I have the honour to deliver a message from the Secretary-General.

Today, we gather to reaffirm a simple truth: The Palestinian people have a right to dignity, to justice, and to self-determination.

Yet over the last two years, these rights have been violated beyond comprehension.

Gaza lies in ruins.

Hunger, disease and trauma run rampant.

Schools, homes and hospitals lie shattered.

And tens of thousands of people  the majority women and children  have lost their lives.

The people in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, also endured unspeakable hardship amidst Israeli military operations, settler violence, settlement expansion, evictions, and demolitions.

The October ceasefire agreement offers glimmers of hope. And the adoption of the resolution on Gaza by the Security Council is an important step in its consolidation.

I appreciate the efforts of the mediators  principally Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye, and the United States  and urge all parties to abide by it in full, and move swiftly towards the next phase.

It is essential to translate this diplomatic momentum into concrete and urgently needed progress on the ground.

Lifesaving humanitarian aid must enter Gaza without obstruction and at scale. Israel's obligations are clear, as outlined by the International Court of Justice in its recent Advisory Opinion.

And I call on all Member States to meet the vital $4 billion target of the Flash Appeal for the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

UNRWA too remains a lifeline. A lifeline for millions of Palestinians. The international community must stand behind it, in the occupied West Bank, in Gaza, and in its work with Palestinian refugees across the region.

Statehood for the Palestinians is a right. I repeat my call for an end to the unlawful occupation of the Palestinian Territory  as affirmed by the International Court of Justice and the General Assembly  and for irreversible progress towards a two-State solution, in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security within their secure and recognized borders, on the basis of pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States.

Excellencies,

Many of the recent attacks in the occupied West Bank were directed at Palestinians attempting to harvest their olive crops.

It is hard to ignore the irony:

This symbol of peace  native to the Middle East, known throughout the world, and featured on the UN flag itself  trampled.

It is emblematic of the way this tragedy has tested the norms that have guided the international community for decades.

More journalists have been killed than in any conflict since the Second World War  the vast majority of them Palestinians.

More humanitarians, most of them UN colleagues of UNRWA, have died than at any point in the history of our Organization  again, the majority of them Palestinians.

To deliver justice for Palestine is to stand up for rights and laws everywhere.

The United Nations will never waver in its commitment to the Palestinian people and their right for self-determination.

I call on all governments, civil society, faith leaders and ordinary citizens to raise their voices with us.

Dear friends,

Hope can become reality.

Hope that children in Palestine and Israel will one day wake to a world without fear.

Hope that families across the Middle East will live in dignity, not despair.

Hope that two peoples  bound by history, geography and humanity  will live side by side in peace.

On this International Day of Solidarity, let us turn that hope into action, and help the olive tree grow once more.

For justice, for humanity, and for peace.

Thank you.

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Increased insurgent attacks in Nigeria threaten regional stability and drive sharp spike in hunger

World Food Programme

25 November 2025

ABUJA, Nigeria -- Growing instability across northern Nigeria, including a surge in attacks, is driving hunger to levels never seen before, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned today. The warning follows the release of the latest Cadre Harmonise, a regional food security analysis that classifies the severity of hunger, which found that nearly 35 million people are projected to face severe food insecurity during the 2026 lean season, the highest number recorded in Nigeria.

Attacks by insurgent groups in Nigeria have intensified throughout 2025. Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate, reportedly carried out its first attack in Nigeria last month. Meanwhile, the insurgent group Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) is said to be pursuing its expansion across the Sahel. Other recent incidents include the killing of a brigadier soldier in the northeast and attacks on public schools in the north, where several teachers and hundreds of schoolgirls remain missing.

"Communities are under severe pressure from repeated attacks and economic stress," said David Stevenson, WFP Country Director and Representative in Nigeria. "If we can't keep families fed and food insecurity at bay, growing desperation could fuel increased instability with insurgent groups exploiting hunger to expand their influence, creating a security threat that extends across West Africa and beyond."

Northern Nigeria is experiencing the most severe hunger crisis in a decade with rural farming communities the hardest hit. Nearly six million people in the north are projected to face crisis levels of hunger or worse during the 2026 lean season - June to August - in the conflict zones of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. This includes some 15,000 people in Borno State who are expected to confront catastrophic hunger (Phase 5, famine-like conditions). Children are at greatest risk across Borno, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara, where malnutrition rates are highest.

The dire situation has been compounded by funding shortfalls that diminish WFP's ability to provide life-saving assistance. In the northeast - where nearly one million people depend on WFP's food and nutrition assistance - WFP was forced to scale down nutrition programmes in July, affecting more than 300,000 children. In areas where clinics closed, malnutrition levels deteriorated from "serious" to "critical" in the third quarter of the year.

Despite soaring needs, WFP will run out of resources for emergency food and nutrition assistance in December. Without urgent funding, millions will be left without vital support in 2026, risking more instability and deepening a crisis that the world cannot afford to ignore.

# # #

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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UNRWA Situation Report #198 on the Humanitarian Crisis in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem

UNRWA

26 Nov 2025

All information updated for 17 - 23 November 2025 [1]

Days 770 - 776 since the start of the war in the Gaza Strip

Highlights

The Gaza Strip

According to OCHA, following the withdrawal of Israeli Forces from parts of the Gaza Strip under the ceasefire agreement, Israeli military strikes near or east of the so-called "Yellow Line" continue to be reported, resulting in casualties. Access to the sea remains prohibited. In areas beyond the "Yellow Line," where the Israeli military remains deployed (over 50 per cent of the Gaza Strip), daily detonations of residential buildings continue to be reported and access to humanitarian aid, public infrastructure and agricultural land remains restricted or altogether barred.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) reported, according to OCHA, that since the ceasefire, 280 Palestinians were killed, 672 were injured and 571 bodies were retrieved from under the rubble. According to UNICEF, this includes at least 67 children killed in "conflict-related incidents" since10 October 2025, at a rate of two a day.

As of 23 November, UNRWA operated 349 temporary learning spaces (TLS) across 64 shelters, providing in-person learning activities for over 47,000 children boys and girls, including in the northern area and Gaza City.

UNRWA partially resumed operations in one medical facility in North Gaza, marking the first operational medical facility in the area since the ceasefire.

The West Bank including East Jerusalem

As the international community marked World Children's Day on 20 November, more than 12,000 Palestine refugee children remain forcibly displaced in the northern West Bank, unable to return to their homes in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams camps. The Director of UNRWA Affairs, West Bank Field Office, released a statement marking World Children's Day.

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Israel Defense Force [IDF] - Iron Swords Reprimands

Following the "Turgeman Report" and other inquiries released as of November 2025 , the IDF took specific disciplinary actions. Unlike the response to the 1973 war, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had not established a national commission of inquiry into the October 7th failures. The actions taken are reported to be internal military decisions. The disciplinary measures against six senior Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) officers represent a significant, though internally focused, response to the failures of October 7th. The actions taken reveal a graded assessment of responsibility within the military hierarchy. The most severe sanctions were levied against former commanders whose units were at the direct epicenter of the intelligence and operational collapse.

Official inquiries and reports highlighted the failures of IDF commanders regarding October 7, 2023, were systemic, spanning intelligence, strategy, and operational command. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir officially dismissed several high-ranking officers from reserve duty and issued severe reprimands following a comprehensive investigation. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir finalized these dismissals, stating that these officers bore "personal responsibility" for the "severe, resounding, and systemic failure." While many had already resigned their active posts, these recent moves formally stripped them of their reserve status and command authority.

The core failure is widely attributed to the "Concept" (*Konseptzia*): the prevailing belief among senior command that Hamas was deterred, interested in economic governance rather than war, and incapable of a sophisticated, large-scale invasion. Dismissal of the "Jericho Wall" Plan: Military intelligence possessed a detailed Hamas invasion plan (codenamed "Jericho Wall") over a year before the attack but dismissed it as "aspirational" and beyond Hamas's operational capabilities. Ignoring Tactical Warnings: Warnings from Unit 8200 junior officers and border surveillance soldiers (tatzpitaniyot) regarding unusual Hamas training exercises were dismissed by senior commanders as routine or irrelevant. Over-reliance on Technology: Commanders placed excessive faith in the "Smart Fence" and remote surveillance systems, believing they would provide ample warning. When Hamas blinded these sensors with drones, the command structure was left blind.

Operational Command Failures on October 7 included Collapse of Chain of Command: The Gaza Division was effectively "defeated" in the opening hours. Command and control centers were overrun, leaving field units without orders. Delayed Response: Senior command failed to grasp the magnitude of the invasion for hours. There was no pre-prepared contingency plan for a mass infiltration of this scale, leading to a chaotic, improvised response where civilians were left undefended for long periods. Force Deployment: Significant combat assets were deployed to the West Bank or were on leave due to the holiday, leaving the southern border thinly manned.

Officer Position Disciplinary Action Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva Former Head of Military Intelligence (Aman) Relieved of reserve duty. Resigned / Dismissed. Admitted total failure in providing warning. Dismissed from reserve duty in Nov 2025. Maj. Gen. Oded Basiuk Head of the Operations Directorate Relieved of reserve duty. Dismissed from Reserves. Responsible for army-wide operational planning and readiness. Brig. Gen. Yossi Alon Sariel Former Commander of Unit 8200 Relieved of reserve duty. Resigned / Dismissed. Responsible for the elite signals intelligence unit that failed to flag the attack preparations. Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman Former Commander of the Southern Command Resigned / Dismissed. Relieved of reserve duty. Responsible for the defense of the southern border. Formally removed from reserve duty. Brig. Gen. Avi Rosenfeld Former Commander of Gaza Division Resigned / Dismissed. Commanded the division directly overrun on Oct 7. Announced resignation citing failure to protect border communities. Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar Commander of the Israeli Air Force Formal command remark reprimand for the Air Force's lack of preparedness and slow response, but remains in post. Vice Adm. David Saar Salama Commander of the Israeli Navy Formal command remark reprimand for the Navy's failure to thwart the seaborne infiltration, but remains in post.

Aharon Haliva, as the head of Military Intelligence (Aman), was responsible for providing the strategic warning that could have prevented the attack's surprise. His failure to do so, despite alleged warning signs, led to his resignation and his subsequent removal from reserve duty. Similarly, Yaron Finkelman, as the head of the Southern Command, bore direct responsibility for the defense of the Gaza border, and Alon Sariel, as the former commander of the elite signals intelligence Unit 8200, was accountable for the collection and analysis of electronic intelligence on Hamas. Their dismissal from reserve service was a profound form of professional censure within Israeli society, effectively ending their military careers and branding them with personal responsibility for the catastrophic failure.

In contrast, the commanders of the Air Force and Navy, Tomer Bar and David Salama, received formal command remarks. This distinction was critical. A command remark was a serious black mark on an officer's record, but it allows them to retain their command. General Bar, a veteran F-16 and F-15 pilot who previously commanded the 69 Squadron and played a role in the 2007 operation against a Syrian nuclear reactor, had been leading the Air Force through an intense period of conflict. Admiral Salama, as the head of the Israeli Navy, had been pivotal in managing threats from Hezbollah in the north and securing Israel's coastline and economic waters. The decision to issue a reprimand rather than remove them suggests that the IDF Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, weighed their performance during the subsequent war and the ongoing operational needs of the military as being more critical than their culpability for the failures of October 7th itself.

Tomer Bar had been the Commander of the Israeli Air Force (IAF) since April 2022. His career includes serving as an F-16 and F-15 pilot, commanding the 69 Squadron during the 2007 operation to destroy a Syrian nuclear reactor, and holding positions such as Commander of the Tel Nof Airbase and head of the IDF's Force Design Directorate. In 2023, Bar publicly addressed refusals by some Air Force reservists to serve due to political protests, stating that harsh criticism against the IDF was damaging to military cohesion. Following the October 7th attack, the IAF under Bar's command conducted extensive strikes in Gaza and played a significant role in countering Iranian attacks. Reports indicate he personally participated in combat sorties during the conflict.

Adm. David Sa'ar Salama is the current Commander of the Israeli Navy, known officially as "Naval Arm". The core mission of the Navy was to ensure a "secure coast and open sea," defending Israel's 190 km of coastline from threats and protecting vital maritime trade routes. Under Salama's command, a key objective had been to transform the sea into a "strategic depth" for Israel. This was being achieved with new Sa'ar 6-class corvettes, which act as mobile air defense platforms, creating a forward defensive layer at sea.

This internal military reckoning occured within a deep and contentious history of public accountability in Israel, most famously exemplified by the Agranat Commission following the 1973 Yom Kippur War. That state-established inquiry led to the resignation of the Chief of Staff, David Elazar, and other senior military figures, and its findings ultimately contributed to the downfall of Prime Minister Golda Meir's government. The absence of a similar state-level commission for the October 7th disaster was a central point of political friction. The current measures are an internal IDF process, and as such, the decision does not have an official public name like "The Halevi Report" or a commission title. It was generally referred to in media as the military's disciplinary decisions or the outcome of the IDF's internal investigation.

The lack of a formal state inquiry highlights the central role of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the accountability debate. Unlike the military chiefs and security agency heads who have accepted at least some level of responsibility, Netanyahu consistently deflected direct blame. His strategy involved a multi-pronged approach: emphasizing the need to focus on the war effort first and deferring any political inquiry until its conclusion, shifting blame onto the intelligence and military establishments by claiming he was never given specific warnings, and attacking the media and political opponents for allegedly undermining national unity.

Prime Minister Netanyahu aced significant criticism for not accepting personal responsibility for the security failures that allowed the October 7th attack to happen. In the aftermath, top security officials, including the military chief of staff and the head of the Shin Bet, accepted responsibility for the failure. Netanyahu, however, had not. He stated that "everyone will have to give answers, including me," but only after the war was over. On one occasion, he publicly blamed his security chiefs in a social media post, saying he never received a warning about Hamas's intentions, though he later deleted the post and apologized.

This stance had drawn sharp criticism from families of the victims and political rivals, who accuse him of delaying and avoiding his own ministerial responsibility as the head of the government for over a decade, during which time Israel's security policy towards Gaza was formulated. The current military disciplinary actions, while consequential for the officers involved, are thus seen by many as an incomplete accounting, one that leaves the highest levels of political leadership untouched and the full, systemic failures unexamined by an independent, national body.





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Russo-Ukraine War - 25 November 2025 - Day 1371

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 UK Ministry of Defence reported that since launching the illegal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Russian state has increasingly sought to control, censor and constrict its domestic information environment.

New proposed amendments to Russia's communications legislation would allow the FSB to cut off individual telecom subscribers without court orders, citing 'state security'. The draft, which has cleared a key government commission, builds on the 2019 'Sovereign Internet Law, which enabled Russia's isolation from global networks, as well as domestic traffic control and surveillance.

As the federal executive agency responsible for monitoring, controlling and censoring Russian mass media, Roskomnadzor's powers have also expanded to reroute or sever internet access during perceived threats.

Independent outlets warn of growing surveillance, with Telegram infrastructure firms reportedly being linked to Russian intelligence. Ukrainian authorities have called the move "a tool of repression, masked as security".

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in total, since the beginning of this day, there have been 147 combat clashes.

Russian zagarbniki carried out one rocket and 44 aviation strikes, using 22 rockets and dropping 44 controlled air bombs. In addition, the Russians have engaged 3,511 kamikaze drones and carried out 3,259 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements.

In the North Slobozhansky and Kursky directions, Ukrainian soldiers repelled three Russian assault actions since the beginning of the day. The Russian enemy also launched three air strikes, while dropping eight controlled aviation bombs, carried out 151 shelling, three of which were from jet systems of salvage fire.

In the South Slobozhansky direction, the Russian enemy attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders three times in the Vovchansk, Sinelnikovy and Kamyanka district.

In the Kupyansk direction, Russian units carried out four assault actions, trying to break through the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the areas of the settlements of Petropavlivka, Kupyansk and in the direction of Novoplatonivka. One attack is currently underway.

In the Lyman direction since the beginning of the day, Russian zagarbniki five times attacked the positions of Ukrainians near the settlements of Zarichne, Stavka, Torske and Lyman.

In the Slavic direction, Russian forces tried to break through 11 times in the areas of Serebryanka, Yampol, Dronivka, Viymki and Svyato-Pokrovsky. The two fighting clashes are underway.

In the Kramators komu direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled the Russian attack in the area of the time yar.

Eighteen times, the Russian occupiers attacked the positions of the Defense Forces in the Konstantinovsky direction. Efforts of the attack were concentrated in the areas of Pleschievka, Kleban-Bika, Konstantinivka, Scherbinivka, Ivanopilya, Rusynoy Yar, Sofiyivka and in the directions of Nikolaypillya and Novopavlivka.

Since the beginning of the day in the Pokrovsky direction, Russian units 46 times tried to break through Ukrainian defense in the areas of settlements Shahove, Zatishok, New Shahove, Road, Vilne, Red Lyman, Rodinske, Mirnograd, Zvirove, Udacne, Grishine, Molodetske, Muravka, Philia. The fights have not stopped in the two locations yet.

Defense forces deter Russian attacks, the Russian enemy suffers significant casualties - today 117 invaders have been defecated in this direction, 54 of them are irreversible. Ukrainian defenders destroyed one infantry fighting vehicle, four units of motor equipment, 21 unmanned aircraft and five units of special Russian equipment. In addition, Ukrainian defenders struck one cannon and radiolokacijno zneszkodili 41 Russian unmanned aircraft.

In the Oleksandrivsky direction, Ukrainian units stopped 13 Russian attacks on the positions of Ukrainian troops near settlements Ivanivka, Green Gorge, Vorone, Verbove, Sosnivka, Privilne, Krasnogirsk.

In the Gulyaipil direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 15 attacks in the directions of Dobropillya and Gulyaipol, near Merry, Zatishya, Green Grove and High. So far, the fighting has slowed down in four locations. The Russian enemy launched air strikes in the areas of the settlements of Bilogiria, Velikomykhailivka and Gulyaipole.

In the Orihiv direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled one attack of Russian units near Primorsky. The Russian enemy's aviation caused an air strike in the area of Orihov.

In the Pridniprovsky direction, the Russian occupiers once tried to advance in the area of the Antonivsky Bridge. An airstrike hit Sadove.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in response to the terrorist attacks launched by Ukraine against civilian objects on the territory of Russia, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation delivered a massive strike with long-range air-, sea-, and ground-based high-precision weapons, including with the use of Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched ballistic missiles, attack drones against Ukrainian defence industry and energy infrastructure that supports their work, as well as long-range unmanned aerial vehicles storage facilities.

The targets were defeated, all the assigned facilities were neutralised.

Sever Group's units inflicted fire damage on formations of one mechanised brigade, one assault regiment of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade near Andreyevka, Varachino, Kucherovka (Sumy region), Zhadovo (Sumy region).

In Kharkov direction, units of one heavy mechanised brigade, one unmanned systems battalion of the AFU, one territorial defence brigade, and one national guard brigade have been hit near Moskalevka, Ploskoye, Semenovka, and Khatneye (Kharkov region).

The enemy lost more than 130 troops, 11 motor vehicles, one field artillery gun, and one electronic warfare station.

The Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. The Group's formations inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of four mechanised brigades, one assault brigade of the AFU, and one national guard brigade near Kovsharovka, Kupyansk-Uzlovoy, Nechvolodovka, Petrovka, Podoly (Kharkov region) and Dibrova (Donetsk People's Republic).

Up to 230 troops, one U.S. M113 armoured personnel carrier, six armoured fighting vehicles, including three U.S.-made HMMWV armoured vehicles and one Polish-made Oncilla armoured vehicle, 22 motor vehicles, one self-propelled artillery system, one Grad MLRS, one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-37 counter-fire radar station, and nine electronic warfare radio stations have been neutralised. Seven ammunition depots were destroyed.

As a result of resolute actions, units of the Yug Group of Forces liberated Ivanopolye (Donetsk People's Republic).

Russian troops hit one mechanised brigade, one airmobile brigade of the AFU, and one marine brigade near Konstantinovka, Kramatorsk, Seversk, Slavyansk, and Stepanovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy lost more than 225 troops, six armoured fighting vehicles, 10 motor vehicles, and three field artillery guns. One U.S.-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-fire radar station, one electronic warfare station, one ammunition depot, and two materiel depots were neutralised.

The Tsentr Group of Forces' units improved the situation along the front line. Russian troops engaged manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, one jaeger brigade, one airmobile brigade, two air assault brigades, two assault regiments of the AFU, two marine brigades, one special forces brigade, one territorial defence brigade, and one national guard brigade close to Novopavlovka, Taranovo (Dnepropetrovsk region), Belitskoye, Dobropolye, Kotlino, Rodinskoye, Sergeyevka, Suvorovo, and Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

In Krasnoarmeysk (Donetsk People's Republic), assault groups of the 2nd Army successfully advance in the Tsentralny and Dinas microdistricts.

Russian troops continue mopping up Ukrainian militants in Rovnoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

Russian troops repelled nine attacks of the 82nd and the 95th air assault brigades and the 425th Skala Assault Regiment of the AFU from Grishino (Donetsk People's Republic) launched to unblock an encircled group of the AFU.

Up to 30 troops and one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier have been neutralised.

In Dimitrov (Donetsk People's Republic), assault detachments of the 51st Army continue to push the enemy out of the Vostochny and Zapadny microdistricts, and southern part of the city.

Over the past 24 hours, up to 235 servicemen, one infantry fighting vehicle, two armoured personnel carriers, four armoured vehicles, six pickup trucks, and one field artillery gun have been neutralised.

In total, more than 445 troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, including one German-made Marder infantry fighting vehicle, four armoured personnel carriers, including three U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carriers, six armoured fighting vehicles, eight motor vehicles, two Western-made artillery guns, and one Israel-made RADA radar.

The Vostok Group of Forces continue to advance to the depths of the enemy's defence. Troops of one assault brigade and two assault regiments of the AFU have been hit near Aleksandrovka, Velikomikhaylovka (Dnepropetrovsk region), and Gulyaipole (Zaporozhye region).

Up to 240 troops, two armoured personnel carriers, four armoured fighting vehicles, 11 motor vehicles, and six field artillery guns have been neutralised.

The Dnepr Group's units inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of a mechanised brigade, a coastal defence brigade of the AFU, and the territorial defence brigade near Grigorovka, Novodanilovka, Stepnogorsk (Zaporozhye region), and Zhovtnevoye (Kherson region).

More than 75 troops, 17 motor vehicles, one field artillery gun, 10 electronic warfare stations, three ammunition depots, and one fuel depot were eliminated.

Operational-tactical aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops, and artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have inflicted damage on the transport and port infrastructure of Ukraine that are used in the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as temporary deployment points of the Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in the 151 areas.

Air defence systems shot down one guided aerial bomb, four Neptune long-range guided missiles, and 419 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, the enemy has lost:

668 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 98,697 unmanned aerial vehicles, 638 anti-aircraft missile systems, 26,247 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,620 MLRS combat vehicles, 31,538 field artillery guns and mortars, 47,635 special military vehicles.

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24-Points vs 28-Points

"The Americans are not involving us in this process (transferring the peace plan to Russia - ed.). They act as moderators between the two sides in the war. When the text is finalized, there may be a meeting, or a transfer, and then a meeting with Russia. Unfortunately, we hear signals from Russia that they perceive deviations from the 28-point priority plan negatively," said Oleksandr Bevz, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and representative of the Ukrainian delegation at negotiations with representatives of European countries and the United States in Geneva, reported.

Bevz reported that according to the results of the negotiations, "the 28-point plan, in the form in which everyone saw it, does not exist." Oleksandr Bevz also stated that the original 28-point US peace plan has undergone significant changes, but there is no final version yet - only a working version exists. Some of the most difficult issues have been taken beyond the technical negotiations in Geneva and must be resolved by the presidents. The Ukrainian delegation insisted on dividing the document into blocks: remove some points, in particular those related to cooperation between the US and Russia, correct others, and leave those that meet national interests. Certain issues require the participation of European partners, in particular regarding the use of frozen Russian assets. Therefore, the current text is only an interim version that will still be finalized, Oleksandr Bevz said.

Amid rumors of a "peace plan," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine, both sides of the war "will have to make difficult compromises." The European Union and the United Kingdom emphasized that the Ukrainian side should be involved in the development of any peace plan, and this plan should not mean the capitulation of Ukraine.

The European 24-point peace plan for Ukraine represents a comprehensive framework designed to achieve a sustainable end to the conflict through a carefully calibrated process of de-escalation and long-term stability. The plan is structurally divided into two interconnected halves: a sequential procedural roadmap for ending active hostilities and a foundational thematic section that establishes the principles for a future peaceful relationship. This dual approach ensures that immediate security concerns are addressed without compromising the long-term vision for a sovereign and secure Ukraine integrated within European structures.

The first half of the plan outlines a meticulous, phased process beginning with an immediate and verifiable ceasefire, which serves as the essential precondition for all subsequent steps. This initial de-escalation is designed to be monitored by international observers, potentially under a UN or OSCE mandate, to build trust between the parties. Following the stabilization of the front lines, the process mandates the coordinated withdrawal of heavy weaponry from contact lines, creating demilitarized zones to reduce the risk of renewed large-scale combat. A critical procedural element involves the exchange of all prisoners of war and detained civilians on an "all-for-all" basis, a vital humanitarian measure. Furthermore, this phase addresses urgent civilian needs by establishing permanent humanitarian corridors for aid delivery and the safe passage of non-combatants, while also initiating the complex task of demining critical infrastructure and agricultural land to enable recovery and the return of displaced populations.

The latter half of the plan transitions from process to principle, establishing the core themes that will define the post-conflict order. A central theme is the unwavering commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The plan explicitly rejects any outcome that legitimizes the alteration of borders by force, framing the full restoration of Ukrainian control as a non-negotiable cornerstone of a just peace. Closely linked to this is the theme of Ukraine's geopolitical future. The plan unambiguously supports Ukraine's sovereign right to pursue integration with Euro-Atlantic institutions, charting a clear path toward future European Union membership and leaving the door open for NATO accession based on the consensus of the Alliance, thereby refusing to impose forced neutrality on Kyiv.

Finally, the plan weaves together the themes of justice, security, and reconstruction. It proposes a mechanism for accountability for war crimes, ensuring that atrocities are not simply overlooked in the pursuit of a political deal. To deter future aggression, the plan calls for strong, internationally backed security guarantees for Ukraine, which would be triggered in the event of any renewed Russian attack. The massive task of rebuilding the country is to be financed in part through the innovative use of frozen Russian sovereign assets, directly linking the cost of reconstruction to the party responsible for the destruction. Sanctions on Russia are treated not as a bargaining chip but as leverage, to be lifted only after a stable peace is implemented and reinstated automatically in case of violation, creating a durable enforcement mechanism for the entire agreement.

Trump 28-Point Plan Comparison / Analysis European 24-Point Plan Context 1. Immediate and verifiable ceasefire Both plans prioritize immediate ceasefire as starting point Ceasefire and withdrawal of heavy weapons 2. Withdrawal of Russian forces from all Ukrainian territory occupied since February 24, 2022 European plan typically demands full pre-2014 borders Full Russian withdrawal to pre-2014 borders 3. Ukrainian sovereignty restored over all pre-2014 territory Aligns with European position on sovereignty Restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity 4. Autonomous status for Donbas region within Ukrainian constitutional framework Both address special status for eastern regions Special status for Donbas under Ukrainian sovereignty 5. Permanent neutrality for Ukraine, enshrined in constitution Trump plan more explicit about NATO exclusion Security arrangements acceptable to Ukraine 6. International security guarantees from US, UK, France, Germany, Poland Both include international security guarantees International security guarantees for Ukraine 7. Lifting of all Western economic sanctions against Russia Sanctions relief tied to different conditions Phased sanctions relief based on implementation 8. Restoration of Russia's access to SWIFT banking system Specific financial restoration in Trump plan Economic normalization after full withdrawal 9. Protection of Russian language and cultural rights in Ukraine Both address minority rights protections Protection of minority rights and languages 10. Deployment of UN peacekeeping forces to Donbas region Both include international monitoring mechanisms International observers and monitoring 11. Gradual normalization of economic relations between Russia and Ukraine Economic cooperation elements in both plans Economic cooperation and trade normalization 12. Compensation mechanism for war damages through international fund Both include reconstruction funding mechanisms Marshall Plan-style reconstruction program 13. Recognition of Crimea's current status with possible future negotiations Major difference - European plan rejects Crimean recognition Crimea remains sovereign Ukrainian territory 14. Clear path for Ukraine's European Union membership Both support Ukraine's European integration Accelerated EU integration process 15. Establishment of demilitarized zones along new borders Both include border security arrangements Border security and verification mechanisms 16. Comprehensive prisoner of war exchanges Humanitarian elements present in both plans Prisoner exchanges and humanitarian corridors 17. International tribunal for war crimes investigations Both address accountability mechanisms War crimes accountability and justice 18. Reconstruction funding from international donors and frozen Russian assets Similar approaches to financing reconstruction Funding from EU, international institutions, frozen assets 19. Energy security guarantees for Europe Energy security specifically mentioned in Trump plan Energy security and infrastructure protection 20. Restoration of Black Sea grain initiative Both address global food security concerns Grain exports and food security measures 21. Cybersecurity cooperation framework Digital security elements in both approaches Cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection 22. Cultural and educational exchange programs Both include people-to-people diplomacy elements Educational and cultural cooperation 23. Joint economic development zones in border regions Specific economic zones in Trump plan Cross-border cooperation and development 24. Environmental protection and cleanup of conflict areas Environmental concerns addressed in both Environmental remediation and protection 25. Mechanism for resolving future disputes Both include conflict prevention mechanisms Conflict prevention and mediation mechanisms 26. Phased implementation with verification measures Both emphasize verified implementation Phased implementation with verification 27. International monitoring of human rights situation Human rights monitoring in both frameworks Human rights monitoring and protection 28. Final peace treaty to be signed at international summit Both envision formal international endorsement International peace conference and treaty

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China successfully completes 1st emergency launch to country's space station

Global Times

Uncrewed Shenzhou-22 loaded with food supplies, equipment for window crack

By Fan Anqi Published: Nov 25, 2025 11:37 PM

The uncrewed Shenzhou-22 spacecraft, China's first emergency launch in the history of its manned space program, docked with China's Tiangong space station on Tuesday, some three hours and 40 minutes after liftoff, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The mission came after an unexpected incident occurred to Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, which was struck by space debris, disrupting its planned return.

China immediately activated emergency plans after the incident. Within 20 days, a series of maneuvers were accomplished including the launch of the Shenzhou-22 backup vehicle, presenting a "textbook model" for the international space community in effectively responding to unexpected emergencies.

China launched the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft at 12:11 pm on Tuesday from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. A few minutes after liftoff, the CMSA announced the spacecraft had successfully separated from its launch vehicle, a Long March rocket, and entered its planned orbit, marking a complete success for the launch mission.

At 3:50 pm on Tuesday, the spacecraft smoothly entered orbit and docked with the forward port of the Tianhe core module of China's space station, the agency said.

Following the completion of rendezvous and docking, Shenzhou-22 will transition to the orbital module berthing phase and serve as the return vehicle for the Shenzhou-21 crew in subsequent missions.

Previously, on November 14, the delayed Shenzhou-20 crew returned safely to Earth aboard the Shenzhou-21 manned spacecraft.

Currently, the Shenzhou-21 crew in orbit is in good condition and conducting its scheduled tasks as planned. The Shenzhou-20 spacecraft will remain in orbit to carry out relevant experiments, per the CMSA.

In a statement sent to the Global Times by the agency on Tuesday, manned mission headquarters promptly activated emergency plans after the November 5 incident. Within 20 days, steady and efficient progress was made in various sectors including risk analysis, personnel and material mobilization, crew transfer and return, and emergency spacecraft launch.

"This has provided a successful model for the international space community in effectively responding to unexpected incidents," the CMSA said in the statement.

The success of this mission fully demonstrates the people-centered and safety-first principle of China's manned space program, and comprehensively verifies the reliability of the "launch-one, standby-one, rolling backup" strategy for China's space station missions, per the statement.

The Shenzhou-22 spacecraft's launch was uncrewed. However, this does not mean that it was empty, as it was loaded with food supplies, space medicine, fresh fruits and vegetables, disposal equipment to deal with the window crack on the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, as well as spare parts required by the space station.

According to media reports, the food supply includes snacks, beverages, health supplements, condiments, as well as chicken wings, steak, cakes and fresh produce.

Zhang Jianli, a member of the China Astronaut Research and Training Center, told media on Tuesday that the supplies are mainly daily necessities. As the rotation period between the Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21 crews was relatively long, they may have consumed some of the fresh items originally brought up for the Shenzhou-21 crew. Therefore, the ground team took this opportunity to replenish them. "We have also allocated a small amount of resources to accommodate individual needs," Zhang said, CCTV News reported.

As for what new space mission will the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft undertake after the incident, Zheng Wei from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) said that as the in-orbit crew cannot remove the cracked window due to safety concerns but only repair it from the inside, it is not 100 percent safe to use it for manned return. However, it can still be utilized for cargo return.

"During this mission, we have also uploaded reinforcement equipment to further ensure safety. We are quite confident in achieving a safe cargo return," Zheng said.

As China's first emergency launch, the Shenzhou-22 launch mission highlighted several key features: first, despite being an unmanned mission, it was fully equipped with an escape tower and maintained a manned-ready status at all times. Additionally, the launch process, which normally takes over 30 days, was compressed into just 16 days with countless supporting personnel racing against time, CCTV News reported.

The mission manifested the principle of "launch one, stand by one" and that "it is better to be prepared and not need it than to need it and not be prepared," reflecting a responsible major country's supreme respect for life.

As the first spacecraft of the new batch, the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft has undergone multiple technological upgrades, achieving comprehensive improvements in functions and performance. For example, upgrades to the instrument system have enhanced the industrial design of human-machine interaction and the miniaturization of the instrument panel and optimized layout of the return capsule have significantly boosted the downward cargo capacity, CCTV reported.

Setting a "textbook model" for world space powers in handling space emergencies, this incident has also yielded a crucial insight - the importance of unified docking ports in international space emergency rescue operations, Song Zhongping, a Chinese aerospace expert, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

The expert called for port standards between the Chinese and the International Space Station to be aligned, noting that it would not only facilitate future international rescue operations but also make the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind of more profound practical significance.

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China Launches Uncrewed Spacecraft to Tiangong Space Station

Sputnik News

20251125

BEIJING (Sputnik) - China launched the Shenzhou-22 uncrewed spacecraft to the Tiangong orbital station.

The launch took place on Tuesday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 12:11 p.m. local time (04:11 GMT). China Central Television (CCTV) was broadcasting the launch.

On November 14, the Shenzhou-20 crew returned to Earth aboard the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft. Shenzhou-22 was sent as a replacement for the spacecraft that was used out of turn to return the taikonauts. On November 1, the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft carrying three taikonauts arrived at the Tiangong station. A ceremony to hand over control of the orbital station to the new crew took place on November 4, after which the Shenzhou-20 crew was scheduled to return to Earth on November 5. However, the return after a six-month mission was delayed due to a collision with small space debris.

China began construction of the Tiangong national orbital station on April 29, 2021, when the Tianhe core module was successfully launched into orbit. Assembly of the station's primary configuration was completed on November 3, 2022. The basic configuration of the T-shaped Tiangong station now consists of the Tianhe core module and two docked laboratory modules, Wentian and Mengtian. Together, these three modules weigh approximately 69 tonnes. The station's total living space is approximately 110 cubic meters, and it can accommodate three taikonauts at a time or six people during crew rotations. The station's designed operational life is 15 years, ending in 2038.

 Sputnik

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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions at a news conference following joint meeting of the collegiums of the foreign ministries of Russia and Belarus, Moscow, November 25, 2025

25 November 2025 16:26

1967-25-11-2025



Media members,

A joint meeting of the collegiums of the foreign ministries of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus has ended. Such meetings are convened annually. Once again, I would like to express my appreciation to our Belarusian friends for a substantive and trust-based exchange of views and ideas. All of it was useful.

As is customary for our alliance and strategic partnership, the meeting was held in a friendly and warm atmosphere.

Last night we sat down for an informal meeting to discuss bilateral priorities and joint diplomatic support for the integration process within the Union State. We discussed many international matters as well.

We have fully reaffirmed our resolve - at the presidential and ministerial levels - to continue supporting one another as allies and jointly uphold shared interests in the international arena.

We noted the unprecedentedly high level of foreign policy coordination. We welcomed the implementation by both sides of the Resolution adopted at the previous joint meeting of the collegiums and the Programme of Coordinated Actions in Foreign Policy, which is approved by our respective presidents. The current programme covers the period from 2024 through 2026. Early next year, we will begin drafting a similar programme for another three-year period.

Today, we reviewed four main issues. First, we agreed to make full use of all available humanitarian policy instruments to promote traditional values and to preserve historical memory in bilateral contacts with third countries and within multilateral associations.

We noted the importance of stepping up joint efforts to preserve cultural and civilisational diversity and to counter the politicisation of international humanitarian cooperation with particular emphasis on sports.

Second, we focused on coordinating efforts in our relations with the countries of the Global South and the Global East and their integration associations. When we discussed these matters, we stressed that this area remains our priority and its importance will continue to grow. This approach made it to the resolutions we adopted.

Third, we focused on further aligning our approaches to building relations with the countries and international organisations that pursue unfriendly policies towards Russia and Belarus. There is no need to name them as everyone knows what I'm talking about. We emphasised the importance of making coordinated efforts to counter the sanctions, legal, and media aggression carried out by these countries and the international organisations they have effectively privatised.

Fourth, we highlighted the importance of comprehensive media support for foreign policy activities. In the decisions we have adopted, we emphasised the need to expand cooperation in combatting disinformation and manipulation of public opinion.

The agreements we have come to, and additional proposals that were made during the meeting were included in the Resolution of the two collegiums, which we have just signed, and in the Ministerial Consultations Plan for 2026.

Overall, we share a common view that the continued improvement of the mechanism for foreign policy coordination between our diplomatic services in implementing the tasks set by our presidents is key to successfully advancing the interests of Russia and Belarus in the international arena and to strengthening the international standing of the Union State.

Today, we welcomed the new State Secretary of the Union State, Sergey Glazyev, who presented a number of engaging initiatives. We will work on them as a team.

Question: Did you discuss Trump's peace plan at the talks? How can Belarus contribute to a settlement, including with due regard for Belarusian interests? Was the possibility of the synchronous lifting of sanctions from Russia and Belarus discussed at the talks? Do you think a new Minsk process is possible, and if so, who could take part in it?

Sergey Lavrov: Regarding the Ukraine crisis, we discussed it, of course, in particular in an informal setting yesterday.

President Vladimir Putin provided an explicit and clear comment on President Donald Trump's peace plan at a meeting with permanent members of Russia's Security Council several days ago. Our assessment has not changed because the key provisions of Trump's plan are based on the understandings reached at the Russia-US summit in Anchorage in August 2025.

Overall, these principles have been reflected in this peace plan, which we welcomed. President Putin has pointed this out. After Anchorage, where our understandings were noted, as we thought, there was a long pause until the new document was presented. We have the text, but we have received it through unofficial channels. It has not been officially sent to us. However, we are ready to discuss concrete details, as President Putin said. Quite a few issues in that document require clarification.

Our American colleagues have not yet sent us the version of the text which the media are writing about. The goals of those who are practicing megaphone diplomacy are far from noble.

President of France Emmanuel Macron said the other day that Trump's plan is unacceptable because it means surrender to Russia. Others have said that everything must depend on Ukraine's willingness or unwillingness to agree to this or that. But serious diplomats discuss such issues confidentially until a final agreement is reached, as diplomats should do.

This document has been deliberately leaked to make a fuss in the media environment. Those who are orchestrating this fuss make no secret of their desire to undermine Trump's [peace] efforts, and would like to change his plan to their liking.

We have communication channels with our American colleagues. We are using them. We are waiting for the version of the plan they regard as provisional in terms of its final coordination with the Europeans and Ukrainians. Then we'll see. If nothing is left of the letter and spirit of Anchorage in the key understandings, it will be a completely different situation. But so far, we have not received the official version.

As for the participation of Belarus, it was most actively involved in these efforts, when the Minsk agreements were reached following almost 20 hours of talks between the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko did much to organise this work so that it might end successfully.

Of course, none of those sitting in the Palace of the Republic in Minsk in the middle of the night could even imagine that the then leaders of Germany and France, Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande, were just falsifying the talks. Both of them, along with the third participant, Petr Poroshenko, confessed two years ago that they had no intention to implement those agreements, despite the fact that they were approved by the UN Security Council. They declared that it was necessary to play for time in order to pump Ukraine full of weapons and enable it to "entrench" itself in Donbass five levels deep underground. This is yet another testimony that they had no intention at all to give up the strong-hand methods of dealing with this issue.

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and our Belarusian friends played a very important role. A few days after the start of the special military operation, when we were left with no other way out or chance to ensure our security interests and the legitimate rights of Russians and Russian speakers in Ukraine, the Ukrainians suggested that we have talks and our Belarusian friends provided a venue at Belovezhskaya Pushcha that hosted several rounds of talks.

Later, the Ukrainian side's whims prompted the transfer of all that to another location, but this fact does not belittle the role played by Belarus. The other location was Istanbul, as you may know. It also hosted several rounds. Each time we achieved progress or interim or more stable and long-term agreements, they were disrupted.

Currently, our European colleagues are shouting from rooftops that there will be no "new Minsk" and that nothing must be decided without Europe because allegedly this directly concerns them. Europe has failed on every count since 2014. It was Europe that presided over the effort to coordinate a plan of settlement, in February 2014, between the then President [of Ukraine], Viktor Yanukovych, and the opposition. It was Europe that put its guarantor signatures to the document signed by Viktor Yanukovych and the opposition leaders.

In the morning, when the opposition seized government buildings in violation of the signed document, it was Europe that made a helpless gesture in response to our questions - Why are you, the guarantors, keeping silence and failing to call the opposition to account? - and mumbled something like: You know, sometimes democracy takes on odd forms and twists. This was all.

It was Europe that destroyed the Minsk agreements, as we now know. They openly admitted as much. Even though France and Germany - and in their person the European Union - were also the guarantors. It was Europe (if in the person of the then UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, but Europe was taking the same stance) that talked Vladimir Zelensky out of signing the agreements that were proposed by the Ukrainian delegation itself in Istanbul in April 2022.

When they say now, 'Don't you dare do anything without us,' well, you had your chances. You failed to use those chances; you have just "flunked" them.

French President Emmanuel Macron made an aggressive statement today that, in his view, Russia and its demands are the primary obstacle to a settlement in Ukraine, arguing that Moscow is engaged in a strategic confrontation with Europe. According to Macron, Europeans must demonstrate that they will not surrender to external threats. He also said that, following a settlement, he would consider sending troops to the Kiev and Odessa regions. These are no more than futile dreams that are unrelated to a peaceful settlment.

When Europeans say they must stand with Ukraine to the end because Ukraine is fighting for their European values, this amounts to a voluntary surrender and confession that Europe is encouraging the ideology and practice of Nazism, which are legalised in Ukraine. This means that Europe is encouraging racism, which has taken the form of a legislative ban on the Russian language and all things Russian - culture and media - and a ban on the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church. These are the European values that Ukraine defends in the name of Europe.

In this case, we can see countries that could play a constructive role as mediators. These are Belarus and Turkiye, which President Vladimir Putin has recently discussed with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is also interested in helping create the platform. It was not us who rejected the Istanbul negotiation track. The Ukrainians did.

We have not received any response so far to our proposal to establish three working groups: humanitarian, political, and military. They complained that Istanbul was only discussing the humanitarian aspect of the situation, while staying away from issues that are crucial for the settlement. We proposed creating three groups: humanitarian, political, and military. There was no response. That was in July. They also complained that the delegation level was not high enough. We proposed substantially raising the level of participants in the Istanbul talks. Once again, this was met with silence.

When statements like President Emmanuel Macron's are made, suggesting that Russia is the only "red line" preventing a settlement, it is worth recalling that the Russian President has already commented on some of the actions taken by our European neighbours. These actions, he noted, seem directed primarily at distracting their electorates from the failure of domestic policies in the economic and social spheres, and from the real interests of their own populations.

Russia stated that it was prepared to see Belarus among potential mediators. President Alexander Lukashenko said numerous times that the issue has practical significance for Belarus due to its geographic proximity to both Russia and Ukraine. Belarus's stance will depend on how security issues are resolved. We fully consider our ally's security concerns when evaluating proposals and ideas.

The new Minsk process. The original Minsk process included negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, mediated, as they believe, by France and Germany. Today, however, any mediation by either France or Germany is entirely out of the question. Among potential mediators, we value the positions of Belarus, Turkiye, and Hungary. The latter has expressed readiness to host the proposed Russia-US summit in Budapest, as initiated by President Donald Trump. We certainly appreciate the stance of the United States, which, unlike London, Brussels, Paris, or Berlin, is the only Western actor to have taken an initiative aimed at reaching a settlement. I repeat: we recognise and appreciate this. I would particularly note that Donald Trump's 28-point plan (the version we have; we have not seen any other) most importantly reflects the key understandings reached at the Alaska summit.

Question: Following up on security, you mentioned the recently held security conference in Minsk several times today. What are its prospects? Can it become a venue to be used to work out new security architecture, for Europe, too, and take the place of the Munich Conference which has become an unfriendly venue and lost credibility?

Sergey Lavrov (speaking after Maxim Ryzhenkov): I would like to say more about the Minsk Conference's competitiveness. It is highly competitive, because it opens its doors to all countries of the continent, the largest and richest continent that is home to several great millennia-old civilisations that have preserved their civilisational ethos and traditions.

You mentioned the Munich Conference which has completely discredited itself, including through the efforts of its own leadership. They have stopped inviting participants with the viewpoints that offer an alternative to the European discourse, primarily the neoliberal discourse, which the Munich venue has always promoted.

Some Europeans are now beginning to ponder the future. The Ukraine crisis will not last forever. We are neighbours, and sooner or later we will need to restore relations, perhaps, after shedding Russophobic neo-Nazi nostalgia. Finnish President Alexander Stubb raised this issue, saying relations with Russia will need to be restored. The verb "restore" was used intuitively, because the Europeans want relations to be restored within the frameworks that they control, first and foremost, the OSCE, which they have fully privatised and which has ceased to play the part assigned to it originally. It is sad to see this happening under the leadership of Finland that once hosted the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, which established the principles of consensus and agreements that reflect a balance of interests. These are the very principles that the Western establishment has trampled upon and turned the OSCE exclusively into a tool for promoting its interests, primarily in the media sphere, condemning everyone who disagree with the Western attempts to restore its dominance and return, essentially, to the era described as neocolonialism.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said that relations with Russia will need to be restored. Speaking of what was there before and what they want to restore, we are looking at the Euro-Atlantic models that have run out of steam. NATO and the OSCE are Euro-Atlantic organisations. The EU has long ceased to be a European forum representing the interests of Europeans and has become a NATO appendage developing military programmes and activities designed to make the territory of all EU members, regardless of their NATO affiliation, available for the alliance's infrastructure to move eastward and, if need be, to fight on the eastern flank against we know who.

That is why the Eurasian approach to security is the only viable approach that is being advanced through the Minsk conferences, three of which have been held so far.

I fully agree with Minister Ryzhenkov when he says that if someone was to come up with a more practical and workable idea, we would be happy to participate. Most importantly, we are not forcing anything on anyone. We keep our doors open, we listen to what people have to say, and try to shape a concept of future architecture that suits all Eurasian countries.

The EU is steeped in the colonial mindset. Back when we operated through a ramified system of relations with the EU, including its various bodies, we proposed discussing the South Caucasus and Central Asia as well. The EU avoided these discussions. They follow their own strategies, including the ones that concern Russia. They are unwilling to sync approaches. They have their own Arctic, Central Asian, and Black Sea strategies. Meanwhile, there is the Organisation of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, but they do not consider themselves under an obligation to respect what the countries in a given sub-region are doing among themselves. To reiterate, Euro-Atlantic models have no future. In this sense, Belarus has come up with a truly proactive and future-oriented initiative.

We strongly support the Eurasian approach to security. Eurasia is a single geopolitical space, and our approach to security must also be single, reflecting the balance of interests of all Eurasian countries, rather than depending on western Eurasia's desire to dictate everything to everyone, as the EU and NATO are trying to do.

Question: I have a question about Ukraine and the peace plan. You said the American side has not yet provided you with an updated version. Reportedly, Russia-US talks on Ukraine are underway in Abu Dhabi which means Russia is aware of the revised version. What can you share with us about the talks in Abu Dhabi? Who is part of the Russian delegation? And how close (or how far) do you think we are to a negotiated settlement?

Sergey Lavrov: We have channels of communication with the Americans that are always on. President Vladimir Putin mentioned this when providing his assessment of the peace plan proposed by President Donald Trump. We are not hiding it.

Our diplomatic service is accustomed to doing its job professionally.

Professional diplomacy is all about - I mentioned this on earlier occasions - not letting information out before a final agreement is reached. The people who represent diplomacy and politics in Europe are doing the exact opposite. These leaks, unending speculations, and rumour mongering have one goal which, in this particular case, is to undermine President Trump's initiative in part that concerns the agreements reached in Anchorage. Europeans are not even hiding it.

Read what German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and other political figures, including the Brussels bureaucracy, have to say. We do not do that. Instead, we prefer to go about our work as foreign policy professionals do, that is to negotiate in private before making public statements. Approaching it from a different angle would expose valuable initiatives to the risk of being sabotaged by those who are out there to undermine them. The Europeans are doing this in the media, your corporation included. There have been examples of this recently.

That's not how we do it. As I said earlier, the channels are there, but we prefer to engage in diplomacy rather than run our mouths trying to provoke and undermine various positive and promising initiatives.

We are not rushing our US counterparts. We waited for a very long time after Anchorage. We spoke with them to let them know that we remain committed to the agreements we had worked out, and it is good that the Americans have finally put this initiative (Trump's plan) forward and confirmed their commitment to the Anchorage agreements. It remains to be seen how staunchly the Americans will uphold their position and how effectively they will be able to resist the attempts to lead them astray. We expect that once the United States considers its consultations with the Ukrainian regime and the Europeans complete, they will inform us accordingly. We hope this will happen within a reasonable timeframe in the near future.

Question: You do not confirm the fact of talks in Abu Dhabi?

Sergey Lavrov: I have answered your question.

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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at a joint meeting of the collegiums of the foreign ministries of Russia and Belarus, Moscow, November 25, 2025

25 November 2025 13:29

1964-25-11-2025

Mr Ryzhenkov,

Mr Glazyev,

Colleagues,

Friends,

I am pleased to welcome you to Moscow for another joint meeting of the collegiums of the foreign ministries of Russia and Belarus.

Work in this format, which we maintain only with our Belarusian friends, speaks to the unprecedentedly high level of foreign policy coordination between Moscow and Minsk. Annual collegium meetings have a proven track record as an effective mechanism for developing common approaches to key international issues and synchronising our efforts on the global stage. They provide a good opportunity to strengthen professional contacts between the senior officials and experts from our two ministries, as well as simply to have a friendly unofficial discussion.

Today, we are looking back at the outgoing year, which marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, a sacred holiday for Belarusians and Russians. I would like to express my gratitude to our Belarusian allies for their consistently close cooperation and support in all our joint undertakings. Guided by the Programme of Coordinated Actions in Foreign Policy of the States Parties to the Treaty on the Establishment of the Union State for 2024-2026, we have closely cooperated within the framework of our common Eurasian associations, such as (in addition to the Union State) the CSTO, the EAEU, the CIS, and the SCO, as well as within BRICS, the UN, and the OSCE. In all of these organisations, we act in solidarity on virtually all international issues. We are implementing important joint initiatives, including those aimed at strengthening security and stability in Eurasia. Diplomatic support of large-scale bilateral cooperation and integration processes within the Union State has remained our overriding priority.

Undoubtedly, the Union State is a format that sets the tone for interaction across several areas. In accordance with the resolution adopted by the collegiums and instructions issued by the respective heads of state and government, we primarily focused on promoting cooperation within common integration entities, deepening ties among them, and expanding cooperation with the countries from the Global South. Likewise, we focused on coordinating our efforts on international legal issues, among them countering the West's sanctions aggression, and other areas.

I believe we have tangible results to present to the people of our countries. Russia's initiative to grant the SCO an observer status with the CIS has been implemented, and the CIS Plus format has been created. In September, secretaries general of the CSTO, the CIS, and the SCO signed a roadmap to promote trilateral cooperation drafted by the Russian side and a Joint Statement on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII and the foundation of the UN. The practice of cross-inviting heads of the executive bodies of the CSTO, the CIS, and the SCO to one other's summits continued. I believe it would be useful to have the Permanent Committee of the Union State step up to this interaction as well, if the State Secretary of our Union, Mr Glazyev, who is here today, supports this idea.

We have facilitated the dialogue between the EAEU and the SCO and BRICS, and the coordination of 2026-2030 EEC-ASEAN Cooperation Programme. We have started looking into the possibility of expanding CIS contacts with African organisations and established cooperation between the CSTO Secretariat and the AU Counter Terrorism Centre.

As I mentioned earlier, we have jointly promoted on all international venues the initiative advanced by the President of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, on the development of the Eurasian Charter of Diversity and Multipolarity in the 21st Century which aligns with the initiative put forward by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to form a new architecture of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia. We helped ensure the success of the 3rd Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security in October. We are pleased to note the growing number of the countries that share our approaches and are willing to join this work.

The bilateral interstate Treaty on Security Guarantees within the Union State entered into force in March. Special representatives of Russia and Belarus - deputy foreign ministers Alexander Grushko and Igor Sekreta - began reviewing its implementation. On September 26, the first meeting of respective interagency delegations took place in Moscow. Overlapping assessments of the security situation in the Union State were noted.

The sector-specific departments of our respective ministries coordinated approaches to international legal cooperation priorities, which I mentioned earlier. Notably, the support in the UN General Assembly for the traditional resolution on the report by the International Criminal Court has significantly decreased. For the first time in all the years this resolution has been put to a vote, and fewer than half of UN member states voted in favour. In March, the presidents of Russia and Belarus signed a milestone bilateral Agreement on the Mutual Protection of Citizens from Unjustified Prosecution by Foreign States and International Judicial Bodies. A draft directive of the Supreme State Council of the Union State on mutual support and cooperation in the field of international justice has been drafted and submitted for consideration. In conjunction with our Belarusian friends, we are promoting the Declaration on Enhancing the Role of International Law and guiding principles on qualifying unilateral coercive measures as unlawful, which was signed at the previous meeting of the collegiums. In May, our permanent representatives circulated it in the UN Security Council and the General Assembly.

We have made significant efforts to expand international support for countering the practice of illegal unilateral sanctions. On the initiative of the Group of Friends in Defence of the UN Charter, of which Russia and Belarus are members and play an important role, the UN General Assembly adopted, in June, a resolution establishing the International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures. It will be observed on December 4. We ensured the inclusion in the final document of the 16th UNCTAD ministerial session of provisions on the negative impact of unilateral sanctions on world trade. I'm aware that many in this audience took part in this work. Thank you all.

The agenda of today's meeting is quite extensive. We will begin by discussing issues related to the joint use of humanitarian policy tools, the promotion of traditional values, and the preservation of historical memory. We will then consider matters related to cooperation with friendly states and their associations, as well as our approaches to building relations with the countries whose governments pursue an openly unfriendly policy towards us. This will also include our relations with the organisations that deviate from their own founding principles, do not adhere to impartiality and equal distance, but instead seek to take predominantly pro-Western political positions.

We will place special emphasis on sharing experience in foreign policy information support. Following the meeting, we plan to sign a Resolution of the collegiums and a Plan for inter-ministerial consultations for 2026.

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Chinese private aerospace company unveils YKJ-1000 hypersonic missile

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun, Fan Wei and Liang Rui Published: Nov 25, 2025 09:03 PM

A Chinese private aerospace company on Tuesday unveiled the YKJ-1000 hypersonic missile capable of automatic target identification and evasive maneuvers.

With China having displayed several types of hypersonic weapons at the V-Day military parade on September 3, an expert said that China has strong scientific capabilities in the hypersonic field, providing foundation for diversified hypersonic projects.

Beijing-based company Lingkong Tianxing Technology released a video on its WeChat account introducing the YKJ-1000 hypersonic missile on Tuesday.

According to the company's introduction in the video, the missile has an operational range between 500 to 1,300 kilometers, a speed between Mach 5 to 7, and a powered cruise time of 360 seconds.

The video clip showed that the missile can be carried by a launcher vehicle. After launch, the missile can automatically identify targets and automatically make evasive maneuvers against potential interceptions before the final attack.

Meanwhile, the video clips say the YKJ-1000 is a boost-glide missile, with its glider equipped with an additional rocket engine.

It also showed a test launch of the missile, which accurately hit its target.

The basic version of the YKJ-1000 has successfully achieved mass production, while an intelligent version of the YKJ-1000, integrated with AI decision-making and swarm collaboration capabilities, is now in full-scale development, the company told the Global Times in a statement on Tuesday.

The missile can conduct rapid precision strike against high value targets behind defense lines, such as command centers, missile positions and radar installations, or it can also complete fast reconnaissance taking advantage of its speed and high-resolution sensors, according to the statement.

Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the performance of the YKJ-1000 hypersonic missile displayed in the developer's video looks very impressive.

It makes sense for private aerospace companies to explore hypersonic flights, since aerospace equipment and hypersonic equipment share similar technologies. If such explorations are realized, I believe Chinese private companies relied on state-owned scientific research infrastructures and facilities that the country has been building for decades, Wang said.

At the V-Day military parade in Beijing on September 3, China displayed multiple types of hypersonic missiles, such as the YJ-19, YJ-17, YJ-20 anti-ship missiles, as well as the YJ-21, DF-17, DF-26D hypersonic missiles.

According to a report by chinanews.com in October, Lingkong Tianxing focuses on the research and development as well as commercial application of hypersonic flight technology. It possesses a full-system covering overall design capability for hypersonic vehicles, boasts a professional rocket assembly team, and is capable of independently completing the entire process from assembly, testing to launch implementation.

The company has partnerships with several state-owned aerospace and aviation companies as well as scientific institutes and universities, according to its website.

The company claims that its core team has participated in major national hypersonic research projects and possesses full-process research and development experience, from conceptual design and simulation verification to flight testing. Currently, the company has obtained relevant military qualifications and been incorporated into the national research and production system.

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President Xi Jinping Meets with King Tupou VI of Tonga

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: November 25, 2025 17:52

On the morning of November 25, 2025, President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with King Tupou VI of Tonga, who is on a state visit to China.

President Xi Jinping noted that China and Tonga are true friends who have stood together through thick and thin, and the two countries enjoy a time-honored friendship. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two sides have always respected each other, treated each other as equals, and firmly supported each other on issues involving their respective core interests and major concerns. Practical cooperation has yielded fruitful results, and the comprehensive strategic partnership has continued to deepen. Together, the two countries have set a fine example of friendship and cooperation between countries different in social system and size. No matter how the international landscape evolves, China will always be a good partner that Tonga can trust, and always support Tonga in upholding independence and sovereignty. China will work with Tonga to forge greater synergy between their development strategies, expand cooperation in such areas as trade and investment, agriculture and fisheries, infrastructure, clean energy, medical and health care, tourism, and climate response; increase exchanges in such areas as education, sports, youth and media and at subnational levels; and continue to support Tonga's economic and social development under the framework of South-South cooperation. China welcomes visits by Tongans from various sectors of society to exchange experience in governance and development and gain a fuller understanding of China.

President Xi Jinping underscored that the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China set out a top-level, strategic design for China's economic and social development in the next five years. China will pursue high-quality development as the main focus, further deepen reform comprehensively, expand high-standard opening up, and share development opportunities with all other countries. China has put forward the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative, with a view to encouraging all countries to work together for development and share peace together. China is ready to work with Tonga to implement the four major Global Initiatives, so as to create a better life for the people of both countries, foster a China-Pacific Island Countries community with a shared future, and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

King Tupou VI said that the Tonga-China comprehensive strategic partnership has made significant progress, and expressed appreciation for China's long-standing, selfless assistance for Tonga's economic and social development. Tonga highly values its relations with China, firmly upholds the one-China principle, resolutely opposes any form of "Taiwan independence," and steadfastly supports the Chinese government in realizing national reunification. Tonga hopes to expand cooperation with China in areas including economy and trade, agriculture, clean energy, education, health care, environmental protection, and strive for more tangible outcomes in bilateral relations. Tonga congratulates China on its great achievements under the leadership of President Xi, and hopes to learn from the CPC's success in state governance. Tonga supports the four major Global Initiatives proposed by President Xi, and will enhance communication and collaboration with China to jointly address global challenges such as climate change.

During the visit, the two sides released the Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Tonga.

After the meeting, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of cooperation documents in economy and trade, medical care, education, and development among others.

Prior to the meeting, President Xi Jinping and his wife, Madame Peng Liyuan, held a welcoming ceremony for King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u at the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

A 21-gun salute was fired in Tiananmen Square, and a guard of honor lined up in salutation. The two heads of state stepped onto a stand, and a military band played the national anthems of China and Tonga. Accompanied by President Xi, King Tupou VI reviewed the guard of honor of the People's Liberation Army and watched the march-past.

President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan hosted a welcoming banquet for the King and Queen in the afternoon.

Wang Yi was present at the above events.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on November 25, 2025

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: November 25, 2025 18:45

Global Times: Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan is met by outrage from the Chinese people. There are, however, individuals in Japan who claimed that it's the Republic of China (ROC) rather than the People's Republic of China (PRC) who accepted Japan's surrender, so the PRC is not in a position to discuss the Taiwan question. What's your comment?

Mao Ning: The ones who make such claims either do not know the history or deliberately seek to distort it and disregard international law.

In 1945, Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender, explicitly undertook to carry out the provisions of the Potsdam Proclamation in good faith and unconditionally return Taiwan to China. China resumed exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan and recovered Taiwan both in law and in practice. In 1949, the PRC government replaced the ROC government. This is a change of government in which China, as a subject under international law, did not change and China's sovereignty and inherent territorial boundaries stayed unchanged. Thus, the government of the People's Republic of China naturally and fully enjoys and exercises China's sovereignty, including sovereignty over the Taiwan region. The 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement states that the Government of Japan recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal Government of China.

There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. This is an ironclad fact and shall not be bent or distorted.

NHK: According to a readout released by the Chinese side, the Chinese and U.S. presidents spoke on the phone last night. Was the phone call initiated by China or the U.S.? How long did it last? What is China's comment on the outcomes of the phone call?

Mao Ning: The Chinese and U.S. presidents have maintained regular interactions during President Trump's second term. As far as I know, this phone call was initiated by the U.S. side. The atmosphere of the call was positive, cordial and constructive. Communication between the two presidents on issues of mutual interest is highly important to the steady development of China-U.S. relations.

PTI: An Indian woman hailing from Arunachal Pradesh has said that she was on a transit to Japan from London and was detained in Shanghai for about 18 hours simply because of her Indian passport. Apparently, the Indian consular staff have to intervene to get her released. And also India has launched a protest regarding this particular issue. Can you just please comment on this?

Mao Ning: Zangnan is China's territory. The Chinese side has never recognized the so-called "Arunachal Pradesh" illegally set up by India. On the individual case you mentioned, according to what we've learned, during the entire time, China's border inspection authorities carried out checks procedures in accordance with laws and regulations, the law enforcement was impartial and non-abusive, the lawful rights and interests of the person concerned were fully protected, no compulsory measures were taken on her, and there was no so-called "detaining" or "harassing." The airline provided her with resting facilities and meals. For anything more specific, I'd refer you to competent authorities.

Bloomberg: Just after the phone call between President Xi and President Trump, there was a phone call between President Trump and Prime Minister Takaichi of Japan. And they discussed the Japan-U.S. alliance and its importance for the region and other bilateral issues, some of which weren't announced. Does China have the reaction to that phone call? And do you have any concern about Japan and the U.S. and their views toward Taiwan?

Mao Ning: The phone call between the leaders of the U.S. and Japan is a matter between the U.S. and Japan. I have no comment on that. The Taiwan question is China's internal affair which brooks no interference by any external forces.

PTI: A follow-up on what you spoke about the particular incident in Shanghai. India reportedly launched protest in this regard. India too has rejected China's claims on Arunachal Pradesh. Can you please comment on that?

Mao Ning: Zangnan is China's territory, and China does not recognize the so-called "Arunachal Pradesh" illegally established by India. As for the individual case you mentioned, I've shared relevant information just now. Let me point out that having border checks on people entering and exiting a country and carrying out law enforcement according to the specific situation of the entry or exit is the usual practice of border enforcement authorities of countries across the world.

Bloomberg: Since the relations between Japan and China got worse over the last two weeks, Chinese authorities have frozen its regulatory reviews of Japanese movies for airing in Chinese movie theaters and more than 20 concerts featuring Japanese musicians have been canceled across Chinese cities including in Beijing. Is this part of the Chinese government's retaliatory response to Japan? Is there an official directive or guideline on Japanese cultural imports? And how long do you expect the suspension of films and shows to last?

Mao Ning: Exchanges and cooperation between China and Japan have recently been affected because of the erroneous remarks made by the Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan. The remarks gravely hurt the sentiments of the Chinese people and poisoned the atmosphere for exchanges between the two countries. Japan needs to redress its wrongdoing at once and stop creating irritations on China-related issues.

China News Service: This week, the 30th Session of the Conference of the States Parties of the Chemical Weapons Convention is being held in The Hague, Netherlands. China has submitted China's Position Paper on Upholding Multilateralism, Solidarity and Cooperation at the OPCW to the Conference. Could you share more information with us?

Mao Ning: The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is an important pillar of global security governance. Since the organisation's establishment 28 years ago, its States Parties have made historic achievements in chemical weapons disarmament and international cooperation in the spirit of multilateralism, solidarity and cooperation. In recent years, the OPCW has seen a growing tendency toward politicization and division into blocs, with diminishing dialogue and communication and rising confrontation and antagoism. The authority of the Chemical Weapons Convention is eroded, which has caused deep concern among the States Parties.

The position paper submitted by China is guided by the Global Governance Initiative and appeals to all States Parties to adhere to the purpose and goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention, uphold multilateralism, maintain the tradition of consensus-building, address hotspot and contentious issues through dialogue and consultation, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries and enhance solidarity and coordination.

We look forward to working with all parties to continue building consensus and enable the OPCW to play a greater role in global security governance.

Bloomberg: Today, the Japanese government produced a statement in response to a question from a Japanese MP speaking about the policy regarding existential threats to the Japanese state. The statement was that there is no change to previous Japanese policies regarding either on existential crisis or on Japan's use of collective self-defense. Does the Chinese government accept the Japanese government's statement that they haven't actually changed any of their policies or does China expect Japan to do more on this?

Mao Ning: Japanese offcials have kept mentioning the Japanese government's "consistent position" or repeating that their position is "unchanged." We have explicitly asked the Japanese side what they mean exactly by this so-called "consistent position" and whether they can fully articulate this "consistent position" to the public? The Japanese side has been repeating the mere notion of an unchanged position but nothing it says ever touched upon the real issue. Essentially, the Japanese side has been deliberately evading China's call for it to retract the erroneous remarks and hoping that somehow the issue would resolve itself. We could not but question whether the Japanese side does have the sincerity and whether it will take action to do serious soul-searching and correct its wrongdoing.

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Former defense firm executive Liu Weidong prosecuted for bribery

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Nov 26, 2025 12:37 PM

Liu Weidong, a former deputy general manager of state-owned defense contractor China South Industries Group Corp (CSGC) has been prosecuted for accepting an exceptionally large number of bribes, China Central Television reported on Wednesday, citing China's Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP).

The probe into Liu was concluded by the National Commission of Supervision and transferred to the procuratorate for review and prosecution. Upon designation of jurisdiction by the SPP, the Henan provincial people's procuratorate approved Liu's arrest on suspicion of bribery in accordance with the law.

The People's Procuratorate of Nanyang City in Henan has recently filed a prosecution against Liu with the Nanyang Intermediate People's Court.

Liu, 59, is a native of Zigui county in Central China's Hubei Province. He started his career in the automobile industry in 1988 after graduating from Wuhan University of Technology.

During the review and prosecution stage, the procuratorate informed Liu of his legal rights, questioned him in accordance with the law and heard the opinions from the defense counsel.

According to the indictment filed by the procuratorate, Liu took advantage of his positions, including his role as a Party member and deputy general manager of CSGC, as well as other positions at Dongfeng Motor Corp and Changan Automobile Co to seek benefits for relevant entities and individuals through the official acts of other state personnel, illegally accepting bribes in an exceptionally large amount, CCTV reported.

He shall be held criminally liable for the crime of bribery in accordance with the law, according to the CCTV report.

China South Industries Group is one of China's major defense contractors, specializing in the research and production of infantry weapons and armored combat vehicles, according to media reports.

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Aatmanirbhar Bharat: BEL and Safran Electronics & Defence ink Joint Venture Cooperation Agreement for production of HAMMER Smart Precision Guided Air-to-Ground Weapon in India

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 24 NOV 2025 7:05PM by PIB Delhi

In a major impetus to Make-in-India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat as envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran Electronics and Defence (SED), France have signed a Joint Venture Cooperation Agreement (JVCA) for the production of Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (HAMMER) Smart Precision Guided Air-to-Ground Weapon in India. The JVCA was inked by CMD, BEL Shri Manoj Jain and Executive Vice President, SED Mr Alexandre Ziegler in the presence of Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar & CEO Safran Mr Olivier Andries in New Delhi on November 24, 2025.

The agreement formalises the intent expressed in the MoU signed between BEL and SED on February 11, 2025 during Aero India, reaffirming the willingness of both sides to incorporate a potential Joint Venture Company (JVC) in India. The JVC shall be formed as a private limited company with 50:50 shareholding. It will localise the manufacturing, supply and maintenance of HAMMER to meet the operational needs of the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. The indigenisation level will progressively increase upto 60 percent with key sub-assemblies, electronics and mechanical parts being manufactured locally. The transfer of production will happen in a phased manner with BEL leading final assembly, testing and quality assurance.

HAMMER is a combat-proven, precision-guided weapon system known for its high accuracy and modular design, making it adaptable for multiple platforms, including the Rafale and Light Combat Aircraft Tejas. This JVCA underscores BEL's commitment to strengthening India's defence industrial base and aims at leveraging SED's extensive experience in manufacturing of smart precision guided air-to-ground weapon.

****

VK/Savvy

(Release ID: 2193714)

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13th India-Oman Joint Military Cooperation Committee meeting held in New Delhi

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Defence Secretary & Secretary General, Ministry of Defence, Oman emphasise on joint development, technology sharing & expanded production partnerships

Posted On: 24 NOV 2025 5:52PM by PIB Delhi

Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh and Secretary General, Ministry of Defence, Oman Dr Mohammed Bin Naseer Bin Ali Al Zaabi co-chaired the 13th Joint Military Cooperation Committee meeting in New Delhi on November 24, 2025. Both officials reviewed & appreciated the robust defence cooperation between the two countries and discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral engagements in various areas. They also shared perspectives on regional and international security developments, particularly relating to the Indian Ocean Region.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening defence industrial cooperation, emphasising on joint development, technology sharing, and expanded production partnerships. They highlighted the importance of strengthening supply chains, enhancing interoperability, and fostering innovation in emerging defence technologies.

The discussions focused on creating long-term frameworks that support co-development of advanced platforms, boost indigenous manufacturing, and improve strategic resilience. Both sides agreed that closer defence industrial collaboration is essential for regional stability, mutual security interests, and sustainable defence modernisation. The meeting reaffirmed the strong strategic partnership between India & Oman and underlined the commitment of both countries to maintain regular high-level dialogue.

During his visit, Secretary General, Ministry of Defence, Oman Dr Mohammed Bin Naseer Bin Ali Al Zaabi also called on Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth and discussed bilateral defence cooperation. He also held a meeting with Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan.

India and Oman have a strategic partnership built on strong political, defence, economic, and cultural ties. Key strategic points include, economic collaboration and energy security through oil and gas trade; and shared interests in regional stability, counter-terrorism, and maritime security.

****

VK/SR/Savvy

(Release ID: 2193653)

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INS MAHE COMMISSIONED - INDIA'S FIRST MAHE-CLASS ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE SHALLOW WATER CRAFT JOINS THE WESTERN NAVAL COMMAND

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 24 NOV 2025 3:38PM by PIB Delhi

The Indian Navy commissioned INS Mahe, the first of the indigenously designed and built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), during a ceremony held at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, on 24 Nov 2025.

The event, hosted by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, was presided over by General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, with senior naval officers, representatives from Cochin Shipyard Ltd, Kochi, and distinguished guests in attendance.

The ship takes her name from the historic coastal town of Mahe on the Malabar Coast. The town's maritime heritage and tranquil estuary mirror the ship's balance of elegance and strength. The ship's crest features the Urumi, the flexible sword of Kalaripayattu, rising from stylised blue waves - a symbol of agility, precision, and lethal grace. Her mascot, the Cheetah, embodies speed and focus, while the motto "Silent Hunters" reflects the ship's stealth, vigilance, and unyielding readiness.

Designed and constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi, INS Mahe is the lead ship of eight vessels in her class. Drawing on the expertise of BEL, L&T Defence, Mahindra Defence Systems, NPOL, and more than 20 MSMEs, the project reinforces India's expanding ecosystem of naval design, equipment, and system integration. INS Mahe stands as a shining symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. With over 80% indigenous content, the ship underscores the Indian Navy's sustained efforts to promote indigenisation through homegrown solutions and innovative technologies.

The commissioning of INS Mahe adds significant punch to the Indian Navy's ASW capabilities, particularly in countering threats in the littorals. The ship's combat suite blends multiple systems into a compact yet potent network. She is specially designed to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal and shallow waters. Fitted with advanced weapons, sensors, and communication systems enabling it to detect, track, and neutralise sub-surface threats with precision, the ship can sustain prolonged operations in shallow waters and features technologically advanced machinery and control systems.

Addressing the ceremony, General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, highlighted that the commissioning of INS Mahe marks not only the induction of a potent new maritime platform, but also reflects India's growing ability to design, construct and field complex combatants using indigenous technology. He emphasised that the induction of the ship will significantly augment the Indian Navy's capacity to ensure near-sea dominance, strengthen the coastal security grid and safeguard India's maritime interests across the littorals. He further underscored that the strength of the Armed Forces lies in synergy across land, sea and air, noting that future conflicts will be multi-domain and require united national effort. Citing Operation Sindoor as a model of jointness, he also highlighted the Army and Navy's long-standing partnership in HADR and amphibious operations worldwide.

The Mahe-class will form the first line of coastal defence, integrating seamlessly with larger surface combatants, submarines, and aviation assets to maintain constant vigilance over India's maritime areas of operation. INS Mahe reaffirms the Indian Navy's status as Combat Ready, Cohesive, and Aatmanirbhar, safeguarding seas for a Viksit Samriddha Bharat.

****

VM/SKY 256/25

(Release ID: 2193558)

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Israel only obstacle to a WMD-free Middle East: Iran FM

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 25, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has once again warned the international community about the threat posed by Israel, saying the regime in possession of a clandestine arsenal of nukes, is the only obstacle to a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).

Araghchi issued the warning in an address to the 30th session of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention in The Hague on Tuesday.

Pointing out that the Convention was adopted with a clear and specific goal to prevent the recurrence of the horror of WMDs, he urged the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) must continue to fulfill its responsibility, free from any influence, politicization, and pressure.

The top Iranian diplomat, stating that the Islamic Republic is one of the victims of WMDs, said the Iranian nation still feel the pain and suffering inflicted by Saddam regime's chemical attacks during his war of aggression on Iran in the 1980s.

The full text of Araghchi's address to State Parties to CWC meeting in The Hague is as followed:

Mr. President,

Mr. Director-General,

Distinguished delegates,

Ladies & Gentlemen,

I wish to begin by expressing our appreciation to you, Mr. President, and to the Secretariat for all the efforts you all have put into organizing this important Conference.

Mr. President,

The Chemical Weapons Convention, as an outstanding legacy of human collective wisdom and conscience, was created to prevent the horror of the use of chemical weapons from recurring.

We, the Iranians, feel the extreme pain and suffering inflicted on our soldiers and civilians by Saddam regime's chemical attacks during his war of aggression on Iran. Our wounds are still bleeding after 4 decades; and we can see the horror of chemical weapons as our war heroes and veterans as well as their families continue to suffer extreme pain.

I have with me Mr. Kamal Hoseinpur, representative of Sardasht in the Parliament. For us and for the entire world Sardasht represents an iconic name in global campaign for prohibition of chemical weapons and for justice for the victims. Sardashti people were among many innocent Iranian civilians and combatants who were targetted by chemical weapons during 8 year-long imposed war on Iran. We pay tribute to the heroic people of Sardasht who lost their lives during that savage attack and to those who still suffering from the injuries and to their families.

Mr. President,

'Truth' should prevail and 'justice' must be served; the atrocity crimes of international concern have no statute of limitations. The use of chemical weapons in armed conflicts is a heinous war crime that does not disappear with the passage of time. Iran persists, therefore, in its call for accountability and justice with regard to Saddam regime's use of chemical weapons against Iranians. Those who provided Saddam regime with necessary materials and know-hows to develop its military chemical program must be held to account. We urge those countries, to be responsive to our constant call to undertake an independent and transparent investigations into their companies and nationals who were involved in procurement, development and use of former Iraqi regime's chemical weapons program.

Mr. President,

We all can sense how badly today's international relations face unprecedented distresses due to 'militant unilateralism' disguised as 'rules-based order'. The United Nations and its underlying purposes and principles are under attack. Article 2(4) of the Charter as the main guarantor of 'saving the succeding generations from scourge of war' is persistently violated. Even worse, such violations are systematically normalized. What is taking place in our region, i.e., the Israeli perpetual wars, aggressions, genocide and colonial expansion, is the direct outcome of American support and certain European countries' appeasement.

The U.S. contempt for international law has been translated into a bold attempt to construct a "force-based international order" where resorting to naked military power in pursuit of their illegitimate interests is justified. The 'rules-based order' defies established norms and principles that have long banned the use of prohibited weapons including chemical weapons. It is no surprise that the Israeli regime has been using a wide range of banned weaponry including cluster ammunitions in its aggressions in Gaza and Lebanon.

Mr. President,

Nowhere more than our region is familiar with lawless behavior as Israeli/American wars have kept the entire region in a state of perpetual insecurity and massive bloodshed. Over the past 2 years an all-out genocide has been taking place in occupied Palestine with full impunity accorded to Israel. The Israeli regime has attacked seven countries and continues to occupy the lands of Palestine, Syria and Lebanon.

Israel's unlawful armed attack against Iran in last June followed by American direct military intervention showcased the prevelance of militancy and armed bullying over 'rule of law'.

The Israeli regime's act of aggression against Iran in last June was not only a blatant attack on the tenets of the UN Charter and international law but also a huge blow to NPT regime and the CWC's founding pillars. They attacked not only our safeguarded nuclear facilities but also the installations and sites under the OPCW's verification mandate, thereby triggering the risk of the release of chemical and radioactive materials- a danger that could have threatened human health and the environment well beyond Iran's borders.

The formal admission by the U.S. President on 6 November 2025 acknowledging his direct role in Israel's aggression against Iran constitutes unequivocal evidence of the United States' responsibility for Israel's unlawful act and its flagrant violation of Article 2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations. This is further to U.S. responsibility for its direct attack on Iran's safeguarded nuclear facilities on 23 June.

Mr. President,

We should safeguard the fundamental principles of equality, impartiality, and non-discrimination in order to guarantee the effective functioning of the Organization.

We should be reminded that the CWC was drafted with a clear and unequivocal purpose: the complete elimination of an entire category of weapons of mass destruction and the prevention of their re-emergence. It was never conceived as a means for advancing the political interests of certain States.

The Organization's credibility is preserved only if it remains faithful to its professional and non-political mandate and distances from geopolitical orientations. As such, the OPCW must be able to perform its technical mandate without any pressures and influences.

Mr. President,

The Israeli regime has acceded to no disarmament treaty whatsoever, including the Chemical Weapons Convention, and remains the only obstacle to the establishment of ME WMD free zone.

WMDs are always dangerous and inhuman but when they are in the hands of wanted criminals that have been engaged in online massacre and genocide for the past 2 years, constitute an existential threat to human civilization and to our planet. The Israeli regime must be compelled to accede to the Convention and to submit to full-scope inspections, as a priority for OPCW.

Mr. President,

The Chemical Weapons Convention is the most successful disarmament treaty. Yet such success can endure only if its provisions are complied with by all States with no exception and without double standards. Selective application or politically driven interpretations of the Convention's provisions would undermine our shared objectives and erode the collective trust among States Parties.

That said, the cases of non-compliance and/or delays by United States and certain other States must be duly addressed. They are grounded in the Organization's official reports, the statements of former officials of those countries, and matters previously highlighted in earlier sessions. We underscore that full transparency and constructive cooperation with verification mechanisms are indispensable to preserving the credibility of this Convention.

In this context, the Islamic Republic of Iran has, on numerpus ocassions, through formal channels, raised its concerns regarding instances of non-compliance or delays in fulfilling the Convention's obligations by the United States. The U.S is continuing to develop non-lethal weapons and, according to its official sources, implementing various orojects to weaponize pyschoactive substances and synthetic opioid-based agents.

When a state possessing the largest declared stockpiles of chemical weapons remains years behind its scheduled destruction timeline; when information pertaining to certain of its chemical activities are not furnished with full transparency; when that very state presumes to posture as a claimant against others- such conduct is not only incompatible with the spirit of the Convention, but also undermines international confidence in this Organization.

Mr. President,

Unilateral and unlawful coercive measures including sanctions constitute a manifest violation of international law. Despite the passage of twenty-eight years since the entry into force of the Convention, and despite States Parties' commitments to facilitate the transfer of chemical materials and equipment for peaceful purposes, illegal restrictions persist due to illicit unilateral sanctions by the United States and their application by European countries.

More deplorably, these sanctions even obstruct normal access by Iranian chemical-weapons' victims to essential medicines and medical equipment.

All States are legally and morally obliged not to hinder the provision of necessary medicines and medical equipments for treating the victims of chemical weapons. This is all the more applicable to States whose companies and officials were implicated in Saddam's chemical weapons program.

Let me conclude, Mr. President, by conveying my gratitude to the Asia-Pacific Group for its confidence in the Islamic Republic of Iran and for its endorsement of my country's election to the Executive Council for the 2026-2028 term, an endorsement duly affirmed by the Conference.

My delegations assures you, Mr. President, and other delegations of its full cooperation and support in the discharge of your responsibility.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.

4399**9417

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Army's Naval Force to receive new vessels in coming days: Commander

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 25, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Commander of the Iranian Army's Naval Force, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, has announced that the force will receive new vessels in the coming days as part of efforts to strengthen economic security and protect shipping routes in oceanic waters.

The commander made the announcement on Tuesday during a press briefing held on the occasion of National Navy Day that will be marked on November 28.

He said Iran needs to possess appropriate equipment capable of operating deep in oceanic waters in order to fulfill its mission of securing shipping lines.

To advance this goal, he said, "New vessels will join the Navy's fleet in the coming days, because our foremost priority is to ensure economic security and the safety of shipping routes in oceanic waters."

According to the commander, Iran will continue its active participation in "future international events," building on its previous involvement in joint drills with countries both inside and outside the region.

"Iran must be present on the international maritime stage," he emphasized, adding that such presence requires "advanced knowledge, modern equipment, and awareness of conditions in oceanic environments."

The commander also noted that Iran's active maritime role aligns with the nation's firm belief that the country contributes to global security and supports states that treat the Iranian nation with respect.

4194**9417

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IRGC arrests terrorist team in southeastern Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 25, 2025

Zahedan, IRNA -- The Public Relations Office of the Quds Ground Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has announced the arrest of a terrorist team along with the seizure of two suicide vests in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan.

According to the statement released late on Monday, the operation was part of the ongoing Martyrs of Security drills conducted in the southeastern region of Iran.

The IRGC forces successfully identified and apprehended several members of a terrorist group affiliated with the Ansar al-Shaitan organization, the statement added.

Further details regarding the operation are expected to be released soon, as authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.

4208**7129

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IRGC seizes large cache of explosives in NW Iran 'meant for sabotage acts'

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 25 November 2025 4:31 PM

Security forces in West Azerbaijan Province have intercepted and seized a major shipment of explosives and weapons belonging to counter-revolution groups.

According to the Public Relations Office of the Hamzeh Seyyed alShohada Base of the IRGC Ground Forces, the operation was carried out in the border region of Urmia County following extensive intelligence monitoring and complex technical measures by the IRGC Intelligence Organization.

The confiscated cargo included significant quantities of explosives, firearms, and military ammunition, most notably 198 explosive devices.

Officials said the shipment was discovered while being transferred into the country, adding that the armed groups and terrorist elements intended to move the materials deeper into the country to carry out acts of sabotage and create insecurity.

Security officials said the vigilance and timely action of intelligence units foiled the plot.

Iranian forces frequently engage in clashes with foreign-backed terrorist outfits or carry out operations against them near the country's western and eastern borders.

On October 26, 2024, a terrorist attack in the Gohar Kuh district of Taftan County, Sistan and Baluchestan, claimed the lives of 10 members of Iran's law enforcement forces.

The so-called Jaish al-Adl terrorist group took responsibility for the attack, which is marked as one of the most deadly incidents in the province in recent months.

The group has conducted numerous terrorist attacks across Iran, primarily focusing on Sistan and Baluchestan Province. Its methods include abducting border guards and launching assaults on civilians and police stations, aiming to incite chaos.

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Israel only obstacle to establishing WMD-free zone in West Asia: Iran's FM

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 25 November 2025 2:39 PM

The Iranian foreign minister has slammed Israel's non-adherence to chemical weapons disarmament treaties as the primary barrier to regional stability, while also lashing out at the United States for non-compliance.

Abbas Araghchi made the remarks while addressing the thirtieth session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), held under the auspices of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), in The Hague, the Netherlands, on Tuesday.

"The Israeli regime has acceded to no disarmament treaty whatsoever, including the Chemical Weapons Convention, and remains the only obstacle to the establishment of an ME WMD-free zone."

He further warned of the heightened risks posed by weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) under Israeli control.

"WMDs are always dangerous and inhuman, but when they are in the hands of wanted criminals who have been engaged in massacre and genocide for the past 2 years, constitute an existential threat to human civilization and to our planet," he said. "The Israeli regime must be compelled to accede to the Convention and to submit to full-scope inspections, as a priority for OPCW."

Araghchi praised the CWC as "the most successful disarmament treaty" but cautioned that its efficacy depends on universal compliance.

He criticized selective enforcement, stating, "Selective application or politically driven interpretations of the Convention's provisions would undermine our shared objectives and erode the collective trust among States Parties."

He highlighted ongoing compliance issues with the United States and other countries.

"That said, the cases of non-compliance and/or delays by the United States and certain other States must be duly addressed. They are grounded in the Organization's official reports, the statements of former officials of those countries, and matters previously highlighted in earlier sessions. We underscore that full transparency and constructive cooperation with verification mechanisms are indispensable to preserving the credibility of this Convention."

Araghchi detailed Iran's formal complaints against instances of non-compliance or delays in fulfilling the Convention's obligations by the United States.

"The US is continuing to develop non-lethal weapons and, according to its official sources, implementing various projects to weaponize psychoactive substances and synthetic opioid-based agents."

'US fostering force-based order'

Araghchi said the US-Israeli acts of aggression exemplify 'militant unilateralism' threatening global norms.

"We all can sense how badly today's international relations face unprecedented distress due to 'militant unilateralism' disguised as 'rules-based order.' The United Nations and its underlying purposes and principles are under attack."

"Even worse, such violations are systematically normalized. What is taking place in our region, i.e., the Israeli perpetual wars, aggressions, genocide, and colonial expansion, is the direct outcome of American support and certain European countries' appeasement."

He said the US contempt for international law has translated into a bold attempt to construct a "force-based international order" where resorting to naked military power in pursuit of its illegitimate interests is justified.

Araghchi said West Asia is highly familiar with lawless behavior as Israeli-American wars have kept the entire region in a state of "perpetual insecurity and massive bloodshed," pointing to the genocide in Gaza and the regime's attacks on Lebanon and Syria, among others

He specifically addressed Israel's act of aggression against Iran, saying, "Israel's unlawful armed attack against Iran last June, followed by American direct military intervention, showcased the prevalence of militancy and armed bullying over 'rule of law.'"

Elaborating on the implications, Araghchi said the Israeli aggressions were not only a blatant attack on the tenets of the UN Charter and international law but also a huge blow to the NPT regime and the founding pillars of the CWC.

"They attacked not only our safeguarded nuclear facilities but also the installations and sites under the OPCW's verification mandate, thereby triggering the risk of the release of chemical and radioactive materials - a danger that could have threatened human health and the environment well beyond Iran's borders."

Justice for Iranian victims of WMDs

In his address, Araghchi reiterated Iran's demand for accountability regarding chemical weapons used during the Iran-Iraq War, which killed over 20,000 Iranian soldiers and medics and left tens of thousands more with long-term injuries.

"Those who provided the Saddam regime with the necessary materials and know-how to develop its military chemical program must be held to account. We urge those countries to be responsive to our constant call to undertake an independent and transparent investigation into their companies and nationals who were involved in procurement, development, and use of the former Iraqi regime's chemical weapons program."

Before his address, the Iranian minister held talks with the OPCW chief, Fernando Arias, in which he condemned Western sanctions that worsen the suffering of Iranian victims of chemical warfare.

The minister described the illegal sanctions against Iran, which have prevented chemical warfare veterans from accessing medical supplies and treatment, as a double injustice to the victims and their families.

He said these sanctions constitute crimes against humanity, and that the sanctioning parties and those implementing them must be held accountable.

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Larijani pushes 'strategic' relations, economic expansion with Pakistan

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 25 November 2025 8:51 AM

Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani has called for "strategic" relations with Islamabad in talks with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar.

Upon arrival at the venue of the meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, Larijani and his accompanying delegation were welcomed by Senator Ishaq Dar.

During the meeting, Larijani described elevating Iran-Pakistan relations to a "strategic level" as a necessity and noted that the economic capacities of both countries could "operate far beyond the current level."

He called for the removal of existing obstacles and facilitation of economic interactions, noting that the goal of increasing trade up to $10 billion is achievable.

The Pakistani foreign minister congratulated Larijani on his appointment as Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.

Pointing to the importance of "brotherly relations" between Tehran and Islamabad, Ishaq Dar referred to his recent meetings with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as well as other high-level bilateral meetings.

Both sides emphasized that the Islamic world needs practical initiatives, broad coordination, and coherent cooperation to manage regional crises, particularly to counter the threat posed by the Israeli regime against Islamic countries.

The two officials also identified Palestine as a central focus of Islamic cooperation and underscored the need for unity, convergence, and joint efforts by Tehran and Islamabad in supporting the Palestinian people.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Larijani said, "We discussed bilateral relations, the progress achieved in the economic field, and ways to strengthen this cooperation, alongside regional issues."

"We paid attention to regional matters, and during consultations with our Pakistani brothers, they shared their explanations regarding international developments," he added.

As part of the first day of his visit, Larijani is also scheduled to hold meetings with Pakistan's Parliament Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and President Asif Ali Zardari.

The meetings are aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation and advancing joint agreements  with a strong focus on regional security, border management, counter-terrorism, trade, and broader issues affecting the Islamic world.

Upon his arrival in Islamabad early Tuesday morning, Larijani told reporters, "Pakistan is an important country in the region and has a privileged position in terms of influencing the security situation in the region."

Hailing "deep and historical" relations between the countries, he added, "Today, in the changing conditions of the region, cooperation between Iran and Pakistan in various fields can contribute to regional peace and stability."

Before leaving for Islamabad, Larijani wrote on his X account on Monday that he was traveling to Pakistan, "our friendly and brotherly country in the region."

Referring to Pakistan's support for Iran during the US-Israeli aggression in June, he added, "Iranians do not forget that during the 12-day war by the Zionist regime and the United States against Iran, the Pakistani nation stood by the Iranian nation."

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Commission registers European Citizens' Initiative on the EU-Israel Association Agreement

European Commission

Press release

Nov 25, 2025

Brussels

Today, the European Commission has registered the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) entitled 'Demand the full suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement in view of Israel's violations of human rights'.

Following a thorough legal analysis of its admissibility, the Commission considers that the European Citizens' Initiative fulfils the formal conditions established under the European Citizens' Initiative Regulation. The Commission has not analysed the substance of the proposals at this stage. The registration does not influence the Commission's final decision on its merits, or any potential action it may take. The Commission will make a decision on the initiative only if it collects at least 1 million signatures from EU citizens.

Next steps

Following today's registration, the organisers have six months to open the 12-month period of signature collection. If an ECI receives at least one million statements of support during that time, with minimum numbers reached in at least seven Member States, the Commission is required to react, and decide what, if any, action it will take in response to the initiative, justifying its decision.

Background

The European Citizens' Initiative was introduced with the Lisbon Treaty as an agenda-setting tool in the hands of citizens. It was officially launched in April 2012. Once formally registered, a European Citizens' Initiative allows one million citizens from at least seven EU Member States to invite the European Commission to propose legal acts in areas where it has the power to act. The conditions for admissibility are: (1) the proposed action does not manifestly fall outside the framework of the Commission's powers to submit a proposal for a legal act, (2) it is not manifestly abusive, frivolous or vexatious and (3) it is not manifestly contrary to the values of the Union.

Since the beginning of the European Citizens' Initiative, the Commission has registered 123 initiatives.

The content of the initiative only expresses the views of the organisers and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Commission.

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Israel MOD Outlines Strategic Defense Export Priorities at DECA Annual Conference

Israel Ministry of Defense

25/11/2025

Today (Tuesday), the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) Defense Export Controls Agency (DECA) published its operational scope at its 16th annual conference, attended by hundreds of leading Israeli defense exporters. Against the backdrop of the defense export reform led by the Ministry, the event focused on export policies and oversight mechanisms, addressing current challenges and market shifts in the global defense sector.

IMOD Director General, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram opened the DECA conference and outlined the Ministry's strategic priorities for defense exports: expanding activities in existing markets, proactively entering new markets, establishing national leadership in the Defense-Tech sector, and fostering Israel's unique ecosystem. To support these objectives, the Ministry will reduce policy constraints and streamline licensing timeframes as part of a more enabling regulatory approach, designed to facilitate the defense industry's rapid adaptation to accelerating global changes and increasingly dynamic market conditions.

Head of DECA, Racheli Chen, presented the agency's key performance metrics for 2025, demonstrating growth in export licensing activities. DECA processed 16,566 marketing license applications, with Europe and Asia representing the primary destinations at 38% and 32% respectively. The 5,770 new export license applications processed for weapons systems and defense solutions were similarly concentrated in European markets, which accounted for 41% of total requests.

IMOD Director General, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram: "While the prolonged multi-front war has yielded many significant successes, it has depleted resources, capabilities, and reserves. Therefore, we must dramatically increase Israel's defense exports as a central mechanism to strengthen the IDF with new systems, as a tool for international policy influence, and to fortify both our defense industry and economy."

Head of DECA, Racheli Chen: "Exporters' ability to compete in global markets is what enables Israel to maintain its technological independence and supremacy. Defense exports are not merely a protective shield - they are a leading economic engine. Our shared responsibility is to ensure this engine continues to thrive, strengthen, and adapt to evolving challenges while safeguarding Israel's security and political interests. Without an independent, robust, and prosperous defense industry, we cannot develop next-generation systems or maintain autonomous, advanced production lines for the IDF. Defense export oversight is not merely a system of restrictions - it is a sophisticated and dynamic mechanism. On one hand, it must ensure responsible oversight and protect Israel's interests while strengthening the IDF. On the other hand, it enables and will increasingly enable defense industries to operate efficiently, innovate, develop, and enter competitive new markets. This reflects our understanding of current challenges and our commitment to establishing oversight that is both effective and values-driven, while also being enabling. Throughout the years, we have and continue to advance processes that reduce regulatory burden, evolve policy, and continuously improve our operational procedures."

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Japan-U.S. Summit Telephone Talk

Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan

November 25, 2025

On November 25, commencing at 10:00 a.m. for approximately 25 minutes, Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan, held a Japan-U.S. Summit Telephone Talk, with the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America. The overview is as follows;

Prime Minister TAKAICHI expressed her gratitude to President Trump for the gift of his hand-written message on a newspaper reporting on his recent visit to Japan. Prime Minister TAKAICHI also conveyed her appreciation for the United States' efforts toward peace in Ukraine. The two leaders also exchanged views on strengthening the Japan-U.S. Alliance and the situation and various challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region. President Trump made an explanation on the latest situation of U.S.-China relations including the recent U.S.-China summit meeting. In response to President Trump's question, Prime Minister TAKAICHI explained about the recent G20 summit. The two leaders affirmed that the two countries will continue working closely under the current international situation. President Trump told Prime Minister TAKAICHI that, as close friend of him, he would be willing to receive calls from the Prime Minister any time.

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We encourage the Libyan authorities to continue working with the Court to ensure those subject to ICC warrants are surrendered: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Speech

Statement by Legal Adviser Colin McIntyre at the UN Security Council meeting on Libya.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Colin McIntyre, Legal Adviser

Published 25 November 2025

Location: United Nations, New York

Delivered on: 25 November 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

I would like to make three points.

First, the United Kingdom welcomes the progress reported by the Office of the Prosecutor in pursuing its mandate under resolution 1970.

We welcome the significant steps taken across all four investigative tracks during this reporting period.

This progress is reflected in the anticipated surrender of Mr Khaled El Hishri to the Court following his arrest in Germany. Such a surrender would constitute a significant landmark in the Court's consideration of this situation.

Second, we welcome the recent positive and enhanced cooperation by the Libyan authorities, as highlighted in the Office of the Prosecutor's report.

This progress is encouraging and demonstrates what can be achieved through sustained cooperation in pursuit of justice.

Continued engagement will be essential to turn these commitments into concrete results.

We encourage the Libyan authorities to continue to build on this momentum by working with the Court to ensure that those subject to ICC warrants are surrendered, so that justice can be delivered for victims.

Third, we note that this progress has been achieved despite significant challenges facing the Court.

It is essential that the Court can carry out the mandate entrusted to it by the Council without interference.

We call on all States to respect and support the Court's work.

The UK reiterates its support for the ICC and its independence, and we call on States to meet their relevant obligations under resolution 1970.

Madam President, accountability remains essential to stability in Libya.

The progress reported today is encouraging, but continued cooperation remains critical.

The United Kingdom stands firmly behind the Court in its efforts to deliver justice for the Libyan people.

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Adopting resolution 2804 (2025), Security Council Renews Permission to Inspect Vessels Off Libya

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

10053rd Meeting (PM)

SC/16233

25 November 2025

The Security Council today decided to again extend its authorizations concerning the arms embargo on Libya for a further six months.

The 15-nation organ did so by adopting resolution 2804 (2025) (to be issued as document S/RES/2804(2025)) by a vote of 13 in favour to none against, with 2 abstentions (China, Russian Federation). Those authorizations  first given through resolution 2292 (2016)  allow Member States, acting either nationally or through regional organizations, to inspect vessels on the high seas off Libya's coast that are reasonably believed to be in violation of the two-way arms embargo imposed on that country. The embargo itself was first imposed by resolution 1970 (2011).

Before the vote, the representative of France  whose delegation submitted today's text along with that of Greece  stressed that the arms embargo remains "indispensable" to attempts to prevent "sporadic clashes", particularly in the region around Tripoli. He added that the embargo is "even more justified" in the context of relaunching the political process in Libya. "Indeed, the reunification of all institutions indeed requires that forces present there renounce on the temptation for an armed escalation," he emphasized.

Pointing out that the European Union's Operation IRINI is the only Council-mandated operation to inspect, on the high seas and along Libya's coast, vessels suspected of violating the embargo, he said that it acts in a "professional, impartial and effective" way and cooperates with Libya, neighbouring countries and other States. And, with the primary goal of fully restoring Libya's sovereignty, unity and stability, he said that France and Greece  "convinced, as we are, that this will contribute to it, and buoyed by the agreement of the Libyan authorities"  submitted today's text.

Operation IRINI Seen as Impartial, Unique Primary Maritime Enforcement Tool

After the adoption, Greece's representative underlined the importance of maintaining the legal framework authorizing the inspection of vessels to ensure the effective monitoring and enforcement of the arms embargo. Calling Operation IRINI "an impartial and unique instrument", she said that it serves as the "primary tool for maritime enforcement" of the embargo. She therefore called for continued cooperation between the Operation and all relevant stakeholders  particularly the Libyan authorities  and underlined the need for full, unhindered implementation of its mandate.

"The adoption of this resolution sends a clear message: the international community remains committed to limiting the flow of weapons that fuel conflict and instability in Libya," said the representative of the United Kingdom. Operation IRINI, she added, helps ensure robust implementation of the arms embargo, and is deepening its strategic partnership with the Libyan authorities in support of the country's sovereignty and security. Similarly, Denmark's representative said that the Operation is a "key pillar" in disrupting illicit arms flows, while also collecting valuable information that is shared with the Libya Panel of Experts.

The latter point was also made by the representative of the United States, who said that the Operation "serves a critical information-sharing function"  especially with the Panel. She also expressed gratitude for the dedication of resources, through the Operation, to monitor and disrupt illicit activities off Libya's coast. The authorizations renewed today constitute an important mechanism allowing Member States to enforce the embargo and prevent widespread weapons trafficking  a key Council priority  and she welcomed "further consultations with the Libyans about arrangements going forward".

In that context, Pakistan's representative reiterated the importance of "robust, sustained cooperation" with Libyan authorities and institutions in the implementation of Council authorizations related to vessel inspections. While acknowledging Operation IRINI's work, he said that today's extension will provide an opportunity to "critically assess the continued practical effectiveness of the measures contained in the resolution". This, he said, is needed because data from the last two relevant reports by the Secretary-General shows "no substantial results with respect to the seizure of prohibited items".

Calls to Review IRINI Over Ineffectiveness, Transparency Concerns

The representative of Algeria, also speaking for Guyana, Sierra Leone and Somalia, also noted that the Secretary-General's recent report indicates that Operation IRINI conducted more than 2,000 boardings and inspections, expressing regret that  despite this high number  "the Operation has not yielded the desired results to implement the arms embargo, which remains largely ineffective". He therefore urged a comprehensive review of the Operation's "modus operandi", stressing that accountability remains "the silent note in this unresolved symphony". He said: "Operation IRINI intercepts vessels, traces the origin of weapons and identifies their suppliers  yet no meaningful action follows."

The representative of China  whose delegation abstained from the vote  similarly stated that Operation IRINI's continued activity has "revealed issues, such as insufficient transparency and effectiveness, improper handling of the seized items and insufficient coordination and cooperation with the country concerned". He therefore urged the Council to "fully" consider the views of Libya and other relevant parties, assess Operation IRINI's mandate and "make timely adjustments and improvements as necessary".

Libyan territory is still flooded with weapons used by the many armed groups "running rampant on the ground", said the representative of the Russian Federation, the other abstention today. Practical implementation of the inspection regime is conducted, de facto, solely by the European Union and its Operation IRINI; however, despite Brussels' active promotion of its "successes", she stressed that there has been little reduction in the volume of illegal arms shipments to Libya.

Taking issue with the Operation's working methods  the geographical scope of patrols, the selectivity of inspections, the arbitrary determination of goods' military nature and attempts to dispose of seized property outside the legal framework established by the Council  she said: "Unilateral approaches that run counter to collective agreements do not benefit lasting solutions."

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Arrest of Khaled el Hishri Signals Brighter Future for Justice in Libya, Delegates Stress, as International Criminal Court Official Briefs Security Council

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

10052nd Meeting (AM)

SC/12632

25 November 2025

The recent arrest by German authorities of the alleged Libyan war criminal Khaled el Hishri  and his expected imminent handover to the International Criminal Court  mark a major step forward in long-delayed efforts to bring accountability for crimes committed in the North African nation, the Security Council stressed today, following a briefing by the Court's Deputy Prosecutor.

"There is a new momentum towards justice in Libya," said Nazhat Shameem Khan, Deputy-Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, as she briefed the 15-member Council. Following the landmark detention of Mr. el Hishri  alleged to have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity at Libya's notorious Mitiga Prison, such as murder, torture and rape  she said the Court's first trial on the situation in Libya is now on the horizon. Mr. el Hishri is expected to be transferred to the Court imminently.

"For too long, crimes committed in detention facilities in [...] Libya have represented a no-go area for accountability," she said, adding that this sense of impunity acted as a driver of "even more cruelty". The case of Mr. el Hishri sends a clear message: "Those responsible for inflicting suffering in Libya are mistaken if they believe they are still outside the reach of justice." Emphasizing that work continues to bring additional fugitives to justice  including Osama Elmasry Njeem and Saif Suleiman Sneidel, both alleged to have committed war crimes  she welcomed Libya's recent decision to accept the Court's jurisdiction under Article 12(3) of the Rome Statute.

"Based on our common work [...] there is now a brighter future for justice in Libya," she said. However, that the fragile progress was achieved despite "unprecedented headwinds" facing the Court, including coercive measures and acts of intimidation against its officials. "[These] do not serve anyone other than those who wish to benefit from impunity," she stressed, adding: "It is the victims of murder, sexual violence, torture and the other most serious crimes addressed by our Court that stand to lose the most from these coercive actions."

Council Members Praise Progress, Warn against Jurisdiction Overreach

Throughout the ensuing debate, many Council members praised the Court's accelerating progress in Libya as a "milestone" whose momentum must be maintained. Others raised concerns that it may be overstepping the bounds of its jurisdiction in the country or imposing external visions of justice, counter to the core principle of complementarity. Still other speakers rejected the Court's mandate whole cloth, explaining their longstanding opposition to its work and citing Libya as a prime example of its failings.

"[Mr. el Hishri's arrest] sends an important message to the victims and survivors that they are not forgotten," said Denmark's representative, echoed by many speakers throughout the debate. Thanking Germany for "leading by example" in his arrest and expected surrender, she praised the Libyan Government for expanding its cooperation with the Court, stressing: "This is a clear testament to the Government's commitment to end impunity in Libya and provides a renewed basis for cooperation."

Greece's delegate  echoed by the representatives of Panama, France and others  praised the expected imminent surrender of Khaled Mohamed Ali el Hishri as a "landmark development". Noting that more work remains to be done, he cited the Court's report in spotlighting the need for more extensive engagement on the execution of arrest warrants against suspects involved in 2011 violence and the crimes in detention facilities. Victims, witnesses and affected communities must also be meaningfully empowered.

The representative of Slovenia, echoing other speakers in welcoming progress achieved, urged all States to fully cooperate with the Court, "as is their legal obligation under the binding resolution 1970 (2011) and under the Rome Statute". Recalling that the Court is part of the legacy of the Nuremberg Tribunal, which marked its eightieth anniversary just days ago, he declared: "We have established the Court for exactly such times, difficult, darkest, most challenging times  for the victims."

Calls for Greater Cooperation, Libyan-Led Solutions

Several delegates, while welcoming recent strides made by the Court in Libya, noted that many arrest warrants remain outstanding and progress more broadly has been long delayed. "We urge the Libyan authorities to urgently address persistent non-cooperation regarding certain fugitives, which remains a serious concern," said the representative of the Republic of Korea. Nevertheless, Germany's support in executing the arrest warrant against Mr. el Hishri "demonstrates the essential value of international partnerships rooted in the Rome Statute and the obligations established by [the] Security Council".

Many speakers also emphasized the need for national ownership in all of Libya's judicial affairs. Algeria's delegate affirmed that the mandate of the Court must be exercised within the framework of the principle of complementarity with national judicial authorities, "and not on the basis of excluding or replacing them". Efforts must focus on strengthening cooperation and coordination between Libya  which holds primary jurisdiction  and the Court, ensuring that investigations conducted are fair and transparent, he said.

The representative of Pakistanechoed those sentiments, adding that the Court's legitimacy will be strengthened when its actions are guided strictly by impartiality and objective criteria. While Pakistan is not a party to the Rome Statute, it remains committed to "credible and across-the-board accountability for international crimes", he said.

Somalia's representative emphasized that approaches to justice will be most effective when rooted in Libyans' own efforts and aspirations, while renewed international cooperation establishes genuine partnerships essential for delivering results. "The Council should remain vigilant about the role of external factors," he cautioned, ensuring that Libyan-led, Libyan-owned solutions guide the path forward.

...as Some Critique Court's Approach, 'Unchecked' Power

"Libya does not need new experiments from external players," agreed the representative of the Russian Federation. Citing a "steady downward trend" in public confidence in the Court owing to its consistent double standards, she said the horrors committed in Libya were a direct result of the 2011 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) intervention. "The [Court] has been diligently sweeping under the carpet the deeds of its Western masters," she said, while stressing that non-Parties to the Rome Statute have no legal duty to cooperate with the Court, contrary to what some delegates claimed today.

China's delegate also urged the Court to "strictly act in accordance with the law and its mandate"  adhering to the principle of complementarity under the Rome Statute, upholding independence, objectivity and impartiality and avoiding politicization and double standards. He urged it to fully respect Libya's judicial sovereignty and jurisdiction, while emphasizing that the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) can play a more active role in supporting Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political and judicial processes.

Also addressing matters of sovereignty and national ownership was the representative of the United States, who voiced "grave concern" over Court's attempts to assert jurisdiction over his own country and its allies. Noting his country's long-standing objection to the Rome Statute, he said its officials wield "enormous power that has proven to be unchecked"- as any safeguards provided in the Rome Statute have failed or been ignored. "The United States will no longer stand by and let this happen, as our long-standing concerns have been realized," he stressed.

In that regard, several delegations, including the representatives of Guyana, United Kingdom and Sierra Leone, rejected threats and "intimidation" against the Court and its officials  including sanctions  which may hinder its ability to effectively carry out its work. The latter, who also serves as Council President for November, said in her national capacity that such coercive measures harm the International Criminal Court and its investigations. She went on to stress that the principle of complementarity between the Court and national judicial bodies must guide the next phase of work in Libya.

Tired of Impunity: Tripoli Asserts Its Authority

Libya's representative also addressed the Council, describing the principle of complementarity  not "replacement" of national judicial authorities  as the foundation of the Court's work in his country. The National Prosecutor's Office has investigated 614 cases of the worst crimes, issuing 255 judicial orders with 52 people jailed and 111 arrest warrants for alleged perpetrators of killings, kidnapping and torture. National bodies have also investigated more than 1,200 cases of alleged terrorism, migrant smuggling and human trafficking. "Citizens have grown tired of impunity," he stressed, calling on the International Criminal Court to work alongside Libyan authorities and "not allow itself to be dragged [into] attempts to politicize its work".

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General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, NI, NI (M), Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), paid a farewell visit to Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), at General Headquarters (GHQ) today.

Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan

Rawalpindi - November 25, 2025

No PR-377/2025-ISPR

General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, NI, NI (M), Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), paid a farewell visit to Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), at General Headquarters (GHQ) today.

During the meeting, the COAS commended General Sahir Shamshad Mirza for his exemplary leadership, strategic foresight, and dedicated service to the Pakistan Armed Forces. He lauded the CJCSC's pivotal role in enhancing tri-services synergy, strengthening joint operational preparedness, and advancing Pakistan's national security objectives at the strategic level.

The COAS highlighted General Sahir's contributions towards regional stability, military diplomacy, and the strengthening of Pakistan's partnerships with friendly countries.

General Sahir Shamshad Mirza expressed gratitude to the COAS and the Armed Forces for the support extended during his career.

Upon arrival at GHQ, the CJCSC laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada and was presented a Guard of Honour by a smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Army.

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On 24 November 2025, security forces conducted an intelligence based operation in Bannu District, on reported presence of Khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy, Fitna al Khwarij.

Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan

Rawalpindi - November 25, 2025

No PR-376/2025-ISPR

On 24 November 2025, security forces conducted an intelligence based operation in Bannu District, on reported presence of Khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy, Fitna al Khwarij.

During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and after an intense fire exchange, twenty two khwarij were sent to hell.

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.

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Vladimir Putin arrives in Bishkek

The President of Russia arrived in the Kyrgyz Republic on a state visit. He will also take part in a session of the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation.

November 25, 2025

15:55

Bishkek

At the plane ramp, Vladimir Putin was welcomed by President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov. The national flags of the two countries were raised on the airfield, a guard of honour assembled, and  ceremonial fanfare performed.

As part of the welcoming ceremony, national dances were presented, along with demonstrations of traditional Kyrgyz hunting techniques using golden eagles and hounds. At Manas Airport, a folklore and ethnographic ensemble performed a brief musical programme.

* * *

During the state visit, the President of Russia will hold talks with President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov to discuss further development of the strategic partnership and allied relationship between Russia and Kyrgyzstan in various areas. A joint statement by the heads of state, as well as a number of intergovernmental and business agreements have been prepared for signing.

The session of the CSTO Collective Security Council will serve to summarise the results of cooperation within the organisation this year and outline key areas for improving the system of collective security. Vladimir Putin will brief his colleagues on the priorities for Russia's CSTO chairmanship in 2026.

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Oreshnik missles, Poseidon drones guarantee Russia's long-term security: Senate speaker

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 25 November 2025 9:58 AM

Russia's new advanced weapons systems, including Oreshnik and Poseidon, will safeguard the country for many years, the chairwoman of Russia's Federation Council says.

In remarks on Tuesday, Valentina Matviyenko said the Oreshnik missile and the Poseidon nuclear-powered underwater drone, as well as the Burevestnik missile would secure Russia's safety well into the future.

She stressed that Russia now has the capability to respond to modern challenges "harshly and seriously," adding that these advanced systems reflect years of presidential focus on strengthening national defense.

"We have the means to respond to modern challenges. We can respond harshly and seriously. The emergence of our state-of-the-art weapons - Oreshnik, Poseidon, and Burevestnik - ensures the security of Russia and its people for many years to come. Imagine what would have happened if, from his first day in office, our president had not been concerned with strengthening security," Matviyenko noted.

Oreshnik is an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads. It is said to fly at hypersonic speeds (over Mach 10) and can carry multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles.

Poseidon is a nuclear-powered, autonomous underwater vehicle (UUV) capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. It can travel long distances at great depth underwater and is considered a strategic retaliatory weapon, especially for second-strike scenarios when other delivery systems may be compromised.

Burevestnik is a nuclear-powered cruise missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, with reactor propulsion that gives it potentially unlimited range and allows it to loiter for long periods, fly at very low altitudes, and evade defenses with unpredictable flight paths.

Matviyenko also stressed that Russia no longer fears sanctions, arguing that the country is internally "monolithic," supported by a strong government, a developed economy with a stable financial system, and a powerful military-industrial complex.

She also emphasized that Russia possesses "the best army in the world," reinforcing her comment that its long-term security is assured.

Russia outpaces entire EU in arms production: Expert

On Monday, Alexander Mikhailov, head of Russia's Bureau of Military-Political Analysis, also said that his country's defense industry now outpaces the entire united European military-industrial complex in weapons and ammunition production.

He stressed that Europe, despite its half-billion population and numerous advanced defense industries, "cannot currently compete with Russia's combined defense sector. This is a significant advantage."

"At the macro level, Russia outperforms the entire defense industrial complex of united Europe in weapons and ammunition," Mikhailov noted.

He further emphasized that even if negotiations on the Ukraine war bring a peace agreement and fighting in eastern Ukraine ends, global demand for these weapons will remain strong.

Mikhailov also noted that the price of a 155mm NATO-standard shell has risen from about $2,000 before February 2022 to $8,000-$8,500 today, a 4.5-fold increase driven by the war.

"Russia's foreign contracts now total around $60 billion, and after the end of the special military operation, Russia is expected to earn even more from arms exports," Mikhailov added.

Previously, Rostec CEO Sergei Chemezov said that Russia's current arms production far surpasses past levels, with no other country producing as many shells and airdrop bombs.

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Press release on the exchange of congratulatory messages between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister of Nigeria Yusuf Maitama Tuggar marking the 65th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations

25 November 2025 11:00

1963-25-11-2025

On November 25, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Yusuf Maitama Tuggar exchanged congratulatory messages to mark the 65th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In his message, Sergey Lavrov praised the high level of the traditionally friendly ties between Russia and Nigeria that are based on mutual respect, similar approaches to the topical issues of the international and regional agenda. The minister expressed readiness to intensify bilateral cooperation in politics, trade, the economy, humanitarian and other spheres.

Yusuf Maitama Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria's intention to expand the mutually beneficial and multidimensional cooperation with Russia.

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Lai thanks visiting Eswatini officials for support at U.N. General Assembly

ROC Central News Agency

11/25/2025 07:05 PM

Taipei, Nov. 25 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te () on Tuesday thanked visiting Eswatini House of Assembly Speaker Jabulani Mabuza for his country's vocal support for Taiwan at this year's U.N. General Assembly.

During a meeting at the Presidential Office in Taipei, Lai noted that Eswatini's King Mswati III had used his address at the 80th U.N. General Assembly General Debate in September to underline that U.N. Resolution 2758 of 1971 "did not address the issue of Taiwan's representation in the United Nations, and it does not preclude their participation in the U.N. system."

Resolution 2758 recognized the People's Republic of China as the "only lawful representative of China to the U.N." Beijing, however, has used it to justify its claim over Taiwan.

Lai said that the king's speech reflected the long-term support Eswatini has given Taiwan in the international arena.

He noted that this was Mabuza's second time leading a delegation to Taiwan, having previously done so as Eswatini's minister of commerce, industry and trade in 2018.

The president said the current visit demonstrated Eswatini's firm support for Taiwan and deepening bilateral ties, adding that the two countries had achieved much together in the fields of agriculture, public health, education, women's empowerment and renewable energy.

The Taiwanese government will continue encouraging Taiwanese businesses to branch out globally, using Eswatini as their launchpad into the African market, thus creating opportunities for cooperation, Lai said.

In his remarks, Mabuza said Lai's emphasis on innovation and education aligned with Eswatini's own development priorities.

Eswatini cherishes the long-standing bond between the two countries, which is built upon the shared values of sovereignty and mutual respect, and is committed to deepening it, Mabuza said.

He expressed confidence that bilateral economic and cultural exchanges, as well as cooperation in health care, public sanitation and technology will continue to flourish.

Others in the delegation include Eswatini House of Assembly members Lindiwe Mamba, Joseph Souza, Jabulane M. Simelane and Allen Vilane.

(By Sean Lin)

Enditem/ASG

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Panama lawmakers arrive in Taiwan despite reported China pressure

ROC Central News Agency

11/25/2025 04:32 PM

Taipei, Nov. 25 (CNA) A group of Panamanian lawmakers arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday, in apparent defiance of reported Chinese requests that they cancel the trip.

The nine-member delegation, led by Manuel Cohen and Ronald Ameth De Gracia Moreno, will meet with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (), Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu () and attend a banquet hosted by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung () during their stay until Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said in a news release.

The group will also visit several government agencies, including the International Trade Administration, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Taiwan's foreign aid agency TaiwanICDF, and Hsinchu Science Park, among other institutions, MOFA said.

The trip comes amid reports that China had sought to block it. An Associated Press report published on Nov. 20, citing the Panamanian daily La Prensa, said Chinese embassy staff in Panama asked a total of 10 lawmakers to "immediately cancel" plans to visit Taiwan.

Panama does not maintain diplomatic relations with Taipei, having switched recognition to Beijing in 2017, and President Jose Raul Mulino said before the trip that it did not have his administration's approval.

In comments cited by AP, several lawmakers defended the visit, saying it would give them exposure to "models and experiences" relevant to Panama's modernization, while others pointed to "investment and cooperation" opportunities.

According to Panama's Metro Libre, the lawmakers said the visit was arranged at Taiwan's invitation, with lodging, meals and local transportation to be covered by the Taiwanese government.

Previously commenting on China's interference with Panamanian lawmakers' planned Taiwan trip, Taiwan's MOFA condemned Beijing for once again trying to intervene in Taiwan's "normal exchanges with other countries."

MOFA said that Taiwan has always taken an open-minded and friendly stance to equally conduct exchanges with friends from around the world that hold the same ideals of democracy, freedom, respect for human rights and rule of law.

(By Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/ASG

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'Taiwan reunification not an option': Premier

ROC Central News Agency

11/25/2025 12:33 PM

Taipei, Nov. 25 (CNA) "Reunification" with China is "not an option" for Taiwan, Premier Cho Jung-tai () said Tuesday after Chinese government media reported that the issue was brought up in a telephone call between Chinese leader Xi Jinping () and United States President Donald Trump.

"We have noted this significant international exchange, but we must reiterate that the Republic of China, Taiwan, is a fully sovereign and independent country," Cho said at the Legislature when asked by reporters to comment on the issue.

"The 23 million people of Taiwan do not have a 'reunification' option. This is very clear. Taiwan is the world's Taiwan," Cho said.

Trump and Xi spoke over the telephone Monday to discuss various issues.

In a social media post, Trump made no mention of Taiwan, saying instead that he and Xi discussed Ukraine, fentanyl, a recent deal on agricultural products, and forthcoming bilateral visits by him and Xi.

According to Xinhua, however, Xi told Trump that "Taiwan's reunification with China" is an important component to the post-war international order, and Trump replied that the U.S. acknowledged Taiwan's importance to China.

Cho said Taiwan was critically important to the international community in terms of regional security and technological and economic development, and that maintaining the status quo was therefore something the world was collectively focused on.

"China cannot undermine this status quo in any way," he said, adding that this is why Taiwan has been strengthening its defense capabilities and standing with like-minded democratic nations.

(By Sean Lin)

Enditem/ls

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Xi gives attention to Taiwan issue in latest call with Trump: Experts

ROC Central News Agency

11/25/2025 12:14 PM

Washington, Nov. 24 (CNA) Chinese President Xi Jinping () used his latest phone call with United States President Donald Trump to raise the Taiwan issue and make clear its stance on the matter, two American experts on cross-Taiwan Strait issues told CNA Monday.

Trump and Xi spoke on the phone on Monday, though neither side disclosed who initiated the call, according to separate announcements made by both governments.

In describing the call on Truth Social, Trump did not mention that the Taiwan issue was touched on during the call, and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the call with Xi was focused on trade.

Xi, however, was cited in a state-run Xinhua New Agency article Monday as saying that he highlighted "China's principled position on the Taiwan question, underscoring that Taiwan's return to China is an integral part of the post-war international order" during the call.

"Noting that China and the United States fought shoulder to shoulder against fascism and militarism, Xi said that given what is going on, it is even more important for the two sides to jointly safeguard the victory of World War II (WWII)," the Xinhua report said.

The same Xinhua article quoted Trump praising Xi as "a great leader" and saying that China was "a big part of the victory of WWII."

Trump also stressed that the U.S. "understands how important the Taiwan question is to China," the Xinhua article said.

Asked about Taiwan's role in the latest Trump-Xi conversation, Richard Bush, a former American Institute in Taiwan chair and now a non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, told CNA that this was likely a follow-up call after the two did not discuss Taiwan when they last met at the Busan Summit on Oct. 30 in South Korea.

"It may be that there was an understanding at the time of the Busan summit, when Taiwan apparently was not discussed, that there would be a follow-up phone call that would include attention to Taiwan," Bush told CNA in an email.

Bush said Xi's focus on WWII cooperation in the call was a key element of China's narrative on Taiwan, though historically flawed.

"The linkage of U.S.-China cooperation in WWII with the Taiwan issue was a key theme of the PRC commemoration of the restoration of Chinese jurisdiction over Taiwan," Bush said.

"Of course, it was the ROC [Republic of China] with which the U.S. was allied and which assumed jurisdiction on Oct. 25, 1945."

The ROC government led by Kuomintang leader Chiang Kai-shek () assumed control of Taiwan in October 1945 but did not cede governance of mainland China until 1949 after losing a civil war to Mao Zedong's () Communists.

The PRC was not established until October 1949.

Meanwhile, Bonnie Glaser, managing director of the Indo-Pacific Program at the U.S.-based German Marshall Fund, told CNA that Monday's call may have been initiated by Trump because the U.S. leader may have wanted to "solicit Xi's help" given the recent attention focused on a proposed Russia-Ukraine peace plan.

"It is likely that Xi opted to use the opportunity to make a statement about Taiwan," Glaser said in an email to CNA.

She said Trump understands that Taiwan "is a third rail issue in U.S.-China relations" and has been "very cautious when talking about Taiwan, including when he has been asked whether the U.S. would defend Taiwan if attacked."

Since taking office in January 2025, Trump has not made any clear statements on what he would do in the event of an invasion by China.

The U.S.'s longstanding position on the issue has been one of "strategic ambiguity," which is aimed at deterring Beijing from an attempted invasion without committing to involvement in such a war.

Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden, said publicly on several occasions, however, that the U.S. would defend Taiwan if China attacked.

Each time, Biden administration officials later walked back his statements, signaling that the U.S. policy on Taiwan had not changed.

Given the differing accounts of the call related to the Taiwan issue by the U.S. and China, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs was still trying to establish what happened.

Asked about the call, MOFA spokesman Hsiao Kuangwei () would not comment directly, saying only that "Taiwan and the U.S. have always maintained close communications regarding all high-level interactions between Beijing and Washington."

Hsiao also blasted China for again belittling Taiwan's sovereignty status in Beijing's description of the phone call.

(By Elaine Hou and Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/ls

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Claims denying PRC's qualification to discuss Taiwan question stem from ignorance or distortion of history, disregarding intl law: FM

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Nov 25, 2025 05:07 PM

In response to the claims from some Japanese politicians that it was the "Republic of China," not the People's Republic of China (PRC), that accepted Japan's surrender in 1945, and therefore the PRC has no standing to discuss the Taiwan question, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that those who make such claims are either ignorant about history or deliberately distorting history and disregarding international law.

Mao noted that in 1945, Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender, explicitly pledging to faithfully implement the Potsdam Proclamation and unconditionally return Taiwan to China. China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan, recovering it both in law and in fact.

In 1949, the government of the PRC replaced the government of the "Republic of China." This was a change of government under circumstances where the international legal identity of China remained unchanged and China's sovereignty and inherent territory did not change, said Mao, adding that the government of the PRC naturally fully enjoys and exercises China's sovereignty, including sovereignty over Taiwan.

Mao noted that the 1972 China-Japan Joint Statement clearly stipulates that the Japanese government recognizes the government of the PRC as the sole legal government of China.

There is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. These are ironclad facts that brook no distortion or falsification, the spokesperson added.

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Mainland slams DPP authorities as island official calls for more Japanese tourism and product purchases

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Nov 26, 2025 12:01 PM

As Japan is attempting to stir up trouble by exploiting the Taiwan question, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities are desperately colluding with external forces to create disturbance, making them [DPP authorities] undeniable destroyer of peace in the Taiwan Straits and outright troublemaker, Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Peng Qing'en said on Wednesday, in response to remarks made by head of Taiwan's "external affairs department" Lin Chia-lung, who called the Taiwan people to travel more to Japan and purchase Japanese products, despite the provocative remarks from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi have drawn criticism from all sectors of the island's society.

The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair and brooks no external interference whatsoever. Should any external force dare to meddle in Taiwan Straits affairs, we will resolutely strike back head-on, the spokesperson stressed.

In response to the Taiwan official's claims that the mainland "military expansion" targets Taiwan region and "all countries" in the "first island chain," Peng said that for the sake of their own selfish political interests, the DPP authorities grovel and pander to external forces, eagerly dusting off the Cold War-era "first island chain" concept and deliberately heightening cross-Straits confrontation and antagonism. And such actions will only plunge Taiwan into the perilous abyss of war and disaster.

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President Xi's remarks during phone call with President Trump provide significant guidance for Taiwan-related work: spokesperson

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Nov 26, 2025 11:27 AM

In response to a question about the latest phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, in which Xi underscored that Taiwan's return to China is an integral part of the post-war international order, and that China and the US fought shoulder to shoulder against fascism and militarism, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office said on Wednesday that President Xi's important speech provides significant guidance for our work on Taiwan. We will unite the people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits to jointly remember history, defend the achievements, cherish peace, and create a better future.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration. In his phone call with the US president, President Xi outlined China's principled position on the Taiwan question, stressing that it's important for the two countries to jointly safeguard the victory of WWII, Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Peng Qing'en said.

We will resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" separatist actions, work together to promote the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, safeguard the common homeland of the Chinese nation, and create lasting prosperity for the Chinese people, Peng said.

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Japan's fallacious arguments related to Taiwan question rebutted by Chinese side

Global Times

FM spokesperson responds to Trump-Takaichi call, stressing Taiwan question is China's internal affair

By Liu Xin and Xu Keyue Published: Nov 26, 2025 12:18 AM

China has repeatedly urged the Japanese side to retract Prime Minister Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan question over the past two weeks, yet Japan's reluctance to do so and its fallacious argument sparked outrage and rebuttal from the Chinese side.

On Tuesday, according to an NHK report, the Japanese government decided on a written reply at a Cabinet meeting, claiming that there is "no change" to its existing position on what constitutes a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan. The Japanese government claimed that the Takaichi administration "maintains" the government position and "does not believe any review or reconsideration is necessary."

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that Japanese officials have kept mentioning the Japanese government's "consistent position" or repeating that their position is "unchanged." "We have explicitly asked the Japanese side what they mean exactly by this so-called 'consistent position' and whether they can fully articulate this 'consistent position' to the public. Essentially, the Japanese side has been deliberately evading China's call for it to retract the erroneous remarks and hoping that somehow the issue would resolve itself," said Mao.

By insisting that its "position has not changed," Japan is merely glossing over the issue. Without retracting the erroneous remarks, Tokyo cannot stop China-Japan relations from further deteriorating or demonstrate genuine sincerity in correcting its mistake, Lu Chao, a Korean Peninsula affairs expert at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

On November 21, Ambassador Fu Cong, Permanent Representative of China to the UN, sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, noting that Takaichi's provocative remarks on Taiwan marked the first time since Japan's defeat in 1945 that a Japanese leader has advocated in an official setting the notion that "a contingency for Taiwan is a contingency for Japan" and linked it to the exercise of the right of collective self-defense.

Japan also submitted a letter to the UN on Monday local time, claiming that China's statements are "inconsistent with the facts," according to a release from the website of Permanent Mission of Japan to the UN.

In his letter, Japan's Permanent Representative to the UN Kazuyuki Yamazaki claimed that "Japan's fundamental defense policy is a posture of passive defense, which is exclusively defense-oriented, contrary to the Chinese side's claims." He also claimed that the remarks by Takaichi are grounded in this position and argued China's assertion that Japan would exercise the right of self-defense even in the absence of an armed attack is "erroneous."

Yamazaki's remarks appear designed to mislead the international community, shift focus away from the core issue, and attempt to ease the pressure at home and from China. This suggests that Japan still lacks introspection and has yet to take meaningful steps to work with China to reduce tensions and address the matter constructively, said Xiang Haoyu, a distinguished research fellow at the Department for Asia-Pacific Studies of the China Institute of International Studies.

Some in Japan even claimed that the People's Republic of China (PRC) is "not in a position" to comment on the Taiwan question because it was "the Republic of China" that accepted Japan's surrender. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning dismissed people who made such claims as either that they do not know the history or that they're deliberately seeking to distort it and disregard international law. The spokesperson stressed that historical facts are ironclad and allow no misrepresentation.

Mao said that in 1945, Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender, explicitly undertook to carry out the provisions of the Potsdam Proclamation in good faith and unconditionally return Taiwan to China. China resumed exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan and recovered Taiwan both in law and in practice. In 1949, the PRC government replaced the ROC government. This is a change of government in which China, as a subject under international law, did not change and China's sovereignty and inherent territorial boundaries stayed unchanged.

Thus, the government of the People's Republic of China naturally and fully enjoys and exercises China's sovereignty, including sovereignty over the Taiwan region. The 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement states that the Government of Japan recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal Government of China, said Mao.

There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. This is an ironclad fact and shall not be bent or distorted, said the spokesperson.

Silence on purpose

On Tuesday, multiple Japanese media outlets closely followed a telephone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi at Trump's request and highlighted that the call occurred shortly after the conversation between the Chinese and US heads of state, during which the Taiwan question was discussed.

When asked to comment on the phone talk between US and Japanese leaders, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that "the phone call between the leaders of the US and Japan is a matter between the US and Japan. I have no comment on that. The Taiwan question is China's internal affair which brooks no interference by any external forces."

Japanese media outlets have focused on whether the Taiwan question was discussed during the Trump-Takaichi call, especially amid the China-Japan tensions. However, when facing reporters after her phone call with Trump, Takaichi evaded addressing whether they discussed the Taiwan question, saying that "the details of the discussions are diplomatic exchanges and will be withheld."

According to a release from Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trump and Takaichi's telephone talk lasted for "approximately 25 minutes" and President Trump made an explanation on the latest situation of US-China relations including the recent US-China summit meeting.

The release issued by the Japanese side did not mention the Taiwan question. Global Times reporters noticed that as of press time on Tuesday evening Beijing time, the White House had not released any information on Trump's conversation with Takaichi. Trump also had not posted anything about their phone talk on Truth Social as of press time.

After the call, multiple Japanese media outlets, including Mainichi Shimbun and Nikkei Shimbun, highlighted that Takaichi avoided confirming any discussion of her remarks related to Taiwan question during her post-call press conference.

Sankei Shimbun claimed that amid China's countermeasures toward Japan in response to Takaichi's remarks concerning the so-called "Taiwan contingency," the US president is "refraining from public statements and keeping his distance from the Japan-China tensions."

Several Western and US media outlets have also reported on the phone call between Trump and Takaichi. CNBC quoted Dennis Wilder, a senior fellow at Georgetown University, as saying that "Trump's silence on the Sino-Japanese spat must be unnerving" to Japan and the Taiwan region.

Reuters noted that Trump has not commented publicly on the dispute between Japan - a key US security ally - and China, "a silence that analysts say will be concerning to some officials in Tokyo."

"After the conversation between the Chinese and US leaders, Trump promptly engaged in a call with the Japanese side. Judging from Takaichi's ambiguous rhetoric on whether she and Trump talked about the Taiwan question, the conversation with the US president may have left her with mixed feelings," Da Zhigang, director of the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies at the Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

On one hand, Takaichi might perceive the call as continued American recognition of the US-Japan alliance; on the other hand, she likely harbors concerns that going too far on the Taiwan question might not receive endorsement from the US, which remains committed to engagement with China, Da said. Such outcomes would consequently constrain her future political maneuvering room both domestically and within US-Japan relations, Da added.

Lu noted that from the perspective of US' strategy, being abducted by ultra-conservatist such as Takaichi does not serve Washington's best interests.

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2025/11/26

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1.Date

6 a.m. Nov. 25 (Tue.) to 6 a.m. Nov. 26 (Wed.) (UTC+8)

2.PLA activities

20 sorties of PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 14 out of 20 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities.

1141126_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan [Open a new window]

1141126_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan [Open a new window]

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Rt Hon Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Speech for Long War Conference

Speech

Defence Minister, Luke Pollard MP delivers a speech at RUSI on long warfighting readiness.

From: Ministry of Defence and Luke Pollard MP

Published 25 November 2025

Location: Royal United Services Institute

Delivered on: 25 November 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you very much for being here.

Thank you to RUSI for convening this very timely discussion about preparing to fight a longer war, it goes right to the heart of the security challenges that we face.

They're right to the heart of the recommendations in the Strategic Defence Review.

And you will have heard from some of your speakers earlier in the day that are quite punchy as to how they're talking about this. This is to be welcomed to deliver all the ambitions in the Strategic Defence Review.

We need people to be punching. We need people to be impatient. Certainly, I'm impatient as a minister, and we need people to be driving new behaviours and new ways of working into deliverance.

We will not deliver the Strategic Defence Review without any change, and that is not our ambition.

That's why we embarked on a series of deep reforms to defence, to look at not just how we procure, how we invest in skills, how we retire more technologies and bring on new to deliver the Strategic Defence Review, we need a fundamentally different route to rearming our nation and to creating the deterrence we need to prevent the conflict that you've spent your day talking about and effectively our job is to move to warfighting readiness.

That is not something you can simply do overnight. It is a process that gets us to a new destination, because if we want to deter Russian aggression, we have to be ready to defeat it, and that means fundamentally re-examining our core structure, our posture and the way that the brilliant men and women in our armed forces are supported, not just by military defence, our procurement, but by industry and by society as well and alongside our allies, we have to have the ability to demonstrate that we win that fight, because ultimately, that is the best way to create the deterrence necessary to deliver peace.

But this government has always been clear about the size and urgency of the task ahead of us. We inherited a military that was underfunded, hollowed out armed forces, and a defence program that was unaffordable and frankly unfit to counter the rising effects we face.

Some of you may have read last week's Commons Defence Committee report warning about the state of military readiness, broadly chimed with what was set out in the Strategic Defence Review.

And as the Minister for readiness, more discussion about how we accelerate our readiness helps us across all domains and across all parts of society. So, it's a debate that I welcome and one that I want to encourage more not shy away from.

Now we should be under no illusions that the pace of change needed to deliver those goals is considerable, and that new era of threats that the SDR and George Robinson has set out need to be matched by new era for defence as well, and that's why we're focused on assessing Britain's military medicine to set out a strategic and comprehensive plan to transform defence.

It's why we argued for and secured the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War. There's an extra 5 billion pounds in the defence budget this year, rising to 2.57% of GDP by April 27 and 5% by 2035 and a stat that I always think helps illustrate what is just very large numbers is there's not a single person in uniform in the British Armed Forces Today who has ever known 10 years ahead of them of increasing defence spending, not a single person in uniform.

So we get it, and we have to lead that speed to get there, but we can't do that alone. And so to win any war or to deter anymore, be that short, or we as the United Kingdom and across our allies, need to radically up our game in terms of onboarding new technologies, transforming and building industrial resilience at the same time.

And we can see that from our lessons from Ukraine, our Ukrainian friends have fundamentally changed the way that they fight over the course of Putin's forced game invasion. And it teaches some really useful lessons to UK.

Not all those lessons are directly comparable, but many of them are, and I think it is important that there's normally a lesson to prove every argument from Ukraine. But in particular, the ones that I take are the ones that challenge the status quo, because fundamentally, Russia's illegal war against the Ukraine has challenged that status quo, and that's why Ukraine has become a laboratory for war.

We can see the tactics that are working. We seem to see the ones that aren't. We can see the tactics that work, and we can see the ones that we are not getting the results of and our unique place as Ukraine's leading friend within the NATO Alliance provides us access to information and IP through our new IP agreement that many of our allies do want to have.

So, there's opportunity to not just learn the lessons from Ukraine, but to bring them and onboard them into our armed forces, into our industrial base faster, as we seek to encourage more of our allies to do the same as well. Now, instead of being overwhelmed after three days of invasion, as Putin originally planned, the war in Ukraine has become a war with industrial production, particularly a race to manifest and manufacture the best drones at pace with little prospects of winning a fight for territory alone, nearly half a million of Putin's troops are dead, and 40% of all Russian government spending is now spent on the war effort. Putin nevertheless, seems to have concluded that he must continue the fight.

That's a disaster for Ukraine, and ultimately, it's a disaster for Russia and its people as well. However, the conflict and the way to progress has taught us valuable lessons about how a nation can mobilize and adapt to a lot more in the face of an unrelenting, powerful enemy.

Now, first of all, it's taught Ukraine's allies to organize and integrate more closely than ever before. Britain has built on that drive and created a coalition of the willing. If you think about even a year ago, there was no UK EU Defence Partnership. There was no UK leadership of the UK defence contact group, no historic transit house agreements with Germany. No Lighthouse projects that came to that trading house agreement, no reboots of the Lancaster house treaty with France.

Today, all those measures are in place, and many more. We're working with our new NATO members Sweden and Finland and the JEF alliance of nations much more closely to be truly interoperable and interchangeable.

And we have an increasingly developed and thriving relationship with Australia and the US, through AUKUS. We're developing GCAP in Italy and Japan, and that we are leading from the front, because our allies are looking to us more than they were 16 months ago.

This is the unique position we find ourselves in, that a challenge we must rise to now we have a NATO first defence policy, but it's not only NATO. So, while we are prioritizing securing our own backyard, we also have defence relationships, especially industrial relationships the world over, and they also form a part of what we can learn from the lessons from Ukraine.

I think when the nation knows the full scale of what we have done, I think the British public will be enormously proud of the men and women in the Ministry of Defence and industry, that will be a story that one day will be able to tell in full, but not yet.

But we are increasing our Ukraine support, military support for this year is a significant contribution, the most the UK has ever spent. We're on track to boost the number of drones delivered by a factor of 10 in just one year.

In 2024 we provided 10,000 drones to Ukraine. It's 100,000 in 2025 and that's remarkable achievement, but just the start of the scaling ability we need to deliver.

We're backing valuable industrial experience and how we can coordinate a rapid service defence production. And in the eight months since John Healey, the Defence Secretary took on the role as co-chair of the UDCG, we have raised international pledges for Ukraine to more than 50 billion pounds.

British manufacturing is helping Ukrainian engineers build British storm shadow drones to Thales in Belfast and supporting Ukraine to triple production of lightweight, multi role missiles, supporting hundreds of jobs in United Kingdom, in a deal worth 1.6 billion

And when our Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy said they signed the historic 100 year partnership in January, it immediately opened up opportunities for UK defence SMEs to work with Ukrainian counterparts.

One of Ukraine's biggest drone manufacturing companies, Ukrspecsystems, recently invested 200 million to produce the latest technologies here, creating another 500 jobs.

And these contracts are testament to defence of how to act as an engine for growth and for the UK to react decisively, increasingly, towards a wartime pace. Now we're benefiting from the things that only trans defence sector can bring to the table, that creativity, those capabilities that have been tested and refined are the most difficult of conditions, and we're applying those increasingly to our forces.

The defence investment plan later this year sets out some of those lessons learned and how we're adapting to those capabilities, but you will already be able to see some of those and the commitments made in the SDR, in particular, the massive increase in spending on autonomy that seeks to learn the lessons and the importance of increasing lethality that comes from the experience of what we're seeing in Ukraine.

To get to war fighting readiness, we need a whole of society approach. And actually the whole of society, part of the Strategic Defence Review is, I think, one of the most challenging parts of the SDR. We need to make the case that more people need to understand why defence important.

More businesses that are not yet a defence business need to understand that there is a market for them within defence. That's especially true of technology businesses that are able to sell in their products, their AI code, their data analytics, the autonomy advantages, dual use technology in a way that is not previously available even two three years ago in defence procurement, it's a big challenge to harness the skills that we can see across society.

That's what Ukraine has done, but it's what we need to do a lot more. That's why, when we appointed Rupert Pearce, former FTSE 100 chief exec as a new national armaments director, his mission is very clear, to drive procurement change at pace, to make a defence of engine for growth.

It's a good soundbite, but it happens to be true. If you think about the uptick in defence contracts that we have signed. There's more than 1000 major contracts signed since the last general election. 86% of those have gone to British companies.

The new Office of Small Business Growth stands up in the new year, meaning more small businesses will be able to navigate the somewhat complicated initial routes finding the contracts within defence, just as we seek to simplify those contracts, a procurement that currently takes six years needs to take two years.

Two years needs to take one year, and those contracts that currently take under the year to take only a few months, you don't deliver that improvement in output without attacking culture, without culture change within an organization, it is very tempting for a minister in my position to talk about process and platforms, and indeed, that's what most people want to talk about, but to deliver process and platform improvement, greater availability, greater spiral development, we need a different culture within defence, both in the MOD, within the new NAD group, and within our interactions with business, both from the investor community, from SMEs, the big primes to an entire supply chain.

That's a fundamentally different challenge. And I haven't heard many defence ministers for a very long time, talk about the importance of culture, because culture change is about how we adopt a different preference to risk.

It's how we adopt a different preference and approach to spiral development. It's about how we challenge the existing technologies versus new technologies. It's about removing a romanticism, which we're good at in Britain, or polishing old platforms that have been around for a long time, and we keep them because they have been around for a long time, not because of the battle hidden effect they can deliver, and the deterrent effect they deliver.

These are big changes, and just as we want to increase the number of cadets by 30% there are things we can do that expands the surface area of defence so the public can see us much more as well.

Because if we are to get ready for any conflict large or small, we will need the support of the nation. Will need the mobilization of individuals, and will be continually the mobilization of the defence industry to deliver that.

Now, the final point I just want to say is that progress is being made, but I'm an impatient minister and I want to see it changing faster, and to do that, we have to be more comfortable with risk.

We have to be more comfortable with embracing new technologies, challenging so many orthodoxies that defence is good about embedding.

You can probably think of many of those, and one of those orthodoxies is accepting the level of stupid rules that we have across our procurement system, the way that our military operates and the way that defence operates with society as well.

If you look at some of the agility that we can see where we have given the right permissions to our people to support them on Ukraine.

When we talk about learning the lessons, there are some big geo strategic lessons we can learn, but there are also culture lessons, micro process lessons, efficiency lessons that we can learn as well, and that is about us being bold enough to take the risk of that change.

To be clear, if we want to move to war fighting readiness, in our case, we need to do things differently. That does carry more risk, but it carries a calculated risk. Safety matter is not, will not compromise that, but we do need to make sure we're learning the lessons from Ukraine. Indeed, as we seek to bring together our export offers, we can see that British industry is popular worldwide, the Norway frigate deal, the typhoon deal with Turkey. It's not just our own backyard opportunities, but developing the technology that secures our own backyard provides opportunities to secure those for allies around the world.

And the final thing I just want to say is we are not at war, but nor are we at peace. We've seen that.

As a new government, we took the decision to declassify the activities of the spy ship Yantar, I think the words that I'm allowed to use was we serviced a Royal Navy submarine alongside and Yantar left.

By simply calling it out, we did something that previous governments would not do. They would not talk about submarine activities in public, and they will not talk about the activities of the nuclear submarine in public.

There's a different approach as to how we can help the public understand the threats we're facing and at the same time reinforce the leadership of the United Kingdom, working with our allies to call out Russian behaviour, to build more international support for the measures that are necessary.

There's a lot of work to be done to deliver more war fighting readiness. We're making good progress. The defence investment plan will show what can be invested in what platforms we are looking to focus on the development in the future.

But this is a collective effort. This is a collective effort of everyone in defence, everyone in this room and industry as a whole, that is a correct decision we all must make to be part of that journey.

So thank you. Please use that experience to look at all systems, our systems, if there are obstacles in the way, if there are stupid rules that are getting in the way, let us know what they are, because they cost time, energy, money and strategic advantage. So let's knock them down. Thanks very much.

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New drone strikes in Ukraine, in the proximity of the border with Romania

Romania - Ministry of National Defence

Press release No. 220

24.11.2025

Two F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft scrambled on the night of November 21th to 22nd from the 86th Air Base, to monitor the air situation on the border with Ukraine, following the attacks launched by the Russian Federation in the vicinity of the river border with Romania.

A Ro-Alert message was sent to the population in the north of Tulcea County, at 01:33, following the intensification of attacks and detection of drones in Ismail area (Ukraine).

No drone incursions were detected in the Romanian airspace, and the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft returned to the 86th Borcea Air Base at 3:42.

**

The Ministry of National Defence permanently maintains a high level of vigilance and ensures a strict surveillance of the national air, maritime and land space. We permanently maintain contact with our allies, exchange operational information in real time and act firmly to guarantee the security of Romania and NATO's Eastern Flank.



The Press Office

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Prime Minister Carney participates in a virtual meeting in support of Ukraine

Prime Minister of Canada - Mark Carney

November 25, 2025

Ottawa, Ontario

Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, participated in a virtual meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in support of Ukraine. The meeting was co-chaired by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, and the Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, were also in attendance.

The Coalition welcomed the progress made at recent meetings between representatives of the United States and Ukraine. They also commended the significant efforts of President Trump and President Zelenskyy, as well as their respective teams, in working toward a negotiated settlement.

Leaders discussed ongoing efforts to establish a framework for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, noting that some issues remain to be resolved. They underscored the Coalition's readiness to provide robust security guarantees for Ukraine and reaffirmed the need for continued pressure on Russia, including through economic measures. The Coalition also emphasised that decisions on transatlantic security must be discussed with, and agreed upon, by all those involved.

Leaders recognised the importance of maintaining support for Ukraine's defence, in the face of continued Russian aggression, while peace negotiations proceed.

The Prime Minister underlined Canada's continued support for Ukraine and reaffirmed Canada's willingness to contribute to the success of the peace process in collaboration with key partners.

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Statement by President von der Leyen following the Call of the Coalition of the Willing

European Commission

Statement

Nov 25, 2025

Brussels

Today, the partners of the Coalition of the Willing convened to discuss ongoing negotiations toward a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.

In recent days and hours, we have seen solid and encouraging progress.

We welcomed the presence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during our call.

We need strong transatlantic cooperation. Because it delivers.

Take the significant impact of our coordinated and successive waves of sanctions against the Russian economy.

They are shrinking the resources Russia has to wage its war of aggression.

And since pressure remains the only language Russia responds to, we will continue to increase it until there is a genuine willingness to engage on a credible path toward peace.

As Europe and its partners are fully engaged in the search for a just and sustainable peace, last night Russia escalated its attacks on Kyiv, with missiles and drones even violating Moldovan and Romanian airspace.

It is yet another reminder that Ukraine's security is Europe's security.

Ukraine's interests are our interests.

They are inseparable.

This is why we will continue to stand firmly by Ukraine in the negotiations ahead.

A central point is the question of financing for Ukraine including the use of the immobilised Russian sovereign assets.

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Leading Democrats on National Security and Ukraine Urge Trump Administration to Correct Course on Russia-Ukraine Peace Plan

House Armed Services Committee - Democrats

November 25, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Representatives Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee; Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; and Jim Himes (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence were joined by Members of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), former Majority Leader; Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus; and Bill Keating (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Europe Subcommittee in issuing the following joint response to the Trump Administration's initial 28-point proposal for ending Russia's war on Ukraine.

"The Administration's attempt to impose a pro-Russian, one-sided 'peace' deal on Ukraine is both a policy nightmare and morally bankrupt. Pressuring Ukraine while giving aid and comfort to Russia is wrong. Forcing Ukraine to give up more of its own territory, including some that Russia doesn't even hold, is unacceptable. Crippling the Ukrainian Armed Forces would all but guarantee another Russian invasion once Moscow rebuilds its forces, further threatening NATO. Echoing Putin's baseless accusations of Nazism amplifies Kremlin disinformation and provides Russia with a convenient excuse to claim Ukraine has violated this imposed edict.

"The Putin wing of the Administration cannot be allowed to abandon American interests by forcing Ukraine into an unjust and impossible-to-maintain surrender. Instead, after months of Ukraine's success in further weakening Russia's economy and military, the President should direct his National Security staff that 'peace through strength' does not mean copying Russian talking points to extort Ukraine into surrender. Such a capitulation would only lead to more attacks by Putin and encourage similar attacks against other peaceful democracies, further threatening global stability and undermining the national security of the United States.

"The best guarantor of peace going forward will be a well-armed Ukraine that can capably defend itself against a violent and untrustworthy Russia. What has reportedly been released as a potential counteroffer, and was developed with Ukraine and European allies over the weekend, is vastly closer to what an achievable peace agreement would look like. We urge the administration to abandon its initial plan to force Ukraine into capitulation and to continue its discussions with Ukraine and European allies. We look forward to supporting such efforts."

###

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Trump Sending Envoy Witkoff To Meet Putin As Peace Talks Appear To Gain Momentum

By RFE/RL November 25, 2025

Summary

US President Donald Trump says he is sending Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin over a Ukraine peace deal.

The peace plan, initially 28 points, has been reduced to 19 points after negotiations, though there appear to still be several issues to be worked out.

Ukraine and US officials held talks in Geneva and Abu Dhabi, while Russia continued airstrikes on Kyiv, killing at least six people.

US President Donald Trump said he is sending special envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow to meet President Vladimir Putin over a peace deal with Ukraine that Kyiv says is ready "to move forward" on as some final "sensitive" points are ironed out.

After a day of whirlwind diplomacy that saw meetings between delegations in several countries across the Middle East and Europe, momentum appeared to build toward a deal to end Europe's largest and bloodiest conflict since World War II.

"The original 28-Point Peace Plan, which was drafted by the United States, has been fine-tuned, with additional input from both sides, and there are only a few remaining points of disagreement," Trump wrote on social media.

"In the hopes of finalizing this Peace Plan, I have directed my Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with President Putin in Moscow and, at the same time, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will be meeting with the Ukrainians," he added.

Driscoll met with a Russian delegation in Abu Dhabi earlier on November 25, according to a US Army spokesman, in an attempt to narrow differences in a peace proposal the Trump administration has put together after talks between US and Ukrainian officials in Geneva.

Ukrainian officials flew to Abu Dhabi for more talks with Driscoll and other US officials, CBS News and the Financial Times reported.

The talks came as Russia again battered Kyiv, killing at least six people in air strikes that also wounded at least 13 others.

"America is very active and Europe is very active, as are our other partners. Everyone has the same agenda, and only in Moscow does the war against Ukraine remain their first priority," Zelenskyy said in a speech to the nation on November 25.

The initial US-proposed 28-point peace deal was seen by many as heavily favorable to Moscow.

Ukrainian officials flew to Geneva over the weekend to meet with US representatives, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to try and hammer out a draft that would require fewer concessions from Ukraine and not result in what some in Kyiv saw as near capitulation.

During the Geneva talks, the draft was whittled down to 19 points, with Ukrainian officials noting that some of the most sensitive issues -- including security guarantees for Kyiv -- remain on the table.

Rustem Umerov, a former defense minister who is now secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council and a member of Kyiv's negotiating team, said in a post on Facebook that the "most important points in the peace plan have been agreed upon.

"Our delegations reached a common understanding on the key terms of the agreement negotiated in Geneva. Now we count on the support of our European partners in further steps," Umerov said.

"We look forward to organizing a visit of Ukraine's president to the US at the earliest suitable date in November to complete final steps and make a deal with President Trump."

Starmer said that a meeting of the so-called "Coalition of the Willing" -- a grouping of more than 20 nations backing Ukraine -- will take place later on November 25 to discuss the proposals, but added that the negotiations are delicate.

"There's still a long way to go and a tough road ahead, but we're more committed than ever to this cause and to keeping pushing forward on this process," he said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on November 25 that he had "nothing to say" about the reported meetings earlier in the, but that Russia believes the US proposal "could become a very good basis for negotiations."

There was no immediate comment from the Kremlin on Trump's latest comments.

Trump did not say when Witkoff would travel to Moscow, or Driscoll to Ukraine.

"I look forward to hopefully meeting with President Zelenskyy and President Putin soon, but ONLY when the deal to end this War is FINAL or, in its final stages," Trump wrote.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-russia-ukraine- peace-talks-abu-dhabi-zelensky/33605315.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Romanian Mayor Says His Village Now 'Part Of The War' Amid Russian Drone Incursions

By RFE/RL's Romanian Service and Cezar Amariei November 25, 2025

Summary

German and Romanian fighter jets scrambled on November 25 to track Russian drones entering Romania's airspace.

Drone incursions in Romania and Moldova have raised fears among residents near the Danube River, leading to temporary evacuations.

Romania has legislation to shoot down drones during peacetime but has not yet used it, while NATO has bolstered air defenses in the region.

German and Romanian fighter jets scrambled on November 25 to track the latest in a series of drone incursions into Romania's airspace as Russia continues to attack targets just across the Danube River in neighboring Ukraine.

Two drones entered the NATO-member's airspace and six were reported in Moldova, where one fell on the roof of a building but did not explode. This follows an incident last week when a Russian drone hit a Turkish LPG tanker moored on the Ukrainian side of the river.

"We kind of consider ourselves part of the war," Tudor Cernega, the mayor of Ceatalchioi village, told RFE/RL's Romanian Service. "If the ship had exploded, the whole village would have vanished."

Residents of the village and the nearby settlement of Plauru, which also comes under his administration, were temporarily evacuated following the explosion and subsequent fire.

"People are not coming to visit their relatives any longer. They're too scared. People have understood the danger: if a drone had fallen on a house -- God forbid -- it would have killed a person or two," Cernega said.

Time For Evacuation?

One resident said her family would consider moving away permanently if the situation deteriorated.

"If the bombings escalate, I think we might leave," said 48-year-old Daniela Tanase.

"There have been booms here, in front of our house."

Tanase said it was worst at night, describing how they would watch Ukrainian searchlights scouring the sky for drones during alarms.

Another villager, 73-year-old retired mechanic Gheorghe Puflea, said he was unable to sleep after being woken up by drones.

"I could leave at any moment, but what would I do with the animals? Should I leave them here?" he asked, as he scattered feed for his chickens. He also has pigs, a horse, a bull, and a dog.

"At the end of the day, the animals have gotten used to the drones," he said, adding that they were at first panicked by explosions in Ukraine. For himself, he said, he was not afraid. "We are fine for now. We still have the NATO army here defending us."

Plauru sits just 300 meters across the river from the Ukrainian port of Izmail, where the Turkish tanker was attacked. In 2023, the Romanian Army built air raid shelters in the village.

There have been drone incursions in the area three times in the last week alone. On November 25, residents were warned to take cover as the war threatened -- once again -- to spill over into NATO territory.

Romania has legislation in place enabling it to shoot down drones during peacetime if lives or property are at risk but has not yet made use of it. Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu said on November 25 that German pilots had also been given permission to shoot.

"Very likely, analyzing the potential collateral damage they could cause by firing weapons over Romanian territory, they chose not to engage. That's my assumption," he added.

In Moldova, police released a photo of the drone that came down on the roof of a building at an orchard.

The drone resembles the Shahed type that is widely used by Russia and has a letter Z -- a symbol often used by the Russian military in its nearly 4-year-long full-scale invasion of Ukraine - daubed on its tail.

Police said it was not clear if the drone had an explosive charge and had evacuated local residents. The Moldovan Foreign Ministry said it would summon the Russian ambassador for an explanation.

It was later reported that a drone fragment fell into the yard of a residential building in Puiesti, a town in eastern Romania that is more than 100 kilometers from Ukraine. Nobody was hurt and the country's Defense Ministry reported that the drone did not have a payload.

Russian drone incursions over Romania and Poland, along with Russian military jets entering Estonian airspace, have led NATO to launch its Eastern Sentry initiative to bolster air defenses.

The European Union's executive, meanwhile, approved a five-year defense road map last month that features plans for a "drone wall" to be fully functional by the end of 2027.

The latest drone incidents in Moldova and Romania came amidst another massive Russian air attack on Ukraine. At least six people were reported killed in Kyiv, and 13 wounded.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/romanian-drone-incursions- ukraine-russia-danube/33605154.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russia Pounds Kyiv Amid More Reported Talks On US Peace Proposal

By RFE/RL November 25, 2025

Russia again battered Kyiv, killing at least six people, as US officials were reportedly in Abu Dhabi for separate meetings with Russian and Ukrainian officials to try to hammer out agreement on a US-proposed peace deal whose initial draft was seen as heavily favorable to Moscow.

The November 25 attacks, which emergency officials said also wounded at least 13, were the latest in a series of near daily barrages on civilians in Ukrainian cities and towns - an indication that despite renewed efforts at reaching a cease-fire or a full peace deal, Moscow is confident it has the upper hand.

Ukrainian emergency workers battled blazes in several districts in the Ukrainian capital, as they rescued people and searched for bodies in the aftermath of the pre-dawn attacks. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said at least six people were reported killed.

The State Emergency Service reported that among the buildings hit by the Russian military were nine-story and 22-story residential blocks. City officials also said that power and water supplies were disrupted in several districts of Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Telegram that Russian forces used 22 missiles of various types, including air-launched ballistic missiles, as well as more than 460 drones. He added that four of the Russian drones flew into the airspace of Moldova and Romania, "with the exact time of their flights known."

"That is why all partners must not forget that every day we need to save lives. Weapons and air defense are important, as is strong sanctions pressure on the aggressor. There must be no pauses in assistance. The key now is for all partners to move toward diplomacy together, through joint efforts. Pressure on Russia must definitely work," Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy stressed that Russian air strikes also targeted the regions of Odesa, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Cherkasy.

"The main targets are energy facilities and everything that ensures normal life," he noted.

Exhausted Ukrainians were already facing a difficult winter, as months of Russian attacks on its electricity grid and energy infrastructure strained workers racing to do repairs and bolster defenses.

In the northeastern city of Sumy, a firefighting vehicle was targeted in a Russian drone strike, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service. It claimed the vehicle was struck as rescuers were responding to an earlier drone. No firefighters were injured.

Romania's Defense Ministry reported that early on November 25, two drones violated the country's airspace. One later returned to Ukraine, while the other remained over Romanian territory. The Romanian military kept aircraft in the air to monitor the situation.

Moldova's Defense Ministry said it had detected six drones inside Moldovan airspace without authorization, one of which with a "Z'" painted on its tail fell intact in the northern town of Cuhurestii de Jos. The letter "Z'" has become a sign by Russians, expressing support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The ministry added that other drones flew over other regions of the country, and some continued flying toward neighboring Romania.

Meanwhile, Russian officials said on November 25 that Ukrainian drones had attacked Russia's Rostov and Krasnodar regions. Rostov regional Governor Yury Slyusar said three people were killed in an overnight strike.

Authorities in the Krasnodar region said drone attacks on the city of Novorossiysk injured four people and damaged five apartment buildings and two private houses.

On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces are stretched thin, struggling to keep Russian forces from capturing key eastern cities including Pokrovsk, Kostyantynivka, and Kupyansk.

Last week, Ukrainians and their European allies were blindsided by a new 28-point US peace plan, the leaked draft of which contained several points Russia has pushed for since the start of the all-out invasion in February 2022. The plan was presented to Zelenskyy and his advisers in Kyiv by visiting US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll.

Ukrainian officials then flew to Geneva over the weekend to meet with US representatives, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to try and hammer out a draft that would require fewer concessions from Ukraine and not result in what some in Kyiv saw as near capitulation.

In a joint statement on November 23, the White House and Zelenskyy's office said the talks in the Swiss city showed "meaningful progress" toward ending the war and led to an "updated and refined" framework that would "fully uphold" Ukraine's sovereignty and deliver a just peace.

"As of now, after Geneva, there are fewer points -- no longer 28 -- and many of the right elements have been taken into account in this framework," Zelenskyy said on social media on November 24. He said he would "discuss the sensitive issues" with Trump.

On November 25, more Ukrainian officials flew to Abu Dhabi for more talks with Driscoll and other US officials, CBS News and the Financial Times reported.

News outlets including the Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, Politico, and CNN reported that Driscoll was also meeting with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi. All the reports cited unnamed officials.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on November 25 that he had "nothing to say" about the reported meetings, but that Russia believes the US proposal "could become a very good basis for negotiations."

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-kyiv-attacks- abu-dhabi-peace-talks/33604996.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Trump Says He Believes Ukraine Peace Deal 'Very Close'

Sputnik News

20251125

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he believes a Ukrainian peace deal is close to being agreed.

"I think we are getting very close to a deal. We will find out," Trump said during the Thanksgiving pardoning ceremony at the White House.

"I think we are making progress," he added.

The comments come amid reports in US media that Ukraine had "agreed" to the US plan, barring "some minor details to be sorted out."

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt cited "tremendous progress" on the draft agreement Tuesday, saying "a few delicate but not insurmountable details" remain.

Volodymyr Zelensky plans to travel to the US to talk to Trump about the agreement before the end of the month, and US and Ukrainian negotiators have "reached a common understanding on the core terms" of an agreement, a senior Ukrainian official said Tuesday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday that Russia is awaiting the draft version of the peace plan that the US comes up with after talks with Europe and Ukraine, and indicated that Moscow would respond based on whether its "spirit and letter" correspond to the understanding reached by Presidents Putin and Trump during their summit in Alaska in August.

 Sputnik

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White House Says a Few 'Delicate' Details Await Further US-Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks

Sputnik News

20251125

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States has significantly advanced a peace deal on Ukraine over the past week with only a few "delicate" details remaining, which require further talks between the US, Russia, and Ukraine, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday.

"Over the past week, the United States has made tremendous progress towards a peace deal by bringing both Ukraine and Russia to the table. There are a few delicate, but not insurmountable, details that must be sorted out and will require further talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States," Leavitt wrote in an X post.

Earlier in the day, the media reported, citing two unnamed US officials and two diplomatic sources, that US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll allegedly met with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi on November 24 and plans to continue negotiations on Tuesday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has responded to this report by saying that Russian diplomats prefer to do their job professionally rather than engage in speculation and rumors.

On Friday, US President Donald Trump said that November 27 would be an appropriate deadline for Ukraine to agree to the plan.

On November 19, Trump had approved a 28-point plan for the Ukrainian conflict settlement. It reportedly includes a reduction in US military aid, the official recognition of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church recognized as canonical by the Russian Orthodox Church, giving the Russian language an official status in Ukraine, reducing Ukraine's armed forces, as well as banning foreign troops and long-range weapons on Ukrainian soil. The plan also assumes that the US and other countries recognize Crimea and Donbas as legitimate Russian territories.

 Sputnik

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US NATO Envoy Says Peace in Ukraine Has Never Been Closer Than Now

Sputnik News

20251125

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US envoy to NATO Matthew Whitaker asserted on Tuesday that peace in Ukraine has never been closer amid the ongoing talks on the US-proposed plan to resolve the conflict.

"We're as close as we've ever been to getting peace here in Europe, and have it endure," Whitaker told Fox Business.

Whitaker's remarks come following negotiations between US and Ukrainian officials over the weekend in Geneva, where they discussed the US-proposed plan to resolve the Ukraine conflict.

The original 28-point peace plan was reportedly revised down to 19 points following the Geneva talks.

US media reported earlier in the day that US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll held talks with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi on Monday and Tuesday to discuss the new plan.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week that Trump's new peace plan could form a basis for a final settlement in Ukraine.

 Sputnik

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US Envoy to NATO Admits Russia Has Upper Hand on Ukraine Battlefield

Sputnik News

20251125

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker admitted on Tuesday that Russia has a stronger position on the battlefield in Ukraine and makes tactical gains every week.

"Certainly, the Russians have a stronger position on the battlefield. They're making small tactical gains every week," Whitaker told Fox Business.

Earlier in the day, the media reported, citing two unnamed US officials and two diplomatic sources, that US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll allegedly met with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi on November 24 and plans to continue negotiations on Tuesday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has responded to this report by saying that Russian diplomats prefer to do their job professionally rather than engage in speculation and rumors.

On Friday, US President Donald Trump said that November 27 would be an appropriate deadline for Ukraine to agree to the plan.

On November 19, Trump had approved a 28-point plan for the Ukrainian conflict settlement. It reportedly includes a reduction in US military aid, the official recognition of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church recognized as canonical by the Russian Orthodox Church, giving the Russian language an official status in Ukraine, reducing Ukraine's armed forces, as well as banning foreign troops and long-range weapons on Ukrainian soil. The plan also assumes that the US and other countries recognize Crimea and Donbas as legitimate Russian territories.

 Sputnik

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Russia Still Prefers Diplomatic Path to Resolving Ukraine Crisis - Lavrov

Sputnik News

20251125

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - According to Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Russia's stance is that diplomacy is still the preferable path in Ukraine.

"There is too much confusion going on. Zelensky says in Istanbul that he is ready to discuss this plan and agree on some acceptable language. Then his representatives ... say this is out of the question. It is difficult for me to comment on such speculation. We maintain our position that, of course, a diplomatic settlement is preferable," Lavrov said in an interview with the YouTube channel of Association Dialogue Franco-Russe.

Russia will consider what to discuss with the West once it declares its readiness to sit down at the negotiating table, the diplomacy chief added.

 Sputnik

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Key Provisions of Trump's Ukraine Plan Based on Understanding Reached in Anchorage - Lavrov

Sputnik News

20251125

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Key provisions of US President Donald Trump's plan on a settlement in Ukraine are based on an understanding reached in Anchorage, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.

"President [of Russia Vladimir] Putin commented on president Trump's peace plan in detail and clearly several days ago ... Our assessment remains valid in the sense that the key provisions of Trump's plan are based on the understandings reached in Anchorage at the Russian-American summit in August of this year. And these principles are generally reflected in the plan, which we welcomed," Lavrov said at a joint press conference with Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov.

Russia has not received the draft plan for a settlement in Ukraine through official channels, but is ready to discuss the specific wording of the document, the minister said.

"Those who are trying to comprehend the documents included [in the plan], firstly, they were leaked deliberately to stir up this hype in the media space, and those who are leading this hype, of course, they are not particularly hiding it. They want to undermine Donald Trump's efforts, they want to rewrite this plan in their own way," Lavrov added.

Russia Received No Response From Kiev on Creation of Three Working Groups

Russia still has not received a response from Ukraine regarding the creation of three working groups, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.

"We still have not received a response from them [from the Ukrainians] to the proposal to create three working groups, because they complained that in Istanbul they only talk about the humanitarian aspect of the situation, and no one says anything about issues that are directly and key to the settlement. We suggested that we create three groups: humanitarian, political and military. There is no response. It was in July of this year. There is still no answer," Lavrov said.

Russia has not received a response from Ukraine regarding the proposal to raise the level of delegations at the negotiations either, Lavrov added.

Russia Expects US to Provide Interim Ukraine Plan Coordinated With EU, Kiev

Russia expects the United States to present a version of the plan for resolving the conflict in Ukraine that Washington considers an interim one in the phase of coordination with Europe and Kiev, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.

"We have channels of communication with our American colleagues, and they are being used. We expect them [the US colleagues] to present the version they consider an interim one in terms of completing the phase of coordinating this text with the Europeans and Ukrainians," Lavrov said.

Russia Values US's Position on Ukraine Conflict

Russia values the position of the United States on the conflict in Ukraine, it is the only Western country that is taking the initiative in seeking a settlement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.

"We certainly appreciate the position of the United States, which is the only Western leader, unlike London, Brussels, Paris, and Berlin, to take the initiative to find ways to resolve the conflict. We appreciate that," Lavrov said.

Lavrov on Europe's Role in Ukrainian Settlement: Europe Failed in All Respects Since 2014

Europe has failed in respects of a Ukrainian settlement since 2014, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.

"Every time progress was made, these agreements were disrupted. Now, when our European colleagues loudly declare that there will be no new Minsk, it cannot be solved at all without Europe, because this also concerns us, and Europe has failed in all respects since 2014," Lavrov said.

Belarus, Turkiye Can Play Role of Mediators in Ukrainian Conflict

Belarus and Turkiye can play a constructive role as mediators in resolving the conflict in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.

"We see countries that can play a constructive role as mediators. These include Belarus and Turkey, as Russian President Vladimir Putin recently discussed with Turkish President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan, who is also interested in helping create the platform. It was not us who rejected the Istanbul platform, it was the Ukrainians who did," Lavrov said at a joint press conference with Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov.

There can be no talk of any mediation by France and Germany in the conflict in Ukraine, the minister added.

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Rubio Declines Bilateral Talks With EU's Kallas on Ukraine Settlement - Reports

Sputnik News

20251125

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has declined to hold bilateral meetings on Ukraine with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas amid tensions between her and the administration of US President Donald Trump, media reported on Tuesday, citing officials.

One source was cited as saying that Kallas is seen as playing the role of a "bad cop" behind the scenes for EU member states, and even Rubio, despite his pro-European stances, declines bilateral meetings with the Estonian diplomat.

Since last week, the US has been promoting a new peace proposal for Ukraine and sent negotiators to Geneva on Sunday for talks with Ukraine. The original 28-point peace plan was subsequently revised down to 19 points, eliminating some of the initial proposals, such as downsizing Ukrainian armed forces, reducing US military aid and banning foreign military presence in Ukraine, as well as reportedly the recognition of Crimea and Donbas regions as Russian.

US media reported earlier in the day that US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll is meeting with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday to discuss the new plan.

On November 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Trump's new peace plan could form a basis for a final settlement in Ukraine.

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Kremlin: Russia Remains Fully Open to Peace Negotiation Process on Ukraine

Sputnik News

20251125

Russia is interested in achieving its goals through political and diplomatic means, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.

"We are interested in achieving our goals through political and diplomatic means. In this regard, our position has not changed at all, it has been repeatedly reaffirmed by the president of our country, and we consistently adhere to this position," Peskov told reporters, adding that Russia remains fully open to the negotiation process on Ukraine.

Kremlin Calls Trump's Plan for Settlement in Ukraine Substantive

Dmitry Peskov called US President Donald Trump's proposal for a settlement in Ukraine substantive.

"Right now, the only thing that is substantive is the American proposal, Trump's proposal. We believe this could become a very good basis for negotiations," Peskov told reporters.

Russia Waiting for US to Share Plans for Settlement Through Official Channels

Russia is waiting for the United States to share its plans for a settlement in Ukraine, preferably through official channels, Peskov said.

"We are waiting for the American side to share its contacts [plans], preferably, of course, officially," Peskov told reporters.

The official also did not rule out that the time will come for contacts between Russia and the United States regarding this peace plan at some point.

Work is underway between the United States and Ukraine based on US President Donald Trump's draft peace plan, Peskov said.

"Work is underway between Ukrainians and Americans based on this Trump's draft," Peskov told reporters.

Russia's turn will come, and it will engage in substantive work on the US plan for a Ukrainian settlement, the spokesman added.

Moscow Yet to Receive Updated 19-Point Peace Plan for Ukraine

Moscow has not received an updated 19-point peace plan for Ukraine, Dmitry Peskov said.

"No. That is, we do not know what it is all about," Peskov told reporters when asked whether Moscow had received an updated peace plan for Ukraine.

Russia Thanks Turkiye for Readiness to Ensure Conditions for Moscow-Kiev Talks

Russia is grateful to Turkiye for its willingness to provide conditions for the continuation of the negotiation process between Russia and Ukraine, Peskov said.

During a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his intention to assist the negotiations and his willingness to make Istanbul available for these purposes.

"The Turkish side continues to offer its services. We are grateful to our Turkish friends for this. They are ready to provide all the conditions for continuing the negotiation process," Peskov told reporters.

Moscow Understands Adjustments Being Made to US's Ukraine Settlement Plan

Moscow understands that adjustments are being made to the published text of US President Donald Trump's plan for the settlement Ukraine, Dmitry Peskov said.

"We understand that some adjustments are being made to the text that was published. We understand that the text that was unofficially received by us earlier has now undergone changes," Peskov told reporters.

Russia was given a draft of the US plan for Ukraine, the official said, adding that the document largely corresponded to the spirit of Anchorage.

Additionally, the official said that many contradictory information and statements are being published about the US peace plan for Ukraine, noting that information chaos is taking place.

Istanbul Talks Paused Through No Fault of Russia, Process Interrupted by Kiev

The talks in Istanbul were paused through no fault of Russia, as the process was interrupted by Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.

"The negotiations in Istanbul were put on hold through no fault of ours, nor by our will. Representatives of the Kiev regime interrupted this negotiation process," Peskov told reporters.

Impossible to Talk About Security System Without Europe's Participation

It is impossible to talk about a security system without Europe's participation, at some point, it will be necessary, Peskov said, commenting on European role in the Ukraine peace process.

"Discussing the security system in Europe, talking about security guarantees within the security system, in general, is probably difficult, practically impossible, without the participation of Europeans. At some point, of course, this will be necessary," Peskov told reporters.

Kremlin Has Nothing to Say About Reports on US Driscoll's Meeting With Russian Officials

Dmitry Peskov said he had nothing to comment on media reports about US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll's meeting with Russian officials.

"We still have nothing to say. We are monitoring media reports. We are analyzing them," Peskov told reporters in response to a question on the matter.

Earlier in the day, Politico reported, citing sources, that Driscoll would present a revised version of the US-proposed plan for resolving the conflict in Ukraine to Russian officials in Abu Dhabi.

 Sputnik

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Chairs' statement following 25 November Coalition of the Willing Leaders' meeting

Press release

Chairs' statement following 25 November Coalition of the Willing Leaders' meeting.

From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP

Published 25 November 2025

President Macron of France, Prime Minister Starmer of the United Kingdom and Chancellor Merz of Germany co-chaired today a virtual meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, attended by President Zelenskyy, Leaders and representatives of the 35 countries forming the Coalition, the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the Secretary General of NATO.

The meeting was also attended by Secretary of State Rubio of the United States.

President Zelenskyy and Secretary of State Rubio briefed the participants on the peace talks which took place in Geneva on the 23rd of November.

Leaders expressed their unwavering support to Ukraine and for a just and lasting peace, that the people of Ukraine fully deserve.

They condemned Russia's large scale and deadly attacks the previous night, which had hit civilian apartment blocks and civilian infrastructure. The leaders expressed their condolences to those affected.

They reiterated their support for President Trump's efforts to put an end to the war, and underlined that any solution must fully involve Ukraine, preserve its sovereignty, be in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter, and guarantee its long-term security. They were clear on the principle that borders must not be changed by force. This remains one of the fundamental principles for preserving stability and peace in Europe and beyond.

They welcomed that the discussions between the United States and Ukraine in Geneva showed meaningful progress, and that both sides deemed them a significant step forward.

Leaders welcomed the assurances that issues pertaining to European and NATO interests will be discussed separately, with the full involvement of European partners and NATO allies. They underlined that a swift decision on securing long-term financing for Ukraine, including through the use of the full value of immobilised Russian sovereign assets, will be critical.

They also underlined that a just and lasting peace will need to be backed up by robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine, so that it can deter any future aggression.

Building on the work and planning conducted within the Coalition during the past few months, leaders agreed with Secretary Rubio to accelerate joint work with the United States to take forward the planning on security guarantees. They tasked their military authorities to complete joint planning work to that effect.

Leaders also reiterated their determination to continue to reinforce their financial and military support to Ukraine and pressure on Russia and its war machine, as long as Russia refuses to engage on the path toward a just and lasting peace.

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PM remarks on the Coalition of the Willing Call: 25 November 2025

Speech

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's remarks on the Coalition of the Willing Call.

From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP

Published 25 November 2025

Delivered on: 25 November 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Welcome everyone. Thank you, Emmanuel - and thank you Volodymyr for being with us.

As we meet today, Kyiv is recovering from yet another huge barrage last night -

With more civilian homes in ruins, and more innocent lives lost.

Another repulsive act. Another reminder for all of us - if we needed it - as to why we must come together.

Because we all want - and these are the guiding principles, particularly in recent days - is a permanent end to Russia's barbarity in Ukraine - and a just and lasting peace.

And as all colleagues on the Coalition of the Willing know - both of those words, "just" and "lasting" are hugely important.

And that is what the US is working for.

And I welcome the fact that progress is being made.

And we remind ourselves that no one wants peace more than Volodymyr and the Ukrainian people.

They have paid a very heavy price for Russia's aggression over a very long period now.

And so the talks in Geneva, Emmanuel, were as you say good - progress was made.

And I welcome some of the developments that have now come forward.

It was a chance to ensure that the draft plan fully reflects Ukraine's interests and lays the ground for a lasting peace.

Now Volodymyr's team, and I think Volodymyr will speak in just a moment, so we will hear directly from him, and I spoke to him this morning.

But they've proposed some constructive changes.

And of course some of our National Security Advisers were there in Geneva to support the talks.

So I do think we're moving in a positive direction - and indications today that in large part the majority of the text looks as though, Volodymyr is indicating, could be accepted.

But I'd just like to make a few points about the next steps against that context...

First, we do need to continue to support these negotiations - and be really clear about the fundamental principles...

That have driven this Coalition of the Willing in the nine months since we set it up.

We're nine months' old, we have now 36 countries, I think Emmanuel and Volodymyr, that are now involved in this.

And the principles we've always been driven by are:

Ukraine should be able to defend itself in future. Hugely important.

Ukraine's sovereignty must be maintained.

And that matters about Ukraine, and its future... must be determined by Ukraine.

They are the driving principles of this Coalition of the Willing; driving principles - to my mind - in negotiations.

And of course, our US friends recognise that elements relating to Europe and NATO... would need the consent of Europe and NATO members.

Secondly, we should keep up our work on preparing robust security guarantees.

As Emmanuel has said, that's the driving purpose behind this Coalition.

And security guarantees was an important element of the draft US plan.

Because Ukraine needs real reassurance that Russia cannot come again in the future.

And so when we say peace, it must be lasting peace.

That will not happen if we don't have robust security guarantees.

So we need to prepare the planning and financing to build Ukraine's Future Force so it can defend itself.

The Multinational Force Ukraine will be a vital part of this.

Our Military Planners who have worked really hard in recent months will continue to work on the readiness of that force.

And I urge colleagues on the call this afternoon to firm up national commitments.

Because we need to ensure we've got the most robust capability and the most robust plans on the table.

And we will also pick up next steps with the US military on their own planning.

And we must come back to this with a strong political guarantee to show Russia we're serious about responding to any violation.

And it's only if Russia believes we are serious to responding to any violation that this will underpin a lasting peace.

And I'm... again, it's great that the US have made progress on drafting this in recent days.

Third point, we need to keep the pressure on Russia.

We must move forward with a full embargo on Russian energy.

We know - and we shouldn't underestimate - that the measures that we have taken over the last few weeks have already had an impact -

Including the most recent US sanctions on oil majors.

This is some of the most significant developments in terms of sanctions in recent weeks.

That has caused real damage to the Russian economy.

Finally, and crucially - and I know I've said this a number of times before, colleagues - but we must never lose sight as we strive for a ceasefire, and a just and lasting peace, that we must support Ukraine right now.

It is a big mistake in my view to take our eye off the ball and focus only on the future.

We must support Ukraine now.

So even as we work towards peace, and we are, there can be no letting up of support to keep Ukraine in the fight.

And that requires urgent solutions on things like financing and capability.

And I know on financing, Ursula and Antonio's teams are working pretty well around the clock now...

And we're thankful to them for everything they are putting in on this.

And I know EU leaders are looking at this in the next few weeks where progress is being made.

We the UK are is ready to move with the EU on providing financial support based on the value of the immobilised assets.

This is the best way to show Putin he should negotiate - rather than trying to outwait us.

And it's the best way for us to be ready to support Ukraine in war or in peace.

And of course we need to keep supporting Ukraine's defence.

Ukraine is holding the line fearlessly.

And it's the line of their sovereignty and their defence. But it's also our line as well because this is about European freedom, our values, and our security.

So they need our support, and more support now - to defend their people, their cities and their infrastructure.

Whether that's energy or civilian.

And we've all seen the attacks that continue day after day, night after night, particularly in the last week or so.

And so the UK will deliver more air defence missiles in the coming weeks.

And I urge everyone in that spirit to dig deep and see what more support you can provide - particularly now, as we go into the winter.

So Emmanuel, that's the framing principles and the immediate steps as I see it, and I look forward to the contributions of other colleagues.

And thank other colleagues. It is remarkable that we've got such a large group of countries working together in this way with a real unity of purpose which is needed at this critical point, just as it's been needed over the nine months since we set this up.

So thank you and I very much look forward to hearing the contributions of others.

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PM call with President Zelenskyy: 25 November 2025

Press release

The Prime Minister spoke to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this morning, ahead of the Coalition of the Willing meeting this afternoon.

From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP

Published 25 November 2025

The Prime Minister spoke to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this morning, ahead of the Coalition of the Willing meeting this afternoon.

The Prime Minister began by sharing his condolences with President Zelenskyy on the appalling Russian attacks overnight, paying tribute to the Ukrainian people who showed such courage and resilience in the face daily hardship and bloodshed from Putin's ongoing onslaught.

Reflecting on the talks in Geneva and the diplomatic discussions that have followed, the leaders agreed on the importance of securing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. The Prime Minister said Ukraine could rely on the UK's support as discussions continued.

Looking ahead to this afternoon's Coalition of the Willing call, the leaders discussed the international unity that has been shown in support for Ukraine and underlined the importance of the continued work by coalition partners in preparation for the deployment of the multinational force following the cessation of hostilities.

The Prime Minister and President looked forward to speaking again soon.

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Andrii Sybiha held a meeting with NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

25 November 2025 19:00

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I was pleased to welcome NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska to MFA of Ukraine for detailed talks on Ukraine-NATO cooperation, peace efforts, and strengthening Ukraine's defense and resilience.

I informed the Deputy Secretary General about the consequences of Russia's overnight strikes and shared Ukraine's priority needs in strengthening our air defense and other capabilities.

Grateful for the solidarity with the Ukrainian people in the face of Russian terror.

We agreed that the Russian strikes go contrary to the peace efforts led by the United States and President Trump. We also shared perspectives on the next steps in the peace process.

I appreciate the Deputy Secretary General reaffirming willingness to make every effort to strengthen Ukraine both at the diplomatic table and on the battlefield.

We paid specific attention to the NATO's very effective PURL initiative and ways to increase contributions to it.

I look forward to attending the upcoming NATO-Ukraine Council ministerial meeting."

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Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia Margus Tsahkna

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

25 November 2025 15:06

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: As always, a meaningful conversation with Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna.

I informed him about the battlefield situation and consequences of Russia's latest attack on our energy system.

We discussed further joint efforts to increase pressure on Russia in order to force it into meaningful peace talks, including through the full use of its immobilized assets.

We share the view that security guarantees for Ukraine are essential to prevent new acts of Russian aggression in the future.

We also coordinated our positions ahead of the upcoming online meeting of the Coalition of the Willing."

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Olexandr Mischenko held a meeting with a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Joost Flamand

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

25 November 2025 13:36

As part of a working visit to The Hague (Netherlands) to participate in the 30th session of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Olexandr Mischenko held a bilateral working meeting with the Deputy Director General for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Joost Flamand.

During the meeting, the parties discussed key issues of the bilateral and multilateral agenda, including the Ukrainian-Dutch political dialogue and cooperation within international organizations. Olexandr Mischenko expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of Ukraine by the Netherlands amid Russian aggression, which is especially important in these challenging times for our country.

The Deputy Minister provided detailed information to his Dutch counterpart about the situation at the front and arms production in Ukraine, and welcomed the prospects for joint weapons production with the Netherlands. The Ukrainian diplomat emphasized that Ukraine is ready to share its combat experience with its partners, including the Netherlands.

On his part, Joost Flamand assured that the support for Ukraine from the Netherlands remains steadfast, which is a particularly important signal ahead of the parliamentary debates on Ukraine scheduled in the States General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on November 27, 2025.

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Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

25 November 2025 10:42

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I spoke with Kaja Kallas and informed her about the consequences of Russia's mass strike against Ukraine, our people, civilian and energy infrastructure.

I thanked the EU for its continued support for Ukraine and stressed the need to further increase pressure on Russia.

We shared perspectives on the latest developments in peace efforts and coordinated our next steps.

I am also grateful for the invitation to attend tomorrow's EU foreign affairs council meeting.

This will be a timely opportunity to coordinate efforts to force Russia to end the war and steps to strengthen Ukraine's defense and resilience".

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Andrii Sybiha comments on Russia's latest night attack on Ukraine

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

25 November 2025 09:18

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "Putin gave his terrorist response to the United States' and President Trump's peace proposals. With a barrage of missiles and drones against Ukraine. At least six civilians were killed and over a dozen injured in Kyiv as a result of Russia's overnight strike with drones and ballistic, cruise, and aeroballistic missiles. Odesa, as well as the Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Kyiv regions, has also been under strike. Ordinary residential buildings and critical civilian energy infrastructure have been damaged, further disrupting power, water, and heating for people amid cold temperatures. Ukraine is committed to peace efforts, and we stress the need to use all available tools to force the aggressor to end the war. Pressure on Russia, as well as strength and unity among transatlantic allies, remains critical to put an end to this war".



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For the first time, Ukraine hosted a meeting of the Demining Capability Coalition. The event brought together 43 delegates representing 14 countries and 4 international organizations

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

25 November, 2025, 2:47 PM EET

For the first time, Ukraine hosted a meeting of the Working Group of nations participating in the Demining Capability Coalition  an international platform that coordinates support for our country in both combat and humanitarian demining activities. The event brought together 43 delegates representing 14 countries and 4 international organizations.

Colonel Ruslan Berehulia, Head of the Main Directorate for Mine Action, Civil Protection, and Environmental Safety, emphasized that holding the meeting in Ukraine was of strategic importance. The delegations had the opportunity to see the Coalition's results firsthand at sites where demining programs, personnel training, and logistical support are being implemented.

In addition, partners were briefed on two Implementation Plans for the development of demining capabilities for 2026, prepared for the State Special Transport Service and the Support Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Participants also discussed equipment deliveries and procurement for 2025-2026 and reviewed the capabilities of the demining units of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

During the meeting, the sides highlighted that by the end of 2025, Ukraine aims to build initial demining capabilities by training and equipping eight battalions with modern equipment, enabling over 450 teams to perform demining tasks in extremely difficult combat conditions.

Furthermore, the meeting highlighted the following data:

Nearly 3,990 personnel received training with the support of the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine), Tetra Tech (United States), Mriya Aid (Canada), and Spain;

Equipment valued at over 408 million was supplied by partner nations and organizations  Germany, Lithuania, Denmark, Slovakia, Finland, Iceland, Tetra Tech (United States), the United Nations Office for Project Services (with funding from the Netherlands), and Mriya Aid (Canada);

Equipment worth more than 111 million was procured using contributions from Lithuania, Sweden, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, and Denmark  including off-road vehicles, ambulances, demolition vehicles, personal anti-drone devices, night-vision equipment, counter-drone systems, mine detectors, trucks, explosive ordnance disposal kits, armored personnel carriers, mine-clearing rollers, and other assets.

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Much Depends on the United States Because It's America's Strength That Russia Takes Most Seriously - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

25 November 2025 - 21:42

Wishing you good health!

It has been a long and difficult day today. Since the night, I've received reports from the military, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and from the regions on our countermeasures against the Russian strike and on our recovery efforts. It was a massive attack - and it's particularly cynical that Russia carries out such attacks while discussions on how to end the war are ongoing. America is very active, Europe is too, and so are our other partners. Everyone shares the same agenda - yet only Moscow invariably keeps the war against Ukraine as their top priority. Strikes like the one today confirm this. Therefore, for all of us, it is extremely important not to forget the real situation, not to forget what is happening here and now, and to counter Russian strikes. Of course, counter them 24/7. Ukrainian representatives are working with the United States 24/7, as well as with those who can help ensure truly real, effective steps toward ending this war. Likewise, we are doing everything 24/7 to ensure our army and our people have the means to defend themselves.

Today, a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing took place, with a very substantive discussion. I want to primarily thank Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, and Friedrich Merz for co-organizing it. And the U.S. side was represented by Marco Rubio. There were nearly 40 participants: Europe, the United States, Canada was present, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. An extremely important message that unites us all is that we must coordinate our diplomacy in a very substantive way, taking into account the interests of our partners whenever a particular step affects them. And we remember: now is not the time to relax, let our guard down; we must not lose our unity, we simply cannot. We must now defend against Russian strikes, against Russian assaults. We must ensure Ukraine's resilience. These are absolutely concrete tasks. Air defense is necessary. Defense packages are necessary for us. I want to thank each partner for joining the PURL initiative, which enables us to procure American weapons, including missiles for the Patriot systems. Last night, our air defense performed quite well - intercepting cruise missiles, as well as ballistic missiles, and an aeroballistic one. Over 400 attack drones were also shot down. To be capable of doing this, we need the appropriate resources, and together with our partners, we are ensuring that our state, Ukraine, has such capabilities.

Also today, Ukraine adopted a new sanctions decision. It's an important decision: we imposed sanctions on ships taking Ukrainian grain from the occupied territories - 56 such vessels. This is a new direction for our sanctions. And some of these ships have already been sanctioned by our partners, but not all, and we will continue to increase this pressure. Every Russian crime must receive an appropriate response, and sanctions are the most immediate reaction.

During the day, I spoke separately with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the Chancellor of Germany, and the President of Finland.

We also worked with the Ukrainian negotiating team today on the text of the document prepared with the United States in Geneva. The principles in this document can be developed into deeper agreements. And it is in our shared interest that security is real. I count on continued active cooperation with the American side and President Trump. Much depends on the United States because it's America's strength that Russia takes most seriously.

I thank everyone who stands with Ukraine! I thank everyone who is helping! And it's important right now to maintain our inner strength in the same manner we all want our strength in diplomacy to be effective.

Glory to Ukraine!

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President and Canada's Special Representative for Reconstruction Discussed Canadian Business Involvement in Ukraine's Recovery

President of Ukraine

25 November 2025 - 21:37

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Canada's Special Representative for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, Chrystia Freeland.

"We are grateful to Canada for its consistent support. Many thanks to the Prime Minister, and many thanks to you. You have done a great deal for Ukraine in various roles, and you continue working," noted the Head of State.

The President also highlighted Canada's contribution to the PURL initiative and to strengthening Ukraine's air defense.

Chrystia Freeland emphasized that Canada will continue to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.

"In Canada, we understand - and I believe the whole world understands - that our support for Ukraine is not only because there are many Canadians of Ukrainian descent. It is because we understand that you are fighting for the democratic world. And I am more convinced than ever that Ukraine's struggle is a fight that will determine the fate of democracy in Europe and in the entire world," she said.

One of the key topics of discussion was Ukraine's reconstruction. The Head of State noted that our country counts on the involvement of Canadian business and Canadian investment in recovery, particularly in energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and other areas.

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The Coalition of the Willing Discussed the Results of the Geneva Meeting and Coordinated Steps to Strengthen Ukraine and Achieve Lasting Peace

President of Ukraine

25 November 2025 - 21:31

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in the Coalition of the Willing meeting, which was held in a video communication format. It was co-chaired by President of France Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer, and Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz. In total, 40 participants joined the meeting, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Sekerinska also joined the meeting from Kyiv alongside the Head of State.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked partners for standing with Ukraine and for their coordinated work on shared security.

"We firmly believe - security decisions about Ukraine must include Ukraine - that was our position in Geneva and always - security decisions about Europe must include Europe, and the same applies to Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, other countries, and every other nation. And this is simply fair - and it actually works," the President emphasized.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the meetings and talks held in Geneva delivered a good result. Ukraine now has the framework developed there by the teams and is ready to move forward together with the United States, with President Trump's personal involvement, with Europe, with leaders, and with all partners who have the strength and capacity to help.

"And I am ready to meet with President Trump - there are sensitive points to discuss, we have them still, and we think that the presence of European leaders could be helpful," the Head of State stressed.

At the same time, the President underscored that, against the backdrop of Russia's war, which is still ongoing, Ukraine needs support for its defense and resilience. It is also essential to maintain sanctions against the Russian Federation, finally channel frozen Russian assets to bolster Ukraine's protection, and develop a doable framework for the deployment of the Reassurance Force Ukraine of the Coalition of the Willing by signing a relevant Memorandum of Understanding.

"We have always supported America's efforts to put an end to this war. And we are united in support for a just, dignified, and lasting peace for Ukraine that would preserve its sovereignty and ensure its long-term security," the President of France stated.

Emmanuel Macron also noted that decisions affecting Europe's and NATO's interests require the joint backing of European partners and Allies. Moreover, according to him, a necessary condition for peace is reliable security guarantees, which is one of the core missions of the Coalition of the Willing.

Keir Starmer noted that during the Geneva talks, Ukraine proposed constructive adjustments to the U.S. proposals. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom added that it remains essential to uphold the principle that Ukraine must have the ability to defend itself in the future. Ukrainian sovereignty must be preserved, and all matters concerning Ukraine and its future must be determined by Ukraine.

He also called for additional pressure on Russia and continued work on reliable future security guarantees for our country, as well as strengthening Ukraine's air defense now.

"The Multinational Force Ukraine will be a vital part of this. Our Military Planners, who have worked really hard in recent months, will continue to work on the readiness of that force. And we will also pick up next steps with the U.S. military on their own planning," Keir Starmer said.

Friedrich Merz stressed that one of the key tasks now must be working to finally bring Russia to the negotiating table.

"We currently have a position aligned among Ukraine, the United States, and Europe, but Russia is not at the negotiating table. Therefore, we must do everything we can to put pressure on it," the German Federal Chancellor noted.

The meeting was also attended by: President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, President of Romania Nicusor Dan, President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Finland Alexander Stubb, Chancellor of Austria Christian Stocker, Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Belgium Bart De Wever, Prime Minister of Bulgaria Rossen Jeliazkov, Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal, Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin, Prime Minister of Iceland Kristrun Frostadottir, Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez, President of the Council of Ministers of Italy Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Luxembourg Luc Frieden, Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dick Schoof, Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Stre, Prime Minister of Portugal Luis Montenegro, Prime Minister of Slovenia Robert Golob, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of Montenegro Milojko Spajic, Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson, President of the European Council Antonio Costa, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister for Defense of Australia Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Radosaw Sikorski, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece Giorgos Gerapetritis, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia Gordan Grlic-Radman, and the national security advisers of Latvia and Japan.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Friedrich Merz Discussed Details of the Work on Steps to End the War

President of Ukraine

25 November 2025 - 15:48

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz.

The Head of State noted that Germany has been helping Ukraine a lot since the very beginning of the full-scale war - militarily, financially, and politically. The President expressed his gratitude for the fact that Ukraine can always count on Germany's leadership and support.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared the latest details of the work underway on the steps to end the war. The Head of State emphasized that it is important for all partners to be informed.

The President noted that yesterday the Ukrainian team returned from Geneva and provided a complete report along with an updated framework. According to the Head of State, communication with the American side continues. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the United States and President Donald Trump personally for all their efforts.

The leaders discussed the latest developments and coordinated next steps. They also touched upon the agenda of today's Coalition of the Willing meeting that will be co-chaired by Germany.

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Ukraine Imposed Sanctions on 56 Vessels That Illegally Entered Ukrainian Ports Temporarily Occupied by Russia and Exported Our Food Products

President of Ukraine

25 November 2025 - 15:26

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree enacting the National Security and Defense Council's decision to impose sanctions on 56 maritime vessels that, between 2022 and 2025, illegally entered Ukrainian ports temporarily occupied by Russia and exported Ukrainian food products.

Among them are vessels that loaded thousands of tons of stolen Ukrainian wheat, sunflower seeds, and other food products in the closed ports of Sevastopol and Feodosia - both temporarily occupied by Russia - and transported them abroad. In addition, many of these vessels are already under sanctions imposed by other countries, including the European Union, the United States, and Switzerland.

These vessels sailed not only under the Russian flag: 17 of them operated under the flags of other countries. Ukraine will work with the respective states to stop the issuance of licenses.

The individuals who carried out these logistics operations, which are prohibited by Ukraine, profited financially and paid taxes into the Russian state budget - enabling Russia to finance its war machine.

Ukraine will continue to increase pressure on Russia in every possible domain and will closely synchronize its decisions with partners to compel the aggressor state to end the war it has launched against our country and our people.



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Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Keir Starmer Coordinated Positions Ahead of Today's Meeting of the Coalition of the Willing

President of Ukraine

25 November 2025 - 13:18

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer.

The Prime Minister expressed his condolences to the Ukrainian people over last night's Russian attack. The President thanked him for the support. Last night, Russia launched another attack - at a time when Ukraine, together with the United States of America, Europe, and many others around the world, are working virtually around the clock to stop the bloodshed.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Keir Starmer discussed the meetings in Geneva in detail. The leaders see prospects that can make the path to peace real - ensuring that peace is both dignified and sustainable. There are solid results, and much work still lies ahead.

Particular attention was given to today's meeting of the Coalition of the Willing. The President and the Prime Minister coordinated their positions and the priority issues for discussion, as well as some of the next steps and upcoming contacts.





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White House Envoy Witkoff To Head To Moscow Next Week For Ukraine Peace Talks, Kremlin Says

By RFE/RL November 26, 2025

White House envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow next week, the Kremlin said, amid accelerating efforts to cement a US-backed peace proposal that many Ukrainians -- and European leaders -- are wary of.

The meeting in Moscow, confirmed by foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov on November 26, came hours after US President Donald Trump suggested Witkoff, possibly along with his son-in-law Jared Kushner, would fly to the Russian capital.

Witkoff, a real estate developer with no diplomatic background whom Trump has charged with leading efforts to find an end to Russia's war, is expected to meet Vladimir Putin on the trip, his sixth meeting with the Russian president since January. Ushakov did not say if Kushner would be part of the delegation.

"As for Witkoff, I can say that a preliminary agreement has been reached that he will come to Moscow next week," Ushakov told Russian state TV.

The trip follows days of swirling negotiations between US, Ukrainian, and Russian officials  in Kyiv, Geneva, and Abu Dhabi  that were sparked by the leak of the US plan last week.

The initial 28-point version echo the hard-line positions that Russia has taken since at least the launch of its all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

That alarmed Ukrainian officials  and reportedly angered Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy -- who then held their own bilateral talks with US officials.

As of November 25, there were indications that Ukraine had agreed to some of the proposals; but some of the more major sticking points were still unresolved.

Some of the loudest criticism  from Ukrainian officials and other experts  of the US plan has focused on why the plan appeared to hew to Russia's long-standing maximalist positions.

"Thanks to the work of Ukraine, US and us in Geneva we now have a starting point," EUropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on November 26.

"We know that Russia's mindset has not changes since the days of Yalta. We need to be clear there cannot be unilateral carving up a sovereign European nation."

The man leading the Kremlin's efforts, Harvard-trained, English-speaking Kirill Dmitriev, traveled to Miami in October for meetings, reportedly with Witkoff and Kushner.

A leaked telephone conversation, published by Bloomberg News on November 25,heightened those concerns.

According to a Bloomberg transcript, Witkoff told Ushakov in an October 14 phone call, they should work together on a cease-fire plan and that Putin should raise it with Trump.

In comments to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump appeared to partially confirm the call, saying he hadn't reviewed the reports but that he heard it was a "standard negotiation."

"He's got to sell this to Ukraine. He's going to sell Ukraine to Russia. That's what a dealmaker does," Trump said.

"You got to say, look, they want this, you got to convince them of this. I would imagine he's saying the same thing to Ukraine, because each party has to give and take."

Asked why the call was leaked, Ushakov said: "To hinder [the talks], probably. It is unlikely this was done to improve relations."

Russian officials have said they have yet to receive an official copy of the US plan. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, said earlier that Russia was waiting for the United States to submit an "interim" version of the modified plan.

"Then we will see," Lavrov said in Moscow.

Lavrov also signaled Russian wariness with any plan that had been updated to reflect Ukrainian position, and he pointed to the August summit between Trump and Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, when Trump appeared to endorse Russia's assertions.

If the updated plan "erased the spirit and letter of Anchorage," Lavrov said, then "it will be a fundamentally different situation.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-peace- talks-witkoff-moscow-trip-ushakov/33605936.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd. (TSX-V:SWLF)(OTCQB:SWLFF) ("Silver Wolf" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that further to the Company's press release dated November 19, 2025, the Company has closed the non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of 14,166,665 units of the Company ("Units") at a purchase price of C$0.15 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of C$2,125,000. Each Unit will be comprised of one (1) common share ("Common Share") of the Company and one half (1/2) of one non-transferable Common Share purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each whole Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional Common Share at an exercise price of C$0.25 at any time up to 36 months following the date of issuance.

The Company is distributing the Units under the Offering utilizing the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions, and accordingly the Common Shares to be issued as part of the Units will be free-trading except in certain cases where an Exchange Hold Period (as such term is defined under Policy 1.1 of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V")) is applicable.

In connection with the closing of the Offering, the Company paid a finder's fee of C$1,500 to Castlewood Capital Corporation.

The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for exploration and drilling on the Ana Maria property in Mexico, and for the Company's general working capital requirements.

The Offering remains subject to the final acceptance the TSX-V.

"I would like to thank all those who participated in this private placement, as well as all existing shareholders," said Peter Latta, President of Silver Wolf Exploration. "This marks an important step in advancing our exploration efforts at Ana Maria. We are pleased to launch a 13-hole, 3,000-metre drill program focused on the Skarn target within the central claim of the Ana Maria property in Mexico."

MI 61-101 Disclosure

Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. ("Avino") the "Related Party"), acquired an aggregate of 5,000,000 Units under the Offering for a total purchase price of C$750,000 The participation by the Related Party in the Offering constitutes a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). However, the Offering will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of any securities issued to or the consideration paid by such Related Parties exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

Early Warning Disclosure

Avino acquired 5,000,000 Units under the Offering, comprised of 5,000,000 Common Shares and 2,500,000 Warrants. Immediately prior to the Offering, Avino had beneficial ownership of 2,431,719 Common Shares and 416,677 Warrants, representing approximately 5.28% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis. Immediately after the Offering, including Avino's acquisition of 5,000,000 Units under the Offering, Avino had beneficial ownership of 7,015,052 Shares, representing approximately 11.65% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis (16.5% on a fully diluted basis, including a total 2,916,677 of Warrants). Avino acquired its Common Shares and Warrants in the Offering for investment purposes and intends to review its investment in the Company on a continuing basis. Depending upon a number of factors including market and other conditions, Avino may from time to time increase or decrease its beneficial ownership, control, direction or economic exposure over securities of the Company. The Company is a corporation existing under the laws of British Columbia with its head office at 900 - 570 Granville St. Vancouver, BC V6C 3P1, Canada. An early warning report will be electronically filed with the applicable securities commission in each jurisdiction where the Company is reporting and will be available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. For further information or to obtain a copy of the early warning report, please contact Avino at:

Jennifer North, Head of Investor Relations

Tel: 604-682-3701

Email: IR@avino.com

Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd.

Suite 900 570 Granville Street

Vancouver, BC

Canada, V6C 3P1

Phone: +1 (604) 682-3701

Fax: +1 (604) 682-3600

About Silver Wolf

Silver Wolf is an exploration company focused on exploring high potential projects in prime silver and gold regions of Mexico including the Ana Maria and El Laberinto properties. The Ana Maria claims are located 21 kilometres (km) northwest of the City of Gomez Palacio and the adjacent City of Torreon. The property consists of 9 mining concessions encompassing 2,549 hectares (ha). The claims are located in a well-known area that is prolific for carbonate replacement deposits (CRDs) as well as skarn deposits in the vicinity of many active or historic mining operations. The Company has operational synergies with Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. and shares many years of combined experience in exploration, development and production. In addition, Silver Wolf has an experienced geological field team who have worked on similar projects with a demonstrated understanding of the jurisdiction and local communities.

For further information please contact Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd. by phone at (604) 682-3701 or visit our website at www.silverwolfexploration.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Peter Latta"

________________________________

Peter Latta

President

Cautionary Note

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on numerous assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including risks inherent in mineral exploration and development, which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any projected future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; and the uncertainties surrounding the mineral exploration industry. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding acceptance of the TSX-V in respect of the Offering, the anticipated use of net proceeds of the Offering, the anticipated benefits thereof, and the Company's plans and business objectives with respect to the Ana Maria property, and statements regarding Avino's anticipated plans with respect to securities of the Company. Such information contained herein represents management's best judgment as of the date hereof based on information currently available. The Company does not assume an obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.



Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.



SOURCE: Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd.


CALGARY, Nov. 25, 2025 - Integral Metals Corp. (CSE: INTG | FSE: ZK9) (the "Company" or "Integral") is pleased to announce that it has fully repaid, in cash, the secured convertible debt it had assumed in late June 2025 (please see news release dated June 24, 2025) by paying to the lender thereof the amount of US$1,000,000 plus applicable interest.

On Behalf of the Board Directors

Paul Sparkes

Chief Executive Officer 825-414-3163

info@integralmetals.com

ABOUT INTEGRAL METALS CORP.

Integral is an exploration stage company, engaged in the business of mineral exploration for critical minerals, including gallium, germanium, and rare earth elements, with the goal of contributing to the development of a domestic supply chain for these minerals. Integral holds properties in mining-friendly jurisdictions in Canada and the United States of America, including the Northwest Territories, Manitoba and Montana, where it has received regulatory support for its exploration efforts.

Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events.

Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Although forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions of the Company's management, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release.
Magna Mining Inc. (TSXV: NICU) (OTCQX: MGMNF) (FSE: 8YD) (the "Company" or "Magna") is pleased to report third quarter 2025 financial results. Management will host a conference call tomorrow, November 26, 2025, at 8:00am EST to discuss the results. All amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.

Highlights

The three months ended September 30, 2025 ("Q3 2025") was Magna's second full quarter of production at the McCreedy West copper-precious metals Mine ("McCreedy West"), located in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.

Total ore processed in Q3 2025 was 75,215 tons from the 700 Footwall Copper Zone (see news release dated October 22, 2025) at a grade of 2.64% copper equivalent ("CuEq") 1 .

. Quarterly production of 2.7 million pounds ("lbs") CuEq at cash costs* of US$5.10/lb CuEq was impacted by the previously disclosed compressed air system failure and power related delays, which delayed access to higher grade stopes and has since been rectified.

Sustaining capital expenditures at McCreedy West totalled $4.1 million during the quarter, a 123% increase from Q2 of 2025, including $2.7 million towards critical capital development and $1.4 million in fixed and mobile machinery upgrades, focused on improving asset reliability moving forward.

Underground development during the quarter totalled 1,796 feet and continues to be prioritized in Q4 to provide increased production optionality and flexibility to support a more robust operating plan in 2026.

Ended Q3 2025 with a cash balance of $63.1 million and subsequent to September 30 the Company issued 14,933,518 common shares upon the exercise of warrants for proceeds of $6.0 million.

* Refer to the section entitled "Non-IFRS Performance Measures" for the reconciliation of these non-IFRS measurements to the financial statements.

Jason Jessup, CEO, commented "During the third quarter of 2025, Magna executed on our plan to focus on investing in the underground development, diamond drilling, equipment and site infrastructure at McCreedy West. The goal of this plan is to access new areas of the mine with higher grade stopes, build in consistency and flexibility to the mine plan and position the operation to execute profitable production in 2026. To this end, we had a successful quarter, and we will be starting to realize the benefits going into Q1 2026. Access to higher grade stopes was achieved in early November following the resolution of the operational issues which impacted Q3 2025 production. We are on track to meet the lower end of our quarterly ore sales guidance in Q4 2025 and continue to prioritize efforts to optimize McCreedy West operations in 2026. I am proud of the team that we have assembled at our McCreedy West Mine and I am confident in their abilities to deliver in the future. We are well-funded to complete this work as well as advance our other Sudbury projects, while continuing to aggressively explore for new copper and precious metals-rich footwall deposits following our recent brokered equity offering and from the exercise of warrants which expired in early November."

Table 1: Magna Mining Q3 2025 Tons Processed, Payable CuEq Pounds and Contained CuEq Grades







2025 Q3 Q2 Q1

(March only) Tons Processed 75,215 70,045 20,388 Cu Eq Grade (%)1

(contained) 2.64 3.26 3.01 Cu Eq lbs1

(payable) 2,735,000 3,053,000 790,000

1 Copper equivalent payable pounds and copper equivalent payable grade were calculated using the following US dollar prices:

Q3 2025: $4.44/lb Cu, $6.81/lb Ni, $15.90/lb Co, $1,383.49/oz Pt, $1,169.18/oz Pd, $3,455.50/oz Au, $39.38 Ag.

Q2 2025: $4.29/lb Cu, $6.88/lb Ni, $15.81/lb Co, $1,072.35/oz Pt, $990.29/oz Pd, $3,301.29/oz Au, $33.64 Ag.

Q1 2025: $4.40/lb Cu, $7.18/lb Ni, $15.38/lb Co, $944.31/oz Pt, $1,005.61/oz Pd, $3,135.60/oz Au, $34.61 Ag.

Table 2: McCreedy West 2025 Underground Development

2025 Development

(feet) Q1

(Jan & Feb Under Prior Operator) 568 Q2 1,444 Q3 1,796

Table 3: Q3 2025 Operating and Financial Highlights

In 000s, except per units and per share amounts Q3 2025 Q2 2025 Q1 2025 Q3 2024 Financial results







Net revenue from mining operations 16,282 18,466 4,453 - Cash margin1 (2,041) (1,191) 269 - Net income (loss) (10,642) (9,501) 29,098 (4,498) Adjusted net loss1 (10,410) (8,930) (5,442) (4,907) Operating cash flow (10,781) (11,560) (2,584) (3,635) Free cash flow1 (14,350) (10,718) (10,584) (3,635)









Per share information:







Net earnings (loss) (0.05) (0.05) 0.15 (0.03) Adjusted net loss1 (0.05) (0.04) (0.03) (0.03) Operating cash flow1 (0.05) (0.06) (0.01) (0.02) Free cash flow1 (0.07) (0.05) (0.05) (0.02)









Selected Financial Statement data:







Cash and cash equivalents 63,121 27,018 38,250 3,941 Working capital 70,393 31,914 39,330 871 Total assets 212,656 163,534 168,132 25,202 Total non-current liabilities 63,102 65,276 68,601 869









Operational results







Ore Processed (Dry tons)







700 Copper Zone 75,215 59,100 13,911 - Intermain Nickel Zone - 10,945 6,477 - Throughput 75,215 70,045 20,388 -









Copper equivalent grade (%)







700 Copper Zone2 2.64 3.35 3.04 - Intermain Nickel Zone2 - 2.77 2.96 -

2.64 3.26 3.01 -









Metals Payable







Copper (000s lbs) 1,949 1,629 552 - Nickel (000s lbs) 193 327 132 - Cobalt (000s lbs) 2 4 2 - Platinum (ozs) 479 1,156 - - Palladium (ozs) 641 1,218 13 - Gold (ozs) 55 284 - - Silver (ozs) 13,105 9,499 1,638 - Cu equivalent payable pounds (000s)2 2,735 3,053 790 -



















Average realized price (per lb Cu Eq payable)1 6.28 6.08 6.32 - Cash costs (per lb Cu Eq payable)1,2 7.03 6.47 5.98 - Cash margin (per lb Cu Eq payable)1 (0.75) (0.39) 0.34 - AISC (per lb Cu Eq payable)1,2 9.01 7.55 6.65 -









Production costs/ton processed1 200 219 194 -









Exchange Rates

















Average 1 USD  CAD exchange rates 1.3773 1.3841 1.4359 1.3637 Cost Metrics (in USD)







Cash costs1,2 5.10 4.67 4.16 - AISC1,2 6.54 5.45 4.63 -











1 Refer to the section entitled "Non-IFRS Performance Measures" for the reconciliation of these non-IFRS measurements

to the financial statements.

2 Copper equivalent payable pounds for the purpose of copper equivalent payable grade, cash cost and AISC were

calculated using the following US dollar prices:

Q3 2025: $4.44/lb Cu, $6.81/lb Ni, $15.90/lb Co, $1,383.49/oz Pt, $1,169.18/oz Pd, $3,455.50/oz Au, $39.38 Ag.

Q2 2025: $4.29/lb Cu, $6.88/lb Ni, $15.81/lb Co, $1,072.35/oz Pt, $990.29/oz Pd, $3,301.29/oz Au, $33.64 Ag.

Q1 2025: $4.40/lb Cu, $7.18/lb Ni, $15.38/lb Co, $944.31/oz Pt, $1,005.61/oz Pd, $3,135.60/oz Au, $34.61 Ag.

Q3 Financial Highlights

Quarterly production of 2.7 million lbs CuEq, consisting of 1.95 million lbs copper, 0.2 million lbs nickel, 479 ounces platinum, 641 ounces palladium, 55 ounces gold, and 13,105 ounces silver.

Quarterly net revenue from mining operations was $16.3 million.

Mining and processing costs in the quarter were $15.0 million, for production costs of $200 per ton processed.

Q3 cash costs were $7.03/lb CuEq, or US$5.10/lb CuEq.

Q3 all in sustaining costs ("AISC") were $9.01/lb CuEq, or US$6.54/lb CuEq, which includes $4.1 million of sustaining mine capital development, equipment, and exploration, a 123% increase from the previous quarter.

Operating cash outflow in the quarter was $10.8 million or ($0.06) per share.

Free cash outflow in the quarter was $14.4 million or ($0.07) per share.

Adjusted net loss of $10.4 million or ($0.05) per share.

Ended Q3 2025 with a cash balance of $63.1 million and subsequent to September 30, 2025, the Company issued 14,933,518 common shares upon the exercise of warrants for proceeds of $6.0 million.

Further details regarding the calculation of production costs, cash margins and all in sustaining costs can be found in the quarterly MD&A.

Q3 2025 Quarterly Results Conference Call and Webcast

The company will be holding its Q3 results conference call and webcast on Wednesday November 26, 2025 at 8:00am EST. The conference call details are as follows:

To view the live Webcast in listen-only mode: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/xxh36742

To participate in the live conference call (obtain a dial-in number and unique PIN): https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIfc83dc419540403380a832570e704494

Qualified Person

The scientific or technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by David King, M.Sc., P.Geo. Mr. King is the Senior Vice President, Exploration and Geoscience for Magna Mining Inc. and is a qualified person under Canadian National Instrument 43-101.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained or incorporated by reference in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "may", "might", "potential", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "could", "should", "would", "will", "continue", "intend", "plan", "forecast", "prospective", "significant" or other similar words or phrases or variations thereof. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market economic, technical and other risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements, including risks and uncertainties relating to the failure of additional drilling to support assumptions, expectations or estimates of potential mineralization, metal tonnes or grade, such as the mineralization of the Morrison Deposit at the Levack mine, the failure of additional drilling to support expansion or delineation of currently estimated resources, the lack of availability of drill rigs or platforms to implement exploration or other programs or the failure to proceed as quickly as planned with additional exploration, production or other drilling, continued delays for assay results, the failure to proceed as quickly as planned with or to complete additional development work as anticipated, such as additional development at the McCreedy West mine to access new stopes or the development of a ramp from the surface of, or recommissioning of the hoisting plant at, Levack, the failure to proceed as quickly as planned with a restart of mining at Levack, assuming there will be any restart, the failure to realize anticipated or assumed production and operational improvements from current or planned optimization initiatives at McCreedy West, the failure to successfully realize on talent or technical expertise to unlock the long-term, sustainable potential of McCreedy West, Levack or other assets of the Company and other risks disclosed in the Company's most recent annual management discussion and analysis, available on the SEDAR+ website (at: www.sedarplus.ca). Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties, contingencies and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements, there can be no certainty or assurance that the Company has accurately or adequately captured, accounted for or disclosed all such risks, uncertainties, contingencies or factors. Readers should place no reliance on forward-looking statements as actual results, performance or achievements may be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Resource exploration and development, and mining operations, are highly speculative, characterized by several significant risks, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge will not eliminate. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

About Magna Mining Inc.

Magna Mining Inc. is a producing mining company with a strong portfolio of copper, nickel, and platinum group metals (PGM) assets located in the world-class Sudbury mining district of Ontario, Canada. The Company's primary asset is the McCreedy West Mine, currently in production, supported by a pipeline of highly prospective past-producing properties including Levack, Crean Hill, Podolsky, and Shakespeare.

Magna Mining is strategically positioned to unlock long-term shareholder value through continued production, exploration upside, and near-term development opportunities across its asset base.

Additional corporate and project information is available at www.magnamining.com and through the Company's public filings on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

NON-IFRS PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Please see below for the reconciliation of non-IFRS measures referred to in this news release to the consolidated financial statements.

Average realized price per copper equivalent payable pound

Average realized price per copper equivalent payable pound is a non-IFRS Accounting Standards measure and does not constitute a measure recognized by IFRS Accounting Standards and does not have a standardized meaning defined by IFRS Accounting Standards. Average realized price per copper equivalent payable pound is calculated by dividing total metal proceeds received by the Company for the relevant period by the copper equivalent payable pounds. It may not be comparable to information in other issuers' reports and filings.

In 000s, except per unit amounts

Q3 2025



Q2 2025



Q1 2025





















Cost of sales per financial statements (a)

16,282



18,466



4,453

Treatment and refining charges

1,838



1,634



539

Recognition of deferred streaming revenue

(941 )

(1,550 )

-

Copper equivalent revenue from mining operations (a)

17,179



18,550



4,992















Copper equivalent pounds sold (000s) (b)

2,735



3,053



790















Average realized price copper equivalent sold CAD (c) = (a)  (b)

6.28



6.08



6.32















Average 1 USD  CAD exchange rate (d)

1.3773



1.3841



1.4359















Average realized price copper equivalent sold USD (c)  (d)

4.56



4.39



4.40

















Cash costs per copper equivalent payable pound

Cash cost per copper equivalent payable pound is a non-IFRS Accounting Standards performance measure and does not constitute a measure recognized by IFRS Accounting Standards and does not have a standardized meaning defined by IFRS Accounting Standards, as well it may not be comparable to information in other issuers' reports and filings. The Company has included this non-IFRS Accounting Standards performance measure throughout this document as Magna believes that this generally accepted industry performance measure provides a useful indication of the Company's operational performance. The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance and ability to generate cash flow. Accordingly, it is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The following table provides a reconciliation of total cash costs per copper equivalent payable pound to cost of sales per the financial statements for each of the last eight quarters:

In 000s, except per unit amounts

Q3 2025



Q2 2025



Q1 2025





















Cost of sales per financial statements

19,380



20,275



4,422

Smelting, treatment and refining charges

1,838



1,634



539

Depletion and depreciation

(1,998 )

(2,168 )

(238 ) Cash costs (a)

19,220



19,741



4,723















Copper equivalent payable pounds (000s) (b)

2,735



3,053



790















Cash costs per copper equivalent payable pound (c) = (a)  (b)

7.03



6.47



5.98















Average 1 USD  CAD exchange rate (d)

1.3773



1.3841



1.4359















Cash costs per copper equivalent payable pound USD (c)  (d)

5.10



4.67



4.16

















Production costs per ton processed

Mine-site cost per ton processed is a non-IFRS Accounting Standards performance measure and does not constitute a measure recognized by IFRS Accounting Standards and does not have a standardized meaning defined by IFRS Accounting Standards, as well it may not be comparable to information in other issuers' reports and filings. As illustrated in the table below, this measure is calculated by adjusting cost of sales, as shown in the statements of income for non-cash depletion and depreciation, royalties and inventory level changes and then dividing by tons processed through the smelter. Management believes that mine-site cost per ton processed provides additional information regarding the performance of mining operations and allows Management to monitor operating costs on a more consistent basis as the per ton processed measure reduces the cost variability associated with varying production levels. Management also uses this measure to determine the economic viability of mining blocks. As each mining block is evaluated based on the net realizable value of each ton mined, the estimated revenue on a per ton basis must be in excess of the production cost per ton processed in order to be economically viable. Management is aware that this per ton processed measure is impacted by fluctuations in throughput and thus uses this evaluation tool in conjunction with production costs prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards. This measure supplements production cost information prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards and allows investors to distinguish between changes in production costs resulting from changes in production versus changes in operating performance.

In 000s, except per unit amounts

Q3 2025



Q2 2025



Q1 2025





















Cost of sales per financial statements

19,380



20,275



4,422

Depletion and depreciation

(1,998 )

(2,168 )

(238 ) Royalties and streaming expense

(2,346 )

(2,772 )

(223 ) Mining and processing costs (a)

15,036



15,335



3,961















Ore processed (tons) (b)

75,214



70,045



20,388















Production costs per ton processed (a)  (b)

200



219



194

















Cash Margin

Cash margin is a non-IFRS Accounting Standards measure and does not constitute a measure recognized by IFRS Accounting Standards and does not have a standardized meaning defined by IFRS Accounting Standards, as well it may not be comparable to information in other issuers' reports and filings. It is calculated as the difference between total sales revenue, net of smelting, refining and treatment costs from mining operations and cash mine site operating costs (see Cash cost per ounce of gold sold under this Section above) per the Company's Financial Statements. The Company believes it illustrates the performance of the Company's operating mines and enables investors to better understand the Company's performance in comparison to other metal producers who present results on a similar basis.

In 000s, except per unit amounts

Q3 2025



Q2 2025



Q1 2025





















Copper equivalent revenue from mining operations (per above)

17,179



18,550



4,992

Cash costs (per above)

19,220



19,741



4,723

Cash margin

(2,041 )

(1,191 )

269















Per pound of copper equivalent payable (Canadian dollar):

























Average realized price (a)

6.28



6.08



6.32

Cash costs (b)

7.03



6.47



5.98

Cash margin (a) - (b)

(0.75 )

(0.39 )

0.34

















All-in Sustaining Costs

All-in sustaining costs ("AISC") include mine site operating costs incurred at Magna mining operations, sustaining mine capital and development expenditures, mine site exploration expenditures and equipment lease payments related to the mine operations and corporate administration expenses. The Company believes that this measure represents the total costs of producing copper equivalent payable pounds from current operations and provides Magna and other stakeholders with additional information that illustrates the Company's operational performance and ability to generate cash flow. This cost measure seeks to reflect the full cost of copper production from current operations on a per-pound basis of copper equivalent payable. New project and growth capital are not included.

In 000s, except per unit amounts

Q3 2025



Q2 2025



Q1 2025





















Cost of sales, per financial statements

19,380



20,275



4,422

Smelting, treatment and refining charges

1,838



1,634



539

Depletion and depreciation

(1,998 )

(2,168 )

(238 ) Cash costs

19,220



19,741



4,723

Sustaining mine exploration and development

2,780



468



-

Sustaining mine capital equipment

1,342



1,381



-

Corporate and general

1,576



2,191



997

Less: KGHM Integration costs

(285 )

(742 )

(465 ) All-in Sustaining costs (AISC) (a)

24,633



23,039



5,255















Pounds of copper equivalent payable (b)

2,735



3,053



790















AISC (c) = (a)  (b)

9.01



7.55



6.65















Average 1 USD  CAD exchange rate (d)

1.3773



1.3841



1.4359















AISC USD (c)  (d)

6.54



5.45



4.63

















Free cash flow and operating and free cash flow per share

Free cash flow is calculated by taking net cash provided by operating activities less cash used in capital expenditures and lease payments as reported in the Company's financial statements. Free cash flow per share is calculated by dividing free cash flow by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period.

Operating cash flow per share is a non-IFRS Accounting Standards measure and does not constitute a measure recognized by IFRS Accounting Standards and does not have a standardized meaning defined by IFRS Accounting Standards. Operating cash flow per share is calculated by dividing cash flow from operating activities in the Company's Financial Statements by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for each year. It may not be comparable to information in other issuers' reports and filings.

In 000s, except per share amounts

Q3 2025



Q2 2025



Q1 2025





















Net cash provided by operating activities per financial statements (c)

(10,781 )

(11,560 )

(2,584 ) Sustaining mine exploration and development

(2,780 )

(468 )

-

Sustaining mine capital equipment

(1,342 )

(1,381 )

-

Purchase of Project Nikolas Company Inc.

-



-



(5,000 ) Site maintenance capital equipment

666



(231 )

-

Funds held against standby letters of credit

(113 )

2,926



(3,000 ) Interest on resticted funds





(4 )

-

Payment of lease liabilities





-



-

Free cash flows (a)

(14,350 )

(10,718 )

(10,584 )













Weighted number of shares (000s) (b)

211,308



203,647



197,739















Per Share data











Operating cash flow (c)  (b)

(0.05 )

(0.06 )

(0.01 ) Free cash flow (a)  (b)

(0.07 )

(0.05 )

(0.05 )















Adjusted net loss and Adjusted net loss per share

Adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per share are non-IFRS Accounting Standards performance measures and do not constitute a measure recognized by IFRS Accounting Standards and do not have standardized meanings defined by IFRS Accounting Standards, as well both measures may not be comparable to information in other issuers' reports and filings. Adjusted net loss is calculated by removing the one-time gains and losses resulting from the disposition of non-core assets, non-recurring expenses and significant tax adjustments (mining tax recognition and exploration credit refunds) not related to current period's income, as detailed in the table below. Magna discloses this measure, which is based on its financial statements, to assist in the understanding of the Company's operating results and financial position.
North Berwick, November 25, 2025 - Western Gold Exploration Ltd. (TSXV: WGLD) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, Lorne Resources Ltd. ("Lorne Resources"), has entered into a joint venture (the "JV") with Acrux Gold Limited ("Acrux Gold"), to explore for gold, silver, and critical minerals as part of the Caledonian Gold Project in central Scotland.

Speaking about the joint venture, Western Gold Exploration Chairman, Harry Dobson, confirmed that "The Company views this venture as a significant step forward in unlocking the broader gold potential of the Caledonian Belt in Scotland, leveraging both Lorne's exploration expertise and Acrux Gold's operational experience at Cononish."

Acrux Gold was chosen for this joint venture as it is operating on Scotland's only defined gold resource - as measured under the JORC Code (2012) - the Cononish Gold Project, located near Tyndrum, Perthshire, Scotland.

Under the new joint venture, all exploration and operational activities will be carried out by the JV company, Glen Lyon Limited ("Glen Lyon"). Glen Lyon has applied for two Crown Estate Mines Royal Option Agreements (exploration licences) covering a highly prospective area of approximately 500 km in central Scotland. The project areas for those exploration licences are adjacent to the Cononish Gold Project, which hosts a high-grade deposit and runs along the same mineralised suture zones known to host gold-bearing structures. A comprehensive review of historical geological and exploration data is currently underway, and further updates will be provided in due course.

In establishing the JV, Lorne Resources and Acrux Gold have entered into a shareholders' agreement dated November 25, 2025 for Glen Lyon. That agreement defines governance, funding, and operational frameworks, with Lorne Resources holding 90% and Acrux Gold 10%. Acrux Gold holds a free carried interest during the exploration phase, meaning it is not required to fund activities until completion of the first formal resource estimate on any prospect, after which future costs will be shared proportionately. The agreement also grants Acrux Gold rights to a termination, should Crown Estate Scotland issue a termination notice relating to any exploration licence granted to Glen Lyon.

About Western Gold Exploration

The Company is a mineral exploration company that is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "WGLD". The Company and its subsidiaries are focused on the exploration of mineral properties in Scotland and discovering new opportunities across the underexplored Caledonian-Appalachian belt in order to identify locations of gold and critical metal deposits. The Company's focus has expanded to include the Caledonian Gold Project in addition to its Lorne Project, which includes the Lagalochan copper gold porphyry property located in Argyll, Scotland (the "Lagalochan Property"), and the adjacent and nearby properties along the Lorne Fault Zone.

On 29 November 2022, the Company filed a National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects compliant, independent Technical Report (the "Technical Report") on the Lagalochan Property. The Technical Report and additional information about the Company are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under the Company's profile and on the Company's website: www.westerngoldexploration.com.

For further information, please contact:

The reader is cautioned that mineralisation on adjacent properties is not necessarily indicative of what can or will be found within any projects upon which Glen Lyon may be granted exploration licences.

Review by Qualified Person, Quality Control and Reports

David Pym (CGeol), a consultant of the Company, is the Qualified Person (as defined by National Instrument 43-101) who supervised, verified and approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this press release on behalf of the Company.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to timing and successful grant of any exploration licences by Crown Estate Scotland to Glen Lyon, completion of any drilling and work programs on any prospects held by Glen Lyon, estimates of mineralisation from drilling, geological information projected from drilling results, potential for minerals and/or mineral resources, and statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Company with respect to the future business activities and operating performance of the Company or Glen Lyon that may be described herein. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the state of the economy in general and capital markets in particular, accuracy of assay results, geological interpretations from drilling results, timing and amount of capital expenditures; performance of available laboratory and other related services, future operating costs, and the historical basis for current estimates of potential quantities and grades of target zones, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the Company for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the period ended September 30, 2025 available at www.sedarplus.ca, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made by, third parties in respect of the matters discussed above.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275938
Vancouver, November 25, 2025 - Homerun Resources Inc. (TSXV: HMR) (OTCQB: HMRFF) ("Homerun" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received TSXV conditional approval for its previously announced financing, originally announced on June 16, 2025, with an arm's length institutional investor, Sorbie Bornholm LP (the "Investor") in connection with a proposed financing for CDN$6,000,000.00 (the "Offering") at a price of $1.00 per unit ("Unit").

The Offering will consist of the issuance of 6,000,000 Units. Each Unit shall be comprised of one (1) common share ("Shares") of the Company and one (1) common share purchase warrant ("Warrants"). The proceeds from the Offering will be used to advance the Company's vertically integrated silica to solar and energy storage business, supporting business development and scaling of revenues and for general working capital purposes.

Brian Leeners, CEO of Homerun stated, "We are thrilled to welcome this particular Institutional Investor as they have chosen Homerun to be their inaugural investment with a company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange. Their innovative investment model provides capital over 24 months keeping our team focused on the execution of our plans and deliverables. We have confidence that this financing based on its unique model, will provide capital premiums to the original financing amount over that 24-month period as we continue to de-risk our business and transition into a high-growth, revenue-generating Company with exceptional long-term potential."

Sorbie Bornholm Managing Director Whitney Kofford commented, "Sorbie is proud to announce this new investment in Homerun Resources and to provide Homerun with flexible, growth-linked capital over the next two years through our unique Sharing Agreement. The global energy transition requires bold thinking and the ability to execute on transformative ideas. Homerun's integrated strategy for high-purity silica and advanced energy solutions is a prime example of just that - innovation meeting opportunity. We applaud Homerun's consistent track record of hard work and determination, and we look forward to supporting the Company over the longer-term throughout their growth trajectory."

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of a Sharing Agreement between the parties, the following structure and sequence will take effect under the Offering:

The Investor will deposit CDN$6,000,000 into a third-party escrow account.

The Company will issue the 6,000,000 Shares into escrow and the Warrants will be issued to Sorbie on each monthly settlement date.

Over a 24-month period, the cash and Shares will be released monthly based on the Company's market price at each release date.

The Investor will immediately receive upon closing 1,500,000 Warrants exercisable at CDN$1.18 for three (3) years.

The Investor will also receive up to 4,500,000 additional Warrants, issued monthly over 24 months, priced at a 20% premium to the 5-day VWAP at the time of each issuance and exercisable for three (3) years from issuance.

The Company will pay the Investor a corporate finance fee of 360,000 Shares and a due-diligence deposit of 100,000 Shares, both subject to the same escrow and release schedule.

The Warrants will also include an equity blocker provision that prohibits the Investor from exercising any portion of the Warrants if such exercise would result in the holder owning more than 9.99% of the Company's outstanding Shares.

The Company intends to rely on the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions, as amended by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption, for the Offering, and the Shares and Warrants will not be subject to restrictions on resale. There will be an offering document related to the Offering that will be available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and at www.homerunresources.com. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision. Closing of the Offering is subject to several conditions, including receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including the TSXV.

The Offering is expected to close on or about November 30, 2025, or such other date as the Company may determine, and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. There are no finder's fees payable to any parties under the Offering.

About Homerun (www.homerunresources.com)

Homerun is building the silica-powered backbone of the energy transition across four focused verticals: Silica, Solar, Energy Storage, and Energy Solutions. Anchored by a unique high-purity low-iron silica resource in Bahia, Brazil, Homerun transforms raw silica into essential products and technologies that accelerate clean power adoption and deliver durable shareholder value.

Silica: Secure supply and processing of high-purity low-iron silica for mission-critical applications, enabling premium solar glass and advanced energy materials.

Solar: Development of Latin America's first dedicated 1,000 tonne per day high-efficiency solar glass plant and the commercialization of antimony-free solar glass designed for next-generation photovoltaic performance.

Energy Storage: Advancement of long-duration, silica-based thermal storage systems and related technologies to decarbonize industrial heat and unlock grid flexibility.

Energy Solutions: AI-enabled energy management, control systems, and turnkey electrification solutions that reduce costs and optimize renewable generation for commercial and industrial customers.

With disciplined execution, strategic partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to best-in-class ESG practices, Homerun is focused on converting milestones into markets-creating a scalable, vertically integrated platform for clean energy manufacturing in the Americas.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Homerun Resources Inc.:

"Brian Leeners"

FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements".

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275995
Vancouver, November 26, 2025 - Vanguard Mining Corp. ("Vanguard" or the "Company") (CSE: UUU: | OTCID: UUUFF: | FSE: SL51) is pleased to report that Hardline Exploration Ltd. ("Hardline") has successfully completed the exploration program at the 100%-owned Brussels Creek Gold-Copper-Palladium Project ("Brussels Creek"), located in the Kamloops Mining District, BC.

Sampling Program Completed

The 2025 program, previously announced on June 10, 2025 was designed to follow up on a near-surface gold discovery reported in 2023 and focused on systematic surface sampling to refine priority targets for follow-up drilling. The work comprised 21 rock samples, collected from surface mineralized zones, structural features, and altered host rocks, and 127 soil samples, collected in systematic grids to define geochemical anomalies and extensions to known mineralized trends. The sampling program was undertaken by Hardline personnel under the direction of Jeremy Hanson, P.Geo.

All samples were bagged, security-tagged, and maintained under secure storage on site until shipment, then shipped by Bandstra Transportation Systems Ltd. ("Bandstra") to SGS Canada Inc. ("SGS") in Burnaby, British Columbia, for preparation and analysis. Rock samples are being analyzed using a four-acid ICP package and fire assay for Au, Pt, and Pd, while soil samples are being analyzed using aqua regia digestion with fire assay for Au, Pt, and Pd where warranted. Fire assay with AA and gravimetric finishes remains the industry standard for gold and PGM determination, and SGS meets all analytical best-practice requirements. Vanguard implements its own internal QA/QC program.

A secure chain of custody is maintained throughout sample collection, storage, transport, and laboratory submission and, in addition to SGS's QA/QC protocols, supports the reliability of the analytical results.

Analytical results will be reported once received, compiled, and reviewed by the Company and its Qualified Person, Lawrence Segerstrom, P.Geo., M.SC., MBA Upon receipt and interpretation of the assay results, Vanguard will prioritize targets for a potential 2026 drilling program and incorporate results into the forthcoming NI 43-101 technical report.

About Hardline Exploration Corp.

Hardline Exploration Corp. is a geological consulting and project management company based in Smithers, British Columbia. The company specializes in early- to advanced-stage mineral exploration, offering comprehensive services including geological mapping, geochemical and geophysical program design, data interpretation, and project management. Hardline has a strong track record of executing cost-effective, technically robust field programs across Western Canada.

David Greenway, President and CEO of Vanguard Mining, commented: "The 2025 surface program at Brussels Creek represents an important step in advancing our understanding of the broader mineralized system. The near-surface gold intercept reported in 2023 provided a strong proof-of-concept, and this year's detailed rock and soil sampling is designed to refine the vectors toward additional drill targets. These results will also contribute directly to advancing a new NI 43-101 technical report for the project. We look forward to reviewing the assay data as we continue to systematically advance this promising gold-copper-palladium project."

QA/QC and Data Verification

All samples from Brussels Creek were collected, handled, and processed under industry-standard protocols. Samples were maintained under secure chain of custody from collection through transport and laboratory submission. Analytical work is being carried out by SGS, an independent laboratory that meets the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015. SGS retains coarse rejects and pulps for future verification and re-analysis, as required.

Vanguard implements a comprehensive internal quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") program. The program includes the routine insertion of blanks, certified reference materials (standards), and duplicate samples into the sample stream at regular intervals to monitor analytical accuracy and precision. Laboratory internal QA/QC procedures are also reviewed to ensure continued compliance with best practices.

The Qualified Person has reviewed the results of the QA/QC program and reports no issues that would indicate problems with the sampling, analytical procedures, or data integrity. All data have been verified to a level appropriate for an early-stage exploration program.

Historical information referenced in this release has been reviewed against available assessment reports; however, such data cannot be independently verified to current NI 43-101 standards and are therefore considered supportive for exploration guidance only.

Figure 1: 2019 sampling and 2023 drill hole locations.

Regional Context & Indigenous Collaboration

On November 3, 2025, Coeur Mining Inc. announced a definitive agreement to acquire New Gold Inc. in a US$7 billion all-stock transaction, creating a combined US$20 billion mining company. This development further elevates the strategic importance of the region and highlights the consolidation of major copper-gold assets in British Columbia.

Brussels Creek is strategically located adjacent to New Gold Inc.'s New Afton Mine, a long-running copper-gold operation situated within the same prolific Quesnel Terrane. The proximity of Brussels Creek to this established, high-value mining complex enhances Vanguard's exploration potential and underscores the strategic significance of its land position within a district known for large alkalic porphyry copper-gold systems. The proximity of Brussels Creek to this established, high-value mining complex enhances Vanguard's exploration upside and underscores the strategic significance of its land position within British Columbia's prolific Quesnel Terrane, a district renowned for hosting large porphyry copper-gold systems.



Click Image To View Full Size

Figure 2: Brussels Creek location and proximity to New Afton Mine

Vanguard acknowledges that the Brussels Creek Project lies within the Stk'emlupsemc te Secwepemc territory, on the unceded traditional lands of the Secwepemc Nation. The Company is committed to working in close collaboration with Tk'emlups te Secwepemc ("TteS") throughout the execution of current and future exploration programs. This collaboration includes a focus on local employment and training opportunities, procurement from Indigenous-owned businesses, environmental stewardship aligned with community priorities, and transparent, ongoing engagement as activities progress.

Vanguard also continues ongoing First Nations consultation and an Archaeological Impact Assessment ("AIA"), required prior to accessing additional priority sites identified in the NI 43-101 technical report prepared for Vanguard (formerly Le Mare Gold Corp.) dated February 19, 2021, and revised April 12, 2021, by Chris M. Healey, P.Geo., Principal Geologist, Healex Consulting Ltd. (EGBC #36477).

About Brussels Creek, Kamloops, BC

The Brussels Creek Property lies approximately 24 km west of Kamloops, immediately adjacent to New Gold's New Afton Mine. The project covers 1,350.43 hectares (17 claims, 66 cells) and hosts a geological setting analogous to New Afton, as well as Highland Valley, Mount Polley, Kemess, and Galore Creek-all silica-saturated, copper-gold alkalic porphyry deposits.

Fieldwork has identified a mineralized quartz-feldspar porphyry body intruding Nicola Group volcanics. Historical sampling (1983-1984) delineated a 200 m  400 m anomalous zone grading up to 3.5 g/t Au, and 2019 grab samples returned 10.1 g/t Au (with 0.7 g/t Pd) and 11.5 g/t Au, confirming high-grade surface mineralization.

Disclosure regarding New Afton: Information on New Gold Inc.'s New Afton Mine is sourced from New Gold's publicly filed 2024 annual results and provided solely to illustrate Brussels Creek's proximity to an operating mine. The Qualified Person confirms this does not constitute restricted disclosure under NI 43-101 s. 2.3(1)(a), as it refers to production from a third-party operation, not the Company's property.



Click Image To View Full Size

Figure 3: Brussels Creek: Reduced-to-Pole Magnetic Intensity with multiscale edge detection.



Click Image To View Full Size

Figure 4: Brussels Creek Claim Map.

Vanguard's management cautions that past results or discoveries on properties in proximity to Vanguard may not necessarily be indicative of the presence of mineralization on the Company's properties.

Brussels Creek Web Page: Brussels Creek - Vanguard Mining Corp

About Vanguard Mining Corp.

Vanguard Mining Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the discovery and development of high-value strategic minerals. The Company is currently advancing exploration projects in Argentina, Canada, and Paraguay, with a focus on identifying and developing assets critical to the global energy transition. Vanguard is committed to responsible exploration and value creation through the acquisition and advancement of highly prospective uranium and precious-metal properties.

All Stakeholders are encouraged to follow the Company on its social media profiles on LinkedIn, X.com, Facebook and Instagram and sign up for updates at Vanguardminingcorp.com

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Lawrence Segerstrom, P.Geo., M.SC., MBA, a consulting geologist who is a "Qualified Person" as such term is defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). Mr. Segerstrom is not at arm's length to Vanguard and is therefore not independent for the purposes of NI 43-101.

The disclosure regarding production results from New Gold Inc.'s New Afton Mine is based on information contained in New Gold's publicly filed 2024 annual results. This information is provided strictly for contextual purposes to highlight the proximity of the Company's Brussels Creek Project to an established mining operation. The Qualified Person confirms that this disclosure does not constitute restricted disclosure under Section 2.3(1)(a) of NI 43-101, as it refers to actual reported production from a third-party mine and not to the Company's property or mineralization.

The references to historical sampling results (1983-84) and grab samples collected in 2019 are exploration results, not "historical estimates" as defined in Section 2.4 of NI 43-101. Accordingly, the historical estimate disclosure requirements of NI 43-101 do not apply. The Company cautions that grab samples are selective by nature and may not be representative of overall mineralization on the property.

Vanguard cautions that past results or production from properties in proximity to Vanguard may not necessarily be indicative of mineralization on the Company's properties.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"David Greenway"

David Greenway, CEO

For further information, please contact:

Vanguard Mining Corp.

Brent Rusin

Phone: +1 672-533-0348

E-Mail: brent@vanguardminingcorp.com

Website: vanguardminingcorp.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding Vanguard's intention to continue to identify potential transactions and make certain corporate changes and applications. Forward looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance, or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits Vanguard will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect managements' current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including Vanguard's results of exploration or review of properties that Vanguard does acquire. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and Vanguard assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differed from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

###

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. ("West Red Lake Gold" or "WRLG" or the "Company") (TSXV: WRLG) (OTCQB: WRLGF) is pleased to announce a fully funded infill drilling program at its 100% owned Fork Deposit located approximately 250 metres ("m") southwest from its Madsen Mine in the Red Lake Gold District of Northwestern Ontario, Canada.

"Once considered a somewhat diffuse, intermediate-grade portion of the satellite resource inventory at Madsen, the core of Fork has been re-envisioned as a high-grade near-mine resource expansion target that is a priority for immediate advancement," stated Shane Williams, President and CEO. "The shallow nature of the deposit will allow for efficient definition drilling from surface and, with its high grades and proximity to existing underground development, it is easy to envision this core zone of Fork becoming part of the production pipeline at Madsen, based on successful infill drilling results."

"The Madsen Mine shows clear potential to become a sizeable and long-lived operation, with several satellite deposits not yet considered in the mine plan, multiple untested exploration targets, and a 1.5-million-ounce indicated resource1 that is wide open for expansion at depth. Fork is the first opportunity we are advancing to make good on that potential. As an unmined and near-surface deposit sitting just 250 metres from Madsen, Fork offers a non-remnant zone of mineralization that could be accessed within a few months of development and sequenced into the mine plan with ease, providing additional optionality and ounces in the near term. With Madsen nearing commercial production in Q1 of 2026 we are ready to actively pursue a hub-and-spoke growth model at Madsen. Simultaneous surface drilling programs at Fork and Rowan take us in that direction and we will continue to evaluate and develop additional high-grade gold opportunities within the Red Lake district."

OVERVIEW:

The drill program at Fork will consist of approximately 3,000 m of NQ diameter diamond drilling from surface to inform a construction decision on bringing this adjacent resource area into consideration for near-term production at Madsen (initial mine design concept is illustrated in Figure 1).



Infill drilling will be focused on a shallow, high-grade, low-plunging zone of gold mineralization that was recognized during a re-evaluation of the Fork deposit by WRLG in 2024 (Figure 2).



The zone trends north-south and has been defined by previous drilling over an area of 400 m by 250 m and shows potential for further expansion down plunge to the south. Average thickness of the zone is conservatively estimated at approximately 2 m based on existing core length intercepts.

The shallow nature of this target will allow for systematic and efficient infill and expansion drilling from surface with holes averaging 170 m depth.



The extension of underground development towards Fork will also open significant exploration potential and underground drilling opportunities along the main structural trend from Madsen towards the past-producing Starratt-Olson Mine which historically produced ~164,000 ounces of gold between 1948-1956.



The Fork deposit currently contains an Indicated mineral resource of 20,900 ounces ("oz") grading 5.3 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold ("Au"), with an additional Inferred resource of 49,500 oz grading 5.2 g/t Au. West Red Lake Gold announced the interpretation of a high-grade core within this resource in the Company's December 10, 2024 news release (news release available here).

FORK DRILLING HIGHLIGHTS (HISTORIC):

Hole RUM-08-49 Intersected 13.05m @ 13.97 g/t Au, from 107.65m to 120.7m, including 3.63m @ 30.79 g/t Au, from 110.37m to 114.00m. Also including 1.97m @ 32.55 g/t Au, from 118.73m to 120.70m.



Hole PDM04-318 Intersected 9.3m @ 8.14 g/t Au, from 128.1m to 137.4m, including 0.7m @ 85.70 g/t Au, from 128.1m to 128.8m. Also including 0.6m @ 21.3 g/t Au, from 136.8m to 137.4m.



Hole RUM-08-68 Intersected 1.3m @ 50.48 g/t Au, from 95.7m to 97.0m, including 0.2m @ 169.09 g/t Au, from 95.8m to 96.0m. Also including 0.4m @ 53.27 g/t Au, from 96.2m to 96.6m.



Hole PG14-011 Intersected 3.5m @ 17.18 g/t Au. from 152.5m to 156.0m, including 1.6m @ 33.80 g/t Au, from 154.4m to 156.0m.





FIGURE 1. Conceptual Fork deposit mine design, shown relative to the Madsen Mine and past-producing Starratt-Olson Mine (above) and close up (below), with access driven from Level 3 of the McVeigh area of the Madsen Mine. Note these are provided to illustrate the proximity of the Fork deposit to the Madsen Mine and the initial mine design concept; Fork is not part of the Madsen Mine Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") and mining at Fork has not been proven economic according to a Preliminary Economic Assessment, PFS, or Feasibility Study.

TABLE 1. Significant intercepts (>1 g/t Au) from historic drilling at Fork Target.

Hole ID Target From (m) To (m) Length (m)* Au (g/t) PDM04-311 Fork

209.50 210.50 1.00 17.42 Incl. 209.50 210.00 0.50 12.45 PDM04-312 Fork

213.00 216.00 3.00 5.49 Incl. 214.50 215.00 0.50 12.15 PDM04-313 Fork 196.90 198.10 1.20 13.32 PDM04-315 Fork 221.30 221.80 0.50 2.06 PDM04-318 Fork

128.10 137.40 9.30 8.14 Incl. 128.10 128.80 0.70 85.70 Also Incl. 136.80 137.40 0.60 21.30 PG14-006 Fork

85.00 86.80 1.80 14.58 Incl. 85.00 86.00 1.00 22.50 PG14-011 Fork

152.50 156.00 3.50 17.18 Incl. 154.40 156.00 1.60 33.80 PG15-037 Fork

133.90 146.00 12.10 3.85 Incl. 133.90 135.50 1.60 8.54 Also Incl. 143.50 144.50 1.00 8.89 RUM-07-21 Fork

209.00 211.00 2.00 7.51 Incl. 210.00 211.00 1.00 13.00 RUM-07-26 Fork 196.00 197.00 1.00 8.71 RUM-07-38 Fork 243.00 244.00 1.00 12.04 RUM-08-46 Fork

134.72 138.70 3.98 7.93 Incl. 137.10 138.70 1.60 18.48 RUM-08-49 Fork

107.65 120.70 13.05 13.97 Incl. 110.37 114.00 3.63 30.79 Also Incl. 118.73 120.70 1.97 32.55 RUM-08-66 Fork

119.00 120.49 1.49 21.27 Incl. 119.75 120.00 0.25 125.19 RUM-08-68 Fork

95.70 97.00 1.30 50.48 Incl. 95.80 96.00 0.20 169.09 Also Incl. 96.20 96.60 0.40 53.27 RUM-08-74 Fork 132.00 134.19 2.19 3.58 RUM-08-75 Fork

190.45 195.38 4.93 3.84 Incl. 194.40 195.38 0.98 10.46 RUM-08-86 Fork 70.13 72.00 1.87 1.97 RUM-09-98 Fork 226.78 228.44 1.66 5.75

*The "From-To" intervals in Table 1 are denoting overall downhole length of the intercept. True thickness has not been calculated for these intercepts but is expected to be ? 70% of downhole thickness based on intercept angles observed in the drill core. Internal dilution for composite intervals does not exceed 1m for samples grading <0.1 g/t Au.

TABLE 2: Drill collar summary for holes reported in this News Release.

Hole ID Target Easting Northing Elev (m) Length (m) Azimuth Dip PDM04-311 Fork 434672 5645517 381 390.00 255 -45 PDM04-312 Fork 434672 5645517 381 275.00 259 -49 PDM04-313 Fork 434663 5645539 381 245.00 267 -50 PDM04-315 Fork 434663 5645539 381 312.00 258 -55 PDM04-318 Fork 434614 5645510 382 239.00 262 -44 PG14-006 Fork 434530 5645625 384 306.00 92 -76 PG14-011 Fork 434580 5645445 379 363.00 241 -49 PG15-037 Fork 434378 5645399 380 225.00 105 -48 RUM-07-21 Fork 434675 5645524 380 679.88 270 -50 RUM-07-26 Fork 434651 5645459 378 494.90 274 -50 RUM-07-38 Fork 434676 5645399 377 432.00 270 -50 RUM-08-46 Fork 434623 5645592 382 388.26 268 -59 RUM-08-49 Fork 434645 5645639 378 405.00 265 -58 RUM-08-66 Fork 434594 5645559 385 231.00 270 -65 RUM-08-68 Fork 434578 5645442 378 264.00 280 -45 RUM-08-74 Fork 434578 5645442 378 219.83 245 -58 RUM-08-75 Fork 434586 5645269 380 276.00 310 -45 RUM-08-86 Fork 434584 5645585 381 240.00 270 -45 RUM-09-98 Fork 434582 5645253 380 375.00 300 -52



DISCUSSION:

The Fork deposit lies within two concordant shear zones spaced 100-150 m apart. These structures strike north-north-easterly and dip about -60. The upper lens is known as the Main Zone and occurs along a shear zone that is continuous to the southwest with the shear zone that hosts the DV and CK Zones. The distribution of gold within this shear zone is controlled by the intersection with the contacts of minor ultramafic sills and iron formation units within the basalt.

The lower lens has been referred to as the Fork Footwall Zone (and it occurs within the Russet Lake Shear Zone (Baker, 2017). Here the Russet Lake Shear Zone is wholly within ultramafic volcanic rocks of the Russet Lake Ultramafic and gold mineralization is interpreted to be associated with the intersection of the shear with internal flow contacts. Significantly, the Fork Footwall Zone occurs within the same structural/stratigraphic position as the 8 Zone which occurs about 1.8 km down plunge to the northeast.

A third resource domain (North-South Domain) has been modeled between the Fork Footwall Zone and Fork Main Zone. It is not clear geologically how this relates to the modeled structures but may be a short second-order splay.

The Fork deposit is cut by late, discordant felsic, intermediate, and mafic dikes as in the mine. The mineralized body is curvilinear and is weakly folded by steeply southeast plunging F2 folds. Gold is predominantly associated with deformed quartz veins hosted within an envelope of highly strained and hydrothermally altered rock controlled by shear zones that developed oblique to the host volcanic stratigraphy. Less commonly, gold is found in replacement-style disseminations within altered basalt along and proximal to contacts with interflow iron formation or ultramafic sills. Geochemically, altered rocks at the Fork deposit are sodium-depleted as at the Madsen deposit. The Fork deposit has been drill tested over a 600 m strike length and to a vertical extent of 375 m depth. The mineralized zones are typically 1 m to 5 m thick. The deposit is located approximately 350 m from existing underground development in the West Ramp.

The Fork Footwall target is the sparsely drilled southwestern extension of the Fork Footwall Zone that particularly targets the intersection of the host Russet Lake Shear Zone structure with the Russet Lake ultramafic and overlying Balmer basalt contact. This 300 m long target has been tested by 11 drill holes and remains an active target.





FIGURE 2. Fork Vein Long Section Showing High-Grade Historic Intercepts from Drilling Completed Between 2004 and 2017. Existing underground development at Madsen shown along right margin of the figure approximately 250 m from the Fork resource.

QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL

The Madsen Mine deposit presently hosts a National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") Indicated resource of 1.65 million ounces ("Moz") of gold grading 7.4 g/t Au within 6.9 Mt, and an Inferred resource of 0.37 Moz of gold grading 6.3 g/t Au within 1.8 Mt. Mineral resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 3.38 g/t Au and a gold price of US$1,800/oz. Mineral resources as stated are inclusive of mineral reserves. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The Madsen Mine also contains Probable reserves of 478 thousand ounces ("koz") of gold grading 8.16 g/t Au within 1.87 Mt. Mineral reserve estimates are based on a gold price of US$1,680/oz. Please refer to the technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report and Prefeasibility Study for the Madsen Mine, Ontario, Canada", prepared by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. and dated January 7, 2025 (the "Madsen Report"). The Madsen Resource Estimate has an effective date of December 31, 2021, and excludes depletion of mining activity during the period from January 1, 2022, to the mine closure on October 24, 2022, as it has been deemed immaterial and not relevant for the purpose of the Madsen Report. A full copy of the Madsen Report is available on the Company's website and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

The technical information presented in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Will Robinson, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration for West Red Lake Gold and the Qualified Person for exploration at the West Red Lake Project, as defined by NI 43-101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects".

ABOUT WEST RED LAKE GOLD MINES

West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. is a mineral exploration company that is publicly traded and focused on advancing and developing its flagship Madsen Gold Mine and the associated 47 km2 highly prospective land package in the Red Lake district of Ontario. The highly productive Red Lake Gold District of Northwest Ontario, Canada has yielded over 30 million ounces of gold from high-grade zones and hosts some of the world's richest gold deposits. WRLG also holds the wholly owned Rowan Property in Red Lake, with an expansive property position covering 31 km2 including three past producing gold mines - Rowan, Mount Jamie, and Red Summit.





ON BEHALF OF WEST RED LAKE GOLD MINES LTD.

"Shane Williams"

Shane Williams

President & Chief Executive Officer

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Gwen Preston

Vice President Communications

Tel: (604) 609-6132

Email: investors@wrlgold.com or visit the Company's website at https://www.westredlakegold.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT AND FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information generally can be identified by words such as "anticipate", "expect", "estimate", "forecast", "planned", and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events. Forward-looking information is based on current expectations of management; however, it is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information in this news release and include without limitation, statements relating to the results of the drill program at Madsen and the potential production of mining operations at the Madsen Mine; any untapped growth potential in the Madsen deposit or Rowan deposit; and the Company's future objectives and plans. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information involves numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, market volatility; the state of the financial markets for the Company's securities; fluctuations in commodity prices; and changes in the Company's business plans. Forward-looking information is based on a number of key expectations and assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will continue with its stated business objectives and its ability to raise additional capital to proceed. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Additional information about risks and uncertainties is contained in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the Company's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2024, copies of which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

The forward-looking information contained herein is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to the Company. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by applicable law.

For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

_____________________________

1 See Technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report and Prefeasibility Study for the Madsen Mine, Ontario, Canada", prepared by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. and dated January 7, 2025, available on the Company's website and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The 1.5 million ounce indicated resource only considers the Austin, South Austin, and McVeigh zones at Madsen.

Figures accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dc4c2c9d-adb4-41cf-9f9a-02c95a02f6b7

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/635091fd-ccc9-4ca3-9070-45c35877b27a

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e3c53bc5-474d-4ecf-8614-56f6df356198


Vancouver, November 26, 2025 - Glenstar Minerals Inc. (CSE: GSTR) (OTCQB: GSTRF) (FSE: VO20) ("Glenstar" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that senior executives of the Company, along with its project geologist, will be attending the American Exploration & Mining Association ("AEMA") annual meeting, which is being held in Sparks, Nevada, December 7 - 12 at the Nugget Casino Resort.

Glenstar will be providing attendees with the latest information and updates regarding both the Green Monster Project, and Wildhorse Project in the core shack area of the main presentation hall at Booth #13. Company geologist Robert Marvin will be on hand to discuss the state of the current exploration programs on both projects and will be providing the latest geological data sets from the various exploration initiatives, and their results, undertaken over the past eight months.

According to Mr. Marvin, "The AEMA meeting is a great forum to showcase Glenstar's projects to industry professionals, and other various stakeholders, and present the latest information available from our exploration programs on each property to date, as well as discuss the potential of each of the projects going forward."

Project Background & Recent Exploration Work

The Green Monster Property is comprised of 35 federal lode claims covering ~700 acres located in Clark County, Nevada, on the west trending spur of the Spring Mountains and is approximately 40 miles southwest of Las Vegas. Until the recent drill program in May of 2025, no drilling was ever conducted on the property, but the Company's previous identification of robust nickel-copper with anomalous cobalt from sampling work done in 2022 indicated that several targets were ideal for shallow RC drilling (see news releases dated May 28, 2025, and July 16, 2025).

Glenstar acquired the Green Monster Property and conducted initial groundwork in 2022 that included reconnaissance geologic mapping, surface rock sampling, soil sampling, and a drone magnetic survey. Channel sampling across the exposed back of a raise off the main shaft returned 1.18 meters of 3.77% Cu (Copper), 3.06% Ni (Nickel), 0.21% Co (Cobalt) and 6.83% Zn (Zinc). These values are well in excess of select dump samples from historical underground workings and represent in-place, vein style mineralization. Sampling of oxide and sulfide bearing boulders directly downhill of the patented workings has confirmed the presence of very high zinc (>10%) and silver (>200ppm), as well as copper, uranium, and lead. (Sampling results provided above were previously published in the Green Monster Project NI 43-101 Technical Report dated June 20, 2023, Section 7.5).

The Wildhorse Property is comprised of 89 mineral claims, representing 1,780 acres (720 hectares) in Mineral County, Nevada, and was initially targeted after compilation of all available data, including notes of a 1975 field examination contained in the Anaconda Company archives housed at the university of Wyoming. The claims show historical workings that appear to date from the late 1800's and early 1900's. Other claim stakes that the geological team discovered on the property indicate the last time the area was staked was 2011, however, these claims were never registered with the BLM. Preliminary geological assessment of the claims, and the area in general, indicate there are a series of east dipping mineralized zones. Initial field examination of the property identified and sampled a quartz veinlet zone containing in excess of 1 gram per ton gold, 1% copper, and 6,100 ppm of antimony. It was also reported that outcropping zones also contain bismuth and tungsten, which points to a focused intrusive source for the epidote skarn alteration and poly-metallic system (see news release dated February 11, 2025)

About Glenstar Minerals Inc.

Glenstar is a mineral exploration company with a focus on polymetallic minerals. These elements are classified as critical minerals and are essential in the manufacturing of sophisticated electronics and other vital energy technologies. The Company's mission is to leverage its knowledge and connections to explore, acquire, and develop critical mineral and energy metal properties throughout the world.

Glenstar's shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the symbol "GSTR", on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "VO20", and on the Over-the-Counter market (OTCQB) in the United States under the symbol "GSTRF".

Robert Marvin, P.Geo (ONT) is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is the independent consulting geologist for Glenstar Minerals Inc., who has examined the Green Monster and Wildhorse properties on the ground numerous times since 2022 and 2024 respectively. All fieldwork relating to geologic observations and sampling as reported herein, has been directly overseen by Mr. Marvin who supervised the preparation of, and has reviewed and approved, the technical information in this release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"David Ryan"

President & CEO

Neither Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain information contained in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward- looking information"). Without limiting the foregoing, such forward-looking information includes statements regarding the process and completion of any Offering, the use of proceeds of the Offering and any statements regarding the Company's business plans, expectations and objectives. In this news release, words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "believe", "expect", anticipate", "intend", "plan", "estimate" and similar words and the negative form thereof are used to identify forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times at or by which, such future performance will be achieved. Mineral exploration is subject to risks and uncertainties and there is no assurance that any potential results or findings that may be suggested in this press release will ultimately happen. Forward-looking information is based on information available at the time and/or the Company management's good faith belief with respect to future events and is subject to known or unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. For additional information with respect to these and other factors and assumptions underlying the forward-looking information made in this news release, see the Company's most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis and financial statements and other documents filed by the Company with the Canadian securities commissions and the discussion of risk factors set out therein. Such documents are available at www.sedar.com under the Company's profile and on the Company's website. The forward-looking information set forth herein reflects the Company's expectations as at the date of this news release and is subject to change after such date.

This release may contain certain forwardlooking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company and certain of the plans and objectives of the Company with respect to the same. By their nature, forwardlooking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forwardlooking statements.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. This release may contain statements within the meaning of safe harbour provisions as defined under securities laws and regulations. We seek safe harbour.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275994
/THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

Vancouver, November 26, 2025 - Supreme Critical Metals Inc., (CSE: CRIT) (FSE: VR6) (OTC Pink: VRCFF) ("Supreme" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it is undertaking 2 non-brokered private placement financings (the "Offering").

It will offer of up to up to 6,666,666 hard dollar units ("Non-FT Units") at a price of $0.15 per Non-FT Unit" at a price of $0.15 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $1,000,000.

Each Non-FT Unit will be comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one additional Common Share at a price of $0.21 per Common Share for a period of two years following the closing date of the Offering, subject to the Company's right to accelerate expiry. If, at any time, the 20 day Volume-Weighted Average Price ("VWAP") of the Company's Common Shares is greater than $0.60 per Common Share for 10 consecutive days, including days where there is no trading, the Company may provide written notice (a "Warrant Acceleration Notice") to the holders that the expiry of the Warrants shall be accelerated to a date that is not less than 30 days from the date of the Warrant Acceleration Notice.

The Company is also offering up to 4,651,162 flow-through units ("FT Units") at a price of $0.215 per FT Unit, for proceeds of up to $1,000,000. Each FT Unit consists of one common share of the Company and one-half (1/2) of one common share purchase warrant, each whole warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional common share at an exercise price of $0.30 for 24 months. Each FT Unit will qualify as a "flow-through share" under subsection 66 (15) of the Tax Act. The warrants forming part of the FT Units will be subject to the same early expiration rights as above.

Proceeds from the Offering will be used for exploration on the Company's properties and general corporate purposes.

The closing date of the Offering is to occur on or about December 8, or such later date or dates as the Company may determine, and are subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including approval from the Canadian Securities Exchange.

The securities of the Company have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an available exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there by any sale of the securities referenced in this press release, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Supreme Critical Metals Inc.

Supreme Critical Metals Inc. (CSE: CRIT) (FSE: VR6) (OTC Pink: VRCFF) is a publicly traded, diversified exploration company advancing a portfolio of high-potential silver, copper, uranium, and gold properties across North America. The Company follows a disciplined, data-driven acquisition strategy focused on mining-friendly jurisdictions with established infrastructure, predictable permitting, and supportive regulatory frameworks.

Additional information about Supreme Critical Metals is available on the Company's website at www.supremecriticalmetals.com.

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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Forward-looking information in this release includes statements regarding the expected closing date of the Offering and future exploration programs. This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Such forward-looking information is provided to inform the Company's shareholders and potential investors about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Any such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "anticipate", "proposed", "estimates", "would", "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "will", and similar expressions, although not all forward-looking information contain these identifying words.

More particularly and without limitation, the forwardlooking information in this news release includes expectations regarding the Company's business plans and operations. Forward-looking information is based on a number of factors and assumptions that have been used to develop such information, but which may prove to be incorrect. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The forward-looking information in this news release reflects the Company's current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs based on information currently available to the Company.

Whether actual results, performance, or achievements will conform to Supreme's expectations and predictions is subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from Supreme's expectations. Such material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals.

Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this release.

###

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276008
Madrid officials dismiss rumours 2026 debut at risk

Madrid authorities have moved quickly to deny Italian reports that the Spanish capital's new 'Madring' Formula 1 circuit may not be ready in time for its scheduled 2026 debut - with Imola rumoured as a possible replacement.

Oscar Piastri, Azerbaijan GP 2025

 McLaren

The speculation was triggered by RMC Motori, whose reporters visited the construction site and described idle excavators , large undeveloped dirt areas and little visible progress, claiming Liberty Media sources had leaked concerns about delays.

One staff member was even quoted as saying what track? when asked at the IFEMA Madrid entrance.

But officials in Spain insist the project is not only on schedule, but in some stages ahead of it.

Circuit organisers told Soy Motor: The work is completely on schedule. There is no concern whatsoever regarding the deadlines, and the Grand Prix will be held on the planned dates.

Madrid's Regional Minister Miguel Angel Garcia Martin echoed the message: The people of Madrid can be very calm. The works are progressing well and each and every one of the planned tasks is being carried out.

He added that construction began in May and remains aligned with the target of completing the circuit by the end of May 2026.

Madrid mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida was even more emphatic.

I don't know where that news came from, he told reporters. The circuit is ahead of schedule and progressing perfectly. The sponsors are there, the circuit is being built, so I'm sorry - but Formula 1 will be in Madrid on September 12 next year, and it will be a real success.

Spanish daily Marca reported a similar tone of calm inside the Madring organisation, quoting local officials saying all planned work is being carried out at a good pace .

The city notes that FIA officials are scheduled to conduct a formal inspection on December 15.

(GMM)
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Did you know that a Democratic member of the House is under federal criminal indictment? It didn't receive a lot of news coverage, but the Justice Department announced last Wednesday that Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida and three co-defendants have been charged with stealing federal COVID funds and using the money to enrich themselves, to finance a political campaign, and to buy, among other items, a 3.14-carat diamond ring.

It's a bizarre story that can be summed up in a simple question: What would you do if you discovered that someone accidentally deposited $5 million into your bank account? Would you point out the mistake and give it back? Or would you keep it, spend it, and hope nobody noticed? .

In 2021, Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, ran a Miramar, Florida, company called Trinity Healthcare Services, which was wholly owned by two of their family members who are not named in the indictment. Starting in March 2021, the company became involved in a program through which the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, gave grants to state agencies, in this case the Florida Division of Emergency Management, or FDEM, to hire companies to provide COVID-related services. .

According to the indictment, Trinity Healthcare Services entered into an agreement with FDEM "to provide nurses, clerical staff, and canvassers for the FDEM/FEMA vaccination sites." Under the agreement, the indictment says, "Trinity was to be paid by FDEM with federal funds provided by FEMA for work Trinity did pursuant to [the agreement]." .

On May 14, 2021, Edwin Cherfilus submitted an invoice to FDEM for payment of $50,578.50 for work done in Jacksonville. On July 1, 2021, FDEM paid the bill, but instead of depositing $50,578.50 into Trinity's bank account, which the indictment refers to as Bank Account 1, it deposited $5,057,850.00. In what the indictment called "a clerical error," FDEM moved the decimal point a couple of spaces, added two zeroes, and bingo, the Cherfilus family had $5 million. .

That is when, of course, Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother should have gone to FDEM and said, sorry, it looks like you've made a big mistake here. But the indictment says they did no such thing. .

"Starting upon Trinity's receipt of that overpayment on July 1, 2021, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Edwin Cherfilus retained the [money] that was mistakenly deposited in Bank Account 1, which they controlled," the indictment says, "with the intent to keep the stolen funds and convert the funds for their own use and for the benefit of  her election campaign committee, SCM for Congress, and others." .

On the day the $5 million showed up, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick took a screenshot of Bank Account 1's activity and texted it to Edwin Cherfilus. Then, it appears the two did nothing for a month. And then, according to the indictment, they did a lot. .

On Aug. 11, 2021, the indictment says, the two moved $2,400,936.96 from Bank Account 1 to Bank Account 2, which they controlled under the name SCM Consulting. (The bank for both accounts was located in Maryland.) On the same day, Aug. 11, the two moved $190,894.91 from Bank Account 1 into Bank Account 5, which was also in Maryland and was controlled by Edwin Cherfilus. The next day, Aug. 12, the two moved $1,249,333.68 from Bank Account 1 to Bank Account 9, which was in Florida and was controlled by two family members. On Aug. 16, they moved $830,708.93 from Bank Account 1 to Bank Account 7, which was also at a bank in Florida and which the indictment says was controlled by a friend of Cherfilus's in Orlando. On Aug. 18, they moved $334,757.78 from Bank Account 1 to Bank Account 8, which was also in Florida and was controlled by a woman named Nadege Leblanc, who worked on the campaign and became Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick's chief of staff for the district office. .

After that, there was still more moving money around. On Aug. 31, 2021, according to the indictment, Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother moved approximately $1 million from Bank Account 2, which they had allegedly used to originally store the money, into Bank Account 6, which was a money market account that the two had opened in Florida. On Sept. 1, they used a cashier's check for $109,000 to purchase an "approximately 3.14 carat Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond' ring" from a jeweler in New York, according to the indictment. On Sept. 3, 2021, the two transferred approximately $800,000 from Bank Account 2 in Maryland to Bank Account 6 in Maryland, which they controlled. .

You get the idea. And then, according to the indictment, came the straw donor contributions. The indictment alleges that Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Nadege Leblanc conspired to funnel money to friends who would then contribute the maximum allowed to Cherfilus-McCormick's House campaign. On June 25, 2021, the indictment says, Cherfilus-McCormick used Bank Account 1 to wire $50,000 to a relative, who then gave the money to Leblanc. Leblanc then wrote two checks for $2,900, the maximum allowable under law, each to Cherfilus-McCormick's campaign committee, SCM for Congress. .

The indictment says that Leblanc then contacted friends and family, listed as Straw Donors 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and sent each money for the purpose of contributing to SCM for Congress. The campaign committee then falsely reported that the donors contributed their own money. Just to keep the candidate up on things, Leblanc texted Cherfilus-McCormick a picture of two personal checks from Straw Donor 5 for $2,900 each, made out to SCM for Congress. .

Of course, these cases all end with one more charge, and that is that the defendants lied to the IRS about the money. The indictment alleges that Cherfilus-McCormick and her accountant falsely represented her own and her organization's income, business expenses, and charitable contributions on her 2021 tax filings in an effort to cover up all of the crimes outlined in the charges. .

So what does it mean? First, it brings back the days in which the federal government was shoveling billions out the door in the name of COVID relief. Would the government, either in Washington or Florida, ever have noticed that it had mistakenly sent $5,057,850.00 when it meant to send $50,578.50? Who knows? And who knows how much of the COVID billions was stolen or wasted in ways the government never knew. .

In her defense, Cherfilus-McCormick would certainly point out that she did not bill the government for $5 million. She did not ask for the big check. It arrived as a result of a "clerical error." But once Cherfilus-McCormick saw the money in Bank Account 1, according to the indictment, she was off to the races using the wrongly-sent cash for her own purposes. But the law is quite clear: It wasn't her money. That is the theme of this extraordinarily detailed picture of the congresswoman's alleged crimes.




Haiti - FLASH : The US transfers 2 Bell UH-1N helicopters to the GSF





The U.S. Embassy in El Salvador has confirmed the transfer of two Bell UH-1N medium military helicopters, nicknamed "Twin Huey," to the Salvadoran contingent deployed in Haiti as part of the Gang Supression Force (GSF). These helicopters will be used for medical evacuation and security support operations in Haiti, according to the announcement.



As part of this cooperation, the United States has trained 10 Salvadoran pilots and four maintenance technicians to ensure the helicopters are maintained and operated safely during the mission.



The transfer agreement was signed by the Charge dAffaires of the U.S. Embassy, Naomi Fellows, and the Minister of National Defence, Francis Merino Monroy.



Learn more about the Bell UH-1N helicopter :

This is a medium, twin-engine military helicopter developed from the civilian Bell 212. It can carry a crew of three and up to 13 passengers, although the number of passengers may vary depending on the payload. In a medical evacuation configuration, it can carry up to six stretchers. Its first flight took place in 1969.



Originally designed for the Canadian Armed Forces, it was widely used by the United States, particularly for search and rescue missions, and has been superseded by more advanced models such as the UH-1Y Venom.



Its range is 460 km, its maximum speed is 220 km/h, and its maximum altitude, depending on the load, is 4,500 m. Payload:  2,000 kg



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Saudi Arabia : Minister Monazard advocates for sustainable industrial investment





On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, during the 21st session of the General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, James Monazard, Minister of Commerce and Industry, emphasized the challenges hindering industrial development in Haiti while reaffirming the Government's commitment to promoting sustainable and inclusive industrialization. "The gap we have to close seems immense, but it is not insurmountable," he stated.



According to the Minister, the industrial sector is a key driver for reviving the national economy, particularly through job creation and improved living standards. He stressed that job creation remains a top priority for the Presidential Transitional Council and the Haitian Government. He appealed to international partners to support Haiti in digitalization, agricultural innovation, the adoption of resilient technologies, and technical training.



On the sidelines of the Forum, Monazard met with Ms. Fatou Haidara, Deputy Director General of UNIDO and Director of Cooperation with Member States and External Partners, to discuss prospects for strengthened cooperation between Haiti and UNIDO in order to support the modernization of Haitian industry.



Discussions focused on strengthening technical capacities at the national level, including youth training, the evaluation of the Haiti-UNIDO Country Project signed in 2015-2016, and the implementation of the objectives of the Doha Development Agenda 2022-2031, which focuses on supporting Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Both parties committed to intensifying their collaboration to sustainably support Haiti's industrial development.



Furthermore, Monazard proposed the creation of an industrial investment fund for LDCs, believing that such a tool would facilitate the implementation of transformative and transformative projects.



In conclusion, Haiti reaffirmed its commitment to actively participate in international exchanges, share its experience, and build sustainable partnerships for inclusive industrialization that generates prosperity for all.



Learn more about UNIDO :

UNIDO is the UN specialized agency for industrial development. It supports countries, particularly developing countries, in strengthening their industrial base, creating jobs, developing clean technologies, and promoting sustainable, inclusive, and innovative economic growth.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Apaid and Baker Questioned by the BTLS

On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, businessmen Andy Apaid and Charles Henry Baker were questioned by investigators from the Bureau for Combating Drug Trafficking (BTLS). This questioning is part of an ongoing legal procedure; details have not yet been released.



A "Viv Ansanm" Ally Arrested in the Dominican Republic

Louissaint Jean Max, alias "Ralph Laurent" an ally of the "Viv Ansanm" terrorist coalition operating within the diaspora, who was wanted by the authorities, was arrested in the Dominican Republic. The Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ) has contacted Dominican authorities to arrange his extradition to Haiti so that he can answer questions from police and judicial authorities.



Calm Returns to the Port Area

Calm has returned to the port area of Port-au-Prince, where all activities are proceeding normally, according to Jean Evens Charles, Director General of the National Port Authority (APN).



USA : Haitian Embassy Closed

Due to the federal Thanksgiving holiday, the Haitian Embassy in Washington, D.C., will be closed on November 27 and 28, 2025. Embassy operations will resume on Monday, December 1st, 2025.



Port-au-Prince City Hall : Elimination of Violence Against Women

On Tuesday, November 25, as part of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Port-au-Prince City Hall reaffirmed its commitment to the women and girls of the capital. The Mayor's office stated, "Violence against women must never be trivialized. It weakens families, limits development prospects, and undermines human dignity."



UNESCO : Tribute to "Dadou"

UNESCO in Haiti pays tribute to Andre Pasquet, also known as "Dadou" who passed away on November 22nd. https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-46275-icihaiti-obituary-andre-pasquet-a-guitar-legend-passed-away.html An exceptional musician who profoundly influenced Haitian culture, this talented guitarist, composer, and respected singer took Haitian music far beyond its borders, first with Tabou Combo and then with the Magnum Band. Through his work and influence, he helped elevate Compas music and strengthen its place in the country's musical heritage. This contribution takes on even greater significance today, as Compas music has just received UNESCO's endorsement to become an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Its creativity and legacy continue to inspire generations. His passing saddens the cultural community, but his work lives on. "Dadou" leaves a living legacy that will continue to inspire artists and young talents. His music holds an important place in the collective memory and serves as a reminder of the power of artistic creation. UNESCO extends its condolences to his family, loved ones, and all those touched by his life's journey.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















The announcement followed high-level meetings in Geneva and Abu Dhabi, where US, Ukrainian, and Russian representatives met in various formats. Marco Rubio , US Secretary of State, called the talks very positive and said remaining issues were not insurmountable. President Trump echoed that, telling reporters aboard Air Force One there were only standard things left to resolve.

President Donald Trump has claimed tremendous progress in efforts to end Russias war on Ukraine, but core differences remain between Washingtons plan and what Kyiv is prepared to accept.

But Ukrainian officials with direct knowledge of the talks have pushed back on the portrayal of near-consensus. They told CNN that serious gaps still exist on three main points: territorial concessions, military limitations, and NATO membership.

Ukraine has not agreed to surrender full control of the Donetsk region, which remains partially held by Ukrainian forces. The US plan proposes creating a demilitarised zone under Russian administration in parts of eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian sources say the language is still under discussion and has not been accepted.

Kyiv has also not accepted US proposals to cap its armed forces at 600,000 personnel. Talks have produced a higher proposed ceiling of 800,000, but further adjustments are expected before Ukraine will formally agree.

On NATO, Ukraine continues to reject any clause renouncing future membership. Ukrainian officials say doing so would give Moscow influence over NATO decisions despite not being a member. A senior adviser to Volodymyr Zelenskyy described it as an unacceptable precedent.

The Trump administration is presenting its latest plan as a revised version of the original 28-point proposal first leaked earlier this month. One US official told CBS News that Ukraine has agreed to core terms and that only minor details remain. Rustem Umerov, Ukraines national security adviser, confirmed this general alignment in a post on X, but said that further consultation with European allies is required. "We now count on the support of our European partners in our further steps," he wrote in the post.

President Trump has tasked his envoy Steve Witkoff with delivering the proposal directly to Vladimir Putin in Moscow next week. He may be accompanied by Jared Kushner. Meanwhile, US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll continues negotiations with Ukrainian military officials in Kyiv and met Russian representatives earlier in Abu Dhabi.

Despite claims that Ukraine and the US are aligned, Yuri Ushakov, a Kremlin aide, said the peace plan had not yet been formally discussed in detail with Russia. He confirmed Russia had received the latest draft but said its contents had not been addressed in official talks. He also said parts of a leaked conversation with Witkoff were fake and the leak was unacceptable.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said any peace agreement must uphold Ukraines sovereignty and security. She warned against accepting limitations on Ukraines military or territorial integrity, and said Russia has shown no signs of genuine interest in ending the war.

Germanys Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed support for US-led negotiations but insisted Europe must be part of any final deal. Speaking in the Bundestag, Merz said peace must not be bought at the price of Ukraines capitulation.

European leaders also continue to discuss using frozen Russian assets to finance Ukrainian reconstruction. The European Commission confirmed it is ready to present a legal framework for a reparation-linked loan scheme backed by these assets.

Finland has proposed a temporary ceasefire to protect energy infrastructure, to be implemented by Thursday. EU foreign ministers are also holding a video meeting to coordinate responses to the ongoing negotiations.

Ukraines President Zelenskyy is expected to travel to the US in the coming days if the deal advances. A final summit involving Trump, Zelenskyy, and Putin is being considered but only if the agreement is close to final.

President Trump has dropped the earlier reported Thanksgiving deadline. He told reporters that the deadline is when its over, referring to the war.

The proposed peace plan has been revised down from 28 to 19 points, according to officials close to the talks. Security guarantees, some said to be similar to NATOs Article 5, are reportedly under discussion.

HT
The News in Brief Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Georgian Dream Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has repeated claims that foreign actors are channeling money into Georgia to influence domestic politics and support critical media organizations.Speaking to journalists about recent information concerning online media, Kaladze said, "What we've been saying for so many years has now been confirmed. Money is coming into the country from abroad, which is being directed toward politics and funding media outlets that are mostly hostile to the country."He argued that the developments reflect coordinated efforts outside Georgia, adding, "All of this is orchestrated from abroad."Kaladze expanded on his concerns by referencing comments made in European institutions. According to him, "One of the European Parliaments directly stated that they are looking for ways to bring money into Georgia. In other words, they are seeking 'black holes' to funnel money into Georgia and use it for politics again."He also criticized the conduct of some foreign diplomats, saying, "Look at the statements made by ambassadors. An ambassador who is here on a diplomatic mission is involved in the political process and makes political statements based on lies, promoting hatred, deepening polarization, encouraging violent groups, and so on."Tina Bokuchava, Chair of the United National Movement, criticized Bidzina Ivanishvili on Monday over his dispute with Credit Suisse, following a London court ruling that dismissed his appeal and rejected his claims entirely.Bokuchava said Ivanishvili will only recover his billion dollars "if he returns the country to Georgia's citizens, puts Georgia back on the Euro-Atlantic path, and restores peace to this country."She argued that his recent actions are driven by misinformation from aides and pro-Russian allies within Georgian Dream, including attempts to lift past U.S. sanctions and pressure political opponents. "Some businessmen and a few athletes are trying to work on this with the new U.S. administration, but inside the U.S. administration these efforts are regarded as utterly unserious," she said, adding that British financial sanctions are likely and unavoidable.Bokuchava called on Ivanishvili to follow "a concrete path and concrete steps" to resolve the situation peacefully rather than tormenting the country for personal gain.The ruling from the Judicial Committee of the UK Privy Council confirmed that Ivanishvili's claims against Credit Suisse were dismissed, ending his legal attempts to reclaim previously awarded damages.
By Nazrin Abdul



The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) will implement a fully digital system to monitor waste across all its operations.

Azernews reports that this was announced by Samir Gurbanov, Head of SOCARs Department for Environmental Analytics, Energy Transition, Environment, and Decarbonization, at the SPE Caspian Technical Conference held in Baku.

Gurbanov noted that SOCAR is implementing a comprehensive set of measures to decarbonise and enhance environmental sustainability.

Key initiatives include the application of CO? capture and utilisation facilities to convert carbon dioxide into industrial products, energy efficiency programs at processing facilities, transition to renewable energy sources to offset Scope 2 emissions, biogas production, and electrification of equipment, he said.

He emphasized that particular attention is being paid to the digitalisation of environmental monitoring.

SOCAR has already started cooperating with ENABLON and acquired a monitoring, reporting, and verification system designed for precise measurement and tracking of environmental indicators. From next year, this system will be implemented across all SOCAR operations, ensuring full digitalisation of the companys environmental monitoring, Gurbanov explained.

In addition, SOCAR is carrying out advanced projects to detect leaks in its upstream assets, developing internal environmental management processes in collaboration with BCG, and improving practices for water resource and waste management, he added.
Radisson Hotel Group proudly introduces its vibrant lifestyle brand, Prize by Radisson, to the Nordic region with a new opening in Bergen. The milestone expands the Group's footprint to five distinctive properties in one of Norway's most scenic destinations, redefining how guests experience the UNESCO World Heritage City.

The brand-new Prize by Radisson, Solheimsviken Bergen, opens only two kilometers from Bergen's vibrant city center. Featuring 217 stylish rooms, a welcoming restaurant, a chic rooftop terrace and versatile event spaces, the hotel offers panoramic views that set the stage for a memorable stay.

Guests can indulge atBergtatt restaurant and bar, where cozy elegance meets spectacular scenery serving delicious dishes. Guests can head up to the 6th floor conservatory or the rooftop terrace and elevate their dining experience with a curated selection of cocktails, beers, and fine wines.

The hotel provides convenient access to public transportation, retail areas, corporate districts, and Bergen's top attractions.

UNESCO World Heritage City

Surrounded by majestic mountains and stunning fjords, Bergen is a UNESCO World Heritage City known for its captivating blend of history, culture, and nature. From the colorful wooden facades of Bryggen, the city's historic wharf where Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Bergen, is located, to the Flibanen funicular, which climbs to panoramic views from Mount Flyen, Bergen perfectly balances its historic charm with modern vitality.

As one of Norway's most beloved destinations, Bergen offers an ideal backdrop for the continued growth of Radisson Hotel Group in the region. It is a destination where the outdoors and urban sophistication blend seamlessly. The launch of Prize by Radisson introduces a dynamic, design-forward, and experience-driven hospitality concept that reflects the city's spirited character.

Radisson Hotel Group's lifestyle midscale brand has entered the Nordics

Prize By Radisson is a new generation of centrally located lifestyle led properties. Its eclectic character combines comfortable accommodation in an informal setting with a service culture that feels personal and authentic. Guests are welcomed like friends with unique energy felt throughout, from colorful design touches to relaxed social spaces.

Prize by Radisson properties offer a lifestyle midscale experience with a unique personality, at the investment cost of an economy hotel. The compelling design proposition brand is suitable for new-builds and conversions with high GOP margins (+50%) and a lean operating model.

Radisson Hotel Group is the leading international hotel group in the Nordics and is represented with Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson RED, Radisson and Park Inn by Radisson across the region. Radisson Hotel Group has more than 50 hotels in operation and under development in the Nordic region.

For more information and to book, click here.

Hotel website
HVS Middle East & Africa is pleased to announce the appointment of Bhavna Bhatia as Partner - Executive Search, recognising her nearly two decades of contribution to the firm and her role in shaping senior talent across the MEA hospitality and real estate sectors.

Across the Middle East, Africa and India, Bhavna has supported organisations through periods of expansion, restructuring, ownership transitions, and strategic change. Her work has been a consistent thread in the evolution of senior talent that defines today's hospitality landscape - reinforcing boards, guiding CEOs and supporting investors as they build resilient, future-ready organisations.

Bhavna's approach blends a deep understanding of people with a clear, rigorous view of organisational dynamics. She is known for assessing executive readiness, interpreting culture with precision and aligning senior appointments with long-term commercial priorities. Clients value her sound judgement, discretion, and clarity, particularly when navigating senior-level decisions that require both sensitivity and structure. Combined with her insight into cross-market dynamics and her calm, methodical handling of high-stakes mandates, she has become a cornerstone of the Executive Search practice at HVS MEA.

Bhavna's appointment reinforces HVS MEA's commitment to providing insight-driven, trusted leadership advisory across a region undergoing significant strategic and commercial transformation.
Michael Pace has joined Archer Hotel Napa as general manager. With more than thirty years in hospitality, including leadership roles at iconic San Francisco hotels such as the InterContinental Mark Hopkins, Clift, and W Hotel, and over a decade with Kimpton Hotels.

Known for his curiosity, behind-the-scenes orchestration and deep devotion to gracious hospitality, Pace leads with warmth, precision and a relentless commitment to excellence. His approach reflects a belief in team empowerment, thoughtful sustainability and experiences that feel personal and considered  values that are synonymous with Archer's way of hosting.

Having transitioned from San Francisco's city center to the heart of downtown Napa, Pace welcomes the shift in rhythm. He's inspired by Archer's longtime leadership and its do-the-right-thing approach to hospitality, reflected in anticipatory service and an unwavering commitment to details large and small. This next chapter is a chance to mentor emerging leaders and help shape a hotel that's as connected to its neighbors as it is to its guests.
Since assuming leadership at Premier during the pandemic, he and his team rebuilt and repositioned the organization, expanded third-party services with more than 150 new contracts and established a growth platform in the multi-family and student-housing sectors. They also incubated an in-house architecture studio, launched a general contracting division and advanced a development pipeline exceeding $1 billion in estimated value. Before joining Premier, he held senior leadership roles in the energy sector with NOV and Rubicon Oilfield International.

Batis brings more than 15 years of real estate, valuation and investment experience. He joined Ashford in 2013. As EVP, operations, he provided oversight and strategic guidance for the company's acquisitions process while leading the team responsible for the performance of its investments. Before joining Ashford, he was VP in the real estate valuation and advisory services group at Houlihan Lokey. He previously held analyst roles at Integra Realty Resources and McNeel, Weissler & Associates.
The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) convened its 2025 Annual Convention from November 20 to 22 in the vibrant cultural capital of Bangkok, Thailand. Under the inspiring theme Leading with Purpose: Embracing a New Era, the gathering brought together General Managers, owners, and distinguished industry leaders from across LHWs global portfolio of more than 425 independent, luxury hotels. Over three days, participants explored the forces shaping the future of hospitality through immersive discussions, dynamic workshops, and forward-thinking case studies led by top experts.

Shannon Knapp, LHWs President and Chief Executive Officer, opened the convention with an uplifting call to action. She encouraged the community to meet this pivotal moment with confidence and imagination. Addressing generational shifts, the accelerating influence of AI, global volatility, and increasing competitive pressure, she underscored how luxury hospitality is entering a new eraone defined by heightened complexity, yet abundant with opportunity for those who lead with clarity and purpose.

Set amid Asias flourishing luxury landscape in one of the worlds most diverse and fast-moving markets, the program offered a nuanced look at regional perspectives that echo global trends. From rapid digitization and evolving expectations of the APAC traveler to shifting geopolitical dynamics, speakers shared insights that illuminated the path ahead for independent luxury hotels.

Throughout the convention, LHWs leadership team joined renowned voices of Jillian Tellez Holub and Jackey Yu (McKinsey & Company), Dan Wang (Eurasia Group), Chris Mathews (Amazon Web Services), Ingo Schweder (GOCO Hospitality), Francois Schnoebelen (EHT Paul Dubrule), Anant Sharma (Matter of Form), George Cao (Dragon Trail International), Jan Freitag (CoStar Group), David Gardner (80 Days), Pico Iyer (Author), Ed Hooper (LQA), and others. Their thought-provoking presentations delivered practical strategies, best practices, and fresh inspiration. A rich program of networking experiences further enabled meaningful connection among peers committed to excellence.

The event also showcased the cultural richness of Bangkok, offering delegates an unforgettable exploration of the citys heritage. The Conference was hosted by Bangkoks two LHW member hotels: Capella Bangkok and The Okura Prestige Bangkok each showcasing the authenticity, innovation and artistry at the heart of Thailands luxury hospitality.

The convention culminated in an elegant Gala Dinner and the 2025 Leading Hotel Membership Awards Ceremony at the historic Royal Thai Navy Hall, where LHW proudly honored eight hotels and hoteliers for their extraordinary achievements and unwavering dedication to delivering hospitality of the highest caliber. The celebration underscored the power of purpose-driven leadership and the collective commitment that defines The Leading Hotels of the World.

The 2025 Leading Hotels Membership Awards Honorees

The Leading Hotels of the World proudly celebrates the individuals and properties whose extraordinary contributions have set new standards of excellence, innovation, and sustainability within the luxury hospitality landscape. The winners of the 2025 Leading Hotels Membership Awards exemplify innovation, excellence, and the spirit of crafting extraordinary guest experiences.

Leading Legend: This hotelier demonstrates excellence, innovation, agility and integrity in everything they do. Their passion for the art of independent hospitality has transformed the industry.

Guido Fiorentino, President & CEO, Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria

For his remarkable stewardship of one of Italys most iconic hotels, continually renewing its contemporary spirit while upholding nearly two centuries of storied history.

Uncommon Vision: This award honors the hotelier who saw opportunity in the face of a formidable challenge, developing innovative business solutions with significant effect.

Jose Antonio Uva, Owner, Sao Lourenco do Barrocal

For his visionary resilience in creating Sao Lourenco do Barrocal in a once-overlooked corner of Portugal, revealing its rich history while gracefully honoring a family estate more than two centuries in the making.

Remarkable Experiences: This award recognizes a hotel that offered distinctive and noteworthy ways to invite discovery and exploration of its destination and property.

The Phoenicia Malta, Floriana, Malta

As proud guardians of a Maltese cultural landmark, this hotel weaves luxury with discovery, crafting singular experiences from immersive historical dinners, curated art encounters, bespoke cultural journeys, and genuine hospitality.

Change-Makers: This award celebrates a hotel that went to great lengths to support its local community's physical, economic, and/or emotional prosperity.

Hotel AWA, Puerto Varas, Chile

A proud Certified B Corporation, committed to championing local artisans, producers, and ancestral traditions through meaningful cultural experiences; generating lasting economic opportunities for women artisans; and advancing regenerative, environmentally conscious practices that reflect its long-term vision of heartfelt, responsible hospitality in Patagonia.

Unrivalled Luxury Leader: This award recognizes a hotel's unwavering commitment to the quality of its guest experience, property, and operations.

Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel, Venice, Italy

For attaining the pinnacle of refined hospitality, proudly achieving a remarkable 100% Quality Score that reflects its unwavering commitment to excellence.

Member of the Year: This award honors a hotel's extraordinary commitment to excellence by supporting and engaging with LHW and its programs.

Palace Hotel Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

Achieving remarkable year-over-year revenue growth, an all-time high quality score, and an unparalleled collection of accolades, setting a benchmark of quality, authenticity, and leadership.

New Member of the Year: This award celebrates the new member hotel that exemplifies excellence through its ongoing brand engagement and dedication to maintaining an exceptional quality score.

The Imperial, New Delhi, New Delhi, India

Since joining LHW, The Imperial has demonstrated excellence across every key metric: delivering exceptional guest advocacy, satisfaction, and quality performance.

Sustainability Leader: This award honors a member hotel committed to responsible travel and the power of innovation.

Burgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa

A pioneer of sustainability since 1873: leading the way with green engineering, environmental design, and conscientious employment.

The 2026 Annual Convention will take place next November in Rome, Italy.

About The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. (LHW)

Comprised of more than 425 hotels in over 80 countries, LHW is the largest collection of independent luxury hotels. In 1928, 38 independent hoteliers came together to create LHW. Since then, the Company has carefully curated distinctive hotels, resorts, inns, chalets, villas, and safari camps from the snow-capped Alps of Europe to the African veldt, to share them with adventurous souls who seek the remarkably uncommon. The LHW community is filled of exceptional individuals, united by a passion for the surprising discoveries and details that come with every experience. LHW hoteliers are artisans of hospitality whose expertise, commitment to excellence, and individual flair allows them to create story-worthy moments for their guests. And it is these authentic, individualized experiences combined with the warm hospitality and high-touch service they provide that keeps discerning travelers returning again and again. LHW's collection covers the globe and promises a broad range of destinations and uncommon experiences, enhanced by LHW's tiered guest loyalty program Leaders Club. From converted former palaces, and countryside retreats run by the same families for generations, to gleaming skyscrapers in dynamic urban centers, serene private island escapes, glamorous tented camps  and beyond  explore, find inspiration, and experience unforgettable travel moments. For more information visit: www.lhw.com, Facebook at @LeadingHotels, Twitter at @LeadingHotels and Instagram @leadinghotelsoftheworld.
AI adoption is happening in hotels, and hoteliers are confident about the future role for AI in hospitality. While there are barriers and challenges as businesses come to understand AI adoption, there are positive ways AI is being applied. Here are three key areas that will influence the future of your AI-powered Find, Book, and Grow strategy.

AI is no longer part of the future for hotels  its happening now. Figures from h2cs global study, AI & Automation in Hospitality, show that 78% of hotel chains are using AI today. Furthermore, 89% are planning additional AI applications.

Despite being an industry where the pace of technological adoption can be slow, hoteliers are rapidly seeing the value of AI. The h2c report shows they view business intelligence (78%), guest communication (77%) and digital marketing (72%) as the most valuable AI applications.

By 2030, more than four in ten hoteliers expect that reservations and call center functions, guest data management, revenue management, and digital marketing will be fully automated too. AI adoption in hotels is wide, but tactical. Hotels are looking to solve specific issues when they implement AI solutions. Seamless integration with existing hotel systems, reduction of repetitive manual tasks, and proven impact on revenue growth (70%, 69%, and 69%, respectively) are the top three investment decision factors. Thus far, a strategic, enterprise-wide approach to AI and automation is rare in hotels  but this will be essential to unlock the full value of the opportunities ahead.

So  willingness is here, implementation is happening  with a testing the waters approach  and hoteliers are poised for AI to bring greater impact.

Cendyn has been central to the development and discussion of AI application in the hospitality industry. Lets look at where AI is making a definite impact already.

1. Digital marketing

A recent Skift article outlined how AI is impacting hotel marketing in different ways. Drawing on data from the Cendyn Hotel Digital Marketing Performance Index, the article notes how AI-powered marketing tools are helping hotels cut customer acquisition costs, offering immediate efficiency gains for routine tasks in hotel advertising.

The focus here is Googles AI-based Performance Max for travel goals (PMTG) advertising tool, which recorded conversion rates more than three times higher than traditional methods. In addition, conversions jumped 262% so far this year compared with 2024.

Cendyns Performance Index found that PMTG is driving direct bookings, helping hoteliers offset multiple other channels, such as escalating advertising costs. Its become a flagship campaign type for hotel marketing teams  a fully automated, cross-channel solution designed specifically for the travel sector.

Our data shows PMTG delivers strong results both as a standalone driver and as a halo effect across the broader media mix, enhancing overall campaign performance and return on investment. And behind the success of PMTG is AI, which is powering targeting and automation in a more effective way than other channels can offer. Its advanced machine learning capabilities interpret traveler intent, segment audiences, and optimize bids in real time, ensuring smarter targeting and higher engagement.

Cendyns Digital Marketing Platform (DMP) enables hotel customers to manage their multichannel advertising campaigns, and PMTG is a focus for many. One of our clients  La Chambre du Marais, experienced a 4.43% conversion rate through its PMTG campaigns, compared to an industry average of about 2%. The hotel also saw an outstanding 51x ROAS (with typical averages around 10x) and 252 conversions.

2. Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)

The nature of online search is changing with the rise of AI, and its not all about Google anymore. With AI helper tools such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude being increasingly used as search engines, hotels now need to be thinking about generative engine optimization (GEO).

Where search engine optimization (SEO) is all about ensuring your content is accessible to search engines like Google, GEO, a new branch of SEO, is about surfacing information to AI helpers. This requires content that is highly factual, authoritative, and formatted in ways that are friendly to AI embeddings and retrieval systems.

The main difference between SEO and GEO is that SEO helps your hotel rank higher on search engines, while GEO helps your hotel appear in AI-powered search results.

As outlined by Skift, well-organized and consistent hotel data is more likely to be read by AI helpers. Incomplete information or inconsistent details may be overlooked. The advice is that hotels should prioritize data structure, with continuously updated pricing displayed. It marks a shift in marketing from emotional brand building to solid data presentation.

Some hotels are busy making changes to be visible to AI helpers, according to PhocusWire. Changes include the introduction of comprehensive FAQ pages written in a conversational tone, and establishing more digital PR links to help AI tools see hotel content as trustworthy.

3. Data management

The key to hotels flourishing in an increasingly AI-focused world actually happens behind the scenes. Data that has been fully captured  and is structured, readable, complete and integrated  is what all types of AI need to function effectively and deliver results.

According to the h2c report, data sharing is a key challenge to scaling AI. Without quality, shareable data, implementing AI is difficult. And many hotels are currently struggling with data management. The report shows that 41% of hotels face barriers to effective data usage, which includes quality, accessibility, and integration issues.

Cross-departmental data sharing and silos are an ongoing issue too. Only 22% of hotels have a centralized data structure that feeds AI and automation tools, and only 21% have a centralized data platform.

Yet hotels are starting to recognize what needs to be done, and 50% see customer data management as the next greatest step. In particular, 51% of hotels are now using a CRM for enabling AI-driven personalization.

Data is the key to unlocking AI for hotels in terms of effective digital marketing, revenue management, optimizing internal operations, and ensuring AI helpers can find content. In response, Cendyn has been embedding AI capabilities across its products to meet these needs. This includes within the Cendyn CRM and Knowland platform, which provides AI-enabled analytics, analysis and business intelligence, offering hoteliers quickly accessible actionable insights.

Get AI-ready

So, what do hoteliers need to do with their data and systems to reap the rewards of AI?

Break down data silos by unifying guest data via a CRM, CDP and analytics.

Remove team silos too  get on the same page, as well as on the same systems.

Use your unified data to create better marketing campaigns. Consolidated data means better information about your audience, and improved personalization. As more AI is woven into digital marketing platforms and campaigns, performance will improve.

Ensure theres a single source of truth  this includes everything from single guest profiles (no duplicates) to room descriptions being consistent.

Build up your bank of factual information about your hotel  cancellation policies, amenities, and local information. Publish it on your website and local listings such as Google Business Profile.

Work with a partner investing in AI. Cendyn has expertise in PMTG, were enhancing the functionality of our CRM, DMP, analytics with AI, and were investing in APIs and MCPs that will deliver information to AI helpers.

Preparing for the deep integration of AI now is key if hotels want to maintain and strengthen their Find, Book and Grow strategies.

About Cendyn

Cendyn is a global hospitality cloud-based technology company that enables hotels to drive revenue, maximize profitability, and create deeper connections with guests through its integrated solutions. Serving hoteliers for nearly 30 years, Cendyn drives commercial success for hotels through its Find, Book, Grow promise: find the right guests, drive them to book direct, and grow loyalty and revenue across the spectrum of digital guest interactions.

Cendyn has over 35,000 customers worldwide in more than 150 countries generating more than $20 billion in annual hotel revenue. The company supports its growing customer base from locations across the globe, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Bangkok, and India. To find out more, visit cendyn.com

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Justin Theroux - Image Credit Marriott International

The Luxury Collection has launched a new global campaign starring actor and filmmaker Justin Theroux. The campaign, titled "I am The Luxury Collection," was created in collaboration with Stept Studios and aims to highlight the diverse experiences offered by the brand's portfolio of over 130 hotels and resorts across 40 countries.

The campaign features a series of films with Theroux portraying "The Curator," a character who explores various destinations within The Luxury Collection's portfolio. The films showcase locations such as The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Madrid, Solaz, a Luxury Collection Resort in Los Cabos, and Perry Lane, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Savannah. Each location is presented as a unique expression of cultural discovery and local authenticity.

The central piece of the campaign is a film titled "Beautiful Contradiction," which depicts a journey through different environments, including architectural sites, natural landscapes, and urban settings. The campaign is designed to emphasize the individuality and distinctiveness of each property within The Luxury Collection.

The campaign is launching globally and will be available on platforms such as HBO Max. Additional content, including behind-the-scenes footage, will be shared on the brand's social media and digital channels.

The Luxury Collection is part of Marriott International's portfolio and participates in the Marriott Bonvoy travel program.
Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun - Image Credit Marriott International



Weekly Hotel Industry Asia Pacific News Roundup from HVS

Taekwang Industrial Acquires Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun for KRW250 Billion in South Korea

South Korea-based Taekwang Industrial Co. Ltd. (Taekwang Industrial) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the 400-key Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun in Seoul, South Korea from South Korea-based KT&G Corporation for KRW250 billion. This translates to approximately KRW625 million per key. Completed in 2016, the hotel comprises 20 floors above ground and five basement levels with a total floor area of 31,837 square metres (sqm). On-site facilities include three food and beverage outlets, a fitness centre and a meeting room. Situated in Jung-gu, central Seoul, the property is an eight minutes walk from Hoehyeon Station Line 4 and close to the popular Myeongdong shopping district.

Nippon REIT Acquires Four Japan Hotels for JPY12.2 Billion

Japan-based real estate investment fund, Nippon Hotel & Residential Investment Corporation (Nippon REIT), has announced the acquisition of four domestic hotel properties for approximately JPY12.2 billion. The deal includes three APA-branded hotels being acquired from different subsidiaries under the Japan-based APA Group: the 162-key APA Hotel Namba-kita Shinsaibashi Ekimae in Osaka, 109-key APA Hotel Hakata Eki-mae 4-chome in Fukuoka, and 144-key APA Hotel Matsuyama Shiro-Nishi in Matsuyama. The first three hotels were operated under lease agreements with fixed and variable rent components. The fourth property is the 165-key Hotel Vista Atsugi, located in Atsugi City and built in 2007. Tenancy details for this property were not disclosed. The acquisition is part of a broader eight-property deal including residential assets, aligning with Nippon REITs portfolio diversification strategy and aim to reduce its exposure to Ooedo Onsen facilities.

Singh Enterprises Expands Spring Hill Portfolio with Two New Acquisitions for AUD14.7 million, Australia

Australia-based investment firm Singh Enterprises has acquired Soho Brisbane Hotel and the former St Albans Liberal Catholic Church. Located at 333 Wickham Terrace, the 52-key Soho Brisbane Hotel was purchased for AUD12.9 million. This translates to approximately AUD248,000 a key. The five-storey asset occupies an 867 sqm site and includes a restaurant and a basement carpark. The second property, the former St Albans Liberal Catholic Church, a heritage-listed building at 351 Wickham Terrace which spans over 180 sqm, was acquired for AUD1.759 million. Both properties are adjacent to the 179-key Mercure Spring Hill Hotel, which Singh Enterprises acquired for AUD42.7 million in 2023. All three properties benefit from their mixed-use zoning, allowing for development into office, residential, retail, or tourist accommodation, with building height allowances of up to 20 storeys. With these acquisitions, Singh Enterprises now controls approximately 4,150 sqm of contiguous land in Spring Hill, making it one of the largest landholders in the area with significant redevelopment potential.

Coliwoo and Macritchie Developments Acquires Singapore Property for Conversion to Co-Living Space for SGD40 Million

Coliwoo Holdings, the co-living arm of Singapore-based LHN Limited, has formed a joint venture with Singapore-based Macritchie Developments Pte Ltd, a private firm owned by the Chairman of Singapore-based Oxley Holdings to acquire a freehold commercial property at 1 King Georges Avenue for SGD40 million. The seven-storey Rehau Building, with a site area of 521 square metres ("sqm") and a gross floor area of 2,678 sqm, will be converted into a co-living space while retaining commercial units on the ground floor. Located within walking distance of Jalan Besar and Lavender MRT stations, the site benefits from proximity to the Central Business District and nearby institutions including Singapore Management University and Lasalle College of the Arts.

Cove Expands Singapore Presence with the Acquisition of Co-living Operator Casa Mia Coliving

Singapore-based Cove Living Pte Ltd (Cove) has acquired co-living operator Casa Mia Coliving (Casa Mia) for an undisclosed sum, adding approximately 500 rooms to its Singapore portfolio. Casa Mias units are primarily located in central districts such as River Valley and Orchard, and are expected to expand Cove Classics, the companys mid-tier offering between Cove Basics and Cove Luxe. Following the transaction, both businesses will operate under the Cove brand, bringing Coves total inventory to over 2,000 rooms in Singapore and more than 8,000 rooms across the Asia-Pacific, including Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea. The combined entity is expected to generate over USD50 million in annual rental income and represents a strategic step towards achieving free-cash-flow positivity, despite Coves recent investments in regional expansion, particularly in Japan and South Korea.

HVS is the world's leading consulting and valuation services organization focused on the hotel, restaurant, shared ownership, gaming, and leisure industries. Established in 1980, the company performs more than 4,500 assignments per year for virtually every major industry participant. HVS principals are regarded as the leading professionals in their respective regions of the globe. Through a worldwide network of over 50 offices staffed by 300 experienced industry professionals, HVS provides an unparalleled range of complementary services for the hospitality industry. For further information regarding our expertise and specifics about our services, please visit www.hvs.com.
Monumental Palace in Porto, Portugal - Image Credit H10 Hotels



A summary of European hotel transactions provided by HVS

Leonardo Hotels acquires three properties in the UK

Leonardo Hotels, the European division of the Israeli owner-operator Fattal Hotel Group, has acquired three UK properties in separate single-asset transactions: the four-star, 270-room Leonardo Hotel Southampton, the four-star, 170-room Leonardo Hotel Exeter, and the four-star, 94-room Leonardo Hotel Chester. All three properties are situated in central locations and include a restaurant and bar. Leonardo had already been operating the hotels under FRI leases, and the Chester acquisition also includes three commercial units that are let to third-party tenants.

H10 Hotels acquires Monumental Palace in Porto, Portugal, from Centaurus

Spanish owner-operator H10 Hotels has acquired the five-star, 76-room Le Monumental Palace hotel in Porto, Portugal, from French owner-operator Centaurus Hospitality Management. The property is situated in the historic centre of Porto near the Porto Cathedral. The hotel includes two restaurants, a bar and three meeting rooms. Formerly operated under Centaurus Maison Albar Hotels brand, the property will now transition to H10s luxury collection and be rebranded as The One Monumental Palace.

LondonMetric acquires Clayton Manchester Airport from Columbia

British real estate investment trust LondonMetric Property has acquired the four-star, 365-room Clayton Hotel Manchester Airport from global asset management firm Columbia Threadneedle. The property is situated by Manchester Airport and includes a restaurant, bar and 12 meeting rooms. It is let on a long lease, and currently generates 1.07m in annual rent with RPI linked reviews. Last year the tenant, Dalata Hotel Group, received consent for a 40 million project to build a 9-storey, 214-bed extension, which also includes refurbishing the ground floor and a portion of the bedrooms. This acquisition forms part of a wider transaction for LondonMetric, comprising 51 million in acquisitions and 22 million in disposals.

Atream acquires future Oh Baby hotel in Paris via club deal, from Constructa

French asset-management firm Atream, on behalf of French pension fund Carac and French public development bank Banque des Territoires, has acquired the future 197-room Oh Baby hotel in Paris, France, from French developer Constructa. The site is situated in Paris northern suburb Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, near Porte de Saint-Ouen. The hotel will include a restaurant, rooftop bar, gym and several business areas. It is expected to open at the end of 2027 under the Oh Baby brand.

Extendam, Vicartem and Younight acquire Hotel Les Brises in La Rochelle, France

French private equity firm Extendam, together with French hotel investment company Vicartem Hotellerie and its hotel management subsidiary Younight Hospitality, has acquired the three-star, 50-room Hotel Les Brises in La Rochelle, France. The seafront property is situated opposite the marina and includes a breakfast restaurant. Extendam plans a six-month renovation starting at the end of 2025, which will include the modernization of the rooms and common areas, as well as the installation of an air conditioning system, transforming the hotel into a boutique property.

HVS is the world's leading consulting and valuation services organization focused on the hotel, restaurant, shared ownership, gaming, and leisure industries. Established in 1980, the company performs more than 4,500 assignments per year for virtually every major industry participant. HVS principals are regarded as the leading professionals in their respective regions of the globe. Through a worldwide network of over 50 offices staffed by 300 experienced industry professionals, HVS provides an unparalleled range of complementary services for the hospitality industry. For further information regarding our expertise and specifics about our services, please visit www.hvs.com.
Why Slashing Tourism Promotion is a Costly Mistake - Image Credit Unsplash



The data is clear. Destinations that stay visible thrive. Those that go dark fall behind.

The signs of a coming economic slowdown are hard to miss, and some analysts see a slump in the tourism sector as already underway. History tells us what usually follows. Policymakers will eye cuts to destination marketing budgets, using the familiar (but misguided) logic that if travelers are pulling back, why spend to promote? Some will argue that people will come anyway, so why spend money reminding them? In reality, cutting destination advertising during a downturn only deepens the slump and prolongs the economic recovery. At first glance, slashing budgets may seem appealing, but when we look at the data, the truth is clear, cutting advertising reduces visitor volume.

Our 2025 The State of the American Traveler Survey (32,215 total respondents) shows a strong relationship between advertising recall and likelihood to visit. Travelers are significantly more likely to plan a trip to places they remember seeing ads for.

Advertising Recall & Visited Destination (States):

Want visitors? Stay visible. The data makes it crystal clear. Advertising recall and intent to visit rise and fall together. In our state-level data we see the states most likely to be visited are strongly correlated with advertising recall.

Florida: 44% ad recall, 60% likelihood to visit

California: 40% recall, 53% likelihood

New York: 27% recall, 49% likelihood

Nevada: 31% recall, 46% likelihood

The pattern is too strong to ignore, and extends to urban destinations, as well. Across 52 major city destinations tracked in the study, the results are the same. The more advertisements travelers see from a destination, the more likely theyll be to plan a visit.

Advertising Recall & Visited Destination (Cities):

The Power of Incremental Visitation

Heres a nuance that policymakers often miss. Advertising doesnt create all visitation but it absolutely creates some, and if done even moderately well, always injects more money into government coffers than is spent on the advertising. People travel for many reasons, family get togethers, events, bucket-list trips, but advertising is the trigger for a specific group of visitors who wouldnt have come otherwise. In tourism research, we call this incremental visitation. These are the trips that only happen because an advertisement sparked action. And that incremental impact is what drives measurable ROI for destination marketing organizations.

Estimating Incremental Visitation

At Future Partners, weve built a reputation for taking a conservative, no-nonsense approach to estimating advertising ROI, and the numbers still come out big. In recent years, weve conducted a series of destination advertising ROI studies, and across all the communities studied, the results averaged an impressive $47.02 in incremental visitor spending for every $1 invested in advertising. Even more compelling for policymakers, each dollar also generated $3.05 in tax revenue. In plain terms, spend a buck on the typical destination advertising campaign, and on average you get forty-seven dollars flowing into local businesses and three dollars right back into government coffers.

Why Cutting Ads Costs Destinations

Beyond the direct financial returns, there are other reasons to keep investing in destination promotion.

Lost competitive ground. In a noisy travel marketplace, disappearing from sight means losing share to states and cities that keep showing up in travelers feeds and screens.

In a noisy travel marketplace, disappearing from sight means losing share to states and cities that keep showing up in travelers feeds and screens. Long-term brand erosion. Even the strongest destinations maintain visibility because they know that once awareness slips, rebuilding it costs far more than sustaining it.

A Call to Defend Tourism Promotion

Advertising isnt fluff; its fuel. Our data shows that recall and likelihood to visit move together, and that destination advertising delivers the incremental visitors destinations rely on for jobs, tax revenue, and growth. So yes, tourism ads work. Cutting them is a costly mistake no destination can afford to make.

If an economic slowdown takes hold, it will be tempting to view tourism marketing as expendable. But the opposite is true. Every dollar cut will only amplify recession-driven budget woes. Advertising is one of the few proven levers to generate incremental visitation, jobs, and tax revenue when demand softens. Policymakers and community leaders must resist the short-term urge to slash and instead defend their marketing dollars, because destinations that stay visible through downturns are the ones best positioned to recover quickly.

If youre a policymaker, community leader, or tourism stakeholder, the message is simple, protect your destinations marketing dollars. Advertising is not a luxury. It is an engine for incremental visitation that drives real economic returns. Every cut to advertising budgets creates fewer visitors, less local spending, and weaker tax revenues. The data is clear. Destinations that stay visible thrive. Those that go dark fall behind.

This article originally appeared on Future Partners.
Regent Bali Canggu Hotel - Image Credit IHG Hotels & Resorts



Regent Bali Canggu has officially opened, marking the first Regent hotel in Indonesia, located on Bali's southwest coast.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the opening of Regent Bali Canggu, the first Regent hotel in Indonesia. Situated on Bali's southwest coast, the hotel features 150 rooms and suites with views of the Indian Ocean and surrounding rice fields.

The property includes the world's first Regent Spa, a concept developed by IHG's in-house Spa & Wellness consultants, Raison d'Etre. The spa offers a range of treatments, including Balinese-inspired therapies, in seven treatment rooms. Additional wellness facilities include a vitality pool, ice baths, and saunas.

Regent Bali Canggu also features six dining venues, including two signature restaurants led by Chef Andrew Walsh. Sazon offers Mediterranean-inspired dishes, while Cure Bali, set to open in early 2026, will focus on Asian cuisine using local ingredients. Other dining options include Taru, which serves Indonesian dishes, and a Beach House, Pool Bar, and Lounge.

The hotel is designed by WATG Architects, with interiors by Hirsch Bedner Associates and landscape design by John Pettigrew. The design incorporates elements from Balinese villages and rice paddies, using materials such as stone, teak, and marble.

Regent Bali Canggu is part of IHG's strategy to expand the Regent brand, which currently includes 11 properties in 9 countries. The company plans to increase this number to 40 hotels in key global locations.
Allegrone is planning 23 units of housing on North Street, including in the former Berkshire County Savings Bank.

New Housing Units Planned for Historic North Street Site

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Allegrone Companies asking the city for a tax increment exemption for affordable housing units on North Street.

The project will consist of the building at 24 North St., the former Berkshire County Savings Bank, as well as 30-34 North St.

The City Council on Tuesday referred the request to the Community and Economic Development Committee.

Allegrone's affiliate Ace 24 North LLC purchased the historic bank building in September 2023 for $880,000.

The company is looking to develop 23 units of housing between 24 North and 3034 North, with 19 of the units market rate, and four considered affordable. The company is investing $15 million in the project.

Mayor Peter Marchetti brought the order to Tuesday's council meeting under the city's Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) that was approved in 2012 to encourage market-rate housing development.

In a communique, Community Development Director Justine Dodds pointed out how the HDIP has helped other affordable housing projects in the city that were former commercial buildings through tax exemptions.

"The local tax increment exemption and the HDIP were crucial for the realization of these projects. Without these incentives, the development of these housing units would not have been possible. The new units have brought a significant influx of new residents to the urban center of Pittsfield, stimulating economic development in the downtown area and its surroundings," she wrote.

The building going into HDIP could help Allegrone get $1 million in state tax credits toward construction. The company will have to apply for the credits to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.

"Both buildings are underutilized and need of significant upgrades. The current economic conditions  locally, regionally, nationally  make it difficult for private investors to secure the commercial financing required for redevelopment," Dobbs wrote.

Allegrone is a well-known name in local housing. It is converting the 1898 Wright Building and the adjacent former Jim's House of Shoes into 35 market-rate apartments and six storefronts and building a 28-unit permanent supportive housing complex at 111 West Housatonic.

It's constructed a number of other market-rate and affordable housing complexes in the Pioneer Valley and the Berkshires, including the 42-unit project on the former Photech mill land in Williamstown.

The tax exemption would be based on the growth portion of the assessed valution over 10 years starting at 100 percent the first year and declining to 10 percent in the final year.

The assessment for 24 North is about $1.3 million and 34-38 North is $408,200, according to the city's online records.

The proposed rent for a two-bedroom unit at 24 North will be $1,800 and $2,500 based on the unit size and a one-bedroom being $1,500 and $1,800. The 30-34 North property will have a one-bedroom rate at $1,800.

In other business, the council unanimously authorized the mayor to enter into a contract with the Massachusetts School Building Authority for a $2 million feasibility study of the Crosby/Conte school project.

The city is in line for 79 percent reimbursement or up to $1.579, whichever is less.

Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren suggested citizens with questions about the contract attend meetings of the School Building Needs Commission and again raised his concerns about the possibility of contract amendments not coming back to the council.

"I'm hoping that the mayor continues to cooperate and work with us so if there's any substantive amendments to the agreement, I would trust that he would come back to us," he said.
Darius Hazard appears in Northern Berkshire District Court on Wednesday for his arraignment on murder charges.

North Adams Man Charged on Two Counts of Murder



First Assistant District Attorney Marianne Shelvey talks to reporters after Wednesday's arraignment of Darius Hazard. NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  A city man was arraigned on Wednesday on two counts of first-degree murder in connection with an alleged arson at a Francis Street home on Monday.

Darius Hazard, 44, was in Northern Berkshire District Court to hear charges added to the single count of arson entered on Tuesday at Central Berkshire District Court.

Through his attorney, Timothy Flynn of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, Hazard waived the reading of the charges in a brief hearing before Judge Mark Pasquariello.

Under an agreement between Flynn and the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, Hazard was ordered held without bail until a Dec. 29 status hearing.

After the hearing, First Assistant District Attorney Marianne Shelvey declined to discuss any specifics of the case, including whether Hazard was represented by counsel at the time he allegedly confessed to physically assaulting his parents and setting their home ablaze, according to the DA's office.

That fire took the life of Venture and Donald Hazard, the DA said. Their preliminary cause of death is listed as smoke inhalation pending a full determination by the medical examiner.

Shelvey also was asked to comment on speculation in the community that Darius Hazard has a medical condition that may have led to his behavior in the early morning of Nov. 24.

"I don't want to get into the specifics of the case because it is still an ongoing investigation," Shelvey said. "At this point in time, we'll just leave it that it is part of the investigation, so we're not going to comment."

The commonwealth Tuesday asked the court in Pittsfield to hold Darius Hazard without bail pending a "dangerous hearing" that was continued to Wednesday, when he was charged with the two murders. In Massachusetts, a first-degree murder charge, "carries the presumption that an individual is held without the right to bail," Shelvey said.

The arson and murder charges, though related, were brought separately and then joined, Shelvey explained.

"This was an ongoing investigation that started in the early morning hours on Tuesday," she told reporters gathered outside the DA's office on the second floor of the courthouse. "The arson charge  was more readily available, the evidence itself. The Fire Marshal's office was on scene very quickly after the report of this. North Adams Fire was immediately there, as was the North Adams Police Department.

"Once they realized there was a situation where they had two fatalities, they immediately contacted the State Police detective unit assigned to the District Attorney's office and they contacted the State Fire Marshal's office. The fire marshal's office was utilizing dogs to see if there were any sources of fire that they could identify that didn't come from an electrical source or something. Preliminary investigations determined this fire was intentionally set."




iciHaiti - Good news : Southern farmers harvest a bountiful crop





In Haiti, there's an old proverb "Lapriye pa sifi pou rekot, fok pran manchet pou wete zeb" that means Prayer alone isn't enough to guarantee a harvest; you also need a machete to weed.



This proverb perfectly illustrates the situation of farmers in southern Haiti this year, a particularly fruitful year thanks in part to training workshops organized by the Taiwanese Technical Mission. The Mission developed an agricultural system adapted to local conditions, helping farmers transition from traditional practices to timely planting, thus improving crop growth and reducing losses due to adverse weather.



Fortunately, nature has been kind this year. Starting in February, each month brought 10 to 15 days of gentle, well-distributed rain, nourishing the soil without degrading it. As a result, rice, upland rice, grains, and vegetables have thrived.



Yet, bountiful harvests are never solely the result of nature. The persistent instability and insecurity in Haiti place immense pressure on farmers. Day after day, under a blazing sun, they carefully weed around each plant, cultivating every plot of land by hand. This work demands early morning rises, late nights, and unwavering resilience, proof that only perseverance leads to a harvest.



"The Taiwan Technical Mission to Haiti pays tribute to the tireless efforts of these farmers and the land that sustains them. Thanks to their hard work and responsible stewardship, our communities can thrive."



IH/ iciHaiti


















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Protests have erupted among villagers in southwest China against a government order on burial practices, an exceedingly rare expression of dissent in a country with little tolerance for it.

The poor and rural province of Guizhou, about 2,000km from Beijing, has witnessed a string of rare protests since the weekend after the local government imposed a mandatory cremation policy.

The protests reportedly continued on Tuesday as the government pushed back with a notice, which claimed that cremation was necessary to preserve land resources and promote a frugal new funeral style.

A compilation of videos shared by the X account Yesterday Big Cat showed people purportedly gathering around government officials and chanting slogans in a rare display of dissent. A villager can be heard shouting: If the Communist Party is digging up ancestors graves, go dig up Xi Jinpings ancestral tombs first.

Protests are an unusual sight in China, and their coverage in local media is even sparse. Beijings reaction to the protests over the years has been censorship and an attempt to crack down.

The China Dissent Monitor this year recorded 661 rural protests in the country, a 70 per cent increase over the whole of 2024, the Guardian reported.

China has imposed sweeping funeral reforms to phase out ground burials and encouraged people to consider alternative funeral practices, even sea burials. But the orders have invited backlash from mostly rural communities who see traditional burials are part of their culture.

Sea burials have been gaining popularity, with 194,700 such ecological burials carried out in 2024, nearly 67 per cent more than in 2019, state media outlet China Daily reported, citing official figures.

Last year, thousands of villagers in the Hubei province of central China reportedly took to streets to demand a repeal of local funeral reforms.

That was the second mass protest opposing an official policy following the demonstrations against the Communist Partys "zero covid" policy during the latter part of the pandemic.

In 2021, Chinese authorities faced backlash for exhuming the body of an elderly woman for cremation after her son had given her a traditional burial in Guizhou.

A villager from Pingtang county rued that his mother's body was removed from her grave and sent to a funeral home soon after her family had buried her. Im OK if they took her away from home, but why did they dig her up after we buried her," he was quoted as saying by the South China Morning Post.
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At least 128 people have now been confirmed dead and dozens more are injured in the massive fire that tore through a Hong Kong apartment complex on Wednesday, with hundreds still listed as missing.

Seven of the eight residential towers at Wang Fuk Court in the Tai Po district caught fire in the Chinese citys deadliest blaze in almost 80 years, forcing nearly 900 of the 4,800 residents to stay in temporary shelters overnight.

Hong Kongs security chief Chris Tang told a press conference on Friday afternoon that the operation to search for survivors had ended and the toll now stood at 128.

A unit of the complex burst into flames again at around 5am local time with fire tongues visible through windows, accompanied by heavy smoke, The Standard reported, though that has now also been brought under control.

Mr Tang said the injured included 12 firefighters, and that more than 1,000 police officers had been pressed into action as part of the emergency response.

Firefighters had mostly contained the fire by Thursday afternoon, allowing rescue workers to begin scouring the complexs smouldering remains for survivors.

open image in gallery Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang, third from left at rear, speaks to the members of media after the deadly fires at Wang Fuk Court ( AP )

Hope they can find more survivors. I think they have tried their best. The firefighters have done a lot, resident Jacky Kwok said. Its a terrible disaster that no one wanted to happen."

Rescuers battled intense heat, thick smoke and collapsing scaffolding and debris as they fought to reach residents feared trapped on the upper floors of the complex.

The blaze was expected to be fully extinguished by Friday evening, fire services deputy director Derek Armstrong Chan said, adding that firefighters had located multiple survivors in the destroyed buildings.

open image in gallery Around 900 residents were forced to stay in temporary shelters after a Hong Kong residential complex caught fire ( AFP via Getty )

Most of the victims were found in two towers of the complex, the deputy director said.

As many as 279 people were listed as missing on Thursday and that figure was yet to be updated.

Mr Chan said 25 calls for help to the fire services remained unresolved, including three in recent hours, which would be prioritised.

A distraught woman carrying her daughter's graduation photograph searched for her child outside a shelter, one of eight that authorities said were housing the nearly 900 displaced residents.

She and her father are still not out, said the woman, who gave only her surname, Ng, as she sobbed. "They didnt have water to save our building."

open image in gallery At least 94 people are confirmed dead in the Hong Kong fire ( AP )

The fire has put a spotlight on the use of bamboo scaffolding in the city, a decades-long practice, after bamboo lattices came crashing down in flames.

Police said that the buildings exterior walls had protective nets, membranes, waterproof tarpaulins, and plastic sheets suspected of not meeting fire safety standards.

The blaze started on the external scaffolding of a 31-storey tower, engulfed its bamboo scaffolding and construction netting, moved inside the building, and eventually leapt to nearby highrises, likely aided by windy conditions.

In the wake of the fire, police arrested two directors and an engineering consultant of Prestige Construction, which was contracted to perform maintenance on the building, on suspicion of manslaughter.

Authorities accused the grossly negligent firm of using unsafe building material.

Police superintendent Eileen Chung said authorities had reason to believe that the companys responsible parties were grossly negligent in their use of materials that allowed the fire to spread uncontrollably.

Authorities also raided the companys office and seized bidding documents, a list of its employees, 14 computers and three mobile phones.

open image in gallery Firefighters on the scene ( AFP via Getty )

Hong Kong chief executive John Lee said that his development bureau had met with construction industry representatives to discuss replacing bamboo scaffolding with metal alternatives.

Meanwhile, the displaced residents hunkered down in temporary shelters, including in a nearby school where they were provided bottled water, food and other necessities overnight, with volunteers bringing further supplies.

The Hong Kong government said it would provide 1,000 units of youth hostels or hotel rooms for residents to stay in for up to two weeks.

open image in gallery Residents rest at a temporary shelter near the fire scene at Wang Fuk Court ( AP )

Among the dead was hero firefighter Ho Wai Ho, 37, who died while rescuing residents from one of the buildings.

He was found collapsed at the scene of the fire and immediately taken to the Prince of Wales Hospital, the fire department said. Despite efforts, he succumbed to his injuries at 4.41pm local time, according to the city administration.

Ho served with the department for nine years. Authorities and his friends paid tribute to his gallantry and selfless devotion to duty.

open image in gallery Firefighter Ho Wai Ho died while rescuing residents of a Hong Kong residential complex ( Shanghai Daily/X )

Fire services director Andy Yeung called Hos performance valiant. I am profoundly grieved at the loss of this dedicated and gallant fireman, he said.

All of our colleagues are deeply saddened by the loss of such a devoted comrade. On behalf of all our colleagues, I have offered the deepest condolences to his family.

An identification centre was set up at Kwong Fuk Estate Community Hall to allow family members to identify their missing relatives.

The city administration would hold a memorial service for the dead and cancel all government-organised celebration events, Mr Lee said.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping extended sympathies to relatives of the victims, CCTV said.

Russian president Vladimir Putin expressed condolences to Mr Xi over the fire, state news agency TASS reported on Thursday.
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New satellite imagery suggests North Korea is building a new uranium enrichment plant at one of its nuclear sites, part of Kim Jong Uns 2025 plan to exponentially bolster the country's nuclear arsenal.

The images, taken in October and November and analysed by the Washington-based monitoring group 38 North, indicate a continuation of modernisation and expansion efforts throughout the Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Centre, experts said.

The facility is North Koreas most important site for producing plutonium and enriched uranium  the two main materials used to make nuclear weapons.

The analysis of the pictures shows that Pyongyang is likely building a large, heavily secured compound northeast of the sites radiochemical laboratory.

The structure  a two-storey building with a central hall measuring roughly 120m by 47m  closely resembles the design and footprint of Kangson, another suspected covert enrichment plant long believed to support the Norths nuclear weapons programme, according to a report by 38 North.

The new facility is growing most active since the start of 2025, with six possible heat exchangers recently appearing on the buildings southeast side. The exchangers are typically used to cool centrifuges and maintain the stable temperatures required for uranium enrichment.

open image in gallery An overview of progress at the possible uranium enrichment facility on 13 November 2025 ( Image Pleiades NEO  Airbus DS 2025. Annotation by 38 North )

Analysts say the installation of these units suggests that interior work is well underway, even as support buildings and connecting corridors continue to take shape around the compound.

Work to build up land surrounding a support building to the south of the suspected uranium enrichment site appears to be underway. The purpose of this building is unknown, according to the analysis.

The new activity comes as Yongbyon  the heart of North Koreas nuclear production infrastructure  undergoes a wider modernisation. The complex is the countrys only known producer of plutonium and a major source of enriched uranium.

open image in gallery Imagery of possible heat exchangers outside a possible uranium enrichment facility from 22 October 2025 ( Image Pleiades NEO  Airbus DS 2025 )

The latest development at the facility is in line with Mr Kims instruction earlier this year to accelerate nuclear material production. During visits to weapons-related institutes in January, he described 2025 as a crucial year for bolstering up the nuclear forces and called for overfulfilling plans for weapons-grade output.

These improvements all serve to help fulfil Kims call for exponential growth of its nuclear weapons arsenals, according to the report.

open image in gallery Activity in the area around the Old Waste Site shows further excavation activity ( Image Pleiades NEO  Airbus DS 2025. Annotation by 38 North )

Satellite images also show a rapid expansion of radioactive-waste storage near Yongbyons Old Waste Site. A new semi-buried concrete facility with nine roof hatches appears covered with earth, and fresh excavation nearby suggests another vault, the report notes.

In September last year, North Korea provided a rare view into a secretive facility built to enrich uranium for nuclear bombs. The much-publicised images were believed to be from one of its two known plants in the towns of Yongbyon and Kangson, both near Pyongyang.

The images published by the state media showed Mr Kim talking with scientists and military officials in a hall tightly packed with gray centrifuge tubes about the height of his shoulders.

open image in gallery Imagery of the 5MWe reactor from 13 November shows a series of high wall docking bays built outside it. Cooling water discharge is also seen ( Image Pleiades NEO  Airbus DS 2025 )

North Koreas progress in its uranium enrichment programme is a major concern for rivals and neighbours. Highly enriched uranium is easier than plutonium to engineer into a weapon. And while plutonium facilities are large and produce detectable radiation, making them easier for satellites to detect, uranium centrifuges can be operated almost anywhere, including small factories, caves, underground tunnels, or other hard-to-reach places.

The images also show the key plutonium-producing 5MWe reactor operating consistently since late 2024 despite roof repairs and exterior refurbishment earlier this year.

The 5MWe means it can generate 5 megawatts of electricity.

The new analysis came after South Korea warned against the risks of accidental clashes with North Korea, saying Seoul must accelerate efforts to resume dialogue with Pyongyang in order to reduce such risks.

South Korean president Lee Jae Myun said we are in a very dangerous situation where accidental clashes could break out at any time ahead of his trip to Turkey.

"We have no intention of pursuing unification by absorption," he said, adding that his country was committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and would not seek its own nuclear arsenal.
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Police have shut down a Christmas retreat in India after posters said it would celebrate the festive season with sessions on tantric sex, masturbation and cosmic orgasms.

Catholic groups in Goa reacted angrily to viral social media posts about the four-day programme beginning on 25 December titled Tales of Kamasutra & Christmas Celebration.

The poster features Christmas motifs like baubles and candy canes while also offering sessions on tantra love making, cosmic orgasm and the mystery of tantric ejaculations.

Singles and couples both are welcome, at the event for a price of Rs 24,995 (213.50) per person, the poster declared. It says attendants will be required to wear white and maroon robes at all times during the retreat.

Organisers said they had cancelled the event after being contacted by police, while arguing that it had been portrayed incorrectly as something indecent. The poster said it was being hosted by the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh Foundation and facilitated by the Osho Ludhiana Meditation Society.

The Catholic Association of Goa (CAG) filed a formal complaint with the police, accusing the organisers of deliberately insulting the Christian faith, according to a report by O Heraldo.

The associations president Cyril A Fernandes said the poster was illicit, obscene, and deeply offensive and amounted to a calculated attempt to denigrate a holy occasion. He argued that the material violated multiple provisions of Indias penal code, including sections on obscenity, sexual solicitation, trafficking, and outraging religious feelings.

Following the complaint, police registered a case and said that they had promptly taken cognisance of the matter, directing the organisers not to proceed with the programme and ordering them to remove all advertisements from social media, a report in the Indian Express said.

open image in gallery Police have shut down a Christmas retreat in Goa after posters said it would celebrate the festive season with sessions on tantric sex, masturbation and cosmic orgasms ( Getty/iStock )

After initially being told the event had been cancelled, police said they later found bookings were still being accepted through online and offline channels and warned that non-compliance would trigger further action.

The backlash intensified further after church leaders in Goa condemned the advertisement.

Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao said: It is with deep anguish and profound hurt that the Church in Goa addresses the recent advertisement on social media, which irresponsibly associates the sacred celebration of Christmas with explicit and unrelated themes.

Such portrayals not only disrespect the religious beliefs of an entire community but also erode the values of mutual respect and decency that our diverse society cherishes.

Womens groups also raised concerns about the impact on Goas reputation as a family-friendly destination.

The Goa Womens Forum wrote to the state tourism director, warning that the retreat would project Goa as a sex tourism destination.

Arz, a Goa-based organisation working against sexual violence and trafficking, separately alerted the Crime Branch, saying the advertisement described explicit activities and required immediate scrutiny.

Local political figures and civil society activists also joined in the criticism. Politician Carlos Alvares Ferreira said in a message on Facebook that the planned programme risked creating communal disharmony, adding that Goa is not a sin destination.

open image in gallery The poster declared that singles and couples both are welcome at the event for a price of 213.50 per person ( AFP/Getty )

Australia-based Goan Franky Fernandes told O Heraldo that he was asked for a deposit of Rs 10,000 (85.40) when he called the number on the poster, and described the mixing of explicit themes with Christmas as a deliberate insult.

Facing mounting protests and repeated police enquiries, organiser Manjit Singh told O Heraldo that the retreat had been cancelled.

Police contacted me on Saturday and Sunday to enquire about the programme, he said. People misunderstood the event, which was about meditation, and raised objections. There were no bookings as I had only just advertised it.

Singh said the intention had been to create a festive mood of celebration and conceded that mentioning Christmas in the poster had been an error.

The Independent has reached out to organisers at the Osho Ludhiana Meditation Society for comment, but calls to a number listed on the promotional material for the event went unanswered.

Swami Dhyan Sumit, who was due to facilitate the retreat, said it had been portrayed incorrectly as something indecent and insisted it was a meditation-based tantra programme. In a statement, he said: We are very sorry that the combination of these two words gave the wrong message and hurt the feelings of local people.
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Delhis deepening pollution crisis triggered violent clashes once again this week, with police arresting at least 23 protesters after officers were allegedly pepper-sprayed.

The demonstration on Monday began as a call for serious action on the Indian capitals hazardous air, the latest in a series of protests this month as the city remained covered in a toxic haze for the fourth week running.

The protest quickly escalated into a confrontation after the protesters moved from the lawns at India Gate, where the demonstration was organised, to the nearby C-Hexagon road, police said.

A total of 23 people were arrested for allegedly blocking a road, obstructing police and using pepper spray against Delhi police personnel during the protest, news agency PTI reported.

One group of protesters was also accused of chanting slogans in support of a slain Maoist leader, Madvi Hidma.

Hidma, a tribal guerrilla leader, was recently killed by Indian security forces in the central Andhra Pradesh state.

A senior police officer told local media outlets that some protesters tried to cross the barricades put up to restrict movement and blocked emergency vehicles.

The clashes erupted when police were trying to clear the road for ambulances caught in the blockade, he claimed. We tried to explain to them that many ambulances and medical personnel were stuck behind them and required emergency access, but they got very agitated.

open image in gallery People shout slogans during a protest against a lack of action to combat air pollution in Delhi ( AP )

Police alleged that several demonstrators used chilli or pepper spray on officers when they were asked to disperse. The incident, deputy police commissioner Devesh Mahla claimed, was unusual and a first in recent memory.

Three to four personnel suffered eye and facial injuries and were taken to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, police said.

The protest involved students, parents and members of the Delhi Coordination Committee for Clean Air.

One of the organisers of the protest, Scientists for Society, said that their focus was solely on air pollution. Our objective was to educate and organise people around the severe pollution crisis, exposing the government and this profit-centric system," they said in a statement.

While the group unequivocally condemns these encounters, as gunfights between security forces and rebels are known, the protest in Delhi was not the appropriate platform to raise this issue.

Ordinary students and citizens joined this protest specifically to address the issue of pollution, it said.

open image in gallery A protester shows the air quality reading during a protest against a lack of action to combat air pollution in Delhi, India, on 9 November 2025 ( AP )

Public anger over polluted air has been rising in Delhi. Last week, a group of residents stood at the historic Jantar Mantar, wearing oxygen masks and carrying gas cylinders to symbolise the citys dystopian environment.

Before that, earlier this month, a larger protest was organised near India Gate where some participants were detained by police.

The air quality remained in the very poor category on Wednesday, with the citywide index standing at 337, a level deemed dangerous for everyone.

Neighbourhoods across the National Capital Region recorded persistently unhealthy conditions, adding to the pressure on the residents already coping with burning eyes, coughing and headaches for weeks.

The toxic haze, a recurring winter crisis, results from a mix of vehicular exhaust, industrial emissions, construction dust, smoke from crop residue burning in the neighbouring states, and stagnant weather patterns that trap pollutants close to the ground.

Delhi has been one of the worst polluted cities in the world for years. According to a study in The Lancet journal, exposure to air pollution has contributed to millions of deaths across India over the past decade. This winters smog, continuing for weeks now, has added urgency to long-standing frustrations.

While restrictions on construction, generator bans and work-from-home advisories have been reintroduced under the Graded Response Action Plan, the measures have been described as too limited and temporary to make a meaningful difference and the government has been accused of hiding the data.
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The Supreme Court of India has upheld the armys decision to dismiss a Christian officer who repeatedly refused to take part in mandatory ceremonies at his regiments Sikh gurudwara.

Judges ruled that Lieutenant Samuel Kamalesans refusal amounted to a breach of discipline and an affront to the soldiers he commanded.

The judges said the officer relied on a personal understanding of his faith to avoid participating in practices that formed part of regimental life in Indias armed forces where collective devotional routines were used to build cohesion.

The decision confirmed a May ruling of the Delhi High Court which found that Lt Kamalesan kept his religion above a lawful command. The officer was commissioned into the 3rd Cavalry regiment in 2017 and served as a troop leader in a Sikh-majority squadron.

Regiments of the Indian Army often maintain places of worship known as Sarv Dharm Sthal  meaning place of all faiths  intended to symbolise religious harmony within the ranks. In Lt Kamalesans unit, the structure functioned as a combined Hindu temple and gurudwara, a Sikh place of worship.

open image in gallery Indian army personnel line up as drones are flown during a military exercise at the Assam Rifles ground in Agartala, Tripura, on 22 August 2025 ( AFP via Getty )

Lt Kamalesan argued that entering the sanctum sanctorum to perform rituals conflicted with his Protestant Christian beliefs and would violate his monotheistic faith.

He insisted that he was willing to attend parades and ceremonies outside the inner shrine and said that no one in his troop objected to his stance.

According to Lt Kamalesans counsel, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, the issue stemmed from the insistence of a single superior officer who required him to conduct rituals he believed were incompatible with his religion.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, alongside Justice Joymalya Bagchi, rejected that characterisation. Chief Justice Kant said the officer had disregarded advice from both his commanders and a pastor  a leader of his own faith  who had counselled him that entering a Hindu or Sikh shrine would not breach Christian doctrine.

Leaders have to lead by example. You insulted your troops, the chief justice told the lawyer. He added that while the officer may be outstanding in hundreds of things, he was absolutely a misfit for the Indian army if he could not adopt the secular ethos expected in uniform.

Justice Bagchi stressed that provisions of Indias constitution protecting freedom of religion safeguarded only the essential features of religious practice, not every sentiment.

open image in gallery Army personnel stand guard and security forces patrol near the Lidwas Meadows of Dara, Kashmir, on 28 July 2025 ( AFP via Getty )

The judge questioned where Christian scripture prohibited stepping into the sanctum of a temple or gurudwara and said an officer could not rely on a private interpretation of doctrine to override a lawful command.

The army said Lt Kamalesan had repeatedly been counselled about the purpose of regimental devotional parades, intended to foster unity, pride and motivation among troops. It maintained that his refusal, despite months of guidance, undermined cohesion and risked lowering morale.

The defence ministry told the court that Lt Kamalesans dismissal under the Army Act followed a showcause notice issued in 2019 after he continued to abstain from mandatory ceremonies.

The Supreme Court also declined his request to reduce the penalty on the basis of his previously clean record.

The bench said sending a firm message was necessary to ensure officers respected the sentiments of the soldiers they commanded and to preserve secular discipline within the forces.

When his counsel in the High Court had argued that the officer could have been court-martialled instead, the army responded that they considered such proceedings impracticable because the matter involved questions of religious belief.

In the Supreme Court, the counsel said his client accepted regimental diversity and participated in festivals such as Holi and Diwali, but should not be compelled to perform rituals in a shrine that wasn't associated with his faith

The bench remained unmoved. Is this sort of cantankerous conduct permissible in a disciplined force? Chief Justice Kant asked, rejecting the suggestion that one officers insistence could justify defying orders tied to regimental practice.
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Jakarta has outlawed the sale and consumption of dog, cat and bat meat, introducing one of Indonesias most sweeping measures yet to curb rabies and regulate its controversial meat trade.

Governor Pramono Anung signed the prohibition into force on 24 November, with Jakarta officials later confirming that the ban is now active.

The new regulation bars the sale of any rabies-transmitting animals for food  a category that includes dogs, cats, monkeys, bats, civets and similar species  and extends to all live animals, carcasses, and raw or processed products.

Mr Anung said the measure fulfilled a commitment he had made to animal welfare activists who petitioned him in October.

When receiving the animal lovers, I promised them to establish a governor regulation, he told Antara News, adding that their advocacy prompted him to move quickly.

The ban introduces a graduated enforcement system, according to Jakarta Globe.

First-time offenders will receive a written warning, and any animals or meat found with them will be seized for observation, particularly where signs of rabies are present.

Dog meat enthusiasts enjoy a dish at a food stall in Jakarta ( AFP via Getty )

A second breach triggers full confiscation of stock. Continued violations can lead to business closures, and further non-compliance may result in the permanent revocation of business licences.

A six-month grace period will apply before active enforcement begins, according to the AFP, though the regulation itself is already in effect.

Officials say the transition window is intended to allow businesses to adjust and for authorities to prepare monitoring mechanisms.

Indonesia remains one of the few countries where dog or cat meat is still sold for consumption, although public opposition has grown and several municipalities have introduced local bans in recent years.

Dogs are considered unclean under mainstream Islamic teaching  Indonesia is the worlds largest Muslim-majority country  and are rarely kept as household pets, but dog meat persists as a delicacy in certain regional communities and as a low-cost protein source in parts of Asia.

Animal-rights groups hailed Jakartas move as a major breakthrough. Dog Meat Free Indonesia told AFP that the new policy aligns with the mandate of the constitution to protect all Indonesian people and to become a just and civilised nation.

Rabies remains a significant public-health concern in Indonesia, where dozens die each year from the disease.

The World Health Organization attributes several dozen annual deaths to rabies across the archipelago, while the health ministry recorded 25 fatalities between January and March 2025 alone.

The Jakarta administration says the new regulation is designed to strengthen public-health safeguards and reduce opportunities for the virus to spread via animal handling and slaughter.

I hope this helps protect and improve the health of Jakarta residents, the governor said in a statement posted on his official Instagram account.
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Torrential downpours have unleashed deadly flash floods and triggered devastating landslides across Indonesias Sumatra island, claiming the lives of at least 10 people and leaving six others unaccounted for, police confirmed on Wednesday.

Rescue teams are battling arduous conditions to reach affected communities across six North Sumatra regencies.

Monsoon rains over the past week caused rivers to burst their banks, unleashing torrents of mud, rocks, and trees that tore through hilly villages, causing widespread destruction, the National Police said.

In Sibolga, the worst-hit city, emergency workers had by Wednesday recovered five bodies and three injured people; four villagers remain missing.

In neighbouring Central Tapanuli, landslides tragically claimed at least a family of four, while floods submerged nearly 2,000 homes and buildings.

Elsewhere, floods and landslides uprooted trees, killing one villager and injuring another in South Tapanuli.

A bridge was destroyed in Mandailing Natal, and 470 houses inundated. On Nias island, a main road was blocked by mud and debris.

open image in gallery Rescue workers by Wednesday had recovered at least five bodies and three injured people in the worst-hit city of Sibolga and were searching for four villagers who were reported missing ( BASARNAS )

Harrowing social media videos show water cascading down rooftops as terrified residents scramble for safety, flash floods rapidly transforming streets into raging torrents carrying tree trunks and wreckage.

Sibolga police chief Eddy Inganta said emergency shelters have been set up, with authorities urging residents in high-risk zones to evacuate immediately. He warned that continued rainfall could trigger more landslides, after six such incidents in the hilly city already flattened 17 houses and a cafe.

Bad weather and mudslides hampered the rescue operation, Inganta said, adding that access remains limited as rescuers battle harsh conditions.

Tuesdays disasters occurred the same day the National Disaster Mitigation Agency declared the official end of relief efforts in two areas of Indonesias main island of Java after 10 days of operations.

More than 1,000 rescue workers had been deployed to search for people buried under landslides triggered by torrential rains that left 38 people dead in Central Java's districts of Cilacap and Banjarnegara.

open image in gallery Sibolga police chief Eddy Inganta said emergency shelters have been set up, with authorities urging residents in high-risk zones to evacuate immediately ( BASARNAS )

At least two people in Cilacap and 11 in Banjarnegara were still unaccounted for when the operations ended, as unstable ground, bad weather and the depth and extent of the landfill material pose a high safety risk to rescue teams and residents, the agency said.

Heavy seasonal rain from about October to March frequently causes flooding and landslides in Indonesia, an archipelago of 17,000 islands where millions of people live in mountainous areas or near fertile floodplains.
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Thailand is battling its worst flooding in decades that has killed at least 33 people, affected over 2.7 million, and submerged entire neighbourhoods under metres of water.

The city of Hat Yai, a major commercial hub near the Malaysian border, has been hit especially hard, recording 335mm of rainfall in a single day, the heaviest in 300 years, according to Thai officials. The region remains underwater after a week of relentless rain.

Helicopters were preparing on Wednesday to move patients trapped inside the Hat Yai hospital after its ground floor flooded, cutting off access to medical supplies and power systems.

Today, all intensive care patients will be transported out of Hat Yai Hospital, public health ministry official Somrerk Chungsaman said, adding that around 2,000 people, including patients, relatives and staff, remained inside the building.

Rescue crews also transported generators to the hospital roof, according to images posted by the navy.

The military said 20 helicopters and 200 boats had been deployed but fast currents and submerged roads hindered efforts to reach stranded families.

Government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat said rescue teams were struggling to access parts of the city.

Thailands only aircraft carrier, the HTMS Chakri Naruebet, was sent out on Tuesday to aid rescue efforts, with the navy saying it would provide air support, medical assistance and meals.

People wade through a flood street in Hat Yai in Thailand's southern Songkhla province ( AFP via Getty )

Flooding has swept across nine Thai provinces, submerging vehicles, inundating markets and cutting off electricity to entire districts.

More than 980,000 homes have been affected, according to the interior ministry.

Some 13,000 have been moved to shelters so far. Many remain stranded without drinking water and food.

Online videos show residents wading through floodwaters rising up to their chests while others huddle on rooftops waiting for boats.

Thailand is one of several Southeast Asian nations lashed by a strong storm system in recent days.

In Malaysia, more than 19,000 people have been forced from their homes, with 126 evacuation centres opened in northern border regions. Floodwaters in Kelantan and Perlis reached knee-deep in some areas, officials told local media.

In Indonesia, at least 19 people have been killed in the North Sumatra region by floods and landslides, with more feared missing, according to the National Search and Rescue Agency.

The Thai meteorological department has forecast heavy rainfall and scattered thunderstorms across its southern provinces like Songkhla, where Hat Yai lies.

The cabinet has declared Songkhla a disaster zone, freeing up emergency funds for relief operations.

Authorities warn that conditions may worsen in the coming days.

The volunteer Matchima Rescue Centre told Reuters it had received thousands of requests for evacuation in the past three days as calls for help continued to surge.
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Rachel Reeves has effectively cut the cash ISA limit in Wednesdays Budget, with the cap set to drop from 20,000 to 12,000  though there is one notable exception for over-65s.

The move, seen as a bid to encourage more people towards investing rather than only saving in cash, has prompted a mixed reaction from consumers and businesses.

Ask Me Anything: Join our personal finance expert LIVE on Thursday 27 November

Many savers will not feel the impact of a cut on a day to day (or year to year, more specifically) limit, bearing in mind the difficulty many people have in saving upwards of 1,000 per month. But they could still be hit when they come into a lump sum  through inheritance, for example, or a property sale.

Either way, some people clearly want to move money before limits are cut. One cash ISA provider, Plum, told The Independent theyd seen a 49 per cent spike in the amount deposited into accounts between 15 October and 15 November, while another, Trading 212, confirmed that two in five (40 per cent) customers deposited more than 12,000 into their cash ISA each year.

Follow our live Budget updates HERE

So what are the next possible moves for your cash, what are the rules around the different options and  the question the chancellor wants people to answer yes to  should you be starting to invest?

ISA limits and rules

First things first, the full ISA limit of 20,000 is not being reduced. Its just the cash ISA limit, which is coming down.

open image in gallery Chancellor Rachel Reeves has cut the cash ISA limit in Wednesdays Budget ( Getty/iStock )

Similar to how you can put a maximum of 4,000 into a lifetime ISA and still put another 16,000 elsewhere, you will still be able to utilise the additional 8,000 of your annual allowance in different tax-free products if you max out the cash ISA limit.

So, for example, if you had the full amount to use, you might opt to save 12,000 in a cash ISA, 4,000 in a lifetime version and the remaining 4,000 in a stocks and shares investing ISA. Rachel Reeves framed the change as 8,000 of the annual allowance being reserved for investing.

This is expected to come into effect from 2027.

Over-65s exemption

The sole exemption from this rule change will be over-65s. Those who come into that age bracket will retain the full 20,000 allowance, being able to go into cash ISAs, if they wish.

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This is down to investing being more suited for those who have a longer timeframe, to allow for market corrections and to see the benefits of compounding.

Protecting the full cash ISA allowance for over-65s is a smart move that will enable pensioners to de-risk as they enter retirement, recognising a greater need for more accessible and lower-risk savings, but further limits tax-efficient vehicles for those under 65 looking to save securely, noted Rob Hillock, head of personal financial planning at consultancy firm Broadstone.

Saving is still an option

If you have more than 12,000 annually to put away into savings and you want it to stay in accessible cash, you still can  you just need to be aware of tax implications.

Basic rate taxpayers can earn 1,000 in interest before paying any tax, which is known as the personal savings allowance.

Given that top interest-paying easy access accounts right now are about 4.5 per cent, it means you could have 22,000 in an account paying that rate and yielding 990 in interest. Nothing would be payable on that (assuming it didnt push you into the next tax band, added to your total income).

open image in gallery Basic rate taxpayers can earn 1,000 in interest before paying any tax ( Getty/iStock )

For higher rate taxpayers, its a 500 limit, and additional rate payers get no PSA at all.

Interest earned beyond that threshold becomes taxable  and remember its all interest earned, so if you have multiple accounts or income from trust funds, government bonds and even some life insurance contracts, that all goes towards the total.

The wider question from these amounts is how much you need in accessible savings. Theres more on that below.

Pension payments

Although many people have a workplace pension, that is one area which also faces probable disruption during the Budget, with limits set on how much salary sacrifice can be made before national insurance contributions are no longer exempt.

But you can also put spare cash towards your retirement if you dont need it in savings.

Self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs) are ones you manage yourself, while many providers offer ready-made pensions or different styles depending on your age and other factors  you just pay in, and they decide where your money goes, to grow over time before you need it in retirement.

Pending any changes to this type of pension from the Budget, it remains tax-efficient over time as gains inside pensions are tax-free, though be aware of the rules around tax for when it comes time to take money out of your pension.

Investing and risk

And so to investing. Some people have an aversion to the word itself and think its not for me  sometimes without realising its already what they do when they have a pension.

It simply means your money is in other types of assets rather than just cash, but if you are risk-averse and want 20,000 in your ISA each year, there are still ways around that.

For example, some providers pay interest on uninvested cash in an investing ISA. Or, you could buy whats known as money market funds  these are designed to be low-risk assets made up of things like Treasury bonds, short-term securities and other things. They are seen as short-term options if you dont want to leave cash earning nothing at all, as you can still get a return, and the market for them is usually liquid  in other words, you can sell them quickly when you need the cash.

But this misses the wider point of investing, which is that over time, it usually can give better returns than just cash alone.

open image in gallery When products, adverts or companies talk about investing being more risky, its because they are legally obligated to ( Getty )

Experts generally agree that people need between three and six months of essential costs in easily accessible cash  exactly how much depends on your circumstances (secure job industry, how many dependents, and so on) and your tolerance of having a safety net.

Beyond that, extra cash that you dont need in the next few years  if you plan to buy a house next year, for example, its probably not for you  can often be better put to use by investing.

When products, adverts or companies talk about investing being more risky, its because they are legally obligated to. It doesnt mean you risk losing everything; its more that when you take on more risk with your money, you expect to be paid more in return for that additional risk.

As such, while it can carry more risk to invest in a single company which could lose value on the stock market  or could double in value  its less risky to invest in a fund, a group of companies which share a common trait, such as being listed on the London Stock Exchange. So a fund is less likely to go up or down in value by as much as a single stock might do.

Whatever you decide to do with your money, its important to get all the details and facts first, have a clear assessment of your own needs and likely requirements in the future, and then act with a plan in mind.
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He was a family man, highly respected in his community. But today, Paul Doyle faces a lengthy prison sentence after admitting driving a car into a crowd at Liverpools victory parade  turning a day of celebration into devastation.

From the outside, Doyle appeared to have it all.

Neighbours say he was happily married with three children and lived in a detached four-bedroom home in a leafy area of Liverpool.

He was fit and appeared to have been successful in his career  an ex-Royal Marine Commando who had later run his own firm before working in cybersecurity.

open image in gallery Paul Doyle, 54, has pleaded guilty to a string of offences after driving his car into a crowd of supporters during the Liverpool FC victory parade in May ( Facebook )

But on 26 May, the 54-year-old sent shockwaves through the nation when he drove a Ford Galaxy vehicle past a roadblock and into supporters as they walked away from the Liverpool FC victory parade event, striking the heart of a city united in jubilation.

A total of 134 people were injured, including a six-month-old baby.

At an earlier court appearance, Doyle, whose address was given as Croxteth, Liverpool, was accused of using his car as a weapon. At a later appearance, he pleaded not guilty to 31 charges relating to 29 victims, aged between six months and 77 years.

But on Wednesday, on the second day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court, he dramatically changed his pleas and admitted all the offences against him.

Sarah Hammond, chief crown prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said it was an act of calculated violence. She said: This was not a momentary lapse by Paul Doyle  it was a choice he made that day.

Who is Paul Doyle?

Doyle was married to his wife for 20 years and had three children, neighbours said.

The family lived in a smart detached home at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, where spacious properties command an average selling price of 217,000.

Doyles LinkedIn profile says he was a Royal Marine commando between 1990 and 1994 before working in IT and cybersecurity.

He graduated with a BSc in Psychology and Maths from the University of Liverpool in 1998 and set up his own retail business, called Far Out Caps, 10 years later.

Neighbours say he was working in cybersecurity at the time of the offence.

Outside of work, people who knew him said he was sporty, and he would often be seen running or on his bicycle when outside the house.

Photos on social media show him enjoying various family holidays, including trips to Disneyland, Florida and Dubai.

What charges did Doyle plead guilty to?

Paul Doyle pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, affray and 17 charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent.

He also admitted nine counts of causing GBH with intent and three counts of wounding with intent.

A jury had been sworn in for his trial on Tuesday, but the following day, when the prosecution case was due to be opened, Doyle was asked to re-enter his pleas to the charges.

open image in gallery Doyle appearing at Liverpool Magistrates Court after his arrest in May ( PA )

He sat with his head down and sobbed as he changed his pleas, speaking with a broken voice as he occasionally wiped away tears as the charges were read to him again.

What happened at the Liverpool victory parade?

Up to one million supporters had gathered to celebrate Liverpools 20th Premier League victory in a 10-mile parade in the city on Monday 26 May.

But as they left, Doyle drove past a roadblock on Water Street and ploughed into the crowd. In May, Merseyside Police said they believed the driver had followed an ambulance onto Water Street after a roadblock was temporarily lifted for crews to attend to a person having a heart attack.

open image in gallery A total of 134 people were injured, with 50 taken to hospital ( PA )

Mobile phone footage showed the car coming to a stop amid screams from the crowd. Seconds later, it lurched forward again before finally coming to a stop.

Emergency services rushed to the scene with fire crews rescuing four people trapped under the vehicle, including a child.

As Doyle was arrested, nearby restaurants were turned into emergency shelters as some of those injured were treated while police began the major investigation.

After 72 hours of questioning, Doyle was charged and appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court the following day.

He shook his head as the prosecutor Philip Astbury told the court he allegedly drove deliberately at a crowd of people, and at a later court hearing pleaded not guilty to a series of charges related to the crash.
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Dozens of firefighters tackled a blaze in an underground tunnel in central London.

Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters arrived at the scene on Theobalds Road, by the junction of Southampton Row in Holborn on Wednesday.

The fire is now under control and there were no reports of injuries, but the crew will remain at the scene throughout the afternoon.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) will now launch an investigation as the cause of the fire remains unknown.

Steve Whymark, 39, a hospitality compliance and support officer who works in the area, said his contract work was cancelled for the day and he will have to return at a later date.

open image in gallery At this stage the cause of the fire remains unknown ( X/@LondonFire )

He described to The Independent how flames could be seen coming out of the manhole on the corner.

After being evacuated from his office building, Mr Whymark waited with his colleagues outside for around two-and-a-half hours.

Bloomsbury Square was filled to the brim with people from offices and a nearby construction site, he said.

It was very cold having to wait, but I was thankful it was dry at least. As I had keys inside the building, I could not leave before getting them, so it was just a case of standing around waiting for an update.

open image in gallery LFB sent crews from Soho, Euston, Shoreditch, Islington, Lambeth and surrounding fire stations to the scene ( Lucy North/PA Wire )

He claimed the fire had also caused issues for some places in accepting card payments, but he was able to visit a coffee shop that accepted Apple Pay.

Station commander Paul Morgan said: "Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were initially mobilised to the scene, where crews discovered a fire involving high-voltage electrical cables below street level.

"Due to the challenging and hazardous nature of the incident, an additional four fire engines were requested to attend, taking the total to ten appliances. This is expected to be a prolonged operation given the complexity of tackling a fire within an underground electrical tunnel.

open image in gallery Dozens of firefighters are tackling a blaze in an underground tunnel in central London ( X/@LondonFire )

"Firefighters are working closely with partner agencies to safely bring the incident under control while minimising disruption.

"The incident is causing significant disruption in central London, with multiple road closures and a safety cordon currently in place. Several bus routes have been diverted, and the public is advised to avoid the area where possible.

"Our community engagement team is on site providing support to local residents and businesses affected by the fire.

LFB's 999 control officers have taken 18 calls to the fire and sent crews from Soho, Euston, Shoreditch, Islington, Lambeth and surrounding fire stations to the scene.
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Vulnerable migrants held in UK detention centres are routinely being handcuffed, with some detained for hours, a damning report has found.

Examples of unnecessary force include a frail 70-year-old man being handcuffed during a hospital visit, despite having no history of being disruptive, and another man subjected to rigid bar cuffs and a waist-restraint belt, as well as thigh and ankle restraints, for over four-and-a-half hours.

Force and restraints should only be used as a last resort. Still, inspectors at the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), which oversees prisons and detention centres, found this was largely being disregarded by immigration staff.

The IMB report, published on Wednesday, found that force had been disproportionately used against people recorded as vulnerable, and healthcare staff were not notified quickly enough when it did happen. In one case, it took staff more than four hours to tell medics that a man had been restrained despite him banging his head repeatedly on a wooden bed frame.

It said cases, such as those highlighted, were impacting peoples willingness to attend hospital appointments due to the stigma of being handcuffed.

People held at Brook House Immigration Removal Centre respond to demonstrators from migrants rights groups protesting against plans to send migrants to Rwanda in June 2022 ( PA )

In another case, a man who was at risk of self-harm or suicide was restrained when he was moved from a detention centre to an airport for deportation. The man removed his trousers during the journey and was carried naked from the waist down onto the aircraft, soiling himself in the process. He screamed at the escorting staff and threw off a blanket meant to cover him up. Staff then took turns kneeling or standing on the seat in front to push his head against his own seat, the report found.

An enforcement officer threatened a detained migrant with pain in another case, with a review of the incident failing to acknowledge the threat. In another case, a staff member who used force against a migrant then conducted the review of the incident themselves.

Elisabeth Davies, IMB national chair, said: The findings of this report are deeply concerning. For the use of force to be lawful, it must be necessary, reasonable, proportionate and justifiable, but what we are seeing is a system where restraint has become routine, oversight is weak, and the dignity of detained individuals is too often disregarded.

Ms Davies warned that too little was being done to learn the lessons of the Brook House inquiry, which was launched after a 2017 undercover Panorama investigation filmed shocking scenes of abuse against detainees.

The Home Office is still not doing enough to prevent such failures from happening again, Ms Davies said.

Kate Eves, who chaired the Brook House inquiry, told The Independent: Two years after the findings of the statutory inquiry into abuse at Brook House, it is extremely concerning to see the same issues being identified. There should be no doubt that the excessive use of force, combined with a lack of robust safeguards, contributes to a toxic environment where mistreatment of vulnerable people becomes more likely.

She said the IMB report suggests that, despite reassurances, lessons have not been learned.

A spokesperson for the charity Medical Justice, which supports people in detention, said the Home Office had an inexcusable disregard for the safety of vulnerable people in its care.

One man named Said, who the charity supported before his removal to France under the UK-France treaty, said belts were used to restrain him during his deportation.

He told the charity: [Enforcement staff] started to open their bags and take out four different belts, and they started to forcefully use them and tie me. They banged my head against the wall several times while I was screaming in pain, but they were not kind to me.

The belt that was tied around my shoulders got stuck in my throat. I started screaming and saying I want to die, untie the belt from my neck, but they thought I just wanted to be let go.

Gatwick immigration detention centre reported that almost all migrants taken to hospital appointments in 2024 and early 2025 were handcuffed, with inspectors finding restraint had become a default rather than the exception.

Detainees were also being routinely handcuffed at Luton Airport when escorted to removal flights.

A Home Office spokesperson said: Last week, the home secretary announced the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in modern times, which will make it easier to remove and deport migrants. As part of this, we are reforming human rights laws and replacing the broken appeals system.

We will carefully consider the findings in the report. The Home Office reviews all incidents of use of force to ensure that techniques are used proportionately."
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Britains first AI police virtual assistant has been launched in a bid to provide a new way for the public to contact them.

The virtual assistant, who has been named Bobbi, has been launched as part of a trial by both Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, and Thames Valley Police.

The forces combined to jointly develop the assistant to address frequently asked, non-emergency questions, offering a new way for the public to engage with them.

A spokesperson for the forces said: Bobbi will interact with you like a human, but is entirely automated.

This is the first time this technology has been used in policing in the UK and offers an additional service, alongside our online forms, telephone lines and front counters, for those who prefer to use a virtual assistant to ask questions and seek help or advice.

You cannot use the technology to report a crime or as an alternative to the emergency 999 line.

Bobbi has been tested by over 200 people during its development, including by representatives from victim care groups and independent scrutiny panel members.

Thames Valley Police is one of the forces involved in the trial ( Tim Ockenden/PA )

The spokesperson added that Bobbi would make suggestions and recommendations using the same guidelines and information available to the human call handlers at the forces.

They added: If Bobbi is unable to answer your question or if you specify that you want to speak to a person, your chat will be directed to one of our digital desk operators  who are all real people.

Chief Superintendent Simon Dodds, head of contact management for both forces, said: This is a really exciting time for us as we trial this technology in policing.

Locally and nationally, contact into the police increases year-on-year, online and over the phone, and it is important that the valuable skillset of our call handlers and digital desk operators is spent on emergencies and complex, sensitive issues.

Empathy, common sense and that intangible gut instinct are some of the many human skills that need to guide our interactions with the public, particularly in their time of need.

By providing quick responses to commonly asked, non-emergency questions, Bobbi will enhance our service to our communities, ensuring that every member of the public can get the help they need, whenever they need it.

Bobbi will always remain as a work in progress, so whilst we are launching the technology today after an intense building and testing period, our experienced staff will continue to train it to fix any bugs, remain up-to-date with legislation and policies and evolve the technology in line with the needs of our communities.
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Rachel Reeves has been accused of misleading the public on the state of the countrys finances to justify 26bn worth of tax hikes in her Budget.

There had been dire warnings that the chancellor faced a 20bn black hole, and in an extraordinary speech on 4 November, she signalled higher taxes were likely, blaming Donald Trumps tariff war and the Budget watchdogs expected downgrade of economic productivity for the hard choices she would be forced to make.

But it has now emerged that Ms Reevess comments came days after the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) told her the economic picture had significantly improved and that, instead of a deficit, she had a surplus of 4.2bn.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch called for the chancellor, whose Budget was seen as make-or-break for her political future, to be sacked, saying she had lied to the public to justify record tax hikes and was bribing Labour MPs to save her own skin.

Downing Street denied Ms Reeves had misled the public and the markets. I dont accept that, the prime ministers official spokesperson said.

But Paul Johnson, a former head of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), said: I think it [her November 4 press conference] probably was misleading.

He said her words were clearly intended to confirm what independent forecasters such as the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) had been saying, after it predicted Ms Reeves would have to fill a multi-billion-pound black hole in the nations finances.

open image in gallery Reeves has been accused of misleading the public and the markets ( PA Wire )

Mr Johnson said the speech was designed to confirm a narrative that there was a fiscal black hole that needed to be filled with significant tax rises. In fact, as she knew at the time, no such hole existed.

The row comes after a new letter published on Friday by the OBR to the Commons Treasury select committee revealed that it told the chancellor as early as 17 September that the funding gap would be much smaller than originally thought at 2.5bn. And in October, she was told it had disappeared altogether.

When it later emerged on 13 November that Ms Reeves had ditched plans to raise income tax, Treasury sources briefed that she had decided against the move after receiving better-than-expected economic forecasts from the OBR.

However, the OBR suggested it had provided ministers with no new forecasting in November.

No changes were made to our pre-measures forecast after October 31, the watchdogs letter to the Treasury select committee said.

In an interview with The Guardian on Friday, Ms Reeves insisted she made fair and necessary choices in the Budget, and that she was unwilling to make cuts.

She added it should be the responsibility of Britains wealthy to take on the burden of rebuilding the countrys creaky public services, and denied that that working-age people were being asked to carry more of the burden than pensioners.

I wasnt willing to cut public services, because people voted for change at the election, she said. Well never get out of this problem of weak growth unless weve got investment in the economy, and were investing in things to boost our productivity.

The chancellor also addressed leadership speculation after a rocky few weeks for the prime minister, but insisted the party was behind Sir Keir Starmer.

We all know what happened in the last government, when they went through leaders and chancellors, she said. It was bad for the country.

Responding to the revelations, the current director of the IFS, Helen Miller, wrote on X (Twitter): [Rachel Reeves] was not handed a big fiscal repair job... Why then that odd breakfast TV speech?

Her colleague, economist Ben Zaranko, said he was baffled and questioned: Was the plan to lead everyone to expect a big income tax rise, then surprise them on the day by not doing it... ?

Shadow chancellor, Sir Mel Stride, told The Telegraph that Labours story did not add up. It was all a smokescreen. Labour knew all along that they did not need to raise taxes and break their promises, he said.

But NIESR deputy director Stephen Millard said Ms Reevess actions could be looked at both ways.

open image in gallery Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch has called for Reeves to be sacked ( PA Wire )

He said: It could be argued that the chancellor misled the public, and importantly the financial markets, in the run-up to the budget  and particularly in her speech on 4 November  when she presented the fiscal position as being bleak and stressed the need for significant tax rises.

However, it is equally possible that she simply wanted to prepare the public for the large tax increases in the Budget that were necessary for her to build a bigger buffer against her fiscal rules, something that NIESR argued for in our Autumn Economic Outlook.

If this were the case, then actually it would be important to let the markets know that she was serious about raising taxes, which the 4 November speech did. Although we feel that the 22bn buffer is not enough  we advocated 30bn  increasing the size of the buffer does make it less likely that the OBRs March forecast will require a further response from her (like it did back in March of this year), allowing her to stick to her pledge of only one fiscal event next year.

On Wednesday, Ms Reeves unveiled 26bn worth of tax hikes in what she branded a Labour values Budget. In moves to appease the left in her party, she announced a package of measures that included 43 separate tax rises, which, according to Sir Mel, took the tax burden in the UK to its highest level in history.

That included freezing thresholds on income tax, dragging millions more people into paying higher taxes.

The tax raid will help to pay for a 73bn increase in welfare spending following the abolition of the two-child benefit cap and after a revolt by Labour MPs over attempts to slash the benefits bill before the summer. Ms Reeves has also given herself bigger headroom against her borrowing rules.

A Treasury spokesperson said the chancellor made her Budget choices to cut the cost of living, cut hospital waiting lists and double headroom to cut the cost of our debt.

We take Budget security extremely seriously and believe its important to preserve a private space for Treasury/OBR policy and forecast discussions, so we welcome the OBRs confirmation that this will not become usual practice, the spokesperson added.
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Rachel Reeves has confirmed at the Budget that a version of the much-speculated mansion tax will be introduced in the UK, placing a new charge on high-value properties.

Under the plans, owners of properties valued at over 2 million will soon begin paying a regular annual charge, which will be added to their existing council tax bill.

Beginning in April 2028, this will set homeowners back at least an extra 2,500, and 7,500 at most.

The property values will not be based on the last point of purchase, but rather on new valuations to be carried out by the Valuation Office. This will reflect their value in 2026.

These values will then be used to sort properties into one of four bands. Those worth 2 million to 2.5 million will have a surchage of 2,500; 2.5 to 3.5 million of 3,500; 3.5 to 5 million of 5,000; and those worth 5 million of 7,500.

The government has announced a consultation on the measures, meaning not all details are confirmed. Ms Reeves has said these will evaluate how a deferral scheme could work.

Previous reports had indicated homeowners would be able to defer the cost until they die or move house to avoid forcing them to sell up.

It has also not been revealed how the government will draw the line to decide which properties to revalue, but say that the Valuation Offices revaluation programme will be targeted and recur every five years.

It had been floated before the Budget that it would be done by looking at only the 2.4 million properties in the top three council tax bands (F, G and H) across the UK.

The new surcharge will boost government funds by 400 million by 2031, the OBR forecasts, with Ms Reeves claiming it will be charged on less than the top one per cent of properties.

Unlike regular council tax, the surcharge will go to central government coffers, rather than to the local authorities in which they are charged.

It is the closest the chancellor has come to announcing a form of wealth tax in the Budget, which political opponents on the left had called for in the build up to the event.

Those affected mostly reside in London and the South East, with around 90 per cent of the UKs properties worth 2bn plus being located in or around Greater London.

While many have welcomed a mansion tax in some form, this new measure will certainly be considered one of the softer versions she could have chosen.

Furthermore, many economists had called on the chancellor to consider a complete overhaul of the property tax system, beginning with council tax, which still charges home owners based on valuations carried out in 1991.

Addressing some of the criticisms of this system, the Treasury said: Under the current system, the average band D charge for a typical family home across England is 2,280. That is 250 more per year than a 10 million property in Mayfair, based on the band H charge in the City of Westminster, currently pays.

This surcharge will change that, implementing a significant reform to improve fairness within Englands property tax system.

Former IFS director Paul Johnson toldThe Independent last month that the government should reform taxes so that council tax is proportional to the current value of a property, whilst also scrapping stamp duty.

He added that a mansion tax on properties worth more than 2 million makes some sense, but he warned that it wouldnt raise anywhere near enough to fill a significant hole.

Such houses are definitely undertaxed at present, he said. Id be much happier with a proper comprehensive reform of property taxes which made council tax proportional to current value and got rid of stamp duty.
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Nigel Farage has been accused of persistent racial abuse by a school contemporary who rejects the Reform UK leaders claims it was banter.

Peter Ettedgui, whose Jewish grandparents escaped Nazi Germany, has alleged Mr Farage growled Hitler was right, hissed gas them and told him to the gas chambers when the pair attended Dulwich College in the late 1970s.

He is among more than a dozen former pupils of the south London school who have accused Mr Farage of making antisemitic and racist remarks in claims originally reported in The Guardian.

The Reform UK leader appeared to leave open the possibility he may have made racist remarks without intent during his first interview since the claims were published, telling ITV on Monday: I would never, ever do it in a hurtful or insulting way. He also admitted to engaging in banter in a playground.

But in a prepared statement given on Tuesday, Mr Farage categorically denied he had ever made such comments and suggested the claims were politically motivated.

Mr Ettedgui, a Bafta-winning film director, has now told The Times it is no surprise that the Reform leader has denied the allegations.

open image in gallery Farage categorically denies he had ever made such racist comments ( PA )

He told the newspaper: This is no surprise, he has been denying any kind of racist behaviour since 2013.

Last week, a spokesman from Reform not only denied it but said The Guardian was trying to smear him, but maybe yesterday actually felt like a tiny step forward. At one point, he admitted to probably misspeaking in my younger days when I was a child, and then saying it was just banter.

And there was this thing that it was the 1970s and a different era. Certainly I never experienced anything remotely similar to the kinds of things he said to me, either before or since.

So, it wasnt banter, banter was calling someone a y**  this was different, it was persistent. It was throughout the year that we shared a class, in class 3R, and we were seated in alphabetical order, 30-odd kids, I was right next to him.

But Mr Farage has insisted he never engaged in direct, unpleasant, personal abuse during his time as a schoolboy at the top private school.

I can tell you categorically that I did not say the things that have been published in The Guardian aged 13, nearly 50 years ago, he said in his statement on Tuesday.

open image in gallery Peter Ettedgui, far right, a Bafta-winning film director, has accused Farage of making racist remarks when they were at school together ( Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP )

Isnt it interesting: I am probably the most scrutinised figure in British politics, having been in public life for 32 years.

Several books and thousands of stories have been written about me, but it is only now that my party is leading in the polls that these allegations come out. I will leave the public to draw their own conclusions about why that might be.

We know that The Guardian wants to smear anybody who talks about the immigration issue. But the truth is that I have done more in my career to defeat extremism and far-right politics than anybody else in the UK, from my time fighting the BNP right up to today.

Speaking to ITV on Monday night, the Reform leader was asked about claims of alleged incidents of deeply offensive behaviour throughout his teenage years.

This is 49 years ago, by the way. Forty-nine years ago. Have I ever tried to take it out on any individual on the basis of where theyre from? No.

open image in gallery The politician attended the top private school Dulwich College in south London ( Getty )

Asked to categorically rule out that he had engaged in racial abuse, Mr Farage said: I would never, ever do it in a hurtful or insulting way.

As he continued to face questions about the allegations, he replied: I had just entered my teens. Can I remember everything that happened at school? No, I cant.

Have I ever been part of an extremist organisation or engaged in direct, unpleasant, personal abuse, genuine abuse on that basis? No.

When asked again if he engaged in racial abuse at the school, Mr Farage replied: Not with intent.

Asked to elaborate, he replied: No, I have never directly, really tried to go and hurt anybody.

Mr Farage added: Have I said things 50 years ago that you could interpret as being banter in a playground, that you can interpret in the modern light of day in some sort of way? Yes.

Asked then if this meant he had abused people, Mr Farage replied: Ive never directly racially abused anybody. No.

A spokesperson for Mr Farage told The Independent the Reform leader will not be commenting further.
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With Labours second autumn Budget taking place today, speculation about further tax rises has grown rife.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves may need to find at least 22bn next month, pre-Budget research from the respected Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) found, as rising borrowing costs and weak growth forecasts drastically reduce her room for manoeuvre.

She has warned she will not be making easy choices at the fiscal event on 26 November, as No 10 looks appears less concrete on its commitment not to raise taxes on working people. This means no increase to the headline rates of income tax, VAT or national insurance contributions.

Should these three largest bases of tax revenue closed off, the chancellor has fewer places to look to raise revenue, making it more likely she will pick from a diverse range of taxation tweaks.

Changes to how property and capital gains are taxed have now been forecast by many economists, but some have also predicted that changes to pension policy could make an appearance.

open image in gallery Pre-Budget research has found that the chancellor may need to find at least 22bn next month ( PA )

Speaking in September, pensions minister Torsten Bell appeared to push back against the idea, saying: We should always be looking ahead with pension policy.

If you ever find yourself tweaking a pension policy to try and fix a problem thats happening right now, then youre in the wrong business, the MP told the Social Market Foundations pensions conference.

However, the former Resolution Foundation chief  who is also part of the chancellors Treasury team  stopped short of ruling out any policies when asked by The Independent, instead refusing to comment on Budget speculation.

A major change to pension policy also featured in last years Budget, when it was announced that defined contribution pensions would be subject to inheritance tax for the first time from April 2027.

Budget uncertainty changes pension saver plans

The uncertainty around the future of the pensions landscape has now had a knock-on effect on savers, providers are warning, as many rush to change their plans to get ahead of speculated tweaks.

Data from the Financial Conduct Authority shows that pension withdrawals were up by 36 per cent in 2024/25, rising from 52.2bn to 70.9bn.

open image in gallery Pensions minister Torsten Bell appeared to push back against the idea, saying: We should always be looking ahead with pension policy ( PA )

Investment platform AJ Bell agrees that it has seen pension savers adjusting their plans due to Budget speculation, and has launched a petition calling on the government to introduce a Pension Tax Lock  a commitment not to reduce the amount people can withdraw from their pension tax-free or the amount of tax relief given on pension contributions

Tom Selby, AJ Bells director of public policy, said: The constant speculation about the future of pension tax incentives damages peoples confidence in saving for retirement. Why should I lock my money up for decades if there is a risk the goalposts will be moved?

With the chancellors final decision remaining uncertain, here are the most likely options should she choose to take aim at pensions:

Cutting higher rates of tax relief

Pension tax relief effectively boosts savers contributions with a top-up from HMRC.

Savers who pay basic rate tax get a 20 per cent boost to their pension contributions, while higher rate taxpayers get 40 per cent, and additional rate earners get 45.

The scheme effectively ensures that no tax is paid on pension contributions. It is designed to encourage people to save more for retirement, as income that would be taxed as wages can instead go virtually untaxed as pension deposits.

open image in gallery Pension providers are warning that Budget speculation has caused some to change their plans ( Getty )

The proposal would see this relief cut back for high earners, meaning everyone gets pension tax relief at a flat rate of 20 per cent, regardless of their income tax bracket.

A report from the IFS last year found that this would create 15bn more a year for the Exchequer, the vast majority of which would come from those who are in the top fifth of earners.

Abolish or cap 25 per cent tax-free lump sum

Under current rules, people take a quarter of their private pension tax-free, up to a maximum of 268,275.

The estimated annual cost of this is 5.5bn, with 70 per cent of the relief going to pensions accumulated by those in the top fifth of earners, the IFS has previously found.

This could be changed, the influential think tank added, with the amount capped closer to 100,000. This could pull back around 2bn a year, researchers found, with losses concentrated among the relatively wealthy.

Either of these options may wash well with the chancellor, who told The Guardian on Wednesday that tax rises on the wealthy would be part of the story at the Budget, after previously ruling out a mooted wealth tax.

However, pensions minister Steve Webb warned last month that both of these policy changes would adversely affect public sector workers and likely be very politically damaging.
Will it all be over by Christmas? Volodymyr Zelensky has asked to see Donald Trump in the coming days for final consultations on a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine, now in its fourth winter. Trump himself has posted on social media that something good just may be happening".

The Americans seem to be in a hurry to get a peace deal signed off, while the Russians have at least shown some interest in ending the fighting, albeit very much on Moscows terms. But, of course, there have been many false dawns in the course of a conflict that has in fact lasted, on and off, since the first Russian invasion in 2014.

Why the rush?

It seems to be primarily a function of President Trumps habitual impatience and desire to add yet another peace deal to the seven or so he claims to have been responsible for so far. As is well known, he feels he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. Russia feels it is making gains on the battlefield but progress is slow and costly, and its economy is struggling. Ukraine fears running out of troops and losing vital US intelligence support, which Trump has threatened to withdraw if a deal isnt reached. Zelensky also has troubles at home over a major corruption scandal; peace with honour might help him stay in power. American and Russian officials are in talks in Abu Dhabi.

Whats in the deal?

We dont know for sure. What we do know is that it wont be the 28-point plan agreed between Trump and Putins envoys that was leaked last week. The Witkoff-Dmitriev Plan looked very much like a document produced by the Kremlin with a few concessions to Kyiv, perhaps for the sake of appearances. At that point it seemed that President Trump endorsed it and wanted to hand it to the Ukrainians on a take it or leave it basis, with the added threat to withdraw vital intelligence cooperation. In a social media post Trump repeated some old lines about Zelensky being ungrateful and giving his nation poor leadership.

Since then, the Europeans and Ukrainians have supplanted the Russian proposal with a new 19 point plan, which is more favourable to Ukraine, focusing on an immediate ceasefire followed by talks on the more difficult questions, such as territory. The talks in Geneva between US Secretary of state Marco Rubio and the Ukrainian delegation in Geneva seems to have been instrumental in ditching much of the Russian script.

What are the sticking points?

There are many. Territory is obviously one, and Ukraine wont accept the surrender of lands in the Donbas that the Russians havent even conquered  and which would gift Russia a strategic advantage in any future invasion. The willingness of Ukraine to cede land is intimately linked to the security guarantees on offer from the Americans and the Coalition of the Willing led by France and Britain. Other contentious issues include: the size of Ukrainian armed forces; membership of Nato; who pays to rebuild Ukraine; and Russia being allowed to rejoin the G7; and ending sanctions.

What do they agree on?

Ukraine seems to have given up on its ambition to reclaim Crimea and the easternmost parts of the country. Russia has also abandoned the swift and complete victory Putin dreamed of in February 2020. Ukraine can join the EU; prisoners will be returned.

Why is Zelensky going to Washington to meet Trump?

On the basis that Trumps foreign policy is aligned with whoever he last spoke to, its worth a go. However, as the world witnessed in the infamous Oval Office ambush in February, it could also go horribly wrong.

What will happen?

It is likely the Russians will want further concessions that the Ukrainians and the Europeans wont be able to accept. Given that Putin has always been content to just grind on with the war, thats the most likely thing to happen. But peace is closer than it was, and it might happen before the war enters its fourth year in February.
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Millions more people will be dragged into paying higher income tax after Rachel Reeves bet her political future on a 26bn tax raid on the middle classes in her make-or-break second Budget.

In what she branded a Labour values Budget, the chancellor moved to appease the left in her party with a package of measures that included 43 separate tax rises  according to shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride  taking the tax burden in the UK to its highest level in history. But she finally brought an end to the much-criticised two-child benefit cap, which campaigners say will help lift thousands of children out of poverty, and announced a 73bn splurge in welfare spending.

The decision to freeze tax thresholds in this Budget from 2028/29 onwards, to help fill a 20bn black hole in public finances, will raise 8bn in 2029-30 and drag one in four workers into the highest tax band. A further 780,000 people will pay tax for the first time.

open image in gallery Reeves branded the Budget one of Labour values ( PA )

In a wide-ranging Budget, the chancellor announced a raft of measures, including:

Pension contributions under salary sacrifice schemes of over 2,000 a year to be hit with national insurance contributions

Homes worth more than 2m will be slapped with a new mansion tax, while landlords will be hit by a 2 per cent tax hike

The welfare bill was set to rise by 73bn, taking it to above 400bn  up by 9bn  by 2030

A plan to cut energy bills by 150, as well as freezing rail fares and prescription charges

And she found cash for a 22bn safety buffer in case of more economic shocks after being hit by the Donald Trump tariffs this year

But the plans were not enough to generate the economic boost the chancellor had hoped for, with the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) watchdog downgrading her economic growth projections by 0.3 per cent and saying none of her measures helped improve the figure.

Speaking at a press conference at a hospital in London after the Budget, Ms Reeves insisted that the plans would build our economic resilience for the future.

She said: I have asked everyone to contribute  yes, for the security of our country and the brightness of its future. But I have kept that contribution as low as possible by reforming our tax system, making it fairer and stronger for the future.

open image in gallery The chancellors second Budget has been lampooned as the most chaotic in living memory ( House of Commons/UK Parliament )

Later, she added: I do recognise I am asking ordinary people to pay a little more, but I am asking those with the broadest shoulders to pay more. I acknowledge this has a cost to working people.

If you are asking if this was a Budget I wanted to deliver today, I would have rather the circumstances were different.

The chancellors second Budget has been lampooned as the most chaotic in living memory for the number of leaks and U-turns which preceded it. But she was further embarrassed when the OBR accidentally published its verdict on her plans minutes before she even got to her feet to announce them. It apologised for the leak and launched an inquiry.

At the top of the announcements was the decision to freeze income tax thresholds again until 2031, meaning that by then, 920,000 more people will be paying the 40p higher rate.

The chancellor admitted that this breached the election manifesto promise of not raising income tax, but insisted everyone must pay their part. But even the trade union Unison, which funds the Labour Party, warned that freezing thresholds was the opposite of putting money in working peoples pockets.

open image in gallery Kemi Badenoch said the Budget was a total humiliation for the chancellor and called for her to resign ( House of Commons )

Along with the income tax move, the chancellor also hit middle-class voters with a new limit of 12,000 a year on tax-free cash ISA savings, a landlord tax of an extra 2 per cent from rental earnings, and pension contributions made under salary sacrifice schemes of more than 2,000 per year will now be hit with national insurance contributions from 2029. There was also a mansion tax of 2,500 on properties worth 2m or more and 7,500 on properties worth more than 5m.

But she was loudly cheered when she announced the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap at an annual cost of 3.6bn, a move which she had initially resisted but was demanded by Labour MPs and child poverty campaigners, including the former prime minister Gordon Brown.

She agreed to hit gambling companies with a higher tax to help pay for it, raising the levy on remote gaming from 21 per cent to 40 per cent, and on online betting from 15 per cent to 25 per cent.

Ms Reeves also abandoned welfare cuts and allowed the bill to rise by 73bn to more than 400bn by 2030 after the humiliation of the U-turn on attempted benefits cuts before the summer.

open image in gallery Reeves, Starmer and health secretary Wes Streeting on a hospital visit after the Budget ( PA )

And drivers of electric vehicles will have to pay 3p per mile in a new tax, which could include miles driven abroad because it will be calculated on MOT data.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said the Budget was a total humiliation for Ms Reeves and called for her to resign. She claimed the Budget was littered with broken promises and really should be her last, adding that Ms Reeves has lost credibility and trust with the public.

She said: Its a total humiliation. Last year she put up taxes by 40bn, the biggest tax raid in British history. She promised that she wouldn't be back for more. She swore it was a one-off. She told everyone that from now on it would be stability, and she would pay for everything with growth. Today, she has broken every single one of those promises. If she had any decency, she would resign.

Meanwhile, the Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, predicted the chancellors pensions raid could collapse the private pension market. It is an assault on aspiration and an assault on saving, he said.

In its initial Budget reaction, the Institute for Fiscal Studies said the chancellor had found a way to cobble together a sizeable package without increasing the main rates of national insurance contributions, VAT or income tax. But business warned over her failure to improve economic growth. Tina McKenzie, policy chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: This tax-raising Budget shows the peril of a continuing economic doom loop  we must not be in the same place again next year, with more tax hikes to balance the books due to a lack of economic growth. The tax burden at a record high is the cost of failure to get growth and trim spending.
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Kemi Badenoch has launched an extraordinary personal attack on Rachel Reeves just moments after the chancellor delivered her widely anticipated Budget, accusing her of whining over misogyny claims.

The Conservative leader diverted from criticising Labours raft of tax hikes on Wednesday to tell MPs the chancellor was wallowing in self-pity.

Responding to the chancellors wide-ranging economic announcement, Ms Badenoch told the Commons, people are not complaining because she is female, they are complaining because she is utterly incompetent.

It comes after Ms Reeves, who is the UKs first female chancellor, called out misogynistic criticism she faced in the build-up to the Budget, telling The Times she was sick of people mansplaining how to be chancellor to me.

open image in gallery Kemi Badenoch accused Ms Reeves of wallowing in self-pity ( House of Commons )

Following her comments, former home secretary and now Tory backbencher James Cleverley said Ms Reeves was right about misogyny in politics while discussing on Times Radio the abuse he has seen his female colleagues endure.

But on Wednesday, the Tory leader chose to take aim at Ms Reeves personally, saying her comments show a woman wallowing in self-pity, whining about mansplaining and misogyny.

Real equality means being held to the same standards as everyone else, being judged on results. She says she wants people to respect her: respect is earned, Ms Badenoch said.

She later asked if Sir Keir Starmer was mansplaining and if she needed help as the two were caught in discussions while Ms Badenoch responded to the Budget.

open image in gallery Rachel Reeves is the UKs first female chancellor ( House of Commons )

Ms Badenoch said she opposed the Governments decision to scrap the two child cap on child benefit and said the so called mansion tax on properties worth more than 2 million would hit home owners and raise little in extra revenue.

Ms Badenoch said: This is Labours Britain. Labour should be renamed the welfare party. People who work hard and save hard to buy their own homes get taxed more while those who dont work, and in some cases, refuse to work, get their accommodation paid for by the taxpayer.

She also said modest Budget measures such as curbing rail fare increases were an attempt to distract attention from major tax rises which showed Ms Reeves was a Chancellor who steals your wallet.

Ms Reeves and Sir Keir had lost all credibility, said Ms Badenoch, who compared them to the Hollywood Silent Movie comedy duo Laurel and Hardy, renaming the Chancellor and Prime Minister Laurel and Foolhardy.

The Budget was an exercise in self delusion from a Chancellor whose policies had failed, she added.

Ms Reeves was subject to intense scrutiny in the run-up to the autumn Budget as questions loomed over how she would fill the 20bn black hole in public finances.

Commentators handed her nicknames, including Rachel from accounts and Rachel from complaints, as she geared up for the economic announcement widely touted as make-or-break for her career.

Speaking to The Times last week, she acknowledged she still feels the need to prove herself to the boys who now write newspaper columns as Britains first female chancellor.

Asked whether that spurs her on, she said: Yeah, a bit. I recognise that Ive got a target on me. You can see that in the media; theyre going for me all the time. Its exhausting.

But Im not going to let them bring me down by undermining my character or my confidence. Ive seen off a lot of those boys before  and Ill continue to do so.

She also faced criticism after she was seen crying during PMQs earlier this year  an incident that she later said was linked to a personal issue.

Ms Badenoch hit out at her show of emotion at the time, reposting Conservative MP Claire Coutinhos tweet, which said if a chief executive or military chief had cried in public, they would not be forgiven for it.
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Several arrests have been made after tractors were driven in Whitehall for a protest on farm inheritance tax on Budget day, as farmers defied a ban on the agricultural machinery by the Metropolitan Police.

The police action prompted Nigel Farage to post his support for those arrested, claiming his party Reform UK would provide legal support to every farmer protesting peacefully today.

More than a dozen tractors parked up outside Parliament in the latest act of protest against measures introduced by Rachel Reeves last year to apply an inheritance tax of 20 per cent to agricultural property valued over 1m.

The demonstration came on the day the chancellor is preparing to deliver her second Budget, against a backdrop of sluggish economic productivity and expected tax rises.

The gathering of agricultural machinery took place despite the Met Police placing restrictions on them; only allowing them to remain in Richmond Terrace. A force spokesperson said the ban was due to serious disruption they could cause to the local area.

Shortly before lunchtime, a spokesperson said: Anyone breaching conditions by bringing vehicles, including tractors or agricultural vehicles, to todays farmers protest will be asked by officers to leave. If they refuse to comply with the conditions, officers will have to make arrests for offences under the Public Order Act.

They added: We have already spoken to a number of individuals this morning to advise them of the conditions. The majority have listened to officers and complied with the conditions, however, several arrests have been made.

For updates on the Budget and reaction - click here for our live blog

open image in gallery Police officers speak to farmers taking part in a protest with their tractors in Westminster, London, ahead of Rachel Reeves Budget ( Jordan Pettitt/PA )

In response, Mr Farage posted on X: The planned farmers protest on Whitehall has been cancelled by the police at the last moment. They have come to London and are now being arrested. This is outrageous.

Reform UK will provide legal support to every farmer protesting peacefully today.

Protest organiser Dan Willis, a farmer from Berkshire, accused the police of throwing fuel on a tinderbox situation, also claiming it was impossible at this stage to stop farmers from coming.

The 50-year-old told The Telegraph: The Metropolitan Police, who have been extremely supportive all the way through, have obviously now received orders from further up for us not to have a static demonstration on Whitehall. Instead they have offered us a small strip of land and no tractors are allowed.

This is a highly emotive issue. We have farmers, most of whom left [their homes] yesterday, travelling across the country, and they are going to make their way to London and unfortunately they have now put us in an impossible position.

open image in gallery A tractor arrives for the protest by farmers in Whitehall ahead of Rachel Reeves Budget statement ( PA )

The Telegraph reported that between 1,500 and 2,000 tractors were heading to London for the protest.

Farmers say the inheritance tax will hit family-run businesses, forcing the next generation to sell off land to pay the levy. It comes as direct payments for farmers are being phased out following Brexit, and replaced by environment-led subsidies.

David Gunn, an arable farmer and agricultural contractor from near Sevenoaks in Kent, said: Inheritance tax is one reason [I am protesting], its going to cripple the farmers, the small family farmers.

Theres all the other taxes theyve been putting on us, and the prices we get for our produce and what it costs in the shop, we dont make any money. Then theres food security, farmers are going out of business.

Farmer Mark Watler from Grantham, Lincolnshire, said: The inheritance tax is just the tip of the iceberg. Were not doing it for the money; its a passion. We just want a fair deal.
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A group of army officers has seized power in coup-prone Guinea-Bissau after storming the presidential palace and declaring that all borders are closed.

They took to state TV to make the announcement after gunfire was heard at key locations in the capital, according to reports.

Senior army officers in Guinea-Bissau said Wednesday they have deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and suspended the country's disputed electoral process, citing the need to clarify the situation before returning to constitutional order.

The army officers said they had formed "The High Military Command for the Restoration of Order" and would be in charge of the West African nation until further notice.

The move came one day before the electoral commission was due to announce provisional results from a hotly contested presidential election between incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and top challenger Fernando Dias.

open image in gallery FILE PHOTO: Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo speaks during his final campaign rally in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, November 21, 2025. REUTERS/Luc Gnago/File Photo ( REUTERS/Luc Gnago/File Photo )

Both sides have claimed victory in Sunday's first round.

The gunfire Wednesday was heard near the electoral commission headquarters, presidential palace and interior ministry, witnesses said.

It lasted for about an hour but appeared to have stopped by 1400 GMT, a Reuters journalist said.

Embalo told Jeune Afrique earlier in the day that he was being arrested as uniformed men stormed the palace as he sat in his office.
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Twenty-four girls who were kidnapped from a government boarding school in Nigeria last week have been released, the state governor's media aide has said.

The girls were abducted on November 17 when armed men stormed their school in Kebbi state, northwestern Nigeria, shortly after a military detachment left the premises.

The attack triggered a wave of copycat kidnappings in Kwara and Niger states, authorities said.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday welcomed the girls' release and called on security forces to intensify efforts to free others still held captive.

"I am relieved that all the 24 girls have been accounted for, Tinubu said.

Now we must put, as a matter of urgency, more boots on the ground in the vulnerable areas to avert further incidents of kidnapping.

My government will offer all the assistance needed to achieve this.

Mass kidnappings for ransom have become common in northern Nigeria, where armed gangs target schools and rural communities, often overwhelming local security forces.
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A climber from the United States was among two people killed in a fall on Aoraki, New Zealand's tallest peak.

The men were part of a four-person group climbing near the summit of Aoraki, also known as Mount Cook, on Monday.

Two climbers were rescued by helicopter after authorities received a distress call late that night but the other two couldn't be found.

Searchers in helicopters looked for them through the night before their bodies were discovered Tuesday morning local time.

Specialists from rescue organizations and government agencies recovered the men's bodies later on Tuesday, Police Area Commander Inspector Vicki Walker said.

open image in gallery The peak of Mount Cook, also known as Aoraki in Maori, one of New Zealand's most iconic landmarks that sits in the Southern Alps mountain range on New Zealand's South Island on September 30, 2025 ( SANKA VIDANAGAMA/AFP via Getty Images )

None of the climbers has been publicly identified, but Walker said one of the dead men was from the U.S.

Authorities, she said, were working with the U.S. consulate. A coroner in New Zealand will investigate the deaths.

The other person who died was an internationally-recognized climbing guide and a member of the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association, the organization said in a statement.

Sgt. Kevin McErlain told The Timaru Herald on Tuesday the pair had been connected by a rope when they fell near the summit of Aoraki, which is on New Zealand's South Island.

The pair rescued were another mountain guide and their client, whose nationalities are not known. They were uninjured.

Aoraki is 3,724 meters (12,218 feet) high and is part of the Southern Alps, the scenic and icy mountain range that runs the length of the South Island. A settlement of the same name at its base is a destination for domestic and foreign tourists.

The peak is popular among experienced climbers. Its terrain is technically difficult due to crevasses, avalanche risk, changeable weather and glacier movement.

More than 240 deaths have been recorded on the mountain and in the surrounding national park since the start of the 20th century. Dozens of those who died on the mountain have never been found.

Those disappearances include three men, two from the United States and one from Canada, who were believed to have died on Aoraki in December 2024. The Americans  Kurt Blair, 56, from Colorado and Carlos Romero, 50, of California  were certified alpine guides.

The climbers were missing for five days before New Zealand authorities halted a search for them, saying discoveries of their belongings suggested the men had fallen to their deaths.
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An elderly woman in Detroit, Michigan, is reeling after she says her belongings disappeared while she was hospitalized to have her left leg amputated earlier this month.

Pamala Bronner was admitted to Harper Hospital this month and underwent surgery to have her leg amputated, local outlet Fox 2 reports. Bronner has been a patient at the hospital before and has received treatment for a blood disease. She has also battled breast cancer.

Her treatment this month involved a stay in the ICU. They kept me in ICU for five days trying to get blood flow through my legs, and my foot and leg turned black," she told the outlet.

Bronner claims her belongings vanished after she came out of the ICU.

It has really messed with me, Im just horrified by all of this, she told Fox 2.

Pamala Bronner claims her belongings, including her dentures and her mother's ashes, vanished after she underwent leg amputation surgery this month ( Fox 2 )

She says the items that vanished include her purse and clothes; her prosthetic leg; her dentures; a necklace with her mothers ashes inside; and her late sisters watch.

"I need my prosthesis to be able to walk," Bronner said. It's beyond ridiculous, and everybody that works here and over at Harper says they have never heard of anything like this before."

Bronner said shes spoken to multiple hospital officials, but no one has found her items or offered her compensation.

A spokesperson for Detroit Medical Center, which operates the hospital, told Fox 2 that each year, their team cares for thousands of patients, including those arriving with critical conditions and in emergency situations where belongings may not be immediately inventoried.

We have processes in place to secure patients' items whenever possible, the spokesperson added. If something is reported missing, we investigate thoroughly and work directly with the patient to address the matter."

Ever since her items disappeared, Bronner has been keeping detailed notes about her experience from her outpatient rehab bed, Fox 2 reports.

Since publishing Bronners story, the outlet reports that multiple other people have reached out to them reporting similar experiences. However, the outlet noted they still need to vet those claims.

The Independent has contacted Detroit Medical Center for comment.
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Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has begun a 27-year prison sentence for his role in a coup attempt, a turn of events that has reportedly astonished many in Brazil who had doubted he would ever be incarcerated.

Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, overseeing the case, ruled Bolsonaro would remain in custody after his preemptive arrest on Saturday.

The decision has led to immediate public reaction outside the federal police headquarters, with supporters demanding his release and opponents toasting his imprisonment.

The far-right leader, under house arrest since August, was taken into custody on Saturday after attempting to break his ankle monitor. His claim of hallucinations was dismissed by Justice de Moraes in the preemptive arrest order.

Federal police confirmed he will have no contact with other inmates at the headquarters. His 12-square-meter room features a bed, private bathroom, air conditioning, a television and a desk.

Federal police confirmed Bolsonaro will have no contact with other inmates at the headquarters. ( AP Photo/Luis Nova, File )

De Moraes determined on Tuesday that Bolsonaros defense had exhausted all appeals of his conviction. His lawyers disagree and promise to keep filing requests for house arrest due to the former leader's poor health. The Supreme Court justice has already ruled against it.

There is no legal possibility of any other appeal, de Moraes said in his decision.

Brazils criminal law also could have allowed the 70-year-old to be transferred to a local penitentiary or to a prison room in a military facility in the capital Brasilia.

The former president and several of his allies were convicted by a panel of Supreme Court justices for attempting to overthrow Brazils democracy following his 2022 election defeat.

The plot included plans to kill President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and Justice de Moraes. The plan also involved encouraging an insurrection in early 2023.

The former president was also found guilty of charges including leading an armed criminal organization and attempting the violent abolition of the democratic rule of law.

Bolsonaro has always denied wrongdoing.

Champagne and tears

Outside the federal police building, about a dozen Bolsonaro supporters dressed in yellow and green of the Brazilian flag cried foul and asked Congress to pass a bill to give the former president and his allies some kind of amnesty.

I am outraged. This is the best president of my life, my friend. This is a great injustice, said Eliane Leandro, 61, a hard core Bolsonaro supporter who says she will come to the federal police headquarters every day until he is released. I hate you, Alexandre de Moraes. You deserve hell.

Sao Paulo city councilor Keit Lima, 34, had very different feelings. She brought champagne and shared it with other Black women who had come from a march in Brasilia to celebrate Bolsonaro's imprisonment.

Today we can breath and continue fighting for our democracy, Lima said. Our democracy is young, but we want it to live long.

Other convictions

Two others convicted, Augusto Heleno and Paulo Sergio Nogueira, both Army generals, were sent to a military facility in Brasilia to start serving their sentences. Former Justice Minister Anderson Torres is now imprisoned at the Papuda penitentiary, also in Brazils capital.

Adm. Almir Garnier will serve his term at Navy facilities in Brasilia.

Bolsonaros running mate and former Defense Minister Walter Braga Netto, another army general, will remain in prison at a military facility in Rio de Janeiro.

De Moraes also confirmed that lawmaker and former head of Brazils intelligence agency Alexandre Ramagem is on the loose in the United States.

Bolsonaro remains a key figure in Brazilian politics, despite being ineligible to run for office until at least until 2030 after a separate ruling by Brazils top electoral court. The first day of his prison sentence should mark an extension of that deadline to 2033.

Polls show he would be a competitive candidate in next years vote if allowed to run.

U.S. tensions

The former president is an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has called the trial of the former Brazilian leader a witch hunt. Bolsonaro was mentioned in a July order by the U.S. administration to raise tariffs on several Brazilian exports by 50%.

Relations between the two countries have improved since, with Lula and Trump meeting in Malaysia at the ASEAN summit in October. Most of those higher tariffs have been dropped.

The U.S. also imposed sanctions on de Moraes and other Brazilian officials.

The measures in support of Bolsonaro did not have their desired effect and the trial proceeded nevertheless. Lulas popularity was boosted by the perception that he was defending Brazilian sovereignty.

Bolsonaro is not the first former president to spend time behind bars. His predecessor Michel Temer (2016-2018) and his successor Lula have also been to prison. Fernando Collor de Mello, who governed between 1990 and 1992, is currently under house arrest due to a corruption conviction.

Bolsonaro is the first to be convicted of attempting a coup.
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Hawaii's Kilauea volcano has once again erupted, sending fountains of lava soaring 400 feet (122 meters) into the air.

The spectacular display Tuesday captivated residents and visitors alike.

The molten rock remained safely contained within the volcanos summit caldera, located inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and authorities confirmed there was no threat to nearby homes.

This latest display marks the 37th such eruption since the current activity began last December.

Typically, each eruptive episode lasts approximately a day or less, followed by a pause of several days, with sporadic spattering preceding the main event since Friday.

In some cases, Kilauea's lava towers have soared as high as skyscrapers.

Lava erupts from Hawaiis Kilauea volcano ( AP )

The volcano has generated such tall fountains in part because magma  which holds gases that are released as it rises  has been traveling to the surface through narrow, pipelike vents.

Kilauea is on Hawaii Island, the largest of the Hawaiian archipelago. It is about 200 miles (322 kilometers) south of the states largest city, Honolulu, which is on Oahu.

It is one of the worlds most active volcanoes and one of six active volcanoes in Hawaii.

Park Service volunteer Janice Wei rushes to capture photos and videos of Halemaumau Crater whenever an eruption begins.

Native Hawaiian tradition holds that this crater is the sacred home of the volcano goddess Pele.

Wei describes the sound of the molten rock, as it shoots skyward like a fountain, as akin to a roaring jet engine or crashing ocean waves, noting she can feel its intense heat from over a mile away.

"Every eruption feels like I am sitting in the front row at natures most extraordinary show," Wei shared in an email.

While a select few residents and visitors witness the spectacle firsthand at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, hundreds of thousands more are expected to tune into popular livestreams every time the volcano erupts.
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An Iowa city has rallied behind its Manhole Michelangelo, after a local artists colorful paintings atop sewer covers landed him in jail, according to a report.

Artist Brandon Bradshaw has become famous in Sioux City for his vibrant spray-paint designs on otherwise mundane manhole covers.

Bradshaws artistic journey began in September when he painted his first sewer flower. When people started to notice  and many gave the art a warm reception  he began painting more across the city to brighten peoples days.

Our city needed a spark and the more people I talked to  it gave them that spark, Bradshaw, 46, told The Wall Street Journal.

Bradshaw knew he should have gotten a permit for his work, but figured someone would complain if his work was an issue. Instead, he was arrested on November 4 and charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief and public drinking.

open image in gallery Artist Brandon Bradshaw was arrested after painting vibrant paintings on manhole covers in Sioux City, Iowa. ( Sac City Chamber of Commerce )

Bradshaw spent the night in jail and paid $1,300 bond to be released. He later pleaded not guilty and is preparing for a trial, which could find him facing a fine and a year in jail, according to the report.

Locals have since rallied behind Bradshaw by hosting their own sewer-flower-painting contest in nearby Sac City . A petition to drop the criminal charges against Bradshaw has gained over 2,200 signatures, and a friend started selling T-shirts decreeing him the Manhole Michelangelo.

Hes a local celebrity now, Shelli Selfridge, a clerk at a convenience store near one of Bradshaws flowers, told the Journal.

He went Facebook viral, which I thought was kind of neat, but I wish he wouldnt have gotten arrested for it to happen, she said. He was just trying to make people smile.

Meanwhile, local authorities said the flowers, while beautiful to look at, could prompt people to create less attractive graffiti.

In a statement, the city said, We recognize that this situation could have been handled differently, but judgments are often made under different circumstances.

Sac City has taken Sioux Citys unwillingness to support the art  and ran with it. Crystal Hanrahan, who leads the chamber of commerce, organized a manhole painting contest with the tagline Our Town Is Cooler Than Yours.

I feel bad for them, she said of Sioux City leaders.

Sac City now has over 70 painted manhole covers, including creations made by the sheriffs office and police department.

open image in gallery A deal is reportedly being worked out to have the charges against Bradshaw dropped, according to the report ( Sioux City Police Department )

Locals in Sioux City wish their leadership had responded to the colorful displays with more open arms.

Sac City is making us look like idiots, mechanic Robert Dobney told the outlet. We should have capitalized on this.

Now, Sioux City, leaders are reportedly working on a deal to drop the charges. With the deal, Bradshaw is required to gain approval for any future paintings done on city property and to pay court costs. Bradshaw signed it last week, but the local prosecutor had yet to give approval as of Wednesday morning.

While Bradshaw said that the effort to prosecute him was stupid all around, he was happy to have helped unite the community.

Whats crazy is that it brought so many people together, he said.
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A US Navy sailor has drowned while rescuing his children from large waves and strong currents at a beach in Hawaii.

Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jeffrey Diaz, 47, who was assigned to the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands on Kauai, Hawaii, died Saturday, just one day before his 48th birthday.

According to reports, he had been with his three sons on the beach at Waiapuaa Bay, outside the front of their military housing, when a strong wave pulled his 9-year-old son, Kamden, out into the sea.

He told his older son, Jayce, 12, to run back to the house and raise the alarm before he entered the water to rescue Kamden, and help his other son, his partner, Keyonna Fairley told KBTX3 News.

From what my [younger] son said, he was in the middle of the ocean, and his dad was swimming with one arm trying to get him to safety, Fairley said. Then he got on his dads back and swam for a little bit. Then my son said that Jeff told him, OK, bub, youre going to have to get off my back. Im going to drown.

Meanwhile, Fairley said she beelined back to the beach and started looking and started screaming, she told Hawaii News Now.

USs Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands on Kauai, Hawaii. It is a major military facility used for testing and training for naval, air, and missile defense systems in a variety of environments, including land, sea, and air ( Polihale/Creative Commons )

Fairley said that Diazs last words were an act of encouragement to their youngest son.

I want you to go. I want you to swim. Dont stop. You got this. Dont give up. I love you. Those were the last words he heard from his dad, she said.

Fairley said Kamden eventually managed to swim back to shore.

He said he looked back just to make sure his dad was behind him and he said, Mom, he was so far, and he was yelling help. He was screaming, Help, help! Fairley said.

In a statement, the Kauai Police Department said, On Saturday, November 22, at approximately 3.00 p.m., first responders were dispatched to Waiapuaa Bay, near Shenanigans Bar and Restaurant, following reports of a swimmer in distress.

The individual had entered the water to rescue two children who were struggling in the high surf. While the children made it back to shore safely, he encountered trouble in the water.

Personnel with the Ocean Safety Bureau and Barking Sands Fire and Emergency Services Department recovered the man from the water and began lifesaving efforts. He was transported to the Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

They added: The Kauai Police Department extends its condolences to the family and loved ones of Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jeffrey Diaz during this difficult time.

Fairley said her family had only been on Kauai for three months, but the couple, who had been together for 18 years, had planned to marry, and Diaz had planned to retire with all of them staying in Hawaii after this deployment.

Diaz had enlisted in the Navy in 1997 and previously served on the guided-missile destroyer USS Ross and at the Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia, The Military Times reported about his death. He had been promoted to master-at-arms 1st class in 2022.

His awards and decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, and Kosovo Campaign Medal, among others, the publication said.

In addition to his children with Fairley, Diaz also leaves behind two older children and a grandchild.
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In a matter of days, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has vaulted from leading a military bureaucracy  focused on cutting red tape to quickly acquire inexpensive drones  to a key negotiator in a Donald Trump administration push to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

The Iraq War veteran, a former venture capitalist and associate of Vice President JD Vance, recently presented Donald Trumps plan to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.

He then met Russian officials in the United Arab Emirates on Monday and Tuesday, leading the latest phase of talks on a possible deal to halt the fighting.

Once seen by the president as the drone guy, he appears to believe Driscoll's efforts are going well, posting on social media that "my team has made tremendous progress."

On Tuesday, Trump wrote: "In the hopes of finalizing this Peace Plan, I have directed my Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with President Putin in Moscow and, at the same time, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will be meeting with the Ukrainians."

This diplomatic role is an unlikely assignment for the Armys top civilian leader, who got the job in February at 38.

His Senate confirmation hearing focused on modernising Army systems, improving recruitment, and strengthening the military industrial base, not international diplomacy.

Tapping an unexpected diplomat

open image in gallery Driscoll only learned of his new role as a negotiator about a week before he was sitting across the table from Zelensky, a U.S. official said ( Ukrainian Presidential Press Office )

Driscoll only learned of his new role as a negotiator about a week before he was sitting across the table from Zelensky, a U.S. official said.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive plans, said Driscoll always had planned to visit Ukraine but the trip was aimed at learning more about how its military has been using drones in warfare, not to negotiate peace.

The official said after Driscoll was named as a special representative by the White House, he first traveled to Europe for briefings before heading to Ukraine.

There, Driscoll clasped hands with Zelensky and expressed admiration for Ukrainian soldiers, saying that even the most combat-hardened American troops never had to defend their homeland.

When we the Army look and see how well you guys have done, its remarkable, Driscoll told Zelensky last week. The Ukrainian leader said he spoke for almost an hour Friday with Vance and Driscoll about the proposal.

Driscolls performance in Ukraine seems to have paid off, because from there, he joined Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Witkoff and other top negotiators in Geneva to discuss changes to the plan with the Ukrainians before traveling to Abu Dhabi to negotiate with the Russians.

The negotiations with Moscow were only a possibility just a week prior, the official said.

The Trump administration shakes things up

open image in gallery Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal, right, shakes hands with US Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll in Kyiv, Ukraine ( Ukrainian Defense Ministry Press Office )

Some experts say his role in the negotiations is an out-of-the-box move by the Trump administration that may or may not pay off.

I think what is helpful from this administration is its willingness to throw out ideas and try things, said Max Bergmann, director of the Europe, Russia and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. But he added, I had not heard of Dan Driscoll, to be frank, in Ukraine-Russia conversations at all.

Driscoll's value is his connection to the vice president, Bergmann said. Driscoll has known Vance since law school at Yale University and previously served as Vance's adviser, giving the Army secretary a direct line to the Trump administration  and more leverage  during negotiations.

There is something to be said about having someone who is probably texting with the vice president and therefore has that political juice, said Bergmann, who served in State Department positions during President Barack Obamas administration.

But Bergmann said there's also merit to having expertise, particularly on an issue as fraught as Russia's war with Ukraine: "The details really matter here.

Daniel Fried, an Atlantic Council fellow who is a former U.S. ambassador to Poland, said Driscoll can overcome a lack of expertise if he has someone advising him. Plus, the fact that Driscoll is trusted by the administration is a notable asset.

You don't want to have someone who reaches a handshake deal with the Ukrainians or the Russians and doesn't have the confidence of the upper reaches of the Trump administration, Fried said.

Driscoll's aspirations as a politician

open image in gallery Dan Driscolls performance in Ukraine seems to have paid off, because from there, he joined Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Witkoff and other top negotiators in Geneva to discuss changes to the plan with Ukrainian officials ( Ukrainian Presidential Press Office )

Driscoll's resume did not suggest he would be a top American negotiator trying to end the most protracted war in Europe since 1945, though he had aspirations to be a politician.

Driscoll told senators during his confirmation hearing that he joined the Army as a middle-class public school kid from the mountains of North Carolina, noting that his dad was an Army infantryman in Vietnam and his grandfather was an Army decoder in World War II.

Most important, I intend to be the soldiers secretary of the Army, not of the generals or of the bureaucracy, he said in his opening statement. It is the American soldier to whom our national defense and prosperity are entrusted.

He went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, enrolling in its business school and graduating in three years, according to a profile on the school's website.

Driscoll served in the Army as an armor officer for more than three years and earned the rank of first lieutenant. He deployed to Iraq from October 2009 to July 2010.

After law school, Driscoll worked for venture capital firms. He ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary for a North Carolina congressional seat in 2020, getting about 8% of the vote in a crowded field of candidates.

Driscoll has some experience negotiating as Army secretary, involving the Army's need to continue using the only large-scale live-fire training range for ground forces in Hawaii so it can quickly send troops to Asia and the Pacific.

A May public hearing on whether to extend the lease generated hours of testimony against allowing the Army to stay. Many Native Hawaiians and environmental activists upset with the U.S. militarys history of damaging lands with target practice and fuel leaks said they wanted the land returned to the state.

Driscoll visited Hawaii in July to discuss the matter with Democratic Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, who said he spent significant time speaking to Driscoll and his team.

Discussions are cordial and are still in the early stages," Green's office said this week.
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Former Department of Justice staffers have signed off their farewells with notes slamming Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi for causing irreversible damage to the agency.

Nearly 5,500 employees have left the DOJ since Trump took office in January, either by taking buyouts, quitting, or being fired, leading some to complain in their parting messages of a toxic work environment.

The Justice Connection, a network of FBI alumni and DOJ, has compiled a hefty tranche of farewell messages, seen by Axios, expressing discontent with how Bondi and the Ccommanderinchief are running the agency.

Stacey Young, Executive Director of The Justice Connection, wrote in her own message that DOJ employees are being forced to put loyalty to the President over the Constitution, the rule of law, and their professional ethical obligations."

open image in gallery Departing DOJ staff have slammed Donald Trump and Pam Bondi for their stewardship of the Justice Department, claiming that they are causing irreversible damage ( Getty )

Meanwhile, three assistant U.S. attorneys, who resisted dropping corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams, claimed in a joint statement that the DOJ has decided that obedience supersedes all else.

"There is no greater privilege than to work for an institution whose mandate is to do the right thing, the right way, for the right reasons," they wrote in a collective statement. "We will not abandon this principle to keep our jobs."

Also, Anam Rahman Petit, an immigration judge at the DOJ, claimed that the federal agency was "replacing career judges with less experienced or politically malleable ones reflects a systemic effort to reshape the bench with individuals more likely to deny cases without regard for due process."

Since January, the DOJ has become increasingly mired in controversy, with many farewell notes pointing to the growing criticism that the federal agency is being used to target Trumps political enemies.

open image in gallery The Justice Department has been accused of being weaponized to target Trumps enemies ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Nearly all of the farewell messages are very complimentary about the DOJ itself, instead limiting their criticisms to Trump and Bondis stewardship of it.

Former trial attorney Carrie A. Syme published her own post on LinkedIn, writing that she did not recognize the current incarnation of the DOJ.

However, she urged readers to "please remember that the vast majority of DOJ attorneys are people of goodwill who are trying to maintain a true sense of justice."

Trump has often claimed that the DOJ was weaponized against him, while simultaneously bringing legal cases against his political enemies, including former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and even a case against the Justice Department itself.

open image in gallery Trump has even turned on the DOJ itself though, demanding that the agency pay him $230 million ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Last month, the president demanded that the Department of Justice pay him $230 million in compensation for federal investigations into him.

Trumps two complaints focus on the FBI investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election and the FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago in 2022, over alleged mishandling of classified documents by the then-former president.

However, several of his legal cases, including those aimed at Comey and James, have collapsed after a judge ruled that Trump had illegally appointed the prosecutor.

The Trump administration has threatened to try again to bring charges against Comey and James.

The facts of the indictments against Comey and James have not changed, and this will not be the final word on this matter, a White House spokesperson told NewsNation reporter Libbey Dean.

The Independent has contacted the DOJ and the White House for comment.
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Fani Willis effort to prosecute then-former President Donald Trump, alleging a coordinated effort to change the results of the 2020 election and keep himself in power, ended on Wednesday, the day before his first of four Thanksgivings hell celebrate as commander-in-chief once again.

The case against Trump and 14 other co-defendants collapsed in a heap after a prosecutor assigned to take over the case from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis asked a judge to dismiss the charges, citing the unfeasible prospect of compelling a sitting president to appear in court and the small likelihood that the trial could still be mounted after he left office.

It marked the end of the last effort to hold Trump accountable, at least criminally, for the lawbreaking and corruption his enemies have long argued was a defining characteristic of the MAGA Republican president before his rise to power  and resulting from his efforts to cling to it after voters decided otherwise.

The book is now closed on any prosecution of Trump or any of his allies and supporters for the violent riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob stormed the halls of Congress to seeking to halt the certification of the election. The statute of limitations will expire next year for any federal charges related to the violent attack.

In the end, it came down to timing  and an incredibly glaring error of personal and professional judgment by Willis.

open image in gallery Fani Willis remains the only prosecutor to secure convictions over the effort to overturn the 2020 election, but her broader case fell apart due to prosecutorial misconduct ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The Georgia case, like the federal effort headed up by Jack Smith at the Department of Justice, was stymied by Trumps return to the presidency in 2025. But Smiths seemed predestined to fail as Merrick Garland, Joe Bidens attorney general, did not begin the investigation against Trump in earnest until March of 2022, only a few months before it was clear that Trump would run again.

The Justice Department instead consumed an incredible amount of resources identifying and chasing down individual participants in the Jan. 6 attempted insurrection, a well-intentioned strategical error that was ultimately rendered a meaningless crusade given Trumps decision to pardon each and every one of them upon returning to the White House.

Trump has maintained his innocence all along but alos to this day speaks of the 2020 election as rigged and a fraud.

Willis prosecution appeared serious from the onset, however, and scored early victories. Four of Trumps 18 original co-defendants including Sidney Powell, a top member of his legal team, took plea deals and were convicted in 2023, agreeing to testify against their allies.

In February 2024, a Supreme Court ruling made clear that Smiths case would almost certainly be delayed through the 2024 election, jeopardizing its future and tying its fate to the results of the matchup between Trump and Kamala Harris. But in January, a development in Willis case had already dealt a mortal wound to the prosecution of Trump and his remaining co-defendants.

A motion made by one of those co-defendants revealed a shocking twist. Willis and a special prosecutor shed hired to assist with the case, Nathan Wade, were in a romantic relationship. The defense attorneys argued that Willis, by allowing Wade to pay for a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation for the pair in 2022 and two other trips in 2023, had financially benefitted from her appointment of Wade to possibly the most important and heavily scrutinized case being undertaken by a district attorney in a decade. The revelation was first uncovered via Wades divorce proceedings.

By appointing Wade to the case, Willis doomed it. One Georgia-based legal expert told the New York Times that Willis had stabbed the case right in the heart.

open image in gallery Donald Trumps last criminal prosecution over the 2020 election ended on Wednesday ( John McDonnell/Getty Images )

"The history books will look back on what the country lost by not having a televised trial before November 2024 and historians will wonder what Fani Willis was thinking. And they'll just scratch their heads," Anthony Michael Kreis, a law professor at Georgia State, told The Guardian after the case was indefinitely delayed that following summer.

Willis herself was formally removed from the case one month after the 2024 election.

Democrats had limited opportunities and avenues to seek prosecution of what they and many legal experts viewed as widespread criminal behavior by the Trump campaign in the wake of the 2020 election. Even in Georgia, the prosecutor who took the case over from Willis argued that the charges should have been pursued at the federal level, despite the guilty pleas of some co-defendants.

"The criminal conduct alleged in the Atlanta Judicial Circuit's prosecution was conceived in Washington, D.C., not the State of Georgia. The federal government is the appropriate venue for this prosecution, not the State of Georgia," wrote Pete Skandalakis in a court filing. He also cast doubt on the strength of the racketeering charge against Trump and others.

But Willis investigation of the president still stands out for one reason: Her office identified Trump as a target early on, and despite having significantly fewer resources than the federal DOJ, was able to return a grand jury indictment of the president and a host of others just two weeks after the Justice Department did. While by all accounts Willis team was on the ball early, a host of reporting supports the conclusion that Garland was largely pressured into bringing a delayed case against Trump at the federal level by the revelations of the House January 6 committee, which investigated both the attack itself and the broader fake electors efforts in Georgia, Arizona and other states.

open image in gallery News reports indicated that Merrick Garland was slow to bring a case against Trump and that the Justice Department was only directly investigating him by March of 2022 ( Getty Images )

Reporting from The New York Times in particular indicated that Garland focused on a bottom-up strategy, with little sense of urgency. His efforts to keep the Justice Department out of politics failed, with the case coming too late.

The reward: A Trumpified DOJ is now being singled out for its campaign against Donald Trumps enemies that increasingly looks to be mired in failure with the dismissal of charges against James Comey and Letitia James, brought by a Trump loyalist whose appointment as prosecutor was ruled to be illegal.

Willis, however, retains the singular glory of having blasted a hole in her own case through sheer bad judgement.

Her relationship with Wade seems to have ended already: He testified in 2024 that their relationship ended and they were now just good friends, though an appearance together at an airport in early 2025 suggests the two remain very close to this day.

The convictions of Sidney Powell, Kenneth Chesebro and Jenna Ellis as part of plea deals secured by Willis office remain the only ones secured by any prosecutor, anywhere, still in effect stemming from the election subversion effort and the violent attack on the Capitol.

Thats merely a consolation prize, however, as Willis and others confront the reality that Trump, in their view, got away with it.
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Months after accusing his publisher of conspiring with his literary agent to steal his book proposal and give it to a right-wing media competitor, Fox News legal analyst Gregg Jarrett is suing the same agent over a mystery royalty payment that was recently deposited into his bank account.

According to a complaint filed in New York this week, Jarrett alleges that after his relationship with literary agency Vigliano Associates fell apart earlier this year after the parties entered into litigation following Jarretts lawsuit over a scuttled book deal about Donald Trump. However, last month, his now-former agent suddenly and inexplicably sent him money.

Nonetheless, it came as a surprise to Jarrett when, in October 2025, he discovered an unannounced direct deposit in his bank account from Vigliano Associates in the amount of $8,014.21, the lawsuit alleges.

The complaint notes that, while previous payments from Vigliano Associates  run by founder David Vigliano  typically included details of any payments the agency had previously sent to Jarrett. This would generally accompany the deposit and document the title of the book or project associated with the payment, as well as the commission retained by Vigliano.

Jarrett  having lost trust and confidence in the integrity of Defendants following the breakdown of their relationship  sought to discover more information about the unexplained Deposit, the complaint adds. Accordingly, Jarrett, through his attorneys, sent a letter to Defendants on or about October, 27, 2025.

open image in gallery Fox News legal analyst Gregg Jarrett is suing his former literary agent, whom hes already accused of engaging in a conspiracy against him, for mysteriously depositing a royalty payment in his account. ( Fox News )

Despite asking for a full and complete accounting of all financial transactions and income concerning his published works during his tenure with Vigliano, including an explanation about the mystery deposit, the lawsuit states that Vigliano refused to give Jarrett an adequate response.

Although Jarrett requested nothing more than a simple accounting, Defendants expressly refused the request, the lawsuit claims. In response, Defendants sent a two-sentence letter stating that the Deposit represented unspecified royalties for prior matters and, if Jarrett sought further information, he would have to obtain it through formal legal discovery.

In the complaint, Jarretts legal team says the Fox News star  who has written several pro-Trump books about the Russia hoax and is one of the presidents favorite legal experts  was left in the dark by his ex-literary agent about the source of the latest royalty payment.

From which book did these royalties come? Which publisher remitted these royalties? Were these royalties for more than one book? How many books were sold in connection with these royalties? What is the total amount of payment received by Defendants? Without Defendants cooperation, Jarrett can only guess as to the answers for each of these questions, the complaint adds.

The lawsuit goes on to accuse Vigliano Associates of breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract, saying the agent materially breached the agreement by failing to provide the required accountings and withholding financial information.

Besides seeking a full and accurate accounting of all funds received from Vigliano, Jarrett is also asking for compensatory damages over the breach of contract, attorneys fees and restitution of all monies wrongfully retained by Defendants under the doctrines of unjust enrichment.

Our client trusted his agents to act with loyalty, candor and care, said William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors and Mr. Jarretts lead counsel. Instead, they flatly refuse to account for funds under their control. The refusal to provide any information regarding Mr. Jarretts accounts requires this filing.

Brewer added, Of course, literary agents occupy a position of trust that demands loyalty. If an agent acts as Mr. Vigliano allegedly acted here, it undermines the integrity of the industry.

The Independent has reached out to Vigliano Associates for comment.

This past spring, Jarrett accused publisher Simon & Schuster and Vigliano Associates of engaging in a conspiracy to swipe his idea for a book about the Democrats lawfare against Trump, all in an effort to give the proposal to Breitbart News editor-in-chief Alex Marlow.

open image in gallery Jarrett is currently suing publishing giant Simon & Schuster and his former agent Vigliano Associates for allegedly engaging in a plot to steal his pro-Trump book idea and give it to a right-wing media rival. ( Fox News )

According to that lawsuit, Jarrett says he was approached by Simon & Schusters executive editor Natasha Simons in 2023 to write a new tome about rump, citing his past success with MAGA-related projects. Jarrett, meanwhile, said that he proposed centering a book on the political fortunes and lawfare waged against Trump by his political enemies.

Jarret claims that Simons loved the concept and believed the project had the makings of a bestseller, adding that she also approved of the Fox News personalitys idea of hiring a research assistant to help meet an ambitious publishing deadline. It was at this point, the lawsuit alleges, that Vigliano Associates recommended Marlow, who had already written two best-selling right-wing books of his own.

Jarrett accepted the recommendation and, at the urging of Simons, drafted a written proposal for the book and shared it with Simons, Marlow, and the Literary Agents. It was the blueprint for a commercial endeavorwith Jarrett as its recognized architect and driving force, the complaint adds. But then, as Jarrett would only discover months later, Defendants conceived, planned and executed a conspiracy amongst themselves and Marlow to publish the book conceived by Jarrett, in violation of their contractual and common law duties.

Jarrett went on to insist that everything was going smoothly with the project until mid-March 2024, when Vigliano told him that Simon & Schuster had offered an absurdly low advance for the book, with much of the proposed amount covering the fees of Marlow and the agent.

The Fox News star rejected the lowball offer from Simon & Schuster and ask Vigliano to shop the proposal around to other publishers. It was months later, however, when the lawsuit states that the conspiracy was revealed during a conversation with his agent.

However, the message was not to inform Jarrett of any progress in connection with his project, the lawsuit alleges. Rather, it was to let him know that Marlow had sold a book to Simon & Schuster that was somewhat similar to the Proposal. He noted the book was close enough that I dont want you to see it and be surprised. Jarrett had discussed and shared this Proposal, in confidence, with Marlow at a time when the latter was acting as his agent.

The book by Marlow, titled Breaking the Law, was released by Simon & Schuster this past summer. The publisher describes it as an intensely-researched examination into the legal cases against President Trump that threaten not only the conservative movement, but the concept of law and order itself.
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Fox News anchor Julie Banderas not only tore into Democratic House candidate Aftyn Behn Wednesday, but also straight up said that Behns mother did not do a very good job in raising her and that the congressional hopeful clearly has mommy issues.

Banderas broadsides against Democratic state legislator and her mom come as Republicans are sweating a special election in a ruby red Tennessee district that Donald Trump won by 22 points just a year ago. A recent poll finds Behn down just two points against Republican nominee Matt Van Epps, prompting both the GOP and Democrats to pour tons of money and media attention into the race.

With Democrats overperforming polls in recent elections across the country and Trumps approval numbers plummeting, a stunner in the Tennessee race  which is being held to replace former GOP Rep. Mark Green, who retired in June for a private sector job  would lower the number of Republicans in the House to 218, the exact number needed to maintain a majority.

Additionally, that comes before Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene leaves Congress in January and special elections are held early next year to fill seats in Democrat-leaning districts, potentially putting the GOP in the minority before the midterms.

Therefore, in recent days, Fox News and other MAGA media outlets have focused intently on Tennessees 7th District and Behn, which has included multiple on-air interviews with Epps while framing Behn as the AOC of Tennessee and crazy left-wing radical. The conservative cable giant has also blasted Behn repeatedly for a resurfaced clip in which she says she hates Nashville, using it to paint her as out of touch.

Julie Banderas invoked comments Democratic House candidate Aftyn Behn made a few years ago to declare that Behn's mother didn't do a good job in raising her. ( Fox News )

During a Wednesday discussion with Fox News contributor Kaylee McGhee White, Banderas brought up comments Behn made five years ago on a podcast in which the congressional candidate explained why she didnt want to have kids.

My therapist always asks me to transcribe my dreams when they happen. And the recurring dream Ive had is standing up in a cafeteria full of women  I dont know why it was there or whatever  and saying, I dont want children, I want power, and just screaming it at the top of my lungs, Behn said in September 2020.

For someone who grew up with my mother telling me never have kids because youll have to give up a lot and youll have to sacrifice professionally, which is what she was saying, she continued. And where I am now with seeing the consequences and the ramifications of women having kids and being in the political field and what theyre able to achieve because we dont offer  Its like the political field hasnt met the challenge of working moms. They really havent.

After highlighting a Daily Caller article that claimed Behns remarks reveal that society has demonized motherhood and trivialized the blessing or marriage, Banderas then decided to pass judgment on the way Behn was raised.

Obviously, people are onto her, but I have to say that the conversation she says she had with her mother about how becoming a mother is gonna make you have to give everything up, the Fox anchor declared. I mean, obviously, her mother did not do a very good job in raising her.

Seemingly agreeing with her colleague, McGhee White said Behns comments were extremely disappointing and the the exact opposite of what young women my age need to hear. Noting that both she and Banderas are mothers, McGhee White said she didnt expect Behn to understand the sacrifices parents make for their children and how they arent negative consequences that we have to grin and bear.

Banderas, meanwhile, wrapped up the segment by taking one last shot at Behn and her mother.

Shes got mommy issues, for sure, she exclaimed.
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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was behind a decision not to turn deportation flights around after a judges order, Justice Department lawyers revealed this week.

Tuesdays court filing marked the first time the U.S. government revealed who was responsible for handing accused Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador after U.S. District Judge James Boasbergs March order to turn the flights around. The government's refusal to do so has led to a criminal contempt inquiry, which Boasberg said he was moving forward with last week.

The flights, this past March, have become a flashpoint in President Donald Trumps mass deportation strategy, and his administrations pattern of defying court orders, according to some judges.

The DOJ explained this week that after the judge ordered the flights to return to the U.S., Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, and another DOJ official, provided Homeland Security Acting General Counsel Joseph Mazzara with legal advice related to the planes that had already taken off. Mazzara then passed that information along to Noem.

After receiving that legal advice, Secretary Noem directed that the AEA [Alien Enemies Act] detainees who had been removed from the United States before the Courts order could be transferred to the custody of El Salvador, the DOJ lawyers wrote.

open image in gallery Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was behind a decision not to turn deportation flights around after a judges order, Justice Department lawyers revealed this week. ( AP )

The Independent has asked the Department of Homeland Security for comment.

The DOJ insisted that Noems decision was lawful and was consistent with a reasonable interpretation of the Courts order.

The government has maintained that it did not violate the courts March 15 order. Regarding Judge Boasbergs contempt inquiry, DOJ lawyers said no further proceedings are warranted or appropriate.

In March, Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 for the fourth time in U.S. history, stating all Venezuelan citizens 14 years of age or older who are members of [Tren de Aragua], are within the United States, and are not actually naturalized or lawful permanent residents of the United States are liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed as Alien Enemies.

More than 200 Venezuelan men were on board planes, bound for El Salvador and the countrys notorious CECOT prison, when the American Civil Liberties Union challenged their removal.

open image in gallery Hundreds of Venezuelan men, accused by the Trump administration of being gang members, were removed from the U.S. and sent to El Salvador earlier this year ( Getty Images )

Boasberg ordered the government to temporarily halt their removals, including turning around flights that were midair.

The government has argued that there were discrepancies between the judges oral directives at the hearing, and his written order produced shortly after.

While Boasbergs oral directives stated that removed class members need to be returned to the United States, the judges written order said nothing about returning class members who had already been removed, the DOJ lawyers wrote in the Tuesday filing.

In April, Boasberg said the governments failure to return those flights to the shows a willful disregard that is sufficient for the Court to conclude that probable cause exists to find the Government in criminal contempt.

A divided federal appeals court in August tossed Boasbergs bid to pursue criminal contempt. A separate panel this month found that the judge could continue with his inquiry.

"The district court's order here was a measured and essential response to what it reasonably perceived as shocking executive branch conduct," the panel wrote.
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A Chilean national pleaded guilty to stealing a cash-filled Gucci purse belonging to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem while she dined in Washington, D.C. He now faces deportation.

Mario Bustamante Leiva, 50, pleaded guilty on Friday to charges of first-degree theft and wire fraud after prosecutors accused him of perpetrating a string of thefts across the nations capital, according to The Washington Post.

This individual is a career criminal who has been in our country illegally for years, Noem previously told the outlet. Unfortunately, so many families in this country have been made victims by crime, and thats why President Trump is working every single day to make America safe and get these criminal aliens off of our streets.

Leiva was arrested on April 26 after he allegedly snatched three purses  and made purchases using credit cards carried inside  over an eight day period.

open image in gallery A Chilean national who stole the Homeland Security secretarys cash-filled purse could face deportation, officials said. ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

open image in gallery The purse contained Noem's drivers license, keys, passport and $3,000 in cash. ( Department of Justice )

The first victim was dining at a Nandos restaurant near the National Portrait Gallery on April 12 when her purse was stolen from the back of her chair. Five days later, a second woman had her purse taken while eating dinner at a Westin Hotel nearby.

Noem was the third victim. On April 20, she was eating at the Capital Burger on 7th Street when she noticed her purse  which had been placed at her feet  had vanished, according to the DOJs indictment.

The former South Dakota governor alerted her Secret Service detail and provided a list of the items in her luxury bag, which included several credit cards and her U.S. Government Personal Identification Verification card.

Other items in the bag were Noems keys, passport, checks and $3,000 in cash (DHS previously said the secretary had taken out a sizable sum of cash because her family was visiting for Easter).

Secret Service later obtained CCTV footage purportedly showing Leiva  wearing a blue cap and white mask  carrying Noems purse. It was also determined that he took a bus to an Italian restaurant and used Noems American Express cards to purchase $205.87 worth of food and drinks, prosecutors said.

open image in gallery Leiva allegedly used Noems American Express cards to purchase $205.87 worth of food and drinks. ( Department of Justice )

open image in gallery Leiva pictured at the Silver Spring metro station on April 21, 2025. ( Department of Justice )

The purse-snatching spree adds to Leivas long rap sheet, accumulated across three continents. He received a three-year prison sentence in Chile for robbery in 1995. And in 2013, he received a 13-week sentence for theft in the U.K., according to the Post.

Leiva will now face deportation proceedings, according to the outlet.

Were glad to see justice was served and this criminal illegal alien will no longer be free on Americas streets to victimize more Americans, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public AffairsTricia McLaughlin said in a statement.

A spokesperson for DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent.
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Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene will sit out of the race to find her replacement, refusing to endorse any candidate ahead of Georgias special election.

Greene announced last Friday that she will resign from Congress early next year following her public feud with President Donald Trump.

The congresswoman was once a fervent supporter of Trump until recent weeks, when she broke away from him on issues including foreign policy and affordability. Greene was also one of the few House Republicans who initially pushed to release government files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein before Trump gave his party his blessing to support the effort.

I have too much self respect and dignity, love my family way too much, and do not want my sweet district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the President we all fought for, only to fight and win my election while Republicans will likely lose the midterms, she wrote in a statement. I refuse to be a battered wife hoping it all goes away and gets better.

open image in gallery Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene will sit out of the race to find her replacement, refusing to endorse any candidate ahead of Georgias special election ( Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images )

On Monday, Greene took to X to announce that she will not be endorsing a replacement for her seat, which will be vacant after January 5, 2026.

Looking ahead towards the Special Election for my Congressional seat, I will not be endorsing anyone out of respect to my district, Greene wrote. I truly support the wonderful people of Georgia 14 and want them to pick their Representative.

The congresswoman then cautioned: So anyone claiming they have my endorsement would not be telling the truth.

A special election for Greenes seat wont be scheduled until after she leaves Congress.

open image in gallery Greene, a once loyal ally to Donald Trump, announced last Friday that she will resign from Congress early next year following her public feud with the president ( Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images )

Trump said on Truth Social over the weekend that Greene wouldve had no chance of winning the Republican primary if she had decided to run for re-election next year.

The president said that Greene 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 Kentuckydid not help her, Trump added.

open image in gallery Trump said Greene's relationship with Representative Thomas Massie, who also pushed for the release of the Epstein files, 'did not help her' ( Heather Diehl/Getty Images )

Representative Thomas Massie, along with Democratic congressman Ro Khanna of California, led the successful effort to force a House vote on releasing the Epstein files. Trump had initially opposed releasing the files, but following growing support from Republicans for Massie and Khannas bill, the president reversed course and ultimately signed the legislation. Trump had the power all along to release the files without congressional approval.

Despite his insults of Greene, Trump ended on a sweeter note, writing in his post, I will always appreciate Marjorie, and thank her for her service to our Country!
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Democratic Senator Mark Kelly accused Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Tuesday evening, of doing the presidents bidding by threatening to court-martial him for making a video reminding active military service members to abide by the Constitution.

Kelly, a retired U.S. Navy captain, joined late-night show Jimmy Kimmel Live! to defend himself after Hegseth announced that the Defense Department was investigating him for serious allegations of misconduct.

Hes totally unqualified, Kelly said of Hegseth, who recently changed his public title to Secretary of War  though that has not been officially changed by Congress.

He just wants to please the president and this is what he could do this week, he could go after me under the uniform, the code of military justice, Kelly added.

Hegseth announced Monday that the Defense Department was investigating whether or not Kelly violated a military law that prohibits retired service members from disseminating materials that could promote insubordination or disloyalty among active service members.

open image in gallery Democratic Senator Mark Kelly said he was not afraid of Hegseth and Trump threatening to go after him ( Getty Images )

The investigation arrived after President Donald Trump spent days lashing out at Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers for making a video that encouraged service members to ignore orders that defy the Constitution. Although the lawmakers did not name a specific order in the video, they chose to deliver the message as the Trump administration conducts legally questionable lethal strikes on boats.

On Truth Social, Trump called the lawmakers seditious and claimed their actions amounted to being punishable by death.

The president had previously said the Democrats featured in the video would face punishment.

Days later, Kelly discovered he was the subject of the military investigation. Hes accused the president of trying to use intimidation tactics to silence him.

Its how democracies die, Kelly told host Jimmy Kimmel.It is right out of the playbook  the playbook of authoritarianism. Thats what they try to do, they try to suppress speech.

Kelly added: Im not backing down.

open image in gallery Kelly appeared in the video made by five other Democratic lawmakers to encourage active military service members to ignore orders that defy the Constitution ( SenatorSlotkin/X )

The Arizona senator also condemned the president for utilizing incendiary speech to express his outrage and reminded viewers that his family was personally impacted by political violence.

In 2011, Kellys wife, Gabrielle Gabby Giffords, then a Democratic congresswoman, survived a near-lethal assassination attempt that left her seriously wounded during a constituent meeting.

Kelly retired from active duty at the rank of captain from the Navy and NASA that same year to care for Giffords.

When asked if he was worried about the administrations recent threats, Kelly responded: Ive been through a lot more challenging things than this.
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The suspect in custody for the targeted shooting of two members of the West Virginia National Guard in Washington, D.C., near the White House, has been identified as an Afghan refugee.

The brutal attack was carried out on Wednesday afternoon by 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, according to the Associated Press and other outlets.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also identified the suspect as an Afghan national who came to the U.S. in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome. Lakanwal has been living in Washington state, more than 2,600 miles from D.C., according to the AP.

President Donald Trump, who is currently in Florida, called the shooting a crime against humanity.

The hearts of all Americans tonight are with those two members of the West Virginia National Guard and their families. The love of our entire country is pouring out for them, and we are lifting them up in our prayers, Trump said in an address from Mar-a-Lago on Wednesday night. As we are filled with anguish and grief for those who were shot, were also filled with righteous anger and ferocious resolve.

open image in gallery Two National Guard members were shot Wednesday near the White House, prompting a mass law enforcement response including Secret Service agents and National Guard troops ( AP )

There were initially reports that the two guardsmen had died, though it was later confirmed that they were critically wounded and are being treated in local hospitals.

The shooting occurred near 17th and I Street Northwest on Wednesday afternoon. Police described the suspect as a lone gunman who rounded a corner and opened fire on the guardsmen.

Nearby members of the Guard heard gunshots and were able to subdue the individual after a back and forth in which the suspect was also shot, Executive Assistant Chief Jeff Carroll of the D.C. police department said during a press conference on Wednesday.

The suspects injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening, an unnamed law enforcement official told the AP.

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser described the attack as a targeted shooting.

Trump said in his Wednesday night address that the Homeland Security Department is confident that the suspect was from Afghanistan, which the president described as a hellhole on Earth.

He was flown in by the Biden administration in September 2021 for those infamous flights that everybody was talking about. Nobody knew who was coming in, Trump said.

In August 2021, then-President Joe Biden directed the Homeland Security Department to lead efforts in support of Operation Allies Welcome, which worked to help resettle vulnerable Afghans in the U.S.

Trump called for a reinvestigation into all Afghan refugees who had entered the U.S. under the Biden administration. Following his address, USCIS announced it would immediately stop processing Afghan immigration applications.

open image in gallery ( The Independent )

The suspected shooter will be charged with assault on a federal officer, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.

The FBI will reportedly investigate the incident as a potential act of terrorism, a law enforcement source told NBC News, adding that the suspect is thought to have wielded a handgun.

Even though Trump was in Florida and Vice President Vance was in Kentucky, the White House was nonetheless temporarily in a state of lockdown after the shooting.

After the attack, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said an additional 500 Guard troops would be ordered to Washington.

We will never back down, he told reporters on Wednesday. We will secure our capital. We will secure our cities.

The Independent has contacted the National Guard, Secret Service, and Washington police for comment.

Witness Michael Ryan was across the street when he heard the first round of gunshots and was in disbelief, he told reporters.

People started running, he said. Cars started speeding off as well.

open image in gallery Federal officials are assisting Washington police in investigating the shooting ( Drew ANGERER / AFP via Getty Images )

After Ryan ran about half a block, a second round of shots began.

The shooting had no known direction of interest towards the White House other than the location at this time, and no Secret Service members at the scene fired any shots, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told The Washington Post.

The scene of the shooting, which took place near the Farragut West metro stop, was cordoned off with police tape and surrounded by personnel from multiple law enforcement agencies. Guard troops have been a regular presence there and at other transit hubs for months since the Trump administration ordered the military into the capital.

The FBI is assisting with the investigation into the shooting.

An expanded contingent of National Guard troops has been active in the capital since August, when President Trump issued an executive order declaring a crime emergency in Washington.

The operation currently includes about 2,100 troops.

Last week, a federal judge ordered the administration to end the deployment, finding that the White House illegally overstepped local powers to direct law enforcement in Washington, though the ruling is on hold for three weeks to allow time for appeals. The Trump administration appealed the ruling on Tuesday.

The Trump administration has deployed the National Guard to at least nine, mostly Democrat-led cities, this year. The missions have frequently been met with protests and local officials have sued to block the operations.

Eric Garcia and Rachel Dobkin contributed reporting to this story.
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The Oklahoma Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit challenging a mandate requiring that the Bible be taught in schools after state education officials said the mandate will not be enforced.

In a 6-2 decision released Monday, the court declared the issue moot after state education officials said they are nullifying 2024 mandates issued by Ryan Walters, the former state superintendent who resigned earlier this year, according to the Oklahoma Voice. In June and July 2024, Walters issued directives requiring that Oklahoma schools incorporate the Bible into the curriculum for grades 5 through 12.

The Bible is one of the most historically significant books and a cornerstone of Western civilization, along with the Ten Commandments, his June 2024 order reads. They will be referenced as an appropriate study of history, civilization, ethics, comparative religion, or the like, as well as for their substantial influence on our nations founders and the foundational principles of our Constitution.

Superintendent Lindel Fields and other Oklahoma education officials have nullified and rescinded the mandates, as well as Requests for Proposal (RFPs) concerning the purchase of Bibles (both of which were previously withdrawn) and the purchase of biblically-based character education materials, according to this weeks decision

The Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit challenging a mandate requiring schools to teach the Bible, after state officials said they are not enforcing it ( Getty Images )

Fields took over as state superintendent after Walters resigned two months ago. Oklahoma residents will elect their next state superintendent in the November 2026 general election.

The decision comes after more than two dozen Oklahoma residents challenged Walters mandates in a lawsuit filed in October 2024. They argued Walters orders violated the state Constitutions ban on state-established religion, the Oklahoma Voice reports.

The residents were represented by attorneys from Americans United for Separation of Church and State; the American Civil Liberties Union; the ACLU of Oklahoma Foundation; the Freedom from Religion Foundation; and the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law & Justice.

The attorneys praised the decision in a joint statement shared with The Independent.

We are pleased that Superintendent Fields abandoned former Superintendent Walters attempts to incorporate the Bible into the public-school curriculum, to place Bibles in classrooms, and to buy Bibles and biblical-instructional materials with state tax dollars and distribute them to public schools, the attorneys said.

We are also happy with the statement by the Oklahoma Supreme Court in todays order confirming that Fields has resci[nded] and nullifi[ed] these Walters policies, they added. Fields actions and the Supreme Courts order mean that Oklahoma families and students  not politicians  will get to decide if, when and how to engage with the Bible.

A spokesperson for the Oklahoma State Department of Education told The Independent the court correctly determined the issues are moot.

Superintendent Fields has rescinded the directives, and the department has not and will not issue a request for proposals, the spokesperson said. We remain committed to being good stewards of taxpayer dollars. Since Bibles are already available in most Oklahoma schools, students and teachers continue to have access to those resources.
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Senate Republicans have introduced a spending bill that cuts millions from energy programs, including a 25 percent cut to a Department of Energy office that aims to develop and upgrade the U.S. energy grid.

Sen. John Kennedy, the Republican chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, called the bill a responsible step toward cutting bloated spending while bolstering Americas defense and energy infrastructures in a statement on Monday.

The bill would reduce spending 1.1 percent overall, including a 6.5 percent cut to non-defense spending and a 25 percent cut to the DOEs Grid Deployment Office.

The proposal, which needs to be reconciled with a House energy appropriations bill, was released without the blessing of ranking member Sen. Patty Murray, who told Politico the proposal was a partisan effort that left her disappointed by the cuts to critical clean energy programs.

In its fiscal year 2026 budget request, the Department of Energy had requested a 75 percent cut to the grid office, part of the Trump administrations ongoing shift away from renewables and toward investment in nuclear fusion and fossil fuels.

open image in gallery Senate Republicans on Monday released a proposal that would make steep cuts to a Department of Energy office which aims to modernize the U.S.s aging energy grid ( AFP via Getty Images )

Earlier this year, the administration canceled more than $2 billion in funding for efforts across 25 states under the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnership Program, which aims to harden the electricity system against extreme weather.

The cuts come despite pressure on Republicans to reduce household bills on essentials like energy, which have spiked throughout the year in part because of an aging U.S. electric grid, where much of the infrastructure is 50 to 75 years old. The Department of Energy has estimated it will cost hundreds of billions of dollars over the next two decades to bring the electric grid up to modern standards.

Increased energy demands from AI data centers and electric vehicles have only compounded the energy price issue, and prices are expected to continue rising through 2026.

"It's like a two-way highway that was built decades ago that's now expected to carry rush-hour traffic to and from a major city every time  every day of the year [there are] more cars, bigger trucks, constant congestion," Sen. Mike Lee, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said at a July hearing.

open image in gallery Electric vehicles and AI data centers are expected to continue driving high demand for energy in 2026, and energy prices are expected to keep rising ( AFP via Getty Images )

Grid modernization could also help states prepare for the impacts of climate change by weatherizing equipment to avoid crises like the 2021 Texas blackouts, in which numerous residents died when high demand for energy during a winter storm buckled the states electricity system.

During the 2026 midterms, the energy funding cuts could come back to haunt Republicans, who fared poorly in recent off-year elections where voters listed affordability issues as a top concern.
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Marjorie Taylor Greenes surprise departure from Congress could prove a watershed moment, prompting other House Republicans to follow in the Georgia firebrands footsteps, according to a new report.

After Greene announced on Friday that she will step down in early January, several GOP lawmakers told Punchbowl News that they, too, are considering retiring before their terms end.

More explosive early resignations are coming, one unnamed senior House Republican told the outlet. Its a tinder box. Morale has never been lower.

According to the congressperson, members are eyeing the exits because of ongoing tensions with the White House, which House Speaker Mike Johnson has done nothing to remedy.

This entire White House team has treated ALL members like garbage, the lawmaker said. 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.

The arrogance of this White House team is off putting to members who are run roughshod and threatened, the unnamed Republican added. 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.

These rumblings could spell trouble for the Republicans already razor-thin House majority ahead of next years midterm elections, which historically see the presidents party lose seats. Currently, the GOP holds 219 seats against the Democrats 213.

The speakers office told Punchbowl News that Johnson is working tirelessly within the constraints of the GOPs extremely narrow majority. A White House spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent.

After Punchbowl News revealed more GOP retirements could be coming, Greene chimed in on social media to confirm the report.

Fact check true, she wrote on X. Myself and many of my colleagues came courageously roaring into 2025 with legislation that matched the 2024 electoral mandate only to be totally sidelined by Johnson under full obedience of the WH.

open image in gallery Some House Republicans are considering following in Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes footsteps as they tire of the White House treating them like garbage, according to a new report. ( Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images )

Greenes announcement on Friday marked the culmination of her public falling out with President Donald Trump.

I have too much self respect and dignity, love my family way too much, and do not want my sweet district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the President we all fought for, only to fight and win my election while Republicans will likely lose the midterms, she wrote in a statement posted online.

Its all so absurd and completely unserious, she added. I refuse to be a battered wife hoping it all goes away and gets better.

Greene said that her final day in office will be January 5, 2026.

After entering Congress in 2021, she quickly made a name for herself as an outspoken and unapologetic Trump ally. But, in recent weeks, she has publicly broken with the president and Republican leadership on a range of issues, including over American support for Israel, H-1B visas, Obamacare subsidies and, perhaps most notably, the controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein.

In early November, she accused the president of making a huge miscalculation" by failing to support releasing the governments files on the convicted sex offender. This led Trump to characterize Greene as a ranting lunatic and announce he would back a primary challenge against her.

The Georgia lawmaker was also one of a handful of Republicans to sign a House discharge petition, which forced a chamber-wide vote seeking to mandate the Department of Justice to release its files on Epstein. The bill ultimately passed with near unanimous approval after Trump reversed course and supported the measure.

In her announcement, Greene telegraphed her dissatisfaction with both major parties.

No matter which way the political pendulum swings, Republican or Democrat, nothing ever gets better for the common American man or woman, the congresswoman wrote, adding that she never fit in while working in the nations capitol.

open image in gallery Trump called Green a 'ranting lunatic' on social media last week after her public criticism of his foreign policy and demands to release Epstein files ( AFP via Getty Images )

open image in gallery Some lawmakers accused Speaker Mike Johnson of not doing enough to improve relations with the White House. ( Reuters )

Some Republicans expressed solidarity with the Georgia representative. Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie  a frequent Trump critic  wrote on X that he will miss her tremendously.

Everyone should read her statement, he added. Theres more honesty expressed in these four pages than most politicians will speak in a lifetime.

Echoing this sentiment, Indiana Rep. Victoria Spartz wrote that Unfortunately, theres a lot of truth to what Marjorie had to say.

Trump, meanwhile, reacted gleefully to Greenes upcoming departure from the halls of Congress. In a Truth Social post on Saturday, he described her as a traitor who left office because of PLUMMETING Poll Numbers, and not wanting to face a Primary Challenger with a strong Trump Endorsement.

Marjorie went BAD, he added. Nevertheless, I will always appreciate Marjorie, and thank her for her service to our Country!

The presidents rhetoric quickly softened, though. A few hours later, he told reporters that Greene is a nice person and that he just disagreed with her philosophy. The president also told NBC News that hed love to see Greene return to politics.

Its not clear what, if anything, Greene will do next. Theres been rampant speculation she may be interested in higher office, with Time Magazine reporting over the weekend that she is considering running for the White House in 2028.

But, she quickly refuted this report, writing on X: Im not running for President and never said I wanted to and have only laughed about it when anyone would mention it.
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A Senate panel is set to grill automakers about mandated car safety and climate-conscious improvements following concerns that they are making vehicles too costly.

At a committee hearing scheduled for January 14, Republicans will question requirements for safety measures, such as automatic emergency brakes and alarms to remind drivers that children are in the vehicle.

Bosses from major companies, including General Motors, Ford, Stellantis, and Tesla, have been summoned to appear before the panel.

Americans have been clear that they are hyper-focused on affordability  and so is this committee, said Senator Ted Cruz, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

The average price of a car has more than doubled in the past decade, driven up by onerous government-mandated technologies and radical environmental regulations. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act took crucial steps to drive costs down with the repeal of the EV mandate and CAFE standards, but we must do more.

open image in gallery A Senate panel, chaired by Ted Cruz, is set to grill automakers about mandated car safety and climate-conscious improvements following concerns they are making vehicles too costly ( AP )

The full committee hearing is titled Pedal to the Policy: The Views of the American Auto Industry on the Upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization.

It will aim to examine how government interference continues to make vehicles expensive and out of reach for American customers and how we can restore competition and choice, according to the committee website.

Mary Barra, Chair and CEO of General Motors, Antonio Filosa, CEO and Executive Director of Stellantis, Jim Farley, President and CEO of Ford Motor Company and Lars Moravy, VP of Vehicle Engineering of Tesla are all scheduled to appear.

General Motors and Ford Motor are still deciding whether to send their bosses to the hearing, spokespersons for the companies told The Wall Street Journal. Stellantis declined to comment, the outlet reported.

open image in gallery Bosses from major companies including General Motors, Ford, Tesla and Stellantis have been summoned to appear before the panel on January 14 ( Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The Independent has contacted Tesla for comment on the upcoming hearing.

In 2000, the average new car in the U.S. sold for $20,300, rising to around $24,200 in 2010.

By 2020, the average new vehicle transaction price had doubled and now exceeds $50,000, according to the committee lawmakers, who state that new mandated technologies and climate regulations, like start-stop technology, have contributed to the soaring vehicle costs.

However, despite Cruzs skepticism, vehicle safety advocates have argued that the current mandates on safety features do not go far enough  with around 40,000 road deaths in the U.S. per year,

Regulation is the best way to make sure everybodys got this technology thats highly effective, a spokesman for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety told WSJ.
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An attorney representing jailed election-denier Tina Peters has backed sending in the U.S. military to bust his client out of prison, where she is currently languishing after being convicted over her part in the plot to overturn the 2020 election.

Peter Ticktin made the comments during an appearance on Steve Bannons War Room podcast Tuesday when he was asked if President Donald Trump should dispatch the celebrated 101st Airborne Division to free Peters, 70, the disgraced former county clerk of Mesa County, Colorado.

Do I think it should be done? For who I am, yeah  Id love to see that happen, Ticktin answered.

open image in gallery Tina Peters' lawyer Peter Ticktin is interviewed by Steve Bannon on his War Room podcast on Tuesday November 25, 2025 ( War Room/Real America's Voice )

Peters is serving a nine-year jail sentence after being convicted in August 2024 of seven out of 10 charges, four of which were felonies, for allowing 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 states 2020 presidential election results, all in support of Trumps still-unproven fraud narrative, which attempted to discredit and overturn Joe Bidens win by baselessly crying conspiracy.

Despite repeatedly protesting her innocence, including while guesting on Bannons show, Peters was told by District Court Judge Matthew Barrett at her sentencing hearing last October: You are no hero. Youre a charlatan who used, and is still using, your prior position in office to peddle a snake oil thats been proven to be junk time and time again.

Barretts reprimand has not stopped her from becoming a MAGA cause celebre, with Trump himself directing the Department of Justice in May to take action to secure her release, subsequently threatening Colorado with harsh measures if Peters was not freed.

The administration requested that she be transferred to federal custody earlier this month, citing concerns for her health.

A bipartisan group of Colorado county clerks reacted to that development by issuing a rare joint statement to their Democratic governor, Jared Polis, urging him to resist the call and accusing him of betraying election workers by staying silent.

open image in gallery Former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters is one year into her nine-year jail sentence for her part in the plot to overturn the 2020 presidential election ( AP )

This should be a no-brainer for the governor, Paul Lopez, Denvers clerk and recorder, said. Nows the time to prove your mettle.

On Sunday, Trump repeated his call for Peters release on Truth Social, demanding in all-caps: FREE TINA PETERS, WHO SITS IN A COLORADO PRISON, DYING & OLD, FOR ATTEMPTING TO EXPOSE VOTER FRAUD IN THE RIGGED 2O20 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION!!!

While Gov. Polis has not addressed the growing pressure campaign on Peters behalf, Colorados Attorney General Jenna Griswold has been unambiguous, saying in a statement Friday: Tina Peters stands alone as an example of the nefarious actions and outcomes of election denialism.

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.

Local MAGA podcaster Joe Oltmann has meanwhile ratcheted up the tension even further by calling for the execution of Polis and other state officials over their handling of the Peters case, saying they should hang by their neck until dead.
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President Donald Trump has appeared in public almost 40 percent less than he did during his first term and the time he begins the day on average is getting later, according to an analysis of his schedule.

At 79, Trump is the oldest person to be elected president and while his aides have pushed the idea that he is the picture of vitality, with an unrelenting work ethic, analysis by The New York Times suggests that he is slowing down compared to his first term.

The newspaper analyzed Trumps official schedules logged in a database maintained by Roll Call and compared engagements during his first and second terms.

Trumps official appearances dropped by 39 percent, according to the outlet. He held 1,688 official events between January 20 and November 25 in 2017. By contrast, he appeared in 1,029 official events for the same time period this year.

The analysis also revealed that Trumps first scheduled events of the day started at 10:31 a.m. on average in 2017, while events during his second term have started more often in the afternoons at 12:08 p.m. His events ended on average at around the same time, shortly after 5 p.m.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump has appeared in public almost 40 percent less than he did during his first term and the time he begins the day on average is getting later, according to analysis of his schedule. ( AP )

The president regularly enters the Oval Office after 11 a.m. after he complained during his first term that his mornings were overscheduled, a person familiar with his plans told the Times.

Despite the later starts and fewer appearances, Trump has racked up more international travel in his second term than he did during the first year of his first term, according to the report. In 2017, he took four international trips, while this year he has been on eight, including a one-day trip to Israel and Egypt in October.

The outlets report on the realities of aging in office noting that Trumps battery shows signs of wear apparently struck a nerve.

I have never worked so hard in my life, Trump lashed out Wednesday on Truth Social. Yet despite all of this the Radical Left Lunatics in the soon to fold New York Times did a hit piece on me that I am perhaps losing my Energy, despite facts that show the exact opposite.

There will be a day when I run low on Energy, it happens to everyone, but with a PERFECT PHYSICAL EXAM AND A COMPREHENSIVE COGNITIVE TEST (That was aced) JUST RECENTLY TAKEN, it certainly is not now! Trump fumed.

open image in gallery At 79, Trump is the oldest person to be elected president and his aides have pushed the idea that he is the picture of vitality, with an unrelenting work ethic ( Getty Images )

Despite Trumps perfect test scores, there has been speculation over his health after he appeared to have bruising on the back of his hand and he was checked for mild swelling in his legs during the summer.

Former White House physician Dr. Jeffrey Kuhlman, who has cared for Presidents Obama, Bush and Clinton, noted to the Times that Trump is often sedentary when he is in the Oval Office.

At a recent event to tout weight loss drugs on Nov. 6, Trump stayed seated for 20 minutes and appeared to close his eyes and doze off for a few seconds.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt compared the Trump administration to former President Joe Bidens, whose team shielded the public from his declining mental faculties in his final year.

Unlike the Biden White House, who covered up Joe Bidens cognitive decline and hid him from the press, President Trump and his entire team have been open and transparent about the presidents health, which remains exceptional, Leavitt said in a statement to the Times.

open image in gallery There has been speculation over Trumps health after he appeared to have bruising on the back of his hand and he was checked for mild swelling in his legs during the summer ( Getty Images )

She maintained that Trump is in impressive physical and mental shape and referred to two physical examinations released by the president.

It is up to Trump what he wishes to disclose to the public regarding his health and physicians often release summaries of medical tests without sharing further details. Trump recently revealed he got a perfect score on a cognitive test during a recent visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

One of the doctors said he's almost never seen a perfect score, he said. I had a perfect score. I had the highest score. And that made me feel good.

Many questions on the test, which is designed to measure cognitive impairment, not intelligence or IQ, are answerable by toddlers.
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A Georgia judge has agreed with prosecutors to drop a sweeping racketeering case against Donald Trump and his allies for their efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in the state, marking the end of a historic series of criminal cases against the president.

The case accused Trump and his co-defendants of leading a criminal enterprise to overturn his loss in the state, using a so-called fake elector scheme to falsely assert his victory while seeking to seize control of voting machines, intimidate election workers and push the states top election official to find votes Trump would need to win.

Trump and more than a dozen co-defendants  including allies Mark Meadows, Rudy Giuliani, Jeffrey Clark and John Eastman  were charged under the states RICO Act, typically used to break up organized crime, and faced a lengthy list of other charges tied to the alleged conspiracy to subvert the states election results.

The case was initially brought by the office of Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis, who failed to keep herself on the case after a lengthy court battle over allegations of conflicts of interest involving a former romantic partner who was brought on as a special prosecutor.

Peter Skandalakis, director of the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia, had assigned the case to himself earlier this month after no other prosecutors had stepped forward.

open image in gallery Donald Trump in the ubiquitous mugshot from the sweeping election interference case in Georgia that prosecutors have now dropped. ( Reuters )

Skandalakis ripped the case apart in a 22-page filing Wednesday, arguing that the case should be tried in federal court instead. Untangling the various immunity issues and other legal arguments from Trump and his allies in Georgia would take months, if not years, he argued.

Given the complexity of the legal issues at hand  ranging from constitutional questions and the Supremacy Clause to immunity, jurisdiction, venue, speedy-trial concerns, and access to federal records  and even assuming each of these issues were resolved in the states favor, bringing this case before a jury in 2029, 2030 or even 2031 would be nothing short of a remarkable feat, Skandalakis wrote.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee quickly approved the motion, dealing a fatal blow to the last remaining criminal case against the president.

Skandalakis had considered removing Trump from the case to try the remaining defendants in state court, but that move would be both illogical and unduly burdensome and costly for the state and for Fulton County, he said.

Four of Trumps original co-defendants  including attorneys Kenneth Chesebro, Jenna Ellis and Sidney Powell  already pleaded guilty to some charges in 2023 after reaching plea deals with prosecutors.

open image in gallery Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis was removed from her long-running case against the president and his allies, and a newly appointed prosecutor to lead the case argued to drop it altogether November 26 ( Reuters )

The end of the case effectively ensures the president will continue to evade criminal consequences for his efforts to reverse his loss in 2020 against Joe Biden, after special counsel Jack Smith dropped a federal indictment placing the president at the center of the alleged conspiracy.

Trump was separately charged with mishandling documents and obstructing law enforcement efforts to retrieve them, but that case was also dismissed before he returned to the White House. The presidents only criminal convictions stemmed from a case in Manhattan, where a jury found the president guilty of fraud in his efforts to cover up an alleged affair with an adult film star.

The president is also appealing that verdict in the hopes of the case landing in federal court, where his Department of Justice is expected to drop the case.

open image in gallery Former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani was among several high-profile Trump allies charged in a sprawling grand jury indictment in Georgia tied to the presidents efforts to overturn his election loss in 2020 ( Reuters )

Last year, following several days of hearings on allegations that Willis financially benefited from hiring Nathan Wade, with whom she was once romantically involved, Judge McAfee determined that either Willis or Wade should step aside for the case to continue. Wade then submitted his resignation.

Trump and his co-defendants then appealed in the hopes of disqualifying Willis, and a state appellate court removed the district attorney from the case  a decision that ultimately doomed Trumps criminal prosecution just weeks before he returned to the White House.

The investigation followed Trumps infamous phone call to Georgias Republican secretary of state Brad Raffensperger on January 2, 2021, days before Congress convened to certify the nations election results, an event that was upended by a violent mob fueled by Trumps bogus claims of victory and baseless allegations that the election was stolen and rigged against him.

All I want to do is this. I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have, Trump said during that call.

A sprawling grand jury indictment in 2023 accused Trump and his allies of making false statements in an effort to fraudulently persuade state officials, the Department of Justice and then-Vice President Mike Pence to reject lawful votes and select a slate of electors loyal to the former president despite Bidens victory in the state.

They were also accused of traveling to the state to harass an election worker, intimidate her, and solicit her to falsely confess to election crimes that she did not commit.

Defendants also corruptly conspired to illegally access data from voting machines in the state, some of which was removed  including ballot images, voting equipment software, and personal voter information  and then distributed to other members of the enterprise, including members in other states, prosecutors alleged.

Never before, and hopefully never again, will our country face circumstances such as these, Skandalakis wrote Wednesday.

The case is now nearly five years removed from President Trumps phone call with the Secretary of State, and two years have passed since the grand jury returned charges against President Trump and the eighteen other defendants. There is no realistic prospect that a sitting president will be compelled to appear in Georgia to stand trial on the allegations in this indictment, he added.

Trumps attorney Steve Sadow said the political persecution of his client is finally over.

This case should never have been brought, he said in a statement Wednesday. A fair and impartial prosecutor has put an end to this lawfare.
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President Donald Trump on Wednesday started the first day of his Thanksgiving holiday by lashing out at a New York Times report that found his level of activity over his first 10 months back in office to be significantly lower than it was during his first term  going so far as to attack the looks of the storys lead author.

The 79-year-old chief executive  the oldest person to ever be sworn in for a four-year term in the White House  ironically appeared to get a late start to his usually early morning rants over coverage as he took to Truth Social for the first time at 9:47 a.m. to accuse the creeps at the failing New York Times of being at it again with a hit piece on me that I am perhaps losing my Energy.

The Times report analyzed Trumps official schedules logged in a database maintained by Roll Call and compared engagements during his first and second terms and found his official engagements fell by 39 percent compared with the first 10n months of his second term, with 1,029 official events this year compared with 1,688 during the same period in 2017.

The analysis also revealed that Trumps first scheduled events of the day started at 10:31 a.m. on average in 2017, while events during his second term have started more often in the afternoons at 12:08 p.m. His events ended, on average, at around the same time, shortly after 5 p.m.

They know this is wrong, as is almost every thing that they write about me, including election results, ALL PURPOSELY NEGATIVE. This cheap RAG is truly an ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE, Trump wrote.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump woke up on his first day of a Thanksgiving holiday break in Mar-a-Lago to find a report citing his aging and alleged decline. ( Getty )

The presidents public appearances are a matter of public record, yet Trump accused the Times of fabricating their analysis to harm him politically.

He also accused veteran White House reporter Katie Rogers of being assigned to only write bad things about him and called her a third rate reporter who is ugly, both inside and out.

There will be a day when I run low on Energy, it happens to everyone, but with a PERFECT PHYSICAL EXAM AND A COMPREHENSIVE COGNITIVE TEST (That was aced) JUST RECENTLY TAKEN, it certainly is not now, he added.

Despite Trumps perfect test scores, there has been speculation over his health after he appeared to have bruising on the back of his hand and he was checked for mild swelling in his legs during the summer.

Former White House physician Dr. Jeffrey Kuhlman, who has cared for Presidents Obama, Bush and Clinton, noted to the Times that Trump is often sedentary when he is in the Oval Office.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump deplane as they arrive at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., November 25, 2025. REUTERS/Anna Rose Layden ( REUTERS )

A source close to the president told The Independent that Trump now prefers his media availabilities to be in Oval Office or cabinet room, where he can be seated so as to not be fatigued from standing for long periods while speaking with reporters.

The presidents attack on Rogers, who has covered the White House since 2014, comes just days after he lashed out at another female reporter, Catherine Lucey of Bloomberg News, after she tried to ask him a question about whether his administration would release case files from the FBI probe into dead pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

During a question-and-answer session with reporters aboard Air Force One last week, the president jabbed his finger in Luceys face after she tried to follow up on a comment hed made about his relationship with Epstein.

If theres nothing incriminating in the files, sir, why not the reporter began before Trump snapped.

Quiet! Quiet, piggy, he said.

The Times on Wednesday responded to Trumps attack on its reporting and personal attack on its reporter, writing: The Timess reporting is accurate and built on first hand reporting of the facts. Name-calling and personal insults dont change that, nor will our journalists hesitate to cover this administration in the face of intimidation tactics like this, the broadsheet said in a statement after Trumps Truth Social rant. Expert and thorough reporters like Katie Rogers exemplify how an independent and free press helps the American people better understand their government and its leaders.
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A federal appeals court unanimously upheld a penalty of nearly $1 million against President Donald Trump and attorney Alina Habba for bringing a frivolous lawsuit against Hillary Clinton, former FBI Director James Comey and other individuals.

In a decision released Wednesday, a panel of three judges on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals concluded that Trump and Habba committed sanctionable conduct by filing the suit three years ago. They also affirmed a lower courts decision to dismiss the case.

The 36-page opinion was written by Chief Judge William Pryor Jr., an appointee of former President George W. Bush. It was joined by Andrew Brasher and Embry Kidd  appointees of former President Joe Biden and Trump.

Many of Trumps and Habbas legal arguments were indeed frivolous, Pryor wrote, adding the pair provided no reason to reverse the initial ruling and associated penalty.

Following the decision, a spokesperson for the presidents legal team told Axios that Trump will continue to pursue this matter to its just and rightful conclusion.

open image in gallery The court ruled that Trump and Habba committed sanctionable conduct by filing lawsuit against the parties in 2022. ( AFP via Getty Images )

The ruling marks the latest setback in Trumps attempt to punish his political foes.

Earlier this week, a federal judge tossed the Department of Justices cases against Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James on the grounds that the prosecutor was unlawfully appointed. And last week, a federal appeals court affirmed a lower courts decision to dismiss Trumps defamation suit against CNN over the networks coverage of his claims that the 2020 election was rigged. The court called his arguments meritless.

Trump filed the suit against Clinton, Comey, the Democratic National Committee and dozens of others in 2022, alleging they conspired to weave a false narrative about him by fabricating a story that he and his campaign colluded with Russia.

He and Habba, his then attorney, accused Clinton  the Democratic nominee for president in 2016  of running with this narrative to discredit, delegitimize and defame him.

The president maintained that the conspiracy to link his campaign to Russia remained ongoing for years, and that he endured a minimum of $24 million in resulting damages, including legal fees.

open image in gallery In 2023, a U.S. District Court judge for the Southern District of Florida, said no reasonable lawyer would have filed the suit. ( Getty )

But, in 2023, Donald Middlebrooks, a U.S. District Court judge for the Southern District of Florida, tossed the case.

This case should never have been brought, Middlebrooks, who was appointed by former President Bill Clinton, wrote at the time. Its inadequacy as a legal claim was evident from the start. No reasonable lawyer would have filed it.

He ordered Habba and Trump  who was then living in Florida  to fork over $937,989 to the defendants to help recoup the cost of legal fees.

In their Wednesday ruling, the Atlanta-based 11th Circuit panel wrote that Middlebrooks properly considered Trumps pattern of misusing the courts and that he did not clearly err in making his decision.
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Donald Trump is taking his America First policy into the Great Outdoors with a new policy that will force foreign visitors to pay more than triple the price to visit U.S. national parks.

The Department for the Interior announced plans for the updated entry fees on Tuesday as part of a package of measures aimed at making the spaces more accessible, more affordable and more efficient for the American people.

From January 1, 2026, an annual pass to visit the National Parks will cost $80 for U.S. residents and $250 for nonresidents to ensure that U.S. taxpayers who already support the National Park System receive the greatest benefit.

Non-residents without an annual pass will pay a $100 per person fee to enter 11 of the most visited national parks, in addition to the standard entrance fee, the department stated.

open image in gallery Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Vally, California ( AFP/Getty )

The affected parks include Acadia in Maine, Bryce Canyon and Zion parks in Utah, the Everglades in Florida, Glacier in Montana, as well as Grand Teton and Yellowstone.

Further west, the Rocky Mountain park in Colorado, the Grand Canyon park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, and Yosemite will also see prices increase for tourists.

The significant price hikes are intended to help support the care and maintenance of Americas parks, many of which saw buildups of trash and vandalism of natural spaces due to a lack of staffing during the historic government shutdown.

During the 43-day shutdown, numerous incidents were recorded across the country, including overflowing bathrooms, unkept trails, illegal base-jumping and even a 70-acre wildfire near an unstaffed campground in Joshua Tree, California.

President Trumps leadership always puts American families first, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said in a statement.

open image in gallery The affected parks include Acadia in Maine, Bryce Canyon and Zion parks in Utah, the Everglades in Florida, Glacier in Montana (pictured), as well as Grand Teton and Yellowstone ( Getty/iStock )

open image in gallery Further west, Rocky Mountain park in Colorado, the Grand Canyon park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, and Yosemite (pictured) will also see increases for tourists ( Getty Images )

These policies ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations.

Resident-only patriotic fee-free days will also be available starting next year.

Dates include Presidents Day on February 16; Memorial Day on May 25; Flag Day/President Trumps birthday on June 14; Independence Day weekend and the 110th Birthday of the National Park Service on August 25.

Constitution Day on Sept. 17, Theodore Roosevelts birthday on October 27, and Veterans Day on November 11, will also be free entry for U.S. citizens.

open image in gallery In addition to price increase for foreign visitors, the administration is also announcing other modernizations in access to the park, including new digital America the Beautiful passes, updated annual pass artwork and expanded motorcycle access ( The White House )

In addition to a price increase for foreign visitors, the administration is also announcing other modernizations in access to the park, including new digital America the Beautiful passes, updated annual pass artwork and expanded motorcycle access.

Under the new system, the America the Beautiful passes  including Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade and Access  will be available in a fully digital format through Recreation.gov, according to the department.

Many social media users reacted with dismay to the new design of the passes, which show a picture of Trump next to George Washington.

If I have to see the stupid f****** president on my National Parks pass, Im not renewing them, wrote one.
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U.S. Army intelligence has warned active-duty members of the military to beware unsolicited approaches on social networking sites like LinkedIn, warning they could be from foreign agents.

Lt. Gen. Anthony Hale, the Armys Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, warned that Americas enemies are seeking to exploit perceived disaffection in the ranks arising from the record 43-day government shutdown, which ended earlier this month but saw 750,000 federal employees furloughed without pay and personnel in uniform facing uncertainty over their paychecks and work orders.

Foreign intelligence entities are online, posing as consulting firms, corporate recruiters, think-tanks, and other seemingly legitimate companies, Hale wrote in a message dated November 13 but disseminated this week, according to MilitaryTimes.

open image in gallery Lt. Gen. Anthony Hale, the Armys Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, has warned troops against engaging with unsolicited work offers on social networking sites ( Erich Ryland/U.S. Army )

Especially in the context of the recent lapse in appropriations and government shutdown, our adversaries are looking online to identify individuals seeking new employment opportunities, expressing dissatisfaction or describing financial insecurity.

These overseas operatives, Hale said, may approach soldiers and veterans with job offers or promises of easy money in exchange for white papers or privileged information, with the intent to collect sensitive information for the benefit of their country at the cost of our own.

Adam Lowe, a spokesperson for Army Counterintelligence Command, told MT that the service was seeing a massive uptick in such underhanded approaches, noting that Hale had issued a similar warning in May 2024.

This latest one came at the very end of the shutdown when soldiers and Army civilians  many of whom have or had access to TS/SCI [Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information]  were put in precarious financial situations, he said.

Its also at a time when online political discourse [has] gotten worse, and adversaries take note of people with access expressing discontentment and look to exploit that.

open image in gallery Foreign operatives have been approaching soldiers via professional sites like LinkedIn in order to attempt to exploit perceived disaffection in the ranks arising from the recent government shutdown, the U.S. Army has warned ( PA )

Lowe indicated he could not say more because active pursuit of the adversary was underway, but did add that the Army had recorded 25 arrests and more than 650 national security investigations since Counterintelligence Command was activated four years ago, which he said represented a significant increase on earlier data.

Seven U.S. soldiers have been arrested and charged with crimes, including espionage and information sharing with foreign agents, so far this year.

Hales message offered the case of Korbein Schultz, a jailed 25-year-old intelligence analyst, as a warning to troops.

Schultz was sentenced to seven years in prison in April for conspiring to collect and transmit national defense information, unlawfully exporting controlled information to China, and accepting bribes in exchange for sensitive, non-public U.S. government information, according to the Department of Justice.

He was reportedly contacted by an alleged Chinese spy, known as Conspirator A, in 2022 through a freelance web-based work platform and ultimately persuaded to part with at least 92 documents on U.S. military capabilities regarding Taiwan and Russia for $42,000.

Current and former federal employees must be aware of these approaches and understand the potential consequences of engaging, Hale said in relation to Schultzs fall from grace.

If the offer seems flattering, urgent, exclusive, or too good to be true, it probably is.
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Value City Furnitures parent company, American Signature Inc., has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and plans to close many stores across the country.

The filing is intended to help the company restructure and continue operating while addressing its debts, according to a Sunday press release.

American Signature, which previously announced the closure of four stores in Tennessee, now plans to close or liquidate dozens more locations.

Court filings show the Columbus-based company has over 1,000 creditors, more than $100 million in assets, and over $500 million in liabilities, according to documents obtained by USA Today.

For nearly 75 years, American Signature has served as a family-owned furniture destination that communities could rely on to provide style, quality, and value, Rudy Morando, Co-Chief Restructuring Officer for ASI, said in a statement.

Value City Furnitures parent company, American Signature Inc., has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and plans to sell assets while closing additional stores in multiple states ( Wiki Commons )

In the face of the ongoing macroeconomic headwinds that have impacted the entire home furnishing industry, the Company has carefully evaluated its options to assess the best path forward in the current operating environment.

Morando concluded, Through that review, we determined that entering a court-supervised process will provide the best opportunity to maximize value. We deeply appreciate our team members, customers, and partners and are determined to serve them throughout this process.

American Signature has begun store-closing sales with steep discounts while inventory lasts.

Despite the closures, the company says Value City Furniture and American Signature Furniture stores and websites will remain open for now during the filing process, even hosting a Black Friday sale.

The company, which had more than 120 stores nationwide, announced in October that four Tennessee locations would close.

Those stores, along with others, including one in Alpharetta, Georgia, are now offering 20 percent to 40 percent off select items and holding total inventory blowout sales.

According to American Signatures website, the stores scheduled to close or hold total inventory blowout sales are as follows:

Georgia:

American Signature Furniture in Alpharetta  7461 N. Point Parkway (Total inventory blowout)

American Signature Furniture in Atlanta  3755 Carmia Drive, Suite 1000 (Total inventory blowout)

American Signature Furniture in Duluth  3900 Venture Drive (Total inventory blowout)

American Signature Furniture in Kennesaw  840 Barrett Parkway NW, Suite 250 (Total inventory blowout)

American Signature Furniture in Morrow  1972 Mt. Zion Road (Total inventory blowout)

American Signature Furniture in Smyrna  2540 Cumberland Blvd. (Total inventory blowout)

American Signature Furniture in Lithonia  2918 Turner Hill Road (Total inventory blowout)

Illinois:

Value City Furniture in Gurnee  6116 Grand Ave. (Store closing)

Indiana:

Value City Furniture in Clarksville  945 E. Lewis and Clark Parkway, Suite 200 (Store closing)

Value City Furniture in Mishawaka  5865 Grape Road (Total inventory blowout)

Kentucky:

Value City Furniture in Louisville  9070 Dixie Highway (Store closing)

Maryland:

Value City Furniture in Rockville  12055 Rockville Pike (Store closing)

Michigan:

Value City Furniture in Ann Arbor  425 E Eisenhower Parkway (Store closing)

Value City Furniture in Clinton Township  33801 S. Gratiot Ave. (Store closing)

Value City Furniture in Dearborn  5701 Mercury Drive (Store closing)

Value City Furniture in Lansing  8748 W. Saginaw Highway (Total inventory blowout)

Value City Furniture in New Baltimore  50400 Gratiot Ave. (Store closing)

Value City Furniture in Novi  27775 Novi Road (Store closing)

Value City Furniture in Portage  550 Ring Road (Total inventory blowout)

Missouri:

Value City Furniture in St. Louis  7077 Chippewa St. (Store closing)

New York:

Value City Furniture in Amherst  4220 Maple Road (Total inventory blowout)

Value City Furniture in Cheektowaga  800 Thruway Plaza Drive (Total inventory blowout)

North Carolina:

Value City Furniture in Charlotte  2320 Sardis Road North (Store closing)

Ohio:

Value City Furniture in Centerville  2070 Miamisburg-Centerville Road (Store closing)

Value City Furniture in Cincinnati  650 Eastgate Drive S., Suite A (Store closing)

Pennsylvania:

Value City Furniture in Mechanicsburg  6520 Carlisle Pike, Suite 400 (Store closing)

Tennessee:

American Signature Furniture in Clarksville  2821 Wilma Rudolph Blvd. (Store closing)

American Signature Furniture in Franklin  1770 Galleria Blvd. (Store closing) (Store closing)

American Signature Furniture in Madison  2130 Gallatin Pike North (Store closing)

American Signature Furniture in Murfreesboro  2075 Old Fort Parkway (Total inventory blowout)

Virginia:
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President Nicolas Maduro has vowed to defend every inch of Venezuela from imperialist threat or aggression amid reports of a new phase of US operations in international waters.

At a ceremony commemorating the 200th anniversary of the presentation of the Sword of Peru to regional independence hero and Venezuelan Simon Bolivar, Mr Maduro brandished the historical weapon as he paid tribute to the victory against Spanish colonial rule.

We must be ready to defend every inch of this blessed land from imperialist threat or aggression, no matter where it comes from, he said at the event held before thousands in Caracas. The homeland is sacred, the homeland must be respected.

Throughout the address, he warned of new imperial threats of the international far right and said failure is not an option.

open image in gallery Nicolas Maduro brandished Simon Bolivars sword during the speech ( AFP/Getty )

It comes as the US plans to launch a new wave of operations affecting Venezuela in the coming days, according to reports.

US military forces have conducted a series of strikes in international waters that have killed at least 80 people. They claim that the attacks are against vessels suspected of drug trafficking, and that several of the boats have departed from Venezuela.

Mr Maduro has previously described the operations as an assault on the countrys sovereignty, with critics calling the deaths extrajudicial killings.

They want Venezuelas oil and gas reserves. For nothing, without paying. They want Venezuelas gold, Venezuelan minister Delcy Rodriguez said.

open image in gallery Thousands gathered at the event in Caracas ( AFP via Getty )

They want Venezuelas diamonds, iron, bauxite. They want Venezuelas natural resources.

Cuba has accused the US of intending to violently overthrow Mr Maduros government, calling its military presence in the region exaggerated and aggressive.

Foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez said: We appeal to the people of the United States to stop this madness. The US government could cause an incalculable number of deaths and create a scenario of violence and instability in the hemisphere that would be unimaginable.

Trump does not recognise Mr Maduro as the leader of Venezuela after he won his third presidential election last year amid allegations that the opposition had defeated him.

Last week, it was reported that a top military lawyer had raised concerns over the legality of the Trump administrations strikes on drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, but was ignored by higher-ups. The senior judge advocate general at US Southern Command in Miami reportedly said the strikes against the alleged narco-terrorists could amount to extrajudicial killings and legally expose American service members involved in the operations.
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Wednesday marks the busiest travel day of the Thanksgiving week, with millions taking to the skies and slick roadways to visit loved ones over the holiday.

But severe weather is already impacting plans, with blizzard conditions hitting the Midwest and Great Lakes states and storms in the Intermountain West making car travel hazardous. More than 1,000 flights were already delayed or canceled across the nation on Wednesday because of weather systems moving across the country.

Around 82 million people are on the move, with the busiest travel days expected today and on Sunday and Monday after the holiday.

At least 73 million  or nearly 90 percent of Thanksgiving travelers  are set to make their journeys by road, as six million take to the skies, according to AAA. This holiday travel period is slated to be the busiest in nearly 15 years, the Federal Aviation Administration warned.

That number could end up being higher if some air travelers decide to drive instead of fly following recent flight cancellations, the non-profit cautioned.

But there are some weather impacts across the nation that could hinder travel or make treks longer. Here is a look at what is happening in regions across the nation:

open image in gallery Travelers pass through Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport Wednesday. This Thanksgiving is expected to be the busiest for flying in nearly 15 years. ( Getty Images )

The South

After thunderstorms resulted in fallen trees and damaged homes in Texas and Alabama, the severe weather threat in the region has largely shifted away. That doesnt mean the rain is completely gone.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service said lingering storms over southern Texas were expected to gradually taper off due to an approaching cold front.

Rain was anticipated to fall in Laredo and other areas of Texas close to the U.S.-Mexico border on Wednesday morning. Additional precipitation lingered over southern Georgia between Valdosta and Douglas.

open image in gallery Travelers stand in line for departure at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Wednesday morning in Atlanta. Conditions there are dry for now, but expected to get colder over the next few days ( AP )

The Midwest and Great Lakes

Nearly 90,000 American customers were left without power early Wednesday, with the majority in Wisconsin and Michigan, according to outage tracker PowerOutage.US.

Forecasters in Minnesota said that a weather system had the potential to dump up to nine inches of snow through later today.

In life, it's said, timing is everything. And with an army of Minnesotans hitting the road for the Thanksgiving holiday, the approach of a fairly significant winter storm system is poor timing indeed, KARE 11 said.

Officials at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport urged travelers to arrive earlier than normal due to the expected crowds, according to KSTP.

open image in gallery A plow removes snow outside Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport on Wednesday. Snow is dumping across the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. ( Getty Images )

The Metropolitan Airports Commission expects to screen 441,000 people through security checkpoints between Thursday and December 1, according to CBS News, with the busiest days between today and Sunday.

Lower Michigan is set to see lake-effect snow on Thanksgiving, with up to a foot or more blowing between today and the morning.

Winter storm watches are in effect, and winds may gust up to 45 miles per hour, making travel dangerous.

Snow will begin accumulating this afternoon through Friday morning. Travel conditions will deteriorate this afternoon and remain difficult into Thursday. Winds today of 40-60 mph may cause scattered power outages. Allow extra travel time if on the road this evening or Thursday! forecasters in Grand Rapids pleaded.

As much as six inches of snow could fall in North Dakota. If youre planning on traveling Tuesday, be prepared for snow-covered roads and rapidly changing visibility due to falling and blowing snow, Bismarck forecasters said.

open image in gallery A map from the National Weather Service shows areas of the U.S. affected by rain, in green, and snow, in white, on Wednesday. Purple indicates where there will be mixed precipitation ( NWS )

North Dakota forecasters warned that more snow would fall over the weekend after 4.7 inches of powder dumped in the state on Tuesday.

Another round of accumulating snowfall is expected Friday through early Saturday, with low to medium chances for snow totals to exceed two inches across much of western and central North Dakota, the Bismarck National Weather Service Office wrote on social media. If youre traveling, make sure to stay updated on the forecast!

In Chicago, forecasters advised travelers about blowing snow and strong wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour. More than 535 flights were already delayed at OHare airport by the late afternoon, according to the tracker FlightAware.

Wind-whipped snow showers and flurries will accompany the winds, resulting in brief poor visibility, the National Weather Services Chicago Office wrote.

open image in gallery Holiday travelers gather at Chicagos O'Hare International Airport on Wednesday in Illinois. Hundreds of flights were delayed at the Midwest travel hub ( AP )

The East

Rain was moving over Boston and the New England area Wednesday morning. Some scattered thunderstorms were also anticipated up and down the East Coast, with the arrival of a cold front.

The National Weather Service warned of possible thunderstorms over Charlotte, North Carolina.

The cold front will bring periods of rain and gusty winds to the Northeast, which could cause some delays at major airport hubs in Atlanta, Charlotte, Washington, D.C., and New York City while some rain will linger across the Southeast and mid-Atlantic, FOX Weather said.

AccuWeather forecasters said winds in New York City could reach up to 30mph, potentially affecting the annual Macys Thanksgiving Day Parades main attraction: massive balloons that can span up to 100ft tall. The balloons dont fly with sustained winds up to 23mph and gusts up to 35mph.

Low temperatures in Florida will approach freezing late Thursday and into the weekend, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.

open image in gallery Parade participants are seen with the SpongeBob SquarePants and Gary Balloon during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2024. This year, forecasters warned that strong winds could potentially impact whether the balloons are allowed to fly ( Getty Images )

The West

Lighter snowfall will wind down over Wyoming and Montana, with winter weather advisories issued across the states.

Farther west, a second system is anticipated to drench the Pacific Northwest, possibly leading to flooding in Washington state and Oregon.

"A flow of moisture from the Pacific will lead to periods of rain and travel delays along the I-5 corridor in Oregon and Washington through Thanksgiving, said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Bill Deger.

"This second storm won't officially be an atmospheric river, but it will cause some travel problems."
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Two teenagers are legally challenging Australias ban on social media for children under 16, arguing it is unconstitutional because it takes away their right to free communication.

Noah Jones and Macy Neyland, both 15, are named as plaintiffs in a High Court challenge lodged by the Digital Freedom Project on Wednesday.

Australia is the first country in the world to ban social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok and Instagram for children under 16.

The ban, passed into law last November, comes into force on 10 December.

The Digital Freedom Project said it would argue that the law imposing the ban was "grossly excessive" and infringed on the "constitutional right of freedom of political communication".

The two teenagers were representative members of the group affected by the ban, the advocacy group said.

Noah said the young generation was the "true digital natives and they wanted to remain educated, robust, and savvy in our digital world".

We're disappointed in a lazy government that blanket bans under-16s rather than investing in programs to help kids be safe on social media," he said.

"They should protect kids with safeguards, not silence."

Macy said "voters of tomorrow" should not be banned from expressing their views.

"If you personally think that kids shouldn't be on social media, stay off it yourself, but don't impose it on me and my peers," she said.

"We shouldn't be silenced. It's like Orwell's book 1984, and that scares me.

Australian influencer family with teenagers moves overseas to avoid impending social media ban ( YouTube/EMPIRE Family )

After the news of the lawsuit broke, communications minister Anika Wells seemed to reference it during Question Time in the parliament on Wednesday, insisting that the federal government was firm in its commitment to roll out the new law.

Despite the fact that we are receiving threats and legal challenges by people with ulterior motives, the Albanese Labor government remains steadfastly on the side of parents and not platforms," she said. "We will not be intimidated by threats. We will not be intimidated by big tech on behalf of Australian parents. We stand firm."

The Digital Freedom Project said a blanket ban disproportionately harmed teenagers who relied on social media for information, connection and support.

It said the impact would be the heaviest on vulnerable young people, such as those with disabilities, First Nations teenagers, LGBTIQ youth, and those living in rural or remote areas.

The advocacy group, led by New South Wales MP John Ruddick, said the case centred on whether the ban put an unconstitutional burden on young peoples ability to engage in political communication and whether such a restriction was proportionate to the governments aims.

This ban is a direct assault on young people's right to freedom of political communication," he said in a statement.

Rather than exclude all under-16s from major social media platforms, the group said the government should focus on alternative safety measures like digital-literacy programmes, mandatory age-appropriate platform features, and age-assurance technologies with stronger privacy protections.

Google, which owns YouTube, is also considering a challenge to the lawsuit, according to Australian media reports.

Google's lawyers claim that the ban will prevent young adults from operating accounts on the video streaming platform.

It will also limit their ability to contribute to political communication by posting videos on YouTube and by making comments on those videos".
Qabil Ashirov



A meeting was held between Rovshan Rustamov, Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways (ADY), part of AZCON Holding, and Oleg Belozyorov, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of Russian Railways (RZD), Azernews reports citing ADY.

During the discussions, the two countries railway administrations reviewed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, improve route efficiency, and ensure the safety of freight operations. The officials also exchanged views on ongoing initiatives to digitalize freight transportation, including the implementation of digital solutions, accelerated data sharing, and optimization of the logistics chain.

The meeting concluded with the signing of an agreement on bilateral electronic data exchange between Azerbaijan Railways and Russian Railways. The agreement is expected to enhance the efficiency of freight transport and enable fully digital document circulation.
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A New Zealander who killed her two children and hid their bodies in suitcases was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday.

Hakyung Lee, 45, a New Zealand citizen originally from South Korea, was convicted in September following a three-week trial.

The remains of her children, Yuna, 8, and Minu, 6, were found inside suitcases in 2022 by a family who had purchased the contents of an abandoned storage unit at an auction in Auckland. The grisly crime shocked the country and grabbed international headlines.

Justice Geoffrey Venning of the Auckland High Court said Lee would begin her life sentence as a patient in a locked psychiatric facility under the nations compulsory mental health treatment law.

She is required to return to prison when she is well enough and serve at least 17 years of her prison term before she is eligible for parole.

Lees lawyers argued for a reduced sentence, saying she was not guilty by reason of insanity. They said she was insane at the time of the killings, which took place in 2018 after the death of her husband. Lee had come to believe it was best if the rest of the family also died.

Lee had attempted to kill herself and her children with an antidepressant, but misjudged the dosage and woke up to find them unresponsive.

Justice Venning examined Lees background and an updated psychiatric report, which indicated that she was likely suffering from atypical depression and prolonged grief at the time.

The judge said Lee's mental health did play a part in the murders, but her actions were calculated.

Lee was not able to cope with the burden and responsibility of the children after her husbands death due to her depression, he noted.

Hakyung Lee has been sentenced to life in prison ( AFP/Getty )

You relied heavily on him during your marriage, you could not cope when he became seriously unwell, and perhaps you could not bear to have the children around you as a constant reminder of your former happy life, which had been cruelly taken from you, the judge said.

Lee sat quietly in the dock with her head bowed down. She remained present during the hearing at the court but watched the trial from a separate courtroom at the High Court.

After killing her children, Lee changed her name and fled to South Korea, where she was arrested in Ulsan in September 2022 after police identified her as the mother of the deceased children. She was extradited to New Zealand soon after.

The sentencing hearing heard how the killing of her children left deep emotional scars on Lees family, with her mothers emotional statement read out by prosecutors at the court.

Her mother recalled that Lee had no will to live after her husband died of cancer in November 2017 and she regretted not taking her daughter to a counsellor.

If she wanted to die, why didn't she die alone? Choon Ja Lee said in her statement. Why did she take the innocent children with her?

Her late husbands brother said he never imagined such a profound tragedy would ever befall our family. He said their mother still did not know the two children were dead.

It was my late brothers will that I protect them, Jimmy Jo said. This is an ongoing sentence from which I can never be paroled.
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A far-right Polish politician has sparked outrage after delivering an inflammatory speech about Jewish people outside Auschwitz.

Grzegorz Braun, a member of the European Parliament, compared Jewish people to the fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter and claimed Poland is for the Poles in remarks condemned as antisemitic.

Mr Braun was speaking to reporters outside the former concentration camp  where over one million people were killed in the Holocaust  to criticise a bill to tackle antisemitism in Poland.

Jews want to be super-humans in Poland, entitled to a better status, and the Polish police dance to their tune, the chair of the Confederation of the Polish Crown said. They take pleasure in trampling on us, the Poles. Poland is for the Poles. Other nations have their own states, the Jews have theirs.

Mr Braun said the plan singles out one particular group [for] special privileges [and] is tantamount to discrimination against all Polish citizens of non-Jewish descent.

open image in gallery Far-right Polish politician Grzegorz Braun has been condemned for his shameful comments ( Sejm )

The five-year proposal to tackle growing antisemitism and support Jewish life in Poland is expected to be approved by the Polish cabinet in December. According to a 2021 Polish census, there are around 17,000 Jewish people in the country out of a total population of 38 million.

Mr Braun described the bill as like inviting Hannibal Lecter to move in next door in his speech on Saturday, which has been branded shameful.

Polands justice minister Waldemar Zurek condemned Mr Brauns comments and vowed to launch an investigation into the speech.

We will not allow anyone to express such views with impunity, Mr Zurek said. It is truly shameful for Poles that someone like this, in the 21st century, after what happened in Poland during World War II, is turning this place into some hideous political game.

The European Jewish Association (EJA) said Mr Brauns remarks were scandalous and unacceptable.

open image in gallery Over one million people were killed at Auschwitz during the Holocaust ( AP )

Poland belongs to Poles, not to Jews. Once again, Grzegorz Braun, Polish member of the European Parliament has chosen to repeat antisemitic rhetoric, this time standing outside the gates of Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland, the place where more than one million Jews were systematically murdered by the Nazis simply for being Jewish, the EJA said in a statement.

For more than two years he has used his public platform to fuel hatred against Jews, and this week he did so at the very site where that hatred reached its most horrifying expression. We condemn his actions and words!!!

EJA chair Rabbi Menachem Margolin added: Sadly we have reached a point where we cannot call out every antisemite who chooses to publicly express their hatred towards us as Jewish people. But we absolutely can and must demand accountability when such a person holds public office in Europe.

open image in gallery Braun previously extinguished Hanukkah candles during an incident at the parliament building in Warsaw ( EPA )

Mr Braun has been accused of antisemitism on multiple previous occasions. In July alleged that the Nazi gas chambers at Auschwitz were fake while claiming conspiracies about murdered Christians used for ritual purposes were fact. Polands hate speech laws prohibit Holocaust denial.

Prime minister Donald Tusk described those comments as a disgrace and said we must do everything so that no one in the world associates Poland with such people, such faces and such actions.

In 2023, Mr Braun used a fire extinguisher to put out Hanukkah candles in Polands parliamentary building. Earlier this year, the European parliament stripped Mr Braun of immunity so he could face charges.

At the time, Polish MP Barbara Oliwiecka described the incident as antisemitic and the greatest act of vandalism that has ever occurred in the Sejm [the parliaments lower house].
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South African police have launched an investigation into serious allegations that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of Jacob Zuma, enticed 17 men into fighting in Russia's war against Ukraine under false pretences.

Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed the probe, which stems from an affidavit submitted by Zuma-Sambudla's sister, Nkosazana Bonganini Zuma-Mncube.

The document claims Ms Zuma-Sambudla, alongside two unnamed individuals, misled the men by promising them security training in Russia, only for them to become embroiled in the conflict without their consent. The identities of the two other alleged accomplices remain undisclosed.

The affidavit alleges they were handed over to a Russian mercenary group and forced to fight in the war. It also says eight of the 17 men were members of the sisters' family.

Mathe said Sunday that any police charges are still to be determined through a thorough investigation.

South Africa's foreign minister, Ronald Lamola, told reporters on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg over the weekend that diplomatic efforts were underway with Russia and Ukraine to repatriate the men.

The police must investigate and whoever is involved in this must be arrested, Lamola said, adding: It is not an easy situation because they are in the front lines of this battle, but we are hopeful that there will be breakthroughs.

South Africa's government earlier this month said it had received distress calls from the men, aged 20 to 39, who said they were trapped in Ukraine's war-torn eastern Donbas region.

The men had joined mercenary forces under the pretext of lucrative employment contracts, the government said.

open image in gallery Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma, left, shares a light moment outside High Court during her trial for terrorism linked to the July 2021 riots in Durban, South Africa, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. (AP Photo) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Russia has been accused of recruiting men from other countries to fight in the war under the pretext of offering them jobs. It has also been accused of tricking women from South Africa and other African countries into working in Russian drone factories through social media campaigns promising them jobs in fields like catering and hospitality.

Under South African law, it is illegal for citizens and entities to offer or provide military assistance to foreign governments or participate in armies of foreign governments unless authorized by South Africa's government.

Zuma-Sambudla is a member of parliament for the MK Party, which her father founded in 2023 after he was expelled from the ruling African National Congress, which he led from 2007 to 2017.

She is currently on trial for unrelated charges around the deadly riots in South Africa in 2021. She is accused of fueling them with social media posts.

Zuma-Sambudla and the MK Party did not respond to request for comment.
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Lebanon and Cyprus signed a long-delayed sea border agreement on Wednesday, ending an almost 20-year impasse that had stalled some oil and gas exploration in the Mediterranean Sea, as Europe seeks alternatives to Russian fuel.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Cypriot counterpart Nikos Christodoulides signed the agreement at the Baabda presidential palace outside the Lebanese capital, Beirut, finalizing an initial deal first inked in 2007.

Christodoulides called the deal a historic agreement" in a joint press conference with Aoun, who in turn said the signing sends a clear ... invitation to anyone who wants to cooperate with Lebanon.

While Cyprus ratified the 2007 agreement, Lebanon didn't because of its maritime border dispute with Israel, as well as its internal political crises. Nicosia in 2012 offered to mediate to end the impasse, but a breakthrough didn't come until 2022, leading to a landmark agreement between Beirut and Tel Aviv, following U.S. mediation.

Lebanon hopes offshore exploration could help it generate resources after years of crippling economic crisis. It is yet to reach a maritime border agreement with neighboring Syria, which suffers its own political upheaval after a lightning rebel offensive ousted long-term President Bashar Assad.

Cyprus is set to make the best out of the deal as European countries aim to reduce reliance on importing gas from Russia, following its invasion of Ukraine. Christodoulides last week said that some of the estimated 20 trillion cubic feet of gas discovered off Cyprus could reach European markets as soon as 2027.

The delay in finalizing the agreement has prevented Cyprus from widening its hydrocarbon search, as it could not explore in areas adjacent to Lebanese waters.

Lebanon has struggled with near-daily Israeli strikes on its southern region despite reaching a tenuous ceasefire nearly a year ago. Aoun has endorsed negotiations with Israel for a cessation of hostilities, amid fears of a new war in the country.

The Mediterranean country also faces challenges to revitalize an ailing economy that has left many Lebanese in despair, by improving ties with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, long frustrated by the Hezbollah militant group, which has resisted recent attempts to disarm.



Associated Press journalist Menelaos Hadjicostis in Nicosia, Cyprus contributed to this report.
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Ukraine continues to suffer the swings and roundabouts of outrageous fortune at the hands of American negotiators but is learning how to survive the whirligig of the White House.

Donald Trump and his envoys are neither honest brokers nor even allies of Kyivs fight to defend itself against Russian invaders. But, for a little while, it seems that Ukraine has managed to swing them away from being outright enemies.

American officials have reportedly told US media that some kind of a deal has been struck in Abu Dhabi  after last weekends talks in Geneva  and that the prospects for peace in Ukraine are looking good.

The nature of that deal is key. And there is no clarity on what version of a plan that is, or even whether its a blueprint for peace or for just a ceasefire.

Kyiv rejected last weeks Trump administration plan for total capitulation by Ukraine. There have been red faces in the White House since it was published, after some linguistic analysis suggested that it may have originally been written in Russian.

Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, apparently had no idea the proposal was in the works. European leaders condemned it, Ukraine rejected it, and Moscow loved it.

Ukraine took the opening brouhaha as an opportunity to whisper its way through to Trumps people.

Over the weekend, Kyiv and European leaders took the US proposal that the Russians liked so much and turned it inside out.

Out went Trumps suggestion that Ukraine give Russia land it hasnt even captured yet, give America preferential profit deals on projects the US had not even funded, and out went the cap on Ukraines forces at 600,000. Out went a ban on Ukraines Nato membership and in came a demand for Russian reparations.

open image in gallery Volodymyr Zelensky meeting US army secretary Daniel Driscoll last week ( AP )

Above all, Ukraine would get chapter five type security guarantees from the US and all other allies, which would trigger a military conflict with Moscow if Russia tried a new invasion.

Now, according to Ukraines head of the national security council, Rustem Umerov, America has signed up to some of what was agreed with Europe and Ukraine at the weekend.

Our delegations reached a common understanding on the core terms of the agreement discussed in Geneva. We now count on the support of our European partners in our further steps, he said.

In Kyiv, a Ukrainian official deeply involved with ceasefire negotiations said that the US appeared to have agreed to adopt Ukraines positions.

The official in president Volodymyr Zelenskys office said that if the deal was the framework from Geneva, were okay. Its not a bad framework to work further.

And Zelensky wrote on X: "Following the meetings in Geneva, we see many prospects that can make the path to peace real. There are solid results, and much work still lies ahead.

But it is not at all clear if the US has done a handbrake turn. Trump has consistently ruled out offering American forces as a guarantee for Ukraines future security.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer speaks to the Coalition of the Willing on Tuesday after talks in Geneva ( PA )

The Geneva plan allows for progressive sanctions to be lifted on Russia and for Moscow to rejoin the G8 economic group of nations.

Trump wants to get back to business in Russia immediately.

Ukraine has said that US negotiators, led by Daniel Driscoll, had agreed to work within the terms of the new deal.

American officials, seldom given to clarity or veracity anyway, were more vague.

Over the past week, the United States has made tremendous progress towards a peace deal by bringing both Ukraine and Russia to the table, said Karoline Leavitt, Trumps press secretary.

There are a few delicate, but not insurmountable, details that must be sorted out and will require further talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States.

Russia doesnt like the way Kyiv has managed to get into the conversation over its own future, nor the way Zelenskys team have managed to manoeuvre the plan towards its side.

On Monday, Moscow had rejected the Ukrainian-European 28-point plan for peace outright as completely unconstructive.

And now Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff - fresh from briefing the Russians on how to flatter his boss - is being dispatched to Moscow next week to speak to Putin.

For Zelensky and his allies, efforts will focus on riding the Trump carousel of chaos long enough for him to agree to their proposals.

But it is Putin who Trump sees as the ringmaster and who will likely whip the US back towards the Russian line.
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The Vatican has issued a new decree, approved by Pope Leo, reaffirming its stance that Catholics should commit to one spouse for life.

The Holy Sees top doctrinal office told the worlds 1.4 billion Catholics on Tuesday that a singular commitment is paramount, explicitly discouraging multiple sexual relationships.

The decree specifically criticised the practice of polygamy, including among its own members in Africa. It reiterated the Vaticans belief that marriage is a lifelong commitment between one man and one woman.

The document, which did not discuss same-sex relationships, focused on the "richness and fruitfulness" of traditional marriage, encouraging Catholics to find one spouse and become committed to them.

"Every authentic marriage is a unity composed of two individuals, which requires such an intimate and totalising relationship that it cannot be shared with others," the decree stated.

It added: "Since (marriage) is a union between two people who have exactly the same dignity and the same rights, it demands exclusivity."

In a new decree approved by Pope Leo, the Vatican's top doctrinal office told the world's 1.4 billion Catholics they should seek to marry one spouse for life and should not have multiple sexual relationships ( AP )

The question of how to better enforce the Church's teachings on marriage was debated at two Vatican summits in 2023 and 2024, which the late Pope Francis hosted to discuss the future of Catholicism with hundreds of cardinals and bishops.

Polygamy in Africa, where many Catholics take part in long-standing cultural practices of maintaining more than one committed relationship, was a topic of heated discussion at those summits.

Also discussed was the rise of polyamorous relationship structures, where individuals date multiple people at the same time, in some Western countries.

"Polygamy, adultery, or polyamory are based on the illusion that the intensity of the relationship can be found in a succession of faces," the new decree said.

The document does not discuss divorce, which the Church does not recognise as it views marriage as a lifelong commitment.

The Church, however, has an annulment process, which evaluates whether marriages were properly contracted, and stresses that partners are not expected to stay in abusive relationships.
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Scientists believe they have detected lightning on Mars, thanks to the sensitive microphone aboard NASAs Perseverance rover. The discovery was made by "eavesdropping" on the planet's whirling winds.

A French-led research team reported on Wednesday that the rovers microphone captured the distinct crackling of electrical discharges. Over two Martian years, 55 instances of what they term "mini lightning" were documented.

These phenomena predominantly occurred during dust storms and dust devils, almost exclusively on the windiest Martian days, or sols. The electrical arcs, mere inches in size, were detected within two metres of the microphone, which is part of a system used for examining Martian rocks.

Sparks from these discharges, likened to static electricity on Earth, were clearly audible amidst the noisy gusts and dust particles striking the microphone.

Scientists have been looking for electrical activity and lightning at Mars for half a century, said the studys lead author Baptiste Chide, of the Institute for Research in Astrophysics and Planetology in Toulouse.

open image in gallery FILE - This image provided by NASA, shows a selfie of their Perseverance Mars rover, on July 23, 2024. The image is made up of 62 individual images that were stitched together. ( NASA via AP )

It opens a completely new field of investigation for Mars science, Chide said, citing the possible chemical effects from electrical discharges. Its like finding a missing piece of the puzzle.

The evidence is strong and persuasive, but it's based on a single instrument that was meant to record the rover zapping rocks with lasers, not lightning blasts, said Cardiff University's Daniel Mitchard, who was not involved in the study. What's more, he noted in an article accompanying the study in the journal Nature, the electrical discharges were heard  not seen.

It really is a chance discovery to hear something else going on nearby, and everything points to this being Martian lightning, Mitchard said in an email. But until new instruments are sent to verify the findings, I think there will still be a debate from some scientists as to whether this really was lightning.

Lightning has already been confirmed on Jupiter and Saturn, and Mars has long been suspected of having it too.

To find it, Chide and his team analyzed 28 hours of Perseverance recordings, documenting episodes of mini lightning based on acoustic and electric signals.

open image in gallery Nasa's Mars rover Perseverance takes a selfie on 10 September, 2021 ( Nasa )

Electrical discharges generated by the fast-moving dust devils lasted just a few seconds, while those spawned by dust storms lingered as long as 30 minutes.

Its like a thunderstorm on Earth, but barely visible with a naked eye and with plenty of faint zaps, Chide said in an email. He noted that the thin, carbon dioxide-rich Martian atmosphere absorbs much of the sound, making some of the zaps barely perceptible.

Mars atmosphere is more prone than Earths to electrical discharging and sparking through contact among grains of dust and sand, according to Chide.

The current evidence suggests it is extremely unlikely that the first person to walk on Mars could, as they plant a flag on the surface, be struck down by a bolt of lightning, Mitchard wrote in Nature. But the small and frequent static-like discharges could prove problematic for sensitive equipment.

These arent the first Mars sounds transmitted by Perseverance. Earthlings have listened in to the rovers wheels crunching over the Martian surface and the whirring blades of its no-longer-flying helicopter sidekick, Ingenuity.

Perseverance has been scouring a dry river delta at Mars since 2021, collecting samples of rock for possible signs of ancient microscopic life. NASA plans to return these core samples to Earth for laboratory analysis, but the delivery is on indefinite hold as the space agency pursues cheaper options.
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We are all about the brick, smiles Kathrine Kirk Muff, of Lego House, as we sip a coffee in the slick cafe in the massive, multi-floor oasis dedicated to the wildly popular plastic toy. Lego is at the heart of the Capital of Children that is Billund  and we celebrate that. Billund is somewhere that everyone can enjoy.

Its impossible to ignore Lego in this town of just under 8,000 residents in central Denmark. Arriving at the airport, Lego takes centre stage and Im left in no doubt that Billund is home to the Danish companys headquarters. A 10-minute bus ride away is the Hotel Legoland, which emerges like a fever dream I had as a kid, when I was a huge Lego fan. It even looks like its built of Lego and there are opportunities to play with it everywhere. Plus, of course, the chance to buy Lego in the many guises that it takes today.

Hotel Legoland is brilliantly fun and my two daughters  17-year-old Tara and 14-year-old Emma  forget about trying to look cool and throw themselves right in. It helps that we have a Ninjago-themed room which kids can enjoy as parents take a well-earned break. Im pleasantly surprised by breakfast  a huge smorgasbord alive with healthy options and chunks of hot smoked salmon on the buffet. Just feet from the buffet is the tunnel that leads into Legoland.

open image in gallery Hotel Legoland doesnt deviate from the brief ( Robin McKelvie/The Independent )

Youll find Legoland theme parks all over the world, but Billund hosts the original, and its the second biggest tourist attraction in Denmark outside Copenhagen. Im not looking forward to visiting, though, after a stressful past experience sweating in the UKs packed Windsor Legoland, not helped by (at best) brusque staff. Billunds Legoland is a welcome sea change. As hotel residents, we enjoy early access and breeze in to an empty park that, even when the main doors open, never gets too busy. Were armed with Reserve and Ride fast passes, but dont really need them with minimal queuing.

Read more: I took my kids to Copenhagen to pick up litter  and they loved it

The staff in Billund mercifully reflect Billund: they are welcoming, relaxed and cheery. We ease around in a sea of smiles  the vibe is more Florida have a nice day Disney than Windsor grumpiness. Tara reckons the rides are better, while Emma is mesmerised by the sprawling Lego recreations of various part of the world, laughing at the Lego version of our native Scotland, complete with the drone of bagpipes.

It would be a huge mistake to come to Billund to visit Legoland and not visit Lego House, and if I had to choose just one, it would be the latter. By the end of our full day there, both my daughters agree. This is where I meet Kathrine Kirk Muff, who is rightly proud of the hulking Lego-shaped edifice that is her charge. We wanted this to be a special place for everyone, so anyone can come in and use our large Lego Square space on the ground floor, or choose to come through the barriers to explore the world of Lego upstairs, she tells me.

open image in gallery Classic Lego reigns supreme at the theme park ( Robin McKelvie/The Independent )

Lego House was the single biggest investment by Lego in years when it opened in 2017, taking a year-and-a-half to build. It is  and will remain  one of a kind. There are an incredible 20 million Lego bricks on site and Kathrine emphasises that it is indeed all about the brick here, rather than the fancy new themed ranges like Ninjago and Lego Friends. We follow a towering Lego-clad tree up the staircase into a world where time seems to be suspended, where play rules over the everyday, and where kids, for once, lose interest in their phones.

In a word, Lego House is fun; its impossible not to get sucked into its smile-inducing vortex. My daughters peel back the years, magicking up all manner of creations, from buses to animals and spaceships. They record them on the digital bracelets we are all issued with, which make a great souvenir, and curb the temptation to retrieve our phones to take photos. I also lose half an hour with my wife creating our own Lego movie, which, of course, the smiling girls find really cheesy.

Read more: I took a family of four on a Copenhagen city break for under 1,000  heres how we managed it

You could spend hours just walking around Lego House looking at all the lavish creations of the Lego Masters from all over the world  everything from huge Lego cities, through to artwork and a hulking T rex. There is something to compel in every room and, if you return, you keep finding more. Its a joy that they limit numbers so everyone gets space to relax and express themselves.

open image in gallery An under the sea creation at Billund's Lego World ( Robin McKelvie/The Independent )

Not ones to rest on their hard-won laurels, Kathrine shares a sneak peek into Legos Masters Academy. This new attraction opens in autumn 2025, adding another five million bricks to Lego House and new levels of fun and intrigue. Its set up like a TV studio with live interactive shows planned for just 40 guests at a time, who will learn about being a Lego Master. Booking ahead is essential, with slots already released.

Lego House also takes hi-tech next level with its Mini Chef experience. Robert and Roberta serve us the healthy lunchboxes that are fashioned in Lego and ordered through our table console. The food is fantastic, but the service from our twin servers is unsmiling and procedural. To be fair, they are both robots  my daughters love being served by them, and its a new one for me.

open image in gallery Rooms in the Legoland Hotel are themed ( Robin McKelvie/The Independent )

Of course it is not all about Lego in Billund. This flat town is easy to get around  accessible walkways and cycle paths snake around its tree-shrouded streets  and is home to over 20 family attractions if you want a break from the brick. WOW Park is a huge play and amusement park, Lalandia Billund is Scandinavias largest water park, and there is even a Teddy Bear Art Museum.

I try to prise my daughters away from Legoland and the remarkable Lego House to explore elsewhere, but that brick has a magnetic appeal. We just want Lego, dad  Billund is like a Lego dream, Tara beams. Its hard to disagree: its a beautiful, thoughtfully-sculpted magical dream. And a striking testament to a Danish creation that stacks up for kids and big kids alike.

Getting there

British Airways and Norwegian both fly direct to Billund from the UK. Flight time is around 1 hour 40 minutes.

Robin and his family were hosted by Lego House.

Read more: The 12 best family hotels in Copenhagen for kids and adults to enjoy a city break
Karoline Leavitt brought her son Nicholas to meet Waddle, one of the National Thanksgiving turkeys, prior to the pardoning ceremony with Donald Trump on Tuesday, 25 November.

Living up to his name, the 50-pound bird waddled near the podium where the White House press secretary usually addresses reporters.

The US president granted official pardons to a pair of turkeys  Gobble and Waddle  Tuesday afternoon. At the 78th annual National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation, Mr Trump pardoned Gobble, but he assured that Waddle was also spared.

Waddle and Gobble enjoyed luxury hotel accommodations ahead of their White House visit.
The Deputy Speaker has condemned the government for extensively speaking to the media in the weeks leading up to the Budget.

Addressing MPs before Rachel Reeves began her speech on Wednesday (26 November), Nusrat Ghani criticised the disappointing extensive media briefings in the past few weeks, which she labelled as unprecedented.

Going on to reference the OBR leaks which occurred an hour before the Chancellor gave her speech, she said: This all falls short of the standards that the House expects.

Reminding the government that announcements should be made in the chamber before they are given to the media, she said: Like many, I expected better.
A wolf was caught on camera displaying behavior never seen before in wild canids, members of the dog family, as it appeared to use tools to gather food.

The animal was observed in the Indigenous Haizaqv Nation Territory on the central coast of British Columbia swimming out to a buoy marker, dragging it back to land and then reeling in an attached crab trap and eating the contents.

Researchers from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, which published the study, said that while wolves had been seen interacting with human objects before, this enterprise was far more sophisticated than anything previously recorded.
Trainee accountants can now seek new jobs without their employers' approval. Photo: Getty

Trainee accountants will no longer need permission from their employer before applying for an alternative job or going for interviewing, after a complaint that the rules were punitive and anti-competitive.
What I spend on Christmas: I would imagine that my total will be about 2,000 and the majority of my budget will be on my own kids
Phoenixs 1bn Cellnex deal was one of largest assessed by CCPC

Competition watchdog says the complex merger deal required extensive engagement with stakeholders

Telecoms infrastructure. Photo: Jason Alden/Bloomberg

John Mulligan Tue 25 Nov 2025 at 14:59

The competition watchdog said its review of the 1bn acquisition of mobile telecoms masts operator Cellnex Ireland by rival Phoenix Tower International was one of the largest deals it ever assessed.
Passengers had submitted claim for delayed flight via a third party

The airline argued that the passengers should have submitted the claim directly to the airline and not via a third party. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA

Ryanair has failed in a court bid to have a passenger flight delay claim taken against it in the UK thrown out because the customers used a third party to pursue it. It has important implications for airlines and companies that seek compensation on behalf of passengers in the EU whose flights have been delayed or cancelled.
Fast growing Irish hospitality group Staycity expanded into three new European countries this year, opening locations in Portugal, Austria and the Netherlands, as it expanded its aparthotel network.

The expansion is part of a wider development pipeline to add over 4,000 'keys' or rooms across Europe; includes projects in the UK, France, Germany, and Austria, where a property in Vienna opened under the Wilde brand in 2025, according to accounts just filed for Staycity Investments Holdings Ltd.
Tuesday nights episode saw contestants take on the jungle nursery challenge

Tom Read Wilson and Vogue Williams on 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!' Photo by James Gourley/ITV/Shutterstock (15856580cd)

Comedian and Im A Celebrity  Get Me Out Of Here! contestant Ruby Wax has said her inner animal took over after claiming a bag of sweets to herself following a camp challenge.

Tuesday nights episode saw contestants model Kelly Brook, comedian Eddie Kadi, Celebs Go Dating receptionist Tom Read Wilson and Irish presenter Vogue Williams take on the jungle nursery challenge.

The four contestants climbed into a cot that had Teddy Bears hanging overhead and which were named after a well-known childrens story book.

One by one, a bear would fall into the cot along with jungle critters, with the contestants tasked with using words that were not in the title to describe the story for the contestants back in camp to guess.

The celebrities successfully guessed six titles correctly and were rewarded with bags of sweets including liquorice all-sorts, chocolate eclairs, lemon sherbets, fruit pastels and more.

Wax, who claimed the liquorice all sorts bag to herself, said: Sorry, its each man for itself now.

She later reflected: My inner animal took over, Ive got a mouth to feed, which is mine!

Spandau Ballets Martin Kemp described the scene as chaos, adding that it was one of the funniest things Ive seen for years. It was 12 celebrities, going absolutely mental. It was like a frenzy, a frenzy for sugar!

The following morning the camp reflected on the sweets that were won.

Sports broadcaster Alex Scott said: I think that was just a lesson, it is something to laugh about but it is something like that, a small thing, that can become a big thing.

I think the reaction to the sweets situation yesterday, certain people didnt know what sweets were there, who was getting what and it could just be handled in a different situation.

Social media star Morgan Burtwistle, who is known as Angryginge, suggested that for future rewards the chefs should divide them out fairly, with Kadi and Williams pointing out that out of the six bags, Wax had a whole one to herself.

Meanwhile, TV personality Jack Osbourne bagged 12 stars in first solo Bushtucker Trial, Drown The Hatch.

The challenge involved diving to search for hidden stars in eight underwater chambers with only two minutes per chamber and 12 stars on offer.

Despite saying he was nervous to do it alone, Osbourne entered the first chamber, filled with yabbies and toads and quickly unscrewed the wingnuts, securing his first star in 26 seconds.

Meanwhile, chamber two was full of water dragons and mud crabs, however Osbourne successfully completed it again in just one breath before meeting monitor lizards, eels, toads, yabbies and mud crabs in chambers three and four.

Described as a machine by presenter Ant McPartlin, Osbourne dedicated the remaining chambers to his kids, Pearl, Andy, Minnie and Maple with each containing two stars.

He successfully collected the rest of the eight stars available, giving him a total 12/12 stars.

Osbourne said: That was so much fun!

Heading back to camp with the good news, he declared that the celebrities would be eating well that night with rapper Aitch describing him as J-aquaman.

Im A Celebrity  Get Me Out Of Here! returns on Wednesday night at 9pm on ITV1, STV, ITVX and STV Player while Im A Celebrity  Unpacked airs nightly after the main show on ITV2, STV, ITVX and STV Player.
Vogue Williams attempts to eat a pig brain on I'm a Celeb as part of Rivals challenge

Vogue Williams will have to eat an entire pigs brain in the next jungle challenge in tonights episode of Im A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!

The My Therapist Ghosted Me podcaster, and fellow contestant Kelly Brook, will battle it out head-to-head in tonights Rivals format.

In the latest jungle challenge on Virgin Medias reality series, hosted by Ant & Dec, Williams and Brook will have to race to see who can eat the entire brain the fastest.

In a teaser ahead of tonights episode, both celebrities were seen struggling, but it looks like the Dublin former model will emerge victorious in the challenge.

"The first celebrity to eat the entire pigs brain will be declared a winner, Dec said. During the challenge, Ant added: "Vogues really going for this.

It comes as she joined the cast of celebrity contestants, including actor and musician Martin Kemp, Jack Osbourne and British rapper Aitch, in the Australian jungle in the fourth episode of the series last week.

The episode yesterday saw four contestants, including Williams, take on the jungle nursery challenge.

They climbed into a cot that had teddy bears hanging overhead, which were named after a well-known childrens storybook.

One by one, a bear would fall into the cot along with jungle critters, with the contestants tasked with using words not in the title to describe the story for the contestants back in camp to guess.

The celebrities successfully guessed six titles correctly and were rewarded with bags of sweets.

Earlier this week, participants faced an evacuation in the midst of an Australian storm.

Im A CelebrityGet Me Out Of Here! airs every night at 9pm on Virgin Media Play and Virgin Media One.
Caredoc staff who are members of both INMO and SIPTU to begin strike action in December over pay dispute

SIPTU have confirmed that they have formally written to Caredoc to give notice of strike action which they say will commence on December 18

SIPTU and INMO members employed within the Caredoc out of hours service will take part in a lunchtime protest outside the Caredoc offices in Carlow on Wednesday, November 26 at 1pm. Photo: Stock image

Aisling Bolton-Dowling Wed 26 Nov 2025 at 12:41

Members of Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and SIPTU working for Caredoc could begin industrial action next month over a pay dispute with their employer.
Gig-goer at Dublins 3Arena aggressive to gardai

Rock fan upset after being turned away from concert because he was drunk

Stock image

Andrew Phelan Wed 26 Nov 2025 at 06:30

A concert-goer was arrested for being aggressive and abusive to gardai who found him drunk outside a Nine Inch Nails gig in Dublin.
A young man charged with the murder of his mother has been remanded in custody for two weeks.

David Gallagher (25) appeared before Cork District Court one week after he had been charged with the murder of his mother, Stella Gallagher (59), near their family home at Shrewsbury Downs, Ballinlough in Cork.
They feared their little boy was going to die  Child (8) waits nearly two hours for ambulance after suffering horrific injury
Former Carlow hurler Oisin Kelly who benefited from blood transfusion during his treatment for cancer - his family are urging GAA members to support blood donation.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) has launched a nationwide Every Drop Counts campaign at Croke Park, urging young people, especially within GAA communities, to give blood and make it a consistent part of their lives.

The appeal is inspired by the legacy of Oisin Kelly, the young Carlow hurler who passed away from bone cancer in 2023. Members of Oisin's family and club Naomh Eoin were in Croke Park to help launch the appeal.
Oasis end-of-tour merchandise store to open in Dublin for Christmas period

Official tour merch, new items and product personalisation will be available in store

Oasis on stage at Croke Park. Photo: Steve Humphreys.

Sarah O'Mahony Wed 26 Nov 2025 at 17:38

Oasis are offering fans a chance to pick up merchandise at another pop-up store in Dublin this December.
Having struggled learning le francais at school, Chloe McPolin is reminded of the sweat-inducing oral practice when she heads back for night classes

Hobby comrades, we are a few months into this hobby quest. I have realised I have fallen short on one crucial aspect: I havent taken up a language.

Initially, I thought it wasnt much of a hobby, but nowadays everyone seems to be doing it. In school, I did Irish, Italian and French. I was actually quite good at Irish, but Italian and French were my weaker suits. But after school, these were dropped in favour of partying, which I suppose was my own cultural pursuit at the time.
My Cultural Life

Emer Fallon is Kerry County Councils Writer in Residence. She lives in the West Kerry Gaeltactht and is involved with the podcast Will It Stay Fine?, a climate action project with Creative Ireland in Maharees. Listen at SoundCloud or at mahareesconservation.com.

BOOK: Wrong Norma Wrong Norma by Anne Carson has been on my bedside table for the past six months and was recently joined by the latest issue of The Poetry Bus. I love poems that take me by surprise, and both of these publications feature work that does just that.

Meanwhile, in recent years Ive been combining lino-cut images and words using natural pigments made from local plants and rocks. Whenever my printmaking inspiration runs low, I read the latest issue of Pressing Matters magazine and come away fired up and ready to work.

TV: Amhrain na nGael Im really enjoying Imelda Mays Amhrain na nGael on RTE Player. The conversations around the origins of sean-nos and its poetic roots are fascinating. Its also astonishing how an interpretation of a song can be so individual.

In contrast, I became briefly obsessed with The Summer I Turned Pretty, which was a source of terrible shame. Then I learned it was in fact a cultural phenomenon, and decided it was nice to be part of a gang indulging in some much-needed escapism.

MUSIC: Doechii On edit breaks from Will it Stay Fine?, a podcast Im working on with artists Zoe Ui Fhaolain Green and Silke Michels, Ive been listening to Doechii and loving her. Her lyrics are funny and fierce  pure poetry.

ART: Grilse Gallery Im a big fan of Killorglins Grilse Gallery, which has become a bit of a creative hub. A recent exhibition there by Dorota Borowa blew me away and Im looking forward to the upcoming show, Kerry Select.

I read some poems a few months ago at a commemoration event in Dingles Famine Graveyard, which sits above the old community hospital that was once a workhouse. Its a quiet, removed place where unmarked graves bring home the reality of Irelands past. Just sitting there inevitably makes you think of whats going on right now in Palestine.
The presidents lack of leadership has resulted in White House infighting over a plan that flagrantly regurgitates Putins agenda

When the captain has no compass, the crew starts fighting over nautical charts and the rudder. So it is with the United States, which now has several foreign policies rather than one, as factions inside Donald Trumps White House wrestle over how to deal with Russia and Ukraine, as well as Venezuela and much else. The primary victim is Ukraine, which must fear for not only its sovereignty but its dignity. The collateral damage is the world.
Most talented students and researchers encouraged to propose projects

Irelands greatest resource is not oil or minerals. It is our people and their ideas. But here is the truth: When it comes to research investment, Ireland lags behind.
Tom Tugendhat: Placating Putin just convinces him of wests weakness

Russian president has shown he will do anything to cling on to power

Russian president Vladimir Putin faces being ousted from power if Russia lose war. Photo: Reuters

Tom Tugendhat Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Wed 26 Nov 2025 at 06:30

Moscows thugs have never hidden who they are, whether that be poisoning dissidents, shooting journalists or casually releasing a nerve agent in a quiet English cathedral city.
News that asylum-seekers may have to contribute between 10pc and 40pc of their weekly income towards their state accommodation costs may cause unease among some. The proposal will be considered by the Cabinet today.

Department of Justice figures from last year suggest around 7,600 people in the Ipas system would have been eligible to pay a contribution.

The shift in thinking on how to contain or reduce numbers of people coming here is understandably becoming more pronounced.

With other Western countries cracking down on entitlements for asylum-seekers, Ireland would not become an outlier, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said recently. A clampdown with tougher rules in Denmark has spurred Britain to follow suit.

Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan has said we too must continue to try to reduce the number of people applying for international protection.

This year, we will have around 13,000 applications, he said. Britain has committed to making refugee status temporary and to speed up the deportation of those who arrive illegally.

Visiting Dublin this week, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, said Ireland was very well placed to adopt the EU Migration and Asylum Pact.

We will have new rules such as screening of illegal arrivals, having the border procedure at the external border, he said.

Without the invaluable work done here by immigrants, many of our most vital services would cease to function

It has recently been claimed that people leaving direct provision and other migration trends were major factors driving homelessness.

We cannot forget that all countries draw strength and spirit from those who come to their shores from overseas. Different heritages strengthen economies and enrich cultures. This country has always taken pride in the fact it does not matter what part of the world you come from  if you work and play by the rules, you are welcome.

Without the invaluable work done here by immigrants, many of our most vital services would cease to function. Immigration is a vital component of the growth not only of our economy, but our society. The majority of immigrants are simply looking for a better chance in life. Unchecked, illegal immigration can overwhelm a system. It also undermines those who go through the recognised processes. Enforcing our laws uniformly and fairly has to be a constant.

Controlled immigration provides Ireland with valued workers. Stock image

Today's News in 90 Seconds - Wednesday, November 26

No nation understands the trials and difficulties of migrants better than ourselves. Our story is one of separation and being taken in on the shores of strangers. As film director and Irish citizen David Puttnam reminded us last year in an interview: The Irish invented immigration, invented the immigrant and went through every single form of the immigrant experience.

He was commenting on the troubling tone souring the issue, saying how scarily easy it is to pull that particular toilet chain. He is right. We must respect dignity and be humane, but we must also recognise our limits and the laws that apply.
In her role as a successful journalist and broadcaster with Crime World, Nicola Tallant naturally views the question from a couple of very different perspectives.

Certainly, it pays me, but none of it comes easy, she tells Katie Byrne on the latest episode of the Money Talks podcast. I work hard at everything I do. I enjoy everything I do, which is probably more important, really.

Does crime pay for the criminals? Probably for a while, but theres definitely not a huge longevity, or no retirement in it, I dont think.

Elaborating on that, Tallant illustrates the stark dichotomy between the extravagant lifestyle that can be realised through nefarious means, and the long-term financial regrets that are common among career criminals.

Its funny: the money [that] they have is all in the ether, she says.

Its never really in their hands. Theyre always in debt or in credit, or theyre owed, or they owe money  vast amounts of it. And of course, some of it does end up in their hands, and theyll spend it like mad on items that you wouldnt think of ever buying in your lifetime.

Its the weirdest thing, really. They can do a lifetime in organised crime and at the end of it, say 20 years, they can have nothing. I mean nothing.

Theyre still probably in the council house they started out in and if theyre not in the business anymore they have nothing, absolutely nothing to show for it. Tallant notes the difference in spending habits found inside the economy of organised crime, with thousands and thousands spent on childrens

Christmas presents by some criminals, and a more Scrooge-like attitude adopted by others - Hed know where his communion money was, she says of one high-profile figure.

Tallant also highlights the occupational hazards that come with the territory.

I suppose a big-enough drug dealer, say in Ireland, will be either 100,000-300,000 in debt or in credit, but one loss of a drug shipment... I mean, you talk about getting into financial difficulties in the real world? The financial difficulties they get into are just unbelievable.

Its threat of death, of murder: all of a sudden they might have to go on the run, they might have to provide accommodation for themselves, they might have to be looking after their families, the security, everything.

Elsewhere on the episode: the pros and cons of criminal property auctions, and the strangest place Nicola Tallants career has taken her.

You can listen to Money Talks wherever you get your podcasts, and you can keep an eye on Nicolas work at CrimeWorld.com. The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or recommendation of any investment product.
When Des Vere Hunt, of Garraun, Fethard, Co Tipperary passed away in September 2021, he left behind him a stud farm worth over 3 million euros. He also left behind four wills. An announcement read:

"Pre-deceased by his wife Nellie and his brother Philip. Deeply regretted by Elizabeth and Conor, his brothers Raymond, Peter and Bob, his sister Frances, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and wide circle of friends. May he rest in peace."

Years later, it seems that peace remains elusive - while the details of his final years are pored over in a three-way legal dispute over inheritance.

Fionnan Sheahan is joined by Sunday Independent journalist Mark Tighe to discuss the impending High Court battle over the four wills of Des Vere Hunt.
Former Minister of State and Clare Fine Gael TD, Donal Carey, has passed away at the age of 88.

A native of Clarecastle, Mr Carey was first elected as a local councillor for Clare County Council in 1974.

From there he went on to serve Clare as a TD from 1982 to 2002, after acting as a Senator for the Labour Panel from 1981 to 1982.

Mr Carey was further appointed as Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach with responsibility for western development and rural renewal and Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht with responsibility for the Gaeltacht in 1995 until 1997.

Tanaiste and Finance Minister Simon Harris has lead tributes as the news of Mr Careys overnight passing circulates.

I am extremely saddened to learn of the passing of the late Donal Carey, the Tanaiste said. Donal was deeply committed to public service, dedicating well over 20 years of his life to the people of Clare, as a councillor, TD, Senator and Minister of State.

The late Donal Carey. Image: Simon Harris via LinkedIn

Today's News in 90 Seconds - Wednesday, November 26

He was someone who brought a real sense of kindness, humour and wisdom to the job, always willing to support younger colleagues who were starting out on their political journeys.

Without doubt, one of Donals overriding passions was serving the communities and people of county Clare. Communities that will always Donal for ensuring their voices were heard in Dail and Seanad Eireann.

Donal, of course, made a huge impact within our Fine Gael party, building so many friendships along the way.

On behalf of Fine Gael, I extend my heartfelt condolences to all the Carey family at this very difficult time, including, Joe, one of Donals sons who also served with distinction in Dail Eireann, and his daughter Leonora who ran in the last general election.

Donals legacy of service and his contribution to Irish public life and to our Fine Gael family will always be remembered.

Mr Careys son, Joe Carey was a Fine Gael TD for Clare from 2007 to 2024 and his daughter, Leonora Carey, also ran for Fine Gael in the 2024 General Election.
European flights from the Rebel County next summer are to increase as Cork Airport announce a major schedule expansion with some of the worlds most esteemed airlines.

The schedule will connect the people of Munster and further afield to some of Europes finest cities as more flights to Frankfurt, Zurich, Amsterdam, London and Paris are set to increase.
The controversial Cork to Kinsale greenway proposal is likely to be on the joint committee's agenda.

Cork County Council has appointed councillors to sit on a joint committee with Cork city councillors that was set up to improve co-operation and co-ordination between the countys two local authorities but which hasnt met for years.

Nine county councillors were appointed to the committee at this weeks meeting of Cork County Council with three each from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, two Independents and one Social Democrat. Cork City Council appointed its representatives to the committee some time ago.

City Councillor Peter Horgan, one of the city appointees, welcomed the news, describing it as a positive step. I will be engaging today with colleagues who sit on the city side to arrange a meeting without delay this side of Christmas. There is much we can work on together as city and county for the betterment of Cork, he told the Irish Independent.

The Joint Cork City Council/Cork County Council Committee hasnt met for several years. Another city appointee to the committee, Cllr Shane OCallaghan, told the Irish Independent in October that my understanding is that it never met during the last council term. So it hasn't met at least since June 2019 and I suspect it didn't meet for a long time before that either.

At last months Cork City Council meeting Cllr Ciara OConnor put forward a motion calling on the city council to write to its county counterpart requesting that the committee be reconvened to ensure ongoing co-operation and co-ordination on projects of mutual importance that overlap both local authority areas and municipal districts.

The reality is that as our city grows and the county grows, many of the strategic projects we are involved in, whether it's infrastructure, transport or environmental planning, do not respect the boundaries between city and county. They affect all of us and more importantly they affect communities we represent, she said.

The Irish Independent understands that no date for a meeting of the reconvened committee has yet been set. The proposed Cork city to Kinsale greenway is likely to be one of the items on the agenda. The city council agreed to give the county council all of its powers and functions regarding the controversial development, which some landowners fear will be constructed using compulsory purchase orders.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Cork Chamber has announced the late John Mullins as the posthumous recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Business Award 2025.

Presented at the Cork Chamber Dublin Dinner at the Clayton Burlington Hotel, the award recognises Johns exceptional leadership in business, his deep commitment to public and civic life, and his enduring impact on Cork and Ireland.

A past President of Cork Chamber, John was an influential business and civic figure.

As Group CEO of Bord Gais, his leadership led the companys expansion into electricity and renewables.

In 2013, he co-founded Amarenco, building it into a major international solar energy company.

John was a Fellow of Engineers Ireland and the Irish Academy of Engineering and was awarded the Legion dHonneur by the French Government in recognition of his contribution to Europes solar energy market.

Beyond business, John was deeply committed to public service, civic engagement and community leadership.

He chaired the Port of Cork through a transformative redevelopment, served on the boards of Tyndall National Institute, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Energycloud, Anam Cara and Wisetek, and contributed passionately to organisations including the Alliance Francaise de Cork, where he served as President from 2017 to 2022.

Read more John Mullins remembered as a champion' for Cork

A lifelong believer in public participation, John served as President of Young Fine Gael and later acted as a party trustee and director of elections and stood as a candidate in the 2024 European Elections.

Rob Horgan, President of Cork Chamber said: John Mullins was a leader who understood the power of collaboration. He brought people together, across sectors, across communities, across beliefs, and he did so with energy, integrity and a deep love for Cork.

His influence was felt in boardrooms, in government circles, and in the many civic and community organisations where he gave so generously of his time. Johns legacy is one of connection and possibility. It is a privilege to recognise him with this award, he added.

Accepting the award on behalf of the Mullins family, Johns brother, Pat Mullins said: On behalf of the Mullins family, my sincere thanks to Cork Chamber for this award. John had an extraordinary capacity to imagine what could be achieved, and the determination to make it happen.

Ambition and drive were not things he learned, they were part of who he was, said Mr Mullins. He cared deeply about his homeplace, about Cork and Ireland, and he carried that pride into everything he did. His legacy lives on in the projects he led, the people he inspired and the organisations he helped shape. We are deeply proud to see that legacy celebrated here tonight.

Conor Healy, CEO of Cork Chamber, said, John was not only a past President of Cork Chamber, he was a colleague, a mentor and a great friend to so many of us. He combined business leadership with a strong sense of public duty, contributing meaningfully to national policy, regional development and community life.

From Bord Gais to Amarenco, from the Port of Cork to his many charitable and civic roles, he strengthened every organisation he touched. John believed in Corks potential and he worked tirelessly to help realise it. This award honours a life defined by service, innovation and remarkable generosity of spirit, he added.

Ronan Murray, EY Cork Office Managing Partners said John was an exceptional leader and entrepreneur whose vision and drive to innovate made a lasting mark on Cork, on Ireland and on the sectors he helped to transform. He was a valued alumnus of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year programme and he truly embodied the ambition and energy that define that community. EY is proud to support this recognition of his legacy.

The Outstanding Contribution to Business Award is presented annually by Cork Chamber to an individual whose leadership and influence have made a profound contribution to business and society in Cork and Ireland.

Read more John Mullins remembered as a champion' for Cork

John Mullins now joins a distinguished list of past recipients, including Sean ODriscoll (Glen Dimplex), Cathy Kearney (Apple), Jim Barry (Barry Group), Darina Allen, (Ballymaloe), Jim Woulfe (Dairygold), Bob Savage (Dell), Linda and Dan Kiely (Voxpro now Telus), Anne OLeary (formerly of Vodafone, now Meta), Frank Boland and Pat McGrath (PM Group).
The Toy Library, the country's first toy sharing platform, is encouraging families to share pre-owned toys this Christmas in a bid to cut down on waste and make financial savings.

The Toy Library, has launched this years Circular Christmas campaign and is inviting people to sign up to the platform for free.

They can upload photos of the toys they would like to pass on to someone else.

People can use the platforms geo-location to find suitable toys in their locality and request toys for collection.

The social enterprise was set up in Cork last year and the number of people who have signed up nationally has grown to 2,700.

Founder, Giorgia Anile said Christmas can cause a huge amount of stress for parents. We would strongly encourage people to check out The Toy Library and see if theres anything available that can help ease that pressure and also reduce the amount of plastic being wasted. The platform is great for toys like dolls, playhouses and scooters.

Conor Meldrum who has used The Toy Library said: Just before my sons birthday I asked him how we could make space in the house for any more toys and he suggested using The Toy Library. One of the five toys has already found a new home and my son was delighted to know that it would bring joy and happiness to another child.

For more information about The Toy Library and how to get involved, visit https://www.thetoylibrary.ie/
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has confirmed that they will will progress a meeting with representatives from the local community to explore access options for Conna Castle.

Conna Castle was closed to the public in 2015 for restoration and safety works.

The news was confirmed at a recent Fermoy Municipal District meeting via correspondence received from Martina Kiernan Private Secretary to the Minister of State, Kevin Moran.

Ms Kiernan was responding to a motion that was submitted by Cllr William OLeary in February this year which requested an update on the future use of Conna Castle.

In the letter to the councillors, Mr Kiernan confirmed that Conna Castle remains under the management of the Office of Public Works (OPW). In recent years, the OPW has undertaken a number of conservation works at the site, including repairs to window embrasures, the installation of safety grills, and the removal of high-level hoists.

These works have been carried out in line with best conservation practices, said Ms Kiernan. The next phase of works is expected to focus on repairs to the exterior machicolations and the installation of a temporary timber lintel, with further works to follow as required.

Ms Kiernan revealed the OPW will progress a meeting with representatives from the local community to explore access options for Conna Castle. This meeting will aim to establish a shared understanding and discuss a potential way forward. In the meantime, the grounds of the Castle remain available for public events through a permissions application process and further information is available on the Heritage Ireland website.

The motion has also been referred to the Cork County Council Historical Monuments Committee, and we look forward to any engagement that may arise from that forum, she added.

Independent councillor William OLeary welcomed the response. That response is welcome. I know the grounds are fully open to the public. I am glad they will engage with the Historical Monument committee.

Fianna Fail councillor Frank OFlynn said it is a beautiful castle and a landmark in this part of Cork County.

It is a positive response, said Independent councillor Peter ODonoghue: The amount of castles we have in this area and we just take it for granted. We have an opportunity in the Fermoy MD to expand the tourism industry in this area. We need to be trying to bring tourists into the area and bring more revenue into the area which would help our businesses."

This is a no-brainer to try and get these castles open for tourisms and highlight the massive history we have in our area, he added.
A Fingal councillor recently raised concerns about frustrating and annoying abandoned e-bikes

New smart parking feature in Fingal aims to get rid of abandoned bikes and e-scooters cluttering the street

Fingal County Council (FCC) has introduced a new smart parking feature in the county to tackle a rising problem of abandoned e-bikes and the cluttering of sidewalks.

With the new Bluetooth-based feature from Oslo-based company Sparkpark, an e-bike user will not be able to end their trip unless they park their bike within a designated bike rack or smart bay and update it on their phone.

The council said it will introduce the initiative across 10 locations in Dublin 15  Sparkpark uses geofencing technology or a virtual fence area that can detect a bike or scooter within these areas.

The launch comes after Castleknock councillor John Walsh said that constituents were growing frustrated and annoyed that companies were not collecting abandoned e-bikes in a timely way at a recent area committee meeting for FCC.

The industry standard for the removal of abandoned bikes is 36 hours  but companies have told Castleknock Tidy Towns that it can take up to 48 hours to remove an abandoned bike, he said.

Thats problematic on a number of levels  if bikes are left around on public walkways, footpaths, and roadways, they are a public health hazard.

"Children, older people and people with mobility difficulties can be particularly badly affected by them.

At the meeting, FCC management said that it would become the first local authority in Europe to launch Sparkpark to manage bikes and e-scooters in public spaces.

Most bike shares use regular geofencing on a parking space and it can be accurate from anywhere at five metres to 500 metres within that designated area, explained council staff.

A lot of the time, bikes technically look like theyve been abandoned because the parking zone might not be accurate and users are just looking to finish their trip  this new feature gets rid of that problem.

Sparkpark uses sensors that are placed over the bike stands and they are accurate to within a centimetre. So you won't be able to finish your trip outside of that space.

This means means that we'll be able to use it in more areas where we see the pooling of abandoned bikes  in areas that look unkempt, unclean, where the bikes become a hazard.

Sparkpark has already been trialled in Madrid, Helsinki and Denver where e-bike use is popular.

In small cities like Oslo or Dublin, people find it hard to walk when these bikes clutter the streets  especially blind people, old people and people using strollers, Thomas Braten, co-founder of Sparkpark told the Irish Independent.

Sparkpark uses an antenna to detect bikes and a digital fence which makes sure a bike has to be parked for your trip to be done. Usually, its really hard for people to confirm that theyve parked their e-bikes.

This is not just a problem in Dublin or Fingal  weve seen it in all cities where e-bikes are popular. You cant blame the users alone  but this can help helps cities manage them better.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
It's a story of endurance and culture  Inside this Galway mans historic 1,468km swim around Ireland

After five gruelling months in the water, braving injury, isolation and the Atlantics worst moods, 27-year-old Daragh Morgan has become the first person to complete a tidal-assisted swim around Ireland

Daragh Morgan at his Galway homecoming

Erika Sassone Wed 26 Nov 2025 at 06:30

After five months and 17 days, 1,468km in the water and more moments of grit than he can count, Daragh Morgan has become the first person to complete a tidal-assisted swim around the entire coast of Ireland.
2025 Roses and Escorts at the top of Carrauntoohil during Movember fundraiser

A fundraiser undertaken by members of this years Rose of Tralee escorts in aid of Movember has hit over 10,000.

Some of this years Roses joined their escorts on a windy climb to the summit of the tallest mountain in Ireland on Saturday, November 15, to raise funds for Movember.
Cahersiveen Court round-up

Assault, threats and public exposure allegations, as well as the story of a missing driving licence, were amongst the list at the November monthly Cahersiveen and Killorglin District Courts sitting.

John Moriarty (74) of Woodview, Kealnabrack Upper, Glenbeigh represented himself to contest a charge of failure to produce a driving licence on May 13 at Castlemaine Road, Cloonmore, Kerry.

I hadnt got it on the day but I did produce it in Killorglin, he said.

The judge noted the licence he showed in court was dated May 27, two weeks after he was asked to produce it.

It looks like you applied on the day you were stopped, observed Judge David Waters.

No, I had the licence since 97, said Mr Moriarity. However, he added, he could not find it when he went home.

I mislaid my licence, he concluded.

The judge struck out the case.

Padraig OSullivan (26) of Laharn, Castlemaine pleaded guilty to driving uninsured and driving without a licence at Ard Na Greine, Milltown on June 5. Mr OSullivan first claimed it was his brothers vehicle, and then a garage vehicle, Sgt Stephen OBrien told the court.

The judge noted Mr OSullivan had sought to evade responsibility and had two previous convictions for driving without insurance. For driving without a licence, Mr OSullivan received a four-month suspended sentence and a two year disqualification. For driving uninsured, he received a four-month suspended sentence and a three-year disqualification with imposition postponed until May 12, 2026.

Chacko Saji (45) of New Street, Cahersiveen, was charged shortly before court began for exposing his genitals intending to cause fear, distress or alarm. The court heard Mr Saji exposed himself upon exiting a cubicle at the public toilets on Bridge Street, Cahersiveen on October 17. He is to stay away from the public toilets at Cahersiveen and the immediate vicinity, said Judge Waters. He granted a 200 bond and adjourned the case to December 11.

James Sweeney Junior (40), James Sweeney Senior (61) and Patrick OSullivan (37) faced charges for affray for threatening violence on December 16, 2024 at Dooks, Glenbeigh. A situation had escalated after alleged damage to Mr OSullivans tyres, the court heard. There are previous animosities between them for various reasons, said Sergeant Stephen OBrien. There were further allegations of a cut finger. Their solicitors applied for disclosure.

Kevin Curran (52) of Octive, Waterville, faced charges for threats to kill or cause harm on November 2, 2024 at Lislonane, Waterville. The court heard it was an alleged dispute between landlord and tenant and that Mr Curran became agitated. The case was adjourned to December 11.

Antoni Ehberipu (34) of Woodbrook, Cahersiveen was remanded on bail for a charge of assault causing harm. The court heard allegations that he punched someone in the face, broke their nose and knocked them unconscious on Main Street, Cahersiveen on April 21. The State said there was CCTV evidence, photographic evidence and a medical report. The judge accepted jurisdiction and adjourned the case to December 11.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Fine Gael Senator Mike Kennelly has said Irelands migration system must be fair but firm.

Speaking in the Seanad on a motion on migration, the Listowel native said the system should help those genuinely seeking protection, and be firm to those who abuse the system, arrive without documentation from safe countries or who pose a threat to public safety.

Sen Kennelly said migration is not a new phenomenon for Ireland where for generations Irish people have left in search of opportunity, safety and dignity around the world.

He said the Irish helped build cities form Birmingham to New York to Brisbane and beyond and that their legacy and culture lives on in the communities they shaped.

Sen Kennelly referenced the huge contribution made to Irish society by immigrant workers like nurses, engineers, carers and entrepreneurs who are now part of the fabric of Irish society.

However, he said with opportunity comes responsibility and the Government's commitment to a new international protection Act is a step in the right direction to faster processing, stronger border security and efficient returns, which are essential to maintaining public confidence.

We must also be honest about the challenges we face. The surge in international protection applications from just over 7,000 in 2021 to nearly 33,000 today has placed immense pressures on our accommodation system, Sen Kennelly said.

Equally important is our investment in integration, language classes, community-led initiatives and access to education and healthcare. These are not luxuries; they are necessities for building cohesive communities, he added.

Sen Kennelly strongly condemned the recent arson attack on an IPAS centre in Drogheda, calling it a shameful act that must be condemned unequivocally.

He stated that such an incident highlights the need for transparency, engagement and support for local communities.

A fair and firm migration system is not a contradiction, it is a matter of balance, he said.

It protects the vulnerable while safeguarding our borders. It welcomes those who contribute while ensuring that our laws are respected. It reflects the best of who we are as a nation shaped by migration, committed to justice and confident in our future.
Fianna Fail Minister Norma Foley has confirmed that funding of up to 500m is to be made available for the Killarney bypass in the Governments transport sectoral plan.

On a day when Government-connected TDs and ministers are lining up to welcome and take credit for delivering the project, the National Development Transport Sectoral Plan for 2026-2030 will also include funding for the Tralee Northern Relief Road and the completion of the South Kerry Greenway.

The plan states that procurement for the Farranfore to Killarney bypass will take place in 2029 and construction will begin in 2030 with a budget of between 250-500 million.

Minister Foley said since becoming minister in the last government, and this present government, she has secured funding to allow for route selection and preliminary works for the Killarney bypass.

Today the final tranche of funding of up to 500 million for the Farranfore to Killarney bypass is included in the Transport Sectoral Plan, which is one of the key road projects for funding and delivery by government, Minister Foley said.

She added the sectoral plan includes the funding for other significant projects such as the 2.5km Tralee Northern relief road, which will have a budget of 20-50 million, while the completion of the South Kerry Greenway is also earmarked for funding.

It is very positive to see funding confirmed for the Abbeyfeale and Newcastle West relief roads and the Limerick to Foynes route, which includes Adare bypass due for completion in 2027, she said.

Fine Gael Senator Mike Kennelly said the Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport represents a decisive step towards building the transport system Ireland needs for the decades ahead.

Families, commuters and businesses in Kerry will feel the benefits from this programme through safer roads, faster journey times and stronger communities, he said.

In Kerry, such projects will develop our road network, while also improving safety as we work towards halving road deaths and serious injuries by 2030. Traffic congestion is having a negative impact on our economy, Sen Kennelly added.

Fianna Fail Deputy Michael Cahill also welcomed confirmation that the long-awaited N22 KillarneyFarranfore bypass is to commence shortly.

He said as recently as two weeks ago he met with Minister Darragh OBrien in his office alongside Councillor Tommy Cahill to reiterate the critical need for the project.

I have also held private meetings with An Taoiseach Micheal Martin regarding these vital projects. Todays announcement is the direct result of that steady, responsible work, he declared.

Meanwhile, first out of the traps to welcome the announcement on Wednesday morning was Minister Michael Healy-Rae and Deputy Danny Healy-Rae  both of whom claimed credit for getting the project over the line.

Lets call it straight, this commitment was lacking in the last Government. The truth is that if this project was left to others it would still be sitting on a shelf. The difference this time is simple: the Healy-Raes are at the table, and Kerry is finally getting its fair share, Minister Healy-Rae said.
A famous TV chef has recently been spotted around Limerick and now we know why!

In the first of a new two-part special, Neven's Christmas in Limerick, Neven Maguire explores Limerick city, meeting some of the city's most respected food producers and chefs, with the focus on Christmas food, drinks, and recipes.
Teen singled out by tech founder after chance encounter at Web Summit in Lisbon

A Limerick student who only recently returned from Web Summit 2025 in Lisbon has been invited to attend another major international tech gathering  this time in Bucharest.

Nineteen-year-old David Hackett, an International Business student at TUS, has been selected by Gina Schinkel, founder of the remote-work travel operator Drifatwave, to join the Tekpon AI Summit in Romania on a premium ticket from November 2527.

Driftawave specialises in work-ations, company retreats and off-sites for remote-first businesses. Schinkel said she invited the Limerick student after a brief encounter during a rain-soaked taxi queue at Web Summit.

David and I had a brief touch point waiting for a taxi in the rain outside the event, she told the Irish Independent. Immediately it struck me that he had major sales talent, so I handed him my card to support him on his journey.

After returning home, Hackett contacted her, and Schinkel said she quickly realised he had broader abilities beyond sales.

I discovered his LinkedIn  he has outstanding AI and systems engineering skills, which are ultimate advantages in the world we live in today, moving at rapid speed, she said.

She has since introduced him to senior figures in her network in the hope of opening doors to internships or early-career roles. I cannot wait to see what David and his founder spirit have in mind for us next, she added.

David Hackett with Web Summit CEO Paddy Cosgrave

Hackett will now travel to Bucharest to join an international line-up of speakers including Sara Maldon, Makes Head of Business, Automation and AI; Wiz Sales Engineering Manager Jona Apelbaum; Bright Data CMO Yanay Sela; and FintechOS Product Owner Alexandra Voinea.

For the Limerick student, the rapid shift in his circumstances since attending Web Summit has been surreal.

Its a surreal change since Web Summit, he said. Being surrounded by so many talented people leaves me with no other choice but to improve  and thats an absolute luxury. Its crazy to think how much my life has changed in a year and that there are people who believe in me enough to fly me to these amazing countries.

He said that while the opportunities have been extraordinary, his goals remain grounded.

My goal is, and always will be, to produce great work at the highest level in anything I do  to provide for those I care about and for Limerick City, which I care about deeply, he said.

Hackett also met Boston Dynamics CEO Robert Playter during Web Summit, who told the student he had a bright future if he stayed consistent and ignored unnecessary noise.

He credited Web Summit CEO Paddy Cosgrave for creating the opportunity in the first place. Hackett was selected as one of 50 Irish students invited to the gathering.

Paddy gave me the opportunity to travel to Web Summit and is such a humble man, he said. He bumped into me and said, Oh sorry, nice to meet you, Im Paddy. His humility to assume I dont know him is ridiculous considering he gave me a life-altering opportunity.

He added: My dream was always to see Steve Jobs in Apple, and seeing Paddy Cosgrave at Web Summit is the closest Ill ever get  and Im very grateful.

This article was amended on November 27, 2025, to reflect the correct name of the company.
Mam transferred the farm to me but her health has deteriorated and my siblings wont help out. Am I liable for her care? What are my options?
The case was heard at Sligo District Court

A man, who admitted calling gardai abusive terms has been fined at the district court.

Brian Firzpatrick (63) of St Marthas Hostel, Knocknahow, Dublin Road, Longford pleaded guilty to using threatening, insulting and abusive behavioiur and being drunk on April 30 at Lord Edward Street.

Sergeant Derek Butler told the court that gardai got a call about a man who had been asked to leave the Southern Hotel .

On arrival, they found him to be very drunk and abusive.

Asked if he had anything on him, he said he had a f..g gun.

Nothing was found on searching the defendant but he continued to be abusive.

He had 78 previous convictions.

Defence Solicitor, Mr Mark Mullaney said his client was from Dublin but was living in Longford.

He had been in Sligo on that day and wanted to apologise for what he said.

The defendant apologised in court for his actions.

He said he had been out of order and had taken a combination of alcohol and medication and said he did not mean anything.

Mr Mullaney said it was just the drink.

Judge Eiteain Cunningham said that such aggressive behaviour and profanities towards gardai was not acceptable and it was not the defendants first time.

Judge Cunningham fined the defendant 300.
Sculpture is located at the busy Rosses Point junction

A photocall was held to mark the completion of Suppose an Outcrop, a public artwork by renowned Irish sculptor Eilis OConnell RHA, located at the Rosses Point Road junction at Cartron, Sligo.

A new sign now marks the completion of the artwork which is visble to motorists and pedestrians accessing the Cartron area and Rosses Point.

Those in attendance included the Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Councillor Donal Gilroy, Cllr Ann Higgins, Cllr Arthur Gibbons, Cllr Tom MacSharry, Senator Nessa Cosgrove (Labour Party spokesperson on Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht; Workers Rights), County Librarian Mr Donal Tinney, and Glenn Gannon, Sligo County Councils Assistant Arts Officer.

Suppose an Outcrop was commissioned by the County Council under the Per Cent for Art Scheme, funded by the Department of Transport (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, with additional support from Sligo Tidy Towns.

The photocall marked the final stage in closing out the commission, with the installation of a new sign featuring the artworks title, artists name, and commissioning details  acknowledging the partners involved and celebrating the artworks completion.

The stainless-steel sculpture, officially opened in January 2022 by the then Mayor of Sligo Municipal District, Cllr Arthur Gibbons, is inspired by Sligos landscape and geology, reinterpreting the idea of a rock outcrop in steel and combining craft, imagination, and a strong sense of place.

Recent workshops with pupils from St Brendans National School and St Edwards National School encouraged students to sketch and interpret the artwork in the context of the surrounding landscape, including the view of Knocknarea beyond.

Eilis OConnell RHA was born in Derry and studied sculpture at the Crawford School of Art, Cork, and the Massachusetts College of Art, Boston.

She was later awarded research fellowships at The British School at Rome and P.S.1 in New York, and a two-year residency at Delfina Studios, London, before returning to live and work in Ireland.

OConnell has exhibited at the Venice, Paris and Sao Paulo Biennales, and her small sculptures have been shown at the Guggenheim Museum in Venice.

Her outdoor works are permanently sited in locations across Ireland and the UKincluding London, Cardiff, Bristol, Belfast and Corkas well as in private collections in France and Spain.

A founder director of the National Sculpture Factory in Cork and a former member of the Arts Council of Ireland, she is also a member of Aosdana and the Royal Hibernian Academy.

About Suppose an Outcrop invites imagination: suppose hints that what we see may be more than meets the eye.

An outcrop refers to a natural rock formation, and OConnell has created a bold, man-made version in steel.

Inspired by Sligos dramatic geology, particularly formations such as Benbulben, the sculpture reimagines nature in a geometric, fabricated form.

Though stainless steel is often associated with industry, OConnells hand-crafted approach brings warmth, texture and individuality.

The work reveals the artists processvisible joins, woven cable, and open spaces that let light and air through.

OConnell often explores mathematical patterns in nature and uses materials she has collected and reshaped over many years.

The curved top section of Suppose an Outcrop was made using steel pieces originally formed on an old wheel-making machine she discovered in London, continuing her practice of transforming salvaged material into poetic sculptural forms.
Gillian and Shane Filan with the cheque for over half a million euro for the Irish Cancer Society which was raised through Sligo's first Relay for Life event. Pic: Donal Hackett

The Relay for Life Sligo Committee was welcomed to the Council Chambers at City Hall by Cathaoirleach Cllr Donal Gilroy for the inaugural cheque presentation.

Master of Ceremonies Cyril Donnellan opened the event, acknowledging the full chamber, including Relay for Life National Ambassador Shane Filan and his wife Gillian who gathered to celebrate an extraordinary first year.

Chairperson Cllr Ann Higgins praised the committee and the wider community for delivering Sligos first-ever Relay for Life, a 24-hour event filled with hope, remembrance, and unity. She thanked teams, survivors, carers, suppliers, entertainers, volunteers, and supporters for helping raise over 500,000 to support people affected by cancer.

Committee member and Irish Cancer Society charity partner Monica McElhinney highlighted how funds raised support vital services such as night nursing, counselling sessions, drives to bring patients to and from chemotherapy, supportive conversations through the Support Line and life-changing cancer research.

She described the countys response as completely overwhelming, noting the powerful stories, connections, and participation that defined the event.

Accepting the cheque for 506,620 from Relay for Life Treasurer Stephen Dykes, Irish Cancer Society Director of Finance and Corporate Services Jennifer Owens thanked the committee for their energy, creativity, and dedication, calling them the dream team.

She also praised Shane and Gillian Filan for their exceptional support, fundraising efforts, and national impact and expressed deep appreciation for the spirit shown by the Sligo community.

National Ambassador Shane Filan expressed pride in bringing Relay for Life to his hometown.

He said: The support from the people of Sligo was incredible. Were very lucky to have such a dedicated committee. Gillian and I were proud to be part of it, my mum and dad would have been even prouder. Thank you to everyone who took part, turned up, walked their lap, and supported this amazing cause. Were already looking forward to next year!

Relay for Life Sligo returns on September 5th & 6th 2026 at ATU Sligo.
Calls were made at the monthly meeting of Sligo County Council for greater assistance to be offered to those wishing to avail of the mortgage to rent scheme. Photo: Getty

There was widespread support for a motion before the November meeting of Sligo County Council which called on Sligo County Council to request the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to remove the social housing income thresholds as a qualifying criterion for those wishing to avail of the mortgage to rent scheme.

Outlining the seriousness of the situation Cllr Ann Higgins said, This effects all types of households, it is not just one cohort.

Cllr Higgins told the meeting she has been contacted by a number of people who were on mortgage to rent schemes, which was introduced to help people who may be in danger of losing their home as a result of difficulties faced meeting mortgage repayments.

Outlining the difficulties people are facing with the scheme Cllr Higgins said homeowners are only deemed eligible for the scheme Under social housing criteria, adding, It is next to impossible to avail of it.

Cllr Higgins gave an example of a couple who marginally exceed the 31,000 income threshold as a result of a small private pension.

"The scheme that is meant to be helping them is actually working against them.

Cllr Higgins added, The whole purpose is to keep people in their homes. The motion calls for the removal of barriers otherwise driving people into homelessness.

The motion was supported by Cllr Arthur Gibbons who said, People are trapped. One single mother I am dealing with, working part-time has put her over the threshold. It is something the government needs to look at. Couples are told if they get 32,000 they are no eligible but they can't get a mortgage with that income.

"It gave people a lot of security when they could apply for a mortgage with a half decent job. If unsuccessful they could apply to the Council. People are living in a poverty trap and there is no way out of it.

The motion was also supported by Cllr Tom MacSharry who said, Mortgage to rent is a very good scheme. When you have people who worked, raised their family and have a small pension, through no fault of their own, the mortgage is sold on. They are looking forward to their golden years. It is a problem that is only going to increase.

Cllr MacSharry added, People are saying houses in Sligo or Galway are now Dublin prices. People who are struggling, people who are doing the right thing, are finding they are caught.

"Its a win-win for the local authority. Its something the Housing Minister needs to hear from the local authorities.

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Dovida welcomes applications in Wexford from experienced health care professionals as well as those new to care.

Home care provider Dovida is hiring more caregivers in Wexford to meet increasing demand for home care in the community, with both rural and urban positions available.

The new roles will be a mix of flexible and fixed-hour positions designed to suit a variety of people, depending on their circumstances and availability.

Dovida is encouraging applications from people from diverse backgrounds, and said new caregivers will undergo a comprehensive training and onboarding process.

We currently have high demand for home support in Wexford, and were hoping our new caregivers can help us keep more people safe, well and independent in their own homes across the county, said Martin Murphy, General Manager of Dovida Wexford.

Dovida offers caregivers the opportunity to choose their hours around what best suits their lifestyle. The company also offers fixed-hour contracts ,with a minimum of 25 hours guaranteed per week. Full-time positions are also available. People in receipt of social welfare can also apply to work a set number of hours, depending on the type of support they receive.

Caregivers with Dovida provide home support to people in their communities, which allows them to remain in their own home and connected to their family and friends. The majority of the companys clients are over 65 years of age, but increasingly Dovida is supporting younger people living with a disability.

Our caregivers are a broad church; we have people who fit their work around family, other work, or study commitments, we have people who have retired and want to do something in retirement to give back to their community that also fits into their lifestyle, and we also have people who work with us providing care full-time, Mr Murphy said.

A lot of people who come to us have had previous experience caring for a family member and have realised this is something they have a passion for, he added.

Dovida is welcoming applications from experienced health care professionals as well as those new to care. Anyone interested in pursuing a career in care is encouraged to visit https://dovida.ie/career/become-a-caregiver/ or call 053 918 4042.
He also called the gardai fu*king pigs

A Wexford man has been fined following an incident at Bray Dart Station in which he allegedly shouted abuse at Irish Rail staff and later at gardai.

Anthony Kehoe, with an address in Wexford town, appeared before Bray District Court, charged with Section 6 and Section 8 public order offences.

Garda Kavanagh, of Bray Garda Station, told the court that while on mobile patrol he observed the defendant harassing Irish Rail staff at the station. When gardai approached Kehoe, the court heard that he called them fu*king pigs.

Garda Kavanagh told the court that when he spoke to Irish Rail staff, they alleged that Kehoe had become irate after missing his train back to Wexford. Kehoe was given the option to leave, but Garda Kavanagh said he refused to cooperate.

During cross-examination, counsel for the defence, Michael OConnor, put it to Garda Kavanagh that it is not unusual for someone to become upset after missing a train. Mr OConnor further alleged that gardai did not give his client sufficient time to leave the station before arresting him.

Irish Rail staff declined to provide a victim impact statement.

In his evidence, Kehoe told the court that he regularly travels to Bray for a day at the beach using a travel pass he has due to being diagnosed with schizophrenia. He alleged that he approached a member of Irish Rail staff to enquire about the 8.30 pm train back to Wexford when the staff member told him to get away as we are busy.

Kehoe denied allegations that he called Irish Rail workers paedophiles and tramps. The court was informed that Kehoe is an avid woodworking enthusiast and had a sore shoulder on the day in question.

He also told the court that he regularly uses the Rosslare Europort service and that staff there are always helpful, so he was confused by the staff members reaction.

When questioned about whether he was intoxicated or refused to leave the station before being arrested, he told the court that he cannot drink due to his medication and that he was having a panic attack.

The court heard that Mr Kehoe has 30 previous convictions, most relating to alcohol-related public order matters.

Judge David Kennedy fined Mr Kehoe 500 and gave him ten months to pay, as he is currently living in sheltered homeless accommodation.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Childhood Cancer Ireland among the many tributes that have been paid

People right across south Wexford were stopped in their tracks as news broke of the passing of a little girl who had served as an inspiration and had been taken into the hearts of many as she bravely battled a cruel illness.

Six year-old Isla Furlong from Duncormick was diagnosed with a very aggressive brain tumour in August of 2024. It came as a devastating bolt from the blue for her parents Padraig and Susie, along with her three brothers Paidi, Albie and Teidi.

Taking their lead from Isla, her family never gave up hope and were determined to fill her days with love and laughter. A fighter, Isla bounced back on at least three separate occasions and even travelled for specialist treatment in Manchester.

In recent times, the parishes of south Wexford were called upon to offer prayers for brave little Isla and her family.

Back in September, the Furlong family stated: We have been blown away by the love, hope, positivity and prayers sent to our family over the last year. We have no doubt its what has got Isla through this most harrowing year.

Sadly, her brave battle concluded over the weekend, when she passed away surrounded by her beloved family.

On Islas death notice, bearing a beautiful image of her beaming smile, her family stated: Isla touched so many hearts and brought laughter, craic and cheekiness everywhere she went.

"The brightest lights sometimes shine the shortest, but their warmth will last forever.

In a previous post, celebrating international womens day, Islas mam Susie described her little girl as the strongest, bravest and most determined little lady who has defied so many odds.

Isla, you have taught us more than we can ever teach you.

Having recently shared the appeal for prayers for young Isla, Carrig on Bannow Church informed the local community of the inspiring little girls passing, offering the condolences of the community to her heartbroken parents and brothers.

A pupil at Rathangan National School, Isla had just started senior infants in September of this year.

The school posted a tribute to her heartbroken family, saying: Words are meaningless at this heart-breaking time but we, as a whole school community, would like to pay tribute to beautiful, brave little Isla who was with us in senior Infants this year.

"Isla has left a huge void in her classroom. She touched so many hearts and lives in Rathangan N.S. and she will always be remembered fondly and with so much love. We are heartbroken for you all and we send our sincerest sympathies to you and to the extended Furlong and McDonald Families. Fly high, little Isla, you will never be forgotten.

Childhood Cancer Ireland also paid tribute to Isla, noting how she touched the hearts of so many in her home county and beyond.

"We are heartbroken to share another candle this evening for a little girl who gained her wings this weekend, Isla," they stated.

"We send all our love to Islas heartbroken parents, her beloved brothers, grandparents and all of her extended family and many friends. We hope that they will be surrounded by the love and support of their community in the coming days, as they celebrate her life and say their final goodbyes, and in the weeks and months that follow.

"A beautiful life cut short. Isla will be forever missed and remembered by all who were lucky enough to know and love her. Fly high Isla.

Isla will be missed and remembered every single day by her parents Padraig and Susie, her beloved boys, Paidi, Albie and Teidi, her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbours, her many friends and the wider Furlong and McDonald families.

Her funeral mass is due to take place on Wednesday, November 26, at The Church of the Assumption & St Laurence OToole, Rathangan, at 11 a.m. followed by private cremation.
Marietta Woods, Tina McCarthy and Marcella Fortune at the Purple House Cancer Support Centre's annual Christmas Market in the Little Flower Hall, Bray. Photo: Leigh Anderson

Christ Church COI

Services of Worship for this Sunday The First Sunday of Advent: 8.30am Holy Communion; 11amAdvent Sunday Celebration of Wholeness and Healing.

Parish Office: The Parish Office is open Monday to Thursday from 9.30 am to 1.30pm. Email: info@christchurchbray.ie; tel. 01 286 2968; Parish website: christchurchbray.ie; or see facebook.com/christchurchbray.

Parish Life Centre [PLC] Bookings: The Parish Life Centre is available for day and evening bookings. Please contact the Parish Office at 01-286 2968.

Order Your Christmas Tree Now: Collection from Christ Church Bray takes place from 10am to 12noon on Saturday December 6th. All proceeds as usual to charityemail christchurchbray@gmail.com, call the office (01) 286 2968, or George (087) 254 3113. All trees are non-shredders. Very keen prices! On behalf of all the charities we thank you for your support. Prices: 4ft40; 6ft47; 8ft50; 10ft59, and 14ft70. Just to cheer everyone up for the festive season: For everyone who purchases a tree this year, your name will be entered into a draw for a bumper Christmas Hamper and the draw will take place on Saturday December 6th.

Classics by Candlelight: Takes place in the Church at 7pm on Sunday December 7th in aid of Breakthrough Cancer Research and Christ Church Stained-Glass Restoration, featuring Molly OShea (Violin), David Clark (Violin), Francis Harte (Viola) and Sheelagh Harte (Cello), with mulled wine and mince pies included in the admission, Tickets are 15 and available from the Parish Office, Fleurtique, Florence Road, The Travel Boutique, or at the door on the night cash or card.

Christmas Tree Festival: Journey to Bethlehem The Christmas Story in Trees, takes place in the grounds of St. James Church, Crinken, from 10am to 9pm on Friday December 5th and Saturday December 6th and from 2pm to 8pm on Sunday December 7th free entry.

Bray Methodist Church

Worship for this Sunday: 10amSunday Worship with Creche and Sunday School.

Bray Presbyterian Church

Worship for this Sunday: 11.30am Sunday Worship.

Christian Assembly Church

Worship for this Sunday: 10.45am Morning Worship.

Wednesdays: 8pm Prayer Meeting & Bible study.

Monthly Ladies Meeting: For details see: www.christianassemblybray.com.

Cornerstone Church

Cornerstone Church Love God. Love People. Love Bray at The Well Church Building, Church Terrace, Main Street, Bray, Co. Wicklow. Looking for friendship, faith, or simply a welcoming place to connect with others? At Cornerstone Church, we believe everyone is valued and welcome  whether youre exploring faith, new to the area, or just looking for community. Come as you are, meet friendly faces, and share in a warm atmosphere of encouragement, hope, and belonging. Weekly Activities: Mens Bible Study Mondays from 7.30pm to 9pm; Womens Bible Study Tuesdays from 10.45am to 12.30pm; Prayer Meeting Wednesdays from 10.30am to 12pm; Mens Indoor Bowls Wednesdays from 7.30pm to 9.30pm; Ukrainian Christian Film Night Thursdays from 7pm to 9pm; Ukrainian Bible Study Fridays from 6.30pm to 8.30pm; Games Evening Fridays from 7pm to 9.30pm; Friday Coffee & Chat at The Well Church Building, Church Terrace, Main Street, Bray. Drop in any Friday for a friendly cuppa and conversation  no need to book! For more information: Kyle Holland, Pastor 353 86 405 139. Sunday Services are 9am and 11am, followed by tea, coffee, and fellowship  stay, chat, and connect!

Bray Christian Outreach

Free hot meals, clothes, sleeping bags, toiletries etc, are available in Bray Methodist Church from 3pm to 4pm on Sundays.

Holy Redeemer Parish

Mass Times: 10amMonday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday No Mass on Tuesday. Sunday Masses: 6pm Vigil Mass on Saturday and on Sunday at 10.30am and 12Noon. To book a Mass, please call into the Sacristy before or after our Masses.

Parish Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 9.30am to 11am. If you need to contact us, please email: office@holyredeemer.ie.

Music at Mass on Sundays: 10.30amFolk Group; 12pmGaudium Choir (Mainly Latin Church Music) on the 1st Sunday of the Month; 12pm on other Sundays of the Month: Parish Choir (Mainly English Church Music).

Baptism: Registration for Baptism can be made online via the parish website www.holyredeemerbray.ie.

Shankill Christmas Fair

The St. Annes Parish Shankill Christmas Fair takes place in St. Annes Resource Centre beside St. Annes Church, Shankill, from 10am to 2pm this Sunday. Crafts Cakes Wheel of Fortune, and a Monster Raffle. All are welcome.

St. Peters Parish

St. Peters Church Mass Times: Sunday: 9am (Irish Mass), 11.30am. Holy Days: 11am. 1st Friday: 11am.

Gluten Free Hosts available: If you would like to receive the Eucharist, but have gluten intolerance, we have gluten free hosts available. Come to the sacristy before Mass and we will be happy to accommodate you.

First Sunday Tea/Coffee morning: A tea/coffee morning is held in the parish hall on the first Sunday of every month after both masses. Come along for a cup of tea or coffee and a chat. Its a great way to catch up and get to know other parishioners. Everyone is very welcome to join us.

Parish Office: Parish Office opening hours areMonday: 9.30am to 12.30pm; Tuesday: 9am to 12.30pm; Wednesday: Closed; Thursday: 9am to 12.30pm; Friday: 9am to 12.30pm. The parish office can be contacted by calling 01-282 4967 or by email: stpeterslittlebray1@gmail.com.

Craft and Cake Sale in aid of Wicklow Hospice: Takes place from 10am to 2pm this Sunday in St. Peters Parish Hall cakes raffle crafts. If you are interested in hosting a table with crafts please contact the parish office on 01-282 9467. The cost of a table is 20. We are also looking for volunteers to bake cakes, buns, biscuits etc. All proceeds go to the Wicklow Hospice. Your support is greatly appreciated.

St. Annes Church, Shankill: A Vigil Mass is celebrated at 5pm on Saturdays. All are welcome.

St. Fergals Parish

Mass Times: Mass times are 9.30am Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. No morning Mass on Thursdays and Saturdays. Saturday: 7pm Vigil Mass; Sunday: 8am and 10.30am.

Confessions: These are heard on Saturdays after the 7pm Vigil Mass.

Join the Fergals Gospel Choir and let your voice shine: If you would like to join the choir please come to St. Fergals Church on Mondays from 8pm. The choir usually sings at two masses per month and we welcome everyone who loves to sing.

Our Lady Queen of Peace

Mass: Weekday Masses are celebrated at 10.30am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Weekend Masses are at 6.30pm on Saturdays and 10.30am and 12 Noon on Sundays.

Eucharistic Adoration: Eucharistic Adoration takes place from 11am to 10pm on Mondays only in this Church.

QOP youth club

The Queen of Peace Adventure Youth Club is run completely by unpaid volunteers who enjoy running the club.

After Christmas each year a new programme is proposed and the committee would like members and parents to have input so that the club may cater for as much as possible the wishes of the membership. Ideas regarding new extra activities and events should be given to any of the leaders.

Diving club

Bray Divers Sub-aqua Club will begin a new training course early in January. Persons wishing to be divers before Easter should get in contact before the New Year and enrol to be sure of a place on the course.

All the training and certification has worldwide recognition. Training timetables are arranged to suit the availability of each individual.

A present of membership is an ideal Christmas present which could last a lifetime. Call 087 6756439 for more information.

Bray Library

Opening hours are 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday with late opening on Tuesday and Thursday until 8.30pm. Bray Library can be emailed at braylib@wicklococo.ie to book a place for library events or make inquiries about them.

English Conversation Classes take place in the library every Monday (except Bank Holiday Mondays) from 11am to 12pm. Ciorcal Comhra Irish Language Conversation Group, meets every second Tuesday from 7pm to 8pm in the library.

Ballywaltrim Library

Opening hours are 10am to 5 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and 10am to 8pm on Wednesday.

Adult Scrabble takes place every Monday from 3pm to 4.30pm no booking is required. Tummy-Time for Babies takes place every Monday from 10 am to 12pm no booking required. STEM Free Play for 18 months to 3 years takes place every Saturday from 10am to 11.30pm.

Bray Cualann Historical Society

In a change to the previously announced lecture for last Thursday night, Brian White presented Irish History Strange but True for the November meeting of the Bray Cualann Historical Society, the local history society for Bray and North Wicklow, in the Royal Hotel, Bray, due to Peadar Curran being unable to present his lecture due to a sudden and unexpected family bereavement. Peader Curran will present his lecture on Evie Hone: Stained Glass Artist as part of next years Bray Cualann Historical Society lecture programme.

Ballywaltrim Christmas Craft Fair

A Christmas Craft Fair takes place from 11am to 2pm next Tuesday in the Ballywaltrim Community Centre.

Purple House Christmas Candlelight Evening

You are invited to this celebration of Community Belonging and Gratitude at 6pm on Friday December 5th in the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, Bray. All are welcome.

Welcome to Christmas Concert

Come and enjoy an hour of Christmas favourites with the voices of Bray Community Choir, Musical Director John Ivory, Accompanist Justin McCann, at 3pm on Saturday December 6th in the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, Bray. No interval donation to Bray Lions on the day.

Christmas by Candlelight Concert

Ross Scanlon and Friends present Christmas by Candlelight featuring Celia Murphy, Aoife OConnell and Edward Finegan at 7.30pm on Friday December 12th in the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, Bray. Tickets are 26 and available from www.gr8events.ie or call 086-1540350.

Shankill Classical Music Club

The December meeting of the Shankill Classical Music Club takes place on Wednesday December 10th from 7.45pm to 10pm in the Shankill Seniors Centre, Lower Road, Shankill, located 100m from the Main Street with car parking available. You dont need to be an expert. Charge 2 on the night (waived for first visit). For further information please phone or text Malcolm at 085-8528216.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has provided the Courts Service with costings for the full restoration of Wicklow Courthouse, ranging from between 13m and 17m.

The figures are contained in a recent Freedom of Information request where documents show officials advising the Courts Service that it will be impossible to prevent dry rot going forward unless there a complete restoration of the building takes place soon.

The building needs serious investment going forward to ensure that it has a future. the documents state.

In 2024 the OPW commissioned a high-level feasibility study in relation to the potential reuse of the existing courthouse building for future use. Two alternative options were reviewed.

Option 1 reviews the feasibility of an extensive refurbishment of the existing building, including the provision of a lift, incorporating universal access measures, introduction of modern services, fire safety measures and similar works to facilitate the reopening of the two existing courtrooms and to provide the associated back of house accommodation.

Option 2 involves the renovation of the courthouse building, the demolition of the former archives building and the more recent structures on Market Street and the provision of a new 3-storey extension in its place which would allow the complete Brief of Accommodation to be met and facilitate independent vehicular access from Market Street to secure parking within the site.

This feasibility report examines the site location, history and construction of the courthouse and adjacent buildings as background information to the proposed two options. The report also provided an overview of the potential advantages and disadvantages of each option.

To improve accessibility, both options adopted a similar strategy, which is to reach a new lift core to the rear of the courthouse by level access from Market Street through the wide north basement corridor.

It was found that option 1 would require limited demolition of the building and would have a reduced environmental impact for embodied carbon, while works under option 2 would be more sympathetic to the character of the protected structure than the former archives storage building and civil defence building.

Meanwhile the OPW has been carrying out some works to preserve the roof of the building, which included removing dry rot as agreed in the survey report, cleaning gutters and repair blocked down pipes, repair works to roof light into main court room, the replacement of wall plates and the re-lining of lead valleys and patch repairs to the slate roof.

Figures previously obtained by Wicklow Sinn Fein TD John Brady show those works cost up to 250,000 to complete.

At a meeting earlier this year with senior staff from the Courts Service, the Wicklow TD was told it is now a key priority for the Courts Service to see the courthouse reopened.

There are also plans to expand it from two courtrooms to four, which would help alleviate the pressures that currently exist on Bray District Court. In 2025, additional minor repair works were also carried out to the premises including repairs to external doors and windows and the maintenance of the external courtyard.

The Courts Service has included Wicklow Courthouse in its submission to the review of the National Development Plan, alongside Naas, Portlaoise and Tralee courthouses.

Wicklow Courthouse has been closed, due to health and safety reasons, since September 2010. The OPW has indicated that the necessary works can only take place as future funding becoming available.

Reacting to the development, Social Democrats TD for Wicklow Jennifer Whitmore says its time for the government to act.

For years now, the Government has refused to decide on the future of the courthouse and has allowed it to go into rack and ruin, despite frequent pleas from the residents of Wicklow Town and public representatives to protect it."

Deputy Whitmore believes these new documents show clearly that it is imperative to reopen the building.

It is possible to restore the Wicklow courthouse back to its original glory and ensure it can operate once again as a court building.

If Government does not invest in this historically important building, it will fall into ruin and beyond help.

As the OPW said "it requires serious investment to ensure it has a future".

Deputy Whitmore has urged the government to urgently commit to this investment.

It is time to stop dithering on this issue and to act. Or loose this beautiful and important building once and for all. she added.

The Courts Service has advised that, while open to making the courthouse available for community usage, it is not currently able to do so for health and safety reasons.

However, the service has already liaised with Wicklow County Council and made the adjoining former library building available to the Council, which continues to be used as a Ukrainian Hub.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at Kensington Palace, London, in the wake of the announcement that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will take a step back as "senior members" of the royal family, dividing their time between the UK and North America

Kate Middleton was pictured driving into Buckingham Palace amid the ongoing royal backlash to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

After Britain's Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced they would be taking a "step back" from their duties, reportedly without notifying Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles or Prince William about the statement, the last 24-hours have been a lesson in crisis PR management.

The ill-timed statement was released just hours before the Duchess of Cambridge's 38th birthday and she was initially expected to host a private celebration at home in Norfolk, but has been drafted in to assess the aftermath of the Sussexes bombshell announcement.

The mother-of-three is normally impossibly cheery in public, but appeared tense as she drove her Range Rover through the gates of Buckingham Palace on Thursday night.

It's reported that her father-in-law and next in line to the British throne is "incandescent with rage" about Harry's statement, which he learned was being publicised just a few minutes before.

The Evening Standard reports that Queen Elizabeth ordered them not to release the statement while they worked out the complicated logistics required to execute their wishes.

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"Courtiers can't believe it. There are so many unanswered questions but they've just up and done it without a thought for anyone else. The plan was there to discuss it and work out a way that works for everyone in the family," a source told The Sun.

Princess Eugenie was also pictured this evening in an occasion which has now been overshadowed by an unheardof departure from two of the most senior members of the royal family.

After the Sussexes announced their intentions on Instagram, accompanied by a throwback picture to their 2017 engagement, the palace released a statement asserting that a formal arrangement was far from being reached.

"Discussions with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage," the statement reads.

"We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work though."

Earlier today, the Kensington Palace Instagram account released never-before-seen portrait of the duchess taken especially for the occasion. The Sussex Royal account commented underneath, "Wishing a very happy birthday to the Duchess of Cambridge today!"

Press Association reports that Queen Elizabeth has directed all four royal households to find workable solutions for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex within days not weeks, a Buckingham Palace source said.
Commentary

By Gerry Bowler

Canada is in danger of losing the Arctic because Ottawa has ignored the North for far too long.

The Canadian North makes up 40 percent of our land mass and includes more than 19,000 islands in the Arctic Archipelago. Yet only about 120,000 people live across this enormous stretch of wilderness. Canada took control of the region in the late 19th century through territorial transfers from the Hudsons Bay Company and the British Crown, one of the largest land transfers in history.

For decades afterward, the North received little federal attention. The Second World War briefly changed that, prompting construction of the Alcan Highway to Alaska and bringing new airfields and telephone lines.

The Cold War, along with the threat of Soviet bombers crossing the Pole, led to multiple radar lines. Still, Prime Minister St-Laurent admitted in the 1950s that Canadian governments had treated the North in an almost continuing state of absence of mind.

John Diefenbakers Progressive Conservative administration tried to reverse that neglect. In 1958, he told a Winnipeg audience: I see a new Canadaa Canada of the North!  We intend to carry out the legislative program of Arctic research, to develop Arctic routes, to develop those vast hidden resources the last few years have revealed.

Plans for a research and industrial city in Frobisher Bay, new roads and railway lines and wide-ranging surveys were ambitious but ultimately unaffordable. In the years that followed, both Liberal and Conservative governments again set northern development aside.

Foreign interest, however, continued to grow. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service recently reported Russian and Chinese attempts at influence and subversion in our northern territories.

American governments over the past 20 years have shown a serious interest in the regions resources, which include significant oil, gas and mineral deposits, along with control of the Northwest Passage, a shipping route becoming increasingly accessible as Arctic sea ice recedes.

Canada considers those waters national; the United States, the European Union, and at times China argue it is an international strait.

For all practical purposes, Canada has what amounts to no meaningful presence north of the tree line, leaving the field open to countries with far more ambition and far better-equipped forces.

Canada is in no position to defend its claims. We have no icebreakers capable of operating through the Arctic winter. We have no submarines that can work under the ice cap. We have no permanent air base for fighter jets.

And to cover two million square kilometres of Arctic territory, we have only 300 troops stationed there. The chance they could detect, let alone repel, a serious intruder is essentially zero. Without these capabilities, Canada cannot properly monitor activity in the region or enforce its sovereignty claims.

In the last federal budget, Ottawa announced a $1-billion Arctic infrastructure fund for new airports, seaports and all-season roads. Our foreign affairs minister has urged NATO to pay more attention to the Arctic, saying it must be an organization not only that focuses on the eastern flank, but also that looks north.

These steps are gestures, not strategy. Canadian governments excel at promises but struggle with procurement, and the idea that European allies might fill the gap, considering their weak response to Russias assault on Ukraine, is unlikely.

Our northern territory is under threat. We must use it or lose it.

Gerry Bowler is a Canadian historian and a senior fellow of the Frontier Centre for Public Policy
Man reacts after claiming his wife is trapped inside Wang Fuk Court during a major fire, in Hong Kong. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu.

The death toll from a massive fire that ripped through multiple high-rise residential blocks in Hong Kong's northern Tai Po district has risen to 44, the city's leader John Lee said early on Thursday.

At least 279 people were still unaccounted for, he added, with several dozen hospitalised, of whom dozens were also in a critical condition.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsors sex abuse accuser took her own life in April but died intestate  without a formal will. Her closest relatives are now preparing to go to battle over her legacy, with a case management hearing scheduled at the Supreme Court of Western Australia in Perth on Friday.
Israel says it received human remains from militants as Gazans are hit by winter rains

Shortages of crucial goods like food and winter supplies still exist in Gaza

Displaced Palestinians clear water from their flooded tent at a temporary camp after heavy rainfall in Gaza City. Photo: AP

Wafaa Shurafa and Megan Janetsky Associated Press Wed 26 Nov 2025 at 06:30

Israel yesterday said it received human remains that Palestinian militants handed over to the Red Cross, but it was not immediately clear if they were one of the three hostages remaining in the Gaza Strip.
LATEST | Brazils ex-president Bolsonaro begins 27-year prison sentence for coup attempt

Supreme court justice Alexandre de Moraes ruled the 70-year-old would remain in custody after being pre-emptively arrested on Saturday

The far-right leader had been under house arrest since August (Luis Nova/AP)

Mauricio Savarese Press Association Wed 26 Nov 2025 at 07:45

Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has started his 27-year prison sentence for leading a coup attempt, to the surprise of many in the South American nation who doubted he would ever end up behind bars.
Police find corpse at campsite after man calls radio show

The anonymous caller told a Washington DC-area show that he had discovered a body 18 days earlier but had not notified authorities

The radio show host urged the caller to alert police after he announced his discovery live on air. Photo: Getty

Tom Ambrose UK Independent Wed 26 Nov 2025 at 06:30

A caller to a Washington DC-area morning radio show on Friday claimed he had discovered a corpse at a campsite in Frederick County, just west of Baltimore, prompting police to search the area and later recover human remains.
2.5 million people have lost access to medicine

An uncounted number of extra people have died from Aids and 2.5 million have lost access to medicine to block the spread of HIV, because of cuts to global programmes since Donald Trump returned to the White House, the UN body fighting Aids said yesterday.
Kerala Introduces Indias First Right to Disconnect Legislation: All You Need to Know

Economies across the world are reassessing how to safeguard employee well-being. Keralas Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025, is a pivotal policy development to formally recognize an employees right to disconnect from work-related communication outside designated working hours. If enacted, Kerala would become the first Indian state to legislate such a right, aligning with practices already adopted in several European economies.

In response to rising concerns over constant digital connectivity and its impact on employee well-being, the Kerala state government has introduced the Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025 (the Bill). This private members proposal, introduced in the state assembly as a private members bill, seeks to formally grant private-sector employees the right to disengage from work-related communication outside designated working hours.

By positioning digital disengagement as a component of labor welfare and occupational health, the bill represents a major milestone in Indias employment law framework.

The bill aims to address the rising incidence of burnout and the always-on culture intensified by remote and hybrid work environments. The proposed legislation seeks to create statutory boundaries that allow employees to disengage after work without fear of retaliation or adverse performance consequences.

Core provisions of the right to disconnect bill

Defining the right to disconnect

The proposed law affirms that employees may decline to respond to work-related messages, whether through email, phone calls, texts, or video conferencing, outside prescribed working hours, unless they have explicitly agreed to perform duties beyond those hours. It also draws support from Article 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, emphasizing rest and leisure as essential human rights.

Protection against retaliation

Employees exercising this right are shielded from adverse consequences or drastic disciplinary measures. This means employers cannot penalize employees, through demotion, dismissal, reduced benefits, or lost opportunities, for exercising their right to disconnect.

ALSO READ: India Overtime Regulations: What Employers and Employees Must Know

District-level grievance redressal framework

The bill introduces a dedicated district-level committee responsible for monitoring private-sector working conditions and ensuring compliance with employment standards in the state. The Committee, comprising the Regional Joint Labour Commissioner as Chairperson, the District Labour Officer as Secretary, and the Deputy Labour Commissioner as Member, will operate with a five-year tenure.

Scope and supervisory powers

The proposed committee will oversee adherence to working-hour regulations, investigate complaints related to excessive working hours, and examine workforce-related cost-cutting measures. It will also issue guidance on employment terms, mandate compensation for work performed beyond contractual hours, and supervise the creation of Employee Welfare Committees in establishments employing 10 or more workers. Additionally, the Committee will review intrusive monitoring practices such as CCTV, biometric systems, or swipe-based tracking, and recommend measures aimed at reducing workplace stress and supporting better work-life balance.

The bill draws legitimacy from Indias constitutional principles and labor jurisprudence: Article 21  Right to Life and Dignity: Courts have held that dignity includes the ability to rest and maintain personal autonomy.

Directive Principles (Articles 38, 39, 43): The bill supports the states responsibility to ensure humane working conditions and employee welfare.

Existing labor laws: While current legislation regulates physical work hours, it does not address digital overreach. The bill fills this regulatory gap by recognizing after-hours connectivity as an extension of labor.

Global benchmarking

Several countries have adopted legal provisions around the right to disconnect.

France (2016): Statutory right to disconnect; employees may ignore after-hours communication. Australia (2024): Employees may refuse unreasonable after-hours contact; tests consider urgency, job role, frequency, and personal circumstances. Belgium (2018, expanded 2022): Requires employers with 20+ employees to implement right-to-disconnect policies. Ireland: Adopted a non-binding Code of Practice encouraging reasonable communication norms.

Keralas initiative places India in line with emerging global trends and sets a precedent that could influence future national-level policy development.

Implications for businesses and workforce

If enacted, the bill may drive significant workplace changes such as the following:

Ensure improved work-life balance for employees through clear boundaries between work and personal time.

Structured digital communication policies help organizations manage expectations around after-hours contact.

Enhanced employee well-being and productivity, supporting mental health and reducing burnout.

Greater employer accountability, with oversight mechanisms promoting fair labor practices.

Support for gender inclusion, benefiting employees who manage dual responsibilities at home and work.

Challenges and considerations

Implementation may require sector-specific flexibility, especially in industries where after-hours availability is operationally essential (for example, healthcare and emergency services).

The bill is expected to influence corporate governance standards. Many organizations may voluntarily introduce internal disconnect policies or wellness frameworks aligned with the bills principles.

Also Read: India Notifies All Four Labor Codes, Ushering in Landmark Workforce Reforms

Conclusion

The Kerala Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025, represents a forward-looking approach to managing work in a digitally connected era. It reinforces constitutional ideals of dignity, rest, and humane working conditions while encouraging organizations to redefine boundaries in a modern workplace. Whether or not it becomes law, the bill sets the stage for a national conversation on balancing technological enablement with employee well-beinga conversation increasingly relevant for Indias evolving labor landscape.
Acting My Age

( Image credit : Eniko Hart/ IG | Eniko Hart poses for the camera )

Who is Eniko Hart?

( Image credit : Eniko Hart/ IG | Eniko Hart and Kevin's selfie )

( Image credit : Enika Hart / IG | Eniko Hart and Kevin's pool day )

Kevin Hart and his first wife Torrei

Eniko Hart is more than just the spouse of Hollywood superstar Kevin Hart, she is a successful model, entrepreneur, and devoted mother who has carved out her own identity in the public eye. Widely recognized for her supportive presence in Kevins life and career, Eniko also frequently features in his stand-up routines, often becoming the playful punchline of his jokes. With a strong sense of style and a growing influence on social media, she has become a beloved figure in her own right. She has now gained attention again amid the release of Kevins Netflix specialEniko Hart, nee Parrish, is a former model and lifestyle entrepreneur, widely known as the second wife of comedian and actor Kevin Hart. She began her career in modeling, appearing in runway shows including BET fashion events, and later expanded into fitness and fashion ventures, collaborating with brands like Fabletics. Eniko and Kevin first met in 2009 at a nightclub in Washington, D.C., and after several years of dating, he proposed to her on her 30th birthday in 2014. The couple tied the knot on August 13, 2016, in California, in a ceremony attended by family, friends, and Kevins children from his previous marriage.Together, Kevin and Eniko have created a blended family of four children. They share two children, son Kenzo Kash Hart, born in 2017, and daughter Kaori Mai Hart, born in 2020, while Eniko is also stepmother to Kevins two older kids. Despite facing public scrutiny and personal challenges over the years, the couple has remained devoted to each other and their family. Eniko frequently shares glimpses of their life together and continues to support Kevin both personally and professionally, highlighting love, stability, and growth in their household.Kevin Hart married actress and comedian Torrei Hart in 2003, and the couple had two children, Heaven and Hendrix. Their marriage faced difficulties, including infidelity and frequent conflicts, which eventually led to their separation in 2010 and divorce in 2011. Despite the split, they have maintained a friendly relationship, co-parenting their children, while Torrei has focused on her career, comedy, and personal growth after reflecting on the challenges of her early marriage.
( Image credit : X/ @PandeyJaideep | Peter Haag and Celina Jaitly pose together )

Celina Jaitly accuses Austrian husband of domestic violence

Who is Peter Haag?

( Image credit : PTI | Peter Haag and Celina Jaitly's candid click )

Celina Jaitlys Instagram post

( Image credit : Celina Jaitly/ IG | Celina Jaitly dressed in a saree )

Celina Jaitlys marriage has come under intense public scrutiny after the actress accused her husband, Austrian entrepreneur Peter Haag, of domestic violence and emotional abuse. Her revelations, which include claims of being demeaned and controlled, have sparked widespread concern and renewed conversations about toxic relationships behind closed doors.According to Screen, actor Celina Jaitly has filed a domestic violence complaint against her husband, Peter Haag, under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. In her petition, the 47-year-old star alleges enduring emotional, physical, sexual, and verbal abuse, along with instances of racial discrimination. Filed through Karanjawala & Co., the complaint states that Peter repeatedly made racist remarks, allegedly calling her a maidservant and comparing her appearance to his maid.Peter Haag is an Austrian entrepreneur and hotelier who has worked in senior marketing and management roles with major hotel groups in Dubai and Singapore. He has also been associated with Emaar Hospitality Group, handling sales, branding, and communications.Celina and Peter met in Dubai during her work trip and became close friends. In 2010, Peter visited Mumbai and proposed to her at her home. The couple got married in 2011 at a monastery in Austria. The estranged couple share three children together Winston, Viraaj, and Arthur.In the middle of it all, the actress took to Instagram and shared her feelings about the situation. A part of her post read, #Courage #divorce | In the middle of the strongest most turbulent storm of my life I never imagined I would spend fighting alone, without any parents, without any support system I never thought there would come a day without all the pillars on which the roof of my world once rested, my parents, my brother, my children, & the one who promised to stand by me, love me, care for me, & bear every trouble with me.Additionally, last month, Celina approached a Delhi court for urgent help concerning her brother, Major (Retd.) Vikrant Jaitly. She alleged that he had been illegally abducted and detained in the United Arab Emirates, where he has lived since 2016. According to her plea, his sudden disappearance raised serious concerns about his safety and well-being, prompting her to seek judicial intervention to ensure his protection and to push authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding his alleged detention.
( Image credit : X/rememberinghistory | The true story behind Thanksgiving is a bloody one, and some people say it's time to cancel the holiday )

The cosy holiday with a disturbing backstory

The myth of the first Thanksgiving

( Image credit : X/rememberinghistory | The true story behind Thanksgiving is a bloody one, and some people say it's time to cancel the holiday )

When Thanksgiving became a celebration of violence

( Image credit : X/rememberinghistory | The true story behind Thanksgiving is a bloody one, and some people say it's time to cancel the holiday )

Rethinking a holiday that buries trauma

( Image credit : X/rememberinghistory | The true story behind Thanksgiving is a bloody one, and some people say it's time to cancel the holiday )

Thanksgiving in the United States is framed as a sweet, cinnamon-scented tradition centred around family, gratitude, and an aggressively oversized turkey. But the story behind the holiday is far darker than the version taught in classrooms.As the 2025 celebration approaches, many Americans are openly questioning whether the holiday should be celebrated at all, given its violent origins and the historical trauma it represents for Indigenous communities.Most of us grew up hearing a cheerful tale about Pilgrims, kindly Native Americans, and a 1621 harvest feast where everyone held hands and shared corn. But history throws a brutal plot twist: that event was not the first Thanksgiving, and the peace implied in the story was painfully short-lived.Years earlier, settlers in what is now Virginia held a thanksgiving ceremony in 1619 with a meal that likely consisted of oysters and ham, while Spanish colonists in Florida shared salted pork and garbanzo beans with the Seloy tribe in 1565. These observances were religious, solemn, and nothing like todays turkey-heavy dinners. Even the Pilgrims themselves considered their 1623 day of prayer, not the 1621 feast, to be their true thanksgiving.For some historians, the real point of origin is 1637, when Massachusetts Bay Colony governor John Winthrop announced a celebration after colonial soldiers massacred hundreds of Pequot men, women, and children in Mystic, Connecticut. This version of Thanksgiving, tied directly to genocide, is rarely taught in schools but remains a critical part of the story.The much-romanticised alliance between the Wampanoag people and English settlers did not last. Despite early cooperation under Wampanoag leader Massasoit, tensions exploded as more colonists arrived, claimed land, and asserted control over nearly every aspect of Wampanoag life. Disease had already devastated Indigenous populations, wiping out as much as 90% before 1620.By the time Massasoits son Metacomet (known to colonists as King Philip) took leadership, the relationship had collapsed. His men were executed over the killing of John Sassamon , sparking King Philips War in 1675, one of the bloodiest conflicts in early American history. Researchers estimate the war killed up to 30% of English settlers and half of the Indigenous people in the region. Metacomet was killed, dismembered, and had his head displayed on a spike for 25 years, a grim symbol of colonial triumph.In recent years, activists, teachers, and Native American communities have urged Americans to rethink the holiday, calling it everything from  Takesgiving  to The Thanksgiving Massacre. The National Day of Mourning, observed in Plymouth since 1970, brings Native people together to honour ancestors, acknowledge centuries of oppression, and protest ongoing injustices. Speakers often describe the Wampanoags early welcome of English settlers as a devastating mistake, urging the nation to recognise the truth instead of the myth.
By Catherine Sas, K.C.

Special to The Post

The past year has not been a year of good news in our blogs. Since at least December of 2024, our messages have been about restrictions, delays, limitations and refusals. However, three cases that we have had in our office in the past few months demonstrate that sometimes Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) does show compassion in times of crisis, reuniting family members together in Canada. Lets look at the circumstances of these cases and the steps that applicants took to earn IRCCs trust to bring their family members to Canada.

Anabel

Anabel had a long history with IRCC in trying to sponsor her husband for permanent residence (PR) from the Philippines to come and live in Canada with her and her son. Her initial sponsorship application was refused due to a misrepresentation in her own application. She subsequently submitted two Humanitarian and Compassionate (H and C) applications based on the best interests of their son. They were also denied. Anabel gave up hope, and nearly 20 years passed from her initial application. It was Anabels wish that her husband be able to come to Canada to share in her sons high school graduation in June 2025. We started preparing this application in January 2025. In the midst of preparing the documentation, Anabel became very ill and was repeatedly hospitalized. On June 4, 202,5, we applied with all the necessary documentation to support the basis for the request, including medical records of the client and letters issued by her doctors and the hospital. On June 11, 2025, a biometrics request letter for her husband was issued, on June 18, 2025, his passport was requested, and on June 23, 2025, the visa was stamped in his passport. Anabels husband arrived in Canada on June 28, 2025 and returned to the Philippines on September 20, 2025. The family was reunited and enjoyed the summer together. Anabels husband was issued a 5-year multiple-entry visa allowing him to return to Canada in the future to be able to spend time with Anabel and their son.

Time from application date to visa issuance: 19 days.

Lily

Our client Lily is also from the Philippines and has submitted her own PR application as a Caregiver, which is still in process. Earlier this year, she was diagnosed with uterine cancer. She had surgery, which removed the cancer. A few months later, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, for which she had to undergo both surgery and radiation treatment. She has no family in Canada to support her. Her second surgery was scheduled for September 29, 2025. A visitor visa application for her husband was submitted on September 20, 2025, and a biometrics request letter was issued on September 22, 2025. On September 23, Lilys Member of Parliament (MP) submitted a letter of support on her behalf and on September 25, the MPs office communicated directly with IRCC, pressing the urgent nature of the request. On October 1, 2025, the application was approved, and the passport request letter was issued with the visa being stamped in his passport on October 6, 2025. Lilys husband has arrived in Canada to support his wife during her radiation treatments and plans to return to the Philippines early in the new year. He was granted a 10-year multiple-entry visa to allow him to return to Canada while their PR application is processed.

Time from application date to visa issuance: 16 days.

Amal

Amal is an Indian national who came to Canada as a permanent resident in October 2005 as a young boy at the age of 15 with his sister, age 17. Their parents remained in India and were not granted visas to come to Canada to visit their children. After several refusals, Mother was granted a visitor visa in July 2025 to visit relatives in Toronto while Father remained in India. On October 10, 2025, Amal had a serious car accident and was admitted to the hospital with a brain injury. On October 12, 2025, doctors pronounced Amal to be brain dead neurologically, but he was kept on life support for his Father to come to Canada on an urgent basis. An application for a visitor visa was submitted for Father on October 15, with a biometrics request letter issued on October 16. On this same day, their MPs office communicated with IRCC and regularly followed up with both IRCC and our office. On October 21, the passport request letter was issued, on October 22, the visa was issued, and Father arrived in Canada on October 23, 2025. Both Father and Mother were able to attend their sons funeral and say their final goodbyes.

Time from application date to visa issuance: 7 days.

The timelines for the processing of these applications were exceptionally fast and demonstrate a focused and concerted effort on the part of the applicants, our immigration legal team, the MPs office and, of course, IRCC. This is not a service standard to be expected regularly!

Over the 35+ years that I have been practicing immigration law, I have seen numerous examples of families being prevented from reuniting in Canada for births, deaths, marriages, funerals, graduations and a myriad of important milestones in life that people want to share together with their family members. Applicants need to demonstrate a high level of credibility with IRCC in order to be granted the prize of being awarded a visa to visit Canada. It is highly recommended that you get professional assistance with such applications. It is also important to show that the trust that has been given is appreciated and respected, and that you do what you say that you are going to do and return home in a reasonable period of time. Not only does this ensure that you will likely be given another visa in the future, but it maintains faith in the system such that others may be similarly blessed with obtaining a visa to come to Canada.

Catherine Sas, K.C. has over 35 years of legal experience. She provides a full range of immigration services and is a leading immigration practitioner (Lexpert, Whos Who Legal, Best Lawyers in Canada). Go to canadian-visa-lawyer.com or email catherine@sasanding.com.
What happened: a fan event turned violent

( Image credit : X/TrueCrimeUpdat| Cowen, diagnosed with schizophrenia, indefinitely detained under Mental Health Act after stabbing Thomas Carey )

Mental health and the courts decision

( Image credit : X/TrueCrimeUpdat| ChatGPT said: Cowen, diagnosed with schizophrenia, indefinitely detained under Mental Health Act )

Broader implications

( Image credit : X/TrueCrimeUpdat| Cowens attack on Thomas Carey raises questions about mental illness and public safety )

A former champion on the hit British quiz show Countdown, 31yearold John Cowen, has been detained indefinitely in a secure psychiatric hospital after using a knife to stab a rival player at a fanorganised event. The verdict under a hospital order rather than a standard prison sentence raises difficult questions about how courts balance criminal accountability and mental illness in violent incidents.The attack occurred on 14 September 2024, at a gathering of former Countdown contestants and fans organised by the Focal Countdown Group at the Wainwright Social Club. According to CCTV footage presented at the hearing, Cowen entered the club around 11:30 a.m. carrying a kitchen knife. He spotted fellow excontestant Thomas Carey, ran across the room, lunged over a table and stabbed him in the left biceps. Another knife was recovered from Cowens pocket when he was restrained by bystanders. Carey was treated for a nonlifethreatening wound. The jury later concluded Cowen had committed wounding and possession of a bladed article as charged.At trial, psychiatrists diagnosed Cowen with schizophrenia and deemed him seriously mentally unwell unfit to stand trial. Rather than proceeding with a standard criminal sentence, the court conducted a fact-finding hearing to establish what happened. With findings in, the judge ruled that Cowen must be detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act 1983 , with a restriction order that requires highlevel clearance before any release. The judge described the attack as a terrifying incident of deliberate violence with a knife which could have caused far more serious injury and possible lethality.The case highlights how mentalhealth disorders can complicate traditional ideas of criminal justice and punishment. The Mental Health Act which allows courts to substitute hospital orders for jail when an offenders mental disorder significantly impairs judgment and control aims to balance public safety with medical treatment. But the decision also opens debate on accountability: should a person who commits violent wrongdoing be treated primarily as a patient rather than a criminal? And does indefinite hospital detention sufficiently address concerns over public safety, rehabilitation, and the rights of victims. The Cowen case is thus not just about a shocking assault at a nostalgic fan event; it forcefully resurrects longstanding tensions between law, mental health, and justice.
Family connections





( Image credit : X/ @MarioNawfal | Family connection brings Leavitt into headlines )

BREAKING: Karoline Leavitts SISTER in law has been CAPTURED by ICE. pic.twitter.com/i0Cm4PCxr3









 Spencer Hakimian (@SpencerHakimian) November 26, 2025











Legal background and DACA status





( Image credit : X/ @MAGAVoice | ICE detains relative of White House Press Secretary )

ICE custody and family support





( Image credit : X/ @_johnnymaga | ICE detention sparks focus on Karoline Leavitt )

Moving forward





Bruna Ferreira, closely connected to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, has recently been taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Ferreira, originally from Brazil, is the mother of Leavitts nephew. The legal situation arose after the authorities determined that she had stayed beyond her permitted duration in the United States on a tourist visa.According to reports, Ferreira was previously engaged to Karoline Leavitts brother, Michael Leavitt, and the couple has an 11-year-old son. Although they no longer live together, Ferreira maintains a close relationship with their child. On the day of her arrest, she was reportedly on her way to see her son. Michael Leavitt stated that the arrest has affected Ferreiras relationship with her son, who has allegedly stopped talking to his mother.Ferreiras attorney, Todd Pomerleau, emphasised that her entry into the United States was lawful under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which offers temporary protection from deportation to individuals who arrived in the U.S. as children. She had been in the process of applying for U.S. citizenship. Pomerleau also noted that Ferreira attempted to renew her status around five years ago, but the effort was affected by policy changes under the Trump administration. He strongly rejected claims that Ferreira is a criminal or illegal alien, stating that she has no criminal record.Ferreira is currently being held at the ICE Processing Centre in South Louisiana, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Karoline Leavitt has not publicly addressed the arrest, and it is unclear if she will respond. Meanwhile, to help cover legal expenses, Ferreiras sister, Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues, has started a GoFundMe page. The fundraiser emphasises Ferreiras long presence in the U.S., noting she first arrived in 1998, and has so far raised over $15,000 to support her legal defence and family needs.Ferreiras attorney continues to work on securing her release, arguing that she should be near her family, particularly her son. Meanwhile, updates on the case and any response from Karoline Leavitt are awaited. The arrest has sparked conversations around DACA protections and the challenges faced by families navigating U.S. immigration laws.
Palm Royale season 2 episode 3

Normas real past explained

( Image credit : IMDb | Palm Royale season 2 episode 3 aired November 26. )

Evelyns trouble with the Feds

Maxine saves Evelyns money

( Image credit : IMDb | Palm Royale Season 2 is expected to get more intense. )

Maxine and Evelyn search for proof

The trophy room discovery

( Image credit : IMDb | Palm Royale Season 2 episode 3 ends with a big twist. )

Maxine lands in trouble

Palm Royale season 2 episode 4

is one of the most exciting and shocking episodes so far. Maxine, played by Kristen Wiig, uses her sharp mind and nervous charm to try to fix every problem around her. But just when it feels like she is about to win, something unexpected ruins her plans again. This episode shows how close Maxine gets to the truth about Norma while also falling into a bigger mess. Everything she tries leads to another twist, and by the end, she is in more trouble than ever.The episode starts with a flashback to Switzerland many years ago. We learn that Agnes and Norma were training to be nuns. But one day, the real Norma fell down the stairs and died just when she was supposed to return home after her fathers death. Since the real Norma was rich and Agnes was poor, the head nun decided to send Agnes instead and make her pretend to be Norma. Agnes did not plan any of this, but she listened quietly and stepped into a life full of money and power. This truth becomes the base for everything Maxine will discover later.Back in the present, Robert thinks Norma tried to kill him. But Norma says she was only giving him his medicine. She tells him the whole story about the poor girl who took on a new identity, but she warns him to stay quiet or his life could be in danger. At the same time, Maxine learns that the secret place where she saw a photo of Stella might be inside the Palm Royale itself. But instead of letting her investigate, Sidonius forces Maxine to sign divorce papers and plans her quick exit from Palm Beach.While Maxine deals with her problems, Evelyn faces her own crisis. She is accused of hiding a fugitive, but the blame falls on Linda, not Mary. Soon, the Feds enter Evelyns house to take her assets. At the same time, Maxine learns that Norma is hosting a big party, but Evelyn is not invited. Even though it looks hopeless, Maxine sees a way to help Evelyn if she moves fast.Connecting the clues from Evelyns story, Maxine rushes to the bank. Since she is the conservator, Maxine withdraws Evelyns money and even the jewellery she inherited. Meanwhile, Maxine is also dealing with a funny disaster; she has swallowed Douglas mothers engagement ring while trying to take it off her finger. Dinah keeps feeding her prunes so the ring can come out, and this chaos leads Maxine to an important realisation: Norma might be a killer.Dinah also remembers that her late husbands last conversation was with Norma, making her believe Norma killed him, too. Maxine and Evelyn decide to look for evidence. They visit Virginia, who explains that killers often keep small items, or trinkets, from the people they hurt. So Maxine now knows what she must find: a secret stash of these items.Maxine and Evelyn think the proof might be inside a safety deposit box, but it only has a message from Norma meant for Maxine. Then, after following more clues, Maxine enters the trophy room and finds the trinkets, including Axels cufflinks, proving Norma is dangerous. Instead of calling the police, Maxine runs to confront Norma. But Norma is prepared. She stages a dramatic scene, slides through a trapdoor, and makes it look like Maxine tried to kill her.The episode ends with Maxine panicking as the swallowed ring is finally ready to come out. But things get worse, Norma has disappeared, and it now looks like Maxine will be blamed for everything.is scheduled to release on Wednesday, December 3.
Dancing with the Stars season 34

Dancing with the Stars: Robert Irwin takes the trophy

( Image credit : X/@officialdwts | Robert Irwin wins DWTS S34 with record-breaking votes in one of the closest finales ever )

Who were the finalists?

Finale details: Rounds, scores and performances

Fans had pegged Alix Earle as winner

( Image credit : X/@officialdwts | Alix Earle entered the finale as the fan-favoured frontrunner with massive online support )

stop puttin that bitch kayla nicole on my timeline every month







taylor swift clears, l.i.g. it reggie...





 diggy   (@diggylatrelle) November 26, 2025

has crowned wildlife presenter Robert Irwin and his pro partner Witney Carson as the winners, edging out social-media favourite Alix Earle and sparking debate among viewers who had widely expected the influencer to take the Mirrorball.Notably, Robert achieved this despite suffering a rib injury that caused him significant pain during rehearsals and performances in the final week.Season 34 ended with Robert Irwin and Witney Carson lifting the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy after a finale that combined judges scores with a record-breaking 72 million viewer votes. Reports note that Robert received more votes than any contestant in the shows history, with hosts and producers describing the margin between him and runnerup Alix Earle as one of the closest ever.Five couples made it to finale night: Robert Irwin & Witney Carson, Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy, Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa, Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach, and Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten. Final standings placed Robert and Witney first, Alix and Val second, Jordan and Ezra third, Dylan and Daniella fourth, and Elaine and Alan fifth after all three rounds and votes were combined.The three-hour finale featured three competitive rounds: Judges' Choice, Instant Dance, and Freestyle. Robert and Witney earned a near-perfect combined 59/60 in the first two rounds, including a praised Viennese Waltz and Jive. All finalists received perfect 30s in the final freestyle round, making the massive viewer vote tally decisive in selecting the champion.Going into the finale, a large portion of the online chatter and fan polls projected TikTok and Instagram star Alix Earle to win, especially after her strong lateseason run with partner Val Chmerkovskiy. Coverage of the finale notes that both Alix and Robert were clear vote magnets all season, and that many viewers assumed Alixs socialmedia reach would carry her over the line before the final rankings were announced.Fans who had supported Earle's journey are currently crashing out on social media, with one writing, " Im so mad I tuned into DWTS every Tuesday for her not to win." "Also, technically, Robert never stood a chance against alix. he also literally stands in the middle of dancing. its never been a popularity contest," said another user. <br><br> Check out more reactions below:
( Image credit : X/ @CookiesSupply | Spain law makes pets official family members )

Reactions across social media





Absolutely wonderful to hear. Way to go Spain!!!!



 TS (@tas5419) November 26, 2025

Spain made a landmark decision in 2022 by officially recognising pets as sentient beings rather than mere property. The reform was approved in December 2021 and became effective in early 2022, updating the Spanish Civil Code to acknowledge that animals are legally considered part of the family. Previously treated like objects, pets now receive legal protection in case of divorce, separation, and custody disputes. Judges must consider the animals living situation, daily routine, the financial stability of owners, and even their connection with children, who often share close bonds with pets.The law also prevents pets from being sold or abandoned during divorces unless both partners agree, and permits joint custody arrangements. In a landmark Madrid case, an unmarried couple was granted joint custody of their dog, highlighting the new laws practical application. Additionally, farm animals are protected from seizure for unpaid debts, and owners can recover costs for caring for injured or abandoned animals.The law has sparked diverse reactions online. One user commented, What do they now class as a pet? Just cats and dogs maybe? What about horses, donkeys, goats and everything else? Maybe its a good start, though. Another said, Spanish law is hypocritical: your dogs are family members if you leave them at home, in a car or outside a shop, but dirty animals if you want to take them inside. Or if theyre galgos. A third user added, Spain should show love not only to dogs and cats, but also to cows. Cruelty to cows is never tolerated. Please review and abolish it immediately. A fourth expressed excitement, Absolutely wonderful to hear. Way to go Spain!!!! Finally, another user remarked, Its a good first step in the protection of dogs.
By Bethany Lindsay

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Canadian arm of the contentious Falun Dafa religious movement has lost its charitable status after failing to file tax returns.

The Falun Dafa Association of Canadas registration was revoked on Nov. 1, according to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Grace Wollensak, a national co-ordinator for the association, told the IJF that the group has filed for reinstatement. She said the association filed its 2024 tax return, but it was somehow missed by the CRA, and the 2025 return was filed late because of an accounting oversight.

Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is described by its practitioners as an ancient Chinese spiritual tradition, although it was founded in the 1990s.

The movement is banned in China, where its been declared an evil cult. Members there have been sent to prison and labour camps, where deaths have been reported, and some have levelled allegations of torture and organ harvesting against the Chinese government, according to Amnesty International and other groups. China has denied those claims.

In Canada, Falun Dafa practitioners can often be seen in parks and other public spaces, performing the slow movements and meditation that are central to their practice, or protesting outside Chinese consulates or its embassy.

The movement has been the subject of controversy in recent years.

Falun Dafa members in the U.S. founded the Epoch Times newspaper, a publication thats become widely known for spreading conspiracy theories about COVID-19, climate change and the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Local Falun Dafa groups in Canada and the U.S. also organize shows by the Shen Yun Performing Arts, which has been the subject of a series of investigations by the New York Times.

The newspaper reported that the dance group exploited young performers, subjecting them to gruelling schedules and then discouraging them from seeking medical care, and built its worldwide presence on the free labour and financial contributions of Falun Dafa members.

The organization has denied those allegations, calling the newspaper's reporting biased and unethical.

This summer, CBC News reported that the National Arts Centre in Ottawa would not host a Shen Yun performance in 2026 after two decades of shows at the centre, following concerns about the treatment of disabled audience members and allegations of contract breaches. In response, Wollensak said she was mystified by the centre's decision, and that the centre's CEO later told them the issue was rental availability.

Wollensak said her organization does not run any newspaper business nor performing arts company, and is entirely independent of the Epoch Times and the U.S.-based Shen Yun Performing Arts company in terms of ownership, funding, operations, governance and activities.

The Falun Dafa Association of Canada has reported little in the way of charitable work in the last few years.

Records in the IJFs charity tax returns database show just $48 in revenue and $4 in expenditures in 2023. The year before, the association reported no revenue and $22 in expenditures.

In its 2023 entry in the CRAs charity registry, the organization wrote, Due to the pandemic, there is no enormous charity event or program during the 2023 fiscal year.
A former employee of the Campbell's Co. is suing the company for retaliation for reporting comments allegedly made by a vice president. Read more

Campbells Co. said on Wednesday that a vice president reportedly caught on an audio recording disparaging the Camden-based soup giants products  claiming the company uses bioengineered meat, which Campbells denies  and allegedly making racist comments is no longer an employee.

The allegations emerged after Robert Garza, another former employee, filed a lawsuit last week claiming that he was fired for reporting in January to his manager that Martin Bally, who had a position at Campbells as chief information security officer, had made problematic comments to him during a meeting in November 2024.

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According to the five-page lawsuit, Bally made several racist comments about Indian workers at the company.

Bally also told Garza that Campbells products were highly processed food for poor people, according to the lawsuit, which was filed in Michigan, where both Garza and Bally live and worked for the company.

Garza, who worked as a cybersecurity analyst for Campbells, did an interview last week with WDIV-TV, an NBC affiliate in Detroit, and provided at least some portions of secretly recorded audio of the meeting to the station for broadcast.

The audio recording is not mentioned in the lawsuit. However, it is legal in Michigan for one party in a conversation to make a recording without the consent of the other party.

The person in the recording, alleged to be Bally, says: We have s for f poor people. The speaker then acknowledges rarely buying Campbells products, saying they are unhealthy.

The voice says that Campbells uses bioengineered meat. I dont wanna eat a piece of chicken that came from a 3D printer. The speaker then goes on to make racist comments about coworkers.

After a review, we believe the voice on the recording is in fact Martin Bally, Campbells Co. said in a statement on Wednesday.

The comments were vulgar, offensive and false, and we apologize for the hurt they have caused. This behavior does not reflect our values and the culture of our company, and we will not tolerate that kind of language under any circumstances, the company said.

As of November 25, Mr. Bally is no longer employed by the company, Campbells said.

Bally could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

Campbells said in its statement that the company makes food from high-quality ingredients, including real chicken meat.

Were thankful for the millions of people who buy and enjoy our products and were honored by the trust they put in us, the company said.

Campbells has a new page on its website to answer questions about its food that were raised by the former vice presidents alleged comments.

One section responds to the question: Is Campbells chicken 3D printed?

No. We do not use 3D-printed chicken, lab-grown chicken, or any form of artificial or bioengineered meat in our soups, the website said.

On Monday morning, James Uthmeier, the attorney general of Florida, responded to a post on X from an account apparently based in Ohio raising concerns about FAKE MEAT that comes from a 3-D printer.

Uthmeier said: Florida law bans lab-grown meat. Our Consumer Protection division is launching an investigation and will demand answers from Campbells.
Temple University biology professor Jody Hey teaches a class; no laptops or iPhones are allowed. Students must take notes by hand. Read more

Biology professor Jody Hey was lecturing on human evolution one recent day at Temple University.

His students vigorously took notes by hand in paper notebooks.

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There wasnt a laptop in sight. Nor an iPhone. No students face was hidden by a screen.

Hey said he stopped allowing them about a year and a half ago after seeing research that students are too often distracted when laptops are open in front of them and actually learn better when they have to distill lectures into handwritten notes.

The clearest sign that its making a difference is that students are paying attention more, said Hey, who has taught at Temple for more than 12 years. And they want to participate much more than before.

Hey is among a seemingly growing number of professors who have chosen to keep laptop and phone use out of class, with exceptions for students with disabilities who require accommodations. Several said they made the decision after seeing what some students were doing on their laptops during class.

Jessa Lingel, an associate professor of communication at the University of Pennsylvania and director of the Gender, Sexuality, and Womens Studies Program there, stationed teaching assistants in the back of her room to observe.

Students were out there booking flights and Airbnbs, Lingel said. Fun fall cocktail recipes. They were online gambling in class. I thought, This is not acceptable.

She originally disallowed laptops in 2017, but decided to go easy in 2021 as students returned after the pandemic, she said. She reinforced the ban after her teaching assistants observations.

 READ MORE: As colleges grapple with AIs pitfalls, U. of Delaware uses technology to transform faculty lectures into interactive study aides

Its a movement, Lingel said. More and more people are headed in this direction.

In Heys class, students have warmed up to the laptop ban.

At first I didnt like it, said Jess Nguyen, 20, a junior genomic medicine major from Broomall, because I kind of organize all my notes on my laptop. But I feel Ive been learning better by writing my notes.

When she took notes on her iPad, she sometimes got distracted and played computer games, she said. In Heys class, thats not an option.

Students said it takes more time to write notes and sometimes their hands get tired.

After a couple classes, you kind of get used to it, said Sara Tedla, 22, a senior natural sciences major from Philadelphia.

Shes on the fence about which way she prefers to take notes.

Its good that for an hour and 20 minutes you can just sit down and, without any technological distractions, focus because thats a part of your brain you can work on, said Quinn Johnson, 20, a senior ecology major from Philadelphia. The more you do it, the easier it becomes to focus on something for a long period of time.

Students learn better

Professors say laptops are pretty ubiquitous in the classroom when they are permitted.

Hey conducted research on laptop use and presented it at a Temple department faculty meeting earlier this year.

As early as 2003, a study was done contrasting the retention of lecture material by two groups of students, one who had laptops and unrestrained internet access and a second who worked without laptops, he said. In that study, students with laptops scored 20% lower on average in the subsequent exam.

Four of every five students who used laptops in a general psychology class said they checked email during lectures, another study showed, while 68% used instant messaging, 43% surfed the net, 25% played games, and 35% said they did other activities.

He also cited studies showing students who took notes by hand performed better on tests. Others cited that research, too.

I read the literature on it and it really showed that students learn better when theyre taking notes rather than trying to type as fast as they can verbatim what you say, said Amy Gutmann, Penn president emerita, who is co-teaching a class at the Annenberg School for Communication this fall.

 READ MORE: Amy Gutmann, once Penn president, is teaching again. Heres what its like to be her student.

Gutmann and co-teacher Sarah Banet-Weiser, dean of Annenberg, do not provide students with copies of their lecture slides, either.

We give them time to write down whats on the slides, Banet-Weiser said.

 READ MORE: Choosing a major can be hard. Heres how colleges help students figure out what they want to do.

Benefits of technology

Some professors say laptop use in class can be beneficial.

Sudhir Kumar, a Temple biology professor, said he asks his class of 150 students to respond to questions on their laptops every 10 minutes. Their answers count toward their grades.

Its constantly keeping them on their toes, he said.

He would not want to see everyone give up on laptop use in class.

We cannot fight technology, he said. Teachers have to embrace technology, whether it is artificial intelligence or computers. That is a standard mode of operation for most people today.

In Cathy Brants social studies methods class of 20 to 25 students at Rowan University, laptops are key. Brant, an associate professor of education, said there are lots of hands-on group projects, and she frequently asks students to check New Jersey standards online as they prepare their lessons. She also teaches them how to use AI appropriately in the classroom.

One of her students, she said, recently handed in a paper with very detailed notes from Brants lecture that she probably got only because she was able to type quickly on her computer.

Youre responsible for paying attention in class, she said. Maybe its a little harsh, but Im just like, If you want to be on Facebook the entire time during class, thats on you.

Jordan Shapiro, an associate professor at Temple, more than a decade ago used to make a point of having his students post on Twitter, now X, during class and counted it toward classroom participation.

Now, he tells students to put their laptops away during class.

I tell them I have no problem with tech or laptops, he said. I just think that none of us get enough time in our lives to just focus on ideas or to listen in a sustained way to the people around us.

He also became concerned about students doing homework during class, he said, and using artificial intelligence to supply them with questions and comments to ask in class. They were outsourcing class participation to the robots, he said.

Mark Boudreau, a biology professor at Penn State Brandywine, disallowed laptops for the first time this semester.

I thought I would get real pushback  or people might even drop the class, he said. But  a lot of students have had other faculty who have this policy.

Exam scores in his three courses are better this year, he said.

Hey noted student grades have gone up, too. But he can tell some students struggle with note-taking; some just listen and dont take notes.

Thats better than sitting there and going on Facebook, he said.
Static!, the follow-up bar from the owners of Fishtown cocktail lounge Next of Kin, opened Tuesday in the former Tria space in Washington Square West. A moody, dark wood-paneled space illuminated by large paper globe lanterns, the 35-seat bar is an even slicker cousin to its Fishtown counterpart and brings to Center City cocktails concocted by some of the nerdiest, most process-driven bartenders in Philly.

Kyle Darrow and John Grubb, two of the partners behind Next of Kin, signed the lease on the 12th and Spruce spot in June.

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The menu is divided into four styles of cocktails  shaken down, shaken up, stirred down, and stirred up  plus non-alcoholic options, wine, and local beers. All cocktails range from $15 to $17. There is almost no food, save for a sweet and spicy nut mix, olives, and soft pretzels from Center City Pretzel, served with whole-grain mustard. We arent chefs, Darrow said in an interview earlier this year, forecasting the light-snack menu.

Static! operates independently of Next of Kin, but there are echoes of its sensibilities, said Darrow, who has stayed mostly hands-off in the development of the new menu.

General manager Jared Ridgeway is the mind behind the cocktails here. There are more balanced riffs on familiar classics, and just a few directly transplanted from Next of Kin, such as their Clover Club and Smoke and Barrels, which blends rye whiskey, mezcal, amaro, and cherries. Ridgeways amaretto sour also updates a classic. If you put 2 full ounces of amaretto in a drink, its overwhelmingly sweet, Ridgeway said. The whole point of cocktails is a fine balance, so I learned a little sneaky trick from [Oyster House bartender] Resa [Mueller] to put a little reposado tequila in to balance the sweetness of the Lazzaroni amaretto.

There are also cocktails entirely unique to Static! Top of the World is a nice little seasonal play on incorporating apples, but with miso cream on top, said Ridgeway. Its like an Irish cream topper where you get velvety silky foam on top versus a whipped cream. The result has no perceptible bubbles and floats above a tart, bright, light-bodied cocktail.

Static!s bartenders may not be chefs, but theyre performing no small amount of kitchen prep. Like Next of Kins signature cocktails, the components behind the bar here are extremely labor-intensive. The miso cream is made from whipping yellow miso with simple syrup and heavy cream. Similarly, Static!s appletini involves infusing vodka in-house. Were really highlighting key ingredients, doing them a bit more justice, said Ridgeway.

The layout of the former wine bar remains the same, with a long bar and elevated loft with table seating. Most of the construction involved updating the plumbing, building out a back bar, and making the space conducive for an operation heavily dependent on ice.

Why the name  and the punctuation? Static! refers to the good, positive, and palpable energy transitioning between people and a human interaction, said Darrow. Its also about the static on the TV screen and that physical disruption of digital space. The punctuation removes the stasis from static.

The opening comes on the heels of Next of Kins high-profile September pop-up in Paris at the cocktail bar Mesures, which was attended by both French locals and a dozen regulars from Philly who made the trip, said Darrow.

Static!, 1137 Spruce St., instagram.com/static_phl. Hours: 4 p.m. to midnight Monday through Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.
Jefferson Health filed a WARN Act notice regarding the layoff of 108 employees at its South Jersey hospitals, including Jefferson Cherry Hill, shown above. But Pennsylvania employees did not get the 60-day notice. Read more

A lawsuit filed Tuesday in Philadelphia accused Jefferson Health of violating federal labor rules when it laid off 1% of its 65,000 employees in October and this month without providing a 60-day notice.

The purported class-action lawsuit says the proposed lead plaintiff, Ciara Brice, lost her job as a medical assistant on Nov. 12 with no notice and has not received the severance pay she was promised.

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Brice was not available for comment, said her lawyer, Jeremy E. Abay, with Philadelphia law firm Pond Lehocky Giordano Inc.

The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act has a complicated rubric for determining when a mass layoff requires advance notification, which is filed with state labor departments. One of the triggers is an employer cutting at least 500 jobs, according to Abay.

Even though the layoffs happened throughout Jeffersons entire footprint from South Jersey to near Scranton, Abay said notice is required because Jefferson operates as a single entity.

We believe the facts will show that there was no violation of the federal WARN Act, Jefferson said in a statement.

The nonprofit filed a notice of 108 layoffs at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital, Jefferson Stratford Hospital, and Jefferson Washington Township Hospital because New Jersey has its own rules, Abay said.

In August, Jefferson reported a $195 million operating loss on $15.8 billion in revenue for the year that ended June 30.

The nonprofit, which grew through acquisitions from three hospitals in Philadelphia in 2015 to more than 30 now, provided no details when it announced the layoffs in mid-October.

That layoff was part of a series of large job cuts starting in the summer of 2023, but may have been the first time patient-facing workers like Brice were hit.

The lawsuit seeks back pay, benefits, and damages for each laid-off employee who did not receive a 60-day notice.

Editors note: The headline on this article has been updated to clarify that a lawsuit claims violations.
People look at flames engulfing a building after a fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court, a residential estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong's New Territories, on Wednesday, Nov. 26. Read more

HONG KONG - At least 36 people were killed and 279 were missing on Wednesday after Hong Kongs deadliest fire in three decades ripped through high-rise residential towers sheathed in flammable bamboo scaffolding, authorities said.

More than 10 hours after the fire started in the northern Tai Po district, flames and thick smoke still engulfed the 32-story towers as rescue workers swarmed the site and shocked inhabitants watched nearby.

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The cause of the blaze was not immediately known, but it was fanned by green construction mesh and bamboo scaffolding which the government began phasing out in March for safety reasons.

Working through the night, firefighters were struggling to reach upper floors of the Wang Fuk Court housing complex, which has 2,000 apartments in eight blocks, due to the intense heat.

One 71-year-old resident surnamed Wong broke down in tears, saying his wife was trapped inside.

A firefighter was among the 36 killed, and 29 people were in hospital, Hong Kong leader John Lee told reporters. Some 900 people were in eight shelters.

The priority is to extinguish the fire and rescue the residents who are trapped. The second is to support the injured. The third is to support and recover. Then, well launch a thorough investigation, Lee told reporters. Harry Cheung, 66, who has lived at Block Two in one of the complexes for more than 40 years, said he heard a loud noise about 2:45 p.m. (6:45 GMT) and saw fire erupt in a nearby block.

I immediately went back to pack up my things, he said.

I dont even know how I feel right now. Im just thinking about where Im going to sleep tonight because I probably wont be able to go back home.

Chinas XI urges all-out effort against fire

Frames of scaffolding were seen tumbling to the ground as firefighters battled the blaze, while scores of fire engines and ambulances lined the road below the development.

From the mainland, Chinas President Xi Jinping urged an all-out effort to extinguish the fire and to minimize casualties and losses, Chinas state broadcaster CCTV said.

Hong Kongs sky-high property prices have long been a trigger for social discontent in the city and the fire tragedy could stoke resentment towards authorities ahead of a city-wide legislative election in early December.

Hong Kongs Transport Department said that due to the fire, an entire section of the Tai Po road, one of Hong Kongs two main highways, had been closed and buses were being diverted.

At least six schools will be closed on Thursday due to the fire and traffic congestion, the citys Education Bureau said.

It was Hong Kongs worst fire since 41 people died in a commercial building in the heart of Kowloon in November 1996.

That fire was later found to be caused by welding during internal renovations.

A public inquiry yielded sweeping updates to building standards and fire safety regulations in the citys high-rise offices, shops and homes.

Bamboo scaffolding being phased out

Hong Kong is one of the last places in the world where bamboo is still widely used for scaffolding in construction.

The government moved to start phasing that out in March, citing safety. It announced that 50% of public construction works would be required to use metal frames instead.

Wang Fuk Court is one of many high-rise housing complexes in Hong Kong, one of the most densely populated areas in the world. Tai Po, located near the border with mainland China, is an established suburban district with some 300,000 residents.

Occupied since 1983, the complex is under the governments subsidized home ownership scheme, according to property agency websites. According to online posts, it has been undergoing renovations for a year at a cost of HK$330 million ($42.43 million), with each unit paying between HK$160,000 and HK$180,000.

Owning a home is a distant dream for many in Hong Kong, one of the worlds most expensive housing markets and where residential rents are hovering around record highs.

($1 = 7.7779 Hong Kong dollars)
National Guard members stand together after two National Guard members were shot near the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 26, 2025. Read more

WASHINGTON - Two National Guard soldiers were shot on Wednesday near the White House in what officials described as a targeted ambush, and the suspect was in custody after suffering gunshot wounds during the attack.

Investigators identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national from Washington State, according to a Justice Department official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The attack is being investigated as an act of terrorism, the official said.

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Lakanwal came to the U.S. in 2021 on a special visa program for Afghans who assisted the U.S. during the Afghanistan war and were vulnerable to reprisals from the ruling Taliban after the U.S. withdrawal, the official said. But he overstayed his visa and is in the country illegally, according to the official.

President Donald Trump was in Florida at the time of the attack, which prompted the White House to go into lockdown as law enforcement from multiple federal and city agencies swarmed the area.

The two soldiers, members of the West Virginia National Guard, were part of a high-visibility patrol around 2:15 p.m. ET (1915 GMT) near the corner of 17th and I streets, a few blocks from the White House. The suspect came around a corner and ambushed them, Metropolitan Police Assistant Chief Jeff Carroll said at a press briefing.

After an exchange of gunfire, other National Guard troops were able to subdue the shooter, he said. The two wounded soldiers were in critical condition at local hospitals, FBI Director Kash Patel said.

This is a targeted attack, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said at the briefing.

The shooter appeared to have acted alone, officials said.

Trump is at his resort in Palm Beach ahead of Thursdays Thanksgiving holiday, while U.S. Vice President JD Vance is in Kentucky.

In a social media post, Trump called the suspected shooter an animal who would pay a very steep price and praised the National Guard.

He also ordered 500 more guard soldiers deployed to Washington, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told reporters, joining about 2,200 already in the city as part of the presidents contentious immigration and crime crackdown targeting Democratic-led cities.

Witnesses describe chaotic scene

The shooting unfolded near Farragut Square, a popular lunch spot for office workers just a few blocks from the White House. The park, where light posts are wrapped in wreaths and bows for the holiday season, is flanked by fast-casual restaurants and a coffee shop, as well as two metro stops.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene after shots were fired, with pedestrians fleeing.

Mike Ryan, 55, said he was on his way to buy lunch nearby when he heard what sounded like gunfire. He ran half a block away and heard another round of apparent gunfire.

When he made his way back to the scene, he saw two National Guard soldiers on the ground across the street, with people trying to resuscitate one of them. At the same time, other guard troops had pinned someone on the ground, Ryan said.

Another witness, Emma McDonald, said she saw one of the soldiers carried away on a stretcher minutes after the shooting, his head covered in blood and an automated compression system attached to his chest.

National Guard soldiers have been in Washington since Trumps initial deployment in August, a move that was opposed by local officials and criticized by Democrats. The guard troops in the city include contingents from the District of Columbia as well as Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, West Virginia, Georgia and Alabama.

Trump, a Republican, has suggested repeatedly that crime has disappeared from the capital as a result of the deployment, an assertion at odds with the police departments official crime statistics.
Commentary

By Steven Globerman

Its been roughly 10 months since Donald Trump became president again, and his policies, which include a trade war, have affected Canada in many ways. But a recent Trump announcementthat his administration will impose a higher application fee of US$100,000 for new H-1B visas (a temporary visa that allows employers to hire high-skilled foreign workers)should make Canada a more attractive destination for highly educated immigrants.

Indeed, the 35-year-old H-1B visa program has been an important channel for U.S.-based technology firms (e.g. Amazon, Microsoft) to hire scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians (in other words, STEM workers) from outside the United States.

Trumps new fee, meant to protect American workers, effectively amounts to an indirect tax on U.S. firms that typically hire foreign workers using the H-1B program. All other things constant, this indirect tax should reduce the demand for high-skilled STEM immigrants in the U.S. and encourage such individuals to look elsewhere for opportunities, including Canada.

In fact, Canada has been relatively successful in attracting highly educated (B.A. degree or higher) STEM-trained immigrants. According to a new study published by the Fraser Institute, the number of immigrant STEM workers (as a share of the total STEM workforce in Canada) is actually higher than in the U.S. But theres a crucial differencethe employment rate for highly-educated native-born Canadians exceeds that of highly-educated immigrants in Canada, while the reverse is true in the U.S. And highly-educated immigrants in Canada have a lower median employment income (on average) than highly-educated native-born Canadians while, again, the reverse is true in the U.S.

In other words, highly educated immigrants in the U.S. do better, from an employment perspective, than in Canada.

Why should Canadians care?

Because employment income is closely linked to labour productivity, its reasonable to infer that highly educated immigrants in the U.S. make larger contributions (on average) to improving labour productivity compared to highly educated immigrants in Canada. Put differently, the U.S. seems to attract the best and brightest (or at least better and brighter than Canada attracts). For decades, the ability of the U.S. to attract the best and brightest immigrants has helped fuel the technological dominance of the U.S., as evidenced by the rise of Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, Nvidia and other global tech leaders.

But things may be changing. In addition to Trumps new H-1B visa fee, his administration has cut funding for scientific and medical research and clamped down on international student visas. Again, these moves present a real opportunity for Canada to attract and retain STEM talent.

To seize this opportunity, policymakers must act. For starters, the Carney government should reduce Canadas federal business and personal top income tax rates, which effectively penalize productivity, and encourage the provinces to follow suit. Currently, high-income earners in the U.S. face lower tax rates than their Canadian counterparts. The Carney government should also eliminate the capital gains tax. These policy changes would enhance the incentives and capabilities of Canadian entrepreneurs to grow their startup companies into world-class competitors.

Prime Minister Carney has stressed the need to do big things to spur productivity and economic growth in Canada. Improving the rewards for successful economic performance, whether achieved by immigrants or native-born Canadians, should be at the top of Carneys to-do list.
The William Way LGBT Community Center, located at 1315 Spruce St. in Center City Philadelphia. On Dec. 18, 2025, the 50-year-old organization will permanently close its doors to this building and sell it to a new owner. Read more

One of Philadelphias oldest hubs for the LGBTQ+ community will shut its doors in less than a month, as the half-century-old organization transforms its programming and moves on from its aging Spruce Street building.

The William Way LGBT Community Center will permanently close its 1315 Spruce St. headquarters on Dec. 18, the William Way board announced Monday. This will end the tenure of a vital gathering space for trans and gender-diverse individuals across the region and beyond, officials said; however, William Way intends to continue its services, research, and archival efforts elsewhere.

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While the building may be closing, our commitment to the community remains unwavering, said Laura Ryan, cochair of William Ways board. Our board, staff, and community partners are actively finalizing plans that will guide the centers next chapter, and we look forward to sharing those details as soon as we can.

The property was listed for sale earlier this year, but it was not known if there was a new owner at this time, a William Way spokesperson said.

This decision follows years of redevelopment plans and failed fundraising efforts for the 175-year-old building that has served as the LGBTQ+ centers hub since 1997. The center briefly closed for inspection and emergency repairs last fall, reopening a portion of the building in January 2025.

As of the boards recent estimates, and after failing to raise enough capital for repairs, the aging pre-Civil War-era building still needs at least $3.5 million in immediate repairs, the board announced earlier this year.

Our community deserves a space that is not only safe and affirming, but fully accessible and equipped to support our future, William Ways chief operating officer, Darius McLean, said in June. The decision to move was not made lightly. It reflects our commitment to delivering programs with dignity and excellence, for today and future generations.

Moving forward, William Way will operate less as a physical center for services than as a foundation spreading these programs across the city. The heart of William Way has never been its walls. Its the people, the programs, and the unwavering commitment to creating a space where LGBTQIA+ individuals are seen, valued, and safe, said board cochair Dave Huting.

William Way officials confirmed no programs will be discontinued in the transition.

Some of its most vital programs will be continuing through the nearby Church of St. Luke and the Epiphany at 330 S. 13th St., around the corner from the William Way center. Starting Jan. 5, 2026, all of the centers empowerment programs, including the elder initiative, peer counseling, and trans programs, will operate out of St. Lukes.

The centers arts programs will live on through programming at partner organizations and other off-site locations through 2026. For instance, in January and February, Arleen Olshans Dead Dykes & Some Gay Men exhibition will be on display at the iMPeRFeCT Gallery in Germantown.

The John J. Wilcox Jr. Archives and Library is one of the most important relocation efforts being undertaken, as the center needs to ensure its vast collection of LGBTQ+ history is preserved and ready for its future home. Officials for William Way said they have not finalized its new location. Until Dec. 18, the library will remain open for on-site browsing and returns. No materials can be checked out from this point on.

There will be a few final celebrations to enjoy at the William Way center before its Gayborhood building is closed and transferred to any new buyer. On Thanksgiving Day, from noon to 2 p.m., William Way is hosting a Giving Thanks Dinner and tree-decorating event, featuring an LGBTQ+ sit-down meal and decorating the centers holiday tree.

On Dec. 5, from 6 to 9 p.m., the center will host One Last Dance, a celebratory evening honoring the many community members, milestones, and memories of the time-honored institution.

Correction: This article has been updated to note when William Way started using the 1315 Spruce St. building. It was in 1997.
Colleagues called Mrs. Corrigan a campaign mom because she helped so many candidates win elections. Read more

Jean E. Corrigan, 70, of Roslyn, Montgomery County, retired fleet and operations manager for the Montgomery County Department of Assets and Infrastructure, onetime constituent services representative for then-State Rep. Josh Shapiro, hair salon owner and operator, disability services advocate, and award-winning volunteer, died Saturday, Nov. 22, of non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver at her home.

A lifelong resident of Glenside and nearby Roslyn, Mrs. Corrigan was vice chair of the Abington-Rockledge Democratic Committee from 1995 to 2013, and served as Gov. Shapiros constituent service agent when he represented the 153rd Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 2004 to 2012.

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Jean was the very first volunteer on my very first campaign, Shapiro recalled. We knocked doors together, met our neighbors together, and, after winning, served our community together.

In addition to breaking down bureaucratic delays and solving all kinds of constituent problems for Shapiro, Mrs. Corrigan doggedly championed fair wages, reproductive freedom, increased funding for special education and disability services, and improved healthcare. Colleagues called her a super volunteer and a campaign mom because she helped so many candidates win elections.

She hosted visiting campaign workers at her home for years, took charge of distributing lawn signs and sample ballots, and organized other preelection events at her dining room table. She was named the local committees Democrat of the Year in 2002 and earned several awards from community service organizations.

Through that work, I got to see just how much of herself she gave to others, Shapiro said. Where there was a need in the community, she worked to address it. When someone needed help, she lent a hand. She made her neighbors lives better, and I will forever be grateful for her life of service.

 READ MORE: Survivors give advice about mourning their loved ones, as told to The Inquirers obit writer

In 2001, Mrs. Corrigan ran unsuccessfully for Abington Township commissioner, finishing second among three candidates and losing to a long-entrenched incumbent. In a preelection profile in The Inquirer, she listed responsible growth as a top value and maintain integrity of Abington Township as a main goal.

Jean was passionate about serving others, her family said in a tribute. She believed that politics and civic activism could make a positive difference in peoples lives.

At work, Mrs. Corrigan managed Montgomery Countys fleet of vehicles from 2015 to her retirement in 2022. She joined the countys assets and infrastructure department in 2012 as operations manager for public property and supervised the countys building services, construction carpenters, project collaboration, and computer-aided design.

She studied beauty science and hair styling in high school, attended the Willow Grove Beauty Academy, and ran her own salon called Shears to You from 1993 to 2001. As a volunteer, she was one-time president of the Abington School District Special Education Parent Advisory Council, copresident of the Abington Junior High School parent-teacher organization, and chair and vice chair of several Abington Township community initiatives.

 READ MORE: When parents die, even the mundane memories comfort their children. Here are their tales, as told to The Inquirers obit writer.

She raised funds for school events and served on the board of the Abington YMCA. Jean was selfless, empathetic, blunt, affectionate, caring, plainspoken, honest, and incredibly hard-working, her family said. There was no ego, no vanity.

Jean Elizabeth Fanelli was born Aug. 30, 1955, in Abington Township. She grew up with a brother, Angelo, and graduated from Abington High School in 1973. She was interested in clothing design as well as beauty culture and took classes at Temple University.

After a brief marriage to Bruce Cunningham was annulled, she married Peter Corrigan  an usher at her first wedding  in 1977, and they had sons Joseph and David and a daughter, Pauline. They lived in Glenside for decades, in the same house in which she grew up, and moved to Roslyn a few years ago.

Mrs. Corrigan enjoyed shopping trips with her daughter and baking holiday cookies. She liked to entertain and cook for everybody.

 READ MORE: Surviving spouses always remember how they met their mate. Here are the meet-cute stories told to The Inquirers obit writer.

She doted on her two granddaughters and spent memorable summers near Arrowhead Lake in the Pocono Mountains. She could talk to anybody, her family said.

She was a wonderful mother, her daughter said. I learned to have respect and manners from her.

Her son David said: She taught me to be considerate and understanding of everyone I encounter, a lesson I will never forget.

Her son Joseph said: She was incredibly generous with her time and resources. She could build relationships, and a theme of her life was caring for people.

Her husband said: She was one of a kind.

In addition to her husband, children, granddaughters, and brother, Mrs. Corrigan is survived by other relatives.

A private celebration of her life is to be held later.

Donations in her name may be made to Hedwig House Inc., 1920 Old York Rd., Abington, Pa. 19001.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D., Mich.) speaks during a hearing at the U.S. Capitol. President Donald Trump has threatened her and five other Democratic lawmakers after they released a video reminding service members they can refuse illegal orders. Read more

I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic  and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to law.

Military and intelligence community members were recently reminded of this oath when, on Nov. 18, six members of Congress released a direct-to-camera video, telling service members that they can refuse illegal orders.

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In response, the president unleashed a spate of social media posts calling for the lawmakers to be jailed, charged, and even executed. He subsequently doubled down on his threats of arrest and prosecution.

If there were any doubt whether the presidents words were empty rhetoric, look no further than the just-dismissed case against former FBI Director James Comey, who, after the president directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue Comey via a Truth Social post, found himself under federal indictment weeks later.

With a U.S. Department of Justice willing to pursue political prosecutions, another round of charges is almost certainly coming. The question is whether the Constitutions protections will hold.

First Amendment barriers

Under modern First Amendment doctrine, the government cannot punish speech because it conveys a message the government dislikes. The law is especially protective of core political speech, i.e., speech advocating for sociopolitical change.

Meanwhile, speech loses protection when it is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to [cause] such action. The standard  set intentionally high by the U.S. Supreme Court  comes from a 1969 case, Brandenburg v. Ohio, reversing a Ku Klux Klan leaders conviction over his Klan rally speeches. As the court explained it, the First Amendment does not permit punishment for mere advocacy, no matter how abhorrent.

In other words, just like the government could not prosecute someone for using a vulgarity to describe the draft to protest the Vietnam War (Cohen v. California) or the KKK for saying that there might have to be some revengeance taken (Brandenburg), the First Amendment does not permit the government to prosecute lawmakers for telling service members to hold the line against unlawful orders.

Vindictive prosecution

Prosecuting these lawmakers would also present a textbook case of vindictive prosecution. As lawyers in the Comey case recently argued, the due process clause forbids prosecutions based on a government officials animus or personal spite toward a person. Showing that, here too, the government acted because of genuine animus, as is required, would not seem difficult.

And although most grand jury proceedings come with a presumption of regularity, as one federal court recently put it, that may no longer be the case: the irregular is now the regular. Take the Comey case, for example. While the charges were just dismissed, recall that days before Comey was indicted, the then-head prosecutor for the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia declined to charge him.

In response, the president installed his own attorney, Lindsey Halligan, who had no prosecutorial experience, as interim chief of the office. Halligan then personally presented Comeys case to the grand jury, days before the statute of limitations ran out, and recently admitted the final indictment was never reviewed by the full grand jury.

Now, one federal judge has ruled that Halligans appointment was invalid, requiring dismissal, while another federal judge seems primed to dismiss the charges for good on vindictive and selective prosecution grounds, among others. Talk about unprecedented.

Even assuming the president found a prosecutor to pursue charges, and a grand jury indicted  neither of which is guaranteed  it seems highly unlikely the charges would survive against the growing backdrop of this administration playing fast and loose with the grand jury process to exact political retribution on the presidents perceived enemies.

Going on offense

But bracing for an onerous  even if legally faulty  investigation is not the only option. The presidents next political target to catch wind of a grand jury investigation against him or her could take a page from Ealy v. Littlejohn.

In that post-civil rights movement era case, a Black organization in Mississippi, which came under investigation for accusing local officials of failing to investigate the suspicious death of a young Black man, sued and got a court order to stop the investigation in its tracks.

The federal court determined that the investigation was being carried out for the purpose of harassing and intimidating the plaintiffs in violation of their First Amendment rights, and said it would be a sorry day for the country were we to allow a grand jury to delve into protected First Amendment activity on the pretext that it might reveal some information relevant to a crime. If ever there was a case to test out this affirmative strategy, this would seem to be it.

David Axelrod, a partner at Ballard Spahr, is a former Securities and Exchange Commission supervisory trial counsel in Philadelphia and a former assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Isabella Salomao Nascimento is a senior associate in Ballard Spahrs Media and Entertainment Group. Before joining the firm, she was a staff attorney at the ACLU of Minnesota, where she specialized in civil rights and constitutional law.
Local residents react as they watch their burning home after a drone hit a multistory residential building during Russia's night drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday. Read more

The made-in-Moscow 28-point peace plan President Donald Trump has been trying to force on Ukraine will never bring peace.

Even the revisions after last weeks international uproar over the outrageously pro-Russian document havent resolved key issues. Putin has already made clear this week that he wont accept less than Ukrainian surrender.

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Trump is ready to press Ukraine to bow to a plan that guarantees further Russian destruction. Lets hope the backlash to the proposal stiffens the backbone of GOP supporters of Ukraine against the pro-Russian White House crowd.

The drama hasnt ended yet.

The 28-point plan was cooked up by Trumps feckless negotiator, Steve Witkoff, and first son-in-law Jared Kushner. Two real estate moguls with zero knowledge of Ukraine wrote a draft plan based heavily on input from Kremlin insider Kirill Dmitriev.

Dmitriev is Putins representative for economic cooperation and has wooed Witkoff and Kushner with fantasies of joint U.S.-Russian investment. The three men met for secret talks in October in Miami, at Witkoffs home.

 READ MORE: 2000 Meters to Andriivka captures the horror and the hope of Ukraines battle against Russia | Trudy Rubin

The resulting document reads like Kremlin talking points; some Russia experts point out that the English syntax sounds as if it were google translated directly from the Russian text.

Even Neville Chamberlain would blush at this, said Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), referencing the British prime minister who infamously appeased Adolph Hitler. Its embarrassing to our country.

Painfully true.

The deal demands suicidal concessions from Ukraine, the victim of Russian aggression, but none from the Russia invader. The points echoed a Putin wish list, and green-light Moscows complete subordination of Ukraine, by shrinking Kyivs army, limiting its alliances and weapons, and leaving it wide-open to future Russian attacks.

Trump was  and still is  ready to sell out Kyiv in pursuit of an imaginary Nobel Peace Prize along with lucrative business deals with Moscow and predatory deals for Ukrainian minerals (both are touted in the plan).

In clear evidence of Russian untrustworthiness, Dmitriev leaked the proposal last week to journalist Barak Ravid of Axios in order to box in the Americans before consultations with Ukraine. Yet Trump quickly endorsed this capitulation document.

Dmitrievs betrayal alone should disqualify him from further negotiations, but theres no sign Witkoff will abandon his new Russian pal. As for Witkoff and Kushner, Trump is rewarding their blunders by sending them to meet Putin next week.

How do we know for sure that Dmitriev was the leaker? Because Witkoff posted on X, He [Axios Ravid] must have got this from K , meaning Kirillov. Apparently, Witkoff thought he was sending a private message, another sign he isnt up to the job.

Equally egregious, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who does know something about Russia, was kept out of the loop by Witkoff. After the leak, he got a firestorm of complaints from upset European counterparts and GOP supporters of Ukraine. That led him to call Sen. Mike Rounds (R., N.D.), who was at an international security conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia, along with a bipartisan Senate delegation.

Rounds recounted to journalists that Rubio described Witkoffs plan as a Russian wish list and not an actual U.S. proposal. Under White House pressure, Rubio soon reversed himself and posted online that the senators were mistaken. A State Department spokesperson falsely accused the senators of lying

 READ MORE: The U.S. must support Ukraine in peace deal, not help fulfill Putins wish list | Editorial

I spoke to Sen. Chris Coons (D., Del.), who was with the delegation during the call (although not on the phone). I heard what [my colleagues] said immediately after the call, he told me. They couldnt have been clearer about what Marco said, and what the complications were. I hope after today well see a proposal which enables Ukraine to remain free and sovereign and defend itself in the future.

With this White House, dont hold your breath.

The pushback from GOP backers of Ukraine, as well as from the EU and Kyiv, was so intense, however, that Rubio rushed to update the document in weekend negotiations with Ukrainian officials in Geneva.

Very sensitive issues remain unresolved, yet Trump is still pressuring Kyiv to sign on this month. There is an acute danger that he and Vice President JD Vance may try again to bushwhack Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky, who will probably visit the White House this month.

European allies, who were not consulted on the deal, have been desperately trying to bolster Zelensky and get Trumps ear.

But given the presidents eagerness for a deal  any deal, no matter how fatal to Ukraine  Trump is more likely to squeeze Kyiv than press Putin for concessions. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made clear this week that Putin is only interested in the original pro-Russian points, and not any revision that protects Ukraine from future attack.

Its important for Americans to understand why the Putin-Trump 28-point deal wouldnt stop Russian aggression and would only encourage Moscow to continue the war.

As former Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Zagorodnyuk pointed out: Ukraine has never attempted to seize Russian territory. Russia, on the other hand, has repeatedly invaded Ukraine and continues to strike Ukrainian cities daily.

The bottom line for achieving peace is that any plan must strengthen Ukraines defenses and provide concrete U.S. guarantees that Russia wont destroy the Ukrainian state in the future. The 28-point plan does just the opposite (and the revisions arent strong enough.)

The Kirillov proposal shrinks the size of the Ukrainian army by a third while putting no limits on Russias army, which is roughly twice the size of Ukraines. It prevents Ukraine from ever joining NATO and forbids NATO peacekeepers on its soil.

 READ MORE: As Ukraine falters, Trump tries to hand the country to Putin with a shamefully pro-Russia peace plan | Trudy Rubin

Imagine if Franklin Delano Roosevelt had endorsed a peace plan between Winston Churchill and Hitler in 1940 that left Hitler free to expand his army while demanding Churchill halve his forces, ground his Spitfires, and promise never to ask the Yanks for help.

Which brings us to the ugliest part of Trumps fake peace efforts. There is a lot of loose verbiage about guarantees against a future Russian invasion in the 28 points, and in a side letter offering Kyiv a security assurance modeled on the principles of [NATOs] Article 5. Note the weasel words.

Let me assure you, I have read and reread the texts, and they offer Ukraine no firm U.S. or allied commitment to intervene if Russia attacks again.

The real hint of the worthlessness of this Kremlin-born document comes with point 16, which proclaims: Russia will enshrine in law its policy of non-aggression toward Europe and Ukraine.

Does Trump not know Putin has violated every accord he or his predecessors signed with Kyiv. That includes the 1994 Budapest Memorandum by which Ukraine surrendered its nuclear weapons in exchange for guarantees of sovereignty from the U.S., the U.K., and Russia? We know how much those paper assurances have been worth.

POTUS refuses to face reality: Putin respects only strength; there will be no peace until the costs of war are more than the Russian economy and military can bear.

Peace negotiations are worthless unless backed by tougher U.S. sanctions and sales of U.S. air defense systems and missiles to Ukraine.

By his continual concessions to Moscow, Trump has convinced the Russian leader that he is a weak pushover. That guarantees that Russia will continue the war.
Former President Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden welcomed then-President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump to the White House before Trump's second inauguration in January. Read more

Pennsylvanias richest man contributed an undisclosed amount to President Donald Trumps presidential transition, which raised slightly more than $14 million.

Jeffrey Yass, a billionaire GOP megadonor, appeared on a list of 46 individuals  obtained by the New York Times and published Wednesday  who helped bankroll Trumps transition. The publication of the list came a full year after Trump publicly promised to disclose the donors.

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The transition team said it spent $13.7 million, according to the Times.

Yass name appearing on the list of donors was not shocking, as the billionaire has frequently used his financial capital to support Republican candidates both in Pennsylvania and nationally.

He contributed at least $2.5 million to Trumps controversial White House ballroom while he and his Bala Cynwyd-based company, Susquehanna International Group, have business in front of the Trump administration. Yass is a major investor in ByteDance, TikToks parent company, and Trump has used executive orders to delay a ban of the Chinese-owned social media app passed by Congress under former President Joe Biden.

Yass current net worth, as of Wednesday, is an estimated $65.7 billion, according to Forbes.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who cochaired Trumps transition team and is Haverford Colleges largest donor, also donated to the transition.

President Trump greatly appreciates his supporters and donors; however, unlike politicians of the past, he is not bought by anyone and does whats in the best interest of the country, Danielle Alvarez, a spokesperson for the Trump transition, said in a statement to the Times. Any suggestion otherwise is simply false.

There had been a back-and-forth as to whether the Trump transition team would release the names of the donors, and transition officials refused to sign an agreement that caps individual donations at $5,000 and prohibits foreign donations. The agreement with the General Services Administration would have required the publication of names of contributors and donation amount within 30 days of the inauguration.

Prior administrations, including the first Trump administration, had signed this agreement.
U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D. Pa.) speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill earlier this month. Houlahan was one of six Democratic lawmakers who participated in a video urging members of the military to refuse illegal orders. Read more

President Donald Trump accused six Democratic members of Congress of committing sedition, a claim that his administration has stuck to amid a fierce national debate that began when the lawmakers urged military and intelligence personnel to refuse illegal orders.

The Democratic members, who are all veterans or members of the intelligence community, shared a video online last week in which they accused Trumps administration of pitting service members against American citizens and warned against orders that would violate the Constitution.

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The lawmakers did not reference specific orders, but members have spoken against strikes in the Caribbean and Trumps deployment of the National Guard in American cities  both of which have faced legal scrutiny  as cause for concern.

Trump first responded to the video with a string of posts on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling for the lawmakers to be arrested and put on trial for sedition, punishable by DEATH, and sharing posts against them, including one that called for them to be hanged.

Two of the members represent Pennsylvania: U.S. Reps. Chrissy Houlahan (D., Chester), an Air Force veteran, and Chris Deluzio (D., Allegheny), a Navy veteran.

 READ MORE: Trump accuses Democratic vets in Congress of sedition punishable by death, including two lawmakers from Pa.

While Democrats denounced the presidents rhetoric, Houlahan was dismayed by a lack of support from congressional Republicans.

On Monday, the Department of Defense announced that it would investigate Sen. Mark Kelly (D., Ariz.), a former naval officer and the one veteran in the video who is still obligated to follow military laws because he served long enough to become a military retiree. The announcement threatened to call Kelly back to active duty for court-martial proceedings.

On Tuesday, a Justice Department official told Reuters that the FBI has requested interviews with the Democrats who appeared in the video, which some of the lawmakers publicly corroborated. The FBI declined to comment when reached by The Inquirer.

As the debate over the video escalates in the wake of Trumps sedition accusation and his administrations actions, a rarely used charge and the intricacies of military law have been thrown into the spotlight.

What is sedition, and is it punishable by death?

Sedition is an incitement of a rebellion or encouragement of attacking authority, or, in other words, the intent to overthrow the government, according to legal and military experts. When acting with others, it is called seditious conspiracy.

Members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers were convicted of seditious conspiracy for the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, but within hours of beginning his second term, Trump granted sweeping pardons and commutations for those charged in the riot.

For civilians, sedition is a violation of federal law and carries prison time. It is not punishable by death.

Active-duty military, however, must follow the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). While the military law has overlap with civilian law, it is more expansive, controlling, and strict, said Sean Timmons, a Houston-based attorney specializing in military law who previously served as an active-duty U.S. Army captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General (JAG) program.

In the civilian world you have a lot more defenses, and you have full First Amendment protections, said Timmons, a managing partner at Tully Rinckey PLLC. Whereas in the military, your First Amendment rights are quite limited.

The maximum punishment for active military is death, but it can be far lower, he said.

Service members must be on active duty to be prosecuted under the UCMJ, but the conduct does not have to have taken place during active duty. This means that retirees like Kelly can be recalled for active duty to face UCMJ prosecution over their behavior while they were not on active duty.

What is an illegal order?

Members of Trumps administration have pointed to the UCMJ rule that says members must follow lawful orders and orders should be presumed to be lawful. Service members can be punished for not following orders.

However, military rules also prohibit service members from following orders that are undoubtedly illegal  a point the lawmakers get at in their video  and they can be punished for doing so.

But whether orders are legal is supposed to be up to officers, not rank-and-file members, Timmons said.

If you dont comply, you could be charged with failure to follow orders and other crimes, he said.

The exceptions (those obviously illegal crimes) would be war crimes like raping prisoners, deliberating killing civilians without justification, or torture, not day-to-day acts that would break the law, he explained.

Take the example of burning down an enemys structure.

If your military unit says to burn it down because its part of the military objective, thats a lawful order, even though its an illegal act, he said. Its a war crime if its to burn down a daycare with kids inside.

The boat strikes in the Caribbean have been in a legal gray area, he said, but if your command says its legal, youre supposed to execute.

The military system is harsh, cruel, and unfair  but its the system we have in place, and its designed that way to ensure discipline, obedience, and compliance, he added.

Did the lawmakers commit sedition?

Claire Finkelstein, founder and faculty director of the Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law at the University of Pennsylvanias Carey Law School and an expert in military ethics, said accusing the lawmakers of sedition makes absolutely no sense, especially in a case in which theyre just reminding servicemen of their obligation not to follow illegal orders, which is a fundamental part of the UCMJ.

One has to really work hard to fill in the blanks here, she said.

Timmons said five out of the six lawmakers have their freedom of speech to rely on as a protection.

Just having divergent political views that the commander-in-chief doesnt like, for civilians, theres no liability, theres no repercussions, he said.

That doesnt mean Trumps administration cannot investigate them for seditious behavior anyway.

Kelly, on the other hand, was on thin ice by participating in a video that seems to undermine Trumps authority, he said, and its not totally crazy to argue he engaged in seditious behavior under military law.

That being said, prosecutors would have to prove that his intent was to cause a revolt within the ranks, which would be very hard, he said.

But could they make him miserable and humiliate him and charge him? Yes, he said.

Is that politically wise? Absolutely not. Is it reckless? Of course. But, technically, can they do it? Yes, he added.

 READ MORE: Chrissy Houlahan says she is profoundly disappointed in lack of support from GOP colleagues after Trumps sedition accusation

What are members of Trumps administration saying?

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Monday the White House supports the investigation into Kelly and accused him of trying to intimidate active-duty members with the video.

Sen. Mark Kelly well knows the rules of the military and the respect that one must have for the chain of command, she said.

You cant have a functioning military if there is disorder and chaos within the ranks, and thats what these Democrat members were encouraging, she added.

In a social media post on Monday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the lawmakers the seditious six.

Encouraging our warriors to ignore the orders of their Commanders undermines every aspect of good order and discipline, he wrote. Their foolish screed sows doubt and confusion  which only puts our warriors in danger.

How has Kelly responded?

Kelly, also a former astronaut, played down the impact of the threats against him on The Rachel Maddow Show Monday night.

Is it stressful? Ive been stressed by, you know, things more important than Donald Trump trying to intimidate me into shutting my mouth and not doing my job, he said. He didnt like what I said. Im going to show up for work every day, support the Constitution, do my job, hold this administration accountable.

He also denounced the presidents rhetoric, calling it inciteful.

Hes got millions of supporters, Kelly said. People listen to what he says more so than anybody else in the country, and he should be careful with his words. But Im not going to be silenced here.

He said he and his wife, former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords (D., Ariz.), who survived a 2011 assassination attempt in which she was shot in the head, know what political violence is, and we know what causes it, too.

What response have Houlahan and Deluzio gotten?

Houlahan and Deluzio, the two Pennsylvania lawmakers in the video, both reported bomb threats at their district offices on Friday following the presidents posts.

But they have also gotten messages of support.

Houlahan shared voice recordings of veterans from all over the country who left messages of support for her office and thanked her for her advocacy.

Keep pushing it, one said. Im with you, Im behind ya, another said.

I am so proud of all six of you for making that video, said another.
President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House on Friday, Nov. 21. Read more

WASHINGTON - A prosecutor on Wednesday dropped all criminal charges in Georgia against U.S. President Donald Trump for interference in the 2020 presidential election, ending a high-profile racketeering case that once seemed like a significant threat to the Republican.

The decision by Peter Skandalakis, a state official who recently took over the prosecution, was a stinging defeat for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who brought the case in 2023 but then lost control of it amid ethics complaints by defense lawyers.

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It was one of four criminal prosecutions that Trump faced in the years since losing his 2020 presidential re-election bid to Democrat Joe Biden. Only one of them  a New York case over a hush-money payment to a porn star during his 2016 campaign  went to trial. Trump was found guilty in that case but has asked for it to be thrown out.

The dismissal highlighted how Trumps return to the White House this year, a political comeback unparalleled in U.S. history, dismantled a thicket of legal cases that once seemed set to define his post-presidency era.

Trumps political career had appeared to be over after his false claims of election fraud led a mob of supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in a failed bid to overturn his 2020 defeat.

Skandalakis said in a court filing that there is no realistic prospect that a sitting President will be compelled to appear in Georgia to stand trial, so it would be futile and unproductive to push forward with the case.

Skandalakis said his decision, which was approved by a judge on Wednesday morning, is not guided by a desire to advance an agenda but is based on my beliefs and understanding of the law.

Steve Sadow, a lawyer for Trump, praised the dismissal, saying the case should have never been brought.

Willis had brought the case against Trump and 18 co-defendants, charging a sweeping criminal conspiracy to overturn Georgias 2020 election results after a recording surfaced in the media of Trump asking Georgias top electoral official to find him enough votes to win the state.

The co-defendants included former Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman, who like Trump pleaded not guilty.

An appeals court removed Willis, an elected Democrat in Atlanta, from the case last year. The court said she had created an appearance of impropriety by having a romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case.

Skandalakis heads the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia, a government agency that supports the states local prosecutors. Earlier this month, he appointed himself to lead the case, saying he had been unable to find another prosecutor willing to take it over.

Anthony Michael Kreis, a Georgia State University law professor, said Skandalakiss decision to drop the charges was not surprising. The agency he oversees does not have the resources to prosecute such a complex case with several co-defendants, Kreis said.
Few Philadelphians may recognize the name Dolly Ottey, yet nearly all know Elfreths Alley  the nations oldest residential street  which she helped rescue from decline and demolition starting in the 1930s.

Now, after years of wrangling, a long-neglected vacant lot that some have derided as an eyesore at the historic location is slated for a transformation in time for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

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Plans call for the lot at North Second Street and Elfreths Alley to be reborn as Dolly Ottey Park, honoring the woman who first championed preservation of the narrow cobblestone passage starting in the 1930s.

Job Itzkowitz, executive director of Old City District, said the project took eight years of sporadic effort to get multiple parties to sign off on an agreement to create the park. Old City District is a nonprofit registered community organization.

We want it to be a place where residents, tourists, visitors, employers, and employees can take a bit of a respite, he said. Its going to be a drastic improvement.

On a recent day, families and couples toured Elfreths Alley, taking pictures and discussing the history of the area. But none ventured into the vacant lot. Later, a lone woman could be seen walking her dog there.

Itzkowitz credited a renewed spirit of collaboration for breaking the stalemate.

He said changes in leadership at the real estate advisory board for the National Old City Apartments, which abuts the park, and crucial support from the nonprofit Elfreths Alley Association paved a path for agreement.

The lot is owned by Bit Investment Seventy-Eight LLC, according to city records, and is part of that companys holdings for National Old City Apartments along North Second Street.

A usable space by spring

The pocket park will rise in two phases: an interim stage featuring a crushed stone base, picnic tables, planters, wild grasses, and repairs to a crumbling brick wall, followed by a more permanent design.

An architect has been hired to craft a cost-effective plan to deliver a usable public space by spring 2026.

The interim plan design for Dolly Ottey Park carries a modest $60,000 budget, with fundraising to break ground in February and finish by March. Old City District has set up an online link for public contributions.

Itzkowitz said the timing for the interim phase would ensure the park provides a welcoming experience for visitors during the Semiquincentennial as part of a significant historical landmark.

Elfreths Alley is believed to be Americas oldest continuously inhabited residential street. Its origins trace to the early 1700s, when two landowners combined properties to create a cart path leading to the river. People have been living there since 1713.

The cobblestone alley, about 400 feet long and lined by 30 brick buildings, was named for Jeremiah Elfreth, an 18th-century blacksmith. It originally housed artisans and merchants, serving as a base for business ventures. Notable figures such as Stephen Girard, who helped finance the War of 1812, are believed to have lived here.

However, Elfreths Alley faced demolition due to neglect and development pressure. From the 1890s to the 1930s, part of the block was rebranded as Cherry Street, leading to the loss of at least one historic home.

Who is Dolly Ottey?

Ottey, a resident and owner of the Hearthstone restaurant at 115 Elfreths Alley, formed the Elfreths Alley Association in 1934 to protect the unique street and save it from destruction.

Elfreths Alley faced an even bigger existential threat in the 1950s and 1960s when proposed construction of I-95 would have demolished at least half the block.

The demolition was vehemently opposed by Ottey and the Elfreths Alley Association. The community gathered 12,000 signatures for a petition presented at City Hall, successfully pleading for the street to be spared.

Elfreths Alley was protected as a National Historic Landmark in the 1960s as a result and is listed on Philadelphias historic register.

Ottey died in 1996, in South Jersey, at age 85.

Elfreths Alley remains not only a residential area but also a cultural and historical attraction. It holds a museum that educates visitors on its history and the lives of early inhabitants.
By Laman Ismayilova



Azerbaijani stand has been successfully presented by LuxAz Azerbaijan-Luxembourg Friendship Association at the Luxembourg International Bazaar, Azernews reports.

The stand, presented with the support of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora and the Azerbaijani Embassy in Belgium, attracted considerable attention from visitors.

Azerbaijan has been a regular participant at this prestigious charity fair for 15 years, significantly contributing to the promotion of our country's cultural heritage, cuisine, and national values.

The event, which saw nearly 40,000 visitors and featured 63 stands, was also attended by Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Xavier Bettel, who visited the Azerbaijan stand. During his visit, Azerbaijani products were showcased, and he was provided with detailed information about our culture and the activities of the Azerbaijani diaspora.

One of the notable achievements this year was the election of Seymur Ahmadov, the head of the Azerbaijan stand, to the Executive Committee of the International Bazaar's Organising Committee. This marked the first time Azerbaijan had been represented at such an organisational level, strengthening the country's presence compared to previous years.

In addition to government support, the successful organisation of the Azerbaijan stand was made possible through the contributions of companies such as Silkway Cargo, Savalan, Ravira, AzGranta, Zira Naturals and Azersun Holding.
By Rochelle Baker

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

An American-owned cargo barge sitting dangerously low in the water near Bella Bella has reignited coastal First Nations fears about the dangers that oil tankers pose for the BC coast.

The Haizaqv Nations marine emergency response team received reports early on Monday that a heavily loaded Alaska Marine Lines barge being towed by the tug Malolo was taking on water in Fischer Channel near Bella Bella, said William Housty, director of the Heiltsuk Integrated Resource Management Department.

The tug and barge, which were transiting from Alaska to Washington, have taken shelter in a safer area near Matthew Island. While there are no immediate concerns about pollution and the barge hasnt taken on more water, the marine response team is standing by, Housty said.

Though the nation has had contact with the Canadian Coast Guard, Transport Canada and the tug captain, the nation has no idea what's in the more than 100 shipping containers stacked aboard the tilting barge  despite pushing for more information, he said.

Everybody's pretty tight-lipped. We can't get an answer from anybody, Housty said.

Knowing the containers contents would help the Haizaqv prepare and respond to the incident if the cargo escapes before a replacement barge arrives Thursday, he said.

We pretty much have to prepare [as] though it's the worst case.

Initial dives assessing the problem revealed the barges hull had significant punctures and was taking in water in two compartments, Housty said, noting divers confirmed one hole was so large he could have swum right through it.

Because the hull was compromised in several places, Housty assumes it must have run aground somewhere. We dont know where at this time.

The Haizaqv are still reeling from a devastating diesel spill after the tug Nathan E. Stewart ran aground in Heiltsuk wasters in October 2016, Housty said.

The incident spilled more than 110,000 litres of diesel fuel into the Seaforth Channel, polluting one of the nations key seafood harvesting grounds and prompting a lawsuit against the province, federal government and the company responsible, US-based Kirby Corporation.

The diesel spill and the recent barge incident underscore the limits of Canadas ability to respond to significant shipping disasters on BCs rugged West Coast.

If the federal government lifts the decades-long oil tanker ban, the next accident could involve crude or bitumen, with long-lasting consequences that will be impossible to contain, Housty said.

If we dont have the resources to deal with a smaller vessel like this, how are we ever going to respond to a supertanker full of bitumen? Housty asked.

Its not a matter of if something is going to happen  its when.

Numerous coastal First Nations and the BC government signed a declaration earlier this month demanding that the federal government reaffirm its commitment to the legislated oil tanker moratorium. However, Prime Minister Mark Carney is reportedly close to sealing a deal with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith for plans to build a new oil pipeline to the BC coast that would allow tankers to transit the north coast, according to HYPERLINK "https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-alberta-ottawa-energy-a..." \t "_blank" The Globe and Mail.

Marilyn Slett, President of Coastal First Nations and elected Chief Councillor of the Haizaqv Nation, expressed alarm about closed-door talks for a pipeline project that would negatively impact coastal First Nations but which didnt include them.

We are tired of learning about these discussions regarding our traditional territories in the press, Slett said in a statement on Wednesday.

Coastal nations have made multiple requests for nation-to-nation meetings with both the prime minister and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson on the issues, Slett said.

It is time for them to live up to their commitments and set up a respectful table that includes Coastal First Nations and the province of BC, she said.

This approach is only building mistrust, and Canada should commit to talking with us directly instead of deliberately sidestepping our communities.

Rochelle Baker / Local Journalism Initiative / Canadas National Observer.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- The AI-enabled mobility service company Hello Inc.'s subsidiary, Hello Robotaxi (Zaofu Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.), has signed a memorandum of understanding with ComfortDelGro China, part of the Singapore-headquartered transport conglomerate ComfortDelGro, to launch a wide-ranging partnership on autonomous mobility.

The agreement was formalized at the 15th GuangdongSingapore Collaboration Council meeting on 25 November. The two companies plan to collaborate extensively on the commercialization and global deployment of self-driving technologies, aiming to build a safer, more efficient and sustainable mobility ecosystem.

Photo source: Hello Inc.

Under the partnership framework, Hello Robotaxi's L4 autonomous driving system will be integrated into ComfortDelGro's global point-to-point mobility network. The companies plan to co-develop an intelligent dispatch platform that allows conventional taxis and Robotaxis to operate in tandem, using hybrid dispatching to improve fleet utilization and streamline passenger experience. Their cooperation will also extend into areas such as vehicle leasing, battery-swap energy solutions, safety-operator training and grid-based fleet management, forming a tightly interconnected service ecosystem.

Hello's co-founder and CEO Yang Lei said the collaboration brings together ComfortDelGro's global operating footprint with Hello's more than 800 million users and its L4 autonomous driving capabilities. He described hybrid dispatching between conventional taxis and Robotaxis as the starting point for broader global expansion, adding that the companies aim to build an integrated smart-mobility network and deepen cooperation across operations and ecosystem development.

ComfortDelGro Chief Executive Officer Cheng Siak Kian said the agreement strengthens the company's technology ecosystem and underscores the strategic value of collaboration in next-generation mobility. He noted that blending traditional taxi operations with autonomous services marks a significant step in reinforcing the group's competitive position in point-to-point transport. According to Cheng, the emerging hybrid operating model is designed to be scalable globally and will support the company's international expansion.

The partnership brings together complementary strengths. Since announcing its entry into the Robotaxi sector in June 2025, Hello Inc. has been co-developing L4 autonomous driving technology with Ant Group and CATL, leveraging their expertise in AI foundation models, embodied intelligence, smart skateboard chassis and battery systems. Hello Robotaxi has now built a full-stack capability spanning R&D, vehicle manufacturing and platform operations. ComfortDelGro, meanwhile, operates one of the world's largest international taxi networks and has accumulated commercial experience managing autonomous fleets in markets such as Singapore and Guangzhou.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- MINIEYE has entered a strategic partnership with New Gonow Group ' s automotive arm, New Gonow Auto, and its logistics affiliate Beijing Logistics, according to a press release MINIEYE issued on Nov. 26 via its WeChat account.

Under the agreement, the three companies will jointly develop and deliver 800 autonomous logistics vehicles built to automotive-grade standards. The collaboration is positioned as a market-driven effort to pool resources and commercialize competitive driverless delivery products at scale.

Photo source: MINIEYE

Autonomous vehicles are emerging as a critical catalyst for lowering logistics costs and reshaping urban delivery capacity. The partnership signals strong market confidence in MINIEYE ' s L4 autonomous driving technology and engineering capabilities. By combining manufacturing expertise with operational resources, the three companies aim to create a new industry benchmark and advance the global adoption of smart, efficient logistics solutions.

MINIEYE has built a mature L4 autonomous driving stack supported by a robust algorithm platform and multiple mass-production deployments. Its self-developed " Xiaozhu " driverless van is designed to address legacy logistics challenges by prioritizing safety, durability and cost efficiency. Drawing from passenger-vehicle development practices, the model integrates multi-sensor fusion, five layers of safety redundancy and a fully automotive-grade system. Its performance improves as more driving data are accumulated, enabling reliable all-weather operations and reducing the cost of urban distribution.

New Gonow Auto and Being Logistics complement MINIEYE across the manufacturing and logistics operations value chain. Together, the companies aim to build an end-to-end deployment framework spanning R&D, large-scale production and commercial rollout.

New Gonow Group has expanded globally through a dual-focused strategy built around recreational vehicles and green smart logistics, operating five intelligent manufacturing bases worldwide. Its RVs hold a strong position in Australia ' s premium market, while its new energy commercial vehicles are sold across more than a dozen countries. Leveraging Being Logistics' established urban delivery network and MINIEYE ' s autonomous fleet and operations platform, the partners are building an integrated logistics ecosystem spanning vehicles, digital platforms and service capabilities. Their combined operational strength is intended to unlock the commercial value of driverless delivery and address long-standing bottlenecks in fragmented, high-variability last-mile logistics.

With policy support and rising demand reinforcing each other, global logistics is rapidly transitioning toward electrification and automation. Benefiting from a strong supply chain and experience in large-scale commercialization, China ' s autonomous vehicle sector has developed a meaningful competitive edge in this shift.
New Jersey-based insurance broker World Insurance Associates reports that it acquired the business of Mossbrook & Hicks Insurance Agency of Cape May Court House, New Jersey on August 1, 2025.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The personal and commercial lines agency became known as Mossbrook & Hicks in 2007, but its history goes back to 1895, according to Orton Hicks III, who is an owner along with Capt. Edward Mossbrook.

World Insurance Associates is headquartered in Iselin, N.J. snd serves its clients from more than 300 locations in 30 states in the U.S and in the U.K.

Topics New Jersey
Rapidly growing e-commerce and last-mile delivery services have contributed to significant increases in crashes, traffic, workplace injuries and air pollution, according to a report from New York City Comptroller Brad Lander.

The report estimates that roughly one-in-three New Yorkers receives packages daily. The negative effects of all these deliveries are concentrated in predominantly Black and Brown neighborhoods, the report finds.

Weve become so accustomed to getting our toilet paper, socks, or butter cookies right away that weve stopped thinking about the consequences; but we all pay the price of more traffic crashes, worsening air quality, and worker injuries, said Lander.

He called the report a wake-up call for New York City to adopt regulations for delivery services.

The report attributes the problems to a regulatory situation where warehouses can open without public review, and major corporations use subcontracting models like Amazons Delivery Service Partner (DSP) program to evade liability for labor and safety standards.

Some findings from Landers report, Fast Shipping. Slow Justice, include:

Traffic Crashes

Traffic crashes: After last mile delivery facilities opened, 78% of nearby areas saw more injury-causing crashes, with injuries within a half-mile radius rising by an average of 16%. Truck-related crashes increased by 146%, and truck-injury crashes rose by 137%.

Hotspots: In Maspeth, Queens, crashes near two major FedEx and Amazon warehouses rose by 53% and 48%, respectively. A cluster of four East New York facilities also saw a sharp increase in crashes within a half-mile radius.

Worker Safety

Worker safety: Between 2022 and 2024, 38 of 50 facilities (76%) identified by the New York City Department of City Planning reported injuries to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), totaling more than 2,000 injuries, or an average of 678 per year. Injury rates per 100 employees at last mile facilities are more than triple the national average for all private employers (8.3 vs. 2.4).

Amazons subcontractors: Amazons Delivery Service Partner (DSP) program in 2023 and 2024 had an injury rate per 100 employees of 9.2 and a Days Away or Restricted, or Transferred (DART) rate of 8.1, exceeding those of the greater last mile and courier industries.

Air Quality & Environmental Justice

Environmental justice: About 68% of last mile warehouses are located in officially designated Environmental Justice Areas, including Red Hook, East New York, Maspeth, and Hunts Point. An estimated 65.8% of residents in these neighborhoods are Black or Latine, compared to 49.2% citywide, and the areas already face higher levels of air pollution.

Warehouse-dense areas: Health Department data show that neighborhoods like Newtown Creek, Red Hook, Sunset Park, and Hunts Point have notably higher air pollution levels, likely tied to truck congestion and industrial activity.

Upon releasing the report, Lander joined elected officials, workers rights advocates, street safety advocates, and environmental justice organizers in calling on City Hall to address the growing problem. The report urges the city to create a licensing program to establish essential labor standards, bring liability to facility operators via requiring direct employment, and to curb worker injuries and vehicle crashes.

The report also urges the city to require warehouse operators to reduce harmful truck emissions and prevent further concentration of facilities in overburdened neighborhoods.

We cannot allow the benefits of e-commerce to come at the expense of limbs, lungs, and lives, Lander said.

Topics Workers' Compensation Pollution
Polands deputy prime minister said he expects Russia to escalate its sabotage activities in the country following an explosion on a busy rail route to Ukraine for which authorities blame Moscow.

Krzysztof Gawkowski told Bloomberg News that the NATO members civilian population and critical infrastructure were at risk as the Kremlin intensifies efforts to deter Poles from supporting Ukraine.

Polish authorities said Russian intelligence was behind the blast, an accusation rejected by Moscow as Russophobia. The incident, which the European Union called state-sponsored terrorism, came about two months after 19 Russian military drones flew deep into Polish airspace.

Read more: Polands Tusk Says Act of Sabotage Behind Railway Explosion

A frontline member on NATOs eastern flank, Poland shares borders with Russia and Kremlin ally Belarus. The country has bolstered its military in recent years to become one of the alliances biggest defense spenders as a share of gross domestic product.

We cant rule out escalation every six weeks or so, Gawkowski said, adding that Russias attempts to undermine the country could take the form of disinformation or terror attacks.

Escalation will continue, and I see it in various areas. I see it in threats to civilians. I see it in threats to critical infrastructure. I see it in cyberspace. I see it everywhere where Poles can be harmed, said the deputy prime minister.

Russias subversive activities were accompanied by intense social-media campaigns blaming Ukrainians for acts of sabotage, said Gawkowski, who oversees the countrys cybersecurity. Polish authorities were working with tech firms to quickly phase out Kremlin-funded disinformation, he said.

Millions of Ukrainians fled to Poland after Russias full-scale invasion in 2022, where many remain. Although the country has been a staunch supporter of Kyiv, attitudes toward Ukrainians have soured in recent years amid a surging nationalist mood.

Gawkowski said that as Ukraine negotiated a US-led peace plan, it was important for European allies to remain skeptical of Russias intentions. Poland has warned against reengaging with Moscow by reviving business links severed by sanctions and outrage over the full-scale invasion.

There are countries in western Europe that claim that the war needs to be over soon, and we need to get back to business with Russia, Gawkowski said. Their thinking hasnt changed  its still the more business we do, the more civilized Russia becomes.

For Poland, preventing future Russian aggression meant that any peace deal should give Ukraine a sense of accomplishment for its war efforts, he said.

If they know they didnt fight in vain, theyll be able to rebuild their identity more easily, Gawkowski said, adding that a strong Ukraine with strong morale could continue to be a barrier to Russia.

The alternative, he said, would be the rise of a mindset that Ukraine cant escape Russian domination, which would also be dangerous for Poland.

Related:

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Russia
The Trump administrations latest attempt to isolate Nicolas Maduros government further complicates day-to-day operations for foreign oil companies in Venezuela, experts say.

On Monday, the administration designated Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization that it says is led by the Venezuelan government and run by the military. The FTO label significantly increases the risk exposure of oil companies operating in Venezuela, Jeremy Paner, a sanctions lawyer at Hughes Hubbard, said in an email.

While longstanding sanctions apply to discrete entities and individuals, the broadly worded FTO designation makes it hard for companies to know who might pose a risk. Venezuelas military, for example, runs the ports that are critical to the oil operations.

A handful of oil companies, most prominently Chevron Corp., remain in Venezuela amid increasingly adverse operating conditions. Coming on top of years of economic sanctions, the FTO designation follows nearly three months of lethal attacks on alleged drug-running boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. US President Donald Trump has warned that land strikes on Venezuela could be next, even as he hints about possible talks.

Paner noted that a US Treasury Department license that authorizes Chevron to operate in Venezuela as an exception to sanctions doesnt shield the company from extraterritorial civil liability in the US for harm deemed to be caused by the cartel.

Those civil actions take years to resolve and are very expensive to defend, Paner said. If an oil company knows it is dealing with the cartel, liability is triggered even if it is not significant assistance, he said, citing a recent Supreme Court case involving an FTO.

Paner added that the companies face potential extraterritorial US criminal exposure for providing material support such as funds or services to the cartel.

Nicholas Mulder, a Cornell University professor who has written a book on sanctions, agrees. While OFAC retains ultimate discretion through its ability to issue licenses, there is certainly an increased legal risk in this FTO designation for companies doing business with Venezuelan state-owned entities, Mulder said.

On the whole this is meant to increase the long-run risk perception of corporations as part of an ongoing US strategy to ramp up pressure against Maduro, he added.

Any interaction with the Venezuelan military could be perilous for the companies, said Jose Ignacio Hernandez, senior specialist at consultancy Aurora Macro Strategies.

The big unknown is that while the definition of the Venezuelan government as an object of sanctions is easy, there is no list for the Cartel de los Soles, he said. For Chevron this implies greater regulatory compliance risk. They are going to have to find a way to ensure that the people they are interacting with are not members of the Cartel de los Soles.

Ports Risk

Venezuelas military-run ports are particularly hazardous for the companies, Hernandez said. Its not that this determination makes Chevrons operations in Venezuela unviable, but for an operation that was already complicated it adds another more imprecise burden.

To mitigate risk, any ambiguity in the FTOs reach will likely to lead to over-compliance by the oil companies and their networks of contractors, he added.

Chevrons activities continue in full compliance with laws and business-as-usual, the company said on Monday, with top priorities set on personnel safety, Venezuelan communities surrounding its operations and the integrity of its joint venture assets.

The kinds of swings that you see in places like Venezuela are challenging but we play a long game, Chevrons Chief Executive Officer Mike Wirth said on Nov. 19, before the designation.

The Houston-based company currently accounts for up to a quarter of Venezuelas oil production. Half of the output goes to Chevrons state-owned partner, Petroleos de Venezuela SA, which ships most of its oil to China. Chevron exports its share of the production to the US market.

Other foreign oil companies that operate in Venezuela include Spains Repsol SA and Italys Eni SpA. Neither immediately replied to multiple email requests for comment. French-listed Maurel & Prom, which is controlled by Indonesias state-owned PT Pertamina, could not be reached comment.

The US government says the Cartel de los Soles is a drug-trafficking organization led by Maduro and run by senior army officers. The Treasury Department on Monday updated OFACs Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list entry for the cartel, adding the FTO designation alongside its existing Specially Designated Global Terrorist or SDGT status. The group remains subject to secondary sanctions.

In the Americas the US has also slapped the FTO designation on Mexican, Ecuadorian and Colombian cartels and Venezuelas Tren de Aragua.

Top photograph: Fishermen in front of oil rigs on Lake Maracaibo in Cabimas, Zulia state, Venezuela. Photo credit: Bloomberg

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics USA Energy Oil Gas
Africa Specialty Risks (ASR), a re/insurance group that focuses on developing markets, announced the launch of Lloyds Syndicate 2454 in South Africa.

Based in Sandton, ASRs syndicate underwriters will underwrite insurance and reinsurance risks in South Africa and neighboring countries, providing AA-rated capacity to the local market across bespoke specialty lines.

ASR has made significant underwriting hires in the country, with additional executives and underwriters joining the company throughout 2026.

Xolisa Bangeni joins ASR as captives manager, with a background in finance and risk management. Bangeni will be responsible for the development and structuring of captive programs on behalf of large corporates. Prior positions have included risk finance consulting at Marsh, and portfolio and investment oversight at Hollard.

Xolile Kahla also recently joined ASR as a construction underwriter. Kahla has significant engineering and construction experience across the Southern Africa, having spent time at Munich Re and Zurich Insurance.

These two recent appointments join Corinne Beadsmoore, head of Business Development, in ASR Southern Africa, which will provide Lloyds capacity directly to local intermediaries and work with South African insurers.

South Africa has always been and remains a key market for us, and this launch allows us to write risks directly in the market, ensuring were close to our customers while offering AA rated global capacity, commented Mikir Shah, chief executive officer, ASR.

Given South Africas recent sovereign S&P upgrade, along with a successful hosting of the G20, this is an excellent time for the continent, and I look forward to ASR supporting economic development in South Africa, Shah said.

This initiative underlines the strong and growing partnership between the UK and South Africa in financial services, said Antony Phillipson, British high commissioner to South Africa. By bringing Lloyds capacity closer to local markets, ASR is helping businesses manage risk and unlock opportunities, reinforcing South Africas position as a hub for innovation and resilience

This is a significant and unique distribution hub for ASR. Weve been working with brokers and cedents in South Africa since the launch of ASR, providing bespoke solutions to the market, according to Amit Khilosia, chief distribution officer, ASR.

Our Lloyds syndicate 2454 will be the first of its kind to establish underwriting capability on the ground outside the UK allowing us to increase the depth of our offering, including providing partners with (co)insurance solutions direct to the Lloyds Open Market Correspondents [OMC] network and insurers in the country, Khilosia added. I look forward to expanding our offering in South Africa and neighboring countries.

Source: Africa Specialty Risks

Topics Excess Surplus New Markets Lloyd's
Insurers in the UK detected 1.16 billion (US$1.5 billion) worth of fraudulent insurance claims in 2024  a 2% increase from 1.14 billion reported during the previous year, according to the Association British Insurers.

Insurers uncovered at least 98,400 fraud-related claims in 2024, a 12% rise from 88,100 in 2023, said the London-based trade association in its latest fraud report.

Motor insurance continues to be the area where insurers see the most illicit claims occurring, said the ABI, noting that they detected 51,700 motor scams worth 576 million ($757 million), which is 5% more than in 2023 and represents 53% of the total number claims made throughout the year.

Breaking down motor insurance figures, the ABI said, the value of fraudulent claims for domestic policies increased by 36 million ($47.3 million), or 9%, from 2023, while the figure for commercial policies remained relatively stable  rising by 1.7 million ($2.2 million), or 1.3%, year-on-year.

Insurers also identified 18,700 deceptive property insurance claims worth 189 million ($248.4 million)  11% more than the volume of claims detected during the previous year.

When looking at the types of fraud scammers attempted to commit, exaggerated loss remains the most common. This is when someone deliberately attempts to increase the cost of a claim beyond its true value. Claims for this type of fraud rose by 10% and amounted to 466 million ($612.4 million).

Alongside this, insurers prevented an estimated 684,800 fraudulent insurance applications, a 7.4% increase from 2023, the ABI said, explaining that application fraud occurs when important information is purposefully misrepresented or hidden for financial gain when a policy is incepted.

Fraud remains a persistent concern for insurance providers, particularly as economic pressures fuel both opportunistic and organized claims. Application fraud, in particular, is rising fast, with more than 680,000 cases stopped last year. This is against a backdrop of elevated shopping and switching activity as we have seen in motor, said Dan Cicchetti, associate vice president of client engagement, UK & Ireland, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, in a comment about the ABI report.

The challenge for insurance providers is to stop fraudsters at the front door without creating delay or friction for honest customers. This is where automated no claims discount validation, identity validation, email intelligence and named driver checks make a real difference, Cicchetti continued. Email risk scores and focusing as much attention on named driver risk as that of the proposer are already helping to spot ghost brokers and other fraud risks at point of quote or policy inception.

The ABI went on to list some examples of fraud-related cases:

Ghost broking: A family affair. A father and son were sentenced for operating a fraudulent car insurance scheme. This involved selling fake policies using forged documents and leaving victims uninsured. The scheme generated over 61,000 ($80,166), with part of the proceeds shared between them. A third family member attempted to obstruct the investigation by removing evidence. All three admitted guilt and received various sentences.

Home insurance deja vu. A man was sentenced to 20 months in prison for eight counts of fraud by false representation, involving multiple fake home insurance claims. This was the second time he committed similar offenses over an eight-year period, pocketing nearly 12,000 ($15,770) in payouts and using multiple identities.

Luxury watch fraud. High-value watches linked to theft or insurance fraud were being smuggled overseas to be resold. In response, the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) led a two-day operation at Heathrow Airport, checking watches against a global stolen watch database and advising passengers on how to avoid buying fraudulent items. The initiative aimed to disrupt luxury watch fraud and protect unsuspecting buyers.

Taking Multi-Pronged Approach

In our recent tests, one in every hundred applications carried a strong fraud marker, and with over 300 million transactions screened a day, these enrichment tools give insurers a streamlined way to flag risk, focus investigations, and sharpen pricing, said Cicchetti at LexisNexis. Motor insurance fraud cant be solved with a single approach  but by combining ID validation, email intelligence and cross-market insights, insurance providers can build stronger defenses while keeping the customer journey as seamless as possible.

Mark Allen, head of Fraud and Financial Crime at the ABI, said, fraud cant be tackled in isolation. It needs a collaborative approach alongside those in other sectors. A lot of fraud occurs on social media, and its vital that technology companies and social media platforms work with us and play their part in prevention and detection.

Allen warned that fraudsters are increasingly taking more sophisticated, agile approaches, which are being aided by AI.

Ghost broking continues to be a serious threat to public safety and trust in the insurance sector. These criminals exploit digital platforms to sell fake policies, leaving victims uninsured and exposed to significant financial and legal consequences, according to Nik Jethwa, detective chief inspector at the City of London Polices Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED), in a statement accompanying the ABI report.

Recent convictions and proactive operations, such as our work at Heathrow disrupting luxury watch fraud, demonstrate our commitment to tackling organised insurance crime head-on. With fraudulent claims now exceeding 1 billion, our operational focus remains clear: disrupt, deter, and bring offenders to justice, Jethwa added.

Related:

Topics Claims Fraud
Autocar render suggests how the new Evoque may look

The Range Rover Evoque will be reinvented for its third generation with electric power when it arrives later this decade as the final piece in an overhauled Range Rover line-up.

The new Evoque will be underpinned by JLR's Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA), which will make its debut under the new Range Rover Velar next year.

Like its larger stablemate, the next-gen Evoque is expected to go on sale initially as an EV - a move seen as vital to keeping the nameplate alive well into the next decade and beyond.

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However, whereas the Velar is set to undergo a radical repositioning, the Evoque will remain as the entry point in the Range Rover line-up, given its popularity with buyers.

This is especially true in the UK, where it has been JLR's best-selling model this decade, accounting for 40% of all Range Rover sales.

An electric Evoque was first mooted in JLR's radical Reimagine strategy in 2021.

However, the new EV isn't expected until at least the end of 2027, with deliveries likely to start a year later - a decade after the current model was launched. Its arrival will crown a busy renewal period for the brand, with the Range Rover Electric due in the first half of 2026, the new Velar soon after and the Range Rover Sport EV at the start of 2027.

Powertrain

The new Evoque will be totally overhauled underneath compared with the car it replaces.

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It will share its new EMA underpinnings with not just the Velar but also the upcoming 'Defender Sport' and all three will be produced at JLR's Halewood plant on Merseyside, where the current Evoque is built.

The 800V skateboard architecture has been designed with electric power as its primary focus. It will use motors built in-house and batteries from parent company Tata's Agratas battery plant in Somerset, which is scheduled to open in 2027 after work started this summer.

Specific powertrain details for the electric Evoque are still under wraps, but given that rivals such as the new Mercedes-Benz GLA EV are tipped to offer more than 450 miles of range, the new Evoque will need to be competitive with that. Quick charging times will be available courtesy of the EMA's 800V system.

It is possible that the new Evoque and other EMA-based cars could also be fitted with electrified combustion drivetrains to boost appeal, given JLR's decision last year to ramp up plug-in hybrid production amid the global slowdown in interest of pure EVs and a "surprising" rise in PHEV demand.

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Indeed, JLR has previously said the EMA has been designed to accommodate a range-extender unit, albeit with a small petrol engine.

The UK government's decision earlier this year to extend the sale of all new hybrid cars from 2030 to 2035 is also likely to be factored into any decision.

If that approach is deemed too costly, JLR could instead make the third-gen Evoque EV-only while simultaneously updating the current second-gen model to keep it on sale as the nameplate's combustion option.

Today's Evoque is sold with mild-hybrid petrol, mild-hybrid diesel and plug-in hybrid options. A similar strategy is being employed by Porsche for the forthcoming Cayenne EV and by Mercedes for a range of new models including the GLC EQ and E-Class EQ.

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However, it would mark a strategy change from the inbound Range Rover Electric and Range Rover Sport Electric, which are marketed as new variants of the existing generation.

Design

While its underpinnings are set for a radical overhaul, the Evoque's design will probably be more of an evolution of today's. Such an approach would mirror the progression seen when the second-generation model was launched in 2018.

However, the introduction of the skateboard EMA platform could change the model's dimensions, suggested former CEO Thierry Bollore previously.

The Frenchman said EMA would "bring a unique proportion and capabilities to the cars that we're going to manufacture". That is very much the case for the new Velar, and test mules suggest it will sport a new genre-bending body shape and potentially a third row of seats. However, it remains to be seen what it will mean for the Evoque.

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There is no doubt that the EMA will increase the cabin space provided by the new Evoque, though, thanks to the platform's flat floor design.

This is likely to translate into more rear passenger space and slightly more room in the boot, which currently has 591 litres of capacity - already among the best in its class.

The interior is expected to continue to feature upmarket materials and adopt a minimalist, tech-centric layout.

The EMA's 800V architecture will mean driver assistance and cloud connectivity advancements will also be possible, in line with what is already offered by Audi, BMW and Mercedes rivals.

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Anthony Roofing Tecta America LLC and Tecta America Corporation, roofing services providers in Illinois and nationwide, violated federal law when they subjected African American and female employees of their Aurora, Illinois location to race and sex harassment, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit.

According to the EEOCs lawsuit, one of Anthony Roofings vice presidents racially harassed an employee, which included repeatedly calling the employee the N-word and his slave, among other offensive racial remarks. After the employee objected to the harassment, the company failed to address it, and the harassment continued, forcing the employee to quit to avoid further abuse. Other black employees were also subjected to harassment by both supervisors and other employees, including racial slurs, being called boy, and other offensive language, the EEOC charged.

The lawsuit also alleged that the same company vice president also subjected female employees to sexual harassment, including offensive comments about oral sex, derogatory comments about their bodies, and asking them inappropriate, sex-based questions in the workplace, and more.

Employees reported the race and sex harassment both to management at Anthony Roofing and to Tecta Americas human resources department, but the harassment continued, according to the EEOCs suit.

Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits workplace harassment based on race and sex. The EEOC filed suit (EEOC v. Tecta America Corp. and Anthony Roofing Tecta America LLC, Case No. 1:25-cv-14252) in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its administrative conciliation process in 2025.

Source: EEOC

Topics Lawsuits Illinois
Mark Zuckerberg and other Meta Platforms Inc. directors agreed to a $190 million settlement of claims they failed to rectify repeated violations of Facebook users privacy and improperly engineered an accord to shield the billionaire chief executive officer from personal liability, court filings show.

The amount of the settlement, disclosed in a filing Thursday in Delaware Chancery Court, had been sealed since a trial was halted in July. A lawsuit by Meta investors claimed board members mishandled the Cambridge Analytica data privacy scandal and improperly agreed to a $5 billion US Federal Trade Commission settlement to personally protect Zuckerberg.

Meta shareholders sought at least $7 billion in damages, arguing directors wrongfully overpaid in the FTC deal to prevent Zuckerberg from digging into his own pocket to cover some of the financial hit to the company. The accord, which will be paid by an insurance policy covering Meta directors, amounts to a recovery of 3%. In a court filing, the company denied wrongdoing and said the settlement wasnt an admission that it was liable.

We are pleased that a settlement was reached that reinforces our longstanding commitment to strong corporate governance, Meta said in a statement Thursday.

The case centered on disclosures that an outside developer collected personal data from millions of Facebook users without their consent. Cambridge Analytica used the information after being hired by now-President Donald Trumps 2016 election campaign.

Meta shareholders sued Zuckerberg and other directors  including venture-capitalist Marc Andreessen  hoping a judge would hold them personally liable for billions in fines and legal costs tied to repeated violation of the companys privacy policies. FTC officials fined Facebook $5 billion in 2019 after finding it violated a 2012 agreement with regulators mandating it get users permission before sharing their data.

The deal also requires Meta to make changes to some of its corporate governance policies, including toughening up privacy monitoring and making it harder to retaliate against employees who point out privacy missteps, according to court filings. Meta also agreed to set up a code of conduct for directors focused on avoiding conflicts of interest and beefing up compliance with laws and regulations, the filings show.

Because its a derivative case  one that allows investors to sue board members on behalf of the company  the proposed settlement must be approved by Chancery Judge Kathaleen S.J. McCormick. The $190 million in insurance payments will go back to the company rather than to any individual investor.

Lawyers for Meta investors  which include retirement funds and an individual shareholder  laid out the accords terms in a filing designed to tee it up for approval by McCormick. Samuel Closic, a lawyer for Meta shareholders who sued, said Thursday he was proud of the settlement and looked forward to presenting it to McCormick.

McCormick is the same judge who rejected Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musks $55 billion pay package. That ruling and a handful of others  part of a court crackdown on insider conflicts of interest  prompted several companies to shift their states of incorporation to Nevada and Texas, including Tesla and Bill Ackmans Pershing Capital. They cited alleged judicial bias against tech leaders such as Musk and Zuckerberg.

The wave of exits from Delaware, which funds more than a quarter of its budget with billions in corporate fees, led to a major overhaul of the states corporate laws earlier this year. The changes were drafted by an expert panel that included former judges now practicing law at firms linked to Musk and Zuckerberg, including one involved in the Cambridge Analytica case.

Meta officials have publicly said they are weighing whether to yank their incorporation papers out of Delaware, which is the corporate home to more than 60% of Fortune 500 companies. Its unclear whether approval of the settlement will clear the way for the incorporation switch.

The case is Facebook Derivative Litigation, 2018-0307, Delaware Chancery Court.

Photo: Meta headquarters in Menlo Park, California. Photo credit: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Claims
Hackers have struck elite US universities in recent weeks, pilfering sensitive data from donors and making off with students information in a string of digital heists that only add stress to schools already besieged with political pressure.

Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania have each disclosed breaches within the past three weeks, months after a politically motivated attacker burrowed deep into networks at New York Citys Columbia University. The identity of the intruders in most of the recent incidents remains a mystery. However, the hackers typically duped school employees in order to access databases of personal information about prominent individuals associated with each institution.

The break-in at Harvard, which the school discovered on Nov. 18, resulted in the theft of personal data and other information from fundraisers at the school, which typically raises more than $1 billion annually. At Dartmouth, attackers exploited a software vulnerability in an Oracle Corp. product to steal files from the university, the school said in a notice Monday to people impacted by the incident. Oracle has since released a security patch for the flaw.

Universities like Harvard have a lot of valuable information like personal information about powerful people  politics, influencers, executives  and we know both criminals and countries target these institutions, said Sergey Shykevich, threat intelligence manager at the Israeli cybersecurity firm Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.

With breaches at Harvard, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia and Dartmouth, more than half of the Ivy League  five out of eight schools  have now experienced cyberattacks. Princeton officials said in a statement they have no reason to believe the hackers motivation behind the Nov. 10 breach was political. The databases accessed by the hackers didnt include financial information but many of the individuals in the databases are high-net-worth individuals.

The cyber incidents have occurred while the schools face immense political pressure from the White House over issues like charges of antisemitism, admissions, criticisms of lack of viewpoint diversity and support for diversity programs. The Trump administration has frozen billions in research funds, threatened accreditation and targeted international students.

The White House is trying to link federal funding to new restrictions on hiring, admissions, and tuition, a deal that several prominent schools including the University of Pennsylvania have declined. The Trump administration said it is close to finalizing negotiations with Harvard.

The University of Pennsylvania declined to comment. Dartmouth, Harvard and Princeton didnt respond to requests for comment.

It isnt clear if the same hacker conducted every breach. But attackers used the same tactics at Harvard, Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania. They also targeted similar data, and the incidents occurred in relatively rapid succession. The intruders who hit Dartmouth stole files in August, the school said in the notification letter.

Cybercriminals go after big targets, said James Lewis, a senior adviser in economic security and technology with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and elite universities have been in the spotlight as a focus of the Trump administration.

Trump goes after universities and hackers say, Maybe I should do that, too,' Lewis said.

Cybersecurity firms have consistently determined that education is ranked among the most-hacked sectors due to its wealth of data and relatively weak digital defenses. Hackers from China, Russia and North Korea often have targeted schools in attempts to steal university research, according to Microsoft Corp.

Universities hold data about many thousands of alumni, donors and students, but also parents and applicants, as well as school employees and in some circumstances health information. In June, Columbia University investigated a breach that ensnared demographic information, academic history, financial aid-related information, and insurance and health-related data shared with the university, among other details. Such information can be used for malicious purposes such as theft, identity theft, fraud and doxxing, or the process of publicly revealing a persons information without their consent.

Data hacked from Columbia University was made available by a person who ran a blog that promoted views about race and IQ that have been criticized as offensive and scientifically flawed. In October, after the hack at the University of Pennsylvania, students and alumni received emails from the apparent hacker describing the school as woke and criticized the colleges stance on affirmative action. In an interview with the Verge, a technology news site, the alleged Penn hacker said they plan to sell the data.

It wasnt clear if the incidents at Columbia and Penn were related or conducted by the same person.

Photo: Pedestrians walk through Harvard Yard on the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Photographer: Sophie Park/Bloomberg

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Cyber K-12
With a combined ratio of 89.1 for third-quarter 2025, the U.S. property/casualty insurance industry had its best quarter in at least a quarter of a centuryand maybe longer, S&P Market Intelligence said.

In a research report titled, For U.S. P/C insurers, it just doesnt get any better than this, analysts Tim Zawacki and Husain Rupawala said the 89.1 combined ratio was lower than any which the firm has on record for 98 quartersdating back to the start of 2001. The closest were a 90.7 recorded for third-quarter 2006 and 91.0 in first-quarter 2006.

The combination of a benign period of catastrophe losses and strong results in the auto and homeowners lines were key factors driving the result, the report said, also flagging a new low level for the industrywide loss adjustment ratio.

Looking forward, they said that slowing top-line growth, mixed macroeconomic prospects and the inevitability that the higher levels of catastrophe losses will return create the potential that the third quarters result will stand for the foreseeable future as the best on record.

While S&P GMI analysts derived most of the industry results in the report by aggregating individual company statutory reports filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (as of Nov. 19 for third-quarter 2025 and previously published aggregations for prior periods), they also tapped into public company historical results and analyst estimates to offer insights about catastrophe loss impacts on loss ratios.

Citing this public company information from Visible Alpha, a part of S&P GMI, the report said that while the third quarter of any year is typically the heaviest for catastrophe losses, Visible Alpha shows the third-quarter 2025 cat impact of 1.7 points compares to 7.9 points for third-quarter 2024, and a median of 6.9 points across the third quarters in the seven years extending from 2021-2027 (2026 and 2027 are analysts estimates).

The lack of landfalling hurricanes, however, wasnt the only factor impacting underwriting results, the report said. Focusing on statutory results, S&P GMI reports that an LAE ratio, tracking costs incurred for defense, settlement and claims adjustment. was less than 8.8 points in third-quarter 2025a new low for the industry.

Putting the pure loss ratio and LAE ratio together, the loss and LAE ratio was 63.3, S&P GMI said, noting that the loss ratio component by itself (54.6) was not a record. The industry achieved lower pure loss ratios in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2006 and 2007, according to S&P GMI.

The third-quarter 2025 loss and LAE ratio was exactly the same as in third-quarter 2024, based on S&P GMIs calculations.

Individually, seven large U.S. P/C groups each generated net underwriting gains in excess of $1 billion in the third quarter of 2025, while only one U.S. P/C group, Everest Group, produced a net underwriting loss in excess of $100 million.

Related: Everest Refocusing as Reserve Charge Hits Earnings; Buying $1.2B ADC

In contrast, in third-quarter 2024, only two groups had underwriting gains exceeding $1 billion, and nine had net underwriting losses of larger than $100 million, the report said.

The seven with outsized gains in this years third quarter were all personal lines writers, while Everests results suffered from unfavorable loss development on commercial liability lines.

The report offers line-of-business insights based on direct premium and loss information from the quarterly filings comparing homeowners, auto physical damage, auto liability and commercial liability direct loss ratios for third-quarter 2025 to prior year results. Graphs in the report show trends in the loss ratios for these four lines over the most recent eight quarters. S&P GMI found, for example, that auto liability loss ratios have been creeping up recently and that commercial liability quarterly loss ratios have risen (year-over-year) over a longer period of time.

In addition, the authors highlighted one particularly notable result for another line of business: workers compensation. The third-quarter 2025 direct incurred loss ratio for workers compensation was 52.5the highest third-quarter result since 2017, they said.

Referring to the modest deterioration in the workers comp line that bears watching, the report text notes that the third-quarter loss ratio benefited from favorable reserve development recorded by Californias State Compensation Insurance Fund. According to the report, the industry result would have been 2.4 points higher without the SCIF action.

Across the industry and all lines, favorable prior-year loss development reached a new high of $5.1 billion in third-quarter 2025, compared to just $1.3 billion in third-quarter 2024, S&P GMI said.

Related: Analysis: State Farm Bolsters Surplus by Freeing Up Billions in Loss Reserves; What Progressive and GEICO Q3 Results Reveal About Auto Insurance Profit, Growth

Beyond Everests action, the S&P GMI report describes the restructuring of an intra-group retrocession program at Swiss Re Corporate Solutions America Insurance Group, involving a loss portfolio transfer with non-U.S. entities, indicating that this inflated the $5.1 billion figure. Still, even after adjusting for this, the industrys net favorable development would come to $3.5 billion for third-quarter 2025the largest nominal amount of favorable development for the industry in at least 15 years.

Topics USA Property Casualty
Old Republic National Title Insurance Co., one of the largest title insurers in Florida, did not fraudulently transfer assets from a bankrupt subsidiary, and the bankruptcy court did not err in excluding an experts valuation testimony, a federal appeals court decided this week.

Although the (bankruptcy) court recognized that some of the facts in the case could suggest the Debtors intentions were fraudulent, the documented benefits to policyholders were more likely the overriding purpose behind the transfers, outweighing any facts implying otherwise, a panel of the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals said in its Nov. 24 opinion.

Its a case that had churned through U.S. bankruptcy and district courtrooms for more than 15 years after an Old Republic companys attorneys reportedly misused trust fund money and sent the company, Attorneys Title Insurance Fund, spiraling into financial straits. The complex litigation examined questions about what a bankrupt insurance company can do with its assets, how those assets are valued, and how transactions can be challenged by the creditors bankruptcy trustee.

The case began in 2008, when the Florida-based debtor, also known simply as ATIF or The Fund, had lost millions of dollars through attorneys alleged malfeasance, a subsequent loss of business, and a drop in the value of its stock market investments. The title insurer entered into a joint venture agreement with Old Republic Holding Co. and formed a new firm, Attorneys Title Financial Services.

Floridas Office of Insurance Regulation in 2011, under then-Commissioner Kevin McCarty, approved the joint venture agreement. In 2015, though, The Fund suffered another financial crisis as the value of its assets versus liabilities dropped again. The OIR notified ATIF that it would refer the company to the Florida Department of Financial Services to place it in receivership, the court noted.

In most cases, financially troubled insurance companies in Florida are deemed insolvent, not bankrupt, and are put into rehabilitation or liquidation proceedings. But by this time in its history, ATIF had transferred most of its assets and was no longer a true insurance company, the court and attorneys explained. That allowed ATIF to file for reorganization and protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

In 2016, Old Republic National Title Insurance, which was founded in 1907, moved its headquarters and domicile from Minnesota to Florida.

The creditors trustee, Daniel Stermer, objected to the whole restructuring, arguing that ATIF had control of much more in assets and that creditors should be repaid at a higher rate. He hired an expert witness who contended that ATIFs assets were worth some $80 million when transferred to the other Old Republic companies, but The Fund had received less than half of that in return.

The bankruptcy court found that the expert, Allen Pfeiffer, had miscalculated  he included the value of assets that were no longer controlled by ATIF.

The court reasoned that, although Pfeiffer initially appeared to possess specialized knowledge, his testimony revealed that he did not possess any certifications or other credentials as an appraiser or valuation expert, and he did not rely on textbooks when valuing the assets subject to the Master Agreement, the appellate judges noted.

The creditors trustee appealed, but the U.S. District Court for Middle Florida upheld the bankruptcy judge. After further appeal, the 11th Circuit affirmed the district court and the bankruptcy courts rulings.

Ultimately, the (bankruptcy) court found that the Debtor had received reasonably equivalent value in exchange for its tangible assets, Appeals Court Judge Nancy Abudu wrote in the opinion this week. In making its determination, the court focused on the parties stipulation that the value of the Debtors tangible assets was approximately $47 million, that the value of (Old Republic) Titles assumption of title insurance liabilities was between $45 and $57 million

A lawyer for the trustee declined to comment on the outcome of the litigation. The opinion can be seen here.

Topics Carriers Florida
A lack of bad weather isnt always a good thing.

It looks like the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is wrapping up in quiet fashionaside from Hurricane Melissa, which caused catastrophic damage in Jamaica before impacting the surrounding areawithout any U.S. landfalls.

There are several factors that influenced the tame season, including a weaker Bermuda High farther east, dips in the jet stream over the eastern half of the nation, a rare interaction between two hurricanes, dry air and disruptive wind shear, which helped prevent hurricanes from making landfall along the Atlantic or Gulf coasts this year, according to AccuWeather.

That lack of activity was good for homeowners and people in the paths of the devastating storms, but it also meant no mass deployments of adjusters, no surge in hiring, and as a result, it led to no catastrophe experience for new adjusters.

Geoffrey Conrad, who has been in claims for more than 20 years, much of that time training insurance adjusters, was already worried about a lack of quality experience for claims professionals, a field that has also seen artificial intelligence and streamlining driving down payand apparently qualificationsfor entry level claims jobs.

I am greatly concerned about the lack of deployable events over the past two years, he said.

Last years Atlantic hurricane season was far busier, but it didnt provide the large number of claims that would get numerous adjusters the valuable work experience of handling claims following a catastrophe, he said.

Helene and Milton were big storms, but the number of claims that came from those storms were very low, Conrad said. I speak to adjusters all the timethey reach out to me looking for opportunitiesand they are leaving. A lot of them are actually looking into going to the public adjuster route; some of them are going into appraisal. They have to put food on the table, and they were really counting on a busy season to kind of help with the finances. These adjusters cannot sit idle for very long, so theyre leaving this industry, and that concerns me because its going to be starting over almost with training new talent.

After he lost his job with Crawford as director of training earlier this year, Conrad decided to try independent training. And what hes found so far is that there is a lack of business to support him.

Theres very little interest in anyone getting trained, because if you dont see an opportunity to immediately get deployed, no one is investing in training. Without any event, theres no training, he said. Unfortunately, youre seeing a lot of skills just basically fall off the map and everybodys going to be relearning everything if we do have a winter storm or any deployable event sadly.

Andrew McCallum, vice president specialty operations at Sedgwick, is another long-lived claims professional. He started in claims in the 1980s, and he has seen the impact that slow seasons can have on the profession.

Ive been through this, and I think 2015 was the worst year in claims ever, McCallum said. It just was one of those years that you just couldnt get up off the ground, and it really did create a dynamic that people werent used to.

The global modeled insured average annual property loss from natural catastrophes is now roughly $152 billion, according to Verisk. In 2015, indemnity payments were $30.7 billion, so it was really just a marginal year, and it really created this dynamic, McCallum said.

This year is different. Global insured losses by the first half of this year reached $100 billion, but roughly $92 billion came from wildfires and severe convective storms in the U.S., according to Aons Global Catastrophe Recap: First Half 2025. The wildfires, such as the devastating blazes in L.A. in January, produced big losses but less claims work because many properties were total losses, and the experience those adjusters did get was limited to responding to losses from fires, McCallum said.

He, like Conrad, has been getting calls from adjusters in search of work.

I probably get five phone calls a day from people saying, Hey, do you have any work for me? Do you have any deployments, or can I work the desk for you for a while?' he said.

McCallum was asked if the lack of work has him concerned about the lack of training that comes with it.

100%, yeah, he replied.

Adding to his concern is the silver tsunami, in which well-experienced baby boomers are starting to cycle out of the business and retire.

Its really going to be a big deal, he said. Theres an imminent need for mentorship programs, training programs.

Conrad has already noticed the lack of experience is having an impact.

There are firms that will deploy what I like to call fill-in billers. These are licensed-only adjusters with no training to ultimately make the firm money just by babysitting claims until they can release that untrained adjuster and then buy some time to get the expert adjuster that knows what theyre doing to ultimately close the client, Conrad said.

Tim Parker, a long-time claims professional who hosts a podcast called The Adjusters Diaries, in which he talks about trends and gives observations on the state of the industry, has personal experience with a fill-in biller, which he recounted for Claims Journal for a previous article.

The Texas resident had a loss during the 2024 hurricane season, which included roof damage, the loss of a shed in his backyard and the destruction of some siding. The carrier sent someone who had been working in the fast-food industry just six months earlier, who Parker believed was too heavy to get up on his roof.

He sent the adjuster home without the man getting up on the roof to survey the damage, and he called the carrier and asked them to send somebody more experienced and qualified to examine his home.

Parker said that after he went through three adjusters to finally get a loss estimate of roughly $6,000, he hired his own adjuster and took it to appraisal. The insurer wound up paying $78,000, he said.

There are plenty of efforts to recruit new adjusters into the field, but Conrad said he worries that some of those efforts are hurting rather than helping the profession.

Theres a lot of social media personalities that are advocating that you can come in with just an insurance license and you can make six figures in six months, and I just cringe each time I see these videos pop up on my social media pages, because that is extremely unrealistic.

This article was originally published by Claims Journal, Insurance Journals sister publication.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Hurricane
The farm machinery sector is worth 4.8bn to Ireland's economy, a new report has revealed as the industry calls for an overhaul of Enterprise Ireland and local supports, and CSO recognition.

The report, which was commissioned by the Farm Tractor & Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) in partnership with ifac, is the first-ever in-depth economic review of the value of the farm machinery industry in Ireland. It reveals that the sector is worth almost 4.8bn annually to the Irish economy, a figure comparable to the 6.2bn brought in by international tourism in 2024.

The study highlights the industrys strategic importance to rural Ireland, positioning it as one of Irelands most valuable, yet often overlooked, indigenous sectors.

Key findings included a direct annual output of 2.6bn, a figure made up of new and second-hand machinery sales, components, parts, servicing, exports, and more than 700m in exports, with Irish firms also supplying machines to over 60 countries, including Europe, the US, Australia.

The report estimated that, in total, the direct farm machinery sector contributes almost a quarter of a billion euros each year in taxes alone, and that every 1 of output generates an additional 0.85 in the economy.

It also revealed that the machinery trade is a major rural employer, sustaining 25,000 jobs across the country, with 14,926 direct jobs supported by the sector, as well as an additional 9,703 indirect roles totalling 24,629 jobs.

The report underlines how the industry has transformed in recent years with indigenous companies now offering precision farming tools, such as GPS, yield mapping, auto-steering, variable-rate fertiliser spreading, and harnessing AI in design and diagnostics.

Investment is another hurdle. While more than two-thirds of businesses plan to invest over the next 12 months, often spending upwards of 300,000 on equipment, premises, technology, and staff training, 94% report doing so without any grant support. FTMTA leaders say reforms to Enterprise Ireland and local grant schemes are urgently needed.

Skills shortages also remain a key constraint, with many firms reporting difficulty recruiting welders and technicians, and some turning to Southeast Asia to fill gaps. Rising accommodation costs are making it harder to attract and retain skilled labour  linking the industrys future to Irelands wider housing and workforce challenges.

FTMTA president Maurice Kelly said: Our industry is ready for growth, but achieving it will require partnership. We need recognition at enterprise level, support to promote the opportunities this sector offers, and investment in training the next generation who will design, build and service the technologies driving Irish agriculture forward.

The report also highlighted challenges with manufacturing costs. High machinery prices have also driven a surge in leasing, however, lenders warn that red tape is slowing approvals. Leasing sector analysis shows strong demand, but lenders warn that red tape is slowing approvals as they now find themselves requiring deep sectoral knowledge to keep pace with technology.

The report calls for contractors to be included in Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS), warning that the current rules have now become "outdated" as contractors now carry out an increasing amount of slurry work and therefore face the biggest machinery cost burden, yet find themselves blocked from receiving TAMS support.

As a result, the report warns that contractors must be added to TAMS and reference costs must be urgently revised, or slurry emissions targets could stall.

FTMTA chief executive Michael Farrelly added: At a time when reliance on foreign direct investment is being questioned, this report proves that the farm machinery industry is a secure, indigenous success story powering rural communities and Irelands low-carbon future."
When Fiona ODonnell left her high-flying banking career to farm in partnership with her husband, she brought years of business savvy, a background in dairy  and an unexpected sense of self-doubt.

I think every woman does, she said, reflecting on the challenge of "imposter syndrome" that continues to plague even the most capable hands in Irish agriculture. Despite record numbers of women actively managing Irish farms, many still struggle for recognition and equal representation within the agricultural sector.

At the recent Dairy Women Ireland conference, new president Fiona ODonnell spoke candidly about her experience of that creeping sense of self-doubt she and others face  even at the highest levels of achievement. Despite significant progress in making sure womens contributions are seen and valued throughout rural Ireland, her remarks shine a spotlight on the work yet to be done.

Ms O'Donnell farms with her husband, Eddie, in Co Tipperary. As a former credit analyst with AIB, holding a Master's Degree in Agricultural Extension and Innovation from UCD and a background growing up on a dairy farm, she brings bucketfuls of business acumen and a solid awareness of the practicalities of modern farming.

Combined with the recognition of her peers, who have just elected her as the organisation's new president, it makes her confession all the more surprising to hear.

"I think every woman has self-doubt," she told the Irish Examiner. "You can see it in other people and tell them theyre great, but for yourself, theres always that little voice in the back of your head going, Oh, yeah?"

It was something she said Eddie had helped her to overcome.

"During moments of imposter syndrome, hed say to me, Dont be daft. You know you can do anything. And my mother always said, You can do anything you put your mind to'. That stuck in my head, but looking back with a bit of maturity I notice she lacks the same confidence in herself."

Ms O'Donnell spoke of the importance of having groups like Dairy Women Ireland to foster confidence in young women in the industry.

"You have women on farms that have always farmed all their life, and their visibility is just not there.

Sometimes, because theyre so isolated, you cant see that you need to get out there, get connected, get your voice heard. They deserve to be heard.

She explained that the groups offer a "safe space" for farming women.

"Its the support, its the feeling that youre not alone that groups like Dairy Women Ireland provide  that reassurance. Sometimes you just need someone to verify what you're thinking, or back you up or, so you know youre not going mad.

"It's somewhere to talk about things you perhaps cant talk about with someone whos not on a farm because they just don't understand the realities of it. Nothing leaves the rooms; its that code where you dont speak about the club outside the club," she laughed, explaining the importance of having a group of like-minded women who understand exactly what you are facing on farm.

"Theres an unspoken thing; they celebrate their successes, share their pains, and its just, its a totally separate language in a way to those who are not farming."

Ms O'Donnell stressed that a lot of the main challenges of the industry affect both men and women.

"Its the uncertainty; the derogation, prices... those things coming down the tracks  they can see livelihoods being wiped out. The only thing certain at the moment is uncertainty," she said, adding that the groups give women a place to have their views heard without being judged.

"Its changing, and its all positive. Women are getting their place, being heard, being valued, and being included more in decision-making. The movement is so positive."

Crowds at the Dairy Women Ireland event who heard keynote addresses from MEPs Cynthia Ni Mhurchu and Maria Walsh, who both spoke of the importance of women finding their voice and making it heard.

The conference, which took place at the Charleville Park Hotel, Cork, on Friday, November 21, included keynote addresses from MEPs Cynthia Ni Mhurchu and Maria Walsh, who both spoke of the importance of women finding their voice and making it heard.

Breakout sessions covered a wide range of topics, from juggling personal life and farming to managing lameness, sire selection, and business management.

But perhaps one of the most salient messages came from the final panel with the key message that no success is possible without first overcoming setbacks.

The session facilitated by IFA deputy president Alice Doyle, included Donegal entrepreneur Shannon Porter, Kerry dairy and beef farmer Imelda Kinsella and Blarney dairy farmer Katherine O'Leary, in which the three women shared their personal experiences of building resilience.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said the Government will adopt an "evidence-based approach" to control the impact of social media on young people and will not react in a knee-jerk fashion to bans being imposed in other countries.

Australia will become the first country to introduce a social media ban for all children under the age of 16. The law will apply to X, YouTube, Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, Twitch and Kick.

Ahead of the December 10 ban, Snapchat has started asking children and teenagers to confirm their ages or face having their accounts locked. People can verify their age in several ways, including through a connection with their Australian bank account.

Speaking to reporters in Angola, the Taoiseach said there will be "developments on stricter controls for Irish teens, but it is unlikely to happen before the end of the year.

The programme for Government commits to examining ways to enforce age verification obligations on online service providers and hold them to account for failure to do so.

Earlier this month, Tanaiste Simon Harris called for a debate on social media in the Dail, suggesting that more has to be done to protect young people.

The Taoiseach said any changes imposed needs to be thought through but said all the regulations are under review.

I haven't seen that in any great detail (the Australian model). We're working with Coimisiun na Mean and others in terms of the entire regulatory process, he said.

Weve taken steps in terms of school children. You remember the row about (phone) pouches, in respect of taking mobile phones out of the school environment, which I think is important in terms of the academic development of children.

We will constantly keep regulation under review. I'm not going to, in a knee-jerk way, just respond to the Australian initiative.

There are really serious issues in terms of how algorithms are developed, how a whole range of issues that affect the health and wellbeing of young people are developed online, and how they impact on children and young people online.

I think we need an informed and evidence-based approach to it, and we're up for that.

Mr Martin said changes are unlikely before the end of the year, noting that there is only six weeks left of 2025.

He added: It is a serious issue that we want to address properly, and there will be developments on that front."

The Irish Examiner understands media minister Patrick ODonovan recently sought legal advice about how to tackle age verification using domestic Irish law.

It is further understood that a legal and technical framework could be put in place for age verification to be developed through the Government digital wallet that is being developed. This would require legislation.
The 25-year-old man charged with murdering his mother and injuring his father outside the family home in Ballinlough last week appeared in court again by video link from prison on Wednesday.

David Gallagher is charged with murdering his 59-year-old mother, Stella Gallagher, and assault causing harm to his 63-year-old father, Brian Gallagher.

On the application of Sergeant Gearoid Davis, Judge Mark OConnell remanded the young man in continuing custody until December 10 to allow time for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Shane Collins-Daly, solicitor, represented the defendant, who was not required to speak during the brief hearing on Wednesday.

Detective Sergeant Niall Hayes filed two charges last week against David Gallagher of Shrewsbury Downs, Ballinlough, Cork.

The first charge stated: On November 17, 2025, at Shrewsbury Downs, Ballinlough, in the District Court area of Cork city, district number 19, he did murder Stella Gallagher, contrary to common law.

The second charge stated: On November 17, 2025, at Shrewsbury Downs, Ballinlough, in the District Court area of Cork city, district number 19, he did assault Brian Gallagher causing him harm, contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Mr Collins-Daly said last week: I would ask the court to direct that he receive urgent medical and psychiatric evaluation on his arrival in Cork Prison.

Judge John King acceded to that application.

The funeral of the late Stella Gallagher took place on Tuesday at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Ballinlough.
It's worth kickstarting this article by highlighting that yes, we know the K-series Honda engine is immensely reliable. It has powered a huge array of Honda models over the years, from performance-focused Type R models, through to efficiency-minded family wagons. The K-series also has proven itself on the tuning scene as well; it takes very well to modifications such as turbo conversions, and as such, a huge array of aftermarket parts are available for this family of inline-fours.

So, why take the time to point out common problems on such a popular and well-regarded series of engines? It's simple, really; no engine is without fault, and the K series is no exception to this rule. Instead of jumping headfirst into Honda ownership, simply citing Honda's famous reputation for reliability, it's important to do your background research and see what sort of issues may crop up. This allows buyers to both better inspect vehicles when shopping around, and to also better prepare for ownership.

In an effort to highlight the most frequently reported problems that owners face, we have consulted a varied network of sources, including CarComplaints, Consumer Reports, public forums, and social media sites. From oil leaks to excessive oil consumption, timing chain wear, and unwanted knocks and sounds, we dive into the K-series engine family's most common problems as experienced by owners, and take a look at what work is required to get them back under control, and at what cost.

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Read more: 10 Of The Worst-Looking Cars Ever Designed

Oil leaks and excessive oil consumption

Under-hood shot of a 2008 Honda Accord's K24 engine - Honda Newsroom

It's fairly typical for pretty much any type of engine to suffer from oil leaks after a certain amount of mileage or time, as gaskets begin to wear or degrade over time. Engines from within the K-series family are not immune to this, and while they can leak from just about anywhere, as can any engine, there are some common culprits worth looking out for.

The K series engines are known for leaking from the front main seal, with signs of this including the obvious stains on your engine and driveway, plus a burning smell. The smell occurs when the engine heats up and burns the excess oil; if there is a lot of oil sitting on the outside of the engine, you might also see some smoke when it's being burnt off. Quotes for replacing this gasket can seem quite high, at anywhere between $250 and $1,000. While the gasket itself will only be a handful of dollars, the labor involved to replace it is what damages your bank balance the most.

Another common weak point is the VTEC solenoid. Oil leaks from the gasket here, as the rubber deteriorates over time. The solenoid itself is another common failure point of the K-series engine, and if the solenoid itself fails, rather than just the gasket, then it will usually be accompanied by a check engine light also. If yours is leaking, it might be best to replace the entire unit, though the fitting costs can be around $500. Tackling the job yourself with an OEM solenoid should come in at around half the cost. If you are on a budget, though, the gasket alone can be purchased for less than $10.

Engine mount failure

New top engine mount - Best Auto Photo/Shutterstock

One of the most frustrating things to trace and diagnose in your car is an uncomfortable vibration. It could mean that your tires need tracking, it might mean that your suspension bushes have failed, or, and this is most likely the case if you're behind the wheel of a Honda, your motor mounts might have failed. This is extremely common on K20-powered cars, and what happens is that the factory mount simply deteriorates over time. This deterioration then allows for movement, so when the engine is running, vibration can be felt.

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Replacing motor mounts isn't hugely expensive, but it can be quite involved, and may cost multiple hundreds of dollars if OEM parts are used. Sure, aftermarket mounts are available for much cheaper, but some Honda owners complain that these fail so quickly that it's simply not worth trying them. It is possible to save some money and to swap out the old engine mount yourself, but for the novice, it can be quite the task. The basics include supporting the engine from underneath, followed by the removal of the old mount, and then the installation of the new item. If you are using cheaper aftermarket parts, be sure to compare them to the original once uninstalled to ensure you've been sent a compatible replacement.

Timing chain rattle and stretch

Close-up of a timing chain in-situ - Mario Pix/Getty Images

This one is a particular 'biggy,' and not what anyone wants their engine suffering from. Timing chains, in short, control the timing of the engine's internal movements. If they stretch over time, as many do, then this timing can fall out of the manufacturer's safe guidelines, which can result in everything from rough running and check engine lights to catastrophic engine failure. Needless to say, that's expensive to put right.

Unlike older Honda engine designs, the K-series timing chain is kept tensioned under oil pressure. At times of low oil pressure, such as when cranking from a cold start, the engine can sound a touch rattly. This hydraulic tensioner can fail too, which will result in excessive rattling upon startup, and could easily lead to the slackening of your chain, which is where the big problems really begin.

Having your timing chain and tensioner replaced could easily cost between $1,000 and $2,000, but you will be blessed with peace of mind in return, and that's still heaps cheaper than a new engine. In order to take care of your current timing gear, opt for frequent oil changes, ensure you use the correct grade of oil, opt for synthetic instead of conventional oil if appropriate for your car, and have any unusual ticking or rattling noises checked out as they appear.

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As per most other automakers, Honda does not provide an interval at which you should change the timing chain - they are designed to last the lifetime of the engine itself. Some owners claim that it's possible to go 250,000 miles and onward without having to change out the factory chain, but this is dependent on the quality of oil used, how frequent the changes are, and undoubtedly how you've treated the engine when driving, too.

Excessive oil consumption

Smoky car exhaust - Maksym Bulatov/Getty Images

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It's rare that any Honda will have you constantly reaching for that hood release, for unfortunately, some K-series engines will have you spending a minute or two under the hood each week. That's because these engines can suffer from excessive oil consumption. It's annoying, and it will cost you a little extra in oil purchases, but as long as you keep it topped up, you should still be able to keep motoring.

There are countless posts out there showing owners complaining about this issue; in fact, Honda even offered extended warranties on affected K24-equipped CR-V and Accord models some years ago. They would test the oil consumption by draining and refilling the oil, then you'd simply drive it, and inform them of the mileage when the low-oil light next came on. Apparently, the issue was exacerbated by owners who would rev their engines from cold and use low-quality gas.

While you might have to top up your oil on a regular basis if the engine is leaking, this particular issue was more down to the fact that the engine was actually burning oil. It's not totally uncommon, and there are signs to look out for. Notably, a burnt oil smell and blue smoke from the exhaust, too.

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Read the original article on SlashGear.
An elderly West Cork man who was caught with child sexual abuse images and distributing one of the images was told by the sentencing judge that even one is one too many.

Judge Helen Boyle made this comment to 73-year-old Barry Moloney, of Ardan, Bandon, Co Cork, as she imposed a three-year suspended sentence on him at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

You were caught with 136 images of child pornography or what are child sexual abuse images. And the evidence is you distributed one image, Judge Boyle said.

She added while the court heard in some cases of thousands of such images, this was not at the upper end of the scale but distributing even one image was too many. The judge stressed that it was not a victimless crime.

Paula McCarthy, defence barrister, said Barry Moloney cooperated with the investigation, had no previous convictions and signed a plea of guilty to the charges and was deemed by the probation service to be a low risk of re-offending, and he had not come to adverse attention since the matters came to light in 2019.

The barrister also described various health issues suffered by the defendant.

Ms McCarthy said the defendant had addressed his issues with a psychologist specialising in this area.

Sergeant Fintan Slater said gardai went to the defendants house in 2019 and seized a number of electronic devices which were forensically analysed and found to contain a total of 136 images, and evidence he sent one image on Facebook to someone in the UK.

Thirty one images were the most serious category of children engaged in or witnessing sexual acts, and 74 were in the second category of children with anal or genital areas exposed.
A judge has described as deplorable the actions of a man who befriended a bachelor farmer before spending over 20,000 of his savings.

When the 82-year-old farmer gave 60-year-old James ODriscoll a cheque for 2,400 he accidentally added a zero and the defendant took advantage of that by lodging it all to his account and spending it. The victim did not realise something was wrong until his own cheques began to bounce and he found out that there was nothing left in his account.

Judge Sinead Behan imposed a three-year sentence but suspended it on the basis that the accused, who has paid 2,000 compensation already, would gather a further 6,000 at a rate of 50 per week until that is paid in full. That is to consist of 2,000 more to the elderly man and 4,000 to the bank who effectively bore the cost of the crime.

Judge Sinead Behan said: It is a very serious case. This man abused a position of trust of an 82-year-old bachelor farmer who possibly lacked support otherwise.

Garda Jonathan McCarthy said ODriscoll did odd jobs for the victim for which he was paid. In this case, the defendant asked him for 2,400 to help him with his sons confirmation and the farmer agreed to help him, writing out a cheque for that amount which ODriscoll lodged into his Permanent TSB account.

However, while the farmer had filled out the written part of the cheque correctly stating the amount was 2,400, he had not filled out the correct figure in the box for the amount to be written numerically and rather than writing 2,400 had written 24,000.

Some 24,000 was lodged into ODriscolls account and within a month ODriscoll withdrew some 21,600, withdrawing first 10,000 in a bank withdrawal and then 5,000 in another bank withdrawal with the remainder being withdrawn via an ATM, Garda McCarthy testified.

When questioned, Mr ODriscoll admitted the money had been in his account, but he claimed that he did not know where the money came from.

Garda McCarthy said: He kept stating that he did not know where the money came from. he said It was in my account  I dont know where it came from but once it was there, the temptation was to spend it  if I had my time over again, I wouldnt have spent it.

Permanent TSB had re-imbursed the elderly farmer for the 21,600 but the bank was at a loss for this amount as ODriscoll had not repaid any of the money to them.

'Egregious breach of trust'

60-year-old James ODriscoll of Upper High Street, Drimoleague, Co Cork, was sentenced for defrauding the 82-year-old of the money between March 14 and April 19, 2022, contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2021.

Garda McCarthy told the court that ODriscoll had a total of 68 previous convictions including one for manslaughter, assault, public order, possession of drugs for sale or supply and road traffic matters and theft with his most recent conviction being one for simple assault in 2015.

Defence barrister Mahon Corkery said: This was a fairly egregious breach of trust and that is acknowledged by my client. He said ODriscoll had expressed remorse and that the guilty plea was of some significance in the case as it spared the elderly farmer having to come to court.

Mr Corkery said the accused had left school at the age of 11 as he was left at the back of the class, virtually ignored, resulting in limited employment opportunities. He began abusing alcohol when he was just 13 and got involved in criminality.
A sentencing judge told a man who threatened to kill three gardai: If we dont have gardai upholding the law, we are going nowhere.

Judge Sinead Behan told 46-year-old John Quilligan his anti-authority attitude needed to be addressed.

Nothing justified making threats to gardai, putting them in fear  serving members of An Garda Siochana protecting the people of Cork were threatened when doing their duty, the judge said.

The defendant was before Cork Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing that included charges of making death threats against three detective gardai  Sharon Sweeney, Liam Lynch and Sean Kelleher.

When John Quilligan was informed by the gardai near his home at Lakelands Crescent, Mahon, Cork, that he was failing to comply with conditions imposed on him from an unrelated case, he became irate.

Even after he was told to calm down, he continued to be abusive and make threats to them.

The probation officer who met with the defendant to prepare a pre-sentencing report noted he struggles to have any victim empathy.

Judge Behan said in his favour was the fact that other than this incident, he had no convictions since 2014.

The judge also heard evidence the accused had mental health issues.

Mr Quilligan spoke up during the sentencing hearing and said he was very sorry for threatening the guards and he should not have behaved the way he did.

A three-year suspended sentence was imposed on John Quilligan, who brought 2,000 compensation to court.
A workplace watchdog has dismissed a discrimination claim by a market cook and teacher against Darina Allens Ballymaloe Cookery School in Cork.

Julija Makejeva claimed she was discriminated against by her employer on the basis of family status, and Ballymaloe Cookery School contested her claim at a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) hearing.

In the WRC ruling, adjudicator Lefre de Burgh found that Ms Makejeva presented no evidence of discrimination based on the protected ground of family status and dismissed the claim.

Ms Makejeva told the hearing that she was hired by Darina Allen and she had always worked for Ms Allen.

She stated that in December 2022, Ms Allen stepped back from her day-to-day role.

Ms Makejeva started working at Ballymaloe Cookery School in 2005, initially as a cleaner. After completing the 12-week cookery course, she took up her current role as a market cook/teacher.

In her findings, Ms de Burgh stated that she accepted the schools submission that Ms Makejeva feels disentitled, meaning she believes she has been treated in a way she does not like.

Ms de Burgh said documents showed that Ms Makejeva had a very good working relationship with her previous boss, Darina Allen, developed over many years, and that she disliked the new management structure introduced in 2023 and objected to reporting to a new manager.

Ms de Burgh stated that Ms Makejeva alleges that this is both unlawful and discrimination. I find that it is not.

She added that it was difficult to see how Ballymaloe Cookery School could have been more responsive to Ms Makejeva, short of granting her requests to choose her own duties and hours.

Ms de Burgh said it had been clear at all times that Ms Makejeva is a valued member of staff whose contribution it recognises and values and who it wishes to retain, and has made considerable effort to retain her.

Based on Ms Makejevas own oral evidence, Ms de Burgh found that she returned from maternity leave to the same Market Cook/Teacher role and was supported with a part-time work pattern while breastfeeding before returning to full-time hours, which she acknowledged required an 8am start, as before.

Ms de Burgh also found that Ballymaloe Cookery School had engaged extensively with Ms Makejeva, listened to her concerns, and responded with considerable flexibility and patience.

The documents submitted indicated that Ms Makejeva showed up late and finished early with some regularity, despite undertaking to re-engage with her employer when she could revert to the required 8.30am start time, which she failed to do.

Ms de Burgh found that some of the new systemic changes introduced by management were more formalised than previous informal approaches. She stated that this formalisation did not sit well with Ms Makejeva, who either failed to comply or expressed humiliation at being required to train and upskill in line with other staff.

Ms de Burgh stated that where Ms Makejeva raised concerns, management has engaged with her, taken her concerns on board and adapted, where appropriate.

She added: In particular, it was accepted that communication could be better in terms of notifying staff of changes and things that were about to happen/be introduced.

In her evidence, Ms Makejeva  who represented herself  appeared frustrated and upset.

Ms de Burgh said Ms Makejeva articulated feelings of betrayal and said she had always been flexible with her employer  working on Saturdays or on short notice, as required  and that she felt the same flexibility was no longer extended to her under the new management structure.

Ms de Burgh stated that Ms Makejeva particularly objected to reporting to a new manager, which she argued was discrimination, and said she objected to them always telling me what to do.
Have you ever found yourself in a scroll stupor? The modern phenomenon of staring into the infinite vertical vortex of the black screen we carry in our pockets. Just one more, just one more, hang on, didnt I come into this room to do something? Be honest with yourself, you are addicted to your phone.

So am I, we all are. You panic-pat your pockets when you dont know where it is, you check it every 15 minutes for a new alert, you take it out at dinner during the two and a half minutes your partner goes to the toilet.

The tech companies came in peace, offering free infinite access to anything, everywhere, all of the time. But if youre using a service thats free, then the product is you. Your eyeballs and your attention and your time are being sold to advertisers, the all-powerful algorithm feeding your revenue-generating eyeballs things you like to keep you glued to the screen.

Besides addiction problems, the dangers for children are beyond frightening. Youre not giving your child access to the internet, youre giving the internet access to your child.

In the beginning, this was relatively harmless. Just a new way for people to stay connected to their friends or see what celebrities are saying.

But the social media social experiment has revealed its rotten core, and it is our children and teenagers that are paying the price.

Besides addiction problems, the dangers for children are beyond frightening. Youre not giving your child access to the internet, youre giving the internet access to your child. Surveys indicate more than half of 11-13 year-old-boys have seen pornography, mostly unintentionally. Eighty-four per cent of bullying of children aged eight-17 now takes place online.

The age group with the most rapid increase in rates in self-harm is those aged 10 to 14 years, and predators no longer lurk in playgrounds, they can talk to your child in their own bedroom.

So whats to be done? Irish Government intervention would be welcome, instead of cosying further up to Big Tech. Australia is the first country in the world to introduce a social media ban for under-16s.

Coming into effect from December 10, it will ask social media companies to take "reasonable steps" to ensure under-16s cannot set up accounts on their platforms. Denmark has also announced plans to introduce a ban for under-15s. Norway and Spain are ready to follow suit.

Its good that governments are paying attention to the problem, giving the conversation a platform and making steps in the right direction. But Australias ban is vague and has no teeth. What does "reasonable steps" mean? Thats being left to the tech companies to decide, and can we trust the people that created the problem to fix the problem?

Under Australias ban, Big Tech will face fines of up to $49.5m for serious or repeated breaches, but as former Facebook executive Stephen Scheeler told AAP: "It takes Meta about an hour and 52 minutes to make $50m in revenue".

Meaningful legislative action will hopefully come, but we cant wait around. We need to protect our children today. Parents have more power than we think, and it starts with not giving children unregulated access to smartphones, smart devices and social media.

Yes, peer pressure is real, and you dont want your kid to be singled out. But there is safety in numbers  talk to the parents in your kids class, get a pact going not to buy your kids smartphones.

Smartphone Free Childhood is a grassroots movement Ive joined that provides an anonymous online pledge for your school  this is effective at cutting peer pressure off early. If you want to keep your child contactable and locatable, consider a dumbphone or tracker watch.

According to CyberSafe Kids research earlier this year, more than 80% of primary school-aged children with smartphones have them in their bedroom.

If youve already bought your kid a smartphone and you dont think you can get the cat back in the bag, you need to at least monitor their usage closely and provide them with guard-rails.

According to CyberSafe Kids research earlier this year, more than 80% of primary school-aged children with smartphones have them in their bedroom. Unsupervised access to social media and smart devices puts children at a massively increased risk of being exposed to sexual or violent content or being contacted by strangers from anywhere in the world.

A reckoning is coming and we are very likely going to look back at these decades and think what were we doing?, and why did we think that was ok? Ask yourself this  if every other child in your kids class were smoking, would you just shrug your shoulders and pass them a pack of 20? No, you certainly would not.

We need to stop pretending as a society that social media is just a harmless way to kill your free time or stay in touch. The dangers are real and until the Irish Government takes meaningful action, no one is going to protect your child but you.

Dave Corkery is a marketer, podcaster and a member of Smartphone Free Childhood's East Cork group
A refusal by Cork City Council for almost 20 new apartments on the northside has been appealed to the planning commission.

Developers Michael and Siobhan ORegan sought planning permission to demolish Rebrona Court House, located on St Theresas Road and Ballymacthomas St in Gurranabraher, to make way for 17 apartments.

The apartments were to comprise a mix of one and two-bedroom units and included ancillary works such as pedestrian access, landscaping, drainage and bike stores.

However, the city council refused the plans, stating the proposal represented excessive density and overdevelopment of the site.

It added that the developers had not demonstrated how the apartments would protect the visual amenities of the area, and also noted that the plans did not include a valid stormwater drainage strategy.

The plans have now been appealed by Mr and Ms ORegan to An Coimisiun Pleanala, which is due to decide on the proposed development by April 1, 2026.

Meanwhile, a new facial aesthetics clinic has been approved for Cork city centre by Cork City Council.

Dr Roghayed Alizadeh sought planning permission to use Unit 3C of the Cornmarket Centre on Cornmarket Street as a cosmetic dentistry and facial aesthetics clinic.

The proposed works include three practice rooms, a decontamination room, a kitchenette, toilets, two labs and a reception area.
With Christmas just around the corner, it seems a perfect time to consider an investment in a product as warming and convivial as it is potentially profitable.

Black Emerald whiskey offers investors the chance to avail of a 50% tax relief through the EIIS scheme.

With the closing date fast approaching on December 15th, the chance to back this already acclaimed product is a gift that will keep on giving for canny investors.

Founded by lifelong publican Ernest Cantillon, Munster and Ireland rugby player Simon Zebo, and whiskey industry veteran Finian Sedgewick, the brand is built on a simple idea: No One Drinks Alone.

For me, its always been about hospitality, creating spaces where people feel welcome, Ernest explains.

Thats what Irish pubs and Irish drinks brands have always stood for. With Black Emerald, we wanted to bottle that same spirit and share it with the world. Its a celebration of modern Ireland, rooted in our traditions but alive to whats next, bringing people together over a whiskey that feels both familiar and new.

With Christmas just around the corner, it seems a perfect time to consider an investment in a product as warming and convivial as it is potentially profitable.

Having already launched during the Lions tour of Australia and in the US at the recent All Blacks V Ireland game in Chicago, the reaction so far has been extremely positive.

These events are very much about meeting distributors and customers, making contact with people and customers. Of course, Simon is a great ambassador for us, given his own incredible career as an international rugby player. But Simon made it very clear from the start that he wanted to be more than just a figurehead; he wanted to be involved in every aspect connected to Black Emerald. He is very much the team player, just as he was during his playing days with Munster and Ireland.

Simons interest in whiskey was learned from a young age, watching his father, whose large collection was part of his social life: My whiskey journey started when I was a young boy. My father used to be an avid whiskey collector, having his friends over to share a drop and a dram since I can remember. But for him, it was never about the bottles themselves; it was about the people gathered around them.

"Whiskey has always been about connection, about bringing new friends and old friends together. Black Emerald is our way of carrying that tradition forward, while also representing the Ireland of today: modern, confident, and looking to the future.

With his rugby-playing days now in the rear-view mirror, Simon still lives for the thrill of working in a team environment, this time with Ernest and Finian on their shared quest to make Black Emerald a global success.

The brand is built on a simple idea: No One Drinks Alone.

It is funny how it all comes full circle, and to be a part of the team with Ernest, Finian, and the wider Black Emerald team is something Im very grateful for. To be naturally immersed in this industry has been a brilliant transition. Obviously, having been part of rugby teams for so long, to come into retirement and find myself part of another team is the dream scenario. Im full throttle towards this project.

Looking to concentrate their energies on capturing a healthy slice of the booming whiskey markets of Nigeria and South Africa, the Black Emerald trio have done their homework on choosing territories ripe for their product.

Nigeria, with a population of more than 215 million people, is one of the fastest-growing markets for Irish spirits.

Market intelligence suggests that the main driver of growth will be the urban, young population, 45% of whom are now living in cities, with increased purchasing power driven by better education and improved employment options.

This provides an excellent opportunity for Irish spirits like Black Emerald to target a growing middle-class consumer base that is actively seeking and engaging with premium brands.

Indeed, Black Emerald has received fulsome support from a veteran Irish entrepreneur with long-established experience of trading right across Africa.

John Teeling, Chairman at Great Northern Distillery, where the whiskey is sourced, adds: I believe in single grain for one overwhelming reason, it reflects the modern tastes of younger drinkers. Corn distils a sweeter spirit than barley. An aged grain is very smooth, mellow and easy to drink. If cocktails are your choice, they mix well and take a finish. To me, it is the future.

For Finian Sedgewick, being part of the Black Emerald story is giving people a new narrative on a product that has always been Irish at its core.

We're custodians of the brand now, and people are going to have their own interactions with Black Emerald and the memories they're going to create. We feel there's a lot of room internationally for Irish whiskey to get back to people, craic, and the simplicity of a good whiskey in a bottle.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel had identified the latest remains returned from Gazaas hostage Dror Or.

That leaves the bodies of two hostages in Gaza as the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement nears a conclusion.

Palestinian militants released Mr Ors remains on Tuesday.

Israel has agreed to release 15 Palestinian bodies for each hostage returned.

The Red Cross convoy carrying the remains in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

Mr Or was killed by Islamic Jihad militants who overran his home in Kibbutz Beeri on October 7 2023, Israels military said. His wife, Yonat Or, was also killed in the attack.

That day, Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people across southern Israel and abducted 251 to Gaza. Kibbutz Beeri was one of the hardest-hit farming communities in that attack that started the war in Gaza.

Two of Mr Ors children, Alma and Noam, were abducted by the militants on October 7 and released in a hostage deal in November 2023.

Almost all of the hostages or their remains have been returned in ceasefires or other deals. The remains of two  one Israeli and one Thai national  are still in Gaza.

Ran Gvili, 24, who served in an elite police unit, was recovering from a broken shoulder he sustained in a motorcycle accident but rushed to assist fellow officers on October 7.

After helping people escape from the Nova music festival, he was killed fighting at another location and his body was taken to Gaza. The military confirmed his death four months later.

Sudthisak Rinthalak was an agricultural worker from Thailand who had been employed at Kibbutz Beeri.

A total of 31 workers from Thailand were abducted on October 7, the largest group of foreigners to be held in captivity. Most of them were released in the first and second ceasefires. The Thai Foreign Ministry has said in addition to the hostages, 46 Thais have been killed during the war.

Gazas Health Ministry says more than 69,700 Palestinians have been killed and 170,800 injured in Israels retaliatory offensive.

The toll has increased during the ceasefire both from new Israeli strikes and from the recovery and identification of bodies of people killed earlier in the war.

The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures but has said women and children make up a majority of those killed.

The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by independent experts.
Pope Leo XIV is embarking on his first foreign trip, a pilgrimage to Turkey and Lebanon.

Leo is fulfilling a trip Pope Francis planned to make, to mark an important anniversary with the Orthodox church in Turkey.

In Lebanon, he will try to boost a long-suffering Christian community as well as Lebanese of all faiths who are still demanding justice over the 2020 Beirut port blast.

Leo, who spent 12 years as superior of his Augustinian religious order and two decades as a missionary in Peru, says he loves to travel.

In a moment when many Western powers hesitated on the question of Gaza, Francis - and then Leo - was very strong

He is still driving coverage here (in the US) because of his engagement with one of the most important issues were facing, which is migration, said Kim Daniels, director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University.

I think this trip will drive attention again to the peripheries and to the vulnerable.

Significantly, Leo plans to deliver all his remarks in Turkey in English and English and French in Lebanon, casting aside the Italian lingua franca of the Vatican in favour of languages that are more widely understood.

The main impetus for travelling to Turkey, the first stop in the trip, is to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, Christianitys first ecumenical council.

Pope Leo waves as he leaves at the end of an audience on the occasion of the Jubilee of the Choirs in St Peters Square, at the Vatican, earlier in November (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

Leo will pray with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of the worlds Orthodox Christians, at the site of the 325 AD gathering  todays Iznik  and sign a joint declaration in a visible sign of Christian unity.

Eastern and Western churches were united until the Great Schism of 1054, a divide precipitated largely by disagreements over the primacy of the pope.

The visit will also offer Leo several occasions to speak about regional tensions overall, Catholic-Muslim relations and Christians dwindling presence in the Middle East.

Clergy in the region say the Vaticans strong support for Palestinians in Gaza during Israels war, first under Francis and now Leo, has bolstered the churchs credibility among ordinary Muslims.

In a moment when many Western powers hesitated on the question of Gaza, Francis  and then Leo  was very strong. He didnt go to Gaza but everything he could have said it seems he said, said the Rev Paolo Pugliese, superior of the Capuchin friars in Turkey.

Security expected to be tight. The Vatican said no extra security measures had been taken, though spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to say whether Leos cars and popemobiles were bullet-proofed.

Significantly, Leo will not visit Lebanons south, battered by last years war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and the site of intensified Israeli strikes in recent weeks. Christians groups in southern Lebanon had lobbied for the pope to visit the area and circulated a new petition just this week.

At most Leo might be bothered in Beirut by Israeli drones that fly overhead, organisers said.

This visit of His Holiness, its not simply symbolic. It is a really concrete sign that Lebanon is not forgotten

The highlight of the Lebanese visit comes on Leos last day, December 2, when he spends time in silent prayer at the site of the August 4 2020 Beirut port blast.

The explosion tore through the Lebanese capital, killing at least 218 people, wounding more than 6,000 and devastating large swathes of Beirut. Sparked when hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate detonated in a warehouse, the blast caused billions of dollars in damage.

Lebanese citizens were enraged by the blast, which appeared to be the result of government negligence, coming on top of an economic crisis spurred by decades of corruption and financial crimes. But an investigation has repeatedly stalled, and five years on, no official has been convicted.

There are hopes among Lebanese that Leo will demand accountability from Lebanons political class, and insist that there can be no peace without truth and justice.

Such an appeal could shake up our various political leaders, because we continue to live under the pressure of a social crisis, an economic crisis, in a country where the various leaders hear neither the cry of the poor, nor the cry of the unfortunate, nor the cry of citizens, said Monsignor Cesar Essayan, apostolic vicar of Beirut for Latin rite Catholics.

Another important moment will come when Leo meets with young Lebanese. He is expected to give them words of encouragement, amid the decades-long flight of Lebanese abroad, while also acknowledging their disillusionment over the failures of adults.

Many families feel that they are surviving the day by day with really very little visibility on the future, said Marielle Boutros, project co-ordinator in Lebanon for Aid to the Church in Need, the Catholic charity.

So this visit of His Holiness, its not simply symbolic. It is a really concrete sign that Lebanon is not forgotten.
Keith Hernandez during a March 14, 2025 broadcast on SNY. (Awful Announcing on X.)

Longtime WFAN radio host Richard Neer will make his return to the station this Thanksgiving morning, and hes bringing Keith Hernandez with him.

Neer hosted Saturday mornings on WFAN for 37 years until this past May, when the station decided to change its weekday lineup. With Neers show being replaced by a Saturday morning lineup that includes Joe Benigno and Chris McMonigle, WFAN still opted to keep him as a part-time host around the holidays.

This week, Neer will fill-in to host Boomer Esiason and Gregg Giannottis morning show on Thanksgiving from 6  10 a.m. And Neer will get a little help from his friend Keith Hernandez, who has agreed to co-host the second half of the show. Neer and Hernandez are neighbors in Hilton Head, South Carolina. The commute was likely appealing to Hernandez, although not appealing enough to get him to join before 8 a.m.

Richard Neer is back on Thanksgiving morning 6am-10am on WFAN. Ill be joining him as co-host from 8am-10am. JOIN US!  keith Hernandez (@keithhernandez) November 25, 2025



Hernandez often touts not wanting to work for free or any more than he has to. But after Neer filled Jerry Seinfelds void by helping Hernandez move into his Hilton Head home earlier this year, maybe the former Mets first baseman decided to return the favor with two hours of his time on Thanksgiving.

As great as Hernandez is alongside Gary Cohen and Ron Darling in the SNY booth for the New York Mets, two hours of unfiltered talk radio should bode well for the often outspoken MLB analyst. The WFAN appearance also comes as Hernandez is without a contract for next season, although Ron Darling and Steve Gelbs have both shared confidence that a deal will get done.
The US-backed 28-point peace plan to end the war in Ukraine, which became public last week, drew from a Russian-authored paper submitted to the Trump administration in October, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

The Russians shared the paper, which outlined Moscow's conditions for ending the war, with senior US officials in mid-October, following a meeting between US president Donald Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington, the sources said.

The paper, a non-official communication known in diplomatic parlance as a "non-paper," contained language that the Russian government had previously put forward at the negotiating table, including concessions that Ukraine had rejected such as ceding a significant chunk of its territory in the east.

This is the first confirmation that the document - whose existence was initially reported by Reuters in October - was a key input in the 28-point peace plan.

The US State Department and the Russian and Ukrainian embassies in Washington did not respond to a request for comment.

The White House did not comment directly on the non-paper but cited Mr Trump's comments that he was optimistic about the 28-point plan's progress.

President Donald Trump leans in to hear a question as he speaks with reporters while in flight on Air Force One from Joint Base Andrews to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

"In the hopes of finalizing this Peace Plan, I have directed my Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with President Putin in Moscow and, at the same time, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will be meeting with the Ukrainians," Mr Trump wrote.

It is unclear why and how the Trump administration had come to rely on the Russian document to help shape its own peace plan. Some senior US officials who reviewed it, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, believed the demands made by Moscow would likely be rejected outright by the Ukrainians, the sources said.

SKEPTICISM OVER RUSSIAN INFLUENCE

After the paper's submission, Rubio held a call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during which the paper was discussed, the sources said.

Speaking to reporters in Geneva this week, Rubio acknowledged receiving "numerous written non-papers and things of this nature," without elaborating.

Since the peace plan was first reported by Axios last week, skepticism has mounted among US officials and lawmakers, many of whom see the plan as a list of Russian positions and not a serious proposal.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends an official welcome ceremony at the Administrative complex Yntymak-Manas Ordo, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Vladimir Voronin)

The United States has put pressure on Ukraine, nonetheless, warning it could curb its military assistance, opens new tab if Ukraine did not sign.

The plan was composed at least in part during a meeting between Mr Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev, the head of one of Russia's sovereign wealth funds, in Miami last month. Few inside the State Department and White House were briefed on that encounter, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

On Tuesday, Bloomberg reported that Witkoff had offered advice to high-ranking Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov regarding how Mr Putin should speak to Mr Trump. According to call transcripts obtained by the news agency, Ushakov and Witkoff alluded to a possible "20-point plan" as early as October 14. The scope of that plan apparently widened during subsequent conversations with Dmitriev, it added.

PLAN REVISED AFTER GLOBAL BACKLASH

The US proposal, which caught officials in Washington and Europe off-guard, triggered a flurry of diplomacy across three continents. The original plan has changed dramatically since then: Nine of the original 28 points have been cut following talks between senior US and Ukrainian officials, according to ABC News.

A bipartisan group of US senators said on Saturday that Rubio had told them the 28-point plan was not a US plan but instead a Russian wish list, although the White House and State Department vigorously denied that Rubio had characterized it as such.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky gives a press conference in Kyiv, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Tetiana Dzhafarova/Pool Photo via AP)

In the discussions that followed, a senior US delegation that included Rubio agreed to excise or modify some of the most pro-Russian parts of the plan during meetings in Geneva with European and Ukrainian officials.

Mr Driscoll is currently meeting with a Russian delegation in Abu Dhabi. A Ukrainian delegation is also in the UAE for talks with the US team, according to a US official.

On Tuesday, Ukrainian officials said they supported the modified peace deal framework that had emerged from the latest talks, but stressed that the most sensitive issues - territorial concessions are especially contentious - needed to be fixed at a potential meeting between Mr Zelenskyy and Mr Trump.

- Reuters
A constitutional challenge against Australias social media ban on children younger than 16 has been filed in the nations highest court, two weeks before the world-first law is set to take effect.

A campaign group called the Digital Freedom Project said on Wednesday it launched proceedings in the High Court of Australia in a bid to block the law, with two 15-year-olds, Noah Jones and Macy Neyland, as plaintiffs in the case.

More than one million accounts held by teenagers under 16 are set to be deactivated in Australia when the ban on platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat and Meta's Facebook and Instagram starts on December 10.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Digital Freedom Project said the ban "robs" young Australians of their freedom of political communication, an implied right in the constitution. Australia does not have an express right to free speech.

"The legislation is grossly excessive," the statement said.

Neyland said the law would ban young people from expressing their views online.

"Young people like me are the voters of tomorrow... we shouldn't be silenced. It's like [George] Orwell's book Nineteen Eighty-Four, and that scares me," she said.

The Digital Freedom Projects president is John Ruddick, a member of the Libertarian Party in the New South Wales state parliament.

After news of the legal challenge broke, communications minister Anika Wells told parliament the centre-left government, led by prime minister Anthony Albanese, would not be intimidated by threats and legal challenges.

"Despite the fact that we are receiving threats and legal challenges by people with ulterior motives, the Albanese labour government remains steadfastly on the side of parents, and not of platforms," Wells said.

Australian media has reported YouTube also threatened to launch a High Court challenge on the grounds the ban burdened political communication.

Governments and tech firms around the world are closely watching Australia's effort to implement the ban, one of the most comprehensive efforts to police minors' social media access.
Two National Guard members deployed to the US capital have been shot near the White House.

FBI director Kash Patel and Washington mayor Muriel Bowser said the soldiers were in hospital in a critical condition following the shooting on Wednesday.

Ms Bowser said they were victims of a targeted shooting.

West Virginia state governor Patrick Morrisey initially said the soldiers had died, but later walked back the statement to say his office was receiving conflicting reports about their condition.

The governors office did not immediately respond to questions about the attack and the condition of the soldiers.

We are in ongoing contact with federal officials as the investigation continues, Mr Morrisey said.

A suspect who was in custody also was shot and had wounds that were not believed to be life-threatening, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorised to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

One of the soldiers was shot in the head, according to a person familiar with the details of the incident who also spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

The Trump administration ordered 500 more National Guard members to Washington DC following the shooting, defence secretary Pete Hegseth said.

Mr Hegseth said President Donald Trump asked him to send the soldiers.

There are currently 2,188 troops assigned to the joint task force operating in the city, according to the governments latest update.

The shooting happened roughly two streets away from the White House.

Social media video shared in the immediate aftermath showed first responders attempting CPR on one of the soldiers and treating the other on a glass-covered pavement.

Other officers could be seen steps away restraining an individual on the ground.

Stacy Walters said she was in a car near the scene when she heard two gunshots and saw people running.

Almost instantly, law enforcement swarmed the area.

Its such a beautiful day. Who would do this, and were getting ready for the holidays? she said.

Emergency medical responders transported all three people to a hospital, according to Vito Maggiolo, the public information officer for the DC fire and emergency services.

The presence of the National Guard in the nations capital has been a flashpoint issue for months, fuelling a court fight and a broader public policy debate about the Trump administrations use of the military to combat what officials cast as an out-of-control crime problem.

More than 300 West Virginia National Guard members were deployed to Washington DC in August.

Last week, about 160 of them volunteered to extend their deployment until the end of the year while the others returned to West Virginia just over a week ago.

Police tape cordoned off the scene where fire and police vehicle lights flashed and helicopter blades thudded overhead.

Agents from the Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were on scene, as National Guard troops stood sentry nearby.

At least one helicopter landed on the National Mall.

Mr Trump, who was in Florida for Thanksgiving, warned in a statement on social media that the animal who shot the guardsmen will pay a very steep price.

God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People, Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.

I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!.

In Fort Campbell, Kentucky, vice president JD Vance urged everybody whos a person of faith to pray for the two guardsmen.

He cautioned that much remained unknown, including the motive of the shooter.

I think its a sombre reminder that soldiers, whether theyre active duty, reserve or National Guard, our soldiers are the sword and the shield of the United States of America, Mr Vance said as he delivered a Thanksgiving message to troops.

A spokesperson for Ms Bowser said local leaders were actively monitoring the situation.

The mayor had spent the morning at a Thanksgiving event at the Convention Centre and then held a news conference to explain why she was not seeking re-election.

Mr Trump issued an emergency order in August that federalised the local police force and sent in National Guard troops from eight states and the District of Columbia.

The order expired a month later, but the troops remained.

The soldiers have patrolled neighbourhoods, train stations and other locations, participated in highway checkpoints and also have been assigned to litter pickup and to guard sports events.

Last week, a federal judge ordered an end to the deployment but also put her order on hold for 21 days to allow the Trump administration time to either remove the troops or appeal the decision.
San Francisco (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) |  Across the political spectrum  with alarm on the right and delight on the left  the display of warmth from President Trump toward Zohran Mamdani last Friday set off shock waves. Trumps lavish praise of New Yorks mayor-elect in the Oval Office was a 180-degree turn from his condemnation of the democratic socialist as a pure true communist and a total nut job. The stunning about-face made for a great political drama. But what does it portend?

Trump and his MAGA followers are hardly going to forsake their standard mix of bigotry, anti-immigrant mania and other political toxins. Demagoguery fuels the Republican engine  and in the 11 months until the midterm elections, skullduggery to thwart democracy will accelerate rather than slow down.

While countless media outlets have marveled at the appearance of a sudden Trump-Mamdani bromance, the spectacle has rekindled hopes that America can become less polarized and find more common ground. But what kind of common ground can  or should  be found with the leader of todays fascistic GOP?

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)

Its true that Mamdani has a huge stake in diverting the Trump bull from goring New York. Billions of dollars are at stake in federal aid to the city. And the metropolis would be thrown into a chaotic crisis if Trump goes ahead with his threats to send in federal troops. Mamdani seems to have deftly prevented such repressive actions against his city, at least for a while.

Understandably, Mamdanis main concern is his upcoming responsibility for New York City and its 8.5 million residents. But important as the Big Apple is, Trumps draconian and dictatorial orders nationwide are at stake. Its unclear that the chemistry between the two leaders will do anything at all to help protect immigrants in Chicago or Los Angeles or anywhere else in the country.

The presidents accolades for a leftist certainly confounded the perennial left-bashers at Fox News and many other right-wing outlets. Such discombobulation among pro-MAGA media operatives has been a pleasure to behold. But theres more than a wisp of wishful thinking in the air from progressives eager to believe that Trumps effusive statements about Mamdani, an avowed socialist, will help to legitimize socialism for the U.S. public.

Trumps widely reported and astonishing turnaround about Mamdani might cause some Americans to reconsider their anti-left reflexes. But its also plausible that ripple effects of the episode could help to legitimize, in some peoples eyes, Trumps leadership even while it continues to inflict horrific policies and anti-democratic politics on the United States. Gracious and avuncular performances by despots are nothing new. Neither are cosmetics on the face of a fascist.

A hazard is that the image of Trump as a tolerant and open-minded leader, in convivial discourse with New Yorks progressive leader, could undercut the solid accusations that Trump is imposing tyrannical policies on America. Just a day before he met with Mamdani, the president publicly suggested the execution of several Democrats in Congress.

The most publicized few seconds of the Trump-Mamdani session with reporters was when a journalist asked about Mamdanis past charge that Trump is a fascist. The interchange was widely reported as an amusing moment.

The danger of normalizing autocracy is heightened when the utterly serious appraisal of Trump as a fascist can be recast as a media punchline.

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.

Over the weekend, Mamdani stood his ground during an interview on NBCs Meet the Press, pointing out that in the Oval Office he had said yes to the reporters question about Trump being a fascist. And he added, Everything that Ive said in the past, I continue to believe.

How long Mamdani will remain in Trumps good graces is anyones guess. No doubt the mayor-elect is fully aware that Trump could turn on him with a vengeance. If Trump can do that to one of his most loyal ideological fighters, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, as he did recently, he can certainly do it to Mamdani.

To call Trump mercurial is a vast understatement. And yet, in countless ways, with rhetoric and with the power of the presidency, he has been unwavering and consistent  as immigrants being terrorized by ICE agents, or single mothers trying to feed their families, know all too well. Given all the harm his policies are doing every minute, it would be unwise to take seriously Trumps broken-clock pronouncements that are occasionally accurate and decent.



Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Democratic socialists dont need Trumps approval. We need to defeat his MAGA forces. Its unclear whether what happened with him and Mamdani in the Oval Office will make that defeat any more likely.

None of this is a criticism of Zohran Mamdani. This is an assessment of how the follow-up to his Oval Office drama with Trump could go sideways.

Trump and Mamdani found each other newly useful last Friday. Only later will we know who was more effectively using whom.

Its all well and good to laud Mamdanis extraordinary political talents and inspiring leadership for social justice. At the same time, we should recognize that he has entered into an embrace with a viperous president.

And when a rattlesnake purrs, its still a rattlesnake.
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Nov. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Silver Tiger Metals Inc. (TSXV:SLVR) (Silver Tiger or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced bought deal offering (the Offering) of common shares of the Company (the Shares) with a syndicate of underwriters. An aggregate of 54,800,000 Shares at a price of C$0.73 per Share for gross proceeds to the Company of approximately C$40,004,000 were sold. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Offering to fund exploration and development expenditures at the Companys El Tigre Project in Mexico, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The syndicate of underwriters was led by BMO Capital Markets (BMO) and Stifel Nicolaus Canada Inc., as joint bookrunners, together with Canaccord Genuity Corp., Desjardins Securities Inc. and Ventum Financial Corp. (collectively, the Underwriters). The Underwriters were paid a cash commission of 5.5% on the gross proceeds of the Offering.

The Offering was completed by way of short form prospectus in each of the provinces of Canada, except Quebec, and outside of Canada in accordance with applicable securities laws.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act, and applicable securities laws.

About Silver Tiger and the El Tigre Historic Mine District



Silver Tiger Metals Inc. is a Canadian company whose management has more than 27 years experience discovering, financing, and building large hydrothermal gold and silver mines in Mexico. Silver Tigers 100% owned 28,414 hectare Historic El Tigre Mining District is located in Sonora, Mexico. Principled environmental, social and governance practices are core priorities at Silver Tiger.

Silver Tiger commenced work on its El Tigre Project in 2017. Silver Tiger has drilled over 150,000 meters at the El Tigre Project, with 119,000 meters completed since 2020. Silver Tiger has completed several MREs, a maiden MRE in 2017 and MRE updates in 2023 and 2024. The PEA for the El Tigre open pit was released in November 2023.

The October 2024 PFS for the El Tigre open pit delivered robust economics. The PFS projects an After-Tax NPV of US$222 million at a 5% discount rate, an After-Tax IRR of 40.0%, and a payback period of 2.0 years. This open pit operation is expected to have a 10-year mine life. The El Tigre project delivers a life of mine undiscounted After-Tax Cash Flow of US$318 million, with initial capital costs of US$86.8 million (including US$9.3 million in contingency). Operating cash costs are projected at US$973/oz AuEq and US$12/oz AgEq, with AISC at US$1,214/oz AuEq and US$14/oz AgEq. The economics of the Project have been evaluated based on a discounted US$26/oz silver price and gold price of US$2,150/oz.

VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation  Silver Tigers El Tigre Project

VRIFY is a platform being used by companies to communicate with investors using 360 virtual tours of remote mining assets, 3D models and interactive presentations. VRIFY can be accessed by website and with the VRIFY iOS and Android apps.

Access the Silver Tiger Metals Inc. Corporate Profile on VRIFY at: https://vrify.com

The VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation for Silver Tiger Metals Inc. can be viewed at: https://vrify.com/explore/decks/492 and on the Companys website at: www.silvertigermetals.com.

Qualified Person

David R. Duncan, P. Geo., V.P. Exploration of the Corporation, is the Qualified Person for Silver Tiger as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Duncan has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release.

For further information, please contact:

Glenn Jessome

President and CEO

902 492 0298

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This News Release includes certain forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, resources and reserves, the ability to convert inferred resources to indicated resources, the ability to complete future drilling programs and infill sampling, the ability to extend resource blocks, the similarity of mineralization at El Tigre to Delores, Santa Elena and Chispas, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of Silver Tiger, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forward looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as may, is expected to, anticipates, estimates, intends, plans, projection, could, vision, goals, objective and outlook and other similar words. Although Silver Tiger believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Silver Tigers expectations include risks and uncertainties related to exploration, development, operations, commodity prices and global financial volatility, risk and uncertainties of operating in a foreign jurisdiction as well as additional risks described from time to time in the filings made by Silver Tiger with securities regulators.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - GPM Metals Inc. (TSXV: GPM) ("GPM" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has intersected wide zones of sulphide mineralisation in all five holes drilled during the 2025 exploration program at the Walker Gossan Project. The Company completed 2,700 metres of drilling, three holes were completed to depth, with a maximum depth of 890m in drillhole two. The program tested for Sedimentary Exhalative ("SEDEX") style mineralisation in the sediments of the MacArthur Basin. Select sections of drill core are currently being analyzed by ALS Laboratories with results expected in due course.

Figure 1 - Sedimentary exhalative style sulphide mineralisation within a carbonaceous mudstone: 191.5m hole WGD25001B

Geological commentary

Prior to the drilling program commencing GPM geologists observed stratigraphic similarities between outcrop observations on EL24305 and the rocks described in the geological literature at the HYC/MacArthur River deposit 300 km to the south. These early observations were supported by what was observed in the drilling program. This initial drilling program has intersected all of the ingredients which indicate the presence of a large SEDEX style mineral system.

During the program 5 holes were drilled, the deepest hole was drilled to 890.5m. Holes WGD25001A and 1B were abandoned due to poor core recovery. Several zones of dolomitic siltstone and carbonaceous shale enriched in sulphide minerals were encountered.

Sedimentary exhalative mineralisation is shown near the base of WGD25001B in Figure 1. Large zones of barium rich sediments were observed during drilling - these zones are interpreted in geological literature as being the distal portions or 'halos' of SEDEX deposits.

Holes 2 and 3 were drilled into Airborne Gravity Gradiometry (AGG) anomaly Target 1 and encountered wide sections of sulphide mineralisation across multiple lithologies, including seas floor SEDEX mineralisation, sub sea carbonate replacement mineralisation and finely laminated sulphide mineralisation within fine silt and shale 'red beds'. In the base of hole 3 red beds with anhydrite were encountered, likely indicating an early phase of a rift system.

GPM Exploration Manager, Kent Balas, comments, "All drill holes hit significant intervals of sulphide, holes 2-4 hit approximately 150m of disseminated sulphide mineralisation in the correct "MacArthur" style stratigraphy of mixed dolostone/siltstone/carbonaceous shale. Particularly interesting were the zones of mass flow breccia, which is a telltale of the rift systems that host the MacArthur type deposits."

Figure 2 - Collar locations of holes 2,3,4 (note holes 1A and 1B drilled in approximately the same position as hole 2).

Figure 3 - Carbonaceous 'abyssal' shale hosted sulphide mineralisation: ~750m hole WGD25003

GPM Chief Executive Officer, John Timmons, comments, "The 2025 exploration program at the Walker Gossan Project demonstrates our ability to permit and execute successful drill programs in a challenging location in East Arnhem Land NT. We are the only Company permitted and operating in this highly prospective region which has seen minimal historical exploration. The community support and involvement are very encouraging, and we look forward to developing and maintaining this positive working relationship. We will provide an update in the next few weeks regarding Traditional Owner Exploration Approvals across the Walker Gossan Project for 2026."

Figure 4 - Brecciated vein sulphide mineralisation in a fine sandstone: ~104 m hole WGD25001

Figure 5 - Imbricated 'mass flow' breccia: ~601m hole WGD25003

Figure 6 - Long section looking West; shows gravity shells and XRF Zinc readings scaled from high and low

About Sedex Pb-Zn-Ag systems

Sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX) lead-zinc-silver deposits are among Australia's most significant sources of base and precious metals. These deposits form when metal-bearing basinal brines, expelled from sedimentary basins during deformation or compaction, discharge onto or just below the seafloor, precipitating sulfide minerals such as sphalerite, galena, and pyrite. The resulting ore bodies are typically stratiform and hosted in fine-grained clastic sediments, often associated with organic-rich shales, carbonates, or turbidites.

In Australia, SEDEX systems are primarily developed within Proterozoic sedimentary basins, notably the McArthur Basin in the Northern Territory, the Mount Isa and McArthur River regions of northwestern Queensland, and smaller occurrences in Western Australia and South Australia. These deposits collectively make Australia one of the world's leading producers of zinc, lead, and silver. The McArthur Basin, hosting the world-class McArthur River (HYC) deposit, is one of the most studied SEDEX provinces. The HYC deposit formed about 1.64 billion years ago and contains exceptionally high-grade zinc-lead-silver mineralization within the Barney Creek Formation, a succession of carbonaceous shales, siltstones, and dolomitic rocks. Ore formation occurred when metal-rich brines, driven by basin-scale fluid flow, vented onto the sea floor and Geologically, Australian SEDEX systems share key features:

Host rocks are fine-grained Proterozoic sediments, typically shales and dolomitic mudstones.

Ore zones are stratiform, laminated, and commonly associated with barite and iron sulfides.

Structural controls, such as extensional faulting, play a crucial role in fluid migration and ore localization.

Sulfur isotopes and fluid inclusion studies indicate metal-bearing brines were hot (150-250C), saline, and oxidized, whereas sulfur was derived from bacterially reduced seawater sulfate or hydrothermal reduction processes.

Economically, SEDEX deposits have underpinned Australia's base metal industry for decades. Mount Isa and McArthur River remain globally important producers.

Figure 7 - Location of the GPM Walker Gossan project in relation to other major mineral deposits in the region

Qualified Person:

This press release has been reviewed and approved by Kent Balas, (BSc, MAIG), a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Balas is the Exploration Manager for GPM Metals Inc.

Web: www.gpmmetals.com

About GPM Metals:

GPM Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company exploring for large base metals deposits in Australia. The Company's wholly owned Walker Gossan Project is a district scale (190,000 Hectares) Zinc-Silver-Lead project in East Arnhem Land NT, Australia.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement:

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information under the provisions of Canadian securities laws including statements about the Company's plans. Such statements are necessarily based upon a number of beliefs, assumptions, and opinions of management on the date the statements are made and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors should change, except as required by law.
LONDON, Ontario, Nov. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Abitibi Metals Corp. (CSE: AMQ) (OTCQB: AMQFF) (FSE: FW0) (Abitibi or the Company) has announced today that it has entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters led by BMO Capital Markets, as sole bookrunner, and Haywood Securities, as co-lead, under which the underwriters (the "Underwriters") have agreed to buy on bought deal basis 12,300,000 charity flow-through common shares (the Charity Flow-Through Common Shares), at a price of C$0.57 per Charity Flow-Through Common Share and 8,580,000 hard dollar common shares (the Common Shares), at a price of C$0.35 per Common Share, for total gross proceeds of approximately C$10 million (the Offering). The Company has granted the Underwriters an option, exercisable at the offering price for a period of 30 days following the closing of the Offering, to purchase up to an additional 15% of the Offering to cover over-allotments, if any.

Each Charity Flow-Through Common Share will qualify as a flow-through share within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and, in respect of eligible Quebec resident subscribers, section 359.1 of the Taxation Act (Quebec).

The offering is expected to close on or about December 16, 2025 and is subject to Abitibi receiving all necessary regulatory approvals.

The gross proceeds from the Charity Flow-Through Common Shares will be used for continued advancement of the Companys B26 Polymetallic Deposit and the net proceeds from the Common Shares for general corporate purposes.

The Charity Flow-Through Common Shares and Common Shares will be offered by way of a short form prospectus in all of the provinces of Canada, and may also be offered by way of private placement in the United States.

The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Abitibi Metals Corp.

Abitibi Metals Corp. is dedicated to acquiring and exploring mineral properties within Quebec, with a particular emphasis on high-quality base and precious metal assets that offer significant potential for growth and expansion.

Forward-looking statement

This news release contains certain statements, which may constitute forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information involves statements that are not based on historical information but rather relate to future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments on the B26 Project or otherwise. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions, which are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Company's control and many of which, regarding future business decisions, are subject to change. These uncertainties and contingencies can affect actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on the Company's behalf. Although Abitibi has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. All factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on Abitibi's forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as expects, estimates, anticipates, or variations of such words and phrases (including negative and grammatical variations) or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, might or occur. Mineral exploration and development are highly speculative and are characterized by a number of significant inherent risks, which may result in the inability of the Company to successfully develop current or proposed projects for commercial, technical, political, regulatory or financial reasons, or if successfully developed, may not remain economically viable for their mine life owing to any of the foregoing reasons, among others. There is no assurance that the Company will be successful in achieving commercial mineral production and the likelihood of success must be considered in light of the stage of operations.

For more information, please contact Jon Deluce (CEO & President, Director) at 226-271-5170, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or visit https://www.abitibimetals.com.

Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States.
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Bullion Gold Resources Corp. (TSXV: BGD) ("Bullion Gold" or "the Corporation") is pleased to announce the signing of an acquisition agreement with a group of independent prospectors, allowing it to acquire 100% of the rights to the Transterre, Transterre-Ouest, and Candore gold properties (now forming the Terragold Project), located near the municipality of Senneterre, in Abitibi.

The Terragold Project, consisting of 36 mining cells covering an area of 2,060 hectares, is situated in a volcanic geological environment. Gold and silver mineralization occurs in veins associated with the Uniacke deformation corridor, which is approximately 130 meters wide. Historical drilling has intersected various gold zones over a length of approximately 2,500 meters and to a depth of over 450 meters. The mineralized zone remains open both laterally and at depth, suggesting significant potential for extension.

Significant Results (see location on linked map)

GM 14364: J-1: 14.74 g/t Au over 6.70 m (from 2 to 8.70 m)

GM 14364: J-4: 11.51 g/t Au over 8.11 m (from 75.76 to 83.87 m)

GM 14354: J-11: 11.73 g/t Au over 9.97 m (104.27 to 114.24 m)

GM 14364: J-49: 3.45 g/t Au over 27.13 m (301.8 to 329.26 m)

Including: 18.2 g/t Au over 3.86 m (301.82 to 305.79 m)

GM 14364: J-51: 6.36 g/t Au over 15.4 m (447 to 462.4 m)

According to the report described in GM 13299, a trench on gold showing No. 2 exposed a mineralized zone over 8.2 meters. Channel sampling returned the following results:

The lower wall rhyolite, injected with quartz veinlets: 10.9 g/t Au over 1.0 m

The main quartz vein in the upper wall: 17.1 g/t Au over 2.3 m

The adjacent carbonatized zone: 42.2 g/t Au over 4.3 m

The schist (supplementary sample): 1.4 g/t Au over 0.6 m

"The historical exploration and drilling work on the Transgold project was carried out at a time when the gold price, around US$35-40 per ounce, likely did not allow for the economic exploitation of the gold corridor. However, today, with a gold price exceeding CA$5,600 per ounce, this project certainly has economic potential deserving a complete reassessment. This new acquisition will strengthen Bullion Gold's portfolio of gold projects in Abitibi, a region world-renowned for its gold potential," stated the Corporation's CEO, Guy Morissette.

Geological Context and Mineralization

Mineralization is linked to a system of felsic dikes of feldspar and quartz porphyry, silicified and crosscut by locally mineralized quartz veins. These dikes are in contact with basalts also injected with mineralized quartz-carbonate veins. The most significant gold grades are found in the most altered and quartz-veined zones. Most drill holes along this structure have intersected significant gold grades over good widths.

Structural Control and Typology

The vein-type mineralization is associated with the Uniacke Deformation Corridor, which is often interpreted as the extension or a parallel structure of the Destor-Porcupine Deformation Zone (DPDZ) or the Manneville Deformation Zone, which are associated with several major gold deposits. It likely results from the fracturing of porphyry sills and infilling by gold-bearing quartz veinlets.

This corridor is known to host several historical gold showings and deposits as the sheared and altered rocks provide an excellent physical and chemical environment for gold precipitation.

Work Program

The comprehensive compilation of all historical drilling data, enhanced by three-dimensional (3D) geological modeling, will be a key step in developing the future exploration campaign. This modern technological approach will allow consultant geologists to precisely visualize and analyze the geometry, continuity, and structural controls of the mineralization.

Through this 3D modeling, we will be able to:

Integrate and validate all historical data into a coherent model

Define future drill targets with greater precision

Understand the orientation and plunge of mineralized structures

Identify priority zones along the mineralized corridor

An initial drilling program, planned for winter 2026, will pursue two main objectives:

Verify and confirm the historical mineralized intersections by drilling

Test the potential for extension of the mineralization, both laterally and at depth, beyond the currently known limits

The Corporation plans to initiate this program upon obtaining the necessary permits. This drilling campaign will mark a crucial step in reassessing the potential of the Terragold Project according to modern exploration standards and the current gold price context. The corporation is also considering cleaning and trenching the main zone next spring.

A Project Re-evaluated in a New Economic Context

In the current context of high gold prices, a lower indicative cut-off grade could be considered, which would allow for a substantial resource volume that was not economic during historical work. This modernized approach highlights the potential for an upward re-evaluation of the Terragold Project.

Option Agreement

According to the terms of the agreement with the various prospectors, the Corporation must meet the following commitments:

Transterre Property:

Date Cash Payment ($) Share Issuance ($) Work Expenditures Interest Acquired Upon Signing $10,000 $10,000 $100,000 1st Anniversary $25,000 $25,000 $100,000 51% 2nd Anniversary $50,000 $50,000 $100,000 3rd Anniversary $50,000 $100,000 $100,000 100%

A 2% NSR royalty is also granted to Prospector 1. 50% of this royalty (i.e., 1% NSR) can be repurchased at any time by the Corporation for a one-time payment of $750,000.

A resource-based bonus is also provided: US$1 per gold ounce for any indicated gold resource exceeding 250,000 ounces, up to a maximum cap of US$750,000. This cap applies even if the resource exceeds 1 million ounces.

Transterre-Ouest Property:

Date Cash Payment ($) Share Issuance Interest Acquired Upon Signing $20,000 300,000 1st Anniversary $25,000 500,000 2nd Anniversary $35,000 700,000 100%

The Vendors will retain a 2% NSR royalty on all claims, 50% of which (i.e., 1%) can be repurchased by the Corporation in exchange for a sum of CA$750,000.

A bonus of CA$1 per ounce will be paid starting from 250,000 indicated ounces, as defined by a 43-101 reserve report (Bonus capped at a maximum of CA$750,000 even if there are more than 1 million ounces).

Candore Property

Date Cash Payment ($) Interest Acquired Upon Signing $50,000 100%

These agreements are subject to approval by the Competent Authorities.

Cadillac-Extension

The corporation also announces that it has obtained its ATI permits for drilling and trenching on the Cadillac-Extension project. A drilling program will be established upon receipt of laboratory results from the basal till survey recently conducted on this project. This basal till survey was carried out to verify the presence of several dozen gold grains in a ~10 kg till sample taken at the end of the summer, north of the main Langlade showing (See linked photo).

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Gilles Laverdiere, P.Geo. Mr. Laverdiere is a geologist and Chairman of the Board of Bullion Gold and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 respecting Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

About Bullion Gold Resources

Bullion Gold Resources is a junior exploration company primarily working in Quebec, specifically in the Abitibi and James Bay mining regions. The Company holds a 100% interest in the Bousquet (Au), Cadillac-Extension (Langlade Prospect - VMS), Terragold (Au), and Bodo (Polymetallic) projects. The Bousquet project is optioned to the Australian company Olympio Metals (Oly), which can acquire up to 80% of the gold project in exchange for $1.25M in cash and shares and $2M in exploration work. Bullion would then retain a 20% undivided interest (net carried interest). The Langlade project (72 claims - 4,127 Ha) is a VMS project under development, ready to be drilled. The Bodo project (761 claims - 410 km) is an early-stage exploration project. Anomalous and indicative occurrences of critical and strategic minerals (Au, Ag, Cu, Zn, Li, Pb, Co, Mn) have been noted throughout this project. The main prospects, which are Rivon Lake, Canico, Lice, Tichegami, and Didi, offer polymetallic, VMS, and IOCG potential.

Other Information

The TSX Venture Exchange and its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts no responsibility for the veracity or accuracy of its content.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. The forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Corporation. Although Bullion Gold believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because Bullion Gold can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to several factors and risks. In addition to other risks that may affect the forward-looking statements in this press release are those set out in the Corporation's management discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 and the second quarter ended September 30, 2025, which are available on the Corporation's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and Bullion Gold undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN.
Five-hole 1,750m drill program underway

Testing for potential large-scale high-sulphidation epithermal gold system

Assay results expected early Q1 2026

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Forte Minerals Corp. (Forte or the Company) (CSE: CUAU) (OTCQB: FOMNF) (Frankfurt: 2OA) is pleased to announce that diamond drilling has commenced at its 100%-owned Pucarini High-Sulfidation Gold Project (Pucarini or the Project) in southern Peru. This marks the first-ever drill program on the Project and represents a significant milestone following several years of geological work, community engagement, and environmental permitting.

Pucarini is located within the Southern Peru Miocene Mineral Belt, which hosts numerous epithermal gold (Au) and porphyry copper - molybdenum (Cu-Mo) deposits. The Project exhibits a large-scale hydrothermal alteration footprint with high-sulphidation epithermal Au type mineralization, similar to those of neighbouring and regional deposits in the Puno region of Southern Peru.

Figure 1 - Key Mineral Belts of Southern Peru, INGEMMET, 2020.

Figure 2  Pucarini Au Geochemistry - IP Chargeability-Resistivity 3D Model - Ground Magnetic Susceptibility 3D Model and Proposed Drilling

Over the past several years, Forte has carried out detailed mapping, geochemistry, multispectral mineralogical analysis, and ground geophysics, while also building strong, long-term relationships with local communities. The Company secured its DIA drilling permit in August 2023 (refer to news release  September 29, 2023) and entered into a renewed one-year Community Agreement on March 1, 2025, ensuring local support for the 20252026 exploration drilling program.

Inaugural Drill Program

The Phase I program consists of:

5 diamond drill holes

1,750 metres total (~350 m per hole)

Testing a potential large-scale high-sulfidation epithermal gold system.





The drill targets were prioritized based on coincident gold geochemistry, high-sulfidation alteration zones, and high resistivity geophysical anomalies, creating a potential cohesive exploration model.

Figure 3  Pucarini Au in Rock and Soil Geochemistry - Ground High Magnetic Susceptibility and Proposed Drill Hole Locations (1,750 m Proposed)

Figure 4  Pucarini Diamond Drill Hole #1 in Cross section  Shallow IP High Chargeability/High Resistivity Anomaly with Deeper IP High Chargeability/Low Resistivity Anomaly.

Figure 5  Pucarini Diamond Drill Hole #2 in Cross section - IP High Chargeability/ Low Resistivity Anomalies Coincident with a High Magnetic Susceptibility Anomaly

Figure 6  Pucarini Diamond Drill Hole #3 in Cross section - IP High Chargeability/ Low Resistivity Anomaly and Deeper High Magnetic Susceptibility Anomaly

The 1,000-hectare 100% owned Pucarini Project contains multiple advanced argillic alteration zones within a 3.6 km by 1.8 km hydrothermal alteration footprint. These zones are characterized by massive and granular silica ledges, vuggy silica, and high-sulfidation alteration textures, all consistent with high-sulfidation epithermal Au alteration and mineralization on surface.

Forte has identified a cohesive Au geochemical anomaly in rocks and soils that spans 1,200 m by 600m, supported by a large 1,500 m by 600 m high chargeability anomaly. This is also coincident with a deep-rooted high magnetic susceptibility anomaly that potentially outlines a Au-Cu-Mo porphyry system at depth. Lower levels of anomalous Cu and Mo geochemistry in rocks and soils dominate the main target zone lending more conviction to a potential deeper porphyry target. Together, these datasets outline a robust, untested high-sulphidation epithermal Au target overprinting a potential porphyry Au-Cu-Mo target at greater depth.

With drilling now underway, the Company is positioned to unlock the first subsurface information ever collected from this extensive system. Core processing and sampling from the first drill hole is now underway, and the Company anticipates delivering first assay results to the market in early Q1 2026.

Figure 7 - Pucarini Project high sulfidation epithermal alteration with anomalous Au in surface rock geochemistry

For more details on the geology, targeting methodology, and exploration model at Pucarini, please visit the project page: https://forteminerals.com/projects/pucarini/

Fortes President & CEO Statement, Patrick Elliott commented: The start of drilling at Pucarini is a major milestone for Forte. After years of geological groundwork, permitting progress, and meaningful collaboration with local communities, we are finally able to test what we believe is one of the most compelling untested high-sulfidation gold exploration targets in southern Peru.

The scale of the alteration system, the strength of the geophysics, and the consistency of the gold anomaly make this a highly attractive first-pass discovery opportunity. With drilling underway, we look forward to sharing initial results with the market in December.

Strengthened Balance Sheet and Strategic Alignment

Over the past four months, Forte has welcomed two new strategic investors, each investing C$5.7 million, bolstering the Companys treasury and aligning long-term development plans across all projects. These investors bring significant in-country operational experience and will play an important role in unlocking value not only at Pucarini, but also at the Companys second Au asset, the Alto Ruri Au Project.

Alto Ruri Gold Project (15 km from Barricks Pierina Mine)

While drilling progresses at Pucarini, Forte remains committed to advancing its second Au project, Alto Ruri, located approximately 15 km from the past-producing Pierina Mine, one of Barricks former cornerstone operations. Alto Ruri hosts shallow historical drilling, high-resistivity geophysical anomalies, and district-scale epithermal signatures, underscoring its potential for a near-surface Au discovery (refer to the news release dated March 4th, 2024).

With the support of two new strategic investors with deep operational experience in Peru, advancing environmental permitting at Alto Ruri is a key priority as the Company prepares the project for future drilling.

Qualified Person and NI 43-101 Disclosure

Richard Osmond, P.Geo., an Independent Director, is the Companys Qualified Person (Qualified Person) as defined by National Instrument 43-101. He has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release.

The information contained in this press release can also be viewed in the NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Pucarini Property, filed on SEDAR+ in November 2021.

About Forte Minerals

Forte Minerals Corp. is a well-funded exploration company with a strong portfolio of high-quality copper and gold assets in Peru. Through a strategic partnership with GlobeTrotters Resources Peru S.A.C., the Company gains access to a rich pipeline of historically drilled, high-impact targets across premier Andean mineral belts. The Company is committed to responsible resource development that generates long-term value for shareholders, communities, and partners.

On behalf of Forte Minerals Corp.

(signed) Patrick Elliott

Patrick Elliott, MSc, MBA, PGeo

President & Chief Executive Officer

Forte Minerals Corp.

T: (604) 983-8847

Investor Inquiries Media Contact Kevin Guichon, IR & Capital Markets Anna Dalaire, VP Corporate Development E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. C: (604) 612-9976 T: (604) 983-8847 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.forteminerals.com

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Certain statements included in this press release constitute forward-looking information or statements (collectively, forward-looking statements), including those identified by the expressions anticipate, believe, plan, estimate, expect, intend, may, should and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its management. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect current expectations regarding future results or events. This press release contains forward looking statements relating to the intended use of proceeds of the Strategic Placement. These forward-looking statements and information reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company with respect to the matter described in this press release. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which are based on current expectations as of the date of this release and subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Additional information about these assumptions and risks and uncertainties is contained under "Risk Factors and Uncertainties" in the Companys latest managements discussion and analysis, which is available under the Companys SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, and in other filings that the Company has made and may make with applicable securities authorities in the future.

Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that the statements will prove to be accurate or that managements expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. The Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information or statements to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law. Readers should not place undue reliance on the Companys forward-looking statements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the CSE) nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe was honoured to be named the Best Transaction Bank in Zimbabwe at the prestigious Euromoney Transaction Banking Awards 2025, securing the top position in its national category.This distinguished recognition highlights the bank's exceptional performance in transaction banking and reinforces its commitment to delivering innovative, dependable and clientfocused solutions that empower businesses across the country.The Euromoney Transaction Banking Awards ceremony was held recently in London, United Kingdom.The awards are done annually to celebrate excellence across the global transaction banking industry, recognising institutions that demonstrate outstanding performance in areas such as cash management, payments, trade finance and financial technology.As outlined by Euromoney, the awards honour banks and technology providers that show measurable impact, innovation and leadership in serving corporate and institutional clients worldwide.Winners are selected through a rigorous research process, including data analysis, peer benchmarking and direct engagement with market participants.These awards span multiple regions and countries, acknowledging top performers in markets across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.Recent winners include leading banks recognised in markets such as Argentina, Spain, Mexico, Turkey, and Latin America, highlighting the global reach and credibility of the programme.Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe's achievement places it among this distinguished group of international leaders, underscoring its commitment to excellence in transaction banking.The bank has continuously received multiple top company and banking awards in 2024 and 2025 for its strong performance and innovation. The accolades highlight its leading position in Zimbabwe's financial sector and the bank has continued to earn strong industry recognition.In November, the bank received the Banking Excellence Award at the Top Companies Survey 2025, an event sponsored by Old Mutual and known for celebrating highperforming organisations across key sectors of the economy.This recognition came alongside another major milestone, being named Best Investment Bank Zimbabwe by the Global Banking and Finance Awards, a testament to the bank's leadership in strategic financial solutions and market expertise.Earlier in the year, Stanbic Bank was honoured with the Best New Product or Innovation of the Year award from the Marketers Association of Zimbabwe (MAZ) for its Online International Payments solution, highlighting its commitment to digital innovation.Stanbic Bank's customercentric approach was further acknowledged when it won the Best Customer Service Bank 2025 from the Customer Experience Association of Zimbabwe, underscoring its dedication to service excellence.The bank also claimed the title of Best Banking Brand, Zimbabwe 2025 from Global Brands Magazine in June, reinforcing its strong market presence and brand leadership.
TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / November 25, 2025Lahontan Gold Corp. (TSXV:LG) (OTCQB:LGCXF) (the "Company" or "Lahontan") announces that, further to its press release of October 29, 2025, it has closed a non-brokered private placement through the issuance of 16,665,868 units (each, a "Unit") in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.15 per Unit for gross proceeds of $2,499,880.20 (the "Offering"). Due to investor demand, the Company upsized the Offering from 13,333,333 Units to 16,665,868 Units.

Each Unit was comprised of one common share (each, a "Common Share") in the capital of the Company and one-half of one whole Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at a price of $0.25 per Common Share for a period of two (2) years from the date of issuance, provided, however, that should the closing price at which the Common Shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange (or any such other stock exchange in Canada as the Common Shares may trade at the applicable time) is equal to or exceeds CDN$0.35 for ten (10) consecutive trading days at any time following the date that is four months and one day after the date of issuance, the Company may accelerate the Warrant Term (the "Reduced Warrant Term") such that the Warrants shall expire on the date which is 30 business days following the date a press release is issued by the Company announcing the Reduced Warrant Term.

Gross proceeds raised from the Offering will be used for general working capital purposes and for exploration at the Company's Santa Fe Mine and West Santa Fe Projects. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance and the resale rules of applicable securities legislation.

In connection with the Offering, the Company paid certain eligible finders cash commissions in the aggregate of $28,910.39 and issued 192,735 broker warrants (each, a "Broker Warrant"). Each Broker Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.25 per Common Share for a period of two (2) years from the date of issuance, provided, however, that should the closing price at which the Common Shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange (or any such other stock exchange in Canada as the Common Shares may trade at the applicable time) is equal to or exceeds CDN$0.35 for ten (10) consecutive trading days at any time following the date that is four months and one day after the date of issuance, the Company may accelerate the warrant term (the "Reduced Broker Warrant Term") such that the Broker Warrants shall expire on the date which is 30 business days following the date a press release is issued by the Company announcing the Reduced Broker Warrant Term.

The Offering constituted a related party transaction within the meaning of TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") as an insider of the Company acquired 300,000 Units pursuant to the Offering. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the Company is not listed on a specified market and the fair market value of the participation in the Offering by the insider does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of the of the Offering, which the Company deems reasonable in the circumstances in order to complete the Offering in an expeditious manner.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons as defined under applicable United States securities laws unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Lahontan Gold Corp.

Lahontan Gold Corp. is a Canadian mine development and mineral exploration company that holds, through its US subsidiaries, four gold and silver exploration properties in the Walker Lane of mining friendly Nevada. Lahontan's flagship property, the 28.3 km2 Santa Fe Mine project, had past production of 359,202 ounces of gold and 702,067 ounces of silver between 1988 and 1995 from open pit mines utilizing heap-leach processing. The Santa Fe Mine has a Canadian National Instrument 43-101 compliant Indicated Mineral Resource of 1,539,000 oz Au Eq(48,393,000 tonnes grading 0.92 g/t Au and 7.18 g/t Ag, together grading 0.99 g/t Au Eq) and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 411,000 oz Au Eq (16,760,000 grading 0.74 g/t Au and 3.25 g/t Ag, together grading 0.76 g/t Au Eq), all pit constrained (Au Eq is inclusive of recovery, please see Santa Fe Project Technical Report and note below*). The Company plans to continue advancing the Santa Fe Mine project towards production, update the Santa Fe Preliminary Economic Assessment, and drill test its satellite West Santa Fe project during 2025. For more information, please visit our website: www.lahontangoldcorp.com

* Please see the "Preliminary Economic Assessment, NI 43-101 Technical Report, Santa Fe Project", Authors: Kenji Umeno, P. Eng., Thomas Dyer, PE, Kyle Murphy, PE, Trevor Rabb, P. Geo, Darcy Baker, PhD, P. Geo., and John M. Young, SME-RM; Effective Date: December 10, 2024, Report Date: January 24, 2025. The Technical Report is available on the Company's website and SEDAR+. Mineral resources are reported using a cut-off grade of 0.15 g/t AuEq for oxide resources and 0.60 g/t AuEq for non-oxide resources. AuEq for the purpose of cut-off grade and reporting the Mineral Resources is based on the following assumptions gold price of US$1,950/oz gold, silver price of US$23.50/oz silver, and oxide gold recoveries ranging from 28% to 79%, oxide silver recoveries ranging from 8% to 30%, and non-oxide gold and silver recoveries of 71%.

Qualified Person

Brian J. Maher, M.Sc., CPG-12342, is a "Qualified Person" as defined under Canadian National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and has reviewed and approved the content of this news release in respect of all technical disclosure other than the Mineral Resource Estimate as noted above. Mr. Maher is Vice President-Exploration for Lahontan Gold and has verified the data disclosed in this news release, including the sampling, analytical and test data underlying the disclosure.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Kimberly Ann

Founder, CEO, President, and Director

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Lahontan Gold Corp.

Kimberly Ann

Founder, Chief Executive Officer, President, Director

Phone: 1-530-414-4400

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.lahontangoldcorp.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the TSXV. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com
TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / Lahontan Gold Corp. (TSXV:LG) (OTCQB:LGCXF) (FSE:Y2F) (the "Company" or "Lahontan") is pleased to announce that the Company has received approval from the Federal Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") for its maiden drill program at the West Santa Fe project, located only 13 km from Lahontan's flagship Santa Fe Mine project in Nevada's prolific Walker Lane. The BLM approved Lahontan's Notice of Intent ("NOI") for drill sites on unpatented lode mining claims located on BLM administered Federal lands at West Santa Fe. The drilling program will focus on validating historic drilling and testing significant extensions to the known gold and silver mineralized system at West Santa Fe. The Company currently has a drill rig active at the Santa Fe Mine project and will move the drill rig to West Santa Fe when that drill program is complete.

Kimberly Ann, Lahontan Gold Corp CEO, Executive Chair, and Founder commented: "The Company is excited to receive approval of the West Santa Fe NOI from the BLM. We appreciate the efficiency of the BLM in processing the permit. We can now focus on confirming the positive results from historic drilling at West Santa Fe which outlined a very shallow, oxidized, gold and silver system. Our geologic work at West Santa Fe shows that the gold and silver mineralization identified by historic drilling extends for several kilometres to the east along strike as well as down-dip to the north. The company expects the drilling program to commence in December".

The Company also announces that it has granted an aggregate of 9,000,000 options to purchase common shares of the Company exercisable at a price of $0.15 per common share for a period of five (5) years to directors, officers and consultants of the Company. The common shares issuable upon exercise of the options are subject to a four month hold period from the original date of grant.

About Lahontan Gold Corp.

Lahontan Gold Corp. is a Canadian mine development and mineral exploration company that holds, through its US subsidiaries, four gold and silver exploration properties in the Walker Lane of mining friendly Nevada. Lahontan's flagship property, the 28.3 km2 Santa Fe Mine project, had past production of 359,202 ounces of gold and 702,067 ounces of silver between 1988 and 1995 from open pit mines utilizing heap-leach processing. The Santa Fe Mine has a Canadian National Instrument 43-101 compliant Indicated Mineral Resource of 1,539,000 oz Au Eq(48,393,000 tonnes grading 0.92 g/t Au and 7.18 g/t Ag, together grading 0.99 g/t Au Eq) and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 411,000 oz Au Eq (16,760,000 grading 0.74 g/t Au and 3.25 g/t Ag, together grading 0.76 g/t Au Eq), all pit constrained (Au Eq is inclusive of recovery, please see Santa Fe Project Technical Report and note below*). The Company plans to continue advancing the Santa Fe Mine project towards production, update the Santa Fe Preliminary Economic Assessment, and drill test its satellite West Santa Fe project during 2025. For more information, please visit our website: www.lahontangoldcorp.com

* Please see the "Preliminary Economic Assessment, NI 43-101 Technical Report, Santa Fe Project", Authors: Kenji Umeno, P. Eng., Thomas Dyer, PE, Kyle Murphy, PE, Trevor Rabb, P. Geo, Darcy Baker, PhD, P. Geo., and John M. Young, SME-RM; Effective Date: December 10, 2024, Report Date: January 24, 2025. The Technical Report is available on the Company's website and SEDAR+. Mineral resources are reported using a cut-off grade of 0.15 g/t AuEq for oxide resources and 0.60 g/t AuEq for non-oxide resources. AuEq for the purpose of cut-off grade and reporting the Mineral Resources is based on the following assumptions gold price of US$1,950/oz gold, silver price of US$23.50/oz silver, and oxide gold recoveries ranging from 28% to 79%, oxide silver recoveries ranging from 8% to 30%, and non-oxide gold and silver recoveries of 71%.

Qualified Person

Brian J. Maher, M.Sc., CPG-12342, is a "Qualified Person" as defined under Canadian National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and has reviewed and approved the content of this news release in respect of all technical disclosure other than the Mineral Resource Estimate as noted above. Mr. Maher is Vice President-Exploration for Lahontan Gold and has verified the data disclosed in this news release, including the sampling, analytical and test data underlying the disclosure.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Kimberly Ann

Founder, CEO, President, and Executive Chair

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Lahontan Gold Corp.

Kimberly Ann

Founder, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Executive Chair

Phone: 1-530-414-4400

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.lahontangoldcorp.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

Neither TSX Venture Exchange("TSXV") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the TSXV. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedarplus.com
Appoints Danae Voormeij as Chief Geologist

November 26, 2025  TheNewswire - Vancouver, British Columbia  Rockland Resources Ltd. (CSE:RKL) (OTCQB:BERLF) (FSE:GB2) (Rockland or the Company) is very pleased to announce initial results of up to 145 g/t gold from its recent sampling program (see PR dated September 30, 2025) at its 100%-owned Cole Gold Mine Property (the Property) located in the world-class Red Lake Gold Mining District in Northwestern Ontario. Rockland further announces the appointment of Ms Danae Voormeij as Chief Geologist.

Summary:

Results from Fall field prospecting program returns 111 g/t and 145 g/t Au from vein grabs.

Appointment of Danae Voormeij, PGeo, as Chief Geologist.

Plans for 2026 include drilling and trenching programs.

Partial results from the Fall 2025 prospecting program at the Property returned gold assays by fire assay of up to 111 g/t Au and 145 g/t Au, respectively, for grab sampling of veins.

Fieldwork conducted during the 2025 season including prospecting and sampling for a total of 37 rock and vein samples, with 22 back from the lab now (see Table 1 below)  the remaining 15 samples will be reported on once received.

Table 1. Gold assay results and descriptions for 2025 field grab samples that returned greater than 1.0 g/t Au. The bonanza gold grades are by gravimetric analysis.

Sample ID Description Gold Grade* 489969 Quartz vein grab sample from outcrop with massive pyrite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and visible gold. 145.0 489968 Quartz vein grab sample from outcrop showing pyrite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and visible gold. 111.0 489859 Quartz vein grab sample with massive pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite. 2.44 489860 Quartz vein grab sample with minor disseminated pyrite and biotite. 1.40

*Cautionary disclaimer: Grab sampling is selective and may not be representative of the true mineralization.

New Appointment of Chief Geologist

Rockland further announces the appointment of Danae Voormeij, PGeo as Chief Geologist. Ms. Voormeij is an exploration geologist with over twenty years of hands-on experience exploring for gold and copper in Africa, South Pacific and the Americas. She led the geological team that discovered a multi-million gold deposit at Dugbe, in Liberia, West Africa, for AIM-listed Hummingbird Resources, and she is a board member with Miata Metals and with Sky Gold Corp.

I would like to express how grateful we are to have Ms. Voormeij join the Rockland team. Her knowledge and experience in orogenic gold systems is an invaluable asset for us, as is her geological modelling expertise, stated Mike England, CEO of Rockland. We look forward to advancing our Cole Gold Mines story together as we head into 2026.

Multiple Vein Targets on the Property

Fieldwork conducted during the 2025 season, including prospecting and sampling, combined with database compilation for the Property, has identified multiple, visible-gold-bearing vein targets on the Property, in addition to the vein system at the Cole Gold Mine.

Figure 1 shows the location of the 2025 sampling of a quartz vein identified as vein 20, located about 1 km to the southwest of the Cole Mine, which returned 111 and 145 g/t Au. The controlling structures for gold mineralization are (1) lithological contact with the ultramafic rocks to the south and east, and (2) northeast trending strike slip faults.

Figure 1. plan view showing location of 2025 grab samples. Multiple visible-gold-bearing quartz veins have been identified on the Cole Gold Property.

Up Next:

Gold assay results for 15 surface grabs from October 2025 field program

Early 2026: Drilling program to drill test and verify the 3D-modelled gold-vein system at the Cole Gold Mine to a vertical depth of 400m

Next field season: strip and channel sample the multiple gold bearing veins identified on the Property

Rockland further announces it has set 275,000 options to directors, officers and consultants of the Company at a price of $0.08 for a period of 3 years in accordance with the Companys stock option plan.

Qualified Person

Rocklands disclosure of a technical or scientific nature in this news release were reviewed and approved by Danae Voormeij, P. Geo., who is a registered professional geoscientist with Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia (EGBC) since 2007. Ms. Voormeij serves as the Qualified Person under the definition of National Instrument 43-101 as well as Rockland Resources newly appointed Chief Geologist.

About Rockland Resources Ltd.

Rockland Resources is committed to unlocking value through focused mineral exploration and discovery. Our portfolio includes the historic Cole Gold Mine Project in the world-class Red Lake Gold district of Ontario. By leveraging geological expertise, disciplined exploration, and strategic project development, Rockland Resources aims to deliver meaningful growth and long-term value to its shareholders.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Michael England, CEO & Director

For further information, please contact:

Mike England

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Neither the Canadian Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect managements current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect managements current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward -looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at WWW.SEDAR.COM).
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / Troy Minerals Inc. ("Troy" or the "Company") (CSE:TROY) (OTCQB:TROYF) (FSE:VJ3) is pleased to announce that it has received results from the 2025 sampling program on its 100% owned Table Mountain Silica Project ("Table Mountain" or the "Project"), located near Golden, British Columbia, Canada (Figure 1).

Key Highlights

Channel sampling returned 97.68% to 99.43% SiO 2 from 45 samples at Table Mountain Zone, with an average of 98.59% SiO 2 .

Very low deleterious elements identified in all samples, consistent with previous sampling.

President of Troy Minerals Inc., Yannis Tsitos commented: "We are very pleased reporting these analytical sampling results from our summer field program; they confirmed once more the exceptional quality and consistency of surficial silica mineralization across this northwestern part of the Project and collectively with other existing geochemical results, provide the necessary information for Troy to refine the 2026 drilling campaign at Table Mountain."

Figure 1. Table Mountain Property and Infrastructure Map

Channel Sampling Results

Channel sampling was conducted at the Table Mountain Zone, with results consistently similar to the sampling results achieved during 2024. Sampling procedure consisted of continuous chip sampling along a 3-centimetre cut channel. Samples were taken continuously over 1-metre intervals perpendicular to the strike orientation of the outcrop, with the sample sequence starting from the southwest end of the channel. Intervals shorter than 20 centimetres were combined with the previous interval. 45 continuous chip channel samples were collected over 41.35 metres within a 54.50-metre sampling zone, returning a weighted average of 98.59% SiO.

One duplicate was taken as a QA/QC check and passed validation. Sample density is sufficient to indicate the accurate representation of the underlying mineralization. (See Figure 2 and Table 1 below).

Figure 2. Channel Sampling Locations - Table Mountain Zone

Table 1. Table Mountain Zone - Channel Sampling Summary

Channel Interval (m) SiO 2 (%) Al 2 O 3 (%) CaO (%) Fe 2 O 3 (%) MgO (%) P 2 O 5 (%) TiO 2 (%) B (ppm) LOI (%) TM6-1 1.00 98.94 0.11 0.01 0.92 0.05 0.01 0.02 <5 0.01 TM6-2 1.30 98.68 0.15 0.01 0.86 0.05 0.01 0.02 1 0.20 TM6-3 1.00 98.72 0.12 0.01 1.01 0.06 0.01 0.02 5 0.19 TM6-4 3.80 98.51 0.12 0.01 0.90 0.04 0.01 0.02 5 0.15 TM6-5 2.25 98.34 0.11 0.01 0.88 0.02 0.01 0.02 <5 0.21 TM6-6 1.15 98.54 0.18 0.02 0.90 0.04 0.01 0.02 5 0.15 TM6-7 3.80 98.63 0.11 0.02 0.91 0.03 0.01 0.01 2 0.14 TM6-8 4.15 98.68 0.13 0.01 0.91 0.03 0.01 0.01 9 0.21 TM6-9 2.20 98.45 0.18 0.11 0.95 0.05 0.01 0.02 8 0.11 TM6-10 2.15 98.27 0.16 0.06 1.01 0.04 0.01 0.02 7 0.15 TM6-11 2.20 98.49 0.17 0.02 1.03 0.04 0.01 0.02 5 0.21 TM6-12 3.30 98.73 0.13 0.01 0.92 0.04 0.01 0.02 6 0.26 TM6-13 6.20 98.67 0.13 0.03 0.91 0.02 0.01 0.01 8 0.15 0.50 Overburden 3.95 98.73 0.15 0.01 0.95 0.04 0.01 0.02 7 0.19 TM6-14 2.90 98.42 0.15 0.02 1.00 0.03 0.01 0.01 11 0.18

Discussion

Sampling results were consistently high purity. The favourable grades reflect field observations of a broad zone of white quartzite measuring at least 150 metres wide and a strike length extending from the Trans-Canada Highway to the south and to the north, to the new northern extent of the property, representing a total strike length of at least 4 kilometres. Although the western cliff face of Table Mountain clearly demarcates the western margin of the Mount Wilson Formation quartzite, the eastern margin is obscured by a deep boulder field originating from the extensive, steep quartzite exposure in this area.

To date, channel sampling results have demonstrated a consistency in grade over a wide area within the Table Mountain Zone.

All samples were submitted to ALS Laboratories in North Vancouver, British Columbia for B-MS82L (boron) and ME-XRF26 (all other elements). One duplicate was taken in the channel sampling sequence and passed QA/QC.

About the Table Mountain Project

The Table Mountain Silica Project is located approximately 4 kilometres east of Golden, B.C., Canada, with excellent year-round road access and proximity to the Canadian Pacific Railway's Golden rail yard. The property covers roughly 2,526 hectares, encompassing up to 11 kilometres of regionally mapped strike length of the Mount Wilson Formation quartzite, with widths ranging from 300 to 1,400 metres at surface. Table Mountain is strategically situated near two established high-purity silica operations - the Moberly Silica Mine and the Sinova Quartz Quarry. This advantageous location highlights the project's potential to become a significant source of high-purity silica in a region known for hosting premium-quality silica deposits.

Qualified Person

Technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Case Lewis, P.Geo., a "Qualified Person" as defined under NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and a director of the Table Mountain Project vendor.

About Troy Minerals

Troy Minerals is a Canadian based publicly listed mining company focused on building shareholder value through acquisition, exploration, and development of strategically located "critical" mineral assets. Troy is aggressively advancing its projects within the silica (silicon), scandium, vanadium, and rare earths industries within regions that exhibit high and growing demand for such commodities, in both North America and Central-East Asia. The Company's primary objective is the near-term prospect of production with a vision of becoming a cash-flowing mining company to deliver tangible monetary value to shareholders, state, and local communities.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

Rana Vig | President and Director

Telephone: 604 -218 4766

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information: This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that Troy Resources Inc. (the "Company") expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include results of exploration activities may not show quality and quantity necessary for further exploration or future exploitation of minerals deposits, volatility of commodity prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, permitting and other approvals, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- South Pacific Metals Corp. (TSXV: SPMC) (FSE: 6J00) (South Pacific Metals, SPMC or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with a syndicate of agents led by BMO Capital Markets to market on a best-efforts basis by way of a private placement, up to C$8 million of units (the Offering) consisting of one common share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (Warrant) of the Company (a Unit), at an indicative price of C$0.54 per Unit (the Issue Price).

Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one common share from the Company at a price of C$0.90 per share for a period of 24 months following the Closing Date (as defined below).

The Company also granted the Agents an option, exercisable in whole or in part, at any time up to 48 hours prior to the Closing Date, to purchase, or arrange for the purchase of, up to an additional 15% of the Units (the Additional Units) at the Issue Price and otherwise on the same terms and conditions as the Units.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to expand exploration activities and for general corporate purposes.

Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions (NI 45-106), the Units are being offered for sale to purchasers resident in all provinces of Canada, except for Quebec, in reliance on the listed issuer financing exemption from the prospectus requirement available under Part 5A of NI 45-106, as amended by the Canadian Securities Administrators Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (Listed Issuer Financing Exemption), and in such other jurisdictions as may be mutually agreed upon by the Agents and the Company. The securities offered under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption will not be subject to a hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws.

The Offering is expected to close on or about December 8, 2025 (Closing Date) and is subject to South Pacific Metals receiving all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

There is an offering document related to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption that can be accessed under the Companys profile at www.sedarplus.ca and at https://southpacificmetals.ca/. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision.

The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or U.S. persons (as such terms are defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933) absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

ABOUT SOUTH PACIFIC METALS CORP.

South Pacific Metals Corp is an emerging gold-copper exploration company operating in the heart of Papua New Guinea's proven gold and copper production corridors. With an expansive 3,100 km land package and four transformative gold-copper projects contiguous with major producers K92 Mining, PanAust and neighbouring Barrick/Zijin, new leadership and experienced in-country teams are prioritizing thoughtful and rigorous technical programs focused on boots-on-the-ground exploration to prioritize discovery across its portfolio projects: Anga, Osena, Kili Teke, and May River.

Immediately flanking K92 Mining's active drilling and gold producing operations to the northeast and southwest, SPMC's Anga and Osena Projects are located within the high-grade Kainantu Gold District - each having the potential to host similar-style lode-gold and porphyry copper-gold mineralization as that present within K92's tenements. Kili Teke is an advanced exploration project situated only 40 km from the world-class Porgera Gold Mine and hosts an existing Inferred Mineral Resource with multiple opportunities for expansion and further discovery. The May River Project is located adjacent to the world- renowned Frieda River copper-gold project, with historical drilling indicating potential for a significant, untapped-gold mineralized system. SPMC common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: SPMC) and Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE: 6J00).

For further information, please contact:

Michael Murphy, Executive Chair

or

Investor Relations

South Pacific Metals Corp.

Tel: +1-604-653-9464

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Disclaimer and Forward-Looking Information

Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainty affecting the business of SPMC. In making the forward-looking statements, SPMC has applied certain assumptions that are based on information available to the Company, including SPMC's strategic plan for the near and mid-term. There is no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements may involve various risks and uncertainties affecting the business of the Company. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because of the context of the statements, including such words as "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "plans", "may", "estimates", or words of a similar nature. Forward-looking statements or information in this news release relate to, among other things: the proposed use of proceeds of the Offering, the proposed Closing Date, and other details regarding the Offering. These forward-looking statements and information reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic, regulatory, or other unforeseen uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include, without limitation: the Company receiving all requisite approvals in connection with the Offering, include TSX Venture Exchange approval; success of the Company's projects; prices for metals remaining as estimated; currency exchange rates remaining as estimated; availability of funds for the Company's projects; capital, decommissioning and reclamation estimates; prices for energy inputs; labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); no labour-related disruptions; no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled construction and production; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals are received in a timely manner; and the ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Such factors include, without limitation: fluctuations in gold prices, fluctuations in prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation), fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar), operational risks and hazards inherent with the business of mineral exploration, inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks and hazards, the Company's ability to obtain all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in a timely manner, changes in laws, regulations and government practices, including environmental, export and import laws and regulations, legal restrictions relating to mineral exploration, increased competition in the mining industry for equipment and qualified personnel, the availability of additional capital, title matters and the additional risks identified in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca). Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described, or intended. Investors are cautioned against undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's property.

Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States.
Mark Farren, Chief Operating Officer, to transition from executive role to become Strategic Advisor to the board

Tom van den Berg, Executive Operations at Kamoa-Kakula to be appointed Chief Operating Officer following handover period

Mining industry leader Nick Popovic appointed as Strategic Advisor to the board

Significant further personnel additions planned to enhance operational capabilities

Manfu Ma steps down from Ivanhoe board after six years of dedicated service; Xianwen Wu, CITIC Metal General Manager, joins Ivanhoe board

Ivanhoe Mines to issue Kamoa-Kakula's 2026 & 2027 copper production guidance next week

Johannesburg, South Africa--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) Executive Co-Chair Robert Friedland and President and Chief Executive Officer Marna Cloete announce today key management and board appointments of Ivanhoe Mines.

After more than ten years in various key operational leadership positions at Ivanhoe Mines, Mark Farren, Chief Operating Officer, will transition from his executive role to become Strategic Advisor to the board. In his capacity as Strategic Advisor, Mr. Farren will continue to support the delivery of Ivanhoe's next phase of organic growth, including the Platreef Phase 2 expansion and the development of the Western Forelands.

Tom van den Berg, Senior Executive, Operations at Kamoa-Kakula, will be appointed as Ivanhoe Mines' Chief Operating Officer, effective January 1, 2026. Mr. van den Berg will remain at Kamoa-Kakula for an interim period to oversee the ongoing operational recovery and turnaround strategy.

Mr. van den Berg will also be responsible for building out technical expertise and operational excellence across the Ivanhoe Mines organization, with significant further personnel additions planned in the near term.

Mining industry leader Nick Popovic joins Ivanhoe Mines as a Strategic Advisor to the board. Mr. Popovic brings a wealth of knowledge from over three decades with Glencore International AG, including significant experience in both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Kazakhstan, and he will advise the company in terms of commercial and operational matters, as well as growth strategy.

In addition, Manfu Ma, will step down from Ivanhoe Mines' Board of Directors. Ivanhoe Mines extends its deepest appreciation to Mr. Ma for his distinguished service since his appointment in August 2019. In his place, Ivanhoe Mines welcomes Mr. Xianwen Wu to the board of directors, effective November 26, 2025. Mr. Wu is currently the General Manager of CITIC Metal Group and has over 30 years of experience in international commodity trading and mining investment.

Ivanhoe Mines plans to issue Kamoa-Kakula's 2026 and 2027 copper production week commencing December 1, 2025.

Ivanhoe Mines Executive Co-Chair, Robert Friedland, commented: "The next chapters of Ivanhoe's growth are going to be nothing short of extraordinary, and we are positioned well following the appointments of Tom van den Berg, Mark Farren, and Nick Popovic. I couldn't be more energized and excited about what is yet to come.

"I also extend my sincere thanks to Manfu Ma for his wisdom, support, and unwavering dedication in shaping the development of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, and in the process building Ivanhoe Mines into a world-class company with now three operating mines. Since joining the board in 2019, Mr. Ma has been instrumental in Kamoa-Kakula's three phases, each of which were delivered ahead of schedule. We welcome Xianwen Wu to our board, and we look forward to continuing to work with CITIC Metal on our shared vision for a bright future."

Ivanhoe to appoint Tom van den Berg as Chief Operating Officer following handover period

Tom van den Berg, Chief Operating Officer, Ivanhoe Mines

Tom van den Berg will join Ivanhoe Mines as Chief Operating Officer on January 1, 2026 from Kamoa Copper, where he was appointed Senior Executive, Operations in February 2025. For an interim period, he will remain at Kamoa-Kakula as Ivanhoe Mines' senior management designate to oversee the ongoing recovery and turnaround plan at Kamoa-Kakula.

Mr. van den Berg has 37 years of mining and mine development experience across Southern Africa, spanning numerous operational leadership and management roles at Sibanye-Stillwater, Harmony Gold, and Anglo American Platinum (now Valterra Platinum).

Mr. van den Berg has extensive underground and open-pit mining expertise and has experience developing strategic long-term operating partnerships and leading award-winning community and stakeholder engagement programs.

Mr. van den Berg holds a Master's degree in Business Leadership and a Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering. He is also a Fellow at the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

Mark Farren, Chief Operating Officer, to transition from executive role to become Strategic Advisor to the board

Mark Farren Strategic Advisor, Ivanhoe Mines

Mark Farren will transition to a new role as Strategic Advisor to the board. Mr. Farren will assist Mr. van den Berg with the build-out of a technical centre of excellence, and retaining and developing skills within the group that will be vital to continuing the strong track record Ivanhoe Mines has achieved to date.

Mr. Farren has overseen a remarkable phase of project execution and growth at Ivanhoe Mines, including the delivery of nine major capital projects in the past five years while as Chief Operating Officer at Ivanhoe Mines and Chief Executive Officer at Kamoa Copper. This includes the construction of Kamoa-Kakula's Phase 1, 2 and 3 operations and subsequent debottlenecking, Kamoa-Kakula's on-site direct-to-blister copper smelter, the rehabilitation and construction of Kipushi Mine, the recently-opened Phase 1 operation at Platreef, as well as the refurbishment of the hydroelectric facilities at Mwadingusha and Turbine #5 at Inga II.

Given his wealth of experience, Mr. Farren will continue to support the board of directors and management team on the delivery of Ivanhoe's next phase of organic growth, including the further expansions of the Platreef Mine and the commencement of development of the Makoko District in the Western Forelands.

Ivanhoe Mines appoints recognized industry leader, Nick Popovic, as Strategic Advisor

Nick Popovic Strategic Advisor, Ivanhoe Mines

Nick Popovic has been appointed as a Strategic Advisor to the board, to assist with the growth strategy of the company as well as advise on commercial and operational matters.

Mr. Popovic is a highly accomplished professional in the metals and mining industry, with over 30 years of trading and operational experience. Mr. Popovic began his career at Marc Rich + Co, which later became Glencore International AG, in 1992, trading base metals.

Over the course of his tenure at Glencore, Mr. Popovic ascended to a senior executive role as Co-Head of Copper, Zinc, Lead, and Cobalt trading, before retiring in 2023.

While at Glencore, Mr. Popovic was also integral in the company's acquisition and expansion of Kazzinc, following its privatization in 1997. He initially served as Chief Executive Officer of Kazzinc from 1998, overseeing multiple phases of investment and growth during his tenure. In 2014, Mr. Popovic was Chairman of Kazzinc until 2024.

Mr. Popovic holds a Master's degree in Economics from Cambridge University.

Manfu Ma steps down from Ivanhoe board of directors after six years of dedicated service; Xianwen Wu, CITIC Metal General Manager, joins Ivanhoe board

Xianwen Wu Board of Directors, Ivanhoe Mines

Manfu Ma, is stepping down as a director of Ivanhoe Mines, having served as a member of Ivanhoe Mines' Board of Directors since August 16, 2019. Since joining the board in 2019, Mr. Ma has provided invaluable guidance, strategic insight, and steadfast support during a transformative period in the company's growth.

CITIC Metal nominates Mr. Xianwen Wu to replace Mr. Ma on the board of directors, effective November 26, 2025.

Mr. Wu is currently the General Manager of CITIC Metal Group, the parent company of CITIC Metal Africa Investment Limited, as well as the Chairman of CITIC Metal Co. Limited. Mr. Wu joined CITIC Group in 1994 and has over 30 years of experience in international commodity trading and mining investment.

About Ivanhoe Mines

Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal projects in Southern Africa; the expansion of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the DRC, the ramp-up of the ultra-high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the DRC; and the phased development of the tier-one Platreef palladium-nickel-platinum-rhodium-copper-gold mine in South Africa.

Ivanhoe Mines is also exploring across its highly prospective, 60-100% owned exploration licences in the Western Forelands, covering an area over five times larger than the adjacent Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex. Ivanhoe is exploring for new sedimentary copper discoveries, as well as expanding and further defining its high-grade Makoko, Kiala, and Kitoko copper discoveries as the company's next major development projects.
MONTREAL, Nov. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aya Gold & Silver Inc. (TSX: AYA; OTCQX: AYASF) (Aya or the Corporation) is pleased to announce its strongest mineralized intercept to date, featuring a long, high-grade interval that results in a record metal factor, alongside the identification of a new high-grade parallel structure, both from the ongoing 2025 drill program at Boumadine in the Kingdom of Morocco. The results, several of which sit outside the current PEA pit shell, confirm strong high-grade continuity along the Boumadine Main Trend and supports the potential for continued resource growth and the Projects emerging world-class scale.

Highlights1

Boumadine Main Trend (5.4km)

Best-ever mineralized intercept: BOU-MP25-087 intercepted 2,323 g/t silver equivalent (AgEq) over 15.0 metres (m) (3.31 g/t Au, 1,900 g/t silver (Ag), 4.8% zinc (Zn), 1.8% lead (Pb) and 0.03% copper (Cu), including 3,858 g/t AgEq over 8.7m (5.37 g/t Au, 3,208 g/t Ag, 6.3% Zn, 2.8% Pb and 0.05% Cu).

New high-grade parallel structure with a long, continuous mineralized interval: BOU-DD25-623 intercepted 540 g/t AgEq over 47.3m (0.94 g/t Au, 399 g/t Ag, 1.4% Zn, 1.2% Pb and 0.03% Cu), including 681 g/t AgEq over 10.6m (1.84 g/t Au, 489 g/t Ag, 1.3% Zn, 0.6% Pb and 0.04% Cu) and 1,286 g/t AgEq over 11.7m (1.55 g/t Au, 1,002 g/t Ag, 3.0% Zn, 3.5% Pb and 0.1% Cu). The newly identified parallel structure is significant due to its width and high-grade nature, opening further exploration potential. As a newly recognized zone within the Main Trend, it holds the potential to positively impact the overall resource.

Multiple additional high-grade intercepts: BOU-RC25-026 intercepted 3,336 g/t AgEq over 6.0m (37.03 g/t Au, 334 g/t Ag, 2.8% Zn, 1.0% Pb and 0.2% Cu), including 8,163 g/t AgEq over 2.0m (102.38 g/t Au, 94 g/t Ag, 2.4% Zn, 1.0% Pb and 0.1% Cu)  located approximately 75m south of the current Central pit shell. BOU-DD25-633 intercepted 862 g/t AgEq over 3.1m (9.82 g/t Au, 51 g/t Ag, 1.2% Zn, 0.1% Pb and 0.2% Cu), including 1,983 g/t AgEq over 1.2m (23.66 g/t Au, 82 g/t Ag, 1.2% Zn, 0.1% Pb and 0.3% Cu). BOU-RC25-043 intercepted 268 g/t AgEq over 9.0m (2.69 g/t Au, 45 g/t Ag, 0.1% Zn, 0.1% Pb and 0.1% Cu), including 432 g/t AgEq over 5.0m (4.44 g/t Au, 67 g/t Ag, 0.1% Zn, 0.1% Pb and 0.2% Cu).

Exploration Update: 133,003m drilled at Boumadine year to date.



The new high-grade parallel structure in the southern portion of Boumadines Main Trend with hole BOU-DD25-623, together with our best-ever mineralized intercept in hole BOU-MP25-087, a 15.0m interval of exceptionally high-grade 2,323 g/t AgEq, confirms that Boumadine still has substantial upside to unlock, said Benoit La Salle, President & CEO. These large, high-grade intervals  including the newly identified southern parallel structure and mineralization outside the current PEA pit shells, highlighted by the wide, high-grade BOU-RC25-026 intercept located 75 metres south of the current Central pit shell  all point to a growing resource, larger ultimate pit extents, and increasing scale. With nine drill rigs active, we are completing the 2025 exploration program and kicking off the 360,000-metre infill program outlined in the PEA, with up to 12 to 16 drill rigs expected to be operational in the first quarter, demonstrating Boumadines world-class potential.

Table 1  Significant Intercepts from Boumadine Drill Exploration Program (Core Lengths)

DDH No.



From To Au Ag Length* Cu Pb Zn Mo Ag Eq** (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (m) (%) (%) (%) (g/t) (g/t) BOU-DD25-599 493.3 495.1 3.74 192 1.8 0.3 0.5 0.6 3 533 BOU-DD25-602 280.2 286.2 2.22 30 6.0 0.1 0.2 0.7 18 236 Including 282.9 284.9 4.81 48 2.0 0.2 0.2 0.6 25 458 BOU-DD25-602 304.9 305.9 2.20 408 1.0 0.4 0.3 0.1 11 623 BOU-DD25-606 274.4 276.4 7.71 65 2.0 0.3 0.1 0.1 7 700 BOU-DD25-608 384.5 386.5 5.21 244 2.0 0.2 0.7 0.7 8 704 BOU-DD25-613 170.0 173.1 9.82 51 3.1 0.2 0.1 1.2 5 862 Including 170.0 171.2 23.66 82 1.2 0.3 0.1 1.2 2 1,983 BOU-DD25-617 558.5 561.2 2.82 35 2.7 0.1 0.0 0.0 10 266 BOU-DD25-622 248.0 249.0 0.03 114 1.0 0.2 5.7 10.7 23 535 BOU-DD25-623 182.9 230.2 0.94 399 47.3 0.0 1.2 1.4 44 540 Including 189.0 199.6 1.84 489 10.6 0.0 0.6 1.3 30 681 Including 216.5 228.2 1.55 1,002 11.7 0.1 3.5 3.0 75 1,286 BOU-DD25-623 694.0 698.3 1.02 97 4.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 10 186 BOU-DD25-627 776.1 777.5 4.60 36 1.4 0.3 0.1 0.0 5 424 BOU-DD25-633 275.8 282.0 0.55 293 6.2 0.0 4.3 2.1 193 498 BOU-DD25-633 314.3 319.0 1.45 69 4.7 0.1 0.8 5.3 77 339 BOU-MP25-081 83.0 90.0 0.60 257 7.0 0.1 4.1 4.0 8 506 BOU-MP25-081 145.0 151.0 0.73 57 6.0 0.1 1.0 1.7 89 188 BOU-MP25-081 183.0 185.0 1.73 240 2.0 0.0 3.2 5.1 1127 602 BOU-MP25-081 196.0 201.0 0.55 349 5.0 0.1 1.6 2.3 181 499 BOU-MP25-086 352.4 356.0 0.95 44 3.6 0.0 0.9 2.0 22 191 BOU-MP25-087 112.0 117.0 0.69 209 5.0 0.0 2.0 3.2 36 396 BOU-MP25-087 138.4 153.4 3.31 1,900 15.0 0.0 1.8 4.8 126 2,323 Including 142.0 150.7 5.37 3,208 8.7 0.0 2.8 6.3 167 3,858 BOU-MP25-087 160.0 164.8 1.18 311 4.8 0.0 4.0 4.4 282 614 BOU-MP25-088 539.5 543.5 1.24 57 4.0 0.1 0.5 3.6 15 261 BOU-MP25-088 584.6 588.1 1.16 32 3.5 0.1 0.5 0.1 4 148 BOU-MP25-092 320.0 322.3 0.78 361 2.3 0.0 3.1 3.6 1094 610 BOU-RC25-026 50.0 56.0 37.03 334 6.0 0.2 1.0 2.8 90 3,336 Including 50.0 52.0 102.38 94 2.0 0.1 1.0 2.4 94 8,163 BOU-RC25-027 133.0 137.0 2.10 94 4.0 0.2 1.0 5.3 18 432 BOU-RC25-039 166.0 168.0 1.39 74 2.0 0.1 3.3 7.1 30 448 BOU-RC25-040 22.0 23.0 0.03 734 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 5 737 BOU-RC25-043 146.0 149.0 2.30 17 3.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 10 203 BOU-RC25-043 152.0 161.0 2.69 45 9.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 13 268 Including 154.0 159.0 4.44 67 5.0 0.2 0.1 0.1 14 432

* True width remains undetermined at this stage; all values are uncut.

(1) Ag equivalent is based on a silver price of US$24/oz with a process recovery of 89%, a gold price of US$2,200/oz with a process recovery of 85%, a zinc price of US$1.20/lb with a process recovery of 72%, a lead price of US$1.00/lb with a process recovery of 85%, and a copper price of US$4.00/lb with a process recovery of 75% resulting in the following ratios: 1g/t Au: 77.9 g/t Ag; 1% Cu: 85.4 g/t Ag; 1% Pb: 24.2 g/t Ag; and 1% Zn: 24.6 g/t Ag

Figure 1: Boumadine Mining Licence Surface Plan with Magnetic Data (Residual Total Field) and 2025 Drill Holes

Figure 2: Boumadine Property Surface Plan with New Permits and 2025 Drill Holes

2025 Exploration Results

This year, 408 diamond drill holes (DDH), 59 reverse circulation holes (RC) and 20 multi-purpose drill holes (MP) totaling 133,003m have been completed at Boumadine (Figure 1, Figure 2 and Appendix 2). Drilling was conducted on strike along the Main Trend, Tizi, Imariren as well as on some regional targets. Most results have been received for drill holes up to BOU-DD25-612 (Table 1, Figure 3, Figure 4 and Appendix 1).

Todays results highlight the best-ever mineralized interval received so far at Boumadine, with Hole BOU-MP25-087 returning a metal factor of 34,850 g*m (AgEq). Results received so far in 2025, including Holes BOU-RC25-026, confirm the high-grade continuity of the Main Trend, which remains open in all directions. In addition, Hole BOU-DD25-623 in the South identified a new high-grade parallel structure (Figure 6) that will require follow-up drilling.

Many significant intervals also demonstrate the potential to increase the size of the open-pits reported in Boumadines PEA earlier this year (Figures 36).

The main mineralization generally measures 1m to 4m wide (locally reaching over a 10m width) N340-oriented massive sulphide lenses/veins sharply dipping eastward (> 70). The massive sulphide veins (>80%) are mainly composed of pyrite, with variable proportions of sphalerite, galena, and chalcopyrite. Tizi and Imariren share the same characteristics except for their N000 orientation.

Figure 3  Surface Plan of Boumadine North, Imariren and Tizi Zones with New DDH Results

Figure 4  Surface Plan of Boumadine South Zone with New DDH Results

Figure 5  Section 7975N with Drill Hole BOU-RC25-026 in the Central Area of Boumadine with New DDH Results

Figure 6  Section 6625N with Drill Hole BOU-DD25-623 in the South Area of Boumadine with New DDH Results

Next Steps

Infill drilling, following the positive PEA, will be ongoing for the next 24 months with a program of approximately 360,000m.

Significant upside potential exists to expand the Boumadine Main Trend, which currently extends 5.4km, the Tizi Zone, which currently extends 2.0km and the Imariren Zone, with a current extension of 1.2km; the three trends remain open in all directions. In addition, follow up drilling will take place at the 8km Asirem trend. Aya is currently completing the 140,000m drilling program and is set to begin the 2026 program ahead of schedule. Half of the drilling is focused along the Main Trend, Imariren and Tizi to continue extending the known mineralization trend along strike and at depth and to infill known areas advancing the project towards a preliminary economic assessment. The remaining 50% focus on greenfield exploration designed to test geological hypotheses and drill targets generated from the past three years of work. The results from ongoing geology work will determine additional development work.

Technical Information

Aya has implemented a quality control program to comply with best practices in sampling and analysis of drill core and RC chips. For core drilling, all individual samples represent approximately one meter in length of core, which is halved. Half of the core is kept on site for reference, and its counterpart is sent for preparation and assaying to African Laboratory for Mining and Environment (Afrilab) in Marrakech, Morocco. For drilling using RC, all individual samples represent 1.0m in length and a representative portion is kept for every meter in some chip trays stored on site. A split samples representing 1/16th, ranging from 2 to 4 kilogram is sent for preparation and assaying to African Laboratory for Mining and Environment (Afrilab) in Marrakech, Morocco.

All samples are analyzed for silver, copper, iron, lead, zinc, tin, and molybdenum using Aqua regia and finished by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Samples grading above 200 g/t Ag are reanalyzed using fire assaying. Gold is assayed by fire assaying. Standards of different grades and blanks were inserted every 20 samples in addition to the standards, blanks and pulp duplicate inserted by Afrilab.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this press release have been reviewed by David Lalonde, B. Sc, P. Geo, Vice-President Exploration, Qualified Person, for accuracy and compliance with National Instrument 43-101.

About Aya Gold & Silver Inc.

Aya Gold & Silver Inc. is a rapidly growing, Canada-based silver producer with operations in the Kingdom of Morocco.

The only TSX-listed pure silver mining company, Aya operates the high-grade Zgounder Silver Mine and is exploring its properties along the prospective Anti-Atlas Fault, several of which have hosted past-producing mines and historical resources.

Ayas management team has been focused on maximizing shareholder value by anchoring sustainability at the heart of its operations, governance, and financial growth plans.

For additional information, please visit Ayas website at www.ayagoldsilver.com.

Or contact

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (forward-looking statements), which reflects managements expectations regarding Ayas future growth and business prospects (including the timing and development of new deposits and the success of exploration activities) and other opportunities. Wherever possible, words such as discover, identifies, world-class, confirms, potential, growth, upside, grow, larger, increase, advancing, expand, promising, expected, significant, and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might, will, or are likely to be taken, occur or be achieved, have been used to identify such forward-looking information. Specific forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements and information with respect to the continuity of the mineralization and its grade, the potential to meaningfully grow resources and for all deposits grow in any direction, the potential for any drilling result to confirm the existence of a new zone, , the new Asirem zone to extend to 10km as indicated by the geophysics, the new corridors to translate into new exploration opportunities, the existence of a significant upside to expand the Boumadine Main Trend and all related resource growth at Boumadine, and to execute on planned drilling in the area through the remainder of 2025 and 2026. Although the forward-looking information contained in this press release reflect managements current beliefs based upon information currently available to management and based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, Aya cannot be certain that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions, opinions and analysis made by management in light of its experience, current conditions, and its expectations of future developments that management believe to be reasonable and relevant but that may prove to be incorrect. These assumptions include, among other things, the ability to obtain any requisite governmental approvals, obtaining regulatory permits for on-site work, importing goods and machinery and employment permits, the accuracy of Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Estimates (including, but not limited to, ore tonnage and ore grade estimates), the price of silver, the price of gold, exchange rates, fuel and energy costs, future economic conditions, anticipated future estimates of free cash flow, and courses of action. Aya cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements.

The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements include, among others: the inherent risks involved in exploration and development of mineral properties, including government approvals and permitting, changes in economic conditions, changes in the worldwide price of silver gold and other key inputs, changes in mine plans (including, but not limited to, throughput and recoveries being affected by metallurgical characteristics) and other factors, such as project execution delays, many of which are beyond the control of Aya, as well as other risks and uncertainties which are more fully described in Ayas 2024 Annual Information Form dated March 31, 2025, and in other filings of Aya with securities and regulatory authorities which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Aya does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs, and opinions change. Nothing in this document should be construed as either an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy or sell Aya securities. All references to Aya include its subsidiaries unless the context requires otherwise

This press release contains forward-looking statements or forward looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are included to provide information about managements current expectations, estimates and projections regarding Ayas future growth and business prospects (including the timing and development of deposits and the success of exploration activities) and other opportunities as of the date of this press release.

All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this press release, regarding the Corporations strategy, future operations, technical assessments, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Wherever possible, words such as anticipate, expect, plan, believe, objective, estimate, assume, intend, and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might, will, or are likely to be taken, occur or be achieved, have been used to identify such forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to statements with respect to opportunities for resource growth and expected next steps in the development of the Project.

Appendix 1 - Full Drill Results from Boumadine (core lengths)

DDH No.



From To Au Ag Length* Cu Pb Zn Mo Ag Eq** (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (m) (%) (%) (%) (g/t) (g/t) BOU-DD25-503 194.9 195.7 1.84 39 0.8 0.0 1.1 1.6 5 249 BOU-DD25-503 206.6 207.9 0.66 7 1.3 0.0 0.1 0.3 5 68 BOU-DD25-558 0.0 630.0 NSR BOU-DD25-563 510.1 511.1 0.89 39 1.0 0.1 0.5 2.3 5 182 BOU-DD25-564 48.5 49.2 2.21 1 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 2 176 BOU-DD25-564 381.7 382.2 0.19 48 0.5 0.0 3.4 1.6 5 186 BOU-DD25-564 489.0 490.0 0.03 154 1.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 9 161 BOU-DD25-564 498.5 499.0 0.67 1 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.2 6 60 BOU-DD25-584 504.7 505.3 3.40 251 0.6 1.2 1.3 0.6 18 669 BOU-DD25-587 0.0 201.0 NSR BOU-DD25-591 0.0 213.0 NSR BOU-DD25-595 0.0 150.0 NSR BOU-DD25-597 0.0 168.0 NSR BOU-DD25-598 0.0 216.0 NSR BOU-DD25-599 481.0 482.0 0.75 4 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3 66 BOU-DD25-599 493.3 495.1 3.74 192 1.8 0.3 0.5 0.6 3 533 BOU-DD25-599 562.7 564.0 0.63 51 1.3 0.0 2.4 2.5 3 220 BOU-DD25-599 602.7 603.2 2.00 29 0.5 0.1 0.8 0.2 4 220 BOU-DD25-599 732.3 732.9 1.39 51 0.6 0.0 2.3 2.5 76 278 BOU-DD25-601 47.0 48.0 0.49 8 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 14 48 BOU-DD25-602 280.2 286.2 2.22 30 6.0 0.1 0.2 0.7 18 236 Including 282.9 284.9 4.81 48 2.0 0.2 0.2 0.6 25 458 BOU-DD25-602 301.5 303.3 0.53 29 1.8 0.0 0.1 0.1 17 78 BOU-DD25-602 304.9 305.9 2.20 408 1.0 0.4 0.3 0.1 11 623 BOU-DD25-602 317.0 318.0 1.39 153 1.0 0.3 0.8 0.3 4 314 BOU-DD25-602 345.4 346.2 0.30 76 0.8 0.1 3.5 3.4 32 276 BOU-DD25-602 409.6 411.8 2.09 35 2.2 0.1 0.2 0.4 4 223 BOU-DD25-602 686.9 687.7 0.51 59 0.8 0.0 0.8 1.4 3 155 BOU-DD25-603 0.0 330.0 NSR BOU-DD25-604 0.0 459.0 NSR BOU-DD25-605 89.0 90.0 0.92 1 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 6 74 BOU-DD25-605 712.0 713.0 1.10 6 1.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 1 100 BOU-DD25-605 747.0 747.9 0.56 12 0.9 0.1 0.4 0.1 5 71 BOU-DD25-605 1,069.1 1,070.1 0.80 7 1.0 0.1 0.4 0.6 2 103 BOU-DD25-605 1,137.9 1,138.9 3.03 2 1.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 1 247 BOU-DD25-605 1,221.0 1,232.0 1.35 4 11.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 4 125 BOU-DD25-606 76.5 77.3 0.74 40 0.8 0.0 0.9 0.8 4 141 BOU-DD25-606 81.6 82.2 0.63 14 0.6 0.0 0.3 0.5 1 84 BOU-DD25-606 249.3 251.2 2.52 9 1.9 0.2 0.2 0.2 9 232 BOU-DD25-606 274.4 276.4 7.71 65 2.0 0.3 0.1 0.1 7 700 BOU-DD25-606 283.2 283.7 1.79 30 0.5 0.1 1.4 2.7 8 281 BOU-DD25-606 373.0 373.5 0.07 157 0.5 0.6 11.3 7.2 12 660 BOU-DD25-606 408.4 409.2 0.76 32 0.8 0.0 0.4 0.3 24 112 BOU-DD25-606 438.6 439.4 1.76 7 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 29 147 BOU-DD25-608 255.9 256.4 0.91 22 0.5 0.1 0.3 1.0 6 131 BOU-DD25-608 384.5 386.5 5.21 244 2.0 0.2 0.7 0.7 8 704 BOU-DD25-608 388.9 389.9 1.10 10 1.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 7 102 BOU-DD25-608 391.2 393.8 1.09 12 2.6 0.1 0.1 0.1 8 110 BOU-DD25-608 397.0 397.6 0.70 9 0.6 0.0 0.7 1.7 14 124 BOU-DD25-608 510.8 511.4 0.55 23 0.6 0.2 0.5 3.0 27 165 BOU-DD25-608 532.0 533.0 0.80 1 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 6 65 BOU-DD25-609 200.9 201.7 0.58 13 0.8 0.1 0.3 7.3 3 253 BOU-DD25-609 240.0 241.0 0.03 77 1.0 0.0 0.1 0.4 4 93 BOU-DD25-609 267.1 268.0 3.97 80 0.9 0.3 0.1 0.0 5 416 BOU-DD25-609 269.6 270.1 0.64 19 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.0 2 79 BOU-DD25-609 271.6 273.6 0.57 113 2.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 5 162 BOU-DD25-609 276.1 277.1 1.23 22 1.0 0.2 0.6 3.9 19 245 BOU-DD25-609 348.7 349.9 0.44 16 1.2 0.0 0.9 1.5 4 112 BOU-DD25-609 375.7 376.2 0.47 34 0.5 0.1 0.6 3.1 8 171 BOU-DD25-609 376.9 377.9 0.51 35 1.0 0.1 0.7 3.2 7 179 BOU-DD25-610 275.0 275.5 0.26 45 0.5 0.1 0.7 1.1 8 116 BOU-DD25-610 461.0 462.4 0.53 20 1.4 0.0 0.5 0.9 11 99 BOU-DD25-610 465.1 465.6 3.36 67 0.5 0.1 1.2 0.8 16 390 BOU-DD25-611 208.0 209.0 0.03 51 1.0 0.1 1.5 0.0 5 96 BOU-DD25-611 210.0 211.0 0.03 51 1.0 0.1 1.6 0.1 7 99 BOU-DD25-611 471.4 473.2 0.03 122 1.8 0.0 0.1 0.3 7 133 BOU-DD25-611 788.0 789.0 0.03 104 1.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 5 118 BOU-DD25-611 842.2 843.2 0.22 50 1.0 0.6 2.5 1.0 8 207 BOU-DD25-611 844.1 845.0 0.07 42 0.9 0.3 1.3 1.1 4 130 BOU-DD25-612 256.9 259.5 0.69 20 2.6 0.1 0.0 0.0 6 82 BOU-DD25-612 271.0 271.7 0.07 53 0.7 0.2 0.1 0.0 7 80 BOU-DD25-612 390.3 393.1 0.74 41 2.8 0.3 0.2 0.3 2 138 BOU-DD25-612 420.9 421.6 0.42 16 0.7 0.1 1.8 4.0 11 198 BOU-DD25-612 446.7 447.3 1.28 22 0.6 0.1 0.1 0.2 6 135 BOU-DD25-612 471.4 472.0 0.18 39 0.6 0.1 0.3 0.5 4 81 BOU-DD25-612 585.7 586.2 1.94 25 0.5 0.1 0.8 2.3 8 260 BOU-DD25-613 170.0 173.1 9.82 51 3.1 0.2 0.1 1.2 5 862 Including 170.0 171.2 23.66 82 1.2 0.3 0.1 1.2 2 1,983 BOU-DD25-613 577.9 578.4 1.02 36 0.5 1.3 0.1 0.5 5 238 BOU-DD25-613 616.8 618.2 0.89 45 1.4 0.7 0.1 0.2 5 179 BOU-DD25-614 9.2 10.1 0.26 42 0.9 0.0 0.1 0.0 26 67 BOU-DD25-614 99.5 100.0 0.35 19 0.5 0.0 0.6 2.1 5 116 BOU-DD25-614 238.5 239.0 0.51 8 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.0 3 54 BOU-DD25-614 252.2 252.7 1.55 18 0.5 0.1 0.6 0.2 4 167 BOU-DD25-614 375.4 376.0 1.15 10 0.6 0.3 0.1 0.1 8 130 BOU-DD25-614 377.8 378.5 1.13 10 0.7 0.3 0.1 0.1 7 128 BOU-DD25-614 382.2 382.7 0.72 14 0.5 0.1 0.3 0.2 7 89 BOU-DD25-614 389.5 390.4 1.11 127 0.9 0.6 1.0 1.1 7 318 BOU-DD25-615 22.0 22.7 0.15 44 0.7 0.1 0.3 0.1 8 75 BOU-DD25-615 294.6 295.4 1.20 32 0.8 0.1 0.1 0.5 4 150 BOU-DD25-615 452.0 453.0 0.07 52 1.0 0.2 1.4 1.6 6 148 BOU-DD25-615 488.5 490.6 0.21 63 2.1 0.1 0.1 0.4 15 98 BOU-DD25-615 501.8 502.5 0.73 66 0.7 0.3 0.5 2.0 36 212 BOU-DD25-615 504.8 505.6 0.03 277 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.1 4 282 BOU-DD25-616 139.9 142.8 1.24 23 2.9 0.3 0.1 0.9 6 169 BOU-DD25-616 434.0 436.0 0.03 198 2.0 0.0 0.2 0.1 16 211 BOU-DD25-616 468.1 469.0 1.00 58 0.9 0.2 1.3 0.5 7 200 BOU-DD25-616 480.9 481.7 1.13 9 0.8 0.0 0.1 0.1 15 104 BOU-DD25-616 527.7 528.2 0.66 31 0.5 0.1 0.1 1.1 10 117 BOU-DD25-616 532.3 533.0 0.59 452 0.7 0.3 0.5 4.2 5 640 BOU-DD25-616 606.3 606.8 0.91 55 0.5 0.3 0.0 0.0 9 153 BOU-DD25-616 615.9 616.9 0.87 53 1.0 0.3 0.1 0.0 10 147 BOU-DD25-617 164.0 165.0 0.58 13 1.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 12 68 BOU-DD25-617 187.0 187.7 0.60 31 0.7 0.0 0.2 0.0 12 86 BOU-DD25-617 190.0 190.5 0.35 248 0.5 1.3 0.6 1.9 10 454 BOU-DD25-617 374.2 374.8 1.20 3 0.6 0.0 0.1 0.1 2 104 BOU-DD25-617 497.3 498.8 1.27 48 1.5 0.3 0.1 0.1 11 172 BOU-DD25-617 558.5 561.2 2.82 35 2.7 0.1 0.0 0.0 10 266 BOU-DD25-618 411.7 412.2 0.51 13 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.4 30 74 BOU-DD25-618 456.2 456.8 1.44 26 0.6 0.2 0.1 0.2 5 161 BOU-DD25-618 459.4 460.9 1.23 44 1.5 0.7 0.1 0.1 6 201 BOU-DD25-618 580.9 582.0 0.56 32 1.1 0.4 0.0 0.0 17 114 BOU-DD25-619 127.8 128.7 0.53 0 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 4 42 BOU-DD25-620 203.0 204.0 0.52 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 5 41 BOU-DD25-621 387.6 388.1 0.62 21 0.5 0.1 1.0 0.6 5 117 BOU-DD25-621 389.0 390.0 0.60 21 1.0 0.1 0.3 0.6 5 98 BOU-DD25-621 561.4 562.4 0.05 64 1.0 0.0 1.2 0.1 2 99 BOU-DD25-621 570.4 571.4 0.98 28 1.0 0.1 1.1 2.0 4 185 BOU-DD25-622 248.0 249.0 0.03 114 1.0 0.2 5.7 10.7 23 535 BOU-DD25-622 254.0 255.0 0.03 86 1.0 1.1 0.1 0.4 37 190 BOU-DD25-623 182.9 230.2 0.94 399 47.3 0.0 1.2 1.4 44 540 Including 189.0 199.6 1.84 489 10.6 0.0 0.6 1.3 30 681 Including 216.5 228.2 1.55 1,002 11.7 0.1 3.5 3.0 75 1,286 BOU-DD25-623 416.0 417.0 0.03 90 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3 93 BOU-DD25-623 470.4 471.2 0.69 104 0.8 0.1 0.1 0.1 37 171 BOU-DD25-623 558.0 560.0 0.85 24 2.0 0.0 0.1 0.3 18 100 BOU-DD25-623 614.2 615.0 0.35 104 0.8 0.3 0.8 0.3 89 181 BOU-DD25-623 658.8 659.3 1.42 24 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.1 29 140 BOU-DD25-623 676.1 676.7 0.30 59 0.6 0.0 0.2 5.1 11 216 BOU-DD25-623 694.0 698.3 1.02 97 4.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 10 186 BOU-DD25-623 744.1 744.6 0.39 145 0.5 0.7 0.3 0.2 40 248 BOU-DD25-624 87.0 88.0 0.55 6 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 20 50 BOU-DD25-624 439.9 441.4 1.90 65 1.5 0.2 0.3 0.3 21 241 BOU-DD25-624 461.7 462.6 1.00 34 0.9 0.0 0.1 1.0 28 143 BOU-DD25-624 591.4 593.8 0.24 47 2.4 0.0 1.0 1.5 0 129 BOU-DD25-624 638.9 639.4 0.45 64 0.5 0.1 0.6 2.4 7 181 BOU-DD25-624 692.1 693.8 0.03 42 1.7 0.0 1.5 3.9 11 181 BOU-DD25-624 711.0 712.2 0.46 24 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.3 4 69 BOU-DD25-625 24.2 25.2 0.03 67 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 7 71 BOU-DD25-626 0.0 197.5 NSR BOU-DD25-627 605.8 606.3 0.51 25 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.1 5 72 BOU-DD25-627 672.0 674.9 0.83 17 2.9 0.0 0.1 0.3 12 96 BOU-DD25-627 690.3 690.9 2.09 23 0.6 0.1 0.9 1.6 9 253 BOU-DD25-627 691.7 692.2 0.55 15 0.5 0.0 1.0 0.8 7 106 BOU-DD25-627 738.0 739.0 0.63 2 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 8 54 BOU-DD25-627 744.0 745.0 0.63 3 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 6 54 BOU-DD25-627 776.1 777.5 4.60 36 1.4 0.3 0.1 0.0 5 424 BOU-DD25-627 791.8 793.4 0.54 5 1.6 0.0 0.1 0.1 7 52 BOU-DD25-627 795.0 795.8 0.57 14 0.8 0.0 0.5 1.1 10 102 BOU-DD25-630 167.0 168.0 0.63 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 10 50 BOU-DD25-633 163.0 165.0 0.61 2 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 7 50 BOU-DD25-633 239.7 240.6 0.51 5 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 17 46 BOU-DD25-633 262.0 263.0 0.53 20 1.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 18 86 BOU-DD25-633 275.8 282.0 0.55 293 6.2 0.0 4.3 2.1 193 498 BOU-DD25-633 283.0 283.6 0.62 44 0.6 0.0 1.0 4.0 32 216 BOU-DD25-633 286.0 287.0 0.34 18 1.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 12 70 BOU-DD25-633 286.0 288.0 0.45 22 2.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 34 83 BOU-DD25-633 286.0 289.0 0.43 25 3.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 40 84 BOU-DD25-633 286.0 290.0 0.43 31 4.0 0.0 0.3 1.3 35 102 BOU-DD25-633 297.0 297.8 0.60 47 0.8 0.0 1.0 5.0 32 242 BOU-DD25-633 314.3 319.0 1.45 69 4.7 0.1 0.8 5.3 77 339 BOU-DD25-633 449.0 450.0 0.74 7 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 13 68 BOU-DD25-633 451.0 452.0 0.70 7 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 13 64 BOU-DD25-633 460.0 461.0 0.66 6 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 8 59 BOU-DD25-633 462.0 463.0 1.45 10 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 18 125 BOU-DD25-633 467.0 468.0 0.79 6 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 8 69 BOU-DD25-633 469.0 470.0 0.85 7 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 7 75 BOU-DD25-633 474.0 478.0 1.19 9 4.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 7 103 BOU-DD25-635 0.0 201.0 NSR BOU-DD25-637 0.0 515.4 NSR BOU-DD25-642 404.9 405.5 1.30 6 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 10 110 BOU-MP25-027 0.0 198.0 NSR BOU-MP25-029 111.0 112.0 0.48 16 1.0 0.1 0.1 2.2 23 116 BOU-MP25-032 0.0 159.0 NSR BOU-MP25-033 0.0 36.0 NSR BOU-MP25-045 0.0 103.0 NSR BOU-MP25-046 0.0 765.0 NSR BOU-MP25-047 0.0 537.0 NSR BOU-MP25-048 0.0 477.0 NSR BOU-MP25-049 0.0 200.0 NSR BOU-MP25-050 0.0 204.0 NSR BOU-MP25-051 0.0 252.0 NSR BOU-MP25-052 0.0 156.0 NSR BOU-MP25-053 2.0 252.0 NSR BOU-MP25-054 0.0 204.0 NSR BOU-MP25-055 0.0 66.0 NSR BOU-MP25-056 0.0 250.0 NSR BOU-MP25-057 0.0 250.0 NSR BOU-MP25-058 0.0 204.0 NSR BOU-MP25-059 0.0 108.0 NSR BOU-MP25-060 0.0 250.0 NSR BOU-MP25-061 0.0 156.0 NSR BOU-MP25-062 0.0 250.0 NSR BOU-MP25-063 0.0 108.0 NSR BOU-MP25-064 0.0 126.0 NSR BOU-MP25-065 0.0 160.0 NSR BOU-MP25-066 0.0 156.0 NSR BOU-MP25-070 0.0 102.0 NSR BOU-MP25-071 0.0 126.0 NSR BOU-MP25-072 268.8 269.3 0.03 76 0.5 0.1 10.9 5.2 2 477 BOU-MP25-073 0.0 36.0 NSR BOU-MP25-074 0.0 36.0 NSR BOU-MP25-075 0.0 12.0 NSR BOU-MP25-076 0.0 84.0 NSR BOU-MP25-077 0.0 102.0 NSR BOU-MP25-079 18.0 19.0 0.86 1 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 44 71 BOU-MP25-080 96.0 97.0 0.03 42 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2 46 BOU-MP25-081 83.0 90.0 0.60 257 7.0 0.1 4.1 4.0 8 506 BOU-MP25-081 99.0 100.0 0.11 36 1.0 0.0 0.5 2.0 5 106 BOU-MP25-081 140.0 141.0 0.80 11 1.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 17 80 BOU-MP25-081 145.0 151.0 0.73 57 6.0 0.1 1.0 1.7 89 188 BOU-MP25-081 183.0 185.0 1.73 240 2.0 0.0 3.2 5.1 1127 602 BOU-MP25-081 196.0 201.0 0.55 349 5.0 0.1 1.6 2.3 181 499 BOU-MP25-083 147.0 148.0 0.57 6 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 23 52 BOU-MP25-083 149.0 150.0 0.58 6 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 22 53 BOU-MP25-083 164.0 165.0 0.76 2 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3 63 BOU-MP25-083 720.0 722.0 0.01 0 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2 2 BOU-MP25-084 0.0 150.0 NSR BOU-MP25-085 0.0 120.0 NSR BOU-MP25-086 240.2 241.0 0.92 16 0.8 0.0 0.1 0.1 19 92 BOU-MP25-086 241.8 242.6 0.45 9 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 14 47 BOU-MP25-086 287.4 289.8 0.71 31 2.4 0.1 0.4 3.1 97 182 BOU-MP25-086 341.2 343.0 1.04 93 1.8 0.1 0.4 0.1 87 197 BOU-MP25-086 347.0 348.0 0.53 27 1.0 0.0 0.4 0.5 20 92 BOU-MP25-086 349.0 350.0 0.19 38 1.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 37 57 BOU-MP25-086 352.4 356.0 0.95 44 3.6 0.0 0.9 2.0 22 191 BOU-MP25-086 381.3 382.3 0.36 29 1.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 15 67 BOU-MP25-087 112.0 117.0 0.69 209 5.0 0.0 2.0 3.2 36 396 BOU-MP25-087 138.4 153.4 3.31 1,900 15.0 0.0 1.8 4.8 126 2,323 Including 142.0 150.7 5.37 3,208 8.7 0.0 2.8 6.3 167 3,858 BOU-MP25-087 160.0 164.8 1.18 311 4.8 0.0 4.0 4.4 282 614 BOU-MP25-087 256.8 257.3 0.68 45 0.5 0.0 0.4 2.0 19 160 BOU-MP25-087 268.4 268.9 4.63 142 0.5 0.0 0.4 2.5 39 576 BOU-MP25-087 276.2 276.7 0.18 45 0.5 0.0 1.1 3.1 6 163 BOU-MP25-088 304.0 306.0 1.10 28 2.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 172 126 BOU-MP25-088 368.4 369.0 0.29 66 0.6 0.0 0.2 0.1 12 99 BOU-MP25-088 414.3 416.3 0.86 49 2.0 0.1 0.1 0.5 14 141 BOU-MP25-088 539.5 543.5 1.24 57 4.0 0.1 0.5 3.6 15 261 BOU-MP25-088 547.3 548.3 1.09 23 1.0 0.0 0.2 1.2 12 145 BOU-MP25-088 584.6 588.1 1.16 32 3.5 0.1 0.5 0.1 4 148 BOU-MP25-088 598.6 599.6 0.63 26 1.0 0.2 0.9 2.5 33 173 BOU-MP25-088 603.2 604.1 0.59 6 0.9 0.0 0.1 0.1 6 55 BOU-MP25-088 634.0 635.0 0.46 16 1.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 3 55 BOU-MP25-090 0.0 36.0 NSR BOU-MP25-092 109.0 110.0 0.03 66 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 69 BOU-MP25-092 114.0 115.0 0.03 65 1.0 0.0 0.4 0.7 1 94 BOU-MP25-092 314.4 315.3 0.22 37 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 7 56 BOU-MP25-092 320.0 322.3 0.78 361 2.3 0.0 3.1 3.6 1094 610 BOU-MP25-092 326.2 327.6 1.01 98 1.4 0.0 1.0 1.9 107 252 BOU-MP25-093 9.0 10.0 0.68 1 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 6 57 BOU-MP25-093 434.9 435.8 0.84 28 0.9 0.0 0.3 0.1 97 107 BOU-MP25-093 444.0 445.0 1.12 43 1.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 128 137 BOU-MP25-093 463.1 464.0 0.24 40 0.9 0.3 0.1 0.4 15 95 BOU-MP25-093 519.9 520.4 1.11 47 0.5 0.1 1.2 6.8 256 341 BOU-MP25-094 258.0 259.0 0.87 2 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1 72 BOU-MP25-094 481.0 482.0 1.20 10 1.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 12 110 BOU-MP25-094 497.6 498.6 0.59 9 1.0 0.0 0.1 0.3 5 63 BOU-MP25-094 657.0 659.0 0.19 68 2.0 0.2 0.3 0.0 24 103 BOU-RC25-002 0.0 150.0 NSR BOU-RC25-003 0.0 200.0 NSR BOU-RC25-004 0.0 81.0 NSR BOU-RC25-005 0.0 100.0 NSR BOU-RC25-006 0.0 150.0 NSR BOU-RC25-007 0.0 200.0 NSR BOU-RC25-008 0.0 250.0 NSR BOU-RC25-009 0.0 200.0 NSR BOU-RC25-010 0.0 200.0 NSR BOU-RC25-011 0.0 204.0 NSR BOU-RC25-012 0.0 200.0 NSR BOU-RC25-013 0.0 200.0 NSR BOU-RC25-014 0.0 200.0 NSR BOU-RC25-015 0.0 200.0 NSR BOU-RC25-016 0.0 200.0 NSR BOU-RC25-017 0.0 200.0 NSR BOU-RC25-018 0.0 200.0 NSR BOU-RC25-019 0.0 200.0 NSR BOU-RC25-020 0.0 200.0 NSR BOU-RC25-021 0.0 200.0 NSR BOU-RC25-022 0.0 200.0 NSR BOU-RC25-023 101.0 102.0 0.03 78 1.0 0.1 0.9 1.2 3 136 BOU-RC25-026 50.0 56.0 37.03 334 6.0 0.2 1.0 2.8 90 3,336 Including 50.0 52.0 102.38 94 2.0 0.1 1.0 2.4 94 8,163 BOU-RC25-027 133.0 137.0 2.10 94 4.0 0.2 1.0 5.3 18 432 BOU-RC25-031 0.0 192.0 NSR BOU-RC25-032 0.0 200.0 NSR BOU-RC25-034 0.0 200.0 NSR BOU-RC25-035 0.0 150.0 NSR BOU-RC25-036 0.0 144.0 NSR BOU-RC25-037 0.0 200.0 NSR BOU-RC25-039 132.0 133.0 0.48 21 1.0 0.0 0.4 1.6 44 111 BOU-RC25-039 146.0 149.0 1.44 31 3.0 0.0 0.1 0.5 17 161 BOU-RC25-039 166.0 168.0 1.39 74 2.0 0.1 3.3 7.1 30 448 BOU-RC25-040 22.0 23.0 0.03 734 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 5 737 BOU-RC25-040 28.0 31.0 0.25 49 3.0 0.0 1.0 2.5 15 156 BOU-RC25-041 0.0 102.0 NSR BOU-RC25-042 0.0 132.0 NSR BOU-RC25-043 74.0 75.0 0.49 32 1.0 0.0 0.3 0.3 11 86 BOU-RC25-043 132.0 140.0 0.99 44 8.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 32 129 BOU-RC25-043 146.0 149.0 2.30 17 3.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 10 203 BOU-RC25-043 152.0 161.0 2.69 45 9.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 13 268 Including 154.0 159.0 4.44 67 5.0 0.2 0.1 0.1 14 432 BOU-RC25-044 42.0 43.0 0.03 297 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3 300 BOU-RC25-046 0.0 200.0 NSR

* True widths are undetermined; all values are uncut.

** All intersections are in core lengths. Ag equivalent is based on a silver price of US$24/oz with a process recovery of 89%, a gold price of US$2,200/oz with a process recovery of 85%, a zinc price of US$1.20/lb with a process recovery of 72%, a lead price of US$1.00/lb with a process recovery of 85%, and a copper price of US$4.00/lb with a process recovery of 75% resulting in the following ratios: 1g/t Au: 77.9 g/t Ag; 1% Cu: 85.4 g/t Ag; 1% Pb: 24.2 g/t Ag; and 1% Zn: 24.6 g/t Ag.

Appendix 2  New Drillhole Coordinates of 2025 Boumadine Exploration Program (completed holes)
TORONTO, ON --(Marketwired - September 16, 2016) - NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S. GPM Metals Inc. (" GPM " or the " Company ") (TSX VENTURE: GPM ) announces it has completed its previously announced distribution (the " Distribution ") to its... Read More
In one afternoon, Amani Bazzi went from being a doting mother-of-four to a widow grieving three young children.

An Israeli strike in south Lebanon killed them as the family was returning home after having lunch with her parents.

"Our whole life was our kids. We did everything together," said Bazzi from the Beirut hospital where her eldest daughter Aseel, 13, is being treated for devastating head-to-toe wounds.

"Why should they have been part of this horrific scene?" asked 33-year-old Bazzi. "Why did this happen to us?"

Despite the enormous challenges they face to rebuild their shattered lives, both she and Aseel said they were determined to fight for accountability.

"We will carry on until the end... to reach the international community" and global courts "to get justice for Chadi, Hadi, Cylan and Celine", Bazzi said.

Aseel, her voice soft but her gaze firm despite her injuries, said: "When I get out (of hospital) and stand on my feet, the first thing I want to do is get justice for them.

"They were wronged, they were innocent. This shouldn't have happened to them."

A ceasefire that came into effect on November 27, 2024 was supposed to end more than a year of hostilities including two months of all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah. The violence erupted when the militant group launched cross-border fire at Israel over the Gaza war.

However, despite the truce, Israel has kept up near daily strikes on Lebanon, usually saying it is targeting Hezbollah sites and operatives.

- Stroller, tiny shoes -

On September 21, Bazzi and her husband Chadi Charara, 46, who sold cars, were driving from her parents' house in Bint Jbeil, near the border with Israel.

With them were Aseel, their daughter Celine, 10, and twin toddlers Hadi and Cylan -- a boy and a girl.

They planned to visit her grandfather on their way home to the coastal city of Tyre, she said.

"We weren't afraid because we aren't part of a political party," Bazzi said. Besides, they had become used to the sound of Israeli aircraft overhead.

When the strike hit, they had stopped in the car to greet a passerby on a motorbike, a relative of her husband who was also killed.

Some 340 people have been killed and almost 1,000 wounded in Lebanon since the ceasefire, according to health ministry figures.

UN rights office spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan said on Tuesday that the office had verified at least 127 of the dead were civilians.

An AFP photographer saw the wreckage of the family vehicle, which Bazzi said contained items like the twins' stroller, tiny shoes they had just bought for Hadi, and food from her mother.

The Israeli military said in a statement that the raid killed a Hezbollah operative, without naming him.

It acknowledged that "as a result of the strike, several uninvolved civilians were killed", adding that it "regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals". It said the incident was under review.

- 'Mother in heaven' -

At the funeral, crowds of mourners gathered around Bazzi and her family's coffins, two of them tiny.

They were all draped in the colours of the Lebanese flag with its cedar tree -- unlike at funerals for Hezbollah members where coffins usually bear the group's yellow standard.

Bazzi was herself badly wounded in the strike, and attended the funeral on a stretcher, her hospital armband visible on her wrist.

Home videos show the bright-eyed twins, aged one year and seven months, laughing and playing together, or her daughter Celine singing.

Celine was like a second mother to the twins, Bazzi said.

"Now for sure she's their mother in heaven."

UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Morris Tidball-Binz, told AFP the attack that killed Bazzi's family "was a targeted killing of unarmed civilians".

He said it violated the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and international humanitarian law.

Tidball-Binz is an independent expert mandated by the UN Human Rights Council, but who does not speak on behalf of the United Nations.

He said in a statement that Israel was bound to international human rights law and international humanitarian law obligations, "the violation of which amounts in this case to arbitrary killings... and a war crime".

Bazzi said her family home in Tyre was destroyed last year when an Israeli raid on a nearby building sparked a blaze.

"First we lost our home... then we lost our whole family," she said, wearing a jumper reading "Wish you were here" and a badge showing her husband and slain children.
Myanmar's junta on Wednesday dropped the sentences of more than 3,000 people convicted under legislation monitors say was wielded to crush post-coup dissent, encouraging them to vote in upcoming polls.

Myanmar's military seized power in a 2021 coup that sparked a civil war, but it has scheduled elections to start in December and trumpeted them as a return to normalcy for the Southeast Asian nation.

With democratic figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi jailed and her party dissolved, numerous rights monitors and a UN expert have slammed the vote as a ploy to rebrand continuing military rule.

The junta said in statements it had amnestied or dropped the sentences of 3,085 convicted under a post-coup amendment punishing comments that "cause fear" or spread "false news" with three years in prison.

Nearly 5,600 pending cases have also been shut, the junta's National Defence and Security Council said.

Media freedom monitors say the clause was key to crushing Myanmar's vibrant press, which flourished during the country's decade-long democratic thaw. This ended with the toppling of its civilian government.

But the junta said the sentences were dropped "to ensure that all eligible voters do not lose their right to vote in the upcoming multi-party democratic general election".

Myanmar's elections are due to begin on December 28 and are expected to run through late January.

The poll run-up has seen the military wage bloody new offensives against rebel groups and introduce stark new laws punishing protest or criticism of the poll with up to a decade behind bars.

While the military has touted the vote as an opportunity for nationwide reconciliation, the kaleidoscope of rebel groups which control huge tracts of Myanmar are set to block it from their territories.

The UN's Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) warned Wednesday it was increasingly receiving reports of "serious international crimes committed in Myanmar in the run-up to the elections".

Detention of election critics and air strikes to claw back territory ahead of the vote may amount to crimes against humanity, IIMM head Nicholas Koumjian said in a statement.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

HARARE - First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa has joined the Mwazha family in honouring the late Archbishop Paul Mwazha, whose remarkable life of faith, service and unity touched millions and strengthened Zimbabwe's spiritual heritage across generations.Mnangagwa revealed her participation in the memorial through her official X account, noting that Mwazha's passing at the age of 107 marked the end of a divinely guided journey defined by resilience, compassion and unwavering dedication to uplifting communities. She said his example continues to inspire believers to walk in love, peace, humility and purposeful service."As we mourn, we also celebrate his extraordinary legacy, which strengthened families, promoted harmony, and deepened spiritual fellowship, leaving our nation enriched through his teachings that nurtured faith, discipline, and unity among us," Mnangagwa said.She added that Mwazha's enduring example should continue guiding Zimbabweans toward peace, compassion and steadfast devotion, while his family and church uphold the values he lived, taught and lovingly shared.Archbishop Mwazha, revered as a spiritual leader and founder of the African Apostolic Church, was widely respected for his role in promoting unity and discipline within the Christian community. His memorial has drawn tributes from across the country, reflecting his influence on both religious and national life.






Wednesday, November 26, 2025 - Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has protested the withdrawal of his stateissued security, describing the move as politically motivated and aimed at silencing his criticism of the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Speaking to local media house, Natembeya said the Government recalled all his bodyguards, driver, and official vehicle without prior explanation.

They took every security detail - my guards, my driver, even the vehicle. It is okay, but lets be honest, this is intimidation, he stated.

The Governor accused the State of abandoning its duty to protect leaders regardless of political alignment, insisting that attempts to frustrate him will not deter his advocacy for citizens.

He linked the withdrawal to his recent community empowerment initiatives, including efforts to provide water and food to vulnerable residents.

We have never worked to please the government - we work for the people, he said.

Natembeya further alleged attempts to block him from travelling to Malava ahead of the by-election and other regions where he plans public engagements, terming the developments as part of a wider scheme to restrict his movements.

Despite the challenges, he vowed to continue with his activities.

It is my constitutional right to move freely and speak to my people. Tomorrow morning, I will be in Malava,

We have never worked to please the government - we work for the people," he said.

"My safety now lies with the people of Western and with Kenyans. They will stand with me." he affirmed.

His remarks come days after unidentified individuals disrupted a rally in Kabuchai constituency, firing gunshots and damaging vehicles.

Natembeya described the incident as evidence of rising political intolerance.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, November 26, 2025 - Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has openly challenged President William Ruto following the withdrawal of his security detail.

Speaking on Wednesday, November 26th, Khalwale questioned whether the President was aware of the security changes affecting him and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.

He claimed six police officers assigned to his office had been withdrawn without explanation.

Mr. President, are you aware that the security of George Natembeya has been withdrawn?

Are you aware that the security of Dr. Boni Khalwale has been withdrawn?

You gave me six police officers, where are they? What are you planning to do? he asked.

Khalwale urged restraint as the by-election approaches, stressing that there must be winners and losers.

Elections are always won and lost. There must be a winner and a loser. Let us win gracefully, but when you lose, dont resort to desperate measures, he said.

Khalwale further alleged that youth had been ferried into Kakamega from Nairobi by a former Minister, raising fears of possible chaos.

Your Excellency, are you aware that a former Minister has been afforded youth from Nairobi?

I do not know what they want to do in Kakamega, he posed.

Calling on the President to safeguard national security, Khalwale warned against intimidation.

Tone down, let voting proceed freely. We are not violent people. If violence occurs, it will be because we refuse to be intimidated, he declared.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, November 26, 2025 - George Wanga, husband to Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, has been named the incoming Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Literature Bureau (KLB).

The announcement followed his meeting with Education Principal Secretary, Julius Bitok, on Wednesday, November 26th.

During the meeting, Bitok underscored the Governments expectations for the bureau, noting its central role in supporting education reforms.

He said KLB had reaffirmed its mandate to provide high-quality learning materials aligned with curriculum requirements.

Held discussions with Mr. George Wanga, the incoming CEO of KLB, at my office today.

KLB reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its mandate of providing high-quality learning materials that support curriculum requirements and ongoing education reforms, Bitok stated.

The PS emphasized that the Government remains focused on enhancing competency-based learning and ensuring equitable access to educational resources.

He praised KLBs contribution to national priorities, adding: Our focus remains on ensuring every learner has access to relevant, affordable, and high-quality educational resources.

Wangas appointment comes amid a series of high-profile Government postings. Last week, President William Ruto appointed Michael Thoyah Kingi, brother to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and former Magarini MP, to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

Kingi will serve a six-year term, a role he described as an opportunity to serve the country with gratitude to God, the President and Parliament.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Laman Ismayilova



Joint projects are planned between the opera institutions of Azerbaijan and Turkiye, Azernews reports.

Cooperation issues were discussed between the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theaters and the Turkish State Opera and Ballet Theater.

Director of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater Yusif Eyvazov and Director-General of the Turkish State Opera and Ballet Tan Sa?turk reached agreements on joint projects.

The sides touched upon the preparation of reciprocal tour programs, the exchange of soloists and creative teams, as well as the organization of master classes by specialists in both theaters.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

HARARE - Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Torerayi Moyo has assured that all donations directed to government schools must comply with established policy frameworks, stressing that no individual or entity is above the regulations.Moyo was responding to questions raised by former Citizens Coalition for Change legislator Fadzayi Mahere on X, where she queried the Ministry's stance on politically-linked donations."I affirm that all donations to government schools must comply with established policy frameworks, and no individual or entity regardless of political affiliation is above these regulations," Moyo said.He clarified that while the Ministry does not explicitly prohibit donations from politically-exposed persons (PEPs), all contributions must be transparent, non-partisan, and in line with governance and accountability standards. Schools are expected to follow due process and seek prior approval before accepting significant donations.Moyo explained that the Ministry's policy framework outlines community and stakeholder engagement, emphasizing that donations must support equitable access to quality education and must not compromise the neutrality of institutions. He added that national procurement and public finance regulations guide the Ministry to ensure transparency, accountability, and non-discrimination.Addressing concerns over donations linked to businessman Wicknell Chivayo, Moyo said the Ministry does not base decisions on political affiliations. Chivayo was approached because he is a former student, and his donation was subject to the same scrutiny as any other."Any donation whether from Chivayo or any other individual is subject to the same scrutiny and must align with the Ministry's educational objectives and ethical standards. The perception of favoritism is regrettable and not reflective of our policy intent," he said.Moyo dismissed claims of selective or partisan policy, insisting that the Ministry's regulations are designed to serve all learners equally, regardless of political background. He confirmed that donations from opposition-aligned individuals would also be accepted, provided they adhere to guidelines and do not politicize the educational environment."Our doors are open to all well-meaning Zimbabweans and stakeholders who wish to contribute to the development of our schools in good faith," Moyo said.He added that the Ministry is reviewing donation-related processes to strengthen transparency and public trust, welcoming constructive engagement from citizens to ensure education remains a beacon of integrity and inclusivity.






Wednesday, November 26, 2025 - A Kenyan tiktoker has sparked a lively debate online after advising women to seek potential partners at Milimani Law Courts and other highend courts where divorce cases are handled.





In a TikTok video, Josh Mtetezi encouraged women to take advantage of the daily divorce proceedings, claiming that many of the men involved are financially stable and open to new relationships.





Ladies, if time utakuwa free, Watu wanadivorce daily uko Milimani Law Courts, enda make connections. Kuna wanaume wazuri uko.





Na matajiri ndo wanadivorce. Maskini hawadivorce, ata hawana papers. Hawa matajiri wanadivorce na wanatafuta bibi apo, he said.





Loosely translated: Ladies, if you ever have free time, people are divorcing daily at Milimani Law Courts. Go and make connections.





There are good men there. And its the wealthy who divorce. Poor men dont divorce; they dont even have the paperwork.





These rich men are divorcing and looking for wives right there.





Mtetezi urged women to show confidence and carry themselves professionally, stressing that appearance and presentation matter.





He advised creating simple business cards to hand out while at the courts.





Tengeneza business cards, ingia court kama witness, peana cards, usirudi home na business cards, peana. Andika kwa business card wewe ni CEO wa cosmetic, market yourself well.





Vaa vizuri, ni kama wewe ndo lawyer, he added.





He argued that presenting oneself as businessminded creates an image of success and independence, qualities he believes attract serious partners.





Mwezi ukiisha utapata Wanjigi wako na maisha iendelee. Anza kutembea.





The video has since gone viral, igniting conversations about love, money and unconventional matchmaking strategies.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, November 26, 2025 - Kenyan tiktoker and beauty entrepreneur, Gloria Ntazola, has warned her fans about the dangers of cosmetic surgery, warning that such procedures can be life-threatening.

Taking to her Instagram stories, she admitted to undergoing surgery for personal reasons and stressed that her choice should not be blindly copied.

Disclaimer!! These surgeries are very dangerous, u can end up losing your life in the process.

Whatever you decide to do, thats on you, not me.

Nobody put a gun on your head I did this for me, she wrote.

She went on to disclose that she spent over Ksh 900,000 on surgery to enhance her beauty during a recent trip to Nigeria, breaking down the costs for her followers.

Ill share with yall everything you need to know. Its affordable. Flight ticket visa 285k.

The hotel where I stayed 4 days before surgery was paying 47k a night, thats in Banana Island, its a bit expensive!!

Surgery itself is 900k. Staying at the hospital for 16 days, after care, you pay 13k per night.

Other utilities, shopping and buying stuff and extra expenditures were over 600k because Im a spendthrift, she explained.

Ntazola clarified that her extended hospital stay was optional, chosen for massages and post-surgery care.

Its not a must to stay at the clinic for that long; you can leave once you feel like youre good on your own. I stayed long because of the draining and the massages.

You can get a B&B but nobody will come there to look after you!! she noted.

She further advised fans to plan carefully, highlighting hidden costs like garments and fillers.

Please do your maths right and plan yourself; its something you can do, she added.

Her warning comes at a time when several Kenyan celebrities are increasingly turning to cosmetic surgery to enhance their appearances.

Despite the risks, the trend reflects a growing desire to meet beauty standards shaped by social media and global pop culture.





The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, November 26, 2025 - Former Nairobi Governor, Mike Sonko, has made damning allegations against controversial preacher, Pastor James Maina Nganga, leaving netizens in shock.

In a fiery online response to a viral video in which Pastor Nganga accused Sonko of harassing his son-in-law for beating up his daughter, Sonko hit back, alleging that the pastor subjected his late first wife to domestic abuse.

Sonko further claimed that the alleged violence occurred while she was pregnant and suggested that this may have contributed to her death.

Spirits of your late wife, Lucy, are haunting you. You beat her up while she was pregnant, and she died as a result of injuries, he said.

Sonko further accused the pastor of supporting gender-based violence, telling him: You should be ashamed of yourself, Pastor Nganga. You beat up your wife, and thats why you are supporting GBV.

Pastor Ngangas first wife passed away more than a decade ago, and details surrounding her death have long remained unclear.

Watch the video below

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, November 26, 2025 - Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu has shared a heartfelt tribute to the late Beryl Achieng Odinga, sister to late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Beryl passed away on Tuesday, November 25th, 2025, at Nairobi West Hospital, just a month after Railas burial, plunging the Odinga family into fresh mourning.

Nyamu expressed her shock and sadness in an Instagram post, recalling the bond she shared with Beryl.

She revealed that Beryl had a soft spot for her during their time working together and often worried about her public image and online battles.

Lately, she had been very concerned about how I handle social media trolls.

But little did she know, the trolls had made me, Nyamu wrote, noting that while the advice came from care, the digital conflicts had shaped her resilience.

Their friendship was rooted in professional collaboration at the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, where Beryl served as Chair.

She also shared a photo of the two of them seated outdoors, smiling and relaxed, a candid reminder of their closeness.

Nyamu added that she suspected something was wrong when Beryl failed to attend Railas funeral.

When she didnt attend Babas funeral, I knew something was wrong, she said.

Nyamu concluded her tribute with a simple farewell: Rest in peace, Osiep Chunya.

Beryl, the daughter of the late Hon. Jaramogi Odinga and Mama Mary Ajuma Oginga, was remembered for her quiet strength and leadership.





The Kenyan DAILY POST
1 of 1

House Rent Allowance 2025: Know How to Maximise Your HRA Exemption Under Income Tax Rules

khaskhabar.com: , 26  2025 5:15 PM
News / National

by Staff Reporter

HARARE - President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reaffirmed Government's commitment to inclusive development after handing over vehicles and wheelchairs to five young Zimbabweans with disabilities during a ceremony at State House on Thursday.The beneficiaries, drawn from diverse sectors including music, entrepreneurship and community development, received Mahindra vehicles designed to enhance their independence and strengthen their ability to support others living with disabilities. Each recipient will also distribute 10 wheelchairs within their communities.Those honoured included musicians Chipo Muchegwa and Tongai "Greatman" Gwaze, entrepreneur and Zimbabwe Youth Council board member Hazel Mandaza, Bulawayo-based beautician Michelle Madawu, and Tendai Mazuru, founder of the Tendai Mazuru Foundation which supports persons with disabilities and their families.President Mnangagwa said the initiative reflects the Second Republic's vision of ensuring that no citizen is left behind."Government is open to everyone who wants assistance and we continue to help those in need. Everyone who needs help, as government, we are there to help, leaving no one behind. We want everyone to come on board as it is government's prerogative to help those in need," Mnangagwa said.The donation forms part of ongoing Government efforts to promote social inclusion and empower young Zimbabweans who are working to transform their communities.
Day one of Punchestown Racecourses meeting over the weekend showcased the accuracy of the betting markets that day as six of the afternoons eight races were won by favourites. Trainer Gordon Elliott celebrated a quartet of winners, while Willie Mullins had a double, which included the Grade One Morgiana Hurdle.

Read on for a full report of the Punchestown card, courtesy of Boyle Sports, who provide all the latest Leopardstown betting.

Market leaders were off to a good start in the first, a three-year-olds maiden hurdle (11.30). Jessica Harringtons Quinta Do Lago justified his top price of 6/5 under Donagh Meyler, having led the field most of the way round the two-mile trip, and rallied in the face of a challenge from Ole Ole in the closing stages to win by a length.

Favourites remained in business in the next, a two and a half mile maiden hurdle (12.00). Here, Gordon Elliotts Santo Sospir brought in the first leg of the trainers quadruple, priced 11/8, having been prominent throughout and, despite being challenged by Barley Lane on the run-in, kept on well enough to win by a length under Jack Kennedy.

The market predicted the winner of race three, a beginners chase (12.32), correctly too, as Willie Mullins Kitzbuhel made a very good chasing debut under Paul Townend to win by over a length at 8/15. Behind him was stablemate Kaid dAuthie, who outran his odds of 7/1 ridden by Simon Torrens. Gordon Elliotts The Enabler was third at 14/1.

Success again followed for the favourite in race four, the Grade Two Florida Pearl Novice Chase (1.05). Connor Kings charge Oscars Brother was the main fancy at 7/4 and he jumped well to remain prominent all the way through the race, eventually crossing the line three lengths ahead of runner-up Koktail Divin.

The result of the fifth race, a two and a quarter mile handicap chase (1.40) was something of a surprise. Gordon Elliotts 12/1 shot Dee Capo had raced in the midfield throughout but, when asked for effort by Jack Kennedy, he went clear after the final fence and finished over four lengths ahead of Willie Mullins High Class Hero.

Next was the Grade One Morgiana Hurdle (2.10). With Willie Mullins top-class mare Lossiemouth heading the betting at 1/5, it was never in doubt that she would win when the flag went down. With only three rivals to contend with, the shortest priced of which was stablemate Irancy at 5/1, the mare made all under Paul Townend to win in emphatic style by 19 lengths. It was 28/1 outsider Glen Kiln who was the runner-up, however.

In the penultimate race, a two and a half mile handicap hurdle (2.45), Gordon Elliott brought in another winner for the afternoon, courtesy of Son Of Anarchy. The JP McManus-owned gelding was the owners second string, with Sticwiththeprocess being the focal horse at 5/2F, but the eventual winner went clear after the last hurdle to win readily under Jack Kennedy, with Mullins Rakki in second, chased by the favourite in third.

The final race of the day was a bumper (3.20). Gordon Elliott saw his fourth and final win of the day here, as Ballyfad - the 10/11 market leader - won under a seven-pound claiming rider by half a length. Next was Rojuco Mac, with 33/1 shot Tountinna outrunning her odds back in third.

Punchestown results - Saturday:

Results via Racing TV, who provide all the latest free bet offers.

11.30 - Quinta Do Lago (6/5F)

12.00 - Santo Sospir (11/8F)

12.32 - Kitzbuhel (8/15F)

1.05 - Oscars Brother (7/4F)

1.40 - Dee Capo (12/1)

2.10 - Lossiemouth (1/5F)

2.45 - Son Of Anarchy (7/1)

3.20 - Ballyfad (10/11F)
ATHY Library is excited to welcome renowned musician and author Stephen Travers for the launch of his powerful new book, The Bass Player, on Tuesday, December 2 at 6.30pm.

Travers, whose family hails locally from Moone, Co Kildare, returns to the region with one of the most important and unforgettable stories in modern Irish cultural history.

The Bass Player charts Stephens life and the events surrounding the Miami Showband Massacre, one of the darkest moments of the Troubles.

On the night of July 31, 1975, members of the Miami Showband were ambushed by a fake military checkpoint in County Down. Three band members were murdered, and Stephen himself was critically injured.

The attack sent shockwaves across the island: a moment when the world of Irish popular music collided brutally with the political conflict, forever altering the landscape of Irish culture, live performance, and public life.

Next Tuesdays event will offer attendees the opportunity to hear Stephen speak about the book, his journey, and the ongoing quest for truth and reconciliation. Copies of The Bass Player will be available to purchase and personally signed on the night.

Also during the evening, there will be live music from Mikayla Farrell of MOA (Made of Athy), one of the areas most talented emerging artists.
As a result of two operations at Dublin Airport last week, Revenue Officers made a seizures of drugs with an estimated value of approximately 2,307,000.

On November 20, as a result of routine profiling, Revenue Officers searched a package and discovered 0.8kgs of Crystal Methamphetamine.

READ NEXT: An Post announces important Christmas postal dates for 2025

The drugs, valued at approximately 48,000, were concealed within boxes of soup and labelled as Food. They had been consigned from Spain and were destined for an address in Dublin.

On November 23 a seizure of 112.95kgs of herbal cannabis was made following an indication from Revenue drug detector dog Maggie. The cannabis was wrapped in vacuum packed packages and was concealed in metal boxes labelled as Electric Box.

The cannabis, valued at approximately 2,259,000 originated in Thailand and was destined for an address in Northern Ireland.

READ NEXT: RIP: Funeral details announced for two men who died in horror collision on Monday

Investigations are ongoing.

This seizure is part of Revenue's ongoing operations targeting organised crime groups and the importation, sale and supply of illegal drugs. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.
Kilkenny has lost a great friend, with the death of Rev Ian Coulter.



Originally an Offaly man, Ian not only made Kilkenny his home but embraced the county and all its communities with his enthusiastic and warm friendship and support.



The news of Ians sudden passing, last Saturday, was greeted with shock and a deep sadness. He was a man that was generous with his time and interest and a deep sense of social justice, which saw him involved in many groups and organisations across the county. The many friends he made there was seen in the outpouring of grief at his loss.



Ian was also an ordained canon of St Canices Cathedral, most recently with the title of Canon Treasurer, as well as priest-in-charge of the Templemore Union of Parishes in the Diocese of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory.



Married to Daphne, Ian was a devoted husband and father to Rian, Ailbhe and the late Eavan. He was incredibly proud of his family - bringing Rian to Kilkenny Rotary Club as a speaker and, last summer, combining his role as father and canon as he both gave away and officiated at the wedding of his daughter Ailbhe to her husband Ross.



In his working life and in his community activities, Ian gave himself wholeheartedly. Among the many words of condolence to his family were messages from those who had worked with him in the Credit Union, the Citizens Advice Board and National Rehabilitation Board (NRB). Ian first came to Kilkenny in 1979 to work with the NRB.

He was involved in the Citizens Information Board, from which he retired in 2019. In 1985, he joined the Board of Kilkenny Arts Week, which he went on to chair in 1992 and in 1997. Ian was involved with St Canices Credit Union for more than 30 years.



In 2000 Ian was ordained as a priest in the Church of Ireland. A conscientious priest and caring pastor, he was loved by the parishioners in the various parishes in the Diocese in which he served for over 26 years as a non-stipendiary minister, the Diocese of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory paid tribute.



Dean of St Canices Cathedral, the Very Rev. Stephen Farrell added: He was a devoted Chapter member who had deep affection for the cathedral and a gra for its music and its place in the life of the city.

As a friend he was a listening ear, full of great stories and deeply insightful. You could have total trust in his wisdom and his discretion.



Ian was a former president of the Rotary Club of Kilkenny and the heartbeat of the clubs annual Christmas Eve Remembrance Service. Current club president, Sian Moloughney said Ian was a dedicated Rotarian who was always so full of life, cheerful, supportive and great company at all Rotary events. The club organised a Guard of Honour at his funeral service.



The Board, Director and whole team at Butler Gallery added to the tributes that Ian was the best of men - kind, helpful and enthusiastic with such a positive spirit and a zest for life.



Noel Sherry, CEO of the Good Shepherd Centre, paid tribute to the centres former chairperson. Ian gave so much of himself to the people of Kilkenny. His dedication to helping those experiencing homelessness was unwavering. We were privileged to have him as a colleague, a leader and a friend.



Ian was also a founding director of Tar Isteach Housing, formerly known as the Kilkenny Voluntary Housing Association. His vision and determination helped shape vital housing supports, leaving a legacy that continues to provide safety and dignity to those in need.



Ian will be missed by his family, son-in-law Ross, brother Derek and his wife Elizabeth, nieces Lisa and Grace and their husbands Barry and David, his extended family and a wide circle of friends.

Funeral takes place today (Wednesday, November 26) in St Canices Cathedral at 2pm, followed by interment in St Kierans Cemetery.
VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 26, 2025 /CNW/ - On September 3, 2025, CBSA Border Services Officers in Metro Vancouver Commercial Operations seized 78 bricks of cocaine, weighing 204.5 kg, from a marine shipment from Panama.

CBSA Border Services Officers seize 204.5 kg of cocaine from a marine shipment from Panama. (CNW Group/Canada Border Services Agency)

With the support of CBSA's Detector Dog Team, Borders Services Officers found the drugs covered in a white paste and concealed within containers of red liquid, declared as paint pigment.

The drugs were transferred to the RCMP Federal Policing  Pacific Region, Drugs and Organized Crime for further investigation.

Quotes

"The CBSA and RCMP are doing critical work protecting our borders and disrupting criminal networks. This seizure demonstrates the lengths criminals will go to try to sell illegal drugs in our country. It also shows the skill and dedication of the CBSA and RCMP in stopping them."

- The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety

"This seizure demonstrates the critical role our border officers play in the fight against organized crime. Their expertise and the strength of our partnership with the RCMP is crucial in preventing illegal drugs from reaching our communities."

- Nina Patel, Regional Director General, Canada Border Services Agency, Pacific Region

"This significant seizure demonstrates the strength of our partnership with the CBSA. Their vigilance at the border, combined with our investigative capabilities, creates a powerful deterrent against transnational drug trafficking."

- Stephen Lee, Acting Regional Commander, RCMP Federal Policing, Pacific Region

Quick facts
The past week has been a difficult and sad time for the ONeill family, Maryville with the funerals of two brothers Michael and Teddy taking place just three days apart.

On Friday, a funeral service was held for Michael in London. Then, on Monday, the family gathered in mourning again this time for the funeral of Teddy who was the elder of the two.

Teddy ONeill, late of Bowdens Court and formerly of Maryville, and London, died at Saint Jamess Hospital, Dublin.

READ NEXT: Kilkenny property sells for more than 600k over its original asking price

His life of over seven decades was similar to many of his generation as, after a short stint in Deerpark, he emigrated to England in search of work.

He never forgot his roots in Maryville and was a regular visitor to his birthplace. He was so happy to return home and worked in Comer International Textile Mills for several years before settling down in Bowdens Court.

A trojan worker, he worked day and night; on a regular basis he served bricklayers and plasterers after the night shift in the mills.

READ NEXT: Woman has birthday she'll never forget at garda station in Kilkenny

Pleasant and affable, he enjoyed the simple things of life - a game of darts or pool and following Kilkenny in the hurling.

Teddy was so content when out and about on his mobile four wheeled rollator, meeting and greeting.

He was so kind and helpful to his neighbours in Bowdens Court. Of late he did not enjoy the best of health, but he always kept the best side out in his own cheerful manner.

READ NEXT: "A bloody deathtrap" - Fears over Kilkenny people accessing bus stop

Burial was in the Parish Cemetery after Requiem Mass which was celebrated in the Church of the Immaculate Conception by Fr Ian Doyle, Associate Priest, Castlecomer.

Predeceased by his parents Michael (Sonny) and Kathleen ONeill, brother Michael, son Edward and daughter Margaret. Teddy is survived by his daughters Amanda and Elizabeth (London) and their partners Christopher and Jonathan; grandchildren Hannah, Ryan, Daniel, Luke and Casey; great-grandchildren; brothers Liam and Sean; sister-in-law Eileen and nieces Danielle, Debbie and Donna; extended family, cousins and a wide circle of friends.

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On 16 November 2025, at the Seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, the presidents of the C5, the Central Asia republics of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, announced the Republic of Azerbaijan would join the group, now christened the C6.

In October 2023, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan attended the Fifth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and noted, Azerbaijan is a reliable transit country along the route to the markets of Turkiye and Europe. Not least significant is the transit in the opposite direction. Our brothers in Central Asia know that Azerbaijans entire transportation and logistics infrastructure is available to them.

Central Asias GDP is USD570-580 billion and Azerbaijan will add USD79 billion, and it will be the third largest economy in the group, behind Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The C5 population is about 84 million, and Azerbaijan will add over 10 million.

What are the advantages of Azerbaijan joining the C5?

Strategic connectivity: Azerbaijan sits on the Caspian Sea and is a key hub in the Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route). Its inclusion would give Central Asia direct access to European and Turkish markets without relying on Russia or Iran.

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In March 2025, Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed to a peace treaty so tensions and geopolitical risk will decline, though Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) connecting mainland Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, may attract retaliation from Iran in a conflict.

Energy & infrastructure synergies: Azerbaijans oil, gas, and pipeline networks (e.g., BakuTbilisiCeyhan pipeline (oil) and the South Caucasus Pipeline (natural gas) complement Central Asias energy exports, creating stronger bargaining power in global energy markets.

Turkmenistan, with the fifth-largest natural gas reserves in the world, will be able to expand natural gas shipments to Europe and Turkiye, reducing its reliance on sales to China.

Geopolitical Balance: Azerbaijan maintains equidistance between Russia, the West, and China. Now that the Karabakh conflict is resolved and its territorial integrity is restored, Bakus participation in the C6 could help Central Asia diversify partnerships and reduce overdependence on any single external power.

The C5 have healthy relations with China and in the first half of 2025 received USD25 billion in loans and investments from Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). They are also interested in transit corridors through Afghanistan and Pakistan and Iran to avoid over-reliance one export route.

Related: Indonesia Invites Firms to Explore 108 Untapped Oil and Gas Basins

Russia is still a top trade partner, though it has been displaced by China. Vladimir Norov, the former foreign minister of Uzbekistan, observes Central Asias relations with Russia have continued to evolve since independence in 1991 and today Russia is no longer the big brother but one of several major partners. And Uzbekistan is investing in Afghanistan and is supplying electricity and building transmission lines.

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In November 2025, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan joined a 6-nation rail-transit agreement that will shift a larger share of the 60 million tons of annual ChinaEurope rail freight through Iran.

Turkic solidarity: Azerbaijan is active in the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). Joining the C5 would deepen cultural and linguistic ties, reinforcing a Turkic identity across Eurasia, though the C6 states will want to minimize interference by the big brother in Ankara.

Diplomatic elevation: Expanding to a C6 would give the bloc more weight in negotiations with external powers (e.g., United States (US), Europe, Russia, China), making it a more resilient regional structure. The group will have to decide how it should organize its affairs, perhaps as an Association of Central Asian States as proposed by Ambassador (Ret.) Richard E. Hoagland.

What are the disadvantages and challenges of inviting Azerbaijan to the group?

Identity dilution: The C5 is defined as the five Central Asian republics. Azerbaijan is geographically in the South Caucasus which is commonly regarded as part of Europe, and is currently part of the European Neighborhood Policy, the Eastern Partnership and the Council of Europe, so Bakus inclusion could blur the groups identity and complicate its branding. One solution is for the C6 to rebrand as a bloc of Eurasian republics.

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But recently Azerbaijan has looked to the East, and Eastern-oriented groups  the OTS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Economic Cooperation Organization - as well as strategic partnerships with China and Vietnam.

Balancing external powers: Azerbaijans close ties with Turkiye and its role in Western-backed corridors may create friction with Central Asian states wanting to avoid appearing aligned against Russia or China, especially as the Middle Corridor is usually promoted as avoiding Russia, not because it is more economical than the Northern Corridor through Russia (it isnt) The Central Asian states have been part of someone elses empire since the first Russian explorers appeared in the early 1700s and place a priority on non-alignment and friendly relations with all, though all includes Iran, Afghanistan, and Russia, Washingtons favorite sanctions targets. And the Azeris, who were also colonized by Tsarist Russia, are justifiably proud for founding the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (1918-1920), the first secular, democratic republic in the Muslim world, and are keen to avoid the embrace of the big powers.

Azerbaijan may have allowed Israeli aircraft to use its airspace to attack Iran in June 2025. Israel supplies Azerbaijan with advanced drones, loitering munitions, and missile system, and the countries cooperate on intelligence and security matters. The C5 have diplomatic relations with Israel and Iran and wont want to be drawn into a conflict if Bakus close relations with Tel Aviv may cause retaliation from Iran in a conflict, distracting from Central Asias own agenda.

Institutional complexity: Adding Azerbaijan could slow decision-making, as the bloc would need to reconcile different priorities (e.g., Azerbaijans focus on the South Caucasus vs. Central Asias internal integration.)

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Potential internal rivalries: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan already compete for leadership in Central Asia. Azerbaijans entry might introduce another ambitious player, complicating regional leadership dynamics.

Possible ways a C6 might evolve are:

A transport corridor alliance focused on infrastructure, logistics, and trade routes. Azerbaijan will be the western anchor of the Middle Corridor, linking Central Asia to Turkiye and Europe. Benefits include streamlined Caspian Sea transport agreements; coordinated investment in rail, ports, and pipelines; and reduced reliance on Russian transit routes. Risks include competition with alternative corridors (e.g., via Iran or Russia); heavy capital investment that depends on and political stability.

As Chinas BRI is a major funder of infrastructure, the republics may have to avoid antagonizing Beijing should the faraway US or Europe promote a project the isolate China or sharply reduce its role in the region.

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A Turkic cultural and political bloc focused on shared identity and soft power as the C6 aligns more closely with the Organization of Turkic States, emphasizing language, culture, and diplomatic solidarity. The bloc would have a stronger collective voice in global forums; easier coordination on education, media, and cultural exchange; and reinforced ties with Turkiye as the blocs patron. However, this may alienate Tajikistan (ally of Iran, Persian-speaking, non-Turkic), and may be perceived by Russia and China as a bloc leaning toward Ankara and the West.

A geopolitical counterweight focused on security and strategic autonomy, as the C6 positions itself as a neutral but cohesive bloc balancing Russia, China, Europe, and the US. The group will enjoy greater bargaining power in energy and security deals; collective resilience against external pressure; and the ability to mediate between Eurasian powers. However, it will be difficult to maintain neutrality if members foreign policies diverge, and if Azerbaijans relations with Israel, and vulnerabilities of the TRIPP, drag the bloc into unwanted disputes.

The republics would best focus on the economic benefits of more and more resilient transit corridors. Then, their economies reinforced, they will be better able to build more security and strategic autonomy.

By James Durso for Oilprice.com

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COLUMBIA  Boone County residents can anticipate an increase in taxes if a charter school is established in the county.

In October, the Missouri Charter Public School Commission greenlit Job Point's initial proposal to establish a charter school in Boone County, allowing the Columbia-based organization to move forward in creating a full application. Kansas City-based Frontier Schools is also looking to establish a charter school in Boone County, the Missouri Charter Public School Association announced Monday.

Job Point, a Columbia employment center, is working on completing its application for the Missouri Charter Public School Commission by January 2026, Job Point President and CEO John Scalise said in mid-October.

If this application is approved, Job Point will open its charter school for the 2027-28 school year.

Previously, Scalise said he thought Job Point would have until January 2027 to complete the application in order to open the school for the 2027-28 school year. Now, Scalise said that if the application is not completed by Jan. 31, 2026, the charter school would not be able to open by Job Point's target opening date.

Without shifting to operating a charter school, Job Point's operations won't be able to continue due to lack of funding. In 2028, Job Point will lose its federal grant through the Department of Labor. Job Point isn't sure what the cost will look like for opening its charter school, specifically the cost per student.

The average cost per student in Columbia Public Schools for the 2023-24 school year was $14,507 with nearly 19,000 students. The school district expects an increase in costs per student if Job Point's charter school application is approved.

RELATED: Job Point receives initial approval to create charter school in Columbia The Missouri Charter School Commission approved Job Point's proposal for a Columbia charter school in October.

Cost per student

Districts in Kansas City and St. Louis with charter schools cost, on average, $3,000 more per student.

In Kansas City, these effects have played out in Kansas City Public Schools. The DeLaSalle Education Center in Kansas City is a part of Kansas City Public Schools and operates similarly to the proposed Job Point model.

DeLaSalle, a charter high school, serves grades nine through 12 and has around 200 students when operating at full capacity. According to the Per Pupil District & Building Level Expenditures Report from the Missouri Department Elementary and Secondary Education, the district-level per-student cost for DeLaSalle Education Center is $21,495 total, covering the 206 students enrolled in 2024.

Southeast High School, while also in Kansas City Public Schools, has a lower cost per student. The public high school costs $18,731 per student, with 535 students enrolled. Kansas City Public Schools' district-level per-student cost is slightly higher than Southeast High School's, at $18,854.

Local taxpayer dollars allocation

However, charter school funding will look entirely different in Boone County due to a law passed in the 2024 Missouri legislative session. This new law allowed charter schools to expand into Boone County.

Columbia Public Schools, as of now, receives 62% of its budget from local property and sales taxes. 84.8 cents per $1 of property tax goes to Columbia Public Schools, according to the city of Columbia. In comparison to other cities in Missouri, Columbia has the third lowest property tax rate, but Columbia's school district portion of the property tax is the highest among the most populous cities in Missouri.

The creation of Job Point's charter school, according to Suzette Waters, a Columbia School Board member, means that money will have to be divided.

"There's no economy of scale to be made at the losing district. There's just less money coming in and all the same things we need to provide, now, we have to keep doing with less," Waters said. "And over time you either can't provide as much or it costs more or both. Realistically, it's both."

RELATED: CPS parents react to more charter schools trying to come to Columbia KOMU 8 went to Thomas Hart Benton Elementary in Columbia to hear from parents whether they want charter schools.

The Columbia School Board helps set the property tax rate each year. The board has a policy stating it must set the tax rate in a way that the district collects the same in property tax revenue as the previous year, according to previous reporting. For the current fiscal year, the tax rate is $5.542 per $100 in assessed valuation. This was a 16-cent decrease from 2024 due to an 8% increase in assessed property value.

With an additional school entity receiving a portion of the property tax revenue that Columbia Public Schools currently exclusively receives, CPS says it'll have to increase a tax levy to offset losing funding or cut services.

Job Point's plan

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The number of people Job Point will be able to serve through a charter school will only increase slightly from its current model of service.

For the past 22 years, Job Point has helped Columbia teens complete their high school diploma and learn job skills through its YouthBuild program.

Currently, the program uses the MO Options HiSET curriculum and tests for teens to receive their high school equivalency through the Missouri Department of Secondary and Elementary Education.

Additionally, Columbia Public Schools sends a small portion of its students to Job Point to help them complete their diplomas.

In the charter school's first four years open, Job Point will have 45 students per year. It won't be until the school's fifth year open that it will expand to hold 95 students. Once the charter school reaches full capacity, Job Point expects enrollment of over 200 students and to expand past grades 9-12 with apprenticeships and career and technical education.

Scalise said creating this charter school will benefit those who may not be thriving in traditional learning environments.

"It's also really nice for youth who are not really in a position to spend a lot of time in a school environment. Some of those work extra hard and try to pass those tests faster so they can move on to the work force," Scalise said. "It's really nice for them to be able to get where they want to be quicker."

Why a charter school

Scalise said the main reason why creating a charter is the next step is to continue its 22 years of career development services to help students in Boone County.

Currently, Job Point has a $1.5 million grant from the federal Department of Labor that it will lose it 2028.

While Columbia Public Schools has provided estimates on how this will affect its own programming and the allocation of taxpayer dollars, Job Point has not released its budget or cost per student to the public.

KOMU 8 News has contacted Scalise multiple times to find those numbers, and Scalise said more research is still necessary to determine what the budget will look like for Job Point's charter school. However, Scalise did say that creating a charter school is the best way for Job Point's programming to continue without federal funding.

"Once those federal dollars were re-allocated and we found out we were on our last federal grant, we knew we had to come up with a solution to save the program," Scalise said. "We believe that the charter school, public school model is the best fit for what we do."

Effect on Columbia Public Schools

However, taxes aren't the only thing that affect constituents. Public school buildings and programs could shut down following the addition of a charter school to a district.

Schools in St. Louis and Kansas City are moving below capacity with charter schools popping up in their districts  and they lose their abilities to continue their programming. Waters said she thinks the same trend may come to Columbia Public Schools through losing a portion of its funding.

"There's buildings in the St. Louis and Kansas City areas that are at 40% capacity, 60% capacity. There are buildings that have closed because they don't have the enrollment to support those buildings anymore," Waters said. "It's a humongous waste of money to provide two systems when one is doing it well."

Next steps

RELATED: Kansas City charter school program looks to create school in Boone County Frontier Schools is the second organization to announce a plan to establish a charter school in Columbia.

Job Point's goal is to have the charter school application done by Jan. 31, 2026. After completion, the application will require approval from the Missouri Charter School Commission to become the 39th charter school in Missouri and the first outside the Kansas City and St. Louis areas.

If approved, the charter school will open in the following August for the 2027-28 school year, in collaboration with the Missouri Public Charter School Commission.

Frontier Schools plans to open either in the 2026-27 or 2027-28 school year, according to the Missouri Charter Public School Association.
In a sweep of arrests, the Edmonton Police Service, RCMP, ALERT and Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) B.C. have jointly put a massive crimp in expansion plans for a known Eastern Canadian criminal enterprise of one-percenters  the fraction of motorcycle culture committed to operating outside the law.

In a 45-minute raid on Sept. 23, in a culmination of 11 months of investigation, some 200 officers from across multiple law enforcement agencies  including more than 100 from Edmonton Drug and Gang Enforcement Section (EDGE) and the Edmonton Police Service  descended on One Order Motorcycle Club hot spots with search warrants on 40 sites including a non-descript clubhouse in west Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Ardrossan, Alberta Beach, and in B.C. communities, including Kelowna.

The resulting haul announced Tuesday at a press conference had the ring of a criminal holiday carol, a version of 12 Days of Christmas.

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Among the seized items were $118,000 cash, 82,000 pills, 50,000 contraband cigarettes, more than 9,000 contraband cigars and 6,000 rounds of ammunition.

Twenty guns were seized, a number of them loaded, many with serial numbers filed off, and 19 individuals arrested, with seven being charged so far.

The investigation included two body armour vests, two stolen trucks and a utility trailer, a steroid pill press lab, one identified firearm supplier  and one full patch member of the Hells Angels.

Also found was a large printed banner signed with the good wishes of members from places like London, Ont., and Peel, Ont., among the national hot spots where the gang is known to flourish.

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While the investigation is ongoing, this operation represents a major step in disrupting organized crime and keeping the public safe, said Staff Sgt. Marco Antonio of EPS organized crime branch, highlighting the importance of multi-agency collaboration.

One percenter motorcycle club attempting to set up operations out of a west Edmonton clubhouse was dismantled by EPS and RCMP in Alberta and B.C., police said on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025.

One percenter motorcycle club attempting to set up operations out of a west Edmonton clubhouse was dismantled by EPS and RCMP in Alberta and B.C., police said on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025.

Among the seized items, member vests emblazoned with insignia (One Orders bandana-wearing skull with a bony skeletal finger raised in a hush warning, and the Hells Angels flaming skull), as well as proper embroidered badges identifying the president and other leaders.

Antonio said the gang is well-established in Eastern Canada.

They were starting to move here . They were in the process of starting to set up, he said.

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Outlaw motorcycle gangs already have something of a foothold in Edmonton.

There are seven confirmed one-percent club chapters, including three Hells Angels chapters and six associated support clubs currently within Edmonton, according to the EPS.

Among the criminal activities uncovered in this investigation are firearms trafficking, conspiracy to traffic firearms, commit extortion, robbery, assaults, and organized crime involvement by the One Order MC and its members.

Although there is more work to be done on this file, with more charges to be laid and investigative leads to examine, this is a major accomplishment in disrupting organized crime, Antonio said.

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This investigation is a shining example of the tenacity of the EDGE Section, and what can be accomplished when multiple agencies work together.

Additional arrests are expected as the investigation continues.

For more than a year our EDGE unit members work tirelessly to help stop organized crime from setting up in our city and bring those responsible to justice. That means long days, unpredictable hours, lots of travel and co-ordinating with law enforcement across multiple jurisdictions, said Deputy Chief Nicole Chapdelaine.

Our partnerships, including our partners with the RCMP, help make it possible for us to stand here today and to talk about our actions that have led to our communities being safer, Chapdelaine said, adding her thanks to the EDGE leadership and members and the partners.

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(I want to) let them all know how proud we are about how they dismantled this criminal organization, sending a message that (One Order) is not welcome here in our city, and their attempts to endanger our city will not be tolerated, she said.

Seven men charged

Andrew Hylton, 58 of Edmonton, is charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit firearms trafficking, four counts of participation in activities of a criminal organization, commission of an offence for criminal organization, recruitment of members by a criminal organization, two counts of firearms trafficking, possession of a firearm for trafficking, and two counts of instructing commission of firearms

Brady Wilhelm, 35 of Sherwood Park, is charged with seven counts of possession of a firearm for trafficking, conspiracy to commit firearms trafficking, and firearms trafficking.

Robert Walsh, 47 of Ardrossan, is charged with two counts of possession of a firearm for trafficking, two counts of conspiracy to commit firearms trafficking, participation in activities of a criminal organization, three counts of commission of an offence for criminal organization, and three counts of firearms trafficking.

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Shiane Runcie, 36 of Edmonton, is charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit firearms trafficking, participation in activities of a criminal organization, three counts of commission of an offence for criminal organization, and firearms trafficking.

Marc Kennedy, 28 of Edmonton, is charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit firearms trafficking, three counts of commission of an offence for criminal organization, and firearms trafficking.

Kevin Moffatt, 34 of Edmonton, is charged with conspiracy to commit firearms trafficking, participation in activities of a criminal organization, commission of an offence for criminal organization, and firearms trafficking.

Michael Hanson, 45 of Alberta Beach, is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit firearms trafficking, two counts of commission of an offence for criminal organization, and participation in activities of a criminal organization.

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All of those arrested are out on conditions.

Staff Sgt. Marco Antonio from the Edmonton Drug and Gang Enforcement Section talks on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, about a one percenter motorcycle club attempting to set up operations out of a west Edmonton clubhouse dismantled by EPS and RCMP in Alberta and B.C.

Anyone with information about this or other criminal activity is asked to contact EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone, or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or at www.p3tips.com/250.

jcarmichael@postmedia.com

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European Union migration rules are actively worsening risks to minors travelling along dangerous routes to Europe from Sudan, according to a Save the Children report published on Wednesday.

The study shows that the EUs efforts to keep asylum seekers in neighbouring countries, providing financial and operational support to North Africa, are in fact exposing children to harm.

The EU is striking more migration agreements with countries in Africa, investing in operational support for their border management in order to prevent people from embarking from their coasts on often perilous journeys.

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In October, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a further 675 million would be given to North African countries to finance "effective border management" for the period 2025-2027.

"The EU invests hundreds of millions in border and migration control without guaranteeing that childrens rights are respected, even though it is legally obliged to do so", Save the Children migration expert Federica Toscano said in a statement.

One of the consequences of these investments without adequate protection of those involved is the increasing violation of children's rights, Toscano said.

Euronews contacted the European Commission for a comment on the report without receiving a reply at the time of publication.

From Sudan to Europe

Save the Children's report focuses on routes from Sudan to Egypt, Libya, Greece and the Western Balkans, and is based around interviews with 66 children, 19 experts and 11 caregivers.

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The NGO reported that all minors interviewed in Libya experienced severe violence, sexual exploitation, extortion, and long-term detention by armed groups.

In Greece, children described being prosecuted as traffickers, and in the Western Balkans, where one in five asylum seekers spoken to by the organisation experienced violent and in some cases allegedly illegal pushbacks by border police.

Related

According to data from the EU border agency Frontex, the number of asylum seekers arriving at Europe's borders has decreased in recent years. This may be attributable in part to investments the EU made in irregular migrants' main countries of departure, among them Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania.

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The EU mainly provides equipment for land and sea as well as operational training for local border forces and coastguards. The EU usually delegates to the implementation of its investments to Frontex, European governments operational arms, or private organisations.

However, Save the Children said that while the number of arrivals may be dropping, the number of minors trying to reach European coasts remains high.

The one-sided focus on strict border enforcement pushes migration flows underground, the report explains, "driving unaccompanied children into the hands of smugglers and making them invisible to protection systems".

This means that despite the fall in numbers arriving in Europe, more and more children are are trapped in dangerous situations in transit countries, including falling into the hands of traffickers and smugglers.
PANAMA CITY, Panama  Dario was wiring light fixtures at Florida State University when ICE came for him in July 2025. In an instant, a year and a half of steady work  and the life he had built chasing the American dream  was gone.

Dario, who asked that his last name not be used because of his legal status in Panama, said he had just returned to his apartment to retrieve his passport when authorities detained him.

I went home to get my passport because I needed to go to the bank, he said. When I got to the parking lot, they grabbed me and sent me to Venezuela.

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He was detained for about 20 days in shelters before being deported. He remembers little from that time except the fluorescent lights, the sleepless nights and the sense that his life had collapsed overnight. Then, as soon as he could, he started walking again.

The first time Dario crossed the Darien Gap  the roughly 100-kilometer stretch of roadless jungles, swamps and mountains between Colombia and Panama  it had been for work. The second time, it was for love.

He had come north from Guarico, Venezuela, in 2023, through a corridor known as the worlds most dangerous migrant route  a place of deadly wildlife, treacherous rivers and armed gangs. On that first crossing, he saw a Cuban woman drown. There were 3,600 people in my group, he said.

When he emerged in Panama, he found work at the Mercado de Mariscos, the seafood market overlooking Panama Bay, where I met him. There, he met his future fiancee  the granddaughter of one of the vendors.

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We got to know each other, started going out, he said. I stayed a year and a half.

But ambition pulled him north. He wanted to earn enough to fix up his mothers home in Venezuela and plant the Persian lime trees he had long dreamed of cultivating. So he crossed into the U.S. illegally in 2024, between ports of entry. People cut the fence, and thats how we passed, he said. They kept me two days in El Paso, then let me go. I contacted my friends who were going to receive me and I started working.

For the next 17 months, he wired buildings in Texas, Florida, North Carolina and Virginia. His company paid his rent and sent him wherever a job was needed.

Then ICE found him.

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Back in Venezuela, Dario lasted only a month. He sold what he had, crossed into Colombia, and entered the Darien once more  this time with a handful of people instead of thousands.

The second time, they robbed us, he said. They stole my phone, my ID card and about $300 I was carrying.

By the time he reached Panama again, in August 2025, he was exhausted but determined. Sitting near the seafood market where they had first met, he looked toward his fiancee as she worked. The second time I crossed the jungle, he said, smiling, was for her.

With every crisis in Latin America and every new decree in Washington the routes that migrants take through the Americas keep shifting. Bidens lax enforcement lured many north, creating false hope and overrun systems. Trumps return to the White House and his abrupt border shutdown has stranded thousands more in limbo, unsure whether to keep moving or turn back.

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Panama alone now hosts tens of thousands of Venezuelans, who made it through the jungle and decided to stay, building fragile new lives while they wait to see which way history turns next.

Across the hemisphere, migration has become a kind of purgatory  lives lived between borders.

Dario tries not to dwell on the politics of it all. He works, saves money and hopes to legalize his status in Panama. When I met her and fell in love  I feel that if I stay, Ill be able to get my papers here, go through the process to legalize myself, and then travel to Venezuela from here.

He is still fighting to replace the documents lost during his detention. In the U.S. they took my passport, which I had gotten here in 2023. It was still valid and they didnt give it back. My phone was lost, and a gold chain I had bought there  all that I lost.

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Despite being expelled by the U.S., he still holds one hope for it. Venezuela is truly chaotic, he said. Theres no work, no money, no education. I would like, honestly, if the U.S. goes in and finishes the regime off.

It is a remarkable statement from a man the U.S. government deported  and a reminder that, for all of its contradictions, the country still represents order and possibility in a collapsing region of the world.

These days, Darios life is simple. He spends his days helping at the market. At night, he and his fiancee walk along the bayfront, planning their future one small step at a time.

He is planning a small wedding next year in Panama. For Dario, freedom no longer means reaching America. It means being able to stop running.

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Daniel Allott is The Hills former opinion editor and the author of On the Road in Trumps America: A Journey into the Heart of a Divided Country.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A group of 24 Nigerian girls who were abducted from their boarding school over a week ago have been released, the country's president says.

Armed assailants stormed the school in Nigeria's Kebbi State on 17 November, killing two members of staff and abducting 25 students. One was able to escape soon after.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu praised security forces for their "swift response" to the kidnapping - although the circumstances of the girls' release remained unclear.

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Africa's most populous nation suffered a spate of abductions last week - with more than 250 children abducted from a Catholic school last Friday still missing, according to the school authorities.

Friday's kidnapping, in Niger State, has been described as one of the worst mass abductions in Nigeria's history. However, some officials say the number of missing children has been overstated.

Addressing the earlier abduction in Kebbi State, Bayo Onanuga, a special adviser to the president, confirmed on Tuesday that all the kidnapped schoolgirls had been accounted for.

Onanuga's statement said the attack had triggered copycat kidnappings.

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President Tinubu said more personnel would be deployed to "vulnerable areas to avert further incidents of kidnapping".

In a post on X, he wrote: "The Air Force is to maintain continuous surveillance over the most remote areas, synchronising operations with ground units to effectively identify, isolate, disrupt, and neutralise all hostile elements."

More than 1,500 children have been abducted from Nigerian schools since 2014, when 276 girls were taken during the infamous Chibok mass abduction.

The kidnapping of people for ransom by criminal gangs, known locally as bandits, has become a major problem in many parts of Nigeria.

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In the north-east of the country, jihadist groups have been battling the state for more than a decade.

On Friday, at least 300 children and staff were abducted from St Mary's, a Catholic boarding school in Niger state, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria (Can). The organisation says at least 250 people remain unaccounted for.

On Wednesday, Niger state governor Umar Bago told the BBC that 11 St Mary's pupils had been found in a "farm settlement" and rescued by security forces. He refused to give any further details about the operation.

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Bago also cast doubt on Can's statement that 300 people had been abducted, saying the organisation had not presented any reliable data.

"They should declare their register available to the authorities," he said.

Niger State's police commissioner has also questioned Can's figures.

Meanwhile, the head of Can in Niger state, Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who is also responsible for St Mary's school, has criticised the government's response, saying it is making "no meaningful effort" to rescue those still missing.

The abduction at the school was the third to hit Nigeria in a week, forcing President Bola Tinubu to cancel his trip to the G20 summit, held in South Africa at the weekend, to deal with the crisis.

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Dozens of people seized from a church in Kwara state, south of Niger, have since been freed.

UN education envoy Gordon Brown called on the international community to "do our utmost" to support efforts to return the abducted children.

Brown, a former UK prime minister, said: "It's also incumbent on us to ensure that Nigerian schools are safe spaces for learning, not spaces where children can be plucked from their classroom for criminal profit."

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump threatened military action, accusing the Nigerian authorities of failing to protect Christians from attacks from Islamist militants.

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The Nigerian government has called claims that Christians are being persecuted "a gross misrepresentation of reality".

The BBC was told that the schoolgirls abducted from the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) in Kebbi are Muslim. An official has said that "terrorists attack all who reject their murderous ideology - Muslims, Christians and those of no faith alike".

Organisations monitoring violence say most of the victims of the jihadist groups are Muslim because most attacks happen in the majority-Muslim north of the country.

Additional reporting by Wedaeli Chibelushi

[BBC]

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[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

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ANOTHER appeal has been made for a pedestrian crossing on a lethal road outside a Portlaoise cemetery.

The road outside SS Peter and Pauls Cemetery was described as absolutely lethal at a council meeting, where councillors renewed previous pleas for a controlled crossing near the front gates on the Dublin road.

As the large cemetery is located on a national route, the installation of a crossing depends on a green light from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

Cllr Barry Walsh made the latest proposal at the November meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District. He asked the council to send a request to TII for the installation of a controlled pedestrian crossing, near the graveyard entrance on the N80 opposite Beladd.

He said: There is a pedestrian crossing further down but, for people who are not great on their feet, they need a crossing nearer the cemetery. People have asked me if they can get one closer to the entrance.

Cllr Paddy Buggy agreed, adding: There is a crossing down at Bracken's shop but if we could get one nearer the cemetery gate, it would be very helpful.

Supporting the request, Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said that she and others on the cemetery committee had been looking for a crossing nearer the entrance for a long time.

She said: It is absolutely lethal trying to cross there, especially on certain days such as Cemetery Sunday, when you could have up to a thousand people coming out of the cemetery at the same time, while traffic is going by.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, who is also a member of the cemetery committee, welcomed the proposal and said: Weve been banging that drum for a long time.

Cllr Fitzgerald also thanked the council for improvements that are already under way, including pavement works and widening of the entrance gates.

In a written response to the proposal, an official from the road design section said that Laois Co Council would issue a letter to TII, requesting a controlled pedestrian crossing at the site.
Dunamase College/Colaiste Dhun Masc was recently chosen as one of 20 schools to participate in a training day for the SPOTLITE programme.

The initiative was developed by St Aidans Community School, Tallaght, during the 2022/2023 school year.

On Tuesday 18 November, two Student Council representatives, accompanied by Deputy Principal Clar Mhic Ghearailt and Lead Teacher Siobhan Holland, travelled to Dublin to take part in the training.

SPOTLITE (Student Perspectives On Teaching and Learning In The Educational Space) is an innovative programme designed to strengthen student voice in education. It provides a meaningful and structured way for students to share their experiences of teaching and learning, ensuring their voice helps shape improvements within the school community.

The programme centres on the idea that students are best placed to express what works well in the classroom and how they learn most effectively. By capturing student perspectives, schools can identify strengths in current practice and highlight areas where further development may be beneficial. Teachers, in turn, are supported in adapting their approaches to meet the needs of the individual learner.

Dunamase College/Colaiste Dhun Masc Principal, Dympna Kelly believes the initiative supports strongly the schools ongoing commitment to elevating student voice and the Unlocking Learning Programme, which is run along with the Learner Leaders Committee for parents and students.

We believe students have the right to express their views, feelings and wishes about the things that matter to them. They are the ones who truly understand what helps them to learn effectively. We have many initiatives in the school where Students can use their voice, such as the Student Council, Le Cheile Committee but this is one focused entirely on the classroom.  By implementing SPOTLITE, Dunamase College/Colaiste Dhun Masc hopes to promote deeper professional conversations between students and teachers and develop recommendations from the students that will benefit the entire school community.

Dympna said that we are excited to be part of this journey and we are looking forward to the seeing the impact the programme will bring.
ONE of the biggest public playgrounds in Laois will close next week until further notice, while major upgrades are carried out.

Rathdowney Playground will be closed from Monday 1 December, as work begins on a 95,000 makeover.

The project is expected to be completed by March 2026, subject to weather conditions.

In a closure notice published on its website this afternoon, Laois Co Council confirmed that the playground would close on 1 December 'until further notice. The council said: This in the interest of public safety, while upgrading works are in progress.

As reported in the Laois Nationalist earlier this month, a major refurbishment of the playground was due to begin at the end of November with completion anticipated next March.

The towns Gort na nOg playground, located at St Fergal's College, includes a multi-use games area (MUGA) with a silver slide and towers that are a huge attraction for children. The amenity opened in August 2012.

The playground will have to close intermittently while the works are being carried out, according to Laois Co Council. While temporary closures will be required at various stages during the four-month renovation, its hoped that disruption will be kept to a minimum.

The playground enhancement project was granted 95,000 this year under the Community Recognition Fund (CRF). The upgrade will include a range of new play equipment and renovation of existing facilities.
Randy Donato, 32, had a blood-alcohol level more than twice the legal limit when he crashed, killing Nicole Guzman, on Jan. 5, 2025, in Bethlehem Township.

A drunk driver who lost control of his vehicle last winter in Bethlehem Township and crashed into a tree line, killing his passenger, learned his sentence Tuesday.

Northampton County Common Pleas Court Judge John Morganelli sentenced 32-year-old Randy D. Donato to four to 10 years in prison, according to the office of county District Attorney Stephen Baratta.

Bethlehem Township police responding to the crash Jan. 5 said they found two occupants in the vehicle that had run off the north side of William Penn Highway near Chipman Road.

Donatos passenger, 35-year-old Nicole Danielle Guzman, was unresponsive and pronounced dead at the crash scene, authorities said.

Donato was injured in the crash and taken to an area hospital, where township police interviewed him, according to a news release from the district attorneys office.

Investigators determined Donatos blood-alcohol level was 0.208, the release states. Penalties begin for most drivers with a BAC of 0.08.

Police also found a flask on Donato, as well as two beer-bottle caps and a 22-ounce bottle of Guinness inside his vehicle, Barattas office said in the release Tuesday.

Donato pleaded guilty Sept. 29 to homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence as well as Pennsylvanias highest-rate-of-alcohol DUI charge.

Township police Investigator Adam Ebner led the departments probe into the crash. Deputy District Attorney Joseph Lupackino prosecuted the case.
Marshalls will be closed on Thanksgiving 2025, which falls on Thursday, Nov. 27, this year. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media

Thanksgiving 2025 is coming up on Thursday, Nov. 27, with Black Friday following the next day.

On most federal holidays, many stores decide to stay open for those who want to take advantage of major savings.

Marshalls tends to remain open for many federal holidays, but there are certain holidays throughout the year where shoppers wont be so lucky.

Heres everything you need to know about store hours at Marshalls on Thanksgiving, if youre planning to snag Black Friday deals early.

Is Marshalls open on Thanksgiving 2025?

Customers who want to start shopping right after Thanksgiving dinner will have to wait until Friday, Nov. 28.

Marshalls will be closed on Thanksgiving so that staff can celebrate with their families and friends on the holiday, like last year.

Its also a good day for rest before the chaos of Black Friday begins.

On Black Friday, shoppers can catch all the deals early this year with stores opening at 7 a.m. These early shopping hours will continue through Christmas for more time to holiday shop.

You can find your nearest Marshalls store here.
Formerly the Old Lehigh County Courthouse, the Historic Lehigh County Courthouse, 501 W. Hamilton St. in Allentown, is seen Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com

A Lehigh County judge ordered that dozens of sealed court dockets tied to an interstate drug ring be opened to the public, saying most should have been unsealed weeks ago.

Judge Thomas Caffrey said he was unaware that the dockets hadnt been made part of the public record until three Lehigh Valley media outlets  lehighvalleylive.com, LehighValleyNews.com and The Morning Call  petitioned the court to intervene.

Represented by the Reporters Committee For Freedom of the Press (RCFP), the media groups argued the court was violating the First Amendment and the Pennsylvania Constitution by keeping the records secret.

The dockets, Caffrey said Tuesday, should have been unsealed weeks ago.

In public remarks from the bench, he said he would convene with Lehigh Countys other criminal court judges to review the courts internal processes.

This is an important matter, and the integrity of this court is important to me and the other judges who sit on the bench, Caffrey said.

Paula Knudsen Burke, the RCFP attorney representing the news organizations, called open court records a bedrock of the American justice system. The U.S. Supreme Court has noted the nation has a distrust of secret proceedings, which pose an inherent danger to freedom, she said.

Todays consent order marks significant progress in tipping the scales of justice back to the presumption of openness, Burke said Tuesday. After more than two months in the dark, the public now has access to the names, charges, and basic docket information for these arrests.

Allegations of an interstate drug ring

In August, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan announced that authorities had arrested 22 people following a three-year grand jury investigation into an interstate drug ring.

Police destroyed two clandestine drug labs and seized $100,000 in cash; cryptocurrency; at least 25 firearms, including ghost guns and semi-automatic rifles; 2,000 pounds of marijuana; THC liquid; cocaine; and MDMA pills, also known as molly, he said.

But he and his office revealed few other details about the case over time, saying the investigation remained ongoing. Holihan declined to explain why the charges remained sealed, saying that an explanation would reveal critical information.

The only defendant he publicly acknowledged was Lehigh County Commissioner Zach Cole-Borghi, who was arrested in front of dozens of witnesses while working at Bethlehem City Hall, where he was the citys open records officer.

Holihan said he identified Cole-Borghi only to dispel rumors that Cole-Borghi played a prominent role in the criminal operation.

Holihans office consented to Caffreys order, noting the office had not requested they be sealed to this point.

It was not our office that sealed those records, so we have no opposition to them being released, he said following Tuesdays hearing.

Cole-Borghi is charged with possessing a pound of marijuana and possession with the intent to deliver while other defendants face RICO charges, Holihan said.

Cole-Borghi has denied any wrongdoing and is no longer employed by the city. Hes been released on $50,000 bail; unlike other defendants, prosecutors did not require that he prove the bail money was legally obtained.

Cole-Borghi, who was seeking another term as commissioner, was re-elected in the Nov. 4 municipal general election.

As of Tuesday evening, court officials had not released the affidavit of probable cause outlining the evidence police have collected against him. A Democrat, Cole-Borghi captured nearly 70% of the vote in the countys District 3 commissioner race.

Months after Holihans announcement, Cole-Borghi and attorneys representing other defendants said they were still waiting to receive basic information about the charges against them.

Some of them have been held at the Lehigh County Jail since their arrests.

Questions remain

It was not immediately clear what new details Caffreys order will unveil regarding the investigation. Caffrey issued his order shortly before 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, when magisterial district offices close.

While Caffrey has ruled the dockets should be made public, portions of them may still be sealed under court orders tied to the grand jury. While whole dockets cannot be blocked off from the public, judges can order that sensitive information be kept under wraps indefinitely or until specific conditions are met.

The three media outlets have previously identified 16 known defendants, including Cole-Borghi and Luis Beltre, a New Jersey man who was extradited to Lehigh County from the Dominican Republic.

Following the court order, the media groups are now aware of 32 defendants facing charges. None of their affidavits of probable cause was available prior to Caffreys order.

Previously unknown defendants include:
Prosecutors say Phillipsburg police used video footage to identify Andrew Weaver as the suspect in an Aug. 3, 2025, shots-fired incident on Anderson Street in town. He was later found with a loaded Glock 9mm after firing shots that penetrated a window, authorities said. Sarah Cassi | For lehighvalleylive.com

A 20-year-old man was sentenced to up to seven years in New Jersey State Prison for gunfire this past summer in Phillipsburg.

New Jersey Superior Court Judge H. Matthew Curry handed down the sentence Friday to Andrew R. Weaver, of Phillipsburg, according to a news release from the Warren County Prosecutors Office.

Weaver must serve 85% of the sentence, or nearly six years, prior to becoming eligible for parole, Acting Prosecutor Jessica L. Cardones office announced in the release Tuesday.

Phillipsburgs ShotSpotter system alerted town police to the gunfire Aug. 3 in the 400 block of Anderson Street. ShotSpotter is described as proprietary technology able to detect gunfire over many square miles to an accuracy of within a few feet.

Investigators with the towns police department found several rounds had been fired at a residence, one of which penetrated a window, according to the release. No one was injured.

Police used video footage from the area to identify Weaver as the gunman, the release states.

Authorities entered Weaver into a national database of wanted suspects.

That same day, Pennsylvania State Police stopped a vehicle in which Weaver was a passenger and took him into custody, prosecutors say; a search of the vehicle turned up a loaded Glock 9mm handgun.

Under indictment, Weaver pleaded guilty to second-degree aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a weapon, according to the release.

Acting Assistant Prosecutor Christine Engiles prosecuted the case.
Laois residents have been complaining about a noisy generator starting up every morning before 5am, to make coffee and tea for train commuters to Dublin and elsewhere.

Portlaoise households near the town's busy commuter train station were being woken up at 4.50am to the sound of a generator used by a mobile coffee dock business parked at the station.

Cllr Tommy Mulligan tabled a motion to the November meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District, asking Laois County Council to write to Irish Rail, and ask it to immediately address the "noise pollution", as it is having "a detrimental effect on residents in the area".

"Over the last number of months, there have been complaints from the Ridge Road, Beechfield and surrounding areas.

"It has caused considerable noise, this generator. It has been disturbing sleep and we all know the detrimental effects of that. It has been waking young children," he said.

He then said that the problem is already solved.

"I got in touch with Irish Rail and they [coffee business] have replaced it with a new generator that has eliminated this noise pollution. I ask you to change the wording of the motion to 'monitor'," he said.

Laois County Council Director of Services Simon Walton acknowledged the progress and the need for monitoring the situation.

Cllr Marie Tuohy seconded the motion.

"Nobody wants to interfere with businesses or amenities but when the noise can be solved that's the core of it," she said.

Read next: Bird flu found in large Laois turkey farm

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley is delighted at the improvement.

"This is a service that's really well used by commuters and college students. There is nothing like the noise from a generator in a little wagon. There are a couple of jobs there too, but it's important people are not worken early in the morning," she said.

UPDATE: Bloom Coffee Box makes statement on noise complaints
The complainant in the trial of seven family members who are accused of sexually abusing her has told the court that one of her uncles  the third in the case  raped her when she was seven.

The woman, who is deaf, gave evidence on Tuesday, November 25 at the Central Criminal Court trial in relation to one of her uncles, referred to as Accused G. She has already given evidence in relation to two other uncles she alleges sexually abused her.

Accused G (45) has denied a single count of raping her on a date between 1996 and 1997.

Seven men, aged between 32 and 55, are on trial accused of a total of 98 counts of sexually abusing the complainant at various stages between 1996 and 2013. They are her three uncles and four brothers.

One of the woman's brothers is also accused of four counts of sexually abusing another sister and of anally raping a third sister. The men deny all the charges against them. None of the parties involved can be named for legal reasons.

The woman is giving her evidence via videolink and through two interpreters  an Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpreter and a deaf relay  as well as an intermediary who is a linguistics expert. There are also two interpreters monitoring teams present in court to ensure the woman is being interpreted correctly.

Ms Justice Caroline Biggs told the jury on Tuesday that one of the monitoring teams had contacted the court to raise a number of clarifications arising from the complainant's evidence on Monday, November 24.

The woman was completing her prosecution examination in relation to allegations of sexual abuse against another uncle, Accused B (48). This man is accused of eight counts involving rape, oral rape and anal rape on dates between December 2008 and December 2010.

The jury was told that the monitoring team's clarifications to the court included an observation that when the complainant was asked by prosecuting counsel: Was there anyone else in the house during one of the alleged incidents, this was in fact interpreted to the complainant as: Did anyone else see what happened?

Ms Justice Biggs told the jury that when they get the transcript of the evidence, she will bring them through these issues.

In relation to the allegation against Accused G, the complainant told Gerardine Small SC, prosecuting, that the man - her uncle - put his penis in her vagina.

The woman said: I was seven and I was like, what are you doing, what age are you?

When asked where her parents were at the time, she said they had gone shopping. When asked what she was doing before it happened, the woman's intermediary said she might have difficulty with the word 'before.

The court has heard the complainant has challenges communicating timelines in terms of calendars and sequence.

Ms Small instead asked if it happened in the morning, afternoon or night, and the woman said it was the afternoon.

She was then asked what she was doing that day and the intermediary asked permission to use the word remember when interpreting, to which the judge agreed. The complainant said she was just playing.

She said it was very painful and when asked if he ejaculated and was there sperm she replied: Yes.

The trial, which is set down for four months, continues before an extended panel of 15 jurors.

Accused A  the woman's 55-year-old uncle - is accused of a single count of raping her on a date between December 2009 and April 2011.

Four of her younger brothers are also accused of sexually abusing her over varying periods of time.

Accused C (34) is accused of 45 counts  22 of rape and 23 counts of anally raping her over a 12 year period between 2001 and 2013.

Accused C is further charged with the sexual abuse of two of his younger sisters. He is charged with one count of sexual assault in relation to one sister, Complainant 2, on a date between 2005 and 2006 when she was a child. He is also charged with two counts of rape and one of anal rape of this woman on dates between 2016 and 2019.

He is also charged with one count of anally raping a third sister, Complainant 3, on dates between 2013 and 2014.

Accused D (33) is accused of 22 counts of sexually abusing his sister over an 11-year period on dates between 2002 and 2013. He has pleaded not guilty to 19 charges of rape and three counts of anal rape.

Accused E (32), is accused of 16 counts of sexual abuse against his sister over an eight-year period between 2003 and 2011. He has denied nine counts of anal rape and seven counts of raping her.

The fourth brother, Accused F (also 32), has denied five counts  three counts of anal rape and two counts of raping his sister on dates between 2007 and 2010.
Big changes are coming to Americas national parks in 2026. The National Park Service announcement unveiled new feefree days, digital passes, and other updates that will reshape how visitors experience these landscapes. For those of us who cherish the parks, the announcement feels both practical and inspiring. And for anyone planning a trip in 2026, these changes will influence how you explore and enjoy the parks.

Digital Passes Transform Access

Beginning January 1, 2026, the popular America the Beautiful passes  Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, and Access  will be available in a fully digital format through Recreation.gov. Visitors can purchase and use their passes instantly, store them on mobile devices, and even link them to physical cards for convenience.

For frequent parkgoers, this is a gamechanger. No more waiting in long lines or worrying about losing a paper pass. Digital validation tools and updated staff training promise faster entry and smoother experiences at park gates nationwide.

New FeeFree Days for 2026

At the Grand Canyon, travelers marvel at the immense scale carved by the Colorado River. (MichaelGordon1 via Getty Images)

Equally exciting are the new residentonly feefree days. These dates give American families the chance to enjoy parks without paying entrance fees. Heres the full lineup:

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Presidents Day: February 16, 2026

Memorial Day: May 25, 2026

Flag Day/President Trumps birthday: June 14, 2026

Independence Day weekend: July 35, 2026

110th Birthday of the National Park Service: August 25, 2026

Constitution Day: September 17, 2026

Theodore Roosevelts birthday: October 27, 2026

Veterans Day: November 11, 2026

For families planning summer road trips or holiday getaways, these dates are worth circling on the calendar. If youre looking to plan around them, my national park planning page offers trip ideas and guides.

I especially love that the list includes the birthdays of Theodore Roosevelt, the president who did so much to expand our park system, and the National Park Service itself. Pairing those with Independence Day weekend feels like a fitting celebration of Americas natural and cultural heritage.

Expanded Motorcycle Benefits

Motorcycle riders also benefit from the changes. All America the Beautiful passes will now cover two motorcycles per pass, making it easier for couples or families who travel on two wheels to enjoy the parks together.

Pricing Shifts for NonResidents

One of the more controversial updates is the new fee structure for international visitors. Beginning in 2026, U.S. residents will continue to pay $80 for an annual pass, but nonresidents will pay $250. In addition, nonresidents without a yearly pass will face a $100 per person surcharge at 11 of the most visited national parks, in addition to standard entrance fees.

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The Department of the Interior has not yet released the specific list of those 11 parks. Given that the policy targets the most visited sites, its likely to include iconic destinations such as Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and Zion, but confirmation is pending.

Fresh Artwork Honors Americas Parks

The annual passes themselves are getting a facelift. Bold, patriotic designs will honor Americas landscapes and heritage, appearing on both digital and physical passes. For collectors and enthusiasts, these refreshed visuals add a touch of pride to the practical utility of the pass.

Why These Changes Matter

Visitors marvel at Old Faithfuls towering eruption, a timeless Yellowstone spectacle. (stellalevi via Getty Images)

For U.S. travelers, the modernization is overwhelmingly positive:

Convenience: Digital passes streamline entry.

Savings: Feefree days provide opportunities for affordable trips.

Access: Motorcycle riders gain expanded coverage.

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For international visitors, the higher fees may be discouraging, but the revenue will be reinvested directly into park maintenance and upgrades, ensuring these treasured landscapes remain protected for future generations.

Looking Ahead to a Landmark Year in the Parks

Americas national parks are more than just destinations  theyre part of our collective identity. This modernization effort reflects both the challenges of maintaining these spaces and the desire to make them more accessible to U.S. families. Whether youre planning a summer road trip, a motorcycle adventure, or simply looking forward to storing your pass on your phone, 2026 promises to be a landmark year for park lovers.




One Irish Rail train passenger has heaped praise on staff for their actions with a young man who boarded the wrong train in Portlaoise this week.

The passenger took to X to send Irish Rail a message to say the staff were "just fabulous" for the way in which they dealth with the situation.

In her post, the passenger said: "I was on the 3.30 Limerick train from Heuston today. A young man got on in Portlaoise, instead of getting on the Galway train. One staff member rang his grandmother, explained with patience what had happened and asked her to collect him at the next stop.

"The same staff member sat with the young man reassuring him that this happens all the time. Then at the next stop another staff member got off with him to wait until his grandmother arrived," she explained.

The woman went on to write that "the two staff in question were just fabulous and so compassionate towards the young man." She sent her post directly to Irish Rail who responded.

READ NEXT: 'Serious' huge pile of rubbish set on fire next to Laois homes

They said: "Thank you for the positive feedback. I will be sure to pass your comments on regarding these staff members."
Legal action may soon be taken on a derelict site in the centre of a 30 year old Portlaoise housing estate.

A site that could fit up to three new houses could finally be placed on the derelict sites registrar by Laois County Council.

They are also going to serve legal notices on the owner, with all action to happen only if an inspection proves as suspected, that the site is derelict.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley however is "very disappointed" it has taken so long, and says there is no owner.

"This response completely ignores the question I asked, that the site be CPO'd [bought by compulsory purchase order].

"Woodgrove and Woodgrove Estate have waited over 20 years to be taken in charge. Now they are in charge, but this site is sitting here since the late 90s, completely overgrown," she said.

She recounted the history of the estate and site.

"The council had to get a fence to make it safe from children. The owner of the site went bust. There is no owner. I can't understand why this response completely avoids my motion. Back in the day the council had to call in the builder's bond, it fell short of a lot of money, the council had to dig deep to finish the estate.

"They had serious problems with the sewage pumping station. Raw sewage was coming up in the middle of the estate. I reported this to the county council and Irish Water acted. We all know if a site goes on the derelict list, it's sitting for years. I ask whoever did up this response to go back. This would be ideal for two or three affordable houses. I'd love to see something like that happen," Cllr Dwane Stanley said.

She adds that money is earmarked to upgrade the estate's pumping station, but this has not yet been done.

She had tabled a motion asking for a CPO to the November meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.

The response she complained about had come from the council's town regeneration section.

"The regeneration section have opened a derelict fle on this site and are arranging for an up-to-date inspection. If indicated, we will proceed to serve the relevant notices on the owner and add this site to the Derelict Site register," they said.

The Director of Services Simon Walton promised a better reply.

"This relates to the environment section and town regeneration team but neither are under my remit. I note your disappointment and specific request. I will take it back and rest assured it will be on the desk of the relevant office today," he said.

Cllr Tommy Mulligan seconded the motion.

Read next: Noisy coffee dock raises neighbours' complaints at Laois train station

"It's not fair. This is in the middle of the estate. People looking at it have paid big mortgages. They deserve better than to be looking at it for 25 years," he said.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said it was "unbelieveable" that after this long the council has only opened a derelict file on the site.

"It's an ideal opportunity to build two or three affordable homes. We need to grab all the opportunities we can get and turn them into a positive," she said.
By Isabel Hayes and Sonya McLean

A man who crashed his car at speed into the back of an articulated lorry walked away from the scene in Celbridge Co Kildare where his friend lay dead in the passenger seat, a court has heard.

The car, which was driven by Jake Kelly (22), was trapped underneath the lorry trailer in the wake of the crash, which occurred in July 2023. The passenger side of the car was covered in tarmacadam which poured out of the back of the articulated lorry upon impact, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.

Emergency responders who arrived at the scene were not aware there was a passenger in the car and the body of the young man, Ross Rice, was discovered a couple of hours after the crash.

Neighbours described hearing a massive explosion in the wake of the crash, which caused their windows to shake.

Kelly was helped out of the driver seat by the truck driver in the immediate aftermath of the accident and then walked away from the scene. He later told gardai he wasn't sure if his friend had got out of the car and thought he might have been in the fields nearby.

The two friends were going hunting that night and two lurcher dogs were later found in the boot of the car. The speedometer of the car was found stopped at 162km/hour. The speed limit of the road is 60km/h.

Kelly, of Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to one count of dangerous driving causing the death of Mr Rice at Dublin Road, Celbridge, Co Kildare on July 18, 2023.

He also pleaded guilty to failing to report an accident and driving without insurance on the same date. He was on bail at the time for other offences which were later struck out, the court heard.

A number of Mr Rice's family and friends were in court for the sentence hearing. Four victim impact statements were handed into court, but not read aloud.

Garda Jennifer Finnegan told Tessa White BL, prosecuting, that gardai responded to reports of a crash at around 10.40pm that night.

The court heard the driver of the articulated lorry was carrying out road works, had just picked up fresh tarmacadam and was stopped at temporary traffic lights when he noticed a car driving at speed behind him.

The Toyota Avensis, driven by Kelly, crashed into the back of the lorry trailer, causing it to be shunted forward by 1.4 metres. The car was trapped under the trailer and the crash caused tarmacadam to pour on top of the passenger side of the vehicle.

The truck driver immediately went to the driver side of the car and managed to pull Kelly out of the car. He left momentarily to ring gardai and when he returned to the scene, Kelly was gone. Kelly did not sustain any serious injuries in the crash, the court heard.

He was arrested a couple of days later and told gardai he caught a taxi to his mother's house after the crash. He said he then went to his cousin's home to smoke some cannabis and then rang Mr Rice's sister and girlfriend to tell them he had been involved in a crash.

The court heard Mr Rice died of blunt force head and chest injuries. His death was instantaneous, the court heard. A backpack containing torches and whistles was found in the car, as well as a small amount of cannabis. The dogs were taken to a vet hospital.

Gda Finnegan agreed with David Staunton BL, defending, that there were no eye witnesses to the collision. She accepted that Mr Rice was the owner of the car but, because he was disqualified from driving at the time, Kelly was driving for him.

Kelly assisted gardai with the search of his home and indicated through his mother where officers would find the clothing he was wearing that night along with his phone.

Gda Finnegan agreed that Kelly demonstrated genuine upset during his garda interview and that he has complied with all his bail conditions.

Mr Staunton said Kelly wished to express his condolences to the family of Ross Rice. He said his client accepts that he is at fault for the accident and he is deeply remorseful and shameful about it.

A psychological report before the court highlighted the profound impact the incident has had on Kelly. He said Kelly has expressed shame and remorse and has a profound understanding of the loss of life he has caused.

He acknowledges that he must be punished for what he has done, Mr Staunton said before he added that Kelly regularly visits Mr Rices grave and the crash site to reflect on what has happened.

The report also outlined how Kelly has been severely depressed since, with a low mood, regret, lack of motivation, isolation and has expressed a view that he almost would have preferred if he had died in the collision.

When one looks at this incident, the manner of driving was highly reckless. It could only have led to tragedy and severe consequences, Mr Staunton said.

When you drive at that speed, you dont have time to react, Judge Martina Baxter said.

Mr Staunton acknowledged that Kelly left the scene but said it was probably in quite chaotic circumstances, he didnt actually know what had happened before he suggested that Kelly may not have had the life experience to know what to do.

He didnt seek to go to ground or engage in subterfuge, he alerted Mr Rices sister to what had happened  his attempt in his own way to recompense, Mr Staunton submitted.

Mr Staunton said his client contacted Mr Rices sister in a state of confusion and upset to alert her to the accident. He said while he did leave the scene of the accident, this call was consistent with him trying to make amends.

He said Kelly grew up in difficult circumstances with both of his parents having addiction issues. His father, who is currently on remand in prison, has had a sporadic involvement in his life, Mr Staunton said.

Counsel said Kelly is now working full time and has been in a relationship for three years. His partners family are a good support to him, the court heard.

Mr Staunton handed in a number of testimonials which he described as character references from Kellys partner, her mother, her sister, his own grandmother and his friend.

Counsel said these people all speak very highly of Kelly in terms of his approach to his friends and family and the caring nature he has adopted.

He is not callous, not generally ill-disposed to his fellow human beings, Mr Staunton said.

He asked the court to accept that Kelly made admissions when he was arrested and pleaded guilty at an early stage  avoiding the trauma, for all concerned, of a trial

Judge Baxter asked if there were any evidence from either Kellys or Mr Rices phone to support Kellys claim that he tried to ring Mr Rice after the accident.

Ms White said Mr Rices phone was damaged and not analysed and Kellys phone was also not analysed.

Judge Baxter said in the absence of evidence to support his claim, she would give the benefit of the doubt to Kelly in that regard.

Judge Baxter said she had read the medical reports and hoped the finding that Mr Rices death was instantaneous would be of comfort to Mr Rices family.

She said she needed time to consider the case and adjourned it for two weeks to December 11 for sentence. She revoked Kellys bail and remanded him in custody until that date.

Judge Baxter addressed Mr Rices family and friends in court telling them you have our deepest sympathies and condolences.
Renowned musician and author Stephen Travers will launch his new book, The Bass Player, at Athy Library in Co Kildare on Tuesday at 6.30p.m.

Travers, whose family roots lie in Moone, County Kildare, returns to the region with what organisers describe as one of the most important and unforgettable true stories in modern Irish cultural history.

The Bass Player recounts Travers life and the events surrounding the Miami Showband Massacre, one of the darkest chapters of the Troubles. On 31 July 1975, members of the Miami Showband, then Irelands most popular touring group, were ambushed at a fake military checkpoint in County Down. Three band members were killed, and Travers was critically injured.

The attack sent shockwaves across Ireland, marking a moment when Irish popular music collided with political violence. The book is presented as both a personal account of survival and a cultural record of how the arts were affected by conflict.

Next weeks launch will give attendees the chance to hear Travers speak about the book, his experiences, and what organisers describe as his ongoing quest for truth and reconciliation. Copies of The Bass Player will be available for purchase and signing on the night.

Adding to the occasion, there will be live music from Mikayla Farrell of MOA (Made of Athy), described as one of the areas most talented emerging artists.

READ NEXT; Man drove wrong way down Naas dual carriageway.
Leitrim farmers are set to benefit significantly as part of almost 3.7 million in Sheep Improvement Scheme payments being issued across Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal.

In Leitrim alone, 575 farmers will receive 629,136. In Sligo, 676 farmers will receive 708,145, while Donegal will see 3,083 farmers receiving 2,362,514.

These counties contain some of the highest concentrations of sheep farming nationally.

Sligo-Leitrim TD and Minister of State Marian Harkin welcomed the funding announcement by Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon. The overall figure issued nationwide is 16.91 million.

READ NEXT: No Garda probationers for Sligo-Leitrim sparks call for commissioner visit

I am delighted to see that 85 percent advance payments, totalling almost 17 million, have started issuing to farmers under the Sheep Improvement Scheme. For the 4,334 farmers in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal, todays payments provide vital support to their sheep enterprises and their wider rural economies.

The Scheme supports improved animal health and welfare, delivering 12 per breeding ewe for enhanced welfare actions. Combined with the 11.50 per ewe available under the 2025 National Sheep Welfare Scheme, total support will reach 23.50 per ewe next year, an increase on the 2024 rate.

Speaking about the need for timely delivery, the Minister added: I am acutely aware of how essential these payments are, particularly for farmers in counties like Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal where sheep farming is such an integral part of rural life. These payments will issue promptly in line with commitments under the Charter of Rights for Farmers.

She also highlighted the broader scale of Government backing for the sector: In November alone, 33.35 million has issued to sheep farmers through a range of support schemes. This demonstrates the Governments strong, continued commitment to the sector and particularly to farmers in the northwest.

READ NEXT: Garda raid links rural Leitrim to billion-dollar laundering network

Minister Harkin encouraged farmers to respond quickly to any departmental queries: If any farmer has received correspondence seeking documentation or clarification, I urge them to reply as soon as possible so the Department of Agriculture can continue processing outstanding cases. Farmers must also ensure they submit their annual Sheep Census returns on time to remain eligible for payments under both sheep schemes.
By Laman Ismayilova

The "OIC Cultural Festival: Baku Creative Week 25" will host MyForum panel discussions on December 8-9, Azernews reports. The event is organized with the joint support of the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

This year, MyForum will serve as a global platform dedicated to enhancing cooperation in the cultural, creative, and technological sectors among OIC member states.

The program will include high-level panels with ministers, the presentation of the C-HUB concept, Influencers' Day, discussions on new challenges for Islamic culture in the digital age, G-HUB gaming technology debates, topics on investment in startups and creative sectors, as well as AI masterclasses.

The festival will also focus on discussions related to women's creativity, the development path from youth interest to profession, the 4SIM strategy, film commissions, and the final stage of the "Turkic GameJam."

MyForum will bring together the region's creative potential, fostering new collaborations, building global connections, and encouraging joint development in the creative economy among OIC countries.

For more information and registration, you can visit the website: week.creative.az.
The three member states of the confederation known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)  Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso  have signed an agreement to coordinate the use of radio frequencies along their shared borders.

The agreement, signed late last week, sets up mechanisms to prevent interference and signal jamming within a 15-kilometre zone on each side of the borders. It is said to represent a new step in the expanding digital cooperation between Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.

The Ecofin news agency says that the agreement calls for harmonising frequency parameters and coordination procedures. It also includes creating information-sharing systems among national regulators, holding regular meetings to resolve cross-border interference issues and updating the regulatory framework to support the rollout of new technologies and the evolution of the digital market.

Similar issues have recently exercised other parts of Africa, notably Congo and Angola, which addressed the issue in August, as did Ghana and Burkina Faso.

The signing of the AES agreement took place on the sidelines of the recent Digital Week, a Burkinabe tech event. The three countries data protection authorities had earlier adopted a joint roadmap to reinforce their digital sovereignty. They had also committed to a common position against rising cyberthreats and, a year ago, signed an agreement to eliminate roaming fees.

In addition, a shared roadmap covering digital and telecom projects was due to begin this year, focusing on regulation, cybersecurity, network interconnection, ICT training and infrastructure improvement. Satellite acquisition, to strengthen coverage, is also planned.

As Ecofin points out, however, actual implementation is key. For example, free roaming within the AES was expected to come into effect on 1 January 2025, but there has been no formal announcement that it has been applied.
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A COUNTY Limerick farmer has pleaded guilty to 173 charges relating to a large number of dead calves following a major investigation.

Seamus Looby, aged 66, of Raheen, Garryspillane, was arraigned before Judge Colin Daly in Limerick Circuit Criminal Court last week.

READ NEXT: 'Career burglar' whose victim lives in constant fear has sentence from Limerick court reduced

Mr Looby pleaded guilty to 67 charges of breaching section 11(1)(a)(i) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 - duty to protect animal welfare; 68 counts on section 12(1)(a) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 - prohibition on animal cruelty; and 27 charges of section 42(9) - failure to comply with an Animal Health and Welfare notice.

The defendant also pleaded guilty to 11 counts of breach of regulation 3(1)(b) of S.I. 187 of 2014 - European Union (Animal By-Products) Regulations 2014 - failure to dispose of dead calf carcasses.

All of the offences are alleged to have occurred at farmlands at Raheen, Garryspillane on dates between March 8, 2022 and September 8, 2022.

It took the court registrar over an hour to put each of the 173 charges to Mr Looby. He was allowed to sit in the dock due to the length of time it would take. Normally, defendants stand up when they are being arraigned.

Mr Looby said guilty to each charge apart from saying not guilty to one count before quickly correcting himself and saying guilty.

Criminal proceedings were initiated following a major investigation which was launched by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine following the discovery of the animals in September 2022.

Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley, instructed by State solicitor Brendan Gill, said it is a very significant animal cruelty case.

When court hears the case, a feature was that animals were on the farm of the accused but in the profile of another person, said Ms Buckley.

The barrister said that there should not be animals on Mr Loobys land and asked for an undertaking that he will not do so.

Mr Looby was represented by Colman Cody SC, instructed by solicitor Michael Devlin.

Mr Cody said: As Ms Buckley said, this is a very serious case.

Counsel said he had taken instructions from Mr Looby and he undertakes he will not permit anybody to keep animals on his lands.

Currently, there is a suspension on him having animals on his property, said Mr Cody.

Counsel said the matter was sent forward from the district court and Mr Looby has entered pleas of guilty at the first available opportunity.

Mr Cody made an application for a legal aid certificate for a psychological report on Mr Looby.

There is a history of mental health issues. There was some degree of manipulation of Mr Looby regarding the circumstances of providing other third parties to keep animals on his land, said Mr Cody.

Judge Daly granted the application and set down a date of March 23, 2026 for a sentencing hearing in Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

Ms Buckley said it will take over half a day for the case to be heard.

Mr Looby was remanded on continuing bail.
One Irish Rail train passenger has heaped praise on staff for their actions with a young man who boarded a train to Limerick by mistake this week.

The passenger took to X to send Irish Rail a message to say the staff were "just fabulous" for the way in which they dealth with the situation.

In her post, the passenger said: "I was on the 3.30 Limerick train from Heuston today. A young man got on in Portlaoise, instead of getting on the Galway train. One staff member rang his grandmother, explained with patience what had happened and asked her to collect him at the next stop.

"The same staff member sat with the young man reassuring him that this happens all the time. Then at the next stop another staff member got off with him to wait until his grandmother arrived," she explained.

The woman went on to write that "the two staff in question were just fabulous and so compassionate towards the young man." She sent her post directly to Irish Rail who responded.

READ NEXT: Limerick man who told gardai, 'I hope the c*** is dead', jailed

They said: "Thank you for the positive feedback. I will be sure to pass your comments on regarding these staff members."
The Government has absolutely no intention of becoming a landlord the Tanaiste said, ahead of a Cabinet meeting where ministers were due to discuss new plans to charge some international protection applicants for accommodation.

Speaking to reporters outside Government Buildings on Wednesday, Simon Harris said: I reckon, the overwhelming majority of people in this country believe that if youre earning money, you should be asked to pay towards your keep.

However, there has been criticism of the quality of migration accommodation, with the chief executive of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, Teresa Buczkowska, telling RTES Drivetime on Tuesday people are living in overcrowded situations with children who are unable to learn how to walk because there is not enough space for them.

She asked that if the Government is going to charge money for accommodation, would they comply with the obligations required of landlords to provide appropriate accommodation?

Mr Harris said the Government would be asking people with an income to pay a small contribution, about 15 euro a week for someone on about 150 euro.

He said: Its not going to change that relationship in terms of becoming a landlord.

The Tanaiste claimed the policy of allowing working international protection applicants to receive free accommodation simply defies common sense, it defies social cohesion, it defies fairness.

He said if it doesnt end it allows a vacuum to develop which could be filled with far-right populists.

The policy is one of a number of migration and asylum issues due to be discussed at cabinet which the Taoiseach described as a modest tightening-up of Irelands policies.

Asked if the measures were a reaction to major plans announced last week by the British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to change UK border security, Mr Martin said many of his Governments new policies were conceived in advance of that.

He described the broader issue of migration as being positive in terms of our economy and our society, adding: We only have to look at our health services, or indeed the technology sector, to see that.
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India -As businesses worldwide accelerate digital transformation and operational innovation, the role of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is evolving into that of a strategic partner driving enterprise-wide efficiency and growth. According to PwCs COO Insights 2025 report, 86% of COOs are increasing technology investments, while 68% identify balancing cost optimisation with growth initiatives as a key challenge. Addressing this growing leadership need, the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIM Lucknow) ranked 5th among Indias top management institutes (NIRF 2025) and globally accredited by AMBA and AACSB has announced the launch of the Chief Operating Officer Programme in collaboration with Emeritus, a global leader in executive education.

Designed for senior professionals, business heads, and aspiring COOs, the 10-month live online programme empowers participants to lead operational transformation, optimise efficiency, and drive innovation across functions. Combining academic rigour with real-world insights, the programme features live online sessions, case studies, a capstone project, and a three-day campus immersion at IIM Lucknow.

Dr. Suresh K. Jakhar, Programme Director and Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management at IIM Lucknow, said To gain a competitive advantage today, leaders must go beyond operational efficiency and think strategically. This programme equips participants with cross-functional insights, financial acumen, and leadership capabilities to drive value chain innovation and sustainable growth.

Avnish Singhal, Executive Vice President, Head India & APAC, Emeritus, added, In todays dynamic business environment, operational leaders are the true drivers of transformation. The Chief Operating Officer Programme empowers professionals to integrate strategy with execution, harness digital and analytical tools, and lead innovation with measurable impact while earning an IIM Lucknow credential.

The programme combines academic rigour with practical application, offering participants the opportunity to learn from IIM Lucknows esteemed faculty and engage in case-based discussions, peer learning, and simulations. Its comprehensive curriculum covers core pillars such as Operations Strategy for Business Excellence, Business Finance for COOs, Strategic Leadership, Supply Chain and Operational Excellence, Corporate Communication and Crisis Management, and Dynamic Pricing in Supply Chain.

Participants will also gain exposure to real-world business cases from leading global brands like Amazon, Walmart, and Zara, culminating in a faculty-guided Capstone Project that enables the direct application of learning to real operational challenges.

Through this programme, participants will be able to:

Build strategic expertise in digital and engineering operations management.

Lead cross-functional teams to drive innovation and efficiency.

Strengthen financial and analytical capabilities for data-driven decision-making.

Apply design thinking, change management, and leadership frameworks for transformation.

Deliver long-term value through operational excellence and agility.

Programme Details Start Date: December 30, 2025

Duration: 10 months | Live online sessions + 3-day campus immersion

Eligibility: Graduate/Diploma (10+2+3) or Postgraduate with a minimum of 10 years of work experience

Programme Fee: INR 5,95,000 + GST

Learning Mode: Live online sessions with IIM Lucknow faculty

Certification: Upon successful completion of the programme and maintaining a minimum attendance of 75 percent, participants will receive a certificate of completion from IIM Lucknow and an opportunity to gain the IIM Lucknow Executive Alumni status. For more information, visit the programme page here.

About IIM Lucknow The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow is one of the premier national-level institutes of management in India, involved in generating and imparting knowledge in the field of management. IIM Lucknow stands tall on the foundation of an excellent, committed and profoundly knowledgeable faculty, innovative and unique pedagogical tools and an eclectic and diverse student community with a burning desire to make new paths of its own. The Association of MBAs (AMBA) has accredited the Institute's PGPM, IPMX, and PGPWE programmes. IIM Lucknow is among the five B-Schools in India to achieve the coveted dual accreditations by the Association to Advance Collegiate School of Business (AACSB) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA). Worldwide, only about 5% of the institutes have acquired AACSBs accreditation. The Institute scored high on student employability, career progression and research.

About Emeritus Emeritus offers customised and open programs in India, Singapore, Dubai and other global locations in collaboration with IIM Lucknow Executive Education, IIM Calcutta Executive Education, ISB Executive Education, Harvard Business School (HBS), MIT Sloan, Columbia Business School, Kellogg Executive Education, Berkeley Executive Education, and Wharton Executive Education, amongst other leading Institutions. Our world-class executive education programs, facilitated by eminent program experts, provide an immersive learning experience integrated with actionable insights and practical business applications and are delivered in a range of formats: in-class, online, as well as blended programs. The Emeritus Group has more than 1,750 employees globally and offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, Shanghai, Singapore, Palo Alto, Mexico City, New York, Boston, London, and Dubai. The company is backed by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Leeds Illuminate, Prosus Ventures, GSV Ventures, Peak XV, Bertelsmann, CPPIB, Accel and SoftBank Vision Fund 2. For more information, please visit https://emeritus.org/

Media Contact Details Ritika Kar, Adfactors PR, ritika.kar@adfactorspr.com, +91-9711306380

Note to readers: This article is part of Mints paid consumer connect Initiative. Mint assumes no editorial involvement or responsibility for errors, omissions, or content accuracy.
Sales of laptops, desktops and tablets had a largely bad time in India after a pandemic boom. But after some recovery in 2024, laptop and tablet makers are doing brisk business again. Shipments of all personal computers (PCs) reached a record high of 4.9 million units in the quarter ended September, according to research firm IDC.

What caused the turnaround and which companies stand to gain from this surge? Mint explains.

How did PC sales do this year in India?

Extremely well. According to IDC, all three kinds of personal computers  desktops, laptops and office workstations  grew 10 to 14% year on year in the quarter ended September as shipments hit a record high. Much of this growth came from small and medium businesses and big offices replacing older PCs.

Regular shoppers bought PCs too, and shipments this past quarter were at a record high of 2.8 million units. Notebooks made up the bulk of these consumer sales as students waited for festive season discounts to buy new devices.

Were sales like this throughout the year?

No. While PC sales had risen 5.7% year on year in the January-June period, consumer shipments declined by 3.9% in the June quarter. This is because retailers sold fewer premium notebooks (priced over $1,000) and focused on budget devices instead.

Online retailers used the summer months to clear out older inventory on discount and so, did not order new computers, hurting shipment volumes. Instead, they anticipated buyers would buy new PCs during Independence Day and other sales that run through the second half of the year. As IDCs data shows, growth in consumer PCs moved to the second half of this year.

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Which PC makers are winning in this consumer surge?

HP is the largest PC brand in India with 26% market share, but its consumer segment declined more than 10% year on year in the September quarter. IDC said in a note last week that HP faced stiff competition from new brands in the premium and entry-level segments.

Consumer sales at Lenovo, Indias second-largest PC brand overall, grew more than 14% during this period. But the big winner was Asus, now Indias second-largest consumer PC brand with an almost 6% share. Asus is known for high-end gaming laptops and accessories like headphones and keyboards designed for hardcore video game enthusiasts and professional players.

Also Read | That distinct taste: Why the world is toasting Indian spirits

How will these trends shape the PC market?

Government contracts and office mandates are important to keep PC sales going. Consumers seem to buy PCs only if they are feature-rich (such as gaming laptops) or come with attractive festive season discounts.

In the long run, business in budget and student-focused laptops may become increasingly seasonal because retailers will keep inventory lean in the first half of the year and load up with new launches during festive and sale seasons.

What about competition from new kinds of devices, such as tablets?

iPads and tablets were once seen as viable alternatives to some PCs meant for everyday, light use. However, shipments of both detachable and slate tablets fell by about a third year on year in the January-June period, IDC said.

Regular buyers continue to pick up tablets, but offices, governments and other institutions have stopped buying them. Sales of Samsung tablets and Apples iPad fell by 38% and 14%, respectively, in this period, IDC data shows.

Analysts said another reason is that educational institutions  once a regular customer base  have stopped issuing tenders for tablets.
New Delhi: India's top consumer watchdog has held Reliance JioMart guilty of misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices by allowing the sale of uncertified walkie-talkies on its platform, government officials aware of the matter said, in a first such action against an e-commerce portal.

Accordingly, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA imposed a penalty of 100,000 and directed JioMart to ensure that no walkie-talkies or any product requiring statutory approval is listed without full compliance with applicable laws. A compliance report has to be filed within 15 days.

The CCPA order of 21 November, reviewed by Mint, follows a months-long inquiry that began in May, when the regulator issued notices to several e-commerce platforms over illegal sales of wireless devices operating in restricted frequency bands - or radio frequencies that are reserved for emergency services like police, or ambulance communication, defence services, or aviation. Any interference with these airwaves can disrupt essential services, and also potentially raise national security concerns.

During its inquiry, the authority found that JioMart had listed walkie-talkie models without disclosing crucial information such as operating frequency, licensing requirements or proof of Equipment Type Approval (ETA) from the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing of the Department of Telecommunications.

The ETA certifies that a wireless device uses only those radio frequencies that are legally permissible in India and follows the technical standards set by the government.

May mislead buyers

The omission by JioMart could mislead buyers into assuming the devices were legal for unrestricted use, violating consumer rights under the Consumer Protection Act, particularly the right to be informed about product standards and regulatory compliance, the officials cited earlier said on the condition of anonymity.

JioMart is an online marketplace of Reliance Retail Ltd, a part of billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Ltd, that sells grocery and a wide array of general goods.

The case stems from a preliminary inquiry in May that examined listings of walkie-talkie devices on multiple e-commerce platforms. The consumer regulator had issued notices to major marketplaces, including Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, OLX and IndiaMart, for allowing the illegal sale of walkie-talkies operating in licensed frequency bands without mandatory regulatory disclosures. Mint had reported this on 10 May, the same day India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire to short aerial war following the Pahalgam terror attack.

Citing the findings of the order, one of the officials said that JioMart argued that it functions as a marketplace intermediary and that compliance obligations lie with the sellers. The company said it delisted the products after receiving the notice on 7 May, adding that any links appearing later were cached versions still visible on search engines. It also maintained that its seller agreements require adherence to Indian law, and that no units were sold after 21 May.

Queries sent to Reliance Retail spokespersons, including Ravi Gandhi, president and chief regulatory officer, did not elicit a response.

Unclear course

Since there has been no response from JioMart, it is unclear whether the e-commerce company will pay the penalty and make course-corrections or challenge the order before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) or in a higher court.

However, an investigation report submitted in August found that uncertified devices remained accessible on the platform even after JioMart claimed to have removed them. The Director General (Investigation) recorded non-cooperation by the company, including failure to appear before the investigating authority and failure to provide frequency specifications or certification records. The products sold were found to operate in restricted bands such as 400470 MHz, far outside the licence-exempt 446.0446.2 MHz band permitted under the 2018 rules.

The investigation report, mentioned in the CCPA order, further found that JioMart misled consumers and facilitated the sale of devices that posed regulatory risks, pointing out that online buyers rely heavily on product descriptions, as they don't physically inspect the products. The DoTs advisory on the sale of wireless equipment, which makes intermediaries responsible for ensuring legal compliance before listing such products, was also cited by the CCPA.

The CCPA rejected JioMarts argument that it was a passive intermediary. It clearly said that the platform exercises significant control over product visibility, earns revenue from sales and therefore has a duty to prevent unlawful listings and the company acted only after regulatory intervention and had concealed essential information from consumers," said the second official.

Ashim Sanyal, chief operating officer of consumer rights group Consumer VOICE, said that the order sends a clear message that large e-commerce platforms cannot hide behind the intermediary" label when unsafe or uncertified products are sold on their sites. Consumers rely fully on online listings for technical and safety information, and any concealment of licensing requirementsespecially for wireless devicescreates both legal and security risks," said Sanyal.

Platforms earn commissions and control visibility. They cannot distance themselves from responsibility. The CCPAs action rightly underscores that compliance has to be verified before products are listed, not after harm is done," Sanyal added.

Turning point

Legal experts say the case marks a turning point in how regulators assess the responsibility of e-commerce platforms, especially in categories linked to safety and licensing.

Courts and regulators are increasingly looking at the degree of control a platform has over the marketplace. When a product category involves licensing, safety or national security considerations, platforms have a higher duty of due diligence," said Manish K. Shubhay, partner at The Precept-Law Offices.

The CCPA order shows that failure to verify licensing or certifications before listing can be construed as an unfair trade practice," Shubhay said.

Also Read | Why India's WTO farm import quotas saw no takers

Indias e-commerce industry, valued at $125 billion in 2024, is projected to grow to $345 billion by 2030, reflecting a compounded annual growth rate of 15%, as per India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), a commerce ministry body.

The sector has also emerged as a key driver of investments. In 202425, e-commerce attracted $3.1 billion across 79 deals, accounting for 31% of total startup funding. This marked a 128% jump from 2023, when it recorded $1.4 billion across 59 deals, said IBEF.

The CCPA has taken action against several e-commerce platforms over the years. In August 2022, the authority imposed a penalty of 100,000 on Amazon India for selling substandard pressure cookers that did not meet mandatory quality control norms, and ordered the recall of the products. Around the same period, in September 2022, Flipkart was also directed to pay a 100,000 penalty for allowing the sale of similar non-compliant pressure cookers and was asked to reimburse the affected consumers.
Snack and cola maker PepsiCo is finally giving gourmet a chance with the launch of Red Rock Deli chips, priced at 60 and 125 a pack, in a shift away from its years-long focus on mass-market Lays, which starts as low as 5.

The move marks PepsiCo Indias most aggressive push yet into the premium end of the salty snacks marketwhere consumers are unceasingly seeking more gourmet flavours.

This shift is significant because Indias organized snack market is surgingchips are now among the fastest-growing food categories. As consumers pay more for better flavours and premium packaging, startups such as Beyond Snacks, Too Yum! and Cremicas Opera Chips have stormed the shelves, backed by fresh funding rounds.

Also Read | PepsiCo India appoints Saakshi Verma Menon as marketing director for foods

With demand rising from metros to smaller towns, the premium snack segment has become the hot growth engine of Indias FMCG landscapeand Red Rock Deli is positioning itself squarely to ride this wave.

Consumers are evolving. They want new experiences, new flavours, new technologies, new textures. This is our first attempt at true gourmet snacking, Saakshi Verma Menon, chief marketing officer of foods, PepsiCo India, said in an interview with Mint.

Demand for mindful and intentional indulgence has accelerated in recent years. A few years ago neither the company nor the industry would have anticipated that premium snacking would scale to this extent, she added.

Price shift PepsiCos new gourmet launch includes four variants at the premium end of the category: 60 (58g) and 125 (75g). In comparison, a 52g Lays pack is 20, while a 75g Doritos pack sells for 48.

The products are being manufactured at PepsiCos plants in Channo (Sangrur, Punjab) and Kosi Kalan (Mathura, Uttar Pradesh). Red Rock Deli is an Australian premium brand now being locally produced.

Menon said Indian buyers today are far more informed, health-conscious and willing to experiment across price points.

The acceptability of artisanal, handcrafted products expands beyond what we may have originally thought of as metro towns, she said. Pepsi launched its nacho brand Doritos in India in 2015, now available at price points starting at 10.

Crowded premium aisle PepsiCos move comes as supermarket shelves see renewed activity in premium foodsdriven by innovation from startups such as Beyond Snacks, RPSG-backed Too Yum!, and Cremicas Opera Chips. Earlier this year, Beyond Snacks raised $8.3 million in a Series A round, led by 12 Flags Group.

With rising competition and a pressured mass-market segment, FMCG firms are doubling down on premium productsfrom high-end ghee and yogurts to gourmet snacks. Established names such as Marico, Emami and ITC have also entered new-age snacking and packaged foods.

Aditya Goel, founder and chief executive officer of Love In Store, a retail scaling partner for FMCG firms, said the shift is fuelled by quick-commerce platforms. In micro-markets such as Gurugram, premium snacks already command over 50% share on these platformsa warning sign for legacy brands to innovate or risk losing out.

Production & rollout strategy Red Rock Deli will first hit online channels, with plan for wider retail rollout as demand picks up.

As the consumer evolves, we will make sure our products are available agnostic of where they shop, Menon said.

PepsiCo views this launch as part of a broader hedging strategyserving both ends of the snacking spectrum: daily staples and occasional indulgence.

PepsiCo India reported revenue of 8,877 crore and a profit after tax of 883.4 crore for the 12 months ended 31 December 2024. The results reflect both packaged foods business and the concentrate sold to its bottling partner, Varun Beveragesunderlining PepsiCos broad ambitions in food and beverage.

Also Read | PepsiCo India reports 884-cr profit in 2024 after shifting to calendar year

On the competitive front, in India PepsiCo will square off against companies such as Coca-Cola, ITC, Bikaji and Haldirams.

Category momentum The Indian packaged convenience food industry is expected to reach 4,883 billion by FY26, growing at a CAGR of 11% from 3,194 billion in FY22, per Deloittes 2025 estimates. Global influencesSzechuan sauces, Korean kimchi, Thai curry blendsare increasingly shaping chips and ready foods.
From spreadsheets to scheduling software, NSWs proposed law captures everyday business tools under safety regulations, says COSBOA Chair Matthew Addison.

Whats happening: NSW Parliament is considering legislation that would impose specific work health and safety obligations on businesses using digital work systems, with the bill defining these systems broadly as algorithms, artificial intelligence, automation, online platforms or software.

Why this matters: Over half of surveyed businesses reported that compliance had become harder over the past year, and this legislation arrives without regulatory impact statements, cost analysis, or consultation with the small business sector it will affect most.

The NSW Government introduced the Work Health and Safety Amendment (Digital Work Systems) Bill 2025 to Parliament on 20 November 2025, triggering immediate warnings from small business advocates about impossible compliance obligations and commercial privacy concerns.

Matthew Addison, Chair of COSBOA, described the legislation as a trojan horse that grants union officials with WHS entry permits unprecedented access to business digital systems, including platforms containing payroll data, customer lists, pricing algorithms, and operational strategies, with penalties for businesses that fail to provide reasonable assistance.

Small businesses have legitimate commercial-in-confidence concerns about union officials accessing their operational systems, Mr Addison said. There are inadequate safeguards preventing these powers being used for industrial rather than safety purposes. A union official does not need access to an entire customer database to investigate a safety issue.

The legislations scope extends far beyond specialised platforms. The bill defines digital work systems broadly as algorithms, artificial intelligence, automation, online platforms or software, which could apply to many businesses, not just those using apps to allocate jobs to workers.

Mr Addison said the legislation fundamentally misunderstands how small businesses use technology. The Bill makes small business owners liable for work allocation, and anything from a standard spreadsheet to a basic off-the-shelf system is caught up in this overreach.

Compliance obligations within the bill remain unclear, as it requires businesses to ensure digital systems dont create excessive, unreasonable or discriminatory outcomes, yet none of these terms are defined. Small businesses face significant liability without a clear understanding of what compliance actually looks like.

The NSW Government is creating penalties first and promising to define them later through regulator guidelines, Mr Addison said. That is backwards and fundamentally unfair.

NSW Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said the bill aims to ensure digital workplace systems help businesses and do not undermine worker health and safety, describing systems that track and push workers beyond safe limits as exploitation rather than innovation.

However, the Business Council of Australia raised serious concerns about the legislations scope. BCA chief executive Bran Black warned that the new laws hand unions unprecedented access to any business or workers computer systems.

COSBOA also warned that the legislation is being rushed through NSW Parliament before Safe Work Australia finalises national guidance on digital work systems, creating yet another instance of NSW breaking ranks on national workplace regulation.

Small businesses operating across multiple states are struggling to keep up with conflicting requirements, Mr Addison said. NSWs approach on workplace laws makes a complex environment even harder and it has to stop.

The Australian Industry Group echoed concerns about NSWs divergent regulatory approach, with Helen Waldron stating the proposed changes are entirely unnecessary and the unclear obligations they would impose on industry will undoubtedly be a catalyst for workplace disputation.

Mr Addison emphasised that current WHS legislation already requires businesses to manage all workplace risks, including those from digital systems. The NSW Government has not explained what gap this Bill fills or why existing laws are inadequate, he said. This appears to be a solution in search of a problem, drafted in response to political pressure rather than demonstrated workplace safety failures.

The timing of the legislation has drawn particular criticism. The federal government is convening a roundtable discussion over matters that will include whether there is a need to regulate employers implementation of artificial intelligence at a national level, yet NSW is proceeding independently.

COSBOA highlighted the bill was introduced without any regulatory impact statement, cost analysis, or formal consultation with the small business sector. Small business compliance burdens have intensified, with businesses under significant pressure from rising costs and compliance burdens.

The NSW Government talks about cutting red tape, yet this Bill will force thousands of small businesses to seek costly legal or technical advice just to understand their obligations, Mr Addison said.

COSBOA is urging the NSW Government to exempt small businesses with fewer than 50 full time employees and to undertake meaningful consultation before progressing the bill.

Small businesses support safe workplaces, but they need laws they can understand, implement and comply with, Mr Addison concluded. This Bill must be withdrawn and redrafted following genuine consultation with the business community it will impact.

The legislation remains before Parliament, with industry groups continuing to advocate for proportionate approaches that recognise small business operational constraints and limited resources compared to large corporations.

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BENGALURU : Major consumer brandsfrom Coca-Cola to Pidilite and even startupsare increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to create quick, low-cost advertisements, launching sharply-targetted campaigns and driving a boom in specialised AI marketing tools.

This shift is turning ad production from a resource-heavy human process into a cost-efficient technological utility, allowing companies to quickly test thousands of ad variations across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and their own websites.

After a decade of relying on humans for creative projects, Naturally Yoursa Mumbai-based healthy-food brandhas shifted to producing all its creative work using generative AI tools, specifically Googles Gemini and OpenAIs ChatGPT as its primary engines. Our ROAS [return on ad spend] has multiplied significantly since we began using these tools. We now also spend less than half the time than we did before," Vinod Chendhil, founder and chief executive officer of the company, told Mint.

Also Read | Nestle sniffs an India boom beyond Maggia market that could be a global top 3

Beauty and personal care brand Plum Goodness, backed by A91 Partners and Unilever Ventures, is still in its early days of AI adoption and uses external platforms for generating static images, videos, and writing ad copies. Clearly, AI has crashed the time from concept to first draft to revision to final. This has been the most significant impact of AI on our creative processes, even though we are still in early stages of adoption," said Shankar Prasad, founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of the company.

AI marketing startups attract capital

This rush to automate creative content has funneled investment into key players in the generative AI space. Startups like Hypergro, which focuses on AI-driven video generation to boost conversions, recently secured a 7 crore pre-Series A funding round led by Eternal Capital. Dashverse, which runs different tools including AI-led microdrama app DashReels and comics creation feature Dashtoon, raised a $13 million Series A from Peak XV Partners and Z47 in August to scale its AI-native storytelling engine.

Earlier this month, global beverage maker Coca-Cola used AI to create a video ad primarily for the US market ahead of Christmas holidays, making waves on social media for being among the first large companies to do so. Chocolate maker Mondelez International recently said it will invest $40 million in a new generative AI tool to cut marketing costs.

At home, Pidilite Industries Fevikwik, Star Health, and Cadbury India are known to have used AI for their different campaigns this year.

Creativity concerns rise

While AI is cutting costs and accelerating up ad production, it is also raising concerns about job losses and the future of creativity.

"The drawback of AI is its inability to take a really big creative leap. And there is a certain sameness to its output. For example, I can spot ChatGPT writing pretty easily now. From social media posts to media articles, there is now a ChatGPT chhaap and its replacing unique individual voices with its own. When it comes to images and videos, there is sometimes an AI look and feel to them," Sumanto Chattopadhyay, an independent creative director, said.

"The best ads will now come from a collaboration between human creativity and AI. And the ad person who is the most creative in their use of AI is the one who will come out on top," he noted.

A July 2025 study by job search platform Naukri showed that more than 40% of respondents in advertising and marketing feared that AI tools could significantly reduce creativity in their roles.

Cost-effectiveness and shorter turnaround times are the biggest advantages of AI tools," said Ujwal Sutaria, founder and general partner at venture capital firm TDV Partners. There is good value in startups that are building for a variety of use-cases, including ad generation and marketing automation tools for tracking performance."

The rapid rise of AI tools comes at a time when marketing investments have become a key differentiating factor for brands fighting for visibility on competitive e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms. The ability to deploy hyper-personalized ads is now essential for bolstering market share in crowded categories like beauty, personal care, food, and apparel, turning targeted creative work into a matter of competitive leverage, Sutaria said.

We can create a new ad every day specifically made for different platforms and different target groups and needs. Even different geographies can view different ads based on purchase patterns."

Last year, Mint reported that small brands are scrambling to grab shelf space in quick-commerce dark stores, making marketing spends and uniqueness of campaigns a crucial factor.

Creative dilution

However, several industry executives are sounding an alarm, cautioning that relying too heavily on generative AI could pose a serious risk to brand identity, if not done right.

While AI delivers efficiency, executives worry that using the same tools to churn out mass content will lead to creative similarities and a loss of the unique human creative touch.

We are at a stage of the AI revolution where AI is a great co-pilot to test and refine concepts. However, completely replacing human creativity isnt something we are ready for," said Siddharth Jhawar, country manager at advertising tech company Moloco. A practitioners intuition of consumer behaviour and an artists ability to envision new concepts are nuanced and tough to replace."

This fear of brand dilution and inauthentic content  which consumers already trust less  highlights a strategic dilemma: do cost savings outweigh the risk of eroding long-term brand equity?

The more reliant marketers become on AI to produce content, the less differentiated that content will feel, which will put a premium on higher quality research and writing. If everyone is using the same tool to generate their ads, the market risks becoming flooded with sameness that ultimately erodes brand authenticity," TDV Partners Sutaria said.

Moreover, glitches in AI-generated ads are also a concern. Last month, Coca-Colas video ads attracted scrutiny on social media viewers about inconsistencies.
Apple Inc is poised to surpass Samsung Electronics Co and become the world's largest smartphone maker this year for the first time in more than a decade. The surge is driven by the strong debut of the new iPhone 17 series and a wave of consumers upgrading their devices, according to Counterpoint Research.

The latest iPhone 17 models, launched in September, have been a major hit both in the United States and in Apples other critical market, China, leading to double-digit year-over-year sales growth in both regions, Bloomberg reported.

Blockbuster debut of iPhone 17 series The iPhone 17 series, comprising four models, has enticed more people to upgrade their smartphones. The company's latest offering, iPhone Air, marketed as the world's thinnest iPhone, saw people waiting in long queues to get their hands on the device.

The US-based company is also benefiting from a cooling of US-China trade tensions and a depreciating dollar, which has led to more purchases in emerging markets, the researchers added.

Apple vs Samsung The surge in growth, which is expected to push Apple ahead of longtime rival Samsung Electronics this year, comes as iPhone shipments are projected to rise 10% in 2025, compared with a 4.6% for Samsung.

The overall global smartphone market is expected to expand by 3.3% in 2025, with Apple forecasted to claim a market share of 19.4%. It will be the first time since 2011 that the company takes the No. 1 position in the smartphone market.

Also Read | Top 5 Apple iPhone Air alternatives you must check in India

Beyond the highly positive market reception for the iPhone 17 series, the key driver behind the upgraded shipment outlook lies in the replacement cycle reaching its inflection point, said Counterpoint analyst Yang Wang.

The analyst also said that the market is being bolstered by the rising sales of secondhand iPhones, alongside new upgrades.

Consumers who purchased smartphones during the Covid-19 boom are now entering their upgrade phase. Furthermore, 358 million secondhand iPhones were sold between 2023 and Q2 2025. These users are also likely to upgrade to a new iPhone in the coming years, Wang added.

What will Apple launch next? Looking ahead, Wang is optimistic about Apple's long-term dominance, forecasting the company to remain the No 1 phone seller through 2029.

Also Read | Apple layoffs: iPhone maker cut dozens of sales jobs to streamline workforce

The upcoming 2026 debut of a foldable iPhone and a budget-friendly iPhone 17e is poised to help Apple sustain this growth. The company is also expected to follow those models with a major iPhone design revamp in 2027, as Bloomberg News has previously reported.
Elon Musk led EV maker has opened its first all in one centre in India at Orchid Business Park in Gurugram. Unlike the earlier two centres in Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex and Delhi's Aerocity that served the purpose of just displaying vehicles, the Gurugram centre will provide all major services like retail, after sales service, delivery and charging from one centralised location.

The centre will be headed by Sharad Agarwal, who is primarily known for his almost decade long tenure as the Head of Lamborghini India. Tesla says that its new centre, which is located in Gurugram Sector 48, will allow potential customers to learn about the latest EV technologies, enjoy test drives with the Model Y, charge their vehicles with the V4 Superchargers and also access after sales support.

Optimus Gen 2 makes an appearance at the Gurugram centre The company has also placed its Optimus Gen 2 humanoid robot at the facility, allowing potential customers to have a look at the cutting edge technology. The robot was first introduced by Tesla in 2023 and uses Tesla designed actuators and sensors to learn and adapt to its surroundings.

While talking about the launch of the new all in one centre, Agarwal said, Teslas mission is to accelerate the worlds transition to sustainable energy. We are opening our first all in one Tesla Center in Gurugram, combining experience center, after sales service, delivery and charging station in one place.

View full Image Optimus Gen 2 at Tesla Gurugram facility ( Aman Gupta )

By building charging infrastructure that fits peoples daily lives, we are making electric driving convenient for everyone in India. The network will expand rapidly for a seamless EV experience. Our direct business model has sparked huge excitement for electric mobility, driving strong adoption and lasting confidence in sustainable transport across India, he added.

The world's largest EV maker began its operations in India in July this year. Tesla currently offers two Model Y variants in India priced at 59.89 lakh and 67.89 lakh respectively. Both the models are imported from China and subsequently have to face a 70 percent import duty.

After the launch of the Gurugram centre, Tesla says it now operates four charging stations across India that are equipped with 16 Superchargers and 10 Destination Chargers.
HP Inc announced on Tuesday that it plans to cut between 4,000 and 6,000 jobs globally through fiscal 2028, joining a wave of tech companies accelerating their adoption of AI tools.

With these layoffs, the company aims to streamline operations and integrate artificial intelligence across workflows to speed up product development, improve customer satisfaction, and boost productivity.

Teams focused on product development, internal operations and customer support will be particularly impacted by the layoffs, CEO Enrique Lores said during a media briefing call.

We expect this initiative will create $1 billion in gross run rate savings over three years, Lores was quoted as saying by Reuters.

This announcement comes just months after HP laid off 1,000 to 2,000 employees in February as part of an earlier restructuring plan.

Demand for AI-enabled PCs Customers are increasingly showing interest in personal computers equipped with specialised AI chips. This rising demand for AI-enabled PCs accounted for more than 30% of HP's shipments in the fourth quarter ended 31 October, Reuters reported.

However, these chips come at a cost. A global surge in memory chip prices, driven by rising demand from data centres, could increase expenses and squeeze profits for consumer electronics makers, including HP, Dell and Acer, Morgan Stanley analysts warned.

Big Tech's push to build AI infrastructure has triggered price increases for dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and NAND  two commonly used types of memory chips  amid high competition in the server market.

HP's CEO said that the company is bracing to feel the impact in the second half of fiscal 2026, due to higher prices, but it currently has sufficient inventory to cover the first half.

We are taking a prudent approach to our guide for the second half, while at the same time implementing aggressive actions like qualifying lower cost suppliers, reducing memory configurations and taking price actions, Lores said.

The PC maker has been reducing expenses and moving production outside China for most of its North America-bound products. This strategy aims to offset the impact of sweeping tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, Bloomberg reported.

HP financials and market performance The shares of HP declined about 4% in extended trading after closing at $24.32 on Tuesday in New York. The stock had dropped 25% this year before the results were released.

The company expects fiscal 2026 adjusted profit per share between $2.90 to $3.20, which is below analysts' average estimate of $3.33, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Also Read | Best offers on HP Victus gaming laptops: Exceptional performance at your fingers

HP's revenue for the fourth quarter was reported to be $14.64 billion, beating analysts' estimates of $14.48 billion, Reuters reported.
US-based chipmaking giant, Nvidia Corp., in a seven-page memo response, refuted big short investor Michael Burry's claims, who has been arguing that the artificial intelligence (AI) investment boom is replaying the dotcom bubble from the 1990s, reported the news portal CNBC.

Investor Michael Burry, the founder of now-dissolved Scion Asset Management and one of the early people to bet against the US housing market in 2008, used a financial instrument like credit default swaps (CDS).

Burry's bet paid off big after the housing market crashed due to the subprime mortgage crisis, making him $100 million back in 2008. After terminating the registration status of his hedge fund, Burry has now turned his attention to a potential AI bubble in the US market.

Nvidia's pushback on Michael Burry Nvidia allegedly sent its seven-page responses to the sell-side analysts on Wall Street in an effort to push back on Michael Burry's claims on the company's stock-based compensation and the depreciation of its GPU chips, reported the news portal, citing Burry's Substack post.

Nvidia said that the US-based chipmaker repurchased $91 billion shares in 2018, and not $112.5 billion, which Burry claimed, citing that the big short investor incorrectly included Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) in the calculation.

Also Read | Are AI stocks in a bubble? What market experts say

Nvidia repurchased $91B shares since 2018, not $112.5B; Mr. Burry appears to have incorrectly included RSU taxes, the company said, cited the news portal.

The company also said that the equity grants to the employees are not to be combined with the performance of the repurchase program.

Employee equity grants should not be conflated with the performance of the repurchase program. NVIDIAs employee compensation is consistent with that of peers. Employees benefiting from a rising share price does not indicate the original equity grants were excessive at the time of issuance, said Nvidia, cited in the news portal's report.

Nvidia's take on depreciation of GPU chips According to the CNBC report, Nvidia countered Michael Burry's claims, saying that the customers depreciate the GPUs over four to six years based on the real-world longevity and utilisation patterns of these chips.

The company also said that the older GPUs, like A100s, which were released in 2020, continued at high utilisation rates and retain meaningful economic value beyond the critics' claims of two to three years.

Burry claimed that Nvidia is allegedly using circular financing, and the company's strategic investment represents a small fraction of revenue, and that the AI startups raise capital from outside investors. Nvidia rejected these allegations, according to the report.

Is Nvidia like Cisco? Burry draws a parallel Big short investors Michael Burry drew a parallel between Nvidia and Cisco, a company which was prominent during the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

I stand by my analysis. I am not claiming Nvidia is Enron. It is clearly Cisco, said Michael Burry, cited in the news report.

During the Dot-com bubble, Cisco, being a network hardware manufacturer, soon became one of the most valued companies of the time due to its manufacturing strength in making equipment like routers, switches and other materials for the internet needs.

As soon as the Dot-com bubble burst, Cisco shares collapsed more than 85%, according to a Business Insider report.

This comes amid the concerns of Nvidia fueling an AI bubble in the market as companies, including the US-based chipmaker, set their attention on AI investments.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently said that the US stock market did not appreciate the company's July to September quarter results, putting the company in an alleged no-win situation.

Huang also said that if the company delivered bad Q3 results, then it would serve as evidence of an AI bubble, and if it was a great quarter, then the market would call it fueling the AI bubble.
Hyderabad: Indias data-infrastructure buildout hit a $13.5-billion inflection point on Wednesday, with a Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) joint venture and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) announcing large-scale investments in data centres, driven by surging demand for artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

The announcements marked one of the largest single-day commitments to Indias digital capacity, pushing total announcements this year to nearly $60 billion. Of this, nearly $53 billion has been announced cumulatively by RIL, L&T, the Adani and Tata groups, and the Big Tech trio of Google, Amazon and Microsoft.

On Wednesday, Digital Connexion, RILs joint venture with Canadian asset management firm Brookfield and US-headquartered real estate investment trust Digital Realty, announced an $11-billion investment over five years to set up a 1 gigawatt (GW) data centre in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Alongside, L&T, Indias largest engineering and construction company, said it plans to spend nearly $2.5 billion over five years to set up five data centres  one of which will be in Visakhapatnam  with net capacity of at least 300 megawatt (MW)with potential to expand more.

To be sure, L&T started its own commercial data centre operations with its first client in December last year. RIL, meanwhile, has forayed into data centres for the first timeafter chairman Mukesh Ambani said that the group will invest heavily in AI infrastructure during the companys AGM on 29 August.

Wednesdays announcements would also establish Visakhapatnam as Indias latest data centre hub, with over $26 billion committed to data centre facilities of at least 2GW by 2031. Once built, this would surpass the current data centre capacity of the entire country, estimated to be 1.4GW by financial analytics platform S&P Global.

Industry experts noted that gigawatt-scale data centres are emerging as a utilities-style business for Indias conglomeratesbuilt on renewable power, long-dated financing, and sovereignty requirementseffectively making homegrown firms the landlords to global cloud providers.

As AI ramps up, Indias potential for data centre capacity growth will not be limited to 5GW in the next decade, Prashant Chiranjive Jain, head of corporate centre at L&T, said at a media roundtable on Wednesday. We expect the growth to be even faster, as the demand for sovereign AI loads increases.

Jain added that in the next five years, L&T may increase data centre facilities that will be owned, operated and managed by the company, and well cater to about 10% of Indias total data centre workloads by then.

Seema Ambastha, chief executive of L&T data centre business, added that Visakhapatnam will be one of five key centres across which L&T will build out its facilities, since it has landing ports for subsea internet cables.

We have a presence in Chennai and Navi Mumbai, and well be scaling up operations across other facilities in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, she said at the same media roundtable.

The company is building Indias next-generation digital infrastructure through AI-native, purpose-built data centres, designed for unmatched performance, scalability and sustainability, Digital Connexion said in a statement on Wednesday. It has a campus in Chennai, and another that is being constructed in Mumbais Chandivali area. Both are strategically located for low-latency, carrier-neutral connectivity.

A note by analysts at Morgan Stanley further said that beyond internal usage, RILs 1GW data centre play is likely to also be leased out in the data centre-as-a-service format offering.

The new landlords Industry stakeholders said that for top conglomerates, data centres represent a national utilities business modeland not just a foray into technology.

The gigawatt-class plans show an understanding that in the AI era, compute is constrained less by chip availability and more by electricity, cooling, and interconnects, said Sanchit Vir Gogia, chief executive of technology consulting firm, Greyhound Research.

Reliances 3GW campus in Jamnagar, Adanis 1GW Visakhapatnam project (with Google), and TCSs $7 billion entry into AI data centres are all designed around renewable power procurement and long-dated financing, not speculative real estate, he said.

Gogia added that the new push from Indian firms make the homegrown companies the landlords, and foreign cloud firms their tenants.
Comedian, actor Kapil Sharma publicly talked about the firing accidents at his Canada-based Kap's Cafe for the first time on Wednesday. During the trailer launch event of his film, Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2, Sharma hailed the Mumbai Police over the Canadian Police and asserted that he feels safe in his own country.

He also recalled the matter reaching the Canadian Parliament.

Kapil Sharma on firing at his cafe in Canada Kapil Sharma said, "This incident happened in Canada, in Vancouver. I think there were three rounds of firing. What I feel is that the rules there the police dont have enough power to control such situations. So when this case happened with us, it went to the federal level. Just like we have a central government, this matter was discussed in Canadas Parliament."

The comedian added that the authorities in Canada are now taking steps to improve the situation after the firing incident.

"I believe that whatever God does, we often dont understand the story behind it, but many people called me saying a lot was already going on there. After the firing at our cafe made news, the police and law-and-order authorities there are now taking steps to improve things," he said.

Also Read | Pannun issues threat to Kapil Sharma after attack on cafe: Report

Kapil Sharma: Never felt unsafe in Mumbai "As for me, I have never felt unsafe in Mumbai or in my own country. Theres no one like the Mumbai Police," he also said.

Kapil Sharma concluded in his signature humour. He added that post the firing incident, his cafe saw a better footfall.

"In fact, after every firing incident, we got a bigger opening at the cafe. So it is all ok if God is with me.

Multiple attacks at Kap's Cafe Kapil Sharma's cafe has witnessed three separate incidents where shots have been fired since it opened in July 2025. It is located in Surrey, British Columbia.

The first attack took place on July 10, and a second attack occurred on August 8. The third attack took place on October 16. However, no casualty was reported in the firing incidents.

Reportedly, Gangsters Goldy Dhillon and Kuldeep Sidhu, linked to Lawrence Bishnoi's gang, took credit for the attack on social media.

Kapil Sharma on Dharmendra Meanwhile, Kapil Sharma also talked about the loss of Dharmendra at the event.
Stranger Things Season 5 release: Millie Bobby Brown starrer Stranger Things Season 5, the concluding season of the sci-fi phenomenon that began in Hawkins back in 2016, is almost here after a nearly three-year wait.

With the final countdown for Stranger Things Vol 1 on, fans are now only hours away from getting answers to looming questions like whats the deal with that portal Vecna opened at the end of Season 4?

Also Read | Stranger Things Season 5 opens with a return to Will Byerss disappearance

Stranger Things Season 5: Release date  US Netflix will release the first four episodes of Stranger Things 5 on November 26, followed by three episodes on Christmas, and the finale episode on New Years Eve.

Stranger Things Season 5: Release date  India Volume 1: 27 November 2025

Volume 2: 26 December 2025

The Finale: 1 January 2026

Stranger Things 5: What time will the web series premiere on Netflix? Each volume releases at 5:00 p.m. PST.

In India, the sci-fi web series will start streaming at 6:30 AM IST on November 27.

Stranger Things 5: Volume 1 episode runtime & titles Each episode of Stranger Things 5, Volume 1, comprising four episodes in total, is expected to have a runtime of 54 minutes to 1 hour and 23 minutes.

Episode 1: The Crawl

Episode 2: The Vanishing of 

Episode 3: The Turnbow Trap

Episode 4: Sorcerer Stranger Things 5: What to expect? Back in Season 1, series creators Matt and Ross Duffer wrote a 25-page document for Netflix that delves into the mythology of the cryptic alternate dimension. While some of that lore has already been unveiled, expect even more details to emerge in the final season.

The last remaining questions that are answered in that document, weve punted a couple of those to have some big reveals in Season 5, Ross Duffer previously said. And thats really going to affect what Season 5 is about.

Also Read | Stranger Things creators elevate creative elements for final season

Stranger Things 5: Full Synopsis Netflix synopsis says, The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished  his whereabouts and plans unknown. Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding. As the anniversary of Wills disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread. The final battle is looming  and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything theyve faced before. To end this nightmare, theyll need everyone  the full party  standing together, one last time.
New Delhi, Nov 26 (PTI) World Bank on Wednesday said it has approved funding for two projects in India that will benefit more than 60 lakh people by using innovative digital solutions to improve the quality of education in Punjab and boost incomes for small and marginal farmers in Maharashtra.

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors on November 25 approved two projects in India that will benefit more than 6 million people by using innovative digital solutions to improve the quality of education in Punjab state and boost incomes for small and marginal farmers in Maharashtra state, World Bank said in a statement.

The Punjab Outcomes-Acceleration in School Education Operation (POISE) programme (USD 286 million) will help improve quality education in Punjab with the aid of technology to track learning outcomes. It will ensure 13 lakh students are enrolled in primary schools, and more than 2.2 million students are enrolled in secondary schools. In addition, 59 lakh students will be supported in early childhood education.

The Maharashtra Project on Climate Resilient Agriculture (POCRA) Phase II (USD 490 million) project will enhance crop productivity and strengthen resilience by adopting digital technology in precision farming practices. This method uses technology to ensure that the crops and soil receive exactly what they need for optimum health and productivity, thereby maximizing output and preventing waste.

More than 20 lakh small and marginal farmers in Maharashtra, of which 2.9 lakh are women, will benefit from improved soil health, nutrient management, and water-use efficiency. It will help improve climate resilience and raise income levels by 30 per cent for smallholder farmers across 21 districts in Maharashtra.

World Bank India, Acting Country Director, Paul Proccee, said digital infrastructure has the potential to significantly drive economic development and poverty reduction by increasing efficiency, fostering innovation, and improving outcomes in health, education, agriculture and other essential sectors.

"The two new projects will support India's vision of Viksit Bharat through quality education for better jobs and using technology for increased crop productivity and improved livelihoods," Proccee said.
Meta Platforms is in talks to use chips made by Google in its artificial-intelligence efforts, a step toward diversifying away from its reliance on Nvidia, according to people familiar with the matter.

A deal could be worth billions of dollars, but the talks are continuing and may not result in one. It is still up in the air whether Meta would use the chips, known as tensor processing units or TPUs, to train its AI models or to do inference, one of the people said. Inference, the process a trained model uses to generate the response to a query, requires less computational power than training.

Google has been working for years to refine its chips and scale up that part of its business. A significant deal with Meta would represent a potential crack in Nvidias market dominance for Google and other chip makers to exploit. Nvidias shares sank 7% Tuesday morning following a report on the talks.

Google said its Google Cloud is experiencing accelerating demand" for both its custom TPUs and Nvidia GPUs and that the company is committed to supporting both, as we have for years." Nvidia declined to comment. Meta didnt respond to requests for comment.

The biggest story in AI right now is that Google and Nvidia are being extraordinarily competitive," said Adam Sullivan, chief executive of data-center operator Core Scientific. Theyre in a race to secure as much data-center capacity as they can."

Both Nvidia and Google are courting potential customers and offering them financing arrangements to help ease the purchase of their chips.

They dont care about how much revenue they generate," Sullivan said. This is about who gets to [artificial general intelligence] first."

The tech news site The Information previously reported on the talks between Google and Meta on Monday night.

On Tuesday morning, after its shares fell in early trading, Nvidia posted a statement on X: Were delighted by Googles successtheyve made great advances in AI and we continue to supply to Google. NVIDIA is a generation ahead of the industryits the only platform that runs every AI model and does it everywhere computing is done."

Google first began using its TPU chips about a decade ago, initially for internal purposes, such as making its search engine more efficient. In 2018, it began offering its cloud customers the opportunity to use TPUs for their training and inference needs.

More recently, Google has used the chips to train and operate its own Gemini large language models and sold them to customers including Anthropic, developer of the Claude AI model. Last month, Anthropic announced that starting next year it would spend tens of billions of dollars to buy up to one million Google TPUsenough to supply roughly 1 gigawatt of computing capacityto power more AI research and help Anthropic serve rising customer demand for its enterprise AI tools.

In recent years, most large language models have been trained using Nvidias GPUs, or graphics processing units.

Originally used to improve graphics for videogames, GPUs pack billions of transistors onto tiny slices of silicon and are capable of running billions of computations simultaneously, an ability that is crucial to training and running AI models. Nvidia built itself into the worlds most valuable company after it realized that they were useful for AI computing.

Nvidias chips are used by thousands of different app developers, who access them either directly or via cloud service providers that install them in servers inside massive data centers. Googles TPUs, by contrast, are what is known as application-specific integrated circuits, or ASICs, meaning they were designed for a particular computing task, allowing them to be more energy-efficient.

Investors, analysts and data-center operators say Googles TPUs represent one of the biggest threats to Nvidias dominance in the AI computing market, but to challenge Nvidia, Google must start selling the chips more widely to external customers.

Write to Meghan Bobrowsky at meghan.bobrowsky@wsj.com, Katherine Blunt at katherine.blunt@wsj.com and Robbie Whelan at robbie.whelan@wsj.com
Small businesses face a critical window in 2026 to adopt AI tools before competitors pull ahead, according to Lightspeeds managing director Nicole Buisson for APAC.

Whats happening: AI-powered platforms are now embedding intelligence directly into everyday business systems, from point-of-sale software to inventory management, making sophisticated automation accessible without massive IT budgets or technical expertise.

Why this matters: The window for competitive advantage is narrowing rapidly. Research shows 76 per cent of small businesses that increased their tech spending are experiencing growth, whilst those delaying adoption risk falling permanently behind competitors who are already using AI to anticipate customer needs, optimise pricing and personalise service at scale.

The technology landscape for small businesses is undergoing a fundamental transformation. What was once reserved for corporations with deep pockets and dedicated IT teams is now within reach of local retailers, cafes and service providers.

As we look toward 2026, AI and automation will move from being optional add-ons to becoming essential drivers of productivity for small businesses, says Nicole Buisson, Managing Director APAC at Lightspeed. Whats increasingly evident is that the most meaningful gains arent coming from flashy, standalone tools, but from practical, embedded AI that enhances everyday decision-making.

Lightspeeds recently launched AI Showroom exemplifies this shift. The platform enables brick-and-mortar retailers to instantly create mobile-ready digital showcases that mirror in-store inventory, all without managing full e-commerce operations.

Whats exciting is these features entering the market really levels the playing field, giving small businesses access to the kind of intelligence traditionally reserved for larger players with complex systems, and it creates an important window of opportunity, Buisson explains. Its crucial that small businesses dont wait to take advantage of it, as it risks them being left behind.

AI adoption globally has more than tripled since 2015, with continued acceleration into 2025 and 2026. The surge isnt driven by hype but by tangible results. Businesses using AI report productivity increases between 25 and 55 per cent depending on the industry and level of automation.

The human advantage

The transformation isnt about replacing people. Its about amplifying what humans do best.

By 2026, the tools that matter most will be those that quietly simplify complexity: systems that highlight timely pricing adjustments, anticipate stock needs before shortages occur, and personalise customer messaging without demanding extra effort, Buisson says. These arent nice-to-have efficiencies- they directly shape revenue, cost control, and loyalty.

Small businesses are discovering AI handles the repetitive work whilst staff focus on relationships and creative problem-solving. Research indicates that rather than eliminating positions, AI is reshaping roles, with employees freed from administrative burdens to concentrate on higher-value activities.

More small businesses are realising that AI isnt about replacing the human touch; its about freeing teams to deliver it, Buisson notes.

Customer expectations rise

Consumer behaviour is evolving faster than many businesses recognise. The bar for service, personalisation and responsiveness continues climbing.

In 2026, SMEs need to prepare for a customer base that wants more, and wants it faster, Buisson observes. Consumers expect personalised, seamless, and meaningful experiences across every touchpoint. They dont just want a product or service; they want businesses to anticipate their needs and respond quickly.

This creates both pressure and opportunity. SMEs that harness data and AI to streamline operations and personalise interactions gain clear advantages. Online, this might mean tailored recommendations or frictionless checkout. In-store, AI-driven insights help staff anticipate demand and ensure product availability.

Research from Bain & Company found that a five per cent increase in retention can lift profits by up to 95 per cent, making customer relationship tools more vital than ever.

The artificial divide between online and offline commerce is dissolving. Customers move fluidly between channels, and businesses must meet them wherever they are.

Digital and physical experiences are increasingly intertwined, and consistency across channels is essential, Buisson says. Businesses that integrate inventory, customer, and loyalty systems can respond faster to changing preferences, delighting customers while driving efficiency.

By 2026, the distinction between digital tools and physical operations will be largely meaningless. What matters is unified systems providing real-time visibility across all touchpoints.

Automation and AI are no longer optional; theyre critical tools that allow SMEs to deliver speed, accuracy, and personalisation without adding complexity to day-to-day operations, Buisson emphasises.

The technology continues evolving rapidly. AI and new technologies will no doubt be reshaping how small and midsize businesses operate, and helping teams react faster, streamline everyday processes, and meet customers with the kind of service they expect, she says. Insight is no longer something to file away; it becomes fuel for quicker decisions and more personalised experiences.

The message is clear: 2026 isnt about choosing whether to adopt AI. Its about choosing which tools to implement first, and how quickly businesses can adapt before the competitive landscape shifts permanently.

And while automation takes care of the speed and convenience, its the human moments layered on top that turn those efficiencies into genuine connection, Buisson concludes.

Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro is facing unprecedented American military and diplomatic pressure to resign and leave his country peacefully. He is unlikely to take the offer.

The days when dictators could live in gilded exile with fortunes in secret Swiss bank accounts are mostly over, primarily because of global mechanisms for adjudicating human-rights abuses and tracking ill-gotten gains. The 63-year-old strongman doesnt believe he will get lasting amnesty, analysts said, feeling only safe among the cadre of loyal military men with whom he has spent a decade surrounding himself.

And Maduro and most of his cohorts view the U.S. military threats as a bluff, said a person who speaks often with senior Venezuelan government officials. Maduro believes that the only way the U.S. can oust him is by sending troops to Caracas, the person said.

President Trump has said he doesnt think the U.S. will go to war with Venezuela, focusing instead on pushing Maduro to leave office. In recent days, Trump has said he is open to talks with the Venezuelan leader.

A U.S. ground invasion is improbable, according to many analysts. From Maduros perspective, staying in Venezuela might be the safest way of protecting himself, his money and his family, said Moises Naim, an analyst at the Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

In the past, deposed dictators went to Europe and bought villas on the French Riviera," he said. Now they still go to Europe, but end up at the International Criminal Court in The Hague," he added.

On Monday, Maduro said he wasnt going anywhere. Whatever they do, however they do, wherever they do, they wont be able to defeat Venezuela," he said.

The Trump administration on Monday designated a group known as the Cartel of the Suns, which the U.S. said Maduro leads, as a terrorist organization. A U.S. indictment during Trumps first term said Maduro took part in a narco-terrorist conspiracy to flood the United States with cocaine."

Maduro denies the allegation. His administration said the Cartel of the Suns doesnt exist.

Trump has authorized covert Central Intelligence Agency operations in Venezuela and ordered the biggest military buildup in the Caribbean in decades. The U.S.s most advanced aircraft carrier is in the region, along with a flotilla of warships and a force of Marines.

That is on top of U.S. strikes on alleged drug speedboats that since September have killed dozens of people in the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Unlike past dictators such as Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines or Haitis Jean-Claude Baby Doc" Duvalier, Maduro has limited options. Departing Venezuela could mean losing his freedom and fortune.

The calculation for Maduro is that he will always be safer here than anywhere else," said Phil Gunson, an analyst in Caracas for the International Crisis Group, which works to prevent violent conflict in Venezuela.

The first problem Maduro and his allies face is criminal liability, analysts said. The president and some of his most senior officials have been indicted in the U.S. for allegedly trafficking tons of cocaine and providing weapons to Colombian guerrillascharges they deny. The U.S. has put a $50 million bounty on Maduro.

At home, Venezuelas military brass could under a new regime face prosecution on allegations of drug trafficking and taking kickbacks in the energy and aluminum industries, as well as from food imports, even as Maduro has presided over one of the worlds biggest economic implosions in modern history.

The regimes cohesion revolves around the need to maintain their criminality, and save their skins, very much like a loose mafia," said Brian Naranjo, a former senior U.S. diplomat who served in Venezuela.

The opposition accuses Maduro of stealing the presidential election in July 2024, a vote that the U.S. and many countries in Europe and Latin America decried as fraudulent.

The International Criminal Court, based in The Hague, has been investigating Venezuela for alleged crimes against humanity since 2018. These include political persecution, torture and rape, and date to the violent repression of protests in 2017, when at least 5,000 people were arbitrarily detained and more than 125 were killed in clashes with police.

Maduro has ensured that a military coup is unlikely. Former Venezuelan officers said military men who might try to oust Maduro are held in check by a combination of complicity in the corruption that binds them to the regime and dread of the punishmenttorture, prison and even deaththat disloyalty brings.

Today, in the army theres incalculable terror," said Carlos Guillen, a former Venezuelan soldier who was jailed for conspiring against the regime and now lives in exile.

Venezuelas armed forces are seeded with skilled Cuban counterintelligence operatives, making coup plotting nearly impossible, said John Polga-Hecimovich, a Venezuela expert at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Another problem is there are few places to seek refuge beyond Russia, where former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled after rebels took over the country last December.

Cuba is a possible haven for Maduro, who in his youth trained on the island to be a union organizer. But the communist country has a bleak future. Its economy is in meltdown, barely able to keep its lights on.

Security in exile in a European capital such as Madrid would be a major problem. The city is home to tens of thousands of Venezuelan exiles, many of whom despise Maduro, said Naranjo. It is difficult to envision Maduro in a place like Turkey, several time zones away from Caracas.

Finally, Maduros military deeply distrusts any opposition that could take power should Maduro leave office. The opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, won the Nobel Peace Prize this year and has been an uncompromising opposition hard-liner, contemptuous of the regime and its military.

The Maduro government fears that a Machado government would seek revenge. In a recent Freedom Manifesto" published by Machado, she said that Maduros criminal regime" must be held accountable" and pledged to reform the countrys military and police forces.

Theres a tremendous animosity between the two sides," said Jorge Castaneda, a former Mexican foreign minister. Its the product of 25 years of conflict, torture and repression."

Write to Jose de Cordoba at jose.decordoba@wsj.com
KYIV, UkraineNataliia Melnychenko stood outside a residential building hit by a Russian drone early Tuesday, with dark circles under her eyes. She hadnt slept since the drone struck her building at 2:30 a.m.

Ive learned over these years that Russian missile strikes usually follow every attempt at peace initiatives," said Melnychenko. On top of Russian attacks, we now also have pressure from our allies," she added.

Like many Ukrainians, Melnychenko remains defiantunwilling to cave to Russia at the negotiating table, even under U.S. pressure.

After nearly four years of war, Ukrainians are bruised but still standing on the battlefield. The bravery and resilience of Ukrainians in resisting their giant neighbors invasion is now stymieing the Trump administrations attempts to offer big concessions to Moscow in return for a halt in the fighting. Ukrainians are unwilling to accept the kind of capitulation terms that initial U.S. proposals envisaged, which would have handed Russia a victory that it hasnt won on the battlefield.

Giving up territory wont stop the occupiers appetite," said 51-year-old Herman Hiso, who was taking a video of flags installed in central Kyiv to commemorate fallen Ukrainian soldiers.

It would signal to all dictators and aggressors that you can invade, kill, steal, and then the world will force the victim to accept it. Thats what theyre pushing on us now," said Hiso, who had to close his restaurant in Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine because of the war.

Ukrainian and U.S. officials have said that some of the points in the initial U.S. plan have been amended but that other issues remain to be resolved at a potential meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Meanwhile, Russia is continuing to bombard Ukrainian cities with hundreds of missiles and drones. Ukrainian officials said Tuesday that seven people had been killed and 20 injured in attacks concentrated on Kyiv and its environs.

Ukrainians unwillingness to cede to Russian demands stems from the battlefield reality, where Russian forces are grinding forward while taking heavy losses but havent inflicted a decisive defeat on Ukraines military. The initial, 28-point U.S. plan envisaged clauses that would hand Russia enormous political influence in Ukraine and ease the way for further invasions.

The draft proposed clauses that Zelensky has previously called unacceptable, such as forcing Ukraine to hand over fortified territory that Russia hasnt taken in battle, restricting the size of the Ukrainian military, and allowing the Russian Orthodox Church, Russian schools and television channels to operate in Ukraine.

So much strength and blood have already been given that neither our state nor our citizens have the right to accept any terms just to end the war," said Vadym Zolotarov, a 64-year-old retired schoolteacher. He was stepping out of a book store where he had gone to read, as he had no electricity for light at home. We have to endure and finish what we started. We are not fighting for territory now, we are fighting for our place in the future of this world."

Ukrainians defiance is reflected in polls. A survey published in October by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology showed that 54% of Ukrainians are against any territorial concessions even if that meant the war would continue.

In a video address on Friday, Zelensky warned Ukrainians they were in for a tough winter, and may face losing the support of the U.S.

Melnychenko, whose building was struck by a Russian drone, said she had little hope for the peace efforts, but that Ukraine should endure, recalling her grandmothers tales of hardships during World War II. You know how we joke here: Even in darkness and cold, we can still clearly see what bastards the Russians are," she said.

Still, some Ukrainians look with trepidation at Russian advances, however slow and costly. Ukraines population is significantly smaller than Russias, and Kyiv is struggling to recruit for its army.

Oleksandr Holovkov, a 29-year-old marketing specialist who was walking his dog in a park and warming himself with a cup of hot tea, said some limited concessions, like de facto accepting the loss of some territory to Russia, could be acceptable.

I dont want us to give up territory. It feels unfair considering the courage and heroism our nation has shown," he said. But given where we are and the fact that the balance of power is absolutely not in our favoryes, I would sign a bad peace to stop the war."

Defiance stretches to the front lines. Serhiy Ihnatukha, a 52-year-old captain who commands a drone company, saw wiggle room only on accepting Russian control of parts of eastern Ukraine.

A deal like the one proposed, he said, would be more shameful than Afghanistan. All dictatorships will get the green light."

Others put hope in other European countries, long protected from Russia by U.S. security guarantees that Trump has called into question and now largely sheltered by a thin line of Ukrainian defenders whom they are keeping on life support.

If not the Americans, then the Europeans will definitely support us," said Oleksiy Pasternak, a 38-year-old engineering officer serving in northeastern Ukraine. They simply have no choice, because otherwise the Russians will push farther, into Poland, and I think they understand that perfectly well."

In Kyiv, Olena Andriyeva, a 64-year-old pensioner, said she would be prepared to countenance the loss of her native city of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, occupied by Russia since 2014.

But she placed little hope in the peace plan, given the failure of earlier efforts over more than a decade to stop Russias wars through negotiations. Her eyes moistened as she reflected on young Ukrainians killed in the invasion.

Weve been through this many times. It can change 10 more times," she said as she took a walk through downtown Kyiv during a power outage.

We Ukrainians must treat this calmly and responsibly," she said. By now we should have learned that most such news is just noise."

Write to James Marson at james.marson@wsj.com
The Reserve Bank of India and NPCI International Payments Limited have begun work on linking the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Indias real-time payments system, with the European Unions TARGET Instant Payment Settlement (TIPS) system.

Aimed at improving cross-border payments, this is one of the first major tie-ups for UPI outside Asia. It also marks the biggest payments partnership so far between two central banks, and is expected to pave the way for more cross-border collaboration, faster and cheaper international payments, and more use cases for both retail and commercial transactions.

Mint takes a closer look at what this inter-linking means for UPI and its users worldwide.

What is TIPS?

TIPS is a market infrastructure service, launched by Eurosystem in November 2018. Eurosystem is the monetary authority for eurozone countries and includes the European Central Bank (ECB) and national central banks of countries that use the euro. TIPS settles payments in the euro, Swedish kronor and Danish kroner as of April 2025. Norges Bank, the central bank of Norway, is also preparing to join the payments system, while Iceland has shown interest in joining.

On 21 November the RBI said it had been engaging with the ECB and that both sides had agreed to start the realisation phase of linking UPI and TIPS. They will collaborate on technical integration, risk management, settlement arrangements and design, liquidity considerations, message mapping, operational alignment, and participant certification, all of which are essential to connecting large payment ecosystems.

Also Read | Jio Payments Bank goes big: Inside the push that quadrupled its footprint

Pavan Kumar, chief product and delivery officer at Network People Services Technologies Ltd (NPST), an Indian fintech company that provides digital payment and banking solutions, said the linkage would bring together two high-performance payment systems  UPI, which offers secure, real-time account-to-account payments at population scale, and TIPS, which provides instant settlement in central bank money and uses ISO 20022 native messaging standards.

How is the TIPS linkage different from previous NPCI International tie-ups?

For one, TIPS is the first major tie-up for NPCI International outside the Asia-Pacific region. It will also cover several countries, unlike previous partnerships, which were led by private companies operating in certain segments in specific countries.

Rahul Jain, chief financial officer, NTT Data Payment Services India, said, Here, you are aligning at the level of the central bank system. That is a much broader base compared with a tie-up with an individual country. This is very different because a central bank defines everything, including policy procedures and how the payment ecosystem must work."

Rohit Mahajan, founder and managing partner at Plutos ONE, an Indian payment technology company, said this tie-up also has significant structural differences with previous ones. TIPS is designed to reach numerous SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) market participants. Therefore, TIPS participants have far more diversity regarding banks, regulatory frameworks, and currencies," he said, adding that participating in TIPS presents vastly higher operational complexity and total opportunity size.

What are the major challenges and by when will the linking be completed?

Major challenges for UPI-TIPS inter-linkage stem from differing regulatory environments, risk frameworks and messaging systems. Know-your-customer (KYC) procedures, anti-money laundering (AML) rules, sanctions screening, chargebacks, dispute management, and settlement cycles in each jurisdiction present several challenges, Plutos ONEs Mahajan said.

Prashanth Ramdas, partner at law firm Khaitan & Co, said, TIPS operates on a settlement-in-central-bank-money model, in which payment service providers must maintain dedicated cash accounts with their national central bank. UPI, conversely, operates through NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) as a central switch connecting participating banks, with settlement occurring through designated settlement banks in commercial bank money." He added that the two systems also use different messaging standards, and that TIPS is ISO 20022 compliant and imposes specific standards including a maximum execution time of 10 seconds, while UPI uses proprietary protocols developed by NPCI.

From a customer-facing perspective, identity resolution presents challenges. UPI relies on VPAs (virtual payment addresses) and mobile numbers linked to Indian banking KYC, while TIPS participants use IBAN (International Bank Account Number) as the primary identifier," Ramdas said. Other challenges include real-time foreign exchange conversion between the rupee and euro at competitive rates with transparent pricing, settlement times across different time zones, and how participating institutions will manage their forex exposure, he added.

Typically, cross-border UPI tie-ups involve a multi-phase approach, starting with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), followed by technical integration. The subsequent phases include closed user testing, launching a limited pilot, and a full public rollout.

The integration of UPI and TIPS is being managed by Nexus Global Payments, a non-profit that aims to link instant payment systems around the world. The company has previously worked on fast payment systems for the Bank of Malaysia, Monetary Authority of Singapore, the Bank of Thailand, and the RBI.

Experts said it would take two to three months for the legal arrangements and agreements to fall into place. Some said that because bilateral agreements are fast-tracked, especially when the governments and central banks are aligned, the inter-linking may be completed in six months to a year. However, others believe it could take up to three years.

What new use cases are expected to emerge from this tie-up?

Real-time, low-friction money transfers between India and other jurisdictions would deliver a significant boost to exporters, creators and the digital small-business economy. It would increase the speed and efficiency of cross-border payments and thus elevate the payment experience, said Akash Sinha, chief executive officer and co-founder of Cashfree Payments, an Indian payment and banking technology company.

The India-EU corridor is already rich with payment demands from students, remote workers, exporters and families, creating a need for simpler and more intuitive cross-border flows, he said. The timing is ideal. If the experience mirrors the ease of domestic UPI, adoption will accelerate quickly, and businesses will be the early beneficiaries," Sinha added.

NPSTs Kumar said, We anticipate that the UPI-TIPS corridor is expected to unlock benefits beyond traditional remittances", and cited potential use cases such as QR-code-based merchant payments for Indians travelling to Europe, faster euro-denominated receipts, improved reconciliation, reduced friction for exporters and freelancers, and education and commercial payments including tuition fees, travel bookings and business billing. He also expects instant low-value B2B transactions to ease cash-flow pressures and enhance operational efficiency for small businesses.

UPIs adoption in France has reportedly contributed to a 40% increase in Indian tourist arrivals at places such as the Eiffel Tower, Ramdas of Khaitan & Co said, adding that UPIs acceptance in France has delivered tangible commercial benefits both for that that country and the Indian diaspora and tourists. Successful adoption may also result in significant cost benefits. Traditional remittance costs an average of 3-5% for many cross-border payment corridors. UPI linkages typically operate at significantly lower costs," he said.

NTT Datas Jain said the volume of transactions on UPI International is estimated to be around 600,000 in 2024, given that cross-border transactions have so far been restricted to small countries in Asia-Pacific. As of now, remittances havent even started. Its still only retail payments  both online and offline. This year, the projected number looks to be 1.2 million transactions, which is almost double compared with last year."

Where is UPI currently available outside India?

The RBI has been actively pursuing interlinking of UPI with fast payment systems in other countries to promote cheaper and more efficient cross-border payments. The goal is to make transactions more transparent and accessible, while maintaining high levels of compliance, data integrity, and operational resilience in accordance with the G20 roadmap.

In July 2025, NPCI International tied up with the Department of Posts to enable secure and affordable remittances to India from the Indian diaspora worldwide. This included partnering with Singapore-based PayPal Network Pte to expand the use of UPI across Paypals global network, and signing bi-lateral deals with United Arab Emirates (UAE), a major source of remittances to India.

In September, NPIL collaborated with Qatar National Bank (QNB) and Japanese fintech firm Netstars payments system StarPay to enable UPI payments for QNB merchants. In October, another Japanese fintech firm NTT Data and Indian payments firm Razorpay tied up with NPCI International to enable UPI payments for Indian travellers in Japan and Malaysia. This was followed by a tie-up between Bahraini financial transactions company Benefit and NPCI International in November to enable real-time cross-border remittances between India and Bahrain.

Before that, NPCI International had tied up with Singapores PayNow  its first major international partnership  to facilitate cross-border payments between India and Singapore. Nepal and Bhutan have also adopted UPI for money transfers, and Indian tourists in France, Mauritius and Sri Lanka can pay via UPI at specific high-footfall merchants, restaurants and tourist destinations. The company is also in talks with other central banks and fintech firms across Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Also Read | Rupee pressure mounts as capital flows shrink and RBI steps back
Bengaluru: When Nitin Bhardwaj, a chartered accountant, started his hunt for an apartment earlier this year, it was with a clear purpose: as an investment and second home. His budget: 2-3 crore; location preference: in and around Gurugram; developer: someone with a good track record of delivery.

He checked out a few projects, including a couple by prominent developer M3M Group. Then, in February, he attended a property exhibition at a hotel organized by Square Yards, a proptech platform, which was promoting projects by another developer, Signature Global (India) Ltd.

Bhardwaj ended up booking a three-bedroom apartment on the spot, at the developers newly launched Sohna Road project named Signature Global Daxin. He paid around 2.12 crore, including goods and services tax charges.

Did the purchase tick all the boxes he was looking for?

The developer is a listed company. I did my research and found out about their land bank, cash flows, debt and what they delivered in the last 10 years," Bhardwaj said. There were no red flags."

Property buyers such as Bhardwaj have become more cautious in recent years. Over the last decade, the National Capital Region (NCR), once Indias largest property market, got rocked by a string of real estate scandals. Years of unchecked expansion, diversion of funds and land-buying frenzy had led to many real estate firmsJaypee Infratech, Unitech, Amrapali Group and Supertech, among othersfalling from glory, leaving thousands of homebuyers stranded.

In this backdrop, Signature Globals quiet rise has been nothing short of spectacular.

Launched by a first-generation entrepreneur, the Gurugram-based company commenced operations only in 2014, but solidified its position as among the largest real estate developers in the region within a short span of a decade. In fact, in 2024-25, its sales bookings of 10,290 crore made it the fifth-largest listed real estate developer by sales in the country, after Godrej Properties, DLF, Lodha Developers and Prestige Estates Projects.

Signature Global had listed in September 2023, raising 730 crore.

The relatively new entrant didnt have the brand value of a Godrej, the premium positioning of a DLF or even the 40-year-old legacy of Prestige. So, what worked in its favour?

An affordable start

Pradeep Aggarwal was in his late teens when he started his own commodity trading business. He then ventured into the capital markets, where he gained experience in brokerage and arbitrage, before heading the arbitrage division at SMC Global.

When the Haryana governments Affordable Housing Policy (AHP), 2013, was announced, Aggarwal studied it closely, and spotted an opening.

Signature Global, the real estate company he founded, bought a little over six acres at Sector 107, Dwarka Expressway, Gurugram, and launched its first project named Solera in 2014. The project had 1,000 affordable housing units, each costing about 25 lakh.

The response was overwhelming. The company received more than 3,000 applications.

We were completely new to the marketno brand name, no prior experience," Aggarwal, also the chairman of Signature Global, told Mint.

Keeping this in mind, the developer zeroed in on affordable housing where the competitive intensity was less. We wouldnt have to worry much about peoples brand-specific perceptions either," Aggarwal added.

Back-to-back, up until 2020, the company launched more than 18,000 affordable housing units, priced at 25-50 lakh, and often saw the same patternwhenever it launched a project, it was oversubscribed.

The switch

The pandemic upended the housing industry, resulting in a change in customer preferences and cost metrics. Customers started gravitating towards larger apartments, and, at the same time, rising costs and changing government regulations squeezed developers margins. All of a sudden, the golden goose of affordable and lower mid-income housing didnt seem that golden.

Signature Global needed to pivot. It started building larger homes at higher prices in the mid-income and upper-mid-income categories, in Gurugram again.

The company actively bought land, when prices were under control, and kept launching projects. Of the 150 acres it acquired on Sohna Road, bordering Gurugram and Sohna, it launched the 125-acre township Daxin, mentioned earlier. Another 140 acres in Manesar, Haryana, was developed for plotted sales.

Our original segmentaffordable housingbecame less viable as land prices rose along with overall industry costs. Its no longer as profitable as it was 5-8 years ago," said Rajat Kathuria, chief executive officer (CEO), Signature Global. So, we pivoted from being an affordable housing player to a mid-income housing company with a strong delivery track record."

View Full Image Signature Global Park, a gated community in Sohna, Gurugram.

Gurugram has been starved of supply for many years. Prices have shot up because for a long time, they had been stagnant," Samir Jasuja, founder and CEO, PropEquity, a data and analytics firm, said. If the city could get affordable housing supply, sales would be even more. Today, most of the new inventory being launched here is above 5-7 crore. But units priced at 2-3 crore remain a sweet spot," he added.

Now, that is Signature Globals sweet spot, too. Its sales target for 2025-26 is 12,500 crore. The developer hopes to generate this by selling homes at 2-4 crore, in Gurugrams Southern Peripheral Road, Dwarka Expressway and Sohna.

In a November report on the company, Parvez Qazi and Vasudev Ganatra, analysts with Nuvama Research, stated that given DLF was largely focusing on the luxury segment, a gap existed in the mid-income and premium housing segment in Gurugram. We believe Signature Global has nicely filled this gap, evident in its scorching growth post-FY21," they noted.

The land edge

If Mumbai is the countrys most valuable property market, then Gurugram is its newest luxury hotspot.

The pandemic saw a sharp spike in demand for gated communities in Gurugram. It is the only city outside of North America with two residential Trump projects.

The city sold apartments priced at 5 crore and above, for a cumulative value of 79,603 crore, in 2024, the highest among the top five metrosothers being Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Noidaas per PropEquity. Weighted average prices have appreciated by more than 100% since 2020 in Gurugram.

Now, every big developer wants a larger share here. DLF dominates in the premium and luxury segments, while Godrej Properties has launched a few projects. Bengalurus Prestige Estates wants to make it big in the city, too.

In this scenario, land acquisition at the right price has worked for Signature Global.

In real estate, where land is considered as raw material, a big factor in the success of any developer is the price paid for acquiring land. On average, land- and approval-related costs for Signature Global are 10-15% of the selling price, as per the Nuvama report. The bulk of the land has been procured at much lower costs while sales realization in the Gurugram market was much higher.

Typically, in prime areas, land costs can constitute 30-40% of the selling price.

Up until 2019, when Signature Global focused on affordable housing, it acquired land at affordable rates, too. Part of the land was acquired under the Haryana governments affordable housing scheme, Deen Dayal Jan Awas Yojana. Post-2020, when it switched focus to mid-income and premium projects, land was bought at market rates. As a result, the developers land capital expenditure has risen steadily.

Going forward, Signature Global plans to spend 1,000 crore annually in acquiring land.

Launches are key

After a growth on steroids period, sales have slowed this financial year.

In the first half of 2025-26, Signature Global has achieved only 25% of its 4,800 crore revenue guidance for the full year. It expects revenue momentum to pick up in subsequent quarters driven by completion of under-construction projects. Revenue is recognized based on project completion milestones.

Upcoming project launches hold the key to meeting its annual sales targets. After launches worth 4,000 crore in the first half the year, the company expects to roll out nearly 8 million sq. ft of new residential projects, with a gross development value of 13,000-14,000 crore, by March-end.

Key risks

While the going still is reasonably good, analysts are worried about a key riskSignature Globals concentration in the Gurugram/Sohna markets.

The big spike in property prices has led to people speculating about a new real estate bubble in the market. Aggarwal believes the ultra-luxury or luxury segment may see a softening, but not the upper-mid-income and mid-income categories. Here, supply is still short of demand.

In key housing launches, it is sticking to its sweet pricing point of 3-4 crore.

This 3-4 crore price per unit gives us an advantage. There is no production of inventory at this price and in such large numbers from branded developers," Aggarwal said.

The company is now looking to expand in Delhi and Noida the upcoming airport in Jewar has made Noida a booming real estate story. However, the cost of land acquisition in Noida has soared too, and the opportunity to buy is also limited. Land parcels are available on Yamuna Expressway, and the company is working on it, the founder said.

Nonetheless, there are other headwinds.

The companys pre-sales are heavily dependent on launching new projects, as it has very low inventory remaining in its ongoing projects. Any delays in approvals or launches could result in the company failing to follow its collection guidance," said a report by Axis Direct.

The big question

Despite record-high sales figures and a launch spree, the next critical question for leading developers remains their ability to execute and deliver.

Despite increased launches after 2020, the pace of growth in construction has been stagnant across most cities. This is a major risk," said Pankaj Kapoor, founder, Liases Foras Research. Factors such as approval delays and labour shortages have impacted construction. But this will result in delayed revenue recognition, higher need for construction finance and project delays," he added.

The countrys best-selling developer, Godrej Properties, for instance, has set an ambitious project delivery target of 10 million sq. ft in 2025-26. But it has delivered only 3 million sq. ft in the April-September period. The developers revenue in the September-ended quarter fell 32% on account of lower delivery.

The countrys best-selling developer, Godrej Properties, has set an ambitious project delivery target of 10 million sq. ft in 2025-26. But it has delivered only 3 million sq. ft in the April-September period.

Now, can Signature Global do a better job?

The company delivered around 1.4 million sq. ft in the first six months of the fiscal year and aims to deliver 8.9 million sq. ft of ongoing projects over the next five to six quarters.

It used aluminium formwork technology (commonly known as Mivan, it is a pre-engineered construction technique) in its affordable projects, and deploys it in its premium projects as well. Mivan technology helps enhance construction speed, ensures better structural quality and enables consistent finishing across projects.

It is now planning to import and integrate building technologies such as precast concrete systems and 3D concrete printing for future developments.

As Signature Global transitioned from affordable to premium projects, it has also switched to better project contractors. We have a 600-700 in-house construction team. In affordable housing, we didnt have the luxury of margin to hire Grade A contractors. But lately, we have hired better contractors. And then, on top of it, weve also onboarded Bain & Co.," Kathuria said.

The consulting firm has a mandate to ensure construction-related efficiency.

How do we further improve our construction excellence? What do more developed markets do? Why does Dubai construct faster than India?," he wondered.

The answers could be key to Signature Globals future success, in a market that has been the graveyard for many celebrated developers. Kathuria knows these risks well enough.

The main focus is on execution," he stressed.
MUMBAI: Investors are quietly reshaping how they take equity exposure through mutual funds. After chasing small- and mid-cap schemes for a while now, they are now pulling back from narrowly defined market-cap bets and funnelling money into funds that offer room to manoeuvre. Flexi-cap schemes, long seen as a middle-ground category, have emerged as the markets preferred gateway for equity allocations.

This shift comes as valuations remain elevated even as earnings momentum cools, prompting investors to seek safety without stepping out of equities. These schemes can move freely across large-, mid- and small-caps, without fixed allocation limits, allowing managers to shift exposure wherever valuations and opportunities look most compelling.

That flexibility appears to be driving the flow shift: net inflows into flexi-cap mutual funds jumped 27% month-on-month in October to 8,923 crore, according to a Mint analysis of the latest data from the Association of Mutual Funds of India (Amfi), even as overall equity inflows fell nearly 19% over the same period. Inflows into the category are now up 72% since October 2024.

Also Read | SME IPOs: Why retail investors are walking away from the lottery

The momentum has been building through the year. Steady inflows have pushed flexi-cap assets under management to about 5.3 trillion across 43 schemes as of October. With six launches in the past year, the category now has more schemes than any of the large-, mid- or small-cap segments, each of which hosts roughly 31-33 funds.

By contrast, large-, mid- and small-cap funds manage between 3.2 trillion and 4.1 trillion in assets, underscoring how flexi-caps have quietly pulled ahead in both scale and investor interest.

In fact, flexi-cap funds were the only category to record higher net inflows in October, even as flows into dedicated large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap funds declined, a trend not seen in at least 18 months, the analysis showed.

Flexi-cap inflows have stayed firm despite sharp volatility in recent quarters, said Satish Ramanathan, CIO-Equity at JM Financial Asset Management. Flows should remain firm over the next two to three months, driven by steady SIPs and demand for broad all-cap exposure," he added.

The rising tilt toward flexi-caps has come as investors temper exposure to concentrated small- and mid-cap schemes and rotate part of their portfolios into hybrid schemes, debt funds and gold exchange traded funds (ETFs), noted experts.

Valuations have crowded out conviction

The valuation backdrop explains much of the hesitation. Roughly 52% of Nifty 100 stocks and 56% of Nifty Smallcap 250 names now trade above their respective five-year average price-to-earnings ratios, according to Mints analysis.

This narrows the scope for outsized gains in both segments amid a modest earnings outlook, noted experts. Nifty Midcap 150 constituents, however, show a near 50-50 split around long-term averages, the analysis showed. This leaves scope for limited but reasonable" upside, said Gaurav Garg, research analyst at Lemonn Markets Desk.

Index-level valuations show a similar divide. The Nifty 100 is near its five-year average P/E of 25, the Nifty Midcap 150 trades at a 15% discount to its long-term value of 40, and the Nifty Smallcap 250 sits 17% above its five-year P/E of 27, the analysis showed.

While the mid cap index trades below its average (P/E), it (average) was shaped by an unusually strong liquidity regime," cautioned Sonam Srivastava, founder and fund manager at Wright Research PMS. The upside is narrower than it appears."

In short, headline index valuations may make mid-caps look relatively cheaper, but a majority of stocks across market caps still embed high earnings expectations, which are difficult to sustain in a softer demand cycle.

Srivastava noted that despite strong operational performance in Q2, India Inc's underlying demand trends remain mixed. Rural and discretionary consumption are yet to fire on all cylinders, while export-driven small caps face global headwind. "With base effects weakening from Q4, (small- and mid-cap earnings) momentum could moderate," she added.

Also Read | India Incs strong Q2 earnings mask a shallow recovery

Gaurav Didwania, partner and fund manager at Qode Advisors, argues that a large part of the small- and mid-caps (SMIDs) universe is still powered by market-share gains, supply-chain localization and industry-specific tailwinds rather than broad macro conditions. But he agrees that SMID earnings have been normalizing in recent quarters, with growth now holding up only in select pockets.

He still expects SMIDs to outperform large-cap earnings over the next 12-24 months, albeit with more volatility. But that optimism becomes harder to justify once Q2FY26 numbers are broken down.

Key Takeaways Investors are rotating out of small- and mid-cap schemes, shifting toward broader, less restrictive mutual fund categories.

Flexi-cap funds have emerged as the preferred equity gateway, offering managers the freedom to move across market caps as valuations stay elevated and earnings momentum moderates.

Net inflows into flexi-cap schemes surged 27% month-on-month in October to 8,923 crore, even as overall equity inflows fell nearly 19% during the same period.

The momentum has been building all year, with flexi-cap AUM rising to about 5.3 trillion across 43 schemes, including six new launches over the past year

Flexi-caps now outnumber large-, mid- and small-cap schemes, signalling a structural shift in investor preference toward flexible, risk-adjustable equity exposure within mutual funds.

Earnings: A cycle losing steam

The recent September-quarter profit print was shaped less by a broad-based demand upswing and more by a mix of non-core income surges at large caps, a slowdown in mid-cap core income, and low base tailwinds at smaller companies.

Mints analysis of 113 large-cap companies revealed that aggregate total income of big players rose about 7% year-on-year in Q2, the strongest revenue print in four quarters, while net profit jumped 43%, the highest since Q2FY24. Operational revenue grew steadily at 5%, but a 65% jump in non-core income added disproportionate heft to total income and profitability, the largest non-core income print in nine quarters.

By contrast, mid caps, comprising 156 companies, saw core income growth slow to around 9% over the past four quarters. A modest 17% rise in other income and uneven top-line momentum kept profit growth muted at 19% in Q2, the slowest among all market caps.

The small-cap cohort, with 250 companies, delivered the sharpest headline moves. Operational revenue rose 9% year-on-year, the strongest in four quarters, while a 26% increase in non-core income helped lift profits by 38%the fastest in eight quarters, albeit off a low base.

The reliance on non-core income, combined with top-line fatigue in mid caps and base-driven gains in small caps, suggests SMID earnings are set to normalise unless broader demand revives.

Kotak Institutional Equities latest earnings-revision data shows downgrades outnumbered upgrades across market caps in Q2, reinforcing that earnings are normalising rather than accelerating in FY26. Around 30% of Nifty Midcap 150 and 26% of Nifty Smallcap 250 constituents faced FY26 earnings cuts of up to 5% in Q2.

Srivastava of Wright Research PMS warns that the market is sensitive to such shifts because SMIDs are priced for sustained high growth, and even a normalisation can drag returns.

Narrowing returns and market behaviour

Market action reflects this emerging disconnect between SMID earnings momentum and valuations.

In October, the Nifty 100 rose 4.3%, outpacing the 3.7% gain in the Nifty Smallcap 250 and nearly matching the 4.8% rise in the Nifty Midcap 150. Mints analysis over the past five years shows that SMID outperformance has steadily narrowed, reflecting a market where smaller companies generate less incremental excess return relative to large caps than in previous cycles.

Garg of Lemonn Markets Desk sees large caps outperforming SMIDs over the next 6-12 months, supported by better valuations and strong institutional interest. Even so, October mutual fund inflows show large-cap funds ceding ground to flexi-caps, as profit booking and portfolio shifts have pulled allocations lower.

Also Read | How India Inc lost its non-core swag in the September quarter

Large-cap earnings also faced a narrative drag because much of the beat came from non-core income, which investors read as weaker operating leverage, added Srivastava. After strong blue-chip gains, investors have been rotating out of large caps and, in a stretched market, are also reluctant to add pure mid-cap or small-cap exposure. This makes the flexibility of flexi-cap mandates far more appealing, according to experts.

Unless a sharp macro or market shock intervenes, the (flexi-cap) category should continue to attract healthy incremental flows, consistent with recent trends," said Ramanathan of JM Financial Asset Management.
Bharti Airtel share price: Shares of telecom major Bharti Airtel fell over 2% to 2,117.20 per share in Wednesday's trading session (November 26) amid a likely block deal in the counter.

According to a CNBC TV18 report, 3.5 shares worth 7,400 crore changed hands today, with Indian Continent Investment (ICIL) as the likely seller.

Bharti Airtel stock opened at 2,110 apiece in the early morning session today, as compared to the previous close of 2,161 on Tuesday. The stock has been in an uptrend in the near-term. Bharti Airtel share price has surged 15% in the last six months and 35% in the last year.

Also Read | Sagar Doshi of Nuvama recommends these 3 stocks to buy

Bharti Airtel block deal details According to a CNBC TV18 report, around 3.5 crore Bharti Airtel shares  representing 0.6% of the companys equity and valued at about 7,400 crore  were traded at 2,108 per share through multiple block deals.

This marks the second major block deal in Bharti Airtel within three weeks. The identities of the buyers and sellers in this transaction have not been officially disclosed. The details will be available in today evening's block deal data.

On Tuesday, several media reports revealed that Indian Continent Investment has initiated a block deal in the telecom company worth approximately 7,100 crore. The Indian Continent Investment is one of the promoter entities in Bharti Airtel.

Earlier this month, Bharti Airtel saw another block deal, with 5.1 crore shares being traded. Singtel offloaded the shares in that transaction, raising over $1 billion, or about 10,800 crore, by selling up to a 0.8% stake.

Also Read | Adani Enterprises rights issue opens: 10 key things to know

Bharti Airtel Q2 results 2025 For the September quarter, Bharti Airtel posted a consolidated net profit of 6,791 crore, a 14.2% rise from 5,948 crore in the previous quarter and higher than Street expectations of 6,600 crore.

Revenue grew 5.4% sequentially to 52,145 crore, also beating the Streets estimate of 51,006 crore.

Meanwhile, EBITDA rose 6.2% quarter-on-quarter to 29,561 crore, with the EBITDA margin inching up to 56.7% from 56.3% in the prior quarter.
Shares of oil marketing companies (OMCs), including BPCL, HPCL, and IOCL, rallied up to 3% on Wednesday, November 26. HPCLs share price jumped as much as 2.6% to 466.80 apiece, while BPCL rallied 3% to 365.85 and IOC gained as much as 1.2%.

The three state-run OMCsHindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, and Indian Oil Corporation Ltdsaw a sharp movement in their share prices, rebounding from the recent weakness as the drop in global crude prices brought sentiment back to these counters, which were also on track to extend their yearly return to the third consecutive year in 2025.

Brent crude futures dropped to $61 per barrel in Tuesdays session, marking the lowest level in a month, while WTI crude oil futures also touched a one-month low at $57 per barrel as traders concerns grew that the market is being hit by higher crude supply than demand.

These concerns surfaced amid signs that a Ukrainian peace agreement may be approaching, which could lead to lifted restrictions on Russian crude.

US President Donald Trump described the negotiations as nearly complete, citing only a few remaining issues, while Ukraines top aide in Geneva called the talks a promising start toward reaching an agreement.

A Ukrainian official told Reuters that Kyiv supported the essence of a framework for peace after talks with the U.S. in Geneva, but some of the most sensitive issues of the framework remained to be discussed between the countries presidents.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy could visit the U.S. in the next few days to finalise a deal with President Donald Trump to end Ukraines war with Russia, Reuters reported, quoting Kyivs national security chief, Rustem Umerov.

A UkraineRussia peace deal could lead to sanctions being lifted on Moscow, unleashing previously restricted oil supplies into the market.

Impact on OMCs A fall in crude oil prices generally works in favour of oil marketing companies (OMCs) like BPCL, HPCL, and IOC as crude forms the bulk of their input cost. Cheaper crude lowers the overall expense of refining and fuel production.

If petrol and diesel pump prices are not reduced in proportion to the drop in crude, OMCs are able to retain higher marketing margins, which directly strengthens their earnings.

Softer crude prices also help bring down the countrys import bill and ease the companies working capital needs, leading to better cash flow. Moreover, when OMCs carry inventory bought at lower prices, they can book inventory gains if the final products are sold at current, relatively higher market prices.

(With inputs from Reuters)
Indias IPO market is entering one of its most powerful phases yet. Between 2020 and 2025, companies raised about 5,390 billion through public listings, more than what was mobilized in the entire two decades from 2000 to 2020, and with barely half as many issues. The pace, scale, and investor participation have surged, signalling a fundamental shift in how Indian companies tap public markets.

With 2026 approaching, that momentum isnt fading. A strong pipeline of companies across sectors is preparing to come out with their initial public offerings (IPOs), setting the stage for another milestone year for Indias primary market.

#1 Reliance Jio

Since its launch in 2016, Reliance Jio has fundamentally reshaped how India connects and consumes the internet. Before Jio, India ranked 155th worldwide in mobile data usage. Affordable 4G access changed this almost overnight, pushing the country ahead of mature markets like the US and the UK and powering a digital boomUPI payments, OTT streaming, and more.

Now, Jio appears ready for its next chapter: a public listing. The company has begun informal discussions with investment banks for an IPO planned in the first half of 2026. Early estimates suggest it could raise over $6 billion by selling just around 5% equity, positioning it among Indias largest listings, possibly even surpassing Hyundai Motor Indias blockbuster 2024 debut.

Current market estimates peg Jio Platforms valuation between $130 billion and $170 billion, though final numbers will depend on market conditions closer to listing. Mukesh Ambani reaffirmed this timeline during Reliance Industries 48th annual general meeting on 29 August 2025, noting that Jio aims to go public by H12026, subject to regulatory approvals.

With nearly 500 million subscribers, Jio remains Indias largest wireless carrier. Its next leg of growth is expected to be driven by artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives through Reliance Intelligence, broadband expansion via UBR-FWA, and investments in future-ready technologies such as 6G connectivity.

#2 OYO

OYO is an Indian multinational hospitality chain operating as a technology platform that transforms fragmented and unbranded hotels into branded, digitally enabled accommodations. Its IPO journey, however, has been long and uneven, shaped by market conditions and investor concerns.

October 2021: OYO submits its first IPO applicationreturned by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) in January 2023.

May 2024: The second attempt is withdrawn due to weak market conditions and a pending funding round.

October 2024: The planned IPO is postponed again after SoftBank seeks stronger earnings before listing.

May 2025: OYO delays its third attempt due to market volatility and SoftBanks push for improved earnings, shifting its target to 2026.

August 2025: Reports surface of board meetings and discussions with investment banks (Axis, Citi, GS, ICICI, JM, Jefferies) to finalize strategies.

Media reports suggest the company may raise up to $800 million, with a mix of new and existing shares, valuing OYO at $78 billion. The draft prospectus is likely to be filed later this year.

In November, the parent entity PRISM announced a new, simplified bonus structure covering all shareholdersincluding small investors and CCPS holdersafter withdrawing a controversial earlier proposal that required an opt-in and linked benefits to IPO progress. The new format aims to ensure equal participation and transparency across investor classes.

#3 PhonePe

PhonePe, Indias largest digital payments platform, is backed by global investors including Walmart, Microsoft, Ribbit Capital, and Tiger Global. While payments remain its core business, PhonePe has expanded into credit, insurance, wealth management, and other financial services through multiple subsidiaries, positioning itself as a full-stack fintech player.

In September, PhonePe filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP), marking a critical step toward its public listing. Media reports indicate the company is targeting an IPO of about $1.5 billion, valuing it at roughly $15 billion.

PhonePe has also received a payment aggregator licence from the Reserve Bank of India, enabling it to offer online merchant payment services and strengthen its footprint in digital commerce.

#4 SBI Mutual Fund

SBI Mutual Fund, established in 1987 as Indias first non-UTI mutual fund, is now the countrys largest asset management company. It operates as a joint venture between the State Bank of India (63%) and Amundi Asset Management (37%).

The fund house offers a wide range of products across equity, debt, hybrid schemes, ETFs and more. As of 30 September, it manages 16.32 trillion under alternates and holds a 15.5% share of the mutual fund industry.

On 7 November, State Bank of India announced plans to list SBI Funds Management Ltd (SBIFML), making it the third SBI subsidiary to go public after SBI Cards and SBI Life Insurance. Market estimates suggest the asset manager could be valued at around 1 trillion, given its scale, brand strength, and dominance in Indias mutual fund ecosystem.

#5 NSE

Incorporated in 1992 and recognised by SEBI in 1993, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) began operations in 1994 and has since sustained leadership across asset classes in both domestic and global markets.

NSE operates an integrated market infrastructure spanning trading, clearing, settlement, indexing, and data services across equities, debt, commodities, currencies, derivatives, and ETFs. NSE Clearing ensures secure settlement, while its listing services support capital raising for Indian corporates.

Sebi chairperson Tuhin Kanta Pandey said on 17 November that the process for proposed amendments to the Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR) has begun, with extensive consultations planned. He also said clarity on the No Objection Certificate (NoC) for the NSE IPO will be provided at the appropriate time.

With these developments, the long-awaited NSE IPO appears closer to reality and could debut in Samvat 2082, subject to regulatory clearance. NSE has also reported strong traction for new offerings such as electricity futures and zero-day options, bolstering its innovation credentials.

For a detailed timeline, see our latest editorial: When is the NSE IPO coming?

Should you consider investing in big-ticket IPOs?

Large IPOs from established businesses can be appealing, but size alone doesn't assure listing gains or long-term returns. Investors should evaluate fundamentals, growth visibility, pricing, sector outlook, and the use of proceeds rather than relying on brand value or market buzz.

Its best to approach big IPOs selectively and invest only when valuations and growth prospects justify the scale. Assessing fundamentals, corporate governance, and valuations remains key to sound due diligence before making any investment decision.

Happy investing.

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such.

This article is syndicated fromEquitymaster.com
Narayana Hrudayala Ltd, India's leading hospital chain, has acquired UK-based Practice Plus Group (PPG) Hospitals. The acquisition marks Narayana's entry into the UK healthcare market, where PPG operates 10 hospitals and surgical centres with specialization in orthopaedics, ophthalmology, and general surgery. This move not only widens Narayana's international footprint but also positions the company among India's top three healthcare providers by revenue.

The acquisition is valued at about 2,100 crore (183 million) and will be settled in cash, taking the total outlay to 189 million after customary adjustments. It will be funded through a mix of 150 million in debt and the remaining funds through internal accruals. The acquisition is being financed through the balance sheet of Narayana's Cayman Islands operations, creating a cleaner structure for overseas expansion.

This story explains how this acquisition fits into Narayana's strategy. Here's how it all comes together.

Why Narayana is buying PPG

Narayana already has a diversified presence across India and overseas. In India, the company operates 41 facilities, including 19 hospitals, two heart centres and 18 clinics spread across 11 states. This domestic business remains the core of the company, contributing 79% ( 4,448 crore) of 2024-25 revenue, with operating margins at 18.6%.

Alongside this, Narayana runs two centres in the Cayman Islands, a geography it entered in 2018, and one that has steadily become a high-quality earnings driver. Revenue from the Cayman business grew 16.2% year-on-year to 1,183 crore in 2024-25, contributing the remaining 21% of revenue.

What sets the Cayman unit apart is its profitability. Its Ebitda margin of about 43.4% is more than twice that of the India business. The management now wants to carry these Cayman learnings into a much larger, more mature healthcare economy. This sets the stage for Narayana's next expansion move. Ebitda is short for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

Why the UK market made strategic sense

The UK stands out as one of the few developed markets that allow international ownership of private medical assets. For Narayana, this becomes a natural extension of its international expansion and its effort to lower regional concentration risk. The timing strengthens the case even more.

The UK's National Health Service (NHS) is experiencing one of its largest backlogs in decades. Waiting lists have risen from 4.57 million before covid-19 pandemic to 7.4 million by August 2025, pushing more procedures into outsourced pathways.

This has led to a higher NHS outsourcing, which has grown from 9 billion in 2011-12 to 18 billion in 2023-24, creating a larger role for private providers within the healthcare system. This structural shift is important because it directly shapes the demand environment in which PPG operates.

Private-pay volumes in the UK are rising steadily as patients seek shorter wait times and more predictable care. This trend creates a tailwind for operators that run efficient, asset-light networks. PPG sits right at the centre of this market.

Where PPG fits in

PPG is the UK's fourth-largest NHS healthcare service provider and the fifth-largest private healthcare network. It operates 10 hospitals and surgical centres, including urgent treatment centres, diagnostic hubs, and an ophthalmology centre, with a total capacity of 330 beds. For Narayana, this scale and positioning offer an immediate foothold in a mature, contract-driven healthcare ecosystem.

Also Read | These stocks are quietly powering Indias data centre boom

As of 9M FY25, NHS referrals accounted for 93% of PPG's revenue and 99% of its case volume, making it a deeply embedded part of the UK's secondary-care ecosystem. Its operations are backed by multi-year, evergreen NHS contracts of over 10 years each, which provide defined volume and revenue visibility.

This stability, combined with an asset-light, day-case model, supports faster cash conversion and reduces earnings volatility across cycles. For Narayana, this adds a steady and predictable earnings stream. It also marks a milestone, with nearly half of profitability expected from international operations (UK + Cayman).

Orthopaedics accounts for 45% of PPG revenue, followed by ophthalmology (12%), oral surgery (4%), general surgery (5%), endoscopy (5%), diagnostics (6%), OPD (13%), UTC (5%), and others. These are specialities built around shorter stays and steady throughput, in line with PPG's day-care model.

This mix looks very different from Narayana's India portfolio. In contrast, Narayana's India business is based on high-acuity, long-term care. Cardiac sciences contribute 33%, followed by oncology (16%), renal (9%), neurosciences (8%), and others. These require advanced interventions and clinically intensive infrastructure.

This difference in business models brings balance to the overall portfolio. The India business continues to anchor Narayana with high-acuity services, while the UK acquisition adds an asset-light, day-care business in a high-paying market. Together, they reduce dependence on any single segment, giving it a wider spread across case types and geographies.

Financially, PPG has grown revenue at a 12.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the last five years, with centre-level Ebitda growing at a similar pace. PL Capital states that the hospital reported revenue of 250 million (around 2,900 crore) in FY25E, up from 211 million in 2022-23. The centre-level Ebita margin of about 17% is also quite similar to the margins of the India operations.

Growth levers that strengthen Narayana's expansion plan

PPG's existing centres operate at utilization rates of only 50%-55%, leaving ample room to scale up volume without major capital expenditure. For Narayana, this is an opportunity to scale volumes from day one. However, an inability to push utilization higher may delay the expected margin gains.

The management also plans to add technology to the UK network. Narayana's proprietary digital platform, Athma, has helped simplify workflows and strengthen efficiency across its India and Cayman businesses. The same system will now be deployed across PPG to streamline processes and improve patient throughput.

Over the medium term, Narayana's objective is to use the NHS-backed base to emerge as a leading private-pay healthcare provider in the UK. This transition will depend on expanding the payor mix beyond NHS referrals.

It's because Private Medical Insurance (PMI) and self-pay carry stronger reimbursement rates, with PMI often paying 20%-30% more than the NHS for similar procedures. Even a gradual shift in this mix can lift Narayana's consolidated margin to around 24.5%, countering any near-term margin dilution from the acquisition.

Also Read | US trade deal hope lifts Avanti Feeds, but it needs a wider export net

Narayana also plans to leverage its clinical background to expand and enhance the range of services offered within its existing infrastructure. This includes adding new specialities and scaling up volumes in existing, high-throughput areas such as orthopaedics and ophthalmology. There is also room for clinical expansion within the existing footprint.

Revenue is expected to see a clear boost

On a full-year basis, the acquisition boosts Narayana's consolidated sales (net) of 5,483 crore by 53%, taking revenue to 8,393 crore, including PPG revenue of 2,900 crore. This will also position Narayana as the third-largest hospital network in India. Ebitda is also expected to get a significant boost.

The management expects a positive impact from the acquisition in about two years, with the investment expected to achieve a return on capital employed (RoCE) of 20%-22% by FY29/30, versus Narayana's current RoCE of 17%. Narayana's growth will also be shaped by an expansion of its India network.

A parallel expansion at home

The company has outlined a domestic plan that mirrors the sector's broader trend. It expects to invest 3,000 crore over the next three years to add about 2,000 beds across India. The focus is on high-growth clusters such as Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Raipur, and a selective, phased build-out of mid-sized 150250-bed hospitals.

From a valuation perspective, Narayana is trading at a price-to-earnings multiple of 48 times, which is in line with its 10-year median of 49. The hospital continues to trade at a discount to peers such as Global Health (55), KIIMS (81), and Fortis (69).

Madhvendra has over seven years of experience in equity markets and writes detailed research articles on listed Indian companies, sectoral trends, and macroeconomic developments.

The writer does not hold the stocks discussed in this article.

The purpose of this article is only to share interesting charts, data points, and thought-provoking opinions. It is NOT a recommendation. If you wish to consider an investment, you are strongly advised to consult your advisor. This article is strictly for educational purposes only.
New-age tech companies have become synonymous with fast growth and sky-high valuations. Their IPOs arrived with glossy pitches and investor enthusiasm that had little to do with profits. As long as the growth story was hot, investors believed the riches would follow.

These companies do have solid long-term potential. Their platforms are widely used, and their IPOs were heavily oversubscribed. But many investors who didnt exit early, faced steep losses as euphoria died down.

Still, the bull case hasnt disappeared. Retail investors continue to bet that these brands will emerge as Indias next multibagger giants.

Also read: Indias IPO wave is just getting started: The big 2026 listings to watch

So what explains this enduring beliefdespite the setbacks? And how should investors approach these stocks today?

The big declines

Nykaa, Zomato, and Paytm became the poster names of Indias new-age tech boomwith Urban Company joining the list recently.

At their 202021 peak, these stocks were market favourites, widely owned by retail investors.

But the tide turned quickly: Zomato and Nykaa each slumped around 70% from their highs, while Paytm plunged 80%.

Although theyve bounced back from the bottom, profitability remains weakleading to sky-high valuations.

Zomato now trades at a PE of about 1,550 and Nykaa at 740, while Paytm is still loss-making. Urban Companys PE also touched nearly 1,000 recently (excluding tax credits).

To put that in context, traditional value investors consider a PE of 30 expensive.

As Equitymasters co-head of research Rahul Shah wrote about the valuations of Urban Company, Imagine paying nearly a thousand years' worth of a company's current profits upfront. For a business that has historically struggled to achieve consistent profitability, this isn't just optimism; it's a bet on a distant, almost mythical future."

Yet, investors remain invested

Despite the painful corrections, investor interest has bounced back. Stock prices of Zomato, Nykaa and Paytm have all trended upward againeven though valuations remain sky high.

Also read: Keep it real: IPOs are roaring but finance mustnt outrun the real economy

The following charts makes it clear that the stocks of Zomato, Nykaa, and Paytm have all trended up after the crash.

Zomato Share Price  Since Listing

Source: Equitymaster

Nykaa Share Price  Since Listing

Source: Equitymaster

Paytm Share Price  Since Listing

Source: Equitymaster

So, what explains the investor bullishness?

FOMO: Fear of missing out

The fear of missing out is strong in these stocks, especially among retail investors. These stocks are often hyped as big growth stories or the next best thing in the market.

Even one good quarterly result can paint the company in a positive light, making investors believe that the growth story is turning into high gear.

These stocks have been billed as growth stocks even before their IPOs. Thus, if investors see the potential of sustained growth, they are tempted to buy.

Younger investors are particularly affected by this as they tend be users of these platforms and are more familiar with the business models.

Speculation and momentum

Rising prices attract short-term traders looking to ride the uptrend. When more people buy simply because others are buying, momentum builds on itselfpushing valuations further away from fundamentals.

In financial language, this is called surfing the price momentum. The extra buying of these short-term traders adds to the upward price momentum.

Traders feel they are missing out on some easy, short-term profits. The thinking goes, 'If others are making easy money, why shouldnt I?'

Genuine long-term conviction

These stocks are being driven higher mostly by short-term traders but they do have a devoted set of long-term investors.

Some of these investors bought when these stocks fell sharply from their highs. These investors are currently sitting of good profits. Thus, they do not have an incentive to sell quickly. They are happy to hold on as long as the price trend remains upward.

These investors are true believers in new age business. They think these companies have changed the Indian economy permanently and will continue to do so. This will result is enormous wealth creation in the long-term for shareholders.

Also read: Why India's IPO market is seeing a dramatic last-minute bidding frenzy

They point cases like Amazon in the US which hardly made any profits for a long time but eventually became a trillion dollar company.

In the minds of these investors, a 4-digit PE ratio is not a concern because the current high valuations will be completely dwarfed by the profits made in the future.

Only time will tell if they are proved right.

So should you invest?

Each investor has their own style  but its important to remember what a PE ratio represents. A PE of 20 means it would take 20 years for a company to repay its share price if earnings stayed flat. The higher the PE, the longer the waitunless profits grow rapidly.

These stocks rely heavily on expectations of sharp profit growth in the future. Add herd psychology and FOMO into the mix, and its clear why the rally continueseven without proven earnings strength.

Ultimately, stock prices follow profit growth.

That will decide the fate of Indias new-age tech stars too.

So investors must look beyond the hype and assess business fundamentals, governance, and valuation before taking the plunge.

Happy investing.

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such.

This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com
The United States along with 14 other nations issued a joint statement at the United Nations expressing deep concerns about serious human rights violations in China.



The statement notes there are credible reports of persistent use of arbitrary detention, forced labor, unlawful or arbitrary uses of mass surveillance, and restrictions on religious and cultural expression in China. Ethnic and religious minority groups  particularly Uighurs and other Muslim minorities, Christians, Tibetans, Falun Gong practitioners, and others  have faced targeted repression.



A particularly egregious case of abuse of religious freedom occurred in mid-October when Chinese authorities detained nearly 30 pastors and staff members belonging to Zion Church. It was the biggest crackdown on Chinese Christians in seven years, according to press reports. Eighteen of those detained have been formally arrested and could face up to three years in prison if convicted.



ChinaAid, a Christian nonprofit human rights organization, said in a statement that the leaders were arrested on "politically motivated charges. Dr. Bob Fu, Founder and President of ChinaAid, said, The formal arrest of these 18 faithful Zion Church pastors and co-workers is a chilling milestone in the [Chinese Communist Partys] all-out war on Christianity in China. Their only crime is preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, shepherding Gods flock, and refusing to turn Christs church into a propaganda tool of the Communist Party.



Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the arrests. This crackdown further demonstrates how the CCP exercises hostility towards Christians who reject Party interference in their faith and choose to worship at unregistered house churches. We call on the CCP to immediately release the detained church leaders and to allow all people of faith, including members of house churches, to engage in religious activities without fear of retribution.



Chinese state censorship and surveillance are used to control information, limit public discourse, and punish those who challenge official narratives, according to the UN joint statement. The suppression and transnational repression of journalists, human rights defenders, and lawyers further exemplify a climate of fear designed to silence criticism. These actions erode trust and are in direct contradiction to the very principles that sustain global stability and human progress.



Signatories also expressed concern about the continued dismantling of long-standing civil liberties and the rule of law in Hong Kong and about the issuance of arrest warrants and bounties on individuals outside Hong Kongs borders for exercising freedom of expression.



The joint statement call(s) on the Peoples Republic of China to release all those unjustly detained for simply exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms, which are cornerstones of legitimate governance and global credibility, and to fully comply with its obligations under international law.



We also urge Member States acting through the United Nations to call on China to address credible human rights violations and to advance meaningful accountability.
SBI share price in focus today: State Bank of India (SBI), the countrys largest public sector lender, saw its shares rise 1.6% in Wednesday's trade, November 26, to touch a record high of 999 apiece. With this, the PSU bank stock inched closer to breaching the 1,000 mark for the first time.

The state-owned lender has been on a sustained bull run since late August and has zoomed 25% so far, which also prompted the company's market capitalisation to surge past 9 lakh crore.

Taking the stock's record high today into account, the market capitalisation of SBI has reached 9.22 lakh crore, making it the sixth most-valuable company in the Indian stock market, and if the momentum in the shares extends in the coming weeks, it may even cross ICICI Bank's market capitalisation of 9.80 lakh crore.

Among banking stocks, HDFC Bank retains its top position as the most-valuable company with a market capitalisation of 15.4 lakh crore, as per the BSE data.

SBI set to post fifth consecutive yearly rise The recent run-up in SBI stock has also pushed its year-to-date return to 25%, putting it on track for the fifth straight year of positive returns.

Although the stock initiated its bull run in late August, it accelerated following the release of the September quarter numbers, which came in higher than analysts' estimates, and the bank also gave an upbeat outlook by raising its credit growth forecast.

The credit demand in the system has shown signs of improvement, supported by multiple policy measures announced by both the RBI and the government, including repo rate cuts and GST reductions aimed at boosting consumption, particularly in urban India.

Furthermore, improving asset quality, along with net interest margins (NIMs) stabilizing, has made PSU banks increasingly attractive to Dalal Street investors.

Following the expansion of its loan book by 12.73% YoY to 44.2 lakh crore in Q2FY26, the bank raised its credit growth forecast to 1214% for the current fiscal year, up from its earlier guidance of 1112%.

Technical View: SBI breaks out, eyes  1,050 target, says analyst Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree, said that SBI broke out of a flat base at 838 and is now steadily moving toward its pattern target of 1,050, supported by strong momentum at the current market price of 993.

He observed that the trend structure remains intact, and any dip toward the 20-day EMA near 955 should be viewed as a fresh buying opportunity, as the stock has consistently respected this moving average during its uptrend.

Jain also noted that the recent run-up has been sharp and momentum indicators are stretched, so traders should stay cautious at current levels. He added that position sizing and disciplined entries become important as the stock inches closer to its target zone.

SBI Q2 Performance The PSU bank reported a net profit of 20,160 crore in Q2, a 10% year-on-year improvement compared to 18,331 crore in the JulySeptember quarter a year ago.

The net interest income (NII) during the period increased to 1,19,654 crore from 1,13,871 crore in the same quarter a year ago. The net interest margin (NIM) contracted by 18 basis points year-on-year but expanded by 7 basis points quarter-on-quarter to 3.09%.

On the asset quality front, gross non-performing assets (NPAs) declined to 1.73% of gross advances as of September 30, 2025, from 2.13% a year ago. Similarly, net NPAs, or bad loans, also declined to 0.42% of advances from 0.53% in the year-ago period.
Small-cap defence stock: Paras Defence share price surged nearly 1% to 717.50 in Wednesday's trading session after the company announced that it has signed an agreement with DRDO.

The small-cap defence stock has been under pressure lately as it has remained flat in last one month and has descended 11.59% in six months. However, the defence stock delivered nearly 39% returns in last one year and 191% since its listing.

Paras Defence agreement with DRDO In an exchange filing on November 26, Paras Defence said that it has signed a technology transfer agreement with DRDO for the Driver Night Sight (DNS) system used in T-90 tanks.

This deal allows the company to manufacture and work with the night-vision technology within India. The company further informed that the agreement has been finalised with DRDO, which operates under the Ministry of Defence.

The DNS system improves visibility for tank drivers in low-light and night conditions, making it an essential technology for armoured vehicle movement and operational readiness.

On Monday, the company announced that it had signed an MoU with Inter- University Accelerator Centre (IUAC). Inter- University Accelerator Centre is an autonomous Institute under the University Grants Commission (UGC), Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India (GOI), and carries out particle accelerator based basic research and development.

According to the exchange filing, both the companies will combine their respective capabilities in order to develop commercial- grade MRI magnet system for indigenous manufacturing in the country to make India a Self-Reliant in superconducting MRI Magnet technology, thus nurturing Aatma Nirbhar Bharat.

Paras Defence Q2 results 2025 Paras Defence delivered a strong performance in the September quarter, posting a 50% year-on-year jump in net profit to 21 crore, up from 14 crore.

Revenue rose 21.8% YoY to 106 crore, driven by solid execution across its optics, defence electronics, and space engineering segments.

EBITDA increased 32% YoY to 30 crore from 22.7 crore, indicating improved operational efficiency and tighter cost management.

The EBITDA margin also strengthened, rising to 28.3% from 26.1% a year earlier, highlighting enhanced profitability.

Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. Please consult with an investment advisor before making any investment decisions.
Stock market today: The benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, slipped for the third straight session on Tuesday, 25 November, weighed down by mixed global signals.

The Sensex fell 314 points (0.37%) to close at 84,587, while the Nifty 50 dropped 75 points (0.29%) to end at 25,884.80. In contrast, broader markets fared better, with the BSE Midcap index edging up 0.19% and the Smallcap index gaining 0.20%.

"Markets were volatile on the monthly expiry day and ended marginally lower, extending the recent phase of profit-taking. After a flat start, the Nifty moved within a narrow range for most of the session, but a late-hour decline dragged the index down. It eventually closed at 25,884.80, down 0.29%. Sectorally, the trend was mixed. Realty, metal, and pharma stocks registered gains, while IT and FMCG were among the notable laggards. Market breadth was slightly positive, supported by a mild rebound in the midcap and smallcap segments after the recent correction.

Sentiment remained cautious amid persistent global headwinds, including mixed US economic data and ongoing geopolitical concerns that continued to weigh on risk appetite. Domestically, traders stayed guarded due to the November derivatives expiry, with foreign institutional investor flows remaining subdued," said Ajit Mishra, SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd.

Stocks to Watch Bharti Airtel Indian Continent Investment, a promoter group entity of Bharti Airtel, has initiated a block deal in the telecom company worth around 7,100 crore ($806 million).

HCL Tech The IT services firm announced a strategic partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to speed up transformation in the financial services sector using autonomous, AI-driven solutions.

Zydus Lifesciences The pharmaceutical firm has secured final approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for its Verapamil Hydrochloride extended-release tablets USP in 120 mg, 180 mg, and 240 mg doses.

NCC The infrastructure firm announced that it has received a letter of acceptance from Assams Public Works Department (Health & Education) for the expansion and upgrading of Gauhati Medical College & Hospital in Guwahati.

United Breweries The company has introduced Heineken Silver in New Delhi, with sales starting from 25 November 2025. The beverage will be available in bars as well as retail stores throughout the capital.

Bank of Maharashtra The Central Government has named Prabhat Kiran as the banks Executive Director for a three-year term starting 24 November. Before this appointment, Prabhat Kiran served as the Chief General Manager at Canara Bank.

Jayant Infratech Jayant Infratech has secured a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from Konkan Railway for an EPC project. The contract involves designing, supplying, installing, testing, and commissioning the upgrade of the current 1x25 kV electric traction system to a 2x25 kV system across projects undertaken by Konkan Railway.

Welspun Corp The company has submitted a Statement of Claim worth between $35.5 million and $43.5 million against Wasco Coatings and Wasco Energy under the International Chamber of Commerce Arbitration Rules in London, seeking compensation for a lost investment opportunity in Wasco Qatar, along with additional non-monetary claims and reliefs.

Also Read | Stock market today: Eight stocks to buy and sell on Wednesday

Indraprastha Gas The company has signed a Joint Venture Agreement with CEID Consultants & Engineering to establish compressed biogas plants and other biofuel projects.

Indian Overseas Bank The bank announced that it will get an income tax refund of 835.08 crore for Assessment Year 202223, after the Income Tax Department issued an order implementing the decision of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals).
Parag Chaturvedi, 55, a chartered accountant who lives in a New York suburb north of Manhattan, owns a couple of properties in India. For him, the most confusing aspect of purchasing a property in a large project was navigating the voluminous sale agreement.

He spotted a clause he disagreed with, but the builder declined to make any changes, stating it's a standard contract in line with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) rules. Chaturvedi's workaround was to insist on a written email confirming that interpretation before signing.

For non-resident Indians (NRIs), buying a property in India can be a complex affair, involving dense legal paperwork, state-specific regulations, and a level of due diligence that demands far more scrutiny than one would expect. We break down the basics.

Also Read | Portfolio management lessons from the Mahabharata

Essential NRI due diligence

The checklist for NRIs investing in property should begin with full title verification, covering ownership history, encumbrances and ongoing disputes, if any. If the proposed purchase is in new or under-construction projects, verification of the builders sanctioned plans, commencement certificate, RERA registration, and environmental approvals is mandatory," said Sanjay Daga, CEO and MD of Anex Advisory, a real estate consultancy.

Its equally important to confirm possession or completion certificates for ready units. NRIs should review mutation records, property tax receipts and utility dues, making sure there are no outstanding liabilities. Stamp duty varies from state to state and can depend on the buyer category and ready-reckoner rates. Hence, every buyer should check the exact state rules before signing on the dotted line. "Maharashtra, for instance, levies a rate between 5% and 7%, but other jurisdictions have their own unique structures and potential discounts. Confirm the specific rates before buying to stay within the rules," says Santhosh Kumar, vice chairman of Anarock Group, a property consultant.

View Full Image (Graphic: Gopakumar Warrier)

NRI Property Tax Guide

On the tax side, when an NRI buys property from a resident (value above 50 lakh), TDS of 1% on the sale consideration applies. For an NRI buying from an NRI, TDS is on sales value under Section 195, typically 12.5% plus cess plus surcharge on sales value in case of long-term capital gain. In case of short-term capital gain, it is taxed as per slab rates," said Priyal Goel Jain, partner and NRI tax expert, Dinesh Aarjav & Associates, Chartered Accountants.

The TDS here is deducted by the NRI (buyer) and has to be deposited with the Income Tax Department.

NRIs can pay a seller or builder using money sent through normal banking channels. The payment can come from an NRE account, an NRO account, or by sending money directly from abroad. Money earned abroad usually goes into an NRE account, but it can also be deposited into an NRO account if needed. Money earned in India is generally kept in the NRO account. An NRE account is helpful but not compulsory for making such payments.

NRIs should note that the use of cash in any part of a property transaction can trigger income-tax penalties, making it essential to maintain a fully traceable digital or banking trail. NRIs should also be mindful of cross-border reporting requirements in the country where they reside, as non-disclosure of Indian assets may create complications abroad.

Dubai-based Gaurav Butan, 37, head of finance at a professional services firm, found the builderbuyer agreement particularly challenging. The process became even more complicated since he was purchasing the property jointly with a resident Indian.

Though Im a CA myself, this required professional on-ground support, so I hired the services of a CA firm to help me with compliance related to TDS and documentation with the banks, etc," said Butan.

Smarter Remote Property Maintenance

After purchase, managing property remotely requires a robust system that compensates for the owners absence. Since brokers and property managers are not governed by any formal regulator, NRIs must depend on professional service providers with transparent contracts and defined responsibilities.

The Resident Welfare Association (RWA) can be given a limited PoA to inspect the property, monitor damages, and report maintenance issues. In practice, NRIs should change tenants more frequently, ensuring that no single tenant occupies the property for excessively long periods," said Jain.

This approach allows for periodic inspections, prevents deterioration, and ensures that the property remains in optimal condition. Leave and licence agreementspreferred over traditional tenancy agreementsoffer better operational flexibility and cleaner exit mechanisms.

NRIs can use professional property-management firms that offer periodic inspections, digital records, and local vendor coordination. Many owners adopt cloud-based platforms to track maintenance tickets, invoices, and rent. Gated communities often provide online management portals that log repairs and service charges," said Sharad Sharma, principal partner & sales director, Square Yards.

Regular virtual or physical property inspections are a must, and transparent contracts with service providers further preserve the asset and maintain seamless maintenance," said Kumar.

My real challenge has been long-distance maintenance. During one of my visits to India, I identified a reliable contractor through a personal referral, and theyve become my first point of contact for any upkeep or small repairs," said Chaturvedi.

Smarter Rental Strategies for NRIs

NRIs often receive below-market rents because they rely heavily on unregulated brokers and have limited visibility into local rental trends. Tenants also negotiate aggressively with NRIs due to the compliance burden placed on themmonthly TDS deductions, quarterly Form 26Q filings, Form 16A issuance, and Form 15CA/CB submissions for overseas remittances.

Also Read | Why tax breaks on home loans shrink for under-construction properties

As India still lacks a government-verified rental benchmark system, NRIs depend on subjective broker estimates that may not reflect true market value. To address this, NRIs should periodically review rental yields, consider independent valuation, and reassess tenant profiles regularly. The absence of a standardized rental-yield mechanism is a structural issue, and a regulated rental index would significantly improve transparency for absentee landlords," said Jain.

A realistic range can be established by benchmarking rents through local online listings, municipal ready-reckoner values, and micro-market rental studies. NRIs should consult with professionals or real estate experts who can give them a fair sense of going rentals," said Sreepriya N.S., CEO, Entrust Family Office.

Plan Ahead for Smooth Repatriation

When selling, NRIs face a fresh set of compliance and repatriation rules. For smooth and unhindered repatriation of proceeds, all original purchase documents, past TDS certificates, maintenance and tax receipts, and bank documents showing the original source of funds should be organized and maintained. Generating a fresh and updated valuation report will help anchor the asking price and aid in capital gains computation. Before selling property, NRIs can apply for a lower- or nil-TDS certificate if their actual tax liability will be low," says Daga.

The shift to a 12.5% LTCG rate without indexation for sales post July 23, 2024, simplifies taxation for NRIs in India, but complicates matters abroad, as many countries do not recognize Indias exemptions, including those under Section 54. Sale proceeds must flow into the NRO account, from which repatriation of up to $1 million per financial year can be made after completing Form 15CA/CB formalities," says Jain.

With proper pre-sale structuring, NRIs can avoid discounted offers, ensure compliance, and repatriate funds seamlessly.

For repatriation, FEMA rules generally allow transfer of up to the sale proceeds for up to two properties per financial year with proper documentation. Ensuring all tax filings and challans are in order facilitates a smoother banking process," said Sharma.

In a nutshell, hiring services of experts like a local lawyer, a trusted dealer and a chartered accountant will help ease out the process and keep you informed," said Butan.

NRIs can ace Indias property game by working with credible professionals, using digital oversight tools, planning repatriation early, and treating documentation, compliance, and maintenance as non-negotiable pillars of smooth ownership.
A day after India rejected China's response to the detention of an Indian national from Arunachal Pradesh at the Shanghai airport, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday said that actions by Beijing are unhelpful in normalising ties.

On November 21, Pema Wangjom Thongdok, a UK-based Indian citizen, claimed that her three-hour scheduled layover at Shanghai International Airport turned into a traumatising ordeal.

Pema, who was travelling from London to Japan, said that when she was transiting, immigration personnel declared her passport 'invalid' solely because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace.

Addressing a weekly briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that arbitrary actions by China are most unhelpful towards efforts made by both sides to build mutual trust and understanding and gradually move towards normalisation of bilateral relations.

Jaiswal stated that maintenance of peace and tranquility in the border region is the prerequisite for the continued and overall development of Indian-China bilateral relations.

He added that since October 2024, both sides have worked to maintain peace and tranquility in the border regions. It is on this basis that progress has been made in people-centric engagement.

Yesterday we made a statement, you would have seen, regarding the arbitrary detention of an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh, who was holding a valid passport and . We want to say that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, and this is a fact that is self-evident, Jaiswal said.

Stating that no amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality, he said, "At the same time, I said that we did take up this matter; we did make a strong demarche with the Chinese side, both in Beijing and Delhi, when the incident took place.

Pema somehow managed to connect to the Indian consulate in Shanghai through a UK-based friend.

The Indian Consulate in Shanghai also took up the matter locally and extended the fullest assistance to the stranded passenger, they said.
Indian national Prema Wangjom Thongdok, detained at Shanghai International Airport for 18 hours and harassed over her Arunachal identity, took to X to thank "everyone speaking in support of this diplomatic issue."

She also called out trolls on social media, writing, "...Im new here and not active on X, its because I have a very high-profile full-time position working in the financial services and dont have idle time to answer trolls! The right people get it."

"And the ones who dont get it are clearly not people I would engage with anyway! I dont even live in India so any action that Indian govt takes will be for the benefit & pride of my fellow Indians and Arunachalis living here, not mine. We are one nation we stand for one another," she posted on Wednesday.

What's the case? Prema Wangjom Thongdok said she was detained at Shanghai Airport for 18 hours, and officials declared her Indian passport invalid.

The UK-based Indian citizen, who was travelling from London to Japan on 21 November, claimed her three-hour scheduled layover turned into a traumatising ordeal after Chinese immigration personnel declared her passport "invalid" solely because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace.

Wangjom Thongdok reportedly narrated her long ordeal, stating that Chinese immigration officials at Shanghai Pudong Airport "mocked and raised questions" over her Indian citizenship. She added that her 18-hour detention ended only with the intervention of officials from India's missions in Shanghai and Beijing.

China rejects allegations Earlier on Tuesday, China rejected allegations of harassment levelled by Thongdok, and stated that the lawful rights and interests of the person concerned were fully protected and no compulsory measures were taken on her.

PTI quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning as saying, On the individual case you mentioned, according to what we've learned, during the entire time, China's border inspection authorities carried out check procedures in accordance with laws and regulations.

"The airline provided her with resting facilities and meals," she said, denying Thongdok's charges.

She also defended the action taken against Thongdok, saying, "Let me point out that having border checks on people entering and exiting a country and carrying out law enforcement according to the specific situation of the entry or exit is the usual practice of border enforcement authorities of countries across the world.

India says Arunachal is integral part of India India, meanwhile, reiterates its consistent stance. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasised that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India.

It said, Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, and this is a self-evident fact. No amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality.

Also Read | India slams China over detention of Arunachal woman at Shanghai Airport

The MEA statement said, "The issue of the detention has been taken up strongly with the Chinese side. Chinese authorities have still not been able to explain their actions, which are in violation of several conventions governing international air travel. The actions by the Chinese authorities also violate their own regulations that allow visa-free transit up to 24 hours for nationals of all countries."
The Union cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved a 7,280 crore scheme aimed at promoting the manufacture of rare earth permanent magnets (REPM).

This is a first-of-its-kind initiative by the central government to promote REPM ecosystem, enhancing self-reliance and positioning India as a key player in the global REPM market, the government said in a statement.

Mint was the first to report last week that the finance ministrys expenditure finance committee (EFC) had approved the 7,300 crore production-linked incentives (PLI) scheme, setting the stage for cabinet clearance.

Minister of information and broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw told reporters that the REPM scheme was drawn along the lines of India's semiconductor mission.

He said incentives under this scheme would allow India to become self-reliant in rare earth magnet manufacturing in the next three to four years. This is a very important strategic decision. It will create a completely integrated manufacturing ecosystem.

Indias annual demand for these magnets is about 4,000-5,000 tonnes, Vaishnaw said.

Rare earth permanent magnets are foundational to electric motors and high-efficiency systems, and the establishment of a domestic, integrated manufacturing base will significantly strengthen Indias technological competitiveness, experts said.

Rare earth deposits, called placer deposits, are found along beaches, and India is among the top three countries for such deposits, Vaishnaw said. India has 6.9 million tonnes of rare earth deposits.

Union heavy industries and steel minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, in a statement, clarified that the scheme would provide 750 crore to five selected participants as capital subsidy. The government would also provide 6,450 crore as a sales-linked incentive for these magnet makers over a five-year period after manufacturing units are set up.

The scheme will follow a whole-of-government approach, working alongside the semiconductor mission and the national critical minerals mission to build a resilient supply chain, Vaishnaw said.

Both public and private sector companies will be eligible to participate. Companies from electronics, automobiles, and steel have shown interest. The companies which will receive incentives will be decided transparently. And they will decide where they would set up manufacturing plants, he said.

This is a strategic sector. We have to be present in it. A lot of the manufacturing will come to halt if we are not here, Vaishnaw said, pointing to rare earths emerging as a key factor in recent US-China negotiations.

That is why India needs to enter this domain, as it has one of the biggest reserves of rare earths, said Vaishnaw.

Addressing environmental concerns, the minister stated that the highest environmental management standards would be adhered to, and that the industry is well-equipped to handle waste from rare earth processing.

Industry welcomes move This initiative is a significant step toward building a resilient and stable supply chain, particularly for components and sub-assemblies essential for the production of electrified vehicles," said Shailesh Chandra, president of auto industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam).

The scheme is expected to accelerate clean mobility adoption, reduce dependence on crude oil imports and strengthen Indias energy security, he said.

This is a strategic and forward-looking intervention that addresses one of the most critical gaps in the EV and advanced mobility ecosystem, said Vikrampati Singhania, president of the Automotive Component Manufacturers of India (ACMA).

Rare earth permanent magnets are foundational to electric motors and high-efficiency systems, and the establishment of a domestic, integrated manufacturing base will significantly strengthen Indias technological competitiveness, said Singhania.

These are critical to the automotive value chain, particularly for electric drivetrains, motors, sensors, and advanced electronics, and are equally vital for renewable energy, aerospace, defence and industrial applications. Indias current dependence on imports for these magnets has long been a strategic vulnerability.

"This initiative will not only reduce import dependence but also provide long-term resilience to the automotive supply chain, encourage investments in advanced materials, and position India strongly in global value chains for EVs and clean energy," said Singhania of ACMA.

"The announcement of incentives for rare-earth magnets, along with allocations in National Critical Minerals Mission signal a broader national commitment to building a secure, competitive critical-minerals ecosystem," said Raju Kumar, partner and energy tax leader, EY India. The proposed support for magnet manufacturing, a segment where India has historically depended on global supply chains, can unlock new opportunities across mining, processing, alloying and advanced materials.

It creates headroom for Indian companies to participate in high-value applications spanning electric mobility, renewables, electronics and defence, Kumar added.

The real test now would be "disciplined implementation", by ensuring access to technology, developing high-quality processing capability, building responsible mining practices and maintaining ESG safeguards. "If executed well, this initiative can help strengthening Indias long-term energy-transition and manufacturing competitiveness, he said.

The real bottleneck is not the availability of rare earth ores. It is the absence of refining, separation, alloy-making and magnet production capabilities, a space where China holds a more than 85% global market share, said Anupam Kumar, co-founder and CEO of MiniMines, a battery recycling company.

Battery recycling is one of the methods to collect lithium and other critical minerals from used batteries.

By supporting domestic manufacturing across these stages, this scheme strengthens supply-chain security and begins to rebuild capabilities India has not had since the 1990s. It will accelerate innovation, draw investments into recycling and advanced materials, and create opportunities for home-grown clean-tech and mobility companies, the MiniMines CEO said.

Global trends indicate that many countries are actively working towards diversifying rare earth supply chains, said Mrunali Tembhurne, associate fellow at The Energy and Resources Institute (Teri). Chinese export controls on products and technology in the rare earth sector led to panic in manufacturing across the globe. Indian automotive manufacturers, for instance, faced critical supply challenges a few months ago due to Chinas tightened export controls on rare earth magnets and related products, she said.

The continued use of rare earth materials alongside advances in alternative technologies will likely define the evolving landscape of electric motor designs, said Tembhurne. While manufacturers worldwide are evaluating the use of rare earth-free technologies, such as ferrite motors in electric vehicles, these will coexist with, rather than fully replace, rare earth-based products critical in multiple sectors, at least in the near to medium term, she said.

Centre's REPM scheme: Top 5 highlights The Cabinet today approved the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets with a financial outlay of  7,280 crore. This comprises sales-linked incentives of  6,450 crore on REPM sales for five years, and capital subsidy of  750 crore for setting up an aggregate of 6,000 MTPA of REPM manufacturing facilities. Union heavy industries and steel minister HD Kumaraswamy clarified the  750 crore capital subsidy will be given to five selected participants.

7,280 crore. This comprises sales-linked incentives of 6,450 crore on REPM sales for five years, and capital subsidy of 750 crore for setting up an aggregate of 6,000 MTPA of REPM manufacturing facilities. Union heavy industries and steel minister HD Kumaraswamy clarified the 750 crore capital subsidy will be given to five selected participants. It envisions allocating the total capacity to five beneficiaries through a global competitive bidding process. Each beneficiary will be allotted up to 1,200 MTPA of capacity.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Wednesday it arrested a Faridabad resident for allegedly harbouring terrorist Umar Un Nabi immediately before the Delhi Red Fort car bomb blast.

Soyab, a resident of Dhauj, Faridabad (Haryana), is the 7th accused to be arrested in the case, news agency ANI quoted the NIA as saying.

The agency said investigations revealed that Soyab had also provided logistical support to the terrorist Umar before the 10th November car bombing that killed several persons and injured many others outside the Red Fort in the national capital.

The NIA had earlier arrested six other key aides of the car bomber Umar over the course of its investigation in the case, the agency was quoted as saying.

Also Read | BJP accuses Jamiat Ulamas Madani of giving communal colour to Delhi blast probe

Soyab is the seventh accused linked to a 'white-collar' terror module busted by the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

"The agency continues to pursue various leads in connection with the suicide bombing, and has been conducting searches across states in coordination with the respective police forces in a bid to identify and track others involved in the gruesome attack," the spokesperson said in a statement, as per PTI.

Earlier, one Amir Rashid Ali was arrested for allegedly arranging a safe house and providing logistical support to Dr Umar Nabi. Ali is believed to be the last person to have been in contact with Nabi.

Delhi blast On the evening of Monday, 10 November, a high-intensity blast ripped through an explosive-laden car near Delhi's Red Fort metro station, killing several people.

The blast came hours after eight people, including three doctors connected to the Al Falah University, were arrested, and 2,900 kilograms of explosives were seized. Authorities said the discovery exposed a "white-collar terror module" involving Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, spanning Kashmir, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

Who was Umar Un Nabi? Umar-un Nabi, a doctor and assistant professor at Al Falah University, was identified as the "suicide bomber" who drove the explosive-laden Hyundai i20 car that detonated outside the Red Fort in Delhi on 10 November.

Nabi had known links with a "white-collar" terror module that was busted following the recovery of explosives, primarily from Faridabad in Haryana, on 10 November.

As reported by PTI earlier, Nabi, a 28-year-old doctor from Pulwama, was described as the most radicalised and key operative in the network spanning Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

Officials believe he planned a powerful "Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED)" blast timed around the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary on 6 December.

The plot, however, fell apart after Srinagar police arrested Dr Muzammil Ganaie from Al Falah University in Haryana's Faridabad and seized a large cache of explosives.

Also Read | Faridabad police question over 2,000 Kashmiris in Delhi blast case

The breakthrough reportedly triggered panic in Umar-un Nabi, ultimately leading to the blast outside the Red Fort that left 12 people dead.

Investigators believe a core trio of doctors ran the module  Ganaie, Umar-un Nabi (the suicide bomber) and Muzzaffar Rather (absconding).
A cloud of ash from the Ethiopian volcanic ash eruption reached India late Monday, 24 November. The Hayli Gubbi volcano, located in Ethiopia's Afar region, about 800 kilometres (500 miles) northeast of Addis Ababa near the Eritrean border, erupted on Sunday, 23 November, for the first time in nearly 12,000 years.

There was no lava, but thick plumes of smoke went up to 14 kilometres (nine miles) into the sky, the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) said. Videos shared on social media, which could not be immediately verified, showed a thick column of white smoke rising.

Volcanic ash drifted towards India around 11 pm on Monday and reached the skies over Gujarat, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana on Tuesday. This sparked concern about its impact on the weather and air quality over India.

More than 24 hours later, are Delhi and North India still at risk, or has the threat passed? In its latest update, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) was quoted by the Hindustan Times as saying that as of 10:30 pm on Tuesday, satellite imagery showed that the ash plume from the Ethiopian volcanic eruption had completely exited India.

The IMD had, in an earlier update, said the large ash plume produced by the volcanic eruption in Ethiopia had risen to around 45,000 feet  disrupting high-altitude flight corridors and triggering widespread cancellations.

Flight disruptions Airlines cancelled dozens of flights scheduled to fly over affected areas. Air India, said it cancelled 11 flights, most of them international, on Monday and Tuesday to inspect aircraft that may have flown over affected areas, acting on a directive from India's aviation safety regulator.

Another Indian operator, Akasa Air, said it had cancelled flights to Middle East destinations such as Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi scheduled over the past two days.

At least seven international flights scheduled to depart from and arrive at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in the capital, New Delhi, were cancelled on Tuesday, while at least a dozen were delayed, according to an official at the airport.

Did Ethiopia's volcanic ash impact weather and air quality? Experts noted that ash clouds from Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi volcanic eruption affected aviation, but not local weather or air quality.

Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology at the IMD, said the impact remained limited to higher levels.

"The impact of this volcanic ash is being seen only in the upper troposphere, and it is affecting the flight operations. It has no impact on air quality and weather. Our estimate is that this volcanic ash will completely move towards China by evening," he told news agency ANI.

He explained that international flights typically operate between 35,000 and 40,000 feet, while domestic services fly between 25,000 and 33,000 feet, adding that the volcanic ash was being observed "in the upper troposphere" over Indian airspace.

'Residents were coughing' An official in charge of health in northern Ethiopia's Afdera district, Abedella Mussa, said residents were experiencing coughing, and mobile medical services from the larger Afar region had been deployed to the remote area.

Two medical teams have been dispatched to the affected kebeles (neighbourhoods) like Fia and Nemma-Gubi to provide mobile medical services, he was quoted by the Associated Press as saying.
Kamla Pasand owner Kamal Kishore Chaurasia's daughter-in-law Deepti Chaurasia allegedly died by suicide on Tuesday evening, reported news agency ANI, adding that her body was found hanging. Her brother has now alleged that she was tortured by her mother-in-law and husband, and that her husband had extramarital affairs.

Citing police officials, the news agency reported that a diary was also recovered following Deepti's death, where the 40-year-old mentioned a dispute with her husband and Kishore's son Harpreet, whom she married in 2010. The couple has a 14-year-old son.

Also Read | Salman Khans pan masala ad sparks legal row in Rajasthan over misleading claims

Deepti's body was brought to the Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi on Tuesday night itself, and a postmortem, to be conducted by a team of doctors, is pending.

Abetment to suicide? While details are still scarce, News18 reported that Deepti's family is looking to file a complaint alleging abetment to suicide, which is a criminal offence under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Media reports suggest that Deepti's extreme step could have emanated from dissatisfaction with Harpreet, who reportedly married a second time, tying the knot with a South Indian actress.

Rishabh, the brother of Deepti, has now alleged that her mother-in-law and husband used to physically assault her. In an interaction with reporters, Rishabh said, ... Her mother-in-law and husband used to beat them. Her husband, Harpreet, had affairs. When we got to know about it, we took our daughter home... After that, her mother-in-law took her back. My sister used to call me and say that she was tortured and that her husband had affairs.

"I don't know whether my sister was killed or died by suicide. I spoke to her 2-3 days ago... I just want justice... My sister was married in 2010. Her relations with her husband were not good. He used to physically assault her and abuse her..." he further added.

Currently owned by the KP Group and Kamla Kant & Company, pan masala and gutka brand Kamla Pasand was founded by Kamala Kant Chaurasia and Kamal Kishore Chaurasia. The company sells products pan-India, raking in billions of rupees in turnover.

(If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist.)

Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health: 9999666555 Or help@vandrevalafoundation.com
A technician debugs a smart industrial robot at Efort Intelligent Robot Co., Ltd. in Wuhu, east China's Anhui Province, Nov. 21, 2025. Wuhu in east China's Anhui Province is a key manufacturing hub, with its manufacturing sector covering 37 out of the country's 41 major industrial categories. Its signature industries include automobiles, green energy, and smart household appliances, each of which generates an annual output value reaching 100 billion yuan (about 14 billion U.S. dollars).

The city has also seen a rapid rise in the robot industry in recent years thanks to the development of AI technologies and the city's solid industrial foundation. A state-level robot industry cluster is taking shape here, with more than 300 enterprises contributing to a comprehensive industrial chain worth 40 billion yuan (about 563 million U.S. dollars) in 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Junxi)

A drone photo taken on Nov. 21, 2025 shows a staff member working at a manufacturing workshop at Efort Intelligent Robot Co., Ltd. in Wuhu, east China's Anhui Province. Wuhu in east China's Anhui Province is a key manufacturing hub, with its manufacturing sector covering 37 out of the country's 41 major industrial categories. Its signature industries include automobiles, green energy, and smart household appliances, each of which generates an annual output value reaching 100 billion yuan (about 14 billion U.S. dollars).

The city has also seen a rapid rise in the robot industry in recent years thanks to the development of AI technologies and the city's solid industrial foundation. A state-level robot industry cluster is taking shape here, with more than 300 enterprises contributing to a comprehensive industrial chain worth 40 billion yuan (about 563 million U.S. dollars) in 2024. (Photo by Zhao Xianfu/Xinhua)

A technician debugs a smart industrial robot at Efort Intelligent Robot Co., Ltd. in Wuhu, east China's Anhui Province, Nov. 21, 2025. Wuhu in east China's Anhui Province is a key manufacturing hub, with its manufacturing sector covering 37 out of the country's 41 major industrial categories. Its signature industries include automobiles, green energy, and smart household appliances, each of which generates an annual output value reaching 100 billion yuan (about 14 billion U.S. dollars).

The city has also seen a rapid rise in the robot industry in recent years thanks to the development of AI technologies and the city's solid industrial foundation. A state-level robot industry cluster is taking shape here, with more than 300 enterprises contributing to a comprehensive industrial chain worth 40 billion yuan (about 563 million U.S. dollars) in 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Junxi)

A worker assembles an industrial robot at Efort Intelligent Robot Co., Ltd. in Wuhu, east China's Anhui Province, Nov. 20, 2025. Wuhu in east China's Anhui Province is a key manufacturing hub, with its manufacturing sector covering 37 out of the country's 41 major industrial categories. Its signature industries include automobiles, green energy, and smart household appliances, each of which generates an annual output value reaching 100 billion yuan (about 14 billion U.S. dollars).

The city has also seen a rapid rise in the robot industry in recent years thanks to the development of AI technologies and the city's solid industrial foundation. A state-level robot industry cluster is taking shape here, with more than 300 enterprises contributing to a comprehensive industrial chain worth 40 billion yuan (about 563 million U.S. dollars) in 2024. (Photo by Xiao Benxiang/Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on Nov. 21, 2025 shows a technician debugging an industrial robot at a test workshop of Efort Intelligent Robot Co., Ltd. in Wuhu, east China's Anhui Province. Wuhu in east China's Anhui Province is a key manufacturing hub, with its manufacturing sector covering 37 out of the country's 41 major industrial categories. Its signature industries include automobiles, green energy, and smart household appliances, each of which generates an annual output value reaching 100 billion yuan (about 14 billion U.S. dollars).

The city has also seen a rapid rise in the robot industry in recent years thanks to the development of AI technologies and the city's solid industrial foundation. A state-level robot industry cluster is taking shape here, with more than 300 enterprises contributing to a comprehensive industrial chain worth 40 billion yuan (about 563 million U.S. dollars) in 2024. (Photo by Zheng Xianlie/Xinhua)

An AI-powered quality check robot works at a smart factory of Chinese Automaker Chery in Wuhu, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 12, 2024. Wuhu in east China's Anhui Province is a key manufacturing hub, with its manufacturing sector covering 37 out of the country's 41 major industrial categories. Its signature industries include automobiles, green energy, and smart household appliances, each of which generates an annual output value reaching 100 billion yuan (about 14 billion U.S. dollars).

The city has also seen a rapid rise in the robot industry in recent years thanks to the development of AI technologies and the city's solid industrial foundation. A state-level robot industry cluster is taking shape here, with more than 300 enterprises contributing to a comprehensive industrial chain worth 40 billion yuan (about 563 million U.S. dollars) in 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Rui)

An industrial robot works on an intelligent production line of Zenner Metering Technology Ltd. in Xinwu economic development zone of Wuhu, east China's Anhui Province, Nov. 13, 2025. Wuhu in east China's Anhui Province is a key manufacturing hub, with its manufacturing sector covering 37 out of the country's 41 major industrial categories. Its signature industries include automobiles, green energy, and smart household appliances, each of which generates an annual output value reaching 100 billion yuan (about 14 billion U.S. dollars).

The city has also seen a rapid rise in the robot industry in recent years thanks to the development of AI technologies and the city's solid industrial foundation. A state-level robot industry cluster is taking shape here, with more than 300 enterprises contributing to a comprehensive industrial chain worth 40 billion yuan (about 563 million U.S. dollars) in 2024. (Photo by Xiao Benxiang/Xinhua)

Industrial robots work on production lines at a smart factory of Chinese Automaker Chery in Wuhu, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 12, 2024. Wuhu in east China's Anhui Province is a key manufacturing hub, with its manufacturing sector covering 37 out of the country's 41 major industrial categories. Its signature industries include automobiles, green energy, and smart household appliances, each of which generates an annual output value reaching 100 billion yuan (about 14 billion U.S. dollars).

The city has also seen a rapid rise in the robot industry in recent years thanks to the development of AI technologies and the city's solid industrial foundation. A state-level robot industry cluster is taking shape here, with more than 300 enterprises contributing to a comprehensive industrial chain worth 40 billion yuan (about 563 million U.S. dollars) in 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Junxi)

A drone photo taken on Nov. 21, 2025 shows an industrial robot at a test workshop at Efort Intelligent Robot Co., Ltd. in Wuhu, east China's Anhui Province. Wuhu in east China's Anhui Province is a key manufacturing hub, with its manufacturing sector covering 37 out of the country's 41 major industrial categories. Its signature industries include automobiles, green energy, and smart household appliances, each of which generates an annual output value reaching 100 billion yuan (about 14 billion U.S. dollars).

The city has also seen a rapid rise in the robot industry in recent years thanks to the development of AI technologies and the city's solid industrial foundation. A state-level robot industry cluster is taking shape here, with more than 300 enterprises contributing to a comprehensive industrial chain worth 40 billion yuan (about 563 million U.S. dollars) in 2024. (Photo by Zheng Xianlie/Xinhua)

A technician debugs a smart industrial robot at Efort Intelligent Robot Co., Ltd. in Wuhu, east China's Anhui Province, Nov. 20, 2025. Wuhu in east China's Anhui Province is a key manufacturing hub, with its manufacturing sector covering 37 out of the country's 41 major industrial categories. Its signature industries include automobiles, green energy, and smart household appliances, each of which generates an annual output value reaching 100 billion yuan (about 14 billion U.S. dollars).

The city has also seen a rapid rise in the robot industry in recent years thanks to the development of AI technologies and the city's solid industrial foundation. A state-level robot industry cluster is taking shape here, with more than 300 enterprises contributing to a comprehensive industrial chain worth 40 billion yuan (about 563 million U.S. dollars) in 2024. (Photo by Xiao Benxiang/Xinhua)

An industrial robot works on an intelligent production line of Wuhu Ecotec Power System Co., Ltd. in Fanchang economic development zone of Wuhu, east China's Anhui Province, Nov. 11, 2025. Wuhu in east China's Anhui Province is a key manufacturing hub, with its manufacturing sector covering 37 out of the country's 41 major industrial categories. Its signature industries include automobiles, green energy, and smart household appliances, each of which generates an annual output value reaching 100 billion yuan (about 14 billion U.S. dollars).

The city has also seen a rapid rise in the robot industry in recent years thanks to the development of AI technologies and the city's solid industrial foundation. A state-level robot industry cluster is taking shape here, with more than 300 enterprises contributing to a comprehensive industrial chain worth 40 billion yuan (about 563 million U.S. dollars) in 2024. (Photo by Xiao Benxiang/Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on Nov. 21, 2025 shows the industrial robots at a test workshop of Efort Intelligent Robot Co., Ltd. in Wuhu, east China's Anhui Province. Wuhu in east China's Anhui Province is a key manufacturing hub, with its manufacturing sector covering 37 out of the country's 41 major industrial categories. Its signature industries include automobiles, green energy, and smart household appliances, each of which generates an annual output value reaching 100 billion yuan (about 14 billion U.S. dollars).

The city has also seen a rapid rise in the robot industry in recent years thanks to the development of AI technologies and the city's solid industrial foundation. A state-level robot industry cluster is taking shape here, with more than 300 enterprises contributing to a comprehensive industrial chain worth 40 billion yuan (about 563 million U.S. dollars) in 2024. (Photo by Zheng Xianlie/Xinhua)

A worker assembles an industrial robot at Efort Intelligent Robot Co., Ltd. in Wuhu, east China's Anhui Province, Nov. 20, 2025. Wuhu in east China's Anhui Province is a key manufacturing hub, with its manufacturing sector covering 37 out of the country's 41 major industrial categories. Its signature industries include automobiles, green energy, and smart household appliances, each of which generates an annual output value reaching 100 billion yuan (about 14 billion U.S. dollars).

The city has also seen a rapid rise in the robot industry in recent years thanks to the development of AI technologies and the city's solid industrial foundation. A state-level robot industry cluster is taking shape here, with more than 300 enterprises contributing to a comprehensive industrial chain worth 40 billion yuan (about 563 million U.S. dollars) in 2024. (Photo by Xiao Benxiang/Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on Nov. 21, 2025 shows an industrial robot manufacturing workshop at Efort Intelligent Robot Co., Ltd. in Wuhu, east China's Anhui Province. Wuhu in east China's Anhui Province is a key manufacturing hub, with its manufacturing sector covering 37 out of the country's 41 major industrial categories. Its signature industries include automobiles, green energy, and smart household appliances, each of which generates an annual output value reaching 100 billion yuan (about 14 billion U.S. dollars).

The city has also seen a rapid rise in the robot industry in recent years thanks to the development of AI technologies and the city's solid industrial foundation. A state-level robot industry cluster is taking shape here, with more than 300 enterprises contributing to a comprehensive industrial chain worth 40 billion yuan (about 563 million U.S. dollars) in 2024. (Photo by Zhao Xianfu/Xinhua)

Editor: Zhang Zhou
India, on Wednesday, confirmed receiving Sheikh Hasina's extradition request from Bangladesh, stating that it is being examined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "Yes, we have received the request, and this request is being examined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes. We remain committed to the best interest of the people of Bangladesh, including peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country and will continue to engage constructively in this regard with all stakeholders."

Bangladesh had made an extradition request first in December and another earlier this month, after Hasina was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity during the July uprising last year. Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain had said that Dhaka is preparing a letter to send to New Delhi for the ousted PM's extradition, Bangladeshi media outlet The Daily Star had reported earlier.

In December 2024, the foreign ministry wrote to India's MEA, seeking to repatriate Hasina, who sought shelter in India in August following the massive student protests.

What does extradition treaty say? Earlier, an Indian government source had mentioned that extradition is a lengthy process which requires review of tribunal documents to ensure due procedure, fair representation, and credible testimony, Reuters had reported.

An extradition treaty between India and Bangladesh, signed in 2013 and amended in 2016, is based on the principle that both nations are required to treat the offence as a crime.

Article 2 of the treaty  as stated on the MEA website  outlines the extradition offences. It states: "In determining whether an offence is an offence punishable under the laws of both Contracting States, it shall not matter whether the law of both Contracting States place the act or omission constituting the offence within the same category of offence or denominate the offence by same terminology".

Can extradition be denied? The treaty also lists out the circumstances under which an extradition can be denied. Under Article 6 (1), extradition can be refused for political offence. Article 6 (2) states that serious crimes like murder, terrorism, kidnapping, violent acts, incitement to murder, and firearm offences are not considered political.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has lashed out at a new bulletin released by the Rajya Sabha which claims that rulings by the Chairman cannot be criticised either inside or outside the house, and that no slogan, even a Thanks, Thank you, Vande Mataram, or Jai Hind can be raised within the Upper House of the Parliament.

Criticising the bulletin, Banerjee said, ... Kyun nahi bolenge? Jai Hind aur Vande Mataram hamara national song hai. Yeh hamara azaadi ka slogan hai. Jai Hind hamara Netaji ka naara hai... Isse jo takraega choor choor ho jaega (Why can't we say? Jai Hind and Vande Mataram are our national songs. This is our freedom struggle's slogan. Jai Hind was coined by Netaji...whoever clashes with this will shatter into pieces (sic).

The bulletin, which was issued on Monday, reminded lawmakers that they should not be producing exhibits on the floor of the House and that if one member criticises another, the former needs to be present to hear their reply: the latter is entitled to expect that the critic should be present in the House to hear his reply. To be absent when the latter is replying, is a breach of parliamentary etiquette.

The bulletin is significant ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament, as this will be the first time that newly elected Vice President CP Radhakrishnan will chair the Upper House.

During the tenure of Jagdeep Dhankhar as the House Chair, the Opposition often clashed with the former, even leading to the first instance of an impeachment notice to be brought against the Rajya Sabha Chairman in the history of Indian parliamentary practices.

However, the said notice was rejected by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, who stated it was bereft of facts.

Also Read | EC calls TMC for meeting, days after Mamata Banerjee writes to CEC

A look at the notice reveals it couldn't be more casual and cavalier, wanting on every conceivable aspect and severely flawed--the absence of the addressee, absence of resolution text, incumbent Vice President's name not correctly spelt in the entire petition, documents and videos asserted not made part, premised on links of disjointed media reports without authentication and many more, the ruling read, as per a report by HT.
On the occasion of Constitution Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid tribute to the makers of India's Constitution, describing the document as one that "gives utmost importance to human dignity, equality and liberty."

Calling on Indians to reiterate their commitment to strengthening Constitutional values, PM Modi also released a lengthy letter in which he highlighted "the greatness of our Constitution".

Towards a Viksit Bharat "26th November is a day of immense pride for every Indian. It was on this very day in 1949 that the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India, a sacred document that has continued to guide the nations progress with clarity and conviction. That is why, nearly a decade ago, in 2015, the NDA government decided to mark 26th November as Constitution Day," Modi wrote, recalling how his government had started the observance.

"It is the power of our Constitution that enabled a person like me, coming from a humble and economically disadvantaged family, to serve as the Head of the Government continuously for over 24 years. I still remember the moments in 2014, when I came to Parliament for the first time and bowed, touching the steps of the greatest temple of democracy. Again, in 2019, after the election results, when I entered the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, I bowed and placed the Constitution on my forehead as a mark of reverence. This Constitution has given several others, like me, the power to dream and the strength to work towards it," the PM wrote, commenting on his journey from humble beginnings to the leader of the world's largest democracy.

"On Constitution Day, we remember all the inspiring members of the Constituent Assembly, which was presided over by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who contributed to the making of the Constitution. We recall the efforts of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, who chaired the Drafting Committee with remarkable foresight. Several distinguished women members of the Constituent Assembly enriched the Constitution with their thoughtful interventions and visionary perspectives," PM Modi further wrote, honouring those who helped frame the document.

The Prime Minister also went on to pay tributes to the leadership of Vallabhbhai Patel, Birsa Munda and Mahatma Gandhi in the freedom struggle, saying that these personalities and milestones remind us of the primacy of our dutieson how to collectively achieve social and economic progress.

PM Modi also highlighted how this year's Constitution Day was special, saying that it marked the 150th birth anniversaries of two extraordinary personalities, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Bhagwan Birsa Munda. He added that this year also marks the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, as well as the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur.

25 years have already passed since this century began. In just over two decades from now, we will mark 100 years since freedom from colonial rule. In 2049, it will be a hundred years since the Constitution was adopted. The policies we frame, the decisions we take today and our collective actions will shape the lives of generations to come, the Prime Minister further said, calling on citizens to reaffirm their pledges to fulfil their duties as citizens of this great nation.
Influencer and content creator Orry, who's original name is Orhan Awatramani, on Wednesday, appeared before Mumbai Police to record his statement in the 252 crore mephedrone seizure case. According to police, his name cropped up during the interrogation of Mohammed Salim Mohammed Suhail Shaikh, a key accused in the case.

Orry arrived at the Ghatkopar unit of the Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) of police around 1.30 pm, the official said. He had been asked to visit the ANC office last Thursday earlier, but had sought more time.

Photos and videos on social media showed Orry was mobbed as he appeared for the questioning. As Orry reached the office for questioning, he was immediately surrounded by a crowd of people and paparazzi pushing in for photos and videos. Amid the chaos, he made his way to the ANC unit without stopping to respond to any questions.

What is the  252 crore mephedrone drugs case? The case in question dates back to March 2024 when the police seized 126.14 kg of mephedrone, commonly known as MD, valued at around 252 crore from a manufacturing unit located on a farm in Maharashtras Sangli district.

Shaikh allegedly claimed that he used to organise rave parties in India and abroad for certain film and fashion celebrities, a politician, and a relative of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim.

Before Orry, Bollywood actor Shraddha Kapoor's brother Siddhanth appeared before the Anti-Narcotics Cell on Tuesday as the probe into the case deepened.

How did police nab Shaikh? Shaikh, nicknamed `Lavish' because of his lavish lifestyle, was deported from Dubai last month and arrested in connection with the seizure of mephedrone worth 252 crore from a clandestine drug factory in Maharashtra's Sangli district.
The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday, in a letter to the Kolkata Police, flagged a security breach at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, on 24 November amid the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) process in the state and sought a report within 48 hours.

The poll body directed police authorities to take all possible measures to ensure the safety and security of officers and staff posted at the CEO's office, at their residences and while commuting to and fro.

The Commission further directs that adequate security classification shall be done on account of sensitivity involved due to SIR activities and forthcoming elections in the State and ensure that no untoward incident occurs again, the EC mentioned in the letter.

View full Image The EC flags a security breach at the CEO's office, seeks a report from the Kolkata Police within 48 hours.

In the letter, EC secretary Sujeet Kumar Mishra said the existing security at the office of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal appeared to be inadequate to handle the situation.

What happened at the West Bengal CEO's office? Alleging "excessive work pressure" and "unmanageable workload" due to the SIR of electoral rolls, a section of booth-level officers (BLOs) held a 30-hour demonstration outside the CEO's office till Tuesday evening, 25 November, as mentioned in a report by news wire PTI.

SIR in Bengal Earlier today, the poll body said that approximately 14 lakh SIR enumeration forms have been identified as uncollectable in West Bengal.

An official said that these voters were either absentee, duplicate, deceased, or had permanently moved. As of Tuesday noon, the number stood at 13.92 lakh, he mentioned. We expect this figure to continue rising daily as more updates roll in. This figure rose sharply from 10.33 lakh on Monday evening, reported PTI.

EC to meet TMC delegation On Tuesday, 25 November, the Election Commission sent a letter to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for a meeting on Friday after the Mamata Banerjee-led party sought time with the poll panel.

In a letter to party chief Mamata Banerjee, the Election Commission stated that a Trinamool delegation comprising its authorised representative and four others can meet its top brass at 11 AM on Friday, as per reports from news agencies.
Amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, approximately 14 lakh SIR enumeration forms have so far been identified as uncollectable in West Bengal, the Election Commission said.

An official said that these voters were either absentee, duplicate, deceased, or had permanently moved. As of Tuesday noon, the number stood at 13.92 lakh, he mentioned. We expect this figure to continue rising daily as more updates roll in. This figure rose sharply from 10.33 lakh on Monday evening.

The official noted that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have been actively involved in distributing forms and collecting the required information. Over 80,600 BLOs, supported by about 8,000 supervisors, 3,000 Assistant Electoral Registration Officers, and 294 Electoral Registration Officers, have been deployed for the SIR process.

Chaotic, Coercive and dangerous CM Mamata Banerjee on Thursday sent a strongly worded letter to CEC Gyanesh Kumar, urging him to immediately stop the exercise she described as chaotic, coercive and dangerous.

Banerjee stated that she has time and again raised concerns about the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in the state and now feels "compelled to write" to the chief election commissioner, as the situation has reached a deeply alarming stage.

Also Read | Mamata Banerjee shoots another letter to EC amid SIR process in Bengal

She claimed that the SIR in Bengal is being conducted in an unplanned, dangerous manner that has crippled the process from day one.

The chief minister accused the Election Commission of imposing the SIR on officials and citizens without basic preparedness, adequate planning or clear communication, pointing out that major gaps in training, confusion over mandatory documents, and the "near-impossibility" of BLOs meeting voters during working hours have made the exercise structurally unsound.

Banerjee requested the CEC to intervene decisively to halt the ongoing process, stop "coercive" measures, ensure proper training and support, and thoroughly reassess the current methodology and timelines.

She warned, If this path is not corrected without delay, the consequences for the system, the officials and the citizens will be irreversible, calling it a moment that requires responsibility, humanity and decisive corrective action.

In the three-page letter, one of her strongest yet, she depicted booth-level officers as being stretched far beyond human limits".

They are expected to manage their principal duties, many being teachers and frontline workers, while simultaneously conducting door-to-door surveys and handling complex e-submissions, she stated, adding that most were struggling with online forms due to lack of training, server failures and repeated data mismatches.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Noida district hospital to constitute a primary board to explore passive euthanasia for a 31-year-old man suffering from 100 per cent disability quadriplegia and who has been in a vegetative state for over a decade, saying his health condition has gone from bad to worse.

We want the primary board to give us a report that life-sustaining treatment can be withheld. Let the primary board place its report at the earliest, and once it is before us, we shall proceed to pass further orders. Let this exercise be done within two weeks, a bench of justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan directed, reported PTI.

Passive euthanasia is the intentional act of letting a patient die by withholding or withdrawing life support or treatment necessary for maintaining life.

What Supreme Court said? The bench asked the district hospital at Noida in sector 39 to file its report within two weeks on an application filed by father of 31-year-old Harish Rana seeking passive euthanasia for him saying his health condition has gone from bad to worse.

This is the second time in as many years that parents of the patient have approached the top court seeking passive euthanasia for their son.

On November 8 last year, the top court took note of the union health ministry report in which it was suggested that the patient will be in home care with assistance from Uttar Pradesh government and regular visits of doctors and a physiotherapist.

The apex court has said if home care is not feasible, shifting of the boy to district hospital, Noida for ensuring availability of proper medical care considering his health condition.

If the doctors feel On Thursday, advocate Rashmi Nandakumar, appearing for the father, said that everything was tried and they are thankful for the assistance rendered by the state government, but nothing seems to be working out.

"Today, what is happening is that he is falling ill quite often and has been taken to the hospital. What I am asking is that his case, as per this court's judgment in common cause case (2018 verdict), be referred to a primary board. If the doctors feel his treatment could be withheld, the next step would be the constitution of the secondary board and the matter will be taken before that and his treatment can be withheld," she said.

The counsel further said that she was not asking for active euthanasia but for passive euthanasia of the son in which this court's judgement says the life treatment can be withheld to end the suffering.

Justice Paridwala after pursuing the reports said, "Just look at the condition of the boy. It's pathetic."

The bench directed the registry to forward the copy of the order to the hospital at Noida and to the office of Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati.

On August 20, last year, describing the case as a "very hard one", the top court sought the Centre's response on the plea of the parents of Rana, who was a student of Punjab University and had suffered head injuries after falling from the fourth floor of his paying guest accommodation in 2013.

He was completely bedridden and put on an artificial support system for 12 years since 2013.

It had agreed with the findings of the Delhi High Court, which had refused to constitute a medical board to consider the parents' plea that their son be allowed to undergo passive euthanasia.

The top court had said Rana was not on ventilator or other mechanical support to sustain life and rather, was being fed through a food pipe and hence, no case was made out for passive euthanasia.

The court was, however, considerate of the fact that he has been in a vegetative state for over a decade and his old parents are finding it difficult to sustain the life through treatment as they have even sold their house.

In July last year, the Delhi High Court refused to refer Rana's case to a medical board for allowing him to undergo passive euthanasia.

The high court had said the facts of the case indicate that the man is not being kept alive mechanically and he is able to sustain himself without any extra external aid.

"The petitioner is not on any life-support system and the petitioner is surviving without any external aid. While the court sympathises with the parents, as the petitioner is not terminally ill, this court cannot intervene and allow consideration of a prayer that is legally untenable," it had said.

The high court had also referred to several Supreme Court verdicts in which it was held that active euthanasia is legally impermissible.
The Union government said last week that the proposal to bring Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution is still under consideration. It also clarified that it has no intention of introducing any such Bill in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.

The clarification came after strong protests  particularly from political parties in Punjab  over entries in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha bulletins indicating that the Centre planned to introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, during the session starting 1 December.

Currently, Chandigarh is a Union Territory (UT) and shares its capital with the states of Punjab and Haryana. The Governor of Punjab holds an additional charge as the Administrator of Chandigarh.

By bringing Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240 of the Constitution, the government has learnt to pave the way for the city to get an independent administrator, like the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) in many other UTs.

View full Image Chandigarh is not only the capital of Punjab, but also the joint capital of Haryana. Chandigarh is tied to Punjab's history, identity, land, and political aspirations. Any perceived attempt to alter its status  especially without Punjabs consent  becomes a sensitive and emotional flashpoint.

Political parties in Punjab, including the Aam Aadmi Party, the Congress, and the SAD, viewed the proposal as clearing the way for the appointment of an independent Administrator or Lieutenant Governor (L-G). Since 1984, the Governor of Punjab has been the Administrator of Chandigarh.

BJP in Punjab was opposed too In fact, even the BJPs Punjab unit had reservations with the proposal

Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar spoke with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday, a day before the Union governments clarification, expressing reservations over the proposed bill

But why is Chandigarh an emotive issue for Punjab? LiveMint explains

Chandigarh is not only the capital of Punjab, but also the joint capital of Haryana. Chandigarh is tied to Punjab's history, identity, land, and political aspirations. Any perceived attempt to alter its status  especially without Punjabs consent  becomes a sensitive and emotional flashpoint.

Built for Punjab after losing Lahore Chandigarh, the planned city developed after independence in 1947, holds special significance for Punjab. It was conceived as a substitute for Lahore, the capital of undivided Punjab.

After the Partition in 1947, Punjab lost Lahore, to Pakistan. The Sikhs, particularly the Akalis, it is said, were hurt by the loss of Punjabs cultural-economic heart of Lahore, which symbolised Sikh political strength.

Shimla briefly served as the temporary capital of the Indian state of Punjab. However, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru planned what he called a modern, forward-looking city for the state, which ultimately led to the creation of Chandigarh. In March 1948, the Centre and the Punjab government selected a site at the foothills of the Himalayas, acquiring 22 villages in Kharar to build Chandigarh.

Panacea for the Partition wound Chandigarh was planned to be built specifically as Punjabs new capital, giving it deep emotional and historical significance for Punjabis.

Le Corbusier, a Swiss-born French urban planner, developed the master plan for Chandigarh, which officially became the capital of Punjab on 21 September 1953. The then President Rajendra Prasad inaugurated the new capital shortly after, on 7 October 1953.

About four years later, on a visit to Chandigarh, PM Nehru had famously said Punjab had gone through a traumatic experience due to Partition.

"It was a wounded stateIt had sustained a physical and emotional injury. The blows inflicted by ones own brother go very deep, and it is difficult to heal them. It was essential to do something to heal that wound. The wounded spirit needed a soothing balm. Taking all this into account, it was felt that the people of Punjab, with their hearts and minds, should look forward in a new direction, Nehru said.

Chandigarh, Nehru had said, was in more ways than one a panacea for the wound that had been inflicted on Punjab.

The shared capital The reorganisation of states along linguistic lines happened in 1956. But Punjabis were not given a linguistic state of their own. This gave rise to the Punjabi Suba movement for a new, further truncated Punjab.

In 1966, the Hindi-speaking region of Haryana was carved out under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, resulting in the division of Punjab into two separate entities. Located at the border of the two states, Chandigarh became the common capital of Punjab and Haryana, with properties divided in a 60:40 ratio. Chandigarh became a Union Territory, which meant the city would be under direct control of the Centre.

Indira Gandhis 6-decade-old promise Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had announced that Haryana would get its own capital. However, the Centre did not transfer sole control of the city to Punjab, which created a long-standing sense of grievance.

And on 29 January, 1970, the Union government announced that the capital project area of Chandigarh should, as a whole, go to Punjab. Fateh Singh, leader of the Punjabi Suba movement, threatened self-immolation if Chandigarh was not transferred to Punjab.

However, Haryana was allowed to use office space in Punjabs civil secretariat and was allotted seats in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. The Centre also offered Haryana a 10-crore grant along with an equivalent loan to support the development of a new capital.

Over the years, key administrative powers over Chandigarh were shifted to the Centre, reducing Punjabs say in its own capital. Decisions such as making UT employees part of central services and proposals related to Article 239AA/240 are often seen by Punjab parties as diluting Punjabs historical claim.

What did the 131st Amendment propose? The proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2025 by the Centre aims to include the Union Territory of Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution.

This would mean placing Chandigarh in the same category as other Union Territories, which lack their own legislatures and have the President empowered to frame regulations for them.

By bringing Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240 of the Constitution, the government has learnt to pave the way for the city to get an independent administrator, like the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) in many other UTs.

We will not allow the conspiracy to succeed. Chandigarh, built by uprooting the villages of Punjab, belongs solely to Punjab. We will not let our right slip away We will take whatever steps are necessary, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said on 22 November.

Chandigarh, built by uprooting the villages of Punjab, belongs solely to Punjab. We will not let our right slip away.

Whenever the bill is passed, Chandigarh will no longer be under the jurisdiction of the Punjab Governor in the manner it is now. The move may lead to the appointment of a lieutenant governor to run the city. It would enable the President of India to frame regulations for Chandigarh, as well as for other Union Territories, under Article 240 of the Constitution.

Chandigarh, built by uprooting the villages of Punjab, belongs solely to Punjab. We will not let our right slip away

As things stand today, for many Sikhs and Punjabis, Chandigarh embodies both the modern aspirations of Punjabi culture and the communitys post-partition rebuilding memories. Those familiar with the city say it has come to symbolise Punjabi sub-national pride, which is why any move concerning its status  even an administrative one  triggers strong reactions across the political spectrum.
Celina Jaitly's husband, Peter Haag, had already initiated divorce proceedings in Austria, months before the actor initiated domestic violence proceedings against her husband and also filed for divorce, lawyer Niharika Karanjawala Misra, a lawyer from Celina's legal team, reportedly revealed.

According to a report by NDTV, Peter Haag had filed for divorce earlier this year in an Austrian court.

Following the divorce filings, Celena Jaitly, yesterday, wrote a lengthy post on her Facebook account  claiming that promises she believed in, were broken in silence, and priority remains fighting for her soldier brother, fighting for her childrens love, fighting for her dignity.

Peter Haag's divorce proceedings Celina Jaitly's husband reportedly filed for divorce after the actor discovered that properties in Vienna were being sold without her knowledge.

In the case filed in Austria, Haag is attempting to establish that Celina has no claim over their assets. The lawyer further alleged that Haag is holding Celina responsible for the breakdown of their marriage. Celina had requested a mutual divorce for the sake of their children, but Haag allegedly refused.

Meanwhile, Celina Jaitley claimed that she has suffered severe emotional, physical, sexual and verbal abuse by her husband because of which she was forced to flee her home in Austria and return to India, as mentioned in a report by PTI.

What did Celina say in her domestic violence plea? The former Miss India, in the plea, alleged that after marriage, Haag prohibited her from working. The respondent (Haag) is a narcissistic, self-absorbed individual. He has a short temper and alcoholic tendencies, which have consistently caused the applicant (Jaitly) stress, PTI reported, citing the plea.

View full Image Celina Jaitly's post on Facebook

The 47-year-old actor also listed several instances where her husband had indulged in physical and verbal abuse.

Jaitly has sought a direction that her estranged husband pay a sum of 50 crore as compensation and 10 lakh per month as maintenance.

Who is Peter Haag? Peter Haag, an Austrian entrepreneur, maintains a low profile and shies away from media attention. His Instagram profile has no posts, and he has no followers.

How did Celina Jaitly and Peter meet? Celina Jaitly and Peter Haag met through their family and friends at a gathering in Dubai, as per reports.
As parts of India face an air quality scare, with the national capital being the worst hit, people are fleeing abroad in search of fresh air. However, an Indian techie living in Sweden, says that he will be returning to Delhi on 5 December and doesn't care about the AQI  which remains very poor  as he needs some real oxygen now of friends and family.

The techie, Ankur Tyagi, has shared the hidden struggles of living away from family. He added that the AQI here is 10, but isolation and loneliness cannot be overlooked.

Tyagi, who has been residing in the European nation for the past five years, expressed his views on the social media platform X. His post has garnered thousands of views and resonated with many.

Here's what he said: I have lived in the EU now for the past five years, and people think it is all clean air, good roads and perfect social systems. Nobody really knows what it takes to build a life here, Tyagi wrote in the post.

You do everything alone. You cook, clean, manage bills, raise your kid and fight the silence that hits you every single winter.

Friends are polite but distant. Community is rare. Back home you fight corruption and chaos but at least you have people around you.

In the West problems are different and they cut deeper in ways you can't explain unless you've lived it (sic).

Every place has a cost. Most of us are just learning which costs we can survive. Coming to Delhi on 5th Dec f*** AQI, who cares, I live in 10 AQI for entire year i need some real oxygen now of friends and family...see you soon India, he concluded.

All places have their pros and cons. It depends on us which pros we settle with, said one user in the comment section.

Also Read | Delhi continues to inhale unhealthy air with AQI at 364.

You are always one step away when you all just need your people; all other things are manageable, another added.
China launches the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo by Li Minggang/Xinhua)

JIUQUAN, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- China launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 12:11 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Tuesday, successfully accomplishing the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

About 10 minutes after the launch, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The China Manned Space Agency declared the launch mission a complete success.

The spaceship, flying without a crew aboard, carried a cargo of space food, medical supplies, fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as devices for treating the cracked window on the Shenzhou-20 spaceship.

Shenzhou-22 will autonomously execute a fast-track rendezvous and docking with the space station complex.

The new spaceship will later serve as the return vessel for the three Shenzhou-21 astronauts currently in orbit.

The return mission of sending the three Shenzhou-20 astronauts back to Earth, initially scheduled on Nov. 5 by the Shenzhou-20 spaceship, was delayed following a suspected debris impact.

The Long March-2F Y22 rocket and the Shenzhou-22 spaceship -- already on standby at the launch site -- were swiftly brought to launch readiness, initiating a 16-day emergency launch sequence. 

China launches the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Nov. 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Minggang)

China launches the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Nov. 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Minggang)

China launches the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

China launches the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

China launches the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

China launches the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

The Shenzhou-22 spaceship, atop a Long March-2F Y22 rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Nov. 25, 2025. China launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 12:11 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Tuesday, successfully accomplishing the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

About 10 minutes after the launch, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The China Manned Space Agency declared the launch mission a complete success. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

The Shenzhou-22 spaceship, atop a Long March-2F Y22 rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Nov. 25, 2025. China launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 12:11 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Tuesday, successfully accomplishing the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

About 10 minutes after the launch, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The China Manned Space Agency declared the launch mission a complete success. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

The Shenzhou-22 spaceship, atop a Long March-2F Y22 rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Nov. 25, 2025. China launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 12:11 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Tuesday, successfully accomplishing the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

About 10 minutes after the launch, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The China Manned Space Agency declared the launch mission a complete success. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

The Shenzhou-22 spaceship, atop a Long March-2F Y22 rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Nov. 25, 2025. China launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 12:11 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Tuesday, successfully accomplishing the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

About 10 minutes after the launch, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The China Manned Space Agency declared the launch mission a complete success. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

The Shenzhou-22 spaceship, atop a Long March-2F Y22 rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Nov. 25, 2025. China launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 12:11 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Tuesday, successfully accomplishing the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

About 10 minutes after the launch, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The China Manned Space Agency declared the launch mission a complete success. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

The Shenzhou-22 spaceship, atop a Long March-2F Y22 rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Nov. 25, 2025. China launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 12:11 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Tuesday, successfully accomplishing the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

About 10 minutes after the launch, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The China Manned Space Agency declared the launch mission a complete success. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

The Shenzhou-22 spaceship, atop a Long March-2F Y22 rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Nov. 25, 2025. China launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 12:11 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Tuesday, successfully accomplishing the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

About 10 minutes after the launch, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The China Manned Space Agency declared the launch mission a complete success. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

The Shenzhou-22 spaceship, atop a Long March-2F Y22 rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Nov. 25, 2025. China launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 12:11 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Tuesday, successfully accomplishing the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

About 10 minutes after the launch, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The China Manned Space Agency declared the launch mission a complete success. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

The Shenzhou-22 spaceship, atop a Long March-2F Y22 rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Nov. 25, 2025. China launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 12:11 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Tuesday, successfully accomplishing the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

About 10 minutes after the launch, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The China Manned Space Agency declared the launch mission a complete success. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

The Shenzhou-22 spaceship, atop a Long March-2F Y22 rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Nov. 25, 2025. China launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 12:11 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Tuesday, successfully accomplishing the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

About 10 minutes after the launch, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The China Manned Space Agency declared the launch mission a complete success. (Photo by He Gaobing/Xinhua)

The Shenzhou-22 spaceship, atop a Long March-2F Y22 rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Nov. 25, 2025. China launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 12:11 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Tuesday, successfully accomplishing the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

About 10 minutes after the launch, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The China Manned Space Agency declared the launch mission a complete success. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

A Long March-2F Y22 rocket carrying the Shenzhou-22 spaceship blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Nov. 25, 2025. China launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 12:11 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Tuesday, successfully accomplishing the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

About 10 minutes after the launch, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The China Manned Space Agency declared the launch mission a complete success. (Xinhua/Zhang Bin)

A Long March-2F Y22 rocket carrying the Shenzhou-22 spaceship blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Nov. 25, 2025. China launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 12:11 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Tuesday, successfully accomplishing the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

About 10 minutes after the launch, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The China Manned Space Agency declared the launch mission a complete success. (Photo by Bai Long/Xinhua)

The escape tower is being transferred on Nov. 18, 2025. China on Tuesday launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship to provide a return vessel for the three Shenzhou-21 astronauts in orbit. This momentous occasion marked the accomplishment of the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

The launch of the new spaceship followed the return of the three Shenzhou-20 astronauts back to Earth on Nov. 14 by the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft.

The return mission, initially scheduled for Nov. 5 by the Shenzhou-20 spaceship, was delayed due to a suspected debris impact on the Shenzhou-20 return capsule's viewport window.

The Long March-2F Y22 rocket and the Shenzhou-22 spaceship -- already on standby at the launch site upon the contingency -- were swiftly prepared for launch.

After the initiation of the contingency plan, all teams involved in the project demonstrated a composed and methodical approach.

Within 20 days, all participating research and testing units collaborated and completed a series of critical tasks, including risk assessment, solution analysis and decision-making, personnel and material deployment, crew return aboard a replacement vessel, as well as an emergency launch, offering a world-class example of managing an in-orbit emergency, the China Manned Space Agency said.

The success of this mission fully demonstrated the strengths of China's new system for mobilizing resources nationwide, it noted. (Photo by Pang Zhaoqi/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Nov. 20, 2025 shows the combination of the Shenzhou-22 spaceship and the Long March-2F Y22 rocket being transferred to the launching area. China on Tuesday launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship to provide a return vessel for the three Shenzhou-21 astronauts in orbit. This momentous occasion marked the accomplishment of the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

The launch of the new spaceship followed the return of the three Shenzhou-20 astronauts back to Earth on Nov. 14 by the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft.

The return mission, initially scheduled for Nov. 5 by the Shenzhou-20 spaceship, was delayed due to a suspected debris impact on the Shenzhou-20 return capsule's viewport window.

The Long March-2F Y22 rocket and the Shenzhou-22 spaceship -- already on standby at the launch site upon the contingency -- were swiftly prepared for launch.

After the initiation of the contingency plan, all teams involved in the project demonstrated a composed and methodical approach.

Within 20 days, all participating research and testing units collaborated and completed a series of critical tasks, including risk assessment, solution analysis and decision-making, personnel and material deployment, crew return aboard a replacement vessel, as well as an emergency launch, offering a world-class example of managing an in-orbit emergency, the China Manned Space Agency said.

The success of this mission fully demonstrated the strengths of China's new system for mobilizing resources nationwide, it noted. (Photo by Hao Yutong/Xinhua)

The Shenzhou-22 spacecraft is being hoisted on Nov. 12, 2025. China on Tuesday launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship to provide a return vessel for the three Shenzhou-21 astronauts in orbit. This momentous occasion marked the accomplishment of the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

The launch of the new spaceship followed the return of the three Shenzhou-20 astronauts back to Earth on Nov. 14 by the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft.

The return mission, initially scheduled for Nov. 5 by the Shenzhou-20 spaceship, was delayed due to a suspected debris impact on the Shenzhou-20 return capsule's viewport window.

The Long March-2F Y22 rocket and the Shenzhou-22 spaceship -- already on standby at the launch site upon the contingency -- were swiftly prepared for launch.

After the initiation of the contingency plan, all teams involved in the project demonstrated a composed and methodical approach.

Within 20 days, all participating research and testing units collaborated and completed a series of critical tasks, including risk assessment, solution analysis and decision-making, personnel and material deployment, crew return aboard a replacement vessel, as well as an emergency launch, offering a world-class example of managing an in-orbit emergency, the China Manned Space Agency said.

The success of this mission fully demonstrated the strengths of China's new system for mobilizing resources nationwide, it noted. (Photo by Li Yuxiang/Xinhua)

The Shenzhou-22 spacecraft is being hoisted on Nov. 12, 2025. China on Tuesday launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship to provide a return vessel for the three Shenzhou-21 astronauts in orbit. This momentous occasion marked the accomplishment of the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

The launch of the new spaceship followed the return of the three Shenzhou-20 astronauts back to Earth on Nov. 14 by the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft.

The return mission, initially scheduled for Nov. 5 by the Shenzhou-20 spaceship, was delayed due to a suspected debris impact on the Shenzhou-20 return capsule's viewport window.

The Long March-2F Y22 rocket and the Shenzhou-22 spaceship -- already on standby at the launch site upon the contingency -- were swiftly prepared for launch.

After the initiation of the contingency plan, all teams involved in the project demonstrated a composed and methodical approach.

Within 20 days, all participating research and testing units collaborated and completed a series of critical tasks, including risk assessment, solution analysis and decision-making, personnel and material deployment, crew return aboard a replacement vessel, as well as an emergency launch, offering a world-class example of managing an in-orbit emergency, the China Manned Space Agency said.

The success of this mission fully demonstrated the strengths of China's new system for mobilizing resources nationwide, it noted. (Photo by Song Ying'ao/Xinhua)

China launches the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Nov. 25, 2025. China on Tuesday launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship to provide a return vessel for the three Shenzhou-21 astronauts in orbit. This momentous occasion marked the accomplishment of the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

The launch of the new spaceship followed the return of the three Shenzhou-20 astronauts back to Earth on Nov. 14 by the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft.

The return mission, initially scheduled for Nov. 5 by the Shenzhou-20 spaceship, was delayed due to a suspected debris impact on the Shenzhou-20 return capsule's viewport window.

The Long March-2F Y22 rocket and the Shenzhou-22 spaceship -- already on standby at the launch site upon the contingency -- were swiftly prepared for launch.

After the initiation of the contingency plan, all teams involved in the project demonstrated a composed and methodical approach.

Within 20 days, all participating research and testing units collaborated and completed a series of critical tasks, including risk assessment, solution analysis and decision-making, personnel and material deployment, crew return aboard a replacement vessel, as well as an emergency launch, offering a world-class example of managing an in-orbit emergency, the China Manned Space Agency said.

The success of this mission fully demonstrated the strengths of China's new system for mobilizing resources nationwide, it noted. (Xinhua/Li Minggang)

This photo taken on Nov. 20, 2025 shows the combination of the Shenzhou-22 spaceship and the Long March-2F Y22 rocket preparing to be transferred to the launching area. China on Tuesday launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship to provide a return vessel for the three Shenzhou-21 astronauts in orbit. This momentous occasion marked the accomplishment of the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

The launch of the new spaceship followed the return of the three Shenzhou-20 astronauts back to Earth on Nov. 14 by the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft.

The return mission, initially scheduled for Nov. 5 by the Shenzhou-20 spaceship, was delayed due to a suspected debris impact on the Shenzhou-20 return capsule's viewport window.

The Long March-2F Y22 rocket and the Shenzhou-22 spaceship -- already on standby at the launch site upon the contingency -- were swiftly prepared for launch.

After the initiation of the contingency plan, all teams involved in the project demonstrated a composed and methodical approach.

Within 20 days, all participating research and testing units collaborated and completed a series of critical tasks, including risk assessment, solution analysis and decision-making, personnel and material deployment, crew return aboard a replacement vessel, as well as an emergency launch, offering a world-class example of managing an in-orbit emergency, the China Manned Space Agency said.

The success of this mission fully demonstrated the strengths of China's new system for mobilizing resources nationwide, it noted. (Photo by Li Yuxiang/Xinhua)

A staff member conducts pre-loading inspections of propellant in the loading area of Shenzhou-22 spaceship on Nov. 24, 2025. China on Tuesday launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship to provide a return vessel for the three Shenzhou-21 astronauts in orbit. This momentous occasion marked the accomplishment of the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

The launch of the new spaceship followed the return of the three Shenzhou-20 astronauts back to Earth on Nov. 14 by the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft.

The return mission, initially scheduled for Nov. 5 by the Shenzhou-20 spaceship, was delayed due to a suspected debris impact on the Shenzhou-20 return capsule's viewport window.

The Long March-2F Y22 rocket and the Shenzhou-22 spaceship -- already on standby at the launch site upon the contingency -- were swiftly prepared for launch.

After the initiation of the contingency plan, all teams involved in the project demonstrated a composed and methodical approach.

Within 20 days, all participating research and testing units collaborated and completed a series of critical tasks, including risk assessment, solution analysis and decision-making, personnel and material deployment, crew return aboard a replacement vessel, as well as an emergency launch, offering a world-class example of managing an in-orbit emergency, the China Manned Space Agency said.

The success of this mission fully demonstrated the strengths of China's new system for mobilizing resources nationwide, it noted. (Xinhua/Li Minggang)

The Long March-2F Y22 rocket is transferred to the pre-launch test position on Nov. 8, 2025. China on Tuesday launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship to provide a return vessel for the three Shenzhou-21 astronauts in orbit. This momentous occasion marked the accomplishment of the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

The launch of the new spaceship followed the return of the three Shenzhou-20 astronauts back to Earth on Nov. 14 by the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft.

The return mission, initially scheduled for Nov. 5 by the Shenzhou-20 spaceship, was delayed due to a suspected debris impact on the Shenzhou-20 return capsule's viewport window.

The Long March-2F Y22 rocket and the Shenzhou-22 spaceship -- already on standby at the launch site upon the contingency -- were swiftly prepared for launch.

After the initiation of the contingency plan, all teams involved in the project demonstrated a composed and methodical approach.

Within 20 days, all participating research and testing units collaborated and completed a series of critical tasks, including risk assessment, solution analysis and decision-making, personnel and material deployment, crew return aboard a replacement vessel, as well as an emergency launch, offering a world-class example of managing an in-orbit emergency, the China Manned Space Agency said.

The success of this mission fully demonstrated the strengths of China's new system for mobilizing resources nationwide, it noted. (Photo by Li Mingtang/Xinhua)

A staff member carries out battery handover and installation work on Nov. 16, 2025. China on Tuesday launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship to provide a return vessel for the three Shenzhou-21 astronauts in orbit. This momentous occasion marked the accomplishment of the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

The launch of the new spaceship followed the return of the three Shenzhou-20 astronauts back to Earth on Nov. 14 by the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft.

The return mission, initially scheduled for Nov. 5 by the Shenzhou-20 spaceship, was delayed due to a suspected debris impact on the Shenzhou-20 return capsule's viewport window.

The Long March-2F Y22 rocket and the Shenzhou-22 spaceship -- already on standby at the launch site upon the contingency -- were swiftly prepared for launch.

After the initiation of the contingency plan, all teams involved in the project demonstrated a composed and methodical approach.

Within 20 days, all participating research and testing units collaborated and completed a series of critical tasks, including risk assessment, solution analysis and decision-making, personnel and material deployment, crew return aboard a replacement vessel, as well as an emergency launch, offering a world-class example of managing an in-orbit emergency, the China Manned Space Agency said.

The success of this mission fully demonstrated the strengths of China's new system for mobilizing resources nationwide, it noted. (Photo by Li Yuxiang/Xinhua)

Staff members conduct operations on the gas supply pipelines of the Shenzhou-22 spaceship on Nov. 9, 2025. China on Tuesday launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship to provide a return vessel for the three Shenzhou-21 astronauts in orbit. This momentous occasion marked the accomplishment of the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

The launch of the new spaceship followed the return of the three Shenzhou-20 astronauts back to Earth on Nov. 14 by the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft.

The return mission, initially scheduled for Nov. 5 by the Shenzhou-20 spaceship, was delayed due to a suspected debris impact on the Shenzhou-20 return capsule's viewport window.

The Long March-2F Y22 rocket and the Shenzhou-22 spaceship -- already on standby at the launch site upon the contingency -- were swiftly prepared for launch.

After the initiation of the contingency plan, all teams involved in the project demonstrated a composed and methodical approach.

Within 20 days, all participating research and testing units collaborated and completed a series of critical tasks, including risk assessment, solution analysis and decision-making, personnel and material deployment, crew return aboard a replacement vessel, as well as an emergency launch, offering a world-class example of managing an in-orbit emergency, the China Manned Space Agency said.

The success of this mission fully demonstrated the strengths of China's new system for mobilizing resources nationwide, it noted. (Photo by Li Mingtang/Xinhua)

Staff members inspect equipment status at a fire station at the launch site on Nov. 13, 2025. China on Tuesday launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship to provide a return vessel for the three Shenzhou-21 astronauts in orbit. This momentous occasion marked the accomplishment of the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

The launch of the new spaceship followed the return of the three Shenzhou-20 astronauts back to Earth on Nov. 14 by the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft.

The return mission, initially scheduled for Nov. 5 by the Shenzhou-20 spaceship, was delayed due to a suspected debris impact on the Shenzhou-20 return capsule's viewport window.

The Long March-2F Y22 rocket and the Shenzhou-22 spaceship -- already on standby at the launch site upon the contingency -- were swiftly prepared for launch.

After the initiation of the contingency plan, all teams involved in the project demonstrated a composed and methodical approach.

Within 20 days, all participating research and testing units collaborated and completed a series of critical tasks, including risk assessment, solution analysis and decision-making, personnel and material deployment, crew return aboard a replacement vessel, as well as an emergency launch, offering a world-class example of managing an in-orbit emergency, the China Manned Space Agency said.

The success of this mission fully demonstrated the strengths of China's new system for mobilizing resources nationwide, it noted. (Photo by Yang Junjie/Xinhua)

Editor: Zhang Zhou
The former head of Verizon Business has shared an emotional message with thousands of employees who are set to lose their jobs, as the telecommunications giant begins its biggest round of layoffs to date, affecting more than 13,000 roles across the company.

Tami Erwin, who spent over 30 years at Verizon before departing in 2022, posted the open letter on LinkedIn, which quickly went viral.

The news this week has weighed on me deeply. As I reflect on it tonight, on a quiet Friday night, Im thinking about the people behind the headlines, she wrote.

Erwin, who rose from the position of a customer service representative to CEO of Verizon Business, stressed that even as technology reshapes everything, people remain the heart of every company.

View full Image Tami Erwin post ( LinkedIn )

She urged laid-off staff to give themselves time to grieve. To those impacted, from someone who will always bleed Verizon red: Give yourself permission to grieve. A job is identity, relationships, pride. Losing it is personal.

Former leader's take on tech-driven change Verizon layoffs will significantly shrink its non-union workforce, which numbers around 100,000 employees in the United States.

Verizon said that the job cuts were not directly tied to its pivot to artificial intelligence, according to Reuters.

However, Erwin offered her own perspective on transformation, acknowledging that technology is rapidly reshaping everything: Yes, AGI, quantum computing, robotics, and intelligent networks will redefine how we live, work, and play. The direction is right.

She also cautioned leaders to remember that people matter just as much as tech. Technology doesnt transform a company. People do. And when change affects peoples livelihoods, leaders must modernize more than systems  they must modernize process, communication, empathy, and accountability.

She said, Transformation without humanity isnt leadership.

Your story isnt ending  its evolving, says the ex-CEO Now serving as a board director and advisor to Silicon Valley startups, Erin drew on her own experience leaving Verizon three years ago, saying, I can tell you that your next chapter will be equally as fulfilling!

Verizon, the largest US telecommunications provider by subscriber base, lost a net 7,000 postpaid phone connections in its latest quarter, missing analyst expectations of adding a net 19,000 connections. Rivals AT&T and T-Mobile continue to grow, intensifying pressure on Verizon to restructure.

Your story isnt ending  its evolving. And Im cheering for you, always, she wrote. She advised laid-off staff to hold their heads high. No one can take away the impact youve had. Build a framework for your next chapter  and go forth and conquer.
Americans are set to celebrate Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, but the celebrations wont be restricted to the terrestrial realm. Those stationed aboard the International Space Station will also be joining the festivities in their own unique way.

Thanksgiving in space This wont be the first time that a space crew will partake in Thanksgiving Days traditional indulgences. According to Florida Today, the first time astronauts celebrated this quintessentially American festival was in 1973, when the crew of Skylab 4 tried to mark the day in their own restricted environment.

However, as the publication points out, in those days, the Thanksgiving feast available in space was a rather off-putting turkey salad that resembled salmon-colored glue poured into a chrome cat-food-like can.

But this time, the feast laid out on the much more advanced and comfortable ISS would be a genuine feast. It would include clams, oysters, crab meat, quail, smoked salmon, and other sides.

Good old comfort food. And this is what I think Thanksgiving represents in space, Mark Marquette, director of the American Space Museum in Titusville, said, as quoted by Florida Today. I think the comfort-food aspect of it is a real benefit to your psychological world of living in outer space, he added.

The elaborate Thanksgiving meal for the astronauts was launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on 14 September. The astronauts aboard cannot wait to enjoy the delicious fare.

Three more astronauts to reach ISS On Thursday, 27 November, at 4:27 AM EST, three astronauts will begin their journey to the International Space Station in a Roscosmos Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft, which will take off at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

NASAs Chris Williams will be joined by Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev aboard the spacecraft. They will join Expedition 73s crew at the ISS to continue scientific research, NASAs website informed.

The spacecraft will undertake a two-orbit, three-hour journey and dock at the ISSs Rassvet module at 7:38 AM EST. The launch will be covered live on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and YouTube.

FAQs When is Thanksgiving 2025? Thanksgiving will be celebrated this year on Thursday, 27 November.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (November 26) took aim at former President Joe Biden in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, using the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as a symbol of what he described as Biden filth and incompetence.

In his post, Trump wrote: This is the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool before Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and I fix it. Study it hard because you wont be seeing this Biden filth and incompetence much longer!

Trumps remarks came alongside a photograph of the reflecting pool, which he suggested requires urgent attention. He named Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum as collaborating with him on the effort, signaling a planned intervention if he were to return to office.

While the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has periodically undergone maintenance under the National Park Service, Trumps comments politicize the landmark and tie it to his broader campaign rhetoric against Bidens administration.

This marks the latest instance of Trump leveraging social media to publicly highlight what he describes as the failings of the Biden administration, often using visual or symbolic references to underscore his criticism.

Trump unveils Arc de Trump across from Lincoln Memorial to Mark 250th Anniversary Trump unveiled plans on October 16 for a massive triumphal arch in Washington, D.C., designed to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026. The proposed structure, closely modeled on Pariss Arc de Triomphe, has already been nicknamed the Arc de Trump.

A gateway across from Lincoln Memorial The Arc de Trump is planned for Memorial Circle, at the entrance to the Arlington Memorial Bridge, directly across from the Lincoln Memorial, one of the nations most iconic monuments. Trump described the arch as a gateway to Washington, D.C., emphasizing its symbolic connection to the citys historic landmarks.

Trump noted that Memorial Circle has long remained vacant despite earlier proposals dating back to the 19th century.

Design and symbolism The proposed arch draws inspiration from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, aiming to create a monumental focal point on the National Mall. Its location opposite the Lincoln Memorial situates it among some of the capitals most visited and historically significant sites, underscoring a link between the new monument and Americas enduring ideals of liberty and leadership.

Also Read | Kremlin says USRussia call leak aimed at disrupting peace talks
A judge in Georgia dismissed the racketeering case against US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, which was filed over his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 elections.

This development came after the prosecutor who took over the case recently said that he would not be pursuing charges.

The prosecutor, Pete Skandalakis, who is the executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia, took over the case in September from Fani Willis, the Fulton County District Attorney.

Also Read | Trump pardons those accused of trying to overturn 2020 prez poll results

Willis was earlier removed over appearance of impropriety after revelations about a romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had chosen to lead the case, as per a report by Associated Press.

On Skandalakis filing his intentions, the Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee issued an order dismissing the case completely.

There is no realistic prospect that a sitting President will be compelled to appear in Georgia to stand trial on the allegations in this indictment, Skandalakis wrote, as per Politico.

Donald J. Trumps current term as President of the United States of America does not expire until January 20, 2029; by that point, eight years will have elapsed he added.

Trump avoids legal persecutions, thanks to 2nd term This abandonment of the case in Georgia is a reflection of how the US President has been able to avoid legal repercussions that once plagued the future of his political career as well as personal liberty.

Trump himself has recently pardoned a number of his associates, including Rudy Giulliani, who were accused of attempting to overturn the 2020 US Presidential election results.

Notably, the charges against Trump of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election results, as well as hoarding sensitive documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate, were also dropped after Trump won the 2024 presidential elections. Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith had then cited the longstanding policy of rhe Justice Department against indicting a sitting president.

Trump's former personal lawyer, Giulliani, as well as former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, were also defendants in the Georgia case.

Trump's lead attorney in Georgia, Steve Sadow, has welcomed the development. He said, The political persecution of President Trump by disqualified DA Fani Willis is finally over. This case should never have been brought. A fair and impartial prosecutor has put an end to this lawfare," as per AP.

The strongest and most prosecutable case against those seeking to overturn the 2020 Presidential election results and prevent the certification of those votes was the one investigated and indicted by Special Counsel Jack Smith, Skandalakis had written in his court filing on Wednesday, as per AP.
The officials arrived at the secret CIA archival facility in the Washington area one morning in early April. Their mission: to seize still-classified CIA files on the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy, John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr.

The team pulled up in their vehicles unannounced, catching the spy agency off-guard, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters. They were acting on behalf of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who wanted to take documents out of the hands of the Central Intelligence Agency and start the process of declassifying them at the National Archives, the people said.

One of the people familiar with the matter said the CIA wasn't aware that it was about to receive direction that day "from a higher government agency." The person also described the moment as probably the most confrontational point in the still young relationship between Gabbard's office and the CIA.

The official leading the search, a Defense Intelligence Agency official named Paul Allen McDonald II who was on temporary assignment to Gabbard's office, declared that they were "on a mission" from Gabbard, two of the people said.

A Trump administration official who made a brief appearance that day after arriving in her minivan, Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, was a CIA veteran herself and the daughter-in-law of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. She did not have the necessary badge to access the warehouse but was waved in, the two people said.

One said Fox Kennedy spent about an hour there, focusing on efforts to digitize the massive archive of papers.

The early April episode, which has not been previously reported, lasted until 2 a.m. the next morning when a massive trove of documents was eventually transferred to the National Archives, according to two of the people.

The case casts new light on the tension between two forces in Washington, the CIA and Gabbard's ODNI, as Trump appointees sought to act on the president's orders to swiftly release the full accounting of Kennedy's murder in 1963, as well as the high-profile 1968 assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr.

White House spokesman Steven Cheung said Trump had full confidence in both Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. "Efforts by the legacy media to sow internal division are a distraction that will not work," Cheung said.

A spokesperson for the Director of National Intelligence said the ODNI "has worked in close coordination with the CIA since the beginning of the administration to carry out this historic release of files."

Trump issued an executive order in January instructing Gabbard and the other intelligence agencies to declassify records related to the JFK, RFK and Martin Luther King Jr. assassinations.

Reuters could not independently determine if Gabbard directed this specific mission at the archives or the extent to which Trump may have been briefed ahead of time about individual missions related to the declassification effort.

The Director of National Intelligence serves as principal intelligence adviser to the president and has oversight over the 17 other agencies, including the CIA. The job typically includes managing interagency tensions.

In a joint statement, Gabbard's ODNI and the CIA said the two agencies have and will continue working hand-in-hand to release and declassify documents of public interest and execute President Trumps mission of restoring trust in the intelligence community.

THE DIRECTOR KIND OF PUT HER FOOT DOWN.

A 45-day deadline in Trump's executive order to review documents and present a plan for declassification of the files related to Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. had ended in March, and frustration was building on Gabbard's team about the slow pace of progress, one of the individuals said.

Upon arriving at the CIA's archive warehouse, the officials presented a document asserting that Gabbard's office had the legal authority to take the documents even without the CIA's approval, and cautioned that anyone impeding the process could be held accountable, according to one of the people familiar with the events.

The person said the ODNI took this step "because they (CIA officials) were not cooperating up until that point. So the director kind of put her foot down."

Another person described the CIA as highly cooperative and said Director Ratcliffe had briefed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on what the agency planned to release publicly about his father's killing. Reuters could not establish the precise name or location of the CIA archives.

Two of the people familiar with the events described tensions at the entryway to the archives, including shouting. However, Gabbard's office and two other people Reuters spoke to said the interactions between Gabbard's team and the CIA were professional.

One of those who described the exchange as professional said there seemed to be "a shared recognition that while the timeline was short, it had also been 60 years" since the Kennedy assassinations, and it was time to follow through on declassification.

Gabbard broadly described the effort to declassify the files during an April 10 cabinet meeting, telling Trump she had sent "hunters" to scour archives at the CIA and FBI for materials. "We are actively going out and trying to search out the truth," Gabbard said at the meeting, as reporters looked on.

At that meeting, Trump praised the push to find documents, as did Kennedy Jr., who has long voiced suspicion that the CIA was involved in his father's and uncle's assassinations. The CIA has rejected such allegations.

CONSPIRACY THEORIES HAVE LONG ANIMATED MAGA BASE

The U.S. Justice Department and other federal bodies have said for more than 60 years that President Kennedy's murder in 1963 was the work of a sole gunman, Lee Harvey Oswald.

But polls show many Americans remain unconvinced and conspiracy theories - from the Epstein files and QAnon to the decades-old questions about JFK's assassination - have long been a focus for key parts of Trump's MAGA base.

Former senator and then-presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated five years after his brother, JFK. Sirhan Sirhan confessed and was convicted of killing him at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Faced with the demands from Gabbard's team at the archival site in April, security personnel called in CIA officials already involved in declassifying the agency's files, according to one individual familiar with the incident. The individual added that the CIA was not opposed to releasing the files under proper procedures.

The agency agreed to transfer the files to the National Archives, which has been in charge of digitizing and releasing the materials to the public, in a manner consistent with government regulations. This meant preserving the "chain of custody," ensuring the proper security and using government vehicles to transport the documents.

Making those arrangements, determining which files Gabbards delegation wanted and then transporting them to the National Archives facility in College Park, Maryland, took until 2 a.m. the following day, said the source.

It all had to be coordinated, the source said.
Nalin Haley, the 24-year-old son of former South Carolina governor and exUN ambassador Nikki Haley, says socialist Zohran Mamdanis mayoral victory in New York is less an ideological shift and more a warning sign of deep frustration among young Americans.

Nalin Haley, 24, says hes watching his generation struggle despite doing everything right.

My friends graduated with great degrees from great schools, and a year and a half later, none of them have a job, he told The New York Post. They didnt do anything wrong they did everything they were supposed to.

Haley works in finance in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

Republicans must listen to the young Haley argues that younger voters who backed Democrat Zohran Mamdani are motivated by the same economic frustrations.

Haley, who identifies as a conservative, argues that Gen Z voters are turning to candidates like Mamdani because they feel ignored by the political establishment  especially Republicans.

I think [people who voted for Mamdani are] saying the same things. They just have some different ways to fix the problems, he said. My issue is that the Democrats are listening to the younger people, and its time for the Republicans to do the same.

A new Gen Z Conservative identity He describes his views as representative of a broader shift among young Republicans.

I think we are seeing a shift in the economic stances of young Republicans, Haley said. A free market is basically just a lawless market. Im tired of the Republican Party selling itself to elites and corporations while screwing over American workers.

Anti-immigration stance Haley has stirred discussion with his calls to ban H-1B visas and curb legal immigration.

I dont view it as responsible to have legal immigration at a time when our economy is fragile and companies arent hiring Americans, and AI is taking over a lot of jobs, he said. It makes no sense to have foreign workers come here [while] we actually are not hiring our own kids.

Although his maternal grandparents immigrated from India, Haley added: All Ive ever known is America Im not gonna have any sort of weird loyalty to a country where Ive never been.

Housing crisis, insider trading, and tired of modernity He says Gen Z conservatives are preoccupied with housing affordability and corruption with insider trading, and that many are gravitating toward more traditional lifestyles.

Young Republicans are growing tired of modernity, he said.

Look at why people are angry Haley argues that political divisions stem from unaddressed frustrations.

Instead of getting angry at people for who they choose to be their voice, [we] should instead look to: Why are people angry in the first place? Why do they feel voiceless? What are these problems and how can we fix them?

Growing up in the Governors mansion He says his parents worked hard to maintain normalcy during Nikki Haleys busy political career.

He recalls the toughest part being the online criticism directed at his mother: Being the son of a politician who is being criticized is a lot harder than when people criticize me.

Breaking from GOP orthodoxy Haley says he and his mother dont discuss politics. His ideological break began in high school as he explored viewpoints outside mainstream conservative media.

I just started to think for myself, he said. I wasnt just accepting what Con Inc or the mainstream media was giving me. I started noticing the things you supposedly werent allowed to say.

He now supports smart capitalism that works for the interests of the average person and takes a more skeptical view of US foreign policy  especially the nations relationship with Israel, which he says should stop interfering in our politics.

No plans for a political career Despite his rising profile online, Haley says he has no political ambitions.

It was never my intention to get any sort of platform, he said, though he hopes his views push the GOP to address Gen Zs priorities.

A vision for the future GOP My hope is that [the party] will help my generation have the same opportunities that prior generations had, he said.
US President Donald Trump said that he would not invite South Africa to participate in next years G-20 summit in Miami and said he planned to stop all payments and subsidies to the country, as relations between Washington and Pretoria continue to deteriorate.

Trump, in a social media post, repeated claims without evidence that South Africa was committing genocide against White Afrikaners and seizing land without compensation and criticized the countrys handling of the recent global summit.

South Africa will NOT be receiving an invitation to the 2026 G20, which will be hosted in the Great City of Miami, Florida next year, Trump said. South Africa has demonstrated to the World they are not a country worthy of Membership anywhere, and we are going to stop all payments and subsidies to them, effective immediately.

The US boycotted the G-20 meeting over the weekend in South Africa and sent a diplomatic note warning Pretoria against adopting a leaders declaration. South Africa went ahead and approved the document shortly after the meeting began.

Trumps fight with South Africa reached a boiling point in May when he ambushed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the White House with a video purporting to back up his claims that White farmers are being targeted.

The incident derailed Ramaphosas visit to Washington, which was intended to mend ties with the US and persuade Trump to stop floating the conspiracy theory about a campaign against White South Africans.

The South Africans also rejected a US request for Marc Dillard, the charge daffaires in South Africa, to attend the leaders summit and receive the ceremonial G-20 handover, saying Ramaphosa would not engage with a lower-ranking official. Instead, the handover took place quietly between diplomats at South Africas foreign ministry in Pretoria on Tuesday.

South Africa had been bracing for Trump to block it from the Miami summit, and officials there remain concerned that the US could seek to boot the country entirely from the group. Any change in membership would require consensus among G-20 nations, as was the case ahead of the 2023 summit in India, when the African Union was admitted as a full member.

Its not clear what Trumps threat to cut off payments to South Africa will entail. Trump already suspended aid to the country in an executive order in March.

With assistance from S'thembile Cele.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll delivered a blunt and unsettling message to Ukrainian officials during a meeting in Kyiv last week, warning that Ukraine faced an imminent defeat on the battlefield if the current trajectory continued, NBC News cited two sources familiar with the discussion as saying.

Driscoll said Ukrainian forces were under increasing pressure as Russia intensified its aerial attacks, significantly escalating both the scale and pace of strikes. The Russians, he reportedly told officials, had the capability to sustain their military campaign indefinitely.

The message was basically  you are losing According to one source, Driscolls assessment was brutally direct. The message was basically  you are losing, the source told the news outlet.

And you need to accept the deal.

The US delegation also reportedly warned that Americas defense industry could no longer supply weapons and air defense systems at the level required to hold off Russian advances and protect Ukraines population and infrastructure.

US-backed proposal viewed as capitulation Driscolls bleak assessment accompanied the presentation of a new US-backed peace plan, which Ukrainian officials saw as tilted toward Moscow. The proposal, according to the news outlet's sources, demanded major concessions from Kyiv and accepted several of Russias maximalist demands  terms many in Ukraine viewed as politically and strategically unacceptable.

Ukrainian officials saw the plan as pressuring them into conceding from a weakened position, framing it as a near capitulation rather than a negotiated settlement.

Ukraine rejects early version of peace plan, seeks revisions Ukraine has declined to sign the US-backed peace plan presented in Kyiv last week, telling American officials the proposal in its current form was unacceptable. The plan has since undergone major revisions, according to multiple US and Ukrainian officials.

A leaked 28-point plan sparks turmoil The diplomatic scramble intensified after a purported 28-point US peace plan leaked to the media last week. The document, officials say, was shaped during discussions in Miami between Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev and US envoy Steve Witkoff.

White House officials described it as an American proposal with Russian and Ukrainian input. But several senators said Rubio privately told them it was drafted by the Russians  a claim he later denied.

Some provisions contradicted previous US positions, including language that appeared to bar US troops from Poland and would require Ukraine to cede territory, limit its military, and forgo NATO membership.

US Army Secretary briefs Kyiv In an unconventional step, the White House selected Driscoll  not a diplomat  to present the plan in Kyiv. Driscoll, a Yale Law School classmate of Vances, was already scheduled to visit Ukraine for drone-related talks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted with grave doubts, according to officials briefed on the meeting, but avoided a full rejection. He stressed that Kyiv was willing to engage in diplomatic discussions but not on terms viewed as capitulation.

With the initial proposal rejected, US officials say the peace plan has been substantially rewritten.
A suspect is in custody following a shooting that injured two National Guard members near the White House on Wednesday (November 26), Washington D.C.. Authorities secured the area and launched an immediate response.

The shooting took place near Farragut Square, a popular lunch spot just a few blocks from the White House. The park is surrounded by restaurants, coffee shops, and two metro stations. Police and emergency vehicles responded swiftly, and at least one helicopter landed on the National Mall.

According to law enforcement officials speaking to the AP on condition of anonymity, both National Guard members were critically wounded and transported to separate hospitals. The current conditions of the soldiers have not been released.

Trumps statement President Donald Trump reacted strongly to a shooting incident involving two National Guard members near the White House on Wednesday, posting a statement on Truth Social.

In his post, Trump described the assailant as the animal that shot the two National Guardsmen and confirmed that both soldiers were critically wounded and hospitalized in separate facilities. He also noted that the suspect was severely wounded and vowed accountability: "regardless, [the suspect] will pay a very steep price. God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!"

Support for National Guard Trump emphasized his support for the National Guard and law enforcement personnel, praising them as truly Great People who serve and protect the nation.

Homeland Security Kristi Noem's statement Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also addressed the incident on X: "Please join me in praying for the two National Guardsmen who were just shot moments ago in Washington DC."

FBI involvement The FBI is assisting with the investigation. FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X: "FBI is engaged and assisting with the investigation in Washington, D.C. after National Guard members were shot this afternoon. Please pray for them and we will update with more information as we are able."

Emergency response and scene updates Emergency vehicles were observed responding to the scene, with at least one helicopter landing on the National Mall. The Joint DC Task Force confirmed they were addressing an incident near the White House, but declined to specify whether National Guard members were involved.

The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed they were responding to a shooting but provided no further details. A spokesperson for Mayor Muriel Bowser stated that local leaders were actively monitoring the situation; the mayor was in the city at the time.

White House monitors incident White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: "The White House is aware and actively monitoring this tragic situation. The President has been briefed."

Heightened security in the capital National Guard troops have been deployed in Washington since August, following an emergency order issued by President Trump to address crime in the city. As of Wednesday, about 2,200 National Guard members from multiple states were in the city, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, West Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama.
The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Wednesday detained Bruna Caroline Ferreira, the relative of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Bruna, a criminal illegal alien from Brazil, was detained in Massachusetts's Revere, by the federal immigration officials. She is locked up in Louisiana.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said that Bruna, who is the mother of Leavitts nephew, had overstayed her tourist visa, which expired in June 1999.

Also Read | Melania Trump welcomes beautiful Christmas tree to White House

According to News 9, Michael Leavitt declined to speak on camera, citing concerns for his son's privacy.

He said that the biggest concern for him is his son's safety and well-being following Bruna's arrest.

Michael said that while the boy lives with him and his stepmother, Ferreira has maintained a relationship with her son.

Since his birth, the 11-year-old nephew of Leavitts has lived full-time in New Hampshire with his father, Leavitt's brother Michael.

Also Read | Trump weighing removal of Kash Patel as FBI Director? White House responds

Bruna is currently in removal proceedings and was also arrested previously for battery. She was arrested while driving to pick up her son from New Hampshire.

Bruna's lawyer, Todd Pomerleau, claimed that she came to the US legally and is in the process of getting her green card.

"Bruna has no criminal record whatsoever. I don't know where that is coming from. Show us the proof. There are no charges out there. She's not a criminal, illegal alien, we're hearing that said about anyone who's not a US citizen," Pomerleau claimed.

He also added that he is fighting to get her out of custody.

"I'm just trying to fight to get her out of jail. She should not be sitting in jail hours away from her family and from her child's life. She's a great mom, and from what I heard, I think he's been a pretty good dad," he told News 9.

Meanwhile, a Gofund page has been created to get financial help to cover the legal fees and expenses.

According to her sister, Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues, who has created a page to generate $30,000, states that Bruna was brought to the United States by their parents in December 1998, when she was just a child, entering on a visa.

"Since then, she has done everything in her power to build a stable, honest life here.

Anyone who knows Bruna knows the kind of person she is. She is hardworking, kind, and always the first to offer help when someone needs it, reads the message on the page.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga and his wife Queen Nanasipau'u in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 25, 2025. Xi met with King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

BEIJING, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with visiting King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga here on Tuesday, saying that China is willing to enhance the alignment of development strategies with Tonga.

Noting that China and Tonga are true friends who have weathered storms and braved hardships together, Xi said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have been unswervingly supportive of each other's core interests and major concerns. The pragmatic cooperation has yielded fruitful results, and the China-Tonga comprehensive strategic partnership has been steadily deepened, thus setting an example of friendly cooperation between countries with different social systems and varying sizes, said Xi.

"No matter how the international situation changes, China has always been a trustworthy and good partner of Tonga and has always supported Tonga in safeguarding its national independence and sovereignty," Xi said.

Xi said China is willing to expand cooperation with Tonga on trade and investment, agriculture and fisheries, infrastructure, clean energy, medical and health care, tourism, and climate change response. China will also deepen exchanges in education, sports, youth, media, and subnational cooperation, and continue to provide assistance for Tonga's economic and social development within the framework of South-South cooperation.

Personnel from various sectors of Tonga are welcome to visit China and further engage in exchanges of experience on state governance and development to gain a more thorough understanding of China, Xi added.

Noting the fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has outlined the top-level design and strategic blueprint for China's economic and social development of the next five years, Xi said China will focus on high quality development, deepen reforms across the board, expand high-level opening up, and share development opportunities with other countries in the world.

China also stands ready to work with Tonga to implement the four major global initiatives, create a better life for the people of both countries, build a China-Pacific Island countries community with a shared future, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, Xi said.

While expressing gratitude for China's long-term, selfless assistance in Tonga's economic and social development, King Tupou VI said Tonga attaches great importance to developing ties with China. The country firmly adheres to the one-China principle, opposes "Taiwan independence" in any form, and unequivocally supports the Chinese government's efforts for national reunification, he added.

King Tupou VI said Tonga is ready to expand cooperation with China in the fields of economy, trade, agriculture, clean energy, education, medical care, and environmental protection, among others. He added that the country is willing to learn from the CPC regarding the experience in state governance.

Tonga supports the four major global initiatives put forward by President Xi, King Tupou VI said, adding that the country is ready to enhance communication and coordination with China and jointly respond to climate change and other global challenges.

After the meeting, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of several cooperation documents in the fields of economy, trade, medical care, education and development, among others.

Prior to the meeting, Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, held a welcoming ceremony for King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u at the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Xi and Peng hosted a welcoming banquet for the King and Queen in the afternoon. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their meeting in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 25, 2025. Xi met with King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their meeting in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 25, 2025. Xi met with King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Editor: Zhang Zhou
A catastrophic fire tore through multiple high-rise towers of the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Hong Kongs Tai Po district on Wednesday, killing at least 13 people and leaving an unknown number trapped, authorities said. The blaze, fueled by bamboo scaffolding wrapped around several buildings under renovation, sent flames and thick black smoke towering into the night sky.

Firefighters battle Level-5 inferno The fire began around 2:50 p.m., and the Fire Services Department upgraded it to a No. 5 alarm  the citys highest classification  shortly after 6:20 p.m.

More than 128 fire trucks and 57 ambulances were deployed as hundreds of firefighters battled dangerous conditions, including falling debris, collapsing scaffolding and extreme heat inside the towers.

Deputy Fire Services Director Derek Armstrong Chan said temperatures were so high that crews struggled to enter the buildings.

Residents trapped; elderly among the most vulnerable Authorities said they received numerous calls from residents unable to escape. Many of the trapped were believed to be elderly, according to Tai Po District Council member Lo Hiu-fung.

More than 700 people were evacuated to temporary shelters.

Casualties include firefighter Among the 13 confirmed dead was a 37-year-old firefighter who collapsed at the scene and later died in hospital. At least 15 other people, including fire services personnel, suffered injuries ranging from burns to smoke inhalation.

Several victims remain in critical or serious condition, the government said.

How the fire spread so quickly Officials said the blaze likely started on exterior bamboo scaffolding before spreading rapidly across construction netting and into multiple residential blocks. Video footage showed flames leaping between towers, aided by windy conditions.

Wang Fuk Court, built in 1983 under the citys subsidised home ownership scheme, consists of eight residential blocks housing nearly 4,800 people. It is located in Tai Po, a densely populated suburban district near the mainland Chinese border.

The blaze forced a full closure of Tai Po Road, one of Hong Kongs major highways, prompting extensive bus diversions and traffic disruptions.
At least 13 people were killed after a massive fire engulfed several high-rise towers of a residential complex in Hong Kongs northern Tai Po district. Firefighters battled the blaze as dusk fell, with thick black smoke billowing from the 31-storey towers and orange flames lighting up the night sky.

Nine people were declared dead at the scene and four others who were sent to the hospital were later confirmed dead  while as many as 15 others were injured, mentioned a report by Associated Press.

The government says three people remain in critical condition and another is seriously injured. The fire has been designated a level-five incident  Hong Kongs most severe classification  and some residents are reportedly still trapped inside the buildings. Images, videos on social media show flames racing up bamboo scaffolding surrounding the high-rise blocks as firefighters continue their efforts to contain the blaze.

Meanwhile, Hong Kongs Transport Department has shut several roads and diverted more than 30 bus routes away from the affected area. Officials say they are closely monitoring the real-time traffic situation as the emergency response continues.

How did the fire begin? The fire began at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong's northern Tai Po district  which is home to 4,600 people and has nearly 2,000 flats. The complex was undergoing renovation when the blaze broke out.

The blaze started mid afternoon and after nightfall authorities upgraded it to a level 5 alarm, the highest level of severity, the Fire Services Department said. The fire was still raging after midnight local time.

Police have evacuated nearby buildings, set up a casualty hotline.

What caused the fire? One eyewitness reportedly said he fears the blaze could go on long into the night, as firefighters continue their efforts to contain the blaze. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Firefighter among those killed At least 13 people are still trapped in the fire, former district councillor Herman Hiu Kwan told local media.

Among those killed is a firefighter who was battling the blaze, Hong Kong's fire department has told the BBC.

District officials in Tai Po have opened temporary shelters for people left homeless by the fire. About 700 people have been evacuated to temporary shelters, as per AP.
For many Americans taking a weight-loss drug, Thanksgiving presents a conundrum: Take the weekly dose that staves off hunger, or push it off so they can feast?

Taryn Langer is skipping her weekly dose.

My sister-in-law usually puts out pepperoni bread, deviled eggs and cheese plate. I dont want to have to miss that, or just be satisfied with that, and not be able to eat dinner," says Langer, of Glen Ridge, N.J., who has lost 65 pounds while taking the drug Mounjaro.

Powerful GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are changing Thanksgiving for usersand their friends and families celebrating with them.

While some patients are putting off their weekly injections to chow down, others are plotting to aid their digestion by planning the order in which they eat various foods and bringing water bottles to sip for hydration.

They also expect to fill up quickly and drink less alcohol.

Where its freeing for me to be on these meds for Thanksgiving is that I know I cant go too far," says Jamie Steinberg, 51, a former restaurant manager in San Diego who has lost 40 pounds taking GLP-1 drugs including Zepbound. I can eat what I want, but my brain and my stomach kind of tell me that its enough."

Holiday menus are getting a makeover. Out are creamy and greasy sides, which many GLP-1 users dont find as appetizing. So are saccharine dishes like the cranberry orange relish that Michael Donnelly-Boylen sweetened with long pours of sugar into a food processor.

I was the one bringing the crazy dish" to family Thanksgivings, says Donnelly-Boylen, 52, an associate law-school dean living in Boston who has lost about 125 pounds on Mounjaro.

Now, he will cut out the maple syrup and brown sugar he added to sweet potatoes. For dessert, he will whip up a healthy pumpkin cheesecake made of high-protein muffin mix and low-fat cottage cheese.

The GLP-1 drugs work by suppressing appetite and making people feel full sooner. Many users stay away from greasy, creamy and sweet foods because they can exacerbate side effects such as nausea.

The drugs are given as weekly shots. Both their efficacy and side effects can wane as the days go by until the next shot. That knowledge has led to strategieswhich GLP-1 patients have been discussing in internet chat rooms and on social-media sitesto skip or delay doses to maximize appetites for the feast.

Its almost like Im trainingthe opposite of how an athlete would train," says Langer, 47, a founder of a public relations agency. Im training so that I can eat more on Thanksgiving."

It is fine for people to delay their shot for a day or two as long as they wait at least three days before taking their next scheduled shot, doctors say.

Dr. Ania Jastreboff, director of the Yale Obesity Research Center in New Haven, Conn., is advising patients who want to delay their shots to adjust their injection schedule accordingly afterward.

People who put off their shot until after Thanksgiving, however, run the risk of getting hungrier and overeating, says Dr. Caroline Apovian, co-director of the Center for Weight Management and Wellness at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston.

I just tell patients to be careful if you do this and remember the hunger and food noise will come back," she says, which could lead to overeating.

One year when supply constraints made it difficult for Caley Svensson to get her Mounjaro prescription, she skipped her shots Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks.

I was literally, actively sitting at the table, like, OK, when are we putting pies out? Whats coming next?" says Svensson, 41, an interior designer and content creator in Park Ridge, N.J. Her weight climbed during the weeks, as she couldnt stop thinking about food. To avoid such food noise this year, she took her Zepbound as scheduled.

Similarly, Akili Martin plans to skip snacking, not doses. A clinical pharmacist from Wilmington, Del., Martin once enjoyed taking generous tastes of the potato salad and other side dishes she was preparing for her family.

Martin, who has lost 90 pounds on GLP-1s including Zepbound, curtailed the habit after starting on the GLP-1 nearly two years ago to make sure I saved my appetite for when I sit down and eat."

At the meal, Martin plans to focus on putting protein and vegetables on her plate, usually turkey and collard greens, and avoid heavy, creamy dishes such as mashed potatoes. She also expects to drink less wine than she once did, and more water.

After dinner, she says she will be able to focus more on playing Taboo with her family than on thinking about grabbing another piece of pie.

Its about family, friends and spending time with those you love," says Jastreboff, the Yale doctor. The turkey is just gravy."

Write to Peter Loftus at Peter.Loftus@wsj.com and Sara Ashley OBrien at sara.obrien@wsj.com
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday backed away from his earlier Thursday deadline for Ukraine to agree to a US-backed peace plan, saying "the deadline for me is when it's over."

Trump was quoted by Reuters as saying that US negotiators were making progress in discussions with Russia and Ukraine, and Moscow had agreed to some concessions.

He further said, Ukraine is doing well  I think they're pretty happy about it [peace talks].

We are making progress, the US President said.

Witkoff and Putin to meet next week Trump said his envoy Steve Witkoff would be meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow next week. He said they may be joined by his son-in-law Jared Kushner, the US president said Tuesday.

"Steve Witkoff is going over, maybe with Jared. I'm not sure about Jared going, but he's involved in the process, smart guy, and they're going to be meeting with President Putin, I believe, next week in Moscow," Trump said aboard Air Force One.

Meanwhile, in a post on TRUTH social media, Trump said, In the hopes of finalising this Peace Plan, I have directed my Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with President Putin in Moscow and, at the same time, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will be meeting with the Ukrainians.

I will be briefed on all progress made, along with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, his post read.

Trump to meet Putin, Zelensky only if Trump wrote on TRUTH social media that he hopes to meeting with President Zelenskyy and President Putin only when the deal to end this war is final or, in its final stage.

I look forward to hopefully meeting with President Zelenskyy and President Putin soon, but ONLY when the deal to end this War is FINAL or, in its final stages. Thank you for your attention to this very important matter, and lets all hope that PEACE can be accomplished AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, he said.

Initial 28 point plan was just a map Trump said the initial 28-point plan to bring peace in war-torn Ukraine was just a map.

The original 28-Point Peace Plan, which was drafted by the United States, has been fine-tuned, with additional input from both sides, and there are only a few remaining points of disagreement, Trump posted on TRUTH social media on Tuesday.

Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plan to Trump US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukraine  and that Vladimir Putin should raise it with Donald Trump.

In an October 14 phone call that lasted a little over five minutes, Witkoff advised Yuri Ushakov, Putins top foreign policy aide, on how the Russian leader should broach the issue with Trump.

His guidance included suggestions on setting up a Trump-Putin call before Volodymyr Zelenskiys White House visit later that week and using the Gaza agreement as a way in.

We put a 20-point Trump plan together that was 20 points for peace and Im thinking maybe we do the same thing with you, Witkoff told Ushakov, according to a recording of the conversation reviewed and transcribed by Bloomberg.

This story proves one thing: Special Envoy Witkoff talks to officials in both Russia and Ukraine nearly every day to achieve peace, which is exactly what President Trump appointed him to do, White House communications director Steven Cheung said.
Other analysts like Goldman Sachs have also recommended going short on oil. An unstated assumption seems to be that the Opec+ oil cartel will either lose its ability to curtail supply or pump out more to flood the market and push its US shale-oil rivals into a quandary, since the latters high costs mean their margins get tightly squeezed if prices drop below $55-60, as estimated.
At the heart of this challenge lies a shift in the definition of wages under the Code on Social Security (2020), which mandates that allowances cannot exceed 50% of total remuneration. Consequently, at least half of an employees salary must now be classified as basic wages for calculating statutory benefits such as the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Employees State Insurance Coverage (ESIC) and gratuity.
Former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi was allotted a new residence by the newly inducted Nitish Kumar government on 25 November. The decision would require the RJD leader to vacate the bungalow on 10 Circular Road, which she had been occupying for several years.

Rabri Devi has been allotted 39, Hardinge Road, according to a notification issued by the states building construction department. 10 Circular Road, where she has been living since 2005, is situated close to the Bihar CMs residence and the Raj Bhavan.

Also Read | CBI gets notice on Rabri Devi's plea seeking transfer of case to another judge

The property has served as a hub for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), hosting key meetings and discussions. Rabri Devi has been living here with her husband, RJD president and former CM Lalu Prasad, after stepping down as chief minister. She has been the Leader of the Opposition in the States Legislative Council for a long time.

The building construction portfolio is held by senior JD(U) leader Vijay Kumar Chaudhary.

But why is the ex-CM asked to vacate her residence? The new allotment has been in accordance with a 2019 Patna High Court ruling, which had quashed lifetime bungalow allocations for former Chief Ministers as misuse of public funds.

The court had issued notices to the state government and affected ex-CMs, including Satish Prasad Singh, Jagannath Mishra, Jitan Ram Manjhi and Rabri Devi, ordering them to vacate. Prior to this, a bungalow previously occupied by Nitish Kumar, as a former CM, was reassigned to the chief secretary.

The 2019 decision compelled several former chief ministers to relinquish their residences, underscoring concerns about taxpayer-funded privileges for retired politicians. Rabri Devis 10 Circular Road allotment was subsequently reframed under her role as leader of the opposition, allowing her to retain it until now.

BJP spokesman Neeraj Kumar told news agency PTI that the family is being asked to vacate the house in accordance with the rules. "Given their past track record, a keen watch will be kept, and it will be ensured that no harm is done to government property, he said.

The timing of the eviction notice coincides with the National Democratic Alliances dominant performance in the 2025 Bihar assembly elections, wherein the alliance secured 202 out of 243 seats. Nitish Kumar, when his party, Janata Dal United, was the senior alliance partner, never visited the Lalu familys 10 Circular Road address. But the alliance dynamics have changed now. In the 2025 polls, the BJP emerged as the single largest party, bagging 89 seats.

The minister for building construction is a sensible man. But, the decision shows the influence the BJP has come to exercise over 1, Anney Marg (the CMs official residence)," RJD spokesman Shakti Yadav told news agency PTI.

Allegation against Tejashwi RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, also a former deputy CM, had faced accusations of having taken away several items from 5, Deshratna Marg, which he had occupied till the party shared power in Bihar.

According to another notification issued by the department, Rabri Devi's elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav, is also set to lose the bungalow he has been occupying since the days he was a minister.

Two other notifications list the bungalows allotted to all the ministers in the newly formed cabinet.

One of these, which was till now occupied by Tej Pratap Yadav, has been allotted to Lakhendra Kumar Raushan, the minister for the SC and ST welfare department.

Given their past track record, a keen watch will be kept, and it will be ensured that no harm is done to government property.

In recent polls, Tej Pratap, who founded the Janshakti Janata Dal after being expelled from the RJD by his father earlier this year, failed to get re-elected to the state assembly.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor took a swipe at those who "attacked" him for praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He reposted a video of his remarks from an event organised by Amrita News on his X handle, wherein he said, "...even a neutral post by me on a speech by the Prime Minister has been attacked as praising the Prime Minister."

"I didn't say a single word of praise, I just described the speech," Tharoor said.

'I might disagree' Shashi Tharoor said that being solely interested in "ideological purity" is not the way to get things done and that sometimes people need to be "more willing to cooperate across ideologies".

The Congress leader asked how a state could accomplish its goals without engaging with the Centre.

You really have to say it is in our interest to cooperate in the interest of our people...So yes, I might disagree with the ruling party, but they are the ruling party, they have a mandate from the nation. I will work with them, he said.

Tharoor said that if the central government introduces a scheme with conditions that it would provide money to the state only if a certain work is done, then he "will discuss" it with the Centre.

"I will see how I can implement it within the framework of my convictions, but I will take the money because my people in my state need the money. That kind of thing, that kind of cooperation, to my mind, is essential," the Congress MP added.

Also Read | Shashi Tharoor once again lauds PM Modi, praises his latest address

He also cited a recent example from Kerala, where a central scheme was rejected, and the money was denied, even when the state "is broke and needs the money".

"There are schools, government schools, whose roofs are leaking, roofs are collapsing, where we don't have money for desks and blackboards, and we are now acting ideologically pure and refusing the money from the Centre. That's crazy. It's taxpayers' money. It's our money. It's our money," Tharoor said.

Tharoor draws ire Congress leader Shashi Tharoor drew massive fire from his own party over his remarks on PM Modi's speech.

Last week, Tharoor took to X to post in detail the references from PM Modi's speech at the sixth Ramnath Goenka Lecture, organised by The Indian Express.

In a post on X, Shashi Tharoor wrote, Attended PM @narendramodi's Ramnath Goenka Lecture at the invitation of @IndianExpress last night. He spoke of India's 'constructive impatience' for development and strongly pushed for a post-colonial mindset.

"...PM Modi said he'd been accused of being in 'election mode' all the time, but he was really in 'emotional mode' to redress the problems of the people," Tharoor had said.

He said, "On the whole, the PM's address served as both an economic outlook and a cultural call to action, urging the nation to be restless for progress."

Tharoor said he was glad to have been in the audience despite a bad cold and cough.

Reacting to this, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit had asked why Tharoor was in the party if he felt the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and PM Modi's strategies were better.

Also Read | Shashi Tharoor shares monochrome college photo with Piyush Pandey

Dikshit said that Tharoor should give an explanation for his remarks, and if he does not do so, then he is a "hypocrite".

Meanwhile, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said that she did not find anything "praiseworthy" in PM Modi's speech, adding that she rather found it to be "petty".
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP)  The Australian government said young children will be banned from social media next month as scheduled despite a rights advocacy group on Wednesday challenging the world-first legislation in court.

The Sydney-based Digital Freedom Project said it had filed a constitutional challenge in the High Court on Wednesday to a law due to take effect on Dec. 10 banning Australian children younger than 16 from holding accounts on specified platforms.

Communications Minister Anika Wells referred to the challenge when she later told Parliament her government remained committed to the ban taking effect on schedule.

We will not be intimidated by legal challenges. We will not be intimidated by Big Tech. On behalf of Australian parents, we stand firm, Wells told Parliament.

Digital Freedom Project president John Ruddick is a New South Wales state lawmaker for the minor Libertarian Party.

Parental supervision of online activity is today the paramount parental responsibility. We do not want to outsource that responsibility to government and unelected bureaucrats, Ruddick said in a statement.

This ban is a direct assault on young peoples right to freedom of political communication, he added.

The case is being brought by Sydney law firm Pryor, Tzannes and Wallis Solicitors on behalf of two 15-year-old children.

Digital Freedom Project spokesperson Sam Palmer could not say whether an application would be made for a court injunction to prevent the age restriction taking effect on Dec. 10 before the case is heard.

Technology giant Meta last week began sending thousands of Australian children suspected to be younger than 16 a warning to downland their digital histories and delete their accounts from Facebook, Instagram and Threads before the ban takes effect.

The government has said the three Meta platforms plus Snapchat, TikTok, X and YouTube must take reasonable steps to exclude Australian account holders younger than 16 or face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($32 million).

Malaysia has also announced plans to ban social media accounts for children under 16 starting in 2026.
Elon Musk led X has begun offering the company's premium subscription at a special price of 89 per month in India. The company has rolled out a special birthday offer in celebration of the third anniversary of X Premium.

The reduced pricing for X Premium is applicable for a limited period, with the offer valid till 2 December. After paying 89 for the first month, users will be charged 427 ( 470 if you pay on the app) from the next month onwards.

Moreover, the offer is only applicable for new Premium subscribers, so if you are already a paying member of X, this offer is not for you.

How to get X Premium for  89 in India? Open the X app or website. Make sure you are logged into your account.

Navigate to your profile icon on the top left corner and select Premium from the sidebar.

You will now be shown different X subscriptions. Choose the Premium plan, which should show the promo price of 89.

Click on Subscribe and pay. You can make the payment using various methods like credit or debit cards, UPI, or app store payment if on mobile.

View full Image X Premium offer

What does X Premium offer X Premium allows users to get the blue tick verification mark on the platform. The subscription also gives priority to the user's posts and replies on X.

Premium tier users can edit posts, upload longer videos and even undo posts. They can also share posts of up to 25,000 characters, compared to the 280 character limit for free users.

Premium subscribers see fewer ads than free or basic tier users, although the experience is not completely ad free. In order to get the fully ad-free experience, you will either have to use an ad-blocker on web or buy the company's X Premium+ subscription.

The subscription also makes creators eligible for monetisation, meaning if their posts get good reach, X will pay them for it, similar to how the system works on YouTube.

Premium users also get access to downloading videos on the platform along with other features like creating a community, using bold and italics in posts, bookmark folders and the ability to use a custom X app icon on their device.
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, addresses the opening ceremony of the 7th China-Russia Energy Business Forum and reads out a congratulatory message from Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

BEIJING, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- The 7th China-Russia Energy Business Forum opened on Tuesday in Beijing. Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang addressed the opening ceremony and read out a congratulatory message from President Xi Jinping.

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that the two heads of state have had several meetings and calls this year and again sent congratulatory messages to the forum, providing strategic guidance for continuously consolidating China-Russia comprehensive energy partnership.

The fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee has made strategic arrangements for China to expand high-standard opening-up and build itself into a leading nation in the field of energy, presenting new and significant opportunities for energy cooperation between China and Russia, Ding said.

China is willing to work with Russia to further implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, continuously deepen strategic collaboration in the energy sector, and constantly open up new vistas of win-win cooperation, he said, putting forward three proposals for deepening China-Russia energy cooperation.

First, he called on both sides to strengthen cooperation in the entire industrial chain to ensure the safe and stable operation of cross-border energy channels and the smooth flow of energy trade.

Second, both sides should enhance cooperation in energy transition, actively explore application scenarios, and tap into the potential for cooperation in renewable energy and other areas.

Third, he urged the two sides to strengthen multilateral collaboration to jointly promote the implementation of the Global Governance Initiative in the energy sector, injecting greater stability and certainty into the global energy market.

Igor Sechin, executive secretary of the Russian presidential commission for the strategic development of the fuel and energy sector and environmental security, and chief of Russian oil company Rosneft, addressed the opening ceremony and read out a congratulatory letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak also delivered a speech.

After the opening ceremony, Ding met with the Russian high-level delegation attending the forum.

The forum focused on strengthening high-level strategic alignment between China and Russia to continuously consolidate the comprehensive energy partnership. The opening ceremony saw the attendance of around 400 representatives from China and Russia.

Editor: Zhang Zhou
Ahead of CEO Satya Nadella's planned visit to India next month, Microsoft has shared fresh details on its AI-skilling efforts in the country. The tech giant revealed new progress on its micro-degree model along with early placement outcomes.

During his visit to India in January this year, Nadella had committed to training 10 million Indians in AI by 2030. In a fresh blogpost today, the company said it has crossed the halfway mark, having trained 5.6 million people in just 10 months.

Puneet Chandok, President, Microsoft India and South Asia, said in a release, India stands at a defining moment in its AI journey, and what sets this moment apart is the nations resolve to make AI opportunity inclusive. At Microsoft, we see skilling as the cornerstone of this transformation.

By combining Indias scale of talent with its strong digital foundation, and by partnering with the Government of India, MSDE, and DGT, we are embedding AI learning into vocational institutions and communities nationwide. This is more than a program  its a movement to build a future-ready workforce, he added.

Microsoft says it has partnered with the Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and is offering a one-year micro-degree titled AI Programming Assistant across 33 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) in India. The company also noted that the programme requires at least 50 percent of its intake to be women.

As an example, Microsoft highlighted the NSTI Bengaluru model, which involves 1,600 hours of instruction and covers Python, Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing (NLP), and GenAI fundamentals.

Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, said in a release, As AI reshapes the world of work, our skilling approach must evolve to match the pace of innovation and opportunity it brings.
SEOUL, South Korea  South Korea launched its largest satellite yet on its nationally developed space rocket early Thursday, the fourth of six planned launches through 2027.

The three-stage Nuri rocket lifted off from the countrys spaceport on an island off the southwestern coastal county of Goheung. Aerospace officials said the rocket placed a 516-kilogram science satellite and 12 microsatellites into a target orbit about 600 kilometers above Earth. The Korea Aerospace Administration was expected to verify in the coming hours whether the satellites were successfully transmitting signals.

The main satellite is equipped with a wide-range airglow camera to observe auroral activity and separate systems for measuring plasma and magnetic fields and for testing how life-science experiments perform in space.

The dozen smaller cube satellites, developed by university teams and research institutions, include GPS systems to study Earths atmosphere, infrared cameras to track plastic in the oceans, and systems for testing solar cells or communication equipment.

Thursdays event was the countrys first launch involving a Nuri rocket since May 2023, when it successfully placed a 180-kilogram observation satellite into orbit, and the fourth overall since its first attempt in October 2021, which failed to deliver a dummy device.

Further launches are planned in 2026 and 2027 as part of a multiyear project to advance the countrys space technologies and industries, and to reduce the gap with leading Asian space powers, such as China, Japan and India.

Nuri is a three-stage rocket powered by five 75-ton-class engines in its first and second stages and a 7-ton-class engine in its third stage, which releases the payloads at the desired altitude. Its the countrys first space launch vehicle built primarily with domestic technology, a core asset for a nation that had largely relied on other countries to launch its satellites since the 1990s.

The Naro Space Center, South Koreas lone spaceport, saw its first successful launch in 2013 with a two-stage rocket built with Russian technology, following years of delays and repeated failures. The rocket reached its target altitude during its first test in 2009 but failed to deploy a satellite, and then exploded shortly after liftoff during its second test in 2010.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was reportedly disappointed after news emerged that Armenia had decided not to purchase Indias Tejas fighter jets. The planned contract, valued at 1.2 billion USD for 12 aircraft, was being negotiated between the Armenian government and the Indian aircraft manufacturer HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited).

According to reports, Armenias decision was influenced by the recent crash of a Tejas fighter jet at the Dubai Airshow. The aircraft had been brought to the event to demonstrate its capabilities to potential buyers, but the crash and the death of the pilot raised concerns.

As a result, the negotiations were halted and the contract is no longer being pursued.
U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump depart the White House in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 25, 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he has directed his special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in hope of finalizing a peace deal on the Ukraine crisis. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he has directed his special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in hope of finalizing a peace deal on the Ukraine crisis.

"In the hopes of finalizing this Peace Plan, I have directed my Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with President Putin in Moscow and, at the same time, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will be meeting with the Ukrainians," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

"The original 28-Point Peace Plan, which was drafted by the United States, has been fine-tuned, with additional input from both sides, and there are only a few remaining points of disagreement," Trump said, adding that his team has made "tremendous progress" over the past week.

Trump said he looks forward to hopefully meeting with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky soon, but only when the peace deal is final or in its final stages.

The U.S.-proposed 28-point peace plan was unveiled last week.

Following its release, representatives from the United States, Ukraine and several European countries met in Geneva on Sunday to discuss the plan.

On Monday and Tuesday, U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll held talks with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi on the draft, according to a statement from the U.S. Army.

U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump depart the White House in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 25, 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he has directed his special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in hope of finalizing a peace deal on the Ukraine crisis. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

Editor: Zhang Zhou
At the 70th Cork Film Festival, Theocracy The Emigrants Artist based on the life of Bernard Canavan, Artist and Historian, who was formerly from Edgeworthstown, premiered to the world. Taking place on Monday, November 10, this documentary focused on the journey of Bernard Canavans (80) search for his identity.

Directed by Se Merry Doyle, and produced by his wife, Rosalind Scanlon, Se came to chat to the Longford Leader about the creation of his 90-minute documentary, how it was filmed in six months over two years, and what the audience reacted with when they saw it at the festival. Se is a renowned Irish documentary maker, who set up Loopline Film, his production company in 1992 with one abiding guideline: that the films must endure the test of time. Loopline soon became a force in creative documentary in Ireland and throughout the globe and it is a testament to Ses vision that his films still get special archival screenings and are used as educational tools in several universities.

PICTURES | Longford Variety Group's "Here We Go Again" makes auditorium buzz



I came across Bernard, and knew that he got a presidential award, but he was by no means rich. They were planning an exhibition. Id no money but started to film, build material. I couldnt get funding in Ireland. I showed previews of the material and auctioned paintings. I almost completed all the filming in London. The main thing I wanted was to bring him to Edgeworthstown. The money I raised made it happen. That was an emotional time, particularly for the orphanage in Blackrock.



Bernards orphanage was called the House of Shame, and both Se and Rosalind commented how children there were treated abominably. When Bernard was adopted by the Canavans, he was in hospital due to being very ill.

The whole darkness of the orphanage is highlighted in this film, but more different than any film because that story was told by interviews. This is done through the paintings that Bernard has created.



Bernard Canavans works show emigrants leaving loved ones, digging the roads and nurses working in the NHS. He documented these people who sent money back to their families.



He will be remembered for all time, added Se. Michael D Higgins gave him the presidential award. Beyond the paintings, he had a magical eye, Hes highly intelligent. When he was in the Dublin orphanage, Mrs. Canavan, who was born to an Irish family, came to Edgeworthstown and she married but said they were too old. She took him home to Edgeworthstown and educated him; taught him to read and write. One gift he had at 12 was that he was a great painter.



The narrative was looking for his mother, who he did find. She had gone to England and was beautiful and became a model for L'Oreal, the face of posters.



Then she went to America, married a rich man with a ballroom. He only found out who she was, she had died in a car crash. There is a potent image beside her grave. The narrative outside the painting was finding who he was.

PICTURES | Hugh Farrell launches The Warriors in Longford Library



Se mentioned the Maria Edgeworth Centre, where the curator put his paintings in a museum, and Maria Edgeworth was known for looking after children.



Matt Farrell, a long-time volunteer at the centre, said the following:



The film interduces the audience to the stirring paintings of Bernard. It is also an intimate portrait of a man whose distressing backstory has yielded a remarkable catalogue of work.



His collection on emigration forms a permanent exhibition at the Maria Edgeworth Centre. Despite emigrating in 1959 Bernard has maintained contact with a number of people in the town and often visits the town.



The invested Cork Festival audience was said to be gobsmacked, very emotional and very angry at the story, but taken by it. This led to a long Q & A session which then extended into the lobby, with Canavan present.





"Theocracy" is a new collection through which Bernard dares to confronts what the Catholic Church did to him and thousands of other unfortunates who found themselves in orphanages and Mother and Baby homes in 20th century Ireland.
Elisha Stokes is a successful businesswoman, in-demand model, influencer, not to mention the title holder of 2024 makeup influencer of the year. As of recent days however, she can also add 'bride-to-be' to that list!

There were big celebrations in the Stokes' household in Granard this week as Elisha announced her engagement to boyfriend, Martin Mahoney.

Speaking to the Longford Leader, Elisha, owner of Elisha's Beauty Salon in Granard, recalled how she and Martin first met. "Were a modern love story - we met on Instagram, bonding first over Formula 1 and my dog Cooper, and before we knew it we were texting every day."

Elisha added, "Since then weve had nonstop adventures: early dates while he hobbled around on crutches, trips to Galway (my home away from home now!), Vegas, Monaco, Tenerife, Nice, Iron Maiden concerts, and even a Manchester United game he somehow convinced me to go to."

Two months after Martin and Elisha first began messaging on Instagram, they went on their first date in Athlone.

Last Saturday, Martin brought Elisha back to the location where they first met in person ... and proceeded to get down on one knee while there!

"Martin brought everything full circle by proposing in the exact same place a few days ago!" Elisa smiles. "Our families are over the moon for us, and were excited to enjoy being newly engaged - wedding date to come!"

Read More: Longford Entrepreneur Wows on the Red Carpet at Special Screening of Downton Abbey Movie
There has been a hugely positive reaction to the inclusion of the long-awaited N4 MullingarLongford upgrade in the Governments updated National Development Plan, which has been described as 'essential for economic growth and safety'.

Local Oireachtas members have described the confirmation on Wednesday that the N4 upgrade from Mullingar through Longford to Roosky is to proceed to the next approval stage with construction scheduled in the coming decade as a major boost.

Longford TD Micheal Carrigy said he was 'delighted' by the positive development.

Im here this morning on the N4 Mullingar bypass on my way to Dublin.

"Im delighted that todays announcement of the National Development Plan includes the extension of this project from Mullingar right through Longford to Roosky in County Leitrim.

The Fine Gael representative emphasised the importance of the upgrade for both economic growth and public safety.

This project is absolutely essential for the economic future of the Midlands and the North-West, but also for the safety of motorists using this section of road.

"There are over 500 private entrances on this stretch alone, and unfortunately we have seen a significant number of collisions and fatalities over the years.

The Government has said the major project, currently in the Strategic Assessment and Preliminary Business Case stage, is estimated to cost between 500 million and 1 billion.

It has been listed in the National Development Plan as one of Irelands Major National Roads Projects, scheduled to proceed to Approval Gate 1 (AG1) by 2030, with construction to follow.

Deputy Carrigy said the Governments commitment to the project is a major step forward.

Im very pleased to see the Government put the funding and planning commitment in place to deliver this over the next decade. This is a life-saving project and a key driver for investment, jobs and balanced regional development.

Local Fianna Fail Senator Joe Flaherty said the announcement gives county Longford and the Midlands a guarantee that the project will come to fruition.

"The surest certainty of the long awaited N4 upgrade from Mullingar to Longford has emerged with the projects inclusion in todays NDP Sectoral Plan for transport.

This Sectoral Plan provides specific details on major national roads projects (est costr 200m plus) and where it is expected to see construction start, or main works procurement start, by 2030.

"This level of detail now provides clarity on the projects viability for the first time.

Senator Flaherty said currently the N4 project team are working on design after the route selection earlier this year and todays news confirms that the project will go to procurement in early 2030 and actual construction work to start same year.

The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke said he was very pleased by the inclusion of the long-awaited project in the NDP.

Todays approval is a major step forward in delivering the upgrade of the N4. Communities along this stretch of road have been calling for action for a very long time, and this decision finally gives the project the momentum it needs.

This road has been an accident hotspot for too long. With more than 900 junctions and an outdated layout, it poses real risks for local families, commuters, and businesses every single day. The upgrade is essential not just for economic development, but for public safety.

The Longford-Westmeath representative also highlighted the projects importance for enterprise and regional development.

The N4 is a critical link between Dublin, the Midlands, and the North-West, supporting industry, tourism, logistics, and commuting, he added.

READ NEXT: Engagement joy for Longford influencer, Elisha Stokes

READ NEXT: Will Longford farmers be under pressure for Slurry Storage this winter?
Rusted rifles found by Israeli troops after clashes with terrorist cells in Rafah on November 26. (IDF)

On November 25, Hamas released the body of Dror Or, an Israeli who was killed during the attack on Israel led by the group on October 7, 2023. Or was one of three deceased hostages still held in Gaza, despite Hamass responsibility to immediately turn over all captives upon agreeing to the ceasefire with Israel on October 13. The transfer of Ors body took place as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continued to confront Hamas terror cells in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, and ceasefire violations continued to raise questions about the future of the deal.

On November 26, Israeli authorities confirmed that the body turned over late on Tuesday belonged to Or. Or, 48, was murdered by Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists on October 7, 2023, and his body was taken captive from Kibbutz Beeri, The Times of Israel noted. His wife was also killed in the attack, and their two children were kidnapped and returned in the first ceasefire deal on November 25, 2023. Hamas is obligated under the ceasefire deal to turn over all the hostages, even those killed and held by other groups, such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad, that also participated in the October 7 attack.

The hostage transfer occurred amid continued tensions over the ceasefire. For instance, on November 26, the IDF said that Israeli troops identified 6 terrorists, who most likely emerged from an underground terror infrastructure in Rafahposing a threat to IDF troops. The Israeli military conducted an airstrike as the individuals attempted to flee. Troops from the IDFs Nahal Brigade then searched the building, where they identified one terrorist who had been killed in the strike, along with three additional armed terrorists who the forces subsequently engaged and killed, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Rafah is one of the areas in Gaza that the IDF still controls as part of the ceasefire deal, along with around half of the territory delineated by what is called the Yellow Line. This division of the territory is expected to continue until the ceasefire progresses into subsequent phases.

In Rafah, a number of Hamas suspects were killed in November, and the IDF estimates it has eliminated more than 20 terrorists there in the past week. The numerous incidents in Rafah appear to be linked to reports in early November that up to 200 Hamas fighters were hiding in several tunnels under the city. These individuals are the remnants of the Hamas Rafah Brigade, which the IDF has confronted several times over the two-year war.

Another challenge for the IDF in Gaza is dealing with threats along the Yellow Line. Suspected terrorists continue to cross the dividing line and threaten Israeli forces almost daily. For example, late in the day on November 26, the IDF said it had struck a terrorist who was about to carry out a sniper attack against Israeli troops.

The clashes on November 26 followed a significant rise in tensions on November 23, when the IDF carried out airstrikes in response to ceasefire violations. Reports indicate that Hamas was prepared to totally call off the ceasefire, although this did not happen.

As daily tensions over the ceasefire continue, Israeli media outlets have reported that Israel is ready to return to fighting Hamas to disarm the terrorist group. In addition, several non-Hamas militias have continued to emerge in Gaza, reportedly operating in areas controlled by the IDF.

On the humanitarian front, the US-backed Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in southern Israels Kiryat Gat is involved in streamlining aid transfers. This effort has led the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which began operations in the territory in May, to end its work. The GHF said it had delivered 187 million meals to Gaza over the past five months. The organizations operations appeared to have wound down since the ceasefire, as it stopped daily reports on aid distributions.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024).
Death announcement for Haitham Ali Tabatabai. (Hezbollah Military Media)

On Sunday, September 23, 2025, an Israeli airstrike targeted the third and fourth floors of a residential building on Al Arid Street in the Haret Hreik neighborhood of Beiruts southern Dahiyeh suburbs with three missiles. The strike killed Hezbollahs de facto chief of staff, Haitham Ali Tabatabai, and four other Hezbollah operativesQassem Hussain Berjawi, Mustafa Asaad Berro, Rifaat Ahmad Hussain, and Ibrahim Ali Hussainand wounded 28 people.

It was Israels first strike on Beirut since June 5, 2025, when it targeted a Hezbollah drone production facility. It was also the most high-profile assassination of a Hezbollah figure by the Israelis since the November 27, 2024, ceasefire went into effect.

Who was Tabatabai?

According to Hezbollah, Haitham Ali Tabatabai, aka Abu Ali Tabatabai, was born on November 5, 1968, in Bashoura, a neighborhood of Beirut just south of the Grand Serail seat of government and Nejmeh Square. According to some sources, his father was an Iranian, while his mother was Lebanese.

Tabatabais official eulogy says he joined the ranks of the Islamic Resistance at their foundation and underwent several military and command training courses. Hezbollah posthumously credited Tabatabai, 57 years old at the time of his death, with over 40 years of secret jihadist activity. However, as Hezbollahs official genesis dates to June 1982, when Tabatabai would have been 13, it is likelier that he joined its ranks sometime in the mid to late 1980s, which would place him on the cusp between the organizations founding and second generations.

From there, Tabatabai gradually rose in the organizations ranks. Hezbollah claims he had a central role in repelling the Israeli aggression against Lebanon in 1993 and 1996, referring, respectively, to Israels Operation Accountability and Operation Grapes of Wrath against Hezbollah. The groups eulogy, however, does not elaborate on Tabatabais specific role during those two conflicts.

During the 1990s, Tabatabai also commanded more routine operations against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. Between 1996 and May 25, 2000 (the date of Israels withdrawal from south Lebanon), he was given command of operations in the Nabatieh Sector of south Lebanon. Tabatabai was also one of the operational commanders of Hezbollahs October 7, 2000, cross-border raid in the Har Dov/Shebaa Farms, in which three Israeli soldiers were ambushed and kidnapped. The Hezbollah squad conducting the operation hit the Israeli patrol with a rocket, entered Israeli territory in a Range Rover after blasting a hole in the frontier fence, seized the captive soldiers, and quickly returned to Lebanon. The three soldiers bodies were returned to Israel in a prisoner swap on January 29, 2004.

Subsequently, Tabatabai was given command of Hezbollahs Khiam Sector between November 2000 and 2008. During that time, he commanded the groups operations there during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War.

After the assassination of Hezbollahs then-Chief of Staff Imad Mughniyeh on February 12, 2008, Tabatabai took command of Hezbollahs strike forces, which he reorganized as the Radwan Force commando unit, named in honor of the fallen Mughniyeh. Tabatabai then set about improving the Radwan Forces capabilities.

When the Syrian Civil War broke out, Hezbollah said Tabatabai was among Hezbollahs commanders who planned and led operations against Islamic State and Al Nusrah Front militants on Lebanons eastern borders. This detail suggests that Tabatabi played a key role in Hezbollahs involvement in the 2017 Battle of Arsal.

Hezbollah says that in subsequent years, Tabatabai was tasked with senior leadership roles within the [Iran-led] Resistance Axis on various fronts, without specifying the nature or location of those roles. The statement on Tabatabais assassination issued by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), however, says that he also commanded Hezbollahs operations in Syria, including strengthening Hezbollahs entrenchment in th[at] country.

Strengthening the IDFs claim, Tabatabai was one of the intended targets of the Mazraat Amal airstrike in Syrias Quneitra on January 18, 2025. The strike killed six Hezbollah operatives, including Jihad Mughniyeh and field commander Mohammad Issad, plus Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Mohammad Ali Allahdadi. At the time, Tabatabei was erroneously assumed to have been killed in the explosion. Hezbollah has posthumously confirmed that he was an intended target of the Quneitra strike.

Tabatabai assumed a senior role in Hezbollahs Unit 3800, which is responsible for training and supporting Shiite militias in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. The United States Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Asset Control added Tabatabi to its Specially Designated Nationals list on October 20, 2016, and the State Department subsequently designated him as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) on October 26, 2016, both for Hezbollah-related activities in Syria and Yemen. Since then, the State Departments Rewards for Justice program offered a $5 million bounty for information on Tabatabai.

With the onset of the October 7 War, Hezbollah appointed Tabatabai to command the operations section of the Islamic Resistance, which he did until the war of attrition between Israel and Hezbollah escalated into a full conflict in late September 2024. At that time, Hezbollah claims, Tabatabai was one of the senior jihadi commanders who commanded and oversaw the groups operations in what it has dubbed the Battle of Uwli Al Bas, the phase of the war that lasted from late September to November 27, 2024. Hezbollah also claims he was the target of several Israeli assassination attempts during the year-long conflict. After the war, Hezbollah says, Tabatabai assumed responsibility for military leadership in the Islamic Resistance. In other words, he became Hezbollahs de facto chief of staff.

According to the IDF, between November 2024 and his assassination last Sunday, Tabatabais duties included leading the organizations regeneration. According to Israeli Army Radio, Tabatabai led this effort and Hezbollahs military command alongside Mohammad Haydar, who was previously deceased Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallahs senior security advisor, with responsibility for the groups forces in Syria and security-military affairs in south Lebanon. The IDF also said Tabatabai commanded most of the units in Hezbollah and worked hard to restore their readiness for war with Israel.

Tabatabais likely successors

Israel severely degraded Hezbollahs senior leadership during the 2023-2024 war. However, those cadres, including what the group dubs its Founding Generation, have not been entirely depleted. The likeliest potential successors include Mohammad Haydar and Talal Husni (or Hussain) Hamiyeh.

Mohammad Haydar

Mohammad Ali Haydar, also known as Abu Ali, was born on November 25 or October 2, 1959, according to various sources, in Qabrikha in the Nabatieh Governorates Marjayoun District.

Some sources claim Haydar began studying at the American University of Beiruts Institute of Applied Sciences in 1979, but never finished a degree. Haydar holds a certificate in vocational education and devoted many years to religious studies in Shiite seminaries in Lebanon and Iran.

Sometime in the 1980s, Haydar held an administrative post at Middle East Airlines (MEA), Lebanons national carrier, while also gradually integrating into Hezbollahs organizational structure. He subsequently resigned from MEA, devoting himself fully to organizational duties. Haydar has reportedly undergone several training courses within Hezbollah, including developing high-level strategies, supervisory management of individuals and institutions, strategic planning, and the techniques and terminology of political work. Precise dates for these life events are not publicly available.

Haydar has served as the director of Hezbollahs Al Manar Television and was the brother-in-law of Mohammad Afif, Hezbollahs former head of media affairs, whom Israel killed on November 17, 2024.

Haydar ran for election to the Lebanese parliament in 2005 and was elected to the 2005-2009 term for the Marjayoun-Hasbaya Districts. However, reports say he suddenly disappeared from political and media work after the assassination of Mughniyehwith whom he was very closein 2008, resigning his parliamentary seat.

All public traces of Haydar subsequently disappeared. After Mughniyehs assassination, he quickly rose in stature within Hezbollah, becoming one of the most influential founders of the groups security apparatus and overseeing its military operations room. According to some reports, global intelligence services believe Haydar became a field commander and then a jihadist commander, or a member of Hezbollahs Jihad Council. By late 2019, the US State Department described him as a senior leader within Hizballahs Jihad Council.

Haydar is known to have overseen Hezbollahs Unit/Bureau 113, which is part of the groups external operations architecture. In this role, Haydar oversaw several Hezbollah networks operating outside of Lebanon and was responsible for appointing commanders to many of the groups units. Some sources claim he was a target of one of the Israeli loitering munitions that hit Beirut on August 25, 2019, one of which exploded in Mahallet Maawad in Dahiyeh. This, some reports claim, is because of his involvement in Hezbollahs precision-guided missile program. On September 19, 2019, the State Department designated him as an SDGT.

Haydar has been described as one of former Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallahs advisors, and was also closely linked, perhaps by familial ties, to Wafic Safa, the head of Hezbollahs Liaison and Coordination Unit. He has also been described as the groups top security official, the head of Hezbollahs fighters in Syria, and the head of Hezbollahs military and security affairs in South Lebanon. It is likely in the latter capacity that he, as some reports claim, oversaw operations against Israel in late 2024.

By late 2023, Haydar was reportedly responsible for Hezbollahs classified military projects that the group manages alongside the IRGC-Quds Force, particularly its Unit 8000, which is responsible for transferring weapons and advisers directly to Latakia, Aleppo, and Damascus.

Israel reportedly targeted Haydar for assassination in Beirut on November 23, 2024, but apparently failed. After the war, he was reportedly appointed to head Hezbollahs military command alongside Tabatabai, and together they oversaw Hezbollahs regeneration efforts.

Talal Husni (or Hussain) Hamiyeh

Talal Hamiyeh has been floated as a potential candidate for Hezbollahs top military post since then-Chief of Staff Mustafa Badreddines assassination on May 12, 2016, and again after the assassination of Badreddines successor, Fuad Shukr, on July 30, 2024.

Like most of Hezbollahs military commanders, Hamiyeh, also known as Ismat Mayzarani and Abu Jaafar, is a shadowy figure, earning him the moniker the ghost. Underscoring this ambiguity, his dates of birth are variously given as November 27, 1952; March 05, 1958; December 08, 1958; or March 18, 1960. His place of birth is likewise disputed. The United States Government has stated his place of birth as Sujud, in the South Lebanon Governorates Jezzine District, or Taraya in the Baalbek-Hermel Governorates Baalbek District. Other sources say Brital, in the Baalbek District.

Before joining Hezbollah, Hamiyeh worked as an administrative employee at Beirut International Airport until 1982. He joined Hezbollah sometime in the mid-1980s, becoming part of the organizations founding generation and operating out of the Burj al Barajneh neighborhood of Dahiyeh, just northeast of the airport. At the time, he was tasked with recruitment in that area and oversaw several Hezbollah operatives who, in time, would become some of the groups most significant operational commanders. In short order, Hamiyeh would become Imad Mughniyehs deputy and, in that capacity, has been linked to:

Attacks against US personnel and assets in Lebanon, including the US Embassy bombing in Beirut on April 18, 1983, and the Marine Corps Barracks Bombing on October 23, 1983, though this is not confirmed.

The hijacking of TWA Flight 847 on June 14, 1985.

The 1992 Israeli Embassy and 1994 AMIA Jewish Community center bombings in Buenos Aires, based on an intercepted call with Mughniyeh in which he describes the bombings as our project in Argentina.

The 1996 Khobar Towers Bombing in Saudi Arabia.

In addition to working closely with Mughniyeh, Hamiyeh is reported to have worked alongside Mustafa Badreddine and Ahmad Vahidi, the latter of whom previously served as the head of the IRGCs Qods Force. Hamiyeh has also reportedly been a senior member of Hezbollahs Jihad Council since 2008. Some reports suggest he was appointed in 2011 to replace Badreddine as the commander of Hezbollahs military operations after Badreddine was implicated in former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariris assassination on February 14, 2005.

A 2011 report also indicated that Hamiyeh was closely linked to then-Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, stating that he answer[ed] directly to Nasrallah and to then-Qods Force commander Qassem Soleimani. On September 13, 2012, the US Treasury Department designated Hamiyeh for providing support to Hizballahs terrorist activities in the Middle East and around the world. On October 10, 2017, the State Departments Rewards for Justice Program offered a $7 million reward for information on him.

Hamiyehs last confirmed post was as the commander of Hezbollahs External Security Organization, also known as Unit 910. This unit is responsible for planning operations and attacks outside of Lebanon that target Israelis and Americans, according to the US State Department.

David Daoud is Senior Fellow at at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies where he focuses on Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon affairs.
UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has recorded 106 Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon since the cessation of hostilities was announced on Nov. 27 last year, a UN spokesperson said Tuesday.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, told a daily briefing that the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has warned that almost a year since the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel, attacks by the Israel Defense Forces continue on Lebanon, causing civilian deaths and destruction, alongside worrying threats of wider violence.

Just last Saturday, UNIFIL peacekeepers observed four Israeli air strikes in three locations in the mission's area of operation in southern Lebanon, all in Sector East, he said.

"Such strikes are in violation, not only of Lebanese territorial sovereignty, but of Security Council resolution 1701 as well," said the spokesperson, calling on all parties to uphold their ceasefire obligations in good faith.

Peacekeepers also discovered multiple items of unexploded ordnance, including mortar and artillery shells, and a rocket, in Sector West and in Sector East, which were all referred to the Lebanese Army for disposal, he said.

UNIFIL peacekeepers have discovered more than 300 items of unexploded ordnance over the last year, according to the spokesperson.

Editor: Xiong Jian
At a glance Expert's Rating Pros Excellent sound quality

Good build quality

Bluetooth and AirPlay 2 for wireless audio Cons Expensive

No 3.5mm or USB-C connectors Our Verdict These stereo speakers are more expensive than their one-piece rivals, but they product a powerful, expansive sound that is ideal for listening to music or upgrading the sound on your TV. Theyre well connected too, with both Bluetooth and AirPlay 2 for wireless audio. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today

Best Prices Today: Audio Pro A28 W

Retailer Price Check Product Price

Audio Pro recently updated its entire range of speakers with a new W Generation that puts the emphasis on wireless connectivity and streaming. We liked its C10 MKII W, which provides Hi-Fi sound quality in a compact, one-piece design that makes it a good rival for Apples HomePod. But, of course, many people still prefer proper stereo speakers, and Audio Pros new range does include a number of stereo speakers of different sizes, starting with the new A28 W at $720/500.

The A28 W is described as a set of bookshelf speakers but theyre fairly large, with each speaker standing 238mm high, 150mm wide and 200mm deep. The two speakers just about fit onto my desk, sitting on either side of my trusty 27-inch iMac, but theyll probably be more at home on a larger bookshelf or on a stand when connected to a TV.

The speaker cabinets are made of MDF, which feels very sturdy and also helps to reduce vibrations that might affect the sound quality. The A28 W is available in black or white, or with a walnut wood finish (although for some reason the walnut finish costs a little more in the UK, at 540).

You can remove the front grilles for a retro look, or leave them on for a cleaner, more minimalist style. Audio Pro

Inside each cabinet youll find a 4.5-inch woofer for handling the mid-range and lower frequencies, along with a 1-inch tweeter for the higher frequencies. There are removable fabric grilles provided with each speaker, so you can decide whether you prefer a minimalist look with the grille covering the speaker drivers, or perhaps remove the grille for a more retro look with the drivers exposed.

The A28 W requires mains power, with a power socket on the left-hand speaker, which then uses a single cable to provide power and audio to the right-hand speaker. Each speaker provides 75W output  150W total  so theres more than enough power for the A28 W to act as your main music system or to beef up the sound on your TV.

As mentioned, the W refers to the speakers emphasis on wireless connectivity, and the A28 W provides Bluetooth for a quick and easy connection to your mobile devices, with support for Apples AAC codec (although theres no aptX for Android users). However, the speakers also provide dual-band Wi-Fi for connecting to your home network (2.4GHz and 5.0GHz), with support for AirPlay 2 for Apple devices, along with Google Cast.

Despite that focus on wireless audio, the A28 W provides some useful wired inputs too. The back panel of the left-hand speaker provides stereo RCA inputs and one digital optical input for use with other hi-fi equipment, and an HDMI-ARC interface for a TV. And, for Hi-Fi buffs who like to build their own system, theres also one more RCA connector that allows you to connect to an external sub-woofer as well.

Its a shame, though, that such an expensive speaker doesnt include a standard 3.5mm or USB-C connector for wired audio too. There are no audio cables included either, so youll need to provide those for yourself if you want to use a wired connection. However, Audio Pro does include a handheld remote control for controlling playback and switching between different input options. We have more AirPlay speakers in our round up, see Best AirPlay speakers for iPhones and Apple Music.

As well as Bluetooth and wi-fi, the speakrs include a number of wired connections for use with a TV or hi-fi equipment. Audio Pro

You can also control the various audio settings using the Audio Pro app, which includes a 10-band equaliser for fine-tuning the sound, along with a variety of presets, such as bass booster and gaming. Support for AirPlay means that you can play audio from any apps or streaming services on your Apple devices, but the Audio Pro app also includes direct support for Amazon Music and Spotify, as well as services such as SoundCloud and BBC Radio in the UK.

But, of course, the main selling point for the A28 W is its ability to create an expansive stereo sound that is far more immersive and atmospheric than one-piece speakers such as Apples HomePod. It creates an airy cloud of sound when streaming Enyas Orinoco Flow from Apple Music. Her multi-tracked vocals are silky smooth as they float through the air, and the A28 W is powerful enough to fill the room around me even on just 40% of maximum volume. The A28 W anchors the hazy sound with the weighty bass drum, but is still able to pick out lighter details such as the gentle cymbals and synth keyboards.

The A28 W has no trouble handling a change of mood as I turn the volume up a little and switch to the sinister dance groove of Prime Evil by The Orb. It digs deep for the tracks slinky bass riff, and theres a nervous jangling energy to the ticking percussion that sounds like someone pulling their hair out. The percussion piles up as the song progresses, but the A28 W keeps the sound clear and precise as it builds into a kind of musical maelstrom that could fill the dance-floor at a house party.

Should You Buy The A28 W?

Some people will prefer the more compact design of one-piece speakers such as the HomePod or Audio Pros C10 MKII W. But, if you want the more expansive, spacious sound provided by true stereo speakers then the A28 W is hard to beat. Its fairly expensive, but the sound quality is excellent, with more than enough power to act as your main music system, or as part of a home cinema set-up. And, of course, its support for AirPlay 2 makes it ideal for use with Apple devices.
Manchester, VT (05254)

Today

Mostly cloudy with snow showers around this morning. High 23F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 11F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.
Photo: https://t.me/svyrydenkoy/

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has allocated UAH 609 million to finance the eRecovery program and simplified the procedure for receiving compensation for housing in shared ownership, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko reported.

"About 9,000 more Ukrainian families will receive compensation to repair housing damaged by Russian aggression. Today, the government is allocating UAH 609 million to the Ministry of Development to fund the eRecovery program. These funds give families the opportunity to repair their homes," wrote Svyrydenko in a Telegram post following Wednesdays government meeting.

Additionally, she stated that the government has simplified the procedure for receiving compensation under the eRecovery program for housing in joint ownership.

"Now, if one of the co-owners leaves, does not respond, or does not participate in maintaining the property, this will not prevent the receipt of assistance. The other co-owner will be able to apply for compensation according to a simplified procedure, without unnecessary delays," wrote the prime minister.

She believes this decision will enable people to begin repairing damaged housing more quickly and return it to use, even when obtaining the consent of all co-owners was impossible.

Svyrydenko also said that, in total, more than 116,000 families have received compensation for restoring damaged housing under the eRecovery program.
Traffic on Tremont Street slowed, passersby glanced up and a sea of cellphones pointed skyward on Tuesday morning when a crane lifted a historic railcar into the construction site of the new Holocaust Museum Boston  set to open in late 2026.

The railcar, weighing more than 12 tons and more than 30 feet in length, will be a focal point of the citys newest museum  visible from a protruding fourth-floor bay window facing out to the northeast corner of Boston Common.

Discovered in a junkyard in the Balkan country of North Macedonia, the railcar is believed to be the type the Nazis used to transport Jews and other victims of the Holocaust to extermination camps across Europe, according to the museum.

This railcar is not just wood and steel. Its not just an artifact. Its a witness. A witness carries truth forward when people can no longer speak for themselves, said Jody Kipnis, the CEO, president and co-founder of Holocaust Legacy Foundation  the group behind the new museum.

People would have been locked inside such railcars from the outside, deprived of food, water, heat and the basic dignity of being seen as human beings while they were shuttled against their will in overcrowded conditions, Kipnis added.

Due to its sheer size, the museum said the meticulously restored railcar could not be installed after the structures final build-out. Therefore, the decision was made to construct the building around the railcar instead.

Read More: Rarely seen paintings from artist Winslow Homer go on display at MFA Boston

Once construction is completed, the railcar will be viewable from street level, though partially obscured by the buildings exterior walls and cladding.

The design aims to present a visual effect in which passersby see museum visitors enter the railcar from the window, but do not see them exit.

The museum called it a visible reminder of the millions of Jews who were transported to their deaths in railcars just like this one.

The Nazi-era railcar was donated to the museum by Sonia Breslow of Scottsdale, Arizona, who has a personal connection to the Holocaust and to the region.

Breslows father, Joseph Polonski, was a survivor of the Treblinka extermination camp in Poland  where hundreds of thousands of Jews were systematically brought by railcar and killed by the Nazis.

Less than 70 Jews survived Treblinka, according to Kipnis. Polonski was among the few who were able to successfully escape the camp.

He later immigrated to Boston after World War II, rebuilding his life in Massachusetts.

Read More: Springfield mans Holocaust mystery rewrites a family story

The citys famed Freedom Trail passes the Holocaust Museum Boston site.

Kipnis said the visibility of the railcar will force people to confront the cost of indifference, which remains relevant into todays world.

The Holocaust was not carried out by Nazis alone, Kipnis said. It was carried out by people. Ordinary people, who kept the trains running, who stamped the papers, who followed schedules, who chose silence over courage.

The machinery of genocide ran because countless individuals did their everyday jobs and looked away, she added.

This railcar asks each of us, when we see hatred, will we speak? When we witness injustice, will we act? When silence feels easier, will we choose courage instead, Kipnis said. This is not just a relic. Its a call to conscience. Its a warning.

Other museum exhibits will include an interactive experience called Dimensions in Testimony, in which visitors engage in conversations with holographic-like representations of Holocaust survivors based on pre-recorded interviews.

Rick and Janice Lipof, members of the museum board of directors present for the milestone, said the railcar had always been central to the museums design since its inception.

Rick Lipof added that the buildings top two floors will be spaces designated for meetings and education with a direct view to the golden dome of the Massachusetts State House.

The couple indicated that the museums location, a prime downtown site close to the seat of democracy in the Commonwealth, was very much intentional.

Read More: Boston Bucket List: A museum that actually lets you play with exhibits

Located at 125 Tremont St.  just steps from the Park Street MBTA station  Holocaust Museum Boston said it will be the only museum in New England to be fully devoted to Holocaust history and education.

Holocaust Museum Boston is notably a separate entity from the six glass pillars of the New England Holocaust Memorial, situated next to Boston City Hall.
(L-R) Glen Matlock, Frank Carter and Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols perform on stage during the Teenage Cancer Trust show at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Picture date: Monday March 24, 2025. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images) Getty Images

English punk rock band the Sex Pistols have announced a new tour, this time without one of their founding members.

The band is set to play four tour dates in the United Kingdom next summer to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their first single, Anarchy in the U.K.

The tours lineup will include original guitarist Steve Jones, drummer Paul Cook and bassist Glen Matlock, who revived the band in 2024, but will replace original vocalist John Lydon with Frank Carter, according to Ultimate Classic Rock.

Lydon, who also goes by Johnny Rotten, hasnt performed with the band since 2008. He has made it clear that he will not reunite with the Sex Pistols again.

It annoyed me, Lydon said, according to Ultimate Classic Rock. I just thought theyre absolutely going to kill all that was good with the Pistols by eliminating the point and the purpose of it all.

He has also dismissed the new tour with Carter as karaoke.

Last year, the Sex Pistols were supposed to make stops in North America, but that leg of the tour was canceled after Jones broke his wrist, according to Ultimate Classic Rock. Those tour dates have yet to be rescheduled.

Next years tour will begin on July 11 in Halifax, England.

Sex Pistols were formed in 1975 by Jones, Cook, Matlock and Lydon. They are most well known for Anarchy in the U.K. and God Save the Queen. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.
A student at Babson College, headed to Texas for Thanksgiving, was detained at Logan Airport and deported to Honduras last week.

Any Lucia Lopez Belloca, 19, was at the Boston airport on Nov. 20 when she was told for the first time that she had a removal order from immigration authorities, her lawyer, Todd Pomerleau, told WCVB.

The young woman came to the United States from Honduras with her family when she was a young child, her attorney said. She made it through security before being stopped as she was about to board the plane, her attorney told The Boston Globe.

They wouldnt tell her why she was being detained. She didnt understand it at all, Pomerleau told the Globe. She was taken to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Burlington before being flown to Texas.

As of Wednesday, she remained in Honduras, WCVB reported.

Pomerleau did not immediately return a request for comment.

ICE confirmed that the agency, along with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, arrested Lopez Belloca at Logan.

"Lopez Belloca unlawfully entered the United States from Mexico. A Justice Department immigration judge ordered Lopez Belloca removed from the United States on June 2, 2015. Lopez Belloca was removed from the United States to Honduras on Nov. 22, 2025," an ICE spokesperson told WCVB.

Babson College sent a letter to students on Monday about the incident.

We understand that this news may feel unsettling, particularly for our students, faculty, and staff who may already be navigating uncertainty, the letter read. Our ability to share specifics is limited by law, but please know that our focus remains on supporting the student and their family, as well as the well-being of our community.
Using social media, a Springfield man posed as an adult modeling company, tricking women into providing explicit images and using those images to control them, federal officials said.

Bairon Ubeda, 45, was convicted by a federal jury of one count of possession of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of sexual exploitation of children in August. On Monday, he was sentenced to 40 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release.

The fraud started more than a decade ago.

Two Holyoke women testified in 2019 that they responded to solicitations via Facebook messaging for modeling work. They both submitted nude pictures of themselves to a person named Crystal and were told to meet with Ubeda. They said Ubeda threatened to distribute the nude photos if they didnt do what he wanted.

One woman testified she signed a contract with Ubeda. She had sex with him but then told him she wanted no more contact.

The woman testified Ubeda threatened to ruin her life by exposing the nude pictures if she didnt do what he said. He threatened to sue her and said the state Department of Children and Families would take her son away.

She testified she started paying Ubeda in 2014 and continued through early 2016. When she lost her job and could not pay him money, Ubeda demanded she have sex or do tasks like clean his home and do laundry.

Another girl, who was 15 when she first met Ubeda, was forced to pose naked for photos and videos. Ubeda also raped her. She said the power Ubeda had over her was his threat to spread the nude photos she had submitted.

She ultimately went to her mother when Ubeda kept threatening to put the nude photos out on social media. She said Ubeda sent her on her phone two photo collages he had made with the nude photos he took of her and the nude pictures she submitted. Her mother took her to Holyoke police.

Ubeda was arrested in 2016 and charged with 14 counts, including child rape and extortion. In 2019, he was found guilty and sentenced to 10-12 years in prison.

However, while he was on pre-trial release, officials said he committed additional disturbing offenses.

Ubeda coerced one woman to sexually abuse her three-year-old and document it for the purpose of producing child sexual abuse material for his gratification. If she did not comply, Ubeda threatened to send the materials and her identifying information to child protective services, so that she would lose custody of her children.

Ubeda is a vile predator who spent years exploiting fear, shame and manipulation to dominate his victims, including coercing the horrific sexual abuse of a defenseless three-year-old child. His conduct was calculated, deliberate and among the most disturbing crimes we see in federal court, said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley.

Ubedas lawyers asked for a 25-year sentence from the charges.

The defendant accepts that the heinous conduct for which he was found guilty warrants a lengthy period of confinement, his lawyers wrote. The only question is: how long is enough?

His lawyers argued a 40-year federal sentence in three to five years when his state prison sentence concludes would disincentive most inmates from participating in programming designed to foster rehabilitation.

Lawyers also noted Ubedas trauma history. He never knew his father and his mother died from cancer when he was 7.

His subsequent rearing was undertaken reluctantly by relatives who subjected him to sustained verbal, emotional, and physical abuse, court documents read.

He also dropped out of school in the eighth grade and spent time homeless, court documents state.

U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy, however, sentenced Ubeda to 40 years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release.

This sentence ensures that he can never again terrorize women or children, and it reaffirms our offices unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable from those who prey on them, Foley said in a statement.
A man initially sentenced to death in 1975 for the rape and murder of a 17-year-old Worcester girl after they got in a car crash has seen his case reconsidered more than once.

But even after 50 years of incarceration, the Massachusetts parole board is not yet ready to grant his release.

Stephen Richmond was convicted of first-degree murder on June 11, 1975 and sentenced to death. He was also convicted on one count of rape and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Richmond successfully appealed those convictions and had another trial in Worcester Superior Court. He was again convicted on those charges in March 1977  but was sentenced to concurrent life sentences without the possibility of parole.

Richmond had already been convicted in two additional, separate sexual assault cases at the time and was ordered to serve those sentences concurrently. This included up to 10 years in state prison for assault with intent to rape charges out of Barnstable County and up to 10 years for rape, kidnapping and armed robbery out of Worcester County.

The charges that led to Richmonds initial death sentence stem from the killing of a 17-year-old girl on Jan. 11, 1975, according to the Parole Boards decision.

At about 3:45 a.m., the girl was driving home to her parents house in Worcester after attending a party earlier that night. While passing through Paxton, Richmond struck her car.

Richmond argued with the teenager at the scene of the car crash, then dragged her, screaming, into his own car. He drove to an isolated area in Paxton where he severely beat and raped the girl, then strangled her.

Richmond dumped the 17-year-olds body on the side of the road, where she was found several days later. He later admitted to the murder during an interview with Worcester police.

However, in January 2024, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled in Commonwealth v. Mattis that sentencing people, ages 18 through 20 at the time of their offense, to life without the possibility of parole was unconstitutional and amounted to cruel and unusual punishment.

Massachusetts was the first state in the country to transform the law, experts said.

Essentially, the brains of what we are calling late adolescents or emerging adults function very much like juveniles, Northampton attorney Paul Rudof, one of the lawyers who successfully challenged life sentences for individuals aged 18 to 20, told The Republican .

There were 210 cases that fell into the Mattis decision across Massachusetts, including Richmond.

Besides Richmonds age at the time of the crime, Board members considered a doctors evaluation when he appeared before the Board in July. His nephew and friends testified in support, while the Worcester girls sister and three friends testified in opposition, along with Worcester County Assistant District Attorney Donna Haran.

Board members were concerned with Richmonds lack of accountability and insight, according to their decision dated Nov. 20. Given his age and health, he will be eligible again for another review in three years.

The courts Mattis decision has been devastating for the families of those killed, as they are forced to relive the trauma, often going in front of the parole board and the incarcerated individual to make their own case.

Families have described the process as a  nightmare , stating they feel betrayed and that the system is treating murderers as victims while their own pain is ignored. One family member during a previous hearing walked out, feeling as if his side wasnt being fairly heard after the incarcerated individual was told they did a good job.
A 56-year-old Massachusetts man was arrested and charged in connection with a disturbing scarecrow display in Concord.

On Sept. 22, Concord Police said they responded to the area of Monument Square for a report of a sign directed toward the Superintendent of the Concord and Concord-Carlisle Regional school districts.

Over the next several weeks, Concord Police responded to and investigated multiple reports of signs that were placed around town directed at the superintendent.

The signs were part of scarecrows that displayed messages such as Fire liar hunter, Muskets for musk? The hatch for hunter! and Hate, waste, bullying, higher taxes, according to WCVB.

Tracey Marano, Concord-Carlisle Regional School District School Committee chair, and Concord Public Schools School Committee Chair Andrew Herchek, called the displays disturbing and uncivil in a statement.

The Concord and Concord-Carlisle School Committees stand fully with Superintendent Hunter. She is a committed leader who continues to serve our students, staff and families with professionalism and care, the statement read.

Following a lengthy investigation, John Grace, of Concord, was arrested at his North Branch Road home Tuesday morning. He was charged with violation of harassment prevention order. The superintendent had filed for and was granted a harassment protection order against Grace in May.
Next week, the state Department of Correction will debut a new wellness hotline for incarcerated individuals, as part of its response to a recent rash of suicides at two of its prisons.

The DOCs existing contracted health care provider, VitalCore Health Strategies, will operate the overnight hotline from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., scheduled to roll out Dec. 1 across all facilities.

DOC Commissioner Shawn Jenkins said the new resource will provide direct access to qualified mental and medical health professionals when concerns arise and strengthen the continuum of mental health services already in place to support individuals in our care.

This added resource improves our ability to identify and respond promptly to individuals in need of support, he said.

Meanwhile, advocates for the incarcerated say the DOC needs to instead focus on more preventative measures, rather than attempts to address mental health crises after theyve already begun.

Earlier this month, the DOC announced it is taking system-wide clinical and safety actions, including an independent review process led by a forensic mental health expert, after six unexpected deaths have occurred at MCI-Norfolk and Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center since Sept. 20.

Four of those deaths are apparent suicides. As of Nov. 4, the DOC said there had been six apparent suicides in custody in 2025 (three at Souza, two at MCI-Norfolk and one at MCI-Shirley). Its an alarming increase over recent years  there werent any in 2024, while 2023 and 2022 each saw one.

Incarcerated people and their advocates, such as Prisoners Legal Services of Massachusetts, have been ringing the alarm over the worrisome concentration of deaths this fall, citing a storm of mental health, substance use issues (primarily the synthetic drug K2 that runs rampant across prisons and jails) and a perceived lack of treatment provided by the DOC to address both.

William Duclos, an incarcerated man who is part of the Norfolk Inmate Council, testified in front of the state Legislature last month about a sense of hopelessness that he believes led to at least two suicides of men who were struggling with K2 addiction and placed in Norfolks Behavioral Assessment Unit (BAU).

Instead of receiving treatment, Duclos contended, the men were subjected to punitive measures, a claim the DOC has denied.

BAUs are a type of segregated housing currently the subject of a class action lawsuit in Suffolk County Superior Court.

In a Nov. 7 letter where Duclous outlined numerous desired actions to address K2, he advocated for an outside provider to offer a substance use disorder hotline in the prisons, as well as a 24/7 suicide hotline.

Dave Rini, executive director for Prisoners Legal Services, questioned the hotline as announced by the DOC  because of its reactive approach and operation by VitalCore, the national for-profit carceral health care provider currently in a five-year, $770 million contract with the state of Massachusetts.

VitalCore has contracts in multiple states, including Mississippi, Michigan and Delaware, and has faced legal battles and scrutiny.

We need reforms that will prevent people from wanting to harm themselves in the first place, Rini said. Short staffing and copious reports of delayed and poor care from VitalCore raise serious concerns about a hotlines ability to address the broader crisis of suicidality.

Rini also raised concerns with reports from clients that the DOC responds to crises by putting them in BAUs, which he called solitary confinement conditions, a categorization with which the DOC also disagrees.

It is unclear how a hotline will be an improvement, Rini said. To meaningfully address suicidality, we must increase access to out-of-cell time, adequate mental health and substance use treatment, community connection, and meaningful pathways to release that provide hope.

Starting in 2018, the DOC was under investigation by the Department of Justice, which ultimately concluded the agency failed to provide adequate mental health treatment to prisoners experiencing a mental health crisis and instead exposes them to conditions that harm them or place them at serious risk of harm.

A settlement agreement was reached in 2022, instead of the DOJ filing a lawsuit.

Rini believes more consultation with incarcerated people and their advocates will strengthen the response to the current crisis.

What happens when someone calls the hotline?

In addition to mental health crisis services, the hotline will also assist incarcerated individuals with general medical questions and needs, the DOC said.

Available only overnight, the line will be monitored and answered by live health care professionals, according to the DOC. Outside of 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., individuals calling the hotline will be notified via an automated message to contact staff within their facility.

The hotline will be accessible from DOC-issued tablets and any of the facilities wall phones, the agency said.

According to the DOC, the live health care staff answering calls will create an individualized response based on the issue or concerns reported. Individuals requiring immediate intervention will be brought to the attention of the DOC in order to assist in facilitating a face-to-face medical interaction at the site, the agency said.

Jenkins, the DOCs commissioner, recently told the Boston Globe the department will also start playing an automated message at the start of phone calls with family members, urging them to alert staff to concerns about their loved one hurting themselves.

Asked by MassLive how the DOC responds to concerns reported by a family member, the agency said an immediate referral is placed to a health care professional within the facility. After conducting a comprehensive risk assessment, the provider may initiate a therapeutic supervision and create a comprehensive individualized treatment plan.
The mother of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitts nephew has been arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Revere.

Bruna Caroline Ferreira, the mother of Leavitts 11-year-old nephew, was arrested near Boston on Nov. 12, her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, told CNN.

Ferreira was brought to the U.S. by her parents when she was a child in 1998, according to a GoFundMe.

Since then, she has done everything in her power to build a stable, honest life here, the GoFundMe reads.

Her tourist visa required her to leave the country in June 1999, the Department of Homeland Security told CNN, adding that she also has a previous arrest for battery.

However, Pomerleau told WCVB that Ferreira has no criminal record.

Bruna has no criminal record whatsoever, Pomerleau said. I dont know where that is coming from. Show us the proof. Theres no charges out there. Shes not a criminal illegal alien.

Ferreira was also a former recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which grants temporary protection from deportation for those brought to the US as children, according to the news outlet. But she wasnt able to renew her status a few years ago during President Donald Trumps efforts to end the program.

DACA was created to shield recipients, commonly referred to as Dreamers, from immigration arrests and deportation. It also allows them to legally work in the U.S. Recipients reapply every two years. Previously if their status was in jeopardy, they would receive a warning and would still have a chance to fight it before immigration officers detained them and began efforts to deport them.

In response to questions about any changes, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a statement saying that people who claim to be recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are not automatically protected from deportations. DACA does not confer any form of legal status in this country. DACA recipients can lose status for a number of reasons, including if theyve committed a crime, she said.

About 20 DACA recipients who have been arrested or detained by immigration authorities since Trump took office in January, according to Home is Here, a campaign created by pro-DACA advocacy groups.

Michael Leavitt, the sons father, and Ferreira were previously engaged and have joint custody of their son, CNN reported. The 11-year-old lives with Michael Leavitt full-time but has maintained a relationship with his mother.

Brunas absence has been especially painful for her 11-year-old son, Michael Leavitt Junior, who needs his mother and hopes every single day that shell be home in time for the holidays, the GoFundMe reads, which had raised more than $16,000 Wednesday morning.

Ferreira is currently at an ICE facility in southern Louisiana, according to WCVB.

The Associated Press contributed to this reporting.
Two men were charged in connection with a fatal stabbing in Brockton on Monday afternoon and pleaded not guilty. A third suspect has yet to be arraigned, but he was arrested in Worcester.

Tony Gomes, 35, and Emerson Munguia, 19, pleaded not guilty to one count of murder in Brockton District Court. Both were held without bail. Tynigel Belgrave, 28, was arrested in Worcester and booked on a murder charge. He is set to appear in court on Wednesday.

At about 12:17 p.m., Massachusetts State Police were notified about a potential stabbing homicide in the area of Spring Street, according to Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruzs Office.

When they arrived, they found a man with five stab wounds, one of them to the neck, officials said. He was brought to Boston Medical Center South in Brockton, where he died from his injuries, officials said.

He was identified as Steevenson Estimphi, 27.

Troopers and Brockton police officers canvassed the surrounding area where the stabbing happened. Through video surveillance and interviews with witnesses, investigators learned that an altercation had happened outside the parking lot of Jeffs Place, an outreach program at 26 Spring Street, officials said.

Gomes and Munguia were brought back to the police station, interviewed and then arrested. Belgrave, 28, was also identified as a suspect.

Munguia and Gomes are due back in court on December 18.
A police department in Massachusetts is warning residents about an attempted scam involving the impersonation of a police chief.

A Lynn resident received a phone call Tuesday afternoon from a number that appeared falsely as Police Lynn with the departments actual number, according to the Lynn Police Department.

The caller, who had a heavy female accent, identified herself as Chief Chris Reddy and knew the residents name, email address and home address.

During the call, the scammer asked whether the resident had recently traveled to Mexico, Panama or Colombia, and claimed that the resident may have bought a chemical being delivered to their home that would contain fentanyl or cocaine, police said.

The scammer told the resident that this was a common scam used by drug cartels.

The scammer then threatened to call the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and have the resident arrested and imprisoned for 30 years if they disconnected the call or failed to follow instructions, police said.

The resident ultimately hung up the call, and police in Lynn are not sure whether the call was headed toward a demand for money.

The phone number used was spoofed to display the Lynn Police business line, Lynn police said. This is a scam. The Lynn Police will never call you and demand payment. Do not provide money or anything of value to anyone you do not know. Disconnect if you are contacted by these scammers and do not provide any information.
Ukraine imported 123,140 tonnes of potatoes per million in January-October 2025, which is 5.1 times more than the same period last year, the State Customs Service reported.

According to published statistics, the value of potato imports increased 4.8 times, reaching $66.086 million compared to $13.69 million a year ago. Most imports came from Poland (36.9% of the value), Egypt (13.7%), and the Netherlands (11.6%).

At the same time, Ukraines potato exports during the reporting period decreased by 13.4%, to 2,140 tonnes. However, in monetary terms, sales were more profitable, generating 2.4% more revenue ($521,000) than last year. The main buyers of Ukrainian potatoes were Moldova (58.5% of all exports), Azerbaijan (38.6%), and Singapore (0.6%).

In October 2025, Ukraine imported 359 tonnes of potatoes, 11.4 times less (4,090 tonnes) than in the same period last year, while exports increased 4.6 times, to 269 tonnes.

As reported, the 2024 season in Ukraine saw a poor potato harvest due to drought, extremely high temperatures, and a shortage of seed material.
Somerville residents attended a meeting of the city's Elections Commission Monday in support of a ballot question calling on city government to divest from companies that do business with Israel. Courtesy Somerville for Palestine

Somerville City Council has approved a resolution to study divesting city funds from companies that do business with Israel, officially taking action on a nonbinding ballot measure approved by voters on Nov. 4.

At the councils meeting Tuesday, councilors voted 9-2 to approve the resolution, which instructs them to draft and pass an ordinance in the next year. While members of the public who attended the meeting spoke about the impacts of the war in Gaza, most city councilors said they were chiefly concerned with following the will of the voters, who voted 55% in favor of this months ballot question.

This question received more votes than the vast majority of us, Councilor Willie Burnley Jr., who filed the resolution, told his colleagues before the vote. It is, in my view, based on the results, the will of our community to do all that we can to ensure that our municipal funds, whether they be invested in pensions or through contracts, are serving the values of our community, that they are used to build up schools, to improve peoples lives, and not to enrich corporations that are violating human rights.

Burnley originally filed the resolution ahead of the City Councils Nov. 13 meeting, but it was tabled until the following meeting due to a technicality of the Open Meeting Law.

The ballot measure, known as Question 3, was sponsored by the group Somerville for Palestine. Sara Halawa, one of the groups leaders, told the council Tuesday that she and her Palestinian-American family had been targeted locally due to their identity, including one of her young children being told not to speak about Palestine by a classmate.

My family has experienced the most acute heartache, racism and dehumanization as leaders locally and nationally make excuses and exceptions for Israel as it commits crime after crime against the Palestinian people, Halawa said. All we are saying is that Palestinians deserve the same rights and freedoms as everyone else. That Palestinians too deserve life, dignity and peace.

Mo Katz-Christy, another resident who spoke in favor of the resolution, pointed out that Somervilles pension fund has shares in the defense company Lockheed Martin, which provides arms to Israel.

How much can you prevent today by following the will of your constituents and voting to take our Somerville tax dollars out of genocide? Katz-Christy said. Refusing to support genocide is a shared Somerville value.

Other residents, however, spoke in strong opposition to the resolution. Sam Gechter told councilors that he and other Jewish community members saw it as antisemitic and anti-Israeli, going as far as to say the movement to boycott and divest from Israel as steps toward ethnic cleansing of Jews.

First we were hated for our religion, then we were hated for being of a lower race. Now we are hated for our nation state, he said. We see support for a boycott as clear support for the end of a Jewish state of Israel and support for the eventual, eventual forcible removal of half the worlds Jewish population from the only sanctuary Jews have.

City Councilor Kristen Strezo, who voted against the resolution alongside newly sworn-in Councilor Emily Hardt, agreed that the measure was discriminatory and said she believed it would also likely turn out to be illegal. She argued that the war in Gaza had nothing to do with our Somerville.

Jewish members of the community have stated that it makes us feel more targeted and more unsafe. Thats not being inclusive, she said.

Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen, however, pointed out that the resolution does not automatically go into effect, and only called for the council to create an ordinance in a manner that is practicable and legally feasible.

There is no universe in which I will support an ordinance ... that violates constitutional rights, that is discriminatory based on national origin or ethnicity or religion or other protected classes, or that is illegal in some other way, he said.
President Donald Trump has gone after Illinois Gov. JB Pritzkers appearance, calling the politician a fat slob.

I had a little bit of a JB Pritzker joke. I was gonna talk about Pritzker and size, the president said while pardoning turkeys Gobble and Wobble at the White House on Tuesday.

I have a very cute little joke, he continued. Some speech writer wrote some joke about his weight, but I would never want to talk about his weight. I dont talk about people being fat, I refuse to talk about the fact hes a fat slob.

Trump and Pritzker have clashed frequently in the past, recently over the governors firm stance against the administration deploying National Guard troops to Chicago.

When I talk about Pritzker, I get angry, because hes not letting us do the job, the president said Tuesday.

Pritzker has been named as one of the leading candidates for the 2028 Democratic primary. I cant rule anything out, he told Fox 32 Chicago about the possibility of running for president.

Pritzker has previously called the president a narcissist and claims he is suffering from dementia.
SPRINGFIELD  Mayor Domenic J. Sarno wrote to Gov. Maura T. Healey on Wednesday, sounding the alarm about the upcoming loss of some in-patient maternity care in the city.

Mercy Medical Center recently announced that as of Dec. 8, it is temporarily closing its Family Life Center in Springfield.

Although, they are saying it is temporary, Sarno wrote in his letter, this announcement, whether temporary or permanent will have a huge negative impact on the public health of not just the residents of the City of Springfield but all of Western Massachusetts, while also putting a dire strain on the resources and facilities at the only Level 1 trauma center in the region, Baystate Health.

Patients will be able to receive prenatal and postnatal care at Mercy, but will have to go elsewhere, like Baystate Medical Center, for delivery.

The hospital, owned by Trinity Health, is temporarily closing the center because of staffing, a spokesperson said.

We have made this difficult decision due to significant provider and nurse staffing constraints that have persisted over several months despite concerted efforts to recruit and retain FLC (Family Life Center) clinical colleagues, Mary Orr, a hospital spokesperson, said in a statement.

In his letter, Sarno told Healey he is concerned about this change and asked for support.

I respectfully ask your administration and the state Department of Public Health to help address this concern and do whatever possible to not only restore this vital public health and care service, he wrote, but also make sure that Springfield and Western Massachusetts does not lose this vital and much-need public health resource at Mercy Hospital.

At an event earlier this month, nurses questioned the hospitals decision. How can this happen? asked Dawn Seymour, a nurse who has worked at the center for decades. What is going to happen here  and why is the state allowing this?

Orr told The Republican that the hospital is in communication with the state. We have been in contact with representatives of the Department of Public Health regarding these ongoing challenges and have followed the appropriate regulatory processes throughout, she said.
ARTery owner Jeff Bianchine says his gallery features over over 150 local artists. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

HOLYOKE  Downtown Holyoke will become a holiday shopping hub on Saturday, with hot cocoa ready to warm up visitors as they explore local stores.

The ARTery will participate in Small Business Saturday, offering free parking, holiday decorations, and a marketplace with local artists and makers.

Organizers said the event is part of a broader push to make High Street a cultural and economic hub, led by the nonprofit group behind Holyoke Art Inc.s marketplace, The ARTery, which has been expanding art spaces, workshops and cultural programs across the city.

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the marketplace at 289 High St. takes center stage, bringing together over 150 local artists and makers with creations ranging from fine art and jewelry to clothing, prints and one-of-a-kind gifts.

Organizers say its one of the best places in the region to shop local and support the artists and craftspeople of Western Massachusetts.

Beyond the marketplace, High Street businesses are joining the celebration with holiday deals and special offers to keep shoppers exploring.

Visitors can try a mini SPLATery session this year  a colorful, hands-on painting activity. Normally by reservation, the experience will be open for $5 walk-ins on Small Business Saturday, letting guests create a quick abstract masterpiece, organizers said.

Starting at 2 p.m., visitors can register to join Chibi Portraits with Ashley Fenix, an afternoon workshop designed for anyone who wants a creative moment and a finished piece to take home.

Shoppers can head across the street to The Leaf Loft at 284 High St. for sale items and a sourdough bread pop-up courtesy of Sweet Baby Raes Bakery.

Just steps away, Paper City Fabrics at 330 High St. is rolling out its biggest sale of the year for shoppers looking for deals.
AGAWAM  Starting next month, motorists on Route 187 will hit the brakes in southern Feeding Hills.

The current two-way stop on Barry Street will turn into a four-way stop, with traffic on Pine Street (Route 187) also stopping. The new signs will include solar-powered red LED lights for visibility.

Agawam Public Works Superintendent Mario Mazza said on Monday that several safety studies by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and Massachusetts Department of Transportation have recommended improving the crossroad, which is about 1,000 feet from the Connecticut state line.

At the Sept. 2 meeting when the City Council approved the project, Councilor Edward P. Borgatti applauded the planned stop signs.

This is a dangerous intersection, he said. Its great to see that this is happening.

Because Route 187 is a state highway, MassDOT must approve changes in signals. Mayor Christopher Johnson told councilors in August that the state agency had determined traffic was too light to justify a traffic light. He said the town also had looked at installing a rotary, but decided against it because of how close houses are to the intersection.

We ultimately went with what we think is the simplest reconstruction that has the least impact on neighbors, he said.

MassDOT will pay for the new signs, and town crews will install them. Mazza said the new signs are expected to begin operation sometime around Dec. 1. In addition to the stop signs, the town also will install new stop ahead warning signs and pavement markings.
Agawam Police Lt. Edward McGovern shows off the holding cell area in the towns new police station. (Michael Ballway / Special to The Republican) Michael Ballway / Special to The Republican

AGAWAM  It might not be brand new, but the next headquarters for Agawam police is at least like-new.

Unlike the nearly 110-year-old building police call home, this facility is designed to be a police station, Mayor Christopher C. Johnson said during a recent tour.

In a converted insurance office, dispatchers already are answering 9-1-1 calls in the new police station at 1070 Suffield St. The rest of the police offices will move, bit by bit, over the course of the next two months.

Dispatchers answer emergency calls in the new Agawam Police Headquarters on Nov. 20. Other police functions will move into the building in the next two months. (Michael Ballway / Special to The Republican) Michael Ballway / Special to The Republican

For nearly 40 years, Agawams police have been housed in a former elementary school on Springfield Street in Feeding Hills. It was obsolete the moment police moved in, said Johnson, who began his first tenure as mayor a couple years after the move.

He said police offices were crammed into the existing rooms, wherever they fit, with little consideration of workflow, privacy or security. At the time, the town did not have a budget for extensive renovations, he said.

On their tour, Johnson and Police Lt. Edward McGovern pointed out how parts of the new station that will be open to the public are clustered in the front of the building, away from sensitive areas. These public-facing areas include the records window, a window to the dispatchers room, an interview room that doubles as a fingerprinting station and an office for the Behavioral Health Network clinician who rides along with police.

Similarly, the booking room and holding cells are next to the sally port  the secure garage where police cars carrying arrestees arrive, far away from any doors to the outside, armories or evidence rooms.

There was a lot of thought given as to how the workflow would work, Johnson said.

Agawams new police headquarters is the former Hub Insurance building at Suffield and Gold streets. (Michael Ballway / Special to The Republican) Michael Ballway / Special to The Republican

In the new station, evidence will be kept in one large, secure, climate-controlled room. The old station has evidence split among four locations, scattered throughout the building, wherever the evidence officers could find space. One of those spaces is a musty cellar down a wooden staircase.

Another upgrade is the locker room. Officers are carrying a lot more electronic equipment now than they did in the 1980s, Johnson said. At the Springfield Street station, there arent enough outlets  and certainly not enough outlets in convenient locations  for officers to store and charge it all. Many bring their devices home to charge. In the new station, every locker has a charging station. The new lockers themselves are much larger than those at the old station.

This is a huge, huge upgrade over what you have now, which is essentially old school lockers, Johnson said to McGovern.

The locker rooms are one example of how the new station gives the Police Department room to grow as policing needs change in the coming decades. Although the town only has 48 patrol officers on its roster now, the locker rooms have space for 63 men and 14 women.

The facility ended up costing the town about $14 million, including the $2.17 million to buy the property from its former owner, Hub Insurance, in 2022. Police had been asking for a new home for a long time, and this was the most economical way to get them one, the mayor said.

A new station would be two times the cost, at least, Johnson said.

Taking over an existing office building saved the town from having to construct the foundation, exterior walls or roof. The station also makes use of existing climate control, plumbing and electrical utilities, and several interior walls.

Hub also included several pieces of furniture in the sale.

Secure areas, such as the holding cells and evidence room, required the most intense renovations. Other important features of the renovation included the communications and data systems for emergency dispatch  the police station serves as the 9-1-1 center for all of the towns first responders, including fire and ambulance  as well as a diesel backup generator that can power the station for 72 hours.

Back in 2022, town officials envisioned completing renovations in fall 2024. The project was delayed a year because vendors delivered the generator and its electrical panel several months behind schedule.

Although its a twice-renovated building  before being used as an insurance office, it was originally the Oaks banquet hall  Johnson said the new police headquarters has enough space and modern amenities to last 50 years, just like a new-construction police station.

The town will host an open house at the police station, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 13, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon. The event will include full tours of the facility. After that date, police will begin moving evidence, records and sensitive equipment into the building, and the secure rooms will be off-limits to visitors.

Patrol officers will be the next group to move, followed by administrative offices, and then the painstaking process of moving 40,000 pieces of evidence, all of which must be logged when leaving the old station, transported by a uniformed officer, and re-logged when being filed in the new evidence room. Some of the evidence belongs to cases dating back decades; modern laws, according to McGovern, require keeping some types of evidence for 100 years.

Moving the station from Springfield Street to Suffield Street will not affect response times, Johnson said. Almost all police calls are answered by officers on active patrol in the community, and the patrol assignments will not change. He said there might be some increased efficiencies from having the towns Department of Public Works, which repairs police vehicles, and a Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency regional office both within walking distance on Suffield Street.

Johnson said he hasnt determined the long-term fate of the current police station building, which originally opened in 1916 and was known as the Faolin Peirce School until being renovated for police use in 1987. After the police move out, he plans to use it as temporary storage for furniture and equipment displaced as portions of Agawam High School are torn down to make way for a new high school building.
Firefighters battle a house fire on Allston Avenue in West Springfield on Nov. 19. (Nate Arnold via West Springfield Fire Department) The West Springfield Fire Department

WEST SPRINGFIELD  A person injured in a West Springfield house fire on Nov. 19 has died, according to the Hampden District Attorneys Office and local fire officials.

The fire also does not seem suspicious, officials said, and no more details about the victim are being shared at present.

District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni and West Springfield Fire Chief Christopher Bartone extended their condolences to the victims family in a joint statement on Tuesday.

An ongoing investigation into what caused the fire at 98 Allston Ave. is being handled by West Springfield fire and police officials, along with state police and the state Department of Fire Services.

More details will be provided as the investigation moves forward, they said.

West Springfield firefighters and police responded to the house fire at around 2:30 p.m. last Wednesday.

Crews arriving first found the home burning and called a second alarm, bringing all town fire companies to the scene. Springfield and Agawam firefighters covered West Springfields stations.

Firefighters put out the flames in the single-family home and spent hours checking for hot spots, authorities said.

At the time, authorities said one person was taken by Fire Department to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
SOUTHWICK  Town Assessor Randy Austin said Tuesday hes extending the public disclosure of the towns property valuations to Monday, Dec. 8, to allow his staff extra time to prepare for the tax classification hearing the Select Board will hold on that date to set the tax rate, which he predicts will be lowered.

I was a little overzealous in my expectation, Austin said about pushing the date back a week.

He also said that closing the public disclosure, originally set for Dec. 1  with Thanksgiving stuck in the middle  will give residents extra time to check on their property valuation.

Its better to make sure people have that opportunity, he said.

The Department of Revenue requires municipalities to release property valuations during revaluation years for a minimum of five days. The disclosure will now be open for 19 days.

In early October, Austin, who was appointed as the towns assessor in September by the Select Board, attended his first meeting of the Board of Assessors.

At the meeting, he announced that about a third of the towns property was undervalued.

Days after starting, Austin was directed by the DOR to check on a query made by a resident asking why their property was valued so much higher than a neighbor with a similarly-sized home and lot.

After inspecting several properties on that street, he determined that the property cards, found on the towns GIS portal, indicated the homes were in fair condition, but were nowhere near that.

That led Austin and his staff to comb through the property cards to learn if there were more undervaluations for other homes and property in town.

They reviewed 1,136 of the towns 3,183 properties  about 36%  and did find others undervalued.

Of those, 194 had a change of 5% or less; 480 had a change between 5-10%; 250 had a change of 10-15%; 179 had a change of 15-20%; 30 had a change between 20-25%; 33 had a change between 25-35%, and 17 between 35-54%.

Austin stressed that 81% of the 1,136 reviewed had a change of 15% or less.

With the overall increase of the values of the towns properties, Austin said the tax rate will, in all likelihood, be dropped, perhaps by a dollar or more. He added that this is not his decision but one made by the Select Board.

Because of Proposition 2 , the Select Board cannot exceed 2.5% of the assessed value of all taxable property contained within the town when deciding the tax rate.

The tax rate is recalculated each year to account for changes in property valuation and changes in the towns tax levy, the amount of money it needs to raise in local taxes in order to fund the budget approved at Town Meeting the previous spring. As the levy, which is approved by the DOR, increases, average tax bills increase.

The rate fluctuates to produce the required revenue.

Austin said because of that, many property owners will see tax bills rise as they would in any typical year.

Last year, with the tax rate increased from $15.47 to $15.57, a home valued at $380,000, which is the median price of a Southwick property, paid an additional $38 annually.

Since 2023, the towns total property valuation has increased by 14.6%.

In 2023, the total value of the towns real estate was $1,372,372,587.

In 2024, that increased by $143,165,451, to $1,515,538,038, or a 10.5% increase.

In 2025, the total of the towns property valuation was $1,589,891,740, an increase of $74,353,702, or a 2.4% increase.

Austin said it is too soon for a final valuation total because there are still some valuations being adjusted.

Since the public disclosure, he said residents have already begun stopping by the assessors office in Town Hall with questions about their valuations.

That has allowed him to start on-site inspections of homes before the abatement process opens on Thursday, Jan. 1.

Those applications are in the assessors office, Senior Center and public library.

To help residents with the process, Austin will be holding informational meetings during January. The dates have yet to be determined.

However, those who file for an abatement should be aware that there will be a site visit to the property in question by Austin or another representative of his office, and it will include an examination of the exterior and interior of every structure on the property.

The Board of Assessors was scheduled to hold a meeting on Monday night in Town Hall, but because there wasnt a quorum, it was canceled.

Were not trying to hide anything, Austin said about the meetings cancellation, calling it an unforeseen circumstance.

We found out late in the day that one of the board members couldnt make it, he said.

Board member Dean Horacek had already announced he couldnt attend, Austin said.

William Brown IV was at the meeting. Board chair John Cain was the member who called out late.
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Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny was presented with the inaugural Trinity European Laureate Award at Trinity College Dublin on Tuesday, November 25.

The Islandeady native received the award in recognition of his leadership when Ireland last held the Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2013.

In partnership with the global CEO advisory firm Teneo, the Trinity Long Room Hubs new award acknowledges figures, both Irish and international, who have made an important contribution to European ideals.

With Ireland set to take over the Presidency of the Council of the EU in July 2026, the Trinity Long Room Hub is planning a series of events which will focus on the opportunities and challenges of the presidency, EU research, democracy, and more.

The former Taoiseach expressed his delight at receiving the inaugural Trinity European Laureate Award.

"I am delighted and honoured to receive the inaugural Trinity European Laureate Award. This recognition honours Irelands Presidency of the Council of the European Union back in 2013, when Ireland was in a much different place but still able to make a vital contribution to European affairs. Our Presidency was guided by the belief that we are truly, madly, deeply European, and committed to that ideal.

The former Fine Gael politician also expressed his pride in the major advances for research funding, the multi-annual financial framework, CAP reform, as well as the Erasmus+ programme.

Ireland has a proud history within the European Union, and it is a community we have helped to build together. My thanks to the Trinity Long Room Hub and Teneo for this great honour as Ireland looks to its next Presidency in July 2026." He added.

Patrick Geoghegan, Director of the Trinity Long Room Hub, said,

We are honoured to present this inaugural Trinity European Laureate Award to former Taoiseach Enda Kenny in recognition of his leadership during the last Irish presidency of the EU, when, among other achievements, great advances were made for European research, including a 70-billion euro Horizon 2020 programme and agreement on Erasmus+.

Mick OKeeffe, CEO of Teneo, Ireland too recognised the work of former Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

"As the leading CEO advisory firm, Teneo is proud to partner with the Trinity Long Room Hub, Irelands leading Arts and Humanities Research Institute, to honour remarkable individuals whose work has strengthened the European ideal.

The inaugural Trinity European Laureate Award, presented to former Taoiseach Enda Kenny, recognises his exceptional leadership during Irelands 2013 Presidency of the Council of the EU and the lasting impact of that achievement.
In January-October 2025, Ukraine increased imports of tomatoes by 4.3%, to 81,820 tonnes, and cucumbers by 13.6%, to 109,560 tonnes, compared to the same period last year, the State Customs Service reported.

According to published statistics, the value of tomato imports during the reporting period increased by 18.2% to $16.92 million, while cucumber imports rose 30% to $23.39 million.

Most tomato imports came from Turkiye (64.3% of total supplies), Poland (11.7%), and the Netherlands (11.18%). The top three cucumber suppliers to Ukraine were Turkiye (88.2%), Spain (3.7%), and Finland (2%).

A year ago, the main suppliers of tomatoes to Ukraine in January-October were Turkiye (73.6%), Poland (12.3%), and Morocco (5.9%), while cucumber imports came mainly from Turkiye (85.2%), Poland (4%), and the Netherlands (3.1%).

Tomato exports in January-October this year amounted to 393 tonnes, up from 301 tonnes a year earlier. The main buyers this year were Moldova (60.6%), Poland (36.4%), and Singapore (0.8%), compared to Moldova (87.4%), Lithuania (7.6%), and Malaysia (1%) last year.

In the first 10 months of 2025, some 2,440 tonnes of Ukrainian cucumbers were exported to foreign markets, compared to 1,010 tonnes in the same period last year. The most active buyers were Poland (52.3%), Estonia (37.5%) and Moldova (8%). A year ago, these three leaders were the same, only their shares in the procurement structure differed: Estonia accounted for 54.7% of supplies, Poland - 26.3%, and Moldova - 10.5%.
MG Motor Ireland is delighted to announce the appointment of Rochford Motors, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo as the newest member of its nationwide dealer network. This expansion marks another important step in MG Motor Irelands commitment to making its award-winning range of electric and hybrid vehicles accessible to customers across the country with Rochford Motors now representing MG for the West of Ireland, serving customers throughout Mayo and Connacht.

We are thrilled to welcome Rochford Motors to the MG Motor Ireland dealer network, said Gerard Rice, Managing Director, MG Motor Ireland. Liam Rochford and his team have built a strong reputation over more than 40 years for trust, customer service and professionalism. As MG continues to grow across Ireland, its vital we partner with dealers who share our customer-first approach and commitment to quality. Rochford Motors is exactly that, a well-established family business with deep local roots and a forward-thinking mindset perfectly aligned with MGs vision for the future of motoring.

Founded in 1981 by the late Billy Rochford and now led by Dealer Principal, Liam Rochford, the business has grown steadily to become one of the most trusted names in the region. Today, Rochford Motors operates from modern, well-equipped premises in Ballyhaunis, offering full sales and aftersales services, a state-of-the-art workshop, and a dedicated customer care team.

Commenting on the new partnership, Liam Rochford, Dealer Principal, Rochford Motors said: We are very proud to be appointed to represent MG in the West of Ireland. The MG brand has gone from strength to strength in recent years with an exciting range of electric and hybrid models that are ideal for Irish motorists. Our team is passionate about providing great service and value, and we look forward to welcoming both new and returning customers to experience everything MG has to offer at our Ballyhaunis showroom.

With this latest addition, MG Motor Ireland now boasts an expanding nationwide dealer network, bringing the brands range of award-winning, well-equipped, and affordable vehicles all backed by a comprehensive 7-year warranty to even more drivers across Ireland.

READ MORE: West Mayo church set to reopen after Storm Eowyn damage
A WEST Mayo councillor says the number of deaths of young people from cancer is leaving people feeling frightened and questioning things like the Covid vaccine may be a contributing factor.

Independent Ireland councillor Chris Maxwell made the comments at the monthly meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District after expressing sympathy to the families of people in the Louisburgh area who recently died from cancer.

The Louisburgh-based councillor said that deaths of young people in the community was sad and people were wondering who would be the next to be affected.

READ: Santa to make appearance for turning on of Christmas lights in Mayo town

Cllr Maxwell said the recent deaths were making people anxious and questioned if it was time for the Government to 'put people's minds at ease'.

It is a frightening statistic when you see what is going on. A lot of people are talking about what is going on and are frightened and anxious at the minute. Nobody seems to know when it can raise its ugly head.

People say it could be due to the Covid injection and all this kind of stuff. It would be no harm if someone in the top echelons of government tried to put people's minds at ease. This is not happening alone in the Louisburgh area but is happening nationwide and is so sad to see young people struck down at such an early age. People across the country are very worried about it, he commented.
FEDERAL & state REGULATIONS FOR FINANCIAL AID

To be eligible for federal Title IV funds, a student must make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), which MCLA monitors. The Satisfactory Academic Progress standard used for continued financial aid eligibility is a separate policy from the College's academic standard monitored by the Registrar's Office.

Read more the Satisfactory Academic Progress standard here.

Please note that the information below applies to the Federal College Refund Policy, not over-payments on the account. Please click here for information on student refunds from over-payments.

The federal refund policy applies to all students enrolled at MCLA who withdraw/take a leave of absence whether or not they are financial aid recipients. Students who withdraw from the College before the first day of classes receive a 100% refund. All refunds after the start of school are pro-rated up to the 60% point of the semester and no refunds are made after the 60% point. Pro-rated refunds are calculated by determining the percentage of the semester completed, up to and including the official withdrawal date.

Based on this calculation, the college determines the amount of unearned financial aid and is responsible for returning any portion necessary to the appropriate financial aid programs.

Read more about the Federal Refund Policy here.

When completing the FAFSA, students are asked a series of questions that determine whether they are considered a dependent student or an independent student. This dependency status determines whose financial information must be included on the FAFSA for the purpose of awarding aid.

Students who answer "yes" to any of the questions are considered to be independent students, while students who answer "no" to all questions are determined to be dependent students.

An independent student is at least one of the following: at least 24 years old, married, a graduate or professional student, a veteran, a member of the armed forces, an orphan, a ward of the court, someone with legal dependents other than a spouse, an emancipated minor or someone who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. An independent student does not include their parent's information on their FAFSA.

is at least one of the following: at least 24 years old, married, a graduate or professional student, a veteran, a member of the armed forces, an orphan, a ward of the court, someone with legal dependents other than a spouse, an emancipated minor or someone who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. A dependent student does not meet the criteria of an independent student listed above. A dependent student must include their parent's information on their FAFSA. A dependent student must include their parent's information on the FAFSA even if their parent will not be providing financial support for school.

Independence Appeals: Dependent students who have no contact with their parents (e.g. left home due to an abusive situation, do not know where they are) are still required to complete the FAFSA to the best of their ability. After submitting the FAFSA, the student must reach out to Student Financial Services to discuss an Independence Appeal and provide supporting documentation of the situation.

Read more on dependency status here.

Per the U.S. Department of Education, a student receiving aid may repeat a course and receive aid for it if they have never passed the course. If a student has previously passed the course, they may receive one repetition and receive aid for it. Any second or subsequent repetition will not be included in a student's financial aid enrollment status for the purposes of Title IV programs.

Read more about this coursework repetition regulation here.

If you are a student, former student, parent of a student, faculty member, or staff member and believe that MCLA or any other institution of higher education operating in Massachusetts is not operating in compliance with state requirements or its own policies and procedures, you may file a complaint with the Massachusetts Department of Hire Education (DHE).

Read more on the DHE/BHE's Complaint Policy and Process here.

General information on the process and how to file a complaint is available here.

If you have questions about these regulations, please contact Student Financial Services at 413.662.5219 or finaid@mcla.edu.
HEERF I, II & III COVID-19 Student Emergency Funding

CARES Act Reporting

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts through the CARES Act (HEERF I) was allocated $1,374,325 and certified with the U.S. Department of Education that $654,699 went directly to students through block grants and the Resiliency Fund. In addition, MCLA is required to publicly report the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts through the CRRSAA Act (HEERF II) was allocated $2,296,005 and as required by the U.S. Department of Education $654,699 went directly to students in the form of Block grants. In addition, MCLA is required to publicly report the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CRRSAA Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion.

Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting (mcla.edu)

CARES-Act-Reporting-Student-Aid2-12-31-2020.pdf (mcla.edu)

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts through the ARP Act (HEERF III) was allocated $4,116,387 and as required by the U.S. Department of Education $1,984,543 went directly to students in the form of Block grants. In addition, MCLA is required to publicly report the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CRRSAA Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion.

Quartey Budget and Expenditure Reporting for HEERF (PDF) (mcla.edu)

HEERF-Reporting-Student-Aid-12-31-2021.pdf (mcla.edu)

MCLA provided emergency funding for students who were economically impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the CARES Act and CRRSAA relief funds, and ARP, institutions of higher education could request funding to be disbursed to students who had needs based on the results of COVID-19 pandemic.

Monies were distributed in the form of grants; students did not have to pay them back.

Current undergraduate or graduate students who were enrolled at MCLA during the COVID-19 pandemic were able to apply for emergency funding.

Funding did not impact federal or state aid.

Priority in funding was given to those with the highest financial need.

As of the ending quarter 6/30/2023, the total amount of Student Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to MCLA students under Section 18004(a)(1) Student Portion, totaled $3,293,941.

The estimated total number of MCLA students to participate in the CARES Act program under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive (HEERF) Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) was over 1500 students.

As of 12/31/2022, 1529 MCLA students have received Student Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act and CRRSAA Act (HEERF). To be considered for the COVID-19 Student Emergency Funds a BSU student must complete the application online.
Community Standards 25-26

The MCLA Community Standards and Student Conduct Program (also referred to as the Student Handbook) provides students with information on many aspects of college life such as policies and procedures, community resources, organizations, and services. This document applies to all students enrolled in one or more classes at MCLA. Each year, the College updates the Community Standards document to ensure students are provided with the most accurate references and resource information.

Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with this document, as rules and regulations are outlined which govern the standards the College community. It is the belief of the institution that the information provided in the Community Standards also serves to enhance the experiences and highlight the resources available to students of the College.

This document does not contain all rules and regulations now in effect at MCLA. Students are also referred to the MCLA Catalog, Residence Life & Housing publications, and other department policy documents for further institutional information.

Due to limitations of space, many State and Federal laws as well as some College policies and procedures are only referenced. Students are, therefore, encouraged to ask questions of appropriate offices.

As a supplement to the information provided in the Community Standards, the Student Affairs Offices and staff assist students who are unsure where to go for general assistance and/or answers to questions. When in doubt about where to go for help, students are encouraged to start with the Student Affairs Offices located on the 3rd floor of the Amsler Campus Center.

MCLA Community policies, as stated in this Community Standards/Student Handbook document, are subject to change. The College may amend policies and procedures at any time, giving the community reasonable notice of the changes to students via the MCLA email address and posted on the mcla.edu website. For the most recent and accurate Community Standards, please refer to the MCLA website where any changes will be updated.

The Community Standards document is published by the Dean of Students Office, Division of Student Affairs at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
Ukraine is generally ready to consider the Trump administration's peace plan, but categorically disagrees with three key demands: limiting the size of the Armed Forces, concessions of territories in the Donbas and the rejection of intentions to join NATO, CNN has reported.

US President Donald Trump described the results of the negotiations as "tremendous progress," and Secretary of State Marco Rubio called them "very positive," noting that "the remaining points are not insurmountable." During a meeting of the US military representative with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi, it was also stated that "the Ukrainians have agreed to a peace agreement," although some technical details remain.

"On most points, there are still at least three issues on which there are serious differences. Among these issues is the territorial one: it concerns part of Donbas, including the "fortification belt" of fortified cities and towns, important for the country's security; The second is the size of the army. The US proposed to limit the troops to 600,000 soldiers, but Kyiv is discussing a higher figure and insists on additional changes; The third is the abandonment of intentions to join NATO, which the Ukrainian side considers unacceptable," the report states.

As reported, earlier CNN, citing a Ukrainian source involved in the negotiation process, noted that progress has been made in the negotiations between the US and Ukraine on a new peace plan, but there are still three key issues on which the parties have not yet reached an agreement.

"There are still at least three crucial areas where significant differences remain - differences that could make or break efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict," the report said.
On Tuesday, Celina Jaitly revealed that she has filed a domestic violence complaint against her husband, Austrian businessman Peter Haag. According to her legal counsel, the divorce petition cites emotional and verbal abuse, physical assault, manipulation, coercion and restrictive financial control as core grounds. Alongside this case, Celina is pursuing multiple legal battles: she has sought help for her brother, whom she claims is being illegally detained in the UAE, while also handling a civil dispute in Mumbai regarding her property. Meanwhile, Peter has filed a separate divorce case against her in Austria.

 Instagram/Celina Jaitley Celinas lawyer, Niharika Karanjawala, told News 18, Shes fighting it out in the case going on in the Austrian court. Her children are her foremost concern. Weve asked for the custody of her children and access to them in the domestic case too. Fortunately, two days back, the Austrian court, in the divorce proceedings, has allowed her access to them for one hour a day, telephonically. The lawyer added, Shes able to communicate with them daily. Prior to this, Peter had cut off contact for a while between her and the children. About the accusations of cheating, Niharika said, While theres no infidelity that she knows of during the marriage, she did hear from his sister shortly after the first set of twins were born. She heard that though he had portrayed himself to be single at the time they were dating, he was actually in a live-in relationship with another lady.

 Instagram/Celina Jaitley The Charges & Accusations In Celinas Toxic Marriage Niharika also stated the issues in Celinas marriage. The marriage has been abusive from the beginning. But since 2017, especially, three things happened that drove Celina into a rather deep depression. She was pregnant with her second set of twins at that time. Her father passed away in her fifth month of pregnancy. The day her twins were born, one of them passed away due to hypoplastic left heart dysplasia. About five months thereafter, her mother passed away from a galloping form of cancer, said the lawyer. She also said, He made her give him all her credit and debit cards so that he was in-charge financially. He was using all of her savings to fund their life. She couldnt ask him about his salaries from his jobs because he would fly into a rage. When they got into a conversation, she learnt that he had sold off the property they bought together in Vienna last year without informing her. He kept telling her that theres no money and they got into a fight added Niharika.
Trump says he has no deadline for possible deal on Ukraine

Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/

US President Donald Trump said he was not setting any specific deadline for a possible deal on Ukraine, saying the end of hostilities was his deadline.

Asked by a reporter whether Steven Witkoff's trip to Russia next week would mean the cancellation of a previously announced deadline of Thanksgiving, Trump denied having any timetable.

"I don't have a deadline. It's just, you know, the deadline for me is when it's over. And I think everybody's tired of fighting at this point. They're losing too many people," he said aboard Air Force One.
US President Donald Trump said that the previous 28-point document, which was discussed in the context of resolving the situation between Ukraine and Russia, was not a plan, but only a conceptual "map," according to him, which was later reduced to 22 points, some of which have already been worked out.

"Well, it was just a map. All it was was a map. It was not a plan, it was a concept, and then they took each of the 28 points and then they came to 22 points. A lot of them have been resolved, and actually very favorably. So we'll see what happens," Trump said, answering questions from reporters aboard Air Force One.

Commenting on whether this approach required too much territorial concessions from Russia, Trump said: "Look at the way it's going, if you look at it, it's only going in one direction. So, at the end of the day, this is land that Russia can gain in the next few months. So you want to go to war and lose another 50,000, 60,000 people?" Trump said.
Duston Mullen has served among countless smart minds throughout his years in the U.S. Marine Corps and Army National Guard. But the individuals hes been among as part of a military fellowship program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are some of the most advanced minds he has ever come across.

Mullen is one of three Military Fellows with more than 80 years of collective military experience who are partaking in a 12-month program overseen by the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics (CTL), as part of a partnership with the U.S. military that dates back to 2006. Each year three military logistics officers are selected to participate in the MIT Supply Chain Management masters program.

This years cohorts include Mullen, now of the South Dakota Army National Guard, along with Lukas Toth from the Army Reserve and Charles Greene from the Active Army. They routinely interact with 40-80 MIT students often aged between 28-30individuals described by Mullen as very inquisitive but mostly lacking any military background.

MIT teaches you to solve problems where there's no perfect information, there's no clean answers, no time to wait, Mullen told Military.com. And they expect that. It's basic. They expect us to contribute.

So far, for me, interacting with the students at the master's program that we're currently inthey are by far some of the most advanced minds I have ever had the opportunity and privilege to engage with. They are extremely, extremely analytical.

The 2024-2025 MIT CTL Military Fellows (left to right) Joshua Koncar, Wangson Sylvien, and Aaron Becker, stand alongside Chris Caplice. (MIT)

Unique Opportunity

Mullen joined the Marines in 1992 as an active-duty service member and left the service in 2000. After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks he attempted to reenlist but was above the age threshold to return.

Instead, he was accepted into the National Guard, received his commission and became an ordinance officer before later being promoted to lieutenant colonel. That was how he had the chance to become affiliated with MIT.

"They are by far some of the most advanced minds I have ever had the opportunity and privilege to engage with."

He explained that annually, theres an application process for lieutenant colonels and colonels to apply for the Army War College; however, each state is only allocated so many quotas to attend and its competitive.

They rack and stack us and select the best for the fellowships and to attend the resident war college, Mullen said. And fortunately for me, I already had a master's degree and that's one of the criteria to be eligible for a fellowship.

Initially, he was selected for the resident war college at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. But when his masters education became known, he became a viable candidate at CTL.

Experienced Leadership

Chris Caplice has his own military background.

Caplice, executive director of CTL, graduated from the Virginia Military Institute and then was in the Army for five years as an Army Corps of Engineer Officer. He exited after five years, got his masters degree at the University of Texas, Austin, and later went to MIT to get his Ph.D.

Post-graduation he did software for 10 years in freight transportation before coming back to MIT in 2003 and eventually kickstarting the CTL program.

We're a 50-year-old center that works with shippers, carriers, brokers, manufacturers and retailers, helping them improve their supply chain, coming up with new ideas and driving it into practice, Caplice told Military.com. We have grad programs, we have executive education, we have research projects, and we have corporate outreach.

As executive director, my job is mainly to make sure the center runs. It's about a $25- $30 million annual revenue center, [has] about 120 researchers, staff, admin, all that, and about 80-100 graduate students a year.

Chris Caplice speaks on a panel at the event Innovation in Motion: Shaping the Future of Supply Chain on the MIT campus. (MIT)

The program kickstarted when Caplice was approached in 2006 by an official from U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) who realized the Armed Forces needed to upskill some of their more senior leaders in the logistics arena.

Since then, three colonels have been coming through the MIT halls: one from active duty, one from the reserves, and one from the National Guard.

Mullen meets with Caplice weekly, where they have a lot of great conversations on transportation and logistics. Mullen said Caplices military background is key to the rapport and the programs success.

[Caplice] has no problem having legitimate conversation based on fact, Mullen said. If it's an assumption, he really pushes you to get the factual answer with cited sources. And if you can't find a factual source or a cited source, that's where he expects you to jump in and conduct that research and become very analytical, look at variances, look at anything that could possibly or potentially impact that that's that missing research.

The results have been proven over the years, led by Caplices leadership.

Chris is constantly a great mentor, added Mullen. He is an individual that I would work with in a moment's notice. He has got to be one of the foremost minds of transportation and logistics I have ever come across.

Logistics in a Changing World

The military world has dramatically altered over the last few years, notably due to the acceleration of technology and the myriad capabilities on and off the battlefield.

Caplice said that while supply chain management represents a broader spectrum in terms of manufacturing and distribution, logistics generally deals with the physical movement of goods, services and people.

You've got an information flow, you've got a physical flow, and then you've got a financial flow, Caplice said, adding that military-based logistics is all about getting the right material from source to fighters, wherever they are in the world and where they need it.

Chris Caplice speaks on a panel at the event Innovation in Motion: Shaping the Future of Supply Chain on the MIT campus. (MIT)

That translates to physically moving products, storing them, knowing where to stockpile them and how, understanding how and where to move them. Containers are an example, he said, that changed military logistics in the 20th century and became integral during the Vietnam and Gulf wars.

Logistics really started in the military, he said. You can trace it back to Roman times, if not earlier."

Mullen, who plans to return home to South Dakota and use his gained knowledge to have conversations with state leadership, acknowledges the sea change in military strategy and says MIT through such programming is uniquely positioned to connect the military logistics with the American industrial base.

That's the area that I find that we're currently, I wouldn't say lacking, but this is an area that probably needs a little more focus, he said. And what is meant by that is that in the past, we've had so many people that have been intertwined in the military. And today we don't have that like we used to.

Our next war, battle, conflict, whatever you want to call it, is going to be won and lost by our defense industrial base, meaning, the factories, the rail yards, the distribution nodes. And that's what I'm kind of learning here at MIT is how that all intercorrelates and how we can mobilize our military at scale with the industrial base that we have available to us.

UPDATED 12/4/25, 5:03 p.m. ET: This story was updated to reflect the number of graduate students in the MIT program.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Chrystia Freeland, Canada's former Deputy Prime Minister and Special Representative for Ukraine's Reconstruction, to discuss key areas of cooperation in rebuilding the country.

According to the president, the talks focused on restoring infrastructure, strengthening Ukraine's energy resilience, and engaging Canadian businesses in major reconstruction projects.

"I am grateful to Mark Carney, the Canadian people, and Ms. Freeland for Canada's unwavering support for Ukraine, particularly in strengthening our air defense and for contributions to the PURL initiative, which provides us with weapons for our defense," Zelenskyy noted in a Facebook post.

Earlier Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko also discussed with Freeland Canada's support for frontline regions, veteran rehabilitation, and involving Canada in these initiatives.
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip  Hospital officials in Gaza said Wednesday that Israel handed over 15 more Palestinian bodies, completing the latest swap of the ceasefire as the first phase of the agreement nears a conclusion and officials convened to discuss moving to the second.

It came a day after Palestinian militants returned the remains of Israeli hostage Dror Or, who the Israeli military says was killed by the militants in their Oct. 7, 2023 attack. Israel has agreed to return 15 Palestinian bodies for each hostage returned.

With the latest swap, Israel has sent back to Gaza a total of 345 Palestinian bodies since the exchanges started last month, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Two hostages  one Israeli and one Thai national  remain in Gaza. Hamas said Wednesday it was determined to uphold its side of the agreement and return them both.

Turkish, Qatari and Egyptian officials met Wednesday in Cairo to discuss the second phase of the ceasefire, which began in October and has held despite accusations by both sides of violations. The next phases of the agreement include deploying an international stabilization force and developing an international body to govern Gaza and oversee reconstruction.

An armed international stabilization force will be tasked with keeping security and ensuring the disarmament of Hamas, a key demand of Israel. Indonesian officials have said they plan to deploy 20,000 peacekeepers to the force.

Major questions hang over nearly every part of the plan and the timeframe for implementation. In the meantime, nearly all Palestinians remain displaced and dependent on humanitarian aid, Hamas retains significant control over nearly half of Gaza and the rebuilding of the territory has barely begun.

Palestinian bodies returned and hostage remains identified

Gaza's Health Ministry said only 99 bodies out of the 345 Israel has returned have been identified. They say identifying the remains is complicated by a lack of DNA testing kits in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israel mourned the latest hostage to be returned by the Palestinian militants, Dror Or. Israel's military said Or and his wife, Yonat Or, were killed by militants who overran their community of Kibbutz Beeri on Oct. 7, 2023.

Before they were killed by the militants, the couple evacuated two of their children from their burning house through the window, said the Hostages Families Forum. The decision ultimately saved the children's lives  Alma and Noam were abducted by the militants and released in a hostage deal in November 2023.

The Forum remembered Or as a devoted father and talented cheesemaker who spent years working at the Be'eri dairy, eventually managing it. The group said Or was also a chef and yoga teacher.

In total, Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people across southern Israel and abducted 251 to Gaza in their Oct. 7, 2023 attack that kickstarted the war in Gaza.

With the return of Or's remains, almost all of the hostages or their remains are out of Gaza.

Hazem Qassem, the spokesperson for Hamas, said Wednesday that the militant group was committed to handing over the remaining two hostages and wrapping up the exchange. Writing on his Telegram channel, he called for mediators to pressure Israel to stop its violations of the ceasefire.

Israeli troops shoot Palestinian man in Gaza, health officials say

A Palestinian man was killed when Israeli troops opened fire Wednesday on a group of people in central Gaza, a hospital said.

At least two others were wounded in the attack that took place east of the Maghazi refugee camp, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital which received the casualties.

They were the latest casualties among Palestinians since a ceasefire deal brought the war to a halt in Gaza last month. Israels military did not immediately respond to request for comment on the report.

Also Wednesday, the military said its troops struck a group of six militants in the southern city of Rafah, killing one. The military statement said that the militants had most likely emerged from the underground terror infrastructure in the area."

Since the ceasefire took effect on Oct. 11, the Gaza Health Ministry said, 345 Palestinians were killed and 889 were wounded in the strip as of Tuesday.

It said at least 69,775 Palestinians have been killed and 170,863 injured in Israels offensive in Gaza. It does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures, but has said women and children make up a majority of those killed. The ministry is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by independent experts.

Turkish, Qatari and Egyptian officials meet on ceasefire

Turkeys intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin met in Cairo on Tuesday with Qatars Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egypts intelligence chief Hasan Reshat to discuss advancing to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, a Turkish security official said.

The talks also centered on intensifying joint efforts with the United States to strengthen the truce, according to the official who requested anonymity in line with Turkish regulations.

The three also agreed to deepen cooperation with the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) to remove obstacles and prevent violations, ensuring the ceasefire is upheld without interruption, the official added.

Indonesia prepares troops for Gaza stabilization force

Indonesia, the worlds largest Muslim-majority nation with a long experience in U.N. peacekeeping missions, is among the countries the U.S. has discussed the ISF plan with, in addition to Azerbaijan, Egypt and Qatar.

We are now in the selection phase for the peacekeeping force, Gen. Agus Subianto, Chief of the Indonesian Armed Forces or TNI, told reporters Tuesday after a hearing with lawmakers in the capital, Jakarta. Later, its planned that the mission will be led by a three-star general.

He said the contingent will form a composite brigade consisting of health, engineering and mechanized support battalions. TNI is also preparing supporting assets for the mission in Gaza, including three hospital warships, the C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft and a helicopter.

Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin added that the final deployment awaits an official order from President Prabowo Subianto but troops are already undergoing mission-specific training.

Prabowo has repeatedly declared that his country was ready to deploy 20,000 peacekeepers to Gaza at any time.

The U.N. reported that Indonesia had been the fifth-largest uniformed personnel contributor, deploying 2,731 individuals on peacekeeping operations as of September.

___

Magdy reported from Cairo, Egypt. AP writer Suzan Fraser contributed from Ankara, Turkey. AP writer Niniek Karmini contributed from Jakarta, Indonesia.
LONDON (AP)  President Donald Trump's efforts to broker an end to the Russia-Ukraine war closely mirrors the tactics he used to end two years of fighting between Israel and Hamas: bold terms that favor one side, deadlines for the combatants and vague outlines for what comes next. The details  enforcing the terms, guaranteeing security, who pays for rebuilding  matter less.

You know what the deadline is to me? When it's over. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One Tuesday.

The formula has worked so far in the tense Middle East, though its long-term viability remains in question. Trump got his moment to claim credit for peace in the region from the podium of the Israeli parliament. Even there, he made clear that next on his priority list was resolving the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.

Maybe we set out like a 20-point peace proposal, just like we did in Gaza, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff told Yuri Ushakov, Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign policy adviser in a phone call the day after Trump's speech, on Oct. 14. A recording of that call leaked to Bloomberg News.

They did just that, issuing a 28-point plan heavily tilted toward Russia's interests that set off alarms in Europe, which had not been consulted. Trump insisted Ukraine had until Nov. 27  Thanksgiving in the U.S.  to accept it.

But by Tuesday, Trump had eased off the hard deadline. It seemed clear, even to Trump, that the Israel-Gaza model doesn't fully apply in Russia and Ukraine as long as Putin refuses to be flattered, pushed or otherwise moved to take the first step of a ceasefire, as Israel and Hamas consented for different reasons on Oct. 9. Making the point, Putin launched waves of bombings on Ukraine Tuesday and Wednesday even as American negotiators renewed Trump's push to end the war.

I thought (a Russia-Ukraine deal) would have been an easier one, but I think were making progress, Trump said during the annual White House turkey pardon to mark the Thanksgiving holiday. Hours later, he told reporters that the 28-point plan actually was not a plan, just a concept.

The president's goal may not be a formal, long-lasting peace treaty, one expert said.

Trumps approach emphasizes the proclamation of a ceasefire, not its observance, Mariia Zolkina, a political analyst at the Kyiv-based Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, wrote on Liga.net, a Ukrainian news outlet, adding: Donald Trump is not interested in whether the ceasefire will be sustainable.

Trump's approach toward peace bears similarities to the tactics and style he used in the Israel-Gaza talks

Fresh off the Gaza deal and coveting the Nobel Peace Prize, Trump named his next priority before he'd even left the Israeli Knesset.

If you don't mind, Steve, let's focus on Russia first, All right? Trump said, turning to Witkoff.

Where the Gaza ceasefire agreement had 20 points, the Russia-Ukraine proposal would start with 28 items and include more detail on who would pay for reconstruction. They envision peace boards headed by the president to lead and administer the aftermath. Both lack detail on incentives for complying and enforcement. And both depend on a ceasefire.

Fabian Zuleeg, chief executive of the Brussels-based European Policy Centre think tank, said the proposals for Gaza and Ukraine show a kind of naivete by believing that by intervening at that level, by imposing your will on something like this, that you will reach some form of long-term conclusion.

He said both proposals reflect Trumps political and personal self-interest.

In the end, the focus is solely on what Trump thinks he will get out of this in terms of reputation and money, Zuleeg said.

Each Trump administration plan to end the wars heavily favor one side.

The Trump plan for Gaza leans to Israeli terms. It makes disarming Hamas a central condition for any progress in rebuilding the devastated territory. It also lays out no strict timetable for a full Israeli troop withdrawal, making it conditional on deployment of an international security force.

For Russia and Ukraine, Witkoff looked to open peace plan talks with terms skewing toward Russia. He quietly hosted Kirill Dmitriev, a close ally of Putin's, for talks in south Florida to help launch the plan that opened talks in Geneva, according to a senior administration official and a U.S. official familiar with the matter who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The White House insists that the plan was U.S.-authored with input from both the Ukrainians and Russians.

But thats where the similarities end. The differences are buy-in  and Putin.

The draft that was formally presented to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy decidedly favored the Russians, with no European input. In contrast, the Gaza ceasefire talks got buy-in from Egypt, Qatari, Jordanian, Saudi and other regional powers.

The 28-point Russia-Ukraine plan called for Ukraine to give up land in the industrial Donbas region that the Russians currently dont control and dramatically shrink the size of its military. It also effectively gave Russia oversight of both NATO and EU expansion. The draft has narrowed by a few points since it was first presented, and Trump is sending his envoys on a bit of shuttle diplomacy to sell it, as he said. He said Witkoff will visit Moscow next week  perhaps joined by his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who was also involved in the Gaza plan. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll will meet with the Ukranians.

European leaders worried that Trump is leaving them out of high-level discussions and vulnerable to Russian aggression.

He appears perfectly ready to sacrifice Ukraines security and Europes in the process, Hannah Neumann, a German member of the European Parliament, said of Trump on Tuesday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resisted Trump's pressure to agree to a ceasefire, for a time. But Putin refuses to concede anything on Ukraine.

He's appeared to be considering the matter, notably when Trump rolled out a red carpet for the Russian leader at a summer summit in Alaska  an old front line of the Cold War. Trump left without an agreement from Putin to end the bloodshed. The Russian leader walked off with long-sought recognition on the world stage.

To the horror of Ukraine and the vexation of Trump, Putin has stood firm.

As the envoys flew home from Geneva last week without any agreement, the White House scrambled to explain. One U.S. official argued that the 28-page plan, which calls on Ukraine to cede the Donbas region and bar Ukraine from joining NATO, represents considerable concessions from Putin because he would be agreeing to give up on his claim, once and for all, that all of Ukraine should be part of Russia.

Putin, the official noted, has long grumbled that the West doesnt respect Russias position in the global world order. The official added that the Trump White House in its approach is not affirming Putins position but trying to reflect the Russian perspective is given its due in the emerging peace plan.

Its not for the administration to judge Putins positions, the official said, but it does have to understand them if we want to get to a deal.

___

McNeil reported from Brussels and Madhani from Washington. Associated Press writer Lee Keath in Cairo contributed.
Former White House adviser and conservative commentator Steve Bannon wants an expedited review of Sen. Mark Kelly, telling Military.com that he expects the Arizona lawmaker to be imprisoned for remarks he made towards U.S. military members.

Bannon, in a phone conversation on Wednesday with Military.com, said that the punishment for Kelly and five other Democrats he refers to as the seditious six should be severe and time sensitive. Kelly and colleagues have been caught in a firestorm over remarks they made about the Trump administration and encouraging troops to refuse so-called illegal orders.

The other Democrats are Sen. Elissa Slotkin (MI) and House Reps. Jason Crow of Colorado, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, and Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, both of Pennsylvania.

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., speaks during a Senate Commerce, Science, Transportation nominations hearing, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

Bannon, who served in the Navy for eight years, said he was shocked when he first saw the video. At first, he wasnt even sure if the footage of the members of Congress openly messaging to active-duty service members was real.

When I saw it at first, I thought somebody was messing around with AI, Bannon said. Then I realized it's true. I have no earthly idea why they did it.  It's insanity, and clearly they're trying to intrude into the chain of command. That's why theres no defense.

You have to take severe and dramatic action. And, I mean, for [Kelly], it's Leavenworth [Federal Correctional Facility in Kansas]. I think he's going to prison. I think Kelly's going to prison because it's so outrageous.

Message to Hegseth, Pentagon

Bannon also wants Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Pentagon officials to move fast on the matter, rather than waiting until the almost mid-December deadline set to review all necessary information and justify whether legislators should be court-martialed.

Pete, youre secretary of frickin war, Bannon said on Wednesdays episode of his War Room podcast. Recall this guy today. And lets convene a court-martial Friday morning, 0800. And then have him in Leavenworth 0800 on Monday morning.

According to a memo made public Tuesday by the Department of Defense, Hegseth ordered Navy Secretary John Phelan to investigate "potentially unlawful comments and to report with findings by Dec. 10.

On Monday, the Pentagon announced it was launching a thorough review of allegations of misconduct against Kelly, a retired Navy captain and astronaut, for serious allegations of misconduct. That review has expanded to include the other Democrats who partook in and released the video last week.

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters while in flight on Air Force One from Joint Base Andrews to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Those six, the seditious six, I dont know why we went to Dec. 10th, Bannon said on War Room. Its simple what they did. Just look at, recall Kelly. You want to send a shockwave to D.C.? Theyre going to be cute. Like President Trump says, no games.

So heres no games: recall Kelly today. And lets in fact tell the flag officers no long Thanksgiving weekend. Friday, youre going to convene a court martial for him. And lets roll, lets get a verdict by Sunday. And lets throw him in Leavenworth and throw him in prison by Monday. Lets just roll, this is very simple. And then the other five are going to wet themselves and then start rolling them up. This is what has to happen.

Bannons remarks on sedition echo those of President Donald Trump, who said following Democrats release of their video that their message could be construed as seditious and actions taken by traitors.

In the old days, if you said a thing like that, that was punishable by death," Trump said.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrives for the national Thanksgiving turkey pardoning ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Bannon agreed with Trumps remarks, saying that the court-martial is going to have serious implications now.

Are they going to get to the death penalty? Im not a JAG lawyer, I think that is maybe a stretch, Bannon told Military.com. But when I say serious, I believe that Mark Kelly's going to Leavenworth.

Plus, he's doubling down and tripling down. He's going on the shows. So no, this has got to be dealt with.

Trump's 'Authoritarian' Administration

Kelly has maintained his resolve, saying in a statement Monday that hes given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution.

In an appearance Tuesday on ABCs Jimmy Kimmel Live, he made similar remarks.

It is right out of the playbook, you know, the playbook of authoritarianism. That's what they do, Kelly said. They try to suppress speech. Every one of us has First Amendment speech rights, and I think the president is infringing on those and he is sending a pretty strong message.

You do not want to cross him, and your loyalty should be to him. It should not. It should always be to the Constitution.
A leaked document has reportedly exposed Russias hand in the original U.S. peace plan for Ukraine.

The original 28-point plan drew heavily on a Russian-written proposal that reportedly included territorial concessions long demanded by Moscow, now causing Ukrainian, U.S. and European officials to rush to rewrite the framework.

Washington, Kyiv and European capitals are scrambling after talks in Geneva triggered a revised Ukraine peace plan, following the disclosure that Russian-authored language shaped key parts of the original draft and sparked backlash from lawmakers, allies and security analysts concerned about sovereignty, security and global precedent.

Military.com reached out to the White House, State Department, National Security Council, NATO and congressional leaders for comment.

Red Flags Over Original Draft

Doubts remain within diplomatic and defense circles as negotiators try to salvage credibility after the original proposal was revealed to contain Russian-friendly provisions. The draft was linked to a Russian-authored, non-paper cited by sources familiar with the drafting process.

The 28-point proposal included controversial elements such as proposed force limits and restrictions on NATO membership for Ukraine, which sparked widespread concern among U.S. and European lawmakers.

White House Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff listens as President Donald Trump speaks before a lunch with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

That disclosure has shifted the narrative away from conflict resolution and more towards questions of influence, transparency, leverage and trust.

"I am still not holding my breath."

The revised plan is much improved," Michael OHanlon, director of research and senior fellow of the foreign policy program at the Brookings Institution, told Military.com. "It apparently will not require Ukraine to give up land it currently holds or to accept unilateral restrictions on its military capabilities. Those were among the most egregious elements of the 28-point Russian-influenced plan.

But I am still not holding my breath. I am dubious [Russian President Vladimir] Putin will agree to this when he thinks hes winning and he thinks were tiring.

Kyiv Resets Conditions

Ukraine has signaled it is willing to advance a revised peace framework, but only if sensitive issues such as territorial integrity, sovereignty and long-term security guarantees are handled directly at the highest level with the United States and in coordination with European allies. Officials in Kyiv continue to reject any plan that locks in territorial losses or limits the nations right to defend itself.

U.S. President Donald Trump's overseas envoy Steve Witkoff will be part of talks at the Kremlin next week, according to the BBC, while U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is working on the Ukraine side. Witkoff's impending visit was reportedly confirmed by Putin's foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov, on Wednesday.

n this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife Olena walk after commemorative ceremony for victims of the Holodomor, Great Famine, that killed millions in the 1930's, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

European powers moved quickly in response. The United Kingdom, France and Germany circulated a counter-proposal that reinforces Ukrainian sovereignty and calls for stronger NATO-style security guarantees. That version effectively strips language tied to force caps and recognition of Russian-held territory.

Diplomats confirmed the evolving plan continues to shift as new language moves quietly through diplomatic channels. Growing momentum in Europe has reflected intensified pressure on negotiators to strengthen guardrails around sovereignty and post-war security.

Military strikes have not slowed. Russian missile and drone attacks continue to slam into Ukrainian cities, power stations, transportation corridors and residential neighborhoods, leaving burning buildings, shattered windows and displaced families in their wake. Civilian areas around Kyiv and across eastern and southern regions remain under constant threat as air raid sirens punctuate daily life.

A man walks in front of burning residential building after a Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Kateryna Klochko)

Rewrite Under Pressure

The updated proposal is reportedly down to 19 points, with the most controversial sections removed.

Russia has signaled that any final agreement must reflect its own stated interests, suggesting resistance remains high.

Negotiations are expected to continue through diplomatic channels in Europe and the Middle East in the coming days. The next phase could include direct leader-level talks if progress holds.
The Pentagons decade-long effort to field augmented reality for ground forces has been defined by big promises and equally large setbacks. The Armys Integrated Visual Augmentation System program began as a sweeping initiative valued at up to 22 billion dollars over ten years. Early field evaluations identified serious flaws. Soldiers reported headaches, eyestrain, nausea, and other mission-affecting physical impairments. Additional assessments raised concerns about display clarity, low-light performance, reliability, and weight distribution.

These failures triggered a broader rethink inside the DoD. Instead of chasing an all-in-one headset intended to serve daytime tasks, nighttime operations, and even digital night vision, defense leaders have begun shifting toward modular systems designed for narrower mission sets.

How Vuzix Fits the Post-IVAS Shift

This pivot has opened opportunities for companies specializing in specific subsystems rather than fully integrated soldier systems. Vuzix, an American manufacturer of AR smart glasses and optical technologies, has become one of the most visible firms in this space.

The company has secured several defense-related deals, including a six-figure development order for custom waveguides for a lightweight heads-up display, a production order for waveguides for an aerospace and defense customer, and earlier defense shipments tied to HUD development. These contracts reflect a broader strategy: enhancing existing soldier equipment through reliable, specialized optical components rather than trying to replace everything with a single headset.

Lessons Learned: Insights from Adam Bull, Director of Program Management at Vuzix

To understand how the defense sector is redefining AR, Military.com spoke with Adam Bull, the companys Director of Program Management. He oversees Vuzixs OEM and defense programs and plays a central role in shaping how the company designs waveguides and wearable optical components for military applications.

Bull explained that IVAS struggled because its ambitions exceeded what current optics, ergonomics, and processing could support. The program tried to serve training, daytime operations, nighttime missions, and digital night vision in a single device. Trying to be all three made it an overly complicated system, he said.

The military is now going after smaller use cases and trying to make devices that will fit those specific use cases instead of a one-size-fits-all device.

According to Bull, this shift is overdue. Attempting to consolidate multiple mission profiles into one optical architecture created a system that overloaded soldiers with weight, information, and visual demands; these problems were reflected in formal test reports.

Why Minimalist AR Design Matters

Vuzixs commercial design philosophy aligns neatly with this new direction. Bull described how the company prioritizes minimal, task-specific devices rather than bulky, multi-function platforms. The M400 series and the Z100 illustrate this approach. The M400 series takes a monocular, visor-style form factor closer to the heads-up scouter aesthetic familiar from Dragon Ball Z, while the Z100 follows a true eyewear silhouette.

People dont even know that youve got a piece of technology on your face, Bull explained. That familiarity reduces physical and cognitive strain, qualities that directly inform their defense waveguide development. Even a few extra grams, he noted, can produce neck strain or disrupt balance during prolonged missions.

What a Waveguide Actually Does

Waveguides sit at the heart of Vuzixs defense work. Bull described them as thin glass structures that capture and redirect light from a miniature projector through engineered nanostructures. Through total internal reflection  the same mirrored effect swimmers see when looking toward the surface of a pool  the light bounces inside the glass until it exits toward the users eye.

The result resembles a tiny, wearable version of a pilots heads-up display. This architecture enables soldiers to access information without shifting their gaze away from their surroundings.

Sgt. 1st Class Yun Sung, left, and Master Sgt. William Harbeson try out augmented reality technology that could be an option for use in the military sustainment community during a Healthcare Technology Management Week summit, hosted by U.S. Army Medical Logistics Command at Fort Detrick, Maryland (DVIDS).

Engineering for the Battlefield

Military systems must function under extreme conditions. Bull detailed Vuzixs process: modeling optical performance before fabrication, then validating prototypes through environmental testing in high-heat and subzero chambers, along with optical qualification trials that measure brightness, clarity, and durability.

Physics remains a major constraint. Expanding the field of view often reduces brightness, a trade-off that earlier AR programs tried to ignore. Vuzix is pushing these boundaries by pursuing higher-refractive-index materials, which could eventually increase brightness and field of view while staying lightweight and manufacturable.

Designing for User Acceptance, Not Just Capability

Bull emphasized that soldiers still have to want to use it. Vuzix draws heavily from its work with enterprise clients, Fortune 500 logistics and warehousing operations, where cognitive load and information clutter can make or break adoption. Those lessons carry over to defense environments, where users face even more intense sensory demands. Keeping overlays simple, avoiding excessive motion on the display, and preserving natural vision remain critical to user acceptance.

The Next Five Years of Military AR

Bull expects the earliest widespread adoption to appear in training, vehicle interfaces, drone control, and logistics rather than frontline dismounted soldier AR. Purpose-built systems, he said, will outperform all-in-one designs. He also emphasized the strategic importance of U.S.-based AR manufacturing, noting Chinas significant investments in AR technologies and the national security risks of losing domestic capability.

The Pentagons next decade of AR will depend on realistic requirements, incremental progress, and careful engineering. If the Department of Defense continues adopting modular, mission-specific hardware and integrates commercially successful components, augmented reality may finally evolve from an aspirational vision into a reliable tool for soldiers.
Star Trek icon George Takei opened with a Vulcan salute.

Standing at the podium of the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan in Tokyo on Nov. 20, the 88-year-old actorbest known to many service members as helmsman Hikaru Sulu from Star Trekgreeted a room full of reporters, students, and Trekkies. Then he pivoted from science fiction to something far more grounded: the day U.S. soldiers with bayonets showed up at his familys Los Angeles home when he was five years old.

We were forced at gunpoint from our home, he recalled, before describing how his family was shipped to Camp Rohwer in Arkansas and later to Tule Lake in Californiatwo of the camps where tens of thousands of Japanese Americans were confined behind barbed wire during World War II under President Franklin Roosevelts Executive Order 9066.

While his family lived under guard as suspected enemy aliens, other Japanese Americans were stepping off transports in Italy and France as part of the U.S. Armys 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the all-Nisei unit that would become the most decorated in American history for its size and length of service.

Trucks loaded with supplies and belongings drive past a rail crossing toward the Rohwer Relocation Center in Arkansas, a 500-acre World War II Japanese American internment camp built for the War Relocation Authority.

That contrastbarbed wire at home, Go for Broke on the battlefieldis the heart of Takeis message, and its one he wants todays troops and vets to hear.

Japanese American men, women, and children gather with their belongings as they wait to be processed and transported to the Rohwer Relocation Center in Arkansas during World War II.

We Were Prisoners of Our Own Government.

Takei has been telling this story for decades, but the details still land hard.

At the Tokyo event, he described being herded with his parents and siblings into a train with blackout shades, not knowing where they were going, and arriving at Rohwer to find barracks, guard towers, and barbed wire. From there, they were later transferred to Tule Lake, a harsher segregation center where dissenters and those deemed disloyal were concentrated.

In other interviews and books, hes been blunt about what that meant:

We were prisoners of our own government.

Like many parents in the camps, his mother and father tried to shield their children from the worst of it. Takei has talked about how, to a small boy, the barbed wire fences and armed sentries could blur into a strange sort of adventureuntil he grew old enough to understand why they were there.

A young George Takei (top right) with his mother and siblings during World War II, when their Japanese American family was incarcerated in a U.S. camp.

Those memories anchor much of his later work. He first laid them out in prose in his autobiography To the Stars, then in the award-winning graphic memoir They Called Us Enemy, which uses comics to depict his familys years in the camps.

Most recently, he turned to a younger audience with My Lost Freedom: A Japanese American World War II Story, a picture book published in the U.S. in 2024 and now being released in Japanese. The book is aimed at kids between six and ninethe same age he was when he watched his parents try to make a life under armed guard.

Members of the allNisei 442nd Regimental Combat Team ride in a U.S. Army jeep during operations in France in World War II. (Courtesy of the U.S. National Archives)

The 442nd: Fighting for a Country That Locked Up Their Families

When Takei talks about the injustice of incarceration, he doesnt stop at his own story. In Tokyo, he pointed to the men of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, whose motto was Go for Broke.

While families like his were stuck behind barbed wire in Arkansas and California, Nisei (second-generation Japanese-American) soldiers were fighting in Europe. Formed from volunteers from Hawaii and the mainland, including some from the camps themselves, the 100th/442nd went on to fight in seven major campaigns.

The numbers are staggering:

The 100th/442nd is widely recognized as the most decorated unit in U.S. military history for its size and length of service.

Roughly 18,000 men served in the combined unit over the course of the war.

They received more than 18,000 individual decorations, including 21 Medals of Honor, thousands of Purple Hearts, and multiple Presidential Unit Citations.

Their casualty rate has been estimated at roughly 250300% of their original strength.

Bette and Kuichi Takei, parents of actor George Takei, stand outside their military housing in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, during World War II. (Photo courtesy of Carl Takei)

In other words: Japanese-American soldiers were fighting, bleeding, and dying for a country that had locked up many of their parents, siblings, and neighbors.

For a Military.com audience, thats not just a historical curiosity. Its an extreme example of a tension many service members have felt in different forms: swearing an oath to defend ideals that the country doesnt always live up to in practice.

Takeis point is not that the 442nd should have walked away. Its that they fought with valor, as he told the Tokyo crowd, even as they knew exactly what had been done to their community.

Japanese American residents at the Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Wyoming enjoy ice skating on a frozen pond in January 1943, turning the harsh winter weather into a rare moment of recreation inside the World War II camp. (War Relocation Authority/U.S. National Archives)

Its Being Repeated: Takeis Warning for Today

Takei is not just interested in the past; hes worried about the present.

In Tokyo, he drew a line between the wartime incarceration he survived and what he called immigrant roundups happening in the United States today, warning that they are deeply resonant with what he experienced as a child.

Immigration, racism and the failure of political leadership  its being repeated, he said. We must do everything to stop whats happening again today because it was horrible.

He also criticized efforts in Japan to reinterpret its pacifist constitution, and pointed out how far that country still lags on LGBTQ+ rights. Takei, who came out publicly in 2005 after decades in the closet, has been a vocal advocate for marriage equality and queer visibility.

For troops and vets, the politics of all that will land differently depending on your own views. But you dont have to agree with Takei on every modern policy point to recognize the core of his warning: fear and prejudice can push democratic societies toward mass punishment of entire communities, and it can happen faster than people expect.

Hes lived through one version of that story already.

Screenshot of Penguin Random Houses listing for My Lost Freedom: A Japanese American World War II Story, George Takeis illustrated childrens book about his childhood in U.S. incarceration camps.

Storytelling as Service: Books, Bans, and Younger Readers

Takeis Tokyo talk wasnt just a reminiscence; it was also a kind of book tour.

My Lost Freedom, illustrated by Michelle Lee, has been praised for helping young readers understand what it feels like to be treated as an enemy by their own country. Takei has said he wrote it for children who are the age he was when soldiers came to his door.

That focus on kids is part of a larger fight. In September, the American Library Association named him the honorary chair of Banned Books Week 2025, the annual campaign to spotlight books that have been challenged or removed from schools and libraries.

His graphic memoir They Called Us Enemythe same book many teachers use to teach about Japanese-American incarcerationhas itself been banned or restricted in several districts in recent years, including in Tennessee and Pennsylvania.

At a Brooklyn Public Library event kicking off Banned Books Week, Takei argued that censorship of stories like his is dangerous precisely because it hides uncomfortable chapters of American history from the next generation.

I know what it is to be targeted by my own government,

Takei said in that context. For him, making sure kids can read about that experiencefrom his books or othersis not just about literary freedom. Its about national memory.

Evacuated Japanese American farmers harvest spinach in the fields of the Gila River Relocation Center in Rivers, Arizona, on Nov. 25, 1942. (War Relocation Authority/U.S. National Archives)

Why This Matters to Service Members Now

So why should someone in uniformor someone who used to becare about an actors childhood in a camp eight decades ago?

A few reasons:

You swore an oath to the Constitution, not a politician. The incarceration of more than 100,000 Japanese Americans during WWII is now widely regarded as a grave violation of constitutional rights. Congress formally apologized and authorized reparations in 1988. That doesnt change the fact that it happened under the banner of national security. Understanding that history is part of understanding what your oath is meant to protect.

The incarceration of more than 100,000 Japanese Americans during WWII is now widely regarded as a grave violation of constitutional rights. Congress formally apologized and authorized reparations in 1988. That doesnt change the fact that it happened under the banner of national security. Understanding that history is part of understanding what your oath is meant to protect. The 442nds story is military history, not just civil-rights history. Their record on the battlefield is one of the most striking examples of unit cohesion and courage youll find in any war storyand its inseparable from the injustice their families faced at home.

Their record on the battlefield is one of the most striking examples of unit cohesion and courage youll find in any war storyand its inseparable from the injustice their families faced at home. Patterns repeat if people dont recognize them. Takeis warning about immigration crackdowns, racism, and failed leadership is ultimately aimed at the same institutions you serve in. You dont have to agree with his policy prescriptions to take seriously his lived experience of what can happen when fear overrides rights.

If you want to go deeper, his books are a good place to start: They Called Us Enemy for a graphic-novel view of camp life, and My Lost Freedom if you have kids or grandkids and want to put that history in their hands. Organizations like the National WWII Museum and the Densho digital archive also offer detailed resources on the camps and the 442nds combat record.

A formal portrait of actor, author, and activist George Takei, whose work now focuses on sharing his familys World War II incarceration story and advocating for civil rights. (Photo by Christopher Appoldt)

George Takei has spent most of his life doing two things: entertaining people and reminding them what happened when his country locked up its own citizens behind barbed wire. In Tokyo, as he raised his hand in a familiar Vulcan salute, he was doing both.

What hes asking of todays troops and vets is simple: remember that historyand think hard about the kind of country youre fighting for.
What Happened in Downtown Washington

A mid-afternoon shooting on November 26, 2025, left two members of the United States National Guard wounded just steps from the White House. The attack occurred near 17th Street and I Street NW, close to Farragut Square and a short walk from the West Wing. Early statements from officials described a chaotic scene in which at least three people were shot, two of whom were uniformed Guard members positioned in the area. A suspect was taken into custody soon after the incident, though authorities did not immediately release identifying information or a potential motive.

Pedestrians, commuters, and office workers in the busy downtown corridor described hearing a burst of gunfire before police and federal security personnel flooded the area. Several blocks were cordoned off as investigators began collecting shell casings and reviewing surveillance footage.

Emergency Response and Law Enforcement Reaction

Patrol officers, tactical units, and federal protective teams converged on the scene, while the U.S. Secret Service temporarily restricted pedestrian movement near the White House perimeter.

NBC Washington confirmed that a helicopter landed at the scene and that one victim was transported by air after receiving treatment on the ground. By late afternoon, MPD reported the scene was secured and to stay away from the area.

Emergency personnel stand guard in the area where National Guard soldiers appear to have been shot near the White House Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

What Investigators Know  and What They Have Not Clarified

The Guard members are said to be in critical condition. The lack of official updates has fueled public concern, given the high-profile nature of the location and the involvement of military personnel.

Investigators have not indicated whether the shooter deliberately targeted the Guard members or whether they were caught in a broader exchange of gunfire. Detectives have also not disclosed whether the recovered weapon was legally obtained, whether the suspect has a criminal history, or whether there is evidence of premeditation.

Authorities cautioned that early details may change as the investigation develops, noting multiple nearby buildings, including federal offices, have extensive security-camera coverage that will guide next steps.

Security Context: Why This Incident Hit a Sensitive Nerve

The shooting comes during a tense period for Washington. Earlier in 2025, the federal government deployed hundreds of National Guard members to the capital under an emergency order aimed at combating violent crime.

Only days before the shooting, a federal judge ruled the Guard deployment exceeded lawful authority, ordering the Guard to be withdrawn by December 11 pending any appellate action. The ruling intensified debate over federal involvement in local policing and raised broader constitutional questions about the balance of authority between the District and the executive branch.

Against this backdrop, the fact that Guard personnel were shot blocks from the White House magnified concerns about the stability of public security and the safety of federal forces operating in urban environments. The proximity to the executive compound  one of the most heavily monitored areas of the country  highlighted the limits of even robust security architecture.

Many have expressed frustration that an area known for heavy police and federal presence could still experience a shooting of this magnitude. Others focused on the unique vulnerability of National Guard personnel operating in public spaces. While Guardsmen perform a wide range of non-combat missions inside the United States, including traffic support, facility protection, and emergency response, they are often dispersed across open areas with limited protective infrastructure. Wednesdays attack highlighted that these roles still carry significant risk, even in central Washington.

Streets are blocked after reports of two National Guard soldiers were shot near the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

What Comes Next?

MPD and federal partners are expected to release more information in the coming days, including the victims conditions and any charges against the detained suspect. Investigators are reviewing ballistic evidence, witness interviews, and footage from both public and private security cameras throughout the downtown grid.

Officials urge patience as the investigation unfolds. For now, many key questions remain unanswered: whether the attack was targeted, whether others may have been involved, and what it means for federal-local cooperation in one of the most politically sensitive jurisdictions in the country.

This remains a developing story, and updates will continue as authorities verify new information.
Photo: NBC News

US President Donald Trump said he had not heard an audio recording published by Bloomberg of US special envoy Steve Witkoff explaining to Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov how to address the US leader, but called such actions a normal part of the negotiation process.

"Well, I haven't. No, but it's a standard thing, you know, because he has to sell it to Ukraine. He has to sell Ukraine to Russia. That's what he... that's what he does. That's what he does, that's what a deal maker does," Trump said, answering questions from reporters aboard Air Force One.

He added that such an approach is "standard form of negotiation" and, according to him, Witkoff "says the same thing to Ukraine" because "each side has to give something in return."

As reported, on the night of November 26, Bloomberg published a transcript of a purported conversation last month between US Special Representative Steve Witkoff and Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov about the possibility of preparing a peace plan for Ukraine and giving advice on how Putin should negotiate with US President Donald Trump.

Witkoff purportedly suggested to Ushakov that he consider arranging a call between Trump and Putin before a scheduled meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House: "Zelenskyy is coming to the White House on Friday (October 17 - IF-U), I will be there because they want me to be there, but I think, if possible, we will have a call with your boss before this Friday meeting."

After the talks with Ushakov, Witkoff met with Putin's special representative Kirill Dmitriev in Miami. They discussed Moscow's position on the peace proposal and agreed on how tough Russia should defend its demands. Later, on October 29, Dmitriev and Ushakov had a telephone conversation in which they discussed the risks of misunderstanding on the part of the United States and possible compromises that would allow moving towards an agreement.

Dmitriev expressed confidence that even if the American side does not fully accept Russia's version, it can agree to something close to it, and he personally will follow the Kremlin's instructions: "No, look, it seems to me, here is this paper, we will just do it as if in our position and I will simply informally directly convey that all this is informal. And let them do it as theirs, but I think that they will not take our version exactly, but at least as close to it as possible."

"Peace keeps moving forward despite the desperate attempts of warmongers and the war lobby to sabotage it. Their fear media campaigns are loud, but the will of people who choose peace is stronger," Dmitriev said on X.
Scenes from the Santa Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Charlie Nick | MLive.com

The days between holidays start to smooth over with sugary glaze where youre really only tracking time based on how many holiday movies you watched, the oven timer and replacing logs on the fire.

If you need help finding some holiday wanderlust this season you dont have to go far. Michigan towns small and large bring that Hallmark-worthy charm to life.

The folks at Pure Michigan put together a list of fan-favorite downtowns to visit during the holidays.

Santa arrives during the Grand Rapids Santa Parade on Saturday, November 22, 2025 in Grand Rapids, Mich. Chloe Trofatter | MLive.com

Grand Rapids

Central to downtown Grand Rapids is Rosa Park Circle where the urban park transforms into an ice rink.

Starting Dec. 5, adults and kids can skate for under $10 with skate rental included. The skate rink is open every day of the week, including Christmas Eve and New Years Day. Check the schedule for hours.

You can stop by and skate on a whim, or plan ahead. Beginning Dec. 1, 50 reserved spots are available for each skating session.

As you shop your way through Monroe Ave, youll find Michigan-made goods from local businesses big and small like the new graffiti-themed jewelry at Rebel Nell or Detroit luxury brand Shinola.

For a shopping experience that feels inspired by European markets, head towards the Downtown Market.

The Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt has officially returned with 60 vendors offering a wide range including ceramics, candles, soaps, toys, stationery, holiday decor and home decor.

The third annual market is taking place through Dec. 23. Locals are already lining up for the markets food, from famous raclette cheese sandwiches to homemade churros.

A Saucisson Sec Raclette Sandwich for $18 is made at the Christkindl Markt outside the Downtown Market in Grand Rapids, Mich. on Thursday, November 20, 2025. Isaac Ritchey | iritchey@mlive.com

While youre on the west side, see how Holland is embracing winter with its nationally recognized Kerstmarkt and new, $11.3 million ice rink.

Theres just something special about the beach town during the holidays when tourists trade sunscreen for snow gloves and the whole downtown is glowing with lights.

Harbor Springs downtown tree lighting in 2022. Photo provided by Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau. Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau

Petoskey and Harbor Springs

A road trip around Little Traverse Bay is magical once the snow falls and the heavy tourist crowds melt away.

Catch these quaint towns big tree lighting on Saturday, Nov. 29.

Pure Michigan describes Petoskeys downtown as a blend of hip and historic noting the gas lights cast a cheery glow in this one-time Hemingway hangout, a nod to the authors time spent near Walloon Lake.

If youre looking to cozy up in a bookshop try McLean and Eakin. For brunch or coffee try Roast and Toast.

If you prefer an adult beverage with community flare try Petoskeys new watering hole, Elder Piper Beer & Cider, at the edge of its Old Town Emmet neighborhood. A true neighborhood bar, the buildings vintage exterior fits the character of the homes on this working-class street.

If youre meeting up with a crowd, we suggest the oldest brewery: Petoskey Brewing Company. The beers are steeped in history at this 126-year old Old Brewery.

The red brick, four-story building sits right between Petoskey and Harbor Springs as your round Little Traverse Bay on Harbor-Petoskey Road.

Elder Piper is Petoskey's newest brewery, located in the Old Town Emmet neighborhood. Elder Piper

Gift shopping for a foodie or wine lover? Try gourmet grocery store American Spoon for specialty jams, preserves, syrups, sauces and salsa. They package their holiday snack mixes and hot coco kits for easy gifting.

Take your time curving around the tight corners of Symons General Store where youll discover new spice blends, hot sauces, soup mixes and more. Plus a sandwich from the deli counter to refuel.

If you get overwhelmed by choices, dont worry, they offer nine different gift box options. Dont forget to wander downstairs to the wine cellar.

Make it a romantic weekend Up North, and try the Aonach Mor dinners where a sleigh ride takes you to The Highlands at Harbor Springs mountaintop for a moonlit meal.

Horse-drawn wagon rides are part of Winter Wonderland in Houghton, Mich. Visit Keweenaw

Houghton

The charming towns of the Upper Peninsula promise holiday spirit by the sleigh-load. As snowiest spot in the state, Houghton and the whole Keweenaw Peninsula can deliver on that big promise.

The northernmost part of the state often sees more than 200 inches of snow and sometimes over 300 inches, according to county data.

With a blanket of snow as the backdrop, its easy to feel like youre in a snow globe fairytale.

Find one-of-a-kind holiday decor at Rozsas Center for the Performing Arts in Houghton. Check it out 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29.

The market promises high-quality, locally sourced gifts and fabulous decorations.

Youll be the Martha May Whovier of your Whoville.

Pure Michigan recommends wandering Houghtons Shelden Avenue for special gifts from shops like Red Jacket Boutique, Chickadees and Surplus Outlet.

For gifts for the rock hounds in your life, find natural treasures at the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum.

Families can pose with Santa or characters from Disneys Frozen during Houghtons magical Winter Wonderland from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, at the Waterfront Pier.

Keep the magic going on a horse-drawn carriage ride, sipping free hot cocoa and taking in the twinkling lights.

Children visit with Santa during Winter Wonderland in Houghton, Mich. Visit Keweenaw

Manistee

Step back in time and indulge in the happy golden days of yore.

Manistees Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend transports visitors back to the 1800s when the town was founded.

Downtown is closed to vehicles for the day as horse-drawn carriages retake the streets and jingle with merry bells. Revelers don top hats, bustles and muffs, as they sing carols and roast chestnuts over open fires.

Immerse yourself in the times of Englands Queen Victoria during the 36thannual event, scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 4, to Sunday, Dec. 7.

Stay in the 1800s and visit Ramsdell Inn and TJs Pub.

The historic boutique hotel in the heart of Downtown Manistee features stained glass, elaborate woodwork and 1891 Victorian architecture. The pub is pouring Michigan craft beers on 12 rotating taps.

A Santa Claus attending the Charles W. Santa Claus School takes photographs of the trees at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com) Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Frankenmuth

Theres a reason Pure Michigan calls this town holiday nirvana. And its not just because its home to the nations largest Christmas store or is a frequent stop for the students at Michigans Santa school.

The town greets you with a Christmas tree that stands 40 feet high, boasts 23,000 lights and plays seven minutes straight of Christmas songs, Pure Michigan writes.

Of course, make a dedicated stop to Bronners CHRISTmas Wonderland.

Regardless of how many times you check your list, its almost guaranteed youll leave with something extra once you discover the stores 50,000 Christmas items.

For perspective, theres 6,000 styles of ornaments including those that say Merry Christmas in 70 languages.

Bavarian Inn Restaurant & Lodge is just as whimsical with decorated trees hanging upside down from skylights.

Once youre downtown, Pure Michigan recommends you find Charlins Book Nook, the Covered Bridge Shop, the Frankenmuth Cheese Haus and a clock and German gift store to get the full Little Bavaria experience that landed Frankenmuth on national holiday experience lists.

For authentic German flare, plan to attend the towns traditional ChristKindlMarkt during Black Friday weekend, Nov. 2830.

In this 2013 file photo, Jake Hoffman, 27, of Hoffman Tree Farm, chooses balsam and white pine branches for a fresh garland at Frankenmuth's Christkindlmarkt. Katie Bailey | MLive.com file

End your visit with the Silent Night Memorial Chapel at Bronners. The chapel is an exact replica of the one in Oberndorf, Austria, where the song was first performed in 1818.

While on a European trip, Bronners originator Wally Bronner discovered the serene chapel and asked city officials for permission to build the octagonal replica in Michigans Little Bavaria.

The Michigan chapel began collecting translations of Silent Night and by 1999 Bronner collected and shared more than 300 translations of the iconic hymn.

More holiday magic: Metro Detroits Big, Bright Light Show is 8 weeks and 1.5 million light bulbs in the making
UPDATE: Fiance, sister of missing pregnant woman charged day after body found

WEXFORD COUNTY, MI  The fiance and sister of a missing pregnant woman were arrested after a body was found Tuesday, 9&10 News reports.

Rebecca Park, 22, was last seen on Nov. 3 leaving a family members home in Wexford Countys Boon Township. She was reported missing the next day. Park was 38 or 39 weeks pregnant at the time. On Tuesday, more than three weeks after she was last seen, a body that resembles Park was found by citizen searchers in the Manistee National Forest near where she went missing. Positive identification is pending an autopsy. The status of Parks child is unknown.

It is not clear what charges the fiance and sister were arrested on. It is also unclear whether their arrests are connected with the missing persons case. 9&10 reports that they could be arraigned today or later this week.

RELATED: Police update missing pregnant woman case after body found in Manistee National Forest

During a news conference Tuesday night, Sheriff Trent Taylor would not answer whether the clothing on the deceased matched what Park was wearing when she disappeared. Taylor had no comment on whether investigators believed the body had been moved. He also would not say how long this person appeared to have been deceased.

This area had been searched before, he said.

Previous searches of the area by law enforcement (including K9 teams and drones) and volunteers found no additional evidence, police said previously.

The case is being investigated by the sheriffs office and Michigan State Police.

Park was last seen on the evening of Nov. 3 when she willingly got into the passenger side of a vehicle outside a family members home on South 21 Road in the Cadillac area, police said previously.

She may have been in possession of $2,000 cash, given to her after the passing of a family member. Parks cellphone was found on a two-track road near the residence where she was last seen. She never showed up at any local hospital.

At one point, the police believed she may have been hiding and appealed to her to contact them.
An associate professor at Ferris State University was placed on administrative leave this week after he was arrested by federal immigration agents on Nov. 12 in Detroit. Neil Blake File Photo | For MLive.com

DETROIT, MI  A professor at Ferris State University is on administrative leave after he was arrested by federal immigration agents.

Sumith Gunasekera was taken into custody on Nov. 12 in the Detroit area, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The agency alleges Gunasekera is an undocumented immigrant from Sri Lanka.

During his arrest, Gunasekera told agents he was employed as an associate professor for Ferris State University in Big Rapids. The university acted after learning of Gunasekeras arrest.

Ferris State University leaders on Tuesday became aware of accusations regarding Professor Sumith Gunasekera, Dave Murray, the universitys associate vice president for marketing and communications, told MLive in an email Wednesday, Nov. 26. He has been placed on administrative leave while the university gathers more information.

Its unclear how long Gunasekera was employed at the university and whether his leave is paid.

Gunasekera entered the U.S. in February 1998, left for Canada, and returned later that year on a student visa, according to ICE officials.

When Gunasekera applied for a change of status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in 2012, officials learned he was convicted of crimes in Canada.

According to ICE, Gunasekera was convicted in November 1998 of uttering a threat to cause death or bodily harm and sexual interference.

The conviction happened in Brampton, Ontario, and Gunasekera was sentenced to one month in jail and placed on probation for a year.

Gunasekera was also convicted of disorderly conduct in January 2004 in Las Vegas, according to ICE. He was sentenced to fines and costs.

Gunasekera remains in ICE custody pending further immigration proceedings.
A Metro Detroit couple and one adult son are facing first-degree child abuse and torture charges after two young siblings were allegedly starved and found to be malnourished at a local hospital earlier this month. (file photo)

PONTIAC, MI  A Metro Detroit couple and one adult son are facing first-degree child abuse and torture charges after two young siblings were found to be severely malnourished when taken to a local hospital earlier this month.

The Oakland County Prosecutors Office filed the charges Tuesday, Nov. 25, against Arturo and Dulce Bazan, a 43- and 42-year-old husband and wife from Pontiac, as well as 24-year-old Carlos Bazan-Hernandez.

Each has been brought up on two counts of child abuse and torture with intent to cause extreme physical or mental pain and suffering, according to district court records.

A 9-year-old child, weighing just 33 pounds, was first reported to be suffering from liver failure and cardiac arrest due to malnutrition when they were taken to Trinity Hospital on Nov. 17 in Pontiac. Another victim, aged 11, was also found to be suffering from malnutrition, weighing 43 pounds upon admission to the facility.

Like Bazan-Hernandez, the victims are the biological children of just Arturo Bazan, while Arturo and Dulce reportedly share two younger children. According to the prosecutors office, the 9- and 11-year-old told authorities they received less food than their younger siblings.

Its unconscionable that anyone, let alone parents, would willfully starve children, Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in a statement. The allegations in this case are horrifying.

In a news release, McDonald said the victims were removed from school in September because the family allegedly told school officials they were moving.

No future court dates were listed for the three defendants as of late Tuesday. Court records did not yet list an attorney, and they could not be immediately reached for comment.

Both torture and first-degree child abuse are punishable by any number of years up to life in prison.
A Flint child gets her finger poked to test her blood for lead levels on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016 at Freeman Elementary School in Flint. Michigan has awarded grant funding to eight communities to help fund lead abatement and other safety measures for eligible households. Jake May | jmay2@mlive.com

More than $8 million in grant funding has been awarded to Michigan communities to expand residential lead hazard services.

Eight communities were awarded between $500,000 and $1.35 million for expanded services that help households with at least one Medicaid-enrolled resident.

Lead can cause health problems, especially in children, when its swallowed or inhaled. It can be found in drinking water that passes through old lead pipes, as well as in lead-based paint chips, dust, and soil.

Funds from the 2026 hazard grants can be used to cover costs for lead inspections, removal of lead paint and soil lead hazards, removal of pre-2014 faucets and fixtures used for human consumption, and temporary relocation of residents during lead abatement activities.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced the latest lead grants Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 26. Funding is provided through the states Childrens Health Insurance Program.

Below are the grant recipients and how much they will receive for 2026:

Battle Creek: $1.35 million for eligible residents in Calhoun County.

Community Action Agency: $1.35 million for eligible residents in Lenawee and Hillsdale counties.

Detroit: $1.35 million for eligible residents in Detroit.

Grand Rapids: in Grand Rapids. $720,000 for eligible residents in Grand Rapids.

Human Development Commission: $850,000 for eligible residents in Huron, Tuscola, Sanilac, Lapeer and Bay counties.

Public Health, Delta and Menominee counties: $855,000 for eligible residents in the Upper Peninsula.

Muskegon: $1.2 million for eligible residents in Muskegon County.

Oakland County Health Department: $500,000 for eligible residents in Oakland County.

Michigan is committed to protecting families from lead exposure by working with communities across the state to reduce or eliminate all sources of lead in the home, said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel in a prepared statement. These grant funds will allow communities to address lead hazards impacting some of our most vulnerable residents to help protect them from the health effects of lead.

Services funded by the grant must be completed by Sept. 30, 2026. For more information about available lead-related resources, visit Michigans Mi Lead Safe website.
Korsons Tree Farms presented the official White House Christmas tree in a horse-drawn carriage to First Lady Melania Trump on Monday, Nov. 24, in front of the White House. Image courtesy the White House Press Office

A Michigan-grown Christmas tree will spend the holidays at the White House, marking the first time in over 40 years that a supplier from the state has received the distinction.

This is honor, kicking off the holiday spirit in Michigan, is one of five must-read stories from MLive from Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 24 and 25.

Montcalm County farm also once sent trees to Joe Bidens residence

First Lady Melania Trump received the Christmas tree on Monday, Nov. 24, from Korsons Tree Farms in Sidney. Korsons was awarded the title of grand champion in the 2025 National Christmas Tree Association contest, earning the honor.

Jessica Korson described winning the grand champion title as a dream come true for their farm, expressing hope for future opportunities to repeat the honor. Previously, the tree farm achieved second reserve champion in the 2015 National Tree Contest, sending trees to then-Vice President Joe Bidens residence.

The last Michigan grower to supply a Christmas tree for the White House was Dutchman Tree Farms in 1984.

Read more from Ehren Wynders story here.

Here are four other MLive stories to read:

Michigan man accused of flouting trading ban, operating Ponzi-like scheme

Brian Mitchell, a man from Pittsfield Township, has been accused of violating a three-year ban from commodities trading.

Along with his partner Kevin Mack Jr., theyre accused in federal court of misrepresenting their trading success and incurring losses of over $750,000 for investors between December 2020 and May 2022.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission filed a complaint stating the duo engaged in fraudulent practices, issuing false account statements and operating in a manner akin to a Ponzi scheme.

They previously repaid some funds and were ordered in February by the Maryland Securities Commissioner to return $650,000 that remains outstanding. The FBI is investigating potential fraud involving their company, Young Pros Investment Group LLC, and is seeking information from victims.

Read the rest of Matthew Millers story here.

Children jump back and forth along a court line while they play a game during the Lights On Afterschool event at Freeman Elementary School in Flint on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Freeman was one of local Flint schools identified as needing comprehensive support and improvement from the state under the Michigan School Index for the 2024-25 school year. Lukas Katilius | MLive.com

Fewer Michigan schools need state oversight, but 59 newly flagged in bottom 5%

The number of Michigan public K-12 schools on state oversight watchlists is declining, but 59 were newly identified being in the bottom 5% based on student performance and graduation rates for the 2024-25 academic year.

Thats according to the Michigan Department of Education, which released the states latest annual school index report earlier this month, tracking which schools need extra help improving in one of three support categories.

The total number of schools on all three lists has fallen by 22.3% over the last four years. As of 2024-25, there are 240 schools identified as needing comprehensive support for being in the bottom 5% or not surpassing a graduation rate above 67%. Close to 160 of those were previously on the list.

See the rest of Jackie Smiths story here.

North Lake Correctional Facility in Baldwin, Mich., an old prison, became the largest ICE detention center in the Midwest this year. (Photo by Rose White | MLive) Rose White | MLive

Michigan challenges on rise against indefinite immigration detention under no-bond policy

Immigration detention in Michigan has surged, leading to petitions filed by more than 200 people challenging a new no-bond policy enacted by the Trump administration.

The policy has resulted in more undocumented immigrants, who are ineligible for bond, being held indefinitely without the option to seek release while waiting for a hearing in a shift from historical practice.

A class-action lawsuit filed on Nov. 17 in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan now aims to help individuals who crossed the border without permission but have deep community ties and no criminal history or orders for removal. A Nov. 23 court filing says the no-bond policy creates a system of mass, indefinite, mandatory detention that Congress never authorized and the Constitution does not tolerate.

Find the rest of reporter Rose Whites story here.

Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, and other Democrats who appeared in a video urging U.S. troops to refuse illegal orders said Tuesday, Nov. 25, the FBI wants to schedule interviews, signaling a possible inquiry. Slotkin is pictured speaking at the Center for American Progress, Thursday, June 26, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf) AP Photo/Kevin Wolf

FBI probes video from Slotkin, other Dems urging troops to defy illegal orders from Trump

U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat, and other lawmakers are reportedly under scrutiny by the FBI after urging troops to defy illegal orders from the Trump administration in a recent video on social media.

A former CIA intelligence analyst, Slotkin alleged the issue stems from a video disliked by President Donald Trump, suggesting its a form of political intimidation aimed at silencing dissent. An inquiry would mark the second investigation related to the video, which was posted on Nov. 18 by Slotkin and five others with military or intelligence backgrounds.

In addition to FBI request interviews with lawmakers, four Democratic House members also issued a statement that the Federal Bureau of Investigation contacted the U.S. House and Senate Sergeants at Arms requesting interviews.

Read the rest of Danielle James story here.
WEXFORD COUNTY, MI  A Northern Michigan man is sentenced to decades in prison for crimes related to years of sexual abuse against a child, authorities announced.

Ryan Beebe, 35, of Dighton, was sentenced Monday to 30-50 years in state prison, according to a news release from the Michigan Department of Attorney General. A Wexford County jury convicted him last month of multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct involving a minor victim, beginning when the child was 8 years old.

Beebe was found guilty of two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

I am proud of the work my prosecutors have done to pursue justice for the victim of this case, and I am grateful to the survivor who showed tremendous courage in coming forward to speak out against these horrific crimes, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement. This significant sentence reinforces our commitment to supporting survivors of sexual abuse and holding their abusers accountable.

Beebe sexually assaulted the minor on multiple occasions when they resided in the same Wexford County home between 2016 and 2021.

The Wexford County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Beebe in January. The prosecution was handled by the Department of Attorney General.
Michigan-based automotive supplier Autokinito is set to close its facilities in Detroit, permanently laying off 155 employees over the next couple of months. In this MLive file photo, cars, trucks, vans, SUVs and buses travel through the intersection of W. Main, Stadium Drive and W. Michigan Ave. in Kalamazoo, April 14, 2025. Garret Ellison

DETROIT, MI  A Michigan-based automotive supplier is set to close its facilities in Detroit, permanently laying off at least 155 employees over the next couple of months.

Autokiniton, under Oakland Stamping LLC, issued an update about the closure to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan in two letters dated Oct. 7 and Nov. 14.

According to the first notice, 133 layoffs are set to begin Friday, Dec. 5, as the company shutters its multi-building facility along Woodland and Oakland avenues and Rosedale Court. Another 32 will be laid off starting Jan. 16 at the same site, under the latter notice, bringing the total number of jobs impacted to 165.

Most employees affected are production operators. Also impacted will be engineers, material handlers, machinists, managers and supervisors.

Autokiniton manufactures full body-frame structural assemblies, according to the companys website. Headquartered in New Boston, it also has facilities in Belleville, Blissfield, Britton, Clinton Township, Detroit Dundee, Elkton, Grand Ledge, Holland, Milan and Plymouth.

Outside of Michigan, it has sites in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee, as well as Brazil, India and Mexico.

The companys closure updates were issued under the Federal Workers Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, commonly known as a WARN notice. Autokinitons news is also just the latest round of layoffs announced this fall by Michigan companies that contribute to the states auto industry.

Dana Thermal Products in Auburn Hills, NPR of America in Grand Haven, Akebono Brake Corp. in Farmington Hills, DP World Logistics in Warren and Davalor Mold Company in New Baltimore announced a decline in business contributing to more than 400 layoffs earlier this year.

Meanwhile, AC Group was slated to layoff close to 250 people at its plants in Mendon and Alma by mid-December.
The University of Michigan's new 12-story D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion, 1315 E. Ann St., welcomed its first patients on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. Provided by Dieu-Nalio Chery/ Michigan Photography

ANN ARBOR, MI  A long-awaited $920 million University of Michigan hospital welcomed its first patients on Sunday, Nov. 23.

Cheers erupted just after 8 a.m. as a specialized clinical team escorted the very first patient through a tunnel that connects the facility to the Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Michigan Medicine officials said in a statement Tuesday. A group of health system leaders and team members were stationed at the other end, ready to greet the first patient.

By the end of Sunday, 186 adult patients had been transferred to the new hospital from University Hospital and the cardiovascular center.

he transfer of patients was a carefully planned move that involved hundreds of staff and volunteers, as organizational leaders staffed an activation command center to respond to any issues, officials say.

What happened here today is remarkable, Michigan Medicine CEO Dr. David Miller said in a statement.

Im deeply proud and grateful to be part of the team here for the work we did on behalf of our patients and in support of each other. This is a great moment, a legendary day for the University of Michigan and Michigan Medicine, Miller said.

The 12-story D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion, 1315 E. Ann St., has been in the works for a decade, university health care system officials said.

The new hospital adds about 690,000 square feet, including 264 private inpatient rooms, 20 surgical and three interventional radiology suites to the university health systems main medical campus. Michigan Medicine made a video about the new facility.

Medical staff plan to support patients in intensive care, as well as lead specialty services for neuroscience, cardiovascular and thoracic care, among other specialties. The facility will have about 2,000 employees, including 1,000 new to Michigan Medicine.

18 1 / 18 New Michigan Medicine hospital worth $920 million

Linda Larin, the chief operating officer for Michigan Medicines adult hospitals, said in a statement that hundreds of team members and patients shared ideas, experience and expertise to create a vision for all that this innovative new hospital could be.

Opening day was a big success, Karen Amman, operations project director for the pavilion, said in a statement.

The patient move was very smooth, Amman said. Everyone worked so well together, from the capacity management team who helped coordinate the move order, to the critical care Specialized Workforce for Acute Transport team who moved the patients, to patient transport, security and entrance services, respiratory therapy, social work, Health Information Technology Services, nursing informatics, facilities, all of the teams on the inpatient units, and the many volunteers who helped throughout our facilities.

They also set up a hospitality center in the main lobby for loved ones to wait while patients were moved.

The whole thing was like a well-oiled machine, said Amman. It feels so good to finally be in this building weve been planning for so long.

Operating rooms and a new parking structure off Zina Pitcher Place are expected to open in the coming weeks. Early next year, an MR/OR suite will begin providing care teams with real-time images during surgeries.

The new pavilion was designed to prioritize environmental sustainability, officials say. That includes construction materials used, water- and energy-efficient infrastructure and other efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and its carbon footprint, they say.

It is on track to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Green Building Certification, the highest possible rating from the U.S. Green Building Council, according to the release.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page.
Chinese prosecutors put over 500 domestic violence defendants into jail for life over past 5 years

Xinhua) 10:09, November 26, 2025

BEIJING, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- China's top procuratorate on Tuesday said more than 500 defendants in domestic violence criminal cases have been sentenced to life imprisonment or more severe penalties over the past five years.

Chinese prosecutors have stepped up supervision over the handling of domestic violence cases to protect women's rights and interests. Since 2021, Chinese procuratorial agencies have approved the arrest of more than 2,800 suspects involved in relevant crimes and have prosecuted more than 3,400, according to the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP).

"Domestic violence is not only an infringement on the legitimate rights and interests of family members, but is also harmful to social order and public interests," said deputy procurator-general of the SPP Ge Xiaoyan.

The SPP pledged greater efforts to punish criminal offenses against women in accordance with the law and oversee the implementation of the law on the protection of women. It also vowed to carry out regular crackdowns on women trafficking and seriously punish sexual assault crimes while supporting civil lawsuits and legal assistance to safeguard women's rights in an all-around way.

China revised the Law on the Protection of Rights and Interests of Women and put it into force on Jan. 1, 2023, protecting women in a wide range of areas, including gender equality, employment and maternity insurance.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Nazrin Abdul



On November 26, Azerbaijans Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, Azernews reports, citing the Cabinet of Ministers.

The meeting highlighted that the October 9 summit in Dushanbe between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin provided a significant boost to relations between the two countries across all sectors.

Both sides noted the dynamic development of economic ties between Azerbaijan and Russia and emphasized the promising opportunities for further cooperation.

The discussions focused on the prospects for expanding bilateral collaboration in trade and economic relations, energy, and transport sectors.
Last night, the Russian occupation forces launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 90 drones (about 55 of them - Shaheds) over Ukraine. The Defense Forces neutralized 72 enemy UAVs, but there were hits by missiles and strike UAVs at 10 locations, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has said.

"On the night of November 26 (from 19:00 on November 25), the enemy attacked with two Iskander-M ballistic missiles (launches from Rostov Oblast - Ruyssia), and 90 strike UAVs of the Shahed, Gerbera type and drones of other types from the directions: Kursk, Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, - Russia, Gvardiyske  temporarily occupied Crimea, about 55 of them  Shahed UAVs," the Air Force said on Telegram on Wednesday morning.

It is reported that according to preliminary data, as of 09:00, air defense shot down/suppressed 72 enemy UAVs of the Shahed, Gerbera and other types in the north, south and east of the country. Missile hits and 10 strike UAVs were recorded at 10 locations.

The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare and unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.

The attack continues, there are several enemy UAVs in the airspace. Follow safety rules!
Eight children find forever homes with new families at Adoption Day event in Genesee County

FLINT, MI  The only thing that matters is family, because its the only thing that really, really, really makes you happy.

Those were the words of Genesee County Probate Judge Jennie Barkey on Tuesday afternoon as she presided over an Adoption Day event, with four families coming to the finish line of the process.

Today, all their trying, all their effort brings us here, Barkey said. It doesnt get better than that.

Nov. 25 was proclaimed as Adoption Day in Michigan this year by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Each family shared a bit about their journey, their struggles, and their love for the new additions.

Arthur and Angela Fischer eagerly await the judges official word that they are the newly-adoptive parents of Juniper and Lucianna Stevens as four families adopted eight children in Genesee County Probate Judge Jennie Barkey's courtroom on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, in downtown Flint. The date is being recognized this year as Adoption Day in Michigan through a proclamation by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. (Jake May | MLive.com)

I finally feel wonderful about it. Its been four years now, said Arthur Fischer, who was joined by his wife Angela Fischer and their newly adopted children, Lucianna Stevens and Juniper Stevens. Such a long road.

What made you not give up? the judge asked, as Lucianna Stevens played with decorations lining the jury box and perused gift baskets in the courtroom given to the families.

There was actually nothing that made me give up, Arthur Fischer said. We never gave up.

Tears roll down the cheeks of JhaLil Williams as the judge officialize his adoption as one of eight children adopted to four families in Genesee County Probate Judge Jennie Barkey's courtroom on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, in downtown Flint. The date is being recognized this year as Adoption Day in Michigan through a proclamation by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. (Jake May | MLive.com)

The other children adopted on the day included siblings Ruth Moon, Cheyenne Moon, and Thomas Moon; JhaLil Williams; and Zay Wendel and Mora Wendel.

Autumn Coulter said she fell in love with Mora Wendel the first time she met her, who was 5 months old at the time.

Zay Wendel came along a little later in the new family equation.

Theyve just come a long way. And the two of them are inseparable, Coulter said. Like theyre two peas in a pod... So, Im just thankful for them.

The events proceedings included a blessing by Father Tom Firestone, who asked God to bless the families along their path.

May they understand the most important bond is the love of God that holds them together. That is stronger than blood, he said. We bless each of these hearts this day. May these children be able to give back the love that theyre going to receive and that theyll understand that theres more people out there that love than hate.

Autumn Coulter of Lapeer cries as she embraces her newly adopted children  Zay Wendel, 5 at left, and Mora Wendel, 3  for the first time as a family as one of four families adopting eight children in Genesee County Probate Judge Jennie Barkey's courtroom on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, in downtown Flint. The date is being recognized this year as Adoption Day in Michigan through a proclamation by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, who took part in an adoption ceremony two years ago, also shared some perspective on the days proceedings.

In a world that creates so much division, that there are families that are willing to step up, raise the hand and say, I will fill the gap of a much-needed love, thats what covers all wounds, he said.

Swanson thanked all those involved in the process, including Barkey and social workers.

You matter to the family and friends of these little ones. One day, this day will be the day they remember where they were set free, he said. They were loved officially by the state of Michigan. It couldnt happen without you.

Swanson also echoed the judges sentiments that others would see what took place in the courtroom and open themselves up to the idea of adoption.

By doing this public celebration, hopefully were going to motivate other folks to step up, other folks to help foreign families, other folks to have children, Barkey said. Because children who have families have childhoods.

Cole Williams, executive director and co-founder of The Delta Project who served as the keynote speaker, reminded families that adoption is just the first step in their journeys.

He has raised eight sons that have been in the child welfare system.

I was thinking to myself as I was getting ready to present, what would I tell a group of family members who are raising kiddos who have come from some really tough backgrounds and experiences? Williams said.

Ruth, Cheyenne and Thomas Moon look over the paperwork with Genesee County Probate Judge Jennie Barkey as she officially signs their paperwork with them alongside her at the bench in her courtroom as three of the eight children officially adopted to four families on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, in downtown Flint. The date is being recognized this year as Adoption Day in Michigan through a proclamation by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. (Jake May | MLive.com)

He offered five things for the new adoptive parents to remember:

-Love doesnt fix trauma

-A new bedroom wont make the old memories disappear

-Behavior is communication, so dont take everything so personally

-Healing doesnt happen when the judge signs the papers

-If you think you know yourself now, you just wait

To every adoption family in this room, I want you to know your love wont erase the past (of these children), but it will create the safest place your child may ever know, Williams said. Love doesnt fix trauma, but it does give the courage to stay in a room while the trauma talks.

The Delta Project is an organization dedicated to uplifting youth and families through mentorship, storytelling, relationship-centered support, partners with courts, child welfare agencies and communities across Michigan to help professionals reimagine what it means to engage families with dignity, empathy and hope.

You dont have to have all the answers. You just have to be curious about what it takes to make children or help children move through a very difficult, challenging experience through their lives, right? Williams said.

Along the way, he told the parents theyll learn that love is messy and not always like a movie and will have bumps along the way and require asking many questions such as, Do I have enough courage to stand up for children who cant stand up for themselves?

He called on the parents to view the experience as a meal coming together with different cultures and backgrounds, and the mix can take a while to come together.

JhaLil Williams hugs his newly-adoptive parents Dwayne and Amanda Williams in Genesee County Probate Judge Jennie Barkeys courtroom on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, in downtown Flint. The date is being recognized this year as Adoption Day in Michigan through a proclamation by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. (Jake May | MLive.com)

My hope is that you recognize the melting pot is really centered around love, grace, and mercy, Williams said. And if you keep showing up for children, youll recognize that theyll turn around and reflect it back. Your love is important.
Calvin University, a Christian liberal arts school in Grand Rapids, cited a shifting higher education landscape as reason for restructuring that will phase out French, journalism and other academic offerings. (MLive file photo) Cory Morse | MLive.com

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Calvin University will reduce 12.5% of its faculty positions over the next two years, part of a restructuring that also includes the loss or consolidation of multiple academic programs.

Among the programs impacted are several language majors and minors, the journalism minor and the public health major and minor.

Cuts were detailed in a Nov. 13 letter, written to the campus community by President Greg Elzinga and obtained by MLive/The Grand Rapids Press.

Elzinga described the changes - first reported in the universitys student newspaper - as honoring Calvins distinctive mission and ensuring long-term sustainability. He was not available for further comment.

Calvin, a private Christian liberal arts university at 3201 Burton St. SE in Grand Rapids, was founded in 1876, and enrolled 3,681 students as of the 2024-25 school year.

In August, the school highlighted a 35% increase in enrollment since 2020, but John Zimmerman, associate director of public relations for Calvin, said theres also been a rapid shifting in the higher education landscape.

He cited decreasing populations, changing public perceptions about the value of college and fluctuations in international enrollment, all of which have contributed to fewer college-bound students and greater enrollment volatility, as reason for the cuts at Calvin.

This fall, for example, a U.S. State Department pause in visa applications and processing meant that Calvin international students faced delays, and 65 students were ultimately not able to come to campus.

In a statement to MLive, Zimmerman wrote that the academic programming and faculty changes are focused on ensuring Calvin continues to serve students well in this environment while remaining rooted in our distinctive liberal arts mission.

He said Calvins finances remain strong, with an A- rating from credit rating agency Standard & Poors, and added that the university is on track to execute a balanced budget for the 2025-26 academic year.

Pursuing this transformation now, and implementing it gradually over the next several years, allows us to move forward thoughtfully, strategically and with care for the people who make Calvin who we are, Zimmerman said.

Among the biggest changes is the 12.5% overall decrease in faculty positions, which was described as a combination of recommendations by multiple university task forces at work since the 2024-25 school year.

According to Calvin, most of the departures are voluntary and many were identified during budget planning that occurred last year.

Involuntary departures will amount to around 3% of the current full-time faculty workforce. Those impacted have been notified.

The other big change is a reduction of programs, including undergraduate majors and minors and graduate programs.

Elzinga described the change as continuing to provide students a robust, comprehensive Christian educational experience rooted firmly in the liberal arts, while also honoring the Board of Trustees mandate for a more focused portfolio at every level of programming.

The university will continue to offer over 100 undergraduate majors and minors, Elzinga wrote.

The following undergraduate programs will be discontinued entirely:

The French major and minor

The German minor

The journalism minor

The public health major and minor

The sociology major

The therapeutic recreation major

In addition, Elzinga wrote that majors and concentrations in the universitys Department of Geology, Geography and Environment will be consolidated from nine separate degrees into two majors with two concentrations apiece.

Other departments are revising offerings and workloads, or relocating, like the science education studies program moving into the School of Education.

Also included in Elzingas communication were four graduate programs slated to be discontinued after a decision during the 2024-25 school year, including the data science, nursing, public administration and public health programs.

Zimmerman said the phase out will happen over time, with initial impacts beginning during the 2026-27 academic year.

This is a long-term, carefully sequenced process, he said. Our commitment is to maintain a robust range of academic offerings that reflect Calvins mission while focusing resources on programs that meet student interest and societal needs.

He said any program changes affecting current students will include a formal teach-out plan so they can complete their degrees.

Department leaders have communicated with impacted students, he said.

Elzinga said the changes will affect a small number of students, but did not specify how many.

According to his letter, the decision came after Provost Noah Toly, Calvins chief academic officer, commissioned a program portfolio sustainability team, charged with developing recommendations to reshape Calvins academic portfolio. It was described by Elzinga as an emotionally heavy task.

The goal was that recommended changes to academic programs would support enrollment goals and reduce expenses.

This isnt the first time Calvin has cut programs. In 2013, the university proposed staff and program cuts to help pay off $115 million in long-term debt.

In 2015, then-Calvin College eliminated its majors in art history, classical languages, theater, Greek and Latin, along with the architecture minor, to offset low student demand and debt. The school also cut six faculty positions, according to MLive reporting.

In 2018, Calvins student paper Chimes reported that music education was cut due to budget pressures before being later reinstated, and in 2020, COVID-19 pandemic pressures led to more cuts.

Zimmerman said the decision this time around was part of a university-wide process, with divisional leaders, academic deans, governance committee and faculty leaders contributing.

The recommendations reflect many months of analysis, consultation and shared governance across the academic division, he said.
Ricardo Perez Castillo, center, appeared at the Kent County Courthouse for sentencing on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. Castillo, 25, was sentenced to prison a home invasion in Rockford that involved him stabbing an 11-year-old girl in the neck. Bradley Massman | MLive.com

GRAND RAPIDS, MI  The 25-year-old man says he was a lost person when he attacked a girl inside a Rockford-area home.

In speaking in court during his sentencing, he got down on his knees and pleaded for forgiveness from the families that he forever impacted during a violent home invasion.

Ricardo Perez Castillo said he couldnt imagine the nightmares hes caused in the Rockford community moments before a judge sentenced him to prison Wednesday, Nov. 26. He received a sentence of nearly 20 years minimum.

The home invasion unfolded in the morning hours on June 15, 2024, at a residence on Ella Terrace Court NE.

Video surveillance obtained by investigators showed Castillo enter the home and undress to only his underwear and T-shirt. Castillo then grabbed a knife from a kitchen drawer and walked upstairs, a Kent County sheriffs deputy wrote in an affidavit.

Castillo opened the door to the master bedroom and noticed a husband and wife asleep. He shut the door and went to look for an easier target, police said.

That led Castillo to a room where the homeowners daughter and her friend were sleeping.

Castillo removed his underwear and started stabbing an 11-year-old girl while on top of her.

The girls screams awoke the homeowner, who called 911 and informed dispatchers that he was holding Castillo at gunpoint until police arrived. The girl was stabbed multiple times in her arm and shoulder, requiring surgery.

When sheriffs deputies got to the home, they found Castillo in a bedroom with a bloody knife next to him. Castillo told police he didnt know the family or the girl he attacked.

Castillo pleaded no contest in October to attempted murder, first-degree home invasion and an additional charge of assault with intent to commit second-degree sexual conduct.

Emotions were high in the courtroom during Wednesdays sentencing.

Dan Timmer, the homeowner who held Castillo at gunpoint, pleaded with Judge Christina Mims to make an example out of Castillo.

Weve heard what he wanted to do to our family, Timmer said. Weve heard what he wanted to do to my daughter and my daughters friend.

This has affected everyone thats here for the rest of our lives, he added.

Kent County Assistant Prosecutor Elizabeth Bartlett read an emotional letter from the girl Castillo stabbed four times. The girl described seeing her blood everywhere after the attack and being in a lot of pain.

The horrors continued to follow her.

After the crime, I have bad visions of looking out my bedroom window to seeing a man running towards me with the knife, wanting to hurt me, the assistant prosecutor read from the girls letter. I remember having bad nightmares, too. I felt very scared and unsafe. I didnt want to fall asleep.

During his time to speak, Castillo turned to the families seated in the courtrooms gallery and kneeled.

From the bottom of my heart, Im asking for forgiveness, Castillo said. I know I dont deserve it. I cant imagine all the nightmares or anything youve felt for the past 15 months. But Im sorry.

Castillo was sentenced to roughly 19-40 years in prison for attempted murder. He received 7-20 years on the home invasion, and 1  to five years for the criminal sexual conduct charge. As part of his sentence, Castillo must also register with the Michigan Sex Offender Registry.

Castillo, a former Marine, was employed as a canvassing recruiter in the Kent County area for the United States Marine Corps at the time of the attack.
Ottawa County Commissioner Joe Moss, who formerly served as board chair in 2023 and 2024, at an April 2024 board meeting. Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI -- Ottawa County leaders will not pursue an ethics complaint against Commissioner Joe Moss over allegations he provided misleading information that led to significant severances for a former county executive.

Commissioners on Tuesday, Nov. 25 voted against forming a special committee to investigate the complaint. Most said they saw no benefit in spending resources on the effort.

It is time to move on from the errors of the past board, including Commissioner Moss, Board of Commissioners Chair John Teeples said.

We have nothing more to learn or gain, Teeples said.

Related: Ottawa County commissioner claims leaders misinformation spurred big severance for former aide

He said the board should focus on issues important to the public, like solving the countys groundwater shortages, as well as housing and transportation issues.

The accusations against Moss, who chaired the board in 2023 and 2024 after winning his seat in 2022 as part of the highly conservative Ottawa Impact political platform, centered around a December 10, 2024, closed session.

During that session, commissioners talked about giving severances to outgoing county executives. Both Ben Wetmore, the interim administrator at the time, and Jordan Epperson, an executive aide, believed they would be fired in January 2025 when several new board members took office.

Epperson was awarded a nearly $110,000 payout with five months of benefits -- based in part on alleged claims he had against the county for wrongdoing. Wetmore received $175,000.

At the closed session, some commissioners wanted more information about Eppersons claims and also wanted to hear from contracted Human Resources Attorney Nate Wolf.

Moss claimed Wolf wasnt available, although Wolf later signed an affidavit saying he was never asked to attend the Dec. 10 meeting.

He also wrote he never provided any financial numbers for a severance template that Moss brought to the closed session.

In October, per a legal settlement with Ottawa County resident Dan Zimmer, minutes and audio of the Dec. 10 meeting were publicly released. MLive also obtained Wolfs affidavit and written complaint against county staff filed by Epperson in October, 2024.

The Epperson complaint detailed several perceived grievances -- against the countys human resources department and former county Administrator John Gibbs -- but also mentioned Moss and county commissioners as people he was hesitant to approach with problems.

Teeples at Tuesdays meeting, while not wanting to pursue an ethics complaint, said he believed Moss made mistakes.

I believe Commissioner Moss violated his duty as chairman during the Dec. 10 closed door meeting, Teeples said. In my opinion, Commissioner Moss had a personal interest in having this matter go away quickly and as quietly as possible.

He said Moss should have allowed other commissioners to view Eppersons written complaint.

Other commissioners said they were satisfied that details of the Dec. 10, 2024 closed meeting became public information and they didnt want to pursue an ethics complaint.

Some commissioners, including Commissioner Sylvia Rhodea, defended Moss.

Quite frankly, Im tired of watching the character of Joe Moss be smeared, she said.

Moss didnt comment during Tuesdays meeting about the ethics complaint, but has previously said he didnt believe he did anything wrong.
A data center is proposed for Covenant Business Park, a 237-acre parcel along I-96 in Kent County's Lowell Township. (MLive File Photo) Lindsay Moore

KENT COUNTY, MI  Officials in Lowell City and Lowell Township are considering a proposal to allow construction of a data center in Covenant Business Park.

The city and township are holding open houses to answer residents questions and explain the impact of data centers on the community.

Local officials said the project could bring up to $1 billion in investment as the project is built over the course of three to five years.

Data centers have run into opposition in some rural areas  particularly in Southeast Michigan  where tech giants such as OpenAI, Oracle and Meta have pushed for approval of projects to power artificial intelligence and cloud-computing technologies.

Related: Rural Michigan fights back: How riled up residents are challenging Big Tech data centers

Opponents worry about water use, electricity rates, and environmental and groundwater quality.

The centers use significant amounts of water for cooling.

Data centers are essentially warehouses of computer hardware for servers, data storage and network equipment that are used to power artificial intelligence and cloud computing.

Lowell Township and the City of Lowell remain committed to gathering public input and acting transparently as the project is considered to ensure this proposed use meets the needs of the community, Lowell Township Supervisor Jerry Hale said in a statement.

We look forward to continuing to connect with the community as we explore this substantial investment in Lowell.

The citys open house is 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the City Hall at 301 E. Main Street SE. The townships open house is 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the Township Hall at 2910 Alden Nash Ave. SE.

Officials from the city and township, The Right Place, a regional economic development group and property developer Franklin Partners will be available to answer questions.

Franklin Partners is in talks with a potential tenant looking to put a data center into Covenant Park. It would be the first tenant.

Franklin Partners did not identify the potential tenant because a property sale has not been finalized. The prospective tenant is a national, American-owned company, it said.

Hale, the township supervisor, said the data-center proposal is in the early stages of consideration, and no contracts have been signed at this point.

The potential rezoning is only the first step in what will be a long process of discussion, infrastructure considerations, site plan review and more, he said.

The Lowell Township Planning Commission will consider the zoning request on Dec. 8 before the proposal goes before the Township Board on Dec. 15 for a vote.

The city and township statement said that if the project is approved, Lowell City would be able to levy 15.7 mills of property tax on the tenant, with the city receiving 9.7 mills and the township 6 mills.

The taxes would raise millions for roads, schools, public safety and infrastructure upgrades, the statement said.

The city is working to expand water and wastewater treatment facilities for current and future needs, including those at Covenant. The city said that the expansion is needed whether or not the business park plan goes forward.

This project could contribute significant property tax and utility income to the City of Lowell and Lowell Township, Lowell City Manager Mike Burns said.

It could also drive both short-term construction jobs and long-term, high-wage positions, upgrade Lowells physical and digital infrastructure and serve as a catalyst for local innovation and economic development. We encourage residents to attend the open houses so they can learn more and stay up to date.

Covenant Business Park, at 4687 Alden Nash Ave. SE in Lowell Township, is a 237-acre parcel that has been planned for future growth for decades but has been stalled by lack of infrastructure, government officials said.

The city and township in 2024 approved a cooperation agreement for a conditional land-use transfer to create the business park.
A large-scale commercial solar project is being planned for land in Zeeland and Jamestown townships of Ottawa County. (John Tunison | MLive) John Tunison

ZEELAND TOWNSHIP, MI -- A large-scale commercial solar farm proposed for Ottawa County is getting pushback from residents.

Township planners previously have said the project could be as large as 1,100 acres, although officials with the company behind the project say the exact size hasnt been determined.

RWE, a multinational energy company based in Essen, Germany, is focused on leasing properties in Zeeland and Jamestown townships.

The project generally would be south of I-196 and east of the Ottawa Executive Airport on Byron Road, but not necessarily involve contiguous parcels.

RWE staff say the project, if built, would be 200 MW and provide enough electricity for more than 34,000 homes. The Ottawa County location is being sought because of its proximity to a Consumers Energy high-voltage transmission line that goes past the airport.

Zeeland Township planners have been working on a solar ordinance in recent months and expect to craft it further at a Dec. 9 meeting, with an attorney available to answer questions.

Since the proposal surfaced publicly, many township residents have voiced opposition. In the last two weeks, signs have cropped up along Zeeland Township roads, asking readers to Save Family Farms. Stop Solar Takeover.

Dan Kerkstra, who owns a 45-acre farm where his family raises calves, has been distributing the signs.

He said the project will consume too much farmland, but hes also worried about environmental and safety risks.

He noted that bald eagles live in the area and he questions the impact a solar farm will have on groundwater.

There are just huge ecosystem concerns, he said. And it definitely uses an unreasonable amount of land. Quite frankly, this particular area is prime farmland.

RWE wants to begin construction on the $300 million project in 2026. RWE leaders say it will employ 250 workers during construction.

Over the projects lifetime, more than $30 million in tax revenues would be generated, according to company estimates.

Tim Miedema, a member of the Zeeland Township Planning Commission, said the project still has many unknowns because RWE has not yet submitted an official plan for a permit.

Personally, Im not so much in favor of it, he said. I dont like the thought that its going to be taking up a lot of Zeeland Township (farm) land.

At the same time, Miedema said he respects the rights of landowners to do what they choose if it coincides with township zoning rules.

He worries about the aesthetics of a solar project, with large expanses of glass panels.

According to the RWE plan, the panels will rotate with the sun to maximize efficiency.

RWE leaders have said they want to work with the township on the project and have offered feedback on the proposed solar ordinance.

The proposed commercial solar farm is one of at least two major green energy initiatives proposed in Ottawa County.

In Blendon Township, a 100-megawatt battery storage plant is proposed for 15 acres along 88th Avenue near Polk Street.

Many residents also oppose that project, primarily over environmental concerns.

In both cases, the developers could bypass the townships and seek direct approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission, under Public Act 233, if the townships decline a permit.
The Burger King on Plainfield Avenue in Grand Rapids recently reopened under the management of New York-based Carrols Corporation. (MLive. com) Photo by Monica Scott

GRAND RAPIDS, MI  The Burger King at 2204 Plainfield Ave. NE has reopened after temporarily shutting down in late 2024.

The Plainfield Avenue restaurant was just one of several West Michigan locations that closed in 2024. During the summer, however, the restaurant began to show signs of life once again, with contractors seen working on the interior and a sign out front inviting people to apply for jobs at carrols.com.

A manager at the Plainfield restaurant recently confirmed to MLive/the Grand Rapids Press that the location recently reopened and is owned by Carrols Corporation but declined to give further information.

Based in Syracuse, N.Y., Carrols Corporation operates over 1,000 Burger King locations, according to its website.

The company did not respond to multiple requests for comment at the time of publishing about the reopening or the status of others.

Burger King has been rolling back its presence nationwide for a few years now. Some franchisees, however, have stepped in to bring back previously closed restaurants.

EYM King of Michigan LLC, a franchisee of the 26 Metro Detroit restaurants, said in 2023 that the locations would close due to the unforeseen business circumstance and not being able to reach a resolution with Burger King Corporation.

Later that year, another franchisee, Union Burgers LLC, bought and reopened five of the affected restaurants.
The UPS layoffs, expected to occur early next year, target part-time employees working in daytime package sorting at the companys facility on Clyde Park Avenue SW in Wyoming. KENDRA STANLEY-MILLS

WYOMING, MI United Parcel Service is cutting 67 jobs at its facility at 5757 Clyde Park Ave. SW in Wyoming early next year.

Company spokesperson Karen Tomaszewski Hill said the layoffs target part-time employees who work in daytime package sorting at the facility. The layoffs are expected to occur by Jan. 20, 2026, when UPS will end daytime sorting at the facility.

Our employees are extremely important to us, and we understand the impact this may have on them and their families, she said. We are working to place as many employees as possible in other positions. We will work with those who may be impacted throughout the process to provide support.

She said the total number of employees who work at the Clyde Park facility was not available.

The layoffs were outlined in a state filing by UPS.

In a statement, Tomaszewski Hill said the layoffs are part of a broader restructuring of UPS operations, which was announced earlier this year.

We are executing the largest network reconfiguration in UPS history, she said. This strategic initiative will optimize the capacity of our network to align with expected volume levels and enhance productivity through additional automation. The reconfiguration will impact positions, and we are committed to supporting our employees throughout this process.
Plenty of merchandise remains for 50% off sales Nov. 28 and 29. Audrey Whitaker

KALAMAZOO, MI  Closure of the Michigan News Agency has left a hole in the Kalamazoo community since owner Dean Hauck died at age 85 in February.

Property owner Kalamazoo Forward Ventures (KzFV), a Black-founded investment fund, purchased the building at 308 W. Michigan Ave. and everything in it for $515,000 in July, per public records.

The new owners planned three days for the shuttered storefront to reopen, selling off items for 50%. The first was Nov. 22 after the downtown holiday parade.

Theres plenty of merchandise left to sell on Friday, Nov. 28, and Saturday, Nov. 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

New owners gathered the receipts Dean Hauck tucked into each book as they left the store on Nov. 22. Audrey Whitaker

Notes handwritten by Dean Hauck still hang among the shelves at the Michigan News Agency. Audrey Whitaker

Amy Bartell was among the customers last weekend, experiencing the beloved bookstore one more time.

I only bought two books, she said. But it just smells like forever, like Kalamazoo.

KzFV plans to add a mural to the east exterior wall of the business soon, said General Partner Eric Cunningham.

Otherwise, plans for the spaces future arent ready yet, said Marcel Fable Price, KzFV director of community and strategic engagement.

Funds generated by the sale will support future development, he said.

Investors wants to work with underrepresented architects, developers and business owners on the project.

A Kalamazoo Gazette file photo of Michigan News Agency on March 18, 2020. The shop is now closed, following the passing of longtime shop owner Dean Hauck on Feb. 8, 2025, according to Hauck's daughter. MLive file photo

RELATED: One of Kalamazoos greatest treasures: Longtime newsstand owner dies at 85

Hauck took over ownership of the newsstand/bookstore at 308 W. Michigan Ave. in 1988, assuming control from her stepfather, Vincent Malmstrom. Her stepfather founded the business in 1947.

Hauck grew up sweeping the newsstand floors. In high school, she worked the cash register.

She got 50 cents an hour for her efforts, but received perks much more valuable than a paycheck, she told the Kalamazoo Gazette in 2010.

I had reading privileges, too, Hauck said. I could take home any book I wanted, but I was very careful with each one so it didnt look like it was used. No dog-eared pages or bent bindings.

This place is in my blood, she said.

Dean Hauck, owner of Michigan News Agency in Kalamazoo, Michigan, talks to a reporter on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007, about the strength of downtown Kalamazoo. Hauck, who died Feb. 8, 2025, was forever a proponent of downtown and its business community. (MLive file photo) Alan Warren

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Katie Schneider gives a presentation during the public comment portion of Monday, Nov. 10 Oshtemo Township Board meeting. Aya Miller

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI -- A new moratorium is in place to block the construction of battery storage facilities in Oshtemo Township.

The decision wont bring an end to local backlash, though.

Residents are pushing for township officials to develop a committee with energy experts, township officials and residents to develop any future regulations on Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects.

Township trustees voted unanimously with two trustees absent to pass the one-year moratorium at a Tuesday, Nov. 25 board meeting. The moratorium will prevent the development of all commercial energy storage facilities until a zoning ordinance can be developed or amended to address development of the facilities.

Local backlash was sparked after NewEdge Renewable Power gave a presentation to the township planning commission in mid-August on battery storage systems.

The company is in the preliminary stages of development, a representative for NewEdge said, but no formal proposals will be submitted until the second half of 2026.

NewEdge entered into a land lease at West M Avenue and South Van Kal Street in December 2023, according to county records.

The way that moratorium was drafted, it doesnt really protect a whole lot, said Katie Schneider, owner of Little Pistol Farms, located next to the property NewEdge is leasing.

Schneider submitted language to recall five of the townships seven trustees on Monday, Nov. 24. Schneider didnt list the battery storage debate as reasoning for the recall and declined to answer additional questions about the recalls.

BESS projects above 50 megawatts can bypass local zoning and get approval from the state, according to a state law passed in 2023.

NewEdge approached the township about a 260-megawatt project in June, according to emails obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Cheri Bell, township supervisor, said the townships planning commission will decide whether to establish a committee to create an ordinance.

The township currently has an ordinance drafted to address wind, solar and energy storage system projects developed by Jodi Stefforia, the townships planning director.

Stefforia was directed to develop the ordinance in August 2024, the township said in a statement. The draft was presented at a Feb. 13 planning commission meeting.

Stefforia sent the draft ordinance to representatives from NewEdge on May 23 ahead of NewEdges presentation to the planning commission on Aug. 14.

I do not have a sense of support for adopting an ordinance or letting the MPSC regulate these land uses, Stefforia wrote in the email.

Stefforia asked NewEdge to speak about the industry, safety issues and your companys history, and asked representatives not to speak about any specific properties. Bell said she wasnt aware NewEdge had leased property until a local resident posted the lease agreement online.

Bell said Stefforia sent the draft as a formality because the document was already publicly available.

Developers dont work on our ordinances with us and that is not what happened, Bell said.

Township resident Katie Maier Toepper, a stay at home mother with an 18-month-old son, said she wished the township had made the information more readily available.

My husband works 70 hour work weeks, I am very much working with my son ... Im not actively searching environmental crises in the area, Maier Toepper said.

The lack of readily available information is causing residents to be concerned about transparency, she said. Bell said the township is developing a webpage with more information about the ordinance development process.

A lot of the residents are very frustrated because they feel that the township is for the township, the township isnt for the people, Maier Toepper said.

James Porter, Oshtemo Township attorney, expressed concerns over developing a committee and said the planning commission should do the work independently.

Youre going to have an ordinance that could easily be subject to challenge, could be subject to attack, whether its at this level or whether its at the state level, Porter said.

If the township board has any problems with an ordinance developed by the planning commission, they have one opportunity to send it back to the planning commission for revision, Bell said.

I hope we can come up with a way for a public forum thats more of a dialogue than the formality of a board meeting, Bell said.

Schneider said a committee could help expose township officials to more information about BESS projects and safety concerns.

Ive sat in too many planning commission meetings, theyre not going to dig the way we have, Schneider said.

Township resident Bruce Goethe said hes more optimistic the planning commission will pursue a committee after the Nov. 25 board meeting. But he still has hesitations. Goethe said he wished township officials would have been more transparent about meeting with NewEdge in August.

You can see how engaged and involved people in the community are, Goethe said.

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Russia has seen Trump's 'peace plan' but has not discussed it with anyone yet - Ushakov

The Russian side received the latest versions of the "Trump peace plan" through unofficial channels, but there have been no discussions with the American side yet, Vladimir Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov has said.

"The peace plan was not discussed in Abu Dhabi. The peace plan has not been discussed in detail at all. We have seen it, it was handed over to us, but there have been no discussions yet," Russian media quoted Ushakov as saying.

In an interview with Russian TV, Ushakov noted that the document was passed through unofficial channels. "The paper is there, but it has not been discussed with anyone yet," he said, noting that a serious analysis is needed.

According to him, representatives of the Russian and Ukrainian special services met in Abu Dhabi. "They meet periodically and discuss very delicate issues, in particular those related to the exchange of prisoners," Ushakov said.
TEXAS TOWNSHIP, MI -- Texas Township Superintendent Brooke Hovenkamp has resigned.

Hovenkamps resignation was announced at a Monday, Nov. 25 board meeting. Hovenkamp said she will be relocating to mid-Michigan in early 2026, in a letter to the board. Hovenkamps last day will be Dec. 19.

The township will post an application for interim superintendent soon, said JoAnne ORourke, Texas Township supervisor. The township posted an application for deputy superintendent in May, but did not fill the position.

The interim superintendent will maintain operations while the township revises the position description for the full-time superintendent, ORourke said.

Her steady leadership and professionalism have been the heart of our success, and her tireless commitmentoften working long hours behind the sceneskept operations running smoothly and our community moving forward," ORourke said.

The board selected Hovenkamp as township superintendent in March. Hovenkamp had been serving as interim superintendent since November 2024.

Hovenkamp began working at the township in September 2015 as deputy clerk/administrative assistant to the superintendent and planner until January 2018. She left the township to serve as an administrative analyst in Grand Rapids from 2018 to 2021, according to her LinkedIn.

Hovenkamp returned to the township in January 2021 to serve as deputy superintendent.

Superintendent is the top non-elected position in the township, and the position reports to the townships Board of Trustees.

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The city commission is expected to vote on the development agreement and final rezoning of the involved properties in its Dec. 9 meeting. The Muskegon City Commission chambers were full at the beginning of its meeting Tuesday, Nov. 25, but the room slowly emptied as the meeting lasted more than six hours. Kayla Tucker

MUSKEGON, MI - As part of a six-hour-plus commission meeting, Muskegons city manager gave an updated draft of a proposed waterfront land swap that has been debated for months.

The proposed development agreement between the city and West Michigan Dock and Market Corporation (Mart Dock) would see the swap of two properties and a plan for a third, adjacent property to be acquired.

Mart Dock would lease, with an option to purchase, most of Fishermans Landing, a city-owned park at 501 E. Western Ave. on Muskegon Lake. The campground thats currently there would close after 2026 and port operations currently near downtown would move further east to the park site.

The city would take ownership of Third Street Wharf, a long-vacant parcel on Muskegon Lake next to where Mart Dock currently operates.

Muskegon residents would gain 4,000 feet of free, publicly accessible waterfront in the potential land swap.

The city commission is expected to vote on the development agreement and final rezoning of the involved properties in its Dec. 9 meeting.

City Manager Jonathan Seyferth pointed out Tuesday several changes to the development agreement, including the addition of a campground lease, a profit-sharing agreement and options for land conversion with the loss of the campground.

Staff also added shoreline and environmental protections, details about the future of the parks pavilion and the closing of Mart Dock operations near Third Street.

Representatives from West Michigan Dock and legal counsel for the city were on hand to answer questions Tuesday evening. The meeting lasted around six hours, a longest for the commission in at least the last three years, Seyferth said.

The new draft contained more details and additions to answer questions and concerns that came from commissioners and community members. Seyferth said it was a negotiated agreement between both parties, so neither got everything they wanted.

There are a lot of unknowns about what the end cost will be, Seyferth said. If we dont take advantage of this property, it wont be there in the future.

This was the best deal we could come up with to present to you.

Below are some new details that were presented in the new draft, according to city records:

Fishermans Landing and Verplank property

The lease would begin March 15, 2026. The city would lease Fishermans Landing to Mart Dock for 50 years, with an optional 40-year renewal. Mart Dock would have the option to purchase the site after 2028.

The city would be compensated for the Fishermans Landing property through the pre-paid lease for the value of the propertys appraisal and use those funds, around $1 million, to acquire the neighboring Verplank property. The city will need an additional six figures, or more, to complete the purchase.

The campground will remain in operation until the city acquires the neighboring property currently owned by Verplank port company. The property is considered a proper conversion property to make up for the loss of the campground. The city has previously stated that the campground would remain open at least through the 2026 season.

With the swap, the campground, gated fishing docks and 48 parking spots would be lost.

The cost to rehabilitate the Verplank property is still unknown and staff is working with the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway Cities Initiative to develop plans for the next steps in the redevelopment of the property into a park. The city anticipates securing grants for Muskegon River estuary restoration.

The new park would be designed as a nature preserve and river walk similar to the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve in North Muskegon. With the addition of this park on the Muskegon Lakeshore Trail, it would essentially connect to the North Muskegon park and the Veterans Memorial Park on the causeway.

The city will sponsor or co-sponsor with Mart Dock grants for port infrastructure at Fishermans Landing, most likely with federal port infrastructure development grants.

Restrictions were added to preserve the Muskegon Lake shoreline at Fishermans Landing by preventing any kind of port operations along the soft shoreline and limiting them to 25 feet above the high-water mark. There will not be public access in the port area.

The pavilion at Fishermans Landing will remain as long as the campground is in use. Then, it will be relocated at the expense of Mart Dock. The city will retain the boat launch ramp, public bathrooms, fish cleaning station and fishing dock.

Mart Dock and Third Street Wharf

If Mart Dock and the city secure a grant and port operations begin at Fishermans Landing, Mart Dock must cease operations at the current Mart Dock site within five years. The deadline is extendable by one year at a time at the city managers discretion.

A deed restriction would be placed on the current Mart Dock property, prohibiting all port operations, including cargo handling, container storage, freight loading and unloading and related logistics, while allowing cruise ship operations and related activities, boat storage, service and repair, and marinas.

The city would purchase 2.5 acres of the Third Street Wharf property, using a portion of a $2.8 million state appropriation to cover the costs. The state monies expire in 2026, and the city has already received two year-long extensions to use the funds.

There would be a potential for cruise ship activity at the site. Plans have also been discussed for a waterfront retail and green space for the public.

The $2.8 million will be used to pay for the Third Street property, around $800,000, and $1 million will go to sewer construction and relocation of the USS LST 393, a World War II-era military vessel docked downtown. The rest will be intended for improvements at the Third Street Wharf.

Seyferth outlined three different ways to acquire the conversion property, adding later that he recommended the third or first options.

The first option is the city and Mart Dock each pay for their share of the 57 acres currently owned by Verplank.

The second option is the city acquires the property itself, which Seyferth said is unlikely as it would cost around $5 million.

The third option is Mart Dock would purchase the property, and the city would have five years to purchase its portion, 25 acres.

The draft also includes a profit-sharing agreement for grant funds acquired by the city and Mart Dock.

Seyferth described communication hes received from the public about the land swap, with an overwhelming number against the project, but most are not city residents.

He said he received 47 emails against the project and six were from city residents. Alternatively, he received 11 emails in favor of the project and eight were from city residents.

Public comment was almost evenly divided between support and disapproval. Most of the audience left before the waterfront development discussion.

Lisa Beall, Holland resident and seasonal camper and office employee at Fishermans Landing for the last eight years, expressed how much the campground means to her.

She expressed concerns about if the city and Mart Dock will upkeep the campground and park the way the current management has for years.

Every season we have several campers that ask us where they should go and what they should do, Beall said. While in Muskegon, we always send them to our downtown restaurants, breweries, shops, museums, farmers market, all conveniently located just a mile away.

Beall also spoke about the campground, which the city has noted is private - gated to the public unless they pay to camp there.

I can assure you it is in fact a very public campground, Beall said. Yes, you have to pay just like any other campground. But if you were to call the office phone number tomorrow and leave a message, I will personally call you back, collect your deposit and get you booked for the 2026 season.

Several Muskegon community members spoke in favor of the land swap, including Cindy Larsen, former chamber of commerce director, and Kathleen Reigler, owner of The Cheese Lady.

Change is tough, Reigler said. In this world of so much discomfort, hanging on to what has always been seems prudent, can even seem smart ... We can have a dock area that celebrates our past and welcomes our future.

Muskegonites have a tendency to underestimate the possibilities. Im hoping our city commissioners look at the potential and vote for the future.

Commissioner Rachel Gorman said she saw echoes of everyone on the commission in the agreement.

I hope you all see what you asked for reflected, Gorman said.

The project is expected to create more than 200 construction jobs and 300 sustainable jobs, more than $14 million in wages and more than $41 million in annual economic activity.
Bridgeport High School is seen in this MLive file photo. Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District Superintendent Mark Whelton has been placed on administrative leave as several of the district's board members face recall petitions citing their failure to extend his contract. The Saginaw News/MLive.com

BRIDGEPORT, MI  Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District Superintendent Mark Whelton announced this week that he has been placed on administrative leave by the districts board of education, which is currently facing several recall petitions.

ABC 12 reports the board made the decision during a meeting on Friday, Nov. 21, initially meant to address a proposed school safety grant with the boards lawyer, according to a statement from Whelton.

Whelton said Amy Morales, the president of the board, recessed the meeting and held a private conversation with the lawyer in the hallway outside of the meeting room at Bridgeport Township Hall, according to the statement obtained by ABC 12.

After reopening the meeting to the public, the board approved a resolution placing Whelton on administrative leave pending an investigation. He said the resolution was prepared ahead of time.

I was not aware, nor was I informed, of any allegations requiring an investigation, Wheltons statement continued. The resolution failed to inform me of the purpose for my administrative leave and, as of today, I still have no idea why I have been placed on leave.

The decision comes as multiple Bridgeport-Spaulding school board members face recall petitions filed with the Saginaw County Clerks Office this month.

The Saginaw County Elections Commission approved the language for recall petitions targeting board members Brentoya Bray-Breamsy, Carmen Castillo, and Lucy Anne Erby during a public hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 19. The petitions were filed with the clerks office by Bridgeport resident and district parent Robert Shavrnoch on Nov. 5.

In the petitions, Shavrnoch cites the board members failure to extend Superintendent Mark Wheltons contract despite the effective ratings he received from the board.

He scored 89 out of 100 of the points, and hes amazing with our kids, Shavrnoch told MLive. Hes amazing with the staff at the schools. Hes a hands-on superintendent.

The language of the recall petitions for the three members is as follows: On October 27, 2025, (board members name) voted no on a motion to approve the renewal of the superintendents employment contract. At that time, the superintendent had received effective ratings from the Board of Education and presented evidence of achievement gains and district improvement over the previous seven years.

None of the three board members named in the petitions could be reached for comment.

With the approval of the language for the petitions, Shavrnoch can move forward with gathering signatures. He will need 1,478 signatures for each petition, and if he is able to secure the necessary support, the language will be added to ballots as soon as the May election, according to the Saginaw County Clerks office.

The boards not listening to us at all, and they cant give no answers on why they wont renew his contract, he said.

Initially, Shavrnoch also planned to file a petition to recall Morales but was unsuccessful.

In the beginning, they said she didnt have enough time left, Shavrnoch said regarding her term on the board.

However, another resident, Megan Nobis, filed a petition against Morales on Monday, Nov. 24. The petition alleges she violated the Michigan Open Meetings Act on the same day the board voted against the proposed extension.

The language of the petition is as follows: On October 27, 2025, Amy Morales violated the Michigan Open Meetings Act by meeting privately with multiple board members in Room 51 at Bridgeport High School.

The Saginaw County Election Commission will consider the petition during a public hearing at 8 a.m. on Dec. 11 in Saginaw County Commission Chambers, Room 200, on the second level of the Saginaw County Governmental Center, located at 111 S. Michigan Ave. in Saginaw.

Morales could not be reached for comment.

Shavrnoch said he plans to begin canvassing for signatures this weekend, and he believes the decision to place Whelton on administrative leave only further justifies his efforts to recall the board members.

It should have never happened, he said. Those four board members are working on their own together. It seemed like it was kind of like a coup. Everybody was blindsided except for those four board members.

Additionally, Shavrnoch is confident that he has the backing of many district parents.

The parents have been amazing, he said. Theyre all ready to sign it. We have parents that are willing to go door to door and canvass just like the rest of us. Theyre all tired of seeing whats going on.

Shavrnoch said he has three children who have attended or are currently enrolled at Bridgeport-Spaulding schools. One of his daughters enrolled in the district is in sixth grade and has taken photos with Whelton annually since she was in kindergarten.

He noted that Whelton also dresses up as Santa Claus during the holidays and, along with district staff, delivers gifts to district families in need.

Hes amazing with our community, Shavrnoch said.

Wheltons future with the district has remained uncertain for several months.

Following a closed session during its Oct. 13 meeting, the board voted 7-0 to appoint Thrun Law Firm to act as legal counsel in the negotiation of Wheltons contract.

A motion to approve the extension of Wheltons contract failed in a 3-4 vote during the boards Oct. 27 meeting. Board members Aaron Sawatzki, Tammy Bieszke and Robert Lange voted in favor of the contract.

When the Board becomes divided or distracted, the district suffers  especially those were here to serve, Lange said in a statement he requested be included in the public record of the boards Oct. 27 meeting. Ive come to see this role as one of service. Yet recently, my experience and caution have been dismissed, and Ive been effectively silenced through the use of closed sessions and legal privilege.

Among those who voted against the extension of the contract were Morales, Bray-Breamsy, Castillo and Erby.

Wheltons existing contract is set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 school year.

His tenure as the districts superintendent began in June 2018, when he replaced his predecessor, Carol Selby.

In July, the board voted to place Whelton on administrative leave if he did not agree to continue negotiations with the districts teachers union, which he ultimately agreed to do.

Bridgeport-Spaulding schools officials did not provide any comment regarding the decision to place Whelton on administrative leave or the recall petitions targeting board members.
Defendant Jordan A. Albro appears in court at the Saginaw County Courthouse on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

SAGINAW, MI  A Saginaw man is to spend the next few months in jail for crashing his truck into a bedroom, launching himself onto the homes roof while narrowly avoiding killing a baby.

Jordan A. Albro, 30, appeared before Saginaw County District Judge M. Randall Jurrens for sentencing on Tuesday, Nov. 25. Albro first appeared before Jurrens for sentencing on Friday, Nov. 21, but the judge revoked his bond when Albro tested positive for drugs, causing him to spend the intervening days in jail.

It was the second time Albro forfeited his $500 bail by not following bond conditions since his arraignment in October 2024.

A Chevrolet Silverado that crashed into house at 2818 Beechwood Ave. in Saginaw the afternoon of Sept. 7, 2024. The truck's driver was launched onto the roof. Photo provided by Breaking News 989. Cole Waterman

Albro declined to speak when Jurrens gave him the chance before imposing sentence. The judge sentenced him to 93 days in the local jail with credit for six days already served on a conviction of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Albro pleaded guilty to the charge two months prior.

A restitution amount is yet to be set. Shaneka Cannon, the owner of the Saginaw house Albro crashed into in September 2024, was not present for Albros sentencing.

Albro on the afternoon of Sept. 7, 2024, was driving a gray Chevrolet Silverado east on Hess Avenue when the truck veered across traffic, jumped the curb, and crashed into a single-story house at 2818 Beechwood Ave. The impact launched Albro onto the houses roof. He was unresponsive when emergency personnel arrived but awoke on the roof shortly thereafter, video recorded at the scene shows.

Cannon was standing outside when the crash occurred, having just put down her 2-month-old for a nap. Immediately after the collision, Cannon ran inside in search of her baby and 9-year-old son. Rushing to the bedroom, she brushed glass, drywall, and other debris from her baby, finding him without a scratch.

Her older son, elsewhere in the house, also managed to avoid physical injury.

Emergency responders extinguished a fire that erupted from under the trucks hood.

A sample of Albros blood was taken at a local hospital and subsequently analyzed, showing he had amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and cannabinoids in his system, prosecutors alleged.

Video footage of Albro on the roof circulated on social media. A Facebook account identifying its user as Albro commented on the footage.

Im glad no one was killed or injured this is a miracle from god this is me, the account posted. Im viral hoe.

In a separate comment, the account added: I was not in my right mind that day I crashed out  on accident because I was on to much substance

In the aftermath, Cannon and her family experienced an outpouring of community support, with C&J Handyman Services in particular taking the lead to repair their damaged home.

26 1 / 26 Community repairing Saginaw familys house ravaged by truck crash, fire

Albro has caused at least two prior traffic crashes.

Genesee County Sheriffs deputies issued him a citation in February 2015 for careless driving after he rear-ended a vehicle in Vienna Township.

In March 2022, Albro ran a stop sign in Flint Township and struck another vehicle, with police finding him to be the at-fault driver.

Albro in February 2020 was sentenced to 18 months probation on a Genesee County conviction of assault with a dangerous weapon. He still owes $1,317.60 in court fines and costs as of Nov. 25.

Even after crashing into the Beechwood house, Albro continued amassing traffic offenses. Police in May cited him for driving without a license plate and without insurance. He was fined $255, which he paid in full.

Birch Run police in July cited Albro for running a red light. He still owes $125 on that ticket, court records show.
PONTIAC, MI  An Indiana man has been charged with killing a Pontiac resident 27 years ago.

Jack A. Young, 45, on Tuesday, Nov. 25, appeared before Oakland County District Magistrate Angelena Thomas-Scruggs for arraignment on single count of first-degree felony murder and felony firearm. A conviction of the former mandates a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, while a conviction of the latter mandates a minimum two-year sentence consecutive to any related stint.

Thomas-Scruggs set Youngs bond at $2 million cash-surety.

Law enforcement allege a then-18-year-old Young on April 30, 1998, was burglarizing a home on Corwin Street in Pontiac when he was surprised by the homeowner, 73-year-old Charles Barnett. Young shot Barnett then stole his vehicle and fled the scene, police allege.

Young crashed the stolen vehicle a short time later, police allege. Police found the crashed car and went to Barnetts house, where they discovered his body.

Detectives initial investigation went cold. Oakland County Sheriffs Sgt. Todd Hunt and Lt. Steve Troy, now retired, reopened the case and developed Young as a suspect.

Young was living in Pontiac at the time of Barnetts homicide. He since relocated to Indiana and was living in the city of Mishawaka when police arrested him on Nov. 17. Young waived extradition and was brought from Indiana to Pontiac to face charges.

We never give up on our pursuit of justice for the victims, the families and the community, Oakland County Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard said in a statement. Im proud of the constant review of cold cases that our team does. In this case, we have an opportunity to hold the accused perpetrator accountable after all these years.

Bouchard has not disclosed what evidence implicated Young in Barnetts killing.

Youngs next court date is pending.
State Rep. Amos O'Neal listens as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer talks with media after speaking with Saginaw High School students in this MLive file image. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

SAGINAW, MI  In a special election for a vacant state Senate seat, state House Rep. Amos ONeal announced his endorsement of fellow Democrat Chedrick Greene in a race that could shift the balance of political power in Michigan next year.

The endorsement arrived less than two months before a primary election that will narrow six Democratic candidates down to one finalist to face the winner of a primary election between four Republicans also vying for the District 35 post.

The respective winners of the Tuesday, Feb. 3, primary battles will face off in a general election set for Tuesday, May 5.

Chedrick is my candidate, ONeal said in a statement this week. He is the right choice to win this crucial special election for Michigan and our families.

ONeal, who has represented Saginaw constituents in the state House since 2021, is a veteran politician with a history spanning two decades of securing votes in the mid-Michigan community. He was elected to serve for 13 years on the Saginaw City Council and then four years with the Saginaw County Board of Commissioners.

The state Senates District 35 encompasses Saginaw, Bay and Midland counties.

Except for one candidate, the Democratic primary lineup features candidates with roots in ONeals home region of Saginaw County, including two candidates with a history of winning elected positions there.

The focus of ONeals endorsement, Greene, is a political newcomer. A decorated Marine and Saginaw Fire Department captain, Greene in August announced his plans to campaign for the state Senate in late September.

Im very honored that our only Democratic state legislator in this district chose me because of our strong message for the district of affordability, safety and freedom, Greene said.

Its huge for me. We have a grassroots campaign. Every endorsement came with a lot of work and a lot of convincing of my candidacy and of being the right person at the right time for this very important Democratic Senate majority.

The state Senate today consists of 19 Democrats and 18 Republicans, meaning the District 35 elections outcome could upend the balance of political power in Lansing.

Chedrick Greene (right) speaks with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer during a roundtable discussion about the Lowering MI Costs plan at the Saginaw Fire Department in this 2024 MLive file image. Greene, a Democrat, in 2025 launched a campaign to serve on the state Senate. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

While this election represents Greenes first time on the ballot, he has experience with District 35 politics.

He worked as the district assistant for Democrat Kristen McDonald Rivet when she occupied the state Senate seat.

McDonald Rivet vacated the post after voters elected her in November 2024 to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. Her move led Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in August 2025 to call for a special election.

A Saginaw-heavy Democratic primary field

One of Greenes primary election opponents may be familiar to voters who cast ballots in that 2024 election. Democrat Pamela Pugh lost in the August 2024 U.S. House primary election to McDonald Rivet.

Pugh, though, previously earned statewide election wins in 2014 and 2022 for a seat on the Michigan State Board of Education, where she serves as president today. Her 2022 victory netted her more than 2 million votes across Michigan.

Like Greene, she has ties to Saginaw County, where she was raised in Saginaw and Carrollton Township.

Another state Senate candidate, Democrat Brandell Adams, was elected to the Bridgeport Township Board of Trustees for two terms before stepping down to pursue the state Senate seat earlier this year. His Saginaw credentials include his service since November 2024 as chairman of the Saginaw County Democratic Party.

State Senate candidate Martin Blank also possesses Saginaw ties and appeared on previous election ballots, albeit for a different political party. The Democrat is a trauma surgeon at Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw. He was a Republican candidate on the ballots for the 2020 state House race won by Republican Timothy Beson and the 2022 state Senate race won by McDonald Rivet.

Democratic candidate Serenity Hope Salak of Saginaw Township is a political newcomer. She worked as an eligibility specialist at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The districts lone Democratic candidate not from Saginaw County, William Morrone of Bay City, is also a first-time candidate. He works as the chief medical examiner for Bay County.

The Democratic primary included some heated rhetoric earlier this month when Pugh said she was the target of a coordinated political effort from within my own party.

The statement was issued the same day MLive published a report detailing Pughs history of debt and the same month as media coverage that outlined public scrutiny regarding Pughs financial decisions related to organizations she led in recent years.

Let me be clear, my concerns are not with Democrats broadly, Pugh said in a statement this week. Im a lifelong Democrat. My concerns are with political insiders who appear more focused on consolidating power and protecting the status quo rather than addressing the real needs of working families in the Saginaw Bay region.

Without providing specific names, Pugh said those political insiders were pushing a candidate while working to discredit her 10-year track record on the State Board of Education.

Support in dollars

State campaign finance disclosure documents showed Pughs campaign has reported by far the largest sum of contributions among Democrats in the state Senate race, with $73,857.61 reported as of an October filing.

Greene was the next-closest competitor among Democrats during the same timeframe, with $24,167 in reported contributions.

Adams reported $15,240 in contributions.

Blank reported no contributions in his filing and there were no finance disclosure records for Morrone or Salak in Michigan Secretary of State records.

The February Democratic primary victor will face the winner of the Republican primary showdown between Jason Tunney, Chadwick Twillman, Christian Velasquez and Andrew Wendt.

As of the October campaign finance disclosure filing, Republicans reported contributions that dwarfed the Democratic competition.

Velasquez reported $158,451 while Tunney reported $127,056 in contributions for their respective campaigns, state records showed. Wendt reported $10 in contributions. There were no finance disclosure filings tied to Twillmans campaign.
Joan Branson and Sir Richard Branson arrive at Buckingham Palace to attend a reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth II for Members of the Diplomatic Corps on December 2, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images) Getty Images

Joan Branson, the wife of British billionaire Richard Branson, has died. She was 80.

Branson, the founder of Virgin Group, announced her death on Instagram on Tuesday, but no other details were shared.

Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away, he wrote. She was the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for. She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world.

Bransons Virgin conglomerate operates across numerous industries including travel, aviation, media, telecommunications, leisure, space and financial services.

In a 2020 blog post, Branson said he met Joan in 1976 at a recording studio in Oxfordshire, England called The Manor.

I often make up my mind about someone within 30 seconds of meetings them, and I fell for Joan almost from the moment I saw her, he wrote. Joan was a down-to-earth Scottish lady and I quickly realised she wouldnt be impressed by my usual antics.

He said she worked in an antiques shop called Dodo in Notting Hill, close to a Virgin office at Vernon Yard.

One day, I hovered uncertainly outside the shop, then built up the courage to walk in. The shop sold old signs and advertisements, which I pretended to the shop owner, Liz, that I was fascinated by, he wrote.

Over the next few weeks, my visits to Joan amassed me an impressive collection of old hand painted tin signs, which advertised anything from Hovis bread to Woodbine cigarettes.

He went on to call her his constant rock and steady source of wisdom who was the driving motivation behind his purchase of Necker Island, a resort in the British Virgin Islands.

Together, the couple had three children, Holly, Sam and Sarah Clare, who died shortly after birth in 1979.
UPDATE: Whats changed with Michigans snowfall forecast

There have been a lot of changes and additions to the warnings and advisories across Michigan.

The National Weather Service(NWS) offices across Michigan usually issue a significant forecast update around 4 p.m. each day. Today, the NWS offices have added blizzard warnings in the Upper Peninsula and turned the winter storm watches into winter storm warnings over a big part of western Lower Michigan. The upgrade from a winter storm watch to a winter storm warning means the dangerous winter conditions are more likely to occur.

We also now have winter weather advisories for part of central and south-central Lower Michigan.

Finally, wind will be strong, especially along the Lake Michigan shoreline. A high wind warning has been issued there, and a wind advisory for the rest of southeast and east-central Lower Michigan.

Heres the new warnings and advisories map. Lets just take it one type of warning at a time.

Warnings and advisories for Michigan as of 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 25. NOAA

The blizzard warning goes into effect Wednesday morning and continues to Thanksgiving evening for the Lake Superior counties of the western U.P. Snow amounts up to 22 inches and 55 mph gusts could make travel very difficult to impossible until sunrise Friday.

The rest of the U.P. and most of the western half of Lower Michigan now has a winter storm warning from midday Wednesday to Thanksgiving morning. I do expect the winter storm warning will actually be extended to sunrise Friday. The winter storm warning now covers the entire Traverse City area north to Gaylord and south to Big Rapids. There is also a winter storm warning for the Kalamazoo area. The winter storm warning area could have a total of six inches to 10 inches of snow and winds gusting up to 45 mph.

The purple shaded counties have a winter weather advisory for two to five inches of snow and the same strong gusts to 45 mph.

A high wind warning is covering over the winter storm warning along the Lake Michigan shoreline counties from Benton Harbor northward to Ludington. Along with the heavy snow, the high wind warning area could have gusts to 55 mph. That strong of a wind gust will create extreme blowing and drifting.

Finally southeast Lower Michigan, including Ann Arbor and Detroit, north to the Saginaw/Bay City/Midland area, the Thumb and the Sunrise Side have a wind advisory for gusts up to 45 mph. There will be occasional spurts of snow in these eastern regions of Michigan, but not enough to warrant a winter weather advisory.

By late Wednesday afternoon, we will all be into our most severe part of the storm. The conditions will continue through most of Thanksgiving.

My advice- travel tonight still if you can, or leave very early tomorrow. We will still have temperatures above freezing very early on Wednesday. Once the temperature drops at your location Wednesday, you are in for full-blown Michigan winter weather.

Stay safe, get to your destination now or early tomorrow and have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Stay updated with continuous updates at MLive.com/weather.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte suggested on Wednesday that there is a possibility that Russia's war against Ukraine will end by the end of 2025.

"Of course. We are all praying for the earliest possible end to this war," Rutte said in an interview with the newspaper El Pais, answering the question "whether it is possible that the war will end by the end of this year."

"I want to do everything possible to help US President Trump realize his vision of a settlement," the alliance's Secretary General said.

"It is always difficult to predict, but I sincerely hope that peace will come soon. Of course, after the Geneva talks, several more meetings need to be held, as well as a separate, parallel discussion of some issues with the EU and NATO. And we have not yet reached that point," Rutte said.

He also noted that a peace agreement on Ukraine will not change the situation regarding Russia. "Russia will continue to be a long-term threat for a long time. (...) The peace plan does not change the assessment of Russia as a long-term threat to Europe," he said. On the eve, Trump said that he was satisfied with the way negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement were going with both Moscow and Kiev. In his opinion, the parties may come to the conclusion that the US proposals for resolving the conflict are beneficial to them. Rutte also noted that on some points the negotiations are difficult and may take a lot of time.
The Supreme Council Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, believes that official figures do not show the real picture of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), but the state should not pressure victims to testify.

"I can tell you clearly that official figures do not show the real picture of CRSV committed by Russian soldiers against Ukrainian citizens. This is one of the key problems we face," Lubinets said at the International Conference on the Occasion of Ukraine's Chairmanship of the International Alliance for the Prevention of Sexual Violence in Conflict "United for Justice: Strengthening Partnerships to Support Victims of CRSV" on Wednesday in Kyiv.

At the same time, he stressed that the state should not create a system that would pressure people and demand official, legal testimony from them.

"I clearly realize that the state system should be built on the principles that such people should simply be listened to, sympathized with and helped as quickly as possible. Even if they say we don't want it to be done in an official way, the state should do it," he added.

Among other things, the Commissioner called on international partners to necessarily indicate in their reports the war crimes committed by Russian soldiers and mention the CRSV.

"I am convinced that without this information we will never be able to achieve justice... We demand that those war criminals who committed these crimes be justly punished," Lubinets emphasized.

In his opinion, this is a matter not only of the Ukrainian nation, but of the entire democratic world.

"We have been at war since 2014, and no one really knows how many decades it will take to fully restore the violated rights of Ukrainian citizens, including people who have suffered from the CRSV, because there has not been such an international military conflict since the end of World War II," he said.

In November 2022, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland announced the creation of the Global Alliance, and the states signed a political declaration to improve coordination of actions, exchange of experience, and ensure justice for victims of sexual violence during conflicts. In March 2023, the Alliance officially began its activities with Ukraine as co-chair. The Democratic Republic of the Congo will continue to chair. Currently, the Global Alliance has 33 states and other members.

As reported, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission (HRMM) documented 376 cases of conflict-related sexual violence involving men, women, girls, and boys from February 24, 2022 to August 31, 2024.
Feeling like you belong in college? It might decide whether you graduate, says new study

Rajni Pandey is a seasoned content creator with over 15 years of experience crafting compelling stories for digital news platforms. Specializing in diverse topics such as travel, education, jobs, science, wildlife, religion, politics, and astrology, she excels at transforming trending human-interest stories into engaging reads for a wide audience.

Rajni Pandey

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MC Education Desk Read the latest and trending news on CBSE, board exams, NEET, JEE, CUET, competitive exams, scholarships, college admissions, education policies, and more.

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M Snehanjali is a Sub Editor and journalist with over two years of experience covering general news and entertainment in digital newsroom.

Amul, known for its timely and heartfelt topicals, paid homage to the legendary actor almost immediately after the news of his demise surfaced.

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Filed under the Domestic Violence Act, Celinas petition paints a grim picture of sustained abuse, manipulation and financial coercion that she claims spanned the entirety of her marriage.

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As a result, according to the advocate, the court has issued a notice returnable on December 12 for Peter Haag, a resident of Austria.

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With that change in place, Tere Ishq Mein was granted a U/A 16+ rating on November 24.

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The Command of the Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine has asked citizens not to succumb to provocations currently being spread by the enemy in connection with, in particular, the situation on the Hulyaipole axis: the situation is difficult, but there is no encirclement, communication is maintained with our fighters, logistics are established, the wounded are being evacuated; there are no so-called "barrier detachments."

"The war is going on not only on the battlefield, but also on the information front. The enemy skillfully manipulates the moods of Ukrainian society: it deliberately exaggerates its so-called successes and hyperbolizes the problems in the Defense Forces of Ukraine, spreading panic among Ukrainians and inciting them to reckless actions. Some of our compatriots, unfortunately, succumb to such provocations, unknowingly spreading hostile narratives," the Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

The same message was posted on Telegram by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

It is reported that the situation in southern Ukraine, in particular in the Hulyaipil direction, is currently really tense. The enemy is conducting active assault operations, increasing the number of artillery shelling and the use of kamikaze drones. Over the past day alone, more than three dozen assaults, over half a thousand artillery shelling using over 2,100 ammunition, a dozen airstrikes, 250 UAV drops, and attacks by almost 2,000 kamikaze drones have been recorded.

"Despite everything, our defenders are holding the defense, communication and logistics are established with them, and support is provided. Every day they destroy 250-300 occupiers and more than fifty units of weapons and military equipment. Yesterday alone, 2 enemy tanks, a dozen and a half artillery systems, and about four dozen units of motor vehicles were put out of action," the Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine said.

"Furious battles are taking place for every meter of our native land. The situation in the direction is really difficult, but there is no encirclement, communication is maintained with our fighters, logistics are established, and the wounded are being evacuated. All the more so, the information about the so-called blocking detachments that block our units is not true. On the contrary, assault units are being sent to reinforce them and help hold the defense," the message says.

It is noted that "the military command promptly responds to any changes in the situation and always makes balanced decisions: if resources are available, to maintain defense and defend Ukrainian territory, if they are not, to save the lives of personnel by withdrawing them to more advantageous lines, thereby sacrificing one or another position to the enemy. But in the future, to stop the enemy, block his advance and inflict comprehensive fire damage."

The military once again emphasizes that "the expediency of a particular decision can be determined only by those who have sufficient data on the operational situation at the front. Citizens and the media have the right to express their own point of view, share their thoughts and conclusions, but the main administrator of reliable information about the course of military operations is the General Staff. It provides operational and verified information that reflects the real state of affairs at the front"

"That is why we call on the media and the public to trust only verified information and not to be influenced by dubious sources that consciously or unconsciously play into the enemy's hands. If you really want to help the soldiers - join the Armed Forces of Ukraine," the Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine said.
Dharmendra's prayer meet to be likely held this week; venue yet to be decided

Dharmendra died on Monday just weeks shy of his 90th birthday after prolonged illness.

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Palak Vij is a Sub Editor and Entertainment Journalist with over a year of experience covering films, television, and pop culture in the digital space.

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Celina Jaitly's husband Peter Haag filed for divorce first, blamed her for marriage breakdown, says actress lawyer

Celina Jaitly's husband Peter Haag filed for divorce first, blamed her for marriage breakdown, says actress lawyer

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Kapil Sharma reacts to the attack on his Kap's cafe in Canada: After every firing incident, we got a bigger opening

Kapil Sharma reacts to the attack on his Kap's cafe in Canada: After every firing incident, we got a bigger opening

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Abhishek Banerjee and team reveal the making of Stolen at IFFI

Palak Vij is a Sub Editor and Entertainment Journalist with over a year of experience covering films, television, and pop culture in the digital space.

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Andhra King Taluka, Revolver Rita and more: South films releasing in the theatres this week

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Sudheer Babus son to play the childhood versions of Mahesh Babu in Varanasi and Prabhas in Fauzi

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Thanksgiving 2025: History, significance and 5 ways to celebrate it in India

Namita S Kalla is a senior journalist who writes about different aspects of modern life that include lifestyle, health, fashion, beauty, and entertainment.

Thanksgiving 2025 falls on November 27, but its essencegratitude, love and togethernessbelongs everywhere. Discover the festivals history, why it matters, and 5 meaningful ways to celebrate (Image: Canva)

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The United States should recognize that its interests are best served by a strong Ukraine that is part of Europe and can defend itself in the long term with Western weapons and intelligence, and whatever deal the White House supports, it should not undermine that opportunity, Bloomberg LP founder and majority owner Michael Bloomberg has said.

"Abandoning Ukraine would set up the country as another Afghanistan  a searing example to potential partners of the USs unreliability. It would encourage nuclear proliferation as vulnerable states conclude they need their own deterrent, spreading instability across the globe," he wrote in a column on Wednesday.

Bloomberg criticized the initial 28-point plan for being designed with minimal input from Ukraine and largely reflecting Russian priorities, and stressed that the White House should not forget the cost of a weak deal that fails to deter Russian aggression.

"A bad deal would pose a threat not just to Ukraine, but to US strategic interests as well. Russia would emerge militarily ascendant, menacing Europe and increasing rather than reducing the burden on America. The Pentagon would likely need to ramp up support for NATO allies with more troops, more surveillance assets, more missile defenses and more crisis management  leaving fewer resources to check China in the Indo-Pacific," Bloomberg said.

In his opinion, the Pentagon would likely have to increase support for NATO allies, leaving fewer resources to deter China in the Indo-Pacific region, and if Putin violates the agreement, as early indications suggest, the US would have to either resist, risking being drawn into a larger, more complicated war, or be exposed as a paper tiger.

Together with the message of nuclear proliferation as a deterrent, this would undermine the liberal order that the US has championed and benefited from enormously since the end of World War II, and countries like China would feel freer to act within the framework of their own territorial ambitions, the Bloomberg founder stressed.

He called for a ceasefire along the current front line, with any territorial swaps to be discussed later, an end to restrictions on the size of Ukraines armed forces or the presence of foreign troops on its territory, and a commitment to Western security guarantees.

"Russias frozen state assets should be used to rebuild Ukraine, not incorporated into private U.S.-Russian commercial enterprises," the column said.

According to Bloomberg, Congress should pressure the administration to allow the transfer of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, a powerful deterrent that would only be used if Russia violated the ceasefire agreement, and similarly, Germany should supply its long-range Taurus missiles.

"Ukraines government should support a full investigation and accountability in a widening corruption scandal involving figures close to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in order to restore faith in his government at home and abroad," Bloomberg said.

He believes that if Putin refuses such terms, his insincerity about peace will be at least obvious, while the only peace the United States should seek is one that restrains his ambitions, not encourages them.
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Viswanath Pilla is a business journalist with 16 years of reporting experience. Based in Mumbai, Pilla covers pharma, healthcare and infrastructure sectors for Moneycontrol.

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Committed to final assembly line for Rafale engines, components in India if there are more fighter jet orders: Safran

PM Narendra Modi and Safran's Chairman Ross McInnes during the inauguration of Safran Aircraft Engine Services India in Hyderabad

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Bullions gains were somewhat tempered after ABC News reported that Ukrainian officials had agreed to a plan to end the war with Russia

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What to watch in commodities as US pushes Ukraine peace deal

Oil prices dipped on Tuesday after ABC News  citing a US official  said that Ukraine had largely accepted an agreement

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The IPO would follow earlier listings of LIC in 2022 and IREDA in 2023, marking another major addition of a government-backed financial institution to the public markets

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Indias stock benchmark, the NSE Nifty 50 Index, has risen about 10% so far this year, but it has lagged the hefty returns of peers in China, Taiwan and South Korea, held back by the lack of artificial intelligence plays locally.

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Photo: https://www.facebook.com/frankivskpolice/posts/

Kyiv police confirmed information about the alleged mining of a number of facilities in the capital.

"There is information about the alleged mining of a number of facilities in Kyiv, including the administrative building of various institutions," the police told Interfax-Ukraine.

The Anti-Corruption Center notes that the evacuation was also carried out in the building of the Kyiv Court of Appeal, where the consideration of the appeal against the detention of National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) detective Ruslan Maghamedrasulov in the pre-trial detention center was to begin at 12:30.

As reported, the SBU and the Prosecutor General's Office stated that they had exposed Maghamedrasulov, the head of the NABU unit deployed in the city of Dnipro, who is suspected of aiding an aggressor state (Part 1 of Article 111-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), while conducting business in the Russian Federation.

According to the case materials, it was he who coordinated the activities of the Bureau in the front-line regions of Ukraine (Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia). At the same time, he has contacts with representatives of the aggressor country and helps his father-entrepreneur conduct illegal trade with the Russian Federation. As the investigation established, Maghamedrasulov acted as an intermediary in the sale of his father's batches of technical hemp to the Russian Federation (Republic of Dagestan).

According to the investigation, this high-ranking official of the Bureau was in close contact with the fugitive people's deputy from the banned Opposition Platform-For Life party, Fedor Khrystenko, who is connected to the Russian special services and, as the investigation established, has significant influence on the activities of the NABU.

The SBU claims that Khrystenko maintains relations with the head of the NABU detective unit, Oleksandr Skomarov, with whom they studied together at one of the Donetsk universities. According to the investigators, Skomarov's subordinates facilitated the escape abroad of Ihor Kolomoisky's business partner, Hennadiy Boholiubov. According to the case materials, this "special operation" was also organized through the mediation and under the leadership of Khrystenko.

On July 2, the Pechersk District Court of Kyiv chose a preventive measure for Magomedrasulov in the form of detention, and on October 17, it extended it until December 15 without the right to bail. The defense requested any measure for the detective that was not related to detention, but the prosecutor stated that Magomedrasulov could hide and influence witnesses.
HDFC AMC shares adjust to 1:1 bonus issue: Heres why you should ignore the 50% plunge

Debaroti Adhikary

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Large-cap profit share drops to 73% even as Nifty 500 earnings rise in Q2FY26

During the quarter, Nifty 500 margins expanded 130 basis points YoY but contracted 17 basis points sequentially. Kotak noted that excluding BFSI, metals, and oil & gas, margins fell 40 basis points YoY and 70 basis points QoQ, with the overall improvement primarily attributed to lower raw material costs, even as employee expenses continued to rise steadily.

Anishaa Kumar

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Stocks to Watch Today: Bharti Airtel, HDFC AMC, NCC, Nelco, Zydus Life, Excelsoft, Indraprastha Gas, Gallard Steel, ASK Automotive in focus on 26 November

Sunil Matkar

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Will variable pay and bonus be included in salary for EPF calculation under new labour codes?

Teena Jain Kaushal is Editor - Personal Finance (Audience Growth) at Moneycontrol, with over two decades of expertise demystifying money matters. Whether its decoding tax, navigating investments, or breaking down the latest insurance trends, her aim is to help readers make smarter financial decisions.

According to Balasubramanian A, senior vice president, TeamLease Services, the inclusion depends on how a company structures compensation

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The story of consolidation is going to continue, says Embassy Developments MD Aditya Virwani.

Ashish Mishra

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Rs 7,280 crore boost for rare-earths: How India plans to take the fight to China

Ankit Saproo A news afficionado who helps sift through layers to bring out the real story for the readers. Having covered business, politics and international affairs for over a decade, my stints with marquee digital news rooms give me the eye to spot stories that need to be reported.

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17 years after 26/11, Ujjwal Nikam tears into Pakistan for inaction against key accused

The former prosecutor further urged the international community to take steps, including cutting off financial aid to Pakistan, if the country fails to act against individuals linked to terrorism.

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76th Constitution Day: President Murmu releases Indian Constitution in Kashmiri for the first time

The event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Union Ministers including Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Kiren Rijiju, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and opposition leaders such as Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

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A month before Delhi blast, accused doctor Adeel Rather was in 'urgent need of money'

Investigators suspect the money he sought was used to fund the blast.

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Pema Wang Thongdok said she was detained for 18 hours at Shanghai Pudong Airport on November 21.

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The Kyiv community has delivered a new batch of aid to fighters of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Black Zaporizhians. 1,100 drones of various types have been sent to the front, including 100 anti-aircraft drones, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced on Wednesday.

"The Kyiv community has delivered another batch of essential aid to the defenders in the hottest areas of the front. Another 1,100 drones of various types, including 100 anti-shahed drones, have been sent to the fighters of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Black Zaporizhians. This year, Kyiv has already delivered 3,300 drones to the military of the 72nd brigade," Klitschko wrote on Telegram.

The mayor recalled that, since the beginning of 2025, UAH 110 million have been allocated from the city budget for the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigades equipment and immediate needs.

In total, the capital has already sent over 57,000 UAVs, nearly 350 electronic warfare systems, vehicles, and communications equipment to various brigades at the front this year.
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The nine-time MLA from Gobichettipalayam, Sengottaiyan is a strongman from Western Tamil Nadu.

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From local issues to national politics: Why Mumbai civic elections matter beyond the city

Maharashtras local body elections are not just limited to Mumbai.

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Ghost of 1983 Assam massacre returns ahead of polls as Himanta Sarma tables two key reports in Assembly

Himanta Biswa Sarma says the findings of the Tewary Commission 'remain relevant today' for addressing the deeper structural causes of migration in Assam.

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Imams step in as mosques turn into SIR assistance centres in UP

The SIR is currently underway across 12 states and Union Territories.

Deblina Halder

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World News Live: Huge blaze engulfs Hong Kong high-rise; kills four, injures three

At least four people were killed and three others injured after three high-rise residential towers caught fire in Hong Kong's Tai Po district on Wednesday, The New York Times reported, citing the city's public broadcaster, Radio Television Hong Kong.

According to The New York Times, citing the public broadcaster, two of the injured are in critical condition, while one is reported to be stable.

Visuals from the site showed bright flames ripping through multiple floors, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky.
The BrahMos missile was the Indian Air Force's main weapon of choice, which hit targets with great precision.

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India slams China for detaining Arunachal woman in Shanghai: 'Not helping in normalizing ties'

Chhabi Kala

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Troops recruited before 2020 will keep retiring at a rate of roughly 60,000 annually, while a portion of Agniveers will also begin leaving after completing their four-year tenure starting 2026-end

Surabhi Pandey

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Photo: https://sluga-narodu.com

A presentation was held in Ukraine of the White Paper and the draft model law on the system of transition from service in the security and defense sector to civilian life  a document that is the result of three months of systematic work, many years of experience working with veterans, an analysis of support policies in other countries, and a study of international practices.

According to the initiator of the draft law, Servant of the People MP Taras Tarasenko, the bill proposes a model consisting of two consecutive phases. The first phase is the in-service stage, which begins even before discharge. It includes an initial survey, a medical check-up, psychological and emotional screening, basic psychoeducation, consultations on social adaptation and the role of the family, career counseling, and the development of a personal recovery plan.

The second phase is the return of a servicemember to civilian life.

"It begins after returning home and helps answer the veterans main question: Whats next? In this phase, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Policy, local communities, social services, friends, and comrades are involvedbut most importantly, the family. According to the veterans themselves, the family is a key factor in their recovery," said Tarasenko.

He also noted that financial stability is one of the conditions for a successful transition from military service to civilian life.

"The draft law proposes that during the 9-12 months of the second phase, servicemembers receive financial support to ensure basic financial stability. Without a financial foundation, recovery will be incomplete, and decisions will be forced. A person needs time and resources to rethink their path in civilian life," emphasized Tarasenko.

At the same time, the lawmaker stressed that the model for transitioning from military service to civilian life requires the synchronized work of all state and local institutionswithout situations where a veteran is forced to go in circles between different services.

"The system should support the servicemember from the very first day of the decision to leave the military and throughout the entire year of transition. Only in this way can we ensure real results and address the individual needs of each person," concluded the member of parliament.

He emphasized that Ukraine is forced to develop its own approach to the reintegration of servicemembers, as no country in the world has faced a war of such scale and nature.

"There is no existing experience in the world that is relevant to the scale of Ukraines situation. That is why we are creating our own modeladapted and flexible. It takes into account the fact that discharge from service today mostly occurs due to injuries, trauma, or family circumstances. At the same time, we are anticipating rules for transition during demobilization and for the future professional contract army," said Tarasenko.
Karnataka MLA says Shivakumar will become CM: '200 per cent sure'

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Rather than delivering hypocritical homilies, Pakistan would do better to turn its gaze inwards and focus on its own abysmal human rights record," MEA spokesperson added.

Siddharth Chakravorty

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Origins of Ram Janmabhoomi dispute in 19th century: How colonial records first formalised the temple-mosque contest

When the East India Company extended influence over Awadh in the late 18th century, Ayodhya was already an important pilgrimage centre.

Priyanjali Ghose

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'Please wait, I will call you': Rahul Gandhi's text to Shivakumar amid power tussle in Karnataka

Chhabi Kala

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'Request being examined': MEA on Bangladesh's request to India for Sheikh Hasina's extradition

Ria Kapoor

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PM Narendra Modi and Safran's Chairman Ross McInnes during the inauguration of Safran Aircraft Engine Services India in Hyderabad

Hemant Abhishek

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The Congress leader said he often disagreed with the BJP-led Centre but respected its mandate.

Deblina Halder

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Siddaramaiahs camp wants the status quo until March with a Cabinet reshuffle, while Shivakumars supporters are demanding the 2023 power-sharing deal be honoured.

Deblina Halder

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Quiet mutiny: 43 MVA runner-up candidates defected to Mahayuti in one year after Maharashtra polls

The MVA managed to win only 50 seats in the Maharashtra Assembly elections held in November last year. (File: PTI)

Parimal Peeyush

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The OSCE is working on analyzing potential challenges and scenarios that may arise as a result of the return of a significant number of Ukrainians home as a result of the end of the European Unions temporary protection for Ukrainians in 2027, the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine said.

"The parties discussed the current risks of trafficking, in particular in the context of the end of the EU Temporary Protection for Ukrainians in 2027. The OSCE is currently working on analyzing potential challenges and scenarios that may arise as a result of the return of a significant number of Ukrainians home," the ministry said in a statement following a meeting between Minister Denys Uliutin and OSCE Special Representative and Coordinator for Combating Human Trafficking Kari Johnstone.

It is noted that during the meeting, the possibilities of information interaction with international companies were considered to simplify the mechanisms for providing contact information and assistance routes to Ukrainians, in particular, the focus of the work was on both Ukrainian citizens and migrants from other countries who may be vulnerable to trafficking.

The parties agreed to develop interaction and strengthen coordination, taking into account the planned OSCE activities and available resources.

As reported, the European Union is preparing rules for ending the period of temporary protection for citizens of Ukraine. Recommendations on the gradual transition to legal residence or return home were published by the EU Council. As noted in the document, temporary protection for Ukrainians in EU countries is valid until March 4, 2027.

In October, Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity Uliutin said the department is working on a Strategy for the Return of Citizens from Abroad to Ukraine.
Parimal Peeyush is News Editor at Moneycontrol. A journalist for over 17 years, his experience spans across newspapers, magazines and digital news media. Having joined Moneycontrol in August 2024, Parimal oversees the Political Desk and covers issues around the intersection of politics, law and crime.

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OPINION | India must own its capital to own its century

Rohit Bhayana is Co-CEO of Oister Global. Views are personal, and do not represent the stance of this publication.

Domestic capital remains the missing link, even though the opportunity is now too large, strategic, and urgent to ignore.

Namrata Agarwal

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OPINION | Will the outcome of the 2027 Punjab polls influence the Centres approach to Chandigarh?

Shamsher Chandel is an independent journalist based out of Chandigarh. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.

A city prized by two states and the Centre

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CEO asks candidate 1 reason to not hire her. This work-life balance answer won her the job

The job interview story shared on Threads resonates with a growing trend: women-led businesses often prioritise work-life balance for their teams. (AI-generated image)

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China's 40cm 'mini-end' living units with tiny bed, TV and Rs 90 rent go viral: 'Coffin has more room'

Although the living unit was equipped with a TV, it was so narrow that the deice had to be fixed sideways to fit. (Image credit: Justin_Godfrey/Reddit)

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Kunal Kamra responds to BJPs fury with another T-shirt: Outrage doesnt run this country'

Kunal Kamra decided to address the outrage over his T-shirt (right) with another T-shirt. The recent one featured the Constitution. (Image credit: Kunal Kamra/X)

Ankita Sengupta

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'Delighted by Google's success...but we are generation ahead of the industry', says Nvidia as it defends AI dominance

Sarthak Singh Sarthak is an experienced writer having covered personal and consumer tech, gadgets news, social media trends, and more for several years

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Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) Rustem Umerov was questioned by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) as a witness in the case involving businessman Tymur Mindichs "back office."

The press service of the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council reported this in a comment to the Interfax-Ukraine agency on Wednesday.

"Rustem Umerov was summoned to the NABU as a witness to testify in a criminal case opened for interference in the activities of a government official. The conversation was constructive. Umerov answered all of the investigators questions within the framework of procedural law," the comment reads.

The National Security and Defense Council noted that this procedural action took place on November 25.
Danish Khan is the editor of Technology and Telecom. He was previously with the Economic Times and has tracked the sector for 14 years.

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Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day

Ankita Chakravarti

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Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella asks leaders to rethink the companys economics for the AI era in an internal memo

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Microsoft pulls Copilot from WhatsApp as Meta's new rules kick in

Sarthak Singh Sarthak is an experienced writer having covered personal and consumer tech, gadgets news, social media trends, and more for several years

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This retailer mistakenly sold iPad Air for Rs 1500, now asking buyers to return it

Ankita Chakravarti is a seasoned journalist with nearly a decade of experience in media. She specializes in technology and lifestyle journalism. She has worked with top Indian media houses like India Today, Zee News, The Statesman, and Millennium Post. Her expertise spans tech trends, phone launches, gadget reviews, and entertainment news. Ankita holds a Master's in Journalism and Mass Communication along with a degree in English Literature. She can be reached out at ankita.chakravarti@nw18.com

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No permission, no travel: UK to enforce electronic travel authorisation (ETA) from February 2026  What travellers need to know

From February 2026, visitors without an ETA will be denied boardingheres what travellers need to know about the UKs new entry rule.

Priyanka Roshan

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Think your family is the perfect travel partner? Research says you might be wrong!

Priyanka Roshan With over eight years in multimedia journalism, is passionate about storytellingboth visual and textualacross travel, jobs, business, markets, politics, and daily news. From crafting engaging articles to producing compelling videos, she blends creativity with strategy to bring stories to life. With a strong foundation in SEO, and video production she ensures content not only informs but also resonates with audiences.

Choosing the right travel partner can make your holiday unforgettableor stressful. Research reveals what traits matter most.

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Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus speaks at a session during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 22, 2025. (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP)

Abhinav Gupta

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Spokesman for the Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine Vladyslav Voloshyn denied information about the occupation of the village of Vysoke in Huliaipole direction (Zaporizha region), a defensive operation is underway.

"It is too early to say that the enemy has captured this settlement while the defensive operation is ongoing. There are really fierce battles there. There were several clashes near the settlement. No losses of our positions were recorded," Voloshyn told Interfax-Ukraine on Wednesday.

According to the spokesman, as of now there is no official information that the Ukrainian Defense Forces have withdrawn and the settlement of Vysoke has been lost. Voloshyn also said during a defensive operation, the line of combat contact is "a rather dynamic phenomenon."

In general, as the spokesman noted, the situation in Huliaipole direction is quite difficult, with fighting constantly ongoing.
How Pakistans reaction to Ram Mandir event exposes its own hypocrisy

Pakistans hypocrisy exposed: Islamabad reacts to Ram Mandir event while ignoring persecution of its own minorities

Pragya Trivedi

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Is Russia-Ukraine war nearing an end? What Trump's revised peace plan actually means | Explained

Pragya Trivedi

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Lost at 10 in Islamabad, found at 27: How AI technology traced a missing girls family after 17 years

Abhinav Gupta

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Netanyahus India visit keeps getting postponed again and again: Here's what is holding it back

File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu from the latter's visit to India in 2018.

Abhinav Gupta

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Pakistans Khawaja Asif says Islamabad has completely lost hope of resetting ties with Taliban

Pragya Trivedi

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Tensions escalate along Durand Line as truce comes under strain: What's driving the new crisis between Pakistan and Afghanistan

(FILES) A Taliban security personnel stands guard along a road near the Ghulam Khan zero-point border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan in Gurbuz district in the southeast of Khost province on October 20, 2025. (Photo by AFP)

Abhinav Gupta

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Klitschko at EPP Summit: Forcing Ukraine to peace on Russia's terms conceding Putin's plans to go to war on Europe

Photo: https://t.me/vitaliy_klitschko

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko took part in the online summit of the European People's Party, which was held at the initiative of EPP Chairman Manfred Weber, during which, in particular, he stated that forcing Ukraine to make peace on Russia's terms is condescending to Putin's plans to start a war in Europe.

"Attempts to put pressure on Ukraine and force it to agree to Russia's terms are condescending to Putin's plans to go to war on European countries. Russia must finally be deprived of the opportunity to blackmail the democratic world and threaten its security," Klitschko said in the Telegram channel.

He said European partners should actively participate in the discussion of the "peace plan," which should be based on the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, reliable security guarantees and Ukraine's right to determine its future.

"I emphasized that Europe should actively participate in the discussion of the 'peace plan.' And this plan should be based on such principles as: the territorial integrity of Ukraine, its sovereignty and the right to determine its future, reliable security guarantees," Kyiv mayor said.

The summit was also attended by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metzola, the heads of governments of European countries and leaders of political parties from different European countries.
Trump's 'Project Firewall' marks a turning point for H-1B visas: Why it's causing anxiety among Indians working in US

Abhinav Gupta

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Trump says he will meet Putin and Zelenskiy only when peace deal reaches final stages

Tamal Nandi

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Trump says Russia-Ukraine war has no set deadline, expects end in the very near future

US President Trump on Ukraine peace: The only deadline for me is when its over

Pragya Trivedi

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Trump sends envoy to Moscow as US pushes to seal Ukraine peace deal

Pragya Trivedi

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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/AFP

Abhinav Gupta

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Where is Imran Khan? Ex-Pak PM's sisters demand proof of life amid murder rumours in Adiala Jail

(FILES) Activists of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of former country's prime minister Imran Khan, take part in a public rally on the outskirts of Islamabad on September 8, 2024. (Photo by Farooq NAEEM / AFP)

Abhinav Gupta

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Who is Dan Driscoll? Trump's 'drone guy' who is now the power player behind his Ukraine peace plan

Abhinav Gupta

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Sybiha outlines five priority steps to European partners to support Ukraine and put pressure on Russia

Photo: https://x.com/andrii_sybiha

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha participated online in an extraordinary informal meeting of the EU Council of Foreign Ministers, along with Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze, who is visiting Kyiv. He called for increased support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia.

According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's press service, Sybiha briefed his European colleagues on the current developments in peace efforts following Ukraine's receipt of US proposals and the ongoing work at the level of national security advisers, including the meeting in Geneva.

He emphasized that Ukraine is committed to peace and welcomes the efforts of US President Donald Trump, committed to constructive work to end the war.

"It is crucial that no one portray Ukraine or Europe as an obstacle to peace," the minister noted.

The Foreign Minister reiterated that Ukraine will seize every opportunity, even the smallest one, to achieve a just peace. At the same time, he recalled that Russia still seeks to prolong the war rather than seek peace.

"President Trump wants peace. President Zelenskyy wants peace. European leaders want peace. Only Putin wants the war to continue," he said.

The head of the Ukrainian diplomatic service called on European partners to further increase their support for Ukraine and raise the costs of war for the aggressor. In this context, he outlined five priority steps.

First, he said, it's crucial to quickly adopt the 20th EU sanctions package against Russia. Its key elements should include restrictions on Russia's access to maritime services, sanctions against third-country ports, Russian financial institutions, and oligarchs, and an expanded list of prohibited goods. Second, a final decision on the reparations loan and the full use of Russia's frozen assets is essential.

Thirdly, as Sybiha noted, this is the practical opening of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU; fourthly, strengthening Ukraine with additional defense capabilities, deterrence packages, financial support, and investments in the defense industry;

The fifth priority is to prepare effective security guarantees to prevent a recurrence of war.

Sybiha called on his European colleagues to maintain transatlantic unity, as only Russia stands to benefit from the discord between Europe and the United States.

The minister once again expressed gratitude to his European partners for their support and solidarity and reiterated his call for increased high-level visits to Ukraine as a sign of support for the Ukrainian people.
Why Maduro wont go quietly: The risks, indictments and fears keeping Venezuelas strongman in power

Why Maduro wont go quietly: The risks, indictments and fears keeping Venezuelas strongman in power

Pragya Trivedi

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Why Trump is unlikely to face prosecution after leaving office

Why Trump is unlikely to face prosecution after leaving office

Pragya Trivedi

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Three more Ukrainian children were returned from temporarily occupied territories (TOT) as part of the Ukrainian President's Bring Kids Back UA initiative, reported Andriy Yermak, Head of the President's Office.

"The 17-year-old boy was evacuated earlier, but his 15-year-old brother and 12-year-old sister, along with their parents, remained in the occupied territory. Russian soldiers threatened the family, interrogated their parents, and forced the children to attend a Russian school with propaganda. But now they are finally safe in Ukrainian-controlled territory," Yermak wrote on Telegram on Wednesday.

According to Yermak, the 16-year-old boy lived for almost four years under constant surveillance by occupation forces, who would come to his home and threaten the family for refusing to attend a Russian school. "Ultimately, our partners helped the boy leave, and today he's back with his family," the head of the Presidents Office noted.
November 26, 2025 Navy Shows Why The U.S. Is Losing Its Relative Power The defeat of the west is in part happening because its loss of the ability to sensibly analyze and manage things. A consequence is the relative loss of power. Here it is the U.S. Navy demonstrating the issue: Navy Cuts Constellation-Class Frigate Program Short as Shipbuilding Delays Mount  gCaptain The U.S. Navy announced Tuesday it is terminating four ships from its troubled Constellation-class frigate program before construction begins, marking a significant strategic shift as the service grapples with mounting delays and seeks faster alternatives for fleet expansion. Secretary of the Navy John Phelan revealed the decision on social media, stating that while the first two frigatesConstellation (FFG-62) and Congress (FFG-63)will proceed to completion at Fincantieri Marinette Marines Wisconsin shipyard, the Navy has reached a comprehensive framework with the Italian-owned contractor to cancel the next four planned vessels in the class.



The announcement comes as the program faces severe schedule challenges. The lead ship, originally slated for delivery in April 2026, is now expected three years later in April 2029a 36-month delay that has raised concerns about the Navys ability to execute its modernization plans. Over the last 20+ years the Navy ship building management has not delivered even one class of ships on time and within the projected price frame. Moreover none ever reached the desired and promised capabilities. Once there were to be 32 Zumwalt-class destroyers each with 16,000 tons of displacement. Only three were build and only two are active. The ships were supposed to carry new technologies which turned out to be too complicate and too expensive: The ship is designed around its two Advanced Gun Systems (AGS), turrets with 920-round magazines, and unique Long Range Land Attack Projectile (LRLAP) ammunition. LRLAP procurement was canceled, rendering the guns unusable, so the Navy re-purposed the ships for surface warfare. In 2023, the Navy removed the AGS from the ships and replaced them with hypersonic missiles. The Navy does not have hypersonic missiles. Until it develops some the extremely expensive destroyers will mostly be useless. There were also the Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) at 3,000 ton displacement which were supposed to be fast and carry changeable weapon modules. The Little Crappy Ships delivered turned out to be unreliable speed boats which could not survive a day in a war. Most modules they were supposed to carry were never build. Seven of the 35 commissioned since 2008 have already been retired. Some with less than five years in service. To replace the failing LCS program the Navy desired larger multipurpose frigates. To prevent a repeat of the ill fated LCS program an order from above was given to use an existing design. The idea was to buy a ship design from allies that was proven to work and to build it in the U.S. with only minimal modifications. But the Navy bureaucracy intervened and in 2020 it ended up with this compromise: The Navy awarded a partial contract to Fincantieri for the design and construction of the new frigate. The $795M contract is for the basic hull. Extensive Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) will be paid for separately and includes Baseline 10 Aegis Combat System, Mk 41 VLS, Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar, command and control electronics, decoy systems, Mk110 57mm gun, RAM point defense launcher, Naval Strike Missile launcher, SEWIP Blk II  basically everything that isnt the hull. The lead ship will cost $1.281 billion, with $795 million of that covering the shipbuilders detail design and construction costs and the rest covering the GFE, including the combat systems, radar, launchers, command and control systems, decoys and more. The Italian/French FREMM frigates are well balanced ships with about 6,000 ton displacement. They are configured to allow for anti-submarine, surface warfare and air defenses. Twenty-two are currently in service. But the Navy did not like to use weapon systems that were made elsewhere even when they worked well. So it ripped everything out of the hull design and tried to stuff its own type of equipment into it. Ship design does not work like this. The U.S. radar is heavier which makes the ship top heavy and instable. Thus the hull needs to be widened which decreases the potential speed of the vessel which then requires changes in the machinery and so on and so on. The whole point of buying a working design to prevent a costly design creep was missed. Moreover the Navy ordered the ships to be build before its desired design changes were even defined. Parts of the ships had to be rebuild when the final designs arrived. The Government Accountability Office wrote a highly critical report on this: Over at least 2 decades, the Navys Constellation class Guided Missile Frigate program plans to acquire and deliver up to 20 frigatesmulti-mission, small surface combatant warshipsat a combined cost of over $22 billion. To reduce technical risk, the Navy and its shipbuilder modified an existing design to incorporate Navy specifications and weapon systems. However, the Navys decision to begin construction before the design was complete is inconsistent with leading ship design practices and jeopardized this approach. Further, design instability has caused weight growth. The ship class now has a displacement of 7,300 tons which makes it slower than the original design. It also has less endurance. It is more expensive than planned and at least three years behind schedule. The shipyard that is building these ships did not mind to implement the Navy changes to its own design: As of November 2024, officials reported that the shipbuilder had submitted five requests for equitable adjustment, raising the potential for unbudgeted cost growth. Requests for equitable adjustment provide a remedy payable only when unforeseen or unintended circumstances  such as government modification of a contract  cause an increase in costs. The US Navy deemed the total costs of the five requests not suitable for public release. According to officials, these requests relate to government change orders and significant design changes from the frigates parent ship design. The ship yard also did not mind to chancel the program: The agreement provides continuity of work for the two Constellation-class frigates currently under construction and discontinues the contract for the four other frigates already under contract. Crucially, Fincantieri stated that the Navy will indemnify the company on existing economic commitments and industrial impacts through measures provided as a result of the contractual decision made for the Navys convenience. Looking forward, Fincantieri says it expects to receive new orders to deliver classes of vessels in segments that serve the immediate interests of the nation, including amphibious, icebreaking, and other special missions vessels. The company also stated it will support the U.S. Navy as it redefines strategic choices in the Small Surface Combatants segment, both manned and unmanned. Its, of course, a racket. But behind is also ill discipline. An unwillingness to accept what already has proven to be a good solution. An unreasonable desire for new technology even when it is impractical and overly costly. The overall result is a Navy that is constantly losing its relative power: According to a Pentagon estimate, the Peoples Liberation Army Navy is expected to have about 400 hulls in the water by the end of this year. Some 50 of those ships are frigates, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies. The US fleet is around 240 ships and submarines [but no frigates]. Its a troubling statistic, experts say, with history showing in any confrontation the larger fleet usually wins. The Pentagon think tank RAND has recognized the decline. It recently published a report that urged the U.S. to accommodate China instead of trying to fight it: In October of 2025, the RAND Corporation published a report titled Stabilizing the U.S.China Rivalry. Within weeks, the study disappeared from RANDs website. No explanation. No revision notice. No reupload.



The timeline itself suggests a struggle. The study appeared on RANDs website in mid-October 2025 and was not removed until nearly two weeks later. This is far too slow for a routine correction and far too fast for a scheduled revision. Such a delay is characteristic of an internal contest: the report was vetted, approved, published, and allowed to circulate  until opposition within the policy structure hardened sufficiently to demand its removal. The RAND report was not suppressed because it was mistaken, but because its implications became intolerable after they were recognized. A well known quote from Sun Tsu urges to know oneself and the enemy to not fear the results of hundred battles. The U.S., it seems, rejects to know either. Comments
Putin has approved the Russian Federation's national policy strategy through 2036, which calls for "strengthening Russian identity" and expanding the influence of Russian culture. The document specifically outlines the extension of this strategy to the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, according to the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation (CPD).

"In particular, the strategy calls for engaging over 2.5 million residents of the temporarily occupied territories in 'all-Russian events,' enhancing the role of the Russian language, and requiring that at least 50% of ethnocultural events be aimed at promoting Russian culture. These provisions are aimed at further Russification of Ukrainians in the occupied territories, the suppression of the Ukrainian language and identity, and the integration of the temporarily occupied territories into the Russian information and cultural space," the Telegram channel stated.

It is noted that this approach is part of a systemic policy of destroying Ukrainian identity under the pretext of "the unity of a multinational people."

"In this way, the Kremlin is attempting to consolidate the occupation and impose its own cultural and political model of governance on the TOT," the Center for Political Affairs noted.
Merz in Bundestag: Support for Ukraine to be increased to EUR 11.5 bln in 2026

Photo: https://www.dw.com

During budget debates in the Bundestag, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in particular, touched on the topic of settling the war in Ukraine and peace talks under the auspices of the United States, The Guardian reports.

Merz said maintaining peace in Europe was one of the key principles of his government and stressed the need to end the war in Ukraine, but not on terms that would amount to "capitulation."

"Without Ukraine's consent and without the consent of Europeans, there will be no basis for real, lasting peace in Ukraine," the Chancellor noted, insisting on the need to maintain unity between European countries and the United States.

He welcomed US President Donald Trump's efforts to end the war, but insisted that "European affairs can only be decided with European consent" because Europe "is not a pawn, but a sovereign actor with its own interests and values."

Merz noted that Russia could end the war "in minutes" if it really wanted to, and that it is the only aggressor in this conflict.

"Putin must realise that he has no chance of winning this war at the expense of the European order of freedom and peace," he said.

The Chancellor says Germany will increase its support for Ukraine next year to a total of EUR 11.5 billion.

He also said Germany would continue to support Ukraine "as long as possible" and said he would support the idea of using frozen Russian assets "available for this purpose."

As reported, on Tuesday, Merz held a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and stated, among other things, that his country strives for a swift ceasefire, a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, and security for Europe. Merz later co-chaired an online meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, convened to advance peace plans for Ukraine.
Oil climbs after hitting one-month low; supply glut weighs

A drone view of a drilling rig south of Midland, Texas on June 11, 2025. REUTERS

BEIJING/SINGAPORE (Reuters)  Oil prices climbed on Wednesday after sliding to a one-month low in the previous session, though an expected supply glut and a potential Russia-Ukraine peace deal capped gains.

Brent crude futures rose 27 cents, or 0.43%, to $62.75 a barrel at 0412 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained 24 cents, or 0.41%, to $58.19 a barrel.

The mild gains feel more like a technical breather than a trend, said Priyanka Sachdeva, a senior market analyst at Phillip Nova. Any upticks we see  today or going forward  are largely driven by softer inventory signals and pockets of short-covering, but these spikes will be short-lived and fragile.

The market remains fundamentally skewed to the downside, with investors increasingly pricing in an oversupplied 2026 and no convincing demand catalyst to offset it.

Both Brent crude and WTI settled down 89 cents on Tuesday after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told European leaders that he was ready to advance a U.S.-backed framework for ending the war with Russia, with only a few points of disagreement remaining.

If finalized, the deal could rapidly dismantle Western sanctions on Russian energy exports, potentially driving WTI prices to around $55, IG market analyst Tony Sycamore said in a client note.

For now, the market waits for more clarity, but the risk appears to be for lower prices unless talks falter.

President Donald Trump said he directed his representatives to meet separately with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian officials, while a Ukrainian official said Zelenskiy could visit the U.S. in the next few days to finalize a deal.

Britain, Europe and the U.S. have tightened sanctions on Russia recently in a stepped-up pressure campaign and Russian oil purchases by India  a key buyer  are set to hit their lowest level in three years in December.

U.S. crude stocks fell last week while fuel inventories rose, market sources said on Tuesday, citing American Petroleum Institute figures. U.S. crude stocks were previously estimated in a Reuters poll to have risen by 1.86 million barrels in the week that ended on November 21.

Indias Russian oil imports are set to hit their lowest level in at least three years in December.

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Superior Court welcomes new judicial staff

From left, Law Clerk Alexandria Vazquez, Law Clerk Kate Rues, Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo, Law Clerk Sage Wagner, and Special Assistant to the Presiding Judge Marlisa Marquez. CNMI Judiciary photo

(Press Release)  The CNMI Superior Court is pleased to announce the swearing-in of four new judicial staff members: Sage Wagner, Alexandria Vazquez, Kate Rues, and Marlisa Marquez. The ceremony took place on Nov 19, 2025, in Superior Court Courtroom 205A, where each staff member took an oath of office.

Marlisa Marquez serves as special assistant to Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja. She earned her bachelors degree in biology from Texas A&M University and previously worked as a Public Benefits case worker. She later earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School, where she was a student attorney for Michigan Laws Civil Rights Litigation Initiative and externed at the United Nations Refugee Agency.

Kate Rues clerks for Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja. She earned her bachelors degree and law degree from the University of Kansas. During law school, she worked in KU Laws Legal Aid Clinic and interned for the Kansas Board of Indigents Defense Services.

Alexandria Vazquez is a law clerk for Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo. She earned her bachelors degree from Westmont College and her law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law. She previously worked as a surgery coordinator for two orthopedic surgeons in California.

Sage Wagner serves as law clerk to Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho. She earned her bachelors degree from Swarthmore College and her Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico School of Law. During law school, she gained experience through the Marshall Brennan project, where she taught high school students constitutional law.

The Superior Court welcomes these accomplished individuals and looks forward to their contributions to justice in the Commonwealth.

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Witness comes forward in visa fraud case against Martin

Venerando Martin, standing, meets with a Bangladeshi national on Rota on July 21, 2024. Contributed photo

By Bryan Manabat

bryan@mvariety.com

Variety News Staff

A BANGLADESHI national living in the CNMI said he is prepared to testify against Venerando Martin, who has been indicted on five counts of visa fraud.

Hiron Mollah told Variety he was among those victimized by Martin, who is accused of fraudulently filing green card applications for himself and 242 others under the C16 eligibility category, which requires continuous residence in the United States since before Jan. 1, 1972.

Mollah said he asked the CNMI Attorney Generals Office last month to investigate Martins activities. He added that about 15 individuals, mostly Bangladeshi nationals on Rota, paid between $2,000 and $3,000 for green card processing under the C16 category.

A Rota resident who requested anonymity said Martin traveled to the island on July 21, 2024, with his wife and daughter to meet with individuals regarding C16 applications, payments, and supporting documents.

I paid Martin $3,500, Mollah said in an interview Tuesday. He said Martin told him earlier this year that he qualified for C16 eligibility because of his longtime residence in the CNMI.

Later, Mollah said, he read a news article in which an immigration attorney warned that applying under C16 was a scam. When he confronted Martin about it, Martin allegedly told him, Dont listen to those lawyers. Just wait for your approval.

Mollah said Martin questioned why U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services would accept his application and fees if he was not eligible.

He also said his Employment Authorization Document was mailed to Martins post office box. Before releasing it to me, Martin asked for $500. Otherwise, he said he would not give me the EAD, Mollah said.

USCIS records show Mollah received receipts for his I-765 Employment Authorization application and I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, dated Sept. 5, 2024, using Martins mailing address.

On Oct. 30, a federal grand jury in the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands indicted Martin on five counts of visa fraud. The charges seek forfeiture of assets tied to the alleged crimes, or substitute property if the original assets cannot be recovered.

According to the complaint, Homeland Security Investigations in Saipan received tips in August 2024 from independent sources, including USCIS, about suspicious immigration filings.

Specifically, approximately 242 immigration benefit applications for Employment Authorization Documents under the same eligibility category (C16) were submitted listing the same Saipan mailing address, the complaint stated.

Database checks linked the address to Martin, who listed his residence as Adobu Drive in Koblerville. Records show Martin, a Philippine national, first entered the United States (Saipan) on Sept. 10, 2000.

Investigators said Martin submitted Form I-765 and Form I-485 on June 25, 2023, using the same mailing address. USCIS issued him an EAD while his I-485 remained pending.

A review of the application revealed Martin selected the C16 category despite border-crossing records and his own statements confirming he had not been continuously present in the United States since before 1972.

Additional filings in March 2024 linked to Martins address raised further concerns, investigators said.

On Oct. 31, Martin pleaded not guilty. A jury trial is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2026, at 10 a.m.

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.

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Guam governor defends transparency efforts as military expansion draws public scrutiny

From left, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero; Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio; Rear Adm. Josh Lasky, commander, Joint Task Force-Micronesia; and Rear Adm. Brett Mietus, commander, Joint Region Marianas, gather for the Civil-Military Coordination Council meeting at the Ricardo J. Bordallo Complex in Hagatna on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. Photo by William J. Busby III/U.S. Navy via The Guam Daily Post

By Walter Ulloa

For Variety

HAGATNA (The Guam Daily Post)  The Leon Guerrero administration is working to address persistent questions about transparency and community input as Guams military buildup accelerates, with officials defending their coordination efforts while legislators and residents continue pressing for more direct communication from defense leaders.

Vera Topasna, executive director of the Community Defense Liaison Office, told The Guam Daily Post that the administration takes community concerns seriously and that agency heads maintain direct communication with military and federal counterparts on infrastructure needs without waiting for formal meetings.

Many of our cabinet officials are closely tracking issues and working with the military and federal regulatory partners to ensure full compliance with environmental, cultural, and other policy agreements in place, Topasna said.

The comments come after the Nov. 14 Civil-Military Coordination Council meeting at the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governors Complex, where Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Rear Adm. Brett Mietus, commander of Joint Region Marianas, co-chaired discussions between U.S. military officials and Government of Guam agency representatives.

Leon Guerrero affirmed the need for steady coordination as Defense of Guam projects move forward.

As we build Guams readiness and resilience, todays dialogue underscores our shared responsibility to protect our island and support our people, Leon Guerrero said in a press release last week from JRM and Joint Task Force-Micronesia. Effective coordination ensures that decisions reflect our communitys needs as well as national security priorities.

Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio emphasized early alignment on infrastructure and workforce planning.

Guams security and prosperity rely on our ability to coordinate across civilian and military agencies, Tenorio said in the release. By improving communication and addressing infrastructure and workforce challenges early, we strengthen our preparedness and build a more resilient island for all who call Guam home.

Mietus presented a partnership alignment plan intended to streamline communications across departments.

As Guam continues to serve a critical strategic role, it is important to emphasize the significance of balancing military development to support operational readiness while preserving the islands unique environment and quality of life for residents, Mietus said in the release.

Rear Adm. Joshua Lasky, commander of Joint Task Force-Micronesia, stressed the importance of unified action.

Defense of the island and region cannot be overstated in todays era of geopolitical tensions when national security and deterrence are of great significance, Lasky stated in the release. As challenges and threats become increasingly complex and interconnected, it is essential for us, as one unified community, to stay aligned in our goals and collaborate effectively.

The meeting addressed military mission growth, solutions to H-2B labor demands for both military and private sector construction, and Defense of Guam initiatives.

Topasna revealed that draft legislation is under review between the administration, JRM, Indo-Pacific Command, and Congress to address H-2B labor shortages for both private and military construction projects on Guam.

This legislation reflects the OneGuam commitment to ensure a balanced solution to potential labor shortages for critical infrastructure and industry needs on and off military installations, Topasna said.

The Defense of Guam working group provided updates and discussed tabletop exercises designed to address cybersecurity, readiness, and improve communications across civilian and military communities.

Topasna said the administration continues working with the military, federal partners, and Congress on workforce and infrastructure needs. Many agencies have received federal grants to administer programs that strengthen Guams workforce, with significant progress in expanding apprenticeship programs through partnerships with the Department of Labor, Guam Community College, and other educational institutions.

The administration has communicated priorities to the military, federal partners, and Congress that include utilities, roads, ports, airports, and healthcare.

These systems are essential lifelines for our people and remain at the forefront of discussions between our administration, agency leadership, and federal partners, Topasna said.

The administration continues receiving Defense Access Road funding for roadway improvements and infrastructure upgrades at the Port Authority while working on critical airport requirements. Healthcare, particularly a new hospital, remains a top priority.

Topasna said the CMCC convenes senior leaders from the government, JRM, JTF-Micronesia, and relevant federal partners.

The agency heads work in real time with the military as needed to address any regulatory concerns through the permitting process or monitoring agreements and do not wait for a CMCC meeting to address concerns, Topasna said.

The administration continues increasing transparent communication through meetings, public hearings, and media releases. The Community Defense Liaison Office launched its new website in September to provide further details to the public.

As much as possible, without compromising security, we are updating the public, Topasna said.

However, transparency concerns persist. At the Guam Defense Forum earlier this year, activist Monaeka Flores challenged military officials repeated references to Guam as part of the U.S. homeland.

This doesnt matter how many times you say homeland over and over and over again; this is not your homeland. This is our homeland, Flores said during a panel discussion.

Sen. Telo Taitague, who chairs the military buildup oversight committee, has pressed for direct communication between military leaders and the legislative branch. At last months Association of Pacific Island Legislators meeting in Saipan, Taitague confronted a Joint Region Marianas representative about why the military briefs the governors office but bypasses the legislature.

How are you going to be more transparent to the Legislature, the second branch of government? Why havent you engaged the legislature to give us information? Taitague asked.

Taitague said the current system leaves legislators unable to answer constituent questions about military activities affecting their communities. She spoke with Lasky, who acknowledged problems with how information flows to territorial legislatures and said new systems are needed to keep lawmakers informed.

Communication is key, especially as we grapple with impacts to our infrastructure and cost of living, Taitague said in a press release issued after the APIL meeting.

The Navy is projecting approximately 10,000 additional active-duty personnel, dependents, and government civilians will arrive over the next decade as the military buildup continues.

The CMCC was established in 2010 to foster collaboration among the Department of Defense, local government, and federal agencies to share information, discuss, and provide recommendations for military activities on Guam. The next CMCC meeting is scheduled for February.

As of press time Tuesday, JRM U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Brett Mietus and Rear Adm. Joshua Lasky, commander of JTF-Micronesia, had not responded to requests for comment.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff Headquarters on Wednesday, which focused on air defense, interceptor funding, and production volumes.

"Our Ukrainian production is a guarantee of protection. Ukrainians shouldn't depend on finding something on the global market or in partners' warehouses. Production tasks must be completed on time, and personal responsibility for this must be maintained at all levels," Zelenskyy said in his evening address.

According to the president, short- and medium-range air defense systems were also discussed at Headquarters.

"This is what is needed both for the front and for protecting energy facilities. We've updated our requirements, and we'll increase production accordingly," he said.
Nvidias narrative took a major hit this week due to multiple factors including the emergence of a credible rival, OpenAIs struggles, and a trade war pincer that has them caught between Trump and China.

Is a Government Backstop the Bull Case?

Nvidias narrative, which it kicked off with the launch of Ampere architecture and A100 chip in 2020, subsumed any competing story-lines in the post-pandemic American stock markets in 2022, and engulfed the entire American economy under Trump.

Nvidias narrative that Large Language Models (LLMs) like OpenAIs ChatGPT, Anthropics Claude, and Googles Gemini ARE the future of technology and the global economy has made them the worlds largest corporation by market cap.

The Trump administration may be all-in with Nvidias narrative and may be signaling its willingness to backstop the industry to prevent the AI bubble popping.

Paypal mafioso and Trump tech czar David Sacks had previously indicated the government would not be backstopping OpenAI earlier this month.

I argued elsewhere that Sacks tweet contributed to the downturn in AI stocks we saw in the first weeks of this month.

But on the 24th, Sacks seemed to signal a change in his (very influential) thinking, in response to a Wall Street Journal piece headlined, How the U.S. Economy Became Hooked on AI Spending and subtitled, Growth has been bolstered by data-center investment and stock-market wealth. A reversal could raise the risk of recession.

According to todays WSJ, AI-related investment accounts for half of GDP growth. A reversal would risk recession. We cant afford to go backwards.  David Sacks (@DavidSacks) November 24, 2025

Paired with the White Houses executive order titled Launching the Genesis Mission released the same day, many took this as bullish news for Nvidias narrative and the larger AI bubble.

The closest thing I could find to an action word in the EO was this promise to:

build an integrated AI platform to harness Federal scientific datasets  the worlds largest collection of such datasets, developed over decades of Federal investments  to train scientific foundation models and create AI agents to test new hypotheses, automate research workflows, and accelerate scientific breakthroughs.

Critics of the Nvidia narrative will of course point out that when a government backstop is the bull case, the bubble is in trouble.

Maybe thats why the a handful of naysayers whove been fighting the tide, are now being joined by some major investors who are putting their money where the critics keyboards have been.

Team Bear Beefs Up

Pioneering Nvidia bears like AI scientist Gary Marcus and journalist Ed Zitron have now been joined by notable investors including the Big Short contrarian Michael Burry and billionaire Stanley I killed the Pound Druckenmiller who sold all 214,060 of his funds Nvidia shares.

Marcus and Zitron remain opinion leaders in the space, however.

Marcus is currently dealing with the emergence of a class of rival AI experts whove been on the AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) bandwagon and are now getting off.

AGI is the patent nonsense that LLMs are just a few months away from creating super-intelligent, self-replicating machines.

Naturally, belief in AGI has been the conventional wisdom in Silicon Vally for the last couple of years and continues to be a big part of the bulls case for the Nvidia narrative.

Marcus has taken lots of heat for calling bullshit on LLMs as the road to AGI from the get go, and is now expressing mixed feelings about the big names who are joining him on the critical side.

Those names include Metas Chief AI Scientist Yann LeCun and OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever.

As for Ed Zitron, his latest The Haters Guide To NVIDIA is well worth the subscription price and the estimated 54 minute reading time.

It includes an excellent, concise explanation of why Nvidia has become the hero of the Nvidia narrative which has reshaped the U.S. economy:

Back in 2006, NVIDIA launched CUDA, a software layer that lets you run (some) software on (specifically) NVIDIA graphics cards, and over time this has grown into a massive advantage for the company. The thing is, GPUs are great for parallel processing  essentially spreading a task across multiple, by which I mean thousands, of processor cores at the same time  which means that certain tasks run faster than they would on, say, a CPU. While not every task benefits from parallel processing, or from having several thousand cores available at the same time, the kind of math that underpins LLMs is one such example. CUDA is proprietary to NVIDIA, and while there are alternatives (both closed- and open-source), none of them have the same maturity and breadth. Pair that with the fact that Nvidias been focused on the data center market for longer than, say, AMD, and its easy to understand why it makes so much money. There really isnt anyone who can do the same thing as NVIDIA, both in terms of software and hardware, and certainly not at the scale necessary to feed the hungry tech firms that demand these GPUs. Anyway, back in 2019 NVIDIA acquired a company called Mellanox for $6.9 billion, beating off other would-be suitors, including Microsoft and Intel. Mellanox was a manufacturer of high-performance networking gear, and this acquisition would give NVIDIA a stronger value proposition for data center customers. It wanted to sell GPUs  lots of them  to data center customers, and now it could also sell the high-speed networking technology required to make them work in tandem. This is relevant because it created the terms under which NVIDIA could start selling billions (and eventually tens of billions) of specialized GPUs for AI workloads.



Because nobody else has really caught up with CUDA, NVIDIA has a functional monopoly NVIDIA has been printing money, quarter after quarter, going from a meager $7.192 billion in total revenue in the third (calendar year) quarter of 2023 to an astonishing $50 billion in just data center revenue (thats where the GPUs are) in its most recent quarter, for a total of $57 billion in revenue, and the company projects to make $63 billion to $67 billion in the next quarter.

But never fear, Ziton also puts a stake through the heart of the Nvidia narrative over the course of several thousand words. Heres a key point:

NVIDIA makes so much money, and it makes it from a much smaller customer base than most companies, because there are only so many entities that can buy thousands of chips that cost $50,000 or more each.

Zitron cites pseudonymous finance poster Just Dario as someone whos provided key insights into the workings of Nvidia and Darios latest piece on the company is worth reading in full, but the TL;DR explanation of Darios role in the larger Nvidia narrative wars can be grasped from glancing at these tweets about whether or not Enron is a valid comparison point for Nvidia:

Nvidia says its not Enron. I actually agree with them, they are Envidia https://t.co/8zN308lZKK pic.twitter.com/IeahPNSd4Q  JustDario  (@DarioCpx) November 25, 2025

I should note that this pretty much unknown (and I suspect AI-using Substack) writer Shanaka Anslem Perera got the credit from Yahoo Finance with triggering Nvidias now infamous were not Enron memo.

Yahoo also quoted Jim Chanos, who is famous for predicting the fall of Enron, (who) thinks the comparison between Nvidia and Lucent bears weight.

Theyre [Nvidia is] putting money into money-losing companies in order for those companies to order their chips, Chanos said.

As for Big Short Burry, his new Substack is a bit rich for my blood, although serious investors will likely find it a bargain, but his latest contribution to Nvidias narrative involves comparing Nvidia to Cisco before the dot.com bust:

Michael Burry's case against Nvidia: pic.twitter.com/XafV3SLYVT  Nat Wilson Turner (@natwilsonturner) November 26, 2025

This adds to Burrys previous X.com post alleging that AI industry accounting practices of understating depreciation by extending useful life of assets artificially boosts earnings (are) one of the more common frauds of the modern era.

And of course, Burrys close to a billion-dollar bet against Nvidias narrative has impacted our story as well.

Theres also been a spate of bad news for Nvidia in the tech business press.

Two More Problems for the Nvidia Narrative

Two headlines from The Information neatly summarize the latest issues Nvidia is facing in the marketplace, unfortunately, its an expensive subscription only newsletter and well have to look elsewhere for explanations:

Google Further Encroaches on Nvidias Turf With New AI Chip Push

Summarized by Reuters as Meta Platforms is in talks with Google to spend billions of dollars on the Alphabet companys chips for use in its data centers starting from 2027, The Information reported, a move that would cast Google as a serious rival to semiconductor giant Nvidia. The talks also involve Meta renting chips from Google Cloud as early as next year and are part of Googles broader push to get customers to adopt its tensor processing units (TPUs)  used for AI workloads  in their own data centers, the report said, citing people involved in the talks. Nvidia responded with a statement that is getting mocked online.

Summarized by Reuters as Meta Platforms is in talks with Google to spend billions of dollars on the Alphabet companys chips for use in its data centers starting from 2027, The Information reported, a move that would cast Google as a serious rival to semiconductor giant Nvidia. China Is Slowly but Surely Breaking Free From Nvidia

Summarized by Reuters as Chinese regulators have barred TikTok-owner ByteDance from deploying Nvidia (NVDA) chips in new data centers, The Information reported on Wednesday, citing two company employees. ByteDance bought more Nvidia chips than any other Chinese firm in 2025 as it raced to secure computing power for its billion-plus users amid concerns Washington could curb supply, according to the report. The reported ban underscores Beijings efforts to reduce reliance on U.S. technology, a campaign that has intensified as Washington tightens curbs on exports of advanced semiconductors to China.

The Mid-Wits Weigh In

No debate in 2025 would be complete without one of the Abundance bros weighing in.

Naturally Ezra Kleins Abundance co-author Derek Thomas (co-writing with Understanding AI founder Timothy B. Lee is coming down in the middle with Six reasons to think theres an AI bubble  and six reasons not to and shrewdly saves the bull case for its paying customers. Talk about knowing your audience.

The Real Bulls Include Jim Cramer and AGI Crazytowns Finest

But Ill leave the real bull case to the legendary CNBC commentator Jim Cramer (I should note that the Inverse Jim Cramer ETF has been getting killed lately).

His case boils down to growth:

I am a huge believer in growth stocks, and growth stocks are what draws me to the hyperscalers for my travel trust. Now we own many, many stocks from other universes drug stocks, aerospace materials, data center builders. They have long term growth stories, but theyre not turbocharged with the resources of these gigantic companies. Thats what always brings me back to the Mag-7. These stocks are prominent because of their success. The companies they represent have bountiful profits, which is why they could rise to their lofty trillionaire status in the first place. Its why I dont kick them out when theyre down in fact. Or in fact, its why I might buy them for the trust.

But the far more entertaining bull case for the Nvidia narrative is made by Utopia believers like Tomas Pueyo who is helping his 119,000 Substack subscribers prepare for a post-scarcity Utopia brought about by super-intelligence.

Admittedly, I have an immediate and utter disdain for anyone pitching imminent Utopia but a couple of gummies and Pueyos stuff becomes quite entertaining. Heres a taste from his latest, AI: How Do We Avoid Societal Collapse and Build a Utopia?:

In the previous article, we saw that well eventually live in a utopia, a world of full abundance and without the conflicts over scarce resources that have plagued humanity throughout history.

Well then.

But lest readers think Mr. Pueyo isnt concerned with the obstacles in our path, theres more:

intelligence will not be infinite until theres infinite energy and infinite compute, which will also need plenty of raw materials and land. So the scarcity of intelligence might not even be completely eliminated until more of these inputs are sufficiently abundant. Assuming AIs still serve humans, how will they prioritize? They will need a signal of what matters most to humans. How will humans convey that? Through money.  So its very unlikely that were going to get rid of capitalism. We need the price signal to convey the optimal allocation of capital. But in that world, where humans are not working anymore because theyve been fully automated by AIs more intelligent than themselves, how do you decide how much money each person should have?

Ill leave it up to readers who are really dying to know just how many angels are dancing on the top of his pinhead to read more of his work.

Just be aware that the Nvidia narrative bears are up against a whole lot of people who really really really want to believe and are clapping as hard as they can to keep Tinkerbell alive the AI bubble inflated.

Unfortunately for the bulls, and Nvidias narrative. AI slop is having very real world impacts. The kind people notice.

Will Americans take comfort in their 401K wealth effect if they cant even go into a happy turkey coma after Thanksgiving dinner because Nvidias narrative led to AI slop getting served to the table?

Posts Related to Nvidias Narrative:
Barring the US ability to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine with itself and the Europeans, the conflict is likely to drag on until Russia inevitably finishes it on the battlefield. As part of that effort Moscow continues to decimate Ukraines power infrastructure. In just the past month, Russian airstrikes have knocked out more than half of Ukraines natural gas production, and widespread electricity outages are commonplace.

Not to worry, though. Greece To Supply Ukraine With US Natural Gas For Winter, Bloomberg announced on November 16.

From the very first days of Russias full-scale invasion, Greece has been helping us, working together with Europe and with other partners so that we can reach the conditions under which peace becomes possible. And we truly value your support and your commitment. Today we have an pic.twitter.com/tN83Mjnamh  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) November 16, 2025

From Bloomberg:

Under the framework of the prospective agreement between DEPA and Naftogaz, LNG originating from the US is expected to be transported through Route 1, offered jointly by the gas transmission system operators of Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine, the companies said.

In other words, US LNG goes from the Gulf Coast to a floating storage regasification unit at Alexandroupoli, is regasified, and then travels through pipeline networks from Greece to Bulgaria to Romania to Moldova to Ukraine.

This is leading to quite a few celebratory takes that Europes master plan is all coming together:

Over the past few days, Europes energy landscape is coming together like puzzle pieces. The starting point is Greeces long-term US LNG deal with Venture Global  Greece, already the Eastern Med LNG hub, now secures stable US volumes to dominate supply to Southern Europe, the https://t.co/ZwQWBoRCQP pic.twitter.com/7Ppteppdro  Gulf2Med (@Ethan_0502) November 16, 2025

 Russias MFA spokesperson Maria Zakharova just issued a sharp warning to Greece (Nov 20, 2025), accusing Athens of openly hostile acts and promising appropriate response measures. The trigger? The energy and defense deals Greece signed with Zelenskyy this week  pic.twitter.com/rd7M4T5tAr  Avi Avidan (@avavidan) November 21, 2025

But if something sounds too good to be true

Plan Makes No Sense

The entire idea that Greece using US LNG is going to keep the heat on lights on in Ukraine through the winter is ludicrous on multiple levels. The most obvious one is that Russia can still strike Ukraines power infrastructureunless theres some secret hands-off agreement for US LNG routed through Greece.

The second one, potentially even more powerful than the first, is the laws of math. Lets quickly scan some numbers.

According to Athens, in the first half of 2025, 81% of Greeces LNG imports originated from the USalmost double in volume compared to the same period in 2024. Sounds great, right?

The total volume of Greeces US LNG imports over the first half of 2025? Roughly 1.5 billion cubic meters (bcm). To put that in perspective, Greeces total consumption of gas in 2024 was about 6.6 bcm.

Now, Bloomberg and others declaring that Ukraine will be saved this winter dont delve into the details of the deal, but according to Greek media, its for 13.68 GWh of capacity per day. Thats roughly 0.16 bcm total for December, January, and February, and March, and is expected to net somewhere between 2 to 6 million euros for DEPA, Greeces state-owned gas company.

To be fair, the Bloomberg piece mentions the fact that earlier this month Athens signed a deal with the Gulf Coast LNG behemoth Venture Global. That deal is for at least 0.69 bcm per year for 20 years, but it doesnt start until 2030, and the volume is trivial in the grander scheme of things.

I was never great at math, but something doesnt add up here. So whats really going on?

Helping US LNG Exporters

While the Greek LNG deals are being sold as part of an effort to save Ukraine, theyre really more about Turkiye and its Russian gas imports, as well as Washingtons overarching vision for energy flowing Westwards from Central Asia and the Caspian without the involvement of either Iran or Russia. Thats a tall task, but bit by bit Washington is inching toward that goaleven if it damages Europe in the process.

Lets start with Turkiye. A key NATO ally directly importing piped Russian gas? We know how that worked out for Germany. Moscow claims it has foiled numerous attempts to do the same to the Turkstream pipeline, which brings natural gas from Russia to Turkiye across the Black Sea and then into southeastern Europe. After the transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine expired on 1 January 2025, TurkStream became the only remaining major pipeline route for Russian gas into Europe.

Even if TurkStream doesnt meet the same fate as NordStream, the EU plans to get completely off Russian gas by the end of next year, and its already working to regulate Turk Stream gas out of the EU. Brussels plan unveiled last month aims to end the funny business of labeling Russian gas as Turkish. The document states:

The Regulation should therefore presume that natural gas imported into the Union () arriving via TurkStream () originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation, thus replacing the requirement to submit proof of the country of production. In case it is claimed that natural gas arriving at these borders, interconnectors, or interconnection points is under a transit procedure through the Russian Federation, strict controls should apply.

Well see how strictly it is enforced, but if it is, it will have a major effect on the energy markets in southeastern Europe.

Bizarrely, Athens is celebrating this provision, which was proposed by the Greek energy minister, aiming to position Greece as a pivotal player in the Euro-American energy axis and reinforcing its ambition to become a regional energy hub.

Im not sure how a few regasification facilities make Greece a hub, but heres the rub. The loss of TurkStream would crush Greece. As the Greek Energy Press noted back in 2024:

LNG imports at the Revythoussa facility have remained subdued over the past few months as gas importers have shown a clear preference for more competitively priced Russian pipeline gas being rebranded as Turkish pipeline gas  to avoid sanctions imposed on Russia  and entering the Greek market via the countrys Sidirokastro gas entry point on the Greek-Bulgarian border.

In 2024, Greece got 51.6% of its total gas importsm through that Sidirokastro Entry Point. Thats a whole lot of pricey American LNG thats going to have to be unloaded just to power Greece, let alone get Ukraine through winters and make Greece into a gas hub as some are proclaiming. The only way Greece can currently send American LNG north is because it is getting Russian gas through TurkStream.

But its not just Greece that the EUs blocking of TurkStream will hurt. TurkStream has a capacity of 31.5 bcm of natural gas a year, roughly half of which stays in Turkiye, and the rest continues on to the Balkans and Central Europe. Serbia and Hungary are the primary European consumers. And Turkstream exports into Europe have recently been at all-time highs:

Europe is effectively doing to itself what Washington has long tried to do.

TurkStream came about after the US worked to torpedo the Russia-Bulgaria South Stream pipeline back in 2014. The project would have transported Russian gas under the Black Sea, making landfall in Bulgaria and then passing through Serbia and Hungary into Austria.

Instead Russia pivoted to Turkiye where Erdogan was less susceptible to US pressure and opened TurkStream at the beginning of 2020 despite US sanctions on companies involved in the construction of the pipeline.

More recently, Washington tried to use Bulgaria to block the flow of gas from Turkiye onto Europe, but Hungary nixed that plan by threatening to veto Bulgarias entry into the Schengen area.

Black Sea Strategy

American think tanks and officials have been talking about their designs for the Black Sea region for years.

Former Secretary of State for European and Eurasian affairs James OBrien told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee a few years ago that, Whatever path we take leads us to the Black Sea.

OBrien also explained to the committee that one of the main objectives of using Ukraine in an attempt to weaken Russia is to strengthen NATO and American business interests in the Black Sea region. What exactly does that mean?

The Atlantic Council does well to sum up Washingtons position: Turkiye can become an energy hubbut not by going all-in on Russian gas. The thinly-veiled threat concludes with the following:

Exploring phantom opportunities of energy cooperation with Russia at the expense of real risks of getting exposed to US and EU sanctions will not transform Turkiye into an energy hub. Quite the opposite, it would spell the end of this dream.

One of the US top objectives (if not the top objective) is to get countries off of Turkstream and replace it with US-controlled energy.

Yet weve seen that LNG exports from the US to Greece dont even fulfill all of the countrys domestic needs, so how is Washington going to make up the 15 bcm/year from TurkStream flowing into Europe?

The US would have to ramp up deliveries at an unprecedented speed. There is also the longer term concern that new gas production may become costlier because gas producers are running out of the top-tier acreage.

Athens deals might strengthen its strategic position in the so-called Vertical Corridor from Greece to Ukraine for now, but that evaporates if TurkStream flows into Europe go offline.

Venture Global, which signed the deal with Athens to supply at least 0.6 bcm annually could potentially ramp up future deliveries. It is currently seeking federal approval to double the export capacity of its major facility south of New Orleans, which could help it challenge the worlds top two exporters, QatarEnergy and Cheniere Energy. But again this is less about helping Ukraine or Greece than it is guaranteeing markets for all that LNG.

US exporters are overly dependent on the European market as Qatar, Australia, and Russia enjoy better access to the growing Asian markets. Demand in a deindustrializing Europe is also shrinking, but there is still market share to be had in Europe and competitors to push out. Chief among them is Russia.

That appears to be the strategy for now.

What Does Europe Do Without TurkStream?

Perhaps the proposed EastMed pipeline, which would deliver natural gas from deposits in the east Mediterranean to European markets, will be resurrected, but Washington has never been a fan. Lets allow former Undersecretary of State Victoria Fuck the EU Nuland explain why:

Frankly, we dont have 10 years, but in 10 years from now, we want to be far, far more green and far more diverse in energy sources, Nuland said. So what were looking for within the hydrocarbon context are options that can get us more gas, more oil for this short transition period.

That was nearly four years ago. Meanwhile, Europes reliance on more costly LNG imports from the USwhich when processing and shipping are taken into account are more environmentally destructive than coalcontinues to rise.

What about the demand that Turkiye send more non-Russian gas to Europe?

Well, that has been tried. The EU wanted more Azeri gas piped through Turkiye, but Baku is at its limits. One reason Azerbaijan isnt going to be able to fulfill demands that it increase flows to Europe is because Russia is no longer laundering as much gas through Azerbaijan to the EU due to Western-supported friction between Baku and Moscow.

Theres again talk about the Trans-Caspian Pipeline, which would send gas from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan and onto Turkiye and Europe, but its a pipedream. Theres no way Russia and Iran are going to allow it. Turkiye had a small gas swap deal with Turkmenistan and Iran in which Iranian gas was pipelined to Turkiye in exchange for Turkmenistan sending gas to Iran, but Washington killed that because Ankara cant be cooperating with Tehran.

Some are floating the idea of LNG ships crossing the Caspian rather than a pipeline, but the economics there arent great.

Who knows, though? One must remember that economic sense was long ago thrown out the window in Europe. Geopolitical considerations and the quixotic quest to inflict defeat on Russia are the driving factors at play. And the crazies in the EU are perfectly content to destroy their countries in pursuit of that goal.

Can the US make up for the volume from Turk Stream? Almost certainly not.

Will American LNG be more expensive for receiving countries? Yes.

But as Greece, Europe, the US, and the Western media champion the US deal with the newly crowned gas hub of Greece as secure and reliable, up is down, and its clear they can convince themselves of anything.
In her resignation statements, Republican firebrand Marjorie Taylor included in her reasons that she was unable to get things done for her district, particularly table legislation, and that having to defend an abusive Donald Trump and fight for her seat only to face the prospect of being in the minority after midterms was deeply unappetizing.

It appears other Republicans are thinking along the same lines. From Chuck L:

BREAKING: Trump gets nightmare Monday news as it's revealed that an "explosive" wave of House Republicans will soon resign like Marjorie Taylor Greene did  destroying Mike Johnson's Speakership. This has MAGA world in an absolute panic "A few other GOP members messaged us pic.twitter.com/1GW8ZDv9JO  Occupy Democrats (@OccupyDemocrats) November 24, 2025

This possibility seems serious enough to have generated a segment on Breaking Points:

While there is some truth to the argument by Saagar and Krystal that Congresscritters brought these woes on themselves, a few caveats are in order.

First, my impression is that in most countries, being what the UK calls a backbencher (there a Member of the House of Commons who is not a minister), as in an not-much-of-a-name, no special appointments legislator is indeed not an influential position. Most party members in most countries are expected to follow party discipline. For instance, it isnt as much commented on as it should be that the reason Democrats caved on the shutdown was Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer refused to whip votes, as is normally done, and explicitly told members to vote their conscience.

In the US, parties exercise control through substantial centralization of funding and other resources. House members have barely any staff, and smallish budgets, so they cant even buy much in the way of research. I am not sure of the Republican version of this syndrome but here is how it works on the Democrat side. From a 2011 post, Tom Ferguson: Congress is a Coin Operated Stalemate Machine:

Lets first look at how crassly explicit the pricing is. Ferguson cites the work of Marian Currander on how it works for the Democrats in the House of Representatives: Under the new rules for the 2008 election cycle, the DCCC [Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee] asked rank-and-file members to contribute $125,000 in dues and to raise an additional $75,000 for the party. Subcommittee chairpersons must contribute $150,000 in dues and raise an additional $100,000. Members who sit on the most powerful committees  must contribute $200,000 and raise an additional $250,000. Subcommittee chairs on power committees and committee chairs of non-power committees must contribute $250,000 and raise $250,000. The five chairs of the power committees must contribute $500,000 and raise an additional $1 million. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Majority Whip James Clyburn, and Democratic Caucus Chair Rahm Emanuel must contribute $800,000 and raise $2.5 million. The four Democrats who serve as part of the extended leadership must contribute $450,000 and raise $500,000, and the nine Chief Deputy Whips must contribute $300,000 and raise $500,000. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi must contribute a staggering $800,000 and raise an additional $25 million. Ferguson teases out the implications: Uniquely among legislatures in the developed world, our Congressional parties now post prices for key slots on committees. You want it  you buy it, runs the challenge. They even sell on the installment plan: You want to chair an important committee? Thatll be $200,000 down and the same amount later, through fundraising.. The whole adds up to something far more sinister than the parts. Big interest groups (think finance or oil or utilities or health care) can control the membership of the committees that write the legislation that regulates them. Outside investors and interest groups also become decisive in resolving leadership struggles within the parties in Congress. You want your man or woman in the leadership? Just send money. Lots of it. The Congressional party leadership controls the swelling coffers of the national campaign committees, and the huge fixed investments in polling, research, and media capabilities that these committees maintain  resources the leaders use to bribe, cajole, or threaten candidates to toe the party line Candidates rely on the national campaign committees not only for money, but for message, consultants, and polling they need to be competitive but can rarely afford on their own.. This concentration of power also allows party leaders to shift tactics to serve their own ends.They push hot-button legislative issues that have no chance of passage, just to win plaudits and money from donor blocs and special-interest supporters. When they are in the minority, they obstruct legislation, playing to the gallery and hoping to make an impression in the media The system ensures that national party campaigns rest heavily on slogan-filled, fabulously expensive lowest-common-denominator appeals to collections of affluent special interests. The Congress of our New Gilded Age is far from the best Congress money can buy; it may well be the worst. It is a coin-operated stalemate machine that is now so dysfunctional that it threatens the good name of representative democracy itself.

Theres even more damning material in this post. And even before Ferguson described these practices in the Washington Spectator, Jane Hamsher called out the Obama veal pen. From a 2010 post:

Jane Hamsher has chronicled the aggressive Obama efforts to shackle liberal groups : Someone asked me over the weekend to be more explicit about what the term veal pen means: The veal crate is a wooden restraining device that is the veal calfs permanent home. It is so small (22 x 54) that the calves cannot turn around or even lie down and stretch and is the ultimate in high-profit, confinement animal agriculture.(1) Designed to prevent movement (exercise), the crate does its job of atrophying the calves muscles, thus producing tender gourmet veal. [] About 14 weeks after their birth, the calves are slaughtered. The quality of this food, laden with chemicals, lacking in fiber and other nutrients, diseased and processed, is another matter. The real issue is the calves experience. During their brief lives, they never see the sun or touch the Earth. They never see or taste the grass. Their anemic bodies crave proper sustenance. Their muscles ache for freedom and exercise. They long for maternal care. They are kept in darkness except to be fed two to three times a day for 20 minutes.. I heard it over and over again  if you wanted to criticize the White House on financial issues, your institutional funding would dry up instantly. The Obama campaign successfully telegraphed to donors that they should cut off Fund for America, which famously led to its demise. It wasnt the last time something like that happened  just ask those who were receiving institutional money who criticized the White House and saw their funding cut, at the specific request of liberal institutional leaders who now principally occupy their time by brown nosing friends and former co-workers in the White House. And so the groups in the DC veal pen stay silent. They leadership gets gets bought off by cocktail parties at the White House while the interests of their members get sold out. Where are they on health care? Why arent they running ads against the AMA, the hospitals, the insurance industry barons who have $700 million in stock options, PhRMA, the device manufacturers and the White House for doing back room deals with all of the above? Why are they not calling for the White House to release the details of those secret deals? Because they are participating in those deals, instead of trying to destroy them. Well, that and funneling millions of dollars in pass-throughs to their consultant friends that they are supposed to be spending on the health care fight. The truth is  theyve all been sucked into insulating the White House from liberal critique, and protecting the administrations ability to carry out a neoliberal agenda that does not serve the interests of their members. They spend their time calculating how to do the absolute minimum to retain their progressive street cred and still walk the line of never criticizing the White House.

So it is a bit surprising to see supposed DC insiders like the Breaking Points duo seem unaware of this dynamic, that any Representative or Senator that is interested in being re-elected, unless they are fabulously wealthy and can fund their own campaign (think Mike Bloomberg level rich) is hostage to the harsh discipline of money-dependence. The ginormous cost of running for office, thanks to the expense of TV ads, is the reason. Most countries either disallow political TV commercials or allow candidates a limited amount of free air time if they have met certain thresholds.

Second, it is a bit unfair in particular to depict Republican Congresscritters in abdicating their duties with respect to DOGE in particular. Trump was elected by a solid margin. Many Republicans campaigned on budget scaremongering or other flavors of fiscal rectitude. Democrats were notably missing in action in doing anything about DOGE save handwringing. And what were they to do? They could attempt to hold Trump legislation hostage..which would be highly irregular for the party members of a new President. Perhaps they could encourage harmed voters to sue and file amicus brief supporting them.

Third, Trumps spectacular vindictiveness is another reason that unhappy Republican legislators might hesitate to act. Recall that Trump called MTG a traitor. He has applied the same label to Democratic Congresscritters, all with either military or spook state credentials, who banded together to publish a commercial reminding servicemembers of their duty to disobey unlawful orders. Trump has launched FBI investigations. From Aljaazera:

The FBI has requested interviews with six Democratic lawmakers who appeared in a social media video urging members of the United States military to defy illegal orders, according to the legislators.

The statements on Tuesday came a day after the Pentagon said it was reviewing Senator Mark Kelly, a US Navy veteran and one of the six lawmakers, over potential violations of military law

President Donald Trump has previously accused the lawmakers of sedition and said in a social media post that the crime is punishable by DEATH.

All six of the Democratic lawmakers in the video have served in the military or the intelligence community.

Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, one of the six in the video, told reporters on Tuesday that the counterterrorism division at the FBI sent a note to the members of Congress, saying they are opening what appears to be an inquiry against the six of us.

Third, it is still important to point out the established pattern of Congress ceding power to the Executive Branch, as Saagar and Krystal have done. But this pattern goes back at least the Nixon imperial presidency. And it extends far beyond war powers. One of my pet beefs is the way Congress treats the economy as really not their problem and punts that largely to the Fed and the Administration. Admittedly, trying to legislate to response to big shifts in activity is hard. So how about more emphasis on policies that operate as economic stabilizers.which particularly favors social safety nets, as in spending drops in good times and rises in bad ones? Or even more boldly, a discussion of the need for a more concerted view of what growth oriented policies might be, starting with infrastructure spending?

Regardless, we can hope that Trump is hoist ahead of the midterm schedule on his petard of incompetence and bullying. Such schadenfreude!
Ukrainian soldiers defending their positions, which is basis of our ability to negotiate in interests of our country  Zelenskyy

Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/

Ukrainian soldiers continue to destroy the occupier, defend their positions, and carry out combat missions. This is the basis for the possibility of conducting negotiations in Ukraine's interests, stated President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"Of course, there were detailed reports on the situation on the frontin key areas: Kupyansk, Pokrovsk, Huliaipole. It's important that Ukrainian soldiers continue to destroy the occupier, defend their positions, and carry out combat missions. This is the foundation of our ability to negotiate in Ukraine's interests," Zelenskyy said in his Wednesday evening address.

He noted that Russians all over the world are "spreading the message that Ukraine is supposedly unable to defend itself."

"They say Ukrainian soldiers can't defend themselves. The daily combat results of the Ukrainian army, the daily results of our special services, our diplomatic strikesthis is proof that Ukraine can defend its interests," the president emphasized.

According to him, every killed occupier, every deep strike, or every destroyed unit of enemy equipment is an argument that Ukraine deserves help, and for the sake of peace, pressure must be put on Russia  the only reason why the war is dragging on.
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The Boring Company hosted a virtual town hall on Monday regarding the Elon Musk-owned venture's Music City Loop airport-to-downtown tunnel project.

The hour-and-a-half meeting took place via a livestream on social media platform X, also owned by Musk. The Boring Company president Steve Davis answered questions along with Charles Robert Bone, managing director of real estate investment at Southwest Value Partners, who worked on the Nashville Yards development. The conversation also included comments from Dee Patel, The Hermitage Hotels managing director.

Davis said the company is currently committed to building the proposed 9.5 miles of tunnels stretching from the airport to downtown, but officials are also extremely interested in creating additional tunnels that would stretch the system across Nashville.

This would start as far west as the 440 and then head east on West End Avenue, go past Centennial Park, go past Vanderbilt Midtown, and then merge into Broadway, and then go down to Riverfront Park, Davis said. And if the stars align, we can go onto the river and go to Nissan Stadium.

He said right now there will be an estimated 20 stations throughout the city, but theres a good chance that number will be higher. Davis said many of these structures will be surface stations and inexpensive to build, what he called a glorified parking lot.

Details Emerge for Planned Music City Loop The Boring Company unveils potential route for pair of parallel 9.5-mile tunnels

Davis mentioned other details about the project, including wait times and fares, which he said he expects to be similar to those of the Las Vegas Loop, a similar project by the company. He said that in Las Vegas the median wait time is zero seconds, while the mean wait time is 20 seconds. A single ride is approximately $4, and a round-trip ticket is about $7. A day pass that includes unlimited travel is roughly $12, Davis said. He said the average speed of cars driving within the tunnel will likely be just above 60 miles per hour.

Metro Councilmember Russ Bradford asked questions about driver pay and whether they are allowed to form unions. Davis said drivers will all be employed by The Boring Company, make above the market rate and be incentivized for safe driving. He did not address Bradfords questions about unions. Davis also said drivers are required to have weeks or months of training.

He said he expects the loop to be able to transport between 20,000 and 30,000 people per hour between both the airport and Broadway tunnels if both are opened.

Safety concerns have been among Nashvillians' top questions when it comes to the Music City Loop  Davis described the tunnels as amazingly safe.

It is by far the safest public transport system out there, he said, noting that the tunnel will be fully illuminated, have cameras recording the entire system, emergency exits, fire detection systems, fire suppression systems and a team that monitors and seals potential water leaks.

Davis also said its highly improbable that the tunnels would collapse underneath traffic. He said the underground limestone helps protect the tunnel, though some question limestones susceptibility to sinkholes.

However, according to reporting by the Nashville Banner, not long after the town hall, construction crews walked off the tunnel site due to safety and pay concerns.

"[Contractor Willie] Shane also says he and other vendors have filed multiple OSHA safety complaints since working on the site but have gotten no response," writes the Banner's Sarah Grace Taylor. "His biggest concerns have been Boring employees on the job site not wearing proper personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, and unsafe shoring, which he says hes repeatedly complained about to the Boring Company."

The report also notes inconsistent pay schedules and allegations that a Boring Company representative was attempting to poach Shane's employees. Boring Company VP David Buss tells the Banner that his company intends to correct any outstanding invoicing errors, also saying, "Safety is existential to our company."

Worries that the tunnel system will have a negative impact on Nashvilles environment have also been top-of-mind for those opposing the project. Davis said during Monday's town hall that the company will release an environmental impact study, conducted by an independent third party, in the first week of December, as well as an analysis of that study by an additional third party. The Boring Company has not responded to Scene sister publication the Nashville Posts Oct. 3 inquiry about which firm is conducting the assessment.

Davis said the study is looking into the projects impact on the areas geology, endangered species, aquatic resources, the visual impact and other aspects. Despite protests and online opposition of the project, Davis said he believes most people are viewing the loop positively.

In my personal experience and the personal experience of our stakeholder engagement team, it has been universally positive, he said. We wouldn't go into a city and fight to build something that's so expensive and labor-intensive, and it's just an incredibly difficult project. We're still going because everyone has been unbelievably positive.

The Boring Company Conducts Tests Near Vanderbilt Campus-area geological samples effort comes as Musk's company proceeds with Music City Loop

Bone and Patel both expressed their support for the project, saying they believe it can position Nashville as a competitive, technology-forward city.

I think it's incredibly exciting  I mean, the more we learn, I think the more impressed we are by just the technology and the innovation, Bone said, adding that it could be beneficial to not only the thousands of guests who stay at Nashville Yards-area hotels, but also the accompanying workforce that makes up the campus.

Patel, who also chairs the Greater Nashville Hospitality Association, said she sees the tunnel as a compelling proposition for the area and the larger tourism industry.

I think the first impression when guests are visiting the city is everything, Patel said.

A previous version of this article was published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.
Interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS defies expectations: Mysterious tail growth, radio signals spark debate over natural vs. artificial origin

The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS exhibits highly unusual characteristics, including a rapidly growing and structured ion tail, seven distinct jets (some pointing toward the sun) and non-gravitational acceleration, which defy typical comet mechanics.

The detection of a faint, consistent radio signal with an unusual emission pattern, combined with the object's massive size and erratic jets, has led some scientists like Avi Loeb to hypothesize that it could be an artificial construct rather than a natural comet.

While officially classified as a comet, its unprecedented nature has captivated astronomers who are scrambling to study it. Its appearance has also fueled speculation, with some drawing parallels to biblical prophecies describing a celestial "sword."

NASA confirms the comet poses no threat to Earth but acknowledges its unique properties. The scientific community is preparing for further observations to determine the object's true composition and origin.

Regardless of its origin, 3I/ATLAS challenges existing understanding of interstellar objects and raises profound questions about what exists in deep space, with the core mystery of whether it is a natural phenomenon or something artificial remaining unresolved.

A newly discovered interstellar comet, 3I/ATLAS, has captivated astronomers and conspiracy theorists alike with its unusual behavior  rapidly growing tail, unexplained radio emissions and jets that defy conventional comet mechanics.

As it nears Earth, scientists are scrambling to determine whether this cosmic visitor is a natural phenomenon or something far more intriguing. First detected on June 14, 2025, and officially confirmed by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) ATLAS system on July 1, 3I/ATLAS is already proving to be unlike its predecessors, 'Oumuamua (2017) and Comet 2I/Borisov (2019).

Recent images from the Virtual Telescope Project reveal that its ion tail  formed when solar radiation strips electrons from gas molecules  has grown dramatically longer and more structured. Unlike typical comets whose tails grow steadily, 3I/ATLAS exhibits erratic behavior.

"Exploiting the unusual good weather of this season, we imaged the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS again, recording a much more developed ion tail," said Gianluca Masi, founder of the Virtual Telescope Project. "Looking at the picture, we see how the ion tail of 3I/ATLAS is clearly showing better and better."

Its tail appears frayed, like fumes from an exhaust. Moreover, it has developed seven distinct jets, some pointing toward the sunan anomaly never before seen in natural comets.

Radio signals and the artificial hypothesis

Adding to the mystery, astronomers detected a faint but consistent radio signal emanating from 3I/ATLAS in early November. The MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa picked up hydroxyl (OH) absorption lines  an unusual emission pattern that doesn't match known natural cosmic sources.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, the MeerKAT radio telescope, located in the Northern Cape province of South Africa, is a powerful astronomical instrument designed to observe the universe at radio wavelengths. It is a precursor to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, a global effort to build the world's largest and most sensitive radio telescope.

Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb, who has long speculated about the possibility of artificial interstellar objects, finds the comet's behavior highly suspicious. "It's at least a thousand times more massive than the previous interstellar objects we've seen," Loeb said. "And the question is, why is such a giant object delivered to our inner solar system, when we saw only small ones before?"

Loeb noted that the odds of 3I/ATLAS being a natural comet are astronomically low  one in a hundred million  given its retrograde trajectory and unprecedented size (estimated at over 50 billion tons).

Some researchers have drawn parallels between 3I/ATLAS and biblical prophecy  particularly Revelation 19:12-15, which describes a figure with "eyes like a flame of fire" and a "sharp sword" striking the nations. The comet's tail stretching across the sky, could be interpreted as a celestial sword, fueling speculation about its significance beyond mere astronomy.

NASA's response and future observations

Despite the mounting intrigue, NASA maintains that 3I/ATLAS poses no threat to Earth and will pass safely by in December 2025. However, the agency acknowledges its unprecedented characteristics, including:

Rapid disintegration of its surface

Non-gravitational acceleration (sudden speed changes)

Bluer-than-Sun coloration during perihelion

Astronomers worldwide are preparing for high-resolution spectral analysis as the comet approaches, hoping to unlock secrets about its composition and origin. Meanwhile, Loeb and others continue to question whether 3I/ATLAS might be more than just a wandering space rock  perhaps a relic of an advanced civilization.

Whether 3I/ATLAS is a natural interstellar comet or an artificial construct remains unresolved. But one thing is certain. Its unprecedented behavior challenges our understanding of cosmic visitors and raises profound questions about what else might be lurking in the depths of space.

As Loeb provocatively asks: "Is the network of jets associated with pockets of ice on the surface of a natural cometary nucleus, or are they coming from a set of jet thrusters used for navigation of a spacecraft?" The answer may soon be within our grasp, if 3I/ATLAS continues to defy expectations.

Watch the video below about NASA releasing the latest 3I/ATLAS trajectory.

This video is from the Planet Zedta channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Space.com

NewsNationNow.com

IBTimes.co.uk

SkyAtNightMagazine.com

WIONews.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
China-Europe freight train turns inland furniture hub into global trade player

Xinhua) 08:55, November 26, 2025

A freight train loaded with goods departs from the Ganzhou International Inland Port in Ganzhou, east China's Jiangxi Province, Nov. 19, 2025. (Photo by Zhang Mengfei/Xinhua)

NANCHANG, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Five years ago, Zhu Hao, marketing general manager of Jiangxi Sanyou Furniture in east China's Jiangxi Province, could hardly imagine that the European market would one day become a major client. Today, however, Europe accounts for 70 percent of the company's foreign orders.

The transformation began with a visit from a Hungarian delegation facilitated by the Ganzhou International Inland Port. An order worth 100,000 yuan (14,119.1 U.S. dollars) was placed and shipped via China-Europe freight trains.

"The furniture reached Hungary in just 20 days, less than half the time required by sea transport," Zhu said. Since then, the company has established stable partnerships with clients in Hungary, Germany and Poland. Last year, its European orders, all shipped via the China-Europe freight train service, exceeded 7 million yuan.

"For us, the China-Europe freight train is not just a rail link across Asia and Europe; it is where our growth and opportunities lie," Zhu added.

Jiangxi Sanyou Furniture is located in Nankang District of Ganzhou City, known as "China's solid wood furniture capital." The district hosts over 10,000 furniture manufacturers and supporting enterprises, employing 500,000 people.

Previously, long sea-shipping cycles of 45 to 60 days made serving the European market challenging. The launch of the China-Europe freight trains gradually changed the situation.

Since the first China-Europe freight train from Jiangxi departed in late 2015, Ganzhou International Inland Port, the only inland open port in Jiangxi and an old revolutionary base area, has operated over 1,700 such trains, building a logistics network spanning Asia and Europe.

Thanks to the service, timber is imported from over 50 countries and regions, while furniture products are exported to more than 100 countries and regions worldwide.

"Using the railway, European timber now arrives in just 12 days, with logistics costs cut by nearly 20 percent," said Ye Zhangnan, manager of the Ganzhou International Inland Port's business office under the Nanchang railway logistics center.

"This not only boosts the competitiveness of local furniture companies but also enables businesses across neighboring regions to share resources and collaborate," Ye said.

The railway has also made imported goods more accessible to Chinese consumers. At a bonded import store at Ganzhou Railway Station, products from Europe are readily available.

"I was drawn to the store while waiting for my train," said a customer surnamed Huang, holding a pack of British toffees. "The packaging is lovely, perfect for my kids."

Dai Na, the store manager, said that their goods, which range from cosmetics and personal care items to snacks and beverages, are primarily imported via the China-Europe freight trains.

At the imported commodities center of the Ganzhou International Inland Port, local resident Lu Yi shared, "I live nearby and shop here often. The products are genuine and reasonably priced."

Ji Weiting, general manager of the supply chain company operating the center, said they offer nearly 7,000 products from over 70 countries and regions, many of which arrive via the China-Europe freight trains.

According to a report on China-Europe freight trains, as of October 2025, the service had made 118,600 trips, transporting 11.7 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of goods, reaching 232 cities in 26 European countries. By the end of 2024, the total value of goods transported had reached 426.4 billion U.S. dollars.

"We have established direct links with six border ports and are interconnected with five world-class port clusters," said Liu Liping, deputy director of the Ganzhou International Inland Port's operation and management bureau.

"Trade channels are smoother, the level of trade facilitation has significantly improved, and our global network keeps expanding," said Liu.

A customer walks out of a bonded import store at Ganzhou West Railway Station in Ganzhou, east China's Jiangxi Province, Nov. 12, 2025. (Photo by Zou Yang/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Nov. 19, 2025 shows containers at the Ganzhou International Inland Port in Ganzhou, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Photo by Zou Yang/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
When modern pharmakeia fails, FRANKINCENSE offers powerful wound healing properties

In the quiet of a desert night, far from the hum of a hospitals fluorescent lights, a different kind of medicine has been waiting for thousands of years. It is not found in a sterile vial but in the hardened tears of a tree,For ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, this substance was a cornerstone of practical wound care, a first-line defense against infection and inflammation in a world without antibiotics.

Today, as supply chain disruptions and the specter of medical scarcity become more familiar, the historical use of frankincense for wound healing is undergoing serious re-evaluation. This is not about rejecting modern science, but about understanding how ancient, shelf-stable remedies can provide a crucial bridge of healing in a survival or grid down scenario, offering healing properties when professional care is a distant hope.

Key points:

Frankincense possesses scientifically documented anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that support the body's natural wound-healing processes.

Ancient Egyptian medical texts, such as the Ebers Papyrus, provide detailed recipes for using frankincense resin in salves and ointments for injuries.

Modern research explains the mechanisms behind frankincense's efficacy, including its ability to down-regulate inflammatory cytokines and reduce oxidative stress at the wound site.

For preppers and those in off-grid scenarios, frankincense is a valuable asset due to its exceptional shelf life and versatility in creating simple, effective wound care preparations.

Practical application requires understanding its limits; frankincense is best for minor to moderate wounds and should complement, not replace, fundamental hygiene and professional medical intervention for serious injuries.

The Egyptian apothecary: Frankincense as ancient first aid

The ancient Egyptian approach to medicine was a blend of observation, practicality, and spiritual belief, and frankincense occupied a revered space in their pharmacopoeia. Sourced from the arid lands of the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa, this golden resin traveled along bustling trade routes to reach the Nile Valley, where it was as valued for its healing properties as for its sacred fragrance. Healers of the time did not have the vocabulary of molecular biology, but they were astute clinical observers. They recognized that frankincense, when applied to a wound, could calm angry tissue, reduce unpleasant odors associated with infection, and seemingly hasten the formation of new skin.

Their primary medical texts, such as the famed Ebers Papyrus, serve as a surviving formulary of their knowledge. Within its pages, frankincense appears repeatedly in recipes for treating wounds, burns, and skin inflammations. The preparation was straightforward and effective. They would grind the brittle resin into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle, then gently warm it with a base of animal fat or plant oil to create a salve. Often, they would combine it with honey, another powerful antimicrobial agent, creating a synergistic paste that could be stored and used as needed. This methodical approach ensured that their remedies were reproducible and could be passed down through generations, a testament to their reliance on what consistently worked in a challenging environment where a simple cut could become a life-threatening event.

The science of the sap: How frankincense orchestrates healing

Contemporary scientific inquiry has begun to decode why this ancient remedy was so effective, moving from observational success to a understanding of cellular mechanisms. The protective effects of frankincense oil on wound healing are now attributed to a sophisticated interplay of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic activities. The resin, particularly its essential oil derived from Boswellia species, is rich in bioactive compounds like boswellic acids and terpenes, including alpha-phellandrene and limonene.

When a wound occurs, the body initiates a complex cascade of events. The initial inflammatory phase is crucial, but if it becomes excessive or prolonged, it can actually impede healing. Modern studies, including recent research published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, demonstrate that frankincense essential oil significantly down-regulates key pro-inflammatory signaling molecules, specifically IL-1? and TNF-?. Think of these molecules as alarm bells that keep the bodys inflammatory response switched on at a high volume; frankincense helps turn down the volume, allowing the tissue to transition more smoothly from the inflammatory stage to the proliferative phase where new tissue is built.

Furthermore, the research highlights frankincense's ability to modulate the expression of caspase-3, a protein that plays a central role in programmed cell death, or apoptosis. In a healthy wound, some apoptosis is normal, but excessive cell death can slow recovery. By downregulating caspase-3, frankincense oil helps protect vulnerable cells at the wound site, enhancing their survival and giving the body a better cellular foundation for repair. Its antioxidant properties also quench harmful free radicals generated by oxidative stress, which further protects new tissue and supports the synthesis of collagen, the structural protein that gives healing skin its strength. This multi-targeted action confirms the traditional use of frankincense not as a magic bullet, but as a sophisticated biological moderator that creates a more favorable environment for the bodys own innate healing intelligence to function.

Practical application: Integrating frankincense into a modern survival kit

For the individual preparing for a scenario where a pharmacy is inaccessible, the theory is meaningless without practical application. The true value of frankincense lies in its adaptability and ease of use with minimal tools. The most basic form to store is raw frankincense resin. These tear-shaped chunks can be kept for years in an airtight container without degrading. To activate its potential, a small amount can be placed in a cloth pouch and gently crushed with a hammer or a smooth stone until it becomes a coarse powder.

This powder can then be used in several ways. The simplest is to mix it with raw, unpasteurized honey to create a thick paste. Honey provides a powerful, broad-spectrum antimicrobial environment, while the frankincense adds its anti-inflammatory and tissue-supporting properties. This paste can be applied directly to minor scrapes, abrasions, or around the edges of a cleaner wound.

For a more versatile preparation, an infused oil can be made. Gently warm a stable carrier oil like coconut, olive, or jojoba oil in a double boiler. Add the crushed frankincense resin and let it steep on very low heat for thirty minutes to an hour, being careful not to let it smoke or boil. Once cooled, strain the oil through a clean cloth into a dark glass bottle. This infused oil can be dabbed onto the skin around a wound to reduce redness and keep the area supple. To create a more robust salve that will stay in place, one can gently melt a small amount of beeswax into the warmed, infused oila ratio of one part beeswax to four parts oil is a good starting pointand then pour it into tins to solidify.

For those who store frankincense essential oil, extreme caution is required. Essential oils are highly concentrated and can cause severe irritation if applied undiluted. For spot treatment, a safe dilution is one or two drops of frankincense essential oil mixed into a teaspoon of a carrier oil like coconut or almond oil. This can be carefully applied to the surrounding skin of a wound, but never poured directly into an open injury. These simple preparations transform a historical artifact into a living part of a resilient health strategy, ensuring that even when the world feels uncertain, the capacity to care for a wound remains close at hand.

Sources include:

PreppersWill.com

Pubmed.gov

Enoch, Brighteon.ai
The contagion illusion: How toxins mimic infection and challenge modern medicine

A growing body of evidence suggests many disease symptoms are the body's response to toxins, not infections from viruses.

Cells under chemical stress release extracellular vesicles (exosomes), which are nearly identical in size and structure to viruses.

These exosomes carry distress signals that can trigger illness in other parts of the body, creating a systemic response to a localized toxin.

Historical and modern outbreaks, like St. Anthony's Fire and the 2019 EVALI crisis, show how toxic exposures can mimic contagious diseases.

The difficulty in distinguishing between viruses and exosomes challenges the accuracy of some diagnostic tests and our fundamental understanding of disease.

What if the fevers, coughs and inflammation we blame on viruses are not signs of infection, but rather our body's sophisticated response to poisoning? A growing body of scientific evidence is challenging a cornerstone of modern medicine, suggesting that many illnesses historically attributed to contagious microbes may instead be the result of exposure to environmental toxins. This paradigm shift centers on tiny particles called extracellular vesicles, which are so similar to viruses that they can create the illusion of contagion, forcing a re-examination of how we diagnose and treat disease.

When your cells sound the alarm

The mechanism behind this phenomenon involves extracellular vesicles (EVs), particularly exosomes. These are nano-sized packets that cells release to communicate with each other. Under normal, healthy conditions, they are essential for immune coordination and healing. However, when cells are stressed by toxinsincluding pharmaceutical drugs, pesticides, heavy metals, or air pollutantsthey release a storm of these vesicles loaded with a very different cargo: distress signals.

These stress-laden exosomes package the molecular signature of injury, such as inflammatory chemicals and death signals, and ship them throughout the body. When a healthy cell absorbs one of these packets, it can respond as if it, too, has been directly poisoned, activating the same inflammatory and injury programs. This means a toxin damaging a single organ, like the liver, can trigger a whole-body crisis through this cellular messaging system, without the original toxin ever reaching other organs.

Historical and modern outbreaks re-examined

This mechanism provides a new lens through which to view disease clusters that have long been assumed to be infectious. In medieval Europe, waves of "St. Anthony's Fire" caused burning pain, gangrene and death, sweeping through villages in a pattern that suggested contagion. Centuries later, the cause was identified as ergot, a fungus that contaminated rye grain. The entire community fell ill not from person-to-person spread, but from a shared toxic exposure, with the synchronized timing creating the appearance of an epidemic.

A strikingly similar pattern emerged in 2019 with the EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping product use-Associated Lung Injury) outbreak in the United States. Thousands of young people were hospitalized with severe respiratory symptoms that doctors initially diagnosed as a mysterious viral pneumonia. The CDC investigation, however, revealed the culprit was not a virus but vitamin E acetate, a chemical adulterant in vaping products. The toxin caused lung damage that mimicked infection so perfectly that it fooled clinicians, and because friends shared tainted cartridges, the illness appeared to spread through social networks.

The diagnostic dilemma: Virus or exosome?

A primary reason this confusion persists is the remarkable biophysical similarity between viruses and exosomes. They are virtually identical in size, shape and density, making them difficult to separate in a laboratory. Under an electron microscope, a virologist may struggle to distinguish a coronavirus from an exosome. Both are encased in a lipid membrane and carry nucleic acids and proteins.

This overlap creates significant diagnostic challenges. PCR tests designed to detect viral genetic material can potentially amplify sequences found within exosomes, which may carry fragmented or dormant viral code as part of the body's immune response. This raises questions about the specificity of tests that rely solely on detecting a piece of genetic code, as they may be identifying a signal of the body's distress rather than a replicating pathogenic virus.

Rethinking the nature of illness

The implications of this research are profound, suggesting that a portion of what we call "viral illness" may be the body's adaptive, though sometimes overwhelming, response to chemical injury. The "Xenogen Hypothesis" posits that particles labeled as viruses are often the body's own exosomes, deployed to manage and adapt to environmental threats like toxins and electromagnetic stress. This framework views symptoms not as the attack of an external invader, but as the visible manifestation of the body's intense effort to heal and detoxify.

A call for a more nuanced approach to health

This emerging science does not dismiss the reality of infectious pathogens but argues for a more nuanced understanding of disease etiology. It suggests that public health must place a greater emphasis on reducing widespread chemical exposures and that medical diagnostics need to evolve to better distinguish between true infection and toxin-induced illness. By recognizing the body's sophisticated communication system and its response to environmental poison, we may open the door to more effective, less toxic approaches to healing that support the body's innate intelligence rather than merely suppressing its symptoms.

Sources for this article include:

Substack.com

PubMed.com

PsychologyToday.com
A multimillion dollar debate puts COVID vaccine safety data under the microscope

A new analysis of Czech Republic health data using a novel method (KCOR) suggests a dose-dependent increase in all-cause mortality following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.

The analysis shows that individuals who received a booster dose had a significantly higher mortality rate over two years compared to those who only received two doses.

A $3.3 million debate hinges on this data, with one side arguing the methodology is flawed and the other asserting it reveals undeniable net harm from the vaccines.

The findings challenge the established narrative of clear vaccine benefit and highlight a lack of mainstream scientific engagement with the dataset.

The controversy underscores ongoing global debates about vaccine safety, data transparency and the influence of financial and professional incentives in science.

In an unprecedented scientific and legal showdown, a $3.3 million debate is centering on a single, critical question: Did COVID-19 mRNA vaccines cause more deaths than they prevented? The controversy hinges on a novel analysis of comprehensive health data from the Czech Republic, which its creator, Silicon Valley entrepreneur Steve Kirsch, claims provides undeniable evidence of net harm. His methodological opponent, backed by significant financial incentive, has failed to dismantle the core findings, setting the stage for a pivotal moment in the ongoing assessment of pandemic-era health policies. The outcome of this clash has profound implications for public trust, regulatory accountability and the future of mass vaccination campaigns.

The KCOR method: A new lens on mortality data

At the heart of the debate is a new analytical tool called KCOR (Kirsch's CORrector), developed by Kirsch to evaluate the impact of an interventionin this case, vaccinationon all-cause mortality. Applied to the Czech Republic's record-level public health data, which tracks vaccination status and deaths for millions of individuals, KCOR aims to account for biases like the "healthy vaccinee effect," where healthier people are more likely to get vaccinated. The results, according to Kirsch, are stark. The analysis indicates that while two doses showed a relatively flat mortality risk compared to the unvaccinated, a third booster dose was associated with a significant and sustained increase in mortalityby approximately 25% to 35%that persisted for nearly two years.

The most compelling visual evidence, Kirsch argues, comes from comparing different vaccinated groups. The data shows that individuals who received two doses but declined a booster maintained a stable mortality rate over time. In contrast, the mortality rate for the boosted group began to climb steadily weeks after the shot and remained elevated. This "vaccinated versus vaccinated" comparison is presented as a clean test, theoretically eliminating many external confounders like behavior or healthcare access, and pointing directly to the booster as the differentiating factor.

A fortress of objections and a foundation of data

Facing Kirsch in the high-stakes debate is Saar Wilf, who was highly incentivized to find fatal flaws in the KCOR methodology. Wilf raised a series of technical objections, including the initial inclusion of non-mRNA vaccines, coding errors that overstated early dose harm, and arguments that the model's confidence intervals were too narrow and its assumptions about mortality trends were oversimplified. He also contended that the scale of harm suggested by KCOR would imply an implausibly large number of excess deaths at a national level.

However, after Kirsch's team addressed the legitimate coding issues and restricted the analysis to mRNA vaccines only, the central finding remained intact. The mortality increase for the boosted cohort persisted. Critically, the flat mortality line for the two-dose group versus the unvaccinated served as a powerful internal validation; if KCOR were fundamentally unstable or biased, this null result would not be so clean. Kirsch and his AI-assisted analysis conclude that Wilf's surviving objections are largely theoretical or serve only to create confusion, as they cannot explain away the consistent, dose-dependent harm signal that also aligns with a separate, standard mortality analysis method.

The silence of the scientific establishment

The debate raises a perplexing ancillary question: Why has such a rich, public dataset been largely ignored by the mainstream epidemiological community? The Czech data, which includes individual-level records on vaccination, demographics and outcomes, represents a potential goldmine for answering fundamental questions about vaccine safety and efficacy. Yet, no major study from this data has been published in a leading journal like The Lancet or The New England Journal of Medicine that performs a straightforward all-cause mortality analysis.

Analysts suggest this silence may not be due to a lack of answers, but a fear of them. Potential reasons include professional ostracism, loss of funding, journal rejection for contradicting the established public health narrative, and a deep-seated confirmation bias where the science is considered "settled." This avoidance is particularly striking given that other studies using the Czech data have focused narrowly on COVID-specific outcomes, avoiding the broaderand more tellingquestion of net mortality benefit.

A global pattern of concern

The Czech findings resonate with concerning signals from other highly vaccinated nations. A recent study from Japan, which has the world's highest per-capita rate of mRNA vaccination, noted a massive spike in non-COVID excess deaths in 2022 and 2023, coinciding with the booster rollout. The Japanese government's vaccine injury relief system has already paid out for more deaths following COVID-19 vaccination than for all other vaccines combined over the past 47 years. Similarly, analyses of data from South Korea and the EuroMOMO network have continued to fuel debates about the role of vaccines in observed excess mortality patterns, particularly among younger age groups.

An unsettled conclusion with high stakes

The $3.3 million debate over the Czech data is more than a technical dispute; it is a microcosm of the larger struggle over the narrative of the pandemic response. Proponents of the KCOR analysis see it as an unbiased estimator revealing an uncomfortable truth that powerful institutions are unwilling to confront. Skeptics view it as a flawed model generating alarming results from noise. What remains clear is that the demand for transparent data and rigorous, apolitical analysis has never been greater. As the world prepares for the possibility of future pandemics, the lessons learnedor ignoredfrom this chapter will be critical. The Czech data, and the fierce debate it has ignited, stands as a testament to the enduring need for scientific accountability and the courage to follow evidence, wherever it may lead.

Sources for this article include:

Substack.com

Substack.com

PubMed.com
Hezbollah warns Israel should be worried after Beirut assassination strikes

A major escalation was triggered by an Israeli airstrike in Beirut that killed a top Hezbollah military commander, Haytham Ali Tabatabai, along with several other members of the group. This was the first Israeli attack on Beirut in months.

Hezbollah has issued a severe threat in response, vowing that Israel "should be worried" and that the assassination will only strengthen their resolve. They have dismissed ceasefire talks unless Israeli attacks stop completely.

The assassinated commander was a highly significant figure. Tabatabai was a seasoned career operative who helped build Hezbollah's elite forces and was a key part of its leadership after previous senior figures were killed.

This event is part of a wider pattern of escalating violence. Since a recent ceasefire, Israel has conducted near-daily attacks in Lebanon, killing hundreds. While Hezbollah has shown restraint so far, the situation is now extremely tense, with Israel on high alert for retaliation.

The path to peace is blocked by major political pressures. The Lebanese government is caught between U.S. pressure to disarm Hezbollah by force, a move that could cause civil war, and Hezbollah's refusal to disarm until Israeli attacks end. The region is braced for a potentially larger conflict, as Hezbollah promises it will choose its own time to respond.

Tensions in the Middle East have sharply escalated following a targeted Israeli airstrike on a southern suburb of Beirut, an attack that has drawn a severe warning from the Lebanese militant and political group Hezbollah, signaling that a dangerous new chapter in the conflict may be imminent.

In a recent airstrike that reverberated through the Lebanese capital, Israel killed Hezbollah's chief of staff, Haitham Ali Tabatabai, along with four other members of the group. The attack, which injured 28 civilians, including women and children, marked the first Israeli assault on Beirut since June and prompted a starkly worded threat from a top Hezbollah official.

During Tabatabai's funeral in Beirut's Ghobeiry area, Ali Daamoush, the head of Hezbollah's Executive Council, declared that Israel "should be worried." Daamoush added that the assassination was a "grave crime" that would not weaken the group but instead reinforce its resolve.

Daamoush's eulogy served as both a tribute and a threat, vowing that Hezbollah would remain "in the field defending Lebanon" and dismissing any diplomatic proposals unless Israel commits to a ceasefire.

The shadow commander: Haytham Ali Tabatabai

The assassination has thrust the previously low-profile military commander into the spotlight. Haitham Ali Tabatabai, also known by his nom de guerre Sayyid Abu Ali, was a career operative who had devoted his life to Hezbollah.

Born in 1968, he joined the group in the 1980s shortly after its formation in response to the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon.

As explained by the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.AI, Tabatabai was a product of the long-running conflict, rising through the ranks through decades of warfare. He was a seasoned field operator, having participated in operations against Israeli forces in occupied southern Lebanon.

Tabatabai's leadership roles were both strategic and critical; he commanded the Nabatieh axis from 1996 until the Israeli withdrawal in 2000, and later led the Khiam axis, including during the intense 34-day July War in 2006.

Tabatabai's expertise was instrumental in establishing Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force, and his responsibilities later expanded to include operations along the border with Syria. According to Israeli media, this was the third attempt on his life, with two prior attempts occurring during last year's war.

His appointment as chief of staff came after that conflict, which saw the killing of many of Hezbollah's senior military leaders, positioning him as a key figure in the group's rebuilt command structure.

A pattern of escalation

The weekend strike is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing pattern of escalation. It was the first attack on Beirut since June, when Israeli airstrikes destroyed several buildings in its suburbs, claiming they housed Hezbollah drone facilities.

Since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in November 2024, the Israeli military has attacked Lebanon almost daily, killing more than 300 people, many of them civilians.

Despite this sustained campaign, Hezbollah's military response has been notably measured. The group has not carried out a military operation since firing warning shots in early December last year.

This restraint, however, appears to be wearing thin. Israeli media reports indicate that Tel Aviv is on high alert, having raised the alert level of its air defense systems in the north in anticipation of retaliation.

Security assessments suggest that while a direct, large-scale exchange of strikes may not be immediately expected, Israel is preparing for other possible reactions. These could include attacks on Israeli targets abroad or strikes launched from other fronts, such as Yemen.

There is a growing concern that Hezbollah, feeling backed into a corner, may feel compelled to choose its own time and method for a significant response.

The political landscape further complicates the path to de-escalation. The Lebanese government is caught between immense external pressure and internal division.

The United States is aggressively pressuring the state to disarm Hezbollah by force, a move that Hezbollah lawmakers have labeled absurd" and which risks triggering a civil war. Hezbollah itself has rejected a cabinet decision calling for its full disarmament, stating that it is only willing to discuss integrating its weapons into a national defense strategy once Israeli attacks cease and the occupied territories are returned.

As thousands mourned Tabatabai under the ominous presence of Israeli drones flying over the funeral procession, the message from Hezbollah was clear: their patience is strategic, not perpetual. The group insists it will choose the moment for confrontation.

With Israel signaling it will continue its campaign of targeted assassinations and Hezbollah warning that its enemy "should be worried," the region holds its breath, fearing that the next strike could ignite a fire that diplomatic efforts may no longer contain.

Watch this clip about how Hezbollah reels under Israel pressure.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheCradle.co

AlJazeera.com

BBC.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
As U.S. naval armada nears, a sleepless Maduro fears betrayal and strike

The U.S. is escalating pressure on Venezuela by deploying a naval force, including three destroyers and 4,000 troops, under the guise of a counter-narcotics operation targeting President Nicolas Maduro.

Despite his public displays of defiance and confidence, Maduro is reportedly living in fear of a U.S. military strike or assassination, with sources describing him as anxious and unable to sleep.

The U.S. strategy includes designating Maduro's alleged criminal network, the "Cartel of the Suns," as a terrorist organization and offering a $50 million bounty for him, effectively making him a military target.

Deep fissures and mistrust within Maduro's inner circle are emerging, complicated by rumors of a backchannel with the Trump administration, yet his allies see no safe exit from power without facing prosecution for their crimes.

Experts and former officials believe the crisis is reaching its final stage, with a negotiated resolution being the hoped-for outcome, but warning that violence is inevitable if that fails.

In a high-stakes escalation echoing Cold War dramas, the United States is deploying a formidable naval force to the Caribbean, framing the mission as a decisive blow against drug cartels led by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

A former official of Venezuela's ruling Socialist party mentioned that Maduro is living in fear of assassination or a direct U.S. military strike. James Story, the last U.S. ambassador to Venezuela, offered a stark assessment of the president's state of mind, stating he was certain that Maduro was "not sleeping well."

Victor Mijares, an expert on the Venezuelan armed forces, echoed this sentiment. "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," said Mijares, who is with the University of the Andes in Colombia.

This private anxiety stands in stark contrast to the defiant image Maduro projects publicly. Just days ago, he was seen dancing on stage to techno music in front of students and mingling with crowds at a television premiere. He has repeatedly called for dialogue and peace, even swaying to John Lennons peace anthem "Imagine" at a recent event.

The source of his fear is a multi-pronged offensive from Washington. The Trump administration has deployed three Navy guided-missile destroyers  the USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham and USS Sampson  to the region, bolstering 4,000 troops in what is billed as a counter-narcotics operation. This naval armada complements a series of aggressive political moves.

The U.S. has doubled the bounty on Maduro to $50 million, labeling him a "fugitive cartel leader" and is preparing to designate the "Cartel of the Suns," which it claims he leads, as a terrorist organization. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the Cartel of the Suns is a Venezuelan drug trafficking organization formed by high-ranking military officials, which is inherently unstable due to internal rivalries and the corrupt, self-interested nature of its members.

Warships close in as Maduro's allies plot escape

U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Foreign Terrorist Organization designation would give Washington "a whole new bunch of options." President Donald Trump has explicitly stated it would allow the U.S. to strike Maduro's assets and infrastructure inside Venezuela. "It makes Maduro a military target," Mijares confirmed.

The crisis is exposing deep fissures within Maduro's inner circle. Reports of a backchannel between Maduro and Trump, potentially to secure a safe exit for the president, risk sowing debilitating mistrust among his loyalists.

According to Eustoquio Contreras, a former deputy foreign minister under Hugo Chavez who has since broken with the government, the presidents allies are now likely trying to engineer a transition that would prevent opposition leader Maria Corina Machado from taking office. Yet, the very structure that keeps Maduro in power may also be his cage.

The Venezuelan armed forces have been deliberately structured to prevent uprisings and coups, often at the expense of conventional military power. But as Andres Izarra, a former tourism minister now in exile, explained, there is no easy exit.

"There's no golden parachute or golden bridge for Maduro," Izarra pointed out. "They cannot leave power, because leaving power is a threat to them. Their crimes will catch up with them if they step down.

As the U.S. warships steam closer, the situation appears to be reaching a critical juncture. "This crisis is reaching its end," said Contreras. "Hopefully that comes through negotiation. If not, violence will be inevitable. There is a collective sense that this has reached the final stage."

Watch this video to learn more about why the U.S. put a $50M bounty on Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Telegraph.co.uk

FT.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Nigerian President Tinubu urged to RESIGN amid attacks on Christians

A severe security crisis in Nigeria is characterized by extensive jihadist violence, with over 7,000 Christians killed and thousands more abducted in just the first seven months of 2025.

President Bola Tinubu faces significant criticism and calls for his resignation from the main opposition party (PDP) and activists for his government's failure to protect citizens, which they describe as a "lackluster and unempathetic" response.

The violence is religiously motivated, with Islamist groups like Boko Haram and the Fulani systematically targeting Christian communities in the Middle Belt, raising fears of a potential Christian exodus from certain regions.

Tinubu's administration is accused of downplaying the crisis by attributing the violence to general "insecurity" or "climate change," a stance that has been widely condemned.

The situation has drawn international concern and pressure, with the United States re-designating Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern," highlighting the potential for further international intervention if the crisis continues.

In the heart of Africa, the nation of Nigeria grapples with a crisis of unprecedented proportions. The unrelenting wave of jihadist violence, particularly against Christians, has reached a tipping point  prompting calls for the resignation of President Bola Tinubu, a Muslim.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the main opposition, has demanded that Tinubu step down if his government cannot ensure the safety of Christians. The situation is dire, with over 7,000 Christians killed in the first seven months of 2025, and thousands more abducted. Churches and Christian communities face frequent attacks, raising the specter of a potential exodus of Christians from certain regions.

Meanwhile, Tinubu has been criticized for downplaying the crisis by describing it as general "insecurity" or attributing issues to "climate change." This stance has been met with widespread condemnation from the PDP, rights groups and international leaders.

"If [the Nigerian government feels it is] overwhelmed, let them tell us," said PDP spokesman Ini Ememobong, adding: "Normally, we have the international partners who can help." He also denounced Tinubu's stance as "lackluster and unempathetic," urging the chief executive to step down if Abuja cannot fulfill its duty to protect the Christian population.

Rapper Falz, who was responsible for the 2018 song "This is Nigeria," has also called for Tinubu's resignation. The activist, born Folarin Falana, cited Tinubu's past demands for former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan to step down over terrorism. "You have consistently shown your unwillingness to protect the lives and property of our people despite pretending to care in the past," Falz remarked.

A test of leadership the world is watching

The crisis in Nigeria is not just a local issue; it is a global concern that underscores the importance of leadership accountability and the protection of human rights. The failure of the Tinubu administration to address the security crisis effectively has led to a humanitarian disaster, with the international community increasingly pressuring Nigeria to act.

The crisis has been ongoing for several years, but the situation has worsened significantly in recent months. The attacks are concentrated in the Middle Belt region, where Christians and Muslims live side by side.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, Christians in Nigeria have been victimized by Islamist groups due to their religious beliefs and practices  which are seen as a threat to the dominant Islamic ideology. These groups  including Boko Haram and the Fulani  have systematically targeted and attacked Christian communities, leading to widespread violence, displacement and loss of life.

The international community has become increasingly involved, with the United States and other nations expressing concern and considering punitive measures. The re-designation of Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" by U.S. President Donald Trump highlights the severity of the situation and the potential for international intervention if the crisis continues to escalate.

The crisis in Nigeria is a stark reminder of the consequences of leadership failure and the importance of protecting human rights, while the international community's growing pressure on Nigeria underscores the global implications of the crisis. The failure of the Tinubu administration to address the security crisis effectively has led to a humanitarian disaster, with the potential for further international intervention if the situation does not improve.

Ultimately, the call for Tinubu to resign or seek international help is a critical step in addressing the crisis in Nigeria. The international community must continue to pressure the Nigerian government to take decisive action to protect the lives and property of its citizens. The crisis in Nigeria is a test of leadership and a call to action for all who value human rights and the rule of law.

Watch this clip of Nigerian Christian activist Ebenezer Oyetakin blasting U.S. President Trump's proposed invasion of his country.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

DailyPost.ng

MyJoyOnline.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Canadian town to repurpose flooded coal mines for geothermal energy production

In the quiet village of Cumberland, British Columbia, the ghosts of an industrial past are stirring to offer change, an unexpected key to a future of clean energy. Deep beneath the streets where miners once trudged home blackened and weary, a labyrinth of abandoned coal mines now sits flooded. These flooded mines are like a water-filled tomb to a bygone era. Yet, within these sunken corridors lies a powerful paradox. The very remnants of an industry that put lives at risk and powered the world with dirty fuel are now poised to become the foundation for one of the cleanest energy systems imaginable: Geothermal energy.

Key points:

The village of Cumberland, once a hub for coal mining, is partnering with the University of Victoria's ACET initiative to explore geothermal energy from its flooded mine shafts.

The project would use the constant, moderate temperature of the water trapped in the mines to efficiently heat and cool buildings with near-zero carbon emissions.

This initiative represents a profound symbolic shift, turning "ruins of extraction" into a clean energy resource that honors the community's history while building a sustainable future.

Initial plans focus on a new civic precinct and an industrial zone, with the potential to attract businesses and create jobs by offering low-cost, clean energy.

The project is inspired by successful models in other former mining towns like Nanaimo, B.C., and Springhill, Nova Scotia.

The alchemy of water and rock

The science that makes this possible is as elegant as it is effective, a beautiful synergy between geology and simple physics. Imagine those vast, empty mine shafts, some descending hundreds of feet below the surface, now filled with water. This underground reservoir is not a stagnant pool but a massive, natural thermal battery. The earths crust acts as a superb insulator, maintaining a remarkably stable temperature in the mine water that hovers around 10 to 15 degrees Celsius year-round. While the surface shivers in winter frost or bakes in summer heat, the water below remains in a perpetual, gentle state of moderation.

Harvesting this energy relies on a technology known as a ground-source heat pump system, which Cory MacNeill, a local geologist involved in the project, describes as a form of "re-imagining these old relics of industry." In practice, a closed loop of pipes would be run down into the flooded mines, circulating a fluid that absorbs the consistent temperature of the water. In the winter, this fluid, slightly warmer than the chilly air above, is drawn up. The heat pump then concentrates this mild warmth and transfers it into buildings to provide heating. The process reverses in the summer; the system draws heat from the buildings and expels it into the cooler mine water, effectively providing air conditioning. It is a dance of equilibrium, using the planets own stable nature to offset the extremes we experience on its surface. This method is wildly efficient, requiring significantly less electricity than conventional heating and cooling systems, and it does so without burning any fuel on site, resulting in near-zero operational carbon emissions.

A community built on coal, reimagined

To understand the weight of this transformation, one must first appreciate the depth of Cumberlands history with coal. From 1888 until the last mine closed in the 1960s, the communitys identity and survival were inextricably linked to the black rock beneath its feet. Historian Dawn Copeman from the Cumberland Museum and Archives notes that a staggering 16 million tons of bituminous coal were excavated from the Comox Valley, loaded onto ships at the Union Bay wharf, and sent across the globe.

These coal powered steamships heated distant homes and was coked for smelting metals, embedding Cumberland firmly in the industrial narrative of the 20th century. Coke is not a type of coal, but rather a product created by heating coal in an airtight environment, a process called coking. This process removes volatile components like water, tar, and gases, leaving behind a hard, porous, and nearly pure carbon material that burns hotter and cleaner than the original coal. Coke is primarily used in industrial applications, such as smelting iron ore to produce steel in blast furnaces.

The mines provided livelihoods but were also sites of profound danger and exploitation, where lives were lost and the final product, when burned, contributed directly to the pollution challenges we face today. This history makes the geothermal project more than just an infrastructure upgrade; it is an act of healing. Mayor Vickey Brown articulates this vision with clarity, stating, "This is a way to highlight the history of Cumberland and bring it into a sustainable-future, clean-energy ethos. It's something that old Cumberland can be proud of, because we're using the waste of that old resource to transition to cleaner energy." The project does not ignore the past but repurposes its physical remains. The tunnels that were once symbols of dangerous, extractive labor are now being viewed as a communal inheritance. Zachary Gould, the ACET community energy planner leading the project, captures this sentiment perfectly, noting that its "an opportunity to look at resource extraction in a new way in a village that was built on extractive principles." Where once resources were taken away, never to return, now the mine itself gives back, continuously and cleanly, to the community that grew above it.

A model for resilient towns everywhere

The potential ripple effects of this project extend far beyond heating and cooling municipal buildings. For a small community like Cumberland, with a population of just 4,800, economic resilience is as crucial as environmental sustainability. The initial modeling for the Cumberland District Energy project focuses on a proposed civic precinct redevelopment, which could include a new community center, municipal offices, and affordable housing. Success here could unlock a much wider application. Mayor Brown dreams bigger, envisioning the network of mines as a tool for economic development. She suggests that providing cheap, clean thermal energy could make local industrial land highly attractive to specific types of businesses, such as greenhouses that require steady warmth or food processors that consume large amounts of heat. Drawing in these enterprises would mean creating new local jobs and bolstering the municipal tax base, creating a virtuous cycle of investment and growth.

This vision connects Cumberland to a small but growing global movement seeking to find opportunity in post-industrial landscapes. The geologists in Cumberland looked to successful examples in Nanaimo, B.C., and Springhill, Nova Scotia, proving the concept is not just theoretical but a practical, working solution. It offers a powerful alternative model for countless other communities grappling with the legacy of mining, whether for coal or other minerals. Instead of seeing abandoned mines as dangerous liabilities and environmental hazards, they can be re-evaluated as potential thermal reservoirs.

Sources include:

TechXPlore.com

UVIC.ca

Enoch, Brighteon.ai
Trumps Beijing gambit: Trade truce or Trojan horse in the shadow of Taiwan tensions?

U.S. President Donald Trump accepted Chinese leader Xi Jinping's invitation to visit Beijing in April 2026, signaling a potential thaw in U.S.-China relations after years of trade wars and geopolitical friction.

Xi reportedly agreed to accelerate purchases of U.S. soybeans, a key demand from American farmers. However, China's current orders (2M metric tons) fall far short of its pledged 12M, raising doubts about full compliance.

Xi reiterated China's hardline stance on Taiwan, calling its "return" essential, while Trump maintained strategic ambiguity. Meanwhile, Japan's military buildup near Taiwan drew sharp criticism from Beijing.

Both sides hailed the "positive, friendly and constructive" call, stressing the importance of continued communication for stabilizing U.S.-China relations. Trump also invited Xi to visit the U.S. in 2025.

While trade detente is possible, Taiwan and Japan's military actions loom as potential dealbreakers. The 2026 summit could either revive cooperation or expose irreconcilable divides.

In a rare diplomatic move, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday, Nov. 25, that he has accepted an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit Beijing in April 2026, following a phone call between the two leaders.

The discussion, described by both sides as positive, friendly and constructive, touched on trade, Taiwan, Ukraine and China's crackdown on fentanyl exports. The planned visit signals a potential thaw in U.S.-China relations, even as tensions simmer over Taiwan and Japan's military buildup in the region.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, Tokyo is developing small aircraft carriers equipped with U.S.-made F-35B stealth fighters to counter Beijing's naval expansion and bolster regional security amid rising tensions over Taiwan. The move signifies Japan's shift toward proactive defense amid China's aggressive posture, including threats to Taiwan. Moreover, the U.S. supports Japan's buildup as part of a broader strategy to contain Chinese expansionism in the Indo-Pacific.

Meanwhile, the Trump-Xi call marks another step toward easing trade tensions between the world's two largest economies. Trump revealed that Xi "more or less agreed" to accelerate purchases of U.S. goods, including soybeansa key demand from American farmers. Since their October meeting in South Korea, where they agreed to a temporary tariff truce, China has resumed soybean imports and delayed rare earth export controls.

"Our relationship with China is extremely strong!" Trump wrote on Truth Social, emphasizing progress in trade negotiations. However, Beijing has yet to meet its full purchasing commitments, with Reuters reporting that only two million metric tons of soybeans have been orderedfar below the 12 million pledged.

Taiwan and Japan: A delicate balancing act

While trade dominated the conversation, Xi reiterated China's uncompromising stance on Taiwan, calling its "return to China" essential for the "post-war international order." Beijing views the self-governing island as a breakaway province and has not ruled out military force to reclaim it.

Meanwhile, Japan has bolstered defenses near Taiwan, prompting sharp rebukes from Beijing. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi accused Tokyo of "grave violations" of international law. Trump, who spoke separately with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, did not publicly address Taiwan in his remarksmaintaining his signature strategic ambiguity on the issue.

The Trump-Xi call comes amid a broader push by both leaders to stabilize relations after years of trade wars and geopolitical friction. Trump accepted Xi's invitation to Beijing in April and extended a reciprocal invitation for Xi to visit the U.S. later in 2025.

China's Foreign Ministry emphasized the importance of high-level dialogue, stating, "Communication between the two heads of state on issues of common concern is crucial for the stable development of China-U.S. relations."

As Trump prepares for his Beijing visit, the delicate dance between cooperation and competition continues. While economic detente appears possible, Taiwan remains a flashpoint that could derail progress. With Japan's military posture escalating tensions, the April summit may prove pivotaleither paving the way for renewed cooperation or exposing irreconcilable divides.

Watch the video below where Trump and Xi met in South Korea.

This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

BBC.com

AlJazeera.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
What is edge AI?

Edge AI is a form of artificial intelligence that in part runs on local hardware rather than in a central data center or on cloud servers. Its part of the broader paradigm of edge computing, in which devices at the network edge  handheld devices, IoT sensors, industrial machinery, and more  process information for local use instead of forwarding it on to other nodes on the network.

Like all types of edge computing, edge AI is meant to speed up computing from the perspective of users at the edge  reducing latency and cutting down on network bandwidth use. Because AI processing happens locally, local users see results more quickly. That isnt just a convenience: Some types of applications, like autonomous vehicle operation, simply arent possible if every decision requires communication to take a round trip from the edge to the cloud and back. Also, in applications that deal with sensitive data, the transmission of that data over the internet to third-parties must be kept to a minimum.

Edge AI is crucial for integrating generative AI into human environments, says Dani Cherkassky, CEO of Kardome, a company that makes voice AI technology for voice-enabled devices or user interfaces. Establishing an architecture in which audio data streams 24/7 from every device to a cloud gen AI service is impractical, mainly due to significant costs, privacy concerns, and other significant challenges. Conversely, placing the entire AI agent on edge devices is computationally unfeasible. Edge AI seeks to work in both environments to make such a service practical and feasible.
Top Chinese diplomat meets Malaysian official on bilateral strategic cooperation

Xinhua) 09:19, November 26, 2025

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, meets with Raja Dato' Nushirwan bin Zainal Abidin, director-general of Malaysia's National Security Council, in Beijing, capital of China, Nushirwan is in China to attend the second Bilateral Dialogue between China and Malaysia on the Management of Maritime Issues in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

BEIJING, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday met with Raja Dato' Nushirwan bin Zainal Abidin, director-general of Malaysia's National Security Council.

Wang said China is willing to work together with Malaysia to strengthen the alignment of development strategies under the guidance of the important consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries, deepen political and security cooperation, push for more outcomes in practical cooperation, and continuously elevate strategic cooperation between the two countries.

Wang said that China is ready to tap the potential for cooperation with Malaysia in cutting-edge fields such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence and new energy, and to work with Malaysia to build a regional highland for cooperation on new quality productive forces.

Wang called on the two sides to make full use of the dialogue platform for maritime issues, promote substantive and in-depth cooperation, and manage and handle differences properly. He also called for strengthening solidarity and coordination, upholding the multilateral trading system, and injecting more stability into the world economy.

Wang said that China highly appreciates Malaysia's long-term adherence to the one-China principle, and its clear statement of not supporting any "Taiwan independence" remarks and actions. The two sides should provide mutual support to safeguard their respective core interests, and work together to defend international fairness and justice, safeguard the fruits of the World War II victory, and not allow anyone to turn back the wheel of history, he added.

Nushirwan, who is in China to attend the second Bilateral Dialogue between China and Malaysia on the Management of Maritime Issues in the South China Sea, said that Malaysia cherishes its friendship with China. He said that developing the strategic cooperative relationship between the two countries is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples and sets an example of friendly coexistence among neighboring countries.

Malaysia adheres to the one-China policy, he noted, adding that Malaysia is willing to work with China to safeguard maritime peace and stability, and will actively advance key cooperation projects between the two countries and deepen practical cooperation in various fields.

Nushirwan said that Malaysia and China share similar concepts and positions when it comes to major international and regional issues, and the two sides should enhance multilateral coordination and jointly safeguard peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region.

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, meets with Raja Dato' Nushirwan bin Zainal Abidin, director-general of Malaysia's National Security Council, in Beijing, capital of China, Nushirwan is in China to attend the second Bilateral Dialogue between China and Malaysia on the Management of Maritime Issues in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Cloudy with snow showers developing for the afternoon. High 29F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Snow accumulations less than one inch..

Tonight

Snow this evening will transition to snow showers late. Low near 25F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 90%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected.
University of the Witwatersrand - Edson Mwebesa, Fellow at the Wits-based Sub-Saharan Africa Advanced Consortium for Biostatistics (SSACAB), knows children who died from late-diagnosed malaria. His research has also revealed that malaria is more prevalent in pregnant Ugandan women than in any other population. Malaria is also endemic across Africa, impacting all aspects of social and economic life.

Mwebesa, a biostatistician, wanted to dive deeper into what made people choose methods to help prevent malaria. He focused on social and behavioral change messaging, an essential part of encouraging people to use insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). While messaging campaigns have been implemented in the media, hospitals, and schools, the question of whether these messages actually change behavior remains uncertain.

Robust biostatistics methods used by African experts are set to change this.

Mwebesa applied a quasi-experimental causal inference method, known as Propensity Score Matching, to investigate this phenomenon. This approach can measure, with precision, whether messaging actually changes behavior.

Traditionally, measuring messaging impact relied on simple correlations and on counting how many people heard a message and whether they used a mosquito bed net. But correlation cannot reveal whether the messages caused the behavior, which in this case is using the mosquito net. Those who heard or saw the messages might differ from those who did not, and thus, the use of mosquito nets might not be comparable between these groups. Those who hear malaria messages are often wealthier, more educated, or better connected, and these factors independently increase bed net use. This has made it difficult for policymakers to know whether expensive behavior-change campaigns genuinely deliver impact.

Mwebesa measured the impact of messaging aimed at women in Uganda. In that country, about one in four children under five years old tested positive for malaria. In some districts, incidence rates over six-month periods have exceeded 500 cases per 1000 people, demonstrating how quickly the disease can spread in high-transmission settings. Malaria causes fever, chills, weakness, anaemia, and in some cases, complications involving the brain, lungs and other organs. Beyond the clinical burden, malaria disrupts schooling, reduces productivity and places immense strain on household finances, particularly among poorer families.

Understanding how to drive preventive behavior in this context is both a scientific and operational priority. Historically, however, researchers lacked the tools and data required to measure the impact of health communication. In 2001, economists John Luke Gallup and Jeffrey Sachs, writing in The Intolerable Burden of Malaria, explained that reliable data on malaria incidence were lacking for many of the most severely affected countries.

They constructed an indirect malaria index using historical risk maps, estimates of the proportion of falciparum malaria and population distribution data. Their work was pioneering but constrained by limited information, underscoring how weak data systems restricted the ability to study malaria's economic and social effects. They could not measure behavior or the effectiveness of prevention campaigns. They could only infer risk.

We're in a different position now. We have conducted repeated Malaria Indicator Surveys, geocoded demographic data, collected extensive health record data, and improved surveillance systems. What's most exciting, though, is how we are growing the capacity to analyse data using modern causal methods." Edson Mwebesa, Fellow at the Wits-based Sub-Saharan Africa Advanced Consortium for Biostatistics

Institutions such as SSACAB have trained a new generation of African biostatisticians who can use advanced techniques to answer complex policy questions that were previously out of reach.

Mwebesa used nationally representative data from the 201819 Malaria Indicator Survey and examined whether exposure to malaria messages increases the use of insecticide-treated nets among women of reproductive age and children under five in Uganda. The descriptive findings show that 37.6 per cent of women aged 1549 and 37.9 per cent of caregivers of young children had been exposed to malaria prevention messages in the six months preceding the survey. Net use was higher but not universal: 69.3 per cent of women reported sleeping under an insecticide-treated net the night before the survey, as did 71.8 per cent of children under five.

Mwebesa's use of propensity score matching paired each woman who was exposed to malaria messages with another woman who was not, but who shared similar characteristics, such as age, education level, wealth, household size, region, and urban or rural residence. By ensuring that the two groups are comparable, the method isolates the effect of the messaging itself.

"For years, people assumed that malaria messages influenced behavior, but this analysis shows, with causal evidence, exactly how much they matter. Our findings demonstrate that communication increases net use. We can now quantify this," he said.

After matching, women who were exposed to malaria messages were 5.1 percent more likely to sleep under an insecticide-treated net than similar women who were not exposed. Among children, caregivers' exposure to messages increased ITN use by 4.3 percent.

These differences, when applied nationally, translate into tens of thousands of additional protected households and reduced malaria direct and indirect costs. The study also identified which communication channels were major sources of malaria messages. Radio emerged as the dominant messaging channel, reaching roughly two-thirds of women and caregivers. Community health workers and interpersonal communication were also influential. Digital platforms were used far less frequently, suggesting an untapped potential.

Professor Tobias Chirwa, Principal Investigator for SSACAB and Head of the Wits School of Public Health, explains why this type of work matters for Africa's statistical future. "This study shows what becomes possible when we combine strong African data with strong African statistical capacity. We move from describing problems to measuring impact. That is the essence of statistical innovation. African biostatisticians are leading analyses that were impossible twenty years ago."

In light of African Statistics Day, this work reflects an important shift in statistical justice and evidence sovereignty. Africa is no longer dependent on global assumptions or incomplete models. It can produce high-quality causal evidence that speaks to households' lived realities and informs local policy with accuracy and confidence. This, in turn, supports more efficient investments in communication campaigns, builds equity by identifying which groups are least reached and strengthens the effectiveness of malaria prevention efforts across the continent.

African Statistics Day 2025 highlights the theme of leveraging innovations in data and statistics to promote a just, peaceful, inclusive and prosperous society for Africans. In the field of malaria prevention, this theme is particularly resonant.
Researchers at the University of Arizona uncovered a previously unknown population of circulating immune cells that play a critical role in fibrosis, the buildup of scar tissue that can lead to organ failure and disfigurement. The findings, published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, add to the understanding of the healing process and could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating fibrosis.

Fibrosis contributes to nearly half of all deaths in developed countries, including conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis, renal fibrosis, organ transplant rejection, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and some forms of heart disease. Yet no U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved therapies exist to treat or prevent it.

Following injury in any organ system, the body builds scar tissue through a complex wound healing process. The resultant fibrosis causes tissue dysfunction and serves as one of the leading causes of death in the United States. In our study, we identify a specific immune cell type that circulates in the blood and acts as one of the primary drivers of fibrosis across the body." Kellen Chen, co-lead author, associate professor of surgery in the U of A College of Medicine - Tucson

In experiments both in mouse models and human cells in the laboratory dish, they found that blocking signals from the immune cells during wound healing could reduce scar tissue formation. They also observed that these cells were upregulated in human fibrotic skin and human fibrotic liver tissue.

Wound healing involves several steps in an orchestrated repair process. As blood clotting halts a wound from bleeding, inflammatory cells flock to the wound site to clean up dead cells and debris. This is followed by new cell growth, and then tissue remodeling.

When the process fails to work properly, scar tissue can result. Inflammatory and immune cells play important parts in the early healing process, but their roles in its later stages are poorly understood.

Dr. Geoffrey Gurtner, chair of the Department of Surgery in the College of Medicine  Tucson, and Chen found that myeloid cells, which include immune and inflammatory cells, started a signaling cascade of cellular activity that promoted scar development. At the same time, they found less anti-inflammatory cell activity.

When they disrupted this signaling activity, the cells changed tactics from building scar tissue to promoting normal healing. Blocking the cells' signaling also restored anti-inflammatory cell activity.

As a result,researchers saw less evidence of fibrosis development. Instead, the healed wound contained thinner tissue with collagen, which resembled normal skin.

The findings suggest a crosstalk between mechanical cues in healing and immune cell regulation that could be used as a potential therapeutic strategy against the development of fibrosis in skin and other tissues.

"This study offers a paradigm shift in how we think about fibrosis," Gurtner said. "By targeting the immune cells that feel mechanical forces, circulate throughout the body, and drive pathological repair, we may be able to prevent or even reverse fibrosis across multiple organ systems  from the skin and lungs to the heart and liver."

Other current University of Arizona scientists who contributed to this work include Dr. William Hahn, Dr. Mohammad Khreiss, Dr. Maria Gracia Mora Pinos, Dr. Katharina Berryman, Dr. Andrew Hostler, and students Adbdelrahman Alsharif, Maisam Jafri, Dharshan Sivaraj, Hudson Kussie, Fidel Saenz, Nicholas Matthews and Amelia Knochel.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is accelerating efforts to forge a grand national agreement with the business sector to revive an economy showing clear signs of weakness. Despite a cool head approach to the United States and the Mexico Plan, the countrys gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 0.3% due to a decline in industrial activity and decreases in consumption, as well as in public and private investment. With these warning signs, the president is urgently seeking an emergency plan with the private sector to reactivate joint ventures in infrastructure, housing construction, and connectivity. In line with this plan, Sheinbaum met this Monday at the National Palace with the countrys wealthiest man, Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim. For more than two hours, the president and the owner of the telecom America Movil discussed, behind closed doors, the main obstacles to stimulating investment in the country. Following the meeting, which was also attended by the president of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE), Francisco Cervantes, Sheinbaum briefly reported on her social media that the meeting addressed the good forecasts for the economy in 2025 and 2026.

Slim, whose fortune exceeds $115 billion, has visited President Sheinbaum at the National Palace at least three times since she took office. In these previous meetings, they discussed the future of trade between Mexico and the United States, the USMCA, and investment opportunities. After speaking with the Mexican magnate, Sheinbaum met with two banking leaders, HSBC CEO Michael Roberts and HSBC Mexico CEO Jorge Arce. Roberts later stated on social media that they discussed the significant opportunities facing the Latin American country. We talked about the important opportunities ahead for Mexico: a vibrant economy, excellent connectivity and global integration, and how HSBC can continue to drive Mexicos growth, he wrote.

Just over a year into her term, economic policy has become Sheinbaums Achilles heel. With no tax reform on the horizon, the 10.1 trillion peso budget approved for next year has fallen short, forcing the mayor to seek a third way forward in partnership with the private sector. This plan, according to sources close to the Presidents office, will be announced next year. Sheinbaums team has been doing the same in strategic cities like Monterrey, where they have met with business groups in the construction and housing sectors for the same purpose.

The Mexican governments far-reaching strategy involves creating an Infrastructure Investment for Wellbeing Law, which the Morena majority in Congress is poised to approve before December 15. Meanwhile, legislators and Finance Minister Edgar Amador are finalizing the details with business leaders. This Wednesday, they will hold a closed-door meeting with bankers to outline the terms of the new legislation, which seeks collaboration between the government and the private sector to finance infrastructure projects with social objectives that are also profitable. This law would repeal the public-private partnership (PPP) laws passed during the administration of Enrique Pena Nieto.

This legislation will allow the government, through private investment, to draw on investment funds, savings, and loans to activate Sheinbaums master plan, which aims to fulfill her promise of reaching 29% of GDP invested in infrastructure by 2030. Alfonso Ramirez Cuellar, deputy coordinator of Morena in the Mexican Congress and a close ally of the president, is behind this initiative. We want to mobilize millions of dollars in resources, from economic assets held in banking institutions such as loans, retirement savings accounts, and investment funds, he explains. The goal is to achieve a national mobilization to launch a countercyclical program that will allow us to fulfill one of the most important objectives, which is to grow the economy, injecting significant capital into the construction industry, housing, and the construction of communications and connectivity infrastructure, he concludes.

Despite the resilience of Mexican exports and the implementation of Plan Mexico, the outlook for the Mexican economy this year remains uncertain. While foreign direct investment reached a peak of nearly $41 billion in the first nine months of the year, local companies and the public sector have been tightening their lending portfolios this year. According to official figures, gross fixed investment in the countrywhich includes spending on facilities, machinery, and equipmentfell by 9% in August compared to the same month in 2024, its largest contraction since 2021. Within this category, spending on construction contracted by 7% year-on-year, while spending on machinery and equipment declined by more than 10%. With this latest drop, this type of productive investment has extended its downward trend, marking a full year of negative growth.

The reduction in public and private spending, the stagnation of oil production, and the lingering uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariff policy are some of the latent risks that continue to threaten the Mexican economy. In a recent analysis, Grupo Financiero Banamex acknowledged that, while uncertainty remains high, it has decreased somewhat and there is an overall improvement compared to the mood that prevailed in the first half of the year, which should allow for a gradual recovery of private investment and employment in Mexico. The shift in monetary policy stance, from restrictive to neutral, will also contribute to the gradual recovery of consumption and investment. In line with these new circumstances, the bank lowered its GDP growth forecast for the country this year from 0.4% to 0.2%.

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MIT researchers have discovered how an immune system molecule triggers neurons in a specific brain circuit to shut down social behavior in mice modeling infection.

"I just can't make it tonight. You have fun without me." Across much of the animal kingdom, when infection strikes, social contact shuts down. A new study details how the immune and central nervous systems implement this sickness behavior.

It makes perfect sense that when we're battling an infection, we lose our desire to be around others. That protects them from getting sick and lets us get much needed rest. What hasn't been as clear is how this behavior change happens.

In the research published Nov. 25 in Cell, scientists at The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory of MIT and collaborators used multiple methods to demonstrate causally that when the immune system cytokine interleukin-1 beta (IL-1) reaches the IL-1 receptor 1 (IL-1R1) on neurons in a brain region called the dorsal raphe nucleus, that activates connections with the intermediate lateral septum to shut down social behavior.

Our findings show that social isolation following immune challenge is self-imposed and driven by an active neural process, rather than a secondary consequence of physiological symptoms of sickness, such as lethargy." Gloria Choi, study co-senior author, associate professor in The Picower Institute and MIT's Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences

Jun Huh, Harvard Medical School associate professor of immunology, is the paper's co-senior author. The lead author is Liu Yang, a research scientist in Choi's lab.

A molecule and its receptor

Choi and Huh's long collaboration have identified other cytokines that affect social behavior by latching on to their receptors in the brain, so in this study their team hypothesized that the same kind of dynamic might cause social withdrawal during infection. But which cytokine? And what brain circuits might be affected?

To get started, Yang and her colleagues injected 21 different cytokines into the brains of mice, one by one, to see if any triggered social withdrawal the same way that giving mice LPS (a standard way of simulating infection) did. Only IL-1 injection fully recapitulated the same social withdrawal behavior as LPS. That said, IL-1 also made the mice more sluggish.

IL-1 affects cells when it hooks up with the IL-1R1, so the team next went looking across the brain for where the receptor is expressed. They identified several regions and examined individual neurons in each. The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) stood out among regions, both because it is known to modulate social behavior and because it is situated next to the cerebral aqueduct, which would give it plenty of exposure to incoming cytokines in cerebrospinal fluid. The experiments identified populations of DRN neurons that express the IL-1R1, including many involved in making the crucial neuromodulatory chemical serotonin.

From there, Yang and the team demonstrated that IL-1 activates those neurons, and that activating the neurons promotes social withdrawal. Moreover, they showed that inhibiting that neural activity prevented social withdrawal in mice treated with IL-1, and they showed that shutting down the IL-1R1 in the DRN neurons also prevented social withdrawal behavior after IL-1 injection or LPS exposure. Notably, these experiments did not change the lethargy that followed IL-1 or LPS, helping to demonstrate that social withdrawal and lethargy occur through different means.

"Our findings implicate IL-1 as a primary effector driving social withdrawal during systemic immune activation," the researchers wrote in Cell.

Tracing the circuit

With the DRN identified as the site where neurons receiving IL-1 drove social withdrawal, the next question was what circuit they effected that behavior change through. The team traced where the neurons make their circuit projections and found several regions that have a known role in social behavior. Using optogenetics, a technology that engineers cells to become controllable with flashes of light, the scientists were able to activate the DRN neurons' connections with each downstream region. Only activating the DRN's connections with the intermediate lateral septum caused the social withdrawal behaviors seen with IL-1 injection or LPS exposure.

In a final test, they replicated their results by exposing some mice to salmonella.

"Collectively, these results reveal a role for IL-1R1-expressing DRN neurons in mediating social withdrawal in response to IL-1 during systemic immune challenge," the researchers wrote.

Though the study revealed the cytokine, neurons and circuit responsible for social withdrawal in mice in detail and with demonstrations of causality, the results still inspire new questions. One is whether IL-1R1 neurons affect other sickness behaviors. Another is whether serotonin has a role in social withdrawal or other sickness behaviors.

In addition to Yang, Choi and Huh, the paper's other authors are Matias Andina, Mario Witkowski, Hunter King, and Ian Wickersham.

Funding for the research came from The National Institute of Mental Health, the National Research Foundation of Korea, the Denis A. and Eugene W. Chinery Fund for Neurodevelopmental Research, the Jeongho Kim Neurodevelopmental Research Fund, Perry Ha, the Simons Center for the Social Brain, the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative, The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, and The Freedom Together Foundation.
A new paper from the University of Kansas overturns the idea that a "risk gene" carried by millions of people worldwide influences production of Type 1 interferon, a workhorse of the immune system.

Humans with the PTPN22 R620W genetic risk variant have a higher chance of developing autoimmune diseases such as lupus or Type 1 diabetes.

About 15% of North Americans of European ancestry have a mutation in this gene that puts them at higher risk for autoimmune diseases. The gene is associated with almost every autoimmune disease." Robin Orozco, assistant professor of molecular biosciences at KU

Researchers have long sought to understand why, especially because the same risk gene seems to offer protection against some other diseases.

"With human studies and mouse models, we found that people or mice with this mutation are better able to fight off cancers as well as viral infections," Orozco said. "We started to look at type 1 interferons because they are the key antiviral response."

Type 1 interferons are described as "workhorses" of the immune system. A long-standing hypothesis - based on earlier mouse and cell studies - was that the PTPN22 mutation (called PEP in mice) influences interferon production.

"Over a decade ago, studies suggested that PTPN22 controls type 1 interferon production, and we wanted to follow up on that work," Orozco said.

The KU team used mouse models engineered with CRISPR-Cas9 to carry the PTPN22/PEP variant, comparing them with mice in which the gene was knocked out and with regular mice.

"Our first experiment aimed to prove to ourselves that we could recapitulate the published data," Orozco said. "The very first experiment in my lab was conducted by an undergraduate student, Jenna Barnes, who is now in an M.D.-Ph.D. program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. She tested whether this gene actually affects interferon production, and it didn't."

Initially, the team thought a lab error might have caused the result.

"We repeated the experiments multiple times, with several people, and consistently found that the previous results could not be replicated," Orozco said.

The KU team then carefully examined the earlier study to determine why their results differed.

"We discovered that the mouse model used in the original study was not genetically clean," Orozco said. "The mice had additional mutations beyond the gene being studied. Using a cleaner CRISPR-Cas9generated mouse model, we showed that the supposed effect on interferon production didn't exist. Our work recapitulated the old results using the original mice but revealed no difference with our improved model."

While knocking out PTPN22/PEP did not change interferon production, it did affect other cytokines associated with the immune system. Orozco said that while PTPN22/PEP in myeloid cells doesn't regulate type 1 interferons, it may play a role in other important immune signaling.

"The point of this paper is to clarify what PTPN22 is actually doing in immune cells, which is essential for understanding disease and potential treatments," Orozco said. "The findings correct the previous assumption that this gene regulates type 1 interferon production. Our work changes how researchers might think about PTPN22 in the context of viral infections, cancer and autoimmunity."

PTPN22/PEP's influence on the immune system is significant enough that medical researchers could explore compounds that interact with the gene. Orozco's lab will help lay the groundwork for those efforts.

"For drug discovery, we now have a clearer understanding of the gene before attempting to target it with small molecules," Orozco said. "We're collaborating with Johns Hopkins and Purdue University to explore a small-molecule inhibitor for PTPN22, with the goal of boosting immune responses against cancers such as melanoma and colorectal cancer. In our mouse model, knocking out the gene did not cause side effects in healthy, autoimmune-resistant mice, though it accelerates autoimmunity in genetically susceptible mice."

The scholarship was published in the journal ImmunoHorizons. Orozco and lead author Barnes were joined by graduate students Anam Fatima Shaikh, Alec Bevis and research technician Tammy Cockerham. The work was supported by the K-INBRE program, the Chemical Biology of Infectious Disease (CBID) Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE), the KU Medical Center Jewell Summer Scholars program, the Chemical Biology Training grant program, the KU Department of Molecular Biosciences and Office of Research, and the Undergraduate Research Awards program at KU.
The European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI), a branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), will hold its flagship event, EACVI 2025, in Vienna, Austria from 11-13 December.

Imaging is key to the accurate evaluation of many cardiovascular diseases - from the assessment of heart failure in older patients to the diagnosis of congenital heart disease in small babies.

A single imaging tool, such as echocardiography, will often be the first approach to assess a patient, but increasingly, multi-modality imaging is being used - combining techniques including cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), computed tomography (CT) and nuclear cardiology to provide a broader picture." Dr. Victoria Delgado, EACVI President and EACVI 2025 Scientific Programme Chair, University Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain

She explained: "In line with this, EACVI 2025 unites the congresses of separate imaging modalities under one umbrella, with sessions on advanced single modalities and on cross-modality topics."

One such session is Challenging valvular heart diseases: a task for the fantastic four! which will use cases to illustrate how multi-modality imaging using echocardiography, CMR, CT and nuclear cardiology can improve the management of patients with disease affecting more than one heart valve. "By sharing research and experience across modalities and disease types, we can take advanced knowledge back to our clinics to more precisely define cardiovascular disease on an individual basis and move towards greater patient-centred care," noted Dr. Delgado.

The new, hands-on Imaging Training Hub will allow participants to further develop their practical skills in a realistic, risk-free environment using state-of-the-art simulators. In addition, a dedicated track of almost 30 sessions aims to educate early-career healthcare professionals across all modalities. The role of imaging, both single- and multi-modality, has been strengthened in ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines for different cardiovascular diseases, including myocarditis/pericarditis, cardiomyopathies and atrial fibrillation. These will be discussed in various sessions across the three-day programme to help imagers keep up to date with the latest evidence-based recommendations.

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) track will discuss opportunities, now and in the future, to increase the speed and accuracy of image interpretation by integrating AI into clinical imaging workflows. In addition, four international experts will give Named Lectures on their ground-breaking work, complemented by six Meet the Experts sessions on topics including the use of CMR in athletes and in patients with heart rhythm disorders.

Dr. Delgado concluded by highlighting that EACVI 2025 welcomes everyone with an interest in imaging: "From technicians, anaesthesiologists and scientists to veterinarians - we can all elevate our knowledge and learn from each other at this unique event."
HORIBA UK proudly announces the launch of the HORIBA Foundation UK, its new philanthropic arm dedicated to advancing scientific research and broadening participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) higher education across the United Kingdom.

The HORIBA Foundation UK will achieve its mission by working with universities and their established mechanisms through a range of initiatives, including grants, scholarships, bursaries, and advocacy effort. It seeks to support high-impact science and encourage scientists from all possible backgrounds by promoting equitable access to resources and opportunities. By investing in diversity across the board, the Foundation aims to enhance the quality of scientific inquiry, foster a more inclusive scientific community, and drive innovations that benefit society as a whole.

The Foundation is built on two interconnected pillars. The first seeks to remove barriers for students from under-represented or deprived backgrounds and make STEM education more accessible. The second supports scientific research that tackles the challenges of our time, in line with HORIBAs global mission to utilise science and technology to build a sustainable future for the next generations.

In alignment with its mission, the HORIBA Foundation UK is already funding multiple undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships at leading UK universities, including Aston University, Keele University, Northumbria University and the University of Strathclyde. Additionally, it is a funding and technology partner of research at UCL and University of Nottingham. The foundation aims to further expand its philanthropic reach and boost high-impact research by partnering with more institutions across the country in the coming years.

Dr Simon FitzGerald, Head of Science and Technology at HORIBA UK and Director of the HORIBA Foundation UK, emphasises the importance of diversity in science:

Science, technology, and engineering have the power to answer some of the most pressing questions of our time. But to truly make progress, we need to make sure were asking the right questions - and that means including voices from all backgrounds. Right now, theres shocking under-representation in the UKs STEM education system and industrial workforce, whether considering women, ethnic minorities, or socio-economic backgrounds. To unlock the full potential of science and innovation, we must actively support and empower diverse perspectives. A more diverse community brings a broader range of viewpoints, which means better questions are asked, leading to more effective and impactful solutions. Our foundation is committed to empowering new voices and unlocking fresh thinking that will bring new insights to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

The HORIBA Foundation UK reflects HORIBAs long-standing commitment to innovation, education, and social responsibility. By investing in both research and education, the foundation aims to create a more inclusive and impactful scientific community.

For more information about the HORIBA Foundation UK and its initiatives, please click here.
When today's older adults learned to drive, they might have heard the Beatles' "Drive My Car" or Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" on their car radio's Top 40 station.

Now, 84% of people age 65 and older drive at least once a week, and 62% drive most days, according to a new University of Michigan national poll.

But less than half of these older drivers have made a plan for a time down the road, when changes in their health might make it less safe for them to drive.

Even fewer know they could create a formal plan for stepping away from the driver's seat when the time comes.

And very few have talked with a health care provider about driving as it relates to their health.

The new report from the U-M National Poll on Healthy Aging involved experts at the U-M Transportation Research Institute, one of the nation's top centers for mobility studies. The poll is based at the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation and funded by Michigan Medicine, U-M's academic medical center.

Only 10% of the adults age 65 and older who answered the poll said they haven't driven in the past six months.

Among those who had driven at least once in that time, 81% say they are very confident they can drive safely now, though 18% said they are only somewhat confident and 1% were not very confident.

Looking ahead, 51% were only somewhat confident in their ability to drive in the next five years, while 43% were very confident. Another 5% were not confident in their ability to drive in the next five years.

Even with this sense that their driving ability might change as they grow older, about half (54%) of drivers age 65 and over don't have a plan for when they are no longer able to drive. Women and those over age 75 were more likely to have a plan than men and those age 65 to 74.

"The freedom to drive where you want, when you want, is a critical part of independent living for older adults, and when it's diminished for any reason it can have profound effects," said UMTRI researcher Renee St. Louis, Ph.D., who worked with the poll team and her colleague David W. Eby, Ph.D. to develop the poll and its report. "With most of the Baby Boom generation now in their mid-60s and above, we have millions of older drivers who will need guidance and alternatives as their health begins to affect their ability to drive safely."

That includes informal support from family and friends, and formal support from public transportation and community-based services, said Eby.

Already, in the past six months, whether they currently drive or not, 44% of older adults have received rides from friends or family, and 21% have used rideshare services including taxis and private vehicles hailed by apps such as Uber and Lyft. Just 14% used public transportation.

But 5% said ridesharing is not available where they live, and 9% said public transportation isn't available.

In addition to the national findings, the poll team conducted a Michigan-specific analysis using data from the Michigan Poll on Healthy Aging, with support from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. A description of the findings, and an interactive data dashboard, are available here.

Intersections with health, today and tomorrow

Among those who have been behind the wheel in the last six months, a sizable majority -- 68% -- say they avoid driving under some conditions.

This included 53% who said they avoid driving in bad weather and 48% who avoid driving at night. St. Louis notes that this may be unrelated to age or health and may just be personal preference.

But 14% of drivers age 65 and older said that vision issues affect their ability to drive. Smaller percentages cited temporary or permanent health or mobility issues as having an impact on their driving ability.

Only 6% of older drivers said they had ever talked with a health care provider about their driving.

This demonstrates a major opportunity for primary care providers, vision care professionals, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and others to discuss the potential impacts of specific conditions or medications on driving ability. If an older adult is in the care of a specialist for a chronic condition such as arthritis, diabetes or a neurological condition, or is having an operation, their specialists and surgical teams could also address potential driving impacts proactively." Jeffrey Kullgren, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., poll director, primary care physician at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System and associate professor of internal medicine, U-M Medical School

Among poll respondents who hadn't driven in the last six months, the most common reason was that it was no longer safe for them to drive (34%), followed by health issues (29%); respondents could choose more than one answer.

Only 16% of older drivers were familiar with the idea of an advance driving directive, a document that helps a person indicate their driving preferences in case of future health issues, and identify a person to help with decisions about stopping driving.

But once they were given this definition, 70% said it was very or somewhat important to have an ADD.

St. Louis and Eby note that the poll findings have implications for organizations that provide services to older adults, and for local, state and federal policymakers around the country. The findings also have implications for family members and health care providers who could have conversations with older adults about their driving.

Making community transportation services for older adults more available or accessible, and spreading awareness of services that already exist, could help more older adults maintain independence while choosing to leave the driving to someone else, they note.

Driving resources for older adults

The U-M transportation experts also note that vehicle manufacturers have added many features to automobiles in recent years that can increase safety for all drivers.

Older drivers who wish to keep driving as long as possible may want to explore trading in older vehicles for newer ones that have adaptive headlights, backup cameras, crash-avoidance sensors, and adaptive cruise control to help maintain safe following distances automatically. Certain safety features can sometimes be added to older vehicles too.

They also point to driving resources for older adults and those who interact with them. UMTRI has teamed with the state of Michigan to create an entire site for older drivers, their families and the professionals who provide health care and other services to them. The site provides resources to support older driver safety and mobility, as well as guidance for families and professionals on transitioning away from driving.

Called Safe Drivers, Smart Options, it's available at https://www.michigan.gov/agingdriver/ and includes a downloadable guide for aging drivers and their families in English, Spanish and Arabic.

The UMTRI team also recommends the MyMobility Plan website and tool offered by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is designed to help older adults and people with disabilities plan for their future mobility and avoid motor vehicle crashes and other types of injury-causing situations.

AARP, AAA and other organizations offer driving classes designed for people over 55; the Safe Drivers, Smart Options website links to many of these. AAA also has a Driver Planning agreement to help families plan together for continued, safe mobility.

Public service organizations called Area Agencies on Aging may offer free or low-cost transportation options; find the agency serving any area of the United States here. Local cities, towns and counties as well as regional transportation agencies may offer special transportation services or discounted public transit passes for older adults.

About the poll

The poll findings come from a nationally representative survey conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for IHPI and administered online and via phone in February 2025 to 2,883 respondents age 50 to 97 from the AmeriSpeak panel. The Michigan-focused analysis includes 1,353 Michigan adults age 50 to 95, including a non-probability oversample. Results are weighted to reflect each respective population.
Lockdown and social distancing measures during the Covid-19 pandemic were associated with increased developmental concerns about young children in Scotland, research suggests.

A study of almost 258,000 children in Scotland found that, after accounting for pre-pandemic trends, there was an increase in the proportion of toddlers showing any developmental issues throughout the period of lockdown and social distancing measures between March 2020 and August 2021.

This increase was greater for those who experienced a longer period of social distancing measures with up to a 6.6 per cent increase.

Researchers say the findings provide important new data on how the Covid-19 pandemic public health and social measures from March 2020 were associated with early child development, including speech and language skills, physical movement or emotional growth.

The University of Edinburgh led study measured relationships between lockdown measures and developmental concerns identified by the health visitors of young children.

The study is the largest known analysis of data assessing Covid-19 measures on child developmental outcomes at a population level in the United Kingdom or Europe.

The researchers assessed data from routine health reviews and examined the proportion of children with any concerns raised by health visitors regarding their development over time.

The study assessed more than 80 per cent of all children in Scotland who were aged 13 to 15 months and 27 to 30 months between January 2019 and August 2023.

Researchers found evidence of increased developmental concerns among children, with up to a 6.6 percentage points increase in the proportion of children with at least one developmental concern across the 72 weeks where lockdown measures were in place from March 2020 to August 2021.

Findings were consistent across different types of developmental concerns including problem solving, speech and behaviour.

The proportion of children with developmental concerns remained higher than pre-pandemic levels even after lockdown and social distancing measures were removed in August 2021.

Notably, developmental concerns at 13 to 15 months continued to rise even after the public health and social measures were lifted, while developmental concerns at the 27 to 30 month reviews stopped increasing but remained above pre-pandemic levels.

The study, in partnership with Public Health Scotland, was conducted as part of the wider Covid -19 Health Impact on long-term Child Development in Scotland (CHILDS) study. Both this study and the wider CHILDS study were funded by the UKRI Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

Covid-19 public health and social measures played a vital role in curbing the spread of infections during the pandemic. However, the findings of our study suggest that they also appear to have been associated with increased early childhood development concerns." Dr. Iain Hardie, Researcher, University of Edinburgh's School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences

Principal researcher and originator of the CHILDS study Professor Bonnie Auyeung, of the University of Edinburgh's School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, said: "It has been a privilege to work with our partners in Public Health Scotland on this research. With its integrated healthcare system, Scotland is well positioned to enable this kind of population level study, and it is exciting to see our work being published in The Lancet Regional Health  Europe. We hope this work will help inform the discussion about how best to support children from the Covid-19 era as they develop over the coming years."

The team added that although the study provides evidence of an association between lockdown measures and developmental concerns in young children, it is important to note that the influence of other factors occurring at the same time cannot be ruled out.

The study is published in The Lancet Regional Health  Europe 2025.Link to study: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(25)00317-5/fulltext [URL will become active after embargo lifts]. DOI 10.1016/j.lanepe.2025.101525.

The research team also included scientists from Public Health Scotland, the University of Dundee, the University of Sheffield and the Istituto Italiano di Technologia in Italy.

CHILDS builds upon the previous Covid-19 in Pregnancy in Scotland (COPS) study which examined the effects of the SARS- CoV-2 infections and Covid-19 vaccinations to the point of birth and the newborn period. CHILDS examines subsequent health and developmental outcomes in children during their early childhood period.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Children's National Hospital in Washington D.C. are uncovering how rare inherited genetic variants contribute to the development of brain and spinal cord tumors in children. The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, provide new insights into how a child's genetic makeup influences cancer risk and outcomes.

Cancers of the central nervous system (CNS) are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children, with more than 47,000 children and young adults diagnosed each year. While up to one in four children with cancer carry rare genetic variants that increase cancer risk, the specific genetic drivers of pediatric CNS tumors remain poorly understood.

In this study, investigators from CHOP, Children's National, and collaborating institutions examined how pathogenic (P) and likely pathogenic (LP) germline variants influence tumor risk, biology, and patient outcomes in children with CNS tumors. Pathogenic variants are known to increase disease risk, while likely pathogenic variants are suspected to do so but lack definitive evidence.

Our research provides a foundation for identifying patients whose genetic profiles influence both cancer susceptibility and how their disease behaves - in some cases signaling a higher risk for aggressive tumors, and in others, a better chance of survival. By understanding these risk factors and patterns, we move closer to developing more personalized, effective care for children with CNS tumors." Sharon J. Diskin, PhD, senior author of the study and principal investigator at CHOP's Center for Childhood Cancer Research

The team analyzed blood and tumor samples from 830 children with brain or spinal cord tumors from the Pediatric Brain Tumor Atlas. By studying the DNA and other molecular features of the tumors, they looked for genetic changes present from birth - either inherited from parents or newly occurring in the child - that might make some children more likely to develop these cancers. The team then compared these changes to each child's medical record to determine whether known tumor predisposition syndromes had been previously identified.

They found that nearly one in four children (23.3%) carried a genetic change in a gene known to increase cancer risk. Among all patients, 7% (57 children) had already been diagnosed with a known genetic condition linked to tumor development, while another 6% (48 children) harbored genetic changes in CNS tumor-associated genes that had not yet been clinically recognized. These findings highlight that many inherited or early arising genetic risks remain undetected in current practice, emphasizing the need for comprehensive genetic screening for children with brain and spinal cord tumors.

The researchers also discovered that 35% of children with these genetic variants had additional changes in the same genes within their tumors, leading to loss of normal gene function. This pattern supports the "two hit" model of cancer development  where one genetic alteration is inherited and a second arises in the tumor  showing how inherited risk shapes tumor biology and outcomes.

"We are currently expanding our study to include parental sequencing and more than doubling the number of patients," said Jo Lynne Rokita, PhD, co-senior study author and a principal investigator at Children's National's Brain Tumor Institute and Center for Cancer and Immunology Research. "This will help us better understand how inherited or early arising genetic changes interact with those that develop in the tumor, ultimately improving how we diagnose, monitor, and treat children with brain and spinal cord cancers."

This work was funded in part by National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants 03CA287169, R03OD036498, U24OD038422, R03CA230366, the NIH Kids First Cloud Credits Program, the Children's Brain Tumor Network, the Chad Tough Foundation, and the anonymous private investors to the Children's National Hospital Brain Tumor Institute.
Long before confusion sets in, your genes and blood may already be signaling trouble. This study of more than a million people reveals the hidden biological warnings that could transform how we predict and prevent delirium.

Study: Dissecting the genetic and proteomic risk factors for delirium. Image credit: PeopleImages/Shutterstock.com

Delirium is a state of acute cognitive alteration. It affects one in four hospitalized older people, with a high impact on healthcare costs and human wellbeing. A recent paper published in the journal Nature Aging explores the genetic and proteomic profile of delirium.

Why delirium and dementia often overlap clinically

Delirium refers to a distinct neurocognitive condition characterized by disorientation, impaired attention, altered cognition, and altered awareness. It develops quickly, may last for a few hours or days, and often occurs during acute illness or injury, surgical or otherwise. It burdens healthcare costs, about USD 182 billion per year in Europe, and is linked to a higher mortality rate, and survivors often have a longer hospital stay.

People with dementia, including Alzheimers disease (AD), are more likely to become delirious than non-dementia individuals in the same triggering situation. Conversely, people who develop delirium have higher odds of developing dementia in the future.

Interestingly, both conditions share some common features. For instance, both involve disrupted cognitive function and disturbances of perception, and altered sleep-wake cycles. However, there are marked differences in their mode of onset and duration.

Delirium is thought to follow systemic inflammation that causes neuroinflammation, weakening of the blood-brain barrier, and neuronal injury. Dementia also shares some of these mechanisms. This has led to interest in exploring whether these conditions are causally related to each other, for instance, by neurodegeneration occurring as a result of neuroinflammation.

As the world population ages, dementia prevalence and incidence are on the rise, and so is delirium. Studies on its genetic risk factors have primarily focused on one or a few genes, especially the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene, but no clear associations have emerged. This gene encodes a protein that transports fats both in the brain and the rest of the body. It is a risk marker for AD because of its central role in the deposition of amyloid-beta plaques, neuroinflammation, and disrupted fat metabolism in the brain.

The APOE-4 haplotype has recently been suggested to substantially elevate the risk of delirium in Europeans, but this has not been confirmed in individuals of other ancestries. The advancement of genetic studies, particularly genome-wide association studies (GWAS), enables the entire genome to be searched for potential risk factors; however, delirium has not been addressed in the same manner.

Proteins that are increased in delirium include interleukin (IL)-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP), neurofilament light chain (NEFL) associated with axonal injury, and abnormal proteins like -amyloid that accumulate in Alzheimers disease (AD).

The current study analyzes a large sample of GWAS datasets from patients with delirium. The aim was to identify high-risk protein markers in over 32,000 patients who were followed up for periods ranging from 1 to 16 years to determine which of them developed delirium. It also aimed to validate the integrated results using Mendelian randomization (MR).

This technique uses the distribution of genetic variants to estimate the causality of observed associations between risk factors and outcomes. They also assessed colocalization, along with druggability testing, to identify potential therapeutic targets.

The study also examined the data for genetic traits common to AD and delirium to more effectively detect genetic risk markers for delirium. They aimed to use both genetic and proteomic markers to identify proteins that might be usefully targeted by drugs to prevent or manage delirium.

The study used data on ancestry from multiple cohorts, including the UK Biobank, FinnGen, All of Us Research Program and Michigan Genomics Initiative, with a total of 1,059,130 subjects yielding a total of 11,931 delirium cases.

APOE-4 emerges as deliriums dominant genetic signal

The researchers found that variants at the APOE gene and its immediate proximity significantly predicted the risk of delirium. The APOE-4 haplotype predicts increased AD risk and was thus indirectly associated with a higher risk of delirium. In agreement with earlier studies, the APOE-4associated risk effect was stronger among Europeans, Finns, and South Asians compared to Africans, Hispanics, or those of mixed American ancestry.

However, it was also independently and directly associated with a higher risk of delirium in a dose-dependent fashion. This remained significant after stratifying the patients by age for GWAS, including only patients who were at least 60 years of age.

Prior research shows that APOE-4 drives exaggerated neuroinflammation in response to injuries, reducing the strength of the blood-brain barrier and promoting the piling up of -amyloid after injury, as well as driving white matter disruption. This lends biological plausibility to it as a driver of delirium risk. However, further work is required to test whether previously cognitively normal APOE-4 carriers are more likely to develop new-onset dementia following an episode of delirium.

Next, genetic data from patients with both Alzheimers disease and delirium were analyzed to detect shared genetic loci that could indicate an increased risk of delirium. This analysis identified five loci that were replicated, suggesting that their genetic determinants are partially shared.

The proteomics study revealed that certain proteins were predicted to increase delirium risk years before the onset of delirium. These include markers of neuronal injury, such as NEFL, likely due to associated brain vulnerability. However, it remains unclear whether elevated NEFL reflects preclinical neurodegeneration or early brain vulnerability independent of dementia.

Other protein markers were associated with systemic and neuronal inflammation, as well as with specific immune responses, suggesting their potential role in driving delirium. Some of these proteins, especially PON3, which showed a protective direction but yielded mixed support in replication analyses, may be druggable targets.

The researchers found that a combination of proteins, APOE-4 status, and demographic factors performed best at predicting the onset of delirium, compared to demographic factors alone. APOE protein levels themselves showed only a nominal (not genome-wide significant) association in the proteomic analysis.

Genetic and protein data point to a shared pathology

This is the largest study to date on the genetic and proteomic underpinnings of delirium.

Our results provide insight into deliriums etiology and may guide further research on clinically relevant biomarkers.

The genetic and proteomic analyses suggest that delirium shares a common origin with dementia, which may help to better understand how delirium arises and how it can be accurately predicted to help mitigate the risk ahead of time.

Download your PDF copy now!
Near the back corner of the local library's parking lot, largely out of view from the main road, the South Carolina Department of Public Health opened a pop-up clinic in early November, offering free measles vaccines to adults and children.

Spartanburg County, in South Carolina's Upstate region, has been fighting a measles outbreak since early October, with more than 50 cases identified. Health officials have encouraged people who are unvaccinated to get a shot by visiting its mobile vaccine clinic at any of its several stops throughout the county.

But on a Monday afternoon in Boiling Springs, only one person showed up.

"It's progress. That progress is slow," Linda Bell, the state epidemiologist with the Department of Public Health, said during a recent press briefing. "We had hoped to see a more robust uptake than that in our mobile health units."

As South Carolina tries to contain its measles outbreak, public health officials across the nation are concerned that the highly contagious virus is making a major comeback. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tallied more than 1,700 measles cases and 45 outbreaks in 2025. The largest started in Texas, where hundreds of people were infected and two children died.

For the first time in more than two decades, the United States is poised to lose its measles elimination status, a designation indicating that outbreaks are rare and rapidly contained.

South Carolina's measles outbreak isn't yet as large as those in other states, such as New Mexico, Arizona, and Kansas. But it shows how a confluence of larger national trends  including historically low vaccination rates, skepticism fueled by the pandemic, misinformation, and "health freedom" ideologies proliferated by conservative politicians  have put some communities at risk for the reemergence of a preventable, potentially deadly virus.

"Everyone talks about it being the canary in the coal mine because it's the most contagious infectious disease out there," said Josh Michaud, associate director for global and public health policy at KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News. "The logic is indisputable that we're likely to see more outbreaks."

Schools and 'small brush fires'

Spartanburgs vaccination rate is among the lowest of South Carolina's 46 counties. And that was true "even before covid," said Chris Lombardozzi, a senior vice president with the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System.

Nearly 6,000 children in Spartanburg County schools last year  10% of the total enrollment  either received an exemption allowing them to forgo required vaccinations or did not meet vaccine requirements, according to data published by the state.

Lombardozzi said the county's low vaccination rate is tied to misinformation not only published on social media but also spread by "a variety of nonmedical leaders over the years."

The pandemic made things worse. Michaud said that fear and misinformation surrounding covid vaccines "threw gasoline on the fire of people's vaccine skepticism." In some cases, that skepticism transferred to childhood vaccines, which historically have been less controversial, he said.

This made communities like Spartanburg County with low vaccination rates more vulnerable. "Which is why we're seeing constant, small brush fires of measles outbreaks," Michaud said.

In Spartanburg, the overall percentage of students with required immunizations fell from 95.1% to 90% between the 2020-21 and 2024-25 academic years. Public health officials say a minimum of 95% is required to prevent significant spread of measles.

Children who attend public and private schools in South Carolina are required to show that they've received some vaccinations, including the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, but religious exemptions are relatively easy to obtain. The exemption form must be notarized, but it does not require a doctor's note or any disclosure about the family's religious beliefs.

The number of students in South Carolina who have been granted religious exemptions has increased dramatically over the past decade. That's particularly true in the Upstate region, where religious exemptions have increased sixfold from a decade ago. During the 2013-14 school year, 2,044 students in the Upstate were granted a religious exemption to the vaccine requirements, according to data published by The Post and Courier. By fall 2024, that number had jumped to more than 13,000.

Some schools are more exposed than others. The beginning of the South Carolina outbreak was largely linked to one public charter school, Global Academy of South Carolina, where only 17% of the 605 students enrolled during the 2024-25 school year provided documentation showing they had received their required vaccinations, according to data published by the Department of Public Health.

No one from Global Academy responded to interview requests.

'Health freedom'

In April, after visiting a Texas family whose daughter had died from measles, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrote on social media that the "most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine." He made a similar statement during an interview on "Dr. Phil" later that month.

But these endorsements stand at odds with other statements Kennedy has made that cast doubt on vaccine safety and have falsely linked vaccines with autism. The CDC, under his authority, now claims such links "have been ignored by health authorities."

"What would I do if I could go back in time and I could avoid giving my children the vaccines that I gave them?" he said on a podcast in 2020. "I would do anything for that. I would pay anything to be able to do that."

Throughout 2025, he has made other misleading or unsupported statements. During a congressional hearing in September, Kennedy defended his past claims that he was not anti-vaccine but affirmed his stated position that no vaccines are safe or effective.

Emily Hilliard, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, told KFF Health News that Kennedy is "pro-safety, pro-transparency, and pro-accountability." Hilliard said HHS is working with "state and local partners in South Carolina" and in other states to provide support during the measles outbreaks.

Meanwhile, Kennedy has frequently championed the idea of health freedom, or freedom of choice, regarding vaccines, a talking point that has taken root among Republicans.

That has had a "chilling effect all the way down through state and local lawmakers," Michaud said, making some leaders hesitant to talk about the threat that the ongoing measles outbreaks poses or the effectiveness and safety of the MMR vaccine.

Brandon Charochak, a spokesperson for South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, said the governor was not available to be interviewed for this article but referenced McMaster's comment from October that measles "is a dangerous disease, but in terms of diseases, it's not one that we should panic about."

On a separate occasion that month, the Republican governor said he does not support vaccine mandates. "We're not going to have mandates," he said, "and I think we are responding properly."

Even though the South Carolina Department of Public Health has repeatedly encouraged measles vaccines, the push has been notably quieter than the agency's covid vaccine outreach efforts.

In 2021, for example, the agency partnered with breweries throughout the state for a campaign called "Shot and a Chaser," which rewarded people who got a covid vaccine with a free beer or soda. By contrast, the pop-up measles vaccine clinic at the Boiling Springs Library featured no flashy signage, no freebies, and wasn't visible from the library's main entrance.

Edward Simmer, interim director of the Department of Public Health, would not speak to KFF Health News about the measles outbreak. During a legislative hearing in April, Republican state lawmakers voted against his permanent confirmation because of his past support for covid vaccines and masking. One lawmaker specifically criticized the agency during that hearing for the Shot and a Chaser campaign.

Public health officials in other states also have been blocked from new roles because of their covid response. In Missouri, where MMR vaccine rates have declined among kindergartners since 2020 and measles cases have been reported this year, Republican lawmakers rejected a public health director in 2022 after vaccine opponents protested his appointment.

In South Carolina, Simmer, lacking lawmakers' confirmation, leads the public health agency in an interim capacity.

South Carolina Sen. Tom Davis of Beaufort was the only Republican on the Senate Medical Affairs Committee who voted to confirm Simmer in April. He told KFF Health News that his Republican colleagues raised valid questions about Simmer's past support for covid vaccines.

But, Davis said, it would be "tremendously unfortunate and not beneficial from a public health perspective if the Republican Party just took a stance against vaccines as a matter of policy."

The Department of Public Health had administered 44 doses of the MMR vaccine through its mobile health unit from October to mid-November. The last mobile vaccine clinic was scheduled for Nov. 24. But health officials are encouraged that patients are seeking vaccines elsewhere. The agency's tracking system shows that providers across Spartanburg County administered more than twice as many measles vaccines in October as they did a year ago.

As of mid-November, more than 130 people remained in quarantine, most of them students at local elementary and middle schools. Cases have also been linked to a church and Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport.

"We're reminding people that travel for the upcoming holidays increases the risk of exposures greatly," said Bell, the state epidemiologist. "Due to that risk, we're encouraging people to consider getting vaccinated now."

KFF Health News correspondent Amy Maxmen contributed to this report.
Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong (second right) visits the Yulong Landfill Remediation Project at Luohu District, Shenzhen, before the meeting of the Task Force for Collaboration on the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy.

The Task Force for Collaboration on the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy held its seventh meeting in Shenzhen today.

Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong and Shenzhen Vice Mayor Tao Yongxin led delegations of the governments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Shenzhen respectively.

In the morning, both delegations visited the exhibition hall of Guangdong Yuehai Water Co Ltd to review the 60-year history and development of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong.

They also toured the Yulong Landfill Remediation Project in Luohu District to learn more about Shenzhens efforts and achievements in safeguarding peoples livelihood and ecological governance.

During the afternoon meeting, the Hong Kong SAR Government presented the progress on taking forward the three pilot areas for large-scale land disposal at Hung Shui Kiu, Fanling North and San Tin Technopole; and the ecotourism nodes at Tsim Bei Tsui and Pak Nai.

The Hong Kong SAR Government also introduced the measures related to accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis, detailed in the Chief Executives 2025 Policy Address.

Both sides also exchanged views on the development of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone; the progress for the planning and development of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai) and the Northern Link Spur Line; and the Sha Tau Kok Boundary Control Point redevelopment.

Mr Wong said that accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis will further promote economic and social integration between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, as well as with other cities in the Greater Bay Area.

In this years Policy Address, the Chief Executive announced plans to enhance the development of the Northern Metropolis through innovative approaches, optimising top-level design, and strengthening supervision and co-ordination. This will enable industries and enterprises to settle in earlier, allowing investors and the general public to truly benefit from the development of the Northern Metropolis.

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn, Under Secretary for Transport & Logistics Liu Chun-san, Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk and Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Lillian Cheong also attended todays meeting.
The Marxist chronicler of Latin American history died last week at 93. A senior KGB officer, interpreter and politician, he was a mentor to Ernesto Che Guevara and friends with Raul and Fidel Castro

Born in Russia in 1928, Nikolai Sergyevich Leonov died last week in Moscow at the age of 93. As well as writing a Marxist history of Latin American revolutions and the biographies of Fidel and Raul Castro, Leonov was a high-ranking interpreter and senior officer of the KGB, the Soviet intelligence services. He reached the rank of lieutenant general and was placed in charge of Soviet intelligence in the Western hemisphere during the 1980s. Later in life he was a member of the Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament.

His public life began in 1953 when, on a boat trip from Genoa (Italy) to Veracruz (Mexico, where he intended to study Aztec history), he chanced upon a young man with an interest in history and in Russia. The man was Raul Castro, who was traveling with two friends from Guatemala. That Castro was on the boat at all was due to a port strike in Marseille (France) which had he and his friends having to sail from Genoa on their way back to America.

The trip lasted 38 days. Leonov could not go ashore at any of the Spanish and Portuguese stops as there were no diplomatic relations between the USSR and those countries. In an interview with the Cuban broadcasting corporation in 2015, Leonov recalled that on this journey he tasted bananas for the first time following a stop in Spains Canary Islands: Smiling, he spoke of a delicious tropical fruit, which Raul bought for me, as I sat isolated on the ship in a Canarian port.

Upon arrival in Havana, Castro and his Guatemalan companions were detained by dictator Fulgencio Batistas police. Saddened by the imprisonment of his friends, Leonov feared that he would never see them again. At the time, the historian was a student at the Institute of International Relations in Moscow. He went on with his trip to Mexico, where he worked as an assistant at the Soviet embassy and completed a doctorate in Spanish language and Latin American studies.

They said that the hairy hand of Moscow was pulling the strings of the Cuban Revolution Nikolai Leonov

A month and a half after arriving in Mexico City, Leonov learned of the assault on the Moncada barracks in Cuba led by Raul Castro and his comrades; it was the prelude to the Cuban revolution. Until then, said Leonov, Cuba had hardly mattered to the Kremlin. But from then on it gained more importance.

Some time later, Leonov ran into Raul Castro in Mexico, where the latter had arrived after being deported by Cuban authorities. Raul introduced Leonov to his brother Fidel and to Ernesto Che Guevara, and Leonov left his business card with the Cubans. During a police raid on the Castros house, the Russians card was discovered and the press made a scandal of it.

They said that the hairy hand of Moscow was pulling the strings of the Cuban Revolution, said Leonov. As a result, the USSR ambassador in Mexico terminated Leonovs position in the Soviet diplomatic corps in the country.

Leonov returned to Moscow to work at the Institute of International Relations. Two years later, high officials of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) and the KGB learned of his friendship with the Castro brothers, and thanks to the fact that I had kept some photos of the boat trip, said Leonov, I was able to prove my relationship with the Cuban leaders, so they [Soviet authorities] officially asked me to return to America.

As hostilities between the United States and the Cuban Revolution began to take shape, Raul Castro decided to acquire weapons in Czechoslovakia. At this point the KGB sent Leonov to Prague, under instructions from the leader and general secretary of the CPSU, Nikita Khrushchev, to suggest to Castro that the Cuban revolutionary should come to visit Moscow.

Raul consulted with Fidel, who agreed, and Leonov and Raul left together for Moscow where the Russian, who was by now fluent in Spanish, would act as interpreter in the talks with the Soviet leader in the Kremlin. There, as it became known that President John F. Kennedy was preparing to invade Cuba via Operation Mongoose, the USSR agreed to provide military support to the Caribbean island nation  the antecedents to the Cuban missile crisis.

In Cuba, Leonov served as an interpreter during high-level visits from people like Anastas Mokoyan, then the number two man in the Soviet hierarchy, and even to Kruschev, who came to Havana to meet with Fidel and Raul Castro, as well as Che Guevara. Leonov did the same thing when Cuban leaders traveled to Moscow.

Following the Cuban missile crisis Nikolai Leonov became closely linked to the political-military leadership of the Cuban Revolution. He attended all the events carried out by the Castro brothers, about whom he would write biographies  Raul Castro, un hombre en revolucion (Raul Castro, a man of revolution), was a bestseller on the island.

Regarding John F. Kennedys alleged killer Lee Harvey Oswald, who visited Leonov in Mexico two months before the assassination in Dallas, the Russian said that Oswald was a gaunt man with trembling hands whom he considered incapable of shooting anyone. Oswald allegedly asked Leonov to give him a visa for Moscow because he felt that someone wanted to kill him.

With the Cold War beginning to thaw in 1991, Leonov was invited to a summer school symposium on espionage in Spain, where other guest speakers would include the founder of Mossad, Isser Harel, along with senior officials from the CIA, MI-6, the French DST, the German BND and the Vatican intelligence service. As a coup detat was unleashed in Moscow, Leonov was unable to attend, but he sent a paper that was read with great interest due to its display of knowledge about the history and culture of Spain and Latin America, along with a summary of some of the principles that informed KGB activity in the USSR.

Miguel Castro, a senior official in the Cuban Ministry of Culture and a museologist, met Leonov on a visit to the Alicia Alonso Ballet Museum in Havana in 2002. According to Castro, Leonov found that the soul of Russian culture, especially ballet, had been dispersed and blurred among the 190 existing nationalities in the Soviet Union.

This sentiment, expressed after the dissolution of the USSR, tracks with Leonovs subsequent affiliation to a Russian nationalist party, of which he was a representative in the Duma [Congress] for two terms.

I saw what would happen to the USSR in 1987, it was inevitable once the political backbone, the unity of the Communist Party, began to disintegrate, Leonov told Cuban media. On Cuba itself, he stated: Cubas political prestige is universal, it is now a matter of its economy receiving the same prestige, at the same level.
Applications for fund managers to participate in the Innovation & Technology Industry-Oriented Fund (ITIF) are open until January 16, 2026, the Innovation & Technology Commission announced today.

The commission explained that the ITIF will guide and leverage government funding to attract more investment in innovation and technology (I&T) industries, thereby supporting the development of emerging and future industries of strategic importance.

With a funding allocation of $10 billion approved by the Legislative Council, the ITIF will invest in five thematic areas, namely: life and health technology; artificial intelligence and robotics; semi-conductors and smart devices; digitalisation, upgrading and transformation; and future and sustainable development.

In order to guide market capital participation and attract more investment, strategic investors must each commit no less than $3 billion, as limited partners. They will invest alongside the Government into sub-funds under the five thematic categories.

The capital commitment from the Government is capped at $1 billion for each sub-fund and will not exceed 25% of the fund size of each sub-fund. The overall target size of the sub-funds is at least $40 billion.

Each fund manager selected will act as a general partner in the sub-funds and be responsible for setting up a limited partnership fund in Hong Kong, with a minimum fund size of $2 billion, including the Governments contribution.

Their duties will also include raising non-government capital for the sub-funds, managing the day-to-day operations of the sub-funds, and producing regular reports.

Click here for application details.
Chief Executive John Lee today met Nobel Memorial Prize laureates in Economic Sciences in 2001, Joseph E Stiglitz and Michael Spence, to discuss topics such as the economy, innovation and technology (I&T), and education.

Director of the Chief Executives Office Carol Yip, and Head of the Chief Executives Policy Unit Stephen Wong also attended the meeting.

Mr Lee welcomed the two Nobel laureates to Hong Kong to attend the Economic Transformations in a Multipolar World - International Forum on China's Economy and Policy 2025 held at the Central Government Offices today, where the scholars shared their insights on the economic development of the world, the country and Hong Kong.

Delivering welcoming remarks at the forum, Mr Lee said under the one country, two systems principle, Hong Kong enjoys both national and global opportunities, adding that Hong Kong remains committed to building bridges for a world of mutual opportunity amid economic uncertainty.

We hold fast to the belief that free trade is the answer to boosting global output, the Chief Executive said, adding, Hong Kong, after all, is Chinas most internationalised city. We offer the world a market-friendly business environment, replete with business and investment advantages unmatched by any other city anywhere in the world. We are working now, proactively, to align ourselves with the 15th Five-Year Plan, fulfil Hong Kongs responsibilities and seize the plentiful opportunities there for us.

Mr Lee also met the two laureates at the Chief Executives Office.

Mr Spence, a member of the Chief Executives Council of Advisers on Innovation & Entrepreneurship, expressed cautious optimism about Hong Kongs development under the current administration.

He noted that Hong Kong has successfully navigated its most challenging period, including external doubts surrounding the National Security Law.

One, you had a major batch of global CEOs in finance here. So they clearly not abandoned you. So that part, which is a historical strength of the city, seems to be pretty firmly in place. And I think the economy is diversifying. A Greater Bay Area.

Mr Stiglitz was also upbeat about Hong Kongs outlook.

A place where there is a common law, rule of law, English as a language. That is important if you are as a bridge between China and the rest of the world. I think having a flexible, agile bridge is going to be more important in a world which is more volatile.

The Nobel laureates also highlighted the immense potential of artificial intelligence (AI).

Most of the discussion of AI that I hear rapidly goes to jobs and tasks and stuff. One of the really striking things is the use of AI to manage very complex systems, like smart grids, like complex supply chains.

Because Hong Kong is not only a financial centre but it is a kind of gigantic marketplace, it probably got applications here, said Mr Spence.

Mr Lee said he was pleased that the two scholars are optimistic about Hong Kongs development prospects, recognise its notable strengths in education and I&T, and support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Governments various strategic plans of diversifying investments, exploring emerging markets, and further deepening collaborative developments in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) to seize opportunities.

The Chief Executive noted that Hong Kong enjoys the dual advantage of having national and global opportunities under the one country, two systems principle and will continue to play the roles of a super connector and super value-adder, connecting the Mainland with the world, fully integrating into the overall national development and actively dovetailing with GBA developments.

He pointed out that as one of the bay areas core cities, Hong Kong plays a vital role in driving regional development. The Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to collaborate with GBA cities in strengthening connectivity and enhancing the flow of people, goods, data and capital, with a view to further encouraging and supporting enterprises and talent to grasp development opportunities in the GBA.

Mr Lee highlighted that Hong Kong is the worlds freest economy, which attracts global capital and top talent, and has maintained its position of third globally and first in Asia Pacific as an international financial centre, according to the newly published Global Financial Centres Index.

Hong Kong is the only city worldwide that hosts five universities ranked among the worlds top 100, and its ranking leapt to fourth globally in the newly published World Talent Ranking 2025, marking its highest-ever ranking.

The Hong Kong SAR Government is actively accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town and promoting the Study in Hong Kong brand to further develop the city into an international hub for post-secondary education and high-calibre talent, Mr Lee said.

Noting that the world is undergoing unprecedented changes at an accelerating pace and facing global economic uncertainties, Mr Lee said the Hong Kong SAR Government is continuously seeking new growth opportunities.

Among these, the Northern Metropolis being developed at full steam serves as a new engine for Hong Kongs economic growth, boasting significant development potential and economic value. It is expected to create more jobs and enhance productivity for Hong Kong.

At the same time, Mr Lee iterated, the Hong Kong SAR Government is vigorously promoting I&T, artificial intelligence, and related industries, while advancing the development of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, and fostering the integrated development of education, technology, and talent to develop Hong Kong into an international I&T centre with a view to contributing to the countrys high-quality development.

The above-mentioned forum was held by the Chief Executives Policy Unit, the National Academy of Economic Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and the Chinese Institute of Hong Kong.

The forum brought together more than 20 experts, academics, business leaders and government officials from overseas, the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong to deliver presentations.

The speakers Integrated the latest dynamics and trends of global transformations, examined the impacts and challenges faced by the global economy, and focused on key topics such as the nations economic development strategy during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, sustainable development models for regional economic co-operation in the world, and how Hong Kong can enhance its international competitiveness and contribute to future global economic development in the evolving landscape.

Mr Lee and member of the Leading Party Members Group and Secretary-General, Chinese Academy of Social Science Zhao Zhimin, delivered welcoming remarks at the forum.

There were three panel discussion sessions, focusing on global significance of Chinas new development plan; the new development landscape of Hong Kong; and the integrated symbiosis of regional economies in the world.

Around 600 participants attended the forum, including experts, academics and personnel from overseas institutions in Hong Kong as well as representatives from think tanks, the business sector, professional bodies, and local and foreign chambers of commerce.
On a visit to Hong Kong to attend the Economic Transformations in a Multipolar World - International Forum on China's Economy & Policy 2025, two Nobel laureates shared their views on Hong Kongs positioning amid trade wars and the development of artificial intelligence (AI).

With the US-China trade war disrupting global trade, 2001 Nobel Memorial Prize laureate in Economic Sciences Joseph E Stiglitz, who has publicly opposed the imposition of tariffs between the two countries, believes the dispute has harmed the US more than China.

Investment is discouraged because people do not know whether the tariffs will be up or down or where to source their inputs. It has disrupted global supply chains for the US.

Mr Stiglitz also observed that there has been no strategy in the US imposition of tariffs.

The hope for benefits of a return of manufacturing have not come about. There is a little bit in certain limited areas but the overall manufacturing employment, I believe, is actually even down.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong has continued to act as a super connector and super value-adder between China and the international community through uncertain economic times, he pointed out, adding that this role has become more important than ever.

China will continue to export. It may not export as much to the US. It will export more to Africa.

As a commercial and investment hub, a financial hub, Hong Kong becomes even more important because it gives that flexibility of knowing the global market.

Separately, 2001 Nobel Memorial Prize laureate in Economic Sciences and member of the Chief Executives Council of Advisers on Innovation & Entrepreneurship Michael Spence shared his insights on how Hong Kong can benefit from the rapid development of AI.

Mr Spence agrees that the Government can make good use of AI when providing services and suggests it should ensure balanced development across different industries when promoting AI-related policies.

If we are going to get the full effect of AI in the economy, it has to diffuse through the whole economy.

Previous rounds of digital adoption suggest that a few sectors and a few firms go way ahead, and other ones lag badly, so you get a big divergence. That pattern is not a good idea.

The Government and public policy and partnerships between the private and public sector have an important role in making sure that diffusion process works.

His views are consistent with the Governments initiative to promote AI application across diverse industries.

The two laureates met Chief Executive John Lee yesterday to exchange views on Hong Kongs economy, AI and education. They also spoke at the Economic Transformations in a Multipolar World - International Forum on China's Economy & Policy 2025 organised by the Chief Executives Policy Unit.
The Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and the Shenzhen Municipal Financial Regulatory Bureau today jointly promulgated the Action Plan for Jointly Building Hong Kong-Shenzhen Global Fintech Hub (2025-2027).

The bureaus aim at fully leveraging the strengths of Shenzhen and Hong Kong in fintech, and working together to establish a global fintech centre.

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui said the action plan integrates Hong Kongs leading edge in fintech and Shenzhens strength in industrial finance.

It puts forward various key initiatives covering areas including digital finance, techfin, green finance, inclusive finance, as well as pension finance, with a view to expanding and deepening fintech co-operation between the two places.

Mr Hui added that the FSTB and financial regulators will work closely with the Shenzhen Municipal Financial Regulatory Bureau to actively implement the various initiatives in the action plan.

Our goal is to establish over 20 financial application scenarios via the Shenzhen-Hong Kong cross-boundary data validation platform by the end of 2027.

Key initiatives in the action plan include facilitating the establishment of fintech subsidiaries in Hong Kong by Shenzhen financial institutions, and supporting the two places to jointly develop fintech incubators.

Other major measures involve encouraging Shenzhen technology companies to leverage Hong Kongs facilitation measures, such as the Biotech Companies Listing Channel, to raise funds in Hong Kong, and encouraging Shenzhen companies to issue offshore renmibi sustainable bonds in Hong Kong.

The action plan will also promote the cultivation of fintech talent in the two places, as well as strengthen connections and co-operation with the industry.
Publicity delegation members Hou Jianguo and Zhu Weidong speak at the seminar about the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session.

Director of the Liaison Office of the Central Peoples Government in the Hong Kong SAR Zhou Ji delivers a speech at the seminar.

Chief Executive John Lee speaks at the Central Government Offices during the first of two seminars exploring the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today held the first of two seminars on the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee at the Central Government Offices.

The CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office and the State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office have invited two members of the central authorities' publicity delegation to speak in Hong Kong about the session's spirit.

The two delegates are President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Hou Jianguo, and Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial & Economic Affairs and Deputy Director of the CPC Office of the Central Leading Group for Rural Affairs Zhu Weidong.

Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and Zhou Ji, who is Deputy Director of the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, and Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR, delivered speeches at the seminar.

Mr Hou and Mr Zhu both gave presentations on the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session and the key aspects of the Recommendations of the CPC Central Committee for Formulating the 15th Five Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development. They also responded to questions raised by participants. Mr Lee delivered concluding remarks.

Mr Lee said the Fourth Plenary Session was an important meeting convened at a critical juncture, occurring after the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and during the preparatory period for the 15th Five-Year Plan.

Studying and implementing the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee well is a major task for us, he said.

Highlighting that the world is undergoing accelerated transformations unseen in a century, he said such transformations often come with opportunities. He said the CPC Central Committee's Recommendations focus on high-quality development, achieving self-reliance and strength in science and technology through the cultivation of new quality productive forces, and promoting high-level opening up, all of which brings historical opportunities for Hong Kong.

We must gain a deep understanding of the guiding ideology, major principles, as well as the objectives and tasks, for the economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year period, assist Hong Kong in solidly advancing various measures for its economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year period, actively align with the national 15th Five-Year Plan, comprehensively promote the development of finance and innovation and technology as dual engines, engage in broader and closer exchanges and co-operation around the globe, and actively integrate into and serve the overall strategy of national development.

In his address, Mr Zhou said that the first seminar held by the central authorities' publicity delegates was deliberately targeted at the Hong Kong SAR's governance team, demonstrating the central government's high regard for the Chief Executive and his team, its deep concern for Hong Kong, and its strong support for the city's development.

He highlighted that the Fourth Plenary Session comprises top-level, strategic plans for the country's development over the next five years, and also provides clear guidance for Hong Kong's economic and social development.

He expressed his belief that the seminar would strengthen Hong Kong's confidence in benefitting from the achievements of national development, allow it to better recognise opportunities from the current situation, grasp more accurately the content of the Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, fully leverage the institutional strengths of one country, two systems and the unique advantages of connecting the Mainland and the world, promote Hong Kong's fuller integration into and service to China's overall national development, and continue to open up new horizons for high-quality development.

Mr Zhu provided a systematic and in-depth interpretation of the significance of the Fourth Plenary Session, tasks for national economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year period, and the guiding principles and main objectives for the nation's economic and social development.

He elaborated on the seven major objectives to be prioritised during the 15th Five-Year period, namely significant achievements in high-quality development; substantial improvements in scientific and technological self-reliance and strength; fresh breakthroughs in further deepening comprehensive reforms; notable cultural and ethical progress across society; further improvements in quality of life; major new strides in advancing the Beautiful China Initiative; and further advances in strengthening the national security shield.

He stressed that the formulation and implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan will inject strong development momentum into Hong Kong, and that Hong Kong should better integrate into the overall national development and participate in national strategies such as the development of the Greater Bay Area.

Mr Hou introduced the major measures to advance Chinese modernisation during the 15th Five-Year period. These include building a modernised industrial system; achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology; building a robust domestic market; moving faster to develop a high-standard socialist market economy; promoting high-standard opening up; accelerating agricultural and rural modernisation; promoting co-ordinated regional development; fostering a thriving socialist culture; working harder to ensure and improve public well-being; accelerating the green transition in all areas of economic and social development; modernising China's national security system and capacity; and promoting high-quality modernisation in the field of national defence and the armed forces.

With regard to plans set out in the Recommendations regarding scientific and technological innovation and Hong Kong's development as an innovation hub, he suggested that the city leverage its own strengths and advantages, strengthen forward-looking and pioneering basic research, expand the development application scenarios, and establish itself as a hub for high-calibre talent and as an open platform for global scientific and technological co-operation.

About 500 people attended today's seminar. They included principal officials of the Hong Kong SAR Government, as well as representatives of the Executive Council, the Legislative Council and the Judiciary, and heads of major statutory bodies.

The Hong Kong SAR Government will hold a second seminar on the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee tomorrow at 9.30am. Arrangements have been made for Radio Television Hong Kong and the government website to broadcast the seminar live in full for citizens to listen and watch.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan (fourth left) accompanies members of the central authorities publicity delegation on an inspection of the Hong Kong Park area of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan accompanied members of the central authorities' publicity delegation on a visit to the Northern Metropolis this afternoon.

The delegation members were President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Hou Jianguo and Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial & Economic Affairs and Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Leading Group for Rural Affairs, the Communist Party of China (CPC), Zhu Weidong.

They were visiting Hong Kong to speak about the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC.

The two delegates first visited the Kwu Tung North New Development Area (NDA), where they were briefed on the progress of planning and construction for the NDA and the whole Northern Metropolis.

The NDA is the first such area in the Northern Metropolis to enter its construction phase. The delegation visited the site office to conduct an on-site inspection of construction there.

They then visited the Hong Kong Park area of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, which will open officially in December. They toured the wet laboratory facilities and accommodation for talent in the Hong Kong Park.

They also exchanged views with members of enterprises specialising in life and health technology, artificial intelligence and robotics, which have already settled in the park. They were briefed on the park's operations and future development.

The delegation members highlighted that the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee outlined key initiatives to promote the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, and expressed hope that people can grasp opportunities to help implement the 15th Five-Year Plan by leveraging Hong Kong's distinctive advantages and vital functions of enjoying the motherland's strong support while being closely connected to the world.

They said that will speed up the development of the Northern Metropolis and accelerate Hong Kong's development as an international innovation and technology centre, as well as its integration into and contribution to the broader national development landscape.

Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn, Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong, and others accompanied the delegates during their tour.
Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan (second left) and Director-General of Civil Aviation Victor Liu (first left) officiate at a launch event for the low-altitude economy Regulatory Sandbox X initiative.

A launch event was held today for the low-altitude economy Regulatory Sandbox X initiative, with Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan and Director-General of Civil Aviation Victor Liu officiating.

The initiative will promote the development of Hong Kong's low-altitude economy and support the the exploration of innovative applications.

Speaking at the event, Ms Chan highlighted that the initiative was announced in September by Chief Executive John Lee, in his 2025 Policy Address.

She explained that the X in Regulatory Sandbox X represents extended and extra, and that the scheme will facilitate complex low-altitude applications, such as cross-boundary drones, unconventional passenger aircraft, and integrated operation platforms.

In addition, she mentioned that low-altitude projects launched in March have already unleashed vitality into the sector and created new prospects for Hong Kong.

Ms Chan said: We will continue to engage with the industry and gather diverse perspectives to enable the drafting of the Action Plan on Developing Low-Altitude Economy by the end of next year. This will establish the foundational infrastructure for the top-level design of the entire low-latitude economy, providing the industry with a clear and forward-looking trajectory.

The first batch of 38 Regulatory Sandbox X projects includes 29 projects that have already been implemented. They span a wide range of fields and application scenarios, including emergency and rescue, logistics and distribution, inspections and safety maintenance, surveillance, and low-altitude infrastructure.

Also today, the Project Facilitation Task Force under the Working Group on Developing Low-altitude Economy provided a detailed briefing on the Regulatory Sandbox X to nearly 200 industry professionals.

Applications are open from today until January 9, with an emphasis on unmanned aircraft system traffic management system demonstrations.

Click here for more details.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today held the second seminar on the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. About 500 people attended.

President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Hou Jianguo, and Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial & Economic Affairs and Deputy Director of the CPC Office of the Central Leading Group for Rural Affairs Zhu Weidong, as publicity delegation members, visited Hong Kong to speak on the spirit of the plenary session.

Mr Hou and Mr Zhu gave in-depth explanations of the spirit of the plenary session as well as the key contents and significance of the Recommendations of the CPC Central Committee for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic & Social Development (the Recommendations). They also responded to questions raised by participants.

Chief Executive John Lee, who gave a speech at the event, said: The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee deliberated and adopted the Recommendations, making top-level designs and strategic plans for our countrys development over the next five years, and putting forward the major objectives and key tasks for economic and social development. It has also made important plans to support Hong Kongs development, painting a brighter future for Hong Kong.

The 15th Five-Year period further clarifies Hong Kongs strategic position and supports Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing its status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, as well as in building an international innovation and technology centre. This has genuine and far-reaching significance for Hong Kong to fully leverage its unique advantages and important role of having strong support from the motherland and close connection with the world, to promote Hong Kongs economic and social development, and to better integrate into and serve overall national development.

Mr Lee expressed hope that the participants and members of the public would study in depth the spirit of the plenary session, and integrate this spirit into their daily lives.

In doing so, they will open up a bright future of long-term prosperity and stability for Hong Kong, and make relentless efforts to promote high-quality development of both the country and Hong Kong as well as the building of a great modern socialist country through Chinese modernisation, he elaborated.

Deputy Director of the CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office, Deputy Director of the State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office and Director of the Liaison Office of the Central Peoples Government in the Hong Kong SAR Zhou Ji also delivered a speech at the seminar.

Mr Zhou said that since the 14th Five-Year Plan period, under the strong leadership of President Xi Jinping and the central government, Chinas economic and social development has achieved groundbreaking progress, breakthrough transformations and historic accomplishments. Hong Kong has also addressed the shortcomings in its legal system for safeguarding national security, fully implemented the principle of patriots administering Hong Kong and entered the best period for focusing on economic growth, pursuing development, advancing projects and improving peoples livelihood.

He believed that through this seminar, everyone would gain a deeper understanding of the spirit of the fourth plenary session and implement it more effectively. The seminar would also encourage people to cast their votes in the upcoming Legislative Council General Election, thereby enhancing the Hong Kong SAR Governments governance effectiveness through high-quality democracy and better fulfilling the mission of implementing one country, two systems during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

At the seminar, Mr Zhu said that the fourth plenary session has drawn a blueprint for Chinas development in the next five years and constitutes another full mobilisation and deployment for advancing Chinese modernisation.

Noting that the conditions for and underlying trend of Chinas long-term growth remain unchanged, he said the strengths of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Chinas enormous market, its complete industrial system, and its abundant human resources, are all coming to the fore.

It is necessary to comprehend the guiding principles and major objectives for economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year period, and fully understand the connotations and clear directions proposed by the plenary session on working for long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macau, Mr Zhu stressed.

He also hoped that Hong Kong society would seize the opportunities of Chinese modernisation, proactively align with national strategies, forge new growth drivers and competitive advantages for the economy, better perform Hong Kongs role as a bridge and window connecting the Chinese Mainland with the rest of the world, and better integrate into and serve the overall national development.

Mr Hou meanwhile, focused on introducing the strategic tasks and major measures during the 15th Five-Year period that would play a significant role in advancing Chinese modernisation.

Combining the tasks and measures with Hong Kongs situation, he particularly outlined the Recommendations content in relation to achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology; promoting high-standard opening up; and promoting coordinated regional development.

He said that upholding open co-operation and mutual benefit are inherent requirements of Chinese modernisation. The Recommendations focus on promoting international economic flows, advancing reform and development through greater openness, and making plans for promoting high-standard opening up.

By better leveraging its role as a bridge, and fully strengthening its function as a super connector and super value-adder, Hong Kong will certainly become a major channel and hub for attracting external resources, as well as a key platform for Mainland enterprises to go global, thereby playing a greater role in assisting the Chinas high-level opening up, he pointed out.

Mr Hou added that the strategic plans and major measures set out in the Recommendations on promoting the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong will surely guide and advance the implementation of one country, two systems, enabling Hong Kong to make greater contributions in building China into a modern socialist country, and realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Mr Chan (front row, third left) meets representatives from family offices across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan (left) engages with guests at a Hong Kong Dinner hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in London.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan began a visit to Europe yesterday as he arrived in London.

Mr Chan met representatives from family offices across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and briefed them on the investment opportunities in Hong Kongs finance and innovation and technology (I&T).

He also told them about the citys vibrant ecosystem for philanthropy and impact investing, and its high-quality living environment, and invited them to establish a presence in Hong Kong.

In addition, he held a meeting with a financial institution that is planning to set up operations in Hong Kong.

Mr Chan paid a courtesy call on the Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the Peoples Republic of China to the UK Zheng Zeguang, to exchange views on Hong Kongs future development and China-UK relations.

In the evening, the finance chief attended a Hong Kong Dinner hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

In a keynote speech at the event, he updated political and business leaders in the audience on the latest developments and emerging opportunities in Hong Kong.

He observed that exchanges between Hong Kong and the UK have become more frequent over the past year, including through growth in bilateral trade and an expansion of two-way investment.

He reiterated that the one country, two systems principle continues to be the cornerstone of Hong Kongs prosperity, adding that the citys rule of law and common law system remain robust, and are widely recognised internationally.

As a clear reflection of international confidence in Hong Kongs business environment, Mr Chan said, international capital has continued to flow into Hong Kong, and more multinational enterprises have expanded their presence in the city over the past year.

He also highlighted Hong Kongs strengths in finance and I&T, notably the Northern Metropolis, which he said will serve as a key platform for driving I&T development.

Mr Chan told his audience that the Government is accelerating development in the area, including easing planning restrictions and adopting more flexible development models. Preferential policy packages will also be introduced to attract top-tier enterprises.

He explained that the Lok Ma Chau Loop area will become a cross-boundary innovation corridor, where capital, talent, goods, data and even biosamples will flow seamlessly from the Mainland to Hong Kong. This will offer opportunities to international firms in the fields of AI and biotech, he said.

In concluding, the finance chief said Hong Kongs development prospects remain bright, and invited more UK companies and professionals to expand their business in the city.
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung (front row, second left) speaks at the meeting of the task force on the collaboration for the planning and development of Hong Kong-Shenzhen control points.

Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung and Shenzhen Vice Mayor Luo Huanghao co-chaired a meeting of the task force on the collaboration for the planning and development of Hong Kong-Shenzhen control points in Hong Kong today to continue taking forward relevant work in the planning and development of boundary control points (BCPs).

Mr Tang welcomed the arrival in Hong Kong of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government leaders, as well as representatives of the Office of Port of Entry & Exit of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government and other relevant units to participate in the task force meeting.

Noting that the flow of people between Hong Kong and Shenzhen continues to increase, Mr Tang said that the governments of the two sides attach great importance to the planning, development and management of BCPs, maintaining close collaboration and continuously optimising boundary-crossing services.

Both parties strive to enhance the capacity and operational efficiency of BCPs, injecting new momentum to enhance the convenience of people's livelihood and the integrated development of industries.

During the meeting, the two delegations discussed the planning and development of land BCPs, including reporting on the progress and exchanging views on the redevelopment projects of the Huanggang and Sha Tau Kok BCPs.

Concluding the meeting, Mr Tang said that the task force serves as a co-operative platform for developing convenient and efficient BCPs.

He expressed hope that both sides would continue to collaborate on innovation to promote smart clearance and the upgrade of infrastructure, with a view to facilitating the smooth flow of people and goods and jointly promoting the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Other Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government officials attending the meeting included representatives from the Customs & Excise Department, the Immigration Department, the Architectural Services Department and the Department of Health.
Border immigration controls are being transferred from the Ministry of the Interior to the Ministry of Security, and will no longer be in the hands of civilians

Immigration controls at Argentine border crossings will no longer be in the hands of civilians. The government of Javier Milei announced on Tuesday the creation of a National Migration Agency that will report to the Ministry of Security, not the Ministry of the Interior, as is currently the case.

The new department will coordinate the work of all security forces, such as the Federal Police, the Airport Police, and the Gendarmerie, in combating transnational crime. The ultimate goal is the creation of an immigration police force modeled after the U.S. Border Patrol, which is now a key component of the border control model promoted by President Donald Trump.

The official launch of the new agency was Patricia Bullrichs last official act before leaving her post as Minister of Security to take a seat in the Senate. Bullrich, a proponent of a hardline approach to crime, will be replaced by her deputy, Alejandra Monteoliva, thus ensuring the continuity of her policies.

Milei likes to talk about the Bullrich doctrine, which he attributes to the end of street and highway blockades as a form of social protest. In a second phase, the Casa Rosada promoted replicating U.S. security agencies in Argentina, a country that, through Trump, has become the economic backbone and ideological mirror that Mileis libertarian government looks into.

Mileis fascination with Trump and everything associated with the U.S. has even led him to propose the creation of an Argentine FBI. During a speech last June, he promised a reform of the Federal Police that would allow this agency to make arrests or conduct espionage without judicial authorization. The reform announced this Tuesday is also inspired by U.S. security models, although with economic resources that are light years behind and very different realities.

The new agency, the government said in a statement, will optimize border coordination, policing, and migration intelligence to confront transnational threats. Given the regions critical violence and criminal displacement, border protection has become a national security objective, not merely an administrative one. According to Minister Bullrich, Argentina has managed to keep the major [transnational] gangs very much under control here.

Today we need to transform this National Directorate [of Migration] into a National Agency, one that comprehensively addresses all the migration issues we have in our country, she added.

In any case, this represents a paradigm shift, because immigration was historically under the Ministry of the Interior. Bullrich secured the transfer to the Ministry of Security thanks to an agreement with Karina Milei, Mileis sister and Secretary General of the Presidency, currently the most powerful person in the government.

The same paradigm shift was applied by the government when, over the weekend, it appointed a military officer to head the Ministry of Defense, a portfolio that had been in civilian hands since Argentinas return to democracy in 1983. The government clarified that its intention was to put an end to the demonization of our officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers which, according to the renewed reading of history promoted by the far right, is suffered by the heirs of those convicted of crimes against humanity committed during the last dictatorship.

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Constitution Day: Stalin, Mamata Banerjee calls for protecting democratic values

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 13:00 IST

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New Delhi [India], November 26 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wished people on the occasion of Constitution Day on Wednesday and reaffirmed their resolve to protect the constitutional values enshrined in the document. Tamil Nadu CM reiterated his resolve to uphold federalism and protect the rights of every state."India belongs to all its people, not to one culture or one ideology. On this Constitution Day, we reaffirm our resolve to resist every force that tries to shrink Babasaheb Ambedkars vision. We will do everything required to uphold true federalism as enshrined in our #Constitution and protect the rights of every State," CM Stalin wrote on X. CM Stalins comments come as Tamil Nadu is seeking the release of funds and approval for various metro rail and infrastructure projects from the Central government, as he alleged previously that Tamil Nadu and other opposition-ruled states are being unfairly targeted. The real tribute to our Constitution is to defend our Republic from those who fear its promise of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity," CM Stalin added. Meanwhile, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee also paid a tribute to the framers of the Constitution, and highlighted how the document masterfully weaves together the immense diversity of our cultures, languages, and communities into an integrated, federal whole."On this sacred day, we re-affirm our commitment to the core democratic values enshrined in our Constitution and commit to vigilantly safeguard the sacred principles that define and sustain us as a nation. Now, when democracy is at stake, when secularism is in an endangered situation, when federalism is being bulldozed, at this critical time, we must protect the valuable guidance that our Constitution provides," CM Banerjee said. The Constitution of India was adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into effect a few months later, on January 26, 1950. The document was extensively debated and agreed upon by the Constituent Assembly. The document established India as a Sovereign, Democratic Republic with the aim of securing all citizens Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. It is the longest written Constitution in the world, demarcating the separation of powers, structure of administration, courts and legislative departments for the country. The Constitution calls for adhering to constitutional supremacy. (ANI)

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First Published: November 26, 2025, 13:00 IST

News agency-feeds Constitution Day: Stalin, Mamata Banerjee calls for protecting democratic values

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Delhi: Wanted murder accused injured in police encounter in Patel Nagar

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 13:00 IST

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New Delhi [India], November 26 (ANI): An intense exchange of fire broke out between Delhi Police and a wanted murder accused in the Patel Nagar area of the national capital on Wednesday, police said.As per the Delhi Police, they signalled a man, identified as Mehtab, to stop during routine checks. Mehtab, who was reportedly on the run in connection with a murder case, allegedly attempted to flee and fired at the police team.Officers said they took cover and returned fire in self-defence. During the exchange, Mehtab sustained a gunshot injury. He was immediately overpowered and disarmed by the police.Police said bullets were fired from both sides during the encounter, leaving Mehtab injured. He was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.More details are awaited. (ANI)

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First Published: November 26, 2025, 13:00 IST

News agency-feeds Delhi: Wanted murder accused injured in police encounter in Patel Nagar

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Russia's frozen assets at centre of negotiations over Ukraine peace deal

Last Updated: November 27, 2025, 03:15 IST

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Brussels, Nov 27 (AP) Money is as central to Europes vital support of Ukraine as ammunition and intelligence. Yet, the blocs most viable funding mechanism involves seizing billions of dollars worth of Russian assets that US President Donald Trump has proposed taking over.

The first draft of Trumps 28-point peace plan called for an investment scheme for Ukraines reconstruction controlled by the US but financed by USD 100 billion in frozen Russian assets matched by another USD 100 billion from the European Union  with 50 per cent of profits sent back to Washington.

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The plan surprised Europeans, who have spent years fiercely debating the fate of Russias frozen fortune.

Those funds are central to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyens plan to both maintain pressure on Russia and increase support for Ukraine as mysterious drone incursions and sabotage operations rattle European capitals.

I cannot see any scenario in which the European taxpayers alone will pay the bill," she said Wednesday in Strasbourg, France, to applause from lawmakers in the European Parliament.

The 27-nation EU has sent Ukraine almost USD 197 billion since Russia invaded Ukraine nearly four years ago. While theres no consensus on how to provide more aid, theres near unanimity on seizing the Russian assets to cover the estimated USD 153 billion for Ukraines budget and military needs for 2026 and 2027.

The Commission has proposed paying that bill with joint debt taken on by the EU and grants by individual nations, but its main source is the USD 225 billion assets frozen at Euroclear, a Brussels-based financial institution.

That is, if the Trump administration doesnt get them first.

Perks of the deal Trumps brash negotiating style left many in Europe suspecting he wants a quick deal that forces Europeans to make it work and pay for it. All while the US profits.

Analysts say the proposal was essentially a US attempt to snatch these assets, coming as Brussels and Washington relaunch trade negotiations over tariffs.

Agathe Demarais, a senior fellow at the Berlin-based European Council on Foreign Relations, said the proposal was akin to a signing bonus" for a peace deal heavily slanted towards Russia.

Fabian Zuleeg, chief executive of the Brussels-based European Policy Centre, called the US takeover of the assets outrageous," but suggested it might also be acceptable to Europeans if that is ultimately the price to pay for a good deal." After intense discussions between the US, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and representatives from the European Commission, the investment scheme was removed from the new draft peace plan. Russia has already signalled its total rejection of the new draft.

The assets frozen in Belgium A quick seizure of Russias frozen assets by the EU would not only secure Ukraines defence budget, but also empower Brussels at the negotiation table, Demarais said.

If the EU rushes to seize Russias central bank assets before Washington grabs them, the bloc may be able to drastically curb Trumps interest in a bad deal," she said.

The European Commission has proposed taking direct ownership of the assets. Under von der Leyens leadership, it could then issue a loan to Ukraine, which would be repaid only if Moscow provides war reparations to Kyiv.

The bulk of these assets are held in a clearinghouse called Euroclear in Belgium. However, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has refused to approve their use as collateral for a massive loan for Ukraine, citing fears that Russia would retaliate against Belgian interests.

We are a small country, and retaliation could be very hard," De Wever said in October.

Yet the Belgian position on thawing the assets was influenced by an impasse in local politics over deep federal debt. After months of domestic political wrangling ended last week in a deal, politicians from Riga to Lisbon started hoping that De Wever would be able to lift his objections to seizing Russian assets.

Swedens Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said after the Brussels meeting on Wednesday the clock is ticking" and that seizing the assets was the only realistic financing option that would make a real difference and one that would be most fair to taxpayers" in Europe.

Kaja Kallas, the EUs top diplomat said Wednesday there is now broad EU support for Belgium.

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It would send the strongest message to Moscow that it cannot wait us out, and we need to make this decision fast," said Kallas.

On Dec 18, De Wever will join the other EU national leaders for a summit in Brussels over, among other subjects, seizing the Russian assets. (AP) VN VN

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First Published: November 27, 2025, 03:15 IST

News agency-feeds Russia's frozen assets at centre of negotiations over Ukraine peace deal

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Shiv Sena office-bearer targets minister Shirsat in run-up to local body polls

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 19:45 IST

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Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nov 26 (PTI) A local Shiv Sena office-bearer on Wednesday alleged that party workers were not being taken into confidence regarding the upcoming local body polls, inviting a sharp rebuke from party leader and Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat.

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district Shiv Sena unit president Rajendra Janjal claimed that the party workers are disgruntled over certain developments.

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Shiv Sena workers contributed immensely in securing victories in the Lok Sabha and assembly polls in Marathwada. However, they are now not being taken into confidence while making new appointments in the party for the upcoming elections", he told reporters.

Janjal claimed that Shiv Sena leader and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde has seized of the issue and assured that justice will be done.

Shirsat, meanwhile, said Janjal is free to go anywhere he wants but should not dictate terms.

We both know the reason why Janjal is speaking in such a way. If he says that he is not able to exercise his rights and anything is going wrong, he should talk to me. However, if someone thinks that they should get everything, then this wont happen. We have to take everyone together in politics," Shirsat added.

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The minister said that issues raised by Janjal will be addressed by Shinde.

He can go anywhere if he wants. No one has stopped him. Everyone should get appropriate respect at the party", he added. PTI AW NSK

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First Published: November 26, 2025, 19:45 IST

News agency-feeds Shiv Sena office-bearer targets minister Shirsat in run-up to local body polls

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Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau appear on state television saying they seized power

Last Updated: November 27, 2025, 00:00 IST

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Bissau, Nov 26 (AP) Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau appeared on state television Wednesday saying they have seized power in the country, following reports of gunshots near the presidential palace, three days after national elections. The president told French media he had been deposed and arrested.

It was the latest of several coups in recent years in West Africa.

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The High Military Command for the reestablishment of national and public order decides to immediately depose the president of the republic, to suspend, until new orders, all of the institutions of the republic of Guinea-Bissau," spokesperson Dinis NTchama said in a statement.

He said they acted in response to the discovery of an ongoing plan" that he said aimed to destabilise the country by attempting to manipulate electoral results".

The scheme was set up by some national politicians with the participation of a well-known drug lord, and domestic and foreign nationals," NTchama asserted, and gave no details.

The soldiers said they were immediately suspending the electoral process and the activities of media outlets, as well as closing all borders.

Guinea-Bissau has seen four coups and numerous attempted ones since independence, including one reported last month. The country also has emerged as a hub for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe.

The presidential and legislative elections were held Sunday. Incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa each claimed victory Tuesday, even though official provisional results were not expected until Thursday.

Gunfire was heard midday Wednesday near the presidential palace. An Associated Press journalist saw roads leading to the palace closed off, with checkpoints manned by heavily armed and masked soldiers.

An official from the presidential palace said a group of armed men tried to attack the building, leading to an exchange of gunfire with guards. Another official from the Interior Ministry said they also heard gunshots near the National Electoral Commission nearby. The two spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to speak publicly on the matter.

A key member of an international election observer group said the election commission chief was arrested and the commission office was sealed off by the military.

The president has been speaking to people saying hes being held by the military," the observer group staffer told the AP. They spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not allowed to speak publicly on the matter.

French news outlet Jeune Afrique quoted Embalo as saying he was arrested in what he called a coup led by the army chief of staff. He said he was not subjected to violence.

I have been deposed," Embalo told French television network France 24.

Embalo had faced a legitimacy crisis, with the opposition saying his tenure had long expired and that they did not recognise him as president.

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Guinea-Bissaus constitution sets the presidential term at five years. Embalo first came to power in February 2020. The opposition says his term should have ended on Feb 27 of this year, but the Supreme Court ruled it should run until Sept 4.

The presidential election, however, was delayed until this month. (AP) SCY SCY

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First Published: November 27, 2025, 00:00 IST

News agency-feeds Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau appear on state television saying they seized power

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UP: Gangster hangs self inside Mau district jail

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 23:00 IST

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Mau (UP), Nov 26 (PTI) A gangster lodged in Uttar Pradeshs Mau district jail allegedly died by suicide on Wednesday, officials said.

Circle Officer (City) Anjani Kumar Pandey said the deceased has been identified as Ajit Rawat, a resident of Vikrampur village in Ghazipur district.

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Rawat was lodged in the jail in connection with a Gangsters Act case registered at Chiraiyakot police station and was also accused in a theft case, he said.

According to the officials, around 2.30 pm police received information that an inmate had been found hanging inside the jail.

He used a gamcha to hang himself from a water pipe located behind the hospital section inside the jail," Pandey said.

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A forensic team and personnel from Sarai Lakhansinya police station reached the spot soon after. Jail staff were also present, and the body was sent for post-mortem after completing the formalities, he added.

Pandey said the post-mortem will be conducted as per protocol. Further legal proceedings and investigation are underway. PTI COR KIS NB NB

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First Published: November 26, 2025, 23:00 IST

News agency-feeds UP: Gangster hangs self inside Mau district jail

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India GDP To Grow 6.5% In FY26, 6.7% In FY27 After GST Cut: S&P

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 07:09 IST

S&P projects Indias GDP growth at 6.5 percent in FY26, citing GST cuts and policy easing. India-US trade talks may further boost growth and reduce uncertainty.

S&P said that a potential India-US trade agreement could significantly reduce uncertainty.

The growth of Indian economy will remain at 6.5 per cent in the current fiscal year (2025-26) and at 6.7 per cent in the following fiscal year (2026-27), according to S&P. The rating agency has estimated that GST cut and relaxation in monetary policy will spur consumption-based growth.

Indias GDP is expected to grow by 6.5% in FY26 and 6.7% in FY27, with risks evenly balanced," the ratings agency said in its latest Asia-Pacific economic outlook.

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S&P also noted that if India reaches an agreement with the US, it would help boost the investor confidence and reduce uncertainty. A trade agreement with the US would reduce uncertainty, improve confidence, and give a strong boost to Indias labour-intensive sectors," the agency added, referring to the ongoing India-US trade deal negotiations.

The latest Q2 FY26 GDP growth data is set to be released at 4 pm on Friday, November 28. According to estimates, the economic growth in July-September 2025 is likely to have grown between 7% and 7.5%.

Rating agencies ICRA and India Ratings have estimated Q2 FY26 GDP growth at 7% and 7.2%, respectively. SBI Research has pegged the economic growth at 7.5%. However, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) expects the economy to expand by 7% in July-September 2025.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in October MPC revised the real GDP growth projection for this financial year 2025-26 upward to 6.8 per cent from the earlier estimate of 6.5 per cent, showing stronger-than-expected economic performance.

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V. Anantha Nageswaran, the chief economic adviser of India, had earlier said that the country will exceed its GDP growth trajectory of 6.8 per cent comfortably in FY26, on the back of GST and income tax relief, stronger private investment and improving foreign inflows.

Nageswaran, while speaking at the CNBC-TV18 Global Leadership Summit 2025, said that hes comfortable saying even north of 6.8 per cent for Indias growth projection, adding that his original range was 6.3 to 6.8 per cent earlier.

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 26, 2025, 07:09 IST

News business economy India GDP To Grow 6.5% In FY26, 6.7% In FY27 After GST Cut: S&P

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SEBI Reforms And Smarter Investors: Why India May Be Worlds Next Big Passive Investing Market

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 12:35 IST

SEBIs reforms and a more informed investor base are accelerating Indias shift toward passive investing.

Indias growing preference for low-cost, rule-based funds is fueling a rapid rise in passive investing across ETFs and index funds.

India may be on the verge of a dramatic transformation in the way people invest, driven by sweeping SEBI reforms and a new generation of better-informed, cost-conscious investors, according to Hemen Bhatia, MD & CEO of Angel One AMC. He said the country is now displaying the same early signals that propelled the passive investing boom in the US and is firmly on track to become one of the worlds major passive markets.

SEBIs Reforms Set The Stage

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Hemen Bhatia credited the surge in passive investing to structural changes introduced by SEBI over the past decade. The regulators 2017 scheme rationalisation and mandatory switch to Total Return Index (TRI) benchmarking, he said, fundamentally reshaped how active fund performance is measured. Earlier, fund houses used varied definitions for large-, mid- and small-cap schemes and often benchmarked against price-only indices, unintentionally creating the illusion of outperforming the market. SEBI ended that inconsistency.

Once performance measurement became more accurate, many of the earlier false alphas disappeared," Hemen Bhatia said. With better rules, cleaner disclosures and standardized categories, investors were exposed to the real challenge of generating alpha and many began gravitating toward low-cost index funds and ETFs.

More Informed Investor Base?

Hemen Bhatia said Indias market has matured rapidly. Financial information is now instantly available, active managers are competing with thousands of professionals across MFs, PMS, AIFs and FPIs and deploying large fund sizes efficiently has become harder.

With information widely accessible, its increasingly difficult for any manager to consistently beat the market," he said. As investors recognize this reality, they are embracing simplicity, transparency and rule-based investing- hallmarks of passive products.

Indias passive AUM has surged from Rs 14,000 crore in 2015 to Rs 13 lakh crore in 2025, lifting its share of total MF assets from 1.3% to nearly 17%. Hemen Bhatia said these numbers mirror the early years of the passive revolution in the US.

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As competition intensifies and markets grow more efficient, Hemen Bhatia said that India is entering an era where passive strategies will dominate long-term investing- just as they did in the US.

The structural realities that drove passive growth in the US are now visible in India," he said, asserting, We are on a similar trajectory."

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: November 26, 2025, 12:35 IST

News business SEBI Reforms And Smarter Investors: Why India May Be Worlds Next Big Passive Investing Market

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ITR Refund Delay: From Bank Errors To Department Checks, 5 Big Reasons Your Refund Gets Stuck

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 11:28 IST

CBDT Chairman Ravi Agrawal said ITR refund delays for FY2024-25 are due to anomalies in high-value deduction claims. Legitimate refunds are expected by December.

Income Tax Refund Status: Refund processing begins only after your ITR has been successfully e-verified.

ITR Refund: Two months after the conclusion of the extended due date for filing Income Tax Return (ITR) of FY2024-25 (Assessment year 2025-26) on September 16, some taxpayers are still awaiting their refunds. Typically, ITR refunds dont take this much time and are debited to the taxpayers account in one or two week.

Multiple reasons are associated leading to delay in refunds for taxpayers.

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High-Value Refund Flagged

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Chairman Ravi Agrawal told earlier that delays in refunds are occurring due to anomalies in certain claims of specific deductions in high-value ITRs.

Incorrect Information Of Bank Account

Sometimes, users put wrong information in bank details, leading to failure in sending refund amount.

Old Pending Tax

If a taxpayer has any old tax dues, the department releases the refund only after those dues are cleared. Also, if the ITR is not e-verified within 30 days of filing, the return does not get processed at all.

Mismatch In Form26AS, AIS Or TIS

If there is any major error in the return or the data does not match with Form 26AS, AIS or TIS, the refund is put on hold. In some cases, the ITR is marked as defective," and processing does not move forward until the issue is fixed. Sometimes, large refunds also face temporary financial delays.

Physical verification delays

If you opted to send your ITR-V physically to the Centralised Processing Centre (CPC) Bengaluru, late delivery can push back processing.

Step-by-step guide to check your ITR refund

Method 1: Through the Income Tax Portal (incometax.gov.in)

Go to www.incometax.gov.in Click on Login Enter your PAN, password and OTP After logging in, go to:

e-File > Income Tax Returns > View Filed Returns Choose the relevant Assessment Year Check the status shown against your return

It will show terms like Processed, Refund Issued, Refund Failed, etc.

Method 2: Check refund status on TIN-NSDL (SBI Refund Banker)

Visit https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/oltas/refund-status Enter your PAN Select the Assessment Year Enter the captcha The page will show your refund status, date of issue, mode of payment or reason for failure.

Method 3: Check through your bank account

If your refund is credited, it will appear in your bank statement as:

ITR Refund  CPC Bangalore".

You will also receive an SMS from your bank or SBI.

Method 4: Check CPC email or SMS

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The Income Tax Department sends an email and SMS when:

Your return is processed

Your refund is issued or failed

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 26, 2025, 09:14 IST

News business tax ITR Refund Delay: From Bank Errors To Department Checks, 5 Big Reasons Your Refund Gets Stuck

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Will Crude Oil Prices Fall To $30? JPMorgan Predicts Steep Multi-Year Slide By 2027

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 10:12 IST

JPMorgan analyst Natasha Kaneva wrote that even though global oil demand has repeatedly outperformed bearish forecasts, supply has expanded even faster.

According to JPMorgans models, Brent crude could slip below $60 in 2026.

Oil prices may be heading into a far rougher stretch over the next two years as JPMorgan analysts warned that Brent crude could plunge into the low $30-per-barrel range by the end of 2027 if current supply trends persist. Despite stubborn geopolitical risks and OPEC+ production cuts, crude has fallen 15% this year and the banks analysts said the market is setting up a classic Economics 101 imbalance: too much supply and not enough demand to absorb it.

Why Does JPMorgan Expect Oil Prices To Collapse?

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JPMorgan analyst Natasha Kaneva wrote that even though global oil demand has repeatedly outperformed bearish forecasts, supply has expanded even faster- more than twice as fast, in fact- with most of the growth coming from the Americas.

Natasha Kaneva warned that the pattern will intensify. Oil supply, she said, is expected to grow at three times the pace of demand this year and again in 2026, creating a structural surplus that will keep prices under pressure.

How Low Could Oil Prices Go?

According to JPMorgans models, Brent crude could slip below $60 in 2026, fall into the low $50s by late 2026 and slide further to an average of $42 in 2027. By the end of that year, Natasha Kaneva said, prices could sink into the $30s. From todays level of around $63.50, that represents a potential 50% decline.

Whos Driving Supply Glut?

The bulk of new supply is expected to come from non-OPEC+ producers, led by the United States, which remains on track for record output. JPMorgan said the expected surplus may reach 2.8 million barrels per day in 2026, easing only slightly to 2.7 million in 2027. The analysts added that meaningful government intervention seems unlikely. With US President Donald Trumps pro-drilling stance, a policy-driven slowdown in output is not anticipated."

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Can The Market Self-Correct?

Natasha Kaneva acknowledged that such a steep price plunge may not fully materialize because markets tend to adjust but she said most of the burden of rebalancing will fall on supply, not demand. Producers may eventually start cutting output if prices drop deeply enough but until then, the surplus is likely to keep weighing on crude.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: November 26, 2025, 10:12 IST

News business Will Crude Oil Prices Fall To $30? JPMorgan Predicts Steep Multi-Year Slide By 2027

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The message that the Venezuelan leader sought to convey at the close of Tuesdays march was both an internal response to reinforce the regimes cohesion, and an external signal of defiance against US pressure

Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro brought Tuesdays rally in Caracas to a close, in a show of force with which the Chavista regime sought to demonstrate cohesion amid escalating tensions with the United States. Dressed in military uniform and flanked by the top brass of his government and the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, Maduro raised the sword of Simon Bolivar, a central emblem of Chavista ideology. From below the stage, thousands of supporters chanted in unison: The man of peace is named Nicolas!

The mobilization part of the bicentennial commemoration of the presentation of the sword to the Libertadorbrought thousands of Venezuelans into the streets, primarily government employees, military personnel and police officers, who form Maduros main support base. The message that Chavismo sought to convey with this march was both an internal response to reinforce the regimes cohesion, and an external signal of defiance in the face of increasing U.S. pressure. The homeland demands our greatest effort and sacrifice, Maduro proclaimed.

The Venezuelan leaderidentified by the Trump administration as the head of the alleged Cartel of the Sunsaddressed the crowd and delivered a message that made it clear the regimes intention is to resist. We are under the obligation to be united! Failure is not an option at this crucial juncture for the existence of the Republic. There are no excuses for anyone, whether civilian, politician, or police officer... If the homeland demands it, the homeland will have our lives if necessary! he emphasized.

Chavismos show of force in the streets contrast sharply with the true popular support it enjoys. Analysts estimate that, currently, around 80% of Venezuelans reject the Maduro regime, compared to 20% who still support Chavismo.

In recent weeks, Trump has taken numerous steps in his pressure campaign against the government of Nicolas Maduro. Following the mobilization of a massive naval and air force to the Caribbeandeploying, among other units, the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest in the U.S. fleeta new operational phase was announced for indirect intervention in the region, which could include covert operations and strikes against targets linked to drug trafficking. Faced with this pressure, Chavismo has responded by activating all its levers of internal power. Venezuelan authorities have declared a state of maximum readiness, mobilized armed forces and Bolivarian militias, and reinforced their anti-imperialist rhetoric. Internal repression, according to human rights organizations, has also increased.

In this context, the country has faced international isolation due to the suspension of flights triggered by an alert issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to exercise extreme caution when flying over Venezuela and the southern Caribbean Sea due to increased military activity in the area. The Venezuelan regime views the measure as part of Washingtons psychological warfare. The lies and imbecility of Marco Rubio will crash against the dignity of our people, said Diosdado Cabello, Minister of the Interior and de facto second-in-command of the Venezuelan government.

Maduro wove a narrative of resistance on Tuesday. From the stage, surrounded by soldiers and flags, he presented the day as an act of collective defense against what he called the threats of the empire. He urged people to see the national symbolsthe flag, the sword, the memory of Bolivaras a reminder that the country is experiencing a historic aggression and needs to close ranks.

In invoking Bolivar, he drew a direct parallel between the present day and the wars of independence. Just as the Liberator of the Americas faced invasions and conspiracies, Maduro argued, Venezuela today is called upon to resist the U.S. offensive. The peoples of the Americas will prevail united, he affirmed.

The Venezuelan president portrayed Chavismo as the last bulwark against Washingtons military deployment in the Caribbean and against sanctions that, according to him, seek to undermine the government from within. The march, he said, should be interpreted as a show of strength, a united response to any attempt at external domination, a kind of visual reminder that his political base has no intention of backing down.

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Shivakumars Secret Meet With Siddaramaiahs Aide Adds New Twist To Karnataka Drama | Exclusive

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Manjiri Joshi



Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 16:10 IST

Karnataka leadership tussle: DK Shivakumar and Satish Jarkiholi met on Tuesday night. The meeting with Jarkiholi was about 2028 and 2029 elections, said Shivakumar later

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The power tussle between Siddaramaiah (right) and DK Shivakumar has been going on for a few months. (PTI File)

In a mega outreach amid the leadership tussle in Karnataka, deputy CM DK Shivakumar had a late-night meet with Satish Jarkiholi, who is being touted as CM Siddaramaiahs political successor.

Shivakumar and Jarkiholi went to an undisclosed location on Tuesday night. The meeting went well past midnight.

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According to his close aides, Jarkiholi said he was trying to work out his differences with DKS". The talks centred around preparing the party to look beyond Siddaramaiah who is staring at electoral retirement," said sources close to Shivakumar.

Responding to the buzz over the meeting, Shivakumar, later in the day, told News18: The meeting with Jarkiholi was about 2028 and 2029 elections and party organisation."

Whats the harm in meeting Satish Jarkiholi, he is my cabinet colleague. I cant speak about it (a power-sharing secret deal) in front the media. I dont have any group," he told the media.

Last month, Siddaramaiahs son Yatindra had called Jarkiholi the inheritor of Siddaramaiahs political legacy" and someone who can carry forward the AHINDA vote bank. AHINDA is a an acronym for a large caste grouping of backward classes, minorities and SC/ST.

Talks around consolidating OBC votes and positioning of Jarkiholi as an AHINDA leader are on, said sources. There are signs of major rapprochement and realignment in the Karnataka Congress, said sources.

The buzz: MLAs in Delhi

According to news agency PTI, several groups of MLAs backing Shivakumar reached Delhi on Sunday night, with more expected to join them. Ten legislators have already met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, signalling heightened internal activity over the issue. Ramanagara MLA Iqbal Hussain said he was fully convinced that Shivakumar would soon be elevated. I always stand by that statement, 200 per cent, he will become the chief minister soon. The high command will decide. As our leader (Shivakumar) said, the transfer of power is a secret deal among five to six party leaders, and those five to six people will decide," he remarked.

Jarikholis recent remark

Shivakumar and Jarkiholi had worked as the president and working president of the Congress in 2023.

In an indirect dig at Shivakumar, Jarkiholi on Sunday said that the partys success was the result of collective effort of everyone  from grassroots workers to senior leaders. Everyone has contributed equally to bringing it to power and no one individual can claim credit for it," he said.

Congresss stance

Amid mounting speculation, Kharge asserted that the high command will decide on the Chief Ministerial face. I have nothing to say. You have been standing here for three days straight. There is nothing to say about the developments happening here. Whatever happens, the high command will do it. It is not required to worry too much about it," he said on Tuesday.

His remarks came as political circles were abuzz with the power-sharing agreement" of 2023 between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar.

Another contender in the CM race

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara also implied that he, too, was in the Chief Ministerial race. Parameshwaras remarks came 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 Jarkiholis (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 said.

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 got the government to power alone. Everyone worked together. People voted and made the party win. I was defeated at that time. I dont 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.

Siddaramaiahs stance

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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 CM further said that the senior party leadership would take the final decision on the cabinet reshuffle, as two of the total 34 ministerial posts are vacant and would be filled during the reshuffle.

With PTI, ANI inputs

About the Author Harish Upadhya Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and R... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 12:06 IST

News bengaluru-news Shivakumars Secret Meet With Siddaramaiahs Aide Adds New Twist To Karnataka Drama | Exclusive

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Birthday Trap Turns Violent: Mumbai Youth Set On Fire Over Personal Enmity

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 08:51 IST

In Mumbais Kurla, a 21-year-old man was set on fire after being lured to a birthday celebration. Mumbai Police arrested five accused, citing personal enmity as the motive.

In Mumbais Kurla, a 21-year-old man was set on fire after being lured to a birthday celebration. Mumbai Police arrested five accused, citing personal enmity as the motive. (AI Image)

A shocking incident has been reported from Mumbais Kurla area, where a 21-year-old man was allegedly set on fire after being lured to a birthday celebration.

According to police, the victim was called by the accused on the pretext of cutting a birthday cake. Once he arrived and the cake was cut, the group allegedly began attacking him, throwing eggs and stones at him. During the assault, one of the accused poured petrol on the victim and set him ablaze.

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The young man sustained severe burn injuries and is currently undergoing treatment.

Mumbai Police have arrested five accused in the case so far. Initial investigation suggests personal enmity as the motive behind the attack. Further probe is underway.

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 26, 2025, 08:51 IST

News cities Birthday Trap Turns Violent: Mumbai Youth Set On Fire Over Personal Enmity

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Farmers Rally Today: Chandigarh Issues Traffic Restrictions As 10,000 Protesters Expected

Curated By :

moneycontrol.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 08:17 IST

Over 10000 farmers will gather at Sector 43 Dussehra Ground in Chandigarh on November 26 for the Samyukta Kisan Morcha protest, prompting major traffic curbs.

Over 10000 farmers will gather at Sector 43 Dussehra Ground in Chandigarh on November 26 for the Samyukta Kisan Morcha protest, prompting major traffic curbs.

With more than 10,000 farmers expected to enter Chandigarh on November 26 for the Samyukta Kisan Morchas (SKM) nationwide protest marking five years since the 2020 Delhi Chalo" movement, the city police have rolled out an extensive traffic and security plan.

Farmers from across Punjab are set to gather at the Sector 43 Dussehra Ground for a day-long programme, even as the SKM stages rallies, marches and outreach campaigns across the country. Chandigarh is expected to be the focal point of the Punjab leg of the agitation.

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Anticipating heavy tractor-trolley movement from the Mohali side and large crowds around the protest venue, Chandigarh Police have allowed the assembly for a single day and deployed more than 1,000 personnel for crowd management and security. A reserve force has been stationed at Attawa Chowk and near the Judicial Complex to address emergencies or reinforcement needs. Several checkpoints have also been set up at key intersections, including Attawa Chowk and the Sector 42/43 small chowk.

To regulate movement, police have issued a traffic advisory announcing restrictions and diversions across major routes. Key stretches to avoid include:

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Kajheri Chowk (Sector 42/4352/53) to Sector 42/43 Small Chowk, leading up to Attawa Chowk (Sector 35/36/42/43)

Sector 43/44 light point to Judicial Academy light point, up to Sector 42/43 Small Chowk

Commuters have been urged to steer clear of these corridors and plan alternate routes for the day.

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 : Chandigarh, India, India

First Published: November 26, 2025, 08:17 IST

News cities Farmers Rally Today: Chandigarh Issues Traffic Restrictions As 10,000 Protesters Expected

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Man Poses As IAS, IPS, NIA Officer For Over Two Years To Dupe People; Held

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 18:09 IST

Shashikanth was arrested by Film Nagar Police in Hyderabad for impersonating IAS, IPS, and NIA officers to extort money from citizens.

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Shashikanth had been deceiving the public for more than two years, police said. (Representative Image)

The Hyderabad Police have arrested a 39-year-old man for allegedly faking his identity to cheat citizens and extort money from them. The accused, identified as Bathini Shashikanth, was taken into custody on Tuesday by Film Nagar Police from his temporary residence following a swift police operation based on credible intelligence.

According to officials, Shashikanth had been deceiving the public for more than two years by impersonating high-ranking government officers, including an IAS officer serving as Deputy Commissioner of Mines, and at times posing as an IPS or even NIA officer. Police said the accused used these identities to intimidate victims and extort money.

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Accused Created Fake IDs, Hired Bodyguards

Investigation has revealed that Shashikanth created an elaborate facade to present himself as a senior bureaucrat. He even made fake IAS, IPS, and NIA identity cards, visiting cards, and other forged government documents. He went on to hire two armed bodyguards from Tamil Nadu to appear more convincing.

A resident of Aparna Aura Apartments in Hyderabads Shaikpet area, he even got police sirens fixed to a private vehicle and used walkie-talkies to imitate official communication. A forged TSIIC industrial land allotment letter was also circulated to lure victims seeking government assistance.

Using these tactics, he allegedly gained the trust of Managing Director of Gold Gym, Ali Hassan, from whom he collected over Rs 10 Lakh through bank transfers, UPI payments, and cash. Shashikanth had promised Hassan that he would help him in securing an industrial land and offered other official favors, but vanished after receiving the money, police said.

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The two men hired as bodyguards have been identified as Praveen and Vimal, who are currently absconding. Authorities said efforts were underway to trace and apprehend the remaining accused.

The investigation is underway, and more victims may come forward as the extent of the fraud becomes clearer.

About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 18:09 IST

News cities hyderabad-news Man Poses As IAS, IPS, NIA Officer For Over Two Years To Dupe People; Held

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Kolkata Surgeons Perform Rare Kidney Transplant On Bhutanese Man With Same Disorder As Donor Father

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 15:39 IST

Both Tilak Gurung and his donor father suffer from Factor VII deficiency, an extremely rare genetic bleeding disorder that makes major surgery life-threatening

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Tilak (left) is from Bhutans royal town, and the family has publicly thanked the Bhutanese authorities for their assistance during the crisis. (News18)

Thirty-year-old Bhutanese national Tilak Gurung has survived what doctors are calling a rarest of the rare" medical event after a highly complex kidney transplant was successfully performed at Narayana Hospital, Kolkata. Both Tilak and his donorhis fathersuffer from Factor VII deficiency, an extremely rare genetic bleeding disorder that makes major surgery life-threatening.

Tilak had been suffering from persistently low haemoglobin for months. Despite repeated transfusions, his numbers did not improve. Detailed investigations revealed that his kidneys had failed, and further tests identified the underlying cause: Factor VII deficiency. Its a condition so rare that transplant options become severely limited. The diagnosis left the family in crisis, as doctors warned that conventional transplant protocols would be inadequate and risky.

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When the family began evaluating donor options, additional complications surfaced. Tests showed that several members of Tilaks family had the same bleeding disorder, including his father, who insisted he wanted to donate a kidney. The presence of this disorder in both donor and recipient posed significant surgical challenges. Multiple medical centres abroad reportedly informed the family that the surgery would not be possible.

In search of a solution, the Gurung family approached Narayana Hospital in Kolkata. A multidisciplinary transplant team led by Dr Deepak Sekhar Roy evaluated the case and decided to attempt the procedure after extensive preparation and counselling. Doctors had to plan around high risks of uncontrolled bleeding for both Tilak and his father throughout the surgery.

The transplant was successfully performed, and both patient and donor have recovered. According to Tilak, the surgery has given him a second life". Speaking to News18, Tilak said: I am very happy that I am alive today. It was not easy, but everyone helpedespecially the hospital."

Tilaks brother, Danmay Gurung, expressed gratitude to the medical team and acknowledged the financial support provided by Bhutans King. Thanks to the entire team, my brother is alive today. Special thanks to my King who provided the entire money," he said.

Tilak is from Bhutans royal town, and the family has publicly thanked the Bhutanese authorities for their assistance during the crisis.

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Dr Roy told News18: It is a rarest of rare case. The resident doctors at Narayana worked extremely hard. Because of the bleeding disorder, the surgery was extremely difficult. We were performing a kidney transplant on a patient who had a very high chance of losing his life."

The successful procedure is being regarded as a significant achievement in complex transplant surgery involving coagulation disorders.

About the Author Kamalika Sengupta Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and womens issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 15:39 IST

News kolkata-news Kolkata Surgeons Perform Rare Kidney Transplant On Bhutanese Man With Same Disorder As Donor Father

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3 Reasons Why BMC Polls Go Beyond Mumbai & Were Compared To Mamdanis NYC Mayoral Election

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 19:52 IST

A deep dive into why Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, just like New York, draw interest beyond Mumbai

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BMC building; Zohran Mamdani. (File/AP)

Mumbai is finally set to see the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election next year. Just like every aspect of the city, the fight for the civic polls, from campaigning to alliance, is maximum".

The party that rules the financial capital also resonates in the state, which also explains why New York Citys Mayoral election, which saw Zohran Mamdani emerge as the winner, led to online parallels with the BMC.

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ALSO READ | Last Crucial Election For Marathi Manoos Or MNS? Decoding Raj Thackerays BMC Poll Position

While there is no similarity in how the mayors in the two cities are elected or the powers they have, a deep dive into why Mumbai elections, just like New York, draw interest even beyond the city.

1. Big bucks

For fiscal year 2025-26, the BMC presented a budget of Rs 74,427 crore. This makes the BMC the richest municipal corporation in India. In the previous year (2024-25), its budget estimate was Rs 59,954.75 crore. The BMCs civic expenditure is four times that of Bengalurus.

With such a large budget and steady revenue flows, the BMC handles much more than a typical city corporation  it runs infrastructure, water supply, health services, civic works, transport (in part), etc. The civic body invests a big portion of its funds in capital expenditure: for FY 2025-26, out of Rs 74,427 crore, a substantial share is for development works, including roads, infrastructure, public transport, etc.

The BMC has 227 ward corporators. After the corporators are elected, the elected corporators vote among themselves to choose the mayor. Each corporator reportedly gets a Local Area Development Fund (LADF) (for ward-level works), roughly Rs 1.5 crore/year.

On the other hand, the New York Mayor is a powerful city executive who runs agencies, police, budgets, and policy  more like the chief minister of a small state. The NYCs budget is USD 110 billion+.

2. Huge area

The BMC covers approximately 603 sq km. The BMC governs almost the entire city of Mumbai, including the island city of Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Fort, Churchgate / Marine Drive, Nariman Point, Girgaum, Grant Road, Byculla, Parel, Dadar (East & West), Matunga, Mumbai Central, Mahalaxmi

It also covers suburbs such as Bandra (East & West), Khar, Santacruz, Juhu, Vile Parle, Andheri (East & West), Jogeshwari, Goregaon, Malad, Kandivali, Borivali, Dahisar.

The New York City (NYC) Mayor, meanwhile, governs all five boroughs of New York City, almost like a mini-state. The NYCs total area is 789 sq. km (approx. 305 sq miles).

3. Complex politics

2022 has changed the politics of the state. The Shiv Sena saw a split, with Eknath Shindes group eventually joining the government and Uddhav Thackerays becoming the opposition in the state. With the elections stuck, the BMC remained under an administrator. Now, Uddhav Thackerays Sena UBT may join hands with his cousin Raj Thackerays Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), whose very party was formed as protest against Uddhav. The elections will show which side is the real Sena for Mumbai, the place where the original party was founded.

ALSO READ | BMC Polls: Who Were Mumbais 227 Corporators Of 2017? How Many Are Still With Uddhav Thackeray?

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has been consistently on a winning spell in the Centre and states for the past few years, is eyeing complete control of the BMC. In 2017, the last time the BMC elections were held, it won 82 seats, while its then ally, the undivided Shiv Sena led by Uddhav, won 84. This time, they have Shinde Sena on their side, but what that means electorally remains to be seen. A clear win for the BJP, which is leading the ruling alliance in the state and Centre, will have major implications for the state and country.

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Another identity battle that has emerged is Thackerays Marathi manoos versus BJPs Hindu agenda.

New York Citys election system allows not just the big national parties, but also independent candidates and alternative ballot lines  giving voters more choices beyond the traditional two-party system. Even if you lose a major-party primary as Andrew Cuomo did, you can still run in the general election under a different/independent line  which changes the dynamics vs countries where losing the main primary ends your run. This pluralistic approach means the race often involves multiple strong contenders not just from Democrats vs Republicans, which can split votes, shift debates and change outcomes.

About the Author Manjiri Joshi At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing speci... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 17:37 IST

News mumbai-news 3 Reasons Why BMC Polls Go Beyond Mumbai & Were Compared To Mamdanis NYC Mayoral Election

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Dombivli Suitcase Murder Cracked, Mumbai Police Arrest Womans Live-In Partner

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 10:23 IST

The decomposed body of the victim was discovered on Saturday under the Palava Flyover, in a secluded patch near Desai Creek,

CCTV Leads Police to Live-In Partner in Dombivli Suitcase Murder Case

The Mumbai Police on Wednesday announced that they have cracked the case of the woman whose body was found stuffed inside a suitcase in Dombivli, near Mumbai. The decomposed body was discovered on Saturday under the Palava Flyover, in a secluded patch near Desai Creek, after locals spotted the suitcase around 1.45 pm.

Police had immediately registered a murder case and launched a multi-city investigation to establish the womans identity and trace the culprit.

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According to officers, the body appeared to have been dumped in creeks and drains along the flyover in an attempt to conceal the crime. Senior police inspector Shriram Pol said the victim, aged between 25 and 30, seemed to have been killed around three days earlier.

Accused captured on CCTV

The probe soon led investigators to the victims live-in partner, who has now been arrested. Police said the woman was three months pregnant at the time of her death.

Preliminary findings reveal that an argument between the couple escalated, leading the accused to violently attack and kill her. He later stuffed her body into a suitcase and disposed of it under the flyover to avoid detection.

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Crucially, the accused was captured on CCTV footage carrying the suitcase, which helped police confirm his involvement.

The police are now investigating the exact trigger behind the argument and whether the accused had planned the murder. Forensic reports and electronic evidence are expected to play a key role as the case proceeds

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

First Published: November 26, 2025, 10:23 IST

News cities mumbai-news Dombivli Suitcase Murder Cracked, Mumbai Police Arrest Womans Live-In Partner

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Last Crucial Election For Marathi Manoos Or MNS? Decoding Raj Thackerays BMC Poll Position

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 18:26 IST

Is it the last crucial election for MNS? Can the bonhomie with Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray translate into an alliance or eventual merger of parties and woo Mumbai?

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Raj Thackeray with Uddhav (extreme left) and Supriya Sule. (PTI File)

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray recently said that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election, which is likely to be held early next year, could be the last crucial poll for Marathi speakers or Marathi manoos.

For Marathi speakers, this BMC election will be the last crucial election. If we remain careless, consider it gone from our handsIf Mumbai slips out of our hands, these people will create havoc," he said at the inauguration of the partys Konkan Mahotsav.

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ALSO READ | 3 Reasons Why BMC Polls Go Beyond Mumbai & Were Compared To Mamdanis NYC Mayoral Election

It is important for you to pay attention to whether the voters are genuine or bogus," Thackeray added.

Is that how the MNS plans to counter BJPs Hindu mayor for Mumbai" agenda? Is it the last crucial election for MNS? Can the bonhomie with his cousin and Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray translate into an alliance or eventual merger of parties and woo Mumbai?

News18 decodes MNS strategy

MNSs declining graph: Irked at Uddhavs promotion as the in-charge of the Shiv Sena by Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, Raj had formed the MNS in March 2006. The MNS showed promise winning 13 assembly seats in 2009, but the partys graph dropped, with the MNS scoring a duck in the assembly elections last year. Raj tried several political combinations over the past 10 years. He had extended unconditional support to the Mahayuti alliance during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which didnt help him much. The MNS chiefs decision to contest solo in the 2024 assembly elections, too, backfired, as the partys vote share dropped from 6 per cent to 1 per cent. His son, Amit, too couldnt win his debut election.

With the dismal numbers, Raj needs the Marathi manoos push to revive MNSs fortunes, say experts.

Marathi matters: Marathi identity is at the core of Rajs politics. The initial few successes of the party, too, largely came from his anti-North Indian stance and even violence at times to assert it. While Raj has always been vocal about issues related to the language, the push remained limited to his speeches over the past few years. However, he has rekindled the issue after the Assembly elections. A recent example was how he joined hands with Uddhav and announced a rally to protest the compulsory teaching of Hindi and the three-language formula in schools. The state was then forced to withdraw the GR, saying a new committee under Dr Narendra Jadhav will now review the matter in detail before any final decision is taken.

This has boosted Rajs confidence, and perhaps made him realise that the issue still has emotive value.

The attempt to force a three-language policy just to make students learn Hindi has now been decisively defeated  and for this, the people of Maharashtra deserve full credit and congratulationsIt is heartening to see Marathi people standing together for their language. Let this fierce spirit grow stronger  and may Marathi become not just a language of knowledge but also a language of global exchange. That is my wish," he had said, in a statement after the states withdrawal.

The MNS is now looking to cash in on the sentiment further to give another lease of life to his party in the BMC elections. Its workers are seen reigniting the language fight, which has even allegedly led to some tragedies, in different parts of the state.

BMC matters: The BMC is Indias richest civic body and an influence over the city would mean a greater influence in state politics. A good performance in BMC polls, say experts, could rebuild party morale, re-energise the cadre and re-establish the party as a serious Mumbai player. Also, BMC is one of the few elections where MNS still has pockets of strong support. A stronger BMC presence will allow Raj to negotiate alliances, seat-sharing and issue-based support.

Support from cousin: With Uddhav Thackeray, too, facing his biggest political challenge, he has started to go closer to his cousin Raj Thackeray. From political to family events, the two are trying to woo Marathi voters.

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MVA entry not easy: While Raj has, on multiple occasions, flip-flopped on his support for the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti in Maharashtra, his entry into Uddhavs Maha Vikas Aghadi with Congress and Sharad Pawars National Congress Party (NCP) may not be so easy. While Pawar may be open to the idea, Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad recently said the Congress will ally only with groups that follow a constitutional approach, a pointed reference to the MNS unconstitutional" methods in the language row.

Questions galore: Apart from the future of Raj-Uddhav warmth, the key question for Marathi voters will be what to make of the acrimony between the two for years. MNS and Raj also stare at many other issues. Even as Uddhav and Raj may forget their differences, will their workers and cadre be able to do so, given that many went along with Raj because they were angry at the injustice done to him by Uddhav? Will voters perceive the MNSs Marathi push, which comes after multiple failed combinations, with the very parties he is now opposing, over the years, as genuine and not just a survival strategy or that of convenience given the poor electoral show?

About the Author Manjiri Joshi At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing speci... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 14:32 IST

News mumbai-news Last Crucial Election For Marathi Manoos Or MNS? Decoding Raj Thackerays BMC Poll Position

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NSG To Hold 'Neverever' Memorial, Pledge At Gateway Of India To Honour 26/11 Martyrs And Survivors

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 08:24 IST

The event with the theme "Neverever" will honour those who sacrificed their lives in fighting the terrorists, survivors and victims of the tragedy.

Mumbai will conduct the Neverever memorial at the Gateway of India to honour the martyrs, survivors & all victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. (Image: X/@nsgblackcats)

The National Security Guard (NSG) is set to organise an event at the Gateway of India on Wednesday to mark the 17th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and reaffirm hat such an incident must never happen again.

The event with the theme Neverever" will honour those who sacrificed their lives in fighting the terrorists, survivors and victims of the tragedy.

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Tomorrow, NSGs 26 SCG, Mumbai will conduct the Neverever" memorial at the Gateway of India to honour the martyrs, survivors & all victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The solemn observance will reaffirm the nations resolve that such an assault must never ever recur. pic.twitter.com/Ipc1Ato0Fs National Security Guard (@nsgblackcats) November 25, 2025

A dedicated memorial zone will feature photographs and names of the fallen heroes, with floral tributes and candles, at the Gateway of India in Mumbai. In addition to this, a living memorial" will also be created from the wax of homage candles to be preserved for future observances.

As part of the commemorative initiative, students from 11 colleges and 26 schools in the city will participate in the event. Under the Neverever" theme, the students will participate in pledge-taking ceremonies to reinforce youth commitment to peace, vigilance and national security, news agency PTI reported.

At the Gateway of India venue, a pledge booth and message-writing corner will enable people to participate in the pledge and share messages for those who died and survivors.

The programme will also include felicitation of survivors and families of the fallen, alongside curated audio-visual segments.

The Gateway of India will be illuminated in the tricolour, with the word Neverever" projected, symbolising Mumbais and the nations enduring spirit of courage and resilience in the evening.

Assistant Police Inspector Hemant Bawdhankar, who was part of the police party that nabbed Ajmal Kasab during the 26/11 terror attack, said, Its been 17 years since the terror attack, however, the memories of the day when 10 Pakistan-sponsored Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists attacked Mumbai is still fresh. Every Mumbaikar, Indian also feels the same, particularly those who witnessed the attacked themselves."

I was also a witness. I was part of the team of GB Marg Police Station which intercepted the Skoda car in which Ajmal Kasab and Abu Ismail were there. They attacked us, we retaliated and killed Abu Ismail. Kasab was later nabbed alive. It feels like the incident happened just a few days ago. Our colleague Tukaram Ombale, Karkare Sahab, Salaskar Sahab Shinde Sir, our stalwart officers of the police force were martyred, and several innocent people were killed," he added.

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As many as 166 persons, including security personnel and foreigners, were killed and more than 300 injured after 10 terrorists from Pakistan launched simultaneous attacks in several parts of Mumbai on November 26, 2008.

(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 26, 2025, 07:55 IST

News mumbai-news NSG To Hold 'Neverever' Memorial, Pledge At Gateway Of India To Honour 26/11 Martyrs And Survivors

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'Showed No Fear': 26/11 Survivor Recalls How Ajmal Kasab Fired Indiscriminately

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 17:16 IST

Devika, who was present at one of the attack sites, shared her chilling memories of the events that still haunt her.

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Devika, who was present at one of the attack sites, shared her chilling memories of the events that still haunt her. (Screengrab)

Mumbai 26/11 terror attack survivor on Wednesday recalled the horrific moments when Ajmal Kasab, the lone captured terrorist, fired indiscriminately at innocent people, killing several of them.

Devika, who witnessed the attack firsthand, shared her traumatic experience, describing how she saw Kasab show no fear" while carrying out the brutal killings.

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I saw a terrorist in front of me, firing and killing people," Devika told news agency ANI. I still cannot forget that night. Even after years, I remember it as if it happened just yesterday."

#WATCH | Mumbai: On 17th anniversary of Mumbai 26/11 terror attack, Survivor Devika says,  I saw a terrorist in front of me, firing and killing people. I still cannot forget that night. Even after years, I remember it as if it happened just yesterday. I had identified Kasab pic.twitter.com/Hki2CexHsJ ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2025

Devika went on to explain the ordeal she faced during the identification process in the courtroom. When three men were presented before her, she had to pick out Kasab from among them.

When three people were kept in front of me in the courtroom, I had to identify Kasab. The one who was sitting on the side of the judge was Ajmal Kasab. They tried to confuse me. They said, you are saying this, you are saying that. I said, no, this is the terrorist who shot me," she said.

Describing the cold, emotionless expression on Kasabs face during the attack, Devika said, There was no fear on his face. It felt like he was getting happiness by killing us. He was enjoying that thing while firing. And the face of that person is still in my mind. He has not been able to come out yet."

The 26/11 attacks, carried out by 10 militants from the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), killed 166 people and injured more than 300. The terrorists targeted high-profile locations across Mumbai, including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident Hotel, CST Railway Station, and Nariman House.

Seventeen years on, the scars of that brutal night remain fresh for survivors like Devika, and for the families who lost their loved ones. The attacks, often referred to as 26/11, continue to haunt those who lived through the terror, with the memory of those fateful moments never fading.

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Today, as part of the memorial observances, the Gateway of India hosted a tribute ceremony to honour the victims and heroes of 26/11. Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) continues to investigate further links to the 26/11 attacks. In October, the agency sought additional information from the United States government regarding Tahawwur Rana, a key figure in the conspiracy behind the attack, to aid ongoing investigations.

(With inputs from ANI)

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 26, 2025, 17:16 IST

News mumbai-news 'Showed No Fear': 26/11 Survivor Recalls How Ajmal Kasab Fired Indiscriminately

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The NATO secretary general warns that Spain will soon find it needs to spend around 3.5% of its GDP on defense and praises Trump: I like the guy

Mark Rutte, 58, has traded his seat as prime minister of the Netherlands  a position he held for 14 years  for that of secretary general of a NATO in turmoil due to the Russian threat and the upheaval on the global geopolitical landscape. And as if by magic, the Dutchman has gone from embodying frugality to urging allies to invest more in defense  Spain included. Rutte believes that the prediction that Spain can meet its targets by spending 2.1% of its gross domestic product (GDP), as Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has suggested, is not realistic. He will soon see that he also needs to spend between 3.4% and 3.6%, says Rutte in an interview held Monday with EL PAIS in one of the Alliances gleaming offices at its vast headquarters in Brussels.

At a key moment in peace negotiations for Ukraine, the NATO secretary general warns that even if an agreement is signed to end the war launched by Vladimir Putin nearly four years ago, Russia will remain a long-term threat for a long time.

Rutte arrives with a confident stride and an almost indelible smile. And in a NATO that watches with caution and side-eye any movement coming from the United States, the Dutchman has left some astonished  and drawn criticism  for his very close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, with whom he uses a tone that some consider overly flattering. Such as when he called him daddy, praising him for pushing allies to commit to higher defense spending. I like the guy, he admits in a conversation with this newspaper and with Sven Christian Schulz from the German outlet RND. Im really glad about President Trumps leadership, he concludes.

Question. Do you see the Ukraine peace plan more as a farce or as an opportunity?

Answer. What I truly admire about the U.S. president is that, from February onward, he consistently tried first to break the deadlock with Putin and then to end this terrible war. This peace plan on Sunday was the basis for the talks between Ukraine and the U.S. The plan has been a good basis for the discussions. The proposal contains strong elements, and others that need more work and dialogue. Thats what the Ukrainians and the U.S. are doing right now.

Q. Russia wants to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO in the future. Dont Kyiv and NATO have the right to decide for themselves?

A. Russia has no vote and no veto over who becomes a NATO member. But within NATO, membership requires unanimity. At the Washington summit, we decided that Ukraine is on an irreversible path toward NATO. At the same time, several allies, including the U.S., have said they are currently opposed to Ukraine joining. When you look at the peace plan and want to ensure that Putin never again tries to attack Ukraine, then if NATO membership is not an option, we must at least put in place security guarantees strong enough to make Russia never try again. The first question is how to keep the Ukrainian Armed Forces strong, the second is what a coalition of the willing can provide, and the third is what the U.S. will contribute, since President Trump has said before meeting Putin in Alaska, that he wants to be involved in security guarantees. That discussion is ongoing.

Q. But will the door for Ukraine stay open?

A. The Washington Treaty of 1949 allows any country in the Euro-Atlantic area to join. But without unanimity among all allies, it isnt possible.

Q. Europeans have not been involved from the beginning in the peace plan. Will Europe only play a role in the peace negotiations when money is needed, like for reconstruction?

A. I disagree, because there is also a European peace plan. Since February, there have been extensive discussions between European allies, the U.S., and Canada to find a path to peace. The coalition of the willing is one result of those conversations, outlining what security guarantees could look like after a peace deal. The U.S. weapons purchases under the so-called PURL program [whereby Europeans buy weapons from Washington for Kyiv] to help Ukraine to stay in the fight also stem from this. And Sundays Geneva talks between the security advisers of Europes three biggest countries show that there has always been a dialogue.

Q. Do you think its possible that the war will end by the end of the year?

A. Of course, we all pray for this war to end as soon as possible. I want to do everything to help implement President Trumps vision to get this done. I fully share Trumps view that this meat grinder must be stopped. At this point, around one million Russians have been killed or seriously wounded, and Russia is losing around 20,000 soldiers every month. Can you imagine that, 20,000 every month? These are fathers and sons dying for almost no territorial gain. And many Ukrainian casualties too. This year, Russia has taken only about 1% of Ukrainian territory and advances just a few yards a day. Theyve been trying to capture Pokrovsk for 18 months and still dont fully control it. More Russians have died trying to take the city than the number of Ukrainians who originally lived there.

Q. But do you have the feeling that we are now in a special situation, which might soon lead to an end of the war?

A. Its always difficult to predict, but I truly hope peace comes soon. Of course, what happened in Geneva, was served as a base to get the two parties to a real dialogue, and the talks were very successful. But it has to be followed through with more meetings and then there also has to be a discussion separately with the EU and NATO on some issues. So on the way to peace, we are not yet there.

Q. For NATO and especially the Europeans, Russia is a long-term threat. Can you imagine that a peace deal could change that in just a few weeks?

A. No. Russia will remain a long-term threat for a long time. If a Russian president is willing to sacrifice a million of his own people for this fallacy to correct history, we must be prepared. Thats why we need to spend so much more in our defense. A peace plan doesnt change the assessment that Russia is a long-term threat to Europe.

Q. Spain maintains that it can achieve NATOs target range with 2.1% of its GDP and therefore has not committed to investing 5% (3.5% in strict defense and 1.5% in security-related spending), as other allies have done. Do you think Spains forecast is realistic?

A. No, its not realistic. Spain will soon see that it also needs to spend 3.4% to 3.6%. The 2% target from the 2014 Wales summit was plucked from the air. The current 3.5% is rooted in the capability requirements agreed by defense ministers in early June before the summit in The Hague. These are the costs of having 400% more air defense systems, maneuver platforms, long-range missiles, and all the other capabilities Europe and Canada need to defend themselves. Spain says it can do it for 2.1%, but it is the only one that thinks so. The positive part is that Prime Minister Sanchez and his government have committed to 2% this year, which is important. Spain is spending much more on defense, and I want to thank him for that. I also mentioned Spains contribution to the PURL initiative, and during [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskiys visit, Spain announced a much larger package, around 600 million [$695 million]. Thats good news.

Q. Spain is a very active ally in NATO.

A. Exactly, Spain is the framework nation for the forward land forces in Slovakia, for example, and is deployed in many other parts of the alliance. Wherever I go, I meet Spanish soldiers. As a lead in Slovakia, but also participating in many other countries.

Q. But even with all this contribution, President Trump said that Spain might be expelled from NATO because of not meeting the 3.5% target..

A. Thats not on the table. But I expect Spain to deliver on the capability targets. Thats what Prime Minister Sanchez promised me and NATO. I know that he does what he promises, like reaching the 2% this year. I expect the same for reaching the capability targets. When you make the calculation, you will see that you need to spend 3.5%., because 2.1% is not enough.

Q. But is it a good system to give more importance to defense investment than to contributions to missions and operations?

A. Spain is an important ally and is supporting Ukraine. Everything you do in core defense spending is counting into the 2% and also in this new 3.5% target. When you have your Spanish military deployed in Slovakia, thats all part of the 2% and a few to 3.5%.

Q. Since becoming secretary general, you have met with Trump several times and have received some criticism for your closeness to the U.S. president and for the tone you use. Is the U.S. treated as an equal among NATO members?

A. All allies are equally dear to me and I love them all equally, of course. But we must be honest: the U.S. is by far the most powerful military in the world and the ultimate guarantor of Europes security through its nuclear umbrella. It has a massive military presence in Europe and provides key capabilities. So yes, we are all equal, but some are more equal than others, and the U.S. clearly is. And Trump? Yes, I like the guy. We know each other well from my time as prime minister when he was the 45th president. I think he is doing exactly what we need him to do. With the 5% target agreed at the Hague summit, he achieved his biggest foreign-policy success in Europe. What he has done on Ukraine, breaking the deadlock with Putin, the progress on Gaza, striking Irans nuclear facilities, and working to resolve conflicts involving India, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and others  he deserves full support. Because it always starts with the U.S. As U.S. president, when Trump picks up the phone to Putin, that really makes a difference. Thats why I think we can all be glad with Trumps presidency.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during the interview on Monday in Brussels. NATO (NATO)

Q. You said you like the guy

A. Yeah, Im really fond of him, because he is really engaging. Hes pushing the envelope. Would Spain have committed to reaching 2% by the end of this year without him? Would the entire alliance have reached 2%? Would we ever have agreed on 5% in The Hague? So lets thank him for that.

Q. But he brings a lot of instability, especially to Europe.

A. Instability? I dont see that, not at all. President Trump is totally committed to Article 5 [mutual defense]. There was this one big irritant he had, we were not spending enough on defense. He is actively resolving conflicts, including Gaza. We held more than 100 meetings of European leaders but in the end it was the U.S. president who broke the deadlock on Gaza with Qatar, Israel, the Palestinians. Im really glad about President Trumps leadership. Yes, I support him totally.

Q. And what about tone?

A. Theres sometimes a language issue. When I said daddy, I did not realize at that moment, what impact that would have. But thats fine. I mean, its a question of taste, whether you say that or not. But its my style and people like it or not. But they knew that when they asked me to become secretary general.

Q. Since the summer, new monthly weapons packages for Ukraine have been delivered through the PURL mechanism, in which Europeans buy U.S. weapons. What have these packages achieved?

A. A lot, because this is crucial gear going into Ukraine. Europeans have contributed significantly over the past years, but there are certain capabilities only the U.S. can provide. Ukraine receives roughly $1 billions worth of weapons per month. Im very pleased that Spain has decided to support a package as well. I want to thank the Spanish prime minister and his government for that. It matters for Ukraines protection, for saving innocent Ukrainians lives, and for defending infrastructure hit by Russian drones and missiles. It also ensures Ukraine can conduct its own attacks and prevent Russia from being successful in Ukraine.

Q. How many packages do you expect by the end of the year?

A. We will reach around $5 billion by end of this year, so about $1 billion per month. We are on track with delivering all the weapons into Ukraine. But its not only the PURL initiative, there is also the Czech ammunition initiative and the Lithuanian and Danish efforts to buy from Ukraines defense industry. And European nations are still providing equipment from their own stockpiles. Of course, after three or four years of war, those stockpiles are shrinking, but deliveries are still possible.

Q. The U.S. recently sanctioned Russian oil companies in a surprise move. Are you already seeing any effects?

A. This has a big effect because what President Trump did against Rosneft and Luke oil is also impacting countries like China and India, who are worried about being hit by U.S. sanctions, because they still trade with those companies. This means, we see a first order effect and a second order effect which are considerable. Look what happened the last couple of days in the Russian media: Putin is now seriously deciding to increase taxation. I was a politician and I know the last thing you want to do is raise your taxes because its not popular with the voters. So if Putin is now at a point where he has to increase taxes, it tells you a lot about the state of play in Russia. The war against Ukraine is really having an impact on Russian way of life. In the end, it will therefore also reach, no doubt, the elite in Moscow and people will start to call Vladimir Putin asking him: Yes, of course, we support you, but could you still explain again why this is a good policy?

Q. Do you think all NATO countries, even countries far away from the Ukrainian battlefield, like Spain, Italy and Portugal, feel the same threat as the Baltic?

A. You know what is the difference between Vilnius and Valencia? Five minutes. Its five minutes difference between Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania and Valencia, the beautiful city in Spain. The five minutes is the time it takes the latest Russian missiles to reach Spain. These missiles come down with five times the speed of sound. You cannot take them out with conventional interceptors. So whenever you think that it is Lithuania on the eastern flank, and you are somehow safe far away, you are also on the eastern flank. Were all on the eastern flank. There is no difference anymore.

Q. You met Putin several times during your time as Dutch prime minister. What did you learn about Putin during that time that still helps you today?

A. I learned something fundamental about Russia in general and Vladimir Putin in particular: whenever you make a deal, you must ensure it is in his own interest to stick to it. Its not just about trust; its trust plus. In practice, that means keeping trust low and ensuring the incentives are clear. When it comes to a long-term ceasefire or, preferably, a full peace agreement in Ukraine, we must make sure he will never try again, because he knows the consequences would be devastating for him. That is the core lesson I took away.

Q. Do you remember when you learned this lesson?

A. I had many conversations with Putin, starting with my first visit to Moscow in 2011. He visited me in Amsterdam, we met twice in St. Petersburg and again in Sochi during the Winter Olympics. The invasion of Crimea in March 2014 ended that dialogue, but we had to resume it in July after the downing of MH17 by a Russian missile, when 298 people were killed. For six nights, we held long discussions. I wont go into details, those conversations also carry a certain expectation of confidentiality, even if they were with Putin.

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Permanent Home For Every Poor Family: Delhi CM Announces Rs 700 Crore For Slum Development

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 18:19 IST

Every slum household in Delhi will receive permanent housing, chief minister Rekha Gupta said

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta highlighted the long-standing issues and neglect faced by poor families living in Delhis slum settlements for decades. (File)

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday made it clear" that every slum resident in Delhi now has the right to a permanent home, adding that her government is ensuring that every poor family receives a dignified permanent home.

Gupta, while attending the Jhuggi-Jhopdi Swabhiman Sabha at Wazirpur Industrial Area, stated that the Delhi Government is committed to the welfare of poor families living in slum clusters, which is why a dedicated budget of Rs 700 crore has been allocated for their development, an official statement from the government reads.

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Every slum household in Delhi will receive permanent housing," the chief minister said, adding a new beginning for the welfare of the poor.

A large number of slum dwellers, local residents, and public representatives attended the occasion. Addressing them, Gupta went on to say that her government will use the fund for building Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Atal Canteens, Basti Vikas Kendras, road and drainage improvements, and other essential facilities in slum areas.

The Chief Minister highlighted the long-standing issues and neglect faced by poor families living in Delhis slum settlements for decades.

Gupta went on to attack the Arvind Kejriwal regime, saying that the previous governments treated these settlements merely as vote banks and failed to provide basic amenities such as toilets, parks, roads, drainage systems, and permanent housing. She alleged that their approach was to keep the poor poor and keep them frightened".

Previous governments spent crores of rupees to build 50,000 flats but never allotted them to the poor, leaving them to deteriorate and crumble," she added.

Ration card issuance to restart

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The Chief Minister further announced that the process of issuing new ration cards  which she claimed had been halted for nearly 15 years  will be restarted, cancelling cards of ineligible beneficiaries and issuing new ones to genuine needy families.

Similarly, discontinued pension schemes are also being revived. She said that after her government came into office, all suspended processes related to ration cards, pensions, and other welfare schemes have been reactivated. She emphasised that development can only be sustained when all public representatives, Members of Parliament, MLAs, and councillors work in the same direction.

About the Author Nivedita Singh Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She twe... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 18:19 IST

News new-delhi-news Permanent Home For Every Poor Family: Delhi CM Announces Rs 700 Crore For Slum Development

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Bihar DElEd Result 2025 Shorlty, Know How To Check & Download Results

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 12:50 IST

Bihar Board will release the DElEd Entrance Exam 2025 result today. Candidates will be able to check their results on result.deledbihaar.com.

Check simple steps to downlod Bihar DElEd 2025 result.

Bihar DElEd 2025 Entrance Result: The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) is set to declare the DElEd Joint Entrance Examination 2025 results today, November 26. The announcement will be made at 1 pm by BSEB Chairman Anand Kishor at the Boards main office on Sinha Library Road in Patna. The official result website notified by the board is result.deledbihaar.com.

In its official statement announcing the date and time, BSEB confirmed that the declaration of the DElEd result will take place at the Bihar School Examination Board headquarters located at Sinha Library Road, Patna-17, with Chairman Anand Kishor present for the formal announcement.

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Where To Check Bihar DElEd 2025 Results

Candidates who appeared for the examination can check their results once released on the official BSEB portal at secondary.biharboardonline.com. Results will also be accessible on biharboardonline.com.

How To Check Bihar Board DElEd Result?

Step 1: Visit the official BSEB website: secondary.biharboardonline.com.

Step 2: Click on the Bihar DElEd Result 2025" link on the homepage.

Step 3: Enter the required login credentials.

Step 4: Submit to view your result.

Step 5: Download the result page.

Step 6: Keep a printed copy for future reference.

Candidates are advised to ensure they have their login details ready ahead of time to avoid delays in accessing the result once the link is activated.

ALSO READ: Panjab University Closed Today, Exams Put On Hold Amid Protests

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Bihar DElEd, a two-year teacher training programme required for those who wish to become primary school teachers in Bihar. The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) conducts the DElEd Joint Entrance Examination for admission into this course.

Candidates who qualify are allotted seats in recognised teacher training institutes across the state. After completing the DElEd programme, candidates become eligible to apply for teaching positions at the primary level, including government schools, subject to clearing any additional recruitment tests where applicable.

About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, ... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 12:50 IST

News education-career Bihar DElEd Result 2025 Shorlty, Know How To Check & Download Results

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HECI Will Bring 'Light But Tight' Regulation & More Academic Space: Former UGC Chief | Interview

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 10:55 IST

In a conversation with News18, former UGC Chairman Prof Jagadesh Kumar explains how HECI will replace UGC, AICTE and NCTE, reshape regulation and support autonomy.

Prof Jagadesh Kumar tells News18 that NEP 2020 and HECI will strengthen academic independence and support innovation in universities.

As the government prepares to introduce the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill in Parliament this winter session, the future of Indias regulatory framework for higher education has become a subject of significant debate. To understand the implications of replacing UGC, AICTE and NCTE with a single regulator, News18 spoke to Prof Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, former Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and former Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

In this exclusive conversation, he shares his perspectives on how the transition to HECI may unfold, its impact on academic autonomy, the role of state universities, and whether the move represents genuine reform or merely administrative restructuring.

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Here are the edited excerpts of the interview:

Q. What challenges do you foresee in the transition from UGC to HECI, especially when integrating the roles currently performed by AICTE and NCTE?

Prof Jagadesh: Careful consideration has been given to the transition from the current regulatory system to HECI as envisaged in NEP 2020. UGC, AICTE and NCTE are distinct regulatory bodies with different data systems and decision-making styles. NEP 2020 advocates an integrated approach, envisioning a convergence of professional and general education and enabling institutions to become large multidisciplinary universities. This requires harmonised norms on faculty qualifications, infrastructure, online delivery, skill education and assessment across streams previously in separate silos. HECI will address practical challenges with approvals and pending files, giving institutions clarity on authority and processes during the transition. It will adopt strong communication, phased timelines and transparent legacy rules, while professional councils will provide their views through HECI via designated representatives.

Q. How might HECI impact the academic independence of universities, particularly in areas such as curriculum design and degree approval?

Prof Jagadesh: NEP 2020 emphasises academic independence along with responsibility. It links regulation to learning outcomes rather than micromanaging educational institutions. HECI will strengthen this shift by focusing on broad curricular frameworks, such as credit structures, levels, and expected graduate capabilities, while leaving institutions free to decide pedagogical style. HECI will also champion the Indian language medium of instruction and Indian Knowledge Systems in a way that the earlier education system could not. HECI will set explicit norms that recognise Indian epistemic traditions while keeping global benchmarks in view. This approach can give universities the confidence to design creative programmes, for example, a BSc in Physics with Indian astronomy modules, without regulatory confusion.

Q. Do you believe that shifting to a single regulatory authority will improve efficiency, or is there a risk of excessive centralisation of power?

Prof Jagadesh: A single regulator can improve efficiency by reducing duplication and conflicting directions. Today, institutions often juggle guidelines from UGC, AICTE and NCTE that overlap or diverge. This current system keeps our educational system fragmented. HECI will adopt risk-based, data-driven regulation and utilise technology for faceless approvals and disclosures. As a national body, HECI will protect student interests while respecting institutional diversity. HECI will safeguard against unhealthy centralisation through transparent criteria, appeal mechanisms and continuous dialogue with universities and state governments.

Q. How could the HECI framework affect the autonomy of state-run universities that currently operate under state legislation?

Prof Jagadesh: State universities play a crucial role in Indias mass higher education system. HECI will operate within the constitutional framework where education is on the Concurrent List and state Acts define university structures. NEP 2020 does not dilute that framework but calls for common principles on quality, transparency and mobility. For state universities, HECI can serve as a national reference point for technology integration, including the Academic Bank of Credits, National Credit Framework, skills education and accreditation. It will support student mobility across state borders and between different types of institutions. States can continue to decide on fee policy, reservation norms, multidisciplinary education, industry-academia collaborations, startup ecosystems and funding, subject to constitutional limits. HECI will conduct structured consultations with state governments and state higher education councils to enhance autonomy and support long-term planning and decision-making.

ALSO READ: HECI Bill Likely In Winter Session To Replace UGC, AICTE, NCTE With Single Regulator

Q. From a policy perspective, do you think HECI will meaningfully reform Indias higher education system, or is it essentially a restructuring of existing bodies?

Prof Jagadesh: There should be no confusion about whether HECI represents deep reform or a cosmetic reshuffle. NEP 2020 strongly emphasises the need for an integrated approach and light but tight" regulation, linking it to a move towards large, multidisciplinary universities, flexible curricula, and strong research cultures. HECI will function as a strategic commission rather than a clearance office. It will promote programmes rooted in the Indian language medium of instruction, local economies, and Indian Knowledge Systems while insisting on global standards of rigour. That combination can shift Indian higher education away from narrow affiliation routines towards institution building rooted in Indian ethos.

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Q. Will the establishment of HECI influence the way grants and financial support are allocated to institutions? Do you think funding and regulation should remain separate or be unified?

Prof Jagadesh: HECI will shape funding patterns indirectly. NEP 2020 clearly states that regulation, accreditation, and academic standards should not be in a single office to avoid conflicts of interest. From a policy perspective, this design enables India to link grants to transparent performance indicators, such as accreditation, research output, inclusion metrics, and support for Indian language and IKS-based programmes, while keeping day-to-day regulation distinct. Such arms-length arrangements enhance trust in the system. Since HECI will publish clear criteria for mandatory public disclosure of funding data and learning outcomes, institutions can plan with greater confidence, and society can see how public investment aligns with national priorities.

About the Author Archit Gupta Archit Gupta is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com and a seasoned education journalist specialising in reporting on education and employment. He has covered a variety of education-related stories, inclu... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 10:52 IST

News education-career HECI Will Bring 'Light But Tight' Regulation & More Academic Space: Former UGC Chief | Interview

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IIM Placements 2025: Highest Salary Packages, Top Sectors & Roles Revealed

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 14:17 IST

Know how IIMs performed this season, from the highest salary packages to the top hiring sectors and job roles that dominated placements in 2025.

IIM placements 2025 saw major hiring in consulting, finance and product roles.

Top IIMs across the country have reported strong placement outcomes for 2025, with salary packages climbing steadily despite market fluctuations. IIM Calcutta recorded one of the highest domestic packages at Rs 1.45 crore per annum, while IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore continued to dominate the top-tier hiring landscape, especially in consulting, finance, and strategy roles.

Several IIMs have seen significant improvement in their average salary brackets, with many now crossing the Rs 30 lakh mark. Recruiters such as McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Goldman Sachs, Amazon, HUL, Tata Administrative Services, JP Morgan and Accenture Strategy have led the hiring trends, offering coveted roles in consulting, investment banking, product management and leadership tracks.

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According to placement data reported by the institutes, here is a comparative look at the highest and average compensation packages offered at IIMs for the 2025 placement cycle (with some campuses providing 2024 data where 2025 data is not yet released):

Name of IIM Highest CTC (INR) Average CTC (INR) IIM Ahmedabad INR 1.10 CPA INR 35.22 LPA IIM Bangalore NA INR 34.88 LPA IIM Calcutta INR 1.45 CPA INR 34.23 LPA IIM Lucknow INR 65.00 LPA INR 32.00 LPA IIM Kozhikode INR 72.02 LPA (2024) INR 29.20 LPA (2024) IIM Indore INR 70 LPA INR 29.57 LPA IIM Shillong INR 71.50 LPA INR 26.44 LPA IIM Rohtak INR 36.00 LPA INR 18.73 LPA IIM Ranchi INR 50.39 LPA INR 19.24 LPA IIM Raipur INR 67.60 LPA (2024) INR 21.04 LPA (2024) IIM Tiruchirappalli INR 43.69 LPA INR 19.43 LPA IIM Kashipur INR 29.86 LPA INR 15.04 LPA IIM Udaipur INR 47.00 LPA (2024) INR 18.80 LPA (2024) IIM Nagpur INR 69.57 LPA INR 18.72 LPA IIM Vishakhapatnam INR 32.50 LPA INR 16.40 LPA IIM Bodh Gaya INR 22.00 LPA INR 13.00 LPA IIM Amritsar INR 58.52 LPA INR 16.51 LPA (2024) IIM Sirmaur NA INR 13.30 LPA IIM Sambalpur INR 48.60 LPA INR 15.65 LPA IIM Jammu INR 31.75 LPA (2024) INR 15.48 LPA (2024) IIM Mumbai INR 54.00 LPA (2024) INR 29.44 LPA (2024)

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Interestingly, IIM Bangalore  despite not disclosing the highest CTC figure this season  continues to remain one of Indias strongest MBA brands, as reflected in its average salary of Rs 34.88 lakh. Meanwhile, newer IIMs such as Raipur, Nagpur, Sambalpur and Jammu are steadily building a strong placement track record, narrowing the gap with older campuses.

For MBA aspirants, these numbers signal continued dominance of IIM graduates in high-paying corporate roles, with consulting, finance and product leadership emerging as the most lucrative career paths in 2025.

About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, ... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 14:17 IST

News education-career IIM Placements 2025: Highest Salary Packages, Top Sectors & Roles Revealed

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Maharashtra Seeks To Rename IIT Bombay, Fadnavis Says He Will Write To Centre

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 19:59 IST

The announcement comes amid a row over Union Minister Jitendra Singh's recent remarks on the nomenclature of the premier institute.

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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. (File photo)

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said the state government will write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Education Ministry seeking to rename IIT Bombay as IIT Mumbai.

The announcement comes amid a row over Union Minister Jitendra Singhs recent remarks on the nomenclature of the premier institute.

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Singh, Minister of State for Science and Technology, had said on Monday at a function at IIT Bombay that, thankfully, the institutes name had not been changed to Mumbai. As far as IIT Bombay is concerned, thank God it still is this name. You have not changed it to Mumbai. So thats another compliment to you. And also true for Madras. It remains IIT Madras," he said, drawing sharp criticism from MNS chief Raj Thackeray.

Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Fadnavis stressed the historical contribution of BJP leader Ram Naik in renaming the city from Bombay to Mumbai.

First of all, everyone knows that BJP leader Ram Naik had made the biggest contribution in changing (the name of) Bombay to Mumbai. We always say Mumbai, and not Bombay. We have been consistently trying to ensure that Bombay be replaced with Mumbai," he said.

Fadnavis added, I will write a letter to the Prime Minister and the HRD (Education) Minister to change the name of IIT Bombay to IIT Mumbai."

The debate has also been picked up by Raj Thackeray, who linked it to the larger issue of Marathi identity and the upcoming Mumbai civic polls. He compared the situation to the Central governments earlier attempt to wrest" Chandigarh from Punjab, warning that a similar move might be underway in Mumbai. Our Marathi Mumbai remained in Maharashtra. Now, the bitterness thats been festering in their bellies for decades is starting to spill out once again," he said, urging Marathi residents to remain vigilant.

MNS workers on Wednesday displayed a banner outside IIT Bombay, renaming" the institution as IIT Mumbai. Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya also confirmed that the state government would send a formal proposal to the Centre and added that the Bombay High Court should similarly be renamed as Mumbai High Court.

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The city, formerly known as Bombay, was officially renamed Mumbai in 1995 to honour the local goddess Mumbadevi, and to shed remnants of British colonial rule.

(With inputs from PTI)

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 19:57 IST

News education-career Maharashtra Seeks To Rename IIT Bombay, Fadnavis Says He Will Write To Centre

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Panjab University Closed Today, Exams Put On Hold Amid Protests

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 08:40 IST

Panjab University closed today as students continue their protest, leading to a full campus shutdown and exam postponements.

Panjab University closed as students protest for Senate election schedule. (File Photo)

Panjab University was shut today after student groups called for a complete campus lockdown to press for the announcement of long-pending Senate election dates. In response, the university declared Wednesday a holiday and suspended all academic, administrative and office activity, as reported by news agency PTI.

The university also postponed examinations scheduled for today at four PU campus centres CHD40, CHD41, CHD43 and CHD44, which had earlier been shifted to DAV College, Sector 10. The fresh dates for the conduct of these exams will be notified later," read the official PU statement.

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This comes a day after PU authorities had stated that November 26 would remain a working day and ordered teachers and department heads to be present from 9 am to 5 pm. On Monday, Vice-Chancellor Prof Renu Vig urged faculty members to counsel agitating students, saying that while protests are a democratic right, students appearing for exams must not be obstructed.

The agitation is being led by students under the Panjab University Bachao Morcha, who had warned that they would block the main entry gates of the varsity. Earlier on November 10, a large protest saw students clashing with campus security at the gates.

The unrest began after the Centre moved to restructure PUs governing bodies, the Senate and Syndicate. Although the Ministry of Education withdrew the order on November 7 following pressure from political leaders and students, demonstrators have continued their protest.

ALSO READ: Odisha Cabinet Approves Amendments To CGL, CHSL Recruitment Exam Rules

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Their main demand is the announcement of the long-delayed Senate elections, which have not been held for over a year. The vice-chancellor previously said that the poll schedule has been sent to the Chancellor, Indias Vice-President, for approval. However, student groups say the protest will continue until the schedule is officially made public.

Several political parties and farmer organisations, including the Aam Aadmi Party, Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress and Samyukta Kisan Morcha factions, have voiced support for the students.

About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, ... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 08:40 IST

News education-career Panjab University Closed Today, Exams Put On Hold Amid Protests

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'No Match For BJP's Hard Work': Another Congress Leader Blames High Command For Bihar Loss

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 21:52 IST

Congress leader Rashid Alvi pointedly criticised Rahul Gandhi for being "inaccessible" and advocated for his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, to take up the party mantle

Congress leader Rashid Alvi criticised the central leadership of the party for sidelining senior leaders. (Image: News18 India)

Hours after Congress leader Akhilesh Prasad Singh opined that he did not expect such a poor result in the recently concluded Bihar assembly election, another party colleague attacked the central leadership for the devastating loss in the state.

Senior Congress leader Rashid Alvi blamed the central leadership for the crushing defeat in Bihar  the party only won six seats out of the 61 it contested as part of one of the main constituents of the opposition Mahagathbandhan led by the RJD. The ruling NDA, conversely, swept the election securing 202 seats in the 243-member assembly, with the BJP emerging as the single-largest party with 89 seats.

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Acknowledging the NDAs landslide victory, Alvi said the Congress was no match for the BJPs hard work" in Bihar. He pointedly criticised MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for being inaccessible" and advocated for his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, to take up the party mantle.

Watch the video here:

 Congress senior leader Rashid Alvi voices strong displeasure, saying the congress party is sidelining and ignoring its experienced leadership.Another senior face raising concern about how the congress party is treating its own veterans. pic.twitter.com/n92shbcZT8 Janta Journal (@JantaJournal) November 26, 2025

He laid direct blame on the Congress high command, stressing that it was solely responsible for the deplorable state of the party.

We were no match for the BJPs hard work," Alvi said in an interview with News18 Hindi.

The Congress leaders criticism is one of many remarks coming from within the party following its massive loss in the Bihar election. He alleged that not only is Gandhi inaccessible to his leaders and party workers, the central leadership also sidelined veteran figures in the run-up to the polls.

His strong displeasure echoed criticisms that decisions are concentrated in the hands of a few people, ignoring workers who understand the ground. He noted the difficulty leaders and workers face in connecting with the central leadership and remarked that meeting Gandhi is not easy even for Congress leaders.

Even Indira Gandhi was easily accessible," he said.

Alvis most pointed demand, however, was a call for a change in leadership. Priyanka Gandhi should take charge of the party as she reflects the qualities of her grandmother, Indira Gandhi," he added.

There has been a massive public backlash, mostly targeting Gandhi, within the party since the Bihar debacle. Akhilesh Prasad Singh previously noted that such a poor result was not expected and acknowledged that people are angry and that a high-level review will discuss shortcomings and necessary corrective measures.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has also promised a thorough study" of the defeat, though critics suggested the party relies on introspection rather than fundamental reform.

Other senior figures like Lok Sabha MP Tariq Anwar pointed to specific strategic failures like the controversial appointment of Krishna Allavaru as the Bihar poll incharge, calling it a wrong decision". He lamented that the overall selection of candidates was flawed and that many seniors were not consulted".

Congress leader Karti Chidambaram also listed organisational deficiencies, including a collapse in grassroots mobilisation, inconsistent messaging, and a failure to engage new voter segments. Shashi Tharoor, the ever-present dissenter, expressed discomfort with the partys role in the Mahagathbandhan and claimed that he was not invited to campaign in Bihar.

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From Bihar, it was Congress leader Mumtaz Patel who accused the high command of concentrating decision-making power and ignoring dedicated cadres.

While Gandhi has attributed the crushing loss to an unfair" election that was not fair from the very beginning", many within the party believe such explanations no longer resonate. This festering rift has even prompted the state Congress unit to expel seven leaders, accusing them of anti-party activity and making baseless allegations of ticket racketeering".

About the Author Oindrila Mukherjee Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing im... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 21:52 IST

News elections 'No Match For BJP's Hard Work': Another Congress Leader Blames High Command For Bihar Loss

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Ousted AIADMK Veteran Sengottaiyan May Join Vijay's TVK Tomorrow

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 08:04 IST

The MLA was sacked from the AIADMK for joining hands with ousted leaders, including VK Sasikala, O Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran

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Sengottaiyan had recently called for a "united AIADMK" and urged Edappadi K Palaniswami to re-induct the ousted leaders in a move to defeat the DMK. (Facebook)

Veteran politician KA Sengottaiyan is likely to join Vijays political party TVK on November 27, top TVK sources have told CNN-News 18.

The MLA from Gobichettipalayam is likely to resign as a legislator on Wednesday.

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Neither confirming nor denying reports of his joining the TVK, Sengottaiyan told CNN-News18: Im deeply anguished because the only reward I received was that I can no longer be a member of the AIADMK. I have no further comments to make."

Sengottaiyan, a nine-time MLA, is a strongman from Western Tamil Nadu.

He was recently sacked from the AIADMK for joining hands with ousted leaders, including VK Sasikala, O Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran on October 30 this year in Madurai.

Sengottaiyan had recently called for a united AIADMK" and urged Edappadi K Palaniswami to re-induct the ousted leaders in a move to defeat the DMK. Palaniswami, in response, removed him from party positions.

So far, the BJP has maintained that it will not interfere" in the internal matters of the AIADMK, but several leaders of the saffron party are of the opinion that the AIADMK should remain united and this alone will help the NDA do better in the 2026 state assembly polls.

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Leaders, including Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran, are mulling options too. Sources close to OPS say he may start his own outfit and explore an alliance with the TVK.

TTV Dhinakaran, who has said the 2026 elections are between the DMK and the TVK, is also reportedly in talks with TVK. Dhinakaran has said he will take a decision by December.

About the Author Poornima Murali Poornima Murali, Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, has reported for over a decade on civic and political issues in Tamil Nadu. She has been helming the Chennai bureau for the channel for yea... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 08:04 IST

News elections Ousted AIADMK Veteran Sengottaiyan May Join Vijay's TVK Tomorrow

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'TMC Hoodlums Intimidating': BJP Attacks Mamata After EC Writes To Kolkata Top Cop On Staff Safety

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 27, 2025, 00:31 IST

The BJP's reaction came after the Election Commission of India formally notified the Kolkata police commissioner about a serious security breach at the West Bengal CEO's office

The BJP launched a scathing attack on West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee over security threats to election staff amid SIR exercise. (Image: PTI/File)

The BJP on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, drawing attention to an alleged crisis of constitutional governance and security threats directed at electoral staff in West Bengal.

This came after the Election Commission of India (ECI) formally notified the Kolkata police commissioner about a serious security breach at the chief electoral officers (CEO) office.

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The BJP, in response to the letter, alleged that the ruling Trinamool Congress was openly intimidating constitutional authorities" amid the ongoing pan-India special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and with the assembly elections not far away.

TMC hoodlums are openly accosting and intimidating Constitutional authorities in West Bengal yet Mamata Banerjee has the audacity to lecture the nation on her supposed commitment to the Constitution. If Baba Saheb Ambedkars Constitution is to be upheld in letter and spirit, Mamata Banerjees misrule must be rejected outright," BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya wrote in a post on X.

TMC hoodlums are openly accosting and intimidating Constitutional authorities in West Bengal, yet Mamata Banerjee has the audacity to lecture the nation on her supposed commitment to the Constitution. If Baba Saheb Ambedkars Constitution is to be upheld in letter and spirit, https://t.co/nsvDkkkEqp Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) November 26, 2025

Calling the SIR a civilisational imperative", he urged the Election Commission (EC) to ensure that the exercise is carried out firmly, fairly and without fear".

It is now incumbent upon the Election Commission of India to ensure that the SIR is conducted firmly, fairly and without fear. In Bengal, this is no longer a routine administrative exercise, it has become a civilisational imperative. If the SIR fails to achieve its objective, it will jeopardise not only Bengals future but Indias national security for decades to come," Malviya said.

The safety and security of election staff has been the subject of heightened back-and-forth between the TMC and the BJP, which has repeatedly accused the ruling party of intimidation tactics and poll-related violence.

Citing inadequate protection, the EC directed the police to immediately provide comprehensive security for all electoral staff  at their offices, residences, and during commutes  due to the sensitivity of the poll activities.

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It said it has taken a serious view of the incident" following a serious security breach" on November 24 at the West Bengal CEOs office, which was also widely reported in media". It noted that the existing security in the office of the CEO appeared to be inadequate to handle the situation" leading to a potential threat to the safety and security of the Chief Electoral Officer, Additional Chief Electoral Officers, Joint Chief Electoral Officers, Deputy Chief Electoral Officers and other officers and staff working in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer".

The poll body demanded that adequate security classification shall be done on account of sensitivity involved due to SIR activities and forthcoming elections in the state". It stressed the need to ensure that no untoward incident occurs again" and required the police to send an action-taken report within 48 hours of receiving the letter.

About the Author Oindrila Mukherjee Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing im... Read More

First Published: November 27, 2025, 00:31 IST

News elections 'TMC Hoodlums Intimidating': BJP Attacks Mamata After EC Writes To Kolkata Top Cop On Staff Safety

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How Does ChatGPT Know This Users Location Despite Being In Incognito Mode?

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 18:07 IST

How do ChatGPT, Grok, and other AI models know your location even when you are in Incognito mode?

Does AI know your location even if you opt for Incognito browsing?

A ChatGPT user was stunned when the AI accurately guessed their location, even though they were using Chromes Incognito mode. Shocked, the user rushed to Reddit and posted a screenshot of their ChatGPT conversation, where theyd been asking about hatchbacks, and the AI had started recommending cars specifically for their city.

So does ChatGPT really know your location even if you opt private browsing"?

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ChatGPT Conversation

In the screenshot shared by Reddit user u/Dogesh-CheemsPur, ChatGPT can be seen responding to car prompts before giving a nifty suggestion:

Agar chaho, to mein [blurred] (UP) mein tumhare budget ke hisab se on-road price options de sakta hoon (dealers + tax ke saath). Karun? (If you want, I can suggest cars depending on the on-road prices in your city and your budget. Should I do it?)"

When the user asked how ChatGPT had figured out their location, the AI gave only evasive, vague answers.

Arre bhai, main bilkul nahi jaanta tum [blurred] mein ho  tumne hi pehle ek message mein kis city mein ho?" ke jawab mein city nahi batayi, to maine bas example ke taur par [blurred] jaisa ek random Tier-2 city ka naam dal diya tha, kyunki India mein on-road prices region-wise kaafi differ karte hain (I do not know where you live. I had asked you earlier which city you reside in, but you chose not to disclose. I was just stating an example of a Tier-2 city as on-road car prices vary region-wise.)"

Also Read: 90s Cult Classic To 2025 Obsession: Why Nostalgia Has Worked For Tata Sierra

Was chatting with ChatGPT on incognito and suddenly it mentioned the city i live in!" the OP captioned their post on Reddits r/IndiaSocial Subreddit.

Should You Be Alarmed?

No.

What Does AI Think?

We asked Grok, Elon Musks own AI model, the following:

Can AI know my location even if I am in incognito mode?"

Grok: Yes, an AI or any website can still figure out roughly where you are even if youre browsing in incognito mode. Incognito only prevents your own browser from keeping a record of what you do; it doesnt mask your IP address, block GPS, or stop Wi-Fi and cell-tower signals from giving away your position. As a result, the moment you visit a site (incognito or not), it usually sees the same city-level location it would see in a normal tab," it responded.

The only things that actually hide your location are turning off your phones location services entirely, using a reputable VPN, or routing through something stronger like Tor. Without those, incognito gives you zero protection against being located," it further added.

Incognito Mode

Google describes Incognito as a browsing window that can mask your browsing history as long as you dont sign in on any website or platform. This is ideal for those who are planning birthday surprises or browsing for something they do not wish to disclose to the user sharing their device.

In Incognito, none of your browsing history, cookies and site data, or information entered in forms are saved on your device. This means your activity doesnt show up in your Chrome browser history, so people who also use your device wont find your activity. Websites identify you as a new user and wont know who you are, as long as you dont sign in," an excerpt on Google Help Center reads.

Also Read: How ChatGPT Tried To Murder Em Dash Spoiler: The Dash Won

The private" browsing works in Incognito mode if the user isnt logged into a Google account. If a user opens an Incognito window while signed into their Google Account, such as Gmail, their browsing activity will still be recorded by Google.

Citing an example for this, the Google blog read: For example, you may use Incognito mode to shop online for a birthday gift for a family member who shares your device. If you dont sign in to your Google Account, your shopping activity will not appear in your Chrome browsing activity and wont be saved to your Google Account."

You Are Not Invisible

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An Incognito window doesnt make you invisible. In its blog post, Google mentions that your activity (the websites you visit) is still visible to your Internet Service Provider. Schools and offices, too, can keep track of what you browse in Incognito mode.

You can deep dive on Incognito here.

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 26, 2025, 18:07 IST

News explainers How Does ChatGPT Know This Users Location Despite Being In Incognito Mode?

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Recently acquitted of all charges in the trial of the century that pitted him against the leftist senator Ivan Cepeda, the right-wing former president now loses the momentum he had gained as a new election campaign gets underway

Former President Alvaro Uribe, the enduring figurehead of the Colombian right, had entered the nascent election campaign with some momentum. The wind was at his back after his acquittal on appeal of all charges of witness tampering and procedural fraud in the so-called trial of the century, which has pitted him against leftist Senator Ivan Cepeda for over a decade. Although the cases are separate, this momentum dissipated with the 28-year prison sentence handed down to his younger brother, the businessman and cattle rancher Santiago Uribe, also on appeal, for crimes related to paramilitary activity. Specifically, he was convicted of aggravated homicide and conspiracy to commit a crime while leading a paramilitary group called Los 12 Apostoles (The 12 Apostles). He was found guilty in the death of Camilo Barrientos, a bus driver from Yarumal, according to the ruling issued Tuesday by the Superior Court of Antioquia.

Last months acquittal had breathed new life into Alvaro Uribes political project. Since then, he has been leading the right-wing movement, waiting for the blocs and alliances to solidify, and maneuvering to build a grand coalition to counter the lefts ambitions, which are seeking a successor to President Gustavo Petro in the 2026 elections. He had also announced his intention to run again for the Senate in the March legislative elections, which precede the presidential elections and, through simultaneous primaries to choose candidates, effectively become a first round. From his ranch in Rionegro, Antioquia, he has held talks with a wide range of hopefuls and heavyweights in Colombian politics. These include not only members of his own party, the Democratic Center, which has yet to select its own candidate. In recent weeks, he has met with former Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon, journalist Vicky Davila, and the far-right politician Abelardo de la Espriella, among others. Everyone is hoping to secure his approval.

They have good reason for it. The former president, known for his firm hand and big heart, has been a key figure, to a greater or lesser extent, in every major election this century, either directly or indirectly. Next years election cycle will be no exception. He is probably the politician who most divides Colombian society and stirs the strongest passions. But now he will have to face the campaign under the long shadow of his familys ties to paramilitary groups, an accusation his adversaries have always used against him.

These accusations were also behind the trial of the century, which cornered him. Although Alvaro Uribe has been criminally charged on numerous occasions, the cases against him had never prospered until, paradoxically, he ended up in the crosshairs of the justice system for a case he himself initiated. It dates back to 2012, when Senator Cepeda attempted to prove Uribes alleged ties to paramilitary groups. The former president then denounced Cepeda before the Supreme Court, which is responsible for investigating members of Congress, accusing him of a plot involving false witnesses in Colombian prisons with the sole purpose of framing him.

The investigations took a dramatic turn in 2018 when the Supreme Court declined to prosecute Cepeda. Instead, it ordered an investigation into Uribe, suspecting that he and his lawyers had manipulated witnesses into recanting their testimonies and accusing his political adversary. Uribe even resigned from the Senate to escape the Supreme Courts jurisdiction, but the case continued its protracted course through the lower courts. He was initially sentenced to 12 years of house arrest, until his acquittal on October 21, celebrated by the right wing, shook up the political landscape.

Along the way, Cepeda, who has a long history of legal battles with the former president, became a villain to Uribe supporters and a hero to the anti-Uribe movement. Today, he is the lefts own presidential candidate and leads in the polls, after having decisively won the primary election of the ruling Historical Pact coalition last month. He was quick to celebrate Tuesdays conviction of Santiago Uribe as excellent news for the victims, for truth, and for justice in Colombia. Another more centrist pre-candidate, former Bogota mayor Claudia Lopez, who was a prominent researcher of paramilitarism before entering politics, also welcomed the sentence: There is no debt that goes unpaid, no deadline that isnt met, she wrote on her social media. To all the victims, the displaced farmers, the shattered families, the more than 132,000 mothers and fathers who are still searching for their disappeared children, my love and solidarity always. Justice may be delayed, but it arrives. The winds of judicial rulings are changing direction.

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Is Russia-Ukraine War Finally Near A Negotiated End? Inside The Intensifying Peace Talks

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 09:46 IST

While the US and Ukraine rework their draft and American envoys reach out to Moscow, the hardest questions on land, NATO and security guarantees remain unresolved

The core demands of each side remain the same. (Reuters Image)

A sudden burst of diplomacy has raised a question that has resurfaced repeatedly since 2022: Is the Russia-Ukraine war finally moving towards a negotiated end? Meetings in Switzerland, peace talks in the United Arab Emirates, a revised USUkraine draft agreement, and renewed US contact with Moscow have created the most active diplomatic phase in months.

US President Donald Trump said the plan has been fine-tuned, with additional input from both sides", while Ukrainian officials speak of a common understanding" with Washington on the core points.

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But the war is now in its fourth year. Russia continues missile and drone attacks, battlefield positions are shifting slowly, and the fundamental demands of both Kyiv and Moscow remain unchanged. Beneath the flurry of announcements, the central question persists: do these talks actually have the ingredients to stop the fighting?

What Has Triggered This New Diplomatic Push?

The latest initiative stems from a 28-point peace plan drafted in Washington and presented to Kyiv last week. According to CNN, the original draft was prepared by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff, with what officials described as strong input from Russia. Earlier discussions also involved Kremlin aide Kirill Dmitriev, and that Rustem Umerov, now Ukraines national security chief, had participated in some earlier exchanges.

The proposal immediately prompted intense negotiations. Over the weekend, US and Ukrainian delegations met in Geneva to revise the document. Umerov later wrote that our delegations reached a common understanding on the core terms of the agreement discussed in Geneva", and said the principles could be developed into deeper agreements.

Trump has now instructed Witkoff to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, while US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has been holding direct meetings with Ukrainian officials and representatives of Russia. Zelenskyys chief of staff Andriy Yermak said Driscoll is expected in Kyiv this week.

Zelenskyy has said he is prepared to meet Trump to discuss sensitive points". Trump wrote that he hopes to meet both Zelenskyy and Putin soon, but ONLY when the deal to end this War is FINAL or, in its final stages".

What Does The Revised Plan Actually Contain?

The updated text has not been released publicly, but the broad contours are clear from the negotiations so far.

The original 28-point plan included expectations that Ukraine would cede occupied areas and other regions it would voluntarily" surrender.

It proposed limits on the size of Ukraines armed forces.

It provided amnesty for participants in the conflict.

It sought to impose restrictions on Ukraines NATO future.

The Guardian reports that when Driscoll briefed NATO ambassadors in Kyiv on this first version, one person present described it as a nightmare meeting", adding that European ambassadors were shocked by both the content and the tone. Ukrainian and European officials had been blindsided by the draft.

After strong pushback, the document was reduced from 28 to 19 points. Ukraines first deputy foreign minister Sergiy Kyslytsya said that contentious items on territory and NATO were removed from the working draft altogether so they could be addressed directly by Trump and Zelenskyy.

A Ukrainian official told CNN that although progress had been made, it would be very wrong to say we have now the version that is accepted by Ukraine".

Why Are Territory And NATO Still The Biggest Obstacles?

Russia and Ukraine remain divided on the very issues that halted previous diplomatic efforts.

Russia wants full and formal control over the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. That would require Ukraine to surrender fortified areas of Donetsk it still defends. Moscow also demands Ukrainian withdrawal from the entire Donbas, while Russian forces additionally hold Crimea and large parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

Ukraine refuses to accept territorial concessions. Kyiv has ruled out recognising Russian sovereignty over land Russia does not currently occupy. Zelenskyy said the main problem" blocking peace is Putins requirement for legal recognition of seized territory.

NATO is the second major stumbling block. Moscow wants Ukraine to commit to constitutional neutrality, cap the size of its armed forces, and block NATO expansion. Kyiv insists on credible security guarantees and does not want the door to NATO membership closed.

European governments support Ukraines position that borders cannot be changed by force.

What Might Security Guarantees Look Like If NATO Membership Is Off The Table?

Because NATO membership is one of Putins red lines, the focus has shifted to alternative protection mechanisms.

The original US plan included reliable security guarantees" for Ukraine, with specific scenarios that would trigger coordinated US action. These guarantees are now being developed in a separate annex.

European involvement is now formal. A virtual meeting of Ukraines Coalition of the Willing", chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio participating, agreed to establish a task force with the US to accelerate work on security guarantees.

Zelenskyy told the group that security decisions about Europe must include Europe", signalling that Kyiv expects European nations to play a role in any peacekeeping arrangement.

How Is Russia Responding To The Latest Draft?

So far, Moscow has not received the updated document. Lavrov said that while Russia supported the original US framework, the situation would be fundamentally different" if key elements had been altered. He insisted any changes must reflect the spirit and letter" of what Trump and Putin discussed at their Alaska summit earlier this year.

Dmitry Peskov told Russian media that the Kremlin had nothing to report" and was following media coverage of the talks. Russia has also accused European governments of undermining US peace efforts.

The lack of an official Russian response reflects Moscows unchanged position: full territorial recognition and strict limits on Ukraines future security posture remain non-negotiable.

What Do Europe And Other Allies Make Of The Talks?

European leaders have responded cautiously.

Macron said he sees no Russian will for a ceasefire". Downing Street warned there was a long way to go  a tough road ahead". Starmer told parliament that the Geneva draft Ukraine agreed to doesnt cover the question of territory".

The Guardian reports that several European ambassadors were alarmed by the initial plan and the manner in which it was presented. Finlands President Alexander Stubb said after speaking to Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that the coming days would be decisive: The future of Ukraine is for Ukraine to decide, and European security is for Europe to decide."

Germanys Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other European leaders also spoke to Zelenskyy in parallel.

What Is Happening On The Battlefield As Diplomacy Continues?

Combat has intensified even as negotiations gather pace.

Russia recently launched 22 missiles and 464 drones in a single night, mostly targeting Kyiv and surrounding areas, killing seven people. In Zaporizhzhia, both sides conducted strikes: Ukrainian regional head Ivan Fedorov said at least seven people were injured, while Russian-installed governor Yevgeny Balitsky said attacks on energy grids left up to 40,000 people without electricity.

The broader military picture is one of attrition. Russian forces have been making incremental gains, benefiting from their larger manpower. At the same time, Zelenskyys government faces pressure due to a corruption scandal involving alleged kickbacks from energy-infrastructure contractors, which has already brought down two ministers.

Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced since the full-scale invasion began, and tens of thousands of soldiers and thousands of civilians have been killed or injured.

So, Could These Talks Actually End The War?

The latest diplomacy has produced a shared text between Washington and Kyiv, brought US envoys back into contact with Russia, and set the stage for possible ZelenskyyTrump and TrumpPutin meetings. Zelenskyy hopes to travel to the US at the earliest suitable date" to complete the final steps of an agreement.

But the issues that halted past peace efforts remain unresolved.

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Russia has not accepted the revised draft, yet.

Ukraine rejects legal recognition of Russian territorial claims.

Security guarantees and NATO remain deeply contested.

Talks are active and structured in a way they have not been for months. But the central disputes remain exactly where they were.

About the Author Karishma Jain Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follo... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 09:41 IST

News explainers Is Russia-Ukraine War Finally Near A Negotiated End? Inside The Intensifying Peace Talks

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Shanghai Airport Row Rekindles The Big Question: Why Does China Claim Arunachal Pradesh At All?

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 12:29 IST

As China responds to the Shanghai airport row by calling Arunachal illegally set up by India, the long arc of the boundary dispute is back in the spotlight

A signboard is seen from the Indian side of the Indo-China border at Bumla, in the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, 2009. (REUTERS)

Indias strong protest to China after an Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh said she was stopped for nearly 18 hours at Shanghai airport has again intensified scrutiny on a dispute that has shaped IndiaChina ties for more than seven decades. The woman, now living in the UK, alleged Chinese immigration dismissed her Indian passport as invalid" because her birthplace was listed as Arunachal Pradesh, a state Beijing routinely calls Zangnan".

China denied detaining her, but the political messaging was unmistakable. While the episode triggered the latest diplomatic exchange, it reflects a dispute rooted in history, maps, collapsed treaties and contested political narratives.

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Arunachal Pradesh sits at the centre of the most complex section of the boundary between India and China, a frontier never fully delimited, rejected by Beijing after 1949, militarised after 1959, tested in war in 1962, and periodically inflamed through renaming campaigns, military patrols and administrative pressure.

Understanding todays tensions requires tracing how this border emerged, how China constructed its claim, and why India insists Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part" of the Union.

A Frontier India Inherited, And China Rejected

The IndiaChina boundary problem begins with the fact that the frontier was never formally settled between British India and a unified China. In the eastern Himalayas, British India negotiated the 1914 Simla Convention with Tibet, which drew the McMahon Line, a watershed-based boundary placing Tawang and adjoining areas inside British India.

Chinas representative initialled the draft map but refused to sign the final treaty, arguing Tibet lacked the authority to negotiate. Despite this refusal, the McMahon Line became the administrative border for decades.

When India became independent in 1947, it inherited this structure. China, however, changed course dramatically after 1949. The Communist leadership rejected many older arrangements as unequal treaties", including the Simla Convention. In 1950, after PLA forces captured Chamdo and asserted control over Tibet, the Himalayan frontier that India had historically shared with a semi-autonomous Tibet became the IndiaChina border. This transformed a previously buffered frontier into an active geopolitical fault line and set the stage for the tensions that followed.

Through the 1950s, both countries exchanged patrols in remote areas where maps were ambiguous. China argued that large stretches of the border were undefined and proposed fresh negotiations. India held that the McMahon Line in the east, and historical and administrative usage elsewhere, clearly established the boundary.

As tensions grew, incidents such as the 1959 Longju clash, where PLA troops entered an Assam Rifles outpost, signalled that Beijing intended to challenge Indias presence in the then North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA), the frontier region that would later become the state of Arunachal Pradesh.

A major attempt at dialogue began in 1960, when Chinas Premier Zhou Enlai met Indias Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the two agreed that officials from both sides would compare maps and examine their respective claims in detail.

China rejected the McMahon Line in the east; India rejected Chinas claim over areas it controlled in the west. Both sides simultaneously strengthened forward posts, convinced that physical presence on the ground would reinforce their positions. The dynamic escalated into the 1962 war, during which the PLA advanced through Tawang, Se La, Bomdi La and Walong, overwhelming Indian positions before withdrawing behind the McMahon Line after declaring a unilateral ceasefire.

Although the physical status quo eventually returned to the pre-war alignment in the Eastern Sector, the political trust that had existed before the conflict never recovered.

Why The McMahon Line Remains Central, And Contested

For India, the McMahon Line is a clear, treaty-based frontier that reflects administrative continuity for more than a century. The line was drawn using the highest watershed principle and has shaped district administration, census operations and local governance since the early 20th century. The regions integration deepened after Independence, culminating in the formation of Arunachal Pradesh as a full state.

China, however, rejects the McMahon Line entirely. Beijing argues that Tibet could not sign international treaties, that the Simla Convention is invalid, and that the British imposed the line unfairly. The political implications of recognising the line are also significant for China: it would require acknowledging a treaty negotiated by Tibet independently, which complicates Chinas narrative of Tibetan sovereignty.

This foundational disagreement is why China claims the entire 90,000 sq km of Arunachal Pradesh as Zangnan", or South Tibet. It routinely describes the state as so-called Arunachal Pradesh", features it in Chinese maps, and cites historical monastic ties to assert its position.

India rejects the claim unequivocally, with the MEA reiterating recently that no amount of inventing names or repetition by the Chinese side changes the reality on the ground".

How The LAC And Modern Military Posture Developed

The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is not a mutually negotiated boundary. It is the line separating areas currently controlled by India and China. India considers the LAC to be around 3,488 km long; China says it is roughly 2,000 km. The difference reflects competing maps and interpretations of terrain, especially in the Eastern Sector, where the LAC broadly follows the McMahon Line but remains disputed at several points.

The LAC acquired formal diplomatic status only in 1993, when India and China signed the Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquillity, during PV Narasimha Raos visit to Beijing. Importantly, the agreement did not endorse the Chinese concept of the LAC from 1959 or 1962; it referred only to the line as it existed at the time of the agreement. Further agreements in 1996, 2005 and 2013 sought to minimise friction but did not clarify the alignment.

China has used this ambiguity to push patrols forward and expand infrastructure. India has reported frequent Chinese transgressions in areas such as the Yangtse in Tawang, Asaphila, Dibang Valley, Chaglagam and Taksing. The December 2022 clash at Yangtse, where Indian troops pushed back a PLA attempt to change the status quo, showed how volatile the area remains.

China has also built roads, border villages and dual-use facilities close to the LAC, part of a wider attempt to consolidate its presence. India has responded with its own infrastructure push, including the Sela Tunnel, upgraded roads to Tawang, improved access to far-flung posts like Kibithu, and strengthened air and surveillance capabilities in the region.

Chinas Pressure Tactics Beyond The Military Sphere

Chinas assertion over Arunachal is not confined to military activity. It has developed a broader set of tools that extend the dispute into administrative and informational domains.

One is the renaming campaign, where Beijing periodically publishes lists of standardised" Chinese names for towns, mountain passes and rivers inside Arunachal Pradesh. These lists are intended to reinforce its claim that the state is Zangnan", or South Tibet. China released six such names in 2017 and fifteen more in 2021, followed by expanded lists in 2023 and 2024. India rejected all of them as political exercises with no bearing on the ground reality.

The campaign continued this year as well. In May, Chinas Civil Aviation Ministry released new names for 27 locations in Arunachal Pradesh, once again attempting to assert territorial claims over areas administered by India. New Delhi dismissed the move immediately.

Another is the visa and documentation strategy. China has long issued stapled visas to people from Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir in order to avoid recognising them as citizens of India. A stapled visa is a visa that is attached to a separate piece of paper instead of being stamped directly in the passport. The Chinese government began issuing stapled visas to Indian citizens from Arunachal Pradesh in 2009.

China also objects vigorously to Indian leaders visiting Arunachal Pradesh, including the Prime Minister. India dismisses these objections as interference in internal affairs.

The Shanghai Episode

Viewed through this historical and political prism, the Shanghai incident appears less like a bureaucratic misstep and more like the latest manifestation of a longstanding territorial position.

According to the traveller, who was transiting through Shanghai on her way to Japan, Chinese immigration insisted Arunachal Pradesh was part of China", refused to process her onward boarding despite her valid visa for Japan, and held her in the transit area for nearly 18 hours with limited information. India issued a strong demarche both in Beijing and New Delhi, saying the actions violated international aviation norms and Chinas own 24-hour visa-free transit policy.

China denied detaining her, saying the process followed laws and regulations", but its response included a reiteration of its political position on the state.

At a press conference, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that China had never recognised Arunachal Pradesh as part of India. Zangnan is Chinas territory. The Chinese side has never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally set up by India," said Ning.

Why Arunachal Pradesh Is Non-Negotiable For India

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For India, Arunachal Pradesh is not a grey zone. It is a fully integrated Indian state, governed through constitutional, administrative and political procedures identical to any other part of the Union. Its incorporation into India predates Chinas modern claim; its electoral and administrative systems have functioned uninterrupted; and its strategic significance is immense.

Tawang, in particular, holds both strategic and cultural importance. It sits on key ridgelines above the Brahmaputra Valley and hosts one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. India sees any ceding of this region as unthinkable, both in defence and cultural terms. Indias policy stance has remained unchanged across governments: Arunachal Pradesh is integral and inalienable", and its status is not a matter for negotiation.

About the Author Karishma Jain Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follo... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 12:19 IST

News explainers Shanghai Airport Row Rekindles The Big Question: Why Does China Claim Arunachal Pradesh At All?

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Trump Reviews Muslim Brotherhood Chapters For Terror Tag: What To Know About The Group

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 14:59 IST

The review focuses on Brotherhood chapters in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon, examining whether these units meet criteria for a terror designation

US President Donald Trump at the Oval Office. (AFP)

The Donald Trump administration has launched a major reassessment of the Muslim Brotherhood, one of the most influential Islamist movements in the world, by initiating a formal review to determine whether specific branches of the organisation should be designated as terrorist entities under United States law.

Through an executive order signed on Monday, Trump has instructed senior officials to examine whether chapters in Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan meet the criteria for being listed as Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs).

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The move marks the revival of an effort Trump pursued in his first term, when he sought to scrutinise the Muslim Brotherhood but did not complete a designation process due to internal pushback.

The order comes after bipartisan members of the US Congress introduced the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025 and after several Republican lawmakers urged the administration to adopt a stronger approach. It also follows repeated calls from governments in West Asia that have already banned the organisation and have been pressing Washington to take similar action.

What Trumps Order Actually Does

The executive order begins a structured, three-stage review rather than immediately designating any organisation. It directs the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and the US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, to produce a unified report within 30 days evaluating the activities of Brotherhood-linked chapters in Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan. If the findings support action, agencies are required to proceed within 45 days using the legal mechanisms governing terrorism designations.

A White House fact sheet outlines the purpose of the directive, stating that, The Orders ultimate aim is to eliminate the designated chapters capabilities and operations, deprive them of resources, and end any threat such chapters pose to US nationals and the national security of the United States."

Why These Chapters Are Being Reviewed

The order identifies different grounds for examining the chapters in Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan.

In Lebanon, fighters associated with Brotherhood-aligned groups are described as having taken part in clashes alongside Hezbollah, which escalated into one of the most destructive confrontations in the country in decades. The Lebanon chapters activities have therefore been flagged for potential links to militant operations.

In Jordan, the order alleges that the Brotherhoods local branch has long provided material support to the militant wing of Hamas." Jordan banned the organisation in April 2025 after years of accusations from authorities about involvement in extremist or subversive activity, and later shut down charities connected to the group.

In Egypt, the justification is tied to a statement attributed to a senior Brotherhood figure who allegedly called for violent attacks" on 7 October 2023, the day Hamas launched a large-scale assault on Israel. The order does not name the individual or provide detail about the statement, leaving ambiguity about the evidence.

What A Terror Designation Would Mean

A formal designation under US law would trigger extensive consequences. Any property or assets held by the designated chapter within US jurisdiction would be frozen. American individuals, banks, charities and companies would face criminal penalties for providing material support or engaging in transactions with entities associated with the designated branch.

What Is The Muslim Brotherhood? Origins And Early Evolution

The Muslim Brotherhood was founded in 1928 in Ismailia, Egypt, by Hassan al-Banna, an Islamic scholar and schoolteacher. It grew out of a belief that the Muslim world needed to revive Islamic principles to confront Western colonialism and rising secular and nationalist ideologies. In its early years, the movement built schools, hospitals and mosques, especially for poorer communities, promoting tawhid, the oneness and supremacy of Allah, as an ideological anchor.

The Brotherhoods motto reflects its ideological orientation: Allah is our objective; the Prophet is our leader; the Quran is our law; jihad is our way; dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope."

Even though the organisation framed itself as a social and religious movement, it developed a clandestine armed wing known as the Secret Apparatus (al-Nizam al-Khas). Members of this network underwent military-style training, operated underground and engaged in political assassinations and covert operations. In 1948, a member of this Apparatus assassinated Egyptian Prime Minister Mahmoud El Nokrashy Pasha after he banned the group. In 1949, al-Banna was murdered by Egyptian secret police, widely seen as retaliation.

The Secret Apparatus relied heavily on secrecy and infiltration, including penetrating political parties, the military, security services, media establishments and NGOs.

Radicalisation Under Sayyid Qutb

The Brotherhoods ideological trajectory shifted significantly under the influence of Sayyid Qutb, who was executed in 1966. Through his writings, particularly Milestones, he advanced ideas such as takfir (declaring Muslims as apostates) and described contemporary Muslim societies as living in jahiliyyah, or pre-Islamic ignorance, due to the failure to implement Sharia.

Qutbs ideas helped inspire takfiri groups that justified attacks on Muslims they considered insufficiently Islamic. Organisations such as Egyptian Islamic Jihad and al-Qaeda drew on these doctrines to justify violence against both Muslims and non-Muslims.

Arab Spring, Rise To Power, And Crackdown

The Arab Spring transformed the Brotherhoods fortunes. In 2012, after the uprising against Hosni Mubarak, the movement won elections in Egypt and its candidate, Mohamed Morsi, became president. This period marked the Brotherhoods highest political ascent.

The rise was short-lived. In 2013, a military coup led by Abdel Fattah al-Sisi removed Morsi, dissolved Brotherhood-run institutions and designated the movement a terrorist organisation. A sweeping crackdown followed, and the movement returned largely to clandestine activity.

Although the Brotherhood has publicly argued that it abandoned violence and adopted democratic methods, accounts from defectors and independent analyses have pointed to the continued existence of clandestine committees resembling earlier structures.

How The World Has Treated The Muslim Brotherhood So Far

Different countries have dealt with the Muslim Brotherhood in sharply different ways.

Egypt banned the movement in 2013 following a military takeover that deposed its leader and then-President Mohamed Morsi. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Russia have also designated the organisation as a terrorist group. Jordan joined this list in 2025.

In January, the UAE blacklisted eight organisations based in the United Kingdom for alleged links to the Brotherhoods network. In May, French President Emmanuel Macron instructed his government to prepare measures to counter the influence of the movement and limit what he described as the spread of political Islam.

Some states have taken a different approach. Turkey has historically acted as a refuge for exiled Brotherhood members, especially after the Egyptian crackdown. Qatar has offered rhetorical support to Brotherhood-aligned groups, while restricting formal organisational activities.

How The Brotherhoods Ideology Has Resonance In India

Although the Muslim Brotherhood does not have a formal organisational base in India, its ideology has shaped several Islamist formations operating in the country. Its ideas influenced Maulana Abul Ala Maududis Jamaat-e-Islami in the 1940s.

Groups banned in India for extremist activity, including the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and the Popular Front of India (PFI), have adopted methods similar to those historically associated with the Brotherhood, such as targeting youth for radicalisation, advancing an anti-secular political narrative, and portraying the majority community and the government as oppressors.

Some militant outfits in Kashmir are also reported to draw on ideological strands associated with the movement, which has historically supported separatist messaging and anti-India narratives. Brotherhood-linked networks have been reported to provide financial and propaganda support to elements operating against Indian interests.

The impact has also played out internationally. In 2021, a #BoycottIndianProducts campaign was launched on social media after violence broke out during an eviction drive in Assam. Individuals primarily from Pakistan and parts of the Middle East, including Turkey, Egypt and Iraq, promoted the campaign, which was amplified by media outlets connected to the Brotherhood. In 2023, research by the Digital Forensics, Research and Analytics Centre (DFRAC) reported that the movement also runs smear campaigns against Hindus working in Gulf countries.

Against this backdrop, a possible US designation of specific Brotherhood chapters could add pressure on transnational Islamist networks whose narratives and digital campaigns have targeted India.

Why Designating The Brotherhood Has Been Difficult

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The Brotherhoods complicated structure has made formal designation challenging for many governments. Its decentralised operations mean branches differ sharply in their political roles: some run welfare networks, some engage in politics, and some operate underground. This variation has made a blanket designation difficult to defend legally.

Earlier efforts in the US to impose a broad terrorist label stalled partly due to concerns about allies such as Turkey and about potential negative consequences for Muslim communities. The current chapter-specific approach seeks to bypass these earlier roadblocks. At the same time, past actions by regional governments show that bans can have unintended effects. After Egypts 2013 ban, violent extremist groups surged in the Sinai Peninsula, including factions linked to the Islamic State.

About the Author Karishma Jain Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follo... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 14:50 IST

News explainers Trump Reviews Muslim Brotherhood Chapters For Terror Tag: What To Know About The Group

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
What Right Does Your Ex-Wife Have To Your Property After Divorce? | Explained

Curated By :

Translation Desk-Local18

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 15:49 IST

Many believe divorce means losing half their property but Indian law tells a very different story. A Supreme Court lawyer breaks down the truth with simple, grounded insights

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Indian divorce law focuses on maintenance and alimony, not property division.

The countrys divorce rate is increasing steadily, as reflected in several recent reports. With the rise in divorce cases, tensions between men and women have also intensified. Many men feel disadvantaged due to the perception that Indian laws favour women, leading to widespread confusion about legal rights during divorce.

News18 spoke to Supreme Court advocate Vikas Nagwan to understand whether a woman can legally claim half of her husbands property during divorce. Here is his explanation.

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What The Domestic Violence Act Actually Allows

According to Nagwan, under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, if a woman files a case, she is legally permitted to reside in her husbands home or property. This right continues only until the divorce is granted.

Once the divorce is finalised, the Act ceases to apply, and she no longer has the right to stay in the husbands property.

Why Confusion Exists: Mixing Indian & American Laws

The lawyer noted that much of the panic comes from misinformation online, especially among men trying to understand what a woman can claim. Many Google search results reference American family laws, in which marital property is divided after divorce.

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However, Vikas clarified that India does not follow this system. Indian divorce law focuses on maintenance and alimony, not property division. If a property is solely in the husbands name, the wife cannot claim ownership, neither fully nor partially, during or after the divorce.

Vikas concluded by emphasising that if the property is exclusively owned by the husband, the wife has no legal right to it at any stage of the divorce process.

First Published: November 26, 2025, 15:49 IST

News explainers What Right Does Your Ex-Wife Have To Your Property After Divorce? | Explained

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Why Sam Pepper Is Facing Permanent Kick Ban: When Livestreaming Goes Horribly Wrong

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 13:16 IST

British content creator Sam Pepper is facing permanent ban from Kick platform owing an incident that was captured on his livestream in New Delhi, India in October.

Sam Pepper faced the wrath of irked Indian community who bashed the British livestreamer for injuring a "homeless" girl with a rocket during Diwali livestream in New Delhi. (Reddit screengrab)

Sam Pepper, a British livestreamer, is reportedly facing a permanent ban from the livestreaming platform Kick following a massive backlash he faced during his brief visit to India. During Diwali, Pepper was in the capital city where he came live on the platform, spending a light-hearted moment with kids on the streets celebrating the festival of lights with crackers and giggles. The fun time with the locals, however, soon turned into horror, and Pepper began trending across the countrys social media platforms.

So what exactly unfolded that led to the British content creators permanent ban?

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Sam Pepper

Pepper, who previously ran a full-time prank channel on YouTube before transitioning to livestreaming, travels to various countries with his crew and goes live, sharing his experiences while engaging in various activities.

Back in the day, he was mocked and called out by YouTube channel h3h3 Productions Ethan Klein. Klein criticised the British content creators videos, calling them so outlandish that they came across as disingenuous and fake.

Kick has banned Sam Pepper after allegedly shooting fireworks at a young girl in India and leaving her blind in one eye pic.twitter.com/jOcrGnbZFn Pubity (@pubity) November 25, 2025

Peppers Killing Best Friend Prank" video in particular grabbed the attention of the YouTube community, which kick-started a conversation and chatter around the legitimacy of prank channels. Pepper later posted an apology video admitting that the content across his channel was staged and fake.

Peppers New Delhi Visit

This was when Pepper attracted the attention of Indians after his time in New Delhi, engaging with the locals during Diwali this year.

As seen in the contentious video, Pepper was seen firing firecrackers at a group of kids, when one of the rockets struck the eye of an eight-year-old girl, leaving her injured.

Posts from the criticalthinkingindia community on Reddit

A local then walked up to Pepper to inform the content creator that the girl had, in fact, lost an eye in the freakish incident.

Didnt Lose Eye"

Pepper later took to his social media accounts and claimed that the girl was injured in the accident, yes, but did not apparently lose her vision in the accident.

Was in India tonight with another big group firing small fire cracker back and forth at Each-other, seems stupid now Im writing this. But one of the group on the other side got hit by a cracker I shot and got a cut above their eye brow. I feel terrible, we sent someone with them to get them checked out and made sure all costs were paid, they got a paper stitch, and are now back home," Pepper wrote in a post informing that the news floating online about the girl losing her eye was exaggerated and incorrect.

Since the accident, claims have been made by X accounts that the girl, injured in the incident, received more injuries than a mere cut above her eye, as claimed earlier by Pepper.

Because of all the doubt about the situation and people defending Sam Pepper, despite seeing video proof of him firing the shot at the group of kids, I had to get @therajontour to go on the ground floor and meet the family.Sam pepper tried to say it was just a scratch and fled pic.twitter.com/EQpH01MRtL  Asian Andy (@AsianAndyFilms) November 25, 2025

Also Read: British Influencer Lands In Hospital After Having Desi Bhang, Internet Says World Cant Handle

Indians Livid

Sensing the severity of the situation, many have since demanded the arrest of the content creator, who reportedly left the country soon after his livestream fiasco.

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If this had happened to any white girl, they would cancel visas for all South Asians and kick them out of their countries. Send them all back! Just take 9/11 as an example, they still hold a grudge to this day! But, just because she is a person of colour, its all good. And the a** kisser saying Never mind"? NEVER MIND??? I hope this happens to your sister or your mum or, better still, to you, so everyone can say Never mind"!" wrote an irked viewer on a discussion where several wanted Pepper behind bars and banned from entering India.

Peppers previous visit to India resulted in him ending up at a hospital after he consumed bhang" from a local vendor. He also alleged mistreatment by hospital staff, claiming that they had left the IV drip valve open and blood was spilling everywhere.

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 26, 2025, 13:16 IST

News explainers Why Sam Pepper Is Facing Permanent Kick Ban: When Livestreaming Goes Horribly Wrong

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'We Are One Nation': Arunachal Woman Calls For Unity, Dismisses Trolls After Shanghai Detention Row

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 08:14 IST

Pem Wang Thongdok has issued a strong unity message on X while dismissing online trolls, days after her alleged 18-hour detention at Shanghai airport sparked a diplomatic row.

Arunachal Pradesh's Pem Wangjom Thongdok (Photo: X)

UK-based Arunachal Pradesh native Pem Wang Thongdok, whose alleged 18-hour detention at Shanghai Pudong International Airport triggered a diplomatic standoff between India and China, has issued a strong message of unity while dismissing online trolling in a series of posts on X.

Her remarks come even as political leaders and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) continue to press Beijing for an explanation, with India maintaining that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable" part of the country.

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In her latest post, Thongdok thanked those who have stood by her since she made her ordeal public.

I would like to thank everyone speaking in support of this diplomatic issue," she wrote on X.

Addressing comments about her limited social media presence, she said, Im new here & not active on X because I have a very high-profile full-time position working in financial services and dont have idle time to answer trollers! The right people get it."

I would like to thank everyone speaking in support of this diplomatic issue and while Im new here & not active on X its because I have a very high profile Full time position working in the financial services and dont have idle time to answer trollers! The right people get it Pem Wang Thongdok (@wang_pem) November 25, 2025

Taking a firm stand against online harassment, she added, And the ones who dont get it are clearly not people I would engage with anyway!"

Thongdok further clarified that she does not reside in India and that her concern is for those impacted by Chinas repeated assertions over Arunachal Pradesh.

I dont even live in India so any action that Indian govt takes will be for the benefit & pride of my fellow Indians and Arunachalis living here, not mine. We are one nation we stand for one another," she mentioned.

And the ones who dont get it are clearly not people I would engage with anyway! I dont even live in India so any action that Indian govt takes will be for the benefit & pride of my fellow Indians and Arunachalis living here, not mine. We are one nation we stand for one another Pem Wang Thongdok (@wang_pem) November 25, 2025

Her comments follow a diplomatic flare-up after she alleged that Chinese immigration officials refused to recognise her Indian passport because her birthplace is Arunachal Pradesh, an incident she described as a direct insult to Indias sovereignty.

According to her account, she was detained in the airports transit area for nearly 18 hours, denied proper food, and allegedly mocked on the grounds that Arunachal Pradesh is Chinese territory", despite holding a valid Indian passport and a visa for Japan.

India has strongly rejected Chinas justification of the incident.

As reported by news agency PTI, the MEA said Chinese authorities had acted in violation of multiple international aviation conventions as well as their own 24-hour visa-free transit rules.

Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, and this is a self-evident fact. No amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

Political leaders from Arunachal Pradesh have also condemned the episode. Chief Minister Pema Khandu termed the treatment unacceptable and appalling", while the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee described the conduct of Chinese officials as racially discriminatory" and a blatant violation of human dignity".

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Following the incident, Thongdok had also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior officials seeking accountability, disciplinary action, and compensation for the harassment she endured.

ALSO READ | How Mistreatment Of Arunachal Woman Shows Chinas Insecurity Over Indias Northeast

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: November 26, 2025, 08:09 IST

News india 'We Are One Nation': Arunachal Woman Calls For Unity, Dismisses Trolls After Shanghai Detention Row

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Bangladeshi Woman Arrested In Dehradun For Illegal Stay Using Forged Documents, Hindu Name

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 07:33 IST

Dehradun Police arrested a Bangladeshi woman for illegally residing in India. Police said she had adopted a Hindu identity and obtained multiple forged documents.

A file photo of Dehradun Police (PTI)

The Dehradun Police have taken into custody a Bangladeshi woman accused of living unlawfully in India by adopting a Hindu identity and acquiring forged documents.

The arrest was made as part of Operation Kalnemi, an ongoing drive aimed at identifying individuals residing in Uttarakhand using fraudulent names and papers.

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According to the police, the woman, identified by her Bangladeshi name Babli Begum (28), had been staying in the Patel Nagar locality under the assumed identity of Bhoomi Sharma.

During her interrogation, Begum reportedly disclosed that she was originally a resident of the Gaibandha district in Bangladesh and had slipped into India illegally during the Covid-19 pandemic. After moving locations, she eventually reached Dehradun in 2021.

News agency PTI quoted the police as saying that Begum told investigators that in 2022, she married a local man in Dehradun, following which she managed to obtain several Indian identification documents in the forged name of Bhoomi Sharma.

These allegedly included an Aadhaar card, Ayushman card, ration card, and voter ID card.

A Bangladeshi identity card issued in her real name was also recovered from her possession.

A case has been registered under the relevant legal provisions for allegedly staying in India without authorisation and for procuring a stack of forged documents.

Begum has been formally arrested, police said.

Investigators are also working to identify the people who may have helped her in securing the falsified IDs, adding that strict action will be initiated against all involved.

Officials further stated that another Bangladeshi woman was detained the same day from Kalinda Vihar Phase 2 in the Patel Nagar area. She identified herself as Bobby Khatun (41), originally from the Bogura district of Bangladesh.

During questioning, Khatun allegedly admitted that she had crossed into India unlawfully in 2023 and had been surviving in Dehradun by taking up manual labour.

Police recovered a photocopy of her Bangladeshi passport during the inquiry. Following the verification process, authorities said the woman has been detained and is in the process of being deported to Bangladesh in accordance with established protocols.

Officials recalled that just last week, another Bangladeshi national, Mamun Hasan, had been arrested in Dehradun for living under the false identity of Sachin Chauhan.

Police said that, under Operation Kalnemi, action has so far been taken against 17 Bangladeshi nationals illegally residing in the district.

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Of them, eight individuals who were found using forged Indian documents have been sent to jail, while nine others have already been deported to Bangladesh, they added.

ALSO READ | 22-Year-Old Bangladeshi Student Found Dead In Rented Accommodation In Greater Noida

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: November 26, 2025, 07:30 IST

News india Bangladeshi Woman Arrested In Dehradun For Illegal Stay Using Forged Documents, Hindu Name

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Canadian High Commissioner Cooter Hails New Chapter Of Transformative Partnership With India

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 19:51 IST

According to Christopher Cooter, the CEPA is a vital signal in the direction of the India-Canada relationship

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Canadian High Commissioner Christopher Cooter. (PTI File)

Canadian High Commissioner Christopher Cooter on Wednesday hailed the new chapter of partnership with India, saying both the countries were heading towards building renewed trust, deepening cooperation in critical areas, and taking concrete steps to enhance shared prosperity.

Speaking at an event in New Delhi, he underscored how Canada and India have the tools, resources and the talent to build a partnership that is not only resilient, but transformative.

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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Prime Minister Modi recently held a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg, building on their earlier engagement at the G7 Summit in Kananaskis. They welcomed the New Roadmap for India-Canada relations launched in October. The Prime Ministers also agreed to launch negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

According to Cooter, the CEPA is a vital signal in the direction of the relationship, which will unlock new opportunities for businesses, accelerate technology cooperation, and strengthen supply chain resilience.

Canada is poised to be the reliable partner India needs to help power its ambitious growth targets towards 2030 and beyond, according to Cooter.

Bilateral trade reached US$22 billion in 2024, with a target of US$50 billion by 2030. The country is looking forward to investing in clean technologies, AI, quantum computing, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing, as practical pathways to jobs, security, and sustainability.

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Cooter highlighted how the launch of the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation Partnership (ACITI) has added a powerful international dimension to this effort.

Cooter said India and Canada could now focus on leveraging the October roadmap to de-risk supply chains and scale innovation in critical sectors; the role resumption of free trade negotiations in anchoring economic security and technology cooperation; joint programmes  from clean energy to climate-resilient agriculture  to address global challenges while creating shared prosperity; and expanding university partnerships and talent mobility while ensuring people-to-people ties remain the bedrock of the relationship.

About the Author Siddhant Mishra Siddhant Mishra is a Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, covering foreign affairs and international relations. With over 12 years of experience in journalism, he has also reported extensively ... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 19:23 IST

News india Canadian High Commissioner Cooter Hails New Chapter Of Transformative Partnership With India

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Cyclone 'Senyar' Set To Form Over Bay Of Bengal; Heavy Rain Triggers School Closures In TN

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 13:34 IST

A low-pressure system near the Strait of Malacca may become Cyclone Senyar. IMD warns of heavy rain and wind for parts of South and Southeast India.

Representational image

A low-pressure system over the Strait of Malacca and adjacent parts of the South Andaman Sea is expected to strengthen into a cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal around 26 November 2025. If the system becomes a full cyclone, it will be named Senyar (meaning lion"), a name proposed by the United Arab Emirates under the naming system for the North Indian Ocean.

The naming and tracking are being done by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), through the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre in New Delhi under the aegis of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the UN ESCAP.

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Where will the cyclone make landfall?

At this stage, meteorologists say its too early to pinpoint the exact landfall location. The disturbance may affect coastal West Bengal, but it could also curve northwards towards Odisha or Bangladesh, or head southwards towards the Tamil NaduAndhra Pradesh coast. Authorities and the IMD are closely monitoring the system for changes.

Rain- and wind-warnings issued

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are expected to face heavy to very heavy rainfall (105204 mm in 24 hours) between 23-28 November.

Wind speeds in the islands are forecast at 3545 km/h, with gusts up to ~55 km/h through Sunday, and potentially reaching ~65 km/h by 25 November.

Over mainland India: Very heavy rainfall is likely in isolated places over Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Mahe on 2324 November; heavy rainfall is also expected in parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, as well as Tamil Nadu & Mahe between 2325 November.

School closures and regional readiness

In Tamil Nadu, several districts have announced school closures due to persistent heavy rainfall. The IMD indicates light to moderate rain is expected at many locations across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, with thunderstorms and lightning possible in isolated areas.

IMD issues Red Alert for 6 north coastal districts; Chennai under Orange Alert for Nov 29

The IMD has placed six north coastal districts on Red Alert, warning of extremely heavy rainfall. Chennai and seven other districts are under an Orange Alert for November 29, while six more districts have been placed under a Yellow Alert.

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Widespread rain is expected across Tamil Nadu on Saturday.

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 : Port Blair, India, India

First Published: November 26, 2025, 07:14 IST

News india Cyclone 'Senyar' Set To Form Over Bay Of Bengal; Heavy Rain Triggers School Closures In TN

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'He's Doing A Great Job': Trump Denies Considering FBI Director Kash Patel's Ouster

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 08:46 IST

White House on Tuesday rejected the swirling media reports that President Trump was contemplating the removal of FBI Director Kash Patel.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel and US President Donald Trump (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE)

Amid reports that the US President is mulling the removal of Indian-American FBI Director Kash Patel in the coming months, Donald Trump denied the claims and said that he thinks Patel is doing a great job".

No, hes doing a great job. Kash Patel? Hes doing a great job, I think," said Trump when asked if he is planning to replace Kash Patel as FBI Director.

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Speculations grew after it was reported that Trump and his top aides became increasingly uneasy with the string of negative headlines surrounding the FBI Director. Patel is facing scrutiny over the usage of bureaus resources and SWAT security his girlfriend.

Several reports suggested that Trump and White House aides have confided to allies that the US President is considering whether or not to remove Patel. Meanwhile, it is also being reported that the US President might consider top FBI official Andrew Bailey as the bureaus new director.

With Andrew Bailey emerging as the most likely replacement, Patel is speculated to be on a thin ice", and his exit looks closer than ever.

White House Denies Reports

The White House on Tuesday rejected the swirling media reports that President Donald Trump was contemplating the removal of FBI Director Kash Patel, dismissing the claims amidst heightened scrutiny over Patels professional conduct.

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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt took to social media to firmly push back against the speculation, branding the story as completely made up".

Leavitt posted a photo of the President Trump and Patel, explaining that the rumour broke while the two were in the Oval Office meeting with the law enforcement team. She recounted that after reading the headline aloud, President Trump simply laughed and said, Thats totally false. Come on Kash, lets take a picture to show them youre doing a great job!"

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 26, 2025, 08:46 IST

News india 'He's Doing A Great Job': Trump Denies Considering FBI Director Kash Patel's Ouster

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Secrecy and the loss of contact with family members and lawyers have characterized the deportations to third countries carried out by the Trump administration as part of its campaign against immigrants. An uncertain fate and no guarantees about the conditions endured by individuals sent to countries with which they have no ties have been the norm in these expulsions. Over time, many of them have ended up back in the countries they originally fled, where they face persecution or torture.

This is the case of Rabbiatu Kuyateh, who has made headlines because of a viral video documenting the mistreatment she suffers. In it, this 58-year-old nurse from Maryland is seen being violently dragged along the ground by men who appear to be officials from Ghana, the country to which she was deported days earlier. Kuyateh resisted in vain to avoid being sent back to Sierra Leone, the country where she was born and which she fled, and where she is currently in hiding.

Rabbiatu Kuyateh, in a social media image. RRSS

Hers is a story like that of many migrants who, through the Administrations stratagems, have ended up in the countries they fled without the U.S. government actually violating its own rules against sending them there directly. Instead, they have done so through a third government, such as Ghanas. The White House maintains that it had guarantees that those deported to this African country would not be sent back to their countries of origin, but there are serious doubts about whether this was the case. This is especially true after the Ghana government itself denied the existence of any such agreement. Immigration experts see this as a strategy by Washington to protect itself from potential litigation.

It was a solution to a problem: We can remove these people from our custody and at the same time not break the law, Alexandra Williams, one of the lawyers on Kuyatehs legal team, explained to EL PAIS. The Sierra Leonean woman arrived in the U.S. 30 years ago fleeing the war in her country, where, due to her familys political activism, she suffered torture and persecution.

She worked as a nurse in Maryland, where she had built a life. Her son, now an adult, was born in the U.S., while her parents were naturalized American citizens. Kuyateh, for her part, had a work permit and was under supervision, but it was enough to attend annual immigration checks. Everything seemed to be in order. She went to those appointments every year to confirm that she was still in the country. She has no criminal record, and her address was up to date. She never missed an appointment, says Williams, who explains that her client had protection against deportation to Sierra Leone.

Everything changed with the Trump administration, and her July appointment turned into an ambush. They told her that because of the changes in the administration and its policies, they had to arrest her and remove her from the country, since she had a deportation order, Williams says.

Her son hasnt seen her since. She was arrested and, after a few days, transferred to a detention center in Louisiana. The next destination was Ghana. On the flight, she was accompanied by other migrants, handcuffed and shackled, like her, with the same uncertain fate. Over the phone, she told her son about the brutality with which they were treated, a brutality that also left its mark through injuries on her body.

The African nation is one of the latest destinations the Trump administration has chosen to send migrants it cannot directly return to their countries of origin because they have court-ordered protection. According to Human Rights First, which tracks deportation flights, the United States has carried out at least 21 flights with people from third countries to 10 destinations: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Eswatini, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uzbekistan. In addition, thousands of people have been transported to Mexico by land.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attempts to carry out the transfers secretly and as quickly as possible. In April, Massachusetts federal judge Brian E. Murphy issued a preliminary injunction requiring the government to give people at least 15 days to challenge their deportations to third countries, where they may face retaliation. However, two months later, the Supreme Court granted a stay, overturning Murphys order.

Human rights organizations denounce the violation of a basic principle of U.S. and international law that prohibits deporting people to a place where they may suffer torture, persecution, or other serious harm. But the administration is not giving detainees time to express their fears, as happened to Kuyateh, who was not allowed to voice her fear of being deported to Ghana, much less back to Sierra Leone.

The organization Amica Center for Immigrant Rights reports that deportations to third countries, followed by subsequent return to the countries from which people fled, have increased in recent weeks. There are many people in that situation. Several have been deported to Mexico and are at risk of being sent back to their country of origin, says Kelly Rojas, an immigration attorney with Amica Center. Rojas declined to provide specific cases due to concerns for her clients safety. One of them was also sent to Ghana and then transferred to the West African country he fled, despite having a protective order preventing it. When he was deported, the lawyers lost contact and, as is often the case, received no information about where he was sent. This person disappeared from the system. We called several ICE offices, and they told us different things about where he had been transferred, Rojas recounts.

Maintaining contact once they arrive in their home countries is complicated, and continuing their defense is very difficult, since U.S. immigration lawyers cannot practice there. In these cases, its necessary to try to contact other local human rights organizations that can continue their advocacy. Exhaustion and hopelessness lead many to eventually give up. What the United States government is doing right now is killing their will to fight for their rights. Some clients who are deported to their countries of origin have been in detention for so long that, even though their lives are in dangerwhich is why a judge in the United States issued them protective ordersthey think that at least they are no longer in the detention center, Rojas maintains.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
'200% Sure': Karnataka Congress MLA On Shivakumar's Elevation As CM Amid Power Tussle Buzz

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 07:07 IST

Congress MLAs from Karnataka have reiterated that the decision on elevating Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar lies with the party high command.

Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar (Photo: PTI)

Congress legislators from Karnataka, who travelled to New Delhi recently to meet senior party leaders, reiterated that the decision on elevating Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to the top post lies entirely with the partys central leadership.

However, one MLAs assertion that he is 200 per cent" confident Shivakumar will soon take over as Chief Minister has become the strongest endorsement yet, even as the party grapples with intensifying speculation.

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The developments come amid growing chatter over a possible mid-term leadership transition following the Siddaramaiah government completing half its five-year term on November 20.

According to news agency PTI, a group of six MLAs backing Shivakumar reached Delhi on Sunday night, with more expected to join them.

This comes days after nearly ten legislators had already met AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, signalling heightened internal activity over the issue.

Reports within the party continue to point toward an alleged power-sharing formula drawn up in 2023 between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy.

Magadi MLA HC Balakrishna told PTI that while the authority to decide the next Chief Minister rests with the high command, the current environment of uncertainty was proving damaging for the party.

We went to discuss with the high command to clear the confusion because a final decision is needed. Who becomes the chief minister is not important; the current situation is detrimental to the Congress party. The high command should intervene and put an end to this," he said.

Balakrishna did not confirm whether Shivakumars elevation was directly discussed.

Also backing the Deputy Chief Minister, Ramanagara MLA Iqbal Hussain said he was fully convinced that Shivakumar would soon be elevated.

I always stand by that statement, 200 per cent, he will become the chief minister soon. The high command will decide. As our leader (Shivakumar) said, the transfer of power is a secret deal among five to six party leaders, and those five to six people will decide," he remarked.

Maddur MLA KM Uday said legislators also urged the top leadership to consider accommodating younger and first-time legislators in the forthcoming cabinet reshuffle.

He told PTI that they received positive signals that the request would be taken into account.

Asked about Shivakumars prospects, he responded that the party leadership will decide, and everyone will abide by it."

Some senior MLAs, too, pressed for an early resolution, arguing that prolonged speculation was creating unnecessary friction within the government.

Uday expressed hope that a decision may come soon.

Meanwhile, Shivakumar distanced himself from the lobbying in Delhi.

Responding to media reports, he told PTI he had no knowledge of MLAs travelling to push for his promotion and suggested they may have gone seeking cabinet opportunities.

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I have not called or spoken to any of them. I am not asking why they went. I dont need to," he said.

ALSO READ | Secret Deal: DK Shivakumars Cryptic Remark Heightens Karnataka CM Change Buzz

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: November 26, 2025, 07:05 IST

News india '200% Sure': Karnataka Congress MLA On Shivakumar's Elevation As CM Amid Power Tussle Buzz

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Kunal Kamra Stirs Fresh Row With T-Shirt Post Mocking RSS; BJP Warns Of Action

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 08:34 IST

Comedian Kunal Kamra sparked controversy by posting a photo wearing a T-shirt allegedly mocking the RSS, prompting BJP leaders in Maharashtra to warn of police action.

A file photo of Kunal Kamra (Social Media)

Comedian Kunal Kamra has once again landed in the eye of a political storm after sharing a photograph on social media in which he appeared wearing a T-shirt that allegedly mocked the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The post drew sharp criticism from senior BJP leaders in Maharashtra, who warned of possible police action against the comedian for posting what they termed objectionable" content.

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Reacting to Kamras social media post, Maharashtra minister and senior BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule said, The police would take action against anyone who puts out such objectionable posts."

The T-shirt in question reportedly featured a dog alongside a reference to the RSS, which BJP leaders described as insulting and provocative.

Shiv Sena cabinet minister Sanjay Shirsat, whose party is an ally of the BJP in Maharashtra, also weighed in, insisting that Kamras post warranted a firm response.

Shirsat recalled that Kamra had previously made critical remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Earlier, he targeted Prime Minister Modi and Eknath Shinde, and now he has dared to directly attack the RSS. The BJP needs to respond to this," he said.

Shirsat further added, We (Shiv Sena) responded to his earlier comments on Shinde, and now he has mustered the courage to make an objectionable post against the RSS."

The ministers remarks underscore the heightened sensitivity among political leaders over social media commentary, particularly when it involves revered institutions or public figures.

This is not Kamras first brush with controversy. In March this year, the comedian faced backlash for his critical comments on Shinde, who leads the Shiv Sena.

During one of his comedy shows, Kamra modified the lyrics of a popular Hindi movie song to ridicule Shindes political career.

The remarks had triggered angry reactions from Shiv Sena members, who later vandalised the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbais Khar area, where Kamras show was being held, as well as the hotel premises hosting the club.

Following the latest controversy, Kamra responded defiantly on social media, stating that the photograph referencing the RSS was not clicked at a comedy club."

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Despite his clarification, the BJP has condemned the post, calling it provocative and disrespectful.

ALSO READ | Kunal Kamra Reacts After Rekha Gupta Warns Him Of Performing At Own Risk

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: November 26, 2025, 08:23 IST

News india Kunal Kamra Stirs Fresh Row With T-Shirt Post Mocking RSS; BJP Warns Of Action

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Lipstick Messages On Walls Reveal Tale Of Cheating As Young Couple Found Dead At Home

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Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 11:30 IST

Thirty-year-old Shivani Tambe, also known as Neha, was found dead on the bed, while her husband, Raj Tambe, was discovered hanging from a ceiling fan.

Messages written on the wall naming Rajesh Vishwas. (Image: X)

A chilling incident shook the Atal Awas Colony in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, on Monday, where a husband and wife were found dead under mysterious circumstances. What initially seemed like a domestic dispute has now escalated into a sensational case involving messages written with lipstick and a suspected murder-suicide.

Thirty-year-old Shivani Tambe, also known as Neha, was found dead on the bed, while her husband, Raj Tambe, was discovered hanging from a ceiling fan.

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The police were even more shocked by the messages written with lipstick on the walls, which indicated blame, heartbreak, and desperation.

We are dying because of Rajesh Vishwas," one of the messages read. The message mentioned the name and mobile number of a man identified as Rajesh Vishwas, indicating that he was the who caused turmoil in the couples marriage.

Another emotional note said, Children, I love you." The message also revealed frequent fights over the wifes phone calls and Rajs growing suspicions.

The couple, who had been married for nearly a decade after a love marriage, worked as cleaners in a private company and were raising three young children. Neighbours reported that arguments between them had become routine, often sparked by mistrust and allegations of infidelity.

On November 24, when neither Raj nor Neha stepped out of the house by the afternoon, Nehas mother, Reena Chinna, became anxious and went to check on them. The door was locked from inside. When she managed to open it, she saw her daughter dead on the bed and her son-in-law hanging.

Forensic experts discovered scratch marks on Nehas neck, raising strong suspicions that she may have been strangled before Raj took his own life. A suicide note found in the room echoed the allegations scribbled on the walls, reinforcing the murder-suicide theory.

Police have launched an investigation into the matter.

City Superintendent of Police (CSP) Nimitesh Singh confirmed that both bodies were found in the same room and that a case has been registered, NDTV reported.

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All angles are being investigated," he said, adding that the forensic report will be crucial in determining what really happened inside the Tambe household.

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 : Chhattisgarh, India, India

First Published: November 26, 2025, 11:30 IST

News india Lipstick Messages On Walls Reveal Tale Of Cheating As Young Couple Found Dead At Home

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NeverEver: India Marks 26/11 Anniversary As Amit Shah Stresses Zero Tolerance To Terrorism

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Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 08:56 IST

Amit Shah paid tribute to the victims and heroes of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks on its 17th anniversary, highlighting Indias zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.

Mumbai: A police constable walks past a mural depicting Nariman House, one of the sites of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks (Photo: PTI)

On the 17th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, President Droupadi Murmu and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were among those who paid homage to the victims and brave security personnel, underscoring Indias zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.

In an X post, Shah mentioned, On this very day in the year 2008, terrorists carried out a cowardly attack on Mumbai and committed heinous and inhuman acts."

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I pay my respects to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives while bravely facing the Mumbai terrorist attacks, and I offer my tributes to all the people who lost their lives in this cowardly attack," he added.

The Home Minister further emphasised that terrorism is not a curse for just one country, but for the entire human race," adding that the Modi governments robust measures against terrorism are being recognised and appreciated globally.

 2008                                                     Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 26, 2025

President Murmu, in her social media post, mentioned, On the anniversary of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, I pay my humble tribute to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the people of our country."

The nation remembers their supreme sacrifice with gratitude. Let us reaffirm our commitment to combat terrorism in all forms. Let us move forward together on the path of progress with a resolve to build a stronger and more prosperous India," she added.

On the anniversary of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, I pay my humble tribute to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the people of our country. The nation remembers their supreme sacrifice with gratitude. Let us reaffirm our commitment to combat terrorism in all President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 26, 2025

To mark the anniversary, the National Security Guard (NSG) will organise a commemorative event at the Gateway of India on Wednesday.

The programme, themed Neverever", aims to honour those who sacrificed their lives, survivors, and other victims of the attacks, while reaffirming the nations collective resolve to prevent such incidents in the future.

A dedicated memorial zone at the venue will display photographs and names of the fallen heroes, with floral tributes and candles placed in their memory.

News agency PTI quoted officials as saying that a living memorial", created from the wax of homage candles, will be preserved for future observances.

Students from 11 colleges and 26 schools across Mumbai will participate in pledge-taking ceremonies under the Neverever" theme, reinforcing the youths commitment to peace, vigilance, and national security.

A pledge booth and message-writing corner will also allow the public to participate, leaving messages for the victims and survivors.

The event will include the felicitation of survivors and families of the fallen, alongside curated audio-visual presentations that highlight the courage and resilience shown during the attacks.

During the evening, the Gateway of India will be illuminated in the tricolour, with the word Neverever" projected as a symbol of Mumbais and the nations enduring spirit of bravery and unity.

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The 26/11 attacks, carried out by 10 terrorists from Pakistan, claimed the lives of 166 people, including security personnel and foreigners, and left more than 300 injured across multiple locations in Mumbai.

ALSO READ | Narco-Terror Module Busted In J-Ks Handwara; Father-Son Duo Held

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: November 26, 2025, 08:56 IST

News india NeverEver: India Marks 26/11 Anniversary As Amit Shah Stresses Zero Tolerance To Terrorism

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'No Moral Standing': India Fires Back At Pakistan For Remarks On Ram Temple Flag-Hoisting

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Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 21:20 IST

India's response came after Pakistan accused India of "discrimination against minorities" after PM Modi's flag-hoisting ceremony at the Ram Mandir.

PM Modi hoists sacred saffron flag at Ram Mandir, marking completion of the temple.

India gave a sharp response to Pakistan over the Dhwajarohan (flag hoisting) ceremony of the Ram Mandir in UPs Ayodhya, saying it had no moral standing to lecture others and would do better to focus on its own abysmal human rights record.

His remarks came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi ceremonially hoisted a saffron flag on the spire of the Ram temple in UPs Ayodhya on Tuesday, symbolising the completion of its construction. While the ceremony was a moment of emotional and spiritual significance for Hindus, Pakistan accused India of discrimination against minorities" and eradicating Muslim culture and heritage", without any evidence.

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Noting Pakistans response, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, We have seen the reported remarks and reject them with the contempt they deserve. As a country with a deeply stained record of bigotry, repression, and systemic mistreatment of its minorities, Pakistan has no moral standing to lecture others."

Rather than delivering hypocritical homilies, Pakistan would do better to turn its gaze inwards and focus on its own abysmal human rights record," he added.

BJP Slams Pakistan

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) mocked Islamabads remarks, saying it was similar to Osama Bin Laden talking about world peace.

Pakistan should be the last entity that should lecture anybody on human rights or minorities. Look at their own track record, and they are doing it on the day of 26/11. The day when they carried out the most dastardly terror attack and claimed many innocent lives. They are the ones who ensured that Hindus, Sikhs, Balochs and Ahmadiyyas in Pakistan are persecuted," said BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla.

A Historic Moment

The ceremony was to mark the completion of the Ram Mandirs construction after it was unveiled on January 2024. The right-angled triangular flag, measuring 10 feet in height and 20 feet in length, bears the image of a radiant Sun symbolising the brilliance and valour of Lord Rama, as per an official statement.

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The flag carries profound religious symbolism rooted in the Sanatan tradition. Its creation, materials, sacred motifs and technological features reflect a fusion of ancient belief and modern precision. According to Sanatan traditions, hoisting a flag on a temple spire is among the most sacred acts in Sanatan Dharma.

Addressing the gathering in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and thousands of attendees, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat described the Dhwajarohan ceremony at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir as a moment of immense historical, emotional and spiritual significance", calling it the realisation of centuries of collective aspiration, sacrifice and struggle.

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 26, 2025, 18:22 IST

News india 'No Moral Standing': India Fires Back At Pakistan For Remarks On Ram Temple Flag-Hoisting

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Pakistan Tried To Strike Uri Hydro Plant During Op Sindoor But CISF Foiled Attack, Saved 250 Civilians

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Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 10:34 IST

The revelation came to light after 19 CISF personnel, deployed to secure the project, were awarded the DGs disc for displaying exemplary courage

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The personnel have been recognised for undertaking door-to-door evacuation of civilians, including women, children, NHPC staff and their families, amidst Pakistani shelling. (X@CISFHQrs)

In the early hours of May 7just after the launch of Operation SindoorPakistan tried to strike the Uri Hydro Electric Power Projects (UHEP-I and II), located along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu & Kashmir, but the attempt was foiled by a small batch of CISF men.

The revelation came to light after 19 CISF personnel, deployed to secure the project, were awarded the DGs disc for displaying exemplary" courage and saving the lives of 250 civilians during Operation Sindoor. The DGs disc is a medallion provided by the director general of the force.

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The personnel have been recognised for undertaking door-to-door evacuation of civilians, including women, children, NHPC (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation) staff and their families, amidst Pakistani shelling during the intervening night of May 6-7, a spokesperson of the force said in a statement.

Operation Sindoor, conducted by the Indian Army during the intervening night of May 6-7, 2025, targeted terrorist hideouts across the Line of Control (LOC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In retaliation, the Pakistan Army launched intense and indiscriminate shelling on Indian territory, endangering vital infrastructure, including the Uri hydro-power projects, and threatening nearby civilian populations. Positioned barely a few kilometres from the Line of Control (LoC), CISF units at the NHPC installations found themselves at the forefront of this sudden escalation," the force said.

It added that despite heavy gunfire, the team under Commandant Ravi Yadav began protective measures to shield the installations and the surrounding township. During the most volatile phases of the exchange, CISF troops neutralised hostile drones targeting the installations and secured armoury stockpiles by swiftly redistributing weapons to prevent potential destruction. Throughout the crisis, the integrity of critical national assets remained intact due to their vigilance and preparedness. As shells struck close to residential complexes, CISF personnel undertook door-to-door evacuation of civilians, including women, children, NHPC staff and their families, often amidst ongoing shelling."

Hindustan Times quoted an officer aware of the developments during Operation Sindoor, who said the hydropower project was among the first to be targeted. The Uri projects are right at the LOC so it was the first to be targeted. The governments intelligence network was strong and the on-ground troops were prepared. Not only were drones shot down but a massive evacuation was also done without any loss of life," the report said.

The Indian military launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure and defence installations in Pakistan, after a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam on April 22 this year claimed 26 lives.

The personnel who were awarded include Commanding Officer Ravi Yadav, Deputy Commandant Manohar Singh, Assistant Commandant Subhash Kumar, Inspector Deepak Kumar Jha, Sub-Inspectors Anil Kumar and Deepak Kumar, Assistant Sub-Inspectors Rajeev Kumar and Sukhdev Singh and Head Constables Manoj Kumar Sharma, Ram Lal and Gurjit Singh. Constables Sushil V Kamble, Razique Rafique, Ravindra Wankhede, Tridev Chakma, Sohan Lal, Mufeed Ahmad, Mahesh Kumar and Sandenaboina Raju were also given the disc, as per officials.

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The about 1.80 lakh-personnel-strong CISF is primarily tasked with guarding critical infrastructure in the government and private domain, including more than 70 civil airports and nuclear and space facilities.

(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

Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India, India

First Published: November 26, 2025, 10:22 IST

News india Pakistan Tried To Strike Uri Hydro Plant During Op Sindoor But CISF Foiled Attack, Saved 250 Civilians

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PM Modi Lauds Unveiling Of Ambedkar's Bust At UNESCO HQ In Paris, Calls It 'Fitting Tribute'

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Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 23:36 IST

India marked Samvidhan Divas (Constitution Day) with the unveiling of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar's bust at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.

Dr Ambedkar's bust at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. (X/@Narendra Modi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the unveiling of a bust of Indias first law minister, Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, at the UNESCO headquarters, calling it a fitting tribute to him and his role in the making of the Indian Constitution.

It is a matter of immense pride that today, on Constitution Day, a bust of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was unveiled at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. This is a fitting tribute to Dr. Ambedkar and his role in the making of our Constitution. His thoughts and ideals give strength and hope to innumerable people," he said on X.

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It is a matter of immense pride that today, on Constitution Day, a bust of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was unveiled at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. This is a fitting tribute to Dr. Ambedkar and his role in the making of our Constitution. His thoughts and ideals give strength and pic.twitter.com/CbbsMEK7ji Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 26, 2025

The Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO marked Samvidhan Divas (Constitution Day) on Wednesday with the unveiling of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkars bust at the UNESCO Headquarters. The bust was unveiled by Vishal V Sharma, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to UNESCO.

The unveiling was done in the presence of Khaled El-Enany, Director-General of UNESCO and Ambassadors and diplomats of more than 50 countries, UNESCO officials and members of the Indian community in France.

On this occasion, the message of PM Modi was read out, paying tribute to Dr Ambedkars visionary leadership and reaffirming Indias commitment to constitutionalism and inclusive progress, according to a statement by Indias Permanent Mission to UNESCO. A video message from Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis was also played. highlighting Ambedkars global intellectual legacy.

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Ambassador Sharma underlined Dr Ambedkars transformative contributions to equality, education, democratic values and social justice  principles that echo deeply within the UNESCOs own constitutional vision. He noted that this installation honours the life of a global thinker whose journey continually illuminated the emancipating power of education," Indias Permanent Mission to UNESCO said in a statement.

The Constitution of India, drafted by Ambedkar, was formally adopted on November 26, 1949, marking a foundational moment in Indias post-independent history that is commemorated as Samvidhan Divas. It came into effect on January 26, 1950, which is celebrated as Republic Day.

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 26, 2025, 23:36 IST

News india PM Modi Lauds Unveiling Of Ambedkar's Bust At UNESCO HQ In Paris, Calls It 'Fitting Tribute'

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President Murmu Hails Abrogation Of Article 370, Launches First-Ever Kashmiri Edition Of Constitution

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Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 13:10 IST

In her speech, President Murmu highlighted the enduring intent of the Constitutions architects, countrys social and political strides, and governments recent policy decisions.

President Droupadi Murmu. (IMAGE: Screengrab)

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday led the 75th Constitution Day ceremony at the Samvidhan Sadan, marking the 76th anniversary of the adoption of Indias Constitution. During the celebrations, the President also launched digital versions of the Constitution in nine additional Indian languages, including the first Kashmiri and Bodo editions.

Addressing the Constitution Day event at the Central Hall of the Old Parliament building, now called Samvidhan Sadan, Murmu said India is presenting a new model of development for the world. Our Constitution-makers wanted our personal, democratic rights to be always protected. The Constitution is a guiding document to shun colonial mindset and adopt nationalistic thinking," she said.

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In her speech, President Murmu highlighted the enduring intent of the Constitutions architects, the countrys social and political strides, and the governments recent policy decisions.

Pointing towards the progress the country made in recent years, President Murmu said, By curbing the social evil associated with triple talaq, Parliament took historic steps toward the empowerment and social justice of our sisters and daughters."

The Goods and Services Tax, the biggest tax reform since independence, was implemented to promote the countrys economic integration. The repeal of Article 370 removed a barrier that had been hindering the countrys overall political integration. The Nari Shakti Bandhan Act will usher in a new era of women-led development," she added.

#WATCH | Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu says,  By curbing the social evil associated with triple talaq, Parliament took historic steps toward the empowerment and social justice of our sisters and daughters. The Goods and Services Tax, the biggest tax reform since pic.twitter.com/vtZLtXweuE ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2025

Senior leaders, including President Murmu, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, also attended the event and read the Preamble aloud as part of the commemoration.

Vice President Hails Constitution Makers

Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, who hails from Tamil Nadu, on Wednesday began his Constitution Day address at Samvidhan Sadan in his mother tongue, Tamil.

Addressing the gathering of Parliamentarians, VP Radhakrishnan hailed the Constitution makers, saying that the document reflects the soul of the nation."

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He said, Dr BR Ambedkar, Dr Rajendra Prasad, N Gopalaswamy Iyengar, Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer, KM Munshi, Durgabai Deshmukh and other great leaders made the Constitution in such a way that we see the soul of our nation in each page. Our Constitution was drafted, debated, and adopted by our outstanding tall leaders of Mother Bharat in the Constituent Assembly. It embodies the collective wisdom, sacrifice, and the dreams of millions of our countrymen who fought for freedom."

(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 26, 2025, 13:10 IST

News india President Murmu Hails Abrogation Of Article 370, Launches First-Ever Kashmiri Edition Of Constitution

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Punjab Police Bust Cross-Border Smuggling Ring; Accused Had Links With Pakistan-Based Handler

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Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 13:12 IST

Amritsar Rural Police busted a cross-border smuggling module, arresting two linked to a Pakistan-based handler and seizing an IED and two mobile phones, Punjab Police DGP said.

Police seized an improvised explosive device (IED) and two mobile phones from the accused's possession. (Image: X/@DGPPunjabPolice)

In a breakthrough against cross-border criminal activity, the Amritsar Rural Police have busted a smuggling module and arrested two individuals. The operation, driven by specific intelligence inputs, led to the recovery of an improvised explosive device (IED) and two mobile phones from the accused, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) confirmed on Wednesday.

Punjab DGP stated in a post on X that preliminary probe suggests the duo was in contact with a Pakistan-based handler, highlighting strong cross-border links behind the conspiracy.

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In an intelligence-led operation, Amritsar Rural Police busts a cross-border smuggling module, apprehends two accused, and recovers one IED and two mobile phonesPreliminary investigation indicates that the duo is in contact with a Pakistan-based handler, highlighting strong pic.twitter.com/l5AbKNswif  DGP Punjab Police (@DGPPunjabPolice) November 26, 2025

In an intelligence-led operation, Amritsar Rural Police busts a cross-border smuggling module, apprehends two accused, and recovers one IED and two mobile phones. Preliminary investigation indicates that the duo is in contact with a Pakistan-based handler, highlighting strong cross-border links behind the conspiracy, " the DGP tweeted.

The seizure of the explosive device has raised serious concerns about the possible intentions behind the conspiracy. The DGP added that the Punjab Police remain committed to safeguarding the state by neutralising smuggling networks and organised criminal syndicates operating with foreign support.

Punjab Police remains committed to ensuring a safe and secure Punjab by neutralising cross-border smuggling modules and organised criminal syndicates," he added.

Further investigation is underway to trace the wider network and identify additional collaborators involved in the operation.

ISI-Linked Arms Smuggling Network Exposed In Delhi

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This comes days after the Delhi Polices Crime Branch busted an ISI-linked arms smuggling network, arresting four operativesAjay, Mandeep, Dalvinder and Rohanand seizing 10 foreign-made pistols and 92 live cartridges.

The syndicate allegedly supplied weapons to gangs including Bishnoi, Bambiha and the Jitender Gogi network. Police said the arms were flown in from Pakistan using drones, with deliveries wrapped in carbon paper to avoid detection. The first arrest was made on November 19 in Rohini, leading to further arrests in Uttar Pradesh. Eight weapons had reportedly been dropped in Punjab before reaching Delhi. Police said more suspects were under surveillance.

About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More

Location : Amritsar, India, India

First Published: November 26, 2025, 13:12 IST

News india Punjab Police Bust Cross-Border Smuggling Ring; Accused Had Links With Pakistan-Based Handler

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'Rights Flow From Duties': PM Modis Constitution Day Letter To Citizens Urges Stronger Democracy

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Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 12:27 IST

PM Modi has written to the citizens of India on the occasion of Constitution Day, 26th November, recalling the historic adoption of the Constitution in 1949.

Prime Minister Modi wishes people of India on Constitution Day. (PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday wrote a letter to the citizens of the country on the occasion of Constitution Day and called upon everyone to place their duties foremost in their minds as India moves towards the vision of a Viksit Bharat. The Prime Minister also urged citizens to strengthen democracy by exercising their right to vote.

Recalling the historic adoption of the Constitution in 1949 and underlining its enduring role in guiding the nations progress, PM Modi highlighted how the Constitution has empowered individuals from humble backgrounds to serve the nation at the highest levels.

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He shared his own experiences of reverence towards Parliament and the Constitution and recalled bowing at the steps of Parliament in 2014 and placing the Constitution on his forehead in 2019 as a mark of respect. He emphasised that the Constitution has given countless citizens the power to dream and the strength to realise those dreams.

The National Constitution Day, also known as Samvidhan Divas, is celebrated every year on November 26, to mark the adoption of the Constitution of India. The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution on November 26, 1949, and it came into effect on January 26, 1950.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid homage to B R Ambedkar, Rajendra Prasad and all the members of the Constituent Assembly on Constitution day, underlining that the Constitution provides every citizen with equal opportunity and rights to pave the way for strong nation-building.

In a message on X in Hindi, Shah said, On this Constitution Day, I pay homage to Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Ji, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Ji, along with all the great members of the Constituent Assembly, and extend my heartfelt greetings to the fellow citizens."

The Constitution of India, the worlds largest democracy, provides every citizen with equal opportunities, a life of dignity, national duties, and rights, thereby paving the way for strong nation-building," he wrote.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju appealed to the public to recommit themselves to the principles of the Constitution. Recalling the vision of makers of the Constitution, Rijiju wrote on X, As the nation marks the adoption of our Constitution, we remember the vision that laid the bedrock of Indias democracy. On this Constitution Day, let us recommit ourselves to justice, liberty, equality & fraternity, principles that define who we are."

Heres Prime Minister Modis Letter To The People Of India

Dear ..

Namaste!

26th November is a day of immense pride for every Indian. It was on this very day in 1949 that the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India, a sacred document that has continued to guide the nations progress with clarity and conviction. That is why, nearly a decade ago, in 2015, the NDA government decided to mark 26th November as Constitution Day.

It is the power of our Constitution that enabled a person like me, coming from a humble and economically disadvantaged family, to serve as the Head of the Government continuously for over 24 years. I still remember the moments in 2014, when I came to Parliament for the first time and bowed, touching the steps of the greatest temple of democracy. Again, in 2019, after the election results, when I entered the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, I bowed and placed the Constitution on my forehead as a mark of reverence. This Constitution has given several others, like me, the power to dream and the strength to work towards it.

On Constitution Day, we remember all the inspiring members of the Constituent Assembly, which was presided over by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who contributed to the making of the Constitution. We recall the efforts of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, who chaired the Drafting Committee with remarkable foresight. Several distinguished women members of the Constituent Assembly enriched the Constitution with their thoughtful interventions and visionary perspectives.

My mind goes back to the year 2010. This was when the Constitution of India completed 60 years. Sadly, the occasion did not receive the attention it deserved at a national level. But, to express our collective gratitude and commitment to the Constitution, we organised a Samvidhan Gaurav Yatra in Gujarat. Our Constitution was placed on an elephant and I, along with several other people from different walks of life, had the honour of being part of the procession.

When the Constitution completed 75 years, we decided that this would be an extraordinary milestone for the people of India. We had the privilege of organising a special session of Parliament and launching nationwide programmes to commemorate this historic occasion. These programmes witnessed record public participation.

This years Constitution Day is special for many reasons.

It marks the 150th birth anniversary of two extraordinary personalities, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Both of them made monumental contributions to our nation. Sardar Patels visionary leadership ensured the political unification of India. It was his inspiration and courage of conviction that guided our steps to act against Article 370 and 35(A). The Constitution of India is now fully in force in Jammu & Kashmir, ensuring all constitutional rights for the people, especially the women and marginalised communities. The life of Bhagwan Birsa Munda continues to inspire Indias resolve to ensure justice, dignity and empowerment for our tribal communities.

This year, we also celebrate the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, whose words resonate with the collective resolve of Indians through the ages. At the same time, we commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, whose life and sacrifice continue to illuminate us with courage, compassion and strength.

All these personalities and milestones remind us of the primacy of our duties, something the Constitution also emphasises through a dedicated chapter on Fundamental Duties in Article 51A. These duties guide us on how to collectively achieve social and economic progress. Mahatma Gandhi always emphasised the duties of a citizen. He believed that a duty well performed creates a corresponding right and that real rights are a result of the performance of duty.

25 years have already passed since this century began. In just over two decades from now, we will mark 100 years since freedom from colonial rule. In 2049, it will be a hundred years since the Constitution was adopted. The policies we frame, the decisions we take today and our collective actions will shape the lives of generations to come.

Inspired by this, as we move forward to realise the dream of a Viksit Bharat, we must always place our duties towards our nation foremost in our minds.

Our country has given us so much and this brings out a deep sense of gratitude from within. And, when we live with this feeling, fulfilling our duties becomes integral to our nature. To carry out our duties, it becomes imperative to put in our full capability and dedication in every task. Every action of ours should strengthen the Constitution and further national goals and interests. It is afterall our responsibility to fulfil the dreams envisioned by the framers of our Constitution. When we work with this sense of duty, our nations social and economic progress will multiply manifold.

Our Constitution has given us the right to vote. As citizens, it is our duty to never miss the opportunity to vote in national, state and local elections where we are registered. In order to inspire others, we can think of organising special ceremonies every 26th November in schools and colleges to celebrate those youngsters who are turning 18. This way our first-time voters will feel that in addition to being students, they are also active participants in the process of nation-building.

When we inspire our youth with a sense of responsibility and pride, they will remain committed to the values of democracy throughout their lives. This sense of commitment is the foundation of a strong nation.

Let us, on this Constitution Day, reaffirm our pledge to fulfil our duties as citizens of this great nation. In doing so, we can all contribute meaningfully to the building of a Viksit Bharat that is developed and empowered.

Yours,

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Narendra Modi

About the Author Mahima Joshi Mahima Joshi, Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking team. Covering national stories and bringing breaking news to the table are her forte. She is deeply interested in Indian poli... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 09:48 IST

News india 'Rights Flow From Duties': PM Modis Constitution Day Letter To Citizens Urges Stronger Democracy

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The Secretary of State, a key figure in Americas two major international fronts, is leading the hardline stance against Chavismo while toning down pro-Russian positions in talks with Kyiv

When I have a problem, I call up Marco. He gets it solved, Donald Trump boasts about his Secretary of State and National Security Advisor. This week, Marco Rubio is putting that reputation to the test. He is the key man on the two major international fronts the United States is currently engaged in, and with two very different roles: in the negotiations over the war in Ukraine, he took the reins to balance out what was initially a clearly pro-Russian proposal and try to push through a peace plan acceptable to Kyiv; in the standoff with Venezuela, he is one of the driving forces behind the maximum-pressure policy against Nicolas Maduro.

Its a situation with clear rewards. If he succeeds on both fronts, the chameleon-like head of U.S. diplomacy, who has skillfully channeled and adapted to his boss positionseven when they contradict the ideas he embraced during his time in the Senatewould polish his credentials with the president, a great admirer of decisive individuals. Trump has already mentioned his name, along with that of Vice President J.D. Vance, as possible successors starting in 2028. Avoiding a Russian-dictated peace plan for Ukraine would also earn him the gratitude of European partners.

But at the same time, the Cuban-American politician faces the risk of a confrontation with the MAGA movement, which opposes foreign intervention. Its members would be furious at the prospect of a prolonged war in Eastern Europe. And they fear the conflict in Venezuela could become one of the endless conflicts that Trump promised to avoid during his campaign.

The differing positions arent limited to the grassroots level. They also extend to the Republican Party and the National Security team itself at the White House. Vancewith whom Rubio maintains an excellent personal relationshiphas been a strong advocate for the pro-Russian peace proposal for Ukraine. One of the Vice Presidents closest allies, Army Secretary Dan Driscollwho last week in Kyiv tried to force President Volodymyr Zelenskiys acquiescence to the 28-point planwas negotiating this Tuesday in Abu Dhabi with Russian and Ukrainian representatives, and will soon meet again with the Ukrainians. This Monday, Vance lashed out on social media at the Republican lawmakers who criticized that proposal, which initially envisioned Ukraine ceding territories under its control to Russia and drastically reducing its military force.

For now, Rubio has scored a victory thanks to the meeting in Geneva between a delegation he led and a Ukrainian mission backed by the Europeans. Over the past week, the United States has made tremendous progress toward a peace agreement by bringing Ukraine and Russia to the negotiating table. There are still some delicate, but not impossible, details to work out that will require further talks between Ukraine and Russia, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on Tuesday. Trump, in turn, added during the annual turkey pardoning ceremony before Thanksgiving on Thursday: We are very close to a deal. The president announced that his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, will travel to Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin.

US President Donald Trump during the turkey pardoning ceremony at the White House on the eve of Thanksgiving Day Jonathan Ernst (REUTERS)

This was a very different stance from the beginning of last weekend, when the president warned that Zelenskiy would have to accept the peace plan apparently conceived after a meeting in Miami between White House special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Kirill Dmitriev, a close confidant of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Now, the proposal has been reduced to 19 points; territorial concessions have been eliminated, and the language barring Kyiv from joining NATO has been modified. The thorniest points, as Leavitt pointed out, are left for later negotiations. And the Thanksgiving ultimatum for accepting has disappeared.

Flexibility in talks

The person responsible for this shift was Rubio. The U.S. Secretary of State traveled to Geneva to lead Sundays talks with the Ukrainians and their European allies. His involvement introduced a new flexibility to the negotiations. The proposal on the table, as he himself described it, is a living, breathing document and, therefore, subject to change.

Rubio simply understands better than many others in the current administration  none of whom are Ukraine experts and very few know anything beyond the myths about Russia  that even in the difficult situation that Ukraine is in, there is simply no way the Ukrainian government can sign the capitulation, a senior European official told the online newspaper Politico.

Rubio, a hawk on Moscow during his time as a senator, had already intervened on other occasions to correct the pro-Russian positions of Trump and his advisors. It was after his conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that the U.S. president announced the cancellation of his planned summit with Putin in Budapest. In August, he warned that the prospects for peace were still very distant after the August meeting in Alaska between Trump and Putin.

Tension in Venezuela

Back in Washington, and with one eye on the negotiations in Abu Dhabi, Rubio will focus this week on the other major issue in U.S. foreign policy: the situation in Venezuela, where on Monday the designation of the Cartel of the Suns as a foreign terrorist organization took effect. This designation refers to a group of high-ranking officials with ties to drug trafficking in the South American country. Washington accuses Maduro of leading this group.

US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine arrives in Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday for an official visit as tensions rise between Washington and Caracas Karla Ramoo (EFE)

The Secretary of State, who has always been a proponent of forcing the fall of Chavismo, has been one of the key architects of the aggressive U.S. strategy, which maintains a massive deployment of military power in international waters of the Caribbean under the pretext of fighting drug trafficking. Rubio already pressured Trump during his first term to force a regime change in favor of opposition leader Juan Guaido.

Rubio advocated for regime change in the early months of the Trump administration, initially citing the human rights situation and election fraud. Initially, this met with little success. However, after assuming leadership of the National Security Council, he presented a new argument: that Maduro is a narco-terrorist leader, indicted by the Justice Department for alleged cocaine trafficking in 2020, during the Republicans first term.

The former Florida senator, with his hardline stance against Maduro, ousted the special envoy for Venezuela, Richard Grenell, who favored negotiations with Caracas that would open the door to Venezuelan oil for U.S. corporations. Grenell was in touch with the Chavista regime during the first months of Trumps presidency and even traveled there as part of negotiations that resulted in the release of American prisoners and Caracass agreement to receive Venezuelan nationals deported from the U.S.

In recent days, while Washington maintains its standoff with Maduro and continues its military preparations, Trump has flirted with the diplomatic route as a solution. The online news outlet Axiosthe same one that leaked the initial plan for Ukraineasserts that the Republican intends to have direct talks with the Venezuelan president.

Rubio has a lot riding on what happens, whether Trump ultimately opts for some kind of military action or for dialogue. If Maduro remains in power, the Venezuelan leader could boast of having defeated the Republican administration twice, after the fiasco of the first term. And the support the former senator receives among Latin American exiles, especially in Florida, could suffer a severe blow. But if the Chavista leader falls, the South American country could find itself in an even more dangerous situation of instability.

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Transit Transformation: Union Cabinet Clears Rs 9,858 Crore Expansion For Pune Metro Phase-2

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 21:06 IST

The decision, taken by the union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was announced by the union minister for information and broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw

The new lines are an integral component of Pune's Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP). (Representational pic: X/Pune Metro)

In a major boost to urban mobility in Maharashtra, the union government on Wednesday approved the expansion of the Pune Metro rail network at an estimated cost of Rs 9,858 crore. The decision, taken by the union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was announced by the union minister for information and broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, in New Delhi.

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This sanction covers two critical new corridors under Phase-2 of the Pune Metro Rail Project:

Line 4: From Kharadi-Hadapsar-Swargate to Khadakwasla.

Line 4A: From Nal Stop-Warje to Manik Baug.

Together, these two elevated corridors will span a combined distance of 31.636 kilometres and incorporate 28 new stations. The project, which is slated for completion within five years, will be jointly financed by the Government of India, the Government of Maharashtra, and external bilateral/multilateral funding agencies.

Connecting Punes Economic Lifelines

The expansion is strategically designed to integrate Punes most vital and congested hubs across the east, south, and west of the city. Line 4 connects the burgeoning Kharadi IT Park and Hadapsars industrial zones in the East, runs through the central Swargate interchange, and extends to the residential and tourist belt of Khadakwasla. Line 4A will act as a crucial spur, connecting areas like Warje and Manik Baug to the Nal Stop interchange.

This expansion is the second major project approved under Phase-2, following the earlier sanction of Line 2A (VanazChandani Chowk) and Line 2B (RamwadiWagholi/Vitthalwadi). Once completed, the entire network is set to push Pune Metros sanctioned length beyond the 100-kilometre milestone, positioning the city alongside other major Indian metros with extensive rail transit systems.

Enhancing Connectivity and Future Projections

The new lines are an integral component of Punes Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP). They will ensure seamless multimodal connectivity by integrating with existing and sanctioned corridors at key interchange points like Kharadi Bypass, Nal Stop (Line 2), and Swargate (Line 1). Furthermore, the plans include a vital interchange at Hadapsar Railway Station and provisions for future extensions towards Loni Kalbhor and Saswad Road.

Ridership projections underscore the necessity of the expansion: the combined daily ridership on Lines 4 and 4A is expected to be 4.09 lakh in 2028, rising significantly to over 11.7 lakh by 2058. The project is expected to provide citizens with a safe, reliable, and affordable transit alternative, easing chronic traffic congestion on major arteries like Solapur Road, Sinhagad Road, and the MumbaiBengaluru Highway, thereby promoting sustainable urban mobility.

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About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 21:02 IST

News india Transit Transformation: Union Cabinet Clears Rs 9,858 Crore Expansion For Pune Metro Phase-2

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'Under Legal, Judicial Review': India On Request From Bangladesh To Extradite Sheikh Hasina

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News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 19:49 IST

Ousted Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina has been living in India since August 5 last year after the fall of her government in the aftermath of a violent student agitation

Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death for "crimes against humanity" by the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh. (Image: Reuters/File)

India on Wednesday confirmed it has received and is looking into a request from Bangladesh to extradite former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Hasina has been living in India since August 5 last year after the fall of her government in the aftermath of a violent student agitation.

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According to the ministry of external affairs (MEA), India is examining the extradition request for Hasina as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes.

The request is being reviewed as part of ongoing legal and judicial processes," said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Hasina, who is 78, was sentenced to death in absentia last week by a special tribunal in Dhaka for crimes against humanity" related to her governments harsh response to student protests last year.

We remain committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country and will continue to engage constructively in this regard with all stakeholders," Jaiswal said.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, said while India gave no reply" to its earlier request seeking Hasinas extradition, Dhaka now expects a response from New Delhi as the situation is different now" with the judicial process completed and the deposed prime minister convicted.

Last week, the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government had sent an official letter" to India seeking Hasinas extradition after the death row verdict was pronounced against her on November 17.

On Wednesday, Bangladesh foreign affairs adviser M Touhid Hossain told reporters that the government is awaiting Indias reply to its latest request to extradite her.

I do not expect that they (India) will answer within a week of Dhakas request, but we expect we will get an answer," he said.

Hossain said the formal extradition request was conveyed through the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi following the ICT verdict. He said the request was made under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries.

Bangladesh had earlier sent a note verbale in December last year seeking Hasinas extradition, to which India acknowledged receipt without further comment. On November 20, law adviser Asif Nazrul said the Yunus government is also considering moving the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague to bring back the fugitive convicts".

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Hasina, along with the then home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, have been accused of adopting brutal means to tame the protesters, while a UN rights office report said about 1,400 people were killed between July 15 and August 15 last year. Kamal is also believed to be hiding in the country. The third accused is former police official Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who appeared as an approver, was sentenced to five years in prison.

(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 26, 2025, 19:31 IST

News india 'Under Legal, Judicial Review': India On Request From Bangladesh To Extradite Sheikh Hasina

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UP Teacher On BLO Duty Consumes Poison As Stress Over SIR Workload Mounts, Dies

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 10:11 IST

The teacher, identified as Vipin Yadav, from Malani Sarai Khas in Jaunpur district, was posted as an assistant teacher at Jaitpur Majha Primary School in Nawabganj block.

UP teacher on BLO duty consumes poison, dies. (Representative Image)

As the nation proceeds towards the SIR process, a teacher deployed as a Booth Level Officer (BLO) in Uttar Pradesh died on Tuesday after allegedly consuming a poisonous substance.

The teacher, identified as Vipin Yadav, from Malani Sarai Khas in Jaunpur district, was posted as an assistant teacher at Jaitpur Majha Primary School in Nawabganj block.

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He was also serving as a BLO in Khempur gram panchayat, Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue) Alok Kumar was quoted by news agency PTI.

Yadav allegedly consumed a poisonous substance on Tuesday morning, following which his condition deteriorated. Fellow teachers took him to a private hospital, from where he was referred to a medical college. However, doctors there declared him dead on arrival.

A report published in The Times of India reported that the BLOs family has alleged that official pressure pushed him to take the drastic step.

A purported video in which he alleged pressure and ill-treatment by officials over SIR work was contested by the administration. Before his death, a video recorded by Vipins wife surfaced on social media, in which the BLO alleged that he was under extreme pressure from officials assigned to supervise the SIR exercise, and that the SDM and the BDO routinely

misbehaved with him.

His wife, recording the video with their young son beside her, said Vipin had been distressed for weeks.

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ADM said a two-member investigation team comprising the Chief Revenue Officer and the Additional Superintendent of Police (West) has been set up to probe the incident.

The body has been sent for post-mortem and will be taken to his native village for cremation.

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 : Uttar Pradesh, India, India

First Published: November 26, 2025, 10:11 IST

News india UP Teacher On BLO Duty Consumes Poison As Stress Over SIR Workload Mounts, Dies

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Violent Protests Rock VIT Bhopal Over Jaundice Outbreak, Vehicles Set Ablaze

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 13:53 IST

Protesters claimed that over two dozen students fell sick with jaundice symptoms in recent weeks.

The state administration has denied rumours of deaths due to jaundice. (Photos: X)

Violent protests broke out at VIT University Bhopal in Madhya Pradeshs Sehore district on late Tuesday night, with students blaming the administration for providing allegedly poor-quality food and contaminated water that caused a major jaundice outbreak on campus.

Around 4,000 students gathered on the college campus to protest, but the situation escalated when some of the protesters torched multiple vehicles and damaged university property, including the chancellors bungalow. In view of the situation, the university declared a holiday till the end of November.

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Protesters claimed that over two dozen students fell sick with jaundice symptoms in recent weeks.

A student said the university management had turned a blind eye to their complaints, and no concrete action has been taken to address the concerns about food and water quality. Students alleged that guards and staff mistreated them when they raised these issues.

However, the state administration has denied rumours of deaths due to jaundice.

The children had problems with water and food There were rumours of deaths due to jaundice. This is not the case. We are working to solve the childrens problems," said Nitin Kumar Tale, Sub-divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Ashta, where the university is located.

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Jitendra Patwari, Madhya Pradesh Congress chief, demanded that the government should conduct a fair investigation into the entire matter.

The incident at VIT, an educational institution in Bhopal, is extremely concerning. It is reprehensible that children are not provided with clean water and pure food. The government should conduct a fair investigation into the entire matter and take strict action against the culprits," he wrote on X.

About the Author Saurabh Verma Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19

Location : Bhopal, India, India

First Published: November 26, 2025, 13:53 IST

News india Violent Protests Rock VIT Bhopal Over Jaundice Outbreak, Vehicles Set Ablaze

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'We Stand With India': On 17th Anniversary Of 26/11 Attack, France Pays Tribute To Victims

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 10:43 IST

On November 26, 2008, the world watched in horror as 10 militants from Lashkar-e-Taiba stormed multiple prominent locations across Mumbai, leaving 166 innocents dead

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Nine LeT terrorists were killed, while the lone surviving terrorist, Ajmal Kasab, was handed the death penalty in 2010 and hanged in Pune two years later. (PTI)

On the 17th anniversary of the tragic 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Frances Ambassador Thierry Mathou reiterated solidarity with India and honoured the memory of those who lost their lives.

In a message marking the solemn occasion on X, Mathou said: #MumbaiAttacks 26/11: As we mark 17 years since these horrific attacks, France honours the memory of the victims. France reaffirms its unequivocal condemnation of terrorism, and stands together with India in combatting this scourge."

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On November 26, 2008, the world watched in horror as 10 militants from Lashkar-e-Taiba stormed multiple prominent locations across Mumbai, including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the Oberoi Trident Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and other sites, leaving 166 innocents among over 175 dead and hundreds wounded.

Nine LeT terrorists were killed, while the lone surviving terrorist, Ajmal Kasab, was handed the death penalty in 2010 and hanged in Pune two years later.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the Modi governments zero-tolerance policy against terrorism is clear, and the entire world is appreciating and providing broad support to Indias anti-terrorism campaigns.

Paying respects to soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Shah said in a post on X that terrorism is not a curse for just one country, but for the entire human race.

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On this very day in the year 2008, terrorists carried out a cowardly attack on Mumbai and committed heinous and inhuman acts. I pay my respects to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives while facing the Mumbai terrorist attacks, and I offer my tributes to all the people who lost their lives in the cowardly attack."

He added: The Modi governments zero-tolerance policy against terrorism is clear, and the entire world is appreciating and providing broad support to Indias anti-terrorism campaigns."

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 26, 2025, 10:43 IST

News india 'We Stand With India': On 17th Anniversary Of 26/11 Attack, France Pays Tribute To Victims

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'What Can We Do If They Don't Vote For Us?': Kerala BJP Chief On No Muslims In Union Cabinet

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 16:05 IST

Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the party was not getting enough support from the Muslim community and denied allegations of a religious bias.

Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar. (PTI Image/File)

Kerala BJP President and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Wednesday remarked that Muslims were not voting for the party, in response to a question about the lack of Muslim representation in the Union Cabinet.

Speaking at a press conference in Kerala, Chandrasekhar said the BJP were not receiving support from the Muslim community, and that the Cabinet had no Muslim ministers because there were no Muslim MPs.

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He defended the partys position, pointing to the BJPs Muslim representatives in the past like Ex-Ministers Shahnawaz Hussain and Mohsin Abbas Naqvi. The truth is, Muslims do not vote for us. But what do they gain by voting for Congress? We have never harmed anyone. There are Muslim MPs and leaders in the BJP, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Shahnawaz Hussain. Even today, there are Muslim MPs in the Rajya Sabha from J&K," he said.

That trust has not been there. What is the reason for that? We have not hurt anyone," he added.

What if I ask, why are Muslims not voting for us? Why are they voting for Congress? Is there any benefit to voting for Congress? What can we do if the community is not supporting us?" he said, adding that there were several Muslim candidates for the BJP in local body elections.

BJP is not Jamaat-e-Islami. We believe in the Constitution and democracy. Jamaat-e-Islami openly states that they do not want the Constitution and do not believe in democracy. We will work hard to earn the trust of the Muslim community and end this poisonous campaign led by LDF and UDF."

His remarks came as Kerala local body elections are set to be held in two phases on December 9 and 11, where nearly 1,200 local bodies of the state will go for polling. The counting for the local elections will be held on December 13, 2025. Mattannur municipality in Kannur District will not go to polls this time as the elections are due in September 2027.

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Chandrasekhar further said the BJPs aim in the local body elections is not a change of government, but a change in the style of governance. He said 95% of development in Kerala is due to the Modi government, while criticising the LDF governments policies.

Kerala is not developing. If it was developing, why would students go outside for education? Kerala is carrying out development by borrowing money. Funds are being reallocated and spent," he was quoted as saying in local media.

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 : Kerala, India, India

First Published: November 26, 2025, 15:55 IST

News india 'What Can We Do If They Don't Vote For Us?': Kerala BJP Chief On No Muslims In Union Cabinet

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Constitution Day 2025: PM Modi Quotes, Preamble History And Samvidhan Divas Key Facts

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 08:17 IST

Indian Constitution Day 2025 marks the adoption of Indias democratic framework. Celebrate the Preamble, rights, and duties of citizens on this historic day.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the Constitution Day program at the Supreme Court in New Delhi on November 26, 2024. (Image: PMOIndia/X, formerly Twitter)

Constitution Day Of India 2025: Every year, India observes Constitution Day, also known as Samvidhan Diwas, on November 26 to celebrate the adoption of the Indian Constitution. This significant milestone, achieved in 1949, shaped the nations democratic framework.

Visionary leaders of the Constituent Assembly of India, including Dr BR Ambedkar, led the drafting committee, finalising the Constitution. It came into effect a year later, on January 26, 1950, which is now celebrated as Republic Day.

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Constitution Day aims to promote awareness and understanding of the Constitution among citizens, particularly the youth. Let us look at the history and significance of the day.

75th Constitution Day Celebrations LIVE Updates

Constitution Day 2025: Quotes By PM Narendra Modi

The Constitution gives us the freedom to dream big and work towards achieving those dreams

Indias Constitution has brought us so far ahead, negating all negative possibilities cited at the time of Independence. The citizens are worthy of congratulations for passing the test.

Our constitution is a ray of hope: H for harmony, O for the opportunity, P for peoples participation, and E for equality.

Let us think about how we can fulfil duties enshrined in our Constitution.

Its our objective to commend each citizens contribution in building the nation. Dignity for India and unity for India.

Constitution Day 2025: History

Under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the Indian Government designated November 26 as Constitution Day in 2015. It was the Constituent Assembly, set up under the 1946 Cabinet Mission Plan, that drafted the Constitution.

The Assembly gathered under one roof for the first time on December 9, 1946. Dr Sachhidanand Sinha, serving as the Provisional President, attended the first session. Later, Dr Rajendra Prasad presided as the Assemblys permanent chairman.

Constitution Day 2025: Significance

The Indian Constitution Day is observed to honour the framers of the Constitution. Ministries, departments and youngsters across the country celebrate the important day through digital and field-based activities.

The day acts as a reminder to citizens to reflect upon their constitutional duties, rights protection and social justice. The celebrations are usually marked by quizzes, seminars, pledges and mass reading of the Preamble.

Constitution Day In India 2025: Who Wrote The Preamble

The initial version of the Preamble was prepared by the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. He created the initial draft, drawing ideas from the Objectives Resolution". Jawaharlal Nehru introduced it to the Constituent Assembly on December 13, 1946. On January 22, 1947, the Assembly approved the resolution.

The Drafting Committee, led by Dr BR Ambedkar, prepared the worlds longest Constitution. It originally featured 395 articles, 22 parts and 12 schedules. Initially handwritten in Hindi and English, the Constitutions calligraphy was done by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, while the artwork was by Nandalal Bose and artists from Shantiniketan.

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Constitution Day 2025: Key Elements Of The Preamble

The key elements of the Preamble are as follows: Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic. Besides that, the core objectives emphasise: Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.

About the Author Nibandh Vinod Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with nearly three decades of experience, known for his in-depth coverage of events and festivals, as well as his expertise in SEO-driven content at News18.com. A... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 06:33 IST

News lifestyle events Constitution Day 2025: PM Modi Quotes, Preamble History And Samvidhan Divas Key Facts
National Milk Day 2025: History, Significance And Indias Rising Milk Industry

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Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 06:43 IST

National Milk Day is celebrated on November 26 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr Verghese Kurien who is known as the Father of the White Revolution in India.

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National Milk Day 2025: Today, India contributes to 25 percent of the global milk production, financially aiding 8.5 crore rural households in India.

National Milk Day (NMD) marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Verghese Kurien, who has been referred to as the Father of the White Revolution" in this country. Owing to Kurien, India has remained the largest producer of milk, globally, since it dethroned the US from that position in 1998. It has come a long way from being a milk-deficient nation, thanks to the remarkable efforts of Kurien.

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Let us focus on the extraordinary history behind National Milk Day, the days significance and the growth of Indias milk industry.

National Milk Day 2025: History

It was on November 26, 2014, that National Milk Day was first celebrated in India. The decision to commemorate Dr. Verghese Kuriens birthday was taken collectively by The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), the Indian Dairy Association (IDA), and 22 state-level milk federations.

Spearheaded by Kurien, the NDDb had launched Operation Flood" on January 13, 1970, to make India self-sufficient in milk production. The program did this by breeding Indian native cow breeds with European cows that were considered high yielding."

Kuriens journey with Indias history of milk production, began with him setting up a milk cooperative at Anand town in Kaira (now Kheda) district of Gujarat, in 1946, to stop the exploitation of small dairy farmers there by agents and traders.

This was the basis for the iconic fictional film, Manthan (1979), directed by Shyam Benegal. Kurien also revolutionised the production of condensed milk from Buffalo milk, at Amul, leading to a successful ban on import of condensed milk.

National Milk Day 2025: Significance

The success of Indias journey as the top milk producer speaks of the nations journey to become self reliant, and find its feet again after suffering from centuries of invasions and colonisation. Verghese Kuriens intelligence, passion and empathy towards poor milk farmers, made this a reality.

Growth of Indias Milk Industry

Kuriens Anand model was eventually implemented nationwide, on the orders of Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shashtri.

The cooperatives were then developed under project Operation Flood" in three phases; 1970-1980, 1981-1985 and finally, 1985-1996.

As a result, the number of milk sheds increased, urban outlets expanded and the volume of milk production increased exponentially.

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Today, India contributes to 25 percent of the global milk production, financially aiding 8.5 crore rural households in India.

About the Author Nibandh Vinod Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with nearly three decades of experience, known for his in-depth coverage of events and festivals, as well as his expertise in SEO-driven content at News18.com. A... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 06:43 IST

News lifestyle events National Milk Day 2025: History, Significance And Indias Rising Milk Industry
Shraddha Kapoor's Denim On Denim Look Is A Fashion Course In Looking Simply Chic

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Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 12:00 IST

Shraddha Kapoor has lent her voice for the character of Officer Judy Hopps in Zootopia 2 and was seen getting into character by wearing bunny ears at the promotional event.

Shraddha Kapoor at the promotional event for Zootopia 2

Shraddha Kapoor was recently spotted at a promotional event looking bubbly and cheerful as ever. The actor was seen during a promotional event before the launch of the new Disney animated movie Zootopia 2. She was seen in a denim-on-denim look sporting bunny ears.

The actor wore this years newest denim trend  barrel jeans. These unique denim pants have a curved silhouette thats wider at the thigh and knee, which creates a barrel or bowlegged shape. This type of pants taper at the waist and ankle and create a relaxed fit that also defines the waist, giving it a snatched look.

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Styled by Namrata Deepak, she paired the two-tone denim pants from Dhruv Kapoor with a dark wash, matching cropped jacket by the same designer. A simple white cami tucked into the high-waist pants creates a simple yet chic look.

The actor wore a pair of grey bunny ears, layered a few gold chains and wore tiny gold hoops. She mixed metals with silver strappy heels to add some height and elevate the barrel denim pants.

Shraddha Kapoor on Joining Zootopia 2

Shraddha has lent her voice to the character of Judy Hopps in Disneys upcoming film Zootopia 2. She has dubbed the Hindi dialogues for the character for the film, which is scheduled to release in India on November 28. The official annoucement was made 2 weeks back and read, Bohot jyada excited to join the Zootopia 2 family, as the voice of the amazing Judy Hopps in Hindi. She is feisty, courageous, enthu cutlet aur cute toh hai hi bachpan se. Kal aa raha hai aapke liye ek anokha surprise (sic)."

A BTS video from Shraddhas time in the dubbing room was also released recently. It shows the actors lively energy, as she physically jumped, moved, and laughed while delivering her lines.

Shraddha was last seen in the 2024 film Stree 2, which was released on August 15, 2024.

About Zootopia 2

In the long-awaited follow-up to the 2016 Oscar-winning animated hit, the rabbit and fox detectives who solve crime in the town of Zootopia have made a comeback. The overachieving bunny, Judy Hopps, voiced by actor Ginnifer Goodwin, and the laidback fox Nick Wilde, played by actor Jason Bateman, will this time tackle their budding partnership while hunting for reptiles. The cast will also feature Idris Elba, Quinta Brunson and Ke Huy Quan, and the film is directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard. Zootopia 2 is expected to be released on Disney+ in March 2026, based on how long Disney waits before moving its big animated titles from theatres to OTT.

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First Published: November 26, 2025, 11:59 IST

News lifestyle fashion Shraddha Kapoor's Denim On Denim Look Is A Fashion Course In Looking Simply Chic
How Men Are Redefining Grooming Through Multi-Occasion Fragrance Rituals

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 17:27 IST

The grooming landscape has evolved significantly. Men now have access to niche brands, artisanal blends, and online communities that encourages experimentation.

Men are curating personal fragrance wardrobes for different occasions.

A new chapter is unfolding in mens grooming  one that moves beyond the idea of a single signature perfume. Todays consumers are approaching fragrance the way they approach style: thoughtfully, intentionally, and with a sense of occasion. Workdays call for something clean and discreet, evenings demand warmth and depth, and celebrations invite boldness. The modern man is no longer wearing a single scent; he is curating a personal fragrance wardrobe that matches his moods, environments, and evolving identity.

Industry leaders agree that this shift is more than a fad. Men are building personal scent wardrobes with different perfumes for work, evenings, and special occasions," says Amita Agrawal, Director of Perfumery at Mysore Deep Perfumery House (MDPH) and Zed Black. She notes that Indias long heritage of attars and aromatic craft is influencing a new, more expressive relationship with fragrance.

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Echoing this evolution, Abdulla Ajmal, CEO, Ajmal Group, adds, Men today arent shy about curating a scent wardrobe  one fragrance for work with clean citruses and woods, another for evenings built on amber and oud, and something richer for special occasions. Perfume reflects their mood, their identity, their evolving approach to grooming."

This new approach mirrors how style works in everyday life. Men are no longer viewing scent as an afterthought. Theyre treating it as a final styling layer. A crisp citrus or subtle woody blend enhances professionalism during the day, signalling clarity and composure. As evening arrives, men gravitate toward deeper compositions with amber, musk, or oud, adding warmth and sensuality. For weddings, festive seasons, and milestone moments, richer perfumes take centre stage, creating memory-anchoring impressions.

As Agrawal explains, modern men now see fragrance as an expression of mood, intention, and presence." This shift reflects a deeper cultural understanding that scent can be a form of communication  one that sets the emotional tone long before a word is spoken.

The grooming landscape has changed dramatically. Men have access to niche houses, artisanal blends, global perfumery content, and a thriving online community that celebrates experimentation. Social media has opened a world of ingredient education  vetiver, ISO E Super, oud, bergamot, and musk are no longer niche terms but part of everyday vocabulary.

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According to Ajmal, whats emerging is not newfound interest but newfound confidence. Men have always been curious about scent; today, they are simply more expressive and open to exploring different moods and ingredients."

The rise of scent wardrobes reflects a broader shift in how men understand identity and self-expression. By choosing fragrances intentionally  fresh for focus, deep for evenings, bold for celebration  they are redefining what grooming means in a contemporary, culturally rooted way. This movement isnt about indulgence alone; its about agency. Men are discovering that the right fragrance doesnt just complement a moment. It helps create it.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: November 26, 2025, 17:27 IST

News lifestyle How Men Are Redefining Grooming Through Multi-Occasion Fragrance Rituals
The suspect has been arrested, and the two officers are in a critical condition. At the time of the incident, President Trump was in Florida

U.S. President Donald Trump has called the Wednesday shooting attack against two service members from the National Guard an act of terror and pledged to intensify deportation efforts.

The two members of the National Guard were injured in a shooting at the entrance of Farragut West station, one of the busiest in downtown Washington. Located at the intersection of 17th and I streets, it is less than 500 meters from the White House.

The shooting was confirmed on X by the Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem. Patrick Morrissey, governor of West Virginia, announced just over an hour later the deaths of the two soldiers. They were members of that states National Guard and were in the capital as part of a deployment ordered by the U.S. government.

Later, Morrissey backtracked, announcing that there were conflicting reports and that he would provide more details when they became available. Bowser confirmed in a press conference that the victims were in critical condition.

Authorities have detained a suspect, who is in critical condition, according to U.S. President Donald Trump. The Department of Homeland Security has identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal.

It was 20 minutes before 3:00 p.m. (local time) when the sound of sirens from dozens of police cars filled the streets of downtown Washington, which was quiet, given the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed the incident shortly afterward, though it did not immediately provide further details.

Trump was not in the city at the time of the shooting. The president had traveled Tuesday night to his residence at Mar-a-Lago, in West Palm Beach, Florida, to spend the long Thanksgiving weekend there. The holiday is celebrated this Thursday, the fourth Thursday of November, across the country.

The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price, Trump posted on Truth Social. God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance urged everybody whos a person of faith to pray for the two Guardsmen.

Miembros de la Guardia Nacional, este miercoles, en la zona acordonada tras el tiroteo. Mark Schiefelbein (AP)

The White House was immediately placed on alert, and both entry and exit were suspended until further notice. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump had been briefed on the tragic situation.

The area of the attack was quickly filled with officers from the various agencies that patrol the city. By shortly before 3:30 p.m., there were already around a hundred, joined by dozens of journalists and a large number of onlookers. A helicopter hovered overhead.

Eiden, a 28-year-old U.S. citizen, and his wife Gala, a Spaniard from Barcelona, were out shopping when the incident occurred. It sounded like fireworks, and since it was a holiday, I didnt think it was anything. Later I realized it was. I was scared; it felt like a movie, she said. Her husband added: I want to believe it was just a madman and that he didnt mean to kill those guards. The alternative would be much more dangerous and destabilizing for the country.

The National Guard has been deployed in the city since last August, on Trumps orders, who sent in the troops to combat crime  despite falling crime rates  and also to assist in immigration raids.

The first contingent deployed in the capital consisted of 800 National Guard soldiers, later reinforced by units from six Republican-leaning states, which doubled that number. The Pentagon authorized them to carry weapons within the city.

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Why Indians Are Heading To Finland, Sweden And Lapland

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 14:45 IST

Indian travellers are embracing Nordic winter escapes like Finland, Sweden and Lapland for Northern Lights, igloo stays, husky safaris and immersive Arctic experiences.

For travellers seeking peaceful winter beauty without losing out on comfort, Finland is a natural first choice

A new travel trend is taking shape this season, one that swaps Europes crowded cities for silent snowfields, glowing winter skies, and untouched Arctic landscapes. According to industry experts, Indian travellers are now embracing the Nordic winter with remarkable enthusiasm, driven by a growing desire for immersive, nature-led experiences and once-in-a-lifetime seasonal phenomena.

As Karan Agarwal, Director, Cox & Kings, observes, more Indians are taking a bold leap into the far North, drawn to glowing skies, snowy forests, and peaceful towns far from Europes usual tourist rush." With winter travel becoming more affordable and NovemberFebruary emerging as the smartest window to explore the Arctic, destinations like Finland, Sweden and Lapland are experiencing a sharp rise in interest.

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Agarwal explains that the charm of the Nordic winter lies in how even ordinary moments feel magical. Here, snow transforms everyday life into something cinematic, cultures feel closer, and the Northern Lights finally move from bucket-list fantasy to real experience," he adds.

At the centre of this growing fascination are three standout Nordic destinations, each offering its own version of Arctic wonder.

Finland: Calm, Cosy & Full of Aurora Magic

For travellers seeking peaceful winter beauty without losing out on comfort, Finland is a natural first choice. Think glass igloos under shimmering skies, snow-dusted pine trails, traditional Finnish saunas, reindeer encounters, and the world-famous Santa Claus Village.

Its gentle, scenic, and deeply soothing, a perfect introduction to Nordic winter for families, honeymooners, and first-timers.

Sweden: Where Arctic Adventure Meets Stylish City Life

Sweden offers a dynamic blend of raw wilderness and chic urban design. Travellers can explore Kirunas iconic ice hotels, chase the Northern Lights in Abisko, home to some of the clearest aurora-viewing skies on the planet and immerse themselves in Sami culture.

Back in Stockholm, minimalist cafes, candle-lit restaurants, and waterfront walks add a stylish, modern contrast to the Arctic experience.

Lapland: The Ultimate Snow Wonderland

Lapland remains the purest expression of a winter fairytale. Endless white landscapes, husky sledding, snowmobiling across frozen lakes, igloo stays, and deep Arctic silence create the perfect backdrop for cinematic winter holidays. Its especially popular among honeymooners and families looking for an unforgettable holiday experience.

This growing demand is something Abhishek Daga, co-founder, Thrillophilia, is witnessing first-hand. What were seeing this season is a clear shift: more Indian travellers are now choosing Finland, Sweden and Lapland for winter holidays because the Nordic region offers the kind of authentic Arctic experiences no other destination can replicate," he explains.

According to Daga, the rise is fuelled by a surge in interest for Northern Lights viewing, glass igloo stays, husky and reindeer safaris, snowmobile expeditions, Arctic saunas, and bucket-list attractions like Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village. These experiences are immersive, nature-focused, and distinct from the typical European winter itinerary.

For Indian families, honeymooners and experience-led travellers, the Nordic winter feels fresh and aspirational," adds Daga. It offers guaranteed snow, quieter surroundings, and once-in-a-lifetime activities that truly stand apart."

A New Direction for Indian Winter Travel

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Together, the insights point to a clear shift: Indians are now seeking experiences, not just destinations. The Nordic countries deliver that promise with a rare mix of dramatic landscapes, quiet luxury, and authentic cultural encounters making them the new global favourites for winter wanderers.

Whether its the serenity of Finland, the design-led adventure of Sweden, or the enchanting wilderness of Lapland, the Arctic North offers a winter escape that feels both transformative and unforgettable.

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 26, 2025, 14:43 IST

News lifestyle travel Why Indians Are Heading To Finland, Sweden And Lapland
Why Your Brain Reacts to Touch You Dont Even Feel, Scientists Decode The Millisecond Mystery

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 08:00 IST

A new study shows the brain simulates touch within milliseconds of seeing it, rapidly decoding sensation and emotion. Experts say this fast mirroring shapes empathy and behaviour.

Brain Mirrors Touch In 60 Milliseconds  Study Shows Why We Flinch At What We Watch (Image-AI)

Touch is often described as the first language humans learn. Long before children speak their first word, they make sense of the world through the warmth of their parents hands or the soft brush of a caregivers fingers. Recent research shows that touch is not confined to skin or nerve endings.

Even the act of seeing someone being touched can activate the brains own machinery  sometimes so vividly that the observer feels a faint echo of the sensation. In simpler terms, when we see someone being touched, our brains simulate how it feels automatically.

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Touch is usually thought of as a sense that comes from the skin, but vision also shapes how the body understands contact. This link is clear in the well-known rubber hand illusion, where people can start to feel that a fake hand is their own if they see it being stroked in the same way as their hidden real hand.

A new study, conducted by researchers at Western Sydney University and published in November 2025, highlighted how the brain simulates tactile sensations during observed touch. The research revealed a striking finding: the brain decodes the sensory, emotional, and even painful qualities of observed touch far earlier than previously understood.

The researchers highlighted that when someone observes another person being touched, the brain responds with remarkable speed and precision. In the study, researchers used EEG to monitor brain activity millisecond by millisecond as participants watched hundreds of short videos showing various forms of touch, including gentle brush strokes, firm presses and sharp contact with a knife.

Machine-learning analysis showed that within just 60 milliseconds, the brain could already distinguish key details, such as whether the hand in the scene appeared from a first-person or third-person perspective, and whether it was a left or right hand. By around 110 milliseconds, the brain began processing the sensory qualities of the touch, rapidly evaluating how the contact might feel  whether soft and tingling like a brush or sharp and painful like a knife tip.

By approximately 260 milliseconds, the brain started registering emotional information, identifying whether the touch appeared soothing, threatening or painful. These results show that in less than a third of a second, the brain converts a simple visual scene into a detailed understanding of who is being touched, how it might feel and what emotional meaning the touch carries.

Understanding How the Brain Simulates Observed Touch

Explaining the studys core idea, Dr Rahul Chandhok, Head ConsultantMental Health & Behavioural Science at Artemis Hospitals, notes that the research shows how the brain simulates" touch the moment we observe someone else being touched. He says the brain reacts as though the touch is happening to us, creating a quick internal simulation of the sensation. This rapid mirroring, he adds, helps people instantly understand others experiences, even without conscious effort.

Psychologist Kshama Dwivedi, Director at Swami Vivekanand Group of Institutes, echoes this, adding that the study aligns with mirror-system theories proposed by researchers such as Iacoboni and Keysers. According to her, the brains somatosensory and visual areas begin responding within milliseconds, forming quick internal models that support social understanding.

How the Brain Distinguishes Between Our Touch and Others Touch

On how the brain tells the difference between touch to oneself and touch observed in someone else, Dr Chandhok explains that the mind uses two extremely fast processes. First, the brain mirrors the sensation based on what is seen; then, just milliseconds later, it cross-checks signals from ones own body to verify whether the touch is real. This prevents confusion and stops the body from reacting as if every observed touch is happening personally.

Dwivedi expands on this mechanism, stating that the brain compares internal physiological data with external visual cues in two phases. If the skin or proprioceptive system does not show matching signals, higher-order parietal and premotor areas classify the touch as other-directed." She points out that this selfother boundary process follows established social-neuroscience models and research on the social brain."

Introducing Vicarious Touch in Therapy Sessions

Bringing this concept into therapy, Dr Chandhok says vicarious touch can help clients understand how closely the mind and body are connected. When someone flinches after seeing another person get pricked by a needle, he explains, it is simply the brain echoing the observed experience  a normal response rooted in empathy.

Dwivedi adds that therapists can present this as the brains natural way of interpreting the world around us, referencing theories on bodily awareness by van der Kolk. She emphasises that understanding such internal responses helps clients regulate emotions, recognise boundaries, and interpret strong or subtle bodily reactions without distress.

Mirroring Touch vs Mirroring Pain and Emotions

Comparing touch-mirroring to other types of embodied simulation, Dr Chandhok highlights that similar neural networks are involved in copying feelings, pain, and emotional states. While all forms of mirroring support social connection, he says touch mirroring is the fastest because it uses the bodys tactile system. Emotional empathy and pain recognition take slightly longer, requiring deeper processing.

Dwivedi elaborates that different components of the embodied simulation system activate depending on whether the brain is mirroring touch, pain, or emotions. Touch mirroring is sensory-driven and extremely rapid, empathy for pain leans more on affective processes and defensive responses, and emotion recognition depends on facial cues, context, and prefrontal-limbic circuits. Despite differences in timing and depth, she notes that all depend on shared neural architecture.

Why Some People Cringe or Tingle While Others Dont

Explaining why some people physically cringe or feel tingling when watching someone else being touched, Dr Chandhok says that mirror-touch systems vary in sensitivity. Some people have more active circuits or stronger emotional sensitivity, while others naturally filter out such sensory information. Personality, past experiences, and emotional attunement all shape these reactions.

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Dwivedi adds that differences in sensorimotor resonance, baseline empathy levels, interoceptive awareness, and life experiences  such as caregiving or trauma  can influence how intensely someone responds to observed touch. She emphasises that these responses lie on a continuum and are all part of normal human variation.

The latest study reveals a truth about human connection: the brain is never a passive witness. It mirrors, anticipates and emotionally registers the experiences of others even before conscious awareness takes hold. Through rapid neural signatures and shared affective pathways, the act of simply watching another person being touched becomes a bridge between bodies and minds.

First Published: November 26, 2025, 08:00 IST

News lifestyle Why Your Brain Reacts to Touch You Dont Even Feel, Scientists Decode The Millisecond Mystery

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Opinion | 5 Big Reforms By PM Narendra Modi That Strengthened The Constitution

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 13:49 IST

On the occasion of Indias Constitution Day, the five most significant reforms that strengthened constitutional principles

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves a gamcha as he arrives during the celebration of NDA's victory in the Bihar Assembly elections, at BJP headquarters, in New Delhi, on November 14. (PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modis tenure has been marked by a series of constitutional reforms that have left a profound imprint on Indias democratic fabric.

On the occasion of Indias Constitution Day, we examine the five most significant reforms that have strengthened constitutional principles, balancing integration, equality, and institutional advancement, thereby reshaping the nations legal, political, and social contours.

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1. Abrogation of Article 370: Integrating Jammu and Kashmir

Arguably the most far-reaching reform under Modi, the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 ended the special autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir. It eliminated a long-standing constitutional exception, bringing the region fully under the ambit of the Indian Constitution. The practical effect was sweeping: all national laws and rights now applied equally, property restrictions were abolished, and the separate state constitution ceased to operate.

The Supreme Court upheld the process, affirming the moves legitimacy and establishing a precedent for the central governments legislative authority in matters of integration. While debates over autonomy and federalism persist, the reform set a new course for constitutional unity and equal citizenship.

2. Introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST): Towards Fiscal Federalism

The implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in July 2017 reshaped Indias indirect tax structure through the 101st constitutional amendment. GST subsumed a complex web of state and central taxes, transforming India into a single unified market. Most critically, it established the GST Council. This rare constitutional institution embodies cooperative federalism by providing states and the Union a platform to frame the taxation policy as a joint operation.

It not only reduced compliance burdens and transaction costs but also enhanced transparency, curbed tax evasion, and boosted the states financial autonomy. The establishment of the GST Council represents a new model of intergovernmental constitutional collaboration.

3. Criminalisation of Triple Talaq: Safeguarding Gender Justice

The criminalisation of instant triple talaq in 2019, formalised by the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, affirmed the constitutional commitment to gender justice. The Supreme Court first declared the practice unconstitutional, citing its violation of the right to equal protection under the law. Parliament subsequently enacted legislation making instant triple talaq a punishable offence, a significant step for womens legal security within the constitutional framework.

The law not only delivered on the promise of equal protection but also foregrounded the rights of Muslim women as an integral part of the constitutional order. Since, there has been an observed decline in triple talaq cases, which underscores its societal impact.

4. Womens Reservation in Parliament and Assemblies: Deepening Representation

Another historic reform came with the constitutional amendment reserving one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for women. The measure, passed during Modis tenure, guaranteed a baseline of female representation in legislative bodies.

By embedding the principle of gender parity in the primary law-making institutions, the reform addresses historic underrepresentation and operationalises the constitutional promise of equality and participative democracy. It has set the stage for a new generation of women leaders across the political spectrum.

5. Strengthening the Backward Classes Commission: Expanding Social Justice

The Modi governments conferral of constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) in 2017 marks a crucial advancement for social justice. Elevating the NCBC to a constitutional body enhanced its authority, transparency, and ability to advocate for the rights of historically disadvantaged groups.

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The change ensures the Commission has the same constitutional legitimacy as Commissions for other marginalised communities, aligning statutory law more closely with the equality principle enshrined in the Constitution.

Each of these transformative reforms has redefined Indias constitutional trajectory. Whether through integration, fiscal reforms, institutional evolution, or enhanced social justice, Modis legislative actions have resonated far beyond immediate policy circles. They have set lasting precedents for the worlds largest democracy, reinforcing constitutional values whilst continually redefining what equality, representation, and unity mean in a fast-evolving India.

About the Author Sohil Sinha Sohil Sinha is a Sub Editor at News18. He writes on foreign affairs, geopolitics along with domestic policy and infrastructure projects.

First Published: November 26, 2025, 13:49 IST

News opinion Opinion | 5 Big Reforms By PM Narendra Modi That Strengthened The Constitution

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Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 13:10 IST

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), a party historically rooted in the politics of Hyderabad, has carved out a small yet significant political space in Bihar over the last two Assembly elections. In both 2020 and 2025, the party secured five seats in the Seemanchal region, a Muslim-majority belt with deep socio-economic distress.

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This repeat performance is noteworthy, especially when viewed against the partys chequered historical origins and its perception as a sectarian political force. AIMIMs repeated success in Bihar, as some analysts would want us to believe, is a sign of sectarian drift, but it could also be a symptom of unmet political and developmental aspirations in Seemanchal.

The partys historical origins cast a shadow, but its contemporary appeal may lie in offering representation to a community thats feeling politically overlooked. In a diverse democracy like India, identity politics is inevitable. The challenge is ensuring it remains constitutional, inclusive, and anchored in development rather than division. AIMIMs trajectory in Bihar is a test case of that balance.

To understand the meaning of this pattern, one must revisit AIMIMs founding moment. Originally established as a political vehicle for the Muslim elite and Razakar militia in the princely state of Hyderabad, the party stood firmly against the integration of Hyderabad into the Indian Union in 1948. The Razakars, led by Kasim Razvi, were associated with communal militancy and the idea that Hyderabad should either join Pakistan or remain independent.

After the Indian states intervention under the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, through Operation Polo, AIMIM was banned, only to be revived later in a democratic and constitutional form by Abdul Wahed Owaisi. Over the last seven decades, AIMIM has accepted Indian sovereignty, contested elections, and integrated itself into parliamentary politics. Yet the historical memory of its Razakar past persists, shaping perceptions, particularly outside Telangana, that the party represents a communally exclusivist worldview. Whether or not this is accurate, AIMIM carries the burden of that legacy.

In 2020, AIMIM contested roughly 1820 seats and won five, namely Amour, Kochadhaman, Jokihat, Baisi, and Bahadurganj. Though hailed as a breakthrough for Asaduddin Owaisi outside Telangana, the victory proved unstable. Four out of the five MLAs defected to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) within a year, leaving AIMIM with just one legislator, Akhtarul Iman. Yet, remarkably, in 2025, the party managed to re-win the same five constituencies. This suggests that the defections weakened the legislative strength of AIMIM but not its electoral base. The partys vote bank in Seemanchal remained intact, even resilient.

It is within this backdrop that its success in Bihar needs interpretation. The repeated electoral success of AIMIM in Seemanchal raises an obvious anxiety: Are Muslim voters in Bihar, and potentially North India, moving away from mainstream, broad-based political parties toward identity-driven formations?

The simplest and most grounded explanation is that Muslim voters in Seemanchal feel politically unheard and materially neglected. Seemanchal is among the most backward regions of Bihar on every developmental index, be it literacy, healthcare, infrastructure, or per capita income. Despite consistently voting for so-called secular parties for decades, the region saw little improvement.

AIMIM positioned itself as a party that focuses on local issues, speaks directly to Muslim socio-economic concerns, fields grassroots leaders, is not shy about identity but still works within constitutional politics. For many Muslims, especially younger voters, AIMIM represents assertive, unapologetic representation, not separatism. Their vote is less an ideological swing toward sectarianism and more an expression of frustration with mainstream parties that take Muslim votes for granted.

The fact that four out of five MLAs defected in 2020 suggests that the partys early gains were built on individual leaders rather than organisational depth. Yet in 2025, voters chose AIMIM again, despite these defections. This indicates robust voter intent, not momentary protest voting.

If voters were seeking sectarian politics, defections to RJD, considered a mainstream secular party, would have dispersed the AIMIM vote. Instead, voters returned to AIMIM candidates. This may suggest that the electorate could be loyal to issues and representation, and not just to a sectarian ideology. It would be simplistic to interpret AIMIMs rise as uniquely indicative of Muslim sectarianism.

Across India, caste and community-based parties from Vanniyar and Lingayat outfits to Yadav, Jat, Mallah, Kurmi, Koeri, and Dalit parties are thriving. In this landscape, Muslims, the largest minority group in India, seeking their own political vehicle is not strange. It reflects a national pattern where communities demand direct representation rather than relying on broad umbrella parties.

Muslims in Bihar are not abandoning mainstream politics but asserting differently while within it. Whether this assertion deepens divisions or strengthens democracy will depend on how mainstream parties respond, by engaging sincerely with minority concerns or by allowing polarisation to define the future.
Opinion | The Clash Of Civilisations 2.0: The Demographic Invasion Of The West?

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 18:04 IST

Several Muslim doctors in India have been found to be involved in terror attacks carried out by their white-collar terror modules

Thirteen people were killed and over 20 others were injured when a car exploded near a traffic signal close to the Red Fort Metro station on November 10. (Photo Credit: X)

In the early 1990s, Samuel P. Huntington propounded his thesis on the Clash of Civilisations that peoples cultural and religious identities will be the primary source of conflict in the post-Cold War world. The American political scientist argued that future wars would be fought not between countries, but between cultures. Predictably, the Wests liberal-democratic-secular templates denounced his thesis as biased and Islamophobic.

Less than a decade later, this cultural conflict surfaced in bold relief when, on September 11, 2001, Islamist terrorists flew hijacked civilian aircraft into landmarks in the USA. In four coordinated attacks, they killed nearly 3,000 people. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini had denounced the United States as the Great Satan" during and after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, to characterise America as a powerful enemy of Iran and Islam. Initially, therefore, some suspected that Shia terrorists had carried out the 9/11 attacks.

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It dawned soon, however, that these terror attacks were planned and executed by al-Qaeda, a terror outfit with roots in Saudi Arabia. Its chief, Osama bin-Laden, a Saudi engineer, and his deputy, Dr Ayman al-Zawahiri, an Egyptian physician, were not illiterate or poor Muslims nursing grievances against non-Muslims, especially the Jews or Christians. They were rich and trained in the Wests secular" education system. Why did they turn anti-West?

Cut to November 2025.

Several Muslim doctors in India have been found to be involved in terror attacks carried out by their white-collar terror modules". Some 200 students and doctors of a controversial Islamic trust-run university came under a cloud, most of them from Kashmir, where a significant section of the pious Muslim population has been trying to secede from an infidel India since 1947, and join Pakistan, the Abode of Islam.

Why cant Muslims live in peace and harmony with non-Muslims the world over? Because modernity has triggered a veritable internal turmoil and belief-dislocation in their minds.

Two Streams of Sunnis

To use a cliche, we can say Islam is at the crossroads, the way Christianity was after the Crusades. Many Muslims, trapped in the past, are struggling to find their identity in a rapidly changing world which is entirely different from what their forefathers wrote about in holy books and theology after the advent of Islam in the seventh century. Their mediocrity has a disconnect with modernity; they find democracy as profane, except as a tool to pursue Islamic goals. Christianity faced bloodbath and implosion before it ran through the course-correction called Renaissance; Islam is struggling the same way.

Todays Islam has three major divisions. The Sunnis, who comprise 85% of the 1,800 million Muslim population globally, are divided into Arabs and non-Arab communities; the Shias form the third bloc.

After 9/11, the Arabs and Arabised Sunni Muslims have been trying to modernise faster than the non-Arabs whom they would like to keep at bay. While many South Asian Muslims, for example, claim an Arab or Turkic ancestry, the Arabs usually employ them in low-paying jobs across the Middle East  unlike infidels like the Hindus, Japanese, or Chinese. A century of freedom from the Ottoman yoke, and 50 years of petro-dollars, have slowly altered the conservative Arab outlook of the world.

In contrast, Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is trying to outdo the Arabs. In 2020, he converted the iconic Hagia Sophia Museum in Istanbul back into a Grand Mosque to establish his own credentials as the worlds top Sunni leader.

The Arabs, and Arabised Muslims, are on a different track. For example, Saudi Arabia has liberalised several laws, and set up Al Tayebat International City Muslim Museum and Al Ula Museum to showcase its pre-Islamic heritage; other Arab countries have also liberalised to some extent. Likewise, Egypt opened the worlds largest museum dedicated to a single, pre-Islamic civilisation, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), in November 2025, with 50,000 artefacts.

The Arabs rediscovery of their pre-Islamic past annoys the non-Arabs to no end. This is the second stream of Sunni Muslims, comprising non-Arab converts who are trying to out-Arab and re-establish their Islamic credentials. Some of them are even re-Islamising themselves, such as the Kashmiri doctors who justified suicide bombing as a sacred Islamic act against infidels.

This Sunni tributary is attempting to Islamise the rest of the infidel world, a medieval project, for its own emancipation. In this project, it is weaponising democracy to alter demography in several countries, including India, and trying to impose an Islamic rule.

When the US attacked Iraq, Afghanistan, and other Sunni non-Arab countries after 9/11, hundreds of thousands of Muslims took asylum in Europe and other countries. Now they are well-entrenched there and even changed demography in some parts of countries like France and Britain. The way secular Indian politicians support illegal Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar, European liberal-democrats have also created their vote banks among these immigrants. In particular, France and Britain have been overwhelmed by the immigrant Muslim flood.

Why?

While non-Muslims are making history, and the Arabs are catching up, many non-Arab Sunni Muslims are sunk in history, and reviving unfinished Islamic goals. They cannot, of course, re-Islamise the Arabs! But they can still Islamise the infidels.

In Europe, France and Britain are their priorities.

For, they remember how the Frankish forces, led by Charles Martel, decisively stopped a major Umayyad Muslim advance into northern Europe in the Battle of Tours in 732 AD. This victory, the Sunnis bemoan, halted Islamic expansion into Western Europe. They cannot forget how Spain was de-Islamised in the 15th century.

During the First World War (1914-18), British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour, in what became known as the Balfour Declaration (November 1917), proposed the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. It became a major factor for the creation of Israel in 1948.

Some non-Arab Sunni Muslims believe it is their sacred duty to destroy Israel, Islamise Europe, and correct historical wrongdoings.

No wonder, US President Donald Trump recently warned Europe against the invasion of Muslim immigrants; he did not even allow London Mayor Sadiq Khan, of Pakistani origin, to a banquet. Youve got to stop the horrible invasion thats happening to Europe, many countries in Europe."

But what about Trumps own backyard, New York, where a Shia Muslim, Zohran Mamdani, will take over as Mayor in January 2026?

Clash of Civilisations 2.0

He should remember well what Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump in presidential election in 2016, told Pakistan. In 2011, as US Secretary of State, she cautioned Islamabad: You cant keep snakes in your backyard and expect them only to bite your neighbours. Eventually those snakes are going to turn on whoever has them in the backyard."

Pakistan, as a non-Arab Sunni majority country, neither forgets nor forgives  even if it is frolicking in a cesspool.

So, the US President should remember what Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif publicly admitted in April 2025 about incubating terrorists: We have been doing this dirty work for the USA for about three decades and for the West, including Britain."

In his second term, Trump is wooing both the Arabs and non-Arab Sunnis.

In November 2025, he exonerated Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin-Salman (MbS) of his alleged involvement in the gruesome murder of The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an Arab dissident, in 2018, and signed business deals worth billions of dollars. Of course, MbS is modernising Saudi Arabia like no one ever did before. He even introduced un-Islamic cultural festivals, music education, and infidel ancient Indian epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata into the school curriculum. Winds of change.

In January 2018, Trump had denounced Pakistan thus: The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!"

In 2025, however, he discovered in Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and its Army Chief, Field Marshal" Syed Asim Munir, great people" whom he assured that Washington will soon resolve the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Pakistan, the land of snake-charmers, knows how to charm Trump: it promptly nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize, 2026.

So, the snakes Clinton asked Pakistan to check have now sneaked into the US!

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The Clash 2.0 is spreading from Europe to the USA.

The author is a senior journalist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: November 26, 2025, 17:58 IST

News opinion Opinion | The Clash Of Civilisations 2.0: The Demographic Invasion Of The West?

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Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 16:36 IST

Dr Muhammad Yunus is known worldwide as the pioneer of microcredit and the founder of Grameen Bank. Most of his awards, starting with the Nobel Prize, have come for discovering the theory of microcredit and spreading it worldwide.

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Would you believe me if I told you that Dr Muhammad Yunus was not actually the pioneer of microcredit, and that he was not even directly involved in it when this programme started in Jobra village adjacent to Chittagong University? Well, you dont need to believe me. If a paper signed by Dr Yunus himself says this, would you believe it?

To know the history of microcredit and the beginning of Grameen Bank, we have to go back about 50 years. In 1976, a research programme called Rural Economic Programme (REP) was initiated by the Department of Economics of Chittagong University. The Ford Foundation provided a grant of $100,000 for this project for two years (November 1976  November 1978). Although Dr Yunus was the head of the economics department at the time, the then Vice-Chancellor of Chittagong University, Professor Dr Abdul Karim, worked mainly for the Ford Foundation grant.

As an Action Research Project of this research programme, an initiative was taken to create a new era Tebhaga Farm project in Jobra village and jointly use a deep tube well by the villagers. Dr Muhammad Yunus was responsible for its implementation. As another Action Research Project, work was done on the feasibility of providing loans to poor landless women in Jobra village and providing them with banking services. Three people named Swapan Adnan, Nasiruddin, and HI Latifi were responsible for this.

When this microcredit project in Jobra village was initially successful, the Chittagong University authorities informed the Ministry of Agriculture through the UGC. On 1 December 1978, in a meeting chaired by the then Governor of Bangladesh Bank, Asit Kumar Gangopadhyay, a new project called Grameen Bank Project was taken up in the light of the Action Research Project on providing credit to the rural landless under the RURAL ECONOMIC PROGRAM of Chittagong University and 100 crore taka was allocated for this project from the Special Agricultural Credit Programme of Bangladesh Bank. Krishi Bank and Sonali Bank were initially given the responsibility for the implementation of this project and Tangail district and Hathazari police station of Chittagong were selected as the areas.

Since Dr Yunus was responsible for the REP as the Divisional Head, he was requested to join as the Project Director of the Grameen Project. Later, in 1983, Grameen Bank was established as a statutory government authority under Article 152 of the Constitution of Bangladesh by promulgating the Grameen Bank Ordinance. In the first phase, the bank was 60 per cent owned by the government and 40 per cent by the borrowers, but at various times, it was changed to 25 per cent owned by the government and 75 per cent owned by the banks customers. Although he initially served as the project director, on August 29, 1990, Dr Yunus was appointed as the MD of Grameen Bank with a monthly salary of 6000 taka.

Now lets come to the evidence. On May 15, 1979, Dr Muhammad Yunus signed the project proposal for Phase II of the REP, which states that it is a programme initiated by the University of Chittagong (Picture-1). Picture No. 2 shows the integrated management of deep tube wells under the Tebhaga Farm Project. Pictures No. 2 and 3 mention that Bangladesh Bank has already accepted the concept of microcredit for the landless and has taken the initiative to implement it through Krishi Bank and Sonali Bank.

In picture no. 4, Dr Yunus was involved in research on tube well management in this programme. In picture no. 5, Swapan Ahmed, Nasiruddin and AI Latifi were involved in research on microfinance and banking activities for the landless. In picture no. 6, the Ford Foundation is informing the then Vice-Chancellor of Chittagong University, Professor Abdul Aziz Khan, about the grant waiver in 1983. This proves that Dr Yunus was not involved in the Ford Foundations grant at any stage.

This is the real history of the concept of microfinance and the establishment of Grameen Bank. Not my words, I have presented you the real history from the document signed by Dr Yunus himself. Dr Yunus not only introduced this microfinance and robbed the credit for the establishment of Grameen Bank, but after becoming MD, he took Grameen Bank into his lap, established sole control over it and turned Grameen Bank into a tool for his personal interests. Using this, they have won numerous awards including the Nobel Prize with the support of foreign masters.

Such a deceiving figure" like Dr Yunus is uncommon not only in Bangladesh but globally. I have shared the information I have; the rest is for you to evaluate.
Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 14:42 IST

1 / 10 Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadavs cousin, Aryan Yadav, tied the knot on Tuesday amidst grand celebrations in Saifai, Uttar Pradesh. The entire Yadav family gathered for the lavish ceremony. Sister-in-law Dimple Yadav remained all smiles throughout the festivities; she even danced enthusiastically with her daughter during her brother-in-laws wedding procession. Aryan exchanged garlands with Sering from Ladakh on an impressive 600-foot-long stage. Heres a glimpse of the wedding through photographs. + Follow us On Google

2 / 10 Aryans bride, Sering, is a Supreme Court lawyer. Her father, Ringjan Angchuk, is a well-known contractor in Ladakh. Their ring ceremony was held in Delhi on December 15, 2024. The wedding was initially planned for March this year, but following the death of Aryans father, Rajpal Yadav, in January, the date was postponed.

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3 / 10 On November 25, the couple finally took their vows. Very little is publicly known about Aryan. He is the son of Rajpal Yadav, the third brother of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav. Mulayam Singh Yadav was the eldest of five brothers.

4 / 10 Aryan completed his early schooling in Etawah before joining DPS Noida, where he studied from Classes 7 to 12. He later secured admission to Delhi University, completing his B.Com (Honours), after which he moved to England. He earned a B.Sc. (Business) from Cardiff University, and in 2019, he completed his Master of Commerce from the University of Sydney, the same university from which Akhilesh Yadav received his higher education. Aryans elder brother, Abhishek Yadav, is the District Panchayat President of Etawah, while his mother, Premlata Yadav, has previously held the same position.

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5 / 10 The brides family arrived in Saifai three days prior to the wedding. Since then, all pre-wedding rituals were carried out with grandeur and traditional customs. The Haldi ceremony was held on Sunday, followed by the Bhaat ceremony on Monday.

6 / 10 On this occasion, Akhilesh Yadav, MP Dimple Yadav, SP National General Secretary Shivpal Singh Yadav, and other family members, dressed in traditional attire, took part in the age-old ritual.

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7 / 10 Relatives danced to the beat of drums and traditional folk songs, adding a rich cultural flavour to the celebrations.

8 / 10 Arrangements were made to serve food to 50,000 guests. Around 10 dishes were prepared, including Mathai potatoes from Etawah, paneer chole, Imarti, and black jam, crafted by artisans from Delhi, Firozabad, and Lucknow. A special menu was curated for 1,500 VIP guests, while food for the brides family from Ladakh was ordered from a hotel.

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9 / 10 After the wedding, Aryan and Sering stood on the stage and sought blessings from their families and guests. At one point, uncle Ram Gopal Yadav, standing nearby, gently advised Aryan, Folding hands isnt enough... touch their feet and seek blessings. On hearing this, the couple smiled and bowed to touch the feet of uncles Ram Gopal, Shivpal, Akhilesh Yadav, and other elders.
Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 08:56 IST

1 / 11 National Constitution Day, also known as Samvidhan Divas, is celebrated every year on November 26, to mark the adoption of the Constitution of India. The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution on November 26, 1949, and it came into effect on January 26, 1950. (File Photo) + Follow us On Google

2 / 11 The people of India are the ultimate custodians of the Constitution. Sovereignty rests with them. (File Photo)

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3 / 11 Over 53,000 citizens attended the debates of the Constituent Assembly over nearly three years held during the drafting of the Constitution. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

4 / 11 It is the worlds lengthiest written Constitution, with 395 Articles, 22 Parts, and 8 Schedules at the time of commencement. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

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5 / 11 The Constitution was handwritten in calligraphy in both English and Hindi, with about 90,000 words. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

6 / 11 It was handcrafted by artists of Shantiniketan under Acharya Nandalal Bose, with calligraphy by Prem Behari Narain Raizada. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

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7 / 11 The original copies are preserved in nitrogen-filled cases in the Parliament Library. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

8 / 11 Each part of the Constitution begins with an illustration of Indias history, created by Nandalal Bose. There are 22 artworks depicting scenes from the Indus Valley, Vedic period, Gupta and Maurya empires, Mughal era, and the freedom movement. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

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9 / 11 On January 24, 1950, 284 members signed the Constitution in the Constitution Hall, New Delhi. On the same day, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was announced as the first President of India. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

10 / 11 The Constituent Assembly had 15 women members, including Sarojini Naidu, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, Hansaben Mehta, Sucheta Kripalani, and G. Durgabai, who advocated equal rights. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

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Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 08:49 IST

1 / 10 The year was 2008. Aamir Khan had already delivered two major hits in the preceding two years. Around this time, South Indian director AR Murugadoss met him with the intention of creating a Hindi remake of the Tamil film Ghajini. This meeting between Murugadoss and Aamir Khan was arranged by Pradeep Rawat, who had famously portrayed 'Ashwatthama' in the television series Mahabharat. After watching the original Tamil film, Aamir Khan agreed to the project without hesitation. Ghajini was released in cinemas on December 25, 2008 and went on to become a massive box-office success. Here are some fascinating details about the film. + Follow us On Google

2 / 10 The budget of Ghajini was approximately Rs 52 crore, while its worldwide earnings totalled around Rs 194 crore, establishing it as a blockbuster. The Hindi adaptation was based on the 2005 Tamil film of the same name, also directed by AR Murugadoss. The Tamil version featured Suriya, Asin, and Nayanthara. Interestingly, Suriya had lent his voice to a Tamil version of Taare Zameen Par.

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3 / 10 For the Hindi remake, the climax was changed, with the new ending written by Aamir Khan himself. In the Tamil version, the villain appears in a double role, an element omitted from the Hindi film. The music was composed by AR Rahman, with lyrics by Prasoon Joshi. Curiously, just before the films release, director AR Murugadoss was arrested after it was revealed that he had not acquired the rights from the producer of the original Tamil film. A settlement was later reached between the parties.

4 / 10 In both the Hindi and Tamil versions of Ghajini, the protagonist suffers from a condition that causes him to forget things every 15 minutes, an idea inspired by an American film released in 2000. Aamir Khan promoted Ghajini in an unusually distinctive manner, travelling across the country in various disguises to meet people. His haircut in the film also gained widespread popularity.

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5 / 10 Pradeep Rawat revealed in an interview, I played an important part in getting Ghajini made in Hindi. Murugadoss wanted to cast Salman Khan. I felt Salman was rather short-tempered, and since Murugadoss didnt know Hindi or English, it might have been difficult. I thought Aamir Khan would be perfect. I met him and asked him to read the script. Aamir couldnt refuse. Hed already seen the Tamil film and liked it so much that he instantly agreed.

6 / 10 At the films success party, Aamir Khan shared several insights. When I watched the Tamil Ghajini, I felt I wasnt right for the role. Someone like Salman Khan or Akshay Kumar, an action hero, would suit it better. Suriya, who played the lead in the Tamil film, told me, You probably dont realise it, but no one else will be able to do this role the way you can.

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7 / 10 Aamir Khan famously showcased his six-pack physique in Ghajini. On Salman Khans show Dus Ka Dum, he said, I dont have a body like Salmans, but I tried. My next film with Rajkumar Hirani doesnt require muscles, so I stopped training seven months ago, right after Ghajini finished.

8 / 10 Speaking about director AR Murugadoss on The Kapil Sharma Show, Aamir Khan said, When he first came to meet me, he sat quietly in a corner of the sofa. If he disliked an idea, he would bluntly criticise it.

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9 / 10 Ghajini also became the first Hindi film to begin Bollywoods Rs 100 crore club. Though it had no obscene content, it received a UA certificate due to its violent scenes.
Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 12:44 IST

1 / 8 Mahavatar Narsimha, a mythological animated feature directed by Ashwin Kumar, has officially been named among the 35 films eligible for the Best Animated Feature category at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 16, 2026. The official shortlist will be revealed on December 16, 2025, placing the film in contention for one of the most prestigious honours in global animation. (Image: Instagram) + Follow us On Google

2 / 8 The films entry follows its qualifying theatrical run in the United States, which met the Academys strict requirements: a minimum of seven consecutive days in one venue, with at least three screenings daily, including one between 6 pm and 10 pm. (Image: Instagram)

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3 / 8 At its core, Mahavatar Narsimha narrates the story of two avatars of Lord Vishnu, Varaha and Narsimha. It is envisioned as the first installment in a Mahavatar Cinematic Universe, blending mythology with cutting-edge animation. (Image: Instagram)

4 / 8 The film had a successful theatrical run in India, later streaming on Netflix, and has been praised for bringing Indian epics to a global audience through animation. (Image: Instgram)

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5 / 8 Produced under Ashwin Kumars home banner in association with Hombale Films (the studio behind KGF and Kantara), the film was made at a budget of 40 crore. It went on to earn 325 crore in India, while its worldwide gross stands at 400+ crore, surpassing The Lion King and Kochadaiiyaan. (Image: Instagram)

6 / 8 On the eligibility list, Mahavatar Narsimha stands alongside international heavyweights such as Zootopia 2 (Disney), Elio (Pixar), Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle (Japan), Ne Zha 2 (China), and KPop Demon Hunters (South Korea). Industry watchers note that the competition is fierce, but the inclusion of an Indian mythological feature signals a growing recognition of diverse storytelling in animation. (Image: IMDb)

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7 / 8 The makers are already working on the second chapter of the Mahavatar Cinematic Universe, titled Mahavatar Parasuram, which will continue the saga of Vishnus incarnations. (Image: Instagram)
In todays News18 Daily Digest: We begin with Constitution Day, where over 2.63 lakh panchayats are set to read the Preamble in local languages. But the spotlight is on the political divide: Rahul Gandhi will skip the official event as the Congress marks Samvidhan Bachao Diwas. In West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee intensifies her attack on the Election Commission, questioning the legitimacy of the 2024 mandate. Down south, a fresh clash erupts between Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and the state government over claims on Tamil language funding. We also track a major legal development as the Supreme Court agrees to drop criminal charges against fugitive businessmen Nitin and Chetan Sandesara if they repay a third of their dues - triggering commentary from Vijay Mallya. Plus, rising Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions after alleged airstrikes, and India's deepening troubles in the second Test. Tune in for the full breakdown.
After Rabri Devi, Now Tej Pratap Told To Vacate Official House As New Row Erupts In Bihar

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 11:00 IST

The decision has triggered sharp political reactions, with RJD leaders accusing the state government of deliberately targeting the family of Lalu Prasad Yadav.

File photo of Rabri Devi and Tej Pratap Yadav. (PTI)

The Nitish Kumarled Bihar government has asked former Chief Minister Rabri Devi to vacate her long-time official residence at 10 Circular Road after nearly two decades, reallocating her accommodation to House No. 39 on Harding Road. Her son, Tej Pratap Yadav, has also been directed to vacate his 26 M Strand Road residence, which has now been allotted to SC/ST Welfare Minister Lakhendra Kumar Roshan.

The decision has triggered sharp political reactions, with RJD leaders accusing the state government of deliberately targeting the family of party supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav. Rabri Devis daughter, Rohini Acharya, hit out at the ruling coalition, claiming that insulting Lalu Prasad Yadav is the top priority" of the current administration.

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In a post on X, Acharya wrote that Nitish Kumar may remove Lalu from a government house, but cannot remove him from the hearts of Bihars people," urging the state to at least recognise her fathers political stature. The Bihar Building Construction Department issued the revised allotment order on Tuesday, shifting Rabri Devicurrently Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Councilfrom her long-standing residence at Circular Road to Harding Road.

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RJD spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav also criticised the move, calling it surprising" and alleging that BJPs influence over the state government had increased. Yadav questioned the rules" governing the change of Rabri Devis residence, noting her status as both a former Chief Minister and the current Opposition Leader in the Council.

Rabri Devi, who served as Bihars first woman Chief Minister from 1997 to 2005, assumed office after Lalu Prasad Yadav stepped down when an arrest warrant was issued against him in the fodder scam. She has held the post of Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council since 2018.

About the Author Arunima Arunima is Editor (Home Affairs) and covers strategic, security and political affairs. From the Ukraine-Russia War to the India-China stand-off in Ladakh to India-Pak clashes, she has reported from gr... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 10:44 IST

News politics After Rabri Devi, Now Tej Pratap Told To Vacate Official House As New Row Erupts In Bihar

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Aurangzeb Preaching Tolerance: BJP Calls Rahul Gandhi's Constitution Day Message Hypocritical

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 11:16 IST

The BJP launched a fierce attack on Rahul Gandhis Constitution Day message, accusing him and the Congress of hypocrisy and historical violations.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. (Image: PTI/File)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his Constitution Day message, calling it deeply hypocritical" and accusing the Congress of having a history of undermining the very document he sought to celebrate.

BJP slams Rahul Gandhis hypocrisy

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BJP leader CR Kesavan strongly criticised Rahul Gandhis post on X (formerly Twitter), likening it to Aurangzeb preaching about tolerance" and Mir Jafar lecturing on loyalty". He argued that the Congress had forfeited its moral right to speak about constitutional values due to its actions during the Emergency.

Rahul Gandhi talking about the virtues of our sacred Constitution is as hypocritical as Aurangzeb preaching about tolerance and as paradoxical as Mir Jafar lecturing on loyalty," Kesavan said. He further alleged that the Congress, referred to as the Indira Nehru Congress", had murdered the Constitution" during the 1975 Emergency, even going so far as to amend the Preamble to consolidate power.

Kesavan accused Rahul Gandhi of having scant regard or respect" for Dr BR Ambedkars Constitution, stating that the Congress leader routinely slanders the democratic process" and maligns constitutional institutions".

On Constitution Day, he added, it would be appropriate for the Congress and Rahul Gandhi to seek forgiveness and tender a public apology" to the nation and to future generations for the assault on democracy".

Here we have Prime Minister Modi, who on the occasion of Constitution Day wrote a letter to the citizens of the country, paying tribute to Babasaheb Ambedkar and the people of India. On the other hand, those who believe in dynastic politics and are responsible for eroding democracy are talking about saving the Constitution. Rahul Gandhis family has no faith in constitutional institutions like the Election Commission and the Supreme Court. They make vote chori allegations against the EC and refuse to accept Supreme Court verdicts," said Shehzad Poonawalla hitting out at Rahul Gandhi and Congress.

What Rahul Gandhi said on Constitution Day?

Rahul Gandhis post had emphasised the Constitution as a sacred promise" to every Indian, regardless of religion, caste, region, language, or economic background. He described it as a shield for the poor and a guarantor of justice, equality and respect.

The Constitution of India is not just a book; it is a sacred promise made to every citizen," he wrote, asserting that the rights of all Indians are safe as long as the Constitution remains secure.

Gandhi also urged citizens to resist any perceived attempts to weaken constitutional protections, declaring it his duty to defend the Constitution from every assault". He ended the message with Constitution Day greetings and the words Jai Hind, Jai Constitution".

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      ,                      ,      ,     ,    ,  ,           pic.twitter.com/yjIDxhFfGo Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 26, 2025

What is typically observed as a day of reflection on Indias democratic foundations quickly turned into a political flashpoint, with the BJP and Congress trading barbs. While Rahul Gandhi used the occasion to call for the protection of constitutional values, the BJP countered by highlighting what it describes as Congresss historical violations.

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 26, 2025, 11:02 IST

News politics Aurangzeb Preaching Tolerance: BJP Calls Rahul Gandhi's Constitution Day Message Hypocritical

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'Elect BJP-Backed Candidate In Telangana Rural Polls': Bandi Sanjay's Rs 10 Lakh Offer To Villages

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 22:10 IST

Kumar, who represents Karimnagar in the Lok Sabha and serves as the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, noted that the funds would be provided without delays.

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Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar addresses a press conference, in Hyderabad. (PTI file photo)

Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Bandi Sanjay Kumar promised Rs 10 lakh in development funds to villages in Telanganas Karimnagar constituency, if they elect BJP-backed candidates in the upcoming rural local body polls.

In a post on social media platform X on Tuesday, Kumar assured voters that if a village elected a BJP-supported Sarpanch unanimously," he would allocate Rs 10 lakh from his Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) funds for that villages development.

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Kumar, who represents Karimnagar in the Lok Sabha and serves as the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, noted that the funds would be provided without delays.

Karimnagar villages: Elect a BJP-backed candidate unanimously and get 10 lakh instantly for development. If your village elects a BJP-supported Sarpanch unanimously in Karimnagar Parliamentary constituency, I will directly fund 10 lakh for that villages development  no  Bandi Sanjay Kumar (@bandisanjay_bjp) November 25, 2025

Elect a BJP-backed candidate unanimously and get 10 lakh instantly for development," he wrote in his post. I will directly fund 10 lakh for that villages development  no delays, no excuses."

Kumars promise comes as Telangana prepares for rural local body elections, set to be held in three phases on December 11, 14, and 17. The elections will determine the outcome of over 12,000 Sarpanch and 1.1 lakh ward member positions across the state.

Kumar further claimed that previous governments had made similar promises but failed to deliver. He pointed out that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), now rebranded as Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), had promised Rs 5 lakh for unanimous Panchayats in the past.

Nearly 70 villages in the Karimnagar Parliament area elected BRS candidates unanimously. Even after five years, not a single rupee was released by the KCR government," he wrote.

The Union Minister urged the electorate not to fall for empty promises from the Congress and BRS, asserting that only the BJP could ensure genuine development funds for the region.

Those who trusted Congress and BRS ended up suffering financially. Both parties are now preparing to repeat the same deception. I urge the people of Karimnagar not to fall for their words," he noted.

Congress Alleges Violation Of MCC

Meanwhile, the Union Ministers remarks sparked criticism from the Congress party. Telangana Congress wrote to the State Election Commission, demanding action and accusing him of breaching the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

In its letter, Congress stated: With the above cited subject matter, we report a clear breach of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by Bandi Sanjay, MoS for Home Affairs. He stated that if a BJP-supporting Sarpanch is elected unanimously in Karimnagar Parliament, a grant of 10 lakh will be given. This is a direct inducement to voters, violating MCC guidelines."

The rural body elections are expected to be a major test for all political parties in Telangana, especially given the competitive nature of the polls. Despite being held on a non-party basis, the elections have become a battleground for major parties, including the ruling Congress, BJP, and BRS.

According to the Telangana State Election Commission, a total of 12,728 Sarpanch posts and 1,12,242 ward office seats will be contested. Over 1.66 crore voters are eligible to cast their ballots, with polling to be conducted using traditional ballot boxes and papers.

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The first phase of the elections will be held on December 11, followed by the second phase on December 14, and the third phase on December 17. Nominations for the first round will close on November 29, with scrutiny of nominations scheduled for November 30. The counting of votes will take place immediately after polling ends each day, with results announced once the counting process is complete.

(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 : Telangana, India, India

First Published: November 26, 2025, 16:14 IST

News politics 'Elect BJP-Backed Candidate In Telangana Rural Polls': Bandi Sanjay's Rs 10 Lakh Offer To Villages

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'Infiltrators Like Cancer': Kangana Slams Mamata Over 'Will Shake India' Remark Amid SIR Row

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 19:49 IST

Kangana Ranaut criticized Mamata Banerjee over her opposition to SIR in West Bengal, calling infiltrators a "cancer" and defending the Election Commission's revision drive.

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Kangana Ranaut also compared the problem of illegal immigration in the country to a cancer in the body. (Image: Instagram)

A day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attacked the Centre amid a row over special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on Wednesday slammed her, saying, The nation is not going to be afraid of such threats."

The Mandi MP also compared the issue of illegal immigration in the country to a cancer" in the body, arguing that India must get rid of infiltrators to protect national security.

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VIDEO | Delhi: BJP MP Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) on West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjees remark, says, The nation is not going to be afraid of such threats the entire nation wants these infiltrators to be sanitised. These infiltrators are same as cancer in body."(Full video pic.twitter.com/R5RtPBIKkj  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 26, 2025

The nation is not going to be afraid of such threats, and the entire country wants sanitisation from these infiltrators. These infiltrators are same as cancer in the body," Kangana Ranaut told reporters after attending a Constitution Day event at the Old Parliament Building.

What Mamata Banerjee Had Said

While speaking at an anti-SIR rally in Bongaon on Tuesday, Banerjee had questioned the timing and urgency of the revision drive, saying, PM Modi got votes in 2024 as per the same list. If your name gets deleted, the Central government should also be deleted. Why is SIR being conducted in such a hurry?"

Banerjee also predicted the BJP would lose the upcoming state assembly elections and announced she would embark on a nationwide yatra against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The TMC supremo also stated that the BJP would be ousted from power at the Centre in 2029.

If they hurt me, I will show what I can do. I will shake things up. I will move around India after the election," she remarked. Bangla has the guts that Bangla will capture the power in Delhi," she further added.

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Ranaut has previously defended the SIR process. Last month, she said opposition parties should welcome the exercise since it would expose fake voters and identify individuals misusing or selling" voter identification documents.

The Election Commission announced the second phase of the revision on October 27, covering 12 states and Union Territories, including Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, to be carried out from November to February.

About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 20:05 IST

News politics 'Infiltrators Like Cancer': Kangana Slams Mamata Over 'Will Shake India' Remark Amid SIR Row

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The Gandhis And I Will Mediate: Mallikarjun Kharges Message Amid Karnataka Congress Drama

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Manjiri Joshi



Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 16:25 IST

Mallikarjun Kharge said, People in the Congress High Command  Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and I  will sit together and deliberate...

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The Karnataka leadership issue has now reached Delhi. (PTI File)

Amid speculation over leadership change in Karnataka, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said the issue will be resolved after discussions at the top level with senior leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

Only the people there can say what the government is doing there. But I would like to say that we will resolve such issues. People in the High Command  Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and I  will sit together and deliberate on thisWe will give the mediation that is required," he told News18.

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#WATCH | Delhi: On Karnataka political turmoil and speculations around CM post, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge says, "Only the people there can say what the Government is doing there. But I would like to say that we will resolve such issues. People in the High Command  Rahul pic.twitter.com/tw0keLQ43y ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2025

The power tussle within the party has intensified in the recent weeks amid murmurs about a CM change in the state after the Congress government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20 in the backdrop of an alleged power-sharing" agreement involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar in 2023.

Meanwhile, CM Siddaramaiah said Kharges son and Karnataka minister Priyank had gone to Delhi for work. Rahul Gandhi had called him, so he went," he said. Responding to a question about legislators backing Shivakumar travelling to Delhi, Siddaramaiah had said on Tuesday, Let them go. MLAs have freedom. Lets see what opinion they give. Ultimately, the high command has to make the decision. We will abide by what the high command says.Whatever they (legislators) want to say, let them say to the high command. Ultimately, to put a full stop to this confusion, the high command has to take the decision."

Priyank Kharge, too, responded to the speculation over change in Karnataka CM. As you rightly said, there has been speculation in media reports. The AICC president has clarified, the KPCC president has clarified, the Chief Minister has clarified, and the Deputy Chief Minister has also clarified that whatever decisions are to be taken will be done at the behest of the high command," he said.

Kharge also played down reports that he has held discussions with Rahul Gandhi on the leadership change issue in the state, during a recent meeting, and has conveyed the latters message to Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, calling it media buzz".

#WATCH | Bengaluru: On being asked about a group of Congress MLAs demanding him to become the Chief Minister, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar says, "I don't have any group here." pic.twitter.com/KpcaAfZbdF ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2025

DK Shivakumar met Siddaramaiah loyalist Satish Jarkiholi on Tuesday night

Shivakumar had a late-night meet with Satish Jarkiholi, who is being touted as CM Siddaramaiahs political successor. Shivakumar and Jarkiholi went to an undisclosed location on Tuesday night. The meeting went well past midnight.

Shivakumar, later in the day, told News18: The meeting with Jarkiholi was about 2028 and 2029 elections and party organisation." Whats the harm in meeting Satish Jarkiholi, he is my cabinet colleague. I cant speak about it (a power-sharing secret deal) in front the media. I dont have any group," he told the media.

According to his close aides, Jarkiholi said he was trying to work out his differences with DKS". The talks centred around preparing the party to look beyond Siddaramaiah who is staring at electoral retirement," said sources close to Shivakumar.

Sources, however, have told News18 exclusively that Jarkiholi told DKS that he will continue to back Siddaramaiah and has no second thoughts about it. He told Shivakumar that he will abide by what the high command says, said sources.

Shivakumars secret deal

Shivakumar on Tuesday said there was a secret deal between five-six of us" in the party on the issue of sharing power. I dont know. I have not asked to make me the CM. It is a secret deal between five and six of us. I dont want to speak publicly on this. I believe in my conscience. We should work with our conscience. I dont want to cause embarrassment to the party in any way and weaken it. If the party is there, we are there. If karyakartas are there, we are there," Shivakumar said.

Speaking to reporters in his home constituency Kanakapura, he had said, The CM is an asset for the party. He has completed 7.5 years as CM (including the 2013-2018 term)He had served as opposition leader in the past. He has also worked and built the party. We should all work together with the target of 2028 (assembly polls) and target 2029 (Lok Sabha election)."

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Asked whether there was a power-sharing agreement after the Assembly polls in 2023, Shivakumar said, Why should I speak about it? You (media) have written things."

With PTI Inputs

About the Author Harish Upadhya Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and R... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 15:39 IST

News politics The Gandhis And I Will Mediate: Mallikarjun Kharges Message Amid Karnataka Congress Drama

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Shrikant Shinde Slams Shiv Sena (UBT) For Ignoring Marathi Manoos, Pushes Relief For 65 KDMC Buildings

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 04:42 IST

According to him, Marathi families spent 10 to 15 years in transit camps without any meaningful effort from the then-ruling party to secure their homes

He urged authorities to fast-track the registration process for more than half of these buildings and to pursue swift action against errant developers. File pic/PTI

Shiv Sena MP Dr Shrikant Shinde launched a sharp attack on the UBT faction of the Shiv Sena on Tuesday, accusing it of neglecting the very Marathi people it now claims to champion during election season. Speaking after a high-level meeting in Mantralaya on the fate of 65 illegal buildings in Kalyan-Dombivli, Dr Shinde said the Marathi manoos was pushed out of Mumbai" when the UBT leadership controlled the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

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According to him, Marathi families spent 10 to 15 years in transit camps without any meaningful effort from the then-ruling party to secure their homes. They had power and a historic opportunity, but nothing was done. Now, when elections are near, they remember the Marathi cause," Dr Shinde said, accusing the UBT of political posturing. The meeting, held with Urban Development Department Principal Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary Asim Gupta, focused on the looming demolition of 65 buildings declared unauthorised in the KDMC area. Thousands of families who purchased flats in good faith now face eviction after courts ruled that the structures were illegal, with developers accused of cheating buyers.

Dr Shinde said Tuesdays discussion centred on finding legally sound and humane relief measures for affected residents. One key proposal put forward was to encourage residents to form cooperative housing societies so that the land ownership process could be regularised in their favour. However, he acknowledged that significant technical hurdlesincluding property registration issues and delays in updating land recordsremain.

He urged authorities to fast-track the registration process for more than half of these buildings and to pursue swift action against errant developers. A joint proposal is now being drafted by the Urban Development Department, the Thane Collectorate, and the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation. This proposal will be presented at an upcoming cabinet meeting for further direction.

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The meeting was attended by MLA Rajesh More, Thane Collector Dr Shrikrishna Panchal, KDMC Commissioner Abhinav Goyal, and several senior Shiv Sena leaders. Dr Shinde reiterated that the Mahayuti government has consistently worked to secure homes for Marathi citizens and accused the opposition of resorting to complaints before the Election Commission because they sense they are losing ground".

About the Author Mayuresh Ganapatye Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 04:42 IST

News politics Shrikant Shinde Slams Shiv Sena (UBT) For Ignoring Marathi Manoos, Pushes Relief For 65 KDMC Buildings

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'Those Who Pollute Sacred': Uttarakhand CM Dhami Hails 'Bulldozer' Action Against 'Land Jihad'

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: November 27, 2025, 00:12 IST

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Dhami publicly defended his government's use of "bulldozer tactics" as a form of punishment, targeting alleged cases of religious encroachment in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami . (IPhoto: PTI)

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday hailed his administrations bulldozer" action against religious encroachment, calling it land jihad" and further promising the strictest action" against those polluting the holy land" of Uttarakhand.

Dhami publicly defended the governments use of bulldozer tactics" as a form of punishment, specifically targeting alleged cases of religious encroachment in Uttarakhand.

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Sharing a video on his X, he said this strong action is necessary because Devbhoomi Uttarakhand is considered a sacred centre of faith for millions of Sanatanis".

Devbhoomi Uttarakhand is the centre of faith, belief and devotion of crores of Sanatanis. Strictest action will be taken against those who pollute the sacred land here through encroachment and land jihad," Dhami said in Hindi on X.

Watch the video here:

     ,      ,                      pic.twitter.com/iP8c8wWgoK Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) November 26, 2025

He said this kind of action was necessary against religious encroachment and crucial in protecting the spiritual integrity of the state. He stressed that the government maintains a policy of intolerance toward those who seek to violate the sanctity of the region, justifying demolition tactics as a crackdown required to preserve the religious landscape of Uttarakhand.

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The chief minister has repeatedly called out alleged attempts at altering the demographic or religious composition of the state through illicit land acquisition, which he has categorised broadly as land jihad". He has reaffirmed the administrations commitment to anti-encroachment efforts even if the approach is controversial.

Bulldozer action" refers to the demolition of a persons property by state authorities as a form of punishment, often without following due legal process. The Supreme Court has strongly condemned this practice, calling it unconstitutional and a violation of the rule of law. It has declared that only courts can determine guilt and punishment, calling for pan-India guidelines to prevent such action against individuals.

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 : Dehradun, India, India

First Published: November 27, 2025, 00:12 IST

News politics 'Those Who Pollute Sacred': Uttarakhand CM Dhami Hails 'Bulldozer' Action Against 'Land Jihad'

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How To Contact You?: NGO Founder Says Delhi Women's Helpline Failed As Uber Driver Grabbed Her

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 27, 2025, 13:51 IST

In a post on X, Chaturvedi alleged that when she tried to stop the driver by opening the cab door, he allegedly grabbed and twisted her arm.

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Bharati Chaturvedi, founder of the nonprofit Chintan. (Image via X/@Bharati09)

Environmental activist Bharati Chaturvedi, founder of the nonprofit Chintan, on Wednesday revealed a frightening incident involving an Uber ride in Delhi, saying that the citys womens helpline did not respond when she called for help.

In a post on X, Chaturvedi alleged that when she tried to stop the driver by opening the cab door, he allegedly grabbed and twisted her arm. She added that she called the womens helpline, number 100, but received no response.

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Dear women of Delhi I took an @Uber_India from Vasant Vihar to sarvodaya enclave to the doc. The pin stopped near Essex farms, driver agreed to drop me minus pin. But began getting irritated and yelling and suddenly turned while i asked him to go straight for a u turn. Asked him to stop and he refused," she detailed in her post.

Dear women of DelhiI took an @Uber_India from Vasant Vihar to sarvodaya enclave to the doc. The pin stopped near Essex farms, driver agreed to drop me minus pin. But began getting irritated and yelling and suddenly turned while i asked him to go straight for a u turn. Asked  Bharati Chaturvedi (@Bharati09) November 26, 2025

I opened the cab door to make him stop. He turned around, grabbed my arm and twisted it. Called 100 but no response," she added.

Chaturvedi also contacted Ubers safety team, who reportedly asked her to call the police. She expressed frustration at the lack of immediate help and questioned how women could reach authorities in emergencies, noting that the driver did not take payment for the ride.

Called uber safety and was asked to call 100. Also Sanjana said will involve entire team to assess action. Outrageous. @DelhiPolice how do women contact you when in need? PS- Driver didnt take payment," she noted.

The activist also tagged Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Ubers support team in her post.

Responding, Uber said, Hey there, this is very concerning. Behaviour like this is absolutely not condoned, and your safety shall always remain a priority. Please share your specific trip with date and time of the trip and registered contact details associated with your Uber account via Direct Message. Our safety team will be in touch with you shortly."

The post quickly went viral, drawing widespread reactions. Social media users expressed outrage at the lack of response from Delhi Police and criticised Ubers safety protocols.

A user commented, Goodness! Terrifying. Are you okay?." Another suggeted that she should have punched the driver on his face with the other hand."

This is absolutely awful if Delhi wasnt already so unsafe this makes one shudder. Delhi police has literally vanished off the streets. Giant hug B, can just imagine how shaken you most be," one wrote.

Another user wrote, Beyond shocking!!! There should be a panic button that cuts off the engine in the car accessible to the pax. Hope you took pictures of the car and driver. Make that public so others are warned."

Ubers Official Statement

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Reacting to the incident, Uber called the drivers conduct as clear breach of Ubers Community Guidelines", and informed that the drivers access to the app has been removed.

We also want to remind riders that the Safety Line provides remote assistance. For any serious safety concern that requires immediate intervention, we encourage riders to use the in-app SOS button, which connects them directly to law enforcement authorities," an Uber spokesperson said.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

First Published: November 26, 2025, 23:59 IST

News viral How To Contact You?: NGO Founder Says Delhi Women's Helpline Failed As Uber Driver Grabbed Her

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Ethiopias Hayli Gubbi Volcano Eruption Subsides, But Ash Fallout Disrupts Flights

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 07:58 IST

The far-reaching ash plume, carried by strong upper-level winds across the Red Sea and the Arabian Peninsula, heavily affected international aviation routes.

Ethiopia Volcano Eruption: Ethiopias Hayli Gubbi Volcano Erupts After 12,000 Years.

Volcanic activity at Ethiopias long-dormant Hayli Gubbi volcano subsided on Tuesday, bringing temporary relief to the surrounding region after days of disruption and destruction. The eruption, the first recorded in 10,000 years, blanketed villages in Afdera district in the Afar region with thick volcanic ash. Local officials said residents were experiencing persistent coughing, while livestock struggled to access uncontaminated water and grazing areas.

Health authorities deployed mobile medical teams to remote kebeles such as Fia and Nemma-Gubi, where ash accumulation was most severe. Two medical teams have been dispatched to the affected kebeles to provide mobile medical services," said Abedella Mussa, a health official in Afdera. Livestock officer Nuur Mussa reported that many animals were unable to feed, with grass and water sources entirely smothered by ash.

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Air travel hit across India, Gulf and East Africa

The far-reaching ash plume, carried by strong upper-level winds across the Red Sea and the Arabian Peninsula, heavily affected international aviation routes. Airlines cancelled dozens of flights to avoid ash-contaminated airspace, which poses serious risks to aircraft engines and navigation systems.

Indias aviation sector faced significant disruption. On Monday and Tuesday, Air India cancelled 11 flights, mostly international, after receiving advisories from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to inspect aircraft potentially exposed to volcanic ash. Akasa Air also cancelled several flights to Gulf destinations, including Jeddah, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi.

At Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport, seven international flights were cancelled and at least twelve delayed on Tuesday. Airport officials warned that further adjustments could occur depending on the shifting position of the ash cloud.

What experts said?

Geologist Atalay Ayele of Addis Ababa University said Ethiopias location along an active rift system makes it highly prone to volcanic and seismic activity. This is the first recorded eruption of Hayli Gubbi in the last 10,000 years," he noted. It will likely continue for a short period and then stop until the next cycle."

The India Meteorological Department confirmed that the ash cloud, having travelled across Yemen, Oman and the Arabian Sea, drifted towards western and northern India before beginning its eastward movement toward China. Indian skies cleared by late Tuesday.

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Although the eruption has eased, its effects continue to reverberate across East Africa, the Gulf and South Asia. As Afars remote communities struggle with environmental and health impacts, aviation sectors across multiple countries remain on alert, closely monitoring the evolving plume as global air routes gradually stabilise.

(With agency inputs)

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

Location : Ethiopia

First Published: November 26, 2025, 07:58 IST

News world Ethiopias Hayli Gubbi Volcano Eruption Subsides, But Ash Fallout Disrupts Flights

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Foreign Visitors Now Must Shell Out Extra $100 To Enter US National Parks

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 23:58 IST

US raises entry fees for foreign tourists at US national parks like Grand Canyon and Yosemite to $100, with annual passes over $250 from 2026, keeping US resident fees at $80.

US President Donald Trump. (File photo)

The Trump led administration has announced that foreign tourists visiting popular US national parks like Grand Canyon and Yosemite.

The Department of the Interior, responsible for maintaining the national parks, said each foreign visitor will have to pay $100 besides the existing fees to enter 11 of the most popular sites.

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It further stated that the non-residents will also have to pay over $250 for an annual pass to the parks from 2026 while the US citizens and permanent residents will continue to pay $80.

The countrys most visited parks include the Everglades in Florida, Yosemite in California and Colorados Rocky Mountains.

President Trumps leadership always puts American families first," said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. These policies ensure that US taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations."

The department stated: Revenue generated from new fee policies will be invested directly back into Americas national parks, supporting upgrades to visitor facilities, essential maintenance, and improved services nationwide."

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The increase in fee follows an executive order signed by Trump in July.

According to BBC, US national parks have seen record numbers of tourists in recent years, with upwards of 331 million visitors in 2024  an increase of at least 6 million compared to the year before.

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 26, 2025, 23:58 IST

News world Foreign Visitors Now Must Shell Out Extra $100 To Enter US National Parks

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Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro Begins 27-Year Jail Term For Failed Coup Plot

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 08:54 IST

The court also directed a military tribunal to decide whether Bolsonaro should be stripped of his captains rank.

The 70-year-old ex-army captain, once the dominant force of Brazils right wing (AFP)

Brazils Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered former president Jair Bolsonaro to begin serving a 27-year prison sentence for orchestrating a failed coup attempt aimed at blocking Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office after the 2022 election. The ruling came after Bolsonaro exhausted all remaining appeals, bringing a dramatic close to the far-right leaders turbulent political career.

The 70-year-old ex-army captain, once the dominant force of Brazils right wing, is now confined to a small, secure room at federal police headquarters in Brasilia, equipped with basic amenities including a TV, mini-fridge and air-conditioning. Bolsonaro was convicted in September for a plot that prosecutors say included plans to assassinate Lula, but ultimately collapsed when military commanders refused to back the scheme.

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The court also directed a military tribunal to decide whether Bolsonaro should be stripped of his captains rank. Until Saturday, he had been under house arrest, but authorities detained him after discovering he had tampered with his ankle monitor using a soldering iron.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes said evidence suggested Bolsonaro was preparing to flee during a vigil planned by his son, pointing to the close proximity of the U.S. Embassy and Bolsonaros longstanding ties with former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Bolsonaro denied attempting to escape, claiming the incident was the result of paranoia" brought on by medication. The Supreme Court ruled he will remain held in the officers ward  a space reserved for high-risk or protected detainees  where he is currently being kept.

Five of Bolsonaros co-defendants, including retired generals and former ministers, also began serving sentences ranging from 19 to 26 years. His former intelligence chief, Alexandre Ramagem, sentenced to 16 years, has been declared a fugitive after fleeing to the United States.

Bolsonaros lawyer Paulo Cunha Bueno called the courts rapid closure of the case surprising," saying the defence would continue to appeal despite the decision being final.

Bolsonaro is now the fourth former Brazilian president to be jailed since the end of military rule in 1985. His legal team is seeking the same treatment granted to former president Fernando Collor de Mello, who was allowed to serve his sentence at home for health reasons. Bolsonaro has a long history of medical issues stemming from a 2018 stabbing, requiring multiple surgeries, and suffers from severe gastric problems that cause persistent hiccups, breathing difficulties and fainting spells.

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His family has highlighted his deteriorating condition, with son Carlos Bolsonaro describing him after a visit as extremely fragile and psychologically devastated," adding that the former president has barely been eating. Bolsonaro maintains he is innocent and the victim of political persecution.

With Bolsonaro now out of the political arena, Brazils conservative bloc heads toward the 2026 presidential election without a unifying figure. President Lula, now 80, has already announced plans to seek a fourth term  despite having served jail time himself before the Supreme Court overturned his corruption conviction.

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 26, 2025, 08:54 IST

News world Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro Begins 27-Year Jail Term For Failed Coup Plot

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JD Vance, Wife Usha And Their Kids Serve US Troops Thanksgiving Dinner | Watch

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 27, 2025, 02:46 IST

Vance family serves early Thanksgiving meal to troops at Kentuckys Fort Campbell.

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Vice President JD Vance and wife Usha, right, serve soldiers alongside officers during a Thanksgiving meal at a restaurant at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. (IMAGE: AP PHOTO)

Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday reached Fort Campbell in Kentucky, where he, Second Lady Usha Vance and their children spent the afternoon serving an early Thanksgiving meal to US Army soldiers stationed at the base. The vice president is marking the holiday with troops and their families, accompanied by US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll.

The Vance children also pitched in, with young Mirabel Vance winning hearts online for taking charge of a very important assignment  ensuring every soldiers plate had enough butter.

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Vance met service members at the dining facility, helped serve meals and interacted with troops before delivering remarks scheduled for later in the afternoon. His visit is part of the administrations Thanksgiving outreach to military communities.

Mirabel Vance making sure every soldier gets butter is peak American patriotism. Future First Daughter already out here securing the most critical condiment," posted one user.

Mirabel Vance making sure every soldier gets butter is peak American patriotism. Future First Daughter already out here securing the most critical condiment.  e  (@TKS8798) November 26, 2025

Special shoutout to Mirabel Vance, making sure everyone got butter on time. This is what holiday spirit looks like," posted another.

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Vances wife Usha Vance  and their marriage  have come under public scrutiny after she was recently photographed without her wedding ring. Ushas spokesperson said she simply forgot it due to her busy schedule as a mother of three. The public scrutiny of their marriage began when Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September 2025, shared a public embrace with Vice President JD Vance at a TPUSA event on October 29, triggering widespread speculation on social media.

In her defence, Erika has described the hug as a sincere emotional moment, reflecting grief and gratitude, calling physical touch part of her love language." She stressed that speculation around dating or a relationship is unfounded.

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 27, 2025, 01:33 IST

News world JD Vance, Wife Usha And Their Kids Serve US Troops Thanksgiving Dinner | Watch

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Muhammad Yunus Hijacked Microcredit Model From University Research: Ex-Bangladesh Intel Officer | Exclusive

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 17:55 IST

The newly released evidence points to the Rural Economics Programme (REP), launched in 1976 with a grant from the Ford Foundation at Chittagong University

Since assuming the role of Chief Advisor in August 2024, Yunus has allegedly leveraged the state apparatus to erase his personal legal history and benefit his affiliated companies. File pic/PTI

Explosive allegations have emerged from an exiled former Bangladeshi intelligence officer, Aminul Hoque Polash, who has released a trove of internal documents spanning 1976 to 1983. These archival papers, Polash claims, fundamentally shatter the long-held narrative that Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus personally invented microcredit and founded the Grameen Bank model, suggesting he systematically hijacked a university research project for his own gain.

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Polash, a former National Security Intelligence (NSI) officer forced into exile due to his investigation into Yunuss alleged corruption, states the documents show the true origin of microcredit lay not with Yunus, but with a research initiative. These are Yunuss own signatures," Polash noted, asserting the papers prove microcredit was a collective academic endeavour.

The Documented Origins of Microcredit

The newly released evidence points to the Rural Economics Programme (REP), launched in 1976 with a grant from the Ford Foundation at Chittagong University. Polash alleges the seminal micro-lending experiment in Jobra villagethe widely recognised birthplace of microcreditwas an action-research project primarily run by junior researchers, including Swapan Adnan, Nasiruddin, and HI Latifee. According to the documents, Yunuss assigned role at the time was limited to the management of deep tubewell cooperatives, placing him outside the core micro-lending team.

Further challenging the established history, the documents reportedly show that the Bangladesh Bank (Central Bank) adopted the rural-credit concept as a national model in a 1978 meeting, allocating Tk 100 crore for a national rollout through state banks. This initiative was named the Grameen Bank Project", indicating the state formally recognised and launched the concept before Yunus assumed full control. A key 1983 letter from the Ford Foundation itself reportedly confirms the grant was awarded to the university, not to Yunus personally.

The Takeover and Present-Day Implications

Polashs narrative details how Yunus later became the Project Director and, following the 1983 Grameen Bank Ordinance, the institutions Managing Director. By the 1990s, the once publicly funded research initiative had been converted into a global empire under Yunuss personal control.

Polash argues that this historical pattern of institutional capture" is now being replicated at the highest level of government. Since assuming the role of Chief Advisor in August 2024, Yunus has allegedly leveraged the state apparatus to erase his personal legal history and benefit his affiliated companies.

Within just 15 months:

Legal Troubles Vanished: His prior prison sentence was overturned, five labour cases were quashed, and corruption and food adulteration cases were dismissed or withdrawn by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and courts.

Corporate Benefits: Grameen enterprises received extraordinary financial advantages, including the erasure of a Tk 666 crore tax liability for Grameen Kalyan and a five-year tax exemption for Grameen Bank.

Regulatory Capture: Exclusive licenses were granted, such as a digital wallet license to Grameen Telecoms Samadhan and a manpower export license to Grameen Employment Services, alongside moves to reduce the governments stake in Grameen Bank.

Polash says that the world must move beyond the myth of the microcredit inventor and acknowledge the historical record, warning that the man who stole a rural research project now governs an entire country with the same appetite for capture".

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First Published: November 26, 2025, 16:59 IST

News world Muhammad Yunus Hijacked Microcredit Model From University Research: Ex-Bangladesh Intel Officer | Exclusive

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No Hope Left From Taliban: Pakistan Defence Minister Admits Attempts To Reset Ties Have Failed

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 06:58 IST

Pakistan, he said, had expected the Taliban to remain dependent on it, but the entire equation has reversed.

Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif (Image: AP/file)

Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has made his strongest public admission yet that Islamabads efforts to rebuild relations with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan have failed entirely. Speaking about the post-2021 engagement, Asif said he personally welcomed the Taliban after they seized Kabul and travelled to Afghanistan multiple times to stabilise ties  but none of it brought any benefit or success."

Pakistan, he said, had expected the Taliban to remain dependent on it, but the entire equation has reversed."

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In an interview on Geo News, Asif was asked whether Pakistan was denying conducting any strikes or causing civilian casualties during recent alleged cross-border operations. Both things are non-existent at this time," he replied. We do react and retaliate, but civilians are not our target at all. We have a disciplined force with traditions and a code of conduct. We are not a ragtag group like the Taliban, who neither have a code of conduct nor religion nor traditions."

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The minister added that Pakistan had now completely lost hope" in the Taliban and saw no scope left for any positive change" from Kabul. Hope should always remain unless all limits are crossed," he said, but today, we are completely writing them off and we have no good hope from them."

When asked about the Talibans statement that they would retaliate according to Islamic law, Asif bristled, questioning the legitimacy of their claim. He asked which version of Islamic law the Afghan Taliban follow that requires them to live in their neighbours home for decades and then spill blood," a remark widely read as a pointed reference to Taliban leadership sheltering in Pakistan during the long insurgency.

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 26, 2025, 06:58 IST

News world No Hope Left From Taliban: Pakistan Defence Minister Admits Attempts To Reset Ties Have Failed

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'Not Helpful In Normalising Ties': India On China's Detention Of Arunachal Woman In Shanghai

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 18:37 IST

The External Affairs Ministry stated that detaining Arunachal Pradeshs Prema Wangjom Thongdok at Shanghai Pudong Airport hinders efforts to normalise ties.

Prema Wangjom Thongdok said Chinese immigration officers questioned her Indian identity and held her for hours. (IMAGE: LINKEDIN)

The External Affairs Ministry on Wednesday said that actions like the detention of Arunachal Pradeshs Prema Wangjom Thongdok at Shanghai Pudong Airport.

The ministrys spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that Chinese behaviour with Prema, who leads IFPR reporting and prudential work for ACA Group in the UK, in Shanghai airport where airport staff along with immigration officials mocked her nationality and said her visa cannot be accepted, does not help the process of normalising ties".

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Randhir Jaiswal highlighted that both nation had worked together after October 2024 to establish peace and tranquility at the borders. India has always maintained that relations with China can only grow if there is tranquility in the border.

Prema was travelling to Japan via Shanghai earlier this month and faced harassment over her Indian visa at the hands of Chinese officials. Speaking to news agencies on Monday, she demanded strict action against the officials and urged that the issue be raised at an international forum.

After she raised the issue, Indian officials on Monday lodged a strong demarche with China, stressing that Arunachal Pradesh is an indisputably" Indian territory.

They called my Indian passport invalid as my birthplace is Arunachal Pradesh which they claimed is Chinese territory," Prema had said.

She also narrated her ordeal on social media.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry rejected the allegations, saying the actions were in accordance with the regulations and reiterated Chinas claim over Arunachal Pradesh.

India then rejected Chinas response to the detention and asserted that the border state is an integral part of the country.

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We have seen statements made by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the arbitrary detention of an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh, who was holding a valid passport and was transiting through Shanghai International Airport on her onward travel to Japan," Randhir Jaiswal said.

Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, and this is a self-evident fact. No amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality," he 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

First Published: November 26, 2025, 18:17 IST

News world 'Not Helpful In Normalising Ties': India On China's Detention Of Arunachal Woman In Shanghai

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Roads Flooded, Cars Submerged: At Least 33 Killed As Once-In-300-Years Rain Hits Thailand

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 19:44 IST

Thailand faces its worst floods in years, with at least 33 deaths and over 2.68 million affected. Military ships and helicopters aid ongoing rescue efforts.

People clean up after flood recedes in Dak Lak. (Image: AP)

At least 33 people were killed as Thailand witnessed its worst floods in years, prompting authorities to deploy military ships and helicopters to support relief efforts.

According to BBC, the deluge has hit 10 provinces across the countrys south over the past week, with the city of Hat Yai, a business hub bordering Malaysia, recording its heaviest rainfall in 300 years  335mm in a single day.

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Government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat told reporters that about 20 helicopters and 200 boats drafted into the Hat Yai rescue effort faced difficulty reaching stranded people.

Reuters cited television images showing brown waters rushing through Hat Yais commercial streets, while residents waded through high waters, clinging to floating polystyrene boxes as rubber boats evacuated others in orange life vests.

Photos and videos have emerged showing vehicles and houses submerged in the city, while desperate residents await rescue on their rooftops.

Please help. Im very worried about my mother," Reuters quoted one person, adding that she had been unable to contact the 53-year-old in Hat Yai since Saturday, when domestic supplies were down to just a bottle of water and two packs of instant noodles.

In Hat Yai, Songkhla province, Thailand, floodwaters have risen to 1.53 meters, triggering a full evacuation of residents and tourists.#flood #Thailand pic.twitter.com/TtUUH4ca1p Kabul Reporter (@kabulreporter) November 26, 2025

#Thailand has experienced heavy rain, leading to a #flood that has resulted in 41 deaths and impacted more than 2.68 million people nationwide. Songkhla Province is the most severely affected area by this disaster. pic.twitter.com/vN2PIE7VV5 CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) November 26, 2025

FLOOD IN SOUTHERN PART OF THAILANDTuesday, 25th November 2025  Wednesday, 26th November 2025 pic.twitter.com/YJtyT5ZZRz  Agraprana Pahlawan (@skynewsagra) November 26, 2025

Thailand deploys helicopters for disaster reliefOn November 26, Thailand deployed helicopters to drop rescue bags to help flood victims in Hat Yai. pic.twitter.com/i1l6j32l9N  CMNS_Media (@1SanatanSatya) November 26, 2025

Reuters quoted Thailand navy stating that the aircraft carrier, Chakri Naruebet, set out from its home port on Tuesday to provide air support, medical assistance and meals in the relief efforts.

It further stated that medical teams on board the aircraft carrier will convert it into a floating hospital" if necessary.

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Floods have affected eight states in neighbouring Malaysia, killing one person.

In Indonesia, at least 19 people have been killed and at least seven others remained buried under landslides in North Sumatra, BBC quoted the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency.

Location : Thailand

First Published: November 26, 2025, 19:18 IST

News world Roads Flooded, Cars Submerged: At Least 33 Killed As Once-In-300-Years Rain Hits Thailand

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'Seized By Hair, Dragged': Imran Khan's Sisters Allege Brutal Police Assault, Demand Probe

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 21:08 IST

According to the sisters, they were peacefully sitting outside the jail when police personnel pounced on them.

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Uzma Khanum, center, and Aleema Khan, left, sisters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan. (AP file photo)

Imran Khans three sisters have demanded an impartial investigation into what they describe as a brutal" and unprovoked police assault on them and other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters outside Adiala Jail last week.

The former prime minister, jailed since August 2023 in multiple cases, has not been allowed to meet his family for over a month. His sisters  Noreen Niazi, Aleema Khan and Dr Uzma Khan  had been camping outside the prison alongside PTI workers after repeated requests for a meeting were denied.

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According to the sisters, they were peacefully sitting outside the jail when police personnel pounced" on them. PTI described the incident as punishment for the crime of seeking a meeting with Imran Khan".

In a formal letter to Punjab police chief Usman Anwar, the sisters alleged that the assault was brutal and orchestrated" and carried out without any provocation. Noreen Niazi said the group had not blocked roads or caused any disturbance, and had only gathered to express concern for their brothers health.

We peacefully protested over concerns for his health condition. We neither blocked roads nor obstructed public movement, nor engaged in any unlawful conduct," Niazi said, adding, Yet, without warning or provocation, the streetlights in the area were abruptly switched off, deliberately casting the scene into darkness. What followed was a brutal and orchestrated assault by Punjab police personnel."

Describing her own experience, the 71-year-old said she was seized by my hair, thrown violently to the ground, and dragged across the road", leaving her with visible injuries. She noted that other women present were slapped, pushed and dragged by officers.

Niazi said the episode reflected a broader pattern" of excessive force used against peaceful PTI supporters over the past three years. The Polices conduct was not wholly criminal, illegal, morally reprehensible, and in direct contradiction to the foundational duties of any law enforcement agency in a democratic society," she said.

The sisters have demanded that the Punjab Inspector General immediately initiate proceedings against all officers involved.

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The restrictions at Adiala Jail have extended even to senior officials. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who attempted to meet Khan on seven consecutive occasions, was also denied access by jail authorities. PTI has claimed that the prison is being run under the influence of an army officer.

(With inputs from PTI)

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

Location : Pakistan

First Published: November 26, 2025, 21:08 IST

News world 'Seized By Hair, Dragged': Imran Khan's Sisters Allege Brutal Police Assault, Demand Probe

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Tensions Escalate Along Durand Line As Pakistan, Afghanistan Mobilise Forces, Warn Of Full-Fledged Clash

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 09:18 IST

Pakistani drones have been spotted conducting aerial surveillance across sectors, including Chaman-Spin Boldik, Angoor Adda, raising alarms about a potential military engagement

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With both nations heavily armed and on edge, sources indicate that a full-fledged conflict along the Durand Line could erupt at any moment.

The already fragile peace along the Durand Linethe disputed border between Pakistan and Afghanistanhas reached a breaking point, as both countries have moved heavy artillery to their frontline check posts. Sources told CNN-News18 that both sides have reported intense movement of military personnel and equipment, signalling a dramatic escalation in the ongoing border tensions.

Pakistani drones have been spotted conducting aerial surveillance across multiple sectors, including Chaman-Spin Boldik, Angoor Adda, Kurram-Nangahar, and Torkham, raising alarms about a potential full-scale military engagement. Intelligence reports suggest that both nations are preparing for a possible clash, with the situation remaining volatile and unpredictable. The deployment of heavy artillery at key border posts indicates a serious preparation for confrontation.

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In recent weeks, there has been an increase in skirmishes and exchanges of fire along the Durand Line, particularly in areas like Kurram and Nangahar, where cross-border attacks and insurgent activities have long been a source of tension. However, the latest developments, such as the large-scale mobilisation of troops and surveillance operations, suggest that both Pakistan and Afghanistan may be bracing for a larger, more coordinated military clash.

Multiple sectors, including the strategically critical points of Chaman-Spin Boldik and Torkham, have been put on extreme high alert. Both Pakistani and Afghan authorities have reportedly activated emergency protocols, mobilising additional forces to prevent further escalation.

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Diplomatic channels between Islamabad and Kabul are reportedly struggling to maintain communication, with little to no progress in de-escalating the situation. With both nations heavily armed and on edge, sources indicate that a full-fledged conflict along the Durand Line could erupt at any moment.

The international community is closely monitoring the situation, as any large-scale conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan would have serious regional implications, potentially destabilising an already volatile region. The coming hours and days will be critical in determining whether diplomacy can prevail or if the situation will spiral into a dangerous military confrontation.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

Location : Islamabad, Pakistan

First Published: November 26, 2025, 09:18 IST

News world Tensions Escalate Along Durand Line As Pakistan, Afghanistan Mobilise Forces, Warn Of Full-Fledged Clash

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Total Darkness For 6 Minutes! Longest Solar Eclipse Of The 21st Century Is Coming

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 11:45 IST

A rare cosmic event will plunge parts of the Earth into six minutes of darkness, with temperatures dropping and stars emerging in daylight, a sight unseen in a century

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The 2027 total solar eclipse is being called 'the greatest astronomical show of this generation'.

On August 2, 2027, the world will witness a phenomenon that will be remembered for generations. In many regions, daylight will suddenly fade, temperatures will drop, stars will appear in the sky, and for a few minutes, it will feel as though the Earth has paused. This will be caused by the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century, plunging affected areas into deep darkness for 6 minutes and 23 seconds. Scientists note that such a prolonged eclipse has not been seen in the past century and will be extremely rare to witness again.

During the eclipse, the Moon will completely obscure the Sun, turning day into dusk. Temperatures could fall by 5 to 10 degrees, winds may shift direction, and unusual behaviour may be observed in birds and other animals.

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Observers will also be able to see the Suns pale corona, the diamond ring effect, and bright celestial bodies such as Venus, Mercury, and certain stars.

Where Will Darkness Fall?

The eclipse will begin over the Atlantic Ocean, with the Moons shadow first touching near the Strait of Gibraltar. The darkness will then sweep across southern Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and parts of the Middle East. In these regions, the Sun will be completely hidden for about six and a half minutes.

Countries such as the United States and large areas of South America, including Brazil, will not witness any part of this extraordinary event.

Why Scientists Say You Shouldnt Miss It

While total solar eclipses occur roughly every 18 months, one of this duration is exceptionally rare. The 2027 eclipse is particularly remarkable because it will pass over densely populated and easily accessible areas, making it an ideal event to study astronomy, temperature fluctuations, and animal behaviour.

Researchers and space agencies around the globe are treating this as a live scientific laboratory, as opportunities to study the Suns corona this clearly and for so long may not arise for decades.

Minute-By-Minute Spectacle

Around 60-80 minutes before totality, the Moon will begin to graze the Suns edge. The sunlight will gradually fade, leaving a thin crescent of the Sun visible. Darkness will descend, temperatures will drop, stars will emerge, and the Suns corona will glow as a milky ring.

This magical darkness will last for 6 minutes and 23 seconds. Gradually, sunlight will return, restoring normal conditions, while observatories worldwide capture every moment.

Visibility In India

India does not lie within the narrow path of totality. Some regions may see a limited partial eclipse, but for the full experience, people will need to travel to select cities in Spain, Morocco, Egypt, or the Middle East.

Why The Eclipse Lasts So Long

Such an extended total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is near its closest point to Earth (perigee), and its shadow strikes the Earth at a near-perfect angle. These rare conditions are what make the 2027 eclipse unusually long.

Safety During The Eclipse

It is safe to view the total eclipse with the naked eye only during totality. Observing the partial phases without proper protection is dangerous.

Experts recommend solar filters, certified eclipse glasses, or other approved protective gear.

A Once-In-A-Lifetime Event

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NASA records indicate that the next eclipse of comparable duration will not occur until the 22nd century. For this reason, the 2027 event has been called the greatest astronomical show of this generation.

The six minutes of darkness on August 2, 2027, will become a historic moment: daylight will vanish, the Sun will disappear, planets will shine in the sky, and nature will respond in extraordinary ways. The world is eagerly awaiting this rare spectacle, one that many may never witness again in their lifetime.

First Published: November 26, 2025, 11:45 IST

News world Total Darkness For 6 Minutes! Longest Solar Eclipse Of The 21st Century Is Coming

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US Envoy, In A 5-Minute Call, Briefed Russia How To Pitch Ukraine Peace Plan To Trump: Report

Curated By :



Last Updated: November 26, 2025, 09:27 IST

On 14 October, US Envoy Witkoff spoke for just over five minutes with Yuri Ushakov, Vladimir Putins principal foreign policy adviser.

US Envoy Counseled Russia on Pitching Ukraine Peace Plan to Trump

Fresh from securing a landmark Gaza peace agreement, US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff held a discreet phone call last month with a top Kremlin official, signalling the early stages of a controversial effort to broker a similar settlement for the war in Ukraine. The conversation, recorded and reviewed by Bloomberg, sheds light on how the now-emerging 28-point peace proposal appears to have been shaped with input from Russian officials.

What we know about the five-minute call?

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On 14 October, Witkoff spoke for just over five minutes with Yuri Ushakov, Vladimir Putins principal foreign policy adviser. During the call, Witkoff proposed developing a Ukraine peace plan modelled on the 20-point Trump plan" that had been used as a diplomatic tool during the Gaza negotiations.

He urged Ushakov to have Putin raise the prospect directly with Donald Trump, and suggested setting up a call between the two leaders before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiys scheduled White House visit later that week. Witkoff argued that using the Gaza success as an entry point would create a really good call".

The White House and the Kremlin declined to comment on the exchange.

Trump-Putin dynamics

At the time, Trumps relations with Putin appeared strained. As he prepared to host Zelenskiy on 17 October, the US president was considering supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles and preparing fresh sanctions against Russia.

Yet two days after Witkoffs call with Ushakov, Trump and Putin spoke for two and a half hours. Trump later described the conversation as very productive" and announced plans, still unrealised, to meet Putin in Budapest. Putin also, as advised, congratulated Trump on his Gaza breakthrough.

Peace blueprint

Following the leaders exchange, Witkoff met Kremlin adviser Kirill Dmitriev in Miami between 24 to 26 October. Days later, Dmitriev and Ushakov discussed Russias negotiating strategy in another recorded call, debating how assertively Moscow should push its demands.

Russia, they suggested, should request the maximum" in initial submissions, fearing that the US might dilute their terms. Dmitriev remained confident that Washington would still shape the final proposal in a direction favourable to Moscow.

Bloomberg has not independently confirmed the exact proposals shared, but the structure bears strong resemblance to the 28-point US plan later presented to Kyiv.

Ukraine pressured to accept terms

The proposal, backed by Washington and welcomed by Putin as a potential foundation for peace, triggered alarm in Kyiv. Under the initial draft, Ukraine would be required to withdraw from parts of Donbas that Russia had failed to seize militarily, creating a demilitarised buffer zone effectively recognised as Russian territory.

Moscow would also gain de facto recognition of its claims over Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk, while the front lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia would be frozen.

US officials reportedly warned Ukraine that vital intelligence support could be suspended if President Zelenskiy rejected the plan. Kyiv has since secured temporary concessions following talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Witkoffs call with Ushakov reveals the extent of informal diplomacy underlying the peace plan now under intense scrutiny. While the envoy expressed confidence that he held Trumps trust and space and discretion to get to the deal," the ultimate shape and fate of the proposal remains deeply contested.

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Meanwhile, Trump announced on Wednesday that he is dispatching his envoy, Steve Witkoff, to Moscow next week to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, as efforts to finalise a peace deal for Ukraine continue.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump said only a few remaining points of disagreement" remain unresolved. Despite the planned diplomatic push, European leaders expressed scepticism about the prospects for a swift resolution, citing ongoing hostilities. Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian cities persisted even as discussions progressed, highlighting the tenuous nature of the negotiations and the urgent need for a sustainable settlement to end the conflict.

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 : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 26, 2025, 09:27 IST

News world US Envoy, In A 5-Minute Call, Briefed Russia How To Pitch Ukraine Peace Plan To Trump: Report

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Wont Be Invited To G20 Miami: Trump Bars South Africa Over White Genocide Claims

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 27, 2025, 01:53 IST

Donald Trump declared South Africa will not be invited to the 2026 G20 in Miami, citing human rights abuses and vowing to end US payments, as Pretoria denies the allegations.

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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reacts as US President Donald Trump looks towards a monitor (not pictured) that shows videos allegedly pertaining to the genocide of white people in South Africa, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE)

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday declared that South Africa will NOT" be invited to the 2026 G20 in Miami, accusing the Ramaphosa government of ignoring horrific human rights abuses" against white Afrikaners and calling the country not worthy of membership anywhere."

In a lengthy post on his social media platform, Trump claimed that Johannesburg had refused to hand over the G20 presidency to a senior US embassy representative at the conclusion of the leaders summit and alleged that white farmers were being killed" and having their land randomly taken", remarks that Pretoria has repeatedly dismissed as baseless.

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Trump added that the US would stop all payments and subsidies" to South Africa effective immediately."

His announcement comes a day after South African officials told Bloomberg that they expected to be formally notified that their delegations would be excluded from G20 meetings next year, when the US assumes the presidency. Officials in Pretoria had said they believed the communication was imminent.

According to Bloombergs report, rumours of South Africas potential exclusion began circulating ahead of last weeks G20 leaders summit. It remains unclear whether Washington can take such a unilateral step, but the most likely mechanism would be withholding visas for South African officials due to attend dozens of meetings over the year.

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The news agency also reported that the US was expected to lobby for South Africas complete removal from the grouping and push for a Central European nation more closely aligned with the Trump administration to take its place but any such change in membership, however, requires full consensus among G20 nations.

Ties between Washington and Pretoria have deteriorated sharply in recent months. The US boycotted South Africas G20 summit and has accused the government of enabling a so-called white genocide," claiming that Black South Africans are targeting white Afrikaners and confiscating farms without compensation, allegations South Africa has strongly denied.

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 27, 2025, 01:53 IST

News world Wont Be Invited To G20 Miami: Trump Bars South Africa Over White Genocide Claims

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BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Adhering to the one-China principle is essential for improving cross-Strait relations and maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, a mainland spokesperson said Wednesday.

Peng Qing'en, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on recent statements by Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Cheng Li-wun.

Cheng stated that Taiwan's survival depends on accepting the concept of one China, and questioned why advocating secessionism is allowed while supporting reunification is not on the island.

Peng said that the contrast between upholding and deviating from the one-China principle is clear -- embracing it leads to improved cross-Strait ties and a stable Taiwan Strait, while rejecting it and denying the 1992 Consensus results in rising tensions and harm to the well-being of Taiwan's people.

Noting that "Taiwan independence" secessionism is the greatest threat to peace and stability across the Strait, Peng criticized Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for suppressing organizations and individuals advocating improved cross-Strait relations.

He called on people across the Strait to uphold the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, oppose secessionism and external interference, and work together for peaceful development.

Responding to comments by Taiwan authorities on "one country, two systems," Peng said peaceful reunification under the "one country, two systems" framework is the fundamental policy for resolving the Taiwan question -- and the best approach for achieving national reunification.

"More people in Taiwan now recognize the advantages of this framework and are contributing ideas for a solution tailored to Taiwan," he said.

The specific form of "one country, two systems" in Taiwan would fully account for the island's realities, absorb input from all sectors across the Strait -- and safeguard the interests and sentiments of Taiwan compatriots, Peng said. 
Former public prosecutor, Timothy Katsande, who was based at Chipinge Magistrates Court has been convicted of defeating the course of justice by altering a rape charge to lesser offence of having intercourse with a minor.

He was today sentenced to perform community service.

Katsande was jointly charged with Benjamin Basikiti, a lawyer with Mutendi, Mudisi and Shumba Legal Practitioners, who was acquitted by Mutare provincial magistrate, Ms Annie Ndiraya after full trial.

Ms Ndiraya convicted Katsande, and sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment, before suspending five months on the usual condition of good behaviour.

The remaining seven months were set aside on condition that he performs 245 hours of community service at Chipinge District Hospital, starting on November 27.

In passing sentence, Ms Ndiraya said she put into consideration that Katsande was a first time offender, a father of two who had already lost his job at the National Prosecuting Authority, and that his profession in the legal fraternity is now non-existent as result of the conviction, hence sending him to prison will be a double punishment.

Katsande and Basikiti were arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission for defeating the course of justice, a crime under Section 184 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9.23.

The case was reported by the survivors father, leading to the arrest of the pair.

Mr Tirivanhu Mutyasira appeared for the State, while Mr Takunda Musara of Gonese and Ndlovu Legal Practitioners represented Katsande and Basikiti.

Circumstances surrounding the case are that on December 28, 2024, the victim was allegedly raped by her uncle at her home.

The complainants wife reported the matter at ZRP Chipinge Urban on December 29, 2024 under CR 134.12/24, in which her daughter was the complainant and their uncle the suspect.

The matter was allocated to Constable Dzingai for investigation, which led to the arrest of the uncle on rape charges as defined in Section 65(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9.23.

On December 31, the accused, represented by Basikiti, appeared at Chipinge Magistrates Court for initial remand.

He was remanded in custody to January 10.

Principal public prosecutor, Mr Thembalami Dhliwayo appeared for the State.

On January 10, Constable Dzingirai referred a complete docket of rape to the National Prosecuting Authority for set down under CRB CHPR 125/24.

Trial was set to commence on January 15, 2025.

The docket which was referred to the NPA contained the victims statement, which narrated how she was forced to be intimate with her uncle as well as clearly expressing that he was indeed her uncle.

The survivor impact statement also clearly indicated that the 13-year-old had reported a case of rape.

All witness statements corroborated the rape charge.

The State outline also clearly indicated that the 13-year-old and her uncle were related as niece and uncle, respectively. The outline also mentioned that the victim raised alarm, but to no avail since she has a voice projection problem.

The matter was allocated to Katsande, who was assigned to the Chipinge Regional Court for prosecution.

Katsande and Basikiti went on to produce a statement of agreed facts which had completely different facts from the evidence in the docket. The agreed facts indicated that the victim and her uncle were not related, and that they had consensual sex.

With the statement of agreed facts in place, the accused person (uncle) went on to plead guilty for contravening Section 70 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9.23, having sexual intercourse with a minor, and was sentenced to 36 months in jail, of which 12 months were suspended for five years. He is serving 24 months in prison. Herald
UPDATE

Nov 25, 2025 4:54 PM CST

Macauley Culkin is officially Macauley Macauley Culkin Culkin. At an event over the weekend marking the 35th anniversary of Home Alone, the actor confirmed for the first time that he had legally changed his middle name from "Carson" in 2019 after the overwhelming favorite for a new one in a poll on his website was "Macauley Culkin," Rolling Stone reports. "The final vote was Macaulay Culkin," he told the crowd at the Long Island event. "So my name is Macaulay Macaulay Culkin Culkin. If somebody comes up to me at the airport and says, 'Excuse me, are you Macaulay Culkin?' I can say, 'Well, Macaulay Culkin is my middle name.'"

Dec 26, 2018 4:32 PM CST

The results are in, and "Macaulay Culkin" is the winner. That's what people voting on what Macaulay Culkin should change his middle name to overwhelmingly decided in a poll on the actor's website. So now the Home Alone star's full name will be Macaulay Macaulay Culkin Culkin, per USA Today. He announced the results in a Christmas Day tweet, in which he said he would legally change his middle name from its current "Carson" in 2019. Culkin announced the poll to change his middle name in November, and voting was open until Christmas Eve. Options included the victorious "Macaulay Culkin" (60,990 votes); "TheMcRibIsBack" (14,558 votes); Kieran (13,559 votes); "Publicity Stunt" (9,644 votes); and Shark Week (7,515 votes). (Culkin reprised his Home Alone role this year.)
"Gus" the turkey has been spending Thanksgiving week much differently than millions of other unlucky gobblers across the US. As he trots in a sprawling animal sanctuary on the Colorado plains, he is stopped every few steps by staff who pet him, hug him, or even give him a peck on his red face. Gus has been at the Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary in Erie since 2023 after being pardoned by the governor, per the AP . And he's among a growing number of turkeys that are being "adopted" instead of covered in gravy and eaten at Thanksgiving dinner tables. "Just because something is a tradition doesn't mean that it needs to remain as a tradition," says Gene Baur, co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, which launched what is believed to be the first such turkey adoption program back in 1986.

An increasing number of farm animal sanctuaries across the country have started promoting this alternative version of Thanksgiving in which families "adopt" turkeys and donate money to their lifelong care. In return, they receive photos, certificates and sometimes even one-on-one visits with the birds. The goal: Spare a few of the tens of millions of turkeys slaughtered this time of year, many of which are raised in what animal rights advocates say are inhumane conditions on factory farms. Some people will adopt for themselves and feature their turkey's photo on their Thanksgiving table, while others will give the adoptions to friends or family members.

At Luvin Arms, a $25 donation comes with a certificate, photo, and either a virtual or in-person visit, explained Kelly Nix, its executive director. Since launching the program in 2022, the sanctuary has seen the number of sponsorships double every year. And this year they're on track to reach their goal of $18,000, she says. While the funds help care for the turkeys, and allow the sanctuary to rescue more, officials say the program is about more than just the turkeys or money. There's also an important educational factor, whether learning about the conditions in factory farms or that turkeys are more than just centerpieces. It might just "[make] you stop and double think" about taking the life of "a sentient being," says Nix.
Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, is facing a lawsuit from the families of 300 American citizens who were injured or killed in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The families allege that Binance helped Hamas and other terrorist organizations move over $1 billion through its platform, effectively aiding terrorism, the New York Times reports.

The suit, filed in federal court in North Dakota, claims Binance ignored warnings about suspicious activity and failed to enforce basic security checks, allowing money to flow to groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The plaintiffs argue that Binance's actions went beyond accidental lapses and were part of a deliberate strategy to attract high-risk clients and evade oversight. "This was not a compliance lapse; it was a business model," said Jonathan Missner, a lawyer representing the families.
President Trump announced Tuesday that his administration has made significant progress toward a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, with only "a few remaining points of disagreement" to be resolved. Trump said he has dispatched special envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will meet separately with Ukrainian officials, CNN reports. Trump indicated he may meet with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but only when a deal is nearly finalized.

Trump highlighted the progress on a US-drafted 28-point peace plan, which he said has been "fine-tuned, with additional input from both sides." "I think we're getting very close to a deal. We'll find out," Trump said during the White House turkey pardon on Tuesday, per the AP. "I thought that would have been an easier one, but I think we're making progress," he said. One key sticking point appears to be Ukraine's potential NATO membership, a demand the initial proposal asked Ukraine to abandon.

Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told CNN that Ukraine may need to signal it won't seek NATO membership for now but warned that peace should not come "through surrender." He said Ukraine will join the European Union instead, "which probably makes more sense at this point." Ukrainian officials have called the NATO demand unacceptable, though Panetta believes a workable compromise is possible.

Zelensky, for his part, said his country's negotiating team is making progress but that Russia's war against Ukraine continues. "Every day, Russia kills our people on the front lines and attacks our cities and energy infrastructure," he said in a post on X after at least seven people were killed in strikes on Kyiv.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron echoed concerns about Russia's intentions, with Macron accusing Moscow of "pretending it wanted peace" while continuing attacks.

Russia, meanwhile, signaled that it might resist changes to the plan, with foreign minister Sergey Lavrov saying it would be a "fundamentally different situation" if the changes "erased" the agreements made during Trump's summit with Putin in Alaska, New York Times reports.
A hunting trip in upstate New York turned deadly over the weekend, ending with a Florida man accused of shooting his two brothers at a remote cabin. State police say Scot Thompson, 65, got into a physical altercation with his brothers at the cabin in Allen, New York, on Sunday night, Syracuse.com reports. One of the men called 911, but Connecticut resident Mark Thompson, 70, and Florida resident David Thompson, 69, were dead when troopers arrived. The New York Post reports that the brothers had rented the cabin for the hunting trip.

Investigators believe Scot used a rifle to kill his brothers before fleeing the scene in David's vehicle. Authorities tracked down the vehicle and apprehended Scot, who was initially considered a "person of interest." He was later charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of criminal use of a firearm. Allen, a rural town in Allegany County, is about 60 miles south of Rochester and 90 miles west of Ithaca. Authorities have not said whether the Thompsons have deeper family connections to the area.

David Thompson lived in Port Charlotte, south of Sarasota, where he worked helping homeless people at the Charlotte Care Center, WINK reports. Scot Thompson lived in nearby Port Charlotte. His neighbor, Alice Griggs, says she is shocked by the killings. "They'd go fishing and do all that stuff together. This is very strange," Griggs tells WINK. "We're all devastated because I liked Scot. We all liked Scot. He was a very nice person, as far as we knew. And Dave, his one brother, I knew him and his wife, Jane, they were very, very nice people."
It was all but certain to tick off President Trump: The New York Times is out with an analysis of the president's schedule that suggests age has begun slowing down the 79-year-old. Hours after it appeared, Trump himself shot back at the "creeps" behind the "hit piece." In a lengthy Truth Social post, the president ticked off his second-term accomplishments and said he's never been working harder in his life.

There will be a day when I run low on Energy, it happens to everyone, but with a PERFECT PHYSICAL EXAM AND A COMPREHENSIVE COGNITIVE TEST ("That was aced") JUST RECENTLY TAKEN, it certainly is not now!" he wrote.
SUVA, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Fiji has formally joined Phase 2 of the Sustainable Waste Action in the Pacific Project, a regional initiative designed to help Pacific Island countries address mounting waste management and pollution challenges.

The program will run from 2025 to 2028.

Minister for Environment Mosese Bulitavu said Fiji will receive approximately 772,000 Fijian dollars (nearly 336,000 U.S. dollars) under the agreement, dedicated to national-level activities and capacity-building.

The project will deliver targeted assistance for Fiji in four key areas, including reducing marine litter through improved surveys, coastal clean-ups, data collection and community awareness, Bulitavu said. 
Fairbanks, AK (99701)

Today

Sunny skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High -27F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Cloudy with snow developing after midnight. Low -26F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 100%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected.
OSAKA, Nov 26 (News On Japan) - A Ferris wheel at the Expocity commercial complex in Suita, Osaka, known as the tallest in Japan at 123 meters, came to an abrupt stop on November 25th after a lightning strike disabled its operating system, leaving 20 passengers trapped in nine gondolas until the early hours of the following morning.

The incident occurred at around 5:50 p.m. on November 25th when the ride suddenly stopped, stranding visitors inside the gondolas. According to the operator, the lightning strike is believed to have caused a malfunction in the system that powers the Ferris wheel, prompting staff to begin manual rescue operations. Firefighters later joined the effort, and all passengers were safely brought down just before 3:00 a.m. on November 26th. No injuries were reported.

The operator waited roughly three and a half hours before notifying emergency services, explaining that staff initially believed manual recovery procedures would be sufficient. However, as the rescue operation progressed more slowly than expected, the company decided to call for assistance. The operator said it plans to review its response to the incident.

The Ferris wheel, standing 123 meters tall, is widely known as the tallest in Japan.

Source: YOMIURI
KYOTO, Nov 26 (News On Japan) - Japans sleeper trains are enjoying a resurgence as overnight rail travel evolves from simple transportation to a form of tourism. One of the most popular services is JR Wests WEST EXPRESS Ginga, which made its debut in September 2020 and is priced at 12,950 yen, yet has become so sought after that reservations are now extremely difficult to obtain.

The Ginga departs Kyoto at 9:15 p.m. and arrives in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, at 10:50 a.m., traveling through the night for more than 13 hours. The most affordable option costs 12,950 yen, which includes a standard one-way ticket and limited express reserved-seat surcharge. The reclining seats are wider than those found in standard Green Car sections, with deeper angles for more comfortable rest. For the same price, passengers may also opt for a Nobinobi seat, which allows travelers to stretch out and lie down.

A 17,820-yen First Seat, designed for single passengers, offers a box-style arrangement that is not a private compartment but can be converted into a bed by folding down the seat surface. The 20,870-yen Premium Room provides a fully private compartment with a sofa facing the window, which transforms into a bed, allowing passengers to relax, sleep comfortably, and enjoy the passing scenery in solitude.

These sleeper services can now be found across Japan, with multi-day luxury tours that circle regional areas also proving highly popular. Among the major overnight trains currently operating are Sunrise Seto/Izumo, WEST EXPRESS Ginga, Train Suite Shiki-Shima, Twilight Express Mizukaze, and Seven Stars in Kyushu.

To understand why sleeper trains have become so difficult to book, the program interviewed Shioneru, a railway-focused YouTuber who traveled on the Sunrise Seto/Izumo from Tokyo to Izumo. One highlight is the coupling separation performed at Okayama Station at 6:30 a.m., when the Sunrise Seto bound for Takamatsu and the Sunrise Izumo bound for Izumo City are uncoupled. Many passengers find a sense of nostalgia in watching the two trains part ways under the dim pre-dawn light. Another highlight is the morning view of Lake Shinji in Shimane Prefecture, where the tracks run close enough to the water that the train appears to glide across the lakes surface.

The prospect of such scenery and experiences leaves many travelers feeling they would like to ride at least once. However, the reality is that some services sell out on the very day reservations open, making it difficult for many to secure a seat.

Beyond scenic views and unique moments, sleeper trains are winning attention for offering a level of comfort comparable to long-haul first-class air travel. A fully flat seat in a quiet private space can feel similar to the premium cabins of international flights. Panasonic outside director Harold George May noted that sleeper trains offer a rare and special travel experience, where comfort and space are paramount, and added that onboard meals are another point of interest, drawing comparisons to overseas services that operate dedicated restaurant cars.

He also emphasized that the primary purpose of these trains is sleep; since passengers cannot enjoy night views continuously, the true value lies in whether they can rest well during the journey.

Many travelers bring meals purchased at stations, while some services include amenities such as shower booths or spaces dedicated to audio enjoyment. According to Daishi Fukuoka, a former Shinkansen driver and senior director at N-Sta, sleeper trains were once considered expensive compared with buses and declined as a mode of transport. Recently, however, sightseeing-oriented sleeper trains have entered service, and sharply rising hotel prices may also be contributing to renewed demand.

As sleeper trains continue evolving from simple overnight transport to immersive travel experiences, their blend of comfort, nostalgia, and convenience appears to be resonating with a growing number of passengers.
KIEV, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that the peace plan negotiated by Ukraine and the United States in Geneva could be developed into "deeper agreements," as U.S. President Donald Trump is sending his special envoy to Moscow next week.

In his evening address, Zelensky said he had discussed the plan with Ukraine's negotiating team. "The principles in this document can be developed into deeper agreements. And it is in our shared interest that security is real," he said.

He also voiced hope for continued active cooperation with the U.S. side.

Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators reached an agreement in principle on most aspects of the U.S.-proposed peace plan, Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine's presidential office, said earlier in the day. But the plan was significantly modified from the original 28 points, he added.

Zelensky hopes to discuss territorial issues directly with Trump, Yermak said.

The 28-point draft plan aimed at ending the Ukraine crisis has been trimmed to a 19-point framework drafted by the United States and Ukraine on Sunday in Geneva, multiple media outlets reported.

Trump said Tuesday in a Truth Social post that his team has made "tremendous progress" over the past week, and the original 28-point peace plan "has been fine-tuned, with additional input from both sides."

"There are only a few remaining points of disagreement," Trump said, noting that he has directed his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow next week in the hope of finalizing a peace deal.

"At the same time, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will be meeting with the Ukrainians," he added.

Trump said he looks forward to hopefully meeting with Putin and Zelensky soon, but only when the peace deal is finalized or in its final stages.

Moreover, the U.S. president backed away from a Thursday deadline for Ukraine to agree to the U.S.-backed peace plan. "The deadline for me is when it's over," Trump told reporters on board Air Force One as he flew to Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Trump also noted that Moscow had agreed to some concessions, without detailing them.

Both the U.S. and Ukrainian sides confirmed "progress" after their talks in Geneva on Sunday. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that he remained "very optimistic" about reaching an agreement within a "very reasonable period of time very soon."

However, "(some) require higher-level decisions and consultation," Rubio added.

According to U.S. media, the initial 28-point plan, widely seen as favorable to Russia, includes major territorial concessions by Ukraine, ruling out Ukraine's NATO bid, and sharp reductions in its armed forces.

A Ukrainian diplomat told reporters that the territorial issue remained a major sticking point in the peace plan, meaning a final deal was far from certain despite accords on various specific points. "These are really tough questions for us," the diplomat said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday that an amended peace plan for Ukraine must reflect the "spirit and letter" of understandings reached between Putin and Trump at their Alaska summit.

Last week, Putin said the U.S.-proposed peace plan "could form the basis for a final settlement," although "this text has not been discussed with us in any substantive way."

"We are interested in achieving our goals through political and diplomatic means, and consistently adhere to this position," Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday, adding that Russia remains fully open to negotiations on the Ukraine crisis.

Also on Tuesday, Zelensky urged European leaders to hash out a framework for "deploying a reassurance force" to Ukraine and to keep backing Kiev. He made the remarks Tuesday at a video conference of the "Coalition of the Willing," a group of about 30 countries supporting Ukraine.

After the video conference, French President Emmanuel Macron said that France and Britain will launch a workshop to coordinate security guarantees for Ukraine with the involvement of the United States.

France and other European Union members are also working on a plan to provide financial support for Ukraine, Macron said.

The ongoing Ukraine crisis has lasted for almost four years since it broke out in February 2022, causing heavy human and economic losses. 
MIYAGI, Nov 27 (News On Japan) - Onagawa in Miyagi Prefecture issued a warning on social media after receiving what was believed to be a photo of a bear spotted in town, but the image was later revealed to be a fake created with generative AI.

The photo showed a large bear walking along a road in the Ogawa district on November 25th, submitted to the town office by a resident who claimed to have taken it. The metal cover visible in the photo appeared bent, prompting concern, but when officials inspected the location they found the cover perfectly intact. Onagawa posted the image on its official SNS accounts to alert residents, only to be informed later by the same resident that the picture had been created using AI.

A nearby nursery school temporarily stopped allowing children to play outside, and the town broadcast warnings through its disaster-prevention loudspeaker system in response to the supposed sighting.

A resident living near the mountains said they had been genuinely alarmed, noting that I really wondered what to do, and when I heard it was a fake created like this, I felt anger rising inside me.

Onagawa stated it will strengthen its verification procedures, including checking the authenticity of submitted information, and will work to ensure accurate communication going forward.

Source: NEWS
Japan's recent remarks on Taiwan have drawn sharp international criticism, with observers saying that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, a fact which brooks no challenge. #GLOBALink
Debris and damaged structures are seen at the site of an explosion in Kafr Takharim, Idlib province of Syria, Nov. 26, 2025. At least five civilians were killed on Wednesday when an explosion struck an ammunition depot in the town of Kafr Takharim in the western countryside of Idlib province, according to a monitoring group and first responders. (Str/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- At least five civilians were killed on Wednesday when an explosion struck an ammunition depot in the town of Kafr Takharim in the western countryside of Idlib province, according to a monitoring group and first responders.

The Syrian civil defense center in the Harem area told state media that the victims remained trapped under the rubble hours after the blast, with rescue teams continuing excavation and recovery efforts at the site.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war-monitoring group, said the explosion occurred inside an ammunition warehouse in Kafr Takharim, without immediately providing details on the cause of the blast or the full number of casualties.

Rescue teams reported significant structural damage to buildings surrounding the depot, while local witnesses said the explosion sent plumes of smoke rising above the town.

No armed group claimed responsibility for the warehouse or the materials stored inside, and there was no immediate comment from local authorities about the nature of the blast. 

Debris and damaged structures are seen at the site of an explosion in Kafr Takharim, Idlib province of Syria, Nov. 26, 2025. At least five civilians were killed on Wednesday when an explosion struck an ammunition depot in the town of Kafr Takharim in the western countryside of Idlib province, according to a monitoring group and first responders. (Str/Xinhua)

Debris is seen at the site of an explosion in Kafr Takharim, Idlib province of Syria, Nov. 26, 2025. At least five civilians were killed on Wednesday when an explosion struck an ammunition depot in the town of Kafr Takharim in the western countryside of Idlib province, according to a monitoring group and first responders. (Str/Xinhua)

Debris and damaged structures are seen at the site of an explosion in Kafr Takharim, Idlib province of Syria, Nov. 26, 2025. At least five civilians were killed on Wednesday when an explosion struck an ammunition depot in the town of Kafr Takharim in the western countryside of Idlib province, according to a monitoring group and first responders. (Str/Xinhua)
WINDHOEK, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Namibians headed to the polls on Wednesday to participate in the country's regional council and local authority elections at polling stations established in 120 constituencies and 59 local authorities.

According to the Electoral Commission of Namibia, the elections aim to choose leaders who will accelerate service delivery, particularly in providing basic services such as water, housing, healthcare, education, food and nutrition, electricity, transport and job creation at the grassroots level.

The election process began with two days of special voting starting on Monday, followed by the main voting day on Wednesday. The special voting period was designated for uniformed personnel, including police officers, members of the Namibian Defense Force and polling staff.

After casting his vote Wednesday morning at Academia Secondary School in Windhoek, Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare called on all registered voters, especially the youth, to go out and exercise their democratic right.

The regional council and local authority elections, held every five years, determine the composition of key bodies responsible for regional development and local service delivery. 
Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, meets with participants of the seventh congress of the China Society for Promotion of the Guangcai Program (CSPGP) in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Private businesses were urged to contribute to China's high-quality development and common prosperity at the seventh congress of the China Society for Promotion of the Guangcai Program (CSPGP), which opened in Beijing on Wednesday.

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, met with participants of the meeting.

The Guangcai Program, a public undertaking that aims to unite private entrepreneurs to promote common prosperity, was initiated in 1994 and the CSPGP was formally founded a year later.

In a speech at the opening ceremony, Li Ganjie, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, urged the CSPGP to play a full role in highlighting the advantages of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, promoting coordinated development between urban and rural areas and among different regions, and boosting healthy development of the private sector. 
BERLIN, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Five people from one family were found dead at three different locations in southwestern Germany, local authorities said on Wednesday.

The victims were discovered on Tuesday in Reutlingen, Pfullingen, and St. Johann. Investigators believe the 63-year-old father killed four relatives before taking his own life, according to the Tuebingen public prosecutor's office and the Reutlingen police department.

A caregiver first found the man's 60-year-old sister dead in her apartment in Reutlingen on Tuesday morning. Police soon identified her brother as a suspect.

That evening, police officers searching his home in Pfullingen found the 63-year-old man and his 57-year-old wife dead from gunshot wounds, alongside a firearm believed to have been used in the killings.

A subsequent visit to the man's business premises in St. Johann led officers to the bodies of his two sons, aged 27 and 29, who had also been fatally shot.

Investigators said there is no evidence pointing to an outside suspect. The motive and full sequence of events remain under investigation. 
Two New York City residents were found dead in a hotel room at the Borgata in Atlantic City on Sunday afternoon, officials said.

The Atlantic County Prosecutors Office said Wednesday that Baoyi Bowie Zheng, a 36-year-old Staten Island woman, died from a broken neck, while Wei Guo Liang, a 68-year-old Brooklyn man, had self-inflicted stab wounds.

Both were pronounced dead after police were called to the hotel-casino at 4:55 p.m.

Authorities didnt describe the relationship between the two.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office Major Crime Unit at 609-909-7666. Tipsters can also go to the prosecutors office website at ACPO.Tips to provide information on the submit a tip page.
Two out-of-state men were charged in connection with an armed robbery of a jewelry store in 2024, according to the Bergen County Prosecutors Office.

Daiker Yair Rivero Urbano, 28, of Detroit, was arrested, while charges were filed against Christian Ricardo Vera Castillo, 26, of Brooklyn, in the latest development of a 19-month-long investigation.

Urbano was charged with armed robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, authorities said.

Castillo was charged with armed robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and aggravated assault.

The armed robbery occurred at a jewelry store on West Pleasant Avenue in Maywood on April 23, 2024. Two men entered the business and brandished firearms, pointing them at an employee and customer inside the store.

One of the men grabbed the employee and a brief struggle ensued, authorities said.

The pair eventually fled the store, leaving behind duct tape and zip ties.

They used two moped-styled motorcycles, as well as a motor vehicle, to travel to and from the scene of the robbery, authorities said.

Detectives from the prosecutors office responded to the scene and initiated a joint investigation with the Maywood Police Department. They determined that several additional people were involved in the planning and execution of the armed robbery.

Urbano located and arrested in Detroit with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and agents from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. On Nov. 19, he was extradited back to Bergen County.

Attempts to locate Castillo have been unsuccessful and he remains at large.

Beiker Aguilera Areyan, Daniel Rivas-Alvarado, Yeison Amarante Bolivar and Jhon Requena Yerena were arrested on Nov. 1, 2024, on charges in connection with the robbery.

All four men, some of whom had left the region, were located, arrested and charged between June 2024 and October 2024.

Three of the men remain in custody in the Bergen County Jail.

Yeison Amarante Bolivar remains held by Florida authorities, pending extradition back to Bergen County, authorities said.
A 43-year-old man was arrested last weekend in Bergen County on multiple counts of cyber-harassment for allegedly sending pornographic messages to seven victims online.

The suspect, a Hawthorne resident, allegedly sent the obscene messages from July to September of 2025, according to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella.

The prosecutors Cyber Crimes Unit was alerted in September to a pattern of obscene online messages sent to various victims. Investigators identified the man as a suspect.

He was arrested Saturday in Glen Rock and charged with seven counts of fourth-degree cyber-harassment, Musella said.

The man was held at the Bergen County Jail pending a court hearing.
A group that was accused of robbing two Teaneck residents at gunpoint in their driveway and stealing their car this summer have been arrested, officials announced Wednesday.

The incident happened around 5 a.m. on Aug. 3 at a house on Palisades Avenue after the victims had just returned home from New York City, according to a statement from the Bergen County Prosecutors Office.

A white Acura TLX pulled up, blocked their driveway and two masked people armed with handguns ordered them to lay face down, authorities said. One suspect took cash and jewelry from them while the other stole the residents SUV. The suspects then fled the scene in the stolen SUV and the Acura.

During a months-long investigation that followed, detectives determined that the Acura had a stolen New Jersey license plate, and that it was suspected as being used in other crimes throughout the area, officials said.

Four suspects were identified and charged with first-degree armed carjacking, two counts of first-degree armed robbery and weapons-related offenses, investigators said.

On Oct. 24, Jender Santos Ulloa, 23, of the Bronx, was located and arrested in Paterson and taken to the Bergen County Jail, where he is still being held pending trial, authorities said.

On Oct. 30, another Bronx resident, 21-year-old Armando Cuevas Cepeda, was arrested in Fort Lee and taken to the Bergen County Jail where he is also still being held ahead of his trial, the office said.

Emmanuel Almonte, 34, of the Bronx, who was already in police custody in New York City for an unrelated crime, was charged with offenses related to the armed carjacking in Teaneck, officials said. As of Wednesday afternoon, he was still being held at Rikers Island Jail, pending extradition to Bergen County.

Finally, on Nov. 21, the fourth suspect, Marolyn Mosquea Fernandez, 23, of the Bronx was located in her hometown and arrested, the office said. She is also being held at Rikers Island Jail pending her extradition to New Jersey.
A student choir from Franklin High School in Somerset will take center stage at the Rockefeller Center Christmas broadcast after winning the annual Star Choir competition. This year's tree is seen here in this Nov. 8 file photo. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)

A student choir from Franklin High School in Somerset will take center stage at the Rockefeller Center Christmas broadcast after winning the annual Star Choir competition.

The GoldNBlues choir will perform Joy to the World during NBCs Christmas in Rockefeller Center broadcast, which airs Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.

Kelly Clarkson, along with NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47, selected the winning choir.

Clarkson joined NBC 4 New York News Anchor Natalie Pasquarella and Telemundo 47 News Anchor Rosarina Breton to surprise the students with the news.

This years Star Choir competition we saw a record number of entries from our community, but Franklin High Schools GoldNBlues Choir stood out, said Eric Lerner, president and general manager of NBC 4 New York. They got us all into the holiday spirit right away and shined.

The competition received over 100 entries from local choirs across the New York City area, including New York, New Jersey, Fairfield County, Connecticut, and Pike County, Pennsylvania. Previous winners include schools from The Bronx, Queens, Hudson County, and Neptune.

Choir director Kiera Radvanski, a Franklin High School alumna who has taught in the district since 2015, leads the group. The choir performs contemporary pop a cappella as the GoldNBlues and traditional Renaissance Madrigal music under the name Madrigals. The group regularly performs at local events and visits senior living facilities.

For many of these students, this will be the first time they are seeing the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in-person, and for them to get to perform under this iconic tree, in New York City, for a national audience, is truly beyond their wildest dreams, Radvanski said.

Franklin High School will receive $5,000 from NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47, plus an additional $5,000 from sponsor Bulova. Each student will also receive a watch from Bulova.
Garrick Merrifield, star of TLC's "Seeking Sister Wife" season 6, was arrested on domestic violence charges just days after announcing the birth of his new baby. (photo courtesy of TLC). TLC

A man who starred in a popular polygamy-focused dating show was recently arrested on some disturbing charges.

Garrick Merrifield, who appeared in the TLC reality show Seeking Sister Wife, was arrested Monday in Colorado on domestic violence charges, according to TMZ.

The arrest came just days after Merrifield and his wives, Dannielle and Lorrana, announced the birth of their first child together, a baby girl named Sarah who was born in July.

Merrifield was booked in Chaffee County, Colo., and charged with misdemeanor domestic violence and intentionally obstructing telephone service, per the report. He has since been released on bond.

Additional details on what may have led to the arrest have yet to be released.

Merrifield was one of the focuses of the sixth season of Seeking Sister Wife, which premiered in September and is currently airing on TLC.

Garrick married his new wife, a Brazilian woman named Lorrana, in October of last year.

He has three other children with his first wife, Danielle, although the couple divorced years ago so that Garrick could pursue more wives and stay in a relationship with Danielle.

The finale of Seeking Sister Wife Season 6 will air this upcoming Monday.

TLC has yet to comment on the situation involving the Merrifields.
An Essex County woman has filed a lawsuit against the Newark Board of Education, claiming negligence resulted in her 5-year-old daughter being seriously injured at an elementary school in the city.

The child was unsupervised in the playground when an unknown child pulled her off the monkey bars, causing her to fall to the ground, according to the lawsuit, filed in Superior Court in Essex County on Nov. 7.

The girl suffered a severe wrist fracture, along with multiple other fractures and injuries to her forearms, according to the complaint.

The incident occurred Sept. 16, 2024, at the Belmont Runyon Elementary School, the lawsuit says.

The suit claims school workers and district officials were negligent for failing to properly supervise the child and for allowing the girl to enter an area intended for older children.

The alleged negligence resulted in another child assaulting the girl while she was in a dangerous and compromising position on the monkey bars, the suit states.

The mother says she has been forced to spend large sums of money to treat her daughters injuries. She is seeking compensatory damages, along with costs to file the lawsuit.

A spokesperson for the Newark Board of Education said the district does not comment on pending litigation.
A Newark police officer watches the perimeter of a crime scene during a shooting investigation at the intersection of Chancellor Avenue and Leslie Street in Newark, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rich Cowen | NJ Advance Media fo

The Essex County Crime Stoppers Program on Wednesday doubled a reward to $20,000 for information leading to an arrest in the fatal shooting of three people and the wounding of two others in Newark earlier this month.

Jordan Rivera, 10, Kiyah Mae Scott, 21, and Masi Rogers, 19, died after they were shot about 7 p.m. on Nov. 15 in the 300 block of Chancellor Avenue.

Two others, including Jordans 11-year-old brother, were wounded. Jordans brother remained hospitalized on Wednesday, officials said.

The children were walking home from a city recreation center when shots rang out at the corner of Chancellor Avenue and Leslie Street, investigators have said.

Jordan and Scott died shortly after the shooting. Rogers died days later on Nov. 20.

Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Essex County Sheriff Amir Jones announced Wednesday that the reward had increased from $10,000 to $20,000. Anyone with information can remain anonymous.

Tips can be called into the Essex County Prosecutors Office at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.

Masi Rogers, right, died days after the Nov. 15. shooting. Photo courtesy of Yasmin Headly-Asebiomo
A New Jersey company that makes bagged salads and other prepared vegetable products is facing over $1 million in federal fines following the death of an employee at a facility in Gloucester County.

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the $1,125,484 in proposed fines this week against Taylor Farms New Jersey Inc. following the May death of an employee who was cleaning and sanitizing a machine at a company facility on Heron Drive in Swedesboro, Logan Township.

The Labor departments Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors found the company failed to implement proper lockout/tagout actions to protect workers during sanitation procedures and levied 16 safety violations against the company, the department said in a statement.

Taylor Farms did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment on the incident, or whether they plan to contest the fines with OSHA. The company is headquartered in Salinas, California  the Salad Bowl of the World.

As part of the investigation, the Labor department fined Taylor Farms on-site staffing agency, PL Solutions Group, LLC, which operates People Logistics, $33,100 for not implementing or training workers on lockout/tagout procedures.

The staffing company could not be reached for comment.

The Labor department did not provide any additional details on the worker who died.

Police records show officers were dispatched to the facility on May 22 for a report of an injured male who eventually died from his injuries. He lived in Philadelphia, the records show.
It remains to be seen whether New Jerseys decision could affect the conviction of Robert Roberson, accused of shaking his 2-year-old daughter to death. Criminal Justice Reform Caucus via AP, File

A recent decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court could affect the conviction of a Texas man sitting on death row for shaking his 2-year-old daughter to death.

On Nov. 21, the state Supreme Court issued a 6-1 decision finding that expert testimony on the diagnosis of abusive head trauma, known as shaken baby syndrome, isnt scientifically reliable to go before a jury in two separate cases.

Now, the lawyer of infamous death row inmate Robert Roberson is hoping the ruling will influence a Texas court to grant her client a new trial.

Mr. Roberson is not asking a Texas court to resolve the raging contemporary debate about whether SBS/AHT (Shaken Baby Syndrome / Abusive Head Trauma) has any efficacy, attorney Gretchen Sween wrote in a filing obtained by The Dallas Morning News.

He is only asking for a new trial that would reflect the changes in scientific understanding with respect to SBS since his 2003 trial, Sween said.

Shaken baby syndrome has been an accepted medical diagnosis for decades, but its come under renewed scrutiny in recent years. The medical diagnosis is generally characterized by a triad of symptoms  subdural hematoma, retinal hemorrhages and encephalopathy.

In State v. Darryl Nieves, New Jersey prosecutors wanted to admit testimony on shaken baby syndrome to prove aggravated assault and child endangerment charges against defendants Darryl Nieves and Michael Cifelli, fathers of infant sons who exhibited associated symptoms while in their respective fathers care.

The state sought to admit the expert testimony of a doctor who believed that the only explanation for the childrens symptoms, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, was that the children were shaken by the caregiver, according to a summary prepared by the state Supreme Court Clerks Office.

However, the defense moved to exclude the testimony, challenging the scientific reliability of the theory that shaking is the only explanation for the injuries. They argued the injuries may also occur from naturally occurring illnesses or short falls with an impact to the head.

A majority of the New Jersey Supreme Court ultimately agreed that the state failed to prove the reliability of shaken baby syndrome testimony.

It remains to be seen whether New Jerseys decision could affect Robersons conviction.

Roberson brought his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki, to Palestine Regional Medical Center on Jan. 31, 2002 with severe trauma to her head, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice website.

She died from her injuries the next day and Roberson was subsequently charged with her death. He was convicted of capital murder in 2003 based on testimony that his daughter exhibited the triad of symptoms associated with shaken baby syndrome.

Roberson was set to become the first person in the United States to be executed for a conviction based on shaken baby syndrome Oct. 16.

However, a court of appeals granted a stay of his execution, according to The Innocence Project, which fights wrongful convictions and is working to exonerate Roberson.
MELBOURNE, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Two New Zealand nationals have been arrested and charged after 36 kg of methamphetamine was allegedly found in their luggage at Australia's Melbourne Airport.

A joint statement from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF) said on Wednesday that the methamphetamine was seized after two women, both New Zealand citizens aged 22, were selected for a baggage examination on arrival at Melbourne Airport from Malaysia on Monday.

During the search, ABF officers allegedly located a white crystalline substance in each of the women's suitcases. Subsequent testing returned a positive result for methamphetamine, with a total weight of 36 kg.

The case was turned over to the AFP, who arrested the women and charged them with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug and possessing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.

Both offenses carry maximum penalties of life imprisonment.

According to the AFP, the seized volume of methamphetamine had an estimated street value exceeding 33 million Australian dollars (21.3 million U.S. dollars). 
Chu Ming Zheng and Jack Jiang of Bayonne both drowned in a public pool in Bayonne on June 8, 2022.

The family of two teenage brothers who drowned in a public school pool in Bayonne has agreed to a $26 million settlement, ending a civil case that uncovered what their attorneys claim was a pattern of lies, coverups and reckless disregard for safety by school district staff.

Attorneys for the family of Chu Ming Zheng, 19, and Jack Jiang, 16, say depositions, surveillance video and witness statements revealed the Bayonne Board of Education failed to properly staff the Lincoln Community School pool during an open swim session on June 8, 2022, and then misled police about it.

Darryl L. Zaslow, the familys attorney, told NJ Advance Media on Wednesday that the family had rejected an earlier settlement offer of $14 million.

Obviously, everything pales in comparison to the loss of these two children, Zaslow said. But they realize the boys are not coming back, and the family has decided to settle.

The $26 million settlement was reached on Nov. 13 during a hearing between attorneys for both sides that was moderated by the judge in the case.

The settlement will be paid through the New Jersey Schools Insurance Groups North Jersey Educational Fund, a public insurance pool that allows school districts to share coverage and risk-management costs.

The dive well where the brothers drowned includes a four-foot-deep submerged shelf beside a sudden drop to 13 feet, where a single misstep would plunge a swimmer into deep water. Photo courtesy of Darryl L. Zaslow

The brothers were described by witnesses as clearly learning how to swim. They drowned after slipping from a shallow 4-foot shelf into the pools 13-foot drop-off.

Experts maintained that what made this dive well so inviting and dangerous was a shallow water shelf of 4-feet deep directly adjacent to the 13-foot deep section used for diving and immediately behind the bulkhead, Zaslow said.

Zaslow said the pool has been closed since the boys died. The attorney did not have information as to whether the pool would be modified if and when it reopens.

A spokesperson for the Bayonne Board of Education was not immediately available to comment.

Surveillance footage obtained by the familys attorneys shows one lifeguard walking away without urgency after spotting the boys in distress.

District policy required three lifeguards on duty, but only two were present when the drownings occurred, attorneys said.

One lifeguard acknowledged in a deposition that he didnt get wet the night of the drownings, while the other, assigned to the kiddie pool, became overwhelmed after rescuing only one brother.

A civilian swimmer pulled the second teen from the bottom.

Attorneys say several staffers falsely claimed three lifeguards were working, statements contradicted by video.

They also allege administrators failed to enforce basic safety protocols, had no emergency action plan and allowed staff with limited training to run a crowded public session.

Additionally, the staff had no on-site training drills to help them manage an emergency, attorneys said.

Zheng was a freshman at the University of Miami and Jiang was a Bayonne High School student.
A 61-year-old man died after he suffered a medical emergency and rolled into a barrier while driving in Jersey City on Monday morning.

Jersey City police found the vehicle with minor damage in the area of Halleck Avenue and Routes 1 & 9 at 6:26 a.m., a city spokeswoman said.

Emergency workers first treated the Pennsylvania resident at the scene before he was transported to an area hospital. The man died at the hospital after suffering what may have been cardiac arrest, officials said.

He has not been publicly identified.
Diners at Plaza Azteca can choose from a menu of traditional Mexican fare including tacos, quesadillas, burritos, enchiladas, and fajitas. The menu also features vegetarian options. Yadi Rodriguez

Plaza Azteca has opened in East Windsor Township in Mercer County, marking the restaurant chains third New Jersey location.

The Mexican eatery joins existing locations in Marlton in Burlington County and Sicklerville in Camden County.

The restaurant, which opened in mid-November, is located at 60 Princeton Hightstown Road in the East Windsor Village shopping plaza, which also houses Target, Patel Brothers, TJ Maxx, and Bath & Body Works.

Diners can choose from a menu of traditional Mexican fare including tacos, quesadillas, burritos, enchiladas and fajitas. The menu also features vegetarian options.

The drink menu includes cocktails, shooters, wine, beer and mocktails.

The restaurant offers dine-in service, takeout and online ordering.

The restaurant is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Two New Jersey men admitted that they scammed a mortgage lender to obtain a $4.5 million loan by faking the sale of a property with forged and phony documents.

In addition, one of the men also admitted he lied to obtain a $1.8 million loan by lying on government loan applications during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mendel Deutsch, 39, of Toms River, pleaded guilty to one count of bank and wire fraud conspiracy as well as wire fraud, the U.S. Attorneys Office for New Jersey said.

Joshua Feldberger, 43, of Howell pleaded guilty to bank fraud conspiracy.

In an elaborate scheme, Arthur Spitzer worked with Deutsch and Feldberger to make it appear as if Spitzer owned three properties in Brooklyn, New York.

Deutsch applied and received a $4.5 million mortgage loan for the phony purchase.

Feldberger helped move the fraudulent sale along as the owner of the settlement company that handled the transaction.

Deutsch and Feldberger then forged letters claiming that Deutsch had deposited significant funds into escrow toward the transaction when in reality, he paid nothing, federal prosecutors said.

The pair then drew up more phony paperwork claiming they transferred control of the properties to Spitzer.

Meanwhile, the men falsely told the mortgage lender the settlement company had received more than $2 million from Deutsch at closing. That prompted the mortgage lender to fund the loan.

The pair then used the mortgage loan proceeds to fund Deutschs down payment  the same down payment he had claimed to already provide.

The mortgage lender is not named by prosecutors.

Charges against Spitzer are pending.

Spitzer, of Toms River, was charged with eight counts of wire fraud, one count of bank fraud, one count of bank and wire fraud conspiracy, two counts of aggravated identity theft, one count of lying to a bank and 12 counts of money laundering.

Feldberger is scheduled to be sentenced on February 23, 2026 with Deutsch sentencing set for March 16, 2026.

In a separate scam, Deutsch submitted Economic Injury Disaster Loans applications in 2020 and 2021 in which he fabricated the number of people he employed and how much revenue the business generated. He obtained about $1.8 million in loans.

During the pandemic, the government provided loans to small businesses to help keep them afloat.
A Monmouth County man will spend over five years in prison for robbing a bank with a handgun last year, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.

A federal judge on Monday sentenced Jeffrey L. Kniffin, 51, of Wall Township, to 63 months behind bars for robbing a Bank of America branch near his home with a handgun on Oct. 23, 2024. He pleaded guilty to the charge of armed bank robbery in July.

Court papers describe a crime for which Kniffin was in handcuffs in about 15 minutes.

Kniffin rode a bike from his M Street home in Walls West Belmar neighborhood to a nearby grocery store, then walked across the street to the branch, on Route 35. He walked in at 3:21 p.m.

He pulled out a Sig Sauer handgun and told a teller and employees several times, Dont do anything stupid.

Kniffin left on foot with about $27,000 in cash and the bank employees dialed 911 at 3:24 p.m. and gave a full description of the robber.

A few minutes later, an off-duty Wall police officer happened to be driving in the area, heard the alert and saw a man on a bicycle that matched the description. He realized he also knew Kniffin from prior police work, authorities say.

The officer followed Kniffin to his home and watched as he dropped some cash in his driveway. He approached him and ordered Kniffin to the ground.

Kniffin immediately complied and blurted out, Im so sorry. I got myself into trouble. I dont know what else to do.

Kniffin then told the officer where to find the handgun, nearby on the ground. It was loaded. Court papers say investigators seized most of the cash at the arrest scene.

After his sentence is complete, Kniffin will be subject to three years of supervised release. He has been in custody at a local county jail since late last year.
Samuel Kanig, founder of Casa Cultura, far right, poses with attendees during the nonprofit's grand opening on Friday, Nov. 14, at its new center, 750 Cass St. in Trenton. Gabriel Ramos

When Samuel Kanig moved to Trenton almost 20 years ago, he recalled incidents in which others stereotyped him because of his ethnic identity.

I went through a cultural shock myself, being someone that was basically raised in Puerto Rico, and then moving here, said Kanig. I also experienced firsthand what urban poverty was like. I started asking myself, Why do we live in these conditions? And why do we sometimes embrace the conditions we live in?

These questions inspired Kanig to start the Trenton-based Latino arts and culture nonprofit, Casa Cultura, which recently marked the grand opening of its new arts center and home at 750 Cass St. in Trentons South Ward.

There are not many places that center around the arts and culture of the Latino community, said Kanig, a coordinator for The College of New Jerseys Center for Community Engagement. We deserve to have a space like this that allows us to come together to celebrate our culture and identity.

While at the same time, giving us a space to organize and continue to make sure that our contributions are known, our stories are told, and our history is preserved, said Kanig.

Established in 2012, Kanig said the nonprofits mission is to preserve and celebrate the cultural heritage of the Latino community through art exhibitions, music events, and educational workshops for youth and families.

Were an organization thats intentionally inclusive and diverse, and the voices that people will see in Casa Cultura are from all different Latino countries, said Kanig. We make it a space where we learn about each others communities and cultures as a way to be part of a bigger and stronger community.

Casa Cultura Advisory Board members Gabriel Ramos and Jacquelyn Leon speak during the grand opening of the Casa Cultura center at 750 Cass St. in Trenton on Friday, Nov. 14. Gabriel Ramos

With more than 60 attendees, the nonprofit celebrated the grand opening of its new center and home on Nov. 14.

During the event, attendees toured the center, met its team, and learned about its upcoming programs and events.

Edwin Benavides, a high school Spanish teacher in the city, joined the nonprofits advisory board in the spring.

The opening of Casa Cultura means a lot to our community, said Benavides, who moved to Trenton in 2004 from Honduras. It offers a space for emerging artists and high school students to network, learn, and even sell their art. Trenton doesnt have many places like this; its a bold and exciting idea.

Kanig said he and his team are finalizing the details of the programs the center plans to offer next month.

One program, Kanig said, will allow artists to use space in the center as an art studio and to host community workshops.

One of the core initiatives that we have will be based around oral history and storytelling, which is something weve been doing for a long time, said Kanig. So using the center for the technical aspects of recording, like a studio where wed be able to physically bring people in, have our equipment and continue to collect these stories.

Casa Cultura Advisory Board member Edwin Benavides speaks during the nonprofit's grand opening of its new center, at 750 Cass St. in Trenton on Friday, Nov. 14. Gabriel Ramos

Kanig said the center will also act as a community space, where the nonprofit will host civic engagement events to educate the community about key social issues, such as voting.

After moving from Puerto Rico to Trenton in 2006, Kanig admits he didnt plan to stay permanently, but that changed after he met his wife and started a family in 2011.

I realized that if I was going to raise my son here, I wanted to be able to contribute to make the community as best as possible for him, said Kanig.

After experiencing poverty and incidents of stereotyping, Kanig was inspired to start his nonprofit from his living room.

I decided to start using some of my passions with the arts, music and my cultural identity to create conversations about really who we are, said Kanig, who serves on the New Jersey Puerto Rico Commission. So, a lot of my work early on was around the Puerto Rican community.

Since then, Kanig said Casa Culturas programs and events have expanded to include other Latino communities.

Before obtaining the new center space, Kanig said the nonprofit hosted programs/events at various locations, including the Passage Theatre Company and Mercer County Community College in Trenton.

From 2016 to 2018, he said the nonprofit occupied a space in Trenton, but eventually had to move.

I feel like thats what led us to taking this opportunity to come back to a physical space with much more experience, a bigger network, and ready to continue doing great work, said Kanig.

To learn more about upcoming events and visiting hours, visit the nonprofits website and Facebook page.
Editors note: This story was shared as part of a content-sharing agreement between Mosaic.NJ.com and Front Runner New Jersey. You can follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (or X).

On Saturday, Nov. 22, The Perfecting Church affiliate Loving Our Cities partnered with culinary instructor and Food Network Chopped winner Chef Tim Witcher to host the 15th annual edition of The Perfect Thanksgiving, a unique dining experience for the local community at Camden County Technical School.

The Perfect Thanksgiving fostered a festive, party-like atmosphere that included a raffle and cooking demonstrations by Chef Lucmann Pierre, a cookbook author and owner of LePierre Caterers, and Chef Jerzy Gonzalez, who owns a private chef service called I Cook 4 U with a celebrity client list.

Lifestyle creator and Perfecting Church member Natasha Greene joined Pierre and Gonzalez on stage, offering commentary as they impressed onlookers with their expertise during the demonstrations.

Afterward, Chefs Witcher, Pierre, and Gonzalez were presented with personalized aprons as tokens of appreciation.

In addition to the meal and live music in the festively decorated school cafeteria, residents in need received to-go bags filled with recipes and groceries to prepare their own Thanksgiving dinner.

The evening was made possible with the help of volunteers, local culinary students, and event sponsors Untitled Secret, Spectrum Wealth Partners, Charles Crumbley, Stephen Jackson, and Camden County Technical School.

The Perfect Thanksgiving food was donated by the Food Bank of South Jersey, Total Turf, Holtec International, and the members, friends, and neighbors of The Perfecting Church and Loving Our Cities.

For Angela Brown, executive director of Loving Our Cities, the gathering together of the community is what The Perfect Thanksgiving is truly about.

The Perfect Thanksgiving was envisioned to serve up a five-star dining experience for our neighbors who were at risk of dining alone or not at all, Brown explained.

I think this is the biggest event weve ever hadsome of us even had to give up our seats. It was well worth it, because thats what really epitomizes what community is about. Sometimes it means giving up your seat to make sure no one goes without. Everybody deserves a seat at the table.

Witcher has partnered with Loving Our Cities for 12 years and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to give back to the community.

Ive been so blessed, and Ive been in bad places in my life. There was a time when I was homeless and staying in my father-in-laws house, and the church has always been there for mealways giving to me when I needed something, Witcher said.

And I was such a proud dude. I always thought I would never ask anybody for help, and then I got humbled, and I had to ask for help, he added. So how can I not give back to the community I love? Im a teacher, so many of my students and their families come to this event, and we always try to serve the community.

As a chef, Witcher has a unique understanding of the role food plays in peoples lives, noting that every major life event revolves around foodwhether its a wedding, birthday, or even a funeral.

So, if youre on the lower level of society, high level of society, any ethnic backgroundwhatever it isfood bridges the gap for everybody, Witcher stated.

This was Natasha Greenes first time participating in a cooking demonstration with chefs, and she wanted to lend her talents as a content creator and influencer to support a worthy cause.

When I heard Mrs. Brown mention The Perfect Thanksgiving, it immediately tugged at my heart, Greene said.

Im a full-time content creator and influencer, and I have my own business. Not only did I want to help fund and support the eventmy agency actually sponsored a tablebut I also wanted to do something hands-on, like volunteering in the kitchen and offering any service I could.

If someone you know is in need of food assistance, please visit the websites below:

* Food Bank of South Jersey

* NJ Rise

* South Jersey Dream Center

* The Salvation Army

* Meals on Wheels

* Community Food Bank of New Jersey
The attorney of a 70-year-old New Jersey psychiatrist charged with illegally prescribing Adderall and Xanax said his client has been falsely accused.

David Holbrook, of Bloomsbury in Hunterdon County, was indicted on nine counts of unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances earlier this month, the U.S. Attorneys Office for New Jersey said.

Holbrook was released on a $100,000 bond after appearing in federal court earlier this month.

Holbrook prescribed the two drugs to patients outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose nine times between January 2021 and October 2022, federal prosecutors allege.

Holbrooks attorney, Jay V. Surgent, said his client is not guilty and plans to take the case to trial.

Were going to give it the ultimate defense possible, Surgent said by phone on Wednesday. The indictment is not grounded in legality.

Surgent said Holbrook  the son of the late Tony Award and Primetime Emmy Award-winning actor Hal Holbrook  has had 30,000 appointments with patients over a 22-year period without a civil complaint and has an impeccable reputation in the community.

We believe that he was targeted by an individual who lost her daughter as a result of an overdose that had nothing to do with Dr. Holbrook, the lawyer said.

Hes an esteemed psychiatrist and a true professional, Surgent added. He never distributed opioids or anything of that nature. Dr. Holbrook did not deviate from acceptable medical standards of practice.

The attorney also asserted Holbrook was targeted because of the notoriety of his name.

Holbrooks license was suspended by the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners in August 2024. He surrendered his Drug Enforcement Administration Controlled Dangerous Substances registration in March 2023.

Authorities ask any alleged victims with information about Holbrook to call the Drug Enforcement Administrations New Jersey Field Division at 571-362-3700.
New Jersey lawmakers are advancing bills aimed at boosting transparency in policing, including one that would ban officers wearing masks amid growing concerns about immigration enforcement operations.

State Sen. Benjie Wimberly, D-Passaic, introduced a bill, S4868, earlier this month, that would prohibit any federal, state, county or municipal law enforcement officer from covering their face during official duties in New Jersey.

Violators could face a disorderly persons offense, punishable by fines of $500 to $1,000 and up to six months in jail.

The proposal would provide limited exceptions for undercover work, medical needs, protective shields or smoke exposure during emergencies.

Wimberly says the new rule would provide security for citizens of the state.

He said non-federal agents could pose as masked ICE law enforcement officers and use fake authority to harm others.

People are scared to go to school or take their kids to school, Wimberly said, citing instances where officers are camping outside schools and workplaces.

He added that he wants parents to be able to work and pay their bills without fearing arrest when they leave their homes.

Our police operate without masks unless there is a health issue, so I dont see why an ICE agent wouldnt be able to operate without a mask, Wimberly said.

Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill, the Democrat who last month elected New Jerseys next governor, also said during her campaign she supports banning ICE agents from wearing masks.

State Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, D-Union, also introduced legislation, A6002, that would require law enforcement officers to display their agency name and either their name or badge number during public operations.

Quijano said this new rule would keep people safe when dealing with law enforcement officers and make interactions with agents better.

We know that sometimes individuals interacting with law enforcement agents can feel quite intimidated, and it is important that we have as much transparency as possible, said Quijano in a press release. In addition, it is our hope that this bill will help build public trust and foster cooperation with law enforcement.

Lori Nessel, a law professor at Seton Hall University, said she is uncertain about the bills prospects.

Im not sure as to the likelihood that this bill would be enacted, or, even if it were enacted, that it would withstand legal challenges, she told NJ Advance Media.

Nessel said it was promising that New Jerseys Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill has voiced opposition to ICE officers wearing masks while carrying out official duties.

However, Nessel also pointed out that New Jersey lawmakers often face difficulty balancing efforts to protect immigrant communities with concerns about provoking reprisals from the current presidential administration.

The recent legislative moves come in the wake of a viral Ring doorbell video showing masked men, identifying themselves as federal agents knocking on a Burlington Township home for nearly eight minutes without presenting a warrant.

The woman, who said she was not in the area due to a death in the family, told the handful of officers she was an American citizen and asked if they had a warrant.

U.S. Rep. Herb Conaway, D-3rd Dist., a New Jersey congressman who released the footage in a Facebook post showing the masked federal agents, said this is wrong and deeply disturbing.
Established in 1976, The Ark has earned a reputation as a relaxed, no-frills Jersey Shore pub. The establishment is particularly renowned for its award-winning burgers and fresh, locally sourced seafood. Christopher Burch

A popular Jersey Shore tavern established nearly 50 years ago has new ownership, according to the real estate broker who handled the transaction.

Mort Nase, a restaurateur with more than 40 years of industry experience, has purchased The Ark, a neighborhood pub in Point Pleasant Beach, according to the Oct. 31 statement by Richard Santore, vice president of Bielat Santore & Company in Allenhurst.

The tavern, founded in 1976, is located at 401 Route 35.

The restaurant has built a following for its award-winning burgers and fresh, locally sourced seafood.

Brothers Tony and Dan Bartone owned and operated The Ark since purchasing it in 2008, also through Bielat Santore & Company.

Nase, a lifelong Point Pleasant resident, previously served as general manager at Frankies in Point Pleasant.

In 2012, he bought the Windward Tavern in Bricktown through the same brokerage firm.

The new owner said he intends to maintain The Arks old English pub character.

The pub operates six days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m., closing only on Tuesdays.
HANOI, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's National Assembly on Wednesday passed the Law on Extradition, which allows police to urgently detain individuals for up to 45 days pending extradition, the local daily Dan Viet reported.

Under the law, Vietnam allows extradition for offenses carrying a minimum sentence of one year or more under both Vietnamese and foreign laws, according to the report.

The law will take effect on July 1, 2026. 
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) is speaking out after his alleged text messages trashing the Democratic Party were released by far-right activist Jack Posobiec.

The texts, posted on X Tuesday by Posobiec  the founder of Human Events, a conservative outlet that publishes his podcast  show the senator reportedly criticizing Democrats for looking like not the fun party.

Always telling and correcting people," Posobiec claimed Gallego wrote, among several messages, including not allowing no men to men, women to be hot and we used to be the party of [sex] drugs and rock and roll.

Now Dem women look like Dem men and Dem men look like women, another message reads.

While later speaking to ABC15 Arizona, Gallego did not deny the content of the texts. He instead emphasized it is very heartbreaking" that a good friend of 20 years had leaked some of his messages.

But Ive been very clear about where I think the party needs to be, Gallego said. I think we have to be an open and bigger tent party, and so this is just a reflection of everything Ive said."

Im more sad about the situation that a friend of mine decided to exploit the situation, but its a reflection of what Ive been saying the whole time, he added.

Gallego went on to say that the Democratic Party is not as inclusive as it should be.

Thats what Im trying to point out, Gallego said. We should be a party that takes everybody in, that you know, at least we have certain core values, and we shouldnt be trying to exclude more views... we all are better as a country when we are actually a bigger and not just more narrow when it comes to mind, our thoughts. When it comes to different races, demographics and everything else like that.

A number of conservatives backed Gallegos messages on social media.

Donald Trump Jr. posted on X that it is the most normal thing a Democrat politician has said in the past decade.

But Im sure it wont be long before hes on his hands and knees apologizing for saying it, he continued.

He finally told the truth, commentator Carmine Sabia wrote.

Blake Neff, a producer for The Charlie Kirk Show, asked, ...Based?

Posobiec called Gallego a total liar, claiming he will never express his feelings publicly.
Cranford resident Will Thilly walks away from the microphone during the public comment section of the township committee meeting on Nov. 10, 2025. Courtesy of Will Thilly

Will Thilly, a Cranford resident known for turning public comment into prop-filled performances, is suing town officials and the governing body over what he calls free speech violations.

Thilly moonwalked and robot danced at government meetings this fall, including one appearance that went viral.

However, he says the council censored him on Nov. 10 with a staged walkout after he showed up holding a sizable beach ball.

He planned to protest the possible closing of a town pool, according to the suit, filed Monday in Superior Court of Union County.

[Thillys] speech would have been peaceful, lawful, protected First Amendment expression, and would not have disrupted the meeting - had he been afforded the opportunity to continue, the suit says.

Instead, the council, fearing criticism and another viral moment, immediately interrupted, censored, restricted, and prevented [Thilly] from even starting his comments, the suit alleges.

The committee-chosen mayor, Terrance Curran, declared an emergency recess, which committee member Kathleen Miller Prunty made official with a motion to recess, and member Gina Black seconded.

Then the committee walked out, for nine minutes, the suit says.

The town had a police officer order Thilly to leave, but he refused. Then, township attorney Thomas Slattery berated him for several minutes. Their actions ultimately prevented his five minutes of speech.

Will Thilly at the Sept. 16, 2025 meeting of the Cranford Township Committee Courtesy of Will Thilly

The suit claims the committee repeatedly interfered with Thillys five-minute comment period on Sept. 16 by interrupting him, cutting his time short, and halting the live broadcast of the meeting.

Thilly also argues that Cranfords committee and town officials violated the New Jersey Constitution, the New Jersey Civil Rights Act and the Open Records Meeting Act, lawyer Anders Wenstrand-Nausthaug alleges in the suit.

This is the third time Mr. Thilly has filed a suit against the Township. The prior two matters were resolved in Cranfords favor and we are confident this latest lawsuit will be as well, Curran said Wednesday in an email to NJ Advance Media.

Thillys latest lawsuit mentions the prior lawsuits, in 2023 and 2024, and says one is on appeal. The suits argue against the committee providing 30-year tax exemptions to developers of a Walnut Avenue project, which Thilly believes will raise property taxes.

Nevertheless, Curran said, Every Township Committee meeting includes an open public comment period and no one, including Mr. Thilly, has ever been denied the right to speak in accordance with our content neutral meeting rules.

According to Thillys suit, Mayor Curran opened the Nov. 10 meeting by saying: Over the past several months, these meetings have gone viral, and the township has faced the threat of a First Amendment lawsuit while trying to conduct professional meetings.

Many residents have expressed concern about the atmosphere and how this reflects on Cranford, he continued. This atmosphere discourages participation, detracts from real issues, and is not how businesses should operate.

The suit also says the mayor cautioned that social media has distorted the purpose of civic dialogue, claiming it encourages hostility, harassment, and performative behavior and turns serious discussions into viral spectacles. He urged residents to honor this process and our community by returning to a standard of professionalism and respect.

Wenstrand-Nausthaug argues Thillys presentations are nothing but positive for Cranford and public participation in government.

At the Sept. 2 meeting, Thilly again protested the 30-year tax exemptions with a wordless robot dance that ended in a breakdance backspin and a moonwalk away from the podium.

The footage went viral, clocking 23,000 views on the towns livestream, versus just 362 views from a prior meeting. This is a more entertaining way to present issues than the typical dry monotone oral delivery, the suit says.

Thillys approach to public meetings has sparked discussions about the role of civil leaders and the importance of transparency and community involvement in local governance, the suit says.

In an era of massive digital media exposure, the Committee should be delighted to have more viewers rather than attempting to reduce exposure, the suit argues.

Free speech at public meetings isnt a favor from governmentits a constitutional guarantee. Cranfords response to my clients protected remarkscutting the mic, clearing the dais, and summoning policemirrors a growing assault on the First Amendment in New Jersey and nationwide. Hes standing up to ensure those rights are enforced, Wenstrand-Nausthaug said in a statement.

This is an important lawsuit because it ensures that residents can ask questions, challenge governmental action and impact change without government retaliation, Wenstrand-Nausthaug added.

Thilly, in the same statement, said: Our movement is about more than my First Amendment rights, its about the rights of all Americans to be free and happy.
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

Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low near 10F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.
Yes, the crow situation seems better

Seems about the same to me

There still seem to be a lot of crows and crow messes

Vote

View Results
"The question should not be how do we fight China, but how do we rebuild our industry and our economy," said European Parliament Member (MEP) Rudi Kennes during a recent EU Parliament meeting.

"Instead of organizing trade wars, we have to build a fair trading system based on multilateralism, dialogue and cooperation," he noted.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- The South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has officially handed over the presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) to the United States, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) reported Tuesday.

"The handover of the G20 presidency from South Africa to the United States has taken place in Pretoria, but was shrouded in secrecy," the country's public broadcaster said in its report, noting that the foreign ministry did not disclose the identities of the officials who attended the handover.

"The agreement is that we should do it low-key. It's not just a South African issue; the U.S. doesn't want a very big handover event," South Africa's G20 Sherpa and Director-General of DIRCO Zane Dangor said Monday, adding that the handover would be conducted at the level of a senior DIRCO official to the U.S. charge d'affaires.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday formally closed the G20 summit in Johannesburg by striking a wooden gavel, following G20 tradition.

"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," Ramaphosa said in his closing remarks.

Normally, the gavel is handed to the leader of the next presidency. However, Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for President Ramaphosa, said Saturday that the South African president will not hand it over to a junior embassy official. "It's 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," Magwenya noted.

The United States boycotted the summit by sending no U.S. officials to the G20 summit, citing alleged ill-treatment of Afrikaners and "genocide," a claim strongly rejected by South Africa.

The United States is scheduled to formally take over the presidency on Dec. 1. 
The next two months will see enabling works at the Brunswick Wharf regeneration scheme in Bideford as contractors prepare the riverside site for building apartments, a restaurant and retail units.

Developer Red Earth has said the next phase of the project will be delivered by local contractor SEL Clarke, with Morgan Sindall continuing as the main contractor for the overall project.

Enabling works include setting up the site, installing temporary flood protection barriers, creating safe pedestrian access and separating the car park from the construction zone.

READ NEXT: Multi-million pound Bideford riverside development is facing a delay

A temporary bat box and the Brunswick Wharf plaque and Clarence Wharf granite posts will be temporarily moved into storage.

The works will mean some closures to the public car park.

Red Earth says this follows a series of site-wide measures already completed including demolition, quay -wall repairs, archaeological investigations and general site wide geotechnical investigations as well as clean-up works.

Once completed the project will see 108 riverside apartments, a new restaurant, six retail units and a public square. The development will also bring a new surface-level car park designed to double as an outdoor events space and a public riverside walk.

Simon Friend, director of Red Earth, said: We are delighted to move into the enabling works of this long-awaited regeneration of Brunswick Wharf. This work will bring us another step closer to restoring the area for the community.

We are working with SEL Clarke to minimise disruption by programming works to ensure that only half of the public car park is closed at a time over the Christmas period.

This approach allows essential preparatory works to move forward whilst keeping much-needed parking available for local businesses, shoppers and the community.

READ NEXT: Work to get underway at Bidefords 30m Brunswick Wharf redevelopment
Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, met with King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga in Beijing on Wednesday.

Zhao said China is ready to work with Tonga to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, firmly support each other on issues concerning core interests, advance high-quality mutually beneficial cooperation, deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and promote the sustained, sound and steady development of China-Tonga relations.

China's NPC is ready to enhance multi-level and multi-sector exchanges and interactions with the parliament of Tonga, providing legal safeguards for practical cooperation between the two countries, Zhao added.

Noting the close and solid friendly relations between Tonga and China, King Tupou VI said Tonga firmly adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to deepen pragmatic cooperation with China across various fields, enhance exchanges between legislative bodies, and continuously expand the Tonga-China comprehensive strategic partnership. 

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)
BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- The People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Tonga issued a joint statement on Wednesday.

Please see the attachment for the full text of the statement. 

Full text: Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Tonga
Brooklyn, October 2025 28th St. subway, July Jessica Louise Dye Staten Island, July @UncleJesse85 via Storyful Manhattan, July Josh Tepper via Storyful Brooklyn, October Tom Stuart Queens, October Projected flood levels 1 3 5 10 feet This is what rain can do in New York City. In July, Jessica Louise Dye was on the subway when she recorded a video of a cascading wall of water coming at us. Scenes like these are becoming more and more common. They also hint at whats to come. The next hurricane could inundate the city in a far worse way than Superstorm Sandy in 2012, according to new projections. Much of that increase has to do with extreme rain. The Disaster to Come:

New Yorks Next Superstorm

The largest city in the country is mostly a cluster of islands. Its inlets and rivers rise and fall with the tides.

When a hurricane pushes the ocean ashore, it produces a storm surge , an abnormal rise of water that creates deadly flooding. This is what happened in New York during Sandy. As climate change causes sea level rise, storm surges, which can travel upstream through the citys tidal rivers, will become more dangerous.

But a warming climate also brings a newer threat: heavy, rapid downpours that overwhelm New Yorks outdated sewer and subway systems and inundate neighborhoods that lie outside hurricane evacuation zones . In October, two New Yorkers died from flash floods after a sudden burst of rain.

Sandy produced a deadly storm surge, and in 2021, the remnants of Hurricane Ida introduced the damage of extreme rainfall. The next hurricane could bring both.

It would not have to be a major one. A weaker hurricane, dumping sheets of rain and moving in a northwest direction from the ocean, would wreak havoc, experts said.

First Street, a climate risk group in Manhattan, created a model of the damage a storm on such a track could have. In this example, a Category 1 hurricane would make landfall in New Jersey at high tide like Sandy, amid rainfall of four inches per hour  one of the more extreme scenarios.

The results showed a 16-foot storm surge, two feet higher than Sandys, which when combined with a torrential downpour, could put 25 percent of the city under water.

Today, such a storm is not impossible. It could happen about once every century, said Jeremy Porter, who leads the groups climate implications research. But it will become more normal with the changing climate, Dr. Porter said.

Some of Manhattans most iconic spots would be submerged. Downtown, that would include parts of Chinatown, SoHo and the financial district. In Midtown, several feet of water would pool above long-paved-over creeks . This includes the theater district and areas near Madison Square Garden. In the Bronx, Yankee Stadium would be nearly surrounded by water, up to 11 feet in places.

Highways that hug Manhattan would see up to 10 feet of flooding, while farther north, a part of the Cross Bronx Expressway that dips before an underpass could be submerged up to 47 feet.

But Manhattan and the Bronx would largely fare better than the boroughs that border the ocean. Brooklyn, Staten Island and Queens, with miles of low-lying neighborhoods and dire drainage problems, would bear the brunt  over 80 percent  of the flooding.

Property damage across the city could exceed $20 billion, twice as much as Sandy caused, according to First Street.

Large-scale plans to protect the entire city from storms are underway, but they are years from approval. We need mobilization at the scale of World War II to really deal with this problem, said Thaddeus Pawlowski, who teaches urban design at Columbia University. Were in trouble.

Here are some of the neighborhoods, starting inland and moving toward the coast, that would see the worst of the destruction.

Projected flood levels 1 3 5 10 feet The Moraine Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, could see as much as 11 feet of stormwater.

A large hilly ridge cuts through the middle of Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens. Its natural elevation provides some of the citys most spectacular views.

The ridge, called the terminal moraine , is where a glacier stopped its advance some 18,000 years ago. The moraine also is where flooding from extreme rainfall can be particularly bad, impacting neighborhoods where it slopes down and levels out.

Bedford-Stuyvesant, in Central Brooklyn and north of the moraine, could see as much as 11 feet of stormwater, including along tree-lined streets with brownstones worth millions. Ground-floor apartments that can rent for as much as $4,000 would fill up like cisterns.

South of the moraine, East Flatbush could see nearly eight feet of water.

Four years ago, rains from Ida flooded the streets here.

Water was gushing in from everywhere, said Renee Phillips, 62, a 50-year resident. That storm was something Id never seen in my lifetime, Ms. Phillips said. And I hope and I pray that I never see it again.

Renee Phillips 6 feet of projected flooding 6 feet of projected flooding This October, Ms. Phillipss street flooded again. Her 39-year-old neighbor drowned in his basement apartment. Ms. Phillips outside her home. Though she rents out apartments on the first floor, maintaining them is difficult because of water damage. Based on First Street estimates, her house could face up to six feet of flooding in the next storm.

After Ida, Ms. Phillips escaped by wading through her flooded street while carrying two dogs and a cat. Her waterlogged property grew mold and the first floor had to be gutted.

She did not have flood insurance because she did not live in a designated flood zone. Ms. Phillips took out a loan for $89,000 to replace her boiler and fix the first floor. She was just beginning to consider repairs on the rest of her property when the deluge this fall set her back again. The boiler she had installed after Ida was destroyed, leaving her without heat.

Im distraught, said Ms. Phillips, who was grieving her next door neighbor, and panicked about her finances.

I feel like I have no control over the situation, she said.

Projected flood levels 1 3 5 10 feet The Bowls Kissena Park, a residential neighborhood in East Flushing, Queens, could get over 19 feet of storm water.

Ida flooded basement and first-floor homes here, killing three people.

Three years later, in 2024, at a community meeting, Rohit Aggarwala, the citys climate chief and the commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, explained the reasons to residents.

The area is a bowl, he said. Kissena Park also was built over waterways and wetlands, he added.

But there was a third factor, Mr. Aggarwala said: A major sewer artery was there, responsible for 20 percent of storm and wastewater in Queens. When the sewer got overwhelmed, it created a bottleneck in Kissena Park.

All of these forces were at work during Ida.

Michael Ferraro, 32, who works in information technology, was returning from moving his car to higher ground, when he discovered that his street had turned into a raging river.

I tried to swim, but the currents were taking me down, he said, explaining that grabbing onto a fence saved his life.

Michael Ferraro Michael Ferraros home was inundated during Ida. His neighborhood flooded again this fall. Based on First Street estimates, his house could be completely submerged during the future storm they projected.

Upsizing the sewer for Kissena Park would cost billions and take decades, according to the citys Department of Environmental Protection.

A bluebelt project , which stores excess water in natural holding areas until sewers can process it, is being designed for the neighborhood. But it will not be ready for 10 years.

Projected flood levels 1 3 5 10 feet The Wetlands Hamilton Beach, just west of Kennedy Airport, was built over coastal wetlands. The neighborhood could see up to nine feet of flooding.

Southeast Queens was once mostly salt marsh, which provided crucial protection against flooding. But over the years, city leaders filled the marshes in to build neighborhoods, highways and Kennedy Airport.

This happened all over New York . Nearly one million New Yorkers now live on what were once wetlands, according to the Regional Plan Association, an urban planning and research group.

The water frequently returns.

In Hamilton Beach, when the tide is higher than usual, water pours into the neighborhood from a nearby basin and up through the sewers.

This August, on a clear evening, it flooded again. Some residents moved their cars to higher ground. Others, walking home from work, borrowed plastic bags from neighbors to wrap around their shoes. Sump pumps wheezed, and garbage bags floated through the streets.

Roger Gendron, 63, a retired truck driver and neighborhood flood-watch leader, took it in from his second-floor porch. A storm that is hundreds of miles off the coast is doing this, he said. Just imagine what a direct hit would do.

9 feet of projected flooding 9 feet of projected flooding In August, tidal flooding, a regular occurrence in Hamilton Beach, forced residents to roll up their pants and move their cars. Roger Gendron at his house in Hamilton Beach. Water could rise to his second-floor porch in a storm, according to First Street projections.

Hamilton Beach and other areas surrounding Jamaica Bay, the largest wetland in New York City, are prone to compound flooding, when heavy rain and coastal flooding combine.

The water table (where the saturation of the ground stops) is high in southeast Queens for multiple reasons: Sea level rise increases the water table, the city stopped pumping the area for drinking water in the 1990s, and perhaps most important, southeast Queens does not have a comprehensive storm-water drainage network.

The Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees the citys water systems, has a 50-year plan to build out such a network. It is 10 years in and has spent over $1.5 billion so far. The work includes a major sewer expansion north of Kennedy Airport.

If the airport were still a wetland, we wouldnt have to build a gigantic sewer under the highway, said Mr. Aggarwala, the head of the department, on a recent tour of the work site.

In 40 years, once the entire system for southeast Queens is complete, the pipes here and in other parts of the network will be able to transport over one billion gallons of storm water to the bay.

And this is just one corner of the city. It will take at least 30 years and about $30 billion to improve the parts of the sewer system that are the most vulnerable to storm water, Mr. Aggarwala said.

The centerpiece of sewer work in southeast Queens is a project just north of Kennedy Airport, shown here in August.

Throughout New York, city leaders are reckoning with decisions that were made some 100 years ago to build infrastructure on wetlands.

The work is endless, said Jamie Torres-Springer, president of construction and development for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, during a recent tour of a subway yard.

The 30-acre subway yard in the eastern Bronx  the citys third largest  was built over a salt marsh, where a tidal creek used to flow. Of the transit systems 24 subway yards, which maintain and store thousands of train cars, 13 are vulnerable to storm surge.

The citys two biggest yards now have flood walls, drainage improvements and other protections. Work on the eastern Bronx yard is scheduled for next year.

Projected flood levels 1 3 5 10 feet The Beaches In Brooklyn, Coney Island would be under up to six feet of water, with bridges and roads washed out. Projected flooding is not shown along the beachfront because of uncertainty in the data caused by concurrent tidal activity.

Sandy devastated the Brooklyn peninsula.

Were afraid every day that its going to happen again, said Pamela Pettyjohn. During the superstorm, a sinkhole opened under her home.

Ms. Pettyjohn, who is in her 70s, lives near the famous amusement park, where oceanside development has spawned new high-rises, built to withstand floods.

She and other residents are concerned that the new developments, some of which include higher sidewalks and elevated bases that encourage water to flow under, around or through them, could worsen flooding in lower-lying areas, while taxing an already-overburdened sewer system.

And, with few ways on and off the peninsula, the addition of thousands of residents here could make a hurricane evacuation even more perilous.

6 feet of projected flooding 6 feet of projected flooding Pamela Pettyjohn placed a flood barrier outside her home before a storm this summer. Her house could face nearly six feet of flooding.

After Sandy, Ms. Pettyjohn, a retiree, spent her savings rebuilding her home. She is living without heat because salt water from the storm slowly rusted out her boiler. The soaring cost of flood insurance keeps her from buying a new one, she said.

As the housing crisis deepens in New York, more homes are cropping up in flood zones like Coney Island. New properties must be elevated at certain heights and have other protections, but older homes do not have these requirements. So New Yorkers like Ms. Pettyjohn get trapped in money pits, unable to relocate. Others buy older homes because they are more affordable.

It drives Joe Tirone, a real estate broker in Staten Island, crazy. There is no fear whatsoever, he said during a tour of Midland Beach, a neighborhood known for its historic bungalows

During Sandy, many bungalows in Midland Beach flooded, and they have since been repaired and put up for sale. Some are so inexpensive that New Yorkers can own them outright. Two neighboring bungalows, for example, are on sale as a package deal for $325,000, in a city where the median price for one home is about $800,000.

Without a mortgage, though, there is no mandate to buy flood insurance. Some homeowners could lose everything in the next hurricane.

People are still deniers here, Mr. Tirone said. They will continue to snatch up real estate deals in flood zones, he continued, until the government dictates to them otherwise.

He added: The question is, Whats that going to take? 
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A book launch was held to celebrate the release of Author Damien Byrne's book titled 'Cool Pool' recently at Tullamore Rugby Club. The book which encourages readers to take a dip into the history and memories of Tullamore's outdoor swimming pool drew a great turnout at the event. PICTURES: Ger Rogers

USE ARROWS OR CLICK NEXT TO SEE MORE PICTURES

In 1934, a bold idea emerged at a Tullamore Urban Council meeting to build a public swimming pool for the town.

Four years later, Tullamore opened one of Irelands first municipal pools, a six-lane outdoor pool complete with diving boards and changing rooms.

For over six decades, the pool was alive with activity. Children learned to swim, teenagers attempted daring dives, and families and friends gathered on long summer days.

READ MORE: PICTURES: Roscrea's Dean Maxwell Community Nursing Home celebrates 50 years of care

Author Damien Byrne from Tullamore spent his summers in the pool in the 1970s and became a lifesaving instructor before teaching at Tullamore and Birr pools.

The outdoor pool closed in 2000, and this book dives into the full story and memories of the pool, its champions and challenges, and the countless moments of joy it gave the community for more than sixty years.

The book which was published through Esker Press is available for purchase at selected outlets across the county.
FIANNA FAIL TD for Offaly, Tony McCormack, has confirmed that the N52 TullamoreKilbeggan Link Road is now formally included in the National Development Plan (NDP) and has been upgraded to the advanced for future construction category in the latest NDP sectoral updates.

Deputy McCormack said this marks a significant and long-awaited step forward for one of the Midlands most strategically important road projects.

This issue has been at the heart of the community for years and the need for this upgrade is widely recognised. I know how much this means to the Durrow community, not just in terms of improved safety on their own doorstep but also in terms of how it strengthens connectivity across the entire county. This project will support enterprise, investment and future opportunities in tourism.

Since being elected, I have been working closely with my Fianna Fail colleague, Minister for Transport Darragh OBrien, to help ensure this project is finally progressed.

Being recognised at advanced for future construction is a major milestone and confirms that the N52 Link Road has a firm place within the National Development Plan.

READ NEXT: Extension approved for national school in Tullamore town

Deputy McCormack noted that improving this route will deliver significant safety benefits, reduce pressure on local communities and unlock new possibilities for business, logistics, tourism and inward investment across Offaly and the wider Midlands.

As I have said in the past, this project will take time, but I will be pushing to keep it moving through each stage as smoothly as possible. The preferred route is selected and Transport Infrastructure Ireland has the documentation ready to progress. I will continue to work closely with Minister OBrien and the relevant authorities throughout this project to ensure it is delivered for the community.

READ NEXT: Popular Tullamore man celebrates landmark birthday with friends
BIRR Historical Society held their November meeting in Doolys Hotel, with a large turnout for the occasion. Chairperson, Bridget Sullivan introduced Stephen Callaghan, their speaker for the night. Stephens talk was entitled A Star Shaped Fort in Crinkill

Stephen, who hails from Dublin, is no stranger to the town of Birr where he has close family connections. He is an independent historian with an interest in Irelands military heritage and burial grounds. His many research interests include Birr (Crinkill) Barracks, the Leinster Regiment and the social histories of Offaly families who served in the British Army. He has published numerous articles, papers, and surveys on these and other topics.

Stephens talk on the night focused on the recently uncovered history of a remarkable star-shaped fort nestled in the Fourteen Acres adjacent to the Military Barracks in Crinkill, Birr and explores the forts origins, purpose and significance.

Stephen began his talk by addressing the question, what is a star shaped fort? These types of fort originated in Italy, are best described as star shaped fortifications having bastion or semi-bastion shapes and were often made from earth, brick or stone. The typical design of a fort began with a counter scarp that worked inwards; this was followed by a large moat type ditch, typically on a scarp or steep cliff like slope and finally the parapet where the heavy guns could be mounted.

There are a number of star shaped forts still in Ireland including notable examples such as Elizabeth Fort, Fort Mitchel, James Fort and Charles Fort in Cork, Magazine Fort in the Phoenix Park, Dublin and Duncannon Fort in Wexford to name but a few.

Stephens talk then took a diversion to focus on a similar fort used during the Paraguayan War (1864-1870) which was fought between Paraguay and the Triple Alliance of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. During the early stages of the conflict, Paraguay had brought over military advisors from Europe to train their armies. But one man in particular, George Thompson, a railway engineer by trade, made the biggest impact.

READ NEXT: THROWBACK TUESDAY: Out and about for a night on the town in Offaly from the archives

George designed a bastioned fort which was located at a strategic bend on the River Paraguay, close to the city of Humaita. This star shaped fort could observe and control all river traffic thus protecting Asuncion, the capital city of Paraguay.

Following conflicts a little closer to home such as the Crimean War in the 1850s, manuals and textbooks relating to star shaped forts were often published such as the "Elementary Principals of Fortifications" by John Thomas Hyde (1860) which explains the basic principles of military defensive structures, including the history and design of fortifications and the techniques used to construct them.

Getting back to Crinkill, Stephen went on to describe how during the course of his research he noticed unusual markings of possible earthworks around the quarry and pump house in Crinkill Barracks on the 1911 Ordinance Survey (O.S.) Maps. He thought these resembled the partial layout of a star shaped fort showing the outline of a bastion and a demi-bastion of a fort, these had not been visible on the earlier mid nineteenth century maps.

Stephen then travelled to the National Archives in London where he gleaned a lot of information; this was followed by visits to the Irish Army Archive, again to get access to more detailed maps and documents.

Armed with this archival information he reverted back to his geophysical surveys conducted at the site by the University of Bournemouth and the Irish Heritage School in early 2018. These surveys carried out by Ashley Green of Bournemouth University clarified there were several subsurface features especially around the quarry, where historic mapping showed the possible star shaped fort. Collectively, these findings seemingly confirming Stephens suspicions that a star shaped fort once existed at the site and was constructed somewhere between the mid nineteenth century and 1911.

While going through old newspaper reports, Stephen came across a reference in the King's County Chronicle (dated 5th September 1860) to the discovery of skeletal remains whilst the final diggings to the fort were being carried out. This clarified that the fort was completed between the end of August and early September 1860.

READ NEXT: Soccer league unveils plans for huge development on site in Offaly

As part of his talk, Stephen referenced a postcard from 1908 which showed the Fourteen Acres with a military encampment on it. If you look closely this postcard shows the banking of the fort, along with the stack of the gas works on its bottom left hand corner. Stephen showed a second photo from circa 1940 of the quarry and pumping station which included traces of the fort indicating some of the fort survived until at least this time.

The fort located in the Fourteen Acres at Crinkill Barracks would have been used for training purposes from the 1860s onwards. However towards the end of the nineteenth century star shaped forts went out of style, mainly due to changes in the style of warfare, improvements in artillery (such as the breech loading gun) and new tactics being used in warfare.

It is not yet known exactly when the fort at Crinkill Barracks went out of use. What is known is that the quarry adjacent the partial star shaped fort supplied much of the stone used for the construction of Crinkill Barracks, and that it was in filled in during the 1950s when new houses were erected in Grove Street. It seems likely that it was at this time that the final remains of the fort were removed.

It is amazing to think that a star shaped fort once existed in Crinkill, and that its history is now being rediscovered after a few little lines around a quarry were observed on the Ordinance Survey map of Crinkill Barracks!

A very interesting question and answers session took place after Stephenss presentation. Following on from this, Chairperson, Bridget Sullivan concluded the meeting as she thanked Stephen and then thanked all for their attendance. She also acknowledged Doolys Hotel and their staff for the way the meeting room was presented and for their supply of refreshments afterwards.

Meetings will be held on the second Monday of the month in Doolys Hotel from October 2025 to April/May 2026. Next up in their series is Caimin OBriens lecture on December 8th; when he will deliver a Marvellous Mystery Lecture. Please continue to note the change of venue.

There is a charge of 5 per night per lecture, or you can avail of membership for the year at 20 per adult or 30 per couple while students can attend for free.

If you would like to learn more about local history and archaeology, just come along to one of their meetings. All are most welcome. Alternatively, follow them on Facebook to know more about their activities.

READ NEXT: Coming soon! Pick up the latest edition of Offaly Life magazine
MOSCOW, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Russian and Ukrainian representatives held a meeting on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, a Russian presidential aide said.

Yuri Ushakov said on Wednesday that U.S. representatives also met with Russian representatives.

The peace plan for Ukraine was not discussed during the meeting in the United Arab Emirates' capital, he said, adding that it was passed on to Russia but has not yet been "discussed in detail with anyone yet."

Russia views parts of the U.S. peace plan positively, but some aspects require special discussion among experts, he noted.

The official added that Europe is interfering in the peace process in Ukraine in "a completely unnecessary manner." 
A cellblock at the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem. The Department of Corrections over the weekend issued a total of 20 warrants for people it had previously released early after a court ruling. Mark Graves/The Oregonian

The Oregon Department of Corrections has tracked down 17 people it released from prison and put them back behind bars in a surprising roundup that follows confusion over a recent court ruling.

The effort began over the weekend when the department issued a total of 20 warrants for people in nine counties. Most were on post-prison supervision, corrections officials said.

The roundup represents the latest development in the Department of Corrections controversial response to an Oregon Supreme Court ruling over the summer dealing with prison sentence lengths and how time in jail before trial should factor into a defendants overall sentence.

The political firestorm over the interpretation of the ruling has now spread to the Oregon Department of Justice and Gov. Tina Koteks office.

Corrections officials have said they acted on legal guidance from the Department of Justice when they reexamined the sentences of an estimated 11,000 prisoners  the vast majority of Oregons prison population.

That led to revised earlier release dates for about 350 prisoners, including 40 who were immediately released. In some cases, defendants saw their sentences dramatically whittled down, drawing an outcry from prosecutors who said they were blindsided by shortened sentences and early releases.

The court ruling upended the Department of Corrections longstanding practices around calculating prison sentences.

Corrections officials have long granted people credit for time they serve in jail, but the Supreme Court ruling significantly constrained the agencys discretionary authority in calculating sentences, said department spokesperson Amber Campbell.

The Supreme Court ruled that a trial court may give credit for concurrent jail time on separate allegations in another county. It also found defendants may get credit for time they spent in jail for violating the terms of their probation.

Broadly, prosecutors said the ruling affected two groups: prisoners serving consecutive sentences for multiple convictions and those facing prosecution in multiple counties.

Campbell said the Department of Justice advised the agency to follow a literal interpretation of court judgments.

Many of those lower court rulings were not clear, Campbell said. She pointed to one Jackson County case where the judge stated that the defendant should receive credit for time served for each count in the conviction, significantly reducing the persons overall sentence.

Under the Department of Corrections review, at least 67 prisoners saw their sentences cut by at least a year. In one case, the department trimmed a dozen years off a prisoners sentence.

Then this month, the Supreme Court issued a clarification, which led the Department of Justice to issue new advice, recommending that corrections officials apply time served to the total sentence instead of to each count in a conviction, Campbell said.

That led to another round of reviews that turned up 20 defendants who were released too early, she said. That included people who had been serving time for assault, coersion, sexual abuse and manslaughter.

Among them: Joaquin Cowart, 47, who was sentenced in 2021 for sexually abusing a child and possession of images depicting child sexual abuse. A judge sentenced Cowart to four back-to-back three-year sentences, or 12 years in prison.

The Department of Corrections recalculated Cowarts sentence, applying the more than 31/2 years of time he spent in jail before sentencing to each count and moving up his release date to June 3, 2021  10 days after he was sentenced.

The agency released him in September.

Assistant Director for Correctional Services Larry Bennett told district attorneys in an email Tuesday that the agency is changing direction on how it assigns credit for time served to prison sentences.

Those briefed on the matter but not authorized to speak publicly said Koteks aides were closely involved in the decision to return people to prison.

A spokesperson for Kotek did not respond to questions about what, if any, direction her office gave the Department of Corrections.

A spokesperson for Attorney General Dan Rayfield declined to elaborate on the guidance the Department of Justice gave corrections officials, saying only that it provided risk-based legal advice.

We outlined the options DOC could take in response to the ruling and explained the risks associated with each, said spokesperson Jenny Hansson.

The Department of Corrections makes the policy decisions associated with implementation, she said.

Kotek acted promptly to issue warrants, said Hansson, who called it the right thing to ensure public safety.

Corrections officials said Oregon State Police and parole and probation officials, as well as local law enforcement officers, helped find and arrest people who were returned to custody.

John Wentworth, president of the Oregon District Attorneys Association, applauded the Department of Corrections decision to reverse course and called for a full accounting of the missteps that led to this situation.

The improper and unlawful release of these offenders placed victims and the public at risk, he said.

The Oregon Criminal Justice Truth Project, a nonprofit made up of retired prosecutors, had lobbied Kotek to halt the agencys sentencing recalculation effort.

The groups executive director, Kevin Neely, said the latest move by the Department of Correction affirms what the courts originally intended.

He said it also promotes public safety and will reduce trauma of victims.

Thaddeus Betz, an attorney with the Oregon Justice Resource Center, a nonprofit that advocates on behalf of prisoners, said returning people to custody raises a number of concerns, both substantive and procedurally and morally.

He pointed to a case of a man who was released in August. He said the man did well in the community and was in touch with his probation officer. Betz said the man was arrested over the weekend in the dead of night.

He said the process for people to appeal the departments decision to return them to prison is murky and vague.

To me, it sounds a little Trumpian frankly  where its just like, lets just grab some people, Betz said.

In the case of Cowart, the sex offender released two months ago, the Department of Corrections issued a warrant for his arrest on Saturday and Cowarts father delivered him Tuesday to the Oregon State Police offices in Central Point, according to authorities.

His projected release date now: Nov. 18, 2029.

Jackson County District Attorney Patrick Green said the Department of Corrections approach in recent months has been haphazardly done and harmed victims, including the person Cowart abused.

There is no taking that back, Green said.
A U.S. Coast Guard rescue helicopter was spotted Tuesday morning at the Newport Air Facility, according to Newport's mayor. Isaac Ritchey | iritchey@mlive.com

Mayor Jan Kaplan was buoyed Tuesday when the U.S. Coast Guards rescue helicopter touched down at the agencys air station in Newport -- even if it was only to refuel -- after a judge the night before ordered the helicopters return to the coastal city.

Until the sighting, the helicopter hadnt landed at the Newport Air Facility for the past couple of weeks, according to Kaplan and the city spokesperson.

U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken late Monday issued a temporary restraining order that bars the removal or reduction of the rescue helicopters presence in Newport before the Dungeness crab fishing season starts in mid-December.

Aiken ordered the federal government to restore the Coast Guard rescue helicopter to Newport with full operational capabilities and personnel support.

Kaplan called the Eugene judges ruling very, very positive news and a great first step in a video posted on the citys Instagram account.

The Newport Fishermens Wives, a nonprofit that supports commercial fishermen, and Lincoln County filed a federal lawsuit last Friday against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Coast Guard after they learned the Coast Guard had either ceased or drastically reduced its operations in Newport and moved its rescue helicopter about 70 miles south to North Bend.

A separate suit filed by the state of Oregon has been consolidated with the countys suit.

John Fuller, the city spokesperson, said the rescue helicopter returned to the Newport Air Facility late Tuesday morning for refueling and remained on the ground there as of 3:20 p.m.

Since the chopper left Newport at the end of October, it has landed in front of the main hangar at the citys airport and its pilots have paid the city to refuel, Fuller said.

But Tuesday it landed in front of its own headquarters and fueling station at the opposite end of the airfield, Fuller said.

He was cautious about interpreting the helicopters return to its old stomping grounds as a sign of its long-term future. Well see, he said.

Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said by email in response to Aikens order, 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, McLaughlin said. Any suggestion otherwise is an insult to the hard, heroic work the men and women of the Coast Guard put in every day.

Aiken issued the temporary order without waiting for any response from the federal government. The temporary order lasts 14 days and can be extended another 14 days while Aiken prepares to consider written briefs and arguments on the county, state and nonprofits push for a longer permanent injunction.

Aiken found that Homeland Security officials failed to notify Congress before reducing the Coast Guard presence in Newport, did not allow for any community input or conduct any risk assessments as required by law.
Deputies started investigating Nguyen and Larson after receiving tips about possible illegal activity happening in the home that was searched on Tuesday. Multnomah County Sheriff's Office

Multnomah County Sheriffs deputies and SWAT officers seized rifles, body armor, cocaine, methamphetamine and drug manufacturing materials while serving a search warrant on a Gresham home on Tuesday, officials said.

During the raid, in the 2500 block of Northwest 4th Street, deputies arrested 49-year-old Tai Nguyen and 76-year-old Craig Larson.

Nguyen faces charges of unlawful manufacture of cocaine, unlawful distribution of cocaine and unlawful possession of cocaine, court records show. Larson faces the same charges, as well as an additional charge of unlawful methamphetamine possession.

Deputies started investigating Nguyen and Larson after receiving tips about possible illegal activity happening in the home that was searched on Tuesday.

Neither of the suspects has a history of felony convictions in Oregon.
Steven C. Teets, then a Forest Grove police officer, was convicted of second-degree criminal mischief in 2022 for pounding on the Black Lives Matter flag and banging on the front door of this Forest Grove home just before 1 a.m. on Oct. 31, 2020, while off-duty.

A fired Forest Grove police officer who created a drunken disturbance outside a home displaying a Black Lives Matter flag wants a court to expunge his conviction for criminal mischief.

But the homeowner opposes the request by Steve C. Teets, so a judge has set a hearing next month to consider it.

That night remains one of the most terrifying experiences of my life, Mirella Castaneda said in a letter to the Washington County District Attorneys Office.

Teets didnt know the family when he stumbled into their driveway around 1 a.m. on Halloween Oct. 31, 2020, and began banging on the front door and garage, which had been draped in a Black Lives Matter flag. Teets was off duty and drunk.

I have never feared for my familys safety or my own as much as I did that night, Castaneda wrote. It has taken me five years to be able to see a Forest Grove Police vehicle without feeling the knot in my throat and the pit in my stomach return.

Another Forest Grove police officer, Amber Daniels, soon arrived and found Teets wandering around about 50 feet away, according to court records. A second officer, Bradley Schuetz, arrived and drove Teets back to his home less than a half-mile away.

Forest Grove police fired Teets on Dec. 9, 2021.

Washington County Circuit Judge Gary Williams convicted Teets of second-degree criminal mischief, a misdemeanor, during a trial in 2022.

The judge ordered Teets to complete 80 hours of community service, undergo anger management and alcohol abuse counseling and stay sober.

Teets also settled a civil lawsuit filed by the homeowner by agreeing to relinquish his police certification and meet face-to-face with her before a restorative justice facilitator. Teets also agreed to donate $2,000 to the Mental Health Association of Portland, according to the settlement.

Castaneda said she fears that erasing Teets conviction would allow him to apply for a job to be an officer with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which she argued would be dangerous for her community.

I have experienced firsthand his racist and violent nature for daring to express my beliefs through a BLM flag, she said.

She wrote to the district attorneys office, For the safety of others and for the sake of justice, I urge you not to allow the expungement of his record.

Castaneda did not say why she thought Teets would apply to ICE, other than he already has relinquished his police certification. He would still be required to go through a criminal background if he applied to the federal agency.

Teets, who is representing himself in his motion to set aside his conviction, did not respond to questions for comment. His defense attorney from his criminal mischief case said he is not representing Teets in his move to expunge his conviction.

A motion to set aside a conviction, commonly known as expungement, means the criminal case will no longer appear in official court records.

Teets, now 48, recently wrote to the court saying he has met the requirements for removing his case from records: It involved a Class A misdemeanor, three years have passed since the conviction and he has had no other criminal convictions during that time.

He also wrote to the court in March 2024 that he had moved to St. Helens, had been working in an unspecified entry-level job and was voluntarily going to counseling. He didnt indicate the type of work he was doing but said his employment could be changing due to a corporate restructuring.

The DAs office doesnt object to Teets motion, prosecutors said, but it notified a judge earlier this month that Castaneda does.

State law restricts when a prosecutor can challenge an expungement request, District Attorney Kevin Barton said.

A judge shall grant the request if a person meets eligibility requirements unless the court determines by clear and convincing evidence that the persons behavior from the date of conviction to the present has created a public safety risk.

The judge may consider only criminal behavior or sanctions related to the conviction.

Circuit Judge Theodore E. Sims set a hearing on the matter for 9:30 a.m. Dec. 23.
Police identified a man killed in the Parkrose neighborhood in September as 54-year-old Patrick O. Cardew Jr. File photo

Portland police on Tuesday identified a man killed in the Parkrose neighborhood in late September as Patrick O. Cardew, Jr.

Police found Cardew, 54, suffering from a gunshot wound near Northeast 102nd Avenue and Northeast Sandy Boulevard just after 11 p.m. on Sept. 22, the bureau said at the time. Cardew died at the scene.

Portland police did not specify in the Tuesday announcement whether detectives had identified or arrested any suspects in connection with Cardews death.

The agency asks anyone with information about the incident to contact homicidetips@police.portlandoregon.gov or call 503-823-0479 and reference case number 25-261972.
A Portland man will spend years in prison after agreeing to a plea deal for a slew of sex crimes.

Antonio Arredondo Jr., 39, pleaded guilty Nov. 18 to seven charges of rape in the first degree, sodomy in the first degree and sex abuse in the first degree, the Washington County District Attorneys Office said in a statement.

As part of his plea deal, Arredondo accepted a 40-year prison sentence, officials said. His formal sentencing will take place next year.

The guilty plea brings an end to this defendants predatory behavior and delivers long-overdue accountability, Washington County Deputy District Attorney Rayney Meisel said in the statement.

Antonio Arredondo Courtesy: Washington County Sheriff's Office

Arredondo moved to Oregon shortly after he was convicted in 2009 of molesting a child in Texas, according to officials.

By 2022, he was using online dating sites to meet mothers who had children under the age of 10 years old  including several children with disabilities, according to the Washington County District Attorneys Office.

Once hed established relationships with the mothers, hed sexually assault the womens children, investigators concluded.

Detectives in Washington County began investigating Arredondo in May 2022, after a child told a school counselor about being abused, officials said. During a grand jury proceeding, the mother of the child said Arredondo had physically and sexually abused her as well.

Believing that Arredondo had abused other people as well, investigators put out a social media alert in August 2023, which prompted victims in Polk County and Washington state to come forward.

Arredondo was convicted of first-degree sex abuse in Polk County in February and was sentenced to more than 6 years in prison, officials said. He accepted a plea deal for all of the remaining cases, bringing his likely total sentence to 40 years.

Investigators believe Arredondo may have abused other victims who havent come forward, and they ask anyone with information to contact their local law enforcement agency.
Oregon has appeared in four of the top five rated Big Ten conference games this season.

The broadcast for the top 15 matchup of Oregon and USC last Saturday averaged 5.428 million viewers with a peak of 6.75 million, according to CBS, which uses Nielsen Big Data + Panel ratings. That was up 61% from last years Week 13 game between Penn State and Minnesota.

College GameDay averaged 2.7 million viewers, with 3.5 million in the final hour for its fourth most-watched regular season episode ever, according to ESPN, which also uses Nielsen Big Data + Panel ratings. Thats up 9% from last years Week 13 episode from Columbus when Ohio State hosted Indiana.

The rating is slightly ahead of the shows earlier trip to Eugene this season for Oregons game with Indiana, which averaged 2.7 million viewers with 3.4 million in the final hour.

Oregons game at Penn State averaged 8.5 million viewers for NBC, which uses Nielsen + Adobe Analytics. Ohio States game with Penn State averaged 7.19 million on FOX. Oregons game at Iowa averaged 5.37 on CBS, followed by its home games with Indiana (5.59 million) and USC.

No. 7 Oregon (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten) at Washington (8-3, 5-3)
Cans of Campbell's soup are displayed along a grocery store's shelves on Aug. 7, 2023, in New York City. A Campbell's executive has landed in hot water for allegedly disparaging the companys products, employees and customers. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Getty Images

The Campbells Company is dealing with a public relations nightmare this week, and just when millions of Americans are looking for some cream of mushroom soup for that Thanksgiving green bean casserole.

The controversy surrounds Campbells Vice President of Information Technology Martin Bally, who allegedly disparaged the companys products, employees and customers during a January conversation with former Campbells employee Robert Garza.

Garza, who secretly recorded the conversation, says he was fired from his job as a security analyst just weeks after complaining about Bally. Detroit television station WDIV shared portions of the audio recording after interviewing Garza, who filed a lawsuit against the company last week.

We have s--- for f---ing poor people, Bally allegedly says on the recording. Who buys our s---?

Bally also allegedly called Indian employees idiots and said Campbells uses bioengineered meat in its products.

Campbells, headquartered in Camden, New Jersey, and formerly known as the Campbell Soup Company, slammed the alleged remarks and defended its products in a statement.

If the comments heard on the audio recording were in fact made by Mr. Bally, they are unacceptable, the statement said. Such language does not reflect our values and the culture of our company. We do not tolerate that kind of language under any circumstances.

Bally is on leave while Campbells conducts an investigation, the company said.

We are proud of the food we make, the people who make it and the high-quality ingredients we use to provide consumers with good food at a good value, Campbells said in the statement. We know that millions of people use Campbells products, and were honored by the trust they put in us. The comments heard on the recording about our food are not only inaccurate  they are patently absurd.

The chicken meat in our soups comes from long-trusted, USDA approved U.S. suppliers and meets our high quality standards. All our soups are made with No Antibiotics Ever chicken meat. Any claims to the contrary are completely false.

There you have it. Buy the Campbells cream of mushroom soup with confidence this week. Or, explore these alternatives instead.

Oh, by the way, theres an Oregon connection here as well. Campbells acquired Tualatin-based Pacific Foods in 2017 for $700 million, and then announced last year that it would be closing the Pacific Foods manufacturing plant and laying off 330 workers by summer 2026. Oregonians can be forgiven if theyre a little salty toward Campbells.
OHSU has appointed Tarek Salaway, a veteran West Coast health care executive who has held leadership roles in large medical systems over nearly three decades, to serve as the new CEO of OHSU Health. Courtesy of Oregon Health & Science University

Oregon Health & Science University has tapped a seasoned West Coast health executive to take the helm of its health system after more than a year without a permanent leader.

Following a national search, OHSU has hired Tarek Salaway to serve as the CEO of OHSU Health, the division that runs the universitys hospitals and clinics. He will begin Dec. 15, OHSU President Dr. Shereef Elnahal announced Monday.

Salaway comes with nearly three decades of experience holding leadership in major California health institutions, Elnahal said. He recently served as a senior vice president at a Kaiser Permanente hospital system in California, where he oversaw strategy, operations and community partnerships in the San Francisco Bay Area.

His appointment ends an extended period of leadership turnover at OHSU Health. The university has been searching for a permanent CEO since June 2024, when Dr. John Hunter stepped down after seven years.

Joe Ness, the systems chief operating officer at the time, filled the role temporarily until late 2024, when OHSU named retired Minnesota health executive Ann Madden Rice to serve on an interim basis. But Rice stepped down after just five weeks for unclear reasons, and OHSU then brought on Tim Goldfarb, a retired OHSU Health leader, to serve in the interim position.

As CEO of OHSU Health, Salaway will manage operations at OHSU Hospital, OHSU Doernbecher Childrens Hospital, outpatient health clinics in the Portland area and affiliated partners Hillsboro Medical Center and Adventist Health Portland.

It is a privilege to join the outstanding leadership team at OHSU Health at a time of excitement, transformation and a deep sense of commitment to the communities we serve across Oregon, Salaway said in a statement.

A university spokesperson said OHSU will pay him an annual salary of $1.4 million.

Salaway holds three masters degrees  health care administration, public health and international relations  from the University of Washington. He previously served as chief executive of Providence St. Joseph Healths 523-bed trauma center in Southern California and chief operating officer of the University of Southern Californias Keck Medical Center and the USC Norris Cancer Hospital. He also led cardiovascular and neuroscience programs at Stanford Health Care.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly indicated that Tarek Salaway is presently employed at a Kaiser Permanente system in California. The story has been updated.
KABUL, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- At least nine people were killed and 16 others injured when their vehicle veered off the road and plunged into a deep ravine in northern Afghanistan's Faryab province, a local official said late Tuesday.

The accident occurred in Pashtun Kot district on Tuesday afternoon after the vehicle lost control on a steep path, resulting in the immediate deaths of nine commuters, including women and children, and injuries to 16 others, said Mawlawi Shamsuddin Mohammadi, provincial director of the information and culture department.

The victims had been attending a wedding ceremony and were on their way home when the incident occurred, according to the official.

Poor road conditions were identified as the primary cause of the mishap. Authorities urged drivers to strictly adhere to traffic regulations to prevent further loss of life. 
BERNALILLO, N.M. (AP)  Unconditional love. Thats what Vangie Randall-Shorty felt the moment she first held her son. She still feels it  even though Zachariah Shorty is now gone.

I carry him in my heart every day, she said, while trying to find the words to describe the wave of emotions that washed over her Monday when she learned that federal authorities had charged three people in connection with her sons killing on the Navajo Nation in 2020.

She had waited so long for answers, telling herself with each new year that she would finally see justice for her 23-year-old son. Her wait ended as the U.S. Department of Justice announced the results of the latest deployment under Operation Not Forgotten.

Under the operation this year, more than 60 extra FBI agents, analysts and other personnel were temporarily assigned to field offices in 10 states, ranging from Albuquerque and Phoenix to Seattle, Salt Lake City, Detroit, Minneapolis and Jackson, Mississippi. Over six months, they investigated unsolved violent crimes in Indian Country with the goal of addressing a crisis of disappearances and killings that have left Native American communities frustrated and heartbroken.

Federal statistics show that Native Americans experience some of the highest per capita rates of violent victimization of any racial or ethnic group in the United States. At the beginning of the 2025 fiscal year, the FBIs Indian Country program had about 4,300 open investigations, including over 900 death investigations, 1,000 child abuse investigations, and more than 500 domestic violence and adult sexual abuse investigations.

As part of its intensified operations this year, the FBIs Indian Country initiatives netted 1,123 arrests, along with the recovery of over 300 weapons. More than 450 children who were victims of crimes were identified or located.

FBI Director Kash Patel acknowledged Monday that the challenge of covering such large jurisdictions is complicated by a lack of resources. He described Operation Not Forgotten as a major step forward in giving tribal communities the justice that they deserve.

Work to bring more attention to the crisis has spanned decades. President Donald Trump was the first president to formally recognize the issue when he signed an executive order during his first term, establishing a task force to tackle the high rate of killings and disappearances among Native Americans and Alaska Natives. Former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland during her tenure created a national commission to explore ways to bridge jurisdictional gaps and other challenges to curbing crime in tribal communities.

Officials said this years operation marked the longest and most intense deployment of FBI resources to date to address Indian Country crime.

Advocates say the investment should be made permanent. They fear now that cases will continue to sit on the back burner with fewer federal resources in the field.

Randall-Shorty believes the extra resources helped in her sons case.

She cant help but wonder what her son could have accomplished had his life not been taken. A father himself, Zachariah Shorty loved art and music and aspired to be a tattoo artist. She showed off some of his work, pointing to the inked treble clef on her left hand.

Vangie Randall-Shorty shows a tattoo on her hand that was created by her son, Zachariah Shorty, while she spoke during an interview in Bernalillo, N.M., Nov. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan) AP

Shorty was last seen at the Journey Inn Motel in the northwestern New Mexico city of Farmington, where he was out with friends to make music, his mom said. He was found days later in a field near the Navajo community of Nenahnezad. He had been shot multiple times.

The indictments provide no details about what might have let to the shooting or how Shorty was connected to the people charged in his death. Defense attorneys say they have yet to be provided with any discovery related to the case.

Austin Begay, 31, is charged with first-degree murder, while Jaymes Fage, 38, is accused of aiding and abetting. Both Navajo men and a third defendant, 40-year-old Joshua Watkins, also face charges for lying to investigators to conceal the killing.

Vangie Randall-Shorty wears a button in memory of her son Zachariah Shorty in Bernalillo, New Mexico, Nov. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan) AP

Shortys mom has spent the last five years attending town halls, task force meetings, prayer circles and community marches to keep the case in the spotlight and to advocate for other families. While shes pleased that charges have been brought, she knows the next step will stir more emotions because she still misses her son.

My heart is heavy, she said. But I will continue advocating for Zach and continue being his voice.
President Donald Trump has once again revealed where his loyalties lie - and it is not with Americas allies, (Report: Trump peace plan would cede Ukraine territory to Russia, prevent NATO expansion, Nov. 20). By threatening to cut off American intelligence and weapons unless Ukraine accepts Trumps so-called peace plan  a plan which leaves NATO, Europe and Ukraine out of the negotiations - Trump is coercing a democratic nation into surrender.

Trumps demands - that Ukraine cede territory, shrink its military and renounce NATO - mirror Russian President Vladimir Putins wish list, while requiring little from Russia.

This is not diplomacy. It is appeasement. It is betrayal. And it rewards a regime that murders civilians, silences dissent and seeks to erase Ukraines identity.

What makes this darker is the suspicion that Trumps motives may not be purely political, and related to his pursuit of business deals in Russia such as Trump Tower Moscow. It raises doubts about whether Trump serves national interests or his own empire.

Voices in Washington  from Sen. Lindsey Graham to Rep. Don Bacon  have condemned the plan as appeasement. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War said it would deprive Ukraine of critical defensive positions and capabilities necessary to defend against future Russian aggression, apparently in exchange for nothing.

Yet Trump presses forward, indifferent to the moral stain and strategic disaster. History will not remember this as leadership. It will remember it as betrayal.

I would note that abandoning allies does not Make America Great Again. Eventually, MAGA people will catch on, and Trump will be remembered as Americas worst president.

Ron Ellsworth, Troutdale

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, pictured, along with three Portland area district attorneys put the federal government on notice this week regarding federal agents' use of force in Oregon. Beth Nakamura

Oregons attorney general and Portland area district attorneys put the federal government on notice this week that they will investigate and prosecute any federal agents in the state who use force beyond the reasonable scope of their duties.

In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the Oregon officials pointed to incidents in the past six months when federal agents have used munitions that struck local police, fired tear gas against non-violent protesters outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office, endangering nearby residents, and pointed guns at teenagers at a Dutch Bros Coffee drive-thru in Hillsboro.

Under normal circumstances, state officials would defer to the investigatory processes of the federal government for actions by its agents and employees, the letter said. But the excessive actions DHS agents are taking against residents of Oregon, including local law enforcement officials, indicate these are not normal circumstances.

Homeland Security officials on Tuesday didnt respond to requests seeking comment on the letter.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said the state Department of Justice will use existing funding to review use of force incidents surfaced in court testimony amid the legal battle over President Donald Trumps efforts to deploy National Guard troops to Portland. Attorneys also will review aggressive immigration arrests by federal agents.

These are the starting points for us to start reviewing a lot of the things that are going on in our communities right now, Rayfield said.

Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton signed the letter alongside Clackamas County District Attorney John Wentworth and Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez. All three will review any cases the Oregon justice department forwards for potential charges. So far, it has not referred any.

The district attorneys would need to be mindful of the Constitutions supremacy clause that, Barton said, makes it exceedingly difficult for state or local law enforcement to prosecute a federal official if that federal official is engaged in activity thats connected to their job as a federal official.

Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vazquez said no officer  local or federal  should use excessive force, and hes hearing community members concerns over federal agents behavior.

What I want is for our community to be safe and to feel that, he said. We want individuals to be treated fairly and appropriately, and we want to make sure that no one is subject to excessive force.

Clackamas County District Attorney John Wentworth said hes deeply concerned with the tactics that federal agents are using while carrying out immigration arrests.

If these tactics were used by local law enforcement to apprehend non-violent offenders, he said in a statement, there would be public outrage and rightfully so.

Fedor Zarkhin contributed to this report.
Team Housing Solutions, known for quickly establishing military housing, is seeking rooms for a year, the mayor said. Samantha Swindler/ The Oregonian

Team Housing Solutions, Inc., a contractor known for quickly establishing military housing, has been calling hotels on the Oregon coast in search of up to 200 hotel rooms for a year, Newports mayor said Tuesday.

Mayor Jan Kaplan disclosed the Texas firms hunt for hotel rooms in a social media update aimed at keeping residents abreast of federal plans to establish a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Newport, a new flashpoint in the Trump administrations escalating immigration enforcement actions in Oregon.

We confirmed today that Team Housing Solutions has called multiple hotels up and down the coast as recently as this morning looking for as many as 200 hotel rooms for a year, Kaplan said in a video posted to Facebook and Instagram.

The federal contractor is looking for guest rooms that are available Dec. 15 through 2026, according to emails to hotels reviewed by The Oregonian/OregonLive. The emails were sent by Erin Torres, a business development representative with Team Housing Solutions, who did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

The mayor did not say which hotels the contractor had approached about hotel rooms.

Team Housing Solutions contacted at least three hotels in Newport and one in Yachats, according to city spokesperson John Fuller, who declined to name the properties.

Theyre probably struggling to find something, Fuller said of the federal contractor. None of our businesses were giving them anything.

Newport is among the Oregon coast cities under consideration for a new ICE facility, Newport officials said earlier this month. Newport City Manager Nina Vetter in a Nov. 12 city meeting corroborated days of speculation after federal contractors indicated they wanted to lease city land and hire ICE detention officers in the city. Vetter said at the meeting that Team Housing Solutions had rescinded its letter of interest to lease land at Newport Municipal Airport for unspecified federal operations.

At the meeting, Kaplan said he and members of the City Council planned to fight ICEs encroachment into Newport. Members of the public who testified during the packed meeting overwhelmingly voiced opposition to an ICE facility, too.

But the federal push appears ongoing. On Tuesday, the mayor said a U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter flew over Newport and landed for fuel on Friday. Kaplan said the Federal Aviation Administration requires the city to refuel any aircraft that lands at its airport. The helicopters pilot told Newport airport staff that they had attempted to refuel in Tillamook, but no one was at that airport, Kaplan said.

In his video update, Kaplan also noted federal contractors have reached out to coastal companies for services such as storage, transportation, as well as sewage and waste removal.

Given the importance to our community, ICE presence is something we are tracking as closely as we can, Kaplan said.
Protesters gathered outside the Portland ICE facility on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. Federal officers were on site. Dave Killen / Special to The Oregonian

A rumor began swirling on social media platforms recently that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers would be posting up along strategic holiday travel routes to stop people over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Early posts in some private and Spanish-speaking Facebook groups had comments split seemingly down the middle, with people trying to dispel misinformation and others concerned about weekend plans.

However, Oregon state Rep. Ricki Ruiz, a Democrat who represents Gresham and Southeast Portland, said these claims are baseless and explained briefly how he came to that conclusion.

In a post featured on both Instagram and Facebook, Ruiz said, This information has NOT been confirmed by any official agency and there is no evidence or verified truth behind these claims. The post continued, A coordinated, multi-highway ICE checkpoint operation would require massive staffing, formal public notice, coordination with state and local law enforcement, and would immediately impact commuters, emergency services, freight and daily travel.

His office said it is actively monitoring the situation.

Oregon State Police had a similar take. Capt. Kyle Kennedy said OSP is unaware of any plans related to an immigration roadblock.

Ruiz asked constituents to, please be cautious about sharing unverified posts that can create unnecessary fear and confusion. My priority is ensuring our families have accurate information, feel safe, and know their rights.

The post debunking the ICE information is just the latest in a slew of posts from Ruiz about immigration officers in his jurisdiction.

In early October, four construction workers were taken into ICE custody. Ruiz told OPB that ICE did not have an administrative warrant for three of those four men.

On Oct. 15, ICE agents pointed a gun at Maricruz Andres, her 3-month-old baby, brother and stepfather after breaking into their home by breaking down the door.

The father and brother of Andres were arrested. She told The Oregonian/OregonLive that ICE agents displayed no warrant.

Ruiz shared the video Andres took on his social media and said that the brother and stepdad had different names than the men the ICE agents were seeking.

Shortly after that, Ruiz and several other Oregon politicians began pushing for a possible special legislative session to respond to the mass deportations and immigration raids.

The legislatures website does not show a special session scheduled at this time.

The immigration crackdown seemed to intensify in October as protests outside the Portland ICE center continued to garner national attention.

According to records, videos, interviews and police records available to The Oregonian, immigration agents pulled a group of Latino high school students out of a car at gunpoint twice in one day in Hillsboro, arrested the construction workers in Gresham and kept a Latino man on the ground in the middle of a Portland street for nearly two minutes with an agent on top while the man screamed in Spanish that he couldnt breathe.

Earlier this month, McMinnville High School senior Christian Jimenez, 17, was detained by ICE. Jimenez is a U.S. citizen who was born in Newberg. He said he tried to tell ICE officers he was a citizen, but they broke his drivers side window, opened his car door and detained him.

A Portland woman living in the United States lawfully on a visa was detained by immigration officials for four months. Her children, despite being US citizens, were held with her for two weeks before being released to a family friend.

Ive noticed a troubling pattern where misinformation like this spreads most rapidly in Spanish-speaking Facebook groups and community pages, Ruiz said in a statement to The Oregonian/OregonLive. Our Latino community is often targeted with fear-based falsehoods, and once these posts begin circulating, it becomes extremely difficult to control how far and how fast they move. One of the strengths of social media is how quickly important information can spread, but that same speed becomes a major challenge when inaccurate or misleading content is involved. A single screenshot can be reposted across multiple platforms in minutes and take on a life of its own.

Ruiz encouraged constituents to feel empowered to reach out directly to their local elected officials, to help verify whether information is coming from local or federal governments.

My priority remains ensuring that our community has accurate, timely information and that we push back against false narratives with transparency and compassion. Our families deserve to feel safe and supported  not fearful because of misinformation.
Oregon stands to lose $39 million in homeless services funding under a new federal policy. The Oregonian

Oregon joined 19 other states and Washington, D.C., Tuesday in filing a lawsuit to prevent the Trump administration from dramatically changing a housing program and illegally upending supports for tens of thousands of Americans experiencing homelessness.

The states accused the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development of changing its Continuum of Care grant program in violation of congressional intent by reducing the amount of grant funds that can be spent on permanent housing and putting new unlawful conditions on access to the funding.

Among those conditions is that local authorities recognize only two genders.

Oregon received $65 million from the federal government last year through the program, with that money flowing to eight coalitions across the state to mostly support permanent supportive housing programs.

Rayfield said that Oregon stands to lose about $39 million under the new federal policy.

Imagine finally getting into a stable home after years of homelessness, only to have the rug pulled out because the rules changed overnight, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said in a statement. Thats what HUDs new policy does  it puts Oregonians at risk of losing the housing and help theyve worked so hard to get.

A spokesperson for HUD did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.

Politics editor Jamie Goldberg contributed to this report.
Oregons U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas and a lawyer from the Portland-based nonprofit Innovation Law Lab, who represents three detainees at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Tacoma, Washington, had their meetings with the detainees canceled Tuesday. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File

Oregons U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas went to Tacoma, Washington, on Tuesday expecting to meet with three of her constituents who are detained at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center.

Instead, the second-term Democrat  whose 6th Congressional District includes cities in the northern Willamette Valley grappling with increased ICE presence and arrests  and a lawyer from the Portland-based nonprofit Innovation Law Lab, who represents the three detained, were left to wait.

Although she did get a tour of the facility, their meetings with detainees were canceled, Salinas said, because there was a lack of rooms to hold them as hundreds of people detained in the facility compete for time and space to meet with their lawyers.

While you have theoretical access, you dont really have access in the way that you need to, she said of detainees ability to talk with their lawyers. And we as members of Congress dont really have access to see our constituents in the way that we need to.

Salinas district includes parts of Washington County, Woodburn and Salem. Washington County and Woodburn have declared states of emergency and Salem is drafting an emergency declaration over increased ICE presence and ICE officers  often wearing masks and refusing to identify themselves  targeting Hispanic and Latino-looking residents, Spanish-speakers and even arresting U.S. citizens.

On Friday, a 17-year-old McMinnville student and U.S. citizen was arrested by ICE officers who smashed his car window to grab and detain him, sending shockwaves through the city. He was among four U.S. citizens detained in Oregon by ICE officers last week.

Almost one-quarter of residents in the 6th District, spanning the southeast corner of Portland to the eastern half of the Willamette Valley, are Hispanic or Latino, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Its sending horror through my communities, Salinas said.

The trip Tuesday was her first to the Tacoma detention center, and her second to ICE facilities following a September visit to an agency processing center in Portland. Other Democratic members of Oregons congressional caucus have also visited the facilities to help advocate for, and even secure the release of, constituents.

About half of the people at the Tacoma facility, where capacity can reach 1,500, are there due civil violations of immigration law, according to reporting from KUOW, and 70% of detainees there have no criminal history.

Trump said when he tried to get elected: Im only going to go after criminals. Thats bulls**t. Salinas said. Hes being brutal and inhumane. Hes arresting people in a very inhumane way, and then theyre asking questions later, if they even ask questions later.

Salinas described the tour of the Tacoma facility as a fishbowl experience, and said it felt as though officials designed the visit to go quickly and to keep her away from direct contact with any detainees and the spaces they are kept.

While there, she met with Scott Meyer, interim Seattle field office director for ICE, and Bruce Scott, a building administrator employed by private prison company GEO Group, which runs the facility.

She was not allowed to meet directly with her constituents, not allowed to see where the men  who far outnumber the women  are kept, and only allowed to see the womens dormitory through glass. She said she saw about 50 women in the dormitory, where they sleep in bunks and have bathing privacy only via shower curtains.

Above the dormitory is a catwalk for guard supervision, and she noted the shower curtains do not cover overhead views of the bathing areas. There is another womens dormitory with about 75 women that she did not get to see, she added.

Salinas said she played by the rules and gave officials at the facility seven days advance notice of her visit. As a member of Congress, she has the legal right to visit any immigration detention facilities without notice, but she said ICE officials have requested lawmakers give them a weeks notice. In hindsight, she said, she wished she had not obliged that request.

Though I probably wouldnt have seen the facility at all, she added.

-- Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle

The Oregon Capital Chronicle, founded in 2021, is a nonprofit news organization that focuses on Oregon state government, politics and policy.
Following nearly three hours of emotional public testimony over the impact of immigration arrests, Salem city councilors voted Monday to reaffirm the citys commitment to following state sanctuary laws and to draft a declaration of a state of emergency over increased federal immigration activities which many speakers described as terrorizing the community.

The first motion, brought by Council President Linda Nishioka, reaffirmed the citys commitment to inclusion and stated its support for Oregon sanctuary law. It passed 7-2, with Councilors Shane Matthews and Deanna Gwyn voting against the motion.

Matthews and Gwyn, along with Salem Mayor Julie Hoy, also voted against drafting a declaration of a state of emergency, a motion brought by Councilor Vanessa Nordyke.

Nordykes motion also directs the citys Human Rights Commission and city staff to prepare a know your rights forum for residents affected by federal immigration enforcement.

The councils action comes after recent immigration enforcement has sparked intense fear and concern throughout the area, and follows emergency declarations from Hillsboro and Woodburn last week.

Over 200 people filled the auditorium at the Salem Public Library for Mondays meeting, and several dozen people took turns calling on the city to declare a state of emergency, enforce traffic violations against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicles and set up a fund for families affected by deportations.

In an opening statement, Hoy voiced support for Salems immigrant communities and described the immense fear and threats felt by the community as a nightmare.

When our residents are worried, when parents fear taking their children to school, when workers wonder if they can safely report to work, we have a problem which needs to be acknowledged and addressed, she said.

Nordyke, who is challenging Hoy for mayor, also made a statement at the meetings start.

I know that ICE is intentionally creating an atmosphere of fear, and that is undermining trust, it is breaking up families and is absolutely damaging the social fabric of our city, she said. She listed resources like the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition and the Oregon Department of Justice, which both have hotlines to report ICE activity and immigration resources.

Hoy announced that the city launched a new website Monday listing resources for immigration enforcement, including the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition, the Oregon Department of Justice and Legal Aid Services of Oregon. It also has information on ICE agents authority, sanctuary law and Salem police policies.

Speakers cited increased activity by ICE and other federal agents in Salem over the last couple of months.

On Nov. 11, immigration agents arrested at least 26 people in Salem, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman previously told Salem Reporter. It is the largest single-day immigration arrest total in recent city history, according to immigrant rights groups.

WATCH IT: Testimony, votes on immigration enforcement

Ahead of the meeting, Latinos Unidos Siempre, a local youth-led grassroots group, posted a list of demands for the city, which include a declaration of a state of emergency over ICE activity, a fund for families affected by deportations and city policy that builds on state sanctuary law.

There were also demands for the Salem Police Department to promise never to sign an agreement with federal agencies for immigration enforcement. Doing so would violate Oregons sanctuary law.

Public testimony

While many people who spoke at the meeting made demands of the city for concrete action to protect and support immigrant communities, some testimony included personal stories of how recent ICE activity has affected them.

A student from the Salem-Keizer School District shared his experience as students are increasingly scared of federal agents taking their parents.

I have seen and heard the fear my peers carry, fears about immigration enforcement, fear about whether ICE will show up in our neighborhoods and fear about whether our families will still be together when we get home from school, said the student, Sirr, who did not give a last name. These when and ifs are not abstract ideas to us, they are conversations happening in school hallways and classrooms and on the bus ride home. This fear affects how we learn, it affects how we show up to class, it affects whether some students even feel safe enough to come at all.

As people spoke, many in the audience held signs reading Stop ICE, This is an emergency and Stop the terror! Some stood along the auditoriums back holding a large banner depicting a masked ICE agent.

More than 10 people stood outside the library as a counter-protest to the people testifying to the city council. Some got into verbal altercations with people leaving the meeting.

Salem resident Geovanny Tolentino, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and teacher in Hillsboro, reflected on his time as a student at Sprague High School.

As a student, I grew up haunted by stories of deportation. Abuelos, tios y primos, he said, referring to grandparents, uncles and cousins in Spanish. Graduating as a first generation Chicano was a victory, because it was plagued by anxiety over whether I would get to celebrate it with my parents.

Tolentino called Hoy and Nordykes statements at the start of the meeting a slap in the face to families like his who have feared ICE for years, students scared to come to school and Salems immigrant business owners and street vendors.

Ashley Cervantes, who lives with her family in unincorporated east Salem, spoke of the strong fear she feels about the threat of ICE arrests made outside of city limits.

If ICE were to raid that area, there would be nothing we could do and Salem City Council needs to be painfully aware of this and work to incorporate these vulnerable and unrepresented areas of Salem, she said.

Like many others Monday night, Cervantes described ICE and federal agents as ripping apart families and terrorizing communities. She cited the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling that allows ICE agents to use race as a factor to detain and question people and called on the council to declare an emergency and plan for raids outside of city limits.

They are not here to make our community safer, they are here to terrorize and rip apart our community, our neighbors, our friends, our families, she said, referring to ICE agents. Not a day goes by where I am not afraid for my own family. Will I come home from work to an empty house, not knowing that my husband and toddler were swept up in a raid?

Few at the meeting spoke in favor of ICE, but Mike Slagle, chair of Marion County Republicans, voiced his support of the agency and its enforcement. During his testimony, Slagle said that people who are legal citizens youre not gonna get deported, youre not gonna go to jail.

Itll feel a lot better, if youre a citizen you wont feel scared, he said.

Council discussion

During the discussion leading up to the vote on Nishiokas motion, Councilor Irvin Brown spoke at length from his perspective as a man of faith with tears in his eyes.

I do not understand those individuals who call themselves Christians but yet they are OK with seeing families torn apart. I do not understand when folks who call themselves Christian are OK with seeing folks being snatched off the street with folks with a hood on, Brown said.

Brown said Christianity preaches taking care of the community including refugees and immigrants. He called on the governor and county commissioners to step in to assist during this time.

Matthews said he didnt vote against the two motions because he is not sympathetic to those affected by ICE activity, but because he is wary of shining the spotlight on a city that already follows state sanctuary laws.

This does not seem to bode well for communities. And I say that because in April, the White House issued a policy, and named it, cracking down on sanctuary cities. And they said by May they want a list of all sanctuary cities, Matthews said.

Matthews said he did not want the councils decision to bring further scrutiny on the city from ICE putting the very community members they hoped to protect in further danger.

Matthews pointed out that cities that have made similar declarations have seen even more immigration enforcement activity.

Hoy did not address her reason for voting no on the path toward an emergency declaration.

I want to commend council for coming together on a very difficult topic. We dont get to talk about these things outside of these meetings, and this is a very complex issue, and yet here we are navigating this in front of everyone, and it is not particularly comfortable or easy, she said ahead of the vote.

Gwyn said she is concerned that the declaration, while making no difference, only gives a false sense of security to those affected.

Councilors acknowledged that on its own, an emergency declaration would not impact immigration enforcement, but those who supported the motion said they felt they needed to make a statement in support of the community.

The motion directs City Manager Krishna Namburi to draft an emergency declaration that will be presented to the council at its Dec. 1 meeting.

Councilor Micki Varney did not hold back in her explanation of the current state of affairs in Salem.

This is an emergency. It is a crisis. These illegal kidnappings should not be happening. But they are. Due process matters, but it is not happening, Varney said, eliciting a few heckles from the audience. I agree that the terror needs to stop and when it comes to the ICE agents and their impersonators  They promote hate and fear and terrorize and create division, destruction and violence against others. They have appalling destructive behavior and they are cowards. They hide behind their makeshift masks. And this is real. It is domestic terrorism that is occurring.
Multnomah County will start prosecuting people caught with illegal drugs who fail to meaningfully engage with treatment options, District Attorney Nathan Vasquez said Tuesday.

His announcement signals yet another turning point in Oregons yearslong effort to effectively tackle public drug use, which has run rampant in the Portland area, where overdose deaths hit record highs in recent years.

Oregon voters decriminalized the use of street drugs with Measure 110 in 2020. But the Legislature rolled back that effort in 2024 with House Bill 4002, reestablishing minor drug possession as a misdemeanor crime and laying the groundwork for whats known as deflection.

Deflection programs such as the one in Multnomah County, which operates from a center in Southeast Portland, allow people caught with small amounts of drugs to seek treatment instead of being prosecuted.

One year after it launched, the results show that it has hardly been used in Multnomah County, and that people who do use the program hardly ever complete it. There is currently no punishment for failing to complete the program.

Beginning Jan. 5, Vasquezs office plans to prosecute people who fail to complete the deflection program.

Its time for some changes, Vasquez said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon. Were going to demand accountability.

Willamette Week first reported on the change in policy.

Vasquez also outlined his vision for the new year in a Nov. 20 memo, where he cited data showing that in its first year, less than two people arrived at the deflection center per day, that one-third of them left without getting an assessment with no consequences, and less than one-fifth followed up with a service provider.

The key problem: Participation in the program is not changing the likelihood of re-arrest, Vasquez wrote.

Indeed, county data released last week found that the deflection center, which opened in September 2024, has received 606 total visits since then. More than 90% percent of those brought to the center in its first year were homeless.

Most didnt complete the full deflection process. Only 113 people completed the requirements, which include taking a substance abuse assessment and contacting local resources like treatment, housing or a peer counselor within 30 days.

To tackle the issue, Vasquez proposed that when police take someone caught with drugs to Multnomah Countys deflection center that they also provide their evidence to the district attorneys office. If that person doesnt go through the program and the evidence supports their prosecution, they would then be prosecuted, according to the plan.

The challenges identified in the first year of implementation make clear that we must act with urgency and focus, Vasquez wrote.

Vasquez wouldnt be the countys only critic of the deflection program. County commissioners Julia Brim-Edwards and Shannon Singleton have said that the number of people whove used the program do not justify the money thats been spent on it.

As part of the states focus on providing treatment rather than jail time for low level drug offenders, the Legislature gave the county about $4.3 million to use on its deflection program.

Singleton released a proposal Monday for maximizing the use of the deflection center by giving staff access to the countys list of people who are homeless, and for homeless service providers to be able to refer people to the deflection center for sobering.

Today Multnomah Countys deflection center operates in isolation, Singleton said in a statement. Because of that, were not seeing the outcomes that voters and lawmakers expected. When 92% of the people law enforcement take to the deflection center are experiencing homelessness, its common sense to link our homelessness response to our deflection efforts.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a warning about lithium-ion batteries sold by a Seattle-based e-bike company. Provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Cyclists who ride certain models from a Seattle-based electric bike company should immediately dispose of their bikes batteries, according to a federal warning.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission posted a notice Monday warning users of some Rad Power Bikes e-bike models to ditch their vehicles batteries. Per the warning, hazardous lithium-ion batteries may unexpectedly ignite and explode, especially when the battery or harness has been exposed to water and debris.

The agency is aware of 31 fire reports related to Rad Power Bikes batteries, including 12 instances of property damage totaling $734,500, according to the notice.

Two battery models are affected by the recall: HL-RP-S1304 or RP-1304, each which has its model number printed on a label at the back of the battery. Batteries were sold online, at Best Buy stores and at independent bike shops nationwide.

Affected items were sold either separately as replacement batteries or with the following e-bike models: RadWagon 4, RadCity HS 4, RadRover High Step 5, RadCity Step Thru 3, RadRover Step Thru 1, RadRunner 2, RadRunner 1, RadRunner Plus and RadExpand 5

Consumers should immediately remove the battery from their e-bike and dispose of the battery while following local hazardous waste disposal procedures.

Rad Power Bikes refused to agree to an acceptable recall, according to the federal notice, and said it is unable to offer replacement batteries or refunds to consumers. The e-bike company has faced considerable financial challenges since the pandemic, and earlier this month announced it may soon be forced to close.

The Seattle company did, however, issue its own response to the federal warning strongly disagreeing with the agencys characterization of its batteries.

Reputable, independent third-party labs, tested Rad Power Bikes batteries and confirmed compliance with industry standards, the company wrote.

The incident rate associated with the batteries in the CPSCs notice is a fraction of one percent, Rad Power Bikes wrote in its Monday statement. While that number is low, we know even one incident is one too many, and we are heartbroken by any report involving our products.

The e-bike company also said that it was willing to offer consumers the chance to upgrade to its Safe Shield batteries at a substantial discount, but CPSC rejected the suggestion.

The significant cost of the all-or-nothing demand would force Rad to shut its doors immediately, the statement continued, leaving no way to support our riders or our employees.
STUNG TRENG, Cambodia, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian relocated villager Laing Nuth has expressed her satisfaction with the development of the Lower Sesan II hydropower station here, saying that the project has not only generated clean and reliable energy, but also significantly changed the lives of local residents.

Situated in northern Stung Treng province's Sesan district, the 400-megawatt Lower Sesan II hydropower station, which was put into operation in 2018, is a joint venture among China's Huaneng Hydrolancang International Energy, Cambodia's Royal Group, and Vietnamese EVN International Joint Stock Company.

It is one of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) flagship projects carried out in the Southeast Asian country.

Nuth, who has been relocated to the new Srekor 1 village in 2017 to pave the way for the development of the hydropower dam, said the project has transformed her life and other resettled villagers' lives.

She said the hydropower company had constructed a decent house for each resettled family, given each of them a five-hectare piece of farmland, and some compensation for the damage to their farm crops in their old villages.

Nuth currently plants cashew and casava crops on her farmland and earns a proper revenue to support her family.

"When we lived in the old village, there was little development, but when we moved here, there are a lot of changes," she told Xinhua in a recent interview.

She added that in the old village, the villagers used battery-powered lamps or kerosene-burning lamps.

"Here, there are roads, stable electricity...and I would say that our livelihoods here are better than that in the old village," the 43-year-old mother of two children said.

"In each harvest season, I could earn about 15 million riels (3,750 U.S. dollars)," she said.

Meanwhile, Nuth said the company has protected environment well, taking care of both the environment at the hydropower dam and in local villages.

She observed that the hydropower company has also built a 2,900-meter-long fishway to serve as the path for fish migration.

Sum Baiyorn, another relocated villager to the new Srekor 1 village, said the dam project has not only secured energy security, but also provided a lot of benefits to local residents.

"At the old Srekor village, the roads were difficult to access, and there was no electricity, while at this new village, there are police stations, health centers, schools, electricity and clean water, among others," she told Xinhua.

"I'm very happy with what I've received from the royal government and the hydropower company," she added.

Baiyorn said that at the new village, because of competitive electricity costs, some villagers have experienced something new, such as using air-cons and refrigerators, which they had never imagined at the old village due to no electricity.

"If there was no this hydropower station, we must be still living in difficulty, using kerosene-burning lamps or battery-powered lamps," the 35-year-old mother of four children said.

Sim Chorn, deputy chief of Srekor 1 village, said the village has a total of 522 families with 1,872 villagers.

"They, about 60 percent, make their livings by growing rice and other crops, particularly cashew and cassava," he told Xinhua. "At this new Srekor village, more than 80 percent of the villagers have enjoyed their better livelihoods."

Chorn recounted that at the old village, almost 100 percent of the households used kerosene-burning lamps.

"If we were still in the old Srekor village, we would not have access to such a stable electricity," he added.

Pan Qi, a Chinese staff member at the Lower Sesan II hydropower station, said the company has adhered to the principle of building a power station to drive local economic development, protect the environment, benefit the local people, and share the fruits of harmonious development.

"Here, we've built a basic resettlement village. Within this village, we've constructed public facilities such as hospitals and schools, providing convenient transportation and power supply facilities to serve the entire resettlement village, making life better," he told Xinhua. 
Intel is trying to win customers away from rival TSMC but has moved carefully, since TSMC makes some of Intel's most advanced chips. TNS

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan told employees Wednesday that the company had acted ethically when it hired a former executive from rival Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.

TSMC sued the executive, Wei-Jen Lo, on Tuesday. It alleged that Lo violated a nondisclosure agreement by joining Intel as a vice president after his retirement from the Taiwanese company.

In a message to employees Wednesday morning, Tan defended the hiring and said the company stands behind its principles.

Based on everything we know today, we see no merit to the allegations involving Wei-Jen, and he continues to have our full support, Tan told employees in the memo, reviewed by The Oregonian/OregonLive. He said Lo will work in Intels manufacturing group and its packaging business.

Intel confirmed Los hiring in a statement to The Oregonian/OregonLive, its first public comment on the matter. The company said Lo will help revitalize Intels engineering culture.

As part of this transformation, Intel has welcomed back Wei-Jen Lo, who previously spent 18 years at Intel working on the development of Intels wafer processing technology before joining TSMC, where he continued his work in their wafer processing technology development, Intel said.

Intel maintains rigorous policies and controls that strictly prohibit the use or transfer of any third-party confidential information or intellectual property, the company said in its statement.

In Wednesdays email to employees, Tan said that Freedom to work, to apply our skills, and to move between companies has been a cornerstone of innovation in the semiconductor industry since the earliest days."

In fact, employees moving among companies has long been a point of contention in the tech industry. A decade ago, Intel joined Apple, Adobe and Google in paying a $415 million settlement over allegations that they had an agreement not to hire one anothers employees.

TSMC is the worlds most advanced chip manufacturer, producing leading-edge chips for Nvidia, Apple, AMD and many other tech businesses. Intel badly wants to take a slice of that business but often treads lightly with TSMC, which also manufactures some of Intels most advanced chips.
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of the Interior said Tuesday that nonresidents will pay higher rates to enter 11 of the most visited U.S. national parks starting on Jan. 1, 2026.

An annual pass will cost 250 U.S. dollars for nonresidents starting next year, compared with 80 dollars for U.S. residents, according to a statement from the department.

Nonresidents without an annual pass will pay a fee of 100 dollars per person to enter 11 of the most popular national parks, in addition to the standard entrance fee, the department said, adding that the move aims to "help support the care and maintenance" of those parks.

Currently, nonresidents pay the same rate as U.S. residents to visit national parks.

"These policies ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations," said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.

In July, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to increase entry fees for foreign tourists to U.S. national parks. 
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Norman City Council approved the purchase of land for a homeless shelter and discussed a contract with the Cleveland County Economic Development Coalition on Tuesday.

Land Purchase

The news: Council approved the purchase of a 3.23-acre land along Reed Avenue and south of Main Street near Food and Shelter for a possible homeless shelter.

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The land cost around $74,290 and was purchased from the Oklahoma State Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, according to a staff report. It was made available due to the department's efforts to hire a new state mental health hospital, according to the staff report.

This comes after the department announced plans to move Griffin Memorial Hospitals services to southwest Oklahoma City.

What theyre saying: Norman residents voiced support and disapproval of the purchase during a public comment period before the vote.

Evan Taylor, a Ward 4 resident who lives near the land, said he was concerned the shelter might bring issues to his neighborhood and surrounding areas.

Much of this land surrounding the parcel is still owned by the state, which the city cannot police, Taylor said. That creates a gap that must be addressed in the design.

Taylor reminded the council to not rush into building the shelter without the proper planning.

Do not rush a temporary shelter next to us, Taylor said, without the planning, the framework, the oversight, and the protection this location requires.

Misty Lamb, another Ward 4 resident, asked council to postpone the vote and take time to assess it.

I sit on my porch and I have seen prostitution. I have seen drug deals. I have seen them use drugs. Ive seen them defecate right on the corner of Findlay (Avenue) and Main (Street).  Just make sure that youre making the right decision, Lamb said. Im for (a homeless shelter), I know the need, I see it every single day.  Make sure that it's not going to be something that directly impacts the ones that do pay taxes, that do pay to live in this town.

OU philosophy professor Stephen Ellis voiced his support for the purchase. He said he understands people might not want to live near a homeless shelter because it can affect property values and the stability of a neighborhood, but added that this issue was already happening.

Food and Shelter exists there already and there has to be some place for people who are very poor and indigent to have a place to lay their head, Ellis said. This is a nice location, it's close to services  It's getting to be winter. Weve got to find places for people to stay, we can't just keep kicking this can down the road.

Mayor Stephen Tyler Holman said he supported the purchase because of the opportunities it could provide to the city.

I do believe it is an opportunity that we have to take at this moment, Holman said. There is a long road ahead for what actually happens with that property.

Holman said it will take at least six months to find funding for the shelter and determine how long construction will last.

These are all questions that are going to have to be answered before we have a permanent solution, Holman said.

The vote: The purchase passed unanimously.

Cleveland County Economic Development Coalition

The news: Norman City Council discussed entering into a contract with the Cleveland County Economic Development Coalition at its study session Tuesday.

The CCEDC is the renamed, pre-existing Norman Economic Development Coalition. The CCEDC is intended to address economic development throughout Cleveland County, including portions of Lexington, Moore, Noble, Slaughterville, south Oklahoma City and property that does not fall into a municipality according to a staff slideshow.

The slideshow notes Norman would have to pay around $1 per capita for CCEDC services, which the city notes would be around $125,000 annually. The contract also does not include language of annual audits.

What theyre saying: Ward 1 Councilmember David Gandesbery said he was concerned about the transparency of audits.

I personally want to see every audit and inquiry report they gave us.  Id like to see a true financial layout on what our return on investment is, Gandesbery said.

Since council did not reach a consensus on the matter, Ward 4 Councilmember Helen Grant suggested council hold another study session before Dec. 31.

This story was edited by Thomas Pablo and Ana Barboza.
MANILA, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday said it has approved a 398.8-million-U.S.-dollar loan to support the state of Assam in India in transforming its health care and medical education systems.

The ADB said the project will modernize Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) into a state-of-the-art super-specialty facility and upgrade Assam Medical College and Hospital and Silchar Medical College and Hospital, creating a network of centers of excellence under Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences.

Key project components include modernizing GMCH with climate- and disaster-resilient, gender-responsive infrastructure and digital hospital systems, and upgrading medical education through smart classrooms, simulation-based training, and curriculum reforms that integrate gender and climate considerations.

In addition, the project will strengthen institutional capacity by establishing centers of excellence, promoting research, forming gender-equality groups, facilitating private-sector participation in hospital services, and developing a medical tourism strategy. 
The Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad Preservation Society, operators of the Ma & Pa Railroad Heritage Village at Muddy Creek Forks, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this month to celebrate the completion of the new train shed and woodshop facility at 453 High Rock Road in Lower Chanceford Township, York County. This is a view of the building from High Rock Road. Photo provided

An expansion at a York County railroad, more than three decades in the making, has reached a milestone.

A train shed and woodshop have been built at Ma & Pa Railroad Heritage Village at Muddy Creek Forks.

The Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad Preservation Society, operators of the Ma & Pa Railroad, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this month to celebrate the new train shed and wood shop facility at 453 High Rock Road in Lower Chanceford Township, York County, near Airville.

However, even though the train shed and woodshop were completed last year, the project itself is still ongoing.

The Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad Preservation Society, operators of the Ma & Pa Railroad Heritage Village at Muddy Creek Forks, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this month to celebrate the completion of the new train shed at 453 High Rock Road in Lower Chanceford Township, York County. Photo provided

The new train shed and woodshop at Ma & Pa Railroad will provide shelter from the elements and an indoor workspace for restoration, maintenance, and storage of the societys railroad equipment.

For 38 years since the Societys founding, all work on large rail equipment has been done outdoors. The ability to work has been subject to weather and hindered by the need to keep work in progress under tarps. Also, all of the equipment has been constantly subjected to the ravages of the elements. Historic cars like Ma & Pa caboose #2007, which was fully restored in 2005, now need major work again due to 20 years of exposure, the organization said in a news release.

Officials said that in the new facility, volunteers will be able to maintain their equipment, undertake more extensive restoration projects, and shelter and preserve the work that has been done. Officials said these are game-changing capabilities that will support the Societys preservation efforts for years to come.

The construction of the train shed began in October 2023 and was completed in the spring of 2024.

The story of this facility, however, stretches over more than three decades. Construction of a restoration, maintenance, and storage building at High Rock was already envisioned in our Societys first strategic plan, adopted in 1990. We were finally able to buy the property at High Rock in 2018, but we could not immediately begin to develop it because of the devastating flood that hit the Muddy Creek Valley in August of 2018, Craig Sansonetti, president of the Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad Preservation Society, said in an e-mail. Recovery from the enormous damage to our railroad and property at Muddy Creek Forks required all of our resources for several years.

From 2020 to 2023, the nonprofit worked on site planning, track layout, building design, permitting, and the excavation required to prepare the site.

Sansonetti said once the building was complete, the work was not finished. Volunteers began to build the railroad tracks inside the building and the approach tracks.

We have quite a capable track crew, but building over 1200 feet of track and three turnouts to access the building is an enormous task for volunteers, he said,

One track into the building is fully operable, and all three interior tracks are complete.

Our track crew is continuing to work one day each week, and we expect to have the other two tracks operable this winter, he said.

The Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad Preservation Society was founded in 1986 to preserve the heritage of Ma & Pa Railroad.

Passenger excursion trains operate on Sundays from June through August. The railroad also hosts special events, including the Christmas City Express in December.
Right before Christmas in 2023, a Harrisburg police detective showed up at Marilyn McFaddens door with the news her 18-year-old son had been killed in a city alley.

Amari McFadden-Sowers was lured to the 1500 block of Ella Alley under pretenses late at night on Dec. 19, 2023. He was ambushed and shot nine times, his body left for a nearby resident to find when she left for work around 3 a.m. the next day.

McFadden said Detective Michael Rudy swore hed find the person who killed her son. Two years later, he delivered on that promise.

James T. Scott, 22, was charged on Wednesday with homicide and two firearms offenses. He was arrested on unrelated charges less than a month after McFadden-Sowers death and is incarcerated at SCI Camp Hill.

McFadden said the charges come as a huge relief to her family. They never gave up hope of solving the case and called Rudy weekly for updates.

From the time Rudy had to come and let me know my son was gone, he promised me he was going to get who did this. He came through today, she said. Im feeling relieved, and this is coming right before the anniversary of his death and the holidays.

Harrisburg police Lt. Kyle Gautsch said the charges are an example of city detectives persistence.

I think it speaks for the resolve that the detectives have to provide a sense of closure for the families, and more importantly, a sense of justice for the victims, he said. Some cases will undoubtedly, and unfortunately, never be solved. But that cant be an excuse to stop trying and doing all that we can.

McFadden said the killing was senseless, as Scott did not know Amari or have any personal disagreements with him as far as she knew. Charging documents, which may provide a possible motive, were not immediately available.

It was nothing worth taking Amaris life, and unfortunately, it was another misguided young man that pretty much threw his life away, she said.

Amaris homicide had ripple effects that McFadden continues to face. Five days after he died, she suffered a stroke that left her partially paralyzed and unable to attend her sons funeral. She has never regained full movement.

Scott has not been arraigned on the homicide charges as of Wednesday.

Department of Corrections records show Scott arrived at SCI Camp Hill on Sept. 25. He is serving a one-and-a-half to three-year sentence for fleeing or attempting to elude an officer.
Police are investigating a homicide in a home on the 300 block of South 17th Street in Harrisburg. November 25, 2025. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Update: Man found with wound at site of Harrisburg fatal stabbing is charged with murder: police

A 31-year-old Haitian woman was stabbed to death during a Harrisburg domestic assault earlier this week, according to police and the county coroners office.

Shortly after noon Tuesday, officers were dispatched to the 300 block of South 17th Street for a domestic incident. Police then found the body of 31-year-old Violette Pierre, who had been stabbed to death.

Pierre was in a relationship with her attacker, who was taken to the hospital in critical condition with self-inflicted wounds, according to investigators and the Dauphin County District Attorneys Office.

As of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, no charges have been filed in connection with the homicide. The suspects name and condition have not been publicly released.

The homicide is the 11th reported in Harrisburg in 2025, compared to 20 at the same time last year.
Guy Fieri has had a rough couple of weeks and things just got a lot worse after the celebrity chef suffered a serious injury that caused him to be rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery.

Fieri made the revelation during a recent interview with Fox News Digital.

Slipped down a set of steps and one foot went forward and the other foot got caught on the threshold, Fieri said. So, you know, it extended me out. I looked like I was probably doing the splits, but when my right leg compressed into itself the giveaway point and the doctor said hes never seen  you know, in 20 years  he hasnt seen a tear in the biggest, thickest part of your quad in half. Yeah, it sucked.

Fieri said he was currently in a wheelchair, and that the reason that he had to be rushed into surgery was so that the muscle didnt recede.

You normally tear that muscle at your tendon or the tendon tears off the bone, but this was right in the center of the whole quad muscle and it exploded, he said.

Fox reported that Fieri was working on filming his new show, Flavor Town Food Fight, when the incident occurred.

So, right in the middle of filming that and weve got everybody in two and all the chefs there and 125 people on set  and everybodys ready to go  and Im in surgery, Fieri said. So, we figured out how to pivot through it and to have some creative filming techniques. But its been a run, and now Im up here at the ranch, where its always about hiking and outdoors, and you know, beautiful.

Eight weeks of no weight on it, crutches and a cast and then the rehab, which to me  I want to get after it as fast as possible, he added.

This all comes after the 57-year-old Food Network stars fans were sending him prayers last week after he shared a photo on what would have been his late fathers birthday.

Happy 83rd birthday to my hero, Fieri wrote alongside a photo of his family seated at a table. My dad Jamps. We miss you everyday and appreciate all the life lessons and guidance. Happy birthday wise old owl!!!

The Food Network stars father, Jim Ferry, died back on Jan. 27, 2024 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Fieri discussed his fathers cancer battle prior to his death.

Hes been a great advocate for people that have gone through it, Fieri told People Magazine in 2022. Because theres not a lot of knowledge about it. Its not a great success rate. But I think you got to live every single day. Thats the biggest thing, is you never know what tomorrows going to bring.

Jim Ferry was not the first person in Fieris family who died after battling cancer. Hi sister, Jules, died from melanoma in 2011, and he and his wife raised her son, Jules, who was 11 at the time.
The first season of "Task," which filmed in and around Philadelphia, hired 777 Pennsylvanians as local crew, cast members, and background players for 177 days, bringing $230 million to the region, as reported by the Greater Philadelphia Film Office earlier this month. Peter Kramer | HBO

By Rosa Cartagena, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

PHILADELPHIA  The HBO crime thriller Task will return to Pennsylvania along with star Mark Ruffalo for a second season, thanks in part to generous support from the state.

On Monday, the Pennsylvania Film Office announced that Task will receive a record $49.8 million tax credit, the largest amount the state has granted to a single production.

The effort is expected to bring about 3,700 jobs to Pennsylvania as HBO estimates investing $194.1 million into the state economy, including hiring local crews and paying for hotel accommodations.

The first season, which filmed in and around Philadelphia, hired 777 Pennsylvanians as local crew, cast members, and background players for 177 days, bringing $230 million to the region, as reported by the Greater Philadelphia Film Office earlier this month.

Task comes from Mare of Easttown creator Brad Ingelsby, the writer from Berwyn who has developed a reputation for putting Delco (and Philly) crime stories on national television. Last week, HBO announced the popular show would return for a second season, which is expected to film primarily in southeastern Pennsylvania.

The tax credit is part of Gov. Josh Shapiros efforts to bring more TV and film productions to Pennsylvania.

This is the largest tax credit weve ever awarded to one show, and were proud to support another returning series by homegrown storyteller Brad Ingelsby through the Film Production Tax Credit Program, said Pennsylvania Film Commissioner Gino Anthony Pesi in a statement.

The Shapiro administration understands that supporting productions like Task have a powerful impact on Pennsylvanias creative economy through the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs, while also giving new opportunities to local businesses in the southeastern region.

Ingelsby has been committed to investing in authenticity through not only writing film and TV scripts that are based in the Philadelphia region, but pushing for his productions to shoot on location as much as possible.

There is value in shooting something where its set  it will bring something to the production, to the characters, to the emotion that you just cant emulate somewhere else, Ingelsby told The Inquirer in September.

The locations in and around Philadelphia add an invaluable level of authenticity to the series, said Janet Graham Borba, HBOs executive vice president of production, in the statement. Furthermore, the opportunity to bring a production of this caliber to Pennsylvania and provide jobs to its citizens and businesses is extremely gratifying to Brad Ingelsby and all of us at HBO.

Shooting with Pennsylvania crews also had an impact on the Task cast: Some actors, including Emilia Jones, who played Maeve Prendergrast, bonded with crew members, who also helped them learn that difficult-to-nail Delco accent.
These suspensions followed a warning from the FAA. (Getty Images) Getty Images

This week, multiple airlines suspended flights to a particular country.

Thats because officials have warned of a worsening security situation in said country.

Axios reports that airlines  including LATAM, Caribbean, and Turkish Airlines  have pulled back on flights to Venezuela. For how long remains undetermined as of the publishing of this report.

These suspensions followed a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warning released on Friday that urged caution over heightened military activity in the country.

Threats could pose a potential risk to aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflight, the arrival and departures phases of flight, and/or airports and aircraft on the ground, the warning reads.

According to Reuters, the United States is gearing up to launch a new phase in Venezuela-related operations as the Trump administration increases pressure on the Venezuelan government.

U.S. forces have struck multiple alleged drug boats in the region in an effort to overthrow Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, whose purported drug trafficking has resulted on a $50 million for his arrest.

Maduro has denied having any links to these allegations.
BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday extended condolences over a deadly residential building fire in Hong Kong, which killed at least 13 people.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, expressed sympathy to the families of the victims and those affected by the disaster. He urged all-out efforts to extinguish the fire and minimize casualties and losses. 
By VALERIE GONZALEZ, The Associated Press

McALLEN, Texas (AP)  Yaakub Vijandre was preparing to go to work as a mechanic when six vehicles appeared outside his Dallas-area home. Federal agents jumped out, one pointed a weapon at him, and they took him into custody.

Vijandre is a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, the Obama-era program that has shielded hundreds of thousands of people from deportation since 2012 if they were brought to the United States as children and generally stayed out of trouble. The Trump administration said it targeted Vijandre over social media posts. The freelance videographer and pro-Palestinian activist described his early October arrest to his attorneys, who relayed the information to reporters.

His arrest and several others this year signal a change in how the U.S. is handling DACA recipients as President Donald Trumps administration reshapes immigration policy more broadly. The change comes as immigrants have faced increased vetting, including of their social media, when they apply for visas, green cards, citizenship, or to request the release of their children from federal custody. The administration also has sought to deport foreign students for participating in pro-Palestinian activism.

DACA was created to shield recipients, commonly referred to as Dreamers, from immigration arrests and deportation. It also allows them to legally work in the U.S. Recipients reapply every two years. Previously, if their status was in jeopardy, they would receive a warning and would still have a chance to fight it before immigration officers detained them and began efforts to deport them.

In response to questions about any changes, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a statement saying that people who claim to be recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are not automatically protected from deportations. DACA does not confer any form of legal status in this country. DACA recipients can lose status for a number of reasons, including if theyve committed a crime, she said.

McLaughlin also claimed in a statement that Vijandre made social media posts glorifying terrorism, including one she said celebrated Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, al-Qaidas leader in Iraq who was killed in a U.S. strike in 2006.

An attorney for Vijandre, Chris Godshall-Bennett, said Vijandres social media activity is clearly protected speech. He also said the government has not provided details about the specific posts in court documents.

Vijandre is among about 20 DACA recipients who have been arrested or detained by immigration authorities since Trump took office in January, according to Home is Here, a campaign created by pro-DACA advocacy groups. The administration is seeking to end his DACA status, which could result in him being deported to the Philippines, a home he has not visited since his family came to the U.S. in 2001, when he was 14.

DACA has faced legal challenges

DACA survived the first Trump administrations attempt to rescind the program when the Supreme Court ruled in 2020 that the administration did not take the proper steps to end it.

There have been other attempts to end the program or place restrictions on recipients.

This year, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling that would deny work permits for DACA recipients who live in Texas. The Trump administration recently presented its plans to a federal judge who is determining how it will work.

The administration also has issued new restrictions on commercial drivers licenses that would prevent DACA recipients and some other immigrants from getting them. Last year, 19 Republican states stripped DACA recipients access to health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. And the number of states where immigrant students can qualify for in-state tuition has dwindled since the Justice Department began suing states this year.

This administration might not be trying to end DACA altogether the way that they did the first time around, but they are chipping away at it, said Juliana Macedo do Nascimento, spokesperson for United We Dream, which is part of Home is Here, the coalition keeping track of public cases of DACA recipients who have been detained.

Detained DACA recipients question their arrests

Catalina Xochitl Santiago Santiago, a 28-year-old activist from El Paso, Texas, was arrested in August despite showing immigration officers a valid work permit obtained through DACA.

Days later, federal officers arrested Paulo Cesar Gamez Lira as the 28-year-old father was arriving at his El Paso home with his children following a doctors appointment. Agents dislocated his shoulder, according to his attorneys.

Both Santiago and Gamez Lira were held for over a month while their attorneys petitioned for their release.

Marisa Ong, an attorney for Santiago and Gamez Lira, said the government failed to notify either of her clients of any intention to terminate their DACA status.

DACA recipients have a constitutionally protected interest in their continued liberty, Ong said, adding that the government cannot take away that liberty without providing some valid reason.

FILE - Susana Lujano, left, a dreamer from Mexico who lives in Houston, joins other activists to rally in support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, also known as DACA, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on June 15, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) AP

DACA recipients can lose their status if they are convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanors like those involving harming others, driving under the influence or drug distribution, or three or more misdemeanors. They can also lose their status if they pose a threat to national security or public safety.

DHS claimed in a statement that Santiago was previously charged with trespassing, possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia and that Gamez Lira was previously arrested for marijuana possession.

Ong said that when attorneys sought their release, the government presented no evidence of any past misconduct by either individual.

Vijandre, the Dallas-area man who was arrested in October, remains in a Georgia detention facility. His attorneys say he received notice two weeks before his arrest that the government planned to terminate his DACA status, but that he wasnt given a chance to fight it.

I think that the administration has drawn a very clear line and at least for right now, between citizen and noncitizens, and their goal is to remove as many noncitizens from the country as possible and to make it as difficult as possible for noncitizens to enter the country, Godshall-Bennett, Vijandres attorney, said.
FILE - Open government advocates argue the Supreme Court's 4-3 decision has significantly weakened a law aimed at helping citizens see what their local governments are planning to act on in advance of meetings. Shown is the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania chamber at the Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) AP

Advocates for transparency and public involvement in local government are sounding the alarm about a new Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling.

They fear the court, in its split decision, has wrecked a Sunshine Law clause that sponsors wrote to prevent local boards, councils and commissions from taking formal action on issues that havent been declared for public review for at least 24 hours prior.

The courts majority, in a decision issued Monday, said its just reading the words in the law requiring posting of pre-meeting agendas as any English teacher would.

If the General Assembly intended something different from what is expressed in that plain text, it is free to amend the statute, Justice Christine Donahue wrote for a 4-3 majority Monday.

But dissenters said that plain reading changes the spirit of the law so dramatically, the court should use its power to make a clarifying interpretation.

Otherwise, Justice David Wecht warned, a governing body can pursue any unnoticed business it wants for no better reason than that a majority of that body feels like it.

The dispute has its origins in an October 2021 teacher contract ratification vote by the Parkland school board in Lehigh County.

The contract was not listed on the agenda for that nights meeting, but the board took it up anyway after a motion was made to add it to the docket.

School directors explained the teachers union had ratified the contract earlier in the day, and they felt some urgency to close the deal.

State Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-Lehigh, filed suit, arguing the boards action did not fit one of three exceptions to the law requiring 24-hour public notice of all potential business.

The exceptions are:

A public emergency where time is of the essence to prevent death, injury, or damage to property;

Minor issues that have come up within 24 hours of the meeting that dont involve policy decisions or public expenditures;

Issues brought to the board by a resident or taxpayer during the meeting in question, which officials could elect to refer to staff for further work.

At issue in Colemans suit was whether a fourth exception, which allows in-meeting additions to an agenda with a majority vote by the board, can stand alone without the other three.

The court majority  Donahue was joined by justices Kevin Brobson, Kevin Dougherty and Sally Mundy  said yes.

Pennsylvanias local government lobby called that a big win.

This will allow for greater efficiency in township operations and save money and time on unnecessary additional advertisements and meetings, the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors said in a statement pushed to its members.

Government access advocates, on the other hand, are seeing red.

It renders the agenda requirement largely meaningless because what the court has said is that agencies can add anything they want within that 24-hour window, regardless of the situation or appropriateness or the circumstances, as long as they vote to do it at the public meeting, said Melissa Melewsky, counsel for the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association.

That defeats the purpose of providing advance notice on the agenda in the first place. Its a significant problem for Pennsylvanians. Its an invitation for abuse, and Pennsylvanians will suffer as a result.

Coleman, the state senator who challenged the Parkland vote, agreed with Melewsky and said he accepts Donahues invitation to rewrite the law to strengthen the public notice provision.

The consequences of doing nothing, he added, are too great.

I am absolutely concerned about how this decision will undermine the spirit of the Sunshine Law, Coleman said, predicting the ruling will allow municipalities to approve warehouses and data centers in our backyards without public notice.

The Supreme Court has opened Pandoras Box. The public wont know whats coming until its too late.

It could be a simple fix.

Wecht, in his dissent, held that the obvious intent of the Sunshine Act is to have the first three exceptions, with any qualifying changes to an agenda considered separately by the board before they actually take up the new business.

That is also the way most entities have operated in the two years since the states Commonwealth Court agreed with Colemans initial suit, Melewsky said.

Open government advocates are concerned that they now have to win that fight all over again.

I think it could be potentially a very simple fix, Melewsky said Tuesday. Getting it through both houses [in the Legislature] and across the governors desk is another issue.

One sign of encouragement?

The state Senates majority Republican caucus issued a brief in support of Colemans position in the Supreme Court case.

PennLives efforts to reach Senate leadership for their comments on the case were not successful by presstime for this report.
UNDATED: In this handout photo supplied by the FBI, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan Luna is shown. Luna, 38, was found dead on Dec. 4, 2003, near Ephrata, Pennsylvania. (Photo by FBI via Getty Images) Getty Images

By Jade Campos, LNP, Lancaster, Pa. (TNS)

A Lancaster County judge on Monday signed an order unsealing autopsy records in the 2003 death of federal prosecutor Jonathan Luna, whose body was found face-down in a creek in Brecknock Township. The move comes after a years-long effort by LNP  LancasterOnline to obtain information that could provide more insight into Lunas mysterious death.

Judge David Ashworth signed off on a motion by the Lancaster County District Attorneys Office to vacate the seal originally put in place in 2020. At the time, the DAs office said releasing the records could jeopardize the investigation into Lunas death.

Its a win for the public, because these are otherwise public records, said Paula Knudsen Burke, the Pennsylvania staff attorney for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, who represented LNP  LancasterOnline.

The county coroners office in East Hempfield Township did not allow a reporter access to the building immediately following the hearing, and an employee, who did not provide a name, said through the building intercom that Lunas records could not be viewed at that time.

Anyone who wants the records, the employee said, would have to file a records request to receive the files, acknowledging having received LNP  LancasterOnlines request for the records on Friday through the coroners offices standard request form.

Tom Murse, LNP  LancasterOnlines executive editor, filed a formal Right to Know request Monday.

The body of Luna, a 38-year-old Baltimore prosecutor, was discovered Dec. 4, 2003, with 36 stab wounds and face down in a small creek on the property of a Brecknock Township well drilling company. Officials formally determined Luna died by freshwater drowning, though investigators continue to disagree about how he died.

The case remains an open homicide in Pennsylvania under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania State Police and the DAs office.

However, federal investigators in Baltimore have suggested through anonymous sources that personal troubles may have led Luna to take his own life, either intentionally or accidentally.

The autopsy records had been considered lost until they were rediscovered in county archives in January 2020. LNP  LancasterOnline requested that the records be released; the request was denied by Ashworth in 2021, who sided with the DAs office.

At the October 2020 hearing before Ashworth, testimony revealed that the FBI considered Lunas case active, despite years earlier telling The Washington Post that it had been administratively closed.

State Trooper Chad Roberts, who heads the Lancaster County areas criminal investigations unit for homicides, missing persons and cold cases, testified at the hearing that he examines the case annually.

LNP  LancasterOnline renewed its request for the autopsy records in November 2024, citing continued public interest in the case. Lunas death was the inspiration for a documentary called The Midnight Ride of Jonathan Luna, which was shown at The Red Rose Film Festival in 2024 and is based on a 2004 book of the same title.

Multiple podcasts have also studied the Luna case.

 2025 LNP (Lancaster, Pa.). Visit lancasteronline.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
WILLIAMSPORT  Fewer than five claims remain unsettled in the lawsuit brought by the parents and estate of Timothy J. Piazza, who died in 2017 following a Penn State fraternity pledge incident.

That is what Connor J. Lamb, an attorney who represents James and Evelyn Piazza and their sons estate, told PennLive on Tuesday.

They sued 28 Beta Theta Pi fraternity members and St. Moritz Security Systems of Pittsburgh in 2019 for wrongful death and negligence.

St. Moritz is accused of failing to ensure fraternities adhered to policies related to hazing and underage drinking.

The identity of defendants who have or have not settled remains undisclosed due to confidentiality agreements.

That is the reason Lamb said he can say if the claim against St. Moritz, the firm that provided monitors to patrol fraternity social events in 2017, is still active.

His status report on unsettled claims does not include the multiple third-party claims, he said.

The Piazzas filed their suit in the U.S. Middle District Court after their 19-year-old son, a Beta Theta Pi pledge, died on Feb. 4, 2017.

That was two days after becoming intoxicated and falling down steps at a bid acceptance event at the fraternity house.

His injuries included traumatic brain swelling, a skull fracture and a lacerated spleen.

When a settlement is reached, the Piazzas file under seal a petition to distribute wrongful death proceeds stating only the amount and how the money is allocated between the claims and their lawyer, Lamb explained in a Tuesday court filing.

All other information, like the terms, agreements and the name of the settling party, is confidential, he added.

None of the remaining parties has ever seen the signed agreements and can only guess as to what they say, he wrote.

The confidentiality agreements are the reason the Piazzas oppose a motion filed Friday by third-party defendants and former fraternity members Gregory Rizzo, Ryan Foster and Kyle Pecci, he said.

The three want Judge Matthew W. Brann to order the release of the status of the Piazza and third-party claims.

They say they need that information to prepare for their trial defense. Their requests for redacted copies of settlement agreements have been rejected, citing confidentiality, they said.

The Piazzas do not object to an order requiring any defendant to state its intention to pursue a cross-claim, which Rizzo, Foster and Pecci also want.

The three were not sued by the Piazzas but have been by fraternity member Craig Heimer, who was.

Heimers allegations against them include that they saw Piazza unconscious and intoxicated after the fall, and, along with other fraternity members, failed to adequately address his injuries.

Following an investigation, Penn State revoked recognition of the Beta chapter, and the national organization closed the on-campus fraternity house.

The Piazzas reached an agreement with Penn State without suing it. However, the university is a defendant in a third-party claim.

Separate litigation over the sale of the on-campus former fraternity house was discontinued, and the Penn State trustees in July approved the purchase of the North Burrowes Road property from the Alpha Upsilon chapter for $7.3 million.

A Centre County judge in a 2021 non-jury trial found, and the state Superior Court in October 2023 affirmed, that Penn State, because of a 1928 deed, had the right to repurchase the property since it was no longer a fraternity house.

Former fraternity member Donald Abbey, who is CEO of a California real estate business, fought the sale, concerned he would not be fully repaid the more than $10 million he had loaned the chapter for major renovations.
A 42-year-old man who was arrested in Dauphin County for carrying a gun died in a Fayette County prison earlier this month, according to the state Department of Corrections.

On Nov. 18, prison staff at the State Correctional Institution at Fayette found Fredderick Hall Jr. unresponsive in his cell.

Staffers immediately provided life-saving measures until the facilitys medical staff arrived. Brownsville EMS then provided Hall with advanced life support while transferring him to UPMC Presbyterian.

Hall, who was serving a five-to-11-year sentence for possessing a firearm in Dauphin County while prohibited, was pronounced dead just after 4 p.m. on Nov. 22.

Hall had been incarcerated at SCI Fayette since Sept. 11. His family has been informed of his death.

Pennsylvania State Police were notified of the death and will conduct an investigation. Halls cause and manner of death will be determined by the Fayette County Coroners Office.
Karma Entertainment Complex is located at 706 N. Third St. in Harrisburg, site of the former Stallions nightclub. November 20, 2024. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

If you need a ride home after visiting a bar or restaurant this Thanksgiving weekend, you might be able to get home for free.

Sober Ride Home is back to help central Pennsylvania residents get home safely after holiday celebrations. The initiative, created by the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission in collaboration with Uber and Commute Pa., will offer free $20 Uber vouchers.

The ride program aims to reduce the number of fatalities, DUIs, and crashes in central Pennsylvania. Funding comes through a grant from the Federal Highway Administration and the Safe Streets and Roads for All program.

The commission has offered similar perks to central Pennsylvania residents for other holidays, such as New Years Day/Eve, Memorial Day weekend, and the Fourth of July.

In a Nov. 19 press release, CRPC Executive Director Andrew Bomberger noted the influx of travel and gatherings during the upcoming holiday season, prompting the commission to bring back the idea for Thanksgiving.

A lot of folks will be celebrating with family and friends this Thanksgiving, and we want everyone to get where theyre going safely, Bomberger said. Using a free Uber voucher is an easy, effective way to prevent a tragedy over the holiday weekend.

Could this be of use to you? Heres what to know and how to use the program.

When: Nov. 26- 29

Hours: Rides must be taken between 7 p.m. and 3:30 a.m.

How many rides can you redeem?

Riders are allowed to use one $20 voucher. It is important to note that if the ride exceeds $20, the rider is responsible for the remaining balance, and riders must have an active Uber account to use the voucher.

A QR code can be found during promotional hours on Sober Ride Homes website, where riders can redeem it.

Where can you go?

Any residential address is allowed, even if it does not fall in Dauphin, Cumberland, or Perry County. Riders must be coming from a bar or restaurant and cannot use the voucher to get to another bar or restaurant.
Provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The Ambriola Co. and Wegmans have issued recalls for Pecorino Romano cheese that may be contaminated with listeria. The cheese was sold under brand names including Boar's Head, Member's Mark, Locatelli and Pinna. Provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

An Italian cheese sold under the Boars Head, Members Mark (Sams Club), Locatelli and Pinna brands has been recalled because it may be contaminated with listeria.

Wegmans also issued its own recall for the Locatelli brand cheese it sells in plastic tubs.

Ambriola Co. of West Caldwell, New Jersey, issued the recall for grated Pecorino Romano cheese that was distributed to retail stores nationwide between Nov. 3 and Nov. 20, according to a company announcement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The company said routine testing confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

In healthy people, short-term symptoms may include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Infections in pregnant women can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.

The company said no illnesses have been reported to date.

Consumers should check their pantries or refrigerators for these products:

Locatelli Pecorino Romano grated, 4-ounce cup with expiration dates of May 3, 2026, May 10, 2026, and May 17, 2026

Locatelli Pecorino Romano grated, 8-ounce cup with expiration dates ranging from April 6, 2026, to May 17, 2026

Boars Head Pecorino Romano grated, 6-ounce cup with expiration dates of March 4, 2026, and March 12, 2026

Members Mark Pecorino Romano, 1.5-pound bag with expiration dates of March 25, 2026, March 30, 2026, and April 5, 2026

Locatelli Pecorino Romano grated, sold by the pound with expiration dates of March 4, 2026, March 6, 2026, March 11, 2026, and March 13, 2026

Ambriola Pecorino Romano grated, sold by the pound with expiration dates of Feb. 28, 2026, March 4, 2026, and March 11, 2026

Pinna Pecorino Romano grated, sold by the pound with an expiration date of March 11, 2026

Boars Head Pecorino Romano grated, sold by the pound in a bag with expiration dates of March 3, 2026, and March 12, 2026

We take food safety very seriously and immediately alerted stores and distributors to remove the affected products from shelves, said Phil Marfuggi, CEO of Ambriola. We are working closely with the FDA and continuing to test our products and facilities to fully understand the situation.

Ambriola said it has suspended production and distribution of affected products as it conducts a review of sanitation and food safety procedures.

Customers who bought the cheese can return it to the place of purchase for a refund.

For more information, call Ambriola Co. at 800-962-8224 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Wegmans said in its recall that it sold the cheese at stores in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C. between Nov. 14 and Nov. 24, 2025.

Wegmans customers can return the cheese for a refund and call 855-934-3663 for more information.
As a doctor and practice owner, I urge caution in expanding Pennsylvanias False Claims Act.

One reason I left the traditional insurance model was the constant threat of chargebacks and retroactive denials. Insurers create shifting rules where even minor documentation errorsa missing note, a line out of placecan trigger repayment demands or threats of litigation. The care is real and medically necessary, yet a paperwork slip becomes grounds to allege fraud. That climate drives providers away from patient care and could push more out of Pennsylvania.

I agree that intentional fraud must be punished and taxpayer dollars protected. But as typically structured, these laws often invite lawsuits where attorneys exploit honest mistakes, turning minor documentation issues into costly litigation and mass recoupments. This diverts time and resources from patient care, ultimately hurting Pennsylvania families and discouraging clinicians from practicing here.

We need balance: a system that punishes intentional fraud, safeguards taxpayers, and allows honest providers to care for patients without the constant fear of jackpot lawsuits over paperwork.

Buddy Touchinsky, DC, Orwigsburg, Pa.
Its time to put a stop to our arrogant President Donald Trumps pay to play schemes and force him to concentrate upon the needs of the American people!

Maybe the Republican Congress that represent the people is ready to finally do something positive for their constituents.

The Stop Ballroom Bribery Act has been sponsored by Senator Elizabeth Warren and Robert Garcia, a member of the House Oversight Committee. The bill is aiming to put guardrails around private donations to fund construction on White House grounds.

President Trump has put a for sale sign on the White Housesoliciting hundreds of millions of dollars from special interests to fund his $300 million vanity ballroom project. Our measure is a direct response to Trumps ballroom boondoggle, claims Senator Blumenthal.

The Stop Ballroom Bribery Act would prevent donations from businesses or individuals with business before the government, including those facing federal litigation or enforcement actions. It would also ban the display of donor names, bar the donor from remaining anonymous and introduce a two-year cooling off period where donors would be prohibited from lobbying the government.

Many Americans oppose the new Trump ballroom project. This includes a significant portion who strongly disapprove of the demolition of the East Wing to make way for the ballroom.

Our president appears more concerned about White House restoration, his own $400 million airplane, making over $800 million from crypto ventures tied to foreign investors and policy influence, pardons, stablecoins, and a $2 billion Bitcoin bet reshaped U.S. crypto power, raising new ethical alarms and his sons collecting international projects for his future.

When are our Republican leaders going to start listening to the needs of their own constituents instead of destroying their quality of life?

Dr. Richard A. French, Glendale, Calif.
A gray kingbird has been seen hanging around Colerain Township. The birds normal habitat includes parts of Florida, Caribbean islands, and parts or eastern Central America and northern South America. REDA/Universal Images Group via

LNP, Lancaster, Pa.

Some Lancaster County residents recently caught a glimpse of a rare bird that typically resides in and around the Caribbean region.

A gray kingbird has been seen hanging around Colerain Township over the past week or so. The birds normal habitat includes parts of Florida, Caribbean islands, and parts or eastern Central America and northern South America.

The gray kingbird is a type of flycatcher. It was recently spotted perching on farm equipment along Liberty Lane.

These sightings mark the first time a gray kingbird has ever been recorded in Lancaster County and only the third time in Pennsylvania, according to an email from Ted Nichols II, president of the Lancaster County Bird Club. The prior recorded sightings in the state were in Bucks County in 2020 and Chester County in 2004, Nichols said.

Approximately 200 people traveled to Lancaster County just to get a look at the gray kingbird here, Nichols said.
CAPE TOWN, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Department of Agriculture has announced a comprehensive strategy to vaccinate its entire livestock to combat one of the most severe outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) the country has faced in decades.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday, despite the vaccination of 931,200 animals with government-procured vaccine stocks over the last three months, uncontrolled animal movement continues to undermine containment efforts and prolongs the crisis.

The KwaZulu-Natal Province remains the epicenter of FMD, with 180 of the 274 unresolved outbreaks reported nationally.

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen noted that, in response to the outbreaks, the department has resolved to implement a comprehensive strategy to vaccinate the entire national herd, starting with the hardest hit provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga and North West.

"This plan, however, will rely on a consistent, high-quality vaccine supply," he said.

The minister said the government is working closely with the Onderstepoort Biological Products, a state-owned animal vaccine manufacturing company, and the Agricultural Research Council on the formalization of public-private partnerships with domestic industry and international partners, including China and Argentina, who have already offered technical cooperation and support regarding vaccine provision. 
Gov. Josh Shapiro has joined yet another multi-state lawsuit against the Trump administration over its attempts to unilaterally alter federal funding, this time relating to a change in the rules for a program that helps homeless people get housing.

The suit was filed on Tuesday by 19 states plus Washington, D.C., in federal court for the District of Rhode Island. The issue centers around the Continuum of Care program, the federal governments primary mechanism to fund homelessness assistance, which is run through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

According to the lawsuit filed by Shapiro and the other states, the program guidelines, which HUD issued earlier this month, contained a number of abrupt and inexplicable changes.

The new funding rules, the plaintiffs argue, would stand to drastically decrease the amount of money states get for longer-term housing assistance, which was, until this month, the primary purpose of the Continuum of Care program.

The new rules would also shut out local governments and providers that dont adhere to Trumps executive orders on a myriad of topics, including gender and sexuality.

HUD has adopted new policies that threaten to cancel thousands of existing projects, require providers to fundamentally reshape their programs on an impossible timeline, and essentially guarantee that tens of thousands of formerly homeless individuals and families will be evicted back into homelessness, the plaintiff states wrote in their legal brief.

Pennsylvania received $177 million in Continuum of Care funding last year, according to Shapiros office.

The Trump administration is trying to abruptly dismantle the very system Congress created to fight homelessness, Shapiro said in a Tuesday afternoon statement. Pennsylvanians depend on this funding and the Trump administrations decision will force people out of their homes, defund organizations doing critical work, and leave state taxpayers on the hook.

HUD has long maintained a housing first policy for funding distribution, the plaintiffs wrote, prioritizing states efforts to buy and build housing as well as provide rental assistance and support services to formerly homeless residents.

Trump is attempting to shift the lions share of the funding away from such permanent housing solutions and toward a more draconian approach, the plaintiffs argue, such as the clearing of homeless encampments and involuntary commitment or incarceration of those living on the streets.

The result is that the new funding rules slash the portion of Continuum of Care money devoted to permanent housing initiatives, from 90% of funding previously to just 30%.

Further, states are able to earmark a certain percentage of their annual funding renewal requests for high-priority ongoing housing initiatives. But the Trump-era HUD rules cut this by the same margin, reducing the amount of money states can devote to such projects from 90% to 30%.

No explanation has been given for the changes, according to the plaintiffs, other than a vague assertion in one of Trumps executive orders that housing-first policies deprioritize accountability and fail to promote treatment, recovery, and self-sufficiency.

The plaintiffs also point to language in HUDs funding announcement stating that local governments can be penalized in their grant applications if they dont work to prohibit public camping or loitering. The new rules also prohibit distributing money to any homelessness assistance agencies that fail to follow Trumps executive orders on immigration, abortion, gender, and other issues.

The gender component is particularly problematic, the plaintiffs wrote, given that Trumps order mandates that gender be treated as a binary established at birth  effectively barring agencies from acknowledging transgender homeless people, even though transgender Americans are disproportionately more likely to experience homelessness.

The unjustified changes to the funding system, the plaintiffs argue, greatly exceed Trumps legal authority and sidestep Congress by not following the McKinney-Vento Act, the law that creates the parameters for federal anti-homelessness funding. The plaintiffs are asking for a judge to stop the administration from implementing the new rules and instead revert to last years funding arrangements.

Shapiro, along with the other governors and attorneys general who joined the suit against HUD, has been involved in a string of similar funding lawsuits against Trump.

Most are still in the process of being adjudicated, but Shapiro and other states leaders have touted several victories thus far. In February, Trump released environmental funding that the states accused him of illegally withholding, including $2.1 billion for Pennsylvania.

Federal judges have also sided with Shapiro and the co-plaintiff states in suits over cancelled disease-prevention grants, funding for AmeriCorps, money to upgrade states unemployment compensation programs, and other items the administration had attempted to hold back.
By JOEY CAPPELLETTI and MIKE HOUSEHOLDER, The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP)  Democratic lawmakers who appeared in a social media video urging U.S. troops to defy illegal orders say the FBI has contacted them to begin scheduling interviews, signaling a possible inquiry into the matter.

It would mark the second investigation tied to the video, coming a day after the Pentagon said it was reviewing Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona over potential violations of military law. The FBI and Pentagon actions come after President Donald Trump accused the lawmakers of sedition and said it is punishable by DEATH in a social media post.

Together, the inquiries mark an extraordinary escalation for federal law enforcement and military institutions that traditionally steer clear of partisan clashes. They also underscore the administrations willingness to push legal limits against its critics, even when they are sitting members of Congress. Lawmakers in the video urge troops to reject any illegal orders from their superiors, something they are already duty-bound to do.

President Trump is using the FBI as a tool to intimidate and harass Members of Congress, a group of four Democratic House members said in a statement Tuesday. Yesterday, the FBI contacted the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms requesting interviews.

Democrats call inquiry a scare tactic

Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, one of the six Democratic lawmakers in the video, told reporters Tuesday that last night the counterterrorism division at the FBI sent a note to the members of Congress, saying they are opening what appears to be an inquiry against the six of us. Slotkin called it a scare tactic by Trump.

Whether you agree with the video or dont agree with the video, the question to me is: is this the appropriate response for a president of the United States to go after and seek to weaponize the federal government against those he disagrees with? said Slotkin.

The group of four Democratic House members said in their statement that no amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs and honoring our Constitution.

All six of the Democratic lawmakers in the video have served in the military or the intelligence community.

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska criticized both inquiries on social media, saying that accusing the lawmakers of treason and sedition for rightfully pointing out that servicemembers can refuse illegal orders is reckless and flat-out wrong.

The Department of Defense and FBI surely have more important priorities than this frivolous investigation, wrote Murkowski.

FBI provides no insight into interview requests

The FBI went through the top security officials for the House and Senate to request interviews with each of the six lawmakers. The lawmakers said they had no further information and the FBI has not made clear on what basis they were seeking the interviews.

The FBI declined to comment Tuesday, but Director Kash Patel, in an interview with journalist Catherine Herridge, described it as an ongoing matter in explaining why he could not discuss details.

Asked for his reaction to the video, Patel said, What goes through my head is the same thing that goes through my head in any case: is there a lawful predicate to open up an inquiry and investigation, or is there not? And that decision will be made by the career agents and analysts here at the FBI.

The video at the heart of the inquiries

In the video, lawmakers said they needed troops to stand up for our laws  our Constitution. Kelly, who was a fighter pilot before becoming an astronaut and then retiring at the rank of captain, told troops that you can refuse illegal orders.

Says Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, 'The Department of Defense and FBI surely have more important priorities than this frivolous investigation.' (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) AP

After the Pentagon announced the investigation into Kelly on Monday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth referred it to the Navy on Tuesday and requested a briefing by Dec. 10.

The lawmakers didnt mention specific circumstances in the video. But at an event Tuesday in Michigan, Slotkin pointed to the Trump administration ordering the military to blow up small boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean accused of ferrying drugs and continued attempts at deploying National Guard troops into U.S. cities despite some legal setbacks.

It wasnt that there was any one incident, it was the sheer number of people coming to us and saying, Im worried. I am being sent to Washington or Im being sent to LA or Chicago, North Carolina now, and Im concerned Im going to be asked to do something that I dont know if I should do, said Slotkin. So thats where it came from.

Troops, especially uniformed commanders, do have specific obligations to reject orders that are unlawful, if they make that determination.

Broad legal precedence also holds that just following orders  colloquially known as the Nuremberg defense, as it was used unsuccessfully by senior Nazi officials to justify their actions under Adolf Hitler  doesnt absolve troops.

Householder reported from Inkster, Michigan. Associated Press writer Eric Tucker in Washington also contributed to this report.
The 6-10 day temperature outlook from the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center projects a drop in average temperatures for much of the country in the first week of December. National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center

Get ready to bundle up.

The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center has released their latest 6-10 day outlook for the United States, and temperatures are likely to drop across most of the country.

The sharpest decline is predicted in the Midwest, as states like Wisconsin, Michigan and Iowa are at the center of a below-average temperature weather system.

But the cold weather is also going to span in a region from the Rocky Mountains to New England, and Pennsylvania will be caught in it as well.

According to Newsweek, the shift is a result of a major sudden stratospheric warming, which in turn will shift colder Arctic air southward.

Forecasters are monitoring the phenomenon, which is occurring much earlier than normal, a rare event that is expected to significantly disrupt the polar vortex in late November or early December, Newsweek reports. Such events can shift weather patterns across the United States by destabilizing the polar vortex high above the North Pole, potentially allowing frigid Arctic air to surge into North America.

This dip in temperatures also comes with a slightly higher chance of precipitation across Pennsylvania in early December, though its too early to say if that will result in any significant snowfall.

In the coming week, the National Weather Service in State College predicts that temperatures will drop to a high of around 40 degrees.

Rain and gusty winds are likely in our area over the Thanksgiving holiday, but things could be worse: parts of Pennsylvania are expected to be hammered with a foot or more of snow this week.

The heavy winds and potential for snow may complicate travel for many across the state.
MOSCOW, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Kremlin confirmed on Wednesday that a U.S. delegation, including U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and other key officials, will visit Moscow next week to discuss a possible peace plan for Ukraine.

"As for Witkoff, I can say that a preliminary agreement has been reached that he will come to Moscow next week," Yuri Ushakov, Russian presidential aide, told Russian state television's top Kremlin reporter, Pavel Zarubin.

Besides Witkoff, "a number of other administration representatives who are involved in Ukrainian affairs" will also come to Moscow, he said.

Trump said Tuesday he has directed Witkoff to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in the hope of finalizing a peace deal on the Ukraine crisis.

Trump said he looks forward to hopefully meeting with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky soon, but only when the peace deal is final or in its final stages.

The U.S.-proposed 28-point peace plan was unveiled last week.

Following its release, representatives from the United States, Ukraine and several European countries met in Geneva on Sunday to discuss the plan.

On Monday and Tuesday, U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll held talks with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi on the draft plan, according to a statement from the U.S. Army. 
SHENYANG, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Inside Zhou Guozhong's home in the Tiexi district of Shenyang, the capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, a standing support rail, a pressure relief backrest and an anti-decubitus seat cushion have made a big difference.

Zhou, 63, said that it had been difficult to care for himself after an accident, but he now finds more comfort in his home. "The backrest can be adjusted to any angle. My body does not ache even when I sit in bed for a long time," he said.

Under an aging-in-place program launched in Shenyang in 2020, the local government paid for his home upgrades. Authorities in Shenyang provide subsidies of up to 3,000 yuan (about 420 U.S. dollars) to renovate the homes of elderly residents in difficulty -- particularly those with disabilities.

Zhang Ge, deputy director of the Shenyang Civil Affairs Bureau, highlighted the city's growing population aged 60 or older, which accounts for 30.6 percent of its total population.

"As the pressure on familial elderly care gradually increases, some small renovations can solve big problems," Zhang said. The city has already completed aging-in-place renovations on more than 10,000 homes.

Local authorities are also offering more elderly care services, such as bathing assistance, mobility assistance, and medical accompaniment services.

Wang Bin, a resident of Shenyang's Hunnan district who has been bedridden for years, is one of the program's beneficiaries. Her caregiver, Liu Lijing, visits her three to four times a week, helping her bathe, cook, clean and cut her hair.

By placing orders on Shenyang's elderly care WeChat mini-program, Wang receives these services for free. "It is like hiring a professional caregiver without having to bear the cost. It has solved a big problem for me," she said.

The Shenyang Civil Affairs Bureau procures these services through government funding, providing elderly residents with special needs or aged 80 or older with 3 to 45 hours of care per month. To date, the city has provided services to elderly residents over 1.9 million times, totaling 2.8 million hours.

The program in Shenyang is part of a nationwide effort to address China's rapidly growing elderly population.

China had more than 310 million people aged 60 or older by 2024, about 90 percent of whom want to stay at home as they age. Responding to the quickly aging population over the years, regions across the country are implementing home-based aging-in-place renovation programs and building age-friendly homes to support senior citizens.

Provinces like Zhejiang and Guizhou have rolled out trade-in programs to help elderly households purchase age-friendly products, and Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province, is building age-friendly homes that elderly residents can buy or rent.

In Hohhot, the capital of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the local government has opened senior canteens, and offers meal assistance services and meal delivery for elderly residents. And Tianjin's Hexi district has built a "15-minute service circle," where elderly residents can access essential services within a 15-minute walk from their homes.

The Communist Party of China Central Committee's recommendations for formulating of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for China's economic and social development call to enhance the provision of basic elderly care services, improve elderly care services networks in both urban and rural areas, and renovate more public facilities to make them age-friendly and barrier-free.

"From handrails and anti-slip mats at home to elderly canteens and community services centers, aging-in-place renovations are improving the quality of life for the elderly," said Zhang Sining, a researcher at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences.

Zhang believes that the success of aging-in-place upgrades depends on continued cooperation between the government, the private sector and society. "Further improvements in hardware and services are key to enabling elderly people to enjoy their lives with dignity," Zhang said. 
Aiken Standard reporter

Bill Bengtson is an Aiken Standard reporter. He can be reached at (803) 644-2355 and bbengtson@aikenstandard.com.

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Kenna Coe covers the city of North Charleston for The Post and Courier. She graduated from the University of South Carolina. She previously worked for The Moultrie News as the editor and general assignment reporter.
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JERUSALEM, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military said Wednesday it killed six more militants emerging from a tunnel shaft in Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza.

In a statement, the military said it identified in the morning the six militants attempting to flee the area and struck them.

It said its troops are continuously searching for militants in eastern Rafah, especially the dozens trapped inside a tunnel.

It added that over the past week, it has killed more than 20 militants and arrested eight others while they attempted to flee the tunnel or go out in search for food and water.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which took effect on Oct. 10, has sharply reduced Israeli attacks but not halted them entirely.

At least 347 Palestinians have been killed and 889 others injured by Israeli attacks since Oct. 11, Gaza's health authorities said Wednesday, bringing the overall death toll from Israeli attacks since October 2023 to 69,785, with 170,965 others injured. 
Diana Sidorevich Nortje is a News Clerk for The Post and Courier. She graduated from Utica University. She contributes to The Post and Courier's arts and entertainment section, Charleston Scene.
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Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (R) meets with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides at the Baabda presidential palace near Beirut, Lebanon, Nov. 26, 2025. Lebanon and Cyprus on Wednesday signed a historic maritime boundary demarcation agreement, ending nearly two decades of deadlock that had hindered oil and gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

BEIRUT, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon and Cyprus on Wednesday signed a historic maritime boundary demarcation agreement, ending nearly two decades of deadlock that had hindered oil and gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean.

The agreement was signed at the Baabda presidential palace near Beirut, followed by a joint press conference by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.

The two countries first reached a preliminary deal outlining their offshore zones in 2007, but ratification was delayed in the Lebanese parliament due to internal political divisions and regional disputes over maritime boundaries.

At the press conference, Aoun said the agreement would enable both sides to begin exploring offshore resources and strengthen bilateral cooperation. He also pointed to potential future joint initiatives, including projects in telecommunications, tourism, and security.

Christodoulides, for his part, called the deal a "strategic achievement," saying it would open new opportunities for both countries and boost regional energy cooperation.

"This historic maritime boundary agreement enhances prospects for positioning the Middle East as an alternative energy corridor to Europe," he said.

He also welcomed ongoing talks on an electricity interconnection project between the two countries and announced plans to seek World Bank support for a feasibility study.

Lebanon and Cyprus have long worked to formalize their maritime boundary to clarify exclusive economic zone rights in the eastern Mediterranean, a key area for offshore energy exploration. Previous efforts were stalled by regional disputes and overlapping claims, but renewed diplomacy has now enabled both countries to establish a mutually recognized demarcation line. 

Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides (L), Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C), and Lebanese Public Works and Transport Minister Fayez Rasamny (R) pose for a photo at the Baabda presidential palace near Beirut, Lebanon, Nov. 26, 2025. Lebanon and Cyprus on Wednesday signed a historic maritime boundary demarcation agreement, ending nearly two decades of deadlock that had hindered oil and gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)
SOFIA, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- A business forum on Bulgaria-China cooperation in the automotive sector was held here on Wednesday, aiming to strengthen bilateral cooperation and establish new partnerships.

More than 50 Bulgarian and Chinese companies participated in the forum, organized by the Chinese embassy in Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).

Chinese Ambassador to Bulgaria Dai Qingli, speaking at the opening ceremony, said the event was fully consistent with the priority areas, development direction and cooperation needs of both countries, providing a valuable platform for deepening the bilateral partnership.

The automotive sectors of the two countries maintained close cooperation, and Chinese companies, such as Great Wall and Dongfeng, had many years of experience in Bulgaria, Dai said.

She also said that the automobiles in China have transformed from traditional means to an integration of new energy sources, artificial intelligence and big data technologies.

This transformation created new and greater opportunities and prospects for deepening bilateral cooperation, Dai said.

Doncho Barbalov, Bulgaria's deputy minister of economy and industry, said the automotive industry in his country has seen significant development in recent years, and employs more than 75,000 people in over 350 companies.

Bulgaria was deeply integrated into the European automotive sector, Barbalov said. Currently, 80 percent of the sensors in all European cars are manufactured in Bulgaria, he said.

He said he hoped the forum would be another step forward in building bridges between Bulgarian and Chinese companies.

"China's enviable growth rates make it a desirable partner, and that's why we are also looking for cooperation," Tsvetan Simeonov, president of the BCCI, said.

This cooperation would be beneficial not only for Bulgaria, but also for the European Union and China, he said.

Lyubomir Stanislavov, CEO and member of the Board of Directors of the Automotive Cluster Bulgaria, said that the automotive industry has been the fastest-growing industry in Bulgaria for the past decade. "Starting almost from scratch, it now generates between 10 percent and 11 percent of the country's gross domestic product," he said.

He said he believed that this forum was being held at the right time, as Chinese manufacturers were entering the European market, and Bulgaria was a natural place and a natural partner for the Chinese automotive industry. 
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Creates new, mid-tier Canadian gold producer supported by experienced management teamShares are expected to commence trading on the TSXV on December 2nd as "Hemlo Mining Corp." under the symbol "HMMC"All amounts are in United States dollars unless otherwise indicated.VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / Carcetti Capital Corp. (TSXV:CART) (to be renamed Hemlo Mining Corp.) ("Carcetti" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, 1554943 B.C. Ltd. ("Carcetti Purchaser"), has completed its acquisition (the "Transaction") of the Hemlo Gold Mine ("Hemlo", or the "Mine") in Ontario, Canada from certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of Barrick Mining Corporation ("Barrick"). The Transaction was deemed a "Reverse Takeover" ("RTO"), as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV")."The Hemlo acquisition immediately launches a new, mid-tier Canadian gold producer, bringing meaningful gold production supported by an experienced management team and a well-funded operation," said Jason Kosec, President and CEO of Carcetti. "We welcome the Hemlo mining team to Carcetti and look forward to leveraging their operational experience as we pursue our objectives of maximizing the value of Hemlo's existing infrastructure while unlocking new opportunities through brownfield exploration.We want to thank all of our shareholders for their continued support, especially Orion Resource Partners and Wheaton Precious Metals for their partnership, confidence, and long-term commitment to our vision. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the Barrick team for working diligently with us to bring this transaction to a successful close. We are grateful to the support of our financial advisors and lenders at Scotiabank and our legal counsel at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP.We are committed to working in partnership with the Biigtigong Nishnaabeg and Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg First Nations, as well as the local community. We look forward to becoming the new stewards of the Hemlo Mine with a view to optimizing operations and creating positive outcomes for all of our stakeholders." Trading of the Company's common shares (the "Shares") has been halted since September 11, 2025. Final acceptance of the RTO by the TSXV will occur upon the TSXV's issuance of its final bulletin (the "Final Bulletin"), which is expected on or about November 28, 2025. After the Final Bulletin is issued and the Amalgamation (as defined below) is completed, trading of the HMC Shares (as defined below) is expected to commence on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 on the TSXV under the Company's new name, "Hemlo Mining Corp." , and new trading symbol, "HMMC". For further details regarding the Transaction, please refer to the Company's news releases dated September 10, 2025; October 1, 2025; October 7, 2025; October 27, 2025; October 30, 2025; November 6, 2025; and November 21, 2025 (the "Previous News Releases").Transaction Structure and Acquisition FinancingHemlo was acquired pursuant to a definitive agreement dated September 10, 2025, among the Company, Carcetti Purchaser, Barrick Gold Inc., Pioneer Metals ULC and Barrick. The Company acquired Hemlo, for total consideration to Barrick of:a cash payment of $875,000,000;the issuance of 34,582,500 Shares (23,055,000 on a post-Consolidation basis, as defined below); andup to $165,000,000 of additional gold price linked contingent cash payments during a five year term commencing January 1, 2027 and ending December 31, 2031.To fund the $875 million in upfront cash consideration as well as working capital requirements following closing of the Transaction, Carcetti has entered into agreements for an acquisition financing package of approximately $1.0 billion, including:$300 million through a precious metals purchase agreement (the "PMPA") with Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. ("Wheaton");$250 million senior secured credit facilities (the "Credit Facilities") solely underwritten by the Bank of Nova Scotia (now syndicated to additional lenders including Bank of Montreal, National Bank Financial Inc., ING Capital LLC, Macquarie Bank Limited, and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as lenders), and consisting of an acquisition term loan of US$150 million and a US$100 million revolving credit facility (including a US$25 million accordion exercised on closing date), of which US$200 million in aggregate will be used to fund the acquisition; and$542 million from the Company's private placement (the "Private Placement") of subscription receipts ("Subscription Receipts") comprised of $486 million from the Company's bought deal private placement of Subscription Receipts (with Scotiabank as sole bookrunner on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters) and $56 million from the Company's non-brokered private placement of Subscription Receipts.Pursuant to the PMPA, Wheaton paid a cash deposit of $300 million to Carcetti Purchaser at closing of the Transaction. The PMPA is expected to initially represent 10.125% of the payable gold produced from Hemlo until the First Dropdown Time (as defined in the PMPA), thereafter representing 6.75% of the payable gold until the Second Dropdown Time (as defined in the PMPA) and 4.5% thereafter.The Credit Facilities will have a three-year term. The Credit Facilities will be available by way of advances bearing interest at either (i) the term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), plus an adjustment ranging from 0.10% to 0.25% depending on the tenor and an applicable margin ranging from 2.75% to 3.75%, (ii) the base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.75%, and (iii) for the revolving credit facility only, by way of letters of credit with fees ranging from 1.833% to 2.5% per annum for non-financial letters and 2.75% to 3.75% per annum for financial letters. The range for such letter of credit fees and applicable margin is based on the Company's leverage ratio at the end of each fiscal quarter (provided that for the first two quarters there will be a minimum margin of 3.25%).The terms of the Private Placements were previously detailed in Carcetti's news release dated October 7, 2025. On closing of the Transaction, the 377,993,830 Subscription Receipts were, in accordance with their terms, automatically settled on a one-for-one basis for 377,993,830 Shares of Carcetti (251,995,887 HMC Shares on a post-Consolidation basis), which, prior to the Amalgamation, are subject to a four month and one day hold period expiring February 8, 2026 under Canadian securities laws.On Nove
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / Leading securities law firmBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPannounces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against James Hardie Industries plc (NYSE:JHX) and certain of the Company's senior executives for securities fraud after a significant stock drop resulting from the potential violations of the federal securities laws.If you invested in James Hardie, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/james-hardie-industries-class-action-lawsuit Investors have until December 23, 2025, to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors in James Hardie common stock (formerly American Depositary Shares). The class action is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and is captioned Laborers' District Council and Contractors' Pension Fund of Ohio v. James Hardie Industries plc, et al., No. 1:25-cv-13018.Why Was James Hardie Sued for Securities Fraud?James Hardie is a producer and marketer of high-performance fiber cement building solutions. The largest application for the Company's fiber cement building products in the United Stated and Canada is in external siding for the residential building industry.During the relevant period, James Hardie told investors that the results of its North American fiber cement segment demonstrated its "inherent strength" and "the underlying momentum in our strategy." The Company also stated on May 20, 2025, that it was seeing "normal stock levels" among its customers and that it was "seeing performance in the month to date as we would expect." As alleged, in truth, the Company's North American sales during the relevant period were the result of inventory loading by channel partners, with the hallmarks of fraudulent channel stuffing, not sustainable customer demand as represented.The Stock Declines as the Truth Is RevealedOn August 19, 2025, James Hardie revealed that its North American fiber cement sales declined 12% during the quarter, driven by destocking first discovered "in April through May" as customers "made efforts to return to more normal inventory levels[.]" The Company also revealed that significant inventory destocking was expected to continue to impact sales for the next several quarters. On this news, the price of James Hardie stock fell $9.79 per share, or more than 34%, from $28.43 per share on August 19, 2025, to $18.64 per share on August 20, 2025.On November 17, 2025, James Hardie announced that Rachel Wilson had decided to step down from her role as CFO.Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/james-hardie-industries-class-action-lawsuit What Can You Do?If you invested in James Hardie you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.Submit your information by visiting:Or contact:Ross Shikowitz ross@ bfalaw.com 212.789.3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?BFA is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It has been named a top plaintiff law firm by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and ISS SCAS, and its attorneys have been named "Elite Trial Lawyers" by the National Law Journal, among the top "500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers" by Lawdragon, "Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar" by Law360 and "SuperLawyers" by Thomson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar, Fonti, & Auld LLP
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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / Kidoz Inc. (TSXV:KDOZ)(OTCQB:KDOZF) (the "Company"), developer of the global AdTech platform delivering safe privacy-first, mobile gamer engagement at scale, is pleased to announce theresults of its 2025 Annual General Meeting.ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGAt the Annual General Meeting of the Shareholders held on November 25, 2025, in Vancouver, Canada, the shareholders of the Company:(a) Elected to set the number of directors to be 6.FORAGAINSTNOT VOTED55,594,41018,132(b) Elected the following persons to serve as directors until the next annual meeting or until their successors are duly qualified:Mr. T. M. WilliamsMr. J. M. WilliamsMr. E. Ben ToraMs. F. Curtis (Non Executive Director)Mr. C. Kalborg (Non Executive Director)Mr. M. David (Non Executive Director)Election of the Directors of the Company.NOMINEEFORWITHHOLDNOT VOTEDMr. T. M. Williams54,518,15312,8981,081,493Mr. J. M. Williams54,520,09110,9601,081,493Mr. E. Ben Tora54,520,09110,9601,081,493Ms. F. Curtis54,498,15332,8981,081,493Mr. C. Kalborg54,520,09110,9601,081,493Mr. M. David54,520,09110,9601,081,493(c) Approved the selection of Davidson & Company LLP, Chartered Accountants as the Company's independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.FORWITHHOLDNOT VOTED55,610,8441,700nil(d) The ratification of the Company's existing 10% "rolling" stock option plan (the "2024 Option Plan").The shareholders ratified, the existing 2024 Stock Option Plan which was approved by the shareholders at the 2024 Annual General Meeting.FORAGAINSTNOT VOTED54,487,24143,8101,081,493(e) The ratification of the Company's new 10% "rolling up to 10% and fixed up to 10%" equity awards plan (the "Equity Awards Plan").The Equity Awards Plan is intended to complement the existing 2024 Stock Option Plan to provide the Company with the means to encourage, attract, retain and motivate eligible participants by granting rights to receive, for no additional consideration, cash or common shares in the capital of the Company. Equity Awards under the Equity Awards Plan shall be granted only to Directors, Officers, Employees, Management Company Employees or Consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries.The Company may issuance equity awards fixed up to 10% of the Company's outstanding share capital. The Board approved and adopted the Equity Awards Plan on March 20, 2025.The shareholders ratified, the new Equity Awards Plan.FORAGAINSTNOT VOTED54,355,339175,7121,081,493Mr. Jason Williams will continue as CEO of the Kidoz Inc. organization and Mr. T. M. Williams, will continue to serve as Chairman.For full details of the Company's operations and financial results, please refer to the Securities and Exchange Commission website at www.sec.gov or the Kidoz Inc. corporate website at https://investor.kidoz.netor on the https://www.sedarplus.com website.About Kidoz Inc.Kidoz Inc. (TSXV:KDOZ)(OTCQB:KDOZF) ( www.kidoz.net) is a global AdTech platform delivering safe mobile gamer engagement at scale. Originally built to protect kids, Kidoz also now empowers advertisers to intelligently engage and target audiences of all ages across the entire mobile gaming ecosystem, using privacy-first contextual targeting that includes users who have opted out of personal data tracking. Its comprehensive privacy-first technology features proprietary SDK integrations, Kidoz Privacy Shield, and the Kite IQ contextual AI engine to support compliant, high-performance ad delivery aligned with COPPA, GDPR-K, and global privacy standards. Google-certified and Apple-approved, the Kidoz platform reaches more than a billion users worldwide. Trusted by leading brands including LEGO, Mattel, Disney, and McDonald's, Kidoz enables app developers to monetize their apps while delivering higher returns through managed and programmatic solutions, including SSP, DSP, and Ad Exchange capabilities.The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this press release (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by the company) contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to anticipated future success of the company. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the company. For a description of additional risks and uncertainties, please refer to the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Specifically, readers should read the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed with the SEC and the Annual Financial Statements and Management Discussion & Analysis filed on SEDAR on April 24, 2025, and the prospectus filed under Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act on March 9, 2005 and the SB2 filed July 17, 2007, and the TSX Venture Exchange Listing Application for Common Shares filed on June 29, 2015 on SEDAR, for a more thorough discussion of the Company's financial position and results of operations, together with a detailed discussion of the risk factors involved in an investment in Kidoz Inc.For more information contact:Henry BromleyCFO ir@ kidoz.net (888) 374-2163Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: Kidoz Inc.
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / NTTS and HPB today announced the return of FOB 2026: From Summit to Solution, taking place in New York City on March 10-11, 2026.Following the success of last year's successful inaugural event, the Future of Batteries (FOB) Summit will once again bring together a curated group of decision-makers from Europe and the United States to advance collaboration in the field of next-generation battery technology.Besides NTTS and HPB, FOB 2025 saw participants from Porsche Consulting, Siemens, McKinsey, NY-BEST, among many others. Next year, the event shall focus on moving from vision to execution, transforming innovative ideas into real-world solutions. The summit connects leaders in technology, manufacturing, investment, and policy who are driving the industrialization of solid-state and advanced battery systems.The event is free to attend, but participation is by application only. To apply, become a sponsor or to request more info, visit: https://fob-summit.com Who should attendManufacturers and integrators exploring solid-state and stationary storage production.Utilities, grid operators, and project developers focused on energy and grid storage.Equipment and automation providers, recyclers, and validation partners.Investors and policymakers supporting US clean manufacturing.Agenda:March 10: Networking dinner March 11: Main eventAt two exclusively selected venues in Manhattan, details will be shared with approved attendees."FOB SUMMIT 2026 is about moving from conversation to action," said Vince Caruso, CEO of NTTS. "We are focused on bridging European innovation with American manufacturing capacity." "We are creating an environment where partnerships can take shape and technology can scale responsibly," said Dr Sebastian Heinz, CEO of HPB.About NTTS NTTS (New to The Street) is a multi-channel financial media platform connecting innovators with investors across broadcast, digital, and live events. They profile companies, advertise and markets their products and services, and provides business news.About HPBBased in Bonn, Germany, HPB (High Performance Battery) develops and licenses next-generation solid-state battery technologies that are safer, longer-lasting, and greener than conventional lithium-ion batteries. The HPB Solid-State Battery delivers over 12,500 fullcharge-discharge cycles under demanding conditions (1C/1C, 0-100% State of Charge, at room temperature). The technology achieves up to 50% better environmental performance compared to traditional batteries, notably by avoiding critical raw materials such as cobalt.Contact:Monica BrennanMonica@ NewtoTheStret.com SOURCE: New To The Street
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QUEBEC, QC / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / NuRAN Wireless Inc. ("NuRAN" or the "Company") (CSE:NUR)(OTC:NRRWF)(FSE:1RN), a leading provider of mobile and broadband wireless infrastructure, has announced the successful closing of a non-brokered private placement financing, raising gross proceeds of CA$ 300,000 (the "Private Placement"). This was accomplished through the issuance of 13,636,362 units of the Company (each referred to as a "Unit") priced at $0.022 per Unit. Each Unit is comprised of (i) one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Share") and one half of one (1/2) Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each whole Warrant will entitle the holder thereof, following the proposed consolidation (the "Consolidation"), to acquire one pre-Consolidation Share (each, a "Warrant Share") at a pre-Consolidation price of $0.033 per Warrant Share until 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on the date of expiration of the Warrant, which is three (3) years following issuance.The Private Placement is an interim step in the restructuring transaction approved at the Company's recent Annual General and Special Meeting providing for debt settlement agreements to convert up to CA$ 25,000,000 of debt (inclusive of accrued interest) into equity, or some other form of agreement and structure with similar effect, and raise an additional CA$ 5,000,000 of equity, or such other ratio to be determined by the Company. Proceeds raised from the interim Private Placement will be used by the Company for working capital purposes. The Shares and Warrant Shares are subject to a statutory four month and one day hold period, and such further restrictions as may apply under foreign securities laws.BCSC Continuous Disclosure Review ("CDR")Management is actively collaborating with the British Columbia Securities Commission ("BCSC") regarding the CDR. Both the BCSC and CSE have approved this interim Private Placement at the current stage. However, the restructuring transaction will remain pending until the Company has fully met its disclosure obligations, and the review is concluded.About NuRAN Wireless:NuRAN Wireless is a leading rural telecommunications company that meets the growing demand for wireless network coverage in remote and rural regions around the globe. With its affordable and innovative scalable solutions of 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies, NuRAN Wireless offers a new possibility for more than one billion people to communicate effectively over long distances efficiently and affordably. "Bridging the Digital Divide, One Connection at a Time." Additional Information:For further information about NuRAN Wireless: www.nuranwireless.com Francis Letourneau,Director and CEO Francis.letourneau@nuranwireless.com Tel: (418) 264-1337Frank CandidoInvestor relations Frank.candido@nuranwireless.com Tel: (514) 969-5530Forward Looking StatementsThis news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as, "expects", "is expected", "anticipates", "intends", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements include those relating to the Company being able to receive funding from the new potential institutional lenders to refinance and replace most of its outstanding current debt instruments with significantly better terms; the Company's current debt holders potentially restructuring most of their outstanding current debt instruments with significantly better terms; and the Company having sufficient working capital for the duration of the institutional lenders' process. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected, expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements, such as the uncertainties regarding include risks such as risks relating to NuRAN's business and the economy generally; NuRAN's ability to refinance its long term debt that is currently in default; NuRAN's ability to adequately restructure its operations with respect to its new model of NaaS service contracts; our ability to collect fees from our telecommunication providers and reliance on the network of our telecommunications providers, the capacity of the Company to deliver in a technical capacity and to import inventory to Africa at a reasonable cost; NuRAN's ability to obtain project financing for the proposed site build out under its NaaS agreements with Orange, MTN and other telecommunication providers, the loss of one or more significant suppliers or a reduction in significant volume from such suppliers; NuRAN's ability to meet or exceed customers' demand and expectations; significant current competition and the introduction of new competitors or other disruptive entrants in the Company's industry; effects of the global supply shortage affecting parts needed for NuRAN's sites and site installations; NuRAN's ability to retain key employees and protect its intellectual property; compliance with local laws and regulations and ability to obtain all required permits for our operations, access to the credit and capital markets, changes in applicable telecommunications laws or regulations or changes in license and regulatory fees, downturns in customers' business cycles; and insurance prices and insurance coverage availability, the Company's ability to effectively maintain or update information and technology systems; our ability to implement and maintain measures to protect against cyberattacks and comply with applicable privacy and data security requirements; the Company's ability to successfully implement its business strategies or realize expected cost savings and revenue enhancements; business development activities, including acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses; the Company's expansion into markets outside of Canada and the operational, competitive and regulatory risks facing the Company's non-Canadian based operations. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. Other f
PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-26 15:00:15

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PDO, Sultanate of Oman leader in Exploration and Production, implements UptimeAI's Operational Excellence Solution to empower operators with expert-level insights across its assets.HOUSTON, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), the leading exploration and oil producer in the Sultanate of Oman, has partnered with UptimeAI to deploy it's AI-powered Operational Excellence solution and optimize equipment operations across its fleet. The partnership is being supported by Karad Systems, UptimeAI's regional representative in the GCC region, helping facilitate collaboration and deployment across PDO's sites.This initiative is part of PDO's new operations and maintenance strategy to leverage artificial intelligence to accelerate the journey toward reliable, efficient plant operations and deliver long-term value to the Sultanate.PDO selected UptimeAI following a multi-vendor evaluation involving predictive analytics and AI platforms. UptimeAI was chosen for its ability to scale across the enterprise, powered by operations-friendly, explainable, expert-like reasoning that enables optimal real-time decisions. Unlike generic predictive tools, the solution combines built-in failure mode reasoning with deep learning models to detect issues early, trace the root cause, and prescribe corrective actions, all while automatically learning from operator feedback and consolidating tacit knowledge across sites. This gives PDO's operators confidence in the alerts, as the associated recommendations are fully transparent, effective, and explainable.To meet PDO's stringent cybersecurity and data governance standards, UptimeAI's Operational Excellence (OEx) solution will be locally cloud-hosted in Oman. In this enterprise-wide deployment, the AI Expert solution will monitor all major rotating and static assets, including compressors, turbines, pumps, and valves, with seamless integration into PDO's ERP system "SAP" and performance dashboards, ensuring real-time visibility and proactive maintenance."PDO remains committed to cost discipline and competitiveness while safely, efficiently, and sustainably growing its core oil and gas business. Under its journey of transformation, PDO is positioning itself as a pioneer in Oman energy transition by deploying advanced technologies that maximize equipment's utilization, enhance reliability, and reduce maintenance costs across all assets. Prediction Technology through this partnership will enable continuous operator learnings and provide reliable, actionable recommendations to plant operators, represents an optimal solution to scale across PDO's facilities and drive measurable value in operational excellence," said Eng. Ali Al Lamki, Digital & IT Director of Petroleum Development Oman."We are thrilled to partner with PDO. PDO has long been recognized for its pioneering spirit. That commitment to innovation and digitization is exactly why our journey together has been so fruitful. UptimeAI goes beyond generating threshold-based alerts. Our AI Expert reasons like seasoned engineers across roles, ingesting data to deliver prescriptive actions operators can trust. PDO's focus on scalability and operator acceptance aligns perfectly with our mission to unlock the next level of operational excellence," said Jagadish Gattu, CEO of UptimeAI.About PDOPetroleum Development Oman (PDO) is the leading exploration and production company in the Sultanate of Oman. With a proud history spanning over eight decades, PDO is committed to responsibly developing the Sultanate of Oman's hydrocarbon resources while delivering sustainable value to its stakeholders. As a leader in the energy sector, PDO has continually invested in cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions to optimize oil and gas production, ensuring long-term energy security for the nation and contributing to economic growth, alongside a set goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. For more information, please visit www.pdo.co.om/en/ About UptimeAIUptimeAI's solution mimics experts in solving and learning operational issues faster based on its patented self-learning loop, empowering operations teams to address reliability and performance issues with significantly less effort. UptimeAI uniquely combines artificial intelligence with subject matter knowledge to continuously learn, explain root causes, predict problems, and provide prescriptive diagnoses at scale. The company's customers include several in the Fortune 100, and it has helped large industrial enterprises succeed in their digital transformation journeys by improving reliability and process efficiency while reducing maintenance costs in as little as six months. For more information, please visit www.uptimeai.com or contact us at info@ uptimeai.com . In the GCC region, UptimeAI is represented by Karad Systems, its authorized agent supporting sales, deployment and customer success across the region.SOURCE: Uptime AI Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-26 00:02:51

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 25, 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
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 25, 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
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 25, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Avantor, Inc. ("Avantor" or the "Company") (NYSE:AVTR). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Avantor and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until December 29, 2025 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Avantor securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On April 25, 2025, Avantor reported disappointing first quarter 2025 financial results, cut its guidance for 2025, and announced that Michael Stubblefield would be stepping down from his roles as President and Chief Executive Officer. Avantor's management attributed its weak performance and outlook to "the impact of increased competitive intensity." On this news, Avantor's stock price fell $2.57 per share, or 16.5%, to close at $12.93 per share on April 25, 2025.Then, on August 1, 2025, Avantor reported disappointing second quarter 2025 financial results, including a year-over-year decrease in net sales, and further reduced the Company's 2025 guidance-now projecting organic revenue growth of -2% to 0%. Avantor's management again attributed the Company's lackluster results and outlook to "increased competitive intensity" and further admitted that Avantor did not expect the competitive environment to materially improve in the remainder of 2025.On this news, Avantor's stock price fell $2.08 per share, or 15.48%, to close at $11.36 per share on August 1, 2025.Then, on October 29, 2025, Avantor reported weak third quarter 2025 financial results, including -5% organic revenue growth and a net loss of $712 million, which management primarily attributed to a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $785 million. Avantor's management said that the impairment charge was necessary due in part to "competitive pressures" that had "meaningfully impacted" Avantor's margins and further disclosed that the Company had lost several large accounts.On this news, Avantor's stock price fell $3.50 per share, or 23.21%, to close at $11.58 per share on October 29, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 25, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against WPP Plc ("WPP" or the "Company") (NYSE:WPP). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether WPP and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until December 8, 2025, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired WPP securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On July 9, 2025, WPP published a trading update for the first half of 2025, advising investors that the Company had "seen a deterioration in performance as Q2 has progressed." The Company attributed its misfortune to both "continued macro uncertainty weighing on client spend and weaker net new business than originally anticipated," at least in part due to "some distraction to the business" as a result of the continued restructuring of WPP Media.On this news, WPP's American Depositary Receipt ("ADR") price fell $6.48 per ADR, or 18.09%, to close at $29.34 per ADR on July 9, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
HONG KONG, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee chaired an interdepartmental emergency meeting on Wednesday on a major fire at a residential area in Tai Po.

Lee expressed deep sadness over the accident that caused multiple deaths and injuries, including the passing of fire services personnel on duty. He extended his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and the injured.

Lee said an emergency monitoring and support center had been immediately activated. He was briefed by the Security Bureau and the Fire Services Department, and instructed relevant departments to make every effort in firefighting, rescue, and cure work.

He emphasized that government departments are fully assisting residents affected by the fire, prioritizing public safety and well-being. Measures included arranging temporary shelters for displaced residents and providing assistance and mental support to the families of the deceased and injured.

The Hospital Authority of Hong Kong has also activated its emergency mechanism to make every effort to save and care for the injured.

The fire left 13 people dead, including a 37-year-old firefighter who lost his life while handling the blaze. 
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 25, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Molina Healthcare, Inc. ("Molina" or the "Company") (NYSE:MOH). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Molina and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until December 2, 2025, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Molina securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On July 7, 2025, Molina issued a press release announcing financial results for the second quarter of 2025 and slashing full year 2025 adjusted earnings per share guidance. The press release reported second quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of approximately $5.50 per share, which was "below . . . prior expectations" due to "medical cost pressures in all three lines of business." The Company also announced that it "expects these medical cost pressures to continue into the second half of the year" and cut guidance for expected adjusted earnings per share 10.2% at the midpoint, from "at least $24.50 per share" to a "range of $21.50 to $22.50 per share." The press release revealed Molina was experiencing a "short-term earnings pressure" from a "dislocation between premium rates and a medical cost trend which has recently accelerated." On this news, Molina's stock price fell $6.97 per share, or 2.9%, to close at $232.61 per share on July 7, 2025.Then, on July 23, 2025, Molina issued a press release reporting its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025 and further slashing the Company's full-year 2025 earnings guidance. The press release revealed, in part, that the Company's "GAAP net income was $4.75 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2025, a decrease of 8% year over year;" and it "now expects its full year 2025 adjusted earnings to be no less than $19.00 per diluted share." This represented another 13.6% cut to guidance of earnings per share at the midpoint, from the cut to guidance announced less than two weeks earlier. Molina also cut its guidance for its full year 2025 GAAP net income 27% to $912 million. Molina attributed its results a full year outlook to a "challenging medical cost trend environment," including mere "utilization of behavioral health, pharmacy, and inpatient and outpatient services." The Company claimed that its guidance cut also reflected "new information gained in the quarterly closing process." On this news, Molina's stock price fell $32.03 per share, or 16.84%, to close at $158.22 per share on July 24, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-26 14:00:28

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 /Prince Silver Corp. (CSE:PRNC)(OTCQB:PRNCF)(T130: Frankfurt)("Prince Silver" or the "Company) is pleased to provide the following progress update on its 2025 reverse-circulation ("RC") drilling campaign at the Prince Silver Project (the "Prince Project" or the "Project") in Lincoln County, Nevada, located approximately three kilometres southwest of the historic mining town of Pioche (See Figure 1 for location). The program is advancing well, with eight RC drill holes now completed and the first set of assay results expected in early 2026.Advancing the Largest Modern Drill Program at Prince The fully funded 2025 drill program comprises approximately 30 planned RC holes totaling 21,000 feet (6,500 metres). Current drilling is focused on evaluating near-surface (less than 300 metres), carbonate replacement (CRD) silver-gold-manganese and base metal mineralization, and sediment-hosted gold-silver zones along a 3,500-foot (~1,070 metres) structural corridor that ranges in width from 600 to 1,200 feet (~180-360 metres). Mineralization at the Project remains open in all directions within shallow zones presenting open-pit mining potential.The Pioche mining district is one of Nevada's most well-known polymetallic camps, and historical records highlight the importance of the past producing Prince Mine within the camp. Previous production from the historic Prince Mine totaled 1.12 million tonnes grading 4.5% zinc, 100 grams per tonne ("g/t") silver, 2.8% lead, and 0.5 g/t gold, (Gemmill, 1970), mined from underground high grade sulphide replacement zones within limestone and near-surface oxidized manganese-rich material.Derek Iwanaka, Chief Executive Officer of Prince Silver Corp., commented:"This is the largest modern drill program undertaken at the Prince Project since historical drilling in 2012, and thus far we are very encouraged by the geological indicators we are seeing across the completed holes. With independent laboratory assaying for six holes now underway, we anticipate entering an interesting period of news flow for the Company in the coming year. Results are expected to provide critical insight into the scale and continuity of mineralization across the "Exploration Target," as defined below and, across the broader mineralized system helping to shape the next phase of drilling, with the objective of incorporating the new data into an initial 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate. We believe Prince is just beginning to demonstrate its potential as a significant silver-gold-manganese (polymetallic) exploration asset in Nevada." Historical drilling at the Prince Project identified an exploration target (the "Exploration Target") as outlined in an independent report prepared following JORC guidelines (JORC standards for the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves) by OmniGeoX Exploration Consultants of Perth, Australia, based on historical surface and underground drilling. The report is titled "Prince Project Exploration Target", dated April 24, 2024, authored by Dr. Lachlan Rutherford and Michael Martin (OmniGeoX Exploration Consultants, 2024, Prince Project Exploration Target, Independent Report prepared for Prince Silver Corp.). The Exploration Target was based on 129 historic drill holes drilled through mineralized carbonate replacement beds and host Pioche Shale up to 300 metres in depth. Mineralized polymetallic intersections based on historical block modelling suggest the immediate Exploration Target is between 25-43Mt with grades ranging from 1.44-1.57% Zn, 0.78-0.87% Pb, 0.28-0.40g/t Au, 37-40g/t Ag and 3.62-4.30% Mn.More comprehensive details on the Exploration Target and historic production are also available in the Company's press release dated February 27, 2025, available on the Company's web site and at SEDAR+ (Prince Silver Corp., 2025, Historic Drilling and Production Summary, News Release dated February 27, 2025, SEDAR+ Filing).Readers are cautioned that the Exploration Target is not an "inferred", "indicated" or "measured" mineral resource compliant with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"). The Exploration Target has been determined based upon 129 historic drill holes totaling 16,606 metres, historic production records including mine level plans and 3D modelling of mineralization and geology. The potential quantity and grade of the Exploration Target is conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the Exploration Target being delineated as a mineral resource.2025 Drilling Progress Previous drilling has documented substantial mineralized thicknesses at Prince, including CRD zones up to 370 feet (~112 metres) and sediment-hosted gold-silver mineralization up to 160 feet (~49 metres). The ongoing program is designed to infill drill to reduce drill spacing between historic drill holes testing known mineralized zones continuity and through step out drilling to test potential expansion of the known mineralized system using modern sampling, logging, and analytical procedures.As of the date of this news release, the following RC holes have been completed to the following depths:PRC-26 - 955 ft (291 m) PRC-27 - 925 ft (282 m) PRC-28 - 920 ft (280 m) PRC-29 - 920 ft (280 m) PRC-30 - 890 ft (271 m) PRC-31 - 955 ft (291 m) PRC-32 - 945 ft (288 m) PRC-33 - 950 ft (289 m)Continuous 5-foot (~1.5-metre) RC chip samples were collected from each hole, and all intervals were logged by a Company geologist under the supervision of a Registered Professional Geologist. Approximately 100 samples per hole were collected from mineralized zones for assaying, representing roughly 500 feet (~152 metres) of assayed drill cuttings. Samples selected for assaying were based on mineralization and alteration.Outlook:With drilling and analytical work well underway, Prince Silver is expecting to enter a more news catalyst-rich period in 2026. The pending assay results represent the first major modern dataset generated at the Prince Project and are expected to refine geological models, guide follow-up targeting, and help evaluate extensions of both the CRD and sediment-hosted systems.Figure 1. Prince Project Location Map, NevadaQuality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) The QA/QC program has been designed to meet or exceed CIM and AUSIMM standards. Duplicate samples are extensively used to provide verification both at the primary analytical laboratory and at a second independent laboratory as the program progresses. In addition, a certified field standard is inserted for each drill ho
PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-25 23:50:17

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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA / ACCESS Newswire / November 25, 2025 /Revolve Renewable Power Corp. (TSXV:REVV)(OTCQB:REVVF) ("Revolve" or the "Company"), a North American owner, operator and developer of renewable energy projects, reported its financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2025 ("Q1 FY2026"). This earnings release should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements and management's discussion and analysis, which are available on the Company's website at www.revolve-renewablepower.com and have been posted on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . All amounts reported are in US dollars."Revolve recorded stable revenue in Q1 from our 13 megawatt ("MW") portfolio of operating assets while making key investments in the continued development of our project pipeline," said CEO Myke Clark. "Significant focus is now on our utility scale wind projects in Mexico, where regulators have accelerated the permitting process in order to bring several gigawatts of renewable energy projects online. Revolve's 130 MW El 24 Wind Project and 400 MW Presa Nueva Wind Project are extremely well positioned to benefit from this increased focus on renewable energy procurement in Mexico. Subsequent to the quarter end, Revolve completed an upsized C$3,000,000 financing, which was supported by a number of key institutional investors, family offices and insiders. This funding round strengthens our balance sheet and positions Revolve well to advance the progress of our late-stage renewable energy projects." Key financial highlights (all figures reported in USD):Total revenue of $448,837 compared to $448,442 in Q1, FY2025. Total revenue in Q1, 2026 was comprised entirely of recurring revenue from operating assets.Energy Production of 2,796,378 kWh from operating assets, down 3% from 2,893,980 kWh, compared to Q1, FY2025.Gross profit of $285,183, representing a gross profit margin of 64% compared to a gross profit of $300,573 representing a gross profit margin of 67% in Q1, FY2025.A net loss for the quarter of $476,572, compared to a net loss of $1,095,599 in Q1, FY2025, the result of continued investment in developing Revolve's project development portfolio and capabilities.Cash and security deposits on the balance sheet as at September 30, 2025 was $1,046,961.Key Business HighlightsDevelop and SellMexico: Revolve develops large utility scale projects from greenfield to ready-to-build, at which point it sells the development rights to large utilities and independent power producers. During Q1, Revolve made progress on the 130 MW El 24 Wind Project and 400 MW Presa Nueva Wind Project as Mexican regulators announced an expedited permitting process in order to procure several gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030. By investing in and holding these assets through key de-risking milestones, Revolve is positioned to benefit from enhanced project valuations and a stronger overall portfolio that aligns with the Company's long-term growth strategy.US: The outlook for all forms of electricity generation projects in the US remains positive with regulatory certainty having been established through the changes made in administration legislation earlier in the year along with the rapidly increasing demand for electricity driven by the AI industry. The Company remains optimistic that the remaining milestone payments from the sale of the 1.25 GW Bouse & Power Solar and Storage projects to ENGIE, equating to between $40,000-$50,000 per MW, will be received in future periods. The Company continues to analyse further development opportunities in the US to add to our current portfolio.Develop, Own & OperateRevolve develops, builds, owns and operates smaller utility scale projects as well as distributed generation projects to generate recurring revenue. This revenue stream, supported by a 13 MW operating portfolio, is now benefiting from full utilization of the Windriver Power Corporation acquisition in 2024 and the addition of the Colima Distributed Generation ("DG") project in Mexico earlier in 2025. These projects, in addition to the Company's portfolio of operating DG projects in Mexico, form Revolve's stable platform for future growth based on long-life, contracted renewable energy assets.Mexico:Revolve Expands Mexico Distributed Generation Business with New Partnership. On October 9, 2025, Revolve announced it has signed a partnership agreement dated October 8, 2025 with an experienced Engineer, Procure and Construct company (the "EPC Partner") in Mexico to develop and build a new portfolio of distributed generation power solutions for commercial and industrial customers, targeting two initial portfolios of commercial projects totaling more than 5 MW of capacity. The EPC Partner has previously developed more than 50 MW of distributed generation solar projects and brings valuable expertise to the partnership.Canada:Revolve Receives Approval from the Alberta Utilities Commission for the 15.7 MW Bright Meadows Solar Project. On September 15, 2025, Revolve, announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Revolve Meadows Solar GP Inc., has received Power Plant Approval (Decision 29985-D01-2025) from the Alberta Utilities Commission ("AUC") Bright Meadows Solar Project ("Bright Meadows Project"). Located in in the County of Wetaskiwin, Alberta, approximately 80 km south of Edmonton, the Bright Meadows Project is a 15.7 MW solar power project that will generate enough renewable electricity to power more than 3,700 homes once operational. AUC approval is the key regulatory permit required for the Bright Meadows Solar Project and we are now moving forward on the final interconnection and construction planning for this project. Revolve would like to thank the County of Wetaskiwin, the local community and our partners for their support through the AUC process.US: The Company continues to make progress on its 20 MW/80MWh Vernal BESS and 49.5 MW Primus Wind projects with a particular emphasis on seeking commercial offtake solutions. Both projects are late-stage development with signed interconnection agreements."The first quarter marked strong progress for Revolve as we significantly de-risked several projects, creating even stronger underlying value for shareholders. This business model - combining a growing recurring revenue stream with large project development - provides a stable foundation for growth and positions Revolve well for a strong conclusion to 2025 and beyond," concluded Clark.Additionally, the Company announces it has granted an aggregate of 5,175,000 incentive stock options, subject to regulatory approval, to officers, employees and consultants of the Comp
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New Industry Aims to Create U.S. Manufacturing Jobs While Supporting Colombian Farmers Transitioning to Legal, High-Value Hemp ProductionCALI, COLOMBIA / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / Sannabis, Inc., f/k/a Ultimate Sports, Inc. (OTC:USPS), a U.S. Company (the "Company") planning to acquire Sannabis S.A.S ("Sannabis") in Colombia, is pleased to announce plans to construct two industrial hemp block manufacturing plants-one in Barranquilla, Colombia, and another in Central Georgia, USA-to produce next-generation structural hemp blocks engineered with up to 33+ MPa load-bearing resistance. To the Company's knowledge, no other hemp block on the global market approaches this strength class; most hempcrete blocks range between 0.2 and 5 MPa, according to industry benchmarks. Use the Media Contact below to request Sannabis Hemp Block Engineering Tests and photos.These plants will support both domestic and export markets and will be developed in conjunction with Sannabis' academic and engineering partner. The company is preparing to file a patent in Colombia and other countries-covering its proprietary blend, processing methodology, and block architecture. Sannabis plans to export hemp hurd from Barranquilla to Savannah, GA to blend with U.S. kaolin and export to all parts of the World, with an emphasis on the Middle East. Long term plans include manufacturing hemp boards for pre-fabricated housing.Breakthrough: 33 MPa Hemp Block Verified in Engineering TestsEngineering documentation produced with Sannabis' research team highlights the following:Leading global hemp blocks typically measure 0.22-4.5 MPa (IsoHemp, Tectonics, GoHemp, UK Hempcrete)Traditional concrete blocks often reach 7-12 MPaSannabis Hemp Block: 33 MPa, exceeding both hempcrete and many conventional masonry blocksMeets Colombian construction standards NSR-10, NTC 220, NTC 121, and NTC 4050The block formulation uses hemp hurd combined with kaolin or lime binders, depending on customer fire-rating or thermal-rating requirements. Kaolin, which melts at 1800C, offers exceptional thermal stability, fire resistance, acoustic insulation, humidity control, and structural integrity.Two Hempcrete Plants: Colombia & USA1. Barranquilla, Colombia - Export HubThe first plant will serve:The Colombian construction marketsExport markets-initially Florida, then wider U.S. Gulf marketsLong-term: exporting hemp hurd to Savannah, Georgia, for blending with U.S. kaolin for re-export to the Middle EastCreate a new industry for economic development for both the U.S. and ColombiaBarranquilla offers deep-water port access, a free-trade zone ecosystem, and proximity to Colombian hemp cultivation regions.2. Central Georgia, USA - Kaolin CorridorSannabis intends to build a second facility in Central Georgia:Located on land owned by a Sannabis, Inc. shareholder in the heart of the Kaolin CorridorPositioned adjacent to one of the largest kaolin mining operations in the United StatesWill blend Sannabis hemp hurd (Colombia) with Georgia kaolinTargeting developers, sustainable builders, and international markets focused on fire-resistant materialsA Binational Project with Geopolitical ImpactIn addition to its industrial and environmental significance, Sannabis believes this project can serve as a powerful economic bridge between the United States and Colombia at a time of heightened geopolitical tension. By establishing a cross-border supply chain-Colombian hemp hurd feeding U.S. kaolin-based production, and U.S.-Colombian block manufacturing serving global markets-the Company hopes to help reset the conversation between both nations around shared economic opportunity, sustainability, and innovation.This initiative represents an emerging new industry where each country contributes its unique natural resources-Colombia's agricultural capacity and the United States' mineral and industrial infrastructure-to export a next-generation, carbon-negative building material to the world. The project has potential to create significant new employment in the U.S. manufacturing and logistics sectors, while providing Colombian farmers with a profitable, legal, and sustainable crop alternative that supports rural development and reduces reliance on illicit activities that historically strain the binational relationship.Hemp offers Colombian growers a high-value crop with the potential to transform agricultural regions affected by economic instability. By integrating Colombian farmers directly into a global supply chain built around patented green-construction materials, Sannabis hopes to contribute to long-term peace-building, rural stability, and enhanced diplomatic cooperation."Sustainable industries have the power to reshape international relationships," a Sannabis spokesperson added. "A U.S.-Colombia hempcrete partnership strengthens both countries economically while advancing a carbon-negative solution the world urgently needs." Juan P. Guzman - CEO, Sannabis, Inc. and Director of Sannabis S.A.S. commented, "We have spent years advancing hemp-based construction materials, and the 33 MPa hemp block is the culmination of innovation, engineering discipline, and our mission to replace carbon-heavy materials with sustainable alternatives. These new plants-one in Colombia and one in Georgia-represent a generational shift for the industry." Fact Sheet: Sannabis Hemp Block TechnologyKey Technical Benefits33 MPa strength (industry-leading)Thermally efficient - reduced HVAC costsFire-resistant - kaolin binder stable at 1800CAcoustic insulationHumidity regulation through hygroscopic propertiesMold-resistant, VOC-free, anti-efflorescenceLightweight vs. traditional concreteHigh precision and uniform finishCarbon & Environmental BenefitsHemp captures 1.5-2 tons of CO per ton of hemp grownHempcrete continues absorbing CO as it curesBlocks dramatically reduce embodied carbon vs. cementEligible for carbon credits and emerging carbon-offset programsSupports circular agriculture and rural developmentManufacturing InputsColombian hemp hurdKaolin or lime binderNatural sealantsSand and aggregates as required for specific performance targetsTarget MarketsStructural constructionSustainable housing & social housing programsFire-resistant buildingsModular constructionExport markets: U.S., Caribbean, Middle EastForward Strategy and Patent DevelopmentSannabis intends to file a series of U.S. and international patents, including:Proprietary kaolin-hemp binder systemStructural hemp block geometryThermal stability enhancementsNew-generation lightweight high-density block
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Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / November 25, 2025 /Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd. (TSX-V:SWLF)(OTCQB:SWLFF) ("Silver Wolf" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that further to the Company's press release dated November 19, 2025, the Company has closed the non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of 14,166,665 units of the Company ("Units") at a purchase price of C$0.15 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of C$2,125,000. Each Unit will be comprised of one (1) common share ("Common Share") of the Company and one half (1/2) of one non-transferable Common Share purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each whole Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional Common Share at an exercise price of C$0.25 at any time up to 36 months following the date of issuance.The Company is distributing the Units under the Offering utilizing the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions, and accordingly the Common Shares to be issued as part of the Units will be free-trading except in certain cases where an Exchange Hold Period (as such term is defined under Policy 1.1 of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V")) is applicable.In connection with the closing of the Offering, the Company paid a finder's fee of C$1,500 to Castlewood Capital Corporation.The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for exploration and drilling on the Ana Maria property in Mexico, and for the Company's general working capital requirements.The Offering remains subject to the final acceptance the TSX-V."I would like to thank all those who participated in this private placement, as well as all existing shareholders," said Peter Latta, President of Silver Wolf Exploration. "This marks an important step in advancing our exploration efforts at Ana Maria. We are pleased to launch a 13-hole, 3,000-metre drill program focused on the Skarn target within the central claim of the Ana Maria property in Mexico." MI 61-101 DisclosureAvino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. ("Avino") the "Related Party"), acquired an aggregate of 5,000,000 Units under the Offering for a total purchase price of C$750,000 The participation by the Related Party in the Offering constitutes a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). However, the Offering will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of any securities issued to or the consideration paid by such Related Parties exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization.Early Warning DisclosureAvino acquired 5,000,000 Units under the Offering, comprised of 5,000,000 Common Shares and 2,500,000 Warrants. Immediately prior to the Offering, Avino had beneficial ownership of 2,431,719 Common Shares and 416,677 Warrants, representing approximately 5.28% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis. Immediately after the Offering, including Avino's acquisition of 5,000,000 Units under the Offering, Avino had beneficial ownership of 7,015,052 Shares, representing approximately 11.65% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis (16.5% on a fully diluted basis, including a total 2,916,677 of Warrants). Avino acquired its Common Shares and Warrants in the Offering for investment purposes and intends to review its investment in the Company on a continuing basis. Depending upon a number of factors including market and other conditions, Avino may from time to time increase or decrease its beneficial ownership, control, direction or economic exposure over securities of the Company. The Company is a corporation existing under the laws of British Columbia with its head office at 900 - 570 Granville St. Vancouver, BC V6C 3P1, Canada. An early warning report will be electronically filed with the applicable securities commission in each jurisdiction where the Company is reporting and will be available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . For further information or to obtain a copy of the early warning report, please contact Avino at:Jennifer North, Head of Investor RelationsTel: 604-682-3701Email: IR@ avino.com Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd.Suite 900 570 Granville StreetVancouver, BCCanada, V6C 3P1Phone: +1 (604) 682-3701Fax: +1 (604) 682-3600About Silver WolfSilver Wolf is an exploration company focused on exploring high potential projects in prime silver and gold regions of Mexico including the Ana Maria and El Laberinto properties. The Ana Maria claims are located 21 kilometres (km) northwest of the City of Gomez Palacio and the adjacent City of Torreon. The property consists of 9 mining concessions encompassing 2,549 hectares (ha). The claims are located in a well-known area that is prolific for carbonate replacement deposits (CRDs) as well as skarn deposits in the vicinity of many active or historic mining operations. The Company has operational synergies with Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. and shares many years of combined experience in exploration, development and production. In addition, Silver Wolf has an experienced geological field team who have worked on similar projects with a demonstrated understanding of the jurisdiction and local communities.For further information please contact Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd. by phone at (604) 682-3701 or visit our website at www.silverwolfexploration.com ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD"Peter Latta"___Peter LattaPresidentCautionary NoteThe information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on numerous assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including risks inherent in mineral exploration and development, which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any projected future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; and the uncertainties surrounding the mineral exploration industry. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding acceptance of the TSX-V in respect of the Offering, the anticipated use of net proceeds of
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BURNSVILLE, MN / ACCESS Newswire / November 26, 2025 / Dr. Hamid Abbasi, a US-based neurosurgeon and global leader in minimally invasive spine surgery, will travel to Dubai to participate in the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies WFNS meeting. Dr. Abbasi will conduct hands-on training sessions focused on two advanced techniques: the Oblique Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion OLLIF and Sacroiliac Joint SIJ fusion. These procedures are known for reduced surgical trauma, shorter hospital stays, and faster patient recovery.Before arriving in Dubai, Dr. Abbasi will stop in Karachi, Pakistan, for a full clinical program with Professor Salman Sharif and his team at the Pakistan Society of Neurosurgeons. He will perform live surgery and lead a cadaveric lab for residents and fellows. The goal is practical exposure to precision-based minimally invasive techniques that are not widely taught in traditional programs.Following his participation at WFNS, Dr. Abbasi will extend his stay in the UAE to collaborate with Dr. Munshi for an additional OLLIF and SIJ workshop. This extended session will deliver surgeon-level training and demonstrate the reproducibility of these techniques in high-volume surgical environments.Dr. Abbasi has performed more than two thousand OLLIF cases and is regarded as one of the earliest pioneers of the TransKambin approach. His published outcomes show high fusion rates, low blood loss, and reduced operative time even in multilevel or revision cases. His international visits are focused on knowledge transfer and building regional competency centers capable of delivering advanced spine care to underserved populations.Dr. Abbasi states: "We are proud to be in Pakistan and Dubai, and we are equally committed to transferring this technology to other countries around the world. The contents of this small bag are all we need to take care of half a dozen patients in Pakistan, with no need for expensive technologies such as a million dollar robot or navigation system. Our goal is to transfer knowledge and technology globally, and that is our commitment to our colleagues everywhere." For media inquiries or to request meeting schedules, please contactInspired Spine administrative office atsocial1@ islife.usor visit us atinspiredspine.com Media Contact:Inspired Spine(952) 225-5266SOURCE: Inspired Spine
More than two years after their divorce made headlines, it appears that there is no love lost between actors Patrick and Ireti Doyle.

News of the end of their union first broke in January 2023 when Ireti, in an interview with Chude Jideonwo, emphatically stated that they are officially divorced.

The actress stated that a significant disparity existed between the image she and her then-husband presented and their actual reality.

That Im an actor and plying my trade in the public arena does not make you entitled to my personal life. And quite frankly, I dont owe anybody any explanation. So go ahead; speculate all you want. If it helps you digest your morning tea, Im happy to oblige.

My life is not an animation. Im sorry if I contributed to shattering your image of love and the perfect couple. Still, my life is not an animation, and I cannot sacrifice my life on the altar of imagination or fantasy, she said.

No love lost

In an interview on one of the latest episodes of Wake Up Nigeria, which airs on Television Continental, TVC, the veteran actor hinted that there may be some form of animosity between them. However, he was subtle in his approach.

Reacting to a question of his ex-wife about how she was faring in the industry, Doyle said that he would rather not say anything than say something unsavoury.

I would like to disappoint you. If I dont have something nice to say about a human being, Id rather not speak. My anointing does not allow me to speak ill of anybody living or dead, he said.

Although he said he was happy for her, seeing how far she had come with the Doyle name, the veteran broadcaster said he had since moved on.

Im happy for her that the Doyle name has opened doors for her, and so far she has not disgraced the Doyle name. Shes done pretty well. Im proud of her achievements in the industry. I would like for it to continue that way, he said.

Remarriage

In March 2023, Mr Doyle hinted that he had found love again as he celebrated Ms Funmilyo, whom he described as his new mother, friend and partner.

He wrote, On Mothers Day, we are expected to pay tribute to our mothers and all women who have played maternal roles. In my case, the four women who had acted in that capacity towards me are my late mother, Angela Bassey Doyle; my late elder sister, Victoria Doyle; Ayodeji Alakija; and my late wife, Rosamond Doyle.

Today, to the glory of God, this young lady has taken over that role and truth be told, I have never been happier in all my life. Please join me in thanking God for my new mother, friend and partner for life, Oluwafunmilayo.

Later that year, the ace actor announced that he was set to remarry following his divorce from his wife of 18 years.

In a heartfelt series of social media posts, Doyle revealed that he has found love with Funmilayo.

Expressing his gratitude for this divine gift, the ace broadcaster and actor said he was blessed to be engaged to Funmilayo.

Doyle said he looked forward to a future with Funmilayo, with whom he shares a 33-year age gap, describing their love as a testament to resilience.
Sarah Victor, a mother of five, once depended on the rich resources of the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve in Akwa Ibom State for her livelihood. The forest supplied the herbs she used to treat ailments such as stroke, hypertension, arthritis, diabetes, and epilepsy, her main source of income and healing practice.

Years ago, the reserve, spanning Esit Eket, Ibeno, and Mbo Local Government Areas, was a thriving biodiversity hotspot. Covering about 310.8 square kilometres, it was one of southern Nigerias richest ecosystems, home to valuable tree species such as African mahogany, African satinwood, Afara, and African walnut. It also provided critical habitat for endangered primates, including Sclaters guenon, Mona monkey, Putty-nosed monkey, and the red-capped mangabey.

Today, much of that forest is gone. In 2017, it was first cleared for a now-abandoned 55-kilometre superhighway initiated by the Akwa Ibom State Government to link a proposed seaport in Mbo Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State. Three years later, more forest land was lost to the yet-to-be-completed 200,000-barrel-per-day BUA petrochemical refinery.

Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve has become a case study on how poorly managed development and corporations disregard for environmental and social sustainability can destroy both biodiversity and livelihoods.

I used to find those rare herbs only within Stubbs Creek, around the area now cleared for the refinery, Ms Sarah said. Since I cant find them anymore, I no longer treat people. They now go to hospitals where treatment costs more than they can afford.

Apart from herbal practice, Ms Sarah also trades in gin made from palm wine, bitter kola, and African oil bean seeds collected from the forest. But with most of the trees that provided these materials now gone, her source of income has collapsed.

Even the dry gin made from palm wine, I no longer get in good quantities because large numbers of raffia palms whose wine is used to produce the gin have been destroyed by the refinery project, she said, adding that her husband had been jobless for a long time. As a result, Ms Sarah said feeding her family and catering for the academic needs of her children has been difficult.

It is very unfair that those who have a better and more sustainable livelihood are now using their business to destroy the little that we depend on, she added.

Livelihood pressure and further destruction of forest

Like Ms Sarah, Okon Itiaba, a father of four, once earned his living tapping palm wine and fishing in the wetlands of the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve. But after large parts of the forest were cleared by the Akwa Ibom State Government and BUA Refinery Limited, his livelihood became much harder to sustain. He now treks deep into the remaining forest to find raffia palms, spending long hours that reduce both the quality and market value of his product.

Palm wine sells better when its fresh, said Mr Itiaba. Now, before I can bring out the palm wine from the deep forest out to where people can access and buy, it will ferment, and the price drops, he said.

He described how the rough terrain and distance often cost him his days work.

Due to the topography and long distance of the deeper forest, which makes me climb and slope on hills, pass through muddy grounds, swim through the creeks, and sometimes get pierced by branches, the gallon of wine sometimes falls off pouring and leaving me to return home empty-handed, Mr Itiaba said.

Mr Itiaba, also a fisherman, another mainstay occupation for many in Niger Delta communities, said before the BUA project, the wetlands were pristine and vast for fishing. But now, most of those wetlands have been sand-filled, making catches rare.

From his palm wine business, he recalled how he used to make sales up to N15,000 daily, but now can hardly make N2,000 sales each day. Now, my family feeds once a day, he said. Due to the situation now, there are only two of my last children that I can send to school. The two older ones have dropped out of school to assist me in my palm wine tapping business; otherwise, we wont be able to survive.

With the forest  and his livelihood  disturbed by the highway and refinery projects, Mr Itiaba said he is now considering wood logging, an activity he knows will harm the reserve but may be his only option.

He is not alone.

Ubong Thompson, who, before the BUA project, used to hunt wild pigs, deer, grasscutter, and guinea fowl as a protein source for his family and also sells some, has also turned to cutting down trees for firewood sales. I never used to cut trees, but I cant sit helplessly and see my family hungry. Thats why I am venturing into this firewood business, Mr Thompson said.

When Dataphyte visited the forest in September, the section cleared for the superhighway project remained bare, though shrubs had begun to grow along the corridor since the project was abandoned a year after it began.

A new access road built for BUAs refinery now cuts six kilometres into the forest, exposing even more of the reserve to deforestation. Along the route, a thriving logging market has emerged, with wood of various sizes stacked for sale and trucks, tricycles, and motorcycles ferrying logs out of the forest.

Sellers told Dataphyte that the timber is used primarily for building and firewood and that logging has continued unchecked since 2021, when the BUA access road construction began.

Yet, the socio-environmental consequences of the projects- biodiversity loss, habitat fragmentation, and livelihood collapse  had long been predicted.

Warning ignored

In 2016, the Federal Government conducted an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the BUA refinery project.

The ESIA report predicted loss of wetlands (breeding/spawning grounds), depletion of natural resources (water, sand, wood), ecosystem and habitat loss or fragmentation and introduction of invasive species.

It also warned that project activities could lead to increased access to wildlife leading to exploitation, and de-vegetation and clearing, soil stripping, removal of cleared vegetation (burning, leveling), earthworks (sand filling), and damage to soil structure, causing change in natural drainage channels and soil porosity during soil stripping process, thus top soil may mix with less fertile subsoil and loss of capacity to retain moisture.

The ESIA further highlighted that such environmental degradation would cause negative impacts on livelihoods and the microeconomy of communities that depend on the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve.

In response, BUA pledged to mitigate the envisaged damage by involving government agencies and conservation specialists in ecological restoration and by raising awareness among staff and community members. It is also committed to installing siltation traps to protect soil and water, cultivating compacted areas, creating drainage systems to reduce flooding, and compensating economically displaced residents through a livelihood restoration plan.

Other pledges by BUA included the creation of seed banks before vegetation is damaged for replanting, exposure of workers and locals to conservation programmes that will seek to protect endemic/endangered species, and the establishment of conservation programmes that will seek to protect endangered and endemic species.

BUA fails to honour pledges?

It remains unclear whether BUA has fulfilled the commitments outlined in its environmental plan. When Dataphyte sent a media inquiry to the companys official email on 3 October, 2025, there was no response. Multiple calls and messages to the Communications, Documentation, and Data Officer, Abdul-Azeez Isiaq, also went unanswered despite several follow-ups over consecutive days.

During a field visit, Dataphyte found no visible evidence of replanting, siltation traps, or drainage systems at the project site. Residents said they have not received any compensation or training as promised. Community members from the host areas also confirmed that no one has been compensated for economic displacement and denied taking part in any workshop or seminar on biodiversity conservation.

Akwa Ibom Governments weak environmental governance and breaches

In 2000, Akwa Ibom State enacted A Law for the Preservation and Control of Forests in Akwa Ibom State, granting Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve protected status. Section 21 of the law outlines a clear and rigorous process that must be followed before any part of a forest can be de-reserved.

Although the law empowers the states Commissioner for Agriculture to de-protect a site or part of it, there is no evidence that the process has been followed according to the prescribed process before Stubbs Creek reserve was severely violated by corporate and political activities.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request on October 3, to the Ministry of Agriculture, asking for the gazetted notice to de-reserve the sections of Stubbs Creek forest used for the superhighway project and BUA Petrochemical and Refinery Project, was not responded to despite acknowledgement.

Similarly, a review of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Hansards from 2016 to 2021 revealed no record of any legislative proceedings to de-reserve the forest.

Unlike BUA, which at least conducted an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for its refinery project, the Akwa Ibom State Government failed to comply with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act of 1992 regarding its superhighway project. The federal law mandates that an EIA must be carried out for any project likely to significantly affect the environment.

An FOI request for the EIA report was also sent on 3 October, 2025, to the Commissioner for Works, Eno Ibanga, whose ministry supervised the superhighway project. The ministry acknowledged receipt but never responded.

When Dataphyte contacted the Federal Ministry of Environment, statutorily empowered to conduct the ESIA, the Akwa Ibom State Controller, Patrick Etim, told Dataphyte that the ESIA for the project was never conducted, hence does not exist.

Between 2016 and 2025, the state government budgeted N76 million under its Forest Regeneration Plan for the planting of Gmelina aborea, pine, and nuclear diderichi trees in Stubbs Creek. However, a review of financial statements and budget performance reports showed that no funds were released or spent. The Ministry of Environment also failed to respond to requests for evidence of project implementation.

In addition, Dataphytes analysis of the 2023 and 2024 budget performance reports revealed that N18.2 million was paid as commuted allowance for forest guards. But residents and firewood traders interviewed said they had never seen guards patrolling the Stubbs Creek.

The Akwa Ibom State Government has repeatedly declared its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the goal to protect and restore terrestrial ecosystems, halt deforestation, and conserve biodiversity. But its actions at Stubbs Creek tell a different story.

The Ministry of Environment has also remained silent on the issue. Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Nsikak Ekong, initially told Dataphyte he would respond after internal consultations, but later became unreachable. When contacted again on 13 October, he requested that questions be sent via text message and promised a response, which never came as of press time.

Dataphyte had sought explanations regarding the unimplemented reforestation plan, continued illegal logging, the absence of forest guard oversight, and the states efforts to ensure BUA fulfils its mitigation commitments. The government has yet to provide any answers.

For people like Ms Sarah, Mr Itiaba, and Mr Thompson, the loss is personal and generational. The forest that once healed, fed, and sustained their families is vanishing before their eyes.

This story was produced as part of Dataphyte Foundations Biodiversity Media Initiative project, with support from Internews Earth Journalism Network. We have permission to publish.
At dawn in early October, in Itasin, Ogun State, Neye Afolabi set out for his farm, just a short walk from his home. But before he could begin tending his crops, a herd of elephants emerged from the forest and trampled through his farmland.

I could not work on my farm this morning because of elephants, he said. I ran away and was watching them from afar. I waited for about an hour, hoping that they would leave so I could do my days work. They did not leave. Instead, they were busy destroying it and eating my

crops.

Many residents of Itasin, a rural community in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, have either had their farms destroyed, been physically attacked, or narrowly escaped encounters with elephants that wander in from the nearby forest reserve.

The conflict is largely driven by illegal farming and commercial logging inside the reserve,

which has pushed some elephants into surrounding communities and disrupted the habitat for those that remain.

Established in 1925, Omo Forest became Nigerias first United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)

Biosphere Reserve in 1977. It is a rainforest home to rare and endangered species, including an estimated 100 African forest elephants, white-throated guenons, 125 bird species, and more than 200 tree species, along with various butterfly

populations. Satellite data from the University of Maryland shows that the forest lost more than 7 per cent of its tree cover between 2001 and 2018.

On 28 July, Yaya Musa Kalamu, a resident of the area, was killed by an elephant while felling trees for commercial purposes inside the forest.

Conservation workers recall that on 13 May, 2018, a group of 15 elephants migrated from the

Omo Forest Reserve to the Itasin community. The movement, they say, was driven by continuous illegal logging and farming-related deforestation within the reserve, a period that coincided with documented tree-cover fragmentation.

That year, the loggers invaded the core of the elephant zone, and they were forced to migrate, said Emmanuel Olabode, project manager for the Elephant Initiative, a project of the

Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF) in partnership with the Ogun State government.

Onyebu Titus, the chief forest guard who has worked with the NCF for 35 years, told Dataphyte that he tracked the migrating elephants until they crossed the Lagos-Ore Expressway.

They caused a momentary traffic jam on both sides of the expressway. Travellers could not believe their eyes that elephants could be seen around here, Mr Titus said.

These elephants found a home in the Itasin community forest and were gentle-natured. They would casually walk into the community, eating plantains and backyard farm crops.

Farming and logging in Omo Forest

With a size of 130,600 hectares, the Omo Forest serves a dual mandate: it is licensed for commercial logging and elephant conservation. But there are no clearly defined boundaries, putting the elephant zone at risk of invasion and illegal activities.

We have a proposed size for the reserve, but I cant disclose it yet because the government has not approved it, he said. Once it is approved, enforcement will be easier, and our relationship with the villagers will improve. They will clearly know which areas are strictly off-

limits for farming and logging. Without a documented boundary, enforcing protection is very

difficult.

In response to Dataphytes request for comment, Ogun State Commissioner for Forestry, Taiwo Oludotun, said the state remains committed to conservation, which he suggests is focused on the 50 thousand hectares-large conservation zone.

The area in question is known to all stakeholders (farmers, baales and all community members) as a no logging, no farming and no hunting zone, said Commissioner Oludotun.

Such activities are illegal, and the government has always frowned on anyone who perpetrates such illegal activities in the forest reserve.

Acknowledging the challenges of enforcement, he added, Many illegal farms and structures have been demolished, and offenders have been prosecuted and convicted. We have repeatedly issued public notices in newspapers and on the radio advising illegal farmers and settlers to vacate the conservation area. Cocoa farming is strictly prohibited in our forest reserves.

A cocoa plantation inside the protected zone. Photo Credit: Sodeeq Atanda.

In the hard-to-reach parts of the forest, several settlements, motivated purely by cocoa farming fortunes, have sprung up. Even with government-erected signposts reading No hunting, grazing, farming, logging, farmers comfortably carry out their trade with the

knowledge of the same government.

Dataphyte learnt that each farmer has an identity card recognised by the Ministry of Forestry.

These farmers come from different states to farm in the forest. By December of each year, they would hire security guards to secure their settlements and travel back to their various states and return on 23 January to continue their business. There were also allegations of farmers paying huge sums to some government officials to lease portions of the forest for cocoa farming.

When asked for comment, the forestry commissioner confirmed it, saying it was not a license for farming but for security reasons. He added that no reports of official bribery had been reported to him. The identity cards with the residents of Omo Forest reserve did not legalise

farming and logging in the conservation area, but rather to enable the ministry to have a

database of those residing in the forest reserve so that criminal elements or bandits do not hide in the forest to perpetrate criminal acts, said Mr Oludotun.

I am not aware of any official who received a bribe from farmers to lease land in Omo Forest Reserve. The fellow conducting this exercise may wish to present those individuals who have received or taken bribes from farmers for land leasing.

While in the forest, Dataphyte observed that numerous footpaths connected to countless farmlands, starting from Omo Bridge 2, a settlement led by Ajayi Adeshina, the Baale of the settlement.

Many of the farms were located far from immediate sight as they are in the middle of forest trees. In some cases, Dataphyte saw cocoa and plantain farms located within the elephant sanctuary.

Each farmer has an ID card known to the government. We admit this is an elephant forest and we are the ones invading their house, Muniru Akinleye, a farmer and Oluode of Eseke, told Dataphyte.

They [elephants] frequently eat and destroy our crops. For me, I no longer have maize and yams; elephants have consumed them. Even on my cocoa farm, they come there and eat it. But

I know some will be spared, and I will harvest them at the end of the day. I saw an elephant on my farm recently, and I quickly jumped on my motorcycle and returned to the village. So, yes, they feed on our farms.

But we cannot really do anything. We cannot complain to the authorities. Elephants are government property; we are citizens. If we complain, the government will take the elephants side, and they might order our evacuation. For this not to happen, our coping mechanism is silence and managing what is left of our farms to sustain our families.

What is considered the elephant zone is a very tiny portion of the forest, and it is situated somewhere in the extreme side of the forest, according to an old map sighted by Dataphyte.

The entire forest straddles two local government areas: the Ijebu East Local Government Area on the front, starting from the Lagos-Ore Expressway, and goes beyond the region called J4 (supposedly meaning Jungle 4); and then the Ijebu North Local Government Area, which

begins shortly after the elephant zone.

So those local council areas serve as two areas of operations for two groups of loggers.

According to NCF officials, those in the Ijebu East area do not really operate close to the zone, but those in the Ijebu North. Given that elephants walk and play around, the sounds of chainsaws and other logging-associated disturbances could disturb elephants without

discrimination.

In an interview on 1 October, Modinat Alaga, whose mother, Mulikatu Rasheed Alaga, is a logger in Akorede Camp, denied that loggers routinely invaded the protected zone.

For instance, my mother has her own government-allocated logging arena, and she doesnt go beyond it. She only operates in places allocated to her, and she has a valid license. She has a propatin, a sort of hammer used to mark her wood, and government guards will also mark them too, Modinat Alaga told Dataphyte.

Yearly, we pay N5,000 or more to renew the license with the government. The government doesnt allocate the elephant zone to any logger, and nobody dares go there. There is the government zone, and there is the elephant zone. My mother could operate here [around the village, which is a stones throw from the elephant zone] because its within the permissible logging area. For our farms, we dont budge when elephants destroy them, Ms Alaga explained.

Ms Alaga added that loggers pay the government for reforestation. While touring the conservation forest, Dataphyte observed a few small portions of land where young teak trees were growing. According to the chief ranger, the communities were responsible for them.

The NCF also regularly regrows trees where necessary. Project manager Olabode said, In our nursery plantation, we have over 20,000 seedlings waiting to be replanted. We do this regularly because reforestation is a continuous agenda for us.

Itasin communitys nightmare

The displaced elephants were resettled in Itasin, a rural enclave on the northern side of the SagamuBenin Expressway and situated about 10 kilometres away from the Omo Forest. In the early days of their arrival, residents said that the elephants were moving freely in the

community, looking for food, and would return to the forest.

Their sight was adventurous to us, said Sanwo Odugbemi, an elderly resident of the

community.

We did feel threatened by their presence. They would eat plantains, pawpaw and crops within sight. They are the reason why you cannot see pawpaw anywhere in our neighbourhoods again.

According to Sanariu Abimbola, an indigene of Itasin, Oba Felix Adegbesan, the immediate- past Onitasin of Itasin, protected the forest and ensured that trees were only cut down once in a while when someone needed them for a personal housing project or the community needed them for a collective project.

Logging was not a practice. But Dataphyte learnt that after the death of Oba Adegbesan in June 2024, residents and their alien partners began logging at a commercial scale.

This logging began threatening the elephant habitat, and hostility between the wildlife and

community members started to grow.

I can confirm that commercial logging occurs in the forest, and it could be contributing to elephants hostile behaviour, Mr Odugbemi said. The government has asked that we report any logging activity to them. But in truth, what will the loggers be living on if the government bans their trade here?

Following the attack on Musa Kalamu, reports described him as a farmer. But Dataphytes findings confirmed he was a logger and was on duty when the elephants killed him.

Mr Afolabi, the young man earlier mentioned, said he was the one whom Akorede Yaya, the deceaseds son, ran into after the attack.

The news swiftly spread, and we mobilised to the scene. On getting there, we saw that the elephants were more than one, and they refused to leave, Mr Afolabi recounted. We could not move closer to them. The attacking one angrily used its tusk to fling the man away.

He was still alive, but his internal organs had been disembowelled. He died on the way to the hospital because we could not get a vehicle to carry him on time, and the hospital is far.

When asked why the media narrative described the deceased victim as a farmer rather than a logger, Mr Abimbola said, It may be the residents tactics of shaping their information flow to ensure that the true nature of the activities in the forest is concealed.

Mr Odugbemi and four other residents present when Dataphyte was interviewing them collectively said they wanted the government to come and capture and return the elephants to Omo Forest because their presence in our community benefits no one.

But for Mr Abimbola, The elephants could bring positive attention to our community and put it on the global map. So, rather than return them, we should start planting other crops, such as pepper, that they cannot eat. That way, we can co-exist with them peacefully.

In his response, Commissioner Oludotun said there was no plan of relocating the elephants from Itasin forest, and that is why the landscape management approach was adopted. This is because when forest elephants are airlifted, unlike savanna elephants, they do develop complications due to stress and die, thus wasting the resources incurred in the air lifting

exercise.

In response to Musa Kalamus killing, the commissioner said the community forest was a designated wildlife conservation area, especially for elephants.

Itasin residents rejected Commissioner Oludotuns statement that the forest was a conservation zone. While in the community, Dataphyte saw nothing to confirm the official designation claim. Unlike the Omo Forest, the Itasin forest had no forest guards, no signposts,

or any other distinguishing markings to suggest it had been converted to a forest reserve.

Responding to a question on this matter, the commissioner informed Dataphyte that Governor Dapo Abiodun had approved the designation of the forest as a protected wildlife sanctuary in April 2023, and a gazette was being prepared to this effect.

The Bureau of Land in the state has produced a provisional map of the area, and efforts are ongoing to publish the gazette in this regard.

As a follow-up to this, the ministry has engaged conservation non-governmental organisations to work with community members in the area for sensitisation and enlightenment, along with government officials to prevent human and

elephant conflict, said the commissioner.

In one of our engagements with community members, they were made to see the provisional map of the wildlife sanctuary, and this abated their fears, and they were assured of the governments commitment to the process, and they were quite happy with the process.

This story was produced as part of Dataphyte Foundations Biodiversity Media Initiative project, with support from Internews Earth Journalism Network. We have permission to publish.
At the Kofar Mazugal abattoir in Kano, the morning air in September 2025 reeks of blood and smoke. Butchers hurry between carcasses, blades flash, and the cries of cows, goats, and camels pierce the din. For decades, this chaos drew hundreds of vultures circling and swooping on the remains.

Today, not one hovers over the slaughter slab. A mix of economic desperation, deep-rooted belief, and weak environmental enforcement is driving vultures toward extinction.

Entrance of the Kano Abattoir Limited in Fagge Local Government. (Image source: Francis Annagu | Dataphyte)

The vultures would come around here in the morning and leave in the evening, recalls Zubairu Lawal, a 64-year-old butcher who has worked here since his youth. In the 1990s, they were in their hundreds. We butchers never killed them. They just came to feed on the remains of the animals. Now, I have not seen one for years.

Where hundreds of vultures once fed, only the cattle egret (belbela in Hausa), a smaller scavenger bird, now picks at scraps. The younger generation confuses them with vultures, Mr Lawal says, shaking his head. Vultures are gone. What we have now are cattle egrets.

Once natures free waste managers, vultures are disappearing from Kano, northern Nigerias main cultural and trade centre, not from disease or habitat loss but from a growing trade in their body parts for fortune charms and traditional medicine.

In Rimi and Kurmi markets, two of Kanos oldest trading centres known for their herbal and spiritual medicine stalls, vultures have become prized commodities. Their parts now fuel a shadow economy of hunters and healers who cater to clients seeking luck, power, or protection.

Everything about a vulture is costly

At Rimi Market, known for its clusters of herbal medicine stalls and animal part traders, healers and merchants sell powders, skins, bones, and charms used in traditional rituals. Within this bustling mix of commerce and spirituality, the vulture trade has found fertile ground and continues to thrive.

Under a roadside umbrella in Rimi Market, traditional healer Naziru Usama mixes herbs for a customer, then lowers his voice. Everything about a vulture is costly, he says. The head alone costs N60,000.

Mr Usama, who has practised traditional medicine for decades, says vultures are now scarce in Kano, found only deep in forests between Kano and Bauchi, or farther away in Taraba and Cameroon.

We get different kinds of orders, he explains. Some ask for the eyes, feet, or even the things vultures pick from the ground. Someone once offered N500,000 for two vultures.

He smiles faintly. Just last week, someone offered N750,000 for the one I have, but I declined.

During a visit to Mr Usamas stall, he led Dataphyte into a dimly lit room beside his shop, where a vulture was confined in a rough wooden cage. Mr Usama explained that the birds parts are used for charms and incense rituals.

Theres a charm I make using the wings, he said. After burning them on coal, we use the smoke to bathe or sprinkle on a person. It brings good luck. We call it turaren wuta, a burning incense believed to carry supernatural powers.

Mr Usamas account echoes what conservationists have warned for years: that belief in the mystical potency of vultures, especially for fortune charms known locally as tsaraka, is fast driving the species toward extinction.

When Dataphyte asked if herbs could be used instead, he replied, It depends on the strength of the charm. You can find herbs, yes, but theyre not as effective. Thats why people insist on using the bird.

He paused, glancing at the caged vulture. In the last ten years, everyone wants quick luck, he said quietly, then added, Thats why the demand has grown.

When we were growing up

Abubakar Manu, a 72-year-old community elder in Gwale, recalls a different time when Dataphyte visited his home.

When we were growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, vultures roamed our communities, he says. Today, theyve been hunted down by humans. The young people, those in their thirties, dont know them; they have never seen one unless on television.

To him, this generational disappearance is a terrible loss. If an entire generation grows up never seeing what was formerly common, he says, then we have lost part of ourselves.

His reflection captures a disturbing truth in northern Nigerias biodiversity crisis, the slow, unnoticed extinction of species once integral to everyday life.

Back at the abattoir, his words ring true. Nearby, a group of younger butchers laugh as they work. When Dataphyte asked if any of them had ever seen a vulture alive, not one had.

Between beliefs, fortune, and extinction

At Kurmi market, Garba Sulaiman, a herb seller trained in both traditional medicine and public health, tries to bridge the worlds of science and tradition.

Herb seller, Dr Garba Gaye Sulaiman, standing at the door of his shop at Kurmi market. (Image source: Francis Annagu | Dataphyte)

A customer makes a purchase at Dr Sulaimans shop. (Photo: Francis Annagu | Dataphyte)

We know vultures have always had a place in Hausa healing, he explains. People come looking for protection from poison, from business failure, from spiritual attack. They believe the birds strength comes from surviving on the dead without falling ill.

His small shop smells of dried animal skins, bones, shells, and incense. Jars filled with powders and roots line the entrance. For protection from hidden poison, he says, we use the head or eyes. Sometimes we dry the feathers and burn them. The patient inhales the smoke or bathes in it.

But he admits to a moral struggle. I know killing vultures is illegal. They are disappearing. I tell my colleagues to use substitutes. The power lies in the prayer and ritual, not just the animal. But still, some insist, they believe the real power is in the bird.

He leans forward and sighs. In the last decade, the demand for charms has surged, he adds. People feel helpless and seek power wherever they can find it.

Mr Sulaiman believes education could offer hope. We can keep our culture without destroying nature, he says. If we teach people that prayer and faith are what make the charm work, maybe the vultures will survive.

But he adds wistfully, As long as poverty and fear remain, people will keep looking for power no matter the cost.

The numbers

In 2017 and 2018, NCF surveys found no vultures left in the wild in Kano, suggesting possible local extinction. Similarly, a 2025 Mongabay report documents how hooded vultures are vanishing from traditional urban food sources such as slaughterhouses and dumps, citing ethno-ornithological surveys in Kano and Ekiti where vultures appear to be driven out or extinct in many human-associated sites. Adding to this, local birdwatchers interviewed by Dataphyte said no vultures have been seen in the city for nearly a decade.

At the Audu Bako Zoo, the states main wildlife and recreational park, and one of the oldest and most popular zoos in Nigeria, birdwatchers familiar with the citys wildlife recall their last sighting of vultures was around 2014 near Challawa industrial area, where they used to scavenge around open dumps. They noticed that by 2015 the birds were gone, now being replaced by swarms of perching birds. They link the decline to urban expansion, pollution, and growing trafficking in vulture parts.

Small populations could be seen only in protected areas such as Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi and Gashaka Gumti National Park in Taraba, as well as tiny groups across the border in Cameroon.

Data from the National Conservation Foundation, BirdLife International, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) show that vulture populations in Nigeria and West Africa have declined by at least 80% in recent decades. The Hooded Vulture, once common, has recorded a 94% decline in Plateau State between 2017 and 2024. The White-backed and Ruppells vultures have each declined by over 90% across West Africa.

The Hooded Vulture is now classified as Critically Endangered by IUCN; its disappearance is most rapid in northern states where belief-based trade remains widespread.

Economy of extinction

The economics are simple but devastating. A vulture head sells for N60,000. A whole bird can reach N750,000. The rarer the bird, the higher the price.

This illegal trade connects hunters, herbalists, and wealthy clients through secret networks. The vultures used to be ignored by hunters, says Mr Usama. Now, even the things they pick from the ground, what we locally call shekan su, are highly priced.

He admits that some of his buyers are businessmen or politicians seeking good fortune or protection. They dont want to be seen, he says. They send others to collect for them.

A law without enforcement

At the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) office, Head of Conservation Monitoring, Gbenga Kolawole, says the agency has no record of arrests or seizures related to vultures in the past five years.

There is no data on any case involving vultures, he confirms. The species is listed under Schedule II of the Endangered Species Act and Appendix II of CITES, which means hunting or selling it without a permit is illegal. The law provides for fines or imprisonment for offenders.

Yet enforcement is virtually nonexistent. When asked to make comments about challenges in monitoring markets like Rimi or Kurmi, Mr Kolawole replies, According to our officers in Kano, there are no challenges in carrying out our duties.

Although the vulture trade happens openly in some markets, traders have grown more cautious in recent years. Increased awareness campaigns and occasional enforcement actions have made many dealers more discreet, preferring to transact only with trusted buyers.

NESREA says it conducts sensitisation campaigns with NGOs and traditional leaders, but none of the traders interviewed could recall any such effort. Nobody has ever come here to teach us about vultures or wildlife, said one herb seller at Rimi market, who spoke to Dataphyte off the record.

Vanishing scavengers, rising risks

The Hausa believe the vultures power lies in its immunity, says Mr Lawal. It feeds on dead animals but never dies. Thats why people think it can protect against poison.

That belief endures even as the birds disappear. Without vultures, carcasses are left to rot in the open. Now, Mr Lawal adds, flies are everywhere.

Experts agree that the loss of vultures worsens waste management and public health around abattoirs. A Stanford University study shows that about 36% of scavenger populations are threatened or in decline globally.

The Director-General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Joseph Onoja, warned in an interview with Periscope International: If we dont take urgent action to preserve what remains and halt further decline, we risk driving vultures into extinction through human activities.

This story was produced as part of Dataphyte Foundations Biodiversity Media Initiative project, with support from Internews Earth Journalism Network. We have permission to publish.
Jia Mingxuan displays his medal at the 77th Nuremberg International Invention Exhibition (iENA) in Nuremberg, Germany, on Nov. 4, 2025. (Xinhua)

HOHHOT, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Using steel tubes from a local hardware store and recycled plastic bottles, Jia Mingxuan, 14, from north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, built a device that recently won the top honor at the 77th Nuremberg International Invention Exhibition (iENA) in Germany.

Jia's creation? A simple, automated planting tool designed to help new saplings survive the wind and drought encountered in his hometown.

Jia, shy and soft-spoken, wondered if his unpolished, homemade apparatus stood any chance, when seeing more than 540 sophisticated inventions from young innovators worldwide, ranging from surgical robots to brain-computer interface devices at the 2025 iENA junior competition.

One of the world's three major invention exhibitions, the iENA in Nuremberg is on par with the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, Switzerland, and the Invention & New Product Exposition in Pittsburgh, the United States.

To participate in the event held earlier this month, Jia made his first trip abroad, never imagining he could end with a gold medal.

"When the bronze and silver awards passed without my name, I thought it was over," Jia recalled. "When they called me for gold, I was stunned."

Oliver Mayer, chairman of an international expert jury assessing the inventions, said they were struck by both the teenager from rural China and his invention. He recalled Jia walking onstage in a traditional Mongolian robe to receive the medal amid warm applause in the hall.

The panel praised Jia for applying practical, locally grounded solutions to one of humanity's toughest environmental challenges. His design, they said, uses basic physical principles to solve a real-world problem -- and reflects both ingenuity and the promise of China's young scientific talent.

TAKING ROOT IN A SANDY AND WINDY LAND

Jia's idea grew from his childhood experiences in Chifeng, a key area in China's Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program (TSFP), the world's largest afforestation project.

His family's courtyard is now surrounded by thick rows of trees planted by his grandfather decades ago. The elder often tells him that in the 1960s, Aohan Banner, their county, was nearly barren. With an annual rainfall of just 380 millimeters -- sand once covered more than three-quarters of the local terrain.

The TSFP changed the landscape. Today, roughly 40.6 percent of the county is forested, covering some 373,000 hectares. In recent years, photovoltaic projects have been paired with sand-control operations, creating new synergies between clean energy and ecological restoration.

But Jia often watched newly planted saplings struggle to survive. Watering them manually was slow and costly -- and sometimes impossible in remote, wind-beaten plots. He wondered whether he could design something to help the trees take root properly.

AN IDEA THAT BEGAN IN THE KITCHEN

Opportunity knocked in March this year when Jia's junior-high science teacher assigned the class the task of proposing their own invention topics.

The spark for Jia came in an unlikely place -- his family kitchen. One evening, he noticed steam condensing into droplets on the tiled wall. A physics lesson resurfaced in his mind and he asked himself: "Could I use the same principle to collect water for saplings?"

Back at school, Jia began sketching a device that captures condensation from the air and channels it directly to a tree's root zone.

His hand-made device utilizes the principle of dew formation -- a wind cap on top of the steel tube is used as the power source enabling air to circulate inside. Without linking to any external water sources, the temperature difference between the ground surface and the underground environment allows water vapor in the air to condense into small droplets, which end up seeping into the root zone of the tree.

Jia boards on campus and had to travel 30 km to his home to test his prototypes. Sometimes he woke at 4 a.m., rushing home to unearth the steel-pipe assembly, buried two meters deep -- to check moisture readings before racing back to catch up with his normal class schedules.

A COMMUNITY INSPIRED BY YOUTH

Jia's award has electrified his hometown. One of the proudest observers is Chen Xuexun, who has spent 34 years fighting desertification.

"Decades of work taught us that we cannot win this battle by manpower alone," Chen said. "We need new ideas and young people like Jia. I'm truly moved and proud."

In a country aiming to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and which pursues its green ambitions with resolve, this teen's story is especially inspiring.

Aohan Banner, now a national demonstration zone for tech-driven afforestation, has adopted tools including Beidou-based monitoring systems and precision planting methods. In 2024, nearly 80 percent of new planting there was managed via digital accuracy -- dramatically improving sapling survival rates.

For Jia, the medal is only a beginning.

"This award is a new starting point," he said. "I need to study harder. Only with a solid foundation can I invent better things."

He is already working with a research team from east China's Shanghai to refine his device. His goal is clear -- to turn a kitchen-sparked idea into a practical tool in China's ongoing fight against desertification. 

Jia Mingxuan works on an automated planting tool invented by him in Chifeng, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, on May 24, 2025. (Xinhua)
Nigerias First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has emphasised the urgent need to tackle the escalating issue of online abuse, harassment, extortion, and exploitation of women and girls, describing it as a growing and often invisible threat.

Mrs Tinubu said this in a statement issued on Tuesday to mark the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.

The theme for this years International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls.

According to the United Nations (UN) Women, about 16 to 58 per cent of women experience digital violence, while 90 to 95 per cent of deepfake videos are sexual images of women.

Mrs Tinubu said digital spaces should foster genuine human connection, facilitate learning, and promote productivity, not fear.

Yet, too many women and girls face bullying, blackmail, stalking, and gender-based hate online, she said.

This is unacceptable. Violence in any form, offline or online, undermines the dignity, safety, and potential of women and girls.

The First Lady appealed to government institutions, especially the legislature and the judiciary, technology companies, civil society, and Nigerians to take bold action to make digital spaces safe, inclusive, and respectful for all.

Campaign

Activists launched the 16-day campaign at the inauguration of the Womens Global Leadership Institute in 1991.

It is used as an organising strategy by individuals and organisations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

In support of this initiative, the UNs Secretary-General launched in 2008 the campaign UNITE by 2030 to End Violence against Women, which runs alongside the 16 Days of Activism.

This year marks the 26th anniversary of the UN General Assemblys designation of 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, in memory of the Mirabal sisters, who were brutally assassinated on 25 November 1960.

According to the UN Women, digital spaces ought to empower women and girls; however, every day, for millions of women and girls, the digital world has become a minefield of harassment, abuse, and control.

What can start small, on screens  a message, a comment, or a post  can quickly spiral into a torrent of threats and violence in real life, the UN agency said.

Private photos are stolen without consent. Lies spread in a matter of seconds. Locations are tracked. AI is weaponised to create deepfakes designed to shame and silence women.
Nigerias First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has expressed concern over the spread of fake news and misinformation on social media regarding the countrys security situation.

Mrs Tinubu, in a statement posted on Facebook on Tuesday, highlighted the dangers of fake news, particularly those focused on insecurity, and urged citizens to be cautious and verify information before sharing it on social media.

This comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism, which have led to concerns about the spread of misinformation and its potential to exacerbate tensions.

The First Lady claimed that some individuals and groups are deliberately creating and circulating false reports to tarnish the image of the current government and create fear and confusion among Nigerians.

Lately, I have grown deeply concerned about the kind of information being shared across the country, especially on social media, the statement reads.

Too many fake stories are being created and circulated, most of them focused on insecurity, and a lot of these false reports are deliberately designed to tarnish the image of this current government.

Mrs Tinubu appealed to Nigerians to verify information before sharing, saying, Before sharing any news, voice note, or video, please take a moment to verify it.

Confirm from credible sources, follow official updates, and avoid spreading anything that has not been confirmed.

Speaking on the dangers of fake information, Mrs Tinubu said that it is harmful, destabilises communities, causes unnecessary panic, and damages the peace and unity we are working hard to build.

Nigerias persistent security challenges

Nigeria continues to battle persistent insecurity marked by frequent kidnappings, armed attacks, and violent assaults on communities, schools, and places of worship.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that terrorists, armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, on motorcycles, abducted 25 schoolgirls from their dormitory, killed the schools vice principal, and injured a local security guard, Ali Maga.

The girls were, however, freed on Tuesday after spending eight days in captivity.

Similarly, terrorists attacked the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Igan, in Eruku, Kwara State, on 19 November, killing three worshippers and abducting 38 others. All the worshippers were freed on Sunday.

Last Friday, armed men invaded the St. Marys Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, and abducted 303 pupils, students, and staff, triggering widespread outrage and renewed calls for improved security in the state and the country.

READ ALSO: Oluremi Tinubu speaks on Kebbi schoolgirls abduction

Fifty of the abductees have escaped from their captors, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

These incidents form part of a troubling escalation in banditry, terrorism, and communal violence that has security agencies and deepened public anxiety across the country.

Displaying Gov Otti declaring open 1st Abia-Turkiye Inv
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.
Sixteen-year-old Rabi Saleh has never set foot inside a hospital. Born with multiple disabilities and unable to walk or speak, her mother, Binta, relies on traditional herbs to manage her condition. The family lives in Farin Masallaci, a village under Karari ward in the Bichi Local Government Area (LGA) of Kano State.

We cant afford the city hospital. I wish my daughter could get health access here so she can get better and be like every other girl, said Mrs Saleh.

For hundreds of people like Rabi, healthcare is a dream deferred by distance, poverty and inaccessibility of facilities.

The story is the same for Taraba Rabiu, 28, who resides in Sabaru, a resettlement under Dutsen Karya

village in Bichi LGA. Mrs Rabiu faced complications with all three of her pregnancies. She delivered each baby at home.

She said the only PHC accessible to her lacked a ramp, making it impossible for her to wheel her wheelchair in, and the facility had neither a midwife nor a nurse.

I prefer giving birth at home because it is more comforting and safer for me, she told PREMIUM TIMES. There is no aid or special attention for us. Before I gave birth, every time I went for antenatal, I had to go with my husband to help me. And on the days I went alone, someone had to carry me into the consultation room.

Her husband, Musa, a shoemaker who also lives with a disability, called his wifes pregnancy periods the darkest of their lives. We had no support system, not even drugs. So, what can we do?

Existing laws ignored, lives at risk

On 23 January 2019, former President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.

The Act, among other provisions, sought to eliminate employment discrimination, provide access to public buildings within five years, foster inclusive education, prioritise healthcare for PwDs and reserve five per cent of the employment quota for PwDs in all public organisations.

The Act imposes sanctions, including fines and imprisonment, for those who default. The Act also established the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to oversee the prevention of discrimination against persons with disabilities and to ensure inclusivity for persons with disabilities across all sectors.

For Nigerias about 29 million PwD population, the legislation has had little impact. For PwDs in Karari, Dutsen Karya, Kwamarawa, Bum Bum, Rimayen Rake, and Tsaure, all in Kano State, its promises remain unfulfilled. PWDs residing in these communities rely on poorly equipped PHCs, plagued by similar gaps in inclusive service delivery.

According to a 2022 Dataphyte data, 7.5 per cent of adults in the Northwest region of Nigeriaabout eight in 100 people- live with functional disabilities.

These include 4.4 per cent with visual impairments, and 3.1 per cent with difficulty in walking, climbing steps, or standing without support. 1.7 per cent have hearing problems and 1.1 per cent experience communication difficulties people who struggle with speech, understanding, or being understood.

Healthcare facilities across rural Kano remain inaccessible to this significant segment of the population, six years after the Disability Act came into existence.

Kwamarawa, Yan Gishiri

In Kwamarawa, about 20 kilometres from Dutsen Karya, 30-year-old Hadiza Tasiu, a pregnant woman who uses a wheelchair, recalls the trauma of her last childbirth. Mrs Tasiu had attempted to attend antenatal appointments, but the clinic had no ramp, and the staff were unsure how to assist her.

There was no midwife, medicine or anything that could help me. When labour came, I gave birth at home with the help of an old neighbour, she said.

Now pregnant again, her fears are deeper. Even if Im dying, I wont go back there. They made me feel less than human, not because they hated me, but because that place was never built for people like me.

Rakiya Ibrahim, from Dutsen Karya village, has walked with a stick for most of her life. About 20 years ago, her family took her to a hospital in Kano city. Since then, she has not returned there.

We have a PHC here, but they dont treat people like me, she said with disdain, resting her thin frame on a wooden stool. Going to the city is too far and too expensive. My husband can only provide food.

Abashi Salihu, a 22-year-old suffering from mobility impairment caused by a childhood fever, lives in Yan Gishiri village, a settlement covered by the Dutsen Karya PHC. His father, Salihu Ibrahim, stated that they initially visited Bichi town for care, but it became unaffordable as years passed and life became expensive.

I cannot afford to take him to the city hospital again. Since Dutsen Karya PHC doesnt treat his condition, we have no choice but to use herbs.

But Abashi is not getting any better, according to the father.

He falls often, and Im growing old. Im afraid of what will happen next, his father said, with tears in his eyes.

Bakiru Musa, a nine-year-old who cannot walk or talk, has spent the last eight years bedridden. His caregiver, Idris Bala, now sees no future for him. To him, the PHC is not different from a local pharmacy The PHC is like a pharmacy. It cannot help us.

For Ibrahim Rabiu, a 22-year-old hearing-impaired man of Santar Kumao village, a settlement under the Dutsen Karya PHC, healthcare is not just physically inaccessible; it is culturally isolating.

People like me are ignored because they feel that since I can walk and see, my issue is nothing. Dutsen Karya PHC has no sign language interpreter, and my family says its a jinn (that is disturbing me). So, they give me herbs, he said, with a family member interpreting.

Facilities without foundation

Despite these sad realities, both Karari, Dutsen Karya and Kwamarawa PHCs lack even the basics for a health facility. No nurses, no doctors, and no assistive equipment.

Samaila Sule, the officer in charge of Dutsen Karya PHC, explained why the facility offers little to people with disabilities. We have more than 40 persons with disabilities on our records, but those are the few that came.

Most of them dont even come because we dont have infrastructure or drugsnot even a wheelchair or slope.

Karari Health Clinic has the same reality. Its head, Umar Ibrahim, stated that treating PWDs requires training, equipment and specialists, but they have none.

At Bum Bum PHC, 120km from Kano city, the second facility-in-charge, Aminu Isiyaku, stated that he had worked for 10 years without receiving disability-specific training. We always try to help when they come, but we have no ramps, no wheelchairs, no essential drugs, and not even enough staff. Its heartbreaking. Mr Isiyaku lamented.

He recalled one case where a man took his blind brother on a motorcycle for an over-an-hour ride to the hospital, only to be told no doctor was available.

The man cried. That memory still haunts me, Mr Isiyaku said.

Too far, no specialists, drugs or support

For persons with disabilities in rural Bichi, the problem isnt a single barrierits a chain of obstacles. From long distances and broken infrastructure to absent personnel and inadequate equipment, every step toward accessing healthcare is a significant challenge.

Villages like Gyauro and Kwamarawa are over 120 kilometres from Kano city, while others, such as Karari (65km) and Dutsen Karya (90km), are difficult to reach, especially during the rainy season.

But for PWDs, reaching a clinic brings little relief. At many PHCs, there are no ramps, handrails, or wheelchairs; delivery beds are also too high to climb. Most centres lack trained specialists, just a handful of overburdened community health extension workers (CHEWs) doing the best they can.

Essential drugs are often unavailable. And for patients who are deaf, physically impaired, or cognitively challenged, there are no interpreters, no assistive devices, and no emotional support.

As one PWD patient put it: Its like they built these clinics for everyone except us.

Even at Badume PHC, a health centre in Bichi, which serves over eight surrounding settlements, the facility has only one functional wheelchair and no inclusive infrastructure.

Herbs: A dangerous shift

With formal healthcare out of reach across many villages in Bichi LGA, PWDs are increasingly turning to traditional herbs. Many say they have little choice, even when the consequences are uncertain.

At Gyauro village, this reporter met a traditional herb seller, seated by a small corner where bundles of roots, leaves, and bottled concoctions were carefully arranged. After a conversation, he agreed to speak under the condition of anonymity.

We just give them what our fathers used, he said, as he arranged small jars filled with a brownish liquid. People come when they cant find medicine. We dont ask too many questions; if they say headache or weakness, we give what we think helps.

When asked whether he considers factors like pregnancy, diabetes, or other underlying conditions before prescribing herbs, he shook his head. People dont always tell you. Sometimes I guess. Some herbs are strong, but thats what makes them work fast.

He added that most of his customers are women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.

This kind of trial-and-error approach, though deeply rooted in cultural and inherited knowledge, carries significant risks. According to Fatima Baba, a public health researcher in Kano, such unregulated practices can worsen chronic conditions or trigger new complications.

Ms Baba said most traditional herbs are unregulated, some mixtures contain toxic plants that worsen chronic conditions, especially for persons with disabilities who need consistent, specialised care.

Meanwhile, this trend is not unique to Kano state. In a 20222023 survey of pregnant women in Ibadan, 56.5 per cent admitted to using herbal medicines at some point, while 27.1 per cent used them during their last pregnancy.

The study warned that such practices often displace essential treatments, such as folic acid and iron, putting mothers and children at risk.

Ms Baba warned that such cultural misconceptions, combined with systemic neglect, create a perfect storm of medical misinformation, untreated symptoms, and worsening outcomes.

Governments response to PWDs cries

The Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health Coordinator at the Kano State Ministry of Health, Mansura Yahaya, stated that there is currently no budgetary allocation for persons with disabilities.

However, she noted that the state is working on a policy to ensure access to healthcare at both primary and secondary levels. This, she said, includes training health workers and adjusting infrastructure to make facilities more inclusive.

But for communities that have waited decades, policy promises offer little comfort.

Musa Shaga, chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Kano Chapter, believes that change will not come without a dedicated Disability Commission.

Mr Shaga confirmed that advocacy is ongoing to get the state to establish a Disability Commission, a move he says will help protect the rights and amplify the voices of persons with disabilities.

Meanwhile, community leaders are also not left out in the struggle. Nasiru Abdulkadir, head of the Farin Masallaci community, said, We used to meet with the Deputy Hakimi of Bichi every month and raise the issues to the emir. But nothing has changed yet, not even a hope.

Dutsen Karyas community leader, Samaila Ibrahim, added, Even when we raise awareness, whats the point if theres no access? The people are hopeless.

This reporting was completed with the support of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID)
A member of the House of Representatives, Godwin Offiono, on Wednesday, resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Offionos defection was announced during plenary by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who read his letter to lawmakers on the floor of the House.

Mr Offiono, who represents Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency of Cross River State, said his exit from the PDP followed deep-seated structural issues within the party, which, he argued, had frustrated his ability to deliver effective representation.

In his letter, he expressed appreciation to the PDP for the platform it provided during his period in office, but noted that the prevailing situation had compelled him to move on.

It has become clear that the present structure cannot support my commitment to effective representation and the advancement of my political aspirations for the good people of Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency and Nigeria at large, he said.

Mr Offionos defection is the latest in a wave of political realignments in Cross River, a state that has in recent years witnessed significant shifts in its partisan landscape, especially between the PDP and APC.

His move is expected to further strengthen the APCs influence in the northern part of the state ahead of future political contests.

Cross River State is governed by APCs Bassey Otu, who assumed office in 2023. Mr Otu was a senator on the platform of the PDP before he defected to the APC some years ago.
An investigator with the State Security Service (SSS), on Tuesday, told the Federal High Court in Abuja that Tukur Mamu was offered a N50 million share by Shugaba, leader of the terrorist group, who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna bound train in 2022.

The SSS operative, who testified as sixth prosecution witness in the ongoing terrorism trial of Mr Mamu, the alleged terrorists negotiator, told trial judge Mohammed Umar while being led in evidence by prosecution lawyer David Kaswe.

The witness, who gave his testimony behind a shield for security reasons, said the group also asked Mr Mamu to teach them how to open a website for their terrorist activities.

He stated this while interpreting four voice notes played in the courtroom containing the defendants telephone interactions with the terrorists who held the abducted train passengers hostage.

The audio recordings were extracted from Mr Mamus mobile telephones during interrogation after he was arrested in Egypt and brought back to Nigeria.

The first voice note that played was for the defendant (Mr Mamu) fixing a date for delivery of ransom.

The second voice note that played for five minutes was the voice of Shugaba, the leader of the terrorist group.

In the voice note, he was appreciating the defendants effort and asked him to remove N50 million for his personal use from a particular tranche of ransom sent to them.

The last voice note that played, Baba Adamu, who is their spokesperson, was heard requesting the defendant to help them procure speakers and public address system for their preaching activities and the defendant responded that he was going to look into their request.

They also requested that the defendant teach them how to open a website for their activities, the witness said.

Mr Mamu has been in the custody of the SSS after his arrest on 7 September 2022 based on his suspicious relationship with the terrorists that carried out the March 2022 train attack along the Abuja-Kaduna railway.

At least eight people died in the attack while 168 people were declared missing, most of whom were believed to have been kidnapped.

The remaining 23 kidnapped victims only regained their freedom after six months in captivity on 5 October 2022, following the federal governments intervention.

The federal government arraigned him on 21 March 2023, on 10 counts of terrorism, including aiding terrorist operations in the country.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Mamu was alleged to have convinced the terrorists to discuss ransom payments with individual families of the hostages of the train attack instead of the Chief of Defence Staff Committee set up by the federal government for his personal financial gain.

The terrorists that attacked the train sometime in March 2022 where scores of passengers were held hostage.

Mr Mamu was alleged to have collected ransoms on behalf of the terrorists from families of hostages, confirmed the amount and facilitated the delivery of same to them.

The prosecution witness, while being led in evidence on Tuesday, by the prosecuting lawyer, told the court that after Mr Mamu was brought back from Egypt, he submitted his Samsung tablet and two phones to SSS officials.

The witness said he was one of those who investigated the case.

He told the court that when the defendant was intercepted in Egypt, he put a call to his in-law identified as Mubarak Tinja and directed him to move out all his valuables, comprising of cash, cars and other items of values, from his house to a safe location, to avoid detection by security agents.

The defendant was subsequently arrested in Egypt and returned back to Nigeria, where a team of investigators were on ground to receive him.

A duly endorsed search warrant was duly executed in his property and office in Kaduna, during which cash, in both local and foreign currencies; vehicles and other valuables were recovered.

In compliance with his directive to his in law, Mubarak Tinja, and the other dependants in the house, some cars and cash were moved out of the house to various locations, he said.

He said investigators later traced and located some of the items, including about 300,000 US dollars, about seven cars, including Toyota Camry (Muscle); Peugeot 5008, Lexus, Mercedes E350 and a Hyundai car.

Vehicle documents relating to the cars were later tendered by the prosecution through the witness, which the court admitted in evidence.

The witness added that when the defendant was brought back to the country, he handed his Samsung tablet and two of his phones to our exhibit keeper, who sent them to our forensic department for forensic analysis.

The outcome of the forensic analysis, included the voice notes of the conversation between the defendant and the terrorists, were part of the content that were presented to the interrogation team and the items recovered from his home.

He (the defendant) was subsequently interviewed, during which the content of his phones and other items were presented to him.

During the interview, the defendant admitted giving instruction to Mubarak to move his variables from his house.

He also admitted communicating with the terrorists, using his voice notes, which were extracted from his two phones and Samsung tablet.

He added that the defendant also admitted owning a pump action gun, which was recovered from his house, which he claimed was duly licensed.

The witness, however, told the court that investigators later discovered that the licence expired in December 2021, nine months before he was arrested.

The SSS operative said about 98 per cent of the conversation on the voice notes are in Hausa Language, some of which were translated to English Language by him, because they were too many.

Mr Kaswe then applied to tender the recorded voice notes stored in compact disc plates and flash drive, which the court admitted, after Mr Mamus counsel, Johnson Usman, reserved his objection until the final address.

The recorded conversations were played in the courtroom.

The witness added that in the course of investigation, two victims volunteered written statements in which they recounted their experiences.

He said one of the statements was written in English and the other in Hausa Language.

He, however, said that the victims; a male and female, were no longer available, because they expressed their unwillingness to attend court to testify because of fear and trauma.

The court admitted the statements of the victims in evidence and marked them as exhibits after it was not opposed by Usman.

The court also admitted in evidence eight statements made to investigators by Mr Mamu and video recordings of the statements writing sessions.

Mr Kaswe then informed the court that he would be bringing a formal application for the court to visit where the items recovered from Mr Mamus house and office are kept.

Mr Umar adjourned the matter until 26 November for continuation of trial.

Charges

The federal government charged the defendant with collecting aggregate $420, 000 and N21 million from different families of the train attack hostages.

It further alleged that Mr Mamu concealed funds he earned from services he rendered to the terrorist organisation in his residence in Kaduna State.

It told the court that the defendant, in Kaduna State, received ransom payments in the sum of N500,000 on behalf of the Boko Haram terrorist group from families of the train attack that were held as hostages.

Moreso, in the case that was signed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mr M.B. Abubakar, the prosecution added that the defendant exchanged voice note communications with one Baba Adamu, identified as spokesperson of the Boko Haram, in relation to acts of terrorism.

It maintained that the defendant acted in breach of the Terrorism Prevention, Prohibition Act, 2022.

Mr Mamu, however, denied all the allegations.

Mr Mamu, who is accused of receiving ransom from families of the victims of the train attack on behalf of the terrorists, was arrested by Interpol in Cairo, Egypt, on behalf of the Nigerian government on 7 September 2022.

He was said to be on his way to Saudi Arabia for Lesser Hajj when he was intercepted in Cairo. He was detained at Cairo International Airport before being repatriated to Nigeria.

While he was being held in Cairo, the SSS raided his Kaduna residence and office. The SSS claimed that it recovered military uniforms and an amount of money during the raid.

The defendant, who also doubled as the spokesperson of the Kaduna-based cleric, Ahmad Gumi, was arrested by the SSS on 7 September afternoon at the Aminu Kano International Airport in North-west Nigeria upon his arrival from Egypt.

(NAN)
Nigerian senators on Wednesday voted unanimously in support of a proposal seeking a review of the countrys firearm laws to permit responsible citizens to own or bear ammunition.

The lawmakers adopted the proposal through a voice vote conducted by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

The proposal was one of the prayers in a motion sponsored by Oyelola Ashiru (APC, Kwara South), on the rising cases of kidnapping in the country, particularly in Niger, Kwara and Kebbi, where there were security challenges in the last two weeks.

In his motion, Mr Ashiru, who is the deputy senate leader, complained about the terrorist attack on Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Igan, in Eruku, Kwara State, where three worshippers were killed and 38 others abducted.

He also referenced the kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, and the abduction of 303 pupils, students and staff of St. Marys Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.

The senator said intelligence reports on the nations security situation indicate the involvement of international collaborators, driven by economic and political desperation, who aid criminal groups with information, logistics and escape routes.

Mr Ashiru expressed concern that his senatorial district alone had recorded over 40 abductions within 18 months, a trend mirrored in neighbouring communities and states.

He warned that the continuous attacks could lead to mass displacement, prolonged school closures, collapsed livelihoods and long-term psychological trauma among children and vulnerable populations.

He, therefore, urged the Senate to advise the federal government to strengthen local vigilante groups and review Nigerias firearm laws to allow citizens to own ammunition.

Advise the federal government to strengthen the local vigilante to be able to respond swiftly to similar attacks in the future. This should also include a review of Nigerias firearm law to reflect the current security challenges, as we have in over 175 countries where responsible citizens are permitted to own guns, he said.

Mr Ashiru also urged the Senate to mandate its security-related committees, including Defence, Army, Navy and Interior, to investigate the sudden withdrawal of military personnel from the Kebbi school shortly before the bandits invasion, and report back urgently.

He further requested that the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and NEMA provide immediate relief to traumatised families and affected communities, especially where schools have been shut down.

Nigerians quest for their own guns

The proposal comes at a time when many Nigerians, especially youth, are demanding permanent licences to own guns for self-protection as kidnapping incidents surge nationwide.

In recent weeks, photos have circulated online showing individuals taking firearms to worship centres for protection.

Under the current law, Nigerians require a licence from the President of the country or the Inspector-General of Police to own a firearm, which is restricted to the type specified in the permit. Licensing is governed by the Firearms Act.

Applicants must be at least 17 years old and pass background checks for criminal records, mental health conditions and substance abuse. The Act mandates strict safe-custody rules, a 14-day notification period for lost or stolen weapons, and yearly licence renewal.

The police suspended the issuance of small-arms licences in August 2023 due to the proliferation of illegal weapons.

Debate

During the debate, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin linked the rise in banditry and kidnapping to reactions following the comment of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, on alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria.

He insisted that those fuelling criminality are enemies of the nation, adding that solving insecurity is a collective responsibility.

These problems are surmountable and we shall solve them. It is something that is for all of us; it doesnt reside on the shoulders of the federal government or the state government alone. We have to be united. The routes used by the terrorists are interconnected, from one state to another. By the time you have surveillance, youll see that they move in convoys to commit these atrocities.

Leaving the matter alone to the federal government will not work. We should also seek assistance from our overseas partners. It should be a collective effort. It is something that is doable; we should do it so that we can secure our country, he said.

Aliyu Wamakko (APC, Sokoto North) argued that the military should trace and dislodge bandits from their hideouts. He also opposed the presidential directive withdrawing police from VIPs, warning that it could make them easier kidnapping targets.

Francis Fadahunsi (APC, Osun East) urged the Senate to criminalise negotiations with kidnappers.

Garba Maidoki (APC, Kebbi South) said authorities know the identities and hideouts of many bandits but questioned why the military has failed to apprehend them.

After deliberations, the senate president put the motion and its prayers to a vote, and the majority of senators supported it through a voice vote.
A group of army officers in Guinea-Bissau has announced the suspension of the countrys electoral process, declaring that they are taking control until further notice.

The officials who describe themselves as the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order read out the televised announcement on Wednesday.

Reuters reported that the group of military officials stated they had removed President Umaro Embalo from power, halted the electoral process, closed the countrys borders, and would enforce a curfew.

The coup in Guinea-Bissau comes on the eve of the expected announcement of results from a closely fought presidential election.

The electoral commission was expected to release the results of Sundays vote on Thursday. The election pitted incumbent President Embalo, representing MademG15, against leading opposition candidate Fernando Dias, candidate of the Party for Social Renewal (PRS).

Reuters also reported that shortly before Wednesdays announcement, gunshots were heard near the electoral commission headquarters, presidential palace and interior ministry.

The gunfire lasted for about an hour. However, no casualties have been recorded yet.

According to a spokesperson of the president, Antonio Seidy, the gunmen attacked the election commission to prevent an announcement of the vote results.

He also claimed that the attackers were affiliated with the opposition candidate, Mr Dias.

However, the former Prime Minister, Domingos Pereira, who was defeated by Mr Embalo in 2019, insisted that Mr Dias was not involved in the incident.

Mr Pereira, who had earlier endorsed Mr Dias, said the candidate had been in a meeting where the guns were fired, and news of the incident broke.

The West African country is the latest to experience a military takeover, following a string of coups in the region in the last few years. Some of the countries that have witnessed coups in the region are Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Gabon.

Guinea-Bissau has experienced at least nine coups or attempted coups between 1974, the year it gained independence from Portugal, and 2020, when Mr Embalo assumed the presidency.
President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to screen and confirm three nominees for non-career ambassadorial appointments.

The nominees are Kayode Are (Ogun State), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa State) and Ayodele Oke (Oyo State).

The presidents request was conveyed in a letter read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio during Tuesdays plenary.

Mr Tinubu said the nominations were made in line with Section 171 (1), (2)(c) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the president to appoint ambassadors,

He therefore urged the Senate to give them swift consideration.

After reading the letter, the senate president referred the request to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and directed the committee to report back within one week.

The appointments come nearly two years after Mr Tinubu recalled all Nigerian ambassadors, both career and noncareer, in September 2023.

Once confirmed, the nominees are expected to assume duties at key foreign missions to represent Nigerias interests abroad.

The ambassadors act as the personal representatives of the president and the Nigerian government, conveying Nigerias official positions on political, economic, and global issues.

They protect Nigerias interests abroad through political, economic, security, and strategic interests, as well as promoting Nigerias image internationally. Most importantly, they represent Nigeria in bilateral or multilateral discussions, treaties, and agreements involving the host country.
President Bola Tinubu has declared a security emergency across Nigeria as the country continues to witness attacks by gunmen in various areas.

The Nigerian leader also asked the police and the army to commence massive recruitment of more personnel. He also pledged to support states that have set up their own security networks while urging the National Assembly to amend the countrys laws to allow for state policing.

Mr Tinubu said this in a statement he signed and which was shared by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on social media.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that there have been increased cases of killings and kidnappings in many parts of Nigeria in the last month. While some of the kidnapped victims have been freed, such as the students in Kebbi and worshippers in Kwara, many others have not, including over 200 students in Niger.

This newspaper will provide updates on the presidents statement in subsequent reports.

Read the full statement below.

Today, in view of the emerging security situation, I have decided to declare a nationwide security emergency and order additional recruitment into the Armed Forces.

By this declaration, the police and the army are authorised to recruit more personnel. The police will recruit an additional 20,000 officers, bringing the total to 50,000.

Although I had previously approved the nationwide upgrade of police training facilities, the police authorities are, by this statement, authorised to use various National Youth Service Corps camps as training depots.

The officers being withdrawn from VIP guard duties should undergo crash training to debrief them and deliver more efficient police services when deployed to security-challenged areas of the country.

The DSS also has my authority to immediately deploy all the forest guards already trained to flush out the terrorists and bandits lurking in our forests. The agency also has my directive to recruit more men to man the forests. There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil.

My fellow Nigerians, this is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas. The times require all hands on deck. As Nigerians, we should all get involved in securing our nation.

Let me take this moment to commend our security agencies for working together to secure the release of the 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi and the 38 worshippers in Kwara State. We will continue to sustain the efforts to rescue the remaining students of Catholic School in Niger State and other Nigerians still being held hostage.

To the leadership and rank and file of our Armed Forces, I commend your courage and your sacrifice. This is a challenging moment for our nation and for the military institution itself. I charge you to remain resolute, to restore peace across all theatres of operation, and to uphold the highest standards of discipline and integrity. There must be no compromise, no collusion, and no negligence.

The Nigerian people are counting on you, and this administration will provide the support you need to succeed.

In addition, our administration will support state governments which have set up security outfits to safeguard their people from the terrorists bent on disrupting our national peace.

I call on the National Assembly to begin reviewing our laws to allow states that require state police to establish them.

States should rethink establishing boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security. Mosques and churches should constantly seek police and other security protection when they gather for prayers, especially in vulnerable areas.

Our administration created the Livestock Ministry to address the persistent clashes between herders and farmers. I call on all herder associations to take advantage of it, end open grazing and surrender illegal weapons. Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony. The Federal Government, in collaboration with the states, will work with you to solve this problem, once and for all.

I sympathise with the families who have lost their loved ones in recent attacks on soft targets in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara States. I also pay tribute to our brave soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.

Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness. This administration has the courage and determination to keep the country safe and ensure our citizens live in peace.

I sympathise with the families who have lost their loved ones in recent attacks on soft targets in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara States. I also pay tribute to our brave soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.

READ ALSO: Tinubu transmits list of ambassadorial nominees to Senate

Fellow Compatriots, I urge you not to give in to fear and never succumb to despair. Lets stand together in purpose and strength to defend our freedom and values. Our administration will continue to guarantee peaceful co-existence and preserve our union.

I urge all Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant. Report suspicious activities. Cooperate with security agencies. We are in this fight together, and together we shall win.

May God continue to bless Nigeria and keep our armed forces safe.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR

President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces

Federal Republic of Nigeria

November 26, 2025
SYDNEY, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- More than 20 schools in the eastern Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) have been closed after authorities warned of a catastrophic fire danger amid extreme heat and strong winds.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) warned that catastrophic fire danger is forecast for NSW's Lower Central West Plains region, about 300 km west of Sydney, on Wednesday and issued an extreme fire danger warning for another 10 regions, including Greater Sydney.

The catastrophic fire danger warning for the Lower Central West Plains marks the first time since September 2023 that the BoM has issued the highest-level warning for any part of NSW.

The maximum temperature in Sydney and the city of Dubbo, the largest population center in the Lower Central West Plains, was forecast to hit 36 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.

"Hot to very hot and dry conditions will combine with fresh to strong and gusty west to northwest winds over much of New South Wales on Wednesday," the BoM said.

In response to the fire danger warning, the NSW Department of Education has closed 25 schools across the state.

The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) said that lives and homes will be at risk if a fire takes hold during catastrophic conditions.

It said that leaving a fire risk area for a safer location early in the morning is the safest course of action. 
President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the release Tuesday of the 24 schoolgirls abducted by terrorists in Maga Kebbi last Monday.

Terrorists struck at the school at dawn on November 17 and abducted the girls, moments after a military detachment left the premises.

The Kebbi incident triggered some other copycat kidnappings in Eruku in Kwara State and Papiri in Niger State.

All 38 kidnapped victims in Eruku were freed on Sunday. The same day, the Niger State chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria said 50 of the missing students of the Catholic School in Niger have been found in their parents homes.

President Tinubu applauded the security agents for all the efforts made to secure freedom for all the victims taken away by the terrorists.

He tasked the security agents to make more efforts to rescue the remaining students still being held captive.

 I am relieved that all the 24 girls have been accounted for. Now, we must put as a matter of urgency more boots on the ground in the vulnerable areas to avert further incidents of kidnapping. My government will offer all the assistance needed to achieve this, President Tinubu said.

Bayo Onanuga

Special adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

November 25, 2025
Nigeria will not abandon its oil and gas resources despite the global shift towards cleaner energy but will reposition them to drive economic growth and development, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Emeka Obi, has said.

Mr Obi disclosed this at the 8th Valuechain Energy magazine annual lecture series held in Abuja on Tuesday.

He explained that energy is not just a commodity but the lifeblood of indpustrialisation, the backbone of economic productivity, the driver of jobs, and a critical lever for social stability and national security.

He added that Nigeria is moving from an extractive economy to a value-driven energy economy.

The world is changing, but Nigeria is not abandoning oil and gas; we are repositioning them. Our government, the government of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, strongly believes that gas is Nigerias transition fuel. It is cleaner, abundant, and central to power generation, fertiliser production, CNG/LNG mobility, industries and exports.

Aligned with the Decade of Gas Initiative and the National Energy Transition Plan, Nigeria is building a new identity, not just as an oil exporter, but as an energy solutions hub for Africa, Mr Obi said.

According to him, no nation has achieved sustainable prosperity without first resolving its energy question.

From manufacturing to agriculture, from transportation to digital infrastructure, every sector of the modern economy depends on reliable, affordable, and accessible energy. It is therefore no coincidence that countries with stable energy systems also have stronger currencies, lower unemployment, and more inclusive economic opportunities.

He said Nigeria holds over 37 billion barrels of crude oil reserves and over 200 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, one of the largest in Africa.

When properly harnessed, he said, these resources should be a foundation for national transformation rather than a source of conflict and disappointment.

That is why the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 remains one of the most consequential reforms in Nigerias modern history. It was not merely a legal reform; it was an economic reset, designed to improve transparency, strengthen governance, de-risk investments and reposition the sector for long-term growth, he added.

Also speaking, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris said Mr Tinubu has been clear from the outset that Nigerias economic revival depends heavily on a stable, modern, and efficient energy sector.

Mr Idris, represented by Mohammed Bulama, director general, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, explained that the Renewed Hope Agenda places energy at the centre of sustainable growth, industrialisation, investment attraction, job creation, and long-term national competitiveness.

This administration is taking decisive steps to reposition the sector steps that reflect courage, long-term planning, and a commitment to leaving Nigeria better than we found it.

The administrations push for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is part of a broader strategy for the evolution of a sustainable and affordable energy mix ecosystem that provides for cleaner fuel options and a plan to actively situate and support Nigerian citizens and businesses, he said.

In his remarks, Musa Usman, Publisher/Editor-in-chief of Valuechain Magazine, explained that the global energy transition is challenging traditional models, noting that the urgency to maximise the nations resources for the benefit of all Nigerians has never been clearer.

This moment forces us to confront essential national questions such as, how do we unlock the full potential of natural gas as a catalyst for industrialisation and power generation, he said.
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Tuesday declared open the 1st Abia-Turkiye Investment Summit & Product Exhibition, an exercise aimed at fostering mutual economic partnerships between Abia State, Nigeria, and the Republic of Turkiye.

Mr Otti, while declaring the three-day event open at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, reaffirmed his administrations commitment to attracting global partnerships and unlocking new economic opportunities in the south-eastern state.

Governor Ottis remark was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma.

The governor, who titled his speech Prosperity Through Partnership, said the summit represents a major step towards expanding Abias economic frontiers and positioning the state as an emerging destination for manufacturing, agriculture, SME development and industrial innovation.

He urged Turkish investors to explore opportunities in agriculture and textile production, as well as to engage with local business owners to build partnerships that would strengthen Abias position in the international market.

One thing you can be sure of is the steady support of the state government to make a success of your ventures.

You may wish to explore opportunities in manufacturing, retail value chains, logistics and transportation. You may also like to know that Abia has a specific set of advantages in fabrics and leather works.

Do well to look in and identify suitable business ecosystems you can plug into. For consistently rewarding returns on investments, pay special attention to opportunities in housing development, manufacturing, metal fabrication and similar opportunities that the expanding economy of the city can support, Mr Otti said.

Mr Otti highlighted Abias key competitive advantages, citing the availability of a skilled labour force, the emergence of a more reliable energy supply in strategic parts of the state, as well as the strengthened security architecture and improvements in road infrastructure under his administration.

He maintained that these factors position Abia State as an attractive destination capable of hosting large-scale, sustainable investments.

The governor reaffirmed the States readiness for foreign partnerships, adding that his administrations investments in economic infrastructure are designed to create wealth, activate new front lines of opportunities, and put demand access to productive use.

Remarks by Turkish official

In his speech, the Commercial Councilor of the Turkish Embassy in Nigeria, Fatih Tonzogho, while noting that Turkey is committed to strengthening global partnerships, said that the countrys engagement with Africa has been a deliberate and consistent policy since its launch by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2003.

He made a case for sustained collaboration with Abia State and expressed hope that the AbiaTurkey summit would be a regular platform for expanding trade, assuring Turkey of its continued participation in future editions.

In an address, the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce in Abia, Salome Obiukwu, described the AbiaTurkiye Investment Summit as a strategic step towards deepening economic cooperation and attracting global partnerships.

She said that the initiative speaks volumes of Abias openness to business and innovation and acknowledged Turkiyes global strength in the areas of manufacturing, textiles, defence technologies and agro-processing.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Special Adviser to the Abia Governor on Investment Promotion and Public-Private Partnership, Green Amankwe, commended Governor Otti for his reforms that have positioned Abia as an investment-ready and choice destination for local and international investors.
The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) commenced the training of 150 teachers on mainstreamed Trafficking in Persons (TIP) content on Tuesday in Asaba, Delta State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training, sponsored by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is being conducted in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC).

The four-day training, which began on Tuesday, is expected to end on Friday. It is a part of the efforts to deepen the ICMPD, School Anti-trafficking Education and Advocacy Project (STEAP) in the participating states.

In her opening remarks, Binta Bello, director-general of NAPTIP, stated that the training was designed to equip subject teachers in secondary schools in Delta with the TIP content recently incorporated into the revised Basic Education Curriculum.

Mrs Bello, represented by Tolu Odugbesan, a director in NAPTIP, said the training marks another milestone in the collective journey to safeguard the future of children and strengthen the national response to human trafficking through education.

According to Mrs Bello, Trafficking in Persons remains one of the gravest human rights violations confronting Nigeria today.

The statistics are deeply troubling as children account for more than 55 per cent of identified victims.

These are school-aged boys and girls who, instead of being safe in their learning environments, are targeted, exploited, and abused by traffickers.

This is why the education sector continues to be one of our strongest allies in the fight against TIP.

Our journey toward integrating anti-human trafficking content into Nigerias school curriculum began over a decade ago.

In 2017, the Agency partnered with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council to infuse TIP concepts into the curriculum of basic and senior secondary schools across the country, she said.

She defined the partnership as crucial to strengthen an earlier Memorandum of Understanding signed on 23 July 2014, which formally positioned NAPTIP as a key stakeholder in Nigerias national curriculum development and review process.

Mrs Bello said: The primary objective of this entire effort is clear: to develop a transgenerational tool of knowledge that will permeate every part of the country, equipping children and young persons, who unfortunately fall within the target age bracket of traffickers.

With the understanding that the targeted group need to protect themselves and others.

By teaching TIP themes within selected subjects in both primary and secondary schools, we aim to catch them young and empower them early.

The NAPTIP director general stated that the training would be held across the five STEAP states of Delta, Edo, Enugu, Benue, and Ogun, representing a strategic next step in implementing the TIP-focused curriculum.

It is designed to equip teachers with the required methodologies, pedagogical tools, and age-appropriate approaches needed to effectively deliver these contents in their classrooms, Mrs Bello said.

Over 75 per cent of trafficking victims in West Africa are children

On her part, Rhoda Dia-Johnson, the project manager, STEAP-ICMPD, said human trafficking remains one of the most pressing challenges facing children and young people in Nigeria.

Shockingly, over 75 per cent of trafficking victims in West Africa are children.

This stark reality underscores the urgent need for prevention efforts, particularly within our schools, where children spend much of their formative years.

Today, we are here to highlight a critical initiative addressing this challenge. The School Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project is leveraging education as a powerful tool to prevent trafficking before it begins.

Through schools, we are equipping children, teachers, and the wider school community with knowledge about the risks of trafficking, how to recognise warning signs, and strategies to stay safe, Mrs Dia-Johnson said.

The Delta State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, represented by the Director-General, State Orientation Bureau, Fred Latimor, commended the organisers of the programme for taking the fight against human trafficking to secondary schools in the state.

Mr Ohwovoriole noted that training the subject teachers would help build a more cordial relationship between them and the children for a better understanding of trafficking in persons.

Also, the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Rose Ezewu, represented by Justina Ishaka in the ministry, lauded the training programme.

Mrs Ezewu pledged the state governments commitment to impacting students with the requisite knowledge about child trafficking.

(NAN)
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have taken two herders into custody after they were found grazing cattle on a community farmland in Makurdi, Benue state, during a routine harvest-season patrol.

The arrest occurred on 20 November at Zongo Akiki, where troops have been stationed to protect farmers and curb incursions into cultivated fields.

Speaking on the incident, Ahmad Zubairu, the military operations spokesperson, said the patrol team intercepted the herders after they reportedly led their cattle into cultivated farmlands, causing damage to crops.

He noted that the suspects were immediately detained and transferred for further investigation.

The incident comes at a time when farming communities in Benue are completing their harvest and reporting heightened concerns about crop losses linked to trespass.

Residents in several parts of the state have urged security agencies to maintain a steady presence to discourage disputes between farmers and herders.

Operation Whirl Stroke cautioned residents against taking matters into their own hands during such confrontations. The command stated that tensions can escalate quickly in rural areas already dealing with the effects of earlier clashes.

The joint task force has increased patrols across vulnerable farming areas in recent weeks, with commanders stating that the focus is on preventing crop destruction and keeping the harvest period free from violence.
Katsina State has launched a 14.05 billion water conservation project aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, safeguarding frontline communities, and bolstering resilience to climate change in Faskari Local Government Area.

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda handed over the construction site on Tuesday at Sabon Layin Galadima, describing the initiative as a key part of his administrations Build Your Future vision.

The project falls under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) programme, backed by the World Bank and the federal government.

This is more than physical construction; it is a commitment to securing the future of our people, the governor said, adding that the project will expand water access, support irrigation, and help communities withstand extreme weather conditions linked to desertification.

The government said ACReSAL has already restored over 30,000 hectares of degraded land and benefited more than one million residents in Katsina.

Other interventions include 180 solar-powered boreholes, 38 tractors, 80,000 tonnes of fertiliser, drainage and riverbank protection works, and revived tree nurseries.

The ACReSAL coordinator, Yushau El-Sunais Sani, said the new structure will store 700,000 cubic metres of water, supporting future irrigation activities and agricultural expansion in the semi-arid region.

The contract for the project was awarded to International Consolidated Contractors Offshore (ICCO) and Badawi Azour Trading & Contracting (BATCO) JV, with an 18-month completion timeline and a total contract sum of 14.05 billion. The contractors assured timely delivery with quality standards.

Governor Radda urged the Faskari community to take ownership of the project, emphasising that safeguarding the facility is crucial for its sustainability.

Community participation will ensure these investments translate into long-term benefits for present and future generations, he said.

Officials from the state government, development partners, traditional rulers, and legislators attended the handover ceremony.
A former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, has warned that criminal gangs, including armed robbers, have infiltrated Nigerias security institutions, complicating the countrys fight against insurgency and banditry.

Mr Wase made the remarks on Wednesday during the continued special session of the House on national security.

The special session, which began on Wednesday, is examining Nigerias escalating security emergencies and reviewing policy and legislative interventions.

Mr Wase, who represents Wase Federal Constituency of Plateau State, urged lawmakers to avoid religious narratives that, in his view, distort the true nature of the crisis.

He said more than half of all insecurity incidents recorded in West Africa occur in Nigeria, with the North Central bearing the highest burden.

North Central is the main area where 52 per cent of the insecurity and insurgency in this country is taking place, he said. Our people are dying. Our people have been displaced, those in the military, those in the security forces, and those at home.

This crisis is criminality, not religion

He cautioned strongly against attempts to frame the conflict along religious lines, insisting that the violence is driven purely by criminality.

I want to disagree with those who are bringing the religious inkling into it, he said. In these enclaves, you find Muslims, Christians, pagans. The ones that have been caught include all groups. So how do you define it as genocide against any faith?

Mr Wase said narratives that cast the violence as a religious war weaken national unity and obstruct solutions.

It just has to do with criminality, and we must brand it as criminality. Otherwise, that division of religion will continue to attack us, and before we know it, we cannot tackle the problem effectively, he warned.

Armed robbers were found in army recruitment lists

The former deputy speaker also raised alarm over security recruitment processes, alleging that criminal elements have successfully entered the armed forces.

There were moments in time when, in the process of recruitment, Boko Haram members were found in the list. Other criminals and armed robbers were found in the list of Nigerian Army and the police, he said.

He cited an incident involving a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation who reportedly spotted a known armed robber in a Nigerian security uniform at an airport and ordered his arrest.

These are part of the problems we are faced with. You find a criminal in the system, and before you know it, we cannot resolve the problem, he said, urging politicians to recommend only candidates of integrity for recruitment.

Mr Wase also called for constitutional reforms to address Nigerias long-standing indigeneship question, which he described as a major driver of division.

Bandits collected about 5bn ransom in one year

Lamenting the state of insecurity, Mr Wase said bandits collected about 5bn in ransom within one year, while Boko Haram attacks and related violence have killed about 30,000 people.

He questioned the effectiveness of security spending, noting that nearly 30 per cent of the national budget last year went to security-related sectors.

If there were proper releases and proper execution, we might have solved some problems, he said.

Security lapses and lack of synergy

The lawmaker accused security agencies of failing to act on intelligence, citing the Kuje Prison attack and a recent incident in Kebbi State.

There must be synergy and collaboration between all our security agencies. Otherwise, it is going to be an exercise in futility, he said.

He added that security personnel often withdraw from their posts shortly before major attacks, calling for accountability.

Personal losses

Mr Wase also shared personal tragedies to underscore the severity of insecurity in the North Central, revealing that he lost a cousin, a younger brother, and a nephew, all serving in the armed forces or local vigilante groups.

I know what it means. As I speak to you, the heat in the North-central is more than what you can imagine, he said.

Some people are benefiting from insecurity

He suggested that some individuals could be benefiting from the prolonged crisis, noting that actionable intelligence often fails to trigger swift response.

If they are not benefiting, why are we not ending this matter? he asked. We excel abroad, we perform excellently in peacekeeping, but here at home, we struggle.

Mr Wase urged the House to revisit the federal directive withdrawing police personnel from certain VIPs, warning that criminals are increasingly targeting public officials.
The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has urged lawmakers at both federal and state levels to refrain from politicising the nations security challenges.

Speaking during a debate on a motion regarding rising kidnapping cases in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States, Mr Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) emphasised the importance of prioritising the safety of lives and property over political posturing.

And I also want to appeal to our colleagues in the parliament, both at the federal level and at the state level, that this is not the time to grandstand. It is about security of lives and property, he said.

The senate leader was also responding to comments by Alhassan Doguwa, a member of the House of Representatives, who called for the temporary shutdown of the National Assembly in response to increasing kidnappings and banditry.

During a special security session of the House on Tuesday, Mr Doguwa, who represents Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency of Kano State, said the scale of violence, kidnappings, and communal attacks demanded extraordinary measures, including a temporary suspension of legislative activities.

However, the House Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen and his deputy, Benjamin Kalu discouraged the idea.

Following Mr Doguwas comments, the call gained traction among Nigerians on social media, with many supporting a temporary legislative shutdown.

However Mr Bamidele maintained that such a call amounted to an abdication of the lawmakers constitutional duties.

I witnessed some of the debates by some of our colleagues on the floor of the House of Representatives yesterday. And one of them was specifically calling on this National Assembly to shut down.

As far as I am concerned, a call for the National Assembly to shut itself down because of this insecurity situation is a call for abdication of our constitutional roles, he said.

The senate leader noted that lawmakers are part of government and that the security challenges predate President Bola Tinubus administration.

We are part of this government and we did not start this problem. Both the executive arm and the legislative arm of government as it is inherited this insecurity problem. But there must not be an excuse. We must deal with the problem and I am happy all hands are on deck in both the executive and the legislative arm.
Experts have raised concerns about the crisis of declining local journalism across Nigerias conflict-affected regions, warning that communities without credible local reporting risk further democratic erosion.

The experts spoke at the Media Development Conference hosted by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) on Tuesday.

The session spotlighted a new Local Sustainability Fund being developed to strengthen grassroots reporting, rebuild trust in local media, and protect journalists working under severe insecurity.

Akintunde Babatunde, CJIDs Director of Programmes, speaking on the panel themed Innovating Sustainable Models for Independent Journalism in the Digital Era, said the sustainability fund is designed to correct a long-standing structural gap in Nigerian journalism, the absence of skilled, trusted reporters within communities deeply affected by violence.

Mr Babatunde said the initiative will prioritise journalists who already live and work inside conflict zones, instead of relying on outsiders who parachute into crises without local context.

We honestly, genuinely want people who are affected by conflict, born there, those who know what it is, to be the reporters, he said.

Expanding on the model, he said CJID will begin by mapping conflict hotspots, auditing the work of existing freelancers, and pairing them with experienced editors in national newsrooms.

He warned that many community reporters remain unstructured, unsupported and vulnerable, a weakness that national outlets often exploit.

Weve seen instances where a freelance journalist records a conflict situation in their community, and it is national platforms that take the credit, he said.

The new mechanism, he explained, will embed mentorship systems in which national organisations like Premium Times support local reporters, co-publish their work, and protect them when sensitive stories create risks.

Mr Babatunde added that the fund will connect with CJIDs Coalition so that reporters can anonymously submit dangerous whistleblowing material.

This, he said, allows national outlets to publish high-risk stories while shielding the identities of vulnerable local reporters.

So by December, January, the call for applications for the Nigerian component will be out. But before the end of Q1, we will have the component for the Sahel and the West African subregion.

Community Protection

The CJID director argued that lone journalists in rural conflict zones are highly exposed to retaliation from armed groups, politicians and powerful local actors.

If they want to come after him/her, its easier for a bad actor to come after you as an individual. But if you have that community, then its easier to develop ways, he said.

He explained that the sustainability model is inspired by CJIDs earlier Campus Journalism Programme, which successfully created a pipeline of trained young reporters who now work with global newsrooms including the BBC and AFP.

He added that the new programme aims to replicate that success at the community level, building quality local newsrooms capable of identifying early signs of political tension, food insecurity or violence before they escalate.

Speaking on media investment, Adedeji Adekunle, Programme Director, West and East Africa Media Development Investment Fund, explained how sustainability challenges are worsened when media organisations underestimate the value of their work.

Mr Adekunle argued that independent journalism can survive if outlets build business models rooted in community value, not only grants.

I dont think theres a single model that is enough in our time to drive a newsroom. So what Ive seen across the world is that everyone is looking for the mix, but there isnt one formula that works. You need to find out the formula that works for your organisation, for your content, for your distribution network, and for your audience, he said.

He cited examples of African newsrooms combining public-interest reporting with events, memberships, and high-quality newsletters to stay afloat.

He stressed that subscriptions alone cannot sustain any newsroom unless audiences feel the content is essential.

Speaking from a regulatory perspective, George Sarpong, Executive Secretary of Ghanas National Media Commission, said African governments must urgently reform laws and taxation policies to support independent media.

Mr Sarpong said enabling environments must include progressive legislation, accountable regulators, due-process frameworks for harmful content, transparency in government advertising, and infrastructure investments such as broadband and electricity.

He added that states should support investigative journalism as part of their anti-corruption strategy, noting that civil society and regulators must collaborate rather than work at cross-purposes.

Strengthening democracy

The panelists agreed that rebuilding trust in journalism, especially in fragile communities, is central to safeguarding democratic stability.

They warned that without credible local reporters documenting insecurity, governance failures, climate impacts and human rights abuses, national narratives become distorted and communities become invisible.

Mr Babatunde said the Local Sustainability Fund aims to change this over the next five years by creating a new generation of locally grounded journalists who can report safely, professionally and consistently.

We want to have a platform that tells critical reporting, evidence-led, people-centred, from communities, not just national stories, he said.
Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng delivers a video speech at the 2025 Kuliang Forum in New York, the United States, on Nov. 25, 2025. China and the United States can rise above differences and jointly write a new chapter in their friendly exchanges and cooperation, Xie said on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)

NEW YORK, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- China and the United States can rise above differences and jointly write a new chapter in their friendly exchanges and cooperation, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng said on Tuesday.

Speaking in a video keynote speech at the 2025 Kuliang Forum, Xie said the story of Kuliang is a vivid example that "the hope of the China-U.S. relationship lies in the people, its foundation is in our societies, its future depends on the youth, and its vitality comes from exchanges at subnational levels."

The "Friends of Kuliang," a group of descendants of the American families who once lived in Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province, embarked on journeys to retrace their ancestors' stories in recent years, Xie noted.

The century-old story of Kuliang is brimming with new vigor as events such as the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Choir Festival and the Kuliang Forum have been held, said Xie.

"The bonds that have transcended time and space continue to inspire us till this day, reminding us that: for all our differences in history, culture, social system and development path, we share a common pursuit of friendship," said the ambassador.

China and the United States shoulder special and important responsibilities for world peace, stability and prosperity, he added, urging the two sides to adhere to the bottom line of non-conflict and non-confrontation.

"Building on that, we need to live up to our obligations as major countries, abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, resolutely uphold the post-WWII international order, champion true multilateralism, and join hands to tackle international and regional hotspot issues as well as challenges such as counter-terrorism," said Xie.

Next year, China and the United States will respectively host the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and the G20 summit, he said. "We should support each other, foster dialogue on global governance, and strive to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world." 
President Bola Tinubu has commended the swift response by security forces that led to the rescue on Tuesday of the 24 schoolgirls abducted by terrorists in Maga, Kebbi State, last Monday.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how armed terrorists attacked the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, and abducted the schoolgirls last Monday. The schoolgirls were released eight days after they were kidnapped.

The incident preceded other mass kidnappings in Eruku in Kwara State and Papiri in Niger State.

All 38 worshippers kidnapped in a church in Eruku were freed on Sunday. The same day, the Niger State chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said 50 of the missing students of the Catholic School in Niger had been found in their parents homes.

Mr Tinubu, in a statement on Facebook, commended the response of the security operatives.

All the schoolgirls abducted in Kebbi State have been safely rescued. I must commend our security forces for their swift response, and the parents and community for their strength during this period.

In response to the recent kidnappings and acts of terrorism, I have ordered a full security cordon over the forests in Kwara State.

The Air Force is to maintain continuous surveillance over the most remote areas, synchronising operations with ground units to effectively identify, isolate, disrupt, and neutralise all hostile elements. This directive also extends to the Kebbi and Niger axis.

Communities are encouraged to report any unusual movements to support ongoing operations as we move decisively to secure every affected area, Mr Tinubu stated.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has directed the suspension of the Mandate Secretary for Education, Danlami Hayyo, following the circular issued for the closure of all public schools in the territory.

In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the Acting Head of Service, Nancy Nathan, has also been mandated to discipline the Director, School Services, Aishatu Alhassan, who issued the circular, in accordance with the civil service rules.

The Acting Head of Service, Mrs Nancy Nathan, has also been mandated to discipline the Director, School Services, Mrs Aishatu Sani Alhassan, in accordance with the civil service rules, he said.

He described the report on the early closure of schools as false and misleading.

The administration urged parents, students, and school authorities to dismiss the rumour, stressing that the approved academic calendar remained unchanged.

The FCTA also assured residents of the FCT, especially students, of adequate security, adding that the Minister has directed the resumption of Operation Sweep and other security initiatives in the federal capital.

Earlier in a memo on Tuesday, Mrs Alhassan said the administration had ordered all public schools in the FCT to shut down on or before Friday, 28 November, citing security concerns.

According to the memo, principals and heads of schools were instructed to immediately end all academic activities and ensure that students are dismissed in an orderly and safe manner.

It also ordered schools to notify learners, staff and parents; adjust all scheduled academic activities; and prepare to resume on the next official school day unless new directives were issued.

The memo may have been prompted by the resurgence of the abduction of pupils and students by terrorists in the last two weeks.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that terrorists, armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, on motorcycles, abducted 25 schoolgirls from their dormitory, killed the schools vice principal, and injured a local security guard, Ali Maga.

The students were freed on Tuesday.

Last Friday, armed men invaded the St. Marys Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, and abducted 303 pupils, students, and staff members.

Fifty of the abductees have escaped from their captors, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Bandits have reportedly abducted at least eight people in a border community in the Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

Daily Trust reported that the attack occurred on Monday at Biresawa, a village located on the border between Kano and troubled Katsina State.

A relative of some of the abducted victims, Kabiru Usman, told the newspaper that the attackers came in through neighbouring Tsundu village.

They came as usual, and from our findings so far, two males and six females were taken away by the bandits. Up till now, there is no news on their whereabouts.

They came on foot, armed with guns. They kidnapped my wife, Umma; my 17-year-old daughter, Fati; my brothers wife, and two other women, Mr Usman was quoted by the Newspaper as saying.

He said that residents had alerted the police and military after receiving prior warnings that the bandits were heading toward the villages.

Before the attack occurred, we got a report that they were heading towards us, and we notified the security agencies, including the police and military, ahead of time because they gave us their numbers and asked us to call if we got any information.

Residents listed the affected communities as Sarmawa, Yan Chibi and Gano villages in the Tsanyawa LGA.

About 50 bandits riding motorcycles came into our community, Yan Chibi, shooting in the air. We all ran for safety, and later we discovered that they had abducted some people, mostly women, though I cant tell you how many people they have abducted.

We later learnt that they have also visited other communities and have also abducted some people there. As I speak with you, no life is reported to have been lost, but I can confirm to you that they have abducted over 10 people, a resident stated.

Tsanyawa is situated in the remote Kano North Senatorial District, bordering Katsina State, where bandits have intensified attacks.

The police in Kano are yet to speak on the incident.
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has sealed the Renewed Hope Agenda Office in Umuahia, the state capital.

The facility is designated as the South-east regional headquarters of President Bola Tinubus Campaign office ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Renewed Hope Partners is the campaign structure for Mr Tinubu, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

It is being promoted in the South-east by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.

Mr Kalu, also an APC member, hails from Abia State, which is under the control of the Labour Party.

Video clips

Some video clips circulating online showed the structure had been barricaded with a ribbon.

A notice pasted on the walls at the entrance of the office by the Abia States Ministry of Lands and Housing indicated that the structure was in contravention of the states tax law.

This property is in contravention of Sections 41 and 100 of the Abia State Tax Law (Codification and Consolidation), Law No. 7 of 2020. And it is hereby sealed.

Any person, including the owner/ occupier, neighbour(s) or passer(s)by, who attempts to unseal this building is in contravention of the Abia state tax law No.7 of 2020. Be warned. Keep off, the notice read.

Campaign office fumes

Mr Tinubus campaign group, Renewed Hope Partners, has condemned the sealing off of its office by Governor Otti.

In a statement obtained by PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday, Elton Onwu, its spokesperson, described the action as an attack on President Tinubus agenda and a desperation taken too far.

Mr Onwu stressed that the property was dilapidated and abandoned for over 30 years before they took over the facility and renovated it, expressing surprise that the facility could be sealed at this time.

We moved into the building in June 2025 after an extensive renovation of the facility.

One wonders why the various taxes or notifications were not sent to owners of the property before the Renewed Hope Partners took over, he said.

The spokesperson accused Mr Otti of recently targeting Mr Tinubus campaign group across the state, citing alleged attempts by the governor to stop the inauguration of the groups executives in Osisioma and Obingwa local government areas of the state.

This latest move is a clear case of political vendetta and an attempt to undermine the efforts of the Renewed Hope Partners.

We question the timing and motivations behind the sealing of the office, and we demand an explanation from the governor. Why was notice not given to us? he said.

He called on the governor to reconsider his decision.

Why we sealed the campaign office  Otti

Mr Otti, in response, explained that the sealing of the campaign office was not politically motivated, contrary to the misinterpretation by the office and the APC.

In a statement on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Ukoha Njoku, the governor said, The property was sealed by the Harmonised Task Force as part of a blanket enforcement of court orders.

He added that the enforcement was part of a general exercise targeting properties in default of statutory obligations in Abia State.

Ground Rent has been owed since 1982, with the lease expiring on December 31, 2025.

The property owner failed to respond to demand notices requesting proof of compliance with payment of ground rent and other related charges, he explained.

The court order was obtained for the sealing after evidence of service of demand notices was presented.

Mr Otti stressed that 82 other properties were sealed in Umuahia for similar reasons, adding that only churches, hospitals, and schools were exempt from sealing due to the social services they provide.

The governor, however, said he had ordered the unsealing of the campaign office after Mr Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency, brought the development to his attention.

The unsealing was promptly executed pending the regularisation of the buildings documentation, he said.

He maintained that the unsealing of the campaign office reflects his administrations responsiveness to emerging issues.

While enforcement remains uncompromised, sensitive matters will receive greater oversight to ensure fairness and political balance, he stated.
The jubilation following the rescue of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and 38 worshippers in Kwara State has been dampened by a fresh wave of abductions, with armed bandits striking just kilometres away from the site of a reported military success.

While President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday commended security agencies for the safe return of the students of Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, and the worshippers from the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, terrorists were simultaneously opening new fronts in the North-west and North-central zones.

The Isapa Attack

Barely 24 hours after the presidency announced the liberation of the 38 Eruku worshippers, crediting the operation to pressure from DSS and the military, the bandits struck again in the same local government area.

On Monday evening, gunmen invaded the Isapa community in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, just five kilometres from Eruku.

According to local sources, the attackers arrived with a large herd of cattle to disguise their movement before unleashing mayhem.

Although the Kwara State Police Command confirmed 10 abductions, community leaders told PREMIUM TIMES that the figure is closer to 20. The victims reportedly include a pregnant woman, nursing mothers, and children.

The bandits went after a businessman who had previously paid ransom. When they didnt find him, they took his family and neighbours, said Abayomi Daramola, a community leader.

Kano and Niger Crises

The insecurity has also metastasised to Kano State, where 10 persons were abducted in Tsanyawa Local Government Area on Monday night. Residents link the attack to a spillover of banditry from neighbouring Katsina State.

Meanwhile, a bureaucratic standoff continues in Niger State regarding the students of St. Marys Catholic School, Papiri.

While 24 Kebbi students are being reunited with their families, over 265 children from Papiri remain in captivity.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga disclosed on Tuesday that the federal government is in the dark regarding the exact number of victims in Niger, citing a lack of comprehensive data from the school authorities and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

Matawalles Non-Kinetic Controversy

The rescue in Kebbi has also sparked a political row. The Zamfara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalles claim that no ransom was paid.

Citing a video in which bandits allegedly claimed the government chose negotiation over force, the PDP accused the minister of reverting to the controversial peace deals, a claim the government has yet to officially refute.

President Tinubu has since ordered a 24-hour aerial surveillance of forests in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States to stem the tide of attacks.
The House of Representatives on Wednesday continued its special session on national security, with lawmakers issuing the starkest warnings yet about the deteriorating security situation.

Members described the recent mass abductions, killings, and coordinated attacks across several states as evidence that the country is struggling to protect citizens.

The session, which began on Tuesday, was held at the National Assembly complex, following a series of abductions and the rescue of some schoolgirls in Kebbi, developments repeatedly described as a national tragedy by lawmakers.

In an emotionally charged debate that stretched for hours, lawmakers from all six geopolitical zones recounted personal tragedies, community suffering, and failures of state institutions.

They demanded a decisive overhaul of Nigerias security architecture, stronger political will, and the implementation of long-standing recommendations that have gathered dust across successive administrations, including state policing, coordinated military response, and full implementation of long-standing security recommendations.

Women and children under siege  Ogbara

Opening one of the most passionate interventions of the day, Kafilat Ogbara (APC, Lagos) said insecurity had become a bleeding wound in Nigerian families, especially for women and children, whom she described as deliberate targets.

Rising as a mother and as chairperson of the House Committee on Womens Affairs, she said, schools across the country have transformed from safe spaces into attack zones.

We have seen the children. Where are the kidnappers? she asked repeatedly.

These are not mere security failures. They are breaches of the most fundamental duty of the state.

Mrs Ogbara urged the House to urgently legislate a framework for state policing and called for a national safe-schools protection system, early-warning infrastructure, panic alert systems, and a federal rescue and rehabilitation fund for abducted pupils.

She also pressed for improved welfare for military personnel, saying the country cannot attract committed recruits when the incentives are not enough, and the welfare mechanism is weak.

Insecurity now lives among us  Ibori-Suenu

Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu (APC, Delta) said insecurity in parts of her state now involves community members colluding with criminal networks.

An acting APC chairman, she said, was recently killed, while her political leader was kidnapped weeks earlier.

It is not just Boko Haram. It is people within us, she said.

Our own people are picking their neighbours and selling them to kidnappers. That is the level of rot.

She urged colleagues to treat insecurity as a national, not partisan, problem. We are first Nigerians before anything else, she added.

Declare a state of emergency  Dasuki

Abdussamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto) urged President Bola Tinubu to formally declare a state of emergency, arguing that the violence ravaging communities amounts to a war.

We are not lacking resolutions. We are lacking implementation, he said, warning that the House must ensure its decisions translate to action, not empty speeches.

A country that cannot secure its land is not sovereign  Ozodinobi

Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi questioned Nigerias refusal to seek international assistance despite terrorists overrunning communities and killing senior military officers.

What kind of sovereignty allows terrorists to capture and kill a general like a common criminal? he asked.

Mr Ozodinobi said Nigeria had once intervened in Liberia and Congo, and therefore should not reject external support.

This is not the time for pride. A country where terrorists can humiliate the military is not sovereign. It is under siege, he said.

He also urged Mr Tinubu to grant a legal pardon to detained separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu within the ambience of the law.

North-west lawmakers outline structural roots of crisis

Speaking for the North-west, Sada Soli (APC, Katsina) described insecurity in the zone as deeply complex and multidimensional.

He traced its evolution from farmerherder clashes to organised crime, aided by thick forests that straddle state borders and allow criminals to operate unchallenged.

There is limited trust in state mechanisms. Traditional conflict-resolution frameworks are weakened. Communities have lost social cohesion, he said.

He called for reforms in land use, arms control, grazing practices, and community integration.

Our defence budgeting is structurally flawed  Betara

Muktar Betara (APC, Borno), a former chair of the Army, Defence, and Appropriation Committees, said years of poor defence funding structures were undermining operations.

He cited examples from his oversight experience.

How do you run the Air Force with a budget that is almost entirely recurrent? he asked.

In 2025, the police still depend heavily on state governors. How can they function like that?

He described procurement delays, poor barracks conditions, and inadequate welfare as factors draining morale. He, however, noted Mr Tinubus plan to review military and police salaries by up to 300 per cent.

Criminals have infiltrated security institutions  Wase

Idris Wase (APC, Plateau) warned that armed robbers and other criminal gangs were penetrating security agencies.

He cautioned against narratives framing insecurity as religious, saying criminals cut across Muslims, Christians, and pagans.

South-west lawmakers reject religious framing

Isiaka Ibrahim (APC, Ogun) raised concerns about border security, particularly in communities located within five kilometres of neighbouring countries.

He disclosed that bandits had written to threaten the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, only a day earlier.

He also rejected claims that the crisis is genocide against Christians.

In the South-west, families live in harmony. Do not inflict a narrative that may last generations, he said, urging stronger arms control and a unified national response.

Nigerias problem is implementation, not ideas  Enwo

Igariwey Enwo (PDP, Ebonyi) recalled that the National Intelligence Agency hosted lawmakers for a week-long security study during the last administration.

We submitted a full report. Up till today, nothing was implemented, he said.

He called for the House leadership to liaise directly with the executive to ensure resolutions do not die on paper.

Stop negotiating with terrorists  Bob

Solomon Bob (PDP, Rivers) questioned the rescue of schoolgirls in Kebbi, arguing that the absence of arrests suggests negotiation with criminals.

You pay money, they will come back. It is like a blackmailer, he said.

He blamed weak institutions and weak people in those institutions for Nigerias failure to confront violent groups.

Government must stop appeasing terrorists. Go after them, he said.

Debate expected to continue over the coming legislative days

The conversations form only a phase of a multi-day national security dialogue, as the discussion will continue over the coming legislative days to allow as many members within the chamber as possible to make submissions.

The intention is to build a comprehensive, evidence-based resolution that reflects the full range of security failures and regional experiences presented before the parliament.

The final set of resolutions, once harmonised, will be forwarded to the executive arm for urgent action.
A 61-year-old Turkish fugitive, Acar Huseyin, has been repatriated from Nigeria back to Turkey to serve his prison sentence.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) disclosed on Wednesday that Mr Huseyin was convicted of fraud at the Istanbul Anadolu High Criminal Court earlier this year.

He had been sentenced to 14 years, 8 months, and 10 days in prison by the court, but fled the country to avoid serving his sentence.

The Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, has successfully repatriated a 61-year-old Turkish national, Acar Huseyin, to the Republic of Turkey to face his outstanding prison sentence.

Huseyin, who was convicted for fraud by the Istanbul Anadolu High Criminal Court earlier this year, fled Turkey shortly after judgment in an attempt to evade serving a sentence of 14 years, 8 months, and 10 days, the police statement read.

The Turkish fugitive had travelled through the Middle East into Nigeria, according to the NPF.

However, upon the request of the Turkish Central Bureau of INTERPOL made in July, the Nigerian police began an intelligence-driven operation which led to his arrest in the Nigerian capital.

Acting on this request, INTERPOL NCB Abuja initiated discreet intelligence-led operations which led to his arrest in Abuja.

Following the completion of the necessary documentation and in collaboration with relevant international partners, the fugitive has been successfully repatriated to Istanbul to commence his sentence

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, described the operation as essential, stressing that Nigeria will never serve as a refuge for fugitives seeking to evade justice.

He also noted that the NPF is committed to international cooperation and efforts to combat transnational crime.

The IGP also stressed the polices commitment to honouring international obligations, strengthening police-to-police cooperation, and supporting global efforts against transnational crime.
As Nigeria continues its search for workable solutions to its deepening insecurity, President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday declared a nationwide security emergency, unveiling a series of measures he said are intended to confront criminals with courage and determination and restore peace across the country.

Mr Tinubu said his administration is committed to going all out against terrorists, bandits and other violent groups that have continued to torment Nigerians.

He said the government has the capacity and the will to make the country safe, adding that citizens deserve to live without fear.

To achieve this, the president directed the police and army to commence massive recruitment exercises, pledged support for states operating their own security outfits, and asked the National Assembly to amend relevant laws to allow states willing to do so to establish their own police forces.

Below are six key highlights of the presidents emergency security measures.

1. Police to recruit 50,000 personnel

A major component of the new security push is large-scale recruitment into the police and the military. By Mr Tinubus declaration, the Nigeria Police Force is now authorised to take in an additional 20,000 personnel, raising the total number of new officers to 50,000.

The president said boosting manpower is essential to confronting insecurity nationwide, especially in communities where police presence is weak or non-existent.

This directive follows on earlier approvals by Mr Tinubu for the nationwide upgrade of police training facilities. In addition, police authorities have now been empowered to use National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as temporary training depots to fast-track the capacity-building process, the statement said.

Mr Tinubu also instructed the withdrawal of police officers from VIP escort and guard duties. Those withdrawn, he said, will undergo crash training to prepare them for deployment to frontline areas where their services are urgently required.

The goal, according to him, is to debrief them and deliver more efficient police services in communities grappling with insecurity.

2. SSS to deploy trained forest guards

Another major element of the emergency declaration is the deployment of trained forest guards under the State Security Services (SSS).

The president said the agency has received his immediate authorisation to send out all forest guards already trained specifically to confront terrorists, bandits and armed groups operating from forests across the country.

He described forests as a major sanctuary for criminal gangs and insisted that such spaces must no longer serve as safe havens.

The agency also has my directive to recruit more men to man the forests. There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil, he said.

By strengthening intelligence and surveillance capacities in forests, the government hopes to disrupt the operations of violent groups who use these terrains for planning attacks, storing weapons and holding abducted victims.

3. Support for state policing initiatives

President Tinubu called on the National Assembly to begin reviewing existing laws to enable states that desire it to establish their own police force.

This marks one of the strongest indications yet that the federal government is ready to decentralise policing in response to escalating insecurity and increasing pressure from state governments. Although Mr Tinubu has advocated for state police in the past, he has not used his office to strongly push for the National Assembly to make it a reality. He now appears ready to do so.

In his Wednesday statement, Mr Tinubu said states willing to run their own policing systems must be given the legal backing to do so. He added that his administration would support states that have already created security outfits to complement federal structures.

While the president did not give details of how state police should operate, his appeal to lawmakers signals early steps towards a constitutional and legal rethink of Nigerias highly centralised security framework.

4. States warned against siting boarding schools in remote areas

As part of the emergency measures, Mr Tinubu cautioned state governments against establishing boarding schools in remote or poorly secured areas.

Citing the rising pattern of school abductions, the president said the safety of students must now take priority over convenience or expansion drives. He urged states to reassess existing school locations and ensure adequate security is provided before approving or running boarding facilities. Under Mr Tinubu, there have been mass kidnapping of students in states like Kebbi and Niger.

5. Mosques and Churches

The Nigerian leader asked churches and mosques to seek security protection for large gatherings.

Mosques and churches should constantly seek police and other security protection when they gather for prayers, especially in vulnerable areas, he said, warning that soft targets must no longer be left exposed.

This directive reflects the governments concern over the frequency of attacks on religious gatherings and rural communities, many of which occur in places where security presence is thin.

6. End of open grazing and push for ranching

Addressing persistent clashes between herders and farmers, President Tinubu reiterated the role of the newly created Ministry of Livestock in resolving the crisis and promoting modern livestock management.

He called on herders associations to engage fully with the ministry, embrace ranching, and abandon open grazing practices which have fuelled deadly conflicts in multiple states.

Mr Tinubu also urged herders in possession of illegal arms to surrender them, emphasising that fully adopting ranching is the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony.

According to him, the federal and state governments will collaborate closely to ensure the livestock sector is reformed once and for all.
The Senate on Wednesday resolved to amend Nigerias Anti-Terrorism Act to prescribe a death penalty without the option of a fine for all kidnapping offences.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the decision after a majority of senators supported the proposal through a voice vote during plenary.

The resolution followed an additional prayer moved by Abdul Ningi, (PDP, Bauchi Central) during a debate on rising cases of kidnapping in the country.

Mr Ningi urged the Senate to mandate its Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, to draft an amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act that would classify kidnapping as a terrorist offence and automatically attract the death penalty, irrespective of circumstances or jurisdiction.

The motion was seconded by Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), who argued that the amendment should be in a way that removes all judicial discretion in sentencing.

Appropriate legal system that the offence of kidnapping should carry death penalty for which no judge should have power of any discretion to laws by parliament in this case because the issue is serious, he said.

Mr Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State, also called on state governors to be willing to sign death warrants.

If you indulge me, Ill also urge the governors to have the courage to uphold the letter of the constitution. Governors should proceed to sign the appropriate death sentences. That is why I signed the death penalty when I was a governor. Some other governors refused to sign, the senator added.

Endorsing the proposal, Mr Akpabio said the Senates position was that once kidnapping is established in court, a death sentence must follow.

A very serious additional amendment has been made that the penalty for kidnapping should be changed immediately to carry the maximum punishment of death.

This has also been seconded that henceforth, kidnapping should first be classified as a terrorist act and which should carry death penalty. It is not up to any judge. Once the offence of kidnapping is established, a death penalty must follow. Theres no discretion as to what type of punishment should be given. The judiciary should adhere, he said.

The senate president subsequently put the motion to vote and it was approved by the majority.

He then directed the senate leader to urgently prepare an amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act to classify kidnapping as terrorism and make the offence punishable by death without the option of a fine or judicial discretion.

In line with the provisions of the Terrorist Act, the offence of kidnapping henceforth should carry death penalty. The leader of the Senate should bring an amendment of the Act to ensure that the offence of kidnapping becomes a Terrorist Act and which carries a death sentence without any option of fine and without discretion on the part of the judiciary.

Leader of the Senate, in the shortest number of days, please bring an amendment that Nigeria will henceforth classify kidnapping as a Terrorist Act and also classify kidnapping being a terrorist act should now carry death sentence without option of fine, he directed.

Nigerias Anti-Terrorism Act prescribes a death penalty for kidnapping when the offence results in the death of a victim. Where no death occurs, other penalties apply depending on the circumstances, including life imprisonment for offences such as hostage-taking and kidnapping.

The Act also criminalises the payment of ransom, prescribing a minimum sentence of 15 years for anyone who pays ransom to secure a victims release.

Kidnapping and ransom-taking have become increasingly rampant across the country, with terrorist groups turning the crime into a lucrative enterprise.

Earlier during the debate, Plateau Central Senator, Diket Plang, noted that terrorists rely heavily on ransom payments as a major source of funding, which they use to purchase arms and sustain their operations.

However, despite the frequency of attacks, many kidnapping cases end with the release of victims but without any arrests.

For instance, the 25 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, were freed on Tuesday after security intervention, but none of the abductors was apprehended.

Also, 38 worshippers of a church in Eruku, Kwara State, were rescued last Sunday, but none of their abductors was arrested.
Two senior lawyers scramble to represent General Hydrocarbons Limited in its debt dispute suit against the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and others stalled proceedings the Federal High Court in Lagos stalled on Wednesday.

The disagreement emerged in suit FHC/L/CS/1903/2025 before a judge, Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, when Abiodun Layonu and Oluseye Opasanya  both Senior Advocates of Nigeria  separately announced appearances for the claimant.

Mr Layonu told the court he had been briefed by General Hydrocarbons.

But Mr Opasanya, appointed Receiver/Manager over the company by AMCON, insisted he is the lawful representative of the firm, arguing that the company had been in receivership before the suit was filed, an issue he said the former directors failed to disclose.

The conflicting positions triggered prolonged arguments on who was legally authorised to speak for the company.

Mr Lewis-Allagoa repeatedly pressed both lawyers to clarify who the court should recognise, given the subsisting receivership.

With no resolution, he ordered both sides to file written addresses on the issue of representation. The hearing continues on 3 December.

Contempt proceedings also stalled

The unresolved representation dispute also halted contempt proceedings earlier initiated by General Hydrocarbons against AMCON.

The contempt application was based on interim orders issued by Mr Lewis-Allagoa restraining AMCON and its agents from taking recovery steps, interfering with the companys assets, or appointing a receiver pending the hearing of a motion.

The substantive suit concerns Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 120 and 121, which were tied to a structured loan-recovery arrangement involving First Bank of Nigeria and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited.

To secure repayment of the non-performing loan, the former Department of Petroleum Resources (now NUPRC) considered allowing a qualified operator to run the assets. General Hydrocarbons (GHL) proposed to take over operations and apply revenue toward the loan.

A Tripartite Agreement subsequently signed by GHL, First Bank and AMCON documented GHLs commitments and assigned it responsibility for the management of the two assets.

AMCON alleges mismanagement; appoints receiver

AMCON and First Bank later accused GHLs former management of revenue diversion, non-payment of contractors, operational lapses, and risks that could trigger shutdown of the FPSO.

Acting under sections 34 and 48 of the AMCON Act, AMCON appointed a Receiver over GHL on 18 September, a move that legally suspended the powers of the companys former directors.

AMCON argues that, despite this, the former directors filed the present suit in the companys name without authority. The corporation says the interim orders obtained were used to frustrate the receivership.

Background

On 6 November, AMCON-appointed Receiver/Manager Oluseyi Akinwunmi publicly announced his takeover of the companydespite interim orders issued on 22 September 2025 restraining AMCONs managing director, First Bank and the Attorney-General from acting against General Hydrocarbons.

A newspaper advertisement issued by the Receiver directed all debtors to pay him directly and ordered creditors to file proof of claims within 30 days.

He also instructed banks to hold all company funds pending further notice.

Court filings seen by PREMIUM TIMES show that Mr Lewis-Allagoa had earlier barred any enforcement action against the company or its assets, including freezing of accounts or appointment of a receiver.

Mr Akinwunmi, however, told PREMIUM TIMES there was no order against the receivership at the time he was appointed.

One of General Hydrocarbons lawyers also confirmed that AMCON later obtained a separate court order to enforce the receivership from another Federal High Court division, though details remain unclear.

Arbitration and loan legacy

The long-running dispute stems from a decade-old $490 million First Bank facility granted to Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts for oil operations under NPDC agreements. The loan became non-performing.

AMCON purchased the debt as an Eligible Bank Asset, ultimately reflected as a $718 million exposure.

In October 2024, an arbitration panel ordered General Hydrocarbons to pay First Bank legal costs linked to the dispute.

How GHL entered the picture  Obaigbena

General Hydrocarbons is majority-owned by media executive Nduka Obaigbena.

In a letter to CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso dated 7 November 2024, Mr Obaigbena claimed that he was brought in by then FBN Holdings Chairman Oba Otudeko to help salvage First Banks exposure after key security documents for the Atlantic Energy loan were allegedly never executed.

He argued that First Banks loan to Atlantic Energy was unsecured and constituted a systemic risk, leading to federal government approval of OMLs 120 and 121 for GHL in 2021.

He said GHL entered agreements to develop the assets and share profits with First Bank to help clean up the banks balance sheet.

He accused First Bank of later frustrating the arrangement through delayed disbursements and new conditions, prompting litigation.

Multiple court battles

The dispute has since moved across several courts.

In December 2024, First Bank obtained orders freezing more than $225.8 million in assets linked to Mr Obaigbena and GHL.

READ ALSO: Fortune charms craze threatens vulture population in Kano

In March, the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt dismissed First Banks claims that GHL diverted crude-oil proceeds.

In September, the Court of Appeal overturned that judgment and directed that all crude-oil proceeds be paid into an interest-bearing escrow account.

Later in September, GHL filed the present suit in Lagos, asking the court to restrict AMCONs enforcement powers to Atlantic Energys debts.
COLOMBO, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka has advanced its application to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) following Cabinet approval to complete and submit the initial questionnaire issued for prospective members, Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said on Tuesday.

The RCEP agreement was signed by 15 Asia-Pacific countries -- ten members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.

The RCEP agreement, the world's largest free trade agreement, entered into force on Jan. 1. After it took effect, more than 90 percent of merchandise trade among members that have approved the accord will eventually be subject to zero tariffs.

Sri Lanka submitted its letter of intent to join the pact in 2023, with the expectation of expanding export markets, diversifying products and strengthening integration into regional and global supply chains.

A questionnaire was issued to several applicant countries, including Sri Lanka, in October 2025. It seeks basic information to assess compliance with RCEP provisions and readiness to provide commercially meaningful market access in line with the agreement's objectives. The completed questionnaire must be submitted by Jan. 25, 2026.

Jayatissa said the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the minister of trade, commerce, food security and cooperative development for Sri Lanka's participation in RCEP and for completing the required documentation for submission. 
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday removed Umar Buba and Godiya Akwashiki as chairmen of the Committees on National Security and Intelligence, and Air Force, respectively, over their failure to perform oversight duties amid increasing insecurity nationwide.

Mr Akpabio also announced the immediate dissolution of both committees.

Mr Buba, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), represents Bauchi South, while Mr Akwashiki, of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), represents Nasarawa North.

The two senators were removed after a complaint by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who said the committees had failed to provide the chamber with timely and relevant security information despite rising cases of kidnapping and banditry.

Mr Bamidele said the committees, particularly the National Security and Intelligence Committee, should prioritise the key motions and concerns that senators bring to the chamber.

He added that these committees must lead on critical security issues rather than lag behind on matters of national importance.

As a senator and as a principal officer, I am not impressed, for instance, with the performance of the Senates Committee on Security and Intelligence, and I feel that that is an area that we need to look into.

Some of the motions that distinguished senators are bringing, some of the concerns being expressed by some of our colleagues, are things that I believe our committee on Security and Intelligence could have been on top of, he said.

The senate leader argued that before demanding that the executive arm of government rejig the nations security architecture, the legislature must first overhaul its own oversight structures.

So, at this point, I think that it should be part of our own starting point to even look inward and see in what areas we can do the rejigging ourselves to give us the credibility to keep calling on the executive arm of government to rejig our security architecture, he added.

Mr Akpabio subsequently put the matter to a voice vote, and the majority of senators supported the dissolution.

The senate president thereafter said the committees would be reconstituted within a week.

The decision comes as kidnapping and bandit attacks continue to surge across the country.

Mr Buba, whose committee was responsible for overseeing the nations intelligence operations, has largely stayed out of public view and has contributed minimally to national security discussions on the floor of the Senate.

The senator has not featured in security deliberations for a long period.

Mr Akwashiki has also been absent from Senate proceedings, with reports suggesting he may be battling an illness.

Senate leadership to meet Tinubu

The Senate also resolved that its leadership should meet with President Bola Tinubu to brief him on its latest resolutions regarding the worsening security situation.


The world was in turmoil in the mid 2000s. Nature had visited humanity with one of the most devastating storms in contemporary times. Hurricane Katrina which made a landfall in New Orleans, United States, claimed 1,392 lives and displaced a million people.

But if humans had no chance against such natural disasters, it should at least do something about man-made ones. These included renewed wars in Sri Lanka and Colombia, rising violence in Nepal, Chechnya and Iraq.

Then, there were talks in the United Nations, UN, about appointing a Special Envoy that could intervene to bring warring sides to the negotiation table in some of the most intractable conflicts in the world. It needed somebody with tact, patience, knowledge, persistence, persuasion and international reputation.

The lot fell on Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari who 20 years before, had been Nigerias Foreign Minister. He was the Chairperson of the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid when that inhuman system collapsed. He had, on behalf of humanity, welcomed a freed Nelson Mandela to the UN.

Gambari had from 1999-2005 been Special Adviser to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. He was also one of the most recognisable faces in the world body having been Nigerias Permanent Representative to the UN from 1990-1999.

He was to be the UN chief risk taker or what some jokingly called the dictator- whisperer as his duties included persuading those considered dictators.

One of his first major missions was to break through the Stone Age military dictatorship in Myanmar. The country had become independent on 4 January, 1948, but a military coup in 1962 turned it into a dictatorship. The regime was also holding Aung Suu Kyi, one of the most famous political prisoners.

Gambaris work was made tougher by the mass street uprisings called the Saffron Revolution led by Buddhist monks and nuns.

Gambari made a break through and in November 2007 was allowed to visit Suu Kyi in custody. The visit led to a crisis of confidence as the regime accused Gambari of having a soft spot for the opposition. To steady his course, in February 2008, he embarked on a diplomatic shuttle meeting leaders in Beijing, Jakarta, Tokyo and Singapore.

Gambaris minimum programme in Myanmar was an inclusive national reconciliation dialogue between the regime and Suu Kyi, flow of humanitarian needs, addressing the issue of children caught in the armed conflict and release of political prisoners who in January 2008 numbered 1,850.

Part of his success was committing the regime to a constitutional referendum and elections in 2010.

Suu Kyi was freed in that 2010 after 15 years in detention. Her National League for Democracy (NLD) in 2012 won 43 of the 45 vacant seats in parliament and she became the State Counselor or Prime Minister.

I attended Suu Kyis lecture at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva when she visited on 14 June, 2012. She was ambivalent on issues of the military in her country and seemed to justify the on-going genocide against the Rohingya minority. Eventually, she also became dictatorial, including repressing freedom of speech. So, when her new military allies seized and returned her to detention, the world was silent.

A second theatre of war Gambari intervened was the Cyprus crises which began with its independence in 1960. The breaking point between the Greek and Turkish groups was reached in 1974 when the Greek side carried out a coup. Turkey reacted by invading the country which led to a split of the country into two different territories.

Gambari began his mission by travelling to Greece, Cyprus and Turkey to assess the situation. He made a major break when he got the Greek Cypriot leader, Tassos Papadopoulos, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, to meet. They signed the 8 July Agreement with a commitment to the reunification of the country. This became known internationally as The Gambari Process. Essentially, it is a two-tier process of establishing four technical committees to deal with day- to-day issues, and Work Groups to address substantial matters.

The Turkish Cypriot side proposed negotiations within two months and full agreement by the end of 2008.

But the Greek Cypriots rejected any time limit, insisting that the technical and group committees should first complete their work before negotiations. Then, a major complication set in: the latter decided to engage in the exploration of oil and gas in the South and South West of the country, while the Turkish Cypriot insisted that any such exploration has to be by both sides. The Gambari Process stalled and the problems persist.

Gambari also intervened in the Zimbabwean political crises from 2005-2007 by seeking to de-escalate the conflict between then President Robert Mugabe and the opposition which had Western backing. He engaged both sides, building dialogue and mediating to work out a peaceful resolution. He coordinated the international communitys involvement, including that of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in the peace process.

A major peacekeeping mission Gambari headed was Darfur. He was the Joint Special Representative (JSR) of the UN and the African Union (AU) and Head of the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), from January 2010 to August 2012.

The Darfur Crises which began in February 2003 was a protest in Sudan by non-Arabs against the Arab ruling forces. The response was a very brutal war of attrition in which several hundreds of thousands were massacred and millions displaced. The Arab rulers established a brutal army of gangsters called the Janjaweed or highway robbers. That group was later renamed the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Gambari promoted a political settlement through negotiations and a comprehensive political process. This led to the Doha peace talks.

As head of UN Peace Mission (UNAMID), he made the protection of civilians and delivery of humanitarian aid his primary goals. The RSF is now the militia destroying Sudan.

Today, Gambari is, globally, one of the most respected diplomats. Yet, his rise as a well respected diplomat almost crash landed on take-off.

In July 1984 when he was Nigerian Foreign minister, a former Nigerian Transport minister, Umaru Dikko, an exile living in Britain was kidnapped, drugged and crated for delivery in a diplomatic bag to the new government in Nigeria. The plan, executed by a Nigerian- Israeli team, failed and Dikko was discovered and rescued at the Stansted Airport.

The abductors had addressed the diplomatic bag in which Dikko was found to Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the Nigerian Foreign Minister. It was later established that Gambaris name was just used as he had nothing to do with the abduction.

Gambaris future career was saved and diplomacy gained from it through the global role he later played.

On 24 November, Professor Gambari clocked 81 and for him, there is no slowing down.

Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers, is a human rights activist, journalist and author.
Drawing on the wisdom of Aristotle, Whatever lies within our power to do lies also within our power not to do. We pray that we may be spared the guilt on the Day of Judgment, particularly for the transgression of stealing from orphans and for our many other wrongs.

corruption is a profound moral and spiritual failure that extends from the individual heart to the highest levels of governance.  Imam Ghazali

Ismail Jafar Ishaq is an uncle and contemporary with whom I shared the formative years of attending our local madrassah in Zaria. Although we shared the same classroom, he and his brothers exhibited brilliance that outpaced the rest of us  a feat I later learnt was honed through extra tutelage by his father, a grandchild of the legendary West African scholar, Maaji Ishaqu. While life took me to boarding school, he evolved into a seasoned Islamic scholar and educationist. We have, however, maintained a ritual of spending hours on the phone, dissecting theology and jurisprudence with a liberty of expression that is often constrained when engaging with senior scholars.

In one of such reflections, I shared my trepidation regarding the conduct of our public officers. I confessed my struggle to reconcile the astronomical levels of public sector corruption, perpetrated largely by some Northern elites who are predominantly Muslims, with the cardinal Islamic belief in the Day of Judgement. It begs the question: What fundamental disconnect makes the larceny of public resources so acceptable to them, and even their admirers? I posited that their actions betray a profound doubt, or perhaps a complete lack of belief, in the Last Day.

In response, the scholar drew my attention to Suratul Maun, citing the first two verses: Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense? For that is the one who drives away the orphan. His exegesis was profound. He explained that the verses are interconnected and applicable to our current reality. Those entrusted with the commonwealth of the weak, who choose to squander the wealth of the poor rather than protect it, are explicitly demonstrating their denial of the Recompense. It is a theological confirmation that corruption is a symptom of a faithless heart.

I now had some clarity. The orphan in our context is not merely the child without parents, but the collective Talakawa  the vulnerable millions stripped of dignity by a rapacious political class. The mechanisms of this dispossession are systemic and ruthless. Through the intricate machinery of public procurement fraud, elites siphon the very lifeblood of the nation. Contracts are not awarded to the most competent, but are distributed as patronage to cronies, mistresses, and family members, in a brazen display of nepotism and favouritism. These contracts are routinely inflated, transforming modest infrastructure projects into multi-billion naira heists, in which the cost of a single borehole could rival the budget of a primary health centre.

When a public officer inflates a contract for vaccines or diverts funds meant for rural water supply, s/he is actively driving away the orphan by denying him/her the right to life. Or does wealth not belong to the poor? In governance, the treasury is a trust held on behalf of the people. To treat it as a personal war chest is the ultimate betrayal.

Even more insidious is the insertion of bogey projects into national and state budgets. We witness the ritualistic budgeting for projects that exist only on paper  roads that lead nowhere, hospitals that lack doctors, and schools that are mere shells. This is not just theft; it is a direct assault on the poor. When a public officer inflates a contract for vaccines or diverts funds meant for rural water supply, s/he is actively driving away the orphan by denying him/her the right to life. Or does wealth not belong to the poor? In governance, the treasury is a trust held on behalf of the people. To treat it as a personal war chest is the ultimate betrayal. On betrayal and treachery, the Quran is also clear in 2: 188, And do not consume the wealth of others unjustly, converting it into your own riches, clearly inferring that peoples wealth should not be taken unjustly.

If there is any doubt that we are failing the orphan, one need only look at the grim ledger of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). The data is a harrowing indictment of Northern leadership. Out of 133 million multidimensionally poor Nigerians, a staggering 65 per cent reside in the North. When we disaggregate the data, the reality becomes even more chilling: 90 per cent of multidimensionally poor children are found in the North-East and North-West.

Consider Sokoto State, the seat of the Caliphate, where 91 per cent of the population languishes in multidimensional poverty. Yet, we see governors earmarking billions for the renovation of boreholes, while their people starve. In Gombe, the poverty rate stands at 86 per cent; in Jigawa and Plateau, it is 84 per cent; Yobe follows at 83 per cent; and Kebbi at 82 per cent. Zamfara, ravaged by insecurity that is itself fuelled by economic deprivation, sits at 78 per cent. These are not just statistics; they represent human beings denied the basics of existence  healthcare, education, and living standards  while their leaders squander the commonwealth on frivolities.

Perhaps most distressing is that this betrayal is not limited to public officers and politicians; the rot has permeated the very sanctuaries of our faith. It is a tragedy that some of our scholars have transitioned from being custodians of morality to becoming accomplices in the very crimes they preach against. Files within our anti-corruption agencies  the EFCC and ICPC  are replete with cases in which renowned scholars have been complicit. They have become money bags, bowing to corrupt politicians and ridiculing the dignity of their tradition. Instead of standing apart, they have become integral cogs in the wheel of corruption, offering cover for the theft of the commonwealth.

until our public officers and religious leaders reclaim this heritage and until we recognise that every naira stolen through various corrupt means is a direct violation of the rights of the orphan, our claims to piety will remain hollow, and our prayers for national restoration, if we actually care, may continue to go unanswered.

We must recall, however, that history teems with thousands of scholars and philosophers who refused such compromise  a stark contrast to the silence of those who today watch the orphans suffer while feasting at the table of the oppressors. There are a few who are talking but they are drowned by the majority. The use of public funds, stolen from the poor or orphans, to finance the construction of mosques and sponsor pilgrimages for those same impoverished people is what is commonly referred to as the Dead Cat strategy, a tactic popularised by Lynton Crosby, designed to distract them from real issues. I also know the illusion of thinking that one may do good works with stolen wealth, because they choose to ignore O ye who believe! Give of the good things which you have (honourably) earned(2:267). There is little dignity and honour in the manner public resources are currently being utilised or maybe there is something deeper that I dont know nor understand.

Anyway, until our public officers and religious leaders reclaim this heritage and until we recognise that every naira stolen through various corrupt means is a direct violation of the rights of the orphan, our claims to piety will remain hollow, and our prayers for national restoration, if we actually care, may continue to go unanswered.

Drawing on the wisdom of Aristotle, Whatever lies within our power to do lies also within our power not to do. We pray that we may be spared the guilt on the Day of Judgment, particularly for the transgression of stealing from orphans and for our many other wrongs. Amin.

Umar Yakubu writes from Abuja.
Stanbic IBTC Holdings, a member of Standard Bank Group, successfully hosted the 11th edition of its Together4ALimb Walk on Saturday, 15 November 2025. The companys flagship corporate social investment (CSI) initiative focuses on underserved children aged 0  18 years, who are living with limb loss across the states in Nigeria by providing prosthetic limbs and Stanbic IBTC Education Trusts for the children. The event, which has become a hallmark of corporate social responsibility in Nigerias financial services sector, saw participants embark on a symbolic walk in Victoria Island.

Filled with energy and enthusiasm, the annual Togetehr4ALimb Walk reaffirms Stanbic IBTCs commitment to fostering inclusion and improving the lives of the beneficiaries. The event provided a shared sense of purpose as staff members,Together4ALimb beneficiaries, their parents and guardians, and major stakeholders walked in solidarity to raise awareness for limb loss and celebrated the remarkable courage and progress of the beneficiaries. The initiative represents a decade-long commitment to changing lives and creating opportunities for children who might otherwise have been marginalised due to physical disabilities.

This year marked a significant milestone as 64 new beneficiaries received prosthetic limbs, bringing the total number of children supported since the programmes inception to 200. Beyond the prosthetic limbs, each beneficiary also received an education trust valued at N1.5 million to support their academic journey ;ensuring that they have the resources needed to pursue their dreams and reach their full potential.

Speaking at the event, Chuma Nwokocha, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, said: To celebrate our 200 beneficiaries this year, we are telling the story of a journey defined by compassion and progress. Together4ALimb is more than an initiative  it is a promise to keep enabling futures and empowering children to thrive. Each child we support represents a transformed life; a family uplifted; and a community strengthened. We are honoured to continue this journey and look forward to touching even more lives in the years to come.

Wole Adeniyi, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, added: Each step we take during this walk is a symbol of shared hope and collective responsibility. We are proud to stand with the children benefiting from this initiative, and their families, as we continue to drive awareness around limb loss and inclusion across Nigeria. The Together4ALimb initiative embodies our belief that banking is about more than transactions. Its also about transformation and making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve.

This years edition also featured inspiring testimonials from beneficiaries and their families, who shared their stories of resilience and gratitude. Many spoke about how receiving prosthetic limbs had not only restored their mobility, but also their confidence and sense of belonging in society.

In addition to the physical walk, Stanbic IBTC invited its customers and supporters to participate virtually using the Steps by Stanbic IBTC App; enabling them to join from anywhere inthe world. This virtual component allowed thousands more people to show their support for children living with limb lossand contribute to raising awareness around the importance of inclusion.

The Together4ALimb initiative reflects Stanbic IBTCs broader commitment to sustainable development and social impact. By addressing both the immediate physical needs of children through prosthetic limbs provision in their childhood, and their long-term educational needs through education trusts, the programme takes a holistic approach to empowerment and inclusion.

Through initiatives like Together4ALimb, Stanbic IBTC continues to demonstrate its unwavering dedication to building a more inclusive, equitable, and compassionate society where every child, regardless of physical challenges, has the opportunity to succeed and contribute meaningfully to Nigerias development.
The Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has awarded a major contract for the construction and rehabilitation of the long-dilapidated access road linking the main road to Yankara New Extension in Faskari Local Government Area. Governor Radda made this known today during his visit to Faskari for an empowerment engagement. During the visit, the Commissioner for Environment, Hamza Suleiman Faskari, led the Governor to the affected road and briefed him extensively on its significance to the community, ahead of the commencement of construction works.

Governor Radda, while inspecting the road, was visibly disturbed by its poor and unsafe condition. He expressed concern that residents of Yankara New Extension had endured years of hardship due to the deplorable state of the route. He assured the community that the contractor would mobilize to the site immediately to begin full reconstruction.

The governor emphasised that the rehabilitation of the road is not merely a project but a crucial intervention aimed at restoring mobility, improving safety, and easing the daily burden of thousands of residents who depend on the access road. He reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to delivering people-centered infrastructural development across both urban and rural communities, ensuring that no part of the state is neglected.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Environment, Hamza Suleiman Faskari, explained that the road had deteriorated severely due to recurrent flooding during the rainy seasons, which submerged houses and washed away large sections of the route. This resulted in dangerous potholes, deep ditches, and erosion points that rendered the road nearly impassable during wet months.

The Commissioner, who commended Governor Radda for promptly approving the project, disclosed that the reconstruction work is valued at over one hundred and thirty-five million naira. He noted that the investment reflects the State Governments commitment to safeguarding communities vulnerable to environmental and infrastructural decay. He added that the approved road project would bring lasting relief to residents, improve transportation, and strengthen economic and social activities across the area.

Those in attendance during the visit were the Member representing Kankara, Faskari, and Sabuwa Federal Constituency, Shehu Dalhatu Tafoki; the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Abdullahi Aliyu Turaji; as well as other senior government officials who accompanied the Governor.
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has commissioned the newly completed Katsina Metropolitan Area Fibre Network alongside the Independent Solar Power Plant, describing the projects as major milestones that will accelerate technology adoption, expand digital access, and create new economic opportunities for young people across the State. The commissioning held today at the Katdict center, coming shortly after the successful InvestKatsina Economic Summit, marks one of the administrations boldest steps in strengthening digital infrastructure and positioning Katsina as a competitive hub for innovation-driven growth.

Governor Radda emphasized that todays commissioning represents another decisive step in digitising and modernising governance in Katsina, reaffirming that Digital is the way forward, and Katsina will not be left behind. He explained that the project was made possible through a single strategic policythe waiver of Right of Way chargeswhich attracted over 4 billion worth of fibre-optic infrastructure covering 25 kilometres across the Katsina metropolis.

He stated that the fibre network will expand access to fast and reliable internet, enabling young men and women to leverage technology for education, entrepreneurship, remote work, and digital inclusion. He noted that the global economy is now shaped by information technology, and Katsina must ensure its youths are equipped to participate and compete. He added that the fibre network is a foundational backbone for the States One Government Enterprise visionwhere all government processes are digitised and automated, and where residents can access government services with a single click.

The Governor stressed that northern Nigeria has historically lagged behind in digital adoption, making decisive government action essential to unlock opportunities for young people and boost the States digital competitiveness. He commended partners IHS for their collaboration and reaffirmed the governments readiness to welcome more ICT sector players. He announced plans to ensure that all local government headquarters eventually enjoy free internet access, a core target under the States digital transformation agenda.

He further reiterated that no community will be left behind and that every local government must have at least one Digital Touchpoint to support efficient e-governance and provide young people with stable, high-speed internet access. He described the fibre network as a foundational pillar for e-governance, smart services, innovation, and ICT-driven economic expansion.

The infrastructure will support the administrations vision of enabling citizens to access government services directly from their devices. Mr Radda also commissioned the Independent Solar Power Plant, developed in partnership with IHS Towers, noting that reliable energy is essential for powering the States digital backbone and ensuring uninterrupted connectivity across all platforms.

The Governor reiterated his commitment to policies that ease investor entry, expand digital infrastructure, and promote opportunities for youth employment, creativity, and innovation. He affirmed that the fibre network and solar project reflect Katsinas determination to become a leading destination for technology investment and digital enterprise. He concluded with a firm message of leadership and ambition, stating that The world has moved. Katsina will not only move with itwe will lead.

Governor Radda then formally commissioned the Katsina Metropolitan Area Fibre Network and Independent Solar Power Plant, dedicating the projects to the people of Katsina State and reaffirming his pledge to continue driving initiatives that strengthen the States digital economy.

Earlier, Director General of KATDICT, Naufal Ahmed, emphasised that strong policy foundations are crucial to unlocking Katsinas fast-rising technology and innovation ecosystem. He noted that policy is the backbone of digital growth, economic diversification, and long-term development. He highlighted that Katsina is now a national leader, becoming Nigerias first sub-national to adopt and pass the Startup and Innovation Billa milestone that signals clear support for innovators: We see you, we believe in you, and we are ready to invest in you.

According to him, technology is now a major driver of Nigerias economy, contributing over 14% of GDP, and Katsina has the opportunity to leap ahead in innovation, digital skills, and youth empowerment. With rapid growth, the State may soon face high demand for technical skillspotentially requiring imported professionals. He stressed that technology can solve major challenges such as unemployment, agriculture productivity, security, education, and healthcare. These possibilities, he said, reflect Governor Raddas visionary leadership, which led to the creation of KATDICT and strong policy support.

The DG commended Governor Radda as the State prepared to unveil a major fibre project. He explained that the infrastructure, valued at over 4.7 billion, came at zero cost because Governor Radda waived the Right of Way (RoW) chargesprioritizing long-term digital prosperity over short-term revenue. This decision opened the digital market, made Katsina highly attractive to investors, and sparked interest from major players like IHS, MTN, and others. The State also streamlined permitting into a one-stop system where approvals are issued within 14 days, supported by efficient conflict-resolution mechanisms.

He revealed that discussions are ongoing on adopting a Dig Once Policy (Dig 1 Policy) to cut fibre deployment costs by 6070% through shared ducts that prevent repeated road excavation and increase broadband expansion. The DG noted that with strong infrastructure, skilled talent, and improving power supply, Katsina is well-positioned to lead in Nigerias innovation space. He concluded that the future being built is aligned with Governor Raddas vision of a smart, innovation-driven State powered by sound policies, modern infrastructure, reliable electricity, and continuous investment in creativity.

Those in attendance were the Commissioner for Commerce and Tourism, Yusuf Jirdede; Economic Adviser Khalil Nura Khalil; and other top government officials.
Katsina State Deputy Governor, Faruq Lawal Jobe, has requested admission and scholarship opportunities for the states students at Kuwait University in medicine, artificial intelligence, and petroleum engineering. Mr Jobe made the request during a visit to the University of Kuwait, where he proposed a partnership between the institution and Katsina State.

The deputy governor disclosed that Katsina currently has 68 students studying artificial intelligence and bio-economy in China, and 42 students studying medicine in Egypt. We are eager to expand this programme and explore opportunities with Kuwait University. These fields are critical to our states development, and we believe Kuwait Universitys expertise can help us achieve our goals, Mr Jobe stated.

He described Kuwait Universitys reputation for academic excellence as impressive, expressing confidence that Katsina students would benefit greatly from being part of the institutions community. We are committed to investing in our human capital, and we believe that education is key to unlocking the potential of our young people, the deputy governor said.

Mr Jobe equally emphasized that the partnership would be mutually beneficial, with Katsina students gaining world-class education while Kuwait University benefits from the diversity and talent they bring. He called for consideration of admission slots and scholarship packages for Katsina students in the three strategic fields. The deputy governor expressed optimism that the partnership would become a reality, pledging to explore ways to strengthen collaboration between both institutions.

The delegation included First Lady, Mrs Zulaihat Dikko Radda; Deputy Chief of Staff, Muktari Aliyu Saulawa; Special Adviser on Religious Affairs, Ismail Abdullahi Ibrahim Matazu; and other officials.
The Jigawa State Government has finalised plans to immunise over 1.5 million children below the age of five in the November round of its polio immunisation exercise.

Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SPHCDA), Shehu Sambo, announced this at a one-day Media Dialogue organised by the state with support from the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF).

Represented by the states Assistant Health Educator, Nura Ado, the executive secretary stated that a total of 1,516,244 children are expected to be immunised during the period.

The November immunisation drive is scheduled to be conducted from 27 November to 3 December 2025, and will run concurrently with the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) week.

During the MNCH week, vital health services will also be provided to pregnant women.

About 2,015 ad hoc teams across the states 27 Local Government Areas will conduct House-to-House immunisation and provide the other associated health services.

Rahama Farah, Chief of the UNICEF Kano Field Office, commended Jigawa State for achieving a 58 per cent reduction in cVPV2 cases in 2024.

However, he cautioned that polio remains a concern, noting that 72 cases have been reported across 14 states so far in 2025, underscoring the necessity to strengthen coverage.

Mr Farah appealed to Local Government Chairmen to closely monitor the exercise and for the mass media to mobilise parents effectively.

Mr Farah further appealed for a collective responsibility from all stakeholders to end polio transmission in Jigawa State and other states across Nigeria.

Mr Sambo appealed for media support for the effective coverage of the exercise and for clearing misconceptions among caregivers.

Also speaking on behalf of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Firdausi Aminu commended the state for its mobilisation efforts, extended best wishes, and pledged the agencys full support to ensure the exercises success.

While Wild Poliovirus (WPV) was declared eradicated in Nigeria (and all of Africa) in 2020, the country, including Jigawa, continues to battle circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Type 2 (cVPV2).

This variant arises in under-immunised populations when the live attenuated virus in the oral polio vaccine (OPV) mutates and spreads.

Jigawas goal of immunising over 1.5 million children aims to significantly increase population immunity, thereby breaking the chain of cVPV2 transmission, a critical step toward ensuring that all children are protected.
A portion of Tsintsiya Primary School in Danja Local Government Area of Katsina State has collapsed, leaving hundreds of pupils learning under severely cracked structures that could collapse at any moment.

Visual evidence and field documentation released by Monitor Nigeria (@monitng) on X (formerly Twitter) show pupils taking lessons beside broken walls, exposed roofing and piles of disintegrating masonry  conditions that teachers say make daily schooling a gamble with safety.

MonITNG is a civic technology platform that tracks public projects and provides access to public data

This is not a school; it is a danger zone, one teacher told Monitor Nigeria. The groups report indicates that an entire block has collapsed, forcing children to cluster around unstable classrooms with gaping cracks and sinking foundations.

The numbers behind the crisis

According to the latest data from UNICEF, Katsina State currently has over 536,000 children out of school.

In a more recent briefing tied to the 2025 report, which was unpacked on World Childrens Day, UNICEF quoted a figure of approximately 300,000, placing the state, along with Kano and Jigawa, among the top contributors to Nigerias overall burden.

Malnutrition remains pervasive. The recently released data show that Katsina records a child stunting rate of 64.6 per cent, which is among the highest in the region.

UNICEF also finds that more than 70 per cent of children in Katsina are multi-dimensionally poor, lacking access to adequate nutrition, health care, clean water, sanitation and quality education.

According to the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), as referenced by UNICEF in its education fact sheets, children in states such as Katsina face much higher out-of-school rates compared to national averages.

These figures help explain why, even before the collapse of Tsintsiya Primary School, many children in rural Katsina had limited or no access to formal education. The collapse only deepens an already dire structural and human-capital crisis.

Tsintsiya collapse: Result of decades of neglect

The state of disrepair at Tsintsiya Primary is more than an isolated infrastructural failure. It reflects systemic neglect. In a state that once produced the President of Nigeria, scant attention appears to have been paid to basic public education infrastructure.

Observers note the bitter irony: Katsina wielded national influence for nearly a decade, yet its rural children risk their lives to attend school. Monitor Nigeria argues that the decay is not accidental but symptomatic of misplaced priorities. Governance, in this view, became more about prestige projects than ensuring safe classrooms for vulnerable children.

Why this matters for Katsinas future

With hundreds of thousands of students out of school and many more attending dilapidated or damaged schools, Katsinas prospects for human capital development are seriously undermined.

High child stunting and multidimensional poverty translate into cognitive and health deficits that can impair educational outcomes  even for those in classrooms.

The collapse of schools like Tsintsiya reinforces barriers to access, particularly for rural and low-income communities, entrenching inequality and perpetuating generational disadvantage.

A Call to Action

Civil-society actors and education advocates have called on the government of Dikko Radda to declare a state of emergency on school infrastructure in Katsina. According to Monitor Nigeria:

Rebuilding this school must be urgent. Katsinas children deserve safe classrooms, dignity and a government that understands that education is not a prestige project  it is the foundation for development, Monitor Nigeria advised.

With the collapse of Tsintsiya Primary School, residents of Danja LGA watch and wait, hoping those alarming images will finally push the state to invest in the safety and dignity of its future generation.
The rift between the federal government and Zamfara State over security strategy has taken on fresh dimensions, as the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, accused the state governor, Dauda Lawal, of deliberately sidelining him.

He warned that any security efforts without his involvement will amount to nothing. The allegations were made in a recent interview with DCL Hausa, monitored by PREMIUM TIMES.

Mr Matawalle, who served as Zamfara governor for four years before his ministerial appointment, stated that Mr Lawal bypassed him during a recent meeting with the senior Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, in Abuja, despite Matawalle reportedly being present in his office.

I am  the representative of Zamfara in the federal government, he told DCL Hausa. He bypassed me to meet Badaru. I can tell you it will amount to nothing.

A state under siege

Mr Lawal has repeatedly painted a grim picture of life in Zamfara, saying he knows the hideouts of bandit groups and could eliminate the threat in two months  if only the state had control over security agencies.

The governor alleged that security operatives on the ground often refuse to act without directives from Abuja  a situation he described as a major impediment to safeguarding citizens.

Indeed, insecurity in Zamfara remains pervasive. According to Wiki Times, which cited a report by the Zamfara Circle Community Initiative (ZCCI), shared on its official Facebook page, 164 people were abducted and 23 killed within just two weeks in September.

Over 23 villages across eight local government areas  including Shinkafi, Tsafe, Gusau, Anka and Kaura-Namoda  were reportedly attacked.

In many communities, constant attacks have forced residents to abandon farmlands, schools and homes, deepening humanitarian consequences.

Despite public assurances and state-level efforts, including recruitment of Community Protection Guards and distribution of patrol vehicles, many affected areas remain under the shadow of insecurity.

Political undertones and fallout

Mr Matawalles accusations carry political weight. He accused members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara of colluding with the governors camp to cause divisions within the party. He warned that those sponsoring internal rifts would soon be exposed.

APC is united. Anyone causing divisions is being sponsored by Daudas administration. We know who they are, we have all the evidence  and we will deal with them at the right time, Mr Matawalle said.

He also claimed that Governor Lawal is afraid of him. In everything Dauda does, he mentions my name  even if he stubs his toe, he will say I caused it, he said.

Why this matters

The exchange suggests a deeper problem: a fractured security architecture, complicated by overlapping political interests and institutional distrust.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Army arrests two herders over farmland destruction in Benue

With communities still under siege, fragmented leadership can undermine efforts to curb violence and risk turning security into a political tool rather than a relief for the people.

For Zamfara residents watching helplessly as waves of bandit attacks, killings, and kidnappings continue, the biggest losers may be ordinary citizens whose lives and livelihoods depend on law and order.

Efforts to get Governor Lawals response

As of the time of filing this report, repeated attempts to contact the governors media office for comment on Matawalles allegations were not successful.
BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland on Wednesday criticised Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te for publicly siding with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi over her recent remarks on Taiwan, slamming Lai's statements and actions as "disgusting."

At a press conference, Peng Qing'en, a spokesperson for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, accused Lai of "eating the food of ingratiation towards Japan and engaging in acts of selling out Taiwan."

Peng said Lai's words and deeds once again exposed his "ugly face of forgetting the heritage, betraying the motherland."

The spokesperson warned the Democratic Progressive Party authorities that "any act relying on external forces will only lead to disgrace, and any traitor who betrays the nation will inevitably face the judgment of justice."

Peng was responding to a question on Takaichi's recent comments on Taiwan, which have triggered sustained protests across the island. Lai defended her and posted a photo of himself eating Japanese cuisine on social media, claiming it showed the "solid friendship" between the island and Japan.

The mainland spokesperson said Takaichi's remarks grossly interfered in China's internal affairs, seriously violated international law and basic norms governing international relations, gravely undermined the post-war international order, and seriously breached the one-China principle and the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan.

Peng urged the Japanese side to "immediately reflect and correct its mistake" and withdraw the "erroneous statements" concerning Taiwan. 
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has identified harmful traditional practices as the commonest of the violence against women and girls in Abia State, Nigerias south-east.

The NHRC State Coordinator, Uche Nwokocha, disclosed this to reporters in Umuahia during a rally to kick-off 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

Mrs Nwokocha described harmful traditional practices as customs, behaviours, or rituals that are deeply ingrained in certain cultures or societies but have detrimental effects on individuals, communities, or specific groups.

She said that the practices ranked most among the over 600 complaints received so far by the commission in 2025.

According to her, These complaints are coming up because people are becoming aware and they now know what to do.

Mrs Nwokocha raised the alarm against disinheritance of girls and widows, saying that people scrambled for late husbands and fathers property, trying to disinherit their children.

She also described infidelity rituals and oaths as other harmful practices, which women were now coming out to complain about.

She said: Men force their wives to take an oath, and the community will support them because the husband said that she had cheated.

The woman will be forced to go and take oath to show that she has not cheated.

For that of infidelity rituals, the woman has not cheated, but the man wants her to swear that she will never cheat on him.

He will go and place some ritual on her and her family so that if she cheats on him, she, her brothers and sisters will die.

They say that it has been going on, but women have not been complaining about it.

Now, we are receiving complaints about this, and some people even try to tell me that it is their cultural practice.

Additionally, Victor Orji, the director of the National Orientation Agency in Abia, called for concerted efforts to combat GBV.

Its not just about women or men, its about everybody.

So, thats why we are supporting this campaign, to make sure that people behave responsibly, Mr Orji said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the commission and its many partners marched around the streets of Umuahia, sensitising the residents to the dangers of GBV.

The theme for this year is Unite to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls.
After three years in detention, the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Adeola Ajayi, has ordered the release of Kenneth Nwafor, who was wrongfully accused of being a member of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Mr Nwafor, who hails from Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, was arrested in July 2022 over false allegations of being an IPOB member and involvement in the groups activities.

Mr Ajayi, PREMIUM TIMES learnt, also awarded N5 million to Mr Nwafor as compensation for his wrongful arrest and detention.

The director-general also offered the man free medical care.

The latest development comes about one month after the SSS ordered the release and compensation of Chineze Ozoadibe, an Abuja-based businesswoman wrongfully accused and detained for alleged illegal oil bunkering.

Mrs Ozoadibe, according to this newspaper, was given N10 million in compensation in October after spending months in the SSSs custody.

Nwafors release

Sources within the SSS said on Tuesday that a detailed investigation conducted by the secret police exonerated Mr Nwafor from involvement in IPOB activities.

One of the sources, who asked not to be named because he was not permitted to speak on the matter, said the release and compensation of Mr Nwafor were in line with the director-generals directive that all the cases he inherited be reviewed to ensure due process and prompt dispensation of justice.

The director-general directed investigation officers to conduct a detailed review of all pending cases, and they have been dutifully doing that. Nwafors case is one of such, the source said.

The gesture, one of the severals by the DG, is a testament to his resolve to comply with the rule of law and adherence to the service standard operating procedure, he stated.

IPOB and insecurity in Nigeria

IPOB is an outlawed group leading agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants carved out from the South-east and some parts of the South-south of Nigeria.

The separatist group has been linked to some deadly attacks in the South-east region. But it has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks.

In November, Nnamdi Kanu, the groups leader, was convicted and then sentenced to life imprisonment for terrorism at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian security agencies have often been criticised for alleged extrajudicial killings in the South-east under the guise of fighting IPOB and other pro-Biafra groups in the region.

In 2016, for instance, Amnesty International Nigeria accused the Nigerian Army of extrajudicial killing of at least 17 unarmed pro-Biafra supporters in Nigerias south east.

The allegation corroborated PREMIUM TIMES investigation which documented the killing of dozens of unarmed Nigerians by the army in Onitsha, Anambra State and other areas of the South-east within the year.

In 2022, another PREMIUM TIMES investigation found that many unarmed residents in the South-east of Nigeria were killed by Nigerian troops deployed to check Biafra agitation in the region.

The report detailed how the Nigerian troops killed the unarmed residents of the region and labelled them as IPOB members.

Earlier in the same year, this newspaper documented how innocent residents of the region were killed by security agencies fighting suspected IPOB members.
The Avocats Sans Frontieres France (ASF), also known as the Lawyers Without Borders, has called for the urgent implementation of an anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) in Nigeria to protect journalists, activists, and public interest advocates from baseless lawsuits.

The human rights organisation made the call during a two-day SLAPP training workshop with journalists in Ikeja, Lagos, between 24 and 25 November.

SLAPPs are legal actions designed to suppress freedom of expression, primarily targeting journalists by imposing substantial burdens, such as the expense of legal defence, the threat of criminal prosecution, prolonged litigation, and damage to reputation, thereby generating social pressure with the hope that they will abandon their criticism or reportage.

ASF France is an international human rights non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting and protecting fundamental rights and establishing the rule of law.

Anti-SLAPP

Abiodun Odusote, an associate professor of law at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and one of the facilitators, argued that an anti-SLAPP legislation is essential to protect the fundamental democratic principles of free speech and public debate.

Mr Odusote said that it would be a herculean task to get it passed; however, its success would lead to good governance and transparency.

He said that clearly once a case falls under these parameters (SLAPP), it will be dismissed.

According to the lecturer, SLAPP is the weaponisation of the law against free speech to retain the status quo, even when the lawsuit filed has no merit.

The call for an anti-SLAPP law comes amidst growing concern that powerful entities, corporations, and wealthy individuals are increasingly using the threat or execution of costly and drawn-out legal proceedings to silence critics, journalists, consumer advocates, and public interest groups.

The benefits of anti-SLAPP legislation include pro bono services, a lower burden of proof to demonstrate merit in the case, and speedy trials, among others.

Documentation

Earlier, on Monday, ASF France Country Director Angela Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, in her welcome speech, explained that SLAPP laws are often targeted against journalists.

Mrs Uzoma-Iwuchukwu said the lawsuits often exploit the legal system to silence journalists, adding that SLAPP can include civil lawsuits, anti-corruption charges, and tax compliance issues.

She urged journalists to document patterns and incidents of SLAPPs (dates, actors, legal pathways used) to build case records and inform strategic litigation and advocacy.

She highlighted the importance of recognising patterns in SLAPP cases to properly document and address them.

Mrs Uzoma-Iwuchukwu explained that the training is part of the E-Rights Project, funded by the European Union, aimed at enhancing digital rights in Nigeria.

She also noted the organisations efforts to support journalists, including training and representation at both the national and regional levels.

Media as a cornerstone of democracy

Meanwhile, Folashade Adegbite, lecturer at UNILAG, emphasised the importance of media freedom as a cornerstone of democracy, comparing it to the pillars of a building.

Mrs Adegbite spoke on the resilience of democratic foundations, even when faced with external threats and how journalists can avoid such lawsuits.

She explained the limitations on freedom of expression, the Cyber Crime Act and its impact on media freedom, including internet shutdowns and the withdrawal of licenses.
"K-APEC" showcases the integration of the economy, technology, culture, and business; praised worldwide as the most dynamic in APEC history

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) announces that APEC CEO Summit Korea 2025 achieved the largest attendance, most sessions, and longest duration in the summit's history

Around 25,000 people attended CEO Summit side events (cumulative), while Gyeongju recorded a 22.8% increase in visitors during the APEC period

SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The APEC CEO Summit Korea 2025, held in Gyeongju from October 28 to 31, set records for the largest number of participants, the most sessions, and the longest duration. Hailed by international media and industry as one of the most dynamic global economic forums to date, the summit brought together technology, culture, and business.

Marking one month since the conclusion of the APEC CEO Summit, KCCI highlighted the summit's achievements and impact in its report, APEC CEO Summit Korea 2025 by Numbers.

APEC CEO Summit 2025 by numbers

Record Participation: 2,224 participants including 1,852 from global companies and 372 from government and the public sector

This year's summit, held under the theme "Bridge, Business, Beyond," featured U.S. President Donald Trump delivering the opening keynote and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang closing the summit, drawing significant global attention. Many of the world's top 50 publicly traded companies by market capitalization participated, including Jane Fraser, CEO of Citigroup; Matt Garman, CEO of AWS; and Joaquin Duato, CEO of Johnson & Johnson. Their combined market capitalization totals approximately USD 20 trillion.

The summit drew a record 2,224 participants, the highest number in its history. This included 1,852 business leaders from 713 global companies  approximately 200 more than last year's event in Peru and around 460 more than the U.S. summit two years ago. In addition, 372 representatives from government and public-sector organizations participated. 12 APEC member economy leaders took the stage to share their vision for the future of global economic cooperation.

[Comparison with recent APEC CEO Summits]

Host Country (Year) Registered Participants Sessions Speakers APEC Member Economy Leaders Event Duration Thailand ('22) 662 15 34 9 3 days United States ('23) 1,389 15 51 9 3 days Peru

('24) 1,678 14 48 9 3 days Korea

('25) 1,852 22 67 12 4 days

KCCI stated, "Beyond simply expanding in size, the summit achieved a multi-layered and inclusive structure with participation from governments, industry, and academia. By successfully hosting the business-led APEC CEO Summit alongside the government-led APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, the event underscored not only the diplomatic significance of APEC but also the importance of a private-sector platform."

'K-APEC Model' Debuts: Integrating the economy, technology, culture, and business

This year's summit was more than a discussion venue; it showcased the K-APEC Model and served as a comprehensive business platform, integrating technology, culture, and business.

Outside the official sessions, approximately 25,420 participants (cumulative) attended side programs. Among them, 11,145 visited the K-Tech Showcase, an exhibition of technologies from leading global companies, while 2,270 attended the Future Tech Forum, which focused on AI, shipbuilding, defense, retail, digital assets, and future energy.

The Wine & Liquor Fair attracted 9,362 participants and drew strong on-site enthusiasm. Attendees experienced member economies' cultures through their signature beverages, with government delegations personally introducing their national drinks. In addition, 1,673 people took part in the Diamond Sponsor Networking, while cultural programs such as the Art Exhibition and Beauty & Wellness Program attracted a total of around 1,000 participants.

[APEC CEO Summit Korea 2025 Side Events]

Program Participants Description K-Tech Showcase 11,145 Technology showcase and exhibition by Samsung, LG, Hyundai Motor, SK, and Meta Future Tech Forum 2,270 Discussions on AI, shipbuilding, defense, retail, digital assets, and future energy Diamond Sponsor Networking 1,673 High-level business engagement among global companies Wine & Liquor Fair 9,362 Tasting and showcasing signature beverages from APEC economies Art Exhibition 610 Contemporary Korean art exhibition Beauty & Wellness Program 360 K-beauty and aesthetic medical treatments (available by reservation)

The economic spillover effects were also significant. According to an analysis by KCCI and Deloitte, the summit generated an estimated 7.4 trillion Korean won in economic impact and created about 22,000 jobs.

The increase in visitors to Gyeongju following the summit was also remarkable. According to Gyeongju City and the Korea Tourism Organization, the number of visitors to Gyeongju during the month surrounding the APEC period (October 1 to November 4) reached 5,896,309, a 22.8% rise from 4,798,838 during the same period last year. Foreign visitors totaled 206,602, up 35.6% from 152,363 the previous year.

APEC CEO Summit emerges as a platform for actionable cooperation

A total of 17,952 media reports covered the event, including 11,772 domestic and 6,180 international stories. Global media outlets praised the summit, describing it as "the most dynamic and innovative CEO Summit in APEC history" and highlighting that "Korea has emerged as a global hub for economic cooperation based on advanced technology."

Social media responses were equally strong. From October 27 to November 2, mentions of the APEC CEO Summit across major platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook exceeded 300,000, with over 1.1 billion impressions and around 4 million engagements (likes, comments, shares, etc.). These statistics were analyzed by global media monitoring platforms Meltwater and Tubular.

The high level of attention across both traditional media and social platforms demonstrates that the APEC CEO Summit has established itself as a substantial discussion platform that delivers practical outcomes, rather than remaining a ceremonial international event. The summit has been recognized as a starting point for developing actionable cooperative agendas and projects that go beyond a one-off gathering.

In his closing remarks on October 31, KCCI Chairman Chey Tae-won stated, "At the APEC CEO Summit Korea 2025 in Gyeongju, global leaders gathered to explore directions for solidarity, cooperation and innovation, and to develop practical solutions. Since APEC is not just a forum for discussion but a platform for action, we will follow through with linked projects to help strengthen global economic resilience and inclusivity, and to promote shared prosperity among member economies."

Chey presented the 3C action framework as a practical response to the summit's 3B theme, urging business leaders to take the lead in implementation.

APEC Business Leaders' 3C Action Framework

1. Close the Gaps: Establish shared principles on digital technologies and financing to narrow the economic and social divides created by AI and digital transformation.

2. Co-create Value: Address challenges like climate, energy and technology through solidarity and collaboration, turning them into new business opportunities.

3. Commit to Tomorrow: Treat AI and carbon neutrality not as burdens but as opportunities for sustainable growth, and advance a long-term, joint roadmap for action.

Following the APEC CEO Summit, participating companies are discussing follow-up collaborations including joint investments in global AI data centers, restructuring semiconductor supply chains and strengthening technology partnerships, proposing new technology demonstration models using Korea as a global testbed, and establishing global CEO-linked investment and innovation channels.

Lee Sung-woo, Head of the APEC CEO Summit Korea Preparatory Headquarters at KCCI stated, "This summit marks a meaningful moment in which a global cooperation platform driven by the private sector has begun operating in earnest," adding, "KCCI plans to continue follow-up programs  including joint projects, technology cooperation, and expanded investment  in collaboration with APEC member economies, global companies, and industry leaders."

SOURCE APEC CEO Summit Korea 2025
Price series brings new regional transparency to reflect rising trade to China

SINGAPORE, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Global energy and commodity price reporting agency Argus has launched the Argus Naphtha Northeast Asia (ANNA) daily price assessment, reflecting growing Chinese demand for the petrochemical feedstock.

Surging Chinese petrochemical production capacity is driving a sharp rise in naphtha imports, which have grown 160% since 2017 to 1.3mn t/month this year. Meanwhile, other major markets in the region  Japan and South Korea  are seeing imports wane.

But the strong growth in Chinese imports has not been well represented in regional pricing. Existing price benchmarks reflect activity in Japan and South Korea, excluding Chinese transactions.

The ANNA assessment is an outright price for cargoes of 25,000t, delivered 30-45 days ahead. Based at Yeosu, South Korea, the index will include not only trades across South Korea and Japan, but also Chinese delivered cargoes.

Argus petrochemical feedstock prices are already used extensively as benchmarks in Asia-Pacific markets. Many companies operating cracking facilities have chosen to link the price of their imports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to the Argus Far East Index (AFEI) benchmark. Indian state-run oil companies have adopted the Argus Mideast Gulf spot naphtha assessment in their pricing baskets.

Argus Media chairman and chief executive Adrian Binks said: "We are pleased to bring new price transparency to northeast Asia naphtha markets, especially because of the growing importance of Chinese imports. The ANNA price complements Argus' existing suite of global feedstock and petrochemical assessments and gives market participants a much more accurate and representative view of what's happening between Japan, South Korea and China."

Argus contact information

London: Seana Lanigan

+44 20 7780 4200

Email Seana

Houston: Matt Oatway

+1 713 968 0000

Email Matt

Singapore: Tomoko Hashimoto

+65 6496 9960

Email Tomoko

About Argus Media

Argus is the leading independent provider of market intelligence to the global energy and commodity markets. We offer essential price assessments, news, analytics, consulting services, data science tools and industry conferences to illuminate complex and opaque commodity markets.

Headquartered in London with nearly 1,500 staff, Argus is an independent media organisation with 30 offices in the world's principal commodity trading hubs.

Companies, trading firms and governments in 160 countries around the world trust Argus data to make decisions, analyse situations, manage risk, facilitate trading and for long-term planning. Argus prices are used as trusted benchmarks around the world for pricing transportation, commodities and energy.

Founded in 1970, Argus remains a privately held UK-registered company owned by employee shareholders and global growth equity firm General Atlantic.

Trademark notices

ARGUS, the Argus Logo, ARGUS MEDIA and ILLUMINATING THE MARKETS, Argus publication titles and index names are trademarks of Argus Media Limited. Visit Trademarks for more information.

SOURCE Argus Media
DOHA, Qatar, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Asiacell, a leading telecommunications company in Iraq, today announced a partnership with Google Cloud to deliver Google Workspace and other AI-powered collaboration tools to businesses and educational institutions across Iraq.

This collaboration positions Asiacell as the first telecom operator in Iraq to offer Google Cloud's productivity and collaboration solutions, supporting the country's growing digital economy and enterprise modernization.

Google Cloud and Asiacell Partnership Signing Ceremony

Through this partnership, Asiacell will introduce Gemini Enterprise, Google Workspace, Google Workspace for Education, and other AI-driven tools such as Google NotebookLM, enabling organizations to communicate, collaborate, and innovate more effectively.

"This collaboration with Google Cloud allows us to provide Iraqi businesses and educational institutions with reliable, secure, and future-ready productivity solutions," said Amer Sunna, Chief Executive Officer, Asiacell. "It's a key milestone in our mission to accelerate Iraq's digital transformation through partnerships with the world's leading technology providers."

"Our collaboration with Asiacell marks a step in empowering organizations across Iraq with the transformative power of Google Workspace and our cutting-edge AI-powered productivity tools," said Ghassan Kosta, Regional General Manager- Google Cloud. "By combining Asiacell's market understanding and reach with Google's innovative solutions, we are committed to fostering digital transformation and enabling businesses and educational institutions to thrive in the digital era."

The announcement was made during MWC Doha 2025, where the two companies held a signing ceremony at the Google Cloud booth, attended by senior representatives from both sides.

About Asiacell

Asiacell is the leading provider of mobile telecommunications and digital services in Iraq, with around 20 million subscribers. Recognized as the first mobile telecommunications company to operate in Iraq, Asiacell delivers nationwide coverage at the highest quality 4G+ service, reaching more than 99.06% of the population. With a strong commitment to innovation, service quality, and digital inclusion, Asiacell continues to lead Iraq's market in driving digital transformation. Since January 2015, it has been proud to be the top internet service provider in Iraq, delivering the best quality communication network.

Website: www.asiacell.com

Public Relations Department  Asiacell: [email protected]

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2832732/Google_Cloud_and_Asiacell.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2832700/Asiacell_logo.jpg

SOURCE Asiacell
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- National plaintiffs' law firm Berger Montague PC announces that a class action lawsuit against Fiserv, Inc. (NYSE: FI) ("Fiserv" or the "Company") has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased Fiserv shares during the period of July 23, 2025 through October 29, 2025 (the "Class Period").

Investor Deadline: Investors who purchased Fiserv securities during the Class Period may, no later than January 5, 2026, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class. To learn your rights, CLICK HERE .

Fiserv, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a global leader in payments and financial technology solutions.

The lawsuit alleges that in July 2025, Fiserv revised its 2025 financial guidance after conducting a "re-underwriting" of its new initiatives and products. The Company assured investors that, although some projects faced delays, they remained fundamentally sound. The complaint contends that these statements were false and misleading, as on October 29, 2025, Fiserv admitted that its July 2025 guidance had been based on "assumptions  which would have been objectively difficult to achieve even with the right investment and strong execution."

On this news, Fiserv's share price plummeted $55.57 per share  44%  from a closing price of $126.17 per share on October 28, 2025 to a close of $70.60 per share on October 29.

If you are a Fiserv investor and would like to learn more about this action, CLICK HERE or please contact Berger Montague: Andrew Abramowitz at [email protected] or (215) 875-3015, or Caitlin Adorni at [email protected] or (267)764-4865.

About Berger Montague

Berger Montague is one of the nation's preeminent law firms focusing on complex civil litigation, class actions, and mass torts in federal and state courts throughout the United States. With more than $2.4 billion in 2025 post-trial judgments alone, the Firm is a leader in the fields of complex litigation, antitrust, consumer protection, defective products, environmental law, employment law, securities, and whistleblower cases, among many other practice areas. For over 55 years, Berger Montague has played leading roles in precedent-setting cases and has recovered over $50 billion for its clients and the classes they have represented. Berger Montague is headquartered in Philadelphia and has offices in Chicago; Malvern, PA; M

For more information or to discuss your rights, please contact:

Andrew Abramowitz

Senior Counsel

Berger Montague

(215) 875-3015

[email protected]

Caitlin Adorni

Director of Portfolio & Institutional Client Monitoring Services

Berger Montague

(267) 764-4865

[email protected]

SOURCE Berger Montague
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bentley & More LLP proudly announces that Partner Greg Bentley was inducted into the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association (OCTLA) Hall of Fame at the 2025 Top Gun Awards & Installation Dinnerone of the legal community's premier annual black-tie events celebrating excellence in trial advocacy and leadership.

This year's celebration, held at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, brought together more than 425 lawyers, judges, and community leaders from across California. In addition to honoring outstanding trial lawyers, the event raised an extraordinary $250,000 for the Jessie Rees Foundation, supporting children and families impacted by pediatric cancerone of the largest charitable totals in the event's history.

Bentley & More LLP Partner Greg Bentley was inducted into the OCTLA Hall of Fame in recognition of a career defined by unwavering dedication to justice, record-setting results, and decades of leadership within the trial lawyer community. His induction reflects a long-standing commitment to consumer safety, protecting injured individuals, and strengthening the civil justice system.

The Top Gun Awards honored trial lawyers who achieved extraordinary results and demonstrated exceptional skill in their respective practice areas. This year's honorees were Keith Bruno and Nick Rowley (Medical Malpractice), Tom Antunovich (Young Gun), William Shapiro (Distinguished Achievement), and Greyson Goody (Personal Injury). Each recipient was recognized for exemplary advocacy, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to their clients.

The evening also recognized Clare Lucich, a past Young Gun Top Gun recipient, who will be installed as President of OCTLA in January. Lucich's leadership, commitment, and forward-looking vision continue to elevate the organization, and her upcoming presidency marks an exciting new chapter for OCTLA. She co-hosted the awards ceremony alongside current OCTLA President Arron Hicks.

The event once again featured Keith More, a four-time Top Gun honoree for Workers' Compensation, serving as the charismatic Master of Ceremonies for the annual auction. His energy and longstanding support helped drive the night's remarkable fundraising success benefiting the Jessie Rees Foundation.

SOURCE Bentley & More LLP
- Deliveries are expected to begin in 2028

- Poland is the 19th global operator of the Apache, and will have the largest fleet outside of the U.S.

MESA, Ariz., Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] will produce AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for international customers, including 96 for the Polish Armed Forces, under a Foreign Military Sales contract awarded by the U.S. Army valued at nearly $4.7 billion. Poland's order represents the largest number of Apache aircraft ordered outside of the United States in the program's history.

Boeing will produce 96 AH-64E Apache helicopters for the Polish Armed Forces under a Foreign Military Sales contract awarded by the U.S. Army (Boeing image).

With deliveries expected to begin in 2028, the Polish Ministry of National Defence (MND) is already training pilots and maintainers on the attack helicopter. The MND currently leases eight aircraft from the U.S. Army.

"This important agreement allows us to begin building one of the largest and most formidable Apache fleets that the world has ever seen," said Christina Upah, vice president of Boeing's Attack Helicopter Programs. "Working closely with the Polish Armed Forces, we're focused on disciplined execution to help enhance Poland's defense capabilities and keep up with the strong demand for the most advanced attack helicopter."

Through an offset agreement announced last year between Boeing and the Polish MND, local industry will play a key role in performing maintenance and support of the Apache fleet. Boeing will also establish training programs and help develop a composite laboratory.

Boeing recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Apache's first flight at its Mesa production facility. Today's E-model Apache has evolved to become the most proven, advanced configuration that brings unmatched lethality, survivability, connectivity and interoperability to the battlefield. In recent months, Boeing has delivered new Apaches to customers around the world, including the Australian Army, Indian Army and Royal Moroccan Air Force. Poland is the 19th global operator.

There are currently more than 1,300 Apaches operating worldwide, with sustainment and training support provided by Boeing Global Services.

A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.

Contact

Andrew Africk

Boeing Communications

+1-610-379-6208

[email protected]

Boeing Media Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE Boeing
Muhammad Malik, executive director of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), addresses an event to mark the 10th anniversary of the Chinese currency renminbi (RMB) internationalization in Pakistan, in Karachi, Pakistan, Nov. 25, 2025. (ICBC's Karachi branch/Handout via Xinhua)

ISLAMABAD, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan has established a comprehensive regulatory framework to support the use and investment of the Chinese currency renminbi (RMB), a senior official of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Tuesday.

Muhammad Malik, executive director of the SBP, made the remarks while addressing an event in Karachi to mark the 10th anniversary of the RMB internationalization in Pakistan. The event was hosted by the Karachi branch of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), which serves as the RMB clearing bank in Pakistan.

Malik said the RMB has great potential in Pakistan and is expected to benefit all stakeholders further, noting that the country already has a sound regulatory system in place to facilitate RMB usage and investment.

The SBP has rolled out multiple initiatives to promote RMB awareness, strengthen clearing and settlement capacity, and ensure that local enterprises and banks fully understand the advantages of conducting transactions in RMB, he added.

In an online address, Zhou Yongkun, head of the Macroprudential Policy Bureau of the People's Bank of China (PBOC), said RMB receipts and payments for China-Pakistan goods trade reached 19.4 billion yuan (about 2.73 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, accounting for 23 percent of total cross-border receipts and payments in goods trade during the period.

He added that there remains broad room for future growth and that the PBOC will continue to enhance policy support for the RMB clearing bank.

Speaking at the event, ICBC Vice President Zhang Weiwu said the bank has opened RMB accounts for all 22 mainstream Pakistani banks authorized for foreign exchange operations, noting that RMB business in Pakistan has shown strong momentum.

He said ICBC will further increase resource input, explore ways to provide stable liquidity support for the offshore RMB market, and study the launch of more innovative RMB products to better meet the financial needs of market participants engaged in China-Pakistan economic and trade cooperation.

Yang Yundong, Chinese consul general in Karachi, said the evolving global economic environment underscores the importance of deepening financial cooperation between China and Pakistan.

China stands ready to work with Pakistan to facilitate local-currency settlement in bilateral trade and investment, expand RMB-related services, strengthen regulatory communication and coordination, and leverage financial technologies to enhance cross-border financial connectivity, he added.

In November 2022, the PBOC authorized ICBC's Karachi branch to serve as Pakistan's RMB clearing bank. 
DENVER, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - More than 47 million Americans live in food-insecure households, including over 13 million children - a stark reminder of the growing challenge of hunger across the country, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Rising grocery costs have only added to the strain, with Urban Institute analysis showing the average monthly cost to feed a family of four now exceeds $1,000. In response, PCL Construction Enterprises, Inc. is committing $175,000 to food banks nationwide to help ensure more families have access to nutritious meals during challenging times. While this contribution is part of an annual tradition for the company, the need is so great this year that PCL is more than doubling its donation.

PCL Construction doubles its food bank giving, delivering $175,000 in hunger relief nationwide. (CNW Group/PCL Construction)

"Supporting the communities where we live and work is central to who we are at PCL," Deron Brown, president and chief operating officer of U.S. Operations, said. "This year, we expanded our efforts in response to growing need, and we remain committed to being part of the solution. By increasing our giving across the U.S., we're reinforcing our long-standing partnerships with local food banks and delivering on our purpose to help build stronger, more resilient communities."

PCL's annual Thanksgiving contribution has become a cherished tradition among offices nationwide, with each team selecting local organizations to maximize impact. Below are some examples of how these partnerships create a powerful ripple effect:

Minneapolis, MN  Partnering with Second Harvest Heartland and Shiloh Cares Food Shelf, employees volunteered to sort donations and provide turkeys for families during the holidays. Second Harvest Heartland estimates that every dollar donated helps provide three meals, meaning PCL's $10,000 contribution will help deliver tens of thousands of meals to Minnesotans in need.

 Partnering with Second Harvest Heartland and Shiloh Cares Food Shelf, employees volunteered to sort donations and provide turkeys for families during the holidays. Second Harvest Heartland estimates that every dollar donated helps provide three meals, meaning PCL's $10,000 contribution will help deliver tens of thousands of meals to Minnesotans in need. Denver, CO  Supporting the Food Bank of the Rockies, PCL employees participated in the annual "Serving Up Hope" event, joining the hospitality industry to raise awareness and funds. PCL's $10,000 contribution, presented during the fundraising segment, enables the food bank to continue its mission of providing more than 145,000 meals daily across Colorado and Wyoming.

Supporting the Food Bank of the Rockies, PCL employees participated in the annual "Serving Up Hope" event, joining the hospitality industry to raise awareness and funds. PCL's $10,000 contribution, presented during the fundraising segment, enables the food bank to continue its mission of providing more than 145,000 meals daily across Colorado and Wyoming. Orlando, Jacksonville & Tampa, FL Employees joined forces with Second Harvest Central Florida, Feeding Northeast Florida, Feeding South Florida and Feeding Tampa Bay, volunteering to sort donations, package meals, and assist with food distribution. In Orlando alone, PCL's support helped produce 40,000 meals, while Jacksonville volunteers helped distribute 1,200 boxes of food to families. Tampa teams organized a food drive in partnership with local industry colleagues.

"Our partnership with food banks across Florida is just one example of PCL's commitment to building stronger communities across the country," said Rick Goldman, senior vice president of PCL's Florida region. "From Maui to Minneapolis and Tampa to Seattle, our employees are making a meaningful impact through their generosity. These efforts, echoed across the nation, translate into tens of thousands of meals for neighbors in need - a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together."

Food Banks Supported by PCL Construction in 2025 (Organized by City)



Hope is built one meal, one volunteer hour, one partnership at a time. PCL will continue standing with food banks across the country to help families today and strengthen communities for the future.

About PCL Construction

PCL Construction is one of the most respected and accomplished builders in North America, made up of independent construction companies operating throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Australia. With an annual construction volume exceeding $8 billion USD, PCL builds projects that shape communities and strengthen infrastructure. The company's 100% employee ownership model fuels a culture of commitment for clients in the buildings, civil infrastructure, heavy industrial and solar markets. With a strategic presence in more than 30 major centers, PCL's leadership teams consistently drive innovation and set new benchmarks for excellence, bringing unparalleled skill to every project. Watch us build at PCL.com .

SOURCE PCL Construction
DALLAS, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Civitas Capital Group today announced the closing of a $38.4 million senior loan to finance construction of Fourth Street North Apartments, a new Class A multifamily development in downtown Silverthorne, Colorado.

Located in Summit County in the Town of Silverthorne (population ~4,400), the project qualifies as a Rural Targeted Employment Area (TEA) under the EB-5 Program. Rural TEA designation enables EB-5 investors to participate at the reduced $800,000 investment level (versus $1.05 million), receive priority processing of the I-526E petition, and access the 20% of EB-5 visas reserved for rural projects, which may allow for faster immigration timelines and avoidance of visa retrogression.

We're excited about this offering because it gives EB-5 investors the ability to benefit from rural priority processing. Post this

All debt financing for Fourth Street North is fully committed.

The project also addresses a critical local housing need: according to a 2023 Summit County housing study  available here  the region will require approximately 2,500 new housing units in the next five years to meet projected demand.

"We're excited about this offering because it gives EB-5 investors the ability to benefit from rural priority processing while also participating in a market with clear demand for new housing," said Jeff Kiser, Director and Head of EB-5 Investor Relations for Civitas. "Demand for strong EB-5 projects is exceptionally high right now, and this offering is already drawing significant interest from potential investors."

Project Details

Construction on Fourth Street North is expected to begin immediately, with first delivery and lease-up scheduled for 2027.

The development will include 72 market-rate residential units across four buildings, encompassing more than 70,000 square feet of residential space and over 10,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. The project is led by Outpost Partners (formerly known as MW Development LLC and, collectively with its affiliates, the Sponsor), building upon the firm's successful work in the ongoing redevelopment of downtown Silverthorne. Fourth Street North will serve as both a centerpiece and a key connector within the town's broader master plan.

The architectural design features contemporary mountain-style finishes, blending stone elements with woodgrain siding. The project is located near existing civic and cultural amenities (including the Silverthorne Performing Arts Center and The Art Spot) which are separate, previously completed developments. Fourth Street North will contribute to the continued revitalization of downtown Silverthorne.

Summit County is a renowned destination known for its natural beauty, featuring crystal-clear alpine lakes, vibrant aspen groves, and easy access to the White River National Forest  home to 11 ski resorts. Silverthorne sits approximately 70 miles west of Denver, making it a highly desirable residential and recreational hub.

About Civitas Capital Group

Civitas Capital Group is a leading EB-5 regional center operator and trusted real estate capital partner. Since 2009, Civitas has invested in over 50 real estate development projects with a 100% USCIS approval rate, always anchored by the firm's core values of Focused Creativity, Institutional Stewardship, and Respect & Grace. On behalf of thousands of EB-5 investors and their families, the firm digs deeper to uncover opportunities that others miss, combining decades of underwriting experience with flexible structuring and uncompromising integrity. The result: Civitas is trusted by EB-5 investors and real estate innovators to deliver creative solutions, disciplined execution, and enduring commitment.

Follow Civitas Capital Group on LinkedIn.

Learn more at civitascapital.com.

SOURCE CIVITAS CAPITAL GROUP
SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cure SMA, the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting those impacted by spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), welcomes the FDA approval of Itvisma (onasemnogene abeparvovec-brve) by Novartis for adults and children 2 years of age and older living with SMA and all types of SMA.

Highlighting the power of the SMA community at the annual conference.

This newly approved one-time gene therapy delivers a functional SMN1 gene to motor neurons, helping restore SMN protein production and potentially slowing or halting SMA progression. Clinical data showed that Itvisma can improve motor function, provide rapid therapeutic benefit, and expand treatment options for older children and adults.

"This approval represents a long-awaited milestone for our SMA community," said Kenneth Hobby, President at Cure SMA. "Adults and families of older children with SMA have been looking forward to gaining access to this treatment approach. Our key goal, since the early basic research funding that our community provided for this program, was to develop a new delivery method that would open up and allow access to gene replacement therapy for many more and specifically older individuals. This one-time gene therapy provides new possibilities for maintaining motor function in ways that directly support greater independence in daily life."

Cure SMA will be hosting a community webinar on December 11th 2025, as one of the first steps in the next important work to support and ensure access following this broad FDA approval. Topics and activities will include practical resources for individuals and families such as a treatment site locator tool and insurance guides, along with reviewing payer advocacy initiatives that the organization will be conducting for coverage.

Cure SMA emphasizes that this achievement belongs first and foremost to the SMA community, including individuals, families, clinicians, researchers, and advocates who have propelled progress for decades by participating in clinical trials and advocacy and by raising critical funds to drive research forward. Over the past 30 years, our Cure SMA community has invested more than $92 million in SMA research, building the scientific foundation for today's advancements.

"As we celebrate this milestone, we are also looking ahead," said Jackie Glascock, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at Cure SMA. "Our priority now is ensuring families have the education and support needed to understand this therapy and the important resources to gain access, and we will continue advocating with payers and healthcare providers so the community can fully benefit from this new option."

Cure SMA expresses deep appreciation to every individual, family, donor, researcher, clinician, and partner whose dedication contributed to this milestone, and thanks Novartis and the FDA for their continued collaboration and focus in expanding treatment options for individuals living with SMA. Cure SMA looks forward to working with Novartis, healthcare professionals, and the community to support informed, timely access to Itvisma.

Learn more about an upcoming webinar and additional resources at CureSMA.org.

About Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord and impacts the muscles used for activities such as breathing, eating, crawling, and walking. SMA affects approximately one in 15,000 births in the U.S., and about one in every 50 Americans is a genetic carrier.

About Cure SMA

Cure SMA is the leading nonprofit organization driving research, advocacy, and support for individuals and families living with spinal muscular atrophy. Our mission is to drive research for treatments and a cure for SMA, and to support and empower everyone impacted by SMA today.

SOURCE Cure SMA
200,000 Nurses and Patients Urge the Department of Education to Protect Graduate Nursing Education and Access to Care

SILVER SPRING, Md., Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Nurses Association (ANA) is deeply concerned by the Department of Education's recent statements of "myth vs. fact" that minimize the potential adverse impact of federal loan eligibility rules under consideration by the Department.

There is bipartisan concern about the harm this proposal would cause to the nursing workforce and, by extension, patients' access to healthcare. Across party lines, policymakers recognize that nurses are the backbone of the nation's healthcare delivery system and that advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are critical to closing the nation's gaps in access to primary care, maternal health, behavioral health, and other specialty care.

"Americans should be very concerned about the impact of this proposal on patient care. For example, advanced practice nurses, including nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthesiologists, clinical nurse specialists, and certified nurse midwives are board certified and highly educated. Their post-baccalaureate 'graduate' studies lead to professional licensure as a healthcare provider. In many communities, they provide access to patient care that would otherwise be unavailable," said ANA President Dr. Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN.

The Department of Education's Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) committee's exclusion of graduate level nursing education as a professional degree program would stand in contrast to other positive actions by the administration, which have actively supported advanced practice nursing. For example, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Rural Transformation Grants specifically invested in expanding the reach of advanced practice nurses in rural communities who often rely solely on nurses for access to care. The Department of Education's proposal undermines this important progress promoted by the Department of Health and Human Services.

There was not a single nurse representative on the RISE committee, and their recommendation was based on an antiquated list that does not meet the reality of the 21st centurythat APRNs are licensed healthcare providers.

"Our nation is also confronting a nurse faculty crisis," added Dr. Mensik Kennedy. "In 2022, nursing schools reported more than 2,100 full-time faculty vacancies. These faculty vacancies resulted in over 80,000 qualified student applications being turned away. Without adequate faculty, we simply cannot educate the nurses America needs, let alone expand the advanced practice workforce that healthcare requires. Restricting graduate nursing students' access to federal loans would only deepen this crisis by discouraging nurses from pursuing the advanced degrees required to teach the next generation."

Recent data from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) underscores the urgency of this faculty shortage. With a significant portion of faculty approaching retirement, the pipeline of educators is under real threat.

According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, the cost of attendance for nurses pursuing graduate degrees on average is over $30,000 per year, which exceeds the proposed annual cap of $20,500 per year. In addition, the National Academy of Medicine recently stated that "support for education and training needs in the nursing profession, including the pursuit of higher degrees, is widely recognized as among the highest priorities for our nation's health system."

Nurses can make responsible financial decisions about their education, and they deserve the same respect and support afforded to the other included professionals. Advanced practice nursing degrees are in high demand and have a high return on investment, allowing borrowers to repay their loans consistently.

In the past few days, more than 200,000 nurses and patients have signed ANA's petition calling on the Department of Education to modify the policy before issuing the proposed rule. We encourage everyone to visit RNAction.org to make their voice heard and sign the petition.

About the American Nurses Association

As the oldest organization representing more than 5 million registered nurses, the American Nurses Association stands at the forefront of advancing nursing excellence. The association harnesses The Power of Nurses to champion the profession and drive transformation in healthcare. Through legislative and political advocacy, comprehensive educational services, and the profession's leading Code of Ethics and Scope and Standards, the association empowers nurses across every specialty and practice setting. The association is committed to ensuring healthy work environments, shaping pioneering policies, and cultivating partnerships that enhance both the nursing profession and the broader healthcare experience.

MEDIA CONTACT: [email protected]

SOURCE American Nurses Association
This announcement marks Feeding Families Foundation's expansion into Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Feeding Families Foundation, a nonprofit committed to eliminating hospital food insecurity for parents of hospitalized children with critical illnesses, is proud to announce the expansion of its Parent Plate Program to Manning Family Children's. Launching this month in conjunction with the Thanksgiving holiday, the program will provide complimentary bedside meals to parents and caregivers of children receiving treatment in the hospital's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. This expansion reflects the foundation's growing national impact and ensures that families facing medical crises can remain close to their childwithout the added burden of accessing or affording meals.

"Feeding Families Foundation's mission is simple: to nourish the parents caring for their critically ill child in the hospital so they can focus on what matters mosttheir child," said Jeff Dorman, Co-Founder and Chair of Feeding Families Foundation. "Today, we are proud that mission now reaches into Louisiana. Hospital food insecurity is not just localit's national. And so is our commitment."

Hospital food insecurity a term describing the lack of reliable, affordable meal access for caregivers during extended hospital staysis a challenge often overlooked in pediatric care. Feeding Families Foundation (and its Parent Plate Program) was created to directly address this issue, inspired by the founders' own experience while one of their daughters was treated for leukemia.

The Parent Plate Program works by partnering with hospital food service teams to provide meals directly to the caregiver at their child's bedside. There are no applications, no income requirements, and no additional steps for familiesremoving barriers at a time when parents are already under immense stress.

Families and hospital staff at Manning Family Children's are already anticipating the program's impact. "In New Orleans, nearly 20% of our community face food insecurity," said Lucio Fragoso, President and CEO of Manning Family Children's. "The generous support of the Feeding Families Foundation will have a significant impact on our families during some of their most difficult moments, and we are grateful that the foundation has chosen to expand its impact here in Louisiana."

To date, Feeding Families Foundation has delivered thousands of meals to caregivers across multiple states, including Connecticut, Oregon, and Illinois, and continues to grow its impact nationwide.

At Manning Family Children's, the program is expected to reach dozens of families each month, helping ensure that when a child is nourished, their parent is too.

"By delivering nourishment and support during life's toughest moments, Feeding Families Foundation's Parent Plate Program continues to scale its nationwide impactone meal, one family, one hospital at a time," said Dorman.

Feeding Families Foundation relies on community partnerships and volunteer support to make its Parent Plate Program possible. To learn more about Feeding Families Foundation, become a volunteer, or support the program's expansion in New Orleans and beyond, please visit feedingfamiliesfoundation.org.

About Manning Family Children's

Manning Family Children's is a 263-bed, non-profit academic pediatric medical center that offers comprehensive healthcare services, including over 40 pediatric specialties, just for children. With more than 600 pediatric providers, Manning Family Children's offers a comprehensive array of specialized pediatric services in Louisiana and the Gulf South. In addition to its main campus located in New Orleans, Children's operates a network of specialty clinics across Louisiana, including in Covington, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lafayette, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Children's offers primary care at 17 convenient locations, along with a network of statewide pediatric affiliations. Children's is a proud member of LCMC Health, a Louisiana-based, not-for-profit hospital system which also includes New Orleans East Hospital, Touro, University Medical Center New Orleans, West Jefferson Medical Center, East Jefferson General Hospital, Lakeview Hospital, and Lakeside Hospital. Learn more at manningchildrens.org.

About Feeding Families Foundation

Feeding Families Foundation, Inc. is a Connecticut-based nonprofit working to eliminate food insecurity for parents of hospitalized children. Through its flagship Parent Plate Program, the foundation covers the cost of meals for caregivers and delivers them directly to the hospital roomso parents can stay at their child's bedside without worrying about food or leaving their child unattended. There are no applications or eligibility requirements. By partnering with children's hospitals and leveraging existing food service systems, the foundation ensures that whenever a child receives a meal, their caregiver can too. For additional information, visit feedingfamiliesfoundation.org.

Media Contacts:

Kristen Robinson

Vice President, Marketing & Institutional Advancement Manning Family Children's

O: 504.896.9373  [email protected]

[email protected]

203-208-8543

SOURCE Feeding Families Foundation
MEXICO CITY, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- FIBRA Prologis (BMV: FIBRAPL 14), a leading owner and operator of Class A industrial real estate in Mexico, is pleased to announce that today it completed the offering of USD$500,000,000 (five hundred million) aggregate principal amount of 5.500% Senior Notes due 2035 (the "Notes").

FIBRA Prologis intends to use the proceeds from the offering described above for general corporate purposes, which may include repaying borrowings under a term loan, a revolving credit facility, and the repayment of maturing secured debt.

FIBRA Prologis expects to list the Notes on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (SGX-ST).

The Notes have not been, nor will they be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction. The Notes were offered privately in the United States only to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NEITHER AN OFFER TO SELL NOR A SOLICITATION TO BUY ANY SECURITIES IN MEXICO, THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. THE NOTES MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD PUBLICLY IN MEXICO WITHOUT THE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION OF THE MEXICAN NATIONAL BANKING AND SECURITIES COMMISSION (COMISION NACIONAL BANCARIA Y DE VALORES, "CNBV") IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MEXICAN SECURITIES MARKET LAW (LEY DEL MERCADO DE VALORES) AND ALL APPLICABLE REGULATIONS THEREUNDER, AND THE DUE REGISTRATION OF THE NOTES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTRY OF SECURITIES (REGISTRO NACIONAL DE VALORES) MAINTAINED BY THE CNBV, EXCEPT THAT NOTES MAY BE OFFERED OR SOLD TO INSTITUTIONAL OR QUALIFIED INVESTORS IN MEXICO SOLELY PURSUANT TO THE PRIVATE PLACEMENT EXEMPTION SET FORTH IN ARTICLE 8 OF THE MEXICAN SECURITIES MARKET LAW (LEY DEL MERCADO DE VALORES) AND REGULATIONS THEREUNDER. ANY OFFERING OF NOTES WILL NOT BE REVIEWED OR AUTHORIZED BY THE CNBV, AND THE NOTES MAY NOT BE PUBLICLY DISTRIBUTED IN MEXICO. THE ACQUISITION OF NOTES BY ANY INVESTOR WHO IS A RESIDENT OF MEXICO WILL BE MADE UNDER SUCH INVESTOR'S OWN RESPONSIBILITY.

PROFILE OF FIBRA PROLOGIS

FIBRA Prologis is a leading owner and operator of Class-A industrial real estate in Mexico. As of September 30, 2025, the company's portfolio comprised 515 Investment Properties, totaling 87.0 million square feet (8.1 million square meters). This includes 348 logistics and manufacturing facilities across 6 industrial core markets in Mexico, comprising 65.7 million square feet (6.1 million square meters) of Gross Leasing Area (GLA) and 167 buildings with 21.3 million square feet (2.0 million square meters) of non-strategic assets in other markets.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The statements in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industry and markets in which FIBRA Prologis operates, management's beliefs and assumptions made by management. Such statements involve uncertainties that could significantly impact FIBRA Prologis financial results. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future  including statements relating to the Offer, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained and therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that may affect outcomes and results include, but are not limited to: (i) national, international, regional and local economic climates, (ii) changes in financial markets, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, (iii) increased or unanticipated competition for our properties, (iv) risks associated with acquisitions, dispositions and development of properties, (v) maintenance of real estate investment trust ("FIBRA") status and tax structuring, (vi) availability of financing and capital, the levels of debt that we maintain and our credit ratings, (vii) risks related to our investments (viii) environmental uncertainties, including risks of natural disasters, and (ix) those additional factors discussed in reports filed with the Mexican National Banking and Securities Commission (Comision Nacional Bancaria y de Valores, the "CNBV"), and the Mexican Stock Exchange by FIBRA Prologis under the heading "Risk Factors." FIBRA Prologis undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements appearing in this release. Neither the CNBV nor any other authority has approved or disapproved the content of the information of this release, or the accuracy, adequacy or truthfulness of the information contained herein.

SOURCE FIBRA Prologis
BEIJING, Nov. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from chinadaily.com.cn:

For more than 600 years, the people of the Tunpu, fortified villages of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), in Anshun city, Guizhou province, have kept alive customs rooted in a military migration that took place centuries ago, when soldiers and their families from Central China were stationed here to guard the area.

Masked performers stage a Dixi Opera of Tunpu culture, a ritual dance with military origins. LIU BOQIAN/CHINA DAILY

"Our ancestors came here from our hometown 600 years ago at the emperor's order. The way we speak and the clothes we wear all come from that time," says 75-year-old Chen Heying, a member of the Tunpu community, recalling stories she has known since childhood.

Wearing a plum-flower crown nestled in her chignon and tied with a black headscarf, Chen walks with friends through the village market in a blue robe, trimmed with colored thread and embroidered neckline.

In Anshun, the Ming Dynasty origins of these customs remain vivid.

Living in Jiuxi village, Chen is proud of her distinctive dress, saying, "Sometimes when we pick up our grandchildren from school, people ask what we are wearing. I tell them I am from Tunpu."

Tunpu, the local pronunciation of Tunbu or Tunbao (literally fortified villages), refers to settlements created when Ming-era soldiers were sent to defend and farm the land in Guizhou, explains Mao Peiqi, a professor at Beijing-based Renmin University of China, speaking at a Tunpu cultural conference in November.

According to historical records, more than 300 such settlements were formed around Anshun, once home to roughly 200,000 Tunpu people. Their enduring traditions combine Han customs with influences from the surrounding ethnic groups and can still be recognized today in fortress-style architecture, clothing, and dialect.

Ancestral ways persist

In Jichang village, one of the largest Tunpu settlements with more than 4,000 residents, villagers carry an image of the village guardian in a procession each year on the 18th day of the first month of the Chinese calendar.

Villages raise colorful flags and erect ceremonial gates. The ritual, recorded in the Qing Dynasty's (1644-1911) Annals of Anshun, begins with dawn rites at the Wang Gong Temple. Villagers place the image on a decorated sedan chair and parade through the settlement with fireworks, Dixi Opera troupes and floats.

"This is our faith and our shield. It makes the village more united," says village elder Tian Yingmin, seated in a bamboo chair inside the Wang Gong Temple.

The procession is now listed as a national-level intangible cultural heritage and has become a key marker of Tunpu identity.

The veneration of Wang Gong traces back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907), when Wang Hua, a local ruler in Anhui province, was honored for his loyalty and military service.

"Our ancestors came from Shexian county in Anhui and brought this ritual with them. It has been passed down to this day," Tian explains.

Xiamen University professor Chen Zhiping says that the ritual's form differs distinctly from indigenous Guizhou customs and likely originated among migrants from Anhui and neighboring areas.

Today, the responsibility for maintaining and transmitting each component of the festival - floats, Dixi Opera performances and ceremonial roles - is assigned to different groups within the village. "For the most important parts, we choose respected elders aged over 60, while other roles are open to people of all ages," Tian says.

Visitors discover roots

As interest in Tunpu culture has grown, these ancient customs now draw visitors from across China and abroad. Villagers have developed educational programs, guided tours and cultural experiences that help supplement their income while fostering wider understanding of their heritage.

The Wang Gong procession attracts particularly large numbers. "You need to book in advance, or you won't be able to get in," Tian says.

Peking University professor Qian Liqun says turning Tunpu research into tourism, education and literary resources is vital. "Tunpu culture was created by local people, and those people should always be the focus of attention and service," he says.

One of the most compelling attractions for visitors is Dixi Opera, a ritualized, martial dance-drama in which performers wear carved wooden masks representing historical heroes and generals. The masks range from fierce black-faced warriors with long beards to pale, noble visages with high brows. The opera is also a national-level intangible cultural heritage.

During the Wang Gong festival and other shows, a village troupe earns several hundred yuan per performance. According to the troupe's deputy head, their performances are especially popular with visitors from Hong Kong, some of whom travel to Anshun every year to experience the event.

The art of mask carving is also finding new audiences. In Zhouguan village, 53-year-old Qin Fazhong inherited his grandfather's carving knife and now makes the imposing masks.

He has opened a carving museum with an experiential workshop and sells wooden sculptures overseas through social media.

"I opened accounts on Douyin, Kuaishou and other platforms to livestream my carving," Qin says.

His sessions often attract more than 100,000 viewers, and local media report that his works are shipped across China and overseas, with annual export revenue averaging more than 2 million yuan ($278,600).

Shared past emerges

While military-settlement policies existed widely across Ming-era China, scholars say that the distinctiveness of Tunpu culture stems from its development within Guizhou's multiethnic environment.

Mao attributes that distinctiveness to Tunpu's setting amid multiethnic communities. Surrounded by different cultures, Tunpu people developed strong cultural self-awareness and a drive to preserve traditions.

The exchange and friction among diverse groups created Tunpu's unique character.

Signs of this interaction with local ethnic groups are visible. "Today's Tunpu costumes are no longer purely in the Ming-era style," Chen Zhiping says.

Embroidered waistbands, coordinated headwear colors and silver jewelry worn by Tunpu women clearly absorb aesthetic elements from the Miao and Bouyei ethnic groups. In food, the widespread use of sour soup, preserved meat and chili peppers shows the influence of local ethnic cuisines.

At the same time, he adds, Tunpu culture brought educational traditions and advanced farming techniques from the Central Plains.

That long history of exchange gives Tunpu broader significance, Mao says. "We live in a time that values cultural diversity. Each group preserving its own culture makes the world richer," he says, adding that Tunpu demonstrates how distinctiveness can coexist with openness.

In 2023, Tunpu culture was designated one of Guizhou's four major cultural projects, with initiatives covering archaeological research, heritage protection and culture-tourism integration. "We are firmly committed to the principle of protection first, rational use, and minimal intervention," says Xie Nian, deputy head of the provincial publicity department.

Qian echoes this caution. "Tunpu is a living culture, and Tunpu people should be its masters. We should be cautious about commercialization," he warns. "It must not be reduced to a purely profit-driven performance."

SOURCE chinadaily.com.cn
DANVERS, Mass., Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia North Danvers, part of the ICL Family of dealerships, is proud to celebrate its 1-year anniversary serving the North Shore community with a bold step toward environmental responsibility. In just one year, the dealership has become a trusted destination for quality Kia and pre-owned vehicles, exceptional service, and community engagement. Now, it's raising the bar by installing solar panels across its facility to reduce its carbon footprint and promote clean energy.

Kia North Danvers

"We're thrilled to mark our first year in Danvers," said Bryan Laskin, General Manager of Kia North Danvers. "This amazing community has welcomed us with open arms, and we're excited to give backnot just through great service, but by investing in a greener future."

The only Employee-Owned Kia dealership in all New England is pleased to announce the completion of a high-impact solar energy installation designed to reduce operational expenses, enhance energy resilience, and advance the dealership's long-term sustainability clean energy goals. The new system features 205 high-efficiency 555W Adityaa Solar Modules, delivering 113.7 kW DC / 100 kW AC of clean, renewable power.

The installation is projected to generate approximately 136,000 kWh of electricity annually, which is enough to power roughly 12 to 13 average American homes per year! This will obviously offset a substantial portion of the dealership's yearly energy consumption. Kia North Danvers will achieve an estimated 57% coverage of its total annual energy needs, dramatically reduce its carbon footprint while enhance energy resilience.

"We are extremely excited to celebrate Kia North Danvers 1st year serving Danvers and the North shore but also ecstatic how our solar panels underscore the ICL's forward-thinking approach as we strive to make a positive impact in the communities where we do business. We are constantly investing in projects to make the lives of our employees, customers, and partners better," says Damon Jespersen, Chairman of International Cars, Ltd. Board of Directors. "It is our hope that our commitment to environmental responsibility and holistic business practices will serve as a model and inspiration, and together we will make the world, safer, cleaner and more sustainable for everyone."

This collaborative initiative comes to fruition through the combined efforts of Kia North Danvers' parent company, International Cars, Ltd., Aarjay Ventures | Renewable Energies Division, a Boston- based business specializing in solar panel manufacturing, Implementation Partner | KW Management of New Hampshire, and clean-energy advocate SaVI, LLC of New Hampshire.

"Everyone's contributions have been truly foundational to the success of this project, creating a lasting impact that continues to shape the curve of meaningful progress in the clean energy sector." Jyoti Hinduja, Co-Founder and Chief Business Development Officer - Aarjay Ventures

As Kia continues to lead the way in electric and hybrid vehicle innovation, Kia North Danvers is proud to mirror that vision locally making eco-conscious choices and helping customers drive toward a cleaner future.

About Kia North Danvers

The employee-owned Kia North Danvers is located conveniently on Route 1 North at 181 Newbury St. Kia North Danvers offers a lineup of new and pre-owned Kia vehicles, expert service, and a customer-first approach. The dealership is committed to excellence, sustainability, and community involvement.

About International Cars, Ltd:

International Cars, Ltd., is an employee-owned company comprised of nine New England area dealerships including Audi Stratham, Honda Stratham and Porsche Stratham, in Stratham, New Hampshire, Portsmouth Volkswagen in Greenland, New Hampshire, Dover Honda and Dover Chevrolet in Dover, New Hampshire, and 1 North Pre-Owned, Kia North Danvers & Honda North in Danvers, Massachusetts.

Honda North has been recognized as a 2024 Honda President's Award recipient for the 17th time in 25 years! Honda North has also previously advanced to the prestigious Master Circle. The Honda Masters Circle recognizes the top 50 dealerships in new vehicle sales nationally.

Dover Honda has also won Honda's President's Award eight times.

International Cars has won several industry awards, including the Audi Magna Society Award eight times. Also, Porsche Stratham has been recognized as past Porsche Premier Dealer.

Company-wide values focused on ownership, accountability, and high-level customer service and satisfaction are an integral part of employee ownership success. Together, International Cars have earned several AACE (Annual Award for Communications Excellence) Awards through The National ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) Association. For more information on International Cars, please email Michael Nadeau at [email protected] or visit www.iclautos.com.

Media Contact:

Michael Nadeau

Honda North

[email protected]

SOURCE Kia North Danvers
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- KuCoin Institutional, the institutional arm of global crypto exchange KuCoin, today announced a strategic partnership with Ceffu, a leading institutional-grade custody and digital asset infrastructure provider. The partnership marks another milestone in KuCoin Institutional's mission to advance secure, compliant solutions for global professional investors, and it signals our commitment ahead of future product integration.

Building on KuCoin Institutional's continuous efforts to enhance its custody ecosystem, this collaboration with Ceffu extends the strategic direction established through previous partnerships with licensed custodians. Together, KuCoin Institutional and Ceffu will empower institutions with the highest standards of asset protection, compliance assurance, and operational segregation, enabling investors to trade confidently while maintaining full control over their assets.

"Institutional trust begins with infrastructure  the foundation of security, transparency, and compliance at every level," said BC Wong, CEO of KuCoin. "Our partnership with Ceffu reinforces this vision, further strengthening our institutional custody ecosystem. By working with trusted partners like Ceffu, we continue to ensure our clients can access global markets with confidence and institutional-grade safeguards."

"Security isn't a feature, it's the foundation institutions build on," said Ian Loh, CEO of Ceffu. "Our mission has always been to deliver custody infrastructure that meets the highest standard of security, compliance, and operational governance. By partnering with KuCoin, we're extending that trust-first foundation to more global institutional players who share the same commitment to uncompromising protection."

Through this partnership, KuCoin Institutional and Ceffu have begun working together on new initiatives designed to enhance the infrastructure supporting institutional participation in digital assets. While the details of the joint developments will be shared in due course, the collaboration is set to introduce new standards of security, compliance, and operational oversight for institutions engaging in digital asset markets.

This partnership follows the recent launch of KuCoin Institutional, part of KuCoin's brand upgrade that positions it as the preferred platform for institutional investors worldwide. The initiative highlights KuCoin's "trust first" approach, featuring enhanced services such as VIP trading desks, deep liquidity access, customized OTC solutions, and expanded custody partnershipsnow further strengthened through the collaboration with Ceffu. Together, these efforts reflect KuCoin Institutional's long-term vision to build a robust institutional custody ecosystem, working alongside licensed partners like Ceffu to advance trust, innovation, and compliance across the global digital asset industry.

About KuCoin Institutional

KuCoin Institutional is the institutional business arm of KuCoin, dedicated to serving professional investors, funds, and corporate clients with secure, compliant, and efficient digital asset solutions. By integrating advanced trading infrastructure, liquidity access, and institutional-grade custody partnerships, KuCoin Institutional bridges traditional finance with the digital economy.

Learn more at: www.kucoin.com/institution

About Ceffu

Ceffu is a compliant, institutional-grade custody platform offering custody and liquidity solutions that are ISO 27001 & 27701 certified and SOC2 Type 1 & Type 2 attested. Their multi-party computation (MPC) technology, combined with a customizable multi-approval scheme, provides bespoke solutions allowing institutional clients to safely store and manage their virtual assets.

Learn more at: www.ceffu.com

SOURCE KuCoin
triLift  honored as the "Best Non-Invasive Facelifting Device" and the "Best Light & Energy-Based Device" categories for its breakthrough technology in facial muscle stimulation

Awards program celebrates excellence in aesthetics as chosen by industry professionals and readers.

SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lumenis Be. Ltd., a leading energy-based medical device company, proudly announces that triLift, its groundbreaking facial muscle stimulation treatment, has been named on the MedEsthetics Readers' Choice Awards in two different categories, being recognized as the "Best Non-Invasive Facelifting Device" and the "Best Light & Energy-Based Device" of 2025. This prestigious recognition highlights triLift's position as a category-defining innovation that delivers a toned and lifted look without surgery, injectables or downtime by dynamically addressing the muscle.

triLift device on female patient

According to a 2025 American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) survey, 73% of consumers now consider lines, wrinkles and folds in the mid-face a top concern. This demonstrates a growing demand for treatments like triLift that restore and tone the underlying facial muscles to address common concerns like facial sagging, jawline smiles, eye bags, and more. As the inventor of Dynamic Muscle Stimulation (DMSt) technology, triLift uniquely strengthens facial muscles to combat sagging, delivering a well-defined, lifted look.

In addition to its proprietary DMSt, triLift incorporates TriPollar Radiofrequency (RF) to stimulate collagen regeneration1 and increase dermal thickness. It also utilizes triFX technology, which improves skin smoothness2 and significantly boosts hyaluronic acid production3. Together, these technologies work synergistically to revitalize the skin and restore a natural, youthful appearance from within. triLift works safely on all skin types and tones, pairs effortlessly with other aesthetic treatments, and is simple to performmaking it a smart, high-value offering to any practice or medical spa.

"The new frontier of facial dynamic muscle stimulation is the ability to deliver a toned and lifting effect, all without any surgery or injections involved. triLift delivers on that promise, by providing visibly lifted look by repositioning your own tissue to where it belongs, rather than relying on invasive measures. My patients love how quickly they notice improved definition and skin quality, making it an integral tool in my practice," said Dr. James Chelnis, MD, FACS, of Manhattan Face and Eye.

Since its launch in 2022, triLift has been adopted by leading dermatologists, plastic surgeons and aesthetic physicians worldwide for its ability to adapt to varying patients' needs and enable individual facial anatomy. This recognition from MedEsthetics stands as a compelling testament from both providers and consumers, underscoring Lumenis' ongoing commitment to advancing care through proven, safe and effective medical-grade technology.

Itay Mayer, Chief Commercial Officer of Lumenis, added, "We are honored to be recognized by MedEsthetics readers. triLift reflects our commitment to advancing aesthetic care through the integration of science, innovation and artistry. Driven by cutting-edge Dynamic Muscle Stimulation (DMSt) technology, triLift empowers providers to naturally tone muscles, enabling patients to look and feel their best."

The annual MedEsthetics Readers' Choice Awards celebrates the most revolutionary and trusted professional products in medical aesthetics, as voted by practitioners and experts across North America.

To learn more about triLift and find a provider near you, visit https://trilift.me/

About Lumenis

Lumenis is a global leader in the medical aesthetic and eye care markets and is a world-renowned expert in developing and commercializing innovative energy-based technologies, including Laser, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Radiofrequency (RF). For more than 50 years, Lumenis' ground-breaking products have redefined medical treatments and set technological and clinical gold-standards, revolutionizing existing treatment methods, and creating solutions for previously untreatable conditions. Lumenis is a portfolio company of EQT Private Capital Asia. For more information regarding Lumenis' range of clinical solutions, please visit: www.lumenis.com.

About triLift

The triLift System and its accessories are intended for dermatological procedures requiring ablation and resurfacing of the skin when using VoluDerm Energy (Applicator VO). It is also intended for use in dermatologic and general surgical procedures for the noninvasive treatment of mild to moderate facial wrinkles and rhytides when using TriPollar RF Energy and for muscle conditioning to stimulate healthy muscles (Applicators 1-3).

triLift System is not intended to be used in conjunction with therapy or treatment of medical diseases or medical conditions of any kind. The triLift System is intended to be operated by a trained professional who is present to monitor treatment. For more information regarding triLift, visit: https://trilift.me/.

About MedEsthetics

MedEsthetics is a leading publication dedicated to medical aesthetics professionals, providing in-depth coverage of the latest technologies, trends, clinical studies, regulatory issues and business insights. Its annual Readers' Choice Awards recognize industry excellence by honoring professional products, devices and treatments that deliver superior outcomes and innovation.

Media Contact

Jacqueline Wickwire, [email protected]

[1] Haim Kaplan, Andrea Gat, Clinical and histopathological results following TriPollar radiofrequency skin treatments Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy 2009; 11: 7884 DOI: 10.1080/14764170902846227

[2] Ibid.

[3] Boisnic S, Branchet MC. Ex-vivo study of hybrid energy technology using a human skin model. Eur J Dermatol 2014; 24(1): 46-52 oi:10.1684/ejd.2013.2233

SOURCE Lumenis Be. Ltd.
BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Japan should give an honest, accurate and complete clarification of its so-called "consistent position" on Taiwan, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday, adding that a written response released by the Japanese government on Tuesday still repeated its old rhetoric.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks in response to the written response released by the Japanese government on Tuesday, which claimed that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks in the Japanese Cabinet "do not change the consistent position of the Japanese government," and also stated that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are of great significance to Japan's security guarantee and the overall stability of the international community.

"China has articulated its position multiple times on Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan," Mao told a daily news briefing.

She said that those remarks seriously violate the principles laid down in the four political documents between China and Japan, fundamentally erode the political foundation of China-Japan relations and challenge the post-war international order -- noting that China firmly opposes this.

The remarks have been questioned and criticized by visionary people inside Japan, and met with condemnation from the international community, Mao added.

The Japanese government still repeats the so-called "consistent position" or "unchanged stance" regarding Taiwan, which is far from enough, Mao said.

"China and the international community demand Japan should confirm what its 'consistent position' is and whether the Japanese side still adheres to the one-China principle," said Mao, urging the Japanese side to honestly, accurately and fully clarify its so-called "consistent position."

She pointed out that "soft-pedaling the issue, putting out unspecified notions without touching on the essence of the issue, and hoping that somehow the issue would resolve itself--such kind of approach will certainly not go anywhere."

"Worse still, the Japanese side showed no remorse. It once again rashly discussed the Taiwan question and interfered in China's internal affairs," Mao said.

Stressing that Taiwan belongs to China, Mao said, "How to resolve the Taiwan question and realize national reunification is purely China's own affair and not for Japan to point fingers or even meddle in it."

China once again urges Japan to take China's stern demands seriously, do serious soul-searching and correct its wrongdoing, retract its erroneous remarks as soon as possible, and take practical steps to honor its commitments to China, the spokesperson said. 
The mobile industry, supported by the GSMA, calls for harmonised, risk-based and collaborative policy frameworks to strengthen global cyber resilience.

DOHA, Qatar, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The GSMA today released a major new independent study, The Impact of Cybersecurity Regulation on Mobile Operators, revealing that mobile operators are spending between US $15-19 billion annually on core cybersecurity activities, a figure expected to rise to US $40-42 billion by 2030. Despite this significant investment, mobile network operators, who form the backbone of digital economies worldwide, are impacted by poorly designed, misaligned or overly prescriptive regulation, which results in unnecessary costs, diverting resources from genuine risk mitigation, and in some cases increasing exposure to cyber threats.

Michaela Angonius, GSMA Head of Policy and Regulation, said: "Mobile networks carry the world's digital heartbeat. As cyber threats escalate, operators are investing heavily to keep societies safe  but regulation must help, not hinder, those efforts. This report makes clear that cybersecurity frameworks work best when they are harmonised, risk-based and built on trust. When done poorly, regulation can redirect critical resources away from real security improvements and toward compliance for its own sake."

A global perspective

Developed in partnership with Frontier Economics, the report draws on economic analysis and operator interviews representing the Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and North America regions. It highlights how the fast-changing nature of cyber threats is driving up the costs and complexity for mobile operators across the globe, making collaboration between governments in different jurisdictions and engagement with industry vital in avoiding unnecessary costs for those operators present in multiple markets.

Policy misalignment is creating unnecessary burdens:

The study identifies widespread challenges across markets, including:

Fragmented and inconsistent regulation , forcing operators to comply with overlapping or contradictory requirements from multiple agencies.

, forcing operators to comply with overlapping or contradictory requirements from multiple agencies. A proliferation of reporting obligations , sometimes requiring the same incident to be reported multiple times in different formats.

, sometimes requiring the same incident to be reported multiple times in different formats. Prescriptive 'box-ticking' rules that mandate tools or processes rather than focusing on real-world security outcomes.

One operator reported that up to 80% of their cybersecurity operations team's time is spent on audits and compliance tasks, rather than threat detection or incident response.

Despite these pressures, operators emphasised that ensuring safe and secure mobile networks is a priority for their customers and for society as a whole in a digitally connected world.

Six principles for effective cybersecurity regulation:

The report outlines a blueprint for governments and policymakers to build more secure and efficient frameworks, and design cybersecurity policies according to six core principles:

Harmonisation: Align cybersecurity policy with international standards where possible, to reduce regulatory fragmentation and inconsistency.

Align cybersecurity policy with international standards where possible, to reduce regulatory fragmentation and inconsistency. Consistency: Ensure new policies and frameworks are consistent with existing policy to avoid duplication or conflict.

Ensure new policies and frameworks are consistent with existing policy to avoid duplication or conflict. Risk- and outcome-based: Adopt risk- and outcome-based approaches in the design and implementation of cybersecurity regulation, giving operators flexibility to innovate.

Adopt risk- and outcome-based approaches in the design and implementation of cybersecurity regulation, giving operators flexibility to innovate. Collaboration: Promote a collaborative regulatory culture with industry, supported by secure threat intelligence sharing.

Promote a collaborative regulatory culture with industry, supported by secure threat intelligence sharing. Security-by-design: Encourage a proactive, security-by-design approach to mitigating cyber risks.

Encourage a proactive, security-by-design approach to mitigating cyber risks. Capacity-building: Strengthen the institutional capacity of cybersecurity authorities to ensure a whole-of-government approach and effective application of policy and regulation.

The report warns that unilateral, fragmented approaches heighten vulnerabilities and create inefficiencies for global operators.

Michaela Angonius added: "Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. To protect citizens and critical societal services, regulators and operators should work together, guided by a common set of principles. When policy is coherent and outcomes-focused, the entire digital ecosystem becomes safer."

A call for coordinated global action:

The mobile industry, supported by the GSMA, is calling on governments and regulators to minimise unnecessary burdens on mobile operators by collaborating and building trusted frameworks and mechanisms that foster innovation to enable mobile networks to remain secure, resilient, and capable of supporting the digital services that societies increasingly rely on.

For more information and to access the full report, see here.

About the GSMA

The GSMA is a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments and societal change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry, and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organisations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA delivers for its members across three broad pillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Services and Solutions, and Outreach. This activity includes advancing policy, tackling today's biggest societal challenges, underpinning the technology and interoperability that make mobile work, and providing the world's largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events.

We invite you to find out more at gsma.com.

About Frontier Economics

Frontier Economics is a leading international specialist economics consultancy, using economic principles to provide clear advice and analysis on complex matters to many of the world's largest companies, leading sector regulators, government departments and international organisations. With over 350+ staff in Dublin, Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Cologne, London, Madrid, Paris and Prague, Frontier Economics is one of the largest and most influential economic consulting firms in Europe, with experts across a full range of industries, including digital markets, telecommunications, energy, transport, post, water and health. Frontier works closely with its sister and legally separate company, Frontier Economics Australia.

www.frontier-economics.com

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1882833/5642042/GSMA_Logo.jpg
Two crave-worthy pizza options bring premium flavor and value to pizza lovers nationwide.

VANCOUVER, Wash., Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Papa Murphy's Take 'n' Bake Pizza is raising the bar with the launch of Papa's Picks, a value offering featuring two bold, mouth-watering options: 4-Cheese and Double Shredded Pepperoni. Available starting November 24th, these pizzas bring classic ingredients with elevated flavor to families and pizza lovers looking for a quick, delicious meal at home.

Perfect for busy nights or casual gatherings, Papa's Picks combines crave-worthy taste with unbeatable value. Starting at just $9.99 ($10.99 in California / $11.99 in Alaska), guests can choose either Thin Crust or Original Crust to suit every preference. Whether you prefer a rich blend of four cheeses or the bold flavor of double shredded pepperoni, Papa's Picks takes classic pizza to the next level.

"We're excited to bring a new level of flavor and value to our guests," said Dallas Massey , Senior Vice President of Marketing at Papa Murphy's. "Papa's Picks proves you don't have to trade quality for affordability. Guests get premium ingredients and bold flavor, baked piping hot right out of their own oven, all at a price that makes enjoying great pizza easier than ever."

To round out mealtime, guests can complement their pizza with fresh salads and ready-to-bake sides and desserts, including 5-Cheese Bread, Garlic Knots and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, perfect for every taste preference.

Whether you're feeding a crowd or keeping dinner simple, Papa's Picks brings premium flavor, convenience, and value straight to your kitchen  no prep, no hassle, and always fresh and hot any day of the week.

For more information and to find a Papa Murphy's near you, visit www.papamurphys.com .

ABOUT PAPA MURPHY'S

Papa Murphy's International LLC ("Papa Murphy's") is a franchisor and operator of the largest Take 'n' Bake pizza brand in the United States, with over 1,000 franchised and corporate-owned locations across the U.Splus locations in Canada and the UAE. It's no surprise that their story is a little unconventional. After all, Papa Murphy's brought an entirely new approach to the pizza industry. But their unique idea is a simple one: enrich life and community through craveable food. They focus on using quality ingredients, prepared fresh daily, to offer guests everyday meals to take 'n' bake at home with ease. In addition to take 'n' bake pizzas, Papa Murphy's offers a selection of salads, sides, desserts, and kid's options. Learn more and order online at papamurphys.com .

MEDIA CONTACT:

Julie Maw

Mainland

209-617-6518

[email protected]

SOURCE Papa Murphys
Campaign Highlights Generosity and Commitment to Improving Lives

STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Philip Morris International's U.S. businesses ("PMI U.S.") today announced the launch of "Thanks for Giving," a call to action inspiring business and individuals to recognize and support the charitable organizations and individuals working every day to build stronger communities. As Americans pause to recognize Thanksgiving and #GivingTuesday, the Thanks for Giving campaign highlights the spirit of generosity that drives impact year-round, while celebrating the extraordinary service of charitable partnersfrom national nonprofits to local organizations working tirelessly in communities across the nation.

"#GivingTuesday started as a single day of goodwill, but the true impact comes when generosityand accountability with those investmentsbecomes part of our everyday behavior," said Marian Salzman, Senior Vice President, PMI U.S., who was a driving force behind creating GivingTuesday in 2012. "At PMI U.S., generosity isn't limited to a season. Since 2022, our giving has exceeded $35 million, and our employees have increased their participation in community programs by 400 percent. Saying thank you is powerful. But living it365 days a year, with transparency and purposeis even more meaningful."

Since 2024, PMI U.S. has contributed nearly $6.7 million to 361 organizations across the Southeast region, supporting communities in need and the company's core giving pillars, including more than $3.9 million for economic empowerment initiatives and over $1 million toward veterans and military support. With that support, organizations are enabled to further drive meaningful community-level change to improve lives.

"The strong participation and support from partners like PMI U.S., enable WKRBC to effectively execute its mission," said Vicki Lynn Smith, Director of Communications, Development & Recruitment for Western Kentucky Regional Blood Center. "WKRBC is the sole supplier of blood and blood products to eight regional hospitals and three air ambulances. Our promise is to provide any amount, of any type of blood, at any time. Their financial generosity and sponsorship of employee blood drives perfectly demonstrate PMI U.S.'s commitment to the sustained health of the region. We thank them for their generosity as well as their role in helping us deliver on this promise."

"The Fondren Renaissance Foundation thanks PMI U.S. for its support of our efforts in the greater Fondren area," said Douglas R. Boone, PMP, Executive Director of Fondren Renaissance Foundation. "This contribution strengthens our work to preserve, enhance, and uplift the Fondren community. We appreciate PMI U.S.'s continued commitment to our mission and its investment in helping our neighborhood continue to thrive."

The "Thanks for Giving" campaign also spotlights the WeCare program, which empowers PMI U.S. employees to nominate nonprofits for company-funded donations. In 2025, it directed over $1,860,000 million to over 400 local organizations across 44 states and the District of Columbia. This brings PMI U.S.'s total contributions since 2022 to more than $35 million nationwide.

As a result, PMI U.S. employees helped direct more than $1 million in company-sponsored funds to support various nonprofits across the region, including Manna Food Bank, Friends of Butler County Animal Shelter, Veterans Empowered Together, K9s for Warriors, and Stop Soldier Suicide.

Thanks for Giving is part of PMI U.S.'s pragmatic philanthropya better approach to corporate giving built on listening, investing for impact, and bringing others together to support those who are doing meaningful work every day. Learn more about PMI U.S.'s approach to philanthropy here.

PMI U.S.: Invested in America

Philip Morris International Inc.'s U.S. businesses are invested in America's future and advancing a smoke-free nation. The businesses are committed to providing the approximately 30 million legal-age consumers who smoke cigarettes with better, smoke-free alternatives and to ensuring the products are marketed responsibly. From PMI's global headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, and other locations nationwide, PMI U.S. contributes leadership, jobs, investment, and innovation in the U.S. The U.S. businesses employ more than 3,000 people across America and operate product manufacturing facilities, including in Owensboro, Kentucky, and Wilson, North Carolina. For more information, please visit www.uspmi.com.

References to "PMI" mean the Philip Morris International family of companies. "PMI U.S.," "we," "our," and "us" refer to one or more PMI U.S. businesses.

SOURCE PMI US Corporate Services, Inc.
Campaign Highlights Generosity and Commitment to Improving Lives

STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Philip Morris International's U.S. businesses ("PMI U.S.") today announced the launch of "Thanks for Giving," a call to action inspiring Virginians to recognize and support the charitable organizations and individuals working every day to build stronger communities across the Commonwealth. As Americans pause to recognize Thanksgiving and #GivingTuesday, the Thanks for Giving campaign highlights the spirit of generosity that drives impact year-round, while celebrating the extraordinary service of charitable partnersfrom national nonprofits to local organizations working tirelessly in communities across the nation.

"#GivingTuesday started as a single day of goodwill, but the true impact comes when generosityand accountability with those investmentsbecomes part of our everyday behavior," said Marian Salzman, Senior Vice President, PMI U.S., who was a driving force behind creating GivingTuesday in 2012. "At PMI U.S., generosity isn't limited to a season. Since 2022, our giving has exceeded $35 million, and our employees have increased their participation in community programs by 400 percent. Saying thank you is powerful. But living it365 days a year, with transparency and purposeis even more meaningful."

Since 2024, PMI U.S. has contributed more than $1,460,000 to 101 organizations in Virginia, supporting communities in need and the company's core giving pillars, including over $1,000,000 for economic empowerment initiatives; $65,000 toward veterans and military support; and $100,000 dedicated to disaster relief and prevention. With that support, organizations are enabled to further drive meaningful community-level change to improve lives.

"Feed More has seen a significant increase in need since early this fall. We're purchasing more healthy proteins, produce and pantry staples to help our neighbors get through the holidays. This support will help keep the shelves stocked and plates full," said Aaron McClung, Chief Development Officer of Feed More.

Other partners who received donations in 2025 include:

United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg

CARITAS

GoochlandCares

Lets Go Services

The "Thanks for Giving" campaign also spotlights the WeCare program, which empowers PMI U.S. employees to nominate nonprofits for company-funded donations. In 2025, it directed over $1,860,000 million to over 400 local organizations across 44 states and the District of Columbia. This brings PMI U.S.'s total contributions since 2022 to more than $35 million nationwide.

As a result, PMI U.S. employees helped direct over $177,000 in company-sponsored funds to support over 50 various nonprofit organizations across the state including Hope for the Warriors, Richmond Animal League, Safe Harbor, and project: HOMES.

Thanks for Giving is part of PMI U.S.'s pragmatic philanthropya better approach to corporate giving built on listening, investing for impact, and bringing others together to support those who are doing meaningful work every day. Learn more about PMI U.S.'s approach to philanthropy here.

PMI U.S.: Invested in America

Philip Morris International Inc.'s U.S. businesses are invested in America's future and advancing a smoke-free nation. The businesses are committed to providing the approximately 30 million legal-age consumers who smoke cigarettes with better, smoke-free alternatives and to ensuring the products are marketed responsibly. From PMI's global headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, and other locations nationwide, PMI U.S. contributes leadership, jobs, investment, and innovation in the U.S. The U.S. businesses employ more than 3,000 people across America and operate product manufacturing facilities, including in Owensboro, Kentucky, and Wilson, North Carolina. For more information, please visit www.uspmi.com.

References to "PMI" mean the Philip Morris International family of companies. "PMI U.S.," "we," "our," and "us" refer to one or more PMI U.S. businesses.

SOURCE PMI US Corporate Services, Inc.
ST. LOUIS, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Post Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:POST), a consumer packaged goods holding company, today announced its Board of Directors has approved a new $500 million share repurchase authorization. Share repurchases under the new authorization may begin on November 27, 2025. As of November 25, 2025, Post had repurchased approximately $275.2 million under its previous $500 million share repurchase authorization, which became effective on August 29, 2025 and was cancelled effective November 26, 2025.

Repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market, in private purchases, through forward, derivative, accelerated repurchase or automatic purchase transactions, or otherwise. Any shares repurchased would be held as treasury stock. The authorization does not, however, obligate Post to acquire any particular number of shares, and repurchases may be suspended or terminated at any time at Post's discretion.

About Post Holdings, Inc.

Post Holdings, Inc., headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a consumer packaged goods holding company with businesses operating in the center-of-the-store, refrigerated, foodservice and food ingredient categories. Its businesses include Post Consumer Brands, Weetabix, Michael Foods and Bob Evans Farms. Post Consumer Brands is a leader in the North American branded and private label ready-to-eat cereal and granola, pet food, nut butter and pasta categories. Weetabix is home to the United Kingdom's number one selling ready-to-eat cereal brand, Weetabix. Michael Foods and Bob Evans Farms are leaders in refrigerated foods, delivering innovative, value-added egg and refrigerated potato side dish products to the foodservice and retail channels. For more information, visit www.postholdings.com.

Contact:

Investor Relations

Daniel O'Rourke

[email protected]

(314) 806-3959

SOURCE Post Holdings, Inc.
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP is investigating a data breach impacting the sensitive personal information of individuals affiliated with Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.

Dartmouth College learned that a vulnerability in its Oracle eBusiness Suite software was exploited, leading to an unauthorized actor acquiring certain files between August 9, 2025, and August 12, 2025. Dartmouth College has not yet disclosed the total number of individuals affected, but it is confirmed that 1,494 Maine residents, and 1,956 Texas residents will receive notification of the breach.

Although the breach occurred in August 2025, Dartmouth College did not notify impacted individuals until November 24, 2025, which may have violated state and federal laws. The following data may have been compromised in the breach: names, Social Security numbers, and/or financial account information.

If your personal information was impacted by this incident, you may be at risk of identity theft and other serious violations of your privacy. As a result, you may be entitled to money damages and an injunction requiring changes to Dartmouth College's cybersecurity practices.

If you received notification of this data breach or are affiliated with Dartmouth College and wish to obtain additional information about your legal rights, please contact us today or visit our website at https://www.classactionlawyers.com/dartmouthcollege.

About Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP

Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe represents shareholders, employees, and consumers in class actions against corporate defendants, as well as shareholders in derivative actions against their officers and directors. The firm is based in San Francisco, and with the help of co-counsel, litigates cases nationwide.

Contact

Sonum Dixit

Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP

[email protected]

Tel: 415-299-8207

SOURCE Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP is investigating a data breach impacting the sensitive personal information of alumni, donors, faculty, students, parents, and other individuals affiliated with Princeton University in New Jersey.

On November 10, 2025, Princeton University learned that its University Advancement database was compromised by an external actor. Princeton University notified affected individuals via email on November 15, 2025.

The investigation is ongoing, but so far Princeton University has reported that the following data may have been compromised in the breach: names, email addresses, telephone numbers, home and business addresses, fundraising activities, and donations made to the University.

If your personal information was impacted by this incident, you may be at risk of identity theft and other serious violations of your privacy. As a result, you may be entitled to money damages and an injunction requiring changes to Princeton University's cybersecurity practices.

If you received notification of this data breach or are affiliated with Princeton University and wish to obtain additional information about your legal rights, please contact us today or visit our website at https://www.classactionlawyers.com/princetonuniversity.

About Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP

Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe represents shareholders, employees, and consumers in class actions against corporate defendants, as well as shareholders in derivative actions against their officers and directors. The firm is based in San Francisco, and with the help of co-counsel, litigates cases nationwide.

Contact

Sonum Dixit

Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP

[email protected]

Tel: 415-299-8207

SOURCE Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP
SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chan Hum Park, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Otolaryngology at Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital and Director of the Nano-Bio Regenerative Medical Institute at Hallym University, leads the research team whose space biology payload, BioCabinet, will launch aboard the Nuri rocket's fourth flight on November 27, as part of the mission carrying the Next-Generation Medium Satellite-3.

Professor Park and his research team pose for a group photo in front of the BioCabinet alongside the Kairospace Co., Ltd. engineering team, which designed and built the electronic systems for the payload.

BioCabinet is a research platform with a bio 3D printer and stem cell differentiation incubator. Designed to fabricate artificial heart tissue and evaluate disease responses in space, it will operate for 60 days, extendable up to one year.

BioCabinet to 3D-Print Heart Tissue in Space

The payload has two modules: the first observes beating and contraction of cardiac tissue 3D-printed from induced pluripotent stem cellderived cardiomyocytes; the second evaluates blood vessel differentiation using tonsil-derived stem cells, ideal for terrestrial and space studies.

BioCabinet is expected to generate core data for organ fabrication and cardiovascular research in space, marking South Korea's first acquisition of biological tissue data under environmental variables such as pressure, temperature, and radiation.

Beyond Terrestrial Limits, Seeking Answers in Space

Space research overcomes Earth-bound limits, where gravity hinders 3D tissue formation. In microgravity, cells grow naturally into 3D structures, and drug crystallization improves, enabling high-purity anticancer compound production. Artificial heart-beating data from this study will aid cardiovascular drug development.

From BioCabinet to BioRexs, to BioLiv The Challenge Continues

Professor Park is expanding space bioengineering research based on the BioCabinet platform. He is developing BioRexs, a drug-screening platform slated for launch in 2027 to culture glioblastoma in space and evaluate anticancer drug efficacy. In parallel, he is leading the BioLiv project, which aims to 3D-print and culture artificial liver tissue in space and return it to Earth for transplantation. This is expected to become the world's first non-clinical study using a space-fabricated artificial organ.

In addition, follow-up space bioengineering projects such as BioFactory, BioDeep, BioLunar, and BioMars are also underway.

Professor Park emphasized the importance of national investment, stating, "Conducting research in outer space is not about pursuing short-term profitit is about creating technologies that shape the future." This mission represents Korea's first step into space-based bioengineering, establishing the nation's foundation for biological tissue 3D printing research and verifying stem cell survival and cardiac tissue formation in the space environment.

SOURCE Hallym University Medical Center
SINGAPORE, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Supreme Court of Singapore and the Supreme People's Court (SPC) of China successfully concluded the Ninth Singapore-China Legal and Judicial Roundtable (Roundtable) in Shenzhen on 18 November 2025, reaffirming their strong commitment to bilateral judicial cooperation and mutual learning.

The 9th Singapore-China Legal and Judicial Roundtable took place at the First Circuit Court of the Supreme Peoples Court on 18 November 2025 in Shenzhen, China.

The Singapore delegation, led by The Honourable the Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, was on a two-day visit to Shenzhen from 17 to 18 November 2025. The Roundtable was co-chaired by Chief Justice Menon and His Excellency Zhang Jun, Chief Justice of the SPC. The two Chief Justices also held their annual Singapore-China Chief Justices Bilateral Meeting during the visit.

Established in 2017, the annual Roundtable serves as a vital platform for judicial cooperation and the mutual exchange of ideas and experiences, with the two judiciaries alternating as hosts. This year's agenda focused on contemporary issues critical to the administration of justice, including Judicial Education and the Comprehensive Training and Development of Judges, which was presented by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon; The Court's Role in Supporting and Safeguarding the Arbitral Process in International Arbitration, presented by Justice Steven Chong; Strengthening the Administration of Justice through the Reliable and Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence, presented by Justice See Kee Oon; and Achieving Best Outcomes in Family Justice, presented by Justice Teh Hwee Hwee.

Chief Justice Menon also delivered the opening and closing remarks at the Roundtable.

The Singapore delegation engaged in extensive site visits to gain practical insights into the operations of the Chinese courts. These included visits to the Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court, the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, the First Circuit Court of the Supreme People's Court, the China International Commercial Court, and the Qianhai Cooperation Zone People's Court.

SOURCE Supreme Court of Singapore
No Referrals Needed for TRICARE Prime Demo by CareSource Military & Veterans Beneficiaries

TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tampa General Hospital (TGH) and USF Health have joined the CareSource Military and Veterans (CSMV) network, providing comprehensive health care services to meet the unique health care needs of the military community.

Through the TRICARE Prime Demo by CareSource Military & Veterans, eligible beneficiaries in the Tampa area  including active-duty family members, survivors, military retirees and their families  will have access to the same comprehensive coverage offered by the existing TRICARE plan, paired with benefits including no referrals for network providers, access to a CareSource nurse advice line (NAL) and no enrollment fees for the first year.

The partnership ensures that TRICARE Prime Demo by CareSource Military & Veterans beneficiaries have access to a robust network of providers, including primary and specialty care from physicians at the University of South Florida and Tampa General Hospital. These specialists offer a wide range of services, including cardiology, neurology, neurosurgery, dermatology, urology and behavioral health. Existing TRICARE patients of TGH and USF who choose the demo will maintain access to their current care, while new patients can also access these services without referrals.

TGH is home to a leading Military & Veteran Primary Care Center providing world-class care tailored to serve the unique health care needs of the military and veteran community. USF Health also houses the Office of Military Medical Innovation & Research, which leverages multidisciplinary clinical expertise and research excellence to accelerate medical advancements that improve care for service members and their families.

"The Military and Veterans Primary Care Center at Tampa General Hospital exists to give veterans and military families the coordinated and dependable care they should be able to count on every day," said Yamil Miranda-Usua, MD, FAAFP, medical director primary care, Tampa General Medical Group. "Our partnership with CareSource helps us carry that mission further and strengthens access, improves continuity and supports the level of attention this community has earned through service and sacrifice. We're grateful to move this forward together."

"Military families deserve timely, compassionate care," said Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. Dr. Lockwood is also executive vice president and chief academic officer of Tampa General Hospital. "By joining the CareSource Military and Veterans network, USF Health is helping ensure these families can more easily access the high-quality services they need without barriers or delay."

"This partnership with Tampa General Hospital and USF Health is a significant step forward in our mission to provide exceptional health care to military families," said Holly Joers, President of CareSource Military and Veterans. "By eliminating the referral requirement, the TRICARE Prime Demo by CareSource Military & Veterans is making it easier for beneficiaries to access the care they need, when they need it. We are excited to work together to improve the health and well-being of our service members and their families."

Enrollment for the TRICARE Prime Demo by CareSource Military & Veterans runs through Dec. 9. Those interested can learn more about the plan and enroll today here.

About Tampa General Hospital

Tampa General Hospital, the Tampa Bay region's only academic health system, is a 1,529-bed not-for-profit network of hospital and outpatient services spanning across Florida. As the only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care center serving 23 counties, Tampa General delivers world-class care. The system's hospitals include Tampa General Hospital, Tampa General Rehabilitation Hospital, Tampa General Behavioral Health Hospital, all in Tampa; Tampa General Brooksville, Tampa General Spring Hill and Tampa General Crystal River. Tampa General is the highest-ranked hospital in Tampa Bay in U.S. News & World Report's 2025-2026 Best Hospitals, with six medical specialties ranking among the top 50 in the nation and five additional medical specialties ranked among the top 10% best hospital programs in the United States. As the first hospital in Florida to open a clinical command center for real-time situational awareness, the academic health system has elevated its digital care coordination center to the next level by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and its analytics platform across inpatient and outpatient care to ensure patients receive leading-edge care as quickly and safely as possible. Tampa General's commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by three prestigious Forbes magazine rankings  in the 2025 America's Best Large Employers, ranked as the Tampa Bay region's #1 employer in the health care category for the fifth year in a row, and among the top five in the state of Florida, in the 2025 Best Employers by State and the 2023 America's Best Employers for Women.

Tampa General is the area's safety-net hospital, caring for anyone regardless of ability to pay; in fiscal year 2024, Tampa General provided a net community benefit of approximately $289.1 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It was the nation's No. 1 adult solid organ transplant center in 2024 and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With five medical helicopters, Tampa General transports critically injured or ill patients from surrounding counties to receive the advanced care their conditions require. Tampa General has a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It is home to the Muma Children's Hospital at TGH, the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed neonatal intensive care unit and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General's footprint includes TGH North, which consists of three hospitals and several outpatient locations in Citrus and Hernando counties; 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices; TGH Family Care Center Kennedy; two TGH outpatient centers; TGH Virtual Health; and 19 TGH Imaging outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. Tampa Bay area residents receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care, powered by the Fast Track network of clinics. To see a medical care professional live anytime, anywhere on a smartphone, tablet or computer, visit Virtual Health | Tampa General Hospital (tgh.org). For more information, go to www.tgh.org.

About USF Health

USF Health's mission is to envision and implement the future of health. It is the partnership of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the Taneja College of Pharmacy, the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, the Biomedical Sciences Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs, and USF Health's multispecialty physicians group. The University of South Florida is a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report's national university rankings than USF. For more information, visit health.usf.edu

About CareSource Military & Veterans Co.

CareSource Military & Veterans Co. is dedicated to improving health care access and delivery for service members, retirees, veterans and their families. CareSource Military & Veterans Co. transforms health care for the military community through care coordination and integrated programs that support the health and well-being of our beneficiaries. As a mission-driven organization, we invest resources into the communities and families we serve.

Media Contact:

Adam Summers

Media Relations Specialist

CareSource

[email protected] 708.549.9572

Correction: An earlier version of this release incorrectly included the CareSource logo.

SOURCE CareSource Military & Veterans
BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Wednesday urged Japan to take concrete actions to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in Japan, as crimes targeting Chinese nationals have been on the rise.

"Just last week, we noted that Japanese police arrested five suspects involved in assaults against Chinese citizens," spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing, adding that Japan has also seen a rise in extreme and threatening remarks targeting China online.

Mao said that the Chinese embassy and consulates in Japan have been recently repeatedly harassed, both online and offline, by right-wing provocateurs.

"We urge Japan to take China's concerns seriously and adopt effective measures to ensure the safety and legitimate rights of Chinese citizens and institutions in Japan," the spokesperson said. 
Two recognitions honor TT platform for execution and order management and firm's transaction cost analysis (TCA) solution

CHICAGO and LONDON, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Trading Technologies International, Inc. (TT), a global capital markets technology platform services provider, last night won two awards at Risk.net's Markets Technology Awards 2026 in London. The publication honored the firm as E/OMS (Execution/Order Management System) Provider of the Year for its TT platform, while Abel Noser Solutions, a Trading Technologies company, won the award for Best Execution Product of the Year.

The Markets Technology Awards recognize industry-leading organizations across a range of categories, with winners decided by a judging panel consisting of technology users and members of the Risk.net editorial team.

The Best Execution award was the second for Abel Noser in the past week, as it won The TRADE's Editor's Choice Award for TCA Provider of the Year for the second consecutive year in the Leaders in Trading New York Awards.

TT CEO Justin Llewellyn-Jones said: "These awards are a testament to the success we've had in expanding our products and services to meet a broader range of needs for the most discerning financial institutions. We're laser focused on delivering high-performance technology with tools that bring powerful results and cost efficiencies to our clients. We are grateful to Risk.net and the judges for these tremendous honors."

A pioneer in helping buy-side and sell-side firms lower costs associated with trading, Abel Noser is the industry-leading provider of TCA and best execution for investment managers, brokers, asset owners and consultants, offering comprehensive products and services for global equities, foreign exchange (FX), futures, fixed income and options. TT Futures TCA - one of the newer offerings - leverages the industry's largest collection of anonymized, aggregated microsecond-level futures market and trade data.

The TT platform handled more than 2.8 billion derivatives transactions alone in 2024. Through its EMS, TT provides access to more than 100 global exchanges and venues for cross-asset trading. Through TT OMS, firms can accept, manage and execute orders and conduct post-trade confirmations and allocations. The expansion of the platform to deliver multi-asset functionality enables clients to utilize sophisticated order and execution management tools in the E/OMS for high-, low- and no-touch workflows across their global trading operations in each of the asset classes. TT's open architecture allows users to integrate their systems with TT to access their own market connections, private liquidity or execution algorithms, and import data from external sources enterprise-wide.

TT has earned more than 20 awards and honors in 2025, including for its EMS and OMS, algorithmic trading solution, trade surveillance solution and TCA offering. In June, TT Trade Surveillance won the award for Trade Surveillance Product of the Year at the Risk Technology Awards, also hosted by Risk.net.

About Trading Technologies

Trading Technologies ( www.tradingtechnologies.com ) is a global capital markets platform services company providing market-leading technology for the end-to-end trading operations of Tier 1 banks, brokerages, money managers, hedge funds, proprietary traders, Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs), commercial hedgers and risk managers. With its roots in listed derivatives, the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company delivers "multi-X" solutions, with "X" representing asset classes, functions, workflows and geographies. This multi-X approach features trade execution services across futures and options, fixed income, foreign exchange (FX) and cryptocurrencies augmented by solutions for data and analytics, including transaction cost analysis (TCA); quantitative trading; compliance and trade surveillance; clearing and post-trade allocation; and infrastructure services. The award-winning TT platform ecosystem also helps exchanges deliver innovative solutions to their market participants, and technology companies to distribute their complementary offerings to Trading Technologies' clients.

SOURCE Trading Technologies
Installation brings total HPP machine count to 23 across coast-to-coast network, reinforcing Universal Pure's position as North America's largest HPP and cold-chain services provider

MALVERN, Pa., Nov. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hiperbaric, the global leader in High Pressure Processing (HPP) technology, announces that Universal Pure, the largest independent provider of HPP and cold-chain services in North America, has installed an additional Hiperbaric 525i system for its Malvern, Pennsylvania facility. This strategic expansion brings Universal Pure's Malvern location to a total of four Hiperbaric 525i machines and increases the company's nationwide HPP capacity to 23 machines across seven facilities.

Hiperbaric 525i HPP equipment, capable of processing up to 8,000 lbs. per hour

High Pressure Processing (HPP) is a non-thermal food preservation method that uses high isostatic pressureup to 6,000 bar (600 MPa or 87,000 psi)to inactivate foodborne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms. By using cold water and pressure rather than heat or chemical preservatives, HPP extends shelf life and ensures food safety while maintaining fresh taste, texture, and nutritional quality.

The investment reflects strong growth across multiple product categories, including fresh pet food, premium proteins, dips and spreads, and beveragessegments that rely on HPP to meet food safety and distribution demands while maintaining clean-label freshness.

"We continue to see increasing demand from our customers as more brands recognize the value HPP brings to food safety and shelf-life extension," said Frank Jimenez, Chief Executive Officer of Universal Pure. "Adding another Hiperbaric 525i strengthens our ability to serve customers with redundant capacity, faster throughput, and shorter lead times across our national network. It reinforces Universal Pure's position as the only coast-to-coast HPP service partner with integrated cold-chain capabilities."

Universal Pure selected the Malvern, PA facility for this expansion due to its strong customer base, logistics connectivity, and growing demand from regional food producers in the Northeast. The facility offers a comprehensive suite of integrated services, including HPP, cold storage, packaging and secondary packaging, labeling and kitting, distribution, and other value-added services.

"Universal Pure has been a long-standing and trusted partner, and we're honored to support their continued growth," said Rob Peregrina, USA Executive Director at Hiperbaric. "As one of the pioneers in the HPP tolling business and among the fastest-growing companies in the industry, Universal Pure's investment in a fourth Hiperbaric 525i at their Malvern facility demonstrates their commitment to meeting increasing customer demand and advancing food safety innovation.

The Hiperbaric 525i system, one of the most advanced and highest-capacity HPP systems available, combines high throughput, proven reliability, and efficient design. Its ease of integration, maintenance accessibility, and lifecycle performance make it an ideal solution for high-volume tolling operations.

Founded in 2001 as one of the first U.S. companies dedicated exclusively to HPP, Universal Pure has evolved from a single-facility tolling provider into the nation's largest network of HPP and cold-chain service centers. The company's mission is to help create a safer, higher-quality food system by delivering food safety and shelf-life extension without heat or preservatives.

In addition to its ongoing growth and investment in HPP capacity, Universal Pure will celebrate two major milestones in 2026: 25 years since its founding and 15 years as an HPP industry leader.

Media Kit Linked Here

Hiperbaric 525i HPP Machine Photos

Hiperbaric and Universal Pure Logos

About Hiperbaric

Hiperbaric is the global leader in high pressure technology, designing, manufacturing, and marketing its high pressure processing equipment internationally. The company is recognized for its reliability, customer support, teamwork and continuous effort in R&D.

Hiperbaric has installed more than 400 machines in more than 50 countries across five continents. Hundreds of companies worldwide use Hiperbaric HPP equipment to process juices and beverages, meat, fish and seafood, fruits and vegetables, dairy and ready-to-eat meals. Hiperbaric is headquartered in Burgos, Spain, with a U.S. office in Miami, FL, Asia office in Shanghai, China and commercial and technical offices in Mexico, Asia, and Oceania. For more information, visit: www.hiperbaric.com

About Universal Pure

Universal Pure is the largest provider of HPP and food safety solutions across the cold chain and is dedicated to helping ensure the safety and quality of food and beverage products. Universal Pure operates 23 HPP machines across a strategic facility network of locations in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Through its facility footprint, totaling 1.1 million square feet, the company delivers an integrated end-to-end solution and is a trusted partner in high-pressure processing, refrigerated and frozen storage, beverage bottling, kitting and assembly, tempering, and other value-added cold chain services. For more information about Universal Pure, please visit: www.universalpure.com.

Media Contact: Jenny Tuggle, Universal Pure, 1 6788401521, [email protected]

Contact: Anthony Zapata



Hiperbari



[email protected]

(305) 607-4538

SOURCE Hiperbaric
WASHINGTON, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Canadian Prime Minister Carney's government today issued yet another massive subsidy announcement to prop up Canada's excessive and harmful lumber overcapacity and production. This bail out comes on top of other multi-billion dollar subsidies announced since August of this year, all aimed at neutralizing U.S. trade law enforcement actions and President Trump's plan to increase U.S. softwood lumber production through his additional tariff measures.

This doubling down on unfair trade and subsidies by the Carney government will only exacerbate the softwood lumber trade issue, and will eventually result in the U.S. government collecting those subsidies at the border as the United States continues to enforce its trade laws. To date, Canadian softwood lumber companies have paid over $7 billion dollars in duties to the U.S. government, and today's announcement of more Canadian taxpayer-funded subsidies will ensure that those collections will continue into the future.

"Canada should responsibly reduce its massive excess lumber overcapacity that remains the underlying cause of Canada's unfair trade practices along with its subsidy programs," stated Zoltan van Heyningen, Executive Director of the U.S. Lumber Coalition, adding that "we will continue to fight for U.S. workers, forestry dependent communities, and companies to level the playing field against Canada's unfair trade practices and to support the President's targeted tariff policies aimed at addressing Canada's harmful excess lumber capacity."

"Canada's sense of entitlement to be able to abuse our trade laws, engage in unfair trade, announce round after round of subsidies that force our industry to compete against the Canadian government to maintain U.S. production facilities and U.S. jobs is outrageous. Clearly, the Canadian softwood lumber industry is unable to compete on its own two feet without massive government subsidies," stated Andrew Miller, Chair and Owner of Stimson Lumber Company.

"This cycle of new Canadian subsidies that are endangering our U.S. industry and workers must come to an end. We urge President Trump and his Administration to consider additional immediate measures in response to Canada's continued abuse of the U.S. market," concluded Miller.

About the U.S. Lumber Coalition

The U.S. Lumber Coalition is an alliance of large and small softwood lumber producers from around the country, joined by their employees and woodland owners, working to address Canada's unfair lumber trade practices. Our goal is to serve as the voice of the American lumber community and effectively address Canada's unfair softwood lumber trade practices. The Coalition supports the full enforcement of the U.S. trade laws to allow the U.S. industry to invest and grow to its natural size without being impaired by unfairly traded imports. Continued full enforcement of the U.S. trade laws will strengthen domestic supply lines by maximizing long-term domestic production and lumber availability produced by U.S. workers to build U.S. homes. For more information, please visit the Coalition's website at www.uslumbercoalition.org.

Canadian Subsidy Announcements Since August 2025:

Federal

Softwood Lumber Guarantee Program: In August 2025, the GOC announced a plan to deliver $700 million in loan guarantees through the Business Development Bank of Canada to "help companies confront immediate pressures facing the softwood lumber sector, which will give the sector needed liquidity to maintain and restructure, if necessary, their operations." (https://natural-resources.canada.ca/forest-forestry/forest-industry-trade/measures-transform-canada-softwood-lumber-industry) In November 2025, the GOC announced an additional $500 million in funding for this program, resulting in a total of $1.2 billion in loan guarantees available to Canadian softwood lumber producers. (https://globalnews.ca/news/11543966/liberals-loans-lumber-producers-foreign-steel/)





In August 2025, the GOC announced a plan to deliver $700 million in loan guarantees through the Business Development Bank of Canada to "help companies confront immediate pressures facing the softwood lumber sector, which will give the sector needed liquidity to maintain and restructure, if necessary, their operations." (https://natural-resources.canada.ca/forest-forestry/forest-industry-trade/measures-transform-canada-softwood-lumber-industry) In November 2025, the GOC announced an additional $500 million in funding for this program, resulting in a total of $1.2 billion in loan guarantees available to Canadian softwood lumber producers. (https://globalnews.ca/news/11543966/liberals-loans-lumber-producers-foreign-steel/) NRCan Forest Industry Transformation Programs: In August 2025, the GOC announced that it would commit $500 million beginning in FY26 to "supercharge product and market diversification and make the industry more competitive globally." This funding will be provided through programs including the Forest Innovation Program, Investments in Forest Industry Transformation, Green Construction Through Wood, the Indigenous Forestry Initiation, Expanding Market Opportunities program, and Forest Systems Information and Technology Enhancement program. (https://natural-resources.canada.ca/forest-forestry/forest-industry-trade/measures-transform-canada-softwood-lumber-industry)





In August 2025, the GOC announced that it would commit $500 million beginning in FY26 to "supercharge product and market diversification and make the industry more competitive globally." This funding will be provided through programs including the Forest Innovation Program, Investments in Forest Industry Transformation, Green Construction Through Wood, the Indigenous Forestry Initiation, Expanding Market Opportunities program, and Forest Systems Information and Technology Enhancement program. (https://natural-resources.canada.ca/forest-forestry/forest-industry-trade/measures-transform-canada-softwood-lumber-industry) Reskilling Package : In September 2025, the GOC announced a new reskilling package created to train 50,000 workers to invest in Canadians through the federal government's Labour Market Development Agreements with provinces and territories. The GOC pledged an additional $450 million over the next three years to train employees, including "mid-career, long-tenured workers affected by U.S. tariffs and global market shifts." (https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/backgrounders/2025/09/05/prime-minister-carney-launches-new-measures-protect-build-and)





: In September 2025, the GOC announced a new reskilling package created to train 50,000 workers to invest in Canadians through the federal government's Labour Market Development Agreements with provinces and territories. The GOC pledged an additional $450 million over the next three years to train employees, including "mid-career, long-tenured workers affected by U.S. tariffs and global market shifts." (https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/backgrounders/2025/09/05/prime-minister-carney-launches-new-measures-protect-build-and) Workforce Alliances and Sectoral Workforce Innovation Fund : In September 2025, the government announced it would invest $382 million over the next five years to "invest in projects tailored to local job markets to help businesses recruit and retain the workforce they need." (https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/backgrounders/2025/09/05/prime-minister-carney-launches-new-measures-protect-build-and)





: In September 2025, the government announced it would invest $382 million over the next five years to "invest in projects tailored to local job markets to help businesses recruit and retain the workforce they need." (https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/backgrounders/2025/09/05/prime-minister-carney-launches-new-measures-protect-build-and) Workforce Innovation Fund : In September 2025, the government announced it would provide $50 million to fund "projects that help businesses in key sectors and regions recruit and retain the workforce they need." (https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/backgrounders/2025/09/05/prime-minister-carney-launches-new-measures-protect-build-and)





: In September 2025, the government announced it would provide $50 million to fund "projects that help businesses in key sectors and regions recruit and retain the workforce they need." (https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/backgrounders/2025/09/05/prime-minister-carney-launches-new-measures-protect-build-and) Strategic Response Fund : In September 2025, the GOC launched this new program to support "economic resilience" for "strategic sectors disproportionately exposed to U.S. tariffs and global trade risks." (https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/en/programs-and-initiatives/strategic-response-fund)





: In September 2025, the GOC launched this new program to support "economic resilience" for "strategic sectors disproportionately exposed to U.S. tariffs and global trade risks." (https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/en/programs-and-initiatives/strategic-response-fund) Immediate Liquidity Relief : In September 2025, the Business Development Bank of Canada announced that it would offer loans of $2 - $5 million for SMEs impacted by tariffs. The Bank will also offer "{f}lexibilities to the Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility, including lower interest rates and longer maturities." (https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/backgrounders/2025/09/05/prime-minister-carney-launches-new-measures-protect-build-and)





: In September 2025, the Business Development Bank of Canada announced that it would offer loans of $2 - $5 million for SMEs impacted by tariffs. The Bank will also offer "{f}lexibilities to the Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility, including lower interest rates and longer maturities." (https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/backgrounders/2025/09/05/prime-minister-carney-launches-new-measures-protect-build-and) Regional Tariff Response Initiative : This program was created earlier this year in March, and in September 2025, the GOC announced that it would significantly increase allocated funds from $450 million to $1 billion over the next three years to support businesses (particularly SMEs) directly or indirectly impacted by U.S. tariffs. (https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/backgrounders/2025/09/05/prime-minister-carney-launches-new-measures-protect-build-and)





: This program was created earlier this year in March, and in September 2025, the GOC announced that it would significantly increase allocated funds from $450 million to $1 billion over the next three years to support businesses (particularly SMEs) directly or indirectly impacted by U.S. tariffs. (https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/backgrounders/2025/09/05/prime-minister-carney-launches-new-measures-protect-build-and) New Buy Canadian Policy : By November 2025, the GOC pledged to prioritize Canadian suppliers in federal spending and have amended its procurement requirements to require all federal agencies and Crown corporations to follow the Buy Canada Policy. The Policy includes Canadian softwood lumber. (https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/backgrounders/2025/09/05/prime-minister-carney-launches-new-measures-protect-build-and)





: By November 2025, the GOC pledged to prioritize Canadian suppliers in federal spending and have amended its procurement requirements to require all federal agencies and Crown corporations to follow the Buy Canada Policy. The Policy includes Canadian softwood lumber. (https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/backgrounders/2025/09/05/prime-minister-carney-launches-new-measures-protect-build-and) Lumber Freight Subsidies: In November 2025, the GOC announced that it would begin subsidizing the cost to move Canadian lumber domestically by paying half the cost of transporting lumber within Canada directly to freight companies. (https://globalnews.ca/news/11543966/liberals-loans-lumber-producers-foreign-steel/)

Alberta

Regional Tariff Response Initiative for the Prairie Provinces (AB, MB, SK): In September 2025, the Prairies Economic Development Canada initiated a program in response to the Regional Tariff Response Initiative strategy announced by the GOC earlier that month. This program is being administered to "protect Canadian businesses and workers from the impacts of tariffs." (https://www.canada.ca/en/prairies-economic-development/services/funding/regional-tariff-response-initiative.html)

British Columbia

BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund : In September 2025, the GBC announced $2.5 million in funding for nine wood-product manufacturing businesses to plan or complete capital projects. (https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025FOR0039-000907)





: In September 2025, the GBC announced $2.5 million in funding for nine wood-product manufacturing businesses to plan or complete capital projects. (https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025FOR0039-000907) Regional Tariff Response Initiative: In October 2025, as part of the GOC's strategy announced in September, the GBC launched this program to "defend Canadian jobs, industries, and supply chains" and to "protect Canadian businesses and workers from the impact of tariffs." Approved projects may receive $200,000 to $10 million in funding. Proposals from businesses in certain sectors, including forestry , will be prioritized. (https://www.canada.ca/en/pacific-economic-development/services/funding/regional-tariff-response-initiative.html)

Ontario

Ontario Forest Access Roads Program: In September 2025, the GOO announced a $20 million increase in funding for Provincial Forest Access Roads program (already countervailed). (https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/industry-news/forestry/ottawa-must-turn-talk-into-action-to-save-forestry-says-ontario-associate-minister-11270907)





In September 2025, the GOO announced a $20 million increase in funding for Provincial Forest Access Roads program (already countervailed). (https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/industry-news/forestry/ottawa-must-turn-talk-into-action-to-save-forestry-says-ontario-associate-minister-11270907) Ontario Sawmill Chip Support Program: In September 2025, the GOO announced a $10 million increase in funding for Ontario Sawmill Chip Support program to help sawmills find "new, innovative markets for their wood chips." (https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/industry-news/forestry/ottawa-must-turn-talk-into-action-to-save-forestry-says-ontario-associate-minister-11270907)





In September 2025, the GOO announced a $10 million increase in funding for Ontario Sawmill Chip Support program to help sawmills find "new, innovative markets for their wood chips." (https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/industry-news/forestry/ottawa-must-turn-talk-into-action-to-save-forestry-says-ontario-associate-minister-11270907) Investments in Steel and Softwood Lumber Industries : In September 2025, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, the government announced "a series of investments to strengthen the economy across Northern Ontario." These initiatives will support "workers and businesses most affected by tariffs and trade disruptions." (https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/canadian-news/ontario-economic-agency-announces-investments-steel-and-softwood-industries)





: In September 2025, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, the government announced "a series of investments to strengthen the economy across Northern Ontario." These initiatives will support "workers and businesses most affected by tariffs and trade disruptions." (https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/canadian-news/ontario-economic-agency-announces-investments-steel-and-softwood-industries) Regional Tariff Response Initiative in Southern Ontario: In October 2025, as part of the GOC's strategy announced in September, the GOO launched the RTRI to help businesses across all sectors "overcome trade disruptions" caused by tariffs. Businesses can request funding ranging from $125,000 to $10 million. (https://feddev-ontario.canada.ca/en/funding-southern-ontario/regional-tariff-response-initiative-southern-ontario)

CONTACT: Zoltan van Heyningen

[email protected] | 202-805-9133

SOURCE The U.S. Lumber Coalition
HUNTERSVILLE, N.C., Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- WORKPRO Tools, a trusted name in high-quality, affordable tools for DIYers and professionals, announces its most aggressive Black Friday promotion yet, with savings up to 55% across workprotools.store and amazon.com now through December 1, 2025.

"This is hands-down the best time all year to stock up on WORKPRO tools," said Lily Chi, CEO of WORKPRO's parent company, Hangzhou GreatStar Industrial Co., Ltd.. "Whether you're treating yourself to upgraded gear or checking off holiday gift lists, these are the lowest prices you'll see on customer-favorite sets that make perfect stocking stuffers, Secret Santa gifts, or 'I've always wanted that' gifts."

WORKPRO Tools most aggressive Black Friday promotion yet - savings up to 55% across workprotools.store and amazon.com. Post this

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Shoppers can choose fast Prime shipping on Amazon or direct savings at workprotools.store. The sale ends midnight December 1, 2025  don't miss the best time to bring home some new tools for the holidays.

For more information, visit workprotools.store or the official WORKPRO Amazon storefront.

About WORKPRO Tools

Since 2009, WORKPRO Tools has been committed to leading the way with innovative tools for the home do-it-yourselfer. Developed by Hangzhou GreatStar Industrial Co., Ltd., the largest hand tool manufacturer in Asia, WORKPRO Tools deliver a diverse variety of hand tools, power tools and storage solutions. Sold in over 100 countries around the world, WORKPRO Tools strives to provide tools to those who pride themselves in completing a project themselves. For more information, visit www.workprotools.store .

Media Contact:

Sue Ronis

Marketing & Media Specialist

GreatStar Industrial USA, LLC.

[email protected]

SOURCE GreatStar Industrial USA, LLC
BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Police from China's Hainan Province have escorted 11 individuals accused of running illegal gambling operations back to China from Malaysia, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Public Security (MPS).

The suspects, who had been in hiding overseas, had long been running illegal lottery operations. The gang recruited domestic agents and gamblers through social media and offline promotion, luring people into gambling with the prospect of high odds. The case involved an enormous sum of money, per the statement.

Having collected criminal evidence and information, Hainan's public security authorities dispatched a task force to Malaysia in accordance with the guidance of the MPS. With the assistance of the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, Malaysian police transferred the suspects into Chinese custody.

Police have been digging deeper into the case, dismantling two additional illegal lottery gambling rings.

A senior MPS official noted that Chinese police will maintain a high-pressure crackdown on gambling-related crimes, continue to deepen international law enforcement cooperation, and apprehend all suspects at large. 
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
SEOUL, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's special counsel sought a 15-year prison term Wednesday for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on charges of aiding and abetting the insurrection of former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol.

The team of Cho Eun-suk, independent counsel leading the investigation into Yoon's insurrection and other charges, demanded a 15-year jail sentence for Han on charges of aiding the insurrection leader, engaging in important tasks for the insurrection, and perjury, according to multiple media outlets.

The special prosecutor team was quoted by Yonhap news agency as saying Han attempted to secure the legitimacy of martial law, committed crimes of judicial obstruction by falsifying official documents, and remained uncooperative by retracting his statements.

Despite being the only person who could prevent the insurrection, Han neglected his duty and participated in the insurrection through a series of actions before and after the martial law declaration, the team noted.

The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon on April 4 over his botched martial law bid last December, officially removing him from office.

The ousted leader was indicted under detention on Jan. 26 as a suspected ringleader of insurrection. 
Ships transit the Suez Canal in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, on Nov. 25, 2025. Egypt's Suez Canal Authority (SCA) and Danish shipping and logistics company Maersk signed here on Tuesday a strategic partnership agreement, signaling the latter's potential return to the Red Sea route via the Suez Canal after a nearly two-year suspension. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

ISMAILIA, Egypt, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's Suez Canal Authority (SCA) and Danish shipping and logistics company Maersk signed here on Tuesday a strategic partnership agreement, signaling the latter's potential return to the Red Sea route via the Suez Canal after a nearly two-year suspension.

The signing was witnessed by SCA Chairman and Managing Director Osama Rabie and Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc.

Speaking to Xinhua, Rabie said the agreement opens new avenues for cooperation across various maritime and logistical domains, voicing hope for back-to-normal traffic rates in the region in the near term amid improved security.

"We are actually offering a 15-percent reduction for all container ships with a net tonnage exceeding 15,000 tons" that will pass through the Suez Canal, Rabie said, adding that the SCA has extended this incentive till March next year.

While the SCA said Tuesday in a statement that Maersk-affiliated vessels will resume transit via the Suez Canal on a partial basis starting from early December before a full-capacity return, Maersk clarified Wednesday on its website that it is still "conducting detailed security assessments" and that there has been "no specific timing" regarding its return to the route.

"The safety of crew, vessels and cargo remains our top priority," it noted.

Starting from December 2023, many major shipping companies, including Maersk, began diverting vessels from the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea towards Africa's southern tip in response to escalating attacks on commercial ships by Yemen's Houthi group.

In late September, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said the revenues of the Suez Canal, a major source of foreign currency for Egypt, have dropped by some 9 billion U.S. dollars over the past two years due to a challenging regional environment. 

Egypt's Suez Canal Authority Chairman and Managing Director Osama Rabie (L, back) and Danish shipping and logistics company Maersk's CEO Vincent Clerc (R, back) witness the signing of a strategic partnership agreement in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, on Nov. 25, 2025. Egypt's Suez Canal Authority (SCA) and Danish shipping and logistics company Maersk signed here on Tuesday a strategic partnership agreement, signaling the latter's potential return to the Red Sea route via the Suez Canal after a nearly two-year suspension. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

A ship transits the Suez Canal in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, on Nov. 25, 2025. Egypt's Suez Canal Authority (SCA) and Danish shipping and logistics company Maersk signed here on Tuesday a strategic partnership agreement, signaling the latter's potential return to the Red Sea route via the Suez Canal after a nearly two-year suspension. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Ships transit the Suez Canal in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, on Nov. 25, 2025. Egypt's Suez Canal Authority (SCA) and Danish shipping and logistics company Maersk signed here on Tuesday a strategic partnership agreement, signaling the latter's potential return to the Red Sea route via the Suez Canal after a nearly two-year suspension. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

People take photos of a ship transiting the Suez Canal in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, on Nov. 25, 2025. Egypt's Suez Canal Authority (SCA) and Danish shipping and logistics company Maersk signed here on Tuesday a strategic partnership agreement, signaling the latter's potential return to the Red Sea route via the Suez Canal after a nearly two-year suspension. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
Chen Xu (C), China's permanent representative to the UN Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, speaks during a high-level dialogue on AI governance entitled "Geneva Dialogue: Solidarity for AI Governance" at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Nov. 25, 2025. The Permanent Mission of China in Geneva, together with the permanent missions of Pakistan and Zambia, has convened a high-level dialogue on AI governance entitled "Geneva Dialogue: Solidarity for AI Governance" at the Palais des Nations, home to the United Nations Office at Geneva, on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

GENEVA, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Permanent Mission of China in Geneva, together with the permanent missions of Pakistan and Zambia, has convened a high-level dialogue on AI governance entitled "Geneva Dialogue: Solidarity for AI Governance" at the Palais des Nations, home to the United Nations Office at Geneva, Switzerland.

Over 150 participants attended the event held on Tuesday, including Permanent Representatives of member states, senior officials of international organizations, and academics.

In his opening remarks, Chen Xu, Permanent Representative of China in Geneva stated that the Global Governance Initiative and the Global AI Governance Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping charted the way forward for global AI governance.

Chen noted that China serves as an active advocate, promoter, and pioneer of AI capacity building, and is actively advancing the implementation of the UN General Assembly Resolution Enhancing International Cooperation on Capacity-Building of Artificial Intelligence.

Calling AI "the common wealth of all humanity," Chen stressed that its development should not become "a game of the rich countries and the wealthy."

He urged all countries to uphold the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, persist in innovation and openness, maintain collaborative governance, ensure equity and universal benefit, and fully leverage the advantage of Geneva as the hub of international organizations.

All parties should collaborate to ensure the development of AI for good and for all, making a public good that can benefit humanity, Chen said.

The opening session also featured remarks from several senior international officials, including Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva; Amandeep Singh Gill, UN Under-Secretary-General and Envoy on Technology; Professor Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization; Dr. Bilel Jamoussi, Deputy Director of the International Telecommunication Union; and Gilles Carbonnier, Vice President of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Participants emphasized the importance of broad participation, fairness and order, solidarity and cooperation, inclusiveness and universal benefit, and action-oriented approaches.

It was acknowledged that this dialogue injected important momentum in the lead-up to the convening of the first session of the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance and provided meaningful impetus to global AI governance. 

Tatiana Valovaya (front), director-general of the United Nations Office at Geneva, shakes hands with a robot before a high-level dialogue on AI governance entitled "Geneva Dialogue: Solidarity for AI Governance" at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Nov. 25, 2025. The Permanent Mission of China in Geneva, together with the permanent missions of Pakistan and Zambia, has convened a high-level dialogue on AI governance entitled "Geneva Dialogue: Solidarity for AI Governance" at the Palais des Nations, home to the United Nations Office at Geneva, on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

Tatiana Valovaya (C), director-general of the United Nations Office at Geneva, speaks during a high-level dialogue on AI governance entitled "Geneva Dialogue: Solidarity for AI Governance" at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Nov. 25, 2025. The Permanent Mission of China in Geneva, together with the permanent missions of Pakistan and Zambia, has convened a high-level dialogue on AI governance entitled "Geneva Dialogue: Solidarity for AI Governance" at the Palais des Nations, home to the United Nations Office at Geneva, on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
Rescuers evacuate a resident from a flood-hit area in Kelantan, Malaysia, on Nov. 26, 2025. The number of evacuees rose to over 21,000 in Malaysia on Wednesday, with 10 states affected across the country due to the current northeast monsoon season, according to authorities. Kelantan remains the hardest hit, with 9,642 flood evacuees housed in 52 flood relief centers as of 9 a.m. local time. (Bernama/Handout via Xinhua)

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- The number of evacuees rose to over 21,000 in Malaysia on Wednesday, with 10 states affected across the country due to the current northeast monsoon season, according to authorities.

Kelantan remains the hardest hit, with 9,642 flood evacuees housed in 52 flood relief centers as of 9 a.m. local time.

Other badly affected areas include Perak state with 4,331 evacuees, Selangor state with 2,909, and another 2,837 in Kedah state, with the remainder spread across the country.

Selangor state chief minister Amirudin Shari said flood mitigation measures in parts of the state were unable to cope with the surge in water and extraordinary weather conditions.

"The state government is identifying follow-up measures that need to be taken to ensure the safety of residents, including improving flood mitigation infrastructure and immediate actions to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected," he said.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Meteorological Department deputy director-general Ambun Dindang said the floods throughout the northeast monsoon period depend not only on rainfall but are also affected by land-related factors such as land-use changes, population density, and the effectiveness of local drainage systems. 
ISTANBUL, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police detained here on Wednesday 14 individuals linked to the Islamic State (IS) for allegedly procuring explosives and maintaining contacts with conflict zones abroad for a planned attack.

The police launched simultaneous raids at multiple addresses, arresting the suspects and seizing digital evidence, an unlicensed firearm, and 90 rounds of ammunition, the Istanbul Provincial Police Department said in a statement.

The suspects have been taken into custody for further questioning and legal proceedings, it added.

Turkiye designated IS a terrorist organization in 2013 and has since suffered multiple attacks carried out by the group. In response, Ankara has conducted numerous counterterrorism operations both at home and abroad. 
BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- In a world increasingly moving towards multipolarity, two major international gatherings held in recent days have captured global attention, with significant agreements reached in the absence of the United States.

The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Belem, Brazil, passed a key document on Saturday, underscoring the irreversible trend of global green transformation.

On the same day, the 20th Group of 20 (G20) Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, adopted a joint declaration that emphasizes multilateral cooperation in addressing global challenges.

Despite the absence of the United States at both events, the international community pushed forward, achieving consensus and taking significant steps to tackle climate change and foster inclusive global development.

U.S. ABSENCE CREATES SPACE FOR GLOBAL CONSENSUS

On Sunday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the G20 summit closed, banging a ceremonial gavel on the table.

Traditionally, Ramaphosa was supposed to hand the gavel over to the leader of the country taking over the next rotating chairmanship of the G20, but U.S. President Donald Trump opted not to attend the summit. Washington had asked Ramaphosa to hand it over to a junior embassy official, but the South African president refused.

Not only did the U.S. government refuse to participate in the summit, but it also pressured South Africa to prevent the adoption of any summit outcome document without U.S. approval, drawing widespread international criticism.

The COP30 meeting, held in Belem, Brazil, also saw no high-level U.S. representatives in attendance, marking the first time that the United States did not send any senior officials to a United Nations (UN) climate conference.

The United States' absence from the two events signals a retreat of its global responsibilities, and shows that it cares more about its interests rather than the global green finance and technology transfer that it used to advocate verbally, said Noha Bakir, a professor of political science at the American University in Cairo.

The outcomes of these two summits mean the world can rely on new reliable powers and that the world has a new approach to enter a post-unipolar phase where the Global South has a real influence, led by countries that advocate good international governance, she said.

"Ironically, the absence of President Trump may create more space for real consensus, because people won't be constantly looking over their shoulder at him and trying to anticipate or navigate his conduct and his positioning," Richard Calland, a professor from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, told the BBC.

At a time when the concerns of the Global South are becoming more prominent, the absence of the United States weakens its ability to shape global agendas and signals a gradual erosion of its international influence, said Humphrey Moshi, director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

RISE OF THE GLOBAL SOUTH

Despite U.S. opposition to the issuance of a joint declaration at the G20 summit, the gathering managed to reach an agreement on the very first day of the conference. At the COP30, after intense negotiations, the conference was extended by one day and reached a landmark political document.

The declaration of the G20 summit emphasizes addressing global challenges through multilateral cooperation and calls for increased support for developing countries to promote inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Meanwhile, the document adopted at the COP30 covers multiple issues, including climate change mitigation and adaptation, climate finance, and international cooperation, and for the first time, it incorporates trade issues into the outcome document.

Both meetings highlighted a key trend: The international community, even in the face of U.S. interference and threats, was able to forge agreements and make progress, with the Global South becoming an important force in advancing global economic governance and climate governance.

It demonstrates the emergence of a more balanced international order where the Global South plays a central role in advancing fairer cooperation, pragmatic development solutions and a more representative global system, said Paul Frimpong, executive director of the Africa-China Center for Policy and Advisory, a think tank based in Ghana.

Xu Feibiao, a researcher at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, believes that the two events demonstrated the growing willingness and capability of the Global South to participate in global governance.

The Global South is now taking on global governance responsibilities with greater confidence, pushing for inclusive, sustainable and mutually beneficial development pathways, he said.

GLOBAL PROGRESS WITHOUT U.S. PARTICIPATION

"Can the world move on without the U.S.?" The New York Times asked in a report on Sunday. The answer, as evidenced by the successful outcomes of both the G20 and COP30, is "yes."

"The G20 should send a clear message that the world can move on with or without the U.S.," said South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, before the summit. "We will mark them absent and continue with the business."

Many international experts agree that the absence of the United States at the events reflects a deeper shift in the global order, one where multilateralism can thrive without the involvement of a single power.

Despite the absence of the United States, both meetings still achieved significant outcomes, which in itself indicates that the global agenda is no longer fully dependent on a single major power to drive it, said Abdulaziz Alshaabani, a researcher at Al Riyadh Center for Political and Strategic Studies.

The absence of the United States reflects a decline in its presence and leadership in multilateral settings, weakening its ability to directly shape international laws and commitments, said Dahham Al Enazi, a Saudi political analyst.

The meetings revealed three main trends: the rising role of the Global South in setting agendas, the shift of the climate discourse towards actionable tools and financing, and political compromises that reflect the balance of power, he said.

Maya Majueran, founding director of the Belt and Road Initiative Sri Lanka, believes that both outcomes underline a simple truth: The world is willing and capable of advancing global cooperation without U.S. leadership.

"Rather than slowing down, global cooperation accelerated. And in doing so, it sent a clear message: the world is no longer waiting for Washington," he said. 
U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump depart the White House in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 25, 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he has directed his special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in hope of finalizing a peace deal on the Ukraine crisis. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he has directed his special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in hope of finalizing a peace deal on the Ukraine crisis.

"In the hopes of finalizing this Peace Plan, I have directed my Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with President Putin in Moscow and, at the same time, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will be meeting with the Ukrainians," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

"The original 28-Point Peace Plan, which was drafted by the United States, has been fine-tuned, with additional input from both sides, and there are only a few remaining points of disagreement," Trump said, adding that his team has made "tremendous progress" over the past week.

Trump said he looks forward to hopefully meeting with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky soon, but only when the peace deal is final or in its final stages.

The U.S.-proposed 28-point peace plan was unveiled last week.

Following its release, representatives from the United States, Ukraine and several European countries met in Geneva on Sunday to discuss the plan.

On Monday and Tuesday, U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll held talks with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi on the draft, according to a statement from the U.S. Army. 

U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump depart the White House in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 25, 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he has directed his special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in hope of finalizing a peace deal on the Ukraine crisis. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)
VILNIUS, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- A LOT Polish Airlines aircraft arriving from Warsaw slid off the taxiway after landing at Vilnius Airport on Wednesday, forcing a temporary runway closure, local media reported. 
NEW DELHI, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Forty-one Naxals, including 12 women cadres, surrendered to government forces Wednesday in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, police said.

The Naxals laid down arms in Bijapur district, about 443 km south of Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh.

Last week, 37 Naxals, including three commanders, surrendered before police in the adjacent state of Telangana.

India's federal government has resolved to eradicate Naxalism before March 31, 2026.

Currently, Naxals are active across central and eastern parts of India.

New Delhi has deployed paramilitary forces to take on Naxals in their strongholds.

The insurgency has reportedly claimed hundreds of lives and rendered thousands of poor inhabitants homeless. 
Members of the Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators considered trends in childrens and young adult publishing on November 20, during a webinar led by author and editorial consultant Deborah Halverson. A former Harcourt Childrens Books editor who founded the advice site DearEditor.com and contributes market research to SCBWIs annual Essential Guide to Publishing for Children, Halverson delivers State of the Childrens Book Market addresses, which are free to full members of the association.

SCBWI executive director Sarah Baker welcomed attendees. Its so important for childrens book creators to stay educated about all of the elements that affect us as professionals, she said. We used to offer this session once a year, but we realized how appreciated it is as an SCBWI member benefit, so we asked Deborah to do this two times a year.

Halverson, who studied trade news and interviewed editors and agents for her presentation, advised SCBWIs authors to develop unusual or interesting takes on common, universal themes. A few of her examples included Andrea Zuills Bob the Vampire Snail, for its playful take on identity; Jessica Lawson and illustrator Sarah Gonzaless nonfiction Ablaze: The Story of Americas First Female Smokejumper, for its unexpected and timely content; and Donna Barba Higuera and illustrator Juliana Perdomos first in a series, The Unlikely Aventuras of Ramon and El Cucuy, for its sly humor, light spookiness, and lots of heart.

All of those books put a surprising twist on familiar charactersa snail, a firefighter, a folktale monster. So many of us are in this for discovery, a new voice, an ending that feels inevitable because the story builds to it, Halverson said. Isnt that the feeling were all chasing when we read something? She recommended that authors do what you can to make the familiar fresh.

Craft First, Then Hit Submit

Before exploring categories from picture books to new adult, Halverson acknowledged statistics that show mixed sales results for childrens and YA in 2025. I do miss the days when I could come in here and say that childrens books are the shiny spot in the industry, and YA is kicking butt, she said. Thats just not our moment, but I see a lot of resilience in that data.

As signs of growth and potential, she cited Penguin Random House and HarperCollins expanding their supply chain hubs, combined with findings from Attests annual Media Consumption Survey that 60% of U.S. respondents would like to read more books, evidence of a grassroots momentum for getting off screens, with people citing on-screen fatigue and young people wanting to break their social media habits.

Halverson also noted the efforts of anti-censorship organizationsPEN America, PRHs Intellectual Freedom Task Force, Authors Against Book Bans, the National Coalition Against Censorship, and othersto defend the right to read, and to write, about people and topics deemed controversial. Prospective authors want to know whether acquisitions editors might be leery of manuscripts by or featuring marginalized people or cultures, Halverson said. One agent put it to me this way: queer projects are her passion, and she has her antenna out for any hint of marginalization. Thats not to say theres no backtracking or double thinking projects, but Im told that childrens editors want to keep the forward momentum in representation going.

Going category by category, Halverson introduced successful titles. In picture books, inventive work includes Darci Pattisons NOT Extinct: The Przewalskis Horse Returns from Extinct in the Wild and Karina Iceberg and illustrator Steph Littlebirds Indigenous story, Free to Fly. In chapter books, Halverson suggested Shifa Saltagi Safadi and illustrator Aaliya Jaleels Amina Banana series, about a Syrian girl who moves to Indiana. Middle grade picks were Penelope Spectors Computers: How Digital Hardware Works, part of First Seconds Science Comics series, and two dystopian thrillersJennifer L. Holms Outside and R.M. Romeros The Tear Collector. Children saving people from a dystopian world is truly of the moment right now, even as its an evergreen, empowering message, Halverson said.

In YA, Halverson put up a slide picturing 10 hit titles, from Lynn Painters Fake Skating to Chloe Gongs Coldwire. If youre worried about whether theres a place for your YA project in this market, look at these 10 books, she told listeners. Theres a three-point-of-view book, sequels, standalonessuch a range of opportunity for the stories we want to tell. She pointed to the new imprints Scarlett Press and Berkley XO as signs of an unflagging romantasy boom in crossover and new adult.

That doesnt quite mean that anything goes. One editor asked me to say to you, Dont rush to submit your books,  Halverson said. Keep working on your craft; keep reading other books and thinking about why those books might be coming to market. The greatest hook isnt going to get you far without the craft to execute it well. Every time I talk about the hook, remember: craft first.

She suggested authors try their hand at pitchfests such as DVpit (now on Bluesky), and she said would-be authors shouldnt take it personally when agents request heavy revision. All of the agents I talked with said theyre taking time to develop books before submission, so thats not unusual, she said. Theyre trying to maximize that submission to an editor and give them your best work.

At the end of the livestream, Baker rejoined the webinar to ask Halverson questions from the audience, ending with a classic dilemma for those who vow to finish their work before New Years Eve. Is it better to submit a query before the end of the year, or at the beginning of the new year? asked Baker.

Halverson responded with advice that will hit differently depending on ones identity as an author, agent, or editor. I can tell you agents use this as a great time to catch up on their submissions, she said. If youre submitting directly to a publisher, I might wait a little bit, but then youre in the rush of New Years resolutions. Ultimately the overarching answer is if its ready, submit it.
After a nearly 50-year career in publishing with accolades that include two Caldecott Medals, four Caldecott Honors, two Geisel Honors, three Pura Belpre Awards, and Ezra Jack Keats and Coretta Scott King Award winners, Neal Porter has announced his retirement from his eponymous imprint at Holiday House at the end of November. In January, Porter stepped away from his full-time role there to become publisher emeritus, handing the reins to Taylor Norman, who was appointed editorial director. Porter shared thoughts and reflections on his long and distinguished career.

He said he fell into publishing in 1977 when after studying theater history and dramatic literature at NYU (with the intention of becoming a theater critic), a friend offered him a job in the textbook division at St. Martins Press. It took me about a week to realize I didnt want to be in textbooks, he said. Luckily, there were other avenues to explore in publishing, and he went on to work in marketing at Avon Books, FSG, Atheneum, and Scribners, before becoming editorial director of Aladdin in 1985, and joint managing director of Walker Books in the U.K. in 1987. He was later appointed publisher of Macmillan Childrens Books and held executive positions at Orchard Books and DK. In 2001, he helped found Roaring Brook Press, where he also launched Neal Porter Books, which was sold along with Roaring Brook to Macmillan in 2004. He moved his imprint to Holiday House in 2017.

Reflecting on his publishing career, Porter said much has changed over the years. In the early days, childrens books were this quiet backwater that no one paid much attention to. We functioned in a kind of benign neglect. But at the same time publishers realized childrens books were a stable and predictable business based primarily on backlist sales. That shifted as the retail market for kids books grew and grew. Suddenly, we became an object of focus and a profit center in a way that we hadnt been before. In many houses, the process of acquiring a book has become more cumbersome.

Despite this change, Porters reputation for finding and publishing beautiful and meaningful books essentially hasnt changed. So much of what I do is intuitive, he said, describing what he calls his litmus test: asking himself Do I have to publish this book? While books never come to you fully formed and perfect, he added, he might fall in love with the text and then imagine how it will work visually. Every book is different. Its a new adventure.

 Its been a remarkable ride, one I didnt anticipate. 

Among the many noteworthy books of his career, Yuyi Moraless Dreamers stands out as being an example of the magic that can take place when publishing childrens books. The first book to be published by Neal Porter Books after the imprint moved to Holiday House, Dreamers arrived the day I started, he recalled: September 11, 2017. We worked at breakneck speed, he said. For this book, Yuyi developed an entirely new style, scanning textures and artifacts into the artwork that were breathtaking to behold. In a kind of publishing miracle, we were able to publish the book in both English and Spanish one year later. It remains one of the most successful books Ive been privileged to publish. Dreamers (2018) became a New York Times and Indie bestseller and won a Pura Belpre Illustrator Award and a Tomas Rivera Book Award.

As another example of fortuitous publishing, he cited Caldecott Medal-winning Watercress by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin. I got the manuscript and thought, I have to publish this, he said. Jason is primarily known for nonfiction. I thought it would be really interesting for him to try a fictional story. The results were magical.

While publishers generally work separately with illustrators and authors, he added, in this case, it just felt right for it to be a three-way collaboration because Andreas story was rooted in her own story. It was wonderful to see the book evolve with all participants active. Collaborating with author and illustrator in this way has been one of the highlights of his career, he said, offering as example I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott, illustrated by Sydney Smith, and his work with Philip and Erin Stead on A Sick Day for Amos McGee, for which Erin won the Caldecott Medal in 2011.

Another case of I have to publish this is The Iridescence of Birds: A Book About Henri Matisse by Patricia MacLachlan. While Porter and MacLachlan were chatting at an event, the author mentioned that she was working on a book that no one would publish, Porter said. After reading it, he knew that he was the one who would, and that Hadley Hooper was the right illustrator for the project.

A New Chapter

As rewarding as his career has been, Porter acknowledges that childrens publishing has become increasingly challenging. I used to believe a really good book would find its audience, but its tough these days, he said. Its a very noisy environment in which to publish books. At the same time, he added, Over the last 48 years Ive seen ebbs and flows. Everything is cyclical. Ive been through so many moments when the value of the printed book has been questioned. I have every confidence that we will endure. Thats in part because nothing can really replace the act of turning pages of a book, he said.

Porter said he was lucky to have mentors to show him the way, including Margaret McElderry, Jean Karl, and Dick Jackson. Porter was himself honored as a mentor in 2015 as the recipient of an Eric Carle Honor. He recalled a party he went to early in his career at which McElderry was in attendance. He marveled at her career, thinking, I could never get to that point, but, he added, It happened in the blink of an eye. Its been a remarkable ride, one I didnt anticipate.

In retirement, Porter plans to spend time reading for pleasure again, something that book professionals often find themselves with surprisingly little time for. He is also considering working on his own writing and will continue with his volunteer activities with a New York literacy foundation.
A 34-member coalition of literary organizations, publishers, libraries, and right to read advocates have cosigned a letter of concern to Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett.

In response to White House Executive Order 14168, titled Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, Hargett has directed 211 public libraries to review their youth materials for age-appropriateness within 60 days, causing gridlock as institutions have rushed to comply with a January 19 deadline.

Among those registering opposition to Hargetts directive are the Independent Book Publishers Association and Independent Publishers Caucus, along with Bivins Books, Candlewick Press, Holiday House Books, Macmillan Publishers, Peachtree Publishing, Penguin Random House, and Simon & Schuster. Other signatories include the American Booksellers for Free Expression, the American Library Association, the Authors Guild, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, GLAAD, Lambda Literary, Libro.fm, Military Families for Free Expression, Teaching for Change, and We Need Diverse Books.

The letter, hosted on PEN Americas website, reminds Hargett that EOs are not legislation, and Congress has declined to pursue such a bill concerning gender ideology. There are no clear protocols for complying with the EO, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the agency that runs library grant programs, has not created regulation or policies in support of the Executive Order, the letter says.

In addition, court cases including San Francisco AIDS Foundation v. Trump and Schiff v. Office of Personnel Management have challenged the constitutionality of EO 14168, resulting in portions of the EO being enjoined for violating First Amendment and equal protection principles. The letter notes the potential cost to taxpayers of the content review process and warns as well that legal fees are steep when patrons, publishers, and other advocates take legal action to prevent censorship.

The signatories attest that content reviews create widespread confusion, fear, and operational disruption for libraries, which have limited operations budgets. Content reviews pose immense administrative burdens for library systems, which sometimes close branches so that staff can manage the workload, and the process can lead to illegal censorship when libraries remove potentially controversial material out of an abundance of caution and a fear their funding will be taken away for noncompliance. In early November, branches of Tennessee's Rutherford County Library System announced emergency closures in order to review inventory.

Co-signatory EveryLibrary concurred in a separate statement that presidential EOs do not apply to states and do not authorize censorship or collection audits in public libraries. The advocacy group wrote that public libraries cannot and must not be forced into unconstitutional censorship, vague political tests, or destabilizing operational burdens.

EveryLibrary also published detailed guidance that expands on the legal and constitutional questions raised by Hargetts order. According to EveryLibrary, The Secretary of States interpretation is not only legally unsound, but it also undermines the Constitutional structure that protects both state autonomy and the rule of law.
Restless Books Kellman Prize for Immigrant Literature, formerly the Prize for New Immigrant Writing, announced the finalists for the 10th iteration of the award at an event at Manhattan's Tenement Museum on November 13: Jaguar by Beto Caradepiedra, The Conviction of Things Not Seen by Isabel Cristina Legarda, The Church of Mastery by Stephen Narain, and Drownproofing and Other Stories by Alexandra Lytton Regalado.

The event was bookended by a celebration of the writers whose careers have been boosted in the past decade by the honor, which awards $10,000, a writing residency, and publication with Restless to an immigrant author writing in English who, in the words of Restless publisher Ilan Stavans, "tells a story of what it means to move from one place to another at this particular time."

Stavans appealed to the fact that migration is "a story as old as humankind"a small sliver of which was palpable underneath the tenement apartment that had housed generations of Jewish, Chinese, and other immigrants to New York Citybut the more timely dimensions of the prize were an unavoidable fact of the evening. After the Trump administration's cuts to federal arts funding nearly upended the prize earlier this year, Steven Kellman, a translingual literature professor at the University of Texas San Antonio, stepped in to underwrite it in September. Kellman, who was in attendance, spoke to his grandparents' experiences immigrating to the U.S. from Eastern Europe, adding, "We can learn a lot from the writings of immigrants: we can learn about hardship, we can learn about injustice, perseverance, courage."

Stavans also held up another, more unexpected, component of the immigrant experiencehumor. He praised Sofi Stambos story collection People Who Live Alone Talk Too Much, which won the prize in 2024 and will be published in May 2026) for its comedic sensibility, a mode of immigrant narrative which, he said, has often been overshadowed by tragedy in recent years.

Stambo, who was born in Bulgaria and has lived and worked in New York for 16 years, told PW that the Restless prize has opened up a new dimension in her writing. "The way I struggle to say things is endearing, oftentimes very funny," she said. At the same time, she said there is a "struggle you have to go through, even on that level, to express how you feel."

For Deepak Unnikrishnan, who became the inaugural recipient of the prize in 2016 for his novel Temporary People (Restless, 2017), the award felt like an entryway into the literary world itself. Unnikrishnan told PW that his winning manuscript, an "oddball" work he wrote as an art student, was "rejected by close to 50 agents and almost two dozen publishing houses across three continents." He added, "The prize put me on the map as a writer willing to take risks."

Unnikrishnan said that Restless also wanted to submit his book for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, but at the time they were only open to U.S. citizens. Though the Pulitzers and National Book Awards opened eligibility to permanent and longtime residents in 2023 and 2024, respectively, Unnikrishnan noted the enduring need for the Restless prize.

"I wanted the opportunity to compete, to be offered the chance to rub shoulders with literary heavyweights, irrespective of my port of entry, the languages my elders spoke, or how my body became an archive," he said. "I can assure you there are many more like me, waiting to be discovered, to enter the literary arts in order to remain."

Back at the event, Stavans ventured that the prize, in being one of the rare venues dedicated to immigrant narratives in the U.S., also held a political significance. "We are in the middle of a very intense conversation that looks at immigrants as threatening or undermining our democracy," he said. "What we're hoping to do at Restless is to allow those immigrants to speak for themselves."

Restless will name its 10th winner, and first official recipient of the Kellman Prize for Immigrant Literature, on December 2.
Mehdi Tajallaei, a literary translator and foreign rights assistant at Houpaa Publishing House and Borj Books in Tehran, may be representative of a generational shift in Iranian publishing. Despite Iran's well-documented book piracy problemstemming from international sanctions, outdated copyright laws, and lack of membership in key treaties like the Berne Conventionyounger Iranian publishers like Tajallaei are voluntarily choosing to acquire international rights.

Tajallaei knows that acquiring foreign rights is an unusual move amid Iran's current publishing landscape. The country's 1970 copyright law predates digital publishing and doesn't align with international standards; what's more, Iran isn't a member of the World Trade Organization's 1994 TRIPS Agreement, meaning it doesn't recognize or enforce foreign copyrights. Plus, international sanctions block legal access to foreign publications, making pirated versions often the only option for Iranian readers, and popular foreign titles may appear in multiple translations.

PW spoke with Tajallaei at the Sharjah Publishers Conference earlier this month about his efforts to change these publishing norms.

This was your first time at Sharjah. What surprised you most?

I wasn't expecting to see this many people. At another fellowship I participated inin Istanbulmost people I set up meetings with wouldn't show up. But here everybody showed up, and everyone had good initiatives. I met lots of passionate people, not corporate people. You can tell if the person sitting across from you is passionate about books and wants to sell or buy the rights because they want more people to have access to the books that they love.

You mentioned that copyright compliance is improving in Iran. Can you explain?

Publishing houses in Iran are getting more active to buy copyrights. It's getting better, and independent publishing houses in other countries are getting more supportive of each other.

How did international publishers react when you told them you were from Iran and wanted to buy rights?

Most of them knew somehow what is happening in Iran and how the situation is. They knew that how it is represented in most of the media is not true, and people are not like that. But some of them were surprisedokay, we didn't know there are some active publishing houses in Iran with original titles, or even publishing houses in Iran acquiring copyrights. That was weird for them.

Did you encounter any resistance?

I had one bad experience. When I sat down and told them we're a publishing house based in Iran, they just said, "Can I stop you there? We have worked with some publishing houses in Iran. It was extremely hard to transit the money and stuff, and I want the easiest way. Let's not waste each other's time." But that was only one case out of many meetings.

For those of us in the U.S. who have not been able to travel to Iran ourselves, can what we read be believed? That there is, for example, a city of books in Tehran?

This is an instance where being able to meet with people and see for yourself is importantand instructive. Book City does exist, it is the literal name of the bookstore chain in Iran. They do have dozens of branches and one huge one in Tehran, where they sell foreign-language books as well.

You have also said that indie bookstores are on the rise as well.

Whats especially interesting about them is how theyve become spaces for so many things: conversations, music, workshops, film screenings, and all kinds of cultural and intellectual gatherings. That is, they've become one of the places where people are reclaiming their city and making it their own again. The most prominent, active, and popular bookstore of this kind is Dey Bookstore.

What's your takeaway from being more involved with the international publishing scene?

I have been able to meet with wonderful people and found lots of inspiration. Independent publishers especially were supportive and understood the situation.
KIEV, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday the peace plan prepared by Ukraine and the United States in Geneva could be developed into "deeper agreements."

In an address, Zelensky said he had discussed the plan with Ukraine's negotiating team. "The principles in this document can be developed into deeper agreements. And it is in our shared interest that security is real," he said.

He also voiced hope for continued active cooperation with the U.S. side and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Earlier in the day, Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine's presidential office, said Zelensky wants to meet with Trump to finalize a joint agreement on the terms for ending the Ukraine crisis, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported.

Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators reached agreement in principle on most aspects of the U.S.-proposed peace plan, Yermak said, noting that the document was significantly modified from the original 28-point U.S. proposal. However, Zelensky hopes to negotiate territorial issues directly with Trump, Yermak added. 
MINSK, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Wednesday proposed hosting peace talks on Ukraine here during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the state-run BELTA news agency reported.

Lukashenko reiterated Belarus' readiness to facilitate renewed negotiations, saying Minsk remains available to serve as a venue for talks.

He also responded to criticism of Belarus' position, stressing that the country maintains channels of dialogue with Western nations and the United States.

Putin, in turn, acknowledged Belarus' role and Lukashenko's personal contributions to efforts aimed at resolving the conflict. 
Washingtons decision to support South Koreas pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) is more than the fulfillment of a long-standing ROK Navy wish. It could reshape the ROKU.S. alliance at both strategic and operational levels. Managed well, the project may sharpen deterrence against North Korea, bind Seoul more deeply into U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy, and generate a new layer of industrial interdependence. Managed poorly, it risks overstretching shipbuilding capacity, accelerating arms racing, complicating non-proliferation norms, and creating friction over costs, roles, and missions inside the alliance.

Seouls interest in SSNs has been around for years. Korean naval planners have argued that even advanced diesel-electric submarines are constrained by endurance and are less suited for persistent operations against North Koreas developing sea-based nuclear force and Chinas expanding navy. Nuclear propulsion offers much greater endurance and sustained speed, making it possible to patrol far from home, track adversary submarines continuously, and maintain a credible presence in blue waters. The recent U.S. green light to share naval nuclear propulsion technology marks a political turning point, moving the project from a national ambition to a shared alliance endeavor.

At the strategic level, the most immediate impact concerns North Korea. Pyongyangs experiments with ballistic-missile submarines and sea-launched nuclear capabilities are designed to complicate allied planning and secure a survivable second-strike option. Conventional ROK submarines can monitor these developments, but they cannot remain on station indefinitely or follow targets over long distances without surfacing. SSNs, by contrast, can quietly track North Korean submarines from port to patrol area and back again. Even if armed only with conventional weapons, such boats would add a survivable and flexible strike option to combined war plans, reinforcing both South Koreas own deterrent posture and the credibility of U.S. extended deterrence.

This deterrent value depends on integration. If Korean SSNs are structurally embedded in existing combined command arrangements and tasked as part of a joint undersea force, they become a visible symbol of allied unity beneath the surface. That reduces Pyongyangs hopes of exploiting real or perceived gaps between the allies. A shared undersea deterrentplanned, exercised, and operated togethersignals that attempts to split Seoul and Washington are unlikely to succeed, whether in crisis signaling or in protracted conflict.

The SSN project also serves wider regional goals. U.S. willingness to share naval nuclear propulsion is not driven only by the Korean Peninsula; it reflects Washingtons desire for more capable partners in the Indo-Pacific maritime balance, particularly vis-a-vis China. A small but capable Korean SSN flotilla could help thicken allied presence around key chokepoints and sea lanes, especially if closely coordinated with U.S. and Japanese submarines. Nuclear-powered boats would allow the ROK Navy to operate routinely in the Philippine Sea, the South China Sea, and possibly the Indian Ocean without constant logistical support. That reinforces Seouls image as a security provider, but also makes it harder to maintain strategic ambiguity toward Beijing, which will likely perceive the program as part of a broader U.S.-led containment architecture.

Industrial implications are equally significant. SSNs are among the most complex platforms any state can build and maintain, and both countries will have to expand their industrial and human capital bases. For the United States, Korean investment and production partnerships could help relieve bottlenecks in yards that are already under strain from domestic submarine programs and AUKUS commitments. For South Korea, access to U.S. reactor technology, nuclear fuel, and certain high-end components will be essential. This creates a web of mutual dependence that turns the industrial side of the alliance into a more symmetrical relationship. Success would demonstrate that burden-sharing can be expressed through industrial cooperation, not just defense spending levels.

The project also introduces a nuclear hedge dimension inside the alliance. Naval reactors sit in a gray zone between civilian and military nuclear activities and demand special safeguards arrangements. Some in South Korea see nuclear propulsion as moving the country closer to a full fuel-cycle capability that could, under extreme conditions, support a weapons program. Optimists argue that embedding this capability within tight U.S. controlsusing low-enriched fuel, strong oversight, and strict legal frameworkscan reduce pressure for an independent nuclear arsenal by strengthening both national and allied deterrence. Skeptics fear it will normalize nuclear propulsion and lower political barriers to future weapons debates. Either way, the alliance will be forced into more sophisticated nuclear consultations.

Operationally, SSNs could be transformative if doctrine, training, and command arrangements keep pace. Their endurance and stealth make them ideal for undersea intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance: monitoring North Korean submarine bases, collecting acoustic signatures, and tracking individual boats over time. In wider regional contingencies, such as a Taiwan crisis or tensions in the South China Sea, Korean SSNs could contribute to a shared maritime picture by quietly shadowing Chinese ships and submarines and monitoring critical undersea infrastructure. They would also enhance anti-submarine warfare options, serving as high-end escorts for U.S. carrier and amphibious groups, conducting barrier operations at chokepoints, and raising the overall level of allied undersea training and exercises.

The same qualities make SSNs valuable for protecting sea lines of communication on which South Koreas trade-dependent economy relies. Conventional submarines can contribute to SLOC defense, but endurance limits their effectiveness in distant waters. Nuclear-powered submarines can patrol far-flung routes for extended periods, escort critical shipping, and deter or threaten hostile naval forces with minimal logistical footprint. In any prolonged disruption of energy flows through the South China Sea or Indian Ocean, Korean SSNs could work alongside U.S., Japanese, Australian, and European navies in a genuinely coalition maritime strategy.

None of these potential benefits are automatic. On the industrial side, the experience of AUKUS is a clear warning: even advanced shipbuilding nations struggle with the cost, complexity, and delays inherent in nuclear submarine programs. U.S. yards are already under pressure, and South Korea, despite its commercial shipbuilding prowess, faces a steep learning curve in nuclear engineering and regulation. Regionally, the program will provoke negative reactions from China and North Korea and may worry states concerned about naval nuclear propulsion and non-proliferation norms. Domestically, SSNs will compete with other pressing defense priorities, from missile defense to space, cyber, and unmanned systems.

South Koreas SSN project is therefore both an opportunity and a test for the ROKU.S. alliance. Strategically, it can harden deterrence against North Korea, embed Seoul more deeply in Indo-Pacific security, and broaden industrial interdependence. Operationally, it promises valuable gains in undersea ISR, ASW, and SLOC protection. But it will only deliver if both partners manage timelines, costs, safeguards, and regional signaling with discipline and honesty. Handled with strategic restraint and clear political guidance, the program could mark the transition to a truly integrated maritime alliance. Mismanaged, it risks becoming an expensive example of ambition exceeding capacity.
Following the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Southeast Asiaalong with several international nationsreaffirmed its commitment towards a sustainable future. In a declaration made on Oct 28, 2025, ASEAN announced its aims to improve its efforts to reduce, mitigate and address the degradation of the natural environment, and continue to share good practices in fulfilling the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahims goals towards a more sustainable future resonated with world leaders, alongside ASEANs efforts towards developing its technological advancements throughout the region, including artificial intelligence (AI) and data center storage. However, ASEANs burgeoning digital infrastructure industry runs the risk of hindering its environmental aims in the wake of international demand. In advancing the growth of domestic data centers, ASEAN member-states must not sacrifice their environmental goals at the expense of rapid industrial innovation.

The global AI industry in Southeast Asia has faced unprecedented growth this past year alone, with AI-related investment expected to surpass US$110 billion by 2028. In Malaysia alone, investment into data centers is projected to rise 185% by the end of 2025, with over 30,000 jobs being created by 2030. As a result of increased international demand from major powers, a growing population, and a rising role as a manufacturing hub, Southeast Asia is primed to become the next major outsourcing hub for scalable, high-performance data infrastructure for major investors. For member-states, this means short-term increased job growth and development towards financial technology (fintech) industries, while supporting both Chinese and American demands for data storage and AI energy reserves.

ASEAN simultaneously works diligently to improve its sustainability standards in the wake of increased international investment. Though ASEAN has no means to enforce these standards, its environmental framework has gained international backing and encourages meaningful dialogue across the region. ASEAN has long recognized the negative effects of climate change and its disproportional impact across Southeast Asia, making formal declarations to mitigate the degradation of the regions natural environment while improving interconnectivity between member states to achieve these efforts. This includes broader environmental, social and governance (ESG) regulations in ASEAN, and adopting International Sustainability Standard Board (ISSB) standards. In October, ASEAN member-states reaffirmed their commitments to promote policy and encourage their respective industries to maintain sustainable practices to address potential environmental impacts of their actions.

Several individual governments in Southeast Asia have already placed a larger emphasis on sustainability and environmentalism in the context of broader industry growth. There is growing concern across [Southeast] Asia about interconnectivity and sustainability, according to Dr. Tan See Seng from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. As is the case with ASEAN, the organization furnishes regional frameworks for ensuring best practices, but compliance is ultimately left in the hands of each member country.

ASEAN states have shown substantial progress in their sustainability frameworks. In 2024, Malaysia announced in its National Sustainability Reporting Framework the governments push its sustainable disclosure standards to meet the increasing demand for consistentsustainability information. This aims to support Malaysias goals to become a net zero gas emission nation by 2050, while strengthening the countrys investment attractiveness. In Jakarta, the Institute of Indonesia Chartered Accountants launched the Indonesia Sustainability Disclosure Standards last August to improve sustainability standards. Other ASEAN states, including Singapore, have worked closely together to adopt more sustainable industry standards.

Amid ASEANs notable environmental pragmatism, member-states must be cautious when working with international partners with fewer sustainability concerns and cybersecurity. While Washington seeks to strengthen its AI own dominance in the international stage, Beijing has sought to promote open models to promote regional appeal. US data centers produce staggering amounts of carbon emissions, whereas Chinas growing digital diplomacy across the region raises concerns over the PRCs influence in digital governance norms in countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia. Given criticism for both Chinese and US environmental and security concerns, along with the importance of digital infrastructure to their mutual objectiveschip manufacturing, artificial intelligence dominance, autonomous military systemsthe geopolitical benefits far outweigh the environmental risks of data center development. Southeast Asia must stay firm in its commitments towards environmental sustainability in the wake of international pressure amid increased demand for digital infrastructure.

Southeast Asian states sustainability standards and environmental policies could conflict with its broader economic goals. ASEANs sustainability agenda will largely be tested from the growing international demand of digital infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers. While ASEAN highlights the importance of cooperation in response to emerging challenges to new technologies, it also seeks to secure more foreign direct investment (FDI) to advance new technologies and create a more competitive digital economy. Yet as more data comes out showcasing the negative effects data centers have towards local communities wellbeing, cost of living standards, and environmental security, ASEAN must also be mindful when seeking to rapidly develop their own digital infrastructure.

Luke C Hahn is an independent international relations researcher based in Washington, DC. His research focuses on East and Southeast Asian multilateralism and coalition building.
'We are expecting investment, public and private, of around Rs 40 trillion by 2029.'

IMAGE: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu speaks at the CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam, November 15, 2025. Photograph: @ncbn X/ANI Photo

N Chandrababu Naidu is known for promoting information technology in his previous stints as chief minister. After taking charge again last year, the 'CEO CM' is shifting gear to concentrate on artificial intelligence, quantum, and green energy. Naidu talks about his 'Swarna Andhra' dream in an exclusive interview with Shine Jacob/Business Standard in Visakhapatnam.

You used to be called chief executive officer of Andhra Pradesh for promoting IT.

In your return as chief minister, what are your focus areas that will drive the Swarna Andhra 2047 vision?

Technologies are changing and so is the way business is done. Earlier I promoted IT with Hi-Tech City. Now technology has moved toward AI and also data centres.

These data centres need green energy. I am ensuring that data centres and green energy find meeting ground. This will help the power requirements of the data-centre industry.

That is where ecosystem players are building up, and I am working as a catalyst. And now people are coming.

Corporate offices will become redundant with data centres, AI, and quantum. One should imagine what is happening.

Previously, I imagined IT and promoted it, and as a result, the highest earners in the sector are Indians and among them, 35 per cent are from the Telugu community.

Google's mega AI investment is on. What will be the role of industry in the Swarna Andhra dream?

We are expecting investment, public and private, of around Rs 40 trillion by 2029, which is the first phase. As of today, in the public sector itself, we may get Rs 20 trillion with an employment of two million.

The way things are happening, more and more investment will come as people are thinking that something is happening only in Andhra Pradesh.

The state is going to become the gateway of India for investment. Once you create wealth, revenue will be generated, and through that, we can give welfare and go for an equitable society.

I am targeting P4 (public, private, people, partnership) with people as capital.

Google is investing $15 billion over five years to build its largest AI data centre outside the United States in Visakhapatnam.

ArcelorMittal is coming up with a Rs 1.4 trillion steel plant, Bharat Petroleum will have a Rs 1 trillion refinery, NTPC and the state government are investing Rs 1.5 trillion.

Everybody is talking about data centres.

The strong point with India is its demographic dividend. We want population management in place and to have more children.

That is why I have introduced schemes like the Talliki Vandanam (providing annual financial assistance of Rs 15,000 to mothers of school children).

Any number of children and I am giving them benefits.

Being someone who revolutionised IT in India, what is your perspective on quantum computing and AI?

Now I am taking the next step into quantum computing. When I started quantum-valley plans, people never understood that.

It took some time. We are creating an ecosystem for manufacturing quantum computers. Within two years, we will produce them here.

AI is the order of the day, and I want to see every home using AI. That will make our lives simple and more effective. That is why I brought the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub to Amaravati.

We are coming up with a hub-and-spoke model for technology and innovation, focusing on Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Amaravati, Tirupati, and Anantapur.

I am bringing everybody together -- industry, knowledge partners, venture capital, bankers, and mentors. Most importantly, to create last-mile infrastructure, we are laying emphasis on MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) as well.

Every constituency will have one MSME park, and in the park, we will create everything in a plug-and-play model with all infrastructure. This will help them operate immediately.

What is your vision for making Amaravati a global city?

Amaravati is an interesting project. Any city is built with private participation and the government will be a facilitator.

We have introduced land pooling for farmers, and 29,000 farmers have given 33,000 acres without taking a rupee.

This is land monetisation. I am constructing offices and developing them, and giving back their land.

Then private participation is there, with a lot of educational institutions and hospitals coming up in the area.

This will get me revenue. We are spending around Rs 50,000 crore to develop infrastructure.

Higher debt is a concern for the state. How are you looking to tide over this?

It will take some time. We have to balance things, keeping in mind people's aspirations. By fulfilling that, I have to step up economic activities. This way I can reduce debt.

What about rising investment in renewables?

Solar has become cost-effective. Now, hybrid models are coming with solar, wind, and pumped storage. In the course of time, green hydrogen and ammonia will become a reality.

We will export both these through our port-led economy. We have a coast of 1,000 km with around 20 ports. Our idea is to make full use of them.

One by one, the ecosystem is being created. I am creating a green hydrogen valley.

In the case of agriculture too, food habits of people are changing. That is why we are trying to produce demand-driven crops.

I am asking people to take steps to enrich the soil by correcting deficiencies. Rayalaseema will be a horticulture hub, and Andhra Pradesh will be an aquaculture hub.

How important are Centre-state relations in achieving the targets?

They (the Centre) are helping out in the case of the Visakhapatnam steel plant, the Amaravati project, and many more.

Our prime minister has introduced private-sector participation in satellites. Now, the state's dedicated space city will launch satellites.

We are encouraging drones too through a Drone City. We are making three regional development authorities -- Visakhapatnam, Amaravati, and Tirupati.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
BEIRUT, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Wednesday, during which he affirmed Cairo's "full support" for Aoun's security roadmap for southern Lebanon, Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) reported.

During the meeting held at the Baabda presidential palace, Abdelatty said Egypt "will spare no effort" in using its regional and global ties to prevent escalation and "defuse the crisis," while condemning Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty "in the strongest possible terms," the NNA reported.

He specifically endorsed the Lebanese government's decision to restrict all weapons to state institutions, a key element of Aoun's recently-announced plan, it reported.

Abdelatty called his fourth visit to Beirut in 18 months "a clear reflection of Egypt's engagement," and highlighted strong bilateral coordination across presidential and ministerial levels, noting recent high-level bilateral meetings and the activation of the Egyptian-Lebanese Joint Higher Committee, it reported.

In a separate statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Abdelatty was quoted as saying that "any Egyptian move towards Lebanon is based on the constants of supporting its unity, sovereignty, security and stability."

He voiced concern over "the escalation of Israeli aggressions on Lebanese territory" and urged "the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701 to ensure the withdrawal of Israeli forces and stop their violations of Lebanese sovereignty," read the statement.

For his part, Aoun thanked Egypt for its "steadfast and supportive positions in Lebanon in various circumstances," acknowledged Cairo's role in supporting regional stability, and affirmed Lebanon's willingness to deepen bilateral coordination and cooperation, read the statement.

According to the statement, the two sides also addressed regional developments, with Abdelatty reviewing Egypt's efforts to consolidate the Gaza ceasefire agreement and implement UN Resolution 2803 passed on Nov. 17 concerning the agreement, while noting Egypt's preparations for the upcoming International Conference on Early Recovery and Reconstruction of Gaza.

Abdelatty's visit came five days after Aoun unveiled a security roadmap for southern Lebanon, pledging to deploy the army to the border region once Israel halts violations and withdraws its remaining forces.

Speaking then at the army's South Litani Sector headquarters in Tyre, Aoun said the plan would be sent immediately to the "Quintet Committee" -- the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar -- as Lebanon's proposal for stabilizing the frontier. 
'This will bring in a lot of net new users to UPI.'

Photograph: Kind courtesy BHIM UPI

The Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) app on Tuesday launched a full delegation feature for UPI Circle, aiming to net new users on the real-time payments rails.

The feature will allow primary users to authorise their trusted secondary contacts to make UPI payments from their account, subject to a maximum monthly limit of Rs 15,000.

"This will bring in a lot of net new users to UPI. For instance, people like senior citizens are hesitant users. Children, often those in their teens, know how to use UPI but prefer pocket money. These categories bring you net new users in the ecosystem in a guarded manner," Lalitha Nataraj, managing director and chief executive officer, NPCI BHIM Services Limited (NBSL), told Business Standard.

A primary account can delegate UPI payments to up to five secondary users, but each secondary user can be linked to only one primary account for payments.

A secondary user may or may not have a bank account.

However, they should be registered on the BHIM app with a valid virtual payments address.

At present, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has over 450 million registered users. It is run by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

UPI Circle was launched in 2024. It comes with a feature to partially and fully delegate payments.

Unlike full delegation, partial delegation requires approval from the primary user for every transaction.

"We feel that as a result of the full delegation rollout, both full and partial will find their own niche use cases and both of them will grow," Nataraj added.

More apps are set to take full delegation for UPI Circle live in the coming months.

"We've also been testing this with other participants because it is in our own interest that others should go live, else the network effects will never come into play. Everybody will go live soon. Over the next few months, you will find more apps coming in," Nataraj explained.

NBSL was incorporated in 2024, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the NPCI.

How to set up full delegation UPI payment in BHIM?

To set up full delegated UPI payments, one needs to go to the BHIM App, head to UPI Circle and invite the person using their contact or UPI ID.

Choose full delegation, verify their identity, and set a monthly limit of up to Rs 15,000 along with the validity period.

Select your bank account, authorise with your UPI PIN, and once the secondary user accepts and completes a brief cooling period, they can start making payments.

For example, a primary user like a parent can authorise payments to their children, up to a set monthly limit, following which their secondary users (children, in this case) can transact using the UPI Circle feature.

Business owners can delegate payments to their staff to transact on their behalf.

A debit transaction to the primary user's account from a secondary user, will be recorded as a UPI Circle payment in the person's banking transaction history.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
Indias merchandise exports grew in the first three weeks of November compared with the same period last year, according to preliminary government data, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday.

Photograph: Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters

The uptick comes despite global uncertainties, the tariff imposed by the US, and an 11.8 per cent contraction in outbound shipments in October to $34.4 billion.

Given the challenging circumstances across the world, India continues to be a shining star.

"Until November 21, seeing the quick estimates, we find that merchandise trade is also showing growth from the corresponding period last year, Goyal told reporters after the conclusion of the Board of Trade (BoT) meeting.

BoT is an apex advisory body on trade policy. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Centre and states, as well as the countrys major industry bodies, to chart responses to the adverse impact of the 50 per cent tariff by the US on Indias exports.

The BoT meeting took place after a gap of more than a year.

The minister said the recently approved Rs 25,060 crore Export Promotion Mission (EPM) would incorporate targeted schemes to help landlocked states enhance their competitiveness in the export sector.

Based on inputs from states, the ministry would work closely with relevant agencies to identify effective and timely solutions to emerging challenges.

Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Telangana are among the landlocked states.

Guidelines on the Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES) and the Market Access Initiative (MAI) under EPM will be rolled out next week.

According to the minister, BoT also expressed satisfaction with Indias ongoing trade negotiations and provided support for fair, balanced, and equitable agreements.

Currently, talks are underway with the US, the European Union, New Zealand, Oman, Peru, and Chile.

Negotiations with the Eurasian Economic Union will start on Wednesday, and talks with Canada and Israel will begin soon, the minister said.

During the meeting, exporters urged the government to expand the coverage of the moratorium provided by the central bank to more areas.

They also suggested exploring the feasibility of providing legal services support through Directorate General of Trade Remedies for micro, small and medium enterprise exporters, as well as reforms in special economic zones.

During the meeting, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal highlighted the ministrys commitment to expanding digital public infrastructure for trade, ensuring faster resolution of trade-related issues, and improving inter-agency coordination to enhance export competitiveness.

The meeting saw participation from the commerce and finance ministries, export bodies, and industry chambers.

Representatives from nine states were also present, as BoT provides a mechanism for Centrestate trade coordination.

Delhi-based think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said the government must quickly roll out specific schemes under EPM.

Old programmes such as MAI and IES have made no payouts this year, leaving exporters without support at a time of global stress.

GTRI also recommended that India press Washington to withdraw the additional 25 per cent Russian oil tariff before committing to any US trade pact.

US President Donald Trump has publicly confirmed that India has very substantially stopped buying oil from sanctioned Russian firms.
The government on Wednesday approved a Rs 7,280 crore scheme to promote manufacturing of rare earth permanent magnets, a move which would help reduce India's dependence on China.

IMAGE: A sample of bastnaesite ore, a mineral used in the rare earth industry. Photograph: Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

Rare earth magnets are vital for a number of sectors like electric vehicles, renewable energy, electronics, aerospace, and defence applications.

The 'Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPMs)' was approved at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The scheme will promote manufacturing of rare earth permanent magnets.

"The aim is to create capacity of 6,000 MTPA (metric tonne per annum)," Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told reporters.

The scheme will support the creation of integrated manufacturing facilities, involving conversion of rare earth oxides to metals, metals to alloys, and alloys to finished magnets.

It envisions allocating the total capacity to five beneficiaries through a global competitive bidding process.

Each beneficiary will be allotted up to 1,200 MTPA capacity.

The minister said that the detailed guidelines will be released soon.

The total duration of the scheme will be seven years from the date of award, including a 2-year gestation period for setting up an integrated magnets manufacturing facility, and 5 years for incentive disbursement on the sale of the product.

The total financial outlay of the scheme is Rs 7,280 crore, comprising a sales-linked incentives of Rs 6,450 crore on REPM sales for five years and capital subsidy of Rs 750 crore for setting up 6,000 MTPA of REPM manufacturing facilities.

Each beneficiary will be allotted up to 1,200 MTPA of capacity.

Driven by the rapidly growing demand from electric vehicles, renewable energy, industrial applications, and consumer electronics, India's consumption of REPMs is expected to double by 2030 from 2025.

At present, India's demand for these goods is met primarily through imports from countries including China.

"With this initiative, India will establish its first ever integrated REPM manufacturing facilities, generating employment, strengthening self-reliance," an official statement said.

This initiative is a step toward strengthening the domestic REPM manufacturing ecosystem and enhancing competitiveness in the global markets.

By fostering indigenous capabilities in REPM production, the scheme will secure the REPM supply chain for domestic industries, it added.

The announcement is important as restrictions imposed by China, who is the major supplier of these magnets, has created shortage and impacted manufacturing in sectors such as automobiles and electronics.

China controls over 90 per cent of the global processing capacity for magnets, used across multiple sectors including automobiles, home appliances and clean energy.

The Chinese government has put restrictions, with effect from April 4, mandating special export licences for seven rare earth elements and related magnets.

Vaishnaw said India's requirements for permanent magnets are constantly increasing. India can look at collaborating with countries including Australia and Japan for this.

At present, India requires about 4,000-5,000 MTPA rare earth magnets per year.

"Both public and private sector companies can participate in this," he said adding companies will be selected through a transparent mechanism.

When asked why India is entering into this sector when certain countries are withdrawing from it, the minister said it is a strategic sector and "we have to be present" as it is an important negotiating factor now a days.

India has an estimated 6.9 million tonne of rare earth element reserves.
'The impact will be minimal and it will only increase compliance cost on consent, data flows, localisation timelines, internal audits, data mapping, and new tooling.'

Kindly note that this illustration generated using ChatGPT has only been posted for representational purposes.

Indian information technology service providers will have a short learning curve to adapt to India's digital landscape after the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act was notified as they have already been following such regulations in other parts of the world, especially Europe, for the last few years, according to experts.

While compliance costs will surely go up, some estimate it to be in double digits, that is not expected to materially impact operations or dent margins because Indian companies have been gearing up for this for the last two years since the Act came into existence.

All firms have had enough time to beef up their systems and house cybersecurity professionals to ensure minimal breach.

The impact will be minimal because most of the companies, barring TCS, Infosys, Wipro, and Tech Mahindra, have minimum India-facing businesses and clients in the BFSI, telecom, healthcare, government, or business process outsourcing and customer relationship management (CRM) space.

The four companies, however, will have to set up their systems to be compliant.

TCS handles critical government projects such as passport issuance and post office modernisation programmes.

Infosys handles the goods and services tax (GST) portal.

Tech Mahindra is part of the IndiaAI Mission to develop sovereign large language models (LLM) with a trillion parameters, while LTIMindtree was recently awarded a contract of about $100 million by the income tax department for the PAN 2.0 project.

"DPDP 2025 impacts only IT services firms with exposure to the India market as they handle Indian citizens' personal data," said Gaurav Vasu, founder of UnearthInsights.

"The impact will be minimal and it will only increase compliance cost on consent, data flows, localisation timelines, internal audits, data mapping, and new tooling," added Vasu.

India business contributed 9 per cent to TCS' revenue for the second quarter ended September 30, while it was just 3 per cent for Infosys.

Some of the short-term challenges that these companies could face include procurement delays for banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI), healthcare, and government-related programmes that may push new scope of work (SOW) by a couple of quarters.

Mini Gupta, EY India consulting partner, said these new rules give an opportunity for firms operating in India to not only ensure diligence for themselves but also for their third parties in their extended supply chain, very similar to climate goals of Scope 1, 2, and 3.

"If those vendors are smaller organisations and are non-compliant, they may claim bankruptcy if hit with massive back to back penalties.

"It is critical to do a thorough diligence going ahead in selecting the right third parties with right governance practices," she added.

With consent at the core of the rules, companies will also have to rethink how they use customer data to train internal AI models, including removing any training data where consent is not granted.

Jignesh Oza, a partner at Deloitte India, believed most of these companies largely know what is to be done.

"If you have a privacy compliant product, you go ahead and become a good differentiator.

"While the costs will go up, one needs to comply with the regulations too.

"That means better engineering practices, which are privacy compliant and focusing on nuances like privacy by design.

"This will mean your customers are compliant too and you will have better serviceability in the market."

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff
Mint Road's proposals on banks' M&A funding are cautious even as entrants root for more elbow room, and weigh business models.

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff

Ask Debadatta Chand about his plans for BoB Capital Markets, and he tells you: We can play a good role on the advisory side as far as mergers and acquisitions (M&As) are concerned.

The managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of Bank of Baroda (of which BoB Capital is a subsidiary) gives you a glimpse of his ambitions.

If need be, we can evaluate the scope for collaboration to augment the capacity for M&A advisory. It is potentially a good business to be in. It is.

There is no sizing study on the M&A space and it has been the turf of foreign banks (even as funding remains offshore) and select shadow banks. But now domestic banks of all hues get free play with M&As set to reshape India Inc; annual deal volumes are well above the $100 billion mark.

Mint Road's draft circular on 'Commercial Banks -- Capital Market Exposure' though is cautious, as banks have little experience in this high-stakes game.

Even as it opens a new frontier: Segue lenders with a collateral-backed legacy with the equities markets. Banks' aggregate acquisition finance exposure is not to exceed 10 per cent of their Tier-I capital; it's to be extended only to listed companies with a satisfactory net worth and profit-making record of three years.

They can finance only up to 70 per cent of the acquisition value; the rest is to be brought in by the acquirer as equity using its funds. It is clear that only the bigger banks get to play a meaningful role in this area.

Step-by-step

Are the new norms for banks in M&As restrictive?

As Sunil Sanghai, founder and CEO of NovaaOne Capital, sees it, while the proposed Tier-I exposure for M&As aims to provide an additional check on market risk, it needs to consider that banks already operate well-established underwriting frameworks and sophisticated risk-assessment capabilities for other asset classes.

Given the maturity of the banking system and its ability to independently assess exposure based on deal-specific factors, such prescriptive checks may be less essential, says Sanghai, who is also the chair of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry's National Committee on Capital Markets.

As for the 3x debt-to-equity (D/E), the proportion varies across sectors, reflecting differences in business models, cash-flow patterns, and capital requirements.

Applying a fixed D/E limit may not fully capture these nuances. Allowing banks to rely on their own underwriting judgement, tailored to sector-specific leverage norms, would be a more prudent and flexible approach. This will also ensure that risk assessment remains aligned with practical industry requirements, he adds.

The clamour for revisiting the draft norms is gaining decibels; and back-channel discussions with North Block and Mint Road may be in the offing.

Anish Mashruwala, finance chair and partner at JSA Advocates & Solicitors, reasons the draft has a clear regulatory lens in signalling the proposed relaxation.

Besides the value limit cap, there's also the fact that Tier-I capital of banks will be at varying levels and that may itself not provide a level playing field as the restriction will not apply equally in terms of value.

Having said that, I understand that even banks having larger Tier-I capital reserves have voiced that the value limit based on the 10 per cent cap is limiting in the current market scenario, he says.

What of the proposed 3X D/E? Mashruwala is surprised that the RBI has actually specified a D/E cap of 3:1 on a post-acquisition basis.

While this is prudent from a market standard perspective (a recognised conservative debt to equity metric is 2x), in his view, this should be left to the lender(s) in terms of its credit appetite and business realities.

The RBI's draft regulations have a condition that financing can be up to a maximum of 70 per cent of the acquisition value with the rest being bought in by the buyer as equity.

To then supplement it with the post-acquisition ratio is probably only a signal that the RBI does not want to open up the avenue of acquisition finance to targets that are already heavily indebted. If there is a specific regulatory issue that the RBI is concerned about, then it may very well outweigh any business considerations, he adds.

The net worth of the banking sector was more than Rs 27 trillion till the last quarter end. At 10 per cent Tier-I limits on banks to fund M&A, then at the systemic level, the available funds are above $30 billion.

Sanjay Agarwal, senior director at CareEge Ratings, points out: The limit seems reasonable to start with. As banks undertake transactions, the markets and regulators gain more confidence, we could expect some relaxations on the type of transactions and ceiling on individual bank limits over a period of time.

He notes that based on experience and discussions, it is likely that the regulators would expand the boundary conditions. Yes, it helps to keep the ball on a string.

Wallet side of the story

The other interesting aspect is the payouts which need to be given to M&A staff -- these will be hefty. Bonuses run into a few crores even for mid-level M&A staff in foreign banks and mid-market shadow banks in the trade.

A few State-run banks house this business in their capital market subsidiaries. And given the specialised nature of this business, is it possible that these banks forge partnerships, as BoB's Chand appears to suggest? In the '90s, you had I-Sec: J P Morgan; Kotak Mahindra: Goldman Sachs; DSP: Merrill Lynch, and J M Financial: Morgan Stanley. All of them learnt, and then went their separate ways, but in the case of state-run banks, there is a steep learning curve to be dealt with before deal-making can begin.

Dinesh Khara, former chairman of State Bank of India, looks at it differently. His take: M&A financing will be by way of a loan.

So, it is essentially corporate credit for which bankers are well-trained and take decisions based on stringent underwriting standards.

That now while bankers may have to acquire some additional skills for assessing M&A financing proposals, This being an M&A loan, bankers are not stitching deals or transactions. Hence, I don't think there's an issue about compensation for attracting and retaining talent.

Rohan Lakhaiyar, partner (financial services-risk) at Grant Thornton Bharat, believes that we have a deep enough talent pool when it comes to M&As, unlike in the early 90s. But a matter of detail is whether this is to be housed within the capital market arms of banks or in the banks.

More so given the payouts to be given to M&A professionals. So too, the case for partnerships.

Banks are on a new frontier. They will have to tread carefully.

All that is needed for deal-making

Much as India Inc, bankers, corporate lawyers and the wider investment banking fraternity make a case for more liberal financing norms for mergers and acquisitions (M&As), ghosts that still lurk have to be exorcised.

Take bank board oversight. This has been found wanting for some time now.

With banks financing M&As, independent directors (IDs) with a proven track record in this area will be needed.

Bank board remuneration for IDs has to move northwards. Data sharing among banks in M&A arrangements will have to become sharper, and this will be critical if a transaction is to go awry.

Banks will be sharing space with private equity and venture capital firms, and coordination between them will be needed.

It remains to be seen if in the interests of the stability of their loan-plus-equity exposures, banks will read governance covenants to suit them.

A related aspect is whether banks financing M&As should get to have board positions on the companies they fund.

An issue which bankers say in private is that even within a consortium, there are at times club deals with the same borrower. And as a result what you get is a (financial) platypus, a semi-aquatic egg-laying mammal which the naturalist George Shaw was inclined to dismiss as hoax as there might have been practised some arts of deception in its structure.

Banks not being on the same page has created hassles for resolution under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.

Borrowers also play with information asymmetry. As the Aditya Puri Committee Report (Data Format for Furnishing of Credit Information to Credit Information Companies, 2014) noted about derivatives: Borrowers have, in general, not been forthcoming in sharing such information with lenders, particularly with banks that are not part of the consortium.

Again, a major area of concern is the non-uniformity in processes to identify red-flagged accounts (RFA) based on an indicative list of early warning signals.

In several cases, banks were unable to confirm RFA-tagged accounts as frauds, or otherwise within the prescribed period of six months.

Changes to the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 may need to be made as well.

Disclosure: Entities controlled by the Kotak family have a significant shareholding in Business Standard Ltd.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff
India's decision to import LPG from the US helps it to diversify sources as it reduces almost full reliance on West Asian countries for supply of the country's primary cooking fuel.

Kindly note the image have only been published for representational purposes. Photograph: Shailesh Andrade/Reuters

India's 2.2 million tonnes (mt) liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) term deal with the United States (US) is likely to insulate the country amid geopolitical disruptions in global energy markets, according to an expert.

From 2026, Indian State-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) would import 10 per cent of the country's total LPG imports from the US.

Indian companies did not have a term deal for LPG imports with the US until now.

India, which is 60 per cent import dependent for domestic LPG requirements, secures around 90 per cent of its LPG imports from West Asian countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.

India's decision to import LPG from the US helps it to diversify sources as it reduces almost full reliance on West Asian countries for supply of the country's primary cooking fuel.

"US is a major natural gas liquids producer. Importing LPG from the US is in line with the ongoing trade negotiations and helps India in diversifying sources amid geopolitical tensions globally," said Prashant Vasisht, senior V-P & co-group head, corporate ratings, Icra.

India has been exposed to LPG supply disruptions earlier in the year when the conflict between Iran and Israel in June posed serious threat to the closure of Strait of Hormuz, a narrow strategic trade route through which the Middle East countries ship energy to Asian markets.

India's Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had said the LPG contract will help in strengthening India's energy security while ensuring affordable access to clean cooking fuel for millions of households.

Without disclosing the pricing of the deal, the minister said the contract uses Mount Belvieu, a major pricing hub for LPG in the US, as the benchmark for LPG purchases.

According to maritime intelligence firm Kpler, India imported around 36 per cent of LPG from UAE, 21 per cent from Qatar, 16 per cent from Kuwait and 6 per cent from the US in 2025 so far.

Share of the US in India's LPG imports has ranged between 0.5-2 per cent in the last three years.

Experts believe US LPG would be costlier for India on account of longer freight route.

"Indian majors will be paying more for US-origin LPG barrels than if they were to contract those volumes from the Middle East next year," said Ciaran Tyler, lead research analyst, natural gas liquids (NGLs) & naphtha at Kpler.

It takes around 45 days for shipments to reach India from the US, against an average of 7-8 days from the Middle East.

The recent decline in LPG prices and cost negotiations with the US, however, may help Indian companies to limit the impact of costlier freight.

"International LPG prices have dipped since April this year. Saudi CP (contract prices) have reduced significantly while crude oil prices are also likely to sustain around $60-$65 per barrel. This gives India the bandwidth to increase LPG imports from the US.

"Freight costs would definitely be higher but the US may offer finer prices to India to partially offset the impact," said Vasisht.

International price of LPG is linked to crude oil and natural gas prices as it is produced during refining of the fuels.

In October, Saudi Aramco reduced benchmark Saudi contract prices to the lowest since August 2023 for propane and butane to $495 and $475 a tonne, respectively.

Energy: A focal point in trade negotiations

As India and the US negotiate a bilateral trade deal (BTA), the energy sector is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the deal.

Earlier in the month, US President Donald Trump said the countries were "pretty close" to reaching a fair trade deal and Washington may relook at the tariff imposed on New Delhi.

In August, the US administration slapped a 25 per cent penalty on India, bringing the total tariff to 50 per cent, for purchasing energy from Russia.

Besides ramping up LPG imports, India has been increasing crude oil supplies from the US in 2025.

Indian refiners in October imported the highest level of crude oil from the US since March 2021 as Trump pushes New Delhi to reduce trade surplus with Washington.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
If they act now, they can reshape the strategic map of Asia without firing a shot.

If they wait, the next opportunity will come only after a serious Taiwan Strait incident -- by which time the price will be far higher, and the room for boldness far smaller -- the opportunity may well be lost by then.

The question is no longer whether this can or should be done, points out Varun Arya.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, November 23, 2025. Photograph: DPR PMO/ANI Photo

When Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu returned from Tokyo on October 25, the official announcements looked routine: Talks toward a university MoU, Japanese-language instruction planned from March 2026, and a new Sasakawa dialogue forum.

In the weeks since, ongoing discussions with Sophia University have kept cultural and educational cooperation in focus.

On November 21, 2025, an Arunachal Pradesh born woman traveling to Osaka was detained at Shanghai Pudong airport in China despite carrying a valid Indian passport.

China claims Arunachal Pradesh part of its territory and does not recognise Indian passports issued to residents from there legitimate.

She was released only after 18 hours without explanation.

The episode illustrates Beijing's coercive use of administrative checks on Arunachal residents and reinforces the need for India-Japan coordination.

Underneath the polite optics and Chinese claims over Arunachal Pradesh lies a deeper strategic truth:

India and Japan have still not attempted the one bargain that could genuinely shift the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific between now and 2035. Not a Quad communique.

Not a maritime photo-op. But a hard-nosed, bilateral division of labour anchored in the Eastern Himalaya -- specifically, in Arunachal Pradesh.

Both nations face structural vulnerabilities too serious to ignore. Japan is losing eight million people to ageing over the next decade and cannot deploy enough personnel to counter a growing PLA navy.

India knows that the 22-km Siliguri Corridor remains the most dangerous chokepoint in its geography -- one that, if severed, would isolate eight states and 45 million people.

Meanwhile, a second Trump presidency exposes Tokyo once again to the spectre of an abrupt US-China understanding.

The Quad continues its diplomatic choreography but yields little meaningful deterrence.

And India knows that no major power will place boots on the ground or ships at risk in a crisis in the Himalaya.

Under these conditions, polite diplomacy is no longer enough. A much sharper bilateral compact is possible -- and necessary.

A Realistic Division of Labour

Japan cannot send troops to the McMahon Line; India does not need Japanese soldiers.

What India needs is Japanese capital and technology where its vulnerabilities are most acute.

This means:

Seikan-grade tunnels under Se La and the Mishmi Range to guarantee year-round access.

Solar-battery microgrids to end diesel dependence in frontier towns like Walong and Mechuka.

High-value precision-manufacturing clusters in Tezu and Pasighat, whose presence raises the cost -- for Beijing and for markets -- of any adventurism. Every yen of such investment creates ';hostage capital': Japanese assets so strategically embedded that any threat to them becomes a deterrent in itself. For India, it buys the most valuable commodity in mountain warfare -- time. India, in return, does not need to join a possible Taiwan war. It simply needs to deepen what it already does naturally:

Maintain a credible carrier presence west of Malacca,

Conduct regular South China Sea transits and exercises with regional partners,

Shadow PLAN movements in the Indian Ocean,

And force China to allocate 30% to 40% of its naval resources away from East Asia.

This is not charity. It is a mutually reinforcing trade: Japanese infrastructure for Indian maritime pressure. Japanese balance sheets for Indian strategic depth.

Six Hard Realities That Must Be Faced

Even this sensible arrangement collides with six uncomfortable realities.

1. Border language ambiguity complicates investment. Tokyo still calls Arunachal 'India-administered' and will not publicly contradict Beijing. Solution: A classified interpretative memorandum -- public neutrality, private clarity -- similar to the Jerusalem formula.

2. Too many Japanese expats would become liabilities during crises. Industrial projects typically bring thousands of Japanese supervisors. That cannot happen near the LAC. Solution: A zero-permanent-expat model with 95% Indian staffing and rotational Japanese experts, suitably protected.

3. The fiscal arithmetic is brutal. Seikan-scale tunnels cost Yen 4-6 trillion -- far beyond traditional ODA.

Solution:

An Indo-Pacific Resilience Fund seeded by GPIF, Nippon Life amongst others.

Classifying Himalayan tunnels as climate-resilient infrastructure eligible under Japan's new ESG criteria.

4. Arunachal is not empty terrain. Tribal communities will resist large-scale projects that bypass them. Solution: Tribal-majority SPVs, 51% ownership, 75% job reservation, and 6% revenue-sharing -- based on proven First Nations templates or along these templates.

5. Pakistan remains China's cheapest pressure point. A crisis in India's west could freeze Japanese investors in the east. Solution: Front-load irreversible investments (tunnels), defer factory build-outs, and use NEXI insurance explicitly covering Chinese or Pakistani action/aggression.

6. Long-term Japanese exposure is politically risky for India. By 2040, high-hostage-capital phases overlap with unpredictable Indian political cycles. Solution: Long term concessions, Ninth Schedule immunity, and Singapore/London arbitration, backed by 50-year GPIF bond purchases.

IMAGE: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prema Khandu, centre in a discussion on strengthening the Arunachal-Japan partnership across various sectors in Tokyo, Japan, October 18, 2025. Photograph: Kind courtesy Prema Khandu/X

Deeper Structural Obstacles Few Acknowledge

Even if these six are addressed, four tougher challenges remain.

A. Bangladesh is the silent single point of failure. The most efficient logistics for Arunachal factories run through Chittagong-Sabroom-Agartala-Aizawl. But Dhaka is angry over Teesta, water, Sheikh Hasina and other issues.

There is a visible Pakistan-China tilt. Without a major India-Bangladesh reset, possible perhaps only after elections there slated for February next year, anything ambitious in the Northeast is made tougher.

B. Myanmar is unusable for the foreseeable future. The Ledo-Myitkyina corridor passes through active battle zones. Japan may be reluctant to send tunnel-boring machines into a civil war. This has to be thought through.

C. Japan's ministry of finance will resist the financial scale. Yen 5-6 trillion equals up to 15% of Japan's 2025 defence build-up. MoF will demand legal guarantees that may clash with India's constitutional boundaries, especially over tribal land.

D. China holds escalation dominance. Quarterly 'exercises' near the McMahon Line could raise insurance premiums and force repeated evacuations, both stalling and doubling project costs without firing a shot. These are serious concerns if not threats to Japanese capital flowing to the Himalayas.

E. There exists a domestic political risk in Japan too. Any Japanese prime minister who signs a classified Arunachal accord will likely be accused by the opposition and parts of the media of 'militarising ODA' and 'entrapping Japan in India's border dispute'.

A Narrow Window of Opportunity

The irony is that the architecture for a breakthrough is already quietly emerging. In recent months:

Arunachal Pradesh has strengthened its disaster-management and frontier-development framework, granting enhanced powers to fast-track land acquisition and create tribal-majority SPVs.

JICA has intensified pre-feasibility probing for high-altitude tunnels and a 400 kV inter-mountain transmission corridor -- exactly the kind of soft probing that precedes major Japanese commitments.

GPIF's 2025 ESG policy refresh added 'strategic climate-resilient infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific' as an eligible investment class for the first time -- a seemingly minor bureaucratic shift yet with trillion-yen implications. In other words: The ground is already moving. So, what is realistically achievable?

Microgrids, institutes, training programmes between 2026-29.

A Se La-scale tunnel by 2032.

A full, transformational architecture -- multiple tunnels, trillion in manufacturing, and irreversible deterrence in place

This window will not stay open. The urgency is real. The 2025-2028 period is likely the only moment when both capitals in India and Japan feel enough pressure to attempt something bold.

IMAGE: Prema Khandu pays homage at the Gelling and Kepang La cemetery to the brave soldiers of 2 Madras and 11 Assam Rifles who made the supreme sacrifice in the 1962 War. Photograph: Kind courtesy Prema Khandu/X

The Choice

India and Japan do not need another dialogue mechanism. They need a classified, prime minister-level decision -- by mid-2026 or sooner to create an Arunachal Resilience Authority with its own statute, financing pipeline, and tribal buy-in model.

If they act now, they can reshape the strategic map of Asia without firing a shot.

If they wait, the next opportunity will come only after a serious Taiwan Strait incident -- by which time the price will be far higher, and the room for boldness far smaller -- the opportunity may well be lost by then.

The question is no longer whether this can or should be done. Shakespeare in Julius Caesar had said, 'There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries.'

It is such a time in Tokyo and Delhi!

Varun Arya, who served with the Government of India, now serves as a geopolitical consultant for think-tanks. A freelance writer debuting with the novel The Last Living Fort, he also champions global artists through his platform, 'Create' by Mukul's Art Space.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
'Even as the Supreme Court's anti-punitive demolition judgment nears its first anniversary, no formal contempt proceedings have been initiated either by the Supreme Court or any high court against officers or demolition squads who have acted in violation of it.'

IMAGE: The house of Manjit Kaur alias Harbans Kaur being demolished following the Punjab government's action against the drugs initiative, Bathinda, October 29, 2025. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

One year after the Supreme Court of India's landmark ruling on November 13, 2024, that declared punitive demolitions illegal and reaffirmed that no home or property could be razed without due process of law, questions continue to loom large over its implementation.

Despite the apex court's categorical ban and detailed procedural safeguards, reports of politically motivated or retaliatory demolitions have persisted across several states, raising concerns about the erosion of judicial authority and the rule of law.

M Huzaifa, advocate practising at the Supreme Court of India, speaks to Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff about the persistence of so-called 'bulldozer justice', the gaps in the enforcement of the court's directives, and the continuing challenges faced by citizens seeking legal protection against arbitrary State action.

If the Supreme Court has explicitly ruled that demolitions cannot be punitive and must follow due process, what legal remedies are available when state authorities still carry out bulldozing operations under other pretext?

The Supreme Court, through a reasoned and comprehensive judgment last year, categorically banned punitive demolitions and laid down a set of mandatory guidelines as a pre-emptive safeguard against the arbitrary misuse of demolition powers by executive authorities.

This judgment itself serves as a strong source of legal authority for citizens to invoke their right to procedure established by law whenever authorities attempt demolition which is patently illegal or without following due process.

In case of any kind of demolition, be it punitive or otherwise and demolition notice has been served or there is a looming threat, the citizen should communicate in writing with the concerned authorities.

Such communication whether in the form of replies to notices or representations to higher officials of the government reflects the bona fide intent to resolve the issue lawfully and helps place the matter within the framework of due process.

However, when arbitrary or coercive action persists, judicial recourse becomes the most effective remedy.

A civil court can grant an injunction or stay order against demolition, but in recent times the most practical and efficacious remedy has been to file a writ petition to seek stay on demolition before the concerned high court, or before the Supreme Court based on circumstances.

Matters involving life, liberty, and property are treated as urgent, and one can seek urgent listing even on holidays to prevent illegal demolition action.

If the demolition has already been carried out in defiance of the Supreme Court's judgment, the appropriate course is to file a contempt petition against the officials responsible, before the concerned high court to seek restitution of the demolished structure and compensation for the illegal demolition.

In addition, complaints can be made before the National or state Human Rights Commission, and depending on the circumstances, a police complaint can also be filed against the erring officials for acting in violation of due process and established legal jurisprudence.

How many bulldozer demolitions have taken place after the Supreme Court order? Is there a number or any examples you can give?

Demolitions are a regular administrative phenomenon in India, carried out under development and municipal by-laws in cases of unauthorised constructions, encroachments, or violations of land use and building norms. Such actions, in their lawful form, are purely civil in nature and have no bearing on the criminal antecedents of the occupants.

However, over the past decade, we have seen a concerning intersection between these civil powers and the criminal justice system where demolitions have been used punitively against individuals or communities accused of offences.

This practice, popularly termed 'bulldozer justice', represents a distortion of administrative authority into a tool of retribution rather than regulation.

Following the Supreme Court's landmark judgment that expressly banned punitive demolitions and laid down procedural safeguards and a workflow for government authorities, one would have expected this practice to diminish. Yet, in reality, state agencies have found ways to delay or circumvent compliance playing with exception carved out by the Supreme Court.

As per my media research, over a hundred incidents of punitive or retaliatory demolitions have been recorded across India since the Supreme Court's ruling. These actions, directly or indirectly, have resulted in the demolition of thousands of homes and commercial properties, disproportionately impacting marginalised communities. The focus now has been shifted from private properties towards the properties which are in dispute of ownership.

One of the most notable examples occurred around Chandola Lake in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where tens of thousands of families, predominantly Muslims, were evicted following a government drive ostensibly aimed at identifying illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants.

Detentions were carried out first, and demolitions followed soon after with political spectate of hundreds of bulldozers shown with drone footage on the social media.

The Supreme Court judgment carved out limited exceptions such as demolitions on public roads, water bodies, railway tracks, or those carried out pursuant to a specific court order. However, it also made it abundantly clear that punitive demolitions have no place within the Constitutional setup. Despite this, many executive authorities continue to turn a blind eye to the dictum of the Supreme Court.

Unfortunately, several state governments have devised ways to bypass these guidelines through partial symbolic demolitions, maintaining the coercive symbolism of the bulldozer as an instrument of control.

Recent instances in Sambhal, Nagpur, Kashipur, and Meerut illustrate how this practice continues often in the aftermath of protests, communal tensions, or law-and-order incidents thereby reinforcing its punitive character despite the court's clear prohibition.

Did any of the aggrieved parties go to the Supreme Court and tell the judges that their order is not being implemented on the ground and the so-called bulldozer justice is still going on?

Yes, several affected individuals have approached courts seeking relief against continuing instances of punitive demolitions. However, the response from the judiciary has often been muted and delayed, with courts showing a degree of reluctance to engage with these matters in a timely manner or to advance the jurisprudence further and order strict penalties for contempt.

The hostile circumstances under which these demolitions occur make it extremely difficult for victims to pursue legal remedies. Typically, these actions are preceded by a criminal crackdown involving arrests, police raids, and allegations of serious offences.

In such an environment, the victims are rendered highly vulnerable to administrative reprisals -- such as the demolition of an entire property when only a portion was alleged to be illegal, the implication of family members in false criminal cases, or even threats of custodial torture and extra-judicial violence.

In one of our client's cases, concerning the demolition of a rented house and shop belonging to a migrant labourer in Malvan, Maharashtra, in February 2025, a contempt petition was filed before the Supreme Court. Unfortunately, the matter has not seen much effective hearing to date.

Another similar case, relating to the demolition of the property of the main accused in the Nagpur violence, remains pending before the Bombay high court.

According to information obtained through RTI reports, several states have been slow or inconsistent in implementing the Supreme Court judgment. Most have merely circulated internal letters for compliance, but no robust enforcement mechanism has been established to ensure that the court's directives are treated as binding law of the land.

That said, activist and media reports suggest there has been a noticeable reduction in the outright demolition of private residential properties of accused persons after the judgment. Instead, the focus appears to have shifted towards accused properties allegedly in dispute with the government or situated on public land assuming them to be exempted from the judgment. However, this trend is based on observation rather than any concrete evidence, as no comparative database exists to conclusively establish it.

Interestingly, it is the ordinary demolition cases those unrelated to punitive or criminal contexts are now more frequently reaching the Constitutional courts and successfully invoking the Supreme Court's 'demolition guidelines'. This reflects a partial but significant shift in how the judgment is being operationalised on the ground.

Would such actions by state governments amount to contempt of court? If yes, who can be held accountable -- the officers executing the demolition or the political leadership ordering it?

And has the Supreme Court taken action against any police officer or demolition squad who have gone and taken action in violation of its November 2024 ruling?

Yes, such actions by state governments can indeed amount to contempt of court. The judgments of the Supreme Court and high courts carry the force of law under Article 141 and Article 144 of the Constitution, and are binding on all executive authorities across the country.

The executive branch and not the legislature is responsible for implementing these judicial directions 'in letter and spirit'. Therefore, any action or inaction that undermines or violates a judicial order is deemed contempt of court by the concerned government officials.

In principle, both the officers executing the demolition and the political leadership directing or approving such actions should be held accountable, depending on the evidence of intent and the chain of command.

However, the Supreme Court has specifically fixed personal liability on the officials who directly order and execute illegal demolitions in violation of its demolition judgement and guidelines to caution them of acting under political motivations and not rule of law.

I recall one incident from Madhya Pradesh soon after the Supreme Court judgment, where a local MLA was detained and booked for attempting to carry out a demolition using his private bulldozer, after local authorities had refused to act, citing the embargo imposed by the Supreme Court's guidelines. This case illustrated how even elected representatives can be restrained when they overstep judicial mandates.

However, to my knowledge, even as the Supreme Court's anti-punitive demolition judgment nears its first anniversary, no formal contempt proceedings have been initiated either by the Supreme Court or any high court against officers or demolition squads who have acted in violation of it.

Unfortunately, despite continuing reports of such actions, institutional accountability has yet to catch up, and the practice of punitive demolitions continues in several parts of the country under various pretexts.

What does this disregard for the Supreme Court ruling indicate about the rule of law and judicial authority in India today?

The current state of affairs in our country reflects a deeply troubling phase for the rule of law. We are witnessing a period where the executive has begun to openly disregard judicial orders, treating them as if they carry no binding force, and instead choosing to submit to the political imperatives of those in power.

This regression marks a dangerous departure from Constitutional governance where the 'rule of law' is increasingly being replaced by either a 'rule by law' or, worse, 'rule by lawlessness'.

This trend exposes a serious erosion of judicial authority and signals how judicial silence, procedural delays, and growing pendency have normalised contemptuous conduct by state authorities. The lack of timely intervention or accountability has allowed the contempt of court to become disturbingly routine.

What we are seeing now is the encroachment of the judiciary's adjudicatory and punitive role by the executive, acting with impunity under the shield of political majoritarianism. This form of governance, rooted in coercion and retribution, stands in stark contrast to the principles of fairness, restraint, and due process that underpin India's criminal jurisprudence.

Unfortunately, the judiciary's loss of public confidence, stemming from delayed or denied justice, has fostered a societal shift toward accepting executive-led, instant, and retributive forms of 'justice'.

This normalisation of bulldozer politics and administrative overreach not only weakens Constitutional institutions but also strikes at the very foundation of India's democratic ethos.
'Poverty eradication is a continuous process. There is no full stop to it.'

Kindly note the image has only been published for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy Adhwaith Chandran/Pexels

In 1973-1974, poverty in Kerala was at 59.74%.

In 1973-1974, the rate of poverty in India was 54.88%.

In 2011-2012, poverty in Kerala came down to 11.3%.

In 2011-2012, the national poverty rate came down to 29.5%.

These numbers show Kerala managed to eradicate poverty from the state.

In 2023, the NITI Aayog's National Multidimensional Poverty Index stated that only 0.55% of Kerala's population was multidimensionally poor while the national average was 14.96%.

In 2025, Bihar, the multidimensional poverty rate is 33.76%!

On the 1st of November 2025, the chief minister of Kerala declared that it was the first state in India to have eradicated 'extreme poverty'.

It was the culmination of a project that started in 2021.

The IAS officer in charge of the project -- till her retirement in April 2025 as Kerala's chief secretary -- was Sarada Muraleedharan.

"We looked at extreme poor people as those who have no viable means for survival, when the living conditions of somebody is so deplorable that there is absolutely no quality of life," Sarada Muraleedharan tells Rediff's Shobha Warrier.

"We were looking at such people, who are outside the margins despite the efforts of the state. And why are they outside the margins? They are invisible, voiceless and physically and socially marginalised."

It was in 2021 that the Kerala government initiated the 'Extreme Poverty Eradication Program' (EPEP) and you as the additional chief secretary (of the local self-government department) were in charge of the project. How do you define extreme poverty?

In 2021, according to the NITI Aayog report, the multidimensional poverty Index in Kerala was 0.70%.

At that time, the state government took the decision to eradicate extreme poverty.

Kerala has done very well in eradicating poverty from very high levels, as high as Bihar or Odisha to the least in the country.

Now, what is the distinction between poverty and extreme poverty?

Extreme povertyis the most severe type of poverty, which the United Nations defined as a condition characterised by severe deprivation of the basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information.

It depends not only on income but also on access to services.

In 2011, a Kudumbashree worker told me that poverty once used to be the inability to have two meals a day but today, it was not having a fridge at home.

This comment always stayed in mind as poverty is the perception of what our basic needs are.

Extreme poverty is the inability to lead a full life in the context of the ecosystem. So, Kerala's understanding of poverty is different from the understanding of poverty in say, Jharkhand.

Kindly note the image has only been published for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy Tamal Mukherjee/Pixabay

Did you have to look at certain parameters to identify those who were extremely poor?

Yes, we had to first identify who these people are, and then come up with micro plans for them.

We looked at extreme poor people as those who have no viable means for survival, when the living conditions of somebody is so deplorable that there is absolutely no quality of life.

We were looking at such people, who are outside the margins despite the efforts of the state.

And why are they outside the margins? They are invisible, voiceless and physically and socially marginalised.

But then how did you identify such marginalised and invisible people?

I have been working for around 15 to 20 years of my career on programmes to eradicate poverty.

Like I said earlier, extreme poverty is defined as the absence of four essentials -- food, safe housing, basic income, and health.

And if you look at the Multidimensional Poverty Index, it says hunger is the basic feature in both poverty and extreme poverty.

When Kerala launched the State Poverty Eradication Mission (Kudumbashree) in 1998 and the Ashraya programme in 2002 for destitute rehabilitation, we have found that there are people who get missed to be included in these programs.

The challenge was to reduce the margin of error, and reduce the number of people who don't get included. Rather, include every single one of them.

So, from the experience that we already had, we tried to find out what went wrong earlier.

Because of the experience I had in the field, I was able to bring those people who had worked in these areas.

We started with a core team of 12 to 15 people.

The first thing we decided was that we were not going to have a survey or enumeration.

So, we decided to use the social capital the state has created like the ASHA, Anganwadi and Kudumbashree workers who are there in every nook and corner of the state, to list people as they largely work with people who are poor.

Then there were local committees who worked on palliative care during the pandemic.

What better way to identify the most vulnerable: The bedridden, abandoned, and chronically ill than take the help of these workers!

They knew the people who are the most vulnerable.

Who is the most vulnerable? For example, a household where no adult is capable to earning an income.

As groups, we also looked at transgender people, tribals, unskilled migrant workers, etc.

Kindly note the image has only been published for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy Billy Cedeno/Pixabay

How many extremely poor people were identified?

We started the project in June 2021 and it took us four months to develop the methodology.

A very detailed handbook was prepared on how to prepare the list.

It was KILA (Kerala Institute of Local Administration) that developed, documented the entire process and co-ordinated the training.

We trained around 4 to 5 lakh people to work on the ground.

Totally, 14 lakh people worked on the project.

What we did first was make a list of all the vulnerable people given by the various groups.

For that, we formed local panchayat level committees.

Then, there was a focal group discussion which included NGOs, Kudumbashree workers, hotels, etc. For example, so many hotels provided food to the hungry and the homeless.

These people were made aware of the criteria so that we could identify the most vulnerable.

Once the list was consolidated at the panchayat level, the local enumerators visited those in the list and on the basis of their reports, the list was finalised in all the panchayats.

This was followed by a random super check in all the panchayats by the Economic and Statistics departments.

Once the super check was done, the panchayat approved the list and the Gram Sabha finalised it.

In early 2022, out of a list of 1.4 lakh households, 64,006 households were identified to be in extreme poverty.



IMAGE: Sarada Muraleedharan

Which part of Kerala had the maximum number of extremely poor families?

Wayanad had the maximum number of extremely poor families which is understandable as the people of the district suffered a lot because of various natural calamities. And Kottayam had the least number of extremely poor people.

Interestingly, the numbers were in line with the projection by NITI Ayog multidimensional poverty index.

What was the next step after identifying the 64,006 extremely poor households or families?

Now that we had the list, we needed micro plans.

We digitised the data first.

Then, we identified what every individual family needed so that they could come out of extreme poverty.

As the step, we looked at the entitlements they did not receive like Aadhar card, ration card, bank accounts, health insurance and social security pensions.

Then, we saw to it that they had a proper house with electricity, sanitation, and water supply.

The local administration provided food kits and even cooked meals to some, palliative care to the terminally ill, also provided geriatric services.

How will you see to it that the help is sustained and they will not fall back into where they were earlier?

The only way you can sustain is by monitoring, tracking and supervising them locally.

I am sure the work will continue as the format is already in place. The government has also announced follow-up action plans.

In fact, this programme was monitored at the chief minister's level. So, all the ministers also were involved.

So, there was tracking at the highest level.

This should not be a one-time assistance, this has to continue.

Though you had retired before the announcement, how did you feel when the state declared that it had eradicated extreme poverty?

As a person who has worked in poverty, I will say, the work is never done. There is always work to do.

While we worked for four years, nobody spoke about poverty or the project.

After the government declared that Kerala had eradicated extreme poverty, I see that there is a discussion on poverty.

I am so glad people are talking about poverty.

There is also criticism from many groups like the fishermen community, ASHA workers, etc that extreme poverty eradication is only on paper. Some even called it a lie...

As far as the 64,006 families are concerned, the programme has done its full bit.

Like I said earlier, you will not know when a family will be thrown into extreme poverty. An accident, an illness, a natural disaster... so many factors can cause poverty or extreme poverty.

So, poverty eradication is a continuous process. There is no full stop to it.

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff
Noted lawyer and Rajya Sabha member Ujjwal Nikam has said that while justice has been delivered to some extent to victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, their conspirators are "still hiding in Pakistan".

IMAGE: Mumbai's Taj Mahal Palace hotel on fire after Pakistani terrorists launched a multi-pronged attack on the city on November 26, 2008. Photograph: Reuters

Talking to PTI Videos on the eve of the 17th anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks on Tuesday, Nikam said Pakistan continues to make "pretences", having arrested eight or nine persons, yet the status of their trials remains unknown.

Citing the success of Operation Sindoor, India's military operation after the Pahalgam terror attack, Nikam said persons like Hafiz Saeed and Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, who masterminded the "entire conspiracy with help from ISI" for the 26/11 attack, must also be brought under the grip of the law.

As many as 166 people lost their lives and more than 300 were injured after 10 terrorists from Pakistan launched simultaneous attacks in several parts of Mumbai on November 26, 2008.

Ten armed militants from the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Tayiba (LeT) entered the city via the sea and carried out a series of coordinated attacks across multiple high-profile locations, including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident Hotel, CST Railway Station, and Nariman House.

Nikam was the special public prosecutor in the trial of Ajmal Kasab, the lone Pakistani terrorist captured during the attack and later sentenced to death.

"There is a question in the minds of every Indian about whether the families who lost their loved ones in the 26/11 terrorist attack received full justice? I would say we have provided justice to some extent, with Kasab being sentenced to death through the legal process. But those who conspired in this attack are still hiding in Pakistan," Nikam said.

"Pakistan is still making pretences. They have arrested eight or nine persons, but no one knows about the status of their trials," he added.

Nikam said that after the 26/11 attack, Mumbai's security was tightened, "but the recent incident (blast) in Delhi is very concerning".

"This makes me wonder where our education system is taking us. Pakistan wants to create divisions and conflicts within us. Therefore, from the recent Delhi incident, we should understand that the people of this country must kindle one feeling...that we are all Indians," he said.

"We are Indians, regardless of how educated you are or on what basis you judge. The education and atmosphere of this country are such that different castes and religious communities live together. But some forces, including Pakistan, are spoiling that peace. So we must think deeply about this," Nikam said.

A high-intensity blast near the Red Fort in Delhi on November 10 claimed 15 lives and left several others injured.
BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Beijing has taken the global lead in the preservation of crop germplasm resources, the municipal government announced on Wednesday.

The city has a germplasm bank of 2.144 million accessions, including the world's most diverse range of crop species.

Beijing is home to 29 seed enterprises that have been selected as key national players -- the highest number across China -- and it registers more new crop varieties than most other provincial regions each year. These achievements are supported by the Beijing Seed Ordinance, which aims to establish the city as a "seed capital."

Technological innovations have been pivotal, with breakthroughs such as AI-based plant protection models debuting at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. The agricultural technology contribution rate in Beijing has reached 75 percent, driven by advancements in molecular breeding and other core technologies.

Beijing plans to deepen efforts to improve its seed industry over the next five years, focusing on technology-driven and reform-oriented development, according to a government official. 
Students at VIT in Madhya Pradesh's Sehore district staged a violent protest, vandalising and setting fire to the college campus and vehicles over the alleged "poor" quality of food and water, which they claimed was causing jaundice, officials said on Wednesday.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

During the arson, which erupted late Tuesday night, a bus, two four-wheelers, an ambulance, hostel window panes, an RO plant, and other parts of the campus were damaged, as per the eyewitnesses and videos circulated on social media.

Nearly 3,000 to 4,000 students protested on the Vellore Institute of Technology's (VIT) Sehore campus over the quality of food and water, a police official said.

After being alerted, the sub-divisional officer of police, Ashta and security personnel from several police stations rushed to the college campus, he said.

The personnel held detailed discussions with the students, listened to their concerns, and assured them of necessary action to resolve the problems.

Ashta SDOP Akash Amalkar stated that the situation at the college and on the hostel campus was currently under control.

Adequate police force was deployed on the campus, and the situation was being continuously monitored.

Meanwhile, the college management has declared a holiday till November 30.

Sehore Superintendent of Police Deepak Shukla said the situation is currently normal. VIT declared a holiday until November 30 and some students were returning home, he added.

The SDM and SDOP will take applications from all hostel students of the VIT regarding their problems and information about the sick students, he said.

Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari targeted the government over the matter.

In a post on X, he claimed, "Jaundice has spread widely in VIT, the state's premier educational institution. A large number of students are admitted to hospitals in Bhopal, Ashta, and Sehore. There are also reports of several children being seriously ill."

"This is a failure not only of the educational institution but also of the government and the system," he alleged.

If, despite charging hefty fees, the institution fails to provide children with basic amenities, clean water, and pure food, this should be considered a "crime", Patwari said.

"The BJP government wants to suppress the voices of children," the Congress leader alleged.

"Congress will fight for justice with the children. We will not let our future be wasted," he added.
Forty one Naxalites, 32 of them collectively carrying a reward of Rs 1.19 crore on their heads, surrendered in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Wednesday, officials said.

Image used only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo

The cadres, including 12 women, turned themselves in before senior police officials in Bijapur, citing they were impressed by the government's new surrender and rehabilitation policy and 'Poona Margham'(rehabilitation for social reintegration drive of Bastar range police), Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav said.

Among them, four were members of PLGA (People's Liberation Guerrilla Army) battalion no.1 and different companies of Maoists, three of area committees, 11 platoon and area committee party members, two PLGA members, four militia platoon commanders, one deputy commander, six militia platoon members, and the remaining belonged to frontal outfits of outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist, he said.

Thirty-nine of these 41 cadres belonged to the south sub-zonal bureau of Maoists. They all were associated with the Dandakaranya special zonal committee, Telangana state committee, and the Dhamtari-Gariaband-Nuapada divisions of the banned outfit, the official said.

The surrendered cadres have expressed faith in the Constitution and pledged to live a dignified and secure life within the democratic framework. Under the rehabilitation policy, each cadre was given an immediate financial assistance of Rs 50,000 as an incentive, he said.

Among those who surrendered, Pandru Hapka alias Mohan (37), Bandi Hapka (35), Lakkhu Korsa (37), Badru Punem (35), Sukhram Hemla (27), Manjula Hemla (25), Mangali Madvi alias Shanti (29), Jairam Kadiyam (28) and Pando Madkam alias Chandni (35) carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh each, he said.

Besides, three cadres carried a bounty of Rs 5 lakh each, 12 cadres Rs 2 lakh each, and 8 cadres Rs 1 lakh each, he said.

Yadav said the state government's rehabilitation policy has been encouraging Maoists to give up violence and return to the mainstream.

He appealed to the remaining Maoists to abandon the path of violence.

"Maoists should shed misleading and violent ideologies and return to society without fear. The 'Poona Margham' drive ensures a secure, respectable, and self-reliant future for those who surrender," he said.

With this surrender, a total of 790 Maoist cadres have quit violence and joined the mainstream in the district since January 2024, the SP said.

During the same period, 202 Naxalites were killed in separate encounters and 1,031 cadres arrested in the district, he said.

More than 2,200 Naxalites, including top cadres, have surrendered in Chhattisgarh in the last 23 months, according to police.
The Election Commission has reported that nearly 26 lakh voters' names in West Bengal's current electoral rolls are not matching with the voter list of 2002, an official said on Wednesday.

IMAGE: A Special Intensive Revision (SIR) official during the house-to-house verification process to update voter list, the exercise to verify and update Indias voter lists, in Kolkata on November 4, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

The discrepancy emerged after the state's latest voter list was compared with the lists prepared across different states between 2002 and 2006 during the previous SIR exercise, he said.

According to Election Commission sources, more than six crore enumeration forms in West Bengal had been digitised by Wednesday afternoon under the ongoing SIR process.

"Once digitised, these forms are brought under the mapping procedure, where they are matched against the previous SIR records. Initial findings show that the names of around 26 lakh voters in West Bengal cannot yet be reconciled with the data from the last SIR cycle," the official told PTI.

"Many voters or their families whose names appeared in those earlier lists may have subsequently migrated to West Bengal. Such voters remain Indian citizens, making it necessary for the state to map their details even if their earlier records belong to another state. By matching West Bengal's voter rolls with those of other states, the commission identified the 26 lakh names that currently remain unmatched," the official added.

He said that the figure may rise further as digitisation continues.

In the electoral context, "mapping" refers to cross-verifying the latest published voter list with the SIR rolls last compiled in 2002.

"The process examines how many names appear in both lists and also checks whether the names of the parents of any current voter appear in the earlier SIR records. When such matches are found, the voter is automatically identified without requiring separate verification," he explained.

This year, the mapping exercise has also included voter lists from other states, a step taken by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer to ensure a more comprehensive and accurate verification process, he added.

However, a mismatch in mapping does not mean automatic removal from the final electoral roll, he clarified.

Voters, whose information matches the earlier lists will not need to submit any additional documents and may simply fill out the enumeration form provided by the poll body, the official stated.

"For those whose names cannot be matched or traced through these records, document-based verification will be conducted to confirm their identity and eligibility," he added.

The EC has stated that the objective of this exercise is to ensure accuracy and transparency in the voter rolls ahead of future elections, and that no eligible voter will be excluded without thorough verification.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said local residents must be given priority in jobs at the upcoming Vadhavan Port project in Palghar district, and warned that any attempts to deprive them of their 'rightful employment' at the mega facility would not be tolerated.

IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Photograph: ANI Photo

He also said that 10 lakh jobs will be created at this big-ticket port project.

Fadnavis was addressing election rallies at Dahanu and Palghar towns in Palghar districts for Bharatiya Janata Party candidates ahead of the December 2 local bodies polls.

"Vadhavan port is going to be one of the top ports in the world. It will be the first of its kind in India and create nearly 10 lakh jobs," he said.

"I have directed the authorities that local people must get employment in the Vadhavan project. These 10 lakh jobs will go to the sons and daughters of the soil...Fifty-six companies have already signed agreements and begun training programmes," Fadnavis said.

"Any attempts to sideline the local residents (in jobs) will not be tolerated. If anyone tries to deprive the people of Palghar or Dahanu of their rightful employment, this Devendra bhau will go there and tell them it will not work. We will not stop until locals get their dues," he added.

The Rs 76,200-crore greenfield project is being developed in two phases by Vadhvan Port Project Ltd (VPPL).

The port will comprise nine container terminals, each 1,000 metres long, four multipurpose berths, including the coastal berth, four liquid cargo berths, a Ro-Ro berth, and a coast guard berth.

Amid concerns expressed by fishermen that the project would affect their livelihood, Fadnavis said they need not fear.

"They will get a modern fishing harbour, new boats, deep-sea fishing capabilities and support for traditional fishing," he said.

Calling Palghar as the fastest developing district in the country and the nucleus of a future 'Fourth Mumbai', the CM said the work on India's first offshore airport in the district would begin soon, giving the district a major global identity.

"To strengthen connectivity with Mumbai, the government plans to extend the Mumbai Coastal Road up to Virar and later to Dahanu...Palghar is being strongly connected to Mumbai," he said.

A comprehensive development plan has been designed to ensure that rapid urbanisation does not harm the district's natural resources, CM Fadnavis said.

"Water, land and forest diversity will not be affected," he said.

Referring to the 'Constitution Day', Fadnavis invoked Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, saying, "He gave democracy through the Constitution. Earlier, in our country, kings used to be born in royal families. Today, the king of the nation takes birth in a ballot box."

Constitution Day or Samvidhan Divas commemorates the official adoption of the Indian Constitution on November 26, 1949. The government of India declared November 26 as Constitution Day in 2015.

Countering Opposition's remarks targeted at the BJP and its candidate, Fadnavis urged supporters not to get distracted by inflammatory remarks.

"Someone may say they will burn your 'Lanka'. But we do not live in Lanka. We are followers of Lord Ram. Ravana cannot be the brother of Lord Ram, so why use such language during elections?" he asked.

Fadnavis emphasised that his focus was on development and performance.

"I have come to tell you what we are going to do and also show what we have already done," he said.

He appealed to voters to vote for BJP candidates in the local polls.

"You vote for the 'lotus' (BJP poll symbol) in the polls and we will take steps for your welfare," he said.
Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament from Gujarat Hemang Joshi on Wednesday invited Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to join a 'Unity March' when it passes through Vadodara city on November 29 and 30.

IMAGE: Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge during the Constitution Day celebrations at the Central Hall of the Samvidhan Sadan, in New Delhi, November 26, 2025. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo

The Lok Sabha MP from Vadodara has written a letter to Gandhi, noting he should join the padyatra or foot march because this initiative is above politics and is being organised by the government in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, independent India's first Deputy Prime Minister who was popularly known as Iron Man.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel flagged off the 'Unity March' from Sardar Patel's birthplace Karamsad, a town in Anand district.

The Centre, along with the Gujarat government, is organising the padyatra (foot march) from Karamsad to the Statue of Unity in Narmada district to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel.

The 150-km-long padyatra' will culminate at the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar on December 5.

"Through that letter, I have invited Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, to join this yatra when it will pass through Vadodara. Gandhi is known for taking out padyatras during elections. This is not a BJP yatra. This is a national initiative and that's why I have invited him," Joshi told reporters.

The BJP parliamentarian, in the letter to the Congress Lok Sabha MP from Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh, said the 'Unity March' is inspired by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will cross Vadodara on November 29 and 30.

"As a fellow Member of Parliament, and more importantly as a citizen committed to the unity and integrity of India, I extend a cordial invitation to you to join the march during its passage through Vadodara," Joshi stated.

The first-time BJP MP further maintained Gandhi's public life has seen several political padyatras undertaken in the name of connecting with people.

This Unity March in the honour of Sardar Patel, however, is above politics, Joshi insisted.

"Therefore, I believe your presence will send a powerful message that on matters of national unity, we can walk together irrespective of our ideological differences. Sardar Patel never asked who belonged to which party; he only asked whether we belonged to Bharat or not," emphasised the BJP leader.

"In that spirit, I sincerely hope you will walk a few steps of this yatra with us, not as the Leader of Opposition, not as a political figure, but as a fellow Indian committed to the idea of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' (One India, Great India)," Joshi opined.

The BJP MP urged Gandhi to appeal to Gujarat Congress leaders to join the yatra because it will prove to be a "great opportunity to celebrate our democratic values".

"Your participation will be welcomed with full respect due to your office (LoP), and I assure you of all arrangements for your security and convenience on behalf of our CM Bhupendra Patel. Looking forward to your positive response," Joshi stated in the letter.
India on Wednesday said it is examining a request by Bangladesh to extradite former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and that it is committed to ensure the best interests of the people of that country.

IMAGE: Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina. Photograph: ANI Photo

Hasina, 78, was last week sentenced to death in absentia by a special tribunal in Dhaka for "crimes against humanity" over her government's brutal crackdown on student-led protests last year.

The Awami League leader has been living in India since she fled Bangladesh on August 5 last year in the face of the massive protests.

"The request is being examined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes," external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

"We remain committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country and will continue to engage constructively in this regard with all stakeholders," he said.

Situation different now, says Bangladesh

Meanwhile, Bangladesh on Wednesday said India gave no reply to its earlier request seeking the extradition of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, but Dhaka now expects a response from New Delhi as the situation is different now with the judicial process completed and the former premier convicted.

The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus last week had sent an "official letter" to India seeking the extradition of 78-year-old Hasina after a special tribunal sentenced her to death on November 17 for committing crimes against humanity.

Foreign affairs adviser M Touhid Hossain told reporters in Dhaka that the government is awaiting India's reply to its latest request to extradite Hasina.

I do not expect that they (India) will answer within a week of Dhaka's request, but we expect we will get an answer, he said.

Hossain said Bangladesh had earlier requested India to return Hasina but received "no reply".

However, he said, "the situation is different now" as the judicial process is complete and she has been convicted.

Hossain said the formal extradition request was conveyed through the Bangladesh high commission in New Delhi following the verdict delivered by the International Crimes Tribunal-Bangladesh (ICT-BD).

He said the request was made under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries.

Bangladesh had earlier sent a note verbale in December last year seeking Hasina's extradition, to which India acknowledged receipt without further comment.

Hossain, a former diplomat, clarified that Bangladesh was not ruling out a reply from India, but it is simply not expecting it within seven days.

Along with Hasina, the ICT-BD had also sentenced the then home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal after a trial held in absentia. Hasina is currently in India, while Kamal is also believed to be hiding in the country.

The third accused, former police official Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who appeared as an approver, was sentenced to five years in prison.

On November 20, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said the interim government is also considering moving the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague to bring back the fugitive convicts.

Reiterating the stance three days later, he said: We believe India has an added responsibility to return them.

After the recent ICT-BD judgement, India had said it "noted" the verdict concerning the former prime minister.

"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 external affairs ministry said.

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 between July 15 and August 15 last year.
Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday played down reports that he has held discussions with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on the leadership change issue in the state, during a recent meeting, and has conveyed the latter's message to CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar.

IMAGE: Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge. Photograph: ANI on X

Maintaining that the Congress high command will decide and give clarity on the issue of CM change in Karnataka, he said, he met Gandhi to explain about KEO (Knowledge-driven, Economical, Open-source), an AI-ready personal computer, that was launched during the recent Bengaluru tech summit, and to discuss on 'vote chori' cases in the state.

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, citing purported 'power-sharing' agreement involving Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar in 2023.

According to reports Kharge has conveyed Rahul Gandhi's message to both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, and that they are likely to be called to New Delhi soon for a meeting with an intention to sort out the issue.

"Discussions are in the media, will I meet Mohan Bhagwat (RSS chief) if not Rahul Gandhi? Will I report to Keshava Krupa (RSS state headquarters) without reporting to CM and Deputy CM on my meeting? Rahul Gandhi was invited for the Bengaluru Tech Summit, he couldn't come. I had sought his time to show our Artificial Intelligence Personal Computer," Kharge said in response to a question.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, he said, Rahul Gandhi had curiosity about the AI personal computer, so he had given time. "I met him and explained to him."

To a question on reports that he has given a report to Rahul Gandhi on the developments in the state, Kharge said, "Who said all this? only both of us were there....the high command is there and they will take a decision. Why should I speak on this issue?"

Asked whether Rahul Gandhi asked him anything about the developments, he said, "If he has asked, can it be shared with the media?" Priyank Kharge had met Shivakumar on Wednesday night.

The minister ruled out any confusion in the party on the leadership issue, pointing out that everyone including the CM, Deputy CM, All India Congress Committee chief and ministers have consistently said that the party high command will decide on the matter and everyone will abide by it.

To a question on Siddaramaiah's statement that the high command should put an end to all confusion, he said, 'when the time comes, they will do it. The confusion is in the BJP, media, it is not there in the Congress'.

Starting that, he briefed the CM and the Deputy CM about his visit, like always done on any visit, Kharge said, discussion happened on 'vote chori' cases in Aland, Mahadevapura, and how to go about it in the future, nothing else.

Responding to a question on Shivakumar's statement on Tuesday that power sharing was discussed between five to six people, he said, "I have been saying it. Discussion has happened between few people, what was discussed, they know. The high command will decide."

Asked about reports that the high command has called a meeting with the CM and Deputy CM on November 29 in Delhi to discuss the leadership issue, he said he was not aware of it.

Reiterating that the high command will give clarity on the issue, Kharge, when asked as to when it can be expected, said, "AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge is again coming to Bengaluru today for a marriage function. Tomorrow and the day-after he has a couple of meetings there (in Delhi) to discuss serious issues related to OBC and Bihar polls, after that senior leaders will discuss and see when to call (state leaders)."
Former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi was on Tuesday allotted a new residence by the Nitish Kumar government, in a decision that would require the Rashtriya Janata Dal leader to vacate the bungalow she had been occupying for several years.

IMAGE: Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav along with party leader Rabri Devi, at Gyan Bhawan in Patna on June 19, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

According to a notification issued by the state's building construction department, Rabri Devi has been allotted 39, Hardinge Road, which implies that she would have to give up 10, Circular Road, situated close to the CM's residence and the Raj Bhavan, and which has for years been functioning as a camp office of the RJD.

Reacting to the development, RJD spokesman Shakti Yadav said, "The minister for building construction is a sensible man. But, the decision shows the influence the Bharatiya Janata Party has come to exercise over 1, Anney Marg (the CM's official residence)."

The building construction portfolio is held by senior Janata Dal-United leader Vijay Kumar Sinha.

Meanwhile, Rohini Acharya, a daughter of Rabri Devi who recently alleged that misbehaviour of younger brother Tejashwi Yadav had caused her to leave her parents' residence, came out with an angry social media post.

Sharing a screenshot of the department's notice, she wrote: 'This is the development model of sushasan babu (a sobriquet Nitish Kumar has earned for his claims of good governance)'.

'The top priority (of the government) is to humiliate Lalu Prasad, a messiah for crores of people. You may evict him from a house, but how will you evict him from people's heart. If not his health, his political stature should have been taken into consideration,' said Acharya, mentioning her father and RJD president, who has been sharing the bungalow with his wife.

Meanwhile, BJP spokesman Neeraj Kumar said 'the family is being asked to vacate the house in accordance with rules. Given their past track record, a keen watch will be kept, and it will be ensured that no harm is done to government property'.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, also a former deputy CM, had faced accusations of having taken away several items from 5, Deshratna Marg, which he had occupied till the party shared power in Bihar.

According to another notification issued by the department, Rabri Devi's elder son Tej Pratap Yadav, is also set to lose the bungalow he has been occupying since the days he was a minister.

Two other notifications enlist the bungalows allotted to all the ministers in the newly formed cabinet.

One of these, which was till now occupied by Tej Pratap Yadav, has been allotted to Lakhendra Kumar Raushan, the minister for SC and ST welfare department.

In the recent polls, Tej Pratap, who floated the Janshakti Janata Dal upon expulsion from the RJD by his father earlier this year, failed to get re-elected to the state assembly.
Amid speculation over leadership change in Karnataka, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said the issue will be resolved after discussions with senior leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, while deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar claimed there is unity in the party.

IMAGE: Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi pays tribute to ex-PM Indira Gandhi on her 108th Birth anniversary at Indira Gandhi Memorial as party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi look on, in New Delhi, November 19, 2025. Photograph: AICC/ANI Photo

As the Congress government in Karnataka completed the halfway mark of its five-year tenure on November 20, the power tussle within the party has intensified over a possible change of guard in the state, with a section claiming an alleged "power-sharing" agreement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar in 2023.

"The high command -- myself, Rahul ji and Sonia ji will together take a decision on the issue and resolve it," Kharge told PTI, when asked about the issue of leadership change in Karnataka.

Meanwhile, Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge dismissed as "irrelevant," a section of party leaders pitching his father Mallikarjun Kharge for the CM post amid the leadership issue.

As talk of a leadership tussle in the Congress government in Karnataka intensified and MLAs started seeking meetings with the leadership, Siddaramaiah has put the onus on the party high command to put a "full stop to the confusion".

Karnataka minister Satish Jarkiholi seemed to back Siddaramaiah, saying he has asked the high command to clear the air at the earliest on the issue of leadership.

"There is no discussion about leadership change in the party. Once it comes up, then we will discuss but there is no discussion about it in the party right now," the minister said.

Jarkiholi said he will seek time and meet Kharge to discuss this issue and to tell him his opinion.

Shivakumar, however, claimed that the party is united and is focused on the 2028 assembly and 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

He had earlier claimed that there is a "secret deal between five-six of us" in the party on the issue of the power-sharing formula evolved two-and-a-half years ago.

Reluctant to comment on the alleged power-sharing agreement, he said he does not wish to speak about anything. "Whatever is there, party issues, we will discuss within four walls. I will not discuss any political issues in the media."

Denying any confusion or existence of factions, Shivakumar said, "... no one should demand anything. There are no groups in the party; there is only one group, that is the Congress. Our group has 140 MLAs."

Accusing the opposition BJP of "trying to create confusion", he said, "They are making comments unnecessarily. All 140 of us are together. No one can shake us. I don't want anyone's offer... I'm a Congressman by birth."

On reports that Rahul Gandhi had sent a personal message to him, Shivakumar replied, "What Rahul Gandhi has communicated to me is not a matter to be discussed before the media."

"Our goal is to win Karnataka in 2028 and to win at the national level in 2029, and to make Rahul Gandhi the prime minister. We will work towards this goal," he asserted.

Shivakumar asserted that he believed in collective leadership as he has worked as party president for six years.

"I believe in collective leadership. I believe in party worship, not personality worship," he said.

BJP state president B Y Vijayendra said Siddaramaiah should resign and declare an election if his party is not able to put an end to the ongoing power tussle.

Addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Vijayendra said the ruling Congress should come to Belagavi for the legislative session starting from December 8 with more clarity as to who should be the chief minister of the state. "Let them postpone the session or if they are unable to handle the situation, resign and declare the election," he said.

Meanwhile, on Home Minister G Parameshwara's claim that he should also be made the chief minister, Jarkiholi, the Public Works Minister, said the former had served as party president for five years.

He said, "We (Congress) will require CM Siddaramaiah's leadership, his service and guidance even after he retires from active politics."

Responding to a question about legislators backing Shivakumar's travelling to Delhi, Siddaramaiah had said on Tuesday, "Let them go. MLAs have freedom. Let's see what opinion they give. Ultimately, the high command has to make the decision. We will abide by what the high command says."

On a section of legislators appealing to the high command to put the matter to rest, he said, "Whatever they (legislators) want to say, let them say to the high command. Ultimately, to put a full stop to this confusion, the high command has to make the decision."

Another Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge sought to play down reports that he has held discussions with Rahul Gandhi on the issue, saying he discussed KEO (Knowledge-driven, Economical, Open-source), an AI-ready personal computer, launched recently during the Bengaluru tech summit, and to discuss "vote chori" cases in the state.

Priyank Kharge is believed to have conveyed Rahul Gandhi's message to both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, and that they are likely to be called to New Delhi soon for a meeting with the intention of sorting out the issue.
Terming it "pathetic", the Supreme Court pulled up the Haryana government and its urban development body on Wednesday for the uprooting of 40 fully-grown trees to build an accessible road to a newly-constructed Bharatiya Janata Party office in Karnal, and sought a remedial action plan, warning them of being "taken to task".

IMAGE: A view of the Supreme Court of India. Photograph: ANI Photo

A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K V Viswanathan was hearing a petition filed by a 1971-war veteran, challenging the dismissal of his plea at the high court on May 3 against the arbitrary allocation of a plot in a residential area to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Haryana and later, the construction of an access road for its office by uprooting 40 fully-grown trees situated in a green area.

"It is pathetic that you uprooted fully-grown trees. Why and what happened to these trees? What is your explanation for this? Why can't you get the office of the political party shifted to some other location?" the bench asked Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee, who appeared in the matter for the Haryana government.

Banerjee said the required permissions were taken for allotment and all green norms followed. He assured the court that trees will be planted in proportion to the number of trees felled.

The bench asked Banerjee who will compensate for the loss of the 40 fully-grown trees. It also asked him to come up with a good explanation, warning that the state and its instrumentalities are bound to be "taken to task".

"We are warning you that all of you will be taken to task for this," the bench told Banerjee and other lawyers appearing for different bodies of the state government.

The court passed the order after hearing advocate Bhupender Pratap Singh, who appeared in the matter for Col (retd) Davinder Singh Rajput, a 1971-war veteran.

Rajput (79) said he was wounded in the war and a decorated soldier, having been awarded the Vir Chakra for gallantry. He had purchased a plot, measuring 1,000 square yards, in sector 9, Urban Estate, Karnal from the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran, then the Haryana Urban Development Authority.

Rajput said he was aggrieved by the arbitrary allotment of the land adjacent to his plot in a residential plotted colony to the ruling political party in the state in complete violation of the provisions of the Haryana Urban Development Act, 1977 and the relevant policies of the Department of Town and Country Planning and the HUDA.

"The petitioner was also aggrieved by the felling of 40 trees in the green belt to make a 10m pathway through the 100m green belt in front of the house of the petitioner. It is pertinent to note that the petitioner had paid 10 per cent preferential-location charges for the green belt facing the plot almost 36 years ago," the plea said.

Singh told the bench that the high court dismissed Rajput's writ petition and upheld the arbitrary actions of the State, violating the legal and fundamental rights of the petitioner.

"The high court did not appreciate the relevant legislative provisions and policies governing revision in layout plans of a residential plotted colony which mandate institutional/social sites to be located on at least a 24m wide road," he submitted.

The lawyer pointed out that in the case at hand, the irregular-shaped vacant land ad measuring 1,550 square yards adjacent to the petitioner's plot, situated on a 9-metre-wide road and which had remained vacant since 1989, was designated as institutional and allotted to the ruling party without following any due process.

On October 15, the top court directed the Haryana government to maintain the status quo as regards the so-called development that has been undertaken.

The court had called the chief administrator of the HSVP and asked him to remain personally present before it with the entire record. It had asked the HSVP to explain the circumstances in which 40-plus trees were felled in the name of development and what was done with those trees.

"If any further development is undertaken from now onwards, we shall take a very strict view of the matter," the court had said.
BUENOS AIRES, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Two people died and 40 others were injured on Tuesday when a bus overturned in central Argentina, authorities said.

The accident occurred at around 8:00 a.m. local time (1100 GMT) on Provincial Route 2 in Buenos Aires province, and was reported hours later by the Buenos Aires Police, said German Vera Tapia, the local prosecutor in charge of the initial investigation.

The bus, which was carrying over 50 passengers, reportedly overturned due to reckless driving.

The driver has been taken into custody and may face charges of aggravated manslaughter.

The bus was traveling from the towns of Moreno, Moron and Ciudadela to Mar del Plata, a resort city located 400 km south of Argentina's capital. 
The Delhi police on Wednesday told a court in Delhi that a few protesters, arrested for allegedly using pepper spray on police personnel during a demonstration at the India Gate over pollution, are supporters of banned radical student union.

IMAGE: Police detain people who stage a protest against rising air pollution at India Gate, in New Delhi on November 23, 2025. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

The submissions were made before Judicial Magistrate Aridaman Singh Cheema in the case related to six students who were arrested from India Gate on November 23.

A few of these students were found to be singing songs and supporting the banned frontal organisation, Radical Student Union, on social media, New Delhi DCP Devesh Kumar Mahla told the court.

The police sought seven-day custody of all the six accused, saying they needed accused persons' further interrogation to unravel the entire case and conspiracy, if any.

The court, however, permitted police to interrogate the accused for the next three days in the case.

On November 23, a total of 23 students, including 11 women students, were arrested after two FIRs were registered at Kartavya Path and Parliament Street police stations. The arrested students were produced before two judicial magistrates at the Patiala House Court on November 24.

During the hearing on Wednesday, the police also informed the court that 10 police personnel suffered injuries and pepper spray was recovered from three protesters.

During the protest, banners of (slain Maoist leader) Madvi Hidma were displayed and they were in English. The video shows that they were directly involved in it. Some of them are the same protesters who blocked Mann Singh Road on November 9, DCP Mahla said.

The police also submitted CCTV footage of the protesters breaking the barricading and pushing police personnel.

The defense counsel said that the arrestees faced torture during the judicial custody and contented that they were mere students protesting against the deteriorating air pollution.

They were students, protesting against the rising air pollution. They were punished for using their constitutional right to protest,

the counsel said.

The FIR was registered against the protesters under relevant sections of BNS including 79 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 74 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 221 (obstructing public servants in discharge of duties) and 223 (disobedience to a lawful order from a public servant).

On November 24, the Delhi Police said that a group of protesters raised slogans hailing Madvi Hidma, a top Maoist leader who was killed in an encounter in Andhra Pradesh earlier this month.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday said the argument that the special intensive revision of electoral rolls was never conducted before in the country cannot be used to examine the validity of the Election Commission's decisions to carry out this exercise in several states.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

Commencing final hearing on a clutch of petitions challenging the validity of the EC's decisions to carry out the revision of electoral rolls in several states, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said the poll panel has "inherent power to determine correctness of entry in Form 6".

Form 6 has to be filled up by a person to register himself or herself as a voter.

The bench also reiterated that the Aadhaar card does not "confer absolute proof of citizenship and that is why we said it will be one of the documents among the list of documents... If any one is deleted they will have to be given a notice of deletion."

"Aadhaar is a creation of statute for availing benefits. Just because a person was granted Aadhaar for ration, should he be made a voter also? Suppose someone belongs to a neighbouring country and works as a labourer," the CJI said.

The bench did not seem in agreement with a particular submission and said, "You are saying the Election Commission is a post office which must accept the Form 6 submitted and include your name."

"Prima facie, yes ... unless there is some contrary material," senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for some of the petitioners, said.

"The Election Commission will always have this inherent constitutional jurisdiction to determine correctness of the documents...," the bench said.

The top court, meanwhile, also fixed the schedule of hearing on several pleas specifically challenging SIR in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal.

The bench asked the poll panel to file its response to pleas challenging SIR in Tamil Nadu by December 1 and it gave two days time to the petitioners to file their rejoinders. The petitions will be listed on December 4.

On pleas against SIR in Kerala, the poll panel will have to file its reply by December 1 and the petitions will be heard on December 2.

The bench said the pleas against SIR in West Bengal, where few BLOs have allegedly committed suicide, will be taken up for hearing on December 9 and meanwhile the Election Commission has to file its reply over the weekend.

The bench said the West Bengal State Election Commission and the state government are also at liberty to file their reply by December 1.

The CJI-led bench commenced the final hearing on a larger issue on legality and validity of the EC's decision to undertake the revision of electoral rolls.

Sibal initiated arguments by asserting that the SIR exercise raised fundamental concerns about democratic participation.

"This is a matter which affects democracy," he said.

He said the SIR places an unconstitutional burden on ordinary voters, many of whom are illiterate, to fill the forms and risk exclusion if they fail to do so.

"Filling up the forms is not the responsibility of the elector. So many are illiterate and do not know how to read and write. If they cannot fill forms, they will be ousted (from electoral rolls)," he said, urging the court to focus on constitutional safeguards rather than procedural justifications.

He said once a voter's name is included in the electoral roll, the presumption of validity follows unless the state proves otherwise.

"Any exclusion must follow a process which is reasonable and fair," he said.

A self-declaration under Form 6, he emphasised, is accepted as proof of citizenship for inclusion and cannot be subjected to an unreasonable standard for retention.

Sibal said that Aadhaar establishes residence, and while not conclusive of citizenship, it triggers a presumption that cannot be brushed aside.

"There is a presumption in my favour. I have an Aadhaar. That is my residence. You want to take it away... take it away by a process and let the process be proven before this court," he said.

He warned that the SIR cannot be completed meaningfully in the short timelines prescribed.

"The process of getting this data cannot be completed in two months," he said, questioning its feasibility in remote regions.

"See the reality of my country... Do you think in far-removed areas of West Bengal or Bihar people know how to fill enumeration forms," he asked.

Justice Bagchi observed that Form 6, used for inclusion, cannot bind the Election Commission to accept entries without verification.

Justice Bagchi emphasised the need to weed out deceased voters, noting that lists were publicly displayed in panchayats and on official websites.

"We do not judge in a vacuum," he said.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan drew attention to Assam's SIR guidelines, arguing that they improperly empower electoral officers to determine citizenship.

The CJI responded that Assam is a unique case with foreigners tribunals established under special statutes, and that such determinations were limited to "D-voters", those marked as doubtful.

Sibal said that issues such as citizenship and unsoundness of mind must be decided by competent statutory authorities that are the Union ministry of home affairs and not booth level officers (BLOs).

"BLOs have no right to get into this," he said, terming the entire SIR exercise "erroneous and unconstitutional".

The hearing will continue on Thursday.
A major controversy erupted in poll-bound West Bengal after Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir announced he would lay the foundation stone of a mosque modelled on Babri Masjid in Murshidabad district on December 6, prompting the Trinamool Congress to distance itself and the Bharatiya Janata Party to allege that attempts were being made to polarise the people.

Image used for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

Posters announcing the 'Babri Masjid' foundation event surfaced across Beldanga this week, several of which were later vandalised, triggering tension in the communally sensitive district.

With December 6 marking 33 years of the demolition of the 16th-century Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, the planned ceremony has sharpened political tempers in minority dominated Murshidabad district, which in April this year had witnessed clashes during protests over Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.

Kabir, speaking to PTI, remained defiant.

"Yes, I will lay the foundation stone of a masjid modelled on the Babri Masjid on December 6. This masjid will be much bigger and inspired by the original structure," he said, adding, "This is my religious right and a demand of the local people," he said.

He said that the issue was "emotional" and insisted his plan was a "personal resolve", not tied to electoral calculations.

The Trinamool Congress was quick to disassociate itself from the MLA's remarks, wary of the political fallout in an election year.

TMC chief whip in West Bengal assembly, Nirmal Ghosh, told PTI, "The party is not in touch with Humayun Kabir. His remarks or actions have nothing to do with the party. Whatever he is saying or doing, he is doing it in his personal capacity. The party does not support those and is looking into the matter."

Another senior party functionary said disciplinary action against Kabir, who has been show-caused several times earlier for indiscipline, would be initiated shortly. Despite repeated confrontations, the party has not expelled him.

Kabir has, in recent months, signalled an independent political course, even hinting at forming a new organisation.

The BJP alleged that the ruling party's ecosystem was enabling such statements for electoral benefit.

State BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya said, "The TMC is pushing West Bengal towards chaos. Such announcements are meant only to provoke and polarise."

The Congress, which holds influence in Murshidabad, called for restraint.

The controversy has intensified fears of sharpening communal polarisation ahead of the assembly elections, due in April-May, particularly in districts with delicate demographic balances.
A special Maharashtra Control of Organiaed Crime Act court in Mumbai has framed charges against five persons, including the two alleged shooters, in the 2024 Salman Khan residence firing case.

IMAGE: Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal, accused in shooting at Salman Khan's residence in Mumbai. Photograph: ANI Photo

A trial starts once charges are framed.

Judge Mahesh Jadhav framed charges against Vickykumar Gupta, Sagarkumar Pal, Sonukumar Bishnoi, Rafiq Sardar Choudhari and Harpal Singh after they pleaded not guilty.

Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, his brother Anmol Bishnoi and Ravtaram Swami have been named as wanted accused in the case.

Two motorbike-borne men -- Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal -- allegedly opened fire outside Galaxy Apartment in Bandra, the actor's residence, in the early hours of morning on April 14, 2024.

Gupta and Pal, along with Sonukumar Bishnoi, Choudhary and Harpal Singh, are currently in judicial custody. Anujkumar Thapan, also arrested in the case, allegedly committed suicide in police custody.

The arrested accused, along with the absconding persons, were parties to the criminal conspiracy and acting as members of an organised crime syndicate (as defined under the MCOCA) headed by Lawrence Bishnoi, said the charge order.

They agreed with a common objective to do an illegal act -- which was to commit the murder of the victim by use of firearms and to create terror in the minds of the citizens of Mumbai city for establishing supremacy, the charge order said.

Singh provided the information collected by Choudhary, who had conducted a recce of Salman's house, to the wanted accused, it said.

Bishnoi provided weapons and bullets to Gupta and Pal who fired at the residence of the victim with the intention to kill him, the charge order said.

Thereby, each of the accused allegedly committed an offence under IPC provisions for criminal conspiracy, attempt to murder and relevant provisions MCOCA and they should be tried, the order said.

While Lawrence Bishnoi is currently lodged in an Ahmedabad jail, his brother Anmol was recently deported to the country from the USA and is in NIA custody in another case.
United States President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that his special envoy Steve Witkoff would be visiting Moscow next week to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner might going with Witkoff too.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

The development comes on the heels of progress on a draft proposal to end the conflict, CNN reported.

As per CNN, Trump also mentioned that Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will meet with the Ukrainians.

It further reported that the US President hopes to meet with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky -- however not until a deal is more finalised.

"I'd like to see it end, and we won't know for a little while, but well, we're making progress," Trump said aboard Air Force One.

The US President had previously set a Thursday deadline for Ukraine to accept a proposed peace plan.

When asked about the new deadline, Trump said, "You know what the deadline for me is? When it's over."

He suggested that while there remain some sticking points around territory, the work is on the way.

He said, "...trying to clean up the border, you can't go through the middle of the house. You can't go through the middle of a highway. So, they're trying to work something, it's a complicated process."

Trump added that Russia has agreed to some steps.

"Well, they're making concessions. Their big concessions is they stop fighting and they don't take any more land again."

On Kushner accompanying Witkoff, Trump said, "I'm not sure about Jared going, but he's involved in the process, smart guy. And they're going to be meeting with President Putin, I believe next week in Moscow."

Citing Ukrainian sources, CNN mentioned that while progress is being made on a draft proposal to end the war, at least three crucial sticking points remain.

It further reported that the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov indicated earlier that Moscow could reject an amended US peace plan if its terms are 'fundamentally different' to the understanding reached during the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska a few months ago.

A senior US official said on Tuesday that Ukraine agreed to the framework of a proposed deal to end the war with Russia, even as President Zelensky maintained that several issues remain unresolved, CNN reported.

The official, speaking as US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll held talks with Russian representatives in Abu Dhabi, said, "The Ukrainians have agreed to the peace deal. There are some minor details to be sorted out but they have agreed to a peace deal."

Furthermore, Ukraine's national security secretary, Rustem Umerov, wrote on X that both sides had 'reached a common understanding on the core terms of the agreement discussed in Geneva'.

He added that Kyiv now expected support from European partners in the next steps and looked forward to arranging a visit by Zelensky to the United States to 'complete final steps' and reach a deal with President Trump.

The original US-drafted peace plan includes several ideas previously rejected in past rounds of negotiations. It urges Ukraine to accept limits on the size of its armed forces, abandon its bid to join NATO and cede some territory--all long-standing demands made by Russia as President Vladimir Putin seeks to secure maximum concessions.

The proposal also calls on Kyiv to surrender key parts of the Donbas region that Russia claims to have annexed but does not fully control. The region includes a fortified belt of cities and towns central to Ukraine's defence strategy.

Zelensky has repeatedly rejected Russia's demands that Ukraine give up the eastern Donbas in return for control over certain Russian-held areas in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Ukraine's borders 'cannot be changed by force' and warned against any peace plan that would weaken Ukraine's armed forces.

She said no agreement should impose limitations that leave Ukraine exposed to future attacks.
Custodial deaths are a serious and long-lasting problem in India, with over 28,000 people dying in custody since 2009.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff

On November 6, three Railway Police Force personnel were booked for alleged murder after a Dalit man died in custody.

The case has once again drawn attention to a troubling pattern of custodial deaths across India.

Between 2009 and 2023, the National Human Rights Commission received nearly 28,258 reports of custodial deaths, underscoring the persistence of the issue despite repeated calls for reform.

In 2023-2024, UP, Punjab, and Bihar recorded the highest number of such cases.

On the rise

Data shows that over 90% of custodial deaths occur in judicial custody, with the remainder taking place in police custody -- raising questions about the treatment and safety of detainees even within the judicial system.

Half of the police in favour of 'tough methods'

According to The Status of Policing in India Report 2025, over half of police personnel surveyed said they supported the use of 'tough methods' when dealing with the public, revealing a worrying acceptance of coercive policing practices.

Deep-rooted prejudices within the police force

The report also highlights deep-rooted prejudices within the force.

In Gujarat, Karnataka, and Delhi, a major number of police personnel admitted believing that Dalits were 'to some extent' naturally prone to committing crime.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff
The Maharashtra government will write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the education ministry seeking to change the name of IIT Bombay to IIT-Mumbai, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said amid a row over Union minister Jitendra Singh's remarks on the nomenclature of the premier institute.

The minister of state for science and technology had said that "thankfully, IIT Bombay's name is not changed to Mumbai", inviting a sharp reaction from Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, who said the remarks show the government's mindset.

"As far as IIT Bombay is concerned, thank God it still is this name. You have not changed it to Mumbai. So that's another compliment to you. And also true for Madras. It remains IIT Madras," Singh had said, addressing a function at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay on Monday.

Interacting with reporters in Nagpur on Wednesday, Fadnavis said, "First of all, everyone knows that BJP leader Ram Naik had made the biggest contribution in changing (the name of) Bombay to Mumbai. We always say Mumbai, and not Bombay. We have been consistently trying to ensure that 'Bombay' be replaced with Mumbai."

"I will write a letter to the prime minister and the HRD (education) minister to change the name of IIT Bombay to IIT Mumbai," he said.

Indicating that Marathi identity will be the key agenda in the upcoming Mumbai civic body polls, Raj Thackeray said something similar to the Centre's "bid" to wrest Chandigarh from Punjab's control is brewing for Mumbai.

The plot to separate Mumbai, which has always belonged to the Marathi people, from Maharashtra was foiled by Marathi leaders and the public, the MNS chief said in a post on X.

"Our Marathi Mumbai remained in Maharashtra. Now, the bitterness that's been festering in their bellies for decades is starting to spill out once again," he said.

"People of Mumbai and all Marathi folks living in the entire Mumbai Metropolitan Region should open their eyes now. The name "Mumbai" irks them (ruling dispensation) because it is named after Mumbadevi, the original goddess of Mumbai. Her children are the Marathi people who have lived here for generations," he said.

The central government tried to wrest Chandigarh from Punjab's control, but backed off after facing opposition from all other parties, he said, adding that retreat is temporary.

"Something similar is brewing in Mumbai's case. An attempt to quietly take control of the city is definitely underway. First Mumbai, and then the entire MMR region will be seized and linked to Gujarat. Marathi people should wake up," Thackeray said.

MNS workers on Wednesday put up a banner outside IIT Bombay, renaming the institution, set up in 1958, as IIT Mumbai.

Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya told reporters that the BJP-led state government will send a proposal to the Centre to rename IIT Bombay as IIT Mumbai.

"We also want the Bombay high court to be renamed as Mumbai high court," he added.

The city, earlier known as Bombay, was officially renamed Mumbai in 1995 by the state government, to honour the local goddess Mumbadevi, after whom the city is named, and to shed the remnants of British colonial rule.
Colaba's character is also drawn from its strength.

Seventeen years ago, Pakistani terrorists struck here -- at the core of Mumbai's soul -- in the deadliest attack ever seen in this country.

166 civilians and security personnel were killed in a battle that raged on for three days.

IMAGE: A view of the harbour at Apollo Bunder, Mumbai. Photographs: Archana Masih/Rediff

Colaba is easily the most charming city spot in Mumbai. There is no contest. In its colonial houses, old street names and root-abounding banyan trees -- Mumbai still remains Bombay.

'Town' to Mumbaikars basically means the stretch from Marine Drive to Churchgate to Kala Ghoda, past Regal Cinema, Radio Club and down Colaba Causeway. It is an interesting array of streets, lanes and by-lanes abutted by the sea, rich in memory and nostalgia.

IMAGE: Oliver Street houses some of the oldest houses in Colaba.

One of the best Mumbai things to do is to spend at least half a day walking around Colaba -- from the grandeur of the Taj Mahal Hotel and the Gateway of India to wandering past old houses, some in poor shape, yet beautiful in their fading glory.

There is something for everyone in Colaba. This southern tip of the island can pull you in and give you something unusual, something unique. Large parts of Colaba's heritage buildings remain static in time, a welcome breathing space in a city that has and is changing rapidly with gleaming buildings, metro rail construction and builders' 'redevelopment' mania.

IMAGE: The Gateway of India seen from the window of the Sea Lounge restaurant at the Taj.

Colaba's character is also drawn from its strength. Seventeen years ago, Pakistani terrorists struck here -- at the core of Mumbai's soul -- in the deadliest attack ever seen in this country. 166 civilians and security personnel were killed in a battle that raged on for three days.

IMAGE: Evelyn House, an Edwardian building owned by the Mumbai Port Trust. Once it was the residence of the harbour master.

In the bloody carnage emerged tales of extraordinary bravery, commitment beyond the call of duty and human goodness.

Colaba and Mumbai rose up heroically.

IMAGE: A leafy avenue with a majestic banyan tree.

Last weekend, under a bright morning sun, people were hopping into boats to get across the bay, guests were popping in and out of the Taj after going through a security check at the entrance, tables were occupied at Cafe Mondegar and Leopold's -- and work was afoot at the new jetty at the Radio Club to the dismay of many old Colabawallahs.

Colaba was dignified in its grand old worldly charm, gazing at you as much as you gazed at her. She had seen much and there was so much more left to see.

IMAGE: Check out the elegant windows. Colaba got its name from the Koli language.

IMAGE: An iron spiral staircase winds up a building.

IMAGE: A quiet lane and the house in blue.

IMAGE: A simple and neat address on pristine white marble before Independence.

IMAGE: One of the most beautiful houses in Colaba.

IMAGE: Colaba has several museum and galleries.

IMAGE: The southern end of Colaba is an important naval cantonment.

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
The joint venture between China's Chery Automobile and Spain's Ebro on Monday celebrated its first anniversary of vehicle production and sales in Spain. #Chery #Ebro
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Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Snow showers this morning. Becoming partly cloudy later. High 28F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 50%..

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A teacher guides chorus members with their rehearsal at a primary school in Shizhong District of Jinan City, east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 26, 2025. In recent years, authorities in Shizhong District of Jinan City have been encouraging local schools to enhance aesthetic education by exposing their students to diverse arts-related extracurricular programs. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

A student paints at a primary school in Shizhong District of Jinan City, east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 25, 2025. In recent years, authorities in Shizhong District of Jinan City have been encouraging local schools to enhance aesthetic education by exposing their students to diverse arts-related extracurricular programs. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

Chorus members rehearse at a primary school in Shizhong District of Jinan City, east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 26, 2025. In recent years, authorities in Shizhong District of Jinan City have been encouraging local schools to enhance aesthetic education by exposing their students to diverse arts-related extracurricular programs. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

Students practice wushu at a primary school in Shizhong District of Jinan City, east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 25, 2025. In recent years, authorities in Shizhong District of Jinan City have been encouraging local schools to enhance aesthetic education by exposing their students to diverse arts-related extracurricular programs. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

A teacher guides students in practicing violin at a primary school in Shizhong District of Jinan City, east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 26, 2025. In recent years, authorities in Shizhong District of Jinan City have been encouraging local schools to enhance aesthetic education by exposing their students to diverse arts-related extracurricular programs. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

A teacher guides a student with her painting at a primary school in Shizhong District of Jinan City, east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 26, 2025. In recent years, authorities in Shizhong District of Jinan City have been encouraging local schools to enhance aesthetic education by exposing their students to diverse arts-related extracurricular programs. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

A teacher guides students in practicing calligraphy at a primary school in Shizhong District of Jinan City, east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 26, 2025. In recent years, authorities in Shizhong District of Jinan City have been encouraging local schools to enhance aesthetic education by exposing their students to diverse arts-related extracurricular programs. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

A teacher guides students to make lacquer fans at a primary school in Shizhong District of Jinan City, east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 25, 2025. In recent years, authorities in Shizhong District of Jinan City have been encouraging local schools to enhance aesthetic education by exposing their students to diverse arts-related extracurricular programs. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)
White House envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow next week, the Kremlin said, amid accelerating efforts to cement a US-backed peace proposal that many Ukrainians -- and European leaders -- are wary of.

The meeting in Moscow, confirmed by foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov on November 26, came hours after US President Donald Trump suggested Witkoff, and possibly Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, would fly to the Russian capital.

Witkoff, a real estate developer with no diplomatic background whom Trump has charged with leading efforts to find an end to Russia's war, is expected to meet with Vladimir Putin on the trip, his sixth meeting with the Russian president since January.

Ushakov did not say if Kushner would be part of the delegation.

"As for Witkoff, I can say that a preliminary agreement has been reached that he will come to Moscow next week," Ushakov told Russian state TV.

The trip follows days of swirling negotiations between US, Ukrainian, and Russian officials in Kyiv, Geneva, and Abu Dhabi that were sparked by the leak of the US plan last week.

The initial 28-point version echoes the hard-line positions Russia has taken since at least the launch of its all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

That alarmed Ukrainian officials -- and reportedly angered Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy -- who then held their own bilateral talks with US officials.

As of November 25, there were indications Ukraine had agreed to some of the proposals, but some of the more major sticking points were still unresolved.

Some of the loudest criticism from Ukrainian officials and other experts of the US plan has focused on why the plan appeared to hew to Russia's longstanding maximalist positions.

"Thanks to the work of Ukraine, US, and us in Geneva, we now have a starting point," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on November 26. "We know that Russia's mindset has not changes since the days of Yalta. We need to be clear there cannot be unilateral carving up a sovereign European nation."

The man leading the Kremlin's efforts, Harvard-trained, English-speaking Kirill Dmitriev, traveled to Miami in October for meetings, reportedly with Witkoff and Kushner.

A leaked telephone conversation, published by Bloomberg News on November 25, heightened those concerns.

According to a Bloomberg transcript, Witkoff told Ushakov in an October 14 phone call that they should work together on a cease-fire plan and that Putin should raise it with Trump.

In comments to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump appeared to partially confirm the call, saying he hadn't reviewed the reports but that he heard it was a "standard negotiation."

"He's got to sell this to Ukraine. He's going to sell Ukraine to Russia. That's what a dealmaker does," Trump said. "You got to say, look, they want this, you got to convince them of this. I would imagine he's saying the same thing to Ukraine, because each party has to give and take."

Asked why the call was leaked, Ushakov said: "To hinder [the talks], probably. It is unlikely this was done to improve relations."

Russian officials have said they have yet to receive an official copy of the US plan. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, said earlier that Russia was waiting for the United States to submit an "interim" version of the modified plan.

"Then we will see," Lavrov said in Moscow.

Lavrov also signaled Russian wariness with any plan that had been updated to reflect Ukrainian position, and he pointed to the August summit between Trump and Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, when Trump appeared to endorse Russia's assertions.

If the updated plan "erased the spirit and letter of Anchorage," Lavrov said, then "it will be a fundamentally different situation.
The White House's lead envoy is heading to Russia for a sixth time. Ukraine fears a peace that heavily favors Moscow. A leaked phone call shows the US envoy advising a Kremlin official on how to sweet talk the White House.

And Russia's invasion, now in its 46th month, has pushed Ukraine's beleaguered armed forces closer to the breaking point.

There's a lot that happened in the six days since a US-drafted peace proposal first leaked -- not to mention the circumstances under which it was drafted.

The 28-point plan jolted what until recently had been sputtering efforts to halt the Russian war, something Trump had pledged to do within 24 hours of taking office in January.

Here's what you need to know as of November 26 as diplomats and negotiators from Washington, Moscow, Kyiv, and many other European capitals wrangle over the details of a concrete and controversial plan.

The Main Sticking Points?

After the US plan leaked and was then given to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian leader sent his chief of staff and other officials to Geneva for urgent talks with US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Zelenskyy reportedly was blindsided by the plan, which echoed most of the hard-line positions Russia has held since before the invasion.

The Geneva talks, however, produced an "updated and refined" framework -- a reworked, 19-point plan -- that would deliver a "sustainable and just peace," both the White House and Zelenskyy's office said.

But Zelenskyy's comments suggested the thorniest issues might still be on the table. That includes the fate of a chunk of the Donetsk region that the Kremlin has been hellbent on seizing.

Moscow has repeatedly said it must control all of Donetsk, one of five Ukrainian regions Putin baselessly claims are Russian. Ceding land that Ukraine's forces have kept out of Russia's clutches at great cost would be a massive concession by Kyiv and could have political repercussions for Zelenskyy.

Other pitfalls include the Kremlin's insistence that Ukraine be forever barred from joining NATO and a potential cap on the size of Kyiv's military.

The US draft would require Ukraine to "enshrine in its constitution that it will not join NATO" and the alliance to formalize a pledge that Ukraine will never be admitted.

That approach may be unpalatable for Ukraine, which wants freedom to choose its geopolitical partners and currently has its NATO aspirations codified in its constitution.

Ukraine also wants to be able to defend itself from any potential future Russian attack.

In previous negotiations, Russia called for Ukraine's military to be limited to under 100,000 personnel. The initial US draft would cap it at 600,000. A European counterproposal would raise that to 800,000 "in peacetime."

Several top Republican senators have criticized the initial US plan, including former Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

"A deal that rewards aggression wouldn't be worth the paper it's written on. America isn't a neutral arbiter, and we shouldn't act like one," he said in a post to X.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt claimed there had been tangible progress, saying there were only "a few delicate, but not insurmountable, details that must be sorted out."

Sixth Time's A Charm?

A real estate developer with no diplomatic background, Steve Witkoff is the man tapped by Trump to lead efforts to find an end to Russia's war. He's met with Putin five times already, traveling to Moscow on his private jet.

Some of Witkoff's prior actions have raised alarm bells to outside observers, who fear he is being manipulated or that he misunderstands the war's deeply intractable historical contours.

Witkoff has relied on translators provided by the Kremlin for his conversations with Putin and other officials rather than using translators authorized by the US Embassy.

After Witkoff's last meeting with Putin in August, US and European officials said the envoy misunderstood the geography of Ukrainian territory Putin was claiming.

Representative Don Bacon, a Republican who has criticized the Trump administration's engagement with Russia, called for Witkoff to be fired.



Sending Witkoff back to Moscow -- a visit Kremlin foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov confirmed would happen next week -- is a sign the White House is eager to cement some or all of the points that were set in Geneva and Abu Dhabi.

Another wild-card: Trump mentioned his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, might accompany Witkoff, something neither Ushakov nor Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on.

Kushner was reportedly present for previously undisclosed US meeting involving Witkoff and a Russian who is also not a diplomat but who has played a starring, unconventional role in negotiations with the Americans: Kirill Dmitriev.

Wait, A Leaked Phone Call?

In late October, Dmitriev, a sharp-tongued, Harvard-trained businessman who heads Russia's sovereign wealth fund, traveled to Miami, Florida. He met with Republican Representative Anna Luna, giving her what he said were undisclosed Russian files on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. He also gave her a box of chocolates and a book of Putin quotes.

Dmitriev had been blacklisted in 2022, along with other Russian officials, in punishment for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Trump's treasury secretary has called him a "Kremlin propagandist."

It later emerged that Dmitriev, who was given an exemption by US authorities to travel, had secret meetings with Witkoff and Kushner while in Miami -- reportedly leaving some White House and State Department officials in the dark.

After news of the US proposal emerged last week, several US senators said Rubio told them the draft was Russian in nature, influenced by a Russian, though Dmitriev was not named.

Rubio, who was in Geneva, insisted it was a US draft.

On November 25, not long before Trump announced Witkoff would travel to Moscow, Bloomberg News published a transcript of what it said was telephone call between Witkoff and Ushakov.

The call took place on October 14, two days before Trump and Putin held their own call on October 16 and about two weeks before Witkoff met Dmitriev in Miami.

According to the transcript, Witkoff advised Ushakov on how to charm Trump on a possible peace deal.

"I would make the call and just reiterate that you congratulate the president on this achievement, that you supported it, you supported it, that you respect that he is a man of peace and you're just, you're really glad to have seen it happen. So I would say that," Witkoff was quoted as saying.

"I know what it's going to take to get a peace deal done: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere," Witkoff reportedly said.

Bloomberg did not say how it obtained the recording, which was likely made by US intelligence agencies who routinely monitor and eavesdrop on foreign officials' conversations. RFE/RL could not independently verify the transcript.

Trump partially confirmed the fact of the call, though not its content: "He's got to sell this to Ukraine. He's going to sell Ukraine to Russia. That's what a dealmaker does."

Ushakov also appeared to confirm the fact of the call, telling a Russian state TV reporter that it was leaked to undermine the backchannel negotiations. He later told the newspaper Kommersant that his conversation with Witkoff had occurred via the WhatsApp messaging app.

"It is unlikely that such a leak could have come from the participants in the conversation," he was quoted as saying.

RFE/RL Russia/Ukraine editor Steven Gutterman contributed to this report.
Large crowds of Japanese people have gathered in front of the Japanese prime minister's official residence once again to protest Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent erroneous remarks on Taiwan. #GLOBALink








James Cox

Here, we have a look at the issues likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come.

Taoiseach criticised over travel

Micheal Martin has rejected claims he has spent too much time abroad since he became Taoiseach in January this year, and also hit back at criticism from Fianna Fail TDs.

In the last 10 months, he has travelled abroad 20 times.

He has been to Brazil and South Africa for COP30 and the G20 in the last three weeks, and it has been confirmed he will fly to China at the beginning of next year.

However, speaking from Angola on Monday where he was attending the EU/African Union Summit, Mr Martin said any time he goes abroad, it is for the good of the country.

"Are people thinking we go back to a sort of isolated position where we don't attend any meetings? This is ridiculous... whoever is asserting that.

"You're saying mutterings... noone has ever said to me [that he travels too much]. In terms of my visits and so on... I've limited them to just functional meetings, I don't go abroad for any other reason but to advance the country's agenda."

Most people in the country accept that the leader of the country has to engage internationally, he added.

So much emanates from the international world in terms of influence. The first crisis we had to deal with was the tariffs issue. It is important for jobs in our economy, for the technology industry, for the life sciences industry. We navigated that well both within the European Union and indeed with the United States. Thats why international engagement matters, for Gods sake."

Opposition parties were also critical of the Taoiseach's absence from Leaders' Questions on Tuesday.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald asked where is the Taoiseach? before raising how people were struggling with hikes to their energy bills.

Ca bhfuil an Taoiseach? Ms McDonald said at the opening of Leaders Questions on Tuesday.

Labour leader Ms Bacik said the Taoiseach was absent and it was a nice surprise to see Transport and Energy Minister Darragh OBrien stand in for him.

Immigration laws

People seeking international protection face paying up to 40 per cent of their weekly income to fund the cost of State accommodation, under proposals from Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan.

He brought three memos to Cabinet.

One will require refugees who are working to pay towards their own accommodation.

Another will limit which family members someone granted status here can bring to Ireland to direct relatives - children, spouses and dependent parents.

The Government is also planning to increase the wait time to the residency rules around citizenship from three to five years, and putting restrictions in place meaning those who have been getting a social welfare payment from the State or owe money to the State won't be able to apply.

The moves have been worked on for some time but come in part in response to the UK also tightening its immigration rules.

Nick Henderson, chief executive of the Irish Refugee Council, said some of the conditions being attached, including that the person must have their own accommodation, will make things difficult.

Mr Henderson told Newstalk: "Firstly, it currently takes about 18 months for a family unification application to be processed. So a person, it seems, would have to find accommodation and try to keep that accommodation free and try to pay for it in the duration of their application."

Mr Henderson added: "I just don't see how that's practical or reasonable. Is that actually quite irresponsible? To place somebody in a position where they have a choice of trying to get some support if they for example have lost their job, or they've become unwell, or if they have a disability or are pregnant.

"Somebody has that choice to take that support or just wait, sit it out, hope that they get better."

O'Callaghan the leader in waiting?

Mr O'Callaghan has been continually tipped as the next leader of Fianna Fail.

Some of the criticism of Mr Martin's travel came from members of the Fianna Fail parliamentary party, pointing to continued unrest from backbenchers.

He has denied claims it will delay the review into Fianna Fail's disastrous presidential campaign and how Jim Gavin was selected.

Mr Martin has insisted he will lead the party into the next election, but Mr O'Callaghan is waiting in the wings.

He is biding his time and refusing to launch a coup, but things change very quickly in politics.

The Justice Minister is never far from the airwaves, particularly with immigration reform, and this will undoubtedly be a source of anxiety for Mr Martin.

Abroad

US president Donald Trump isn't on the ballot in next November's midterm elections, but hes plunging into them with his own presidency at stake.

As early as this summer, 18 months before Election Day 2026, Mr Trump was urging Republican congressmen exploring Senate or gubernatorial runs to stand for re-election instead to avoid party primary fights, according to a White House official, a senior Trump adviser and a party operative.

Such an early, hands-on involvement in midterm elections is unprecedented for a president in modern times.

Meanwhile, talks on a Ukraine peace plan continue, with Mr Trump pressuring Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy to accept a deal that would force the country to give up large areas to Russia.
A neutrality roadshow will be in Roscommon Town this evening, Wednesday, as part of an extended tour hosting conversations with local communities about the alleged dangers to Irish neutrality if the government dismantles the Triple Lock.

The open public event will take place in the cafe at Gleesons of Roscommon Town at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26th.

In March, the government brought draft legislation to Cabinet to dismantle the Triple Lock, a mechanism that regulates the deployment of Irish Defence Forces overseas.

Neutrality Roadshow participants Niamh Ni Bhriain and Fionn Wallace said: Legislating to remove the Triple Lock will put people in harms way.

This is not only reckless, it is also anti-democratic considering the overwhelming popular support for neutrality.

The roadshow hosts speakers from diverse backgrounds, including peace activists and anti-war campaigners, former peace-keepers, legal scholars, academics, writers, and artists.

It forms part of a broader campaign launched earlier this year to keep Ireland neutral and save the Triple Lock.
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has recently been granted permission to build a new fisheries base in the county.

The development will be built at Lackan, Portrunny and will be on council owned land.

In the planning documents, IFI said that the site is strategically important for the continued essential operations of the inland fisheries, with its location directly opposite the existing slipway to the water described as key.

The development will include a single-storey building with a combination of flat and pitched roofs. This building will contain offices, meeting rooms, a canteen, changing facilities, and ancillary areas along with storage facilities for boats and associated equipment.

There will be new vehicular access, entrance walls, driveways, car parking areas, and storage yards, as well as a rainwater harvesting system, ground-mounted solar array, security fencing, and general landscaping.

The development was granted permission subject to 14 conditions.

The application was received in May of this year with the council requesting and receiving further information on the development.
A company headed by prominent Roscommon businessman Sean Mulryan has been given the go ahead to construct over 2,500 houses in London.

Property firm Ballymore, which was founded by the Oran native with his wife Bernardine Mulryan in 1982, along with Sainsburys have received consent for plans for a major new canal-side neighbourhood in Ladbroke Grove.

Kensal Canalside has been designed to deliver 2,519 new homes, of which at least 500 will be affordable, plus two parks and a local high street with new offices, shops, cafes and restaurants  with a reinstated, historic canal basin at its heart. Plans also include a new flagship 60,000 sq ft Sainsburys supermarket with car parking underground.

The proposed neighbourhood will deliver the new homes on a 19-acre brownfield site in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea  a large proportion of which has been closed off to the public for over 40 years as a former gasworks.

The development will create a minimum of 2,000 permanent long-term jobs and provide a significant boost to the local economy, amounting to approximately 37 million annually. The 11-year construction programme is estimated to start in 2026.

Mr Mulryan, who is the group managing director for Ballymore, said: Kensal Canalside will bring thousands of jobs, a new high street, leisure spaces - all of which will be game changing not just for the people wholl move here, but for thousands of residents in the wider community.

Kensal Canalside demonstrates the partnership approach we are taking to deliver large numbers of high-quality homes across the capital  in this case with Sainsburys. The collapse in housing starts in London is a serious threat to our city and the wider country. With our partners and local councils we have a responsibility to build increasing numbers of new homes, and we know that large, under-used brownfield sites like this can make a significant contribution to delivery. Were hugely grateful to all our partners on this project, and to RBKC, for getting us to this point  there are many more milestones ahead.

Mr Mulryan was presented with the Freedom of the City of London in September and in the sane month officially open the developed pitch at Oran GAA grounds.

For the last twenty five years, he has made significant contributions to Roscommon GAA and to many charities,including the Mayo/Roscommon Hospice Foundation.
A start-up business founded by a Castlerea native and his fiance is taking the hassle out of writing up medical notes and referral letters.

Clinic Notes AI, devised by Lucia Byrne and Chris Cornwall, is an AI scribe that removes the burden of writing up notes and referral letters for medical professionals.

Lucia Byrne set up her podiatry practice in Donegal town three years ago.

As it became busier and busier, she found herself struggling to cope with the volume of patient notes that needed to be written up each day. Her fiance, Chris Cornwall, a software engineer, tried out several software tools that were supposed to help. In reality, they didnt, and this prompted the couple to pool their clinical and IT expertise to develop Clinic Notes AI, which automatically generates medical notes and referral letters.

From Arm, Castlerea, Chris, son of Albert and Catherine was educated at Castlerea Community School before studying Computer Science and IT in NUIG.

During college he worked in HPE in Galway before working as a software engineer for a startup company called Webtext who were later acquired by an American company, called SharpenCX. After the company was acquired, he and Lucia (a podiatrist from Glenties) set up a podiatry clinic in Donegal town called Stride Foot & Ankle Clinic, where they now employ seven members of staff.

The couple live in Inver, just outside Donegal town and Chris now works in Clinic Notes AI full time.

They now have hundreds of users spread across Ireland, the UK, The Netherlands, Australia & New Zealand.

Chris is well known around Roscommon for playing music on the button accordion. I grew up playing with Comhaltas and some fantastic local musicians such as the Igoes, Terry McGowan, Patsy Finan, Mick Lohan and Patsy Bligh in Castlerea and around Roscommon, he told the Roscommon Herald.

The couple recently took part in an Irish Times Innovators to Watch event. With Clinic Notes AI, a practitioner can turn hours of writing up notes into minutes. The aim of the system is to streamline workflow and let practitioners get back to what they love  caring for patients.

Lucia knew first-hand how different each practice is, so Clinic Notes is built with customisable features to suit both solo practitioners and larger teams. For example, some clinicians want a template for brief notes with headings whereas others prefer a format that allows the notes to run to several pages if required, Chris told The Irish Times.

Clinic Notes AI was launched last September. The initial product was aimed at podiatrists with features tailored specifically to their needs. However, the couple quickly discovered that other health professionals were trying out their system which, Chris says, can be tweaked to suit different medical disciplines and languages other than English.

The next step is to widen the application of the system and the company is now looking at potential options to fund it. Chris says it will take about 250,000 to support the planned development.

So far, the main investment in Clinic Notes AI has been time (and about 20,000 in personal savings), as Chris has done the development work himself. He is currently on the New Frontiers programme at ATU Sligo.
Last week I came across a social-media reminder that Frank Feighan TD would be the Leas-Ceann Comhairle nominee in 2027. It struck me as oddly random at the time, and then, the very next day, news broke that Paschal Donohoe was resigning as Minister for Finance to take up a managing director role at the World Bank. I couldnt help wondering whether the two events were in any way connected or simply a curious coincidence. Either way, it set my mind turning.

The departure of Paschal Donohoe is big news not just here in Ireland but across Europe, where he served as president of the Eurogroupan exceptionally prestigious position to which he was elected by fellow member states not once but twice. It was a clear sign of the high regard in which he was held.

Donohoe also has strong Roscommon connections through Ballinagare, where his mother, Caitlin Cunniffe (RIP), came from before moving to Dublin as a young woman.

His departure is one thing, but equally noteworthy is the fact that Simon Harris decided he should replace him as Minister for Finance. It struck me as unusual that Harris felt the need to hold the finance portfolio while also serving as Tanaiste and leader of Fine Gael. Finance, after all, is one of the busiest and most consequential briefs in Government. Any misstep in this department sends ripples throughout every other, often landing directly on the party leaders desk. Taking on finance isnt just accepting a portfolioits stepping onto a tightrope where every wobble is public and every fall is political.

That said, I must admit Im happier to see Mr Harris in a domestic ministry rather than serving as Minister for Foreign Affairs and spending much of his time abroad representing Ireland. I never fully understood why both Micheal Martin and Simon Harris, as party leaders, chose to take on the foreign affairs portfolio when other departments would have benefitted far more from the authority and political weight of the Tanaiste. Housing stands out: the Tanaistes political weight might have helped unblock the system far more effectively.

I also have to admit that Im not convinced Simon Harris is the best fit for Minister for Finance. Yes, he is probably the most experienced member of the Fine Gael parliamentary party at the moment, but experience alone doesnt make him the right match for such a crucial brief. For all his political experience, Harris is stepping into the job without the financial armour his predecessors carriedits a brave move, or a risky one, depending on how you look at it. Unlike Paschal Donohoe, Harris has no background in finance or economics, and he even chose to overlook the chartered accountant Peter Burkethough it must be said that Burke is performing strongly in the portfolio he already holds. Donohoe earned the nickname Prudent Paschal for a reason; Harris now steps into a role where prudence isnt optional, and the learning curve will be steep.

Donohoe also built up two long-term savings funds to prepare Ireland for future demographic and structural challenges. By the end of September this year, he reported that the combined total in both funds now stands at over 16 billion. He consistently reminded us that the corporate taxes we collect are temporary and could disappear at any time. They should never be factored into day-to-day budgeting. If they dry up, the State could quickly find itself in difficulty.

Harriss move to Finance triggered a reshuffle, sending Helen McEntee to foreign affairsanother major promotion. Her CV becomes more impressive every year as she builds experience across multiple departments. Hildegarde Naughton is now Minister for Education, and one would hope that her background as a former primary school teacher will stand to her in this role.

Following all of these appointments and promotions, there was room for just one new junior ministerand the man of the moment is our own Boyle man, now relocated to Sligo: Frank Feighan. Frank has been appointed Minister of State for Public Procurement, Digitalisation and eGovernment. If that timely reminder was his doing, it was a clever move. Its never a bad thing to ensure people remember youre still around, and theres no doubt he achieved that. Hopefully he can now use this role to leave a meaningful legacy before taking on the position of Leas-Ceann Comhairle.

The country may not be in crisis yet, but the margin for error is shrinking. Harris fought hard for the finance brief; now he owns every decision that comes with it. And if things begin to slide, it wont be Brussels or Brexit or global markets hell have to blameit will be the man in the mirror.
BANGKOK, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- The long-standing friendship and mutual support and goodwill between Thailand and China will extend far beyond the 50 years of diplomatic relations, said Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in a recent interview with Xinhua.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua of the Kingdom of Thailand's recent state visit to China highlighted the deep trust and enduring friendship between the two countries, which was "another historic page worthy of remembrance," added the prime minister.

Anutin, who accompanied the king on the visit from Nov. 13 to 17, said he personally witnessed the "exceptionally high-level reception" extended to the Thai monarch, which carries immeasurable significance for bilateral relations.

The two heads of state treated each other like long-standing friends, and the two sides reached an important consensus on advancing bilateral cooperation, said the prime minister.

Anutin said that centuries of cultural affinity and people-to-people exchanges continue to form the solid foundation of the China-Thailand relations.

Bilateral cooperation, the prime minister said, is advancing across a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, technology, infrastructure and education.

He highlighted progress in digital development, logistics cooperation, and regional connectivity, stressing that Thailand's strategic position in ASEAN enables it to play a constructive role in promoting regional integration alongside China.

He noted that China's support for Thailand's high-speed rail development demonstrates the depth of cooperation in connectivity and will help both sides enhance industrial value chains and regional economic integration.

As Thailand prepares to host the next Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Leaders' Meeting, Anutin said member countries continue to collaborate closely in industry, energy and agriculture, contributing significantly to regional food security.

On security cooperation, Anutin reiterated Thailand's determination to work with other countries to combat online fraud and transnational crime. Thai authorities have taken firm action against criminal groups and repatriated offenders, he said, emphasizing that Thailand "will not serve as a safe haven for criminal activities."

"Looking ahead, we remain confident that China-Thailand cooperation will continue to grow from strength to strength." Anutin said. 
CM Mann Announces Guru Tegh Bahadur University At Anandpur Sahib On 350th Martyrdom Day

The Chief Minister said Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was a living symbol of socialism and secularism

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announced the establishment of a world-class university in Sri Anandpur Sahib named after the ninth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, bringing to life the vision of AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal.

Speaking at the Sarbat Da Bhala gathering at Gurdwara Budda Dal Chavni on the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the Chief Minister said this university in the sacred city will strengthen Guru Sahibs great vision. He said the university will be extremely helpful for deep research into the ninth Gurus unique martyrdom, great life and philosophy. Mann added that this prestigious institution will inspire future generations while spreading the life and philosophy of the great Guru Sahib.

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The Chief Minister said Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was a living symbol of socialism and secularism, as he made a great sacrifice to protect human rights in the country. Mann appealed to people to adopt the spirit of self-sacrifice of Hind Di Chadar (Shield of India) Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, who gave his life to protect human rights, secular values and religious freedom. He said the sacred hymns of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji recorded in Sri Guru Granth Sahib give the message of unity, universal brotherhood, religiousness, bravery and compassion, which everyone should follow.

The Chief Minister said Guru Sahibs unique martyrdom for the protection of religion is unmatched in human history. He said Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji sacrificed himself to uphold the values of truth and religious freedom, and this should always be remembered. Mann said the world-class university being established by the state government will play an important role in spreading Guru Sahibs life and philosophy to every corner of the world.

The Chief Minister said the life and philosophy of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is a beacon of light for all humanity. He said this proposed university will play an important role in preserving this glorious heritage on one hand and strengthening unity among people on the other. He said the sacrifice given by Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is unmatched and such an example is not found in any other history of the world. Mann said rulers used to commit severe atrocities before Guru Sahib, but Guru Sahib never bowed to such tactics and sacrificed his life for religious freedom, which has no parallel in the world.

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The Chief Minister thanked the Sant Samaj (religious community) for supporting the state government in completing this noble work and said the state government has fulfilled its duty with full dedication and devotion. He said the state government organized a special session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly at this sacred place, which was extremely unique because the entire assembly was brought to the feet of Guru Sahib. Mann said the assembly unanimously decided to grant the status of sacred city to Amritsar, Talwandi Sabo and Sri Anandpur Sahib, the cities with all Takhts.

The Chief Minister said Sikhs have five Takht Sahibs, of which three - Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Amritsar), Sri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda) and Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib (Sri Anandpur Sahib) - are in Punjab. Mann said keeping in mind the old demand of the people and to make this session of the Punjab Assembly memorable, the state government has declared these cities as sacred cities of Punjab. He said to fulfill the old demand of the Sangat (congregation), the sale and use of meat, alcohol, tobacco and other intoxicating substances will be banned in these cities.

The Chief Minister said no stone will be left unturned for the all-round development of these cities and there is no shortage of funds and resources for this noble work. He also announced free e-rickshaws, mini buses and other free public transport systems for the Sangat coming to bow their heads in these cities. Mann said every possible effort will be made to further accelerate the development of these cities because there is no shortage of funds for this work.

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The Chief Minister said that paying humble tribute to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, the state government has organized sequential programs throughout the state dedicated to Guru Sahibs 350th martyrdom anniversary. He said the unparalleled martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is supreme and unmatched because the purpose of this martyrdom was to protect the religion of others. Mann said Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib made a great sacrifice for the protection of religious freedom to set an example for the world.

The Chief Minister called upon people to follow the path of humanity and truth shown by Guru Sahib. He said the message of the ninth Sikh Guru Sahib is a true symbol of secularism, unity and universal brotherhood. He said Guru Sahibs life and philosophy will always remain a beacon of light for humanity. Mann said these programs will continue in the future and in the coming years, programs will be organized throughout the state dedicated to the martyrdom anniversary.

The Chief Minister said the sole purpose of these gatherings is to pass on the great heritage of the great Guru Sahib to our future generations. Mann also announced plans to renovate and upgrade the existing Charan Ganga Stadium in the sacred city so that better facilities can be provided to the Sangat coming to the sacred city on the occasion of Hola Mohalla every year. He said the state government is committed to the welfare of every section of society and concrete steps are already being taken in this regard.

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In his address, the AAP National Convenor said he has been here for the past three days with his wife to pay obeisance to this sacred land. Arvind Kejriwal said he feels very fortunate to have had the opportunity to bow his head at Gurdwara Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib and Gurdwara Bhora Sahib. He said it was a unique experience for him to participate in the series of gatherings organized on this sacred day and in memory of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Kejriwal said extensive arrangements have been made by the state government for the convenience of the Sangat coming to bow their heads in this sacred city.

The AAP National Convenor said if there has been any shortcoming in this service, the Punjab government seeks forgiveness from the people of the state and the great Guru Sahib. Kejriwal said if people adopt the message of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji in their lives, there will be no place for any kind of communal tension in the world. He said Guru Sahibs message of love, compassion and humanity can pave the way for world peace.

Kejriwal said all arrangements for these gatherings were possible because the state government is following the path shown by the great Gurus. He said walking on the path of honesty, every penny has been spent by the state government for the welfare of the people with complete wisdom and vigilance. Kejriwal said quality education and health services are being provided to the people by the state government.

The AAP National Convenor said even in remote areas of the state, farmers are getting canal water and 90 percent of homes in the state are getting free electricity. He said the state government is fortunate to have got the opportunity to serve the people of the state and organize gatherings dedicated to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. He said the entire Sikh history is a symbol of rising spirit which inspires people to work hard, recite Gods name, share and eat with others, and protect the weak and oppressed.

Kejriwal said even today Punjabis take inspiration from the great Gurus to fight against oppression, tyranny and atrocities. He said the state government led by Bhagwant Singh Mann considers it its duty to contribute as much as possible to the development of this sacred city. Kejriwal said it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that every person associated with the state government, from ministers to officials, has made their contribution in serving Guru Sahib. He said the smooth completion of the gatherings is the result of their collective efforts.

On this occasion, Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora, Harpal Cheema, Harjot Singh Bains, Tarunpreet Singh Sond, Lal Chand Kataruchakk, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Member of Parliament Malvinder Singh Kang and other dignitaries were present.
Kapil speaks openly about firing outside his cafe; remembers Dharmendra, says, was like losing my father the 2nd time

Kapil further revealed that when he had just begun his show, no celebrity was willing to appear, and it was Dharmendra...

Comedian Kapil Sharma on Wednesday hailed the Mumbai Police, saying he never feels unsafe in Mumbai or anywhere in the entire country.

The comedian made these remarks while speaking openly about the firing incidents outside his cafe in Canadas Surrey.

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Comedian and actor Kapil Sharma, speaking at an event in Mumbai, said, "These incidents happened in Canada, in Vancouver. I think there were three shootings there

I think the police don't have the power to control things. But after that, when our case happened, it went to the federal court There was a discussion in the Canadian Parliament I received calls from many people saying that all this was already going on there, but after the shooting at my cafe became news, the police are taking steps to significantly improve the law and order situation Kapil added.

I never feel like this in Mumbai or in my country. There's no one like our Mumbai Police After all the gunfire there, we saw a bigger opening in our cafe If God is with you, everything is fine" he said on a lighter note.

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The star of The Kapil Sharma Show also recalled his close relationship with late veteran actor Dharmendra, describing the loss as feeling like the passing of his own father for the second time.

Kapil Sharma shared that his own father passed away when he was 22.

"Everyone is feeling like they've lost a family member after Dharamji passed. Because when I lost my father, I was 22. When it was my age to learn from my father, he passed away. I didn't spend much time with him, he said.

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Kapil further revealed that when he had just begun his show, no celebrity was willing to appear, and it was Dharmendra who kindly made time despite his busy schedule.

When I came to Mumbai, and we were about to start our show, no one knew what it was. The production house and the channel were trying to decide which celebrity to invite, and no one was willing to come. I met Dharam Paji for the first time on a flight to Toronto. And on that flight, we became close I thought I should go and see Dharam Paji once At that time, one of his films was being released, and he was busy. Yet, he told his team that this is my son, and arrange a date for him.

He added, I wrote yesterday as well. It was like losing my father for the second time

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(For more news apart from Kapil speaks openly about firing outside his cafe; remembers Dharmendra, says, was like losing my father the 2nd timea," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
History Written in the Sky: Story of Guru Tegh Bahadur's Sacrifice Echoes over Anandpur Sahib on His Martyrdom Day

Religious leaders praised the show as a powerful way to connect the younger generation with Sikh history and values.

History was created in Anandpur Sahib when the Punjab Government organized the worlds first religious drone show to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. More than fifty thousand devotees and guests gathered to witness this unique tribute, remembering the Ninth Sikh Gurus supreme sacrifice in an extraordinary way.

Over three thousand drones lit up the night sky, creating shining images that told the story of Guru Tegh Bahadur Jis life and his sacrifice for the freedom of faith. As the darkness fell, the drones rose together to form the holy Khanda Saab symbol, glowing like gold in the night sky. The crowd watched in awe and reverence.

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The Punjab CM inaugurated the show, saying it reflected his governments commitment to honoring Sikh heritage through modern technology. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji gave his life to protect everyones right to religious freedom. Today, we are spreading his message of tolerance and courage across the world using technology, he said.

The 15-minute show took the audience on an emotional journey through history. The drones formed scenes of Guru Ji meditating, his imprisonment at the Red Fort, and the breaking of chains as a symbol of liberation. Each visual was accompanied by sacred hymns and explanations, making the experience both educational and deeply spiritual for the youth.

Technical experts shared that the show took months of planning and coordination. The team worked closely with Sikh scholars and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee to ensure every image and symbol was culturally respectful and spiritually accurate. Great care was taken to present religious symbols with honor and precision.

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As the event ended, videos and pictures of the show flooded social media. The related hashtags trended nationwide, with people from all communities appreciating the Punjab Governments creative initiative. International media also covered the event, calling it a remarkable blend of technology and spirituality.

Religious leaders praised the show as a powerful way to connect the younger generation with Sikh history and values. Sikh scholar Baba Harjinder Singh said, The Gurus message is timeless, and this show proves that devotion speaks every generations language. Traditional methods are important, but such modern presentations help youth connect meaningfully with their heritage.

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The Punjab Government announced plans to document the drone show and make it available to educational institutions worldwide. Officials said this historic event sets an example of how states can celebrate religious and cultural heritage respectfully while using technology in modern ways.

(For more news apart from History Written in the Sky: Story of Guru Tegh Bahadurs Sacrifice Echoes over Anandpur Sahib on His Martyrdom Day," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
So far, there has been no official communication from Google regarding the cause of the outage or a timeline for restoration. File Photo.

In many cases, the Join now button simply didn't respond.

Google Meet Down in India  Many Users Unable to Join Meetings, Social Media Buzzes with Complaints

Hundreds of users across India found themselves locked out of virtual meetings as Google Meet suddenly caused disruptions on Wednesday, 26th November. Early reports from outage tracker Downdetector showed increasing complaints. By 11:49 a.m. IST, over 981 users had flagged joining meeting issues, and by 11:57 a.m., some sources reported more than 1,370 such incidents, according to Mint.

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Users described a variety of problems: many couldnt load the meeting interface, some were stuck on blank or endlessly spinning screens when they were trying to join, and many of them got stuck before even entering the virtual room. In many cases, the Join now button simply didnt respond.

As expected, social media quickly lit up with reactions  frustration, sarcasm and memes started buzzing. A user said, Google Meet crashed before my will to work did, while another wrote, Google Meet is down for everyone in my org but not for me. Still others expressed relief in an ironically humorous tone: Cant open Google Meet. Ive never been more free, according to the Hindustan Times.

The outage has caused disruption for a wide cross-section of people: remote workers scrambled for alternate platforms, students missed online classes, and professionals couldnt join scheduled meetings. For many, this unexpected breakdown was a stark reminder of how dependent daily work and education have become on some digital tools.

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So far, there has been no official communication from Google regarding the cause of the outage or a timeline for restoration. Independent trackers and third-party forums are continuing to monitor user reports, but stability remains uncertain for now.

For now, users affected by the outage are advised to try alternate ways of joining meetingsswitching browsers, using mobile apps instead of web versions, or opting for alternate video-conference services until Google Meet is fully restored.
The jackets reportedly match a black-and-orange puffer jacket that Lawrence Bishnoi had worn in one of his widely circulated court-appearance photographs.File Photo.

They were caught at a shop in City Plaza in Kotputli, where they were selling the replica jackets.

Rajasthan Police Bust Lawrence Bishnoi Jacket Trend: 3 Arrested, 35 Seized

On Tuesday, 25th November, the Rajasthan police in the Kotputli-Behror district arrested three men for allegedly selling jackets bearing the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. During the raid, authorities confiscated 35 jackets, citing concerns that the items promote criminal glorification and pose a risk to social order, as reported by The Indian Express.

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According to police officials, the three accused are identified as Krishna, alias Guddu (38); Sanjay Saini (31); and Sureshchand Sharma (50). They were caught at a shop in City Plaza in Kotputli, where they were selling the replica jackets. The jackets reportedly match a black-and-orange puffer jacket that Lawrence Bishnoi had worn in one of his widely circulated court-appearance photographs. The seized jackets even had Lawrence emblazoned on the chest.

District police officials, including SP Devendra Kumar Bishnoi (Kotputli-Behror), said the operation was conducted after receiving a tip-off, under the supervision of senior officers. It was part of a larger crackdown on the sale and promotion of criminally branded merchandise.

Authorities justified the action and said that selling and wearing these types of jackets cannot be seen as harmless fashion: it glamorises a figure involved in serious crime, potentially misleading impressionable youth and normalising gang culture.

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This trend, dubbed the Lawrence Jacket craze, reportedly spread rapidly on social media, as the viral photo of Bishnoi sparked demand among young people and led to replica versions being marketed across parts of Rajasthan.

Police have said that from now on such incidents will be treated seriously. More tracking and action will be planned against those manufacturing, marketing or promoting items glorifying known criminals.

This story resonates on many levels: law and order, youth culture, social medias influence, crime glamorisation, and the challenge authorities face in curbing such trends.

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Ruling, Opposition attend program on 75th Constitution Day; pay homage to Dr Rajendra Prasad, Dr BR Ambedkar

"It embodies the collective wisdom, sacrifice, and the dreams of millions of our countrymen who fought for freedom. "

Leaders of the ruling party, including Prime Minister Modi, and leaders of the opposition, including Rahul Gandhi, arrived at Samvidhan Sadan in Parliament on the occasion of the 75th Constitution Day.

President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, and other senior leaders are also attending the Constitution Day program at Samvidhan Sadan.

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Addressing the parliamentarians on this historic and significant day, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said, "On this auspicious occasion, we pay our respectful homage to Dr Rajendra Prasad, the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly of India; Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, the architect of our Constitution; and to all the members of the Constituent Assembly.

"Their remarkable wisdom, foresight, and tireless hard work resulted in such a magnificent Constitution, which guarantees justice, equality, fraternity, and respect and dignity for every citizen..." he added.

Birla further said, "This Central Chamber of the Constituent Assembly is the sacred place where, after intense discussion, dialogue, and deliberation, our Constitution was shaped; the aspirations of the people were enshrined in constitutional provisions. Under the guidance of our Constitution, over the past seven decades, we have formulated policies and laws to achieve the goals of social justice and inclusive development. Under the guidance of our Constitution, we have embarked on a transformative journey of good governance and socio-economic development..."

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Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan also addressed.

"... Our Constitution was drafted, debated, and adopted by our outstanding tall leaders of Mother Bharat in the Constituent Assembly. It embodies the collective wisdom, sacrifice, and the dreams of millions of our countrymen who fought for freedom. The great scholars, drafting committee and the members of the Constitutional Assembly gave insightful thoughts to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of crores and crores of Indians. Their selfless contribution made Bharat the largest democracy in the world today. Our Constitution was born out of intellect and lived experience, sacrifices, hopes and aspirations. The soul of our constitution has proved that Bharat is one and it will be one forever..." the vice president said.

(For more news apart from Ruling, Opposition attend program on 75th Constitution Day; pay homage to Dr Rajendra Prasad, Dr BR Ambedkar," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Supreme Court of India to hear plea challenging the legality of SIR in Bihar today

Supreme Court of India to hear plea challenging the legality of SIR in Bihar today

Supreme Court of India to hear plea challenging the constitutional legality of Election Commission of Indias SIR exercise undertaken recently in Bihar at 2 PM today (Wednesday, November 26).


BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Experts in both China and Japan have warned that the international community must remain very vigilant against the dangerous trend reflected in Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent Taiwan-related remarks, which revealed Japan blatantly undermining the post-war international order and reviving militarism.

Takaichi said on an official occasion that the Chinese mainland's "use of force on Taiwan" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan and implied the possibility of Japan's armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait. Despite multiple representations and protests from China, the Japanese side has refused to retract the remarks.

Xiang Haoyu, a research fellow in the Department for Asia-Pacific Studies of the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS), stated that as Japan's incumbent prime minister, Takaichi's comments indicate that the right-wing forces in Japan are attempting to use the "China threat" rhetoric and tensions in the Taiwan Strait as pretexts to break free from its pacifist constitution and promote their agenda to remilitarize the country.

Xiang noted that this dangerous sign requires intense attention from the international community.

Su Xiaohui, a CIIS associate research fellow, believes that the recent erroneous statements by Takaichi were driven not only by her personal political needs to cater to domestic right-wing forces, but also signaled a deeper and ongoing trend of political rightward shift in Japan. The ultimate aim is to break the "exclusively defense-oriented policy" established in Japan's constitution, an attempt that poses a serious threat to regional security.

The Potsdam Proclamation explicitly stipulates Japan's complete disarmament, and Japan's pacifist constitution also pledges to "forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes." These provisions are the conditions under which post-war Japan was accepted by the international community, and they are international law obligations that Japan must abide by, Su said.

Wang Xu, a researcher at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, believes that Japan's recent remarks suggesting the possibility of armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait situation constitute a blatant threat of war. She said a series of actions by Japan in recent years have effectively undermined and altered the principle of the exclusively defense-oriented policy, both institutionally and substantively.

The experts also pointed out that cooking up external threats and creating a "sense of crisis" have been an old tactic of Japanese militarist forces. In the past, Japan has repeatedly used similar pretexts to launch wars of aggression and disrupt regional peace.

In 1931, Japan claimed whether it could seize "Manchuria" was a "survival-threatening" issue and used that as a pretext to invade and occupy northeast China.

It later claimed that defending "the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere" was an existential battle for Japan, and used that to expand its aggression to the entire Asia.

It attacked the Pearl Harbor using the same pretext, bringing the war to the Pacific ocean.

However, the absurd logic of viewing the territory of other nations as essential to its own survival and accompanying acts inevitably lead to its own failure.

Japanese scholars are also expressing their clear disagreement with Takaichi's relevant comments. Magosaki Ukeru, a former Japanese foreign ministry official, pointed out that such claims are completely unfounded. Noting that the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair, he said the Japanese government should strictly adhere to its political commitments regarding Taiwan. 
The crimes that may change the law in Romania

Romanian NGOs want femicide to be legally recognized as a distinct crime.

Source: pixabaz.com @alexas

Roxana Vasile, 26.11.2025, 14:00

In 2025, in approximately ten months (January-November) 51 cases of femicide have been reported in Romania. Statistically, this means that almost every week at least one woman was killed, most often by her partner. The latest such murder took place in Teleorman County. A 25-year-old young mother of three was killed by her former husband in front of the church. The violent act was recorded by surveillance cameras in the area. She was stabbed 15 times, in front of her three-year-old. Although a provisional restraining order had been issued against the perpetrator for having previously beaten, abducted and raped the woman, the police allegedly let him walk free. The police claim that the killing occurred because the woman had refused the installation of an electronic monitoring device, a bracelet that would have alerted authorities if the aggressor ever came near her. According to official data, over 11,000 provisional restraining orders have been issued since early 2025, but nearly 4,000 of them have been violated by aggressors.

Experts in the field warn that responsibility cannot be placed on the shoulders of victims. The state must provide real protection and information services. Violence against women is insufficiently sanctioned or even turned into a context for victim-blaming, NGOs say. As a result, they demand clear-cut actions to prevent domestic violence. First and foremost, femicide must be recognized as a distinct form of crime  the killing of a woman for gender-related reasons, that is, a murder committed simply because the victim is a woman.

Countries such as Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Turkey or Macedonia recognize femicide in their legislation, while in Italy this crime is punishable by life imprisonment. Sadly, the same cannot of said of Romania.

In early November, the Justice Ministry put up for public consultation a bill based on which murder committed for gender-related reasons would be punishable, including with life imprisonment, as announced by Justice Minister Radu Marinescu. At the same time, Parliament is seeking to explicitly and distinctly enshrine in Romanian criminal law the incrimination of femicide, the Romanian official added.

Signed by more than 250 MPs from the ruling coalition (made up of PSD, PNL, USR and UDMR), the bill for preventing and combating femicide provides for harsher penalties for aggressors and proposes the establishment of a National Observer for the Analysis and Prevention of Murders. This body will draft annual reports on victims, assaults and causes, for a better understanding and combating of the phenomenon, according to the president of the Special Parliamentary Committee on the Prevention, Combating and Sanctioning of Domestic Violence, PNL senator Alina Gorghiu:

The law obliges the police, prosecutors and forensic medical staff to collect and publish data about all such cases.

The bill also provides for significantly tougher penalties, especially if the acts of violence or the crimes are committed in front of a child. Save Romania Union senator Simona Spataru explains:

The sentences for the killing may amount to life in prison, because weve seen many cases when the perpetrators are released from prison in 3 to 5 years and then they kill another woman, and then another.

The bill also considers the education of children in school, in order to preempt abusive behaviour. Social Democrat senator Victoria Stoiciu:

Femicide comes after a chain of acts of aggression against women, and that chain must be broken before it leads to murder.

While senator Eva Csep, from the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, urges responsible institutions to respond promptly to all requests made by the women who are subject to abuse:

We cannot talk about a Romania without domestic violence if people, if the citizens do not trust the state institutions, if we do not invest more in prevention, if we do not invest in education.

The signatories of the document requested that the bill be debated as part of an emergency procedure. More than 50 NGOs also unanimously urged Parliament to speed up the process of passing the bill on preventing and combating femicide, as well as the violence that precedes it. This year, more than ever, the entire society has witnessed the failure of the authorities when it comes to womens safety. In the cases of femicide, there was a history of violence, sometimes known to the authorities or to the community, and these murders could have been prevented, the NGOs said in a joint statement.

Meanwhile, civil society is adopting preventive measures that are within its reach. For example, in Cluj-Napoca, more and more bars and clubs are adopting the so-called Angel Shot code, which is meant to help women and girls who feel in danger on a night out. Ordering a drink supposedly called Angel Shot, the woman who feels unsafe can use this code name to convey their unease to the bar staff of the bar. The priority of the bar is to make sure the person who feels in danger is escorted out of the bar, and then, either be helped to call a taxi, or, in cases of serious violence, the police would be called. The most important thing is that the victim is never left alone. (VP&CM)
November 26, 2025 UPDATE

A roundup of domestic and international news

November 26, 2025 UPDATE

Newsroom, 26.11.2025, 20:00

Defense. The Romanian Parliament adopted, in a joint session, the national defense strategy for the period 2025-2030. The document, which received 314 votes for, 43 against, and 3 abstentions, was presented to parliamentarians by the countrys president, Nicusor Dan. Among other things, he highlighted, in the chapter on threats, the hybrid war waged by Russia against Romania and several European countries, corruption, the gap between the overall evolution of Romanian society and the way in which the public administration responds. The presidents presentation was followed by debates. During the speeches, parliamentarians from PSD, the ruling party in coalition with the PNL, USR, and UDMR, pointed out that the document identifies risks, vulnerabilities, and challenges, but also highlights opportunities that can transform Romania into a safer state. For their part, the Liberals said that the strategy must be implemented through public policies, while the USR mentioned that the greatest threat to Romania is the regime in Moscow. The UDMR also supports the national defense strategy and the documents central concept of solidarity-based independence. Votes in favor of the strategy also came from the opposition, with the AUR announcing that the document should also have included measures to combat poverty and a food and energy security strategy. The 43 votes against came from POT and PACE  Intai Romania parliamentarians, who criticized the strategy and said it mistakes national security for the defense of the country.

Deficit. The European Commission froze the excessive budget deficit procedure for Romania on Tuesday after finding that the governments measures had shown positive effects. However, Romania must continue to implement the fiscal measures adopted or announced in order to reduce the deficit below 3% by 2031. If the procedure had continued, Romania would have risked losing European funds.

Budget. The governing coalition in Bucharest has agreed to the budget amendment proposal presented on Tuesday by Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare, announced the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, the Social Democratic leader Sorin Grindeanu. He specified that health and transport will receive the largest allocations of funds to cover state aid granted to the national airline TAROM, some delayed payments from the National Health Insurance House (CNAS), and some subsidies for the railways sector. Regarding the new law regulating magistrates pensions, Grindeanu estimated that it could be adopted next week if the Superior Council of Magistracy issues its opinion at Thursdays council meeting. It should be noted that the opinion of the SCM is advisory but mandatory for the bill to be declared constitutional. It was precisely the lack of this opinion that led the CCR to find the law unconstitutional in its entirety.



Appointment. The Romanian Radio Broadcasting Corporation has a new President and Director General in the person of Robert Schwartz. His appointment received 241 votes in favor and 2 against from senators and deputies. A journalist and political commentator with over 30 years of experience at the Deutsche Welle media trust, Schwartz is a member of several important academic and cultural organizations, and in 2023 he was elected president of the German-Romanian Society in Berlin. In 2012, he received the Order of Cultural Merit in the rank of Commander for his contribution to the development of Romanian-German relations. The Bucharest Parliament also approved former Liberal politician Adriana Saftoiu as President and Director of the Romanian Public Television.



Survey. Romanians want a digital state that eliminates bureaucracy and accelerates the modernization of public administration, according to a study conducted by the Edge Institute. According to the research, Romanians associate the digitization of the state with practical and easy-to-use solutions such as electronic signatures for citizens and companies and modern presentation websites for ministries. At the top of their expectations is the ability to submit applications without going to the counter and links between databases, which would eliminate the need for certificates. 65% of respondents believe that public institutions are poorly digitized, and 75% believe that Romania needs major changes. At the same time, 84% of Romanians believe that the pace of implementation of this process is slow or very slow. The study was conducted on a representative sample of over 2,200 adult respondents in Romania.



NATO. Romania will soon have a new military system capable of shooting down drones that enter its national airspace. The statement was made by the commander of the United States Army Forces in Europe and Africa, General Christopher Donahue. During a visit to Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base (southeast) with Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu, the American general said that Romania will always remain a central figure in this part of the Alliance. The visit to Constanta took place after a new Russian drone flew over national territory.



Brussels. A ceasefire agreement in Ukraine must not mean the countrys surrender, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday in the European Parliament. Speaking at a debate in Strasbourg on the new peace plan for Ukraine proposed by the United States, von der Leyen promised to present a legislative proposal to allow the use of Russias frozen assets to cover Ukraines financial needs. The head of the European Commission also said that any peace treaty or agreement must respect several essential principles, namely that borders cannot be changed by force and that Ukraine must be free to decide its future. She also praised the Trump administrations peace efforts, but stressed that what is currently on the negotiating table is only a starting point. Russia, however, shows no signs of acting in good faith and is not giving up anything it wanted from the outset, von der Leyen pointed out. Also on Wednesday, the European Parliament approved the EUs budget for next year, amounting to almost 193 billion. (MI)
November 26, 2025

A roundup of local and world news

Newsflash

Newsroom, 26.11.2025, 13:55

Military systems

Romania will soon have a new military system capable of shooting down drones that penetrate national airspace. The announcement was made by the Commander of United States Army Forces in Europe and Africa, General Christopher Donahue. During a visit to Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base (southeast), jointly with Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu, the American general said that Romania will always remain a central figure in this part of the Alliance. The visit to Constanta took place after yet another Russian drone flew over national territory.

Peace negotiations for the war in Ukraine

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has urged caution regarding expectations around the US proposal aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, stating that the plan still requires substantial negotiations, dpa reports. Rutte said that the plan, jointly revised by the United States and Ukraine, offers promising elements, but also unresolved issues that will require additional rounds of diplomatic talks. On Tuesday, Ukraine agreed to the main points of the peace plan proposed by the USA, according to both governments. Washington presented a 28-point plan last week that was criticized by Ukraine and its European allies for reflecting Russian interests too heavily, Reuters reports. American, Ukrainian and European officials met in Geneva to revise the document, and Rutte described these negotiating sessions as productive, but only a first step towards more structured talks between the USA and Ukraine.

EU halts excessive budget deficit procedure for Romania

The European Commission has frozen the excessive budget deficit procedure for Romania on Tuesday, after finding that the Governments measures are having positive effects. However, Romania must continue to implement the fiscal measures adopted or announced, in order to reduce the deficit below 3% by 2031. If the procedure had continued, Romania would have risked losing European funds.

National Defense Strategy

President Nicusor Dan is today expected to deliver a message during the joint session of the Chambers of Parliament regarding Romanias National Defense Strategy for 2025-2030. The document was analyzed on Monday by the Supreme Council of National Defense and will be submitted for Parliaments approval in todays joint session. The Strategy expresses the vision of a modern and secure Romania, one that enjoys peace and its unique advantages, a state built around its citizens, in service of their fundamental rights and freedoms, with modern, transparent and ethical institutions, focused exclusively on serving the public good. Romania must be prepared to manage the risks of a large-scale, long-duration conflict near its borders, the document states. The strategy also affirms the need to increase the armys combat capability and revitalize the national defense industry. Investment projects in this area, worth approximately 16 billion, will be carried out under the European SAFE mechanism, as specified in Romanias new Defense Strategy.

EU budget

Germany remained the largest net contributor to the EU budget in 2024, despite a prolonged economic crisis, although its payments dropped significantly compared to previous years, according to a study by the German Economic Institute cited by Reuters. Last year, Europes largest economy contributed 13.1 billion more to the EU budget than it received. France ranked second with net payments to the EU budget of 4.8 billion, followed by Italy with 1.6 billion. On the other side, Greece was the largest net beneficiary, with 3.5 billion, followed by Poland with 2.9 billion and Romania with 2.7 billion.

2025 World Handball Championship kicks off

The Womens World Handball Championship, hosted by the Netherlands and Germany, kicks off today. All 18 Romanian players coached by Ovidiu Mihaila play in the domestic championship, three of them being naturalized. The national team will play all matches in Group A in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on November 27 against Croatia, on November 29 against Japan, and on December 1 against Denmark. Romania has participated in every edition of the Womens World Handball Championship, and in 2023 finished 12th. (VP)
Budget Deficit Procedure in Abeyance

The European Commission has put the excessive budget deficit procedure for its nine members, Romania included, in abeyance

European Commission (photo:  European Union - Source: EC - Audiovisual Service / Photographer: Christophe Licoppe)

Roxana Vasile, 26.11.2025, 13:50

The European Commission on Tuesday announced the excessive deficit procedure against nine members, Romania included, had been put on abeyance. The other countries are Austria, Belgium, France, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Poland and Slovakia. In concrete terms, this means that no further procedural steps are taken at this stage but the ongoing procedure remains open and the member states are bound by the respective Council recommendation. Next summer the European Commission is expected to reassess the situation on complete data on 2025 and to decide whether to reinstate it or not.

The purpose of the budget deficit procedure is that the EU states keep their budgets under control. The procedure against Romania was kicked off in 2020, but got suspended during the pandemics with the relaxation of the budgetary requirements for all member states in order to allow them to better handle the effects of the medical crisis. Later, against the deteriorating budgetary situations for several economies and the increasing need for European investment in fields such as environmental protection, digitalization or defence, authorities in Brussels agreed to ease the fiscal rules once again in April. The new amendments maintain the limits regarding debts and public deficits provided by the European treaties (namely 60% of the GDP, 3% of the GDP respectively) but provide for more space for adjusting imbalances.

In order to benefit the new derogation, the national authorities must draw up coherent recovery plans for the budget deficits and public debts under the maximum limits admitted for a period of four years, which could be raised to seven if reforms and investment are being implemented.

With the highest budget deficit in the European Union, of 8.4%, Romanias situation has been described by the community executive as fragile and authorities have been encouraged to remain vigilant and implement the measures of fiscal adjustment assumed.

On the other hand, the reforms pledged and partly implemented, though very unpopular at home, have been well-received in Brussels. According to the Romanian Finance Ministry, thanks to the fiscal consolidation, which it considers consistent, at the end of 2026, Romanias budget deficit would be curbed around 6% of the GDP.

As a result of the headway made  the Ministry says  the European Commission hasnt proposed additional steps within the procedure of macroeconomic conditionality, neither has it proposed any EU funds suspension.

Romania can aspire to more: to the consolidation of its public investment, stepping up strategic projects and the creation of a fiscal framework to support longtime economic growth. We continue on this direction steadily in order to bring the public finances back on a sustainable track and to turn todays progress into an advantage for Romanias future says the Romanian Finance Minister, Alexandru Nazare. Romania will concurrently carry on its half-yearly reports on the implementation of the measures aimed at curbing the countrys budget deficit while the European Commission will be actively monitoring its fiscal-budgetary situation.

(bill)
Romania, a partner of the USA

The presence of the US general Christopher Donahue at the Kogalniceanu military base is a very good signal for Romania, said defence minister Ionut Mosteanu.

Source: facebook.com/mapn.ro

Leyla Cheamil, 26.11.2025, 14:00

General Christopher Donahue, commander of the United States Army Europe and Africa, who visited the American soldiers deployed at the Mihail Kogalniceanu base in south-eastern Romania on Tuesday, said that Romania will always remain a central element in this part of the North Atlantic Alliance. We are committed to our presence here and always will be, the general said. He added that the Romanian Air Force will soon receive an anti-drone system, providing increased capacity to shoot down drones illegally entering the countrys airspace.

In the context of the war in Ukraine, the American official said that work is underway to develop an advanced drone defence system, designed to protect NATO airspace. Christopher Donahue said a new capability has been developed able to shoot down these drones, adding that the system is in its final stages and hopefully it will be implemented as quickly as possible. He pointed out that Romanian and allied soldiers have been training to use this new system.

Romanian defence minister Ionut Mosteanu, who accompanied the American general, said that the latters presence at the 57th Mihail Kogalniceanu base in Constanta is a good signal for Romania, because there is a lot still to be developed. We are on a path of over 30 years of partnership and this is something that helps us to be optimistic for the future. The fact that we have these troops here, that the American flag is flying on Romanian territory is also helpful to Romanias security, said the minister. He announced that even after the withdrawal of the troops from the US 101st Airborne Division, the Mihail Kogalniceanu Military Base will continue to host approximately 800 American soldiers, which he explained was the amount of staff deployed before the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Counting the military also deployed at Campia Turzii and Deveselu, Romania will host around 1,000 American soldiers. The 101st Airborne Division was deployed to Romania for a second time, after a first deployment in 2022.

We recall that on the day General Christopher Donahue visited, a drone entered Romanian airspace deeper than ever before, near the Romanian border with Ukraine, something the authorities in Bucharest described as a Russian provocation. Russian drones had struck Ukrainian ports overnight, near the border with Romania, which is across the Danube River. Tuesdays was the 13th incursion into Romanian airspace recorded since Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
RIO RANCHO  A man who fired hundreds of rounds in Rio Rancho almost a year ago has pleaded guilty and was released from prison.

Eric Brusstar, 56, was arrested after an overnight SWAT standoff Dec. 17-18, 2024, for five counts of aggravated assault upon a peace officer, tampering with evidence, resisting arrest and negligent use of a deadly weapon near NM 528 and Sabana Grande Avenue.

A Nov. 20 plea and disposition agreement states Brusstar pleaded guilty to three of the aggravated assault charges against him. As of Nov. 19, Brusstar was released from the Sandoval County Detention Center.

In 2024, police stated they heard gunfire aimed in their direction when they got to the scene.

Police were able isolate the location, near the 4100 block of Las Casas Court, and New Mexico State Police and Albuquerque Police air support assisted RRPD in locating Brusstar, who then began shooting at the APD helicopter, according to previous coverage. However, no injuries were reported.

According to the plea document, the terms of the sentencing agreement, should the judge agree, are that Brusstar is to be released from prison and put on five years of supervised probation. Additionally, Brusstar will have to participate in and complete a 90-day rehabilitation program. When he is released, he will receive a mental health screening and comply with any recommendations, the document states.

Brusstar has also agreed to pay restitution.

If he violates the terms of the agreement, such as possessing guns or being charged with more crimes, he will be detained again.

Sentencing for Brusstar has not been scheduled yet.
BERNALILLO  Seth Muller is the winner of a write-in campaign for a seat on the Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education.

Muller, a local emergency manager, received 316 votes (64%) against RRPS administrator and write-in candidate Rudy Galindo, who received 174 votes (36%) in the race for the District 1 position, according to a Sandoval County canvassing report, which was finalized Tuesday by the New Mexico State Canvassing Board.

In a prepared statement, Muller wrote, in part, that he is filled with gratitude and thanked everyone who supported him in the Nov. 4 election.

As we move forward, I remain committed to serving with integrity, transparency, and a deep respect for the community we represent, Muller stated. There is much work ahead, and I look forward to continuing this journey together.

Galindo issued a prepared statement wishing my best to both sitting and incoming RRPS school board members for their upcoming terms.

May God bless all of the work you do for the students of our community, Galindo wrote.

Neither candidate was able to declare victory on election night.

That is because write-in ballots are tallied by hand at a location off site from a polling place because that kind of counting requires special guidance from the New Mexico Secretary of States Office, according to Sandoval County Deputy Clerk Joey Dominguez.

Im not aware of any county clerk that had write-in results on election night  its just not feasible, he said. When youre an election administrator, youll be surprised at what people write on ballots.

Before ballots are counted, poll workers program a tabulation machine to divert any write-in ballot, which goes into a designated bin, Dominguez wrote in an email. Poll workers then reconcile the number of diverted ballots from other ones, he wrote.

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Once a polling place closes, workers are supposed to place write-in ballots into a purple canvassing bag so that election board members can review them, Dominguez wrote.

But some workers inadvertently placed write-in ballots into the normal ballot box instead of the bag, prompting the county clerks office to review a judges approval to open the affected ballot boxes and retrieve any write-in ballots that were not initially separated, Dominguez wrote.

This procedural error is not considered critical, wrote Dominguez. We take our responsibility to protect the integrity of the electoral process seriously. The public can be confident that every eligible vote is counted accurately and that our office is fully committed to upholding the trust placed in us by the voters of Sandoval County.

Muller and Garlindo were not the only write-in candidates from Sandoval County.

Phillip Rust received 32 votes (52%) over Patrick Daniel, who received 30 votes (48%) in the race for a seat on the Ranchos de Placitas water and sanitation district director board.

John Kadlecek and William Adams (write-in candidates) received no votes for a seat on the Santa Fe Pojoaque Soil and Water Conservation District board, according to the county canvassing report and results from the SOS website.

Editor's note: This story has been amended to correct the spelling of RRPS District 1 school board candidate Rudy Galindo's name.
Oil was little changed on Wednesday after closing at the lowest in a month on Tuesday amid signs a Ukrainian peace deal is getting closer.

Traders were also reacting to industry data indicating a decline in U.S. inventories.

Benchmark Brent crude futures edged up by 0.13 percent to $61.88 a barrel while WTI crude futures were down 0.1 percent at $58.04.

Analysts said an end to the war in Ukraine could pave the way for easing of Russian crude supply restrictions, potentially adding more supply at a time when global inventories remain elevated.

Media reports suggest that an initial U.S. plan which was more tilted towards Russia and forced Ukraine to make a lot of concessions has been replaced by one taking in more of Ukraine's interests.

CBS News reported that a common understanding on a peace deal brokered by the Trump administration to stop Russia's nearly four-year assault had been reached, with details still to be worked out.

It was said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could travel to the U.S. before the end of November to finalize an agreement.

Meanwhile, the American Petroleum Institute (API) reported that crude oil inventories in the United States declined by 1.86 million barrels for the week ending November 21.

However, gasoline inventories increased by 539,000 barrels, and distillate inventories, including diesel and heating oil, rose by 753,000 barrels.

Official data from the Energy Information Administration is scheduled for release later in the day.

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Market Analysis
The United Kingdom will apply a new anti-dumping duty on imports of biodiesel from China.

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has accepted the Trade Remedies Authority's final recommendation to impose anti-dumping measures against China.

The TRA found that Chinese biodiesel has been dumped in the UK at unfairly low prices, causing material injury to UK producers, including Argent Energy and Olleco.

Following its analysis of the evidence and responses from interested parties to the Statement of Essential Facts, the TRA has confirmed that the application of an anti-dumping measure is in the UK's economic interest and made a final recommendation to apply duties. These duties will help ensure fair competition for UK producers while maintaining a level playing field in the renewable fuel market.

The measures recommended by the TRA are proportional duties of 14.79 percent for the Zhuoyue Group and non-sampled cooperating exporters, and 54.64 percent for all other exporters.

These duties will apply to imports of biodiesel, including fatty-acid mono-alkylesters or paraffinic gasoils obtained from synthesis or hydrotreatment of non-fossil origin in pure form or as included in a blend, excluding sustainable aviation fuel, in pure form or as included in a blend.

The duties came into effect Tuesday.

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Business News
Silexion Therapeutics Corp. (SLXN) announced the successful completion of toxicology studies for SIL204, its next-generation RNA silencing (siRNA) therapy targeting mutated KRAS oncogenes in pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer, particularly in its locally advanced form, remains one of the most lethal malignancies, with limited treatment options and extremely high mortality rates. Mutations in the KRAS oncogene are among the most common drivers of aggressive cancers, making them a critical target for novel therapies.

SIL204 is engineered as a next-generation siRNA therapy designed to abolish the expression of mutated KRAS proteins. The therapy incorporates enhanced cellular delivery and stability features, with preclinical data showing significant inhibition of cancer cell growth across multiple KRAS-mutated cell lines. In systemic administration models, SIL204 demonstrated positive anti-tumor activity in pancreatic cancer sites.

Recently completed toxicology studies confirmed that SIL204 does not cause systemic organ toxicity, clearing the path for regulatory submissions in Israel and Germany.

Silexion previously advanced a first-generation product, known as LODER (Local Drug EluteR), developed for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. In a Phase 2a clinical trial, LODER showed a positive trend compared to chemotherapy alone. Building on this foundation, Silexion has now engineered SIL204, a next-generation therapy with enhanced delivery, stability, and broader antitumor activity.

SIL204 is now progressing toward a Phase 2/3 trial in Q2 2026, with a unique integrated regimen combining intratumoral and systemic administration, aimed at evaluating its safety and efficacy in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

SLXN has traded in the range of $2.13 to $63.45 over the past year. The stock closed yesterday's trading at $2.44, up 13.48%.

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Business News
A man walks across a street in Manchester, Britain, Nov. 26, 2025. (Photo by Jon Super/Xinhua)

LONDON, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves unveiled the 2025 Budget on Wednesday, pledging that the government will neither return the country to austerity nor allow public spending and borrowing to spiral, while vowing to ease pressures on the cost of living.

According to a statement published on the British government's website, Reeves set out a wide range of proposals on public spending and taxation aimed at reducing borrowing and debt, safeguarding essential public services, stimulating economic growth, improving tax fairness, and advancing welfare reforms.

The Chancellor said she was determined to "break Britain out of its cycle of decline through stability, investment and reform," the statement noted.

Reeves highlighted a series of measures focused on addressing public priorities. These include cutting NHS waiting times, reducing energy bills and freezing rail fares, combating child poverty, increasing youth employment and the minimum wage, supporting retail and hospitality businesses as well as entrepreneurs and fast-growing companies, and accelerating homebuilding and infrastructure improvements.

A number of tax-related measures were also announced. These include freezing current personal tax thresholds from 2028 to 2031 to increase individual contributions, introducing a high-value council tax surcharge on expensive properties, imposing a new per-mile levy on electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, raising online gambling duties, and extending the temporary reduction in fuel duty. 

A man walks past an estate agent in Manchester, Britain, Nov. 26, 2025. British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves unveiled the 2025 Budget on Wednesday, pledging that the government will neither return the country to austerity nor allow public spending and borrowing to spiral, while vowing to ease pressures on the cost of living.

According to a statement published on the British government's website, Reeves set out a wide range of proposals on public spending and taxation aimed at reducing borrowing and debt, safeguarding essential public services, stimulating economic growth, improving tax fairness, and advancing welfare reforms. (Photo by Jon Super/Xinhua)

A charging station is seen in Manchester, Britain, Nov. 26, 2025. British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves unveiled the 2025 Budget on Wednesday, pledging that the government will neither return the country to austerity nor allow public spending and borrowing to spiral, while vowing to ease pressures on the cost of living.

According to a statement published on the British government's website, Reeves set out a wide range of proposals on public spending and taxation aimed at reducing borrowing and debt, safeguarding essential public services, stimulating economic growth, improving tax fairness, and advancing welfare reforms. (Photo by Jon Super/Xinhua)

People walk under a bridge in Manchester, Britain, Nov. 26, 2025. British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves unveiled the 2025 Budget on Wednesday, pledging that the government will neither return the country to austerity nor allow public spending and borrowing to spiral, while vowing to ease pressures on the cost of living.

According to a statement published on the British government's website, Reeves set out a wide range of proposals on public spending and taxation aimed at reducing borrowing and debt, safeguarding essential public services, stimulating economic growth, improving tax fairness, and advancing welfare reforms. (Photo by Jon Super/Xinhua)

People walk past Christmas decorations in Manchester, Britain, Nov. 26, 2025. British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves unveiled the 2025 Budget on Wednesday, pledging that the government will neither return the country to austerity nor allow public spending and borrowing to spiral, while vowing to ease pressures on the cost of living.

According to a statement published on the British government's website, Reeves set out a wide range of proposals on public spending and taxation aimed at reducing borrowing and debt, safeguarding essential public services, stimulating economic growth, improving tax fairness, and advancing welfare reforms. (Photo by Jon Super/Xinhua)

A woman runs past a charging station in Manchester, Britain, Nov. 26, 2025. British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves unveiled the 2025 Budget on Wednesday, pledging that the government will neither return the country to austerity nor allow public spending and borrowing to spiral, while vowing to ease pressures on the cost of living.

According to a statement published on the British government's website, Reeves set out a wide range of proposals on public spending and taxation aimed at reducing borrowing and debt, safeguarding essential public services, stimulating economic growth, improving tax fairness, and advancing welfare reforms. (Photo by Jon Super/Xinhua)
The UK government has announced an extension of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy to more high-sugar drinks, including milk-based drinks, making it easier for families to buy less sugary products.

Changes will apply the charge to pre-packaged milk-based and milk-alternative drinks with added sugar like supermarket milkshakes, flavored milks, sweetened yoghurt drinks, chocolate milk drinks and ready-to-drink coffees.

Many of these products can contain as much added sugar as fizzy drinks, where much of that sugar is added separately to the milk, but were previously exempt from the levy, which so far has seen the average sugar content of drinks in scope fall almost 50% since it was introduced. Plain, unsweetened milk and milk-alternative drinks are not and will not be included.

Changes could cut 17 million calories a day from the nation's daily intake, helping to prevent cancer, heart disease and stroke, and take pressure off the NHS, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.

Companies have until January 2028 to remove sugar or face the new charge, which will add 1 billion pounds in and economic benefits.

Obesity is one of the root causes of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. With the UK now having the third highest rate of adult obesity in Europe, it remains a critical public health challenge, costing the NHS 11.4 billion pounds a year.

The threshold is being lowered from 5g to 4.5g of sugar per 100ml. This means more high-sugar drinks will fall under the levy unless manufacturers reduce sugar, with businesses given until 2028 January to reduce sugar in their drinks.

This is a levy on manufacturers and importers, which has led to companies acting by halving sugar content in popular drinks to avoid the tax. The government expects companies to do the same with the extension.

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Political News
While Hero Splendor dominated sales charts, Honda Shine too commanded a strong 2nd position though both suffered YoY decline in sales

Motorcycle sales faced some headwinds in October 2025, even though the overall two-wheeler segment ended the month on a positive note. Taking into account the top 10 motorcycles sold last month, this decline was despite it being a full blown festive month when sales generally peak. The GST cut that came into effect from 22nd Sept 2025 favored bikes up to 350cc, bringing the rate down from 28% to 18%. Motorcycles above 350cc saw a notable rise from 28% to 40%. This could have caused some turmoil across the segment.

Top 10 Motorcycles  Oct 2025

Top 10 motorcycles accounted for sales of 10,60,399 units, a 1.95% decline on a YoY basis. There had been 10,81,437 unit sales of Oct 2024 while MoM sales also declined sharply when compared to 11,01,572 units of Sept 2025.

Hero Splendor continued to dominate the sales chart with 3,40,131 units sold last month. It was a 13.15% YoY decline from 3,91,612 units sold in Oct 2025 even as the Splendor commanded a 32.08% market share. At No. 2 was Honda Shine that also suffered a YoY decline by 11.04% to 1,74,615 units from 1,96,288 units.

Next in line was the Bajaj Pulsar range with a healthy 36.81% rise in demand. Sales went up to 1,52,996 units last month, well over 42,162 units from 1,11,834 units sold in Oct 2024. An 8.32% YoY decline was also reported for the HF Deluxe, sales of which fell to 1,13,998 units from 1,24,343 units. This was a volume dip of 10,345 units.

TVS Apache range, on the other hand saw higher demand. Sales went up by 23% to 61,619 units in Oct 2025 from 50,097 units sold in the same month last year. Raider also saw its sales increase strongly by 9.64% to 56,085 units, up by 4,932 units over 51,153 units in Oct 2024. Raider 125 recently got updated and now comes in with several segment first features along with improvement in technology, performance, and safety. Sales declined for the Bajaj Platina by 14.52% YoY. Sales fell to 52,734 units from 61,689 units relating to a volume decline of 8,955 units.

No Top 10 Motorcycles Oct-25 Oct-24 1 Splendor 3,40,131 3,91,612 2 Shine 1,74,615 1,96,288 3 Pulsar 1,52,996 1,11,834 4 HF Deluxe 1,13,998 1,24,343 5 Apache 61,619 50,097 6 Raider 56,085 51,153 7 Platina 52,734 61,689 8 Classic 350 46,573 38,297 9 Unicorn 32,825 31,768 10 Glamour 28,823 24,356  Total 10,60,399 10,81,437

At 8th position on this list was the RE Classic 350 with 46,573 units sold last month. This was a 21.61% YoY rise over 38,297 units in Oct 2024. The Classic 350 continued to remain the companys best-selling model in the 350cc segment with sales above that of the Hunter 350, Meteor 350 and Bullet 350, allowing the company to register a strong 14.68% overall sales growth.

CB Unicorn and Hero Glamour also ended the past month on a positive note. Unicorn sales went up by 3.33% to 32,825 units. Glamour saw a strong 18.34% YoY growth at 28,823 units, well over 24,356 units sold in Oct 2024.
Honda Activa, TVS Jupiter, and Suzuki Access continued as best-selling scooters while in the electric segment it was the Bajaj Chetak and TVS iQube

Following our earlier report on top 10 two-wheeler sales for the month of October 2025, here is a look at the top 10 scooters last month. Scooter sales have seen a 15.63% YoY growth. However, motorcycle sales declined marginally by 1.95%. Total of top 10 scooter sales, including both petrol and electric models, stood at 7,37,263 units. This was a 15.63% rise over 6,37,608 units sold in Oct 2024, while MoM sales too improved from 6,44,976 units in Sept 2025.

Top 10 Scooters Oct 2025  Honda Activa at No. 1

Two scooters notable for their high sales volumes included the Honda Activa and TVS Jupiter. Of these, the Activa led by a considerable margin, registering 3,26,551 units sold last month. This reflected a 22.39% YoY increase from 2,66,806 units and a substantial MoM rise over 2,37,716 units sold in September 2025. In October, the Activa range reached the significant milestone of 35 million cumulative sales since launch, underscoring the brands reputation for trust and reliability among Indian buyers.

TVS Jupiter too saw its YoY sales grow by 8.37% to 1,18,888 units, up from 1,09,702 units to command a 16.13% market share. It was followed by the Suzuki Access, the only scooter on this list to suffered lower sales. Sales fell by 6% to 70,327 units from 74,8134 units on a YoY basis.

Demand escalated strongly for the TVS Ntorq with 41,718 units sold last month, a 4.13% rise from 40,065 units sold in Oct 2024. Honda Dio too saw its sales increase by 9.53% to 36,340 units whereas there had been 33,179 units sold in the same month last year.

Top 10 Scooters Oct 2025

Bajaj Chetak was the best-selling electric scooter in Oct 2025. Its sales went up by 13.89% YoY to 34,900 units from 30,644 units. Fuelled by this rising demand, the company now plans launch of the new Chetak in early 2026. Spy shots of the next gen Chetak have emerged with several design and feature enhancements.

No Top 10 Scooters Oct-25 Oct-24 1 Activa 3,26,551 2,66,806 2 Jupiter 1,18,888 1,09,702 3 Access 70,327 74,813 4 Ntorq 41,718 40,065 5 Dio 36,340 33,179 6 Chetak 34,900 30,644 7 iQube 31,989 28,923 8 Burgman 27,058 20,479 9 Destini 125 26,754 14,546 10 RayZR 22,738 18,451  Total 7,37,263 6,37,608

Another electric scooter that continues to appeal to buyers in India is the TVS iQube. Sales were up 10.60% YoY to 31,989 units from 28,923 units. Sales growth was also seen for the Burgman with 27,058 units marking a 32.13% YoY growth while Destini 125 scooter sales saw the highest YoY growth by 83.93% to 26,754 units from 14,546 units sold in Oct 2024. At No. 10 on this list was the Ray ZR with 22,738 unit sales, a 23.23% YoY rise over 18,451 units.
GAZA, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Every morning, 24-year-old software developer Ahmed Zaqout waits at the crowded Saraya intersection in Gaza City, hoping to catch any vehicle that can take him to work.

"Most days I wait under the sun or in the rain, hoping a car or tuk-tuk will arrive, but sometimes none comes for more than an hour," he said. "When a vehicle finally shows up, it's overcrowded and unsafe, yet people still rush to get on because they have no other choice."

What used to be a 20-minute trip now often stretches beyond an hour, frequently disrupting his work schedule. Most of the time, he has to share a donkey-drawn cart with other commuters.

Zaqout's experience reflects a broader reality affecting tens of thousands of residents across the Gaza Strip, where extensive road damage from Israeli military operations, a scarcity of vehicles, and soaring fuel prices have severely disrupted daily mobility.

More than three million linear meters of roads have been destroyed, according to Anis Arafat, spokesperson for Gaza's transportation authorities.

He added that about 55,000 vehicles, or around 60 percent of all licensed vehicles in Gaza, were destroyed in military operations.

The Hamas-run government media office reported that initial losses in the transportation sector have reached 2.8 billion U.S. dollars.

In some neighborhoods, animal-drawn carts have become the primary means of transportation, especially where streets remain clogged with rubble or riddled with deep potholes from repeated bombardment.

Tawfiq al-Aasi, a 37-year-old architect from Gaza City, told Xinhua that the situation has upended daily life for nearly all residents.

"I walk most days, even long distances, because many vehicles are unsafe or simply unavailable, and transportation costs are very high for families already struggling financially," he said.

"You cannot plan your day as you used to. A simple errand that once took 10 minutes may now take an hour or more, depending on whether you can find transportation," he added.

For drivers, the war has reshaped their livelihoods. Mohammed Al-Khaldi, a 50-year-old driver with 25 years of experience, said the current conditions are unlike anything he has seen before.

Diesel now costs around 30 U.S. dollars per liter, far beyond what most drivers can afford, he said.

"Many drivers have stopped working, and those who continue have to take more passengers than usual just to cover fuel expenses," he said.

Gaza-based economic analyst Ahmed Abu Qamar said the challenges in the transportation sector have broad implications for the local economy.

"Transportation is essential for commerce, access to services, and daily life," he said. "The destruction of vehicles and roads has driven up unemployment among drivers and raised the overall cost of living. Families now spend much more just to get from one place to another."

Abu Qamar added that the growing reliance on unsafe, improvised transportation also poses daily risks for local residents. "People continue to use these methods because they have no alternatives, but the dangers remain significant." 
UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council and the General Assembly on Wednesday adopted twin resolutions on the 2025 review of the UN peacebuilding architecture.

The Security Council adopted Resolution 2805 unanimously. The General Assembly adopted an almost identical resolution without a vote.

The twin resolutions affirm that the 2025 review of the UN peacebuilding architecture is aimed at enhancing the implementation and impact of UN peacebuilding activities at the field level.

Reaffirming that development, peace and security and human rights are interlinked and mutually reinforcing, they recognize that investing in conflict prevention is a highly cost-effective solution and results in saving lives, stabilizing economies and reducing the need for costly military responses.

Both resolutions reaffirm that UN member states bear the primary responsibility for preventing conflict and building peace and for addressing the root causes of violence and conflict in their countries.

They request the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) to establish a detailed, predictable and flexible annual program of work reflecting its country-specific, regional and thematic issues and to serve as a platform to support member states, upon their request, to strengthen their national peacebuilding and sustaining peace efforts, including through capacity-building.

The twin resolutions request the PBC to strengthen its impact through regular follow-up, monitoring and assessment of the implementation of its outcomes, and diversified modalities of engagement with relevant stakeholders.

Also, the resolutions request the PBC to continue reviewing its working methods and practices, with a view to enhancing the efficiency in delivering on its mandates, and its impact in support of peacebuilding and sustaining peace.

They encourage member states to strengthen the Peacebuilding Support Office's capacities within existing resources, or through voluntary funding.

An annual "peacebuilding week" is set to be established in June to raise public awareness of the peacebuilding and sustaining peace efforts of the United Nations.

This year's review is the fourth since the creation of the UN peacebuilding architecture in 2005. The twin resolutions call for a further comprehensive review of UN peacebuilding in 2030. 
GAZA, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Four Palestinians were killed on Wednesday by Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, according to the Civil Defense in the coastal enclave.

Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Civil Defense, told Xinhua that two Palestinians were killed and several others wounded in an Israeli airstrike near the Beit Lahia square in the northern Gaza Strip.

Earlier in the day, a Palestinian was killed and another wounded in an Israeli strike near Al-Farabi School in Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, Basal said.

Another person was killed in a separate strike around noon targeting a gathering east of Al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza.

Meanwhile, Gaza-based health authorities said in a press statement that 10 bodies were brought to hospitals in the past 24 hours, including eight recovered from under rubble and two who were killed on Tuesday.

According to the health authorities, 347 people have been killed and 889 injured with varying degrees of wounds since the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel came into effect on Oct. 10.

The overall death toll from the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip has risen to 69,785, with 170,965 others injured since Oct. 7, 2023, the authorities added.

In a separate statement, health authorities reported receiving 15 Palestinian bodies from Israel on Wednesday, transferred through the International Committee of the Red Cross, which brings the total number of returned bodies to 345.

It noted that medical teams and relevant authorities have so far identified 99 of the 345 bodies, adding that work is ongoing in line with established procedures to complete examination, documentation, and eventual handover to families. 
MACAO, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Sam Hou Fai expressed his condolences to the families of victims of a fire that broke out on Wednesday, according to the Macao SAR government.

Sam contacted Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive John Lee to convey his condolences, underscoring a fraternal relationship between Macao and Hong Kong. He added that the Macao SAR government stands ready to provide full support, if needed.

A huge fire engulfed a residential area in Tai Po, Hong Kong on Wednesday afternoon. 
BARCELONA, Spain, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- A collaboration between Chinese automaker Chery and Spanish brand Ebro is helping the Southern European country to rebuild auto manufacturing capacity, it emerged this week.

Rapid output growth, strong job creation and a steady shift toward local supply chains have given the initiative unexpected momentum in its first year, business leaders said at an event to mark the anniversary of the partnership.

Launched at the former Nissan plant in the Zona Franca industrial zone, the partnership aims to restore local industrial activity and build a platform for new-energy vehicles tailored to the European market. Ebro Electric Vehicle (EV) Motors' achievements over the last year include selling more than 9,000 units in September, creating 1,000 direct jobs and over 3,000 indirect jobs, and meeting key milestones in Spain's reindustrialization strategy.

Ebro chairman Rafael Ruiz told Xinhua that the most complex task in the first year was restarting the assembly lines while integrating workers who had been waiting for reemployment since the previous plant was shut down. "Today we already have more than 1,000 people working at the plant," he added.

Ebro has also launched the s400, s700 and s800 models, and on Monday unveiled the s900, a plug-in hybrid Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) designed for Spain's expanding mid-range hybrid segment. By 2026, the company plans to begin producing Chery-branded models, including the Omoda line, as part of its next phase of expansion.

Monday's event focused on the project's forward trajectory: expanding production capacity, strengthening local component sourcing and preparing additional model lines. Earlier this year, Ebro's 1,371-kilometer single-charge challenge on Spanish roads drew wide attention among domestic EV users.

The company also announced that Spanish rider Laia Sanz and Italian co-driver Maurizio Gerini will represent Ebro at the 2026 Dakar Rally, one of the world's toughest endurance competitions. The team hopes the rally will prove the durability of its vehicles under extreme conditions, while enhancing Ebro's sporting profile globally.

Meng Yuhong, Consul General of China in Barcelona, said at Monday's event that the project has not only revived factory operations, but also showcased the potential for deeper industrial cooperation between China and Spain.

According to a recent analysis by KPMG, Chinese automakers' growing presence in Europe - especially through local production and joint ventures - is becoming an important factor in the region's reindustrialization and EV transition.

In this context, the progress made by the Chery-Ebro project in its first year is increasingly seen as part of a broader shift reshaping Europe's automotive landscape. 
Sensex and Nifty 50 fell for the third straight day amid mixed global cues and expiry-day volatility.

Broader markets outperformed, with midcap and smallcap stocks ending in the green despite weakness in benchmarks.

Investor sentiment stayed cautious due to global uncertainty, foreign fund outflows, and profit-taking in IT and FMCG stocks.

Indian equity markets ended lower for the third consecutive session on Tuesday, November 25, as investors remained cautious amid mixed global cues and monthly derivatives expiry. The benchmark indices failed to sustain early stability and slipped in the final hour of trading.

The BSE Sensex declined by 314 points, or 0.37 percent, to close at 84,587. Meanwhile, the Nifty 50 dropped 75 points, or 0.29 percent, finishing the session at 25,884.80. In contrast, broader markets performed slightly better. The BSE Midcap index rose 0.19 percent, while the Smallcap index gained 0.20 percent, suggesting selective buying in beaten-down stocks.

Market experts said volatility remained high due to the derivatives expiry and weak global signals.

Ajit Mishra, Senior Vice President of Research at Religare Broking, said the market extended its recent phase of profit-taking. After a flat start, the Nifty traded in a narrow range for most of the day but slipped during the final hour. Sector performance was mixed, with realty, metal, and pharma stocks posting gains, while IT and FMCG stocks faced selling pressure, he said. He added that investor mood stayed cautious due to mixed US economic data, global geopolitical tensions, and subdued foreign institutional investor (FII) flows.

On the sectoral front, metal and pharma stocks found support, while IT and FMCG stocks were among the top losers. Realty stocks also showed mild recovery after recent weakness.

Stocks to Watch

Several companies remained in focus due to major developments:

Bharti Airtel: Indian Continent Investment, a promoter group entity, initiated a block deal worth around Rs 7,100 crore in the telecom major, attracting market attention.

HCL Tech: The IT firm announced a strategic partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to drive digital transformation in the financial services sector using AI-based autonomous solutions. The IT firm announced a strategic partnership withto drive digital transformation in the financial services sector using AI-based autonomous solutions.

Zydus Lifesciences: The pharma company received final approval from the US drug regulator (USFDA) for its Verapamil Hydrochloride extended-release tablets, opening doors to fresh growth in the US market.

NCC: The infrastructure company secured a contract from Assams Public Works Department for the expansion and upgradation of Gauhati Medical College & Hospital in Guwahati.

United Breweries: The company launched Heineken Silver in New Delhi, with sales beginning November 25. The product will be available across bars and retail outlets in the capital.

Bank of Maharashtra: The government appointed Prabhat Kiran as Executive Director for a three-year term effective November 24.

Jayant Infratech: The company won an EPC order from Konkan Railway to upgrade an electric traction system from 1x25 kV to 2x25 kV.

Welspun Corp: The firm filed a claim of up to $43.5 million against Wasco entities under international arbitration in London.

Indraprastha Gas: The company signed a joint venture agreement to develop compressed biogas and biofuel projects.

Indian Overseas Bank: The bank will receive an income tax refund of Rs 835 crore for FY23.

Outlook

Analysts believe markets may remain volatile in the near term due to global uncertainty and cautious institutional participation. However, steady domestic growth and improving earnings may continue to support selective stock buying in midcap and smallcap stocks.
A victim sustained head lacerations after being attacked when two men forced entry into his Richmond Avenue residence on Nov. 19, according to the NYPD. (Advance/SILive.com | Joseph Ostapiuk)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The NYPD is asking for the publics assistance in identifying two individuals wanted for questioning in connection with a home invasion robbery in Eltingville.

It was reported to police that on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at approximately 1:05 p.m., in the vicinity of Richmond Avenue and Wilson Avenue, a 42-year-old male victim was at his residence when he heard a knock at the door. As he opened the door, two individuals forced their way inside and demanded money, according to a written statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

One of the individuals struck the victim in the head with a blunt object before removing approximately $500 and a set of keys from the residence, according to the NYPD statement.

The suspects then fled the scene.

Police said one individual acted as a getaway driver, fleeing in a 2001 GMC Denali with New York license plate LXS4877, traveling southbound on Richmond Avenue. The second individual fled on foot, heading northbound on Richmond Avenue.

Police released surveillance images of individuals sought for questioning in connection with the investigation. DCPI

The victim sustained minor lacerations to the head but refused medical attention at the scene, according to police.

Police released the following descriptions of the sought individuals: The first person of interest is described as a male. He was last seen wearing a black sweater, black pants, and multicolored sneakers. He was also observed walking with a cane. The second person of interest is described as a male. He was last seen wearing a black sweater, black pants, and multicolored sneakers.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X @NYPDTips.

All calls are strictly confidential.
BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday extended condolences over a deadly residential building fire in Hong Kong, which killed at least 13 people.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, expressed sympathy to the families of the victims and those affected by the disaster. He urged all-out efforts to extinguish the fire and minimize casualties and losses.

In the wake of the fire, Xi attached great importance to the accident and immediately sought updates on the rescue efforts and casualties.

Xi instructed the director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to convey his condolences and sympathies to HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee.

He required the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the liaison office to support the HKSAR government in making all-out efforts to put out the fire, do everything possible in search and rescue, treat the injured, and comfort the victims' families. 
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  After more than 40 years with the New York City Police Department, Detective Thomas Cerbone is hanging up his badge and leaving behind a legacy that included Times Square patrols, presidential motorcades, and community service.

Cerbone retires as the most senior officer among the NYPDs 36,000 members, a distinction confirmed by a department-wide list released just days before his final tour.

Cerbone, inspired by his father  an NYPD officer and detective he describes as his hero  joined the force in 1984. His first assignment was with NSU 3, covering Midtown North and South.

Cerbone spent 11 years patrolling Times Square before achieving his long-time goal of joining the elite Highway Patrol in 1995. After completing wheel school, he was assigned to Highway 2 and later transferred to Staten Islands Highway 5 unit in 2000.

Over the next three decades, Cerbone became a fixture in Highway Patrol, handling everything from traffic enforcement to high-profile security details. He earned the rank of detective in 2013, detective second grade in 2017, and detective first grade in 2023.

Cerbone estimates he participated in as many as 60 presidential motorcades and escorted basically almost every world leader who visited New York City  along with three popes.

Our job was to get them from point A to point B with no trouble, he said proudly.

Detective Thomas Cerbone retires from NYPD Highway Unit #5, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

Reflecting on his 42-year career, Cerbone referenced Frank Sinatras My Way. While he admits to a few regrets, they are too few to mention.

Cerbones service was not without obstacles. A cancer diagnosis threatened to derail his plans, but he refused to let it stop him.

I couldnt let bumps in the road, no matter how great they were, prevent me from getting to my final destination, which was to stay on this job as long as I could,' Cerbone said.

He credits doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering for his recovery and says he feels blessed to be one of the lucky ones.

Detective Thomas Cerbone of NYPD's Highway Patrol #5 poses with children from the Seton Foundation during his last day on the job on Nov. 25, 2025. Dennis Quirk

Beyond the badge, Cerbone has spent 12 years co-leading the Seton Foundation for Learnings annual holiday toy drive alongside Highway 5 Commanding Officer Lt. Joseph Bell  a tradition he vows to continue as a civilian.

The event has become a Staten Island spectacle, featuring 12 NYPD motorcycle reindeer, a police escort and Santa Claus arriving in a van filled with toys. Officers personally purchase gifts for children, sometimes going above and beyond, like buying pajamas for a child in need.

Its the highlight of the year, said Seton Foundation representative Dennis Quirk. Hes devoted himself to these kids and took them on as if they were his own.

Cerbone is mentoring another Highway Patrol officer to take over his official role, ensuring the tradition continues.

Detective Thomas Cerbone retires from NYPD Highway Unit #5, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

A ceremony to remember

Cerbones retirement ceremony featured a presentation of colors, the national anthem, and heartfelt speeches from colleagues.

Tommy is a friend to many, but more importantly, hes a mentor to all,' Bell said. Lets face it, his courtroom testimony  flawless. A wealth of knowledge, professional, loyal, and dedicated to the unit.

The officers that came through the doors as new officers would go to him on a regular basis for information and guidance,' he said.

The Detectives Endowment Association honored Cerbone with a plaque, calling him the quintessential representative of that gold shield.

Highway 5 officers presented another plaque recognizing his professionalism and friendship. The ceremony concluded with God Bless America and Cerbones final call and walkout.

Detective Thomas Cerbone retires from NYPD Highway Unit #5, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

Family Matters

Cerbone credits family members for their unwavering support throughout his career. They never know if youre coming home, he said, acknowledging the stress his loved ones endured.

His wife, Loriann, who has been by his side since they were 17, summed up their journey simply by saying: The rest is history.

He did it for the sacrifice of the city, she said. Were just extremely proud of him. There was a few scary times, but, thank God, he was fine. Were just thankful that he made it.

The family views retirement as a chance for Cerbone to focus on himself after decades of sacrifice, including missed holidays and milestones. To celebrate, theyre planning a big one  a trip to France to visit Normandy, Versailles and Paris in April.

His daughter, Chrissta, offered advice to other law enforcement families: Give yourself some grace. She acknowledged the sacrifices, but said the pride of being part of an NYPD family makes it worthwhile.

Detective Thomas Cerbone retires from NYPD Highway Patrol #5 on the afternoon of Tuesday Nov. 25, 2025. Advance/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence

Passing the torch

Cerbones message to young officers is clear: Respect the profession and embrace the fundamentals.

He urged recruits to put down their phones, listen intently, and rely on their own eyes and ears. In his view, traditional policing skills and situational awareness will always matter more than digital distractions.

I think that everybody should encourage their children to respect and admire the police and look at them as the role models they are, Cerbone said. More people should encourage their children to become NYPD officers because it is the greatest job.

As he steps away, Cerbone said hopes his legacy  four decades of service, countless dignitaries escorted and thousands of lives touched  has made New York City a better place.
A Staten Island man accepted a plea deal last week in Brooklyn state Supreme Court, in connection with a 2023 hit-and-run crash that resulted in the death of a Bay Ridge woman. Google Maps

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A Staten Island man charged in a fatal hit-and-run crash two years ago could avoid jail time, while a Brooklyn judge who extended the offer said hell be keeping a close eye on him.

Joshua Joshi, 35, of Gary Place in New Springville, was initially indicted on felony charges in connection with the 2023 incident that occurred in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn.

The crash claimed the life of Anne-Marie Wiesner, 72, of Bay Ridge. She was a grandmother and violinist who moved to the U.S. from Switzerland in the 80s, CBS News previously reported.

Last week, Joshi pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of a crash involving injury, as part of a plea deal extended by Judge Christopher J. Robles in Brooklyn state Supreme Court.

In exchange for his plea, the defendant was placed on one year of probation. Hell also have to complete Circles for Safe Streets, an intensive drivers accountability course.

If the court determines hes performed well in those programs, and he avoids future run-ins with law enforcement, the case could be considered resolved. If not, Robles could still sentence him to jail time.

Prosecutors had previously offered the defendant one year on Rikers Island in exchange for a guilty plea to the same charge.

Joshis attorney, who was retained in the case, declined to comment.

Leaving the scene

The fatal crash occurred near Marine Avenue and 96th Street in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Google Maps

The crash occurred on the night of Nov. 16, 2023, near Marine Avenue and 96th Street, according to a criminal complaint.

An investigation by the NYPDs Collision Investigation Squad determined that Joshi was operating a black sedan about 12 mph over the marked speed limit, authorities said.

Prosecutors noted the victim had crossed the street from between two parked cars, outside of a crosswalk and against the closest traffic light.

After plowing into Wiesner, the defendant fled across the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge toward Staten Island, court documents alleged. Investigators tracked him down weeks later.

Joshi stated previously that he knew he hit something, but thought it was a tree branch or debris, according to a source with knowledge of the case.
Police are searching for a white Chrysler minivan they say was involved in an incident of grand larceny in New Springville on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (Courtesy of NYPD)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The NYPD is asking the publics assistance in identifying a vehicle wanted in connection with an incident of grand larceny that occurred last week in New Springville.

According to police, on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at approximately 1:30 p.m., an 82-year-old woman was driving out of a parking spot at 2873 Richmond Ave. when two unidentified individuals approached in a white Chrysler minivan and flagged her down. The Richmond Shopping Center is located at the address provided by police.

The individuals told the woman her vehicle needed to be repaired because she just ran something over and that they are mechanics who can do the repairs, according to a statement released by the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

The victim then withdrew $3,800 from her bank. The individuals took the money and fled the location in a white Chrysler minivan with unknown Pennsylvania plates, traveling in an unknown direction. There were no injuries reported, police said.

Police say the two sought individuals are described as males with medium complexions. They are both approximately 5-feet, 7-inches tall.

The NYPD has released a surveillance photo of the white Chrysler minivan.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on X @NYPDTips.

All calls are strictly confidential.
Police were called to the Borgata Casino Hotel and Spa on Sunday for a report of two people found dead inside a hotel room. (Google Maps)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Authorities in New Jersey are investigating the deaths of a Staten Island woman and a Brooklyn man, whose bodies were discovered Sunday in an Atlantic City hotel room.

The woman was identified as 36-year-old Baoyi Bowie Zheng, and the man was identified as 68-year-old Wei Guo Liang, according to a press release issued Wednesday by the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office.

Police were called to the hotel room at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa just before 5 p.m., officials said. Autopsies determined that Zheng died from a broken neck and Liang died from self-inflicted stab wounds.

Authorities didnt describe the relationship between the two individuals.

The womans community was not immediately available.

The incident remains under investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutors Offices Major Crimes Unit and the Atlantic City Police Department, authorities said.

Anyone with information about the fatalities is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office Major Crime Unit at 609-909-7666. Tips also can be submitted on the offices website at acpo.org. The submit a tip form on the website can be filled out anonymously.

Information can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers by dialing 609-652-1234, or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS). Or on the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/.

Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of someone who commits a crime in Atlantic County.
When Beverly Gilmore attended her 55th high school reunion in 2006, she was not expecting to fall in love.

But thats exactly what happened when she reconnected with her high school sweetheart, Roger Fox, a retired NASA supervisor and technical writer. The pair enjoyed a marriage that lasted until his death in 2022.

Beverly Gilmore and Roger Fox family archive

Gilmore, a former Staten Island Advance writer and editor, died on November 13, at the age of 92.

Born in 1933, Gilmore was one of four children born to James and Verna Gilmore in Monroe, Michigan. Her father was the superintendent of the Monroe Water Department, who had served as the captain of Monroe County Civil Air Patrol during World War II. Her mother was an accountant and bookkeeper.

As a child, Gilmore loved to ice skate on the frozen River Raisin. She was an excellent ice skater, said her son, Rick Loftus.

Beverly Gilmore (top row, second from left) family archive

Gilmore also loved to read. She would go to the library, take out seven books, and a week later, bring them back, Loftus said. She was an extremely fast reader.

As a teenager, Gilmore worked at JC Penney, and became a member of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union.

Gilmore, a stellar student, was the salutatorian of her high school class. She went on to obtain a bachelors degree and masters degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While there, she served as the managing editor of the Daily Cardinal and met her first husband, Richard Loftus.

For her dissertation, Gilmore interviewed the poet Ezra Pound, who had just been released from an asylum.

Beverly Gilmore (second from left) family archive

The pair moved to Gainesville, Florida and Gilmore welcomed her first son. She worked as a journalist there. At that time, this is the mid-50s, the South was quite astir with civil rights turbulence, and she was a reporter in that environment, Loftus said.

The family relocated to Ireland for her husbands work. There, Gilmore learned Gaelic. We lived in an old house where you would be awakened by the clop, clop of horses bringing the milk in the morning, Loftus said.

Gilmore divorced her husband and moved to Greenwich Village. It was a cultural Mecca in those days, Loftus said. There was music all around the Washington Square Park.

Beverly Gilmore family archive

Gilmore had a job reviewing books for the Library Journal. She met her second husband, Irving Pearlman, who was her neighbor. She had two children, a son and a daughter, with him. They later divorced.

In 1968, the family moved to Staten Island. They wanted a more pastoral setting for the upbringing of the kids, Loftus said.

Gilmore became the fashion editor at the Staten Island Advance.

She was very dedicated to the job, said Staten Island Advance Executive Editor Brian Laline. She brought us to the level where we were able to compete and hold our own with the major fashion publications around America. It was quite remarkable for a local newspaper and we were very proud of that.

Beverly Gilmore family archive

I hit the jackpot to have Beverly as my mentor when I interned as a reporter at the Advance in 1984, said Advance Local CEO and Staten Island Advance/SILive.com Publisher Caroline Harrison. We covered the fall fashion shows in Manhattan in a whirlwind of activity. Beverly was nonstop energy, commanding respect of fashion designers and her fellow journalists alike. She knew everyone and was intimidated by no one, even at that elite level. She was an exquisite writer, who made fashion into art. She was fascinating and beautiful and adored her family. I loved hanging on her coattails and watching her world unfold. I will be forever grateful for her generous counsel. She leaves an indelible mark.

Beverly Gilmore (seated) family archive

Working with Beverly back in the 80s was an absolute honor, said photographer Steven Zaffarano. She wasnt just an editor; she was a mentor. Beverly taught me, as well as the other staff photographers, how to navigate the high-energy world of Manhattan runway shows.

We were shooting supermodels who would become icons, and Beverly made sure we understood the artistry behind it all. Her assignments took us beyond Staten Island . . . to places like Chicago and Los Angeles, something unheard of for a local paper. This spoke volumes about her influence. It didnt take long to realize Beverly was deeply respected in the fashion world and what a gift it was to be working alongside her. She was talented, generous, and unforgettable.

While working at the Advance, Gilmore married fellow journalist Robert Huber.

In her free time, Gilmore restored and refurbished historic homes on Staten Island.

She was always extremely stylish, said her son, Rick Loftus. She was impeccable. In her clothes and in the homes that she fixed up. If you ever saw her set a table, it was a work of art. Its just absolutely glorious.

In 1987, Gilmore, her marriage to Huber ended, returned to Michigan. She opened up a boutique, Glen Arbor City Limits, with her sister.

Being there was like being in a very accessible Museum, Loftus said. It was filled with the beautiful works of Michigan Native Americans and primitive art. In the store, she also sold stylish winter clothes and hosted readings with prominent authors.

She continued to write the occasional article for local publications.

Beverly Gilmore in a Staten Island Advance promotional ad. family archive

After marrying Roger Fox, the couple moved to Tampa, Florida, in search of warmer weather. Gilmore lived there until Foxs death in 2022, when she relocated to Jacksonville.

At home with her children, just as she did in her professional life, she imparted the notion that esthetics, that beauty, is essential to living a good life, Loftus said.

She definitely had opinions and made sure they were heard, Loftus said. If you wanted to do a composite of things that affected her, it might be politics, art, fashion, good poetry, any excellent writing. She wanted to be challenged in what she read and what she understood about the world.
Homeless individuals often seek refuge in the St. George ferry terminal during the winter months. Outreach teams with the NYC Department of Homeless Services will canvass all five boroughs to connect vulnerable New Yorkers to shelters. No one who is homeless and seeking shelter during a Code Blue will be denied. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  New York City emergency officials activated a Code Blue alert effective 4 p.m. Wednesday through 8 a.m. Thursday in response to dangerously cold temperatures.

The New York City Emergency Management, in coordination with the National Weather Service, issued a Cold Weather Alert, prompting the NYC Department of Homeless Services to declare the Code Blue  a protocol that opens additional shelter beds.

Outreach teams will canvass all five boroughs to connect vulnerable New Yorkers to shelters. No one who is homeless and seeking shelter during a Code Blue will be denied.

Residents who see individuals experiencing homelessness and in need should contact 311 via phone or mobile app to request outreach assistance.

The city is urging residents to check on neighbors, relatives, and friends, especially older adults, people with disabilities and anyone who may have limited mobility or access to heat. Cold weather can be dangerous, and some people may be unable to safely leave their homes or operate heating equipment on their own.

Buildings without heat or hot water should be reported immediately to building supers, property managers or owners. If there is no resolution, residents should call 311. NYC heat rules, effective Oct. 1 through May 31, require indoor temperatures of at least 68 degrees between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. when outdoor temperatures fall below 55 degrees.

Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., indoor temperatures must be at least 55 degrees when outdoor temperatures drop below 40 degrees. Hot water must be maintained at 120 degrees.

Financial assistance is available for residents struggling with energy bills through the Energy Affordability Program, which offers monthly bill discounts. State law protects households from utility shutoffs between Nov. 1 and April 15.

For help with utility issues, residents can call the New York State Department of Public Service at 800-342-3355.

Officials are warning residents to practice fire safety during cold weather. Space heaters should be kept at least three feet from anything flammable. Plug them directly into wall outlets  never use extension cords or power strips. Turn them off when you leave the room or go to sleep. Stoves or ovens should never be used to heat homes.

Residents should check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries if needed. Anyone who smells gas or hears a carbon monoxide alarm should leave immediately and call 911.

Hypothermia can develop faster than people realize, especially in older adults Warning signs include confusion, slowed or slurred speech, intense shivering, drowsiness or loss of coordination. Anyone noticing these symptoms should call 911 immediately. While waiting for help, move the person to a warm place, remove wet clothing and cover them with blankets.

Additional information on winter weather safety is available at Be Ready NYC and FDNY Smart.
Lewis Pugh, a British endurance swimmer, swims on the Hudson River in Castleton, N.Y, in 2013. He swam the entire 315-miles of the Hudson River from the Adirondacks to New York City to highlight the critical role rivers play in a habitable planet. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)

The news that President Donald Trump is moving to gut protections for wetlands, and that the Hudson River might be among his victims, sent me back through a time machine to the days when I was a kid sloshing around in its murky waters nearly every day during the summer, in the years before the environmental movement found its footing.

The river was an ugly duckling back then, in the 1960s, when towns up and down its banks spewed raw sewage into the waters, when a General Motors factory in my hometown dumped lead and mercury into the mix and a General Electric factory north of Albany added more than a million pounds of cancer-causing PCBs.

In 1965, Gov. Nelson Rockefeller described the upper Hudson as one great septic tank that has been rendered nearly useless for water supply, for swimming, or to support the rich life that once abounded there.

My friends and I have watched in amazement since then, as the Hudson has turned into a swan. I know, its not pristine even now, especially as it passes between Manhattan and New Jersey, south of the George Washington Bridge.

But in Tarrytown, where I grew up, about 25 miles north of Manhattan, you can see and smell the changes. Along the banks where we threw rocks at rats for sport, loads of people launch sailboats and kayaks. Where we saw dying fish gulping for oxygen, or lying dead on the shore, scientists count a long list of species that have returned. A few years back, I joined hundreds of happy swimmers in a cross-Hudson race to raise money for leukemia care.

This didnt just happen. State and federal laws stopped companies like GM from dumping chemicals into the river at will and helped fund sewage treatment plants. The federal government banned the production of PCBs and forced GE to spend more than $1 billion, so far, cleaning up the mess it made by dredging the muck and shipping it away by barge. Tough regulations protected the wetlands that act as a filter to clean the waters feeding into the river  the effort that Trump is now trying to sabotage.

So, dont talk to me and my friends about the evils of big government, about the need to free businesses from the burden of regulation. Weve seen it work. The Hudson cleanup, launched back when Pete Seeger started to sing songs about it, is an undisputed success story.

Paper pulp sludge washes up on the banks of the Hudson River near Castleton, N.Y., in August 1971, as fisherman Everett Nack holds up a handful to show its density. Nack fishes in the Hudson every chance he gets. But when summer comes, and evaporation thickens the river with sewage and industrial wastes, he knows it means fish in the river will die by the thousands. (AP file) AP

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Trump cant reverse all this progress, even if he wants to. Hes not a king, at least not yet. The Hudson is protected by state laws as well, for one, which he cant mess with. Changing federal regulations can take years and includes mandatory public input. Groups like the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Environmental Defense fund have good lawyers who will almost surely file lawsuits, as will Democratic states that will be injured. Trump can declare his war on the environment, but that doesnt mean hell win it.

Look, though, at what he wants to do. In a trifecta of environmental sabotage during a single week this month, he proposed opening more than a billion acres of U.S. waters to oil and gas drilling, an area equal to about half the size of the continental United States, including virgin areas off the shores of Alaska. He proposed changes that would cripple the Endangered Species Act. And, in the move that puts the Hudson in the crosshairs, he announced plans to gut the Clean Water Act by removing protections from about 85 percent of all wetlands nationwide.

This was the week from hell for environmental policy in the United States, Pat Parenteau, a professor emeritus at Vermont Law and Graduate School told the New York Times. Unless stopped by the courts, each of these proposed rollbacks will do irreparable harm to the nations water quality, endangered species and marine ecosystems.

The wetlands protections now at risk are based on the 1972 Clean Water Act, enacted over President Nixons veto with solid bipartisan support in Congress. In 2023, the Supreme Court found in Sacket v. EPA that the Environmental Protection Agency had overstepped its authority for a half century by regulating millions of acres of wetlands that had no continuous surface connection to traditional navigable waterways.

That ruling opened the door for the rollback in wetlands regulations that Trump is proposing. The public comment period on his plan ends on Jan. 5, 2026.

The Palisades cliffs rise more than 500 feet above the Hudson River in Bergen County. Alpine N.J. July 10, 2018. (Andre Malok | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

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I called my old friends, and my seven sisters and brothers, to tell them about this new threat to our old summer playground. And yes, looking back we can hardly believe that we marinated ourselves in the Hudson before the cleanup, that the local beach was open for swimming, that all the parents in the neighborhood allowed it. It was a different age.

But not a single one of us has regrets. Even then, the Hudson was a treasure. We lived on its eastern shore in Tarrytown, just north of what we still call the Tappan Zee Bridge, where we swam, and sailed, and waterskied, and passed the years. Looking west, where the river opens to its widest expanse, about three miles, we watched the sun set behind the sheer cliffs of the Palisades that rise sharply about 500 feet above the opposite shore.

My parents escaped for a walk nearly every night after dinner to enjoy it, and perhaps to get away from all of us, just a few blocks from our house. In all my travels during the decades since, Ive never seen a more beautiful spot.

So, we notice the stories about fish species returning, about the latest cross-Hudson swims, and we hike in the forests on both shores, looking down on it and counting our blessings.

My guess is that even if Trump wins a round or two, hes going to lose this fight. Too many people who live in the Hudson Valley have the same gut-connection we do. And Im guessing the same can be said for people across the country, who have their own treasures, and their own turnaround stories.

I hope Trump, and all those who support or tolerate his environmental vandalism, read the latest polls from Gallup. In March, the number of Americans who felt the government was doing too much to clean the environment were outnumbered by those who said it does too little by a margin of 5-1.

Trump will do damage, yes, and some of it will be irreversible, like his sabotage of the fight against climate change. But the Hudson has seen worse than him, and its sturdy progress is a testament to the resilience of nature. Im guessing the next generation will see more swimmers, more fish, and more families looking back at it as a grand treasure.

Until then, the fight is on, and everyone I grew up with feels the same way: Bring it, you blind fool. This battle is just beginning.
Police keep a presence following the shooting of two U.S. National Guard members near the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Nov. 26, 2025. Two U.S. National Guard members were shot near the White House on Wednesday and a suspect is in custody, according to local authorities. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Two U.S. National Guard members were shot near the White House on Wednesday and a suspect is in custody, according to local authorities.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey claimed in a post on X that both members of the West Virginia National Guard have passed away from their injuries, but said in another post about 20 minutes later that he was "receiving conflicting reports" about the condition of the two National Guard members.

FBI Director Kash Patel told reporters that the two members are "in critical condition."

In a social media post, U.S. President Donald Trump said the two guardsmen, "with both being critically wounded," are in two separate hospitals. 

Police keep a presence following the shooting of two U.S. National Guard members near the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Nov. 26, 2025. Two U.S. National Guard members were shot near the White House on Wednesday and a suspect is in custody, according to local authorities. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

Law enforcement officials visit the crime scene following two National Guard members were shot near the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Nov. 26, 2025. Two U.S. National Guard members were shot near the White House on Wednesday and a suspect is in custody, according to local authorities. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

Police keep a presence following the shooting of two U.S. National Guard members near the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Nov. 26, 2025. Two U.S. National Guard members were shot near the White House on Wednesday and a suspect is in custody, according to local authorities. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

Law enforcement officials visit the crime scene following two National Guard members were shot near the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Nov. 26, 2025. Two U.S. National Guard members were shot near the White House on Wednesday and a suspect is in custody, according to local authorities. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

Law enforcement officials visit the crime scene following two National Guard members were shot near the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Nov. 26, 2025. Two U.S. National Guard members were shot near the White House on Wednesday and a suspect is in custody, according to local authorities. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

FBI Director Kash Patel (front) speaks during a press conference following the shooting of two U.S. National Guard members near the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Nov. 26, 2025. Two U.S. National Guard members were shot near the White House on Wednesday and a suspect is in custody, according to local authorities. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

Police keep a presence following the shooting of two U.S. National Guard members near the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Nov. 26, 2025. Two U.S. National Guard members were shot near the White House on Wednesday and a suspect is in custody, according to local authorities. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)
Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson says she is unlikely to see large passenger planes powered by electricity or hydrogen in her lifetime, with the required technology still decades away from being available to the jets used by the airline today.

Speaking on a panel about cutting carbon emissions on Wednesday, Hudson noted that aviation was one of the hardest sectors to reduce emissions because technologies needed to replace todays jets were still in a largely experimental phase.

Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson said technologies that could replace jet propulsion were decades away from being a viable alternative. Credit: Jamila Filippone

We want every person in the organisation to be on this journey. But  will I, in my lifetime, see an aircraft thats powered by electricity or hydrogen? I dont think so, Hudson said.

She added that despite the difficulty of lowering emissions from flying, Qantas still wanted to be ambitious in the targets it set for itself, as a way of pushing the company to stretch.
The revived short film festival Tropfest is having no trouble attracting big names for its return early next year.

First, festival founder John Polson announced it would be run by a new not-for-profit foundation chaired by Sarah Murdoch that had Peter Vlandys, Bryan Brown, business executive Richard Weinberg and himself on the board.

Margot Robbie will be jury president at Tropfest on February 22. Credit: AP

Now he has lined up Margot Robbie to be president of the jury when Tropfest takes place in Sydneys Centennial Park on February 22.

Robbie, who became one of Hollywoods most influential actor-producers when Barbie took more than $US1.4 billion ($2.1 billion) at the worldwide box office two years ago, said she was excited about joining the festival.
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Eating outFood Brisbanes most iconic French restaurant just got its own cookbook It features more than 100 recipes and has already been shortlisted for the Oscars of the international cookbook industry. Matt Shea November 26, 2025 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Its Brisbanes most celebrated French restaurant, and now it has its own cookbook. Last week Montrachet owner Clement Chauvin released Bistronomie, featuring a bunch of recipes from the King Street restaurant. Clement Chauvin at Montrachet with his Bistronie cookbook. Judit Losh (supplied) If this all seems a bit soon  Chauvin only took possession of Montrachet just over a year ago, after all  its because Montrachet shares the book with the chef-patrons longstanding Canberra restaurant, Les Bistronomes. The cookbook has been a work in progress for two and a half years, Chauvin says. After 10 years of running Les Bistronomes, you have all these recipes in your head, written on pieces of paper.

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I thought to myself, Clem, if you want to expand, the next step is to actually put your recipes in black in white in a book  create a manuscript, basically of what Les Bistronomes is. Related Article Exclusive Brisbanes ramen master opens new store  but its not what you think Then came taking over Montrachet, while we were working on it. And after six months of Montrachet, I thought, Okay, whats going to make the connection between the two businesses and promote both under my name? And it became clear that it was already in the works. It was the cookbook. It was the best way to put out there the two restaurants and explain the overall concept of what we do. Bistronomie features more than 100 recipes from both restaurants, but Chauvin says hes also using the book as an opportunity to try to demystify French cuisine for the home cook. French cooking is technical, he says. Thats why it becomes intimidating. What I try to tell people is to not replicate the recipe. Instead, get inspiration from the recipe, look at the ingredients, look at the technique, and put your own spin on it.

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Crumbed frog legs with parsnip puree and a parsley emulsion - just one of the more than 100 recipes featured in Bistronomie. Judit Losh (supplied) You might not get the same result as the book, but by putting your own special ingredient in, youll get something absolutely delicious. You follow your instincts and thats what cooking is all about. Chauvin is conscious of the fact that, at Montrachet, hes following in the footsteps of previous owners Shannon Kellam and Thierry Galichet, both of whose reputations continue to loom large over the restaurant. But he reckons, a year on from taking the reins, the restaurant is building a new relationship with Brisbane diners, making the book well-timed. Dry-aged Murray cod with broccoli puree, grilled broccolini and a verjus beurre blanc. Judit Losh (supplied)

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Its started to find its flow and we have old customers starting to come back, so thats been beautiful to watch, he says. Its different to the old Montrachet but customers are starting to appreciate that change. The key Montrachet dishes in the book? We have our signature dishes in there: the beef Wellington and duck a lorange, Chauvin says. Theyre dishes that have never left the menu. We also have a steak tartare in there. Before you ask, though: no, the classic Montrachet crab souffle isnt featured. Why? Because its not one of Chauvins recipes. Montrachet is often regarded as Brisbanes best French restaurant. Markus Ravik

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Its not my dish. Its been with the restaurant since its inception, more or less, he says. Im not one for taking something thats not mine and making it mine. As for the cookbooks reception thus far, its already been shortlisted for this years Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, often described as the Oscars of the cookbook world. Thats incredible, Chauvin says. And well find out on November 29 if the book makes it to the top three. Bistronomie by Clement Chauvin is available from the Montrachet website.

Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up

Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Food

For subscribers Matt Shea is Food and Culture Editor at Brisbane Times. He is a former editor and editor-at-large at Broadsheet Brisbane, and has written for Escape, Qantas Magazine, the Guardian, Jetstar Magazine and SilverKris, among many others.
Three 11-year-old girls were allegedly sexually assaulted at a Christian adventure camp in Sydney that hundreds of private and public schoolchildren attend each year.

Child abuse squad detectives on Tuesday arrested Wedderburn Christian Campsite instructor Samuel John Kelly and charged him with more than a dozen child sex offences related to a school camp held at the 136-acre campsite in the citys south-west.

File picture of Wedderburn Christian Camp. Hundreds of public and private schoolchildren attend the camp each year.

Police allege Kelly, 18, inappropriately touched the three students from a school in Sydneys south while checking their harnesses during a number of activities in late October.

Kelly was charged with 13 counts of intentionally sexually touching a child between 10 and 16 years old. He did not apply for bail when he appeared in court on Wednesday, and was remanded in custody to face Campbelltown Local Court on December 2.
Chinese pianist Lang Lang performs during the Pyramids Echo (TPE) festival at the Giza Pyramids scenic spot in Giza, Egypt, Nov. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

CAIRO, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- World-renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang opened the first edition of the Pyramids Echo (TPE) festival in Egypt on Monday evening with a spellbinding performance at the Giza Plateau, marking a striking fusion of global classical artistry and the timeless grandeur of the pyramids, a breathtaking backdrop to the open-air theater.

Lang opened the evening with an intimate solo show, performing expressive works by classical masters including France's Claude Debussy, Hungary's Franz Liszt, and Poland's Frederic Chopin, showcasing his clarity of technique and emotional depth.

He then offered a delicate rendition of the Chinese folk classic Jasmine Flower and a reimagined piano arrangement of a beloved melody by Egypt's Sayed Darwish, drawing warm applause from the audience.

Speaking to Xinhua, Lang said the night felt like "a dream," adding that it was deeply meaningful to open the festival at such a historic site. "Performing beside the pyramids has always been a dream for me, and I am very grateful to everyone who helped make this concert possible," he said.

Reflecting on cultural exchange, he said music plays a powerful role in bringing people together. "The audience responded most warmly to Jasmine Flower and Song at Nile River's Bank, which I specially rearranged for this concert," he noted. "These pieces show how Chinese and Egyptian cultures can touch people deeply, even without language."

Lang recalled his last performance in Egypt nearly a decade ago, when he played at Upper Egypt's Luxor Temple during the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of China-Egypt diplomatic relations. "It feels meaningful to return almost ten years later," he said, "and I truly hope that ties between our two countries will continue to grow closer."

During the show, Lang introduced young Egyptian-Hungarian violinist Amira Abouzahra, whom he invited to join him especially for the festival's opening night. Performing alongside the British Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, Abouzahra led the ensemble in a vibrant interpretation that highlighted her rising international profile and added a distinctly Egyptian touch to the evening.

The evening reached its peak as Lang returned to the stage with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra under the baton of British conductor Ben Palmer, delivering a powerful performance that blended technical brilliance with sweeping orchestral warmth, turning the historic setting into a full symphonic experience.

As the final notes resonated under the night sky, the audience, a diverse blend of Egyptians, Chinese, and other international guests, erupted in enthusiastic applause. Cheers and admiration filled the open-air venue.

Egyptian actor Ahmed Magdy, the festival's ambassador, said seeing an artist of Lang's stature perform iconic Egyptian music was a powerful moment, adding that artistic encounters between Egypt and China carry immense potential.

"When two civilizations of this size, depth, and advancement come together at such an iconic site, the result is bound to be different and remarkable," he told Xinhua, expressing hope that this spirit of exchange extends not only to politics and economics but also to the arts.

Among the Egyptian audience, many expressed personal emotional connections to the pieces Lang performed, including Gharam Akmal, a young Egyptian woman who said the night exceeded her expectations.

"I honestly enjoyed Lang's performance so much. I was surprised when he started with Debussy's Clair de Lune -- it's one of my all-time favorites. I listen to it all the time," she said.

Held across eight selected evenings from Nov. 24 to Dec. 13, and themed "Cradle of Civilizations: Meeting Point of Arts and Cultures," the first edition of TPE takes place at two iconic venues: the open-air Pyramids Panorama overlooking the Giza pyramids and the Grand Theater at the City of Arts and Culture in Egypt's New Administrative Capital.

This year's festival presents a wide spectrum of performances, from orchestral tributes and Arab-heritage concerts to gala evenings, international vocal showcases, and world-class ballet, bringing a rich array of global artistry to Egyptian audiences. 

Chinese pianist Lang Lang performs during the Pyramids Echo (TPE) festival at the Giza Pyramids scenic spot in Giza, Egypt, Nov. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Chinese pianist Lang Lang greets the audience during the Pyramids Echo (TPE) festival at the Giza Pyramids scenic spot in Giza, Egypt, Nov. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

Chinese pianist Lang Lang performs during the Pyramids Echo (TPE) festival at the Giza Pyramids scenic spot in Giza, Egypt, Nov. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

Chinese pianist Lang Lang performs during the Pyramids Echo (TPE) festival at the Giza Pyramids scenic spot in Giza, Egypt, Nov. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

Chinese pianist Lang Lang performs during the Pyramids Echo (TPE) festival at the Giza Pyramids scenic spot in Giza, Egypt, Nov. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)
Former NSW One Nation leader Mark Latham should pay even more than $140,000 in damages for a nausea-inducing tweet that defamed Sydney MP Alex Greenwich, an appeal court has heard.

Latham, now an independent NSW upper house MP, is seeking to overturn a damning Federal Court ruling last year that he defamed Greenwich in a highly graphic and offensive post on Twitter, now X.

NSW upper house MP Mark Latham outside court last month. Credit: Edwina Pickles

Federal Court Justice David OCallaghan ordered Latham to pay Greenwich $140,000 in damages plus legal costs, which tipped the total amount payable to the Sydney MP above $500,000.

In his decision in September last year, OCallaghan found the tweet conveyed the defamatory claim that Greenwich engages in disgusting sexual activities.
A man who launched a civil claim centred on a former police officer accused of murdering Sydney couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies did not show up to a domestic violence and assault trial, and is now on the run from police.

Kris Lovelock, 37, was Tasered by Beau Lamarre-Condon in a Paddington park in 2020. He made headlines earlier this year for lodging the claim against NSW Police over the incident.

Kris Lovelock is wanted by NSW Police on assault and DV offences. Credit: NSW Police

Footage from Lamarre-Condons police-worn body cam at the time showed Lovelock being Tasered several times as he lay on the ground.

Lamarre-Condon is accused of murdering 26-year-old television presenter Baird and 29-year-old Qantas flight attendant Davies with his police-issued gun in a terrace house in Sydneys eastern suburbs in February 2024.
Back in the old days people would often refer to the lounge room or dining room as the family hub, but recently, I saw an advertisement describing a fridge as the family hub, laments Paul Duncan of Leura. A pretty depressing scenario where the family gets together round a fridge. Presumably while using their phones of course.

Roger Harvey of Balgowlah has more border (C8) farce to report: In 1981, I passed through a dozen countries on a bus tour. As a group, we didnt get passport stamps, so I drew my own design for each border crossing. Months later, travelling alone and at a Moroccan border post, I was ushered into a room by armed guards. They then sat me down and pointed sternly at my passport logos. One gruffly said: Why you no draw for Morocco? And yes  years later, I did get a stern lecture, when surrendering the expired book for replacement.

A few years ago, when crossing the land border between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the earnest border guard took our passports and examined them intently, recalls Grahame Burton of Hurlstone Park. Guards were summoned, and a very senior looking official arrived to inspect our passports. They were most amused with the holographic kangaroos that moved in certain lights. They told us in bad English, but better Russian, that we were the first they had seen with such fancy passports.

I enjoy seeing clever number plates on vehicles so was wondering if any Kona driver out there has SILNCE as their plate? says Warwick Sherman of Huntleys Point.

Thanks to an indulgent girlfriend, my son got to drive her high-powered sports car around an abandoned airfield in the UK, writes Jo Rainbow of Orange. He taught his fellow pommy drivers how to bloody fang it (C8). If only English cricketers had learnt bloody watch it.
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 A new leader for the NSW Liberals, but the same old claptrap (Sloane softens stance on confusing net zero, November 26). Once strongly in favour of net-zero targets, Kellie Sloane says her language has softened because the term is not understood by voters, who are more concerned by power prices and the bungled rollout of renewables. Right on message, right on target  and right off track. Ms Sloane, if people dont understand net zero, then how about explaining it to them? Are you a leader or a follower? Anyway, people are more concerned about mortgage rates, rents and home prices than power prices. I pay much more for my internet and phone, council rates, insurances and grocery bills than for power. It was your government who flogged off the electricity providers, assuring us that this would bring prices down. It didnt. Now the ailing coal-fired power stations are so clapped out that they want taxpayers money to bail them out. And it was your mob who blocked the rollout of renewables at every turn. John MacKay, Asquith New NSW Liberal Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane meets Bambie on a walk through in Sydneys Eastwood this week. Credit: Peter Rae Kellie Sloane has recognised that the term net zero is confusing to many people. She is certainly right on that, and among those people are politicians who either themselves dont understand it, or may well prefer voters to remain confused. In short, net zero will be reached when our attempts to reduce climate change have a total effect equal to our continuing actions causing climate change. It is effectively a zero-sum situation, in which our positive influence on the climate equals our negative influence. Russell Julian, Port Macquarie Rinehart has a point I usually enjoy Elizabeth Knights columns and rate her as one of the more astute business writers, but I was a little disappointed with the tone of her piece about Gina Rinehart (Rinehart pumps up volume on her climate agenda megaphone, November 26). It leaned heavily on Rineharts visibility and rhetoric, rather than grappling with the core issues she raised. Rinehart is asking serious questions that matter to average Australians, like how many billions of taxpayer and shareholder dollars are being poured into net-zero schemes? What real outcomes are we getting in return? And whether big corporates are chasing approval from, as she puts it, watermelons and ESG types, instead of staying focused on returns and long-term profitability? For mum and dad investors like myself, seeing weaker dividends from CEOs who tout boondoggle projects is not a fringe concern. That is my retirement. It shouldnt be controversial to say that environmental goals have to be balanced with affordability, energy security and a strong resources sector. Margaret Turner, Claremont (WA) Credit: Cathy Wilcox It is remarkable and disheartening that Gina Rinehart, Australias richest person, calls the indisputable science around climate change garbage. Just for the record Gina, 2024 was the hottest year on record with a global mean temperature 1.55 degrees centigrade above the average. Alan Morris, Eastlakes

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Burqa overreaction Im no fan of Pauline Hanson. I loathe her brand of divisive, populist politics. But having read numerous letters and opinion pieces decrying her burqa stunt, I still dont see what the problem is (Letters, Pauline Hanson pulls a stunt and Muslims pay the price, November 26). Despite claims to the contrary, its not racist. Racism is when you claim that one race or ethnicity is inherently inferior to others, or when you advocate giving its members additional rights. Hanson has previously done both of these, but in this situation did neither. If Muslim women can wear a burqa, so can Pauline Hanson. Religious exemptions should not exist in legislation. Broken down, a religion is nothing more than a set of ideas, and nobody  not Christians, Hindus, Jews or Muslims  should have extra rights because of the ideas that they subscribe to. This was nothing more than a publicity stunt by Hanson, and the media has played right into her hands by giving her the attention she so desperately craves. Fraser Rew, Ashfield It may be a moot point, but Pauline Hanson is guilty of culturalism, not racism. She wants to ban a cultural practice observed by women of many races, including Caucasian women. Our parliaments have ended the abhorrent cultural dictate of female genital mutilation. Does that make them racist? Similarly, are those nations that have banned the wearing of full-face covering in public, significantly France, also racist? Grant Heaton, Port Macquarie Darcy Hardy has fallen for Pauline Hansons misdirect by emphasising the security threat posed by burqas (Letters, November 26). When one examines the most recent and deadly attacks committed in Australia or by Australians, the main culprits have been Christian nationalists, not Muslims. The Christchurch mosque massacre was committed by a white supremacist Australian and police officers have been killed in Queensland and South Australia by far right, notionally Christian, sovereign citizens. Samantha Chung, Kensington Senator Pauline Hanson with Senator Sean Bell after being expelled from the Senate for seven days after she wore a burqa in the chamber. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer I am interested in whether Graham Millars family is outraged about how most religions subjugate women in one way or another, or whether their outrage is more specific than that (Letters, November 26). The current discussion seems to have focused specifically on burqas, and Islam, in a way that is quite unhelpful for addressing wider questions about how we can maintain a cohesive, multicultural society. To benefit fully from the richness and diversity of such a society, we have to find ways to adapt our systems to accommodate the needs of everyone in it, regardless of ability, age, sex, religion, mobility or income. Our security systems should be able to cope with face coverings. Safety and hygiene regulations in food services and healthcare should be able to cope with hijabs and turbans and peyot. Working it out may be tricky, but allowing these things to become a barrier to civil participation just perpetuates exactly the same kind of subjugation that Mr Millars outrage seems to be about. Suzie Ferrie, Newtown If Graham Millar is outraged about Islam subjugating women, I hope he feels the same way about the Catholic Church, Exclusive Brethren and evangelicals, who do the same thing. Jeff Evans, Cambewarra

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Someone should tell Pauline that biometric technology can identify an individual in a crowded place just by getting a look at their eyes. John Grinter, Katoomba I take my hat off to Ms Hanson for having the guts to publicly pronounce what many people think. Freedom of speech is under attack. Renee Butcher, Killara High steaks for Joyce Like that prime wagyu on the sandwich press, Barnaby Joyce is being pressed from both sides (Joyce dines with Hanson in her office after burqa stunt, November 25). Though you have to wonder if joining One Nation would be the political equivalent of cooking premium beef in a kitchen appliance: unconventional, eyebrow-raising and potentially a waste of quality ingredients. After all, if Hanson treats wagyu steaks this way, imagine what shed do with a self-described front-row forward  he might end up just as flattened! Raj Kamath, Castle Hill Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce enjoyed wagyu steaks cooked in a sandwich toaster. Credit: Michael Howard

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Migrant ploy an insult Not content with demonising and purging immigrants in the US, Donald Trump is now trying to export this philosophy to Australia (Trump administration orders US embassy to collect data on migrant crime in Australia, November 26). This is an attempt to bolster his propaganda about the dangers of immigration. He will say, look, this is happening in other countries, so we are doing the right thing. All this is done under the pretext that the US is looking out for Australia. The danger with this view is that it will serve as a dog whistle for racist behaviour against migrants in Australia. The government should reject this blatant interference and tell Trump in no uncertain terms that we can look after ourselves and have no need for his patronising and pernicious views. Leo Sorbello, Leichhardt Michael Koziols article about the Trump administration collecting our crime data is difficult to digest. Americas murder rate is seven times Australias, and its gun-related death rate is 40 times Australias. We should not be complacent, but the Americans have little to teach us about modern-day cultural integration, or about crime minimisation. David Hind, North Sydney On the subject of Trumps plan to end the war in Ukraine and the loss of territory that would ensue, your correspondent Trish Neilsen asked how the US might feel if Mexico invaded (Letters, November 25). Probably much the same as Mexico felt when the US invaded in 1848 and annexed not only Texas, Arizona and New Mexico, but California, Utah, parts of Colorado, Wyoming and Kansas. A clue to the historic connection is the name of many of the cities in that annexed territory: San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Santa Barbara, Sacramento, Santa Fe, San Antonio and so on. Not a good comparison. Brian OHeira, Point Frederick Theres only one turkey in the Whitehouse, and it doesnt have feathers (Trump injects own brand of humour into beloved tradition, November 26). Viv Munter, Tumbi Umbi Blooming waste Lord Mayor Clover Moore defends the $20 million price tag for city planter boxes, saying they bring a lot of joy to people and dramatically improve the sometimes harsh environment of the city (Half the price at Bunnings: Row over Sydney councils $20m planter boxes, November 26). Clover, Ill support your planter boxes if you break out the chainsaws and remove all the exotic plane trees from the City of Sydney precinct. These trees quite simply make people sick with their toxic pollen, which falls like snow almost year round now thanks to global warming. Step outside Town Hall or take a walk down Macleay Street in Potts Point and youll hear a cacophony of coughs, sneezes, wheezes, snorts and assorted wails as people ingest the barbed pollen through the nose, mouth, eyes and ears. Plane trees are giant noxious weeds  spend $20 million replacing them and that would be money well spent. Patrick McGrath, Potts Point

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Planter boxes outside the Town Hall. Credit: David Barwell Knowledge is power Thank you, Brendan Jones, for drawing my attention to the internet as a source of reliable knowledge (Letters, November 26). As an actual scientist with two doctorates and decades of experience, I should probably give it a try. My point is, while theres no doubt we have to dramatically decrease CO2 and other fossil-fuel emissions, we shouldnt forget the other environmental detriments caused by all vehicle types, battery-powered included. I dont think most of us know where to find an unbiased, whole-of-life comparison between vehicle types, however, perhaps it would help to encourage less individual car ownership and greater reliance on communal and lower-polluting forms of transport. This might be a more effective strategy than self-congratulation about EV ownership. Rob Baxter, Naremburn Not so smart I cant agree that Arthur Phillip High School is the next big thing in education (Inside the Sydney school where the teachers change classrooms, not the students, November 26). While having teachers move between classrooms may sound like a good idea, and perhaps it is, the rest definitely isnt. They are online for everything even though the mantra is get off your device, they are in high-rise so there is no easy access to a playground or sport, and each year group is on a designated level, so there is no interaction with other students. Jenny Greenwood, Hunters Hill Pensioners patronised What Noel Whittaker failed to mention in his excellent article was that working pensioners are required to report their income every fortnight (Pension system rewards the rich but punishes the poor, November 26). However, the information being reported via the Centrelink app (no longer a phone call) has usually already been autofilled from the payroll company. More galling is that failure to report on your allocated day results in the pension being withheld until you do report  in other words, confirm what the system already knows. If you earn no income over a given fortnight it is still necessary to report zero earnings  or have your payment withheld. Pensioners do not need to have their hand figuratively slapped like a five-year-old caught with their hand in the lolly jar. Helen Howes, Collaroy

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People in NSW are less likely to be murdered, robbed or assaulted than most other parts of Australia, new data suggests, but sexual assault and domestic violence have remained stubbornly high.

The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research on Wednesday used data from police alongside reports from the Australian Bureau of Statistics to see how each state and territory stacked up on major crime types.

Sexual assault and domestic violence have remained stubbornly high in NSW. Credit: Marija Ercegovac

The analysis shows NSW crime rates are lower than most other jurisdictions despite crime regularly dominating headlines, BOCSAR executive director Jackie Fitzgerald said.

The narrative in NSW is that crime is a real concern, Fitzgerald said.
A student housing tower in the city, just four storeys taller than its neighbour, is facing fierce opposition from nearby residents, who claim the plan will impact the areas heritage and provide substandard living conditions.

Pressure is building on the state government to knock back the $139 million, 35-storey development at 43 Mackenzie Street (at the northern end of the CBD), which has been located within a World Heritage environs area created around the Royal Exhibition Building since earlier this year.

The zone imposed 103-metre height restrictions to protect views of the heritage-listed building. However, the 112.85-metre purpose-built student accommodation (PSBA) building would exceed those by almost 10 metres.

Residents Belinda Yuncken and Valentine Smith said they were concerned about the impacts of the new build on the area.
An accused CBD stabber allegedly spat in the face of a 10-year-old boy at Melbourne Aquarium, armed herself with a knife to steal soft drink from a suburban grocer and stole parcels of clothes from an Australia Post van during a four-year crime spree across Melbourne.

Lauren Darul, 32, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court via video link this week, accused of randomly stabbing 36-year-old woman Wan Lai on Little Bourke Street last month.

Lauren Darul.

Court documents reveal she is facing about 60 charges, including armed robbery, criminal damage and assault in 21 separate criminal matters.

On Wednesday morning, magistrate Timothy Bourke refused Daruls application for bail. He also revoked the bail she had been on when the alleged attack took place.
Western Australias peak legal body has taken aim at a new bill granting Premier Roger Cook extraordinary major project approval powers, claiming it will hinder lawyers ability to advise their clients on proposed developments.

The Law Society of WA has sent a letter to the premier, seen by this masthead, sounding the alarm over the looming State Development Bill being able to allow ministers to override conventional environmental protection safeguards and the related statutory approval processes.

West Australian Premier Roger Cook and Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The society generally supports the introduction of state development areas and the creation of the office of coordinator-general, the letter revealed, but that was in stark contrast to the ad hoc, special rules for priority projects and highly discretionary regime proposed elsewhere in the bill.

For the Societys members and other legal practitioners practising in this area, the wide discretionary nature of the powers conferred on ministers and the coordinator-general by the bill, means it will be difficult to give accurate advice on the practical application of the legislation to clients on any side of proposed development, the letter, signed by Law Society of WA president Gary Mack, said.
The biggest annual drop in Australias greenhouse gas emissions outside the COVID-19 pandemic has been driven by record output from renewable energy that is squeezing more coal and gas out of the power grid.

The Albanese government on Wednesday seized the official figures showing a 2.2 per cent emissions drop in the year to June 30 as proof that its pro-renewable energy policies were working.

Record levels of renewable energy in the electricity grid are displacing coal and driving down emissions. Credit: Bloomberg

Labor has come under heavy criticism from the Coalition, which earlier this month dumped its support for Australias net zero emissions goal while insisting the governments climate commitments are unachievable and are failing to reduce emissions.

Those attacks escalated after a 10-minute partial blackout in Parliament House during question time on Wednesday that prompted howls of laughter from the Coalition directed at Energy Minister Chris Bowen.
TUNIS, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian President Kais Saied on Tuesday met with George Elombi, the newly appointed president and chairman of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), to discuss economic cooperation, the Tunisian presidency said Wednesday.

Saied hailed the strategic partnership between Tunisia and Afreximbank, highlighting the bank's role in providing concessional financing to support the state budget and key development projects. He also underscored the bank's contribution to boosting intra-African trade, calling it "an essential partner" in addressing economic and financial challenges facing both public and private sectors.

Saied welcomed Afreximbank's plan to open a regional office in Tunisia, saying the move would invigorate the financial sector and broaden funding opportunities for Tunisian businesses.

Central Bank Governor Fathi Zouhair Nouri also attended the meeting.

Speaking to reporters after the talks, Elombi said he held "a rather lengthy discussion" with Saied focused on economic issues. He cited the expansion of Tunis-Carthage International Airport and the planned deep-water port project as key areas where Afreximbank could step up support.

He added that the bank was preparing significant financing packages for projects run by the Gafsa Phosphates Company and the Tunisian Chemical Group. Afreximbank also intends to back initiatives by the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company and the Tunisian Company of Refining Industries, he said.

On the Libya-Algeria-Tunisia electricity interconnection project, Elombi noted that around 70 km of the line inside Tunisia remains unfinished, reaffirming the bank's readiness to fund the remaining segment. Once completed, the interconnection is expected to provide 400 kilowatts of capacity in line with feasibility study recommendations. 
Israels top diplomat in Australia is preparing to leave the country after a posting dominated by the October 7 attacks, acrimony over the war in Gaza and bursts of outright hostility between the Netanyahu and Albanese governments.

Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon will end his tenure as scheduled in mid-January and return to Israel to retire after a long career in the diplomatic service.

Career Israeli diplomat Hillel Newman will become the new ambassador in late January following previous postings in the United States and Central Asia.

Israeli ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon will end his posting in January and return to Israel. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Jewish community leaders said Newman would have a challenging task to restore goodwill between the two nations after the biggest downturn in Israel-Australia relations since the founding of the Jewish state.
A former member of NSW Labor HQ has alleged Chris Minns asked how to bank thousands of dollars of undeclared cash donations received at a campaign fundraiser in 2014, an explosive affidavit given to a parliamentary committee has detailed.

But the Premier has emphatically denied the conversation took place, or any wrongdoing, revealing the allegations had been probed by the NSW Electoral Commission, as well as the corruption watchdog, accusing committee members of maliciously drip feeding information for political attacks. The Independent Commission Against Corruption did not call Minns as a witness or take action against him, and the NSW Electoral Commission investigated the allegations.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has rejected any insinuation of wrongdoing. Credit: Janie Barrett

Signed by David Latham, who was president of NSW Young Labor and ALP state organiser between 2013 and 2016, the nine-page affidavit was submitted to a committee considering the electoral donation reporting in Minns seat of Kogarah ahead of the 2015 election.

The affidavit resurfaces the finding that straw donors were used to hide the true identity of prohibited donors to NSW Labor. Public hearings in 2019 heard Minns received around $10,000 in fake donations, but the matter wasnt pursued by the corruption watchdog.
All you need to know about Melbournes new Metro Tunnel.

Ten years after then-premier Daniel Andrews proposed it, the Metro Tunnel is opening to its first passengers on Sunday, November 30 on a limited timetable.

Melbournes first major rail project in 40 years consists of twin nine-kilometre tunnels under the CBD and features five new train stations: Arden (in North Melbourne), Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac (opposite the Shrine of Remembrance).

Heres what they will look like as the first passengers board the first city-bound train from Sunbury at 9.28am on Sunday. All five stations have distinctive designs, but First Nations artist Maree Clarke has created a mosaic pattern artwork of 35 footprints across all of the platforms, tying them together visually.

Arden station is the furthest north, located in North Melbourne near the Kangaroos home ground. The facade includes an artwork of hands reaching for each other, called Come Together, by artist Abdul Abdullah.
Melbournes new cross-city rail line, the Metro Tunnel, will take him under the CBD to the new Anzac station at the Domain interchange. From Tarneit station, he will change trains at Footscray and reach Anzac in about 40 minutes.

But from February, Johar will have a new option.

Its the only part of my job I dont like. It takes me two hours every day just to get here and go back, Johar says.

Option two  his usual choice  is to join the mass of traffic crawling over the West Gate Bridge and spend roughly the same amount of time driving there.

From his home in Truganina, in Melbournes outer west , he can drive to Tarneit station, catch a train to the city and then a tram to the Shrine of Remembrance, where he is a visitor experience officer.

Every morning as Harveen Johar gets ready for work, he decides how he will spend two hours of his day.

All you need to know about Melbournes new Metro Tunnel.

Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.

So, how will the Metro Tunnel change how you travel?

From February, some Melburnians face slightly longer commutes, or will need to learn a new way of getting around.

New journeys will become possible. Other trips will be faster and easier.

The rail tunnel and its five new inner-city stations will open on Sunday. Limited services through summer will precede full services on February 1.

The Metro Tunnel is the most significant change to the citys public transport system since the City Loop opened about 40 years ago.

I will save at least 20 minutes each way. It will give me more time to read books, which I cant do while Im driving, so it makes even my travel time productive, he says.

One crucial point: dont expect the Metro Tunnel to radically change how you get around right away.

The Sunbury and the Cranbourne/Pakenham lines will be connected to form a new line stretching almost 100 kilometres from the outer north-west to the outer south-east. An end-to-end journey will take two hours and two minutes.

Today, most of Melbournes rail network shares the City Loop. But only one line will use the Metro Tunnel.

There are new stations at Arden (in North Melbourne), Parkville, Anzac (on St Kilda Road at Domain Road) and two in the CBD: Town Hall and State Library, which connect to Flinders Street Station and Melbourne Central, respectively.

The Metro Tunnel is a nine-kilometre train tunnel between South Kensington and South Yarra, running via Parkville and underneath Swanston Street.

Trains will run at least every 10 minutes at other times between West Footscray and Dandenong, and less frequently at stations on those lines further away from the city.

The state government has not released the February timetable. It has promised a turn up and go service, with trains between West Footscray and Dandenong every three to four minutes in the morning and afternoon peaks.

But from February 1, Sunbury and Pakenham/Cranbourne trains will come out of the City Loop and operate exclusively through the Metro Tunnel.

These Metro Tunnel trains will operate in addition to Sunbury and Pakenham/Cranbourne services still using the City Loop during summer.

At weekends, trains will run until 7pm and some will go all the way to East Pakenham or Sunbury. All public transport will be free on weekends statewide in December and January.

During the soft launch, or so-called Summer Start, Metro Tunnel trains will only operate between West Footscray and Westall, in Clayton South, every 20 minutes from 10am to 3pm on weekdays. Thats 15 trains a day in each direction.

The Metro Tunnel is a step towards Melbourne having a proper metro system and that means transferring between trains will become part of more peoples daily journey.

Train-to-train transfers account for only about 5 per cent of passenger trips in Melbourne today, compared with 24 per cent on Londons new Elizabeth Line.

The worlds best train systems  like those in London, Paris and Singapore  operate as a network of overlapping but independent lines.

Melbournes train network is a hub-and-spoke system. Each line runs into the CBD, stops at some or all of the City Loop stations, then travels back out to the suburbs.

Next stop, Parkville

Bronte Jordan is looking forward to an easier daily commute from Richmond.

The occupational therapist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital is one of nearly 130,000 people who work in Parkvilles medical precinct or study at the sprawling University of Melbourne campus.

Occupational therapist Bronte Jordan says the Metro Tunnel will make her journey to work at the Royal Melbourne Hospital much easier. Credit: Justin McManus

Tens of thousands of people also travel there from across the state for medical appointments every year, and Parkville station provides a train connection for the first time.

Jordan takes the train from Burnley station to Flinders Street. From there she can take the route 19 tram to Royal Parade (15 minutes), but because of frequent delays, she usually walks instead (about 30 minutes).

When the Metro Tunnel opens, Jordan can transfer from Flinders Street to Town Hall station, where a train will take her to Parkville in five minutes  saving at least five minutes, or about 20 minutes compared with walking there.

It will be so much easier to just jump on a train at Flinders Street and get straight to work, she says. Itll be great for patients and visitors  that journey can be easier for them.

To get to Parkville from other train lines, passengers can transfer to Metro Tunnel trains at Footscray or Sunshine (although waiting times will be shorter at Footscray), Caulfield or Malvern, or the two CBD interchange stations.

V/Line passengers can transfer to the Metro Tunnel at Sunshine or Footscray (if coming from Geelong, Bendigo or Ballarat), and Dandenong or Caulfield (from Gippsland).

Seymour and Albury/Wodonga passengers will have a harder journey. They will need to transfer twice: first at Broadmeadows, North Melbourne or Southern Cross to get on a City Loop train, then again at a CBD interchange station.

No City Loop for you

Sunbury and Cranbourne/Pakenham passengers have been promised huge benefits from the Metro Tunnels turn up and go timetable.

But the trade-off is losing direct access to the City Loop.

So to get to Southern Cross, Parliament and Flagstaff they will have to transfer to City Loop trains, either before they reach the city (at Footscray or Caulfield) or at the two new CBD stations.

To transfer between Town Hall and Flinders Street, passengers will walk for about seven minutes via the Degraves Street subway.

The underground concourse connecting State Library station to Melbourne Central opened to the public days before first trains begin running through the Metro Tunnel. Credit: Jason South

A walk from State Library to Melbourne Central takes four minutes via a shared concourse beneath La Trobe Street. Passengers will not need to touch their mykis on or off.

Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen says it will take some time for commuters to figure out which new journey option works best for them.

People have gotten used to going straight to the stations they want without having to change, he says.

Bowen also cautions that transfers will only work if all lines get a turn up and go timetable.

The peak-hour timetables will provide a pretty frequent service, but its unclear how well itll work outside peak hours, he says.

Some journeys will become longer.

For example, going from Sunshine to Parliament station directly through the City Loop today takes 22 minutes. From February 1, it will take 28 minutes during rush hour with a transfer at State Library/Melbourne Central.

Cant stop, wont stop

Cranbourne/Pakenham passengers will also lose direct access to Richmond and South Yarra, and those stations will get fewer trains to and from the CBD.

Six Metro train lines will still serve Richmond.

But South Yarra  the third-busiest station outside the CBD, after Richmond and Footscray  will experience a more noticeable impact when it drops from three lines to two. Commuters will need to wait for the February timetable to see how that affects frequency.

The state government decided in 2015 that the benefits of including South Yarra as a Metro Tunnel stop were not worth the $1 billion in additional construction costs.

At the western end, Sunbury passengers will stop at Arden, and no longer at North Melbourne.

A lighter load for St Kilda Road/Swanston Street trams

Swanston Street is the busiest tram corridor in the world, with a tram every two minutes and a pre-COVID estimate of 110,000 passengers travelling between the Arts Centre and Melbourne University every day.

But many passengers are expected to switch to the Metro Tunnel.

Wallace Butterfield is looking forward to his commute to Melbourne University being 25 minutes shorter each way. Credit: Justin McManus

Anzac station, on St Kilda Road, has been built as a tram-train interchange, with direct access from the tram platforms to the underground station.

Travelling from Anzac to Melbourne University (Parkville station) by train through the Metro Tunnel takes nine minutes compared with 21 minutes by tram.

University of Melbourne biomedicine student Wallace Butterfield will save about 25 minutes getting to campus from his home in Kingsville.

It now takes him about 40 minutes. He travels by train from Seddon station to Flinders Street, then catches a Swanston Street tram.

From February, he will transfer at Footscray station to a Metro Tunnel train and ride two stops to Parkville. Total travel time: 15 minutes.

It will take time and stress off and make it more reliable. I usually have to leave a bit of time because of the unpredictability of trains in the morning, he says. Itll be very useful  especially for people further out on the Sunbury line.

From the citys north, passengers on Lygon Street trams (routes 1 and 6) can access the Metro Tunnel at State Library to travel to St Kilda Road and beyond. Train-tram transfers will be an option at Parkville for tram routes 19, 59 and 58.

Other changes

With capacity freed up, the Frankston Line will return to the City Loop from February 1, after five years of operating just to Flinders Street, Southern Cross and on to Werribee/Williamstown.

It will run anti-clockwise all day (Parliament, Melbourne Central, Flagstaff, Southern Cross and Flinders Street).

The Werribee/Williamstown line will no longer be connected to the Frankston line and will terminate at Flinders Street.

However, the state government has said it will join Werribee/Williamstown to Sandringham in the second half of 2026.

Loading

Upfield and Craigieburn passengers have also been promised timetable improvements later next year, with trains to run at least every 20 minutes all day.

There could also be changes to the tram network given the expected drop in passengers along Swanston Street.

One possibility is that route 57 trams from West Maribyrnong will run down to Swanston Street, rather than Elizabeth Street, after a new track junction was built near Queen Victoria Market in October.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story said Harveen Johar was chief experience officer at the Shrine of Remembrance. He is a visitor experience officer.

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Mitchell Marsh is firming for an Ashes cameo role as Australia consider adding more batting aggression to the squad in response to Englands Perth pace barrage.

Australias selectors are set to name their squad for the Gabba Test later this week, and Marsh will be a part of their plans for the pointy end of the series, regardless of whether he is chosen to join the rest of the group in Brisbane, according to a source with knowledge of confidential discussions.

Mitchell Marsh after scoring his century in the third Test of the 2023 Ashes. Credit: Getty Images

If not picked for the Gabba, Marsh will be included in Western Australias team to play Victoria at the MCG in the final round of Sheffield Shield games before the Big Bash League. It would be Marshs first Shield appearance since the early part of last summer when he started the Tests against India before being replaced by Beau Webster.

Selection chair George Bailey had joked about Marshs intention to get on the beers during the Perth Test, saying if hes going to be six beers deep by the time the first ball is bowled, it would be tricky to pick him for the opener.
A former senior White House official told Londons Telegraph that Driscoll was the workhorse who was exactly what Trump was looking for, and could deliver where the war secretary had failed. Loading Driscoll had what he called a comfortable, middle-class childhood, growing up in the mountains of Boone, North Carolina. Most of it was spent outdoors, he said on a podcast. His father was an infantryman in the Vietnam War, and his grandfather served in World War II. Driscoll was 18 when he realised that he too could not miss out on my generations war. He started his basic training in September 2007 and was deployed to Iraq at the tail end of the troop surge.

I do not want to be the kind of person [when] Im 40, 50, 60 years old and they ask the veterans to stand at an event, and I stay seated, he recalled. After leaving Iraq, Driscoll joined Yale Law School in 2011 and graduated three years later. It was as a first-year student that he met a second-year who had served in the Marine Corps and took a group of veterans out for pizza to show them the lay of the land. His name was JD Vance. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with Driscoll in Kyiv last week. Credit: AP I know a lot of you guys are going to be self-conscious, youve been out of school for a while, Driscoll recalled Vance saying. Youre going to feel like youre less than and not smart enough to keep up. But if you can just give it a couple of months, youll get your bearings, and youll figure it out and youll find out that you belong here.

The two men had a lot in common. They were of similar age and had their roots in Appalachia, although Driscoll had a more comfortable upbringing. Both had made their way to Yale Law via the army. Now both have risen, in short order, to reach the top levels of the Trump administration. Driscoll met JD Vance, now the US vice president, in his first year of Yale Law School. Credit: AP Driscoll worked in venture capital and had a brief flirtation with politics in 2020 when he ran for a congressional seat in North Carolina, where he admits to getting his ass kicked. Four years later, he was on a summer break in Zurich when Vance called and told him he had just been selected as Trumps running mate.

That was on a Monday evening, when Driscoll was eating dinner with his wife, Cassie. The following morning, he boarded a plane and headed to the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin. On the way, he bought a super shitty-fitting suit, belt and tie that he had to retire a month later when a figure close to Trump apparently told him he looked like an intern. By then, he was advising Vance. The friendship with the vice president may have protected him after he became army secretary and took a job in a Pentagon that has been consumed by turmoil since Hegseth took the reins and dismissed dozens of generals, admirals and top aides. Since the war secretary was narrowly confirmed in his job in January, his reputation has taken a hammering  notably in the Signalgate scandal, when he accidentally leaked US military plans to a journalist.

Externally, Driscoll has avoided sticking his head above the parapet. Instead, he has got stuck into acquisition reform and learning lessons from the Ukraine war, which the former venture capitalist calls the Silicon Valley of warfare. Internally, he is determined to shake up the Pentagon, and has told members of Congress he is a mixture of a southern Baptist preacher and a jihadist whos going to pull the temple down on all of our heads. Loading The White House has noticed. Driscoll was the figure selected to meet Zelensky on Thursday, presenting the 28-point plan Trump hopes will lead to peace between Russia and Ukraine, and prompting speculation that Driscoll could succeed Hegseth. Dan Driscoll is the opposite of Pete Hegseth  hes serious, shrewd and has the confidence of the White House, said a former senior White House official. Dans a workhorse, not a show horse, and puts a lot of lead on target for the president in everything he does.

After a year of endless drama at the Pentagon, Dans brand of quiet and effective leadership is exactly what President Trump is looking for to get his important reform agenda back on track. Loading A source told Politico: Theres not a lot of trust in Hegseth to deliver these messages to key leaders  there is more trust in Dan to do that right now. The Telegraph has previously reported friction between the Pentagon and White House, as Hegseths senior aides are said to be widely distrusted. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles doesnt distrust Pete but questions his judgment, another source told Politico. The administration has consistently denied tension between the two.

On Friday, CNN reported that Trump was preparing to reshuffle his cabinet after a year in office, although that report was denied by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Loading Hegseth could come under renewed scrutiny once an internal report on his role in the Signalgate scandal is released. Driscoll has been a soldier, law student, venture capitalist, congressional candidate, army secretary and Trumps drone guy. Pentagon chief is looking increasingly likely to be his next move. This narrative is fake news. The [war] secretary has built an all-star team at the Department of War, and we are proud of our many accomplishments, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said.
French Quarter, St. Martin:--- The public is invited to celebrate the launch of the new bilingual English-Dutch edition of Animals Around Me/Dieren om mij heen. The book is a coloring book and nature journal featuring 41 animals that live on St. Martin. Originally published in a bilingual English-French edition, the translation and publication of the new English-Dutch edition was funded by Rotary Club of St. Maarten. Guests attending the launch will receive a free copy of the book.

When we began giving books on the Dutch side of the island, teachers told us that the Dutch language is their hardest subject to teach, explained Les Fruits de Mer President Jenn Yerkes. Dutch isnt spoken much here, but knowing Dutch is key to many careers and educational opportunities. With the support of the Rotary Club of St. Maarten, we were able to create a tool that can teach about local wildlife and also help build Dutch language skills.

The Rotary Club of St. Maarten funded the translation and initial printing of the new edition of Animals Around Me/Dieren om mij heen. The project was a unique example of transboundary cooperation between organizations on each side of the island. This new edition will be printed and distributed to primary school students on St. Maarten for years to come. The Les Fruits de Mer association hopes to develop English-Dutch editions of many other books in the coming years.

We are delighted to support local education, said Rotary Club of St. Maarten President Adelena Chandler. We are excited to support the students on our island and help them learn about the unique nature of the island. We also want to help our students gain language skills that will give them the broadest opportunities in education and careers.

The book launch will be held on Saturday, November 29th from 9am to noon at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House on the hill above Coconut Grove. Free copies of the book will be given to those who attend the event. The launch is also a great chance to visit the museum. There will be a coloring station where kids can start enjoying the book right away. Light refreshments will be served.

Free printed copies of Animals Around Me/Dieren om mij heen will be given to local schools and students as part of Les Fruits de Mers book program. The book is also available as a free download from http://lesfruitsdemer.com, and for purchase on amazon.com worldwide. Teachers and youth group leaders interested in copies are encouraged to contact Les Fruits de Mer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Companies, organizations or individuals interested in sponsoring future English-Dutch editions of books about St. Martin nature and heritage are encouraged to contact Les Fruits de Mer.

This book was produced with the generous support of Rotary Club of St. Maarten.
~Inmates impacted by Powerful Empowerment Session~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Correction Department at the Point Blanche Correctional Institution hosted a highly impactful Empowerment Session on Monday, November 24, 2025, centered on the theme Pathways to Purpose  Unlocking Potential.

The afternoon brought inspiration and reflection to the inmate population through powerful messages delivered by guest speakers Dr. Ann Marlin-Evans and Dr. Nolan Nanton, who are both respected motivational and spiritual leaders.

In her opening remarks, the organizer of the event, Manager of Corrections Mrs. Henrietta Doran-York, welcomed the inmates and highlighted the significance of the days theme. She noted that purpose is something deeply personal and enduring, stating: Purpose is something that cannot be taken away from you  it can only be rediscovered, strengthened, and lived out one step at a time. Today is one of those steps.

Doran-York also encouraged the inmates to listen with openness and to embrace the opportunity for growth, adding: I encourage you to take in whatever speaks to your heart today, and let it help shape a better tomorrow for yourselves.

Dr. Nanton and Dr. Marlin-Evans delivered powerful alternating motivational messages that touched on resilience, discipline, spiritual strength, emotional healing, and the importance of self-awareness and accountability.

These sessions not only captivated the inmates, but also the staff that were present were deeply moved by these presentations.

Dr. Marlin-Evans impressed upon the fact that although the past explains their scars, they should know that they are not their scars anymore.

Dr. Nanton during his presentation told the inmates that even if a diamond has been buried in mud, when it is taken out and cleaned up, it is still a beautiful diamond.

Their combined approach created a balanced and engaging session, culminating in a joint Question & Answer segment that allowed inmates to seek guidance and ask meaningful questions.

At the close of the program, the President of the Inmates Association Mr. Dante Ottley expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the inmate population. In his short but heartfelt remarks, he thanked the speakers for seeing beyond the inmates circumstances and speaking to their potential: Your words reminded us that purpose doesnt disappear because of our mistakes  it is still inside of us, waiting to be rebuilt. Today you gave us something many of us dont always feel: hope. Hope that we can grow. Hope that we can change. Hope that our story is not over. Your words reminded us that purpose doesnt disappear because of our mistakes  it is still inside of us, waiting to be rebuilt.

Ms. Doran-York stated that this Empowerment Session marks the first in a new series of structured motivational and developmental programs at the Point Blanche Correctional Institution.

She closed by stating: "The Management Team affirms its commitment to continuing such initiatives, recognizing the importance of consistent guidance and structured empowerment as part of the inmates rehabilitation journey. This Institution believes firmly that transformation is a continuous process and intends to build on the success of this first session, as sessions like these form an important part of the prisons mission to encourage positive transformation and support inmates into developing new perspectives, skills, and inner strength.
PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- With Thanksgiving preparations underway, the risk of foodborne illness (gastroenteritis) increases due to the sheer volume of food being handled and the complexity of holiday dishes.



Prevention in the home kitchen or at food establishments and/or catering services begins with meticulous hand hygiene and separating foods to avoid cross-contamination. Before handling any food, and especially after touching raw meat, poultry (like the turkey), or eggs, hands must be washed thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.



Dedicated cutting boards should be usedone for raw meats and one for produce or ready-to-eat itemsto ensure that harmful bacteria from raw proteins are never transferred to cooked foods or salads. All utensils, countertops, and sinks must be sanitized regularly during the food preparation process to maintain a clean environment.



The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, would like all to have a safe thanksgiving on Thursday, November 27, 2025.



Gastroenteritis is the inflammation of the stomach and intestine a.k.a. stomach flu, which is usually due to acute infection by viruses or bacteria resulting in vomiting and diarrhea.



The most common symptoms of gastroenteritis are watery diarrhea and vomiting and repeated episodes of diarrhea (three or more episodes within 24 hours). You might also have stomach pain, cramping, fever, nausea, and a headache.



Viruses and bacteria can be transferred through poor hygiene. They spread through contamination of hands, objects, hard surfaces, or food infected with the aforementioned. The virus enters your body via your mouth, this type of transmission is fecal-oral. Viral gastroenteritis may also be spread through coughing and sneezing.



For example, if someone does not wash their hands after going to the toilet, any viruses or bacteria on their hands will be transferred to whatever they touch, such as glass, kitchen utensil or food. Upon coughing and sneezing without using proper cough etiquette can spread viruses and bacteria.



To prevent the spread of the infection, wash your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet and before eating or preparing food; clean the toilet, including the seat and handle, with disinfectant after each bout of vomiting or diarrhea; dont share towels, cutlery and utensils with other household members; practice proper cough etiquettes and good hygiene practices and in consultation with your physician, you should not return to work until 48 hours after your last bout of vomiting or diarrhea.



Practicing good personal and food hygiene are essential in preventing gastroenteritis. Good food hygiene entails properly and regularly washing your hands; properly and regularly clean preparation area/surfaces and utensils properly and often with hot, soapy water; never store raw food and cooked foods together; avoid cross contamination of foods which means if you are preparing fish on the cutting table, dont add chicken to prepare as well on the same cutting board, as it has to be cleaned properly before using it again; make sure that food is correctly refrigerated; always cook your food thoroughly; and never eat food that has expired (past its shelf date or sales date; and check for expiration dates).



Consult your family physician if you have vomiting/diarrhea and/or persisting symptoms so that your physician can refer you to the laboratory for confirmation and typing of the clinical diagnosis.



For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Hague:---

Cft: Focus is needed to enhance administrative strength

The Hague  During deliberations with the Executive Councils of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, the Board of financial supervision of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (Cft) drew attention to the necessity to enhance the administrative strength of the Public Entities. This enhancement is needed since the budgets of the islands have seen major increases since 2010. The Cft emphasizes the importance of a realistic budget, in which - more so than before - the limits of the own administrative strength are taken into account. Primarily in Bonaires case, the ambitions are not in line with the implementation of the budget.

Administrative strength

Administrative strength entails more than just the capacity itself. It also requires stable governance and clear decision-making processes. Furthermore, it is important that financial management is in order, so that the administration can adjust timely where needed. Creating sufficient administrative strength is not an easy task, considering the scale of the islands. However, priorization does help.

The Cft presented its analysis regarding the administrative strength of the Public Entities to the Executive Councils and the Island Councils, which showed the following:

Administrative strength of Bonaire falls short

The administrative strength of Bonaire falls short in almost all areas. From a financial-economic point of view, the great number of special benefits of which the term has expired concerns the Cft, since these are funds that may be recovered and therefore do not benefit Bonaire's citizens. Furthermore, the Cft sees a great increase in the special-purpose reserves and expenses that have not been included in an adopted budget. It is important that Bonaire makes stable governance and enhancement of the administrative strength in the entire organization a top priority. It is a given that the population has seen a major increase, and the budget has doubled in five years time. The Board therefore understands the complexity of the task the system has to keep up with this growth.

The primary message the Cft gave the Executive Council is: Focus on what must be done, and do it right!, otherwise, Bonaires citizens are the ones that pay the price.

St. Eustatius is well on its way to being in control

The administrative strength of Sint Eustatius is visibly growing. The Cft observes that over the past year, Sint Eustatius has taken major steps in the improvement of financial management. An important milestone is the fact that for its annual accounts for 2024, Sint Eustatius received an unqualified audit opinion for the first time. Furthermore, Sint Eustatius handles its special-purpose reserves cautiously. Persistent effort and strong support in all areas remains necessary, since recovery is still fragile and the operation of civil service remains vulnerable due to the large amount of vacancies. Therefore, the Cft's message for Sint Eustatius is: Continue on the path to being in control.

Saba: what a small island can be great at

Saba's administrative strength is largely in order. There is continuity of the quality on key positions, budgetary discipline is solid and unqualified audit opinions were issued repeatedly regarding the annual accounts. For the time being, the smallest of the BES islands is the one performing best. Cft's central message for Saba is therefore: Keep up the good work!
ABUJA, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday confirmed the release of 24 schoolgirls abducted by suspected terrorists in the northern part of the country over a week ago.

"I am relieved that all the 24 girls have been accounted for," Tinubu said in a statement late Tuesday, after local authorities announced that the students had been released unhurt.

The girls were kidnapped from their dormitory at the Government Girls' Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, a community in the Wasagu/Danko Local Government Area of Kebbi, on Nov. 17.

The Kebbi state governor, Nasir Idris, told the media that the schoolgirls were "all in good health" and arrangements had been made for them to reunite with their families.

The abduction had sparked copycat incidents in the central part of the country last week, including the kidnapping of 38 worshippers during service at a local church in Kwara and over 300 students at another school in the state of Niger. All the kidnapped worshippers and 51 of the students were released on Sunday.

"Now, we must put as a matter of urgency more boots on the ground in the vulnerable areas to avert further incidents of kidnapping," the president said. 
ORANJESTAD:--- From 10 to 14 November 2025, analysts, intelligence officers, and investigators from all countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, including the Caribbean Netherlands, worked side by side in a single space to address firearms-related crime. The result: sufficient intelligence to launch three criminal investigations in the short term, ten intelligence products, and a more detailed understanding of the firearms crisis across the Caribbean.

This second edition, dubbed War Room 2.0, focused on analysing Kingdom-wide patterns in the transport, trade, possession, and use of firearms. Local and international information sources were combined and supplemented with open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques and advanced analysis tools. Launched by the Board of Chiefs of Police of the Dutch Caribbean, the event was organized by the Inter-Island Information Coordination Platform (IICP) in collaboration with the Dutch National Police. This initiative builds on the success of the pilot held in March 2025.

Participants included representatives from the five police forces within the Kingdom, the Special Police Task Force (RST), the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard. The Public Prosecution Service was closely involved as well.

The event was officially opened by Minister Dowers, Arubas Minister of Justice, together with Chief of Police Ramon Arnhem of the Aruba Police Force, who spoke on behalf of the Board of Chiefs of Police. Minister Dowers expressed appreciation for the continuation of the initiative and stressed the importance of maintaining momentum: It is not always easy to start such projects  let alone to sustain them over time, he noted, adding that he looks forward to the deliverables produced during this edition.

Chief Arnhem highlighted the importance of regional cooperation: We are honored to host this second edition in Aruba. It is not only a privilege for the Aruba Police Force but also a sign of confidence in the partnerships we have built over the years with our sister islands and Kingdom partners.

Rafiek Dinmohamed, coordinator of the IICP, reflected on the platforms evolution: When we started the IICP in 2024, it began with a vision  a belief that police cooperation between islands, or rather between countries, must be possible. Since then, weve grown step by step into a dedicated inter-island intelligence team that collaborates daily, shares information, and produces actionable intelligence products that contribute to fighting crime across our Kingdom.

The initiative took place against the backdrop of an escalating firearms crisis in the Caribbean. The possession and use of firearms have visibly increased in recent years. The urgency of the issue was underscored when a serious firearms-related incident occurred during the week of the War Room. Participants immediately mobilized to assess which relevant intelligence could be brought together.

The analysis conducted during the War Room revealed clear patterns. There is a strong interconnection between firearms and drugs. The gunsdrugsgangs dynamiclong observed in the regionwas once again confirmed. Multiple individuals were found to be operating across the Kingdom using similar routes, facilitators, and logistical networks. In addition to new leads, the analysis uncovered data that are directly relevant to ongoing criminal investigations that are directly relevant to ongoing criminal investigations.

The War Room demonstrates what true collaboration looks like when it moves beyond rhetoric into concrete action. While the first edition marked the start of a new phase in Kingdom-wide cooperation, the second edition proves that this method of working is now solidly embedded and producing results. A follow-up edition is already being planned for next year, with the aim of engaging CARICOM IMPACS and broadening regional cooperation even further.
PHILIPSBURG:---The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is requesting the publics assistance in locating Ms. Ann EVANS, a U.S. citizen born on May 29, 1970, who has been reported missing.

Ms. Evans was a guest aboard the cruise ship Rotterdam, which was docked in Port St. Maarten on November 20, 2025. At approximately 10:00 a.m., she departed the ship on an organized island tour. During the tour, Ms. Evans disembarked the bus in Marigot, French Saint Martin, during the tour but did not return to the bus or to the cruise vessel.

Efforts to locate Ms. Evans are ongoing, and law enforcement authorities on both the Dutch and French sides of the island have been alerted.

Description:

 Name: Ann EVANS

 Age: 55 Years old

 Nationality: United States of America

KPSM and the French Gendarmerie are urging anyone with information about Ms. Evans whereabouts to come forward.

If Ms. Evans herself sees this message, she is kindly requested to contact her family, the Police Force of Sint Maarten, or the French Gendarmerie as soon as possible to confirm her safety.

Contact Information:

 Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM): +1 (721) 542-2222

 Gendarmerie / French Police (Saint-Martin): +590 590-29-25-25

 Cruise Line Agent  Marcia Foga: +1 (721) 588-9532

KPSM Press Release.
HP to cut thousands of jobs due to AI adoption



San Francisco, United States, Nov 25 (AFP) Nov 25, 2025



Computer and printer maker HP announced Tuesday a sweeping restructuring plan that will eliminate about 10 percent of its workforce globally as the company pivots toward artificial intelligence to boost efficiency.

According to its latest earnings report, the tech giant expects to reduce its global headcount by between 4,000 and 6,000 employees to focus on adopting AI to increase innovation and customer satisfaction.

HP's move reflects a broader trend across the tech sector, where companies are investing heavily in AI development while using the technology to reduce operational costs.

Major tech firms including Google, Microsoft, and Amazon have announced workforce reductions over the past two years, with many citing the need to reallocate resources, including jobs, toward AI initiatives.

Industry analysts say AI automation is particularly affecting roles in customer support, content moderation, data entry, and certain computer programming tasks.

HP said its AI plan aims to generate approximately $1 billion in annual savings by the end of fiscal 2028.

The company has been working to transform its business model amid changing demand patterns in the PC and printing markets.

HP CEO Enrique Lores told the Wall Street Journal that the company plans to raise the prices of its computers and work with new suppliers to help offset the higher costs of AI computing.

In its latest quarter, HP posted a profit of $795 million, compared with $906 million a year earlier.

Revenue rose 4.2 percent to $14.64 billion, topping analyst estimates with sales in PCs offsetting a decline in printer sales.
Press Release from Business Wire: Thredd



(AFP) Nov 26, 2025



LONDON, Nov 26, 2025 (BSW) - Thredd , the leading next-generation global payments processor, has successfully migrated BigPay 's virtual and physical card portfolio from its previous, legacy processor to Thredd's next-generation platform, underscoring Thredd's leadership in complex card portfolio migrations. The migration project, one of several in recent years, included over 2.5 million cards and highlights Thredd's unique combination of deep migration experience, robust processes, and advanced technology-qualities increasingly critical as the industry faces a wave of modernisation and replatforming.

This achievement comes at a pivotal moment for the industry. Industry analysts estimate that retail banks failing to modernise could see 10% to 15% of their payments revenue at risk annually as legacy platforms struggle to keep pace with demands for hyperpersonalization, digital experiences, faster time-to-market, and operational efficiencies. With more than 100 million cards per year expected to move to modern platforms over the next five years, the need for experienced migration partners has never been greater.

"The industry is facing a strategic window-and a technological ultimatum," said Jim McCarthy, CEO of Thredd, adding, "Portfolios trapped on legacy platforms are expected to incur unrecoverable losses in market share, customer base, and revenue by 2030 due to the inability to innovate and rein in the high cost of outages and back-office inefficiencies."

"Cardholders rely on consistent service, and even short disruptions can affect their confidence," said Aireen Omar, Group CEO of BigPay. "As our customers' needs continue to grow, it is important to work with a partner who understands our priorities and has a strong track record. Thredd was well-positioned to support that."

The BigPay migration was executed through a highly structured process, with extensive planning and transparent communication among all parties, he said, ensuring a seamless transition for cardholders.

According to Thredd, the BigPay migration exemplifies a broader industry trend: financial service providers proactively moving their most profitable customer portfolios to next-generation platforms to protect and monetise their investments, rather than risk losing them to more agile competitors.

"These are not mere IT projects-they are business transformation initiatives essential for future growth," said Damien Gough, Head of Asia Pacific at Thredd.

A track record built on people and process

Thredd's track record is built on the expertise of its people-seasoned professionals who have collectively managed dozens of migrations, including some of the most complex in the industry. "Most organisations will only face a migration once in a generation," said Gough. "Our repeatable process, proven tools, and deep experience mean we can anticipate and mitigate risks others might miss. We don't just move data-we guide clients through a business transformation."

As the migration wave accelerates, Thredd says it stands ready to help the industry modernise, de-risking the journey with proven expertise, process rigour, and cutting-edge technology.

About BigPay

BigPay is a money app that puts the customers' needs at the centre, focusing on transparency, low fees and secure technology. BigPay believes that banking should be accessible to everyone, no matter their age, occupation or nationality.

About Thredd

Thredd is the trusted, AI-first, cloud-enabled issuer processing platform powering the next generation of global payments. Through a single API, unified platform, Thredd delivers debit, credit, digital wallet and ledger capabilities to over 100 fintech, digital banks and embedded finance providers, across 47 countries, processing billions of transactions annually. With a global operating footprint, local expertise, and AI integrated into every layer of its platform, Thredd has been purpose-built for speed, scale and modern issuance models, setting the standard for market entry, client experience, security, regulatory rigour and operational resilience. Learn more at www.thredd.com







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251126072177/en/









Contact

Simeon LandoChief Marketing Officer[email protected]







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Press Release from Business Wire: Epassi Group



(AFP) Nov 26, 2025



HELSINKI & LONDON, Nov 26, 2025 (BSW) - Epassi Group, a European leader in digital employee benefits technology, today announced that Nickyl Raithatha will join as Chief Executive Officer. Nickyl will assume the role in 2026. Pekka Rantala, who has served as CEO since September 2019, will remain on the Board as Non-Executive Chair.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251126015983/en/

Pekka Rantala and Nickyl Raithatha



Over the past six years, Epassi Group has evolved from a Nordic success story into one of Europe's leading SaaS employee benefits and wellbeing platforms. The company has expanded both its geographic footprint as well as its product portfolio, driven by a powerful combination of strong organic growth and strategic acquisitions, with backing from TA Associates and Warburg Pincus. Today it has a presence in ten countries and a team of 1,000 people. With net revenue expected to exceed EUR200 million in 2025, Epassi is redefining employee engagement across Europe - combining SaaS technology and expertise with a comprehensive, one-stop portfolio of benefits and wellbeing solutions designed to support happier, healthier workplaces.

Nickyl Raithatha is an experienced technology leader with a strong track record of building and scaling digital-first businesses that harness powerful network effects across B2C, B2B, and marketplace ecosystems. He is currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of Moonpig Group, where he has overseen a period of substantial growth and expansion into new markets. During his tenure, the company quadrupled revenues to pound350 million and increased EBITDA fivefold to pound97 million, while extending its footprint from a UK-focused business to a global operation across five countries through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions. He also led the company's successful pound1.4 billion IPO on the London Stock Exchange and developed the talent and technology platform required to scale the business effectively.

Pekka Rantala, outgoing CEO of Epassi, said, "When I joined Epassi in 2019, we were a team of 68 people with EUR8 million in revenue, operating in Finland and Sweden. Today, we serve customers in ten European countries, with 67% of our revenue generated outside the Nordics, and have expanded our product portfolio. After more than six incredibly rewarding years, I've decided to transition from full-time operational roles and focus on non-operational and board activities. I am very excited and committed to continue serving Epassi from the Board."

"It has been a true privilege to lead Epassi and to work alongside such a talented and committed team of Epassians," he continued. "Together we've built a strong foundation for the future, and I could not be happier or prouder that it is exactly Nickyl who will continue to lead Epassi's remarkable growth journey. He brings impressive experience, strategic vision, and inspiring leadership to take Epassi through its next phase of growth."

Nickyl Raithatha, incoming CEO of Epassi, said: "I'm thrilled to be joining Epassi at such an exciting moment in its journey. The progress the team has made in building a multi-product, multi-geography business is remarkable and reflects both the strength of the people here and the ambition that drives the company forward. I'm looking forward to working with Pekka and everyone at Epassi as we accelerate our growth and build the leading digital employee benefits platform in Europe."

Notes to Editors

About Epassi

Founded in Helsinki in 2007, Epassi is a pioneering employee benefits technology provider and leading global multi-benefits platform with a strong presence in the Nordics, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, the UK, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, and France. Epassi's innovative, unique and scalable solution combines all benefits into one mobile app-centric, user-friendly digital service, providing a digital marketplace for employee benefits.

Epassi Group serves more than 50,000 employers and their over 30 million employees, with a partner network of more than 100,000 service providers. Epassi is a leading fintech company, recognized by the Financial Times as one of the fastest growing companies in Europe in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, and ranked 32nd on Europe's Long-Term Growth Champions 2025 list. Epassi Group is backed by TA Associates and Warburg Pincus.

Epassi - Boosting everyday well-being.

www.epassi.com

About Nickyl Raithatha

Nickyl Raithatha is an experienced technology leader with a strong track record of scaling digital-first businesses across B2C, B2B, and marketplace ecosystems. He most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Moonpig Group, where he led the company through a period of substantial growth and expansion into new markets. During his tenure, Moonpig quadrupled revenues and grew EBITDA fivefold, evolving from a UK-focused business into an international platform operating across five countries. In 2021, Nickyl led the successful pound1.4bn IPO of Moonpig on the London Stock Exchange.

Before Moonpig, Nickyl founded and led Finery, an online British womenswear brand, and previously served as a Chief Executive Officer Ecommerce at Rocket Internet, supporting the growth of internet and technology businesses globally. Earlier in his career, he held VP roles in financial services at Goldman Sachs and Arrowgrass Capital Partners.

Nickyl holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Cambridge.







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251126015983/en/









Contact

Pekka RantalaGroup CEO[email protected]

Alice GibbDirector - Europe Communications, Warburg Pincus[email protected]







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Press Release from Business Wire: Cegid



(AFP) Nov 26, 2025



PARIS, Nov 26, 2025 (BSW) - Cegid, a European leader in cloud software for finance, accounting, HR, and retail software, and Shine, a fast-growing European fintech unicorn providing digital business accounts and payments, e-invoicing, accounting, and payroll software to small businesses across Europe, announced today that the companies have entered a definitive agreement to join forces to form a European champion and become a leading provider of software for businesses and their accountants.

This transformational combination will create the first fully integrated, cloud-native and AI-driven financial hub for SMBs and accounting professionals in Europe - bringing together market-leading capabilities in e-invoicing, accounting, digital business accounts and payments, tax, HR, and payroll in a single unified platform.

Accelerating Cegid's European growth strategy by serving more than one million SMBs, and 15,000 accountants

Shine brings to Cegid more than 400,000 SMB customers, a strong brand, and a highly scalable technology stack, expanding Cegid's reach in key European markets. Together, the combined company will serve over one million SMBs and 15,000 accountants across France, Germany (DACH), Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Belgium.

Both companies share a clear vision: empowering entrepreneurs by removing the complexity of running a business. Through a unified financial hub, Cegid and Shine will enable small business owners to spend significantly less time on administration and more time focused on their craft by delivering:

-- One single platform covering invoicing, accounting, payroll, business accounts and payments, tax, and reporting

-- Deep AI automation to drastically reduce administrative tasks and provide valuable insights to its customers

-- Superior user experience with intuitive, modular workflows suitable for all SMBs

-- Fully compliant ecosystem ready for mandatory e-invoicing and digital reporting across Europe

-- Seamless collaboration model between SMBs and accounting professionals

The combination marks a decisive step forward in Cegid's ambition to become the preferred financial copilot for SMBs and accountants across Europe. Following recent strategic acquisitions such as Primavera and Sevdesk, the addition of Shine significantly expands Cegid's ability to support businesses across their entire lifecycle from creation to expansion.

With Shine's proven digital business accounts and payments, card, and finance capabilities, Cegid will be able to meaningfully enhance its offering in France and accelerate the rollout of embedded finance solutions in other European geographies.

Reinforcing Cegid's long-standing commitment to accountants

Accounting and tax professionals remain at the heart of Cegid's history and strategy. With Shine, Cegid will extend and enhance its suite of tools for accountants, enabling better real-time collaboration with their clients, paving the way for providing value-adding advisory capabilities.

The combined platform will play a pivotal role in supporting SMBs and accountants through the transition to mandatory e-invoicing and digital reporting reforms across Europe, by providing a fully compliant and connected platform for all needs for invoicing, business accounts and payments, accounting, and reporting - helping firms reduce operational complexity, increase efficiency, and deliver higher-value services.

Rico Andersen and Martin Hegelund, Co-Founders of Shine, commented: "From founding Shine as a start-up to building it into a leading European unicorn, our mission has been driven by the ambition to radically remove complexity for businesses. Joining forces with Cegid allows us to uniquely bring that vision into a much broader community of millions of small businesses, and their accountants, across Europe. By combining the strongest SMB business accounts and payments platform with the most advanced accounting technology, we are creating Europe's first truly unified financial hub, built to eliminate complexity for millions of businesses. Two category leaders. One unified platform. Europe's new business finance powerhouse is here."

Christian Lucas, Chairman of Cegid and Managing Partner at Silver Lake, commented: "This combination is a strong affirmation and natural continuation of Cegid's European growth journey. For more than four decades, Cegid has stood alongside accountants as trusted partners to small businesses, and with Shine we are strengthening that bond for the next digital era. Cegid's cloud and AI leadership together with Shine's highly innovation-driven platform that integrates leading digital finance capabilities, creates a powerful platform that will help millions of small businesses and accountants prepare for and seize the enormous growth and value creation opportunities inherent in the next decade of digital transformation, particularly with the shift to e-invoicing across Europe. We are proud to continue supporting Cegid's leadership team as it builds one of Europe's flagship technology companies, and this combination represents a significant investment in Cegid's long-term relationship with the accounting profession and its critical role in the success of millions of small businesses."

Jean-Michel Aulas, Founder of Cegid, commented: "Founded over 40 years ago, Cegid has always supported the growth and success of small businesses and their accountants. This combination reinforces that alliance - ensuring accountants remain at the centre of the relationship between small businesses and their advisors, by giving them a shared digital environment with real-time access to financial data, improved collaboration, and simplified compliance. This merger is about equipping accountants for the next generation of small businesses. With Shine, we are reaffirming Cegid's long-term commitment to CPAs and to the future of the French accountancy ecosystem."

Bruno Vaffier, General Manager of Cegid, commented: "This merger with Shine is a natural step in Cegid's mission to simplify and accelerate the growth of our Small Business division. Together, we will offer entrepreneurs a combined platform that unites payment, accounting, and payroll - helping them focus on what matters most: building their business."

Gilbert Kamieniecky, Head of Investcorp Technology Partners and Chairman of Shine, commented: "Our investment in Shine is one that we are immensely proud of, as we saw the company grow from a start-up with only a few million in revenue into a European leader and unicorn. I am also grateful for the strong partnership and friendship with the two founders, Rico and Martin."

The transaction remains subject to customary financial and regulatory approvals. Following completion, Shine will operate within Cegid's Small Business division as a cornerstone of its French and European growth strategy.

About Shine

Founded by serial entrepreneurs Rico Andersen and Martin Hegelund, Shine's vision is to restore the joy of running a business, by ending wasted time on financial admin. Shine offers a 'financial copilot' by integrating its solutions into a single platform for invoicing, accounting, payroll, business accounts and payments, and financing. Shine is a leading European fintech unicorn, operating across France, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany, serving over 400,000 customers. Shine France is regulated as a payment institution by the Autorite de controle prudentiel et de resolution (ACPR) and was recognised as "Best Business Bank" by ESCDA in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

About Cegid

Cegid is a European leader in cloud business management solutions for finance (cash-flow, tax, ERP), human resources (payroll, talent management), CPAs, retail and entrepreneurial sectors. With a solid full cloud business model, Cegid provides long-term commitment to its customers, superior and distinctive experiences and helps companies of all sizes accelerate their digital business transformation, locally and worldwide. Cegid combines a forward-thinking and pragmatic approach of the business with strong capacity to innovate, an in-depth expertise in new technologies such as artificial intelligence and an understanding of regulations and compliance. In today's rapidly changing world, Cegid makes more possible by helping customers unleash their potential thanks to innovative and purposeful business solutions. Bolstered by its strong international ambition and reach, Cegid has over 5,000 employees and sells its solutions in 130 countries. Cegid reported revenues of EUR967 million (as of December 31, 2024).







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251126586228/en/









Contact

Press ContactsCegidOlivier Hascoat[email protected] ShineJean-Baptiste Sciandra[email protected]







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Reliance JV to invest $11 billion in AI centre in Indian state



Bengaluru, India, Nov 26 (AFP) Nov 26, 2025



A joint venture between India's Reliance Industries and Canadian and US companies will invest $11 billion to develop an artificial intelligence data centre in southeastern India, the state government said on Wednesday.

The five-year investment is for a one-gigawatt AI data centre in Visakhapatnam in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Google said last month it will spend $15 billion over the same period on a giant data centre and AI base in the same city, its biggest outside the United States.

The Digital Connexion joint venture is between retail-to-refining giant Reliance, Canadian multinational Brookefield and US real estate investment firm Digital Realty.

The investment will drive "jobs, innovation and global tech investment", Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said in a post on social media platform X.

"This landmark project underscores Andhra Pradesh's emergence as a leading destination for advanced digital infrastructure and next-generation computing capabilities," the state government said in a statement.

Demand for AI tools and solutions is surging in India, which is projected to have more than 900 million internet users by year's end.

Data centres are also an area of phenomenal global growth, fuelled by the need to store massive amounts of digital data and to train and run energy-intensive AI tools.

Leading US AI firms seeking to court users in the world's fifth-largest economy have made a flurry of announcements recently about expanding into India.

US startup Anthropic said in October it plans to open an office in India next year, with its chief executive Dario Amodei meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

OpenAI has said it will open an Indian office this year, with its chief Sam Altman noting that ChatGPT usage in the country had grown fourfold over the past year.

AI firm Perplexity also announced a major partnership in July with Indian telecom giant Airtel, offering the company's 360 million customers a free one-year Perplexity Pro subscription.
NASA confirms support for delayed European Mars rover: ESA



Bremen, Germany, Nov 26 (AFP) Nov 26, 2025



NASA has confirmed that it will contribute to Europe's Martian rover Rosalind Franklin, which is scheduled to launch in 2028 after repeated delays, the European Space Agency said on Wednesday.

The rover aims to be the first on the red planet capable of drilling up to two metres (6.5 feet) below the surface to search for extraterrestrial life.

However, the mission relies on several elements from NASA, which US President Donald Trump has targeted with steep budget cuts since returning to the White House in January.

ESA director general Josef Aschbacher said he had received "a letter from the NASA administration to confirm the contributions" of the US space agency to the mission.

"That is good news," Aschbacher said on the sidelines of the ESA's ministerial council meeting being held this week in the German city of Bremen.

The mission was originally intended to launch in 2020, but suffered several setbacks.

In 2022, it was suspended after the ESA ended cooperation with Russia -- the agency's main partner for the mission -- following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

The ESA then turned to the United States for help.

Aschbacher said NASA was contributing to three of the mission's elements: the launcher, radioisotope heater unit and braking engine.

The braking engine had been confirmed some time ago, but the other two elements will be a relief for the ESA.

NASA is also providing "one instrument to analyse traces of possible life on Mars," Aschbacher added.

The rover, which is named after British scientist Rosalind Franklin, is planned to touch down on the Martian surface in 2030.
Press Release from Business Wire: LambdaTest



(AFP) Nov 26, 2025



SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 26, 2025 (BSW) - LambdaTest , a Gen-AI native quality engineering platform, announced a partnership with SVAM International, Inc., a global leader in digital transformation services. This strategic alliance marks a significant step forward in their mission to transform quality engineering for businesses worldwide.

The partnership allows LambdaTest to extend its AI-native quality engineering capabilities into SVAM's extensive digital transformation ecosystem. By integrating with SVAM's experience in large-scale application development, testing, and delivery across major New York State and City agencies, as well as their platform expertise across Salesforce, ServiceNow, and Dynamics365, LambdaTest will empower more enterprises to modernize their software delivery pipelines. With LambdaTest's intelligent test orchestration and execution engine at the core, teams can test smarter, accelerate release cycles, and achieve faster time-to-market at scale.

Founded in 2017, LambdaTest is headquartered in San Francisco, CA. With a global presence across the USA, UK, India, the Philippines, and the UAE, the platform supports over 2 million users across 132+ countries, including 10,000+ enterprises and 3,000+ browsers.

Founded in 1994, SVAM operates through four global centres in the USA, Mexico, Canada, India and Bangladesh, with 800+ consultants. SVAM has partnered with Anthropic, Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, Tanium, Elastic, etc. SVAM is a CMMI ML3 DEV 2.0, ISO 9001:2015, and ISO 27001:2022 organization. AI is a major focus area for the company, for development and testing.

"This strategic partnership with SVAM marks a significant milestone in expanding LambdaTest's AI-powered testing capabilities to a global scale," said Sudhir Joshi, VP - Alliances & Channels, LambdaTest. "By integrating our cutting-edge AI-native quality engineering platform with SVAM's deep expertise in digital transformation, we are enabling businesses to drive faster, smarter, and more cost-effective software delivery across industries."

"At SVAM, we recognize that delivering high-quality software is essential for our clients' critical programs. This partnership with LambdaTest allows us to integrate advanced AI-powered testing capabilities into our digital solutions, ensuring faster, smarter, and more reliable software delivery. By combining SVAM's deep expertise in digital transformation with LambdaTest's innovative and cutting-edge quality engineering platform, we are empowering businesses to accelerate their digital journeys with confidence and efficiency," said Anil Kapoor, Founder and CEO of SVAM International Inc.

Through this partnership, LambdaTest's AI-native quality engineering technology will be integrated into SVAM's digital solutions framework, enabling enterprises to significantly reduce SDLC timelines while improving software quality and lowering effort and cost. By combining SVAM's digital transformation expertise with LambdaTest's intelligent, AI-powered testing capabilities, businesses can modernise their development processes and fully leverage the benefits of next-generation AI tooling.

About LambdaTest:

LambdaTest is a GenAI-powered Quality Engineering Platform that empowers teams to test intelligently, smarter, and ship faster. Built for scale, it offers a full-stack testing cloud with 10K+ real devices and 3,000+ browsers.

With AI-native test management, MCP servers, and agent-based automation, LambdaTest supports Selenium, Appium, Playwright, and all major frameworks. AI Agents like HyperExecute and KaneAI bring the power of AI and cloud into your software testing workflow, enabling seamless automation testing with 120+ integrations.

LambdaTest Agents accelerate your testing throughout the entire SDLC, from test planning and authoring to automation, infrastructure, execution, RCA, and reporting.

For more information, please visit https://lambdatest.com

About SVAM:

SVAM International Inc. is a global Information Technology (IT) services provider that delivers digital Transformation solutions to businesses across various industries. With three decades of experience, SVAM offers a wide range of services, including IT consulting, Application Development, Cybersecurity, Agentic AI/RPA, Managed IT Services, and more.

For more information, please visit https://svam.com/







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251126316161/en/









Contact

[email protected]







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Mexico unveils plan to build Latin America's biggest supercomputer



Mexico City, Nov 26 (AFP) Nov 26, 2025



The Mexican government will build a supercomputer with a processing capacity seven times greater than the current most powerful computer in Latin America, officials responsible for the project said Wednesday.

Named Coatlicue, after a goddess in Aztec mythology representing the source of power and life, the computer will have a processing capacity of 314 petaflops.

"We want it to be a public supercomputer, a supercomputer for the people," President Claudia Sheinbaum told reporters.

A global race is underway to build ever-faster supercomputers to work in conjunction with AI systems.

The United States currently leads the field but Europe and Japan also have models in the top 10, according to an industry ranking of high-performance computing.

A petaflop equals 1,000 trillion calculations per second, a number expressed as 10 to the power of 15.

Pegaso, a privately-owned Brazilian computer, is currently rated the most powerful in Latin America with 42 petaflops.

Construction of Coatlicue will begin in January and last 24 months for a total cost of six billion pesos ($326.6 million), Jose Merino, director of Mexico's Digital Transformation Agency, said.

He added that the main uses of the supercomputer will be solving public issues requiring high computing capacity, such as climate prediction, crop planting and harvesting planning, and water, oil, and energy projects.

It will also be used in scientific research and support for entrepreneurial projects, among other purposes, he added.

Mexico's model will be no match for the world's most powerful computers, dubbed exascale computers, led by El Capitan.

Operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the United States, El Capitan has a processing capacity of 1.809 exaflops or quintillions (10 to the power of 18) of calculations per second.

Europe recently unveiled a rival, Jupiter, housed in western Germany, also able to perform at least one quintillion calculations per second, which is equivalent to about a million smartphones.
JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), a branch of the South African Police Service, confirmed on Wednesday that it has launched an investigation into how 17 South African citizens became embroiled in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

In a statement, DPCI spokesperson Thandi Mbambo said the unit is working closely with several government departments and relevant foreign authorities "to ensure a coordinated and comprehensive approach."

"This multi-departmental cooperation ensures that the investigation proceeds within the legal mandates of all structures involved, particularly on matters relating to international relations, identity verification, and foreign law-enforcement engagement," she said.

Mbambo said the DPCI had also contacted the families of the men and that the case was receiving priority attention. She later confirmed the investigation in a phone interview with Xinhua.

On Nov. 6, the Presidency announced that it had been alerted about the 17 men who were "trapped" in the war-torn Donbas region of Ukraine. The men reportedly claimed they were lured with promises of lucrative employment, only to find themselves caught in a conflict zone.

Late last week, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, a daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, opened a case at the Sandton police station against her half-sister, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who is now a member of the National Assembly, alleging that she was among three individuals in South Africa who facilitated the men's travel abroad. Zuma-Mncube said eight of the 17 are her family members.

Zuma-Sambudla, in turn, opened a case on Sunday, accusing another individual of recruiting the men and sending them to Russia.

The DPCI acknowledged both complaints, saying they were being investigated. "Both matters are being investigated to determine whether any criminality, including possible human trafficking, illegal recruitment, exploitation, or fraud, may have contributed to the movement of these individuals to the conflict zone," Mbambo said. 
Regional group warns against war between US, Venezuela



Washington, Nov 25 (AFP) Nov 25, 2025



The head of the Organization of American States (OAS) on Tuesday urged the United States and Venezuela to de-escalate their tensions, saying the region does not want a war.

A major US military buildup near Venezuela has led to increased speculation in recent days that President Donald Trump is planning to try to topple Venezuela's strongman Nicolas Maduro, whom he accuses of heading a drug cartel.

Speaking at a virtual press conference Tuesday, OAS chief Albert Ramdin emphasized his support for the fight against organized crime but insisted that it be conducted in accordance with international law.

Washington has deployed the world's largest aircraft carrier to the Caribbean, accompanied by a flotilla of warships, officially for anti-drug operations, specifically targeting Venezuela.

It has also conducted some 20 airstrikes against suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, killing at least 83 people.

Trump has authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela and reiterated that he does not rule out military intervention, while at the same time saying he is ready for dialogue with Maduro.

"We don't want any war in our hemisphere. Peace is truly, ultimately, what everyone in this hemisphere wants. No one wins in a war," Ramdin said, adding that he is "not in favor of any incident leading to an escalation of a war-like situation."

"We must maintain the hemisphere as a zone of peace," Suriname's former foreign minister went on. "I hope that both countries, Venezuela and the United States, will exercise restraint and ensure that other avenues can be found diplomatically, through negotiations, to resolve their problems."

Caracas claims that the US anti-drugs campaign in the region is a pretext to overthrow Maduro and seize the country's oil reserves.
Belgium's Antwerp port vulnerable to drone attack, boss warns



Antwerp, Belgium, Nov 26 (AFP) Nov 26, 2025



The boss of Belgium's Antwerp port, the second busiest in Europe, has told AFP the giant facility risks being a soft target for drone attacks, as fears swirl over the threat from Russia.

"When you want to create chaos, you attack a country's economic engine. Here, unfortunately, that is the port," CEO Jacques Vandermeiren said in an interview.

"We are very vulnerable, which is worrying."

In November, Europe's second-largest cargo port was rattled when unidentified drones flew over it.

The incident came as drones were also spotted at other sensitive locations across Belgium, sparking alarm in the country.

Although Russia was not officially blamed, suspicion fell squarely on Moscow as the Kremlin has been accused of waging a "hybrid war" to destabilise Europe during the conflict in Ukraine.

Local authorities already asked last year to bolster air defences at the 12,000-hectare Antwerp port, a key gateway for goods and potentially military reinforcements coming into Europe.

But the recent drone flights -- which also targeted a nuclear power station near the port -- showed holes in the current capabilities.

"We saw the drones, but our radar systems did not detect them because of the technology used," Vandermeiren said.

Now, new mobile radars will be delivered "as soon as possible".

"That's the good news," he said.

But he added that getting beefier defences will take time.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever previously served as Antwerp's mayor and advocated using Patriot air defence missiles to protect the port.

But even if such a plan were approved, Vandermeiren said the US-made systems would probably take at least five years to arrive.

Stepping up security is a pressing issue for ports around Europe and NATO has expressly included strengthening key infrastructure as part of spending hikes over the next decade.

"All ports in western Europe are more concerned than ever by this issue," Vandermeiren said.



- 'War' on drug trafficking -



While the potential threat from Russia has made headlines recently, another menace has been plaguing Antwerp port for years: drug trafficking.

The port is one of the main entry points for cocaine into continental Europe because of its long-standing trade links with South America.

Although seizures of the narcotic fell to 44 tonnes last year from a record 116 tonnes in 2023, Vandermeiren is not claiming victory.

Drug traffickers are "creative and flexible" and constantly adapt their methods to reach consumers, he warned.

But he points out that demand for cocaine in Europe remains high, so the drug will keep on finding a way to reach the market.

"We will not win this war until we tackle consumption," he said.
Taiwan's president to propose $40 bn in extra defence spending



Taipei, Nov 26 (AFP) Nov 26, 2025



Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said Wednesday his government will propose $40 billion in additional defence spending over eight years, as the democratic island seeks to deter a potential Chinese invasion.

Taiwan has ramped up defence spending in the past decade as Chinese military pressure intensified, but US President Donald Trump's administration has pushed the island to do more to protect itself.

Lai said Wednesday the military aimed to have a "high level" of joint combat readiness against China by 2027 -- which US officials have previously cited as a possible timeline for a Chinese attack on the island.

"The ultimate goal is to establish defence capabilities that can permanently safeguard democratic Taiwan," Lai said at a news conference in Taipei after announcing the $40 billion spending plan in an opinion piece in the Washington Post.

Communist China has never ruled Taiwan, but Beijing claims the island is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to annex it.

Lai's announcement came as Tokyo and Beijing were locked in a weeks-long diplomatic spat that followed remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting Japan could intervene militarily in any attack on Taiwan.

The United States' top envoy in Taiwan said he "welcomes" the government's spending plan and urged the island's rival political parties to "find common ground" on boosting its defences.

Lai said the extra spending would go towards new arms purchases from the United States as well enhancing Taiwan's ability to wage asymmetrical warfare.

But he said the spending was not tied to Taiwan's ongoing tariff negotiations with the United States, insisting the main goal was to "demonstrate Taiwan's determination to defend" itself.

"We aim to bolster deterrence by inserting greater costs and uncertainties into Beijing's decision-making on the use of force," Lai said in the Washington Post.

His comments also follow US approval earlier this month for $330 million-worth of parts and components in Washington's first military sale to Taiwan since Trump's return to the White House.



- 'Safeguarding Taiwan's future' -



Lai, who leads the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), previously laid out plans to boost annual defence spending to more than three percent of GDP next year and five percent by 2030, following US pressure to spend more on protecting itself against a potential Chinese attack.

The government has proposed NT$949.5 billion ($30 billion), or 3.32 percent of GDP, for defence spending next year.

The additional spending plan announced Wednesday would be spread out over eight years and exceeds the $32 billion previously revealed to AFP by a senior DPP lawmaker.

In the opinion piece, Lai said he would accelerate the development of the so-called "T-Dome" -- a multi-layered air defence system -- which will "bring us closer to the vision of an unassailable Taiwan, safeguarded by innovation and technology".

"My message here is clear: Taiwan's dedication to peace and stability is unwavering," Lai said.

"No country will be more determined in safeguarding Taiwan's future than our own."

But the government may struggle to get the proposed spending approved by parliament, where the main opposition Kuomintang party, which advocates closer ties with China, controls the purse strings with the help of the Taiwan People's Party.

Recently elected Kuomintang chairperson Cheng Li-wun has previously opposed Lai's defence spending plans, saying Taiwan "doesn't have that much money".
Taiwan's president to propose $40 bn in extra defence spending



Taipei, Nov 26 (AFP) Nov 26, 2025



Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said Wednesday his government will propose $40 billion in additional defence spending over eight years, as the democratic island seeks to deter a potential Chinese invasion.

Taiwan has ramped up defence spending in the past decade as Chinese military pressure intensified, but US President Donald Trump's administration has pushed the island to do more to protect itself.

Lai said the military aimed to have a "high level" of joint combat readiness against China by 2027 -- which US officials have previously cited as a possible timeline for a Chinese attack on the island.

"The ultimate goal is to establish defence capabilities that can permanently safeguard democratic Taiwan," Lai said at a news conference, after announcing the $40 billion spending plan in a Washington Post opinion piece.

Communist China has never ruled Taiwan, but Beijing claims the island is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to annex it.

China's foreign ministry warned Wednesday that Taiwan's "attempts to resist unification and seek independence through military means will never succeed".

Lai's announcement came as Tokyo and Beijing were locked in a weeks-long diplomatic spat that followed remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting Japan could intervene militarily in any attack on Taiwan.

The United States' top envoy in Taiwan said he "welcomes" the government's spending plan and urged the island's rival political parties to "find common ground" on boosting its defences.

"Whether your priority is preserving Taiwan's democracy and market economy, fostering conditions for cross-Strait dialogue, or maintaining support from the international community, increasing Taiwan's defence capabilities is a necessary precondition," said Raymond Greene, director of the American Institute in Taiwan, Washington's de facto embassy.

Lai said the extra spending would go towards new arms purchases from the United States and enhancing Taiwan's ability to wage asymmetrical warfare.

He said the purchases are not tied to Taiwan's ongoing tariff negotiations with the United States, insisting the main goal was to "demonstrate Taiwan's determination to defend" itself.

"We aim to bolster deterrence by inserting greater costs and uncertainties into Beijing's decision-making on the use of force," Lai said in the Washington Post.

His comments also follow US approval this month for $330 million-worth of parts and components.

Lai's government may struggle to get the proposed spending approved by parliament, where the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party, which advocates closer ties with China, controls the purse strings with the help of the Taiwan People's Party.

KMT chairperson Cheng Li-wun, whose recent election to the party's highest post was marred by allegations of Chinese interference, has previously opposed Lai's defence spending plans.

Cheng warned Lai on Wednseday he was "playing with fire" and risked turning the Taiwan Strait into a "powder keg".



- 'Freedom is not a free lunch' -



Lai, who leads the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), previously planned to boost annual defence spending to five percent by 2030.

The government has also proposed to raise defence spending to NT$949.5 billion ($30 billion), or 3.32 percent of GDP, next year.

The additional spending plan announced Wednesday would be spread over eight years and exceeds the $32 billion previously revealed to AFP by a senior DPP lawmaker.

Lai said the funds would be used to develop the so-called "T-Dome" -- a multi-layered air defence system -- aimed at protecting Taiwanese combat forces, critical infrastructure and civilian buildings from Chinese missiles.

Long-range precision strike missiles, counter-drone systems and anti-ballistic missiles are among the list of items for purchase, the defence ministry said.

Su Tzu-yun, a military expert at Taipei's Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said the spending plan is "what Taiwan requires".

"Freedom is not a free lunch," Su told AFP.

But KMT lawmaker Ma Wen-chun said bolstering national defence was "not about shouting slogans or simply buying more weapons".

Recruiting and retaining more troops was a "far more urgent and important issue" for the military, Ma said.

"In the future we may face a situation where there are no personnel left to operate these weapons."
Democratic lawmakers accuse Trump of using FBI to 'intimidate' them



Washington, Nov 26 (AFP) Nov 26, 2025



US Democratic lawmakers accused Donald Trump on Tuesday of using the FBI to "intimidate" members of Congress and said the law enforcement agency had requested interviews with them following their criticism of the president.

The legislators were among six who this month called on military and intelligence personnel to refuse any "illegal orders" by Trump, who labeled them "traitors."

"President Trump is using the FBI as a tool to intimidate and harass Members of Congress," said a statement released by Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander and Chrissy Houlahan, who are all Democratic members of the House of Representatives.

"Yesterday, the FBI contacted the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms requesting interviews," they said. "No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs and honoring our Constitution."

The FBI in an email declined to comment. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The US military said on Monday it was weighing a court-martial against Democratic senator and former astronaut Mark Kelly, who had also appeared in the video released this month which urged troops to refuse unlawful orders.

Kelly -- a decorated Navy combat pilot and former astronaut who commanded the Space Shuttle Endeavour's final flight -- fired back that he would not be intimidated or "silenced by bullies."

Elissa Slotkin, another senator who appeared in the video, said in a post on X on Tuesday that the FBI "appeared to open an inquiry into me in response to a video President Trump did not like."

"The President directing the FBI to target us is exactly why we made this video in the first place," she said.

The six Democrats who released the video did not specify which orders they meant, but Trump has ordered the National Guard into multiple US cities -- often against local objections -- to curb what he calls rampant unrest.

Overseas, Trump has ordered strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean that killed more than 80 people and which experts say are illegal.

Trump initially accused the group of "seditious behavior, punishable by death."

Over the weekend, he wrote in an all-caps social media rant that the "traitors" who told troops to disobey him "should be in jail."

bur-ceg/mtp
Chinese embassy, enterprises donate funds to upgrade infrastructure at Kenyan slum school

Xinhua) 10:35, November 26, 2025

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan speaks during a donation ceremony held at MCEDO Beijing School in Nairobi, Kenya, on Nov. 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

NAIROBI, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Kenya and the Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association (KCETA) on Tuesday donated 11 million Kenyan shillings (about 84,800 U.S. dollars) to support renovations and infrastructure upgrades at MCEDO Beijing School in Nairobi, Kenya's capital.

The ceremony also saw the Chinese embassy award one-year scholarships to 20 students from the school located in the Mathare informal settlement.

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan said the funding aims to improve learning conditions and help students stay in school.

The development of MCEDO Beijing School has always been a key concern for the Chinese embassy and Chinese enterprises in Kenya, Guo said, adding that the school's history of self-reliance and perseverance serves as a vivid example of China-Kenya friendship and people-to-people ties.

School Director Benedict Kiage said the support will finance the second phase of renovations, including painting, improved lighting, roof and floor repairs, and the provision of new lockers, chairs, fire extinguishers, laboratory materials, and desks. He said the upgrades will significantly enhance safety and dignity in the learning environment.

Kiage added that cooperation with the Chinese embassy and Chinese enterprises over the past 17 years has transformed the school and expanded opportunities for children in Mathare.

Yu Xiaodong, KCETA chairman, said the initiative aims to create a healthier and more supportive environment for learners. He noted that Chinese enterprises are committed to giving back to Kenyan communities through corporate social responsibility while strengthening long-term China-Kenya friendship.

Latipher Natasha Omondi, a student representative, thanked the Chinese partners, saying the donation will play a key role in improving education at the school.

Director of MCEDO Beijing School Benedict Kiage speaks during a donation ceremony held at MCEDO Beijing School in Nairobi, Kenya, on Nov. 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

This photo taken on Nov. 25, 2025 shows an exterior view of MCEDO Beijing School in Nairobi, Kenya. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

Yu Xiaodong, the Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association chairman, speaks during a donation ceremony held at MCEDO Beijing School in Nairobi, Kenya, on Nov. 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

This photo taken on Nov. 25, 2025 shows a donation ceremony held at MCEDO Beijing School in Nairobi, Kenya. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Burundian refugees to be repatriated board a bus at the Nemba-Gasenyi border post between Rwanda and Burundi, on Nov. 25, 2025. A total of 115 Burundian refugees, many of whom fled to Rwanda in 2015 due to political instability, have been voluntarily repatriated to their home country, according to an official from the Rwandan Ministry in charge of Emergency Management. The group included 107 individuals from Mahama Refugee Camp in Kirehe District in eastern Rwanda, and eight others from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. They were handed over to Burundian authorities at the Rwanda-Burundi border in Nemba, said Gonzague Karagire, the refugee program manager at the ministry, on Tuesday. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)

KIGALI, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- A total of 115 Burundian refugees, many of whom fled to Rwanda in 2015 due to political instability, have been voluntarily repatriated to their home country, according to an official from the Rwandan Ministry in charge of Emergency Management.

The group included 107 individuals from Mahama Refugee Camp in Kirehe District in eastern Rwanda, and eight others from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.

They were handed over to Burundian authorities at the Rwanda-Burundi border in Nemba, said Gonzague Karagire, the refugee program manager at the ministry, on Tuesday.

Karagire told reporters that the return of refugees is voluntary, and whenever they choose to go back to their country, the government's responsibility is to facilitate their safe return home.

Rwanda currently hosts 52,862 Burundian refugees, including 42,421 in Mahama camp and the rest in urban areas, according to the ministry.

In January last year, Burundi severed relations and closed its border with Rwanda after accusing Kigali of hosting RED-Tabara rebels. Rwanda denied the allegations. 

Burundian refugees to be repatriated disembark a bus at the Nemba-Gasenyi border post between Rwanda and Burundi, on Nov. 25, 2025. A total of 115 Burundian refugees, many of whom fled to Rwanda in 2015 due to political instability, have been voluntarily repatriated to their home country, according to an official from the Rwandan Ministry in charge of Emergency Management.

The group included 107 individuals from Mahama Refugee Camp in Kirehe District in eastern Rwanda, and eight others from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.

They were handed over to Burundian authorities at the Rwanda-Burundi border in Nemba, said Gonzague Karagire, the refugee program manager at the ministry, on Tuesday. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)

Burundian refugees to be repatriated are seen at the Nemba-Gasenyi border post between Rwanda and Burundi, on Nov. 25, 2025. A total of 115 Burundian refugees, many of whom fled to Rwanda in 2015 due to political instability, have been voluntarily repatriated to their home country, according to an official from the Rwandan Ministry in charge of Emergency Management.

The group included 107 individuals from Mahama Refugee Camp in Kirehe District in eastern Rwanda, and eight others from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.

They were handed over to Burundian authorities at the Rwanda-Burundi border in Nemba, said Gonzague Karagire, the refugee program manager at the ministry, on Tuesday. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)
Israel defence minister vows 'no calm' in Lebanon without security for Israel



Jerusalem, Nov 26 (AFP) Nov 26, 2025



Defence Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday warned there would be "no calm" in Lebanon if Israel's security was not guaranteed, as Israeli forces intensify operations despite a year-old ceasefire with Hezbollah.

"We will not allow any threats against the inhabitants of the north, and maximum enforcement will continue and even intensify," Katz told the Israeli parliament.

He cited as proof the "elimination" of a top Hezbollah military chief in an Israeli strike on southern Beirut days earlier.

"There will be no calm in Beirut, nor order and stability in Lebanon, until the security of the State of Israel is guaranteed," he said, vowing to disarm Hezbollah.

An Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs on Sunday killed Haytham Ali Tabatabai -- the most senior Hezbollah commander to be killed by Israel since a November 2024 ceasefire sought to end over a year of hostilities between the two sides.

Tabatabai's killing comes as Israel has escalated its attacks on Lebanon, with the United States increasing its pressure on the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah.

Egypt's foreign minister said Wednesday that his country was working to de-escalate heightened tensions between the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group and Israel.

"We fear any escalation and we fear for the security and stability of Lebanon," Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati said after meeting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Beirut.

"We are making an intensive effort to spare Lebanon any risks or any aggressive tendencies against its security and safety," he added.

Israel has repeatedly bombed Lebanon despite the truce, usually saying it is targeting Hezbollah members and infrastructure to stop the group from rearming.

According to the ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah was to pull its forces north of the Litani River, some 30 kilometres (20 miles) north of the border with Israel and have its military infrastructure there dismantled.

Under a government-approved plan, the Lebanese army is to dismantle Hezbollah military infrastructure south of the river by the end of the year, before tackling the rest of the country.

The Lebanese military has said it is carrying out its plan to disarm the group, but the US and Israel have accused Lebanese authorities of stalling the process.

Hezbollah has strongly rejected the move.
Israeli army launches new operation in West Bank



Tubas, Palestinian Territories, Nov 26 (AFP) Nov 26, 2025



Israel's military on Wednesday launched a new operation against Palestinian armed groups in the occupied West Bank, where a local governor told AFP that Israeli forces had raided several towns.

The Israeli military and internal security service said in a brief joint statement that they had begun "a broad counter-terrorism operation" in the north of the Palestinian territory.

They said they would "not allow terrorism to take root in the area and are acting proactively to thwart it", saying further details on the operation would follow at a later stage.

The Israeli army confirmed to AFP that it was a new operation, and not part of the one launched in January 2025 dubbed "Iron Wall", which primarily targeted Palestinian refugee camps in the northern West Bank.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967.

The operation, which began overnight, was taking place in predominantly agricultural Tubas, the northeasternmost of the 11 governorates in the West Bank.

Ahmed al-Asaad, governor of the Tubas region, told AFP: "This is the first time that the entire governorate is included -- the whole governorate is now under Israeli army operations."

Asaad said Israeli forces raided the towns of Tammun and Tayasir, and the Al-Faraa Palestinian refugee camp.

"The army has closed the city entrances with earth mounds, so there is no movement at all," he added.

He told AFP that "an Apache helicopter" was involved in the operation, and claimed it had fired in the direction of residential areas.

"This is a political operation, not a security one," he said.



- Injuries reported -



An AFP photographer saw some soldiers walking around inside Tubas city, with a few armoured patrol vehicles (APVs) driving through and a surveillance aerial vehicle buzzing overhead. Most shops were closed.

The road entrance to nearby Tammun had been closed off by a military vehicle.

An ambulance was allowed to go through but citizens were not. APVs were driving around at the scene.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said its teams in the governorate had treated 10 injured people, four of whom had to be transferred to hospital.

It added that some of its teams were "facing obstruction in transporting patients in the city of Tubas and the town of Tammun since dawn", and were still responding to calls for help following the raids.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad, two Palestinian militant groups proscribed as terror organisations by many countries, condemned the Israeli operation.

Hamas said in a statement that it was part of a policy "aimed at crushing any Palestinian presence in order to achieve complete control over the West Bank".

Violence in the West Bank has soared since Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel triggered the Gaza war, and has not ceased despite the fragile truce between Israel and Hamas came into effect last month.

Israeli troops or settlers have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians, many of them militants, but also scores of civilians, in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war, according to an AFP tally based on Palestinian health ministry figures.

At least 44 Israelis, including both soldiers and civilians, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or Israeli military operations, according to official Israeli figures.
Israeli army launches new operation in West Bank



Tubas, Palestinian Territories, Nov 26 (AFP) Nov 26, 2025



Israel's military on Wednesday launched a new operation against Palestinian armed groups in the occupied West Bank, where a local governor told AFP that Israeli forces had raided several towns.

The Israeli military, police and internal security service said in a joint statement that they had begun "a broad counter-terrorism operation" in the north of the Palestinian territory after they received intelligence about "attempts to establish terrorist strongholds".

The military said the operation began with air strikes to isolate the area, which were followed by "searches" on the ground, during which suspects were questioned and funds were confiscated.

The Israeli army confirmed to AFP that it was a new operation, and not part of the one launched in January 2025, which primarily targeted Palestinian refugee camps in the northern West Bank.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967.

The operation, which began overnight, was taking place in predominantly agricultural Tubas, the northeasternmost of the 11 governorates in the West Bank.

Ahmed al-Asaad, governor of the Tubas region, told AFP: "This is the first time that the entire governorate is included -- the whole governorate is now under Israeli army operations."

Asaad said Israeli forces raided the towns of Tammun and Tayasir, and the Al-Faraa Palestinian refugee camp.

"The army has closed the city entrances with earth mounds, so there is no movement at all," he added.

He told AFP that "an Apache helicopter" was involved in the operation, and said it had fired in the direction of residential areas.

"This is a political operation, not a security one," he said.



- Injuries reported -



An AFP photographer saw some soldiers walking around inside Tubas city, with a few armoured cars driving through and a surveillance aerial vehicle buzzing overhead. Most shops were closed.

The road entrance to nearby Tammun had been closed off by a military vehicle.

An ambulance was allowed to go through but citizens were not. Armoured cars were driving around at the scene.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said its teams in the governorate had treated 10 injured people, four of whom had to be transferred to hospital.

It added that some of its teams were "facing obstruction in transporting patients in the city of Tubas and the town of Tammun since dawn", and were still responding to calls for help following the raids.

The UN's humanitarian agency OCHA said on Wednesday evening that a curfew had been imposed in the area, and that at least two dozen families were forced to evacuate as Israeli troops took over their homes.

Militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad condemned the Israeli operation.

Hamas said in a statement that it was part of a policy "aimed at crushing any Palestinian presence in order to achieve complete control over the West Bank".

Violence in the West Bank has soared since Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel triggered the Gaza war, and has not ceased despite the fragile truce between Israel and Hamas coming into effect last month.

Israeli troops or settlers have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians, many of them militants, but also scores of civilians, in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war, according to an AFP tally based on Palestinian health ministry figures.

At least 44 Israelis, including both soldiers and civilians, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or Israeli military operations, according to official Israeli figures.
Burkina volunteer fighters convicted of murder, corpse mutilation



Abidjan, Nov 26 (AFP) Nov 26, 2025



Six civilian volunteers fighting alongside Burkina Faso's army face lengthy jail terms, with two rapped for murder and four convicted of mutilating a corpse, judicial sources told AFP on Wednesday.

The six, among the 100,000 volunteers recruited to help the army fight the jihadists plaguing the west African country, face sentences of between two and 11 years after being convicted by a military tribunal in the northwest last week.

Both the regular army and the Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland (VDP) have been accused of committing abuses towards civilians, which Burkina Faso's military authorities have always denied.

In turn, the fighters face hefty death tolls from jihadist attacks, with the junta struggling to contain a long-running radical Islamist insurgency since taking power in a coup in 2022.

"In an effort to strengthen discipline... the military tribunal of Ouagadougou held a significant field hearing from November 19 to 21 at the Nazi Boni Camp in Dedougou," a town in the west, a judicial source told AFP.

"Four VDPs were sentenced to prison terms ranging from two to three years for mutilating the corpse of a person presumed to be a terrorist," the source added.

"Two other VDPs received eleven years in prison, with three years suspended for one and four years for the other, for murders committed on several individuals," a separate judicial source said.

"These VDPs had detained three individuals at a checkpoint in the locality of Tcheriba. The next day, the lifeless bodies of these individuals were discovered by the local population," the second source added.

Junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traore seized power on the promise of putting a stop to the spiral of violence which has wracked Burkina Faso for more than a decade.

But the jihadists, who have pledged allegiance to either Al-Qaeda or the Islamic State group, have continued to expand their influence across swathes of the desert nation.
G.Bissau rocked by coup d'etat, president's arrest



Bissau, Nov 26 (AFP) Nov 26, 2025



Military officials in Guinea-Bissau declared taking "total control" of the coup-prone west African country Wednesday, arresting its president, closing its borders and suspending its electoral process three days after general elections.

The officers' announcement followed heavy gunfire that rang out near the presidential palace earlier in the day, with men in military uniform taking over the main road leading to the building.

In the early afternoon, General Denis N'Canha, head of the presidential military office, told members of the press that a command "composed of all branches of the armed forces, was taking over the leadership of the country until further notice".

He read the announcement seated at a table and surrounded by armed soldiers.

Incumbent president Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who had been favoured to win last Sunday's election, was arrested and being held at general-staff headquarters where he is being "well-treated", a military source told AFP.

A senior officer who also confirmed the arrest added that Embalo had been detained along "with the chief of staff and the minister of the interior".

Opposition leader Domingos Simoes Pereira, who was barred from last weekend's presidential election by the Supreme Court, was additionally arrested Wednesday, according to two sources close to the politician.

Unable to run, Pereira cast his support behind opposition candidate Fernando Dias. He and Embalo had both already declared victory in the presidential race, with official provisional results expected Thursday.

Tumultuous Guinea-Bissau has experienced four coups since independence, as well as multiple attempted coups.

Political stability was one of the major issues in the election, given the nation's turbulent past. In October the country's army said it thwarted an "attempt to subvert the constitutional order" and arrested several senior military officers.



- Curfew and closed borders -



N'Canha, in his declaration Wednesday, claimed a plan had been uncovered to destabilise Guinea-Bissau "involving national drug lords" that had included "the introduction of weapons into the country to alter the constitutional order".

In addition to halting "the entire electoral process", he said military forces had suspended "all media programming", closed "land, air, and sea" borders, and imposed a mandatory curfew.

By the end of the day, the streets of Bissau were deserted, and the military had taken control of all the main thoroughfares, AFP journalists observed.

Guinea-Bissau is among the world's poorest countries and is also a hub for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe, a trade facilitated by the country's long history of political instability.

The country's National Electoral Commission (CNE) was additionally attacked by unidentified armed men on Wednesday, commission communications official Abdourahmane Djalo told AFP.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was "following the situation with deep concern", his spokesman said, and urged all stakeholders to "exercise restraint and respect the rule of law".

The country's former colonial ruler Portugal additionally called for the resumption of the electoral process, discouraging "any act of institutional or civic violence".



- Repeat crises -



More than 6,780 security forces, including from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Stabilisation Force, were deployed for Guinea-Bissau's vote and the post-election period.

The country's last presidential vote in 2019 was marked by a four-month post-election crisis as both main candidates claimed victory.

The election pitted Embalo against Pereira, the candidate from the country's main opposition party PAIGC, which secured Guinea-Bissau's independence from Portugal in 1974.

The country's 2025 election notably excluded PAIGC and Pereira, who were struck from the final list of candidates and parties by the Supreme Court, which said they had filed their official applications too late.

In 2023, Embalo dissolved the legislature -- which was dominated by the opposition -- and has since ruled by decree.

The opposition says PAIGC's exclusion from the presidential and parliamentary elections amounts to "manipulation" and maintains that Embalo's term expired on February 27, five years to the day after his inauguration.

The west African region has been rife with coups in recent years, with Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Guinea all having had their governments toppled.
Netanyahu accused of dodging blame as Israel confronts Oct 7 failures



Jerusalem, Nov 26 (AFP) Nov 26, 2025



Tension is escalating between Israel's political and military top brass over accountability for the failures behind the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused of sidestepping blame.

Weekly protests against Netanyahu's leadership of the subsequent two-year war in Gaza and demanding the return of hostages became emblematic of the anger boiling within parts of Israeli society over how the attack and its fallout have been handled.

Much of the Israeli public has been calling -- in vain -- for an independent inquiry into the events leading up to the 2023 Hamas attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,221 people.

Polls show more than 70 percent of Israelis want a state commission of inquiry, which have been set up in the past to investigate major state-level failings.

The one established after the October 1973 Arab-Israeli war led to the resignation of prime minister Golda Meir in June 1974.

The decision to create a commission rests with the government, but its members must be appointed by the president of the supreme court.

Netanyahu's right-wing coalition government has accused the court of political bias.

More than two years on from the Hamas attack, no such inquiry has been established, and Netanyahu once again rejected the idea in parliament on November 10 -- accusing the opposition of seeking to turn it into a "political tool".

Netanyahu is no stranger to the art of political survival. The 76-year-old is Israel's longest-serving prime minister, having spent more than 18 years in the post across three spells since 1996.

"Netanyahu doesn't take responsibility for anything: it's always someone's fault," said Yossi Mekelberg, a Middle East expert at the London-based think-tank Chatham House.

"The idea that after these two years, there's no inquest, and he tried to escape it -- most Israelis won't accept it," he told AFP.



- 'Puzzling' -



Israel's military announced on Sunday the dismissal of three generals and disciplinary action against several other senior officers over their failure to prevent the October 2023 attack.

The move came two weeks after the publication of a report raking over the military's internal investigations into the October 7 attacks.

Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, Israel's top military chief, appointed an independent committee of experts to undertake the review.

In presenting their findings on November 10, Zamir called for a wider "systemic investigation", to learn lessons from the October 7 onslaught.

According to Israeli media, the remarks were seen as a betrayal by Netanyahu, for whom Zamir had served as a military adviser.

On Monday, Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that he had commissioned a review of the committee's work.

The decision was swiftly labelled "puzzling" by Zamir.

The military "is the only body in the country that has thoroughly investigated its own failures and taken responsibility for them," said a military statement on Zamir's behalf.

"If any further examination is required to complete the picture, it must take the form of an external, objective and independent commission," it added.

- 'Yes man' -



According to independent analyst Michael Horowitz, Katz is seen by the Israeli public as a "political loyalist, a 'yes man' who rarely diverges from Netanyahu".

Friction between the political and military elite is not a new phenomenon under Netanyahu, he told AFP, but the recent spat is unusually public.

"The main reason is that this isn't about personality so much as a divide as to who is to blame for October 7, and how this question should be settled," he said.

Netanyahu has said there will be no state commission of inquiry before the end of the war in Gaza.

Instead, in mid-November, the government announced it was setting up an "independent" probe into the October 7 failures -- but one whose composition would be chosen by a panel of cabinet ministers.

The move sparked anger in Israel, with thousands of protesters rallying in Tel Aviv on Saturday to demand a full state commission of inquiry.

"It should be an objective committee," Eliad Shraga, the chairman of the NGO Movement for Quality Government, told AFP at the protest.

"A committee who will really find out how come that we had such a failure, such a crisis."

Netanyahu has so far never acknowledged responsibility for the failures that led to October 7.

"He has one strong and straightforward incentive not to take responsibility," Horowitz told AFP.

"Accepting the blame means leaving office. After all, almost all of those who accepted part of the blame have left."

Netanyahu has said he will stand in the next elections, to be held before the end of 2026.
Flash: A group of military officers in Guinea-Bissau claim they have taken control of the country: media
SYDNEY, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- A teenager is facing life imprisonment after he allegedly acted as a drug mule to import methamphetamine into Australia.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF) said in a joint statement on Wednesday that the 19-year-old man from Canberra was intercepted and chosen for a baggage examination on arrival at Sydney Airport from Vancouver on Sept. 29.

During the examination, ABF officers allegedly located three suspicious packages containing 16 kg of a crystal-like substance that testing identified as methamphetamine.

The man was arrested by the AFP and charged with one count each of possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug and importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, both of which carry maximum sentences of life imprisonment.

The AFP and ABF said it will be alleged in court that the teenager was contacted on social media by an unknown individual who offered him 3,500 Australian dollars (2,263 U.S. dollars) to illegally smuggle vapes into Australia.

He traveled to Vancouver and collected the suitcase, which he believed contained vapes, before returning to Australia.

Authorities said that the methamphetamine had an estimated street value of 14.8 million Australian dollars (9.5 million U.S. dollars). 
Wow, so a lot went down in tonights new episode of Murder in a Small Town. We knew things were closing in for Mayor Christie Holman, but I was not expecting this turn of events.





Cassandra confronts Christie with the information she received. Smart on her for making copies because from the looks of it she would want to make it go away to get her way. She even tried to bribe Cassandra asking her what she would want in return to look the other way. The audacity; Cassandra didnt budge. She allowed her 24 hours to get herself together before she went public with the information.





Christies solution to this matter is to step down as Mayor, and honestly its the best move she couldve made. However, somebody didnt take kindly to that and knocked her senseless on the night of her event. Karl questions Christies son, Brett, her daughter, Natalie, and son-in-law, Robert. Something was off about Natalie and her husband to me and I had my eye on them. They had the most to lose with Christie stepping down, but would Natalie really hurt her own mother?





"Fall of Holman" - MURDER IN A SMALL TOWN, Pictured: Marcia Gay as Christie Holman. Photo: Kailey Schwerman/ FOX  2025 Fox Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Once shes awake, Karl asks Christie what she remembers from the night. It isnt much, but get this, why did Lance Greenwood rush in there and basically try to stop Karls questioning? Yes, hes her doctor, but not at this time, so whats up with that? He was on my list after that, but the questions continued. While interrogating Brett, he immediately went on the defense , but it didn't scream guilty to me. Its more like abandonment issues. Upon further investigation, the school told Karl that Bretts behavior has been escalating for a while and he was recently expelled for his violence towards his teacher. Not only that, he has been drawing disturbing images of his mother. On the pack of this image was an email between his mom and Natalie; one of the ones Cassandra received.





Things are starting to add up now. Brett was the one who sent Cassandra the emails. This makes so much sense; hes obviously feeling lonely and with how busy his mom has been being mayor, and his father gone (killed in a car accident) he just wanted his mom around more. He wasnt the one who hurt his mother.





"Fall of Holman" - MURDER IN A SMALL TOWN, Pictured: Marcia Gay as Christie Holman. Photo: Kailey Schwerman/ FOX  2025 Fox Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

While Karl was interrogating Robert, he let it slip that Christie was having an affair with Lance Greenwood  yes, her doctor. One of the caterers revealed that they overheard Christie arguing with Claire Greenwood the night she was attacked so shes now brought in. She admits to having an argument but denies being the one to attack Christie, but she would have every right to after what shes done to her. She tells Karl that she saw Natalies car when she was with Christie, which now debunks Natalies alibi.





Again, we dont think Natalie would actually hurt her own mother right? Of course she wouldnt, but who would have access to Natalies car and also something to lose if Christie stepped down as mayor? Robert. See? Knew something was suspicious about him. He tried to deny his involvement of course, but he was caught on a neighbors camera at the time of the attack. Christie stepping down ruined Roberts plan to embezzle money. Robert, did we really think killing her would make matters better? Family dinners are going to be extremely weird now.





"Fall of Holman" - MURDER IN A SMALL TOWN, Pictured: Guest star Jacob Shoemay as Brett Holman. Photo: Kailey Schwerman/ FOX  2025 Fox Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Speaking of weird, Cassandra gets a blast from the past when someone she knew back in Sacramento turns up out of the blue. She doesnt seem particularly happy to see Warren, more like frightened. He asks to have lunch with her to talk and she declines. Youd think that would be enough to send him on his way, but no. Warren decides to follow her around town, ambushing her at every chance he gets.





Warren finds his way to the library  he tells Cassandra that he was released and was struggling with finding work. She doesnt seem to understand where hes going with this, but then he asks her for a job and that she owes him. Cassandra is visibly frightened and in this moment I thank Todd for being there. He did not hesitate to step behind Cassandra when it sounded like Warren was about to get aggressive. He takes it upon himself to keep an eye on Warren for Cassandra. Warren even made his way to Cassandras house demanding that he give her money for all the trouble she caused him. I am so confused at what this man thinks she owes him. Youre a stalker, you claim she led you on, she wants nothing to do with you, youre being weird and you want her to pay you for that? Sir, keep it moving. Life is hard, youll figure it out without her.





"Fall of Holman" - MURDER IN A SMALL TOWN, Pictured: Rossif Sutherland as Karl Alberg and Kristin Kreuk as Cassandra Lee. Photo: Kailey Schwerman/ FOX  2025 Fox Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

What bothered me about this though was that when Todd informed Karl about what was going on, Cassandra lashed out on him because she didnt want him to know about her previous life to that depth. Cassandra there is a man following you and youre dating the chief of police, how could you not expect him to do everything in his power to keep you safe? You cant really be upset at that, can you?





Now that the budget was approved for more officers, I need someone to notice that Laila is spiraling. Shes not sleeping well, and shes trying her best, but it's obvious the events of the shooting are still haunting her. She even broke her three-year sobriety. I dont see this ending well if it continues.





Whatd you think of tonights new episode of Murder in a Small Town? Share your thoughts below or reach out to me on X/Twitter @chendfordhugs
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And my promise, Nigeria, is to amplify what I said some years ago as UN envoy: You have suffered too much from the interruption of schooling because of terrorism and threats; it is now for us, the whole international community, to show solidarity and support your efforts to build back better, to make schools safe and secure, making a reality of the promise of high-quality education for every child.
HANOI, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has proposed building two new airports in the south-central and Central Highlands regions to enhance regional connectivity, local daily Voice of Vietnam reported Wednesday.

The move also aims to boost tourism, logistics and create new growth drivers for the regions, the report said.

Under the plan, Mang Den Airport will be constructed in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum with an estimated investment of nearly 5 trillion Vietnamese dong (about 190 million U.S. dollars) and a planned land area of about 350 hectares.

Van Phong Airport will be built in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa, with an estimated investment of more than 9.2 trillion Vietnamese dong (about 350 million dollars) and a planned land area of over 497 hectares.

With the addition of these two airports, Vietnam is expected to have 33 airports nationwide by 2030, with a total designed capacity of 297 million passengers. 
Dancers get on the dance floor at Barbarella for "Tuezgayz" on June 8, 2021. Dave Creaney/Dave Creaney for Austin American Statesman.

Every year, as Thanksgiving looms and family group chats start buzzing with passive-aggressive recipe suggestions, another kind of gathering quietly gains momentum: Blackout Wednesday. Known in some circles as Drinksgiving Eve, the night before Thanksgiving has become a semi-official kickoff to holiday indulgence.

Note: This story is intended to explain the cultural trend surrounding Blackout Wednesday  not to encourage excessive drinking or substance use. Consider this your annual reminder to celebrate responsibly (and hydrate generously).

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The pre-feast phenomenon

General manager and partner Heather Muir takes customers' orders at Frazier's Long & Low Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. Mikala Compton/American-Statesman

Blackout Wednesday isnt exactly in the history textbooks, but its firmly planted in college lore and many adult social calendars. At its core, its the night where friends (and sometimes strangers) hit bars and breweries in a communal pre-Thanksgiving celebration.

Its a strange blend of nostalgia for college nights out and a way to momentarily dodge your relatives endless questioning about your life choices. The usual crowd ranges from 20-somethings returning to their hometowns to mid-30s professionals who still consider one night before family chaos a legitimate excuse to go out.

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That means parents, cousins, college kids and anyone who doesnt mind explaining to a bartender why theyre ordering another round a night before stuffing themselves with turkey. In Texas, where the craft beer scene is thriving and college towns are plentiful, bars report one of their busiest nights of the year on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

The 'cousin walk' connection

Mike Uchka, of CaraMax Corporation, displays lighted signs at CHAMPS Trade Show at the Palmer Events Center Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. The three-day business-to-business trade show focuses on the counterculture, smoke shop, and cannabis-related industries. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Amid the buzz of the earlyholiday bar hops, theres another prefeast ritual quietly making rounds in family homes: the socalled cousin walk. In its original iteration, the term referred to a group of younger relatives slipping outdoors for a casual stroll before the main event. More recently, however, the ritual has taken on a new life: some participants now use the moment to discreetly consume cannabis, rejoining the Thanksgiving table with heightened appetites and mellow moods.

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In Texas, where many families gather from across the state for the holiday, the cousin walk can function as both a break from the chaos of the kitchen and a pause before the inevitable political dinner conversation.

Where to celebrate Blackout Wednesday in Austin

Shelly Kantor, bar icon, dances with Sigrid Hirsch, left, at Donn's Depot on west Fifth Street, Monday, March, 29, 2021. The local bar recently reopened its doors after being shut due to the pandemic. Stephen Spillman for American-Statesman
A person pets a dog that has moose antlers on its head during a Canine Fashion Show with Christmas Costumes in Cuscatlan Park on Nov. 23, 2025 in San Salvador, El Salvador. APHOTOGRAFIA/Getty Images

Many pet owners want to include their furry friends in the holiday festivities and explore heartwarming ways to demonstrate your love and appreciation. However, seasonal activities, food and decorations can also pose additional dangers to animals.

Leading veterinary service community Thrive Pet Healthcare warns pet owners of six dangers to avoid this holiday season, along with testimonies from veterinaries with lived experiences. In no particular order, heres how to keep your fur baby safe throughout the festivities.

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No. 1: Chocolate is good for humans, but not pets

Youve probably heard warnings against feeding dogs chocolate  and this applies to cats, as well.

The sweet contains caffeine and theobrommine, two toxic components called methylxanthines. These stimulants are easily metabolized by humans but can wreak havoc on a pets body, according to the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Colorado State University. A buildup can put a pets body into overdrive, overstimulating the heart and central nervous system. Darker chocolate tends to be more dangerous than milk chocolate.

Along with chocolate, pets should not be given cooked bones, grapes, raisins, onions, alcohol or xylitol (natural sugar alcohol found in gum and sugar-free treats).

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If given to pets, chocolate can overstimulate the heart and central nervous system. Depending on the type of chocolate and the dog's health and weight, eating chocolate can be fatal. Annette Riedl/DPA/Picture Alliance via Getty Images

Exuberant 4-year-old boxer Rocky turned Christmas Eve into a chocolate crime scene. His family came home to unwrapped Christmas presents and an empty box of chocolates, said Dr. Cindy Hong, a veterinarian at a TPH Urgent Care in California. We induced vomiting, and about half a pound of chocolate come back up. He clearly had a sweet tooth.

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Thankfully, his family brought him in right away to get the care he needed, Hong continued. Rocky was doing great the next day after an overnight stay at a 24-hour ER, but it couldve ended very differently. Chocolate and dogs dont mix!

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If youre going to feed your pet stable scraps, stick to safe foods like plain turkey, green beans and sweet potatoes. Pet treats are always a good alternative, as well.

No. 2: Decor isnt a snack, either

Pets who eat tinsel and other holiday decorations can experience significant symptoms, especially if the intestines are damaged or obstructed. The Montifraulo Collection/Getty Images

Sometimes pets mistake holiday decorations as food, which can lead to serious health issues. Tinsel, ribbons and ornaments are choking hazards and can lead to intestinal blockages of injuries.

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We saw a cat in the ER once that had decided the sparkling tinsel on the Christmas tree looked like a tasty holiday snack, said Dr. Brittany King, an emergency veterinarian at TPH Specialists in Mansfield, Texas. After the festive mischief and a bout of vomiting, X-rays showed an intestinal blockage. Surgery reveals a long strand of tinsel tangled in the intestines.

Thankfully, the curious kitty made a full recovery and was back to batting ornaments and napping under the tree, supervised this time.

To avoid such scares, and burns and electrical shocks from lights and wires, stick to shatterproof ornaments, flameless candles and cord management. Skip the tinsel to lower the risk of your pet ending up on an operating table.

No. 3: Speaking of sparkles, keep glitter away from pets

Glitter, such as that on holiday ornaments, can trigger digestive issues in pets that ingest it. H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock/Getty Images

Decorations dont need to be choking hazards or have flames to be dangerous for your pet. While glitter made be fun for you, its a lot less fun for an animal who ingests it.

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We had a pit bull mix who got into the Christmas ornaments and ended up passing glitter in his stool for a week. He was sparkling from the inside out, said Dr. Mayra Apolo, an emergency veterinarian at Capital Veterinary Specialists Jax in Florida. It might sound funny, but he needed a couple of days in the hospital on IV fluids to make sure nothing serious was happening.

Thankfully, he didnt need surgery and got to go home and enjoy the rest of his holiday, Apolo continued. This was a good reminder that even something as innocent-looking as a festive decoration can become dangerous.

A pet that ingests something harmful may show symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or a lick of appetite. Even if you suspect your pet ate something but symptoms havent yet appeared, early action can save a pets life. Call your veterinarian immediately, or call the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 or use the chat option on the website.

No. 4: If pets shouldnt eat it, they shouldnt chew on it either

Pets that chew on holiday decorations may swallow them, which can put them in danger. Moreen Ishikawa/AFP via Getty Images

Many of the same holiday decorations that are dangerous for pets to ingest also make hazardous chew toys.

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An English bulldog once came in after eating a segment of large Christmas lights, wires and all. On the X-ray, we could clearly see the intact bulbs in his stomach, said Dr. Aaron Weiner, an emergency veterinarian at Tampa Bay Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Care Center in Florida. We induced vomiting and, luckily, he brought them all up without needing surgery.

It was one of the more memorable holiday cases Ive seen.

No. 5: Give pets a break  no, really

Just as you may need a break from that one cousin you see at holiday dinners, your pet may require some down time amid the festivities. Noise, guests and other forms of overstimulation can trigger anxiety in your pet, which may also lead them to act out. To make your furry friend more comfortable, set up a cozy, quiet room featuring soothing background music and a beloved toy, chew or blanket before your guests arrive. This gives you pet a secure place they can retreat to away from the excitement of the party.

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Pets can become overwhelmed during holiday parties, so it's a good idea to designate a quiet space for them to decompress. APHOTOGRAFIA/Getty Images

If your pet is roaming the party, supervise interactions with young children who may be less familiar with appropriate ways to treat a pet. Ask your guests not to feed your pet, to avoid any of the mishaps mentioned above.

Highly anxious pets can be treated with prescription medicatioins  but these must be provided in advance under the supervision of a veterinarian.

No. 6: Reconsider traveling with your pet

When you plan to leave town for any length of time, your first instinct may be to bring your pet with you. However, this may do more harm than good.

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Before traveling with a pet, consider their temperament and how safe they will feel at your destination. Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images
Former employee John Wantz outside Smokey Mos BBQ off I-35 in Round Rock, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

When hundreds of Austin-area families placed their Thanksgiving turkey orders with Smokey Mos BBQ this month, they likely pictured a bustling kitchen filled with mouthwatering spices and smoked meat  not the reports of rat droppings, overnight exterminations and disputed cleanup efforts described in county health inspection documents from the months leading up to the holiday and detailed in a recently filed lawsuit.

The Central Texas barbecue chain, which has more than 20 locations across the region, sold more than 500 holiday turkeys this year. Most were prepared at its Round Rock restaurant at 1601 S. Interstate 35, the same location county health officials inspected in October and again in early November after reports of rodent activity.

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The restaurant passed its annual routine inspection on Sept. 8 but was found out of compliance in two areas related to the checklist item titled No Evidence of Insect contamination, rodent/other animals. The inspector wrote that there were gaps in doorways, and the rear door was propped open while the restaurant was operating. The inspector advised management to seal gaps to prevent pest access and wrote that exterior doors must remain closed during operations. Unrelated to potential rodents, the inspector also found several problems with hand-washing sinks, giving the restaurant 48 hours to repair the issues or risk closure. The inspector reported two days later that those issues had been resolved.

Smokey Mos BBQ off I-35 in Round Rock, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Rat bodies and insulation are seen strewn on the floor of Smokey Mo's kitchen in Round Rock. Courtesy of John Wantz Rat bodies and insulation are seen strewn on the floor of Smokey Mo's kitchen in Round Rock. Courtesy of John Wantz Rat bodies and insulation are seen strewn on the floor of Smokey Mo's kitchen in Round Rock. Courtesy of John Wantz

But an Oct. 16 report, filed just over a month from the initial routine visit, reveals that inspectors responded to a complaint alleging that staff removed a rat from the restaurant's lobby on Oct. 7. The report states that the manager pointed out previously reported gaps were filled with foam or mesh, but the inspector still found rodent droppings under the customer drink station, under the hand-washing sink by the managers office and on the floor near the food-prep station in the back of the restaurant. No rodents were observed, but the inspector advised the restaurant to remove the droppings, clean and sanitize the affected areas and continue to plug any gaps.

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Another follow-up visit on Nov. 7  about two weeks after the restaurant spent three days cleaning up  reported similar findings. That report states a county health inspector still observed gaps in rear doorways and small amount of rodent droppings near the oven area, as well as open snap traps in back preparation areas.

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A county health district official, however, told the Statesman that the restaurant did not reach an "imminent health hazard" level.

Former employee claims management ignored concerns

On Nov. 10, three days after the latest inspector visit, former Smokey Mos IT employee John Wantz filed a 55-page lawsuit in Williamson County accusing Smokey Mos BBQ of ignoring months of warnings about rodent activity at multiple locations and retaliating against him when he escalated concerns.

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Wantz, who worked for the chain from February through October, said in the lawsuit that he routinely visited various Smokey Mos locations to troubleshoot equipment.

In his petition, he describes seeing rat droppings, damaged ceiling tiles and wiring that had been chewed through at both the Round Rock and Liberty Hill restaurants. He claims he repeatedly raised the issue with Smokey Mos president, Craig Haley, and other executives, who are individually named in the lawsuit.

The petition states Wantz reported the rat infestation at the Round Rock location multiple times over a period of months, beginning well before October 2025. Each time, (Wantz) emphasized the seriousness of the problem and the need for immediate professional remediation.

Screenshots of text messages provided by Wantz and reviewed by the Statesman indicate Haley acknowledging a rat problem at the Liberty Hill restaurant as early as March 28. Haley wrote, Definitely rats, then added a follow-up message: Or squirrels.

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Former employee John Wantz speaks about the conditions he witnessed inside the Smokey Mos BBQ off I-35 in Round Rock, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

According to the lawsuit, Wantz also captured video on July 3 showing liquid dripping from the Round Rock stores ceiling onto a food-prep area. He claims the company continued operating the restaurant for months without addressing the underlying cause. Wentz provided the Statesman with the video, which shows a large puddle on the floor a few feet away from an employee who appears to be preparing food. In the Sept. 8 routine inspection report, two months after Wantz took the video, the inspector stated finding standing water on the floor in the back prep area and advised management to clean up the water and fix the leak.

A three-day cleanup

The most serious allegations in Wantz's petition center on an overnight extermination operation he said he witnessed at the Round Rock location on Oct. 19, which the health district also cited in its inspection report.

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When Wantz arrived that evening, the petition states, construction workers told him that more than 150 rats had been killed and around 30 live rodents had escaped. County health inspectors did not observe any live or dead rodents in food-prep areas, according to the reports, but officials did not examine the walls or ceiling.

Wantz alleged that the restaurant left food-prep surfaces exposed and uncovered during the cleanup. Surveillance video provided by Wantz and viewed by the Statesman shows some areas covered by plastic, while others were left uncovered, during the cleanup Oct. 19-20. In the video, its unclear whether the uncovered areas were used for food preparation.

Wantz also claims in the suit that he witnessed teenage employees asking the on-duty manager for gloves and masks. According to the petition, the manager allegedly denied their requests and the workers continued cleaning areas contaminated with "dead rats, live rats, rodent waste, urine, feces and decomposing animal carcasses."

These hourly employees had ZERO protective equipment  no masks, no gloves, no protective clothing, no eye protection, nothing, Wantz wrote in the petition. The Williamson County inspection report from Nov. 7 says the cleanup was conducted by a third party company starting at 9:20 p.m. Oct. 19 after employees had closed the store and completed closing tasks like placing food in coolers and covering food-prep surfaces.

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Wantz said that days after reporting these conditions to company leadership and resigning, Smokey Mos refused to pay his previously approved mileage reimbursement of $3,809  retaliation, he claims, for whistleblowing.

Wantz initially filed his suit pro se, meaning he is representing himself, but has since said he is seeking legal representation.

Restaurant calls lawsuit 'meritless'

The Statesman sent Smokey Mos representatives detailed questions regarding Wantzs claims. Restaurant representatives did not respond to the detailed allegations, but Smokey Mos legal counsel provided an emailed statement.

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Prior to filing this meritless lawsuit, Mr. Wantz, a former employee of Smokey Mos, attempted to extort tens of thousands of dollars from our client under the guise of settlement of baseless, fabricated claims. We will seek dismissal of this fictitious lawsuit and full recourse against Mr. Wantz, the statement reads. Smokey Mos, a locally-owned business which operates at the highest of standards, will absolutely defend itself and hold Mr. Wantz accountable for the reputational damage he aims to inflict.

County health reports show Smokey Mos acknowledged taking measures to exterminate the rodents between Oct. 19 and 21, including removing droppings, rodent harborage, bodies, and feces.

The restaurant closed for three days and reopened for lunch Oct. 22, the report stated.

Aapka Bazaar, a South Asian grocery store next door to Smokey Mo's in Round Rock, confirmed it also closed during a similar time frame to address its rodent issue, and an employee noted seeing a sign on Smokey Mos door saying the business was closed for renovations. The grocery passed a reinspection soon after, county inspection reports show. But grocery workers said scratching, likely from rodents, never stopped  at least not in the wall they share with Smokey Mos.

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We already took care of it, but if its not stopped from (Smokey Mos) side, its going to continue, said a grocery employee, who asked to remain anonymous. Its always coming from that wall  there are droppings and we hear them running around. It sounds like a lot of them.

County: Smokey Mo's is 'very cooperative'

State law requires businesses to use every practical means to eliminate rodents once an infestation is known. Lori Murphy, director of environmental health for the Williamson County and Cities Health District, said Smokey Mos is being very cooperative with the inspections and cleanup and that if they weren't, the county would be more aggressive with follow-up scheduling.

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There is a level that this establishment did not reach, which is an imminent health hazard, Murphy said. If we actually saw live rodents or food was affected, it wouldve reached that level and the establishment wouldve closed. Since it was not deemed an imminent health hazard, I take that to mean the inspector didnt observe droppings close to food-prep areas.
Turkeys listen as the National Anthem is sung ahead of the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 28, 2024, in Austin. Sara Diggins/American-Statesman, NAAS

A Central Texas city has been crowned the best place to go to this Thanksgiving  but its not Austin.

While focused on gratitude, family and loved ones, Thanksgiving has also become highly commercialized, particularly as it precedes the Black Friday shopping holiday. Each consumer spent an average of $235 on holiday gifts during Thanksgiving weekend last year, according to the National Retail Federation.

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There are countless ways to celebrate the holiday, and some places offer more opportunities than others. To determine the best places where Americans can spend Thanksgiving, WalletHub analyzed the 100 largest U.S. cities across 18 key measures  from the cost of a Thanksgiving dinner and the share of delayed flights to volunteer opportunities and forecasted precipitation.

The best cities for celebrating Thanksgiving all have an abundance of high-quality restaurants and places to buy festive decorations, and their residents get very excited for the holiday based on their Google search history, WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said. Other features make individual cities stand out; for example, San Antonio has great weather, Atlanta has a fantastic track record for on-time flights and Virginia Beach has surprisingly affordable accommodations.

You read that right: San Antonio is the best place to spend Turkey Day in, according to WalletHub  and its because of more than just great weather. Heres what makes San Antonio turkey-rific, and how other Texas cities measure up.

San Antonio named the best place to go to for Thanksgiving

Julian Champagnie #30 of the San Antonio Spurs shows off his costume where Spurs players interacted with San Antonio Food Bank clients at the annual Thanksgiving event held by the Spurs and the nonprofit taken on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025 at Frost Bank Center Ronald Cortes/San Antonio Express News

WalletHubs analysis determined San Antonio is the place to be during the Thanksgiving holiday  especially those looking to dine out instead of cooking, thanks to the multitude of restaurants with ratings of at least 4.5 stars. The South Central Texas city also offers ample pumpkin patches and holiday decoration shops.

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San Antonios residents also indicate excitement for the holiday via Google searches. The city also offered the third-cheapest Thanksgiving dinner in the country, allowing people to save their money for the biggest shopping day of the year. There is only a 1% chance of precipitation this year, completing the ideal atmosphere.

Texas cities dominate US with best Thanksgiving Day weather and lowest costs for dinner

While San Antonio topped the overall rankings, other Texas cities stood out in categories.

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Longtime Central Texans know that some of the most spectacular Texas fall foliage can be found at Lost Maples State Natural Area less than three hours southwest of Austin. Check in advance for reports of the colors in the canyon near the headwaters of the Sabinal River. Provided by Chase Fountain

The Lone Star swept the top seven spots for the best weather forecasts:

No. 1: Laredo

No. 2: Lubbock (tie)

(tie) No. 2: San Antonio (tie)

(tie) No. 4: Austin (tie)

(tie) No. 4: Corpus Christi (tie)

(tie) No. 6: Irving

No. 7: Fort Worth

Laredo (No. 1), Corpus Christi (No. 2) and San Antonio (No. 3) also dominated the list for the lowest costs of Thanksgiving dinner. Dallas (No. 2), Houston (No. 8) and San Antonio (No. 10) ranked high for celebrations and traditions; San Antonio (No. 4), Austin (No. 7) and Corpus Christi (No. 8) ranked high for affordability; Plano (No. 7) and Irving (No. 8) ranked high for giving thanks; and Plano ranked No. 8 for safety and accessibility.

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Some other notable ranking cities werent so positive. Laredo had the lowest giving ratio in the county, three times worse than Tulsa, Oklahoma, which had the highest giving ratio. Corpus Christi (No. 7 worst) and El Paso (No. 9 worst) also ranked low in giving thanks.

Fort Worth had the third-lowest number of pumpkin patches per capita, behind New York, New York (No. 1 lowest) and Jacksonville, Florida (No. 2 lowest). Houston (No. 4 worst) and Dallas (No. 5 worst) ranked low in safety and accessibility, and Corpus Christi had the second-lowest ranking for celebrations and traditions.

Texas cities stood out among other U.S. cities in WalletHub's analysis for the lowest costs for Thanksgiving dinner, along with the best weather forecasts for Turkey Day. Natasha Breen/REDA/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

7 Texas cities in top 20 best places to go for Thanksgiving 2025

Heres how cities in the Lone Star State landed in the overall rankings:

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No. 1: San Antonio

Total score: 65.70

Celebrations & traditions rank: 9

Affordability rank: 4

Safety & accessibility rank: 58

Giving thanks rank: 71

Weather forecast rank: 2

No. 4: Dallas

Total score: 62.32

Celebrations & traditions rank: 2

Affordability rank: 28

Safety & accessibility rank: 96

Giving thanks rank: 33

Weather forecast rank: 9

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No. 6: Irving

Total score: 61.52

Celebrations & traditions rank: 59

Affordability rank: 12

Safety & accessibility rank: 36

Giving thanks rank: 8

Weather forecast rank: 6

No. 7: Plano

Total score: 60.96

Celebrations & traditions rank: 78

Affordability rank: 11

Safety & accessibility rank: 8

Giving thanks rank: 7

Weather forecast rank: 23

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No. 11: Corpus Christi

Total score: 59.28

Celebrations & traditions rank: 99

Affordability rank: 8

Safety & accessibility rank: 43

Giving thanks rank: 94

Weather forecast rank: 4

No. 12: Houston

Total score: 59.26

Celebrations & traditions rank: 8

Affordability rank: 23

Safety & accessibility rank: 97

Giving thanks rank: 34

Weather forecast rank: 19

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No. 16: Austin

Total score: 58.53

Celebrations & traditions rank: 32

Affordability rank: 7

Safety & accessibility rank: 40

Giving thanks rank: 70

Weather forecast rank: 4

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20 best places to go for Thanksgiving 2025
The University of Texas, founded in 1883, has had a profound influence on the history of Austin. The UT Tower, completed in 1937, was built with the help of federal dollars. Aaron E. Martinez / American-Sta

In a newly filed lawsuit, the parents of 18-year-old University of Texas freshman Sawyer Updike say months of violent hazing inside Sigma Chi Fraternitys Alpha Nu chapter pushed their son into a deep psychological crisis that ended in his suicide.

Sheryl Roberts-Updike and Lee Updike accuse the fraternitys national organization, its UT chapter, the chapters house corporation and five chapter members of orchestrating or allowing a culture where pledges were beaten, burned, humiliated and coerced into using drugs, which they claim ultimately led to Updike's death. The petition alleges the abuse happened repeatedly inside the fraternity house on Nueces Street, even while the chapter was already on university probation for hazing.

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Sawyers parents say they are pursuing the case to hold the fraternity accountable for the conditions that led to their sons death.

"The hazing not only scarred Sawyer physically but also caused him severe psychological and emotional distress," the filing reads. "It was the combination of demeaning and cruel hazing and the introduction (forced providing) of illegal drugs which led to psychological crisis that ended in suicide."

According to the lawsuit, after visiting the fraternity house and being given cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms on Jan. 16, 2024, Sawyer drove to a nearby parking lot and died by suicide. The suit says Sawyer had gone to the house that night believing attendance was mandatory, part of a pattern in which pledges were pressured or threatened into showing up. After allegedly being given multiple substances, Sawyer appeared distressed and overwhelmed before leaving the house alone.

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The petition states the hazing escalated week by week over Sawyer's freshman fall semester, with pledges summoned to the house multiple times a week, sometimes late at night, for increasingly violent tests of loyalty, forced physical exertion and degrading tasks.

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If youre not at line up tomorrow at 7 were flying Gabe from Houston to Austin and were going to make him [(expletive) Sawyers girlfriend] and then were gonna beat the (expletive) out of you until you (expletive) smile like him bro," reads a text message attributed to one of the Sigma Chi brothers in the lawsuit. "You have to be there! Tomorrow is the day, tomorrow is the day bro. You have to (expletive) be there.

The lawsuit outlines what Sawyer's parents view as his declining mental state over the course of the semester leading up to his death, saying he became increasingly anxious, withdrawn and fearful of retaliation if he reported the events at Sigma Chi. Friends and family observed stark changes in his demeanor, and by the time of his death in January he was emotionally exhausted, psychologically destabilized and physically harmed, according to the petition.

Pledge events included having a fishhook driven into Sawyers leg, lit cigarettes pressed into his skin and his hip stapled with a staple gun, the petition states. The lawsuit claims injuries were openly photographed and circulated internally, which the suit argues demonstrates awareness and approval among multiple older members.

The fraternity forced pledges to consume alcohol, cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms, the filing said. The petition alleges that drug use was not hidden but occurred in common areas of the house, and that pledges were frequently told substances were mandatory, part of an organized system meant to break down psychological resistance. Exhibits attached to the lawsuit show photos and videos of the injuries, the drug use and text messages directing pledges to attend mandatory coke meetings.

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The Alpha Nu chapter had been disciplined for hazing at least once before Updike's death, according to UT's hazing violation tracker, which only shows records for the past five years. In the fall of 2022, the fraternity was found to have "engaged in alcohol misconduct, and hazed new members through servitude, degradation, calisthenics and line-ups." In 2024, after Updike's death, the fraternity was investigated a second time for hazing, the tracker reports, resulting in Sigma Chi Fraternity International Headquarters shutting down the chapter.

But Sawyer's parents argue this decision came too late.

The lawsuit states Sigma Chis national leadership and the house corporation knew the chapter had a history of hazing, controlled its operations and finances, and failed to intervene  instead elevating members who facilitated the abuse. Officers, the petition says, negligently turned a blind eye to escalating harm that left Sawyer in a deteriorating mental state by January 2024.

The suit states that national Sigma Chi leaders had the authority to suspend the chapter, remove officers or revoke the charter but failed to act, even while the chapter was already on university probation for prior hazing violations. The filing also alleges the chapter routinely promoted members known as enforcers, who were responsible for directing or inflicting physical punishments during pledge events. Sawyers parents say the fraternitys inaction allowed the violence and drug coercion to persist in a chapter with a documented history of misconduct. Sigma Chi's national organization did not immediately respond to request for comment.

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The horrific acts of hazing were not the creations of individuals for their own sick gratification but were undertaken wholly in the context of the fraternity, the lawsuit says.
Charles Wicks at his apartment in South Austin. The former airport worker who lost toes is battling homelessness and a loss of mobility. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Charles David Wicks loved a hard days work back when he was young. Back when he had all 10 toes and fully functioning feet.

Back when everyday life was better.

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Season for Caring recipient Charles Wicks at his apartment in South Austin on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Season for Caring recipient Charles Wicks walks through a narrow bathroom door at his apartment in South Austin on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Season for Caring recipient Charles Wicks walks in the narrow hall at his apartment in South Austin on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Season for Caring recipient Charles Wicks at his apartment in South Austin on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Season for Caring recipient Charles Wicks gets up from his bed at his apartment in South Austin on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Season for Caring recipient Charles Wicks at his apartment in South Austin on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

He worked most of his younger years in construction and moved to Austin from Oklahoma in the mid 1990s with hopes of making a go of it in one of Americas fastest-growing cities.

Born in Austin and reared in Del Valle, he moved to Oklahoma after graduating from Crockett High School in 1978, returned here one decade later and encountered some hardships. But he has a wonderful spirit despite some challenges.

Want to help? Here's how to donate to Season for Caring

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I was homeless, the 66-year-old he said. I lived in my car for three years because I couldnt do any jobs so I lost everything. But I got help from some good people who saved me.

When the 9/11 attacks happened in 2001, the nation was united in the fight against terrorism. Wicks was moved to apply for a job as a baggage handler at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in 2002 but the demands of the job took a toll on his health.

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Years of large bags landing on his feet required several toes to amputated, making it difficult to walk. Unable to complete the tasks required of a physical position that required long periods of standing up, he lost his job, eventually plunging into homelessness.

Wicks lives in a South Austin apartment that meets his daily needs, though there are needed tweaks that would improve his quality of life.

He worked several jobs in Austin three decades ago, including a stint as a security guard at Dell before landing the gig at Bergstrom.

Charles Wicks reaches for a high cabinet at his apartment in South Austin. The former airport worker has battled homelessness and nearly died from COVID. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

He was living in a trailer home in Del Valle but was unable to keep up the payments and decided to abandon the space altogether in 2020. With no place to stay, he took up residence in his car in the parking lot of a Walmart off U.S. 290 that was open 24 hours and allowed access to bathrooms to maintain his personal hygiene.

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After being homeless for nearly three years, he hooked up with a street outreach ministry that led him to a connection with Family Eldercare, a local nonprofit whose mission is to provide services that promote dignity and stability for older adults and adults with disabilities.

Wicks was taken off the streets and placed in a motel while the charity attempted to find him suitable housing, but he was diagnosed with COVID and hospitalized. His problems didnt end there. While in care, thieves stole his car/living space and everything in it.

He has been living at the Dexter Apartments on a Section 8 voucher with the city's Housing Authority that makes his place affordable though it needs work to make his basic needs easier to meet. Meals on Wheels has been a godsend with a delivered hot meal each day.

He is unable to drive and relies on Cap Metro to make his doctor appointments and runs to the store. That requires waits that sometimes top an hour after making an appointment and waiting for the bus to arrive.

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His lack of mobility makes small tasks like getting the mail in the complex more of a job than it is for those who are fully ambulatory. The mailbox is over 200 yards from his front door. He owns a rollator walker but could really use a motorized scooter that would help preserve his energy since he had a pacemaker installed two months ago.

Season for Caring recipient Charles Wicks at his apartment in South Austin on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

He also has difficulty with the steep incline outside his apartment, with only one rail to steady himself.

Never married and without children, Wicks has a kind smile and a gentle nature. He simply wants to get the most out of his golden years.

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Hes had some tough breaks but (Wicks) has a great spirit, said Family Eldercare caseworker Anna Madrigal. Hes been through a lot but is hanging in there.

Charles Wick's wishes

Motorized scooter; powered wheelchair; bed and bedding; pre-paid gift cards for Randalls, Walmart, H-E-B and Texas Roadhouse; handyman to install safety rails outside residence; grabber to reach items; raised toilet seat; microwave oven; 3X shirts, 50-30 pants; bureau near kitchen thats accessible; high (2535 mmHg) compression socks; flat screen television; pantry and kitchen organization; storage and organization supplies; anti-slip carpet runner; adjustable height shower head; ergonomic reacher and grabber tools. Wish list available on Amazon.

Nominated by: Family Eldercare, 1700 Rutherford Lane, Austin, TX, 78754. 512-450-0844 familyeldercare.org

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Its mission: To provide services that promote dignity and stability for older adults and adults with disabilities.

Use the form below or visit statesmansfc.kimbia.com/statesmanseasonforcaring.

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Kiana Young, 7, relaxes at her home in Austin. Her mother Amy was able to get housing through Foundation for the Homeless, but that funding is coming to an end. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

Every year, the Statesman highlights families in our community that could benefit from your generosity. They are families who have experienced homelessness, who face chronic illnesses or cancer, who are caring for children with rare disorders, and seniors who are trying to stay in the homes they have lived in for decades. They are parents who are trying to pay for medical care while working fewer hours, grandmothers raising grandchildren, and people whose homes are falling apart around them. These are some of our neighbors selected for this years Statesman Season for Caring program.

Since 1999, the Statesman has invited the community to read their stories and support local nonprofits in the work they do in sustaining Austin and Central Texas. The money donated through the Austin Community Foundation helps the featured families first and then helps hundreds of other families through Season for Caring grants. In a year of uncertainty, the need is increasing as many nonprofits have seen long-standing federal grants reduced or cut completely, while clients face homelessness, food insecurity, and the possibility of not being able to afford health insurance.

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As the Statesman launches the 27th year of Season for Caring, all donations will be matched by Brian and Adria Sheth, up to $500,000. Their grant is a challenge to the Austin community to do more: to help pay rent bills and keep families housed, buy H-E-B gift cards for groceries, keep lights on in families homes, and make sure seniors can afford prescription medications.

Today, we invite you to meet the families whose stories reflect the challenges so many in our community face and the ways this program continues to be a bright light. Read about each family and how your generosity can help change lives across Central Texas.

Want to help? Here's how to donate to Season for Caring

Alaniz family

Isiah and Adriana Alaniz and their children Aubrey, 4, and Elijah, 1, at their home in Buda. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

The Alaniz family is doing everything they can to give Elijah, who lives with a rare genetic disorder, the love and care he needs, while also supporting his big sister, Aubrey.

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Nominated by: Any Baby Can

Khan Babrakzai family

The Babrakzai family spends time together at their home in Austin. The family came from Afghanistan after the father, Raees Khan Babrakzai, helped the U.S. Government. Their son Habibullah, 10, has a congenital heart problem and has had many surgeries for it. Daughter Madina, 5, was burned with hot tea and has been in the burn unit in San Antonio. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

After fleeing danger in Afghanistan and losing a newborn son, the Babrakzai family arrived in Austin to rebuild. Their daughter Madina survived a devastating burn accident last year, and the children are thriving in school.

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Nominated by: Interfaith Action of Central Texas

Anitra Coulter Blunt

Anitra Coulter Blunt in her home where she lives with her mother, Pearlie Coulter, who has congestive heart failure. Their home was damaged during the July Fourth weekend flooding when a tree branch damaged the roof. They now have mold in the home. Coulter Blunt works as a music teacher and musician. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

Anitra Coulter Blunt has spent years helping young people find their voices, especially those with neurological differences, but severe storm damage over the July Fourth weekend and mounting medical bills have put her mission on hold.

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Nominated by: HAAM

Carbajal family

Maritza Carbajal and her children, left to right, Javier, Ximena, Braulio, Alejandro and Joel at their apartment in Austin. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Maritza Carbajal spends her days feeding students at school, but comes home to an apartment plagued by rats, mold and sparking outlets. With rising rent, this single mother of five is fighting to keep her children safe and housed.

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Nominated by: Communities In Schools

Sylvia Reyna & Janie Farias

Season For Caring recipients Janie Farias, left, and Sylvia Reyna at their apartment in San Marcos. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Sylvia Reyna and Janie Farias spent decades raising a family and working demanding jobs, but major health issues have left them unable to work. Their biggest need is an ADA-accessible vehicle to get to medical appointments and therapy.

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Nominated by: Community Action

Julie Freeman & family

River Reimers, 5, plays with cards while hanging out with his grandmother, Julie Freeman, at the familys home in Round Rock. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

Julie Freeman, 60, has spent the past year battling breast cancer and caring for her five grandchildren, all while managing brittle bone disease and emphysema. The family is finally in a rental home, but finances are tight.

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Nominated by: Breast Cancer Resource Center

Mattie Freeman

Mattie Freeman and her family gather on the on the porch of her home in East Austin. The home is in need of repairs and has signs of foundation issues, like cracking and sinking. The changes in the home pose a hazard to Freeman, who is blind and cannot see the hazards. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

Blinded by a degenerative condition, Mattie Freeman now spends most of her days inside the home where she raised her family  a home thats aging faster than she can keep up with.

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Nominated by: Interfaith Action of Central Texas

Lopez family

From left, Amy Lopez and her children, Paris Young, 11, Kiana Young, 7, Aliyha Young, 12, and Major Young, 15, at their home. Amy was able to get housing through Foundation for the Homeless, but that funding is coming to an end. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

As a single mom of four, Amy Lopez works nights and spends her days getting her kids to school. After years in a shelter, she finally secured an apartment, but mold, broken appliances and safety concerns make it hard to stay.

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Nominated by: Foundation Homeless

Maldonado family

Jennifer Maldonado, left, talks to her granddaughter Alexis Strube, right, in their home in Bastrop. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

When Arthur Maldonado was diagnosed with aggressive cancer, his wife, Jennifer, put her lymphoma treatments on hold to care for him until his final day. Now, shes working through grief, health challenges and financial strain while helping to raise their granddaughters.

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Nominated by: Hospice Austin

Ysla & Medina family

The Ysla-Medina family at Westgate Lanes in Austin. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

Charlie Medina built hundreds of homes across Austin, but a devastating back injury cost him his livelihood and pushed his family of seven into homelessness. Now in a small apartment, Charlie and his wife Kimberly Ysla are working hard but still struggling to get back on their feet.

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Nominated by: Foundation Communities

Gloria Villeda

Gloria Villeda and her grandson Sebastian Watson in the clubhouse at their apartment complex. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

Sebastian calls his grandmother Gloria his hero as she works to give him the loving childhood she never had. Now 72 and living on a limited income, Gloria is struggling to keep up with bills, car repairs and the basics her growing grandson needs.

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Nominated by: SAFE

Charles Wicks

Season for Caring recipient Charles Wicks at his apartment in South Austin. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Charles Wicks has weathered years of hardship, from job loss and amputations to homelessness and the theft of the car he lived in. Now 66, housed and living on a fixed income, he faces mobility issues that make even short walks difficult.

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Nominated by: Family Eldercare

How to donate

To give a monetary donation, go to statesman.com/seasonforcaring or clip the coupon printed daily in the newspaper and mail it in to Austin Community Foundation, c/o Statesman Season for Caring, 4315 Guadalupe St., Suite 300, Austin, TX, 78751. Make checks payable to Statesman Season for Caring.

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Aliyha Young, 12, draws anime in her bedroom in an Austin affordable housing complex where she lives with her mother and three siblings. Their family, which is running out of housing assistance and needing a safe place to live, is one of 12 families being helped in this year's Season for Caring campaign. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

Happy Thanksgiving and happy holidays, Austin.

This week the Austin American-Statesman launches the 27th annual Season for Caring, our citys signature holiday giving campaign  a tradition that reflects who we are as a community and what we value most: compassion, connection and commitment to one another.

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Since its founding in 1999, Season for Caring has raised nearly $22 million in cash, goods and services for Central Texas families in need. Each year, we partner with local nonprofits to share the stories of families facing extraordinary challenges  families who remind us of both the fragility of life and the resilience of the human spirit. Through these stories, readers, advertisers and community members step forward with generosity that transforms lives: rent paid, homes repaired, medical bills covered and hearts lifted.

Each year, the need grows  and this year, it feels especially personal. This summer's tragic flooding in Kerr and Travis counties touched many of us. While generous donors across the Hill Country have stepped up to help those affected, that outpouring of compassion also creates new challenges for other nonprofits and families still struggling with everyday needs. On top of that, changes in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have made life even more difficult for thousands of Austin households. The need is real, and it is urgent.

This season also marks the first Season for Caring under Hearst ownership of the Statesman, bringing renewed energy and purpose to our mission. Hearst has long believed that great journalism should not only inform but also improve the communities it serves. Season for Caring embodies that belief perfectly.

I want to personally thank entrepreneur and philanthropist Brian Sheth for once again matching, dollar for dollar, the first $500,000 in donations. Last year, our community raised more than $1.7 million in cash and services, directly benefiting 12 Austin-area families. And the ripple effect extends even further, as our partner agencies use Season for Caring funds to help countless other neighbors in moments of urgent need. We could not achieve this impact without Sheths generosity and leadership.

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I also want to thank the Austin Community Foundation, along with the Statesmans Season for Caring team  led by health reporter Nicole Villalpando and senior marketing director Sara Bryant. Together, they work with the foundation to identify families with the most urgent needs. Your donations are not general contributions; they are targeted, specific and deeply personal. Youll see your generosity at work in our coverage as we share each familys story and outline their unique needs.

Every dollar donated is 100% tax-deductible, as the program is administered through the Austin Community Foundation and hosted by GiveGab.

After 27 years, Season for Caring remains one of Austins most inspiring traditions  a reminder that compassion is our citys greatest strength, and that together, we can turn stories into hope.

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Aisea Latu Talia'uli (4th L) and his wife (4th R) pose for photos with members of the sixth batch of the Chinese medical team to Tonga, in Nuku'alofa, Tonga on Nov. 8, 2025. (The sixth batch of the Chinese medical team to Tonga /Handout via Xinhua)

by Xinhua writer Guo Xinhui

SUVA, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- A heartfelt letter of thanks recently delivered to the members of the sixth batch of the Chinese medical team to Tonga highlights a story of cross-border medical cooperation and compassion.

"When we learned that his heart had multiple blocked arteries and that his condition was serious, our hearts were heavy. But you through your skills, your patience, and your gentle care gave him a second chance at life."

The letter, from the wife of a local teacher named Aisea Latu Talia'uli, expressed deep gratitude for the life-saving treatment her husband received in China and the continued care from the Chinese medical team upon his return.

Talia'uli, a teacher at Tupou College in Tonga, saw his life and work suddenly interrupted by a severe health crisis.

In May, a coronary angiography revealed severe blockages of up to 80 percent in three major coronary arteries, putting him at high risk of a life-threatening heart attack and in urgent need of coronary artery bypass surgery -- a procedure unavailable in Tonga.

The grim diagnosis and the prospect of a long wait for overseas treatment placed immense psychological and financial strain on Talia'uli and his family.

For not too long, a turning point emerged through a newly established patient referral program between Tonga and China.

Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding in late May with Qilu Hospital of Shandong University in eastern China, which formalized this cooperation, Talia'uli became one of the first eight Tongan patients to travel to China for treatment in July.

"He was far from home, far from his family, and placing his life into the hands of people we had never met. Yet, from the moment he arrived, you welcomed him with kindness, dignity, and hope," his wife wrote in the letter.

After comprehensive evaluations, doctors at Qilu Hospital successfully performed the crucial coronary artery bypass surgery on Talia'uli.

Chinese Ambassador to Tonga Liu Weimin noted that this mechanism for patient referrals marks a first between China and a Pacific Island country, representing a significant breakthrough in practical health cooperation.

As one of the more critical patients, Talia'uli's recovery was closely monitored by the Chinese medical team after his return to Tonga.

Team leader Zhang Gaofeng told Xinhua that the results of several follow-up examinations showed a good recovery of the patient.

Talia'uli has now returned to work. He shared that while days post-surgery are still filled with worry and fear, the ongoing support from the Chinese medical team has been a source of strength, reassurance, and peace.

China's Shandong Province has been sending medical teams to Tonga since 2018, with the six dispatched teams having provided treatment to over 33,000 local patients.

Ambassador Liu stated that these medical teams have become a shining example of Chinese aid to Tonga, earning respect through their professionalism and compassion, and fostering sincere friendships with the local people.

"We understand that each of you is far from your own homes, your families, and the place you know best. Yet you continue to serve with kindness, humility, and unwavering professionalism. Your sacrifices speak loudly of the bond of friendship between our nations -- a bond built not only on agreements, but on compassion, humanity, and love," Talia'uli's wife said in the letter. 

A doctor from the sixth batch of the Chinese medical team to Tonga performs an examination for Aisea Latu Talia'uli in Nuku'alofa, Tonga on Nov. 8, 2025. (The sixth batch of the Chinese medical team to Tonga /Handout via Xinhua)
Texas law now allows a woman to get an abortion if pregnancy endangers her life, even if death isnt imminent. But doctors and hospitals still fear breaking the law. Twenty47studio/Getty Images

On his 14th birthday  December 30, 2024  JJ found his mothers lifeless body.



I need you, he shouted as he leaned over his mom, pressing down on her chest. I need you!



That scene is from a heartbreaking new ProPublica story about 37-year-old Tierra Walkers needless death.

JJ and Tierra lived in San Antonio. Tierra, a dental assistant, was 20 weeks pregnant. Pre-existing diabetes and high blood pressure put her at high risk for severe complications  complications that she knew all too much about. When shed been pregnant before, preeclampsia had resulted in the stillbirth of her twins.



This pregnancy had been even rockier. Her blood pressure was high. She had unexplained seizures and a life-threatening blood clot in her leg. She spent weeks in the hospital.

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ProPublica reports that more than 90 doctors were involved in Tierras case  and that Tierra asked directly whether she should have an abortion to protect her health. Texas ban on abortions isnt supposed to apply if carrying a baby put the mothers life in danger.



But not one of those 90 doctors offered her an abortion.

In reviewing Tierras case for Pro Publica, more than a dozen OB-GYNs agree that not only should her doctors have provided the abortion she asked for, they should have proactively offered her this option. Those experts described her condition as a ticking time bomb, and all came to the same chilling conclusion: If Tierra had been able to end her pregnancy, she would not have died.

Now JJ will grow up without his mother.

After Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, abortion became illegal in Texas, and maternal mortality in the state increased dramatically. Black women like Tierra disproportionately bear the weight of this crisis.

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Since Tierras death, Texas has amended its abortion law. A womans emergency still needs to be life-threatening for her to qualify for an abortion, but it no longer needs to be imminent.

Doctors, though, say that the change isnt enough  that for fear of being accused of breaking Texas law, hospitals and medical professionals hesitate to offer and provide abortions to women with dangerous chronic conditions.

This means that as abortion bans like Texas remain in place, more families like Tierras will be ripped apart.

Pro Publicas reporting shows that Amber Nicole Thurman, Candi Miller, Josseli Barnica, Porsha Ngumezi and Nevaeh Crain died because they needed abortions in states where bans make doctors hesitate to give them. We remember their names, and we carry their stories with us.

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And these are only the stories we know about. Its become harder to investigate pregnancy-related deaths. Shortly after the reporting of Amber and Candis deaths in Georgia, all members of the states Maternal Mortality Review Committee were dismissed, and the new members are being kept secret.

Texas, too, has skipped comprehensive reviews of key maternal mortality and morbidity data in the years 2021 to 2024  which includes the immediate aftermath of overturning Roe v. Wade.

Preventable deaths from abortion bans are not just medical failures. They are moral and legal failures. Abortion bans are deadly, and vague, poorly defined exceptions simply dont work. The only way to protect people like Tierra is to put medical decisions back where they belong: in the hands of patients and their providers, not their elected officials.

Needless deaths cannot become our new normal. Every death from an abortion ban is shocking and unacceptable. And any politician not actively working to repeal Texas abortion ban is complicit in those deaths.

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Honoring Tierra means telling her story. It also means demanding more from the lawmakers who failed her and refusing to let them be absolved of their culpability.

Tierra deserved better. Texans deserve better.

We must elect lawmakers who will restore and protect our fundamental freedoms. The damage can never be undone. But we can stop deaths like Tierras in the future.

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Mini Timmaraju is CEO and president of Reproductive Freedom for All.
Diana Castillo-Perez from San Antonio holds up a sign Aug. 16 during the Fight the Trump Takeover rally at the Texas Capitol. Thousands protested the redistricting proposal that lawmakers ultimately passed, and which is now being challenged in court. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman



Following this year's redistricting effort by the Texas Legislature, a federal court ruling in El Paso tossing those maps, and then the U.S. Supreme Court pausing the lower court's ruling late last week, we still dont know what our congressional districts will look like for the 2026 elections.

We now wait for the Supreme Court to examine the issue. Congressional candidates and their voters are left wondering how it will play out. And the clock is ticking, as the deadline for candidates to file to run in the March primary election is Dec. 8, unless Gov. Greg Abbott moves the filing deadline and potentially the primary date.

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This process is hardly ideal and leaves Texas voters disenchanted at best, and disenfranchised at worst. Our current redistricting process, in which Texas lawmakers draw the boundaries, is not working. It is designed to protect those in power rather than reflect the communities that make up Texas.

Over the last eight years, Ive spoken with people throughout House District 47 and across the state. I've met many voters who dont know what districts they live in or who represents them. People in the same neighborhood may be in different congressional districts, one of which stretches from Austin to the outskirts of Houston, incorporating vast swaths of rural land and voters with very different interests and issues.

The lines on the map do not reflect real communities. They reflect political strategy. A congressional district is five times larger than a state house district, yet House District 47 includes pieces of four different congressional districts. Viewing our maps provides all the evidence needed to see how ridiculous they are, sometimes needlessly spanning multiple cities and counties.

The El Paso courts ruling last week highlighted something striking. Two judges in a three-judge panel  including a judge appointed by President Donald Trump  ruled against the map. Those two judges saw evidence that the drawing of these lines was not guided by community needs or fair redistricting principles. They cited substantial evidence that Texas racially gerrymandered the 2025 congressional map. The process put political advantage ahead of fairness.

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Voters should choose their representatives. When politicians draw their own district boundaries, the incentive to create safe seats and maximize partisan advantage is simply too strong. Communities get split and votes get diluted.

Texas and the nation need a new approach. Each state should be required to have an independent redistricting commission that meets once each decade, operates transparently, listens to public input and focuses on drawing districts that keep communities together. This type of commission can help ensure that lines are drawn based on population data and community needs rather than political calculations.

Many states have already adopted independent commissions with strong results. Voters in those states report feeling more connected to their representatives and more confident in the fairness of their elections.

The recent court decisions give Texas an opportunity to rethink how we draw our maps. We should not wait for the next round of litigation or the next crisis. During the next legislative session, the Texas Legislature should adopt an independent redistricting commission.

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Historically, there hasnt been the pressure to make this change. However, voters are showing more energy in recent months through protests taking place all around the state. With enough pressure during the next legislative session, lawmakers may be forced to fix a broken system.

This is the moment to choose fairness over politics. Let us commit to a redistricting process that honors our communities and gives every Texan a voice.

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Packages of food from CARE  Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe  and Catholic Relief Services were distributed to the hungry in Austria after World War II. Courtesy of CARE

It was Thanksgiving in 1946 and the celebration took place as far away as Germany, then in ruins after World War II. The U.S. Women's Army Corps, stationed in Frankfurt, hosted 30 "wide-eyed" German children for a turkey dinner. The Chicago Tribune reported that after the dinner, German kids were seen clutching oranges they were given to take home. Such food was rare indeed amid all the shortages in post-war Germany.

Thanksgiving has long inspired the sharing of food with the hungry worldwide, rescuing starving children. In fact, it was Thanksgiving in 1947 that helped build public support for one of the greatest peace initiatives ever, the Marshall Plan that rebuilt Europe from the ashes of World War II.

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During Thanksgiving week in 1947, Americans donated to feed Europe via the Friendship Train, which made stops nationwide to collect food. So popular was this initiative that Americans soon realized they would need a bigger train.

The Hartford Courant reported "One Friendship Train freight car wouldn't be enough to express Hartford's Thanksgiving help for Europe's hungry." At least several freight cars were needed to hold the food donations. This was a scene typical around the country where food and cash donations soared, adding more cars to the Friendship Train.

Americans also took in "silent guests" at Thanksgiving and donated food packages through CARE  Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe  to feed the hungry overseas. The Silent Guest plan also provided food for the hungry at home. Catholic Relief Services also held a nationwide food drive during Thanksgiving week in 1947.

The "Silent Guest" plan of 1947 asked people to donate at Thanksgiving to buy a CARE package of food for the hungry in Europe. Courtesy of History News Network

The Thanksgiving food drives were major supporters of the Marshall Plan, which began in early 1948. As George Marshall said, "Food is the very basis of all reconstruction." This Thanksgiving its important we remember this, because many areas of the world are stuck in a vicious cycle of hunger and poverty.

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At this year's Thanksgiving, hunger is a crisis at home and abroad. Food prices are high in America and food banks are overwhelmed with demand. Overseas wars have led to famine in Sudan and Gaza. Other countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Yemen, Syria, South Sudan and Mali are on the brink. The charity Mary's Meals is raising awareness of hunger in Ethiopia. There are many nations with food shortages, but there are not enough donations to feed the hungry.

The United Nations World Food Program warns "a staggering 318 million people face crisis levels of hunger or worse next year - more than double the figure recorded in 2019. However, declines in global humanitarian funding are forcing (the World Food Program) to prioritize food assistance to roughly one-third of those in need."

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We each can do something to help the hungry. This year it is certainly urgent given the number of emergencies and funding shortages. A combined effort can bring some relief to those suffering hunger this Thanksgiving.
Students walk to their next class at of HISDs A.A. Milne Elementary School in Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

The comptrollers office finalized rules for Texas $1 billion school voucher program, setting a timeline for the roll out, the amount that certain families can receive and how parents can get in line for a lottery.

The rules come as the program is set to open up applications next month for private vendors that want to participate. Applications for families are set to open in February.

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READ MORE: When are private school vouchers launching in Texas? Here are the key dates

The finalized rules, released by acting Texas comptroller Kelly Hancock Tuesday evening, came in response to feedback from numerous private schools, businesses, doctors and advocacy groups.

Heres how some of those decisions ended up:

Pre-K students will receive full benefits

Families seeking private pre-kindergarten services through the program will now be able to access accounts worth $10,500, which they can spend at private pre-K centers and childcare or daycare centers that operate pre-K classes.

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Pre-K vouchers had previously been capped at a lower $2,000, the amount lawmakers had designated for homeschooling. Childcare centers and lawmakers pushed back on the initial rules, saying the larger subsidies will help stabilize an industry in free fall.

Only certain students can access vouchers to cover pre-K costs, including those who have limited proficiency in English, qualify for free-or-reduced lunch or have parents in the military.

The funds can only be used at a select category of child care and pre-K centers. The providers must achieve a three- or four-star rating under the Texas Rising Star program, or be recognized by one of several private accreditation groups. Roughly half of the states 14,000 licensed centers would qualify, industry advocates estimate.

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Newly-opened private schools can receive voucher dollars

The law says that private schools can receive the vouchers funds only if theyve been accredited for at least two years. The new rules clarify that can include operating a campus in Texas, or one outside the state.

That means private school or charter school networks established in other states could open new campuses in Texas this year and likely receive voucher funds next school year. Schools must still receive private accreditation from a nationally-recognized service and administer a nationally norm-referenced test to students.

Parents will be able to apply starting Feb. 4

The previously proposed Feb. 4 date for family applications, as first reported by Hearst Newspapers, is now official.

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The application window is likely to last around six weeks, according to documents obtained from the programs administrator, Odyssey. Parents should receive notification of whether they have been approved for funds on or before May 1.

The window is later than that January window some lawmakers had discussed during legislative debate, but still well in advance of the 2026-2027 school year, a press release from the comptrollers office said.

IEPs required for disability-related funds, but not priority in line

Students requiring special education can receive larger vouchers and have first priority in the states lottery system.

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Families who want to receive special education vouchers, worth up to $30,000 depending on the childs individual needs, will be required to complete special education assessments and an individualized education plan, known as an IEP. The process can be completed through public school districts and can take several months.

In order to participate in the first round of the application lottery, however, families may demonstrate their childrens needs with a written diagnosis from a licensed physician or a letter qualifying the child for federal disability-related income or insurance from Social Security.

At an earlier hearing on the rules, some pediatricians groups raised alarms that the move could lead families to pressure them for more serious diagnoses and some advocates said the lower-barrier could lead to some students being prioritized who ultimately don't require special education services.

No enhanced accountability measures

The comptroller rejected a slate of measures pushed by public education groups as a way to add more accountability to the program. The groups wanted the comptroller to collect and publish data on money recovered from parents making ineligible expenses and academic statistics from participating private schools.

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Hancocks office will still be required to publish annual data on the program, including the number of applications and parent satisfaction, and also transmit demographic data about program participants to state lawmakers.

No re-sales of purchased items

Families are allowed to use their voucher dollars to buy items, such as laptops, uniforms and other supplies. Re-selling those items is now prohibited indefinitely, rather than the previous proposal that allowed resale 12 months after the purchase.

No re-applications

Students who are approved for vouchers this year will not need to re-apply in following years, a move meant to reduce administrative burden on families.

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MANILA, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- 11 people were killed and three others were wounded, some critically, after a 10-wheeler truck collided with a passenger van along a highway in Albay province, southeast of Manila, on Wednesday morning, police said.

Police said the crash happened past 9 a.m. local time, along a highway in the municipality of Camalig.

Video footage of the incident showed a truck travelling at high speed before crashing into the van carrying 14 people while travelling in the opposite lane.

The impact sent both vehicles plunging off the road, with the truck landing on top of the van, pinning its passengers beneath it.

Rescuers worked for hours extricating the passengers from the totally wrecked vehicles.

Police said the truck failed its brakes, causing it to travel at high speed.

The truck driver and helper were among the injured. 
People check their belongs in a street where the floodwaters have receded, in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, Thailand, Nov. 27, 2025. Authorities said on Wednesday that the death toll from flooding in southern Thailand has reached 33, as continuous heavy monsoon rains have triggered widespread inundation. According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, over 980,000 households, which represent approximately 2.7 million people, remained affected by the devastating floods as of Wednesday morning. (Xinhua)

BANGKOK, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Authorities said on Wednesday that the death toll from flooding in southern Thailand has reached 33, as continuous heavy monsoon rains have triggered widespread inundation.

During a press briefing, government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat said fatalities have been confirmed in seven southern provinces, with Nakhon Si Thammarat recording the highest toll at nine.

The causes of deaths included landslides, electrocution and drowning, he added.

According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, over 980,000 households, which represent approximately 2.7 million people, remained affected by the devastating floods as of Wednesday morning.

Emergency relief was currently underway throughout the region, with authorities deploying flat-bottomed boats, water pumps, and trucks to assist in evacuations and drainage efforts, the department said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Thai Army has mobilized troops, aircraft, and special forces to assist residents in flood-hit areas.

The Thai Meteorological Department has issued warnings that heavy rains will continue in southern region through Wednesday, urging residents in foothills and low-lying areas to stay alert for flash floods and forest runoff. 

Children are pictured in a street where the floodwaters have receded, in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, Thailand, Nov. 27, 2025. Authorities said on Wednesday that the death toll from flooding in southern Thailand has reached 33, as continuous heavy monsoon rains have triggered widespread inundation.

According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, over 980,000 households, which represent approximately 2.7 million people, remained affected by the devastating floods as of Wednesday morning. (Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 27, 2025 shows a flood-hit area in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, Thailand. Authorities said on Wednesday that the death toll from flooding in southern Thailand has reached 33, as continuous heavy monsoon rains have triggered widespread inundation.

According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, over 980,000 households, which represent approximately 2.7 million people, remained affected by the devastating floods as of Wednesday morning. (Xinhua)

People ride in a street where the floodwaters have receded, in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, Thailand, Nov. 27, 2025. Authorities said on Wednesday that the death toll from flooding in southern Thailand has reached 33, as continuous heavy monsoon rains have triggered widespread inundation.

According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, over 980,000 households, which represent approximately 2.7 million people, remained affected by the devastating floods as of Wednesday morning. (Xinhua)

A woman sits in a chair by a street where floodwaters have receded, in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, Thailand, Nov. 27, 2025. Authorities said on Wednesday that the death toll from flooding in southern Thailand has reached 33, as continuous heavy monsoon rains have triggered widespread inundation.

According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, over 980,000 households, which represent approximately 2.7 million people, remained affected by the devastating floods as of Wednesday morning. (Xinhua)

People wade through flood water in a street in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, Thailand, Nov. 27, 2025. Authorities said on Wednesday that the death toll from flooding in southern Thailand has reached 33, as continuous heavy monsoon rains have triggered widespread inundation.

According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, over 980,000 households, which represent approximately 2.7 million people, remained affected by the devastating floods as of Wednesday morning. (Xinhua)
MOSCOW, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy for investment and economic cooperation Kirill Dmitriev on Wednesday called Bloomberg's decryption of secret talks with a U.S. envoy "fake."

Earlier on the day, Bloomberg published two transcripts of telephone conversations between Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, and Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, as well as between Dmitriev and Ushakov.

The text revealed that the Trump administration actively conducted secret negotiations with the Kremlin on a 28-point peace plan for Ukraine.

Bloomberg did not reveal the source of the records.

The Kremlin and Trump have confirmed that a U.S. delegation, including Witkoff and other key officials, will visit Moscow next week to discuss a possible peace plan for Ukraine. 
Slink It CEO Mack Craft Talks Shoppable TV and Transforming CTV Monetization

Slink IT CEO Mack Craft joins Future Frames Podcasts Doug Daulton at Streaming Media 2025 to discuss Slink Its approach to shoppable ROI and product placement in streaming content (as well as Slink Its transition from cinema to CTV), and ways that content creators can leverage Slink Its shop the show approach.

Beyond 'Shop the Look'

Craft describes Slink It media engagement technology. It's in the adtech industry sector, and what we created Slink It for is for users to have the opportunity to purchase items off of TV and get exactly what they see on TV at the time that they want it.

Daulton asks if the approach is similar to shop the look, and Craft says its similar, but it can be more than that, and offers a rundown of what Slink It does and how it works.

In terms of "the technology itself," he says, "you use a second-screen experience, you use your smartphone, and if you see a program on television, you can literally trigger the video recording part of your smartphone. It records [the program] for a couple of seconds, and whatever's on TV at that time--no matter if it's the clothes, the chandelier, or the toaster--all of the items that are associated with that television show or that segment will appear on your smartphone. And then once the item is there, you have a number of options. You can purchase that item, you can Like it, or you can add it to your wishlist, and Slink It automatically saves for you as well. So you don't have to do too many things."

So for the content creator, it's an entirely different revenue stream, a different way to monetize their content, Daulton replies.

"Absolutely, Craft confirms. I believe that the new way of selling advertisement is through television shows and movies. And in order to do that, brands should place these items just like product placement, buy space in movies and television shows, and then give the audience of millions of people who watch it and opportunity to shop and just think about it. The way we created this is a residual for the brand because as long as that show lives, anyone could shop those items."

Daulton suggests that, perhaps even more than new inline ad formats like screen-shrinking squeezebacks, this type of in-show product placement represents a "less disruptive, less intrusive" to monetize shows and sell products to an audience without pulling their attention away from the content for a sales pitch. "You're not getting pushed, not being sold hard on a break where it takes you out of the show for a minute. Its basically a non-intrusive embedded ad for whatever that product is. It's an interesting take on a new way of looking at product placement."

From Cinema to CTV

Craft notes, perhaps surprisingly, that Slink It began life as an in-cinema second-screen app before migrating to CTV.

Believe it or not," Craft says, Slink It's first proof-of-concept "was doing it in the theater. We took a smaller project with a company from a friend of mine who has his own studio and he produced this movie and we had a red carpet event at the Chinese Theater. A lot of people came and he wanted the Slink It experience inside the theater. As that movie was going on, that audience had opportunities to trigger the trigger button. Now mind you, they couldn't shop while they were watching the show, but like I told you before, those items get saved when you trigger it. So long as you trigger it and it captures the items within that three to four seconds, it saves it for you."

The CTV-based at-home experience adds instant gratification and purchasing to Slink It's "save it" side. "At home it's just a great experience," Craft says. "You can act on it right then and there."

A Long View on Data and AI

Daulton asks Craft to reflect a bit on the Streaming Media 2025 show, key themes, and what he thinks the industry might look like in a year.

Obviously, a lot of talk is around artificial intelligence," Craft says. "People are trying to figure out how AI is going to be involved in longevity. And we all know that it's all about the data. Everybody's trying to figure out a way to get their hands on data because as long as they can get their hands on data, then they can create a whole lot of things, including what I'm doing. It doesn't work without data."

What do you think is the one major trend that people should be thinking about and how it's going to impact any of these businesses over the next 18 months? Daulton asks.

It always just goes back to AI," Craft says. "I think the trend is going to be people trying to figure out a way to monetize their data and what they have and how does it fit, how can they monetize it internally? How can it work for other companies that they're doing business with? Because really, to be honest with you, it's not hard to get your hands on a lot of the data because there's a lot of affiliate programs out there and people are always doing some sort of partnership. If they can't sell items or services themselves, they look for affiliates or publishers to do it for them. And so I believe that the trend is really just trying to figure out a way to do that more on an AI level.

I couldnt agree more, says Daulton.

Join us December 9-11 and tune in for more great conversations at Streaming Media Connect! Registration is free and open now!

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The Buffalo Soldier Gate entrance at Fort Bliss, Texas. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes)



A Fort Bliss soldier and his wife will not serve any time in prison after pleading guilty in federal court to neglecting a child for nearly five years, causing imminent danger of death or injury.

Sgt. Coreydon Stepaniak, 36, and his wife Cecilia, 35, were arrested by the FBI in June 2024 for allegations they had neglected and abused a child under the age of 15 at Fort Bliss in west Texas, according to court documents.

The indictment described Cecilia Stepaniak as the legal guardian for the girl and stated the couple dangerously restricted the childs food intake, causing her to suffer malnutrition. Cecilia Stepaniak was also accused of holding a kitchen knife to the childs throat, hitting her with a cellphone charging cable, kicking her while she was on the ground and locking her in a closet, according to court documents.

In pleading guilty Thursday to one count of endangerment, the couple will spend the next five years on probation. The maximum sentence for the charge was 20 years, according to a Justice Department news release about the couples arrest.

Prosecutors and the FBI did not respond to a request to comment on the sentence. Attorneys for the soldier and his wife also did not respond.

Judge David C Guaderrama oversaw the case in the Western District of Texas.

Though only one child is referenced in the federal court records, five children are listed in an El Paso County family court lawsuit opened the same month of the couples arrest. That case remains pending in court.

A family court lawsuit over custody of a sixth child was filed in El Paso County in December 2024.

Coreydon Stepaniak is a wheeled vehicle mechanic assigned to the 1st Armored Division, according to his service record from Fort Bliss. He enlisted in April 2011 and has been at Fort Bliss since 2018.

Division officials confirmed his separation from the Army was forthcoming, but that additional actions were being assessed based on the courts sentencing decision.

The other charges the Stepaniaks faced included conspiracy to commit injury to a child, injury to a child and child abandonment.
Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffrey Diaz, seen here at U.S. Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia in 2022, died Nov. 22, 2025, off the Hawaiian island of Kauai, while rescuing his son from rough waters. (Jan David Mercado/U.S. Navy)



A Navy sailor died over the weekend after rescuing his young son who had been swept out to sea by strong surf off the Hawaiian island of Kauai, according to his family and police.

Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffrey Diaz was pulled from waters near Waiapuaa Bay on Saturday and taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the Kauai Police Department said in a statement Monday.

Diaz, 47, encountered trouble while rescuing two children, according to the statement. He was a master-at-arms serving at Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, police said.

In a statement on Wednesday, Capt. Robert Prince, commander of Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, said Diazs death was heartbreaking.

We remain committed to supporting his family and those affected as we navigate this difficult time together, Prince said.

Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands is about 8 miles northwest of the community of Kekaha in Kauai County. It includes more than 1,100 square miles of instrumented underwater range, among other assets, the installation website states.

Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffrey Diaz died Nov. 22, 2025, off Waiapuaa Bay on the Hawaiian island of Kauai during a rescue of his 9-year-old son, who had been swept out to sea by a strong surf, according to his family and police. (Louis Lea/U.S. Navy)



Diaz was at a beach near base housing when his sons began struggling in rough water, his partner, Keyonna Fairley, told the news station Hawaii News Now in an interview published online Wednesday.

Before swimming out to his 9-year-old younger son, Diaz told the older one to head back to shore, Fairley said.

It wasnt clear Wednesday whether Fairley and the couples third child were also at the beach at the time.

But while trying to bring his younger son to the beach, Diaz told the boy that he would have to go the rest of the way alone, Fairley said he told her.

Diaz had been swimming for some time with one arm while holding on to his son but moved the boy onto his back, she told Hawaii News Now.

Jeff told him: OK, bub, youre going to have to get off my back, Im going to drown. I want you to go. I want you to swim. Dont stop. You got this. Dont give up. I love you,  Fairley said. That was the last words he heard from his dad.

The family had been on the island for about three months, with Diaz planning to retire after the deployment, Fairley told the news station.

In addition to the couples three children, Diaz had two older children and a grandchild, she said.

The couple planned to marry and retire in Hawaii, Fairley said, describing Diaz as a devoted father who just wanted to be with his family. Fairley also served in the Navy, retiring in 2020, according to her Facebook page.

The world shifted (on Saturday). I lost my soulmate. Our children lost their hero, she said in a post Monday. Jeffrey Jeff Diaz, thank you for giving me 18 years of real love, strength, and memories that will never fade.

An autopsy is pending to determine the cause of death, the police department said.
Graphic rendering of the future USS Lafayette (FFG 65), named in honor of Marquis de Lafayette and his service during the American Revolutionary War. Lafayette was schedule to be the fourth of the new Constellation-class guided missile frigates. (Shannon Renfroe/U.S. Navy)



The Navy said late Tuesday it plans to cancel the bulk of the $22 billion Constellation-class guided-missile frigate program dogged by delays and cost overruns.

Navy Secretary John Phelan announced the cut in a short video posted on X.

From Day 1, I made it clear: I wont spend a dollar if it doesnt strengthen readiness or our ability to win, Phelan said against a backdrop of American, Navy and Marine Corps flags. To keep that promise, were reshaping how we build and field the fleet  working with industry to deliver warfighting advantage, beginning with a strategic shift away from the Constellation-class frigate program.

The American unit of Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri S.p.A. won a 2020 competition to build frigates for the Navy. The ships were to be built at Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard on Lake Michigan near Green Bay, Wis., about 170 miles north of Milwaukee.

The first two ships, the USS Constellation and USS Congress, will be completed. Phelan said an additional four ships planned in the early phase of the class will be cut.

Phelan said the move would free up money and shipyard space for other projects.

Fincantieri said in a statement released Tuesday that it expects the Navy to continue supporting its shipyards with orders for as-yet-undetermined new vessels to replace the lost frigate work.

Phelans action was backed by Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who called it a tough, but vital call, in a post on X.

The original Pentagon plan called for building a version of a European multipurpose frigate already in service with France and Italy. The original contract called for the French shipbuilder Naval Group to build some later ships of the class.

The Constellation and the Congress are projected to have a top speed of 26 knots and carry a crew of 200 sailors and officers. The ships will have the capability to fire anti-aircraft, anti-ship and ship-to-shore missiles.

Modifications to the design ordered by the Pentagon have delayed the construction and delivery timeline. The first ship, the Constitution, will be delivered no earlier than the end of 2029.

The move comes as the Pentagon wrestles with delays and cost overruns across several major Navy programs, including the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine, the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine and the Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers.

Amid the many delays, there have been calls from some in the Pentagon and Congress to shift shipbuilding to new priorities, such as polar icebreakers, uncrewed vessels and designs better suited to potential future combat with China in the Indo-Pacific region.

Under a Trump Administration working plan dubbed The Golden Fleet, the Navy could grow from its current 287 ships to as many as 300 crewed vessels.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order in early April 2025 allowing the Department of Defense to ax programs that are delayed or over budget by 15%.

At the time, Trump ordered the Pentagon to draw up a potential cancellation list. The order also directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to recommend additional programs that could be cut if not aligned with future military mission priorities.

The order was accompanied by a White House list of programs that possibly met the cutback criteria, including the delayed construction of the Sentinel ICBM missile program and Boeings construction of a new Air Force One presidential jet.

Nine Navy ship programs (not just individual ships, but the entire procurement program) are between one and three years behind schedule, the White House release said.
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin and other VIP guests make the ceremonial first steps on the Skywalk at Grand Canyon West on the Hualapai Indian Reservation in Arizona on March 20, 2007. The $30 million glass-bottomed walkway juts out 70 feet from the rim at an elevation of 4,000 feet above the Colorado River. The Grand Canyon was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. (AFP, Getty Images/TNS)



A UNESCO World Heritage Site designation is given to places that possess outstanding universal value for humanity in terms of cultural, historical, scientific or natural significance. They are also designated for protection and preservation under international treaties.

As of October 2025, a total of 1,248 UNESCO World Heritage Sites are located across 170 countries. Some of the most popular and well-known include the Great Barrier Reef, Pyramids of Egypt and the Taj Mahal.

The U.S. boasts 26 sites, some whose beauty and majesty are awe-inspiring and incredibly picturesque. Here are some of our favorites:

Everglades National Park

These fascinating and vast flat wetlands in southern Florida represent one of the most unique and ecologically important parks in the U.S. Covering almost 1.5 million acres, the areas habitats include three different colored mangrove forests, tropical hardwood hammocks, pine rocklands, fresh and saltwater marshes and seagrass beds.

The area is also home to the manatee, Florida panther, great egret, roseate spoonbills, and alligator and crocodile (one of the only places in the world where both exist). The best way to explore the region is by airboat rides, popular just outside the national park boundaries.

Glacier Bay

This natural park and preserve is one of Alaskas most spectacular natural treasures comprised of glaciers, fjords, mountains and wildlife. The area was shaped by eons of glacial and continuous tectonic activity and is known for its dramatic calving (huge pieces of ice falling into the sea).

Located near Juneau, Glacier Bay measures almost 3.3 million acres and is part of the Glacier BayWrangellSt. EliasKluaneTatshenshini-Alsek World Heritage Site  the worlds largest nonpolar ice field and one of the largest protected wilderness areas on the planet.

Glacier National Park

Part of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park that includes Waterton in Canada and Glacier National Park in Montana, the U.S. site is defined by its dramatic Rocky Mountain scenery, glacially carved valleys and crystal-clear alpine lakes.

The famous Continental Divide runs right through the park, splitting waters that flow to the Pacific from those flowing to the Atlantic. Mountain peaks exceed 10,000 feet, and common wildlife include grizzly bears, black bears, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, moose, elk, wolverines, lynx and over 270 bird species.

Grand Canyon

The famous Grand Canyon in Arizona was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 and is known for its breathtaking vistas and geological significance. Carved out by the Colorado River, The Grand Canyons layers can be traced back nearly two billion years.

As one of the most iconic natural wonders in the U.S., the Grand Canyon attracts millions of visitors each year who come to hike its scenic rim trails, raft the rushing Colorado River, explore its ecosystems, or simply take in the sweeping views.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Theres a reason this area is known as the Great Smokies given the natural blue-gray mist that hangs over the mountains and valleys giving them a smoky appearance. The Native American Cherokee named the region Shaconage, meaning Place of the Blue Smoke.

One of the most visited national parks in the U.S., it straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, in the heart of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The Great Smokies feature steep picturesque valleys, stunning waterfalls, rolling ridges, and peaks above 6,000 feet including Clingmans Dome, the parks highest.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Located on the Big Island of Hawaii, the park, extending from sea level to 13,680 feet includes the summits of two of the worlds most active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kilauea.

The park is roughly 335,000 acres, though is constantly expanding due to new land formed by Kilaueas lava flows. The Halemaumau Crater, within the Kilaueas summit caldera, is a sacred site in Hawaiian tradition  believed to be the home of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire and volcanoes. Visitors can witness fresh lava flows, craters, steam vents, lava tubes and cooled lava fields.

Visitors to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky, a UNESCO World Heritage site, tour the cavern, which is the worlds longest cave system, on Sept. 29, 2024. (AFP, Getty Images/TNS)



Mammoth Cave National Park

The longest cave system in the world is located in central Kentucky and features 426 miles of mapped passageways that are still growing as new sections are explored. The cave was carved out of Mississippian limestone by the Green River and its tributaries over millions of years.

This underground system includes vast chambers, tight crawl spaces, underground rivers and striking geological formations like stalactites, stalagmites and gypsum flowers. Easy walks to more intensive wild cave spelunking tours are available for advance booking.

Mesa Verde

The Mesa Verde plateau in southwestern Colorado is one of the most remarkable archeological preserves in the U.S., once occupied by the ancient Pueblo people between the 6th and 12th centuries.

Thousands of carefully engineered ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings and archeological sites at this historic site offer an extraordinary snapshot into the lives of the people who lived here for over 700 years.

Olympic National Park

One of the most ecologically diverse parks in the U.S., Olympic National Park located in northwestern Washington State includes a rugged undeveloped coastline, a lush and enchanting temperate rainforest, picturesque alpine mountains and glacier-capped peaks, all within the same protected area and within a days drive of one another.

The impressive diversity throughout the parks 922,000 acres makes it feel as though youre visiting three separate and unique parks in one.

Taos Pueblo

One of the most unforgettable UNESCO Heritage Sites is Taos Pueblo in New Mexico. Ringed by the soaring peaks and sagebrush plains of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this authentic Native American community with no electricity or running water has been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years. The ancient Tiwa language is still spoken here.

The largest of the Pueblos was established along the Rio Grande and its headwaters in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. Taos Pueblo is renowned for its multistory adobe structures built entirely from earth, straw and water, and then coated with a smooth layer of mud plaster.

Yellowstone

Designated as the worlds first national park in 1872, Yellowstone covers almost 3,500 square miles throughout Wyoming and parts of Montana and Idaho. Geothermal features include over 300 geysers, hot springs, canyons, waterfalls, mud pots and fumaroles.

One of the most spectacular of the UNESCO Heritage Sites in the U.S., Yellowstone sits atop a massive volcanic caldera, one of the largest active volcanic systems on Earth. The magma chamber below the park still fuels over 10,000 hydrothermal features making the area the worlds most concentrated area of geysers and hot springs. Old Faithful, the parks icon erupts every 90 minutes, shooting water up to 130 feet in the air. Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the U.S. is renowned for its surreal rainbow colors and Mammoth Hot Springs terraced limestone formations resemble frozen waterfalls.

Yosemite National Park

Located in Californias Sierra Nevada mountains, the stunning park is known for its granite cliffs (El Capitan and Half Dome), waterfalls, giant sequoias and picturesque valleys, making it a bucket-list destination for photographers, nature lovers, hikers and climbers.

Yosemite Falls is one of North Americas tallest cascades at 2,425 feet, signature Bridalveil Falls can be seen at the valley entrance, and located along the Mist Trail, Vernal & Nevada Falls can be accessed by a hike. Some of the parks giant sequoias are over 3,000 years old and among the largest living things on Earth.
The America250 flag, a single U.S. flag traveling to historic military locations around the world in honor of the nations upcoming 250th birthday, arrived at Pearl Harbor, where it was raised above the USS Arizona Memorial by National Park Service rangers. (Pacific Historic Parks via Facebook)



(Tribune News Service)  As the United States prepares to honor its upcoming 250th birthday next year, an American flag is making its way to historic military sites around the world.

After flying over American Battle Monuments Commission cemeteries in Europe, the flag has made its way to the Pacific. The so-called America250 flag recently arrived in Pearl Harbor, where it was raised above the USS Arizona Memorial by National Park Service rangers.

According to a Monday media release by Pacific Historic Parks, a nonprofit that partners closely with the National Park Service at Pearl Harbor and is dedicated to preserving military history in Hawaii, the flags stop in Hawaii marks the flags first U.S. stop before it continues to military sites across the Pacific, then to the continental United States.

According the news release, when the flag reached the West Coast it will travel across the country and culminate with final flag raisings in the 13 original colonies ahead of July 4, 2026.

This year marks 80 years since the end of World War II, the most destructive conflict in human history. Imperial Japans surprise Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and other sites on Oahu drew the U.S. into the war. The attack killed 2, 403 Americans, including service members and civilians, and wounded 1, 178. The attacking Japanese force suffered 129 killed and one captured.

But the day that will live in infamy  is quickly fading from living memory.

About 30 survivors of the attack attended the 80th anniversary commemoration in 2021, but last year only two were able to attend. Sterling Cale, the last known survivor living in Hawaii, died in January 2024 at age 102 and was buried at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe. Lou Conter, the last surviving crew member of the USS Arizona, also died at age 102 at his home in California in April 2024.

As we look toward Americas 250th anniversary, the flags visit to Pearl Harbor reminds us of the courage, unity, and resilience that define our nation,  said Aileen Utterdyke, President and CEO of Pacific Historic Parks. This is where our countrys history was forever changed on December 7, 1941, and where generations continue to come to reflect, remember and honor those who served.

 2025 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Visit www.staradvertiser.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Gen. Christopher Donahue, leader of U.S. Army Europe and Africa and NATO Allied Land Command, walks with Romanian Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu on Nov. 25, 2025, at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in southeastern Romania. (Breanna Bradford/U.S. Army)



STUTTGART, Germany  New counter-drone technology will soon be operational in Romania, the top U.S. Army commander in Europe said this week on the heels of yet another suspected Russian incursion into the countrys airspace.

We have tested it, and it is in the final stages of being employed, U.S. Army Europe and Africas Gen. Christopher Donahue said Tuesday during a stop at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, where he also met with American troops.

Donahue was likely alluding to the new Merops system, which has been billed as a cost-effective technology using artificial intelligence to navigate, detect and down opposing drones.

Last week, Polish and Romanian troops practiced alongside Americans using the weapon, which has already been battle-tested by Ukrainian troops in combat.

Donahues stop came on the heels of a Pentagon announcement last month that the U.S. is reducing its troop numbers in Romania.

The decision involved an end to the rotation of a U.S. Army brigade to the Black Sea region, which had been part of a broader buildup in Europe in the aftermath of Russias 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

As a result of the decision, about 700 soldiers who had been positioned in Romania were not backfilled following their recently finished deployment. The U.S. still has about 1,000 troops based in the country, however.

A German Eurofighter Typhoon flies over Romania on Aug. 2, 2025. Two German Typhoons scrambled from Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base on Nov. 25, to monitor an airspace violation by a drone emanating from neighboring Ukraine, the Romanian defense ministry said in a statement. (Justin Lacy/U.S. Army)



Romania will always be the central feature of this part of the alliance, Donahue said, adding that the U.S. is committed to its military presence in the Black Sea country.

His comments came the same day NATO jets were scrambled in response to a violation of Romanian airspace by a drone emanating from neighboring Ukraine, the Romanian defense ministry said in a statement.

Two German Eurofighter Typhoons took off from the air base to monitor the situation, the ministry said. Romanian fighter planes also took flight in response.

A drone traveled about 60 miles into Romania, according to the statement.

We are dealing with a new Russian provocation against Romania, a drone which the Romanian army and German Eurofighters have tried to shoot down, Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu said, as quoted by Reuters. My assumption is that (the pilots) analyzed the potential collateral damage and ... chose not to engage.

Fragments of the suspected Russian drone were later found on Romanian territory.

There have been numerous drone incursions into Romania during the Russia-Ukraine war. Poland also has faced such intrusions.

Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, referred to as MK by U.S. troops, has long served as a hub for American forces in the Black Sea region.

Romania has invested billions into the facility over the years with the aim of boosting NATO members troop presence in the country.
MOSCOW, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- In a spacious hall showcasing Russia's latest advances in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, a humanoid robot named Green performed a short dance, captivating and impressing visitors.

Green, on display at the AI Journey international conference held on Nov. 19-21 in Moscow, marks a breakthrough in Russian robotics and physical AI. The robot, whose movements closely resemble human motions, is intended to assist people in both intellectual and physical tasks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the conference that AI is expected to be employed on a large scale across key sectors such as industry, transportation, healthcare, and public administration.

Green is developed by Sberbank, Russia's largest bank and one of the most influential technology players. It is Sberbank's first humanoid robot powered by the GigaChat neural network, the company's large-scale generative AI model.

"This is our first humanoid robot that can operate in an unknown environment," Sberbank CEO German Gref said. Green is designed to become smarter with each iteration of GigaChat and be competent in sectors including manufacturing, retail, and food service.

Such technologies are ultimately aimed at making people's lives easier and happier, improving access to healthcare and education, and enabling fully digital public services, Gref said.

A personalized digital health assistant that collects data and helps detect potential health risks in daily life may not be far off for Russians given fast advancements in generative AI.

Russian tech giant Yandex has been developing medical AI systems designed to accelerate quantitative insights for professionals, said Yulia Busygina, Yandex's healthcare project manager. The company's infant magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis tool is among Russia's first AI solutions aimed at children.

"For pediatric care in particular, data security standards are extremely high, and global tools are limited," she said.

Yandex teams are focusing on children's health, maternal health and oncology, with early results of generative AI for medical imaging set to be released next year.

State-backed healthcare initiatives are advancing in parallel in Russia. Nearly 2,000 medical institutions across more than 70 regions in the country have joined Moscow's digital healthcare platform, allowing doctors nationwide to use AI algorithms to automatically analyze radiology results and other medical data, showed official data.

The creative industry is emerging as another frontier. "As AI transforms every aspect of our lives, creative sectors from marketing to film-making are among the first to feel the impact," said Vladislav Kreinin, head of marketing and public relations at Sberbank.

In June, the world's first opera co-composed by humans and AI, a revival of Russia's great composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky's unfinished Mandragora, was staged as a highlight of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

AI EDUCATION

Earlier this year, Russia's Science and Higher Education Minister Valery Falkov announced national plans to integrate dedicated AI modules into all university programs.

AI training will be compulsory for all students, whether they plan to be biologists, lawyers, or journalists, Falkov said.

While Russia's younger generation has widely adopted neural networks and language models for studying and daily tasks, Putin cautioned that Russia's education systems must ensure AI does not create "a class of super-intellectual elites, while everyone else becomes button-pushers."

In Russia, the demand for AI talent is intense, as "industry is moving beyond simple automation toward systems that can operate independently," Evgeny Burnaev, the head of AI Center at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, or Skoltech, said.

The Skoltech center now employs more than 300 researchers working on theoretical and applied AI, including generative models and hybrid modeling for industries such as energy and transportation. 
Staff Sgt. Cameron Beck, his wife, Kari, and their son Cole pose for a family photo in 2020 at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. Beck was struck and killed April 15, 2021, while riding his motorcycle on base, and a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Kari Beck against the federal government was recently denied review by the U.S. Supreme Court. (Kari Beck)



The U.S. Supreme Court will not review a wrongful death claim brought by the widow of an airman killed while riding his motorcycle home for lunch on a Missouri military base.

Kari Becks wrongful death lawsuit under the Federal Tort Claims Act did not attain the support of four justices, the minimum number required by the court to take up a case. The opinion announcing rejection of the case was issued Monday.

The attempt was the latest challenge to a controversial legal interpretation known as the Feres doctrine, which holds that the U.S. government is not liable under the act for service members injuries that arise out of or are in the course of activity incident to service.

Becks husband, Staff Sgt. Cameron Beck, 29, was killed in 2021 less than a mile from his home on Whiteman Air Base while heading there for lunch with his wife and their young son.

He was fatally struck by Blanca Mitchell, a civilian employee who was driving a government-issued van. Court documents said Mitchell had been distracted by her cellphone, and she later pleaded guilty to criminal negligence.

Staff Sgt. Cameron Beck was struck and killed by a government civilian April 15, 2021, while riding his motorcycle on Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. The U.S. Supreme Court recently decided not to take up a wrongful death lawsuit filed by his widow that challenged a 75-year-old rule barring military personnel from suing the government for service-related harm. ( Kari Beck)

The scene of a memorial service on April 22, 2021, for Staff Sgt. Cameron Beck at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. the 29-year-old airman was killed while killed while riding his motorcycle to his on-base home, where his wife and young son were waiting to have lunch with him. (Kari Beck)



Lower courts had rejected Becks suit on the grounds that her husband was in uniform and on base when he was killed, citing the Supreme Courts 1950 Feres v. United States.

I am incredibly heartbroken for all of the military members and their families that have been and will continue to be hurt by the Feres doctrine, Beck said Wednesday.

The high court typically makes decisions on requests for review behind closed doors, often without explanation or indication of who voted for or against.

But in this instance, conservative Justice Clarence Thomas, a longtime critic of the Feres doctrine, and liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor joined in decrying the effect of the doctrine on military families, even though they disagreed on the applicability of Becks request for review.

The court did not need to overrule Feres to get this case right because Beck was not killed incident to military service at all, Thomas wrote in his dissent, noting that the military exception in the Federal Torts Claims Act applies only to combatant activities in wartime.

It is inconceivable that driving home for lunch with ones family while off duty can be characterized as a wartime combatant activity, Thomas wrote.

Kari Beck said Wednesday that she agrees with Thomas opinion that the courts made this mess and they should have taken the opportunity to fix it so that it doesnt continue to happen, because it will.

Staff Sgt. Cameron Beck's widow, Kari Beck, and the couple's son Cole at the 509th Communication Squadrons bench dedication on April 15, 2022, exactly a year after the airman's death in a crash at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review a wrongful death lawsuit Kari Beck filed against the federal government. (Kari Beck)



Sotomayors opinion expressed support for the decision to deny review of Becks case, but she was critical of the Feres doctrine.

It has harmed military families in circumstances far removed from the expected risks of military service, she wrote.

The effect of it has been to deny compensation even when the wrongful actions occur on U.S. soil, bear little relation to the military itself, and just as easily could have befallen any American civilian, Sotomayor wrote.

The doctrine has prevented active-duty military personnel from suing the federal government for wrongful injury or death related to their service, in cases ranging from medical malpractice to sexual assault.

Sotomayor noted that Congress exercises primary authority over statutory questions and can alter the Feres doctrine if it deems necessary.

Becks attorney, Nathan Mammen, hopes thats exactly what happens.

We are disappointed that the court chose not to review a legal doctrine that nearly everyone agrees is wrong and unjust and that hurts service members, Mammen said. It is time for Congress to act to fix the law to protect men and woman in uniform. Unless and until Congress acts, the harm to service members will regrettably continue.
World War II veteran Yoshio C. Nakamura describes his time in an internment camp for Japanese-Americans at an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month event at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, Calif., May 9, 2017. (Sarah Corrice/U.S. Air Force)



(Tribune News Service)  When Shane Sato sat down to photograph Yoshio Nakamura, the World War II veteran, renowned artist and beloved educator was 92.

I really liked his face, he seemed kind, with a lot of emotion and depth, Sato said. So I took his portrait with his eyes closed trying to let that spirit shine through.

The resulting photo was published in Satos book, The Go for Broke Spirit in 2017. Since then, Sato, of Los Angeles, has grown to stand in awe of how many lives Nakamura has touched.

He has a great way of relating to people, a friend to so many, Sato said in July.

Nakamura, whom Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn called a one-of-a-kind American hero, died on Saturday, Nov. 22.

He was 100 years old.

Hahn said she plans to adjourn next weeks meeting of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors in Nakamuras memory.

Through some of the darkest moments in our nations history and in the face of fear and discrimination, Yosh chose love and service, Hahn said. I had the honor of throwing a 100th birthday celebration for him in June, and its clear that though he may no longer be with us, he leaves behind an extraordinary legacy and countless admirers. My thoughts are with his loved ones.

Nakamura was born in Rosemead and grew up in El Monte. During the wartime hysteria following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, Nakamura recalled his American History teacher at El Monte High reassuring him he was protected as an American citizen under the Constitution. He, and about 120,000 other Japanese and Japanese Americans, soon found out they were not.

Nakamura was 16 when he and his family were forced to report to the Gila River Camp in the Arizona desert. From what he would later call a concentration camp, Nakamura enlisted in the Army at 19, working as a mortar specialist with the legendary 442nd Regimental Combat Team of Go for Broke! fame, considered the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in U.S. military history.

After the war, he earned a bachelors and masters degree in fine arts from University of Southern California, teaching first at Whittier High School in Whittier, Calif., in 1952, then signing on as the first faculty hired for the new Rio Hondo College in 1963. Nakamura taught there for 29 years.

In retirement, he and his fellow artist wife Grace Shinoda Nakamura grew their community activism for their favorite causes: fairness for everyone, education and the environment.

Former Whittier mayor Allan Zolnekoff met the Nakamuras in 1992, when they joined forces to save 3,885 acres of the Whittier Hills and install bike paths in the city.

Yosh and Grace were two sides of the same coin, Zolnekoff said. Both started life as typical American kids but then were rounded up and lived in internment camps for some years during World War II.

The experience didnt embitter either of them. Zolnekoff said Nakamura clearly remembers how American troops tore his dog away from him in the roundup of Japanese Americans during the war.

I asked Yosh several times how he went on to a highly accomplished life without any bitterness after all of this trauma, Zolnekoff said. He said he had some of his friends from the camps commit suicide. He saw his reaction as a decision that he had to make. He did not fall into victimhood  although the facts would support that. How many of us could do that? I am not sure I could. That is why he will always be my hero.

Zolnekoff said Nakamura was so humble and wielded such a dry sense of humor it dehydrated.

If asked about his limited hearing ability, he would give people his standard casual comment about how firing huge cannons at Nazis in World War II could cause some deafness if you were near them, Zolnekoff said.

Reminiscing about his storied post-war life as an artist and art teacher, Nakamura simply said administrators probably kept him on after they discovered students didnt run away from my classroom.

Among his students is Academy Award-winning visual effects artist Lorne Peterson, known for his work on Star Wars and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Peterson helped mount an exhibit in tribute to his teacher at the Whittier Art Association Gallery in 2017.

Yosh and Grace, married for 67 years until her death in 2017, were a beautiful package, dedicated to each other, said the Rev. Loletta Barrett of First Friends Church in Whittier in July. Both showed how to be a person of respect and dignity.

Among Nakamuras awards and accomplishments: earning Whittiers first Teacher of the Year award in 1960, the Congressional Gold Medal in 2011, the Bronze Star, and the French Foreign Legion medal in 2017. His paintings and etchings are in the Guggenheim Collection in New York and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. He and Grace were awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Whittier Area Audubon Society.

The fine arts building at Whittier High School and a part of the Whittier Art Gallery are named in his honor.

Janet Ito, president of the Friends and Family of Nisei Veterans, said Nakamuras greatest strength was his kindness.

He only had positive things to say about everything and everyone, she said. He faced so much adversity during his lifetime, from being incarcerated during World War II, to suffering serious injuries as a soldier fighting in Italy. He served and will continue to serve as a mentor to many.

Known to family as Papa Yosh, Nakamura is survived by his three children, Linda, Daniel and Joel, their spouses and grandchildren. Funeral services are pending.

 2025 The Whittier Daily News, Calif.

Visit www.whittierdailynews.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Jennie Rhodes Wednesday, 26 November 2025, 19:39 Share

The fortieth Andres Segovia International Classical Guitar Competition got under way in La Herradura on Granada province's Costa Tropical on Tuesday 25 November. The competition brings together top-level guitarists including as Daniel Daiu, Luca Lovrekovic and Michele Festa.

During the opening ceremony, mayor of Almunecar Juan Jose Ruiz Joya, said that the anniversary year marks a new step in the cultural history of La Herradura, which is once again positioning itself as a meeting point for the most outstanding young performers on the international scene.

The draw to determine the order in which the guitarists will perform took place on Monday 24 November at the town's civic centre and was attended by the president of the judges, composer and guitarist David del Puerto, winner of the 2005 National Music Prize and the jury secretary Laura Verdugo, guitarist and professor at the Katarina Gurska Higher School of Music.

The competition began with performances by Cristina Galietto, David Volkner and the Spanish guitarist Alejandro Nogales, among others, kicking off a week that will bring together top-level young talents. The programme continues throughout the week with Daniel Daiu, Luca Lovrekovic, Michele Festa and Filip Miskovic, who will perform a repertoire of their own choosing, following the order determined by a draw.

Throughout the various sessions, the contestants will also have to perform the required pieces for this fortieth anniversary year, including Andres Segovia's Estudio Sin Luz and Manuel Maria Ponce's Preludio en Mi, while Saturday's final will feature Joaquin Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez.

The competition will run until Saturday 29 November with daily performances at 6.30pm, which are open to the public in the auditorium of La Herradura's civic centre. The guitarists will be accompanied by the Mediterranean Symphony Orchestra during Saturday's grand finale.

Ruiz Joya invited residents and visitors to attend the daily performances, noting that admission is free until capacity is reached and that the competition "offers a unique opportunity to enjoy classical guitar performed by some of the most brilliant young musicians of our time."
Guardia Civil officers at the scene of the incident. Above, on the left, Concha, the young woman who was murdered.

Juan Cano Malaga Wednesday, 26 November 2025, 20:49 | Updated 21:09h. Share

Barely 24 hours after International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Guardia Civil is investigating a new murder in Malaga under the suspicion that it is a gender-based crime. A 25-year-old woman has been found dead, with signs of violence, in her home in Campillos in northern Malaga province.

The discovery took place on Wednesday morning. Officers went to the young woman's house where they found her body on the first floor. The victim, whose name was Concha, had been living with her father for some months. Previously, she had lived in Granada with her mother. Her father was working on the land, so he was not at home at the time of the incident.

According to the sources consulted, the alleged killer, the victim's partner or ex-partner, has already been arrested in the town of Martos (Jaen), where, apparently, he went to the Guardia Civil headquarters to turn himself in.

Apparently, both had been in the VioGen system (for cases of women at risk of gender-based violence), she as a victim and he as an aggressor, with previous partners, but their files were already inactive. At present, there are no previous reports of violence between them.

The national government representative in Malaga, Javier Salas, has condemned what appears to be a new case of gender-based violence and has expressed his condolences to the woman's family and loved ones.

"We cannot tolerate in our society that this scourge remains. We must redouble all our efforts so that awareness against gender violence is permanently rooted in our society and the main weapon to combat it is education and the banishment of the denialist messages about gender violence," he said.

Second case in five days

This is the second case in which a woman has been killed by her partner or ex-partner in Malaga province in just a few days. Last Saturday the Guardia Civil arrested a 61-year-old man for allegedly killing his ex-partner, a 60-year-old woman , in a house in Rincon de la Victoria. In the province of Malaga, almost 5,200 women are under police protection as victims of gender-based violence.
BERLIN, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday cautioned that Europe must remain a primary actor in negotiations concerning the Ukraine crisis, pledging Germany's continued support.

During a speech at the lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, Merz welcomed the U.S. engagement in resolving the conflict.

However, he emphasized that decisions on European matters can only be made in agreement with Europe.

Merz said while he wants the conflict to end as soon as possible, an agreement without the consent of Ukraine and the Europeans cannot serve as a basis for a genuine, lasting peace in Ukraine.

"Europe is not a pawn, but a sovereign actor for its own interests and values," he said.

Germany plans to allocate 11.5 billion euros (13.31 billion U.S. dollars) in the 2026 budget for supporting Ukraine. (1 euro = 1.16 U.S. dollar) 
Eugenio Cabezas Wednesday, 26 November 2025, 19:50 Share

The Muscat of Alexandria grape, still heroically cultivated in Malaga province's Axarquia area with its steep slopes and the product's low profitability, is a true delicacy and a hallmark of Malaga's agriculture. To further highlight its value following its declaration as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by Unesco in April 2018, the Andalusian regional government and Carta Malacitana joined forces in 2023 to organise the first competition focused on the uses of this product in cooking.

After the success of its first two competitions in 2023 and 2024, this year's event has been announced. The regional spokesperson for agriculture, fisheries, water and rural development, Fernando Fernandez and the president of La Carta Malacitana, Antonio Carrillo, presented the Concurso de Pasas de Malaga en pasteleria-reposteria y panaderia-confiteria (Malaga raisin competition for pastry and confectionery), on Tuesday 25 November. The goal is to "promote the GIAHS and highlight this heritage product of Malaga's gastronomy," Fernandez said in a statement.

The competition will be held on 2 December at the El Castillo del Marques hospitality school which forms part of the Maria Zambrano secondary school in Torre del Mar. Fernandez pointed out that the competition "promotes the Malaga raisin, which boasts a unique production system in the world."

2,000 families

He said that the competition "demonstrates respect for our culture and traditions, thus contributing to the recognition of the work of some 800 producers who cultivate approximately 1,700 hectares of vineyards, which provide a livelihood for some 2,000 families."

First place in the competition comes with 400 euros in cash, five kilograms of raisins and a commemorative trophy; second place receives 250 euros, three kilograms of raisins and a trophy and third place receives 150 euros, one kilogram of raisins and a trophy. This year, twelve participants are expected (six per competition) representing top-tier pastry and confectionery shops and bakeries in the province.

The president of La Carta Malacitana explained that "this year's competition once again highlights the numerous ways Malaga raisins can be prepared, with a particular emphasis on their use in pastry." He went on to say that "we are going to promote the consumption of this product and its derivatives, as well as local products, both on restaurant menus and for home consumption." For this reason, he explained, "the judges will positively value entries that include seasonal Malaga ingredients."

Fernandez added that the recent call for direct compensation aid of 325 euros per hectare, financed with the regional government's own budget, "is yet another example of the Andalusian government's continued support for farmers, in this case to compensate for production losses caused by mildew, which in the lower Axarquia area has reached as high as 80 per cent."
The funeral van at the entrance of the Torrox home, where the incident occurred on Tuesday.

Eugenio Cabezas Wednesday, 26 November 2025, 10:40 | Updated 11:26h. Share

The eastern Costa del Sol town of Torrox, with a population of more than 22,000 inhabitants, was shocked on Tuesday, 25 November, at the death of a family of four of Moroccan origin by carbon monoxide inhalation due to a butane gas leak, the cause of which is still under investigation. Friends and family gathered at the entrance of the house located in the Pontil neighbourhood, in the heart of the historic centre.

Said Rabah, the father, was 53 years old. He arrived in Torrox from Morocco in 2005 and started working in various fields: agriculture, construction and street vending. His wife, Sadiia, 38, worked as a translator and taught Spanish, which she was perfectly fluent in having arrived in Spain in 2008, to Arabic-speaking children.

They had two sons - Mohamed, 19, and Mustafa, 17. The two boys were studying in high school. Mohamed balanced his studies in mechanics and electronics at the IES Juan de la Cierva in Velez-Malaga with his job as a hairdresser. He had even opened his own establishment a few months before the incident. His younger brother, Mustafa, studied basic vocational training at the IES Jorge Guillen and played in the youth team of Club Deportivo Torrox.

"They were very hard-working, an example of integration," Saifi el Hassan, a friend of the family, said. "They were very well known and loved by everyone," another friend, Rosa, added. In fact, everybody who went to the house in the afternoon and evening on Tuesday - more than a hundred people - told SUR that the Rabahs were a "humble, very kind and hard-working family".

The day, from the moment the news of the incident spread, was marked by great commotion and consternation. Shouts, cries, wailing and prayers in both Spanish and Arabic could be heard.

The family had been living in the small flat for just three years. They had previously lived in the coastal town of El Morche in Torrox.

The Guardia Civil are currently investigating the cause of the gas leak and inspecting the property, alongside the forensic experts, who removed the four bodies.
Paco Grinan Malaga Wednesday, 26 November 2025, 18:54 Share

La Axarquia is going to have to name Netflix as its honorary streaming platform. For the second time this year, a production shot in this area is number one worldwide on the all-powerful American streaming service's most-watched list. Back in August, the series Two Graves, from the creators of the Carmen Mola brand, a thriller about the disappearance of girls set in Frigiliana, was a smash hit both in Spain and abroad. Now it's the heartwarming and romantic film Mango that has spent two weeks at the top of the list of non-English language films with a story of overcoming adversity amid the organic fruit plantations of Velez-Malaga.

Without much fanfare, the Danish director of Iranian origin, Mehdi Avaz, has once again demonstrated his status as king of European romantic comedy, captivating international audiences with the emotional depth he established in A Wonderful Life (2023) and, particularly, In Tuscany (2022), which explored the clash of cultures through an intense love story played out in the warm Italian countryside. This same formula has been transferred to the Axarquia area with this film, Mango, which follows a hotel chain executive who arrives in Malaga with the intention of convincing a compatriot - a retired lawyer-turned-farmer facing financial difficulties - to convert his coastal mango plantation into a luxury resort.

With a touch of drama, Avaz's film has once again made waves among Netflix viewers, accumulating over 16 million views in two weeks. It has topped the global list of most-watched non-English language films on the platform, ahead of Bollywood film, Baramulla, and Brazilian film, The Eloa Case: A Kidnapping Live. Furthermore, Mango has seen spectacular audience growth, increasing views by 86% in its second week compared to its premiere.

By region, the film set in Malaga has swept the board in its country of production, Denmark, where the fame of its protagonists, Josephine Park (The Nurse) and the international actor of Iraqi origin Dar Salim (Game of Thrones), has prevailed from the start, as well as in neighbouring Norway, Uruguay and the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, where it has also reached number one.

In Spain, not so much

The appealing blend of drama and comedy in Mango has also earned it a place in the top ten in almost 50 countries, while in Spain, paradoxically, it has had more modest results, reaching only fourth place among Netflix's most-streamed films. The worldwide success of the film set in La Axarquia has coincided with that of the series based on the novel by Javier Castillo from Malaga, The Crystal Cuckoo, which has completed its first week at number one for series in Spain and is in sixth place worldwide for non-English language fiction.

The filming of Mango was directed by Malaga-based production services company, Anima Stillking, also responsible for shooting the Spanish locations for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.

Filmed entirely in the Axarquia area in late summer 2024, coinciding with the mango harvest season, the main location for the Netflix film was a secluded and discreet estate in Benamocarra belonging to the Eurofresh company, where its 40-year-old organic mango groves provided both the backdrop and narrative for the romantic plot orchestrated by box-office hitmaker Mehdi Avaz. The Velez airfield and, once again, the charming and hilly town of Frigiliana, where Two Graves was set, also played a leading role in this production. The film's success is testament to the Malaga-based production services company, Anima Stillking (The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon), which oversaw filming and location-scouting and supplemented the Danish crew with technicians and personnel from Malaga and Andalucia.

Produced by Drive Studios, in association with Rocket Road Pictures and Nordisk Film Distribution, the success of Mango on Netflix's global schedule has provided worldwide exposure and a promotional campaign for the Axarquia area, positioning it within the realm of 'screen tourism', which encourages visits to locations featured in blockbuster films and series. This is a growing phenomenon in Malaga, with numerous series seeking not only the province's scenery, but also the uniqueness and identity of the location, as in the recent series The Girlfriend ('La Novia', Amazon Prime Video) and its spectacular scenes in the Cat Cave (Cueva del Gato) , Fate ('La suerte', Disney+) and its portrayal of La Malagueta and the aforementioned Two Graves ('Dos tumbas', Netflix) and its journey from the mountains around Frigiliana to the beaches of Torrox .
Carmen Barainca Wednesday, 26 November 2025, 15:09 Share

With the promise they made five years ago, the organisers of the German film week in Malaga province created a bridge between the German community and the Costa del Sol. More than two hundred people filled Cine Albeniz in the heart of Malaga at the opening of this year's programme on 25 November. As editor of SUR Deutsche Ausgabe, SUR in English's sister paper in German, Uwe Scheele said, the German film week "has become an essential cultural event in Malaga".

The link woven in 2020 has gained solid ground with screenings in Malaga, Mijas and Torrox thanks to the team behind every year's programme: SUR Deutsche Ausgabe, the Goethe-Institut in Madrid and the German consulate in Malaga.

The essence of the event revolves around this bond. "German history is rich, complex and relevant to understanding the European and global context," deputy president of the Amigos association of Goethe-Institut Stefan Meyer said in his speech. He highlighted a German cinema that, from expressionism to films such as The Lives of Others, has developed diverse storytelling styles while staying true to its political and aesthetic roots. Meyer said that films offer "means to foster mutual exchange", as reflected by the audience comprising Spaniards, Germans and people of other nationalities. They shared a common interest: discover what German cinema has to say today.

'Cultural bridges have been built between the German community and the Costa del Sol,' Uwe Scheele said

'German history is rich, complex and relevant to the understanding of Europe,' Stefan Meyer said

Coordinator of the Goethe-Institut in Madrid Ana Perez presented the programme that brings together award-winning works: "from literary adaptations, biographies, thrillers, comedies, dramas and crime films". She said that some works have such a sharp realism that "you forget you're watching a film and not life itself". According to Perez, the Goethe's aim is to "celebrate this sixth festival with a versatile and interesting programme", marked by the coexistence of young and established directors.

In his speech, consul Franko Stritt said that the German film week is "the most important and largest cultural event" of the consulate in Malaga.

The German consulate emphasised another key feature of the programme: the presence of three films dedicated to East and West Germany - "a theme that is, unfortunately, still relevant in Germany today". This fractured memory influences Mit der Faust in die Welt schlagen (Punching the World), Rote Sterne uberm Feld (Red Stars Upon the Field) and Frisch (Fresh).

The opening film - Zwei zu eins (Two to One) - is a comedy based on real events that satirises a GDR family's race against the clock to turn a stash of devalued banknotes into useful money before reunification. Scheele described the film as "a comedy that makes you think" and highlighted the presence of "first-class" actors, including last year's Oscar nominee Sandra Huller. Actor Anselm Haderer, who was unable to attend in person, sent a video in which he thanked the organisers for the invitation and said that the project holds a personal value. "When I received the opportunity to participate in Two to One, the pull was very strong," he said.

Once again this year, there will be complementary screenings in Mijas and Torrox. The representative of Mijas town hall highlighted the "pride" of a town where "more than 40% of the 1,053 registered Germans" actively participate in cultural life. "The Germans have everything ready six months in advance; the Spaniards, six minutes before," he joked, before promising that next year he "will say more words in German".

Torrox, on the other hand, is home to "the highest number of German residents in mainland Spain", so the commitment of the municipality to this project is clear. Mayor Oscar Medina was unable to be present at the event due to the tragic death of four people in a gas leak in the town on Tuesday.

The German film week ends on Saturday. All nine feature films, recognised on the German scene, have never been screened in Malaga before.
Cristina Vallejo Wednesday, 26 November 2025, 11:23 Share

Every 25 November, Plataforma contra las Violencias Machistas 'Violencia Cero' takes out a huge banner with the names of all the women murdered in Spain by the patriarchy since the first official records from 2003. There are now more than 1,300 fatal victims.

The first in the list is Diana Yanet, whose partner threw her off the balcony in Fuengirola on the eve of Three Kings' Day. The latest victim is Maria Victoria, whose ex-husband stabbed her to death in Rincon de la Victoria just a few days before the match.

Malaga's prominence in the statistics is tragic. Time goes by and gender-based murders do not seem to stop. According to the police, at least 2,000 people joined the protest, while organisations claim that there were more than 4,000 people.

Zoom The banner with the names of all the women murdered by their partners or former partners in Spain since the official cou

Moments before the demonstrators left Plaza de la Merced to march through the city centre, attendee Isabel Marin said that she has been denouncing gender-based violence on the streets for more than 30 years, since before the murder of Ana Orantes - the victim who shook the country with her death at the hands of her husband shortly after sharing her testimony on television. Her murder prompted the legislative wave of protection for women at the beginning of the 2000s. "We came with our daughters and some of them are already lawyers in Madrid, imagine that," Marin said.

Although she hasn't witnessed many changes since then, Marin doesn't let her frustration stop her from protesting. Instead, she keeps fighting. Generations of women keep attending the 25 November march.

This was the first protest of this kind for 28-year-old Maria Ramos, who joined just in time to see the end and hear the statement read in the Plaza de la Constitucion.

"It is moving to know that the murdered women are being remembered. I like the fact that the focus is put on men, who are to blame for all this," she said. Ramos, however, was alone, although she would have had people to attend such a march with in the past. "Anti-feminist sentiment is growing," she warned.

Denial

There is a growing trend of denial of gender-based violence, which was one of the main points the demonstration addressed. President of 'Violencia Cero' Carmen Martin told SUR that the protest wanted to draw attention to the expressions of violence that take place on social media and how denialism runs through them. According to Martin, this "is doing a lot of damage, above all among young people".

"The truth is that it is a drop that is permeating society as a whole," she said. Another of Martin's concerns are the courts, which she urged to "stop boycotting the law". "We have a good legislative framework, but some people are reluctant to apply and monitor it," she said.

'We have a good legislative framework, but some people are reluctant to apply and monitor it'

Among the demonstrators, generations of women from the same family could be seen marching together, despite the weather and the strong wind. Marta Galiano Sanz was with her mother, sister and little niece. She said that she hopes the little girl "would live differently", although she often gets disillusioned. Working as a teacher, she often witnesses how the 'manosphere' shapes young men, "in school and on social media". "It seems that this is cyclical, that feminism takes a few steps forward and then back again," she said.

Protesters of the opposite sex were a glimpse of hope. Mikel Sarrionandia, 22, is just at the critical age when, according to statistics and surveys, he could be influenced by messages that deny gender-based violence and that even make men look like victims of feminism, rather than liberated by a shared goal that seeks to emancipate them from a masculinity that is also oppressive.

"People are dumbed down by technology, but my acquaintances who deny gender-based violence do so because they already lived in an environment prone to those ideas. I don't spend a lot of time convincing them otherwise. Maybe it's selfish of me, but I don't want to argue, I don't think it's going to get me anywhere," he said.

'People are dumbed down by technology, but my acquaintances who deny gender-based violence do so because they were already living in an environment prone to such ideas'

Nico Sguiglia from Con Malaga was walking alongside this young man. "Our motto is that feminism protects us, that the more feminism, the more freedoms. And this also challenges us men: we want free women and men who are not afraid. Young men connect with far-right messages. We, on the left, don't listen to them and have to start challenging them," he stated.

Secretary general of the PSOE party in Malaga Josele Aguilar was equally concerned. "Unfortunately, denialism is gaining ground and becoming contagious. Faced with this, we have to develop more feminist policies," he said. In the morning, the four administrations - the state, regional, provincial and local - held a joint institutional act in condemnation of male violence, in support of feminist associations and against denialism, which is more or less explicitly blamed on hard-right party Vox. In response to SUR's questions, Aguilar also accused the PP party: "Let them carry on like this and not endanger women's lives just to compete with Vox."

Mayor of Malaga at the demonstration

Malaga mayor Francisco de la Torre also joined the demonstration in the evening, from Calle Alcazabilla to Calle Cister. Some demonstrators used the opportunity to remind him of the PP's pacts with Vox, as well as other issues in the city, such as excessive tourism and the housing crisis. De la Torre was accompanied by councillor for social rights Paco Cantos who told SUR: "We come every year. It's not an obligation, it's how we say 'no' to gender-based violence. There can be no ideology here."

Cantos used Aguilar's presence to denounced the PSOE's approval of the 'only yes is yes' law, which led to reduced sentences for sexual aggressors. "They passed it so they could stay in La Moncloa," he said. Despite these differences, the two parties are united in their unequivocal condemnation of male violence.

Among the messages shouted by protesters were: "They are not dead, they are murdered"; "Complaint filed, woman murdered"; "Less confraternities and more mammograms."

'Men take advantage of any moment to claim their own. Today, the focus has to be on us'

Malaga residents of Palestinian origin also joined the protest, just like feminists have accompanied them so often in their protests. "We want freedom for everyone," they said when asked why they had decided to attend.

But women do not want to lose the limelight on their day. Maria Perez and Rocio Garcia denounced the focus shift to other topics when they saw a young man selling copies of an anti-fascist magazine. "Men take advantage of any moment to claim their own. I am also anti-fascist, but they always parasitise and phagocytise us. Today, the focus has to be on us," they said.

Demands of the feminist movement in Malaga

Murders are the most brutal expression of gender-based violence, but the statement that was read out in Plaza de la Constitucion also emphasised other concerns: the increase in sexual violence, especially executed by young men and "voracious consumers of pornography"; Spain's leadership in the EU in terms of prostitution; births of children via surrogacy despite the practice being illegal in Spain.

The statement listed the march organisers' demands: greater resources and involvement of the state security forces to prevent gender-based violence; training in equality in the justice system and in education; free abortion in the public health system; justice and reparation for those affected by the failure of the electronic-tag system; an abolitionist law on prostitution; laws against new forms of digital violence.

This is the fourth year in which there are two different demonstrations in cities such as Madrid or Seville, due to the rift that opened within the feminist movement when the trans law was being processed, given the way the text defined gender (more as a choice than a social construct).

There was also a resurgence of disagreement regarding prostitution, since among feminists there is an abolitionist sector and another that advocates for its regulation. In Malaga, a single march that brings together all viewpoints still prevails, which women's associations in the city consider an achievement.
Marina Martinez Wednesday, 26 November 2025, 11:38 Share

Malaga hosted this year's Michelin Guide Spain & Andorra gala ceremony, which ended with a new star for one restaurant in the city: Palodu. The event was held at Espacio Sohrlin on Tuesday, 25 November.

The last time the gala was held in the province was 11 years ago and Marbella had the privilege of hosting it, although the province did not receive any stars that year. This year, Michelin has also been less generous than expected, with only one star for Cristina Canovas and Diego Aguilar's restaurant. On the bright side, that meant that the two chefs exclusively received a resounding ovation when they went on stage to collect the white chef's jacket that accredits their first star.

According to the guide's inspectors, Palodu is one of those restaurants "that are a pleasure to go to because they show us a constant desire to improve". The establishment has two tasting menus called Alcazul and Palodu, "both with seasonal dishes and the option of food and wine pairings". "We have been surprised by the intense flavour of their sequence 'Mullet - Gazpachuelo - Potato'," the inspectors stated.

The three restaurants in Malaga city that already had a star - Jose Carlos Garcia, Kaleja and Blossom - retain their glory this year. The wider offer of Michelin-starred restaurants in the province includes Sollo in Fuengirola and Nintai, Back and Messina in Marbella. Bardal in Ronda and Skina in Marbella retain their two stars.

New stars in Andalucia

The menu of the event was created by some 200 chefs, reflective of the gastronomic potential of the province, which has a total of 12 stars out of the 37 in Andalucia. At the regional level, Farala by Cristina Jimenez in Granada, ReComiendo by Periko Ortega in Cordoba, Ochando by Juan Carlos Ochando in Los Rosales (Seville) and Mare by Juan Viu in Cadiz received new stars. In total, five new stars, making it the region with the most first stars. In addition, Juan Carlos Garcia from Vandelvira (Baeza, Jaen) received the young chef award, while Rafa de Bedoya from Jerez won the second star for Aleia, the establishment he runs in Barcelona.

Not to be forgotten are the two stars of Smoked Room - a restaurant that, although located in Madrid, has a Malaga stamp as it belongs to Marbella group Dani Garcia. The establishment also won an additional prize: the sommelier award for Luis Baselga.

It is also worth noting that Marcos Granda retains the stars in his restaurants Clos and Toki in Madrid, Ayalga in Ribadesella and Marcos in Gijon (each with one star).

Zoom Malaga's Michelin chefs line up. SUR

The bad news is that both Tohqa (El Puerto de Santa Maria), which closed about a month ago, and La Finca (Loja, Granada), which recently moved to Malaga, have lost the distinction.

National

At the national level, a total of 25 restaurants are debuting this year as Michelin-starred restaurants (compared to 32 last year). Two stars were given to La Boscana by Joel Castane (Bellvis, Lleida), Mont Bar by Francisco Jose Agudo (Barcelona), Ramon Freixa Atelier by Ramon Freixa (Madrid) and Enigma by Albert Adria. No new establishment received a third star.

In total, the selection of restaurants in the Spain & Andorra Guide 2026 brings together 16 restaurants with three stars, 37 with two and 254 with one, totalling 307 award-winning restaurants.

In the Green Star section, Diego Gallegos' Malaga restaurant Sollo retains the distinction and AMA (Tolosa, Guipuzcoa), Bakea (Mungia, Vizcaya), Garena (Dima, Vizcaya), Hika by Roberto Ruiz (Villabona, Guipuzcoa) and Terrae by David Rivas (Port de Pollenca, Mallorca) were added to the list.

New Bib Gourmand

As for the Bib Gourmand selection, which rewards the best value for money, the province of Malaga won two new distrinctions: Base9, described as "modern in style with a strong traditional foundation" and recommended for "the old-hen cannelloni and its unusual potato omelette, prepared in the style of Japanese omurice and served with wasabi mayonnaise"; and El Chiringuito in Sedella, which the guide describes as a "modest spot with a rustic, family-style atmosphere", run for many years by the grandparents of the current chef, Victor Hierrezuelo. "Today, he offers a menu with regional and local roots that he has managed to update with great skill," the guide says.

Zoom Antonio Banderas and Domingo Merlin, whose Sohrlin theatre was the venue for the event, with host Jesus Vazquez. EFE

Also maintaining this recognition in the city of Malaga are La Taberna by Mike Palmer, which the guide describes as "a modern take on traditional cuisine that leaves its mark and stays in the memory", and La Cosmo, which, according to the guide, "focuses on transparency and quality in everything related to the product and its origin, trying to give value to locally sourced ingredients". All are included in the list of 204 restaurants, 29 of which are new entries.

The gala was hosted by celebrity presenter Jesus Vazquez. It ended with the traditional parade of the 16 three-starred restaurants, but that was the end of the event, with no new additions to the three-star category, much to the surprise of some.

Taking place at Sohrlin, the gala could not go without the presence of Antonio Banderas, who compared the artistic world to that of gastronomy: "The recipe is the script; going to the market is the audition; in rehearsals we cook; and our restaurant is the stage." The gala was as enchanting as the restaurants it celebrates.
Ignacio Lillo Malaga Wednesday, 26 November 2025, 19:07 Share

The project for the port tower hotel has returned to Malaga after less than a month with the national port authority in Madrid. The dossier designed by the studio of top British architect David Chipperfield was sent to Spain's capital on 29 October, after approval from the Malaga port authority. However, the ministry of transport body returned it on 26 November, requiring several modifications.

As technical sources told SUR, the legal services of the national body that manages the state-run ports have asked for the project file to be extended with new technical information that more convincingly "justifies its general interest".

National port authority demands more documentation to approve the skyscraper, without rejecting the project

For the moment, the body has not issued an unfavourable report nor has it rejected the project. What it has done is ask for modifications to the administrative procedure. The port authority will now ask the promoters of the 144-metre skyscraper on the Levante dock - Qatari fund Al Alfia and Hoteles Hesperia - to incorporate new documentation and expand part of the technical and administrative justification. Once the dossier is completed, it can be sent back to Madrid for further processing.

President of the Malaga port authority Carlos Rubio said that they had been in permanent contact with the state body, both with the presidency and with the technical services. These conversations have led to the decision to return the project to Malaga.

New competition?

In the report, there is a footnote from the state ports lawyer's office that is generating controversy about its possible legal significance. This department suggests (not obliges) that, "out of a principle of prudence" and given that ten years have passed since the beginning of the process, with three versions of the hotel project offered over the decade, it would be appropriate to reconvene a project competition such as the one that led to the initial award to Andalusian Hospitality.

If this happens, the tender will have to be published in the official state gazette, allowing any other company to bid for the rights to exploit the plot. It is a procedure similar to a tender (but initiated by a private party rather than the administration). The legal department considers that this "would provide the file with greater legal certainty", although sources clarify that this step has not been agreed on. Given the social context of the project, which is tied up in the courts, a decision is not expected in the short term.

In any case, what has been requested is a strengthening of "the report justifying the public interest of the project, as well as the inclusion of new technical data that would allow for a more detailed assessment of the proposal and facilitate later stages of analysis by the state body".

Moral victory for opponents

The same sources said that the procedure remains open and that the request does not amount to a definitive halt or a negative resolution, but rather to an additional stage within the ordinary administrative process, after certain aspects were found to require further work. In fact, the national port authority has not examined the substance of the project or questioned its content. It has focused its analysis solely on procedural matters.

In any case, this is a moral victory for the groups opposed to this infrastructure: the political parties of the municipal opposition, residential platform Defendamos Nuestro Horizonte and Academia de San Telmo. They have been warning that the so-called "general interest", which is key for the lower house to lift the veto on hotel construction on port land, has not been justified, given the broad public opposition to this controversial initiative.

Awaiting appeals

It is clear to anyone who closely follows this process that the timetable for the action is in fact subject to the resolution of the two contentious-administrative appeals that are currently under way (one by Defendamos Nuestro Horizonte and another by Academia de San Telmo). Therefore, pending the drafting of the new technical reports, the port authority will have to wait for both rulings before any further progress is made in the proceedings.

In theory, the new scenario means a halt in the proceedings for the luxury hotel designed by Pritzker Prize winner David Chipperfield, as well as for the reform of the Levante quay, for which there is currently no definite timeline, as it depends, above all, on the courts.
Jose Carlos Garcia Marbella Wednesday, 26 November 2025, 19:17 Share

The fire brigade of Marbella carried out a complex operation in the Monchalban area on Monday evening, rescuing three hikers of Belgian nationality, as reported by the town hall.

The two 50-year-old hikers and the 25-year-old man accompanying them started their route from the area around Juanar, in Sierra Blanca, at 11am. They were heading in the direction of Istan. At some point, they became disoriented and tried to descend towards the reservoir, entering a canyon that was difficult to access.

At 6.30pm, they called the 112 emergency centre and said that they needed assistance. The firefighters managed to contact and locate the hikers, confirming their position in a steep area. Less than 250 metres away in a straight line, the teams began their approach, using technical rope manoeuvres to access the location safely.

Having extensive knowledge of the terrain, the firefighters managed to reach the hikers and take them to a safe area. The operation ended successfully, with no injuries to the three hikers or the rescue personnel involved.
Europa Press Wednesday, 26 November 2025, 09:38 Share

Spain's main airport operator Aena will appeal in court against the 10-million-euro fine imposed by the Spanish data protection agency (AEPD) for its biometric boarding system, considering it "disproportionate" and claiming there has been no security or data breach "at any time".

The data watchdog argues that Aena has deployed facial recognition systems - a high-risk processing of special category data - without a formal data protection impact assessment (DPIA) that must be done to meet the criteria of necessity, suitability and proportionality.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Aena insists that there has been no leak of user data from the various biometric boarding programmes deployed at the operator's network of airports across Spain, with data security, it affirms, "not being at risk at any time".

The AEPD's fine is based on the alleged failure to comply with formal requirements in the DPIA, although Aena disagrees with this assessment and maintains that users gave their informed consent.

The sanction imposed on Aena is based, according to the company, on the alleged breach of a formal obligation: the failure to properly carry out a data protection impact assessment that met all regulatory requirements.

Aena, however, maintains that the impact assessments were indeed carried out prior to starting to use the biometric access programmes and, therefore, "respectfully disagrees" with AEPD's assessment that they did not adequately meet the requirements.

For this reason, also because it believes the decision is not in accordance with the principle of proportionality, the airport operator has confirmed that it will appeal the decision in court.

Data security and the future of the programme

In its statement, Aena insisted that its biometric programme has guaranteed the privacy and security of users at all times. The company has stressed that there has been no data breach affecting users of the various biometric programmes deployed across the airport network in Spain, nor a breach of any third-party data.

"The security of this data has not been at risk at any time," asserts the airport operator.

Furthermore, Aena reiterates that the processing of biometric data was carried out after obtaining the informed and voluntary consent of passengers and that such data has been subject to the retention, blocking and deletion procedures set out in the current regulations.

The airport operator concludes that it will continue to work on streamlining passenger documentation processes in order to restart the biometric boarding programme "as soon as possible".

10-million-euro fine

The AEPD has fined Aena 10,043,002 euros for failing to comply with article 35 of Spain's general data protection regulations (GDPR) in the implementation of its facial recognition system at its airports.

The resolution imposing the fine states that Aena failed to conduct a valid data protection impact assessment prior to the processing, nor did it justify the necessity and proportionality of using biometric data for passenger identification.

The system, designed to expedite passenger transit and improve security, processed special category biometric data, such as facial patterns, along with other personal data.

The AEPD determined that the processing did not comply with the principles of necessity and proportionality, as less intrusive alternatives existed to achieve the same objectives. In addition, deficiencies were identified in the risk management and security measures adopted.

The fine includes the temporary suspension of biometric data processing until Aena carries out a proper impact assessment. The resolution will also be published in the official state gazette (BOE), given that the fine exceeds one million euros.
Olatz Hernandez Madrid Wednesday, 26 November 2025, 09:52 Share

The European Court of Justice (CJEU) ruled on Tuesday that all member states of the EU must recognise the legality of same-sex marriages contracted in another EU country, regardless of whether same-sex marriage is covered in its own national legal system. In its decision, the CJEU stated that failure to do so would violate the freedom of movement and residence of the couple concerned and their fundamental right to respect for private and family life, which is contrary to European law.

The European Court of Justice recognised in its ruling that legislation concerning marriage is a national responsibility, but warned that, in exercising such a responsibility, member states must also respect European law and, therefore, the right "to lead a normal family life" when European citizens exercise their right to free movement and residence within the EU. The ruling cites the case of a Polish couple residing in Germany, who were married in Berlin in 2018. They decided to move back to Poland and requested a transcript of their German marriage certificate, a procedure that was rejected by the Polish civil registry on the grounds that Polish law does not authorise same-sex marriages.

Seven years later, the CJEU ruled in favour of the plaintiff couple and stated that, when EU citizens as a couple create a family life in the host member state, in this case through legal marriage, they must be able to have the "certainty" of being able to continue that status upon returning to their country of origin.

Furthermore, it warned that refusal to recognise a marriage legally contracted by two EU citizens of the same sex in another member state may lead to serious administrative, professional and private difficulties, forcing the spouses to live as though they were unmarried in their member state of origin. In short, it concluded that such a refusal is "contrary to EU law" and violates "the fundamental right to respect for private and family life". According to the CJEU, the obligation to recognise these unions "does not infringe national identity" and "does not imply that that state must recognise same-sex marriage within its national law".

It must be applied equally...

In any case, the Luxembourg-based EU court highlighted that countries have a margin of discretion in choosing how they recognise same-sex marriages and that the transcript of a foreign marriage certificate is one of the possibilities. Other means could also be established, provided that they are "equivalent" to the recognition laid out for marriages between different sexes. The chosen method must not prevent or unduly hinder recognition nor discriminate against same-sex couples on the grounds of their sexual orientation.

Therefore, this ruling establishes that, since a transcript is the only means provided by Polish law for a marriage contracted in another member state to be effectively recognised, then Poland "is obliged to apply it equally to marriages contracted by persons of the same sex as to those contracted by persons of the opposite sex".
A tax bomb is set to detonate on New Years Day. The blast could throw the finances of millions of student loan borrowers off balance.

The impending blast is heading for borrowers paying down their student debt through an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan and who seek debt forgiveness on or after Jan. 1, 2026.

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As CNBC reports, the shockwaves could be enormous, adding up to thousands of dollars in unexpected taxes on forgiven loans (1) and hitting the very borrowers the IDR plan was meant to help, who tend to be lower-income.

According to the nonprofit group Protect Borrowers, those seeking forgiveness on the average $49,321 in student debt under the IDR plan in 2026 could see a loss of anywhere from $5,800 to $10,000 in owed taxes and lost credits (2).

Senator Elizabeth Warren, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined eight other senators in writing a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asking him to prevent this (3).

Families who earn student debt cancellation after paying their loans for decades will be hit with surprise tax hikes  as high as $10,000 in many cases  starting next tax year, they wrote, describing the situation as a financial disaster for working-class Americans.

Heres a look at whats behind the ticking tax bomb and how to prevent it from wreaking havoc on your own financial plans.

Tax bomb effects on household budgets

As it stands, borrowers who make regular payments on student loans under the income-driven repayment (IDR) plan for 20 or 25 years can have their remaining loan balance forgiven, if eligible (4).

As New America reports, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 eliminated taxes on forgiven IDR student loans (5).

Read more: 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)

Unfortunately, that provision is expiring at the end of 2025, triggering the potential tax bomb.

With a median $600 in savings, most households  especially those dealing with significant amounts of student loan debt  could not cover an unexpected tax bill, especially in the thousands of dollars.

In fact, 37% of Americans couldnt cover a $400 emergency expense, according to an Empower survey. (6).

If the money isnt available, the likely course of action is to set up a payment plan with the IRS to pay down the newfound tax debt, but that means accruing interest and penalty charges until the debt is paid in full (7).
Enable: The Disability Podcast is a new podcast featuring stories of amazing people with disabilities and different abilities.

Military veteran Scott Kelly, whose resume went viral on TikTok when it was seen at a Jonas Brothers concert, talks with the Enable podcast about his experience in the U.S. Army and Special Forces, his medical retirement, and military disability benefits. The former Fort Drum soldier also explained the difference between military medical separation and medical retirement, sharing the help he received from the Care Coalition (https://www.socom.mil/care-coalition/).

Kelly additionally talked about his podcast, At the Waters Edge; the challenges for veterans transitioning to civilian life; and the fun facts he revealed on Jimmy Fallon: He didnt know who the Jonas Brothers were and he wasnt even applying for a job at the time.

Enable: The Disability Podcast will release new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple, Amazon and iHeart.

Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more.

About the hosts

Geoff Herbert, who was born with a profound binaural hearing loss, is a reporter, SEO Lead and content supervisor for syracuse.com | The Post-Standard. Despite being mostly deaf in both ears, hes also worked as a DJ for 25 years, including 10 years in radio (as DeafGeoff) and 10 years as a wedding DJ in Upstate New York. He learned how to communicate orally with hearing aids, lipreading and speech therapy, and embraces assistive technology like visual waveforms in music programs, closed captioning/subtitles, and video calls.

Kurt Hower, who has worked at Advance Local for over 35 years, is a leader both in the media industry and in the community. He has been actively involved in leading change as the print industry has continued to rapidly evolve, while also serving on a variety of boards including the Central PA Chapter Arthritis Foundation Board of Directors where he was Chairman of Board Development and a member of the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee. Hower has ankylosing spondylitis, a rare disease that causes arthritis of the spine, and encourages others to focus on what they can contribute to society rather than their challenges.

Community at Work Job Fair

The Community at Work Virtual Job Fair offers an inclusive and accessible platform connecting a diverse, skilled talent pool with employers eager to build dynamic teams. See open jobs and more at advancemediany.com/career-fair-2025.

Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local.
Albany, N.Y.  A Colorado man was sentenced Tuesday to two years in prison after boarding a plane to Central New York in April with the intent to kill someone, federal prosecutors said.

Jerry Gordon, 56, of Colorado, was sentenced for transmitting a threat in interstate commerce to injure another person, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of New York. He also was sentenced to three years of post-release supervision.

Gordon threatened to set up a snipers nest to kill a person, prosecutors said. His plan came to the attention of federal authorities in December, according to an affidavit from FBI agent John Hogan.

In April, Gordon admitted sending four threatening text messages to a man in Aurora. In the messages, he warned the victim to get your affairs in order before April 25 because he planned to drink your blood from the chalice that I will make out of your heart, prosecutors said.

That same month, Gordon sent a mass email to local governments and law enforcement agencies stating his intent to start my vengeance tour and I will accomplish my mission at any cost. He wrote that he had very specific targets and was not looking to involve any innocent bystanders, and added that if people left him alone, nothing else will happen.

Gordon also mentioned plans to take action on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca. Cell phone records showed he had sent threatening messages to a person identified as J.W.

On April 25, Gordon boarded a United Airlines flight from Denver to Newark, N.J., before connecting to Syracuse. He was arrested by FBI agents as he deplaned in Syracuse, prosecutors said.
Syracuse, N.Y.  A former Syracuse anti-violence outreach worker this week was sentenced to prison for selling drugs on the job.

Ahmed Abdi, 33, previously pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

He was sentenced Monday to six years in prison in exchange for his guilty pleas.

Abdi and Cassieum Pitts, 28, admitted to selling drugs while working as employees of Syracuse Cure Violence (also known as SNUG) on multiple occasions.

They sold cocaine and methamphetamines near the Southwest Community Center on South Avenue, as well as near a SNUG office on North Midler Avenue, prosecutors have said.

Pitt was sentenced to nine years in prison.

The SNUG program seeks to reduce crime among young adults. The program utilizes credible messengers, people who may have criminal histories, who can serve as mentors.

Prosecutor Oksana Bugayov said she hopes Abdi can come out of prison ready to be a positive influence in the community.

The Syracuse SNUG branch has received $1.8 million in funding from the state, according to Janine Kava, the spokesperson for the state Division of Criminal Justice Services.
Syracuse, N.Y.  The state Attorney Generals Office on Wednesday released its final report into the fatal shooting of a man by a Syracuse police officer.

The AGs Office decided it will not recommend criminal charges against Officer Christopher Mazzotti who killed Donnell Hogan, 42, after Hogan fired at another officer in May, according to the final report.

The officer shot Hogan once in the head with his patrol rifle shortly after 10 p.m. May 13 inside the Moses Dewitt House apartment building at 212 N. Townsend St., according to the report.

The AGs office ruled that it could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officers actions were not justified.

Under New Yorks justification law, a police officer may use deadly physical force when the officer reasonably believes it to be necessary to defend against the use of deadly physical force by another, the report said.

Police were called to the apartment complex after receiving reports that shots had been fired inside and outside the building.

The interaction between Hogan and police lasted just a few seconds.

When police arrived, witnesses told them a man in a wheelchair was firing a gun on the second floor.

Syracuse police officers split into two teams, took separate entrances and used different staircases to get to the second floor.

Body camera videos previously released by the AGs office show police officers heading up a stairwell to the second floor of the apartment building with guns drawn.

The body camera of Syracuse police officer Richard Bougourd shows an officer opening the door to the second floor, where Hogan can be seen at the doorway in a wheelchair.

The first team of officers saw Hogan in the hall and shouted for him to show his hands for about 20 seconds, the report said.

The second team of officers entered through the stairwell door Hogan was facing, the report said. As the second team entered the hallway, Hogan raised a gun with his right hand.

An officer yells gun several times, body camera footage shows.

A body camera from Syracuse police officer Conlan McGuire captured an officer identifying himself as police and ordering Hogan to drop the gun.

The body cameras captured the sound of two shots ringing out. The AGs report said that one shot was fired by Hogan at Bougourd. The second was the fatal shot fired by Mazzotti that hit Hogan, the report said.

Officers recovered a 9mm caliber semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine from Hogan, the report said. There were numerous live rounds, but the gun was jammed with a spent cartridge and could not be fired immediately without clearing the cartridge, the report said.

The report said Mazzotti declined to be interviewed by the AGs Office. The state investigation was based on Mazzottis written statement, Syracuse police records, and body camera footage from other officers, the report said.

The report said Mazzotti activated his body camera, but it accidentally activated and deactivated multiple times. The shooting was captured on several body camera videos of other officers.

Mazzotti had been with the department for five years at the time of the shooting. He was placed on paid administrative leave after the shooting but is back on the job..

The state Attorney Generals Office under state law is required to investigate any deaths that result from an action, or inaction, of law enforcement officers.
The Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard police blotter of arrests from police agencies around Central New York was updated today.

The arrests added this week occurred between Oct. 15 and Nov 23.

The people charged ranged from 16 to 71 years old.

One person, who was a police officer, was arrested for assault. Oswego city officer arrested, suspended after deputies say he punched girlfriend during argument

One person was arrested for raping a juvenile. Central NY man charged with rape of juvenile girl in Oswego County

One person was arrested on an out-of-state warrant. Oregon man on the run from child sex crimes charges for 7 years arrested in Syracuse

Information in the police blotter is provided by the arresting agencies. Arrests are also published in the Neighbors pages of The Post-Standard and are available in the ePost-Standard.

The police blotter is searchable by name, charge, date, and agency. If you dont find a particular arrest, try adjusting the date range.

You can search the blotter here:

Dont see the link? Click here to search the police blotter
DanielPrudek / iStock via Getty Images

Quick Read

NextEra Energy (NEE) is acquiring Symmetry Energy for $800M and plans to reopen the Duane Arnold nuclear plant by 2029.

NextEra trades at 26.7 times trailing P/E and offers a 2.7% dividend yield.

GE Vernova has surged 335% since March 2024 on turbine demand driven by AI data center power needs.

If youre thinking about retiring or know someone who is, there are three quick questions causing many Americans to realize they can retire earlier than expected. take 5 minutes to learn more here

The AI tailwinds have really powered energy stocks over the past year, thanks to a looming surge in demand driven by new AI data centers coming online. Undoubtedly, it's not just the energy companies with AI data center partnerships in place that have won big. Even the heavy-duty machinery suppliers (think the turbine makers), vital for power production, have benefited greatly. Undoubtedly, the AI tailwind might not be so quick to fade for the energy companies that have gained significant ground in the past year.

If AI electricity use is to rise 300% over the next decade, the utilities might be able to profit profoundly from the AI boom without having to worry about the hefty risks that come with overinvesting in the technology directly. While firms, like NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE) do certainly stand out as lower-cost ways to benefit from the AI revolution, investors might wish to broaden their horizons as more firms, especially in nuclear, look to gain some sort of competitive advantage so that they, too, can power the boom that might still be more of a drain on the grid that originally expected.

In any case, here are two energy stocks with strong AI tailwinds and still-modest multiples:

NextEra Energy

NextEra Energy stands out as a terrific relative value play for investors with shares trading at just 26.7 times trailing price-to-earnings (P/E). The name is also a direct power generation play for investors who want to play the rise in AI-related energy consumption over the coming years.

With a recent $800 Symmetry Energy deal close to being inked, the firm's natural gas footing looks as impressive as ever. Combined with the reopening of the Duane Arnold nuclear power plant, which is reportedly coming back online by 2029, and NextEra stands out as a long-term power play for those looking for a yield-heavier way to benefit from rising AI power demands. The 2.7% dividend yield is well-covered and is likely to grow, given NextEra Energy's reputation as a dividend grower that hasn't missed a year of hikes in several decades.
Clay, N.Y. - A Syracuse police detective has been arrested after he was pulled over while driving drunk in the town of Clay, according to the State Police.

Michael J. Shannon, 41, of Liverpool, was stopped at around 12:53 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12 after troopers observed him making multiple lane violations on Oswego Road, according to State Police spokesperson Sgt. Jack Keller.

Shannon was driving his personal vehicle, not a police vehicle, Keller said.

Troopers observed the vehicle fail to signal when entering Oswego Road from a parking lot, Keller said. The vehicle crossed both northbound lanes before continuing onto the east shoulder, he said.

The vehicle swerved between lanes, which led to the traffic stop and Shannons arrest, Keller said.

Shannon submitted to a breath test at the State Police Troop T barracks in DeWitt. The test resulted in a 0.15% blood alcohol concentration, Keller said.

Troopers charged Shannon with the following:

Driving while intoxicated - first offense

Operating a motor vehicle with .08 of 1% alcohol or more in blood

Vehicle and traffic law violations

Shannon was placed on paid administrative leave as the police department investigates his arrest, according to Syracuse police spokesperson Kieran Coffey.

Joe Moran, president of the Syracuse Police Benevolent Association, said Shannon takes full responsibility for his actions.

Shannon made $112,922 in 2024 working as a detective for the police department, according to an online payroll database, See Through New York.
West Winfield, N.Y. - An 82-year-old woman who was killed in a house fire in Herkimer County Tuesday morning has been identified by State Police.

Helen Christian, of West Winfield, was found dead inside the one-story, single-family house at 160 Burrows Road when troopers responded to the fire at around 6:02 a.m., according to State Police spokesperson Trooper Jennifer Jiron.

When firefighters arrived, the northwest corner of the house was fully engulfed in flames. The house sustained overall damage, Jiron said.

Nobody else was inside the home when the fire broke out.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Foul play is not suspected, troopers said.

Christian retired from the Mount Markham School District in 2005, according to state pension records.
Mexico, N.Y.  State Police on Wednesday released the mugshot of a Fulton man who was arrested last week and charged with raping a juvenile.

Investigators released his photo because they believe there may be more victims, according to a news release from State Police.

The man, Emmanuel J. Dunbar, 39, was arrested Friday after a girl reported she had been sexually assaulted in the town of Mexico, police said.

Troopers said a family member realized the girl had left her home early Friday morning, so they began checking an area she was known to frequent, troopers said.

The family member found a vehicle parked nearby and approached it while calling out for the girl, police said. The vehicle sped off. Moments later, the girl was found and told the family member she had been sexually assaulted.

A license plate number provided to troopers led police to the suspects vehicle, troopers said.

Oswego County sheriffs deputies located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The driver refused to pull over and continued to a residence in Fulton, according to troopers.

The driver briefly ran from the home before he was taken into custody.

Dunbar was charged with first-and second-degree rape, second-degree unlawful imprisonment, endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of criminal possession of a narcotic drug and criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Dunbar is being held without bail at the Oswego County Jail because he has two prior felony convictions, troopers said.

In 2011, Dunbar was charged with second-degree burglary, first-degree sexual abuse, forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child (a 13-year-old girl), according to court records. He pleaded guilty to the burglary charge and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

The girl was taken to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse for a forensic exam and has since been discharged.

Police ask anyone with further information regarding Dunbar to contact State Police in Oneida at (315)366-6000 and refer to case NY2501166044.
Oswego County sheriffs deputies provided key help to U.S. border patrol agents before the biggest immigration raids this year in Upstate New York, federal court documents filed Tuesday reveal.

Traffic stops along a stretch of rural road in Oswego County helped form the basis of the governments argument for a warrant to search the Nutrition Bar Confectioners plant in Cato, N.Y. in September. That raid led to 57 people being detained.

A 29-page warrant application shows how officers pulled two people over for minor traffic infractions and searched their cars for evidence of illegal Social Security cards and other documents later used to build a case for a search of the Cato plant.

A Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard investigation earlier this year showed how sheriffs deputies and border patrol agents collaborated on traffic stops that appeared to use racial profiling. The New York Attorney Generals Office opened a civil rights investigation into the sheriffs department following that reporting.

The previously unreported link between the Oswego stops and the Cato raid were revealed Tuesday in newly filed records showing what prosecutors told a federal judge.

Local deputies worked with border patrol agents to snare Cato factory workers earlier this year, the warrant application shows.

Ramon Rosa Caceres Caceres was driving between jobs late one February night. He worked days at the Cato nutrition bar factory and nights at an apple orchard.

Shortly before 11 p.m., an Oswego County deputy said, the immigrant crossed a hazard marking on Route 104.

A border patrol agent working alongside deputies intervened. Caceres Caceres was a Honduran citizen whod been twice deported before. He had no criminal record, no tattoos and no gang affiliation, court records show.

Agents searched his vehicle and determined he worked for Nutrition Bar Confectioners. It was the first piece of evidence they had against the Cato factory before its raid in September, the newly released documents show.

Mauro Hernandez Batz was also stopped for a minor traffic infraction. This time, deputies said he didnt use a turn signal. A border patrol agent was ready again.

Hernandez Batz had been deported once before. Hed come back, gotten married and was supporting two children, court records show.

He admitted coming to Upstate New York from Maryland to work at the Cato factory. He worked five days a week, about six hours a day, at $15 per hour. He described efforts to make sure he paid his taxes.

Border patrol agents encountered two more undocumented workers at the Cato factory without help from sheriffs deputies, according to records.

Agents also used a license plate reader in the factorys parking lot to find five more vehicles registered to people suspected of being in the U.S. without documentation. They also received three anonymous tips about the plant to an ICE call-in hotline.

Put together, that formed the basis of the federal application for a warrant to go inside the Cato factory, which was signed by U.S. Magistrate Judge Therese Wiley Dancks on Aug. 28.

A week later, sheriffs deputies from Cayuga County, agents from the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Homeland Security agents raided the factory and detained 57 workers. Many of them were flown out of the country before having their day in deportation court.

One of the detainees is challenging whether the warrants signed by the judge allowed for the extensive raid at the factory that day.

The warrant application claims that agents were looking for the factorys records, not people. There was no mention of any specific people they were looking for, let alone anyone who posed a danger to the public.

Instead, agents asked for a criminal warrant to seize computers and records to look for criminal evidence related to hiring and harboring undocumented employees. A separate warrant allowed agents to detain any undocumented workers they came across during their records search.

The owners of the business have not been charged with any crime.

Body cameras and witness accounts to syracuse.com described a scene in which agents prioritized detaining undocumented workers first. Agents responded in court papers that this was necessary to secure the factory for the records search.

A judge has not yet ruled whether authorities overstepped their bounds by detaining dozens of workers that day.

The New York chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union is challenging whether the detainments were constitutional.

Between the scores of armed agents stopping production and banging down bathroom doors, ordering everyone to submit to questioning, and arresting some people only for invoking their right to counsel or to remain silent, its clear that these agents violated the rights of these workers, said Perry Grossman, Supervising Attorney at the New York Civil Liberties Union.
When is Thanksgiving? What is it?

Thanksgiving in the United States is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. Thanksgiving 2025 is being celebrated on Thursday, Nov. 27.

The holiday originated as a harvest festival. The event that Americans typically call the First Thanksgiving was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World in October 1621.

Thanksgiving became a national holiday in the U.S. when President Abraham Lincoln in October 1862 proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving during the Civil War. The Proclamation was written by his Secretary of State William Seward, of Auburn, N.Y.

See whats open and closed on Thanksgiving:

Are banks open on Thanksgiving?

No, banks are closed on Thursday, but open on Friday.

Is stock market open on Thanksgiving?

No, financial markets are closed on Thursday. They re-open on Friday.

Are government offices open on Thanksgiving?

City, county, state and federal offices are closed Thursday. Some offices, such as the city of Syracuse, are also closed on Friday.

Are post offices closed on Thanksgiving? Is there mail delivery?

The U.S. Post offices are closed on Thursday, and there will be no mail delivery. USPS offices will reopen on Friday, and mail will be delivered then.

UPS and FedEx are also closed Thursday, with no delivery for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Will there be trash collection?

City of Syracuse trash pick up will be one day late on both Thursday and Friday; Thursdays trash will be picked up Friday and Fridays pickup will be Saturday. Other municipal and private haulers may work on a different schedule.

Are restaurants and stores open? Will shopping malls be on regular hours?

Many restaurants and stores are closed Thursday, including Target and Walmart. Most will re-open for regular hours on Friday, with some offering special hours for Black Friday shopping.

Destiny USA will be closed on Thanksgiving. The Syracuse mall will reopen Friday at 7 a.m. for Black Friday shopping and begin extended holiday hours.

Is Walmart open on Thanksgiving? Is Target open on Thanksgiving? Is Wegmans open?

Walmart, Target, Trader Joes and Aldi are closed on Thanksgiving. Wegmans is open until 4 p.m. at most locations on Thanksgiving Day. Tops is also open until 4 p.m. Thursday, Price Chopper is open until 3 p.m., and Nichols in Liverpool is open until 2 p.m.

Are pharmacies open?

Some pharmacies, including most Walgreens locations, are closed on Thanksgiving. Most CVS and Rite Aid locations will be open on Thursday, along with Kinney Drugs located at 437 Electronics Parkway in Liverpool (retail store and pharmacy); check hours for your location before visiting.

Is parking free on Thanksgiving?

Parking at all downtown Syracuse meters will be free on Thursday and Friday.

Are libraries open on Thanksgiving?

Onondaga Countys Central Library and all city branches are closed Thursday and Friday. Suburban branch hours vary; you can check your branch through the county website.

Are buses running on regular time?

Centro is running on a Sunday/holiday schedule for Thanksgiving. Friday buses will operate on normal schedules. For information, call 442-3400 or visit Centros website.
By Isabelle Taft | New York Focus

This story originally appeared in New York Focus, a nonprofit news publication investigating power in New York. Sign up for their newsletter here.

For one Western New York man, an ongoing 10-month stint in federal immigration detention began with a suburban ritual: browsing at a mall department store.

On a Saturday evening in February, JMA, as hes identified in court filings, was looking at belts at a Macys in Cheektowaga, outside of Buffalo. A security guard accused him of trying to steal one of the belts; JMA replied that he was shopping and hoping to purchase it, according to a court petition his lawyers filed. The guard called the police, who took him to the station and charged him with petty larceny, a misdemeanor.

A Cheektowaga police officer told JMA, a Cuban citizen, that his supervisor said he had to call Border Patrol for noncitizens, according to the petition. JMA has a pending application for permanent residency under a special program for Cubans, but a Border Patrol agent arrested him anyway. JMAs shoplifting charge was later dismissed, but he has been held in a federal immigration detention center in nearby Batavia since.

JMA is one of at least 15 people taken into federal custody for immigration proceedings this year after Cheektowaga police called Border Patrol, according to documents obtained by New York Focus through public records requests. Five of the immigration arrests started with a call to Cheektowaga police by security guards at the Macys, according to incident reports. In several of the 15 cases, those arrested were not charged with crimes.

Some localities across New York have made headlines for entering into formal partnerships with federal immigration authorities, such as 287(g) agreements that empower local officers to enforce immigration laws, or contracts with local jails to hold immigration detainees. In Long Islands Nassau County, for instance, police are authorized to conduct immigration arrests and the jail has held thousands of people for Immigration and Customs Enforcement this year.

Cheektowaga, a town of 90,000 about 10 miles from the Canadian border, has no such agreement. But immigration politics there have run hot since New York City bused hundreds of asylum seekers to local hotels in 2023, fueling a backlash that helped Republicans flip the town council and unseat a longtime Democratic state lawmaker.

Even without a legal partnership, Cheektowaga police call Border Patrol when they encounter people they suspect of being in the country illegally, or simply when they dont trust their identification documents. In several cases that New York Focus identified, police officers initially contacted Border Patrol  a branch of US Customs and Border Protection, which has a presence at the airport in Cheektowaga  to verify someones identity and residency status. Some of their interactions with federal agents appear to push the bounds of what state law permits.

JMAs attorneys argue that Cheektowaga police violated state law by detaining him while waiting for Border Patrol to arrive. A state appellate court ruled in 2018 that local police cant detain people for civil immigration offenses  like overstaying a visa  without a warrant. That includes situations where police hold someone longer than needed to process their criminal charges so immigration agents can arrive to pick them up, Attorney General Letitia James wrote in 2020.

The incident report documenting JMAs arrest was sealed, but Cheektowaga Police Captain Jeffrey Schmidt reviewed it at the request of New York Focus.

It does appear from reading through the police report that he was released on an appearance ticket and continued to be held until Border Patrol came and retrieved him, he said.

If indeed we have stepped outside what the current guidance is by the state, including New York state case law that prohibits this type of activity, it will have to be addressed internally with the department, for sure, Schmidt added.

Asked about JMAs arrest and two other instances in which Cheektowaga police called Border Patrol, a spokesperson for the attorney generals office said it is aware and reviewing these incidents.

Aaron Krupp, regional coordinator for the Buffalo-based advocacy organization Justice for Migrant Families, met JMA inside the immigration detention center in nearby Batavia about nine months ago and was struck by the story of how his detention began: A mall cop saw a brown person walking through a Macys and assumed that he was shoplifting.

Then the police got involved.

The Cheektowaga police have absolutely no obligation whatsoever, legally speaking, to contact immigration enforcement, Krupp said. Yet they detained this person for a thing that was fairly obviously bullshit, and they held him until immigration enforcement could come over and pick him up.

The Cheektowaga Police Departments Immigration Violations policy, which Schmidt provided to New York Focus, states that officers may detain someone when they have a reasonable suspicion the person entered the United States in violation of a federal criminal law.

That could be when someone admits they came to the US illegally or offers immigration documentation that officers feel is dubious. A lack of English proficiency may be considered but should not be the sole factor in establishing reasonable suspicion, the policy says. The policy is copyrighted by Lexipol, a company that writes policies for thousands of law enforcement agencies around the country.

In early June, a Cheektowaga officer pulled over a vehicle with expired registration and an obstructed plate. The driver handed over his New York license, and all five of his passengers provided identification as well, according to an incident report. The officer noted they spoke little to no English and told him they were from Venezuela. He contacted Border Patrol, who arrested the driver and one of the passengers.

Once they identified that they were not American citizens, that looks like thats why our officers then reached out to Border Patrol, Schmidt said.

In another case, police asked Border Patrol to verify a mans identity and residency status while he was being held for shoplifting charges, after he initially gave police a false identity. The agency advised that offender was indeed a U.S. citizen.

Schmidt said that Cheektowaga officers will only detain someone facing immigration proceedings if they have a criminal immigration charge, such as illegal entry, or if they are also being charged with a state crime. But the police dont have access to each persons immigration record.

We wont really know if its a civil or criminal violation until after weve spoken with Border Patrol, he said. So what happens is, when we identify that someone is not a resident of this country, then we contact Border Patrol.

As a result of the practice, low-level criminal allegations can yield major immigration consequences for Cheektowaga residents. In early October, police arrested a Venezuelan woman for stealing $37.46 worth of groceries from a Tops supermarket. Officers released her into Border Patrol custody. As of late November, she was detained at an ICE facility in Louisiana.

Officers do not seek out undocumented immigrants to conduct immigration enforcement, Schmidt said.

Nobody in our department is authorized to target anyone based off of the color of their skin, based off the sound of their speech, at all, he said. We dont do that. So I just want to make sure you get that out there.

Ify Chikezie, a staff attorney at the New York Civil Liberties Union, said she was skeptical of the idea that Cheektowaga police need to contact Border Patrol to verify someones identity.

That seems like a rationale that could be easily abused by local police departments, she said.

The five cases that originated at Macys, located inside the Walden Galleria mall, involved accusations of stealing merchandise. In June, a security guard called the police on 20-year-old Anderson Contreras-Hernandez and accused him of stealing two pairs of Lacoste underwear valued at $90. After he showed police his work permit, according to the incident report, they called Border Patrol to confirm his identification. A Cheektowaga judge later dismissed the charges on the condition that he stay out of trouble for six months, but ICE didnt release Contreras-Hernandez until he agreed to return to Venezuela, in a case the Investigative Post covered extensively.

Later that month, Cheektowaga police turned a man and a 16-year-old boy over to Border Patrol after two Macys security guards accused them of stealing about $300 worth of furs, according to incident reports. The officers called Border Patrol after the suspects told them they were from Colombia; Border Patrol said they were actually from Venezuela.

One of the security guards who made the initial call to police told New York Focus in a brief phone interview that he didnt recall that interaction. He said Macys security doesnt contact Border Patrol, and he didnt know that Cheektowaga police do.

A Macys spokesperson told New York Focus that after reporting incidents to the police, we are not involved in subsequent law enforcement or immigration decisions.

New York lawmakers will reconsider legislation next year that would prohibit some of the interactions between Cheektowaga police and Border Patrol that have landed people in immigration detention. The New York for All Act, first introduced in 2020, would bar police officers from asking about citizenship or immigration status and from communicating with immigration authorities about when someone will be released from custody or have a court appearance.

State Senator Andrew Gounardes, a Democrat who introduced the bill this year, said he believes the increase in immigration arrests this year and reports of local law enforcement collaborating with ICE will add to the measures momentum, which is co-sponsored by the majority of Democratic state lawmakers.

Weve certainly seen an uptick in collusion and coordination that to us really undermines public safety, because if you really value public safety, you dont want to have anyone in your community have a reason to not trust the police, he said.

Another piece of legislation has the opposite aim of New York for All. The bill would require local law enforcement to notify ICE when they arrest someone who is not a US citizen.

If someone is here illegally, and theyre here committing crimes, we want to be able to deal with that person and if need be remove them from our community, said Assemblymember Patrick Chludzinski, a Republican who represents Cheektowaga and is one of the bills 30 Assembly co-sponsors. (All of the bills co-sponsors are Republicans, and its unlikely to pass the Democrat-dominated state legislature.)

Chludzinski, a former detective lieutenant in the Cheektowaga Police Department, won his seat by defeating the longtime Democratic incumbent last year in a race centered on immigration issues. Chludzinski argued that the process of busing asylum seekers from New York City had been poorly managed and opaque, and that the arrival of so many people strained local police and schools.

Chludzinski reviewed several incident reports at the request of New York Focus and said he was surprised by what he read.

I think its a good thing that they cooperate, he said. But if you look at some of the case law in New York state, it looks like theyre entering a gray area.

I guess thats part of the problem, Chludzinski said. Its so unclear. Its either gotta be one way or another.
Advisers to President Donald Trump have been working on a plan to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies for two years, but they may not have the votes required to do so in the House of Representatives.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, Republican of Louisiana, told the White House that most Republicans in his chamber do not support extending the subsidies, according to The Wall Street Journal. The subsidies help lower insurance premiums for millions of people who have coverage under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

The subsidies first passed in 2021 in a pandemic-era law and were later extended. Theyre expiring this year.

If theyre not extended again, premiums could soar for about 22 million people, in some cases by thousands of dollars.

Trump told reporters on Tuesday that he doesnt support an extension of the subsidies, according to the Journal. But he also said some kind of extension might be necessary to get something done.

The subsidies were at the center of the government shutdown that began in October and ended earlier in November. Democrats demanded an extension of the health care subsidies in exchange for their votes on a funding bill.

The shutdown ended when a group of Senate Democrats broke with their party and agreed to a deal to reopen the government.

The deal promised a vote in the Senate on extending the subsidies, but there was no guarantee it would succeed. Johnson did not even promise a vote in the House.

The emerging White House plan would extend the subsidies temporarily, but also impose income caps and measures to crack down on fraud, according to the Journal. Some Republicans also want to pair the end of the subsidies with the creation of health savings accounts.

The plan isnt final and Trump hasnt yet signed off, according to the Journal.

Although Johnson told the White House that most House Republicans dont support an extension, some members in competitive districts have demanded one, the Journal said.
An Upstate New York man has been arrested after police said he violated an order of protection and jumped bail.

Patrick C. Tully, 39, of Northville, N.Y. was taken into custody Tuesday, according to the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office. Deputies said they were dispatched to a business Friday in the Town of Amsterdam after Tully allegedly sent a letter to a protected party at the location, violating an order of protection.

An arrest warrant was issued by the Town of Amsterdam Court.

Tully has been charged with criminal contempt in the second degree and bail jumping in the third degree, both Class A Misdemeanors. He was arraigned in the Town of Amsterdam Court and remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu of bail.

Additional details were not disclosed.

The Fulton County Sheriffs Office previously said that Tully had been arrested on multiple warrants from Montgomery County between Aug. 29 and Sept. 11.

Amsterdam is located in Montgomery County, about 35 miles northwest of Albany.
Amid renewed concerns over inflated AI stock valuations and receding expectations for a U.S. interest rate cut, European markets have experienced a downturn, with major indexes such as the STOXX Europe 600 and Germany's DAX seeing notable declines. In this environment of cautious sentiment, identifying undervalued stocks can present opportunities for investors seeking value in solid fundamentals and potential for growth despite broader market challenges.

Top 10 Undervalued Stocks Based On Cash Flows In Europe

Name Current Price Fair Value (Est) Discount (Est) YIT Oyj (HLSE:YIT) 2.988 5.94 49.7% Roche Bobois (ENXTPA:RBO) 35.00 69.49 49.6% KB Components (OM:KBC) SEK42.30 SEK83.54 49.4% HMS Bergbau (XTRA:HMU) 52.00 103.80 49.9% Exel Composites Oyj (HLSE:EXL1V) 0.392 0.78 49.8% Esautomotion (BIT:ESAU) 3.12 6.18 49.5% EcoUp Oyj (HLSE:ECOUP) 1.34 2.65 49.4% cyan (XTRA:CYR) 2.28 4.55 49.9% Circle (BIT:CIRC) 7.94 15.68 49.4% Allcore (BIT:CORE) 1.33 2.64 49.7%

Click here to see the full list of 200 stocks from our Undervalued European Stocks Based On Cash Flows screener.

Let's explore several standout options from the results in the screener.

Overview: Cellnex Telecom, S.A. operates and manages terrestrial telecommunications infrastructures across multiple European countries including Austria, Denmark, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Switzerland with a market cap of 17.52 billion.

Operations: Cellnex Telecom generates revenue by managing terrestrial telecommunications infrastructures across various European nations, including Austria, Denmark, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Switzerland.

Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 33.8%

Cellnex Telecom is trading at 25.71, significantly below its estimated fair value of 38.82, reflecting a 33.8% undervaluation based on discounted cash flow analysis. Despite recent net losses of 148 million in Q3 2025, the company is forecast to achieve profitability within three years, with earnings expected to grow by over 74% annually. Revenue growth projections outpace the Spanish market slightly at 4.6%, supporting its potential as an undervalued investment opportunity based on cash flows.

BME:CLNX Discounted Cash Flow as at Nov 2025

Overview: DSV A/S provides transport and logistics services across multiple regions including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, South America, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific with a market cap of DKK327.72 billion.
NONGASIMO / Shutterstock.com

Quick Read

XRPs transaction volume continues declining even as RippleNet expands to over 300 banking partners.

Banks use RippleNets infrastructure without requiring XRP because the token remains optional for settlement.

Three XRP ETFs launched in November with strong inflows but created no on-chain activity increase.

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

XRP's (CRYPTO: XRP) adoption story looks strong on paper. Ripple works with more than 300 banks, its payment network keeps expanding, and regulatory conditions are clearer than they've been in years.

XRP ETFs from Canary Capital, Franklin Templeton, and Grayscale launched in November, giving institutions regulated access that didn't exist before. Yet XRP's transaction volume keeps slipping, even as RippleNet grows. The network's getting bigger, but activity on the ledger isn't matching the headlines.

That gap raises a serious question for traders and institutions: Why is XRP usage falling while RippleNet keeps expanding?

XRP Price Stalls Despite Record Institutional Adoption

alfernec / Shutterstock.com

XRP's last six months show sharp optimism followed by steady cooling. July opened with a strong push toward $3.57 as traders positioned ahead of expected ETF launches. Volume jumped, positioning turned bullish, and XRP held near $3 through late August.

Through September and October, whale selling pushed XRP down to the mid-$2 range. Attempts to reclaim strength faded as liquidity thinned.

November brought three major XRP ETF launches. Canary Capital debuted November 13 with record $59 million first-day volume and $245 million in assets. Franklin Templeton and Grayscale followed November 24, adding credibility but not immediate demand. Inflows moved quietly through adviser channels, and XRP stayed between $2.00 and $2.40. Strong headlines continue appearing, but on-chain activity hasn't followed.

Why RippleNet's 300 Banks Aren't Boosting XRP Volume

Tamisclao / Shutterstock.com

RippleNet keeps expanding, but that growth hasn't lifted XRPs activity. The reason's simple: banks can use RippleNet's messaging and settlement tools without touching the token.

Many of the 300 institutions rely solely on the network's infrastructure layer, treating Ripple like a traditional payments provider instead of using XRP as liquidity. Even in corridors where On-Demand Liquidity runs, XRP moves through the system for only a few seconds before converting to the destination currency. That creates efficiency but not sustained on-chain volume.
Warner Music has dropped the copyright lawsuit it filed against AI music company Suno, as both have entered a licensing agreement that would allow the defendants to use their content.

Warner Music Drops Copyright Lawsuit vs. Suno

Warner Music announced that it has entered into a "groundbreaking partnership" with Suno, and alongside this, the company has dropped its copyright lawsuit against the AI company.

According to Engadget, this same setup had happened earlier when Warner Music pulled back its lawsuit against Udio, another AI music company that the company had litigated against previously.

The lawsuit against Suno alleged that the AI music company has infringed Warner Music's intellectual property rights "on a massive scale," using its IP for the training of its artificial intelligence models.

Before the lawsuit was dropped, Suno had admitted that it indeed used data from the "open internet" to train its AI models, including the use of songs, artists, their likeness, and more. Suno's platform is known for creating AI-generated music that could easily produce tracks based on users' preferences, including creations based on an artist's work.

Warner Music, Suno Now Have a Licensing Deal

Warner Music detailed its latest licensing deal with Suno, and it should be noted that this is not part of a plea deal or settlement agreement between both companies. This is a first-of-its-kind partnership between Warner Music and Suno, particularly as the AI company also received the Warner Music Group's content discovery platform Songkick.

As part of the partnership, Warner Music asked Suno to revamp its AI model to fit their terms for the licensing deal, which focuses on having artists and songwriters participate in this in an "opt-in structure."

According to WMG CEO Robert Kyncl, "AI becomes pro-artist when it adheres to our principles: committing to licensed models, reflecting the value of music on and off platform, and providing artists and songwriters with an opt-in for the use of their name, image, likeness, voice and compositions in new AI songs."

The revamped models from Suno are expected to arrive in 2026 as part of the agreement, with more advanced and licensed models coming in the future.
Dividend Kings are worth considering if you are looking for stocks that can weather any market storm while quietly building wealth over time. These elite companies have hiked their dividends for 50 consecutive years or more, proving their resilience, reliability, and long-term potential.

Dividend King #1: Lowes Companies (LOW)

Lowes Companies (LOW) is one of Americas most trusted home improvement retailers and a standout Dividend King, boasting 62 years of consecutive dividend growth. Regardless of market conditions, homeowners continue to make investments in repairs, renovations, and improvements. Lowe's broad network of over 1,700 stores across the U.S., along with savvy investments in e-commerce, has enabled the company to maintain its earnings.

More News from Barchart

Lowes dividend payout ratio of 35% remains reasonable, supported by strong free cash flow and a commitment to share repurchases. In fact, besides paying a reasonable yield of 2.07%, Lowes is also aggressively buying back shares, boosting earnings per share, and rewarding long-term investors. In the third quarter, Lowe's paid out $673 million in dividends.

Currently, Lowes stock has a "Moderate Buy" rating on Wall Street. Of the 28 analysts who cover LOW, 17 have a "Strong Buy" rating, one has a "Moderate Buy" rating, nine say it is a Hold, and one has a "Strong Sell" rating. Based on the mean target price of $277.76, LOW stock has upside potential of 26.5% from current levels. Plus, its high target price of $325 implies an upside potential of 48% over the next 12 months.

www.barchart.com

Dividend King #2: PepsiCo (PEP)

PepsiCo (PEP) is one of the most dependable names in the consumer staples sector and is a Dividend King with more than 52 consecutive years of dividend increases. The company's strength is its diverse array of beverages and snacks, which enables it to maintain steady revenue growth even when one segment faces headwinds. PepsiCo's yield of 3.9% is significantly higher than the consumer staples average of 1.9%.

While its payout ratio of 70.6% is high, the company has pledged to pay out $7.6 billion in dividends and $1.0 billion in share repurchases in 2025.

Overall, PEP stock has a "Moderate Buy" rating on Wall Street. Of the 21 analysts who cover PEP, six have a "Strong Buy" rating, 14 say it is a Hold, and one has a "Strong Sell" rating. Based on the mean target price of $156.10, PEP stock has upside potential of 4.9% from current levels. Plus, its high target price of $172 implies an upside potential of 15.6% over the next 12 months.
The case of Africa's 'vanishing' carbon deals



Monrovia, Nov 26 (AFP) Nov 26, 2025



When Liberia's government signed an agreement with a little-known Dubai company run by a royal sheikh in 2023, the "carbon credit" deal promised to protect vast tracts of forests and offset big polluters' emissions.

It was one of a flurry of deals UAE-based Blue Carbon signed that year covering millions of hectares of forests across Africa -- with one in Zimbabwe covering a fifth of the country's landmass.

African governments would safeguard forests for a share of revenues from carbon credit sales. There would be benefits for communities and help to fight deforestation. It was promoted as a win-win.

But more than two years on, Liberia's Blue Carbon deal has stalled. Other accords across Africa and elsewhere have also gone nowhere, while the UAE company itself appears to have fallen silent, according to a joint investigation by AFP and Code for Africa, an investigative organisation.

"It was stopped," Elijah Whapoe, Liberia's National Climate Change Steering Committee (NCCSC) coordinator, told AFP when asked about the status of the Blue Carbon agreement.

"As we speak, there is no attempt to my knowledge, anything, about trying to resuscitate it."

Blue Carbon's Africa venture highlights the complexity of delivering on carbon credits, schemes that still lack oversight and are often criticised for offering large polluters a chance to "greenwash" emissions with little or no impact on climate change.

Carbon credits, or offsetting, allow greenhouse gas producers to "cancel out" some of their emissions by investing in projects that prevent or reduce carbon dioxide production. Forests store huge amounts of carbon dioxide, and protecting them prevents the planet-warming gas from being released.

Most of the Africa agreements were signed before or on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in the United Arab Emirates in 2023. Blue Carbon's chairman Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, a member of Dubai's royal family, was often present.

Blue Carbon presented them as a model for carbon trading under the Article 6 of the United Nations climate agreement that was signed in Paris in 2015 and sets the rules for how countries can trade carbon credits.

Blue Carbon also said its work would help the United Arab Emirates achieve its carbon reduction goals, according to a company statement released when it launched in October 2022.

For environmentalists, Blue Carbon's Africa agreements were at best mismatched with local realities. At worst, critics say, they were a means to allow oil-producer the UAE to earn "green" credentials before hosting the COP28 summit.

Under Liberia's deal, approximately one million hectares of forests -- around 10 percent of the country's landmass -- would be protected, local communities engaged and the government rewarded 30 percent of revenues in a deal for sustainable forest management, according to a Blue Carbon statement and a preliminary copy of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) seen by AFP.

Like Liberia's deal, other Africa accords were so-called REDD+ frameworks where some developing countries can receive financing for reducing emissions by stopping deforestation.

But Blue Carbon's Liberia agreement soon ran into a barrage of criticism from activists and environmentalists who said the deals would trample over local community ownership agreements, undermine existing legal rights and offer little transparency.

Saskia Ozinga, the founder of Fern, an organisation working to protect forests and their communities, said the Blue Carbon deals in Africa were unprecedented in scale, unclear about how they would protect forests and lacked consultations with communities.

"Blue Carbon was clearly aimed to greenwash," she said. "It was a bizarre idea from many different perspectives, which would have never worked for the climate, for forests and for people."



- Deals across Africa -



One of Blue Carbon's initial agreements on the continent was in March 2023 with Tanzania to help "preserve and manage its 8 million hectares of forest reserves," according to a Blue Carbon statement.

With Zambia, it also covered eight million hectares while Zimbabwe's agreement involved 7.5 million hectares that would generate "profound benefits for local communities", according to company statements on social media. Blue Carbon inked another deal with Kenya and with Nigeria's north central Niger state.

Soon after Liberia's finance minister Samuel Tweah signed, a UN agency and local NGOs urged the government to reconsider the Blue Carbon deal because of the risks of legal challenges and other concerns.

A letter from the UN Resident Coordinator and the Coordinating Partners Group dated August 2023 sent to Tweah warned of "serious and credible concerns that the concessions arrangement conflicts with existing community and individual land rights," it said.

Vincent Willie, a former lawmaker and chairman of a committee for natural resources and environment, said Blue Carbon had made initial proposals, but that amounted only to signing the non-binding memorandum.

"As far as I am concerned that is the only place the government stopped," he told AFP.

Whapoe, the head of Liberia's climate change secretariat, said the Blue Carbon deal was halted because it had not been "consistent" with how carbon deals are meant to be managed, including more local input.

Outreach to communities was started, but James G. Otto, a Liberian activist from the River Cess region, said visits by government agencies and civil society organisations left the community with more questions.

"They say and insist that any agreement on the use of their land and forest resources should be directly driven by them," Otto told AFP. "As far as our information gathering is concerned, there has been no formal work initiated under the Blue Carbon deal."



- Africa and beyond -



Other Blue Carbon programmes appear to have gone little further, according to activists and officials who spoke to AFP.

Blue Carbon hailed the Zimbabwe deal, which was to cover about 20 percent of the country's landmass, as a "historic achievement for climate action".

But Zimbabwe's deal was only an expression of interest, and implementation still requires a formal project, said Washington Zhakata, Zimbabwe's director for climate change.

"Blue Carbon has yet to submit its project idea note. Nonetheless, the company has already applied for an account on the Zimbabwe Carbon Registry," Zhakata said.

Douty Chibamba, Zambia's Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, also told AFP nothing came of his nation's Blue Carbon agreement.

"The MOU lapsed without any action," he said.

Kenyan and Tanzanian officials did not respond to requests for details.

Another high-profile Blue Carbon deal outside of the continent has appeared to meet a similar fate.

Papua New Guinea signed an MOU with Blue Carbon in 2023 on the sidelines of the COP28 in Dubai. Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape's office said then his nation's "vast mangrove areas" could be harnessed.

However, Papua New Guinea's Climate Change Authority told AFP in July the agreement had "not progressed at all".

To sell the planned PNG carbon credits, Blue Carbon partnered with Singapore-based AirCarbon Exchange as its "preferred platform". But this agreement, too, has gone nowhere.

"Our MOU with the Dubai company 'Blue Carbon', signed in 2023, has since lapsed," an AirCarbon Exchange spokesperson told AFP. "There has been no active engagement between the parties."



- 'Hot air' -



Today the company appears to have no global registration and no operational footprint in any recognised global carbon market system, according to a digital investigation by Code for Africa, a South Africa-based operation whose iLAB is Africa's largest forensic data investigation unit.

Code for Africa found no trace of Blue Carbon or its projects on the three main databases for global carbon credit certification, run by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and companies Verra and Gold Standard.

And there was no sign of Blue Carbon having filed notifications of intent that are required under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement framework for new deals to go ahead.

Blue Carbon's publicity campaign has also evaporated.

"Blue Carbon aims to be at the forefront of sustainable climate change investment," the company said in an October 2022 statement announcing its launch that also explicitly linked its work to the UAE's official greenhouse gas reduction strategy.

"Blue Carbon will serve as an enabler of blue and green economy operational frameworks that will set the agenda for the implementation of international climate agreements as well as to contribute to the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative."

During 2023, Blue Carbon also released statements and photos on its social media accounts showing African officials signing MOUs with the company's leaders.

But its Instagram account, which first posted in October 2022 to coincide with the company's launch, has not had a new post since December 2023.

Similarly, the company's official X account, @BlueCarbonDxb, posted 27 times between October 18, 2022 and March 28, 2023, and has been inactive ever since. Its final post announced the signing with Liberia.

Blue Carbon's website no longer works, having gone offline between May and July 2025, according to archival records examined by Code for Africa's iLab.

AFP attempted multiple ways to contact Blue Carbon, including emails to [email protected] and calls to a number for one of the company's executives, but received no reply.

An AFP journalist also visited the Blue Carbon address listed in the Liberia MOU in Dubai. A security guard initially said Blue Carbon was based there. But later he said there was no Blue Carbon office, and said the reporter needed an appointment. There was no Blue Carbon sign visible in the lobby.

The UAE's government did not respond to a request for comment.

Carbon credit projects, particularly those involving forest protection, have frequently run into problems ranging from failing to protect designated forests to links with rights violations of local residents. Efforts are currently under way to improve oversight and regulation of crediting schemes.

"There are a number of lessons emergent from the Blue Carbon saga, chief among them the importance of robust standards related to the supply and use of carbon credits internationally," said Injy Johnstone, research fellow in net-zero aligned offsetting at Oxford University.

"We need to see more transparency related to Article 6 transactions, concrete standards related to environmental integrity of the projects themselves and public accountability from both the supplier and end-user to ensure they do not vanish into 'hot air' as this one has."



This investigation was supported by insights from Code for Africa's Anita Igbine, Eliud Akwei, Jacktone Momanyi, and Moffin Njoroge.

bur-pma/kma/giv/fg
Canada's captive whales face euthanasia threat and uncertain future



Niagara Falls, Canada, Nov 26 (AFP) Nov 26, 2025



The remaining 30 captive belugas at Canada's Marineland have nothing to do but wait.

The reportedly bankrupt former tourist attraction is closed to visitors, so the whales circle their decaying pools, while the park's owners -- who issued a shocking threat to euthanize the belugas -- spar with the government over what happens next.

Marineland, near the famed Niagara Falls, was once a profitable theme park. Its catchy jingle, which builds to the tagline "Everyone Loves Marineland," was a staple on Canadian television.

But the park has been mired in controversy for years, and its eerily empty walkways were visible from outside during a visit earlier this month.

Since 2019, 20 animals, including 19 belugas, have died at Marineland, according to a tally by the Canadian Press.

The park has said all the deaths were from natural causes, but animal welfare officials from the province of Ontario have been investigating Marineland for five years and concerns about the park's water system have persisted.

Having been raised in captivity, the whales likely would not survive in the wild.

Marineland thought it had a solution last month, when it announced plans to export the belugas to the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom theme park in China.

Canada's federal government blocked that idea, rejecting a solution it said perpetuated the whales' exploitation.

Escalating the saga, Marineland announced it was "fully indebted and rapidly running out of resources to provide adequate care for the whales."

"Our only options at this point are to either relocate the whales or face the devastating decision of euthanasia," a statement said.

Marineland has refused AFP's repeated requests for comment about the possible next steps.



- 'Heinous' -



Phil Demers, a former Marineland trainer turned whistleblower, has worked to document alleged abuses at the park.

The euthanasia threat is "not real," he told AFP.

"It's illegal. No one's going to ever participate in such a heinous thing," he said.

Demers insisted the park is solely motivated by profit, and wants to sell the whales.

Still, he said, Marineland's plan to move the belugas to another park, including possibly the one in China, was the only viable option.

"It's a question of where and when, not if," he said.

A main obstacle is Canada's 2019 "Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act."

The legislation, which made it illegal to hold certain marine mammals in captive, prevented the government from approving Marineland's China export plan.

Marineland, like other similar parks, suffered falling revenues over broadening global resistance to attractions where captive mammals are trained to perform.

Demers stressed there aren't many facilities in the world that can accommodate multiple belugas, and the Chinese facility, which has spent massively on enormous tanks, could work.

"I think the minister made a mistake in rejecting the export permits, but time will tell," he said.

A spokesperson for Canada's fisheries minister, Joanne Thompson, told AFP "Canada is open to considering other transfers or export permits," and new proposals "will be reviewed expeditiously."



- 'I miss them so much' -



Kristy Burgess's first job at Marineland was as a waitress. After seeing a beluga being born, she studied and ultimately became a trainer at the park.

She told AFP that while the whales were living in an "abusive" environment -- with unclean facilities that are "falling apart" -- they are loved by the staff responsible for their care.

"There's a handful of whales, three in particular, that I constantly think about and wonder how they're doing," she said.

"Two of the other girls that I loved were really stubborn, but they were great for me," she added.

"I miss them so much."

Burgess stressed the belugas need a decent home and Marineland was clearly not a solution.

One option that has surfaced is a proposed whale sanctuary off Canada's Atlantic coast, in Nova Scotia province.

The project is under discussion and no construction has started, leading some to dismiss it as an option for Marineland's belugas.

The project's chief executive, Charles Vinick, said there needs to be a broader discussion about how to manage captive whales.

"The parks have a difficult situation, their revenue is going down because the public is changing... yet they own the animals," he said.

Marine mammals need options that "allow them to retire with grace, with dignity, and with an environment where they can thrive," he said.
Key Points

MP Materials owns and operates one of the only rare earth metal mines in the United States.

The company is backed by the Pentagon and has strategic partnerships with blue chip companies.

10 stocks we like better than MP Materials 

MP Materials (NYSE: MP) has been one of the market's more surprising outperformers this year, with a gain of about 237%. The rare earth miner's stock has ripped higher on the back of governmental deals and blockbuster partnerships.

For long-term investors who can stomach volatility, the mining stock's story might just be getting started. Here are five reasons MP Materials is worth looking at today.

NdFeB magnets produced by MP Materials at Independence in Fort Worth, Texas. Image source: MP Materials.

1. A monopoly-like position in U.S. rare earth

Let's start with MP's competitive moat. The company owns and operates one of the only rare earth metal mining and processing sites of scale in the U.S -- the Mountain Pass mine in California.

This mine is responsible for more than 10% of the world's rare earth supply. It's also responsible for delivering high-purity neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr), which is a key ingredient in high-performance magnets.

With the threat of tightened rare earth exports from China -- whether they ever happen or get relaxed -- MP's mine is now becoming a national security interest. That gives it a new level of strategic importance, which binds its success with a larger federal effort to onshore the very materials that the company specializes in.

2. The U.S. government put a floor on MP's business

Back in July, the U.S. Department of Defense agreed to invest about $400 million into MP Materials, becoming, in turn, its largest shareholder. In this deal, the Pentagon committed to buy all the output from MP's next magnet plan (dubbed its "10X Facility") and guaranteed a minimum price of about $110 per kilogram for neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr), one of MP's key rare earth oxides.

Considering that the current price for NdPr is about $78 per kilogram, the significance of that floor speaks for itself. In practical terms, MP now has a decade of visibility on a huge chunk of its future revenue, as well as some protection from any unfavorable fluctuations in NdPr prices.

3. A tech giant as a partner

For years, MP's pitch has been to move its business from selling concentrate to China to producing rare earth magnets on U.S. soil. 2025 has been the year MP has started delivering on this promise.

Largely due to trade tensions between China and the U.S, MP made a tough decision to stop shipping rare earth concentrates to China. Although that decision hurt the company's third-quarter revenue -- it reported zero revenue for rare earth concentrates -- it has also pushed the company further into the next phase of growth -- making finished magnets.
Palestine Action launches court bid to overturn UK government ban



London, Nov 26 (AFP) Nov 26, 2025



The co-founder of activist group Palestine Action will Wednesday challenge a UK government ban under anti-terror laws that has led to mass arrests, sparking free speech and civil liberties concerns.

United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk has said the ban "appears disproportionate and unnecessary", while Europe's human rights watchdog, the Council of Europe, criticised "excessive limits" on the right to protest.

The UK government proscribed the pro-Palestinian group in July days after activists, protesting the war in Gaza, broke into an air force base in southern England.

Prosecutors have said they caused an estimated pound7 million ($9.3 million) of damage to two aircraft at the base.

The legal action brought by the group's co-founder Huda Ammori at London's High Court is expected to last Wednesday and Thursday, with a third day to be set at a later stage.

The ban -- which makes being a member of the group or inviting support for it a serious criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison -- has resulted in at least 2,300 arrests, according to protest organisers Defend Our Juries.

Those arrested include students, teachers, pensioners and even an 83-year-old retired vicar, with many carried away from the protests by police.

According to London's Met Police, so far 254 people have been charged with a lesser offence which carries a sentence of up to six months.

The proscription under the Terrorism Act 2000 means the group has been added to a list that also includes Al-Qaeda and Hezbollah.

The interior ministry, or Home Office, has accused Palestine Action of conducting an "escalating campaign" involving "sustained criminal damage", including to Britain's national security infrastructure.

It also accuses the group of "intimidation, alleged violence and serious injuries".



- 'Not non-violent' -



At a court hearing on Thursday, prosecutors alleged a Palestine Action activist struck a police officer with a sledgehammer at an Israel-based defence firm's UK site after breaking into the factory in western Bristol in August.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, defending the ban in August, said some supporters of the group "don't know the full nature of this organisation because of court restrictions on reporting while serious prosecutions are under way".

"But it's really important that no-one is in any doubt that this is not a non-violent organisation," she said, adding the government had received "clear security assessments and advice" before opting for a ban.

Set up in 2020, the group's stated goal on its now-blocked website is to end "global participation in Israel's genocidal and apartheid regime".

It has mainly targeted weapons factories, especially those belonging to the Israeli defence group Elbit.

Since the ban came into force on July 5, protesters have held a string of rallies at which they have held up signs saying: "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action".

Award-winning British film director Ken Loach has called the ban on Palestine Action "absurd" and accused the government of being complicit in Israel's "incredible crimes" in Gaza.

"This level of political repression is not what we expect in a democracy -- it's the kind of tactic typically associated with authoritarian regimes around the world," a spokesperson for Defend Our Juries said.

Areeba Hamid, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK, said the government had broken past pledges that the Terrorism Act would not be used to prosecute people taking direct action.

"Classifying a protest group as a 'terrorist organisation' should send a chill down your spine," Hamid said.

"Progressive change is rarely made by any government without pressure from the public, and removing our right to protest is an erosion of democracy."

har/jkb/cc/jhb
Press Release from Business Wire: Enerin



(AFP) Nov 26, 2025



ASKER, Nov 26, 2025 (BSW) - Enerin, a technology leader in high-temperature heat pumps, has raised EUR15 million (NOK 180 million) in a Series A led by Climentum Capital, The Footprint Firm, Johnson Controls and Move Energy, with participation from PSV Hafnium and Momentum.

"This investment marks our shift from pioneering to full industrialisation, bringing proven high-temperature technology from Norway to industries worldwide,"said Arne Heg, Founder and CEO of Enerin.

"Industrial companies are ready to decarbonise high-temperature heat, but the mass market has lacked simple, profitable solutions that fit everyday operations."

Replacing fossil-fuelled industrial boilers - responsible for nearly 20% of global CO? emissions - remains one of the toughest challenges in the energy transition, largely because conventional heat pumps can't cope with the sector's highly variable process conditions and high temperatures.

Enerin's modular, flexible and standardised system removes such barriers by adapting automatically to factory conditions while delivering heat up to 250C, providing a scalable path to decarbonise.

"Today, customers care first about economics. HoegTemp makes clean industrial heating profitable compared to gas boilers, reducing energy use by 50-70 percent," said Heg.

"Because our automated system adapts to varying process conditions, it allows factories to decarbonize without redesigning operations. This flexibility, and standardisation is what finally makes clean industrial heat available and profitable at scale."

From tech pioneer to global scale

HoegTemp has been piloted by blue-chip companies in the pharmaceutical and animal-feed sectors, with early adopters GE Healthcare, Pelagia and IVAR IKS Biogas. Separately, it has been recognized by the New York State as a Finalist for the $10 million Empire Technology Prize to decarbonise clean-heating applications.

The Series A enables Enerin to move from bespoke manufacturing to serial production of its standardised modules.

"Securing an oversubscribed international Series A in the current market demonstrates strong confidence in both our technology and the team's ability to leverage our repeatable, standardized configuration to scale globally," said Henrik Ree Eriksen, CFO of Enerin.

"Having Johnson Controls together with leading European VCs as investors is a powerful validation of what Enerin is building," said Raymond Carlsen, Chair of Enerin and former CEO of Scatec ASA.

About ENERIN AS

Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Asker, Norway, Enerin develops and manufactures HoegTemp high-temperature heat pumps based on the Stirling cycle. The system delivers up to 250C steam or hot water with exceptional efficiency, temperature range and control, enabling profitable decarbonisation of heat and steam processes at scale.







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251126734081/en/









Contact

Enerin CFOHenrik Ree Eriksen[email protected]

CommunicationsPhilippa Webb-Muegge[email protected]

www.enerin.no







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Floods in Thailand, Malaysia kill over 30, displace thousands



Bangkok, Nov 26 (AFP) Nov 26, 2025



Tens of thousands of people in Thailand and neighbouring Malaysia were displaced by widespread flooding, with streets submerged, homes inundated and at least 34 dead, officials said Wednesday.

The Thai government declared a state of emergency in Songkhla province on Tuesday, with torrential rains since late last week drenching several southern provinces.

An image from Wednesday published by AFP showed murky brown floodwater covering streets and ground floors of residential buildings in Songkhla's tourist hub Hat Yai.

One resident of the city told the Thai public broadcaster that the whole lower level of his building was submerged, with water reaching about three and a half metres (11.5 feet) at its highest point.

"I climbed onto the roof to call for someone to bring us food," the man, identified as Yanyong, told the television channel.

"It's now under a metre, but I still haven't received any help because my house is deep inside the (flooded) area."

Thai government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat told reporters that 33 people have died across seven provinces, including from drowning and electrocution.

Severe flooding has spread to seven southern provinces, home to several million people, according to the disaster prevention and mitigation department.

The flooding since last week has stranded residents and travellers in their homes and hotels, with rescuers using boats, jet skis and military trucks amid high floodwaters.

The military has deployed an aircraft carrier and mobilised helicopters to airlift patients to nearby hospitals, the army said.

More than 10,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in Songkhla since last week, the province's public relations department said.

University campuses have been converted into shelters for displaced people.

The Songkhla provincial administration said Wednesday that it had set up food centres capable of distributing up to 20,000 food boxes a day to flood victims.

Thailand regularly records heavy rainfall from June to September, but experts say human-induced climate change has intensified extreme weather, making conditions increasingly unpredictable.



- Stranded tourists -



In neighbouring Malaysia, flooding from days of heavy rain swept through eight states, with forecasters predicting more rain in the region in the coming days.

More than 27,000 people were evacuated to dozens of temporary shelters this week, with one death recorded in one of the worst-hit states, Kelantan, on the northeastern coast, according to rescue officials.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department has warned that thunderstorms will continue until Wednesday in the northern states of Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak.

Floods are an annual phenomenon in the nation of 34 million people due to the northeast monsoon that brings heavy rain from November to March.

Malaysia's foreign ministry on Tuesday said it was monitoring the flooding across the border after thousands of Malaysian holidaymakers were stranded in hotels in southern Thailand last week.

"Most of the affected Malaysians had been staying in multi-storey hotels and have been accounted for," the ministry said in a statement.

As of Monday, "more than 6,300 Malaysians have safely crossed the border out of Thailand and safely arrived in Malaysia".
E.Africa court dismisses activists' case over massive oil project



Nairobi, Nov 26 (AFP) Nov 26, 2025



The East African Court of Justice has dismissed a case challenging TotalEnergies' massive oil project in Uganda and Tanzania, after civil society groups sought a full trial over the controversial development.

Four civil society groups first filed a petition in 2020 demanding full legal scrutiny of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), citing its far-reaching human rights, environmental, and climate impacts.

The project is being jointly developed by TotalEnergies and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), along with the state-owned Uganda National Oil Company.

The 1,443-kilometre (900-mile) pipeline -- the world's longest heated pipeline -- will transport crude from oilfields being developed around Lake Albert in northwestern Uganda to a Tanzanian port on the Indian Ocean.

On Wednesday, the EACJ threw out the case on procedural grounds, ruling it was filed outside the 60-day limit, upholding a 2023 decision by a lower court.

"We are disappointed," said Dale Onyango, one of the lawyers representing the civil society groups, saying the legal options are now "extremely limited".

"The case has not been heard, not on its merits. What has just been happening across the three to four years are preliminary issues... there is no substance," he told AFP.

The $5.6-billion oilfields and pipeline project -- over 60 percent complete -- has been hailed by supporters as an economic boon for Uganda and Tanzania, where many live in poverty, but is strongly opposed by environmentalists.

"This ruling is a blow for affected communities, but it doesn't make EACOP any less of a reckless gamble," lawyer Coleen Scott said.

Rights groups say more than 100,000 people have lost their land without adequate compensation, with some pressured into signing agreements they did not fully understand.

"It has depressed us," said Yiga Cosmas, a 74-year-old Ugandan farmer, who lost just over two hectares of highly fertile land in central Uganda's Kyotera district.

He told AFP he refused to sign an agreement because it "undervalued" crops, saying the loss of more than 50 mango trees cost him almost $40,000 annually.

Environmentalists warn the project is destroying vital ecosystems, with the Climate Accountability Institute calling it a "carbon bomb".

In 2023, a French court dismissed a similar case filed by activists against TotalEnergies on procedural grounds.

Activists had argued the project violated the 2017 "duty of vigilance" law, which requires companies to prevent serious harm to human rights, health, safety, and the environment.

mnk/rbu/giv

TotalEnergies
EU parliament delays deforestation law, with far-right backing



Strasbourg, France, Nov 26 (AFP) Nov 26, 2025



The European Parliament on Wednesday backed a new one-year delay to landmark anti-deforestation rules, in a vote pushed through by an alliance of centre-right and far-right lawmakers.

Already delayed by a year, the rollout of the landmark law banning imports of products driving deforestation will now be postponed to the end of 2026, under plans already backed by EU member states and endorsed by a majority of 402 to 250 lawmakers.

Parliament also backed a review of the legislation early next year -- before it even comes into force -- under a proposal endorsed by the conservative EPP and the far-right bloc, as well as part of the centrist group.

Adopted in 2023, the deforestation law, known as EUDR, was hailed by green groups as a major breakthrough in the fight to protect nature and combat climate change.

The law bans goods produced using land deforested after December 2020, with at-risk items including anything from coffee to cocoa, soy, timber, palm oil, cattle, printing paper and rubber.

But it has faced stiff opposition from trading partners including Brazil and the United States, as well as some EU capitals, who argue businesses will suffer from more red tape and increased costs.

The vote marked the second time this month the EPP has drawn on far-right support to back weakening the bloc's environmental and human rights rules -- as part of a business-friendly drive to slash red tape.

Two weeks ago, parliament backed amending the EU's legislation on corporate sustainability, a law approved only last year that was hailed by green and civil society groups but loathed by firms.

Environmental campaign group Fern said Wednesday's vote was evidence that the EU's will to tackle "the stain of deforestation" in its supply chains has "crumbled".

"The endless carousel of attempts to revise and even destroy a law that was passed with a large democratic mandate two years ago, are a farce," the group charged.

Parliament and member states need to hold a final round of negotiations before the adoption of the deforestation delay -- but the result is now a foregone conclusion.
Iran bans access to most forests after fire in UNESCO-listed site



Tehran, Nov 26 (AFP) Nov 26, 2025



Iranian authorities have imposed a temporary ban on public access to most forested areas, a local media outlet reported Wednesday, as the country struggled to extinguish a fire in a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site.

The fire in northern Iran's Hyrcanian forests, which started on November 1, was brought under control in a few days.

However, it reignited on November 15, fuelled by strong winds and an unusually severe drought, according to Iranian media.

"We have notified the provinces to ban entry into forest areas outside protected zones and parks before the autumn rains occur in order to prevent similar incidents from occurring," Majid Zakariaei, commander of the unit responsible for forest protection, told the Mehr news agency.

Iran has requested foreign assistance to combat the fire ravaging the Hyrcanian forests which stretch 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) along the shores of the Caspian Sea and the northern slopes of the Alborz mountains into Azerbaijan.

The ancient forests are home to the endangered Persian leopard as well as brown bears and other large predators and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019.

The fire comes with the country facing one of its most severe droughts since records began six decades ago.

The blaze was largely contained by Tuesday, but operations are continuing to fully extinguish it, Iranian media reported.

An official from the northern province of Golestan told state TV that "thanks to the efforts made, we can now declare the end of the fires," in the cities of the province.

However, Alireza Rahaei, an environmental official in the neighbouring province of Semnan which also hosts parts of the Hyrcanian forests told the state news agency IRNA that fire had spread to the province.

"The Hyrcanian forest on the border between Semnan and Golestan provinces has been hit by a widespread fire," he said, adding that firefighters were working to contain the blaze.

Authorities have not released information on the extent of the damage or the area burned.

The woodlands contain "a large number of rare and endemic tree species" and are home to "many relict and endangered plant species", UNESCO has said of the Hyrcanian forests.

It is especially important due to its age of between 25 and 50 million years, and its biodiversity, with more than 3,200 plant species.

According to the Tasnim news agency, the fire, was reportedly started by hunters in the rocky area of Elit in Mazandaran province, located in northern Iran.
Canada's captive whales face euthanasia threat and uncertain future



Niagara Falls, Canada, Nov 26 (AFP) Nov 26, 2025



The remaining 30 captive belugas at Canada's Marineland have nothing to do but wait.

The reportedly bankrupt former tourist attraction is closed to visitors, so the whales circle their decaying pools, while the park's owners -- who issued a shocking threat to euthanize the belugas -- spar with the government over what happens next.

Marineland, near the famed Niagara Falls, was once a profitable theme park. Its catchy jingle, which builds to the tagline "Everyone Loves Marineland," was a staple on Canadian television.

But the park has been mired in controversy for years, and its eerily empty walkways were visible from outside during a visit earlier this month.

Since 2019, 20 animals, including 19 belugas, have died at Marineland, according to a tally by the Canadian Press.

The park has said all the deaths were from natural causes, but animal welfare officials from the province of Ontario have been investigating Marineland for five years and concerns about the park's water system have persisted.

Having been raised in captivity, the whales likely would not survive in the wild.

Marineland thought it had a solution last month, when it announced plans to export the belugas to the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom theme park in China.

Canada's federal government blocked that idea, rejecting a solution it said perpetuated the whales' exploitation.

Escalating the saga, Marineland announced it was "fully indebted and rapidly running out of resources to provide adequate care for the whales."

"Our only options at this point are to either relocate the whales or face the devastating decision of euthanasia," a statement said.

Marineland has refused AFP's repeated requests for comment about the possible next steps.



- 'Heinous' -



Phil Demers, a former Marineland trainer turned whistleblower, has worked to document alleged abuses at the park.

The euthanasia threat is "not real," he told AFP.

"It's illegal. No one's going to ever participate in such a heinous thing," he said.

Demers insisted the park is solely motivated by profit, and wants to sell the whales.

Still, he said, Marineland's plan to move the belugas to another park, including possibly the one in China, was the only viable option.

"It's a question of where and when, not if," he said.

A main obstacle is Canada's 2019 "Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act."

The legislation, which made it illegal to hold certain marine mammals in captivity, prevented the government from approving Marineland's China export plan.

Marineland, like other similar parks, suffered falling revenues over broadening global resistance to attractions where captive mammals are trained to perform.

Demers stressed there aren't many facilities in the world that can accommodate multiple belugas, and the Chinese facility, which has spent massively on enormous tanks, could work.

"I think the minister made a mistake in rejecting the export permits, but time will tell," he said.

A spokesperson for Canada's fisheries minister, Joanne Thompson, told AFP "Canada is open to considering other transfers or export permits," and new proposals "will be reviewed expeditiously."



- 'I miss them so much' -



Kristy Burgess's first job at Marineland was as a waitress. After seeing a beluga being born, she studied and ultimately became a trainer at the park.

"These animals are not abused in any way, shape, or form, but the environment that they're in, I would call 'abusive,' because it is too small. It is falling apart. It is not clean. They deserve that. That should be the bare minimum," Burgess told AFP.

She stressed the belugas are loved by the staff responsible for their care.

"There's a handful of whales, three in particular, that I constantly think about and wonder how they're doing," she said.

"Two of the other girls that I loved were really stubborn, but they were great for me," she added.

"I miss them so much."

Burgess stressed the belugas need a decent home and Marineland was clearly not a solution.

One option that has surfaced is a proposed whale sanctuary off Canada's Atlantic coast, in Nova Scotia province.

The project is under discussion and no construction has started, leading some to dismiss it as an option for Marineland's belugas.

The project's chief executive, Charles Vinick, said there needs to be a broader discussion about how to manage captive whales.

"The parks have a difficult situation, their revenue is going down because the public is changing... yet they own the animals," he said.

Marine mammals need options that "allow them to retire with grace, with dignity, and with an environment where they can thrive," he said.
Far-right puts its stamp on European Parliament



Strasbourg, France, Nov 26 (AFP) Nov 26, 2025



Far-right parties are riding high in the European Parliament after teaming up with the mainstream right to get key texts past the finish line -- fuelling ambitions to tilt the assembly their way.

Twice in as many weeks, the conservative EPP party of EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has joined with the far-right bloc to unravel flagship environmental legislation, to the dismay of the left.

Earlier this month, the camps teamed up to gut a bill imposing social and environmental due diligence on big companies -- in the name of cutting back red tape.

On Wednesday, they did it again by backing a one-year delay to a landmark law aimed at curbing deforestation -- a move also supported by part of the centrist group, Renew.

Less than 18 months after making big gains in EU elections, the far right is delighted at the turn of events.

"We're at a tipping point," said a lawmaker from the Patriots group, which is headed by France's National Rally, speaking anonymously.

"The firewall against the far right no longer exists. On the right, they see we're getting work done, and they believe we can find common ground."

Green lawmaker David Cormand -- whose party is one of the EPP's traditional allies along with the centrists and socialists -- urged the conservatives to come clean on whether they plan to switch coalition strategy.

"Things are sliding, shifting -- I'd rather it be acknowledged and out in the open," he said.



- 'The floodgates have opened' -



On most of the texts brought before parliament since the June 2024 election, the mainstream centrist alliance has prevailed -- but it is a fragile equilibrium, and tensions are running high.

Social Democrat leader Iratxe Garcia Perez and EPP chief Manfred Weber regularly trade barbs, with the conservatives accused by their pro-European partners of flirting with the far right.

"The floodgates have opened," said the centrist lawmaker Laurence Farreng, urging the political mainstream to "wake up" to the risks of working with forces traditionally hostile to the European project.

By contrast, French lawmaker Celine Imart -- who belongs to the right wing of the EPP -- said she welcomed the chance to work with different partners if it helps "unravel all the Green Deal texts" from the previous legislature.

"This isn't about a grand design or formal alliances," she told AFP. "It happens on certain texts. The only thing that matters is the content."



- Meloni's growing sway -



The parliament's rightward tilt mirrors similar shifts taking place among the bloc's EU member states.

It was European leaders -- including France's Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Friedrich Merz -- who first called for scrapping the corporate due diligence law, for instance.

And before parliament's vote Wednesday, EU countries had already backed delaying the anti-deforestation law until late 2026.

Among the bloc's 27 leaders, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni appears increasingly influential -- benefitting from something of a leadership vacuum, with Macron weakened at home, and Merz bogged down by coalition infighting.

In Strasbourg, the ECR group -- which is home to Meloni's far-right Brothers of Italy -- often acts as a bridge between conservatives and the far right.

Seen as less strident than the other two hard-right groups -- the Patriots and the smaller Sovereignists -- ECR lawmakers have secured key posts, including as budget and agriculture committee chairs.

Does the budding alliance of right and far-right point to a more lasting shift?

Not necessarily, says one parliament insider.

"You can't say... the pro-European majority is dead -- that's not true," said the official, who predicted conservatives' first choice for passing laws "will still be the centre".

"If that's too hard, then the EPP may turn to the far right."

That said, he predicted the new alliance on the right could tip the balance on several sensitive issues in coming months -- from ramping up pressure against a 2035 ban on new combustion-engine cars, or pushing for tougher migration policies.
E.Africa court dismisses activists' case over massive oil project



Nairobi, Nov 26 (AFP) Nov 26, 2025



The East African Court of Justice has dismissed a case challenging TotalEnergies' massive oil project in Uganda and Tanzania, after civil society groups sought a full trial over the controversial development.

Four civil society groups first filed a petition in 2020 demanding full legal scrutiny of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), citing its far-reaching human rights, environmental, and climate impacts.

The project is being jointly developed by TotalEnergies and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), along with the state-owned Uganda National Oil Company.

The 1,443-kilometre (900-mile) pipeline -- the world's longest heated pipeline -- will transport crude from oilfields being developed around Lake Albert in northwestern Uganda to a Tanzanian port on the Indian Ocean.

On Wednesday, the EACJ threw out the case on procedural grounds, ruling it was filed outside the 60-day limit, upholding a 2023 decision by a lower court.

"This court cannot exercise jurisdiction over a dispute, however manifest or gross violation is, if the matter is time-barred," the court said.

"We are disappointed," said Dale Onyango, one of the lawyers representing the civil society groups, saying the legal options are now "extremely limited".

"The case has not been heard, not on its merits. What has just been happening across the three to four years are preliminary issues... there is no substance," he told AFP.

The $10 billion oilfields and pipeline project -- over 60 percent complete -- has been hailed by supporters as an economic boon for Uganda and Tanzania, where many live in poverty, but is strongly opposed by environmentalists.

"This ruling is a blow for affected communities, but it doesn't make EACOP any less of a reckless gamble," lawyer Coleen Scott said.

Rights groups say more than 100,000 people have been affected by the project, many losing their land without adequate compensation and some pressured into signing agreements they did not fully understand.

"It has depressed us," said Yiga Cosmas, a 74-year-old Ugandan farmer, who lost just over two hectares of highly fertile land in central Uganda's Kyotera district.

He told AFP he refused to sign an agreement because it "undervalued" crops, saying the loss of more than 50 mango trees cost him almost $40,000 annually.

But TotalEnergies told AFP that "approximately 18,500 households," representing 99.2 percent of those affected, have signed compensation agreements, while 767 were relocated.

Only 42 landowners have refused to sign, TotalEnergies said.

"Seventeen involved disagreements over their valuation, 18 were subject to ownership conflicts," the company said, adding that seven remained unreachable.

Environmentalists warn the project is destroying vital ecosystems, with the Climate Accountability Institute calling it a "carbon bomb".

In 2023, a French court dismissed a similar case filed by activists against TotalEnergies on procedural grounds.

Activists had argued the project violated the 2017 "duty of vigilance" law, which requires companies to prevent serious harm to human rights, health, safety, and the environment.

mnk/rbu/gv

TotalEnergies
ABN Amro has announced plans to cut 5,200 full-time positions by 2028 as part of a broader strategy to reduce costs and focus on its core business activities.

The Dutch banks planned job cuts will affect more than 20% of its employees across all divisions, its chief executive Marguerite Berard told Reuters.

The affected divisions include the recently acquired Hauck Aufhauser Lampe and NIBC Bank.

The announcement comes as the bank sets out its new strategy and financial objectives for the 2026-2028 period.

ABN Amros updated strategy focuses on accelerating profitable growth, reducing the cost base, and allocating capital to areas with the highest returns.

The bank aims to achieve a return on equity of at least 12%, a cost-to-income ratio below 55%, income of over 10bn ($11.57bn), and a CET1 capital ratio above 13.75% by 2028.

ABN Amro intends to lower capital allocation to its corporate bank to around 50% and strengthen its Dutch retail banking position through digital initiatives and investments in brands such as Tikkie and BUUT.

The bank is also simplifying its organisational structure, reducing the number of legal entities, and modernising its technology infrastructure.

ABN AMRO CEO Marguerite Berard said: Today, we present a bold strategy for ABN AMROs next chapter. Anchored in our strong roots and Dutch heritage, our focus is on sustainable and profitable growth in Northwest Europe.

Central to our strategy are five strategic long-term ambitions. We aim to strengthen our position in Dutch retail banking, offering a premium touch client experience. We will become a top-five private bank in Europe.

Supporting family wealth and businesses remains a key priority, as they are the backbone of the economy.

In addition, we will drive growth by supporting key European transitions in areas such as digitalisation, energy, mobility, and defence. Finally, we are committed to sustaining our global top-three position in clearing.

In a separate development, ABN Amro has agreed to sell its personal loan subsidiary Alfam to Rabobank, a Netherlands-based banking and financial services company.

The sale is expected to improve ABN Amros CET1 capital ratio by around five basis points, with a reduction in risk-weighted assets of around 1.2bn and an anticipated book loss of about 100m.

The transaction, subject to regulatory and works council approval, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.

Upon closing, ABN Amro will continue to offer personal loans to its clients through a third-party arrangement with Rabobank.

The banks leadership team is set to remain stable, with the supervisory board planning to nominate three chief commercial officers for a second four-year term, pending regulatory and works council approval.
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Wicked: For Good director Jon M Chu has revealed that he refused to show studio bosses the films powerful final shot.

Chu said he made the decision because he was worried that executives at Universal Pictures would use the image in the films marketing campaign.

The scene in question is of Ariana Grandes good witch Glinda whispering into the ear of Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo.

It is a recreation of the iconic poster for the original Wicked Broadway musical, which premiered in 2003.

Speaking to Business Insider, Chu  who also directed last years first instalment  said it was always the plan to end on that image.

I was always going to end on the whisper, he said. Do you know how hard it was to force Universal to never use it in any marketing material? They even had a poster of it for the first movie, and I was like, Why are we releasing this poster? We should never acknowledge the whisper. Never. Never.

I wanted it to feel like we didnt care about it, then suddenly its the last shot in For Good. So the studio never saw that final shot. I imposed a huge thing: Do not show this shot! They wanted it so badly.

The musical poster is among the most recognisable on Broadway, depicting a smirking Glinda in a witchs hat on a green background with Glinda, wearing white, whispering into her ear.

open image in gallery Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in Wicked: For Good ( Universal Pictures )

That poster is one of the most brilliant posters ever made, Chu said. You dont know what Glindas saying, because they never actually do that in the musical. But its sort of the key to friendship. That we have these secrets.

Speaking about actors Grande and Erivo, he said: The girls got to choose what they are actually saying in the scene. I dont even know what they said.

open image in gallery Britain Wicked For Good European Premiere ( Invision )

While Chu kept the shot hidden from the studio, Universal did use a recreation of the original poster during the marketing for the first Wicked film in October 2024.

The marketing material paid homage to the original poster, and featured noticeable differences such as Elphabas face being clearly in shot, unlike the original in which her hat is so low that her face is hidden.

Many Wicked fans called out the difference and set about correcting the mistake, using Photoshop to lower the hat and hide Erivos face.

open image in gallery Cynthia Erivos Instagram posts calling fan edits to the Wicked poster offensive' ( Instagram )

Erivo called the digitally altered images the wildest, most offensive thing I have seen.

The original poster is an ILLUSTRATION. I am a real life human being, who chose to look right down the barrel of the camera to you, the viewer because, without words we communicate with our eyes, she wrote on Instagram at the time.

Our poster is an homage not an imitation, to edit my face and hide my eyes is to erase me. And that is just deeply hurtful.

In theatres now, For Good sees Erivo reprise her role as Elphaba opposite Grandes Glinda.

The sequel, which comes a year after Chus Oscar-nominated Wicked, adapts the second act of the hit Broadway musical and welcomes a brief appearance from Dorothy, the main protagonist of The Wizard of Oz.

In a two-star review of the film, The Independents film critic wrote: The back half of Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzmans musical, adapted from the 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire and itself a retelling of The Wizard of Oz that questions the wickedness of the Witch of the West, was always a bit of a slog.

And Jon M Chus direction, even with all that budget and talent at hand, fails to find a satisfactory fix.

For Good is in cinemas now.
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If theres one show that has dominated internet discourse these past few weeks, its Alls Fair. The widely panned Kim Kardashian vehicle, about a bunch of high-flying female divorce lawyers in visible thongs, has captured the worlds attention  for all the wrong reasons.

Clips of Kardashians comically expressionless face and voice while acting have cropped up all over my social media feed; Instagram has shown me countless reels compiling the best  read: most wince-making  lines of dialogue. Then there were the reviews filling up my news feed, notable because the show garnered zero stars  a notoriously difficult feat that only a handful of programmes have managed to accomplish over the years  from several publications.

Critics crowed over the terrible scriptwriting, questionable casting and wooden performances, while expressing surprise that so many big-hitting performers had agreed to participate. Speculation abounded that show creator Ryan Murphy must have some pretty serious dirt on Oscar-winner Glenn Close to secure her involvement through nefarious means.

The result of all this trash-talk? Not only has Alls Fair already been renewed for a second season, but it became the biggest Hulu Original scripted series to premiere in three years. The series immediately went straight to No 1 for Disney+ in the UK upon release.

This perhaps perfectly encapsulates the latest depressing trend in telly: making bad stuff pays. Not mediocre stuff, mind you. Not bang average. Not schmeh or fine or shrug. It has to be genuine, solid-gold garbage  so manifestly terrible that it will sink to the dizzying depths of the one-star review. Or, better yet, achieve the hallowed starless status.

open image in gallery Reality star Kim Kardashian is comically expressionless in the Hulu show ( Hulu )

In an overstimulated world jammed full of never-ending dopamine hits and distractions, the only way to cut through the noise is to stand out. A three-star review is death: not good enough to be worth seeking out, not bad enough to become its own object of powerful fascination. You must be superlative: the best or the worst. Five stars or zero stars. And, in fact, the latter is harder to get than the former (The Guardian has only ever awarded this accolade 18 times, for example) and likely to guarantee more eyeballs on screens. Managing to make a genuine lemon is the most bankable strategy going amid shrinking TV budgets and the threat of AI hanging over an industry in flux.

Its easy to see this as an extension of online algorithms that have long created polarisation by rewarding extremes. Anger and rage-bait have historically been incentivised by social media; in 2021, leaked internal documents showed that Facebook prioritised posts that garnered angry reaction emojis over likes because they boosted engagement. Frances Haugen, a former Facebook product manager and whistleblower, told British parliament that anger and hate is the easiest way to grow on Facebook. (Meta has since amended its algorithm to demote posts that provoke anger.)

Forget sex  these days, hate sells. And that applies to our watching habits, too. The very fact that the term hate-watch even exists is a testament to this, while viewing figures prove that a critical disaster is far from a flop. Just look at the success of the godawful Sex and the City spin-off And Just Like That..., which people despised and yet ran for three seasons. Or Emily in Paris, which has provoked fury from Parisians and the rest of the world alike while drawing in tens of millions of viewers and spawning soon-to-be five seasons.

open image in gallery So bad its good? Kardashian and Naomi Watts in Alls Fair ( Disney )

Then there are the myriad structured reality shows, from Love Is Blind and MAFS to Selling Sunset and the endless Real Housewives franchise. Viewers dont put these on in spite of them being trash, but because theyre trash. Its the perfect fodder to have playing ad infinitum in the background while you cook dinner, do the ironing or  more likely  simultaneously spend time looking at another, smaller screen. Alls Fair could equally fall into this category, too: something to keep half an eye on while occasionally laughing in derision amid a three-hour scrolling session.

Making a certified loser, in fact, is such a winning manoeuvre that its hard to believe studios arent in on the joke. There are some real Hollywood heavyweights involved in Alls Fair: Murphy has created and presided over numerous hugely popular shows, including Nip/Tuck, Glee and American Horror Story. The cast features Naomi Watts, Sarah Paulson and Niecy Nash-Betts, who are all, alongside Close, listed as executive producers. Are we expected to swallow that no one in this experienced and talented lineup knew they were making a turkey? Far easier to imagine that they created an intentional dud, so sensationally awful it was assured to secure column inches and viral acclaim before the first episode had even aired. No such thing as bad PR, and all that.

My fear is that the more we buy into this hateful, hate-watching fad, the more we ensure our TVs will wind up drowning in dross. After all, when zero stars become more valuable than five, why shoot for the stars at all?
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The iconic Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade is set to return on 27 November, promising new floats and balloons alongside musical performances from Conan Gray and Lainey Wilson.

Kicking off on Manhattans Upper West Side, the parade will conclude at Macys Herald Square flagship store on 34th Street, rain or shine.

This years spectacle features 34 balloons, four mini-balloons, 28 floats, 33 clown groups, and 11 marching bands, all preceding Santa Claus.

Here are the key things to know about the parade and how to watch it.

What time does the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade start?

It starts at 8:30 a.m. Eastern and airs at that time in all time zones.

It will be on NBC, available with an antenna or through cable and satellite providers.

Santa Claus waves at onlookers from his sleigh during the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade ( Getty )

For cord cutters, the parade is being simulcast on Peacock and an encore telecast begins at 2 p.m. EST/PST. A Spanish language simulcast will also be on Telemundo.

Last year, more than 31 million people tuned in on NBC and Peacock, up 10 per cent from the previous year and marking the biggest audience ever for the parade.

The Weather Channel predicts a high of 48 degrees and a partly cloudy day, with winds up to 13 mph.

AccuWeather also predicts 48 degrees with intervals of clouds and winds at 12 mph. New York City law prohibits Macys from flying the full-size balloons if sustained winds exceed 23 mph or wind gusts are over 35 mph.

Who are some of the stars performing?

In addition to Gray and Wilson singing, Wicked star Cynthia Erivo will kick off the starry moving show.

Audrey Nuna, EJAE and Rei Ami of HUNTR/X, the fictional girl group at the heart of the Netflix hit KPop Demon Hunters, will feature alongside Ciara, Foreigner, Lil Jon, Kool & the Gang, Busta Rhymes, Mickey Guyton and Teyana. An eclectic group of stars  from ballet dancer Tiler Peck to YouTubes Hot Ones host Sean Evans  will join the annual holiday kick-off.

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Broadway will be represented by cast members from Buena Vista Social Club, Just in Time and Ragtime, while the Radio City Rockettes will be there and some serious athletes  three-time U.S. national champion figure skater Ilia Malinin and U.S Paralympian Jack Wallace. Alumni and students at LaGuardia High School in New York City  the school featured in the movie and TV series Fame  will help celebrate the 50th anniversary of A Chorus Line.

Others on hand will be Alison Brie, Jewel, Debbie Gibson, Drew Baldridge, Matteo Bocelli, Colbie Caillat, Gavin DeGraw, Meg Donnelly, Christopher Jackson, Darlene Love, Roman Mejia, Taylor Momsen, Calum Scott, Shaggy, Lauren Spencer Smith and Luisa Sonza.

Who is hosting the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade?

For those watching on TV or computers, the trio of hosting stalwarts  Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker from Today and their former colleague Hoda Kotb. On Telemundo, the hosts will be Andrea Meza, Aleyda Ortiz and Clovis Nienow.

Kotb, who stepped down from Today in January, says working the parade was something she wanted to continue to do even after leaving the network, One was the Olympics and the other were these parades because theyre just such fun, this one especially.

The timing is good this year for the Kotb family. Her youngest daughter, Hope, is obsessed with KPop Demon Hunters, maybe even more than with Taylor Swift or Labubu. This one is next level, Kotb jokes. Ive never seen anything like it honestly. Labubu does not hold a candle to KPop Demon Hunter' stuff.

What are the new balloons?

This year, four new featured character balloons will debut, including Buzz Lightyear, Pac-Man, Mario from Super Mario Brothers and a 32-foot-tall (9.8-meter) balloon onion carriage featuring eight characters from the world of Shrek. KPop Demon Hunters will also be represented in the sky with the characters Derpy Tiger and Sussie.

Several new floats will debut this year, including the first Pop Mart float, with Labubu, Skullpanda, Peach Riot, Dimoo, Molly, Duckoo and Mokoko.

There will also be floats from Holland America Line, Lego, Lindt chocolates, Stranger Things featuring members of Foreigner, and a bunch of whimsical sheep trying to get to sleep courtesy of Serta. The fish-shaped snack Goldfish is returning to the parade with a tiny float that measures just 14 Goldfish crackers long.

The marching bands will hail from South Carolina, California, Texas, Arizona, New Hampshire, Mississippi, Alabama, Pennsylvania and Santiago, Panama. The New York Police Departments marching band will also join. There will also be dancers and cheerleaders from Spirit of America Dance and Spirit of America Cheer.
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People Just Do Nothing star Asim Chaudhry has recalled growing up in fear due to racism.

The 38-year-old opened up about his upbringing as a working-class boy in west London in a new interview with The i newspaper.

I grew up in a lot of fear and shame, he told the publication. Im from Feltham in west London, which was super racist.

Chaudhry went on to recall being beaten up many times by The NF, in reference to the far-right fascist political party that rose in popularity in the 1970s.

I had to suppress my culture until I got to secondary school, when I began to discover Asian poetry and cinema, said the TV star who was born into a Pakistani-Muslim family in Hounslow, London.

He continued: Now I think London is a beautiful place. Im very proud of how different we are, and we should celebrate the otherness of our beautiful country.

Chaudhry went on to say that anyone who says multiculturalism has failed are f***ing idiots.

Elsewhere in the interview, he spoke about how his biggest roles  including in Barbie, Wonder Woman 1984, and Black Mirror  have been race colour blind in comparison to the parts he played earlier in his career.

Cast members from People Just Do Nothing Allan Mustafa, Hugo Chegwin, Steve Stamp, Asim Chaudhry and Daniel Woolford (BBC/PA) ( PA Media )

Speaking about his most famous character Chabuddy G in the Bafta-winning comedy People Just Do Nothing, he said: Ive always been adamant that Chabuddy G could have been any race. Of course, you play on the stereotypes, but him being Asian is not what makes him funny.

Chaudhry lives in London with his wife, Sevan, of four years. Were on the right track to start a family, he said. I think it would be the greatest joy. It was just me and my sister and my mom for so long. I like that sense of big family, but I also like close family as well.

Months before Rishi Sunaks appointment to prime minister, Chaudry told The Independent that he doubted Sunak would win.

If you told me 25 years ago that there could be an Asian prime minister, Id be like, Youre smoking crack, he said at the time.

But this doesnt feel like the same thing. Its not representation. Because hes not representing us. Priti Patel doesnt represent us. They do not have empathy. Theyre not the people I want my children to look up to.

The way they got there, through the lies, the horrible behaviour, the bullying. Thats not how you win, not how you get on top.

People Just Do Nothing starred Chaudry opposite Allan Seapa Mustafa, Steve Stamp, and Hugo Chegwin. It aired for five seasons on BBC from 2014 to 2018, earning two Bafta awards.
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Actress Gillian Anderson has unveiled her new waxwork at Madame Tussauds, declaring that the figure, dressed in her memorable 2024 Golden Globe Awards gown, "represents empowerment for women".

The Sex Education stars distinctive "Vulva dress", a cream-coloured, corseted, floor-length gown adorned with embroidered vulva designs, was created by Gabriela Hearst.

The designers work has also been seen on the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Sussex. Madame Tussauds released photographs showing Anderson encountering her first wax figure at the central London attraction.

The iconic dress has been donated to the visitor attraction for the waxwork to wear, completed with diamante jewellery, metallic platform heels, and a matching bag.

Anderson shared her initial reaction to the honour: "When I got the call from Madame Tussauds to say they wanted to create a wax figure of me, I thought, really? Who would want to see a figure of me on a carpet rather than as a character?"

Explaining her change of heart: "Then I thought about this dress and realised, yes, it makes sense to re-create this moment at the Golden Globes."

open image in gallery Gillian Anderson with her waxwork ( Madame Tussauds )

The actress highlighted the unexpected impact of the garment. "The dress became a much bigger conversation than even I had anticipated, with so many people reacting positively for different reasons," she said.

"I think this dress represents empowerment for women, celebrating bodily autonomy and freedom from shame. I wanted to give people the chance to stand next to it and revel in the audacity of it."

The American actress, who resides in the UK, has garnered acclaim for her extensive work across film, television, and theatre, having first risen to prominence as Special Agent Dana Scully in The X-Files.

She is also set to appear in Netflixs forthcoming Western drama, The Abandons, scheduled for release next month.

Steve Blackburn, general manager at Madame Tussauds London, expressed his delight: "Having Gillian Anderson join our star-studded line-up is a huge honour. She is the perfect modern-day icon, from sci-fi legend to red carpet trailblazer, working with Gillian has been a genuine pleasure."

open image in gallery Anderson says she was initially reluctant to have a waxwork in the museum ( Madame Tussauds )

He added, "The team have poured their extraordinary skill into recreating every detail of her look and we cant wait for guests to come face to face with this incredible, conversation-starting, statement dress that Gabriela Hearst has kindly donated for Gillians first-ever figure."

Andersons waxwork is positioned in the attractions awards party zone, alongside figures of other notable personalities including Timothee Chalamet, Harry Styles, Zendaya, and Lady Gaga.
As labor shortages, geopolitical shifts and changing sourcing strategies roil the global supply chain, logistics providers are racing toward automation  and fast.

Few companies are seeing that shift as clearly as Alpha Augmented Services, a Switzerland-based AI optimization platform that said demand for digital decision-making is accelerating across every major trade region.

Were seeing inefficiencies every day, and the main driver is people and the decisions theyre taking, CEO Massimo Rossetti said during an interview with FreightWaves. The experience that used to anchor warehouses is disappearing. The workforce is changing, and companies need a way to capture decades of knowledge before they retire.

Alpha Augmented  winner of the 2025 Digital Innovation Award at the Logistics Cluster Forum in Basel, Switzerland last month  leverages AI to optimize logistics processes, including packaging and shipping, for enterprises of all sizes and across primary modes of transportation, including, air, ocean and road.

The company says its software can cut logistics costs and CO emissions by up to 20%, while boosting productivity as much as 40%.

Rossetti said an emerging trend in global logistics is a widening expertise gap inside warehouses.

Across Europe, North America and Asia, veteran warehouse workers with 30 to 35 years of tribal knowledge are retiring, while younger staff tend to view logistics as a short-term stop  not a long-haul career. That churn, Rossetti said, is undermining consistency and quality in daily operations.

Our customers all have the same challenge, he said. Theyre losing the people who knew how to pack freight the right way for decades. The transition to less experienced workers is where inefficiency really grows.

Alphas platform attempts to standardize those decisions by digitizing a companys operational rules, packing logic and safety requirements into automated workflows  ensuring even inexperienced workers follow optimal patterns.

Rossetti and COO Amjad Ladak said many companies severely underestimate the data requirements needed to operate the warehouse of the future.

Rossetti pointed to Adidas new largely automated facility in Mantua, Italy, which reduced its workforce from 3,500 to roughly 700. While automation drives massive productivity, what theyre missing most of the time is the data, Rossetti said. How do I feed these machines? Where do I get the data?

Alpha prepares companies for that transition by collecting and maintaining shipment-level data as part of its optimization process, Rossetti said. Even customers still using paper spreadsheets can achieve measurable gains quickly.
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Seeking Sister Wife star Garrick Merrifield was arrested Monday for misdemeanor domestic violence, TMZ reports.

The arrest occurred in Chaffee County, Colorado, and Merrifield has since bonded out of jail, a spokesperson told TMZ.

According to online court records, the reality star is facing a charge of telephone-obstruct service. On its website, Sawyer Legal Group says the charge is often paired with domestic violence because grabbing a phone to stop someone from making a call can qualify as obstruction of telephone service.

Garrick did not immediately return The Independents request for comment.

Seeking Sister Wife is a reality television show on TLC that follows families in polygamous relationships as they seek, date, or incorporate a new sister wife into their lives.

open image in gallery Garrick, Lorrana and Dannielle Merrifield star in TLCs Seeking Sister Wife series about polygamous relationships ( TLC )

After living monogamously for over 10 years, Garrick  who shares sons Geremiah and Solomon, as well as daughter Leia, with ex-wife Dannielle  said he felt inspired by God to live a plural marriage lifestyle.

In 2020, the former couple legally divorced in Colorado in order for Garrick to remarry. After two failed relationships, Garrick married Brazilian woman Lorrana in October 2024.

The stars alleged arrest comes just one week after he and his wives announced that Lorrana had given birth to a baby girl, Sarah Mae Merrifield, in July.

Co-parenting as a plural family has been wonderful, to have all the support and be there for each other. Its a blessing to have all of our family involved helping each other, Garrick told People. "Its definitely allowed us to do different things."

Lorrana and I have been able to go on trips when Dannielle took the kids, and vice versa Lorrana is taking the kids so Dannielle and I are able to celebrate our anniversary, he added. Its been a big blessing to have such a big family with all the love and support and to be there for each other.

Dannielle agreed, telling People: Its so special to have Lorrana in the house and that we are actually a family now, living plural and experiencing all the benefits of the lifestyle that God has called us too. It is really a blessing growing our family.

Seeking Sister Wife is currently airing its sixth season on Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on TLC.
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Anna Wintour has waded in following criticism against Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sanchez, sponsoring the 2026 Met Gala.

Earlier this month, 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.

The news drew immediate backlash online, with critics arguing that the newlyweds  who got married in Italy in June  shouldnt be involved in art and fashion, despite how much money they can offer the 2026 gala. Others made inevitable jokes about attendees ordering their outfits via Amazons next-day Prime delivery.

However, Wintour, who has famously chaired the Met Gala since 1995, came to the couples defence.

I think Lauren is going to be a wonderful asset to the museum and to the event, she recently told CNN. Were very grateful for her incredible generosity. And she's a great lover of costume and obviously of fashion. So we're thrilled she's part of the night.

Anna Wintour says shes thrilled that Lauren Sanchez and her husband Jeff Bezos are sponsoring 2026 Met Gala ( Getty Images )

When the Metropolitan Museum of Art announced the theme of the Met Gala and accompanying exhibition, Costume Art, many people criticized the institution for partnering with Bezos and Sanchez.

The most excited I have ever been for a MET.. until sponsored by Bezos appears, one wrote in the comments of the musuems Instagram post last week, while another added: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, SOLD!!! to the highest bidder. How distasteful.

Great theme however, stop platforming Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez with art and fashion, two places that these two awful, unfettered capitalists will never belong in, no matter how much money they want to throw around to buy culture they have never cultivated and will never inhabit, a third person commented.

The latest joint venture for Bezos and Sanchez, who tied the knot in a staggeringly lavish Venice wedding this summer, 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.

With its theme, the costume exhibition will pair garments with objects from across the museum to show how fashion has long been intertwined with different art forms.

The connections that will be drawn between artworks and garments will range, curators said in a statement, from the formal to the conceptual, the aesthetic to the political, the individual to the universal, the illustrative to the symbolic, and the playful to the profound.

In June, Wintour stepped down as US Vogues editor-in-chief after leading the publication for 37 years, with editor Chloe Malle taking her place. However, Wintour will remain as Conde Nasts global chief content officer and Vogues global editorial director, keeping her in charge of next years Met Gala.
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Usha Vance has spoken out after being seen without her wedding ring.

The second lady was visiting Camp Lejeune, a military training facility in Jacksonville, North Carolina, with the first lady, Melania Trump, last week, when she was photographed not wearing her wedding ring, leading to speculation that her marriage to Vice President JD Vance was on the rocks.

However, according to a spokesperson for the mother of three, because of her busy life, she sometimes forgets to wear her wedding ring.

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.

The couple first met while they were attending Yale Law School together and got married in 2014. The two share three children: sons Ewan, 8, and Vivek, 5, and daughter Mirabel, 3.

open image in gallery The second ladys spokesperson said she is a mother of three young children, who does a lot of dishes, gives lots of baths, and forgets her ring sometimes ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery Usha was seen not wearing her wedding ring last week ( Getty Images )

Rumors that the vice president and his wife were struggling in their marriage first began when JD had given Erika Kirk  the widow of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk  a long hug last month.

At the time, Kirk and JD were at a Turning Point USA event where Kirk introduced the vice president at a tour stop at the University of Mississippi, as she spoke about the similarities between JD and her late husband.

No one will ever replace my husband. But I do see some similarities of 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 at the event before she hugged him, before moving her hand to the back of his head while he rested his hands on Kirks waist.

Many people were quick to analyze the hug on social media, claiming it was too intimate for a recent widow and a married man.

At the same Turning Point USA event, JD had also sparked comments about his marriage when he said he hoped Usha, who was raised and still considers herself Hindu, would convert to Catholicism.

Most Sundays, Usha will come with me to church. Do I hope, eventually, that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved in by church? Yeah, honestly, I do wish that, because I believe in the Christian gospel and I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way, he said.

But if she doesn't, then God says everybody has free will and so that doesn't cause a problem for me.
Travel creator Alana Rainer spends much of her time exploring Asia, from Thailand and China to Sri Lanka and the Philippines, capturing the striking surroundings in her trademark vibrant, raw and naturalistic style. Here, back in the UK, we follow Alana as she seeks out (and shoots) some spicy Asian eats at London restaurant Sticky Mango, before heading along the South Bank to shoot Tower Bridge at night, all captured using the impressive camera specs and Galaxy AI capabilities of the new Samsung Galaxy S25 FE device. Simply click the video to watch.
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American Eagle is ringing in the holidays with a new face for their latest campaign after backlash erupted over their summer ads.

Martha Stewart posed in a light blue denim shirt, matching jeans, and black flats in her new advertisement with the brand. The 84-year-old entrepreneur stood in a light and dark blue room, while wrapping a present in denim, instead of wrapping paper.

This holiday season, were settling for nothing less than a perfect fit, she quipped in one of the advertisements, which is part of the brands Give Great Jeans holiday campaign.

The video continued with Stewart cutting up more pieces of denim that she used to wrap her present. This gift is giving.

In a photo for the campaign, Stewart posed in a kitchen filled with appliances wrapped in or towels made out of denim. This time, she wore a dark blue denim jacket, matching jeans, and a navy cardigan wrapped around her shoulders.

Martha Stewart wraps gifts in denim during new American Eagle ad ( Getty Images for Netflix )

She spoke to People about doing the campaign with American Eagle and said that the concept of a set covered in denim was playful, smart, and whimsical.

I have spent decades helping people create beautiful holidays  from setting the perfect table to trimming the tree to finding that last-minute gift that saves the day, she said. So when American Eagle approached me about being part of their holiday gifting campaign, I was immediately intrigued.

Stewart also explained why shes such a big fan of the denim American Eagle sells.

The beauty of AE jeans is their versatility and ability to move with you throughout the day, she added. They are flattering, sleek and soft enough to make wrapping gifts or hosting a dinner in them effortless.

The Independent has reached out to American Eagle for comment.

Stewarts partnership with American Eagle comes months after the brand faced immense criticism for its advertisement with Sydney Sweeney. The campaign was specifically criticized for its play on language with the word genes, with critics comparing its tagline, Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans, to the racist language of eugenicists.

The phrases good genes and great genes have historically been used by eugenicists, who believe the human race can be improved genetically by selective breeding.

Along with criticizing the tag line at the time, many people hit back at the lack of diversity in the American Eagle advertisement.

The controversy even caught the attention of President Donald Trump, who supported the campaign and called it the hottest ad ever after online voting records emerged to reveal the Euphoria star is registered as a Republican.

However, Sweeney didnt break her silence about the backlash until a recent interview with GQ, published earlier this month.

I did a jean ad. I mean, the reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans. All I wear are jeans. Im literally in jeans and a T-shirt every day of my life, she explained.

The Anyone But You star also said it was surreal that Trump and Vice President JD Vance showed their support for her amid the backlash. When pressed further for her thoughts about Trump praising her, Sweeney responded that she was not monitoring the situation closely.

I kind of just put my phone away. I was filming every day. Im filming Euphoria, so Im working 16-hour days and I dont really bring my phone on set, so I work and then I go home and I go to sleep. So I didnt really see a lot of it, she said.
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An Atlanta-based art appraiser is being sued by his ex-friend, a Floridian multi-millionaire, who claims he was tricked into spending $20 million on fake art.

The plaintiff, named Alvin Malnik in documents, claims he was led to believe the likes of Spanish surrealist Salvador Dali and British street artist Banksy created the works.

In a lawsuit filed last week, Allan Baitcher and his company, Peachtree Antiques, are accused of falsifying authentication reports for more than 800 works of art.

Baitcher is even accused of falsifying fake websites, email addresses and phone numbers for shadowy authenticators who did not, in fact, exist.

open image in gallery The art appraiser is accused of selling fake works by greats such as surrealist artist Salvador Dali, shown above ( Getty )

According to the bombshell lawsuit, which the Beaux Arts Museum LLC filed, Baitcher exploited his friendship with the alleged victim.

The pair had known each other since Baitcher was a child in the 1960s, before striking up a professional relationship thirty years later, which involved the Floridian millionaire flying to Atlanta to browse the appraisers wares, according to the lawsuit.

Ultimately, Baitcher betrayed Malniks trust and used it against him by selling him thousands of pieces of counterfeit art, creating from whole cloth fictitious appraisal firms to authenticate pieces of art, and sending emails from several fake email addresses purporting to authenticate the artwork he acquired for the plaintiff, the lawsuit reads.

Many of the fake works of art he passed off as by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jackson Pollock, Dali, and Banksy were actually sourced from China. Baitcher suggested that the Hong Kong Museum of Art had supplied the works.

The collective value of the fake artworks was estimated at $200 million, purchased for a total of $20 million.

The unnamed plaintiff is suing for full restitution of the artworks' value, as well as damages and interest.

According to his website, Baitcher has been selling antiques since 1974 and has even appraised items for the White House.

He also claims to have earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for auctioning the most items in 30 minutes, selling one every 7 seconds over a half-hour period.

open image in gallery Baitcher allegedly presented the works of art as being by artists such as Salvador Dali, whose art is represented here ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Baitcher alleges that he sold the rarest and most expensive movie poser ever, a Wizard of Oz poster, for $59,000.

The appraiser and auctioneer has not yet publicly rebuffed the claims made in the lawsuit, which Beaux Arts Museum LLC filed in a federal trial court in Atlanta.

On another one of his websites, though, Baitcher claims that he loves his career as an appraiser and auctioneer, and jokes that his job involves being, in part, a fast-talking pitch man who can get ******s into a bidding war over a block of ice.

The Independent has contacted Peachtree Antiques, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Gala-Salvador Dali Foundation, Pollock-Krasner Foundation, Pest Control (Banksys representation), and the Beaux Arts Museum for comment.
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More than $200,000 has been donated to the young woman who was set on fire while riding a Chicago train after President Donald Trump slammed her assailant in his Thanksgiving speech.

Bethany MaGee, 26, was riding the CTA Blue Line, through the Loop section of the city, on November 17 when she was set on fire by a man who allegedly has a lengthy criminal history that includes dozens of arrests.

Many of her immediate medical expenses are covered by insurance and a victim's fund, but with such a long road ahead of her, the freedom from financial worries would be a tremendous blessing, MaGees family wrote in a GoFundMe campaign Tuesday. No gifts are expected, but any that are given will go directly to Bethany.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the fundraiser had received over $225,000 in donations.

MaGees family also requested privacy while she recovers from the horrifying attack, which unfolded when a man on the train approached her, poured gasoline on her and set her on fire.

open image in gallery A fundraiser has been set up for the young woman who was set on fire while riding a Chicago train last week. Over $200,000 had been raised for her medical expenses as of Thursday ( GoFundMe )

The suspect, Lawrence Reed, 50, was arrested a day later and charged with terrorism, which carries up to a life sentence.

Court records obtained by the Chicago Tribune showed that Reeds mental health had been a factor in several of his 72 preceding arrests. Officials ordered a mental and physical evaluation for him while he awaits trial.

MaGees family says their main focus is making sure we love Bethany well and give her the support she needs.

What we can say, is this: Bethany is a beloved daughter, sister, sister-in-law, granddaughter, niece, and aunt. She is a good friend. She is sensitive, caring, intelligent, and imaginative. She loves living in Chicago, and her gentle spirit makes her a favorite with every pet she meets. She enjoys playing tabletop and video games with her community, and she is quick to include others in conversations and make them feel welcome. She is kind.

Her family noted they plan to spend Thanksgiving by her side in the hospital.

Meanwhile, President Trump Tuesday used the incident to further his insistence that crime in Chicago is out of control and the National Guard should take control of the Windy City.

open image in gallery A mugshot of Lawrence Reed following a 2024 arrest ( Chicago Police Department )

open image in gallery Lawrence Reed, 50, was arrested a day after the horrifying attack and charged with terrorism ( Chicago Transit Authority )

The woman with the burning. They burned the woman. Theyll be talking about that now. They burned this beautiful woman riding in a train. A man was arrested 72 times. Seventy-two times. Think of that and theyll let him out again, Trump said.

Reed, the man charged in the attack, has spent 32 years in and out of the criminal justice system, starting when he was about 18 years old. He has been arrested 72 times, Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Bond confirmed Friday during his detention hearing.

Bond called Reed a clear danger to the community and said his criminal offenses have become more serious over time, making him too dangerous to release.

Reed also agreed to pretrial detention, saying he doesnt feel safe in society.

Im a target from society, he said. I dont feel safe out there. I think for my safety, its best for me to be detained.
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A Florida lawyer was arrested and accused of attacking a senior on board a Norwegian Cruise Line ship.

Phillip Ortiz, 38, was on the Norwegian Encore docked in Miami last Saturday when he tried to enter a hallway that was closed off the passengers at the time, according to an arrest report cited by multiple news outlets.

An unnamed 67-year-old man told police that he told Ortiz not to go into the restricted area. Who the f*** are you to tell me what I can and cant do? Ortiz told the senior before pushing him, according to the report.

The elderly man told police that as he tried to push Ortiz away, a woman, identified in court as Ortizs wife, pushed him as well. Ortiz then became enraged and continued to attack him, authorities said.

The senior then went into the restricted hallway and tried to push the doors to the area closed to keep Ortiz out, according to the report.

Phillip Ortiz, a 38-year-old Florida lawyer, was arrested and accused of attacking a senior on board a Norwegian Cruise Line ship ( Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department )

Ortiz managed to get the door open and allegedly charged at the elderly man. As the struggle continued, Ortiz tripped the elderly man, who landed on his head with the lawyers full body weight, the report said.

The senior went unconscious, and Ortiz left him there without trying to help him, according to the report.

Fellow passengers stepped in to perform CPR on the elderly man, and he was later taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The ships nurses and security were also called to attend to the incident.

Ortiz was arrested and charged with aggravated battery on a person 65 or older. At a court hearing Monday, a judge downgraded the charge to just battery on an elderly person.

"Theres nothing indicating the Vic has permanent injuries, Judge Mindy Glazer said, per NBC 6 South Florida.

Ortizs attorney, Stephan Lopez, said, per WSVN, My client vehemently denies that he is the primary aggressor, and told the judge Ortiz and his wife suffered minor injuries from the incident.

The Independent has reached out to Lopez for comment.

Ortiz was granted bond, but Glazer said he must have no contact with the elderly man.

According to his online biography, Ortiz specializes in state and federal commercial and civil litigation at The Firm Law Group. He is in good standing with the Florida Bar, to which he was admitted in 2012.
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More than four decades after a womans body was discovered floating inside a sleeping bag in San Francisco Bay, the cold case that has haunted her family has taken a step toward resolution.

On Monday, 81-year-old Patrick Galvani was taken into custody on suspicion of murdering his estranged wife, Nancy Galvani, in 1982, Foster City Police Department announced.

His arrest marks a dramatic break in a case that seemed destined to remain unsolved.

On August 9, 1982, fishermen spotted a sleeping bag drifting near San Mateo Bridge. Inside, police discovered a womans body, dressed only in underwear, bound to a cinder block and showing signs of strangulation. The body was identified a short time later as Nancy Galvani, a 36-year-old mom of a five-year-old girl, Alison.

At the time of her death, Nancy Galvani was in the midst of a contentious divorce from husband Patrick and had filed a restraining order against him two months prior. The mother was seeking custody of her young daughter and had moved into a residence hotel in San Franciscos Tenderloin district for safety. Friends later recounted her fears that Galvani might harm her if she got custody.

open image in gallery On Monday, 81-year-old Patrick Galvani was taken into custody on suspicion of murdering his estranged wife, Nancy Galvani, in 1982 ( Forest City Police Department )

On August 8, 1982, Nancy Galvani had been having dinner at her hotel, when she received a call from her estranged husband, asking her to pick up Alison early, SF News reported. Her car was later found in the garage of his Pacific Heights home.

Galvani was initially charged with the murder of his estranged wife but the investigation stalled and prosecutors dropped the case. Keith Sorenson, San Mateo County District Attorney, told the San Francisco Examiner at the time that the case was too circumstantial, and prosecutors would have less than a 50 percent chance of winning a conviction.

Over the decades, the case grew colder as investigators at the Foster City Police Department struggled with limited resources. But for the past 15 years, it has been Nancys daughter, Alison, that has been the driving force in pushing for answers.

The daughter has, for all these years, tried to push for justice for the murder of her mother, and kept on pressing [the Foster City PD] to do it, and they would make those efforts, the current San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe told the San Mateo Daily Journal this week.

Alison took an interest in her mothers case when she was a teenager and later immersed herself in a search for answers. She told the LA Times that she spoke to relatives about what they knew, used social media to raise awareness, met with detectives and eventually hired her own private investigator.

In a recorded 2010 call with his daughter, when asked about her mothers death, Galvani denied killing Nancy, according to the Los Angeles Times. But reportedly said that he would have killed her but someone beat him to it, adding that it was the best thing that could have happened to her.

A wrongful-death lawsuit that Alison Galvani filed in 2013 was dismissed because too much time had passed.

On Monday, she was notified of her fathers arrest. She was so grateful that people had listened to her, she began to fear that perhaps people were not listening, DA Wagstaffe said.

open image in gallery On August 9, 1982, fishermen spotted a sleeping bag drifting near San Mateo Bridge (pictured). Inside, police discovered a womans body, dressed only in underwear, bound to a cinder block and showing signs of strangulation ( Getty/iStock )

Prosecutors now have evidence they did not possess in the 1980s, including witness testimony that had previously been unavailable, the DA said.

We had a couple of witnesses who were not available. They couldnt be found, Wagstaffe told ABC7. Theyve talked to us, and we believe they will be important witnesses in the trial.

The DA added that the new evidence strengthens the narrative around motive and opportunity, along with critical gaps that once undermined the prosecution against Patrick Galvani.

We think it creates the circumstances surrounding his motive for the crime, how he did it, and where he kept her during the time period because the body, we dont believe, was disposed of for a couple of days, he said.

So we think we now have evidence that sort of establishes where that was, how he did it, where it came up and why he did a few things that we previously didnt know.

Galvanis attorney, Douglas Horngrad, maintained his clients innocence.

Mr. Galvani is innocent. This murder charge was filed against him years ago, and the case was dismissed for lack of evidence. As I understand it, the evidence is the same, and we believe the outcome will be the same. Mr. Galvani will be exonerated again, he told ABC7.

The Foster City Police Department said the investigation remains active and ongoing.

Galvani is being held at the San Mateo County Jail and is due back in court December 5.
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A Georgia mom is being held behind bars after being accused of killing her two infant sons, in separate incidents three years apart.

Dakota Taylor, 21, was arrested last week on November 20 in connection with the death of her eight-month-old child, Caleb, who was found unresponsive at her home in Matthews.

A grand jury arrest warrant seen by The Independent stated that Taylor unlawfully and with malice aforethought" caused the death of her child by suffocating him on January 8, 2025, causing excessive mental and physical pain.

Taylor has been charged with malice murder, felony murder, and first-degree cruelty to children, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

At the time of her arrest, Taylor was being held at the McDuffie County Jail on other charges out of DeKalb County, Georgia, relating to another child death investigation, the GBI said in a statement.

That investigation reportedly relates to the death of her seven-month-old son Micah, who died in September 2021.

Dakota Taylor, 21, has been arrested and charged over killing of two infant children three years apart in Georgia ( WRDW/ Georgia authorities )

A separate grand jury arrest warrant, obtained by WRDW, also stated that Taylor had caused Micahs death by obstructing his airways.

Body camera footage from the night, also obtained by the outlet, showed police officers arriving at a group home where Taylor was staying with the infant. Taylor was reportedly bathing Micah, then later brought him back downstairs.

Workers noticed Micah was slumped over, pale and unresponsive, and officers later reported that Taylors response had been nonchalant following the death of her child.

I dont know if this has anything to do with anything, but the mother, didnt ... She was very ... Like alright, whatever. And I was like your baby is ... one officer is heard to say in body camera footage.

That grand jury arrest warrant stated that Taylor with malice and forethought caused the death of Micah in 2021.

She had been under the Georgia Department of Child and Family Services supervision at the time of Micahs death in 2021.

Taylor is also charged with malice murder, felony murder and cruelty to children in the first degree over Micahs death.

The Independent has contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for further information regarding Taylors arrest and the criminal charges.
Investing.com -- Shares of major Chinese tech companies dropped sharply Wednesday after Bloomberg reported they were identified for potential addition to a Pentagon list of firms aiding Chinas military.

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. traded 0.9% lower, reversing earlier gains, Baidu Inc. fell 1.4%, while BYD Co. declined 0.5%, also giving up previous advances.

According to the report, Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg informed congressional leaders in an October 7 letter that Alibaba, Baidu, and BYD should be added to the Pentagons "1260H list," which identifies companies connected to the Chinese military operating in the United States.

The letter, addressed to the heads of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, also named five additional companies for potential inclusion: Eoptolink Technology Inc., Hua Hong Semiconductor Ltd., RoboSense Technology Co., WuXi AppTec Co., and Zhongji Innolight Co.

While inclusion on the 1260H list carries no direct legal consequences, it serves as a significant warning to U.S. investors.

The Pentagons determination came approximately three weeks before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached a broad trade agreement

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17 Undervalued Small-Cap Tech Stocks Primed to Outperform in Q4

The 5 Best Gold Mining Stocks to Buy Now
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A man has been arrested after allegedly trying to run down members of an LGBTQ running group in a Ford Bronco, in a potential hate crime.

Ihab Mustafa El Mahmoud is accused of making multiple attempts to hit the Night Runners WPB group just before 8.20 p.m. Monday, before fleeing the scene in West Palm Beach, Florida.

According to a West Palm Beach Police Department statement, El Mahmoud had become enraged after a verbal altercation with one of the 40 members of the group.

Rudolph Galindo, one of the members of the running group, told OutSFL the incident left him feeling terrified.

I realized before everybody else what was happening, he said, adding that the car came within two feet of hitting him. And so I jumped out of the way.

open image in gallery The incident occurred in West Palm Beach, Florida (file photo) ( Getty )

Galindo claimed that he was the person who had spoken to El Mahmoud shortly before the attack, asking him whether the 43-year-old was part of the running group.

Upon arrival, officers met with members of a local LGBTQIA+ running club who reported an individual driving a Ford Bronco SUV had intentionally attempted to strike members of the group with his vehicle, the police statement said.

According to witnesses, the driver accelerated toward the runners, making a second attempt to strike them, he then drove recklessly along sidewalks, through grass, and up an embankment before fleeing eastbound onto Okeechobee Boulevard.

A subject matching the suspect's description was seen pulling into a parking garage along the 700 block of North Dixie Highway and removing the vehicles license plate.

Cops said the suspect was taken into custody at the garage without incident.

open image in gallery Ihab Mustafa El Mahmoud was taken into custody at a nearby parking garage ( West Palm Beach Police Department )

El Mahmoud has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony and one count of reckless driving. Investigators are reviewing the charges for enhancement as a potential hate crimes.

Roger Jackson, the president of Night Runners WPB, told OutSFL that the group will continue to meet, despite the attack.

Safety, Safety, Safety is what we always say at Night Runners WPB, he said. That will continue to be our priority as we show our pride and keep running and walking as a community in a city we love.

Galindo added that the group has been working to support each other so runners can feel safe once again.

It was heartwarming to see the group really come together and care about each other, he added.
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Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, was taken into custody after two National Guard soldiers were shot in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday afternoon.

One of the two victims, Sarah Beckstrom, has since died of her injuries while the other, Andrew Wolfe, remains in a critical condition in hospital.

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, President Donald Trump lashed out at the suspect, calling him an animal, describing the incident as a monstrous, ambush-style attack,.

As investigators look into motive, there are growing questions about how an Afghan national who once worked with the CIA ended up as the suspect in the deadly attack.

The president has blamed his predecessor Joe Biden for allowing Lakanwal into the country, despite it emerging that his own administration had granted the suspects asylum application in April.

open image in gallery Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the 29-year-old Afghan national, who has been taken into custody after two National Guard soldiers were shot outside of a Metro station in Washington, D.C., Wednesday ( Reuters )

What do we know about the suspected shooter?

The suspect has been identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, originally from a village in the province of Khost in Afghanistan.

A close relative said the suspect had served in the Afghan Army for 10 years alongside U.S. Special Forces as part of the War on Terror, NBC News reported.

The New York Post has since reported that Lakanwal struggled for years with the violence he saw in his homeland as a part of a feared CIA-backed series of paramilitary groups known as Zero Units, with whom he served from as young as 16, initially as a security guard and later as a team leader and GPS specialist.

Such units are also known as death squads and Human Rights Watch has said it has documented several instances in which they were responsible for extrajudicial executions and enforced disappearances, indiscriminate airstrikes, attacks on medical facilities, and other violations of international humanitarian law. The CIA disputes those accusations.

When he saw blood, bodies, and the wounded, he could not tolerate it, Muhammad, a childhood friend, told The New York Times. It put a lot of pressure on his mind. He would tell me and our friends that their military operations were very tough, their job was very difficult, and they were under a lot of pressure.

open image in gallery U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro speaks next to FBI Director Kash Patel and other authorities during a press conference Thursday ( Reuters )

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Lakanwal came to the U.S. in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden-era program aimed at resettling Afghans who had assisted the United States in its fight against the Taliban, which has taken in approximately 76,000 people.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed Lakanwals past association with his agency during an interview with Fox News Wednesday night, saying he had been a member of a partner force in Kandahar, which ended shortly following the chaotic evacuation.

The Biden administration justified bringing the alleged shooter to the United States in September 2021 due to his prior work with the U.S. government, including CIA, Ratcliffe added.

Lakanwal subsequently worked as a delivery driver in the U.S. to support his wife and five children and reportedly attempted to manage the post-traumatic stress identified by his friend with marijuana but also played the violent military-themed video game Call of Duty.

Authorities say the suspect and his family had been living in a sparsely-furnished apartment in Bellingham in Washington state, more than 2,600 miles from D.C., which he left behind earlier this week to travel long distance in a Hyundai sedan to perpetrate Wednesdays atrocity.

open image in gallery Lakanwals apartment block in Bellingham, Washington ( Reuters )

Two senior U.S. law enforcement officials told NBC the FBI are initially investigating the shooting as a possible act of terrorism. Lakanwal has reportedly not cooperated with the investigation so far.

Many details about the suspect are still unknown as he is still in the hospital receiving treatment, said Jeffery Carroll, executive assistant chief of D.C.s Metropolitan Police Department. Lakanwals injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening.

Following the shooting, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services agency announced an immediate and indefinite halt to the processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals pending a review of security and vetting protocols.

Trump has since said he will permanently pause migration from all third world countries.

How did the shooting unfold?

Shots were fired in Washington D.C. at around 2.15pm ET on Wednesday near the Farragut West Metro Station, a few blocks from the White House.

The two wounded soldiers were part of a high-visibility patrol when they encountered the suspect, who rounded a corner, raised his arm and fired at them with a .357 revolver in an ambush, Carroll said.

Other National Guard troops quickly subdued the shooter after an exchange of gunfire. They actually were able to intervene and to kind of hold down the suspect, after he had been shot, on the ground until law enforcement got there within moments, he said.

open image in gallery National Guard soldiers respond to the shooting near the White House on Wednesday ( Getty )

Building manager Amelia Smith, who works nearby and heard the gunfire, told NBC she heard four shots at first and then many, many more.

I started seeing Secret Service members rushing by, running by, cycling by, and more and more sirens. I wasnt sure if it was gunshots, but then I thought, OK, no ones going to be putting off fireworks the day before Thanksgiving. And when I heard the sirens, I was like, this is, this is something serious, she added.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has described the incident as a targeted shooting.

Who are the victims of the shooting?

The West Virginia soldiers shot during the incident were Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, who were raced to hospital in a critical condition and underwent surgery.

Trump announced at a Thanksgiving press conference that Beckstrom had died of her injuries and that Wolfe was still fighting for his life.

Sarah Beckstrom of West Virginia, one of the guardsmen that were talking about, highly respected, young, magnificent person, started service in June of 2023 outstanding in every way. Shes just passed away, Trump said. Shes no longer with us. Shes looking down at us right now. She was savagely attacked, shes dead now.

open image in gallery Andrew Wolfe and Sarah Beckstrom, the two National Guardsmen shot in the incident ( U.S. Attorney's Office )

Wolfe is in very bad shape, the president added. Hopefully we'll get better news with respect to him.

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, there were conflicting reports about the victims conditions. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially wrongly announced that both had died, before later clarifying.

On Thursday, Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, announced Lakanwal will be charged with three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed. Beckstroms death now means a first-degree murder charge is likely to be added.

Alex Woodward contributed to this reporting.
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The Trump administration has halted all decisions regarding migrants seeking asylum in the wake of the shooting of two National Guard members. The suspected shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is an Afghan national who was granted asylum earlier this year.

Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph B. Edlow wrote on X Friday evening, USCIS has halted all asylum decisions until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible. The safety of the American people always comes first.

A notice sent to asylum officers, and obtained by CBS News, explicitly tells them not to enter any decision information for affirmative cases.

Immigrants who are not involved in removal proceedings can apply for affirmative asylum with Citizenship and Immigration Services, which is under the Homeland Security Department. Applications in defensive cases are filed by immigrants facing deportation and are decided by immigration judges under the direction of the Department of Justice.

More than 1 million people are awaiting decisions on their asylum applications, according to a 2024 report from Homeland Security. From those cases, more than 786,000 people were waiting more than 180 days for a decision in their affirmative asylum cases.

open image in gallery The Trump administration has halted all decisions regarding migrants seeking asylum in the wake of the shooting of two National Guard members, allegedly by an Afghan national who was granted asylum earlier this year ( Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images )

The man suspected of shooting two West Virginia National Guard members one fatally  near the White House Wednesday, likely underwent extensive vetting as a CIA asset and again as he sought asylum in the United States.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe said Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, worked with the CIA in Afghanistan, which almost certainly would have required extensive vetting.

He was also likely vetted when he received asylum under Trump earlier this year.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and FBI director Kash Patel have both suggested in recent congressional testimony that the administration had carefully scrutinized thousands of Afghan refugees.

During my tenure, we are going through the databases to make sure that no known or suspected terrorists enter this country to harm our nation, Patel told the Senate Judiciary Committee in September.

Trump administration officials now appear to be walking that back.

open image in gallery Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who came to the U.S. in 2021, has been accused of the DC shooting ( US Attorney's Office )

U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C. Jeanine Pirro disputed the idea that Lakanwal had received any vetting at all in an interview with Fox News on Friday morning.

Pirro also said Lakanwal will face a first-degree murder charge after Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died from her injuries. The other guardsman who was shot, Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition.

Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, claimed that Lakanwal was only vetted by the intelligence community to serve as a soldier but not for his suitability to come to America and live among us as a neighbor, integrate into our communities, or eventually become an American citizen.

open image in gallery National Guard members, Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe (left) and Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom (right), were shot near the White House Wednesday ( U.S. Attorneys Office )

Noem said Lakanwal came to the U.S. in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden-era program that helped resettle Afghans who had assisted the U.S. in its fight against the Taliban. The program has taken in about 76,000 people.

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Trump railed against former President Joe Biden for the program.

He was flown in by the Biden administration in September 2021 on those infamous flights that everybody was talking about. Nobody knew who was coming in, Trump said.

The president then warned in a Truth Social post Thursday, I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries.

Trump also said hed remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States, or is incapable of loving our Country and deport any Foreign National who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization.

Homeland Security officials said Trump has ordered a widespread review of asylum cases approved under the Biden administration and green cards issued to citizens from 19 countries, according to Reuters. The citizens of these countries, including Afghanistan, are all subject to a travel ban Trump imposed in June.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also announced his agencys crackdown on undocumented migrants receiving federal tax benefits.

The Treasury Department will issue proposed regulations clarifying that the refunded portions of certain individual income tax benefits are no longer available to illegal and other non-qualified aliens, he said.
In an unprecedented blend of spirituality and modernity, Pope Leo appeared at an electronic music rave to mark the 75th birthday of Archbishop Bernard Bober.

Video shared by Padre Guilherme, widely known as the "DJ priest," showed the Pope blessing the gathered crowd via a projection onto the St. Elisabeth Cathedral walls in Kosice, Slovakia on Saturday (8 November).

As the evening transitioned into a party, lasers, spotlights, and projection mapping illuminated the building.

The event featured electronic dance music mixed with spiritual themes, reflecting the Pope's efforts to engage younger generations.
Allegiant Travel Company ALGT recently reported encouraging traffic numbers for October 2025.

Scheduled traffic (measured in revenue passenger miles) rose 25.8% from the October 2024 levels. Capacity (measured in available seat miles) for scheduled service rose 20.6% year over year. Since traffic growth outpaced capacity expansion, the load factor (percentage of seats filled by passengers) in October 2025 grew to 81.9% from 78.5% a year ago.

Total departures (scheduled services) grew 21.6% in October 2025 from a year ago. However, its average stage length (miles) fell 1.4% year over year.

For the total system (including scheduled service and fixed fee contract), Allegiant carried 27.6% more passengers in October 2025 than the year-ago level. System-wide capacity improved 20.2% in October 2025 on a year-over-year basis.

The fuel price per gallon in October 2025 is estimated to have been $2.61.

Currently, ALGT carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

October 2025 Traffic of Other Airline Companies

Apart from Allegiant, other airline companies that have reported traffic numbers for October 2025 are Copa Holdings, S.A. CPA, LATAM Airlines Group (LTM and Ryanair Holdings RYAAY.

Copa Holdings

Copa Holdings, based in Panama City, Panama, is gaining from upbeat passenger volumes. The latest positive update from the Latin American carrier came when it reported robust traffic numbers for October 2025 on the back of upbeat air travel demand. Driven by high passenger volumes, revenue passenger miles (RPM: a measure of air traffic) improved on a year-over-year basis in October.

To match the demand swell, CPA is increasing its capacity. In October, available seat miles (a measure of capacity) increased 9.6% year over year. RPM improved 9.3% year over year. Although traffic improved year over year, it failed to outpace capacity expansion. As a result, the load factor (the percentage of seats filled by passengers) fell to 87.2% from 87.4% in October 2024.

LATAM Airlines

LATAM Airlines reported a year-over-year increase in revenue passenger-kilometers (RPK: a measure of air traffic) for October 2025.

LATAM Airlines reported a 7.4% year-over-year increase in consolidated capacity, measured in available seat-kilometers (ASK). The uptick was driven by a 13.2% increase in LATAM Airlines Brazils domestic capacity (where four new routes were launched during the month) and a 7.2% increase in international operations (which included the inauguration of the route between Sao Paulo (Guarulhos) in Brazil and Cordoba in Argentina).
Louisianas reliance on the Mississippi means the mighty river can take away as much as it gives  and both the state and the nation are reaching a moment of reckoning.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size This month Australia implements laws to address the toxic aspects of online life, but not so long ago, it was apparently perfectly fine for a good portion of the internet to direct astonishing levels of hatred and vitriol at a young girl from California. People who go viral for reasons beyond their control typically disappear back into the scenery of non-internet life. Rebecca Black never flinched. Black is now touring Australia as part of the Spilt Milk festival, alongside Kendrick Lamar and Doechii. Shes also headlining her own shows, including her largest ever at Melbournes Forum Theatre. If you think her presence has something to do with Friday, the song that launched her to fame and became the most viewed YouTube video the year it was released, youre living in the past. A brief recap is all the Friday affair deserves. When Black was 13 she recorded a novelty pop song and video clip with an LA company that offered ordinary folks just such an experience. Friday was intended to be a throwaway bit of fun to share with friends, but somehow the music video ended up online right at the moment when memes and meanness were becoming inextricable. Until that point, social media had been a largely benign place full of lolcats and rickrolling and pokes. By 2011, however, the tone had started to shift. The default voice was snarkier, the humour had become crueller, and any innocent could find themselves hoisted up for public ridicule. The socials democratised the angry mob, promising a pitchfork and flaming torch for everyone. Black  at age 22  who was just 13 when her pop video went viral for all the wrong reasons. Credit: Its hard to overstate just how vile the response to Friday became, with strangers posting the most violent and juvenile comments towards a random kid whose home movie had so upset them. From medieval witch trials to the screaming fans of the Fab Four to the Twilight and Tay-Tay stans in recent times, theres a certain sort who have a screaming fit whenever they see a girl having fun on her own terms. Today its Black: 1, Haters: 0. She never quit. This year the 28-year-old played a DJ set at Lollapalooza, one of the largest music festivals on earth. Punters who only remembered her as the Friday girl were floored. The set-list from that gig includes titles familiar from the pop canon  from Britneys Toxic to Bjorks Hyperballad to Addison Raes Fame Is a Gun  but you wont find the bootleg cuts she spins anywhere on Spotify or Shazam. Theyre familiar while also illustrating a deep knowledge of dance culture today.

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When Black DJs, she says, Im there to highlight the tracks that I really love and feel attached to, that I find in the depths of SoundCloud or some random part of someones discography. I love playing throwback stuff because I want to play the remixes that I wish I could hear in a club, that I know would be played deep in some Barcelona queer underground club. TAKE 7: THE ANSWERS ACCORDING TO REBECCA BLACK Worst habit? Picking my nails, which Im doing right now. Greatest fear? Dying. The line that stayed with you? The concept that life hands you exactly what you need when youre ready for it. Youll never be handed a situation to get through without the ability to undertake it. Whether or not it is actually true Im not sure, but it has certainly helped me hold onto hope when I needed it. Biggest regret? Missing moments with family over the years. It takes effort, and I dont want to have regrets over that. Favourite book? In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado. Its an incredible book about toxic queer relationships. The artwork or song you wish was yours? Theres a lot. The new ROSALIA album is something only she could do, even having the concept to do it. If you could time travel, where would you choose to go? The future. I want to know whats up. But Im afraid of time travel, for sure. That mix of pop appeal and underground edginess is what Blacks own songwriting has evolved into. Her latest album, Salvation, is a banging mix of abrasive hyperpop (think SOPHIE or Charli XCX) and the kind of ambitious songwriting that fell out of favour for the first few decades of this century. I feel like Im listening way more to things from the past than I am things that are happening right now. Thats where I learn, Black says. If you go back and listen to some of the big pop stars of the 90s, like Madonna, Janet, that was a time where pop was actually really interesting. Listen to some of the instrumentals that were on Velvet Rope, Ray of Light, Erotica. That was a time where I think pop was at its best and was celebrated because it was constantly trying to push itself forward ... I think that was why pop died for a second. It felt like that ethos got lost. Everyone was just trying to make something really digestible. The teenage Black might have been treated harshly by the internet, but like most people her age, her music tastes were discovered online. I dont think the way that my relationship with music developed was much different to a lot of my fans, she says. It was really a relationship with the internet, a relationship with artists who were really intrinsic to the internet. I mean, I was a Tumblr kid growing up. My audience were my peers. That might be why the comments on her videos today speak so starkly of the way our online culture has changed. Theyre full of admiration for the artist and passionate about their love of her new work, occasionally punctuated with shocked praise from viewers who didnt realise this was that Rebecca Black.

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I do think there are pieces of the internet where there is an intention to treat others with kindness, she says. I see moments where the internet is trying to police itself in ways. Offline, too, shes found her people. The Rebecca Black of 2025 has become something of an icon in queer club spaces, where she finds so much of the most interesting music is happening. I think theres a lot of places outside of the US that are way more advanced in the queer spaces they have, including Australia, Melbourne particularly. She also does a lot of meet-and-greets as she tours. I love them because I really love understanding who gets it? Who gets me in this way? Black is now a DJ and something of a queer icon. Credit: Getty Images for Kohls The lyrics on Salvation sometimes flirt with possible references to Blacks past  the title tracks chorus declares that I dont need you to save me/I already saved myself  but the vocals also toy with voice and character to blur personal experience and the playfulness of fiction. Some of those characters are ways that I can channel the parts of myself that only exist in my head, she says. Theres ways that we talk to ourselves or talk about things with ourselves in our heads that I would never articulate, even with a partner. That lives just for me. But the other place it can live is in a song. Those characters are the most deeply personal in a way because Im disguising them as something thats a different version of me, but its actually probably the truest.

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Eating outRestaurant news Untangling the full story behind why (and which) Chinese Noodle House is closing Ever wondered why there are so many restaurants with grapes on the ceiling and similar menus on one Haymarket block? We have the answers. David Matthews November 26, 2025 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Stop the clocks, lower the flags to half-mast, get out the violins and put out your special braised eggplants. Chinese Noodle House, a beloved institution at the south end of Chinatown, is shutting shop, and the devastation is real. In a statement posted on the window of the Thomas Street restaurant and to Instagram this week, Eric Zhang, the son-in-law of the owner, announced the closure and thanked its patrons for their continued support. It has been our honour and pleasure to serve you, and we are deeply grateful for your companionship along the way. Chinese Noodle House in Haymarket is closing in December. Wolter Peeters The reason? According to their post, the landlord has decided not to renew the lease, leading to tearful tributes to a place where friendships were forged over molten-hot eggplant and many dumplings. If the world is against Chinese Noodle House, then I am against the world, one Instagram user wrote. Whats the point of anything? asked another.

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When it ceases trading in December, it will join Marigold, Golden Century and BBQ King on the list of Sydney Chinatown restaurants that have closed since the pandemic. Far from being a death knell for the area, though, recent statistics indicate Chinatown is actually in the midst of a $44 million revitalisation project, and is thriving. In the 2025 financial year, Haymarket had the highest annual spend amongst all precincts in the City of Sydney economy, at $630 million. To put it in context, thats almost double Potts Point, says Kevin Cheng, project manager at Haymarket Alliance community organisation. In terms of the bounce-back, the spend in Haymarket is up about 44 per cent on pre-pandemic levels, so the numbers are very strong. Chinese Noodle Restaurant in 2013. Sahlan Hayes Regardless, the level of confusion for Chinese Noodle Houses closure has been in overdrive this week, not least because the restaurant  fondly remembered for its special braised eggplant and plastic grape decorations  is one of several scattered throughout one building complex with near-identical menus, decor and names.

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Whats the best one, though? Can you still BYO? What happened to the man who used to play violin at one of the restaurants? We sat down with a plate of Xinjiang noodles and set out to get to the bottom of these burning questions. I know Chinese Noodle House! Its the one with the plastic grapes on the ceiling and the guy playing violin, right? Actually, no. But kind of. And already, this is where it gets complicated. No shade on Chinese Noodle House, but the restaurant youre probably thinking of is Chinese Noodle Restaurant, founded in 1991 by Xiao Tang Qin, who grew up in Chinas Xinjiang region and was a concert violinist before he moved to Sydney in the early 90s. He worked as a kitchenhand before launching the original Chinese Noodle Restaurant, where he spent 19-hour days pulling noodles and shaping dumplings, entertaining guests with his violin while they ate. Xiao Tang Qin at Chinese Noodle Restaurant in 2022. Rhett Wyman OK, so Chinese Noodle House is closing, but I can still go to Chinese Noodle Restaurant, right?

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Sure can. Its about 10 metres from Chinese Noodle House, with plenty of outdoor tables, umbrellas and a BYO-friendly policy. But that said, Qin and his wife Helen Sun are no longer involved. According to their daughter, Jenny Qin, they sold the original years ago, then systematically relaunched with similar concepts and menus, before selling again. At various points theyve owned Chinese Noodle Restaurant and Chinese Noodle House on Thomas Street, as well as another Chinese Noodle Restaurant on the corner of Quay and Thomas Streets, plus a sibling next door. Theyve also opened in Pyrmont, Neutral Bay, the CBD and most recently at Lemon Grove shopping centre in Chatswood, which trades under the name Chinatown Noodle Restaurant. Thats a lot of Chinese noodles. So who owns the OG now, and who took over Chinese Noodle House? The original is now owned by Annie Zhang, Qin and Suns niece. Shes kept the menu basically the same, and shares a slice of the sprawling outdoor seating.

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The lease for Chinese Noodle House  the one closing  is reportedly in the hands of Qin and Suns nephew, Xin Jiang Sun. He used to run it, but then sold to Jin Hua Wang (Eric Zhangs mother-in-law) before launching a similar concept in Newtown. Somewhere in there he bought the property, so he became Wangs landlord. Word is when Chinese Noodle House closes, Sun is planning to relaunch right back where he started. In a statement provided to Good Food from Sun and his wife Susanna Chen, they said that the lease for Chinese Noodle House was valid from January 20, 2016 to January 19, 2026, and that theres no new lease agreement in existence. Further, they added that all actions taken by the landlord are strictly in accordance with applicable laws and the terms of the lease agreement. Soon-to-close Chinese Noodle House (not to be confused with Chinese Noodle Restaurant). Wolter Peeters Got it. But then why did the founders keep selling and relaunching? Isnt everybody cannibalising each others businesses? Jenny Qin explained this well: Weve had our ex-employees go all over Sydney, opening up similar Northern Chinese-style restaurants using our recipes. It doesnt really reduce the business: the spaces are so small, with so many people coming to eat that if you cant find seats in one place, you can find it at another restaurant, so its never really a bother.

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Your choice of Chinese Noodle largely comes down to where youve had the best times. Opinion is even divided in the Good Food office regarding which is the best of the four in Haymarket. The original stays truest to the recipes, but then the corner site offers breakfast and Uighur-style lamb pilaf. At the end of it, your choice of Chinese Noodle largely comes down to where youve had the best times, whether it was sharing a table with uni friends, dumplings and cheap beer, or on a first date with BYO chardonnay. OK, I really need my fix. So the Chinese Noodle Restaurant on the corner, which Good Food reviewed back in 2022, is where Ill find the original owners? You would have. But in 2023, they actually sold to their former kitchen manager, while their pastry chef took over the Chatswood branch, as well as another Chinatown Noodle Restaurant (seriously) on the corner of Quay Street and Thomas Lane. Xiao Tan Qin is approaching 80, so odds are that was his last hurrah. Not to discount the very real emotions regarding Chinese Noodle Houses closure, or to trivialise the dilemma, but if theres a bigger story, its that the founders quietly left the stage a couple of years ago, and most of us missed it.

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So thats it then? No more violin? Dont count on it. Qin is teaching his grandson to play, and Jenny has seen him retire a few times in the past, only to leap back into business, so there might be one last dance in him. One last one  or three, she says. He never wants to retire. This article was updated December 1 to reflect the fact that Eric Zhang is the son-in-law of Chinese Noodle Houses owner, not the owner, and to include correspondence from their landlord.

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There is a tonne of misinformation out there. And the big tech companies that run the social media platforms dont seem to have done much to curtail it. A video saying the key to a healthy diet is balance will never generate them the same revenue as a viral one titled: I drank nothing but raw Mongoose milk for three months and I feel amazing! Joe Rogan is happy to litter the internet with unsupported claims such as vaccines altering genes. Kim Kardashian can freely promote appetite suppressant lollipops to young women without a shred of evidence to support their efficacy nor consideration for mental health impact  the lollipops look cute though so thats all that seems to matter. Social media thrives on sensationalism, and is spewing it out at a rate, so good on the Chinese government for having a crack at curbing it.

Last month, China passed legislation requiring that social media influencers have degrees or certifications before discussing any serious topics such as health, finance, and law, or else theyll fall foul of the Cyberspace Administration. On the surface this seems like a reasonable step that could be replicated here.

Well its official: Im not moving to China. OK, I never had any plan to  I live so close to Shanghai Dumplings anyway  but their strict new regulations around what topic influencers are allowed to discuss on social media have me worried. How else are Chinese internet celebrities meant to earn their living spreading misinformation about vaccines, cryptocurrencies and erectile dysfunction pills? But even worse, Im concerned that these kinds of laws will put me out of a job.

In Australia, we have regulations on influencers  in theory. Social media personalities are not permitted to give testimonials of a product if they were involved in its production, sale, supply or marketing. This has been applied to the false claims Belle Gibson notoriously made about curing what turned out to be her non-existent cancer although, seven years later, Gibson still hasnt paid those $410,000 of fines. Chinas laws would have shut Gibson down right from the start.

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But my problem with a big crackdown on influencers in Australia is that, well, Im a comedian. My job is to not take any topic too seriously. Whenever Im a guest on one of the 7 trillion comedy podcasts, or reacting to a news story with a cheeky Instagram reel, Im doling out my non-expert thoughts on a subject. On one recent podcast I was asked about sexual health in the modern dating scene. Im certainly not qualified to talk authoritatively about such a subject  mainly due to a complete lack of hands-on experience  but there I was, making hilariously uninformed statements about wearing full body condoms and finding a lover on Facebook Marketplace.

I had been invited on that podcast as a comedian to make light-hearted quips about the discussion of the day. However, given the sound-bite nature of the internet, my responses could be edited by the podcast producer into short clips and disseminated to millions of people without context. Perhaps some unsuspecting adolescent will watch my sarcastic take on sex, drugs and rocknroll and  lord help them  take it as gospel. The original source may now be regulated under Chinese law, but the countless reiterations of the content could be challenging to keep track of, especially with AI bots editing and posting content on their own now. Should comedians be banned from jokes about health?

Nor am I convinced that the Chinese laws are restricting all the right topics. The reported examples of finance, health, medicine, law and education make sense. But what about all the other topics that can be deadly serious: religion, dating, parenting, what oil to use in your car, karaoke, Brazilian waxing  these all have serious ramifications if done incorrectly. And whos to say a government couldnt abuse this law to stifle any discourse that portrays them in a bad light?
Four former students of a prestigious regional private school have been formally cautioned by Victoria Police over a series of strappings against younger schoolmates.

The cautions were issued after a series of assaults at Ballarat Grammar School between 2023 and 2024 were investigated, police confirmed on Wednesday.

Ballarat Grammar School. Credit: Joe Armao

The Anglican school has been in crisis since a culture of abuse and hazing of younger students  dating back decades  was first uncovered in February.

Following the initial allegations with up to 12 alleged victims involved, 10 senior boarders at the school were sent home. Victoria Police were then called in over claims junior students  some as young as 12  had been assaulted by older students as part of a hazing culture that included strappings.
The Victorian government has acknowledged that a key feature of its controversial political donation laws is unconstitutional, but will fight to keep the regime that gives Labor, the Liberals and the Nationals access to decades of accumulated cash.

In a submission to the High Court seen by The Age, the government says that while part of its donation regime cannot be justified, it wants to preserve a loophole that allows established political parties to access unlimited funds from their long-established war chests which have never been subject to caps.

The state government will face a High Court showdown over millions of dollars held in secretive funding vehicles. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Instead, it says that a pre-2020 deadline that prevented newer political parties from establishing similar fundraising arms was discriminatory and not justified and must be severed.

Despite the concession, the government will argue it should keep the exemption that allows parties to receive uncapped donations from their decades-old fundraising bodies, while newer parties could do the same, but would only be able to raise money under tighter caps.
Alphabet (GOOGL) stock has been on a tear, breaking to a fresh high of $326.87 on Tuesday, Nov. 25. Investors are rewarding GOOGL stock for the companys advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and the commercial opportunities that accompany them.

Over the past six months, Alphabet has surged by more than 92%, outpacing most big tech stocks and signaling the markets conviction in Googles long-term AI strategy.

More News from Barchart

The latest catalyst came with the debut of Gemini 3, Googles newest AI model. For investors, the announcement offers fresh reassurance that Google intends not only to keep pace with rivals but also to shape the future direction of the AI market. Investors mood turned even more optimistic after The Information reported that Alphabet will sell its internal Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) or AI chips to Meta (META), a potential shift in its strategy that could open a new, high-value revenue stream.

Google has historically reserved its custom TPUs for internal use across its own data centers. But the company is reportedly now willing to sell these chips for deployment in customers facilities and to rent capacity through Google Cloud. Meta is said to be exploring a multibillion-dollar purchase beginning in 2027, with cloud rentals potentially starting as early as 2026.

www.barchart.com

If finalized, such a deal would reposition Google as a formidable supplier in a market long dominated by Nvidia (NVDA), with competitive implications that could ripple through the broader AI hardware landscape. For Google, it represents a chance to diversify its AI monetization strategy beyond software and cloud services, strengthening its role in the AI infrastructure development.

Further supporting investor sentiment, Alphabet announced a significant new cloud agreement with NATOs Communication and Information Agency. The multi-year, multimillion-dollar deal aims to modernize NATOs digital operations and expand its AI capabilities.

These developments suggest that Alphabet is deepening its reach across the AI value chain, from model innovation to hardware infrastructure to enterprise-grade cloud solutions, positioning it well to deliver solid gains ahead.
Virginia Giuffres family is readying for an Australian courtroom showdown over her multimillion-dollar estate.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsors sex abuse accuser took her own life in April, but died intestate  without a formal will.

Virginia Giuffre in 2022, with a photo of herself as a teenager. Credit: Getty

Her closest relatives are now preparing to contest her legacy, with a case management hearing scheduled at the Supreme Court of Western Australia in Perth on Friday.

Giuffre, who was 41, amassed a fortune through victim compensation funds and civil lawsuit settlements relating to the years of abuse she suffered at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein.
We recently published 11 Stocks Jim Cramer Shared His Insights On. American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer discussed.

American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) is a stock that Jim Cramer has used as a proxy for consumer spending and remained optimistic about throughout the year. He believes the firms CEO, Steve Squeri, has done a good job with the firms payment cards. One aspect of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP)s cards that has won over Cramers praise is their popularity with younger users. The CNBC TV host has shared his and his familys experiences with the products, and has defended the stock by saying that its a great opportunity to buy while others sell. In this appearance, he used American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) as an example of a stock that was holding its ground as the broader market struggled and discussed the firms CEO:

American Express (AXP)'s CEO "is Remarkable," Says Jim Cramer

I mean look whats up. Okay. Look whats up. American Express has had a great quarter.

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READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.
2-day Fashionista expo at Hotel Centre Point on Nov 27 and 28





Business Reporter :

The spectacular Fashionista Exhibition will be launching its 77th edition at The Hotel Centre Point in the city on November 27. The much-awaited event will continue till November 28 from 11am to 9 pm, providing attendees with an extensive timeframe to explore the diverse range of fashion and lifestyle offerings. Since its inception in 2008, Fashionista has been dedicated to serving the fashion community with unwavering enthusiasm. 55+ Designers from prominent cities nationwide, including Mumbai, Delhi, Raipur, Kolkata, and others will come together to showcase their creativity.

The primary objective of Fashionista is to bridge the fashion divide between metro cities and tier II cities, such as Nagpur. To achieve this, the Fashionista Exhibition features talented designers displaying a diverse range of sarees, apparel, jewellery, accessories, beauty products, home decor and furnishing, gifts, and more  all meticulously curated for the stylish women of Nagpur.

Adding to the excitement, were delighted to share that Fashionista was recognized as the Ace of B-cities for conducting exhibitions in the majority of B-class cities of India, in the Exhibitions Excellence Awards 2024. It is among the most prestigious honors for an exhibition company in India, says the organisers. Fashionista, the one-stop solution for all fashion needs, is all set to leave its mark once again on Nagpur, offering attendees an unmissable opportunity to revamp their wardrobes with the latest trends and styles.
Cgarh InvestorConnect attracts Rs 6,826 croreinvestment commitments





Staff Reporter :

DEPARTMENT of Commerce and Industries, Government of Chhattisgarh successfully concluded two high-impact Investor Connect events in New Delhi, showcasing investment opportunities in the Specialty steel and tourism and hospitality sectors as part of its national Industrial Promotion Roadshow. Organised in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Chhattisgarh, and FICCI, the events generated investment commitments worth Rs 6,826 crore, with a projected employment generation of 3,037 jobs.

The roadshow highlighted Chhattisgarhs investor-friendly governance, sector preparedness, and strong push toward industrial diversification, which continue to attract leading companies and high-growth enterprises from across the country. A key highlight of the Investor Connect was the meeting between Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Vishnu Deo Sai and Chairman, APL Apollo Industries Group Sanjay Gupta. APL Apollo announced a proposal to invest approximately Rs 1,200 crore in new industrial projects in Chhattisgarh and committed to establishing a 100-bed charitable hospital in the state.

This strong commitment reflects the industrys confidence in States transparent governance, progressive reforms, and investor-first approach. Speaking on the success of the event, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said: Chhattisgarh is rapidly emerging as one of Indias most dynamic investment destinations. The encouraging response we received today reflects the trust that industry leaders place in our transparent governance, simplified processes, and the strength of the Chhattisgarh Industrial Development Policy 2024-30. We welcome investors to join us in building a future driven by growth, innovation, and employment for our people.

 The Investor Connect highlighted the strength of the Chhattisgarh Industrial Development Policy 2024-30, recognized as one of Indias most pro-investor and employment-oriented frameworks. With streamlined clearances, competitive incentives, sector-specific support, and reliable infrastructure, the policy continues to enhance ease of doing business in the state. Importantly, Chhattisgarh is now moving from ease of doing business to the speed of doing business. A key example is the states first semiconductor manufacturing project, for which land was allotted to the company within just 45 days- demonstrating fast, accountable, and responsive governance.

Chhattisgarh showcased its advantages in raw material availability, skilled manpower, reliable power supply, and strong logistics connectivity. Investors expressed strong interest in alloy steel, value-added steel, and downstream manufacturing. To boost job creation, the state offers employment-linked incentives the more people an industry employs, the higher subsidy it receives. This includes a 30% Capital Subsidy with an employment booster ranging from 1.1x to 1.5x, as well as a customized incentive package for large projects investing 1,000 crore or generating 1,000 jobs.

The Tourism Investor Connect highlighted emerging opportunities across eco-tourism, adventure tourism, spiritual circuits, cultural destinations, and premium hospitality. Investor confidence was further strengthened by Industry status granted to Tourism under the Industrial Development Policy 2024-30, the states progressive Homestay Policy and Enhanced incentives for projects located in Bastar and Sarguja Chhattisgarhs rising identity as The Instagrammable State of India amplified interest from leading hospitality brands, developers, and tourism entrepreneurs.

In just one year since the launch of the Chhattisgarh Industrial Development Policy 2024- 30, the state has attracted investment intentions worth Rs 7.83 lakh crore across sectors. This exceptional momentum reflects the industrys trust in Chhattisgarhs policy stability, governance model, and sector-readiness. With rapid growth in manufacturing-specialty steel, metals, engineering, electronics, food processing-and rising activity in the services sector including tourism, hospitality, IT/ITES, logistics, and healthcare, Chhattisgarh is fast emerging as Indias next major investment hub. The states proactive outreach, seamless facilitation, and investor-centric governance continue to fast-track approvals and convert commitments into on-ground projects.

Building on the success of these Investor Connect events, Chhattisgarh remains committed to driving jobs, inclusive growth, and sustainable development for its people.
COMPLY WITH 50 PC LIMIT ON QUOTAin local body polls: SC to Mah, SEC





NEW DELHI :

THE Supreme Court on Tuesday observed that the final results of elections in Maharashtra for 57 local bodies, where 50 per cent ceiling on quota has been breached, will depend on its judgement in the case. The observations were made by a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi while deferring to November 28 the hearing on the issue of reservation in local body elections. The Maharashtra Government, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, sought time to consult the state election commission (SEC) regarding compliance with the 50 per cent ceiling on quotas.

Earlier on November 19, the bench had asked the State Government to consider deferring the process of nomination for local body elections till the issue of grant of 27 per cent reservation for the Other Backward Class (OBC) is adjudicated uponby it. On Tuesday, the bench wasinformed by senior advocateBalbir Singh, appearing for theSEC, that elections to 242 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats, a total of 288 bodies, have already been notified forDecember 2. The senior lawyer said in 57 of these bodies, the 50 per cent reservation cap stands breached.

Taking note of this, the benchsaid the reservation exceeding 50per cent in the already-notified57 bodies would remain subjectto the final outcome of the ongoing proceedings. At the outset, the Solicitor General sought anadjournment to allow time forconsultations with the SEC. Senior advocate Vikas Singhargued that previous orders, including a July 2022 directionby a three-judge bench led by Justice A M Khanwilkar approving the Banthia recommendations, had created confusion.

The law officer said the state authorities acted under abona fide interpretation of the courts orders. Senior advocate Indira Jaising, while not opposing the adjournment, informed the bench that some petitioners have also moved a contempt petition, essentially challenging the May 2025 order. Supporting the existing notified reservation structure, she contended that elections already underway should not be halted and stressed that the court had earlier made the poll process subject to judicial outcome.

The CJI remarked that if elections were ultimately found to be illegal, the court had the power to set them aside. If elections are held contrary to law, they can be annulled, the CJI said. Vikas Singh, however, argued that such annulment would lead to waste of public funds and pressed for pausing the electoral process. Senior advocate Narender Hooda described the 50 per cent upper limit as a constitutional Lakshman Rekha.
Duplicate voter issue looms as NMC yet to begin verification process





By Kunal Badge :

45,000 probable duplicate voters were flagged by State Election Commission

Even though the final word on civic election remains in limbo, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) officials are still undecided on what to do about duplicate voters, whose number is estimated at 45,000. The voter list forwarded by State Election Commission to the civic body contain the names of voters that are reflected in double, it could be owing to shifting of places. Shyam Kapse, Assistant Commissioner, NMC, who is overlooking the election cell of NMC stated that the procedure for verifying the duplicate voters is yet to be decided. The procedure to verify the duplicate voters can be verified as per the electoral booths, which are yet to be decided, informed Kapse while speaking to The Hitavada.

Due to rise in number of voters, the civic officials are trying to find additional voting booths which is taking time. There is a possibility of existence of two voters of the same name, and they need to be verified personally. The verification will be conducted as per the SEC guidelines, added Kapse. He expressed the belief that the verification will start soon and all the verification will be done as per the dates declared by the SEC. Earlier, 45,000 voters holding two or three voter cards were flagged in the draft voter list last week.

The voters with two voter cards were marked with double stars and those with three voter cards were marked with three stars in the draft voter list. The NMC officials had informed that the duplicate voters will be verified by approaching personally, but the process is yet to be decided. Elaborating on the delay, Nirbhay Jain, Deputy Commissioner, NMC, informed that the physical verification will be performed after a tallying of the voter list by NMC officials.

The flagged voters are probable duplicate voters. Their records will be cross checked with reference to their age, address, and other details. If a voter is found to be registered at two or more different places, he will be contacted personally to verify his preferred place of voting and then cancel the other entry from the draft voter list, stated Jain. He also informed that the probable duplicate voters were flagged by the SEC itself and the data was provided to NMC for verification. Though the name of voters figuring in two places was identified, it is not yet clear whether they had voted at two places. The voter list for civic elections is the one that was updated during the recently concluded Assembly elections.

Process to decide 11 objections on Prabhag reservation begins

The NMC has received 11 objections against the ward reservations, informed Shyam Kapse. The reservation draw was conducted on November 11 and the draft reservation was published on November 17. The last date for objections and suggestions to draft reservation was till November 25. The objections on the draft reservation vary in nature. Mostly, the objections were raised for wards with reservation for categories with minimal population of the category in the ward. Some objections are regarding the differential treatment given to different categories while deciding the number of seats while as per proportion. A few objections state that while some categories like Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) are rounded to higher number of seat, Other Backward Class (OBC) seats were rounded to lower number, decreasing their total numbers. The objections are also raised against the overall reservation percentage going above 50 per cent, in case of OBC. All the objections will be considered by the authorities and final reservation draft will be published at a later date. The reservation for various categories were as per the instructions laid out by SEC.
Win McNamee / Getty Images President Donald Trump is expected to outline a plan to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies

Key Takeaways

President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to unveil a healthcare proposal that would extend Affordable Care Act subsidies, sending shares of major health insurers higher Monday.

The plan is expected to include income limits on those who can qualify and provide funding to keep enrollees' costs down, Politico reported.

Shares of several major health insurers surged Monday following reports President Donald Trump could be set to unveil a healthcare proposal that would extend Affordable Care Act subsidies.

Molina Healthcare (MOH) shares were up over 3% in recent trading, while Centene (CNC) jumped 5%, and Oscar Health (OSCR) soared 18%. (Read our daily markets coverage here.)

The plan, which could be unveiled as soon as today, is expected to extend ACA subsidies for about two years and could include new income limits for enrollees, along with minimum premium payments, according to Politico.

Why This News Is Significant

Shares of major health insurers are rising on news that the Trump administration may back a two-year subsidy extension under the ACA. Additional support for premiums and cost-sharing could help stabilize enrollment and reduce volatility in the individual market.

The White House is set to ask Congress to approve funds to reduce cost-sharing, which would lower out-of-pocket expenses for some ACA recipients, Politico reported.

Affordable Care Act insurance plan premiums were a major source of contention in the record government shutdown that ended earlier this month. Democratic lawmakers had blocked funding bills arguing to extend subsidies that lowered ACA plan premiums. The shutdown ended after Congressional Republicans agreed to discuss the premiums after the government reopened.

The White House did not respond to an Investopedia request for comment in time for publication.

Read the original article on Investopedia
Gangsters challenge police on social media. media after arrests for vandalism





Staff Reporter :

DESPITE the polices tough stance against hooliganism and the action of parading arrested suspects, the audacity of criminals in the State capital remains unbroken. Following the arrest of four main accused in the case involving the vandalism of 11 cars in the Gautam Nagar Police Station area, their two absconding accomplices have issued an open challenge to the police by going live on social media.

The viral video has caused a major stir within the police department. In the viral video, the absconding partners of the arrested accused appeared live on a social media platform, mocking the police and saying, Catch us first, then well tell you who did the vandalism. They also openly threatened informants, stating that those who provide information to the police will face consequences.

This video has once again raised serious questions about the citys law and order and the effectiveness of police patrolling. On Saturday, November 23, miscreants attacked the Green Park Colony with stones and sticks, shattering the windows of 11 parked vehicles. The motive behind the crime was to extort Rs 3,000 per month as protection money from the complainant, Chandan Indoria. Following complaints from residents and the video going viral, the police became active and arrested four main miscreants within 24 hours and paraded them through the streets.

Arrested Accused: The four accused arrested and sent to jail by Gautam Nagar Police are: Ankit Yadav (24), Aryan Panthi (20), Arjun Singh Sondhiya (22- who has 12 criminal cases), and Cheenu alias Kunal Kuril (18). ACP Rakesh Singh Baghel stated that the social media video has been taken into cognizance and is undergoing technical investigation.
GURU TEGH BAHADUR laid down hislife for protection of TRUTH: Modi





KURUKSHETRA :

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said Guru Tegh Bahadur considered the protection of truth, justice and faith his dharma and sacrificed his life for it. The Government will continue to serve guru parampara the same way, the Prime Minister said while addressing a special programme here to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Sikh Guru.

At the event, Modi, who reached here after hoisting the saffron Dharma Dhwaj atop the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, also released a special coin and a commemorative stamp marking the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. Addressing the gathering, Modi said today was a wonderful confluence of heritage. He said he was in Ramayan ki Nagri Ayodhya in the morning and now he was here on Lord Krishnas land, he said. He said when the apex court verdict on the Ram temple came on November 9, 2019, he had gone to Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab for the inauguration of the Kartarpur Corridor.

I was praying that the path for the construction of the Ram temple should be paved and the aspirations of all Ram devotees should be fulfilled, he said. And our prayers were answered on that day as the verdict came in favour of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, he said. Today, Modi said, he again got the opportunity to take blessings from theSikh Sangat. The Prime Minister also unveiled the newly constructedPanchjanya memorial dedicated to Lord Krishnas conch in Jyotisar here.

Lord Krishna said on this land of Kurukshetra that protecting truth and justice is the greatest dharma. He said Swadharme nidhanam shreyah, meaning it is better to sacrifice ones life for the sake of truth, Modi told the gathering. Guru Tegh Bahadur considered the protection of truth, justice and faith his dharma and laid down his life for it, he said.The Government will continue to serve guru parmpara the same way, he added.
HC expresses concern over delay in opening cotton procurement centres





Staff Reporter ;

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has expressed concern that delays in opening cotton procurement centres may benefit the private sector and cause losses to farmers. During the hearing, the court orally observed that if procurement centres are started late, private traders may take advantage of the situation and purchase cotton from farmers at lower rates. Amicus Curiae Advocate Purushottam Patil submitted a detailed affidavit in ten parts explaining the current situation.

After hearing the matter, a division bench of Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Rajnish Vyas directed the Central Government and the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to file their replies within three weeks. In the previous hearing, the High Court had orally commented that there is no need to set up procurement centres in areas where cotton has not been sown. However, in areas where cotton is grown and a procurement centre is required, it is the responsibility of the authorities to provide one on time.

On Tuesday, Advocate Patil highlighted the shortage of procurement centres in various districts of Vidarbha. Taking note of this information, the court instructed the concerned authorities to file an affidavit explaining the reasons for the delay and the steps being taken to open the centres. Petitioner Shriram Satpute had earlier informed the court that even after major festivals like Dussehra and Diwali, the required procurement centres have not been made operational. He argued that this delay forces farmers to depend on private traders, who may not offer fair prices for their produce. The court took serious note of this concern and sought a detailed response from the Government and CCI.

Current status of cotton procurement centres in Ngp, Amravati divisions

According to the information submitted to the court, there is a major gap between the number of existing centres and the number required in various districts. In Nagpur district, only 11 centres are functioning, while 73 are needed. Wardha has 11 centres against a requirement of 72, and Chandrapur has 10 against 63 needed. In Buldhana, 9 centres are operational though 43 are required, while Akola has 9 centres but needs 45. Washim has only 4 centres as against a requirement of 10. Amravati district currently has 14 centres, but 81 are needed. The highest shortage is in Yavatmal, where 18 centres are functioning, while the district requires as many as 165.
India condemns arbitrary detention of citizen in China, reaffirms sovereignty over Arunachal





NEW DELHI :

INDIA on Tuesday strongly objected to the arbitrary detention of an Indian national from Arunachal Pradesh by Chinese authorities at Shanghai International Airport, terming the incident a violation of international norms and bilateral understanding. Earlier, a woman from Arunachal Pradesh was allegedly detained for nearly 18 hours at Shanghai Pudong Airport after officials reportedly refused to recognise her Indian passport. Responding to media queries on the subject, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the matter has been taken up strongly with the Chinese side.

Chinese authorities have yet to provide any credible justification for their actions, which contravene established international air travel conventions and their own visa-free transit policy, he said. Jaiswal reiterated Indias consistent position that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of the country. This is a fact beyond dispute. No amount of denial or misrepresentation by China can alter this reality, he added. The incident has further strained diplomatic ties, with India demanding accountability and adherence to international norms from Beijing.

The woman hails from Rupa in West Kameng district and has lived in the UK for many years, was travelling from London to Japan for a vacation on November 21 when her three-hour layover turned into a prolonged and distressing confrontation. Thongdok, who was educated in the USA, has been living in London for a long time. According to local media reports, her father, L.D. Thongdok, who was a senior engineer in the PWD, was a prominent technocrat who died during the COVID-19 pandemic period. In a series of social media posts, Thongdok said Chinese immigration officials at the Shanghai airport detained her for 18 hours on the ground that her passport was invalid as her birthplace was Arunachal Pradesh. They called my Indian passport invalid as my birthplace is Arunachal Pradesh which they claimed is Chinese territory, she said. A strong demarche (a formal diplomatic protest) was made with the Chinese side, in Beijing and in Delhi on the same day the incident took place, government sources said on Monday.
KIMS Kingsway Hospitals completes over 200 robotic-assisted surgeries





Business Reporter :

KIMS Kingsway Hospitals, a leading centre of advanced medical care in Central India, has achieved a remarkable milestone by successfully completing more than 200 robotic-assisted surgeries within a short span of 10 months using the state-of-the-art Da Vinci Robotic Surgical System. This achievement marks a significant leap forward in the hospitals mission to bring world-class, minimally invasive surgical solutions to the region. The Da Vinci Robotic Programme at KIMS Kingsway has rapidly grown into one of Central Indias most trusted centres for precision-based, minimally invasive surgery.

The programme covers a wide range of specialties including Cardiology, Urology, Oncology, General Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery, and Gynaecologyoffering patients reduced pain, minimal scarring, fewer complications, and quicker recovery. Reflecting on this achievement, Dr Tushar Gawad, Unit Head, KIMS Kingsway Hospitals, shared: Reaching the 200-surgery milestone in less than a year is an extraordinary accomplishment for our team and a defining moment for healthcare in Central India. This success reflects our strong belief in integrating innovation with compassionatecare. Robotic-assisted surgery has enabled us to perform complex procedures with unmatched precision and safety, significantly improving patient outcomes.
Mamata warns of voter delisting under CAA in WBs Matua belt, slams EC over SIR





BONGAON :

WEST Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday flayed the EC over the SIR of electoral rolls, claiming that voters in the states Matua-majority areas would be immediately delisted if declared foreigners under the CAA, and urged people not to resort to extreme steps under fear of the exercise. Addressing a rally here before a three-km march to Thakurnagar, Banerjee also vowed to shake the BJPs foundation across the country if she was challenged in W Bengal. The Chief Minister said human lives are too precious, and appealed to people not to die by suicide under the fear of SIR.

She claimed that 35-36 deaths had already been linked to panic surrounding the voter revision exercise, including several suicides. Banerjees sharpest attack came on the question of citizenship, as she accused BJP-linked organisations in the Matua belt of issuing misleading certificates that would de facto brand applicants as Bangladeshis. They are cheating you. Certificates dated November-December 2025 say you lived in Bangladesh till 2002. This is a huge fraud, she asserted, contrasting the documents with those issued by the Ramakrishna Mission, which never mention nationality.

She reiterated that anyone applying under the Citizenship Amendment Act by stating Bangladeshi origin would be immediately delisted as a voter. If those who voted in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls are not genuine, the BJP-led central government has no right to govern, the CM said.

EC calls 4-member TMC delegation for meeting, party insists on sending 10 leaders

NEW DELHI,

Nov 25 (PTI)

THE EC has called TMC leaders for a meeting on Friday, after the party sought time with the poll panel amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in 12 states and Union territories, including West Bengal. In a letter to WB Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the EC said on Monday that a delegation comprising an authorised representative of the party and four others can meet its top brass at 11 am on Friday. The TMC, however, wrote to the EC again on Tuesday, saying a 10-member delegation would come for the meeting, with a senior party leader saying they will not agree to the upper limit on the number of members set by the poll panel. TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee also challenged the EC to telecast the proceedings of the meeting live. In its letter, the EC pointed out that TMC leader Derek OBrien had requested for an appointment with a delegation of party MPs.

The Commission always welcomes regular interaction with political parties for constructive dialogue. Accordingly, the Commission has considered the partys request and decided to give an appointment to the delegation comprising the authorised representative of the party along with four other members for a meeting at 11 am on November 28..., the poll panel said. OBrien wrote to the EC on Sunday seeking time. The TMCs letter to the EC on Tuesday listed the names of 10 leaders who would attend the meeting. The list includes Lok Sabha MPs Satabdi Roy, Kalyan Banerjee, Pratima Mondal, Sajda Ahmed and Mahua Moitra, and Rajya Sabha MPs Dola Sen, Mamata Thakur, Saket Gokhale and Prakash Chik Barik, besides Obrien, the leader of the TMC in the Rajya Sabha. There is no way we are going to agree to the limit on the number of members in the delegation imposed by the EC. A 10-member delegation would go for the meeting, a senior TMC leader said. In a post on X, Abhishek Banerjee said they have sought time for a delegation of 10 MPs. Time has been sought for a delegation of 10 MPs. They are representatives elected by the people of India, unlike the CEC and ECs who are hand-picked by the Government of India. These selective leaks portraying the EC as transparent and cordial are nothing but a manufactured facade, the TMC MP said.
PANIC Hindu groups, SC-ST, OBC bodies clash in city





Staff Reporter :

CHAOS was witnessed in front of police control room when the members of Hindu Groups and SC-ST, OBC Organisations confronted and attacked each other under the jurisdiction of Omti police station. Pointing out the gravity of situation, additional police force was deployed and light cane charge was carried out to disperse the agitated crowd. A dispute over a book in Jabalpur on Sunday escalated into a confrontation on Tuesday between Hindu organisations and groups.

Hindu leaders had reached the SP office to submit a memorandum demanding action against the author of the contentious book. Police assured them that the matter would be investigated. Meanwhile, SC-ST and OBC groups arrived at Omti police station, calling the allegations against their MLA and workers baseless. Shortly after leaving the SP office, Hindu organisation workers received information that SCST and OBC activists were present at Omti police station. Soon, several individuals, some with their faces covered and carrying sticks, arrived at the station along with women supporters.

Both groups confronted each other at the police station premises. Despite police attempts to restrain them demonstrators attacked each other with canes. A few women associated with the Hindu organisations were seen wielding sticks in front of police officers. Police eventually brought the situation under control and dispersed the crowd. Members of SC-ST and OBC organisations alleged that masked individuals forcibly entered the police station and created chaos.

CSP Ritesh Kumar Shiv said that Hindu groups had submitted their memorandum at SP office and were assured of an investigation. Similarly, SC-ST and OBC groups were also assured that their complaints would be addressed at the Omti police station. He confirmed that a group of masked youths and women carrying sticks reached the station from the Ghantaghar side. Police managed to control the situation promptly preventing any serious incident. Based on the complaint of the SC-ST and OBC organisations, police have registered an FIR against unidentified persons.

The complaint alleges that some people attempted to assault them with sticks and a sword. CCTV footage from the incident is being examined. For now, the FIR is against unknown accused.
PM hoists Dharma Dhwaj atop Ayodhya Ram TemplePrime Minister Narendra Modi, RSS chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat, UPGovernor Anandiben Patel and UP CM Yogi Adityanath duringthe Dhwajarohan ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. (PTI)Centuries-old wounds healing: Modi





AYODHYA :

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hoisted the saffron Dharma Dhwaj atop the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, marking its formal completion, and said the wounds and pain of centuries were healing as a 500-year-old resolve had finally been fulfilled. The Prime Minister, who performed the flag hoisting in the presence of RSS chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, also used the occasion to outline the roadmap for a developed India by 2047 and said the country must break free from the British-era legacy of slave mentality. Modis historic fifth visit to Ayodhya as the Prime Minister was marked by a road show to the temple during which a large number of people stood along the route to welcome him with showers of flower petals as Ram Dhun wafted from public speaker systems.

The event, which took place during the auspicious abhijeet muhurt and coincided with Vivah Panchami (the festival that celebrates Lord Rams wedding), transformed Ayodhya into a vast but highly secured cultural arena, with hundreds of artistes from across the state presenting folk, classical and devotional performances. Calling the momentunique anddivine, the Prime Minister said the sacred flag -- adorned with the Sun symbol, Om and the Kovidara tree -- would stand as a testimony to the triumph of truth over falsehood. Today, the entire nation and the world are immersed in Ram.

Centuries-old wounds are healing, centuries-long pain is finding closure, as the resolve that burned for 500 years finally reached fulfilment, said Modi, who had laid the foundation stone for the complex on August 5, 2020, in the presence of Bhagwat. The construction started following the Supreme Courts unanimous November 9, 2019, verdict and the subsequent formation of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, whose formation was announced by the Centre on February 5, 2020. The Pran Pratishtha (consecration) of the idol took place on January 22, 2022, and the Ram Darbar was opened to devotees on June 14, 2025. The third-term PM urged citizens toawaken the Ram within as India works towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Ram is not a person but a value, a discipline and a direction, he said, adding that India mustbreak free from the mentality of slavery and take pride in its civilisational identity. Macaulay sowed the seeds of separating India from its roots 190 years ago. We gained Independence but not freedom from inferiority, he said while referring to the British historian, and added that the next 10 years should be dedicated to reversing this mindset. Modi also said that colonialera distortions led to the belief that India borrowed democracy from abroad. India is the mother of democracy. It is in our DNA, he said, citing a thousand-yearold inscription in Tamil Nadu that documents democratic practices. He said Ayodhya was emerging as a model blend of antiquity and modernity.
senior-lawyer-commits-suicide-after-being-falsely-incriminated-of-funding-terrorism





Staff Reporter :

A SENIORadvocate committed suicide by hanging himself at his residence under the Jehangirabad police station limits late on Monday night, terrified after being falsely accused of financing terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack. The suicide note recovered by the police from his room revealed that the advocate took the extreme step over the prospect of being labelled an antinational.

According to reports, senior advocate Shivkumar Verma (62) was a resident of the Barkhedi area. He was alone in the house, as his son works in Pune and his wife and daughter had gone to Delhi for medical treatment. On Monday night, Vermas wife called him, but he did not respond. She then asked a tenant to check on him. Around 10:30 pm, the tenant found the door of Vermas room bolted from the inside. He peeped inside and was shocked to see Verma hanging from the ceiling by a rope. After informing the police, the tenants broke open the door and brought Verma down from the noose, but he had already passed away.

Suicide note reveals cyber fraud threat:Police recovered a suicide note from the room in which advocate Verma cited threats from cyber conmen as the reason behind taking the extreme step. I am ending my life on my own will. Someone has linked my name with funding the Pahalgam terrorists by opening a fake bank account. I cannot bear the stigma of being called a traitor. He further wrote a message for his children, asking them to stay happy and praying to Lord Bholenath for their wellbeing. Service during Bhopal Gas Tragedy: In the note, Verma also highlighted his past contributions to society.

He mentioned that he had performed the last rites of hundreds of victims during the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. For this service, the then Chief Minister had provided him with an ambulance. He added that he had saved many lives by donating blood nearly 50 times. Mobile under examination: Police suspect that the threatening call was made by cyber fraudsters who attempted to extort money from the advocate by falsely linking him to terror activities. Man Singh, In-charge at Jehangirabad Police Station, said the lawyers mobile phone is being scanned to identify the number from which he received the call. Furthermore, his WhatsApp data is also being scrutinised to check if he received video calls from the scammers.

A similar case surfaced last week, in which scammers cheated a retired bank manager of Rs 68 lakh by falsely accusing him of financing terrorists involved in the Delhi bomb blasts. Fearing arrest, he transferred the money into the fraudsters account. His son later lodged a complaint with the State Cyber Cel
Global packaging company Ardagh Group posted higher revenue in the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, though its net loss deepened over large exceptional charges.

The company generated revenues of $2.5bn for the quarter ended 30 September 2025, up from $2.39bn in the same period of 2024.

This was supported by growth in metal packaging operations in Europe and the Americas and a small uplift in glass packaging in Europe and Africa.

Group adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) climbed 9% to $394m, helped by reduced operating expenses, favourable volume and product mix, and a $10m boost from currency movements.

The companys loss before tax deepened to $335m, over exceptional costs associated with the recapitalisation process.

By segment, Metal Packaging Europe revenue rose 9% to $625m, while Metal Packaging Americas climbed 8% to $803m, reflecting favourable mix and the pass-through of higher input costs.

Glass Packaging Europe & Africa achieved a 1% increase to $709m while Glass Packaging North America declined 2% to $367m following earlier footprint changes.

Adjusted EBITDA improved in all four divisions.

For the nine months to 30 September, Group revenue reached $7.21bn, up from $6.90bn a year earlier.

Adjusted EBITDA grew 7% to $1.07bn, while the net loss for the period totalled $535m.

Ardagh closed the quarter with $679m in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, plus $386m of undrawn credit facilities as well as net debt of $10.49bn.

The company expects its cash resources, cash generation and facilities to provide sufficient liquidity for at least the next 12 months.

Ardagh Group also announced that John Sheehan will step down as group chief financial officer at the end of the financial year 2025/26, in line with the intention he communicated to the board earlier in 2025.

The process to appoint his successor is under way, and a further announcement will be made in due course.

Sheehan stated: "I believe Ardagh is well-positioned for its next phase, with a recapitalised balance sheet [and] strong market positions and I wish my colleagues and the new owners of the business every success for the future."

"Ardagh Group loss deepens in Q3 2025 despite growth in revenue " was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand.




Similarly, the fact that some form of wealth tax wasn't introduced is good news, even if the broader tax landscape has become less favourable across the past two Budgets. A targeted wealth tax would likely have a negative impact on private investmentssuch as the availability of private equity and VC funding for high-growth startupsmaking it counterproductive for productivity and economic growth.

For the tech sector, leaving R&D tax credits alone was a good outcome. SMEs need certainty and stability if they are to plan for the future effectivelyand this isn't possible when policy and taxation are constantly changing, so the Chancellor was right to avoid the temptation to tinker with this.

Widening the scope of Enterprise Management Incentives is a positive move. These allow small businesses to incentivise employees by offering them share options without NI or income tax liabilities, and it's a powerful weapon in a startup's arsenal as they battle to attract and retain the best possible talent. In the mission to ensure the UK remains as attractive as possible to entrepreneurs and, more importantly, a great country in which to scale a company, these little fixes can make a big difference, so the Chancellor has done the right thing today by ensuring more small businesses can leverage EMIs.

Fred Soneya, co-founder & general partner at UK venture firm Haatch , said: "Increasing Enterprise Investment Scheme caps is noteworthy and should be praised. For over 30 years now, this scheme has been vital in channelling investment into early-stage companies, and by lifting the amount a company can raise through EIS the Chancellor will help ensure that the most promising scaleupsthose already approaching their EIS capcan access more capital to support their long-term growth.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced plans to change the UK's Enterprise Investment Scheme to encourage further investment in UK startups and scaleups. The Chancellor also increased eligibility to allow scaleups, as well as startups, to access Enterprise Management Incentives from April 2026.

After a turbulent few months of speculation, it is hoped that the delivery of one of the most highly anticipated and chaotic Budget's in UK history will lead to greater stability across all business sectors. Markets have reacted without notable volatility. While the UK tries to maintain its reputation as a leading national force within the global tech ecosystem, investors and founders react to the Labour government's latest fiscal policy changes.

Story Continues

UK tech startup founders

Sasha Haco, co-founder and CEO of AI automation company Unitary said:

If we want AI to genuinely raise productivity, the government must go beyond investment and needs to become an enthusiastic customer for startups.

As an AI founder, I see daily how much potential there is to make public services and regulated industries more efficient. If the UK wants to build and keep world-leading AI companies, procurement frameworks must reward technologies that deliver trustworthy, consistent automation.

As well as capital, founders need customers willing to adopt, test and scale innovative products. By using its own buying power, alongside targeted R&D programmes, the government can set the pace for the wider economy. Thats the clearest way to ensure the UK remains a global home for ambitious, high-growth companies.

Dr Vibhor Gupta, founder & CEO of healthtech company Pangaea Data said:

Todays Budget with 300m allocated to technology in the NHS strengthens the emerging AI innovation ecosystem, but what really matters is ensuring this ambition translates into tangible impact for the NHS and the millions of patients who rely on it.

For the UK to improve patient outcomes, reduce waiting lists and boost productivity, the Budget must enable the NHS to become a confident customer of innovation. Supporting home-grown AI companies is not only good for patient care; it fuels economic growth, creates high-value jobs and strengthens the emerging AI ecosystem that the Government has rightly prioritised. A future-proof, data-driven NHS is within reach, and it will be central to both the nations health and the UKs long-term economic competitiveness.

Nik Kairinos CEO founder & CEO, Fountech AI said: While the lead-up to this Budget has hardly been uplifting  marked by fiscal pressures, sluggish growth, and rising taxes  recent tech-focused measures at least indicate that the Chancellor is beginning to make the right sounds about supporting the UKs tech industry.

The plans for an AI Growth Lab, the creation of a Sovereign AI Unit to scale national capabilities, guaranteed payments for UK startups developing AI hardware, and the decision to maintain R&D tax credits all offer a glimmer of optimism. Taken together, they underscore an intent to back a sector that government forecasts suggest could add up to 400bn to the UK economy by 2030.

But sounding supportive and being supportive are not the same. The UK tech ecosystem will only reach its full potential if business leaders can rely on broader economic stability. According to the Stanford AI Index, private investment in UK AI still significantly lags behind the US ($4.5bn vs $109.1bn), highlighting ongoing challenges in attracting investment, talent, and capital. The next step for policymakers should be clear: move beyond signalling and create conditions that not only support innovation today but also build sustained investor confidence, strengthen talent pipelines, and unlock the full potential of the UKs pioneering tech sector.

Industry groups

Russ Shaw CBE, founder of Tech London Advocates and Global Tech Advocates, said: "The three-year Stamp Duty Reserve Tax exemption for UK listings, along with targeted regional initiatives such as the South Wales semiconductor cluster and AI Growth Zones, signal support for sectors central to the UKs innovation economy. In addition, increases to EMI and VCT/EIS limits, and higher thresholds for Knowledge Intensive Companies, will make it easier for investors to provide follow-on capital, helping ambitious businesses grow domestically.

"The Budget also includes steps to strengthen the wider innovation ecosystem. Entrepreneurship fellowships in universities will support commercialisation across the UK and build on existing UKRI investments, while the British Business Banks initiatives  including VentureLink and its five-year strategic plan to increase capital deployment  will help attract institutional investment into UK scaleups and improve access to growth capital.

"The governments Call for Evidence on tax support for entrepreneurs is a positive step in engaging with the scaleup community, which could inform future policy to make it easier for ambitious companies to start, scale, and stay in the UK.

Janine Hirt, CEO of Innovate Finance, the industry body for UK FinTech, said: The UK FinTech community was pleased to see the Chancellor acknowledge very early on in her budget speech the importance of supporting entrepreneurs and founders, recognising they are key drivers of growth across our country. We welcome her announcement of a call for evidence which will seek views on the effectiveness of existing tax incentives, and the wider tax system, for business founders and scaling firms, and how the UK can better support these companies to start, grow and stay in the UK.

"The Chancellor also adopted a number of measures that Innovate Finance and our Unicorn Council have consistently advocated for on behalf of UK FinTech to boost investment in startups and scaleups, and encourage listing on the London stock market. We called for fiscal incentives to help the UK stock market accelerate momentum by differentiating listing in the UK from other countries. The Chancellor listened and today announced one of our proposals - a stamp duty holiday of three years for the trading of shares in newly-listed companies. In addition, the Chancellor has implemented a set of changes recommended by our Unicorn Council to extend tax relief for investment in startups and scaleups, and employee share incentive schemes, significantly increasing the amount that can be issued through EIS, EMI and VCTs and the size of firms that are eligible. This should help unlock critical new investment into the FinTech sector.

Research & Development

Alessandro Maiano, co-founder & CEO, deeptech fund Wilbe said: This Budget makes clear just how much responsibility taxpayers continue to carry in funding the riskiest stages of scientific discovery. With UKRI [UK Research and Innovation, is the UK's national science and research funding agency] now deploying over 38.6bn towards government priorities, including 8bn for mission-aligned research and 7bn for backing innovative companies, public money is again underwriting the earliest, most uncertain phases of innovation.

"Yet while taxpayers fund the hardest part, the returns ultimately accrue elsewhere. Scientists have been underestimated for too long, often treated as grant recipients rather than builders. A stronger system would give them ownership from day zero, reduce dependence on slow grant cycles, and widen the pool of early funders willing to back their ideas at inception.

If the UK wants to become a true science superpower, public investment must be complemented by far greater incentives for private individuals, philanthropists and foundations to support early scientific discovery. Without that shift, taxpayers will continue to take the risk without ever sharing in the reward.

Cat Mora, director of research operations at quantum company Phasecraft said: We welcome the UK Governments commitment to targeted investment in innovation and the message that if you build here, Britain will back you. Phasecrafts work sits at the intersection of research and real-world application, and we strongly support efforts that streamline R&D funding, prioritise long-term partnerships in critical technologies like quantum and attract top global talent to the UK. Widening eligibility for enterprise incentives and expanding EIS schemes will go some way towards helping this. To stay ahead, the UK must back the quantum companies bringing real use cases to todays limited hardware, not just preparing for the machines of the future.

"Autumn Budget 2025: What does it mean for the UKs tech startup ecosystem?" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand.




BBVA Banco Frances (NYSE:BBAR  Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday. The bank reported $0.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.20 by ($0.07), Zacks reports. BBVA Banco Frances had a net margin of 6.65% and a return on equity of 10.24%.

BBVA Banco Frances Trading Up 2.9%

Shares of BBAR stock traded up $0.41 on Tuesday, reaching $14.40. 1,027,227 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 961,797. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 1.11. BBVA Banco Frances has a one year low of $7.76 and a one year high of $25.01. The stock has a market cap of $2.94 billion, a PE ratio of 10.75 and a beta of 1.19. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $11.82 and a 200 day moving average price of $14.73.

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BBVA Banco Frances Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 21st will be given a dividend of $0.033 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 21st. This is an increase from BBVA Banco Francess previous monthly dividend of $0.03. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.8%. BBVA Banco Francess dividend payout ratio is presently 29.10%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently weighed in on BBAR. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of BBVA Banco Frances from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, November 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded BBVA Banco Frances to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th. HSBC raised BBVA Banco Frances from a hold rating to a buy rating and dropped their price target for the company from $21.00 to $17.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Itau BBA Securities raised BBVA Banco Frances from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Hsbc Global Res raised BBVA Banco Frances to a strong-buy rating in a 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 given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $20.00.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on BBVA Banco Frances

Institutional Trading of BBVA Banco Frances

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BBAR. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in BBVA Banco Frances during the 3rd quarter valued at about $109,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its stake in shares of BBVA Banco Frances by 123.3% during the second quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 15,301 shares of the banks stock worth $252,000 after buying an additional 8,450 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in BBVA Banco Frances by 66.2% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 24,523 shares of the banks stock valued at $444,000 after buying an additional 9,764 shares during the period. Aquatic Capital Management LLC bought a new position in BBVA Banco Frances in the third quarter valued at approximately $241,000. Finally, Voleon Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in BBVA Banco Frances during the 3rd quarter worth $331,000.

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.

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Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE:PBI  Get Free Report) Director Brent Rosenthal bought 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $10.00 per share, for a total transaction of $20,000.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 5,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $50,000. This represents a 66.67% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink.

Pitney Bowes Stock Performance

Shares of PBI stock traded up $0.19 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $9.91. The company had a trading volume of 2,147,460 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,711,139. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 1.27. Pitney Bowes Inc. has a one year low of $6.88 and a one year high of $13.11. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $10.71 and its 200 day moving average price is $10.93.

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Pitney Bowes (NYSE:PBI  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The technology company reported $0.31 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.32 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $459.68 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $467.45 million. Pitney Bowes had a negative return on equity of 40.31% and a net margin of 4.14%.Pitney Bowess revenue was down 8.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.21 EPS. Pitney Bowes has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.300-1.300 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Pitney Bowes Inc. will post 1.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Pitney Bowes Increases Dividend

Pitney Bowes announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback program on Wednesday, July 30th that permits the company to buyback $400.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization permits the technology company to buy up to 18.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually a sign that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 8th. Investors of record on Monday, November 10th will be paid a $0.09 dividend. This represents a $0.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.6%. This is a boost from Pitney Bowess previous quarterly dividend of $0.08. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 10th. Pitney Bowess payout ratio is presently 80.00%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have issued reports on PBI. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Pitney Bowes from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of Pitney Bowes in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. They issued a neutral rating and a $11.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Pitney Bowes in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Pitney Bowes currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $11.00.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Pitney Bowes

Institutional Trading of Pitney Bowes

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PBI. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new position in shares of Pitney Bowes during the first quarter worth $36,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Pitney Bowes by 41.3% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,472 shares of the technology companys stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 1,015 shares during the last quarter. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in Pitney Bowes during the 2nd quarter worth $51,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired a new position in Pitney Bowes in the 2nd quarter worth about $51,000. Finally, United Services Automobile Association bought a new position in Pitney Bowes in the first quarter valued at about $96,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.88% of the companys stock.

About Pitney Bowes

(Get Free Report)

Pitney Bowes Inc, a shipping and mailing company, provides technology, logistics, and financial services to small and medium-sized businesses, large enterprises, retailers, and government clients in the United States and internationally. It operates through Global Ecommerce, Presort Services, and SendTech Solutions segments.

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Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation (NYSE:VAC  Get Free Report) Director Jonice Gray bought 1,100 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 25th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $54.47 per share, with a total value of $59,917.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 13,205 shares of the companys stock, valued at $719,276.35. This represents a 9.09% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink.

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Stock Performance

NYSE VAC traded up $2.54 on Tuesday, hitting $54.66. 772,737 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 551,377. The company has a market capitalization of $1.89 billion, a PE ratio of 12.26, a P/E/G ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.29, a current ratio of 3.87 and a quick ratio of 3.22. The businesss fifty day moving average is $63.44 and its 200 day moving average is $70.37. Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation has a 52 week low of $44.58 and a 52 week high of $99.42.

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Marriott Vacations Worldwide (NYSE:VAC  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $1.69 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.64 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $1.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.31 billion. Marriott Vacations Worldwide had a net margin of 3.44% and a return on equity of 11.44%. Marriott Vacations Worldwides revenue for the quarter was down 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.80 EPS. Marriott Vacations Worldwide has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.700-7.100 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation will post 6.23 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, September 17th were given a $0.79 dividend. This represents a $3.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, September 17th. Marriott Vacations Worldwides dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 70.85%.

Several research analysts have recently commented on VAC shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d+) rating on shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Mizuho downgraded Marriott Vacations Worldwide from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and cut their price target for the company from $85.00 to $58.00 in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Citizens Jmp decreased their price objective on shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide from $115.00 to $60.00 and set a market outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price objective on shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide from $63.00 to $54.00 and set a sell rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $70.00 target price on shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $63.38.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Marriott Vacations Worldwide

Institutional Trading of Marriott Vacations Worldwide

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide by 194.0% during the third quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 1,035 shares of the companys stock worth $69,000 after purchasing an additional 683 shares during the period. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. bought a new position in Marriott Vacations Worldwide during the 3rd quarter worth $267,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd raised its holdings in Marriott Vacations Worldwide by 39,966.7% in the 3rd quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 1,202 shares of the companys stock valued at $80,000 after acquiring an additional 1,199 shares in the last quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide during the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co lifted its position in shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide by 5.2% during the 3rd quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 26,785 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,855,000 after acquiring an additional 1,323 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 89.52% of the companys stock.

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation, a vacation company, develops, markets, sells, and manages vacation ownership and related businesses, products, and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments, Vacation Ownership and Exchange & Third-Party Management.

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Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL  Get Free Report) CEO Simon Wilson sold 75 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,072.94, for a total transaction of $155,470.50. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 1,770 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,669,103.80. The trade was a 4.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link.

Markel Group Price Performance

NYSE:MKL traded up $29.39 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $2,075.64. The stock had a trading volume of 47,279 shares, compared to its average volume of 53,078. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a current ratio of 0.59. Markel Group Inc. has a 52 week low of $1,621.89 and a 52 week high of $2,109.91. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $1,954.82 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $1,953.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.17 billion, a PE ratio of 12.99 and a beta of 0.77.

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Markel Group (NYSE:MKL  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The insurance provider reported $30.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $22.77 by $8.13. Markel Group had a net margin of 12.99% and a return on equity of 7.91%. The firm had revenue of $3.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.77 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Markel Group Inc. will post 96.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Markel Group

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Canerector Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Markel Group by 191,036.0% in the third quarter. Canerector Inc. now owns 10,703,616 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $20,458,463,000 after purchasing an additional 10,698,016 shares during the period. Select Equity Group L.P. purchased a new position in shares of Markel Group during the first quarter worth about $357,512,000. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Markel Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $288,361,000. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. increased its stake in Markel Group by 49.5% in the first quarter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. now owns 108,019 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $201,953,000 after purchasing an additional 35,786 shares during the period. Finally, Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in shares of Markel Group in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $45,796,000. 77.12% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Several research analysts have commented on the company. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b+) rating on shares of Markel Group in a report on Monday. Cowen restated a hold rating on shares of Markel Group in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $1,930.50.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Markel Group

Markel Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Markel Group Inc, a diverse holding company, engages in marketing and underwriting specialty insurance products in the United States, Bermuda, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The company offers general and professional liability, personal lines, marine and energy, specialty programs, and workers' compensation insurance products; and property coverages that include fire, allied lines, and other specialized property coverages, including catastrophe-exposed property risks, such as earthquake and wind.

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Altius Minerals Co. (OTCMKTS:ATUSF  Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Wednesday, November 26th, investing.com reports. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be paid a dividend of 0.0714 per share on Monday, December 15th. This represents a yield of 102.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th.

Altius Minerals Price Performance

Shares of ATUSF traded up $0.41 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $28.48. The companys stock had a trading volume of 23,169 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,289. The business has a fifty day moving average of $25.66 and a 200 day moving average of $22.32. Altius Minerals has a 1 year low of $15.14 and a 1 year high of $31.63.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on ATUSF shares. Scotiabank downgraded Altius Minerals from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Altius Minerals in a report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, National Bankshares reissued an outperform rating on shares of Altius Minerals in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Altius Minerals has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

About Altius Minerals

(Get Free Report)

Altius Minerals Corporation operates as a diversified mining royalty and streaming company in Canada, the United States, and Brazil. The company owns royalty and streaming interests in 11 operating mines covering copper, zinc, nickel, cobalt, potash, iron ore, precious metals, and thermal and metallurgical coal.

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Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD  Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating reaffirmed by JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a report released on Wednesday,MarketScreener reports.

Other research analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a report on Wednesday, November 19th. Barclays reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research report on Friday, October 31st. UBS Group reissued a buy rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Morningstar raised Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. Finally, Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a report on Thursday, September 18th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $72.00.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on BUD

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Stock Performance

BUD stock opened at $61.92 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $61.02 and a two-hundred day moving average of $64.27. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a 12 month low of $45.94 and a 12 month high of $72.13. The company has a market capitalization of $120.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.43, a P/E/G ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 0.76. The company has a quick ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The consumer goods maker reported $0.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.97 by $0.02. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV had a net margin of 12.16% and a return on equity of 16.21%. The firm had revenue of $15.13 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $15.28 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.98 earnings per share. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NVs revenue for the quarter was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV will post 3.37 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in BUD. Salomon & Ludwin LLC raised its stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 494.7% in the third quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 446 shares of the consumer goods makers stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 371 shares during the last quarter. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the second quarter worth $28,000. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the third quarter valued at $34,000. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, NewSquare Capital LLC raised its position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 602.7% in the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 527 shares of the consumer goods makers stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 452 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 5.53% of the companys stock.

About Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

(Get Free Report)

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV produces, distributes, exports, markets, and sells beer and beverages. It offers a portfolio of approximately 500 beer brands, which primarily include Budweiser, Corona, and Stella Artois; Beck's, Hoegaarden, Leffe, and Michelob Ultra; and Aguila, Antarctica, Bud Light, Brahma, Cass, Castle, Castle Lite, Cristal, Harbin, Jupiler, Modelo Especial, Quilmes, Victoria, Sedrin, and Skol brands.

Further Reading

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Botswana Diamonds plc (LON:BOD  Get Free Report) shares traded down 8% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as GBX 0.23 and last traded at GBX 0.23. 3,018,301 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 13% from the average session volume of 2,668,978 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 0.25.

Botswana Diamonds Stock Down 8.0%

The company has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 0.27 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 0.26. The company has a market capitalization of 2.76 million, a P/E ratio of -4.60 and a beta of 0.80.

About Botswana Diamonds

(Get Free Report)

Botswana Diamonds plc explores for and develops diamond properties in Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. The company's flagship property is the Thorny River/Marsfontein property located in South Africa. It also explores primarily in the Kalahari region of Botswana. Botswana Diamonds plc was formerly known as Botswana Exploration plc and changed its name to Botswana Diamonds plc in October 2010.

Further Reading

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Bahrains sovereign debt has been pushed further into junk status, after S&P lowered its credit rating on the country from B+ to B. It is the first cut by one of the big three agencies since 2020, but may not be the last: Fitch placed Bahrain on negative outlook this year.

A chart showing Bahrains government debts change since 2019.

S&P cited high government debts and persistent budget shortfalls for its move. It expects the deficit to hit 7.6% of GDP this year, amid subdued oil prices and the governments reluctance to trim spending for fear of a public backlash. Debt-servicing will eat up a third of government revenue this year and overall debt is expected to reach 139% of GDP by 2028. On Monday, the IMF also urged the authorities to consider a corporate income tax and slashing subsidies.

Some small steps are being taken. This week the government cut the investment required for its Golden Residency program by a third to $345,000 to encourage more capital inflows.

Separately, S&P upgraded Kuwaits sovereign credit one notch, pointing to the countrys strong balance sheet. The agency says reform momentum is helping cushion the risks of oil dependence and high spending.

 Dominic Dudley
British American Tobacco (LON:BATS  Get Free Report) had its price target lifted by investment analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from GBX 3,300 to GBX 4,150 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday,London Stock Exchange reports. The firm presently has a neutral rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s price objective points to a potential downside of 4.25% from the companys previous close.

A number of other equities research analysts have also commented on BATS. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on shares of British American Tobacco from GBX 4,800 to GBX 5,200 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered shares of British American Tobacco to an underperform rating and raised their price objective for the company from GBX 3,000 to GBX 3,400 in a research report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on British American Tobacco from GBX 4,200 to GBX 4,400 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of GBX 4,210.

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View Our Latest Stock Report on BATS

British American Tobacco Price Performance

British American Tobacco Company Profile

Shares of British American Tobacco stock traded up GBX 20 on Wednesday, reaching GBX 4,334. 35,704,977 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 10,945,666. The firms 50 day moving average is GBX 3,977.54 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 3,848.66. The firm has a market cap of 94.35 billion, a PE ratio of 31.11, a P/E/G ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 0.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 74.63, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a current ratio of 0.88. British American Tobacco has a one year low of GBX 2,838 and a one year high of GBX 4,806.

(Get Free Report)

BAT was founded in 1902 and was first listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1912. A constituent of the FTSE 100 since its creation in 1984, we have evolved, becoming the only truly global company in our sector.

BAT is transforming and is well positioned with a global footprint and multi-category portfolio.

Read More

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BV Financial, Inc. (OTCMKTS:BVFL  Get Free Report)s share price shot up 1.2% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $18.48 and last traded at $18.34. 39,027 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 0% from the average session volume of 39,036 shares. The stock had previously closed at $18.12.

BV Financial Trading Up 1.2%

The company has a market capitalization of $163.30 million, a P/E ratio of 16.83 and a beta of 0.45. The companys 50 day moving average is $16.39 and its 200-day moving average is $15.96.

About BV Financial

(Get Free Report)

BV Financial, Inc operates as the holding company for BayVanguard Bank that provides various financial services to individuals and businesses in Maryland. The company offers checking and money market accounts, savings accounts, and certificates of deposits. Its loan products include real estate, home equity, construction, lot, auto, boat, and other personal loans; and commercial lending products, such as commercial equipment/installation, commercial real estate, construction, investment real estate, lines of credit, and SBA loans, as well as loans for short-term real estate purchase, renovation, and sale projects.

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Champion Homes, Inc. (NYSE:SKY  Get Free Report) EVP Joseph Kimmell sold 1,812 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.04, for a total transaction of $148,656.48. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 55,977 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,592,353.08. The trade was a 3.14% 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.

Champion Homes Price Performance

SKY stock opened at $85.68 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.79 and a beta of 1.14. The firms 50-day moving average price is $74.65 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $71.98. The company has a current ratio of 2.39, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. Champion Homes, Inc. has a 12-month low of $59.44 and a 12-month high of $116.49.

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Champion Homes (NYSE:SKY  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $1.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.81 by $0.20. Champion Homes had a return on equity of 14.35% and a net margin of 8.50%.The company had revenue of $684.43 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $636.96 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.93 earnings per share. Champion Homess quarterly revenue was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that Champion Homes, Inc. will post 3.63 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on SKY. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Champion Homes in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Champion Homes from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Champion Homes from $74.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Zelman & Associates raised shares of Champion Homes from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised shares of Champion Homes from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price target for the stock from $85.00 to $91.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $85.00.

Read Our Latest Research Report on SKY

Institutional Trading of Champion Homes

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its position in Champion Homes by 257.4% during the 3rd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 386 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 278 shares during the period. Salomon & Ludwin LLC bought a new position in shares of Champion Homes during the third quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new position in shares of Champion Homes during the third quarter valued at approximately $35,000. AdvisorNet Financial Inc purchased a new position in shares of Champion Homes during the third quarter valued at approximately $50,000. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd boosted its position in shares of Champion Homes by 10,171.4% in the 2nd quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 719 shares of the companys stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 712 shares in the last quarter.

Champion Homes Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Skyline Champion Corporation produces and sells factory-built housing in North America. The company offers manufactured and modular homes, park models RVs, accessory dwelling units, and modular buildings for the multi-family and hospitality sectors. It builds homes under the Skyline Homes, Champion Home Builders, Genesis Homes, Athens Park Models, Dutch Housing, Atlantic Homes, Excel Homes, Homes of Merit, New Era, Redman Homes, ScotBilt Homes, Shore Park, Silvercrest, and Titan Homes brands in the United States; and Moduline and SRI Homes brand names in western Canada.

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Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (NYSE:FIX  Get Free Report) insider Brian Lane sold 7,158 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, November 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $947.98, for a total transaction of $6,785,640.84. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 180,888 shares in the company, valued at approximately $171,478,206.24. This trade represents a 3.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website.

Comfort Systems USA Stock Performance

Shares of FIX opened at $955.96 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06. Comfort Systems USA, Inc. has a 52-week low of $276.44 and a 52-week high of $1,020.26. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $878.69 and a 200-day simple moving average of $691.59. The company has a market capitalization of $33.72 billion, a PE ratio of 40.47 and a beta of 1.55.

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Comfort Systems USA (NYSE:FIX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 15th. The construction company reported $0.90 EPS for the quarter. Comfort Systems USA had a net margin of 10.06% and a return on equity of 43.59%. The firm had revenue of $713.90 million for the quarter. Equities research analysts predict that Comfort Systems USA, Inc. will post 16.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Comfort Systems USA Increases Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 24th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 13th were issued a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 13th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.3%. This is an increase from Comfort Systems USAs previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. Comfort Systems USAs payout ratio is currently 10.16%.

Several brokerages recently issued reports on FIX. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Comfort Systems USA in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group raised their price target on Comfort Systems USA from $875.00 to $1,140.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. DA Davidson set a $810.00 price objective on shares of Comfort Systems USA in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $1,069.00 price objective on shares of Comfort Systems USA in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Comfort Systems USA from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $892.75.

Read Our Latest Analysis on FIX

Institutional Trading of Comfort Systems USA

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Toth Financial Advisory Corp purchased a new position in Comfort Systems USA in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Quent Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Comfort Systems USA in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Comfort Systems USA by 100.0% during the third quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 30 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 15 shares during the period. Eastern Bank acquired a new stake in Comfort Systems USA during the third quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in Comfort Systems USA in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $42,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.51% of the companys stock.

Comfort Systems USA Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Comfort Systems USA, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides mechanical and electrical installation, renovation, maintenance, repair, and replacement services for the mechanical and electrical services industry in the United States. It operates through two segments, Mechanical and Electrical. The company offers heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, as well as plumbing, electrical, piping and controls, off-site construction, monitoring, and fire protection.

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Mesa Royalty Trust (NYSE:MTR  Get Free Report) and Pioneer Oil & Gas (OTCMKTS:POGS  Get Free Report) are both small-cap energy companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, valuation, profitability, risk, analyst recommendations, dividends and institutional ownership.

Profitability

This table compares Mesa Royalty Trust and Pioneer Oil & Gas net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Mesa Royalty Trust 80.08% 12.55% 12.25% Pioneer Oil & Gas N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations for Mesa Royalty Trust and Pioneer Oil & Gas, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Mesa Royalty Trust 1 0 0 0 1.00 Pioneer Oil & Gas 0 0 0 0 0.00

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Earnings and Valuation

12.7% of Mesa Royalty Trust shares are owned by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

This table compares Mesa Royalty Trust and Pioneer Oil & Gass top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Mesa Royalty Trust $556,980.00 15.98 $460,000.00 $0.23 20.76 Pioneer Oil & Gas $220,000.00 1.74 -$140,000.00 N/A N/A

Mesa Royalty Trust has higher revenue and earnings than Pioneer Oil & Gas.

Volatility & Risk

Mesa Royalty Trust has a beta of 0.45, suggesting that its share price is 55% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Pioneer Oil & Gas has a beta of 0.71, suggesting that its share price is 29% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Mesa Royalty Trust beats Pioneer Oil & Gas on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Mesa Royalty Trust

(Get Free Report)

Mesa Royalty Trust owns overriding royalty interests in various oil and gas producing properties in the United States. It holds interests in properties located in the Hugoton field of Kansas; and the San Juan Basin field of Northwestern New Mexico and Southwestern Colorado. The company was founded in 1979 and is based in Houston, Texas.

About Pioneer Oil & Gas

(Get Free Report)

Pioneer Oil and Gas engages in acquiring, developing, producing, and selling oil and gas properties to companies located in the continental United States. The company was founded in 1980 and is based in South Jordan, Utah.

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Russell Investments Group Ltd. lessened its stake in shares of Crown Castle Inc. (NYSE:CCI  Free Report) by 6.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,340,886 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 90,446 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd.s holdings in Crown Castle were worth $137,678,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Crown Castle by 0.7% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 69,290,381 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $7,118,201,000 after purchasing an additional 449,776 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its holdings in shares of Crown Castle by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 21,387,895 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,229,260,000 after buying an additional 538,049 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in shares of Crown Castle by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 5,992,402 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $624,584,000 after buying an additional 72,511 shares during the period. Deutsche Bank AG lifted its holdings in Crown Castle by 60.9% in the first quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 5,472,921 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $570,443,000 after acquiring an additional 2,072,198 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in Crown Castle by 4.2% in the second quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,430,163 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $557,841,000 after acquiring an additional 217,998 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.77% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Crown Castle

In related news, EVP Daniel K. Schlanger sold 30,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.08, for a total value of $2,942,400.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 65,571 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,431,203.68. This trade represents a 31.39% 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. Insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock.

Crown Castle Stock Up 0.4%

Crown Castle stock opened at $89.39 on Wednesday. Crown Castle Inc. has a 52-week low of $84.20 and a 52-week high of $115.76. The firm has a market cap of $38.93 billion, a PE ratio of -8.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 0.94. The companys 50 day moving average is $93.97 and its two-hundred day moving average is $98.90.

Crown Castle (NYSE:CCI  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The real estate investment trust reported $1.12 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.04 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $1.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.05 billion. Crown Castle had a negative return on equity of 619.62% and a negative net margin of 95.37%.The companys revenue was down 4.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.84 earnings per share. Crown Castle has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.230-4.350 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Crown Castle Inc. will post 6.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Crown Castle Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a dividend of $1.0625 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $4.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.8%. Crown Castles payout ratio is currently -39.98%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have commented on CCI. Barclays reduced their target price on Crown Castle from $120.00 to $104.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of Crown Castle from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. KeyCorp lowered their target price on shares of Crown Castle from $125.00 to $120.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, September 17th. Citigroup dropped their price target on shares of Crown Castle from $124.00 to $110.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada set a $112.00 price objective on shares of Crown Castle and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $112.18.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Crown Castle

Crown Castle Company Profile

(Free Report)

Crown Castle owns, operates and leases more than 40,000 cell towers and approximately 90,000 route miles of fiber supporting small cells and fiber solutions across every major U.S. market. This nationwide portfolio of communications infrastructure connects cities and communities to essential data, technology and wireless service  bringing information, ideas and innovations to the people and businesses that need them.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CCI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Crown Castle Inc. (NYSE:CCI  Free Report).

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Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust (OTCMKTS:DRETF  Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Wednesday, November 26th, investing.com reports. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be given a dividend of 0.0594 per share on Monday, December 15th. This represents a yield of 553.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th.

Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust Price Performance

DRETF stock remained flat at $12.87 during mid-day trading on Wednesday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $13.91 and its 200 day moving average is $12.64. Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust has a 12-month low of $10.53 and a 12-month high of $15.24.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently weighed in on DRETF shares. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a sector perform rating on shares of Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Scotiabank restated a sector perform rating on shares of Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust in a research note on Tuesday, August 12th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust currently has an average rating of Hold.

About Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust

(Get Free Report)

Dream Office REIT is an unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust. Dream Office REIT is a premier office landlord in downtown Toronto with over 3.5 million square feet owned and managed. We have carefully curated an investment portfolio of high-quality assets in irreplaceable locations in one of the finest office markets in the world.

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Legal & General Group Plc boosted its holdings in Dynatrace, Inc. (NYSE:DT  Free Report) by 11.2% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,140,294 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 114,555 shares during the period. Legal & General Group Plc owned about 0.38% of Dynatrace worth $62,956,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Quent Capital LLC raised its position in shares of Dynatrace by 4.6% during the 2nd quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 4,288 shares of the companys stock worth $237,000 after purchasing an additional 190 shares during the period. Nissay Asset Management Corp Japan ADV boosted its position in Dynatrace by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. Nissay Asset Management Corp Japan ADV now owns 35,767 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,686,000 after purchasing an additional 249 shares during the period. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. grew its stake in Dynatrace by 15.4% during the 2nd quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 1,869 shares of the companys stock worth $103,000 after buying an additional 249 shares during the last quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors increased its position in Dynatrace by 4.6% in the first quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 5,766 shares of the companys stock worth $272,000 after buying an additional 253 shares during the period. Finally, L. Roy Papp & Associates LLP increased its position in Dynatrace by 2.3% in the second quarter. L. Roy Papp & Associates LLP now owns 12,535 shares of the companys stock worth $692,000 after buying an additional 280 shares during the period. 94.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on DT. Guggenheim boosted their price target on shares of Dynatrace from $66.00 to $68.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on shares of Dynatrace in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. They issued an overweight rating and a $65.00 price objective on the stock. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Dynatrace from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price target on shares of Dynatrace from $60.00 to $64.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald cut their price target on Dynatrace from $57.00 to $51.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $61.59.

Insider Transactions at Dynatrace

In other Dynatrace news, Director Lisa M. Campbell sold 1,013 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.77, for a total value of $50,417.01. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 1,012 shares in the company, valued at $50,367.24. This represents a 50.02% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Rick M. Mcconnell sold 30,000 shares of Dynatrace stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.61, for a total value of $1,398,300.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 108,125 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,039,706.25. This trade represents a 21.72% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 42,602 shares of company stock valued at $2,021,259. 0.57% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Dynatrace Stock Up 1.8%

Shares of DT opened at $44.66 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.46 billion, a PE ratio of 26.74, a P/E/G ratio of 3.48 and a beta of 0.85. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $48.02 and a 200 day moving average price of $50.76. Dynatrace, Inc. has a 52-week low of $39.30 and a 52-week high of $63.00.

Dynatrace (NYSE:DT  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.41 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $493.85 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $487.33 million. Dynatrace had a net margin of 27.33% and a return on equity of 9.24%. Dynatraces revenue was up 18.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.37 EPS. Dynatrace has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 0.400-0.420 EPS. FY 2026 guidance at 1.620-1.640 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Dynatrace, Inc. will post 0.68 EPS for the current year.

Dynatrace Profile

(Free Report)

Dynatrace, Inc provides a security platform for multicloud environments in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates Dynatrace, a security platform, which provides application and microservices monitoring, runtime application security, infrastructure monitoring, log management and analytics, digital experience monitoring, digital business analytics, and cloud automation.

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Maia Wealth LLC reduced its position in shares of Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV  Free Report) by 2.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,571 shares of the companys stock after selling 194 shares during the period. Maia Wealth LLCs holdings in Elevance Health were worth $2,556,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. WPG Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Elevance Health in the first quarter valued at approximately $29,000. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Elevance Health during the 2nd quarter worth $32,000. Saudi Central Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Elevance Health in the first quarter valued at about $40,000. Glass Jacobson Investment Advisors llc boosted its holdings in 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 in the last quarter. Finally, Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH acquired a new position in Elevance Health during the second quarter worth about $43,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.24% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently commented on ELV. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Elevance Health from $412.00 to $403.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. UBS Group lowered their target price on Elevance Health from $435.00 to $425.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 5th. Barclays dropped their price target on Elevance Health from $395.00 to $385.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. TD Cowen boosted their price objective on shares of Elevance Health from $330.00 to $380.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Truist Financial set a $400.00 target price on shares of Elevance Health in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Elevance Health presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $397.33.

Elevance Health Stock Up 2.0%

Shares of NYSE:ELV opened at $336.28 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The firm has a market cap of $74.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.75, a PEG ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 0.60. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $331.74 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $336.47. Elevance Health, Inc. has a 12-month low of $273.71 and a 12-month high of $458.75.

Elevance Health (NYSE:ELV  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 21st. The company reported $6.03 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.03 by $1.00. Elevance Health had a net margin of 2.84% and a return on equity of 16.17%. The company had revenue of $50.09 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $49.26 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $8.37 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 12.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Elevance Health, Inc. will post 33.96 EPS for the current year.

Elevance Health Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 19th. Investors of record on Friday, December 5th will be given a $1.71 dividend. This represents a $6.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 5th. Elevance Healths dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 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.

Further Reading

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Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Co purchased a new position in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG  Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 19,420 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $6,217,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 38.3% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 17,372,745 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,997,767,000 after acquiring an additional 4,815,007 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 2.5% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 30,411,264 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $10,499,185,000 after purchasing an additional 739,130 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen LLC bought a new position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. during the first quarter worth $240,665,000. 1832 Asset Management L.P. increased its holdings in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 3,142.2% in the first quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 640,911 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $221,268,000 after purchasing an additional 621,143 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in the second quarter valued at about $160,922,000. Institutional investors own 85.53% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

In other news, CFO Douglas K. Howell sold 8,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $299.54, for a total value of $2,396,320.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 100,777 shares in the company, valued at approximately $30,186,742.58. The trade was a 7.35% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, VP Christopher E. Mead sold 1,250 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.74, for a total transaction of $313,425.00. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 17,327 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,344,571.98. This trade represents a 6.73% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 37,105 shares of company stock worth $10,796,353. Corporate insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Trading Up 0.9%

Shares of NYSE:AJG opened at $250.43 on Wednesday. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $278.74 and its 200 day simple moving average is $300.61. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has a 1 year low of $239.47 and a 1 year high of $351.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.36 and a quick ratio of 1.36. The company has a market capitalization of $64.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.57 and a beta of 0.71.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The financial services provider reported $2.32 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.51 by ($0.19). The company had revenue of $3.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.34 billion. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. had a net margin of 14.54% and a return on equity of 13.17%. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.s revenue was up 20.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.26 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. will post 11.54 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 5th will be paid a dividend of $0.65 per share. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 5th. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.s dividend payout ratio is presently 38.86%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently commented on AJG. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $322.00 to $329.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, September 19th. Evercore ISI decreased their target price on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $370.00 to $353.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wolfe Research started coverage on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. They issued an outperform rating and a $291.00 price target for the company. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $316.33.

View Our Latest Analysis on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Profile

(Free Report)

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co engages in the provision of insurance brokerage, reinsurance brokerage, consulting, and third-party claims settlement and administration services. It operates through the following segments: Brokerage, Risk Management, and Corporate. The Brokerage segment consists of retail and wholesale insurance brokerage operations.

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A Canadian subsidiary of Bitcoin Depot Inc. was slapped with an $18.47 million arbitration award following a protracted dispute with bankrupt crypto ATM operator Cash Cloud Inc. over alleged hardware and software failures that crippled thousands of machines.

The Atlanta-based Bitcoin ATM operator disclosed in a Form 8-K filing on Monday that an arbitral tribunal administered by the Canadian Arbitration Association ruled in favor of Cash Cloud after hearings held between December 2024 and October 2025.

An arbitration award is a legally binding decision issued by a private arbitration panel that typically carries the same enforcement weight as a court judgment.

"The award represents the full amount of damages found by the tribunal based on Cash Cloud's claims asserted in the arbitration," Bitcoin Depot said in the filing. "BitAccess intends to continue to vigorously defend this matter."

Decrypt has reached out to Bitcoin Depot for further comment.

Deal turns sour

Cash Cloud, once a top Bitcoin ATM platform that operated under the trade name Coin Cloud, was a Nevada corporation that owned and operated a network of approximately 5,700 kiosks before filing for bankruptcy.

BitAccess Inc., the Bitcoin ATM operating-system vendor that Bitcoin Depot acquired a controlling stake in through an equity purchase agreement in 2021, functions as Bitcoin Depots software arm.

'Rogue' Police Are Destroying Bitcoin ATMs: Bitcoin Depot Legal Chief

After signing a Master Purchase Agreement in January 2020, Cash Cloud initiated arbitration in August 2022, alleging BitAccess breached the deal by delivering faulty hardware and underperforming kiosk software.

Cash Cloud told arbitrators the defects left large portions of its ATM fleet inoperable, triggering outages and direct revenue hits.

BitAccess is seeking to have the award set aside, though Bitcoin Depot acknowledged it "cannot predict with any degree of certainty the ultimate outcome of the matter."

Bankruptcy proceedings

Apart from the Canadian arbitration, Bitcoin Depot faces a separate legal threat in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada, where Cash Cloud is seeking the same amount in damages.

Cash Cloud filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Las Vegas in February 2023, blaming more than $153.9 million in debt on faulty machines, a failed software agreement with BitAccess, a costly hack, and alleged fraud by its chief marketing officer.

The company filed the companion lawsuit in 2023, alleging that certain claims fall outside the Canadian tribunal's jurisdiction and claiming additional derivative damages stemming from the same contractual dispute, resting on the same 2020 Master Purchase Agreement.
Employees Retirement System of Texas raised its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) by 0.9% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 996,912 shares of the restaurant operators stock after acquiring an additional 8,412 shares during the period. Employees Retirement System of Texas owned approximately 0.07% of Chipotle Mexican Grill worth $55,977,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of CMG. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 5.8% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 8,979,637 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $450,868,000 after acquiring an additional 491,002 shares during the period. Corient IA LLC acquired a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 1st quarter valued at $753,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. raised its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 32.4% in the first quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 75,368 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $3,784,000 after purchasing an additional 18,458 shares during the period. Hilltop National Bank acquired a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the second quarter worth about $2,579,000. Finally, Banco Santander S.A. lifted its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 47.6% during the first quarter. Banco Santander S.A. now owns 31,764 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,595,000 after purchasing an additional 10,246 shares in the last quarter. 91.30% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on CMG shares. Mizuho set a $34.00 target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $65.00 to $60.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, September 9th. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $58.00 to $40.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. TD Cowen reduced their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $45.00 to $40.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, BTIG Research lowered their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $57.00 to $45.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Chipotle Mexican Grill has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $49.81.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Trading Up 7.0%

CMG stock opened at $33.38 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $37.08 and a 200-day simple moving average of $44.40. The company has a market capitalization of $44.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.54, a PEG ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.98. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a twelve month low of $29.75 and a twelve month high of $66.74.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The restaurant operator reported $0.29 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.29. The firm had revenue of $3 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.06 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 13.04% and a return on equity of 44.32%. The firms revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.27 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.29 EPS for the current year.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Profile

(Free Report)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It sells food and beverages through offering burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company also provides delivery and related services its app and website. It has operations in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

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Employees Retirement System of Texas reduced its stake in shares of Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR  Free Report) by 18.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 592,564 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 134,077 shares during the quarter. Employees Retirement System of Texas owned approximately 0.13% of Entergy worth $49,254,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Mattson Financial Services LLC increased its position in shares of Entergy by 100.0% during the first quarter. Mattson Financial Services LLC now owns 300 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 150 shares during the period. Atwood & Palmer Inc. boosted its position in Entergy by 135.7% during the 2nd quarter. Atwood & Palmer Inc. now owns 330 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 190 shares in the last quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC grew its holdings in shares of Entergy by 5,733.3% during the 2nd quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC now owns 350 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 344 shares during the period. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp purchased a new position in shares of Entergy in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new stake in shares of Entergy during the second quarter valued at approximately $31,000. 88.07% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Anastasia Minor sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.39, for a total transaction of $481,950.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 10,122 shares of the companys stock, valued at $975,659.58. This trade represents a 33.06% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Ralph Lewis Ropp purchased 1,000 shares of Entergy stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was bought at an average price of $96.69 per share, with a total value of $96,690.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 1,050 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $101,524.50. This trade represents a 2,000.00% increase in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 10,179 shares of company stock worth $981,707. 0.39% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Entergy Stock Down 0.2%

Shares of Entergy stock opened at $95.26 on Wednesday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $94.71 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $88.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $42.54 billion, a PE ratio of 23.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.63. Entergy Corporation has a 52-week low of $73.15 and a 52-week high of $98.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a current ratio of 0.71.

Entergy (NYSE:ETR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 8th. The utilities provider reported $0.71 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $2.37 billion during the quarter. Entergy had a net margin of 14.26% and a return on equity of 11.53%. On average, analysts anticipate that Entergy Corporation will post 3.88 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Entergy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Thursday, November 13th will be given a dividend of $0.64 per share. This represents a $2.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.7%. This is a boost from Entergys previous quarterly dividend of $0.60. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 13th. Entergys payout ratio is 63.21%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Mizuho increased their price objective on Entergy from $97.00 to $104.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Entergy in a research note on Thursday, September 4th. They issued a buy rating and a $109.00 price target for the company. Barclays set a $100.00 price objective on shares of Entergy and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Entergy from $91.00 to $106.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Entergy from $102.00 to $103.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $102.47.

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Entergy Company Profile

(Free Report)

Entergy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and retail distribution of electricity in the United States. It generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, including the City of New Orleans; and distributes natural gas.

Further Reading

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Employees Retirement System of Texas lowered its stake in shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR  Free Report) by 12.9% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 141,999 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 21,000 shares during the quarter. Employees Retirement System of Texas holdings in Digital Realty Trust were worth $24,755,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Motley Fool Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 9.9% in the second quarter. Motley Fool Asset Management LLC now owns 17,208 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,000,000 after purchasing an additional 1,548 shares during the period. Centersquare Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 2.8% during the first quarter. Centersquare Investment Management LLC now owns 3,035,478 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $434,954,000 after buying an additional 82,420 shares during the last quarter. Arcadia Investment Management Corp MI lifted its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 17.1% during the second quarter. Arcadia Investment Management Corp MI now owns 17,818 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,106,000 after buying an additional 2,600 shares during the last quarter. Ethic Inc. grew its stake in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 9.1% in the first quarter. Ethic Inc. now owns 34,520 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $5,042,000 after acquiring an additional 2,887 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Plan Group Financial LLC raised its stake in Digital Realty Trust by 46.4% during the 1st quarter. Plan Group Financial LLC now owns 8,850 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,268,000 after purchasing an additional 2,803 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.71% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Daiwa Capital Markets assumed coverage on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. They issued a buy rating and a $210.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley began coverage on Digital Realty Trust in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. They set an equal weight rating and a $195.00 target price on the stock. Truist Financial upped their price target on Digital Realty Trust from $199.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a report on Wednesday, November 19th. Finally, Cowen restated a hold rating on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a research report on Friday, October 24th. 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 given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Digital Realty Trust has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $198.14.

Digital Realty Trust Stock Down 1.1%

NYSE DLR opened at $157.22 on Wednesday. Digital Realty Trust, Inc. has a 1-year low of $129.95 and a 1-year high of $198.00. The company has a market capitalization of $54.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.62, a PEG ratio of 4.13 and a beta of 0.96. The stocks 50 day moving average is $169.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is $170.82. The company has a current ratio of 2.02, a quick ratio of 2.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80.

Digital Realty Trust (NYSE:DLR  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The real estate investment trust reported $0.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business 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%. Equities analysts forecast that Digital Realty Trust, Inc. will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Digital Realty Trust Announces Dividend

The company 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 $1.22 dividend. This represents a $4.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. Digital Realty Trusts payout ratio is currently 126.10%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Digital Realty Trust

In related news, CEO Andrew Power sold 53,269 shares of Digital Realty Trust stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $175.16, for a total transaction of $9,330,598.04. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Digital Realty Trust Company Profile

(Free Report)

Digital Realty Trust, Inc operates as a real estate investment trust, which engages in the provision of data center, colocation and interconnection solutions. It serves the following industries: artificial intelligence (AI), networks, cloud, digital media, mobile, financial services, healthcare, and gaming.

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Employees Retirement System of Texas lowered its position in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG  Free Report) by 2.7% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 214,600 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 5,900 shares during the quarter. Employees Retirement System of Texas owned approximately 0.08% of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. worth $68,698,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 38.3% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 17,372,745 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,997,767,000 after purchasing an additional 4,815,007 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 2.5% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 30,411,264 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $10,499,185,000 after buying an additional 739,130 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in the first quarter valued at approximately $240,665,000. 1832 Asset Management L.P. boosted its stake in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 3,142.2% in the first quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 640,911 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $221,268,000 after acquiring an additional 621,143 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. during the 2nd quarter worth $160,922,000. Institutional investors own 85.53% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

AJG has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $365.00 to $366.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group increased their target price on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $322.00 to $329.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, September 19th. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $370.00 to $353.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price objective on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $315.00 to $275.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 31st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $316.33.

Insider Transactions at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

In other news, CFO Douglas K. Howell sold 8,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $299.54, for a total transaction of $2,396,320.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 100,777 shares of the companys stock, valued at $30,186,742.58. This represents a 7.35% 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. Also, VP Christopher E. Mead sold 1,250 shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.74, for a total value of $313,425.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 17,327 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,344,571.98. This represents a 6.73% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 37,105 shares of company stock worth $10,796,353. Company insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Trading Up 0.9%

NYSE AJG opened at $250.43 on Wednesday. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has a one year low of $239.47 and a one year high of $351.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.36 and a quick ratio of 1.36. The firm has a market cap of $64.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.57 and a beta of 0.71. The stocks 50-day moving average is $278.74 and its 200-day moving average is $300.61.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The financial services provider reported $2.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.51 by ($0.19). Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. had a return on equity of 13.17% and a net margin of 14.54%.The business had revenue of $3.33 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.34 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.26 earnings per share. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.s revenue for the quarter was up 20.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. will post 11.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 19th. Investors of record on Friday, December 5th will be given a $0.65 dividend. This represents a $2.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 5th. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.s payout ratio is currently 38.86%.

About Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

(Free Report)

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co engages in the provision of insurance brokerage, reinsurance brokerage, consulting, and third-party claims settlement and administration services. It operates through the following segments: Brokerage, Risk Management, and Corporate. The Brokerage segment consists of retail and wholesale insurance brokerage operations.

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Shares of First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (NYSEARCA:EMLP  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $38.88 and last traded at $38.8810, with a volume of 16172 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $38.60.

First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund Stock Performance

The company has a 50 day moving average of $38.10 and a two-hundred day moving average of $37.69. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.43 billion, a PE ratio of 17.59 and a beta of 0.65.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund during the second quarter worth $27,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund in the 2nd quarter valued at $33,000. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund in the 3rd quarter worth $35,000. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund during the 2nd quarter worth about $38,000. Finally, Nova Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund during the 1st quarter valued at about $47,000.

First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund Company Profile

The First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (EMLP) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Alerian MLP index. The fund is an actively managed fund that invests in North American energy infrastructure MLPs and LLCs. EMLP was launched on Jun 21, 2012 and is managed by First Trust.

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Paramount Group (NYSE:PGRE  Get Free Report) and Getty Realty (NYSE:GTY  Get Free Report) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, earnings, valuation, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, dividends and profitability.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Paramount Group and Getty Realtys gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Paramount Group $757.45 million 1.93 -$46.29 million ($0.45) -14.63 Getty Realty $214.19 million 7.70 $71.06 million $1.28 22.30

Profitability

Getty Realty has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Paramount Group. Paramount Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Getty Realty, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

This table compares Paramount Group and Getty Realtys net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Paramount Group -13.47% -2.39% -1.23% Getty Realty 34.76% 7.60% 3.72%

Insider and Institutional Ownership

65.6% of Paramount Group shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 85.1% of Getty Realty shares are owned by institutional investors. 13.8% of Paramount Group shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 8.8% of Getty Realty 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.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Paramount Group and Getty Realty, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Paramount Group 1 4 1 0 2.00 Getty Realty 0 3 3 0 2.50

Paramount Group currently has a consensus target price of $6.45, indicating a potential downside of 2.05%. Getty Realty has a consensus target price of $31.80, indicating a potential upside of 11.38%. Given Getty Realtys stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Getty Realty is more favorable than Paramount Group.

Volatility & Risk

Paramount Group has a beta of 1.32, suggesting that its share price is 32% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Getty Realty has a beta of 0.83, suggesting that its share price is 17% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Getty Realty beats Paramount Group on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Paramount Group

(Get Free Report)

Paramount Group, Inc. (Paramount or the Company) is a fully-integrated real estate investment trust that owns, operates, manages, acquires and redevelops high-quality, Class A office properties located in select central business district submarkets of New York and San Francisco. Paramount is focused on maximizing the value of its portfolio by leveraging the sought-after locations of its assets and its proven property management capabilities to attract and retain high-quality tenants.

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.

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Gibson Wealth Advisors LLC lowered its holdings in Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 6.2% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,008 shares of the companys stock after selling 400 shares during the quarter. Procter & Gamble accounts for 0.7% of Gibson Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 16th largest holding. Gibson Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $957,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. MOKAN Wealth Management Inc. increased its stake in Procter & Gamble by 13.7% during the second quarter. MOKAN Wealth Management Inc. now owns 15,319 shares of the companys stock worth $2,442,000 after purchasing an additional 1,846 shares during the period. Benjamin Edwards Inc. raised its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 120.7% in the first quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 364,378 shares of the companys stock valued at $62,098,000 after acquiring an additional 199,258 shares in the last quarter. Caliber Wealth Management LLC KS grew its stake in Procter & Gamble by 36.2% during the 2nd quarter. Caliber Wealth Management LLC KS now owns 17,798 shares of the companys stock worth $2,836,000 after purchasing an additional 4,730 shares in the last quarter. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al purchased a new stake in Procter & Gamble during the 2nd quarter worth about $34,684,000. Finally, First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. raised its position in Procter & Gamble by 12.8% in the 2nd quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. now owns 156,874 shares of the companys stock valued at $24,993,000 after purchasing an additional 17,836 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.77% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Gary A. Coombe sold 3,535 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $152.23, for a total transaction of $538,133.05. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 34,816 shares in the company, valued at $5,300,039.68. This represents a 9.22% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Jennifer L. Davis sold 3,227 shares of Procter & Gamble stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $152.23, for a total transaction of $491,246.21. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 61,764 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,402,333.72. This trade represents a 4.97% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 31,308 shares of company stock worth $4,768,692 over the last quarter. 0.20% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

PG has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. BNP Paribas Exane lowered their price objective on Procter & Gamble from $177.00 to $172.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Morgan Stanley set a $175.00 price target on shares of Procter & Gamble in a report on Monday, October 27th. Berenberg Bank increased their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $152.00 to $154.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 17th. Raymond James Financial decreased their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $185.00 to $175.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Barclays dropped their target price on Procter & Gamble from $164.00 to $153.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Procter & Gamble has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $171.53.

Read Our Latest Research Report on PG

Procter & Gamble Stock Up 1.0%

PG opened at $148.46 on Wednesday. Procter & Gamble Company has a one year low of $144.09 and a one year high of $180.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 0.71. The stock has a market capitalization of $346.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.87 and a beta of 0.36. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $150.36 and its 200-day simple moving average is $155.97.

Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The company reported $1.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.90 by $0.09. Procter & Gamble had a return on equity of 32.63% and a net margin of 19.74%.The firm had revenue of $22.39 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.23 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.93 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Procter & Gamble has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.830-7.100 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.91 EPS for the current year.

Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Investors of record on Friday, October 24th were issued a dividend of $1.0568 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 24th. This represents a $4.23 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.8%. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 61.61%.

Procter & Gamble Company Profile

(Free Report)

Procter & Gamble Co engages in the provision of branded consumer packaged goods. It operates through the following segments: Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric and Home Care, and Baby, Feminine and Family Care. The Beauty segment offers hair, skin, and personal care. The Grooming segment consists of shave care like female and male blades and razors, pre and post shave products, and appliances.

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Shares of Green Dot Corporation (NYSE:GDOT  Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $11.80, but opened at $12.60. Green Dot shares last traded at $11.7980, with a volume of 375,231 shares.

Analyst Ratings Changes

GDOT has been the topic of a number of research reports. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Green Dot in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Northland Securities set a $14.25 price objective on shares of Green Dot and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Tuesday. Zacks Research lowered shares of Green Dot from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Northland Capmk cut Green Dot from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday. Finally, William Blair reissued a market perform rating on shares of Green Dot in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Reduce and an average price target of $12.56.

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View Our Latest Report on Green Dot

Green Dot Stock Down 0.0%

The firms 50-day simple moving average is $12.57 and its 200 day simple moving average is $11.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a current ratio of 0.54. The stock has a market capitalization of $654.26 million, a P/E ratio of -13.89 and a beta of 0.80.

Green Dot (NYSE:GDOT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The financial services provider reported $0.06 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.11) by $0.17. The firm had revenue of $491.85 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $483.84 million. Green Dot had a positive return on equity of 9.81% and a negative net margin of 2.33%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 20.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.13 earnings per share. Green Dot has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.310-1.440 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Green Dot Corporation will post 0.87 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Green Dot

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. GSA Capital Partners LLP acquired a new stake in Green Dot in the first quarter valued at $1,089,000. XTX Topco Ltd increased its stake in shares of Green Dot by 436.8% during the 1st quarter. XTX Topco Ltd now owns 230,175 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,943,000 after purchasing an additional 187,293 shares during the last quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Green Dot by 11.2% in the 1st quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 18,356 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $155,000 after purchasing an additional 1,843 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in Green Dot in the 1st quarter valued at about $5,901,000. Finally, Fox Run Management L.L.C. acquired a new stake in Green Dot in the 1st quarter valued at about $177,000. 92.56% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Green Dot

(Get Free Report)

Green Dot Corporation, a financial technology and registered bank holding company, provides various financial services to consumers and businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Consumer Services, Business to Business Services, and Money Movement Services. The company provides deposit account programs, including consumer and small business checking account products, network-branded reloadable prepaid debit cards and gift cards, and secured credit programs.

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Figma, Inc. (NYSE:FIG  Get Free Report) CEO Dylan Field sold 250,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.76, for a total transaction of $8,690,000.00. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink.

Dylan Field also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Monday, November 24th, Dylan Field sold 62,500 shares of Figma stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $34.76, for a total transaction of $2,172,500.00.

On Monday, November 17th, Dylan Field sold 3,029,063 shares of Figma stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.30, for a total value of $112,984,049.90.

Figma Stock Performance

NYSE FIG traded up $0.74 on Wednesday, reaching $36.24. 4,787,792 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 11,155,817. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $50.95. Figma, Inc. has a 12 month low of $32.83 and a 12 month high of $142.92.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Figma ( NYSE:FIG Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($1.56) by $1.66. The business had revenue of $274.17 million during the quarter. Figmas revenue was up 38.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.04 earnings per share. Figma has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at EPS.

Several research firms have weighed in on FIG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Figma from $65.00 to $60.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Wolfe Research started coverage on Figma in a research report on Monday, August 25th. They issued a peer perform rating on the stock. William Blair reissued an outperform rating on shares of Figma in a report on Thursday, September 4th. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on Figma from $80.00 to $70.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, September 4th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their target price on Figma from $75.00 to $65.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, September 4th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $62.86.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Figma

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Figma

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. acquired a new stake in Figma in the third quarter worth about $26,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Figma in the third quarter worth about $26,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new position in Figma in the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in Figma in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, US Bancorp DE acquired a new position in shares of Figma during the 3rd quarter worth about $31,000.

Figma Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Figma is where teams come together to turn ideas into the worlds best digital products and experiences. Every day, billions of people around the world use apps, websites, and other digital experiences that are made in Figma. Theyre looking up directions on Google Maps; requesting rides with Uber; checking in for flights on JetBlue; streaming shows on Netflix; learning languages with Duolingo; asking questions of Claude; connecting on LinkedIn; buying goods on Mercado Libre; or booking stays and experiences with Airbnb.

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Insigneo Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF (NYSEARCA:SPHQ  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 5,516 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $393,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Berkshire Money Management Inc. bought a new position in Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $28,000. Independence Bank of Kentucky bought a new stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF during the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Resources Management Corp CT ADV acquired a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF during the first quarter worth approximately $44,000. Bogart Wealth LLC boosted its position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF by 19.2% during the second quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 964 shares of the companys stock worth $69,000 after buying an additional 155 shares during the period. Finally, Atlantic Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $74,000.

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Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF Price Performance

SPHQ opened at $74.01 on Wednesday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $73.51 and its 200 day moving average price is $72.08. The stock has a market cap of $15.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.36 and a beta of 0.92. Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF has a 12 month low of $57.67 and a 12 month high of $75.03.

Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF Profile

The Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF (SPHQ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P 500 Quality index. The fund tracks an index of US large-cap stocks selected by return on equity, changes in net operating assets and financial leverage. Stocks are weighted by these quality factors, scaled by market cap.

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BlackBerry Limited (NYSE:BB) is one of the Canadian penny stocks to buy right now. On November 17, BlackBerry Limited (NYSE:BB) confirmed the appointment of John Wall as the president of its market-leading QNX division.

BlackBerry Limited (BB) Appoints John Wall to Spearhead QNX Division Growth

Pieter Beens / Shutterstock.com The appointment comes as the company seeks to expand and pursue opportunities beyond the automotive sector. Wall is to oversee the companys push for opportunities in the industrial automation and robotics sectors. The QNX division develops embedded software for various industries using its SDP 8.0 operating system.

Johns experience and strong reputation in the industry position him uniquely to help drive the QNX business forward. As we embark on the next phase of the QNX growth journey, Johns deep knowledge of the product portfolio and the wider embedded software market will ensure were well-placed to address the incredible opportunities we have in front of us, said CEO John Giamatteo.

Wall is to replace Mattias Eriksson, who is stepping down to pursue other opportunities. BlackBerry Limited (NYSE:BB) is a Canadian technology company that specializes in enterprise software and services. It focuses on cybersecurity and the Internet of Things (IoT). The company provides intelligent security software, endpoint management services, and foundational software for critical embedded systems. While we acknowledge the potential of BB 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: 10 Best Mexican Stocks to Invest In and 10 Best Cryptocurrency Stocks to Buy for the Long Term. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA (OTCMKTS:ISNPY  Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Wednesday, November 26th, investing.com reports. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd will be paid a dividend of 0.9325 per share by the financial services provider on Monday, December 8th. This represents a yield of 445.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 1st.

Intesa Sanpaolo Stock Performance

ISNPY stock traded up $0.53 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $40.32. The company had a trading volume of 160,692 shares, compared to its average volume of 204,870. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $38.90 and a 200 day simple moving average of $36.71. The company has a market capitalization of $117.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 0.99. Intesa Sanpaolo has a fifty-two week low of $22.32 and a fifty-two week high of $41.89.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on ISNPY shares. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Intesa Sanpaolo from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut shares of Intesa Sanpaolo from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 14th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Intesa Sanpaolo in a research note on Monday. Royal Bank Of Canada initiated coverage on Intesa Sanpaolo in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. They issued a moderate buy rating on the stock. Finally, Zacks Research cut Intesa Sanpaolo from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

About Intesa Sanpaolo

(Get Free Report)

Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A. provides various financial products and services primarily in Italy. It operates through six segments: Banca dei Territori, IMI Corporate & Investment Banking, International Subsidiary Banks, Asset Management, Private Banking, and Insurance. The company offers lending and deposit products; private and commercial banking, corporate and transaction banking, structured finance, investment banking, public finance, and capital markets; industrial credit, leasing, and factoring; asset management; life and non-life insurance and pension products; asset and wealth management; private investments; and bancassurance products.

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of Franco-Nevada Corporation (NYSE:FNV  Free Report) (TSE:FNV) by 2.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,033,783 shares of the basic materials companys stock after buying an additional 24,014 shares during the quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. owned approximately 0.54% of Franco-Nevada worth $169,458,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in FNV. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Franco-Nevada by 3.1% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 8,086,420 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,327,612,000 after acquiring an additional 241,081 shares during the last quarter. TD Asset Management Inc raised its holdings in shares of Franco-Nevada by 4.4% during the 2nd quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 2,011,787 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $329,626,000 after purchasing an additional 85,117 shares in the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its stake in shares of Franco-Nevada by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 1,980,772 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $313,071,000 after purchasing an additional 33,044 shares during the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. boosted its holdings in Franco-Nevada by 198.1% in the first quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 1,705,489 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $268,280,000 after purchasing an additional 1,133,373 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Franco-Nevada by 20.2% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,500,290 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $247,051,000 after purchasing an additional 252,540 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.06% of the companys stock.

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Franco-Nevada Stock Up 0.5%

Shares of NYSE:FNV opened at $200.92 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $38.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 49.37, a PEG ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.40. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $201.88 and a 200 day moving average price of $182.02. Franco-Nevada Corporation has a twelve month low of $114.81 and a twelve month high of $225.63.

Franco-Nevada Announces Dividend

Franco-Nevada ( NYSE:FNV Get Free Report ) (TSE:FNV) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The basic materials company reported $1.43 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.37 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $487.70 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $448.51 million. Franco-Nevada had a return on equity of 12.56% and a net margin of 58.82%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 76.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.80 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that Franco-Nevada Corporation will post 3.09 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 4th will be issued a $0.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 4th. This represents a $1.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.8%. Franco-Nevadas dividend payout ratio is 31.87%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have weighed in on FNV shares. Raymond James Financial raised their target price on Franco-Nevada from $218.00 to $234.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Scotiabank raised their price objective on Franco-Nevada from $184.00 to $225.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. UBS Group boosted their target price on Franco-Nevada from $250.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Bank of America increased their price target on Franco-Nevada from $211.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Franco-Nevada in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $223.43.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Franco-Nevada

Franco-Nevada Profile

(Free Report)

Franco-Nevada Corporation operates as a gold-focused royalty and streaming company in South America, Central America, Mexico, the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through Mining and Energy segments. The company manages its portfolio with a focus on precious metals, such as gold, silver, and platinum group metals; and engages in the sale of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids through a third-party marketing agent.

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Dorsey & Whitney Trust CO LLC reduced its stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 128,053 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 1,387 shares during the quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. comprises about 2.0% of Dorsey & Whitney Trust CO LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 10th biggest position. Dorsey & Whitney Trust CO LLCs holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $37,124,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC lifted its holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 609,867.5% in the second quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 72,897,211 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $21,133,630,000 after acquiring an additional 72,885,260 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the first quarter valued at approximately $3,972,807,000. Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc. acquired a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the 2nd quarter valued at about $485,802,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the 2nd quarter valued at about $458,104,000. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI increased its holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 44.4% in the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 4,518,740 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,108,415,000 after purchasing an additional 1,388,992 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.55% of the companys stock.

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. Trading Up 1.8%

Shares of NYSE:JPM opened at $303.22 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a 12 month low of $202.16 and a 12 month high of $322.25. The firm has a market cap of $825.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.02, a PEG ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.14. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $307.08 and its 200 day simple moving average is $292.45.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Increases Dividend

JPMorgan Chase & Co. ( NYSE:JPM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $5.07 EPS 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 company had revenue of $47.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $44.42 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $4.37 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts forecast that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 18.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Investors of record on Monday, October 6th were given a dividend of $1.50 per share. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, October 6th. This is a positive change from JPMorgan Chase & Co.s previous quarterly dividend of $1.40. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s dividend payout ratio is currently 29.72%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Dbs Bank upgraded shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $275.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. KGI Securities increased their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $300.00 to $315.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. DZ Bank restated a neutral rating on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating and set a $366.00 price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Fifteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $326.38.

View Our Latest Research Report on JPM

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Robin Leopold sold 966 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $311.92, for a total transaction of $301,314.72. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 58,479 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,240,769.68. This represents a 1.63% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Linda Bammann sold 9,500 shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $297.94, for a total value of $2,830,430.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 82,207 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $24,492,753.58. This trade represents a 10.36% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 0.47% of the companys stock.

About JPMorgan Chase & Co.

(Free Report)

JPMorgan Chase & Co is a financial holding company, which engages in the provision of financial and investment banking services. It focuses on investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. It operates through the following segments: Consumer and Community Banking (CCB), Commercial and Investment Bank (CIB), Asset and Wealth Management (AWM), and Corporate.

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Legal & General Group Plc trimmed its stake in Molina Healthcare, Inc (NYSE:MOH  Free Report) by 15.1% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 318,338 shares of the companys stock after selling 56,624 shares during the period. Legal & General Group Plc owned 0.59% of Molina Healthcare worth $94,833,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Neo Ivy Capital Management bought a new position in shares of Molina Healthcare in the second quarter valued at approximately $241,000. Magnetar Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of Molina Healthcare during the 2nd quarter worth $3,513,000. Swiss National Bank grew its stake in Molina Healthcare by 2.7% in the 2nd quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 165,600 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,332,000 after buying an additional 4,300 shares during the last quarter. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd raised its holdings in Molina Healthcare by 109.1% in the 2nd quarter. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd now owns 2,900 shares of the companys stock worth $864,000 after acquiring an additional 1,513 shares during the period. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC raised its holdings in Molina Healthcare by 83.9% in the 2nd quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 68,584 shares of the companys stock worth $20,431,000 after acquiring an additional 31,286 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 98.50% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have issued reports on MOH. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Molina Healthcare from $272.00 to $184.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 29th. TD Cowen downgraded Molina Healthcare from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $203.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d+) rating on shares of Molina Healthcare in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Cantor Fitzgerald cut their price target on Molina Healthcare from $210.00 to $180.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Molina Healthcare from $231.00 to $165.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 12th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $198.93.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Richard M. Schapiro sold 357 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, November 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $143.02, for a total value of $51,058.14. Following the sale, the director owned 11,352 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,623,563.04. The trade was a 3.05% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Molina Healthcare Stock Performance

NYSE:MOH opened at $146.96 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.97 billion, a PE ratio of 9.10 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a quick ratio of 1.68, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92. Molina Healthcare, Inc has a 12-month low of $133.40 and a 12-month high of $359.97. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $170.83 and a 200 day moving average price of $209.62.

Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The company reported $1.84 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.97 by ($2.13). Molina Healthcare had a net margin of 1.98% and a return on equity of 22.95%. The company had revenue of $11.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.99 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $6.01 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 11.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Molina Healthcare has set its FY 2025 guidance at 14.000-14.000 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Molina Healthcare, Inc will post 24.4 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Molina Healthcare Company Profile

(Free Report)

Molina Healthcare, Inc provides managed healthcare services to low-income families and individuals under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through the state insurance marketplaces. It operates in four segments: Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace, and Other. The company served in across 19 states. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Long Beach, California.

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MAI Capital Management lowered its position in shares of JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (BATS:BBHY  Free Report) by 9.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,422 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,100 shares during the period. MAI Capital Management owned about 0.11% of JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF worth $486,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its stake in JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF by 30.4% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 145,839 shares of the companys stock worth $6,716,000 after acquiring an additional 33,958 shares during the period. LPL Financial LLC raised its holdings in shares of JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF by 5.4% in the 1st quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 1,528,344 shares of the companys stock valued at $70,380,000 after purchasing an additional 78,952 shares in the last quarter. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $480,000. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF by 1.3% in the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 473,374 shares of the companys stock worth $21,799,000 after purchasing an additional 6,114 shares during the period. Finally, Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. boosted its stake in shares of JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF by 13.2% during the first quarter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. now owns 564,813 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,010,000 after purchasing an additional 65,805 shares in the last quarter.

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JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF Stock Up 3.3%

Shares of BBHY stock opened at $46.59 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $457.93 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 60.43 and a beta of 0.40. JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF has a 52-week low of $43.49 and a 52-week high of $47.39. The companys 50 day moving average is $46.66 and its 200 day moving average is $46.45.

JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF Company Profile

The JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (BBHY) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the ICE BofA US High Yield index. The fund seeks to track a market-cap weighted index to provide exposure to high-yield, USD-denominated corporate debt securities. The fund invests in securities with maturities of at least 18 months.

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McGraw Hill, Inc. (NYSE:MH  Get Free Report) shares traded down 3.8% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $17.30 and last traded at $17.30. 230,992 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 72% from the average session volume of 815,535 shares. The stock had previously closed at $17.99.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have weighed in on MH. Baird R W upgraded McGraw Hill to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, August 18th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of McGraw Hill from $15.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, November 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on McGraw Hill in a research note on Monday, August 18th. They set a buy rating and a $27.00 target price on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on McGraw Hill in a research note on Monday, August 18th. They issued a buy rating and a $18.00 price target for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley started coverage on McGraw Hill in a research report on Monday, August 18th. They set an overweight rating and a $20.00 price objective on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $20.72.

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Get Our Latest Analysis on MH

McGraw Hill Stock Down 4.3%

The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $13.12.

McGraw Hill (NYSE:MH  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The company reported $1.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.35 by $1.05. The business had revenue of $669.19 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $638.76 million. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 2.8% on a year-over-year basis. McGraw Hill has set its FY 2026 guidance at EPS.

Insider Activity at McGraw Hill

In other news, Director Steven Reinemund purchased 15,710 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 14th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $15.03 per share, with a total value of $236,121.30. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 15,710 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $236,121.30. The trade was a  increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On McGraw Hill

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. purchased a new stake in McGraw Hill in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Legal & General Group Plc acquired a new stake in shares of McGraw Hill during the third quarter worth about $30,000. Strs Ohio acquired a new position in shares of McGraw Hill in the third quarter valued at approximately $54,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets acquired a new stake in McGraw Hill during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $83,000. Finally, Greenland Capital Management LP purchased a new position in McGraw Hill in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $131,000.

About McGraw Hill

(Get Free Report)

At McGraw Hill, our purpose is to unlock the potential of each learner at every stage of life. Our mission is to support educators, learners and professionals around the world with trusted, high-quality content and digital solutions that use data and learning science to adapt to each student as they progress towards their goals.

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MIG Capital LLC bought a new stake in Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 10,846 shares of the enterprise software providers stock, valued at approximately $2,371,000.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Pinpoint Asset Management Singapore Pte. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Oracle during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,443,000. Country Trust Bank lifted its position in Oracle by 117.1% in the second quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 2,672 shares of the enterprise software providers stock worth $584,000 after purchasing an additional 1,441 shares during the period. Viawealth LLC lifted its position in Oracle by 6.9% in the second quarter. Viawealth LLC now owns 5,582 shares of the enterprise software providers stock worth $1,220,000 after purchasing an additional 359 shares during the period. Boston Partners boosted its stake in Oracle by 0.8% during the second quarter. Boston Partners now owns 4,813,379 shares of the enterprise software providers stock worth $1,059,273,000 after buying an additional 38,188 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Richmond Investment Services LLC bought a new stake in Oracle in the 2nd quarter valued at $235,000. 42.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity at Oracle

In other news, CEO Clayton M. Magouyrk sold 40,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $276.64, for a total value of $11,065,600.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 154,030 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $42,610,859.20. This trade represents a 20.62% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Jeffrey Berg sold 49,365 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $283.02, for a total transaction of $13,971,282.30. Following the sale, the director directly owned 151,999 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $43,018,756.98. This trade represents a 24.52% 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 204,254 shares of company stock worth $60,227,807. Insiders own 40.90% of the companys stock.

Oracle Trading Down 1.7%

Shares of NYSE ORCL opened at $196.93 on Wednesday. Oracle Corporation has a 1-year low of $118.86 and a 1-year high of $345.72. The company has a 50-day moving average of $268.69 and a two-hundred day moving average of $237.46. The company has a market cap of $561.40 billion, a PE ratio of 45.58, a P/E/G ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 1.51. The company has a current ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.33.

Oracle (NYSE:ORCL  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, September 9th. The enterprise software provider reported $1.47 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.48 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $14.93 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.04 billion. Oracle had a return on equity of 72.93% and a net margin of 21.08%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 12.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.39 EPS. Oracle has set its Q2 2026 guidance at 1.270-1.310 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Oracle Corporation will post 5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Oracle Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 23rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 9th were issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 9th. Oracles payout ratio is currently 46.30%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently weighed in on ORCL shares. Berenberg Bank lifted their target price on shares of Oracle from $202.00 to $306.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Monday, September 15th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on Oracle from $360.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Mizuho upped their price objective on Oracle from $300.00 to $350.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 10th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on Oracle from $250.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 10th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price target on Oracle from $360.00 to $380.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-seven have issued a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $319.40.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on ORCL

Oracle Company Profile

(Free Report)

Oracle Corporation offers products and services that address enterprise information technology environments worldwide. Its Oracle cloud software as a service offering include various cloud software applications, including Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP), Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise performance management, Oracle Fusion cloud supply chain and manufacturing management, Oracle Fusion cloud human capital management, Oracle Cerner healthcare, Oracle Advertising, and NetSuite applications suite, as well as Oracle Fusion Sales, Service, and Marketing.

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North Star Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in MGIC Investment Corporation (NYSE:MTG  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 13,454 shares of the insurance providers stock, valued at approximately $375,000.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. WPG Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in shares of MGIC Investment during the first quarter worth approximately $26,000. True Wealth Design LLC increased its stake in MGIC Investment by 262.5% in the 2nd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 1,004 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 727 shares during the period. Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its position in MGIC Investment by 3,067.6% in the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,077 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 1,043 shares in the last quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of MGIC Investment by 118.0% during the 2nd quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 1,308 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 708 shares during the period. Finally, Quarry LP purchased a new position in shares of MGIC Investment during the 1st quarter valued at $38,000. 95.58% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Paula C. Maggio sold 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, October 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.44, for a total value of $548,800.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 117,395 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,221,318.80. This trade represents a 14.56% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Timothy J. Mattke sold 139,203 shares of MGIC Investment stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.09, for a total transaction of $3,771,009.27. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 961,791 shares in the company, valued at $26,054,918.19. This trade represents a 12.64% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders sold 219,203 shares of company stock valued at $5,989,909. Company insiders own 1.05% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MTG has been the subject of a number of research reports. Barclays lifted their price objective on MGIC Investment from $27.00 to $28.00 and gave the company a cautious rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (a-) rating on shares of MGIC Investment in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, MGIC Investment presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $26.80.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on MGIC Investment

MGIC Investment Price Performance

NYSE MTG opened at $28.45 on Wednesday. MGIC Investment Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $21.94 and a fifty-two week high of $29.01. The stocks 50-day moving average is $27.72 and its two-hundred day moving average is $27.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 1.46 and a quick ratio of 1.46. The firm has a market cap of $6.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 0.92.

MGIC Investment (NYSE:MTG  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The insurance provider reported $0.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.72 by $0.11. MGIC Investment had a return on equity of 14.63% and a net margin of 61.96%.The company had revenue of $304.51 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $308.16 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.77 EPS. The firms revenue was down .7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that MGIC Investment Corporation will post 2.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

MGIC Investment Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 20th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 6th were given a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 6th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. MGIC Investments dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 19.29%.

MGIC Investment Company Profile

(Free Report)

MGIC Investment Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides private mortgage insurance, other mortgage credit risk management solutions, and ancillary services to lenders and government sponsored entities in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The company offers primary mortgage insurance that provides mortgage default protection on individual loans, as well as covers unpaid loan principal, delinquent interest, and various expenses associated with the default and subsequent foreclosure.

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Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. cut its stake in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV  Free Report) by 5.2% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 73,436 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 4,019 shares during the quarter. Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P.s holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $19,647,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in TRV. Inceptionr LLC purchased a new position in Travelers Companies during the second quarter worth approximately $629,000. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in Travelers Companies by 94.3% during the second quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 11,139 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $2,980,000 after buying an additional 5,405 shares during the period. SlateStone Wealth LLC boosted its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 4.7% during the 2nd quarter. SlateStone Wealth LLC now owns 5,801 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,552,000 after purchasing an additional 259 shares during the period. Associated Banc Corp boosted its holdings in Travelers Companies by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. Associated Banc Corp now owns 2,734 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $731,000 after acquiring an additional 39 shares during the period. Finally, Southeast Asset Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Travelers Companies in the second quarter valued at approximately $455,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.45% of the companys stock.

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Travelers Companies Stock Up 1.0%

TRV opened at $293.66 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 0.35 and a quick ratio of 0.35. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $230.23 and a 12 month high of $296.85. The stock has a market capitalization of $65.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.55, a P/E/G ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.55. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $277.12 and a 200-day simple moving average of $270.71.

Travelers Companies Dividend Announcement

Travelers Companies ( NYSE:TRV Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 16th. The insurance provider reported $8.14 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.01 by $2.13. Travelers Companies had a net margin of 12.14% and a return on equity of 20.28%. The firm had revenue of $12.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.15 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $5.24 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.02 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 10th. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.5%. Travelers Companiess payout ratio is currently 17.30%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CFO Daniel S. Frey sold 25,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.25, for a total value of $6,956,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 26,932 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,493,829. The trade was a 48.14% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 8,572 shares of the firms stock in a transaction 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 sale, the executive vice president owned 33,638 shares in the company, valued at $9,106,815.74. This trade represents a 20.31% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 37,375 shares of company stock worth $10,374,006. 1.46% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on TRV shares. Barclays set a $313.00 price objective on Travelers Companies in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research raised shares of Travelers Companies from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Citigroup started coverage on Travelers Companies in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. They issued a neutral rating and a $291.00 target price on the stock. UBS Group raised their price target on Travelers Companies from $284.00 to $287.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald raised Travelers Companies to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $292.73.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on TRV

About Travelers Companies

(Free Report)

The Travelers Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance.

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BONK shot up almost 10% daily to $0.000009808 as the meme tokens trading volume doubled. However, it still trades far below its record peak at $0.00005916 as investors debate the best meme coins to buy.

The BONK daily chart is now showing a massive bullish pattern forming while Bitcoin Capital, an ETF issuer, is expected to debut the first BONK ETP on the SIX Swiss Exchange this week, on Nov. 27.

BONK Price Analysis: Falling Wedge Points to a 200% Rally

BONK is compressing inside a clear falling wedge, a pattern that often precedes a reversal, as per the chart below. The RSI sits near 38, confirming that the bears are overall in control of the meme tokens price action. MACD is also flat despite prices soaring in the past day.

With the BONK price currently near the apex of the wedge, a breakout could be very likely. A push above the upper boundary could drive BONK toward the $0.00001100-$0.00001300 band. Also, if the breakout continues, a second target is near $0.00002000$0.00002200.

If BONK is able to sustain the rally to $0.00002200, it could aim for $0.00002800-$0.00003000, a more than 200% rally from current levels.

BONKs Expanding Utility: More than a Meme Token

According to detailed research from Blockworks, BONK now supports nearly one million holders and integrates across more than 400 applications throughout the Solana ecosystem. These applications include DeFi platforms, NFT marketplaces, payment systems, and gaming environments.

Also, revenue from apps such as BonkBot and Bonk.fun feeds continuous buybacks and burns. The total supply has reduced from 100 trillion to around 88 trillion tokens, according to Blockworks Research. Initiatives like BURNmas also contributed to the decline, while BonkBot alone drove more than $87 million in lifetime fees.

On the other hand, institutions arent backing down just because BONK is a meme coin. The Osprey Bonk Trust, launched as a closed-end Delaware vehicle, now holds roughly 2.3 trillion BONK. With plans to list on OTCQX once requirements are met, the trust will also add to the deflationary pressure.

At the same time, multiple BONK ETFs, including products from Osprey and REX, are scheduled to go live following the SECs review window, with leveraged versions also under consideration alongside Bitcoin Capitals Nov. 27 debut.

Read original story BONK Is Eyeing 200% Rally, Teases Utility amid ETF Debuts by Parth Dubey at Coinspeaker.com
Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. raised its stake in Corpay, Inc. (NYSE:CPAY  Free Report) by 83.9% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 37,782 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 17,240 shares during the period. Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. owned approximately 0.05% of Corpay worth $12,537,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of CPAY. CVA Family Office LLC raised its holdings in Corpay by 56.7% during the second quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 94 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 34 shares during the last quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. acquired a new position in Corpay during the second quarter worth about $33,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Corpay in the second quarter valued at about $37,000. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT acquired a new stake in shares of Corpay in the first quarter valued at approximately $41,000. Finally, Allworth Financial LP increased its stake in shares of Corpay by 37.4% during the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 239 shares of the companys stock worth $79,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.84% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

CPAY has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. UBS Group lowered their target price on Corpay from $340.00 to $315.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Corpay in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. Raymond James Financial set a $392.00 target price on shares of Corpay and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price target on shares of Corpay from $445.00 to $400.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of Corpay from $400.00 to $350.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $379.71.

Corpay Stock Performance

Shares of CPAY stock opened at $291.96 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a current ratio of 1.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $20.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 0.95. Corpay, Inc. has a one year low of $252.84 and a one year high of $400.81. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $284.34 and a 200 day moving average price of $311.93.

Corpay (NYSE:CPAY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $5.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.63 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $1.17 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.16 billion. Corpay had a net margin of 25.17% and a return on equity of 39.13%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 13.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $5.00 EPS. Corpay has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 4.600-4.800 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Corpay, Inc. will post 19.76 EPS for the current year.

About Corpay

(Free Report)

Corpay, Inc operates as a payments company that helps businesses and consumers manage vehicle-related expenses, lodging expenses, and corporate payments in the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company offers vehicle payment solutions, which include fuel, tolls, parking, fleet maintenance, and long-haul transportation services, as well as prepaid food and transportation vouchers and cards.

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Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. lowered its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 37.0% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 77,098 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 45,340 shares during the quarter. Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P.s holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $10,486,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in ABT. Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 1st quarter worth about $1,658,180,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 13,347.0% during the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,056,934 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $823,804,000 after acquiring an additional 6,011,891 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 29.2% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 15,985,797 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $2,120,516,000 after purchasing an additional 3,616,471 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 12.8% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 29,763,415 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $3,948,117,000 after buying an additional 3,371,113 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.8% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 172,800,851 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $23,502,644,000 after buying an additional 2,977,715 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 75.18% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently weighed in on ABT. Raymond James Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $141.00 to $146.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $147.00 price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. BTIG Research reissued a buy rating and set a $145.00 target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Evercore ISI cut their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $144.00 to $142.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $153.00 to $157.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $147.00.

Abbott Laboratories Trading Up 0.7%

ABT stock opened at $128.03 on Wednesday. Abbott Laboratories has a 52 week low of $110.86 and a 52 week high of $141.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a current ratio of 1.82. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $129.77 and its 200 day simple moving average is $131.10. The company has a market capitalization of $222.62 billion, a PE ratio of 16.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.68.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.30. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 31.88% and a return on equity of 17.78%. The firm had revenue of $11.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.40 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.21 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Abbott Laboratories has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.120-5.180 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 earnings per share for the current year.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 15th were given a dividend of $0.59 per share. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 15th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is presently 29.57%.

Abbott Laboratories Profile

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Menieres disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

Further Reading

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Shares of Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Value Fund (NYSE:NUW  Get Free Report) were down 0% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $14.13 and last traded at $14.1450. Approximately 29,825 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 33% from the average daily volume of 44,264 shares. The stock had previously closed at $14.15.

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Value Fund Trading Down 0.0%

The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $14.23 and a 200-day simple moving average of $13.87.

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Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Value Fund Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th will be issued a $0.0485 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 4.1%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Value Fund

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Value Fund Company Profile

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of NUW. Traub Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Value Fund in the 2nd quarter valued at about $65,000. Nomura Holdings Inc. acquired a new stake in Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Value Fund during the second quarter valued at approximately $137,000. Disciplined Investments LLC bought a new position in Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Value Fund during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $143,000. Wealth Management Associates Inc. bought a new position in Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Value Fund during the 1st quarter worth approximately $149,000. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Value Fund in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $164,000.

(Get Free Report)

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Value Fund is a close-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments Inc The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests in fixed income markets of the United States. The fund makes its investments in the securities of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. (NYSE:OHI  Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $45.56 and last traded at $45.4420, with a volume of 164789 shares. The stock had previously closed at $45.04.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on OHI shares. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price target on shares of Omega Healthcare Investors from $41.00 to $44.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Scotiabank lifted their price target on shares of Omega Healthcare Investors from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Truist Financial upped their price target on Omega Healthcare Investors from $39.00 to $44.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on Omega Healthcare Investors in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. They set an overweight rating and a $50.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Omega Healthcare Investors in a research report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Seven equities research 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, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $46.22.

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Omega Healthcare Investors Trading Up 0.8%

The company has a current ratio of 7.10, a quick ratio of 7.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $41.95 and a 200 day simple moving average of $39.90. The company has a market cap of $13.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.32, a PEG ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 0.69.

Omega Healthcare Investors (NYSE:OHI  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $0.02. Omega Healthcare Investors had a return on equity of 9.78% and a net margin of 42.23%.The firm had revenue of $311.59 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $262.48 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.71 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 14.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Omega Healthcare Investors has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.080-3.100 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. will post 2.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Omega Healthcare Investors Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 3rd were issued a $0.67 dividend. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 3rd. Omega Healthcare Investorss dividend payout ratio is presently 149.72%.

Insider Transactions at Omega Healthcare Investors

In related news, CIO Vikas Gupta purchased 11,500 shares of Omega Healthcare Investors stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $42.97 per share, for a total transaction of $494,155.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive owned 13,773 shares in the company, valued at $591,825.81. The trade was a 505.94% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO C Taylor Pickett acquired 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was bought at an average price of $43.14 per share, for a total transaction of $862,800.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 20,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $862,800. This represents a  increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new stake in Omega Healthcare Investors in the 2nd quarter worth $26,000. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Omega Healthcare Investors during the third quarter worth about $39,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Omega Healthcare Investors by 40.9% during the second quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 924 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 268 shares in the last quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co raised its stake in Omega Healthcare Investors by 1,654.4% in the 2nd quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 1,000 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 943 shares during the last quarter. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC raised its stake in Omega Healthcare Investors by 273.5% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 1,113 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 815 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.25% of the companys stock.

Omega Healthcare Investors Company Profile

(Get 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.

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Shares of Perimeter Solutions, SA (NYSE:PRM  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $27.76 and last traded at $27.80, with a volume of 168300 shares. The stock had previously closed at $27.36.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

PRM has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and set a $27.00 price objective on shares of Perimeter Solutions in a report on Friday, October 17th. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Perimeter Solutions from $21.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. Zacks Research raised shares of Perimeter Solutions from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Perimeter Solutions in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $26.00.

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Perimeter Solutions Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.72, a current ratio of 2.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $23.24 and a 200 day moving average price of $18.67. The stock has a market cap of $4.10 billion, a PE ratio of 65.99 and a beta of 1.98.

Perimeter Solutions (NYSE:PRM  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $0.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.68 by $0.14. Perimeter Solutions had a net margin of 12.26% and a return on equity of 17.33%. The company had revenue of $315.44 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $238.27 million. As a group, research analysts forecast that Perimeter Solutions, SA will post 0.71 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Perimeter Solutions

In related news, Director Vivek Raj sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.45, for a total transaction of $561,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 121,701 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,732,187.45. This represents a 17.04% 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, CFO Kyle Sable sold 40,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, September 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.05, for a total value of $882,000.00. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 365,000 shares of company stock valued at $8,127,250 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 10.00% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Perimeter Solutions

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Jones Financial Companies Lllp purchased a new position in Perimeter Solutions during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Perimeter Solutions in the second quarter worth $42,000. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Perimeter Solutions by 161.2% during the second quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 3,124 shares of the companys stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 1,928 shares during the last quarter. Comerica Bank lifted its position in Perimeter Solutions by 45.0% during the first quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 4,267 shares of the companys stock valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 1,324 shares during the period. Finally, Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. acquired a new position in Perimeter Solutions during the third quarter valued at $45,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.93% of the companys stock.

Perimeter Solutions Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Perimeter Solutions, SA manufactures and supplies firefighting products and lubricant additives in the United States, Germany, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Fire Safety and Specialty Products. The Fire Safety segment provides fire retardants and firefighting foams, as well as specialized equipment and services for federal, state, provincial, local/municipal, and commercial customers.

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Pinpoint Asset Management Singapore Pte. Ltd. bought a new stake in China Yuchai International Limited (NYSE:CYD  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm bought 199,056 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,759,000. China Yuchai International comprises about 0.8% of Pinpoint Asset Management Singapore Pte. Ltd.s holdings, making the stock its 21st largest position. Pinpoint Asset Management Singapore Pte. Ltd. owned approximately 0.53% of China Yuchai International at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of CYD. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in China Yuchai International in the second quarter valued at $144,000. Trexquant Investment LP acquired a new stake in shares of China Yuchai International in the 1st quarter valued at about $258,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio boosted its position in shares of China Yuchai International by 136.0% in the 2nd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 16,609 shares of the companys stock valued at $397,000 after purchasing an additional 9,572 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. purchased a new position in China Yuchai International during the 1st quarter worth approximately $422,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. acquired a new position in China Yuchai International during the second quarter worth approximately $1,278,000.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

CYD has been the topic of a number of research reports. Zacks Research lowered shares of China Yuchai International from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, October 13th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of China Yuchai International from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Sunday, November 16th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of China Yuchai International in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, China Yuchai International has an average rating of Hold.

China Yuchai International Price Performance

Shares of CYD opened at $35.30 on Wednesday. China Yuchai International Limited has a 1 year low of $8.61 and a 1 year high of $42.60. The companys fifty day moving average is $37.72 and its two-hundred day moving average is $29.33.

China Yuchai International Company Profile

(Free Report)

China Yuchai International Limited, through its subsidiaries, manufactures, assembles, and sells diesel and natural gas engines for trucks, buses and passenger vehicles, marine, industrial, construction, agriculture, and generator set applications in the Peoples Republic of China and internationally.

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A number of firms have modified their ratings and price targets on shares of Modine Manufacturing (NYSE: MOD) recently:

11/20/2025  Modine Manufacturing is now covered by analysts at UBS Group AG. They set a buy rating and a $173.00 price target on the stock.

11/19/2025  Modine Manufacturing had its hold (c) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/19/2025  Modine Manufacturing had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at DA Davidson. They now have a $200.00 price target on the stock.

11/13/2025  Modine Manufacturing had its hold (c) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

10/30/2025  Modine Manufacturing had its price target raised by analysts at DA Davidson from $185.00 to $200.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

10/24/2025  Modine Manufacturing was given a new $185.00 price target on by analysts at DA Davidson.

10/14/2025  Modine Manufacturing had its price target raised by analysts at Oppenheimer Holdings, Inc. from $145.00 to $180.00. They now have an outperform rating on the stock.

10/14/2025  Modine Manufacturing had its price target raised by analysts at KeyCorp from $160.00 to $175.00. They now have an overweight rating on the stock.

10/8/2025  Modine Manufacturing had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

9/29/2025  Modine Manufacturing was downgraded by analysts at Zacks Research from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating.

9/29/2025  Modine Manufacturing had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at DA Davidson. They now have a $185.00 price target on the stock.

9/27/2025  Modine Manufacturing had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

Modine Manufacturing Company provides thermal management products and solutions in the United States, Italy, Hungary, China, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through Climate Solutions and Performance Technologies segments. The company offers heat transfer coils, including heat recovery and round tube plate fin coils; gas-fired, hydronic, electric and oilfired unit heaters; roof-mounted direct- and indirect-fired makeup air units; duct furnaces; infrared units; perimeter heating products; single packaged unit ventilators; modular chillers; air handler and condensing units; ceiling cassettes; evaporator unit coolers, remote condensers, fluid coolers, gas coolers, and dry and brine coolers; and motor and generator cooling coils, transformer oil coolers, radiators, dryers, and industrial heat exchangers.

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RiverFront Investment Group LLC reduced its position in Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LDOS  Free Report) by 24.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 3,063 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 1,000 shares during the period. RiverFront Investment Group LLCs holdings in Leidos were worth $483,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. First Pacific Financial acquired a new stake in shares of Leidos in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in Leidos in the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. True Wealth Design LLC raised its position in shares of Leidos by 471.4% in the second quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 200 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 165 shares during the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT acquired a new stake in Leidos during the first quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Mountain Hill Investment Partners Corp. lifted its stake in shares of Leidos by 66.2% during the 2nd quarter. Mountain Hill Investment Partners Corp. now owns 216 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.12% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In related news, insider Stephen Edward Hull sold 12,497 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $178.14, for a total value of $2,226,215.58. Following the transaction, the insider owned 25,817 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,599,040.38. The trade was a 32.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.69% of the companys stock.

Leidos Price Performance

LDOS stock opened at $191.58 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $190.33 and a 200-day simple moving average of $173.16. The firm has a market cap of $24.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 1.50 and a current ratio of 1.62. Leidos Holdings, Inc. has a 1 year low of $123.62 and a 1 year high of $205.77.

Leidos (NYSE:LDOS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The aerospace company reported $3.05 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.61 by $0.44. The firm had revenue of $4.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.28 billion. Leidos had a return on equity of 33.02% and a net margin of 8.11%. Leidos has set its FY 2025 guidance at 11.450-11.75 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Leidos Holdings, Inc. will post 10.62 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Leidos Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a $0.43 dividend. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. This is an increase from Leidoss previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. Leidoss dividend payout ratio is currently 14.93%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

LDOS has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Bank of America increased their target price on Leidos from $200.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $230.00 price objective on shares of Leidos in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Cantor Fitzgerald boosted their target price on shares of Leidos from $185.00 to $225.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Leidos from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Leidos from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the company from $185.00 to $205.00 in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Leidos currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $199.23.

View Our Latest Analysis on LDOS

Leidos Company Profile

(Free Report)

Leidos Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides services and solutions in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Defense Solutions, Civil, and Health segments. The Defense Solutions segment offers national security solutions and systems for air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace for the U.S.

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RK Capital Management LLC FL decreased its holdings in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 87.3% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,600 shares of the companys stock after selling 31,600 shares during the quarter. Altria Group comprises about 0.0% of RK Capital Management LLC FLs investment portfolio, making the stock its 12th largest position. RK Capital Management LLC FLs holdings in Altria Group were worth $270,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in MO. Mattson Financial Services LLC purchased a new position in Altria Group in the first quarter worth about $25,000. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Carderock Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Country Trust Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 400.0% in the 2nd quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 500 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. Finally, Anfield Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Altria Group by 334.7% during the 2nd quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 539 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 415 shares during the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on MO shares. Bank of America boosted their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $64.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 22nd. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Altria Group from $49.00 to $57.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, UBS Group decreased 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 note on Friday, October 31st. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Altria Group presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $62.33.

Altria Group Stock Performance

NYSE MO opened at $58.36 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $97.97 billion, a PE ratio of 11.29, a P/E/G ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 0.51. The firms 50 day moving average price is $62.22 and its 200-day moving average price is $61.78. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $50.08 and a 52-week high of $68.60.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $1.45 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.44 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $5.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.31 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 295.26% and a net margin of 37.24%.Altria Groups revenue was down 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.38 earnings per share. Altria Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.370-5.45 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback program on Thursday, October 30th that permits the company to repurchase $2.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to purchase up to 1.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are usually a sign that the companys board 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.

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Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. increased its stake in Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE:CQP  Free Report) by 49.9% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 22,899 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 7,625 shares during the quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P.s holdings in Cheniere Energy Partners were worth $1,284,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in CQP. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy Partners during the second quarter valued at $26,000. Gables Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy Partners during the 2nd quarter valued at $34,000. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust increased its stake in Cheniere Energy Partners by 25.5% during the second quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 924 shares of the companys stock worth $52,000 after acquiring an additional 188 shares during the last quarter. Chung Wu Investment Group LLC purchased a new position in Cheniere Energy Partners in the second quarter valued at approximately $56,000. Finally, SVB Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy Partners during the 1st quarter valued at $69,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 46.55% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

CQP has been the subject of several analyst reports. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of Cheniere Energy Partners from $56.00 to $55.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 14th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Cheniere Energy Partners in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Cheniere Energy Partners from $61.00 to $56.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and five have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Cheniere Energy Partners has an average rating of Strong Sell and an average target price of $54.60.

Cheniere Energy Partners Stock Up 2.2%

Cheniere Energy Partners stock opened at $53.17 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $25.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.91 and a beta of 0.40. Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. has a 12 month low of $49.53 and a 12 month high of $68.42. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $52.71 and its 200-day simple moving average is $54.70.

Cheniere Energy Partners Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Investors of record on Friday, November 7th were given a dividend of $0.775 per share. This represents a $3.10 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 7th. Cheniere Energy Partnerss payout ratio is currently 80.73%.

About Cheniere Energy Partners

(Free Report)

Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P., through its subsidiaries, provides liquefied natural gas (LNG) to integrated energy companies, utilities, and energy trading companies worldwide. The company owns and operates natural gas liquefaction and export facility at the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.

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Oil industry leaders say the windfall tax is crippling the sector [Getty Images]

It was being viewed as a make or break moment for Europe's energy capital - as Aberdeen waited to see whether the chancellor would scrap the windfall tax.

As it turned out, workers and businesses in Scotland's third largest city were left bitterly disappointed.

The industry says the tax, which was introduced when Russia's invasion of Ukraine caused oil prices to spike sharply, is crippling the sector.

The oil price has since halved, to about $60 a barrel, and companies say there are no profits to be made under such a high tax regime so are taking their cash to other parts of the world.

Investment in the North Sea is at a record low and a study from Robert Gordon University says jobs are being "quietly" lost at a rate of 1,000 a month.

But there was no mention of the windfall tax in the chancellor's Budget speech and the Office for Budget Responsibility assessment projects receipts from it for the rest of the decade.

That has left an entire city utterly flabbergasted.

Budget 2025

Whoever you speak to in Aberdeen and the wider north east, from oil executives to taxi drivers and hairdressers, they know a surprising amount about this unusual corporation tax.

Formally known as the Energy Profits Levy, it means that operators are handing over 78% of their profits to the Treasury.

The rate is one of the highest in the world and, though the headline figure is matched by Norway, our North Sea neighbour has much more favourable tax reliefs.

It's a difficult dance for political parties, many of whom have prioritised tackling the climate crisis which is driven by greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels.

The simple argument is that more oil and gas production from the North Sea equals more emissions, but it's actually much more nuanced than that.

The Climate Change Committee has made it clear that our economy will need hydrocarbons in ever-diminishing quantities for decades to come and replacing domestic production with imports makes no sense.

In fact, emissions from producing a barrel of North Sea crude are much lower than many Middle Eastern oil fields, and shipping it halfway across the world burns even more fuel.

Have the Scottish and UK governments changed their view?

That's part of the reason why the Scottish SNP government has stepped away from its "presumption against" new oil and gas, saying instead that each application must be made on its merit.
Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its position in Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE:EW  Free Report) by 9.7% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,828,535 shares of the medical research companys stock after purchasing an additional 161,364 shares during the quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd.s holdings in Edwards Lifesciences were worth $143,010,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Econ Financial Services Corp acquired a new stake in Edwards Lifesciences during the 2nd quarter worth $889,000. Randolph Co Inc acquired a new position in Edwards Lifesciences in the second quarter valued at $301,000. Pacific Capital Partners Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences in the second quarter valued at about $1,760,000. Arkadios Wealth Advisors acquired a new stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences during the second quarter worth about $300,000. Finally, Mirova US LLC grew its holdings in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 56.2% during the second quarter. Mirova US LLC now owns 2,931,297 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $229,257,000 after buying an additional 1,054,301 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.46% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Scott B. Ullem sold 13,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $83.08, for a total value of $1,080,040.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 39,898 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,314,725.84. This trade represents a 24.58% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP Daniel J. Lippis sold 1,020 shares of Edwards Lifesciences stock in a transaction on Monday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $82.55, for a total value of $84,201.00. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 22,002 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,816,265.10. This represents a 4.43% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 1.29% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently issued reports on EW. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a market perform rating and issued a $90.00 price target on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Edwards Lifesciences from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, September 29th. Canaccord Genuity Group reiterated a hold rating and issued a $84.00 price objective (up from $81.00) on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Mizuho upped their price objective on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $90.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Edwards Lifesciences presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $91.39.

View Our Latest Research Report on Edwards Lifesciences

Edwards Lifesciences Price Performance

Edwards Lifesciences stock opened at $86.80 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $50.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.97 and a beta of 1.03. Edwards Lifesciences Corporation has a one year low of $65.94 and a one year high of $87.21. The business has a fifty day moving average of $79.20 and a two-hundred day moving average of $78.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a quick ratio of 3.87 and a current ratio of 4.68.

Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The medical research company reported $0.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.59 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $1.55 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.49 billion. Edwards Lifesciences had a net margin of 72.96% and a return on equity of 15.01%. The businesss revenue was up 14.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.67 EPS. Edwards Lifesciences has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.560-2.620 EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at 0.580-0.640 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Edwards Lifesciences Corporation will post 2.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Edwards Lifesciences Company 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.

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Russell Investments Group Ltd. decreased its position in Visa Inc. (NYSE:V  Free Report) by 4.3% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,721,493 shares of the credit-card processors stock after selling 77,973 shares during the quarter. Visa makes up approximately 0.8% of Russell Investments Group Ltd.s portfolio, making the stock its 11th largest holding. Russell Investments Group Ltd.s holdings in Visa were worth $609,825,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund increased its holdings in shares of Visa by 14.5% during the 1st quarter. Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund now owns 455,183 shares of the credit-card processors stock worth $159,523,000 after purchasing an additional 57,800 shares during the period. Precedent Wealth Partners LLC grew its position in Visa by 7.5% during the second quarter. Precedent Wealth Partners LLC now owns 1,588 shares of the credit-card processors stock worth $564,000 after buying an additional 111 shares in the last quarter. Consilium Wealth Advisory LLC acquired a new position in Visa in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $862,000. Iron Gate Global Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Visa by 5.9% during the 1st quarter. Iron Gate Global Advisors LLC now owns 62,890 shares of the credit-card processors stock worth $22,040,000 after purchasing an additional 3,484 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NatWest Group plc increased its position in shares of Visa by 43.8% during the second quarter. NatWest Group plc now owns 45,660 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $16,212,000 after purchasing an additional 13,912 shares during the period. 82.15% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Transactions at Visa

In other news, CEO Ryan Mcinerney sold 10,485 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $341.00, for a total value of $3,575,385.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 537 shares in the company, valued at approximately $183,117. This trade represents a 95.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Lloyd Carney sold 900 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $336.48, for a total transaction of $302,832.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 2,468 shares in the company, valued at approximately $830,432.64. This trade represents a 26.72% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 24,042 shares of company stock worth $8,175,152. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Visa Price Performance

NYSE:V opened at $334.70 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53. The firm has a market cap of $609.74 billion, a PE ratio of 32.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 0.87. Visa Inc. has a 12 month low of $299.00 and a 12 month high of $375.51. The companys 50-day moving average price is $340.14 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $347.61.

Visa (NYSE:V  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The credit-card processor reported $2.98 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.97 by $0.01. Visa had a net margin of 50.15% and a return on equity of 60.31%. The company had revenue of $10.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.60 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.71 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Visa Inc. will post 11.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Visa Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 12th will be paid a $0.67 dividend. This is an increase from Visas previous quarterly dividend of $0.59. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 12th. Visas payout ratio is presently 26.25%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently commented on V. KeyCorp reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $405.00 target price on shares of Visa in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Macquarie reduced their price objective on shares of Visa from $425.00 to $410.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Morgan Stanley set a $398.00 price target on shares of Visa and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Wells Fargo & Company raised Visa to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $408.00 price objective (up from $398.00) on shares of Visa in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Visa has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $400.00.

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Visa Profile

(Free Report)

Visa Inc operates as a payment technology company in the United States and internationally. The company operates VisaNet, a transaction processing network that enables authorization, clearing, and settlement of payment transactions. It also offers credit, debit, and prepaid card products; tap to pay, tokenization, and click to pay services; Visa Direct, a solution that facilitates the delivery of funds to eligible cards, deposit accounts, and digital wallets; Visa B2B Connect, a multilateral business-to-business cross-border payments network; Visa Cross-Border Solution, a cross-border consumer payments solution; and Visa DPS that provides a range of value-added services, including fraud mitigation, dispute management, data analytics, campaign management, a suite of digital solutions, and contact center services.

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Stellantis (NYSE:STLA  Get Free Report) was upgraded by investment analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group to a hold rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other research firms also recently commented on STLA. Zacks Research upgraded Stellantis from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Stellantis in a report on Monday, October 13th. Berenberg Bank upgraded Stellantis from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $11.20 price target for the company in a report on Friday, September 19th. BNP Paribas raised Stellantis to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 9th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Stellantis from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Tuesday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $11.75.

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Stellantis Stock Up 3.9%

STLA opened at $10.53 on Monday. Stellantis has a 12-month low of $8.39 and a 12-month high of $14.28. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The firms fifty day moving average price is $10.22 and its 200 day moving average price is $9.94.

Stellantis (NYSE:STLA  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported ($0.91) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.41 by ($1.32). The business had revenue of $87.44 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $87.94 billion. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Stellantis will post 2.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. FNY Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in Stellantis in the second quarter worth $28,000. Montag A & Associates Inc. bought a new stake in Stellantis in the third quarter valued at $34,000. SVB Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Stellantis during the first quarter valued at $35,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new position in shares of Stellantis during the second quarter worth about $37,000. Finally, Harbour Investments Inc. grew its position in shares of Stellantis by 136.5% during the first quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 3,812 shares of the companys stock worth $43,000 after acquiring an additional 2,200 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 59.48% of the companys stock.

About Stellantis

(Get Free Report)

Stellantis N.V. engages in the design, engineering, manufacturing, distribution, and sale of automobiles and light commercial vehicles, engines, transmission systems, metallurgical products, mobility services, and production systems worldwide. It provides luxury and premium vehicles; sport utility vehicles; American and European brand vehicles; and parts and services, as well as retail and dealer financing, leasing, and rental services.

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Americas Gold and Silver Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:USAS  Get Free Report) was the target of unusually large options trading on Wednesday. Stock investors acquired 8,860 call options on the company. This is an increase of approximately 1,404% compared to the average daily volume of 589 call options.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Desjardins assumed coverage on shares of Americas Gold and Silver in a report on Friday, September 26th. They set a buy rating for the company. HC Wainwright reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $4.90 target price (up previously from $3.40) on shares of Americas Gold and Silver in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $4.90.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on USAS

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Americas Gold and Silver Stock Performance

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Gabelli Funds LLC grew its holdings in Americas Gold and Silver by 50.0% during the third quarter. Gabelli Funds LLC now owns 15,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 5,000 shares during the period. Susquehanna International Group LLP purchased a new position in shares of Americas Gold and Silver during the 3rd quarter valued at about $93,000. AA Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Americas Gold and Silver during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $93,000. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise purchased a new stake in Americas Gold and Silver in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $131,000. Finally, Baader Bank Aktiengesellschaft bought a new stake in Americas Gold and Silver during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $46,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 13.38% of the companys stock.

Shares of NYSEAMERICAN:USAS traded up $0.16 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $4.17. The companys stock had a trading volume of 747,539 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,244,062. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.03. The firm has a market cap of $1.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -12.82 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a 50-day moving average of $3.90 and a 200-day moving average of $2.81. Americas Gold and Silver has a 12 month low of $0.87 and a 12 month high of $5.12.

Americas Gold and Silver Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Americas Gold and Silver Corporation engages in the acquisition, evaluation, exploration, development, and operation of mineral properties. The company explores for silver, lead, zinc and copper. It principally owns 100% interests in the Cosala Operations consisting of 67 mining concessions that cover approximately 19,385 hectares located in the state of Sinaloa, Mexico; and Galena Complex situated near the town of Wallace in the state of Idaho, the United States.

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Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE  Get Free Report) was the recipient of some unusual options trading on Wednesday. Investors purchased 77,726 call options on the company. This is an increase of 92% compared to the typical volume of 40,489 call options.

Institutional Trading of Vale

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. GQG Partners LLC acquired a new position in Vale in the 1st quarter valued at about $371,778,000. Invesco Ltd. increased its stake in Vale by 1,534.8% during the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 24,810,285 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $240,908,000 after acquiring an additional 23,292,629 shares during the last quarter. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd grew its stake in Vale by 165.9% during the first quarter. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd now owns 31,257,989 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $311,955,000 after buying an additional 19,500,437 shares during the period. Mondrian Investment Partners LTD purchased a new position in Vale in the third quarter valued at about $123,532,000. Finally, SPX Gestao de Recursos Ltda boosted its holdings in Vale by 303.8% in the 3rd quarter. SPX Gestao de Recursos Ltda now owns 11,068,403 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $120,203,000 after acquiring an additional 8,327,112 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 21.85% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

VALE has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Vale to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Vale from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Morgan Stanley set a $11.50 target price on Vale in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group upped their target price on Vale from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Vale from $13.50 to $14.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $12.61.

Vale Price Performance

Shares of VALE traded up $0.33 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $12.52. The companys stock had a trading volume of 23,838,372 shares, compared to its average volume of 35,270,641. The company has a current ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. Vale has a 1-year low of $8.06 and a 1-year high of $12.60. The firm has a market capitalization of $56.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.17 and a beta of 0.82. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $11.51 and a 200 day simple moving average of $10.44.

Vale (NYSE:VALE  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The basic materials company reported $0.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by $0.14. Vale had a net margin of 14.23% and a return on equity of 18.14%. The business had revenue of $10.42 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.39 billion. Analysts predict that Vale will post 1.85 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Vale

(Get Free Report)

Vale SA, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells iron ore and iron ore pellets for use as raw materials in steelmaking in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through Iron Solutions and Energy Transition Materials segments. The Iron Solutions segment produces and extracts iron ore and pellets, manganese, and other ferrous products; and provides related logistic services.

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Summit Global Investments lessened its stake in The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX  Free Report) by 16.9% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,368 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock after selling 686 shares during the quarter. Summit Global Investments holdings in TJX Companies were worth $416,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TJX. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of TJX Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at about $4,398,000. Waterloo Capital L.P. grew its holdings in TJX Companies by 13.6% during the second quarter. Waterloo Capital L.P. now owns 16,854 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $2,081,000 after purchasing an additional 2,016 shares during the period. Prudential Financial Inc. increased its stake in TJX Companies by 38.1% in the second quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 1,075,100 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $132,764,000 after purchasing an additional 296,790 shares in the last quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in TJX Companies by 6.8% in the second quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 69,103 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $8,534,000 after purchasing an additional 4,379 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Soundwatch Capital LLC acquired a new stake in TJX Companies in the second quarter worth $746,000. Institutional investors own 91.09% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other TJX Companies news, CEO Ernie Herrman sold 30,000 shares of TJX Companies stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.81, for a total value of $4,464,300.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 535,143 shares in the company, valued at approximately $79,634,629.83. The trade was a 5.31% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Amy B. Lane sold 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.40, for a total transaction of $75,700.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 22,212 shares in the company, valued at $3,362,896.80. This trade represents a 2.20% 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 valued at $8,226,366. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

TJX Companies Stock Up 2.3%

TJX stock opened at $152.34 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 0.52. The stock has a market capitalization of $169.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.70, a P/E/G ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.90. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $112.10 and a fifty-two week high of $153.02. The business has a 50-day moving average of $143.46 and a 200-day moving average of $134.49.

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 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.22 by $0.06. TJX Companies had a return on equity of 58.63% and a net margin of 8.59%.The firm had revenue of $15.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.80 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.14 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. TJX Companies has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 1.330-1.360 EPS. FY 2026 guidance at 4.630-4.660 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

TJX Companies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.425 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 13th. This represents a $1.70 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio is presently 37.53%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on TJX shares. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of TJX Companies from $172.00 to $181.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price target on TJX Companies from $152.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Cowen reiterated a buy rating on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Bank of America boosted their price objective on TJX Companies from $150.00 to $168.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b+) rating on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have issued a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $158.90.

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TJX Companies Profile

(Free Report)

The TJX Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise.

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Swiss National Bank lessened its holdings in shares of Tenet Healthcare Corporation (NYSE:THC  Free Report) by 2.2% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 180,200 shares of the companys stock after selling 4,000 shares during the quarter. Swiss National Bank owned about 0.20% of Tenet Healthcare worth $31,715,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Nuveen LLC bought a new stake in Tenet Healthcare during the first quarter worth about $218,549,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its stake in shares of Tenet Healthcare by 348.4% in the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 1,962,314 shares of the companys stock worth $263,905,000 after buying an additional 1,524,642 shares during the last quarter. Boston Partners increased its position in Tenet Healthcare by 94.2% during the 2nd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 2,258,272 shares of the companys stock valued at $397,388,000 after buying an additional 1,095,630 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its stake in Tenet Healthcare by 6.5% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 7,596,544 shares of the companys stock worth $1,021,736,000 after purchasing an additional 463,552 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. raised its holdings in Tenet Healthcare by 111.3% in the 1st quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 469,529 shares of the companys stock worth $63,152,000 after acquiring an additional 247,314 shares during the last quarter. 95.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Tenet Healthcare Stock Up 1.7%

THC opened at $218.37 on Wednesday. Tenet Healthcare Corporation has a 52 week low of $109.82 and a 52 week high of $220.31. The company has a quick ratio of 1.63, a current ratio of 1.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.27. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $200.01 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $181.30. The company has a market capitalization of $19.19 billion, a PE ratio of 14.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.53.

Insider Buying and Selling at Tenet Healthcare

Tenet Healthcare ( NYSE:THC Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $3.70 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.33 by $0.37. The business had revenue of $5.29 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.26 billion. Tenet Healthcare had a return on equity of 25.11% and a net margin of 6.49%.The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.93 EPS. Tenet Healthcare has set its FY 2025 guidance at 15.930-16.26 EPS. Analysts forecast that Tenet Healthcare Corporation will post 12.24 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other Tenet Healthcare news, Director Richard W. Fisher sold 2,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $208.43, for a total transaction of $521,075.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 8,792 shares in the company, valued at $1,832,516.56. The trade was a 22.14% 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 Saumya Sutaria sold 78,762 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $190.78, for a total transaction of $15,026,214.36. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 368,683 shares of the companys stock, valued at $70,337,342.74. This trade represents a 17.60% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 122,092 shares of company stock valued at $23,844,663. Corporate insiders own 0.81% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

THC has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Tenet Healthcare in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. They issued a buy rating and a $224.00 target price for the company. Cantor Fitzgerald raised their target price on Tenet Healthcare from $190.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Tenet Healthcare in a research report on Monday. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Tenet Healthcare from $238.00 to $252.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Tenet Healthcare from $238.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $229.69.

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About Tenet Healthcare

(Free Report)

Tenet Healthcare Corporation operates as a diversified healthcare services company in the United States. The company operates through two segments: Hospital Operations and Services, and Ambulatory Care. Its general hospitals offer acute care services, operating and recovery rooms, radiology and respiratory therapy services, clinical laboratories, and pharmacies.

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Te Ahumairangi Investment Management Ltd lifted its position in Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 42.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 83,227 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 24,730 shares during the period. Te Ahumairangi Investment Management Ltds holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb were worth $3,853,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its position in Bristol Myers Squibb by 297.0% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 23,728,443 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,447,198,000 after buying an additional 17,750,938 shares during the period. GQG Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 22,647.6% in the 1st quarter. GQG Partners LLC now owns 12,023,454 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $733,310,000 after acquiring an additional 11,970,598 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in Bristol Myers Squibb during the 1st quarter valued at about $624,369,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in Bristol Myers Squibb by 16.8% during the second quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 70,802,680 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $3,277,456,000 after acquiring an additional 10,195,775 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. grew its holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb by 142.8% in the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 8,436,811 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $390,541,000 after purchasing an additional 4,961,869 shares during the period. 76.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Bristol Myers Squibb Stock Up 2.7%

BMY stock opened at $49.05 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $99.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.78, a P/E/G ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.54, a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 1.11. Bristol Myers Squibb Company has a 1-year low of $42.52 and a 1-year high of $63.33. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $45.37 and a 200-day moving average price of $46.58.

Bristol Myers Squibb Announces Dividend

Bristol Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.63 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.52 by $0.11. Bristol Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 80.04% and a net margin of 10.58%.The company had revenue of $12.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.75 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.80 earnings per share. Bristol Myers Squibbs revenue was up 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Bristol Myers Squibb has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.400-6.600 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Bristol Myers Squibb Company will post 6.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 3rd. Investors of record on Friday, October 3rd were given a dividend of $0.62 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 3rd. This represents a $2.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.1%. Bristol Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is 83.78%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Bristol Myers Squibb news, EVP David V. Elkins sold 56,000 shares of Bristol Myers Squibb stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.33, for a total value of $2,650,480.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 167,379 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,922,048.07. The trade was a 25.07% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BMY has been the subject of several recent research reports. Dbs Bank upgraded shares of Bristol Myers Squibb to a moderate buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research note on Monday. Scotiabank initiated coverage on Bristol Myers Squibb in a report on Thursday, November 13th. They issued a sector perform rating and a $45.00 target price on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded Bristol Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, Daiwa America cut shares of Bristol Myers Squibb from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 5th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and fifteen have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $54.42.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on BMY

About Bristol Myers Squibb

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Natl Bk Canada upgraded shares of TELUS (TSE:T  Free Report) (NYSE:TU) from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report released on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

Several other analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. Scotiabank increased their price target on shares of TELUS from C$25.00 to C$26.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, September 8th. CIBC increased their price objective on TELUS from C$24.00 to C$25.00 in a research report on Friday, October 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut TELUS from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and cut their target price for the stock from C$22.00 to C$19.00 in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. Desjardins decreased their price target on TELUS from C$25.00 to C$24.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on TELUS from C$24.00 to C$23.00 in a research report on Monday, November 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, TELUS has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$22.77.

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TELUS Price Performance

Shares of TSE T traded down C$0.04 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting C$18.24. The stock had a trading volume of 569,918 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,329,430. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 183.41. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of C$20.91 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$21.80. The company has a market capitalization of C$28.24 billion, a PE ratio of 23.38, a P/E/G ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 0.93. TELUS has a 1 year low of C$18.14 and a 1 year high of C$23.29.

TELUS (TSE:T  Get Free Report) (NYSE:TU) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 7th. The company reported C$0.24 earnings per share for the quarter. TELUS had a return on equity of 5.80% and a net margin of 4.62%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that TELUS will post 1.2267985 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About TELUS

(Get Free Report)

Telus is one of the Big Three wireless service providers in Canada, with its 9 million mobile phone subscribers nationwide constituting about 30% of the total market. It is the incumbent local exchange carrier in the western Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, where it provides internet, television, and landline phone services.

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Thornburg Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in ING Group, N.V. (NYSE:ING  Free Report) by 2.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 534,851 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 13,544 shares during the period. Thornburg Investment Management Inc.s holdings in ING Group were worth $11,697,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new position in ING Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Maseco LLP acquired a new position in shares of ING Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $48,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of ING Group by 17.9% during the 2nd quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 3,558 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $78,000 after purchasing an additional 539 shares in the last quarter. MAI Capital Management boosted its holdings in shares of ING Group by 23.1% in the 1st quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 4,190 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $82,000 after buying an additional 785 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hilltop National Bank acquired a new stake in shares of ING Group in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $85,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 4.49% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on ING. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of ING Group in a report on Wednesday, November 19th. Citigroup upgraded shares of ING Group to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 21st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded shares of ING Group from a hold rating to a moderate sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Cfra Research upgraded ING Group from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a report on Thursday, September 25th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upgraded ING Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and five have assigned a Buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, ING Group currently has an average rating of Buy.

ING Group Stock Up 2.7%

Shares of ING opened at $25.57 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $80.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.99, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.11. ING Group, N.V. has a 52 week low of $15.09 and a 52 week high of $26.59. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $25.07 and its 200 day simple moving average is $23.56.

ING Group (NYSE:ING  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The financial services provider reported $0.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.64 by $0.06. ING Group had a net margin of 26.94% and a return on equity of 11.57%. The firm had revenue of $6.88 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.35 billion. On average, analysts forecast that ING Group, N.V. will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current year.

ING Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

ING Groep N.V. provides various banking products and services in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, rest of Europe, and internationally. It operates through five segments: Retail Netherlands, Retail Belgium, Retail Germany, Retail Other, and Wholesale Banking. The company accepts current and savings accounts.

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LONDON (Reuters) -Britain on Wednesday approved plans for a major new film studio to the west of London, overriding local council concerns about the impact on the environment, in a bid to spur economic growth with a boost to the creative sector.

The Marlow Film Studio development has become a test case for Prime Minister Keir Starmer's promise to overhaul a sclerotic planning system that investors blame for making it difficult and costly to build in Britain.

A letter outlining the government's decision said the economic benefits of the plan "carry very substantial weight".

It said the benefits outweighed concerns over the development of "green-belt" land, a designation intended to prevent urban sprawl into the countryside which the local council had cited when initially blocking the proposals.

'A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE' IN UK CREATIVE SECTOR

Marlow Film Studios, which lists directors James Cameron, Sam Mendes and Paul Greengrass among supporters, intends to build 470,000 square feet of soundstages - soundproofed studios - across 56 acres of a disused landfill site next to a busy road.

Robert Laycock, CEO of the 750 million pound ($986 million) project, hailed the decision as a "real vote of confidence in the UK and its creative industries", saying it would attract global investment.

British film and TV production seeks to rival Hollywood in capacity and the government has identified it as a sector that deserves support.

Also in the west London film cluster are Warner Bros. in Leavesden, where much of blockbuster 'Barbie' was shot, and Pinewood Studios, where James Bond, Marvel and Star Wars films have been made.

Campaign group Save Marlow's Greenbelt questioned if another studio was needed, and said its "speculative" benefits would likely not outweigh "clear and substantial harm".

"We believe the development will cause significant and lasting harm to the environment, the local community, and the landscape," it said in a statement.

($1 = 0.7599 pounds)

(Reporting by Alistair Smout; Editing by Catarina Demony, Gareth Jones, Philippa Fletcher)
TV Asahi Holdings Co. (OTCMKTS:TVAHF  Get Free Report) shares traded down 3.5% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $21.2550 and last traded at $21.2550. 1 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 100% from the average session volume of 288 shares. The stock had previously closed at $22.0280.

TV Asahi Stock Performance

The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $22.16 and a 200 day moving average price of $19.74.

TV Asahi Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

TV Asahi Holdings Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in television (TV) broadcasting business in Japan and internationally. The company operates through TV Broadcasting Business, Internet Business, Shopping Business, and Other Businesses segments. It engages in the video distribution with advertisements using the internet, production of video distribution content, and licensing of rights; mail-order sales on TV shopping programs and EC sites; and other businesses, including music publishing, event, equipment sales and leasing, and investment in film business.

Further Reading

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Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. boosted its holdings in Unum Group (NYSE:UNM  Free Report) by 4.4% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 16,993 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 715 shares during the quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P.s holdings in Unum Group were worth $1,372,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UNM. Quintet Private Bank Europe S.A. acquired a new stake in Unum Group during the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Unum Group in the 1st quarter valued at $30,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in Unum Group during the 2nd quarter worth $30,000. Atwood & Palmer Inc. lifted its position in Unum Group by 100.0% in the second quarter. Atwood & Palmer Inc. now owns 400 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Finally, N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in Unum Group in the first quarter valued at $35,000. 86.57% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have issued reports on UNM. Wolfe Research raised Unum Group to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Unum Group from $100.00 to $98.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Unum Group in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Evercore ISI raised their target price on shares of Unum Group from $96.00 to $99.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Unum Group from $92.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an overweight rating 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 three have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $94.67.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Steven Andrew Zabel sold 7,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.38, for a total value of $572,850.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 113,807 shares in the company, valued at $8,692,578.66. This trade represents a 6.18% 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. Also, EVP Christopher W. Pyne sold 4,000 shares of Unum Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.04, for a total value of $312,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 51,372 shares in the company, valued at $4,009,070.88. This represents a 7.22% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.92% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Unum Group Trading Up 1.2%

Shares of UNM stock opened at $76.60 on Wednesday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $76.44 and its two-hundred day moving average is $76.67. Unum Group has a twelve month low of $66.81 and a twelve month high of $84.48. The company has a market capitalization of $12.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 0.37. The company has a current ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 0.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The financial services provider reported $2.09 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.15 by ($0.06). Unum Group had a return on equity of 13.44% and a net margin of 11.77%.The company had revenue of $3.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.31 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.13 EPS. Unum Groups revenue for the quarter was up 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Unum Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Unum Group will post 9.14 EPS for the current year.

Unum Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 24th were paid a $0.46 dividend. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 24th. Unum Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 35.87%.

Unum Group Profile

(Free Report)

Unum Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial protection benefit solutions primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, and internationally. It operates through Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, and Closed Block segment. The company offers group long-term and short-term disability, group life, and accidental death and dismemberment products; supplemental and voluntary products, such as individual disability, voluntary benefits, and dental and vision products; and accident, sickness, disability, life, and cancer and critical illness products.

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Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras (NYSE:PBR  Get Free Report) and Vista Energy (NYSE:VIST  Get Free Report) are both energy companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, institutional ownership, profitability, earnings, dividends, risk and analyst recommendations.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras and Vista Energys revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras $86.40 billion 0.95 $7.53 billion $2.16 5.88 Vista Energy $1.65 billion 3.07 $477.52 million $6.80 7.13

Volatility & Risk

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras has higher revenue and earnings than Vista Energy. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Vista Energy, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras has a beta of 0.83, indicating that its share price is 17% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Vista Energy has a beta of 0.95, indicating that its share price is 5% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras and Vista Energys net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras 15.99% 34.11% 8.63% Vista Energy 32.66% 15.92% 5.77%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras and Vista Energy, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras 0 3 3 1 2.71 Vista Energy 0 2 4 2 3.00

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras currently has a consensus target price of $14.90, indicating a potential upside of 17.28%. Vista Energy has a consensus target price of $69.28, indicating a potential upside of 42.98%. Given Vista Energys stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Vista Energy is more favorable than Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

63.8% of Vista Energy shares are held by institutional investors. 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.

Summary

Vista Energy beats Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras on 10 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras

(Get Free Report)

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras explores, produces, and sells oil and gas in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Exploration and Production; Refining, Transportation and Marketing; and Gas and Power. The Exploration and Production segment explores, develops, and produces crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas primarily for supplies to the domestic refineries. The Refining, Transportation and Marketing segment engages in the refining, logistics, transport, acquisition, and exports of crude oil; and production of fertilizers, as well as holding interests in petrochemical companies. The Gas and Power segment is involved in the logistic and trading of natural gas and electricity; transportation and trading of LNG; generation of electricity through thermoelectric power plants; renewable energy businesses; low carbon services; and natural gas processing business, as well as production of biodiesel and its co-products. The company also engages in prospecting, drilling, refining, processing, trading, and transporting crude oil from producing onshore and offshore oil fields, and shale or other rocks, as well as oil products, natural gas, and other liquid hydrocarbons. In addition, it engages in research, development, production, transport, distribution, and trading of energy. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras was incorporated in 1953 and is headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

About Vista Energy

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Vista Energy, S.A.B. de C.V., through its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration and production of oil and gas in Latin America. The company's principal assets located in Neuquina basin, Argentina and Vaca Muerta. It owns producing assets in Argentina and Mexico. In addition, the company involved in drilling and workover activities located in Argentina. The company was formerly known as Vista Oil & Gas, S.A.B. de C.V. and changed its name to Vista Energy, S.A.B. de C.V. in April 2022. Vista Energy, S.A.B. de C.V. was incorporated in 2017 and is based in Mexico City, Mexico.

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Wambolt & Associates LLC reduced its holdings in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS  Free Report) by 5.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 25,647 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,374 shares during the quarter. Novartis makes up about 1.1% of Wambolt & Associates LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest holding. Wambolt & Associates LLCs holdings in Novartis were worth $3,157,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Keybank National Association OH raised its position in shares of Novartis by 13.2% during the second quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 49,377 shares of the companys stock worth $5,975,000 after acquiring an additional 5,742 shares during the last quarter. Sonora Investment Management Group LLC acquired a new stake in Novartis during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $266,000. Cypress Capital Group raised its holdings in Novartis by 84.1% during the 2nd quarter. Cypress Capital Group now owns 5,776 shares of the companys stock worth $699,000 after purchasing an additional 2,638 shares during the last quarter. Focus Partners Wealth lifted its position in shares of Novartis by 16.8% in the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 47,548 shares of the companys stock worth $5,311,000 after purchasing an additional 6,849 shares during the period. Finally, Marshall Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Novartis in the 2nd quarter valued at $1,909,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 13.12% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

NVS has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Novartis from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Morgan Stanley raised Novartis from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a buy rating on shares of Novartis in a research note on Thursday, August 21st. Cfra set a $126.00 target price on Novartis and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a sell rating and issued a $118.00 price target (down from $119.00) on shares of Novartis in a research note on Friday, September 12th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $122.33.

Novartis Price Performance

NVS stock opened at $130.28 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.62. The companys 50-day moving average is $127.84 and its 200-day moving average is $122.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $275.20 billion, a PE ratio of 17.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 0.60. Novartis AG has a 1 year low of $96.06 and a 1 year high of $134.00.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $2.25 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.26 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $14.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.70 billion. Novartis had a return on equity of 41.21% and a net margin of 26.49%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 8.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.06 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Novartis AG will post 8.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Novartis Company Profile

(Free Report)

Novartis AG engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of healthcare products in Switzerland and internationally. The company offers prescription medicines for patients and physicians. It focuses on therapeutic areas, such as cardiovascular, renal and metabolic, immunology, neuroscience, and oncology, as well as ophthalmology and hematology.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NVS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS  Free Report).

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The Western Investment Company of Canada Limited (CVE:WI  Get Free Report)s share price traded up 1.6% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as C$0.62 and last traded at C$0.62. 3,000 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 94% from the average session volume of 52,719 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.61.

Western Investment Company of Canada Trading Up 1.6%

The firm has a market capitalization of C$98.49 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.90 and a beta of -0.69. The company has a fifty day moving average price of C$0.62 and a 200-day moving average price of C$0.61. The company has a current ratio of 2.23, a quick ratio of 0.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 58.77.

About Western Investment Company of Canada

(Get Free Report)

The Western Investment Company of Canada Limited, is a private equity firm specializing in buyout and middle market investments. It seeks investments in retail and distribution, human services, agriculture and related services and special situations. The firm prefers to invest in USA and Canada with a focus in companies which are headquartered in Western Canada like Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

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XTX Topco Ltd lifted its stake in Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE:EHC  Free Report) by 1,288.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 29,603 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 27,471 shares during the quarter. XTX Topco Ltds holdings in Encompass Health were worth $3,630,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Congress Asset Management Co. acquired a new position in shares of Encompass Health during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $92,691,000. Nuveen LLC bought a new position in shares of Encompass Health in the first quarter valued at $50,665,000. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in Encompass Health by 25.6% during the first quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,080,918 shares of the companys stock worth $210,756,000 after buying an additional 424,691 shares during the last quarter. Strs Ohio bought a new stake in Encompass Health during the first quarter worth $34,364,000. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. lifted its stake in Encompass Health by 78.6% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 723,169 shares of the companys stock valued at $73,243,000 after acquiring an additional 318,251 shares during the last quarter. 97.25% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Encompass Health Stock Performance

Shares of Encompass Health stock opened at $116.21 on Wednesday. Encompass Health Corporation has a 1-year low of $87.85 and a 1-year high of $127.99. The company has a 50 day moving average of $120.96 and a 200-day moving average of $119.55. 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 $11.69 billion, a PE ratio of 21.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.20 and a beta of 0.91.

Encompass Health Dividend Announcement

Encompass Health ( NYSE:EHC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, March 16th. The company reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter. The business 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 forecast that Encompass Health Corporation will post 4.8 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed 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 is Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. Encompass Healths payout ratio is currently 14.37%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Encompass Health from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday. KeyCorp lifted their target price on Encompass Health from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. Bank of America boosted their target price on Encompass Health from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, September 10th. Raymond James Financial raised Encompass Health to a strong-buy rating in a report 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 research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $142.86.

Read Our Latest Report on EHC

About Encompass Health

(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.

Read More

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Viewtran Group (OTCMKTS:VIEWF  Get Free Report) and Yirendai (NYSE:YRD  Get Free Report) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, dividends, profitability, risk and valuation.

Risk and Volatility

Viewtran Group has a beta of -2.97, meaning that its stock price is 397% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Yirendai has a beta of 0.85, meaning that its stock price is 15% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Institutional & Insider Ownership

2.0% of Yirendai shares are held by institutional investors. 29.2% of Viewtran Group shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 42.2% of Yirendai shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Valuation and Earnings

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Viewtran Group N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Yirendai $795.41 million 0.46 $216.77 million $2.06 2.08

This table compares Viewtran Group and Yirendais revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Yirendai has higher revenue and earnings than Viewtran Group.

Profitability

This table compares Viewtran Group and Yirendais net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Viewtran Group N/A N/A N/A Yirendai 21.07% 13.42% 9.73%

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Viewtran Group and Yirendai, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Viewtran Group 0 0 0 0 0.00 Yirendai 0 1 0 0 2.00

Given Viewtran Groups higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Viewtran Group is more favorable than Yirendai.

Summary

Yirendai beats Viewtran Group on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Viewtran Group

(Get Free Report)

Viewtran Group, Inc. provides supply chain financial services and enterprise solutions for the technology industry in China. It offers software development and technical deployment services; and hardware, software, and technical services. The company was formerly known as Cogo Group, Inc. and changed its name to Viewtran Group, Inc. in November 2013. Viewtran Group, Inc. is based in Shenzhen, China.

About Yirendai

(Get Free Report)

Yiren Digital Ltd. provides financial services through an AI-powered platform in China. Its platform provides a suite of financial and lifestyle services. The company offers financial services, which provides a portfolio of loan products to borrowers; insurance brokerage services; and consumption and lifestyle services, including non-financial products and services to meet various consumer needs. It supports clients at various growth stages, addressing financing needs arising from consumption and production activities, and augmenting the well-being and security of individuals, families, and businesses. The company was formerly known as Yirendai Ltd. and changed its name to Yiren Digital Ltd. in September 2019. Yiren Digital Ltd. was founded in 2012 and is based in Beijing, the People's Republic of China. Yiren Digital Ltd. operates as a subsidiary of CreditEase Holdings (Cayman) Limited.

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Seabridge Gold (NYSE:SA  Get Free Report) (TSE:SEA) was downgraded by stock analysts at Zacks Research from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a note issued to investors on Monday,Zacks.com reports.

Several other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on SA. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Seabridge Gold in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Seabridge Gold from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Sell.

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Get Our Latest Report on SA

Seabridge Gold Price Performance

SA traded up $1.01 on Monday, hitting $26.18. 129,917 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 983,467. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $23.78 and its 200-day simple moving average is $18.27. The company has a current ratio of 4.24, a quick ratio of 4.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. Seabridge Gold has a one year low of $9.40 and a one year high of $29.31. The firm has a market cap of $2.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -68.73 and a beta of 0.77.

Seabridge Gold (NYSE:SA  Get Free Report) (TSE:SEA) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 12th. The basic materials company reported ($0.23) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.03) by ($0.20).

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Seabridge Gold

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Caitlin John LLC bought a new stake in shares of Seabridge Gold in the 3rd quarter worth about $31,000. Blue Trust Inc. grew its position in Seabridge Gold by 974.0% in the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,654 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 1,500 shares in the last quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in Seabridge Gold during the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. Total Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Seabridge Gold during the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Banque Cantonale Vaudoise purchased a new stake in Seabridge Gold during the first quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Institutional investors own 34.85% of the companys stock.

Seabridge Gold Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Seabridge Gold Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition and exploration of gold properties in North America. The company also explores for gold, copper, silver, and molybdenum deposits. The company was formerly known as Seabridge Resources Inc and changed its name to Seabridge Gold Inc in June 2002.

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Business process improvement (BPI) involves analyzing and improving existing business processes to boost the company's efficiency, effectiveness, and adaptability. BPI is becoming more important as margins shrink, industries become more competitive, and consumers expect more from the companies they buy from.

Companies of all sizes have implemented BPI practices in recent years. For example, clothing company Zara has invested heavily in improving its supply chain, focusing on agility and speed instead of relying on cheap materials and labor. This has allowed the company to withstand market fluctuations, enduring the turbulence that has led many other clothing companies to close in recent years.

Why business process improvement is critical for organizations

Christina Morillo via Pexels

BPI helps organizations evaluate their existing processes and identify potential bottlenecks or inefficiencies. For example, inefficient customer service practices could lead to customer churn and lost revenue.

Legacy supply chain tools and manual order fulfillment often result in slow processes, errors, and low productivity. Relying on outdated workflows can increase costs, reduce customer satisfaction, and create extra expenses for returns or errors.

Here's how BPI can help improve these areas:

Cost savings. Eliminating redundancies, clearing bottlenecks, and improving resource utilization can help organizations save money.

Improved quality. By identifying inefficiencies and areas where errors are likely to occur, BPI can improve quality control.

Faster delivery. Streamlining everything from the supply chain to order fulfillment allows for faster delivery times.

Better compliance. Better record-keeping and traceability help companies comply with regulations.

Customer satisfaction. Faster delivery times, higher quality products, and more efficient communication all lead to increased customer satisfaction.

Common BPI approaches and methodologies

There are several different approaches to BPI, including:
Globally, customers are snapping up electric vehicles, but in the U.S. the picture is more complicated. There have never been more EV options on the table and the charging network is growing. At the same time, the Trump administration recently eliminated federal rebates on new and used EVs and has also moved to block California's landmark ban on the sale of all new gas-powered cars by 2035.

"It's a huge capital investment, and it's an investment that is a bet that the prices in the West will stay high enough that they can recover the cost," said Severin Borenstein, faculty director of the Energy Institute at UC Berkeleys Haas School of Business.

Experts say the pipeline proposal signals that energy companies expect California to remain dependent on gasoline for years, even as the state pursues clean transportation and other ambitious climate goals.

The pipeline proposal comes as California navigates the critical trade-off between reducing one of the biggest drivers of climate change  gasoline and diesel  and maintaining consumer affordability. The state is trying to electrify transportation while bracing for the closure of two major refineries in Wilmington and Benicia that together account for nearly 20% of California's refining capacity. Their looming shutdown is creating jitters about higher prices at the pump.

California already pays more for gasoline than any other state, with prices currently hovering around $4.63 a gallon compared with the U.S. average of $3.10, according to AAA.

Kinder Morgan is already a major pipeline operator in California. Officials from both companies say the pipeline would create a vital connection between the Midwest and California, where a combination of unique fuel requirements and geography have created a market that is almost entirely dependent on fuel brought in by ship plus in-state supplies. That can leave residents vulnerable to price spikes from even small disruptions.

Known as the Western Gateway Pipeline , the project from oil major Phillips 66 and global pipeline giant Kinder Morgan would deliver gasoline, diesel and jet fuel to Arizona and California from as far east as Missouri by 2029. The companies are currently scoping out demand and seeking commitments from customers in what is known as an "open season."

California has long been a "fuel island"  a state whose gasoline and diesel markets are isolated from the rest of the country  but that could soon end under a proposed plan to build the first-ever pipeline to bring refined products directly to the West Coast.



Meanwhile, Gov. Gavin Newsom recently approved legislation that will allow for 2,000 new oil wells to be drilled in Kern County, in part to help keep the state attractive to oil companies.

"We have a love/hate relationship with gasoline and petroleum products," Borenstein said. "We'd like to think of ourselves as getting off of them, but in reality we're highly dependent, and we hate high prices. So the fact is, if we don't get more supply as we lose these refineries, prices are going to go way up."

The Western Gateway Pipeline would combine new and existing infrastructure. From Borger, Texas, to Phoenix, Ariz., the line would be new. An existing line that connects Phoenix to Colton, Calif., would see its flow reversed to enable east-to-west flow. There would be an optional connection from Colton to Las Vegas. A pipeline between St. Louis and Texas would also be reversed to move barrels from the Midwest into the new system.

In all, the project could supply 200,000 barrels per day of refined gasoline or diesel directly into Arizona and California, according to the companies.

Experts say that could make up for some of the loss from refineries, which otherwise would have to come from more imports. The West Coast received about 86,000 barrels of gasoline imports and 9,000 barrels of diesel from overseas daily in August, the most recent month for which there were data, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The region also received 151,000 barrels of gasoline and 46,000 barrels of diesel per day from other U.S. areas, including the Gulf Coast and the Rocky Mountains, via tanker, barge and rail.

"More availability of supply would almost certainly help to reduce fuel prices in California, all else equal," said Kevin Hack, a petroleum economist with EIA. However, he cautioned that global crude oil price changes and other factors could still affect California gasoline prices.

Read more: California lawmakers pass measures to expand oil production in Central Valley, restrict offshore drilling

For some, the pipeline represents a step in the wrong direction.

"It's a band-aid on a much bigger challenge," said Ryan Schleeter, communications director with the nonprofit the Climate Center. "The solution is really to chart the course for a managed transition away from relying on gas to a more electrified future."

Not only are pipelines prone to leaks and spills, but California should not be investing in new fossil fuel infrastructure, Schleeter said. Diesel consumption in the state has been flat the last decade, and annual gasoline demand has declined by about 2.1 billion gallons since 2016, according to state data.

Schleeter pointed to a recent report from California's Department of Petroleum Market Oversight that confirms the presence of a so-called "mystery surcharge" of 41 cents per gallon in California that can't be explained by state regulations, taxes or production costs  most of which represents increased profit for oil companies with no direct public benefit, the report says.

"Obviously price spikes and shocks to consumer prices in the short term aren't a good thing, and those harm working class people the most," Schleeter said. "But if we're looking at ways to make gas more affordable in the short term, I think we should be looking more at the refiner profit margins."

Ryan Cummings, chief of staff at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, said a pipeline would gird residents against price spikes caused by disruptions such as last month's Chevron refinery fire in El Segundo or last year's unplanned maintenance at multiple northern California refineries. The additional imports from overseas needed in response to these disruptions can take six weeks to arrive, he said.

"So if we had a pipeline coming into the state that could deliver [Midwest] product to us in five days or so, that would be huge for California consumers," Cummings said.

Like Borenstein, he said the pipeline proposal is a sign that Phillips 66 and Kinder Morgan believe California will continue to be dependent on gasoline for many years, despite its decarbonization goals.

"If they're going to build this in the next five years, that's them saying that at a minimum for the next decade, this thing's going to be worth it," Cummings said.

Read more: Phillips 66 is closing Wilmington-area refineries after more than a century, marking the end of an era

The Western Gateway Pipeline is far from a done deal. The open season runs through Dec. 19.

Kinder Morgan spokesperson Taylor Smith declined to comment on interest the company is seeing or commitments so far. Officials with Phillips 66 did not respond to a request for comment.

Should it move forward, the pipeline could be completed by 2029 pending necessary permits and regulatory approvals, according to the companies. Precisely which agencies and entities would need to sign off on the project depends on the pipeline route, but "are likely to involve authorizations to cross federal lands, mitigation of any impacts to endangered species and permits from the Army Corps of Engineers for any discharges to waters of the U.S. caused by any pipeline construction," Smith said.

It is also not yet clear which state agencies would need to sign off. They might include the State Lands Commission, the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the California Energy Commission.

In a statement, officials with the California Energy Commission appeared open to the idea, saying that a pipeline could offer an alternative source of imports and reduce the amount of fuel California exports to its neighboring states, but that it would be important to understand how any new supply would affect state and regional fuel markets, including existing California refiners.

"The CEC continues to engage with stakeholders, including industry participants and regional partners, to evaluate strategies for managing fuel supply and price stability through the transition to a clean transportation sector, while also balancing the needs of communities, workers, consumers and the environment," the agency said.

The nation is watching how California manages the slow decline of its gasoline refinery industry, said Cummings, of Stanford.

"As we're taking offline the dirty energy and trying to bring online the clean energy, that leaves a lot of possibilities for big bumps in that transition path in which consumers are susceptible to price spikes," he said. "It's a difficult problem to solve, and California is kind of solving it in real time."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
OTTAWA, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Canada will offer more support to help the steel and lumber industries deal with U.S. tariffs and create a domestic market, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Wednesday.

The government has also increased protection for steel and lumber workers, Carney told a press conference.

Ottawa will reduce the quota for steel imports from countries that do not have a free trade agreement with Canada to 20% from 50% of 2024 levels, Carney said.

Countries with an FTA with Canada will see their quotas cut to 75% from 100% of the 2024 level. This does not include the U.S. and Mexico, which are bound by the United States-Canada-Mexico free trade deal.

Canada will also impose a global 25% tariff on targeted imported steel-derivative products, and incorporate border measures to combat steel dumping.

In July, Ottawa set a quota of steel imports at 50% of the 2024 level from non-FTA countries in bid to stop dumping of foreign steel into Canada.

The measures are being tightened to open up the domestic for Canadian-produced steel, said a government official.

The steel industry contributes over C$4 billion to GDP and employs more than 23,000 people directly. It is, however, one of of the two sectors hit hardest by President Donald Trump's 50% tariffs on steel imports from Canada.

Ottawa will work with railway companies to cut freight rates for inter-provincial transfer of Canadian steel and lumber by 50%, beginning in early 2026.

The government said would also support use of locally made steel and lumber in homebuilding, and financial aid for companies dealing with tariff-related impact such as on their workforce, liquidity crunch, and for restructuring operations.

(Reporting by Promit Mukherjee, editing by David Ljunggren)

((Reuters Ottawa editorial; david.ljunggren@tr.com))

Keywords: USA TRUMP/CANADA STEEL
Ark Invest continues to add shares of crypto related equities and major tech stocks across its actively managed ETFs, highlighted by its Tuesday addition of more than 174,000 shares of Google parent company Alphabet (GOOG) valued at more than $56 million.

Cathie Wood's investment management firm also added another $3.75 million worth of shares in crypto exchange Coinbase, $7 million worth of stablecoin issuer Circle, and nearly $2 million worth of its own Bitcoin ETF, the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB).

Its major Google acquisition comes just a week after the tech firm unveiled its most powerful AI model yet, Gemini 3. The firm is also engaging in talks with major cloud firms about purchasing its in-house chips, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.

GOOG shares have been rising in the last 5 trading sessions, gaining more than 8.9% and now changing hands at $319.11. Shares are up more than 22% in the last month, per Yahoo Finance.

The recent boost is just part of a broader rally for the firm, with shares gaining nearly 90% in the last six months to trade at a $3.816 trillion market capmore than the entire crypto ecosystem at the time of writing.

In addition to Google, the firm added $29.4 million of AI cloud computing firm CoreWeave (CRWV) and $21.5 million of Facebook parent company, Meta.

Bitcoin and Ethereum Stall as Traders Brace for Holiday Volatility

And while the valuations attached to companies squarely in the AI sector have left some investors wondering whether or not a bubble is preparing to burst, Woods firm maintains its bullish stance.

The fact that so many people are worried that we are in an AI cycle, like the tech and telecom bubble, actually reassures me, Wood said on an Ark Invest podcast published Tuesday. Its very different from what happened during the tech and telecom bubble.

Wood pointed to the fact that during the tech bubble, companies were being created and funded because of dreams of what could be, or how many eyeballs they could eventually secure.

But today, the technologies are ready.

The 'Big Short' Guy Just Bet $1.1 Billion Against AI GiantsAnd Markets Are Still Absorbing It

The uncertainty around AI valuations, coupled with macroeconomic uncertainty from missing data during the government shutdown, has led to a wobble in broader markets of late, though Ark Invest has been relentless in its purchases.

Last week, Arks funds added notable positions in Coinbase and Ethereum treasury company BitMine Immersion Technologies (BMNR). The firm has also been snatching up shares of Circle as the USDC stablecoin issuer fell back to trading levels not seen since its massively successful IPO in June.

Earlier this month, Wood cut her 2030 Bitcoin forecast to $1.2 million per coin, down from a previously predicted $1.5 million, on account of the rapid rise of stablecoins.
Assault condemned

|

IMPHAL, Nov 25 : The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) Students' Front has strongly condemned the use of excessive force on protesting IDPs and the firing of tear gas shells at a school bus and health centre by security forces yesterday.

The clash with security forces occurred when IDPs of Dolaithabi, Ekou, Sadu Yengkhuman took out a protest march in a bid to return home to their villages. Four IDPs were injured in the altercation, including a student.

In a press release, the Front has demanded the department concerned to take action against the security personnel responsible for the use of such excessive and brutal force.

The Front expressed bewilderment over the actions of the PR Government which prioritized the conduct of the Sangai Festival over working to alleviate the people's suffering.

Considering the sentiment of the public and the IDPs, the Front maintained that it would be best to wrap up the festival and reroute the Government's efforts on resettling the displaced folks to their homes.
Constitution Day : Reflecting on the Republics guiding principles

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Kh Surajfrengko Singh, Advocate

Constitution Day is observed on 26 November each year commemorating the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1949. Although the date marks a moment of historic achievement yet its deeper meaning lies in how it invites citizens to reflect on the values that continue to guide the Republic. The framers of the Constitution, drawn from varied regions and ideas, shared a common determination that Indias future must rest on justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. Their work produced a document that has not only endured but expanded in significance as the Nation has evolved. While Constitution Day is often marked by official events, its real purpose is reflection. Citizens are encouraged to revisit the ethical commitments embedded in the Constitution and to consider whether our institutions and collective behaviour continue to honour them. The Constitution is not a technical manual reserved for Courts and administrators. It is the moral foundation of the Republic and it expresses the direction in which the Nation must progress. Its relevance increases with each passing decade as new social and economic challenges arise.

The Preamble remains the most concise expression of Constitutional philosophy. Justice ensures that governance is fair to all. Liberty protects the freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship. Equality affirms that every citizen stands on the same legal footing. Fraternity assures that National unity must be anchored in mutual respect for human dignity. These ideals are not ornamental they the are guiding principles that shape public life and define the Republics aspirations.

Across the country, these values remain essential. Justice must be accessible if public confidence in institutions is to be sustained. Liberty must be protected if democratic culture is to thrive. Equality must extend to public employment and opportunity because discrimination weakens trust in governance. Fraternity must be nurtured as it influences how diverse communities coexist. Constitution Day invites citizens to examine whether these ideals continue to find expression in our conduct and in our institutions. For legal practitioners, the Constitution is a living instrument. It enters the Courtroom every day through the rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 19 and 21. Article 14 protects individuals from discrimination and arbitrary action. It plays a central role in service matters where fairness in appointment, promotion, transfer and seniority reflects the constitutional promise of equal treatment. Article 19 safeguards essential freedoms that allow individuals to think, speak and work without fear. Article 21, through decades of judicial interpretation, has grown into a guarantee of personal liberty and due process. These rights are not aspirational.

The Constitution provides mechanisms to enforce them. Article 32 allows citizens to approach the Supreme Court when fundamental rights of citizens are violated. Article 226 empowers the High Courts of respective States with even wider authority to examine administrative action and protect liberty and equality concerning the citizens of India. Citizens approach Constitutional Courts because they trust the fairness of these remedies. This trust must be preserved through consistent adherence to principles of natural justice and procedural integrity. Constitution Day also provides a moment to acknowledge the less visible but vital contributors to Constitutional culture. Teachers introduce young minds to civic responsibility. Journalists scrutinize the actions of public authorities. Civil servants uphold procedure even when decisions are difficult. Lawyers defend rights irrespective of popularity. Ordinary citizens follow the law even when shortcuts appear tempting. Their combined efforts maintain the ethical foundation upon which Constitu- tional democracy rests.

A reflective acknowledgment is due to the men and women of the Constituent Assembly who carried an extraordinary responsibility with discipline and foresight. Dr BR Ambedkar having been entrusted as Chairman of the Drafting Committee, guided the Constitutional project with unmatched clarity of thought and a deep understanding of social realities. His ability to harmonise competing ideas and convert complex debates into coherent Constitutional principles remains one of the most remarkable legislative efforts in modern history. The collective intellect of the Assembly supported by Ambedkars steady leadership gave India a Constitution whose strength lies in its vision and its capacity to remain relevant across generations. The Constitution balances rights with responsibilities. The Fundamental Duties set out expectations that strengthen civic life.Respect for the Constitution, promotion of harmony, protection of the environment, preservation of public property and the pursuit of excellence all reflect the ethical dimension of citizenship. These duties are not enforceable in court but they carry moral significance. A democracy is weakened when citizens demand rights yet overlook responsibilities.

Constitution Day encourages reflection on whether this balance is genuinely maintained. The Directive Principles of State Policy complement this framework. Although not enforceable, they guide the State in shaping welfare policies and social reforms. They call for the reduction of inequality, equitable distribution of resources, the promotion of education, environmental protection and humane working conditions. They reflect the framers belief that political democracy must coexist with social and economic justice. Over time, many laws and public welfare measures have drawn inspiration from these principles. They remain the moral compass for governance and public planning. The Constitutions adaptability is among its greatest strengths. Through amendments and judicial interpretation, it evolves without losing its core structure. This continuity is upheld by the principle of constitutional morality which emphasizes reason, restraint and respect for institutional processes. Constitutional morality demands maturity in public conduct and adherence to the values embedded in the constitutional design. Constitution Day therefore becomes a time to pause and examine ourselves. Do we uphold liberty with consistency or only when it aligns with our interests? Do we challenge discrimination even when we are not directly affected? Do we honour our duties as earnestly as we assert our rights? Do institutions follow procedure regardless of circumstance? These questions matter because constitutional values cannot survive selective application.

A Constitutional democracy flourishes only when rights and responsibilities are upheld with sincerity. In a country as diverse as India disagreements are inevitable. The Constitution provides mechanisms to address them through dialogue, accountability and legal processes. Conflict guided by constitutional principles becomes an opportunity for growth rather than division. The Constitution offers tools for reconciliation, balance and progress. Their success depends on the collective commitment of the Nation.

The spirit of the Constituent Assembly is especially instructive. Its members debated with vigour yet with discipline and mutual respect. They disagreed on many issues however remained united in their commitment to building a democratic Republic. Their approach is worth recalling in a time when public discourse can easily become polarized. The maturity they demonstrated remains a relevant model for contemporary governance.

The Constitution is ultimately a solemn promise. It assures that power will remain within limits, that individual dignity will be protected and that justice will be accessible through lawful means. Constitution Day reminds us that this promise is renewed not through ceremonies but through everyday conduct. When society values justice, respects liberty, upholds equality, fulfils its duties and nurtures fraternity, it strengthens the Republic in the truest sense. On this Constitution Day it is worthwhile to reflect on the principles and responsibilities that continue to shape the nation. The Constitution provides the framework. The responsibility to give life to its ideals rests with each citizen.
An under-construction rare earths processing plant in eastern China, where the crucial minerals prove a strategic leverage (Hector RETAMAL)

China's stranglehold on the rare earths industry -- from natural reserves and mining through processing and innovation -- is the result of a decades-long drive, now giving Beijing crucial leverage in its trade war with the United States.

The 17 key elements will play a vital role in the global economy in coming years, as analysts warn that plans to secure alternative supply chains by Western governments could take years to bear fruit.

Rare earths are crucial for the defence sector -- used in fighter jets, missile guidance systems and radar technology -- while also having a range of uses in everyday products including smartphones, medical equipment and automobiles.

Visited this month by AFP, the southeastern mining region of Ganzhou -- which specialises in "heavy" rare earths including yttrium and terbium -- was a hive of activity.

Media access to the secretive industry is rarely granted in China, but despite near-constant surveillance by unidentified minders, AFP journalists saw dozens of trucks driving in and out of one rare earths mine, in addition to several bustling processing facilities.

Sprawling new headquarters are being built in Ganzhou for China Rare Earth Group, one of the country's two largest state-owned companies in the industry following years of consolidation directed by Beijing.

Challenges this year have "paved the way for more countries to look into expanding rare earth metal production and processing", Heron Lim, economics lecturer at ESSEC Business School, told AFP.

"This investment could pay longer-term dividends," he said.

- Trade war -

Sweeping export restrictions China imposed on the sector in early October sent shockwaves across global manufacturing sectors.

The curbs raised alarm bells in Washington, which has been engaged in a renewed trade war with Beijing since President Donald Trump began his second term.

At a high-stakes meeting in South Korea late last month, Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping agreed to a one-year truce in a blistering tariff war between the world's top two economies.

The deal -- which guarantees supply of rare earths and other critical minerals, at least temporarily -- effectively neutralised the most punishing US measures and was widely seen as a victory for Beijing.

"Rare earths are likely to remain at the centre of future Sino-US economic negotiations despite the tentative agreements thus far," Heron Lim told AFP.

"China has demonstrated its willingness to use more trade levers to keep the United States at the negotiating table," he said.
Good morning. Citigroup CFO Mark Mason will step down from his post in early March 2026, the bank announced on Nov. 20, marking another notable leadership transition among Fortune 500 finance chiefs.

Mason, who joined Citi in 2001 and became CFO in 2019, will become executive vice chair of Citi and senior executive advisor to chair and CEO Jane Fraser. Gonzalo Luchetti, the banks head of U.S. personal banking, will succeed him as CFO. Mason is a a leader for all seasons who helped steer Citi through some of its most challenging periods, Fraser said in a statement. Mason intends to pursue his leadership aspirations outside of Citi by the end of 2026, the company stated in the announcement.

According to people familiar with the matter, his long-term ambition is to become a CEO. It has been an incredible 25-year journey at the firmone Im happy to continue in an advisory role through 2026, Mason wrote in a LinkedIn post, adding that Luchetti and the team will continue to advance Citis momentum. This change, I believe, is timely for both the continued evolution of our exceptional team as well as my personal growth, Mason said in a memo to the finance team viewed by CFO Daily.

The announcement came alongside news that Citi will combine parts of its U.S. retail banking business with its wealth management operation, as Morningstar, on Nov. 20, raised its fair value estimate for Citi to $90 per share from $82 on a more optimistic outlook for net interest income growth.

A CFO on a CEO trajectory

Masons ambitions come as more CFOs move into CEO roles. According to executive search firm Crist Kolder Associates mid-year report, 7.5% of sitting CEOs in the first half of this year came directly from a CFO seat, up from 6.5% in 2015. Scott W. Simmons, co-managing partner at the firm, said many CFOs eventually reach a point when their readiness to run a company becomes clear and noted that Masons career has positioned him well for such an opportunity.

A CEOs view on CEO potential

Kenneth Chenault, chairman and managing director at General Catalyst, is a former longtime CEO of American Express, from 2001 until 2018. In our recent conversation about leadership qualities, Chenault said one of the top qualities he evaluates in finance chiefs is whether they operate as true operational CFOsleaders who not only master traditional finance responsibilities but also set strategic agendas and understand how to run a business. Mason fits that profile, he said.

Mark is more than a traditional CFO, Chenault said. Hes had a number of experiences that you would like to see from someone who has the high potential to be a CEO. Chenault highlighted Masons leadership during pivotal chapters in Citis history, including efforts to split off the bad bank from the good bank during the companys post-crisis restructuring. In seeking CEOs, boards, he added, prioritize strategic ability, stakeholder trust, and the courage to take informed risksall qualities he sees in Mason.
Corn futures are trading with contracts down fractionally to 2 cents in the front months on Monday. The CmdtyView national average Cash Corn price are down 1  cents at $3.86.

USDA tallied corn export shipments at 1.63 MMT (64.26 mbu) during the week ending on November 20. That was 20.98% below the week prior but up 61.78% from the same week last year. Mexico was the top destination of 624,332 MT, with 284,704 MT headed to Japan and 137,136 MT to South Korea. Marketing year exports for 2025/26 are now 17.483 MMT (688.27 mbu) since September 1, which is now a staggering 72% above the same period last year.

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USDAs delayed Grain Crushing report showed a total of 463.44 million bushels of corn used in ethanol production during August. That was a 1.2% increase from July but down 3.36% from the year prior.

Brazils first corn crop is estimated at 93% planted as of Thursday in the center south region according to AgRural, still lagging the 95% pace from last year.

Dec 25 Corn is at $4.23 1/2, down 2 cents,

Nearby Cash is at $3.86 1/1, down 1 1/2 cents,

Mar 26 Corn is at $4.37, down 1/2 cent,

May 26 Corn is at $4.44 1/2, down 1/4 cent,

On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
March corn (ZCZ25) futures hit a four-week low on Monday. January soybeans (ZSF26) have backed well down from their November high, while March winter wheat futures (ZWH26) (KEH26) have just hit four-week lows and are starting to trend down. The past week has seen the air come out of the bullish grain markets balloon.

Grain market bulls are working to stabilize prices early this week. However, price action the past week may be forming bearish pennant or flag patterns on the daily bar charts. Corn, soybean, soybean meal (ZMZ25), and winter wheat bulls need to step up and show fresh power this week because the confident, chart-based speculative bears are licking their chops.

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Corn and soybean market bulls are hoping that now with the U.S. harvests virtually over, focus will be more on the stronger domestic and export demand picture for corn, as well as fresh purchases of U.S. soybeans from China, that should keep a floor under corn and soybean futures prices. The USDA reported on Monday a daily U.S. soybean sale of 123,000 metric tons to China during the 2025-26 marketing year.

The soybean complex futures have seen selling interest limited early this week as bulls were encouraged after President Donald Trump said on social media Monday that he had a very good telephone call with Chinas President Xi Jinping. He said soybeans and other farm products were discussed. We have done a good, and very important, deal for our great farmers  and it will only get better. Our relationship with China is extremely strong! said Trump Monday.

Reports that progress has been made in recent days on a Ukraine-Russia peace deal are bearish for grains and especially for wheat futures, as any peace deal would likely mean more grains  namely wheat  being shipped out of the Black Sea region.

South American Corn and Soybean Weather Coming More into Focus

With the U.S. corn and soybean harvests virtually wrapped up, grain trader attention is turning more to growing weather in Brazil and Argentina. Dont be surprised to see some degree of a weather-market scare develop for South American corn and soybeans crops in the next few months. Recent rains across northern Brazil, and more in the forecast, will improve growing conditions for developing crops. Central and southern Brazil will see more sunshine than rain the next two weeks, said weather forecasters. Meantime, in Argentina, some western crop areas see subsoil moisture still short.
Saint-Laurent, QC (H4T1V6)

Today

Periods of snow. High 29F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 90%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected..

Tonight

Snow this evening will transition to snow showers late. Low 19F. NE winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 90%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected.
January WTI crude oil (CLF26) today is up +0.26 (+0.45%), and January RBOB gasoline (RBF26) is up +0.0002 (+0.01%).

Crude oil and gasoline prices recovered from early losses today and moved higher as stocks rallied sharply, signaling bullish confidence in the economic outlook and energy demand. Gains in crude are limited by improving prospects for a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine, which could lead to the end of sanctions on Russian energy and boost global crude supplies.

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Crude prices are seeing pressure in hopes that an end to the war in Ukraine is near. Last Thursday, President Trump presented a 28-point peace plan, drawn up in consultation with Russia, that Ukrainian President Zelenskiy said he's willing to work on. An end to the war in Ukraine could lead to the removal of sanctions on Russian energy exports that would boost global oil supplies.

Vortexa reported today that crude oil stored on tankers that have been stationary for at least 7 days rose +9.7% w/w to 114.31 million bbls in the week ended November 21, the highest level in 2.25 years.

Earlier this month, OPEC revised its Q3 global oil market estimates from a deficit to a surplus, as US production exceeded expectations and OPEC also ramped up crude output. OPEC said it now sees a 500,000 bpd surplus in global oil markets in Q3, versus last month's estimate for a -400,000 bpd deficit. Also, the EIA raised its 2025 US crude production estimate to 13.59 million bpd from 13.53 million bpd last month.

Oil prices are supported by news of reduced crude exports from Russia, after last Wednesday's data from Vortexa showed Russia's oil product shipments fell to 1.7 million bpd in the first 15 days of November, the lowest in more than 3 years. Ukraine has targeted at least 28 Russian refineries over the past three months, exacerbating a fuel crunch in Russia and limiting Russia's crude export capabilities. Ukraine has knocked out 13% to 20% of Russia's refining capacity by the end of October, curbing production by as much as 1.1 million bpd. New US and EU sanctions on Russian oil companies, infrastructure, and tankers have also curbed Russian oil exports.

Oil prices have underlying support from continued geopolitical risks related to Russia and the US military buildup for a possible attack on Venezuela, which is the world's 12th-largest oil producer.
The Sensex and Nifty 50 surged over 1 per cent on Wednesday, but one prominent component saw huge selling. Bharti Airtel tumbled nearly three per cent in the morning from its previous close after a promoter entity pared its stake in the telecom major. While the stock recovered a bit later in the session, it still ended 1.6 per cent lower at Rs 2,127.10 and was the biggest loser on the Sensex.

It is worth noting that Bharti Airtel has risen nearly 35 per cent over the past 12 months, significantly outperforming the Sensex, which has gained seven per cent in the same period.

Indian Continent Investment Ltd. (ICIL), an entity led by Bharti Airtels billionaire founder Sunil Mittal, sold 3.43 crore shares, amounting to 0.56 per cent stake in the company, for about Rs 7,190 crore on Wednesday.

The shares were reportedly offloaded at a floor price of Rs 2,096.70, a near 3 per cent discount to Bharti Airtels closing price on Tuesday.

The promoters of Bharti Airtel have been paring their stake in the company for some time now. The promoter shareholding has come down from 53.14 per cent in the July-September 2024 quarter to 50.27 per cent in July-September 2025.

In particular, ICILs shareholding has come down from 4.51 per cent in September 2024 to 1.48 per cent in September 2025. After Wednesdays stake sale, the shareholding of ICIL will come down further to 0.92 per cent.

Among other promoter holding companies, the shareholding of Pastel Ltd., which is a subsidiary of Singapores telecom major Singtel, has come down from 9.50 per cent in September 2024 to 8.32 per cent in September 2025. In the same period, Bharti Telecoms shareholding in Bharti Airtel has risen to 40.47 per cent from 39.13 per cent. Bharti Telecom has been jointly held by the Mittals and Singtel.

The stake sale by ICIL this year comes at a time Sunil Mittals family office and private equity firm Warburg Pincus had potentially been eyeing a stake in consumer appliances maker Haier India. Several other entities too had been interested in picking up a stake, although reports had later stated that Sunil Mitttals family office had ended the talks seemingly over valuation differences.

Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel's fundamentals remain strong. Its consolidated net profit surged 89 per cent from a year ago to Rs 6,792 crore, while revenue was up nearly 26 per cent to Rs 52,145 crore in July-September.

Several equity market analysts have been bullish on the telecom company.

From a long-term perspective, Bharti Airtel remains well-positioned for sustainable growth, backed by its strong digital services portfolio, disciplined capital management, and focus on high-value customer segments, Kuber Chauhan, research analyst, Axis Direct, said, pointing out that its ARPU (average revenue per user) had remained the best in the industry.

Airtels ARPU rose from Rs 233 to Rs 256 in the second quarter. Reliance Jios ARPU last quarter stood at Rs 211.4 and it was at Rs 180 for Vodafone Idea.

Earlier this month, S&P Global Ratings raised its long-term issuer credit rating on Bharti Airtel to BBB from BBB-, stating that the companys earnings growth would remain robust over the next 24 months, fueled by its Indian operations.

More rational competition in India will continue to fortify Bharti Airtels earnings quality. We forecast the companys India operations reported EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) will triple in the financial year 2026, compared with a decade ago. Through this period, Bharti Airtel has solidified its market position as a close second in Indias telco industry, amid an industry consolidation, S&P said.

However, it also warned that rising debt at Bharti Airtels parent could weigh on its improvement in creditworthiness. Despite a rise in dividend receipts from Airtel, debt at Bharti Telecom could continue to increase and will remain a monitoring point, it said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Tuesday, urged private defence companies to have a 'profit-plus' approach wherein they also keep national interest, and a desire to do something for the country in mind, apart from seeking profit in business. He was speaking at 'Swavlamban 2025', the Indian the Navy's flagship event on innovation and indigenisation, being held at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi.

His comments come a few days after Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan observed that the armed forces expect a bit of nationalism and patriotism" in the defence industry's profit-driven endeavours.

Singh said India is entering a "golden era of defence innovation" and added, "In the defence ecosystem, we have to grow in a bigger, bolder, faster mode."

The minister asserted that the more innovators grow, the more secure, capable and 'Aatmanirbhar' India will become.

A profit-plus approach encompasses monetary profit, nationalism, a sense of duty and strategic responsibility. Our goal should not be limited to economic activity; it should be treated as a national mission. The private industry must expand its role and move forward at a new pace in production, technology, design and innovation, keeping national interests in mind, Singh said.

The defence minister urged the private sector to increase its contribution in defence manufacturing to 50 per cent or more in the coming years.

Long-term financial burden of maintenance, repair, overhaul, and spare parts supply for defence equipment imported from foreign countries, the defence minister highlighted the need to minimise import dependency and create a strong and self-reliant domestic supply chain.

If we strengthen local manufacturing of components and subsystems, our indigenous content will increase rapidly. This will not only enhance capability but also ensure cost efficiency, reliability, and strategic independence. This is possible only when the private sector, start-ups, R&D labs, and government institutions move forward with a shared vision, he said.

Singh called upon the private industry to identify and apprise the government about the next big platform, disruptive technology, or a path-breaking innovation.
WazirX has introduced WazirX Zero, a new subscription-based trading model that removes per-trade fees entirely.

Announced on Nov. 26, the model allows users to trade unlimited volumes across more than 300 tokens for a fixed monthly charge of INR 99 (roughly $1).

Founder Nischal Shetty said the shift resets the relationship between exchanges and users by eliminating fee pressure on every order.

A new model for Indias crypto traders

According to the company, the traditional percentage-based fee structure has long worked against traders, with costs compounding regardless of profit or loss.

WazirX said users executing repeated INR 10,000 ($112.08 approx.) trades often pay thousands of rupees each month, adding up to roughly INR 6,000 ($67.25 approx.) per year.

No per trade transaction fees, no complexity, one clear charge, Shetty said. The goal is simple: enable users to trade without barriers, giving users what they want.

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WazirX hack and restructuring still shape user sentiment

The launch comes as the exchange continues rebuilding trust after its July 2024 exploit, when $234.9 million was drained in an attack attributed to North Koreas Lazarus Group.

The breach triggered one of Indias largest crypto recovery processes, eventually routed through Singapores High Court.

WazirXs parent company, Zettai Pte Ltd., led months of restructuring efforts, with more than 95% of creditors backing the recovery scheme before the court approved mid-August 2025.

Following the exploit, WazirX repeatedly said it was working on asset recovery and strengthening custody - later partnering with BitGo to add insured, institutional-grade safeguards.

Shetty said on Oct. 13 that the platform would:

Set out on the next phase to work hard and create value for everyone.

The exchange resumed trading on Oct. 24 with a phased restart, and the most recent update indicates that user fund distributions and the issuance of Recovery Tokens are underway as part of the court-approved plan.
A kill-chain can be described as a methodology for a military to find a target and hit it accurately, as fast as possible. If the 20th century was the age of the tank and aircraft, the 21st century is emerging as the age of the digital kill-chain, where the decisive factor is the speed with which a force can detect, process, decide, and strike the adversarys critical targets - using high-tech digital means.

Lt Gen Philip Campose (retd)

Four years into the Russia-Ukraine war, one conclusion is now amply clear: the side that wins the digital kill-chain wins the war. Guns, tanks, battalions, and brigades still matterbut only as much as the kill-chain that enables them. In this unforgiving battlefield, Russia has achieved something far more important than building more drones or firing more shells. It has mastered the integration of sensors, shooters, data, drones, electronic warfare, and cyber effects into a single, continuous, lethal ecosystem.

Ukraine can claim bravery, resilience, Western support, and ingenuity. On the other hand, Russia can claim something else entirely: operational dominance through systematic digitalisation of war. And India, caught between two adversariesequally technologically hungry as Russiamust take note. The war in Ukraine is not of Europes interest alone. It is a preview of the way wars are going to be fought in the future. In an earlier article, the author had highlighted the lessons from Ukraine's innovation and improvisation of drone warfare; in this one, he has drawn wisdom from Russia's apparent mastery of the digital kill-chain.

Russias mastery of the digital kill-chain

The early weeks of the Russian invasion were mocked across Western capitals. Analysts derided Russian Soviet-era tactics, poor battlefield awareness, and clumsy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). But by 2023, the tone shifted. Russia was no longer improvising. It was evolving.

Today, Russia fields a kill-chain so tightly integrated that it collapses the time between detection and destruction to mere seconds. The transformation is not just technologicalit is cultural. The Russian military stopped waiting for permission, stopped adhering to hierarchy, and allowed young soldiers with cheap drones and rugged tablets to call in precise strikes.

This is not the Russian army of Cold War caricature. This is a ruthlessly adaptive, digitally fluent war machine fighting a real-time, algorithmic war.

Persistent ISR and drone integration

Russian drones now blanket the Ukrainian front like a digital fog. This is not occasional surveillance; it is persistent, omnipresent ISR. It is an unblinking eye in the sky, watching everything, all the time.

Russia does not simply deploy more drones; it deploys drones smarter - drone saturation is now a strategy. Swarms of cheap first-person-view drones (FPVs) skim trench lines. Loitering munitions wait like airborne predators. Long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) orbit high above, feeding real-time imagery into a central stream. The entire battlefield becomes a transparent grid.

In this grid, Ukrainian movements become events in a digital system, not secrets. A tank rolling out of a tree line is no longer a tactical choice. It is a data point waiting to be turned into a targeting order.

Russian FPV operatorssome barely in their 20sare now among the deadliest combatants in the war. They operate drones like gamers on a digital battlefield, assisted by AI that highlights targets, real-time feeds from multiple drones, digital maps updated every few seconds, and team coordination tools built on commercial platforms. These FPV units have turned Ukrainian armour into a clay pigeon range. Even expensive Western platforms fall prey to drones that cost less than a mid-range smartphone.

The emergence of semi-autonomous drone swarmscoordinated through the new drone control system called Rubiconmarks a darker threshold. Russia has demonstrated that swarms do not need full autonomy to be devastating. A handful of human operators guiding a semi-cooperative swarm is enough to shatter logistics depots and troop concentrations.

Ukraine is fighting a modern Hydra: cut off one drone, three more appear.

Artillery PGMs and Automated Targeting: The New Reconnaissance-Strike Complexes (RSCs)

Russia has long been an artillery superpower. But what it has built in this war is something entirely new: The worlds most responsive, automated, drone-driven artillery ecosystem.

Russian digitalised RSCs compress what used to be a 20-minute process into two minutes. In many cases, into less than a minute.

Drone sees target.

Target flagged on digital map.

Artillery battery receives coordinates automatically.

Drones adjust fall-of-shot mid-strike.

Target destroyed.

No command approval. No paperwork. No hierarchy. This is war at machine speed.

Russia is mass-producing cheap guidance kits for dumb bombs and artillery shells. When paired with drones, even crude munitions achieve frightening accuracy. Not even Western militaries possess this level of integration on such a scale. With tablets and battlefield apps, any Russian fireteam can observe, target, and coordinate strikes. This democratised, decentralised lethality is now Russias asymmetric advantage.

Electronic Warfare (EW): Spectrum Dominance

Drones cannot fly, and guided munitions cannot guide without the electromagnetic spectrum. Russia understood this early and invested accordingly. The result: The most extensive battlefield EW architecture seen in any conflict since WWII.

Russian EW units now: Jam Ukrainian drones across entire districts, spoof GPS signals at scale, disrupt Starlink terminals in key sectors, interfere with artillery radars and block frontline communication networks. Even NATO EW specialists privately concede that Russias EW capabilities were underestimated for decades.

Crucially, Russian EW is not static. It is agile, adaptive, powered by AI, and capable of electronic ambushesbrief, intense bursts of jamming timed to coincide with drone strikes or missile barrages. Ukrainians have called Russias EW a digital minefield. Once you enter it, you are already a target.

Cyber operations

Russian cyber units quietly shape the battlefield long before drones buzz overhead. This is the invisible front where Russia degrades Ukrainian networks, infiltrates communications, and disrupts battlefield management systems.

Cyber attacks frequently coincide with major offensives: power grids go down, command software crashes, satellite links fail, and logistics tracking is disrupted. Russia treats cyber and kinetic operations as a single continuum. Most countries still treat them as separate domains. That gap will be fatal in the next war.

Agility, redundancy, and civil-military fusion

The greatest Western miscalculation was assuming Russia would fight the war it began, not the war it learned. Instead, Russian forces evolved into a battlefield laboratory. Russian units test new drones, EW payloads, and battlefield software on a weeklysometimes dailybasis. Successful ideas spread across the front in days, not months.

Russia combines military radios, civilian networks, commercial encryption apps, mesh networks, and satellite links. Destroy one channel, and five others remain.

Russia has fully embraced commercial technology: civilian drones, Chinese components, volunteer engineers, civilian logistics channels, and commercial satellite networks. War in Russia is now a whole-of-society enterprise. This is what modern-day resilience should look like.

Battlefield impact and limitations

As for impact on the battlefield, the consequences are brutal and undeniable: Ukrainian strongpoints are destroyed within hours of detection. Armoured columns survive only in short, covert sprints. Supply routes are constantly hunted. Any radio transmission risks a drone strike. Traditional warfare is dying in Ukraine. The trenches remain, but the rules have changed.

On the other hand, Russia still faces shortages of high-end chips and attrition of advanced drones. But its ability to mass-produce cheap drones and integrate commercial components has offset the impact of sanctions. In other words, Russia does not need perfection. It needs adaptation. And it has mastered adaptation.

Lessons for warfare in the South Asian context

The strategic environment in South Asia could well mirror the Russia-Ukraine war far more than what we may imagine. Future conflict will not wait for traditional bureaucratic cycles. India faces two adversaries that use drones aggressively, invest heavily in EW, deploy cyber units against Indian infrastructure, experiment with battlefield AI and embrace digitisation of war. Cyber intrusions and contested EW spectrum now reflect the baseline, not the exception.

Consequently, India must internalise the lessons of Russia-Ukraine not in years, but in months:

1. Expedite building a real-time kill-chain

India cannot win the next war with siloed data, slow approvals, and compartmentalised commands.

It needs unified ISR, multi-domain fusion centres, real-time targeting, AI-assisted decision support, and shared data links across the Army, Navy, Air Force.

2. Frontline EW and spectrum warfare

EW units pushed to the tactical edge are the need of the hour: jammers with mobility, spoofers for counter-drone operations, spectrum monitoring grids, resilient communications, and hardened data networks. If India cannot hold the spectrum, nothing else will matter.

3. Mass-produce counter-drone systems

India requires layered counter-UAS defences, not boutique programmes: interceptor swarms, automated AA guns, loitering counter-drones, and mobile directed-energy units.

4. Achieve true jointness

Theatre commands are not bureaucratic redesigns. They are kill-chain enablers. They must be accelerated, not debated endlessly.

5. Indigenise or Perish

India must produce: Drones, EW suites, encrypted radios, battlefield software, secure data links and AI reconnaissance tools. Dependence on imports in a high-tech war is a strategic death sentence.

Conclusion

The RussiaUkraine war has obliterated old doctrines and exposed a brutal truth: modern warfare is digital warfare, and the digital kill-chain decides everything on the battlefield. Russia appears to have mastered it through speed, adaptation, decentralisation, and relentless experimentation. Ukraine, brave and innovative as it is, has struggled to compete with Russias machine-speed battlefield.

For India, the lesson is not subtle. The next war will be fought under constant surveillance, persistent drone threat, cyberattack, and EW contestation. Victory will not go to the strongest or the bravestbut to the fastest, the most integrated, and the most digitally adapted.

Indias choice is simple: Build the kill-chain of the futureor be outmatched and outpaced by the kill-chain of someone else. Mastery of the digital kill-chain will be the single-most important act of military deterrence, with concomitant effects even against cross-border terrorism.

The writer was Vice Chief of the Indian Army.
BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles may just be emerging as one of India's biggest defence export success stories, as some "friendly foreign countries" are expected to soon sign BrahMos export deals worth around $450 million.

According to media reports, the missile was a major attraction at the Indian pavilion at the recent Dubai Airshow. Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth had reportedly described the missile as a major attraction at the airshow, with proven versatility across land, sea and air platforms.

News agency ANI, citing sources, reported that India is close to signing defence deals worth $450 million to supply Brahmos missiles.

The deals are expected to be signed in the "near future and are in final stages at the moment," ANI quoted defence sources as saying, adding that "These deals are expected to be followed by many more as there is big interest in the missiles by many other countries from across the globe."

ALSO READ: How to reclaim the narrative and protect India's defence industrial reputation after Tejas crash

The missile may have become attractive to prospective buyers because of its confirmed combat use in Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. As many as 15 to 19 BrahMos missiles were fired as part of Operation Sindoor, according to reports.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had earlier stated that the missile demonstrated during the military offensive that it has moved far beyond a trial and has become the greatest practical proof of national security. The combination of speed, accuracy, and power makes BrahMos one of the best systems in the world, the minister had then said.

Speaking about the export potential of the missile, the defence minister had said, Whether it's the export of the BrahMos to the Philippines or cooperation with other countries in the future, India is now playing the role of a giver, not just a taker."

Singh had, in October, said the BrahMos team signed contracts worth approximately Rs 4,000 crore with two countries recently.
Gentlemen! This is how INS Vikrant will be sent to the bottom of Arabian Sea!! 



Pakistan Navy has successfully test-fired its indigenously developed ship-launched Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile "SMASH 2", marking a major leap in long range precision strike capability. The missile pic.twitter.com/owldqtcBON  Tactical Tipu (@Tactical_Tipu) November 25, 2025

Pakistan executed the maiden launch of its indigenously developed SMASH (Surface-to-Surface Mach-8 Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile) from a warship, reports claimed. A brief video released by the Pakistan Navy showed the missile being launched from a Type 054A/P frigate and striking a target. SMASH has now reportedly extended Pakistans naval strike envelope to an estimated 700850 km.

The launch was South Asias first operational demonstration of a ship-launched Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM), reports claimed. The Pakistan Navy said that the locally-developed missiles are capable of engaging both naval as well as ground targets. PNS Tippu Sultan (F-280), often referred to as the Pakistan Navys most advanced Type 054A/P frigate, was used for SMASH's maiden launch. The system is reportedly capable of a steep-angle hypersonic re-entry exceeding Mach 8 (~9,800 km/h) before achieving a direct kinetic kill.

Why SMASH is special for Pakistan?

Nations that are known to possess ship-launched ballistic missile strike capability include the United States and China, while some reports indicate that the navies of both Iran and North Korea have also cracked the technological code.

In the simplest terms, SMASH has equipped Islamabad with the capability to carry out a long-range precision strike on targets hundreds of kilometres beyond Pakistans coast, Defence Security Asia said in a report. This means, in case of a conflict, it can now challenge enemy naval operations in the wider Arabian Sea.

Indian Navy and SMASH

Elaborating on how it affects the Pakistan Navy's Herculean challenge of challenging the superior Indian fleets, the report said: "While Pakistan has traditionally relied on a combination of anti-ship cruise missiles such as Babur-3, Harbah, and Zarbalong with air-launched stand-off munitionsto offset Indias numerical naval superiority, the introduction of a hypersonic ASBM fired from a surface combatant radically transforms the engagement geometry in Pakistans favour." It further claimed that SMASH has the potential to give a hard time to India's air defence systems such as the Barak-8 or SM-6 since they dive onto their target from exo-atmospheric altitudes.

The integration of SMASH is expected to help Pakistan achieve the deterrence goal of area denial dominance against India without having to match it numerically, a report said. Much of the SMASH missiles data remains classified, the Defence Security Asia said, adding that the official video released by the Pakistan Navy confirms its universal vertical launch system (UVLS) compatibility. The induction of the ASBM could offer some solace to the Pak Navy which was under immense pressure to catch up with its Indian counterpart, which had commissioned aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, the development of a follow-on carrier, nuclear submarine constructions and BrahMos-II(K) systems.



The INS Vikrant is typically anchored or homeported at the Kochi Naval Base in Kerala, on the southwest coast of India. According to Google, the distance between Kochi and the Pakistani port city of Karachi is approximately 1,000 nautical miles (or about 1,850 kilometres) in a straight line across the Arabian Sea. During deployment in the North Arabian Sea, the carrier gets significantly closer to the Pakistani mainland, potentially reducing the distance to 500800 kilometres.
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran Electronics & Defense (SED), an entity within the Safran Group, signed a Joint Venture Cooperation Agreement (JVCA) to make the Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (HAMMER) smart precision-guided air-to-ground weapon in India.

 @Safrans AASM Hammer bombs in action. France will double its production of these bombs this year. pic.twitter.com/lGKERAbj0X  French Aid to Ukraine   (@aidefranceukr) January 1, 2025

HAMMER is a combat-proven, precision-guided weapon system with a range of over 70 km, known for its high accuracy, resistance to jamming, ability to be launched from low altitude over rough terrain, and modular design. The joint venture aims not just to arm the Indian Air Forces (IAF) Rafale fleet with HAMMER systems but also the Indian Navys Rafale-M fighters as well as all variants of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LAC). The objective is to ensure India's combat aviation ecosystem has a common precision-guided weapon system.

FULL REPORT | HAMMER missiles to be made in India: New BEL-Safran joint venture to fast track weapon deployment for IAF, Indian Navy

It was reported in 2020 that the IAF had opted for French HAMMER for Rafale, dropping an earlier plan to equip the fighter jets with Israeli precision-guidance system Spice 2000. One of the reasons cited then was that Rafale is already capable of firing the HAMMER, which would mean that it could lead to faster operational deployment of the weapon.

The JVC, which will localise the manufacturing, supply and maintenance of HAMMER to meet the operational requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Navy, will be formed as a private limited company with 50:50 shareholding, The Week had earlier reported.

Why local production of HAMMER bombs matters

International combat aviation and military news websites have pointed out that Rafale and Tejas fleets getting the HAMMERs is a major boost for Indias precision-strike capability, which makes targets well inside enemy territory vulnerable. The Rafales can easily be integrated with the modular guidance and propulsion kit as its fire-control systems, onboard sensors, and mission-data computers allow seamless synchronisation with the HAMMER ecosystem.

INTENSE FOOTAGE 



Footage shows Ukrainian glide bomb strikesSDB, JDAM-ER, and AASM Hammerhitting targets near Demidovka, Kondratovka, and a bridge in Grafovka, Belgorod Oblast. pic.twitter.com/nZAzgQuJwa  Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) April 1, 2025

However, LCA Tejas getting fitted with the multi-warhead supported systems is a major boost for IAF as it converts a primarily air-defence-centric fighter into a full multirole platform with high-precision strike capability, Defence Security Asia said in a report. This integration empowers the HAL-built war birds capable of taking off for bunker-buster missions and interdiction strikes which try to disrupt or destroy enemy forces or supplies before they can reach the battlefield or front lines. Also, Tejas jets will be capable of providing land assets with close air support with far greater survivability and accuracy, the report added.

Further, HAMMER-armed Rafales and Tejas can receive targeting data from AWACS, reconnaissance UAVs, ground surveillance radars, making coordinated saturation strikes possible.

In network-centric warfare, HAMMER-armed Rafales and Tejas can receive targeting data from reconnaissance UAVs, ground surveillance radars, and airborne early-warning aircraft, enabling coordinated saturation strikes on enemy infrastructure. These factors could heavily favour IAF if the Himalayan heights or the Indo-Pacific waters are ever to become warzones.

For the integration to happen, Tejas Mk1A variants will require software upgrades, weapon-management system enhancements, aerodynamic validation, and datalink optimization, the Defence Security Asia report reminded. It also pointed out that ensuring robust domestic supply chains capable of wartime surge production and indigenising complex components without compromising accuracy are a must for these to happen.
The three-headed 'Chimera' is one of Greek mythologys most fantastical creatures. She had a lions frontlegs, chest, and a mane-framed headwhile her midsection was that of a she-goat, with a second goats head rising from her back that could breathe fire. Her hindquarters were dragon-like, ending in a serpents tail tipped with a snakes head. This blend of lion, goat, and serpent made the Chimera an enduring mythical icon.

Today, 'Chimera' describes anything made of parts that dont usually belong together, a term used in fields from art and architecture to cybersecurity and genetics. Natural human chimeras also existpeople who carry more than one genetically distinct cell line from different zygotes. Recently, medical literature reported the case of a woman who carried her twin brothers DNA in her blood, yet showed typical female traits and could become pregnant. She never knew she was a 'chimera' until age 35, when she had a miscarriage.

The case, published in Gene Reports, involved this patient from Brazil who arrived at the hospital after losing a pregnancy at seven weeks. When her gynaecologist ran chromosomal tests to check for possible causes, a startling detail emerged: her blood cells had a 46,XY profiletypically male. Confused, doctors tested other tissues and discovered her skin cells were 46,XX, the usual female pattern.

A physical examination showed typical female traits and a healthy reproductive system. It was observed that her sexual development was also normal. The patient had a twin brother, and when doctors tested samples from him and their parents, they found that the genetic variants in the brothers XY blood cells matched the ones present in her blood.

Doctors eventually concluded she carried two sets of DNAher own and her twin brothersabsorbed early in development. Medical science refers to this as feto-fetal transfusion, which can occur when the veins and arteries of twins become intertwined in the umbilical cord.

The case became the first instance of complete blood chimerism. It was observed that though rare, this phenomenon is possible and can appear without any sexual or reproductive abnormalities.

It was also observed that the womans body created a brand-new immune 'ID tag' by mixing her own DNA with her absorbed twin brothers DNA. This showed that when twins share blood cells very early in the womb, the immune system can learn to accept the foreign cells forever, instead of attacking them.

Most previously documented human chimeras with mixed sex chromosomes showed significant physical or reproductive issues. This patient did not. In fact, 11 months after the miscarriage, she conceived again. With progesterone support during pregnancy, she reportedly delivered a healthy boya child for whom she is both mother and, genetically speaking, an uncle.
West Bengal appears to be heading to another full-blown political showdown after Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir reiterated his claim that a Babri Masjid would be built in Murshidabad and that the foundation stone laying ceremony would be held on December 6.

We will lay the foundation stone of Babri Masjid on December 6 in Beldanga, Murshidabad district. It will take three years to complete. Various Muslim leaders will participate in the event," Kabir said.

His remarks came after posters of the disputed structure in Ayodhya, which was demolished on December 6, 1992, emerged across the district, triggering sharp reactions from political opponents.

#WATCH | West Bengal: Posters of Babri Masjid put up in Murshidabad.



TMC MLA Humayun Kabir said, "We will lay the foundation stone of Babri Masjid on 6th December in Beldanga, Murshidabad district." pic.twitter.com/PvBHl1t02I  ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2025

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla launched a scathing attack on the Trinamool Congress leader, calling his announcement an example of "appeasement politics for votes".

"This is the appeasement pro-max politics. TMC now means 'Tushti Karan Mujhe Chahiye'. This controversial Humayun Kabir, who says he will chop off Hindus and throw them into Bhagirath, is now making yet another controversial statement because their philosophy is, give Hindus gali and take vote bank ki tali (abuse Hindus to gain a vote bank), Poonawalla told ANI news agency.

The BJP leader further alleged that the Trinamool Congress had insulted Hindu deities, including Maa Sita, Maa Durga, and Maa Kali, claiming that such actions were part of a strategy to consolidate votes.

These are the same people who, for vote bank politics, will go to any extent, whether it is inciting on Waqf, CAA, SIR, or doing these kinds of things," he said.

Union minister Giriraj Singh, too, hit out at Kabir and the ruling party, saying the Trinamool Congress was not constructing a mosque but rather laying the foundation stone of a "Bangladesh" in West Bengal.

"Hindus of Bengal should not forget that Mamata Banerjee and the TMC government run on the support of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas. The way they are playing politics on the dead bodies of Hindus will not last long, he said.

Murshidabad was in the headlines this April for the violence it witnessed with protests against the Waqf Amendment Bill, leading to the destruction of properties and massive displacement.

The Trinamool Congress has not yet officially responded to Kabirs statements.
President Droupadi Murmu marked Constitution Day with a message underling the central place of the Constitution in Indias public life and the responsibilities of the institutions that operate under it. Addressing two separate functions at the two pillars of the republic, the Parliament and the Supreme Court, the President traced a line from the work of the Constituent Assembly to the demands of a changing society, where the Constitution was a tool for national progress.

At the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, Murmu began by recalling the 2015 decision to observe November 26 as Constitution Day, taken during the 125th birth anniversary year of B.R. Ambedkar. She said the annual observance had become a meaningful national exercise, giving citizens, especially younger generations, a chance to reconnect with constitutional values. The practice, she noted, reinforces the idea that the Constitution belongs not only to the state but to We, the people of India.

President Droupadi Murmu released the translated version of #ConstitutionofIndia in 9 languages including Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Punjabi, Bodo, Kashmiri, Telugu, Odia and Assamese #NationalConstitutionDay #SamvidhanSeSamriddhi pic.twitter.com/7Iw37E4srJ  PIB India (@PIB_India) November 26, 2025

In attendance were Vice President, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, central ministers and members of both the houses of parliament.

Murmu returned to the debate in the Constituent Assembly that led to the adoption of the parliamentary system, arguing that the reasoning remains relevant. She said Parliament continues to express public aspirations in a way that has gained international attention. Linking democratic practice with economic progress, she pointed to Indias growth trajectory and the movement of millions out of poverty as markers of the systems effectiveness.

The debate around Constitution has become a national issue that it drives leaders from both the side of aisle.

Murmu described the Constitution as a source of national identity and national pride and said recent changes in criminal law reflect a shift toward a justice-centred approach. She also highlighted broader political participation, noting higher turnout among women and steady involvement of disadvantaged groups across electoral levels. These patterns, she said, strengthen the democratic foundation the framers envisioned.

She credited Parliament with acting in the national interest and said the combined work of the legislature, executive and judiciary has supported development and stability.

Later at the Supreme Court, Murmu shifted focus from legislative performance to the judiciarys role. She paid tribute to the framers and called the Constitution the source of Indias identity as the worlds largest republic. She listed its functions: creating unity in diversity, establishing equality in a society marked by disparities, enabling peaceful social and economic change, and providing a multi-layered system of governance capable of continuity and reform.

Murmu said it is now common for public debate to hinge on what the Constitution says, which she described as a sign of growing confidence in the document. She argued that the Constitution became a reference point for citizens because of the broad participation that shaped it. To maintain that connection, she said children should be introduced to the Constitution in accessible ways. A child-friendly version, produced with help from constitutional scholars and childrens authors, would help younger readers understand its principles early in life.

Talking about the institutional architecture, she said the framers gave detailed guidance on the roles of the executive, legislature and judiciary. She expressed confidence that these three organs would strengthen the system through coordination and that citizens would benefit from such cooperation. She added that access to justice must improve, with legal aid available at the grassroots and delivery of justice made as accessible as other essential services.
As India celebrates Constitution Day, it is imperative to reflect on the ideals and principles of this foundational text that commits to the protection, upliftment, and progress of its people. Article 21 is one of the most important articles in our Constitution, which strives to protect the life and liberty of its citizens. Read along with Articles 20 and 22, which provide safeguards in cases of arrest and detention, it comprehensively aims to uphold human rights as well as the spirit of the legal principle of presumption of innocence.

However, despite the existence of constitutional safeguards, there has been rampant police brutality leading to incidents of custodial violence and deaths.

Data shows that a minimum of five custodial deaths happen in India each day. In 2024 alone, more than 2,000 cases of custodial deaths were reported. According to a survey by Lokniti CDS and Common Cause, 63 per cent of officers justified violence against suspects in serious crimes, and 30 per cent supported third-degree methods even for theft. Institutional endorsement is evident, with 42 per cent of officers supporting torture in terror cases and 25 per cent justifying mob justice in cases of sexual abuse of children. Despite the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in D. K. Basu v. State of West Bengal on the rights during arrest and detention, along with constitutional guarantees under Articles 20 and 22, in many cases, it was found that torture by the police occurred before official arrest. This widespread prevalence of police brutality questions the ethical standards on which this institution is built; one where duty creates a hollow pride comprising insensitive high-handedness and unchecked state power.

While the media often serves as a platform to shed light on custodial deaths as a violation of human rights, media trials or excessive publicity of incidents often cause inversion of the constitutional principle of "innocent until proven guilty," leading to biases in arrests, detentions, and investigations, along with a higher chance of high-handedness by the police in such cases. Politicisation of arrests and detentions is another cause of biased investigations and misuse of power under political patronage. In order to suppress dissent and elicit confessions serving politically motivated outcomes, the police are given an unrestricted power of torture, often leading to deaths. NCRB data shows that in the past 20 years, despite 1,888 reported cases of custodial deaths, only 26 policemen have been convicted so far. That is, a 1.4 per cent conviction rate. Political interference, therefore, not only supports this banal evil but also protects these perpetrators of violence from any public accountability or judicial probes.

The Constitution is not merely a legal text but a living promise of equality and protection for all citizens, especially the most vulnerable. Around 70 per cent of prisoners in India are undertrials, with a majority being people from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. This brings us to another relevant argument on systemic custodial violence, particularly targeted at marginalised sections based on caste discrimination. Often, policemen from dominant castes have used custodial violence as a garb to inflict caste discrimination and maintain the status quo of hegemonic caste bias in Indian society. Power is therefore misused to prevent transgressions from established caste hierarchy and norms  thus becoming 'de facto adjudicators of law.'

Custodial deaths also shed light on the status of the police system and the need for reforms. It highlights the need for inclusive and sensitivity training in the police forces, with the highest standards of ethical and moral conduct, in order to bring existing victims to justice and not create more victims using state brutality. There is also a need to reduce the burden of police officers, especially those in lower ranks, to reduce workload pressure and frustration, which can often lead to displacement of this anger on those behind barswhether guilty or not. Transparency in investigations, ethical oversight, and a robust protection mechanism until the trial takes place is the need of the hour. Without such structural and attitudinal reforms, the legal system will continue to produce victims of violence not just by criminals but by the state itself.

True celebration of the highest law, that is our Constitution, is reflecting on the established institutions and the need to reform them in order to improve public trust and accountability. The pursuit of justice cannot come at the cost of eroding the very rights that the Constitution has laid down to protect the citizens. The goal must be to erode the fear of society with respect to the image of police or courts in India. We must commit to evaluate current systems, acknowledge the failings, and reshape existing policies and mechanisms to build a just society. As the country marks Constitution Day, it is essential to recognise that safeguarding public faith in the police is not just a procedural necessity but a constitutional imperative. This is essential not only to build public trust in the legal system but also ensures effective justice delivery, one where the guilty are punished by the law and the victims are protected under law.

Dr Fauzia Khan is a Rajya Sabha MP and former minister of state for General Administration Department, education and health, Maharashtra.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has written to Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma, citing security breach at the office of West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal in Kolkata.

The incident pertains to the protest march by booth level officers (BLOs) on Tuesday, against the workload of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and apprehensions following the death of 51-year-old BLO Rinku Tarafdar in Nadia district, who died by suicide on November 22. This is the third BLO death in the state.

The existing security in the office of the CEO appeared to be inadequate to handle the situation, which could lead to a threat to the safety and security of the Chief Electoral Officer, Additional Chief Electoral Officers, Joint Chief Electoral Officers, Deputy Chief Electoral Officers and other officers and staff working in the office of the Chief Electoral Office, said Sujeet Kumar Misra, Secretary, ECI, in the letter.

The Commission has taken a serious view of the incident and directs that the police authorities should take all possible measures to ensure the safety and security of officers and staff posted in the office of the CEO, at their residences and while commuting to and fro. The Commission further directs that adequate security classification shall be done on account of sensitivity involved due to SIR activities and forthcoming elections in the state and ensure that no untoward incident occurs again, the letter further stated.

ECI has also asked the Kolkata Police Commissioner for an action report to be submitted within 48 hours of receipt of the letter.

The BLOs marched under the banner of BLO Adhikar Rakha Committee which the CEO said he has not heard of. Other government teachers too joined the protest during which the protestors attempted to break the lock and barge into the EC premises. There was tight police security, and all entrances to the building were locked from the inside. Finally, 13 protestors were allowed to go to the office of the CEO on Monday, but were not permitted to meet him as he was busy. Other senior election officials were ready to meet the protesters; however, they declined.

A huge police force was deployed even on Tuesday. The agitation was called off later that evening after meeting with the CEO Manoj Agarwal. However, protestors say they will continue the demonstration from outside the building till December 4, which is the last day for submission of the enumeration forms and completion of the SIR exercise.

What prompted BLOs to protest?

BLOs are worried as digitisation of numeration forms takes time, and with several forms to be digitised, many are working late into the night. Some are falling ill because of the workload, which includes going from door to door, distributing and collecting the forms after explaining the process to voters.

BLOs also face problems as they are unable to communicate with voters. In the case of the second BLO death in Jalpaiguri district, 48-year-old Shantimuni Ekka, who was unable to speak, read or write Bengali, had to undertake the online data entry process of Bengali enumeration forms. Her family claims this made her work tougher, and her repeated pleas to be relieved as a BLO were turned down. Like Tarafdar, Ekka was found hanging in her house. Both deaths took place within a week, prompting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to write to Chief Election Commissioner Gyaneshwar Kumar to take corrective measures and provide adequate training to BLOs and to stop the SIR process.

The first death, on November 8, was of Namita Hansda in East Burdwan district, who collapsed on duty after suffering a brain stroke. She was taken to the hospital, but died later that night. Her husband blamed the EC for her death due to work pressure.

Many have reportedly fallen ill due to the work pressure and tight deadlines.

EC argues that many of the protestors were not BLOs, and there are also those who have completed their SIR process before time and have got back to their duty as government teachers. Facing flak over the SIR, EC has felicitated select BLOs in various districts. While the deadline of completing the SIR process will not be extended as communicated by the West Bengal CEO, BLOs who are still troubled by the demands of the SIR process will have to to EC guidelines.

Meanwhile, a ten-member delegation of Trinamool Congress(TMC) MPs led by Derek OBrien, will hold a meeting with ECI Delhi on Friday. The apex poll body agreed to meet the party over their concerns regarding the SIR. TMC has been protesting against the electoral revision exercise right from the beginning.
One of the key members of the Faridabad module, Dr Adeel Rather, is said to have sought advanced salary, as per leaked WhatsApp chats.

In one of the messages, Adeel says he is in "dire need of money". Adeel had deleted the messages before his arrest. However, the messages were recovered from the phone of Rather's co-worker at a Saharanpur hospital in Uttar Pradesh. The duo exchanged messages between September 5 and 9.

A video of Dr. Umar Un Nabi - the man accused in the November 10 Red Fort car blast has now come to light. In the clip, he describes suicide bombing as a martyrdom operation. He speaks in English, saying those who die at a designated time and place are martyrs, not victims". pic.twitter.com/iQKzP64VWc  THE WEEK (@TheWeekLive) November 18, 2025

Adeel, who was the "treasurer" of the Faridabad module, is said to contributed Rs 8 lakh to fund the terror activities of the group.

On September 5, he first messaged the staffer, saying he wanted money. "Good afternoon, sir... I had requested for the salary to be credited... Will be your great help sir... in dire need of money."

ALSO READ: Umar un Nabi preferred ISIS-style attack, bickered with Muzammil Shakeel, Adeel Rather over Jaish ideology

A few hours later, he sent another message, saying, "Please deposit it into my own account sir. The account that I provided earlier."

The next day, he messaged yet again, "Good morning, sir, please do it... Will be grateful."

On September 7, he insisted again, saying, "Good afternoon... Need salary ASAP sir... in need of money... Plz will be your great help."

The final message sent on September 9 said, "Plz do it tomorrow... I m in very need sir".

Adeel was initially arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir police on November 6 for putting up posters supporting Jaish-e-Mohammed in Srinagar on October 27. He was nabbed from the Sahranpur Hospital.

Until October 2024, Adeel was working at Government Medical College (GMC) in Anantnag. On November 10, police recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition from Adeel's locker in GMC Anantnag. Delhi suicide bomber had once worked with Adeel at the same medical college.

The investigation led to the discovery of explosives stored by Dr Muzammil Shakeel in Faridabad. Following this, Muzammil and Dr Shaheen Shahid from whose Swift Dzire explosives were found were arrested.
Deere & Co.s weak forecast for the year ahead reinforces the difficulty in predicting a recovery in the US farm economy as uncertainty continues to swirl over the impact of tariffs and trade deals.

Shares of the worlds biggest farm machinery maker fell as much as 5.7% in New York as the companys first profit outlook for 2026 fell short of expectations. The forecast underscores how the agriculture sector remains in the dark even after a US trade agreement resumes crop shipments to China.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Farmers have been grappling with President Donald Trumps tariff policies that squeezed demand and raised costs. While the recent deal with China is raising hopes, theres still questions on whether the ramp-up of soybean and wheat sales will be enough to shake the US farm economy out of a years-long slump.

WATCH: Deere shares fall as the companys first profit outlook for 2026 fell short of expectations. Bloomberg Intelligences Christopher Ciolino discussed the story on Bloomberg Markets.Source: Bloomberg

Deeres widely underwhelming 2026 guidance suggests a more severe and prolonged agricultural downturn than we initially anticipated, though it offers clarity on trough earnings this cycle, Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Chris Ciolino wrote in a report.

Deere said net income in the 2026 fiscal year will be between $4 billion and $4.75 billion. That misses the average Bloomberg estimate for $5.31 billion, and would be a drop from the $5.027 billion reported for the year just ended.

Our organization is used to managing cyclicality, but this year we faced an additional headwind of heightened uncertainty in a rapidly changing business environment, Chief Executive Officer John May said on a Wednesday call with investors.

May said in a statement that Deere believes 2026 will mark the bottom of the large ag cycle.

Even before the latest trade war, farmers had been pulling back on equipment purchases, stung by low crop prices but elevated costs for seeds, fertilizer and the machines to plant, treat and harvest crops. Trump called for farmers to go buy tractors after the US-China trade deal was announced, but it may take longer for those sales to materialize.

It was clearly surprising that they would set such a low bar for 2026 but clearly the farmer is not running back to put orders in, said Brian Sponheimer, a portfolio manager at Gabelli Funds, which has a position in Deere. Its clearly a challenged market  but I think that they are providing at the bottom of guidance a more or less worst-case scenario.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged citizens to fulfil their constitutional duties and contribute meaningfully to the building of a Viksit Bharat.

In a letter to citizens on the occasion of the Constitution Day, Modi said every action of theirs should strengthen the Constitution and further national goals and interests.

"It is our responsibility to fulfil the dreams envisioned by the framers of our Constitution. When we work with this sense of duty, our nations social and economic progress will multiply manifold," he said.

On Constitution Day, wrote a letter to my fellow citizens in which Ive highlighted about the greatness of our Constitution, the importance of Fundamental Duties in our lives, why we should celebrate becoming a first time voter and morehttps://t.co/i6nQAfeGyu  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 26, 2025

The prime minister suggested that special ceremonies be conducted in schools and colleges to celebrate first-time voters turning 18.

"When we inspire our youth with a sense of responsibility and pride, they will remain committed to the values of democracy throughout their lives. This sense of commitment is the foundation of a strong nation," he said.

The prime minister recalled the contribution of Rajendra Prasad and B.R. Ambedkar, and several others, in the drafting of the Constitution. He also recalled Mahatma Gandhi's belief that rights flow from the performance of duties, stressing that fulfilling duties is the foundation for social and economic progress.

"All these personalities and milestones remind us of the primacy of our duties, something the Constitution also emphasises through a dedicated chapter on Fundamental Duties in Article 51A. These duties guide us on how to collectively achieve social and economic progress," he said.

Earlier, in a social media post, Modi paid tribute to the framers of the Constitution, saying their vision and foresight continue to motivate us in the pursuit of building a Viksit Bharat.

"Our Constitution gives utmost importance to human dignity, equality and liberty. While it empowers us with rights, it also reminds us of our duties as citizens, which we should always try to fulfil. These duties are the foundation of a strong democracy," he had said.
Senior AIADMK leader and former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa's ground strategist, K.A. Sengottaiyan, is all set to join actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) on November 27. The veteran Gobichettipalayam MLA resigned as a legislator on Wednesday to facilitate the induction.

Sengottaiyan called on Assembly Speaker M. Appavu in person and submitted his resignation letter, formally ending his tenure as a legislator from the Gobichettipalayam constituency and his five-decade-long association with the AIADMK. His arrival at the Secretariat created a buzz in political circles. DMK senior leader and HR&CE Minister P.K. Sekhar Babu had a brief chat with him inside the Assembly Speaker's room.

As one of the most influential figures from western Tamil Nadu in the AIADMK, Sengottaiyan was known to be a ground-level strategist for AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa. Regarded as a leader groomed by MGR, Sengottaiyan has been elected to the assembly nine times and served as a minister in both MGR and Jayalalithaa's cabinets. He had held several key positions in the party and the government. His exit from the AIADMK followed months of internal tensions. Along with five other former ministers, Sengottaiyan said that he urged AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami to readmit expelled leaders O. Panneerselvam, T.T.V. Dhinakaran, and V.K. Sasikala to strengthen the party. Palaniswami, however, opposed this proposal, and Sengottaiyans influence in the party subsequently declined. Incidentally, Sengottaiyan also called on Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi and, later, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Chennai. It was said that the BJP ensured that the AIADMK renewed its alliance only after his meeting with Shah. AIADMK sources indicated that Sengottaiyan was considered an option to replace Palaniswami if the latter denied an alliance with the BJP.

However, the meetings did not help Sengottaiyan politically and only ensured his downfall. After realising that he was being sidelined, Sengottaiyan called a press conference and set an ultimatum for Palaniswami to reunite the party. But EPS removed Sengottaiyan from all party positions. Later, when Sengottaiyan called on Dhinakaran and O. Panneerselvam during the Thevar Jayanthi event at Pasumpon on October 30, he was expelled from the party. And now, with the AIADMK's general council scheduled to happen on December 10, it is likely that his expulsion will be ratified.

Left in the lurch, Sengottaiyan had only a few options: stay with rebels OPS and Dhinakaran, choose the DMK, choose to join the BJP, or join Vijay. While Dhinakaran and OPS are also nowhere in Tamil Nadu politics, Sengottaiyans chances of going with the BJP were slim, as it was in alliance with the AIADMK. Sengottaiyans natural choice was TVK, as he had been groomed as an anti-DMK politician.

Hours before setting out to Chennai to tender his resignation, Sengottaiyan, while replying to questions from the media at the Coimbatore airport, said that he had witnessed several ups and downs. The reward I have been given is that I should not even be a member of this movement (AIADMK). It is well known that this has caused me deep anguish. I have no further comments on this, he said.

Advantage TVK

Sengottaiyan joining the TVK is seen as an added advantage for the TVK, as he is well-experienced in electoral politics and can strategise on the ground for Vijay. Until now, Vijay has not had a single experienced politician by his side who is well-versed in electoral politics and has administrative knowledge. Also, being one of the strong faces from the western region, it is believed that he can bring a good chunk of votes from the region to Vijays TVK and disrupt the prospects of the Dravidian majors in the region.
The mother of the 16-year-old Kerala boy who was allegedly a victim of her attempt to radicalise him is married to a terror convict who was investigated by the NIA, police said.

On November 19, Kerala police from Venjaramoodu, Thiruvananthapuram, had registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) after the boy alleged that his UK-based mother and her husband attempted to lure him towards extremist views like those held by the Islamic State (IS) militant organisation.

The boy was taken to London but was sent back when he didn't adopt their extremist mindset, police told NDTV.

He was later brought to an Almiya Academy, a madrassa in Thirvananthapuram, by Siddique, the stepfather, who is a convict in a terror case, according to Ustad Ahmad, a teacher at the madrassa. Ahmed also said that Siddique was married to Fidha Mohammad Ali despite already having a family and being married.

His mother was previously living with Anzar, his brother in the UK, who also held extremist views and attempted to radicalise the teen. He currently lives in Leicester in the UK. The FIR registered by the police describe Anzar as a member of ISIS who allegedly showed the teenager an ISIS murder video and tried to cultivate a hostility to other religions.

According to Ahmad, the teen told him that both Siddique and Anzar had extremist views and that the didn't like the way they were interfering in his life.

"The child told me Anzar has extremist ideology and that he has no interest in remaining in touch with either Siddique or Anzar. He said he dislikes both and that they interfere (in his life) more than his mother. The child said his mother was a Christian earlier," said Ahmad.

Safi Naqvi, the chairman of the madrassa, confirmed that the teen stayed at the academy for nearly two months from July 3 to August 29.

Siddique brought him there and visited him frequently. However, Fidha, the child's mother, never visited the madrassa, claiming that she was in the UK.

"It was a shock for us. We never saw this coming. We never imagined such a situation. Now, I feel the mother was lying to us about being in the UK. We had no clue that Siddhique was earlier convicted in an NIA case. I came to know only two days ago and was shocked," added Naqvi.

The case against the three: Anzar, Siddique and Fidha was registered after the teens uncle took him from the madrassa and went to the police station.

Police sources had said that Siddique was earlier convicted in the infamous Kanakamala terror conspiracy case, which resulted in an interception by the NIA in October 2016 in Kannur. The convicts in the case were found to be part of an IS module who was discussing ways to carry out coordinated attacks in the Southern states of India.
Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, on Wednesday, claimed that Muslims in the state don't vote for the saffron party, and alleged that there is a narrative spread by the LDF and the UDF that the saffron party is against Muslims. He sought to know what do Muslim community gain by voting for the Congress.

His remarks come ahead of the Kerala local body polls, set to be held on December 9 and 11.

Speaking at a press conference, the BJP leader, when asked about the lack of Muslim representation in the Union cabinet, said his party never harmed anyone and added that the BJP has prominent Muslim leaders like Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Shahnawaz Hussain.

"Even today, there are Muslim MPs in the Rajya Sabha from Jammu and Kashmir. In Kerala, there are many Muslim BJP candidates in local body elections," he said.

He noted that late A.P.J. Abdul Kalam became President under the NDA. "We have done our part. Before 2017, there wasnt a single cabinet minister from Kerala either. Our national vice president is Abdullakutty, and our state vice president is Abdul Salam."

Chandrasekhar said the BJP is not like Jamaat-e-Islami, as unlike the latter, which openly states that they do not want the Constitution and do not believe in democracy, the saffron party believes in the Constitution and democracy.

He alleged that for the last three decades, a false narrative has been created saying the BJP is communal and anti-Muslim and called this "hypocrisy."

"To remove this misunderstanding, a Muslim outreach team has been formed under the leadership of Prof. Abdul Salam. They are meeting people, building dialogue, not for votes, but to understand why such misconceptions exist," he said.

The Kerala BJP president said the saffron party never acted against any religion, and never will.

"The narrative that the BJP is anti-Muslim has been created by the LDF and Congress. But we are against Jamaat-e-Islami and SDPI because they act against the Constitution. We are also against those who support them, the LDF and Congress. BJP stands against anti-constitutional forces, not against any religion..."

He vowed that the BJP will work hard to earn the trust of the Muslim community and end the poisonous campaign led by LDF and UDF.
India on Tuesday strongly condemned the arbitrary detention of its citizen at Shanghai International Airport and outrightly rejected Chinas remarks regarding the status of Arunachal Pradesh.

Arunachal Pradesh remains an integral and inalienable part of India, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement.

Indias reaction came after a woman from Arunachal Pradesh, Prema Wangjom Thongdok, was allegedly detained at Shanghai airport for 18 hours after Chinese authorities refused to recognise her Indian passport.

Terming the incident a violation of international norms and bilateral understanding, Jaiswal said the matter has been taken up strongly with the Chinese side.

Chinese authorities have yet to provide any credible justification for their actions, which contravene established international air travel conventions and their own visa-free transit policy, he said.

The MEA spokesperson also dismissed the Chinese foreign ministrys remarks on Arunachal Pradesh, saying the northeast state remains an integral part of India.

"Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, and this is a self-evident fact. No amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality," he said.

Our response to media queries on statements made by the Chinese Foreign Ministry

 https://t.co/3JUnXjIBLc pic.twitter.com/DjEdy7TmTK  Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) November 25, 2025

Thongdok, who hails from Rupa in West Kameng district and has lived in the UK for many years, was travelling from London to Japan for a vacation on November 21 when the alleged incident took place.

The woman claimed that she had faced harassment from Chinese immigration officials and noted that her 18-hour ordeal came to an end with the help of officials from India's missions in Shanghai and Beijing.

India issued a strong demarche to the Chinese side, both at the Embassy in New Delhi and the Foreign Ministry in Beijing, over the incident.

Meanwhile, China has denied allegations of harassment, claiming that the border checks were conducted strictly in accordance with laws and regulations.

During the entire time, Chinas border inspection authorities carried out checks procedures in accordance with laws and regulations no compulsory measures were taken on her, and there was no so-called detaining or harassing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.

She, however, reiterated Chinas long-standing claim on Arunachal Pradesh, which it calls Zangnan or South Tibet. Zangnan is Chinas territory, and China does not recognise the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India, Mao said.
Amid speculations about a Cabinet reshuffle in Karnataka, MLA H A Iqbal Hussain set tongues wagging with his controversial statement on guard change on Tuesday. Hussain, who arrived from Delhi after meetings with the Congress High Command, said he was 200 per cent sure that Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar will soon helm the government.

Responding to a question from the media regarding the high command's visit to New Delhi, he said, "All good news will come. D.K. Shivakumar will become the Chief Minister. This is a private matter between four or five leaders, and we will all abide by the decision of the high command," he was quoted by local media reports.

Hussains statement comes as senior Congress leader and MLC B K Hariprasad met Rahul Gandhi on Monday afternoon. Hariprasad, who belongs to Chief Minister Siddaramaiahs faction, said he informed Rahul Gandhi about the developments within the party. The MLAs of the DK Shivakumar faction were also in Bengaluru after holding a Delhi parade demanding that their leader be made the CM.

STORY | Don't want to speak on CM change issue publicly as it is a 'secret deal' between few: D K Shivakumar



Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said he did not want to discuss the CM change issue publicly, as it is a "secret deal" between four and five pic.twitter.com/VNonGGfMjZ  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 25, 2025

Reports hint that the MLAs who support Shivakumar believes that if they heed to the advice to proceed peacefully, the High Command may not take a favourable view with regard to making Shivakumar the chief. Therefore, the DCM's inner circle of MLAs are going to Delhi in groups to intensifying the pressure tactics. After the second group reached Delhi late on Sunday night, a group of about 15 people is ready to leave for Delhi on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, there are also reports that Shivakumar held a closed-door meeting with Satish Jharkiholi, who was touted as Siddaramaiahs successor, to iron out differences.

CM Prediction

An interesting prediction made by Laltha Bharathi Vijayendra Theertha Guru of Mysore has garnered attention. Besides performing special pujas for D K Shivakumar, he has predicted that, according to the planetary movements, D K Shivakumar should become the CM in the next two days.
Months after the Operation Sindoor, the CISF has detailed how it foiled an attempt by Pakistan to strike the Uri hydroelectric plant near the Line of Control (LoC).

The statement by the CISF said the bid happened on the night of May 6 after India conducted strategic strikes on terrorists' hideouts in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In retaliation, the Pakistan Army launched intense and indiscriminate shelling on Indian territory, endangering vital infrastructure, including the Uri hydro-power projects, and threatening nearby civilian populations, the statement said, adding that the CISF units, safeguarding the project, sprang into action immediately.

The team, led by Commandant Ravi Yadav, immediately took steps to shield the installations and the surrounding township by neutralising hostile drones. They also took action to secure armoury stockpiles by swiftly redistributing weapons to prevent potential destruction. The CISF also went across houses, evacuating civilians including women, children, NHPC staff and their families amidst ongoing shelling.

CISF Personnel Honoured With The DGs Disc For Exceptional Bravery During Operation Sindoor



Amid intense cross-border shelling in May 2025, CISF teams at Uri Hydro Electric Projects displayed extraordinary courage, safeguarding vital national assets and evacuating 250 civilians pic.twitter.com/NPd0KkHaVp  CISF (@CISFHQrs) November 25, 2025

Meanwhile, Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Gurjeet Singh recounted the teams response, thanking the training, coordination, and the days of preparation. Singh said that an hour into India striking terror bases as part of Operation Sindhoor, they received instructions to switch off lights and stay on alert.

As soon as India launched Operation Sindoor and bombed the terror bases there, we received a message from the headquarters asking us to switch off lights and be on high alert, Singh was quoted by the Hindustan Times.

He added that the CISF had already begun drills on mass evacuation of families to bunkers in case of a Pakistani attack. The force undertook an evacuation immediately after the attack began. The only difficulty was waking up families who were fast asleep and did not know what was happening, Singh added.

He said the forces continued to give an appropriate response to the Pakistani forces as the evacuation continued. The routes to take to go towards the bunkers, as decided in the mock drills, were such that not a single person sustained even a small injury during the evacuation process, Singh told Hindustan Times.

He then described the attack on the power project, stating how Pakistan began sending drones toward civilian houses and the Uri 1 and 2 hydroelectric projects.

Some of our personnel jammed and shot down enemy drones that had come towards the main gate of the Uri 2 project. The bigger drones that were spotted high in the sky were neutralised by our sister agencies. None of their drones inflicted damage at the plant or any vital asset, he said.

In honour of the CISF services, its Director Generals disc was awarded to 19 personnel on duty at the Uri Hydro Electric Power Projects (UHEP- I and II) that night.
India dismissed Pakistan's criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the flag hoisting ceremony at Ayodhya Ram Mandir on Wednesday, and advised the neighbouring country to focus on "its own abysmal human rights record" instead.

Responding to queries regarding Pakistan's comments, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We have seen the reported remarks and reject them with the contempt they deserve."

#WATCH | Delhi | On Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs' statement on flag-hoisting ceremony of Ram Temple, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "We have seen the reported remarks and reject them with the contempt they deserve. As a country with a deeply stained record of pic.twitter.com/4dH5HAnIyy  ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2025

Jaiswal slammed Pakistan's comments and said it has "deeply stained record of bigotry, repression, and systemic mistreatment of its minorities", and Pakistan has "no moral standing" to lecture others. "Rather than delivering hypocritical homilies, Pakistan would do better to turn its gaze inwards and focus on its own abysmal human rights record," the MEA spokesperson added.

Pakistan's Foreign Office criticised the dhwaja ceremony at the Ayodhya Ram temple on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted a saffron flag on the Shikhar of the Ram Mandir on Tuesday, marking the completion of the temples construction.

In a statement, Pakistan's Foreign Office expressed "deep concern" over the ceremony and said it "reflected a broader pattern of pressure on religious minorities in India and deliberate attempts at eroding Muslim cultural and religious heritage under the influence of majoritarian Hindutva ideology." Pakistan also criticised the Indian judiciary and the Supreme Court's verdict permitting the construction of Ram Mandir at the controversial Babri Masjid site.

Pakistan called upon the international community to act on allegedly growing Islamophobia in India.

Sheikh Hasina's extradition

The MEA spokesperson also reacted to Bangladesh's request for the extradition of its former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. "The request is being examined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes. We remain committed to the best interest of the people of Bangladesh, including peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country and will continue to engage constructively in this regard with all stakeholders."
Pema Wang Thongdok, an Arunachal Pradesh native who was allegedly harassed by Chinese immigration officials at Shanghai International Airport, hit back at the online trolls she has been facing since the incident, and called for unity among all Indians.

"I would like to thank everyone speaking in support of this diplomatic issue, and while I'm new here and not active on X, it's because I have a very high-profile full-time position working in financial services and don't have idle time to answer trollers," she wrote on X.

I would like to thank everyone speaking in support of this diplomatic issue and while Im new here & not active on X its because I have a very high profile Full time position working in the financial services and dont have idle time to answer trollers! The right people get it  Pem Wang Thongdok (@wang_pem) November 25, 2025

Thongdok was allegedly detained at Shanghai airport for 18 hours after Chinese authorities refused to recognise her Indian passport. She told the media that her ordeal came to an end with the help of officials from India's missions in Shanghai and Beijing.

#WATCH | Prema Wangjom Thongdok from Arunachal Pradesh claims that Chinese immigration officials at Shanghai Pudong Airport declared her Indian passport invalid and delayed her travel to Japan.



She says, "... When I tried to question them and ask them what the issue was, they pic.twitter.com/onL9v1Oe0j  ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2025

In the fresh post on Tuesday, Thongdok said her remarks had been understood correctly by the right people, and she didn't want to engage with those who chose not to understand her words.

Striking a chord of unity, Thongdok stressed that any action taken by the Indian government was meant to protect the dignity of all Indians, not her alone.

"I don't even live in India, so any action that the Indian government takes will be for the benefit and pride of my fellow Indians and Arunachalis living here, not mine. We are one nation, we stand for one another," she said.

And the ones who dont get it are clearly not people I would engage with anyway! I dont even live in India so any action that Indian govt takes will be for the benefit & pride of my fellow Indians and Arunachalis living here, not mine. We are one nation we stand for one another  Pem Wang Thongdok (@wang_pem) November 25, 2025

Meanwhile, India has condemned the incident, terming it a violation of international norms and bilateral understanding.

Chinese authorities have yet to provide any credible justification for their actions, which contravene established international air travel conventions and their own visa-free transit policy, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement.

Jaiswal also dismissed the Chinese foreign ministrys remarks on Arunachal Pradesh, saying the northeast state remains an integral part of India.

"Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, and this is a self-evident fact. No amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality," he said.
Amid confusion over end-of-service payment, the employees of Petrofac UAE, who were laid off last week, have received just 19 days' salary, which employees claim is a breach of contract. There is still no guarantee over the leave balance and other entitlements, including gratuity, according to reports.

The UK-based energy company laid off over 200 employees last week after it lost a two-gigawatt Dutch offshore wind transmission programme. The staff were laid off during a Town Hall meeting on November 18, with November 19 set as their last working day.

According to the Petrofac staff, they had expected the payment for 19 days, but the company has breached the contract. As per the three-month notice-period contract between the employees and the company, payment for three months has to be paid under the UAE labour rules for terminated staff. My notice period is three months. If I resign, I must serve three months. If the company terminates me, they must pay me three months salary, an employee told Khaleej Times.

Though there is no official word from Petrofac about the end-of-service benefits, including gratuity, employees said they were informed that the full settlement process would take up to 14 days from the date of termination. A detailed statement of account, covering all dues, airfares, leave balance, and any remaining payments, would be issued before December 3, the staff claimed.

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.

Meanwhile, reports are that Petrofac is gearing up for more crisis after it lost another contract. Orlen Lithuania, the refining and import arm of Polands Orlen Group, has terminated a contract worth almost 1 billion with the company citing prologed delays and growing concerns about the UK contractors ability to deliver a strategic refinery upgrade in Mazeikiai, according to Gulf News.

However, Petrofac has claimed that its operations across its UAE project portfolio are right on track, despite the developments.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Global (DIDIY) is trying to script a comeback story, and the latest quarter could be an early signal that the turnaround is taking shape. The company posted a 67% jump in profit to 1.5 billion yuan in the September quarter, a performance powered by resilient demand at home that helped counter heavier losses overseas. For a firm preparing for a possible Hong Kong listing after years of regulatory turbulence, this kind of profit momentum could be the credibility boost investors have been waiting for.

Management pointed to China as the engine keeping Didi moving forward, with average daily transactions hitting a record 38.3 million. That scale could be what allows the company to absorb deeper losses in its international unit, where spending on incentives and marketing pushed the business further into the red. Investors may read this dynamic as a reminder that Didi's global push remains an expensive, longer-horizon effort, even as its domestic franchise continues to deliver the cash flow needed to support it.

Didi often described as China's answer to Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE:UBER) has spent the past few years repairing trust after being forced off the New York Stock Exchange during Beijing's data crackdown. Now, the company is tightening cost controls and positioning itself for what could be a strategically important Hong Kong debut. If the latest numbers are any indication, Didi may be quietly rebuilding the foundation for its return to public markets, offering investors a developing story rather than a finished one.
The United States is going ahead with its plans to establish temporary housing for Palestinians in the green zone in eastern Gaza, formalising the division of the coastal enclave into a red zone controlled by Hamas and a green zone controlled by Israel.

The deployment of foreign troops along with Israeli forces in the green zone could expand international involvement in the conflict and solidify the Israeli-defined yellow line as a de facto boundary. Moreover, labelling Hamas-held areas as red and Israeli-controlled zones as green may affect future negotiations and reconstruction efforts.

The push to create alternative safe communities for displaced Palestinians in the green zone raises questions about the long-term viability of such settlements, their influence on Palestinian displacement patterns and the broader political consequences of relocating civilians into areas outside Hamas influence.

These communities are intended to offer housing, security, employment, medical clinics and schools. The proposal echoes elements of the previous US administrations peace plan, which similarly presented Gaza as split between a green zone under Israeli authority and a red zone under Hamas. The compounds would be concentrated in the eastern half of the territory, an area now under Israeli control following a ceasefire in October. Very few of Gazas two million residents remain in this region, as most have been pushed into the Hamas-controlled sector, where reconstruction is not being permitted. American officials hope that Palestinians will be encouraged to move into the new communities, drawn by the opportunity to escape Hamas and begin to rebuild their lives.

The vision calls for a chain of model compounds that would be more permanent than tent camps yet still built from temporary structures. Each site could accommodate around 20,000-25,000 people. The first one is expected to be located in Rafah near the borders with Egypt and Israel, and its cost may reach several million dollars. Israeli troops would clear the land, a process that could last for months due to the likelihood of encountering Hamas tunnels, unexploded ordnance or human remains. Construction would follow, taking roughly six to nine weeks to put up prefabricated homes. Planners are considering container housing units and modular dwellings similar to those used for refugees in Syria and for victims of earthquakes in Turkey.

The driving force behind the project is a group of US officials, with Israeli support. The effort is led by Aryeh Lightstone, formerly a senior adviser to the US ambassador to Israel and later chief executive of the Abraham Accords Peace Institute, owned by Jared Kushner. He reports to Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance. One of the central goals is to restart Gazas economy by creating jobs, particularly for Palestinian labourers who would build the compounds.

Many observers point out that the project is a sign of the lack of progress in disarming Hamas. Ultimately, it would lead to a de facto partition of Gaza between zones under Israeli control and those controlled by Hamas. The green zone would remain under Israeli military authority, separated by the invisible yellow line from the red zone, where most Palestinians now live in overcrowded conditions. Some fear this arrangement could become permanent, reproducing the situation in the West Bank where extensive Israeli control remains in place.

European diplomats have expressed frustration that little attention has been devoted to the red zone, which contains the majority of Gazas population. They argue that while the United States focuses on the green zone, Hamas is regrouping and strengthening its hold. Others see the plan as a version of a familiar colonial strategy aimed at fragmenting an occupied people. Historical comparisons have been made with British policies in Malaya, American strategic hamlets in Vietnam and the bantustans created under apartheid in South Africa. Early drawings of the new communities show clusters of homes, a school, a hospital and an employment centre ringed by patrol roads, fences, surveillance equipment and military posts. Some fear these sites would feel more like refugee camps or even internment centres than attractive neighbourhoods.

Operational and security problems have slowed progress. Options under discussion include using Palestinian police or soldiers from an international stabilisation force envisaged in the earlier US peace plan, which has now been endorsed by the UN Security Council. Some Israeli officials have argued that Palestinians should be allowed to enter the compounds but not leave them during an initial period, raising concerns among European diplomats. Supporters of the plan insist such measures would be temporary until Hamas is disarmed. Israeli security agencies are expected to vet applicants for residence in the communities, which has led to concerns that many public sector workers, relatives of Hamas members or others linked to the organisation could be excluded.

Hamas has rejected the entire proposal as an act of international trusteeship that violates Palestinian rights, and it has dismissed the UN resolution endorsing the international force tasked with disarming it. Whether the communities succeed will depend on whether Gazans themselves embrace them, a question that may turn on how Hamas responds, whether through sabotage or intimidation. With limited time and many unresolved issues, planners are pressing forward with whatever can be accomplished rather than waiting for perfect conditions.
Over the last few years, trade relations between India and the United Arab Emirates have picked up more especially since the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was signed between the two in 2022. India-UAE bilateral trade topped $100 billion in 2024-25, up from $72.87 billion in 2020-21. Notably, non-oil trade has since a close to 34 per cent rise in the first half of 2025 to $37.6 billion.

In a conversation with THE WEEK, Mohamed Al Marzooqi, the CEO of UAE, HSBC Bank Middle East, sees the trade between the two countries growing significantly, given the strong trust and relations the two countries have with each other.

The UAE-India corridor is built on talent, meaningful investment flows, and technology that enables scale. Combined with the strong trust shared between the UAE and India, and with the right platforms connecting both marketsthe corridor is positioned to thrive even further," said Marzooqi.

He pointed that according to HSBC's Global Trade Survey, 35 per cent of businesses from the technology, media and telecom sector in UAE are increasing sales in India which is above the global average of 17 per cent.

The Jebel Ali Free Zone houses some 2,300 Indian companies, which is a 15 per cent year-on-year increase and is a major contributor to trade volume between the two countries, facilitating around $6.9 billion in trade last year.

Over the past few years, the UAE, particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi, has emerged as one of the top destinations for wealthy investors and entrepreneurs from around the world, including Indians. Indians are now among the largest investors in Dubais real estate market, investing close to AED 35 billion in 2024, according to industry reports.

Marzooqi points to speedy decision-making, quality and continuation in infrastructure investments as key attributes that have made the UAE a thriving investment destination in the Middle East. He also points out that the UAE offers a safe environment for businesses and families.

"The UAE accounted for 37 per cent of all foreign direct investment inflows into the Middle East region. Out of every $100 invested in the region, $37 comes to the UAE," he stated.

He further noted that while realty prices have gone up, both Dubai and Abu Dhabi continue to be much more affordable than many other cities in Asia, and that is why there is a real estate boom in the UAE.

In fact, various reports over few years have noted that properties in Dubai are comparatively affordable than even some of the prime locations in Mumbai.

HSBC is the largest international bank in the UAE, according to Marzooqi. The London-headquartered bank opened its first Middle East Wealth Centre in the UAE in September this year.

The rising Indian interest in the UAE is a growing opportunity for banks. "Today, the UAE and India stand as each other's most significant partners. Both nations are among the other top three trading partners, and last year they traded more than USD100 billion in two-way trade. Non-resident Indians represent the largest expatriate client base for HSBC in the UAE," pointed Marzooqi.

He noted that the region is delivering some of the most ambitious economic transformation plans in the world, from traditional energy to renewable energy, advanced manufacturing to medical treatment, from aviation to tourism, or from technology to logistics.
Social media is abuzz with rumours which claim Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan, who has been in jail since August 2023 in multiple cases, has been assassinated in prison.

The rumours may have gained momentum after a tweet from the handle of ministry of foreign affairs Baluchistan, which is known for peddling misinformation, claimed, citing some news outlets, that Khan has been killed by Asim Munir and his ISI administration

"Reports are now surfacing from inside the prisons of PUnjabi Pakistan that Imran Khan, who was being held in custody, has been killed by Asim Munir and his ISI administration according to several news outlets. If this information is confirmed to be true, it marks the absolute end of terrorist Pakistan. The collapse of its last remaining legitimacy will begin the moment the truth is exposed to the world," the tweet read.

Reports are now surfacing from inside the prisons of PUnjabi Pakistan that Imran Khan, who was being held in custody, has been killed by Asim Munir and his ISI administration according to several news outlets. If this information is confirmed to be true, it marks the absolute end pic.twitter.com/SbbVB5uJll  Ministry of Foreign Affairs Baluchistan (@BaluchistanMFA) November 26, 2025

Many others, too took to X to claim that Khan was killed or raise questions about the safety of the former Pakistan PM.

Some cited a "credible source" to say that ISI killed Khan in prison.

This is not the first time such rumours of Khan being murdered in prison have spread. A few months ago, a press release bearing the letterhead of Pakistan's ministry of foreign affairs claimed that the former Pakistan PM was murdered. The report had gone viral on social media.

The rumours come even as the three sisters of KhanNoreen Niazi, Aleema Khan and Dr Uzma Khanwho are camped outside Adiala Jail along with other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members after being denied a meeting with him for a month demanded an impartial probe into the "brutal" police assault on them and the supporters outside the jail.

On Tuesday, Khan's sisters claimed that they were sitting outside the jail when police personnel pounced on them and brutally assaulted them for what the party said was "their crime for seeking a meeting with Imran Khan".
Ever since Kapil Sharma opened his cafe in Canada, in July, three shootings have been reported. The actor-comedian has now broken his silence, saying he is not scared of threats.

Speaking after the trailer launch of his upcoming movie, Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2, Kapil said that after every firing incident, they got bigger opening at the cafe. "So it is all ok if god is with me," he said.

VIDEO | Comedian Kapil Sharma recalls shooting incident at his Vancouver cafe.



Sharma's Kap's Cafe, which opened in Surrey, British Columbia, in July, was first targeted by unknown people on July 10, followed by two more attacks on August 7 and October 16. No one was injured in pic.twitter.com/l7n1lCiU91  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 26, 2025

No injuries were reported in any of the three incidents which occurred during the wee hours. Kap's Cafe is owned by Kapil and his wife, Ginni Chatrath.

"What I feel is that the rules there and the police perhaps don't have power to control... But when our case happened, it went to federal government and there was a discussion in Canadian parliament," he said.

"I got calls from a lot of people from there who told me that there were a lot of things happening, but after the firing at my cafe, it became news, and now steps are being taken to improve the law and order situation there," Kapil added.

The first attack on the cafe in Surrey, British Columbia, was reported on July 6. At least nine shots were fired in quick succession by an unidentified person from a car. Later, it was claimed that Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative Harjit Singh alias Laddi was behind the attack.

The second shooting was reported on August 7 around 4.30 am. At least six rounds of shots were fired at the windows. This time, the responsibility was claimed by gangster Goldy Dhillon, who has ties to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

In the third incident, at least three rounds of shots were fired at the cafe on October 16. Gangsters Goldy Dhillon and Kulvir Sidhu of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang have taken responsibility for the attack in a social media post.
RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE:RMI  Get Free Report) insider Financial Holdings Rivernorth purchased 5,558 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 24th. The shares were bought at an average price of $14.48 per share, for a total transaction of $80,479.84. Following the acquisition, the insider owned 75,455 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,092,588.40. The trade was a 7.95% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

Financial Holdings Rivernorth also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Monday, November 17th, Financial Holdings Rivernorth purchased 6,642 shares of RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund stock. The shares were purchased at an average price of $14.54 per share, with a total value of $96,574.68.

On Friday, November 14th, Financial Holdings Rivernorth acquired 7,045 shares of RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund stock. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $14.50 per share, with a total value of $102,152.50.

On Thursday, November 13th, Financial Holdings Rivernorth bought 3,664 shares of RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund stock. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $14.60 per share, for a total transaction of $53,494.40.

On Tuesday, November 11th, Financial Holdings Rivernorth purchased 1,657 shares of RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund stock. The shares were acquired at an average price of $14.65 per share, with a total value of $24,275.05.

On Monday, November 10th, Financial Holdings Rivernorth acquired 1,301 shares of RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund stock. The stock was bought at an average price of $14.54 per share, for a total transaction of $18,916.54.

On Friday, November 7th, Financial Holdings Rivernorth bought 6,857 shares of RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund stock. The shares were bought at an average price of $14.51 per share, with a total value of $99,495.07.

On Wednesday, November 5th, Financial Holdings Rivernorth purchased 1,226 shares of RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund stock. The stock was bought at an average cost of $14.67 per share, with a total value of $17,985.42.

On Tuesday, November 4th, Financial Holdings Rivernorth purchased 6,857 shares of RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund stock. The stock was bought at an average price of $14.69 per share, for a total transaction of $100,729.33.

On Monday, November 3rd, Financial Holdings Rivernorth acquired 1,640 shares of RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund stock. The shares were bought at an average cost of $14.65 per share, with a total value of $24,026.00.

On Friday, October 31st, Financial Holdings Rivernorth bought 1,032 shares of RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund stock. The stock was bought at an average price of $14.66 per share, with a total value of $15,129.12.

RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund Trading Up 0.5%

RMI traded up $0.07 on Tuesday, hitting $14.52. 21,976 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 28,920. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $14.55 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $14.33. RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund, Inc. has a 52 week low of $13.63 and a 52 week high of $16.74.

RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund Dividend Announcement

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a dividend of $0.0945 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.8%.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Bank of America Corp DE increased its holdings in RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund by 176.7% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 45,533 shares of the companys stock valued at $666,000 after buying an additional 29,076 shares during the period. Arlington Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund during the 3rd quarter valued at about $253,000. UBS Group AG increased its stake in RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund by 2.8% in the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 161,653 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,363,000 after acquiring an additional 4,472 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund in the third quarter worth about $494,000. Finally, Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund by 25.9% in the third quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 33,470 shares of the companys stock worth $489,000 after purchasing an additional 6,875 shares in the last quarter.

RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund, Inc (the Fund) seeks to provide current income exempt from regular U.S. federal income taxes1 with a secondary objective of total return.

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Champion Homes, Inc. (NYSE:SKY  Get Free Report) EVP Joseph Kimmell sold 1,812 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, November 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $82.04, for a total transaction of $148,656.48. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 55,977 shares in the company, valued at $4,592,353.08. The trade was a 3.14% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink.

Champion Homes Price Performance

Champion Homes stock traded up $3.81 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $85.68. The stock had a trading volume of 625,845 shares, compared to its average volume of 685,383. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.79 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a current ratio of 2.39 and a quick ratio of 1.59. Champion Homes, Inc. has a 1-year low of $59.44 and a 1-year high of $116.49. The stocks fifty day moving average is $74.50 and its two-hundred day moving average is $72.01.

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Champion Homes (NYSE:SKY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $1.01 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.81 by $0.20. The firm had revenue of $684.43 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $636.96 million. Champion Homes had a return on equity of 14.35% and a net margin of 8.50%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 11.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.93 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Champion Homes, Inc. will post 3.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Champion Homes

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Marshall Wace LLP boosted its stake in Champion Homes by 1,149.3% during the 3rd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 1,397,642 shares of the companys stock valued at $106,738,000 after purchasing an additional 1,285,768 shares during the period. Alliancebernstein L.P. boosted its position in shares of Champion Homes by 67.1% in the first quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 1,716,459 shares of the companys stock valued at $162,652,000 after acquiring an additional 689,265 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. grew its stake in shares of Champion Homes by 50.8% in the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,945,434 shares of the companys stock worth $121,804,000 after acquiring an additional 655,505 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in Champion Homes during the second quarter worth $40,360,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in Champion Homes by 150.6% during the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 655,107 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,016,000 after purchasing an additional 393,686 shares during the last quarter.

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on SKY shares. Zelman & Associates raised shares of Champion Homes from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Barclays raised their price objective on Champion Homes from $74.00 to $79.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Zacks Research raised Champion Homes from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised shares of Champion Homes from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and raised their price target for the stock from $85.00 to $91.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Champion Homes in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $85.00.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on SKY

Champion Homes Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Skyline Champion Corporation produces and sells factory-built housing in North America. The company offers manufactured and modular homes, park models RVs, accessory dwelling units, and modular buildings for the multi-family and hospitality sectors. It builds homes under the Skyline Homes, Champion Home Builders, Genesis Homes, Athens Park Models, Dutch Housing, Atlantic Homes, Excel Homes, Homes of Merit, New Era, Redman Homes, ScotBilt Homes, Shore Park, Silvercrest, and Titan Homes brands in the United States; and Moduline and SRI Homes brand names in western Canada.

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Volatility and Risk

M&F Bancorp has a beta of -0.5, meaning that its share price is 150% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, M&F Bancorps rivals have a beta of 0.64, meaning that their average share price is 36% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

50.4% of shares of all BANKS  SOUTHEAST companies are held by institutional investors. 2.9% of M&F Bancorp shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 12.8% of shares of all BANKS  SOUTHEAST companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

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Earnings & Valuation

This table compares M&F Bancorp and its rivals revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio M&F Bancorp $29.33 million $4.77 million 9.27 M&F Bancorp Competitors $604.66 million $154.64 million 13.57

Dividends

M&F Bancorps rivals have higher revenue and earnings than M&F Bancorp. M&F Bancorp 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.

M&F Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $0.24 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.3%. M&F Bancorp pays out 12.1% 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.

Profitability

This table compares M&F Bancorp and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets M&F Bancorp N/A N/A N/A M&F Bancorp Competitors 16.58% 9.98% 1.05%

Summary

M&F Bancorp rivals beat M&F Bancorp on 10 of the 11 factors compared.

About M&F Bancorp

(Get Free Report)

M&F Bancorp, Inc. operates as a bank holding company for the Mechanics and Farmers Bank that provides consumer and commercial banking products and services in North Carolina. It offers deposit products, including demand deposits; checking, savings, and money market accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. The company provides loans for commercial and residential real estate, and construction; and consumer and other loans; as well as ATM services. M&F Bancorp, Inc. was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina.

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PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index Exchange-Traded Fund (NYSEARCA:HYS  Get Free Report) shot up 0.3% on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $95.23 and last traded at $95.14. 104,718 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 19% from the average session volume of 128,828 shares. The stock had previously closed at $94.83.

PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index Exchange-Traded Fund Price Performance

The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $95.08 and a 200-day moving average price of $94.70.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index Exchange-Traded Fund

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its stake in shares of PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index Exchange-Traded Fund by 5.8% in the third quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 124,656 shares of the companys stock worth $11,857,000 after buying an additional 6,822 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its holdings in PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index Exchange-Traded Fund by 73.8% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 35,800 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,425,000 after acquiring an additional 15,200 shares during the last quarter. CKW Financial Group lifted its stake in PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index Exchange-Traded Fund by 5.6% in the 3rd quarter. CKW Financial Group now owns 4,423 shares of the companys stock worth $422,000 after purchasing an additional 234 shares in the last quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index Exchange-Traded Fund by 18.9% during the 3rd quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,285 shares of the companys stock worth $506,000 after purchasing an additional 840 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Financial & Tax Architects LLC grew its position in shares of PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index Exchange-Traded Fund by 1.8% in the third quarter. Financial & Tax Architects LLC now owns 36,023 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,447,000 after purchasing an additional 623 shares in the last quarter.

About PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index Exchange-Traded Fund

The PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index Exchange-Traded Fund (HYS) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in high yield fixed income. The fund aims to capture exposure to the short maturity segment of the high-yield corporate bond sector. HYS was launched on Jun 16, 2011 and is managed by PIMCO.

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Dominos opened its first UK store in Luton in 1985

The chief executive of Dominos has stepped down unexpectedly after warning that Britain was hitting peak pizza.

Andrew Rennie, who ran the chain for two years, will leave the business immediately after unveiling ambitious plans to tilt Dominos towards fried chicken amid a slump in pizza demand.

Nicola Frampton, the chains current chief operating officer, will take over as caretaker chief executive while Ian Bull, the chairman, and senior director Natalia Barsegiyan search for a permanent replacement.

Mr Rennies exit comes just days after he warned that the UKs pizza market was approaching saturation, with a supply glut of chains pushing diners towards burgers and fried chicken.

In response to the slowdown, Mr Rennie announced plans to start selling fried chicken from 1,400 British Dominos stores through a new brand known as Chick n Dip as well as looking for a new fast food chain to acquire.

On Tuesday, the pizza chain added that it will hold back from making any new acquisitions until a permanent chief executive is in place.

Dominos, which opened its first UK store in Luton in 1985, has suffered a sharp slowdown in sales over the past two years which has dented its profits.

Its problems have been made worse by higher energy costs and the financial hit from Rachel Reevess increase of employers costs. Other pizza chains, such as Pizza Hut, have also struggled with the economic headwinds.

It has seen the FTSE 250 companys share price slump by 51pc over the past year, as the stock has become one of the most shorted on the London stock market.

In September, hedge fund Browning West publicly urged Mr Bull to halt Mr Rennies acquisition plans.

The hedge fund, which owns a 5pc stake in Dominos, instead called on the company to launch a 100m share buyback to return more money to investors. Dominos said it now plans to review its capital allocation priorities.

Mr Rennie started out as a Dominos franchisee in Australia when he was 26 years old before he was recruited by the companys head office.

Ms Frampton previously worked at Deloitte and William Hill before joining Dominos in 2021.

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KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR  Free Report)  Equities researchers at Zacks Research reduced their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for KBR in a research note issued on Thursday, November 20th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the construction company will post earnings of $0.97 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $1.05. The consensus estimate for KBRs current full-year earnings is $3.26 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for KBRs Q2 2026 earnings at $1.01 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $1.08 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $1.16 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $4.52 EPS.

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KBR (NYSE:KBR  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The construction company reported $1.02 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.95 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $525.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.99 billion. KBR had a return on equity of 33.65% and a net margin of 4.52%.The firms quarterly revenue was down .3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.84 earnings per share.

Several other analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Truist Financial set a $62.00 price target on shares of KBR in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. DA Davidson decreased their price objective on KBR from $72.00 to $65.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 1st. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of KBR in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen lowered KBR from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on KBR in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $45.00 price objective for the company. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, KBR has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $59.00.

Get Our Latest Research Report on KBR

KBR Trading Up 2.2%

KBR opened at $40.72 on Monday. KBR has a 1-year low of $39.61 and a 1-year high of $62.14. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.17 billion, a PE ratio of 14.75, a PEG ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 0.68. 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 firm has a 50-day moving average price of $44.26 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $47.99.

KBR Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.165 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $0.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.6%. KBRs payout ratio is 22.68%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On KBR

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Invesco Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of KBR by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 5,544,490 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $262,199,000 after buying an additional 79,258 shares during the period. Boston Partners lifted its holdings in KBR by 25.6% during the second quarter. Boston Partners now owns 5,506,603 shares of the construction companys stock worth $264,474,000 after acquiring an additional 1,122,076 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its stake in KBR by 8.1% in the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 4,090,874 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $196,116,000 after acquiring an additional 308,268 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its holdings in shares of KBR by 17.8% in the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 3,419,468 shares of the construction companys stock worth $163,929,000 after acquiring an additional 517,633 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of KBR by 1.5% in the third quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,550,767 shares of the construction companys stock worth $120,621,000 after acquiring an additional 38,568 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.02% of the companys stock.

About KBR

(Get 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.

Further Reading

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Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Brookdale Senior Living (NYSE:BKD  Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note released on Sunday.

A number of other analysts have also commented on BKD. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Brookdale Senior Living from $9.00 to $13.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Barclays upgraded shares of Brookdale Senior Living from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and upped their price target for the company from $8.00 to $14.00 in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Brookdale Senior Living in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $11.67.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on BKD

Brookdale Senior Living Stock Performance

BKD opened at $11.25 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 39.87. The firm has a market cap of $2.67 billion, a PE ratio of -10.71 and a beta of 0.96. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $9.08 and a 200-day simple moving average of $7.86. Brookdale Senior Living has a fifty-two week low of $4.45 and a fifty-two week high of $11.38.

Brookdale Senior Living (NYSE:BKD  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported ($0.20) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.16) by ($0.04). Brookdale Senior Living had a negative return on equity of 107.19% and a negative net margin of 7.60%.The company had revenue of $813.17 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $825.59 million. As a group, equities analysts predict that Brookdale Senior Living will post -0.56 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Brookdale Senior Living in the 1st quarter worth approximately $47,000. Larson Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Brookdale Senior Living in the third quarter worth $59,000. Strs Ohio purchased a new stake in shares of Brookdale Senior Living during the first quarter worth $61,000. Covestor Ltd boosted its position in Brookdale Senior Living by 55.8% during the third quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 9,576 shares of the companys stock valued at $81,000 after purchasing an additional 3,428 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in Brookdale Senior Living in the third quarter valued at about $85,000.

Brookdale Senior Living Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Brookdale Senior Living Inc owns, manages, and operates senior living communities in the United States. It operates in three segments: Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). The Independent Living segment owns or leases communities comprising independent and assisted living units in a single community that are primarily designed for middle to upper income seniors.

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Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Co lowered its position in shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR  Free Report) by 6.6% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 23,606 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 1,669 shares during the quarter. Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Cos holdings in Digital Realty Trust were worth $4,115,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Summit Place Financial Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 2.0% during the second quarter. Summit Place Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,857 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $498,000 after acquiring an additional 57 shares during the last quarter. Riverbend Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Digital Realty Trust by 3.0% in the 2nd quarter. Riverbend Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,043 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $356,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares during the period. Decatur Capital Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Decatur Capital Management Inc. now owns 16,312 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,337,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,766 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $683,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the period. Finally, Telos Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. Telos Capital Management Inc. now owns 8,089 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,410,000 after buying an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. 99.71% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Andrew Power sold 53,269 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, September 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $175.16, for a total transaction of $9,330,598.04. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Digital Realty Trust Trading Down 1.1%

Shares of DLR stock opened at $157.22 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $54.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.62, a PEG ratio of 4.13 and a beta of 0.96. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $169.66 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $170.82. Digital Realty Trust, Inc. has a 1 year low of $129.95 and a 1 year high of $198.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 2.02 and a quick ratio of 2.22.

Digital Realty Trust (NYSE:DLR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The real estate investment trust reported $0.15 earnings per share 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%. As a group, analysts anticipate that Digital Realty Trust, Inc. will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Digital Realty Trust Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a $1.22 dividend. This represents a $4.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. Digital Realty Trusts payout ratio is 126.10%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently issued reports on DLR shares. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $141.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a report on Wednesday, November 19th. Truist Financial upped their price objective on Digital Realty Trust from $199.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $210.00 target price on Digital Realty Trust in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Moffett Nathanson upped their price target on Digital Realty Trust from $163.00 to $166.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. 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 given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $198.14.

View Our Latest Research Report on Digital Realty Trust

Digital Realty Trust Company Profile

(Free Report)

Digital Realty Trust, Inc operates as a real estate investment trust, which engages in the provision of data center, colocation and interconnection solutions. It serves the following industries: artificial intelligence (AI), networks, cloud, digital media, mobile, financial services, healthcare, and gaming.

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Financial Advocates Investment Management lessened its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG  Free Report) by 10.9% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 12,564 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,531 shares during the period. Financial Advocates Investment Managements holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF were worth $1,407,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Jane Street Group LLC grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 2,387.5% during the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 2,276,882 shares of the companys stock valued at $227,688,000 after acquiring an additional 2,185,348 shares during the period. Flow Traders U.S. LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $181,715,000. OLD Mission Capital LLC purchased a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the first quarter valued at approximately $93,474,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF during the first quarter valued at $44,872,000. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 11,098.1% in the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 359,234 shares of the companys stock worth $40,234,000 after buying an additional 356,026 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Price Performance

Shares of EFG opened at $112.20 on Wednesday. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF has a 1 year low of $88.66 and a 1 year high of $113.16. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $114.65 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $111.92. The firm has a market cap of $13.19 billion, a PE ratio of 24.98 and a beta of 0.96.

iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Company Profile

iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Growth Index (the Index). The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East.

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Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Co lifted its holdings in shares of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK  Free Report) by 64.2% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 65,347 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 25,548 shares during the quarter. Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Cos holdings in Bank of New York Mellon were worth $5,954,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Bank of New York Mellon during the 4th quarter valued at about $220,000. Assetmark Inc. lifted its holdings in Bank of New York Mellon by 20.6% in the first quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 70,961 shares of the banks stock worth $5,951,000 after buying an additional 12,137 shares during the period. HB Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Bank of New York Mellon by 58.6% during the 1st quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 29,849 shares of the banks stock valued at $2,503,000 after acquiring an additional 11,034 shares in the last quarter. TD Asset Management Inc grew its holdings in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 31.3% during the 1st quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 351,314 shares of the banks stock worth $29,465,000 after acquiring an additional 83,667 shares during the period. Finally, LPL Financial LLC grew its holdings in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 16.7% during the 1st quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 523,554 shares of the banks stock worth $43,910,000 after acquiring an additional 74,882 shares during the period. 85.31% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Bank of New York Mellon Price Performance

BK opened at $109.08 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $76.06 billion, a PE ratio of 15.74, a P/E/G ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.13. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $108.01 and a 200-day moving average price of $100.44. The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation has a 1 year low of $70.46 and a 1 year high of $113.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 0.70 and a quick ratio of 0.72.

Bank of New York Mellon Announces Dividend

Bank of New York Mellon ( NYSE:BK Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 26th. The bank reported $1.30 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $4.38 billion for the quarter. Bank of New York Mellon had a net margin of 12.86% and a return on equity of 14.03%. Sell-side analysts predict that The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation will post 6.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 7th. Investors of record on Monday, October 27th were issued a $0.53 dividend. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, October 27th. Bank of New York Mellons payout ratio is presently 30.59%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on BK shares. Truist Financial lifted their price target on Bank of New York Mellon from $118.00 to $119.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Evercore ISI raised their price objective on Bank of New York Mellon from $91.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their target price on shares of Bank of New York Mellon from $120.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. TD Cowen lifted their price target on shares of 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. Finally, Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Bank of New York Mellon from $104.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold 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 $111.29.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on BK

About Bank of New York Mellon

(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.

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FourThought Financial Partners LLC lifted its position in HDFC Bank Limited (NYSE:HDB  Free Report) by 18.9% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 11,830 shares of the banks stock after buying an additional 1,884 shares during the period. FourThought Financial Partners LLCs holdings in HDFC Bank were worth $907,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Financial Perspectives Inc grew its stake in HDFC Bank by 1.3% in the second quarter. Financial Perspectives Inc now owns 10,769 shares of the banks stock valued at $826,000 after acquiring an additional 136 shares during the period. Insigneo Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in shares of HDFC Bank by 4.9% during the 2nd quarter. Insigneo Advisory Services LLC now owns 3,244 shares of the banks stock valued at $249,000 after purchasing an additional 152 shares in the last quarter. Huntington National Bank grew its position in shares of HDFC Bank by 13.3% in the 2nd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 1,349 shares of the banks stock valued at $103,000 after purchasing an additional 158 shares during the period. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of HDFC Bank by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 14,694 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,127,000 after purchasing an additional 194 shares during the period. Finally, Rehmann Capital Advisory Group increased its stake in HDFC Bank by 1.5% during the 2nd quarter. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group now owns 15,022 shares of the banks stock worth $1,152,000 after purchasing an additional 215 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 17.61% of the companys stock.

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HDFC Bank Stock Down 0.7%

NYSE:HDB opened at $36.13 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $184.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 0.69. HDFC Bank Limited has a twelve month low of $28.89 and a twelve month high of $39.81. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $35.76 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $36.74.

Analyst Ratings Changes

HDFC Bank ( NYSE:HDB Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Saturday, October 18th. The bank reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.36 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $8.08 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.98 billion. HDFC Bank had a net margin of 14.94% and a return on equity of 11.49%. As a group, analysts anticipate that HDFC Bank Limited will post 3.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of brokerages have weighed in on HDB. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of HDFC Bank in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research raised shares of HDFC Bank from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, September 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on HDFC Bank

About HDFC Bank

(Free Report)

HDFC Bank Limited provides banking and financial services to individuals and businesses in India, Bahrain, Hong Kong, and Dubai. The company operates in three segments: Wholesale Banking, Retail Banking, and Treasury Services. It accepts savings, salary, current, rural, public provident fund, pension, and demat accounts; fixed and recurring deposits; and safe deposit lockers, as well as offshore accounts and deposits, and overdrafts against fixed deposits.

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Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. cut its holdings in shares of Antero Midstream Corporation (NYSE:AM  Free Report) by 12.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 65,293 shares of the pipeline companys stock after selling 9,560 shares during the quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P.s holdings in Antero Midstream were worth $1,237,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in AM. US Bancorp DE increased its stake in shares of Antero Midstream by 1.6% in the second quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 38,108 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $722,000 after buying an additional 610 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC grew its holdings in Antero Midstream by 7.1% during the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 9,472 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $170,000 after acquiring an additional 629 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC increased its position in shares of Antero Midstream by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 40,726 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $733,000 after purchasing an additional 640 shares during the last quarter. Commerce Bank raised its stake in shares of Antero Midstream by 5.0% in the 1st quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 16,739 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $301,000 after purchasing an additional 800 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Antero Midstream by 4.8% during the second quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 23,620 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $448,000 after purchasing an additional 1,072 shares during the last quarter. 53.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have issued reports on AM shares. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on Antero Midstream from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Antero Midstream from $17.00 to $19.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, August 1st. Wall Street Zen cut Antero Midstream from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b+) rating on shares of Antero Midstream in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Finally, Zacks Research cut shares of Antero Midstream from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, September 19th. One investment analyst has 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 MarketBeat, Antero Midstream presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $18.83.

Antero Midstream Trading Up 0.2%

NYSE:AM opened at $17.60 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.96 and a beta of 0.88. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $18.26 and a 200 day simple moving average of $18.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 1.03. Antero Midstream Corporation has a 12-month low of $14.22 and a 12-month high of $19.82.

Antero Midstream (NYSE:AM  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The pipeline company reported $0.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.25 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $294.82 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $287.30 million. Antero Midstream had a return on equity of 22.53% and a net margin of 40.07%.The firms quarterly revenue was down 8.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.21 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Antero Midstream Corporation will post 0.95 EPS for the current year.

Antero Midstream Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 5th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 22nd were given a $0.225 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 22nd. This represents a $0.90 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.1%. Antero Midstreams dividend payout ratio is 91.84%.

Antero Midstream Company Profile

(Free Report)

Antero Midstream Corporation owns, operates, and develops midstream energy assets in the Appalachian Basin. It operates in two segments, Gathering and Processing, and Water Handling. The Gathering and Processing segment includes a network of gathering pipelines and compressor stations that collects and processes production from Antero Resources' wells in West Virginia and Ohio.

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MAI Capital Management raised its position in iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:TFLO  Free Report) by 43.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 13,859 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 4,221 shares during the quarter. MAI Capital Managements holdings in iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF were worth $702,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF in the first quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Robbins Farley acquired a new stake in iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Independence Bank of Kentucky acquired a new stake in iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF by 250.2% in the second quarter. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC now owns 704 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 503 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Oliver Lagore Vanvalin Investment Group purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF during the second quarter worth $39,000.

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iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF Price Performance

iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF stock opened at $50.57 on Wednesday. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $50.52 and its 200-day simple moving average is $50.55. iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF has a twelve month low of $50.36 and a twelve month high of $50.69.

iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF Company Profile

The iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF (TFLO) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. Treasury floating rate bonds. TFLO was launched on Feb 3, 2014 and is managed by BlackRock.

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North Star Asset Management Inc. reduced its position in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 29.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 937 shares of the payment services companys stock after selling 393 shares during the period. North Star Asset Management Inc.s holdings in American Express were worth $299,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in AXP. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in American Express during the 1st quarter valued at $1,454,667,000. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its holdings in shares of American Express by 13.7% during 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 in the last quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of American Express by 31,595.9% during the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,742,009 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $555,666,000 after buying an additional 1,736,513 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised 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 buying an additional 1,349,746 shares during the period. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its stake in American Express by 25.5% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 4,752,690 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,278,711,000 after acquiring an additional 965,221 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.33% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at American Express

In related news, CEO Stephen J. Squeri sold 112,272 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $329.86, for a total value of $37,034,041.92. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 92,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $30,614,306.60. This trade represents a 54.74% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Denise Pickett sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $350.73, for a total value of $1,753,650.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 7,726 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,709,739.98. The trade was a 39.29% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 193,292 shares of company stock worth $65,363,878 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock.

American Express Stock Performance

AXP stock opened at $362.52 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $346.68 and a two-hundred day moving average of $321.77. American Express Company has a 12 month low of $220.43 and a 12 month high of $377.23. The company has a market capitalization of $249.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.33, a P/E/G ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a quick ratio of 1.59, a current ratio of 1.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78.

American Express (NYSE:AXP  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 17th. The payment services company reported $4.14 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.98 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $17.14 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.03 billion. American Express had a net margin of 14.97% and a return on equity of 33.41%. American Expresss revenue for the quarter was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.49 EPS. American Express has set its FY 2025 guidance at 15.200-15.500 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that American Express Company will post 15.33 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Express Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 10th were given a $0.82 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 10th. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. American Expresss payout ratio is currently 22.01%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

AXP has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on American Express from $330.00 to $365.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. HSBC set a $295.00 price objective on shares of American Express and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. 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 report on Friday, October 17th. Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of American Express from $375.00 to $395.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on shares of American Express from $336.00 to $355.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $332.65.

Read Our Latest Analysis on American Express

American Express Company Profile

(Free Report)

American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as integrated payments company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean, and Internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Consumer Services, Commercial Services, International Card Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services.

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TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. decreased its position in Realty Income Corporation (NYSE:O  Free Report) by 50.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 1,725 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 1,784 shares during the period. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc.s holdings in Realty Income were worth $100,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA acquired a new stake in Realty Income in the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Keystone Global Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Realty Income in the first quarter valued at about $26,000. Avion Wealth lifted its holdings in shares of Realty Income by 142.4% in the second quarter. Avion Wealth now owns 526 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 309 shares in the last quarter. Hilltop National Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Realty Income in the second quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in shares of Realty Income by 87.6% during the 1st quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 649 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 303 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.81% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

O has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Scotiabank upped their target price on Realty Income from $58.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, August 28th. Cantor Fitzgerald reduced their price objective on Realty Income from $64.00 to $60.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Realty Income from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Realty Income from $59.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Evercore ISI assumed coverage on shares of Realty Income in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. They set an in-line rating and a $62.00 price objective on the stock. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $62.15.

Realty Income Trading Up 0.4%

NYSE O opened at $56.73 on Wednesday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $58.62 and a 200-day moving average of $57.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 1.85 and a quick ratio of 1.85. Realty Income Corporation has a 12 month low of $50.71 and a 12 month high of $61.08. The company has a market cap of $52.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 55.07, a P/E/G ratio of 4.46 and a beta of 0.77.

Realty Income (NYSE:O  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The real estate investment trust reported $1.08 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.07 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $1.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.35 billion. Realty Income had a net margin of 16.77% and a return on equity of 2.34%. Realty Incomes revenue for the quarter was up 10.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.05 earnings per share. Realty Income has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.250-4.270 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Realty Income Corporation will post 4.19 earnings per share for the current year.

Realty Income Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th will be given a $0.2695 dividend. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. Realty Incomes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 299.07%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Mary Hogan Preusse sold 11,000 shares of Realty Income stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.43, for a total value of $664,730.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 19,211 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,160,920.73. This trade represents a 36.41% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock.

Realty Income Company Profile

(Free Report)

Realty Income, The Monthly Dividend Company, is an S&P 500 company and member of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats index. We invest in people and places to deliver dependable monthly dividends that increase over time. The company is structured as a real estate investment trust (REIT), and its monthly dividends are supported by the cash flow from over 15,450 real estate properties (including properties acquired in the Spirit merger in January 2024) primarily owned under long-term net lease agreements with commercial clients.

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"The strategic importance of Rare Earth supply has been recognised globally, highlighted by the announcement this week that The U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM) will invest $100 billion to secure U.S. and allied supply chains for critical minerals. The Semarule project is located on 40km from the Botswanan capital Gabarone with excellent links to infrastructure and international export routes. This, combined with compelling geological targets, makes the Semarule Project a priority for drill testing as part of Eastport Ventures multi-commodity development strategy.

"We are delighted to have commenced drilling at the Semarule project, one of a portfolio of drill ready critical mineral projects we have developed over six years of operations as a private company.

"Semarule Hill is an intrusive plug with rare-earth enriched syenite and occasional carbonatite dykes outcropping over 15km 2 and up to 75m above the surrounding plane. The Semarule South and East areas have not been drill tested to date, however, geophysical interpretation suggests they may represent intrusive bodies with footprints 2-3 times larger than Semarule Hill. Collectively, the three target areas create a compelling target for the potential discovery of a rare-earth deposit with the capacity for new strategic supply of critical minerals from a western-facing, stable African jurisdiction."

Semarule South is a covered intrusions identified in geophysics with an aerial extent 2-3x bigger than the target at Semarule Hill

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2025) - Penbar Capital Ltd., to be renamed "Eastport Ventures Inc." (TSXV: EVI) (" Eastport " or the " Company ") announces the launch of Phase 1 Drilling at the Semarule Rare Earth Element Project (" REE "), in Botswana consistent with the Company's multi-asset exploration and development campaigns [ please refer to figure 4 for project location] .

Story Continues

"With two drill projects commenced within the first week as a publicly traded company, we look forward to keeping the market updated as we continue our aggressive exploration campaign, and continue to invest meaningfully in the development of the Company's projects through dollars into the ground."

[Figure 3: Rock Chip Sample Results and Planned Drilling at Semarule Hill]

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8324/275988_30ad7b631485ab76_003full.jpg

Location of Semarule

[Figure 4: Location of Semarule]

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8324/275988_30ad7b631485ab76_004full.jpg

The Semarule project is located approximately 40 km west of Gaborone, the nation's capital, and a few kilometres from Molepolole, the administrative centre of the Kweneng District. Situated within the Gaborone-Molepolole corridor, just off the A12 highway, the project benefits from established infrastructure, including reliable road access, proximity to the national power grid, consistent water availability, and access to drilling contractors and skilled labour.

Qualified Person

The information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Liz de Klerk Pri.Sci.Nat.,FIMMM, of Micon International, an Independent Consultant of the Company and Qualified Person as that term is defined in National Instrument 43-101.

Location Map of Eastport's Projects in Botswana

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8324/275988_30ad7b631485ab76_005full.jpg

About Eastport Ventures Inc.

Eastport Ventures is a disruptive critical minerals development company advancing five projects in Botswana, with cumulative historical and current expenditures approaching $20 million. The Company's most advanced asset is the Matsitama Copper Project, which hosts multiple sizeable targets across the Matsitama copper district.

The Company's additional projects include Selebi East, a nickel-copper-cobalt project located seven kilometres east of the historic Selebi Mines; the Semarule Rare Earth Elements Project, positioned within the Gaborone-Molepolole corridor; the Foley Uranium Project, adjoining the Letlhakane uranium deposit; and the Keng Project, which targets nickel, copper and PGE's on the northern margin of the Molopo Farms Complex.

Botswana is widely regarded as one of Africa's strongest mining jurisdictions, combining the continent's highest GDP per capita with a 50-year track record of large-scale mineral development since the Orapa diamond discovery in 1967. The country ranks among the top performers globally on the Fraser Institute's Investment Attractiveness Index and is the highest-rated jurisdiction in Africa on the Policy Perception Index. These rankings reflect Botswana's stable regulatory environment, consistent rule of law, and long-standing support for responsible mineral development - factors that have underpinned significant investment and major M&A activity in the natural resources sector in recent years.

For further information about Eastport Ventures Inc., please contact:

Burns Singh Tennent-Bhohi

CEO and Director, Eastport Ventures Inc.

burns@eastportventures.com

info@eastportventures.com

Investor Relations

KIN Communications Inc.

604-684-6730

EVI@kincommunications.com

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements including but not limited to statements regarding the Company's business, assets or investments, as well other statements that are not historical facts. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur, which may cause actual performance and results in future periods to differ materially from any estimates or projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the state of the economy in general and capital markets in particular, investor interest in the business and prospects of the Company.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities law. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made, by third parties in respect of the matters discussed above.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275988
Summit Global Investments boosted its holdings in shares of Orix Corp Ads (NYSE:IX  Free Report) by 16.6% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 19,157 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 2,734 shares during the quarter. Summit Global Investments holdings in Orix Corp Ads were worth $431,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Ascent Group LLC purchased a new stake in Orix Corp Ads in the 1st quarter valued at about $263,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Orix Corp Ads by 414.2% during the first quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 39,447 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $824,000 after acquiring an additional 31,775 shares during the last quarter. Brentview Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Orix Corp Ads in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its holdings in shares of Orix Corp Ads by 305.7% in the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 43,196 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $902,000 after acquiring an additional 32,548 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Orix Corp Ads by 1,105.8% in the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 2,484 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $56,000 after acquiring an additional 2,278 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 1.73% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Orix Corp Ads in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Wall Street Zen cut Orix Corp Ads from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Orix Corp Ads has a consensus rating of Hold.

Orix Corp Ads Stock Up 1.4%

Shares of NYSE IX opened at $26.72 on Wednesday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $25.55 and a 200 day moving average price of $24.00. The stock has a market cap of $30.46 billion, a PE ratio of 12.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a quick ratio of 1.72, a current ratio of 1.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.36. Orix Corp Ads has a 52-week low of $17.75 and a 52-week high of $27.21.

Orix Corp Ads (NYSE:IX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.99 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.42. The company had revenue of $5.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.87 billion. Orix Corp Ads had a return on equity of 9.01% and a net margin of 12.70%. Equities research analysts forecast that Orix Corp Ads will post 11.31 earnings per share for the current year.

Orix Corp Ads Profile

(Free Report)

ORIX Corporation provides diversified financial services in Japan, the United States, Asia, Europe, Australasia, and the Middle East. The company's Corporate Financial Services and Maintenance Leasing segment is involved in the finance and fee; leasing and rental of automobiles, electronic measuring instruments, and ICT-related equipment businesses; and provision of life insurance and environment and energy-related products and services.

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Viawealth LLC raised its position in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO  Free Report) by 3.1% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 12,572 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 378 shares during the period. Valero Energy makes up approximately 1.0% of Viawealth LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 27th biggest position. Viawealth LLCs holdings in Valero Energy were worth $1,690,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 26.3% in the second quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 10,571 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,421,000 after acquiring an additional 2,199 shares in the last quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Valero Energy by 13,342.2% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 74,604 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $10,028,000 after purchasing an additional 74,049 shares during the last quarter. XTX Topco Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $4,622,000. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 20.1% during the 2nd quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 34,465 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $4,633,000 after buying an additional 5,767 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CreativeOne Wealth LLC boosted its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 10.4% during the 2nd quarter. CreativeOne Wealth LLC now owns 6,234 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $838,000 after buying an additional 588 shares during the last quarter. 78.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at Valero Energy

In related news, CFO Jason W. Fraser sold 9,933 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $174.02, for a total transaction of $1,728,540.66. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 134,196 shares in the company, valued at $23,352,787.92. This represents a 6.89% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.04% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Valero Energy from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 15th. Raymond James Financial reissued a strong-buy rating and issued a $195.00 target price (up previously from $181.00) on shares of Valero Energy in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Evercore ISI increased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $135.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Friday, September 19th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Valero Energy from $216.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Finally, UBS Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $183.00 price objective on shares of Valero Energy in a report on Friday, October 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Valero Energy currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $182.00.

Get Our Latest Analysis on VLO

Valero Energy Trading Down 0.2%

Valero Energy stock opened at $174.05 on Wednesday. Valero Energy Corporation has a 1 year low of $99.00 and a 1 year high of $185.62. The firms 50-day moving average is $169.26 and its 200-day moving average is $150.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a current ratio of 1.60. The company has a market cap of $53.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.34, a PEG ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.01.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The oil and gas company reported $3.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates 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 quarter last year, the company posted $1.14 earnings per share. Valero Energys revenue was down 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 18th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 20th will be issued a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 20th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.6%. Valero Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) 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.

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Prudential Financial Inc. cut its holdings in Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT  Free Report) by 32.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 104,097 shares of the restaurant operators stock after selling 49,025 shares during the period. Prudential Financial Inc. owned approximately 0.23% of Brinker International worth $18,772,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. American Century Companies Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Brinker International by 79.6% in the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 466,355 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $84,098,000 after buying an additional 206,764 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers grew its position in Brinker International by 3.4% during the 2nd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 125,643 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $22,657,000 after acquiring an additional 4,138 shares during the last quarter. Journey Strategic Wealth LLC increased its stake in Brinker International by 8.7% in the 2nd quarter. Journey Strategic Wealth LLC now owns 1,556 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $281,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its position in Brinker International by 170.1% in the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 108,628 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $19,589,000 after purchasing an additional 68,412 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc lifted its position in Brinker International by 9.5% in the second quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 134,405 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $24,237,000 after purchasing an additional 11,679 shares during the last quarter.

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Brinker International Trading Up 6.7%

NYSE:EAT opened at $149.74 on Wednesday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $124.74 and a 200-day moving average price of $149.51. The stock has a market cap of $6.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.53, a P/E/G ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a current ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. Brinker International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $100.30 and a 12 month high of $192.21.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Brinker International ( NYSE:EAT Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The restaurant operator reported $1.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.76 by $0.17. Brinker International had a net margin of 7.94% and a return on equity of 164.66%. The company had revenue of $1.35 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.32 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.95 earnings per share. Brinker Internationals revenue was up 18.5% on a year-over-year basis. Brinker International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.900-10.50 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Brinker International, Inc. will post 8.3 EPS for the current year.

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on shares of Brinker International from $161.00 to $160.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of Brinker International from $175.00 to $155.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Citigroup raised shares of Brinker International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the company from $144.00 to $176.00 in a research note on Tuesday. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on shares of Brinker International from $175.00 to $144.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 13th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price target on Brinker International from $145.00 to $135.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Brinker International presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $167.44.

View Our Latest Report on EAT

Insider Activity

In other news, COO Douglas N. Comings sold 16,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $156.48, for a total value of $2,503,680.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 12,951 shares in the company, valued at $2,026,572.48. This trade represents a 55.27% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 1.43% of the companys stock.

Brinker International 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.

Further Reading

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Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $1,075.72 and last traded at $1,057.6320, with a volume of 497525 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $1,059.70.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on LLY. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $876.00 to $879.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 1st. Hsbc Global Res upgraded Eli Lilly and Company from a moderate sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 27th. Scotiabank initiated coverage on Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. They issued a sector outperform rating and a $1,165.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Leerink Partners upgraded Eli Lilly and Company from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and raised their price objective for the company from $886.00 to $1,104.00 in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $1,047.50.

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Read Our Latest Research Report on Eli Lilly and Company

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance

The company has a fifty day moving average of $869.19 and a two-hundred day moving average of $792.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.05 trillion, a P/E ratio of 72.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86, a current ratio of 1.28 and a quick ratio of 1.00.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.42 by $0.60. The business had revenue of $17.60 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.09 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 25.91% and a return on equity of 92.72%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 53.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.18 EPS. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 23.000-23.700 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 EPS for the current year.

Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be issued a $1.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 29.35%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of LLY. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Eli Lilly and Company in the 1st quarter worth about $27,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the second quarter worth about $27,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC increased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 84.2% in the third quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 35 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 16 shares in the last quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the second quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Steph & Co. raised its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 290.0% during the third quarter. Steph & Co. now owns 39 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares during the period. 82.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

Further Reading

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Swiss National Bank lowered its position in shares of Ciena Corporation (NYSE:CIEN  Free Report) by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 271,700 shares of the communications equipment providers stock after selling 3,600 shares during the quarter. Swiss National Banks holdings in Ciena were worth $22,097,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in CIEN. National Bank of Canada FI raised its position in shares of Ciena by 15.4% during the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 1,147 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $69,000 after acquiring an additional 153 shares in the last quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd increased its stake in Ciena by 34.7% during the first quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 636 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 164 shares during the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank increased its stake in Ciena by 0.5% during the first quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 38,910 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $2,351,000 after purchasing an additional 178 shares during the last quarter. Advisors Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Ciena by 5.1% during the second quarter. Advisors Capital Management LLC now owns 3,961 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $322,000 after purchasing an additional 191 shares during the period. Finally, Louisiana State Employees Retirement System lifted its position in shares of Ciena by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 40,000 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $3,253,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.99% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other Ciena news, SVP Brodie Gage sold 350 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $169.36, for a total value of $59,276.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 40,653 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,884,992.08. This represents a 0.85% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Bruce L. Claflin sold 8,461 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $140.12, for a total transaction of $1,185,555.32. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 54,624 shares in the company, valued at $7,653,914.88. This trade represents a 13.41% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 51,935 shares of company stock valued at $8,029,442. 0.93% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Ciena from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and raised their target price for the stock from $100.00 to $140.00 in a report on Friday, October 10th. B. Riley reiterated a neutral rating and set a $113.00 price target (up from $90.00) on shares of Ciena in a research report on Friday, September 5th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on Ciena from $120.00 to $152.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. BNP Paribas set a $185.00 target price on Ciena and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, October 13th. Finally, Citigroup raised their target price on Ciena from $141.00 to $230.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $153.20.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CIEN

Ciena Trading Up 0.7%

Shares of Ciena stock opened at $196.05 on Wednesday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $171.33 and a 200-day simple moving average of $117.45. Ciena Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $49.21 and a fifty-two week high of $214.17. The firm has a market cap of $27.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 202.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 1.17. The company has a quick ratio of 2.52, a current ratio of 3.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55.

Ciena (NYSE:CIEN  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 6th. The communications equipment provider reported $0.47 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $844.44 million during the quarter. Ciena had a net margin of 3.10% and a return on equity of 6.62%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Ciena Corporation will post 1.6 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ciena Profile

(Free Report)

Ciena Corporation provides hardware and software services for delivery of video, data, and voice traffic metro, aggregation, and access communications network worldwide. The companys Networking Platforms segment offers convergence of coherent optical transport, open optical networking, optical transport network switching, IP routing, and switching services.

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Waterloo Capital L.P. acquired a new position in Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSEARCA:PPA  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 1,698 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $241,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Briaud Financial Planning Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF during the second quarter worth about $27,000. Banque Transatlantique SA purchased a new position in Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF in the first quarter valued at about $32,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp acquired a new stake in Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Simplex Trading LLC purchased a new stake in Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $56,000. Finally, GHP Investment Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF by 401.0% during the 2nd quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 501 shares of the companys stock worth $71,000 after purchasing an additional 401 shares during the last quarter.

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Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF Trading Up 1.2%

Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF stock opened at $149.33 on Wednesday. Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF has a 52 week low of $100.39 and a 52 week high of $160.37. The stock has a market cap of $6.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.91 and a beta of 0.87. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $153.88 and a 200-day moving average of $145.81.

Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF Company Profile

PowerShares Aerospace & Defense Portfolio (Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of the SPADE Defense Index (the Index). The Index is designed to identify a group of companies involved in the development, manufacturing, operations and support of the United States defense, homeland security and aerospace operations.

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Zeta Global (NYSE:ZETA  Get Free Report) had its price objective upped by stock analysts at Morgan Stanley from $21.00 to $23.00 in a research note issued on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an equal weight rating on the stock. Morgan Stanleys target price suggests a potential upside of 25.50% from the companys previous close.

ZETA has been the subject of several other reports. William Blair restated an outperform rating on shares of Zeta Global in a report on Monday. Citigroup began coverage on Zeta Global in a research report on Friday. They issued a buy rating and a $26.00 price objective for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a neutral rating and set a $23.00 target price on shares of Zeta Global in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Zeta Global from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, September 20th. Finally, Truist Financial increased their price objective on shares of Zeta Global from $34.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $27.25.

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Zeta Global Trading Up 1.6%

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Zeta Global

Shares of ZETA stock traded up $0.30 on Wednesday, hitting $18.33. The stock had a trading volume of 971,369 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,205,048. The company has a current ratio of 3.01, a quick ratio of 3.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. Zeta Global has a twelve month low of $10.69 and a twelve month high of $27.79. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $19.08 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $17.07. The firm has a market cap of $4.41 billion, a P/E ratio of -152.55 and a beta of 1.27.

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ZETA. Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its holdings in shares of Zeta Global by 4.8% during the 3rd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 12,195 shares of the companys stock worth $242,000 after buying an additional 560 shares during the last quarter. Palouse Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in Zeta Global by 6.1% during the second quarter. Palouse Capital Management Inc. now owns 10,794 shares of the companys stock worth $167,000 after buying an additional 619 shares during the period. Advisors Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Zeta Global by 15.3% during the second quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 5,281 shares of the companys stock worth $82,000 after purchasing an additional 702 shares in the last quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. grew its stake in shares of Zeta Global by 1.2% in the third quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 66,462 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,321,000 after buying an additional 799 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in Zeta Global by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 63,330 shares of the companys stock valued at $981,000 after acquiring an additional 804 shares during the last quarter. 87.75% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Zeta Global

(Get Free Report)

Zeta Global Holdings Corp. operates an omnichannel data-driven cloud platform that provides enterprises with consumer intelligence and marketing automation software in the United States and internationally. The companys Zeta Marketing Platform analyzes billions of structured and unstructured data points to predict consumer intent by leveraging sophisticated machine learning algorithms and the industrys opted-in data set for omnichannel marketing; and Consumer Data platform ingests, analyzes, and distills disparate data points to generate a single view of a consumer, encompassing identity, profile characteristics, behaviors, and purchase intent.

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Tenet Healthcare Corporation (NYSE:THC  Get Free Report) shares gapped up prior to trading on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $191.96, but opened at $202.35. Tenet Healthcare shares last traded at $204.33, with a volume of 265,474 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

THC has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Mizuho increased their target price on Tenet Healthcare from $194.00 to $225.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Tenet Healthcare in a research note on Monday. Truist Financial reissued a buy rating and issued a $240.00 target price (up previously from $225.00) on shares of Tenet Healthcare in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Morgan Stanley set a $232.00 price target on shares of Tenet Healthcare and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price objective on Tenet Healthcare from $238.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $229.69.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Tenet Healthcare

Tenet Healthcare Stock Up 0.4%

The stock has a market cap of $19.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.03, a PEG ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.53. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $200.01 and its 200-day simple moving average is $181.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.27, a current ratio of 1.71 and a quick ratio of 1.63.

Tenet Healthcare (NYSE:THC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $3.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.33 by $0.37. Tenet Healthcare had a return on equity of 25.11% and a net margin of 6.49%.The business had revenue of $5.29 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.26 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.93 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. Tenet Healthcare has set its FY 2025 guidance at 15.930-16.26 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Tenet Healthcare Corporation will post 12.24 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other Tenet Healthcare news, Director Tammy Romo sold 645 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $205.20, for a total transaction of $132,354.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 34,866 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,154,503.20. The trade was a 1.82% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Saumya Sutaria sold 78,762 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $190.78, for a total transaction of $15,026,214.36. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 368,683 shares in the company, valued at $70,337,342.74. The trade was a 17.60% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 122,092 shares of company stock worth $23,844,663 in the last 90 days. 0.81% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Tenet Healthcare

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of THC. Triumph Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of Tenet Healthcare in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. William B. Walkup & Associates Inc. bought a new position in Tenet Healthcare during the 3rd quarter valued at $32,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Tenet Healthcare by 100.0% in the 3rd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 192 shares of the companys stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 96 shares in the last quarter. Chung Wu Investment Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Tenet Healthcare in the second quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, Trust Co. of Vermont bought a new stake in Tenet Healthcare in the third quarter worth about $41,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.44% of the companys stock.

About Tenet Healthcare

(Get Free Report)

Tenet Healthcare Corporation operates as a diversified healthcare services company in the United States. The company operates through two segments: Hospital Operations and Services, and Ambulatory Care. Its general hospitals offer acute care services, operating and recovery rooms, radiology and respiratory therapy services, clinical laboratories, and pharmacies.

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Mitsubishi Chemical (OTCMKTS:MTLHY  Get Free Report) and Cabot (NYSE:CBT  Get Free Report) are both mid-cap basic materials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, dividends, profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings and valuation.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

93.2% of Cabot shares are held by institutional investors. 3.0% of Cabot shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

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Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings for Mitsubishi Chemical and Cabot, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Mitsubishi Chemical 0 0 0 0 0.00 Cabot 2 2 1 0 1.80

Dividends

Cabot has a consensus target price of $74.00, indicating a potential upside of 15.43%. Given Cabots stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Cabot is more favorable than Mitsubishi Chemical.

Mitsubishi Chemical pays an annual dividend of $0.75 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. Cabot pays an annual dividend of $1.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. Mitsubishi Chemical pays out 123.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Cabot pays out 30.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Cabot has raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years. Cabot is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Volatility & Risk

Mitsubishi Chemical has a beta of 0.59, suggesting that its stock price is 41% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Cabot has a beta of 0.9, suggesting that its stock price is 10% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Mitsubishi Chemical and Cabots gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Mitsubishi Chemical $28.94 billion 0.27 $297.13 million $0.61 43.92 Cabot $3.71 billion 0.92 $380.00 million $6.01 10.67

Cabot has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Mitsubishi Chemical. Cabot is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Mitsubishi Chemical, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares Mitsubishi Chemical and Cabots net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Mitsubishi Chemical 0.62% 0.98% 0.38% Cabot 11.14% 25.68% 10.92%

Summary

Cabot beats Mitsubishi Chemical on 15 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Mitsubishi Chemical

(Get Free Report)

Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation provides performance products, chemicals, industrial gases, health care products, and other products in Japan and internationally. It operates in five segments: Specialty Materials, Industrial Gases, Health Care, MMA, and Basic Materials. The Specialty Materials segment offers performance polymers, soarnol, gohsenol, sustainable polymers, and engineering plastics; coating materials, additives, and fines; packaging, industrial and medical, acetyl, and polyester films; engineering shapes and solutions, carbon fiber and composite materials, and fibers; aqua, life, and infrastructure solutions; and semiconductor, electronics, and battery materials. The Industrial Gases segment provides industrial gases. The Health Care segment offers ethical pharmaceuticals. The MMA segment provides methyl methacrylate (MMA) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The Basic Materials segment offers basic petrochemicals, polyolefins, and basic chemical derivatives, as well as carbon products. The company provides engineering, transportation, and warehousing services. Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

About Cabot

(Get Free Report)

Cabot Corporation operates as a specialty chemicals and performance materials company. The company operates through two segments, Reinforcement Materials and Performance Chemicals. It offers reinforcing carbons that are used in tires as a rubber reinforcing agent and performance additive, as well as in industrial products, such as hoses, belts, extruded profiles, and molded goods; and engineered elastomer composites solutions. The company also provides specialty carbons for use in inks, coatings, plastics, adhesives, toners, batteries, and displays; conductive additives and fumed alumina used in lead acid and lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles; fumed silica used in adhesives, sealants, cosmetics, batteries, inks, toners, silicone elastomers, coatings, polishing slurries, and pharmaceuticals; and fumed alumina for use in various products, including inkjet media, lighting, coatings, cosmetics, and polishing slurries. In addition, it offers aerogel, a hydrophobic, silica-based particle to use in various thermal insulation and specialty chemical applications; masterbatch and conductive compound products that are used in automotive, industrial, packaging, infrastructure, agriculture, consumer products, and electronics industries; and inkjet colorants for inkjet printing applications. The company sells its products through distributors and sales representatives in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. Cabot Corporation was founded in 1882 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Raymond James Financial upgraded shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM  Free Report) (NYSE:CM) to a hold rating in a research note released on Monday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports.

Several other analysts have also commented on the company. Desjardins upped their price target on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$106.00 to C$113.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$112.00 to C$113.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 29th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$107.00 to C$112.00 in a report on Friday, August 29th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$106.00 to C$118.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, National Bankshares set a C$110.00 price objective on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, September 22nd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of C$113.00.

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Stock Performance

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Announces Dividend

TSE CM traded up C$0.51 during trading on Monday, reaching C$120.28. 208,095 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,365,496. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a 1-year low of C$76.17 and a 1-year high of C$122.56. The company has a market cap of C$111.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.54, a P/E/G ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 1.42. The stocks 50 day moving average price is C$115.28 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$104.61.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 28th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, October 28th were paid a $0.97 dividend. 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 3.2%. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces payout ratio is currently 46.07%.

About Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

(Get Free Report)

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce is Canadas fifth- largest bank, operating three business segments: retail and business banking, wealth management, and capital markets. It serves approximately 11 million personal banking and business customers, primarily in Canada.

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Element 25 has reported significant progress in the expansion of its Butcherbird manganese mine in Western Australia (WA), aiming to boost production capacity to 1.1 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of manganese concentrate.

The Butcherbird expansion project (BBX) is supported by updated feasibility studies.

Altris Engineering, serving as lead engineer, has begun work on the expansion project as part of an integrated project team, collaborating closely with Element 25 engineers.

Process improvement studies are ongoing, with the goal of delivering potential cost savings and execution flexibility options for the project.

The tender process for the mining services contract is nearing final selection.

In addition, procurement of essential equipment including mineral sizers and a log washer has been secured.

Offtake negotiations are also progressing, with several term sheets currently under review.

Element 25 has raised A$10m ($6.45m) through a placement and secured a A$50m senior debt facility from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility to fund the BBX.

The company is currently negotiating several term sheets to secure the remaining funds needed for the construction.

The updated ore reserve at the Butcherbird mine has risen by 107% to 101.4mt at 10.4% manganese, containing 10.54mt of manganese.

This underpins a more than 18-year life-of-mine operation at the planned 1.1mtpa production rate.

Additionally, the latest Butcherbird mineral resource estimate (MRE) increased by 6% to 274mt at 10% manganese.

Measured and indicated resources are up by 142%, reaching 130mt at a grade of 10.23% manganese.

These updates align with Element 25s strategic objective to expand production capacity and supply manganese concentrate to traditional steel markets, as well as provide feedstock for its planned battery-grade, high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate processing plant in Louisiana, US.

The BBX project is approved under the WA Regulatory Framework, including approvals from the WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and the WA Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.

"Element 25 advances Butcherbird manganese project expansion" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




Wambolt & Associates LLC decreased its position in shares of National Grid Transco, PLC (NYSE:NGG  Free Report) by 6.4% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 25,219 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 1,719 shares during the period. Wambolt & Associates LLCs holdings in National Grid Transco were worth $1,876,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in NGG. Choreo LLC boosted its stake in National Grid Transco by 22.7% during the second quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 10,744 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $801,000 after buying an additional 1,987 shares during the last quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of National Grid Transco by 6.2% during the 2nd quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 6,977 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $519,000 after acquiring an additional 407 shares in the last quarter. XTX Topco Ltd bought a new position in shares of National Grid Transco during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $3,470,000. Summit Global Investments grew its holdings in shares of National Grid Transco by 19.1% in the second quarter. Summit Global Investments now owns 53,559 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,985,000 after purchasing an additional 8,603 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of National Grid Transco in the second quarter valued at $487,000. 4.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms recently issued reports on NGG. BNP Paribas downgraded shares of National Grid Transco from a strong-buy rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Monday. BNP Paribas Exane cut shares of National Grid Transco from an outperform rating to an underperform rating in a research report on Monday. Zacks Research downgraded shares of National Grid Transco from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, September 1st. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of National Grid Transco in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Three 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 stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $80.40.

National Grid Transco Trading Up 0.7%

NGG stock opened at $74.09 on Wednesday. National Grid Transco, PLC has a twelve month low of $55.82 and a twelve month high of $78.49. The company has a current ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $74.73 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $72.61.

National Grid Transco Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 13th. Investors of record on Friday, November 21st will be given a $1.0657 dividend. This represents a yield of 284.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 21st.

National Grid Transco Profile

(Free Report)

National Grid plc transmits and distributes electricity and gas. It operates through UK Electricity Transmission, UK Electricity Distribution, UK Electricity System Operator, New England, New York, National Grid Ventures, and Other segments. The UK Electricity Transmission segment provides electricity transmission and construction work services in England and Wales.

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Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO  Get Free Report) (NYSE:BMO) was upgraded by equities research analysts at Raymond James Financial to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday, Marketbeat reports.

Several other brokerages also recently weighed in on BMO. Royal Bank Of Canada downgraded shares of Bank of Montreal from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and cut their target price for the company from C$168.00 to C$163.00 in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. TD Securities upped their target price on Bank of Montreal from C$170.00 to C$182.00 in a research note on Monday, November 10th. National Bankshares lowered shares of Bank of Montreal from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and upped their price target for the stock from C$173.00 to C$181.00 in a research report on Monday, November 17th. CIBC boosted their price objective on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$180.00 to C$192.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group boosted their price target on Bank of Montreal from C$180.00 to C$185.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, September 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Bank of Montreal has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$173.54.

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Bank of Montreal Price Performance

Insiders Place Their Bets

Shares of BMO stock traded up C$0.63 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting C$175.25. The stock had a trading volume of 184,192 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,779,046. The firm has a market cap of C$125.53 billion, a PE ratio of 15.36, a PEG ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.38. Bank of Montreal has a fifty-two week low of C$121.31 and a fifty-two week high of C$182.90. The companys 50-day simple moving average is C$176.50 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$162.22.

In related news, insider Steven Lloyd Tennyson sold 9,072 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, August 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$163.89, for a total value of C$1,486,782.86. Following the transaction, the insider owned 21,866 shares in the company, valued at C$3,583,553.14. The trade was a 29.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Also, insider Alan Tannenbaum sold 9,824 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$175.12, for a total value of C$1,720,408.35. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 35,883 shares of company stock worth $5,989,740. Insiders own 0.03% of the companys stock.

Bank of Montreal Company Profile

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Bank of Montreal is a diversified financial-services provider based in North America, operating four business segments: Canadian personal and commercial banking, U.S. P&C banking, wealth management, and capital markets.

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Mobico Group (LON:MCG  Get Free Report)s stock had its hold rating reiterated by investment analysts at Berenberg Bank in a report released on Wednesday,London Stock Exchange reports. They currently have a GBX 35 price target on the stock. Berenberg Banks price objective suggests a potential upside of 60.11% from the stocks current price.

Separately, Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their target price on shares of Mobico Group from GBX 35 to GBX 30 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of GBX 32.50.

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Mobico Group Stock Up 0.7%

Shares of MCG stock traded up GBX 0.16 on Wednesday, reaching GBX 21.86. The companys stock had a trading volume of 8,924,538 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,746,703. The company has a market capitalization of 133.42 million, a P/E ratio of -0.13 and a beta of 1.60. Mobico Group has a 12-month low of GBX 18.57 and a 12-month high of GBX 91.15. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is GBX 26.70 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 29.62.

Mobico Group (LON:MCG  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, September 9th. The company reported GBX 3.80 earnings per share for the quarter. Mobico Group had a negative return on equity of 13.71% and a negative net margin of 4.36%. Research analysts expect that Mobico Group will post 14.0227704 EPS for the current year.

Mobico Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Mobico Group is a leading international transport operator, diversified internationally and by business area; with operations in North America, continental Europe, the UK and North Africa.

We provide safe, efficient, clean and reliable shared mobility solutions to cities, businesses, education, healthcare and customers.

We are internationally diversified with a balanced portfolio of high quality contracts and market-leading customer brands.

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Shimano Inc. Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:SMNNY  Get Free Report) shares were up 5.5% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $10.2950 and last traded at $10.2850. Approximately 1,270 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 99% from the average daily volume of 226,651 shares. The stock had previously closed at $9.75.

Shimano Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $9.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.86 and a beta of 0.62. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $10.86 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $12.20.

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Shimano (OTCMKTS:SMNNY  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $0.09 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $770.46 million during the quarter. Shimano had a return on equity of 5.93% and a net margin of 10.72%.

Shimano Company Profile

Shimano Inc develops, produces, and distributes bicycle components, fishing tackles, and rowing equipment. It has operations in Japan, Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and Oceania. Shimano Inc was founded in 1921 and is headquartered in Sakai, Japan.

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Imperial Tobacco Group PLC (OTCMKTS:IMBBY  Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Wednesday, November 26th, investing.com reports. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be given a dividend of 0.517 per share on Thursday, January 8th. This represents a yield of 537.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th.

Imperial Tobacco Group Stock Up 2.2%

IMBBY traded up $0.92 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $43.27. The companys stock had a trading volume of 59,368 shares, compared to its average volume of 174,059. The companys 50-day moving average is $41.29 and its 200-day moving average is $40.31. Imperial Tobacco Group has a 52 week low of $30.24 and a 52 week high of $43.35. The company has a quick ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40.

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Imperial Tobacco Group Company Profile

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Imperial Brands PLC, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, imports, markets, and sells tobacco and tobacco-related products in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australasia. It offers a range of cigarettes, tobacco accessories, vapour, heated tobacco, and oral nicotine. The company sells its products under various brands, including JPS, Davidoff, Gauloises, West, Winston, Kool, Lambert & Butler, Fortuna, Nobel, News, Backwoods, Champion, Golden Virginia, Rizla, Blu, Pulze, Skruf, and Zone X.

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Equity Bancshares (NYSE:EQBK  Get Free Report) and CoastalSouth Bancshares (NYSE:COSO  Get Free Report) are both small-cap financial services companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation and dividends.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Equity Bancshares and CoastalSouth Bancshares, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Equity Bancshares 0 1 0 2 3.33 CoastalSouth Bancshares 0 1 1 0 2.50

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Equity Bancshares and CoastalSouth Bancsharess gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Equity Bancshares $192.21 million 4.33 $62.62 million $1.20 36.37 CoastalSouth Bancshares N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Equity Bancshares has higher revenue and earnings than CoastalSouth Bancshares.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

71.8% of Equity Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. 6.6% of Equity Bancshares shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares Equity Bancshares and CoastalSouth Bancshares net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Equity Bancshares 5.01% 12.13% 1.39% CoastalSouth Bancshares N/A N/A N/A

Summary

Equity Bancshares beats CoastalSouth Bancshares on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Equity Bancshares

(Get Free Report)

Equity Bancshares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Equity Bank that provides a range of banking, mortgage banking, and financial services to individual and corporate customers. The company accepts various demand, savings, money market, and time deposits. Its loan products include commercial and industrial, commercial real estate-backed, commercial lines of credit, working capital, term, equipment financing, acquisition, expansion and development, borrowing base, real estate construction, homebuilder, agricultural, government guaranteed, and other loan products to national and regional companies, restaurant franchisees, hoteliers, real estate developers, manufacturing and industrial companies, agribusiness companies, and other businesses. The companys loan products also comprise various consumer loans to individuals and professionals, including residential real estate loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, installment loans, unsecured and secured personal lines of credit, overdraft protection, and letters of credit. It also provides debit cards; online banking solutions, such as access to account balances, online transfers, online bill payment, and electronic delivery of customer statements; mobile banking solutions comprising remote check deposits with mobile bill pay; ATMs; and treasury management, wire transfer, automated clearing house, and stop payment services. In addition, the company offers cash management deposit products, such as lockbox, remote deposit capture, positive pay, reverse positive pay, account reconciliation services, zero balance accounts, and sweep accounts, as well as banking services through telephone, mail, and personal appointments. As of December 31, 2021, it operated a network of 69 branches in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas.

About CoastalSouth Bancshares

(Get Free Report)

CoastalSouth Bancshares, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Through our wholly owned subsidiary, Coastal States Bank, a South Carolina state-chartered commercial bank, we offer a full range of banking products and services designed for businesses, real estate professionals, and consumers looking for a deep and meaningful relationship with their bank. Today, we have a community banking presence in some of the fastest growing and most business-friendly markets in the U.S., namely the Lowcountry of South Carolina (Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Beaufort), nearby Savannah, Georgia, and the Atlanta, Georgia market.  In addition to our traditional community banking operations, we operate four specialty lines of business that provide scalability and diversification:  Senior Housing Lending  focuses on lending to operators across the spectrum of senior care, with an emphasis on assisted living;  Marine Lending  focuses on consumer loans primarily to high-net-worth borrowers secured by yachts and high-end sport fishing vessels;  Government Guaranteed Lending  focuses on origination of small business and other loans guaranteed by the SBA and USDA; and  Mortgage Banker Finance  focuses on mortgage warehouse lending to mortgage originators. By combining the relationship-based focus of a community bank with our specialty lines of business, we believe we can capitalize on the substantial growth opportunities available in our markets, particularly given the scarcity of community banks between $1.5 billion and $5.0 billion in total assets. Our principal executive offices are located in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Oracle Power plc (LON:ORCP  Get Free Report) was up 5.3% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as GBX 0.05 and last traded at GBX 0.04. Approximately 292,560,500 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 27% from the average daily volume of 230,796,781 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 0.04.

Oracle Power Price Performance

The business has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 0.04 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 0.02. The company has a market cap of 6.29 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -20.00 and a beta of 1.44. The company has a current ratio of 3.74, a quick ratio of 5.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.98.

Oracle Power Company Profile

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Oracle Power Plc (AIM: ORCP) is an international project developer in the natural resources and energy sectors. The Company is currently committed to two areas of focus: Western Australia, home to two of Oracles highly prospective gold projects, and Pakistan, where it is working to establish one of the largest hydrogen production facilities in the region.

Located in the wind corridor in Jhimpir, Pakistan, The Green Hydrogen project is being developed on a fast-track basis thanks to the joint venture (JV) formed between Oracle and His Highness Shaikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum (through his wholly owned company, Kaheel Energy Limited).

The JV intends to support the global transition to a carbon neutral future through establishing Pakistan as one of the main Green Hydrogen players in the region, to meet global demand for clean hydrogen forecasted to be 660 million metric tons in 2050.

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Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE:TEVA  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $26.42 and last traded at $26.3160, with a volume of 9750265 shares. The stock had previously closed at $24.99.

Analyst Ratings Changes

TEVA has been the subject of a number of research reports. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $26.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. UBS Group increased their price target on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, September 24th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Saturday, October 11th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $25.86.

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Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Stock Up 5.4%

The company has a current ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.45. The company has a market capitalization of $30.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -164.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 0.70. The firms 50 day moving average price is $21.12 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $18.63.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (NYSE:TEVA  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.68 by $0.10. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries had a positive return on equity of 46.10% and a negative net margin of 0.95%.The company had revenue of $4.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.36 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.69 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 3.4% on a year-over-year basis. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.550-2.650 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. will post 2.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Teva Pharmaceutical Industries news, Director Roberto Mignone sold 200,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.11, for a total transaction of $4,822,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 495,000 shares in the company, valued at $11,934,450. This trade represents a 28.78% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.49% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of TEVA. Advisors Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries during the second quarter worth $41,000. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries during the 1st quarter worth $43,000. Cromwell Holdings LLC increased its holdings in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 40.3% in the 3rd quarter. Cromwell Holdings LLC now owns 2,191 shares of the companys stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 629 shares in the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC raised its position in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 3,715.8% in the second quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 2,900 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,000 after purchasing an additional 2,824 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MAI Capital Management boosted its stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 26.8% during the second quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 3,293 shares of the companys stock valued at $55,000 after purchasing an additional 697 shares in the last quarter. 54.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

(Get Free Report)

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes generic medicines, specialty medicines, and biopharmaceutical products in North America, Europe, Israel, and internationally. It offers generic medicines in various dosage forms, such as tablets, capsules, injectables, inhalants, liquids, transdermal patches, ointments, and creams; sterile products, hormones, high-potency drugs, and cytotoxic substances in parenteral and solid dosage forms; and generic products with medical devices and combination products.

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Brookfield Infrastructure Co. (NYSE:BIPC  Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Wednesday, November 26th, investing.com reports. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st will be given a dividend of 0.43 per share on Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a yield of 384.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th.

Brookfield Infrastructure has a payout ratio of 30.7% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings.

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Brookfield Infrastructure Price Performance

Brookfield Infrastructure stock traded up $0.73 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $45.52. The stock had a trading volume of 145,172 shares, compared to its average volume of 631,072. The company has a market cap of $5.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.85 and a beta of 1.46. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $44.02 and its 200-day moving average price is $41.71. Brookfield Infrastructure has a 52 week low of $32.08 and a 52 week high of $47.71.

About Brookfield Infrastructure

Brookfield Infrastructure Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates regulated natural gas transmission systems in Brazil. The company also engages in the regulated gas and electricity distribution operations in the United Kingdom; and electricity transmission and distribution, as well as gas distribution in Australia.

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Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSE:ATD  Get Free Report) had its target price boosted by investment analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from C$85.00 to C$88.00 in a research report issued on Wednesday,BayStreet.CA reports. The firm presently has a buy rating on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus price target would suggest a potential upside of 16.70% from the stocks current price.

Several other equities analysts have also issued reports on the company. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on Alimentation Couche-Tard from C$86.00 to C$88.00 in a research note on Wednesday. TD Securities upped their target price on Alimentation Couche-Tard from C$85.00 to C$89.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, September 4th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price target on shares of Alimentation Couche-Tard from C$94.00 to C$91.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, September 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Alimentation Couche-Tard to a hold rating in a report on Friday, September 12th. Finally, National Bankshares raised their price objective on shares of Alimentation Couche-Tard from C$82.00 to C$84.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, September 4th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of C$86.75.

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Alimentation Couche-Tard Stock Performance

ATD stock traded up C$1.00 on Wednesday, reaching C$75.41. 1,185,467 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,428,390. The firm has a market capitalization of C$70.93 billion, a PE ratio of 27.93, a PEG ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 0.31. Alimentation Couche-Tard has a 12 month low of C$65.95 and a 12 month high of C$83.73. The stocks fifty day moving average price is C$72.25 and its 200 day moving average price is C$71.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 101.54, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.88.

Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSE:ATD  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 24th. The company reported C$0.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$0.74 by C$0.05. Alimentation Couche-Tard had a net margin of 3.53% and a return on equity of 18.96%. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.74 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Alimentation Couche-Tard will post 4.0410959 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Alimentation Couche-Tard

(Get Free Report)

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc operates a network of convenience stores across North America, Ireland, Scandinavia, Poland, the Baltics, and Russia. The company primarily generates income through the sale of tobacco products, groceries, beverages, fresh food, quick service restaurants, car wash services, other retail products and services, road transportation fuel, stationary energy, marine fuel, and chemicals.

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By Trevor Hunnicutt, Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee

WASHINGTON/TAIPEI (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is negotiating a deal that could commit Taiwan to fresh investment and training of U.S. workers in semiconductor manufacturing and other advanced industries, according to five people familiar with the matter.

Under the arrangement, Taiwanese companies including TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, would send new capital and workers to expand their U.S. operations and train U.S. workers.

Taiwan's exports to the United States are currently subject to a 20% tariff, and Taipei has been in talks to reduce that figure as part of an overarching deal with Washington. Semiconductors, vital for all kinds of high-tech products, are currently exempt from tariffs while the U.S builds domestic capacity.

One of the people said the total U.S. investment to be pledged by Taiwan would be smaller than that of its main regional economic rivals, and would include support to help Washington build science park infrastructure drawing on Taiwanese know-how. The person and others spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

South Korea and Japan have pledged a total of $350 billion and $550 billion in investment in the U.S., respectively, under deals to trim U.S. tariffs on most of their goods to 15% from 25%.

It was unclear when the Taiwan deal would close or what specifics would make it into the final agreement, according to the people. They cautioned that any deal terms could change until they were finalized in negotiations. The workforce training aspect of the deal has not previously been reported.

"Until announced by President Trump, reporting about potential trade deals is speculation," said White House spokesman Kush Desai. The U.S. trade representative's office did not respond to a request for comment.

Trump has previously said some skilled foreign workers may be necessary to train Americans in state-of-the-art factories.

TAIWAN LOOKS TO REPLICATE ITS MODEL

TSMC, which declined to comment on the trade talks, has struggled to find the right workers for its U.S. projects.

CEO and Chairman C.C. Wei said in January building the new factory in Arizona has taken at least twice as long as in Taiwan, citing a shortage of skilled workers and gaps in the supply chain. TSMC, for example, brought half of the construction workers from Texas to Arizona, increasing costs due to relocation and accommodation, he said.

Taiwan's Office of Trade Negotiations said in a statement that its team was continuing to discuss supply chain cooperation with the United States under a "Taiwan model."
Shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel Unsponsored ADR (NYSE:ELPC  Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Monday . Approximately 2,549 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 4% from the previous sessions volume of 2,652 shares.The stock last traded at $9.7050 and had previously closed at $9.70.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on ELPC

Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $10.93 billion and a P/E ratio of 19.97. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $9.33 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $8.58.

Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel (NYSE:ELPC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported $0.11 EPS for the quarter.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel

An institutional investor recently raised its position in Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel stock. Optiver Holding B.V. boosted its stake in shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel Unsponsored ADR (NYSE:ELPC  Free Report) by 4.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 299,739 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 11,611 shares during the period. Optiver Holding B.V.s holdings in Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel were worth $2,686,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

About Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel

(Get Free Report)

Companhia Paranaense de Energia  COPEL engages in the generation, transformation, distribution, and sale of electricity to industrial, residential, commercial, rural, and other customers in Brazil. The company operates through Power Generation and Transmission, Power Distribution, GAS, Power Sale, and Holding and Services segments.

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Brookfield Business Corp (NYSE:BBUC  Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Wednesday, November 26th, investing.com reports. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st will be given a dividend of 0.0625 per share on Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a dividend yield of 74.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th.

Brookfield Business Stock Up 0.3%

Brookfield Business stock traded up $0.10 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $34.01. The stock had a trading volume of 99,371 shares, compared to its average volume of 104,026. Brookfield Business has a fifty-two week low of $21.52 and a fifty-two week high of $37.88.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

An institutional investor recently bought a new position in Brookfield Business stock. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd bought a new stake in Brookfield Business Corp (NYSE:BBUC  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 27,064 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $907,000.

Brookfield Business Company Profile

Brookfield Business Corporation focuses on healthcare, construction, and wastewater services in the United States, Europe, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Brazil. It operates through three segments: Business Services, Infrastructure Services, and Industrials. The company operates 42 hospitals; offers construction services for office, residential, hospitality and leisure, social infrastructure, retail, and mixed-use properties; and provides nuclear technology services, such as fuel, maintenance services, engineering solutions, instrumentation and control systems, and manufactured components for nuclear power plants.

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Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $16.18 and last traded at $16.0610, with a volume of 11141159 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $14.98.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Weiss Ratings downgraded Hecla Mining from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research note on Tuesday. Scotiabank started coverage on Hecla Mining in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. They issued a sector perform rating and a $15.00 target price on the stock. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of Hecla Mining from $6.00 to $6.50 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Roth Capital set a $8.75 price objective on shares of Hecla Mining and gave the stock a sell rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Hecla Mining from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday, November 2nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $10.22.

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Hecla Mining Stock Up 7.9%

The company has a quick ratio of 1.99, a current ratio of 2.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The businesss 50-day moving average is $12.99 and its 200-day moving average is $8.92. The company has a market capitalization of $10.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 101.18 and a beta of 1.29.

Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The basic materials company reported $0.12 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.11 by $0.01. Hecla Mining had a net margin of 9.55% and a return on equity of 5.51%. The business had revenue of $409.54 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $315.60 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.03 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 67.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that Hecla Mining Company will post 0.21 earnings per share for the current year.

Hecla Mining Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 8th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 24th will be given a dividend of $0.0038 per share. This represents a $0.02 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 24th. Hecla Minings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 3.23%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Russell Douglas Lawlar sold 18,535 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.02, for a total transaction of $278,395.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, VP Stuart Maurice Absolom sold 14,472 shares of Hecla Mining stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $11.29, for a total value of $163,388.88. Following the sale, the vice president owned 73,200 shares in the company, valued at $826,428. This represents a 16.51% 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 181,379 shares of company stock valued at $2,667,365. 0.62% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Hecla Mining

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Hecla Mining by 13.4% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 71,349,059 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $863,324,000 after acquiring an additional 8,452,401 shares during the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its stake in shares of Hecla Mining by 32.4% during the third quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 49,881,495 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $603,566,000 after acquiring an additional 12,197,740 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in Hecla Mining by 14.8% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 34,485,817 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $417,278,000 after acquiring an additional 4,453,706 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in Hecla Mining by 8.7% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 28,827,696 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $160,285,000 after purchasing an additional 2,306,239 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Hecla Mining by 38.0% in the 3rd quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 23,524,912 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $284,651,000 after purchasing an additional 6,472,566 shares in the last quarter. 63.01% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Hecla Mining Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Hecla Mining Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides precious and base metal properties in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, and China. The company mines for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates, as well as carbon material containing silver and gold for custom smelters, metal traders, and third-party processors; and dore containing silver and gold.

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Internet Initiative Japan, Inc. (OTCMKTS:IIJIY  Get Free Report)s share price gapped up prior to trading on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $35.54, but opened at $36.9950. Internet Initiative Japan shares last traded at $36.9950, with a volume of 701 shares.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Internet Initiative Japan from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, Internet Initiative Japan has an average rating of Strong Buy.

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Internet Initiative Japan Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $3.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.34 and a beta of 1.06. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $35.43 and its 200-day moving average price is $37.07.

Internet Initiative Japan (OTCMKTS:IIJIY  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The communications equipment provider reported $0.48 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.40 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $555.81 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $528.83 million. Internet Initiative Japan had a net margin of 6.32% and a return on equity of 14.55%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Internet Initiative Japan, Inc. will post 0.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Internet Initiative Japan Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Internet Initiative Japan Inc provides Internet connectivity, WAN, outsourcing, systems integration, and network-related equipment sales services in Japan. It operates through two segments, Network Services and Systems Integration Business, and ATM Operation Business. The company offers mobile communication and remote access/telework services; WAN/network services, including SDN, multi-cloud network, closed connection, internet VPN, SEIL, remote access, wireless LAN, and GIGA-school; leased line and broadband services; IIJ DNS platform, and domain name registration and maintenance services; IIJ access ID management, dial-up access, and IIJ IPv6 fiber access services; and security solutions for IIJ managed firewall, DDoS protection, and managed IPS/IDS services.

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Banco Do Brasil (OTCMKTS:BDORY  Get Free Report) and BOC Hong Kong (OTCMKTS:BHKLY  Get Free Report) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, profitability, dividends, risk, analyst recommendations, earnings and institutional ownership.

Dividends

Banco Do Brasil pays an annual dividend of $0.03 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.7%. BOC Hong Kong pays an annual dividend of $2.90 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. Banco Do Brasil pays out 7.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend.

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Profitability

This table compares Banco Do Brasil and BOC Hong Kongs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Banco Do Brasil 4.99% 15.84% 1.21% BOC Hong Kong N/A N/A N/A

Institutional and Insider Ownership

Earnings & Valuation

0.0% of Banco Do Brasil shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

This table compares Banco Do Brasil and BOC Hong Kongs top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Banco Do Brasil $55.92 billion 0.44 $6.57 billion $0.39 10.90 BOC Hong Kong $20.67 billion 2.50 $4.90 billion N/A N/A

Banco Do Brasil has higher revenue and earnings than BOC Hong Kong.

Volatility and Risk

Banco Do Brasil has a beta of 0.59, meaning that its stock price is 41% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, BOC Hong Kong has a beta of -0.03, meaning that its stock price is 103% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Banco Do Brasil and BOC Hong Kong, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Banco Do Brasil 0 3 0 0 2.00 BOC Hong Kong 0 1 0 0 2.00

Summary

Banco Do Brasil beats BOC Hong Kong on 7 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Banco Do Brasil

(Get Free Report)

Banco do Brasil S.A. provides banking products and services for individuals, companies, and public sectors in Brazil and internationally. The company's Banking segment offers various products and services, including deposits, loans, and services to retail, wholesale, and public sector markets, as well as to micro-entrepreneurs and the low income population. Its Investments segment engages in the intermediation and distribution of debts in the primary and secondary markets; equity investment activities; and rendering of financial services. The company's Fund Management segment is involved in the purchase, sale, and custody of securities, as well as the management of portfolios, and investment funds and clubs. Its Insurance, Pension and Capitalization segment provides life, property, and automobile insurance products, as well as private pension and capitalization plans. The company's Payment Methods segment is involved in the funding, transmission, processing, and settlement of transactions through electronic means. Its Other segment engages in the provision of credit recovery and consortium administration services; development, manufacturing, leasing, and integration of digital electronic systems and equipment, peripherals, programs, inputs, and computing supplies; intermediation of air tickets; and lodging and organization of events. Banco do Brasil S.A. was founded in 1808 and is headquartered in Brasalia, Brazil.

About BOC Hong Kong

(Get Free Report)

BOC Hong Kong (Holdings) Limited, an investment holding company, provides banking and related financial services to corporate and individual customers in Hong Kong, China, and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Personal Banking, Corporate Banking, Treasury, and Insurance. It offers savings, current, and time deposit accounts; mortgage plans; corporate deposits, and payroll and e-cheques services. The company also offers cross-border financial and remittance services; and securities, funds, foreign exchange services, precious metals and FX margin services, currency linked investments, bonds, market information services, monthly savings plans, and structured products, as well as business and personal loans. In addition, it provides business and accident protection, medical, travel and leisure, family protection, RMB, and personal life insurance products; and credit cards. Further, the company offers safe deposit box, e-bill, and payment services; personal and corporate RMB, and RMB clearing bank services; business comprehensive, property, liability, group, and retailer comprehensive insurance plans; small business, asset-pledge, and syndicated loans; accounts receivable, machinery and equipment, SME green, and project financing; cross-border services for corporate customers; business banking, trade finance and services, investment, treasury, corporate collection and payment, e-commerce, and card services; and custody and cash management services. Additionally, it provides wealth management and overdraft services; mandatory provident fund schemes; and private and corporate banking services, as well as internet, phone, and mobile banking services; and trade related products and other credit facilities. BOC Hong Kong (Holdings) Limited was founded in 1917 and is based in Central, Hong Kong. BOC Hong Kong (Holdings) Limited operates as a subsidiary of BOC Hong Kong (BVI) Limited.

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Xtra-Gold Resources Corp. (TSE:XTG  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as C$3.47 and last traded at C$3.46, with a volume of 19300 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at C$3.39.

Xtra-Gold Resources Price Performance

The firms 50-day simple moving average is C$3.12 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$2.51. The firm has a market capitalization of C$160.35 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 57.67 and a beta of 0.32.

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Xtra-Gold Resources (TSE:XTG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported C$0.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of C$2.65 million during the quarter.

Xtra-Gold Resources Company Profile

Xtra-Gold Resources Corp is a gold exploration company with a substantial land position in the Kibi Gold Belt. The Kibi Gold Belt, which exhibits many similar geological features to Ghanas main gold belt, the Ashanti Belt, has been the subject of very limited modern exploration activity targeting lode gold deposits as virtually all past gold mining activity and exploration efforts focused on the extensive alluvial gold occurrences in many river valleys throughout the Kibi area.

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Telecom Argentina Stet  France Telecom S.A. (NYSE:TEO  Get Free Report)s stock price fell 4.8% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $11.25 and last traded at $11.28. 31,703 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 87% from the average session volume of 245,245 shares. The stock had previously closed at $11.85.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently commented on TEO. Zacks Research raised shares of Telecom Argentina Stet  France Telecom from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Telecom Argentina Stet  France Telecom in a report on Monday. UBS Group set a $17.00 price objective on Telecom Argentina Stet  France Telecom and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Scotiabank raised Telecom Argentina Stet  France Telecom from a sector underperform rating to a sector perform rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $4.50 to $8.20 in a report on Monday, September 8th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Telecom Argentina Stet  France Telecom currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $11.93.

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Telecom Argentina Stet  France Telecom Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $9.47 and a 200-day simple moving average of $9.36. The company has a market capitalization of $5.15 billion, a P/E ratio of -398.27 and a beta of 1.35.

Telecom Argentina Stet  France Telecom (NYSE:TEO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The utilities provider reported ($0.36) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.49) by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $1.56 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.50 billion. Telecom Argentina Stet  France Telecom had a negative net margin of 0.28% and a negative return on equity of 0.26%. Equities analysts forecast that Telecom Argentina Stet  France Telecom S.A. will post 1.28 EPS for the current year.

Telecom Argentina Stet  France Telecom Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a special dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, November 24th will be issued a dividend of $0.0452 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 24th. Telecom Argentina Stet  France Telecoms dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -82.86%.

Institutional Trading of Telecom Argentina Stet  France Telecom

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in TEO. RWC Asset Management LLP boosted its position in Telecom Argentina Stet  France Telecom by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. RWC Asset Management LLP now owns 669,828 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $4,870,000 after buying an additional 2,383 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE raised its holdings in Telecom Argentina Stet  France Telecom by 21.3% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 26,872 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $237,000 after purchasing an additional 4,714 shares during the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp acquired a new position in Telecom Argentina Stet  France Telecom during the 3rd quarter valued at about $43,000. Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Telecom Argentina Stet  France Telecom by 19.8% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 56,029 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $571,000 after purchasing an additional 9,243 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hsbc Holdings PLC acquired a new stake in shares of Telecom Argentina Stet  France Telecom during the 1st quarter worth approximately $119,000.

Telecom Argentina Stet  France Telecom Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Telecom Argentina SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunications services. The company offers mobile telecommunications services, including voice communications, high-speed mobile Internet content and applications download, online streaming, and other services; and sells mobile communication devices, such as handsets, Modems MiFi and wingles, and smart watches.

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Amidst global market concerns about AI-related stock valuations and mixed economic indicators, Asian markets have been navigating a complex landscape, with technology sectors particularly under scrutiny due to their rapid growth and potential volatility. When considering high-growth tech stocks in Asia, investors often look for companies that demonstrate robust innovation capabilities and adaptability to evolving technological trends, especially in the face of broader market sentiment challenges.

Top 10 High Growth Tech Companies In Asia

Name Revenue Growth Earnings Growth Growth Rating Giant Network Group 33.47% 39.54%  Suzhou TFC Optical Communication 34.61% 35.52%  Shengyi TechnologyLtd 21.50% 32.87%  Fositek 37.43% 49.42%  Shengyi Electronics 24.67% 33.32%  Knowmerce 42.51% 33.23%  Gold Circuit Electronics 25.79% 31.13%  eWeLLLtd 25.07% 25.13%  Co-Tech Development 35.68% 75.80%  CARsgen Therapeutics Holdings 100.40% 118.16% 

Click here to see the full list of 194 stocks from our Asian High Growth Tech and AI Stocks screener.

Here we highlight a subset of our preferred stocks from the screener.

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Zhejiang ZUCH Technology Co., Ltd. focuses on the research, development, production, and sale of electronic connectors in China with a market capitalization of CN6.52 billion.

Operations: ZUCH Technology specializes in the development and sale of electronic connectors, contributing to its market presence in China.

Zhejiang ZUCH Technology has demonstrated robust financial performance with a notable 26.9% annual revenue growth and 24.6% earnings growth, surpassing many peers in the electronic industry where average earnings growth is just 9%. This acceleration is underpinned by strategic amendments to its corporate governance, enhancing operational agility. The firm's commitment to innovation is evident from its R&D investments, aligning with industry shifts towards advanced tech solutions. With recent inclusion in the S&P Global BMI Index and consistent revenue upsurge, ZUCH is poised to capitalize on expanding market demands in Asias tech sector.

SZSE:301280 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Nov 2025

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Ugreen Group Limited focuses on the research, development, design, production, and sale of 3C consumer electronic products both in China and internationally with a market cap of CN24.87 billion.
Update on local social media concern regarding livestream tough talk . . . Here's a quick summary and a quote from the response so far . . .

"U.S. Representative Mark Alford (R-MO) sent a letter on Friday, Nov. 21, to Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel. He wants them to examine a rise in antisemitism and possible coordination with terrorist groups.



"The letter follows a sermon delivered at the Islamic Center of Kansas. Muhammad Tarife allegedly advocated for the murder of Jewish community members and Zionists during the Oct. 31 service."

Today's update includes a response that starts out this way . . .



The Islamic Center of Kansas supports peace, freedom and justice for all people . . ."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Locals probably noticed more garbage on their phone today . . . Here's the postscript and a bit of perspective on how local newsies are giving the message more earned media . . .

"Residents in Kansas City and across Missouri on Tuesday received a mass text urging them not to sign onto a campaign to strike down the states gerrymandered congressional map. The text message, which was also sent to multiple reporters at The Star, said it was paid for by the Republican National Committee. The RNC has contributed $50,000 to a multimillion dollar effort to halt the anti-gerrymander campaign."

The text that was sent our way . . .

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Mass 'Black Friday' text urges KC residents not to sign anti-gerrymander campaign The text message, which was also sent to multiple reporters at The Star, said it was paid for by the Republican National Committee.

Maybe related . . .

https://fox4kc.com/news/missouri-attorney-general-warns-of-black-friday-cyber-monday-scams-to-watch-out-for/

Developing . . .




This week news from the courthouse sparks ire amongst locals who hoped that recent talk about drops in crime would hold true for the holiday season.

Because more than a few readers reached out, we wanted to highlight some of the reaction sent our way:

CHARGES FOLLOWING A DEADLY DOWNTOWN KANSAS CITY MASS SHOOTING INFURIATE LOCALS FRUSTRATED WITH TRENDING VIOLENT CRIME!!!

Here are a few messages following recent reporting . . .

"$5,000 bail, that's a typo right???"

Unfortunately, that number is accurate and can be confirmed from this line taken from the prosecutor's presser:

"Both defendants bonds were set at $5,000/10%."

And then this social media response . . .

"Misdemeanor with $5k bond. Pathetic."

A few more comments picked up on this theme . . .

"TKC, you know that 4th-degree assault is a misdemeanor in Missouri, right??? That's not a very "aggressive" stance in a case where downtown was littered with bullets and multiple people were shot. This was literally a riot in the center city and charge is not much worse than spitting on the sidewalk. Shameful."

That description holds up . . .

The deadly mass shooting near 13th & Grand at the P&L District was one of the most significant events inside the loop in all of 2025.

The aftermath sparked outcry across the metro and even Mayor Q was motivated to play a controversial blame game with nearby parking lots.

Now . . .

On deep background . . . We've talked with insiders and they're hinting that MORE CHARGES MIGHT BE FORTHCOMING.

However . . .

There really is no denying that the social media response and public sentiment seems COMPLETELY DISAPPOINTED with the meager legal consequences involving a horrific spate of gunfire inside the loop.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

JCPAO Press Release: Prosecutor Johnson announces assault charges connected to fatal downtown shooting

Developing . . .
The Royal Cliff Hotels Group has been awarded the Trusted Thailand certification in the hotel and accommodation category by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) for all four of its properties.



(TRAVPR.COM) THAILAND - November 26th, 2025 -

The Royal Cliff Hotels Group has been awarded the Trusted Thailand certification in the hotel and accommodation category by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) for all four of its properties: Royal Cliff Beach Hotel, Royal Cliff Beach Terrace, Royal Cliff Grand Hotel and Royal Wing Suites and Spa. This prestigious recognition confirms the highest standards of safety and quality, giving international travellers, particularly those from China, complete confidence and peace of mind when choosing Royal Cliff for their stay.

The Trusted Thailand certification is granted to establishments that meet rigorous safety criteria across multiple areas. These include in-hotel security systems, secure payment procedures, emergency preparedness, accessibility to the hotel, and a multilingual team capable of responding effectively in urgent situations. Such measures are essential for ensuring the safety and comfort of all guests.

Royal Cliff Hotels Group has a highly trained and experienced team specialising in security, first aid, life-saving procedures, emergency evacuation drills, and counter-terrorism preparedness in collaboration with government agencies. The hotels are equipped with world-class safety technology, including 24-hour CCTV coverage, regular patrols by security personnel, and comprehensive emergency response plans for land, sea, and air situations. Importantly the hotel has an in-house nurse who works around the clock.

Guests can therefore enjoy their stay at Royal Cliff with complete peace of mind, confident that every aspect of their experience is safe, secure, and professionally managed. The team is always ready to assist and provide support, ensuring that every visit is not only relaxing but truly memorable.

Perched atop a 64-acre private estate with breathtaking views of the Gulf of Thailand, the Royal Cliff Hotels Group boasts four award-winning hotels, charming travellers from all corners of the world. Unlock a world of magical experiences with Royal Cliffs curated promotions and packages at the ultimate luxury destination. Ensure your exceptional holiday by booking directly with Royal Cliff. Not only do we guarantee the best prices, but we also offer exclusive value-added extras to elevate your hotel stay. To secure the premium experience you deserve, visit www.royalcliff.com, call our Reservations at (+66) 38 250 421 ext: 2732, or drop an email to reservations@royalcliff.com.

For more information on the Royal Cliff Hotels Group, please visit www.royalcliff.com, www.facebook.com/royalcliff, www.instagram.com/royalcliff and WeChat ID: royalcliffhotels.

###
Details added: first version posted on 15:10

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. The 2nd International Caspian Innovation Forum is taking place in Azerbaijan's Baku today, Trend reports.

The forum is being organized as part of the Caspian Investment Week.

This event convenes prominent companies from the Caspian, Black Sea, and Baltic regions, with a focus on innovation, technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainable development. It also attracts representatives from various diplomatic missions.

One of the forum speakers, Chairperson of the Board and CEO of Caspian Energy Club, Telman Aliyev, said that 'we are actively advancing the establishment of the Azerbaijan National Business Association'.

We will create a unified ecosystem under the Milli Biz brand to bring together local entrepreneurs operating in Azerbaijan as well as in 100 countries around the world through this platform. After seven years, we plan to complete this project and hand it over to the government, he noted.

Then, Davud Rustamov, Head of the National Cybersecurity Center at the State Security Service of Azerbaijan, pointed out that companies recognized as new cybersecurity service providers in Azerbaijans history will now protect the countrys critical infrastructures.

It is highly desirable to have security solutions proposed locally, and we are always ready to support their testing and development as much as we can, Rustamov noted.

The official underscored that Azerbaijans information security and cybersecurity strategy is a feather in the cap, promoting the growth of homegrown solutions for safeguarding information.

We're currently importing cryptographic security tools from abroad. However, we are not always certain who will certify these tools according to the relevant standards. We need a dedicated testing environment. At the National Cybersecurity Center, we have established a laboratory based on common criteria aligned with the required standards. The latest measurement devices will arrive in the country in December, and with these tools, we will begin testing in January. I am confident that these tests will further strengthen our security environment and allow us to confirm to organizations whether cryptographic security tools are truly reliable, he said.

Meanwhile, advisor to the Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan, Rauf Najafli, added that artificial intelligence (AI) could bring up to $20 trillion in added value to the global economy by 2040.

"The ministry has begun the construction of a supercomputer infrastructure to ensure the transition to data-based solutions by state institutions and private sectors and to provide a technological environment for the application of AI solutions," he noted.

The advisor additionally articulated the objectives.

"Our goal by 2030 is clear: a fully digitalized industrial base, a highly skilled workforce, and a transformed economic sector. In this direction, the Industry 4.0 Readiness program, developed by the Fourth Industrial Revolution Analysis and Coordination Center (C4IR) under the ministry, together with local and international partners, has already been launched.

The goal of the program is to increase the competitiveness of local enterprises by integrating Industry 4.0 technologies, increasing operational efficiency, and promoting innovation, thereby contributing to the overall development of the country's economy," he explained.

Will be updated
Photo: Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Shahin Mustafayev, met with Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak on November 26, the Cabinet of Ministers told Trend.

The meeting highlighted that the recent discussions in Dushanbe between President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Russia Vladimir Putin significantly enhanced bilateral relations across all sectors.

The economic nexus between Azerbaijan and Russia has been underscored as perpetually evolving, engendering progressively auspicious prospects.

During the meeting, the sides discussed prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation in the trade-economic, energy, and transport sectors.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. Azerbaijans Minister of Justice, Farid Ahmadov, met with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to discuss opportunities for expanding cooperation in the legal and judicial sectors, Trend reports via the country's Ministry of Justice.

During the meeting, Ahmadov conveyed sincere greetings from President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to the President of the UAE, who, in turn, requested to convey his greetings and deep respect to President Ilham Aliyev.

The meeting, held in Abu Dhabi, highlighted that bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the UAE have reached the level of strategic partnership across all areas, driven by initiatives of the two presidents.

Ahmadov emphasised that agreements signed between the justice ministries of the two countries, covering civil, commercial, and criminal matters, as well as mutual legal assistance and extradition, have been successfully implemented. The close collaboration in the justice sector was noted as contributing to the further strengthening of bilateral relations.

The discussions also highlighted the potential for further strengthening legal and judicial cooperation, underscoring the commitment of both nations to deepen their strategic partnership.

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Canadian investment group Fairfax Financial Holdings has acquired UK restaurant operator MW Eat in a private deal.

The new owner has signalled plans to expand the business internationally.

The transaction, whose financial details were not made public, sees Fairfax take control of the group behind London Indian restaurants Amaya, Veeraswamy, Chutney Mary and the Masala Zone chain.

MW Eat was created by Namita Panjabi and Ranjit Mathrani, who opened Chutney Mary in 1990.

They were later joined in 2001 by Camellia Panjabi, previously a board member at Taj Hotels.

The three founders are set to remain involved with the company and work alongside Fairfax to manage the transition.

Camellia said: This acquisition marks a transformative chapter for MW Eat. Fairfax brings financial strength, global perspective, vision and a long-standing commitment to India. These qualities perfectly complement MW Eats heritage and future ambitions.

Fairfax, led by businessman Prem Watsa, is expected to commit further capital to back MW Eats expansion.

The group is examining new restaurant concepts and formats as part of its growth plans.

Camellia said: We have developed excellent restaurants with excellent people whose career opportunities will be enhanced by the new investment and ambitions of Fairfax. MW Eat is in very safe hands.

The three MW Eat directors look forward to supporting Fairfax to take our unique brands global. Our committed staff backed by the new owners will make this happen.

The development strategy is expected to draw on Fairfaxs experience in India, where the Canadian firm has previously committed funds to Bangalore International Airport, Thomas Cook India and Sterling Holiday Resorts.

The deal comes at a time when Veeraswamy - known as one of the UKs oldest Indian restaurants - is contesting a decision by The Crown Estate not to extend its lease.

"Fairfax buys MW Eat with plans for expansion" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand.




BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. Today, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration, Hikmet Hajiyev, met with Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Marianne de Jong, the publication of the embassy on X page said, Trend reports

''Meeting touched on regional developments and political & economic cooperation with the EU, while also exploring prospects for further strengthening bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the Netherlands,'' the publication reads.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. During my official visit to the Vatican, I attended a general audience with Pope Leo XIV and was honored to meet His Holiness, the Azerbaijani FM wrote on X page, Trend reports.

''Azerbaijan and the Holy See have strong relations that are important for fostering interfaith dialogue and promoting multiculturalism. The relationship between the two countries serves as a model for dialogue between different faiths, which is a cornerstone of Azerbaijan's state policy," the publication reads.

On November 24, 2025, Jeyhun Bayramov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, embarked on an official visit to the Holy See and the Italian Republic.

During his visit from November 25 through 27, Minister Bayramov is scheduled to engage in meetings with foreign ministers and other senior officials in both the Vatican and Italy. Additionally, he will deliver a speech at a prominent think tank and participate in various other diplomatic and cultural events.
Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. Azerbaijans Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov, met with Lorenzo Fontana, President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Republic, during official visit to Italy, the publication of the Azerbaijani MFA on X page said, Trend reports.

"The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Italy, discuss the dynamic development of political dialogue, and explore avenues for strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation.

Both sides emphasised the importance of continued collaboration across energy, trade, cultural, and humanitarian fields in support of shared interests and regional stability.

During the meeting, Minister Bayramov informed the President on the current situation in the region in the post-conflict period," the post reads.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. On November 26, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov met with President of the Italian Senate Ignacio La Russa as part of an official visit to Italy, Trend reports with reference to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

At the meeting, the parties noted the dynamic development of relations between Azerbaijan and Italy, which have reached the level of strategic partnership. It was emphasized that in recent years, bilateral relations between the countries, based on mutual trust, common interests, and active political dialogue, have deepened.

During the conversation, satisfaction was expressed with the development of Azerbaijani-Italian cooperation in various fields, including political, trade and economic, energy and renewable energy, defense and security, humanitarian, tourism, cultural and educational spheres.

It was emphasized at the meeting that the participation of the President of Italy in the opening ceremony of the Italian-Azerbaijani University, the participation of the Prime Minister of Italy in the COP29 leaders' summit in Azerbaijan, as well as contacts between the leaders of the two countries gave additional impetus to relations.

The parties noted that strengthening interparliamentary ties and ongoing political dialogue are crucial for the further development of relations. The importance of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening the institutional foundations of cooperation between the two countries, as well as increasing mutual support at regional and international parliamentary venues, was particularly noted in this context.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov provided at the meeting detailed information on the post-conflict realities, steps taken to ensure peace and stability in the region, large-scale reconstruction processes in the liberated territories, as well as the participation of Italian companies in this process.

The parties also exchanged views on the regional security environment, multilateral cooperation formats, issues on the international agenda, and other topics of mutual interest.

20:59 (GMT+4) In the framework of his official visit to Italy, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov met with the President of the Italian Senate, Ignazio La Russa, the publication of Azerbaijani MFA on X page said, Trend reports.

''The sides held a constructive exchange on the strong strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Italy, highlighting the steady growth of political dialogue and cooperation.

Discussions covered prospects for expanding inter-parliamentary ties, deepening collaboration in energy, economy, culture, and education, as well as reinforcing efforts in support of regional peace and stability,'' the publication reads.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. The next group of former internally displaced persons is returning to the city of Kalbajar, Trend reports.

At this stage, 27 families (112 people) are returning to Kalbajar.

The former IDPs returning to the native city thanked President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for their comprehensive care and expressed gratitude to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, which liberated the lands from occupation.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. Chairman of the Board of Azerbaijan Caspian Sea Shipping Company (ASCO), a part of AZCON Holding, Rauf Valiyev, Technical Director Rashad Goyushov, and Chief Manager of ASCO Ship Management Chingiz Safarov have visited vessels operating outside the Caspian Sea, ASCO said in a statement, Trend reports.

The primary aim of the visit was to take the measure of the technical state of ASCO ships sailing the high seas, inspect vessels under repair, review ongoing maintenance programs, and examine the working conditions, safety, and social welfare of the crew working in international waters.

During the visit to the Murovdagh Handysize-type vessel, which is set to undergo repairs at a shipyard in the Turkish Yalova region, the delegation examined the preparation work for the repairs, as well as the vessels supplies, provisions, and overall condition.

Valiyev met with Azerbaijani crew members aboard the Murovdagh, including third assistant to the captain Rashad Aliyev and the fourth mechanic, Rahman Lametor, as well as trainees Nihad Mammadzade and Teymur Aliyev. The chairman inquired about their daily work, living conditions, and concerns, offering advice to the young sailors.

ASCO representatives also inspected the Gafur Mammadov bulk carrier, undergoing major repairs at the Torlak Shipyard in Tuzla. During the inspection, they were told that the repair process is almost in the home stretch, and the vessel is set to be back in action before long.

Valiyev convened with the operational team of the bulk carrier and disseminated directives regarding the transition protocol post-repair completion.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. An Azerbaijani scientist living in Germany, Elkhan Richard Sadik-Zada, has been included in the global ranking of the worlds most influential researchers (Career-Long Impact) for his long-standing contributions to science, the State Committee on Work with Diaspora told Trend.

Sadik-Zada has been consistently recognized since 2022 in the prestigious "Top Two Percent Scientists" list, compiled by Stanford University in collaboration with Elsevier, a leading scientific publisher. For the fourth consecutive year, his research has garnered high acclaim in the "Single Year Impact" category, specifically for his work in the field of "Economics of Introducing New Technologies."

As a prominent scientist, Sadik-Zada serves as a Board Member of the German Azerbaijanis Alliance and chairs the Organizing Committee for the Forum of Azerbaijani Engineers in Europe, which takes place in Cologne. He is also actively involved in academic endeavors at universities across Germany, South Korea, South Africa, and Italy.

Since 2019, Sadik-Zada has been the founder and head of the European Economy Center at Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC), where he continues to lead numerous scientific initiatives. He is the author of groundbreaking economic theories and has contributed significantly to the field through various scientific projects. Additionally, he is the recipient of several prestigious grants in recognition of his academic excellence.

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Photo: State Committee for Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. Londons St. Andrews Church opened its doors to Seven Beauties, a striking exhibition by England-based Azerbaijani artist Gulnara Jafar that immediately resonated with art enthusiasts, the State Committee on Work with Diaspora told Trend.

The exhibition was inspired by the famous poem Seven Beauties by renowned Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi, reflecting the artists contemporary interpretation and marking an important stage in her creative journey.

Jafars unique works reimagine the 12th-century classical heritage through harmony of color, form, and emotion. Each composition expresses the symbolic layers of Seven Beauties, beauty, wisdom, and spiritual richness, through the painters individual artistic language.

Her deep connection to the theme is also tied to her personal story. The artists Seven Beauties painting, created at the age of 17, was turned into a mosaic panel in Ganja in the 1980s, becoming one of the citys iconic art pieces. After revisiting Azerbaijan about eight years ago and seeing the mosaic once again, Jafar was inspired to create separate portraits of each beauty.

The exhibition left a strong impression with its warm and inspiring atmosphere. Art lovers, creative professionals, and visitors closely viewed the works and exchanged ideas, turning the event into an important platform for building new connections and promoting Azerbaijani art to a wide audience in London.

The artist thanked all attendees, noting that she was proud to see Azerbaijans cultural heritage represented at a high level in London.

The Seven Beauties exhibition was praised as a vivid reflection of the richness of Azerbaijani art, the depth of Nizami Ganjavis legacy, and the growing success of contemporary Azerbaijani artists on the international stage.

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Photo: State Committee for Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. Azerbaijani AYTAY music group hosted a concert at the Brisbane Powerhouse arts center in the city of Brisbane in the Commonwealth of Australia, the State Committee on Work with Diaspora told Trend.

The event was hosted by the National Association of Azerbaijan in Queensland, in collaboration with the QueenslandAzerbaijan Cultural House. It attracted a diverse audience, including members of the Azerbaijani diaspora, local community representatives, and officials from the Commonwealth of Australia. The concert aimed to showcase and celebrate Azerbaijan's rich cultural heritage, particularly its musical traditions.

During the performance, the AYTAY music group presented a repertoire of Azerbaijani folk melodies and compositions by renowned Azerbaijani composers, while Honored Artist Sevinc Huseynli captivated the audience with traditional Azerbaijani dance performances.

Founded in 2018, the AYTAY instrumental music group has been actively involved in promoting Azerbaijani culture in Australia, organizing performances in various cities, and fostering greater appreciation for Azerbaijani music on the global stage.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. Irans non-oil exports to Turkmenistan have surged by 31 percent in value and 10.4 percent in volume in 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, citing the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA).

In total, Iran shipped 945,000 tons of non-oil products to Turkmenistan, valued at $379 million. In comparison, exports during the same period last year totaled 856,000 tons worth $290 million.

The data shows that the country's exported goods included agricultural and food products, industrial products, transformers, water conditioners, petrochemical products, and other items.

Irans non-oil trade turnover with Turkmenistan during this period reached $385 million for 949,000 tons of goods, marking a 27 percent increase in value and a 9.3 percent rise in weight compared to the previous year.

To note, Irans non-oil exports over the seven months amounted to approximately $32 billion for 92 million tons of goods, reflecting a slight decline in value by 1.88 percent but a 3.2 percent increase in weight compared to the same period last year.

Iran and Turkmenistan collaborate in energy, with Iran facilitating Turkmenistan's gas exports to Turkiye, Azerbaijan, and Iraq, while also importing electricity from Turkmenistan. Infrastructure projects include railways like the Tajan-Mashhad-Sarakhs route and the INSTC, along with joint ventures on dams and road developments. Trade involves Iran exporting raw iron and building materials to Turkmenistan, which exports petroleum coke and cotton products in return.
The guidance for the second half suggests a potential decline in net profit after tax, partly due to the full impact of tariffs and expected moderation in hardware sales.

The company faces potential headwinds from global tariffs, which could impact gross margins by approximately 130 basis points on an annualized basis.

The company anticipates that the full-year hardware results will likely moderate from the strong first-half performance, indicating potential variability in future revenue.

US tariffs on hospital products sourced from New Zealand negatively impacted the gross margin by 32 basis points in the first half.

The company has made significant progress in its manufacturing efficiency and other margin improvement efforts, resulting in a gross margin increase of 110 basis points.

The Hospital product group saw a 17% increase in operating revenue, driven by broad-based strength across the hospital consumables business.

Net profit after tax rose by 39% from the previous period, or 28% in constant currency, indicating strong financial performance.

The company reported a 14% increase in operating revenue compared to the prior period, with a 12% increase in constant currency terms.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript .

Full Year Net Profit After Tax Guidance: Expected to be in the range of $410 million to $460 million.

Full Year Revenue Guidance: Expected to be in the range of $2.17 billion to $2.27 billion.

Capital Expenditure: $61.8 million for the half, up from $55.1 million in the same period last year.

Home Care Revenue: $396 million, up 10% from the first half last year (8% in constant currency).

Hospital Product Group Revenue: $692 million, up 17% from the first half last year (15% in constant currency).

Revenue: $1.089 billion for the first half, up 14% from the prior period (12% in constant currency).

Story Continues

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you explain the factors contributing to the increase in guidance, particularly regarding net profit after tax (NPAT)? A: Lyndal York, CFO, explained that the guidance increase is driven by FX tailwinds of about $10 million to $15 million, along with continued gross margin improvement activities and operating expenses growing below long-term revenue aspirations.

Q: What contributed to the gross margin expansion this half? A: Lyndal York, CFO, noted that the expansion was due to manufacturing efficiencies, continuous improvement projects, and some pricing adjustments. The company aims to improve gross margin by 100 to 150 basis points annually.

Q: How are tariffs impacting your business, and do you foresee price adjustments as a response? A: Lewis Gradon, CEO, stated that tariffs are treated as a regular cost, with no significant impact on operations. The focus remains on improving clinical practice rather than adjusting prices.

Q: Can you provide insights into the hospital hardware performance and expectations for the second half? A: Lewis Gradon, CEO, mentioned that hospital hardware revenue was strong at 21% growth but is expected to moderate in the second half. The growth was partly due to product transitions from older to newer models.

Q: What is driving the growth in the hospital consumables segment, and is it sustainable? A: Lewis Gradon, CEO, explained that growth is partly due to increased use of ventilators for noninvasive and nasal high flow applications. This trend may continue, but the growth rate could vary based on seasonal factors.

Q: How does the company view the impact of the respiratory season on its results? A: Lewis Gradon, CEO, noted that last year's flu season was the strongest in 15 years, which significantly impacted results. The company is cautious about predicting similar conditions for the current year.

Q: What are the expectations for the Home Care segment in the second half? A: Lewis Gradon, CEO, indicated that while mask sales are expected to remain consistent, hardware sales might decline as some demand was pulled forward into the first half.

Q: Can you elaborate on the company's R&D spending and its future trajectory? A: Lyndal York, CFO, stated that R&D expenses grew by 4% and are expected to remain in the low to mid-single digits for the next year or two, reflecting the company's revenue growth over recent years.

Q: How is the company addressing the potential impact of tariffs from Mexico? A: Lewis Gradon, CEO, emphasized that any efforts to manage tariffs would detract from growth initiatives, and the company prefers to focus on growth rather than tariff management.

Q: What role do clinical practice guidelines play in the company's strategy? A: Lewis Gradon, CEO, highlighted that clinical practice guidelines are crucial for driving sales and marketing efforts, as they provide a framework for promoting the adoption of the company's therapies.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi met Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi on Monday to review the Italian energy groups investment plans in the country and discuss new initiatives aimed at strengthening their longstanding partnership, Trend reports.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi also attended the meeting.

Descalzi outlined Enis recent upstream investments, which have reinforced its position as Egypts top oil and gas producer and supported a rise in gas output. He highlighted an exploration drilling campaign launched in the Mediterranean in October 2025 and said Eni would continue an expanded exploration and drilling programme across its operated areas, focusing on short-cycle, infrastructure-led projects and extending the life of legacy assets in Sinai and the offshore Nile Delta.

The two also discussed Egypts ambition to build a strategic role as a natural gas hub for the Eastern Mediterranean. Enis development of the Cronos field offshore Cyprus could help advance Cairos goal of acting as a regional gateway for gas.

Descalzi additionally briefed el-Sisi on Enis plans to deepen its social and health investments in Egypt, with the company aiming to support capacity building and improve the management of complex health infrastructures.

Eni, operating in the country through its subsidiary IEOC, produced around 280,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in Egypt in 2024.
Photo: Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. Pakistan's Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received a delegation led by Azerbaijani Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov, who was on an official visit to the country, and during the meeting, the priority areas of bilateral relations were discussed, the Ministry of Economy told Trend.

The meeting emphasized that the Azerbaijan-Pakistan strategic partnership is intensively developing in various directions, contributing significantly to economic cooperation. High-level reciprocal visits, meetings, events, and signed agreements hold great importance for fostering mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

Moreover, there exists significant opportunity for synergistic investment initiatives and enhanced cooperation across diverse economic domains.



The parties engaged in a comprehensive dialogue regarding the strategic focal points of bilateral engagement and the multifaceted expansion of commercial linkages.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 26. Uzbekistans Chamber of Commerce and Industry is set to send trade advisors to Iraq and Syria, casting their net wider in the pursuit of new opportunities, Trend reports via the Chamber.

The announcement was made by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during an extraordinary session of the Samarkand Regional Council of Peoples Deputies.

The Head of State noted that Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan collectively represent a demand worth $30 billion for electrical equipment, textiles, food products, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and construction materials. However, he emphasized that sectoral agencies and regional administrations have not yet achieved meaningful progress in promoting domestic goods in these markets.

As part of efforts to strengthen export outreach, a branch of the Uzbekistan Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange will open in Mazar-i-Sharif (Afghanistan) by the end of the year, where at least 100 types of Uzbek products are expected to be traded.

Mirziyoyev also stressed the need to invite 100 major Iraqi entrepreneurs to Samarkand and to organize an UzbekistanIraq business forum to expand bilateral business relations.

Starting next year, three Uzbek trade advisors will begin work in Iraq, while another two will be posted to Syria.

With a population of 46 million and annual import needs amounting to $53 billion, Iraq stands out as a sizable and promising market for Uzbekistan. Each year, Iraq purchases around $3 billion worth of textiles, carpets, and leather goods; about $4 billion in foodstuffs and construction materials; and roughly $3 billion in electrical equipment. The countrys furniture market is valued at approximately $1.2 billion, while pharmaceutical imports total around $2 billion annually.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. Georgias Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili met Chinas Vice Minister of Transport Li Yan on the sidelines of the International Maritime Organization Assembly in London to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in transport, including maritime links, the ministry said, Trend reports.

Both officials underlined the strategic nature of ties between Georgia and China and said cooperation was developing rapidly. Special attention was given to the Middle Corridor - the Trans-Caspian route connecting China and Europe - and Georgias role in supporting growing cargo flows.

Kvrivishvili said trade and transport cooperation with China had deepened in recent years, supported by rising cargo volumes transiting the Middle Corridor via Georgia. She noted that following the Georgian prime ministers visit to China earlier this month, the two countries agreed to launch direct flights between their capitals, with talks also underway on opening a Tbilisi-Shanghai route. This will significantly enhance trade, economic and people-to-people ties, she said.

The minister added that Georgia welcomed closer cooperation in the maritime sector, particularly in areas where Chinese expertise aligns with Georgias priorities.

Kvrivishvili also noted that the two countries signed an agreement during the recent visit to China aimed at further deepening strategic cooperation. China is already among Georgias largest trading partners, and Chinese investment is expected to increase in the first half of 2025, the ministry said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. Georgias Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili met Singapores Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat on the sidelines of the International Maritime Organization Assembly in London to explore opportunities for cooperation in transport, including maritime links, the ministry said, Trend reports.

The ministers discussed growing regional connectivity and the importance of closer collaboration. Kvrivishvili underscored the role of the Middle Corridor in strengthening trade and economic ties and briefed her counterpart on Georgias efforts to develop the route.

We had a productive discussion with Singapores transport minister about cooperation in transport and civil aviation, including the prospect of establishing direct flights between Georgia and Singapore, Kvrivishvili said. She added that both sides were open to working together in port management, transport logistics, maritime sector digitalisation and safety systems.

Kvrivishvili also outlined major infrastructure projects underway in Georgia, including the Anaklia deep-sea port, the planned Vaziani international airport and nationwide railway modernisation. Modern logistics infrastructure, she said, will help deepen economic ties between the two countries.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. Georgias Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili met Qatars Transport Minister Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani on the sidelines of the International Maritime Organization Assembly in London to discuss strengthening cooperation in transport and logistics, the ministry said, Trend reports.

The ministers focused on the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor - the Trans-Caspian route linking Asia and Europe - and the need for coordinated efforts to support its development. Qatar is an important partner, and we are ready to cooperate on investments in transport links, routes and logistics, Kvrivishvili said.

They also reviewed prospects for deeper cooperation in Black Sea cargo flows, logistics services and maritime operations.

Both sides identified strong potential for collaboration in maritime safety, seafarer training, search and rescue operations and hydrographic services. Kvrivishvili said Georgia welcomed closer ties with Qatars Hydrographic Center and Navy, noting that modernizing Georgias own hydrographic services is a priority.

Qatar is one of the worlds most successful countries in transport and logistics, and cooperation in the maritime sector will benefit both sides, especially as Black Sea cargo volumes grow with the Middle Corridors expansion, she said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. Cargo turnover of CIS Council for Rail Transport member countries exceeds U.S. and European Union (EU) figures, General Director of Russian Railways Oleg Belozerov said at the 83rd meeting of the CIS Railway Transport Council in Baku, Trend reports.

"Last year, the combined freight turnover of the council member countries' railways amounted to almost three trillion tonne-kilometers. This is 1.3 times, or 30 percent, more compared to U.S. Class I railways and almost eight times more compared to the EU," he explained.

According to him, the council's ongoing focus is on railway operations, passenger and freight transportation conditions, digitalization, train safety, accounting and settlement systems, healthcare, human resources, and social services, as well as scientific and technical cooperation.

"We are moving forward and implementing new cooperation mechanisms within the council that help allied railways adapt to changes in the economic and transport sectors," Belozerov noted.

On November 25, 2025, the 83rd meeting of the Council for Rail Transport of the CIS commenced in Baku, attended by heads of railway administrations from member states and key representatives of related organizations. Discussions centered on the CIS railway network's performance in 2025, international freight transportation initiatives, the development of transport corridors, and tariff policies for 2026.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. Azerbaijan intends to boost cargo turnover on the North-South route to five million tons per year from January 1, 2028, Minister of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan Rashad Nabiyev said at the 83rd meeting of the CIS Railway Transport Council in Baku, Trend reports.

The minister brought up that last year, Azerbaijan and Russia struck a cooperation deal to work on transit traffic along the North-South International Transport Corridor. The documents provide for the modernization of railway infrastructure and a phased growth in freight traffic.

"For example, starting January 1, 2028, we plan to increase the turnover on this route to five million tons and subsequently to 15 million tons per year," he explained.

Nabiyev noted that infrastructure upgrades on the Azerbaijani section of the corridor are actively underway; the reconstruction of the Sumgayit-Yalama line will be completed by the end of this year.

On November 25, 2025, the 83rd meeting of the Council for Rail Transport of the CIS commenced in Baku, attended by heads of railway administrations from member states and key representatives of related organizations. Discussions centered on the CIS railway network's performance in 2025, international freight transportation initiatives, the development of transport corridors, and tariff policies for 2026.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. Azerbaijan plans to extend the Horadiz-Aghband railway line to the border with Armenia by 2026, Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev said at the 83rd meeting of the CIS Railway Transport Council, Trend reports.

According to him, significant progress has been made in the East-West direction, including steps to implement the Zangezur Corridor. The minister emphasized that this route is an important element not only of the northwest vector but also of the North-South corridor.

"Construction of the Horadiz-Aghband line, with a capacity of up to 15 million tons of freight per year, is currently underway. We plan to extend this line to the border with Armenia by 2026," he explained.

Nabiyev pointed out that Azerbaijan is currently carrying out efforts to bring back the 188-kilometer stretch of railway running through Nakhchivan.

"We are completing the design stage of this highway and will begin construction work soon," the minister added.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. Tamar Ioseliani, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, met with Saudi Arabias Deputy Minister of Transport and Logistics, Rumei Al-Rumei, on the sidelines of the International Maritime Organization Assembly in London, Trend reports via Georgia's Economy Ministry.

The officials discussed priority areas for bilateral cooperation in maritime transport and logistics. Special focus was placed on linking Georgias Black Sea ports and the Middle Corridor with Saudi Arabias growing port and logistics ecosystem to enhance cargo flows and develop new trade routes.

Ioseliani highlighted Georgias significant state investments in transport and logistics infrastructure, aimed at boosting the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor. She also underscored opportunities for Georgian seafarers at Saudi shipbuilding facilities and thanked the Saudi government for supporting this initiative.

Saudi Arabia expressed interest in sharing expertise in port logistics infrastructure, including professional training for Georgian maritime personnel in hydrography, port services, and logistics. Both sides also discussed joint educational programs, exchange projects, and cooperation on blue economy initiatives, including sustainable maritime development, marine ecosystem protection, sea-level and climate monitoring, and eco-friendly port infrastructure.
Bed Bath & Beyond has been the brand that won't die.

The name was purchased by the former Overstock.com, which adopted Beyond as its new name before adopting the entire Bed Bath & Beyond name as its corporate identity.

That company has worked with the former Kirkland, which now goes under the name "The Brand House Collective" in a strategic partnership. That partnership is now becoming a merger, but before you can understand the new deal, it's a good idea to understand the previous one.

How Brand House Collective and Bed Bath & Beyond work together

In October 2024 , Kirklands (now Brand House Collective) and Beyond entered a strategic partnership .

Source: Kirkland

Under that deal:

Kirklands would operate small-format neighborhood Bed Bath & Beyond stores (up to ~15,000 sq. ft.) under a license. Beyond provided capital: a $17 M term loan to Kirklands, plus an $8 M equity subscription. There was a trademark license agreement: Kirklands would pay royalties on net store sales under the Bed Bath & Beyond banner. Beyond also earned a collaboration fee based on Kirklands ecommerce revenue. Source: Beyond

The idea: Kirklands would tap into its brickandmortar strength + merchandising, while Beyond would use Kirklands footprint to rebuild a physical Bed Bath & Beyond presence in a leaner format.

As part of this, Kirklands rebranded into The Brand House Collective (June 2025), signaling a broader role: not just Kirklands Home, but a multibrand merchandising, supply chain and retail operator aligned with Beyonds portfolio (Bed Bath & Beyond Home, Overstock, buybuy BABY).

Source: Kirkland's Brand Vision

By September 2025, the companies also agreed on intellectual property licensing : Beyond paid $10 M to acquire the Kirklands Home brand/IP.

They also maintained a financial link: Beyond expanded its credit facility with Brand House Collective to fund store conversions and operations.

Bed Bath & Beyond has made an unlikely brick-and-mortar comeback.Shutterstock

Bed Bath & Beyond merges with Brand House Collective

While the two companies had worked closely together, they were still separate businesses. That will soon no longer be the case.

Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc. and The Brand House Collective, Inc. have entered into a definitive merger agreement, under which Bed Bath & Beyond will acquire The Brand House Collective.

"Based on the companies' respective closing stock prices on November 21, 2025, the transaction implies an equity value of approximately $26.8 million, which includes The Brand House Collective stock already held by Bed Bath & Beyond as previously disclosed and reflects an exchange ratio of 0.1993 shares of Bed Bath & Beyond common stock for each The Brand House Collective share," the companies shared in a press release.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 26. Uzbekistan has launched an international trading platform of the Uzbek Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange with the participation of Afghanistans Ghazanfar Bank, Trend reports via Uzbekistans Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The announcement was made in Kabul during the 4th National and International Imam Abu Hanifa Exhibition and Trade Fair.

According to the Chamber, the new system enables payments for goods sold by Uzbek exporters through exchange trading to be transferred directly to special accounts at Ghazanfar Bank. Once the goods have made it across the Afghan border, exporters can tap into these funds without any restrictions.

The mechanism ensures guaranteed settlements, faster and more transparent procedures, and the formation of a secure and reliable partnership environment.

The Chamber notes that this tool creates favorable conditions for increasing exports by Uzbek companies and expanding trade with Afghanistan. It also gave a nudge to domestic exporters to roll up their sleeves and take full advantage of the new platform when diving into the Afghan market, shining a light on its convenience and bolstered security.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistans trade turnover with Afghanistan reached $862.2 million from January through July 2025, reflecting a 51 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024 ($571 million) and nearly doubling compared to 2023 ($470.7 million).

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. Following the integration of China Railway Container Transport (CRCT) into Middle Corridor Multimodal Ltd, container traffic along the Middle Corridor is projected to double, Talgat Aldybergenov, Chairman of the Board of Kazakhstan Railways, told reporters, Trend reports.

He made the announcement on the sidelines of the 83rd meeting of the CIS Railway Transport Council in Baku.

Two weeks ago, Chinese railways entered the Middle Corridor through CRCT. We have high hopes for this route, he said.

Aldybergenov noted that today there is steady growth in transport volumes between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

Over the past four years, they have increased sevenfold. In the first ten months of 2025, the volume amounted to 4.1 million tons, which demonstrates high dynamics. At the same time, I would like to emphasize that grain transportation has grown 25 times and reached approximately 600,000 tons, he said.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the 2nd China-Europe Railway International Cooperation Forum in Xi'an, a pivotal agreement was signed for the integration of Chinese railways, through CRCT, into the joint venture established by the railways of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and GeorgiaMiddle Corridor Multimodal Ltd.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, November 26. Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed during his state visit to Kyrgyzstan that Russia will take over the presidency of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in 2026, Trend reports via the Kremlin.

The visit is taking place ahead of the meeting of the Collective Security Council of the CSTO. We highly appreciate the extensive work Kyrgyzstan has accomplished during its CSTO presidency. Russia will step into the presidency in 2026 after your term wraps up, Putin said.

The partnership between Russia and Kyrgyzstan within the CSTO framework is defined by the organization's treaty and associated bilateral agreements. This cooperation includes the regular conduct of joint military exercises, such as the "Rubezh" (Frontier) and "Interaction" (Vzaimodeystvie) drills, which focus on coordinating the actions of the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Forces. The Russian military base (Joint Russian Military Base), located in Kant, Kyrgyzstan, is part of the CSTO's collective security infrastructure in the Central Asian region.

Additionally, the two nations coordinate political positions within the CSTO, participating in the development of joint statements and shared strategies at the Collective Security Council (CSC) meetings concerning regional security matters.

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DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, November 26. Tajikistan aims to add more than 4,800 MW of new and upgraded electricity capacity by 2030, including 1,500 MW from solar power, under the Electric Power Sector Development Program for 2026-2030, President Emomali Rahmon announced at a government meeting, Trend reports via the Tajik president's office.

The implementation of this program will ensure energy security, improve efficiency, and increase exports to 5 billion kWh, Rahmon said.

He mandated that ministries and local governance entities operationalize the strategic framework and provide annual deliverables on performance metrics.

The program includes commissioning 2,680 MW of new hydroelectric capacity, upgrading existing plants to add 253 MW, restoring 440 MW, and exploring solar panel installations on residential buildings. The objective is to optimize transmission inefficiencies to a mere 3 percent while concurrently minimizing distribution losses to a targeted 9 percent.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. Azerbaijani, Russian, and Iranian Railways signed a memorandum of understanding on boosting the North-South cooperation efficiency, Trend reports.

The signing took place following the 83rd meeting of the CIS Railway Transport Council.

The document was signed by CEO and Chairman of the Board of Russian Railways Oleg Belozerov, Chairman of the Board of Azerbaijan Railways Rovshan Rustamov, and Deputy Minister for Roads and Urban Development of Iran and Chairman of the Board and President of the Railways of Iran (RAI) Jabbar Ali Zakeri.

The signing of the memorandum is set to kick off an important step in building up long-term trilateral cooperation and boosting the efficiency of the North-South route's western direction.

The document provides for the harmonization of tariff approaches, the formation of a single comprehensive tariff, the launch of regular block trains, and the improvement of transportation procedures.

The deployment of these frameworks will facilitate a more streamlined, expedited, and economically efficient logistics continuum among Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. The protocol of the 83rd meeting of the Council for Railway Transport of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) has been signed in Azerbaijan's Baku, Trend reports.

The meeting focused on several key issues: the performance of the CIS railway network during the first nine months of 2025, the development of international passenger transportation, the formation of cargo and container trains for cross-border shipments, the expansion of international transport corridors, tariff policy for global freight transportation for 2026, financing matters, research and improvement programs, as well as other topics.

Participants highlighted the importance of enhancing transparency and synchronizing logistics processes across the region. They noted that aligning the tariff policy for international freight transportation in 2026 carries strategic significance from the perspective of strengthening competitiveness and optimizing transit flows.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. Azerbaijan Railways CJSC Chairman Rovshan Rustamov held a meeting with Oleg Belozerov, General Director and Chairman of the Board of Russian Railways OJSC, the Azerbaijani company told Trend.

The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between the railway administrations of both countries, enhancing mutual coordination, improving route efficiency, and ensuring the safety of transportation processes.

The sides discussed the ongoing shift toward digital freight operations, focusing on the rollout of new digital solutions, faster data exchange, and the streamlining of the logistics chain.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Azerbaijan Railways CJSC and Russian Railways OJSC signed an agreement on bilateral electronic data exchange. This accord will markedly optimize the operational throughput of freight logistics and guarantee a comprehensive shift to digital document management.

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, November 26. After concluding high-level talks in Bishkek, Presidents Sadyr Zhaparov of Kyrgyzstan and Vladimir Putin of Russia signed a series of agreements aimed at strengthening strategic, economic, and social cooperation during the latter's visit to Kyrgyzstan, Trend reports via the Kyrgyz president's office.

The documents include a joint statement on deepening the alliance and strategic partnership, an amendment to the 2017 treaty on military-technical cooperation, and agreements on public health, the legal status of migration and internal affairs offices, and the construction of a campus for the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University.

In addition, memoranda were signed on cooperation in cardiology and strategic economic planning, alongside an agreement of intent between Russian Post and Kyrgyz Post to enhance postal cooperation. The agreements mark a broadening of bilateral ties across defense, education, health, and economic sectors, reflecting both countries commitment to further integration.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. The draft law On Amendments to the Tax Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan is currently being discussed in the country's parliament, Trend reports, citing the State Tax Service under the Ministry of Economy.

The proposed amendments are designed to foster entrepreneurship, alleviate the tax burden, and enhance efforts to combat the shadow economy. According to the ministry, the rationale behind these changes is being communicated to the public in a phased manner.

While rental income from residential properties is already subject to taxation, a substantial portion of these transactions remains unreported. The proposed amendments aim to streamline administrative processes and reduce the tax burden on rental income, thereby incentivizing individuals to formalize their rental agreements.

Effective January 1, 2025, citizens receiving rental income will have the option to designate an agent, either a legal entity or an individual, to manage their tax obligations, thereby eliminating the need for personal registration with the tax authorities.

In a further move to encourage the formalization of the rental market, the tax rate on rental income from residential properties leased by individuals to other individuals will be reduced from 14 percent to 10 percent. This adjustment results in a tax reduction of approximately 30 percent.

For properties rented as part of entrepreneurial activities or leased to legal entities, the 14 percent tax rate will remain unchanged.

The amendment is designed to prevent tax evasion while promoting transparency and compliance in the rental market, ensuring that rental agreements and transactions for residential properties are properly registered.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 26. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union signed a 3 million euro grant agreement to support the development of critical raw materials (CRM) in Central Asia, the bank said, Trend reports.

The agreement, signed at the 3rd European Union - Central Asia Economic Forum in Tashkent by EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela and EBRD Vice President for Banking Matteo Patrone, will fund the replenishment of the CRM technical assistance facility.

The grant aims to assist governments and private businesses in expanding activities related to the exploration, extraction, processing, and refining of CRMs across the region. The technical cooperation funds will also support harmonising national standards with international and EU environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.

The facility will help employ best practices and sustainable technologies in the critical raw materials sector, enhancing regional capacity and compliance with global standards, the EBRD said.

The EU-Central Asia Economic Forum, following previous editions in Bishkek (2021) and Almaty (2023), is organized with the OECD and ITC. It gathers EU and Central Asian officials, private sector representatives, and international institutions to discuss investment, regional cooperation, and strategic initiatives.
Franklin Templeton launched its XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF), the Franklin XRP Trust (XRPZ), on NYSE Arca Monday, giving investors regulated access to the XRP token. The move places one of Wall Streets oldest institutions into the growing field of XRP fund issuers, which already includes Bitwise, Grayscale and Canary Capital.

The launch expands Franklins crypto lineup. It now manages ETFs tied to bitcoin (EZBC), ether (EZET), XRP (XRPZ), and its diversified digital asset fund (EZPZ), offering traditional investors exposure to a broader range of crypto assets without requiring self-custody.

David Mann, Head of ETF Product and Capital Markets at Franklin Templeton, said in a statement Monday that XRP plays a "foundational role in global settlement infrastructure.

The rollout marks a significant turn in XRPs fortunes. Just five years ago, the token faced mass delistings from major exchanges after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued Ripple in late 2020. The agency alleged Ripple had sold XRP as an unregistered security since 2013. That lawsuit finally settled in August 2025, when Ripple agreed to pay the SEC a $125 million settlement without admitting wrongdoing.

Since then, interest in XRP has rebounded, particularly as regulators have begun to outline clearer rules for digital assets. Franklin Templetons ETF is part of a broader trend of institutional players entering the crypto space through regulated investment vehicles.

Blockchain innovation is driving fast-growing businesses, and digital asset tokens like XRP serve as powerful incentive mechanisms that help bootstrap decentralized networks and align stakeholder interests, said Roger Bayston, head of digital assets at Franklin Templeton. Within a diversified digital portfolio, we view XRP as a foundational building block. XRPZ provides regulated custody, daily transparency and liquidity without the operational complexity of holding the token directly.

The ETF structure lets institutional and retail investors gain XRP exposure through brokerage accounts, with daily pricing and SEC oversight. Grayscale's XRP ETF also launched Monday.

Crypto asset manager Bitwise launched its XRP ETF last week and saw roughly $118,000,000 in inflows, Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. A trilateral agreement between Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran is currently under development for the North-South Corridor, which will introduce a uniform through-tariff system, Oleg Belozerov, General Director of Russian Railways OJSC, told journalists, Trend reports.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 83rd meeting of the Council for Railway Transport of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Belozerov stated that the agreement aims to create stable and transparent conditions for cargo transport.

We are working on a trilateral agreement on the North-South corridor between Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran, providing for uniform through tariffs. This approach ensures transparency of terms and stable pricing for a set period, creating a more comfortable and predictable environment for shippers, said Belozerov.

He added that the through-tariff agreement is a key element: the three railway administrations guarantee stable costs and conditions over a defined period, offering shippers a simpler and more predictable framework for cargo transportation.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. The western route of the NorthSouth Corridor has seen a significant increase in container transport this year, with 6,558 containers shipped to date, Oleg Belozerov, General Director of Russian Railways Joint-Stock Company (RZD), told journalists, Trend reports.

Speaking at the 83rd meeting of the Council for Railway Transport of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Belozerov noted that containers remain the main cargo shaping flows along transport corridors.

The western route, which connects Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran, has seen a notable increase in container shipments this year, with volume rising by 1.6 times. To date, 6,558 containers have been transported along this route, he stated.

Belozerov further noted that while the eastern route has also experienced significant growth, its volume remains smaller in absolute terms, with approximately 2,300 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) transported thus far.

"Nonetheless, there remains considerable potential for further development. As technologies continue to evolve, it is essential to ensure the effective integration of all system components, including infrastructure, transport management, and information and document exchange. Russia and Azerbaijan have already signed bilateral agreements facilitating the digital transmission of information and documents. This shift reduces paper-based workflows and significantly accelerates cargo processing, the official explained.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. The 2nd Caspian Innovation Forum took place today in Baku as part of Caspian Investment Week, Trend reports.

The forum brought together leading companies from the Caspian, Black Sea, and Baltic regions, as well as representatives of diplomatic missions active in innovation, technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainable development.

Telman Aliyev, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Caspian Energy Club, said the forum continues to support the establishment of the Azerbaijan National Business Association.

We will create a unified ecosystem under the Milli Biz brand to bring together local entrepreneurs operating in Azerbaijan as well as in 100 countries around the world through this platform. After seven years, we plan to complete this project and hand it over to the government, he said.

Davud Rustamov, Head of the National Cybersecurity Center under the State Security Service, highlighted that companies recognized as new cybersecurity service providers in Azerbaijans history will now protect the countrys critical infrastructures.

This is a very proud moment. It is highly desirable to have security solutions proposed locally, and we are always ready to support their testing and development as much as we can, Rustamov said.

The official underscored that Azerbaijans information security and cybersecurity strategy is a feather in the cap, promoting the growth of homegrown solutions for safeguarding information.

We're currently importing cryptographic security tools from abroad. However, we are not always certain who will certify these tools according to the relevant standards. We need a dedicated testing environment. At the National Cybersecurity Center, we have established a laboratory based on common criteria aligned with the required standards. The latest measurement devices will arrive in the country in December, and with these tools, we will begin testing in January. I am confident that these tests will further strengthen our security environment and allow us to confirm to organizations whether cryptographic security tools are truly reliable, he said.

Rauf Najafli, Advisor to the Minister of Economy, noted the economic potential of AI, stating it could add around 20 trillion dollars to the global economy by 2040.

"The ministry has begun the construction of a supercomputer infrastructure to ensure the transition to data-based solutions by state institutions and private sectors and to provide a technological environment for the application of AI solutions," he noted.

The advisor additionally articulated the objectives.

"Our goal by 2030 is clear: a fully digitalized industrial base, a highly skilled workforce, and a transformed economic sector. In this direction, the Industry 4.0 Readiness program, developed by the Fourth Industrial Revolution Analysis and Coordination Center (C4IR) under the ministry, together with local and international partners, has already been launched.

The goal of the program is to increase the competitiveness of local enterprises by integrating Industry 4.0 technologies, increasing operational efficiency, and promoting innovation, thereby contributing to the overall development of the country's economy," he added.

Hikmat Mammadov, Head of the Main Information and Communication Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), stressed that combating cyber threats without technological advancement is impossible.

"Our signature-based security mechanisms are increasingly ineffective against evolving cyber threats and attacks, which are now augmented by artificial intelligence, automation, and psychological manipulation techniques," Mammadov explained. "We are in the process of developing a robust technological infrastructure to tackle these advanced threats."

Regarding cyber resilience, he noted that everyone is vulnerable to cyber attacks, though the impact may vary. "While some may experience the consequences directly, others may remain unaware. However, the services we offer in response to these threats will continue to function," Mammadov asserted.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) promises significant freight opportunities for countries in the region, Jabbar Ali Zakeri, the Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development of Iran and Executive Director of Iran Railways (RAI), said in an exclusive interview with Trend.

Zakeri explained that Iran is currently on the fast track with six railway routes linking it to the member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Key terminals include Sarakhs, Lotfabad, and Incheborun in the east; Amirabad and Caspian ports on the Caspian Sea; and Astara in the west. In addition, the railway connecting Julfa in western Iran to Nakhchivan should be considered part of this network.

He noted that significant steps have been taken over the past 2-3 years to strengthen railway cooperation with CIS member countries.

Under the programs presented at the 83rd meeting of the CIS Railway Transport Council in Baku, we plan to expand railway collaboration and freight transportation over the next 3-4 years. To date, rail freight between Iran and CIS countries has reached 5 million tons, and we anticipate this figure could grow to 15 million tons. The document signed at todays meeting alone envisions boosting shipments via Astara by 2 million tons annually, he said.

The deputy minister added that Iran plans to increase the cargo transported from Russia to Iran by rail to 5 million tons per year as part of these efforts. According to Zakeri, the programs being implemented to develop railway infrastructure are designed to support this increase in freight transport.

It is encouraging that Azerbaijan is also taking steps to develop its domestic railway infrastructure. This will naturally contribute to the growth of rail freight, he noted.

Zakeri highlighted that the Rasht-Astara stretch of the western route of the INSTC is currently missing a railway line. About 95 percent of the land required for this railway in Gilan Province has already been acquired, with an average of 3 kilometers being purchased each week. Iran expects to complete land acquisition by March 20, 2026. A Russian company is conducting studies related to railway construction on the acquired land, and construction is expected to begin thereafter. These efforts are part of the overall plan to connect the railway and complete the NorthSouth Corridor.

Until this railway is completed, cargo will continue to be transported using a traintrucktrain system from the Astara terminal to Rasht. An agreement memorandum has been signed between Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia to increase shipments in this format, which is expected to reach 5 million tons soon, Zakeri concluded.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. The Rasht-Astara railway in northern Iran, once built and commissioned within the framework of the North-South International Transport Corridor, will create conditions for shipping 70 million tons of cargo between Russia and India, Director General of the Iranian Railways Company's Foreign Trade Department Shahriyar Nagizadeh told local media, Trend reports.

According to him, in this regard, the Rasht-Astara railway is considered one of the most important projects in the country. This railway constitutes the western route of the North-South International Transport Corridor.

Nagizadeh said that for every one ton of cargo transported by rail over a distance of one kilometer, approximately 33 cubic meters of fuel is saved. At the same time, freight transportation by rail results in a significant removal of trucks from highways and a decrease in accidents.

"Last year, five million tons of cargo were transported by international railways through the country. Despite various problems since the beginning of the current Iranian year (March 21, 2025), 3.6 million tons of cargo have been transported by railways so far. This represents a 12 percent increase compared to the same period last year," he added.

The intergovernmental agreement signed on September 12, 2000, between Russia, Iran, and India laid the foundational framework for the North-South Transport Corridor. Since then, several countries have ratified the agreement, including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Oman, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkiye, and Ukraine. The primary objective of the corridor is to significantly reduce the delivery time for cargo traveling from India to Russia, as well as to Northern and Western Europe. While the existing route takes over six weeks, the North-South Corridor is expected to shorten this to just three weeks.

On March 6, 2019, the 175 km Gazvin-Rasht railway began operations, connecting Azerbaijans rail network with Irans infrastructure within the corridor. Additionally, the Rasht-Astara railway is set to be constructed on Iranian soil.

The North-South Corridor within Iran comprises three main routes. The eastern route connects to Turkmenistan and Central Asian countries; the central route links to Russia and other nations across the Caspian Sea; and the western route connects to Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, and Eastern Europe.

On May 17, 2023, Russia and Iran signed an agreement to build the Rasht-Astara railway in Gilan Province in northern Iran. This 163 km railway will feature nine stations and is expected to enhance the North-South Corridors efficiency. Upon completion, it will integrate Iran's railway network with those of the Caucasus, Russia, and Northern Europe. Under the terms of the agreement, Russia is committed to investing 1.6 billion euros in the construction of the railway, which is slated to be completed within 48 months.

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, November 26. Turkmenistan and Iran are gearing up to take their partnership to the next level, building on a regional memorandum that ties Turkmenistans Mary Region to Irans Razavi Khorasan Province, Trend reports via Turkmen MFA.

The announcement was made during the meeting between Turkmenistans Consul General Guvanchmyrat Atayev and Iranian provincial governor Gholamhossein Mozaffari. The parties discussed plans to use the memorandum as a framework for launching new initiatives in trade, transport, and transit. According to the sides, the document will steer the ship for the next phase of joint projects, all aimed at tightening the economic bonds between the two regions.

Future cooperation is also expected to expand into education, science, sports, and healthcare. Both officials emphasized that upcoming reciprocal regional visits and cultural events will play a key role in implementing the memorandums goals.

The regional Memorandum of Understanding on trade, economic, scientific-technical, and cultural cooperation between Turkmenistan's Mary Region and the Islamic Republic of Iran's Razavi Khorasan Province was signed in July 2022. This document established a key legal basis for advancing bilateral ties. As a result of the memorandum's implementation, the parties have rolled up their sleeves and joined forces on customs procedures to speed up the cargo flow and have agreed on plans to establish a joint border trade zone at the Altyn Asyr-Bajgiran checkpoint. Furthermore, the memorandum has provided a framework for the regular exchange of delegations led by regional heads, as well as the execution of joint exhibitions and cultural events.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. The 3rd session of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Executive Board concluded in Nairobi, Kenya, with the participation of the Azerbaijani delegation led by Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture and national coordinator of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), Trend reports via the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture.

According to the committee, a briefing was held for delegations and heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Kenya during the two-day event. More than 200 representatives attended, receiving detailed information about WUF13, which will be held in Baku from May 17 through 22, 2026. The briefing covered the forums theme, preparation process, initiatives, planned activities, and opportunities for participation and cooperation.

Speaking at the briefing, Guliyev highlighted the significance of WUF13, themed Housing for All: Safe and Sustainable Cities and Settlements, in strengthening international collaboration for sustainable urban development and showcasing Azerbaijans contributions to global initiatives. He also noted that, for the first time in the forums history, a Leaders Summit will include the participation of heads of state and government.

UN-Habitat Executive Director Anaclaudia Rossbach expressed gratitude to the Azerbaijani government for its preparation efforts, praising the countrys commitment to the global urban agenda and exemplary practices. She emphasized that WUF13 will serve as a crucial milestone for all partners to renew their commitments to providing adequate housing for everyone.

Subsequent to the briefing session, the media contingent was afforded a platform to engage in inquiries pertinent to WUF13.

During the session, Guliyev delivered a report on behalf of Azerbaijan and Somalia as co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Adequate Housing for All resolution of the UN-Habitat Assembly. He outlined plans for advancing this process during the 2025-2026 co-chairing period.

An official reception was also held for the Azerbaijani-hosted WUF13, bringing together participating delegations and heads of diplomatic missions. Guliyev conducted bilateral discussions with leaders of other delegations, while the WUF13 promotional stand at UN-Habitat headquarters attracted significant attention over the two days.

Azerbaijan was represented at the events by Ambassador Sultan Hajiyev, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Kenya and Congo (Brazzaville) and Permanent Representative to the UN in Nairobi, along with representatives from the Presidential Administration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture.

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, November 26. Kyrgyzstan is exploring the adoption of Austrias experience with electronic documents for freight transportation, Trend reports via the Kyrgyz Ministry of Transport.

The discussions happened during the meeting in Bishkek between Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Beknazar Bazaraliev and Austrian Deputy Minister of Finance Andreas Reichhardt.

Bazaraliev said the ministry is particularly interested in learning how Austria digitalizes transport processes and uses integrated automated transport management systems across the EU. He noted that Kyrgyzstan is open to strengthening existing agreements and supporting new initiatives that promote mutually beneficial cooperation.

The economic framework between Kyrgyzstan and Austria is primarily governed by key bilateral and multilateral mechanisms. Both nations are signatories to the Agreement on the Promotion and Mutual Protection of Investments, which provides legal certainty for investors and encourages Austrian capital flow into the Kyrgyz economy. Furthermore, the Kyrgyz-Austrian Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation serves as the central platform for dialogue, meeting regularly to identify priority areas, particularly in hydropower, infrastructure, and tourism.

In addition, Austrias exports to Kyrgyzstan reached $20 million in the first seven months of 2024, representing 98.7 percent of the total bilateral turnover for that period and marking a 63.7 percent increase compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Key export commodities from Austria in 2024 included passenger cars ($11.2 million), electric generating sets ($2.2 million), and pharmaceutical products ($1.1 million).

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, November 26. The Qatar Chamber and the Turkmenistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry have agreed to work on activating the 2010 agreement establishing the Qatari-Turkmen Joint Business Council, Trend reports via the Qatari Chamber.

The agreement was reached during the meeting, held at the Chambers headquarters, between Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Twar Al Kuwari, First Vice-Chairman of the Qatar Chamber, and Mergen Gurdov, Chairman of the Turkmenistan Chamber. The parties discussed ways to strengthen economic and trade ties and deepen cooperation between their private sectors.

Al Kuwari pointed out the importance of the council, mentioning that the Qatari side is keen to find out about investment opportunities and up-and-coming sectors in Turkmenistan.

The Qatar Chamber supports enhancing cooperation between the private sectors of both countries and encourages Qatari businessmen to forge new partnerships, he said.

Gurdov expressed hope that closer cooperation between the chambers would translate into stronger engagement between business communities and invited Qatari investors to visit Turkmenistan.

Turkmenistans total trade with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countriesa group that includes Qatarreached $2 billion in 2024. This figure established Turkmenistan as the largest trading partner among Central Asian states for the GCC, contributing 61 percent of the total trade between the two regions. Furthermore, the relationship is heavily weighted toward strategic energy coordination: both nations are among the world's leading natural gas producers and are influential members of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. Azerbaijan's Prime Minister Ali Asadov discussed the current state and development prospects of Azerbaijani-Russian economic cooperation in various areas during the meeting with CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Russian Railways OJSC Oleg Belozyorov, the Cabinet of Ministers told Trend.

Focused emphasis was directed towards synergistic collaboration within the transport and logistics sector, encompassing railway systems.

The importance of continuing joint efforts to increase the transit potential of the region was emphasized. In this context, the importance of synchronously carrying out work on the development of infrastructure along the North-South international transport corridor and ensuring a stable growth in freight traffic on this route was noted.

The meeting was also attended by Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways OJSC Rovshan Rustamov.

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New partnership strengthens Fresh Del Montes sourcing diversification strategy and expands banana production ties in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, November 26, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. (NYSE: FDP), one of the worlds leading vertically integrated producers, marketers, and distributors of high-quality fresh fruit and vegetables, today announced it has entered into a strategic partnership with THACO Agri, the agricultural division of Vietnams THACO Group and a leading regional producer with large-scale farming operations in Vietnam and Cambodia.

The agreement, signed today during a ceremony at THACO Group headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City, establishes a long-term partnership for the sourcing of bananas from THACO AGRIs operations and aligns with Fresh Del Montes strategy to broaden its global sourcing footprint and expand its presence in Southeast Asia. In addition, THACO AGRI will develop dedicated pineapple cultivation areas to meet Fresh Del Montes demand through a suitable and phased roadmap.

"Partnering with THACO AGRI is an important step in strengthening our sourcing capabilities in Southeast Asia," said Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Fresh Del Montes Chairman and CEO. "Their scale and integrated-circular operations align with our long-term strategy to build a more resilient and diversified supply network."

The partnership also supports Fresh Del Montes efforts to address rising global production challenges across the banana industry, reinforcing the companys commitment to supply-chain stability and long-term resilience.

THACO AGRIs agricultural platform spans more than 85,000 hectares across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, applying a large-scale integrated-circular and organic production modelincluding fruit cultivation and livestock farmingin pursuit of its vision "to become the leading agricultural corporation in ASEAN by 2027." The partnership further enables THACO INDUSTRIES, THACOs mechanical engineering sub-holding, to work with Fresh Del Monte on mechanization and automation solutions, leveraging its work with THACO AGRI to enhance agricultural productivity and operational efficiency.

"We highly appreciate our new partnership with Fresh Del Monte," said Tran Ba Duong, THACOs Chairman. "This partnership is an important step for THACO AGRIs agricultural operations, and we look forward to building a stable, long-term collaboration that supports both organizations."

The collaboration reflects both companies shared focus on responsible growth, operational excellence, and meeting rising global demand through diversified, modern agricultural systems.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, November 26. Russian energy giant Gazprom is significantly expanding its support to Kyrgyzstan, supplying natural gas and participating in the countrys gasification program, Russian President Vladimir Putin told the media following talks with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, Trend reports via the Kremlin.

According to Putin, Gazprom has allocated over $400 million for these initiatives, increasing Kyrgyzstans gas supply coverage to 42 percent. The program also ensures the provision of gasoline and diesel on preferential terms, without export duties, directly supporting Kyrgyz households and industries.

The Russian concern has joined the gasification program for Kyrgyz regions, and this work will continue, Putin stated at a joint media briefing.

Gazprom's current initiative is part of a long-term partnership rooted in the 2014 agreement, when the Russian company acquired a 100 percent stake in Kyrgyzstan's gas transmission system, previously known as Kyrgyzgaz. Following the acquisition, Gazprom committed to investing 40 billion rubles (approximately $450 million at current rates) in the modernization and expansion of Kyrgyzstan's gas infrastructure through 2030. As a result of these investments, the company, operating as Gazprom Kyrgyzstan, has constructed and reconstructed over 800 kilometers of gas pipelines since 2014, allowing more than 35,000 new consumers to be connected to the central network.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 26. Uzbekistans Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov and European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela discussed the dynamic development of Uzbekistan-EU cooperation and prospects for expanding mutually beneficial projects in several key sectors, the Uzbek FM wrote on his X page, Trend reports.

We discussed the dynamic evolution of UzbekistanEU cooperation, highlighting our shared commitment to expanding mutually beneficial initiatives in trade, green transition, digitalization, connectivity, and human capital development, Saidov remarked.

He further noted that both sides expressed their willingness to strengthen the strategic dialogue, enhance practical cooperation, and jointly promote sustainable development initiatives that foster stability and prosperity in their respective regions.

Meanwhile, Tashkent hosted the EUCentral Asia Economic Forum today, building on previous editions held in Bishkek (2021) and Almaty (2023). The event, organized in collaboration with the OECD and ITC, brought together officials from EU institutions, Central Asian governments, representatives of the private sector, and international financial organizations to discuss investment cooperation, regional connectivity, and strategic initiatives.

Following the forum, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union signed a 3-million euro grant agreement aimed at supporting the development of critical raw materials (CRM) in Central Asia.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, November 26. Russia and Kyrgyzstan are planning the construction of a large solar power plant in the Issyk-Kul region, President Vladimir Putin told media following talks with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, Trend reports via the Kremlin.

The project forms part of a broader energy cooperation program, which also includes the modernization of hydroelectric power plants and the development of renewable energy infrastructure across the country. The Issyk-Kul solar plant is set to be a game changer for Kyrgyzstans clean energy capacity, helping to shore up the countrys energy security in leaps and bounds.

This large solar power plant is planned for joint construction in the Issyk-Kul region, Putin said at a joint media briefing.

He highlighted the projects role in diversifying Kyrgyzstans energy mix and promoting sustainable development.

The proposed solar power plant project is situated within an ongoing energy partnership focused heavily on hydropower. A significant fact is the 2012 Agreement between the governments of Russia and Kyrgyzstan regarding the construction and operation of the Kambar-Ata-1 HPP (Hydroelectric Power Plant) and the Upper Naryn Cascade of HPPs. Even though the 2012 deal regarding the HPP cascade was called off by Kyrgyzstan, the promise to spruce up the current infrastructure is still alive. Specifically, Russian technical and financial support has been channeled into the ongoing modernization of major Soviet-era HPPs, such as the Toktogul HPP, which is the largest power generation facility in the country. This modernization effort is crucial, as HPPs currently account for nearly 90 percent of Kyrgyzstan's total electricity generation.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 27. Georgias Deputy Economy Minister Inga Phaladze met with Artur Lorkowski, Director of the Energy Community Secretariat, to discuss ongoing developments in the countrys energy sector, the ministry said, Trend reports.

The sides reviewed Georgias current energy reforms, ongoing and planned projects, and broader sector trends. Lorkowski reiterated the organisations readiness to continue supporting Georgia in implementing these reforms.

The ministry said Georgias effective role as President of the Energy Community in 2025 was highlighted during the meeting.

The officials also discussed the planned Black Sea submarine cable project, which aims to link Georgias power system with the European grid.

Georgia continues to align its regulatory framework with EU energy legislation and introduce modern competitive market principles as part of its commitments to the Energy Community, the statement added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. The 2nd Caspian Innovation Forum took place today in Baku as part of Caspian Investment Week, Trend reports.

The forum brought together leading companies from the Caspian, Black Sea, and Baltic regions, as well as representatives of diplomatic missions active in innovation, technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainable development.

Telman Aliyev, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Caspian Energy Club, said the forum continues to support the establishment of the Azerbaijan National Business Association.

We will create a unified ecosystem under the Milli Biz brand to bring together local entrepreneurs operating in Azerbaijan as well as in 100 countries around the world through this platform. After seven years, we plan to complete this project and hand it over to the government, he said.

Davud Rustamov, Head of the National Cybersecurity Center under the State Security Service, highlighted that companies recognized as new cybersecurity service providers in Azerbaijans history will now protect the countrys critical infrastructures.

This is a very proud moment. It is highly desirable to have security solutions proposed locally, and we are always ready to support their testing and development as much as we can, Rustamov said.

The official underscored that Azerbaijans information security and cybersecurity strategy is a feather in the cap, promoting the growth of homegrown solutions for safeguarding information.

We're currently importing cryptographic security tools from abroad. However, we are not always certain who will certify these tools according to the relevant standards. We need a dedicated testing environment. At the National Cybersecurity Center, we have established a laboratory based on common criteria aligned with the required standards. The latest measurement devices will arrive in the country in December, and with these tools, we will begin testing in January. I am confident that these tests will further strengthen our security environment and allow us to confirm to organizations whether cryptographic security tools are truly reliable, he said.

Rauf Najafli, Advisor to the Minister of Economy, noted the economic potential of AI, stating it could add around 20 trillion dollars to the global economy by 2040.

"The ministry has begun the construction of a supercomputer infrastructure to ensure the transition to data-based solutions by state institutions and private sectors and to provide a technological environment for the application of AI solutions," he noted.

The advisor additionally articulated the objectives.

"Our goal by 2030 is clear: a fully digitalized industrial base, a highly skilled workforce, and a transformed economic sector. In this direction, the Industry 4.0 Readiness program, developed by the Fourth Industrial Revolution Analysis and Coordination Center (C4IR) under the ministry, together with local and international partners, has already been launched.

The goal of the program is to increase the competitiveness of local enterprises by integrating Industry 4.0 technologies, increasing operational efficiency, and promoting innovation, thereby contributing to the overall development of the country's economy," he added.

Hikmat Mammadov, Head of the Main Information and Communication Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), stressed that combating cyber threats without technological advancement is impossible.

"Our signature-based security mechanisms are increasingly ineffective against evolving cyber threats and attacks, which are now augmented by artificial intelligence, automation, and psychological manipulation techniques," Mammadov explained. "We are in the process of developing a robust technological infrastructure to tackle these advanced threats."

Regarding cyber resilience, he noted that everyone is vulnerable to cyber attacks, though the impact may vary. "While some may experience the consequences directly, others may remain unaware. However, the services we offer in response to these threats will continue to function," Mammadov asserted.

15:10

The 2nd International Caspian Innovation Forum is taking place in Azerbaijan's Baku today, Trend reports.

The forum is being organized as part of the Caspian Investment Week.

This event convenes prominent companies from the Caspian, Black Sea, and Baltic regions, with a focus on innovation, technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainable development. It also attracts representatives from various diplomatic missions.

One of the forum speakers, Chairperson of the Board and CEO of Caspian Energy Club, Telman Aliyev, said that 'we are actively advancing the establishment of the Azerbaijan National Business Association'.

We will create a unified ecosystem under the Milli Biz brand to bring together local entrepreneurs operating in Azerbaijan as well as in 100 countries around the world through this platform. After seven years, we plan to complete this project and hand it over to the government, he noted.

Then, Davud Rustamov, Head of the National Cybersecurity Center at the State Security Service of Azerbaijan, pointed out that companies recognized as new cybersecurity service providers in Azerbaijans history will now protect the countrys critical infrastructures.

It is highly desirable to have security solutions proposed locally, and we are always ready to support their testing and development as much as we can, Rustamov noted.

The official underscored that Azerbaijans information security and cybersecurity strategy is a feather in the cap, promoting the growth of homegrown solutions for safeguarding information.

We're currently importing cryptographic security tools from abroad. However, we are not always certain who will certify these tools according to the relevant standards. We need a dedicated testing environment. At the National Cybersecurity Center, we have established a laboratory based on common criteria aligned with the required standards. The latest measurement devices will arrive in the country in December, and with these tools, we will begin testing in January. I am confident that these tests will further strengthen our security environment and allow us to confirm to organizations whether cryptographic security tools are truly reliable, he said.

Meanwhile, advisor to the Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan, Rauf Najafli, added that artificial intelligence (AI) could bring up to $20 trillion in added value to the global economy by 2040.

"The ministry has begun the construction of a supercomputer infrastructure to ensure the transition to data-based solutions by state institutions and private sectors and to provide a technological environment for the application of AI solutions," he noted.

The advisor additionally articulated the objectives.

"Our goal by 2030 is clear: a fully digitalized industrial base, a highly skilled workforce, and a transformed economic sector. In this direction, the Industry 4.0 Readiness program, developed by the Fourth Industrial Revolution Analysis and Coordination Center (C4IR) under the ministry, together with local and international partners, has already been launched.

The goal of the program is to increase the competitiveness of local enterprises by integrating Industry 4.0 technologies, increasing operational efficiency, and promoting innovation, thereby contributing to the overall development of the country's economy," he explained.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. The meeting between SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf and Chairman of the Japan-Azerbaijan Economic Committee and Chief Operating Officer of ITOCHU Corporation Tetsuya Yamada noted that mutually beneficial cooperation ties between Azerbaijan and Japan are taking off and that productive discussions have sparked the growth of relations, Trend reports via SOCAR.

The sides expressed significant appreciation for the 12th collaborative assembly of the State Commission for Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Japan, convened in Tokyo in September of the current year.

Throughout the dialogue, perspectives were articulated regarding initiatives executed through the collaborative engagement of SOCAR and ITOCHU Corporation, alongside potential synergies in diverse domains within the energy sector.

The parties engaged in a comprehensive dialogue regarding hydrocarbon extraction and logistics, energy frameworks, the implementation of cutting-edge technologies within the sector, and various other pertinent matters of shared concern.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. The oil and gas industry, compared to other sectors, is conservative in its approach to the use of artificial intelligence (AI), SOCAR Deputy Director Ulvi Zamanbayov said at the SPE Caspian Technical Conference in Baku, Trend reports.

"The reasons are risk caution and the high cost of research," he explained.

Zamanbayov stressed that the company is building teams of engineers and production specialists, creating teams with diverse backgrounds.

"Furthermore, there are teams that act as a bridge between the data and computer science fields and the business. To enhance user experience, special interfaces and tools are being developed, allowing business units to feel like data scientists," he also said.

The SOCAR representative emphasized that innovation is also a priority. The oil and gas industry requires a great deal of experimentation and a trial-and-error approach.

"For this purpose, we are creating an automated infrastructure and using open-source tools, which enables rapid experimentation," he pointed out.

Zamanbayov also underlined the importance of data management, emphasizing that data science is key to success.

"If the data is of poor quality, then no matter how good the model, the result will be poor. Therefore, SOCAR uses reverse engineering platforms and methods that allow it to quickly assess the value of data," he added.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a 500 million loan agreement with Swedish engineering group Sandvik, a global leader in equipment, services, and digital solutions for the mining, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors, to support the companys 20262029 research and development program, Trend reports via the EIB.

The investment initiative focuses on developing cutting-edge technologies, advanced tooling systems, battery-electric mining equipment, and next-generation solutions for digitalized and automated mining and rock excavation, with projects primarily located in Sweden, Finland, and Germany.

Sandvik has a long-standing partnership with the EIB, with the bank having financed four previous R&D programs since 1999.

The new financing aligns with several of the EIB Groups strategic priorities, including the Innovation, Digital & Human Capital (IDHC) policy, the Strategic TechEU program for digital and technological innovation, and the Critical Raw Materials (CRM) initiative. The project also contributes to cross-cutting objectives in cohesion, environmental sustainability, and climate action.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) will introduce a system of complete digital monitoring of emissions for all operations, Samir Gurbanov, the head of the Environmental Analytics, Energy Transition, Environment, and Decarbonization Department of SOCAR, said at the Caspian Technical Conference of SPE in Baku, Trend reports.

According to Gurbanov, the company pulls out all the stops to roll out a variety of measures focused on decarbonization and boosting environmental sustainability.

"The key steps include the introduction of CO capture and utilization facilities for the transformation of carbon dioxide into industrial products, energy efficiency programs at processing facilities, transition to renewable energy to cover Scope 2 emissions, biogas production, and equipment electrification," he announced.

According to him, special attention is paid to the digitalization of ecological control.

"SOCAR has already started cooperation with ENABLON and purchased a monitoring, reporting, and verification system designed for accurate measurement and tracking of environmental indicators. This system will be implemented in all SOCAR operations from next year, which will ensure full digitization of the company's environmental monitoring.

Moreover, SOCAR implements modern projects to detect leaks on upstream assets and develops internal processes of environmental management together with BCG, including improving water resources and waste management practices," he added.

Enablon, developed by Wolters Kluwer, is a software platform that aids companies in managing environmental health, safety, sustainability, and risk. It centralizes data for reporting and analytics, helping businesses minimize risks, ensure regulatory compliance, enhance worker safety, and reduce environmental impacts. Key features include risk and compliance management, environmental management for sustainability, health and safety solutions with real-time reporting, data analytics for actionable insights, and an integrated platform unifying data from various sources for a comprehensive performance view.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. Brazil considers signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Azerbaijan to foster cooperation in specific areas that promote the effective integration of citizens into the digital ecosystem, Head of the Consumer Affairs Bureau of the National Telecommunications Agency of Brazil (ANATEL) Cristiana Camarate told Trend on the sidelines of the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-25) held in Baku.

She noted that Brazil is engaged in knowledge exchange at WTDC-25 and is exploring opportunities to develop the potential for connecting populations who are not yet linked to telecommunications networks.

"In recent years, we have actively worked towards universal connectivity and have already achieved some progress. However, there is still much work to be done," Camarate said.

The Brazilian official emphasized that the main priority at present is ensuring meaningful connectivity, which is also the central theme of the WTDC-25.

"By meaningful connectivity, I imply the development of digital skills, the protection of children in the online environment, the strengthening of cybersecurity, and the adaptation to the digital transformation processes required by new and emerging technologies.

One of our key calls during this conference is to reach a consensus at WTDC, and I'm confident we'll achieve this. The wind and fire that symbolize Azerbaijan will guide us on our path to this collective ambitious goal," she explained.

Camarate also discussed the prospects for the development of telecommunications relations between Brazil and Azerbaijan.

"Brazil and Azerbaijan have very close relations, and we can exchange extensive experience in spectrum management, as well as in enhancing the digital skills of the population. The strong cooperation that has developed between our countries in recent years will only continue to strengthen and develop in the future.

Moreover, it would be possible and advisable to sign an MoU on specific issues to help our citizens more effectively and fully integrate into the digital ecosystem," she noted.

Additionally, Camarate opened up about her impressions of Azerbaijan.

"I had the opportunity to spend Sunday getting to know your country better. I visited Yanardagh, Ateshgah, and the Icherisheher and truly enjoyed the city. Over the past two weeks, Baku has become a second home for me, and I feel very much at ease here.

I thank the people of Azerbaijan for their sincere hospitality. I'm grateful to you for hosting such a conference in this magnificent and attractive city. The food is delicious, and the people are incredibly polite and welcoming. I have truly enjoyed my time here," she concluded.

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The Financial Stability Board (FSB), which coordinates financial regulations for the G20 economies, has added Zurich Insurance, Swiss Re and Swiss Life to its list of insurance companies required to prepare resolution plans in the event of insolvency.

The FSBs updated list now includes 17 insurers, up from 13 last year.

In addition to the three Swiss insurance companies, Dutch insurer Athora has also been added to the list.

The aim of the resolution plans is to ensure that both companies and regulators are better equipped to manage potential emergencies or collapse.

Following the 200709 financial crisis, the FSB and policymakers advocated for setting up resolution plans for insurers similar to those implemented for banks, reported Reuters.

This resolution regime is intended to identify and restrict risks to the financial system at an early stage.

The insurance sector initially challenged the move, maintaining that the risk of contagion was significantly lower for them when compared to banks.

In 2022, the FSB decided to discontinue its yearly list of insurers that are systemically important in the world.

Instead, since last year, the board has published a list of insurance companies that are required to submit resolution plans.

Currently, the UK tops this list, with five insurance companies.

Last week, the FSB set its work programme for 2026 during a two-day plenary of members in Saudi Arabia, ahead of the G20 leaders meeting in South Africa.

Next year, the G20 will be chaired by the US under Donald Trumps administration, which has expressed a strong interest in loosening regulatory requirements.

The FSB, led by Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, said it will continue to monitor vulnerabilities in global financial markets and ensure that its recommendations are implemented.

The plenary reviewed recent regulatory changes in major economies and agreed to examine these initiatives to support global alignment of approaches.

FSB identified the rapid growth and increasing complexity of private credit markets as a priority for 2025, noting the need for further assessment of potential vulnerabilities and improved data access for regulators.

The board also called for ongoing monitoring of crypto-assets and stablecoins, citing concerns such as risk and regulatory challenges for multi-jurisdiction issuers.

"FSB adds three Swiss insurers and one Dutch insurer to resolution plan list" was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand.




BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. Nigeria is interested in expanding cooperation with Azerbaijan in the fields of telecommunications and digital development, a member of the Nigerian delegation, Chidi Enverem, told Trend on the sidelines of the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-25) held in Baku.

According to him, Azerbaijan is hosting the WTDC very successfully, and within the framework of the conference, fruitful discussions are taking place, leading to important, forward-thinking decisions that will shape the future of telecommunications.

He noted that Azerbaijan's high-level hosting of the WTDC and its experience in the digital field are of great interest to them.

"Nigeria is interested in expanding cooperation with Azerbaijan in the fields of telecommunications and digital development, and we believe that this conference will be a good start for future relations between the two countries," he explained.

Enverem also said that the WTDC is a platform focused on less developed countries.

"The goal is to expand access to communications and digitalization for less developed countries. For example, yesterday, we discussed how to support Sudan, Libya, and some island countries on the path to digital development.

In general, this is exactly the main goal of this conference. So far, a number of important decisions have been taken in favor of the telecommunications sector," Enverem pointed out.

The Nigerian delegate also spoke about today's topic of discussion at the conference.

"Regarding today's main topic, the conference started about two weeks ago, and decisions are not made in one day. The process is discussed at the initial stage and then discussed within the working groups.

Today, plenary sessions are held. Here, all the sections come together and review the decisions made at the working group level. The decisions agreed upon in the plenary session are binding on all countries from now on," he added.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 26. QazaqGaz Chairman Alibek Zhamauov and Liu Yongjie, Chairman of the Board of China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), discussed strengthening partnership in the gas sector, Trend reports via QazaqGaz.

The discussions included expanding Kazakhstans resource base, improving geological exploration efficiency, and adopting advanced technologies. QazaqGaz pointed out its willingness to engage in constructive dialogue, team up for joint geological analysis, and look into new cooperation models.

The company highlighted that Kazakhstan is stepping up exploration activities and working to bolster long-term energy security. The sides also reviewed options for involving international partners in promising projects.

In June 2025, the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan, KazMunayGas, and CNOOC Hong Kong Holding Limited (a subsidiary of CNOOC) signed a Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production Contract as part of the complex "Zhylyoi" project, located in the transit zone of the northeastern part of the Caspian Sea. The partnership envisions the joint implementation of the Zhylyoi project on a 50/50 parity basis, with CNOOC financing the exploration phase.

In September 2025, KMG and CNOOC agreed to jointly pursue geological exploration and hydrocarbon field development projects outside Kazakhstan and China.

CNOOC is engaging in offshore oil and gas exploration and production, participating in major international projects in more than 20 countries.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 26. Shell has expressed its intention to continue investing in new projects in Kazakhstan, Trend reports, citing the Kazakh government.

This statement was made by Suzanne Coogan, Senior Vice President and Chairwoman of Shell in Kazakhstan, during a meeting with Roman Sklyar, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan.

The official underscored Shell's readiness to actively collaborate with Kazakhstan to support the expansion of the countrys oil and gas reserves. The discussions also encompassed the continued development of joint projects within the energy sector.

Sklyar acknowledged Shells pivotal role in the advancement of Kazakhstans energy industry, noting that the companys partnership with the nation spans over three decades, encompassing a number of large-scale projects in the oil and gas domain. He emphasized Kazakhstans keen interest in leveraging Shells cutting-edge technologies to foster the ongoing growth of their collaborative ventures.

Following the meeting, the parties expressed confidence in the future of their partnership and the continued successful execution of joint initiatives. Shells presence in the Caspian region dates back nearly 130 years, when it became the first company to export kerosene from Baku to Southeast Asia. In the early 1990s, Shell was also among the first foreign investors to establish operations in Kazakhstan.

Currently, Shell participates in several significant projects in Kazakhstan, including the Karachaganak field, the North Caspian project, and the Caspian Pipeline Consortium. These ventures underscore the company's long-standing commitment to the Kazakh energy market and its ongoing support for the countrys oil and gas industry.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway will become an important factor in the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), increasing its efficiency, the first deputy chairman of the board of Uzbek Railways, Khikmatulla Rakhmetov, told Trend on the sidelines of the 83rd meeting of the CIS Council on Railway Transport in Baku.

"We are currently advancing the development of this corridor at an accelerated pace, with construction progressing swiftly, and we aim to complete the project by 2030," Rakhmetov said.

He noted that, in its initial phase, the projected cargo volume is expected to reach 3 to 4 million tons annually, with the potential to increase to 15 million tons over time.

"The majority of the cargo to be transported by China, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan will be directed toward Europe," he added.

On December 27, 2024, a ceremony was held in Jalal-Abad to mark the commencement of construction for the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway. Earlier, on June 6, 2024, an agreement was signed in Beijing between the Government of the Peoples Republic of China, the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, and the Government of Uzbekistan to cooperate on advancing the project. In accordance with the memorandum approving the feasibility study dated May 18, 2023, a combined route was confirmed, linking: "Kashgar  Torugart  Makmal  Jalal-Abad  Andijan."

According to the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan, the total length of the railway will be 532.53 km. There are plans to build 20 stations (including two prospective ones), among them two border stations, one transshipment station, four intermediate stations, and 13 passing loops. The project also provides for the construction of 48 bridges with a total length of 16.06 km and 27 tunnels with a length of 103.63 km. Together, the bridges and tunnels will cover 119.69 km, which is 39.3 percent of the total length of the railway.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 26. The countries located on the eastern route of the North-South International Transport Corridor may apply a single freight tariff, the Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development of Iran and Executive Director of Iran Railways, Jabbar Ali Zakeri, said, Trend reports via the Iranian embassy.

He made the announcement at a meeting with Talgat Aldybergenov, Chairman of the Management Board of the National Railway Company of Kazakhstan, during the 83rd meeting of the CIS Railway Transport Council in Baku.

According to Zakeri, the scope of cooperation between the countries in this sector is expected to expand significantly.

He further emphasized that collaboration in the area of freight transportation among Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan is progressing, which is anticipated to result in a substantial increase in freight volumes.

During the meeting, Talgat Aldybergenov, Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakhstan's National Railway Company, also offered a favorable assessment of the memorandum of understanding signed between Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Iran, which focuses on rail and freight transportation.

Meanwhile, the 83rd session of the CIS Council on Railway Transport was convened today in Baku. The key discussion topics included the activities of the CIS railway network for the first nine months of 2025, the expansion of international passenger transport, the establishment of freight and container trains for international routes, the development of international transport corridors, the tariff policy for international freight transport in 2026, as well as financing, research and development programs, and other relevant matters. At the conclusion of the meeting, a protocol was signed.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 24. The Turkish National Security Council has stated its unwavering commitment to contributing to prosperity in the South Caucasus, which will be possible by ensuring peace and stability in the region, stated in a statement released following a meeting of the Turkish Security Council chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trend reports.

The meeting participants considered "opportunities for bilateral and regional cooperation in light of the positive progress that has recently taken place in the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia."

The Turkish Security Council's agenda also included the war between Russia and Ukraine, the situation in Sudan, Syria, and the Middle East as a whole. Particular attention was paid to efforts to completely remove terrorism from Turkey's agenda. In the context of the situation in Ukraine, the importance of diplomatic efforts was emphasized amid the risk of new tensions in the war zone. The determination to continue efforts to bring about a sustainable and just peace was noted.
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Fulton Financial Corp. will acquire Blue Foundry Bancorp in an all-stock transaction valued at $243 million, the companies announced Monday.

The transaction, expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, pushes Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based Fulton into northern New Jersey.

The bank gained a presence in the southern part of the state last year with its acquisition of Republic First. The Philadelphia-based bank had locations in New Jersey and New York before it failed.

Acquiring $2.15 billion-asset Blue Foundry, headquartered in Rutherford, New Jersey, gives $32 billion-asset Fulton 21 additional branches in eight counties, including four of the states most populous.

The expansion in northern New Jersey aligns with our strategy of growing in our local markets and positions us well to drive organic growth across our commercial, consumer, wealth advisory and mortgage businesses, Fulton CEO Curtis Myers said in a prepared statement.

The combination of our companies creates an opportunity to leverage Fultons robust banking services and provide greater convenience and innovative solutions to an expanded customer base, with a continued focus on supporting our local communities, he said.

Under the terms of the agreement, Blue Foundry investors will receive 0.65 shares of Fulton common stock for each share they own. The transactions estimated $243 million value stems from Fultons $17.96 share price from Friday.

Joining forces with Fulton is an exciting step forward for our employees, customers and communities, Blue Foundry CEO James Nesci said in a prepared statement. This partnership allows us to preserve the local relationships and personalized service our customers value, while gaining access to greater resources and providing more solutions and convenience to customers.

In recent years, Blue Foundry has been a publicly traded bank, during which time it has reported more than $20 million in losses, American Banker reported. Activist investor Larry Seidman, who had pushed for its sale via proxy campaign last year, told American Banker there was no question whatsoever that Fulton would be able to produce better results than Blue Foundry has with its assets.

It's a good bank with good management, Seidman said of Fulton. Blue Foundry was horrible. They couldn't make any money.
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG) is included among the 15 Best Stocks to Buy for Medium Term.

Goldman Sachs Lowers Arthur J. Gallagher (AJG) Price Target to $315, Keeps Buy Rating

Image by Alexsander-777 from Pixabay

On November 3, Goldman Sachs lowered the firms price target on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG)  to $315 from $361 while keeping a Buy rating on the shares, according to a report by The Fly.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG) reported strong earnings for the third quarter of 2025, though it fell short of analysts expectations. Revenue reached $3.3 billion, up nearly 20% from the same period last year, marking the 19th consecutive quarter of double-digit top-line growth. However, revenue missed estimates by $90 million. Organic revenue growth was 4.8%, and acquisitions contributed more than $450 million. Net earnings margin stood at 13.8%, adjusted EBITDAC margin was over 32%, and adjusted EBITDAC increased 22%.

In another development, on November 3, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG) announced the acquisition of Tompkins Insurance Agencies, based in Batavia, New York, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tompkins Financial Corporation. Tompkins Insurance Agencies offers a full range of property and casualty insurance products as well as employee benefits services to clients across New York and Pennsylvania. Gallagher has been active in acquisitions this year, having acquired AssuredPartners for approximately $13.8 billion on August 18, 2025.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG) is a global insurance brokerage, risk management, and consulting services firm. The company operates in approximately 130 countries worldwide through its own operations and a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

While we acknowledge the potential of AJG 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: 15 Best Long Term Stocks to Buy According to Reddit and 13 Best Canadian Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold for the Long Term.

Disclosure: None.
Symposium Shines Light on Climate Changes Impact on Health, What Maryland Can Do to Help

Each year, more than 700 people die from extreme heat in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Climate change is making these types of death more common.

A 2025 study from the Yale School of Public Health highlighted those increases, finding that deaths linked to heat exposure surged more than 50 percent over the past two decades.

And Baltimore is no exception.

On Aug. 2, 2024, Baltimore Department of Public Works employee Ronald Silver II died of hyperthermia after overheating while working a city trash route. His death was investigated by the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and his employer was found to be at fault.

He was only 36 years old. He was a father of three, and he had very classic symptoms of heat illness leading up to the heatstroke. There was warning that could have been acted on, Marianne D. Cloeren, MD, MPH, associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), said last month at the Climate, Health, and Policy in Maryland: The State Steps Up symposium.

The event at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) brought together leaders from across Maryland  including those in higher education, medicine, and community organizations  for conversations about the impact of climate change on health and what the state is doing to address the issue.

Improving health outcomes caused by environmental changes will take a collaborative approach, something UMB is systemically building into its campus values  through interdisciplinary curricula, advocacy, and hands-on work within the community.

Addressing Climate Change Through Collaboration

Faculty from the University of Maryland Schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Law, along with the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) Marine-Estuarine Environmental Sciences Graduate Program, have collaborated over the past three years to educate students and build community partnerships that tackle the problems of a changing climate.

In October, the group of faculty hosted the all-day symposium with panel discussions on topics including health, heat, and climate standards; federal climate science and law; and Maryland climate law and advocacy.

I was inspired by all our speakers to continue this important work, said Karin G. Russ, JD, MS, RN, assistant professor and interim director of legal affairs at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON).

Both Russ  who serves on the Legislative Committee of the Maryland Nurses Association, the UMSON Climate Change Committee, and the Universities at Shady Grove Green Committee  and Robyn Gilden, PhD, RN, associate professor at UMSON, have been instrumental in integrating climate-focused courses and programs into UMB curricula.

Russ was involved in the creation of UMBs interdisciplinary course Climate Change, Health, and Society, and Gilden is the director of UMSONs 12-credit graduate Environmental Health Certificate for professional nurses. They both were instrumental in planning the symposium.

There was amazing collaboration across campuses and also among academia, government, and community, all seeking solutions to how climate change is affecting the health and well-being of Marylanders, Gilden said. I hope that all participants and attendees walked away with practical actions for themselves and collectively in their respective roles.

A Community Effort

Presenters Brooke E. Lierman, JD, Maryland comptroller, and Patrick OShea, PhD, MS, vice president for research for UMB and UMCP, looked at climate change through unique lenses  Lierman from the perspective of the economic impact that the changing climate has on Maryland and OShea highlighting the need for innovation and cross-industry partnership to tackle the pervasive problems of climate change.

Lierman specifically highlighted State Spending Series: Climate Change Costs, a report that the comptrollers office issued in April. The report looks at the cost of both action and inaction when it comes to climate change and its impact on Maryland.

Climate change is not the first thing that you think of when you think of our state comptroller. But actually, I would argue that climate change and its effect on our revenues is profound and profoundly important, Lierman said.



Climate change doesn't just make people sick. It strains the health care system that people rely on, health care workers themselves are suffering, and the people we rely on to care for us are then facing burnout, heat stress, and trauma responding to disaster after disaster, she added.

The symposium also included presentations from students about their UMB Provosts Climate Health and Resilience summer internship projects.

The four students from multiple disciplines shared information about projects they spent the summer working on, which focused on:

The intersection of climate change and ophthalmology

Using group therapy processes to manage and organize for extreme climate events

Health damages from municipal and medical waste incineration in Baltimore

a climate-adaptive approach to combat expanding vector-borne disease transmission

By coming together, we better serve our communities and our shared future. We all know no part of the country or the world is spared. For Maryland, whether you live out in Cumberland or Hereford or Southern Maryland, Baltimore City or the Eastern Shore, we will be affected, Snehal T. Patel, MD, MHS, clinical associate professor at UMSOM, said during the symposium, adding, It is vital that Maryland leads the way in a more sustainable and prosperous future, and I think were going to see some glimpses of that throughout the day.
Associate Teaching Professor Cecil Joseph remembers the first time he taught physics in one of UMass Lowells Technology Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) classrooms. Instead of facing rows of students in fixed seats, he found them gathered in small groups around shared screens, conversing and solving problems together.

Theyre literally sitting in a group facing each other, so its collaborative from the get-go, Joseph says. Its the opposite of that sage on the mountaintop approach where the instructor lectures and the students just listen. Here, everyones engaged from the start.

Joseph is one of 16 faculty members taking part in UMass Lowells new TEAL Faculty Certification Program, developed in partnership with WolfVision, the Austrian company that supplies the classroom technology.

The certification program, the first of its kind in the nation, builds on UMLs success with active learning and represents the next phase in the evolution of the universitys teaching spaces.

When UMass Lowell introduced its first two TEAL classrooms in 2019, they replaced the traditional lecture format with six-person pods, multiple displays and interactive technology to support group-based learning. Students can share content instantly from laptops, tablets or phones, and faculty can project a student groups work to the entire room, switch between pods or bring every display to a shared view, creating a seamless blend of discussion, collaboration and presentation.

Image by Ed Brennen Computer Science Associate Teaching Professor Charles Wilkes, one of the first faculty members to earn TEAL certification, uses his touchscreen during his Operating Systems class.



Through this partnership with WolfVision, were proud to lead the way in advancing teaching innovation and student success, says Bill Suppa , associate director of instructional and classroom technology. This certification reflects UMass Lowells commitment to giving faculty the tools and support they need to create active, inclusive and technology-enhanced learning environments.

Developed by the Office of the Provost and the Faculty Success Center, the certification program blends technology training with teaching. Workshops are led by School of Education Clinical Professor Michelle Scribner, Chemistry Associate Teaching Professor Suzanne Young, Senior Instructional Technologist Robert Coppenrath and Suppa, who guide faculty through strategies that tailor lessons to all students needs.

Participants complete a three-hour interactive session, then return for a 15-minute teaching demonstration that is recorded and added to a video library through the Faculty Success Center, allowing colleagues to share ideas and examples of active learning.

The program also highlights UMass Lowells growing collaboration with WolfVision. The university switched to the companys systems last year, working closely with its engineers to customize the technology to faculty needs.

They were intrigued by how we were using their technology and wanted to showcase what we were doing, Suppa says. We took their corporate model and transformed it into an active learning environment that fits higher education.

Image by Ed Brennen Computer science students work at a TEAL pod at Olsen Hall during their Operating Systems class.



Visitors from Yale, Merrimack College, Bentley University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute have already toured UMLs TEAL classrooms to see the setup firsthand.

Faculty who are part of the first TEAL-certified cohort say that customization makes a real difference.

Its really convenient to do small group exercises, says Charles Wilkes, associate teaching professor of computer science. Each pod has six students who can share their work on wall screens or collaborate with other groups. Doing that in a traditional classroom would be almost impossible.

Naomi Wernick-Pfaffmann, a teaching professor of biology, says TEAL classrooms make it easier to monitor student progress in real time.

I can have students working at the boards so I can see what theyre doing before they go home, she says. It lets me catch mistakes and make sure they understand the material in the moment."

The certification launch coincides with the opening of a new Instructional Technology Training and Innovation Hub on the third floor of OLeary Library, where faculty can practice using classroom technologies. The space can replicate any classroom type on campus, including TEAL, HyFlex and standard lecture configurations.

Image by Ed Brennen Faculty members use a TEAL touchscreen monitor to do a concept mapping exercise during a certification session.



This new hub lets faculty experiment in a sandbox setting, Suppa says. They can test the tools, try out teaching techniques and build confidence before class starts.

UMass Lowell currently has two TEAL classrooms in Olsen Hall and one in Coburn Hall, with three more planned for the renovated Olney Science Center.

For Joseph, the certification offers new approaches he can bring into his teaching. The training session introduced him to concept mapping, a visual strategy for organizing and connecting ideas.

Id never heard of a concept map before, but I can see how I can adapt that to my courses, Joseph says.

He added that as more faculty adopt active learning technologies, he expects students will become increasingly comfortable with them from one class to the next, reinforcing collaboration and consistency across their learning experiences.

That encouragement, that sense of learning communities, is what its all about, he says.
UK extends soft drink tax to sugary milk-based drinks

In a move to protect children and improve their health, the United Kingdom has extended the soft drink tax to sugary milk-based drinks.

London: In a move to protect children and improve their health, the United Kingdom has extended the soft drink tax to sugary milk-based drinks.

"Children will have a healthier start to life after the government announces an extension of the soft drinks levy to more high-sugar drinks, making it easier for families to buy less sugary products", the UK Department of Health and Social Care said.

"Changes will apply the charge to pre-packaged milk-based and milk-alternative drinks with added sugar like supermarket milkshakes, flavoured milks, sweetened yoghurt drinks, chocolate milk drinks and ready-to-drink coffees", the UK Health Department added.

Many of these products can contain as much added sugar as fizzy drinks, where much of that sugar is added separately to the milk, but were previously exempt from the levy, which so far has seen the average sugar content of drinks in scope fall almost 50% since it was introduced.

"Plain, unsweetened milk and milk-alternative drinks are not and will not be included", the department said.

"Mission to raise the healthiest generation of children"

Hailing the move, Health and Social Care Secretary Wesley Paul William Streeting said the government's aim is to raise the healthiest generation of children.

"An unhealthy start to life holds kids back from day one, especially those from poor backgrounds like mine. Were on a mission to raise the healthiest generation of children ever, and that means taking on the biggest drivers of poor health. The levy has already shown that when industry cuts sugar levels, childrens health improves. So, were going further", he said.

"A healthier nation will mean less pressure on our NHS, a healthier economy and a happier society. Its a simple change that is part of this governments mission to give every child a healthy start to life", he added.

The department has lowered threshold from 5g to 4.5g of sugar per 100ml. The UK Health Department has urged the manufacturers to reduce sugar in their drinks by January 01, 2028.

High sugar intake impact on children

High sugar intake puts children at greater risk of dental decay and obesity - and obese adults are at risk of long-term health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.

Tooth decay outpaces other common childhood conditions, including acute tonsillitis, as the leading cause of hospital admissions among 5 to 9 year olds in England.

The new plans are expected to reduce daily calorie intake by around 4 million in children and 13 million in adults across England. This could prevent almost 14,000 cases of adult obesity and nearly 1,000 cases of childhood obesity.

The Soft Drinks Industry Levy applies to pre-packaged drinks with added sugar, and with more than 5g of total sugar per 100ml. This will fall to 4.5g per 100ml. Drinks containing between 4.5g and 7.9g per 100ml will continue to fall into the lower levy band. The current rate for this band is 1.94 per 10 litres (19.4p per litre).

Drinks above 8g per 100ml will remain in the higher levy band. The current rate for this band is 2.59 per 10 litres (25.p per litre). "This doesnt apply to open top drinks in cafes/restaurants", the department said.

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Needless to say, over the last three years, the Artificial Intelligence explosion has been at the top of almost every investor's mind. Many have become wealthy, as stocks like NVIDIA and other top tech names soared in a rally some feel is reminiscent of the late 1990s dot-com boom and bust. Between billions being spent on capital expenditures related to AI, the circular financing that seems to shovel money between the top companies in the industry, the worries over depreciation being used in accounting, and off-balance sheet financing, concerns over an AI bubble are legitimate and need to be addressed.

Quick Read

The debate over an AI bubble has intensified and isnt going away.

Top corporations are starting to implement AI to help lower costs and improve profitability.

While bottom-line benefits may take a few years, the trend of AI helping lower costs is undeniable.

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

However, some top corporate executives are beginning to integrate robust AI systems into their operations and could be ready to demonstrate significant savings sooner rather than later. The team at Goldman Sachs profiled companies that have mentioned AI in earnings reports regarding productivity enhancement. This was noted in the Goldman Sachs research.

With the AI trade potentially transitioning to another phase, Ryan Hammond provides a list of what we call Phase 4 AI trade stocks, featuring characteristics that suggest the underlying companies could be ripe for margin-enhancing AI initiatives. Focus on: companies with high labor costs (you need room to improve); high exposure to AI automation (you need to be open to incorporating technology); and those that have already discussed AI in the context of productivity (we prefer companies that are heading down the path already, not sometime in the future).

Goldman Sachs highlighted AI productivity beneficiaries: Stocks with a combination of high labor costs and high exposure to AI automation that have discussed AI in the context of productivity. They compiled a list of Russell 1000 companies that check all the boxes, and we found five strong buys now. All pay dividends and could be great ideas for growth and income investors looking ahead. All are rated Buy at the top Wall Street firms we cover.

Franklin Resources

Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE: BEN) is among the most prominent global money managers. The firm markets mutual funds and institutional separate accounts under the Franklin, Templeton, and Mutual Series brands and pays a solid 5.81% dividend. At times, 50% of its sales are from outside the US, an advantage given the maturing US market.
Grayscale Investments has launched the Grayscale XRP Trust ETF (GXRP) on NYSE Arca.

In a press release, the firm said the GXRP is structured as an exchange-traded product rather than a 1940-Act ETF, meaning it does not fall under the regulatory requirements or protections offered to registered ETFs and mutual funds.

As a result, the product carries substantial risk, including the potential loss of principal. While GXRP holds XRP, it does not provide investors with direct ownership of the token itself.

Krista Lynch, Senior Vice President of ETF Capital Markets at Grayscale, describes the launch as a milestone for investors seeking simplified access to XRP.

She notes that GXRP seeks to provide efficient tracking and straightforward exposure to the asset while expanding investor reach to the wider XRP ecosystem. GXRP initially launched as a private placement in September 2024, and its graduation to public markets reflects increased institutional interest in mature blockchain networks.

XRP Ledger Reaches Major Milestone

The debut of GXRP comes as the XRP Ledger (XRPL) surpasses 4 billion processed transactions, a testament to the networks durability and long-term operational reliability.

Since its launch in 2012, XRPL has positioned itself as a specialized blockchain designed for cross-border payments and high-throughput financial activity. Although not built for general-purpose smart contract execution, XRPL incorporates several powerful native features, including token issuance capabilities, a built-in decentralized exchange, and support for non-fungible tokens.

The Role of XRP in the Network

XRP serves as the native digital asset of the XRP Ledger and plays an essential role in maintaining the networks security and utility. It is required for all transaction fees on the ledger, ensuring spam resistance and predictable execution costs.

XRP acts as a highly liquid bridge asset, allowing seamless movement between fiat currencies and facilitating instant settlement for financial institutions and fintech platforms building on XRPL. Its function in real-time liquidity provisioning supports the ledgers vision of powering scalable global payments.

Amplify Launches XRP-Based Option Income ETF

Last week, Amplify ETFs introduced the first XRP-based option income exchange-traded fund, the Amplify XRP 3% Monthly Premium Income ETF (XRPM).

The new fund expands Amplifys YieldSmart familyan options-focused ETF lineup designed to balance income generation with capital appreciation. XRPM offers exposure to XRPs price dynamics while pursuing high, recurring income through an actively managed covered call strategy.
The Trump administration has started to dismantle the US Department of Education to reportedly 'free schools' from federal oversight. However, many state officials warn it could create chaos instead for millions of students relying on federal support.

Under the plan, key functions of the department will be distributed across the Labor, Health and Human Services, State, and Interior departments.

Critics say this would create confusion for schools on who manages funding, policy guidance, and compliance. Not only will it increase bureaucracy, but it also risks leaving students without support in subjects like math and reading.

What Will Happen to Schools?

Dismantling the US Department of Education will be a game-changer for schools, as it has been acting as a central authority for funding, oversight, and guidance on federal education programs.

Now, Trump wants much of its work to be transferred to other federal agencies.

Per PBS, Washington state's education chief warned that the move could 'undoubtedly create confusion and duplicity' for educators and families. California's top education official also described the shift as 'clearly less efficient', noting the potential disruption for both administrators and students.

Maryland's superintendent added that coordinating efforts across four separate federal departments would be 'challenging', which means it would slow or complicate everyday school operations.

Jill Underly, Wisconsin's state superintendent, expressed frustration that states were not consulted, noting that it's now what they and students are asking for.

Dispersed Federal Funding and Oversight: Is It More Efficient?

Education Secretary Linda McMahon assured schools that they will still receive federal funding without interruption. She said the plan, if anything, will provide states with more flexibility and money to meet local needs, while ending what she called 'federal micromanagement'.

However, experts warn that dispersing funding responsibilities could create inconsistencies.

Critics specifically note that the Education Department was created in 1979 to consolidate programs scattered across multiple agencies. For a long time, this reduced duplication and inconsistency, which the new plan threatens to revive.

In Salem, Massachusetts, some schools receive roughly $6 million (4.9 million) in federal support for low-income and special-needs students. With the Trump administration's new plan, there will be massive confusion and hardship about additional requirements and restrictions that they never had to consider before.

The Labor Department will assume control of Title I, an $18 billion (14.6 billion) programme that serves 26 million students in low-income areas. Previously, the office administering this programme handled grants for just 130,000 people annually.

Angela Hanks, who led the office under the Biden administration, warned this could 'unleash chaos on school districts, and ultimately, on our kids'. Local officials share similar concerns.

A Chaotic Future for Students and Teachers

The full impact of the reorganisation may take months to become clear, but states and districts are anxious. Without clear federal contacts, there will be a struggle to access necessary support, potentially leaving vulnerable students at risk.

Rep. Bobby Scott, ranking member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, urged McMahon to reconsider. While intending it as a 'hard reset', the plan risks leaving schools with more bureaucracy and fewer resources.

Margaret Spellings, former education secretary under President George W. Bush, called the current plan a distraction from America's 'national education crisis'. She warned that moving programmes does not remove bureaucracy but may make the system harder for teachers, families, and students.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
The US Department of Education has opened a federal investigation into the University of California, Berkeley, examining whether the institution violated campus safety laws following a protest that turned violent at a conservative student group event earlier this month.

The probe, announced Tuesday by Education Secretary Linda McMahon, focuses on potential violations of the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Acta federal law requiring colleges receiving federal funding to accurately report crime statistics and maintain campus safety protocols.

The investigation comes two months after Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University in September, lending heightened significance to campus security at subsequent events hosted by the conservative organization.

The November 10 Incident

Violence erupted on November 10 when protests broke out at a Turning Point USA event on the UC Berkeley campus. Four people were arrested during the confrontation, and at least one person was injured after being struck in the head by a thrown object, according to reports from Cal Matters and local authorities.

Turning Point USA, a nonprofit that promotes conservative values on high school and college campuses, has received newfound attention and scrutiny following the assassination of its co-founder Kirkan ally of President Donald Trumpexactly two months before the Berkeley event.

"Just two months after Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was brutally assassinated on a college campus, UC Berkeley allowed a protest of a Turning Point USA event on its grounds to turn unruly and violent, jeopardizing the safety of its students and staff," McMahon said in a statement announcing the investigation.

The Education Secretary emphasized that the department would "vigorously investigate this matter to ensure that a recipient of federal funding is not allowing its students to be at risk."

Dual Federal Investigations

The Education Department probe represents the second federal investigation UC Berkeley now faces over the same incident. The Department of Justice previously announced its own investigation earlier this month, claiming that "Antifa"a decentralized, left-wing movementwas involved in the November 10 protests.

The dual investigations signal an escalating confrontation between the Trump administration and UC Berkeley specifically, and liberal-leaning higher education institutions more broadly.

The Education Department's Office of Federal Student Aid will lead the investigation, giving UC Berkeley 30 days to produce extensive documentation including:

Copies of the university's 2025 Annual Security Report and any revised versions

An "audit trail" of all crime incidents from 2022-2024, organized by offense classification

All arrests made by UC Berkeley Police Department or other law enforcement agencies from 2022-2024

Referrals for disciplinary action against students or employees for weapons, drugs, or liquor violations

UC Berkeley Police Department activity, dispatch, and call logs for 2022-2025

Daily crime logs for 2022-2025

All Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications issued

Campus patrol and sector maps utilized by police and security

The comprehensive document request suggests federal investigators are examining not just the November 10 incident but systemic compliance issues extending back several years.

History of Clery Act Violations

UC Berkeley's troubled history with the Clery Act adds significant context to the current investigation. The Education Department pointedly noted this history in its announcement, describing the university as having "a pattern" of violations.

In 2020, UC Berkeley was fined $2.4 million under a settlement agreement for the misclassification of 1,125 crimes and insufficient public crime logs. The six-year federal review that led to that penalty revealed thousands of crime incidents were misclassifiedthe majority related to liquor, drug, and weapons violations.

UC Berkeley acknowledged that it had referred students for disciplinary proceedings but wrongly classified many violationsparticularly minors in possession of alcohol in residence hallsas campus policy violations rather than law violations, as required under the Clery Act.

The 2014-2020 investigation also uncovered:

Failure to comply with sexual violence policies and procedures

Failure to maintain accurate and complete daily crime logs

Failure to disclose accurate hate crime statistics

Failure to issue emergency notifications

Notably, the Education Department's finding about emergency notification failures centered on a February 2017 campus visit by right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos, which sparked violent protests causing $100,000 in campus damages. The investigation determined UC Berkeley failed to notify students of any violence until an hour after protests began escalatinga delay deemed unacceptable under Clery Act requirements.

As part of the 2020 settlement, UC Berkeley agreed to appropriately train Campus Security Authorities, review campus safety procedures and forms, and submit revised campus safety policies and updated crime statistics to the Department. The agreement stipulated ongoing federal monitoring, including periodic on-site visits.

The current investigation will examine whether UC Berkeley has maintained compliance with that settlement agreement or whether the November 10 incident reveals continued deficiencies in campus safety protocols.

The Clery Act Explained

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Actcommonly known as the Clery Actwas enacted in 1990 following the rape and murder of 19-year-old Jeanne Clery in her Lehigh University residence hall in 1986.

The law requires colleges and universities receiving federal student aid to:

Annually disseminate a public Annual Security Report to employees and students

Include statistics of campus crime in these reports

Detail efforts to improve campus safety

Issue timely warnings of crimes that pose ongoing threats

Maintain publicly accessible daily crime logs

Develop and disseminate emergency notification procedures

The Federal Student Aid office is responsible for Clery Act enforcement and can undertake investigations of specific incidents or conduct broader program reviews examining systemic compliance challenges.

Violations can result in substantial finesas UC Berkeley discovered with its $2.4 million penaltyand potentially even loss of eligibility for federal student aid, though such extreme sanctions are rare.

UC Berkeley's Response

Dan Mogulof, a UC Berkeley assistant vice chancellor, responded to the investigation announcement by email, stating that the university "has an unwavering commitment to abide by the laws, rules and policies that are applicable to the university."

Mogulof confirmed UC Berkeley "will continue to cooperate with governmental inquiries and investigations."

The university provided public reports about two violent crimes that occurred November 10, according to Mogulof, suggesting officials believe they met their immediate notification obligations under the Clery Act for that specific incident.

However, the federal investigation's scope extends well beyond a single day's events, examining whether systemic compliance issues persist despite the 2020 settlement agreement and whether the university has adequately reformed its campus safety reporting and response protocols.

Broader Pattern of Federal Scrutiny

The Education Department investigation represents just one thread in an increasingly complex web of federal scrutiny facing UC Berkeley and the broader University of California system.

In June, the Department of Justice announced it would investigate hiring practices at UC Berkeley to examine whether efforts to boost faculty diversity violate anti-discrimination lawsa probe reflecting the Trump administration's broader campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at universities.

UC Berkeley and other California schools were also included in a March 10 list of 60 universities and colleges under investigation by the Education Department for antisemitism, reflecting heightened federal attention to campus climate issues surrounding Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Jewish student safety.

A federal judge recently ruled against the federal government's "blanket policy of denying any future grants" to UCLA, determining that the Trump administration can't demand payouts from University of California member institutions as it conducts civil rights investigations. This ruling may have implications for how aggressively federal agencies can leverage funding threats during investigations.

Political Context: Trump vs. California Higher Education

The multiple simultaneous federal investigations of UC Berkeley should be understood within the broader political context of the Trump administration's confrontational approach to higher education, particularly institutions perceived as liberal bastions.

UC Berkeley has long held symbolic importance as the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement in 1964a legacy that has evolved into contemporary tensions over whose speech receives protection and when security concerns justify limiting events or demonstrations.

Conservative groups and Republican politicians have repeatedly accused Berkeley of creating hostile environments for right-wing speakers while tolerating disruptive protests against conservative events. The 2017 Milo Yiannopoulos incident remains a touchstone in these debates, with conservatives citing it as evidence of Berkeley's failure to protect conservative speech.

The current investigationslaunched shortly after Kirk's assassination at another universitysuggest the Trump administration views campus safety around conservative events as a civil rights and regulatory compliance issue worthy of aggressive federal intervention.

The Free Speech Paradox

UC Berkeley finds itself navigating an extraordinarily complex challenge: how to simultaneously protect free speech rights of controversial speakers, ensure safety of students and speakers, respect rights of protesters to demonstrate, and maintain orderly campus operationsall while complying with detailed federal reporting and notification requirements.

When protests turn violent or disruptive, university administrators face criticism regardless of their response. Aggressive security measures prompt accusations of suppressing protest rights; more permissive approaches invite chargeslike those now leveled by the Trump administrationof failing to maintain campus safety.

The Clery Act investigation focuses narrowly on procedural compliance issues: Did Berkeley accurately report crimes? Did it issue timely warnings? Did it maintain proper logs and documentation? But these technical questions sit atop deeper, more contentious debates about free speech, protest rights, and whose safety universities should prioritize when conflicts emerge.

What It Means for Other Universities

The UC Berkeley investigation sends clear signals to universities nationwide about the Trump administration's enforcement priorities regarding campus safety, particularly around conservative speaker events.

Universities hosting Turning Point USA or similar conservative groups can expect heightened scrutiny of their security planning, incident reporting, and compliance with Clery Act notification requirements. Any violence or disruption at such events may trigger federal investigations examining not just the immediate incident but years of compliance history.

The comprehensive document requestsdemanding logs and records extending back to 2022suggest investigators are looking for patterns of non-compliance rather than evaluating single incidents in isolation. Universities with histories of Clery Act violations, like Berkeley, face particularly intensive scrutiny.

Institutions may respond by implementing more aggressive security measures for controversial events, potentially including separation of protesters and attendees, enhanced law enforcement presence, or restrictions on protest locationsmeasures that themselves generate controversy about free expression rights.

Looking Ahead

The investigation's outcome remains uncertain. UC Berkeley could face additional fines if violations are found, enhanced monitoring requirements, or mandated reforms to campus safety protocols. In extreme casesthough unlikely given Berkeley's stature and federal funding dependenciesClery Act violations can theoretically result in loss of federal student aid eligibility.

More likely, the investigation will conclude with findings of specific deficiencies, additional settlement requirements, and continued federal oversight extending the monitoring relationship that began with the 2020 settlement.

The broader political dynamics suggest this represents just one battle in an extended campaign by the Trump administration to reshape higher education's approach to campus culture, free speech, and political expressionwith UC Berkeley serving as both symbol and test case for federal enforcement strategies.

For now, UC Berkeley has 30 days to compile and submit the requested documentation, beginning a process that will determine whether the university has successfully reformed its campus safety practices or whether the November 10 incident reveals persistent institutional failures to meet federal requirements for protecting campus communities.
By Kritika Lamba

(Reuters) -Grindr's two largest shareholders said on Wednesday that they had withdrawn their proposed $3.46 billion offer to take the dating app private, shortly after the company ended talks over financing concerns.

Ray Zage and James Lu, who together own more than 60% of Grindr's outstanding shares, had offered $18 per share last month, representing a 51% premium over the company's stock price at the time.

However, Grindr's special committee ended negotiations earlier this week, citing that they were "unable to obtain satisfactory information about definitive financing."

The two shareholders said they had received strong interest from lenders and investors to support the transaction but did not disclose their names.

Following the withdrawal, Zage said he intended to buy additional Grindr shares and urge the board to expand stock buyback and consider dividends.

"I think buybacks are generally well appreciated, but Zage's purchases are probably more impactfull for general investor confidence, given investors see a vote of continued confidence in the business," said Chandler Willison, analyst at MScience.

The bidders said they remain confident in Grindr's strategy, citing third-quarter results that keep the company on pace for about 26% full-year revenue growth. They also noted that senior management prefers Grindr to stay public.

The company's shares have fallen 29% this year, as the dating industry struggles with slowing user growth and rising "swiping fatigue", although they have still performed better than those of rivals Match Group and Bumble.

The app, which has millions of users across more than 190 countries, focuses on same-sex relationships and is the first dating platform to integrate sexual health tools.

Zage and Lu acquired Grindr in 2020 from Chinese gaming firm Kunlun Tech, after U.S. regulators raised national security concerns over data privacy. They later took the company public via a SPAC merger in late 2022.

(Reporting by Kritika Lamba in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid and Anil D'Silva)
Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam.
By Jonathan Stempel

(Reuters) -Victims of Hamas' October 2023 attack on Israel sued Binance and its founder Changpeng Zhao, accusing them of facilitating millions of dollars in payments to the group and other U.S.-designated terrorist groups.

According to a complaint made public on Monday, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange laundered money for Hamas even after pleading guilty in November 2023 and paying a $4.32 billion criminal penalty for violating federal anti-money-laundering and sanctions laws.

The plaintiffs include 306 American victims of Hamas' attack, including relatives of people killed, injured or taken hostage, and subsequent attacks by various groups.

They accused Binance of knowingly enabling Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Iran's Revolutionary Guard to move more than $1 billion through its platform, including more than $50 million after the October 7 attack.

Zhao pleaded guilty to anti-money-laundering violations in connection with Binance's plea and served a four-month prison sentence. U.S. President Donald Trump pardoned him on October 23.

"Binance intentionally structured itself as a refuge for illicit activity," the complaint said. "To this day, there is no indication that Binance has meaningfully altered its core business model."

In a statement, Binance declined to discuss the lawsuit but said "we comply fully with internationally recognized sanctions laws." A lawyer representing Zhao in related litigation declined to comment.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory and triple damages, among other remedies.

BIG TRANSACTIONS LINKED TO BRAZILIAN LIVESTOCK OPERATOR

According to the complaint, large sums of cryptocurrency went through accounts of people with no obvious financial means to explain them.

They allegedly included a Venezuelan woman who appeared to operate a Brazilian livestock-related company, Fazenda Amazonia, or Amazonia Farm in English.

Her account, opened in 2022 when she was 26, allegedly received more than $177 million in deposits, and more than $130 million in withdrawals were made, the complaint said.

"When a company chooses profit over even the most basic counterterrorism obligations, it must be held accountable - and it will be," Lee Wolosky, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said in a statement.

The complaint was filed in North Dakota federal court. It said at least two suspicious transactions went through online addresses in Kindred, North Dakota, which has about 1,000 people.

Binance and Zhao are separately defending against a lawsuit by other attack victims in Manhattan federal court. The lawsuit claims they provided a "clandestine" funding mechanism for Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad to raise money and transact illegal business for several years.
Worker died after partial collapse of Rome's Torre dei Conti three weeks ago.

Work got under way in Rome on Wednesday to secure a mediaeval tower whose partial collapse on 3 November resulted in the death of a construction worker.

The works will involve securing the facade to protect the 13th-century Torre dei Conti, a landmark located near the Colosseum and Roman Forum.

Police have authorised the release of part of the construction site which had been subject to a seizure order following the disaster, amid an investigation for manslaughter, negligent disaster and serious injury.

Octav Stroici, a 66-year-old Romanian man, was trapped under the rubble for more than 11 hours was extracted alive by firefighters but died after arriving in hospital.

Rome's mayor Roberto Gualtieri declared a day of mourning for Stroici, and ordered the evacuation of a number of residential and commercial buildings in the vicinity of the tower.

Photo by Wanted in Rome, 3 November 2025, as rescue efforts were under way to save Octav Stroici from the Torre dei Conti.
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) recently stated that its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division has delivered the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine Massachusetts (SSN 798) to the U.S. Navy.

The Massachusetts is the 12th Virginia-class submarine completed by NNS and the 25th produced under its teaming agreement with General Dynamics Electric Boat.

Overview of HIIs Virginia-Class Submarine Program

HIIs Virginia-class submarine program exemplifies strong collaboration and efficiency. Together with its partner, General Dynamics Electric Boat, it is producing the most advanced attack submarines in the fleet.

Leveraging decades of submarine-building expertise, Newport News Shipbuilding is one of only two shipyards qualified to design and construct nuclear-powered submarines for the U.S. Navy. It also provides engineering, design and worldwide fleet maintenance support.

The company is constructing the U.S. Navys most advanced attack submarines, the Virginia-class. Designed for the Navys post-Cold War mission needs, these submarines incorporate cutting-edge technologies that enhance firepower, maneuverability and stealth. They can exceed submerged speeds of 25 knots and remain underwater for up to three months.

Growth Potential

Nations are ramping up investments in submarines to strengthen their naval warfare capabilities. Per a report by the Mordor Intelligence firm, the submarine market is expected to witness a compound annual growth rate of 4.17% during 2025-2030. This outlook suggests significant growth potential for Huntington Ingalls, which holds a strong and profitable position in the military submarine sector.

Some other defense players that can gain from the expanding submarine market are General Dynamics Corp. (GD), Northrop Grumman Corp. (NOC) and BAE Systems plc (BAESY).

General Dynamics Marine Systems segment is the U.S. Navys premier designer and builder of nuclear-powered submarines. The segment develops advanced weapon systems, combat control systems, sonar systems, and cybersecurity solutions for the Navys Virginia-class, Ohio-class and Columbia-class submarines.

GD stock boasts a long-term (three to five years) earnings growth rate of 12.81%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 sales is pegged at $51.97 billion, which indicates a rise of 8.9%.

Northrop Grumman is a leading supplier of missile launch systems for naval submarines. The company produces Launcher Subsystem hardware that supports the common missile compartment program for both the Columbia-class and Dreadnought-class submarines.
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill says she expects the recruitment process to support 24/7 cardiac care at University Hospital Waterford will be complete in the coming months, but would not commit to a date.

The minister was responding to a recent parliamentary question submitted by Waterford Sinn Fein TD Conor McGuinness.

In his question, Deputy McGuinness asked if the minister would commit to a date for the delivery of 24/7 cardiac care at UHW and when people in the South East would be able to avail of the service.

Minister Carroll MacNeill said she visited UHW earlier this year and that the government has invested significantly in the facility to support 24/7 cardiac care.

The final step in service expansion is the introduction of a full 24/7 out-of-hours emergency cardiac service. I am pleased to confirm that I have directed the HSE to progress this.

We are working closely with both the hospital team and the HSE to ensure the appropriate resourcing to ensure UHW is proportionally staffed, and to bring UHW in line with other centres providing emergency cardiac care.

"We expect this work to be completed in the coming months, subject to the availability of the necessary specialist workforce, said Minister Carroll MacNeill.
Irelands leading home care provider, Dovida, is hiring more caregivers in Waterford to meet increasing demand for home care in the community, with both rural and urban positions available.

A spokesperson for the business said the new roles will be a mix of flexible and fixed-hour positions designed to suit a variety of people, depending on their circumstances and availability.

He said the business is encouraging applications from people from diverse backgrounds, and new caregivers will undergo a comprehensive training and onboarding process. Dovida offers caregivers the opportunity to choose their hours around what best suits their lifestyle.

The company also offers fixed-hour contracts with a minimum of 25 hours guaranteed per week, however, full-time positions are also available and people in receipt of social welfare can also apply to work a set number of hours, depending on the type of support they receive.

Dovida caregivers provide vital home support to people in their communities, which allows them to remain in their own home and connected to their family and friends.

The majority of the companys clients are over 65 years of age, however, Dovida is increasingly providing support to younger people living with a disability.

We currently have high demand for home support in Waterford, and were hoping our new caregivers can help us keep more people safe, well and independent in their own homes across the county, said Steven Tubbritt, General Manager of Dovida Waterford.

Latest figures compiled by Home and Community Care Ireland (HCCI), an organisation representing Irelands independent home care providers, showed there were 574 people on a waiting list for HSE Home Support Services across the region CHO 5 (Carlow/Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford) last year.

With the population of over-65s projected to double by 2051, demand for home support and caregivers will continue to rise and Mr Tubbritt said flexibility is a key component of Dovida's caregivers.

Our caregivers are a broad church; we have people who fit their work around family, other work, or study commitments, we have people who have retired and want to do something in retirement to give back to their community that also fits into their lifestyle, and we also have people who work with us providing care full-time," he said.

A lot of people who come to us have had previous experience caring for a family member and have realised this is something they have a passion for," he added.

He also said there are opportunities for career progression: We have caregivers who have moved into office support roles, such as scheduling and operations. We have some people who have started out as caregivers and worked all the way up to General Manager."

"But we also have people who worked in the office and moved into caregiving roles," he said.

"Success has many faces, and its all about what suits you best. If you want to build a career in care, Dovida is the place to do it," he added.

Dovida welcomes applications from experienced health care professionals as well as those new to care and is committed to supporting them every step of the way.

Those interested in pursuing a rewarding career in care can visit https://dovida.ie/career/become-a-caregiver/ or call 051 333966.
According to a new report, South East Technological University (SETU) has delivered an impact of just over a billion euro on the economy.

On Wednesday, November 26, staff, students, academics, local representatives and stakeholders assembled on campus for the publication of the universitys Economic and Social Impact Study.

The report unveiled key findings on the progress and influence, both economic and social, of the only university within the South East region.

President of SETU Professor Veronica Campbell stated in her speech that the institution is now one the the region's largest employers and generates up to 350 million in return.

She said: "SETU supports over 3,600 jobs both directly and indirectly, employing a network of staff across disciplines and professions at its campuses spanning the South East. We are one of the regions largest employers. Our international students also enrich our campuses and communities, contributing 28 million every year to the regional economy."

'SETU is working'

Chairperson of the Governing Body Professor Patrick Prendergast said in his speech: "The findings are clear; SETU is working. It delivers significant value, educationally, economically and socially. The estimated economic impact of the University last year stands at over 1 billion euro. As SETUs governing body, we are committed to fulfilling our leadership role on the basis of evidence.

It's why today's economic and social impact study is so important. It provides the reliable information that effective strategic planning requires.

Prof. Prendergast ended: With the continued support of government, industry partners and our communities, I am confident that SETU will continue to deliver transformative impact, economically, socially and culturally across the South East and for our country as a whole. The report was independently developed by economic consultants Indecon.

Managing director at Indecon Alan Gray was at the event and spoke a few words from the podium about the reports findings. He said: "Due to its unique position as the only university in the region, SETU is likely to hold greater regional significance than many universities elsewhere in Ireland. SETU plays a vital role in building skills, enabling individuals to achieve their potential, enhancing enterprise capacity, and strengthening the regions attractiveness for foreign investment and high-skilled employment.

Dr Colm OReardon, Secretary General at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, gave the final address: commending SETU staff, students and hinted substantial major investment from the Government in the very near future.

Dr O'Reardon said: "I'm very confident that SETU will be a significant beneficiary of that investment, particularly based on everything we've heard today, that will add to the work that we're doing in terms of expanding programs, particularly the veterinary and pharmacy program, and to the work that's going on the car parking, the new STEM building. I think adds up to a significant level of investment in the future that we're talking about, which is about doing what we know works."

Regional Development

The report covered the regional impact of the university in terms of students, showing that the majority of the student body are from the South East region. For the 2023/2024 term, 42.8% of students from Waterford were enrolled at SETU.

The report read: at least 16% of students said they would be unlikely to go to college or university in Ireland if SETU didnt exist. Student numbers are expected to rise by up to 30% by 2040.

In 2024, the South East region accounted for 7.1% of all agency-assisted jobs across Ireland. The agencies include the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and Udaras na Gaeltachta-supported companies. The South East region is at the third-lowest rung nationwide, above the Border region (6.0%) and the Midlands (3.6%).

Prof. Campbell later told the News and Star that her team were absolutely delighted by the findings of the Indecon report. She said: I think it is a really fantastic testament to SETUs contribution to the region when youre actually able to put numerical value on that and an economic value in this case.

Its the aggregated range of activities that SETU are engaged in that his this overall impact of 1 billion. It shows that for every 1 of public investment into the university, the university generates a return of 5.

Future works

Looking forward, Prof Campbell spoke briefly about the incoming courses for the veterinary and pharmacy courses. She commented: "These programs are on the CEO already, and we are doing some refurbishment of existing spaces, but we also have plans for a new veterinary and pharmacy building on The Glassworks in Waterford."

According to Prof. Campbell, the first veterinary and pharmacy building will be on the former Waterford Crystal site; "All going well, that will be there for 2028."

On the subject of student accommodation, Prof Campbell said sites have been identified on SETU's land and that feasibility studies have bee carried out. She said: "Some of our own student accommodation here is really oversubscribed, and we have many students who are commuting long distances, and we really want to be in a position to provide more student accommodation for them.

"We are engaged with the Department on how we unlock that because we know the importance of having affordable student accommodation at SETU and the South-East."
Waterford City and County councillors voted 30-2 in favour of passing a 207 million budget that will see commercial rates rise by 3.5%. City centre businesses have lashed out against the council as they continue to protest rising costs.

Social Democrat Mary Roche and Independent David Daniels were the sole objectors to the proposed budget.

The councils commercial rates, which are currently some of the highest in the country, will now rise to an Annual Rate Valuation (ARV) of .3082. The ARV functions as a multiplier on a businesss property value.

If a businesss property is valued at 10,000, the business will pay commercial rates of 3,082 to the council for the year. ARV has risen by 12.46% since 2020.

Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council Sean McKeown framed the rise as a necessary measure, which will raise an additional 1.26 million for essential services. He said the rise was in line with the Consumer Price Index.

This is a cost stability measure, ensuring we can continue delivering the services that businesses rely on every day, Mr McKeown said.

These include street cleaning and public rail maintenance, road and footpath upkeep.

The Waterford Business Group, a collection of almost 90 retailers based in the city centre, claimed Mr McKeown and the council were so far out of touch with the business costs facing SMEs.

Maeve Ryan and Dean Lavin, Managing Directors of The Book Centre and Gadget Man respectively, are two members of the business group.

They told the Waterford News & Star that operating a city centre SME has become almost untenable amid rising minimum wages, energy prices and the incoming auto-enrolment pension scheme.

Both said that if commercial rates were to continually rise without a perceived increase in support from the council, SMEs could take collective action and refuse to pay rates.

A council divided

Members across party lines championed the budget as progressive and hailed the increase of 2.4 million earmarked for housing, while simultaneously striking issue with the increase in commercial rates.

Social Democrat Mary Roche said that while she believed retailers need to be doing more themselves, when they tell us that they're feeling an awful lot of pain, I think we have to listen to them.

Cllr. Roche proposed an amendment to the budget that would divert 1.26 million worth of spending from the general municipal allowance, economic development, local roads and housing, in order to stabilise commercial rates.

The proposal to decrease spending on roads (which is due to increase in the budget) was met with groans across the chamber. Cllr. Roches proposed amendment was not seconded.

Independent Councillor Joe ORiordan said that a county-wide effort is badly needed.

We can write off millions for the airport, put hundreds of thousands into Mount Congreve, but then were putting another punitive increase to the retail sector Retail businesses feel theyre isolated and alone.

Waterford Business Group sent a batch email to all 32 councillors on Sunday, November 23, and Monday, November 24.

The Book Centres Maeve Ryan said as of Tuesday afternoon, the group had received just three replies from councillors, with one being an automated response.

The group received correspondence from Fianna Fail Councillor John OLeary, bemoaning the group for emailing on a Sunday evening. Cllr. OLeary insisted that it was a reply made in jest, intended towards an individual member of the business group.

Cllr. OLeary said to the Waterford News & Star: We know business is tough and it's difficultthe council in general puts an awful lot of money towards their way.

He cited Winterval as a way in which council spending indirectly uplifts business in the city centre.

I want to see the best shops in Waterford. We want to see the best facilities, the best retail and the best value for the people of Waterford.

He said he could not support Cllr. Roche in stabilising commercial rates, as it would mean divesting from rural roads.

'So greedy they dont see the bigger picture'

Ms Ryan and Mr Lavin cited the fate of The Vintage Factory and Slice Wood Fire Pizza, two local businesses that will close in December.

It's make or break for a lot of businesses at this time of the year. [Commercial rates] are just adding an extra pressure and stress to go out of our way and combat this, Mr Lavin said to the News & Star.

Ms Ryan said parking rates in the city are also having a detrimental effect on footfall, but the councils correspondence with businesses is lack-lustre.

Other towns have things like pay for the first hour, get the second hour free or free parking between certain days, or the quiet days. We don't do any of that sort of stuff, Ms Ryan said.

The council here is so greedy they don't see the bigger picture.

Mr Lavin currently represents the Waterford retailers on the City Centre Management Group - a coalition of local stakeholders and council members designed to coordinate on matters of economic interest.

He said not one thing about a commercial rates increase had been communicated during the management groups last meeting on November 4.

Owner of Luca Records and Momo Restaurant Harry ONeill described the city centre as dead on its feet with a crippling lack of footfall.

Its like a perfect storm, Mr ONeill said.

A lot of businesses will go: You know what? I actually can't do this anymore. I was already hanging on. So that'll tip those businesses over the edge, you'll see more businesses close, then the take from the rates for the council is going to drop again, and then you're going to have the council putting up the rates again.

It's actually counterproductive.

Council - 'It has to be a collegial effort'

Mr McKeown said that Waterfords relatively high ARV was a misleading figure, due to the fact that it is multiplied against Waterfords property valuations, which may be cheaper than neighbouring counties.

He said that government funding now makes up 44% of the councils budget, while income from local property tax and commercial rates has decreased to 31%.

He also pointed to the Prompt Payments Initiative, where any business that has registered with the initiative will not face an increase in rates - provided their total payment is less than 5,000.

Mr McKeown said more than 70% of Waterford businesses fall into this category, though most retailers in the city centre will be excluded due to higher property valuations.

The Cleaner, Greener Waterford scheme also allows businesses with a commercial rates bill of less than 10,000 to claim a 9% rebate on their bill, provided they take steps to reduce their carbon footprint.

The councils Director of Economic Development, Michael Quinn, said: We are doing a lot to support activity in the city centre, to support retail, to support hospitality in the city centre, I'm holding open to doing moreIt has to be a collegial effort.

We need the retail sector, the hospitality sector, to row in together to actually make proposals that we can then bring forward or support in some way."

Mr Quinn said that proposals to change parking rates on certain days of the week were difficult to implement as each parking machine would have to be reprogrammed individually.

Proposals for the council to support a magazine promoting the citys retail output were rejected because the council was opposed to supporting the production of a paper-based product.

Mr Quinn said that if the business group were to produce an app, the council would support its promotion.

Our attitude was if a stakeholder is developing an app, put money and effort into developing the app, then we will put money into promotion.

It has to have ownership. It has to have buy-in from stakeholders; otherwise, it's going to go out of date, and it's basically a waste of money.

We will not be found wanting in terms of supporting the retail, hospitality sectors in our town centres, but it is not an easy challenge, but we will be thereWe will engage with the retailers, and we'll see what we can put together in terms of a program that will help lift the retail and hold retail in the city and town centres.

Supported by the Local Democracy Scheme
Women are paid slightly more than men at Waterford City and County Council.

That is according to the councils annual pay gap report, which shows that on average, female employees are paid 0.7% more than males.

Council Chief Executive Sean McKeown said the report was a reflection of the demographics of the organisation and an indication of female representation in senior management roles.

This year's Gender Pay Gap shows that on average, females are paid slightly more than their male counterparts.

This reflects a positive change compared to 2024 and reflects the dedicated efforts made right across the organisation to bridge the gender pay gap.

Waterford City & County Council is a place where all employees have the same opportunities for recognition and career development and are treated fairly and equitably at work, said Mr McKeown.

The report showed an average of 0.70% and a median -9.19% gender pay gap.

This, the report says, indicates that women occupy higher-paid roles than men.

Employers with more than 50 employees in Ireland are required to publish their gender pay gap data before the end of 2025 and within five months of their reference date.

The figures reported by the council are snapshot data collected on June 30, 2025, when 1,059 staff were employed by the local authority.

Of that total, 66% were male while 34% were female.

Director of Services for Planning, Corporate, Culture, HR & IS, Ivan Grimes, said Waterford City and County Council is a fantastic place to work, and we encourage anyone looking for a job to check out the website.

We are committed to fostering and maintaining an open and inclusive workplace community at Waterford City and County Council and to addressing any workplace barriers to equality.

"Our employees have equal opportunities for recognition and career development and are treated fairly and equitably.

The work of local authorities is integral to everyones life in Ireland. Our staff are key to the development of communities across Waterford city and county.

"As an employer, this Council strives to offer a positive and supportive environment for all our employees.

"This includes great learning and development and career progression opportunities, blended working, flexible and family-friendly arrangements, said Mr Grimes.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
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Exclusive NationalInvestigations Watchdogs spent millions with security firm linked to Finks bikie gang Nick McKenzie and Cameron Houston November 27, 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 booming private Australian security firm that has won contracts with federal law enforcement agencies, the nations corruption watchdog, federal departments and AFL clubs is secretly running a security immigration operation on Nauru with a bikie gang-linked contractor and the countrys allegedly corrupt president. Company files and testimony from multiple sources implicate MA Services and its chief executive Micky Ahuja in the bikie-linked deal to provide security to up 350 Australian immigration system deportees on Nauru. Tim Jones, left, and Micky Ahuja from MA Services. Matt Willis The arrangement could see Ahuja and the bikie-gang figures share in a multimillion-dollar security contract ultimately funded by the Albanese government. This mastheads investigation can also reveal persistent allegations from company insiders of serious wrongdoing by MA Services involving mistreatment and exploitation of staff. Those claims are further supported by internal documents and public court cases.

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In 2023, Victorias labour hire regulator applied a raft of conditions to its licence to operate, while the firm was separately accused in state parliament of exploitation on government projects. Insiders also claim female MA Services employees are mistreated. The allegations about MA Services raise serious questions for the Albanese government over its payment of millions of taxpayer dollars to the firm, and likewise for its blue-chip corporate and sporting clients. Among MA Services contracts is a $3.83 million three-year deal to guard the offices of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC)  which is responsible for targeting bikie gangs  at the same time as key company personnel are dealing with firms controlled by a bikie gang. Its also been paid $1.1 million to guard the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Elsewhere, it is being paid more than $19 million to guard the departments of Parliamentary Services, Agriculture and Climate Change and more than $3 million in services for security for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, despite facing allegations it improperly undercuts its rivals in the security industry. Those contract details are publicly available, but MA Services role in the Nauru security operation to protect the small Pacific Island population from deportees deemed too dangerous to stay in Australia, but given visas to Nauru, has been a tightly held secret.

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Earlier this month, the security operation  which is ultimately funded by the Albanese government via its deal with Nauru to take the so-called NZYQ detainees  was plunged into a scandal after an ex-soldier turned whistleblower Oisin Donohoe revealed it involved the Finks outlaw motorcycle gang. The security deal is also deeply controversial because it was overseen by the allegedly corrupt Nauruan president, David Adeang. It can be now revealed MA Services and its chief executive, Micky Ahuja, played a key role in setting up the Nauru security deal, while the firm simultaneously sought to distance itself from the operation. As part of securing the security contract, Ahuja worked closely with senior MA Services employee Tim Jones, who is also a bikie gang associate and helped bring the Finks into the Nauru deal.

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Do not mention MA to anybody, Jones told his colleagues as he worked on the Nauru deal, according to sources who dealt with him. It was all hush-hush when it was set up, another MA insider told this masthead, while also claiming Ahuja and Jones owned the corporate vehicle they created to run their Nauru operation: Nauru Community Safety. Tim Jones, front row on the right, at an event in Nauru wearing a Nauru Community Services shirt. Neither Ahuja nor Jones responded to messages sent by this masthead over the last month. Text messages sighted by this masthead show both Ahuja and Jones discussing the Nauru deal, and Jones was photographed recently in Nauru during an ANZAC Day ceremony in a Nauru Community Safety uniform.

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In one MA Services document, Ahuja is listed as the director of Nauru Community Safety and Jones as the general manager operations. Several other MA executives are listed as senior managers of the Nauru firm, including a former federal police officer, Dirk McLean. Sources said McLean was so concerned about the integrity of the Nauru deal, he repeatedly warned about it inside the companys headquarters. Founder of MA Services Group, Micky Ahuja. Luis Enrique Ascui Jones connections to the bikie world are deep and longstanding due to his ties to Finks global boss Ali Bilal. Jones variously claimed to be a serving or former bikie gang affiliate to multiple MA staff who spoke to this masthead; his son is a fully patched member of the Finks; and Jones owns the NSW house where Bilal lives. Jones has also worked for and promoted Bilals company, Safe Hands, as an MA Services sub-contractor in Victoria, NSW and, most recently, Nauru.

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Jones is also very close to Ahuja and described, in a recently deleted LinkedIn post, how Ahuja was an incredible CEO and had provided Jones a stunning 2025 Ford Everest Sport. Your exceptional leadership inspires both me and our team every day at MA Services Group, the post said. Nauru President David Adeang at Parliament House earlier this month. ABC This masthead can also reveal the family of allegedly corrupt Nauru President David Adeang had direct involvement in the security deal. In November 2024, the president dispatched his son, Damon Adeang, to the Melbourne offices of MA. Multiple MA insiders said they were told that a VIP was coming to discuss a sensitive security contract and when Damon Adeang entered the premises, he was variously introduced as the prince of Nauru and the son of the president.

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There is no suggestion of wrongdoing against Damon Adeang, but his father David Adeang has a sordid history of suspected corruption, with Australian security agencies previously warning the federal government he might have pocketed alleged kickbacks paid by firms subcontracted to run Australias offshore processing regime on Nauru. Related Article Foreign relations $2.5b Nauru deal wont be made public without court challenge or agreement, says Burke Adeang was confronted in a private meeting earlier this month in Canberra by Foreign Minister Penny Wong a day after this masthead and 60 Minutes revealed the Finks role in the Nauru deportee operation, which is ultimately funded under a 30-year deal with the Australian government worth $2.5 billion dollars. I made our expectations about those matters clear  I think he understands what our position is. And our position obviously is one that we expect Australian funds to be used in the appropriate way, Wong told the ABCs 7.30 program of her conversation with Adeang. Greens senator David Shoebridge on Tuesday night accused Adeang of historical corruption: pocketing millions of dollars of Australian taxpayer money from the federal governments previous use of Nauru as an offshore migration outpost in 2020.

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To back up his claims, Shoebridge told the Senate that in 2020, Australias financial crime agency, Austrac, had produced a confidential report alleging Adeangs involvement in corruption and money laundering. MA Servicess dealings with the Adeang regime, and bikie gang-linked figures are not the companys only connection to the suspect characters or dubious practices. An online post listing Ahuja as a director of Nauru Community Safety. In 2018, a security industry identity with underworld ties  and who had previously been arrested by police for a tax fraud scheme involving cash payments to security guards  provided advice to MA Services about how to expand its business. The man brought in several of his associates to MA, but left after a falling-out with Ahuja. MA Services insiders said another MA manager still working at the firm has claimed to have links with a notorious Sydney crime family.

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This masthead has spoken to eight serving or former MA Services insiders who allege the company has engaged in murky behaviour, including the use of sub-contractors to avoid paying guards and cleaners their full entitlements or to shirk tax obligations. Editor's pick Exclusive

Investigations Pouring money into a trough: Senior public servant blows whistle on allegedly corrupt millions This masthead has also spoken to seven security industry insiders who raise serious allegations about MA Services operations, and separately obtained formal documents revealing authorities, tribunals and the firms clients have all held major concerns about the companys practices. One MA Services insider alleged payslips were falsified to cover up the use of sub-contractors and sham contracting, which involves treating employees as individual contractors to avoid paying them properly; a second company insider also alleged the firm used sub-contracts and cash payments to maximise its profits and undercut rivals. Those company sources, along with three other MA insiders, described the allegedly appalling treatment of women who worked for MA, including cases of serious intimidation.

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According to one source, females in the company were often too fearful to speak about their mistreatment: Everyone was scared. In one instance cited by MA Services sources, Tim Jones and two other senior MA managers visited the family home of a senior NSW female MA Services employee who had departed the company and allegedly intimidated her when demanding the return of company property. A photo of the MA Services trio, obtained by this masthead, was briefly posted online by one of the men with an apparent Indian taunt that roughly translates to: Dont confuse us with those who ever back down. A sixth MA insider alleged the firm used up to six different payroll companies in an apparent bid to avoid payroll tax, while claiming the remuneration package for a senior executive was spread across four family members to also avoid tax. A seventh source said as recently as September, MA Services allegedly used a shadow set of employee records to conceal underpayment of security guards.

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The source said the guards were at risk of exploitation, particularly as many are students, are on student or other restricted visas, welfare payments, or unemployment benefits, and are breaching work conditions by working excessive hours. Ali Bilal, global leader of the Finks bikie gang. MA Services clients have also raised serious concerns, with a 2018 letter to the firm from a Victorian government contractor consortium raising allegations that MA was not meeting its obligations to pay full entitlements to security guards on a major government project, exposing us to a risk of prosecution by the Fair Work Ombudsman. In response to the 2018 complaint, MA blamed simple human error and vowed to amend the discrepancies of previous payments to security guards and remedy them moving forward. In August 2020, Victorias then-shadow attorney-general Edward ODonohue used parliamentary privilege to claim MA was ripping off workers on taxpayer-funded projects and that the very serious allegations facing the firm must be investigated.

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Over a year later, the firm told a New Zealand tribunal that inadvertent error was to blame in a security guards underpayment case and committed to undertaking a payroll audit. The New Zealand Employment Relations Authority savaged MA for sacking the guard, ruling his dismissal was unjustified due to the lack of any fair process and that he should be compensated for hurt and humiliation. The NZ authority also declared it had uncovered systemic irregularities in the guards pay on public holidays, finding MA Services had breached the countrys Holidays Act. Tim Jones, who has managed businesses on behalf of Ali Bilal and owns the ACT property where Bilal lives. In 2023, the firm was criticised in an Australian Fair Work Commission case brought by an MA Services guard working at Coles and who claimed MA Services had unlawfully pressured him to quit. He claimed he was told that unless he could personally apprehend more shoplifters, he would have his hours cut and was threatened with reduced shifts when he raised safety concerns. In its judgment, the commission described the sworn evidence of two MA managers who challenged the guards claims as unreliable, finding that one of them was completely unaware of the existence or the contents of the enterprise agreement which set out what a security guard should be paid.

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The commission concluded that while the improper dismissal case brought by the guard failed on a legal technicality, the evidence still showed he had been stood down without pay contrary to his entitlements and that MA had no intention of being bound by the contract of employment. In the same year, Victorias Labour Hire Authority said it would only permit MA to operate in the state subject to a range of conditions, including MAs agreement to tear up agreements that limited overtime or holiday pay and to engage an appropriate external specialist to review employees wages and entitlements and rectify any identified underpayments. Earlier this year, the authority also banned Safe Hands  the Finks-linked company involved in the Nauru security operation with MA Services  from operating in Victoria. There is no suggestion from this masthead that the alleged improper conduct of MA Services has been personally directed by Ahuja or that he is guilty of any criminal or unlawful civil conduct. A Department of Home Affairs spokesperson said the ACICs contract involved guards that were licensed, hold a security clearance and are also subject to the ACICs Organisational Suitability Assessment.

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A spokesperson for the National Anti-Corruption Commission said it had - through an arrangement with the ACIC- engaged MA Services to guard its offices over the past year, but had recently appointed a new provider. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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PoliticsFederalForeign relations Australia was alerted to millions in suspicious payments to Nauru politicians. Then it signed a $2.5b deal Natassia Chrysanthos Updated November 27, 2025  4:24am ,first published November 26, 2025  11:19am 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

Nauruan President David Adeang was suspected of money laundering and corruption by Australian authorities three years before he signed a fresh $2.5 billion deal with the Albanese government in exchange for taking in non-citizens Australia cannot detain. Adeang and Naurus former president, Lionel Aingimea, were implicated in more than $3 million worth of suspicious transactions in nine months, according to warnings from financial intelligence agency AUSTRAC. Many were linked to a company traced to Aingimeas wife that was subcontracted by an Australian firm running the offshore detention regime. Nauru President David Adeang and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Alex Ellinghausen The secret warning to government departments from 2022 has been made public for the first time, after it was read into Hansard on Tuesday night by Greens Senator David Shoebridge. Shoebridge said it was evidence the Albanese government was aware Adeang was suspected of corruption when Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke flew to Nauru to enter a fresh deal with him earlier this year. The Australian government has at all times known that the current Nauruan president and key members of his government are seriously corrupt, and they still signed a $2.5 billion deal with him, Shoebridge said.

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Labors secretive 30-year deal with Nauru will allow Burke to deport hundreds of former immigration detainees released into the community after a High Court ruling in 2023. It was forged in secret this year to solve a political headache for the government, but is coming under mounting scrutiny. Related Article Immigration Secret transcript: Nauru hopes that deportees it receives in $2.5b deal will go home This masthead and 60 Minutes this month revealed members of the Finks bikie gang won a taxpayer-funded contract to provide security on Nauru to the deported cohort, while a transcript of a suppressed interview this week showed Adeang is hoping to send deportees back to their home country. As the government faces further challenges to the regime in the High Court, it is arguing it has no responsibility for what happens to people it deports to Nauru, even if they are subject to harm when they get there. The latest revelation from Shoebridge adds to political pressure over the deal, but Burkes office brushed it off on Wednesday. The government takes advice from our security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies, not from the Greens, a spokesman for the minister said.

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The AUSTRAC report details $3 million in suspicious transactions involving Adeang, who was an MP in the Nauru parliament at the time, then president of Nauru, Aingimea, who is now the parliaments deputy speaker, as well as Aingimeas wife and brother. These transactions involve the movement of funds between personal and business accounts, transactions on behalf of others, and activity indicative of money laundering and corruption, the report, as read by Shoebridge, says. These suspicious transactions occurred over a nine-month period, from January to September 2020, in Nauru, totalling over $2 million in combined credits and over $1 million in combined debits. Central to several of the suspicious transactions is a company called LRC Car Rentals and Construction  a firm associated with Aingimeas wife, Ingrid Aingimea. Shoebridge said in the Senate that a bunch of this money was likely sourced from Canstruct. Still more came from the Nauru government, a government that Australia has had multibillion-dollar dealings with, stretching over a decade.

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This masthead has previously reported that LRC Car Rentals and Construction was subcontracted by Canstruct  an Australian firm that was one of Home Affairs lead contractors maintaining offshore detention in Nauru. Canstruct, at the time of reporting in 2023, said Home Affairs was aware it had used the company and rejected any insinuation that LRC was anything but a company that provided legitimate services and were paid accordingly and appropriately. The AUSTRAC report says one of its previous suspicious matters reports, from September 2020, had identified the rapid movement of large volume, and value of funds by David Adeang, forming a suspicion of corruption and money laundering. Adeang has received funds from 1402 LRC Car Rentals and Construction, the company associated with the Presidentss wife, [Ingrid] Aingimea, it says. There were 15 Osko payments worth $113,797 between January and September 2020, including three from LRC Car Rentals and Construction.

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A further 462 transactions worth $248,888 were associated with a building and construction reference note. He made 140 ATM withdrawals, totalling $68,840, and one branch withdrawal of $700. There was also suspicious activity associated with then-president Aingimea and his wifes personal and business accounts during that period. [Ingrid] Aingimea is recorded with regular credits from the government of Nauru into both her personal and business accounts, the report says. These government payments are subsequently on-transferred to third parties with beneficiaries including her husband, L Aingimea. Ingrid Aingimeas business account, in the name of LRC Car Rentals and Construction, received $580,277 from the Nauru government. It transferred $425,200 of this to her husband.

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Across both her personal and business accounts, Ingrid Aingimea received more than $830,000 from the Nauru government. She transferred $462,500 to her husband and withdrew more than $144,000 in cash. Related Article Foreign relations $2.5b Nauru deal wont be made public without court challenge or agreement, says Burke The AUSTRAC report was shared with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, the Australian Federal Police, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Home Affairs, Office of National Intelligence, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and Australian Secret Intelligence Service. Shoebridge accused the government of secrecy and fuelling corruption. Australia knew about all these corrupt payments, including to now President Adeang, when the Albanese Labor government entered into a fresh $2.5 billion secret deal with this government this year, he said.

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They are still hiding the [memorandum of understanding] that underpins that agreement, hiding the payments that they are making, and refusing to say where the Australian taxpayers money is going. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
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Exclusive PoliticsFederalHousing affordability ONeil reads riot act to agency as Labor seeks to keep housing probe secret Paul Sakkal November 27, 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

Housing Minister Clare ONeil read the riot act to bureaucrats failing to deliver Labors agenda with speed, according to fresh documents that shed new light on the bumpy rollout of big-spending policies designed to alleviate the nations housing shortage. Coalition housing spokesman Andrew Bragg has labelled Housing Australia, the embattled agency overseeing the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund, a dysfunctional hellhole as the Senate rejected a bid by Labor on Wednesday to keep secret a probe into allegations of incompetence and bullying in the agency. Housing Minister Clare ONeil this week. Dominic Lorrimer The HAFF, designed to reverse decades of government underinvestment in housing, did not meet the governments ambitions during Labors first term as construction costs soared. ONeil met the board of Housing Australia in October last year and sent a strong signal about her dissatisfaction.

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We need to move much more quickly, she told the agencys top brass, including former chair Carol Austin, according to a confidential meeting brief document obtained by this masthead. Related Article Exclusive

Housing crisis Labors housing agenda in crisis amid complaints, resignations I will do my bit to get faster decisions through government and to support your team having the resources you need. I also need Housing Australia to carefully consider your processes and models to find efficiencies. The HAFF is a core part of the governments $43 billion suite of measures to address the issues of home ownership and social housing, a top-order concern at the last election when the Coalition offered cheaper mortgages and the Greens pledged rent controls. This masthead reported last month that several executives had quit Housing Australia in protest over alleged bullying and dysfunction inside the agency, which whistleblowers claimed was leading to poor delivery of the HAFF and other programs.

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The whistleblowers complaints led to a secret investigation that found chair Carol Austin did not breach the code of conduct but oversaw an organisation with concerning  challenges. The probe led to the hiring of a new chief executive with years of experience in housing. The secret report into bullying allegations and incompetence at the top of Housing Australia has not been released. Bragg won the support of the Senate to have it made public, but ONeil rejected the Senates request. Liberal frontbencher Andrew Bragg. Alex Ellinghausen The disclosure of the  review would damage the privacy and reputation of individuals referred to in the review, ONeil said in a letter on November 12. Bragg argued ONeils reluctance to match the Senates demands was not good enough.

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Taxpayers funded a $24,000 report into Labors housing hellhole. The Senate has voted for its production. It is buried deep underneath Jim Chalmers Treasury building. The most secretive government in 30 years must exhume it, he said. Labors $10 billion housing boondoggle has failed to build and seems only able to buy homes so far. It is a shambles. In some cases, Canberra will fund investors to profit for 25 years from HAFF homes. This inflates the taxpayer burden to up to $1.3 million per dwelling. Former Housing Australia chair Carol Austin. Dominic Lorrimer The government says the cost of each home is well under $1 million. Since ONeils strong remarks to the Austin-run board, the government claims to have turned the corner on the HAFF. In the first round of funding for new homes, applications took nine months, compared with just over two months in round two.

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The HAFF has now completed 889 homes but the opposition has criticised Housing Australia for purchasing 333 of these from private developers. It is also buying about a third of a planned 18,650 homes. More than 204,000 Australians have bought their first home under the five per cent deposit scheme, which Labor expanded recently and may slightly hike prices, according to government modelling. Housing Australia has a five-year plan to create a total of 40,000 social homes following decades of state and federal underfunding. It is designed to help meet Labors ambitious target of 1.2 million new houses being built by the end of the decade, but it is already at least 60,000 homes behind schedule. The HAFF is being forensically audited by the Australian National Audit Office, which probes many government programs. Voters viewed the Coalition as the party better able to manage the housing crisis earlier this year, according to this mastheads Resolve Political Monitor. However, as Labor campaigned on its election pledges, it overtook the opposition and now has a slight edge. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
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Updated TechnologyNetwork outage Victorian premier demands answers after copper thieves trigger Optus crisis David Swan and Rachel Eddie Updated November 26, 2025  12:24pm ,first published November 26, 2025  7:53am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 65 View all comments

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has sought an urgent briefing after an Optus outage left more than 14,000 customers in the states south-east unable to make calls or use mobile data, with access to emergency services also impacted. Allan described the reports as deeply concerning and said the cause of the outage was still being investigated. The Optus outage affected emergency services calls in south-east Victoria. Getty I can understand why there is a great concern in the community, particularly given some of the more recent incidents that have involved Optus, which is why Ill be seeking urgent advice, she said. Optus confirmed services were fully restored by 11.20am on Wednesday after thieves cut through a fibre cable at a Telstra pit on the Mornington Peninsula while attempting to steal copper.

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This is an act of vandalism. These are criminals that are cutting the fibre that provides vital connectivity to customers, Optus spokeswoman Jane McNamara told ABC Radio Melbourne. Optus chief executive Stephen Rue told a Senate hearing earlier this month he was accountable for the companys failings but did not think Optus or its customers needed a change of leader. Alex Ellinghausen They dont actually know where [the copper] is located, and will cut the infrastructure in that pit. The outage affected six mobile sites across the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston, with some customers in Berwick also reporting issues. Optus said it was not aware of any failed emergency calls during the outage, with calls automatically routed to other carriers networks. The incident comes as Optus faces an ongoing Senate inquiry into a September Triple Zero outage linked to the deaths of two people who could not contact emergency services.

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Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who chairs that inquiry, called for an urgent review of Optus licence. Related Article Updated

Telecommunications TPG says person dead after failed Triple Zero call Optus has failed the Australian people again. They are clearly not capable of providing this essential service and keeping Australians safe, she said. Big telcos continue to put profit over their obligation to safely deliver the Triple Zero service, and Australians are sick of it. Hanson-Young said ACMA, the communications regulator, could not be trusted to investigate the latest incident. They are asleep at the wheel and have clearly demonstrated they are not up to the job of regulating the big telcos.

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Shadow communications spokeswoman Melissa McIntosh said the outage was sending chills up Australians spines and renewed her call for a full independent inquiry into the Triple Zero system. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young. Alex Ellinghausen It is absolutely unacceptable Triple Zero calls are again being impacted by yet another Optus outage, McIntosh said. Regardless of the fault, Optus has an obligation to provide Triple Zero services to Australians anywhere and at any time. McIntosh criticised the government for putting ACMA in charge of investigating the fatal September outage and for failing to implement all recommendations from the Bean Review into Optus 2023 nationwide outage. A federal government spokesperson said early indications suggested vandalism was to blame and that officials were closely monitoring the situation.

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Copper theft from telecommunications infrastructure has become a growing problem across Australia. Victoria Police last year busted an organised crime syndicate responsible for more than 50 large-scale copper thefts worth more than $780,000 in Melbournes northern suburbs. A photo supplied by Optus showing the damage. In South Australia, reported scrap metal thefts have increased by more than 39 per cent over the past four years, prompting the state government to introduce new legislation cracking down on scrap metal dealers. Premier Jacinta Allan on Wednesday. The Age McNamara said the security of critical infrastructure required an industry-wide response.

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Its a significant safety issue, and its something that we need to tackle as an industry, as a sector, she said. There has to be the right penalties and the right legislation in place. Hanson-Young called on Communications Minister Anika Wells to mandate that customers be transferred to other carriers for emergency calls when their network fails  a key outstanding recommendation from the Bean Review. Privatisation of this essential service has failed, she said. Families are still grieving the loss of their loved ones because of Optus negligence. Our Breaking News Alert will notify you of significant breaking news when it happens. Get it here.


Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (ICE) is a leading global operator of financial markets that manages exchanges and clearinghouses worldwide. The company provides platforms for trading futures, options, equities, and commodities, as well as data, analytics, and mortgage technology solutions.

ICE enhances market transparency, facilitates risk management, and supports capital raising across various asset classes. Its headquarters is in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, where it drives efficient market connectivity and trade execution through advanced electronic systems. The company has a market capitalization of $88.05 billion, indicating it is a large-cap stock.

More News from Barchart

The companys stock reached a 52-week high of $189.35 on Aug. 8, but is down 19.3% from that level. Reflecting concerns about slowing trading volumes, ICEs stock declined 15.4% over the past three months. Contrarily, the iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI) declined 3.2% over the same period, indicating that the stock has underperformed its investment services peers.

www.barchart.com

Over the longer term, this underperformance persists. Over the past 52 weeks, ICEs stock has been down 4%, and over the past six months, it has been down 13.2%. On the other hand, the ETF gained 11.6% and 10.8% over the same periods, respectively. The stock has been trading below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages since early August.

www.barchart.com

On Oct. 30, ICE reported a modest 2.6% year-over-year (YOY) growth in net revenues to $2.41 billion for the third quarter of fiscal 2025. Its exchanges segment revenue increased marginally over the prior years period to $1.27 billion. Its adjusted earnings climbed 10.3% YOY to $1.71 per share, higher than the $1.62 per share that Wall Street analysts had expected. Despite these results, the stock dropped 1.4% intraday on Oct. 30 and 1.5% on Oct. 31.

ICE also highlighted its strategic investment of up to $2 billion in Polymarket, a prediction market platform. The company is looking to expand its footprint into the decentralized prediction markets through this investment.

We compare ICEs performance with that of financial derivatives exchanges operator CME Group Inc. (CME), which has climbed 20.4% over the past 52 weeks but declined 3% over the past six months. Therefore, ICE has underperformed CME over these periods.
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Updated TechnologySoftware Premium prices for a downgrade: $96.5 million BoM website savaged David Swan November 26, 2025  1:50pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 291 View all comments

Taxpayers paid premium prices for a downgrade on the Bureau of Meteorologys $96.5 million website redesign, technology experts say, as pressure mounts on the agency and its newly minted chief executive Stuart Minchin after a cost blowout. The bureau has faced sustained criticism since launching the redesigned website in October, with users complaining it is difficult to navigate and that place names on the radar map are hard to read. The project took the bureau nine contract extensions to deliver at 23 times the original quote, and taxpayers will foot the bill. The BoMs website is one of the nations most popular, racking up some 2.6 billion annual page views. Experts told this masthead that the website rebuild should have cost a fraction of $96.5 million. Sam Cust, managing director of digital platform firm Hyper, said the price tag demanded further explanation. The Bureau of Meteorologys new chief executive Stuart Minchin. Alex Ellinghausen

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If this is just a website, its wildly overpriced. If its actually a national-scale infrastructure rebuild, its been poorly explained, Cust told this masthead. Either way, the public deserves clearer answers. Cust said enterprise-grade public websites typically cost between $2 million and $5 million for the web platform itself. Once you push north of that, youre no longer talking about a website  youre talking about a technology transformation program that should be explained and governed as such, he said. How Tuesdays wet weather in Brisbane appeared on the old BOM radar (left) compared to the updated website (right). Bureau of Meteorology Ben Flint, founder of Melbourne-based Supernormal Systems, said his firm used AI-assisted development tools to rebuild the front-end interface to demonstrate what was possible at a fraction of the cost. He said his team completed the rebuild in mere hours for a laugh.

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When I saw the final cost I had the same reaction as most Australians: disbelief, Flint told this masthead. There are 30 years of research on weather interfaces. You dont need to reinvent anything. Ben Flint, founder of Melbourne-based Supernormal Systems. When I saw the final cost I had the same reaction as most Australians: disbelief. That kind of budget should buy you something users actually like; thats easier to use than what it replaced, not harder. If I delivered a project 23 times the quoted price, my reputation would be ruined. Geo George, co-founder of Mayfly Ventures and a product designer who has previously delivered a $21 million government project, said even accounting for the full scope of a back-end rebuild, the cost did not add up. Even with five to 10 years of work, 30 to 60 specialists, infrastructure, security, testing, cloud, compliance and procurement overhead, a serious rebuild of a web plus API platform should land in the low to mid-tens of millions, George said.

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Related Article Opinion

Software The $4.1 million question: How did the BOM get its new website so wrong? David Swan Technology editor $96 million is far beyond that. It suggests scope creep, gold plating, inefficient vendor delivery and governance models that reward process over outcomes. George said the project appeared to have become a machine built to justify itself instead of a product built to serve people. A spokeswoman for the bureau said the website redevelopment was part of a large program of work to improve the long-term security, stability and resilience of critical Bureau services. 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, she said.

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The website is supported by a network of technology infrastructure, security controls, data integrations, geospatial viewers and content management systems. This foundation ensures the website is secure and allows it to draw in huge amounts of data. She said the re-design of the Bureau website cost $4.1 million, while the primary channels platform and website build (writing and testing the data integrations and software based on the re-design) cost $79.8 million. Additional features, security testing and preparedness for website launch cost $12.6 million. This includes the build, test and deployment of feature releases, and performance and load testing to ensure the website can accommodate peak volumes of traffic we see during severe weather. Jasmin Hyde, a corporate communications expert and director of Hyde & Seek Communications, said the redesign appeared to have prioritised the wrong things. For a national organisation like BoM, intuitive and user-friendly navigation should always come before complex features, Ms Hyde said. When people are checking weather warnings, theyre seeking clarity, not bells and whistles.

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Large digital builds often disappoint when they optimise for internal stakeholders instead of real users. Big budgets dont guarantee strong outcomes if scope is not tightly controlled. Cust said the user experience failures reflected a fundamental misunderstanding of how people use the site. People dont go to BoM for a content experience  they go for instant, high-trust decisions. Can I hang washing? Is it safe to swim? Will my wedding be rained out? he said. The old site wasnt pretty, but it respected user intent. The new one appears to prioritise internal stakeholder wishes over real-world user behaviour. Mick Owar, a veteran web developer, said there was nothing about the new website that warranted the price tag. Environment Minister Murray Watt at Parliament House on Monday. Alex Ellinghausen

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What Australians are looking at is a standard weather dashboard  functional enough, but technologically unremarkable, Owar said. A build like this in the private sector would cost a fraction of the price. The $4.1 million figure initially disclosed by the bureau covered only the front-end redesign. It did not include a $78 million contract with consulting firm Accenture, which grew across nine extensions  what Flint described as the classic playbook of underquoting to win the work, then expanding scope until youve built a dependency thats impossible to unwind. Cust said government agencies were structurally vulnerable to such blowouts. In private companies, the person approving spend feels the commercial pain personally. In government, the risk and cost are usually absorbed by the system, not the individual decision-maker, he said. That makes government agencies extremely attractive to large consultancies because long timelines, changing scope and unclear accountability are easier to maintain. New chief executive Stuart Minchin, who has been in the role for just two weeks, said the bulk of the spending was required to secure the bureaus systems following a 2015 cyberattack linked to state-sponsored hackers.

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Dr Stuart Minchin started as the Bureau of Meteorologys chief executive on October 3. Bureau of Meteorology Related Article Extreme weather Watt unaware of scope of $96m blowout of BoM website The bureau said the website now runs on a more secure platform replacing an unencrypted HTTP version that proved vulnerable. Minchin warned that without the upgrade, hackers could have locked up bureau data in a ransomware attack, leaving Australia without weather forecasts for an extended period of time. Environment Minister Murray Watt has asked Minchin to examine the procurement process and report on how costs escalated. Nationals Leader David Littleproud said the bureaus business model is to fail and ask the taxpayer for more money.

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A scheduled update addressing user complaints was postponed last week due to Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina. The Market Recap newsletter is a wrap of the days trading. Get it each weekday afternoon.

Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Software David Swan is the technology editor for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. He was previously technology editor for The Australian newspaper. or email. Connect via Twitter
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WorldAsiaTragedy Hong Kong fire highlights risky choice of bamboo scaffolding James Pomfret and Clare Jim Updated November 27, 2025  7:49am ,first published November 27, 2025  5:25am 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 45 View all comments

Key points The fire rapidly ascended the buildings exterior via bamboo scaffolding and green nylon mesh.

Fire services also discovered styrofoam inside the buildings, which further accelerated the spread into flats and corridors.

A government task force and independent review unit are investigating whether the exterior materials met required fire-retardant standards.

Despite a government push in March requiring 50 per cent of new public works to use metal scaffolding, bamboo remains the dominant material.

Follow our live coverage of the Hong Kong apartment fire here. Hong Kongs deadliest fire in more than half a century has spotlighted its risky use of flammable bamboo scaffolding and mesh for building work in a tradition dating back centuries to mainland China. While the origin of the blaze is still unclear, there was no hiding the ease with which the fire rapidly spread across the green netting and sent bamboo lattices crashing to the ground in flames. Dozens have been confirmed killed and dozens more were missing on Thursday morning. Thick smoke and flames rise as a major fire engulfs several apartment blocks at the Wang Fuk Court. AFP For decades in the skyscraper-strewn former British colony, bamboo has been the material of choice for scaffolding  cheap, abundant and flexible  bound together with nylon cords.

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The craft originated on mainland China where bamboo, viewed as symbolising grace and moral fortitude, has since ancient times been a cornerstone of architecture, even reputedly used for scaffolding and tools in the building of the Great Wall. Loading Now, though, it has largely been phased out there for sturdier metal scaffolding and clamps. But Hong Kong, despite its modernity, still has around 2500 registered bamboo scaffolding masters plying their trade, according to official figures. The number of metal scaffolders is about triple that. Small teams of scaffolders scrambling up vertiginous, gleaming facades to sheathe a building in a matter of weeks is an iconic sight in the global financial hub. The bamboo lattices are also often used alongside green construction mesh to prevent debris from injuring passers-by, as was the case in the tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Hong Kongs northern Tai Po district.

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Hong Kongs leader John Lee said a task force had been set up to investigate the cause of the blaze. Buildings Departments independent review unit will investigate whether the buildings exterior walls meet the fire retardant standard, he told a press conference. If theres any wrongdoing, well pursue accountability in accordance with laws and regulations. For decades in the skyscraper-strewn city, bamboo has been the material of choice for scaffolding. Anthony Kwan/Getty Images

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Related Article Fire Hong Kong fire as it happened: Tai Po apartment blaze continues to burn; three men arrested believed to have been grossly negligent as death toll rises, hundreds still missing Hong Kong secretary for security Chris Tang said preliminary investigations had found that the rapid spread of the fire was suspicious, Hong Kongs South China Morning Post reported. We have found that on the relevant building walls, the netting and waterproof tarpaulin material, once burned, showed spreading of the flames faster than [they should on] regulated materials. This is unusual, he said. The citys director of fire services Andy Yeung Yan-kin also said that officers had discovered styrofoam inside the burning buildings. He said that caused the fire to spread more rapidly within the blocks and ignite flats via the corridors, the Post reported. The fire chief said officers were only able to enter the buildings from the ground floor and that the number of floors that were on fire presented a major difficulty.

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Related Article Tragedy Police pursue grossly negligent construction firm over Hong Kong fire, with hundreds still missing With 44 confirmed killed, the blaze is now the deadliest in Hong Kong in 63 years, surpassing the 1996 Kowloon fire in which 41 died in a commercial building. The 44 deaths match the number of people killed in a fire in the coastal Sham Shui Po district of Hong Kong in August 1962. That blaze started in an area where paper and joss-sticks were stored and then spread to fireworks, according to the South China Morning Post. Lee on Thursday said the Hong Kong government would take special action against ongoing projects, checking whether scaffolding mesh materials meet fire-retardant standards and other safety standards. In March, the government said 50 per cent of new public works contracts would be required to use metal scaffolding going forward.

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But the emphasis appeared to be more on worker safety rather than fire risks. There were 22 deaths involving bamboo scaffolders between 2019 and 2024, according to official figures. Despite the safety push, Hong Kongs secretary for labour Chris Sun said in July that the government has no intention to ban the use of bamboo scaffolds at the moment. In October, a massive bamboo scaffolding caught fire at the Chinachem Tower in the city centre. Again, fire consumed construction netting and bamboo poles, leaving windows burnt out and external walls badly seared. The Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims in Hong Kong said in a Facebook post that there had been at least two other fires involving bamboo scaffolding this year.

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Protective nets, screens and tarpaulin or plastic sheeting installed on the face of scaffolding should have appropriate fire retardant properties in compliance with a recognised standard, says the Hong Kong Labour Departments Code of Practice for Bamboo Scaffolding Safety. Related Article Fire We wouldnt have made it: Couples terrifying escape from Hong Kong inferno Jason Poon, a whistle-blower who has previously exposed shoddy construction work in Hong Kong, said in a Facebook post on Wednesday that fire-hazard risks existed in scaffolding at many housing complexes. He said he had reached out to various government departments last year concerning the lack of fire retardant in scaffolding nets at another complex, but he was ignored. Reuters received no immediate response from the fire, buildings and labour departments to a request to comment. Reuters Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.

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Updated WorldNorth AmericaCrime Immigration war looms after Trump declares DC shooting act of terror Michael Koziol Updated November 27, 2025  1:03pm ,first published November 27, 2025  4:12am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Washington: US President Donald Trump has declared the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, DC, an act of terror and a crime against America, as a fresh political war over immigration looms following the crime. The two guardsmen are in a critical condition in hospital after being shot in central Washington, two blocks from the White House. The suspected shooter, who was subdued and detained by other Guard troopers, was also taken to hospital with wounds. Trump confirmed reports that he was believed to be an Afghan refugee. Loading In a nighttime video address to the nation, Trump declared the attack was a crime against America and against humanity. This heinous assault was an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror, Trump said. This attack underscores the single greatest national security threat facing out nation. The last administration let in 20 million unknown and un-vetted foreigners from all over the world  from places that you dont want to even know about.

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Trump said authorities believed the shooter was flown in by the Biden administration during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and said all refugees from Afghanistan taken in under the Biden administration would be reviewed. Furthermore, Trump said the attack would strengthen his resolve to remove any alien from any country who did not belong in or benefit the United States. Members of the National Guard gather after two of their colleagues were shot near the White House. AP If they cant love our country, we dont want em, he said. Were not going to put up with these kinds of assaults on law and order by people who shouldnt even be in our country. No country can tolerate such a risk to our very survival ... America will never bend and never yield in the face of terror.

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Officials described the incident as a targeted shooting, though no information about the suspects motive has been public by authorities. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrissey initially said the two troops from his division of the Guard had died, but later retracted that statement, saying there were conflicting reports about the mens status. Local police and the Secret Service sped to the scene, which was two blocks from the White House. AP At a news conference on Wednesday afternoon local time (Thursday morning AEDT), officials said the two guardsmen were critically wounded and remained in a critical condition at separate local hospitals. Washington assistant police chief Jeffrey Carroll said the suspect was in custody but had also been taken to hospital for treatment. Trump described the shooter as severely wounded.

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Dozens of police, Secret Service and ambulance vehicles sped to the scene at Farragut Square, on the corner of 17th and I streets, about 2.15pm Washington time on Wednesday  the eve of the Thanksgiving holiday. This masthead saw a person being stretchered into a waiting ambulance just after 2.30pm, and about eight National Guard troops running to the scene. Several blocks around the shooting site were blocked to traffic. Carroll said the troops were on high-visibility patrol when a suspect came around the corner, raised his arm with a firearm and discharged it at the National Guard members. He described the attack as an ambush. Other troops nearby were able to subdue the suspect and take him into custody, Carroll said. They were aided by other members of law enforcement who attended the scene.

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District of Columbia mayor Muriel Bowser said it was clearly a targeted shooting. There were no additional suspects, officials said, and it was believed the shooter acted alone. The White House was placed in lockdown, though Trump was away in Florida. Trump posted on TruthSocial about the shootings soon afterwards and said the animal who was responsible would pay a very steep price. Hundreds of National Guard members from the district and several states have been patrolling the nations capital after Trump in August issued an emergency order in the capital, federalising the local police force and sending in the guard. War Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday (AEDT) said Trump had instructed him to send an additional 500 National Guard troops to the streets of Washington. He called it a cowardly, dastardly act targeting the best of America  heroes willing to serve people they dont know and theyve never met because they love their country and their capital and their community.

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The attack would only stiffen the Trump administrations resolve, Hegseth said. We will never back down, we will secure our capital, we will secure our cities. A witness, Stacey Walters, said she heard the shots while she was sitting in an Uber heading to her dry cleaner. Law enforcement officers in Washington after two National Guard soldiers were shot near the White House. AP I literally heard the boom boom, two shots, she said. She did not see who was shot nor the shooter, but said she saw people running  including uniformed men with guns, believed to be the Secret Service. Then I heard, Help, help.

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On 25 November 2025, the World Customs Organization (WCO) successfully held its 3rd Symposium on 'Removing Counterfeits from E-Commerce', with the support of the Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF) Japan.

Symposium Highlights

The symposium served as a platform to sustain and strengthen initiatives aimed at increasing awareness among Customs officers and the general public of the risks and adverse impacts associated with counterfeit goods in e-commerce.

In her Keynote address Marion Jansen, Director of the Trade and Agriculture Directorate (TAD), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), highlighted that, while digitalization unleashes new opportunities for growth, it also creates new channels for harm. She underscored the need for stronger enforcement systems, better data architecture and enhanced cross-border cooperation to counter illicit trade.

The symposium brought together over 900 participants, representing a broad spectrum of stakeholdersincluding WCO Member administrations, the Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILO) network, international organizations, rights holders, industry representatives, private sector actors (e-commerce platforms, Customs brokers, express carriers, and postal operators), and academiareflecting the collective momentum behind this global effort. During a panel discussion titled 'Behind the Border: Using Data to Combat Counterfeiting in E-Commerce and Protect Society', a representative from Portugal Customs, an online platform, and a rights holder shared some very fruitful and insightful thoughts with the audience.

Operation STOP IV: A Global Enforcement Effort

The event shone a spotlight on the results of Operation STOP IV, a global enforcement initiative targeting the online trade of counterfeit goods.

Operation STOP IV, which ran from 12 to 30 May 2025, brought together Customs administrations worldwide to intensify inspections of high-risk consignments, apply advanced risk management methods, share intelligence, and disrupt illicit supply chains in the digital marketplace.

Launched to disrupt the flow of counterfeit medicines and intellectual property rights (IPR)-infringing products in e-commerce, Operation STOP IV involved 119 Customs administrations, with collaborative support from RILO as well as international partners such as the European Union (European Commission, DG TAXUD), Europol, Guardia di Finanza, International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), INTERPOL, and European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).

The operation not only fulfilled its primary objective, it also provided a vital opportunity to enhance the operational capabilities of Customs officials. Prior to the operation, four pre-operational regional workshops were held online, with a total of 217 Customs officers participating. A dedicated stakeholder session was also organized, during which international organizations, platform operators, logistics operator and rights holders shared their expertise and challenges related to e-commerce. Through these workshops, Customs officers gained practical insights into emerging risks in e-commerce.

Operation STOP IV Results

The operation yielded impressive results, with 1,066 cases reported and 1,774 seizures conducted. These included:

IPR-infringing goods: 5.5 million pieces and 68 tonnes

Counterfeit medicines: 171.7 million pieces and 27 tonnes

Other counterfeit goods: 10.9 million pieces and 106 tonnes

These figures underscore the scale of illicit trade in the digital marketplace, highlight vulnerabilities in e-commerce channels, emphasize the critical role Customs plays in protecting consumers and legitimate businesses from harmful products, and reaffirm the importance of coordinated enforcement.

Reports of counterfeit health or beauty-related products showed an increasing trend, covering a wide range of items, from those intended for medical purposes to those for cosmetic or aesthetic use. There are also continued reports regarding the attempted distribution of counterfeit weight-loss-related products.

Secure communication tool

The WCOs IPR CENcomm Group secure communication tool played a pivotal role in Operation STOP IV, enabling real-time data sharing on seizures among Members. Its use ensured not only the smooth exchange of critical information but also a coordinated and prompt response, highlighting the tools essential contribution to the overall success of the operation.

For more information about IPR protection-related activities, please contact us at: IPRteam@wcoomd.org
A new study titled Comprehensive Comparative Study on the Applicable Rules of Origin in the Western and Central Africa Region has been released by the WCO today.

This in-depth research maps and compares the rules of origin frameworks applied under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

By comparing similarities and differences across these regimes, the study provides policymakers and Customs administrations with valuable insights into overlapping origin regimes and policy options to advance regulatory alignment, ultimately supporting further convergence and enhancing regional economic integration.

Key differences in regional approaches to rules of origin relate to:

The definition of the territory, which notably provides for variations regarding the maritime territory.

The availability of cumulation of origin provisions, especially the ability to combine both materials and processes.

Procedures regarding proofs of origin which demonstrate varying approaches concerning validity, exemptions and thresholds.

The study was conducted under the European Union (EU)WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme funded by the European Union. In February 2024, the Programme published a comparable study for the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) region. That earlier work revealed substantial disparities across origin regimes in the ESA region and served as the trigger for delivering technical assistance to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the East African Community (EAC) to align their rules of origin with the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) and the AfCFTA, two key frameworks for Africa's economic integration.

The TFTA brings together COMESA, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the EAC, covering 29 countries and over 60% of the continents gross domestic product (GDP). It aims to harmonize trade policies across these blocs, facilitating seamless intra-African commerce and reducing tariff barriers. The AfCFTA, established by the African Union, seeks to create a continent-wide market by consolidating existing free trade area arrangements. Both frameworks address the challenges of fragmented trade agreements and aim to create a unified continental market that enhances Africa's position in global trade. The TFTA and AfCFTA are expected to foster industrialization, employment growth and infrastructure development by eliminating trade bottlenecks and integrating fragmented value chains.

These studies provide a thorough overview of the rules of origin applicable in Africas Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and of EU-Africa Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), facilitating the sharing of regional practices and origin regimes.
AI bellwether Nvidias (NVDA) stock has shed nearly $200 billion in market cap (4.71% drop) in just the past week, making it a fresh target for nervous traders.

Its just the steep reversal that has everyone questioning whether the AI boom has hit a wall, but its also the kind of moment when Jim Cramer argues people have it all wrong.

Instead of what seems like a broken narrative, Cramer is seeing something thats all too familiar.

In a recent episode of CNBCs "Mad Money," he argues that a cyclical fear wave struck the company, whose fundamentals havent really changed.

Cramer's message is blunt: If you still believe in AI and Nvidia, he argues, this is a time to own, not panic, in potentially trading away a generational winner.

Cramer says the selloff is driven by fear, urging investors to own, dont trade Nvidia.Photo by Steven Ferdman on Getty Images

Nvidias selloff isnt about the business; its about fear

Cramer argues that Nvidias latest slide has much less to do with the companys quarterlies and more to do with how investors feel about it.

With every competitive headline, he feels investors are taking it as the end of Nvidias dominance. Those include Google-parent Alphabet shifting toward its own Broadcom-built chips, along with Meta Platforms sniffing around Google silicon.

Be that as it may, it doesnt change what Nvidia just dished out.

Nvidia delivered another bang-up quarter, with the numbers showing its still central to the AI trade.

Revenue jumped to $57 billion in Q3, up 22% from Q2 and 62% year over year.

Data center sales alone surged to a whopping $51.2 billion, up 25% sequentially and 66% year over year.

Net income climbed to nearly $31.9 billion, with Nvidia guiding for roughly $65 billion in sales for the next quarter.

As Cramer put it, investors appear to be falling into the old pattern where emotion overrides discipline.

In one of his more blunt lines from the show, he said:

So, in essence, he feels that investors initially dumped and rationalized later, while repeating the same behavior patterns that had them missing out on millions upon millions of dollars in Mag 7 gains over the years.

Meta-Google talks put heat on Nvidias AI grip

Meta is reportedly in talks to invest billions in Googles Tensor Processing Units (TPU), marking its biggest break yet from Nvidias GPU dominance.

According to Reuters (citing earlier reporting from The Information), Meta is set to start renting TPUs through Google Cloud as early as 2026, with dedicated TPU hardware expected to land on its own data centers by 2027.

Related: Billionaire Steve Cohen loads up on top AI stock, calms bubble fears

For Google, this isnt a one-off, as it's positioning the deal to slice away nearly 10% of Nvidias annual AI-chip sales, a number with major Wall Street implications.
This story was originally published on Payments Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Payments Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

Buy now, pay later company Klarna Group announced Tuesday that it is testing its own stablecoin, and plans to launch it publicly next year.

The London-based BNPL is exploring internal use cases for the digital asset, which it has dubbed KlarnaUSD, a Tuesday news release said.

Crypto is finally at a stage where it is fast, low cost, secure and built for scale, Klarna co-founder and CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski said in the release. Siemiatkowski had been a vocal crypto skeptic, according to the companys release, but hes turned a corner.

Dive Insight:

Klarna is still in the early stages of exploring the use of its stablecoin, a spokesperson said in an email. The company is testing it on an internal system, the release said.

Our first focus will be on internal uses like reducing the cost of international payments within Klarna, the spokesperson, John Craske, said. We plan to look at how stablecoins could help enable peer-to-peer and cross-border payments to merchants.

Craske declined to say when the stablecoin will be officially put to use.

Stablecoins are often discussed as a way to make international money movement simpler and less expensive.

Klarna launched its stablecoin on the blockchain Tempo, which was started by the digital payments giant Stripe and the cryptocurrency investment firm Paradigm, the companys news release said.

A blockchain is a distributed ledger that makes it possible to move digital assets like stablecoins, a kinda of cryptocurrency pegged to the value of a more stable asset, such as the U.S. dollar.

Recommended Reading
Korea leverage ETF. Photo by BeInCrypto

South Korea is tightening oversight of its most aggressive retail traders, introducing mandatory training for anyone who wants to trade foreign leveraged ETFs.

The move follows a record surge of Korean money into high-risk US productsand growing concern that this speculative wave is distorting global markets.

South Koreas Regulators Step In After a $7 Billion Monthly Surge

South Koreas Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) will require retail investors to complete a one-hour online course and a three-hour mock-trading exam before gaining access to foreign leveraged or inverse ETFs.

The policy takes effect on December 15, 2025, and aligns foreign-market rules with domestic standards.

The decision follows an extraordinary influx into US leveraged ETFs. Korean retail traders invested $7 billion in these products in October alone and $30 billion year-to-date, according to data from depository and ETFGI.

Data compiled by Bloomberg shows Octobers inflow was the highest monthly foreign ETF purchase on record.

Korean retail among purchases of overseas ETFs. Source: Bloomberg data

Officials say the training is needed because many investors fundamentally misunderstand the mechanics of daily leveraged products. The FSS has warned that traders often treat 2 or inverse ETFs as simple linear exposures, without accounting for compounding effects and volatility decay.

According to the regulator, these factors can cause long-term returns to diverge sharply from those of the underlying asset.

The new policy will help individual investors acknowledge some of the most basic aspects of investing, Bloomberg reported, citing Bora Kim, head of APAC strategy at Leverage Shares.

Local Korean media further highlighted the extreme intensity of this trend, noting that individual investors, known domestically as Seohak Ants, have purchased 43 trillion won (about $29.3 billion) worth of US stocks this year, a record high.

October alone saw 10 trillion won ($6.8 billion) in net purchases, with another 8.3 trillion won ($5.6 billion) in November, making 2025 the largest year of outbound retail stock buying since data began.

The frenzy has also spilled into Koreas dollar funding markets. Securities firms dollar repo balances have surged 15-fold since 2019 to 28.6 trillion won ($19.5 billion), driven by retail investors need to fund overseas stock purchases.

USD/KRW Price Performance. Source: TradingView

This nonstop demand for dollars has pushed the won-dollar exchange rate into the mid-to-high 1,400 range, with risks of future currency losses if the won reverses.

Korean Retail Now Moves the Needle on US Single Stocks

This regulatory shift comes amid a dramatic rise in Korean trading of US single-stock ETFs. Analysts, referencing market data, note that IONQ now trades more daily volume in Korea than Amazon, Microsoft, or Google, a remarkable contrast given the massive market-cap difference.
Kelly Hearing Specialists are recognised as leaders in their field, having been crowned Independent Audiologists Of The Year by the All-Ireland Business Foundation for the past two years.

The business is headquartered in Ballaghaderreen with clinics set up from Donegal down to Tipperary, taking in Connacht and reaching as far as Monaghan. They are making a difference to peoples lives with their work, allowing their clientele to hear things clearly and, as a result, have a much better lifestyle.

Kelly Hearing Specialists are award winners led by an All-Star mother and daughter duo, Ann Marie and Vicky Kelly, who were named the Emerging Businesswoman and Emerging Rising Star Award winners at the Network Ireland awards 2025.

They set up in July 2023 and have grown to operate 36 clinics in local pharmacies, opticians and GP practices. They have become known for their exceptional customer service and personal touch with each client mixed with their expertise, knowledge and skill in this field.

Offering free hearing tests, free hearing consultations, free PRSI hearing aids, the latest hearing aid technology, professional ear wax removal, custom-made ear protection and custom-made hearing aids, Kelly Hearing Specialists have your ears covered for all occasions.

Hearing can be quite a sensitive topic. Often people will have an issue with their hearing but will find it hard to bring themselves to address it.

Denial is one of the processes every single person goes through when it comes to hearing, Vicky told the Western People.

Studies show that it takes eight years from someone noticing hearing loss to getting hearing aids. We start with a hearing test, and I always tell people, you cant fail it. Just come in so you can be informed and let us tell you where your hearing is at and understand exactly what is going on.

The team will go through your medical history, check your ear health and conduct a full hearing test. They will go through the audiogram with each individual so they can understand what exactly is happening. This will help to pinpoint the difficulties and why they are occurring.

Kelly Hearing Specialists are then able to make recommendations based on how your hearing is. Often times, hearing aids are needed to address the situation. It is a big step for people, and Kelly Hearing Specialist offer continuous support throughout, offering a free aftercare service for life.

They will have follow-up appointments at different intervals but if you are having an issue, you can call in, and the team will help you with it.

Vicky said she finds this to be a rewarding line of work, and it means a lot to be able to make a real, tangible difference to peoples lives.

It is very rewarding when people tell you they can hear their grandchildren properly for the first time or when they say they can hear the birds singing every morning again, she said.

We received a lot of recognition for the work were doing by being nominated for and winning these awards, and it is amazing to get that recognition as a small family business.

Moreover, it is incredibly rewarding for Vicky to be able to work alongside her mother every day.

We have a great working relationship and a great relationship overall. We each know how the other works; I know how dedicated she is to patients, and she knows how dedicated I am to patients. We both know were giving a personal touch to the business. Its lovely to work together.

To find out more about booking a consultation or the services Kelly Hearing Specialists offer, contact the head office in Ballaghaderreen by calling 094 9861698.
Mayo County Council has published its Gender Pay Gap Report, highlighting the percentage difference between what men and women are paid on average in the organisation, irrespective of roles or levels.

The 2025 report shows a Gender Pay Gap of -0.48% mean and -8.20% median for all employees, which indicates that Mayo County Councils gender pay gap in 2025 is 0.48% in favour of female employees.

Mayo County Council has a total of 1,215 employees, 60% males and 40% females. The percentage of female employees within the Upper Middle and Upper renumeration quartiles is 52.46% and 43.38% respectively.

Employers with more than 50 employees in Ireland are required to publish their gender pay gap data before the end of 2025.

Commenting following the publication of the report, Mayo Co Councils Siofra Kilcullen, Head of HR and Training said: We are committed to fostering and maintaining an open and inclusive workplace community at Mayo County council and to addressing any workplace barriers to equality. Our employees have equal opportunities for recognition and career development and are treated fairly and equitably. We also operate a number of equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives and supports.

She added: The work of local authorities is integral to everyones life in Ireland. Our staff are key to the development of communities across Mayo. As an employer, Mayo County Council strives to offer a positive and supportive environment for all our employees. This includes great learning and development and career progression opportunities, blended working, flexible and family-friendly arrangements.
The number of dog attacks in Mayo is among the highest in Ireland.

Restricted breeds were responsible for almost half of all reported incidents of aggressive dog behaviour last year, in cases where the breed was identified. A total of 405 people reported being physically injured as a result of being attacked by dogs in 2024, according to official figures collated by the countrys 31 local authorities.

A report published by the Department of Agriculture, however, shows there was a decline in both physical attacks by dogs on humans as well as reports of aggressive behaviour last year.

However, there was a 4% increase in the number of incidents of attacks by dogs on farm animals, predominantly sheep.

There were 31 incidents in Mayo where people were physically injured as a result of a dog attack. The most incidents occurred in Cork County (45) followed by Fingal (44), Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown (35), and Cork City (33). No canine attacks on humans were reported in Sligo or Roscommon.

A total of 1,194 incidences of aggressive dog behaviour were also reported to local authorities last year. Mayo again recorded one of the highest figures at 77. Cork County recorded the most number of incidents with 118 followed by Limerick (112), Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown (85), and Fingal (80).

Attacks on sheep accounted for over two-thirds of all cases and just under 1,600 animals. The highest number were reported in Cork County (30) followed by Roscommon (26), Mayo (23) and Cavan and Galway County (both 21).

The Western People recently reported on a harrowing court case where a Mayo woman walking with her young son was viciously mauled by a restricted dog breed.

The attack by the Bullmastiff Pitbull saw the woman sustain several puncture wounds, intense bruising and severe lacerations. She required emergency surgery and doctors told her she was fortunate not to lose her left arm.

The dog was going for the womans throat before a brave passerby intervened and potentially saved her life.
Bernie Murtagh, a native of Falleighter, Aghamore, has been crowned the Judges Choice winner in the Digital & Tech category at the 2025 Women in Business Excellence Awards.

The independent modern workplace consultant stood out among finalists from across Ireland for her innovative approach to employee engagement and digital community building.

The awards were held at Hotel Kilkenny last Tuesday, November 25.

I was unable to attend the awards ceremony in person so receiving the news that I had won Judges Choice was incredibly special, Bernie said after receiving the award. It proves that geography doesnt limit impact  you can build a thriving digital consultancy from anywhere.

Its a great honour to be selected for this prestigious award, especially when up against such talented and diverse women in business across Ireland said Bernie, who added: Its a proud day for the Aghamore parish and for my parents, Paddy and Margaret, who have always been my biggest supporters. Im delighted to celebrate this honour with them over a pot of tea and cake! Bernies win recognises her work transforming how organisations use platforms like Microsoft Viva Engage. As founder of Engage with Bernie, she has built a reputation for reviewing and deploying networks with recommendations that turn digital platforms into vibrant community spaces where employees genuinely want to connect, collaborate and build a sense of belonging from anywhere.

Her philosophy is simple but powerful: Platforms dont build culture. People do.

This recognition adds to an impressive list of accolades, including being named a Top 5 Global Viva Engage Expert, a LinkedIn Community Top Voice, and winner of a European Community Manager Award. Bernie regularly shares her insights through business publications and works closely with the Microsoft Customer Connections community, helping both clients and the Microsoft Viva Engage team develop user experience solutions for thriving digital communities.

Beyond her client work, Bernie is deeply involved in female led business networks, where she both shares her experiences and learns from other women navigating the digital business landscape.

The Women in Business Excellence Awards, organised by the Irish Women in Business Network, celebrate innovation and success across six business sectors nationwide..
Saturday, November 29th, is Small Business Saturday, a campaign encouraging Mayo people to consciously choose to shop with businesses in their local town or village. Shopping locally allows us to boost local trade and commerce and reconnect with our local business community.

Small Business Saturday is both an awareness campaign and a call to action. According to PWC, the average Irish consumer spends 329 on the Black Friday weekend, and up to half of this goes to overseas suppliers. This equates to 500m leaving the Irish economy over that weekend.

Small Business Saturday asks Mayo consumers to make a conscious choice to make local businesses their first port of call and to make a specific plan to spend some time browsing their local shops on November 29th.

Small Business Saturday is a new initiative of Mayo County Council and Mayos Chambers of Commerce, and it is hoped it may become an annual event that encourages shopping consciously, socially and locally. Every purchase of local goods/services helps sustain local jobs, families and communities. The end of November is also the beginning of the Christmas shopping season, and it is hoped to spur consumers to find new and perhaps unexpected offerings from local businesses.

John Magee, Mayo County Council, said: We are delighted to launch Small Business Saturday. Consumer shopping habits are changing and people are trying to shop consciously by being aware of sustainability, of fair trade and of the value of shopping to support the local economy within which they live."

Small Business Saturday is trying to nurture this trend, encouraging people to shop with businesses in their home area, either in person or online. Maybe get your friends together and make a day of it!

Visit your local shops, cafes, maybe a beautician, or go to the cinema with friends. Take the time to rediscover what local businesses can offer you and build your social connections with friends and business owners at the same time.

"This is not just an effort to boost local businesses, but an encouragement to connect with your friends and spend both time and money with businesses in your local town or village," said Mr Magee. "Wed love to hear from local people and would encourage people to post photos and tag us to show how Small Business Saturday played out in their local area. Use the tags #lovelocalshoplocal #smallbusinesssaturday."
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.
UK-based restructuring and turnaround specialist Leonard Curtis has opened its Thames Valley office at The Blade in Reading, UK with Dane OHara to lead as restructuring and insolvency director.

The office opening is aimed at serving clients in the South East.

Dane OHara has worked for more than 17 years in restructuring, insolvency, and advisory roles spanning sectors such as financial services, construction and regulated industries.

OHara is also claimed to be one of a small number of insolvency practitioners with experience in Special Administration.

He has previously assisted clients from accountancy firms, law practices, funding organisations, and business advisory groups in the region.

OHara commented: I am looking forward to expanding Leonard Curtiss offering in the Thames Valley. Whether working with existing clients who have moved to the area or by developing new relationships.

I believe there is much that we can bring to the region in increasingly challenging times for business owners in all sectors.

Cameron Harrison, business development manager based in the area, will support OHara as they work together to meet client needs locally.

Thames Valley is now the 30th office within the Leonard Curtis network.

This office serves as a point of access to the wider UK and offshore team, who cover restructuring and insolvency, funding, legal matters, business services, and M&A advisory.

Leonard Curtis London and South East head Alex Cadwallader said: The Thames Valley has developed into a key business hub in the South so opening an office here is a natural step for us.

I am confident that Dane, alongside our other directors in this area, will be successful in delivering quality, timely services  in both distress and non-distress circumstances - for local clients and their advisers.

"Leonard Curtis opens new office in Thames Valley, UK " was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand.




Retailers across Europe may be in for a stronger 2025 holiday season, as Mastercards latest forecast suggests shoppers will increasingly reach for affordable luxuries rather than high-end items.

The analysis highlights a shift toward smaller indulgences and experiences  a potential boost for businesses focusing on value-led, discretionary categories.

Holiday spending expected to grow by 3.1 %

According to Mastercards 2025 holiday outlook, overall retail spending (excluding automotive) across Europe is projected to rise by approximately 3.1 per cent year on year over the main holiday shopping period, which runs from 1 November to 24 December.

Countries anticipated to lead the growth include Hungary (around 5.2 %), Poland (about 5.0 %), Spain (4.8 %) and the Czech Republic (4.6 %).

Even in the face of cautious consumer confidence across some markets, Mastercard underscores that stable labour markets and modest improvements in household purchasing power are lending resilience to overall spending.

Smaller gifts and experiences over big-ticket items

Rather than splashing out on expensive goods, many consumers are expected to opt for smaller treats that still deliver value or emotional appeal. Categories likely to see strong demand include beauty and cosmetics, apparel and shoes, dining, and live events.

Big-ticket segments such as furniture and high-end electronics seem less likely to rebound in force, though electronics may retain some momentum in certain markets  particularly Spain.

Another trend emerging among younger shoppers, especially Gen Z and Gen Alpha, is interest in second-hand clothing, driven by both budget awareness and environmental concerns. This seems especially notable in Spain, where such demand is growing.

Implications for retailers and supply-chain strategies

For retailers and supply-chain managers, this outlook suggests that success through the festive period may depend on aligning product mix and promotions with consumer preferences for value and flexibility.

Stocks and promotions skewed toward smaller-ticket, affordable luxury items and experiential offerings  rather than luxury or luxury-priced big items  could prove most effective.

Omnichannel retailers may benefit from blending online convenience with experiential and value-driven offers in-store. Given the variation between countries, region-specific merchandising, marketing and inventory strategies may be more effective than a uniform pan-European approach.

Promotional activity, loyalty rewards and bundled offers may resonate strongly with shoppers who remain price sensitive but still seek emotional or experiential value  whether through gifts or experiences.
MiCare Path has acquired US-based care management and virtual assessments provider Compwell to accelerate national expansion and AI-driven care.

Additionally, the company announced the closing of its fourth funding round.

These developments advance MiCare Path's initiative to transform ongoing and connected care delivery across the nation.

They will also support the expansion of the companys clinical programmes, strengthen partnerships with health systems and expedite AI capabilities on its software platform registered by the Food and Drug Administration.

The company assists patients across 12 medical specialties in the US through collaborations with clinicians focused on making healthcare personalised and accessible.

Its integrated virtual care platform, which is reimbursable, powers remote therapeutic monitoring, remote patient monitoring, principal care management and chronic care management.

This allows care teams to offer ongoing, data-informed insights to enhance patient outcomes.

MiCare Path is also broadening its AI tools to provide more personalised care, advance clinical efficiency and streamline workflows. It aims to support clinicians in extending care beyond office visits into patients' everyday lives.

MiCare Path president and CEO Scott Laster said: We started MiCare Path with a belief that patient care should continue beyond the office visit. That belief continues to guide our growth today.

With both the close of this funding round and our acquisition of Compwell, we are now strengthened to scale our national footprint and resourced to support clinicians and patients with a complete, turnkey solution of services and technology for both clinics and hospital systems, extending care to every patient we serve.

The company collaborates with hospitals, physician groups and healthcare systems across the country to deliver reimbursable, integrated virtual care.

"MiCare Path acquires US care management provider Compwell" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand.




Wits ranked first for innovation performance

Wits University has been recognised as the top-ranked university in Sub-Saharan Africa for innovation performance in the 2025 Global Innovation Index (GII).

Published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the GII 2025 measures the innovation performance of 139 economies worldwide, assessing how effectively nations translate knowledge, research, and technology into economic and social value. South Africa ranked 61st globally, maintaining its position as a regional innovation leader, with Wits at the forefront of that performance. [Read the 2025 Global Innovation Index Report]

Leading Sub-Saharan Africa in universityindustry collaboration

In the new UniversityIndustry and International Engagement indicator, which draws on Times Higher Education (THE) data across each economys top five universities, South Africa ranks 24th globally and first in Sub-Saharan Africa.

This indicator captures key dimensions such as industry-linked research income, co-authorship with global partners, patent citations, and international staff and student mobility. Wits strong research output, active partnerships, and global networks have been central to this achievement.

Wits is proud to be recognised as the leading innovation partner in Sub-Saharan Africa, says Professor Lynn Morris, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation. This ranking reaffirms our commitment to excellence, impact, and collaboration in pursuit of a more inclusive and sustainable future. The GII 2025 highlights the growing importance of universities in shaping national and regional innovation systems, with Wits positioned as a crucial anchor in Africas innovation landscape.

Wits anchors the regions top innovation cluster

According to WIPOs innovation cluster methodology, which identifies geographic areas with high densities of PCT patent inventors, scientific publications, and venture-capital activity, the Johannesburg-Pretoria corridor  home to Wits and several leading research institutions  stands out as Sub-Saharan Africas top innovation cluster.

This recognition reflects where innovation truly occurs, rather than relying on administrative boundaries. Wits contributions in scientific excellence, intellectual property generation, technology commercialisation, and start-up creation make it a central catalyst in this regional innovation ecosystem.

By the GIIs cluster methodologycombining PCT patents, high-impact research articles, and venture-capital deal activitythe Johannesburg-Pretoria corridor stands out as Sub-Saharan Africas leading innovation hub. Wits is proud to anchor this ecosystem with strong industry partnerships and a truly global research network, says Letlotlo Phohole, Director of the Wits Innovation Centre.

Expanding global partnerships

This recognition underscores the power of global collaboration and strategic partnerships in advancing Africas innovation agenda, says Dr Samia Chasi, Head of the Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships Office.

About Innovation for Good at Wits University

Innovation for Good is Wits Universitys guiding principle for translating research and discovery into real-world impact. Through the Wits Innovation Centre (WIC), Wits fosters a culture of creativity, entrepreneurship, and collaboration across disciplines, connecting researchers, students, and industry partners to develop solutions that improve lives and drive sustainable development.
Michael Burry of "The Big Short" is moving on from managing money to writing a Substack.

The famed investor told Business Insider that "writing and analysis go hand-in-hand."

Other investors said writing sharpens their thinking and lets them share lessons and insights.

Warren Buffett composes letters. Ray Dalio drafts essays. Howard Marks pens memos. As of Sunday, Michael Burry writes a newsletter.

The money manager of "The Big Short" fame is shuttering his hedge fund to focus on publishing a Substack titled "Cassandra Unchained," squarely aimed for now at calling out AI mania and key players such as Nvidia and OpenAI.

It's a return to Burry's roots. Long before he predicted and profited from the collapse of the mid-2000s US housing bubble, he ran a value-investing blog in his off hours as a medical student.

Burry is one of many investors to embrace writing as a core part of their process.

"I do not speak well, but writing and analysis go hand-in-hand," Burry told Business Insider via email. "I have always read a lot, which has fed my love of writing."

"Almost everything I do is at least in part influenced by Warren Buffett or Charlie Munger," Burry added. "I could never thank them both enough."

Buffett  who shut down his Buffett Partnership in 1969 because he was struggling to find bargains in a heady market  will step down as Berkshire Hathaway's CEO before the new year, but he plans to continue penning a Thanksgiving letter to his shareholders.

He underlined how writing supports his investing during a university lecture in 1991.

"Some of the things I think I think, I find don't make any sense when I start trying to write them down and explain them to people," Buffett said.

He added that everyone should be able to explain why they're taking a job or making an investment, and "if it can't stand applying pencil to paper, you'd better think it through some more."

Warren Buffett Nati Harnik/AP

Lawrence Cunningham, a business guru who's written a book about shareholder letters, told Business Insider that writing "forces discipline of thought" for investors.

Having to explain what they did, and why, fosters clearer and deeper understanding of the topic and themselves, and provides "invaluable" transparency to their readers, Cunningham said.

Writing also allows investors to share their ideas in "full paragraphs rather than soundbites," and "present their reasoning, their doubts, and their frameworks exactly as they see them," he added.
The term energy addition was deployed frequently during the four days with others including energy abundance, energy realism, and energy pragmatism. One phrase notably absent from Dr. Al Jabers address, and from almost the entire event, was climate change.

Today is the day to announce that there is no energy transition, there is only energy addition and that we need to have more power, he said.

His address was followed by remarks from Doug Burgum, US Secretary of the Interior and Chairman of National Energy Dominance Council.

He highlighted another major theme, voicing a pervasive concern for investment capital, saying, We need to free up dormant capital that is tied up in existing energy infrastructure assets.

Al Jaber noted that petroleum will be increasingly used for materials as well as for mobility. He noted that electricity demand will surge as power for data centers grows four-fold, 1.5 billion people locate to cities, and 2 billion air conditioners are added worldwide by 2040. In aviation, the global airline fleet will double by the same year.

Renewables will more than double by 2040, LNG will grow 50 percent, jet fuel will grow more than 30 percent and oil will stay above 100 million barrels per day beyond 2040, he said.

The long-term outlook shows demand growth for every form of energy across every market.

Tune out the noise, track the signal, he said. Near-term uncertainty is real, while long-term demand remains strong.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, who is also UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, set the tone for ADIPEC in his opening remarks.

Together they shed light on whats known, and whats unknown, about the worlds energy future.

A much smaller but equally vibrant event opened in Dubai, where a Dii Desert Energy summit gathered some of the same OEMs and EPCs but wearing very different glasses, seeing a new energy future for the Middle East.

Discussion of sustainability occurred within the context of an imperative for investment to sustain growth in all forms of energy and especially oil and gas. The spotlight was also on AI which received praise for already providing remarkable efficiency gains in petroleum operations and planning.

The enormous ADIPEC event in Abu Dhabi brought together hundreds of speakers in 10 different strategic areas and numerous technical sessions across four days.

Two conferences in the Middle East this month opened insights on energy and sustainability from a Middle Eastern perspective.

Story Continues

This might not be surprising except for the fact that Al Jaber served as president of the COP28 conclave in Dubai two years ago, which was the first UN climate summit to explicitly recognize fossil fuels as a cause of climate change and to call for a transition away from them.

The phrase was used, however, by Bill Gates, who appeared prerecorded on-screen at one technology discussion, where he stated his optimism about innovation to enable decarbonization. He said that lowering carbon emissions is necessary to maximize human welfare and he called for leadership in deploying key technologies.

No oil glut

OPEC used the event to present highlights of its World Oil Outlook 2025 report, which combines certainty about long-term demand growth with great concern for investment. The report foresees global energy demand expanding by 23% to 2050, in part from energy-intensive industries including AI. It sees oil demand reaching 123 million barrels per day in 2050, requiring $18.2 trillion in oil-related investment during the period 2025-50, most of that being upstream investment.

As for short-term forecasts, the CEOs, industry reps, and high-level ministers at ADIPEC saw little sign of oversupply in 2026. But they were more interested in looking long-term and their consensus was that capital investment has been deficient, especially in the oil sector.

I don't think there's going to be glut, said James Danly, Deputy Secretary of Energy, USA, as he shifted focus to long-term considerations.

The policies that should be enacted are deregulatory efforts to ensure that price signals can be responded to over the long haul and that demand can be satisfied as nimbly as possible, he said.

Claudio Descalzi, CEO, Eni, explained why he did not see signs of oversupply next year.

In the last 12 years, we are investing half of what we need to invest to increase production, he said. We know that demand is increasing, and the supply is more or less there, and in 2026 there is additional one million barrels, its an average but we are not investing enough.

We have Guyana, we have Brazil, but there is no other big project that can start producing, he continued. So we have demand increasing and we don't have enough supply and enough investment.

Tengku Muhammad Taufik, President and Group CEO, PETRONAS, expressed similar concerns about long-term investment.

Last year there was a number north of $3 trillion (of investment), almost two-thirds of that went to renewables and lower carbon, he said. There's not been enough being ploughed back into the core fossil fuels and hydrocarbons.

Musabbeh Al Kaabi, CEO, Upstream, ADNOC, expressed confidence that next year's global economic growth will be sufficient to spur more oil demand. He also conveyed concerns about investment.

It's clear that the industry inherently is underinvesting, and the risk we're going to face, potentially, is the lack of investments to mitigate natural decline but also to meet growing demand, he said.

I think that puts responsibility on integrated energy producers like us because we need to maintain an acceptable level of investment.

Expanding gas

Natural gas received its own reframing, being described no longer as a transition fuel but as a destination fuel, in the words of Lorenzo Simonelli, Chairman & CEO, Baker Hughes, who spoke at the conference.

Its enhanced status is apparently at the expense of coal, the one fossil fuel that did not receive much affection at ADIPEC.

The global gas market was looked at from various perspectives over the four days, with general agreement that despite large quantities of the chilled fuel coming on-line, rising demand will ensure there is not global oversupply.

Eng. Mohamed Hamel, Secretary General, Gas Exporting Countries Forum, discussed the market dynamics.

Of course, there is a wave of new energy capacity expected in the next five years, he said. This is a challenge and an opportunity.

He explained that the wave will induce downward pressure on prices, but opportunity exists because it will also incentivize additional demand from price sensitive markets, particularly in Asia, where gas can penetrate new markets in the transportation and maritime sectors.

He said that global demand has been increasing steadily, with expectation of 1.6 percent increase this year and 1.8 percent next year.

Yumiko Yao, President of Tokyo LNG Tanker Co., Tokyo Gas, spoke on behalf of a major gas importer. She described a basic shift in market structure.

Europe has improved its energy facilities and stabilized inventories, she said. Now they are coping with increasing contracts offering destination flexibility.

So for us, she continued, we think that Europe and Asia now compete for LNG but also complement each other.

I think we are looking at the market together and communicating better, so trying to work for mutual benefit, which is challenging, but it's good for the liquidity of the market.

Shri Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director, GAIL, shared insights from a developing country importer perspective.

Geopolitical tensions have led to increase in prices, he said. India is a very price sensitive market, despite the huge potential to increase its natural gas consumption because of urbanization, because of a young demography.

I am very confident that when geopolitical tensions are resolved, and prices are sort of returned to normal levels, there is a huge potential of natural gas growth, he continued.

All the growth will come in the LNG market, of which Indias current share is about 5 to 6% of total LNG trade in the world, and I think that share will double.

Dr. Philip Mshelbila, Managing Director and CEO, Nigeria LNG, spoke as a representative of a rising exporter.

Since 22, we've looked at buyers being interested in much longer-term contracts to give them that reliability of supply that they seek, he said.

We are a growing company with 22 million tons per annum and we are in the process of building a seventh train that will take us to 30 million tons per annum, so we are planning to bring additional supplies into the market.



MENA data centers

As ADIPEC was closing the Dii Desert Energy Leadership Summit opened in Dubai, with more than 70 speakers, including high level executives, investors, and industry reps all devoted to developing net-0 energy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

The Dii think tank and networking organization, active in MENA since 2009 when the renewable energy take-off was barely foreseen, is striving to build regional capacity for new energy. It now has much momentum to build on.

The IEA predicts that global solar, wind and hydro capacity will double by 2030. Investment in low-carbon energy now outpaces fossil fuel investment by a 2to1 ratio, up from approximately 1to1 a decade ago, and this gap will probably widen. Meanwhile, the energy think tank Ember has reported that solar and wind power development actually outpaced electricity demand growth in the first half of 2025, causing a slight decline in demand for coal and gas.

These global gains are compelling Dii to find catalysts for innovation in MENA. One result announced at the summit is a report, Data Centers: The New Super Offtakers of Clean Energy, which studies the Middle East as a prime location for sustainable data centers.

The report zeros in on an enormous opportunity for the Gulf region, where countries are now vigorously developing digital infrastructure with major US companies building cloud data centers while pursuing corporate net-0 targets.

The essential proposal is to export data center capacity, using the worlds lowest cost renewable energy, the regions ample land, and a favorable policy environment which can move quickly. The report puts focus on building hubs where data center developers can leverage these advantages.

It describes places where this work is already underway, where the critical infrastructures of giga-scale renewables generation and high-bandwidth connectivity overlap. These include NEOM in Saudi Arabia, the Salalah Free Zone in Oman, and the UAE-US AI campus in Abu Dhabi, as well as sites in Kuwait, Qatar, and Jordan.

The relevant technologies are described in some detail; the report sets out a staged decarbonization strategy for data center operations based on renewable power and low-carbon hydrogen.

That renewables-powered data centers will arise in MENA is perhaps a hope, but one that must be taken seriously, given the surprising advances of new energy over the past two decades. What appears certain is uncertainty about the future of energy old and new, an uncertainty lurking in the background of both the recent confabs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

By Alan Mammoser for Oilprice.com

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Pushing an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, Trump looks to his Gaza ceasefire playbook
In an open letter, 22 prominent economics professors are calling for the complete withdrawal of the governments pension package, which the Bundestag (parliament) is due to vote on at the end of November, and which is to come into force on January 1. The package is far too expensive, they argue. It aggravates the structural problems of the pension system caused by demographics and leads to an additional shift of burdens between the generationsat the expense of the young.

Poverty in old age [Photo by Christian Allinger / flickr / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Almost everyone with a major name in economics has signed: the three members of the Council of Economic Experts, Monika Schnitzer, Veronika Grimm and Martin Werding; the former chair of the Council, Bert Rurup; and the heads of the economic institutes Ifo (Clemens Fuest), IW (Michael Huther), Kiel (Moritz Schularick) and Walter Eucken (Lars P. Feld). Jorg Rocholl, the chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Finance Ministry, headed by Social Democratic Party (SPD) leader Lars Klingbeil, has also signed.

The letter is a typical example of how so-called science is misused to push a political agenda. The professors join the chorus of industry associations, the Christian Democrat Young Union and other representatives of the wealthy who accuse the government of having delegated the attack on pensions to a commission that is to begin its work in early 2026, instead of launching it immediately.

Previously, 32 business associations had protested against the pension package in a fiery letter to the governing parties, the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) and SPD. It would finally overstretch the sustainability of the pension system, they claimed, adding, it was neither generationally fair nor financially viable.

The business associations are demanding the abolition of early retirement without pension deductions for those with long insurance histories (retirement at 63), higher deductions for early retirees and a further increase in the retirement age beyond 67. Among the signatories are the employers association Gesamtmetall, the foreign trade association BGA, the construction association ZDB, the retail association HDE, the family businesses association and the SME association BVMW.

The Young Unionthe jeunesse doree of the CDU and CSUplays the political spearhead in the attack on pensions. A week ago, they gave Chancellor Friedrich Merz a frosty reception at their Germany Day. Their 18 Bundestag members are even threatening to vote against the pension package, which could cost the government its majority and jeopardise the coalition with the SPD. Few people, however, believe the careerists of the Young Union will go that far.

The bone of contention is that the governments pension package intends to continue the 48 percent lower limit of the pension level until 2031. In practice, this means that a standard pensioner with 45 years of social insurance payments receives approximately 48 percent of their last gross income as gross pension. The net pension is slightly higher because of lower deductions. If the lower limit is not fixed, the pension falls below 48 percent due to the sustainability factor introduced by the SPD in 2005.

The so-called mothers pension, which the Bavarian CSU has successfully pushed to expand in the package, is also under attack. In contrast to current rules, parents are to receive an additional non-contributory child-rearing period for children born before 1992.

The opponents of the package claim it favours the old at the expense of the young, who must shoulder higher contributions and increasing government debt. The media endlessly repeat this theme. Using demographic statistics, they seek to prove that a shrinking number of contributors must finance a growing number of pensioners. In Germanys pay-as-you-go system, pension contributions are not saved in funds but paid directly to current retirees.

But this is deceitful demagogy. The real social dividing line is not between young and old, but between rich and poor. The ratio of workers to pensioners has indeed changed due to longer life expectancy and lower birth rates, but this could easily be offset by technological progress, which enables the production of far more goods with far less labour. Instead, the gains of economic progress flow into the pockets of the rich, and increasingly into war and rearmament.

Pension contributions are paid exclusively by wage-dependent workers and, on a voluntary basis, by the self-employed. There is a contribution ceiling of 8,050 (US$ 9,312) per month. Anyone earning more pays no contributions on their additional income. And the enormous incomes from share ownership, property finance and speculation are completely exempt. They contribute not a single cent to pension financing.

As a result, pensions are already insufficient to live on. But 50 percent of people in Western Germany and 74 percent in Eastern Germany have no other form of old-age provision besides the statutory pension.

In 2024, the poverty rate among senior citizens was 19.6 percent1.2 percent higher than the previous year. They have a monthly net income below 1,378 (US$1,596). A total of 1.26 million people received basic income support (welfare) in old age, 4.1 percent more than the year before. This trend will continue even under the governments pension package. The 48 percent minimum does not prevent pensioners from falling into poverty; it merely slows the decline slightly.

Pensions in wealthy Germany are low, even compared internationally. At 55.3 percent of last net income, they are well below the European average of 68.1 percent. With an average of 1,450 (US$1,679) per month, they were nominally about the same as in France and Spain.

Of the 402 billion (US$465 billion) taken in by statutory pension insurance in 2024, three-quarters came from contributions. The federal government topped this up by 96 billion (US$111 billion). This sum is the result of the many charges the government has shifted onto the social insurance funds since German reunification in 1990 without providing equivalent revenue. But now that hundreds of billions are flowing into rearmament, subsidies for corporations and servicing growing debts, wein Chancellor Merzs wordscan no longer afford the welfare state in its current form.

Thus, industry associations, economists, politicians and the media are pushing for a social scorched-earth policy. Increasingly openly, they express willingness to bring the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) into government.

Under the headline How Business Is Moving Closer to the AfD, news portal The Pioneer recently reported: For a long time, business leaders struggled with the AfD. Now lobbyists are reaching outsome subtly, others quite openly. The AfD could no longer be ignored. Some entrepreneurs hope the party will provide economically liberal impulses that they miss in other parties.

Voices within the CDU are also growing louder, demanding an end to the supposed firewall against the AfD.

The far right is needed to intimidate and suppress resistance to the social onslaught. The AfDs election manifesto contains plenty of social demagogy, such as demanding a pension level of 70 percent. But this is aimed at luring voters. At the same time, the AfD advocates tax cuts and debt reduction. It follows the example of Donald Trump, who showered his election campaign propaganda with social posturing only to surround himself after the election with billionaire oligarchs and create the richest cabinet in US history.

The SPD and the Left Party have repeatedly shown that they support all social attacks whenever they are part of a government. The defence of pensionslike the fight against job cuts, fascism and warrequires the development of an independent, international movement of the working class based on a socialist programme. Banks, corporations and great fortunes must be expropriated, and the economy reorganised according to social need rather than profit.
More than 56,000 students walked out across North Carolina last week to oppose sweeping immigration raids, and the protests have continued into this week as youth demonstrate against the growing presence of ICE and Border Patrol in their communities.

Protesters holds sign protesting federal kidnapping operations in Charlotte, North Carolina, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. [AP Photo/Matt Kelley]

The walkouts were sparked after CBP and ICE agents descended on the states largest city last week, sweeping up nearly 400 people and driving as much as 20 percent of the student population into hiding while the raids continued.

Student protests have spread well beyond Charlotte, into Wake County and the wider RaleighDurham metro, a fast-growing region now numbered at about 1.6 million residents. In the city of Raleigh, North Carolina alone roughly 13.4 percent of the population, some 63,000 people, were born outside the US.

Wake County, northeast of Raleigh, saw a coordinated wave of student walkouts on November 21. At Rolesville High School, approximately 200 students walked out during lunch after a viral social media post called for solidarity with immigrant communities.

That same morning, about 175 students at Heritage High School in Wake Forest marched to Forestville Road carrying signs that read Break ICE Not Families and Push ICE. Some parents joined their children in the protest and denounced the climate of fear created by federal agents operating openly in their neighborhoods.

Later that day, Wakefield High School in Raleigh saw hundreds of students rally at the school entrance, denouncing Border Patrol operations and speaking openly about the devastating impact of the raids on working-class families. Students explained that many parents had already lost a week of income because they were too afraid to leave home.

We have people whose parents are missing out on a whole week of working in this economy, Christopher Rivero Pantoja, a senior and Vice President of the Latino Student Union, told ABC 11. He added, Most of our people here are first generation Americans. Our parents immigrated, however they did...I dont like to use the term illegal aliens. We are all humans. We all should be. Even if were here illegally, we are here for a reason. Most of us are contributing towards our economy in our society.

On November 22, in Durham County, high school students protested across the city, conducting a walkout after lunch. Hundreds of students marched and converged in downtown Durham at CCB Plaza, where they climbed onto the iconic bull sculpture and chanted against the raids. By evening, the demonstration had expanded into a larger community gathering, with hundreds of workers and residents joining students for speeches and traditional performances.

The ongoing raids in North Carolina have turned neighborhoods into ghost towns. For more than a week residents of Charlotte, Raleigh and Durham went into hiding as armed federal agents prowled streets, parking lots and shopping centers.

The terror unleashed in the last year as part of Trumps mass deportation operation has fallen heavily on children. In Charlotte, many immigrant families kept their US-born children at home to prevent the family from being split up. Children who did go to school often arrived with passports to prove their citizenship, while others wear tags that read I am a US citizen. In order to warn other children and parents, some kindergartners have begun carrying whistles to blow if they see immigration agents.

On the Monday after the raids began, more than 20 percent of students in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg district stayed home. Over 25,600 children were kept home on Tuesday, and the number rose to 27,200 by Wednesday.

In Wake County, nearly 19,000 children stayed home on November 19, almost eight thousand more than on a typical day. Teachers reported half-empty classrooms, with immigrant students absent for days because their families were too afraid to leave home.

At Heritage High School, more than 200 students were kept home, and at Rolesville High School, over 440 children were missing. In Durham, the school system collapsed to pandemic-era attendance levels, with Superintendent Anthony Lewis reporting that 29 percent of students were kept home by Thursday.

The growing student resistance is not confined to North Carolina. On November 24, about 300 students at McMinnville High School in Oregon walked out after Christian Jimenez, a 17-year-old US citizen, was kidnapped by ICE during his lunch break. Video of the incident shows Jimenez telling agents repeatedly, I am a US citizen, I am a US citizen.

ICE thugs, after smashing the drivers side window replied, I dont care.

The incident drew widespread outrage, forcing McMinnville School District Interim Superintendent Kourtney Ferrua to release a statement confirming that the student walkout was in response to the ICE activity in our community last week, referring to four US citizens who had been detained in Oregon by ICE that same week.

The student protest and walkouts represent an important and politically advanced response. Young people, many of them immigrants or the children of immigrants, have shown that they will not be intimidated by state violence. Their walkouts point to the emergence of a new social force prepared to defend democratic rights.

But walkouts by students, no matter how numerous, cannot alone stop these raids. The defense of our immigrant brothers and sisters requires the conscious intervention of the working class, the producers of all of societies wealth. Rank-and-file committees must be built in every workplace, school and neighborhood to organize collective resistance and actions. These committees must demand the release of all detainees, the immediate end to all deportation operations, and the abolition of CBP and ICE.
UK-based packaging company Mondi has officially opened a new kraft paper machine at its Steti mill in the Czech Republic.

The machine is designed to produce 210,000t of highperformance kraft paper per year.

The move targets the increasing demand for paper-based flexible packaging, reflecting the growth in e-commerce and a rising emphasis on sustainability.

The installation is one element of a 400m ($463.8m) investment programme to boost capacity at the mill.

The new asset will manufacture high-strength, high-porosity grades for construction, industrial and e-commerce uses.

The investment will also allow it to streamline and balance production across its kraft paper range, including speciality products and papers with functional barrier properties.

During the inauguration event in November 2025, Mondi hosted international customers and partners at the Steti site.

A panel session featuring customers, equipment manufacturers and industry specialists examined current market dynamics, sustainability topics and cooperation across the packaging supply chain.

Mondi Group CEO Andrew King stated: This is more than a paper machine - it is a symbol of what we can achieve when innovation, sustainability and teamwork come together. It enables us to continue delivering great service to our customers and the high-quality packaging materials they want to help them achieve their sustainability goals.

In November 2025, Mondi extended its food packaging range to include corrugated and solid board solutions alongside digital printing capabilities.

This followed the companys acquisition of Schumacher Packaging assets.

The expansion is designed to serve food producers and retailers across Europe with packaging that addresses shelf visibility, sustainability and regulatory compliance.

"Mondi opens new kraft paper machine at mill in Czech Republic " was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand.




Are you a worker at Stellantis or any other auto or auto parts company? Send us information about the conditions in your plant, by filling out the form at the end of this article. Your identity will be protected.

Stellantis workers leave Toledo Jeep plant on September 23, 2025

For nearly two months, the Stellantis Toledo Assembly Complex has been kept under what management calls emergency status, during which workers have been on 910 hour shifts, 67 days a week, with many not seeing a day off for more than three weeks. According to an internal safety memo posted inside the plant, the factory accounted for 30 percent of the injuries at all 75 Stellantis factories and parts distribution centers in North America over the past 10 weeks.

A longtime Toledo worker recently told WTOL 11 that he had gone nearly a month without a single day off. On a weekly basis, were being forced a 10th hour of overtime, some days being forced Saturdays, Sundays, the worker said. The longest Ive worked straight? Roughly three and a half weeks.

The worker, who withheld his identity to prevent being targeted by management and United Auto Workers officials, explained how exhaustion is directly fueling the surge in accidents. Both the union and the company are ignoring the fact that workers are burnt out. People need time off. People need to see their families. People need to see their friends. They want to look forward to that weekend off, that one day off. It just isnt happening.

Inside the plant, workers are reporting a wave of injuries, near-misses and serious safety breakdowns. Michael, a Jeep worker interviewed by the World Socialist Web Site, said, The team near mine has a job that has caused 3 injuries, and what did the company do to address the issue? They added more work to the station.

He continued:

Being forced 6-7 days for two months at 9-10hr shifts breaks people down faster. The company responded by doing random safety audits so they could write people up for minor infractions and so they wont be blamed for the increased injuries. The emergency status is finally supposed to end after this week. It probably shouldve ended last week but then the company would have to give us two weekends off in a row. Heaven forbid they reward us for making up the cars for them.

These conditions have been imposed while still no full explanation has been provided for the death of 53-year-old father of four, Antonio Gaston, who was killed inside the Toledo plant in August 2024. According to his familys wrongful death lawsuit, Gaston was working alone, amid staffing shortages, on a machine whose protective safety guards were likely removed or bypassed to prevent loss of production. Fifteen months later, neither Stellantis nor the UAW has provided Jeep workers with an explanation of his deatheven as the company challenges the $16,000 fine imposed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Toledo Assembly Complex (TAC) memo distributed in plant. [Photo: Stellantis]

Stellantis and the UAW have offered shifting explanations for emergency status. The company told WTOL the backlog was caused by a fire at the CSP plant in Carey, Ohio, which makes Jeep hardtops. Workers report management also cited two fires at the Novelis aluminum plant in Oswego, New York, claiming the loss of aluminum components halted production. The contradictory accounts underline that Stellantis has seized on these events as pretexts for nonstop forced overtime.

Michael explained how Stellantis inflated its claims of lost units: JL (Jeep Wrangler) missed 4 days because of the parts issue caused by the fire. The total lost units were maximum 4,000, but the company claimed it was 5,200.

He noted that Stellantis disregarded its own established procedures for calculating lost production. About a year and a half ago we went on emergency status and the way they counted which units made up the lost units was completely different. This time they barely counted anything towards the 5,200 cars. I guess past practices dont count here, even though its legally binding.

The ability of the company to declare emergency status was authorized in the 2023 UAWStellantis contract, signed by UAW President Shawn Fain and the rest of the UAW bureaucracy. Section 88, Seven-Day Operations, allows continuous seven-day production and mandatory weekend work. Even more significant is the Emergencies Memorandum of Understanding contained in the Letters, Memoranda and Agreements, first introduced in 1985 when the UAW president sat on Chryslers Board of Directors.

It states: The provisions of this Memorandum of Understanding that limit or restrict the right of the Company to require employees to work daily overtime or Saturdays or Sundays shall be suspended in any plant whose operations are interrupted by emergency situations, such as breakdowns, part shortages, strike, fire, tornado, flood or acts of God, for a period of time necessary to overcome such emergencies. It continues: There shall be no strike, picketing or other concerted activity with respect to any dispute arising out of this Memorandum of Understanding.

Emergency status clause contained in Letters, Memoranda and Agreements in 2023 UAW-Stellantis contract [Photo: UAW]

Workers report that Toledo is not the only facility under emergency status. The Stellantis Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) was placed on emergency status in July with the return of the HEMI engine, requiring all three shifts to work six to seven days a week.

The company has also routinely designates plants or parts of plants as crucial to the integrated supply system of the Company and essential to meeting the scheduled production of one or more other plants or of customers. This allows Stellantis to run them seven days a week for 90 days.

This directly exposes the fraud of UAW President Shawn Fains repeated claim that the 2023 national auto contract delivered a better work-life balance for autoworkers. There is no work-life balance in ten-hour shifts, seven-day weeks, emergency status or a plant responsible for 25 out of 87 injuries across all Stellantis facilities.

Fains slogan was designed to conceal the fact that the 2023 contract preserved and expanded the very forced-overtime provisions, seven-day operations clauses and emergency overtime memorandum the company is now using to abuse workers bodies.

The UAW bureaucracy which is enforcing this bears direct responsibility for the injuries and deaths. Fains bogus stand up strike and the sellout of the 2023 contract struggle were followed by two fatalities: Antonio Gaston at Jeep and Ronald Adams Sr., a 63-year-old skilled trades worker who was crushed to death at the nearby Stellantis Dundee Engine Complex in Michigan on April 7, 2025.

More than seven months later, Stellantis, the UAW and MIOSHA have disclosed nothing about the causes of Adams death to his widow and co-workers. Nevertheless the engine factory has been brought back to full production.

Conditions have worsened throughout the auto industry as Fain and the union apparatus collaborate with the Trump administration to impose tariffs on auto production in Canada, Mexico and other countries and reshore production to the US.

On October 14, Fain and UAW Stellantis Director Kevin Gotinsky hailed Stellantis decision to lay workers off in Canada and Mexico and reshore production to US plants. They praised Trumps trade war measures and boasted that the move was a massive investment that would increase US output and employment.

UAW Local 12 officials are claiming that 900 workers of the 1,100 workers laid off last year will be brought back to Toledo when Stellantis launches a new mid-size truck at the plant in sometime in 2028. It is now clear under what conditions these workers will be returned: seven-day weeks, 10-hour days and accelerating injuries in a plant already responsible for nearly one-third of Stellantis injuries in North America.

UAW Local 12, which is headed by President Brian Sims, is functioning as managements tool. Michael described Local 12 Jeep Chairman Kentrail Fickling as entirely subordinate to management: Kentrail our new chairman, since elected has been barely coming to work. So much that he now has enough points to be fired for attendance. Knowing that he should be fired, he has agreed to everything the company has asked for. As long as he keeps agreeing to do what the company wants, he keeps his job.

Stellantis Toledo Jeep workers picketing on September 15, 2023

The entire UAW bureaucracy, from Fain & Co. down to the local level, is enforcing these brutal conditions on behalf of management.

The lesson of Toledo is clear: Workers have to build rank-and-file committees to transfer power from the UAW apparatus to workers on the shop floor or the injuries and deaths will continueat Jeep, across Stellantis and the entire auto industry.

Rank-and-file committees must call for collective action to end emergency status immediately, stop mandatory overtime, enforce safe staffing, slow line speeds, document and publicize all injuries, expand the rank-and-file investigations of the deaths of Gaston and Adams and link with workers in other Stellantis plants and internationally.

The forced overtime, rising injuries and concealment of worker deaths are the product of a corporate-union structure enforcing a system that sacrifices workers lives for profit. Toledo Assembly Complex workers showed in March 2020 that they can act independently, when they occupied the Local 12 offices and forced a shutdown of the plant during the first stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. That same initiative is needed now, on a broader and more organized scale. Building rank-and-file committees is the only path to protect workers lives, expose the truth and challenge the deadly alliance of Stellantis, the UAW bureaucracy and the political establishment.

Join the fight for rank-and-file committees by clicking here and send us a report on conditions in your plant by filling out the form below. Your identity will be protected.
On November 21, just over three weeks after two workers were killed and a third seriously injured in an explosion at the Endeavor mine, north of Cobar in outback New South Wales (NSW), mine owner Polymetals Resources Ltd held its annual general meeting (AGM).

The overall tone of the companys presentation to shareholders was jubilant, declaring from the beginning 2025 is a milestone year. It emphasised the companys rapid development, from acquisition of the Endeavor mine in August 2024 to first achieving cashflow in July 2025.

Endeavor mine, Cobar, NSW

Mention of the workers deaths was limited to a token reference on page seven, under the heading Endeavours restart [in May] was a testament to our hard-working team. In utterly cynical fashion, the presentation boasts that Polymetals is now 200 plus people strong, before noting, We will forever remember Patrick Ambrose McMullen and Holly Clarke who lost their lives on October 2025 [sic]. This was followed by the claim, The safety and well being of our team will always be our number one priority.

The thrust of the presentation was that the still-unexplained explosion and the death of two workers just 24 days earlier was a minor blip that will not disrupt the companys future prospects.

The date of the AGM may well have been a factor in Polymetals urgent drive to reopen the mine, starting mere days after the incident. It is worthwhile reviewing the timeline:

October 28: At around 3 a.m., a ballistic disc explosive being set up to clear a blockage in the stope detonates prematurely, killing shift supervisor McMullen and charge-up operator Clarke, and badly injuring another worker, Mackenzie Stirling. Trading of Polymetals shares on the Australian Stock Exchange is suspended.

October 31: The trading halt is lifted and Polymetals share price plummets from $1.25 to $0.92. The company announces that a staged reopening will commence November 5. The NSW Resources Regulator warns it may ban the explosives involved in the incident and recommends mine operators consider alternative methods.

November 6: Polymetals announces the accelerated resumption of operations, emphasising that the regulator has placed few restrictions on the reopening and left the company to determine when it is safe to resume blasting.

November 18: Polymetals announces mining and milling operations have successfully recommenced, following a rigorous review of our handling and use of explosives procedures.

November 21: Polymetals holds its AGM.



Notwithstanding this rigorous review, the AGM presentation states, We are committed to finding out how this accident happened, echoing an earlier comment by Polymetals Executive Chairman David Sproule that the company was seeking to understand the accident and hoping for an improvement in safety.

In other words, Polymetals says it does not know what caused McMullen and Clarkes deaths, the state safety regulator has no explanation for what happened, but the company is proceeding with the profit-driven reopening anyway.

The financial figures reported at the AGM and in other Polymetals documents make clear the impulse for a quick resumption of production.

As of September 30, the AGM presentation stated, the company had $17 million in cash, but $14 million in drawn debt, with a further $9.52 million of available finance. While Polymetals proudly reported In August, the Endeavor Mines revenue met operating costs whilst repaying $2.5m of debt, the companys revenue has come from prepayments for concentrate, much of which has not yet been shipped. The companys first-ever shipment, of zinc concentrate, was only made in October, while its first shipment of the more lucrative silver concentrate has been delayed from this month to next.

Also looming for Polymetals is a $34 million environmental rehabilitation bond, which it must replace by August 2026 as a final condition of its acquisition of the mine from previous owner CBH Holdings.

Polymetals latest annual report reveals the company lost $47.8 million in the 20242025 financial year, and that, as of June 30, its current liabilities (not including the bond) exceeded its current assets by more than $24 million. The companys continuing viability, the report says, hinges entirely on whether it can transition successfully as a mining producer which would be substantially bolstered by successful exploration.

In other words, the existence of Polymetals not only depends on the uninterrupted continuation of the mining already underway, but on the success of its attempts to locate and develop new deposits.

These figures indicate, the report continues, a material uncertainty which may cast doubt as to whether the consolidated entity will continue as a going concern. To address this uncertainty, the company said it planned to raise additional capital, through the issuance of shares and other forms of financing.

The overwhelmingly positive tone of Polymetals AGM presentation, despite the recent death of two workers and the companys somewhat precarious financial circumstances, is a product of its existential dependence on the confidence of existing shareholders and prospective investors. Above all, the presentation was a sales pitch.

Polymetals, a small company that is all in on the financial success of its only mine, is proceeding with the full resumption of operations at Endeavor because, like any company under capitalism, it is compelled to serve the financial demands of shareholders, not protect the lives of workers.

No official explanation for the October 28 tragedy has been provided. An interim report released yesterday by the NSW Resources Regulator offers no conclusions as to what happened and how to prevent it happening again.

This report, published exactly 28 days after the workers death, the latest it legally could be, and providing as many questions as it does answers, underscores that the government safety regulator cannot be relied upon to protect workers any more than the mine owners can. The regulator has allowed the Endeavor reopening to proceed, although it either does not know, or is not saying, what caused the deaths of McMullen and Clarke, and what danger is posed to other workers at Endeavor and throughout the mining industry.

The Australian Workers Union and the Mining and Energy Union, which, in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, made hollow statements of condolence, are nowhere to be seen. The unions silence about the death of two workers and the injury of a third mirrors and implicitly endorses the companys efforts to sweep the events of October 28 under the rug and move on.

Moreover, the unions have said nothing about the mines reopening, making clear their tacit approval of the profit-driven move and offering workers no alternative to returning to work in spite of their safety concerns.

This means workers need to take matters into their own hands. The truth will only be uncovered through an investigation led by workers themselves. A rank-and-file committee of Endeavor workers should be established to oversee this. As a matter of urgency, such a committee should fight to reverse the reopening and insist that workers are paid in full for the duration of the investigation. Mining operations should resume only when and if workers themselves determine that the cause has been identified and fully rectified.

Across Australia and globally, miners and workers in every industry confront escalating demands for speed-ups and increased productivity, as well as attacks on real wages and other working conditions. Workplace deaths are the sharpest expression of the voracious appetite of corporations and their financial backers for ever-growing profits.

This underscores that the struggle for a workers investigation of McMullen and Clarkes deaths must be part of a broader fight for workers safety and lives everywhere. Through building a rank-and-file committee at Endeavor, workers in Cobar can begin to link up with their counterparts around the world, through the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees.

The World Socialist Web Site and Socialist Equality Party pledge to provide every political assistance in this fight. This will depend on workers coming forward, breaking the gag order imposed by Polymetals. We urge workers at Endeavor and others in Cobar and throughout the mining industry to contact us with whatever information you have about the October 28 incident and safety in the mines. We will protect your anonymity from the companies, unions and government authorities.
Demonstrators outside Federal Police headquarters after Bolsonaro was taken into custody [Photo: Valter Campanato/Agencia Brasil]

Brazils former President Jair Bolsonaro was taken into custody on the morning of Saturday, November 22, and brought to the headquarters of the Federal Police in Brasilia. His preventive detention was ordered by Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Alexandre de Moraes after the ex-president, who was already under house arrest, violated his electronic ankle monitor.

In a video appended to the case file that led to the arrest order, a federal agent questions the ex-president about burn marks around the monitoring device. I put a hot iron to it. Curiosity, Bolsonaro replies.

In a subsequent custody hearing, the ex-president confessed to the act and attributed it to a certain paranoia and hallucination caused by his psychiatric medication. He claimed to have believed there was a bug installed in the ankle monitor.

The action was interpreted as an attempt by Bolsonaro to flee on the eve of the execution of his 27year prison sentence for staging an attempted coup detat.

On September 11, the First Panel of the STF convicted Bolsonaro along with members of the crucial core of the fascist conspiracy that culminated in the January 8, 2023 attack on government buildings in Brasilia. Bolsonaros first appeals were unanimously rejected by the Court and, on Monday, the deadline expired for filing new appeals.

On Tuesday, three members of the crucial nucleus were arrested to begin serving their sentences: Gen. Augusto Heleno Ribeiro, the former Minister of Institutional Security (GSI); Gen. Paulo Sergio Nogueira de Oliveira, the former Defense Minister; and Adm. Almir Garnier Santos, the former Navy commander.

In addition to the violation of the electronic ankle monitor, the ex-presidents preventive detention was also motivated by the call for a mobilization around his residence for Saturday night. The action was called by Senator Flavio Bolsonaro as a religious vigil for his fathers health and for freedom in Brazil.

Moraes argued in his decision that, considering the techniques employed by members of the criminal organization [that orchestrated the 202223 coup attempt], turmoil in the vicinity of the convicted mans residence could create a favorable environment for his escape.

The decision highlighted that Bolsonaros residence is located about 13 km (8 miles) from Brasilias South Embassy Sector, where the United States Embassy is located. The risk of flight to an embassy was supported by previous evidence that the ex-president planned, during the investigation that subsequently resulted in his conviction, to flee to the Argentine Embassy by requesting political asylum from that country.

The case of Alexandre Ramagem, a Liberal Party (PL) congressman and one of the members of the crucial core of the coup attempt, was also highlighted by the STF. Sentenced to 16 years in prison in the same case as the ex-president, Ramagem fled Brazil in September and is currently in the city of Miami in the United States.

The indication of the US Embassy as a potential political refuge for Bolsonaro is obviously associated with the aggressive intervention of the Trump administration in defense of its Brazilian fascist political ally.

In August, President Donald Trump imposed tariffs against Brazil on the grounds that Bolsonaros trial was a witch-hunt that should stop immediately. Moraes, the judge-rapporteur in the case, was directly attacked by the US government, accused of being a dictator judge and heavily sanctioned under the Magnitsky Act.

The US imperialist intervention in Brazilian politics has not been mitigated at all by Trumps recent negotiations with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (Workers PartyPT) and the subsequent reduction of tariffs. This fact was once again demonstrated by the official reaction of the US government to Bolsonaros preventive detention.

On Saturday night, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau posted on X condemning Bolsonaros arrest as provocative and unnecessary. Attacking Moraes and the Brazilian judiciary, Landau issued a menacing declaration: The United States is deeply concerned in the face of his latest attack on the rule of law and political stability in Brazil.

The United States Embassy in Brazil reposted Landaus statement translated into Portuguese.

As the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) warned, the trial of Bolsonaro and the coupplotting military did not mark the end of the dictatorial threat in Brazil.

After the trial of the crucial core on September 11, the STF tried two other cores in the coup case. Between November 17 and 18, Core 3 was tried, involving special forces soldiers of the Army, nicknamed the black kids. They were identified as the operational arm of the coup conspiracy, tasked with violent actions, such as plans to assassinate Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and Moraes.

While eight members of the special forces were unanimously convicted by the STF, with sentences of up to 24 years in prison, the same ruling acquitted Gen. Estevam Cals Theophilo Gaspar de Oliveira of all charges. General Theophilo commanded the Armys Land Forces until 2023 and was accused of having offered his troops to carry out the coup detat.

Exposing the rottenness of the entire Brazilian bourgeois system, it was reported that the STF decision was taken after a private meeting between Moraes and the Army commander, Gen. Tomas Paiva, on November 17.

The actions taken by Bolsonaro and his allies this Saturday, regardless of their specific calculations and degree of success, follow the logic of a new fascist offensive already underway.

The video by Flavio Bolsonaro announcing the religious vigil for the ex-president makes this explicit. Using metaphors drawn from evangelical religious fundamentalism, he issued a fascist call to action:

Are you going to fight for your country or just watch everything on your cell phone, sitting there on your couch at home? I invite you to fight with us. At this first moment, we are going to seek the Lord of the Armies. I invite you to a vigil  near my fathers residence to pray for his health and for the return of democracy in our country.

Flavio responded to his fathers arrest with fraudulent accusations of persecution of Christianity and the sacred constitutional right of assembly and the free exercise of faith.

His brother, Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, declared on X that the ex-presidents imprisonment has the aim of killing him, it is a torture plan. The post continues:

Our adversary wants us to be desperate. It intentionally hopes that the reaction to all this will be discouragement and that feeling of its already over. Its not over. We are brave. So we are going to continue, now more than ever, working to bring about justice in Brazil, which begins, as you know, with the amnesty agenda. (...) The time has come to put in maximum effort and no longer allow Brazil to be the backyard of dictators.

Eduardos outcry about not letting Brazil be the backyard of dictators is a cynical inversion of the facts. It is American imperialism that historically designated Latin America as its backyard and, under this doctrine, promoted coups and murderous military dictatorships throughout the region.

Announcing Washingtons military and political turn against Latin America and its aim of confronting Chinese influence in the region, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth declared in April: We are going to take back our backyard. Eduardo Bolsonaro, who moved to the United States to coordinate the activity of Brazilian fascists with the Trump administration, is directly involved in these imperialist plans.

In his post, Eduardo states that the amnesty agenda is only the beginning of the political reaction being prepared. Its developmentas he declared after his fathers conviction in Septemberdepends on increasing political and even military intervention by Washington. Eduardo cited specifically the intervention in Venezuela, against which Trump is openly preparing a war for regime change, as the paradigm for Brazils political future.
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United States Senator Elissa Slotkin, Democrat from Michigan, on June 26, 2025, in Washington. [AP Photo/Kevin Wolf]

Over the past week, an extraordinary political crisis has erupted within the American state. On Tuesday, November 18, six Democratic members of CongressSenators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin, and Representatives Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chrissy Houlahan and Chris Deluzioreleased a short video urging members of the US military to refuse any illegal orders that might be issued by President Trump. All six are veterans or former intelligence officers.

While a restatement of existing law, the 90-second video was clearly directed at the escalating conspiracies of the Trump administration, which, it said, is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens... Right now, the threats to our Constitution arent just coming from abroad but from right here at home. They go on to say, Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders You must refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution.

Speaking on ABCs This Week, Slotkin said, There are such things as illegal orders. Thats why its in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Going back to Nuremberg, right? She was referring to the war crimes trials after World War II, when the claims of Nazi officers that they were just following orders were rejected.

These are the types of statements made in the midst of a military coup. Trump responded with fascistic fury. In posts on Truth Social, the president denounced the lawmakers as traitors and accused them of seditious behavior punishable by death. He reposted a comment calling for the hanging of the congressmembers and added: Thats what they used to do to people that were corrupt and betrayed our Country.

Each of the Democrats has since received hundreds of death threats. On Monday, the US Department of War revealed that it has opened an investigation into Senator Kelly of Arizona, with the aim of recalling him to active duty and court-martialing him for his involvement in the production of the video. On Tuesday, a Justice Department official told Reuters that the FBI was seeking to interview the six members of Congress.

This extraordinary confrontation between the executive and legislative branches and the obvious potential for violence demonstrate the intensity of the conflict raging within the American ruling elite. An obvious question is posed: What do the six Democrats know about Trumps plans for dictatorship and illegal military operations that is so alarming that they felt compelled to issue an appeal to disobey unlawful orders?

The six Democrats are not left talkers or in any way identified with vocal opposition to Trumps fascist political agenda. On the contrary, all six would be classified as mainstream Democrats, that is, part of the right-wing political establishment, who have stressed finding common ground with Trump.

Five of the six moved directly from military or intelligence roles into Congress. Slotkin is a former CIA officer with tours in Iraq and senior posts in the State Department and Pentagon. Kelly, the most prominent, is a former astronaut and husband of ex-Representative Gabby Giffords. Crow, a former Army Ranger, helped lead Trumps first impeachment. Deluzio and Houlihan served in the Navy and Air Force, and Goodlander, a former intelligence officer, is married to Bidens national security advisor, Jake Sullivan.

There is little doubt that all six have deep, ongoing ties to the military-intelligence apparatus. If they issue a warning about illegal orders, it is because they have information that they have chosen not to share with the public.

When they decided to issue a joint video statement urging military personnel to reject illegal orders, they were acting as the voice of a section of the military-intelligence elite which is increasingly concerned that Trumps policies, both foreign and especially domestic, threaten to discredit the military and provoke a political explosion in the working class.

In her comments on ABCs This Week, Slotkin warned of looming domestic military deployments, stating, my primary concern is the use of the US military on American shores, in our cities and in our streets When you look at these videos coming out of places like Chicago, it makes me incredibly nervous that were about to see people in law enforcement, people in uniformed military get nervous, get stressed, shoot at American civilians.

Appearing on CBSs Face the Nation, Crow was asked to clarify which unlawful orders he feared Trump might issue. He replied, Well, send troops into Chicago, send troops into polling stations, kill terrorists families, arrest and execute members of Congress, shoot peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square He has a history of doing this.

Slotkin added that there are legal gymnastics that are going on with these Caribbean strikes and everything related to Venezuela, noting the sheer size of the military build-up in and around VenezuelaI mean, you have to assume that when superpowers put that much force into an area that theyre going to use it.

All of the Democrats, however, shied away from identifying a specific military order from Trump that they believed to be unlawful, with Slotkin even saying that no such orders had yet been given, and that her warning was preemptive. Such statements have no credibility. Trump has already violated the Posse Comitatus Act repeatedly, first by deploying troops to the US-Mexico border to halt migrants, then by sending them into US cities.

There are definite political calculations behind the silence of the Democrats as well as their focus on the responsibility of individual soldiers to refuse illegal orders. They are diverting public attention away from the fact that the Democrats have done nothing to stop Trumps unconstitutional actions, by impeaching him and removing him from office.

Congress has not so much as held a hearing on Trumps illegal deployment of troops in American cities. The Democrats blame the Republicans for this, since they narrowly control both houses of Congress, but if the positions were reversed, an aggressive Republican minority would effectively disrupt the functioning of a Democratic administration.

The Democrats know very well that Trump and his inner circle of fascist aides, like Stephen Miller and Vice President JD Vance, are preparing for the establishment of a presidential dictatorship. This is expressed even in the responses of Trumps spokespersons. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt declared, Every single order that is given to this United States military by this commander in chief, and through this chain of command through the Secretary of War, is lawful.

Richard Nixon put it more bluntly during the Watergate crisis, which ended his presidency, saying, If the president does it, its not illegal. A half-century later, the crisis of American democracy has reached the point that this authoritarian principle has become the foundation of the US government.

There is also the matter of the timing of the videos release to the public. The 90-second, scripted and crisply produced video was not put together overnight. The Democrats did not issue their appeal to the soldiers after Marines were mobilized and sent into Los Angeles in June, nor when Trump sent the National Guard into Washington DC in mid-August. Nor did they take action in September when Trump and Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth called their meeting of generals and admirals to declare a war on the enemy within. Why not?

One explanation is that the Democrats decided to release their video appeal in response to reports that Trump was moving rapidly to pull the plug on the collapsing Ukrainian regime of Volodymyr Zelensky, effectively conceding defeat in the war with Russia, now in its 46th month. Trumps peace plan has been widely denounced by Democrats, and even a section of the Republicans, as an unacceptable abandonment of the Ukrainian regime. Only hours later after it was released, the video from the six Democrats was made public.

The war against Russia has always been the main focus of the Democrats opposition to Trump. For his part, Trump is a rabid militarist with a different geostrategy. He represents that faction of the ruling elite that wants to turn its attention to shoring up the home frontboth in Latin America and Canada, and even Greenlandand erecting a police-state regime within the United States itself, in preparation for war with China.

Whatever the immediate motives behind the Democrats release of the video, the video itself and the ferocious response it has provoked from the Trump administration expose the real and advanced state of the preparations for dictatorship in the United States.

This process is rooted, fundamentally, in the deep contradictions of American capitalism and the domination of society by a narrow financial oligarchy. The growing movement toward dictatorship is driven by the irreconcilable conflict between the social needs of the vast majority and the relentless accumulation of wealth by a parasitic elite.

Whatever alarm it may occasionally voice, the Democratic Party is incapable of mounting any real opposition to the Trump dictatorship. It has worked with Trump at every critical juncture, including in voting to end the recent government shutdown on his terms. Its primary concern is not the defense of democratic rights, but the preservation of the capitalist systemand the credibility of the military-intelligence apparatus.

The urgent task now is the mobilization of the working class as an independent political force. The defense of democratic rights is inseparable from the struggle against war, inequality, and exploitation. The fight for democracy must be bound up with the fight for socialism.
Palmetto, Georgia postal worker Russell Scruggs Jr. [Photo: Scruggs family]

On November 15, postal worker Russell Scruggs Jr. died at the Palmetto, Georgia USPS Processing & Distribution Center.

Coworkers told the WSWS that Russell died in the plant when his head hit the ground after falling. The exact cause of his fall remains unclear, but workers raised concerns over the lack of medical emergency protocol and zero cell phone service throughout most of the building. The lack of cell phone service caused significant delays in contacting emergency services for help.

Russells sister, Latoya Scruggs, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses and legal fees.

My name is Latoya Scruggs and today Im reaching out with a heavy heart and a mission that no family should ever have to face, she wrote in her GoFundMe appeal. My brother, Russell Scruggs, tragically passed away while at his place of employment. His death has left our family devastated, confused, and searching for answers. We believe that more could have been done to protect him, and we are now fighting to make sure his life, his story, and his rights truly protected. And justice is served as equal.

Russells coworker said, Every donation can help them in their fight for justice and cover burial expenses. We thank you for your kindness.

Workers who would like to make a donation can visit the Scruggs familys GoFundMe page.

On November 19, the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) issued a call for an independent inquiryled by rank-and-file workersinto the deaths of Russell and Nick Acker, a postal worker who was killed at the Allen Park DNDC in Michigan just two weeks prior.

Nick Acker and Russell Scruggs, Jr. died at two separate US postal facilities in the past two weeks. Postal workers who want to get involved in the inquiry can read the IWA-RFC statement and fill out the form to get involved.
Heights University Hospital in Jersey City, New Jersey [Photo: @JerseyDigs]

Heights University Hospital (HUH), a 152-year-old community hospital in Jersey City, New Jersey, has shut down all services except for its emergency department and limited support functions. The sudden closure forces tens of thousands of patients to travel to Hoboken or Bayonne for inpatient care, surgeries, maternity services, imaging and routine treatment.

Workers learned last week that paychecks for the previous pay period would not be issued. Hudson Regional Health (HRH), the network that operated the hospital, began laying off staff in early November without issuing the legally required WARN Act notices. It claims to have absorbed about 100 workers into its network and may reassign another 100 workers. This leaves most of the hospitals 699 employees facing layoffs or unemployment.

HRH justified the shutdown of HUH by claiming in a November 13 statement that the state will not be providing the critical funding needed to sustain operations. But in October, HRH received a $2 million emergency grant from the New Jersey government that was intended to stabilize payroll and prevent service disruptions.

On October 14, HRH filed a certificate of need requesting a staged, full closure of the hospitalweeks before it publicly alleged that it faced a funding crisis. HRH executives insisted that they had pumped $300 million into operations. They blamed the community for the hospitals losses by claiming that six out of every 10 patients cannot afford the health care they need.

The collapse reveals as a fraud what was publicized as HRHs rescue of the hospital. In January, the network assured a bankruptcy court and state regulators that it had the funds to keep the facility, then known as Christ Hospital, running. During a ribbon-cutting event on September 15, HRH executives, flanked by state and local officials, announced a $75100 million investment in transformative upgrades to services, technology and infrastructure. They declared HUH to be a key part of a new regional network.

Yet an HUH healthcare worker, who spoke under condition of anonymity, told World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) reporters that he had seen no improvements since the HRH takeover. Ive worked at several hospitals. Theres no way you can miss improvements, he said. [During construction,] people are talking about them. Contractors are walking around; they stand out. There are areas closed off temporarily, employees being shifted around. That never happened here.

After HRH took over in January, one floor was permanently shut down, followed by a second, he added. These changes happened long before HRH announced its sudden financial crisis in October.

The true reason for HRHs takeover is now clear. In its certificate of need filing, HRH, which owns the land beneath HUH, described plans to develop the property into a mixture of residential units and commercial space. It vaguely mentioned plans of building a future hospital elsewhere. This scheme was consistent with the record of HRHs Chair Yan Moshe.

Since 2007, major insurers have sued Moshe nine times under the federal RICO Act for fraudulent billing schemes, kickbacks and using straw owners to conceal his control of medical practices. In 2018, one of his surgical centers was shut down after state inspectors found sterilization lapses that exposed hundreds of patients to infection.

Moshe donated more than $400,000 to Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, who publicly backed HRHs takeover of HUH. Under outgoing Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, a former Goldman Sachs executive and millionaire, the New Jersey Department of Health approved HRHs takeover despite Moshes well-documented record.

The closure of Heights University Hospital is not the result of poor judgment but the predictable outcome of the states placement of health services in the hands of profiteers. Regulators stood aside as HRH closed floors, emptied departments and withheld workers pay. Even as HRH moved toward shutdown, the Department of Health told NJ Advance Media it was merely monitoring the situation. In its own correspondence, the Department has since admitted that HRH failed to fund their payroll  failed to fully perform as it represented and has not followed through on its commitments to the community it serves and to the state.

The Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE) union has played a central role in suppressing any organized resistance to the shutdown. In a November 14 statement, HPAE labeled HRH the worst employer in Hudson County and condemned what it described as the illegal closure of the hospital after workers were left without paychecks for two weeks labor. But the union has taken no action to defend its members. There has been no strike, walkout, mass meeting or appeal to workers at HRH hospitals in Hoboken, Bayonne or Secaucus. By limiting its response to issuing statements about possible lawsuits and appealing to the Department of Health and Democratic officials, HPAE contained opposition rather than mobilizing it. It kept its members isolated and uninformed.

The closure of HUH is part of a nationwide breakdown of public health. Under President Donald Trump, federal public health programs have been gutted, scientific agencies have been undermined and emergency preparedness systems have been dismantled. These attacks intensify a decades-long bipartisan process that has starved hospitals of funding, accelerated mergers and handed the healthcare system over to private equity, insurance conglomerates and real estate developers. Community hospitals across the country are being closed or stripped down not because they are unsustainable but because they are unprofitable.

Healthcare workers cannot prevent hospital closures or defend their jobs through appeals to the political establishment that enabled the closure of HUH. Instead, they must act independently by forming rank-and-file committees that connect them with other workers across the state and internationally.

Defending healthcare requires a fight against capitalism and for socialized medicine. Hospitals must be placed under public ownership and controlled democratically by the workers to fulfill human need rather than to generate private profit. Only from this perspective can the working class fight to restore and expand public health on a truly humane and scientific basis.
Miguel Reis [Photo: Silva-Faria Funeral Home]

The collapse of a trench at a worksite in West Yarmouth, Massachusetts, on November 18, claimed the life of 61-year-old worker Miguel Reis and injured two others. Reis, of Fall River, was buried and killed by the collapsing trench. He was married with two children and was an involved member of the Portuguese community in Fall River, where he had lived for over 40 years. A second worker was buried up to his waist for more than four hours while firefighters and rescue teams tried to free him. A third worker was able to escape the trench himself shortly after it collapsed.

The site at 152 South Shore Drive was being run by Revoli Construction, a company that has been subject to at least six Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigations in the last 10 years. The company has a history of serious and willful safety violations going back decades.

The devastating collapse at the worksite occurred just before 9:00 a.m. in the morning. The site is just steps away from the location of a previous OSHA violation in which Revoli Construction was fined $6,950 in February. The worker who had been buried up to his waist was finally freed at 1:20 p.m. and had to be flown by medical helicopter to Rhode Island Hospital trauma center. Despite a massive mobilization of regional fire departments and other emergency services, the rescue teams could not recover Reiss body until 2:45 p.m.

Revoli Construction was already embroiled in an ongoing legal dispute, in part over safety, with the Town of Yarmouth. Despite the companys history of habitual and ongoing violations, Yarmouth officials handed Revoli an $18 million contract to build a sewage system in the town.

Yarmouth is in the tourist area of Cape Cod in which more than 85 percent of homes use septic systems rather than sewers, and only 15 to 20 percent are on centralized wastewater treatment. The town explicitly picked Revoli Construction for the work because it was the lowest bidder for the contract, enabling its corner-cutting business practices and setting the stage for a disaster.

The worksite was part of a $207 million sewer improvement project in Yarmouth that is planned to go on for decades, with the ongoing first phase along Route 28 expected to take a total of five years to complete. The complex project has resulted in constant road closures and traffic disruptions in a part of Yarmouth that is heavily traveled and crowded with businesses and restaurants. The disruptions have frustrated residents and tourists, creating a high-pressure environment around the project.

As part of the project, a major $18 million contract was awarded to Revoli Construction in 2023. Based in Franklin, the company has left a stunning trail of safety violations, fines and lawsuits wherever it has done business.

In the aftermath of the recent tragedy, the town is claiming it was compelled to select Revoli because it was the lowest bidder for the project. According to Yarmouth Town Administrator Robert Whritenour, state laws provide very little flexibility in terms of selecting a contractor as long as they are certified by the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance.

Despite this argument, which has been raised to deflect blame, there was no legal mandate forcing the town to give the contract to Revoli Construction. In fact, a specific provision to deal with public safety, which can be found in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 149, Section 44A, states:

The contract shall be awarded to the lowest responsible and eligible bidder, except that the awarding authority may reject all bids if it is in the public interest to do so. The towns own legal disputes with Revoli show that they were both aware of the dangers represented by doing business with the contractor and ample grounds to reject its bid.

Revoli Construction has a documented history of safety violations and enforcement actions by OSHA and was already in a civil lawsuit with the Town of Yarmouth that raised safety concerns. Revoli Construction has quite a pattern of safety violations, according to the executive director of the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (MassCOSH). This is an understatement. A review of recent and notable OSHA investigations includes:

Violation over an unprotected trench in Littleton in August 2023, where two workers were found working by OSHA. OSHA requires protective systems (like sloping, benching, shoring or shielding) for all excavations 5 feet deep or greater, except in stable rock. The unprotected trench was between 5 1/2 and 7 1/2 feet deep. The trench was also found to have a lack of a safe exit route, and workers were found to be working under a suspended excavator load. This was classified as a serious violation with a $16,875 initial fine that was reduced to $5,625 during settlement.

Violation over electrocution risks and inadequate jobsite oversight at 174 South Shore Drive on December 20, 2024, just steps away from the site of the disaster on November 18. Indoor rated electrical connectors were found to be left lying on wet ground, which could have resulted in electrical burns, arc flash or electrocution. OSHA initially fined Revoli Construction $13,000 in penalties but this was reduced to $6,950 in the final settlement.

A violation in Gloucester in 2005 where workers were found working in an unprotected 14-foot trench. The company was cited for 12 willful and serious violations with fines initially being set at $115,000.

Earlier violations and lawsuits include a willful violation in 1998 and a 1995 settlement in which Revoli agreed to notify OSHA any time it opened a trench, after paying a $40,000 fine.

Neither the state certification agencies nor the Town of Yarmouth were ignorant of this long and tangled history of serious and willful violations by Revoli. Nonetheless, they proceeded to allow the company to work on projects that continued to put lives in danger and cut corners to maximize profits. The corner cutting and utter disregard of safety is one of the primary reasons Revoli Construction was the lowest qualified bidder for the project in Yarmouth.

Trench collapses are a major threat facing construction workers, with construction being the most dangerous industry in the United States. There were 373 trenching deaths nationwide between 2003 and 2017. In 2016 two workers died in Boston when a 12-foot trench filled with water after a fire hydrant burst. OSHA fined the company responsible $1.4 million.

Recent years have seen a rising number of trench collapse deaths, with 39 deaths in 2022 alone. Citations and the paltry fines imposed by OSHA, often reduced further on appeal, provide scant deterrent. A database compiled by National Public Radio of trench collapse deaths between 2013 and 2023 revealed that in trench collapses that resulted in deaths, only 5 percent of employers were criminally charged. They found that most got away with little punishment.

The rising toll of deaths is by no means limited to construction. In Bourne, another town on Cape Cod, a cranberry bog worker was crushed on Friday, November 21, when a piece of equipment rolled over him. OSHA is investigating that case as well.

The deaths in Massachussetts are part of the ongoing industrial slaughterhouse in the US. This includes the recent deaths of U.S. Postal Service workers Nick Acker, 36, and Russell Scruggs, Jr., 44, at mail distribution centers in Michigan and Georgia.

Three recent mass casualty disasters reported by the WSWS include the crash of a UPS cargo plane which leveled industrial businesses and killed 14 people on November 4. Before that, there was the death of 16 workers in an explosion at a Tennessee munitions plant on October 10 and an explosion on August 11 at US Steels Clairton Coke Works that killed two workers and injured 10 others.

In 2023, the last year reported by the AFL-CIO, 5,240 workers died from traumatic occupational injuries. Despite this, in 2024, there were only 1,802 OSHA inspectors to inspect 11.8 million workplaces, covering 161 million workers. The average penalty for serious violations was only $4,083 for federal OSHA and $2,580 for state plans.

The World Socialist Web Site has described the chronic fatalities and injuries of workers and the millions of industrial accidents that occur in the United States as Americas industrial slaughterhouse.

Under the Trump administration, there has been massive deregulation and reduced government oversight and standards, including the Trump administrations attempt to remove the general duty clause, which covers workplace safety violations that are not covered by an existing category.

These recent workplace tragedies are rooted in the subordination of all aspects of social life to the bottom line of Wall Street. No confidence can be placed in OSHA, the corporate controlled media or pro capitalist union to put a stop to these needless and preventable deaths. We urge workers to build rank-and-file committees in every workplace, democratically controlled by workers themselves and independent of the union apparatus.

We urge construction workers, and workers in all industries, who want to share information, expose unsafe conditions and take up the fight to build rank-and-file committees to contact the World Socialist Web Site today by using the form below.
You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters.

(Bloomberg) -- Big Law made one fortune helping private equity lure large investors. Now its minting another helping the industry attract small ones.

Law firms that have long advised private equity giants on mergers and acquisitions  and often bill more than $1,000 an hour for their services  are joining the industrys latest treasure hunt: prying open Americas 401(k)s.

The lawyers lucrative, if unglamorous, task: setting up funds that promise to bring private equitys rarefied style of investing to everyday people, even as some big institutions pull back from these investments.

For the financial-industrial complex  bankers, asset managers, lawyers, financial advisors, record-keepers  the incentive is obvious. All told, nearly $13 trillion is sitting in 401(k) accounts and other defined-contribution retirement plans. Tapping into that trove could help plug gaps left by deep-pocketed pensions and endowments.

More and more people are realizing theres a lot of money in this, said Phil Troyer, of counsel at Endeavor Law in Overland Park, Kansas, who specializes in compliance in the retirement-plan industry.

Financial advisors say average investors should tread carefully when weighing whether to add private assets to their retirement mix. Theres no guarantee future investment returns will justify the industrys high fees.

Lawyers, however, can bill today. Legal fees for the structuring and paperwork of a simple private-markets fund for retail investors can sometimes be as much as $1.5 million, according to people familiar with the matter. Ongoing legal work can amount to hundreds of thousands a year.

Wall Street lawyers say theyve never seen anything quite like this. Fund specialists  who once set up far less lucrative mutual funds and exchange-traded funds and were snubbed by some of the big firms  are now so coveted that pay can stretch into seven digits, people close to the firms say. Ho-hum legal work like going through fund regulations and preparing prospectuses suddenly looks like a growth business.

And so big-name law firms like Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Kirkland & Ellis are stepping up and looking for talent in an area that, until recently, was far from being a priority. Theyre helping the likes of Apollo Global Management Inc., Blackstone Inc. and KKR & Co. set up funds aimed at retail investors. A lawyer at one prominent firm said he recently received 25 inquiries in a single week from private-markets firms looking to get into the 401(k) market.
This story was originally published on Manufacturing Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Manufacturing Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

Electronics maker Nokia announced on Nov. 21 that it has committed to spending $4 billion to expand its manufacturing and research and development capabilities in the United States.

The funds will help the Finland-based company to accelerate innovation in artificial intelligence-ready technologies in mobile, fixed access, internet protocol, optical and data center networking, according to the press release.

The investment is also expected to help strengthen Nokias AI-optimized networking products and R&D in advanced networking technologies such as automation, quantum-safe, semiconductor manufacturing, testing, packaging and material sciences.

Dive Insight:

Nokia said it expects to spend around $3.5 billion on R&D in an effort to progress new technologies in connectivity and AI through all aspects of its telecommunications infrastructure, such as mobile, data center and defense solutions.

The remaining $500 million will be invested in domestic manufacturing and R&D across Texas, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Nokia also established its first U.S. broadband products factory in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, which began production in April 2024.

The investment is part of Nokias strategy to address increasing AI demand, which it announced at its Capital Markets Day on Nov. 19. The plan will focus on accelerating growth in AI and cloud computing, mobile connectivity with AI-built networks and 6G, development with customers and stakeholders, investing money where Nokia can deliver technologies at scale, and unlocking sustainable returns, Justin Hotard, president and CEO, said at the investor event last week.

This also includes partnering with major companies in the industry to accelerate time to value, Hotard added.

The company has begun implementing part of its strategy. In October, Nokia and Nvidia formed a partnership in which the latters AI-powered products will be added to the formers radio access network portfolio. The deal will launch AI-capable, 5G-advanced and 6G networks on Nvidias platforms to support telecommunications for its consumer and business services. Nvidia also plans to invest $1 billion in Nokia.

Additionally, Nokia will reorganize its business, according to another Nov. 19 release. The plan includes running two operating segments to better align with its customers needs and expedite innovation to address the increasing demand for AI: network infrastructure and mobile infrastructure. The change takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.
By Ross Kerber

(Reuters) -New York City Comptroller Brad Lander is urging city pension fund officials to rebid $42.3 billion managed by BlackRock over climate concerns, the first major move by a Democrat to counter pressure on financial companies from Republican allies of the fossil-fuel industry.

Lander's term in office ends on December 31, but his recommendation, to be unveiled on Wednesday, will put Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the hot seat when he takes office in about five weeks. Mamdani's appointees will take key positions that hold some sway over the pension boards that decide where to invest retirement funds for some 800,000 current and former city employees.

In a November 25 memo to other pension fund trustees, seen by Reuters, Lander urged the funds to re-evaluate contracts with New York-based BlackRock, which is both the world's largest asset manager and the city's largest manager of retirement assets.

Lander cited what he called "BlackRock's restrictive approach to engagement" with about 2,800 U.S. companies in which it owns more than 5% of shares.

'ABDICATION OF FINANCIAL DUTY'

Under pressure from the Trump administration, BlackRock in February said it would not use its discussions with executives to try to control companies. That ran contrary to the hopes of Lander and other environmentally minded investors, who wanted the investors to press executives on priorities like disclosing emissions.

In an interview, Lander said the change was "an abdication of financial duty and renders them unable to meet our expectations for responsible investing."

His recommendation must still be approved by pension boards that traditionally take cues from the comptroller's office. Representatives for Mamdani and for New York's incoming Comptroller, Mark Levine, did not respond to questions on Tuesday.

A specialist trader works at the post where BlackRock is traded on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., July 21, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

Lander, a rival-turned-ally of Mamdani during the mayoral campaign, recommended that the pension plans keep BlackRock to manage non-U.S. equity index mandates and other products. Lander also recommended the three systems continue using State Street to manage $8 billion in equity index assets, and that they drop deals with Fidelity Investments and PanAgora, which he said also do not press companies sufficiently on environmental matters like decarbonization.

PRESSURE FROM WASHINGTON

A number of Republicans, some from fossil-fuel-producing states, have withdrawn money from BlackRock and other money managers, accusing them of basing investment decisions on social or environmental issues. New York City funds would be the first large Democratic or liberal-leaning asset owner to respond in kind.
The exhibition is part of an ongoing municipal initiative to strengthen Eilats contemporary art profile.

A significant artistic homecoming arrives at the Eilat Artists Gallery on December 4 with Face to Face, a rare exhibition featuring siblings Gideon (Gidi) Rubin and Michal Rubin. As grandchildren of the iconic Israeli painter Reuven Rubin, the internationally working artists carry a profound legacy.

Both trained in New York and London, they now stand side by side, offering two distinct yet deeply complementary perspectives on the human form and showcasing the powerful interplay between their family history and their individual contemporary art.

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Curated by Celine Avrahami, the exhibition is part of an ongoing municipal initiative to strengthen Eilats contemporary art profile. Previous shows in the series have featured artists such as Angelika Sher, Hila Ben Ari, Zadok Ben David, Ori Gersht, and Lea Nikel. This new chapter focuses on an intimate artistic dialogue within a single family.

The Rubin siblings works do not answer each other so much as resonate. Gidis paintings offer a contemplative quiet; Michals photographs introduce grounded immediacy. Both are anchored in close observation, one through the erasure of the face, the other through its attentive recording.

Together, they shape a nuanced conversation about how we see, how we remember, and how personal histories become part of a broader cultural story.

Gidi Rubin 88 224 (credit: Courtesy)

Exhibition works

In this exhibition, siblings who have spent much of their careers abroad return to stand, quite literally, face to face. Their shared lineage is present but never overstated. The focus rests on the works themselves and on the human questions they raise.

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For Eilat, and for visitors passing through the gallery this winter, Face to Face offers a thoughtful, finely tuned encounter with two artists whose practices are distinct, intertwined, and quietly resonant.

Although their artistic languages differ, both siblings acknowledge their grandfather, Reuven Rubin, as a shaping force in their visual consciousness. As one of Israels foundational modern painters, his work and presence shaped the cultural environment in which they grew up, surrounding them with stories and paintings and fostering a lifelong closeness to art.

What emerges in Face to Face is not homage but a continuation of inquiry. Their works echo a question central to their grandfathers art: what it means to look closely at another human being and how that act shapes understanding.

About the artists

Born in 1973 and based in London, Gidi Rubin has built an international reputation for paintings that explore presence through absence. His faceless figures, distilled from photographic sources, are defined by posture rather than identity. Their quiet gestures and muted palette create intimacy shaped not by recognition but by suggestion.

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Rubin has exhibited widely, including at the Freud Museum in London, the Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art, and major galleries and foundations across Europe, Asia, and the United States. His work often prompts viewers to fill in what is missing, turning looking into an act of participation.

Michal Rubin (b. 1977), also London-based, works in photography. Her images, often of family, close friends, and domestic interiors, focus on the intimate and immediate. They have appeared in international publications and been shown in galleries and museums in Israel and abroad.

Where Gidis work is withheld, Michals offers a patient attentiveness to everyday life. Her gaze lingers on gestures, moods, and relationships, revealing layers of meaning within seemingly simple moments. Together, their works trace a spectrum of visibility, what is hidden, what is revealed, and what lies in between.

Curator Celine Avrahami has followed the siblings careers since her years in London, and the exhibition reflects her longstanding interest in the relationship between body, gesture, and human presence. By bringing the two artists together, she creates a space where their differing approaches can be read in relation to each other. Positioning painting and photography side by side highlights the tension between anonymity and immediacy, distance and closeness.

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A documentary film created especially for the exhibition adds another layer, featuring interviews with the artists shot in London. Directed by Avrahami with British filmmaker Mark James, it broadens the exhibitions scope and situates the works within the artists own reflections on practice, memory, and family history.

Face to Face is part of a broader effort by the Eilat Municipality, the Eilat Tourism Corporation, and the Association of Museums and ICOM Israel to cultivate a contemporary art scene in the city. Since the initiative began in 2023, Eilat has hosted exhibitions featuring national and international artists, integrating them into the region's cultural life.

As with previous exhibitions, Face to Face will be accompanied by an educational program involving local schools. Hundreds of students will participate in a creative project responding to the exhibitions central themes, with their works displayed in the gallerys outdoor space.
GIZA  For centuries, the Pyramids belonged to antiquity. Now, thanks to Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, theyve become a stage for contemporary art and global fashion  a juxtaposition unthinkable until she made it real.

In 2021, the French-Egyptian curator became the first person to mount a contemporary art exhibition at the UNESCO World Heritage site  a feat that required years of navigating government bureaucracy, convincing skeptical archeologists and proving that modern art could honor rather than diminish one of humanitys most sacred monuments. Now in its fifth edition, her Forever Is Now has transformed the Giza plateau into the worlds most storied open-air gallery, drawing blue-chip artists, fashion houses and collectors to a site where permits remain notoriously difficult to secure.

More from WWD

This years exhibition, running through Dec. 6, features 10 international artists including Arte Povera pioneer Michelangelo Pistoletto, whose Third Paradise installation represents a career highlight for the 92-year-old Nobel Peace Prize nominee. The work  a mirrored obelisk surrounded by blocks tracing the mathematical symbol for infinity  has traveled to 60 nations, but Pistoletto considers the pyramids its most resonant home. The pyramids are the base, the origin of our whole story, the artist said. They represent the human beings desire for survival in terms of immortality.

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Portuguese street artist Vhils presents Doors of Cairo, assembled from doors collected throughout the city that become vessels of collective history. Lebanese architect Nadim Karams Desert Flowers rises as lotus-like sculptures forged from reclaimed materials. The opening drew designer Angela Missoni, Turkish actress Esra Bilgic, Egyptian cinema icon Hussein Fahmy and members of the Cairo International Film Festival jury.

Art DEgypte, the organization Abdel Ghaffar founded in 2016, operates as both cultural producer and social enterprise. Forever Is Now is its flagship initiative, but the organization first made its mark staging exhibitions at Egypts most significant heritage sites  the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, Manial Palace, and historic Al-Muiz Street  before arriving at the Pyramids in 2021. The model relies entirely on private sponsorship rather than government funding, a rarity in a region where cultural initiatives typically depend on state support.

What I was doing was completely unorthodox, Abdel Ghaffar told WWD. We dont have contemporary land art in public spaces in Egypt. I said, OK, lets show the transcendence we have with our past, because most contemporary Egyptian artists are influenced by ancient Egypt in one way or another.

Her influence extends well beyond the art world.

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Abdel Ghaffar was instrumental in bringing Christian Diors historic 2022 mens show to the Pyramids  a collaboration born when chief executive officer Pietro Beccari attended the first Forever Is Now in 2021.

The Dior experience really touched my heart, she said. Im not from the fashion world, but when I met Maria Grazia and Kim Jones and saw the research and how careful they were about cultural authenticity, I had so much respect. We worked for two years.

That December 2022 show, with Naomi Campbell, Lewis Hamilton and Robert Pattinson among the 800 guests, shifted how luxury brands view Egypt as a cultural destination. It is a big step for the government to authorize Art DEgypte and Dior to organize events at the foot of the pyramids, she said. Promoting the countrys culture must be a priority.

Models pose in the Dior men's pre-fall 2023 collection in Giza, Egypt.

The exhibition arrives at a pivotal moment for Egypt. The $1 billion Grand Egyptian Museum opened this month just 2 kilometers from the Giza plateau, bringing European and Arab royals to Cairo and putting over 100,000 artifacts on display, many never seen before. But Abdel Ghaffar has been building toward this cultural renaissance since 2016, starting at Cairos Egyptian Museum before expanding to historic sites across the city.

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Her path was shaped by an unconventional upbringing in Alexandria among artists, archeologists and intellectuals. Before founding Art DEgypte, she managed portfolios for important Egyptian artistic families, working with Christies, Sothebys and Bonhams from her Cairo base.

What distinguishes her approach is treating art as social infrastructure. Her guides program trains local youth with paid honorariums and UNESCO-endorsed certificates, while openings welcome the public before VIPs. You see a minister, and you see the guy from the shop next door, and you see the little kid wandering behind barefoot, she said. We dont create any segregation. It is really public art.

Her influence has expanded through CulturVator, her Dubai-based consultancy working across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Greece. As luxury brands seek cultural credibility, she sees opportunity for deeper fashion partnerships.

Were open, Abdel Ghaffar said. People still talk about that Dior show. Art can change the world. Finding the space where people come together as humans  doesnt matter where you come from, who you are, or what religion you follow.

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The holiday season has a way of humbling even the most prepared hosts  and celebrities are no exception.

Between Martha Stewart, Guy Fieri and Chrissy Teigens kitchen mishaps, the Baldwin familys photo chaos and a few emergency room visits, these celebrity Thanksgiving moments show that even the stars cant escape holiday mayhem.

Heres a look at some famous feasts that didnt exactly go as planned.

Martha Stewart and Alec Baldwin are among the stars whove shared their own Thanksgiving mishaps over the years.

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Guy Fieris deep-fried turkey mishap became one of his wildest Thanksgiving stories.

Guy Fieri's holiday didn't go as planned one year when he tried to deep-fry a Thanksgiving turkey.

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"One of my favorites was when the deep-fried turkey craze started," the Santo Tequila co-owner told Fox News Digital.

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Fieri noted that he learned the technique from "a guy named Kim Gardner," who showed him how to make his first deep-fried bird. It turned out so well he wanted to make one for his family. But instead of measuring the oil properly, everything spiraled.

"Just like every video that you see on TikTok, it is a fireball of flames," he said.

WATCH: Guy Fieri recalls Thanksgiving deep-fried turkey disaster

The pot spilled, and the burner tipped, sending flaming oil across his patio and into the yard. "

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My flip-flop is melted to the stand. So, I got one flip-flop on one flip-flop off," he added.

At that point, the turkey shot out of the pot and skidded across the lawn. Fieri ran after it.

"Grabbed the turkey. Now its kind of coated in some leaves and such, and I grabbed the hose, and Im hosing the turkey off. And Im, it was about eight in the morning, so Im hosing the turkey off."

The reaction from inside the house was immediate.

"Theres no way in hell Im eating that turkey," he recalled.

Before she became a household name for flawless dinner parties, Martha Stewart admitted her first Thanksgiving as a newlywed was a total disaster.

Before she became a household name for flawless dinner parties, Martha Stewart admitted, her first Thanksgiving as a newlywed was a total disaster.

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In a 2017 interview with the Daily Mail, Stewart said she wanted to impress her new in-laws and volunteered to host. She woke up at 3 a.m. to stuff the turkey and put it in the oven, then went back to sleep.

Thats when things went up in smoke.

"I preheated the oven to 500 degrees, then forgot to turn it down to 325," she said. "I woke up to smoke and flames."

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Stewart rushed to a nearby farm, grabbed the last turkey they had, and even salvaged the stuffing from the burnt bird. Dinner was six hours late but saved.

Stewart, of course, has come a long way, sharing a photo on Instagram on Dec. 2, 2023, showing the heritage turkey she roasted for a friends Thanksgiving buffet.

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Martha Stewart Cancels Thanksgiving After Hosting At Least 60 Dinners Over The Years

Chrissy Teigen shared a photo of her burnt sweet potato pie on Instagram in 2018, joking about her Thanksgiving kitchen mishap.

Chrissy Teigen shared a Thanksgiving kitchen misfire in 2018.

The "Cravings" author and cookware mogul went viral after burning her sweet potato pie.

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She posted a photo of the charred dessert on Instagram with the caption, "In case you are wondering why I didnt put my finished pie on my Instastory."

Teigen quickly baked a second pie and laughed it off.

Alec and Hilaria Baldwins Thanksgiving photo was anything but picture-perfect.

In 2022, the couple tried to capture a family portrait with their seven kids. The result was pure chaos.

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"Happy gratitude day from our epic fail family photo to what is probably yours," Hilaria joked in her caption.

In the photo, the Baldwin children cried, ate and looked in every direction but at the camera. Fans praised the mom of seven for keeping things real.

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Thanksgiving 2024 took an unexpected turn for "Modern Family" stars Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Julie Bowen, who both ended up in the ER with their kids.

Bowen, mom to Oliver, 18, and twins John and Gustav, 16, posted a photo from the hospital with the caption, "Its not a holiday without a trip to the ER. (Hes fine, btw). HAPPY THANKSGIVING."

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The next day, Ferguson shared a selfie from a hospital bed with his son asleep on his chest. "Seeing I wasnt the only one with a kid in the ER on Thanksgiving was comforting," he wrote. "Hes also fine."

Guy Fieri Is Cooking And Eating These Foods This Fall: 'Big, Heavy And Hot'

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Caroline Bryan skipped the picture-perfect Thanksgiving and showed what hosting really looks like.

In 2021, the wife of country star Luke Bryan shared a video of her cooking mishap. A bubbling rice dish overflowed and coated the bottom of her oven.

In 2021, the wife of country star Luke Bryan shared a video of her cooking mishap.

"This is what happens when I say Ill cook something on Thanksgiving," she said while lifting the ruined pan. "The whole thing I did that."

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She captioned the clip, "I hate cooking. I give up. I spilled crap everywhere! And I think my turkey weighed five pounds."

On the other end of the holiday chaos, there are the wardrobe malfunctions. Just ask Cardi B.

In 2022, the Grammy winner wrote on Twitter, now X, "Notice my dress is super see-through before family start arriving GOD IS GOOD!"

Her friend and publicist Derrian "Phreshy" Perry later posted a photo of the two posing on a staircase. Cardi had added a bra under her black Chanel dress just in time to avoid a major wardrobe malfunction.

Martha Stewart Makes Baking Mistake Ahead Of Thanksgiving Day Feast

"Greys Anatomy" star Camilla Luddington learned the hard way that cooking a turkey from scratch isnt for everyone.

"Greys Anatomy" star Camilla Luddington learned the hard way that cooking a turkey from scratch isnt for everyone.

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On her 2024 podcast "Call It What It Is" with co-host Jessica Capshaw, Luddington said she decided to skip her usual pre-cooked bird from Whole Foods and roast her own.

"I didnt grow up with it," the British-born actress said. "So, I just inherited all the Friendsgiving traditions around me."

That year, the turkey took nearly 12 hours to cook, and things went downhill from there. "I gave food poisoning that year to everyone that had the turkey," she admitted. "People were throwing up that night."

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Original article source: Alec Baldwins Thanksgiving chaos to Martha Stewarts burnt bird: Stars' holiday disasters exposed
We might never see Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor or Sarah Ferguson in the United States again. The two not be welcome in the US. In addition, they may have to answer some uncomfortable questions should they ever set foot on American soil.

The former Prince and Duchess already lost their royal titles and longtime home, among other things. Coming to the US might mean the former couple will have to testify before the US Congress. It would be in relation to their affiliation with disgraced pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. That alone may discourage them from going there ever again.

Ex-Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson previously spoke fondly of Jeffrey Epstein

Photo Credit: Indigo/Getty Images

Speaking highly of someone like Jeffreys is digging Andrew and Sarah deeper and deeper into a hole. Speaking to News Nation royal historian Andrew Lownie explain why neither are likely to be seen again in the US. Neither wants to be arrested or forced to testify in front of Congress about their friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

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Andrew and Sarah are already in enough trouble because of that, with the latter calling the late Jeffrey a great friend in a recent e-mail that resurfaced.

Meanwhile Andrews been in the eye of the storm since the late Virginia Giuffre had her memoir Nobodys Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice posthumously published in October. In the book, she alleges that the former Prince had sex with her when she was 17. Jeffrey reportedly trafficked her to the then-Prince. Andrew has always denied these allegations. Andrew and Sarah are also said to be facing a ban at their favorite London club, Annabels, because of their tarnished image.

Sarah, who also borrowed money from Jeffrey years ago to get out of debt, had her new childrens book pulled from publication. Shes considering shifting her focus to writing adult novels.

Neither wants more unwanted attention or to have to revisit their affiliation with Jeffrey, something they might not be able to avoid if they go to the United States.

TELL US  SHOULD ANDREW AND SARAH BE FORCED TO SPEAK BEFORE CONGRESS ABOUT THE JEFFREY EPSTEIN MATTER?

The post Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson Facing Possible USA Ban Over Jeffrey Epstein Link appeared first on Reality Tea.
Coi Leray attends 2025 Fanatics Super Bowl Party at The Sugar Mill on February 08, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kaitlyn Morris/WireImage)

Coi Leray teamed up with her nonprofit Camp Courage to host a turkey drive in New Jersey on Tuesday. She shared footage of the event on Instagram, which captured her interacting with community members before explaining her reason for the drive.

You gotta give back. We receive so [many] blessings, make sure that you bless others, even [if its] just a small prayer," she said.

In the caption, Coi reflected on the event while thanking those who came together to bring the drive to fruition.

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"Everyday I ask myself, what can I do to be a better me? I think being a great leader is very important but never forget to be a great LISTENER and WILLING TO LEARN, is the true key to success," she writes. "This was @thecampcourageworld 1st turkey drive and I couldnt be more happy with how amazing this day turnt out."

"Huge shout out to my team and everyone involved to make this happen," she continued. "Special shout out to Hackensack NJ Recreation Dept. helping this moment come together."

Coi launched Camp Courage in 2024, which aims to connect people of all ages while creating a space for them to collaborate and build lasting relationships. A statement from the nonprofit's Instagram says its "mission is to inspire individuals to pursue their dreams, overcome challenges, and reach their fullest potential, fostering a strong community dedicated to growth and success."

Copyright  2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
As ex-Prince Andrew prepares to leave the Royal Lodge in Windsor, speculation about his next chapter is growing. Though his upcoming move to Sandringham appears as a practical downsizing, royal commentators believe it could signal something far more significant. Some suggest Andrew may even be considering a move out of the United Kingdom entirely.

Ex-Prince Andrew might be happy living somewhere where the media is muzzled, expert

With the former prince set to vacate his longtime Windsor residence, royal historian Andrew Lownie believes the relocation could be a temporary stop on a far more dramatic path.

Speaking with Mirror about ex-Prince Andrews situation, Lownie suggested that, despite the move being framed as modest, the ex-royal is unlikely to be living a humble lifestyle. According to the historian, Andrew will continue to receive substantial support, staff included, and will not suddenly find himself living without privilege.

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But the bigger prediction  one Lownie cautions is speculative  is that Andrew may ultimately leave Britain altogether. He suggested that if legal pressures intensify, the former Duke of York could seek refuge abroad, perhaps following the example of Spains former King Juan Carlos.

The United Arab Emirates is a region Andrew knows well, the historian noted. During his time as Britains trade envoy in the early 2000s, the ex-prince forged close ties with the UAEs current president. Moreover, Andrews daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, have also been frequent visitors to the Gulf, attending major conferences and social events. Their recent appearances have only fueled speculation that the family maintains significant connections in the region.

According to Lownie, Andrew may find the Middle East appealing not only for its familiar connections but for its media environment. He suggested that Andrew might feel more comfortable somewhere where the media is muzzled. This may also allow him the deference he once enjoyed as a senior royal, something public opinion in Britain makes increasingly difficult. Polling reflects the dramatic decline in his reputation, with only a small fraction of the U.K. viewing him favorably.

Furthermore, royal author Andrew Morton echoed that possibility in a separate interview on Times Radio. He predicted that Andrew will probably live somewhere abroad by this time next year.

The post Ex-Prince Andrew Might Be Happier Outside of the UK  Expert appeared first on Reality Tea.
George Clooney recently spoke about the simple reason why he stays off social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, saying its because of his jokes that might not age well. The actor and director, while attending a British Film Institute event in London, said he does not like to be on social media, framing it as a matter of self-control.

George Clooney shares why hes not on social media

George Clooney, when asked why he is not on X (formerly Twitter), replied by saying, You know, Im not on Twitter or Instagram or any of that bulls**t because  I drink. You know, 3 a.m., my Mother Teresa joke might not play so well when I wake up the next day. (via Variety)

He went on to note that in the current media climate, a single offhand comment or interview can have real professional consequences. Every opportunity to have an interview or to have a conversation could result in the end of your career, he said.

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The Oceans Eleven star also talked about his various film projects and personal life. One of the significant projects from his career so far that he talked about was Goodnight, Good Luck. Speaking about the film and how he was inspired to make it due to the events surrounding the war in Iraq that was going on at the time, Clooney called the time period a pretty shameful moment in our history when the three branches of government  the judicial, the executive, and the legislative branches  all failed in their job.

Furthermore, he added, The Fourth Estate, meaning journalism, has the responsibility to question authority, has to, and when it doesnt  it didnt, and it failed  we end up in a war in Iraq, a war of choice.

Clooney then talked about the hypocrisy of how, at the time of this films release, he was being targeted. However, now that the war is over, the same people who had criticised him are claiming how bad that war was.

The post George Clooney Is Not on Social Media Because of His Jokes appeared first on Mandatory.
George Clooney recently spoke about the simple reason why he stays off social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, saying its because of his jokes that might not age well. The actor and director, while attending a British Film Institute event in London, said he does not like to be on social media, framing it as a matter of self-control.

George Clooney shares why hes not on social media

George Clooney, when asked why he is not on X (formerly Twitter), replied by saying, You know, Im not on Twitter or Instagram or any of that bulls**t because  I drink. You know, 3 a.m., my Mother Teresa joke might not play so well when I wake up the next day. (via Variety)

He went on to note that in the current media climate, a single offhand comment or interview can have real professional consequences. Every opportunity to have an interview or to have a conversation could result in the end of your career, he said.

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The Oceans Eleven star also talked about his various film projects and personal life. One of the significant projects from his career so far that he talked about was Goodnight, Good Luck. Speaking about the film and how he was inspired to make it due to the events surrounding the war in Iraq that was going on at the time, Clooney called the time period a pretty shameful moment in our history when the three branches of government  the judicial, the executive, and the legislative branches  all failed in their job.

Furthermore, he added, The Fourth Estate, meaning journalism, has the responsibility to question authority, has to, and when it doesnt  it didnt, and it failed  we end up in a war in Iraq, a war of choice.

Originally reported by Preksha Sharma on Mandatory.

The post George Clooney Is Not on Social Media for a Funny Reason appeared first on Reality Tea.
Unfortunately, Gizelle Bryant and Robyn Dixon are still fighting with Eminem in court over the name of their podcast, Reasonably Shady. In the latest twist, he accused the Real Housewives of Potomac stars of harassment. The Green-Eyed Bandits legal battle has been going on for over two years, but it seems like the rapper is learning the hard way that Housewives dont go down without a fight.

Eminem is embroiled in a trademark battle with RHOP stars Gizelle Bryant and Robyn Dixon

Photo Credit: Charles Sykes/Bravo

Us Weekly reviewed the latest court documents, where Gizelle and Robyn continued pushing to maintain the Reasonably Shady brand. The United States Patent and Trademark Office ordered Eminem to appear for a deposition. But the RHOP stars complained to the court that hes being very difficult with scheduling.

For example, they agreed on a date of October 29 at 11 am. Then, Eminems camp hit back, saying he wasnt available at that time. He wanted to push it to 2 pm.

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Gizelle and Robyn called that timing unreasonable, given a requirement for a seven-hour chunk of time. However, Eminems lawyers implied that the pair should be grateful for any time they could get.

Getting [him] to commit time to a deposition is very difficult, and we suggest that you take the opportunity when you can get him, his lawyer told the RHOP stars.

Gizelle and Robyn filed a motion saying that this demonstrated a lack of good faith. They accused his legal team of intentionally making things difficult. Meanwhile, Eminems lawyers blamed the RHOP stars for pushing too hard for a deposition. According to them, this is all designed to harass the rapper.

Eminems team also argued that his schedule is tight due to previous commitments related to the recording of new music. They said it would be difficult and expensive for him to appear at the deposition anytime soon. However, Gizelle and Robyns lawyer thinks its all a bunch of nonsense.

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In a statement, their lawyer said, [Eminem] filed this trademark opposition, and he appears to be dodging his responsibility to be deposed.

The rules allow him to be deposed for 7 hours, so regardless of his alleged unavailability, he should make himself available to be deposed for a lawsuit that he filed. Seems shady!

The Real Housewives of Potomac airs on Sundays at 8/7c on Bravo, along with next-day streaming on Peacock.

TELL US  DO YOU THINK EMINEM IS BEING SHADY IN HIS SCHEDULING DIFFICULTIES? WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HIM ACCUSING GIZELLE AND ROBYN OF HARASSMENT?

The post Gizelle Bryant and Robyn Dixon Accused of Harassment by Eminem in Legal Battle appeared first on Reality Tea.
After weeks of scandals, controversies and viral moments, the chaotic 2025 Miss Universe pageant came to a close on November 21, 2025.

Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch was crowned the winner of the competition, just weeks after she made headlines for her feud with pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil. During a pre-pageant ceremony on November 3, Nawat publicly scolded Bosch for not posting about the pageants host country, Thailand, on social media, going so far as to call her a dumbhead. Nawat later apologized, but was dismissed from this years pageant.

Today I reaffirmed that what God has destined for you, neither envy stops it, nor destiny aborts it, nor luck changes it, Bosch wrote via Instagram, translated from Spanish to English, after her win.

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Long live Chris the King, she added, in Spanish.

Bosch and Nawats feud was far from the only scandal that plagued the 2025 Miss Universe competition. Keep scrolling to see the other controversial moments:

Who Is Nawat Itsaragrisil? Meet the Miss Universe Executive Who Insulted Miss Mexico Amid Scandal

Nawat Itsaragrisil Insults Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch

Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch and Thai businessman Nawat Itsaragrisil, who holds executive positions within the Miss Universe Organization and Miss Universe Thailand, made headlines in early November 2025 after Nawat publicly insulted Bosch by calling her a dumbhead, an expression that means fool or emptyheaded.

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We respect you, just as you should respect us. Im here representing my country, and its not my fault you have problems with my organization, Bosch told Nawat.

He replied, No, you must listen to me first, then argue with me.

Bosch and several other contestants then stormed out of the room, leading Nawat to call security.

Bosch later told the media, He called me dumb because he has issues with the organization, and I think thats unfair.

Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP

Nawat ultimately apologized in an Instagram video on November 4.

If anyone [was] feeling not good, if anyone [was] not comfortable. If anyone [was affected], I do apologize for everyone, he said.

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Meanwhile, Miss Universe Organization president Raul Rocha announced that Nawats role in the pageant would be diminished.

I will not allow the values of respect and dignity toward women to be violated. Unfortunately, Nawat has forgotten the true meaning of what it means to be a genuine host, Rocha said. It means to demonstrate to all delegates of all countries that he, as a host, has the obligation to serve them, assist them and support them. And to ensure they have a unique life experience filled with kindness and courtesy.

Two Miss Universe Judges Quit

One week after the walkout scandal, two judges announced their resignation from the competition before it was set to begin. One judge, Omar Harfouch, claimed that the event was rigged, alleging that none of the real eight members of the jury, including himself, were present to select the 30 finalists from the 136 participating countries.

After having a disrespectful conversation with [Miss Universe CEO] Raul Rocha about the lack of transparency in the Miss Universe voting process, l decided to resign from the jury and refuse to be part of this charade, Harfouch wrote via Instagram. I will also not be playing the music composed for the event.

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Who Is Fatima Bosch? Meet Miss Mexico Amid Miss Universe Scandal and Nawat Itsaragrisils Insult

The Miss Universe Organization issued a statement in response, saying that Harfouchs comments incorrectly suggested that an unauthorized or impromptu jury had been formed and that the official judges had been excluded from the selection of finalists.

Given Mr. Harfouchs expressed confusion, his public mischaracterization of the program and his stated desire not to participate, the Miss Universe Organization respectfully acknowledges his withdrawal from the official judging panel, the statement added.

Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henry Falls Off Stage

During the preliminary evening gown round on November 19, 2025, Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henry fell off the stage and was carried away on a stretcher.

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Henry was rushed to the Paolo Rangsit Hospital, where medical professionals are attending to her care and have advised that she is not suffering from any life-threatening injuries, the Miss Universe Jamaica Organization shared via Instagram after the incident.

Rocha later shared an update on Henrys condition on November 24, revealing that the latest medical report confirms that Dr. Gabrielle Henry is in good health and nearing discharge.

Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP

Additionally, Rocha said that after Henrys fall, he personally entered the stage to assist her, coordinated urgent medical attention, and oversaw her immediate transfer to the hospital.

I was present at the emergency room alongside her family, with whom I spoke directly. I recommended a series of precautionary actions, some beyond standard protocol, to guarantee the most accurate evaluation, monitoring, and medical oversight, Rocha continued. Additional medical specialists were also brought in to provide multiple professional assessments and ensure full clarity regarding her condition.

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The Miss Universe Organization later shared in a December 2025 press release that Henry had suffered an intracranial hemorrhage with loss of consciousness, a fracture, facial lacerations and other significant injuries as a result of her fall.

[Henry] was immediately admitted to intensive care in Bangkok, where she remained in critical condition under constant neurological monitoring, and continues to require 24-hour specialist supervision, the statement continued. She will return to Jamaica in the coming days accompanied by a full medical team and will be transferred directly to hospital for continued treatment and recovery.

Miss Universe Estonia Brigitta Schaback Resigns

Miss Universe Estonia Brigitta Schaback renounced her title days after the competition.

My values and work ethics do not align with those of the National Director, Natalie Korneitsik, she wrote via Instagram on November 23, 2025. My commitment is to women's empowerment and equality, and I will continue this work independently, without any further association with Miss Universe Estonia. Thank you everyone for your kind words and support.

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The Miss Estonia Organization told People that there was no personal conflict involved" in Schabacks decision.

What Happened Between Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch and Nawat Itsaragrisil? Miss Universe Scandal Explained

"The National Director made every effort to provide Brigitta Schaback with the opportunity to participate in the Miss Universe competition. Unfortunately, some of Mrs. Schabacks recent public comments were inappropriate, harmful to others, not aligned with professional protocols, and contributed to public controversy, the statement continued.

The organization did not specify which of Schaback's comments were inappropriate. Schaback did not respond to the outlets request for comment.

Miss Universe Africa and Oceania Olivia Yace Resigns

Miss Universe Africa and Oceania Olivia Yace, the pageants fourth runner-up, also stepped down from her title.

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"As the representative of Cote d'Ivoire at the Miss Universe 2025 competition in Bangkok, I witnessed firsthand that I was capable of accomplishing great things despite adversity," she announced via Instagram on November 24, 2025. "But to continue on this path, I must remain true to my values: respect, dignity, excellence, and equal opportunity the strongest pillars that guide me."

Yace added, "With a heart full of gratitude and profound respect, I hereby announce my resignation from the title of Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, as well as from any future affiliation with the Miss Universe Committee."

Yace added that to fully reach my potential, I must remain firmly anchored in my values guiding principles that pave the way toward excellence. She also referenced comments she made during the pageant about being a role model to the younger generation.

"I encourage them to push their limits, to walk confidently into rooms where they believe they do not belong, and to proudly embrace their identity. It is this commitment to being a positive influence that guides my decision today," she said. "Stepping away from this diminished role of Miss Universe Africa and Oceania will allow me to dedicate myself fully to defending the values I hold dear."

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Yace continued, "I call upon Black, African, Caribbean, American, and Afro-descendant communities: continue entering spaces where you are not expected. Let us open the way for the brothers and sisters who will follow us. Never let anyone define who we are or limit our potential. Our presence matters, and our voices must be heard.

Miss Universe Owner Raul Rochas Alleged Drug, Weapons and Fuel Trafficking Charges

According to a November 2025 report by Mexican news outlet Reforma, Rocha was charged by the Mexicos Attorney Generals Office (FRG) for allegedly trafficking drugs, firearms and fuel from Mexico to Guatemala.

Rocha allegedly has connections with politicians and authorities at all three levels of government to deliberately carry out their mission, which includes the sale of hydrocarbons, narcotics, and the trafficking and sale of large quantities of weapons of war, per an arrest warrant obtained by the outlet.

Rocha reportedly spoke to the FGR in October to negotiate a plea bargain and allegedly share information in exchange for immunity from prosecution.

Us reached out to Miss Universe for comment.
Oil pushed higher as equities rose and traders weighed the prospect of a Ukraine-Russia peace deal that could deflate political risk from an already well-supplied market.

West Texas Intermediate rose about 1.3% to settle near $59 per barrel, snapping a three day losing streak as crude ticks up following its biggest weekly loss since early October.

Most Read from Bloomberg

While oil followed other risk assets higher, traders awaited further news after Ukraine and its European allies signaled that key sticking points remained in US-brokered peace talks to end Russias invasion, even as senior officials hailed progress in winning more favorable terms for Kyiv.

Something good just may be happening, President Donald Trump wrote in a Truth Social post about the talks.

An end to the hostiltites would also take some risk premium out of the market.

Oil markets are moving in sympathy with equities and awaiting on more news of the Ukraine/Russia talks said Dennis Kissler, senior vice president for trading at BOK Financial. He expects continued choppy trading and some short covering into the holiday period.

Crude has slumped this year, with futures on course for a fourth monthly loss in November, in what would be the longest losing run since 2023. The decline has been driven by expanded global output, including from OPEC+, with the International Energy Agency forecasting a record surplus for 2026. Traders are monitoring whether a deal on Ukraine will materialize, and if sanctions on Russia will be lifted  developments that could inject more supply.

We should expect a nervous oil market ahead of Thanksgiving on Thursday, said Arne Lohmann Rasmussen, chief analyst at A/S Global Risk Management. Several factors point to a peace agreement or possibly a ceasefire moving closer over the weekend, which supports further price declines this week.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Monday that talks had reached a critical moment as he indicated that discussions over territory and sovereignty would prove difficult.

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Jackie Kennedy regretted that her life story was forever marred by the assassination of her first husband, President John F. Kennedy, a biographer shares with PEOPLE

The former first lady spent the next 30 years of her life mourning and celebrating her late husband in her own way

J. Randy Taraborrelli also explains that the first lady made just one, top-secret return to the White House after JFK's death

The afternoon of Nov. 22, 1963, shaped the future of America for all of its citizens, none more so than Jacqueline Kennedy.

In one moment, she was the first lady of the United States, riding through Dealey Plaza on a sunny, cheerful day in Dallas, Texas. In the next, she was cradling the lifeless body of her husband, John F. Kennedy, and mourning the loss of her entire life for hundreds of cameras to capture.



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It's impossible to forget the image once you've seen it. The shell-shocked first lady, in her double-breasted, raspberry pink Chanel suit and matching pillbox hat, soaked in her husband's blood. For Jackie, of course, the tragedy haunted her for the rest of her life.

"She regretted that she was never able to get over it," Kennedy historian J. Randy Taraborrelli tells PEOPLE. "At the end of her life, she regretted that she had let herself be defined by it.

Born Jacqueline Lee Bouvier, the future first lady was just 23 when she met John Fitzgerald Kennedy at a dinner party in 1952. He was already running for a U.S. Senate seat in Massachusetts, so a relationship meant linking herself to the fastest-rising star from one of the country's most powerful families. By the next year, they'd be married; in less than a decade, they'd be living in the White House.



Bettmann/Getty John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier sit together at Kennedy's family home at Hyannis Port, Mass., a few months before their wedding.

It's perhaps not surprising, then, that Jackie felt her life was overshadowed by JFK's death, even when she lived for more than 30 years after that tragic day in Dallas.

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In his biography, Jackie: Public, Private, Secret, Taraborrelli recounts a conversation Jackie had with architect Jack Warnecke, her longtime friend and, briefly, her lover, towards the end of her life.

I got past it, maybe, but never over it," she said of the assassination. What a shame, to spend so much time tormented by a thing I could never change.

In the years that followed her husband's death, Jackie did her best to isolate herself from the news. The anniversary was marked not just by the day itself, but by the media hubbub, memorials and tributes that surrounded it.

She stopped all the papers for those two weeks: the week before and the week after, Taraborrelli says, noting that a headline or tribute could trigger a fresh wave of grief, no matter how many years had passed.

Bettmann/Getty President John F. Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy ride through the streets of Dallas, Texas, on Nov. 22, 1963 President John F. Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy ride through the streets of Dallas, Texas, on Nov. 22, 1963

With each year that passed, Jackie perhaps never grieved less, but she did grieve differently. For the first anniversary of the assassination, she penned a tribute to her late husband for Look magazine, which made it evident how deeply sunk in her grief she still was.

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What was lost cannot be replaced," Jackie wrote. "I should have guessed that it could not last. I should have known that it was asking too much to dream that I might have grown old with him and see our children grow up together."

"So, now, he is a legend when he would have preferred to be a man," she continued. "I must believe that he does not share our suffering now. I think for himat least he will never know whatever sadness might have lain ahead.. not age, not stagnation, nor despair, nor crippling illness, nor loss of any more people he loved.

National Archive/Newsmakers The funeral procession of President John F. Kennedy goes into Arlington Cemetery in Washington. The funeral procession of President John F. Kennedy goes into Arlington Cemetery in Washington.

As the years passed, Jackie's children, Caroline and John Jr.  who were just 5 and 2 years old, respectively, when their father died  became her protectors in grief. Especially young John, who knew what to keep out of his mother's eyesight when the anniversary was drawing near.

As Taraborrelli recounts, "Whenever an article or a book came out that showed the motorcade in Dallas or the blood-stained dress, he would take the book or magazine from his mother and say, 'I don't want you to see that.' "

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"He was so protective of his mom. He didn't want her to relive those moments all these years later," the biographer notes.

Another protective moment came one year on the anniversary, when Jackie was walking young John home from school, and a classmate began chanting taunts about his dead father.

That was so traumatic for Jackie, Taraborrelli says. But John just said, Oh, dont worry about him. "

Bettmann Archive/Getty Jackie Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr. at St. Bernard's Horse Show Jackie Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr. at St. Bernard's Horse Show

The 10th anniversary of JFK's death was especially harrowing for the former first lady. By then, the family had suffered yet another devastating loss, when JFK's younger brother, Robert F. Kennedy, was also gunned down by an assassin as he kicked off his presidential campaign in 1968.

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In 1973, RFK's widow, Ethel Kennedy, hosted a memorial Mass at her home, Hickory Hill, in McLean, Va. Jackie, Caroline and John Jr. all attended; however, being away from home meant there was no one to keep the papers out of Jackie's eyesight.

"There was a copy of Ladies' Home Journal on the counter," Taraborrelli recounts. "On the cover was an interview with Marilyn Monroe's nurse"  traumatizing to Jackie for reasons unrelated to the assassination  "and the new installment of Jim Bishops book, The Day Kennedy Was Shot."

Both of them [Jackie and Ethel] just burst into tears, the biographer shares.

Taraborelli interviewed Ethel's personal assistant, Noelle Bombardier, for Jackie: Public, Private, Secret, and recounts an anecdote that she shared that's always stuck with him.

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Bombardier recalled Jackie asking her, later in the emotional day, Do you think Ethel will ever get over what happened to Bobby?

When asked why, the former first lady admitted, "I keep thinking maybe if she does, so will I."

Ann Limongello/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Jacqueline and Ethel Kennedy at the Fourth Annual Robert F Kennedy Pro/Celebrity Tennis Tournament in 1975 Jacqueline and Ethel Kennedy at the Fourth Annual Robert F Kennedy Pro/Celebrity Tennis Tournament in 1975

As her children grew older, Jackie hoped to keep them connected to the memory of their father, removed from the legend of JFK that exists in American history books. Taraborrelli recounts interviewing JFK Jr. in support of the launch of his George magazine in 1995. He asked the late president's namesake son if he remembered moments with his father that had become famous to the public  like the shots of father and son playing in the Oval Office.

I dont know, John Jr. admitted. I dont know if I actually remember or I just remember because Ive seen the pictures.

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One way Jackie strived to "keep John alive for the kids," Taraborrelli says, was through their faith. On major anniversaries of JFK's death  like the 30th, in 1993, just a few years before JFK Jr. would meet his own tragic end  they would attend a requiem mass at St. Thomas More, a small Catholic church on the Upper East Side.

The nuclear family grieved privately at each milestone, joined, in time, by new members of the family, like Caroline's husband, Edwin Schlossberg, and their three children.



Thomas Monaster/NY Daily News Archive via Getty (L to R): Edwin Schlossberg (pushing daughter Rose), Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, John F. Kennedy Jr., and Caroline Kennedy leave St. Thomas More Church on Nov. 22, 1989 (L to R): Edwin Schlossberg (pushing daughter Rose), Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, John F. Kennedy Jr., and Caroline Kennedy leave St. Thomas More Church on Nov. 22, 1989

Jackie only returned to the White House once following her husband's death.

JFK's successor, President Lyndon B. Johnson and his first lady, Lady Bird, were nearly "desperate" to have her back, Taraborrelli says, as "a sort of endorsement" of their new administration, but she couldn't bring herself to return.

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It wasn't until 1971 that she caved, accepting an invitation from then-first lady Pat Nixon, on the occasion of the unveiling of her and President Kennedy's official portraits.

It wasn't the pomp and circumstance that enticed Jackie back, Taraborrelli notes, sharing, "She wanted Caroline and John to see the Oval Office." The children were 14 and 11 by then, a better age to appreciate the importance of their father's time as president.

However, Taraborelli says Jackie insisted on one stipulation for the visit: no cameras, no press, no public announcement of any kind.

It's a shame, the biographer laments of the missed opportunity to see the Kennedys in the White House once again. But the Nixons honored her wishes.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In his Jackie book, Taraborrelli shares the touching text of the note Jackie wrote to Pat Nixon the following day.

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Can you imagine the gift you gave me? To return to the White House privately with my little ones while they are still young enough to rediscover their childhoodwith you both as guides? she said.

Your kindness made real memories of his shadowy ones, she continued. Thank you with all my heart. A day I dreaded turned out to be one of the most precious ones I have spent with my children.

J. Randy Taraborelli's latest Kennedy biography, JFK: Public, Private, Secret, is out now in hardcover and available to pre-order in paperback.



Read the original article on People
He's back! Right now, just before Stranger Things Season 5 hits Netflix, the most popular streaming thing on the platform, period, is a brand-new stand-up special from Kevin Hart. Didn't know Hart had a new special out? Well, now you do!

Here's why his latest is worth catching over the long holiday weekend, specifically Hart getting into his very funny long-standing beef with Michael Jordan.

Kevin Hart: Acting My Age Release Date

Kevin Hart's new stand-up special, Acting My Age, hit Netflix on November 24. The special was taped in Las Vegas, Nevada, and finds Hart talking about getting older, family, getting honest, and what he thinks of everyone right now, including his beef with Michael Jordan. Yes, that Michael Jordan.

Kevin Hart Gets Into Michael Jordan Beef

After saying that he feels pressure as a celebrity father to not "pitch a dud," Hart jokes that Michael Jordan must feel frustrated that his kids aren't more successful athletes. He then notes: "This is a good time to tell ya'll that me and Michael Jordan don't really get along. So a lot of this stuff comes from a weird place. Michael's had an attitude with me for years."

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But why? Well, Hart gets into that, too. At one point in the past, Hart says he hosted a celebrity event in which he made fun of the way Jordan dresses.

"Everyone knows Michael Jordan is a horrible dresser. Some of the worst jeans I've seen in my life have been worn by Michael Jordan...Huge back pockets. You can put a Dell computer in his back pocket," Hart says, setting up the story. "I said, 'Michael Jordan dresses like a pregnant lesbian.' I don't know where it came from! He had his pants up real high to his chest...I haven't talked to him since then."

Hart points out, though, that at his age, he doesn't care who likes him and who doesn't. "45 years old, the less f*cks you give."

Check out more of Hart's blunt and hilarious honesty on Netflix.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Nov 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
This article mentions gambling addiction.

If youve been on social media at all lately, you mightve come across  or seen people talking about  The Danish Deception.

The Bachelor  recently made a If youre not in the loop, a woman named Onyeka Ehie  who appeared on Colton Underwoods season of recently made a 28-part TikTok series charting her past relationship with an ex, whom she branded a professional, international, criminal con artist, as well as a psychopath and a narcissist.

As someone who was immediately hooked by Reesa Teesas viral Who TF Did I Marry videos last year, I unsurprisingly sat through all 28 parts of Onyekas story  and BOY, was it a wild ride. So, naturally, heres a complete breakdown of what allegedly went down between Onyeka and her ex.

To begin, Onyeka  who is a realtor and accounting consultant based in Dallas  meets her ex while on vacation in Croatia in June 2022. The pair immediately hit it off, and keep flirting in the DMs before he flies her out to meet him in the south of France for a lavish vacation a couple of months later.

This man looks like hes walking straight out of a Calvin Klein ad. 63, blond hair, blue eyes, chiselled skin, so tan, muscles everywhere. I was definitely taken aback, she said as she recalled first laying eyes on her ex.

Sidenote: Onyeka doesnt actually name-drop her ex at all in the series, but she was publicly in a relationship with Martin Fredsgaard Andersen for years, and has previously recounted alleged details of their romance that directly match up with those shared in her Danish Deception videos.

Related: People Are Sharing Sex Stories Where Their Partner Had To Tell Them "Actually, This Is Not Normal"

Onyekas ex splashes his cash on this trip, booking her a luxury, 5-star hotel and encouraging her to pick out whatever she wants on a shopping spree in Cannes. As theyre getting to know each other, he tells her an array of interesting facts about himself, including that hes from a royal bloodline, has competed at the Olympics, and owns multiple properties in Denmark, where he is from.

They fall for each other hard and fast, with Onyeka telling her ex that she loves him on this trip  despite only actually knowing each other in person for a couple of weeks. He doesnt immediately say it back, though he later says it when she has a medical emergency and is about to be rushed to the hospital.

In part 5, Onyeka reveals that her ex faces his first (spoiler alert, of many) financial struggle when one of his apartment complexes needs $50,000 worth of repairs. Despite being shocked at the amount, Onyeka offers to help him out, clarifying that she was in a great financial position at the time and felt like they were in a solid partnership. He apparently refuses her offer at first, though eventually accepts a $6,000 loan from her.

Late Night With Seth Meyers / giphy.com

The pair keep doing long distance, with the ex flying to Dallas here and there to see her. They later go to Paris together  and he tells her that hes having trouble transferring money from his business to his personal account, so she covers the trip.

Onyekas ex eventually decides to move from Denmark to Dallas to be with her, and amid the process of him officially moving over, they quietly tie the knot in a small courthouse ceremony. Yep, thats right, they get married!

As you mightve guessed, Onyeka repeatedly loans her ex money throughout the course of their marriage. At one point, he asks her for $5,000, claiming that his apartment complex had another emergency. He later claims he owes over $300,000 in taxes and directly asks Onyeka for $15,000. On top of what he STILL owes her!

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At this point, Onyeka calls him out for emotional manipulation, while acknowledging that shes starting to feel wary about sending him money. Everything about this felt so wrong in my soul, but I did it anyway, she said.

But this didnt stop Onyeka from loaning her ex an additional $3,000 when a friend supposedly got in touch with him and shared his financial struggles. Thats $18,000 sent in a month alone, bringing the grand total up to $29,000.

Some time passes, and Onyekas ex later needs another load of cash to put into escrow when he apparently sells his apartment complex to a wealthy buyer. She loans him another $3,000.

Related: "Don't Make Me Tie You Up": Men Share 27 NSFW Things Women Have Whispered To Them That Made Them Instantly Lose Their Minds

In spite of the ongoing loans, Onyeka and her ex later go on yet another trip together, most of which was paid for by her on her credit cards. Not only that, but she claims that he convinces her to quit her six-figure accounting job. I trusted him to be my provider, and that was stupid, she said.

The ex later says that his assets have been frozen by the Danish tax authorities. Onyeka admits that shes definitely wary of all the red flags by this point, but feels theres nothing she can do but trust him.

NBC / The Office / giphy.com

So now, Onyeka is fully financially supporting herself and her ex, even paying for him to visit her in Dallas while his funds are frozen. I cared about the money, but I loved him more than that, she said, adding, The money was almost secondary to the love that we shared.

The couple is later alleviated of a little bit of financial stress when Onyekas exs personal account is reopened following an investigation and hearing. She says he immediately sends her around $9,000, though claims that the remaining funds are in his business account, which is still under investigation  and now frozen for 18 to 24 months.

Fast forward to Christmas, which the couple spent with Onyekas exs family, and a close friend reveals to Onyeka that her ex has a gambling addiction. When confronted by Onyeka, he insists that he overcame the addiction a decade prior, and claims that hes never gambled away her money.

In spite of everything, the couple go on ANOTHER trip to Budapest, which Onyeka says she paid for entirely.

In the next few videos, Onyeka recalls discovering from a friend that her ex owes the friends husband $200,000 for an alleged cryptocurrency deal. She also recalls learning that her ex has allegedly been gambling again  and she later details catching him on a gambling website.

Related: 21 Dirt, Dirt, Dirtyyyyy Positions Folks Stole From Porn And Applied To Their Otherwise Clean Love Lives

The friends in question suggest hiring a private investigator to gather more information about Onyekas ex. And lo and behold, they discover that he a) never went to the Olympics, and b) lied about the house he was living in in Denmark when the couple first met.

Got Talent Global / giphy.com

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Regardless of everything, Onyeka remains determined to make things work, encouraging her ex to attend Gamblers Anonymous meetings and setting up a plan to repay her friends what they were owed.

Things seem fine for a few months, until Onyeka discovers that her ex is allegedly still gambling  and has just $0.34 in his bank account.

The cycle continues, and things only escalate AGAIN when Onyeka learns that her ex owes her MOM $10,000 and allegedly keeps lying about sending the money. They get into a huge fight over it, resulting in the ex storming out and ending the relationship.

Yes, HE was the one to initiate the divorce!

But it gets worse. As Onyeka cries to her sisters about the split, she finds out he also borrowed money from her youngest sister TWICE  and while he paid her back once, he still owed her $3,000.

And then, Onyeka discovers that its not just her sister who is owed money by her ex. She lists multiple friends, cousins, and coworkers who lent her ex money for various reasons (he allegedly claimed to be buying cars, investing in land, surprising Onyeka with gifts, and all sorts of other things in a bid to get money from her loved ones).

Its at this point in the story that Onyeka has fully turned on her ex. She calls his family, and finds out that he a) lied about their royal title, and b) was previously in treatment for his gambling addiction.

She discovers that he previously owed dangerous people money and fled to Chinaonly to then con people in China.

She also learns that he has never owned any properties in Denmark, and took money from not just his siblings and parents, but their friends, including a colleague of his dads, whom he met just once.

As if things couldnt get worse, Onyeka discovers that her ex actually broke up with his ex-girlfriend months into their relationship  so he was seeing the two of them at the same time. He was allegedly living with his ex for four months after he and Onyeka started dating!

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(She discovered this by getting in contact with his ex, who had previously watched her Instagram stories).

Related: People Are Sharing The 16 Wildest Kinks Theyve Ever Heard, And Im Honestly Speechless

THEN, Onyeka finds out that her ex took money from her PARENTS!

As well as $30,000 from someone she describes as a "mentor figure" who'd had over 10 business meetings with the ex before loaning him money* for an apparent land investment! To quote one of the wildest lines of the story: When Onyeka asks this mentor why he hadnt mentioned any of this to her, he allegedly replied, Onyeka, youre Nigerian, thats the scamming capital of the world. I didnt know if you were in on it.

*The mentor also filed a lawsuit against the ex, BTW.

I hope youre still with me. Onyeka goes ahead with the divorce proceedings, at this point branding her ex a psychopath. But then, he enters the picture again, begging for her back!

He even shows up at her house in a bid to rekindle things, but, thankfully, Onyeka stands her ground and sends him away. She also clarifies that hes unable to take anything from her in the divorce, which is a relief.

So, theyre officially done, and one of Onyekas friends offers to meet with her ex to get the divorce papers signed so that she doesnt have to face him.

And, at last, the divorce is finalized on  wait for it  November 4, 2025. As in, a few weeks ago!

So, there we have it. I am honestly still in shock over the whole thing. Let us know what you think in the comments below, and if you fancy sitting through the entire series yourself, you can find Onyekas videos here

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, you can call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER, and find more resources here.

More on this

Also in Sex & Love: Here Are 17 Wild Sex Stories From People Who Slept With Someone They Never Expected

Also in Sex & Love: 25 Juicy Porn Sex Acts That Are Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Effective

Also in Sex & Love: "I Lost My Train Of Thought And Stumbled Over My Words": Women Are Sharing The Subtle, Unexpected Things Men Have Done That Got Them Hot And Bothered

Read it on BuzzFeed.com
Miss Universe Haiti 2025, Melissa Queenie Sapini, is responding to the current pageant controversy with a bold, cryptic message.

On Nov. 26, a notice with Sapini's statement was shared directly with Parade, where the broadcast journalist and model addressed her harrowing experience in the competition.

While speaking out on her "emotional safety" as well as that of the 122 other women in the pageant, she admitted that the opportunity she once dreamed of, unfortunately, turned sour.

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"I have spent my entire life dreaming of representing Haiti on the biggest stage in the world. But that dream quickly turned into a nightmare," Sapini's statement read. "Today, I am speaking out to protect the dignity and emotional safety of 122 women."

Continuing, the 22-year-old Massachusetts native revealed a bombshell: "Something was deeply wrong behind the scenes. We felt it. We saw it. We lived it. I personally witnessed gross misconduct at the Miss Universe pageant."

Sapini provided a few details regarding some of the prejudices she claims were at play: "Youve seen the headlines. But what we went through was far worse. A rigged voting system. Judges with personal relationships with contestants. Blatant favoritism towards certain contestants based on the color of their skin."

In closing, she offered a cryptic sentiment, adding, "This is just the beginning. The truth is coming."

BANGKOK, THAILAND - NOVEMBER 19: Miss Universe Haiti, Melissa Queenie Sapini, showcases her evening gown during the 74th Miss Universe Preliminary competition on November 19, 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo by Mohan Raj/Getty Images)

After weeks of chaos, the Miss Universe 2025 pageant finally ended on Nov. 21 when Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, was crowned the winner of the competition. Weeks prior, she had made headlines for a spat with pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil.

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"During a pre-pageant ceremony on November 3, Nawat publicly scolded Bosch for not posting about the pageants host country, Thailand, on social media, going so far as to call her a 'dumbhead.' Nawat later apologized, but was dismissed from this years pageant," according to US Weekly.

Elsewhere during the competition's controversial year, two judges quit, with Omar Harfouch citing it was rigged, Miss Universe 2025 Africa & Oceania Olivia Yacerenounced her title, Miss Jamaica Dr. Gabrielle Henry was hospitalized after shockingly falling off stage, and more.

Meanwhile, Miss Universe president and owner Raul Rocha revealed he's already looking to "pass the baton" when it comes to leading the organization, after acquiring the pageant in January 2024. "It's just that I'm so fed up. I'm so fed up with all the talk. I don't lend myself to that kind of thing," he declared, per People.

Next: Guy Fieri Suffers Serious, Rare Injury After Freak Accident on Set

This story was originally published by Parade on Nov 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
NEED TO KNOW

After Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henry was hospitalized after a fall from the Miss Universe pageant stage, one Miss Universe contestant is speaking out about why she believes the moment was mishandled by pageants staff

Melissa Sapini, who was in Thailand competing on behalf of Haiti, is speaking out, revealing what pageant contestants were told in the wake of Henry's fall

"I don't know that they handled that correctly," she tells PEOPLE

A Miss Universe contestant is shedding more light on the numerous viral and controversial moments that occurred in the days leading up to the pageant.

In a shocking moment from the pageant's preliminary round, Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henry can be seen falling from a stage as she walks in her orange evening gown. Moments after the fall, Henry was seen in videos being removed from the competition arena on a stretcher. She remains in the hospital, a week later.

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Speaking exclusively with PEOPLE, Miss Haiti Melissa Sapini shares more details about the aftermath of the shocking fall and how leadership addressed the incident with contestants.



Sapini, 22, alleges that after the fall, pageant contestants were called together for a meeting, where she claims a pageant staff member started the conversation by placing blame on Henry.

"I don't know that they handled that correctly," she tells PEOPLE. "The first thing he said was it's because she wasn't paying attention."

Mohan Raj/Getty Gabrielle Henry. Gabrielle Henry.

"After he said that, then he was like, 'Of course, safety is our number one priority,' this, that," she clarifies. "But it's like, 'Are you serious?' That was really scary."



The Miss Universe Organization has not responded to PEOPLE's requests for comment.



However, a representative from the host pageant organization Miss Grand International tells PEOPLE in a statement, that "the incident occurred primarily because she missed her blocking and may not have been looking at the runway while walking. However, no one from MGI blamed her," the rep claimed.



"The stage was extremely large  the catwalk was more than 5 meters wide with clear, oversized white borders," the representative writes. "No other contestant experienced any accidents on that runway, indicating the environment was safe and the fall was an isolated case."



Many moments throughout the pageant, including this one, took a toll on Sapini and her fellow contestants.



"There was so many little things," she recalls. "I'll never forget it was before [the pageant]  because we had a day in between prelims and finals  just sitting in my room with my roommate... our only downtime, which we did not have a lot of, and I'm sitting there thinking, 'Is this it?' We're looking at each other. We're looking at these articles, and we're not even talking."

"We're just looking at each other with our faces drained," she explains. "And you just see dreams and hopes lost. That's so sad to me."

Ricardo Saint-Cyr Melissa Sapini. Melissa Sapini.

In the days that followed Henry's shocking fall, Raul Rocha, the owner of the Miss Universe pageant, took to his Instagram to provide an update on her status.

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"I would like to share with the Miss Universe family that are concerned for the health of our Miss Universe Jamaica that at 12:00 a.m. Bangkok time, that I have just left the hospital where she is being treated," he wrote in text over a black screen posted to his Instagram feed. "I was there with her family and her, and thankfully, there are no broken bones and she is under good care."

After she was notably absent from the competition's finale, an update from the Miss Universe Jamaica Organization sent to PEOPLE explained that Henry's sister, Dr. Phylicia Henry-Samuels, is currently with Henry and their mother, Maureen Henry, in Thailand.

Because of her condition, medical personnel have determined that Henry will be required to remain in the intensive care unit (ICU) for a minimum of seven days as "doctors continue their close monitoring and specialized care," Dr. Henry-Samuels said.

Read the original article on People
Queen Maxima of The Netherlands turned to a design by Natan, one of her longtime favorite labels, for meetings and official engagements on Wednesday as part of her trip to Indonesia.

The Dutch queen consort re-wore a dress she previously styled in June 2023. The midi frock featured a green tone offset by a muted pink design motif. The silhouette of the dress was crafted with long, billowing sleeves, cinched at the wrist.

More from WWD

JAKARTA, INDONESIA - NOVEMBER 26: Queen Maxima of The Netherlands visits the Gran Harmoni Cluster Housing project of Tabungan Negara bank on November 26, 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images)

Slight fabric gathering featured as a design choice at the waist, creating a more defined silhouette. Queen Maxima coordinated her pointed-toe pumps with her dress and added a pair of green earrings to accentuate the primary color choice of the look.

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As part of Queen Maximas trip to Indonesia, she visited the Gran Harmoni Cluster Housing project of Tabungan Negara bank and attended a meeting about Financial Health hosted by Mastercard, both of which took place in the countrys capital, Jakarta.

JAKARTA, INDONESIA - NOVEMBER 26: Queen Maxima of The Netherlands visits the Gran Harmoni Cluster Housing project of Tabungan Negara bank on November 26, 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images)

The very Natan dress Queen Maxima wore for her Wednesday engagements is an established look from her royal wardrobe. The Netherlands queen consort previously wore the frock during her visit to Loosduinen Heritage Park in The Hague to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of The Loosduinen Commission in June 2023.

More than two years ago, Queen Maxima opted to augment the blush pink design motif of her dress with a fascinator. The accessory was designed in a bright pink tone with a curlicue element on the crown of the piece.

JAKARTA, INDONESIA - NOVEMBER 26: Queen Maxima of The Netherlands attends a meeting about Financial Health hosted by Mastercard on November 26, 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images)

Queen Maxima is a longtime admirer of Natans designs, so much so that when the Belgian fashion label celebrated its 40th anniversary in November 2023, a dress previously worn by The Netherlands queen consort was featured as part of an exhibition commemorating the milestone. Dresses worn by Queen Mathilde of Belgium and her eldest daughter and heir apparent Princess Elisabeth were also featured in the exhibit.

UTRECHT, NETHERLANDS - APRIL 9: Queen Maxima of The Netherlands attends the anniversary conference Life Affordable of the National Institute for Budget Information (Nibud) in the Mediaplaza of the Jaarbeurs on April 9, 2024 in Utrecht, Netherlands. (Photo by Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images)

DEN BOSCH, NETHERLANDS - JUNE 14: Queen Maxima of The Netherlands attends the presentation of the report 'Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger?', a study about stress and performance pressure at higher education on June 14, 2023 in Den Bosch, Netherlands. (Photo by P van Katwijk/Getty Images)

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THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS - SEPTEMBER 27: Queen Maxima of The Netherlands visits a meeting from Mind US on the influence of social media on metal health of young people on September 27, 2022 in The Hague, Netherlands. MIND Us wants young people to get a grip on their mental health, develop resilience and find help when needed. Queen Maxima if honorary chairwoman of Mind US. (Photo by P van Katwijk/Getty Images)

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Launch Gallery: Queen Maxima of The Netherlands' Style Through the Years: Bright Colors, Whimsical Patterns & More

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The Real Housewives of Orange County star Tamra Judge is sharing insight into how Meghan King is feeling after she lost custody of her three children.

I did text with her. She did not want to talk, Judge, 58, shared on the Tuesday, November 25, episode of iHeartRadios Two Ts in a Pod podcast. She is so devastated. Her family is devastated. To have your children taken away from you by a third party, I couldn't even imagine.

Earlier this month, Us Weekly learned that King, 41, lost custody of her three kids with ex-husband Jim Edmonds following an investigation by Child Protective Services.

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The former Bravo star was granted supervised visitation rights while Edmonds, 55, has sole physical custody. A source told Us the decision is temporary and a hearing will be held in December to determine whether the custody arrangement will become permanent.

Former Real Housewives of Orange County Stars: Where Are They Now?

I've always known her as a good mom and a good person, and she's got an amazing family, Judge shared on Tuesday. And I always look at the mom and dad [who] have been married forever. She's close with her brothers and her sister, and her dad's an attorney.

Cohost Dolores Catania said if she was in Kings situation, I would die on the floor.

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Judge replied, She is. Thats how she feels.

Her poor children have to be totally confused because from what I heard from Meghan, he now lives in Tennessee or something, Judge claimed. He's in Nashville and she's in Missouri. So that means her kids are far away if he's still in Tennessee. The kids are very confused. They don't fully understand things. Theyre young. Theyre really young. I just hope everything gets back to normal before the holidays for her. Everybody pray for her. (A source previously told Us that Edmonds resides in Missouri.)

Everything the Real Housewives of Orange County Cast Has Said About Meghan Kings Custody Drama

King and Judge were once costars on The Real Housewives of Orange County between seasons 10 and 12.

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When announcing her exit from the Bravo reality show in January 2018, King expressed gratitude for finding new friends like Judge.

I have made soul sisters in Shannon Beador and Tamra Judge and that cant be lost, she wrote in her blog. They have touched my heart and I would do anything for them and I know they feel the same way about me  what a gift to have found that on RHOC!

Meghan King and Jim Edmonds Relationship Timeline: From RHOC to Divorce and Custody Battles

Judge isnt the only Real Housewives of Orange County star to show their support for King.

While attending a fundraiser for The Innocence Center on Sunday, November 23, Emily Simpson, Gina Kirschenheiter and Shannon Beador expressed sympathy for what King is going through.

It is very sad and unfortunate anytime that anyones children are in the press, Kirschenheiter, 41, told Us. I fully believe that we dont know whats going on in that household, and nobody should be commenting about whats going on in that household. Shes not even on the show anymore. She obviously has a lot going on and a lot to deal with. I really just wish them and their children well.
Thanksgiving may be a busy time for "Today" hostand Macy's parade emceeSavannah Guthrie, but she still found time to inject some Christmas cheer into her Brooklyn Heights townhouse when she put up her very colorful tree.

The 53-year-old took to Instagram to show off her magical Christmas tree, which was adorned in colorful lights and whimsical ornaments, including a cheeky nod to pop star Taylor Swift.

She revealed she was more than ready to begin experiencing the holiday cheer, captioning her video, "It's time," alongside a Christmas tree emoji.

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Her tree featured unique ornaments, including one shaped like a Doritos bag, another shaped as a tin of caviar, and one that had the word "Swiftie."

There were also sentimental baubles such as photos of the Guthrie family.

NBC host Savannah Guthrie has shown off her magical Christmas tree as she winds down for the holidays in her sprawling Brooklyn Heights townhouse. (Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)

The 53-year-old star of the "Today" show took to Instagram to showcase her magical Christmas tree, which was adorned in colorful lights and whimsical ornaments. (savannahguthrie/Instagram)

She revealed she was more than ready to begin experiencing the holiday cheer, captioning her video, "It's time," alongside a Christmas tree emoji. (savannahguthrie/Instagram)

The towering tree was topped with a shimmering star and drew attention to her expansive living area, which featured a bookshelf and a high ceiling.

Fans rushed to the comments section and praised the TV anchor for her adorable tree and sentimental ornaments, with one social media user branding the conifer a "memory tree," and another praising it as "so nice."

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Guthrie's video also revealed a glimpse inside the elegant living room of her sprawling townhouse, where she has lived with her husband, Michael Feldman, and their children, Vale and Charley, since 2023.

According to records, Feldman and Guthrie shelled out $11.35 million for their new 4,500-square-foot abode, which features six bedrooms and four bathrooms.

The family moved into the enormous dwelling after offloading their Tribeca apartment because they had a "vision and dream of living in a townhouse."

Guthrie will have limited time to enjoy her home over the next few weeks, however, due to her busy festive schedule, which will kick off with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which she has hosted alongside her "Today" co-stars for several years.

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She will then join her on-screen colleagues at the official Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting on Dec. 3.

Her tree featured several unique ornaments, including one shaped like a Doritos bag, another shaped as a tin of caviar, and one that had the word "Swiftie." (savannahguthrie/Instagram)

There were also some sentimental baubles, such as photos of the Guthrie family. (Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images)

The glimpse of Guthrie's Christmas traditions comes just weeks after she lifted the lid on her upbringing in the Arizona town of Tucson, when she invited the morning show cameras to join her on a tour of her favorite places in the desert locale.

Guthrie, who graduated from the University of Arizona, introduced fans to her favorite restaurant and her sorority house, before visiting her mom, Nancy, who still lives in the same home that the reporter grew up in.

Ahead of the segment airing, Guthrie revealed the significance of her tripand her desire to spotlight the many places in Tucson that helped her to become the person she is today.

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She hoped that locals would see the on-air tour as a touching tribute to their community, she explained to Tucson.com.

"Itll be a nice love letter to Tucson. Thats certainly the intent," she said.

First up on that love letter tour? Securing her favorite Mexican food at local eatery Old Pueblo, which she joked is her "No. 1 priority" whenever she visits home.

The segment, which was filmed on Oct. 17 and took about eight hours to complete, saw Guthrie traveling to Tucson and filling her days with several activities, including visiting her mom, which she said was "really cute."

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Guthrie noted that she and the crew had "this incredibly ambitious schedule" that began in Saguaro National Park and ended at the University of Arizona. They also stopped at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

After filming wrapped, Guthrie stayed back in Arizona to spend time with her family.
Originally appeared on E! Online

Heavy is the head that wears the crown.

Though Prince Andrew (now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor) was stripped of his royal titles by King Charles III over allegations connected to his friendship with late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, he remains in the British royal family's line of succession.

As for why the king's younger brother is still eighth in line for the throne? Removing the 65-year-oldformerly the Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleaghfrom the line of succession would be a lengthy and complex process.

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To pass the law, the United Kingdom's 14 Commonwealth realmswhich include Australia, Canada and Jamaicawould have to consent to the change, as would the U.K.'s Parliament under the Statute of Westminster 1931. The Act noted that "alteration in the law touching the Succession to the Throne or the Royal Style and Titles" would require approval from all Parliaments.

More from E! Online

Along with needing consent from countries around the world, the move would require a major investment of time and resources in the U.K. In fact, the last update was the Succession to the Crown Act 2013which removed the rule that male children would take precedence over their female counterparts for the throneand took two years of negotiations to pass.

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But that doesn't mean there haven't been circumstances in which royals have stepped out of the line of succession. In fact, King Edward VIII abdicated the throne in 1936 after proposing to divorcee Wallis Simpson, making way for his brother King George VI to ascend to the throne. From then on, he was simply known as the Duke of Windsor.

Meanwhile, the late Queen Elizabeth II's cousin Prince Michael of Kent forfeited his 54th spot in line when he married Marie-Christine von Reibnitz, a Catholic, in 1978. However, he was reinstated when the 2013 Act removed the clause forbidding royals from marrying a Catholic person.

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As for who precedes Andrew in the line for the throne, first is Charles' eldest son Prince William. His and Kate Middleton's kids Prince George, Prince Charlotte and Prince Louis follow behind, with Charles' younger son Prince Harry, as well as his and Meghan Markle's son Prince Archie and daughter Princess Lilibet rounding out the seven spots.

Although Andrew's place in line hasn't changed, the rest of his royal experience has. Royal expert Sharon Carpenter told E! News in October that losing his titles was the "nail in the coffin and closes the door permanently on any hopes he may have had to one day return to royal life."

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"Realistically, this is undoubtedly the end of any meaningful royal career Andrew may have had," she explained. "Without a dramatic change in public sentiment and the disturbing narrative around himwhich just isn't going to happenthere can be no return to public duties. From this day forth, he is technically a private individual who happens to have royal lineage."

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The announcement from Buckingham Palace came days before the release of late Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre's memoir, in which she reiterated allegations that she had sex with Andrew when she was 17, according to the BBC, which obtained a copy. (Andrew, who previously settled a civil lawsuit with her in 2022, denied any wrongdoing.)

After Buckingham Palace announced the move, it highlighted the royal family's support for Epstein's survivors.

"These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him," the Oct. 30 press release. "Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse."

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For Andrew's part, he issued a statement earlier that month, noting that the allegations about him have become a distraction from the royal family's work.

"I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life," he wrote in a press release. "With His Majesty's agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me."

For more royal news, keep reading.

Prince Andrew Removed From Home by King Charles III After Giving Up Title

Two weeks after Prince Andrew announced that he would no longer be using his Duke of York title, King Charles III confirmed that his youngest brother would also be removed from his home at Royal Lodge and stripped of his title as Prince. His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew, Buckingham Palace wrote in a statement. Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.





Prince Andrew to Stop Using Duke of York Title

King Charles III's youngest brother Prince Andrew confirmed October 17 that he will no longer be using his title Duke of York, due the the continued controversy over his friendship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. "In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family, Andrew said in the statement released by Buckingham Palace. I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life. Andrew continued, "With His Majestys agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me."





King Charles III and Prince William Make Rare Appearance Together

The monarch and his eldest son stepped out in October 2025 for the Countdown to COP30 event at London's Natural History Museum. The pair posed outside of the museum, before heading inside to meet with government leaders and advocates working to combat climate change. The event preceded the COP30 World Leaders Summit in Belem, Brazil, in November, which Prince William is set to attend on his father's behalf.





Sarah Ferguson Dropped From Charity for Epstein Email

In September 2025, the Duchess of York was dropped as a patron to Julia's House for a resurfaced 2011 email to Jeffrey Epstein in which she called him a friend. Following the information shared this weekend on the Duchess of Yorks correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein, Julias House has taken the decision that it would be inappropriate for her to continue as a patron of the charity, the charity wrote in a statement per The Guardian. We have advised the Duchess of York of this decision and thank her for her past support. A spokesperson for Ferguson said the virtual correspondence was written after a threat made to her by Epstein.

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Prince Harry and King Charles III Reunite

For the first time in 19 months, the Duke of Sussex was seen arriving by car to Clarence Housethe Kings London residenceto seemingly meet with his father before heading to another engagement in the city. While Harry pulled into the residence around 5:20 p.m. local time on Sept. 10, Charles returned to the home just hours before.





Peter Phillips Announces Engagement

The son of Princess Anne and her ex-husband Mark Phillips shared that he was engaged to his girlfriend Harriet Sperling on Aug. 1 after more than a year of dating. "Both families were informed jointly of the announcement," the couple's spokesperson said in a statement to Hello! at the time, "and were delighted with the wonderful news of their engagement."





Queen Camilla Makes History with New Royal Title

One day before her 78th birthday, the royal received the title of Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom from the Royal Navy. Camilla is the first woman to hold the honorary title, which can only be appointed by the sovereignin this case, her husband King Charles IIIon the nomination of the First Sea Lord, who is currently Sir Gwyn Jenkins.





Kate Middleton Pulls Out of Royal Ascot

The Princess of Wales pulled out of a planned appearance at the Royal Ascot hours before she was set to return to the annual horse race alongside, Kensington Palace confirmed to NBC News. According to the palace, Kate was disappointed to have to miss the event but is still figuring out the right balance for herself when it comes to completing public engagements following her cancer battle.

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Prince Harry Loses Appeal to Dismiss Decision in His Security Protection Case

Over one year after the High Court denied additional security protection through the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, Prince Harrys legal fight ended when the courts dismissed the case May 2. His and Meghan Markles security was lessened after they stepped back as working members of the royal family in 2021 and moved to the United States. However, in the years that followed, Harry had requested security while visiting the U.K. The Duke of Sussex told the BBC May 2 that he was devastated about losing his legal battle. He emphasized, I cant see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point.





Prince Harry and King Charles III Are Not Speaking

Harry told the BBC May 2 that his father King Charles III wont speak to him because of this security stuff, but added that it would be nice to reconcile. The Duke of Sussex, who shares kids Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet with Meghan, said that he would love to reconnect with his family. But the ball is in his dads court. I cant see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the U.K. at this point, he said. Its really quite sad that I wont be able to show my children my homeland. There is a lot of control and ability in my fathers hands, ultimately this whole thing could be resolved through him, Harry added. Not necessarily by intervening but by stepping aside and allowing the experts to do what is necessary and to carry on. Despite the years of conflict, hes waving the white flag in hopes of reconciliation. He added, Life is precious, I dont know how much longer my father has.





King Charles III Shares Insight Into His Cancer Diagnosis

Over one year after King Charles shared his cancer diagnosis, he wrote April 29 that his health journey and cancer treatment are experiences that bring into sharp focus the very best of humanity." "Each diagnosis, each new case, will be a daunting and at times frightening experience for those individuals and their loved ones," Charles wrote in the booklet for the reception to provide resources for those with cancer. But as one among those statistics myself, I can vouch for the fact that it can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity." He also thanked healthcare workers who helped him amid his journey, adding, It has certainly given me an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work undertaken by the remarkable organisations and individuals gathered here this evening, many of whom I have known, visited and supported over the years.





Prince William and Kate Middletons Family Skips Royal Familys Easter Service

Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis did not attend the royal familys annual Easter service at St George's Chapel in Windsor April 20. While King Charles III and Queen Camilla celebrated with the rest of the royal family, William and Kate decided to spend the weekend at their Norfolk country home with their kids, multiple outlets reported. Their absence marked the second Easter they skipped, with the 2024 holiday taking place a week after the Princess of Wales announced her cancer diagnosis.

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Royal Aide Who Accused Meghan Markle Of Bullying Receives a Promotion

Jason Knauf was announced as the new CEO of Prince Williams organization, The Earthshot Prize, April 15. He shared a statement on the website that he was looking forward to working with our exceptional team and incredible Earthshot community to advance our mission of urgent optimism for our planet. His promotion came nearly seven years after he made a complaint against Meghan Markle, accusing her of bullying two personal assistants and seeking to undermine a third staff member. A spokesperson for the Sussexes denied the allegations and told The Times that the rumors were part of a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation. Buckingham Palace investigated the allegations and the case was wrapped up in 2022 without any findings made public.





Prince George Makes His First Public Appearance of 2025

William and Kates eldest son George attended a soccer match in Paris alongside his dad April 7. The father-son duo were all smiles at the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final game as the Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa FC faced off at the Parc des Princes stadium.





Former Bodyguard to Prince Harry and Prince William Dies

Graham Crakerwho acted as a bodyguard for the royal family, including Prince Harry and Prince Williamdied at the age of 77 in April. Craker was notably with the boys when they learned their mother, Princess Diana, had died and he participated in her funeral services. On the latter, Craker told The New York Post in 2017, "I was standing at the rear of the hearse and William looked up and acknowledged me. I looked toward him and nodded. William was comforted that I was with his mum on her final journey.





The Duke and Duchess of Westminster Expecting Their First Baby

Hugh Grosvenor, who is King Charles IIIs godson, and his wife Olivia Grosvenor announced March 12 that she is pregnant with their first baby. The duchess is expecting a baby in the summer, a spokesperson told The Telegraph. The couple are delighted with the news and are very much looking forward to starting a family together.

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Luxembourg's Prince Fredrik Dies at 22

Prince Frederikthe son of Prince Robert and his wife Princess Juliedied March 1 at 22 years old after a battle with PolG mitochondrial disease, a rare genetic disorder. "Frederik knows that he is my Superhero, as he is to all of our family, and to so very many good friends and now in great part thanks to his PolG Foundation, to so very many people the world over," Robert said in a statement. "Part of his superpower was his ability to inspire and to lead by example."





Prince Harry Reaches Settlement in U.K. Tabloids Lawsuit

The Duke of Sussex reached a settlement with News Group Newspaperswhich is responsible for The Sun as well as the now defunct News of the Worldon Jan. 22 after suing the organization in 2019 over alleged unlawful actions on the part of journalists and private investigators working for the newspapers to obtain information on the royal family. The deal included the company paying "substantial damages," as well as issuing a "full and unequivocal apology" to Harry and public acknowledgement of "the extensive coverage and serious intrusion into his private life as well as the private life of Diana, Princess of Wales, per NBC News.





Kate Middleton Is in Remission After Finishing Chemotherapy for Cancer

The Princess of Wales announced on Jan. 14 that she's in remission after complete cancer treatments. "It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focused on recovery," she wrote in a message on X, formerly Twitter, Jan. 14. "As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal." "I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead," she continued. "There is much to look forward to."





Meghan Markle's Longtime Dog Guy Dies

The Duchess of Sussex mourned the death of her beloved rescue beagle, who she adopted in 2015 before meeting husband Prince Harry. She wrote on Instagram Jan. 7, "I have cried too many tears to count - the type of tears that make you get in the shower with the absurd hope that the running water on your face will somehow make you not feel them, or pretend theyre not there. But they are. And thats okay too." "Thank you for so many years of unconditional love, my sweet Guy," Meghan added. "You filled my life in ways youll never know."

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Prince William Mourns Death of Former Nanny's Stepson

Edward "Ed" Pettiferstepson of Prince William and Prince Harry's former nanny Alexandra Pettifer, also known as Tiggy Legge-Bourkewas one of the victims of the New Year's Day terrorist attack in New Orleans. "Catherine and I have been shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Ed Pettifer," William said in a message posted on Kate Middleton's Instagram Stories Jan. 4. "Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically impacted by this horrific attack."





Meghan Markle Rejoins Instagram to Reveal New Netflix Show

The Suits alumwho shut down her personal social media accounts shortly before her 2018 wedding to Prince Harrydebuted a solo Instagram page on Jan. 1. A day later, she announced a new Netflix series titled With Love, Meghan, which "reimagines the genre of lifestyle programming, blending practical how-tos and candid conversation with friends, new and old," according to a press release.





Kate Middleton, Prince William and Kids Attend Wimbledon

Kate and William stepped out for a rare outing with kids Prince George and Princess Charlotte in honor of Wimbledon in June 2025. "A pleasure to be back in SW19 for the finals of this years @wimbledon Championships this weekend," the family wrote in an Instagram post at the time. "Congratulations again to @iga.swiatek and @janniksin on your wins! And a huge thank you to everybody involved in making the tournament so special."



For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
When a stranger filmed Jillian Andersons engagement, she asked the internet to track the video down  and it worked.

Andersons now-fiance, Chris Telfair, proposed in Central Park this past October during a trip to New York. The Colorado native remembers feeling overjoyed and surprised in the moment.

I had my suspicions, but it was a total surprise, Anderson tells TODAY.com.

It was only when she looked back at the video of her engagement that she noticed a woman in a boat recording her and her now fiance from another angle.

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She knew she had to get the footage. But who was this stranger in a city of 8 million, and how would she find her?

Anderson decided to take to social media to track down the mystery woman in the boat.

I posted it, and it went crazy viral that day, which was insane. I didnt think it would get that much attention, she says.

The video garnered over 15 million views and 2 million likes within hours of being posted. Strangers on the internet became invested in trying to help Anderson find the woman in the boat.

I think it took like two days and people kept looking through Central Park engagements and tagging me in all these videos, she says.

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Finally, Anderson received a private message on TikTok from someone who recognized the woman on the boat. She connected Anderson with DulceMaria Rivera, a tourist visiting the city from Mexico to celebrate her anniversary with her boyfriend.

Rivera and her boyfriend struggling to get the boat moving in Central Park's Lake when they noticed the proposal.

I immediately started recording while we tried to move, thinking we would ruin the scene, which was a total failure, Rivera wrote in a statement to TODAY.com. We couldnt get it right fast enough. He and I commented on how beautiful a proposal it was, like something out of a movie.

Rivera returned home to Mexico and uploaded the video to her own social media pages. Then, she started getting comments tagging her in Andersons video.

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When I found out, I immediately told (Anderson) I had it, she got in touch, and I sent her the video. After that, more and more people told me they were looking for me, and thats how the video was all over the place, even in Mexico.

Anderson posted the boat girl POV to TikTok, and viewers were so happy to see that she had found the girl in the boat.

The couple plans to get married in Italy in 2027.

Anderson, who says shes difficult to surprise, applauds Telfair for pulling off a proposal that caught her off guard and led to its own adventure.

The two work for the same marketing agency. On the day of the proposal, Anderson thought she and Telfair were shooting lifestyle content for a brand, portraying a newly engaged couple.

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After going through a few locations, they finally arrived at a Central Park vista. Anderson took off her coat to pose for a picture, and Telfair asked a bystander for a photo.

He asked a random girl sitting on the bench of she could take a photo of both of us, which was very out of character for him, because he would never ask a stranger to take a photo, Anderson says.

As she had the phone, she tried to position us to center us, and then all of a sudden he turned to me and thats when he got down on one knee and started proposing.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
German paper and packaging company Palm Group has taken a 50% interest in Power Packaging, which is based in the Czech Republic.

According to Palm, the move is intended to broaden its packaging divisions capabilities in tailored corrugated solutions, particularly in product areas that require significant manual input.

The collaboration is designed to bring together Power Packagings know-how with Palms sales channels and production network in packaging.

Power Packaging managing director Ralph Wakolbinger stated: By partnering with Palm, we have gained a strategically important partner who shares our goals and supports us in successfully developing major international projects, including those in the east. Through close collaboration, we create new synergies, strengthen our market position and set important impulses for sustainable growth.

Power Packaging operates a processing facility in Nyrsko, in the western Czech Republic, focused on complex corrugated cardboard packaging.

The company reports annual revenue of 4m ($4.63m).

Palms entry as a shareholder is described as a way to keep Power Packaging under family ownership over the longer term, with both parties citing a shared mindset and business principles.

Power Packaging is expected to continue operating under its current organisational set-up and retain its existing management team.

Palm CEO Marina Palm added: Through this joint venture, we are strengthening our position in the European market for complex packaging solutions and will be able to offer our customers an even broader product range in future.

During 025, Palm Group has completed the acquisition of five European plants from International Paper.

The deal added facilities in France, Portugal and Spain to the groups operational network.

The divestiture by International Paper forms part of the regulatory commitments required by the European Commission following International Papers acquisition of DS Smith.

"Palm Group picks 50% stake in Czech company Power Packaging " was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand.




GREENFIELD, Wis. (WFRV)  In celebration of an upcoming movie portraying a Milwaukee couple, Academy Award nominee Hugh Jackman will be at a famous Wisconsin custard shop to hand out free scoops.

Hugh Jackman arrives at the AFI Fest premiere of Song Sung Blue on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Kopps Frozen Custard in Greenfield recently announced a new flavor, which celebrates the hometown premiere of Song Sung Blue, Song Sung Blueberry and it will be served all day on Tuesday, December 2.

Ashwaubenon students build giant steel snowflakes for NEW Zoo display

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Also, for a limited time and exclusively at the Greenfield location, Kopps will be serving free single scoops to the first 500 people in line at 2:30 p.m. with special guests Hugh Jackman and Craig Brewer.

Song Sung Blue portrays Milwaukee husband and wife Mike and Claires  Lightning and Thunder  Neil Diamond tribute act.

The special custard features blueberry custard twirled with a cream cheese custard that incorporates swirls of blueberry ribbon with pastry pieces and streusel crumble.

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.
No matter that its set in 70s Brazil, The Secret Agent is a spy thriller for this highly charged moment in historya saga of persecution, paranoia, and terror whose portrait of life under autocracy boasts more than a few distressing echoes with our present American (and global) reality.

The story of a man on the run from corrupt and murderous forces determined to punish him for his insolence, its a firecracker genre film that hums with suspense, even as it colors its action with humor, horror, and surrealistic fantasy, all of it designed to capture the unreal madness of a society figuratively (and sometimes literally) strangled by dictatorship.

Wagner Moura. / Victora Juca

For acclaimed director Kleber Mendonca Filho (Neighboring Sounds, Aquarius), The Secret Agent is a triumphant follow-up to his stellar 2019 genre-bender Bacurau, mixing and matching tones and devices to convey a potent sense of the eras fraught socio-political dynamics.

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Its also a stellar showcase for his lead Wagner Moura, who after years of working outside his native Brazil (including in the U.S., with projects like Civil War, Dope Fiend, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith), delivers a powerhouse performance that earned him Best Actor honors at the Cannes Film Festival in May, and seems destined for Academy Award attention.

Together, the duo bring live-wire inventiveness, tension, and heart to their stellar drama about Marcelo (Moura), a university researcher and widower who returns to Recife to reunite with his young son (Enzo Nunes), acquire documents regarding his deceased mother, and, ultimately, evade a pair of assassins hired by a vengeful businessman (Luciano Chirolli).

Doing that proves a perilous proposition, and over the course of his odyssey, Marcel must change his identity, reside in secret amongst fellow refugees, collaborate with his movie-projectionist father-in-law, and walk a tightrope with the local sheriff, whose depravity is emblematic of the countrys authoritarian ugliness.

Director Kleber Mendonca Filho and Wagner Moura. / MK2 Films

A perfect marriage of filmmaker and star, The Secret Agent is a vivid, multifaceted nightmare of despotism and desperation, and one of the years unqualified standouts. Ahead of its Nov. 26 theatrical premiere, we spoke with Filho and Moura about the roots of their partnership, creating art in tyrannical times, and celebrating Brazils diversity on screen.

Your relationship dates back to a meeting at Cannes 20 years ago. When did you begin thinking about collaborating?

WM: From my perspective, it was like, from the get-go. But actually, when I met him, I didnt know he was a filmmaker. I thought he was a critic. I just liked him. I think one of the reasons we hit it off was the fact that were both from the northeast of the country. Back then, it wasnt very common to have either films from the northeast or journalists from the northeast, and certainly not that many who were covering international film festivals. So for me to see Kleber there, it was like, cool, heres this guy from Recife.

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Then I started to see his films, and what really made me want to work with him was when I saw Neighboring Sounds, his first feature film, which I thought was one of the greatest Brazilian films ever. I became obsessed with him. We were then crossing paths at film festivals, and every time I saw him, I was like, dude, lets do something. And he was very open.

Did politics factor into wanting to work together?

WM: I think what brought Kleber and I together in this film was politics, because we were very vocal against [Jair] Bolsonaros government from 2018 to 2022. I think the film reflects that. Its a film about someone whos trying to stick with his values when everything around him is saying the opposite of what he believes.

Both Kleber and I suffered the consequences of being vocal. I had my film Marighella censored by Bolsonaro in Brazil. Kleber also suffered lots of consequences. I think the subject of this film is memory and also, among other things, how to be faithful to who you are and keep doing what you think is fair and keep saying what you think is right when whats around you is not in the same tune.

What was it, Kleber, that drew you to Wagner, especially for this film?

KMF: Last week, I was at the Governors Awards, and you see so many actors and actresses, and I guess as a filmmaker, you have a mental list of people that you would love to work with. For many years, Wagner was that actor I wanted to work with. Then I realized that I just had to sit down and write a script for him, and us.

As Wagner mentioned, you both ran into trouble with Bolsonaros censorship efforts. With the president gone, were things easier with The Secret Agent?

KMF: Getting this film funded in the beginning of the project was impossible in Brazil because the funding system was sabotaged by the Bolsonaro government, beginning with the extinction of the Ministry of Culture on Day One of his administration on January 1. The funding system came back with the Lula government, who brought back the Ministry of Culture on Day One, January 1.

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The thing about public funding is its in our Constitutionits part of how we work with culture in Brazil, whether theater, cinema, music, or literatureand if a government with fascist tendencies comes to power, its quite easy to use the funding system against artists. I think thats what many of us felt during the [Michel] Temer years and also when Bolsonaro came into power.

(L-R) Wagner Moura and Kleber Mendonca Filho during the Toronto International Film Festival at InterContinental Toronto Centre on Sept. 6, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. / Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for IMDb

Was it creatively rewarding, Wagner, to return to Braziland to act in Portugueseafter years of working overseas?

WM: Its definitely liberating. I didnt learn English when I was a kid. My kids speak English as if they were native speakers, but for me with either English or Spanishwhich is another language I can speakI dont care about accents. I dont care about my accent at all; thats not the point. The point is how to feel the words with memory. Because when I say something in Portuguese, the words come filled with memory of how many times Ive said them when I was a kid. In English, I rationally understand the words, but its different.

Thats totally understandable.

WM: It was liberating, and I couldnt believe that Ive spent 12 years away. I mean, I can, because there was the Bolsonaro government, but it was not only that; it was also experiencing, experimenting, and doing films here [in the U.S.], which has been great for me. I also made a film that I didnt act in, but I directed it in Brazil. It took me two-and-a-half years. And then I did Narcos, which was also something that took a long time. But even living in L.A. for seven years, Ive always been very connected to Brazilian politics and culture, so this one was the perfect homecoming for me. Also, this is about this dude coming back home, you know what I mean? We start with this guy in this car arriving in his hometown. It just felt perfect.

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Like I said, Ive been chasing Kleber to work with for a while, and Recife is a very important city in my life as well. Many very important things in my life happened in that city. So, its just perfect. There are films you make and everything is great and youre happy, and the film doesnt end up being that good. And the opposite as well, where the process of the film is chaotic and bad and the film is kind of great. In my experience, the films dont reflect the process. But this one, Im happy to say, was happiness from the beginning until now. And the attention its getting is just f---ing great.

Wagner Moura, Licinio Januario, Italo Martins, Joao Vitor Silva, Hermila Guedes, and Isabel Zuaa. / Cinemascopio

The film isnt just set in the 70sit feels as if its channeling that eras filmmaking. Were there any films you particularly thought (or talked) about when making The Secret Agent?

KMF: References have no boundaries. I will never draw a line, because thats not how our brain works. I really believe I make films because of everything that I have seen throughout my life, and all the books I have read, and all the people I have met. I dont want to sound too romantic, but thats how it works.

I might think of a scene from a film by Nelson Pereira dos Santos, a great Brazilian filmmaker, but I might also think of Robert Altman. I might think of a late-night television ad that used to air in Recife when I was a kid that had a catchy jingle. All of that together is what explains it. Cinephiles and film critics are very knowledgeable about cinema, but its really hard to explain to anyoneeven to my wife and producerhow these ideas come together.

Was that true when it came to Wagner as well?

KMF: When I work with Wagner, of course I think of everything he has done before, analyzing his work in the theater, which I have seen, and on television and in the cinema. Im writing this role and Im thinking, I want to try something that I havent quite seen him do yet. All of these references, they are always in the back of my mindor in the forefront, actually.

Director Kleber Mendonca Filho. / Victora Juca

The Secret Agent is full of great faces, and many of them, like Tania Maria, are locals and not professional actors.

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WM: Its one of the greatest things, in my opinion, about the film, and it starts with the script. The way Kleber writes the characters, he really takes care of every single one of them. Every single character that you see on the page, you go, oh, this is a good characterI would play this character! The characters are very humanized.

I didnt participate in the casting process, but I find it fascinating because Brazil is indeed a country of miscegenation, and its beautiful to see all kinds of colors and body shapes and all these actors from the northeast. This is very important to us.

Its a discussion in the film, the internal xenophobia that Brazil has with the southeast and northeast, so its great to see all these great actors. And these are not famous faces from television. The star system in Brazil is based on telenovelas, and its nice to see that we have famous actors like Gabriel Leone, who plays Bobbi, mixed with the guy at the gas station, who was a stage actor from Paraiba.

I just loved it. I like to say that I felt like I was Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz [laughs]. Just meeting great characters in my path to wherever I was going, and whatever was going to happen to me later.

KMF: Im just happy that the way I see Brazil is very honestly photographed on the screen. Brazil is full of all types of great faces. From Afro-Brazilians and Caucasians to indigenous and this mix of the obese, the thin, the physically handicapped. I just love the diversity, but not diversity in terms of how the industry uses the term. A real sense of diversity as the human element in the film.
Ramy Youssef and Mo Amer tackled the question of Hollywoods portrayal of Arab people in a talk on identity and storytelling at the Doha Film Festival on Tuesday.

The pair were guests of the new festival, spearheaded by Qatars Doha Film Institute as an extension of its work focused on nurturing talent and films from the MENA region and Arab diaspora.

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The inaugural edition, which comes amid an increasingly flourishing independent film scene across the region, kicked off with a high-powered industry event announcing new partnerships between Qatars Film Committee and the likes of Neon, Department M, Sony, Miramax and Company 3.

In response to a question on whether this activity could have a positive impact on the way in which Hollywood portrays Arabs and Muslims, both Youssef and Amer said more needs to be done.

If you watch Reel Bad Arabs thatll tell you everything you need to know, said Amer, referring to the 2006 documentary Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People, which analyzed more than 1,000 films with Arab and Muslim characters made between 1896 and 2000.

The way we shift that is by putting fuel on the fire all these phenomenal creatives that are here, and people who have great stories to do. You believe in them and you allow them the space and the opportunity to create these stories. We just need more, a lot more. We need to be very aggressive in the way we tell stories and in the quantity, continued the U.S. actor and comedian who was born in Kuwait to Palestinian parents and grew up in Houston.

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Theres a lot of things we can do in film, television, cartoons, even in shadow puppetry. I dont care what it is, but we have to do it as much as possible to counteract everything thats happened the last 100 years of how weve been depicted on television in the West.

He pointed to the Arab worlds rich history of storytelling as well as its scientific and technological achievements in the so-called Islamic Age, running from the 8th to the 14th century, as well as its historic figures, whose stories also needed to be told

Its extremely important to bring these characters to life, to understand were an extremely diverse culture and that weve set the standard of many things on this Earth. Unfortunately, thats getting washed to the wayside because were not really pushing ourselves to tell these very important stories in the way that will educate them at the same time.

Youssef suggested that financiers in the Gulf region who were entering into partnerships with Western companies should not be scared of voicing their opinion on the content they were investing in.

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The people who are cutting the checks, theres a lot more value to you beyond your money. What you think needs to be at that table. From what Ive seen, I have faith that what is happening in Doha is going to be that way, said Youssef, who was born in Queens to Egyptian parents and grew up in New Jersey.

It happens to us all the time. We work for the network. They go, We give you money, so were going to give you our opinion so dont be shy. The people who are taking the money are used to getting opinions from the people giving the money, he said.

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Magical.

Thats the word Wunmi Mosaku keeps returning to when describing her experience on Sinners. The Nigerian-born British actress has become part of the Oscar conversation for her role as Annie, the hoodoo-practicing spiritual center of Ryan Cooglers epic vampire period piece. But Mosaku is the first to admit she didnt really know what she was in for.

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I'm really not a horror fan in any way, in any stretch of the imagination, Mosaku confides with a laugh to Gold Derby. She says she had only been sent seven pages of the script to prepare for her audition pience  the scene where Annie and Smoke (Michael B. Jordan) reconnect after a time apart. I thought it was going be the most rich and deep and tear-jerking love story. It is still all of that, but it also has vampires!

Vampires have been good to her, though. As have shoggoths and shapeshifters. Its been a wild detour from the British crime dramas she came up on, including a BAFTA-winning turn in 2016s Damilola, Our Loved Boy, and the fifth and final season of Idris Elbas Luther. In our lively conversation, Mosaku reveals how she and Jordan bonded on set before filming their intimate love scene, some of the key changes made to the film's most-talked-about sequence, and why, exactly, Coogler is so magical.

Gold Derby: Let's just start at the beginning: What brought you to Sinners?

Wunmi Mosaku: I was told that Ryan Coogler wanted to meet me for his next project, and I was like, Ryan Coogler knows who I am? Wow. I got sent seven pages of Smoke and Annie at the shop, my first scene. I prepped it, read it, and thought it was the most beautiful, perfect writing. Then I met with Ryan on Zoom and had a bit of a shock learning what the story really was, and where it was going. I had no idea from those seven pages. I thought it was going be the most rich and deep and tear-jerking love story  and it is still all of that, but it also has vampires!

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He told me the whole story and we were on Zoom for about an hour and a half. I went home and read the script, and I was completely blown away. It was so imaginative and clever and bold, and I got it. I felt like it was so simple and complex at the same time, there were so many layers I could see. It was magical.

Then I went in the next day and read opposite Michael. They offered me the role in the room.

Wunmi Mosaku in 'Lovecraft Country' HBO

Thats wild. I thought maybe because of Lovecraft Country and Loki that you really were drawn to genre projects. I thought, Wunmi must have loved the vampire aspect," but to hear that you didn't even know there were vampires involved...

I had no idea! And I'm really not a horror fan in any stretch of the imagination, but I really love things that make me think and feel. Lovecraft was one of those, with the themes. It was such a challenge to play that role, someone who accepts this potion and changes her skin tone. That's a huge challenge. I know I'm going to have to a lot of like mental aerobics and a lot of self-confrontation, and that excites me. So it is funny that they happened to be horror.

In many ways Sinners is a uniquely American story. It's grounded in the Jim Crow South and the Black culture of that era and the blues music that evolved from it. As someone who grew up outside of America, how did you find a way into that world?

Research  a lot of research. But the most incredible thing about Ryan's writing is that I'm just now realizing how important he has been in my growth as a member of society. He's been a bridge through so many of the diasporic cultures. You feel a part of it, because we are kin, we are cousins. We have a shared genesis and a shared trauma, and it's branched off in different ways, materialized in different ways, and actualized in different ways. But we still come from the same genesis and heart and history. I felt like I was learning about my family. I was learning about my history, too.  I have never felt closer to Africa than rooting myself in that Southern culture.

Annie is one of the MVPs of this movie. She's the spiritual center of the film. Was the character pretty much baked in from that first script, or did you work with Ryan to shape Annie?

Annie was all on the page. We didn't add much, but the things we did add were mainly in the moment, like the moment she decided to call [Smoke] Elijah  the moments where she says, Drop the walls, I'm talking to you. Those were the moments that actually really broke Annie open for me. I think it actually broke me and Michael open to each other. There's no hiding. There's no hiding from Annie.

Michael B. Jordan and Wunmi Mosaku Warner Bros.

Let's talk about that for a second, because you have this really intense chemistry with Michael B. Jordan. What was it like navigating Annie and Smokes relationship?

It was just very easy and natural from my first audition with him. We just got on; we talked about the meanings of our names, the meaning of my child's name, the meaning of Ryan's kids' names. We just talked and shared and then we moved that into the rehearsal room where we talked about our fears and hopes and dreams. The things that we love, the things were afraid of, our own griefs and the weights were carrying around with us. We created a safe space to be vulnerable, to explore, and to push our boundaries. Again, its a testament to the environment that Ryan creates. He's a very open man.

You said Ryan offered you the job in the room and the casting process moved really quickly. How was it working with him on set?

It was a dream. He really empowers the people around him to believe in and trust their voice and their instincts. He shows a lot of grace, and so I felt like a better person  a better actor. I didn't realize that my face would flash the thought that was in my mind. And hes like, What was that? I said, Oh no. It doesnt matter. Hes like, No, I want to hear it. What was that? You had an idea. He encouraged me to speak my ideas out loud, and that has emboldened me to speak out my ideas in real life every day, more and more. I'm a better, bolder person because of working with him.

Wunmi Mosaku and Ryan Coogler David Jon/Warner Bros.

You mentioned earlier on about being able to tap into a larger narrative that transcends race and culture, and there's a very specific scene in the movie  Ryan calls it the surreal montage  where Sammies performance brings together musicians and artists from across time. And Annie serves as a guide for the audience

From the moment I read it, I was like, Wow. The first version I read was without the ancestors. It was just about the two brothers and the girls reconnecting and it was beautiful. Then I read the version with the ancestors and the roof catches fire. I screamed, Whoa. My god, this is amazing. Chills  full body chills and shivers. He really connected that voice, that moment. Here is this spiritual vibration, so pure and so simple, but also so heightened and so deep. I thought it was perfect.

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Filming that scene, we had the actors on set while the music played and my mind was blown. I was like, Wow, the ancestors are here, they're listening. This is poetry literally happening in real time. It was amazing, just magical. And then Ryan adds my voiceover to it. That voice-over wasnt [originally] in the movie. I did that in January for the beginning of the movie. But then he added it to that scene. I was like, Please put this man in charge of cinema.

This film, as you said, is magical. It has truly captured a moment in the cultural conversation. How have fans responded to you about it?

It's been really lovely. Everybody has responded so well to it. We have felt seen and loved. Regardless of how you feel or how the world treats you, you just keep going. Then all of a sudden, someone writes something, a group of people gather and make it into a movie, and then you get to watch it and you feel like you see a version of yourself that you've never seen before. Ryan has utter reverence for the Black women in his life, so I'm grateful for everyone who poured into him, so that we could feel seen and loved and remembered.

Ryan is a conduit. He's a conduit for the ancestors, he's a conduit for Pan-Africanism, he's a conduit for all this love. Annie wouldn't have existed in this world without his vision and without him.

Gallery: Sinners  from sketch to screen

Smoke and Stack concept art in 'Sinners'

Jedidiah's church sketch from 'Sinners'

Jedidiah's church concept art from 'Sinners'

Jedidiah's church, the Sunday morning after Art Director: Jon Cappel; Asst. Art Director: Otto Dinkelacker

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Jedidiah's church concept art from 'Sinners'

Jedidiah's church, the Sunday morning after Art Director: Jon Cappel; Asst. Art Director: Otto Dinkelacker Sinners

Jedidiah's church, interior Art Director: Jon Cappel; Asst. Art Director: Otto Dinkelacker

Annie's store sketch from 'Sinners'

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Annie's store in 'Sinners'

Annie's store, exterior Art Director: Tim Davis; Asst. Art Director: Otto Dinkelacker Sinners

Juke joint/sawmill sketch from 'Sinners'

Sinners Hogwood sells the mill to the Smokestack Twins

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Juke joint concept art from 'Sinners'

Sinners Surreal Montage

Smoke and Stack concept art in 'Sinners'

Jedidiah's church sketch from 'Sinners'

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Jedidiah's church concept art from 'Sinners'

Jedidiah's church, the Sunday morning after Art Director: Jon Cappel; Asst. Art Director: Otto Dinkelacker

Jedidiah's church concept art from 'Sinners'

Jedidiah's church, the Sunday morning after Art Director: Jon Cappel; Asst. Art Director: Otto Dinkelacker Sinners

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Jedidiah's church, interior Art Director: Jon Cappel; Asst. Art Director: Otto Dinkelacker

Annie's store sketch from 'Sinners'

Annie's store in 'Sinners'

Annie's store, exterior Art Director: Tim Davis; Asst. Art Director: Otto Dinkelacker Sinners

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Juke joint/sawmill sketch from 'Sinners'

Sinners Hogwood sells the mill to the Smokestack Twins

Juke joint concept art from 'Sinners'

Sinners Surreal Montage

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Click here to read the full article.
Few names are as synonymous with reggae music as Jimmy Cliff.

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The Grammy-winning artist, whose music traversed reggae, ska, rocksteady, soul and rock n roll, passed on Monday (Nov. 24), as announced by his wife, Latifah Chambers, in an Instagram post.

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Its with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia, Chambers wrote. I am thankful for his family, friends, fellow artists and coworkers who have shared his journey with him. To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career. He really appreciated each and every fan for their love.

After amassing a handful of local hits in the mid-1960s thanks to his trademark soulful tenor, the Kingston-born star achieved his international breakthrough with his eponymous 1969 LP (released as Wonderful World, Beautiful People in the States in 1970), which included the hits Wonderful World, Beautiful People and Vietnam. Bob Dylan famously called the latter of the two singles one of the greatest protest songs hed ever heard. Wonderful World also housed the timeless Many Rivers to Cross, an evergreen reflection on navigating the industry that also appeared on the soundtrack for 1972s The Harder They Come.

The first major commercial film release from Jamaica, The Harder They Come, is a classic crime drama musical that employs several elements native to spaghetti westerns. Cliff starred as the films main character, tackling payola, bad faith contracts, lust, loyalty, religion, and a tireless quest for stardom. Noted for its use of Jamaican patois, The Harder They Come proved that Cliff could continue specifically dedicating his art to his people while reaching new heights internationally. By 1976, he made his Saturday Night Live performance debut ahead of a decade that included a smash hit in 1983s Reggae Night, a Bruce Springsteen co-sign, and a best reggae album Grammy win for 1985s Cliff Hanger.

Cliffs success continued throughout the 90s, thanks to film-adjacent hits like his 1993 cover of Johnny Nashs I Can See Clearly Now (from Cool Runnings) and 1995s Lebo M-assisted Hakuna Matata (from a compilation accompanying The Lion King). In the 00s, Cliff delivered a pair of new albums (2002s Fantastic Plastic People and 2004s Black Magic) before Wyclef Jean officially inducted him into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010, making the icon just the second Jamaican artist to receive the prestigious honor, after Bob Marley. In 2012, Cliff won his second career Grammy for Rebirth; ten years later, he unleashed his final studio album, Refugees.

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Boasting eight top 10 projects on the Reggae Albums chart and three Billboard Hot 100 hits  Wonderful World (No. 25), Clearly (No. 18) and 1970s Come Into My Life (No. 89)  Jimmy Cliff has left an indelible legacy across music and film that highlights the rich cultural heritage of Jamrock.

Here are our staff picks for Jimmy Cliffs 10 all-time greatest songs.

10. House of Exile (Music Maker, 1974)

For House of Exile, which appears on his 1974 Music Maker LP, Cliff turned his attention to the psyche of those whose chickens have come home to roost. Oh, remember you said it wouldnt happen to you/ Now youre thinking how to start a new/ A drowning man will catch at a straw/ You were warned but you wouldnt take heed, he coos, opting for a less narrative-driven approach to songwriting. Between the piercing horns announcing his subjects demise and his onslaught of verses that pierce that subjects pompous armour, House of Exile doesnt necessarily revel in its events  but it sure does contextualize those feelings of I told you so.  KYLE DENIS

9. She Is a Woman (Give Thanx, 1978)

She can take the light out of the day/ And paint a dark night bright/ She can ease your pain when you feel insane/ And make you feel all right, croons Cliff in the first verse of this sweet ode to the Eves of the world. Taken from 1978s Give Thanx, She Is a Woman folds notes of 70s soul into an easy-rocking reggae groove, all tied together by Cliffs warm, starry-eyed tenor. From the tender background harmonies to the gentle build of its instrumentation, She Is a Woman effortlessly captures the underlying respect thats often missing from todays love songs.  K.D.

8. Struggling Man (Struggling Man, 1973)

A classic early-70s reggae cut with horns and palm-muted guitars, Struggling Man is another showcase of Cliffs effortless vocals, even when hes delivering lyrics that are anything but. As the song title suggests, Cliff spins a tale of perseverance and principle, of a quest and desire to improve his situation despite the condition that he finds himself in. Its a key theme throughout Cliffs career  one that he did perhaps better than any of his contemporaries.  DAN RYS

7. The News (Follow My Mind, 1976)

Its interesting to listen to how clear-eyed Cliff was about the future of information with a song like The News  especially in this current era of disinformation, alternative facts and, well, fake news. Have you heard the news? he repeatedly asks across deceptively jubilant guitars before breaking down the motives behind this particular propaganda machine: They scandalizing my name/ They want to make me look shame/ Because I got little fame.

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The News takes inspiration from Cliffs real-life December 1974 arrest in Nigeria in connection with a civil lawsuit. After a promoter could not provide evidence to support his claims that Cliff had breached their contract, the charges were dismissed, Cliff was released, and The News was born. Arriving just two years after The Harder They Come shot him to international fame, The News is Cliffs fiery response to the weapons that were raised against him.  K.D.

6. I Can See Clearly Now (Cool Runnings Soundtrack, 1993)

So much of Cliffs reputation was built on the soundtrack to his 1972 cult classic film The Harder They Come, that its fitting that one of his biggest hits  this cover of Johnny Nashs 1972 Hot 100-topper  came as part of the soundtrack to another cult classic, the 1993 film Cool Runnings, about the Jamaican Olympic bobsled team. Its a breezy rendition, showcasing Cliffs soulful, airy vocals and upbeat vibe, a great later-career classic.  D.R.

5. Dearest Beverley (1962)

A sweeping reggae ballad cast in the shadow of 60s pop, its no surprise that Dearest Beverley became an early local hit for a teenage Cliff. From the universal lovestruck pang of his voice to the aching ascending glissando he pulls off on Beverely in the chorus, Cliff knew early on how to deliver an emotional gut-punch of a song, without falling into overwrought or saccharine territory.  K.D.

4. Commercialization (Unlimited, 1973)

Advertiser, sterilizer, euthanizer, commercializer/ Cause commercialization is the notion of the civilization, chants Cliff across this rollicking melange of guitar, bass, piano, trumpet, trombone, drums, organ, and saxophone. Housed in 1973s Unlimited, his first album following the blockbuster success of The Harder They Come, Commercialization finds Cliff, in some ways, pushing back on the capitalistic demands of his newfound notoriety. Not only does the song purposely eschew traditional structure, but Cliff also trades his passionate crooning for militant indictments of the systems hes been forced to navigate throughout his career.  K.D.

3. Vietnam (Wonderful World, Beautiful People, 1970)

A biting commentary on how flippantly war treats life and humanity, Vietnam couches the heartbreaking bluntness of Cliffs songwriting with bouncy instrumentation that turns the repetition in the songs back half into quiet desperation. As quickly as Cliffs soldier character promises hell be back home by the summer, his mother receives a telegram that hes been killed in combat. Cliffs absurd juxtaposition of sweet Marys golden lips against a numbingly matter-of-fact death announcement is what makes Vietnam such an effective and towering protest song; it lays bare the contradiction of war in no uncertain terms and places them in a narrative every listener can see themselves in.  K.D.

2. Raggae Down Babylon (Hanging Fire, 1988)

Accented by pounding drums and a defiantly hopeful tone that trades on Cliffs belief in the sociopolitical power of reggae music, Raggae Down Babylon is one of the most underrated songs in the late legends catalog. This girl walk up to me one day/ This is what she had to say/ Reggae makes me feel alright/ I want to do it with you tonight, he sings in the first verse, setting the scene for a Bonnie & Clyde-esque love story that finds him and his lover connecting by using reggae to tear down oppressive structures like Apartheid or Babylon, which refers to the materialstic, capitalist world in the Rastafari belief system. Jimmys voice rings out across the track with conviction, and that alone makes Raggae an irresistible gem.  K.D.

1. The Harder They Come (The Harder They Come Soundtrack, 1972)

The title track to one of the most significant cultural moments in reggae history, The Harder They Come, is a thesis statement of sorts for the hardscrabble story told in the film, that of a young man who heads to Kingston to try to pull himself up out of poverty, only to encounter various webs of corruption and exploitation in the big city. In classic reggae style, the track mixes upbeat grooves and major-key vibes with lyrics that speak to real-life, systemic issues in society, and the desire to overcome struggles  all beautifully packaged in a way that would fly under the radar for anyone who isnt paying too close attention. To anyone familiar with the subversive nature of the majority of reggae musics history, this is a stone-cold classic.  D.R.

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Before the Cuban Revolution scattered a generation of writers, producers and performers to new creative hubs across Latin America, the island was busy building the blueprint for what would become the modern telenovela.

The Telenovela Archives: Serialized Fiction in Cuba Before the Revolution, an exhibit on display at the University of Miamis Cuban Heritage Collection, revisits that formative era through photographs and artifacts from the islands broadcasting heyday in the 1940s to the 60s.

Cubas role as an early pioneer of radionovelas and telenovelas  Spanish language soap operas  created a Hollywood-style star system of its own. Large-format photos and original materials from those prolific decades show a country that became a magnet for creative talent from across Latin America and for Spanish emigres fleeing the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War.

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Black-and-white studio portraits by the mononymous photographers Narcy and Armand  Cubas most prominent from the 40s through 60s  line the walls of the exhibit. Nearby are brochures and postcards, sometimes signed, featuring the faces of actors who became household names. Sold at kiosks or handed out to fans, they underscore how the industry spilled beyond sound and screen into print. Many of the items, donated by artists relatives or collected by the Cuban Heritage Collection over the years, also include images from major TV networks of the time, such as CMQ.

The show highlights Caridad Bravo Adams, the Mexico-born writer who became a powerhouse of Cuban radionovelas beginning in the 1940s. She ran La novela del aire, starting with adaptations of literary classics before moving on to original works like Corazon salvaje and La mentira. The exhibition also highlights writer Felix B. Caignet, creator of perhaps the most famous radionovela and later telenovela of all: El derecho de nacer (1948). Gabriel Garcia Marquez credited Caignet as an early influence.

Posters from the exhibition The Telenovela Archives: Serialized Fiction in Cuba Before the Revolution at the Cuban Heritage Collection.

The melodramas that would come to define the genre  built around class divides, extreme plot twists and characters who remain impeccably styled even in an operating room  took root on the island. The telenovela is woven into Latin Americas cultural fabric and its origins begin in Cuba. Venezuelan documentary filmmaker Juan Andres Bello, who curated the exhibition with University of Western Ontario professor Constanza Burucua, points to a lesser-known influence: the lectores who read aloud to cigar-factory workers.

Oral reading existed in Cuba and in Florida in the tobacco factories, where workers were read to while they worked. The telenovela feeds on that tradition, Bello says.

The rise of the radionovela in Cuba

One of the most produced telenovelas in Latin America premiered on CMQ Radio in Havana in 1948: El derecho de nacer  (The Right to Be Born). The exhibit pays tribute to the original protagonists, Carlos Badias and Maria Valero.

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Valero, who came to Cuba in 1939 after serving as a nurse in the Spanish Civil War on the Republican side, became the islands most important radionovela star. She died tragically in a car accident in Havana and was replaced in the role of Isabel Cristina in El derecho de nacer by actress Minin Bujones, who is also featured in the exhibit.

El derecho de nacer would eventually become one of the most produced telenovelas, with each generation being introduced to the story by a new crop of actors. The telenovela, however, lost steam as modern audiences began to bristle at the use of a white actress in blackface for the character Mama Dolores.

Another large poster shows radionovela stars Raquel Revuelta and Manolo Coego promoting their daily 1:15 p.m. show on Radio Progreso. The two, captured in their youthful prime, couldnt have foreseen how the 1959 revolution would split their paths  and sometimes place them on opposite sides.

The revolution broke families and friendships. Those who left had to rebuild their careers elsewhere  some succeeded, others struggled, said Bello, who now lives in exile in Canada.

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Coego, often called the Marlon Brando of Cuba, went on to star in Yo compro esa mujer, El secreto and Raquel. He died in Miami in 2017.

Revuelta, who co-founded the influential Teatro Estudio with her brother Vicente, became a leading figure of post-revolutionary cinema, notably starring in Humberto Solas 1968 classic Lucia. She died in Havana in 2004, honored by nearly every major cultural institution on the island.

Television arrives in Cuba

In another corner of the exhibition, CMQs mobile unit appears to float against a New York skyline  a 1950 snapshot taken before the equipment was shipped to Cuba. The image captures a pivotal moment, when the island began importing U.S. technology as it quickly became a regional pioneer in television.

Bello says Cubas location helped speed that development. He cites the 1952 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, the first to be televised. The broadcast was filmed in London, rushed to the United States to air quickly thanks to the time difference, then copied in New York and flown to Havana  translated and on Cuban TV almost immediately.

Juan Andres Bello, a Venezuelan documentary filmmaker and professor based in Canada, curated the exhibition The Telenovela Archives: Serialized Fiction in Cuba Before the Revolution.

Radio and television also helped expand another thriving pre-Castro industry: advertising.

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A 1955 Sylvania ad on display promises, Your current television could be 7 times better. Another image shows Felix B. Caignet seated beside a Delco radio, promoting the brand  a reminder that media figures were paid not only for their work but also for endorsements.

The glamorous actress Carmen Pujols appears in a Camay soap ad calling it the soap of the stars. Pujols starred in numerous productions and is fondly remembered for portraying the beloved childrens characters, Tia Tata Cuentacuentos.

Gina Cabrera is one of the exhibitions most frequently featured actresses. She appears with leading man Alberto Gonzalez Rubio  another pair split by the political upheaval that reshaped Cuban lives. Cabrera remained on the island, while Gonzalez Rubio eventually settled in Miami, reinventing himself as a radio announcer for Voice of America.

The telenovela in exile

The exhibit ends with the early years of the revolution, when creative radio and television programming would be replaced with broadcasts of Castros famously long speeches.

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After the state seized all media outlets, exile became the only viable option for many in the industry  a loss for Cuba but a gain for the countries that received a generation of talent. At the end of the exhibition, a map shows the migration of telenovelas from Cuba to Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela and Puerto Rico. Talented Cuban writers like Gloria Magadan and Delia Fiallo ended up selling their telenovelas in Brazil, Venezuela and Mexico.

Amanda T. Moreno-Schroeder, director of the Cuban Heritage Collection at the University of Miami, says the exhibition brings that legacy into focus.

Through clippings, photos and recordings, it shows how these media reflected and exported the Cuban popular imagination to other Latin American countries, revealing a legacy that until now remained behind the scenes. By preserving these materials, we safeguard our culture and, at the same time, activate it for educational purposes, she said.

The Telenovela Archives: Serialized Fiction in Cuba Before the Revolution is on view through August 2026 at the Cuban Heritage Collection, Roberto C. Goizueta Pavilion, second floor of the Otto G. Richter Library at the University of Miami, 1300 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables.
Murder in a Small Town has many of Us wondering how so many dead bodies can appear in one place  but is the town a real place?

Based on novels written by L.R. Wright, Murder in a Small Town follows a police chief named Karl (Rossif Sutherland) who  along with the help of others, including his girlfriend, Cassandra (Kristin Kreuk)  investigates mysterious murders.

The Fox series, which debuted in 2024, is filmed at Gibsons on British Columbia's Sunshine Coast. Murder in a Small Town is based on the same location  with season 2 expanding Karl's turf as police chief to explain all the crime.

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"They tried to address that  the plausibility of all that  by expanding his territory. Ultimately I don't know how far you can expand his territory before he's tasked with arresting whales," Sutherland quipped exclusively to Us Weekly in November 2025. "It's just the formula we have to go along with in order to tell our stories."

Which Murder in a Small Town Stars Are  And Arent  Returning for Season 2?

He continued: "But ultimately even if some of the crimes feel a little far-fetched, I really do hope that it's the love story that doesn't feel far-fetched at all."

Kreuk, meanwhile, opened up about finding something for Cassandra to do while Karl was out solving crime in town.

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"For me it was finding something for Cassandra to do that is interesting  in contrast to a murder. Because a murder is a pressing thing. There's a lot of energy that goes into solving those things," she explained to Us in September 2025. "That is really the request [for me] is to find something for the two of them  and also selfishly for me  to do that is Cassandra driving a story."

Keep scrolling for a breakdown of where Murder in a Small Town is filmed:

What Is the Backstory of the Town on the Show?

Fox Media LLC. CR: Kailey Schwerman/ FOX.

Before the events of the series premiere, Karl moved to Gibsons and accepted a new job after previously being a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His move allowed him to cross paths with Cassandra, who became his love interest and local librarian.

In addition to Sutherland and Kreuk, Murder in a Small Town stars Aaron Douglas, Savonna Spracklin, Bethany Brown and Marcia Gay Harden.

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Fox Fall 2025 TV Schedule for New and Returning Shows: Doc, Murder in a Small Town and More

Is Gibsons a Real Place?

Murder in a Small Town is filmed in Gibsons, British Columbia, which is part of Canada. The series has relied on local landmarks in Gibsons  including Gibsons Harbor  to provide authenticity to Murder in a Small Town.

What Locations Are Used on the Show?

FOX

Gibson's Public Library is used for Cassandra's place of work, with real librarians appearing in the background of the show. There is also Molly's Reach Diner, which is the place where Karl and Cassandra have their first date but has since become a mainstay on the show.

Robert's Creek is often used in scenes near the water and the High Beam Dreams Event Center has allowed for moments such as Cassandra's prom-themed high school reunion when it isn't used as a wedding venue off screen.
The Young and the Restless fans are disappointed with the return of Matt Clark, as the storyline has left some viewers feeling confused and frustrated.

Key Takeaways

Y&R fans sound off on Matt Clarks return.

The flashbacks are annoying.

This stunt casting is a major flop for the CBS soap.

Some Fans Feel Matt Clark Is A Miss

From the second Mitch (Roger Howarth) was revealed to be Sharon (Sharon Case) and Nicks (Joshua Morrow) nemesis, Matt Clark, Y&R fans have had thoughts. Some even wondered if Mitch really was Matt, which seems to have turned out to be true.

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The recent turn of events involving Matt kidnapping Noah (Lucas Adams) and Sienna (Tamara Braun) has fans losing their minds over Matts return. Its not in a good way either.

Telling a story through flashbacks is not the flex the powers that be think it is. One fan on X declared, The flashback form of these scenes with Nick, Sharon, and Matt are unnecessary.

The flashback form of these scenes with Nick, Sharon, and Matt are unnecessary. #yr  alexa (@alexaismyname2) November 25, 2025

Along with that, the Matt chaos is all over the place, with each day making fans feel like theyve missed something major, but they didnt. Several fans on X seemed to allude to the same thing and more as they shared their thoughts on the storyline.

The Matt Clark story is an absolute mess. Its all over the place, and its so contrived, expressed the fan.

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One fan on X shared, This LA Matt Clark plot is terrible, and Thanksgiving is definitely not the time for it.

This LA Matt Clark plot is terrible and Thanksgiving is definitely not the time for it. @YRInsider #YR  Casey (@Beachgurl1401) November 25, 2025

Im pretty checked out of this Matt Clark story, expressed a fan.

Im pretty checked out of this Matt Clark story. #YR  Phyllis Cake  Team Chadam (@sheet_cake) November 25, 2025

The past couple of years, the CBS soap has been doing stunt casting, like with the introduction of evil Jordan (Colleen Zenk) and the return of Ian (Ray Wise). Those ended up being juicy soap plots that kept fans engaged.

However, some fans think that casting Howarth in the role of Matt isnt working as theyd hoped, and its not because of his talent at all.

A couple of fans brought that up on X as well, with one writing, Stunt casting Colleen Zenk as Jordan worked because it was exciting to see her again, it gave Melody Thomas Scott good material, and it mostly made soap opera sense.

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I love Jordan! Colleen did a phenomenal job portraying her, and it made Y&R interesting, and I also loved her and Ian working together! If they could only come back! This current storyline with Mitch/Matt is going nowhere so far! insisted a different fan.

Heres hoping that somehow the payoff of having Howarth on the show playing Matt Clark will turn out to be worth all the chaos and confusion fans are feeling right now.

What do you think about Matt Clarks return? Is it a hit or miss?

WATCH THIS: Soap Hub Says examines all the soap chaos.

read next

This story was originally reported on Soap Hub on November 25, 2025. Add Soap Hub as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Arizona is often defined by its iconsincluding the Grand Canyon and the Phoenix sprawl  but the essence of the state is just as alive in its smaller towns. Tucked into Arizonas canyons, deserts, and high plateaus are small communities that carry the stories of the miners, artists, ranchers, and Indigenous groups who shaped the region.

These small towns, which range from just a few hundred people to almost 10,000, each offer something different. In Bisbee, Travel + Leisures Best Small Desert Town of 2024, the steep, colorful streets are filled with galleries and cafes, while the town of Winslow along Route 66 preserves a slice of midcentury Americana, complete with neon signs, diners, and roadside curiosities. Down south, near the Mexican border, is the tiny town of Tubac, a beloved art and culture hub brimming with adobe storefronts set against the backdrop of the Santa Rita Mountains.

I have visited or driven through many of these small towns from my home state of Colorado and have selected a few that stood outincluding communities known for their historical relevance, art, and access to nature. Yes, the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, and Scottsdale are worth a visit, but for travelers willing to look beyond Arizonas landmarks and cities, these towns offer a quieter kind of discovery, often paired with wide-open space and scenic views.

Bisbee

DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images Cityscape of Bisbee, Arizona during dusk. Cityscape of Bisbee, Arizona during dusk.

The former T+L Best Small Desert Town was a shoo-in for this list. Its small, with just over 5,000 people, and has a vibrant arts scene and a funky personality you wont find anywhere else in the state. And it helps that Bisbee has a charming, walkable downtown thats filled with galleries and coffee shops in a scenic location in the Mule Mountains.

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Bisbee is surrounded by the Mule Mountains, offering plenty of opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, and camping. The nearby Sabino Canyon Recreation Area has scenic hiking trails and stunning views, said Renee Harper, a Bisbee local and spirit advisor with Old Bisbee Ghost Tour.

But beyond the art and beauty is a long, fascinating history as a copper mining towna heritage that is still felt today through the still-standing miners cabins and an impressive, underground tour of the Queen Mine.

Tombstone

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe Stock The O.K. Corral gunfight site in Rombstone, Arizona. The O.K. Corral gunfight site in Rombstone, Arizona.

The town of Tombstone, which sits in the southeast corner of the state, has leaned into its Wild West origins. It can feel kitschy at times, but if you embrace it, youll be in for a boot-stomping good time.

The towns main attractions include a reenactment of a 1881 gunfight at the O.K. Corral on historic Allen Street, a trolley tour, and a few haunted spacesincluding The Bird Cage Theatre, which is famous for its bullet hole-riddled walls from gunfighters of the American frontier.

Winslow

Heidi/Adobe Stock A local landmark in Winslow, Arizona. A local landmark in Winslow, Arizona.

Winslow, which has just over 9,000 people, is on the verge of being too populated for this small-town list, but we included it because of its undeniable Route 66 charm. The town sits right on the historic Route 66, which celebrates its 100th birthday in 2026, and continues to offer a healthy dose of nostalgic Americana.

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There are classic diners with neon signs and kitschy roadside attractions, including the iconic Standin on the Corner statue made famous by the Eagles song. Its worth making a stop at La Posada Hotel, a restored railroad hotel designed by Mary Jane Colter that was the last of Fred Harveys great railroad hotels.

The Winslow area is also home to ancient Hopi ruins and excavated Anasazi dwellings and petroglyphs.

Jerome

Nick Fox/Adobe Stock Historic Connor Hotel on the Main Street of Jerome, Arizona. Historic Connor Hotel on the Main Street of Jerome, Arizona.

Jerome is where history and natural beautyand a healthy dose of local loremerge into one enrapturing small town experience. Like Bisbee, the central Arizona town was a former copper mining community turned arts and culture hub. And yes, there are plenty of restaurants, shops, art galleries, and wineries. But what really makes Jerome stand out is its reputation as a living ghost town, a town that was almost deserted, but managed to live on. Its a title that the residents of Jerome seem to embrace.

Beyond the arts, shopping, and ghosts is a stunning landscape. The town is built into the side of a mountain overlooking the Verde Valley and is near Tuzigoot National Monument, which preserves an ancient hilltop pueblo, and Dead Horse Ranch State Park.

Wickenburg

travelview/Adobe Stock Frontier Street in Wickenburg, Arizona. Frontier Street in Wickenburg, Arizona.

For a Wild West feel, head to Wickenburg, a town where cowboys and horse enthusiasts coalesce in an old mining town thats long known for its connection to the gold rush. In the historic downtown, youll find murals and sculptures, while further afield are Jeep tours, hiking trails, and dude ranches.

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A favorite of the latter is Rancho de los Caballeros, an authentic dude ranch on the edge of town. Theres great hiking at the nearby Hassayampa River Preserve, which is owned by The Nature Conservancy. To dive into the towns gold mining history, book a tour with Vulture City Ghost Town, where you can explore more than a dozen original buildings.

Globe

traveller70/Adobe Stock Historic Main Street in Globe, Arizona. Historic Main Street in Globe, Arizona.

The small Arizona town of Globe is perhaps best known for its impressive examples of human history, including the remains of a large pueblo village constructed by the Salado people, which is now protected under the Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park and Museum. There are also several odes to its 1876 founding as a mining town.

Beyond its human history, Globe is located within Arizona's magnificent Tonto National Forest and is renowned for its Mexican food and antique shops, including the Pickle Barrel Trading Post.

Sedona

Jon Mattrisch/Travel + Leisure The red rock landscape of Sedona, Arizona. The red rock landscape of Sedona, Arizona.

Sedona gets quite a bit more attention than other towns on this list and is perilously close to being over the 10,000 population threshold I set (according to the last United States census, there are 9,684 residents), but a best small towns roundup just wouldnt be right without it. Why? Because it is easily one of the most beautiful spots in Arizona.

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As Brett Briseno of Enchantment Resort and Mii Amo told T+L previously, Whether its the energy of the land, the genuine hospitality of its people, or the cultures that coexist in harmony  there's no denying this place feels different than anywhere else. It is the sort of place that begs you to get out and explorethe landscape is full of red rock buttes, theres great hiking, and the night skies are known for their clarity. Plus, theres a great wellness culture and art scene.

Tubac

Matt Gush/Adobe Stock The historic downtown section of Tubac, Arizona. The historic downtown section of Tubac, Arizona.

South of Tucson, not far from the U.S.-Mexico border, is the tiny town of Tubac, which has become one of Arizonas best destinations for art and culture. The tiny town features over 100 eclectic shops, often featuring locally made goods, and a handful of galleries.

Tucked around the town are colorful art pieces and sculptures, only surpassed by the stunning sunsets and views of the Santa Rita Mountains, which rise nearly 6,000 feet from the surrounding desert floor.

Portal

Dennis/Adobe Stock Fall foliage in Cave Creek Canyon near Portal, Arizona. Fall foliage in Cave Creek Canyon near Portal, Arizona.

Portal is so small that most people miss it, but for those who like nature, birding, and stargazing, it is unparalleled. It sits in southeastern Arizona near the states border with New Mexico and is a renowned birding hotspot with species like the elegant trogon, Mexican jay, and the broad-billed hummingbird.

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The best time to catch a wide variety of bird species is in the spring, with lots of sightings at Cave Creek Canyon, nicknamed the "Yosemite of Arizona (also a great spot for hiking alongside towering rock formations).

Sonoita

N+H/Adobe Stock A vineyard in Sonoita, Arizona. A vineyard in Sonoita, Arizona.

Its surprising that a town so far south and so close to the U.S.-Mexico border would have a burgeoning wine scene, but Sonoita breaks the mold with a well-regarded wine scene that became one of Arizona's first federally recognized winegrowing regions. Popular tasting rooms include Dos Cabezas WineWorks and the off-grid Rune Wines.

Just 15 minutes south of Sonoita is the neighboring small town of Patagonia, a close runner-up for this list that is known for its water recreation and hiking at Patagonia Lake State Park, and in-town birdwatching at the Paton Center for Hummingbirds.

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
The pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human desire. Although happiness is subjective, several countries consistently stand out in global well-being assessments. These countries often share characteristics like strong social safety nets, high levels of trust, and an emphasis on personal freedom.

It's crucial to acknowledge that happiness is a complex and nuanced emotion. While these rankings offer valuable data, they only provide a glimpse into the bigger picture. Factors such as cultural nuances, personal experiences, and individual beliefs also play a significant role in shaping one's overall sense of well-being.

This article explores the top 15 happiest countries in the world based on the 2024 World Happiness Report. We will examine the elements that contribute to their happiness and discover valuable insights that can enhance our own lives.

1. Finland

Image Credit: Helsinki port, Finland / Deposit Photos.

For an impressive sixth year in a row, Finland takes first place as the happiest country in the world. This Nordic nation consistently excels across all key happiness indicators, with a robust social safety net, a world-class education system, and a deep appreciation for nature. The Finnish concept of "sisu"embodying resilience and determinationlikely plays a role in their collective well-being.

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Finland's success showcases the importance of prioritizing social welfare, environmental sustainability, and individual freedoms. By creating a society where people feel secure, connected, and empowered, Finland has cultivated fertile ground for happiness.

2. Denmark

Image Credit: Alexander2323 at Deposit Photos.

Denmark, another Nordic gem, consistently ranks high among the happiest countries. The Danish concept of "hygge," which relates to coziness, contentment, and simple pleasures, is often cited as a contributing factor. Danes also value a strong sense of community, a healthy work-life balance, and trust in their government.

Denmark's focus on creating a harmonious and supportive society demonstrates that happiness extends beyond individual accomplishments. It flourishes in an environment that fosters belonging and collective well-being.

3. Iceland

Image Credit: Deposit Photos.

Iceland, a land of stunning natural beauty and geothermal wonders, is home to a remarkably happy population. Despite its challenging climate and remote location, Icelanders enjoy a high quality of life, strong social connections, and a deep cultural identity.

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Iceland's resilience in the face of challenges and its commitment to preserving its unique heritage provide valuable lessons. By embracing their strengths and fostering community, Icelanders have created a thriving society in a seemingly inhospitable environment.

4. Sweden

Image Credit: Deposit Photos.

Sweden, known for its progressive social policies and dedication to gender equality, consistently scores high in happiness surveys. Swedes enjoy a balanced work-life dynamic, access to quality healthcare and education, and a deep respect for nature.

Sweden's achievements show the importance of a society that values both individual well-being and collective responsibility. By investing in social welfare and promoting equality, Sweden has fostered a sense of security and opportunity for all.

5. Israel

Image Credit: Deposit Photos.

Israel, a country with a complex history and ongoing challenges, has a surprisingly happy population. Israelis share a strong sense of community, resilience in the face of adversity, and a vibrant cultural scene.

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Israel's ability to flourish despite significant challenges highlights the power of social cohesion and shared purpose. By supporting each other and celebrating their heritage, Israelis have cultivated a resilient and joyful society.

6. Netherlands

Image Credit: Deposit Photos.

The Netherlands, famous for its tulips, windmills, and canals, consistently ranks among the happiest countries. The population vehemently values "niksen" or the concept of "doing nothing." This speaks to the rest, relaxation, and balance people must strike to truly enjoy life. The Dutch enjoy a high level of personal freedom, a tolerant society that embraces diversity, and a strong sense of community.

The Netherlands' emphasis on individual liberties and social acceptance creates an environment where people feel free to be themselves and pursue their passions. This sense of autonomy and belonging significantly contributes to their overall happiness.

7. Norway

Image Credit: Deposit Photos.

Norway, a land of breathtaking fjords and majestic mountains, also has a remarkably content population. Norwegians enjoy a high standard of living, access to pristine nature, and a strong sense of social equality.

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Norway's commitment to environmental sustainability and social welfare demonstrates that happiness isn't just about material wealth. It's also about preserving the natural world and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

8. Luxembourg

Image Credit: Deposit Photos.

Luxembourg, a small but prosperous nation nestled in Western Europe, consistently ranks high in happiness surveys. This population enjoys a high standard of living, excellent healthcare and education systems, and a strong sense of community.

Luxembourg's success proves that size doesn't matter when it comes to happiness. By prioritizing the well-being of its citizens and fostering a sense of belonging, Luxembourg has created a thriving and contented society.

9. Switzerland

Image Credit: Dudlajzov at Deposit Photos.

Switzerland, known for its neutrality, stunning alpine scenery, and delicious chocolate, also has a very happy population. The Swiss also enjoy a high quality of life, strong social cohesion, and a deep appreciation for their natural surroundings.

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Switzerland's commitment to peace, environmental protection, and social harmony creates an environment where people feel safe, connected, and fulfilled.

10. Australia

Image Credit: Deposit Photos.

Australia, a vast and diverse continent-nation, consistently ranks among the happiest countries globally. Australians enjoy a high standard of living, abundant sunshine, and a laid-back lifestyle.

Australia's emphasis on work-life balance, outdoor activities, and social connections contributes to its overall well-being. By embracing a relaxed and optimistic outlook, Australians have created a society that values both personal fulfillment and collective enjoyment.

11. New Zealand

Image Credit: Deposit Photos.

New Zealand, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and welcoming spirit, secures the 11th spot on the happiness ranking. Kiwis enjoy a high quality of life, a strong sense of community, and a deep connection to their natural surroundings. The country's emphasis on work-life balance, outdoor activities, and environmental conservation contributes to a sense of overall well-being.

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New Zealand's commitment to social equality and inclusivity fosters a society where everyone feels valued and supported. This, coupled with the country's stunning natural beauty, creates an environment that promotes happiness and contentment.

12. Costa Rica

Image Credit: Costa Rica, Central America at Deposit Photos.

Costa Rica, known for its "pura vida" (pure life) philosophy and dedication to environmental sustainability, claims the 12th position. Like Australians, Costa Ricans enjoy a laid-back lifestyle, strong social connections, and a deep appreciation for their natural surroundings. The country's focus on eco-tourism and renewable energy further enhances its commitment to a balanced and fulfilling way of life.

Costa Rica's prioritization of well-being over material wealth serves as an inspiration. Costa Ricans have cultivated a unique and enviable sense of happiness by fostering a society that values community, sustainability, and the simple joys of life.

13. Austria

Image Credit: Deposit Photos.

Austria, a country steeped in musical heritage and stunning alpine scenery, consistently ranks high in happiness surveys. Austrians enjoy a high standard of living, access to quality healthcare and education, and a strong sense of social cohesion.

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Austria's rich cultural traditions and commitment to social welfare contribute to its citizens' overall well-being. Austria has created a harmonious and happy society by fostering an environment where people feel secure, connected, and culturally enriched.

14. Canada

Image Credit: Deposit Photos.

Canada, a vast and multicultural nation, consistently ranks among the happiest countries. Canadians enjoy a high quality of life, a strong sense of social responsibility, and a welcoming attitude toward diversity. The country's commitment to universal healthcare and social programs further contributes to its citizens' well-being.

Canada embraces multiculturalism and is dedicated to creating an inclusive society that fosters a sense of belonging and acceptance. This, coupled with the country's stunning natural beauty and strong social safety net, makes Canada a haven for happiness.

15. Belgium

Image Credit: Deposit Photos.

Belgium, renowned for its delectable waffles, chocolates, and vibrant cultural scene, also boasts a happy population. Belgians enjoy a high standard of living, a strong work-life balance, and a rich tapestry of cultural traditions.

Its emphasis on quality of life, cultural appreciation, and social connections contributes to its citizens' overall happiness. By fostering an environment where people feel fulfilled in both their personal and professional lives, Belgium has created a recipe for contentment.
(Reuters) -The Pentagon has concluded that Alibaba Group Holding, Baidu Inc and BYD Co should be added to a list of companies that aid the Chinese military, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday.

Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg informed lawmakers of the conclusion in a letter on October 7, three weeks before Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping agreed to a broad trade truce, according to the report.

It is not immediately clear if the companies have been added to the Pentagon's 1260H list of Chinese companies deemed military-linked but operating in the U.S., Bloomberg reported.

While the designation does not involve immediate bans, it can be a blow to the reputations of affected companies and represents a stark warning to U.S. entities and firms about the risks of conducting business with them.

Feinberg said the three companies and five others, Eoptolink Technology Inc, Hua Hong Semiconductor Ltd, RoboSense Technology Co, WuXi AppTec Co and Zhongji Innolight Co, merit inclusion on the 1260H list, according to the report.

An Alibaba spokesperson told Reuters in an emailed statement that "there's no basis to conclude that Alibaba should be placed on the Section 1260H List", clarifying that "Alibaba is not a Chinese military company nor part of any military-civil fusion strategy."

The company also added that "being on the Section 1260H List would not affect our ability to conduct business as usual in the United States or anywhere in the world" as it doesn't do any business related to U.S. military procurement.

The Pentagon, Baidu and BYD did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comments.

The annually updated list of Chinese military companies, formally mandated under U.S. law as the "Section 1260H list", designated 134 companies in its last update in January, including Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings and battery maker CATL.

(Reporting by Juby Babu in Mexico City; Editing by Arun Koyyur and Rashmi Aich)
Move over, sugar plums: We've got visions of travel deals dancing in our heads to keep you going when you're elbow deep in gravy and houseguests. Your dream vacation can be made into an affordable reality if you take advantage of the deals discovered by the trusted industry experts at TravelMarket Report and NerdWallet.

It might be tempting to spend all of your hard-earned cash on holiday gifts for others, but don't forget to treat yourself to a check-off on your travel bucket list. Whether you've always wanted to surf in Costa Rica or see Stonehenge, search for discounts and discover what might be within your reach after all.

We sifted through a list of deals as long as Santa's "nice" list to highlight some of the best bangs for your buck, no matter the exchange rate. Discover our top picks on hotel deals, all-inclusive resort deals, cruise deals, and tour company deals. For even more holiday travel savings, Tuesday is the best day to book your flight for cheaper travel, but it isn't the only good day for booking.

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Read more: Rick Steves Says To Always Do These Things Before Traveling

A hot hotel deal

Punta Mita beach in Nayarit, Mexico - mLewlew/Shutterstock

Mammoth hotel brand Marriott is offering up to 40% off stays at numerous properties around the world, and there are a couple of standout escapes. Book the Hawaiian vacation of your dreams at Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort, where you can get up to 40% off your stay using code HL1 when you book by November 30. You don't have to choose between mountains and beach, with the resort's convenient location providing views of both the ocean and the Kauai Mountains. Tripadvisor reviews note the kid-friendliness and walkability to local shops and restaurants. To help plan your itinerary, check out our list of the 10 best things to do in Kauai.

Or escape to Mexico's Pacific Coast and save up to 30% off your stay at W Hotel Punta de Mita. Located about an hour up the coast from Puerto Vallarta, W Punta de Mita is a beachfront luxury resort where the surf and ceviche are just steps from colorful rooms and suites that will delight design lovers everywhere. When you're cleaning cranberry sauce and gravy from your dining room carpet, wouldn't it be nice to know you're going to be sipping on a cocktail at sunset in an infinity pool overlooking the ocean in the not-too-distant future?

An all-inclusive deal for the whole family

Beaches all-inclusive resort in Turks and Caicos - Ritu Manoj Jethani/Shutterstock

Book a trip at Beaches Turks and Caicos between now and December 2, and get up to 65% off your stay. In addition to one of the most generous discounts we've seen from any one brand, the deal also comes with a variety of travel credits worth up to $1,000. You have between now and December 20, 2027, to take the trip, giving you ample time to plan the perfect family getaway. Pay once and forget it, featuring premium liquors for the parents, Sesame Street characters and activities for the littles, and even a dance club for those hard-to-please teens.

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One Tripadvisor reviewer notes the spectacular beach and pools, but also warns of crowds, "So the earlier you can get out there to get chairs and shade the better." The property sits on Grace Bay Beach, which is known as one of the the best beaches in Turks and Caicos and consistently tops the list of the 25 best Caribbean beaches.

A cruise deal for smooth sailing

Uniworld River Cruises hotel-like cruise ship docked in Italy - MariaMaslova/Shutterstock

If a river cruise is on your bucket list but you've been balking at the prices, tune in to the 12 days of deals from Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. Starting November 28, the company will share a new savings surprise every day for 12 days, from trip extensions to a whopping 50% off cruises. Cruise deal caveat: You must set sail in 2026. If this is your virgin voyage, here are some unspoken cruise ship rules first-timers may not know.

Uniworld offers trips in Europe, Egypt, South America, and Asia with its fleet of 19 ships that are like floating design-forward boutique hotels. Travel + Leisure calls Uniworld "one of the best river cruise lines," showing a lot of love for the 12-day Egypt adventure, noting the excellent food and exceptional excursions led by an expert Egyptologist. Uniworld recommends the Danube for first-time river cruisers.

A great deal on a group tour

Group of tourists posing in Lisbon - Gaps/Getty Images

Find your favorite travel partner to take advantage of the BOGO deals from titan tour company Trafalgar (say that three times fast). Every week between now and December 4, they are offering buy-one-get-one-half-off deals, with new ones each week, saving you up to $3,000. If that's not enough, they are also offering 15% off their new river cruise itineraries and last-minute winter trips. Been there, done that? Repeat Trafalgar guests get an extra 5% off.

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Trafalgar's Black Friday deals include some of the most highly rated trips to places like Italy and Scandinavia. The popular Highlights of Spain and Portugal trip features a robust 13-day itinerary that takes you to 13 cities, including Lisbon, the happiest holiday destination in the world, and Seville, Spain's soulful and vibrant city. With an overall trip rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 1,200 verified site reviews, customers consistently rave about the experience, especially the tour directors and drivers, but wish there was a little more free time built into the itinerary.

Methodology

A mom, dad and young daughter standing on a tropical beach and smiling - Shutter z/Shutterstock

To identify the best Black Friday travel deals, we combed through hundreds of deals from the most updated lists of holiday travel deals at reputable sites including NerdWallet and TravelMarket Report. We chose to highlight what we consider to be outstanding deals in four major travel categories: hotels, all-inclusive resorts, cruises, and tour companies. We considered cost savings in dollars and percentages, as well as the reputation of the company offering the deal. We then confirmed deals through each travel company's direct website.

Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter and add us as a preferred search source for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets.

Read the original article on Islands.
For retirees whove already paid off a home or are tired of renting, retirement might seem like the ideal time to buy a new house, maybe one thats smaller or more conducive to aging in place. The problem is, real estate transactions usually require a big cash commitment at a time when you need to be budgeting carefully.

Find Out: This Boring Investment Could Be the Secret To Never Running Out of Retirement Income

Up Next: 5 Clever Ways Retirees Are Earning Up To $1K Per Month From Home

With that in mind, our experts here explain six reasons why you should not buy a house when you retire.

It Could Tie Up Your Income

Adding in a new mortgage in retirement, along with the subsequent costs of homeownership, could eat up a big chunk of your likely more modest income, according to Kristina Chervenka, COO, certified portfolio manager (CPM) and co-founder of Five Buffalo Capital, LLC. A home purchase can also tie up liquid funds needed for other things.

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Eli Pasternak, real estate agent, investor and founder of Liberty House Buying Group, said hes seen clients over 65 who regret buying because they cannot access their equity quickly when medical bills hit. He told us about one client who bought a $400,000 condo with cash at age 68 and wished shed kept that money invested when her husband needed expensive cancer treatments two years later.

Another downside, according to Brian Rudderow, real estate investor at HBR Colorado, is that investing a large sum of money in a home can limit the potential returns and flexibility that come with a diversified investment portfolio.

Trending Now: I Retired a Millionaire: The Best $20,000 I Ever Spent Preparing for Retirement

Insurance Costs Are Increasing

Home insurance is another cost retirees might not factor in before buying a new home in retirement. Insurance is getting more expensive by the day, and in areas prone to catastrophic events such as wildfires and hurricanes, some insurers are even dropping homeowners.

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Accidents happen, so insurance and the average annual increase should be factored into the cost of homeownership, Chervenka said.

Property Taxes Are for Life

Chervenka pointed out that even with property tax homestead exemptions and grandfather clauses, many areas in the U.S. have seen an increase in property taxes as homes have appreciated in value. Property taxes persist for the life of the house, so unlike a mortgage, which can be paid off, a new home purchase can add costs if its in a more expensive area.

Increased Home Maintenance Costs

Homeownership comes with additional maintenance costs that add up, Pasternak said. Older homeowners may also struggle with the physical demands of property upkeep while living on fixed budgets.

I think you should avoid the stress of home ownership however because roof replacements cost $25,000 and HVAC systems fail at the worst times, Pasternak said. Most retirees cant afford these surprise expenses without going into debt or selling investments.

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Renting, on the other hand, places the risk of large maintenance expenses on the landlord. Chervenka said, Having a landlord and property management team to rely on can relieve stress for those retirees that want the freedom that renting can provide.

HOA and Condo Association Dues

If you move into a community that has a homeowners association (HOA) or condominium association, you may have to pay additional fees on top of a mortgage and property taxes. In some states, like Florida, these fees can change annually.

Chervenka explained that while states are working on legislation to hold board members responsible, many residents are seeing their dues double and triple to cover necessary costs associated with deferred maintenance.

It Reduces Flexibility

Flexibility is a huge benefit in retirement, as health changes often force people to move closer to family or medical facilities, Pasternak said. He stresses to his clients that selling houses takes months and they do not have time to wait for buyers when medical situations need immediate relocation to assisted living or different states.

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In his opinion, renting gives retirees more freedom because landlords handle repairs, property taxes and insurance costs that can surprise homeowners.

While there may be times when buying a new home in retirement is necessary  for downsizing or health related purposes, for example  unless theres an urgent need, most retirees are better off staying in their current housing situation.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Reasons You Should Probably Not Buy a House When You Retire
There are your Thanksgiving staples  turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes and stuffing. Some people have strong opinions about which is the best, and which other dishes deserve a spot on the table.

Those opinions may differ based on where you live.

According to a Thanksgiving trends report compiled by DoorDash, the favorites vary by state and offer a glimpse into what dish will be scraped clean on Thursday. Google also found which dishes were most searched by states.

Side dish stars

A consumer trends expert at DoorDash told HuffPost that after examining the data, what stood out was how Thanksgiving side dishes clustered geographically, almost like regional dialects rooted in place, history and habit.

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The South gravitated toward some sweeter options, including sweet potatoes, corn and cornbread, and cranberries.

The Midwest preferred green beans and gravy. The Northeast varied between carrots, squash and other dishes.

And out West, mashed potatoes won out. In Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington and Oregon, mashed potatoes was the No. 1 most ordered Thanksgiving side dish last year.

According to Googles data, the most searched Thanksgiving side in nearly all states was a recipe for stuffing.

Just a few states had variations, including Nevada with a cranberry inquiry, Montana, Wyoming, Alaska and Louisiana searching green bean casserole, and Iowa and Mississippi looking up sweet potato casserole.

What about dessert?

Even after a large meal, Thanksgiving wouldnt be Thanksgiving without the pie.

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Using purchase data from last year, Instacart and Google found which pies were most popular for the country.

Out West, pumpkin pie was the clear favorite. California, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon and Washington all love pumpkin pie, embracing this seasonal classic with its deep autumn flavors and timeless appeal.

Theres some variation as you examine the rest of the country, though.

Utah, for example, is one of just a few states that opted for cream pie, which Instacart describes as a nostalgic twist on tradition.

Several states leaned toward cherry pie, chocolate pie, strawberry rhubarb pie and french silk pie.

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A few favorites in the South include pecan pie and sweet potato pie, but peanut butter pie topped the charts in several states, including Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas and Pennsylvania, the data found.

Looking at the most uniquely popular pie in each state reveals a lot about our countrys regional tastes and traditions  sparking big Thanksgiving debates about what truly belongs on the table, Instacarts trends analyst Alex Orellana said. While pumpkin pie is a nationwide favorite, its fascinating to see how different states embrace their own traditions.

Google found that the most searched pie is generally pumpkin pie, but this year, Utahns are looking up chocolate pie the most.

Celebrating Thanksgiving in 2025

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, this year, Americans will see a moderate decline in prices for their annual Thanksgiving dinners.

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Organizers found that a 10-person dinner including Thanksgiving staples will cost $55.18. Its a 5% decline in cost from 2024 and marks the third-straight year that prices have dropped from a record high cost in 2022.

While the Thanksgiving dinner bill may not be as costly as previous years, Americans are noting that cost of living and other costs have risen and will add some financial strain heading into the holiday season.

Still, its known that Americans across the country will gather with friends and family to devour some favorite dishes  no matter if theres debate about which one is the best.

What dish is your favorite? Or do you have a particularly strong opinion over pie? Add a comment to let us know.
As a first-time flyer on Frontier Airlines, I was hesitant but hopeful.

The flight to New Jersey was affordable and better than expected, but the seating was uncomfortable.

Frontier is a decent, budget-friendly option for short trips when saving money is a priority.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. In this economy, my desperation to get from Georgia to New Jersey on a budget led me to Frontier Airlines  and I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome.

Frontier has been ranked at the bottom of many lists in terms of comfort. On the other hand, and much to my surprise, WalletHub listed it as the second-safest airline of 2025. With all of the mixed reviews online, I asked the people closest to me about their personal experience before booking my first Frontier flight.

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My sister, who primarily flies Delta, took a Frontier flight to Jamaica earlier this year. It was her first time flying with the airline, and she said the seats were small and uncomfortable; however, it was one of the smoothest flights she's been on in a while. I also asked my editorial director about her Frontier experience, and she didn't have anything overwhelmingly negative to add.

With those two insights, I booked a $112 round-trip ticket from Atlanta to Newark Liberty International Airport. I wouldn't choose Frontier over my go-to airline again, but now that I've experienced it for myself, it's an OK last resort when all else fails, and money is tight.

The basic round-trip ticket from Atlanta to Newark was the best deal I could find.

Frontier Airlines screenshot.

I found my ticket on Google after searching for cheap flights from Atlanta to New York. The $100 deal caught my attention, and I immediately went to Frontier's website to complete my last-minute booking.

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However, when I got to the site, reality hit  this wasn't going to be my usual flying experience.

I quickly realized the ticket wasn't a deal; it was a compromise.

Frontier Airlines screenshot.

As soon as I got on Frontier's webpage, I was bombarded with options to add-on things that I considered basic amenities.

Bringing a carry-on bag costs extra. Choosing an assigned seat costs extra. Even getting a boarding pass from the ticket counter was going to run me an extra $20 each way.

Of course, these were just options. If I wanted to fly cheap, all I had to do was decline the offers.

The bundle package almost convinced me to upgrade until I read the fine print.

Frontier Airlines screenshot

Once I learned that bringing a carry-on bag would cost an extra $120, I considered purchasing the bundle package.

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For that same $120, Frontier would've allowed me a personal item, carry-on bag, priority boarding, and the option to choose my own seat. That addition would've brought my total ticket to $220, which was about what I would've spent if I booked a Delta flight with my SkyMiles.

A standard seat and a personal item were good enough for me.

Manseen Logan/BI

I had to remind myself that I was purchasing my ticket for the price, not the comfort. Ultimately, I stuck with my basic seat and personal item.

Luckily, I got a tiny aisle seat when I flew out of Atlanta and a window seat when I returned.

I regret not having paid for the upgraded seats.

Manseen Logan/BI

As I made my way to the back of the plane, the seats went from cushy and spacious to questionable. I started to wonder if I should've just paid the extra $72 for upfront plus seating.

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I shook off my regret and remembered my commitment to the budget.

My sitting area was very tight.

Manseen Logan/BI

The seats didn't recline, and I didn't have any wiggle room, but it wasn't horrible for a short two-hour flight.

I was nervous about my personal item being accepted.

Manseen Logan/BI

On the website, Frontier advises passengers to consider personal items to be purses, totes, computer bags, briefcases, diaper bags, or kids' backpacks. At the same time, the website considers large backpacks as carry-ons.

I grabbed the largest kid's book bag I could find from my niece and squeezed 48 hours' worth of clothes and toiletries inside. Then I prayed it would make the cut as a personal item.

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Paying for a carry-on at the gate costs more than purchasing it online. I decided, in the spirit of cheapness, that if my bag didn't make the cut, I would go to the restroom, slide my backpack under my hoodie, and either return to the boarding gate with a hunch back or a pregnant belly.

My personal item passed the test, but I noticed the gate agents weren't very strict.

Manseen Logan/BI

Frontier has bins to test the sizes of carry-ons and personal items. I watched as a couple of people shoved, bent, and folded large-sized duffel bags into the tiny space.

Those gate agents didn't seem to care as long as the item eventually fit. I don't think every agent would let this slide, but it's possible.

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Boarding was easy, and the flight was smooth.

Manseen Logan/BI

I was in the fourth boarding group out of six.

The flight was packed, boarding was easy, and the trip was smooth. When the flight attendants came down the aisle selling snacks, me and my cheap-minded compadres didn't even look their way.

As I sat in my seat, I wondered how much everyone else paid for their tickets.

Flying Frontier wasn't a treat, but it was affordable.

Manseen Logan/BI

As far as customer service is concerned, the gate agents and flight attendants were friendly and had an unbothered attitude. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing.

When the plane landed, passengers from the rear rushed to the front. I didn't hear the familiar "please remain seated" instruction or a friendly reminder to deboard by row. Maybe that costs extra, too.

Read the original article on Business Insider
After visiting 45 countries, a few destinations have become my top travel recommendations.

The natural beauty of New Zealand blew me away, and there's so much to see in Canada.

I love that Vietnam and Slovenia are a bit less crowded than some of their neighboring countries.

From studying abroad in Amsterdam to spending three weeks in New Zealand and road-tripping across Arizona, I've been fortunate enough to have studied, worked, traveled, volunteered, or lived in 45 countries across six continents.

However, there are five countries that truly wowed me and keep me coming back for more. Here are the ones I think every traveler should add to their bucket list.

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There's something for everyone in Vietnam.

Vietnam was more affordable than other countries I've visited. Digitaler Lumpensammler/Getty Images

Although many visitors to Southeast Asia will visit places like Thailand and Indonesia, I highly suggest checking out Vietnam.

In my opinion, the country offers something for everyone. For nature that will wow you, I recommend checking out the limestone cliffs of Ha Long Bay or the rice fields in Sapa.

Visitors can also relax on the beaches in Hoi An, visit the Old Town for cooking classes and custom-made clothing, and enjoy the hustle and bustle  plus awesome coffee culture  in Hanoi and Saigon.

From the urban to the adventurous, I found lots to do in Vietnam and found it to be less crowded and more affordable than other places I've visited.

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The landscapes in New Zealand blew me away.

Riana Ang-Canning

Head to New Zealand for natural landscapes that will truly take your breath away. When my husband and I went, we rented a car so we could see the country at our own pace.

From geothermal attractions like hot springs and mud pools of the North Island to the fjords, mountains, and glaciers of the South Island, it's hard to find a view in New Zealand that isn't stunning.

I also appreciate that there's an expectation that visitors protect the country's natural environment, in line with the indigenous Maori people's beliefs.

I was completely charmed by Slovenia.

Slovenia offers a little bit of everything, from city life to natural landscapes. Riana Ang-Canning

Slovenia is a small country sandwiched between Italy, Croatia, Hungary, and Austria. Though many tourists typically flock to these neighboring countries, Slovenia seemed blissfully less crowded when I visited.

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There's also so much to see and do there. For starters, there's the postcard-perfect Lake Bled, with an idyllic church on an island in the middle of the water. Lake Bohinj is also nearby, which I found to be even more beautiful.

The capital city, Ljubljana, is charming, as well, with a castle on the hill, a meandering river through town, pedestrian markets, and a dragon as the city mascot.

Elsewhere in Slovenia, you can find everything from gorges and caves to waterfalls, vineyards, and beaches.

My home country, Canada, gives visitors a lot to choose from.

Canada is an incredibly diverse country. Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images

As a Canadian, I'm a bit biased, but I strongly believe my home country should be on every travel itinerary, as there's a little bit of everything to enjoy.

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If you're looking for a big city with a wide range of international cuisines and nightlife options, pick Toronto. However, if you're looking for a city with a European feel and a distinct culture, I suggest opting for Montreal.

Or, if you're into nature, I recommend taking a road trip around Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia to see the foliage or hiking up mountains in Banff and Jasper.

Or for a taste of the sea, mountains, and city  sometimes all in the same day  there's no better place than my hometown of Vancouver.

Sweden is perfect for escaping hot summers.

I recommend visiting Sweden during the summer for cooler temperatures. Riana Ang-Canning

With Europe experiencing increasingly hot summers  summer 2024 was the hottest on record  I like to spend my holiday up north in Sweden for what some are calling a "coolcation."

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Stockholm is cool  both literally and figuratively. There, you can stroll through the Royal Palace, visit museums dedicated to Viking ships, photography, or Abba, and take in the "world's longest art gallery," also known as the city's subway system.

You can also fly north to Swedish Lapland to connect with nature, learn about the indigenous Sami people, and spot a reindeer (they outnumber the people).

No matter where you are in Sweden, I think you should always make time for a fika (a coffee and snack break).

This story was originally published on April 24, 2025, and was most recently updated on November 26, 2025.

Read the original article on Business Insider
While the Smokies and the Blue Ridge Parkway get the spotlight when it comes to mountains in the South, Northwest Arkansas (NWA) and the Ozarks offer an unexpected alternativewithout the crowds. Driving through this part of the state is the ultimate road trip for outdoor enthusiasts and families looking for genuine Ozarks hospitality and fall foliage, which typically lingers into mid-November.

Several communities make up NWAincluding Bella Vista, Bentonville, Berryville, Eureka Springs, Fayetteville, Huntsville, Holiday Island, Rogers, Siloam Springs, and Springdaleand each one has its own unique draw. Fayetteville and Bentonville have art and beer scenes reminiscent of Asheville, North Carolina. Some of the smaller towns have squares that feel like scenes from Hallmark movies and coffee shops straight out of Gilmore Girls. And the Victorian architecture, cobblestone streets, and an underground city give tiny Eureka Springs an air of mystery.

Heres where to stay, eat, and explore in Northwest Arkansas.

Where to Stay

From historic inns and cabins to art hotels and unique hobbit holes and tree houses, NWA has accommodations for every type of traveler. If you dare, stay at Americas Most Haunted Hotel, 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, in Eureka Springs. Guests have reported ghost sightings and paranormal activity during their visits, particularly in Room 419, Theodoras Room. Rather stay in the woods? Check into Eureka Springs Treehouses, Caves, Castles & Hobbits or The Original Treehouse Cottages.

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For more traditional accommodations, consider the Graduate by Hilton Fayetteville, the Inn at Carnall Hall in Fayetteville, or the 21c Museum Hotel Bentonville. Theres also a recent boon in new accommodations. Rogers Arka Motel, featured on HGTVs Fixer to Fabulous, was remodeled in 2024, and the Motto by Hilton Bentonville Downtown and The Star on Spring, a luxury boutique hotel in Springdale, opened to guests in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

Best Places to Eat

Rana Young/Travel + Leisure Drinks and decor at The Preacher's Son, in Bentonville. Drinks and decor at The Preacher's Son, in Bentonville.

NWA has put its mark on High South cuisine with an elevated flair to Southern comfort foods. Dine in a cave at Grotto Wood Fired Grill & Wine Cave in Eureka Springs, or savor authentic Italian family recipes at Ermilios. Bentonville is home to multiple restaurants that have been featured in the James Beard Awardsincluding Conifer, Yeyos, and Wrights Barbecue.

Enjoy a slice of heaven at The Preachers Son, where executive chef Neal Gray serves guests inside a Gothic Revival church; theres also a bar underneath called Undercroft. Fayettevilles Feed and Folly is billed as a modern public house that serves house-smoked and cured meats. To wet your whistle, try the new Oak Steakhouse rooftop bar at Hotel Avail in Rogers or have a craft beer from Gotahold Brewing in Eureka Springs.

Best Things to Do

Andy Atkinson/Northwest Arkansas Tourism Association Exploring Devil's Den State Park by motorcycle. Exploring Devil's Den State Park by motorcycle.

With 500 miles of bike trails, several state parks, cave tours, byways, and a handful of excellent rivers and lakes to explore, Northwest Arkansas is a dream destination for outdoor adventurers. Devils Den State Park is home to the states first designated mountain bike trail, along with several other routes that lead visitors on an exploration of the parks unique rock formations and caverns. Both Withrow Springs State Park and Kings River Falls Natural Area are great for hiking in Huntsville.

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Razorback Greenway links several NWA communities with a 40-mile scenic bike trail featuring great spots to shop, eat, and sightsee. Cyclists will also enjoy Coler Mountain Bike Preserve in Bentonville; here, youll find the Coler Airship Coffee outpost, reachable only by walking or biking.

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images Water sports on the Illinois River at Siloam Springs. Water sports on the Illinois River at Siloam Springs.

If you like water, Siloam Springs is worth a visit for the Siloam Springs Kayak Park or WOKA Whitewater Park. Or, go spelunking in the areas vast cave systemOnyx Cave Park in Eureka Springs, Cosmic Cavern in Berryville, and War Eagle Cavern in Rogers are some of the most popular with visitors.

Theres plenty of culture to explore in NWA, too, with folk and bluegrass sounds reminiscent of Appalachia. In Bentonville, visit the architectural marvel Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, home to many American art masterpieces, or tour the Clinton House Museum in Fayetteville for a look inside former president Bill Clintons home.

See the historic War Eagle Mill, said to be one of the few water-powered mills left in the U.S. Its tucked along War Eagle Creek, a waterway that feeds into Beaver Lake in Rogers.

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Round out your NWA itinerary with scenic drives along Highway 62, Highway 12, and Pig Trail; soar through the skies at Ozark Mountain Ziplines; or explore the region by train via the Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway.

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
With the holiday season letting children go without school for several days in a row, many parents must determine where their kids will be during the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks.

In the 1990 holiday classic film "Home Alone," 8-year-old Kevin McCallister has a fine, comedic time handling two home intruders when his family accidentally leaves him at home while they take a holiday trip. But in real life, that would be no laughing matter.

As parents juggle the realities of daily work schedules and the challenges of keeping their kids occupied and safe, some might wonder at what age they can actually stay home alone.

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More: 'Home Alone' actor Devin Ratray gets probation in Oklahoma domestic assault case

Several states have laws determining the age a child can be left alone, while others merely have recommendations. Here's what you need to know if you live in Oklahoma.

What age can a child stay home alone in Oklahoma?

Children of all ages play in the freshly made snow Saturday morning in Reynolds Square during the Holiday Frolic. Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News

Oklahoma doesn't have a law dictating the age, but the state's Department of Human Services does have some guidelines.

Children under six years of age should never be left unsupervised.

Six- and seven-year-old children should rarely be left home alone. When it happens, it should be less than an hour, and the child should have access to a responsible adult and not be responsible for younger children.

For children who are older but still elementary age, parents must assess their development and functioning levels. If left alone, it should only be for one to two hours, with access to a responsible adult and not responsible for younger children.

At middle-school age, parents also should assess their child's development when making the decision to leave them alone. This can be for up to four hours during the daytime or evening, and the child may care for one to two younger children, with access to a responsible adult.

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More: What age can kids be left home alone in Oklahoma? What to know about legality, guidelines

Still unsure about leaving your kid home alone? Here are tips for keeping them safe

The American Red Cross recommends parents set some ground rules for children who will be home alone.

Important rules to put in place would be whether other children are allowed over to the home, whether cooking is permitted while adults are away, and whether the kids can actually leave the house.

Other tips from the Red Cross include:

Keep an emergency phone list where children can see it, including 911.

Practice an emergency plan with children in case of fire, injuries, or other emergencies.

Show children where the flashlights are and how to use them.

Remove or lock away dangerous items like guns, knives, tools, razor blades, scissors, and ammunition.

Lock away anything potentially poisonous like detergents, pesticides, lighter fluid, and lamp oils. Also lock away medicine.

Make sure at least one smoke alarm is installed in the kitchen, in each level of the home, and in sleeping areas.

Limit the time spent on cell phones, television, or the computer.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: How old do children have to be to stay home alone in Oklahoma?
Rick Steves knows a thing or two about saving money when traveling in Europe. Although his long-running public television show and his countless guidebooks aren't specifically marketed to penny pinchers, he's been traveling across Europe for too long not to have picked up a few tricks along the way. Whether he's telling you to avoid expensive cafe mistakes like sitting at a table if you're just getting a drink, or advising you to find cheap but tasty European eats by visiting public cafeterias, he's got you covered. So it's worth listening when he tells you to eat a big lunch when you're traveling in Iceland.

"Even the fanciest restaurants offer excellent value lunch specials in the $25 range," he said on the Rick Steves' Europe website. "Enjoy a high-end, sit-down meal for lunch, then picnic or grab cheap takeout for dinner." There's no need to splurge on fancy meals when you're in Iceland  sometimes an Icelandic hot dog with lamb meat or a plate of Icelandic fish and chips will do the job just fine. Steves also recommends buying alcohol from the duty-free section of the airport to enjoy with lunch later.

Read more: The Takeoff And Descent Of Airline Dining

Iceland is not cheap

The Icelandic flag flying over two A-frame houses. - Pomarada/Shutterstock

You may know Iceland for its stunning geography and dramatic landscapes, its famed hot springs like the iconic Blue Lagoon, or for the avant-pop legend Bjork. But there's something else you ought to know about Iceland before you go: It is really, really expensive, especially when it comes to food. It turns out that being a small, remote island nation with forbidding geography is not exactly conducive to being an agricultural powerhouse. The average meal may cost between $35 and $50. Combine that with high tourism demand and the steep alcohol taxes, and you'll end up with some eye-watering bills at the end of your meal.

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Maybe you're not used to having to worry about money when you're traveling  after all, travel is supposed to be an opportunity to make use of the money you've saved up for an unforgettable experience, right? But unless you're a Rockefeller, you're probably going to want to heed Steves' advice for saving money during meals, like taking advantage of tap water and unlimited soup and bread. You may also want to pick up lighter meals from supermarkets, especially budget-friendly chains like Bonus and Kronan. We promise you won't be missing out on anything.

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.
Move over, AtlantisRoyal Caribbeans newest private destination is almost ready, and the cruise line just shared its most detailed video yet of the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, opening December 23 in Nassau.

The Instagram Reel, filmed on-site as construction wraps up, gives a near-finished look at the exclusive beach clubthe first in Royal Caribbeans new Royal Beach Club Collection. Although the line has previously released renderings and construction snippets, this video is the most comprehensive preview so far, showing finished pools, cabanas, ferries, art installations and beach zones.

Related: Royal Caribbean Reveals Next Beach Club in Idyllic Mediterranean Island Hotspot

A New Paradise Taking Shape

In the video and accompanying captions, fans flooded the comments calling the destination paradise and the best way to vacay. In the short clip, sunny scenes showcase nearly completed areas and reveal several never-before-seen features.

Custom Ferries for the Island

The first reveal sparking excitement is a fleet of brightly colored, custom-built ferries designed to shuttle guests directly from Royal Caribbean ships to the private pier. Royal says the ferries are ocean ready and purpose-built for the island experience.

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Cabanas, Beaches and a Massive Pool

At Chill Beach, yellow wood-planked cabanas line the shoreline, designed as a full-day home base for guests.

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The islands central pool stretches more than 400 feet, featuring "shallow ledges" overlooking crystal-blue Bahamian water.

Local Artists Bring Bahamian Culture to the Club

Royal Caribbean

The video also highlights local artists painting custom muralsone of the elements executives say theyre most proud of. Royal Caribbean also partnered with 11 Bahamian artists to create 1520 pieces throughout the site, including Angelika Wallace-Whitfield (pictured above.)

We spent a lot of time listening to what people wanted, and this is it, said Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley in a newsroom video sharing what went into the island's design. The Bahamian influence throughout the site is what Im most proud of.

According to the brand, the destination was also developed with local Bahamian architects and cultural advisors.

Related: Royal Caribbean's Black Friday Sale is Almost Here, and You Can Book Its Newest Ship, Star of the Seas

Family-Friendly Zones and a First-of-Its-Kind Slide

The island includes a dedicated Family Beach with a zero-entry pool, play areas and beachside surf. Royal also previewed a dry-wet slide built into the two-story family cabanasa first for the brand.

Floating Flamingo, Party Cove & More

The Royal Beach Club will feature what Royal Caribbean says will be the worlds largest swim-up bar, the Floating Flamingo, plus a DJ-hosted Party Cove for adults looking for a lively atmosphere.

All-Inclusive Day Pass

Royal says access will be exclusive to its guests, with an all-inclusive day pass covering:

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Ferry transportation

Wi-Fi

Unlimited food

Unlimited alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks

Many cruisers in early discussions note that it offers strong value, especially for passengers who typically stay onboard during Nassau port days.

The Ultimate Beach Day

The Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island is really the ultimate beach day, said Jay Schneider, Chief Product Innovation Officer, in a newsroom video about the release. Its an all-inclusive chill day for our guests.

Senior Product Manager Emily Esquilin added that the destination represents a white-paper opportunitythe first in a new class and fully designed from the ground up.

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With construction nearing completion and previews accelerating, Royal Caribbean appears poised to launch one of its most ambitious private-destination projects yet.

Related: Royal Caribbean Unveils First Details of Its New Megaship, Legend of the Seas

This story was originally published by Parade on Nov 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Turkey, dressing with giblet gravy, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole.

And don't forget the pumpkin pie.

Thanksgiving is so close by that you can almost smell the food Nana is cooking in the air. But making sure you have the essential ingredients for your holiday feast is something you'll want to double check on ahead of the festivities, since grocery store hours in Tennessee will vary Thanksgiving Day.

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Some of your go-to stores might even be closed, including retailers.

Here's what grocery and retail stores are open and closed on Thanksgiving.

More: On a budget? Where to shop affordable Thanksgiving meal deals from Aldi, Walmart, Target

Why is Thanksgiving on a Thursday?

Thanksgiving is observed on the fourth Thursday of November. In 2025, the holiday falls on Nov. 27.

While Thanksgiving in the modern era has always been on the fourth Thursday in November, this dedicated day has been around for only about 85 years.

About 45 years after the first Thanksgiving, the holiday was celebrated on Nov. 25, but this tradition only lasted a few years. In 1789, President George Washington declared Thursday, Nov. 26 as a "Day of Public Thanksgiving" after he was asked by the first Federal Congress, according to the National Archives.

Which grocery stores are open, closed on Thanksgiving?

Walmart : Closed

Kroger : While stores open at 7 a.m., many Kroger stores will remain open until 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving but holidays hours will vary by location.

Target : Closed

Costco : Closed

Sam's Club : Closed

Food Lion : All Food Lion stores will close at 3 p.m. local time on Thanksgiving.

Publix : Closed

Whole Foods : Whole Foods stores will be open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving.

Trader Joe's : Closed

Aldi : Closed

Sprouts: Sprouts stores will be open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving.

Which retail stores are open, closed on Thanksgiving?

Best Buy : Closed

JCPenney : Closed

Nordstrom : Closed

Home Depot : Closed

Lowe's : Closed

Ace Hardware : Ace Hardware stores are independently owned and operated; however, most stores will also be closed on Thanksgiving.

Burlington : Closed

Belk : Closed

Sephora : Each Sephora location has different hours based on their region and/or mall-mandated hours, the company told USA TODAY. Customers can use the company's store locator to find specific store hours.

Office Depot : Closed

OfficeMax : Closed

PetSmart : Closed

PetCo: Closed

Is Thanksgiving a federal holiday?

Thanksgiving became a federal holiday on Dec. 26, 1941, when President Roosevelt signed a resolution designating the fourth Thursday in November as its official observance, according to the National Archives and Records Administration.

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It is one of the 11 federal holidays recognized in the U.S.

Will mail be delivered on Thanksgiving?

USPS : All post office locations will be closed and only Priority Mail Express will be delivered on Thanksgiving, according to a news release. Customers may still access USPS products and services through self-service kiosks. Regular mail delivery and retail services will resume on Nov. 28.

UPS : Limited UPS locations will be open on Thanksgiving, according to UPS' 2025 holiday schedule. While UPS Express Critical will be available, Domestic Ground, Air, International, and Forwarding will not.

FedEx: U.S., international package and express freight services will not be available on Thanksgiving, according to FedEx's 2025 holiday schedule. All other services, excluding FedEx Custom Critical, will not be available.

Are banks open on Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is a federal holiday, therefore banks will be closed. Additionally, Tennessee state-chartered banks may also be closed on Nov. 28, according to the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions.

Contributing: USA TODAY

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Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for the Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on X at @_leyvadiana

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Is Kroger open on Thanksgiving? What stores are open, closed in TN
Investors struggle with valuation on health care and medical companies, since having drugs and treatments in various stages of testing does not guarantee approval.

And it's more complicated than that because even getting a drug or treatment through FDA trials and receiving approval does not mean it will sell. Some drugs and treatments might solve real health issues, but never become successful because of cost, marketing challenges, or simply a lack of doctors' understanding of the drugs.

That's why there are armies of pharmaceutical reps calling on doctors to show them new treatments, drugs, and medical innovations.

Clearside Biomedical, Inc. has been a promising player in the delivery of therapies to the back of the eye through the suprachoroidal space. On its website, the company explained why that's an idea worth pursuing.

The back of the eye is the location of many irreversible and debilitating visual impairments.

The drug is compartmentalized in the suprachoroidal space, keeping it away from non-diseased tissues and entirely behind the visual field.

Fluid spreads circumferentially and posteriorly when injected within the suprachoroidal space, bathing the choroid, retina, and adjacent areas with the drug.

The company experienced some success and has products already in the marketplace.

"Our SCS Microinjector enables an in-office, repeatable, non-surgical procedure for the targeted and compartmentalized delivery of a wide variety of therapies to the macula, retina, or choroid to potentially preserve and improve vision in patients with sight-threatening eye diseases," it shared on another web page.

Now, Clearside has filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

Clearside Biomedical has treatments in its pipeline that could prevent blindness.Shutterstock

What's next for Clearside Biomedical?

The company hopes to sell itself so it can keep operating.

"As part of the case, Clearside also intends to file a motion seeking authorization to pursue an auction and sale process under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The proposed bidding procedures, if approved by the court, would require interested parties to submit binding offers to acquire Clearsides assets in whole or in part, which would be purchased free and clear of liens and interests," the company shared in a press release.

Clearside has filed a series of motions with the court seeking to ensure the continuation of normal operations during this process.

More Bankruptcy:
Most people see the open road when they think of visiting all 50 states and many national parks. But what if your plans dont involve a long cross-country road trip? Its possibleand potentially easier, more environmentally friendly, and more funto go by rail.

Cross-country train routes

Alicia Rovey of the All Fifty Club, a group of travel enthusiasts who want to visit all 50 states, visited five states with her family on Amtraks Southwest Chief, which runs between Chicago and Los Angeles. Their trip took them from Kansas City, Missouri, to Kingman, Arizona. Many routes travel across entire states, so you can appreciate more of the states scenery rather than just visiting cities, says Rovey.

If youre aiming for all 50 states, one long-distance train worth considering is the Empire Builder, which runs between Chicago and Portland, Oregon, or Seattle, and stops at Glacier National Park. The train also stops in Fargo, North Dakota, close to the states tourism bureau that offers a Best for Last Club (complete with T-shirt, certificate, and photos) if that state is your 50th.

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(These are the best train trips in the world to take in 2025 and beyond)

Beyond the Southwest Chief and the Empire Builder, other long-distance options include the California Zephyr, which runs between Chicago and Emeryville, California; the Coast Starlight, from Seattle to Los Angeles; the Sunset Limited, from New Orleans to Los Angeles; the Texas Eagle, which runs from Chicago to Los Angeles; and the Cardinal that travels between New York and Chicago.

In addition to the views, the train can provide other benefits: It can be a more cost-effective way to get to national parks (Amtrak offers a USA Rail Pass good for 10 ride segments in 30 days, for example), it can be easier to get to some parks (there are Amtrak stations near national parks), and it can accommodate luggage that might be a challenge in a car or on a planesuch as bicycles or gear for thru-hikes along the Continental Divide Trail.

A historic steam engine train in Colorado that runs from Durango to Silverton. miroslav_1, iStock/GETTY IMAGES

Things to know about long-distance train journeys

Train travel can be a low-stress, sustainable way to achieve visiting all 50 U.S. states while also exploring national parks and other iconic destinations along the way.

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While you may still encounter delays, its a different experience in several ways: You can pack liquids of all sizes. There are no middle seats. You can walk around. Plus, you don't need to stop for gas.

If you are traveling to national parks, note the distances between them and train stations. If your hotel isnt near the train station and there are no cabs at the time you arrive, that can be another challengeparticularly in Amtrak stations in small towns. Fortunately, ride share apps make that scenario easier to manage.

Wi-Fi is available on trains along the Northeast corridor but is not a standard amenity on cross-country trains. Even cell service is not readily available in certain sections of the country, such as along the Empire Builder route in Idaho and North Dakota.

Unplugging means a chance to look out the window, meet fellow passengers, and just enjoy time on the train. The train trip is part of the experience and part of the vacation, says Greg Stout, who has written more than 20 books about U.S. railroads.

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(8 of the most scenic train journeys in the UK)

Delays can also be part of the experience; an Empire Builder train from Chicago to Seattle this summer was more than 12 hours late. Amtrak runs over freight rail tracks in much of the country, so its trains slot into the schedule around freight trains, and delays can have a ripple effect. (The exception is along the Boston-New York-Washington corridor, where Amtrak controls most of the dispatching.) Youll want to plan for that if youre traveling for a time-sensitive event like a job interview or wedding, and to plan a generous window for any connections.

Stout sums up train travel this way: Most of the time it works; sometimes it doesn't."

Environmental benefits of traveling by train

On average, Amtrak says, trains are 46 percent more energy-efficient than driving, and its electric fleet produces 83 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than cars do.

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Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Joshua Tree rank among the most polluted national parks in the country. Much of the air pollution in national parks is due to the urban areas near parks, and passenger vehicles around and in the parks make it worse. Traveling to a park using public transportation can make a difference by both reducing traffic congestion that plagues some parks and helping limit the air and climate pollution affecting them, says Mark Rose of the National Parks Conservation Association. Some national parks are accessible from Amtrak stations via lower-emission transit options such as the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System.

Trains you can take in other states

While you can take Amtrak through most states in the U.S., it does not offer train service through Alaska, Hawaii, South Dakota, or Wyoming, and there is minimal service through Kentucky and Tennessee. But if you find yourself in any of those places, there are trains or train-related attractions in all of them.

In Alaska, several companies offer train travel in the state, including to Denali National Park.

The Hawaiian Railway Society provides train rides through historic areas of Oahu and maintains a toy train museum.

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(9 of the best luxury trains around the world)

In Kentuckys Appalachia region, visitors can ride the Big South Fork Scenic Railway, which runs along the historic Kentucky & Tennessee Railway line.

The 1880 Train is a steam train that travels through South Dakotas Black Hills, close to Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial.

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga is one of a few places in the state that offers scenic train rides. Trains are also part of the Nashville commuter rail system.

Cheyenne, Wyoming, which calls itself Americas Railroad Capital, is home to several train-related attractions, including the Cheyenne Depot, the Big Boy Steam Engine, and a train ride at the Terry Bison Ranch.

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Regardless of where you take the train, perhaps All Fifty Clubs Rovey says it best: Just board the train and enjoy the ride!
Humans are strangeand science knows it. For all our advances in medicine, neuroscience, and psychology, there are still parts of our behavior and biology that leave experts scratching their heads. From the mysterious appeal of ASMR tingles to the weird way we yawn when someone else does, our bodies and brains are full of odd habits that defy logic. Here are 13 random human quirks that even science, for now, just cant fully explain.

1. Midnight Snack Cravings

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Ever found yourself wandering to the fridge at midnight, even when you had a satisfying dinner? It's a quirk that has intrigued scientists, who are unsure why hunger pangs strike in the middle of the night. One theory suggests it could be linked to your circadian rhythm, the body's natural clock, which might be manipulating your hunger hormones at odd hours. However, there's no definitive explanation as to why some people experience this more than others.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases has explored connections between nocturnal eating and sleep disorders, but the causal relationship remains murky. Some experts suggest that psychological factors, such as stress or habit, could play a role in these nighttime feasts. Regardless of the reason, the midnight snack remains a common, yet perplexing behavior shared by many. And while it might lead to some guilt, its a widely relatable habit.

2. Goosebumps From Music

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Getting goosebumps when listening to music is an evocative experience that many people share. Known scientifically as "frisson," this phenomenon occurs when certain musical passages stir strong emotional reactions. Its as if your body is responding to beauty with a primitive, visceral reaction, similar to how it might react to a cold breeze or intense fear. The exact mechanism behind why music causes this response is still a mystery.

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Neurologists suggest that these chills arise from an emotional and physical connection where the brain's auditory cortex and reward system intersect. This hypothesis points to a complex interplay between memory, emotion, and sound, yet it doesnt fully explain why only some people experience frisson. Whether its a soaring symphony or a poignant lyric, the trigger is personal and unpredictable, making this quirk a fascinating subject of ongoing research.

3. Phantom Phone Vibrations

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Have you ever felt your phone vibrate in your pocket, only to realize it didnt? Phantom phone vibrations are a common modern-day quirk rooted in our continual connection to technology. Experts suggest that its a phenomenon tied to our brain's adaptability and heightened sensitivity to social communication cues. Your brain essentially invents the sensation because of an over-reliance on your mobile device.

A study published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior found that frequent phone users are more likely to experience phantom vibrations. This quirk exemplifies how our bodies and minds are adapting to technology in real-time, sometimes in ways that seem a bit disorienting. Its a testament to the powerful, albeit sometimes tricky, relationship between modern devices and human psychology.

4. Sneezing In Sunlight

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If youve ever sneezed when stepping into bright sunlight, youre not alone  this quirk is known as the photic sneeze reflex. Affecting about 18% to 35% of the population, this reflex is a genetic trait that has baffled scientists for years. When light enters your eyes, the optic nerve may send a signal that crosses paths with the nerve responsible for sneezing. The result is an inexplicable, yet irresistible sneeze.

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Despite speculation, theres no evolutionary advantage linked to this reflex, leaving its true purpose a mystery. Theories range from it being a simple byproduct of crossed neural pathways to an ancient reflex that served some forgotten purpose. While it might be inconvenient, especially for drivers or sunbathers, its a harmless quirk that makes you one of the unique few.

5. Sudden Hypnic Jerk

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Just as you're drifting off to sleep, have you ever experienced a sudden jolt that leaves you awake and bewildered? Known as the hypnic jerk, or sleep start, this quirk is a common occurrence that happens during the transition from wakefulness to sleep. While it can be startling, the precise cause is still up for debate among scientists. Some propose it could be a leftover from our tree-dwelling ancestors, a reflex to prevent falling from a perch.

Research from Mayo Clinic suggests that factors like caffeine, stress, or sleep deprivation can exacerbate these jerks, but they remain largely benign. The lack of a concrete explanation keeps this quirk enigmatic, yet it's a shared human experience that adds an unexpected twist to the act of falling asleep. More research is needed, but until then, the hypnic jerk is just another part of the quirky tapestry of human sleep.

6. Laughing When Tickled

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Laughing when youre tickled is a bizarre quirk, given that the sensation is often more irritating than amusing. While the act of tickling might seem playful, it can trigger laughter even when it's unwanted. Scientists theorize that this response could be a defense mechanism, a way of signaling submission or non-threat to a tickler. However, it's not entirely clear why the body reacts in such a contradictory manner to what could be perceived as a mild attack.

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Not everyone is ticklish, which adds another layer of complexity to this quirk. The fact that you cant tickle yourself suggests that ticklishness involves an element of surprise or lack of control. And yet, despite its potential evolutionary explanations, the exact neural pathways involved in ticklish laughter are still not fully understood. Its one of those quirks that remains both intriguing and universally relatable.

7. Deja Vu

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Experiencing deja vu  the eerie feeling that youve lived a moment before  is a quirk that has captured the curiosity of scientists and philosophers alike. While some attribute it to memory glitches, others suggest it might be linked to neurological short circuits. The sensation is fleeting but often vivid, leaving you questioning your own perception of reality.

A study published in the journal "Memory" suggests that deja vu might be triggered by a mismatch between sensory input and memory retrieval, but the phenomenon remains largely unexplained. Some researchers believe that it could be a sign of a healthy brain, a kind of mental system check that compares past and present experiences. Regardless of its cause, deja vu is a universal human experience that continues to mystify and captivate.

8. Uncontrollable Yawning

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Yawning is one of those quirks that strikes at the most inconvenient times, often leading to a chain reaction among those around you. The contagious nature of yawning remains a mystery, with theories ranging from empathy to social bonding. Whats even more perplexing is why you yawn when youre not even tired. Researchers have yet to pinpoint the exact triggers for yawning, making it an elusive subject of study.

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While yawning is commonly associated with tiredness or boredom, it also occurs in high-stress situations, adding to its enigmatic nature. Some scientists propose that yawning helps regulate brain temperature, while others suggest it could be a vestige of an ancient reflex. Despite its ubiquity, the true purpose of yawning is still open to interpretation, making it a fascinating quirk that is as puzzling as it is widespread.

9. Random Earworms

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Earworms, those catchy tunes that endlessly loop in your mind, are a universal quirk that no one can seem to escape. The phenomenon of having a song stuck in your head is both common and perplexing, often occurring without rhyme or reason. Some researchers believe earworms are linked to memory and emotion, as catchy tunes tap into your brain's pleasure centers. But why they linger for hours, even days, remains a topic of debate.

Psychologists suggest that earworms are a way for your brain to process incomplete tasks or experiences, filling in gaps in cognitive processing. While some find earworms annoying, others embrace them as a quirky aspect of human cognition. Their persistence and randomness make them a tantalizing subject for researchers trying to understand how and why your brain insists on replaying certain tunes.

10. Sudden Urge to Dance

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Have you ever felt an irresistible urge to dance when a good beat comes on, even if youre in the middle of a crowded store? This spontaneous reaction is a testament to the powerful connection between music and the body. While you might think of it as just having rhythm, scientists have yet to fully uncover why some people cant resist moving to music.

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Its theorized that music taps into ancient neural circuits related to movement and coordination, but this doesnt entirely explain the spontaneity or universality of the reaction. The urge to dance might be evolutionary, tied to social cohesion and communication, but this remains speculative. Regardless of the cause, the sudden impulse to dance is a joyous quirk that highlights the deep-seated relationship between humans and music.

11. Blushing When Emotionally Triggered

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Blushing is one of those quirks that can betray your emotions faster than you can control. When youre embarrassed or flustered, your body responds with a rush of blood to the face, leaving you visibly red. Despite its commonality, scientists are still unsure why blushing occurs, although its believed to be linked to social behavior and communication.

Blushing might serve as a non-verbal apology, a way to show humility or remorse, but its exact evolutionary benefit is unclear. While it can be an involuntary source of embarrassment, its also a relatable aspect of human nature. The mysterious mechanics of blushing continue to intrigue researchers, making it a classic example of a human quirk thats both endearing and perplexing.

12. Feeling a "Gut" Instinct

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The sensation of a "gut" instinct, where your intuition signals something important, is a quirk rooted in the complex connection between the brain and the gut. While you might attribute it to experience or wisdom, scientists are increasingly interested in how the enteric nervous system impacts decision-making. Known as the "second brain," the gut is home to millions of neurons that communicate with the brain, influencing your emotions and instincts.

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The scientific community has yet to fully understand how gut feelings operate or why theyre so compelling. However, its clear theres a significant link between your gut and your mental processes. This quirk, while mysterious, is a fascinating illustration of the deep and often subconscious dialogue between body and mind.

13. "Puppy Dog Eyes" Effect

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Youve probably noticed that certain people can make their eyes look large and expressive, almost like a puppys. This quirk often elicits sympathy or affection, making it an effective, if mysterious, social tool. While science hasnt uncovered a specific mechanism for this, its believed to tap into the human tendency to respond to neotenous, or childlike, features.

The "puppy dog eyes" effect could be an evolved trait, designed to evoke nurturing responses in others. Its a curious example of non-verbal communication that can influence social interactions, even if its origins are unclear. Regardless of its scientific basis, this quirk highlights the nuanced ways in which humans connect and communicate.

14. Spontaneous Hot Flash

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Experiencing a sudden hot flash, where your body temperature rises unexpectedly, is a quirk that can be both uncomfortable and baffling. While often associated with menopause, hot flashes can occur in people of all ages and genders, triggered by stress, spicy foods, or even embarrassment. Despite their prevalence, the exact physiological triggers for hot flashes are not fully understood.

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Endocrinologists are particularly interested in the role of hormones and how they might influence the bodys thermoregulation. Yet, a comprehensive explanation of why hot flashes occur outside of hormonal changes remains elusive. This quirk continues to be a focus of medical research, as it affects a significant portion of the population.

15. Unexplainable Sleepwalking

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Sleepwalking, or somnambulism, is an enigmatic quirk where people perform complex tasks while still in a deep sleep. Despite being asleep, sleepwalkers can navigate their environment, sometimes with surprising dexterity. The precise mechanisms that allow for this dissociation between consciousness and motor function are still not fully understood by scientists.

Some researchers suggest that sleepwalking may result from an incomplete transition between sleep stages, but the reasons for this are not definitively known. While sleepwalking can be unnerving, its usually harmless and often disappears with age. This quirk remains a compelling example of the complexities of human sleep and the mysteries that accompany it.
A 19-year-old has been arrested following a fatal multi-vehicle crash in Gastonia that claimed the life of an Uber driver.

Gastonia Police arrested Lincoln Chase Wilson Wednesday morning after they say he lost control of his car, causing it to cross the center line and collide head-on with an oncoming Uber car on Gaston Day Road.

The crash occurred just after 7 p.m. on Nov. 9 on Gaston Day Road just north of Duke Street. The Uber driver, identified as 53-year-old Janice Lopez from South Carolina, died at the scene. A female passenger in the Uber was critically injured but has since been released from the hospital.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

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Officials say that this crash caused a chain reaction, and two other vehicles were involved in the wreck. Both of those drivers were transported to the hospital with serious injuries.

Wilson faces multiple charges, including second-degree murder, felony serious injury by vehicle, felony death by motor vehicle, driving while impaired, speeding, reckless driving to endanger, failure to maintain lane control, driving left of center, and failure to wear a seat belt.

The Gastonia Police Department continues to investigate the incident and urges anyone with additional information to contact detectives.

VIDEO: Unbearable: Woman grieves after sister killed in Uber crash
A coalition of 19 attorneys general and two governors on Tuesday sued the Trump administration over policy changes that would place new conditions on and significantly cut funding for permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness.

The coalition, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, is seeking a court order blocking the administrations cuts and illegal new conditions on the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Continuum of Care program funding.

More than half of the 2026 funding for HUDs Continuum of Care program, which partners with local organizations to connect people experiencing homelessness to housing and resources, will be cut for permanent housing assistance and moved to temporary transitional housing assistance with some work or service requirements. The policy change was first reported by POLITICO.

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The new conditions placed on the program would also give HUD the ability to deny funding for organizations that acknowledge the existence of transgender or nonbinary individuals.

Communities across the country depend on Continuum of Care funds to provide housing and other resources to our most vulnerable neighbors, said James in a press release. These funds help keep tens of thousands of people from sleeping on the streets every night. I will not allow this administration to cut off these funds and put vital housing and support services at risk.

The coalition of mainly Democratic-led states argues in the lawsuit that HUDs new conditions on the funding are unlawful and unconstitutional, alleging that the administration cannot impose its own conditions on funds that Congress mandated should be distributed based solely on need.

The lawsuit accuses the Trump administration of violating the Administrative Procedure Act and Congress constitutional power to control spending.

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A HUD spokesperson said HUD stands by its FY2025 Continuum of Care reforms."

"HUD is dismayed that the plaintiffs have chosen to misuse the Courts and pursue this delaying tactic to serve their own personal political agenda at the expense of the homeless individuals, youth and families now living on our Nations streets. Their use of the courts for political means seeks to prevent nearly $4 billion of aid to flow nationwide to assist those in need. HUD intends to mount a vigorous defense to this meritless legal action," the spokesperson said in a statement.

The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island and will be decided by Judge Mary S. McElroy, who was appointed by President Donald Trump in 2019 but first nominated by former President Barack Obama.

McElroy has blocked other recent funding cuts and freezes by the Trump administration.

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Earlier this month, HUD imposed a cap on the amount of program funds that can support permanent housing. Previously, there was not a specific limit and around 90 percent of funds supported permanent housing. Under the new cap, no more than 30 percent of these funds can support permanent housing.

HUD Secretary Scott Turner has argued that the policy change is a necessary shift from what the Trump administration considers to be a failed housing first model that prioritizes permanent housing without preconditions, such as getting a job or seeking treatment. The agency has said the current policy has fueled a homeless industrial complex and does not address the root causes of homelessness.

What weve done is take this Biden-era slush fund, called the Continuum of Care, and turned it into not just housing, but also treatment and transitional housing, Turner said on Fox Business last week.

The funding cuts could put 170,000 people at risk of experiencing homelessness, according to internal HUD documentation previously obtained by POLITICO. HUD has maintained that the changes will include specific protections for children, veterans and seniors.

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Different factions of lawmakers have sent letters to the agency with multiple requests, including extending funding for CoC projects expiring in 2026, reversing the policy changes or answering various questions about implementation.

Additionally, 1,001 national, state and local organizations sent a letter to Congress on Monday urging that lawmakers include language directing HUD to renew all existing CoC program grants expiring in 2026 for a full year in the upcoming Transportation-Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill.

A group of 22 House Republicans asked for the same one-year funding extension in a letter to the agency earlier this month.

House and Senate Democrats have urged in letters to HUD to rescind the policy change, submit documentation on how the agency will complete the quick application turnaround for housing project funding and extend funding for grants expiring in 2026.

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Senate Banking ranking member Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said in a statement that Trump's "draconian changes to the Continuum of Care program could force 170,000 people out of permanent housing and back onto the street. Congress, state leaders, all of us should be pushing back against the Administrations cruel move that will dramatically exacerbate the homelessness crisis in cities, towns, and suburbs across the country.

Rep. Mike Flood (R-Neb.), chair of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance said that while he doesnt typically discuss pending litigation, hes been working with the administration on policy to build more housing, drive housing costs down, and ensure that existing federal funds are spent in a way that rewards success and drives positive results for the American people.

Other states included as plaintiffs in the lawsuit are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin, as well as the District of Columbia.
This story has been updated with new information

Four Price was never the loudest voice in the Texas Capitol. But across seven terms in the House of Representatives  spanning mental health, water policy, education, veterans services and telemedicine  he built something harder to measure on paper: enduring trust shaped by listening, collaboration and steady leadership that outlasts any single session. For his long-standing contributions to the community, Price has been named the 2025 Amarillo Globe-News Man of the Year.

Four Price, former state representative for District 87, stands at the Panhandle State Hospital construction site during the June 10, 2025, groundbreaking in Amarillo.

Price will be honored, along with 2025 Woman of the Year Glenda Moore and other award recipients, at an in-person luncheon ceremony in January. The awards are presented by FirstBank Southwest.

FirstBank Southwest

A fourth-generation Texan born and raised in Amarillo, Price was first elected in 2010 to represent House District 87. He chose not to seek an eighth term and completed his legislative service in January 2025. During that time, he represented eight Panhandle counties and served on 17 committees  including six House Select Committees  chairing or co-chairing six, among them the House Appropriations Article 2 Subcommittee overseeing Health & Human Services, the Select Committee on Mental Health and the House Calendars Committee.

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Price said the motivation to run came not from ambition, but from a love of policy and local impact.

I always cared about making a difference where laws and lives intersect, he said. Representing the Panhandle was a privilege. It still is.

In this 2024 file photo, State Rep. Four Price addresses the crowd at a boat dedication ceremony for Trooper Matthew Myrick at the Texas Panhandle War Memorial Center in Amarillo.

A name earned  and a life reshaped

Price has gone by Four since birth  not for politics, but to distinguish him from his father, grandfather and great-grandfather, all named Walter Price. He said the name became less of a label and more of a reminder: that he stood on the shoulders of those before him, and was responsible for those after him.

Price graduated early from Tascosa High School, attended the University of Texas at Austin and later earned his law degree from St. Marys University. In 1998, his life took a sudden turn when his first wife, Camille, died during a flood in San Antonio just weeks after their son was born. He returned to Amarillo to raise his children near family and later married Karen Mayfield  a chapter he says restored his faith and helped redefine his sense of purpose.

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It reminded me what truly matters, he said. Family, faith and community arent just values. Theyre direction.

Former Globe-News journalist Jon Mark Beilue wrote about that turning point in a 2015 profile  documenting how loss did not harden Price, but instead made his leadership more personal. Those whove worked with him say that experience gave him empathy without ego, and a steady resolve that shaped how he approached every conversation and vote that followed.

Over the years, Price helped secure funding for the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine and worked tirelessly to move a state mental health hospital from idea to reality  work he said took a team of collaborators who never let the momentum fade. He said every hour of committee work mattered once construction began.

In this 2022 file photo, State Rep. Four Price for District 87 addresses the audience in a forum about underage drinking in the region and what parents can do to prevent it during a discussion at Tascosa High School.

In June 2025, five months after leaving office, Price stood alongside city and county leaders at the groundbreaking ceremony for the $159 million Panhandle State Hospital  a 250-bed facility set to open in 2027. Years of hard work becoming reality, Price wrote in a post on X that day, underscoring the broader mission to shift mental health treatment away from jails and toward dedicated care.

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Price also authored legislation that reduced the cost of prescription drugs, expanded access to telehealth and strengthened mental health parity. In 2023, he joined 20 fellow Republicans in blocking school voucher proposals  a rare rural GOP pushback that helped protect funding for public districts across the Panhandle. Colleagues said it reflected his method: steady facts over noise.

Yet he consistently pointed to broader teamwork.

I didnt accomplish anything alone, he said. This work never belongs to one person. Its always a team effort.

Voices across the community

King Hill  You never had to go through a gatekeeper.

King Hill, educator and community advocate who now serves as public relations director for River Road ISD, said what set Price apart wasnt just what he accomplished  but how he treated people.

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He was remarkable and humble, Hill said. You could pick up the phone, and hed listen. That mattered to people more than they realize.

Hill said accessibility wasnt symbolic  it was leadership in practice.

He didnt perform politics. He practiced responsibility, Hill said. He believed serving people is something you owe your community, not something you do to get recognition.

Hill said Prices presence at the mental health hospital groundbreaking revealed why the effort mattered.

He reminded people that our area carries deep need  families in crisis, law enforcement carrying more than their share, Hill said. You could tell it meant something to him personally that dirt is finally moving.

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That consistency, Hill said, shaped his legacy.

He never looked for a spotlight. He looked for solutions, he said. Thats why the impact will outlast any ribbon-cutting.

In this 2022 file photo, State Rep. Four Price for the 87th District speaks about his role in bringing the broadband project to the city of Amarillo at city hall.

Nancy Tanner  He didnt seek credit. He sought outcomes.

Potter County Judge Nancy Tanner said Prices leadership became clear early in her tenure, especially on mental health. She first heard him speak about the crisis in the region nearly 11 years ago  and said that moment helped shape her own approach in office.

I learned quickly that he had a deep, sincere understanding of mental health and the crisis in our region, Tanner said. When I started, I leaned on his knowledge  and it mattered. We couldnt have gotten the momentum we have today without his help.

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She said Price never pushed for attention  only results.

He was a great partner and advocate in making this happen, Tanner said of the new mental health facility. Even after leaving office, you can still see his fingerprints on it. That speaks volumes.

What stood out most, Tanner said, was his demeanor in the face of pressure.

He never raised his voice. He listened. He responded, she said. Thats why people trusted him  because they knew he was steady.

Tanner said that kind of leadership built long-term impact.

Four was unstoppable when something needed to get done, but always in a gentlemanly way, she said. He will always be a benefit to the Panhandle  and to me personally.

Beth Duke  He helped Amarillo find its voice.

Center City Executive Director Beth Duke said Price made sure Austin never overlooked Amarillo  especially when it came to identity, culture and long-term investment. His support helped the city earn its Texas cultural district designation  the first north of Lubbock  and gain recognition as a tourism- and music-friendly city.

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He helped this community find its voice, Duke said. He connected culture, professionalism and advocacy in a way that showed the Capitol who we really are.

Duke said that approach reflected who he was personally  not just politically.

He puts family first and faith first  and he does it without needing to talk about it, Duke said. Hes the same person in Market Street as he is in Austin. Thats rare.

She said Price demonstrated what she hopes future leaders will emulate.

He helped people see possibility, Duke said. That may be his greatest gift  opening doors so others might walk through them.

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Nominating him for Man of the Year, she said, was about honoring more than tenure. He may have moved zip codes, but he never left Amarillo, Duke said. He carries it with him. And I dont think hell ever truly leave his Amarillo roots.

A collaborative approach

Those who worked with him say his legacy was built not only on legislation  but on relationships. Price said it was the only path that ever made sense.

Good policy comes from honest conversations, he said. Listening and collaboration allow facts to rise above noise. Thats how things get done  and how communities make progress.

On his final full day in office  Jan. 13, 2025  Price shared a single image of the House chamber with the words: Thank you, HD87. Its been a huge privilege to serve. He handed off to Rep. Caroline Fairly the next morning.

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No press event. No farewell speech. Just gratitude.

Roots that still run deep

Four and his wife, Karen, recently moved to Central Texas to be nearer their four children and three grandchildren. He continues his work with Amarillo National Bank  but even with a new zip code, he said, Amarillo still defines him.

Its the heart of who I am, he said. The grit, the generosity, the independence  thats the Panhandle. I was lucky to serve it. That doesnt end when you leave office.

Price was named multiple times to Texas Monthlys Top 10 Best Legislators list  regularly praised for calm professionalism and measured, bipartisan leadership. But he said awards were never his aim.

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If something we worked on made life better for somebody, that was enough, he said.

Hill said that legacy will endure long after headlines fade.

Four Price didnt just serve, he said. He strengthened this region. And that will remain long after any of us are gone.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: MOY Four Price served Amarillo community, region in Texas House
North Carolina is hosting two special guests this Thanksgiving: Gobble, the 2025 National Thanksgiving Turkey, and his alternate, Waddle.

After receiving a Presidential pardon, the two birds will retire at NC State University, marking the second time the university has provided a home for the National Thanksgiving Turkeys, following Chocolate and Chip in 2022.

Gobble and Waddle, both North Carolina natives, were raised on a farm in Wayne County.

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"It's amazing for the state of North Carolina," said Garey Fox, the university's dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. "We are a major poultry producer within the nation. And it's just awesome to have these turkeys at NC State and to be entrusted with these wonderful birds."

The two birds will also serve as educational ambassadors in their retirement, creating opportunities for students, the turkey industry, and the public.

"They really do create a lot of opportunities with the students as well as with the Turkey industry and the public at large. That's kind of a focus point. Everybody likes to talk about turkeys and Thanksgiving, and it just gives us an opportunity to branch out from there on a lot of subject matter," said Jesse Grimes, an Extension Turkey Specialist with the university.

North Carolina leads the nation in turkey production by weight and ranks second in turkey headcount. The poultry industry contributes approximately $40 billion annually to the state's economy.

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"To train kids and to train young people on the idea that this is where our food comes from, it doesn't come from the grocery stores. And this is how we can produce these turkeys in a very healthy and safe way. And to treat the animals with the utmost care, it's extremely important," Fox said.
This story has been made free so everyone who needs access to these resources are able to. Are we missing an Indianapolis food pantry? Let us know.

Thanksgiving is a food-centered holiday, but despite SNAP benefits being reinstated earlier this month, Hoosiers may still be navigating food insecurity this week.

There are many food pantries around the city helping keeping Indianapolis residents and their families fed.

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For those who may be struggling or those interested in making a donation, here's a list of local food pantries in Indianapolis.

Food pantries in Indianapolis

3001 E. 30th St.

Hours:

Tuesday: 8 a.m.  noon

Thursday: 8 a.m.  noon and 5-7 p.m.

Friday: 8 a.m.  noon

Saturday: 8 a.m. - noon

4202 Boulevard Place

Hours:

Wednesday: 10 a.m.  noon

Thursday: 10 a.m.  4 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m.  noon

1035 N. Olney St.

Food pantry hours:

Wednesday: 10 a.m. - noon

1435 N. Illinois St.

Crisis Office hours:

Monday: 1-3 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. (food only)

Tuesday: 10-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

Wednesday: 10-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

Thursday: 10-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

1035 N. Oxford St.

Hours:

Monday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Thursday: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Sunday: 9 a.m. - noon

701 N. Delaware St.

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Hours:

Every second and final Saturday each month: 10 a.m. - noon.

6940 Michigan Road, Ste. 160

Hours:

Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and 1-3:30 p.m.

Thursday: 1-3:30 p.m. and 3:45-5 p.m.

Friday: 10 a.m. - 12:30 and 1-3:30 p.m.

*This pantry serves people who live in Pike Township and west of Meridian Street of Washington Township and patients at the Eskenazi Health Center Pecar.

A current bill or piece of mail with your name and address to prove your residency is required. Papers from a doctor's visit are required for the Eskenazi Health Center Pecar patients.

Those who qualify are eligible to shop twice a month at the pantry.

Hud Pfeiffer and other volunteers fill shopping carts with food for families Thursday, March 13, 2025 at the Crooked Creek Food Pantry. Each basket goes to one client family in the drive-thru line. Pfeiffer is also on the board for the pantry.

5719 Massachusetts Ave.

Hours:

Monday: 2-4:30 p.m.

Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Friday: 2-4:30 p.m.

2605 E. 25th St.

Hours:

Monday-Friday: 1-3 p.m.

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Currently, this pantry operates in a drive-thru format. Pull up to the main entrance during pantry hours, and a staff member will come out to assist you.

924 Shelby St.

Hours:

Monday: 2-4 p.m.

Thursday: 3-5 p.m.*

*On Thursdays the food pantry is by appointment only. Call 317-636-3466 ext. 403 for more information.

3737 Waldemere Ave.

Drive-thru food pantry hours:

Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Thursday: 2-7 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. - noon

2440 W. Ohio St.

Hours:

Second and fourth Thursday of every month: 1:30 p.m.  3:30 p.m.*

*This food pantry operates by appointment only. Call 317-637-4312 to make your appointment.

1416 E. Epler Ave.

Hours:

Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Thursday: 4-7 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

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*This food pantry only serves residents of Perry Township or Beech Grove with one of these zip codes: 46107, 46217, 46227 or 46237. A photo ID and two ways to prove current residence must be presented.

4424 E Michigan St.

Hours:

Wednesday: 9-11 a.m.

*Patrons must show an ID which includes their current address. The address must be within the local community bounded by: E. 21st Street (north) - E. Washington St. (south) - N. Emerson Ave. (east) - and N. Rural St. (west).

303 N. Elder Ave.

Hours:

Saturday: 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

*The Lord's Pantry at Anna's house specifically serves those with the zip codes of 46222, 46221 and 46224.

Lucas Elmore puts a filled bag of food ready for distribution at the Lords Pantry at Annas House, Saturday, April 12, 2025.

2500 Churchman Ave.

Hours:

Wednesday:9-11 a.m.

Thursday: 9-11 a.m.

Saturday: 9-11 a.m.

1920 W. Morris St.

Hours:

Wednesdays: 12:30 p.m. each week, except for the first Wednesday of the month will open at 5:30*

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*This food pantry usually has a service area requirement, however this requirement has been waived for now.

952 N. Pennsylvania St.

Hours:

Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Thursday: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

3333 N. Meridian St.

Hours:

Monday: 10 a.m. - noon

Wednesday: 10 a.m. - noon

Friday: 10 a.m. - noon

Story continues after photo gallery.

2420 E. Riverside Drive

Hours:

Wednesday: 12:45 - 3 p.m.

4107 E. Washington St.

Food pantry hours:

Saturday: 8:30 -10:30 am

Mobile drive-thru pantry hours:

First and third Fridays every month: 3-5 p.m.

1337 Shelby St.

Hours:

Tuesday: 10 a.m. - noon

Thursday: 10 a.m. - noon

6501 Sunnyside Road

Hours:*

Monday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Tuesday: 4-7 p.m.

Thursday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Second Saturday of every month: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

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The Sharing Place is located inside the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township Education and Community Center. Enter through door five.

*The Sharing Place is typically closed on holidays. For the full list of days closed for the year visit their website.

Hours:

Monday: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Tuesday: 6-7 p.m.

Thursday: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

*Westminster Neighborhood Services only serves those located within a certain area. You can check to see if your address qualifies by checking their map.

6510 E. 25th St.

Hours:

Thursday: 1-3 p.m.

*This pantry requires proof of Marion County residency.

Find food pantries open today on Community Compass

Indy Hunger Network has Community Compass, which can help Hoosiers find free groceries, free meals, SNAP stores, WIC stores and WIC clinics that are open right now.

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All you have to do is enter in your zip code and then filter through the services you're looking for. A map will appear showing you what is closest to you.

The website/app offers translations in the following languages: Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Hakha Chin, Karen, Spanish, Swahili and Yoruba.

Community Compass can be accessed online at communitycompass.app or via their app, which is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

How to make donations and help Indianapolis food pantries

The two biggest ways to help hungry families is to donate or volunteer.

People can donate directly to a food pantry or send contributions to a food bank, which is a larger hub that stores food to give to local programs like pantries.

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People interested in helping food banks can find links to their websites at www.in.gov/fssa/dfr/donate-to-indianas-food-banks/.

There are more than 210 food pantries in Indianapolis to lend a helping hand.

The largest is St. Vincent de Paul, which has three locations in the city. In addition to food and monetary donations, St. Vincent de Paul also accepts gifts of stock and securities. People can learn more and donate at www.svdpindy.org/give/, or sign up to volunteer at www.svdpindy.org/volunteer/.

The second-largest pantry, Mid-North Food Pantry, is currently experiencing a record number of shoppers. The pantry sent a plea to the community this week to help them prepare for an expected rise in need. To support them, go to midnorthfoodpantry.org/donate or consider becoming a volunteer.

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More: Where to find Indiana food pantries and how to help as SNAP funding deadline looms

Katie Wiseman covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Contact her at klwiseman@gannett.com. Follow her on Bluesky @katiewiseman

Contact Marissa Meador at mmeador@gannett.com or find her on X at @marissa_meador.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis food pantries and how to find free food near you today
The Cairo Geniza, the biggest collection of medieval Jewish documents in the world, has been the object of countless hours of study by scholars for more than a century.

Researchers in Israel are hoping to make new discoveries about Jewish history by loading a digital database of manuscripts stretching back a thousand years into a new transcription tool that uses artificial intelligence.

The Cairo Geniza, the biggest collection of medieval Jewish documents in the world, has been the object of countless hours of study by scholars for more than a century, but only a fraction of its over 400,000 documents have been thoroughly researched.

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Although the entire collection has already been digitized and is available online in the form of images, most of its items have not been cataloged, many are disordered fragments from longer documents, and only around a tenth have transcriptions.

AI can help researchers access, analyze collection more quickly

By training an AI model to read and transcribe the old texts, researchers will now be able to access and analyze the whole collection far more quickly, cross-referencing names or words and assembling fragments into fuller documents.

"We are constantly trying to improve the abilities of the machine to decipher ancient scripts," said Daniel Stokl Ben Ezra of the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes in Paris, one of the principal researchers in the MiDRASH transcription project.

Professor Nachum Dershowitz, a principal researcher of MiDRASH, holds an 11th century fragment of responses written by rabbis of the Geonic period in response to questions addressed to them, in Jerusalem November 24, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)

The project has already made significant progress and could open up the documents - written in Hebrew, Arabic, Aramaic, and Yiddish in a wide variety of handwritten scripts - to many different researchers, Stokl Ben Ezra added.

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Transcriptions from more difficult manuscripts are reviewed by researchers for accuracy, helping to improve the AI training.

"The modern translation possibilities are incredibly advanced now, and interlacing all this becomes much more feasible, much more accessible to the normal and not scientific reader," he said.

Funded by the European Research Council, the project is based on the National Library of Israel's digital database of the Cairo Geniza documents and brings together researchers from several universities and other institutes.

One document transcribed by the project is a 16th-century letter in Yiddish from Rachel, a widow from Jerusalem, to her son in Egypt, with his reply written in the margins telling of his efforts to survive a plague sweeping through Cairo.

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A Geniza is a synagogue's repository for significant documents that are ultimately intended for ritual burial, and the one found in the Ben Ezra synagogue in historic Cairo had a dry atmosphere ideal for the preservation of old paper.

Cairo surpassed Damascus and Baghdad in the Middle Ages as the greatest city of the Middle East, a center of global trade, learning, and science, and home to a thriving Jewish community, later expanded by refugees fleeing newly Christian Spain.

The great Jewish philosopher Maimonides, who was physician to the family of Saladin, the famous Muslim sultan who ousted the crusaders from Jerusalem, worshipped at the Ben Ezra synagogue while living in Cairo.

As dynasties and empires rose and fell, the community quietly went about its daily life, its religious authorities filling the Geniza with the rabbinical arguments, civic records, and other detritus of administrative and intellectual business.

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The Geniza's astonishing haul of records and papers, including some written by Maimonides himself, was discovered by scholars in the late 19th century, but, although it has been studied ever since, its enormous size means huge gaps remain.

"The possibility to reconstruct, to make a kind of Facebook of the Middle Ages, is just before our eyes," Stokl Ben Ezra said.
A United States airman at Joint Base San Antonio joined rare company recently when he was adorned with the khaki cover and fouled anchors awarded to the Navys newest chief petty officers.

Air Force Master Sgt. Atif Siddiqui officially entered the chiefs mess upon completion of a six-week program that puts CPO hopefuls through all manner of mental and physical trials.

Siddiqui, a member of the 326th Training Squadron, 37th Training Wing, was nominated to participate in the course by a fellow airman who had similarly earned the unique achievement, according to a service release.

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Nomination by a fellow chief petty officer is one of numerous approvals needed prior to beginning the program, according to the Navy.

Due to the significant time investment, noncommissioned officers like Siddiqui must also get permission from their parent chain of command prior to embarking in the course, according to service guidelines. A sign-off by the corresponding fleet or force master chief must also be attained.

For Siddiqui, who helps mold the Air Forces military training instructors, the Navys demanding rite of passage proved to be one anchored by unity and lessons that learning and accountability never stop, he said in the release.

The camaraderie was rooted in accountability and trust, Siddiqui said. [The chiefs] leaned on each other, held each other accountable and built each other up. That example showed me how senior NCOs should always strive to support one another.

A gold fouled anchor rests on the service dress shirt of U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Atif Siddiqui. (Jonathan R. Mallard/Air Force)

Late nights and daily rigors also yielded no dearth of humbling moments, he added.

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It reminded me to practice the same resilience I teach my trainees and to focus on listening to the message, not just the tone, he said.

While the tradition of the Navys chiefs mess goes back centuries, induction into the coveted Goat Locker from other services is a more modern concept.

Former Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick West noted that a surge of cross-service participation in chief season occurred during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Requests from other service [staff NCOs] began to increase dramatically during the Gulf War when Navy individual augmentees began serving with Army [and] Marine Corps units in Iraq and Afghanistan, West previously commented in a USNI blog. Soldiers and Marines suddenly had a front-row seat to observe firsthand the effectiveness of the Navys CPO mess. Many wanted to better understand the CPO brand of leadership by participating in initiation.

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As personnel from other services did then, Siddiqui came away from the opportunity noting that leadership isnt tied to one uniform.

We are one team, one fight, he said.

I plan to remain part of the chiefs mess for the rest of my career, if theyll allow me, he added. Its a sacred process that Ill carry with me, and I hope to give back as much as I received.
A lawsuit against the City of Ottumwa by its former director of community development claims he was fired in retaliation for whistleblowing. (Photo via Getty Images)

The City of Ottumwas fired director of community development is now suing the municipality for allegedly retaliating against him as a whistleblower.

Zachary Simonson is suing the City of Ottumwa in U.S. District Court, alleging violations of his rights as a veteran and a whistleblower.

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Court records indicate Simonson was hired by the city in 2017 as a seasonal housing inspector and eventually worked as a building inspector and planner before being named director of community development in May 2021.

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The lawsuit claims that beginning in January 2024, City Administrator Phil Rath and Human Resources Director Barb Codjoe began making disparaging remarks about a particular council member during weekly department head meetings.

Rath, the lawsuit claims, speculated that the council member had dementia or some other impairment, and Codjoe questioned whether the council member could complete his term of office. Simonson claims he was disturbed by the remarks and attempted to redirect discussions toward proactive engagement with the council.

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In late 2024, the city conducted an internal investigation into an anonymous complaint allegedly filed against Simonson but did not inform him of the nature of that investigation.

According to the lawsuit, on Dec. 19, 2024, Simonson filed a formal complaint with the city, alleging the citys finance director had brought a bottle of Crown Royal Canadian whisky to a city meeting in violation of the citys zero-tolerance policy on alcohol. Days later, the city allegedly placed Simonson on a performance improvement plan.

In February 2025, Simonson informed Rath that he planned to notify the Ottumwa City Council he was a finalist for the Oskaloosa city manager position while informing the council he was unhappy about the performance improvement plan and an allegedly hostile work environment.

The lawsuit alleges Rath urged Simonson not to reference the performance improvement plan, but Simonson did so anyway.

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In March 2025, Simonson was still working for the City of Ottumwa  the City of Oskaloosa had hired another individual as its city manager  when, the lawsuit claims, he spoke to Landfill Supervisor Lori Creech regarding the landfill being closed without his authorization. In his lawsuit, Simonson alleges he spoke to Creech in a professional and respectful manner, but Creech later claimed he was screaming and rude to her.

The city then fired Simonson, alleging gross misconduct related to the conversation with Creech.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for alleged violations of the Iowa Veterans Preference Act, violations of Simonsons due process rights and First Amendment rights, and retaliation for whistleblowing.

The city has yet to file a response to the lawsuit, and a trial date has yet to be scheduled.

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This story was originally published on Multifamily Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Multifamily Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

The U.S. Justice Department and RealPage reached an agreement Monday to settle a 2024 lawsuit that claimed the software provider enabled landlords to collude to raise rent prices beyond free market levels.

The settlement, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, is subject to court approval. The agreement includes no financial penalties, damages or findings or admissions of wrongdoing, but puts guardrails around what data Richardson, Texas-based RealPage can collect and how it can use it.

This resolution with the DOJ was necessary to provide certainty and finality for RealPage and its customers to avoid protracted litigation, said Stephen Weissman, Gibson Dunn partner and former deputy director for the Federal Trade Commission, in a Monday press release from RealPage.

Dive Insight:

According to RealPage, the settlement boosts confidence for the housing industry and demonstrates that its revenue management software can be used in compliance with the views of federal antitrust enforcers.

This resolution marks an important milestone for RealPage, our customers, and the multifamily industry, said RealPage President and CEO Dirk Wakeham in the release. We are pleased to have reached this agreement with the DOJ, which brings the clarity and stability we have long sought and allows us to move forward with a continued focus on innovation and the shared goal of better outcomes for both housing providers and renters.

Per the DOJ, the proposed settlement would help restore competition in rental markets for millions of renters, according to a Monday press release.

Competing companies must make independent pricing decisions, and with the rise of algorithmic and artificial intelligence tools, we will remain at the forefront of vigorous antitrust enforcement, said Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater in the DOJs release.

Specifically, the agreement would require RealPage to:
The killing of 20-year-old welder Amber Czech has sparked an outpouring from tradeswomen online, who are grieving her loss and speaking openly about the risks they face in male-dominated workplaces. (Instagram; Facebook)

This story was originally published by The 19th.

Content warning: This story contains graphic depictions of violence.

Tuesday, Nov. 11, should have been an ordinary workday for 20-year-old Amber Czech, who worked as a welder at a manufacturing facility in Cokato, Minnesota.

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She loved her craft and taught welding at her old high school on days she had off. But she was also a rarity. Women make up just 6% of welders in the country, and, as with other male-dominated occupations, it came with the risk of isolation and bullying.

It was a reality of the job that for Czech turned deadly. While she was at her work station that day, a man she worked with walked over to her, picked up a sledgehammer and bludgeoned her to death. He later told law enforcement he simply did not like her and had been planning to murder her for some time.

As the news spread across social media, stories poured in on Instagram and TikTok from tradeswomen expressing their anger and frustration. Over the last week they have shared their own experiences of working with men who threatened them, made sexual advances or joked about their incompetence. They pondered how their story could have ended differently, how their life could have ended like Czechs.

Angie Cacace, a carpenter from North Carolina, was one of those women who was deeply saddened by Czechs death. It hit me pretty hard. I probably have cried about it every day, she said. Ive had altercations with men on job sites so I know that exists.

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Despite the issues shes faced in the industry, Cacace loves the work and credits carpentry with helping her buy her first home. Now she operates a successful remodeling company.

In 2019, she co-launched a media company and, more recently, a magazine called Move Over Bob, aimed at showing the possibilities of tradeswork to girls in high school and community college. Only about 4% of tradesworkers are women, but if they can find their way into the field, the jobs, which do not require a degree, offer middle-class wages, pensions and other benefits that are often not available in women-dominated industries like caregiving or the service industry.

But Czechs death has Cacace questioning the workplace shes urging girls to enter.

She did everything that we want these girls to do. She did a high school welding program. She went to a community college, she said. Its just a sharp reminder that theres just a lot of work to do and figuring out how to better advocate and make sure that these young women are safe.

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Czechs death has opened up a wound that never really closed for tradeswomen. In 2017, 32-year-old Outi Hicks, an apprentice carpenter, was murdered at her workplace by a coworker in Fresno, California. Her death sparked similar outrage and helped spur programs like the Be That One Guy campaign, which includes training for bystander intervention in the workplace.

But theres a whole host of incidents that have occurred between the Outi Hicks horror and what just transpired, said Rita Brown, president of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). Change has been slow, and clearly its not enough.

Instagram posts from tradeswomen across the country share reactions to the killing of Amber Czech, honoring her and calling attention to safety issues in the trades. Editors note: Comments have been blacked out to protect commenters privacy.

(Instagram)

In 2023, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) published a report detailing the harassment women and people of color continue to face in the construction trades. It included accounts of sexual harassment like groping and lewd comments, as well as racist incidents. In 2021, a survey conducted by the Institute for Womens Policy Research found that more than a quarter of women tradesworkers who responded said they were always or frequently harassed for being a woman.

While there are several programs developed by women and trades organizations to promote a safer and more inclusive workplace, there is no real federal policy or legislation that provides adequate protections, advocates say. Instead the work has happened at the grassroots level.

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Now organizations like NAWIC are calling for construction companies, unions and the industry as a whole to enforce stricter workplace standards. It is incumbent on all of us that are in leadership, that are in any kind of place of power in the ecosystem of the construction industry, to enforce this zero-tolerance policy, Brown said.

The Tradeswomen Taskforce, an advocacy group, plans to draft a resolution, which they want these same organizations to adopt, that promotes a safe workplace for women.

Amy Roosa, who works in risk control for the construction industry, said that workplace violence should be treated as a safety hazard. Its a ticking time bomb at the end of the day that this is going to happen to a woman, she said. Its really up to the leadership team and even safety professionals to treat this like a workplace hazard.

We need to have an intervention process. We need to have clear reporting. A woman needs to know that when she comes up and says, I have a concern or, Hes threatening me, that its taken seriously, she added.

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At the same time that tradeswomen are urging more to be done to address gender-based violence in the workplace, the Trump administration has curtailed resources.

Last fall, the Tradeswomen Taskforce and Equal Rights Advocates, a nonprofit focused on gender justice in workplaces, won a $350,000 grant to address gender-based violence in the workplace. The Trump administration abruptly canceled the program, alongside four other grants that aimed to eliminate violence and harassment in the workplace.

Part of the work would have involved helping women navigate how to file complaints or lawsuits, something that is difficult to do on a worksite because they either dont know the proper channel to elevate a complaint or could face retaliation, said Janelle Dejan, co-chair of the task force. Things that we do in these advocacy organizations is try to create a safer space, she said. This includes a place where people can report anonymously or without being ridiculed for having a concern, she said.

Other safeguards that were in place to help women report abuse are no longer functioning, according to Connie Ashbrook, also with the task force. The EEOC has been squelched, she said.

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Up until October, it didnt have enough commissioners to issue decisions because the Trump administration fired two of the Democratic commissioners and the general counsel. One of those commissioners, Charlotte Burrows, wrote the report on womens harassment in the trades. That report has also disappeared from the EEOCs website.

It just feels like, at the same time, that were really digging deep to work on this problem, the government is taking tools away from us, Ashbrook said.

In the days since Czechs death, tradeswomen from across the country have rallied in support, donating thousands of dollars to her familys GoFundMe and wearing blue to work in her honor.

In an industry that has not figured out how to take care of them, they are taking care of each other.
BEIRUT, Lebanon, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Lebanon remains locked in a vicious cycle since last year's cease-fire accord that never truly ended the war, facing an unrestrained Israel imposing its own terms and ignoring calls for negotiations.

Meanwhile, the United States is applying pressure solely on Beirut, and Hezbollah resists disarmament and funding cuts to preserve its own survival.

Unless the United States and eventually Israel change their current strategy, the likely outcome would be a broader escalation -- another round of destructive war -- and ultimately the breakdown of Lebanon, political analysts and risk strategists warn.

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For a year now, since the Nov. 27, 2024, truce agreement, Israel has acted with near-total freedom, striking suspected Hezbollah operatives and positions almost daily, causing further destruction and casualties, even though this also leads to killing civilians.

The Iran-backed group, which was severely weakened during the war that erupted when it opened a support front for Gaza on Oct. 8, 2023, kept a low profile and refrained from retaliating, instead quietly attempting to reorganize its ranks and secure new channels for rearming and refunding.

Lebanon's successful efforts to disarm Hezbollah and eliminate its military presence along the border and south of the Litani River were never reciprocated by Israel or Washington.

Instead, both increased their pressure on Beirut, turning a deaf ear to its demands that Israel -- even gradually -- withdraw from five strategic positions it still occupies in southern Lebanon, release Lebanese prisoners detained during the war, allow displaced residents to return to their border villages and permit reconstruction.

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The cease-fire proved to be "one-sided" since last November, according to Mohanad Hage Ali, an analyst and fellow at the Beirut-based Carnegie Middle East Center.

Hage Ali said Israel's use of its "freedom of action" and its continued occupation of Lebanese territory are putting the Lebanese government in an increasingly weak position,

"Weakening the only government Lebanon has had since the end of the [1975-90] civil war -- one that is actually working seriously toward disarming an organization fighting Israel and eliminating any security threat to it -- doesn't make sense ... if Israel is truly seeking stability," he told UPI.

With the U.N. peacekeeping force in south Lebanon recently confirming that Israel has built concrete walls that cross the U.N.-drawn Blue Line into Lebanese territory, Hage Ali said it appears that Israel has "long-term territorial ambitions" in Lebanon similar to those it has in Syria.

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He said that negotiations between Israel and Syria over security arrangements have so far failed, and it is "highly unlikely" that any Lebanese-Israeli negotiations would succeed.

To Israel, the ongoing escalation and its freedom of action now offer "great benefits for its strategies" and are unlikely to be abandoned to pave the way for negotiations anytime soon, Hage Ali said.

However, no change can be expected unless the United States, which is currently focused on ending the Ukraine-Russia war and finalizing the Gaza deal, exerts significant pressure on Israel, he said.

For Hezbollah, the war has not stopped and the conflict with Israel continues.

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"It is a battle where sometimes the enemy succeeds and other times fails," said Kassem Kassir, a political analyst who specializes in Islamic movements and is close to Hezbollah.

Kassir argued that the militant group, was trying to reorganize, protect itself and, most importantly, safeguard its "very existence."

"This [existence] is the most important goal, and Hezbollah has succeeded in achieving it over the past year, enabling it to face all challenges," he told UPI. "We need to be ready for all possibilities while keeping the door open for negotiations and working to close the [group's] gaps."

One of Hezbollah's biggest challenges, however, appears to be the increasing sanctions and efforts by the United States to curb its funding sources, which have been putting the Lebanese government under tremendous pressure to act.

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Washington's main targets include Iranian financial support, Hezbollah's internal financial networks, such as Al-Qard al-Hassan, and the group's global illicit revenue streams.

According to Mohammad Fheili, a risk strategist and monetary economist, financial pressure has already bitten into Hezbollah's margins, with its cash liquidity in "clean" dollars becoming tighter, salaries and benefits for fighters and some cadres reportedly cut or delayed, and certain external operations and procurement activities becoming more expensive and slower to execute.

"At the same time, Hezbollah has adapted by shifting further toward cash, gold, informal value-transfer mechanisms and in-kind support from Iran, while embedding itself even more deeply in Lebanon's cash economy, where state capacity and oversight are weakest," Fheili told UPI.

He noted that additional pressure can still have meaningful effects, but within "a realistic ceiling," while tougher measures can "increase friction and cost by forcing Hezbollah to use more intermediaries, accept higher risk premia and rely on more complex routing of funds."

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The group, he said, will continue to find room to maneuver, having demonstrated in the past a "remarkable capacity" to adapt its financial methods -- shifting from using banks to relying on money exchangers, cash and hawala networks, as well as operating through front entities and charities and leveraging regional and diaspora networks in trade, construction and services.

"That adaptability remains intact," Fheili noted, but financial pressure can restrict its activities and reduce its ability to sustain pre-crisis levels of social services, reconstruction projects and welfare payments that have "historically underpinned its local legitimacy."

Lebanon is slowly adopting measures and issuing laws as part of its efforts to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism, without provoking a severe reaction from Hezbollah -- at least for now.

Hezbollah presently has limited influence over the Beirut port and airport -- previously used to smuggle money and weapons -- forcing it to rely on passengers to carry cash from different destinations after the Lebanese government stopped all direct flights from Iran.

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Such a change comes at a rising cost for Hezbollah, forcing it to "lean more on informal and risky channels", Fheili said.

With mounting pressures and heavy casualties, Hezbollah will need to reestablish some form of deterrence with Israel and rejoin the fight, according to Hage Ali.

While the Lebanese government seems unable to move forward, he said, the United States and Israel do not appear to be achieving their objectives with their current strategy.

"This will lead to the breakdown of Lebanon," he warned. "I hope this strategy can shift in a positive way, for the benefit of everyone, and to avoid another round of violence."
By Tom Hals, Jack Queen and Nathan Layne

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Threats by the Trump administration to recall Senator Mark Kelly to active Navy duty, and to prosecute him under military law for urging troops to disobey illegal orders, would face steep hurdles in a system designed to give troops strong rights to due process, according to seven military law experts.

Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds posted videos about disobeying illegal orders that Trump called "dangerous" and "seditious." The FBI and the Department of Defense are investigating.

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Democrats have criticized the president's decisions to attack boats allegedly carrying drugs to the U.S. from Latin America and to deploy the National Guard to police American cities. Kelly told servicemembers in the video: "Our laws are clear: you can refuse illegal orders."

Military cases usually involve clear violations because they first have to undergo multiple rounds of investigation and legal approval before reaching a judge, who can dismiss charges that don't pass legal muster.

Kelly's case is not clear-cut, and several legal experts told Reuters they did not think he broke the law.

Victor Hansen, a former military prosecutor and professor at New England Law Boston, said it was one thing for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to threaten a court-martial and another for it to take place.

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It would be a mistake to assume that Pete Hegseth can by fiat say, `OK were going to court-martial.` That's not going to happen," Hansen said in an interview.

Asked for comment, the White House said there had been no examples of unlawful orders given by Trump, and accused the Democrats of calling for the defiance of lawful orders, not just unlawful ones.

"It should deeply concern all Americans that elected Democrats are publicly urging the military to openly defy the chain-of-command and the Commander-In-Chiefs lawful orders to subvert the will of the American people," White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said.

The U.S. military's criminal code has unique prohibitions against speaking contemptuously of the president and conduct unbecoming of an officer, but the experts told Reuters that Kelly merely reiterated the well-established legal principle that soldiers are permitted and in some cases required to refuse illegal orders.

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"I am 99% certain nothing he said violated any of the provisions of the military code," said Geoffrey Corn, an army veteran and law professor at Texas Tech University.

A LENGTHY PROCESS BEFORE CHARGES ARE BROUGHT

Military regulations meanwhile spell out a lengthy process for charging servicemembers.

Cases must first be recommended for prosecution by an officer appointed to investigate whether a crime was committed.

A senior officer then conducts their own review and seeks a legal opinion before referring the case for prosecution. A military judge holds an initial hearing and decides whether the case can go forward after hearing arguments from both the defense and prosecution.

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Those layers of investigation and approval by many officers and lawyers makes it very hard for flimsy charges to get through, the legal experts said.

"The likelihood of this getting any traction in the military justice system is essentially zero," said Eugene Fidell, who teaches military justice at Yale Law School.

If the case cleared those hurdles, a convening authority would establish the court-martial. Under the law, Hegseth or even Trump could be the convening authority.

At that point, Kelly can bring his legal defenses.

"I am not going to be silenced. I am not going to be intimidated," Kelly told Rachel Maddow in an interview on MS NOW.

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Kelly could claim his speech was protected by the First Amendment since he wasn't inciting military disobedience but making general statements of fact.

Members of Congress are protected from investigation and prosecution for official acts under the Speech or Debate Clause of the Constitution, according to Georgetown University law professor Stephen Vladeck, who said Kelly had a strong argument for immunity.

There is also strong protection in courts-martial against "unlawful command influence" when senior officials, including Hegseth, take actions that might deny Kelly a fair trial, the experts said.

"There's an enormous unlawful influence issue in the case already, and the case hasn't even begun," Fidell said, referring to Trump and Hegseth's public comments accusing the lawmakers of disloyalty.

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Using the court-martial system to prosecute veterans for conduct as civilians does have precedent.

Retired Marine Staff Sergeant Steven Larrabee was convicted in 2016 for a sexual assault that violated the military code, even though the incident occurred after he left military service.

He disputed the constitutionality of applying court-martial jurisdiction to a retired service member, but a U.S. appeals court ultimately upheld Larrabees conviction.

(Reporting by Tom Hals, Jack Queen and Nathan Layne; Editing by Ross Colvin, Noeleen Walder and Lincoln Feast)
Anna Kepner's father Christopher Kepner was subpoenaed Nov. 25 as part of his wife's custody case with her former husband, according to court documents.

Anna Kepner's father was on the cruise with her at the time of her death along with her stepmother, stepsiblings, biological siblings and grandparents.

He will now be required to appear in court on Dec. 5. No reason was given for the subpoena.

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The filing comes days after the 18-year-old high school student from Titusville, Florida's death was ruled a homicide by mechanical asphyxiation.

How did Anna Kepner die on the cruise?

Anna Kepners death has been ruled a homicide, according to ABC News after the teenager died aboard the Carnival Horizon Nov. 7, starting an FBI investigation.

Reports from Fox News indicate that Anna Kepner's body had been cremated as of Tuesday, Nov. 25. The news organization cited a copy of her death certificate, which had been shared with them. No further details were immediately available.

This week, news reports indicated that her death was confirmed a homicide by mechanical asphyxiation. Bruising around her neck reportedly showed her airway was restricted by an external force caused by another person.

Why was Anna Kepner's birth father subpoenaed?

Christopher Kepner was summoned to court through a subpoena filed by Shauntel Hudson's ex-husband. Hudson is Christopher Kepner's current wife and was Anna Kepner's stepmom.

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The subpoena was filed in relation to a custody case involving Shauntel Hudson and her ex-husband, who is not connected to Anna Kepner.

In previous court filings, Hudson has said her minor child, Anna Kepner's stepbrother, could be charged by the FBI in connection with her death.

What we know about possible suspects Anna Kepner's homicide

Anna Kepner's stepmom previously mentioned in court documents that her son, Anna's 16-year-old stepbrother, was a possible suspect in her death. Although the FBI has not confirmed that publicly, Kepner's grandparents told ABC news that the stepbrother was seen going to and from her room around the time of her death.

Anna Kepners grandparents' reaction

Anna Kepners paternal grandmother told ABC News the stepsiblings were just like brother and sister."

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Both Barbara Kepner and her husband, Jeffrey, were on board with the rest of their family at the time. Three generations were present together and split three staterooms aboard the ship.

She told the news outlet that in the close-knit family there was "no such thing as steps" and that the blended family was very close.

"He was in a room with her. He was the only one seen coming and going," Barbara Kepner said. "I can't accuse him because I don't know what happened in that room."

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Anna Kepner's biological father subpoenaed in stepmom's divorce case
Heres what youll learn when you read this story:

Recently, archaeologists unearthed a 3,000-year-old Egyptian mining camp in the Sukari Mountains.

Crews found evidence of ancient gold mining, processing, and purification.

The archaeological discovery has been moved and used to recreate the camp nearly two miles away.

The gold buried in the hills of Egypts Sukari Mountains was, apparently, enticing enough to create an entire gold-mining camp 3,000 years ago.

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According to a translated statement from Egypts Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities, a multi-year archaeological projected named Reviving the Ancient City of Gold has revealed the ancient gold mining operation. And the project didnt stop at just finding the site.

This ancient operation was so robust that an entire mining camp surfaced around itone that, when it was found, needed to be moved nearly two miles away so as to not interfere with the modern Sukari Mine.

Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that the remains of a 3,000-year-old gold processing complexwhich included a fully equipped facility for extracting gold from quartz veins and featured grinding and crushing stations, filtration and sediment basins, and ancient clay furnaces designed for smelting gold to create a pure productshowed off the highly orchestrated nature of the mining operation.

To make it all possible, gold miners eventually developed had an entire residential district on site. This space featured houses, workshops, temples, administrative buildings, and Ptolemaic Period bathhouses. Khaled said that the team identified architectural remains from both the Roman and Islamic periods. The evidence of the use of this space well after the creation of the initial encampment shows that it remained a popular option for multiple people groups.

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Khaled said that the find furthers our understanding of ancient Egyptians mining techniques used to extract gold from rock, while adding insight into the social, religious, and economic lives of gold miners.

Some of the pieces that give a better understanding of the social component of the mine include 628 pieces of broken potterymany inscribed with hieroglyphic, demotic, and Greek script that shows off a true linguistic diversity in the region.

Crews uncovered plenty more, including Ptolemaic bronze coins, terracotta figurines depicting human and animal forms from the Greco-Roman period, small stone statues of deities such as Bastet and Harpocrates (some finished and some unfinished), a mix of pottery vessels that held such personal items like medicines and incense, an assortment of beads made of semi-precious stones, decorative items crafted from seashells, and five Ptolemaic offering tables.

As part of the project, crews built a full-scale replica of the mining complex on a 6.3-acre-plot located nearly two miles from the active mining area. This visitor center includes exhibits and plenty of information on both the find and the life of ancient Egyptian gold miners.

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High in the mountain meadows of southern Bosnia, farmer Branka Buha monitors her cows through a GPS signal on her husband's phone.

But when it comes to making her kajmak cheese, she sticks to the traditional method: ageing it in sheepskin sacks.

"It's a tradition passed down from my mother, from my mother-in-law. Now, I'm passing it on to my daughter-in-law," said 55-year-old Buha.

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Her dairy is nestled in the hilly hamlet of Domrke, near Gacko.

At 1,200 metres (3,900 feet), and with lots of grass and wind, Buha says she has everything she needs to produce good "kajmak iz mjesine", a creamy cheese aged in animal hide -- typically sheep or lambskin around here.

Her eight cows freely wander the mountain pastures during the day, returning themselves in the evening to be milked, although one has a GPS collar in case they get lost or run into bears or wolves.

- 'Ancient preservation method' -

Her kajmak is a slightly crumblier, more flavourful cousin of the creamy "kaymak" people across the Balkans and Turkey love to spread on their bread.

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After milking her cows, Buha cooks the milk in a large pot before pouring it into enamel bowls or wooden containers.

"A day or two later, depending on the ambient temperature, we skim off the milk skin that forms on the surface of the milk," she said, scooping up a thick yellow layer with a spoon.

Salted is added and then it is left to rest in a wooden barrel for around 20 days, then wrapped in animal hide.

"The longer it stays in the skin, the more it matures and acquires the specific flavour of the skin. That is what makes it unique," Buha said.

Buha also makes the sheepskin bags. Once the skin is shaved off, the hide is dried over smoke.

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When dry, "we wash it carefully and stuff it with kajmak, which is then aged in the skin for up to a month. But it can even stay there for a year," she added.

"It is an ancient preservation method. When there was no electricity or other modern means of preservation, the skin was used to preserve this cheese," said Dragana Milovic, head of the Gacko Kajmak Producers Association.

Much stronger than the traditional kajmak sold in local shops and markets, the cheese has notes of smoke and lamb that set it apart.

- 'Prestige' -

With her husband, Buha produces between 500 and 600 kilos (1,100 and 1,325 pounds) of kajmak each year.

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They sell their cheese at their farm or to restaurants, where it is usually served with meat dishes.

It is also eaten on toast with honey, or added to "cicvara", a traditional cornmeal dish not unlike polenta.

In 2024, kajmak was granted national Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, raising its price per kilo from 40 convertible marks ($24) to 50 ($30).

This means the cheese can be made only with milk from cows that graze in the Gacko region. The cows must also be fed only with locally harvested hay.

The Gacko Kajmak Producers Association recently applied for PDO status at the EU level, said Milovic.

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As a formal candidate for membership of the 27-nation bloc, Bosnia-Herzegovina has the right to protect its products there.

But with only small amounts of the sheepskin-sack kajmak being produced, it is more a matter of "prestige" than as an export earner, Milovic added.

rus/cbo/rh/jhb/fg
Nov. 26

 Deadline to order ham and cheese and turkey and cheese sandwiches from Pioneer Grange, 46 E. Keller St., Topton. Cost is $5. Pick up on Dec. 8 from 3-5 p.m. at the Grange Hall. To order, call Tammy at 610-463-7213.

Nov. 29

 Deadline to order poinsettias from the Friends of Mifflin Community Library. Six-inch pots of red, white and jingle bells (red and white blooms), $10 eeach. Pickup at the library, 6 Philadelphia Ave., Shillington, on Dec. 5 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Order at the library by calling 610-777-3911.

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Nov. 30

 Christmas concert by Mount Laurel Brass presented by the Cultural Series Team at St. Pauls Lutheran Church, 117 E. Arch St., Fleetwood, 3 p.m. Mount Laurel Brass is a seven-piece brass ensemble from Berks and Chester counties. Mount Laurel Brass takes the traditional brass quintet instrumentation, two trumpets, French horn, trombone, tuba, and adds an additional trombone euphonium for a larger, fuller sound. You do not need tickets, but there will be a free will offering to help defray the costs.

Dec. 1

 Deadline to order turkey potpie from St. Peters United Church of Christ, 219 Maidencreek Road, Richmond Township, $10 per quart. Call Beverly at 484-529-1893 to orrder. Pick up at Christmas bazaar, which will be held on Dec. 6 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. There will be a variety of cookies to buy. The white elephant sale includes vintage 33 rpm jazz, big band, etc. albums, 78 rpm records, childrens golden records and other vintage items, along with CDs, books, household goods and decorations. There are crafters and lunch items for sale. A free picture with Santa is offered from 10 a.m.-noon.

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 Christian pet loss support group, St. Johns Reformed Church, 4001 Penn Ave., Sinking Spring, in the churchs fellowship hall, 6:45 p.m. Sessions are led by Dr. Becky Frank, associate veterinarian with Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice. Frank is also certified in thanatology (death, loss, grief and bereavement). The program entails six different sessions and participants may join at any time. This group is open to the public and is offered at no charge. Questions should be directed to office@stjohnsss.org. RSVP to that email if you are planning to attend. Parking is located behind the church, and the fellowship hall is on the lower level.

Dec. 3

 Holiday Lights at Grings Mill, 2803 Tulpehocken Road, Spring Township. Visitors can stroll the grounds to view light display that highlights the historic buildings and landscaping at Grings Mill. Holiday Lights at Grings Mill will be open from Wednesday to Sunday; Dec. 10-14; and from Dec. 16-23. Hours are from 5:30-8:30 p.m. with free parking and admission. Visitors can enjoy food and beverages from local food trucks, warm up next to the fire pit and listen to live music in the outdoor pavilion each night (music from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m.). Dont miss a chance to get an up-close look at our model train display in the former generator station on the bridge. Santa will be on site on all opening days in his Christmas Tree Lane located in the barn, featuring trees decorated by local community groups.

Dec. 6

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 Christmas bazaar, St. Pauls United Church of Christ, 47 S. Whiteoak St., Kutztown, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Christmas mice, baked goods, cookies, crafts, books, take-out food.

 Kids holiday craft workshop, Berks County Heritage Center, 1102 Red Bridge Road, Bern Township, noon-3 p.m. Drop in to the barn at the Heritage Center to make some holiday crafts! Stop by and visit Santa at the Eplers Schoolhouse while youre on site. For ages 3 and up. Free.

 Spring Valley Boutique, Spring Valley Church of God, 2727 Old Pricetown Road, Muhlenberg Township, 10-11:30 a.m. Most items at the boutique are free. Featured items vary by month (depending on donations) but frequently include clothing for women, men and children, shoes, handbags, jewelry, etc. Anyone looking to donate used items to this ministry can do so during boutique hours. Park in the upper parking lot, boutique is set up in the gym. For more information, call 610-929-7969.

 Bernville Christmas shopping tour, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Tour starts at St. Thomas Church, 536 N. Main St., with 30 craft vendors. Homemade cookies and breakfast/lunch food will be for sale. The tour continues with special events and discounts at Blue Marsh Market, Knotty & Nice Gift Shop, Pennys Treasures & Gifts, Reifsnyders Ag Center, De Antiek Winkel and Way-Har Farm Market. Information: 610-488-6702 or stchurchbv@verizon.net.

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 Bernville Library cookies with Santa and basket raffle, 6721 Bernville Road (Route 183), Bernville 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Enjoy cookies, milk, juice and a story with Santa. Basket/gift card raffle winners picked at 2 p.m. Information: 610-488-1302 or www.berkslibraries.org/bernville.

 Lighting of the Greens and Holiday Marketplace, Stone House lawn and pond area, 1216 Parkside Drive North, Wyomissing, 2-5 p.m. Music by the Wyomissing Band, a DJ, seasonal treats, local artisans and vendors. Families can visit Santa inside the Stone House.

 Daniel Boone Holiday Craft Show, Daniel Boone Middle School, 1845 Weavertown Road, Amity Township, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The craft show will feature quality handcrafted items from over 100 crafters, raffle, free admission, free parking and refreshments.

 Christmas bazaar, St. Pauls Lutheran Church, 548 Old Swede Road, Amity Township, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. It will feature wreaths and cemetery boxes made with fresh greens, homemade pies, cookies, apple dumplings, candy, chow chow, crafts, raffle, flute recital, attic treasures and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Lunch items will also be available. For additional information, call 610-385-6616.

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 Contra dance hosted by Birdsboro Contra Dance, Birdsboro Memorial Hall, 201 E. Main St., Birdsboro, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Beginners are welcome with a teaching session given at 7. No partner necessary. Live music provided by Vinegar Tom and calling by Michael Karcher. Admission sliding scale $10-$20. Info at Birdsborocontra.org.

 50 cent sale and indoor flea market, Calvary United Church of Christ, 1231 Route 100, Washington Township, 8-11 a.m.

 Holiday open house, Muhlenberg Community Library, 3612 Kutztown Road, Laureldale, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Enjoy refreshments, model train, Santa, digital photo by Rita Claire Photography, crafts, story time and basket raffle. Free for all ages. 3612 Kutztown Rd., Laureldale. muhlenbergcommunitylibrary.org.

Dec. 7

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 A Homestead Holiday, Daniel Boone Homestead, 400 Daniel Boone Road, Exeter Township, noon-4 p.m. Experience Christmas as it was almost 300 years ago. Visitors can learn about English and Pennsylvania German holiday celebrations, listen to the Homestead Carolers, visit with Santa and the Belsnickel and enjoy Christmas crafts and activities. Throughout the historic area, visitors will hear about the different Christmas traditions of the families who lived on the property throughout the 18th century as they tour the festively decorated buildings. In the Boone House, volunteers will cook a Christmas meal in the hearth and talk about the English Christmas traditions. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 65 and older, $5 for youth 6-17. Children under 5 and Daniel Boone Homestead Association members are free.

 Ringgold Band Christmas Concert, Reformation Lutheran Church, 3670 Perkiomen Ave., Exeter Township, 2 p.m. A free-will offering will be received. A reception will follow in the churchs parish hall.

Dec. 9

 Trail tales, Berks County Heritage Center, 1102 Red Bridge Road, Bern Township, 10 a.m. Get wrapped up in a trail tale and discover plants and animal friends in our parks. This toddler-age program focuses on a nature topic each month partnered with a story and a craft. Geared toward children ages 3-5. Free. Registration required at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program.

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Dec. 13

 Adult ornament workshop, Berks County Heritage Center, 1102 Red Bridge Road, Bern Township, noon-3 p.m. Make your own handmade ornaments to invite some holiday cheer into your home. Join Heritage Center staff as they walk you through some DIY ornament creations, including tin punch, felt and salt dough ornaments. Since some of these ornaments will be a bit difficult to make, we recommend this program for ages over 16. Any children from 12-16 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Free. Registration required at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program.

 Community giveaway, Calvary United Church of Christ, 1231 Route 100, Washington Township, 9-11 a.m., clothing, coats, household goods, lunch and more.

 Deck the Door Poker Run benefitting Muhlenberg Community Library, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Family-friendly, self-paced driving tour in Muhlenberg Township with activities and prizes. Tickets on sale at the library, 3612 Kutztown Road, Laureldale, $25/vehicle. muhlenbergcommunitylibrary.org.

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 Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue will hold its monthly open house from 10 a.m. until noon at its Golden Gateway facility at 60 Vera Cruz Road, Reinholds. Meet and greet the golden retrievers and dogs available for adoption. Staff is on hand to answer questions, and food is available for purchase. No admission charge. No photos, and do not bring other dogs to this event. For more information, contact info@dvgrr.org, call 717-484-4799 or visit dvgrr.org/adopt/monthlyopenhouse.

Dec. 14

 Calvary United Church of Christ 60th anniversary celebration, 1231 Route 100, Washington Township, 9:30 a.m. Pot-luck luncheon to follow in Fellowship Hall.
A tent where a homeless person lived is seen in a snowy camp on Dec. 23, 2022 in Louisville. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is among more than 20 Democratic state elected officials suing the Trump administration to block an abrupt change in the allocation of federal funds to address homelessness.

Housing advocates warn that the administrations decision, announced Nov. 13, to shift billions of dollars in grants could put as many as 170,000 formerly homeless people back on the street.

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The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, alleged the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is violating the intent of Congress by moving grants away from providing permanent housing.

Beshear in a statement provided in a press release called the funding shift illegal and cruel and said it would cause more people  like veterans and families  to go homeless and make our communities less safe.

We should be helping people get back on their feet through a safe place to call home, not barring them from any chance of success. These policy changes are wrong and dangerous, and they will set our commonwealth and country back, Beshear said.

For more than a decade, HUD has put about 90% of funding through whats known as Continuum of Care grants toward permanent, supportive housing which provides people  often those who have spent years on the streets and need mental health care  with a safe place to live and services such as counseling and financial education. The move by HUD would allow only 30% of the grants to go toward permanent housing. Most of the money would instead go to short-term, transitional housing aimed at getting people into jobs and in charge of their own housing.

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Kentucky housing aid advocates previously told the Lantern the policy change would put more people at risk of homelessness. At stake is much of about $48 million that flows to Kentucky each year in HUD money, with the largest portion, $23 million, going to Louisville.

In Kentucky, around 3,700 individuals with disabling conditions live in permanent, supportive housing, which advocates say has proven to be the best solution for preventing homelessness. We know that permanent housing is the solution to homelessness, said Catherine McGeeney, communications director for the Louisville Coalition for the Homeless, which coordinates HUD funding for the area. It effectively ends homelessness.

The changes would affect a wide range of programs throughout Kentucky, said Adrienne Bush, executive director of the Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky, including housing help offered by domestic violence, veterans and mental health groups as well as agencies that directly serve the homeless.

There are folks who without this program would be homeless. They most likely will be homeless again without rent support and case management, said Bush.

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HUD Secretary Scott Turner in a press release announcing the policy change said it would stop the Biden-era slush fund that fueled the homelessness crisis, shut out faith-based providers simply because of their values and incentivized never-ending government dependency.

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (D) is clearly the leader of the Democratic Party following his meeting with President Trump last week.

In an appearance on CNBCs Squawk Box, Bessent told co-host Andrew Ross Sorkin that youve got to have admiration for a candidate who ran a campaign the way he did. It was a great, great campaign.

He is clearly the leader of the Democratic Party now, Bessent continued. And I think it speaks to how open-minded the president is that he invited him into the Oval [Office].

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Trump wants whats best for New Yorkers, the secretary said, but he called Mamdani a young man full of bold ideas that have never worked.

Its easy to run a campaign, but the practical everyday upkeeping, keeping people safe, picking up the trash, making the subways run on time  well see, Bessent concluded.

Mamdani met with Trump on Friday in a highly anticipated White House visit. After months of criticizing Mamdanis democratic socialist politics and repeatedly calling him a communist, Trump praised and smiled at the Big Apples next mayor.

The better he does, the happier I am, Trump told reporters at a press conference during the White House visit.

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At one point, Trump said he would feel safe in Mamdanis New York after a reporter cited Rep. Elise Stefaniks (R-N.Y.) claim that Mamdani is a jihadist.

I met with a man whos a very rational person, Trump told a reporter. I met with a man who really wants to see New York be great again.

At another point, when Mamdani was asked if he still thinks Trump is a fascist, the president interjected.

Thats OK, you can just say yes,' Trump said, smiling. Thats easier  I dont mind.

Despite a productive meeting, Mamdani told NBC Newss Kristen Welker on Meet the Press Sunday that he does still think Trump is a fascist.

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And after President Trump said that, I said, Yes, Mamdani said. Thats something that Ive said in the past. I say it today.

Bessents remark about who leads the Democratic Party also comes at a time when some voters say they are not so sure. Earlier this month, Politico released a poll showing that 21 percent of voters dont know who leads the party. This was followed by 16 percent who chose former Vice President Kamala Harris and then 10 percent who said nobody.

It also comes as some Democratic lawmakers and voters criticized congressional leadership near the end of the government shutdown. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) was among those who called on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to step down after eight Democrats sided with Republicans to reopen the government.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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PETOSKEY  Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan is looking to form a local board for its programs in Emmet and Charlevoix counties, and theyre seeking dedicated community members who can help lead the way.

The regional Big Brothers Big Sisters agency covers Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse and Kalkaska counties, currently serving 429 children with one-to-one mentoring relationships.

It is a robust program. Its a very strong program, however we need local support, said Chief Executive Officer Cecilia Chesney. Weve had a lot of changes, a lot of growth and our team has grown exponentially. Weve done a lot of work on that in terms of the culture and really being careful about who we bring on board because we want the right people to help our kids and it takes some special people to do this work.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan is currently serving about 120 children in Emmet and Charlevoix counties.

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What is Big Brothers Big Sisters?

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan (Bigs) was started in 1970 in Petoskey. It has served over 16,000 children over the years. The programs mission is to help all youth achieve their full potential.

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Typically, children in the program may be struggling with issues like poverty or childhood trauma. Bigs operates both school-based and community-based programs.

Right now, poverty is a big thing. When people dont have their basic needs being met, that sometimes splits the family apart, Chesney said.

She added that social media is just causing havoc for students mental health as well.

Kids are struggling in so many ways, and so were seeing more and more kids, she said. On one hand Im excited that theyre coming to us, because we can help them, but on the other hand that growing number of kids in need is just scary and its sad.

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Chesney said the agency has a solid onboarding program and often gets referrals directly from the schools. They then reach out to the family and conduct interviews to find the most compatible match for a Big to a Little. Each mentoring relationship establishes goals and objectives to match the childs needs.

To just have one person in your corner to talk to and ask questions and just count on and lean on makes such a difference, Chesney said. It really helps bolster their self-esteem. These are things we see right away in the first couple of weeks. Its amazing.

Studies show that participation in Bigs can have a big impact on a child. According to an economic impact report from the organization, Littles are 20% more likely to enroll in college, earn 15% more over their lifetimes and reduce their socioeconomic gap by two-thirds. Littles were also 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs and 27% less likely to begin using alcohol when compared to children not in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

Finding local leaders

Since 2010 when Chesney came on board as CEO, Bigs has overhauled its structure and finances. Theyre now serving more kids than any other Big Brothers Big Sisters agency in the state.

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We have such a wonderful team of people who are so committed, Chesney said. I would tell you that across the state we are one of 10 agencies, and our agency is serving more kids than all of the rest. More than the combined Detroit and Ann Arbor agency, we are serving 429 kids currently and they are serving about 275.

In Emmet and Charlevoix counties alone, there are about 120 children enrolled in the program.

Chesney said they are now looking to create a local board for the two counties that would serve under the Bigs regional governance board, which is based in Traverse City. The intention is to help personalize the programs for Emmet and Charlevoix counties specific needs and to lead local fundraising efforts.

Emmet County and Charlevoix County are very different from Grand Traverse County. The schools are different, the culture is different, so programs look different, Chesney said. What is going to work best for your families, for your kids, for what youre seeing? And theres plenty of people in the community, I think, that really understand and know the schools, know the kids, know the community. Youve got all kinds of other organizations doing great things. People know what works in their area.

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The regional board would still provide programming, payroll, accounting and other services to help support local needs.

We can provide all kinds of things, but we need an active board to help with fundraising, to help with program ideas, Chesney said. Ive had plenty of conversations with people in Emmet and Charlevoix counties and they love the program, they think its amazing, and they know it works, but the minute they find out my office is located in Traverse City the conversation is over. We just need to be more transparent in what were looking for and what we need. And I think that with a board up there and a director up there thats out there raising money and relationship-building, they can serve 300-400 kids and we can serve 600-800 kids. Collectively, working together, we can both serve a lot more kids.

Anyone who is interested in helping to form a local board can reach out to Chesney at cecilia.chesney@bigsupnorth.org or 231-392-6497.

 Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan looking for local leaders
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Net Income to Shareholders: $81 million.

Core Earnings to Shareholders: $35 million, up 45% from Q3 2024.

Revenue: $974 million for the quarter, compared to $1.1 billion in the same quarter last year.

New Business CSM: Increased by $41 million for Q3.

Sagicor Canada's Core Earnings: $27 million, an increase of $7 million from the prior year.

Sagicor Life USA's New Business Production: $335 million, a 16% growth over the prior year.

Sagicor Jamaica's Core Earnings: $12 million, increased from the prior year.

LICAT Ratio: 141%.

Financial Leverage Ratio: 26.6%.

Book Value Per Share: USD 7.74 or CAD 10.78.

Dividend: USD 0.0675 per quarter, annualized USD 0.27 per year.

Fitch Ratings Upgrade: Long-term issuer default rating upgraded to BBB from BBB-.

Release Date: November 14, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

Sagicor Financial Co Ltd (SGCFF) reported a strong net income to shareholders of $81 million, reflecting robust core numbers and a reversal of previous income volatility.

The company's Canadian business continues to show outstanding profitability, contributing significantly to the overall strong performance.

Sagicor Life USA's new business production grew by 16% over the same period in the prior year, indicating strong sales momentum.

Sagicor Jamaica recorded strong insurance sales and improved net interest margin and fee revenue in the Commercial Banking business.

Fitch Ratings upgraded Sagicor's long-term issuer default rating to BBB, enhancing the company's access to capital and validating its strong capitalization.

Negative Points

Revenues for the quarter were $974 million, down from $1.1 billion for the same quarter last year, indicating a decline in overall revenue.

The impact of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica is expected to cause a potential net income hit of $5 million to $10 million to Sagicor Financial Co Ltd (SGCFF).

Sagicor Life USA's core earnings to shareholders were lower than Q3 2024 due to favorable insurance experience in the prior year.

The company's net CSM decreased in several segments, including a 5% decrease in Sagicor Life USA and a 2% decrease in Sagicor Canada.

The actuarial assumption changes resulted in a $5 million after-tax noncore net income impact, negatively affecting the company's CSM.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you provide an update on the fixed annuity sales and whether you expect to exceed the $1.3 billion target? A: Andre Mousseau, President and CEO, stated that the target could be exceeded as they initially set a conservative goal. The company continues to see strong returns on capital and aims to build on 2025's results in 2026.
This story has been updated to include additional information.

A body found by a citizen search party in Manistee National Forest around 2:16 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, is believed, but not yet confirmed, to be Rebecca Park, a pregnant 22-year-old woman from Wexford County who went missing Nov. 3, according to police.

Rebecca Park

She was last seen in the Cadillac/Boon Township area, according to a post by Wexford County Sheriff's Office on Nov. 4.

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The body found "resembles" Park, Wexford County Sheriff Trent Taylor said at a news conference livestreamed by Up North Live on Tuesday night. It cannot be confirmed until an autopsy is complete, Michigan State Police Public Information Officer Lt. Ashley Miller said at the news conference.

"There was no formal search party in that area," Taylor said in the news conference. "Citizens were searching ... in that area, and they found the body."

Police at the Tuesday news conference declined to comment on details about how she was found. Michigan State Police, the Wexford County sheriff and Michigan State Police Crime Lab are actively investigating the scene.

No arrests had been made as of Tuesday, Nov. 25, according to police at the news conference.

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"We don't believe that the citizens at large are in danger by any stretch of the imagination," Taylor said. "It's a tragic time in our county, and hopefully this brings some closure to this awful incident."

Who was Rebecca Park?

Park was a sweet, soft-spoken and beautiful person, said Page Nolf, of Wexford County, who calls Park a best friend. Nolf organized a vigil on the due date of Park's baby. In a Facebook message to the Free Press, Nolf said she met Park through a friend of Nolf's mom and has known Park for eight years.

"She was a good mom who loved her babies with her every breath in her body," Nolf said in a Facebook message to the Free Press.

Park had two sons, ages 2 and 4, as well as pet cats, Nolf said. She was 38 weeks pregnant when the Wexford County Sheriff's Office posted she was missing on Nov. 4.

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One memory of Park that sticks with Nolf is "she found a sick little kitten one time and wouldn't give up on it." Nolf said Park named the cat "Homeless" and fed the cat milk off her pinky because he couldn't eat when she found him.

"She was an amazing person," Nolf said. "She deserves better than what she got or had."

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story misspelled the last name of Rebecca Park.

Contact Natalie Davies at ndavies@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Body in Manistee forest believed to be missing woman Rebecca Park
(Reuters) -Boeing said on Wednesday it will produce AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for international customers, including 96 for the Polish Armed Forces, under a foreign military sales contract worth nearly $4.7 billion awarded by the U.S. Army.

Deliveries are expected to begin in 2028, Boeing said. Poland's order represents the largest number of Apache aircraft ordered outside the United States in the program's history.

The Polish Ministry of National Defence, which currently leases eight aircraft from the U.S. Army, is already training pilots and maintainers on the attack helicopter, Boeing said.

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More than 1,300 Apaches are currently operational globally, according to Boeing.

The Pentagon had said on Tuesday Boeing had won two contracts valued at over $7 billion, including the $4.7 billion Apache contract and another $2.4 billion Air Force deal for Lot 12 Production Aircraft, G081, subscriptions and licenses.

Boeing has in recent months delivered new Apache aircraft to international defense forces, including the Australian Army, the Indian Army and the Royal Moroccan Air Force.

(Reporting by Parth Chandna in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo)
Boeing has been working toward flying astronauts to the International Space Station under NASAs Commercial Crew Program since 2014.

And while the company reached a major milestone on June 5, 2024, when NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams successfully launched to the ISS aboard Starliner, their mission took an unexpected turn.

Propulsion issues kept the pair in orbit far longer than planned, delaying their return by nine months.

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They ultimately came home aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon. After months of uncertainty about Starliners future, NASA and Boeing have now modified their contract.

The original agreement called for up to six crewed flights.

That number is now four, with two additional missions listed as options. Florida Techs Dr. Don Platt said, Well, I guess its good news because theyve continued with the program. There was a lot of concern over the last year or so whether the Starliner program would even continue.

NASA and Boeing continue to rigorously test the spacecrafts propulsion system ahead of two potential flights next year.

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The first major milestone will be an uncrewed cargo mission to the ISS  a flight that can take advantage of Starliners autonomous capabilities. That mission is currently slated for no earlier than April 2026.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Indiana Republicans said Tuesday that lawmakers will meet next month to consider redrawing the states congressional map, a reversal that comes after a pressure campaign from the White House and mounting threats to Indianas GOP members.

The issue of redrawing Indianas congressional maps mid-cycle has received a lot of attention and is causing strife here in our state, Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray (R) said in a statement.

Politics: California Kick-Starts Counteroffensive In Trumps Redistricting War

To resolve this issue, he continued, the Senate intends to reconvene as part of the regular 2026 session on Dec. 8 and make a final decision that week on any redistricting proposal sent from the House.

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The White House demanded earlier this month that Indiana Republicans call a special session to adopt a new congressional map that would give Republicans all nine of Indianas seats in the House, therefore securing the partys majority in the chamber. Indiana Republicans currently occupy seven of the nine seats.

But despite Trumps gerrymandering demand  which has been backed by Gov. Mike Braun (R)  Republicans in the state Senate refused to support calling a special session for that purpose. Bray said at the time that after very serious and thoughtful consideration of redistricting, he concluded that there were not enough votes to go through with it.

That refusal brought Trumps wrath down upon Indiana Republicans, who say they have faced swatting and bomb threats. The president has a history of public, violent rhetoric toward his opponents and those who do not fall in line to carry out his political agenda.

Politics: Republicans Are Already Jockeying To Succeed Trump In 2028

Id rather my house not get firebombed, one Republican, who chose not to be named, told The Atlantic. The Indiana lawmaker said he received a pizza delivery at his home earlier this month that had his name and address, despite no one ordering it.

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The whole idea is, We know who you are. We know where you live, the Republican told the outlet. Theyre trying to intimidate us.

Trumps attacks let up on Tuesday, after Indiana Republicans rescheduled a special session to vote on redrawing the congressional map.

I am glad to hear the Indiana House is stepping up to do the right thing, and I hope the Senate finds the Votes, Trump wrote Tuesday on Truth Social. If they do, I will make sure that all of those people supporting me win their Primaries, and go on to Greatness but, if they dont, I will partner with the incredibly powerful MAGA Grassroots Republicans to elect STRONG Republicans who are ready to do what is needed.

Politics: Epstein Survivors Believe DOJ Is 'Intentionally' Exposing Their Names In The Files: Lawyers

The White House launched its gerrymandering war in red states like Texas, whose Republican lawmakers approved a congressional map earlier this year that could eliminate as many as five Democrat-held seats in the House.

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Last week, a federal judge ruled that the map is an illegal racial gerrymander and ordered Texas to use its 2021 maps for next years midterm. The Supreme Court has since paused that ruling while it decides whether to take up the case.

Republican lawmakers in Missouri, Ohio and North Carolina have launched their own redistricting efforts, although such plans have stalled in Kansas. Democrats have meanwhile countered the GOPs campaign by approving a new map in California and launching a plan to redistrict Virginia.

Political Updates

Read the original on HuffPost
A nonprofit organization in Lake Elsinore is scrambling after a box truck carrying nearly 500 frozen turkeys intended for a weekend food distribution event was stolen early Saturday. The theft occurred outside the U.R. Important Foundation on Auto Center Drive, where volunteers had prepared for a Grab-n-Go Food Distribution and Turkey Giveaway meant to support local families ahead of the holidays.

Deputies were alerted around 7:55 a.m., according to the Riverside County Sheriffs Office. By the time authorities arrived, both the truck and the turkeys were gone. The vehicle had been packed for the morning event, leaving the organization without its primary supply of holiday meals.

The foundations director, Alexxa Oliver, described the disappointment among volunteers and families who arrived expecting to receive a turkey. While the group was still able to hand out some food, only a small number of households received turkeys due to the sudden loss. Oliver said the communitys response softened the blow, noting that many residents offered sympathy and support despite leaving empty-handed.

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Investigators are now working to identify whoever took the truck. Authorities say nearby businesses may have surveillance systems that captured the suspects or the vehicle leaving the area. Detectives are reviewing leads, and deputies are asking residents or businesses with relevant footage or information to come forward.

The nonprofit, which regularly organizes food giveaways, had planned the turkey distribution as part of its seasonal outreach to families in need. With hundreds of meals missing, the group hopes the investigation leads to the trucks recovery before future events are affected. For now, the foundation is relying on community support and awaiting updates from law enforcement as the search continues.



Source
In England, the Hertfordshire Constabulary will pay Maxie Allen and Rosalind Levine around $26,000 after wrongly arresting them for complaining about their daughter's school in a private WhatsApp group. Six police officers arrested the couple at their home and detained them for 11 hours on suspicion of harassment and malicious communications. Their "offense" was questioning the school's head teacher recruitment process. The school reported the parents to the police, claiming their messages upset staff. After a five-week investigation, police found insufficient evidence and took no further action.

The post Brickbat: Wrong Chat appeared first on Reason.com.
The European Commission is set to come forward with a proposal to use Russian state assets frozen in the European Union as a reparations loan for Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said.

"The commission is ready to present a legal text," von der Leyen told lawmakers at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday.

The commission president, alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is pushing to make up to 140 billion ($162 billion) in Russian central bank assets available to Ukraine to cover the country's financial needs in the coming years.

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Belgium, where most of the assets are held, has blocked the initiative so far, urging the commission to come up with alternative funding proposals including taking on new debt.

"To be very clear, I cannot see any scenario in which the European taxpayers alone will pay the bill. This is also not acceptable," von der Leyen stressed in her speech.

The Russian assets frozen under EU sanctions were also mentioned in the 28-point peace plan tabled by the US administration last week.

"Any decision on this needs to be taken in line with the rules of the responsible jurisdiction and will respect European and international law," von der Leyen said.

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She further reiterated the EU's priorities for a potential deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

These include security guarantees for Kiev, upholding Ukraine's sovereignty and the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.

EU foreign ministers are to discuss recent developments on the US-led peace efforts for Ukraine later on Wednesday.
All operations have been suspended at a prison in San Pedro over a "major and immediate concern" regarding the facility's infrastructure.

William K. Marshall III, the director of the Bureau of Prisons, told staff Tuesday that the agency is suspending operations at the Federal Correctional Institution, Terminal Island, a low-security prison.

It currently houses nearly 1,000 inmates, including cryptocurrency fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried and disgraced celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti.

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While operations are being suspended, it's unclear where the inmates will be held or transferred.

"Several placement options are being evaluated, with a priority on keeping individuals as close as possible to their anticipated release locations," the Bureau of Prisons said in a statement.

The decision to close the facility, at least temporarily, "is not easy, but is absolutely necessary," Marshall wrote, calling it a matter of "safety, common sense, and doing what is right for the people who work and live inside that institution."

Marshall cited problems with underground tunnels containing the facility's steam heating system. Ceilings in the tunnels have begun to deteriorate, causing chunks of concrete to fall and putting employees and the heating system at risk, he said.

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"We are not going to wait for a crisis," Marshall told employees. "We are not going to gamble with lives. And we are not going to expect people to work or live in conditions that we would never accept for ourselves."

Marshall's statement added, "In the coming days and weeks, we will communicate the next steps, relocation timelines, and support for both staff and inmates."

Last year, an assessment revealed the facility needs $110 million worth of repairs over the next 20 years - raising questions about whether they will ever move inmates back to this facility. The facility opened in the 1930s.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.




A massive corporate upheaval is underway at the Campbell Soup Company after a federal lawsuit revealed an explosive audio recording in which a vice resident allegedly delivered a racist, classist, and profane tirade about coworkers and the qualityor lack thereofregarding the companys food products.

The lawsuit, filed by former security analyst Robert Garza last week in Wayne County, Michigan, accused Campbells of retaliatory termination after Garza reported the contents of the recording, prompting the company to place the executive on immediate leave.

Racial Slurs and Customer Derision Aired

According to the complaint, Garza recorded Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer Martin Bally during a November 2024 meeting that quickly devolved from a salary discussion into an hour-long, unhinged rant. The recording reportedly captured Bally making multiple derogatory remarks about employees of Indian descent.

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The lawsuit claims Bally labeled Indian employees as idiots and claimed they couldnt think for their fing selves.

In addition to the alleged racial remarks, the executive reportedly mocked the companys customer base and products, stating: We have st for fking poor people. Who buys our st? I dont buy Campbells products barely anymore. Its not healthy now that I know what the fs in it.

Bally also allegedly joked he avoided the companys chicken soup because the meat came from a 3-D printer and admitted to using marijuana edibles before coming to work. Garza said he kept the recording for weeks out of pure disgust, needing time to process the content. In January 2025, he said that he reported Ballys behaviorspecifically the racist remarksto his supervisor, JD Aupperle.

On Jan. 30, 2025, Garza, who had no prior disciplinary actions or formal write-ups during his employment, was abruptly terminated. He had never had any disciplinary action; they had never written him up for work performance, Garzas lawyer, Zachary Runyan, said.

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Garzas lawsuit asserted he was fired in retaliation for disclosing the vice presidents gross misconduct and accused the corporation of maintaining a racially hostile work environment. The ex-employee received no follow-up from human resources or any other company representative regarding an investigation or explanation for his termination.

In a statement, Campbells confirmed the upheaval. We want to make sure you know the facts. Robert Garza, a former Campbells employee, recently released an alleged audio recording of him speaking with Campbells VP of Information Technology, Martin Bally, in connection with a lawsuit Mr. Garza filed against the company.

If the comments heard on the audio recording were in fact made by Mr. Bally, they are unacceptable. Such language does not reflect our values and the culture of our company. We do not tolerate that kind of language under any circumstances. Mr. Bally is temporarily on leave while we conduct an investigation, the statement continued.

We are proud of the food we make, the people who make it and the high-quality ingredients we use to provide consumers with good food at a good value. We know that millions of people use Campbells products, and were honored by the trust they put in us. The comments heard on the recording about our food are not only inaccuratethey are patently absurd. The chicken meat in our soups comes from long-trusted, USDA-approved U.S. suppliers and meets our high-quality standards. All our soups are made with No Antibiotics Ever chicken meat. Any claims to the contrary are completely false.

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Keep in mind, the alleged comments heard on the audio were made by a person in IT, who has nothing to do with how we make our food.

Blackowned food company Goode Foods CEO came through with a word for folks who sought great-quality, affordable, non-GMO foods from a non-bigoted company.

The Campbells Soup VP got caught mocking the same people who keep their lights on and admitting their products arent even real food. This is exactly why family-owned brands matter. We dont hide. We show up. We answer. We care, the Instagram caption read. Corporate America treats food like a science experimentfamilies treat it like nourishment. Choose brands that actually respect you. #campbell #grocery #food.

RELATED CONTENT: Judge Throws Out Charges Against James Comey And Letitia James, Delivering Blow To Trump Retribution Efforts
US President Donald Trump has scored a legal win after a court on Wednesday dismissed the case against him over allegations of attempted election fraud during the 2020 presidential election in the US state of Georgia.

The judge approved a request from the Georgia prosecutor's office to end the proceedings, US media reports said.

US broadcasters CNN, NBC and PBS, newspapers the New York Post and the New York Times and others reported that recently appointed prosecutor Peter Skandalakis said he would not pursue the charges.

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They cited Skandalakis as saying it was not in the interest of Georgia's citizens to pursue this case for another five to 10 years.

In 2020, Democrat Joe Biden won the presidential election against Trump. In Georgia, the Republican narrowly lost.

The indictment accused Trump and several alleged accomplices of pressuring public officials to violate their oaths of office in order to overturn the election result in Georgia.

Trump does not admit his election defeat to this day, instead claiming that he was robbed of victory through election fraud. This has been disproved.

Some of Trump's former associates reached an agreement with the prosecutor's office in the proceedings and pleaded guilty.

Trump won the presidential election in November 2024 against Democrat Kamala Harris, and he is currently serving his second term.
SGX Derivatives' bitcoin (BTC) and ether (ETH) perpetual futures debuted with a bang on Monday, signaling institutional appetite for regulated derivatives tied to digital assets.

Volumes got off to a strong start  nearly 2,000 lots traded on day one, representing about $35 million in notional value, and open interest settling at a solid 58 lots, or about $1 million, by the close of clearing, SGX said in an email to CoinDesk.

Trading was characterized by tight bid-ask spreads, with stable funding rates at 3 basis points. Taken together, they pointed to healthy liquidity conditions right out of the bat.

The debut received support eight prominent clearing members  Bright Point International, Guotai Junan Futures, KGI Securities, Marex, Nanhua Singapore, Orient Futures, Phillip Nova and StoneX Financial  cementing Singapore's push as the regional hubs for digital asset trading.

Perpetual futures are a type of derivative contract in cryptocurrency that allows traders to speculate on the price of an asset without an expiration date. Their significance in crypto lies in enabling high leverage trading and provide essential liquidity and price discovery for the 24/7 crypto market.

These contracts are tailored for sophisticated institutional investors looking for continuous funding and a streamlined payoff mechanism in the rapidly evolving crypto derivatives space. Anchored by Singapores AAA credit rating and robust risk infrastructure, SGX is setting the stage to bridge traditional finance (TradFi) with crypto in a way that commands confidence and security.

The debut of perpetual futures is a sign that institutional crypto trading is maturing. For a market thirsty for clarity and reliability, SGXs move provides a much-needed institutional-grade avenue that could draw more seasoned players into the digital asset ecosystem in Asia and beyond.
Nigeria's government is making "no meaningful effort" to rescue more than 250 children abducted from a Catholic boarding school in the central state of Niger last Friday, the main Catholic cleric in the region has told the BBC.

But Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna's accusation was disputed by the state's police chief, who accused the school of failing to co-operate with its search and rescue operations.

It is unclear who abducted the children from St Mary's school in Papiri village, but criminal gangs have been involved in kidnappings for ransom across Nigeria.

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US President Donald Trump has threatened to intervene militarily in Nigeria if the government fails to stop "the killing of Christians".

Nigeria is the most-populous state in Africa, with a large Christian and Muslim population.

Its government says that people of all faiths and no faith are victims of insecurity in the country.

Militant Islamist groups are also waging an insurgency in Nigeria, with the government confirming last week that a senior army general had been killed by jihadists in an ambush in north-eastern Borno state.

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US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth held talks with Nigeria's National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu last week to discuss ways to make "tangible progress on stopping violence against Christians in Nigeria and combatting West African jihadist terrorist groups", the US department of war said in a statement.

Nigeria's presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said that Ribadu's delegation refuted allegations of state-sanctioned religious persecution in the West African state, and said that the security crisis was driven by criminality, extremism and land-related conflicts.

Mr Onanuga added that the two governments had agreed to set up a working group to focus on strengthening defence and security cooperation.

The Niger state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) says that 303 students and 12 members of staff were abducted from the school in Papiri village, but 50 children managed to escape and have been reunited with their families.

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Bishop Yohanna - who is the chairman of the Niger chapter of CAN and leads the Catholic church in the region - told the BBC that the only official action taken so far to rescue the students had been to compile their names.

"I'm not aware of any effort made by government beyond collecting the names of the students from us," he said.

He disputed allegations made by the governor of Niger state, Umar Bago, in local media that the church had defied an order to close its school after threats of attacks.

"We did not receive any order at any point," the bishop added.

Items belonging to the pupils remain strewn around the school [Gift Ufoma / BBC]

Responding to criticism about the presence of police in Papiri, Niger state police chief Adamu Abdullahi Elleman said enough had been deployed despite the fact that the BBC only saw three officers at the school.

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The BBC also drove about 60km (37 miles) from Yauri, a major link road to Papiri, but came across only one police checkpoint and none of the officers was armed.

However, the police commissioner insisted that a tactical police team and members of other security agencies were stationed in the community.

He said the police headquarters in Agwara town, not far from Papiri, had been made the operational base.

"So they moved from Agwara police station to the school. Probably when you got there, they must have moved back to the headquarters," the police commissioner told the BBC.

He stressed that a search operation for the children was continuing, but said the school was yet to "report" to his command.

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Meanwhile Nigeria's police chief Kayode Egbetokun said that he had stepped up operations, including on the intelligence front, to ensure the children and members of staff were freed.

"We are ready to give everything to ensure that the remaining pupils and their teachers still in captivity are rescued unhurt," he said, in a statement issued after talks with the state governor.

The abduction at the school was the third to hit Nigeria in a week, forcing President Bola Tinubu to cancel his trip to the G20 summit, held in South Africa at the weekend, to deal with the crisis.

On Tuesday, Mr Onanuga said that 24 girls who were kidnapped last week from a boarding school in Kebbi state, which borders Niger, had been released.

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The presidential spokesman did not give details of how their freedom was secured.

Tinubu said on Sunday that 38 worshippers abducted from a church further south in Kwara state had also been released.

Two people were killed in the attack on the church.

The spate of abductions has forced the closure of many boarding schools across Nigeria, with parents rushing to collect their children.

The authorities in Lagos - the most populous state in Nigeria - said they were beefing up security at schools, places of worship and other key buildings to prevent attacks.

Additional reporting by Chris Ewokor, Abayomi Adisa and Gift Ufoma

[BBC]

You may also be interested in:

[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
Reports of Celeste Rivas-Hernandez's body being frozen and decapitated when found in D4vd's Tesla are not true, the Los Angeles Police Department said Tuesday.

An LAPD captain told Eyewitness News her body was partially dismembered but not decapitated.

D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, reportedly traveled to the Santa Barbara area sometime during Spring of this year, months before Rivas-Hernandez's body was discovered in his Tesla.

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The reason for the trip is still under investigation, including if it is relevant to the case.

D4vd is considered a suspect in the probe of the teenage girl's death, a source told Eyewitness News last week.

Security hold placed on Rivas-Hernandez case

On Friday, the Department of Medical Examiner received a court order, initiated by the Los Angeles Police Department, to place a security hold on the teenager's case, officials said.

The hold means that no records or details associated with the case, including the cause and manner of death and the medical examiner's report, can be released until the hold is lifted.

The Los Angeles County medical examiner on Monday spoke out against the practice of placing security holds on cases,

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The mission of the Department of Medical Examiner "is to have full transparency with the community by providing information about our cases to empower people to make changes that save lives," Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo said in a statement.

"The practice of security holds is virtually unheard of in other counties and has not been proven to improve outcomes in the legal system," Ukpo added. "We are dedicated to serving our community with full transparency; however, the law precludes us from doing so while the court order remains in this case."

The LAPD said in a statement that they "sought to seal the records of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's investigation into Celeste Rivas' death only to ensure detectives from Robbery-Homicide Division learned of important information surrounding her death before the media and the public. The order was not sought to undermine transparency."

What do we know about the case?

Rivas-Hernandez was reported missing from Lake Elsinore in early 2024. She ran away a few times and returned before her last runaway in April 2024, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Office. She reportedly called home at the end of May 2024 and had not been heard from since.

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Authorities discovered her body on Sept. 8 after responding to a tow yard near Mansfield Avenue and Romaine Street in Hollywood.

Officers went to investigate a foul odor coming from the impounded Tesla, which police sources say had been at the lot for two days after it was found abandoned on a public street in Hollywood.

Police located the body inside a bag placed in the front trunk of the Tesla, LAPD sources said. The body was dismembered and in a state of decomposition, sources told ABC News.

The vehicle was registered to 20-year-old D4vd, who has more than 33 million monthly listeners on Spotify and over 3.6 million followers on TikTok, where his songs "Here with Me" and "Romantic Homicide" have gone viral.

D4vd was on tour when the body was discovered and had a stop scheduled in Los Angeles on Sept. 20. The remainder of the tour was abruptly canceled before that tour stop amid the investigation.


A North Shore mother wants two masked suspects to know the trauma theyve caused after an attack at the Square One Mall.

It happened Tuesday night around 8:30 p.m. in the mall parking lot.

Angela Rodriguez stopped by with her two sons and grandson to look for a puppy.

She told Boston 25 News the two suspects were inside the familys car when they returned to the vehicle.

She said one had a knife and tried to rob her.

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When I saw the knife, I was very scared, said Angela Rodriguez. I was thinking, hes going to do something. I said, In Jesus name, stay away from us.

Rodriguez fought back and so did her 11-year-old son Isaac.

He was punched while trying to protect his mother.

After the person punched me right here, this part of my stomach hurts so much, he said. I feel pain.

Police released images on Wednesday of two potential suspects theyre looking to speak with in connection with the incident.

The suspects apparently took off empty handed after the commotion that caught the attention of several witnesses.

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They need to change. They need to go to church and look for something else in their life, added Rodriguez. You dont need to steal somebodys things. Just go work.

Rodriguez said witnesses who saw it go down didnt try to intervene and didnt stick around to speak with police either.

The family returned home with a new dog on Wednesday night to help comfort Isaac after the traumatic incident.

They said they wont rest easy until police catch the suspects responsible.

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Violent crime in Charlotte, North Carolina, has ignited a political storm, with Republican lawmakers pointing to the citys rising homicide rate as evidence that Mayor Vi Lyles leadership has faltered.

"When you are in charge of a city, its your job to put the best possible foot forward and create as best of a perception as you can. Now, that perception may or may not match reality. In the case of Charlotte, the perception does not match the reality," Addul Ali, North Carolina District 12 GOP chairperson, told Fox News Digital.

Recent federal immigration raids in the Charlotte area and lawmakers calling for National Guard deployments have complicated City Halls messaging on public safety success.

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Charlotte Promises To Resist Pending Federal Immigration Raids: 'Campaign Of Terror'

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Departments third-quarter report shows overall crime down 8% from January through September compared with a year earlier. Lyles has pointed to those numbers to argue that investments in recruiting, pay and targeted enforcement are working.

However, the messaging comes as Charlotte faces intensifying scrutiny over violent crime, with Republican lawmakers pointing to the sharp rise in homicides and aggravated assaults in the Queen Citys bustling downtown.

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"It is almost weekly, daily at this point, that we're hearing about homicides in Charlotte. We've averaged about 100 or so homicides annually on this mayor's watch," Ali said, sharing his recent attendance of multiple vigils for young children killed.

"I think the perception they're trying to create is one thing, but the reality is something different. And obviously, there's been an epidemic of underreporting of certain crimes to try to gin those statistics. And I think that's something we're dealing with potentially here in Charlotte as well."

This image taken from video provided by Rheba Hamilton shows U.S. Border Patrol agents leaving a yard after approaching two men hanging lights in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Saturday, Nov 15, 2025.

The rise in violent crime has prompted Republican lawmakers to urge Democratic Gov. Josh Stein to deploy the National Guard. For now, the governor has resisted that call, and local officials have argued that public safety remains a local responsibility.

"Recently, the city faced eight homicides in seven days. The murder rate in uptown Charlotte is now 200% higher than it was a year ago," a letter from a trio of Republican lawmakers said. "According to the Fraternal Order of Police, aggravated assaults involving knives or guns have risen from 86 in 2024 to 111 in 2025, and personal strong-arm robberies have increased from 26 to 31 in the same period."

A memorial dedicated to Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte on Sept. 11, 2025.

Nc Republicans Lay Into Dems Over Charlotte Murder, Crime Policies: 'She Died Because Of Our Complacency'

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Lyles was most recently re-elected in November, winning a fifth term in office. Her re-election came after her leadership was scrutinized for her response to Iryna Zarutskas violent stabbing in August.

Ali acknowledged that, from a purely political standpoint, Lyles has shown skill in maintaining her seat. But Ali argued that her success reflects broader political dynamics rather than voter enthusiasm for her leadership.

"This is the intersection of national and local politics," he said, noting that one-party dominance at the federal level often triggers a swing in the opposite direction locally. He suggested that Lyles "benefited from a lot of anti-Trump sentiment in the local election."

Ali also pointed to low voter turnout, roughly 20 to 21% in recent municipal elections, as evidence that her re-election may not indicate strong local support.

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"I dont think that that is necessarily indicative of her doing a good job," he said. "If we saw a 30 or 40% increase in people specifically voting for her, that would be something we could point to."

He further noted that "there are city council people who got more votes than she did," calling that "telling" about how residents view her performance.

The skyline of Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Ultimately, Ali said he wasnt surprised by Lyles victory.

"Im not surprised when a Democrat wins in a Democrat city. I am not shocked to see that," he said, adding that some voters are firmly loyal to their party. "There is a group of folks who will vote blue no matter who. Theres nothing you can say  no amount of death, no amount of economic uncertainty  nothing you could say, because Donald Trumps the evil yellow man, and we must vote skin color and party line."

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Fox News Digital reached out to Lyles' office for comment.





Original article source: Charlotte GOP chair says mayor creates perception that 'does not match the reality' amid violent crime wave
Chicago police have released a surveillance image of a van suspected in a deadly hit-and-run crash in the Morgan Park neighborhood last week.

The incident occurred at about 4:45 p.m. at 117th Street and Marshfield Avenue.

Police said the driver had a disagreement with the victim and when the victim went back to his car, the driver pulled forward and hit them.

The victim was trapped and dragged.

Police said the vehicle is a tan and or white van with probable damage to the front grill area and undercarriage. Police said it is believed the van was immediately brought to a shop for repair.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Major Accident Investigators at 312-745-4521,

INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood


The administration governs by propaganda. Theres bluster, threats, and even real violence  all deployed to push a far-right agenda forward while dissuading as many people as possible from opposing it. But what happens when that all-out campaign to intimidate makes contact with reality?

Nowhere has that approach been clearer than in Chicago. Spearheaded by deportation hype man Greg Bovino, federal law enforcement flooded the city in September. Under Bovinos command, DHS officials used a military helicopter to raid an apartment building while apprehending undocumented immigrants and, in a single day, deployed more tear gas against protestors than Chicago Police had used all year, one investigation found.

That mix of spectacle and force galvanized protests across the city. Many demonstrators were arrested; fewer were charged. And of those charged, many cases crumbled. Federal prosecutors declined to pursue some cases; in others, judges or grand juries declined to let them proceed.

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Many of those arrested had earlier experience attending protests, mostly around immigration. All were outraged by what they described to TPM as an operation seemingly as concerned with detaining undocumented immigrants as with heading off public displays of dissent. Its resulted in prosecutors aggressively bringing charges of interfering with a federal officer. Five Chicago protestors were charged under the statute over one incident on Sept. 27; all of those cases have since collapsed.

Prosecutors dropped their case last week against Dana Briggs, a 70-year-old Air Force veteran initially charged with felony assault of a federal officer over an incident in which his arm hit a federal officer as he was being arrested. Prosecutors later downgraded the charge to a misdemeanor, then moved to abandon the case entirely.

In agreeing to dismiss the case, the magistrate judge recognized how unusual the case  and similar prosecutions  were by noting that prosecutors had swung and missed multiple times. He also ordered the release of video from Briggs arrest; it shows a CBP officer knocking Briggs over, and Briggs later swatting an officers hand as he gave away his phone to another demonstrator.

Briggs told TPM that his cuts and bruises from the incident are mostly healed. Hes a lifelong protestor  hes been going to anti-ICE rallies for 10 years, and attending human rights and climate protests for 40, he said.

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After prosecutors downgraded, Briggs said, they offered him a pretrial diversion program in which he would admit to a set of facts about his case and accept six months probation, after which prosecutors would drop the case. Briggs refused.

In my mind, I hadnt done anything other than stand my ground in the middle of the street, he said. Prosecutors dropped the case last week.

Jocelyne Robledo, 30, is someone out of a far-right nightmare: a self-identified communist who understands and is willing to use the leeway granted by current 2nd Amendment law. Robledo was arrested on the same day as Briggs: Sept. 27. They were detained and later charged alongside their fiance, Ray Collins. Both were carrying firearms at the time of their arrest.

Prosecutors charged the two with assault of a federal officer, saying that Robledo pushed advancing officers before Collins intervened. An ATF officers thumb was left injured in the scuffle, prosecutors said.

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While Robledo was detained, ICE officials played up the arrest, calling the couple armed rioters in a post two days after their arrests. The post included pictures of the two under arrest. Right-wing influencer Andy Ngo then played a game of call-and-response with the post. He twice posted an image of Robledos LinkedIn account, including their current employer.

The prosecution didnt last long. A little more than a week later, a federal grand jury made the rare move of declining to return an indictment against the couple.

Robledo told TPM that they were lucky. After ICEs and Ngos posts, they said that they started receiving harassing calls and texts, including one referencing their home address. But their employer declined to fire them.

It kind of ended the best way that it could, especially with the grand jury, they said.

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Ngo told TPM in an email that he sought to report more facts to the story.

To be clear, I highlighted information Ms Robledo publicly posted on her social media because it was relevant  shes a community health worker who was accused of violent criminal conduct, he wrote. This information shouldnt be hidden from the public to advance her agenda  or yours.

Like many Americans, Robledo has a cacophony of opinions that transcend any one category. They told TPM that their interest in the 2nd Amendment grew after attending a protest at Standing Rock against the construction of an oil pipeline across a Native American reservation. Law enforcement massively overpowered protestors, they recalled, saying that the experience, along with being trans, prompted them to research gun regulations. They learned the regulations around carrying firearms, and likened it to the same instinct for self-preservation that keeps them COVID-conscious.

It just means, you know, being prepared in every way, they told TPM. Like I mask, I host tests and provide K-95 and respirators for the community. So anyone who needs them can stop by and get some.

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Miramar Martinez was shot five times in October by a CBP officer after she got into an accident with the agents car while driving. DHS called her a domestic terrorist; even after prosecutors dropped her case last week, Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin was undeterred and reiterated that claim to TPM.

Martinez told CNN that she was confused about where all the fake information was coming from.

Its like traumatic, honestly, she said, recalling the shooting.

Briggs told TPM that hes searching for a lawyer to file a civil suit against the Trump administration. I take my oath to support and defend the Constitution as a 100 percent thing. Not just because I dont wear the uniform anymore, he said. That was an oath I took as a young 20-something, and it doesnt go away.
A survivor of a deadly snowstorm in Patagonia says there is "anger" over the speed of the response.

Robyn Lewis was caught up in the storm in Chile's Torres del Paine National Park on 17 November which led to the deaths of five people, including Victoria Bond from Cornwall.

Ms Lewis, from Australia, is among more than 50 survivors demanding changes from Chile's government, the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf), travel agency Vertice and Las Torres hotel, who had all been criticised over their slow response.

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Las Torres and Vertice said they were co-operating with authorities over the incident. The BBC has approached the government and Conaf for comment.

Speaking in neighbouring Argentina, Ms Lewis told the BBC the survivors felt the authorities could have done more before the storm hit to protect hikers.

She said in the build-up to the stormy conditions arriving, the hikers were not given advice to stay away from the park despite the forecast looking poor.

"The staff don't have a crystal ball which can forecast an unforeseen snowstorm, but I do think they should have given a realistic assessment of what the conditions would have been like given the weather forecast," Ms Lewis said.

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She added the camaraderie shown by the walkers had been an "amazing display of humanity" as they attempted to rescue others following a "very slow response" from the authorities.

"I think the general mood amongst the collective group is one of anger," she said.

"There's a lot of sadness and I feel like I'm constantly thinking about the lives that were lost and the families of those people as well."

Ms Lewis said: "The fact that it happened is awful, but honestly I think one of the worst parts for me is dealing with the response by staff and the powers that be.

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"I found that to be really upsetting the lack of care demonstrated."

'Actively co-operating'

A spokesperson for Las Torres said the company was "deeply saddened by the tragic events".

"The safety and wellbeing of visitors to Torres del Paine National Park has always been our priority and we remain in close coordination with the authorities and other stakeholders as they carry out their review of the incident and corresponding safety protocols," they said.

Vertice said it understood the distress hikers caught up in the storm were feeling.

The firm added it does not manage trails in the park and was not responsible for guiding or organising hikers.

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"On the day of the events, most tourists went on a self-managed hike, not offered or operated by Vertice," a spokesperson said.

"We are actively co-operating with the authorities and the investigation, as we have done from the very beginning."

The spokesperson added Vertice staff contacted the authorities as soon as they became aware of the events unfolding in the park.

"We also assisted the authorities in identifying missing persons and provided logistical support to rescue teams using our vehicles and boat," they said.

"We facilitated communication between authorities and families from our facilities and offered emotional support and care to hikers.

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"Additionally, we provided shelter, food, and lodging for everyone in the refuges and campgrounds."

Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.

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A 59-year-old city of Chicago employee has been accused of threatening a state senator.

Joseph Haggerty was arrested Tuesday and charged with threatening a public official, Illinois State Police said.

On Sept. 2, Sen. Andrew Chesney, a Republican of Freeport contacted state police regarding threats he received from Haggerty, police said.

Chesney's office said Haggerty, a plumbing inspector for the city of Chicago, sent two emails threatening to harm the lawmaker.

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The threatening messages were sent to Chesney's government email address the same day he participated in a press conference that focused on illegal immigration and President Donald Trump's proposal to deploy the National Guard to Chicago, Chesney's office said.

The press conference was on the Tuesday after a violent Labor Day weekend.

Gov. JB Pritzker said federal troops were not necessary, and Chesney on ABC7 Chicago criticized Pritzker for policies he said favor criminals over victims.

Later that day, Chesney allegedly received a pair of back-to-back obscenity-laced emails from a Haggerty, threatening serious bodily harm.

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SEE ALSO: Republican Indiana lawmakers targeted by bomb threats, 'swatting' over redistricting battle

In one email, Haggerty allegedly wrote, "I would love to meet you on the street anywhere I would cave your (expletive) teeth in and make you sip your food through a straw for the rest of you (expletive) coward life. coward."

Haggerty lives in a flag-flying home in Portage Park, according to records.

He allegedly Googled Chesney and his email address, and sent the threats from his personal Gmail account.

State police questioned Haggerty over the phone on Sept. 16, and in his summary report the special agent wrote, "Haggerty admitted to being angry a lot lately, especially about politics, and that he believed it was likely his anger that got the best of him, resulting in an email to Chesney. ... He definitely remembered that he did not intend to hurt anyone. ... Haggerty was remorseful for his email and wished to apologize."

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"I would, I would fully expect that the mayor and his office would take a decisive action to remove this person from that position of authority and off the rolls as a Chicago employee," Chesney said.

On Monday, the Stephenson County State's Attorney's Office issued an arrest warrant.

Haggerty turned himself in to state police in Chicago Tuesday.

He was taken to Stephenson County, where he remains in custody.

"I want to express my sincere appreciation to the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigations for their professionalism, diligence, and swift action throughout this case," Chesney said. "Their commitment to public safety is exemplary, and I am grateful to know that Mr. Haggerty will be held accountable for these felony crimes. It is deeply troubling that an inspector for the City of Chicago issued violent threats against a sitting public official, and such conduct must be met with the seriousness it deserves."

The Chicago Buildings Department has not received formal notice of Haggerty's arrest, but a spokeswoman said the city condemns violence or intimidation, and expects all employees to act with respect regardless of political affiliation or background.
A federal commission issued a safety warning for several Rad Power Bikes models, calling on consumers to stop using the e-bikes lithium-ion batteries over concerns that the batteries can unexpectedly ignite and explode.

However, the Seattle-based company argues that the number of incidents is only a fraction of a percent of total batteries that it has sold, and that third-party tests confirmed compliance with the highest industry standards.

The Consumer Product Safety Commissions warning on Monday pertains to battery model numbers RP-1304 and HL-RP-S1304 from the popular Seattle-based e-bike manufacturer, following 31 known reports of fire tied to the batteries. These include 12 fires that combined to cause $734,500 in damage, according to the commission.

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The hazardous batteries can unexpectedly ignite and explode, posing a fire hazard to consumers, especially when the battery or the harness has been exposed to water and debris, the warning states. Some of these incidents occurred when the battery was not charging, the product was not in use and the product was in storage.

A handful of the companys models have the batteries included in the alert:

RadWagon 4

RadCity HS 4

RadRover High Step 5

RadCity Step Thru 3

RadRover Step Thru 1

RadRunner 2

RadRunner 1

RadRunner Plus

RadExpand 5

People with those bikes are urged to check the back of the battery, where the model number should be printed. Rad Power Bikes operates a retail store in Salt Lake City, but it also reports online that its products are sold at bike shops all over Utah. It also sells bikes online and at Best Buy stores. The bikes retail between $1,500 and $2,000, while a replacement battery retails for $550.

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The commission adds that the company has refused to agree to an acceptable recall over the matter, and may not be able to offer replacement batteries or refunds to all consumers.

Rad Power Bikes, on the other hand, have a bone to pick with the warning, saying it offered multiple good-faith solutions, including an option for people to upgrade their battery to an unaffected model. The alert, it points out, does not affect Rads Safe Shield-branded batteries or semi-integrated batteries.

In a statement to KSL.com, a company spokesperson said that Rad Power Bikes has also sold over 100,000 batteries, and the 31 cases represent a small number of issues.

Reputable, independent third-party labs tested Rads batteries, both as part of our typical product testing and again during the (commission) investigation, and confirmed compliance with the highest industry standards, they said. It is also our understanding that the battery itself was not independently examined per industry-accepted test standards.

The company urges people to inspect batteries before use or charging, and stop using any battery that shows signs of damage, water ingress or corrosion, as it points out that those are common risks for all lithium-ion batteries.
The latest United Nations climate summit (COP30) was held between 10 and 21 November in Belem, Brazil. Although the event did not end with any significant progress towards the goals of mitigating global warming or advancing climate finance, it did leave us with one positive outcome: a group of countries has launched an initiative to phase out fossil fuels.

This summit was groundbreaking for two interrelated reasons. The first is that, in contrast to the three previous conferences, which were heavily policed, the streets of Belem were filled with protests. Thousands of demonstrators, including a large number of indigenous people, gathered to demand environmental justice, a term that refers not only to the consequences of climate change, but also to the need to protect territories and lives from the local impacts of oil extraction activities.

The second reason is that, for the first time, the need for a roadmap to abandon fossil fuels played a prominent role. Despite their key role in climate change, fossil fuels have been absent from COP decisions. Only the final agreement of COP28 in 2023 mentioned a vague intention to transition away from fossil fuels. This disappeared the following year at COP29, mainly due to pressure from Saudi Arabia.

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But at COP30, more than 80 countries  led mainly by Colombia (itself an exporter of coal and oil) and The Netherlands, and including most European Union countries  have called for a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels.

Oil producers resist climate action

The 2015 Paris Agreement led countries to adopt greenhouse gas emission reductions targets, or nationally determined contributions (NDCs). These measures are clearly insufficient to achieve their goal of mitigating climate change by limiting global warming to 1.5C.

States were also required to subsequently update their NDCs, but any revisions have either been very tentative or non-existent.

In 2024, the average temperature increase compared to pre-industrial times already exceeded 1.5C, and the latest United Nations report on the emissions gap indicates that, even if current national commitments were strictly met, the future increase would still be well over 2C.

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Oil-producing countries, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, fiercely opposed even mentioning the term fossil fuels in the COP30 final statement. In doing so they are not showing opposition to a particular type of climate policy, but rather blocking the one essential condition for the Paris Agreements goal to be met: a rapid and radical decrease in fossil fuel extraction.

Phasing out fossil fuels

Reducing fossil fuel supply will not be easy, and must be approached equitably. This means the areas at greatest environmental and social risk must be made a priority, local communities need to have a say, and financial compensation must be established where necessary.

One cannot simply expect national policies that affect demand for fossil fuels  such as the promotion of renewable energy or carbon pricing  to cause a corresponding reduction in the extraction and sale of fossil fuels. This outcome is by no means guaranteed, and such measures may even cause some governments and companies to accelerate the extraction of fossil resources in anticipation of worse times for business  the so-called green paradox.

Supply and demand are both key, and must be managed in the most multilateral way possible.

A COP of contrasts and contradictions

COP30 saw massive demonstrations by indigenous people, but there were also, as in previous COPs, huge numbers of lobbyists present. They not only represented the fossil fuel industry, but also the agricultural and livestock businesses that are destroying the Amazon.

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The host country itself is a testament to these contradictions. Its president, Lula da Silva, made it a priority to create a fund against deforestation for tropical forests, but he has also approved new oil exploration by Brazils state-owned company Petrobras in the Amazon, ignoring cries from the countrys indigenous populations of Our land is not for sale.

This all occurred while Brazils Minister of the Environment, Marina Silva, urged all countries to have the courage to address the need to phase out fossil fuels.

No new climate finance

Climate financing involves payments from wealthy countries, who are historically responsible for global warming, to the poorest countries most affected by it. When talking about this, the official language of COPs has always avoided the term climate justice, and reparations even more so. However, there is talk of differentiated responsibilities and equity.

Leer mas: How colonialism's legacy makes it harder for countries to escape poverty and fossil fuels today

The Paris Agreement proposed mobilising around $100 billion annually for climate mitigation and adaptation. At COP29, a new collective financing target of $300 billion annually by 2035 was set. For comparison, this is less than 0.3% of global GDP and around 12% of global defence spending, which is growing year on year.

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In this regard, nothing new has been proposed at COP30 beyond a reference to increasing dedicated adaptation funds. These amount to small promises and major failures to deliver, with no stipulations for how funds will be distributed. The funds themselves are a mixture of subsidies, loans and profitable private capital investments based on voluntary contributions. Additionally, it has not been made clear where the concept of a developing country ends.

Proposals to create specific sources of funding, such as a global wealth tax or levies on aviation or maritime transport emissions, were not considered.

A new conference on fossil fuels

Amidst tension between two fiercely divided sides, COP30 closed with a final declaration that makes no reference to fossil fuels and barely mentions deforestation. But what can be expected when decisions require absolute consensus, meaning that any individual country can veto their approval?

However, COP30s most significant outcome was not this text, nor even the maintenance of the current COP framework. Outside the consensus  indeed, outside the UN itself  Colombia and the Netherlands have announced, with the support of 22 other countries, that they will draw up a roadmap for abandoning fossil fuels. They will begin by holding a conference of their own in April 2026.

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Let us hope that this initiative opens up new perspectives, and that social movements continue to fight under the slogan they introduced many decades ago: Keep fossil fuels in the ground.

A weekly e-mail in English featuring expertise from scholars and researchers. It provides an introduction to the diversity of research coming out of the continent and considers some of the key issues facing European countries. Get the newsletter!

Este articulo fue publicado originalmente en The Conversation, un sitio de noticias sin fines de lucro dedicado a compartir ideas de expertos academicos.

Lee mas:



Jordi Roca Jusmet no recibe salario, ni ejerce labores de consultoria, ni posee acciones, ni recibe financiacion de ninguna compania u organizacion que pueda obtener beneficio de este articulo, y ha declarado carecer de vinculos relevantes mas alla del cargo academico citado.
By Deborah Mary Sophia and Savyata Mishra

(Reuters) -For Matt Hassett, founder of New York-based sleep wellness brand Loftie, the year-end holiday rush has always kept him on his toes.

But this time, it has turned chaotic as import tariffs on China, from where Loftie sources its sunrise lamps and phone-free alarm clocks, disrupted supply chain.

"It's been very difficult to prepare. We have sold down to extremely low stock levels - we probably have about 10% of the inventory we need," he said earlier this week.

U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff flip-flop on goods from China, a lifeline for U.S. retailers, have forced small firms such as Loftie to choose between paying steep levies or finding new suppliers at even higher cost.

DELAYED ORDERS, LOW ON STOCK

When Trump threatened tariffs as high as 180% on Chinese imports in mid-April, Hassett explored shifting production to Thailand, where duties were lower.

But when the rates on China was later cut to 20%, the alternative factories with 20% higher production costs proved to be costlier than the tariffs.

In the end, Hassett stuck with his Chinese manufacturer. But the scramble delayed orders, leaving him dangerously short of stock ahead of the year's busiest shopping season.

November and December typically account for a third of U.S. retailers' annual profits.

Other small business owners are also struggling to balance inventory and changes to supplies, risking low stocks in warehouses and shelves during Black Friday.

Brooklyn-based Lo & Sons, which sells travel bags and accessories online, scouted up to eight factories between April and June in multiple countries, including India and Cambodia, before returning to its long-time supplier in China.

"On top of costing us a ton in tariff payments, the uncertainty prevented us from placing purchase orders," CEO and co-founder Derek Lo said. "Now we're sitting on lower-than-ideal inventory."

BIG RETAILERS EASILY ABSORB SHOCKS

Big-box retailers such as Walmart and Costco can soak in the supply jitters by leveraging scale more easily than smaller firms.

Operating margins for small retailers with total assets less than $50 million have plunged to negative 20.7%, according to business analytics provider RapidRatings, leaving 36% of them at a high risk of bankruptcy compared to 12% of large retailers.

"For the first time since the pandemic, average profit has dipped into negative territory... disproportionately impacting smaller companies that lack the scale and resources to absorb these pressures," said James Gellert, executive chairman of RapidRatings.
Even before the recently ended government shutdown affected the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), officials at Northern Michigan food banks say demand was increasing.

The surge in need, they said, is mainly because low- and middle-income workers are being pressured by rising prices.

Frank Rock, treasurer at the Otsego County Food Pantry in Gaylord, said there has been a double-digit increase in requests for food help.

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"The increases have been running at close to a 20% over the last year," he said.

More: Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity aids food banks with gift and volunteer work

Cheboygan

The St. Thomas Food Pantry distributes food supplements every Monday to residents of Cheboygan County.

This ministry has been active since 1994 and is supported by several area faith communities,local businesses and volunteers. They are a partner with The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan in Flint.

Lowell Beethem, who along with his wife, Jean, manage the food pantry at the St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Cheboygan, said they have noticed a slight increase in demand.

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"It was a little bit but not much until the SNAP things happened and then it increased significantly," Beethem said.

Beethem said the food pantry has been providing food assistance for over 30 years.

"We have an awesome crew of volunteers who consistently come and do their jobs well. We get a lot of donations from businesses, and the community is really good to us in terms of food and monetary donations," he said.

Beethem said the pantry operates only on Mondays from 10 a.m. until noon to accommodate those who come into the building and select their food items, as well as a drive-thru service from 4-5:30 p.m.

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Beethem said holidays like Thanksgiving can affect demand a little bit.

"They know we take care of them at Thanksgiving," he added.

Beethem said the pantry is looking for canned goods, cereal and other non-perishable items.

"We do accept perishable items, but we have to pass it out right away," he said.

Those who want to volunteer their time can contact the church.

"We do have a well-trained crew, but we do need those who can do heavy lifting," said Beethem, who added that those who would like to make a monetary donation should contact the church.

Gaylord

Rebecca Brown, executive director of the Otsego County Food Pantry in Gaylord, said rising demand at the pantry reflects that many in the community are struggling with rising expenses on a fixed or limited income.

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"A lot of people find themselves one event away from being in trouble. We have a significant ALICE (households that are asset limited, income constrained and employed) population in our county. They are working but there is a struggle," Brown said.

Frank Rock serves as the treasurer while Rebecca Brown serves as the executive director of the Otsego County Food Pantry.

Shelves at the Otsego County Food Pantry, located at 116 E. 5th St. in Gaylord.

Rock said the Otsego pantry is staffed completely by volunteers.

"We have no paid staff and every dime we collect goes directly to food," he said, and then added that rising food prices have affected operations this year.

"Our operation is Monday through Friday (from noon until 2 p.m.) so we try to make ourselves very available. This year we did 12 food distributions in which a truck full of food is unloaded and given out on a Saturday morning," Brown said.

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The pantry also has a program in which students receive a backpack filled with meals and snacks for the weekend throughout the school year.

"We are also encouraging literacy by providing art supplies and book coupons from the Otsego County Library," said Brown.

Brown and Rock said demand usually goes up as a holiday approaches.

"We do get a great response from the community. We have people who will be dropping off turkeys when they are on sale. We are fortunate as Gaylord and the surrounding area is very supportive of us," said Brown.

More: Where to find local food pantries, hunger assistance in Emmet County

Harbor Springs

The Manna Food Project operates a pantry that serves an average of 100 households every week, said Carrie Klingelsmith, executive director.

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"We cover Antrim, Charlevoix and Emmet counties. We have about 45 partners that buy food from us ranging from meal programs to other food pantries," said Klingelsmith. "We also have an on-site pantry and we do mobile pantries in the community."

The Manna Food Project in Harbor Springs uses its purchasing acumen to help those with limited incomes to stretch their food budget. Here is what Manna can purchase for $10.

Here are the food items a typical shopper can purchase for $10 in a store.

Manna also operates a program that features bags of food for children in local schools to take home on Friday to cover the weekend.

"We also do a food rescue program in which volunteers go to local grocery stores to gather food that can't be sold anymore but is still good to eat. We save about 300,000 pounds a year from going into the landfills. We can make a dollar stretch a lot further than an individual going to the store to purchase food to donate," said Klingelsmith.

Manna is a nonprofit supported financially from donations, fundraisers and grants.

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Klingelsmith said demand at Manna has been rising since 2021.

"From '21 to '24, we had a 67% increase in the number of people that we serve. This year it is even higher," she said. "2024 was a record year for us in the number of people served and the food that was distributed, and this year it's been even higher."

Klingelsmith added that demand usually picks up for holidays.

"Right now we are encouraging people to donate Thanksgiving food items like packets of gravy and stuffing and even turkeys. This really helps us because the demand is so high," said Klingelsmith.

 Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Northern Michigan food pantries see demand grow as cost of living rises
Epping Forest District Council is going to continue its legal action and appeal against a High Court decision that rejected its case to close Epping's Bell Hotel to asylum seekers.

Its Conservative leader, Chris Whitbread, told the BBC after a meeting on Tuesday night that "we have agreed we are going to continue the process of appeal", adding "a strong majority" of councillors backed continuing court proceedings.

Earlier this month, Mr Justice Mould dismissed the council's claim, ruling an injunction was "not an appropriate means of enforcing planning control".

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The Home Office said the judgment allowed it to work to close every asylum hotel in an "orderly, planned and sustained programme".

Epping Forest councillors moved into private session to discuss potential further legal action [BBC]

The extraordinary council meeting was held in private session, so councillors could receive legal advice.

Mr Whitbread told the BBC afterwards that the cost of the legal action would be made public "very soon".

He said "council tax will be going up in the coming year, but not because of The Bell", adding the cost would hopefully be found "from our reserves".

Jon Whitehouse, Liberal Democrat group leader, said: "The legal action initiated by the Conservative cabinet, which has cost far more than most councillors expected, has so far achieved precisely nothing except to drain the council's reserves."

The Bell Hotel was the focal point of intense protests and counter-protests over the summer [PA Media]

Epping became the epicentre for anti-asylum hotel protests this summer.

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They started after an asylum seeker was accused of sexual assault against a woman and teenage girl in the town centre.

Hadush Kebatu, 41, was found guilty and sent to jail, before accidentally being released from Chelmsford Prison. He has since been deported to Ethiopia.

The events sparked weekly protests and counter protests. It has split the community with those against the use of the hotel and others displeased with regular protests and marches and an increased police presence.

Earlier this month, Epping Forest District Council lost a High Court case to seek an injunction against hotel owner Somani and the Home Office using the site on the edge of Epping to house asylum seekers.

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The local authority won an emergency interim injunction to close the hotel to migrants in the summer, only to have the ruling overturned by the Court of Appeal.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

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This came after clashing on Monday with Defense Minister Israel Katz over the October 7 probes after the move to reexamine the Turgeman committee report.

Chief of Staff, Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir seemingly targeted the government during his speech on Wednesday, marking 52 years since the passing of Israels first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion.

This came after clashing on Monday with Defense Minister Israel Katz over the October 7 probes after the move to reexamine the Turgeman committee report.

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Command responsibility is the ability to continue onward - forward - with confidence, with integrity and with humility, even when it is difficult. Military leadership is the willingness to bear the burden before everyone else, Zamir said during his speech.

He also quoted Ben-Gurion, who said: Leadership is the ability to bear a burden, even when the burden feels unbearable.

He continued, Today it is clear to us beyond any doubt: explanation is not enough, criticism is not enough - courageous, purposeful, reality-shaping leadership is required. Leadership that recognizes failure and also dares to lead change.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir at the ceremony for 52 years since the passing of David Ben-Gurion. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)

Not frightening, drowning leadership, but uplifting and inspiring leadership. Not evasive leadership, but leadership that looks the truth in the eye and sets a new direction. Command responsibility is to rebuild. This is the central essence of leadership.

Zamir not satisfied with only archivements

He also claimed that the IDF cannot be satisfied with the result of the operations, even if they are a national pride: Pride is not satisfaction. It obligates us to remain alert, to continue building a better and stronger military, with more precise command and with military leadership that looks far ahead and leads the next generation of troops.

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"The IDF is the nations leadership factory; the leader must be first to sacrifice, first to bear responsibility, first to fix. This is the test of our command today - not only to deal with what was not, but to lead toward what will be."

The clash between Zamir and Katz began when the chief of staff called the defense minister out for injecting politics into the process and for trying to substitute the judgment of a single lower-ranked official for that of 12 higher-ranked IDF officers.

The blow-up was so large that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would call both of them in for a consultation on Tuesday.

After the clashes, sources close to Netanyahu told Kan that the prime minister believed he had made a mistake with his appointment, and that Zamir was acting too independently and acting the opposite of everything he promised."

Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.
TALLAHASSEE  A divided federal appeals court Tuesday ruled that Florida can begin enforcing a 2024 law aimed at preventing children from having access to certain social media platforms, rejecting arguments that the measure violates First Amendment rights.

A panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 decision, granted the states request for a stay of a preliminary injunction that U.S. District Judge Mark Walkerissued in June to block the law (HB 3). Tuesdays decision means the state can enforce the law while a legal battle continues to play out  with Attorney General James Uthmeier quickly posting on X that HB 3 is now the law of the state and will be enforced.

The law prevents children under age 14 from opening accounts on certain platforms  which court documents indicate could include platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and YouTube. Parents would have to give consent for 14- and 15-year-olds to have accounts on the platforms.

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Supporters of the law, one of the biggest issues of the 2024 legislative session, contend that the targeted platforms have addictive features that harm childrens mental health. The majority of the appeals court panel rejected Walkers conclusion that the law likely violated the First Amendment.

Rather than blocking children from accessing social media altogether, HB 3 simply prevents them from creating accounts on platforms that employ addictive features, Judge Elizabeth Branch wrote in the 26-page majority opinion joined by Judge Barbara Lagoa. And even among such platforms, the law narrows its focus to those that have evidenced significant usage by children and young teens. The district court erred in holding otherwise.

But Judge Robin Rosenbaum, in a 29-page dissent, called the law plainly unconstitutional on its face and said it also will affect adults, who will be subject to age verification to have accounts on the targeted platforms.

As its written, the act purports to regulate the speech of everyone who uses the covered social media websites, Rosenbaum wrote. For minors, it acts as a categorical ban on speech (and access to speech) on covered social media platforms. And it forces the platform to demand identifying information from all users, including adults. In doing so, it chills countless users speech on deeply personal, political, religious and familial matters  reaching the heart of what the First Amendment was designed to protect in the first place.

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The industry groups NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association filed the lawsuit last year in federal court in Tallahassee. The groups members include companies such as Google, Meta Platforms and Snap Inc., the operator of Snapchat.

The state went to the Atlanta-based appeals court after Walker issued the preliminary injunction. While Tuesdays ruling allows the law to be at least temporarily enforced, it did not resolve the underlying battle about the injunction.

Briefing (on the preliminary injunction) has finished, and we look forward to the opportunity to explain the laws constitutional problems to the court directly, Paul Taske, co-director of the NetChoice Litigation Center, said in a prepared statement Tuesday. We will consider all available options to ensure Floridians online communication is safe and free. Floridas censorship regime not only violates its citizens free speech rights but also makes all users  especially minors  less safe.

The law did not name platforms that would be affected. But it includes criteria such as whether platforms features include infinite scroll and autoplay.

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The appeals courts majority opinion said the law was content neutral.

And plaintiffs do not point to any language in the statute or other evidence that the Florida Legislatures justification for passing the law was related to the suppression of speech or disagreement with certain topics or viewpoints, Branch wrote. Instead, they argue that HB 3 targets websites based on the social subject matter of the material they disseminate. But HB 3 defines social media platforms by reference to a form of expression, not a subject matter.

But Rosenbaum wrote that the law is content based, saying, for example, it doesnt apply to streaming services that include many of the same features as the targeted platforms.

For instance, platforms like YouTube and Snapchat are covered, but websites like Hulu and Disney+ are not, Rosenbaum wrote. And the act determines whether a platform is covered based on what content that platform permits. Generally speaking, if a platform involves public user-to-user speech, then the platform is covered; if it doesnt, its not.

By Jim Saunders, News Service of Florida

News Service senior writer Dara Kam contributed to this report.
The Florida Department of Transportation says three State Road 50 projects are underway that should improve safety on the busy East Orange County highway.

It comes after a deadly four-car crash at the intersection of Lansing Street and East Colonial Drive in Bithlo claimed the life of a 48-year-old man on Thursday.

That crash prompted residents to reiterate longstanding safety concerns about State Road 50 (East Colonial Drive).

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The Florida Highway Patrol is still investigating Thursdays crash, which is not the first incident at this intersection. MetroPlan Orlando data reveals that there have been 16 crashes at or near this location between 2020 and 2025, including a deadly crash earlier this year and another in 2020.

Its not the only problem intersection, according to a MetroPlan Orlando data analysis, there have been 51 crashes at and near the intersection of State Road 50 and S. Tanner Road in the last 5-years.

Pamela Sible, who has lived in East Orange County for years, has witnessed numerous crashes involving friends and neighbors at that very intersection.

Bottom line, its not safe, said Pamela Sible.

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Sible told Channel 9, since 2015, she has been advocating for state funding to improve State Road 50.

She believes new development has spurred an increase in crashes which is reflected in MetroPlan Orlando data.

It shows the number of crashes at Tanner Road and State Road 50 increased by more than 300 percent from 2023 to 2024, the most recent complete years for which there was data.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has plans to improve road safety including at the intersection where the 48-year-old died Thursday.

A $72 million project currently in the design phase aims to widen the roads from four to six lanes on State Road 50 from east of Chuluota Road (C.R. 419) to S.R. 520.

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The project will also install pedestrian and bike paths, add new lighting, and close the median where Thursdays deadly crash occurred at the Lansing Street intersection, so that cars can only turn right onto and off of State Road 50.

However, construction is not expected to begin until after 2029.

Pamela Sible expressed frustration over the delay, stating, What happens in the meantime? How many more crashes, how many more fatalities?

FDOT has stated that safety is their top priority, but residents like Pamela Sible are concerned about the ongoing risks until improvements are made.

Additional improvements are coming to State Road 50 in East Orange County. See the details and FDOTs full response below.

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Safety is FDOTs top priority and the Department is working on several projects to improve safety in different phases along S.R. 50 in the Bithlo area.

There is a project in the design phase from east of Chuluota Road to S.R. 520. The project includes improvements to the Lansing Street intersection, which would be changed to a right in right out connection with the median opening being closed. This will reduce the number of vehicular conflict points, or areas where vehicles can cross paths, and improve safety at that location. A 12-foot multi-use path will be constructed on both sides of S.R. 50 to accommodate vulnerable pedestrians and bicyclists. Roadway lighting will also be installed to improve safety at night. Right of way acquisition for the project is expected to begin spring 2026. This project is funded for construction and has a letting date of July 25, 2029. The project page is listed here: 239203-8 SR 50 from east of Chuluota Road (CR 419) to SR 520 .

Other improvements along S.R. 50 are currently underway or in development. There is an active construction project currently underway from west of S.R. 520 to east of St. Anne Avenue. The project page is listed here: 445298-1 SR 50 from west of SR 520 to east of St Anne Ave . There is a project in the design phase from east of Avalon Park Boulevard to Chuluota Road. The project page is listed here: 239203-7 SR 50 Widening from east of Avalon Park Blvd to Chuluota Road (CR 419) . Right of way acquisition began in September 2025. This project is funded for construction. The project will be constructed in two phases under new project numbers. The first phase is scheduled to begin summer 2027, while the second phase is expected to begin late summer 2028. The new project numbers will be 456096-1 and 456096-2 .

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Thanksgiving travel is causing crowded conditions at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, as passengers and vehicles fill the terminal area.

Channel 2s Steve Gehlbach reported from the airport, where he could see the drive to the terminal was practically bumper to bumper, with both travelers and those picking up passengers contributing to the congestion.

Bekah Sanchez, who traveled from Texas with her French Bulldog, Snoopy, to reunite with her husband at Fort Benning, told Gehlbach that it was easy taking Snoopy along for the flight.

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She does goodbeen flying since she was a puppy," Sanchez said.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

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Denise Loney, who is flying home to Florida, opted to take MARTA to avoid the traffic after hearing about the holiday travel rush.

The TSA said it expects the Sunday after Thanksgiving to be a record day for security screenings, marking it as potentially the busiest day for travel.

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However, in Atlanta, Monday is expected to be the busiest travel day as holiday travelers mix with business travelers returning to work.

Ricky Smith, the airports general manager, told Channel 2 Action News that he was relieved that the government shutdown did not extend into the holiday, ensuring TSA officers, air traffic controllers, and customs officials were on duty.

With millions of passengers expected to pass through Atlantas airport during the Thanksgiving holiday period, travelers are advised to plan ahead and expect delays.

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An investigation is underway after a Cumberland County deputy shot a person on Tuesday, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) said.

The SBI said the incident happened around 6:30 p.m. in the 6700 block of Camden Road, a Fayetteville address in the Hope Mills area. The sheriff's office said deputies responded to a domestic call.

When deputies got there, they came across a person with a knife. The deputy instructed the suspect to drop the knife, but the person lunged toward the deputy with the knife, CCSO said.

A Cumberland County sheriff's vehicle is seen in the area where the deputy-involved shooting happened Tuesday. Cumberland County Sheriff's Office

That's when the deputy shot the person. They then rendered first aid until medical personnel arrived. The suspect was taken to a medical facility for treatment. Their condition was not immediately known.

ABC11 is tracking crime and safety across Fayetteville and in your neighborhood

The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office has requested the assistance of the SBI to investigate, as is standard when a law officer discharges a service weapon. The state agency was at the scene Tuesday night, along with the sheriff's office and Hope Mills Police.

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The deputies involved will be placed on administrative leave pending an internal review.

There is no ongoing threat to the public, CCSO said.

Stay on top of breaking news stories with the ABC11 News App

.

Anyone with additional information about this investigation is asked to please contact the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office of Internal Affairs at (910) 677-5420 or the State Bureau of Investigation at (919) 662-4500. To remain anonymous, contact Fayetteville / Cumberland County Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477). Crimestoppers information can also be submitted electronically.


A Dallas police recruit was arrested in Garland for drug possession and illegally carrying a weapon.

Recruit Asher King, badge number 13069, faces charges of THC possession and unauthorized weapon carrying following his November 24 arrest by Garland police, according to a Dallas Police Department report.

The arrest highlights ongoing challenges in police recruitment and screening. King joined the Dallas Police Department in June 2025 and was training at the police academy.

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Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux condemned the recruits alleged actions.

Behavior that violates the law or the standards of this Department is unacceptable. Even at the recruit level, we hold our members to the highest expectations, Comeaux said.

Our community deserves integrity from every member of this Department and conduct like this will not be tolerated, he added.

The department placed King on administrative leave pending an internal investigation. His arrest comes as police departments nationwide struggle with recruitment and retention issues.

King had served less than six months with the department before his arrest. The charges suggest he was carrying a firearm without proper authorization alongside the drug possession allegation.
The remains of the latest hostage returned to Israel from the Gaza Strip have been identified by a forensic institute in Tel Aviv as Dror Or.

Or's relatives have been informed, according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on Wednesday.

The statement said Israel is determined to bring back the last two remaining deceased hostages from the Gaza Strip. They include a Thai national who was abducted from Israel during the attacks by Hamas and other militant groups on October 7, 2023.

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The 48-year-old Or was killed during the attacks in Kibbutz Be'eri, and his body was taken to the Gaza Strip. His wife Yonat was also murdered during the massacre.

Two of their children were abducted to the coastal strip and later released as part of a deal with Hamas.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad group said Dror Or's body was found in the central Gaza Strip.

Israel and Hamas agreed to the handover of bodies as part of a ceasefire deal in October. According to the agreement, Israel must hand over the remains of 15 deceased Gazans for every Israeli hostage whose remains are returned.
A Delaware County judge has announced he will take a temporary leave of absence but denies accusations that he sexually assaulted and stalked an assistant prosecuting attorney, according to a news release from his lawyer.

Common Pleas Court Judge James P. Schuck has been accused of sexually assaulting and stalking the assistant prosecuting attorney. The victim accused Schuck of sexually assaulting her twice and showing up to her apartment to pressure her to have sex.

Paul Scarsella, Schuck's attorney, said that Schuck "categorically denies" the accusations and intends to fight them in the legal process.

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"This decision [to take a leave of absence] reflects his commitment to ensuring that the work of the Court continues without disruption or distraction and to preserving public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary," Scarsella said in the news release.

Schuck's decision to temporarily step away from the bench came a day after accusations against him became public following a Nov. 25 ex-parte hearing in which the attorney sought and received a civil protection order against him.

Common Pleas Court Judge Marianne Hemmeter, who is the only other general division judge in the county and currently the administrative judge, previously called on Schuck to step away from the bench while investigators look into what she called "serious allegations" against him.

Specifically, Schuck is accused of forcing the victim to perform two acts of sexual contact with him, according to a copy of a civil stalking protection order filed Nov. 25 in county Common Pleas Court.

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The victim in the case was granted the protection order by retired Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Richard Frye, who has been appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court to oversee the Delaware County matter.

The Delaware County Commissioners also issued a statement Nov. 26, saying they will provide all necessary support to the county's court and to the prosecutor's office so they can continue their work, but would not comment on what they called the "serious allegations" against Schuck.

The Delaware County Board of Commissioners is aware of the serious allegations made against Delaware County Common Pleas Court Judge James Schuck, and the allegations are the subject of multiple ongoing investigations," the commissioners said in a Nov. 26 statement.

Delaware Common Pleas Court Judge James Schuck

The commissioners deferred all questions about the matter to Delaware County Common Pleas Court, the county prosecuting attorney's office, and the Office of Disciplinary Council  an arm of the Ohio Supreme Court that is also investigating the case.

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"While the Board is not in a position to comment on the investigations, the Board can confirm that it remains committed to providing all necessary support and resources to the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas and the Delaware County Prosecuting Attorneys Office to ensure that their vital work continues in service of justice and the residents of Delaware County," the statement reads.

According to the copy of the complaint requesting the protection order, Schuck forced the victim to engage in sex acts on May 13. On at least two additional occasions, Schuck showed up to her Delaware apartment and tried forcing her to have sex, the complaint reads. The victim claimed that Schuck did this even though he previously acknowledged and apologized for "pressuring and scaring her" into sex, according to the complaint.

The victim also asked in the complaint that Schuck cease recording and secretly watching her through the court's security and CCTV systems, and to stop distributing videos to other people.

Hemmeter said in her statement that Delaware County Prosecutor Melissa Schiffel has already requested special prosecutors from outside the county to handle the matter. She did not say what county prosecutors would be brought in to investigate.

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Schiffel said in a statement provided to The Dispatch that she removed the assistant prosecutor from cases and reassigned her to a different division within the prosecutor's office after receiving an anonymous letter claiming that an assistant prosecutor and a sitting judge had an improper relationship.

The public expects and deserves the highest level of ethical and professional conduct from their public officials. In addition to instructing my staff to fully cooperate with any investigation, my office is conducting an internal review of both the allegations contained in the letter and of the cases that could potentially be impacted. We have sought the appointment of a Special Prosecutor to independently review those cases, and we have notified all defendants through their attorneys of these allegations. In order to preserve the integrity of any investigation, we are refraining from discussing any further details," Schiffel said in a prepared statement.

Another hearing regarding the protection order is scheduled for Dec. 16, according to court filings.

Reporter Shahid Meighan can be reached at smeighan@dispatch.com, at ShahidMeighan on X, and at shahidthereporter.dispatch.com on Bluesky.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Delaware County judge James Schuck taking temporary leave from bench
Valued at a market cap of $17.5 billion, Snap-on Incorporated (SNA) is a leading manufacturer of premium tools, equipment, diagnostics, and repair solutions for professional technicians across automotive, aviation, industrial, and heavy-duty sectors. The Kenosha, Wisconsin-based company is known for its high-end hand tools, power tools, and advanced diagnostic systems.

This premium tools and equipment manufacturer has lagged behind the broader market over the past 52 weeks. Shares of SNA have declined 9% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has gained 11%. Moreover, on a YTD basis, the stock is down 1.9%, compared to SPXs 14% return.

More News from Barchart

Narrowing the focus, SNA has also underperformed the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Funds (XLI) 5.2% uptick over the past 52 weeks and 13.8% YTD rise.

www.barchart.com

Shares of SNA rose 3.5% on Oct. 16, after its better-than-expected Q3 earnings release. Strong growth in its repair systems & information groups revenue drove a 3.8% year-over-year increase in total net sales to $1.2 billion, coming in 3.5% above consensus estimates. Net earnings also strengthened, rising 5.7% from the prior-year quarter to $265.4 million.

For the current fiscal year, ending in December, analysts expect SNAs EPS to decline 2% year over year to $18.80. The companys earnings surprise history is mixed. It topped the consensus estimates in three of the last four quarters, while missing on another occasion.

Among the 10 analysts covering the stock, the consensus rating is a "Moderate Buy, which is based on three Strong Buy, one "Moderate Buy, five "Hold, and one "Moderate Sell rating.

www.barchart.com

The configuration has remained fairly stable over the past three months.

On Oct. 21, Tigress Financial maintained a "Buy" rating on SNA and raised its price target to $405, the Street-high price target, indicating an ambitious 21.6% potential upside from the current levels.

The mean price target of $365.29 represents a 9.7% premium from SNAs current price levels.

On the date of publication, Neharika Jain 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
By Nate Raymond

(Reuters) -A group of Democratic-led states sued on Wednesday to block U.S. President Donald Trump's administration from cutting off food aid benefits for tens of thousands of legal immigrants by declaring certain groups of non-citizens ineligible for the anti-hunger program.

Attorneys general from 21 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit in federal court in Eugene, Oregon challenging recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that interpreted a provision in Trump's signature tax and domestic policy law as deeming permanent residents who were granted asylum or admitted as refugees as ineligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, known as SNAP or food stamps.

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USDA has no authority to arbitrarily cut entire groups of people out of the SNAP program, and no one should go hungry because of the circumstances of their arrival to this country," New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, said in a statement.

The USDA declined to comment. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly, in a statement, said Trump "was elected with a resounding mandate to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse across the federal government  which includes ensuring that illegal aliens are not receiving benefits intended for American citizens."

People living in the country illegally are not eligible for SNAP.

SNAP provides monthly benefits to 42 million low-income Americans. The benefits, which are administered on a day-to-day basis by states, lapsed for the first time in the program's 60-year history during the record-breaking government shutdown that ended on November 12, prompting a series of legal fights by Democratic-led states and others seeking to force the Trump administration to continue funding them using available money.

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In fiscal year 2023, about 1% of SNAP recipients, or 434,000, were refugees, while 3%, or 1.3 million, were other non-citizens including lawful permanent residents, according to USDA.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Trump signed into law in July, made significant changes to SNAP by imposing work requirements and generally restricting benefits to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, also known as green card holders, in keeping with the Republican president's hardline stance on immigration.

DISPUTE OVER ELIGIBILITY RULES

The state attorneys general say that while the law restricted the ability of refugees, individuals granted asylum and humanitarian parolees to receive benefits, it did not prohibit them from gaining SNAP eligibility upon adjusting their immigration status to become lawful permanent residents.

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Yet they said the USDA in guidance sent to them on October 31 went a step further by incorrectly listing those groups of non-citizens as permanently "not eligible" rather than stating they could become eligible if their immigration status changed.

The states argue that the federal law is clear that refugees, asylees and humanitarian parolees become eligible for SNAP once they obtain green cards and meet standard program requirements.

The states say they are now being wrongly forced to rush to overhaul their eligibility systems to comply with USDA's directives or face the risk of penalties.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Additional reporting by Leah Douglas; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Bill Berkrot)
With one week to go until Election Day in a hotly contested race for a GOP-controlled vacant House seat in a solidly red congressional district in Tennessee, both Republicans and Democrats are pouring resources into the race.

Republican-aligned groups are spending millions of dollars to run ads in the Dec. 2 special election in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, to avoid the possibility of a major upset and protect the GOP's current razor-thin 219-213 majority in the House.

President Donald Trump carried the district  which is located in central and western Tennessee, stretches from Kentucky to Alabama, and includes parts of Nashville  by 22 points in last year's presidential election.

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But Democrats, energized following the party's sweeping victories earlier this month in high-profile ballot box showdowns from coast to coast, are also spending big bucks in the race.

Trump-backed Candidate Wins Crowded Gop Primary In Battle For Vacant House Seat

Democratic congressional nominee Aftyn Behn, a Tennessee state representative, is running in a Dec. 2 special election for a vacant U.S. House seat.

"The stakes are exceptionally high, especially in the light of the results from the 2025 elections," Vanderbilt University professor of political science John Greer told Fox News Digital. "Republicans are worried that this district, which is normally safe, could in fact swing to the Democrats."

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Republican nominee Matt Van Epps is facing off against Democratic nominee Aftyn Behn in the race to succeed former GOP Rep. Mark Green, who resigned from office in June to take a private sector job.

Democrats were laser focused on spotlighting the issue of affordability in this autumn's elections, and Behn, a state representative, former healthcare community organizer and rising progressive star who some have dubbed the "AOC of Tennessee," is keeping to that script.

"Angry about high grocery prices? Worried about health care costs? Feeling burned by tariffs? Then Dec. 2 is your day to shake up Washington," she says in her campaign's final ad.

By casting herself as the candidate who will put a check on Trump's party in Congress, Behn sees a path to victory.

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While Democrats privately acknowledge that the path to victory is narrow, Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin, who campaigned with Behn earlier this month, argued that she has "an excellent shot to win."

Republican congressional nominee Matt Van Epps casts his ballot at an early voting site in the special election for the 7th District, Nov. 12, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Van Epps, a military combat veteran and former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services who is backed by Trump, is showcasing his military career as part of his cost of living focus.

"Matt Van Epps. Nine combat tours. True American hero," the narrator in one of his ads says, before Van Epps adds, "Now, Im on a new mission: to bring down prices, create good-paying jobs and lower healthcare costs for working families."

Scoop: Trump-aligned Maga Inc. Jumps Into High Stakes Ballot Box Congressional Showdown

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While both candidates are running commercials, it's the aligned super PACs and other outside groups that are flooding the airwaves and digital landscape.

The Trump-aligned super PAC MAGA Inc. and the fiscally conservative powerhouse Club for Growth have each dished out seven figures to run ads in the race.

"It's going to be a hard race. They all are, but he's [Van Epps] going to win that race because he's more in line with Tennessee," Club for Growth President David McIntosh told Fox News Digital. "I'm confident of him, and we're going to help him do it."

Also playing in the race is Conservatives for American Excellence, which is financed by GOP megadonors.

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While not spending as much, Democrat-aligned outside groups are supporting Behn. And last week, House Majority PAC, the top group that backs House Democratic candidates, announced it was pumping $1 million into the Tennessee showdown.

Also playing major roles in the race are the DNC and the rival Republican National Committee, which have each poured plenty of resources into the race.

Over the past week, Republicans have been targeting Behn over her past comments from a 2020 podcast.

"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. But I hate it," she said in the podcast.

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Tennessee Democratic Candidate Caught Saying 'I Hate Nashville' And 'Country Music' In Resurfaced Clip

The district is solidly red, but includes parts of the Democratic stronghold of Nashville, Tennessee's capital and its most populous city, and a major national center for the country music industry. The district encompasses parts of north and west Nashville, including the downtown area which has long been a very popular tourist destination.

"The Democrat running in a special election for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, Aftyn Behn, is running on the message: 'I hate this place, elect me!' Tennessee deserves better," the RNC argued in a social media post last week.

Republicans are also taking aim at Behn over an op-ed titled, "Tennessee is a racist state, and so is its legislature," that appeared in a 2019 edition of The Tennessean newspaper.

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The RNC, pointing in a social media post Wednesday to the six-year-old opinion piece, asked, "If Behn hates Tennessee so much, why is she trying to represent it?"

Also resurfacing in recent days are anti-police comments Behn made on a now-deleted social media account.

Behn campaign manager Kate Briefs, pushing back, said in a statement Monday," The attacks from Washington Republicans are getting louder because their agenda is deeply unpopularand because early vote returns show this race is a dead heat. They cant talk about fixing healthcare, lowering costs, or protecting our hospitals because they have no plan. So instead, theyre throwing mud."

Behn's campaign is pointing to what it says is "a surge of first-time and infrequent voters" turning out for early voting.

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But Greer, who is co-director of the Vanderbilt Poll, predicted that the special election in an off-election year "is likely to be pretty low and early voting is certainly an indication that its going to be pretty low."

"I still think the Democrats have an uphill climb," Greer said. "But the fact that Republicans and Democrats are pouring money into the race, both sides see some evidence it could be close."





Original article source: Democrats, Republicans go all in on final 2025 congressional ballot box showdown
As the US-backed multinational force stalls, IDF troops building the "Green Rafah" city project in eastern Rafah encountered terrorists emerging from a tunnel.

Discussions on establishing the International Stabilization Force (ISF), slated to deploy to Gaza, are ongoing, two sources familiar with the details told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.

Talks are taking place both at the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in Kiryat Gat and through direct contacts among the countries involved in the project. At this stage, the sources said, a significant number of key issues remain unresolved.

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These include the forces mandate, its precise mission, the chain of command, and the force's structure. Another issue yet to be decided is where, at the first stage, the forces will be deployed, inside the Hamas area or the areas controlled by the IDF.

In practice, nothing has been finalized, one official told the Post. The issue of the rules of engagement, including guidelines on the use of live fire, also remains unsettled.

As a result, no country has yet formally committed to joining the force. Some states have expressed interest, but the first official yes has not yet been given, a source said.

Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes as it seen from Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, December 1, 2023 (credit: ABED RAHIM KHATIB/FLASH90)

IDF starts building new city for Gazans in eastern Rafah

The US administration hopes the force will begin operating in early 2026, but at present, it appears the launch may be delayed.

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Meanwhile, the IDF has begun development work to build a new city for Gazans in eastern Rafah, despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's declaration that Gaza will not be rebuilt until all hostages are returned and Hamas is fully disarmed.

According to an i24NEWS report, the IDF has started preliminary preparations for the construction of the city, intended for Gazans unaffiliated with Hamas, in an Israeli-controlled area of eastern Rafah. The project has been nicknamed Green Rafah. Work on the site is expected to accelerate significantly next week.

The report also noted that on Wednesday morning, during development work in the area, troops encountered terrorists emerging from a Rafah tunnel. The construction efforts - intended for the benefit of Gazan civilians - are taking place close to a tunnel in which Hamas operatives remain barricaded.

Amid American pressure to begin Gazas reconstruction immediately, several cabinet ministers have expressed anger over the plan, demanding that Israel avoid building on the Yellow Line (the Israeli-controlled sector of Gaza) in a way that endangers our communities.
There are plenty of reason you might feel off in the late afternoon and evening. Maybe youre mentally wiped after socializing all day, or your brain is fried from hours of work. If you got up early, it could simply be that youd rather crawl under a blanket and watch Netflix than interact with other peopleall of these are legitimate reasons to feel cranky during this time.

But in people with dementiawhich is an umbrella term for mental decline and can be related to a number of diseases such as Alzheimer'stheres a phenomenon known as sundowning, where symptoms (such as being agitated or anxious) ramp up later in the day and evening.

As you head into the holiday season, youre likely spending more time than usual with older loved ones. With that, its worth it for any adult to better understand how sundowning presents, and what it might mean for the cognitive health of your loved one. We tapped two health care providers who treat older adults for more information.

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Meet the experts: Shannel Kassis Elhelou, PsyD, is a geropsychology and neuropsychology fellow at the Pacific Neuroscience Institutes Brain Wellness and Lifestyle Programs at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, California. Fred Kobylarz, MD, is co-director of the Center for Healthy Aging at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Sundowning is a term that refers to behavior changes in people with dementia that occur at a particular time of day.

Also known as sundowners syndrome, sundowning is a set of symptoms or behaviors that can be seen in some people with Alzheimers disease and dementia, according to the Alzheimers Association.

This usually happens as the dementia progresses, says Fred Kobylarz, MD, co-director of the Center for Healthy Aging at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. It is not a disease, but a symptom of dementia. Unfortunately, doctors dont really know the cause of this, he adds. It's possible that sundowning in dementia patients is caused by a combination of hormonal changes, brain deterioration or damage that has occurred, environmental factors, disruption to a person's circadian rhythm, and more.

Symptoms of sundowning can vary by person, but they can include:

Anxiety

Agitation

Pacing

Disorientation

Hallucinations

Trouble sleeping

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Sundowning typically occurs in the late afternoon and evening in individuals diagnosed with dementia, says Shannel Kassis Elhelou, PsyD, a geropsychology and neuropsychology fellow at the Pacific Neuroscience Institutes Brain Wellness and Lifestyle Programs at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, California. However, Dr. Kobylarz notes it can start as early as 1 p.m. for some people.

What Sundowning Looks Like

Theres a difference between being totally over your day and sundowning. In addition to the symptoms listed above, sundowning can include verbal or even physical outbursts, Elhelou says. That may mean lashing out when dinner isnt what they thought it would be or getting frustrated when they cant find something.

Some people may even want to be physically closer than usual to loved ones, following them closely for reassurance, Elhelou says.

For others, sundowning can show up as confusion. They will not remember conversations from earlier in the day or what they ate, Dr. Kobylarz says. That can including wanting to eat dinner again right after finishing a meal they don't remember. People also may not remember where their home is or the loved ones who take care of them, Dr. Kobylarz says.

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You can see [the person with dementia] change at a certain time of the day and almost become another person, he adds.

Can Sundowning Be A Sign Of Early Dementia?

Sundowning is often a symptom that happens after someone is diagnosed with dementia or a dementia-related disease, but it can also be an early sign of mental decline itself. There are changes taking place in the brain, Dr. Kobylarz explains, that lead to the onset of dementia and continue as it progresses. So, it is possible for someone to exhibit sundowning behaviors who has not yet been diagnosed with dementia.

But Elhelou stresses that if you notice a loved one showing signs of sundowning, it doesnt necessarily guarantee that they have dementia. While sundowning is more common in dementia, it is not exclusive to it, she notes. Similar symptoms can occasionally be seen in older adults without dementia, particularly when they are ill or experiencing delirium.

How To Distinguish Sundowning From Typical Aging

Again, its completely normal to feel like youre not the best version of yourself when its later in the day, especially for older adults. That goes double over the holidays, when everyone is stressed and overstimulated. But sundowning has some unique signs that make it stand out from just being tired.

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Fatigue can occur at all times of the day. Sundowning is truly confusion, Dr. Kobylarz says. If you have fatigue, you can take a catnap and feel refreshed. With sundowning, they are not usually fatigued, and they are ready to go.

Sundowning also tends to happen consistently around the same time of day, Elhelou says. It often includes cognitive effects such as significant disorientation or impaired judgement, she says. If someone is experiencing actual sundowning, theyre also likely to still display symptoms even after they rest, Elhelou points out.

How To Help A Loved One Manage Sundowning

Managing sundowning means trying to figure out your loved ones new rhythm. Managing sundowning should include a regular routine with scheduling and caregivingessentially knowing their best time of day, Dr. Kobylarz says.

While Elhelou says it can be challenging to manage sundowning, she recommends creating a calm environment and routine as best you can. Start by maintaining a consistent daily routine to reduce confusion and fatigue, she says. Encourage activities and exposure to natural light during the day to support healthy sleep-wake cycles.

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It's also crucial to try to avoid overstimulation in the evenings by limiting loud noises, bright screens, or large gatherings. Address physical needs, such as hunger, thirst, or discomfort to ensure they feel secure, Elhelou says.

Again, showing symptoms of sundowning doesnt automatically mean that your loved one has dementiabut it is something to get checked out. As soon as you suspect sundowning changes in your loved one, bring this this up with [their] doctor, Dr. Kobylarz says.

The doctor can look for potential underlying causes, including dementia, medication effects, or environmental factors, Elhelou says. From there, they can suggest effective ways to help you manage the behavioral changes.

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP)  The Dominican Republic has authorized the arrival of 800 new flights to accommodate a surge in tourists who were originally planning to vacation in Jamaica and other nearby islands but were rerouted following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.

The flights, a combination of regular and charter ones, were approved as the Caribbean country prepares for peak tourism season, industry officials said Wednesday.

This will have a positive impact on hotel occupancy in the Dominican Republic, and Dominican hotels have the capacity to receive that influx, said Nairobi Santos, spokesperson for the country's Association of Hotels and Tourism.

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She said the additional flights will occur over eight months, noting that an average occupancy rate of more than 95% is projected for the holiday season.

We authorized 800 flights in one fell swoop because all that tourism that was going to Jamaica, the Dominican Republic will benefit, Hector Porcella, president of the countrys Civil Aviation Board, told reporters this week.

He lamented the disaster that the Category 5 storm unleashed in the northern Caribbean last month, noting that the impact was especially hard in Jamaica, the Bahamas, Cuba and Haiti.

The number of tourists who arrived in the Dominican Republic last month rose to more than 672,000, compared with more than 575,600 in September. Officials say they expect that number to surge this month, although data was not yet available.

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The Dominican Republic has so far welcomed more than 8 million visitors from January to October.

Hotel occupancy rates rose to 63% last month from 58% in September, according to statistics from the Dominican Central Bank.

Tourism is a cornerstone for the Dominican Republics economy, generating nearly $11 million last year.

As the Dominican Republic prepares for a higher-than-normal influx of visitors, Jamaica is struggling to recover from Hurricane Melissa after it made landfall in the western part of the island on Oct. 28.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said there have been several flight cancellations, and some major hotels have said they dont anticipate reopening until mid- or late 2026.

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But Bartlett said earlier this week that he expects about 60% of hotel rooms to be available starting in mid-December.

He also noted that cruise ships have visited Jamaica since the storm, bringing some 32,000 passengers so far, with that number expected to double next week.

Melissa ravaged Jamaicas western region, with 76% of the power grid operational as of Wednesday, nearly a month after the storm hit, said Alvin Gayle, director of the islands emergency management office.

Meanwhile 82% of customers had water, he added.

The storm killed 45 people, with 16 others still missing, Gayle said.

Eleven other people in Jamaica have died of suspected or confirmed leptospirosis, with 91 overall suspected cases reported, said Health Minister Christopher Tufton.

Melissa also killed at least 43 people in nearby Haiti, where widespread flooding was reported in the countrys southwest region.

___

Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
As Americans get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving, President Donald Trump took to social media Wednesday morning to dispute an article published by the New York Times that said Trump is showing signs of fatigue as the 79-year-old faces realities of aging in office.

The Creeps at the Failing New York Times are at it again, Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social account. The president said he has never worked so hard in my life. Yet despite all of this the Radical Left Lunatics in the soon to fold New York Times did a hit piece on me that I am perhaps losing my Energy, despite facts that show the exact opposite. They know this is wrong, as is almost every thing that they write about me, including election results, ALL PURPOSELY NEGATIVE.

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This cheap RAG is truly an ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE,' Trump wrote, a phrase he has previously leveled at news outlets he doesnt like.

According to Trump, The writer of the story, Katie Rogers, who is assigned to write only bad things about me, is a third rate reporter who is ugly, both inside and out.

Trump concluded his post, There will be a day when I run low on Energy, it happens to everyone, but with a PERFECT PHYSICAL EXAM AND A COMPREHENSIVE COGNITIVE TEST (That was aced) JUST RECENTLY TAKEN, it certainly is not now! GOD BLESS AMERICA & MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!

Over the course of 10 years, Trump has written nearly 3,500 social media posts that attack the press, according to an analysis by the not-for-profit Freedom of the Press Foundation. That averages out to about one per day.

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The Times article was written by Rogers, a White House correspondent who has covered both of Trumps terms in office, and Dylan Freedman, the papers AI projects editor. Reps for the New York Times did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Trumps complaints.

The New York Times article, published Tuesday, said that Trump remains almost omnipresent in American life. He appears before the news media and takes questions far more often than his predecessor, former President Joe Biden. However, the paper reported, nearly a year into his second term, Americans see Mr. Trump less than they used to, according to a New York Times analysis of his schedule. The president keeps a shorter public schedule than he used to, per the article. And when he is in public, occasionally, his battery shows signs of wear. The Times article reported that during an Oval Office press conference on weight-loss drugs that began around noon on Nov. 6, At one point, Mr. Trumps eyelids drooped until his eyes were almost closed, and he appeared to doze on and off for several seconds.

Meanwhile, Trump has sued the New York Times, alleging its reporting about his finances and business career defamed him, in a lawsuit seeking at least $15 billion in damages. (Trump lawyers refiled the suit in October after a judge had dismissed the original complaint for being tedious and burdensome.) The New York Times, in a statement last month, reiterated its position that Trumps lawsuit was without merit and said it was merely an attempt to stifle independent reporting and generate PR attention.



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Employees of Downtown Oakland's only McDonald's restaurant went on strike Tuesday after the franchise owner announced it would close the location at the end of the month.

A small but vocal group of workers, mainly made up of cooks and cashiers, set up in front of the Jackson Street location and called for McDonald's to help place them in other locations instead of taking their jobs away.

Maria Maldonado, an organizer with the California Fast Food Workers Union, which was formed in 2024, spoke about the employees' demands and made a plea for McDonald's to close the store on good terms. She said around 40 staff stand to lose their jobs and were primarily asking to be relocated to other McDonald's locations.

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"These workers were given ten days' notice that the location would be closing," said Maldonado. "That is not enough time to find a new job. Many of these people were crying when they heard the location was closing and will now have to struggle this holiday."

Throughout the afternoon, chants in Spanish echoed across the corner of Jackson and 14th Street. Daisy Gomez, one of the union's organizers, led call-and-response chants into a megaphone while fellow strikers held up their colorful protest signs in the iconic red and yellow colors of the restaurant.

"Trabajadores unidos, jamas sera vencido! McDonald's, escucha, estamos en la lucha!" said Gomez passionately.

MORE: Workers at several CA Starbucks stores join nationwide 'Red Cup rebellion' strike, union says

The chants translate to, "Workers united, will never be divided! McDonald's, listen! We are in this fight!"

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Employees ranged from recent hires to individuals who had been working at the restaurant for over 17 years. A few spoke in front of the blocked doors about the troubles the restaurant has experienced, but stressed how employees stood together to keep the store running.

In May, the restaurant was closed due to health code violations and alleged reports of rats in the kitchen. While workers said progress was made to address the problems, they didn't expect the entire restaurant to close months later on such short notice.

Antonia Ortega, a cook who has worked there for over eight years, said employees were told on Nov. 19 that the store was to close within ten days. She said management and human relations cited poor sales, but Ortega felt like the constant stream of customers counteracted that narrative.

"I close at night. I see how busy we get throughout the day and evening, and I felt like we were doing alright," said Ortega.

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Ortega said that learning her job was ending so swiftly added insult to injury, giving them no time to be "mentally prepared" for the life disruption.

She added that her fellow coworkers who accrued lots of vacation and sick hours would not be able to use them. McDonald's was unable to confirm this.

According to an email statement from McDonald's, the owner of the Oakland restaurant does not own any other locations in the city and employees impacted can apply to other local stores.

"I've made the difficult decision to close my Jackson Street restaurant on November 30," said owner Joseph Wong in an emailed statement. "My organization is thankful to the local community for their years of support, and to our hardworking crew members who showed up every day to serve our customers."

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Karina Galindo, who works two jobs and supports a family of four, has been a cook for two years and said she wants management to put themselves in the shoes of the employees. For her, the money she will get from her last McDonald's paycheck will cover November bills, but remains unsure how she will cover December expenses.

"If we had two or three months of notice, we would have had the ability to make the decision to stay or leave," said Galindo. "It feels like they don't care. McDonald's is a big chain with a lot of options, so we are just asking for employment."

The strikers were unsure how quickly they could find a new job after the restaurant closes, but hoped they could pressure the company and the California Fast Food Council, the state agency responsible for setting policies for fast food brands, to adopt standards to prevent such scenarios in the future.

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This document is an invitation to rethink the day after and what is required of us in our own day, Director General of the Ben-Gurion Heritage Institute, Eitan Donitz, said.

Israel observed the National Day of Remembrance in honor of the 52nd anniversary of the death of Israels first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, on Wednesday.

To mark the occasion, the Ben-Gurion Archives and the Ben-Gurion Heritage Institute released four original drafts of Ben-Gurions Revolution of the Spirit speech.

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The drafts include handwritten notes and corrections to the text of the speech which the leader delivered before the end of the War of Independence, on January 15, 1949.

Echoing the words from the past

Ben-Gurions original speech begins with the assertion that Our supreme test has been and will be the test of the spirit, continuing that as long as it beats within us, we are capable of a life of creation and climbing and heroism, a life destined for us in this generation of ours, and a song we must pass on to future generations.

This document is an invitation to rethink the day after and what is required of us in our own day, Director General of the Ben-Gurion Heritage Institute Eitan Donitz said, Ben-Gurion reminds us that the true strength of the state rests on the human spirit, on mutual responsibility, and on our ability to see beyond our differences.

Original, hand-annotated drafts of David Ben-Gurion's ''Revolution of the Spirit'' speech, delivered on January 15, 1949. (credit: Ben-Gurion Archives)

Ben-Gurion Archives Director Flora Pazarker said that Ben-Gurions historic words touch on the reality of our contemporary lives, for the meaning and power of the human spirit and society were and still are the bedrock of our existence, positing that if we echo the words from the past, the path to the future will become clearer.

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The Ben-Gurion Heritage Institutes statement explained the former premiers concept of the day after as physical construction alongside spiritual revolution, institutional renewal alongside social responsibility and the unity of the people.

An official state ceremony to unveil the documents was held at the Ben-Gurion Tomb National Park in Midreshet Ben-Gurion, led by the IDF Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir. President Isaac Herzog, the Ben-Gurion family, members of the General Staff Forum, and government representatives attended the ceremony.
Dutch Bros recently announced plans to expand its pilot breakfast menu to additional stores across the United States.

The Oregon-born coffee chain began offering hot and on-the-go breakfast items in 2024 as part of a pilot program to see how having a breakfast menu impacts their sales and line speeds. The pilot began with eight stores and has since expanded to 160 stores.

During a Nov. 5 Dutch Bros Q3 2025 earnings call, Dutch Bros President and CEO Christine Barone shared plans for the company's new food program.

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"Our food program rollout is designed to strengthen our beverage offering by driving breakfast and morning daypart occasions, a time of the day where we have tremendous opportunity," Barone said. "As we expand the food program throughout 2026, we're aiming to be a one-stop shop during the morning daypart."

Dutch Bros has seen both the number of transactions and orders per transaction rise since rolling out the food program, according to Barone.

Here's what to know about Dutch Bros' food program and where it is expanding next.

There are approximately 157 Dutch Bros locations in Oregon, with around 40 locations from Salem to Eugene.

What is on the Dutch Bros breakfast menu?

The Dutch Bros pilot breakfast menu is part of the company's food program. It includes hot food items like a sausage or bacon, egg, and cheese slider, a chorizo wrap, and a maple waffle.

Which Dutch Bros locations are offering a breakfast menu?

Dutch Bros has not released any specific locations where it is currently offering its pilot breakfast menu. However, some Reddit users reported having the breakfast menu at several Arizona locations.

When is the Dutch Bros food program expanding?

By the end of the company's third quarter, the food program was available at approximately 160 Dutch Bros locations, according to Barone.

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The menu has faced some obstacles though, as not all stores are equipped to serve hot food. To support further expansion, Barone said many locations are beginning to undergo upgrades to accommodate additional menu items.

Dutch Bros has so far received positive feedback from its food program.

"We remain excited about the opportunity with food," Joshua Guenser, chief financial officer for Dutch Bros, said in the earnings call. "Early shop results suggest that we could expect an approximate 4% comp lift in shops that have food, with about a quarter of that coming from transaction growth."

Dutch Bros hopes to have a full rollout of the food program by the end of 2026.

Dutch Bros plans to expand to 2,029 shops across the U.S. by 2029.

How many Dutch Bros are in Oregon?

There are approximately 157 Dutch Bros locations in Oregon, with around 40 locations from Salem to Eugene.

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As of its third quarter, Dutch Bros Coffee shops have expanded to 1,081 shops across 24 states, with a goal of 2,029 shops by 2029.

Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@gannett.com or on X at @GinnieSandoval.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Dutch Bros Coffee breakfast menu to expand in 2026: What to know
If anyone recently spotted advanced aircraft buzzing over Easter Island to surveil the mysterious moai statues, they werent UFOs. Instead, these drones belonged to terrestrial researchers, interested in answering a very down-to-earth question: Who was in charge of this megalithic endeavor?

Historic and archaeological investigations of the Rapa Nui people who carved the statues between 400 and 1,000 years ago suggest they lived in decentralized, close-knit family clans. However, many have assumed that their construction and transportation imply a more top-down hierarchical civilization, like the ancient Egyptians who built the pyramids. New research published in PLOS One suggests that, unlike the statues themselves, there was no big head at the top of the Rapa Nui directing the work.

Read more: An Ancient Site with Human Skulls on Display

Using more than 11,000 aerial images taken by drones of the site, Carl Lipo of Binghamton University and Terry Hunt of the University of Arizona constructed a detailed 3-D model of the primary quarry, Rano Raraku. This model showed a hodgepodge of moai carved from multiple sites with statues in various stages of completion. Analysis of the statues remaining in the quarry revealed a variety of carving types as well. Rather than a centralized, top-down construction effort, the authors say, it more closely matches the works of a patchwork of freelancers consistent with their decentralized living arrangements.

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This new finding is bolstered by Lipo and Hunts earlier research, which showed that it only takes a handful of humans to move these moai, around 18 in a test case. If anything, these studies make the construction and transportation of these magnificent megaliths an even more impressive achievement.

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Lead image: Horacio_Fernandez / Wikimedia Commons

This story was originally featured on Nautilus.
Soybeans are showing Tuesday morning gains of 2 to 3 cents. Futures were lower on Monday, with contracts down 1 to 2 cents in the nearbys, and strength in some 2026 contracts. Open interest suggested a rotation on ownership, up just 379 contracts. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price was down 1 1/2 cent at $10.50 1/2. Soymeal futures were down 50 to 90 cents in the nearbys, with deferreds up 80 cents to $1.80. Soy Oil futures were 2 to 8 points lower, with other contracts steady to 6 points higher.

USDA reported a private export sale of 123,000 MT of soybeans to China on Monday morning. In a CNBC interview this morning, Ag Secretary Rollins indicated the US and China would be inking a deal this week or next week in terms of the 12 MMT soybean commitments that have been previously reported. President Trump and Chinas President Xi had a phone call earlier on Monday, discussing several things including soybeans.

More News from Barchart

Export Inspections data showed the lowest soybean export total for this week since 2006 at just 799,042 MT (29.36 mbu) shipped in the week that ended on November 20. That was a drop of 33.7% from the week prior and a massive 62.3% reduction from same week last year. Bangladesh was the top destination of 152,725 MT, with 140,821 MT to Algeria and 95,398 MT to Taiwan. China has remained mute as a destination. Marketing year shipments have totaled just 10.937 MMT (401.87 mbu), a 44.5% drop yr/yr.

USDA will release Export Sales data on Tuesday AM, with traders looking for between 0.5-1.4 MMT of soybeans sold in the week of 10/9. Meal sales are seen at 150,000-400,000 MT, with bean oil sales at 5,000-30,000 MT for the delayed data.

Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $11.23 1/4, down 1 3/4 cents, currently up 2 3/4 cents

Nearby Cash was $10.50 1/4, down 1 1/2 cents,

Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $11.32, down 2 1/4 cents, currently up 2 1/4 cents

May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.42, down 1 1/4 cents, currently up 2 1/2 cents

On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
Eleven police officers have been arrested in Portugal on charges of human trafficking.

The 10 members of the National Guard (GNR) and one officer from the municipal police (PSP) are accused of participating in a large-scale system of exploiting illegal immigrant workers in agriculture, the Criminal Investigation Department (PJ) and the GNR announced in Lisbon on Wednesday.

The violent, "mafia-like" criminal organization was broken up after months of investigation and several raids over recent days. However, the alleged head of the network - an Indian citizen - escaped capture and is on the run.

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Investigators say the gang kept hundreds of mostly illegal migrants in agricultural businesses in the regions around Beja, Portalegre, Figueira da Foz and Porto in slave-like conditions. The victims were often beaten and forced to work non-stop in the fields from sunrise to sunset under threat of violence.

According to the PJ statement, the victims were housed in makeshift accommodation, often in dilapidated buildings. They had to pay for the mattresses provided and for food and drink. All their papers were taken from them.

A total of 17 people were arrested. They are due to appear before the investigating judge in Lisbon on Thursday.

In addition to human trafficking, they are charged with aiding and abetting illegal immigration, document forgery, tax fraud, money laundering, corruption, and abuse of office.

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The freed migrants were taken to the air force base in Beja, where they will soon be questioned. Despite their victim status, many now face deportation.

Investigators say there is also a risk that some will refuse to testify for fear of reprisals against relatives in their countries of origin.
OnSolve CodeRED, a platform used by local cities like Centerville and Washington Township for emergency alerts, was taken offline following a cyber-attack by an organized cybercriminal group.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The breach compromised user data, including names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, and passwords, according to Centerville.

Residents who registered for CodeRED alerts on their cell phones are advised to change their passwords if they use the same ones for other accounts.

TRENDING STORIES:

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The City has informed residents that if there is a local emergency, updates will be provided through the citys website, Facebook page, or local media outlets.

Links to OnSolve CodeRED are being removed from the citys website.

CodeRED is a standalone notification system and does not impact the 9-1-1 services used by the city.

The city is transitioning to a new platform run by Crisis24, and is awaiting account activation.

Residents will be informed once the new platform is ready to use.

Residents are encouraged to contact CodeRED directly at 866-939-0911 for further questions, but are advised to be patient as the company is handling the emergency.

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To protect themselves, residents are advised to use strong, unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, avoid suspicious emails, keep software updated, and use reputable antivirus software.

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The end of an era is underway at the University of Houston as the demolition of the iconic Farish Hall has officially begun, clearing the way for the next phase of the campus's Centennial Plaza project.

Farish Hall, a 1975-era Brutalist building at the center of campus, has long been a landmark-both admired for its mid-century architecture and criticized for its bunker-like appearance. The building's removal, expected to be completed by mid-January, is part of a $35 million transformation of the historic campus quad, designed to enhance pedestrian walkways, outdoor seating, and green spaces for university events, commencements, and student gatherings. The overall Centennial Plaza project is slated for completion by 2027.

INTRODUCING CENTENNIAL PLAZA: As we approach 100 years of the University of Houston, we're excited to share a sneak peek at the vibrant future that lies in the heart of our campus.



2027 can't come soon enough! pic.twitter.com/eJDNkgUdzU - University of Houston (@UHouston) October 13, 2022

"The end of an era-demolition of Farish Hall has officially begun," The University of Houston posted on its Instagram page, along with videos and photos of the demolition.

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"The University of Houston is in the midst of a transformative, $1 billion investment in new and modernized facilities, ranging from new residential to research and academic buildings," A spokesperson for UH said in a statement to Chron. "Through this strategic investment initiative, UH continues to advance several renovation and construction projects to transform key areas of our campus that will shape the future of the University, support a growing student body and strengthen our position as a top public research institution."

As the demolition began, social media lit up with memories from students and alumni reflecting on the role Farish Hall played in their UH experience. "Took my courses for interdisciplinary studies EC-6 in Farish," recalled IG user misstab_84, a current Pre-K teacher. "Great memories."

mckaylaaa_h shared bittersweet memories of the building's small comforts, including microwaves and free sandwiches: "Always being able to find an open microwaveFree sandwich TuesdaysFarish is my UH love story and now SHES GONE."

rae_mores shared a family connection to the building, noting that she took the same class her mother did decades earlier, taught by the same professor: "In 2014 I was sitting in the same class being taught by the same professor-still just as amazing."

The University of Houston's Farish Hall is coming down, soon to be replaces by a new greenspace. (Courtesy of the University of Houston)





While many expressed nostalgia, others voiced concerns about the building's removal. Architecture graduate student Alex Lahti warned of the environmental impact of demolition, noting the eight mature live oaks that would be removed and the potential risks of dust and asbestos from the structure. "This building is big; demolishing it will create a bunch of concrete dust. If there is asbestos in the fireproofing on the metal roof, that could be an issue too," Lahti told Chron last year.

The University of Houston's Farish Hall is coming down, soon to be replaces by a new greenspace. (Courtesy of the University of Houston)





Despite the debate, UH officials emphasized that the demolition is part of a broader vision to create a more walkable, collaborative, and inviting central plaza. Jim Taylor, UH university architect, said, "We believe the Centennial Project strikes the right balance between preservation and rejuvenation of the historical central quad. Our investment in the public space of the campus will make the university more welcoming while transforming the student experience."

More News

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History | How a 1973 homicide led Houston to a notorious serial killer

Money | Here's how much you need to live comfortably in Houston



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This article originally published at 'End of an era': Historic University of Houston structure demolished.
Slender Man stabbing defendant Morgan Geyser is back in custody in Waukesha County, four days after her escape from a Madison group home.

Waukesha County Sheriff's Lt. Nicholas Wenzel said Geyser was in custody at the Waukesha County Jail shortly after 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26.

She was brought there by officials from Cook County, Illinois, said Hillary Mintz, a Waukesha County spokeswoman.

A day earlier, Geyser, 23, appeared before a Cook County judge and waived extradition, agreeing to go back to Wisconsin, where she faces escape charges.

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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services filed a petition on Nov. 26 to revoke the conditional release Geyser was granted earlier this year, online court records show.

A motion hearing on that petition is set for Dec. 22.

It was in Waukesha County 11 years ago that Geyser and co-defendant Anissa Weier tried to kill their friend and classmate, Payton Leutner.

Waukesha County Deputy District Attorney Abbey Nickolie questions Dr. Brooke Lundbohm, PhD, a specialist in psychology, during day 2 of a motion hearing for Morgan Geyser in Waukesha County Circuit Court on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Geyser has petitioned the court for conditional release from a mental institution where she has been under care since the end of the so-called Slender Man case.

Geyser and Weier were charged with attempted first-degree homicide in the 2014 attack. Prosecutors say the two were trying to appease "Slender Man," a faceless, fictional online character that developed a cult-like following.

Geyser stabbed Leutner stabbed 19 times. All three girls were 12 years old at the time.

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Geyser and Weier were found not guilty by reason of mental defect or disease in 2017 and sentenced to mental confinement  Weier for 25 years and Geyser for 40 years.

Geyser was granted conditional release when a judge said he saw no risk to the public or to herself, and was placed in a group home in Madison.

She was found Nov. 23, a day after she fled the group home, with 43-year-old Chad "Charly" Mecca sleeping behind a truck stop in Posen, Illinois.

Chris Ramirez covers courts for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at caramirez@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Morgan Geyser. escaped Slender Man defendant, back in Waukesha County
Ethiopias Afar and Oromia regions have been hit by several earthquakes and tremors since the beginning of 2025. The strongest, with a magnitude of 5.7, struck on 4 January. The US Geological Survey and the German Research Centre for Geosciences reported that its epicentre was 142km east of the capital, Addis Ababa, which is in the Oromia region. It came just a day after a quake with a magnitude of 5.5 hit the same area. Two more quakes were reported over the weekend of 11 January.

The Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Council is relocating around 60,000 residents in the two regions to temporary shelters because of the risk of further earthquakes.

The earthquakes have also sparked fears of volcanic eruptions because they are happening near two active volcanoes, Fentale and Dofen. The Conversation Africa asked volcano researcher Amdemichael Tadesse to explain whats happening below the earths surface.

How common is it for quakes in Ethiopia to trigger volcanic eruptions?

Earthquakes and volcanic activity are both common in Ethiopia. The country is located in a geologically active region, the East African Rift System. But its rare for earthquakes to directly trigger volcanic eruptions in Ethiopia.

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The current episode of earthquake activity is being caused by magmatic activity in Oromia and Afar region. Magma (molten rock) is intruding into the subsurface beneath two volcanoes, Fentale and Dofen, which are geographically close to each other.

Read more: Tracking the hazards -- and benefits -- of volcanoes in East Africa

Ethiopia has around 50 active volcanoes. Most are in the Ethiopian Rift, the northern segment of the East African Rift System. An active volcano has magma stored deep within its crust that could potentially erupt in the future. Theres evidence of past eruptions at many of these active volcanoes. Some date back hundreds of years. In contrast, a dormant volcano has not erupted for thousands of years and shows no immediate signs of reactivation or imminent eruption.

Why have the earthquakes sparked fears of volcanic eruptions?

Volcanoes and earthquakes are both natural phenomena driven by the dynamic processes that shape Earths interior and surface.

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The outermost layer of Earth, the lithosphere, is composed of solid rock and is broken into large sections called tectonic plates. These plates fit together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. They move slowly on the more fluid layer beneath them, the asthenosphere. Convection currents in Earths mantle drive the movement of tectonic plates.

Tectonic plates interact at their boundaries in three primary ways: they move apart, collide, or slide past one another. These interactions produce geological activity, including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Most volcanoes and earthquakes occur along these plate boundaries, where the stress and movement of the plates cause the lithosphere to fracture.

A satellite view of Fentale Volcano, a dormant volcano located in Oromia, Ethiopia near Lake Basaka, which has recently experienced minor earthquakes. Gallo Images/Orbital Horizon/Copernicus Sentinel Data 2025

Many processes associated with volcanoes can generate earthquakes. This makes seismic (earth-shaking) activity a common feature of volcanic regions. Unlike pure tectonic earthquakes, seismicity at volcanoes often occurs in swarms. They can take place over periods of days to months or even years. These volcano-related earthquakes are often caused by ground fracturing and the displacement of rock due to the movement of magma beneath the surface. Magma rising from deep within Earth puts pressure on the surrounding rocks. That causes them to crack and release seismic waves. Its this process thats currently being observed in the Fentale-Dofen region  magmatic activity is generating sustained seismic activity.

What can be done to mitigate the risks of volcanic eruptions now and in future?

Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes pose risks to human lives, infrastructure and the environment.

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These events cannot be prevented. But their effects can be mitigated by planning and acting ahead of time.

Monitoring and early warning systems are critical. The current magma intrusion Ive described is being tracked by satellite remote sensing observations and seismic data from Ethiopias national and international seismic networks. The instruments being used help to detect changes in seismic activity, and ground deformation, which often come before volcanic eruptions.

This data, as well as evidence gathered by studying past earthquake and volcanic events (from either historical records or geological records) can help scientists to understand how often they occur, and at what kind of magnitudes and sizes.

Detailed maps that identify areas at risk are essential. These maps guide urban planning, infrastructure development and evacuation strategies. Identifying critical infrastructure, such as hospitals, schools and water supplies, in high-risk zones makes it possible to prepare.

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It is also crucial to establish efficient and trustworthy communication between scientists involved in managing the crisis, the authorities making decisions, and the general public.

Early warnings and clear communication protocols must be established to get information quickly to affected populations. Alerts can be delivered through different means like mobile apps, SMS, radio and public announcements. In Ethiopia, mainstream media and public announcements have been used in the past to convey critical information. Using modern technologies like mobile platforms and localised SMS-based systems could make the crisis communication even more efficient.

Read more: Africa is splitting in two  here is why

Community preparedness and education are important, too. Regular training and drills help individuals, schools and workplaces prepare for volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. In Ethiopia, the Disaster Risk Management Commission is supposed to operate preparedness systems across the country, but more can be learnt from global best practices. Japan, for instance, has developed a robust disaster preparedness culture that has reduced the impacts of natural hazards. This includes routine drills, widespread education programmes, and active community engagement.

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Educating communities about the signs of volcanic activity, evacuation routes and emergency protocols empowers them to act quickly and appropriately.

Governments and aid organisations should maintain reserves of emergency supplies, such as food, water, medical kits and shelter materials, to meet the immediate needs of people affected by natural disasters.

Specialised response teams with expertise in volcanology, seismology and disaster management can take swift and coordinated action during emergencies.

This is by no means an exhaustive list. Stronger infrastructure and better long-term planning for land use are also key. Taking these measures can greatly reduce the harm that volcanic eruptions and earthquake-related activities can cause.

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This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Amdemichael Tadesse, University of Oxford

Read more:



Amdemichael Tadesse does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The European Union's chief diplomat Kaja Kallas on Wednesday called for additional pressure on Russia to ensure the success of the US-led initiative to end the war in Ukraine.

"To secure the best outcome for Ukraine and Europe, we have to stay the course but pick up pace," Kallas said after an exchange with EU foreign ministers and their Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha.

"This means more sanctions to deprive Russia of the means to fight and more military and financial support to Ukraine," she added.

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Kallas emphasized that there are currently no indications that Russia is prepared to agree to a ceasefire, but that the goal of putting Moscow in a position where it actually has to negotiate is getting closer.

"Russia's summer offensive failed. US and EU sanctions are having a huge impact on the Russian economy," she said, adding that Moscow's economy and energy revenues are shrinking.

"Russia is losing cash and troops," Kallas stated. "If Russia could conquer Ukraine militarily, it would have already done so by now."

But since Russian President Vladimir Putin cannot achieve his goals on the battlefield, "he will try to negotiate his way there," Kallas argued.

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Kiev must be given the greatest possible support in the ongoing peace efforts, she said.

"There are rarely wars in the world where the situation is so clear-cut as it is here. We have one aggressor and one victim. The focus should be on what Russia, the aggressor, must do, not what Ukraine, the victim, must sacrifice."

Brussels to present plans on using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine

In the ongoing debate on the use of Russian assets frozen in the EU for Ukraine, Kallas called for a quick decision.

The so-called reparations loan is "the most clear-cut way" to cover Ukraine's financial needs for 2026 and 2027, she explained.

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"It would send the strongest message to Moscow that it cannot wait us out, and we need to make this decision fast," Kallas said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said earlier on Wednesday that a proposal is being prepared to use Russian state assets frozen in the EU as a reparations loan for Ukraine.

"The commission is ready to present a legal text," von der Leyen told lawmakers at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday.

The commission president, alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is pushing to make up to 140 billion ($162 billion) in Russian central bank assets available to Ukraine to cover the country's financial needs in the coming years.

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Belgium, where most of the assets are held, has blocked the initiative so far, urging the commission to come up with alternative funding proposals including taking on new debt.

"To be very clear, I cannot see any scenario in which the European taxpayers alone will pay the bill. This is also not acceptable," von der Leyen stressed in her speech.

The Russian assets frozen under EU sanctions were also mentioned in the 28-point peace plan tabled by the US administration last week.

"Any decision on this needs to be taken in line with the rules of the responsible jurisdiction and will respect European and international law," von der Leyen said.

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She further reiterated the EU's priorities for a potential deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

These include security guarantees for Kiev, upholding Ukraine's sovereignty and the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
By Phil Stewart, Jonathan Landay and Erin Banco

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The officials arrived at the secret CIA archival facility in the Washington area one morning in early April. Their mission: to seize still-classified CIA files on the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy, John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr.

The team pulled up in their vehicles unannounced, catching the spy agency off-guard, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

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They were acting on behalf of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who wanted to take documents out of the hands of the Central Intelligence Agency and start the process of declassifying them at the National Archives, the people said.

One of the people familiar with the matter said the CIA wasn't aware that it was about to receive direction that day "from a higher government agency." The person also described the moment as probably the most confrontational point in the still young relationship between Gabbard's office and the CIA.

The official leading the search, a Defense Intelligence Agency official named Paul Allen McDonald II who was on temporary assignment to Gabbard's office, declared that they were "on a mission" from Gabbard, two of the people said.

A Trump administration official who made a brief appearance that day after arriving in her minivan, Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, was a CIA veteran herself and the daughter-in-law of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. She did not have the necessary badge to access the warehouse but was waved in, the two people said. One said Fox Kennedy spent about an hour there, focusing on efforts to digitize the massive archive of papers.

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The early April episode, which has not been previously reported, lasted until 2 a.m. the next morning when a massive trove of documents was eventually transferred to the National Archives, according to two of the people.

The case casts new light on the tension between two forces in Washington, the CIA and Gabbard's DNI, as Trump appointees sought to act on the president's orders to swiftly release the full accounting of Kennedy's murder in 1963, as well as the high-profile 1968 assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr.

White House spokesman Steven Cheung said Trump had full confidence in both Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. "Efforts by the legacy media to sow internal division are a distraction that will not work," Cheung said.

A spokesperson for the Director of National Intelligence said the ODNI "has worked in close coordination with the CIA since the beginning of the administration to carry out this historic release of files."

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Trump issued an executive order in January instructing Gabbard and the other intelligence agencies to declassify records related to the JFK, RFK and Martin Luther King Jr. assassinations.

Reuters could not independently determine if Gabbard directed this specific mission at the archives or the extent to which Trump may have been briefed ahead of time about individual missions related to the declassification effort.

The Director of National Intelligence serves as principal intelligence adviser to the president and has oversight over the 17 other agencies, including the CIA. The job typically includes managing interagency tensions.

In a joint statement, Gabbard's ODNI and the CIA said the two agencies "have and will continue working hand-in-hand to release and declassify documents of public interest and execute President Trumps mission of restoring trust in the intelligence community."

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THE DIRECTOR KIND OF PUT HER FOOT DOWN.

A 45-day deadline in Trump's executive order to review documents and present a plan for declassification of the files related to Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. had ended in March, and frustration was building on Gabbard's team about the slow pace of progress, one of the individuals said.

Upon arriving at the CIA's archive warehouse, the officials presented a document asserting that Gabbard's office had the legal authority to take the documents even without the CIA's approval, and cautioned that anyone impeding the process could be held accountable, according to one of the people familiar with the events.

The person said the ODNI took this step "because they (CIA officials) were not cooperating up until that point. So the director kind of put her foot down."

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Another person described the CIA as highly cooperative and said Director Ratcliffe had briefed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on what the agency planned to release publicly about his father's killing.

Reuters could not establish the precise name or location of the CIA archives.

Two of the people familiar with the events described tensions at the entryway to the archives, including shouting. However, Gabbard's office and two other people Reuters spoke to said the interactions between Gabbard's team and the CIA were professional.

One of those who described the exchange as professional said there seemed to be "a shared recognition that while the timeline was short, it had also been 60 years" since the Kennedy assassinations, and it was time to follow through on declassification.

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Gabbard broadly described the effort to declassify the files during an April 10 cabinet meeting, telling Trump she had sent "hunters" to scour archives at the CIA and FBI for materials. "We are actively going out and trying to search out the truth," Gabbard said at the meeting, as reporters looked on.

At that meeting, Trump praised the push to find documents, as did Kennedy Jr., who has long voiced suspicion that the CIA was involved in his father's and uncle's assassinations. The CIA has rejected such allegations.

CONSPIRACY THEORIES HAVE LONG ANIMATED MAGA BASE

The U.S. Justice Department and other federal bodies have said for more than 60 years that President Kennedy's murder in 1963 was the work of a sole gunman, Lee Harvey Oswald.

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But polls show many Americans remain unconvinced and conspiracy theories - from the Epstein files and QAnon to the decades-old questions about JFK's assassination - have long been a focus for key parts of Trump's MAGA base.

Former senator and then-presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated five years after his brother, JFK. Sirhan Sirhan confessed and was convicted of killing him at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.

Faced with the demands from Gabbard's team at the archival site in April, security personnel called in CIA officials already involved in declassifying the agency's files, according to one individual familiar with the incident. The individual added that the CIA was not opposed to releasing the files under proper procedures.

The agency agreed to transfer the files to the National Archives, which has been in charge of digitizing and releasing the materials to the public, in a manner consistent with government regulations. This meant preserving the "chain of custody," ensuring the proper security and using government vehicles to transport the documents.

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Making those arrangements, determining which files Gabbards delegation wanted and then transporting them to the National Archives facility in College Park, Maryland, took until 2 a.m. the following day, said the source.

It all had to be coordinated, the source said.

The ODNI did not make Allen McDonald or Fox Kennedy available for interview.

In March, the National Archives began releasing around 80,000 Kennedy assassination files, including CIA materials, on Trump's orders.

The declassified files provided more details on CIA's knowledge of Oswald than it had previously admitted to publicly, experts say. There has been no new information challenging the official conclusion that Oswald was the lone gunman on November 22, 1963. The same has been true so far with the 70,000 RFK files released in April and May.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart and Jonathan Landay. Additional reporting by Erin Banco. Editing by Don Durfee and Claudia Parsons)
This is a breaking news story. Check back to idahostatesman.com for updates.

To sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox, click here.Or you can download our app for the latest news here.

Two crashes were affecting traffic on Interstate 84 west of Boise during the afternoon rush hour Tuesday ahead of the Thanksgiving weekend.

According to the Idaho State Police, troopers were on the scene of a two-vehicle injury crash on westbound I-84 at milepost 40 sometime after 3 p.m.

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In a Facebook post, ISP warned of traffic backup and instructed drivers to expect significant delays.

According to an alert from the Idaho Transportation Department, the crash, near Robinson Road on the Nampa-Meridian border, resulted in lane closures on the interstate. All westbound lanes were blocked and some eastbound lanes were blocked at Robinson on Tuesday afternoon., the alert said.

Drivers were being instructed to exit I-84 at Ten Mile Road in Meridian, according to Idaho 511.

No new information was available as of roughly 4:30 p.m., ISP spokesperson Aaron Snell told the Idaho Statesman in an email. Snell did not immediately respond to follow-up questions.

Traffic backs up along I-84 in Meridian following a crash Tuesday.

Traffic backs up on nearby east-west roads

According to Lt. Brandon Frasier of the Meridian Police Department, traffic heading west backed up to the Flying Wye Interchange in Boise following the crash. With westbound traffic diverting onto Ten Mile Road, Frasier told the Statesman by phone, congestion then spread to surrounding roads less equipped for the amount of traffic I-84 typically sees.

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Those roads are not made for that kind of volume, obviously, said Frasier. Every east-west thoroughfare is clogged terribly, from Lake Hazel (Road) to Chinden (Boulevard).

Frasier said just after 5 p.m. that Meridian police were not aware of any secondary crashes or incidents of drivers traveling the wrong way on ramps to evade traffic, which he said can sometimes happen in these instances .

He also told the Statesman about a crash on I-84 at Ten Mile Road on Tuesday afternoon that was reported on Idaho 511 at about 2:15 p.m. They werent back to back, but I dont think traffic had recovered from the Ten Mile one before the Robinson one happened, he said.

An Ada County Highway District camera showed that just after 6:30 p.m., westbound traffic no longer appeared to be blocked at Ten Mile Road. Cars appear to be traveling as far west as Black Cat Road, the cameras showed.

Update: U.S. Highway 30 reopens in New Plymouth after saloon fire

Girl fatally struck in North End was Boise elementary student, district says
Aaron Smith

As expected, Odessas Acting City Manager Aaron Smith was unanimously named the citys new top administrator during the city councils regular meeting Tuesday night.

Smith replaces David Vela, who resigned for personal reasons last month, just five months after he beat out Smith and former Midland Assistant City Manager Tina Jauz for the job.

Mayor Cal Hendrick praised Smiths capabilities and noted the council decided it just didnt need to go through a full search on the heels of its most recent search. The city opened the position internally and Smith was the only one who applied, Hendrick noted.

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As everyone probably in this room knows that we went through a very extensive process back in the spring of this year, we had three excellent candidates. Weve already done this, we decided as a board not to reinvent the wheel. We have appreciated the job Aaron has done the past few months, since hes come back to the city, and we think its in the citys best interest to move forward, Hendrick said.

Smith received a masters degree in public administration and a bachelors degree in history and political science from Texas Tech. Prior to being hired in December 2022 as an assistant city manager for the city, Smith served as the city manager in Tulia and Whitehouse for a total of five years and for three years in Ogallala, Nebraska.

Smith was fired shortly after City Manager Michael Marrero was terminated in December 2022. He filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the city and the city settled it for $175,000 in September 2024. He was re-hired as the assistant city manager in February of this year by Acting City Manager Richard Morton.

Smiths wife, Jennifer, is a Permian High School graduate and the couple got married in Odessa 20 years ago. They share a 12-year-old daughter, Addison.

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Smith will earn $280,000 a year and receive a $600 a month car allowance. Should the council terminate Smiths contract at any point, he would receive 20 weeks of his current annual pay and retain his health insurance benefits for the same length of time.

Smith will officially start his new job Dec. 1, the same day new City Attorney James Parker starts. The council thanked Interim City Attorney Keith Stretcher for stepping in after Morton and City Attorney Dan Jones agreed Jones should leave at the end of June.

Hendrick said Smith will be announcing his picks for deputy city managers shortly.

In other matters, City Councilman Greg Connell told the council he no longer wanted to discuss policies regarding the renaming of streets, an agenda item he and fellow council member Chris Hanie put on the agenda shortly after political activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated.

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Connell said many people have been expressing strong opinions on the matter, but its actually developers who name streets.

Hanie said instead of renaming streets, hed like to put up street signs along certain stretches of roads to honor people.

During the councils work session, Odessa Development Corporation Chair David Boutin told the council UTPB is starting a civil engineering program that will start out with 10 students and then increase to 60 over a five-year period.

He said the university is asking the ODC for $2 million, an amount that the Midland Development Corporation will also be asked to contribute.

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Hanie asked if the university and city could begin a civil engineering internship program.

If were going to donate $2 million we should be getting something else in return for our money, too, Hanie said.

Smith told the council he started his career with an internship.

So I believe in that pipeline and I can certainly work with both Odessa College and UTPB to try and create that internship program down the road, he said.

Hendrick agreed.

Wed like to grow them and keep them here. If we get them hooked into a workforce here, and get them experienced, get them to know people, know that whats going on, I think we believe they would be more likely to stay here after graduation, he said.

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UTPB President Sandra Woodley said there was no question the university will work with the city on an internship program for the engineering students.

The post As expected, Smith named city manager appeared first on Odessa American.
There's a time bomb in Greenland  and it's ticking faster with each passing day. The consequences? Not a mighty explosion, but contamination from what lurks just beneath the surface.

What's happening?

During the Cold War, the United States constructed a top-secret military installation called Camp Century beneath the northwestern Greenland ice sheet. Though decommissioned in 1967, the facility was never fully cleaned up. At the time, the military assumed the structure would remain entombed in ice indefinitely.

But the planet had other plans.

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As temperatures rise and the ice sheet thins, Camp Century's legacy is starting to resurface  and it's not pretty. In a study published in Geophysical Research Letters, researchers estimate the camp contains over 240,000 liters of sewage and wastewater, 200,000 liters of diesel fuel, and an unknown amount of radioactive coolant from its nuclear-powered operations.

The waste will eventually seep out of Camp Century. The pollutants then "could reach the ocean, producing all kinds of disastrous consequences," Trench Art reported.

"It was reasonable to expect it to snow forever," William Colgan, a climate glacier scientist at Toronto's York University, told Trench Art. "We have to say, these aren't tombs for eternity."

Why is this decommissioned camp important?

If those hazardous materials leach into surrounding ecosystems, they could contaminate Arctic waters and food chains  and eventually make their way into broader ocean currents. That would be bad news for human health, biodiversity, and global fisheries.

The Arctic does a lot more than just stay cold  it helps balance the planet's weather and ocean systems. However, as the ice disappears, that balance begins to shift. Coastal communities are experiencing higher tides during major storms, which also has an impact on food systems.

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Extreme weather events have always occurred, but scientific consensus is that human-driven pollution is supercharging them  making storms more destructive and their aftermath more dangerous for people everywhere.

This nuclear relic is uniquely alarming, but it's not the only problem surfacing with the thaw. As melting permafrost in Siberia threatens to release ancient diseases, scientists are also raising red flags about rapid ice loss from Greenland's Petermann Glacier, which could trigger a dramatic increase in sea level and exacerbate the severity of coastal flooding during extreme storms.

What's being done to stop this Arctic threat from spreading?

For now, Camp Century remains under Denmark's jurisdiction. Scientists are monitoring the area, but cleanup efforts face steep logistical and political hurdles. The good news is that awareness is growing  and that's the first step to action.

In the meantime, everyday people can help by exploring critical climate issues and supporting policies that reduce planet-warming pollution and bolster disaster preparedness. Simple steps like upgrading to energy-efficient appliances and reducing food waste can make a difference.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Standard Lithium Ltd (NYSE:SLI) is one of the Canadian penny stocks to buy right now. On November 12, Roth MKM analyst Joseph Reagor reiterated a Buy rating on Standard Lithium Ltd., maintaining a price target of $5.50. The call followed the companys November 10 earnings release, where Standard Lithium reported a net loss of $6.1 million, wider than the $4.8 million loss in the same quarter last year. Despite the miss, shares edged higher as investors focused on key operational milestones.

Standard Lithium Ltd. (SLI) Advances Projects Despite Wider Q3 Loss

During the quarter, Standard Lithium completed and published a Definitive Feasibility Study for its South West Arkansas (SWA) Project, confirming its cost-effectiveness and potential as the companys first commercial-scale development. The firm also announced record lithium-in-brine grades in North America, strengthening the outlook for its Franklin Project in East Texas.

To support growth, the company also closed an upsized $130 million underwritten public follow-on equity offering. It plans to use net proceeds from the offering to fund capital expenditures at the South West Arkansas Project and the Franklin Project in East Texas. Standard Lithium exited the quarter with cash and working capital of $32.1 million and $29.1 million, respectively.

Following quarter close, we took a further de-risking step by completing a capital raise, supported by strong investor demand, that will put us in a position to reach FID at SWA, as well as progress our Franklin and other projects in East Texas. Looking ahead, we expect to provide multiple updates in the coming months as we seek to conclude our ongoing project financing and customer off take processes, finalize selection of our key SWA Project vendors and approve FID before beginning construction at SWA in 2026, said David Park, Chief Executive Officer.

Standard Lithium Ltd. (NYSEA:SLI) is a company focused on developing lithium brine projects in the United States to produce battery-grade lithium. It uses a proprietary Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) and purification process to extract lithium from brine resources, particularly in the Smackover Formation in Arkansas and Texas.

While we acknowledge the potential of SLI 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: 10 Best Mexican Stocks to Invest In and 10 Best Cryptocurrency Stocks to Buy for the Long Term.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Claim:

In November 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court announced a hearing date regarding President Donald Trump's "alleged illegal" demolition of the White House East Wing.

Rating:

Rating: False

A rumor circulated online in November 2025 that the U.S. Supreme Court announced a hearing date regarding President Donald Trump's "alleged illegal" dismantling of the White House East Wing, where demolition finished in October.

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According to the rumor, the high court decided to hear the case after the National Trust for Historic Preservation announced a $10 billion lawsuit against Trump, who repeatedly said he wished to build a large ballroom on White House grounds.

The vast majority of posts mentioning this matter read, "BREAKING: The Supreme Court sets a hearing date for Donald Trump's alleged illegal demolition of the White House East Wing after the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a $10 billion lawsuit against him for violating federal environmental and heritage protection laws."

Users shared this rumor across multiple social platforms, including on Bluesky (archived), Facebook (archived), Instagram (archived), Threads (archived), TikTok and X (archived).

(Jessie Janice/Facebook)

In short, the rumor was false. As of late November, the Supreme Court had not set any hearing dates regarding the White House East Wing demolition. Also, the National Trust for Historic Preservation announced no such lawsuit against Trump. Posts from early November indicated users promoted the rumor after believing fabricated news reports in videos partially generated by artificial intelligence. AI-generated and advertisement-filled WordPress blog articles followed the promotion of those partially fake clips.

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Elliot Carter, a spokesperson for the NTHP, told Snopes via email, "Nothing about the rumor is true. We don't have any lawsuit against Trump regarding the East Wing demolition. And we we're not doing anything involving the figure $10 billion."

The National Trust previously published a letter in October saying it was "deeply concerned" about the East Wing demolition, as well as requesting construction be paused to allow officials to review plans for Trump's ballroom.

We also contacted the Supreme Court to ask if it wished to confirm the false nature of the rumor or comment on the matter, and will update this story if we receive further information.

As we previously reported, Trump said in July that his ballroom construction wouldn't "interfere with the current building"  a claim that turned out to not be true.

How AI-generated videos started the false rumor

Searches of Bing, DuckDuckGo, Google and Yahoo located no news media outlets reporting about the Supreme Court setting a hearing date regarding the East Wing, nor did further searches find credible news about the NTHP announcing a lawsuit against Trump.

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Those searches did, however, locate videos about the Supreme Court claim from Facebook and TikTok accounts both named Breaking News. Those clips possibly started the rumor in early November.

On Nov. 4, a Facebook profile named Breaking News posted a video receiving more than 1 million views with a caption reading, "URGENT NEWS: Supreme Court Sets Hearing Date for White House East Wing Demolition." That video featured AI-generated clips of judges reprimanding Trump in several courtroom settings, as well as authentic footage of Chief Justice John Roberts and the East Wing demolition.

A Google search displayed two links for a TikTok account also named Breaking News  with the handle @breakingnewsusa24  hosting one or more videos promoting the false rumor. As of this writing, the links appeared in Google search results but the account itself was inaccessible, indicating TikTok or the user removed the content.

We contacted the Facebook account via Messenger to ask whether they owned the similarly-named TikTok account and will update this article if we receive more details.

AI-generated articles contributed, as well

Later in November, Facebook (archived) and Threads (archived) users published posts containing links leading to advertisement-filled, AI-generated WordPress blog articles, indicating they aimed to profit from promoting the false rumor.

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The Bing search engine's AI-generated answer, displayed above search results, cited one of those WordPress blogs as a source, wrongly declaring the Supreme Court rumor as being true. That article appeared on topnewsource.com, an untrustworthy website on which we've previously reported.

We determined that users generated the articles with AI based on three factors, the first of which was language resembling past AI-produced tales. For example, the topnewsource article began with the words, "In a stunning legal development." The article then ended with the same sort of dramatized, forward-thinking wording often found in AI-generated stories, reading, "The hearing is expected to draw nationwide attention, as the Supreme Court deliberates on what could become one of the most consequential preservation cases in modern American history."

Aside from those primary indications of AI, some AI-detection websites including Copyleaks and ZeroGPT  tools that are not alone an entirely reliable source to detect AI-created content  determined someone likely used an AI tool to write the topnewsource article.

Users looking to profit on false rumors by publishing massive numbers of ad-filled blog articles would not take the time to carefully and manually write their stories in the same way traditional journalists author stories.

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For further reading, we previously reported about how users residing in Vietnam and other countries attempted to capitalize on the July 2025 Texas flash floods with fabricated, AI-generated content.

Sources:

"AI Detector - Free AI Checker for ChatGPT, GPT-5, Gemini & More." Copyleaks.com, https://copyleaks.com/ai-content-detector.

"AI Detector - Trusted AI Checker for ChatGPT, GPT5 & Gemini." ZeroGPT.com, https://www.zerogpt.com/.

"National Trust Letter Regarding Proposed Construction of the White House Ballroom." National Trust for Historic Preservation, 21 Oct. 2025, https://savingplaces.org/stories/national-trust-letter-regarding-proposed-construction-of-white-house-ballroom.

Superville, Darlene. "The East Wing Demolition Was 'jarring.' But a White House History Buff Sees a Silver Lining." The Associated Press, 29 Oct. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/trump-ballroom-white-house-east-wing-mclaurin-f3ca84b49843b3eb3c14ad6d48f117c3.
Rebuilding in Manara, along with Tozeret Haaretz's comprehensive efforts to expand the community and attract new families, reflects a broader trend visible across Israel's periphery.

Two years after the war with Hezbollah devastated Manara, a small kibbutz perched on Israels northern border with Lebanon, dozens of families have returned to the scarred landscape  and new ones are arriving with a determined sense of purpose  to help rebuild what was lost and forge an even stronger community from the ruins.

On October 8, in the immediate aftermath of the escalating conflict, the IDF ordered the kibbutzs 300 residents, including elderly people, pregnant women, and families with young children, to evacuate immediately, leaving only the emergency response team and the military presence behind to secure the vulnerable border position.

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The scale of destruction that unfolded over the following months was staggering. Over the duration of the war, about 70-75% of the kibbutz was destroyed by rockets, drones, and sniper fire, Moran Kurland-Vaserbali from the Tozeret Haaretz organization explained.

The damage wasnt isolated to a few structures. The entire southern neighborhood was hit. Around 100-120 people [were] left with no homes. Completely gone. How Manara is built... when one building gets hit, the blast wave damages the rest. Rockets also hit the childrens houses, community buildings, and management offices, she told The Jerusalem Post, explaining the comprehensive destruction that touched every corner of the small community.

The physical layout of the kibbutz, with buildings in close proximity designed to foster community, made it all the more vulnerable to attacks.

Life in Manara. (credit: courtesy Moran Kurland-Vaserbali)

Once the area had been declared safe to return, following extensive security operations and clearance procedures, about 60% of the residents made the difficult decision to come back, with Kurland-Vaserbali stating she was the first to come home, leading the way for others who would follow in the subsequent weeks and months.

Challenge facing Manara includes reimagining a community

The challenge now facing Manara is not just repairing damaged structures but also reimagining and rebuilding an entire community infrastructure from the ground up.

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Currently, modular housing is being built in an expansion neighborhood to accommodate both returning families and newcomers, complete with safe rooms built to withstand rocket attacks, new infrastructure, and community buildings that will serve as the heart of the revitalized kibbutz.

The financial and logistical support network has been crucial to making this reconstruction possible. We have support... from the state, the regional council, and lots of donors from the US and Australia, Kurland-Vaserbali said, acknowledging the international backing that has made the ambitious rebuilding effort viable.

Everyone understands the urgency, because the damage was so severe that rebuilding will take years.

The timeline ahead is daunting, with estimates suggesting it will take around five years to fully restore what was destroyed in just months of conflict. But the communitys vision extends beyond mere restoration.

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Manara doesnt just want to go back to how they were. They want to come back stronger than ever, with a renewed sense of purpose and an expanded population. Thats why Tozeret Haaretz, an organization dedicated to supporting young, pioneering Israeli communities throughout the country, is helping bring a new life to Manara through strategic outreach and comprehensive support programs.

The campaign is explicitly targeting new families: couples, young parents, even singles, anyone drawn by a mission.

Our goal is to bring people who want meaningful community life, Kurland-Vaserbali told the Post. We had nearly 120 inquiries from just a few Facebook posts. She explained that many who visit on tours fall in love with Manaras serene high-altitude setting, describing it as 900 meters above sea level, cool air, snow in winter  a bit like Jerusalem, but without the traffic.

Beyond idealism, there are incentives: grants, housing subsidies, scholarships, and support for entrepreneurs and teachers. Its not just about returning; its about building something new, she said. Living on the Lebanon border means constant tension. Kurland-Vaserbali explained that today, the kibbutz runs regular security drills, and there is a permanent emergency squad.

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I came back while pregnant, with a two-year-old and a three-month-old. We were among the first to return, even while streetlights were still out, she said, adding that seeing the military activity instills a sense of confidence in the community.

As long as the IDF is operating inside Lebanon, as long as we hear military activity, we know the enemy is being handled. The political and military leadership understands that October 7 cannot repeat itself, she said.

For many, returning to Manara isnt just about going home or reclaiming property; its a mission with national and even existential significance.

If we arent here  our neighbors really want this land. But were not giving it up, she said. She described life in Manara as more than communal, calling it a moral duty that transcends ordinary civic responsibility: Its beyond a mitzvah  this is a frontier that must be held.

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Rebuilding in Manara, as well as Tozeret Haaretzs comprehensive efforts to expand the community and attract new families, reflects a broader trend visible across Israels periphery. After our seven-front war, Israelis have been returning to border towns across the country, even ones that suffered devastating losses comparable to or exceeding what Manara experienced.

Todays generation of young people is not willing to stand on the sidelines. They are searching for an effective way to take responsibility for the future, to build, and to be a part of something greater than themselves, Shay Ilan, co-CEO of Tozeret Haaretz, said.

Tozeret Haaretz was initially launched with that in mind, from a place that believed in the power of community to change reality. The partnerships we have built with kibbutzim like Manara and with the Kibbutz Movement and Chevron are based on a similar belief in the power of young people. This shows that these young communities are not only a social prerogative but also a prime example of taking responsibility on a national level.
Several families are searching for their loved ones detained in the recent Border Patrol operation known as Charlottes Web, which has resulted in 370 arrests across multiple states.

The operation, conducted by Border Patrol, has led to detainees being held in Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, and North Carolina, according to immigration attorney Jamilah Espinosa.

In my office, weve received 10 calls from people trying to locate their family members, said Jamilah Espinosa, an immigration attorney.

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ALSO READ: Charlottes Web operation draws support, pushback as DHS reports 370 arrests

Espinosa noted that some families have located their loved ones in detention centers in Louisiana and Georgia, but there is a possibility that overcrowding could lead to transfers to Texas or other locations.

The operation has had a significant impact on the local community, with businesses in Hispanic corridors like South Boulevard and Central reopening amid ongoing concerns.

Espinosa highlighted the economic and mental health impacts on the community, stating, It has had an economic impact. We know that many small businesses have felt the blow, and that will continue to happen. We know that mental health has suffered and will continue to suffer.

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For those with family members detained, lawyers suggest contacting consulates for assistance, securing a trusted lawyer to explore immigration relief options, and monitoring the ICE Tracker website to locate detainees.

The Charlottes Web operation continues to affect families and businesses in Charlotte, with legal experts urging affected individuals to seek help through consulates and legal channels.

VIDEO: Charlottes Web operation draws support, pushback as DHS reports 370 arrests
There are growing questions about the electronic monitoring operation in place in Cook County, after last week's attack on a CTA train.

A young woman, identified as Bethany MaGee by her family, was set on fire onboard a CTA train in the Loop.

Lawrence Reed, who was previously arrested 72 times and was on electronic monitoring for a separate crime, was charged in the attack.

Court documents reveal Reed had violated his curfew several times in the days leading up to the attack.

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And on Nov. 17, the day MaGee was set on fire, an alert went out just after noon that Reed was in violation of his curfew.

Hours later, Reed allegedly attacked MaGee on the train.

The Office of the Chief Judge of Cook County, who oversees the electronic monitoring operation, said in a statement, "The Office of the Chief Judge extends our deepest concern to the individual who was injured, and we take this matter extremely seriously. Any incident in which someone is harmed is unacceptable, and public safety remains our top priority. Because the case involving Lawrence Reed is now pending in federal court, we are prohibited under the Illinois Supreme Court Code of Judicial Conduct from commenting on its specific facts. These rules protect judicial integrity and prevent any appearance of bias. We can, however, outline the legal standards and procedures that guide judicial decision-making in all pretrial matters."

The chief judge took over the program from the Cook County Sheriff's Office earlier this year.

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They went on to say, "We are reviewing all actions taken in this case to ensure procedures were followed and to identify opportunities for improvement. One immediate change under consideration is reinstating the practice of reporting escalated EM alerts to the State's Attorney's Office. That process was previously paused, following concerns raised by the State's Attorney's Office regarding the volume of alerts. In the interest of public safety, we believe it is necessary to re-evaluate this process."

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office defended her prosecutors Tuesday, saying "This heinous crime is heartbreaking. But it didn't come out of nowhere. My office requested the perpetrator be detained after he committed a previous violent crime. The judge denied our request. This was a tragedy. But it never should have happened."

The crime has many, including President Donald Trump, taking aim at "liberal judges."

"The woman with the burning, they burned the woman. They burned this beautiful woman riding in a train. A man was arrested 72 times - 72 times, think of that - and they let him out again. The liberal judges will let him out again," Trump said Tuesday.

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The president, once again, called out Chicago and its leaders over crime in the city.

Critics are coming after the SAFE-T Act, which Gov. JB Pritzker addressed last Friday.

"The SAFE-T Act is designed to give judges the ability to keep people in jail who they think are potentially dangerous to the community. So it's the judgement of those elected judges that ultimately determines in most cases whether somebody is released or not," Pritzker said.

The SAFE-T act would have allowed for a judge to keep Reed behind bars.

Cook County court data show, of those who have been released pretrial since the start of the Pretrial Fairness Act, a component of the SAFE-T Act which eliminated cash bail, 94 percent of people have not been charged with new violent crimes while on pretrial release.

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Teamsters Local 700 said in a statement:

"We have been warning the community for more than a year of the danger posed by the reckless decision to transfer the electronic monitoring program away from the oversight of the Local 700 sworn peace officers at the Sheriff's Office who previously handled the program. Now, we're seeing the terrifying consequences of this disastrous decision in this horrific fire attack on the Blue Line, one that never should have happened. The bottom line here is clear: the Office of the Chief Judge is not equipped to properly administer this program, and now an innocent woman has been set on fire and traumatized for life.

"To ensure the safety of the community, the process of transferring the electronic monitoring program to the Office of the Chief Judge must be halted immediately and the program must be reestablished within the office of the Cook County Sheriff. Local 700 stands ready to work with Sheriff Dart, incoming Chief Judge Beach, the Cook County Board, and state lawmakers to fix this mess - before another innocent person gets hurt."

On a GoFundMe page for MaGee, family said they are grateful for the public's support of their daughter, who they describe as a "gentle spirit."
As Philadelphia police search for the driver who struck and killed 48-year-old Meaza Brown, family, friends and coworkers laid her to rest on Tuesday.

The incident happened on Nov. 20, as she walked to work at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia's University City neighborhood.

"Meaza was one of the kindest people I've ever met," said Blen Ashenafi, Brown's niece.

The mother of three was born in Ethiopia but made South Philadelphia her home.

"Everybody is going to remember that smile," said her co-worker, Felicia Boyd. "Just brightens up the whole place."

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But it's also who she was on the inside that will be ingrained in people's hearts forever.

"She was such an amazing person and loved by everyone," said her brother-in-law, Eugene Brown. "She was family-oriented."

Loved ones say Brown worked hard to help support her family.

"She was a wonderful woman," said Boyd. "She was a pillar in our workplace."

Philadelphia police say Brown was within the crosswalk alongside co-workers on the 3300 block of Market Street when she was struck by a hit-and-run driver. Detectives say the suspect blew through a red light at a high rate of speed.

"I was in shock," said Boyd. "I just didn't believe, like, someone is coming to work, and something tragic like that to happen, and for the person not to stop."

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Brown passed away at the hospital and left behind an international community that says they changed for the better because of her.

"This is a really tough loss for us, but we're handling it as a community, and we're staying strong," said Ashenafi.

The victim leaves behind Kevin, her husband of 23 years, a son, Kevin, and two teenage daughters, Nicole and Dena.

"If you see them, they look just like her," said Eugene. "They are her, and they're going to carry on her legacy. They will. She will live through all of us."

Donations are being collected for funeral expenses and financial support.

Detectives recovered the vehicle involved in the crime that day, about a mile from the scene.

Police have not made any arrests, but sources tell Action News they have some leads.
(Photo by JasonDoiy/Getty Images)

Washington state has ambitious renewable energy goals. But as we transition away from fossil fuels, energy demand will increase as we electrify our lives and as energy-intensive industries proliferate.

This complicates our states path to decarbonization.

As part of the transition, solar energy in Washington could cover tens of thousands  possibly hundreds of thousands  of acres in the coming years.

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Where all those solar panels go is a serious question.

Rooftop solar is great. However, the most ambitious estimates show that, at best, it would meet less than 30% of the states energy needs.

Farmland is a prime target for solar developers because the land is typically flat, already cleared, relatively accessible and sunny.

But the prospect of farmland conversion to solar energy has created tensions in rural communities and led to roadblocks on agricultural solar arrays.

Rather than converting farmland to solar facilities, we could build solar arrays and continue growing crops and raising livestock beneath the gentle shade of the panels. This approach is called agrivoltaics, and it could be one way to ease competition between the agriculture and solar energy sectors.

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Solar arrays cast a shadow but dont fully shade the land beneath.

This means some crops and smaller livestock can be grown and raised underneath and between the panels. And if you raise the panels a few feet higher, beneath them you can grow taller crops, trellised fruit trees, or graze cattle.

Even better, the partial shade from the solar panels can reduce sunburn and heat stress for fruits and vegetables and improve animal welfare. The shading can also reduce irrigation needs.

Solar panels and support posts can be used to replace some farm infrastructure as well, like trellising and shade cloth.

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Through a collaboration between American Farmland Trust, Washington State University, The Nature Conservancy, and colleagues at University of California, Santa Barbara, we recently published a report on the feasibility of agrivoltaics in Washington for the state Department of Commerce. The research was funded by Climate Commitment Act revenue.

Our work included cutting-edge modeling to assess the joint production of solar energy and crop yield and quality at the field scale for apples, lettuce and berries. And we surveyed more than 100 farmers statewide to learn about their perspectives on solar energy, including agrivoltaics.

Our discoveries show incredible potential for the future of clean energy in Washington.

Farmers surveyed were substantially more supportive of agrivoltaics than converting farmland to solar arrays without maintaining agricultural production.

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Fifty-five percent of the farmers surveyed were more interested in marrying solar and agricultural land when they learned about the idea of agrivoltaics and 57% of the farmers surveyed were moderately or very interested in hosting an agrivoltaics system on their lands.

Washington residents deeply value protecting both agricultural and natural lands. They also value rapidly transitioning to renewable energy sources.

In 2025, the state Legislature passed Senate Bill 5445 to encourage a diversity of distributed energy systems, including agrivoltaics.

This is a great start, and we need more. Farmers and ranchers, solar developers, scientists and policy makers can build on this momentum to support Washingtons agricultural communities, protect our lands and build the renewable energy future we need without losing valuable agriculture and natural lands.
Nov. 25 (UPI) -- The FBI wants to interview six military veteran Democratic lawmakers President Donald Trump said should be jailed over a video they produced last week reminding service members of their Constitutional oath and responsibility to reject illegal orders.

Five of the lawmakers confirmed in statements on Tuesday that the FBI was seeking to speak with them about the video.

"President Trump is using the FBI as a tool to intimidate and harass members of Congress," Reps. Jason Crow of Colorado, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire and Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania said in a joint statement Tuesday. "No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs and honoring our Constitution."

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Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan specified that the FBI's Counterterrorism Division had reached out to the lawmakers.

"The President directing the FBI to target us is exactly why we made this video in the first place. He believes in weaponizing the federal government against his perceived enemies and does not believe laws apply to him or his Cabinet," Slotkin, a former CIA analyst and Pentagon official, said in a separate statement published to Bluesky.

The lawmakers' statements accused Trump of using his federal law enforcement to harass and intimate critics. On Monday, the Department of Defense announced it was investigating Sen. Mark Kelly, the sixth Democrat to appear in the video and the only one currently subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. On Tuesday, a Pentagon memo from Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the review of Kelley be completed no later than Dec. 10.

The video, published on Nov. 18, caused a stir in Washington as the lawmakers, all former members of the military or intelligence communities, spoke directly to active-duty service members, telling them their oath to uphold the Constitution means they must refuse illegal orders.

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"No one has to carry out orders that violate the law," Slotkin states in the code.

"Or our Constitution," Houlahan, former Air Force, adds.

The video was produced as National Guardsmen have been deployed to various Democratic-led cities to aid federal immigration law enforcement as part of the Trump administration's crackdown on migrants.

And amid a military buildup near Venezuela, the Trump administration has killed dozens of people in more than 20 attacks in international waters of the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean on accusations that they were shipping drugs to the United States. The attacks have drawn domestic and international condemnation, with U.N. experts saying they amount to extrajudicial killings and the president of Colombia accusing Trump of murder.

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Trump, in a social media post, accused the six Democrats of "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL" and said each should be "ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

During a press conference in Inkster, Mich., on Tuesday, Slotkin said the video was produced in response to concerns they've heard from both uniformed and veteran service members about actions they may be asked to take in connection to the deployment of the National Guard to U.S. cities as well as the attacks in the Caribbean.

"That's where the video came from," she said.

She added that in the wake of Trump's repeated comments, they have received hundreds if not thousands of death threats. A bomb threat was made to the home where she lives with her family, who have also been harassed, she said.

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Trump's attempts at intimidation will not deter her or the other five Democrats from using their free speech rights, she said. Slotkin said Trump's actions against the lawmakers are in line with how he's used the federal government against universities, pro-Palestinian protesters and other perceived enemies.

"If he's going to use the FBI against members of Congress, what would he do to average citizens who don't have that elected cover?" she asked.

The Trump administration and Republicans have argued the video encourages military members to ignore or refuse legitimate orders.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski is one of the few GOP lawmakers to publicly resist the investigations into her Democratic colleagues. She specifically defended Kelly, a retired combat pilot in the Air Force and astronaut.

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"To accuse him and other lawmakers of treason and sedition for rightfully pointing out that service members can refuse illegal orders is reckless and flat-out wrong," Murkowski, of Alaska, said in a statement Tuesday night.

"The Department of Defense and FBI surely have more important priorities than this frivolous investigation."
Federal court officials are speaking out about the rising number of threats against district judges in the wake of several high-profile cases heard and rulings issued by the Northern District Court of Illinois.

In a rare interview about what she views as an existential threat to the integrity of democratic institutions, Chief U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall told the ABC7 Chicago I-Team the number of threats directed toward federal judges has increased year-by-year.

"I've personally seen with my own judges on the bench, that number of threats increased significantly," Judge Kendall told the I-Team. "The whole concept of our entire democracy is based on the three branches of government, and one branch has to be independent of each other branch. Judges have to be able to not be swayed by public opinion, be swayed by money, be swayed by reputation, they have to be able to do the job and apply the laws."

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The number of threats to judges nationwide has increased by 40% in the last four years, according to data from the U.S. Marshals Service.

In Chicago, federal judges for the Northern District of Illinois are also seeing an acute rise in threats over many cases related to recent immigration enforcement operations.

Sources confirmed with the I-Team that at least five federal judges representing high-profile cases have received some form of threats, including District Judge April Perry, who is overseeing a case about the National Guard's deployment in Illinois; District Judge Sara Ellis, who is presiding over a case involving federal immigration agents' use of force; District Judge LaShonda Hunt, who issued a ruling on fencing outside of the Broadview U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility; District Judge Jeffrey Cummings, who is presiding over litigation involving a warrantless arrest consent decree; and Magistrate Judge Laura McNally, who is overseeing litigation over conditions inside the Broadview ICE facility.

SEE ALSO: City of Chicago employee accused of threatening Republican Illinois senator: state police

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When asked about these threats, Kendall told the I-Team, "No question. I don't think it matters which side they would have ruled. That's the climate that we're in."

"If you rule for or against a particular issue, it seems to be fair game for this kind of reactive behavior on the part of the public. And mind you, it's not all of the public. We have tremendous support. ... But it doesn't matter when it's pitted up against this group of individuals that choose to use this language, choose to use these attacks to spread derogatory information about individual human beings," Kendall said.

Chief U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall told the I-Team the number of threats against local judges has "increased significantly."

The Federal Bar Association's Chicago chapter recently condemned the rise in threats to judges in the Northern District of Illinois and across the country.

"Expressions of public sentiment-whether criticism or praise-are not threats to judicial independence," the FBA Chicago chapter statement reads. "Recent threats of violence directed at Chicago federal judges for simply doing their job, however, are unacceptable and have no place in our discourse."

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In response to rulings in several local immigration-related cases, officials with the Trump administration have called out "activist judges" as responsible for rulings it deems not in the administration's favor.

Judge Kendall said the entire bench rules impartially.

"Each of the judges on this bench, they don't go out to be political," Judge Kendall said. "They go out saying, 'I've got my law degree, I've got my oath from the President. It's now time for me to listen to evidence, listen to facts, apply the law and come to a fair and impartial decision.'"

But with the rise of social media, and access to personal information online, Judge Kendall says intimidation has increased, especially in recent months.

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Clerk of Court for the Northern District of Illinois Thomas Bruton said he has seen this first-hand.

"We have seen threats significantly increase," Bruton said. "We've seen threats increase both online, through email communication, through phone communication, and it's concerning."

Bruton added, "It's a difficult job when you look at the statistics and the number of judges that have been threatened, you look at the number of staff that have received inappropriate communications. But it's our job to keep everyone safe."

Geoffrey Deas is the assistant director of judicial security for the U.S. Marshals Service. Deas told the I-Team he is particularly concerned with "silent hunters," or people who may not have made any active threat but are triggered to action by violent rhetoric.

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Deas explained the U.S. Marshals Service evaluates any communications sent to district judges, and if the communication goes beyond "First Amendment Protected Speech," the U.S. Marshals, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigations, has statutory power to investigate further.

In 2025, Deas said 364 different judges out of approximately 2,500 active judges nationwide were named as threatened on a protective investigation.

Deas said he expects to see an uptick in threats to judges locally because of the intensity surrounding recent immigration-related rulings.

Judge Kendall worries the threats could have long-term consequences.

"It's really critical that you can seek redress in the federal court," Judge Kendall said. "The public really needs to understand how serious it is for the independence of the judiciary because judges just need to be able to do their job. ... If they're disagreed with, then there's a higher court. But in order to do that, well, we have to be able to just honestly do our jobs without that nervousness of threats."
The Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse in St. Louis, home of the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Missouri (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).

ST. LOUIS  A federal judge promised Tuesday that he would decide whether or not to block a referendum on Missouris gerrymandered redistricting map before petitions to force a vote are submitted.

The state is asking U.S. District Judge Zachary Bluestone, a recent Trump appointee, to declare the U.S. Constitution precludes any popular effort to overturn the new map that was muscled through by Republicans in a September special session. People Not Politicians, a political action committee that has until Dec. 11 to submit enough signatures to force a vote on the map, wants Bluestone to dismiss the case and leave it to state courts to sort out.

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Told in court that the signatures would be turned in Dec. 9, Bluestone said he would have a decision by that date.

Using the new map, Republicans hope to win seven of the states eight congressional seats by adding enough GOP votes to flip the 5th District, currently held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City. It is part of a national battle over drawing new lines begun when President Donald Trump pushed Texas to redistrict to win five new GOP seats in the narrowly divided Congress.

The case is one of eight  two in federal court and six in state court  that wrap the redistricting plan in multiple layers of litigation. One, argued Nov. 12 in Cole County and challenging the constitutionality of redistricting when there is no new census data, is awaiting a decision from Circuit Judge Christopher LImbaugh.

The latest lawsuit was filed Nov. 11 by Advanced Micro Targeting, the company gathering signatures for People Not Politicians, accusing competitors of poaching employees and gathering intelligence on its operations.

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In the case before Bluestone, the state argues the federal constitution directs state legislatures to determine the boundaries of congressional districts. And without a clear statement in the Missouri Constitutions referendum clause allowing votes on redistricting plans, it is prohibited.

Lou Capozzi, state solicitor general, told Bluestone that he should intervene because the people are trying to infringe on the prerogatives of the General Assembly and it is costing the state money and employee time to process the referendum.

From start to finish, the defendants actions impose significant burdens, he said.

Jessica Amunson, representing People Not Politicians, said the costs are just employees in three state offices  secretary of state, attorney general and state auditor  doing their jobs. And future costs, for verifying signatures and an election, are speculative because the petitions have not been submitted yet.

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The case, she said, is unprecedented. The plaintiffs  the General Assembly and Secretary of State Denny Hoskins  are suing their own citizens to prevent them from petitioning their government.

There are very few court precedents on the question of whether citizen referendum power extends to congressional district maps. Missouri voters rejected a redistricting plan in a 1922 referendum but that vote produced no guiding legal cases.

The attorneys did argue over the meaning of a 1916 U.S. Supreme Court decision in an Ohio case that found a referendum on a redistricting plan was a constitutional use of the power.

Capozzi said the courts found the Ohio Constitution had a clear statement granting the power.

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Amunson disagreed. The Ohio referendum power is essentially the same as Missouri, allowing any law to be subject to a vote while Missouri says any act passed by lawmakers can be sent to a vote.

In none of those cases was there a clear statement rule required, she said.

Bluestone seemed more skeptical of Amunsons arguments at times than Capozzi, but directed pointed questioning to both.

While he promised a decision by Dec. 9, at the beginning of the hearing he said the decision may be to hold the case without acting while other lawsuits play out in state court.

In state court, Missouri is defending the redistricting plan by arguing the inverse of the argument in federal court  the absence of words granting or barring lawmakers authority to revise district lines between census reports means it is allowed. Before Bluestone, the state is arguing that the absence of words granting or barring petitioners from seeking a referendum means it is not allowed.

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Richard von Glahn, executive director of People Not Politicians, said after the hearing that hes not surprised by the apparent contradiction.

What I saw in the hearing was, frankly, clarity from the state about how afraid they are of voters getting the final say on this, von Glahn said. If you think what you did is a good thing, you have nothing to fear from a referendum.
The water was over a meter high in places, according to the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority.

Amid reports of severe nationwide flooding due to heavy rainfall overnight into Tuesday morning, first responders have rescued dozens of people across the country.

A section of the security fence has also collapsed in the West Bank, Israeli mediareported.

Additionally, Israel Fire and Rescue Authority noted that, among those saved by first responders were 10 people, including a mother and an infant, in the West Bank community of Elkana.

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"We received a report of civilians trapped in their homes due to flooding," Shift Commander Reshef Tomer said. "Upon arrival, we made contact with the civilians and evacuated them from their homes unharmed.

The water was over a meter high in places, according to the authority.

Flooding in home in Elkana, West Bank, November 25, 2025. (CREDIT: SECTION 27A OF THE COPYRIGHT ACT)

Fire and Rescue personnel rescue Israel Natural Gas Lines employee from flooded river

Israel Fire and Rescue personnel also rescued an Israel Natural Gas Lines employee after the Yatir River near Hura overflew its banks and flooded nearby roads in southern Israel.

First responders rescue a truck driver caught in a flood in southern Israel, November 25, 2025. (CREDIT: ISRAEL FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY)

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After ongoing rescue efforts, first responders managed to rescue the driver and pull the truck to dry land.

Personnel from Israel's emergency medical service, Magen David Adom, are currently providing medical treatment to the driver on scene.
With a rebound in the freight market expected to have commenced long before the end of 2025, the inevitable question among analysts and observers is: what happened?

That was the focus of the November State of Freight webinar Tuesday, with FreightWaves strategic analyst John Paul Hampstead joining SONARs head of freight market intelligence Zach Strickland to take up the issue. FreightWaves and SONAR CEO Craig Fuller sat out the November webinar, with Hampstead taking his place.

One of the culprits was identified quickly in the discussion between Hampstead and Strickland: a turndown in demand. That was one of the five takeaways from the November discussion.

Theyre not buying what carriers are selling

Carriers sell capacity. Strickland and Hampstead reviewed data in SONARs Outbound Tender Volume Index (OTVI) and it shows that demand for that capacity is soft by any measure.

The tender volume index is not very impressive at this point, Strickland said, pointing to the big dip. He said volume is down about 11% from this point in the calendar last year though last year at this point, the OTVI was taking a sudden counterseasonal downturn.

A recent upturn in the OTVI was noted by Strickland, but he said it was not robust growth.

Hampstead said many retailers may be expecting an anemic or soft demand or sales environment going forward. Given that, I think that these retailers are happy to kind of burn off those inventories and let them run down, he said.

Demand, Hampstead said, is really what is holding the truckload market back.

What the rejection index is saying

The counterpart to the OTVI is the Outbound Tender Rejection Index (OTRI). It is a measure of capacity and Strickland noted it is strongerbut not by a lot.

The rejection rate has been rising, standing Tuesday at 6.79%. Last year at this time, Strickland noted, it was about 6.5%. Weve had this incremental tightening of capacity that most people would not have felt, or they didnt feel it, because its not happening quickly, Strickland said. A difference of that magnitude over a year is essentially nothing, he said. It has been slowly getting higher, so these increases are just not easily felt as much.

Rates turning higher

Although it hasnt happened yet, Strickland said spot rates are an area where a lot of people expect things to really take off. Recent movement has seen an upward move in SONARs NTIL, the National Truckload Index (Linehaul Only),

Hampstead said data from the OTVI suggests that there has been more long-haul business recently, and that tends to push down the rate per mile calculations.
Tens of thousands of people in Thailand and neighbouring Malaysia were displaced by widespread flooding, with streets submerged, homes inundated and at least 34 dead, officials said Wednesday.

The Thai government declared a state of emergency in Songkhla province on Tuesday, with torrential rains since late last week drenching several southern provinces.

An image from Wednesday published by AFP showed murky brown floodwater covering streets and ground floors of residential buildings in Songkhla's tourist hub Hat Yai.

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One resident of the city told the Thai public broadcaster that the whole lower level of his building was submerged, with water reaching about three and a half metres (11.5 feet) at its highest point.

"I climbed onto the roof to call for someone to bring us food," the man, identified as Yanyong, told the television channel.

"It's now under a metre, but I still haven't received any help because my house is deep inside the (flooded) area."

Thai government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat told reporters that 33 people have died across seven provinces, including from drowning and electrocution.

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Severe flooding has spread to seven southern provinces, home to several million people, according to the disaster prevention and mitigation department.

The flooding since last week has stranded residents and travellers in their homes and hotels, with rescuers using boats, jet skis and military trucks amid high floodwaters.

The military has deployed an aircraft carrier and mobilised helicopters to airlift patients to nearby hospitals, the army said.

More than 10,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in Songkhla since last week, the province's public relations department said.

University campuses have been converted into shelters for displaced people.

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The Songkhla provincial administration said Wednesday that it had set up food centres capable of distributing up to 20,000 food boxes a day to flood victims.

Thailand regularly records heavy rainfall from June to September, but experts say human-induced climate change has intensified extreme weather, making conditions increasingly unpredictable.

- Stranded tourists -

In neighbouring Malaysia, flooding from days of heavy rain swept through eight states, with forecasters predicting more rain in the region in the coming days.

More than 27,000 people were evacuated to dozens of temporary shelters this week, with one death recorded in one of the worst-hit states, Kelantan, on the northeastern coast, according to rescue officials.

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The Malaysian Meteorological Department has warned that thunderstorms will continue until Wednesday in the northern states of Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak.

Floods are an annual phenomenon in the nation of 34 million people due to the northeast monsoon that brings heavy rain from November to March.

Malaysia's foreign ministry on Tuesday said it was monitoring the flooding across the border after thousands of Malaysian holidaymakers were stranded in hotels in southern Thailand last week.

"Most of the affected Malaysians had been staying in multi-storey hotels and have been accounted for," the ministry said in a statement.

As of Monday, "more than 6,300 Malaysians have safely crossed the border out of Thailand and safely arrived in Malaysia".

tak-llk/sco/mtp
Authorities arrested a man Monday for allegedly trying to run down a queer running group in West Palm Beach.

The suspect, 43-year-old Mustafa El Mahmoud, allegedly attempted to mow down the group several times, according to Florida news station WPBF. Mahmoud is facing charges of aggravated assault, and authorities may charge him with a hate crime.

One runner, Rudolph Galindo, told the outlet he believes he was targeted by the driver first. The group of about 40 people, who call themselves the Night Runners, gather twice a week at a local park to begin their run. Galindo said that he had approached a man at the park to ask if he was there for the run.

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"He seemed aggravated that I was asking him if he was there for the running group. So, he said no. I just stepped away," he told the station.

Then, Galindo said, the man got in his SUV and began targeting the group.

"He got into his car, pulled out, accelerating, pedal to the metal and coming right at me where I was standing," Galindo recalled. "This car is flying at you. I have never seen a car fly that fast right towards me in my entire life."

The runners fled to the surrounding trees to avoid the vehicle.

"We were behind a tree, but at this point, it seemed like he didn't have any limits of what he was wanting to do or willing to do," Galindo told the outlet.

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Related: Democrats and rights groups accuse Trump's Justice Department of ignoring hate crimes

Out South Florida reports that no one was injured and the suspect didn't hit anyone.

When the driver committed and it became clear that this was really happening we saw a lot of our community react like their own family was in danger, runner Logan Graves told the outlet. I pulled in whoever was closest to me to the furthest tree, new runners I hadnt even met yet.

Galindo said he didn't know if he was just trying to scare the group or if he really meant to try to hit them.

"It's difficult to say. He certainly had the ability to do so, and I don't think he would have been upset if he did hit somebody," he told WPBF.

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He told Out SFL, My fear is ... what does that mean for the group and people feeling safe and feeling like were attacked, and how do we reassure them that were dedicated to a safe space?

Galindo added that he plans on organizing a special run on Monday to show unity.

This article originally appeared on Advocate: Florida driver arrested and accused of trying to run over LGBTQ+ running group
After more than a year in legal limbo, Florida can finally enforce its law prohibiting minors under the age of 14 from using social media.

The law was given the green light by a federal appeals court, but tech companies argue the ruling could impact adults as well.

As enforcement begins, social media companies must delete all accounts of Floridians under the age of 14, and 14 and 15-year-olds will need their parents permission to keep their accounts.

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The law was passed back in 2024, but up until now, it had been put on hold after tech industry organizations sued.

Its going to finally allow us to do what weve all known as parents needed to be done, and thats protect our children from some of these insidious features on social media, said State Representative Dean Black (R-Yulee).

Black, who cosponsored the social media bill, applauded the new ruling.

Children are not only being subjected to predators, but their self-image is being destroyed, and their stress levels are high. My gosh, we have little children committing suicide, said Black.

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While the majority opinion agreed that protecting children outweighs potential First Amendment concerns, the dissenting opinion attached to the latest ruling disagreed.

In it, Judge Robin Rosenbaum argued the law impacts not just children, but all social media users because all users will now likely be subject to some form of age verification.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

In doing so, it chills countless users speech on deeply personal, political, religious, and familial matters, Rosenbaum wrote.

But Black argued its no different than showing ID to buy alcohol or enter a bar.

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These are sacrifices that adults make to protect children, and we do that willingly because we care about kids, said Black.

In a statement, NetChoice, one of the tech industry groups that challenged the law, indicated it will consider all available options to ensure Floridians online communication is safe and free.

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Anabel Cano thought cancer had spared her after she underwent a mammogram in the Spanish region of Andalusia. Having now lost a breast to a mastectomy, she feels betrayed.

"Why did they forget me?" rued Cano, one of hundreds of women affected by a breast cancer screening scandal in the southern region's public health system that has shocked the country.

For years, follow-up tests and monitoring were not carried out after inconclusive mammograms, sparking fears that falsely reassured patients may have unknowingly developed cancer.

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Cano, a 52-year-old former housekeeper, had her operation for breast cancer almost a year after her November 2023 mammogram, when she was told all was fine if no response was received within 15 days.

Months passed without news before Cano was finally invited for another test that uncovered her cancer.

"If they had done it (the operation) one year before, perhaps I would not have got to where I am now," she told AFP.

In September, an Andalusian association representing breast cancer sufferers, Amama, brought the scandal to public attention following warnings from some of its members.

Cano was the first victim to submit a complaint against Andalusia's health service, which is a regional responsibility in Spain's decentralised system.

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Amama's lawyer Manuel Jimenez has said a provisional total of at least 230 women developed cancer after their mammograms, with three deaths.

The regional government, run by the main conservative Popular Party (PP), says 2,317 women are concerned by the lack of follow-up treatment, after initially speaking of three or four cases.

Regional authorities however insist that no cases of cancer or death have been reported.

- 'Time matters' -

Amparo Perez, 56, is another cancer survivor who fell through the cracks of Andalusia's screening system.

After a first test in June 2023, she waited months before discovering further screening was needed.

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But the warning came too late -- Perez had a double mastectomy in February 2024.

"Perhaps, if they had caught it (the cancer) on time, all that I would have avoided... with this illness, time matters," said the former hairdresser.

"I did not think there were so many women" suffering the same plight, added Perez, saying it had reduced her to tears in the past years.

At Amama's headquarters in the city of Seville, a mosaic promoting self-examinations and leaflets advertising flamenco classes to fight the side effects of chemotherapy welcome breast cancer sufferers.

For Amama's president Angela Claverol, the affair has laid bare the consequences of "cuts, mismanagement". "Omission, negligence or incompetence, it's the same," she said.

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Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has blamed the failings on a privatisation of healthcare by the PP in Andalusia.

Carmen Flores, who leads a patients' association and has filed a complaint with prosecutors, agrees that a "stubbornness in privatising public healthcare" is to blame.

"The worse the public health system works, the better to have an excuse to transfer patients to private healthcare," she said.

Rafael Ojeda, president of the SMA doctors' union, pointed to a "very bureaucratised and very centralised" public health system that gave practitioners little control over the management of diagnostic tests.

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- Public outcry -

The Andalusian government has announced an emergency plan worth 12 million euros (around $14 million) and pledged to hire more staff, while officials including the regional health minister have resigned.

But the anger over the scandal could cost the PP dear ahead of regional elections scheduled for next year.

Thousands of women have protested in front of the regional government and hospitals, while the Andalusian public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into the scandal.

Rosario Castro, a victim of the failings and a member of Amama, dismissed the authorities' response as wholly inadequate.

"How can it be that we are able to take calls as volunteers, while they have not even made a (telephone) number available?" she asked.

mig/imm/sbk/jhb
A former European lawmaker from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) received a fine on Wednesday linked to allegations of shoplifting and assault.

The Neuss District Court fined Gunnar Beck, who served in the European Parliament between 2019 and 2024, 3,600 ($4,160) for resisting law enforcement officials.

The 60-year-old had lodged an appeal against a penalty order amounting to 12,000.

According to the indictment, Beck was caught stealing cosmetics in a department store in the western German city of Neuss near Dusseldorf in October 2022.

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Beck, who was previously convicted of misusing a title after wrongly passing himself off as a professor, allegedly used a pipette to transfer creams and lotions from test samples into containers and then put them in his bag.

A security guard observed him on the surveillance monitor and alerted his colleagues at the exit. After being held up, he allegedly lashed out, kicking and injuring a guard, according to the indictment.

Testifying in court, the security guards involved in the case said they could no longer remember the incident. "I don't remember, it was so long ago," said one of them.

Beck denied the shoplifting. However, the 60-year-old was convicted of violently resisting the police officers who were called to the scene.

The European Parliament had previously lifted Beck's parliamentary immunity.
The state of Oklahoma has filed a breach of contract lawsuit against the former operator of the Lookout Kitchen, which was a privately managed restaurant concept placed in half a dozen state parks.

The lawsuit stems from a December 2024 fire that caused substantial damage to the lodge at Sequoyah State Park in eastern Oklahoma. It claims that the restaurant operator failed to maintain a safe working area, failed to maintain proper insurance coverage and failed to compensate the state for property damage and other losses. It also includes a claim of negligence against RPW ENT, LLC, which is the parent company of the restaurants.

State officials sued RPW ENT on Tuesday, Nov. 25.

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The restaurants have been permanently closed since September, following issues with the operator meeting revenue obligations. The restaurants had already closed once in 2025 due to what the Oklahoma Department of Tourism described as "repeated failures to make outstanding payments and fulfill other contractual obligations to the state" totaling more than $250,000.

Court records in a separate lawsuit indicate RPW ENT is co-managed by JP Wilson and Paul Wilson. JP Wilson is also the owner of Falcone's Pizzeria.

For breach of contract, the state claims it sustained damages in excess of $4.5 million. For the negligence allegation, the state claims damages of at least $5 million. The Office of Management and Enterprise Services filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation in Oklahoma County District Court.

JP Wilson issued the following statement to The Oklahoman:

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"We strongly disavow the lawsuit filed by OMES and reject the allegations of breach of contract and negligence. These claims do not reflect the facts, the conditions under which this facility was provided to us, or the realities of our operations," Wilson said. "Fire prevention and suppression issues related to the state-owned facility were outside the scope and responsibility of our company."

Wilson said he looks forward to presenting his side of the story in court and demonstrating "where responsibility truly lies."

Company that invested in operation also named in lawsuit

Along with RPW ENT, the filing names a company called RCC Ventures LLC as another defendant. According to court records, RCC Ventures purchased a stake in the state park restaurant operation back in 2023 shortly after the contract was awarded. RCC Ventures' managing member is Douglas B. Walker, CEO of Rudy Construction Co. in Oklahoma City.

With $400,000, RCC Ventures captured a 50% ownership of the operation of the state park restaurants. A few months later, RCC handed out another $375,000 as a line of credit. For collateral, the Wilsons put up a 1994 Ferrari 348 Spider, a 1999 Bentley Arnage, a Midtown OKC condo and some amount of profits from Falcone's Restaurant.

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RCC Ventures is also suing the Wilsons and their companies in Oklahoma County District Court. That lawsuit, filed Oct. 10, alleges financial mismanagement, self-dealing, failure to provide financial information and failure to make payments on the line of credit since it matured in July 2025.

This is the second Oklahoma state park restaurant operation to fail in recent years. Lookout Kitchen was selected to replace Foggy Bottom Kitchen, which was managed by the owner of the Swadleys Bar-B-Q chain. That contract was canceled due to alleged fraud, which subsequently led to a lawsuit and criminal indictments.

The Tourism Department has indicated it will publish another request for proposals from private entities to operate the state park restaurants.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Former Oklahoma state parks restaurant operator sued by state
Several former patients are now suing a west suburban chiropractor.

David Hanson, the 43-year-old owner of Hanson Family Chiropractic in Batavia, is facing multiple charges related to child pornography, the Kane County State's Attorney's Office said.

Hanson is accused of secretly recording nude videos of nearly 200 of his patients.

The new lawsuit claims Hanson violated patients' privacy and the privacy of children.

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Lawyers filed a civil lawsuit on behalf of four patients, who all belong to the same family.

"All of whom believe they were violated by secret recordings in this medical office," Attorney Anthony Romanucci said. "Additional lawsuits on behalf of more plaintiffs on this matter will be coming forth soon."

Illinois State Rep. Curtis Tarver also announced that he plans file a "Protecting Children from Hidden Cameras act" in Springfield in January.

Officials have asked any potential victims to call (630) 444-3322 or email SAOVictimHotline@KaneCountyIL.gov

READ MORE | Batavia chiropractor charged with secretly recording nude videos of over 180 child, adult patients
Four local residents are among 10 people accused of running a drug trafficking operation in Ulster County under a federal indictment filed in April in the Northern District of New York.

One of those defendants, a man from Queens, pleaded guilty last month in federal court. The others' cases are still pending.

John A. Sarcone, the acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern Districrt, identified the defendants as Aidan White, 23, and Raymond Robinson, 53, both of Kingston; Damon Dunn, 48, of Tillson, a hamlet in the Town of Rosendale; Kristine Scibelli, 41, of Middletown; Cecilio Wareham, 48, of Queens; Greg Tejada, 48, of Highland Lakes, N.J.; Richard Johnson, 35, Kevin Dunn, 52, and Xavier Patterson, 28, all of New York City; and Allen McGraw, 44, of Utica.

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All were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

In addition, Damon Dunn, Robinson, Tejada, Scibelli, Patterson and Johnson were charged with distribution of a controlled substance; and White and Damon Dunn were charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

New bridge: Newburgh Thruway bridge replacement began in June. Months later, status of construction

They were indicted in April for their roles in distributing large quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine in and around Kingston and other areas of Ulster County.

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The organization is alleged to have distributed more than 11 kilograms of cocaine and hundreds of grams of cocaine base.

Wareham pleaded guilty last month to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. He will be sentenced Feb. 26 before U.S. District Judge Mae A. D'Agostino.

He faces a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million and a supervised release of at least five years if he is released from prison.

If they are convicted, Damon Dunn, Tejada and Johnson face 10 years to life in prison; Kevin Dunn, White, Scibelli and Patterson face from five to 40 years in prison; and McGraw and Robinson face 20 years in prison.

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Mike Randall covers breaking news for the Times Herald-Record and the Poughkeepsie Journal. Reach him at mrandall@th-record.com.

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Ten people accused in Hudson Valley drug operation
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy must serve a six-month sentence for illegal financing of his 2012 election campaign, France's top court ruled on Wednesday, upholding a previous verdict.

The Court of Cassation in Paris rejected the 70-year-old's appeal against his conviction. The verdict is now final.

Sarkozy will not, however, have to serve the sentence in prison. A criminal court judge must decide on the type of alternative sentence, which could involve an electronic tag.

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The case is separate from the conviction handed down to the 70-year-old for involvement in a criminal organization in connection with alleged campaign finances from the late Libyan dictator Moamer Gaddafi. He was given a five-year sentence for that offence, but was released from jail after three weeks pending an appeal.

The current case refers to a rule that caps election expenditure to create greater equality between the candidates. An appeal court found last year that Sarkozy's team had spent almost twice the allowed amount of 22.5 million ($260 million) through false accounting.
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy must serve a six-month sentence for illegal financing of his 2012 election campaign, France's top court ruled on Wednesday, upholding a previous verdict.

The Court of Cassation in Paris rejected the 70-year-old's appeal against his conviction. The verdict is now final.

Sarkozy will not, however, have to serve the sentence in prison. A criminal court judge must decide on the type of alternative sentence, which could involve an electronic tag.

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Sarkozy's lawyers stated that the conservative had acknowledged the decision. They said they would consider whether to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

The lawyers do not expect a decision on the form of sentence conversion for several weeks.

Around 20 million overspent

The case is separate from the conviction handed down to the 70-year-old for involvement in a criminal organization in connection with alleged campaign finances from the late Libyan dictator Moamer Gaddafi. He was given a five-year sentence for that offence, but was released from jail after three weeks pending an appeal.

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The current case concerns Sarkozy's failed re-election campaign for the presidency in 2012 and the funds used by his team for it.

In France there is a rule that caps election expenditure to create greater equality between the candidates. An appeal court found last year that Sarkozy's team had spent almost twice the allowed amount of 22.5 million ($260 million) through false accounting.

To cover up the overspending, expenses were allegedly disguised through a system of fictitious invoices by his Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) party, now renamed The Republicans.

Although Sarkozy is not said to have invented the system, he reportedly ignored important warnings. In total, he was sentenced to one year, six months of which are suspended.

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Sarkozy had always denied the allegations. His lawyer Vincent Desry stated: "Nicolas Sarkozy is completely innocent regarding what he is accused of in this case." He did not allocate any funds and was unaware that the spending limit had been exceeded, Desry said.

Electronic tag and imprisonment

The decision is another severe defeat in the former president's years-long, bitter battle with the French judiciary.

Already at the beginning of the year, he had to wear an electronic tag for about three months. The sentence was imposed for bribery and unlawful influence peddling, allegations that Sarkozy had always denied.

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And because he reportedly sought funds from Libya for his 2007 campaign, the once-star of French conservatism spent some time in prison about a month ago.

By now, the politician, popularly known as "Sarko," has been allowed to leave his cell under certain conditions.

Sarkozy has also denied all allegations in this case. He called his conviction a scandal and appealed.

Sarkozy previously known for scandals

The once dazzling figure of Sarkozy has fallen far, with multiple convictions, yet he is still considered an influential voice.

Even his term in the Elysee Palace from 2007 to 2012 was marked by affairs involving wealthy friends, excessive government members and nepotism.

Sarkozy ultimately lost the re-election for the presidency in 2012 to the Socialist Francois Hollande. Five years later, he failed in the internal party selection process for the presidential election.
Many Americans take a set-it-and-forget-it approach to their 401(k) contributions, so they may be missing out on a powerful retirement savings tool that could save them thousands in taxes.

Find Out: Suze Orman Calls This $1.6 Million 401(k) Rollover Move Crazy  What She Recommends Instead

Read Next: 6 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000

If you have a retirement plan through work, chances are your employer offers a great option, money expert Suze Orman shared on LinkedIn. Yet, for reasons I cant understand, you arent signing up for this great option. I am talking about being able to save for retirement with a Roth 401(k).

Heres why Orman said that saving in a Roth 401(k) could end up being a very savvy money move.

Most Americans Skip This Valuable 401(k) Option

According to Vanguard data, 86% of 401(k) plans offer participants the option to save in a Roth 401(k).

That is fantastic, she said. But heres the part that has me pulling my hair out: Vanguard also reported that fewer than 1 in 5 participants who had this option chose to save in a Roth 401(k). That is nuts.

Orman said that if you can opt into a Roth 401(k) for the coming year, you should do it  its easier than you might think.

I am not talking about moving all the savings you already have in your 401(k), she said. All that you should change is where your new 2026 contributions go.

Learn More: Im a Financial Advisor: Youll Never Regret Doing These 4 Things With Your IRA

Traditional vs. Roth 401(k): What You Need To Know

The key difference between a traditional and Roth 401(k) is when you pay tax.

With a traditional 401(k), the amount you contribute each year reduces your taxable income, Orman said. For example, if you earn $85,000 and contribute $10,000 to a traditional 401(k), your taxable income from those earnings is reported as $75,000.

However, 100% of withdrawals from a traditional 401(k) are taxed as ordinary income. A Roth 401(k) has a different tax setup.

You get no upfront tax break on the money you contribute to the account. But once you are retired, 100% of your withdrawals will be tax-free, Orman said. And there is no [required minimum distribution] with a Roth 401(k). You dont have to make withdrawals at any point if you dont need the money.

Why Suze Orman Recommended Roth 401(k) Contributions

Orman believes that utilizing a mix of traditional and Roth 401(k) plans will set you up for financial success in retirement.

For those of you who have spent years saving in a traditional 401(k), it would be so smart to now focus on building up savings in a Roth 401(k), she said. Having money you will not owe any tax on in retirement is going to be a great advantage.
A-G Baharav-Miara informs Netanyahu that the government must implement criminal and economic sanctions against draft evaders within 45 days.

Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara formally notified Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday that the government is now legally obligated to take concrete enforcement measures against draft evaders, following last weeks landmark High Court of Justice ruling on Israels conscription law.

In the Tuesday letter, the attorney-general underscored that the ruling imposes a binding duty on the government to act swiftly and effectively to enforce legal measures against individuals defined as draft evaders, particularly within the ultra-Orthodox (haredi) sector.

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Baharav-Miara said, Following the draft ruling, the government is obliged to act againstdraft evaders.

Five days earlier, on Thursday, the court issued a final, absolute order requiring the government to devise and implement an enforcement policy within 45 days. The ruling mandates a dual mechanism of criminal enforcement and civil-economic sanctions, such as the removal of state benefits or subsidies from individuals avoiding compulsory service.

According to the judgment, the states conduct in recent years amounted to a near-complete abandonment of its duty to enforce the law.

Attorney general Gali Baharav Miara attends a Constitution, Law and Justice Committee leads a committee meeting in the Knesset in Jerusalem. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Baharav-Miara pressures government on the draft law

In the letter sent to the prime minister, Baharav-Miara emphasized that the courts ruling leaves no room for political discretion. The government must act to implement the judgment, she wrote, stressing that ministries cannot delay enforcement on the grounds that new draft legislation has not yet been enacted.

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She further noted that the states earlier claim  that it could not enforce the law in the absence of a new statutory arrangement  had been explicitly rejected by the justices.

The backdrop to the ruling is Israels severe manpower shortages since the October 7 war, which have intensified scrutiny over haredi exemptions. The decision represents one of the most forceful judicial interventions on the issue in more than a decade, signaling that state benefits can no longer coexist with a policy of non-enforcement.

The ruling requires the government to shift from theoretical commitments to measurable compliance and does so under a rigid timetable that the court expects the state to meet. The A-Gs message places the responsibility squarely on the government to determine the contours of enforcement.

Questions remain  whether criminal indictments will be initiated, whether sanctions will include the suspension of stipends or state assistance, and whether enforcement will target only those who ignored draft orders or apply more broadly  but the government has yet to announce any concrete steps.

Enforcement, even if limited, is expected to face resistance from the haredi parties central to Netanyahus coalition.

Yet the A-G made clear that the government no longer has legal latitude to delay.
GE HealthCare has unveiled a new cloud-native radiology management system that aims to advance diagnostic workflows and optimise collaboration between radiologists.

The new Radiology Workspace platform integrates Genesis View, an image viewer designed to be accessible from any location.

GE HealthCare said the viewer adapts to individual users reading preferences and automatically displays current and prior studies to save time and reduce cognitive load.

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The viewer will also give radiologists the ability to reject or modify AI-based findings provided by third-party AI apps based on their review.

According to GE HealthCare, the systems efficiencies will help account for radiologist shortfalls and reduce the time radiologists spend on navigating complex interfaces. Research by the American College of Radiology suggests that tasks of this nature comprise 64% of radiologists time. Genesis View is currently pending clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Genesis is being showcased at the upcoming Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2025 annual meeting, taking place in Chicago from 30 November to 4 December. The impending launch of the system reflects GE HealthCares plans to triple its cloud-enabled products by 2028. To solidify these efforts, the company recently announced a $2.3bn deal to acquire Canadian medical imaging software provider Intelerad.

GE HealthCares enterprise imaging solutions CEO Scott Miller commented: By combining cloud-native accessibility with embedded AI and advanced visualisation, Genesis Radiology Workspace is designed to enable diagnostic imaging professionals to work smart, fast, and from anywhere  without compromising diagnostic accuracy.

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This innovation is intended to address the pressures radiology departments face today, streamlining workflows, reducing cognitive burden, and ultimately improving patient care.

The global diagnostic imaging space is growing at a CAGR of 4.4% and is forecast to reach a valuation of around $81.4bn by 2034, according to GlobalData analysis.

GE HealthCares reveal of its new radiology workspace follows a similar move by Philips, one of GE HealthCares key rivals in the imaging space. The Dutch imaging giant announced the launch of Image Management 15 on 25 November. Akin GE HealthCares upcoming solution, Philips management platform includes a web-based imaging viewer that aims to advance how radiologists access and interpret medical images.

"GE HealthCare unveils new cloud-native image viewer" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




President George Washington aimed to unify the country with his first Thanksgiving message. (Photo by Getty Images)

On Thursday, Nov. 26, 1789, George Washington woke early. Assisted by his enslaved valets  William Billy Lee and the young Christopher Sheels  he powdered his hair, put on his favorite black velvet suit, tied his white neckwear and donned his yellow gloves.

Finally ready, he set out to travel the short distance from the Presidents House, at what used to be 3 Cherry St., New York, and St. Pauls Chapel, which still stands at 209 Broadway.

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He had an important aim that day: to celebrate Thanksgiving. Washington had thought carefully about this Thanksgiving, the first of his presidency. On Oct. 3, 1789, following the recommendation of a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives, Washington had issued a proclamation. He urged the people of the United States to celebrate a day of public thanksgiving and prayer.

But Washington believed that particular Thanksgiving in 1789 was a crucial occasion. He would use it to call on the people he now led to hold their new country together in the face of forces that he knew could pull it apart.

Devotion in the service of unity

It was not the first Thanksgiving Americans celebrated. The firsttook place at Plymouth colony in the autumn of 1621  Pilgrims held a feast to thank God for their first harvest and invited members of the neighboring Wampanoag tribe.

It was not even the first national Thanksgiving  which was held on Dec. 18, 1777, at then-General Washingtons behest. Nor was Thanksgiving yet a federal holiday to be observed every last Thursday of November  it became so with the 1863 proclamation of President Abraham Lincoln.

George Washington's Oct. 3, 1789, Thanksgiving Day Proclamation.

Nov. 26, 1789, was a Thursday, and the weather was miserable. Few New Yorkers showed up at St. Pauls Chapel to see the president: I went to St. Pauls Chapel, Washington wrote in his diary, though it was most inclement and stormy. There were but few people at Church.

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The president had prepared for the occasion. He also contributed a sizable sum of his own money to buy beer and food for prisoners confined for debt in the New York City jail. The donation was deemed to be a magnanimous and moving gesture, suitable to the spirit of the holiday. A week later, in an advertisement in the Dec. 3 issue of the New York Journal, those very prisoners returned their grateful thanks to their president for his very acceptable donation on Thursday last.

Washingtons first Thanksgiving as a president may have not been tremendously successful, given the scarce attendance at the church service.

Yet, as a scholar writing a biography about Washington, I believe it was an important step in his much larger political plan to bring the executive branch to the peoples doorstep.

What Washington wanted was a virtuous kind of populism in the new country he led. Washingtons populism wasnt about inciting an angry mob; it was about sharing in their rituals, worshiping their God, speaking their own language. And he did so in the sole interest of the American people.

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Thanksgiving 1789, for Washington, was at once religious and more than religious. Washingtons proclamation invoked devotional language, literally. The upcoming festivity, in his words, could be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.

But Washingtons main concern was political. The nation was recently formed, and he feared that it could easily collapse. Its many internal divisions and separate interests could be lethal. Consequently, the president wanted this holiday to be a civic celebration in which we may then all unite.

Washington's proclamation as printed in a newspaper of the time

Pardon our nationaltransgressions

As its first president, Washington recognized that the United States was born out of slavery, conquest and violence as much as of sacred principle. Civic unification required acknowledgment of these flaws. Thus, in the proclamation, Washington asked God to pardon our national and other transgressions.

A tremendously self-aware man, Washington knew that he was a deeply flawed person himself.

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He was a slave owner, a relentless pursuer of African American fugitives and a destroyer of Native American villages. He was also a warrior who deployed brutality against enemies. He was a commander who resorted to corporal punishment with his own soldiers. Washington believed that he was not a saint to be mindlessly imitated. This made him humble in his duties.

More importantly, Washington also grasped the power of his symbolic position as president. He sought to leverage that for the good of the nation.

As president, Washington could not advertise his actions effectively via Twitter and social media. He had to show himself around constantly, no matter the weather. He had to painstakingly attend balls, plays, dinners, public receptions and of course the church. Every occasion, every Thanksgiving counted.

Through his outings, Washington met with a diversity of people, including those who were second-class citizens or were not citizens at all. Women, for example, greeted Washington at nearly every stop of the extended presidential trips he took between 1789 and 1791. Textile workers in New England, Jewish leaders in Newport, many enslaved persons in the South and churchgoers everywhere did the same.

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These women and men, in bondage or free, believers or skeptics, played a part in the invention of a new political theater. Maybe, it was just a theatrical illusion. But these individuals  just like the prisoners in the New York City jail  thanked President Washington because they felt they were voices in a larger political culture.

Washington made sure his Thanksgiving message  not simply a message, but a proclamation  sounded clear and strong: May God render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed.

This story originally appeared in The Conversation.

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The case against Donald Trump and his co-defendants in Georgia ended on Wednesday with a filing for dismissal by the state prosecutor who took over after the removal of Fani Willis, the Fulton county district attorney.

Pete Skandalakis, the prosecutor and the executive director of the prosecuting attorneys council of Georgia, confirmed to the Guardian that its overafter superior court judge Scott McAfee issued a one-page order on Wednesday dismissing the 2020 racketeering case. Skandalakis said he would be making no further comments about the matter.

The political persecution of President Trump by disqualified DA Fani Willis is finally over, Trumps attorney Steve Sadow wrote in a message posted to X. This case should never have been brought. A fair and impartial prosecutor has put an end to this lawfare.

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On Wednesday afternoon, Trump posted on Truth Social about the dismissal, saying: This case should have never been brought in the first place We have to hold responsible those who attempted to destroy our Legal System and Nation itself as they tried to use it to silence and imprison Political Opponents for protecting our Country, and exercising our FIRST AMENDMENT Rights. The few remaining Democrat Witch Hunts will soon meet the same embarrassing end.

In the long-winded post, Trump also lambasted Willis, Nathan Wade, Joe Biden and, as referenced above, the Democratic party.

A grand jury in Atlanta indicted Trump and 18 others in August 2023, using the states anti-racketeering law to accuse them of participating in a wide-ranging scheme to illegally overturn Trumps narrow 2020 loss to Biden in Georgia.

The dismissal means that Trump no longer faces prosecution after his call in which he asked the Georgia secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, to find 11,780 votes and overturn the US election results in Georgia.

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Special counsel Jack Smith had charged Trump with federal crimes of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election and hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Smith dropped both cases after Trump won the White House last year, citing longstanding justice department policy against the indictment of a sitting president. Smith himself is now the target of a Hatch Act investigation by the office of special counsel at the Department of Justice.

Trumps conviction on felony charges in New York for making hush-money payments to the porn actor Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election resulted in an unconditional discharge by the court after his election, sparing him any punishment.

The justice department attempted to indict the New York attorney general, Letitia James, on charges of bank fraud and making false statements in Virginia; a federal judge threw out the criminal cases against James and James Comey on Monday, concluding that the prosecutor handling the cases was unlawfully appointed.

The Georgia case remained the only criminal prosecution of Trump still standing, but Williss disqualification by the Georgia supreme court doomed the effort. The court ruled that her romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, revealed in dramatic court filings in January 2024, created an impermissible appearance of a conflict of interest.

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Georgias supreme court sent the case to Skandalakis with instructions to find a new prosecutor, but that proved to be a struggle. With a 14 November deadline to act set by McAfee looming and no willing takers, Skandalakis appointed himself.

Despite the dismissal, four people pleaded guilty before the case imploded. Trump had pleaded not guilty, but was also protected from state-level prosecutions while president. Fourteen other defendants remained subject to prosecution.

Trump pardoned 77 people associated with the fake electors affair, including his 18 co-defendants in the Georgia case. None of them faced federal charges, rendering the move largely symbolic. He did not pardon himself.
A judge in Georgia has dismissed a sprawling 2020 election interference case against Donald Trump, ending the last effort to prosecute the president for allegedly attempting to overturn his loss to Joe Biden.

Peter Skandalakis, who took over the case after the initial prosecutor's removal, asked Judge Scott McAfee to dismiss the charges on Wednesday.

Trump's lawyer Steve Sadow praised the decision to end the "political persecution" against the president.

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The dismissal concludes the last of four criminal cases levelled against Trump since he first left the White House, only one of which saw trial and resulted in a conviction.

A Georgia appeals court removed Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, a Democrat, from the case after it determined a romantic relationship with a special prosecutor created an "appearance of impropriety".

Mr Skandalakis, executive director of the non-partisan agency Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia, appointed himself to the case after Willis' disqualification and when other state prosecutors declined to take the case.

In Wednesday's motion to a Fulton County judge, he said he was discontinuing the case "to serve the interests of justice and promote judicial finality".

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"As a former elected official who ran as both a Democrat and a Republican and now is the executive director of a non-partisan agency, this decision is not guided by a desire to advance an agenda but is based on my beliefs and understanding of the law," Mr Skandalakis added.

Around five million votes for president were cast in Georgia in 2020, with Biden winning the critical swing state by fewer than 12,000 votes.

Trump and some of his allies refused to accept the result, and the state quickly became a focal point for efforts to overturn the election.

In January 2021, the Washington Post published a recording of Trump speaking to Georgia's Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.

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"I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have. Because we won the state," Trump said in the recording.

Willis began investigating Trump's activities soon after the report, convening a special grand jury to weigh the evidence.

Willis filed an indictment - a formal declaration of charges - in August 2023, alleging Trump conspired with 18 other defendants to interfere in the election result. The charges included racketeering and other state offences.

The group "refused to accept that Trump lost, and they knowingly and wilfully joined a conspiracy to unlawfully change the outcome of the election in favour of Trump".

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Four co-defendants took plea deals with prosecutors that resulted mostly in fines, suspended sentences and community service, including attorneys Sidney Powell, Kenneth Cheseboro and Jenna Ellis.

Wednesday's dismissal also applies to the remaining co-defendants, including Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor and Trump's former attorney, and Mark Meadows, Trump's chief of staff during his first presidency.

Mr Sadow, Trump's lead attorney in the case, praised the decision to drop the charges.

"The political persecution of President Trump by disqualified DA Fani Willis is finally over," he said. "This case should never have been brought. A fair and impartial prosecutor has put an end to this lawfare."

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The Georgia election interference case was once considered the most threatening of Trump's four criminal indictments, because he could not pardon himself from state-level charges if he returned to office.

Prosecutors brought the US president to the Fulton County Jail, where they took his mugshot.

Legal experts who closely followed the case were not surprised by its dismissal. A judge tossed out several charges in 2024 and Willis was disqualified a few months later.

Willis' removal raised doubts about whether a replacement would take up such a complicated prosecution. Trump's 2024 election essentially put his case on hold until his term ends in 2029.

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"It was incredibly unlikely it was going to go forward anyway, because the amount of financial resources and man hours necessary to take on this case didn't seem to be within the scope of what Peter Skandalakis had," said Anthony Michael Kreis, a professor at the Georgia State College of Law.

However, Mr Kries was surprised by some of Skandalakis' reasoning for dropping the case.

"I think the report itself to me is a little more surprising because it seems to give the president and some of his allies a lot of benefit of the doubt, given what the evidence brought forth looked like," he said.

Trump has also faced a series of other criminal proceedings.

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These include a 2024 conviction in a New York hush-money case, which he is appealing against.

Two additional federal cases - one alleging he conspired to overturn the 2020 election and another accusing him of unlawfully retaining classified documents - were dropped following his return to the White House.

He also faces several high-profile civil lawsuits that are progressing through the appeals courts.

Earlier this month, Trump asked the US Supreme Court to review the $5m (3.6m) civil case brought by writer E Jean Carroll, after a federal appeals court upheld the award and declined to rehear the matter. A jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming Ms Carroll, allegations he denied.

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In August, a New York appeals court threw out a $500m civil fraud penalty against Trump that resulted from a separate, civil fraud lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

The appeals panel upheld the lower court's finding that Trump and his businesses committed fraud, but found the enormous fine was excessive.

[BBC]

Follow the twists and turns of Trump's second term with North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher's weekly US Politics Unspun newsletter. Readers in the UK can sign up here. Those outside the UK can sign up here.
Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has warned against forcing Ukraine to make unilateral territorial concessions in ongoing peace negotiations.

The country must also be able to defend itself in the future, Pistorius said in the Bundestag on Wednesday during a debate on the defence budget. This requires strong armed forces and robust, reliable security guarantees, especially from the United States, he said.

Pistorius insisted that nothing that affects the future of European states, NATO or the EU should be "negotiated or decided over our heads."

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"In other words, we decide our own future," Pistorius said. "And there must be no false peace for Ukraine. There must be no surrender peace."

He told the Bundestag that the course of the negotiations so far makes it clear that the geopolitical chessboard  the pattern, the arrangement and the alliances  is changing rapidly.

Germany, he said, must redefine its role in the EU and NATO "because we do not know which alliances we can still trust in the future and which will last how long."

He reiterated that strengthening the military and significantly increasing defence spending were necessary.

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The draft budget provides for defence spending to rise to 108.2 billion ($125 billion) next year, the highest level since the end of the Cold War.

In the current year, 62.43 billion will be allocated to the regular defence budget and 24.06 billion from the so-called Bundeswehr special fund.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier began a three-day state visit to Spain on Wednesday, with political discussions and a tour of Guernica on the agenda.

Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender were welcomed at the Royal Palace in Madrid by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia with military honours and a 21-gun salute.

Two Eurofighters from the Spanish Air Force accompanied Steinmeier's plane on its way to Madrid after it entered the country's airspace.

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Steinmeier was later presented with a golden key to the Spanish capital at the city hall.

Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida called the gesture the "most important symbol of our hospitality and appreciation."

"This key is only given to those whom we truly respect and admire from the bottom of our hearts," he added.

The German leader replied that for him, the key was also "an encouragement to further strengthen mutual trust and the partnership between Germany and Spain."

The Spanish royal couple, who made a state visit to Germany in October 2022, will host a state banquet in honour of their guests in the evening.

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Steinmeier is the first German president to make a state visit to Spain since Johannes Rau in 2002.

According to Steinmeier's office, the trip is intended to reflect the good bilateral relations between Germany and Spain. It also aims to demonstrate close solidarity between pro-European partners.

Another topic will be economic cooperation. Felipe and Steinmeier plan to open a German-Spanish economic forum together on Thursday.

Steinmeier also plans to meet with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, with talks likely to focus on the war in Ukraine.

Spain has recently pledged further aid of 817 million ($944 million) to Kiev.

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At the end of his visit, Steinmeier will visit the Basque Country. In addition to talks with the government of the autonomous region, he is due to visit the town of Guernica to commemorate the victims of the German bombing raid on April 26, 1937.

During the Spanish Civil War, aircraft belonging to the German "Condor Legion" bombed the small town, destroying three-quarters of it.

Estimates of the number of fatalities vary between 300 and 1,500. It was the first major bombing raid on a defenceless town's population in European history.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Wednesday he expects initial agreements between Russia and Ukraine in the ongoing peace efforts "next week at the earliest."

Speaking after a foreign affairs committee meeting in Berlin, Wadephul emphasized that the negotiations are in their first stage.

He said the negotiations must follow a structured process so Ukraine can negotiate "the concessions it is prepared to make, if any." Kiev can only do this from a position of relative strength, he added.

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Wadephul said Germany is working at the European level to unlock frozen Russian assets for Ukraine.

Germany and Ukraine's other European allies expect to join the negotiations at a later date, the minister said. "We are now in a framework where there are talks between Russia and Ukraine, and at a later stage the Europeans will be involved."
The state of Germany's labour market is a source of contention, with two leading economic institutes providing differing assessments on Wednesday.

The Munich-based ifo Institute said its employment barometer slipped back to its weakest level since mid-2020 in November, falling by one point to a seasonally adjusted 92.5 points.

The index last hit this level in September but has not been lower since the coronavirus pandemic.

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"Many companies are continuing to cut jobs," said Klaus Wohlrabe, head of ifo surveys. "Due to the faltering economy, the labour market remains weak."

In contrast, the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), based in Nuremberg, presented a rosier picture of developments.

The IAB employment barometer rose by 0.1 point to 100.4, a more positive figure than in large parts of the previous two years.

"The outlook for the labour market remains fair to cloudy," said IAB researcher Enzo Weber.

The reason for the disparity could be tied to differing reporting methods between the two barometers. While ifo surveys companies, the IAB relies on data from local employment agencies.

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The Federal Employment Agency is due to release its November labour figures on Friday.

Ifo: Job cuts across all sectors

The ifo barometer was particularly low in the manufacturing sector, with an index of -20.9, but the institute said job cuts were visible across nearly all sectors.

In the retail sector, the barometer was at -14.4, with many companies planning to run the Christmas season with fewer employees.

The index fell particularly sharply in the service sector, dropping by 4.2 points from the previous month, as the hospitality industry plans further job cuts.

However, the construction sector provided some good news, rising to 4.5 points - its highest level since May 2022.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier begins a three-day state visit to Spain on Wednesday.

Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender will be welcomed in Madrid by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, who will also host a state banquet in honour of their guests in the evening.

The Spanish royal couple made a state visit to Germany in October 2022.

According to Steinmeier's office, the trip is intended to reflect the good bilateral relations between Germany and Spain. It also aims to demonstrate close solidarity between pro-European partners.

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Another topic will be economic cooperation. Felipe and Steinmeier plan to open a German-Spanish economic forum together on Thursday.

Steinmeier also plans to meet with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, with talks likely to focus on the war in Ukraine.

Spain has recently pledged further aid of 817 million ($944 million) to Kiev.

At the end of his visit, Steinmeier will visit the Basque Country. In addition to talks with the government of the autonomous region, he is due to visit the town of Guernica to commemorate the victims of the German bombing raid on April 26, 1937.

During the Spanish Civil War, aircraft belonging to the German "Condor Legion" bombed the small town, destroying three-quarters of it.

Estimates of the number of fatalities vary between 300 and 1,500. It was the first major bombing raid on a defenceless town's population in European history.
The fintech industry moved into the modern era from something deeper than just better technology. The Global Financial Crisis of 2008 triggered a crisis of trust. For millions of consumers and businesses, the crisis revealed a need for greater transparency. A new generation of financial services companiesfintechsstepped into the gap promoting not just efficiency and lower costs, but transparency and accessibility as well.

This approach has delivered real results: The International Monetary Fund finds that digital finance not only increases financial inclusion, but is also associated with higher GDP growth and, in turn, helps create a more equitable global financial system.

The fintech industry has now matured, as shown by successful industry forums like the Singapore Fintech Festival and Hong Kong Fintech Week. The question has changed: Its no longer whether fintech can disrupt; its whether fintech can build enough trust to manage and move the worlds money, and achieve the sectors full potential?

I believe were at a crucial inflection point. Fintechs potential

business, social and economicdepends entirely on earning peoples trust to bring more of them, and their finances, into the system.

Now is the greatest opportunity

Fintech is in the middle of a turbo-charged era: AI-driven efficiencies and personalization, instant decentralized settlements, and a fully digital wealth management experience, all unthinkable a decade ago, are now on the way.

Basic trust has already been established. One example: across age groups, new technologies have significantly reduced the need for physical cash, if not made it near-nonexistent, in many economies.

Yet its a substantial leap to go from trusting a platform to make a simple payment to trusting it to manage your retirement savings. As technologies grow more powerful and personal, trust is increasingly the gatekeeper to further adoption. The greater responsibility raises the bar for trust in complex financial systems and puts pressure on companies to demonstrate transparency.

As algorithms and technology become more sophisticated, customers must understand exactly how decisions are made, where their money is held, and how their data is used. If fintechs cannot bridge the gap between these rapid advancements and clear, jargon-free information and education, mass adoption will falter.

The limitation wont be the technology itself, but the lack of public trust, which ultimately constrains the industrys potential to improve financial health and inclusion.

After all, a crisis of confidence can erase decades of work in mere daysjust think back to 2023 and the Silicon Valley Bank crisis. Trust has to be consciously engineered into every platform layer.
A group of military officers say they have seized control of Guinea-Bissau amid reports that the president, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, has been arrested.

Shortly after gunshots were heard in the capital, Bissau, government sources told the BBC that Embalo had been detained.

The officers then appeared on state TV, saying they had suspended the electoral process, as the West African nation awaited the outcome of Sunday's presidential election.

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They said they were acting to thwart a plot by unnamed politicians who had "the support of a well-known drug baron" to destabilise the country, and announced the closure of its borders and imposed a night-time curfew.

Sandwiched between Senegal and Guinea, the coup-prone country is known as a notorious drug-trafficking hub where the military has been influential since independence from Portugal in 1974.

The election results were expected on Thursday - both Embalo and his closest rival Fernando Dias had claimed victory.

Dias was supported by former Prime Minister Domingos Pereira, who had been disqualified from running.

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Late on Wednesday afternoon, Embalo told France 24 in a phone call: "I have been deposed."

Government sources have since told the BBC that Dias, Pereira and Interior Minister Botche Cande have also been detained.

The putschists have taken army chief Gen Biague Na Ntan and his deputy, Gen Mamadou Toure, into custody too, the sources say.

In a joint statement, leaders of election observation missions from the African Union and the West African bloc Ecowas expressed "deep concern with the announcement of a coup d'etat by the armed forces".

They said the country had been prepared for the announcement of the election results after what it described as an "orderly and peaceful" process.

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"It's regrettable that this announcement came at a time when the missions had just concluded meeting with the two leading presidential candidates, who assured us of their willingness to accept the will of the people," they said.

Witnesses in Bissau heard gunfire earlier on, at around 13:00 GMT, but it was not immediately clear who was involved in the shooting or if there were any casualties.

Hundreds of people on foot and in vehicles fled, seeking shelter as the shots rang out, the AFP news agency reported.

Later on, General Denis N'Canha, head of the military household at the presidential palace, read out a statement declaring a takeover.

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He said officers had formed "the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order" and instructed the population to "remain calm".

Checkpoints have been erected across Bissau and the streets were deserted ahead of the curfew, that was due to start at 19:00 GMT.

Portugal has called for a return to constitutional order, with its foreign ministry urging "all those involved to refrain from any act of institutional or civic violence".

The former Portuguese colony has witnessed at least nine coups or attempted coups over the last five decades.

President Embalo was elected in December 2019 [Corbis via Getty Images]

Embalo has said he has survived multiple coup attempts during his time in office. However, his critics allege he has fabricated crises in order to crack down on dissent.

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The 53-year-old had wanted to make history as the country's only president to secure a second consecutive mandate in the last 30 years.

He had initially said he would not seek a second term. Prior to the delayed polls, his legitimacy had been questioned, with the opposition saying his term should have officially ended in February 2025.

Guinea-Bissau is one of the poorest countries in the world with a population of more than two million people.

Its coastline has many uninhabited islands, making it ideal for drug traffickers - with the UN dubbing it a "narco-state" as it has been a key transit point for cocaine coming from Latin America to Europe.

[BBC]

[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

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By Steve Gorman

DENVER (Reuters) -Robert Dear, the self-proclaimed "warrior for the babies" who was charged with killing three people and wounding nine others in a 2015 shooting spree at a Colorado abortion clinic, has died in a prison medical center.

Dear, 67, who the courts had repeatedly deemed mentally unfit to stand trial, died on Saturday at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri, according to information posted on Tuesday by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He had remained in custody since his arrest immediately after the rampage on November 27, 2015.

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The inmate-locator record gave no details on the circumstances of Dear's death. Bureau of Prisons' officials did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for information.

The Denver Post quoted bureau spokesperson Randilee Giamusso as saying Dear's death was "preliminarily linked to natural causes" and that prison officials followed what the newspaper characterized as "advanced medical orders" before he died.

State and federal prosecutors had sought for a decade to convict him for the attack on the Planned Parenthood clinic, which provided a range of reproductive health services, including abortions.

Authorities said he opened fire with a rifle outside the facility before charging inside, and surrendered following a five-hour siege.

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Dear admitted to the mass shooting in several state court hearings, including when he proclaimed himself "a warrior for the babies," a reference to his anti-abortion beliefs. Federal prosecutors said Dear traveled to the clinic with a dozen firearms, propane tanks and more than 500 rounds of ammunition.

After evaluating Dear in 2016, two state court-appointed psychologists diagnosed him with a paranoid delusional disorder that they said rendered him mentally unfit for trial. The state court judge then ruled him incompetent, finding that while Dear could understand the factual basis of the case, he was unable to meaningfully assist in his own defense.

In 2019, Dear was indicted in federal court, which prosecutors hoped might advance the case. But in September 2021, a U.S. district judge again declared the defendant mentally incompetent.

Authorities tried to restore Dear's mental fitness while he remained in custody. As recently as June 2024, a federal appeals court ruled he could be given anti-psychotic medication against his will in hopes of establishing competency for trial.

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At the time, government experts estimated the medication had a more than 70% chance of success. Defense experts said the drugs were unlikely to work, citing Dear's age and long duration of untreated psychosis.

(Reporting by Keith Coffman in Denver; Writing and additional reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Kate Mayberry)
Nov. 25 (UPI) -- The families of hundreds of U.S. citizens killed or injured by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, accuse cryptocurrency exchange Binance of supporting terrorism.

The families of 306 U.S. citizens harmed or killed during the attack filed a 272-page federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of North Dakota on Monday.

They say Malta-based Binance marketed its services to "terrorist organizations, narcotics traffickers and tax evaders" by emphasizing that Binance is "beyond the reach of any single country's laws or regulations," the lawsuit says, as reported by The New York Times.

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The plaintiff families accused Binance of conducting transactions that totaled more than $1 billion on behalf of Hamas and other terrorist organizations.

Binance officials handled the transactions despite being warned of potential illegality by its compliance vendors and did not use common security checks, according to the lawsuit.

The plaintiffs also claim Binance willfully handled at least $50 million in transactions for Hamas, Hezbollah, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other terrorist organizations after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israeli civilians that killed 1,200 and kidnapped 254 others.

The lawsuit was filed a month after President Donald Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao after he earlier pleaded guilty to money laundering charges, according to CNBC.

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Zhao is named as a defendant in the lawsuit, along with Guangying Chen and Binance Holdings Ltd., who are accused of intentionally creating Binance to serve as a "criminal enterprise to facilitate money laundering on a global scale."

The plaintiffs say the Binance officials knew Hamas and other designated foreign terrorist organizations regularly used the cryptoexchange and actively assisted them "at a time when Hamas, in particular, was publicly directing its donors to send funds" to its Binance cryptowallets.

Binance officials also disregarded filing required suspicious activity reports and manipulated how qualifying transactions were reported to prevent any scrutiny by U.S. banking regulators, the plaintiffs argue.

Binance "actively tried to shield its Hamas customers and their funds from scrutiny by U.S. regulators or law enforcement -- a practice that continues to this day," the plaintiff families say.

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The plaintiffs seek compensatory damages in amounts to be determined at trial, treble damages due to alleged international terrorism-related activities, legal costs and other damages.

Binance officials told UPI they are aware of the federal complaint but cannot comment on active litigation.

The crypto exchange said it fully complies with internationally recognized sanctions laws and in 2025 had a direct exposure to illicit flows of less than 0.02% of platform volume, which it said is significantly below the industry average.

"We have invested hundreds of millions of dollars, expanded our global compliance-related workforce to over 1,280 specialists (22% of our entire workforce), and built real-time intelligence-sharing partnerships with law enforcement worldwide," Binance said.

"We remain steadfast in our commitment to working with regulators, law enforcement and our users to protect the integrity of the global digital-asset ecosystem."
Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan appeared in federal court on Nov. 26 in the obstruction case against her, as both sides argued details of jury selection, audio recordings that could be crucial, and who will take the stand at trial.

It was the first time Dugan, who is charged with obstructing immigration agents, has appeared in court since she pleaded not guilty in May. Dugan's earlier appearances were waived.

With the trial approaching in December, Dugan was summoned to court and is expected to be present at future proceedings. Additional members of her high-powered legal team were also in court for the first time.

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There was no talk of a plea bargain during the 45-minute hearing before U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman.

Interim U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel earlier said the government made an offer to Dugan's team, but didn't give details. Dugan's attorneys declined to comment. They have said Dugan is innocent and she looks forward to the facts coming out at trial. Dugan faces one felony count and one misdemeanor charge.

Jury selection is set for Dec. 11 and 12. The trial starts Dec. 15.

The trial is projected to take one week, but it appears it could spill over into the week of Christmas based on the timelines given to Adelman at Wednesday's hearing.

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Prosecutors expect to call up to 28 witnesses and play audio and video, planning to be done with their case sometime on Dec. 18, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Frohling said. That leaves a day or so for defense witnesses, jury instructions, closings and deliberations.

Defense attorney Steven Biskupic did not disclose how many witnesses Dugan's side might call. If Dugan herself takes the stand, that would likely take a substantial amount of time.

Members of Judge Hannah Dugan's legal team arrive for the final pretrial hearing Nov. 26. From left are Steve Biskupic, Jason Luczak, Nicole Masnica, Dean Strang and Rick Resch.

Both sides debate jurors, evidence, witnesses

Adelman ruled on a host of motions in a Nov. 25 order, dealing wins and losses to both sides.

Significantly for Dugan, her attorneys will be able to discuss other immigration arrests in the Milwaukee County Courthouse and a draft policy that was coming from Chief Judge Carl Ashley. The defense argues Dugan was trying to follow that guidance, not obstruct agents.

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Adelman refused to allow the defense to mention social media posts by FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who both weighed in when Dugan was arrested and charged.

Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan is seen leaving the Milwaukee Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse on Wednesday November 26, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The defense has proposed to have an immigration expert testify. They say the government issued two arrest warrants for Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, one before his arrest and one afterward, suggesting there may be documentation issues.

The government has argued that the defense's expert witness would be instructing the jury on the law, something only the judge, Adelman, can do.

Adelman sided with the government, but added that the issue may be brought up later to revisit.

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Audio recordings from inside Dugan's courtroom on April 18, when Flores-Ruiz appears, are likely to be key evidence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Brown Watzka said the government intends to play a few clips, including one where Dugan leaves her courtroom to talk to federal agents in the hallway and then returns.

Brown Watzka said comments are made while Dugan is gone about what is happening in the hallway, which may be part of the government's case.

Biskupic said the defense may have objections to playing that audio.

"How will this be held against her when she is not in there?" he said.

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Adelman said he would take that question up at trial.

Typical day in court triggers prosecution

On April 18, six federal agents arrived at Dugan's sixth-floor courtroom to arrest Flores-Ruiz, who was appearing on misdemeanor battery charges. After being told of the planned arrest, Dugan questioned the agents and directed them to go to Ashley's nearby office.

Dugan returned to her courtroom, according to prosecutors, called Flores-Ruiz's case ahead of others, set it for a future date, told Flores-Ruiz's attorney to have her client appear by Zoom, and then guided the pair out a "non-public jury door."

The pair came out in the public hallway. Two agents were there and followed them, arresting Flores-Ruiz outside the building after a short chase.

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If convicted, Dugan, 66, faces up to six years in prison, but first-time nonviolent offenders typically get shorter sentences or probation.

She has been suspended with pay by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. She makes nearly $175,000 a year.

Contact Reporter John Diedrich can be reached at jdiedrich@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Hannah Dugan case set for trial as sides argue evidence and witnesses
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on Wednesday that he was ordering 500 additional National Guard troops to be deployed in Washington, DC, at the request of President Donald Trump.

Trump ordered the additional troops in the immediate aftermath of the shooting of two National Guard troops from West Virginia outside the White House.

Hegseth made the announcement, saying, Myself and my team were notified that two National Guardsmen had been shot in Washington, D.C., critically wounded. The shooter shot in a cowardly, dastardly act, targeting the best of Americaheroes willing to serve in Washington, D.C., serve for people they dont know and theyve never met, because they love their country and their capital and their community.

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He added, This happened just steps away from the White House. It will not stand. And thats why President Trump has asked me, and I will ask the Secretary of the Army for the National Guard, to add 500 additional troops, National Guardsmen, to Washington, D.C.

MS NOWs Nicolle Wallace showed the clip during her show and added, Announcement thereare additional troops from the Secretary of Defense being deployed to Washington, D.C., in response to todays shooting. Let me bring into our breaking news coverage MS NOW investigative reporter Marc Santia. Mark, what are you learning?

So what were hearing from multiple sources right now, Nicolle, is that they believemultiple sources believethis was a targeted attack, Santia replied.

Watch the clip above via MS NOW.

The post Hegseth Announces 500 More Troops Being Sent to DC After Cowardly Shooting first appeared on Mediaite.
Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is planning to cut ties with Scouting America for attacking what he called "boy-friendly spaces," according to leaked documents made public Tuesday.

In the documents, first reported by NPR, Hegseth criticizes Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts, for straying far from what he characterized as its original mission and promoting "gender confusion."

Since taking office, Hegseth has opened a new front in the culture war as he's tried to weed out initiatives he's argued have prioritized political correctness at the expense of military readiness. Now, Hegseth appears to be coming for the military's century-old relationship with the organizations.

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"The organization once endorsed by President Theodore Roosevelt no longer supports the future of American boys," Hegseth reportedly wrote.

The documents are draft memos to Congress arguing the Pentagon should ban Scout troops from meeting at military bases while severing congressionally mandated support to the National Jamboree, an event that attracts as many as 20,000 scouts to a location in West Virginia, according to NPR.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is planning to cut ties with Scouting America, according to documents published Tuesday. File Photo Kevin Dietsch/UPI

Scouting America responded with a statement expressing surprise and sadness over the documents, saying that scouts still "swear a duty to God and country."

The organization noted that "an enormous percentage of those in our military academies" come from scouting programs and many go on to serve in the armed forces. It also pushed back on Hegseth's assertion that Scouting America is "no longer a meritocracy," saying that badges and ranks are earned.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is planning to cut ties with Scouting America, according to documents published Tuesday. File UPI/Kevin Dietsch

"Scouting will never turn its back on the children of our military families," the organization said in the statement. "Just as we always have, Scouts will continue to put duty to country above duty to self and will remain focused on serving all American families in the U.S. and abroad."

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Scouting America has seen significant changes since it was first founded in 1910 with the aim of instilling good citizenship in boys with outdoor-oriented activities and community service projects. In 2013, it allowed gay members, followed by allowing girls to join years later and adopting its gender neutral name last year.

The Pentagon declined to comment to NPR on the memos, describing them as "leaked documents that we cannot authenticate and that may be pre-decisional."
If you need another reason to watch the time-honored Macys Day Parade, look no further: One of Amarillos high schools will have a group taking part in the famous parade Thursday morning to celebrate Thanksgiving.

According to their post on Instagram, the Tascosa High School dance team left on Friday, Nov. 21 to travel to New York City.

"Sending our love and best wishes to our 24 Belles and their directors, Mrs. Debbie Plunk and Mrs. Brooke Adams, as they board a plane early tomorrow morning to NYC where they will represent Tascosa as well as Amarillo ISD in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!" the Tascosa High School Facebook page says.

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For a second time, the Tascosa Belles will dance their way through The Big Apple as selected performers in the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, Nov. 27. Coverage will begin on NBC starting at 7:30 a.m. and will also be streamed online at DirecTV, Hulu, Live TV, Sling Blue and Peacock.

The process of getting into the parade is competitive and evaluates national recognition, past performances and community reputation, according to Amarillo Independent School District. More than 3 million people are expected to watch it in person, with an additional 50 million tuning in on their televisions, computers or smart devices. Look for the Belles with the Spirit of America group.

Macy's Stars as seen during 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on November 28, 2024.

The annual march through Manhattan, which terminates at Macys Department Store, has delighted New Yorkers for a century and has become a part of the American tradition since it was first broadcast nationally on television in the 1950s in black and white. The parade started in 1924 to promote the new Seventh Avenue extension of the Herald Square location  and to overshadow the department store's rival Gimbels.

More: The Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade is Thursday. Everything to know.

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The first parade had hallmarks of the modern parade including floats and Santa Claus, but was much longer  totaling six miles. One of the first major traditions was releasing the parade balloons into the air at the end and encouraging people to chase them. When an airplane met one of the balloons in the air in 1932, the tradition was dropped. The parade was canceled during WWII but brought back and renewed by television. By the 1970s, the parade had become a festival of commercialism and featured lip-singing vocalists, morning show hosts and product placements but has endured the years with its glitz and glamour.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Here's how to see Amarillo THS Belles in Macy's Thanksgiving parade
Darleen and Johnathan Ortiz have faced one challenge after another in the aftermath of the 2022 Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire. (Patrick Lohmann/Source NM)

Darleen and Johnathan Ortiz built their fire-proofed home a decade ago high in the forest in Mora County along the Rio de La Casa, which carried enough water down the mountain to feed an acequia and water the vegetables in their greenhouse.

Early signs indicated the drinking water was as clean as the surroundings were idyllic. The Ortizes tested their private well several times, including to certify their lettuce as organic for sale at a local market, and never detected anything unusual.

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That all changed in 2022 when the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire raged through the area. While their home avoided damage, the fire destroyed 19 structures higher in the watershed and post-fire debris flows carried ash and contaminants down the river. Flooding also changed the path of the river, making it bypass the acequias headgate.

Over the last few years, with the help of various state and federal agencies and nonprofit organizations, the Ortizes restored a level of normalcy. A 10-foot-deep concrete wall that replaced an eroding embankment helped reconnect the river and acequia. Crews downed and removed 800 burned trees, and in their place grew mint, yerba buena and wild raspberries, welcome surprises that the Ortizes enjoyed this summer.

Darleen Ortiz, left, speaks to U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM), during a tour of her Mora County property Nov. 25, 2025. Ortiz showed state, local and federal officials, including Rep. Martin Zamora (R-Clovis), right, around her property, where recent tests discovered contaminants in the groundwater. (Patrick Lohmann/Source NM)

We tried to do the best that we can, Johnathan told Source New Mexico on Tuesday as the Rio de la Casa trickled along the brand new concrete below him. But it just seems that once you get a little bit ahead, theres just another blow, which is now the well water situation. Now were eating on paper plates and really not drinking the well water and that kind of thing. So its just one hurdle after another.

The Ortizes private well stands among 72 in the area that recently tested positive for dangerous levels of heavy metals. Kate Zeigler, the independent geologist who discovered the contaminants, has pointed to fire suppressants as the likely culprit. Recently, Zeigler hand-delivered the couple results of her latest round of testing, showing their well had high levels of arsenic, aluminum, manganese and antimony.

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According to a presentation Zeigler gave Tuesday at a library in Mora, at least 400 private wells exist in the burn scar, including about 100 that are not registered with the state. The county also has public wells. County officials have said that the latest samples show no contaminants in public drinking water wells, though they noted Tuesday they are waiting for updated test results from the United States Geological Survey.

Kate Zeigler, the geologist who discovered the well contaminants, presents Nov. 25, 2025, to U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez and others at the Mora library. (Patrick Lohmann/SourceNM)

Testing the remaining burn scar wells, as well as soil and surface water testing, emerged as a key next step during the meeting, which U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez convened. She joined a handful of state lawmakers from both parties, along with local elected officials and advocates, to discuss the potential sources and extent of the contamination, along with where money might come from to pay for testing and remediation.

Zeigler said the best tests to capture all of the potential contaminants cost as much as $2,000 a sample, though efforts are in the works to provide free testing, she said. State Environment Department officials collected names of private well owners at a recent community meeting, and they pointed well owners to a list of companies that provide testing.

Drew Goretzka, a spokesperson for the Environment Department, told Source New Mexico in an email the agency is conducting additional testing, which Zeigler said Tuesday should begin soon. Lawmakers like Sen. Pat Woods (R-Broadview) also suggested the Legislature could approve new funding at the 30-day session beginning in January.

Visitors to the Ortiz property in Mora County stand Nov. 25, 2025 on the new concrete embankment, necessary after the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire to keep the Rio De La Casa flowing on its regular path past an acequia headgate. (Patrick Lohmann/SourceNM)

Leger Fernandez also reiterated her criticism that the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which oversees an office with a $5.45 billion compensation fund for fire victims, stop hedging about whether it will compensate fire victims for the newly discovered contamination. She called on them to join an emerging partnership between state and local entities, along with her office, that is trying to find solutions.

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FEMA officials told Source New Mexico on Friday that the claims office would consider claims for damages related to the contamination, but only if claimants prove injuries and causation. What exactly that could mean is one of many uncertainties attendees described Tuesday.

I wrote that darn law, Leger Fernandez said of the bill creating the compensation fund. And this is the kind of thing they should have been covering.

In the meantime, the Ortizes are now afraid of their drinking water and wondering how far the contaminants have spread, perhaps even to the raspberries that at first seemed a post-fire blessing. Meeting attendees stopped by the Ortizes property as the last stop on their visit Tuesday, where Darleen wondered aloud about how shell handle the latest crisis since the fire three and a half years ago.

Without water, gosh, I dont know, Darleen said.

I thought about the mint that I had picked there, she said, pointing toward one of the wellheads Zeigler tested. And I was making little tea bags for my family for Christmas, and Im thinking to myself, is it okay to give it to them?
Hikers and nature-viewers will get more space to roam on the Gig Harbor peninsula following the preservation of 21 acres adjacent to Sehmel Homestead Park.

Great Peninsula Conservancy, a regional land trust, purchased the property from a private seller at just over $1.2 million and will transfer ownership to PenMet Parks, a news release from the organizations said Monday. Great Peninsula Conservancy spokesperson Samantha Hale told The News Tribune that the deal closed on Friday.

PenMet Parks plans to leave the property unchanged, park district spokesperson Brynn Grimley told The News Tribune Monday.

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 ... the really amazing thing about this property is the property owner actually had really taken great care of this land and created walking trails already on site, so our plan is to just continue that use of the property, she said.

The site is named for the sellers father, Forrest Butterfield, but flipped: Butterfield Forrest, keeping the double r. It includes a salmon-bearing stream and mature forest next to Sehmel Homestead Park, and combined with the park will bring the total acreage of protected land to over 100 acres. Over half a mile of freshwater stream runs through the site, including over 1,000 feet of Nelyaly Creek, the news release said.

Great Peninsula Conservancy closed a deal Friday, Nov. 21, 2025 to purchase about 21 acres of forested land next to Sehmel Homestead Park for just over $1.2 million near Gig Harbor, Wash. PenMet Parks will take over ownership and plans to open the site, named Butterfield Forrest, to the public for hiking, nature-viewing and passive recreation in early 2026. Great Peninsula Conservancy/Courtesy

Nelyaly Creek has documented use by coastal trout, coho, and chum salmon, Great Peninsula Conservancys Senior Conservation Project Manager Ali Querin wrote via a spokesperson. The estuary habitat at the mouth of Nelyaly Creek, which is approximately 1,000 feet from the newly protected Butterfield Forrest, includes habitat utilized by Endangered Species Act-listed (threatened) Puget Sound Chinook Salmon. Were thrilled that this property can support vital fish habitat while also adding passive recreation opportunities in Gig Harbor.

The park district plans to open the newly-conserved land to the public in early 2026, according to the news release. Grimley said its too early to share a more specific opening date, and assessments of the property to ensure its safe and ready for public use are ongoing.

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The park district is still determining the best way for visitors to access the forest, but their goal is for folks to start from Sehmel Homestead Park, she said. Sehmel has parking and the park district will also consider adding smaller lots in other places, based on their assessment of the newly-conserved property, to accommodate potential increases in foot traffic. The trail systems will link together, she confirmed in a follow-up email.

Grimley said the acquisition aligns perfectly with PenMet Parks mission and vision. The news release notes that the park district identified conservation and passive recreation as among the communitys highest priorities in their 2023 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan.

 ... this was a win-win for us in that its coming from a family that really loved the land and has taken care of it for decades, and they saw an opportunity to pass on their love to the larger community, Grimley said.

The news release said that the former property owner purchased the land in the 1990s and worked hard to restore the former timberland into a healthy, diverse forest.

A map shows where Butterfield Forrest will connect to Sehmel Homestead Park near Gig Harbor, Wash. Great Peninsula Conservancy/Courtesy

Grimley also expressed the park districts gratitude for their partnership with the Great Peninsula Conservancy. Acquiring the land on their own would have been much more difficult because of the cost, she said, and as far as shes aware the park district wont face any costs related to the transfer in ownership from GPC.

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Two large grants are funding the property purchase: $1.09 million from Pierce County Conservation Futures and $92,623 from the Salmon State Riparian Program administered by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, according to the news release.

The land trust also drew upon funds from their fundraising committee, the Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula Land Fund; and the Rotary Club of Gig Harbor also contributed funds toward the total purchase cost.

Great Peninsula Conservancy Executive Director Nathan Daniel stands next to a large Douglas Fir in the newly-conserved Butterfield Forest, near Gig Harbor, Wash. Great Peninsula Conservancy/Courtesy

The grants include restrictive covenants dictating that the property be used for passive recreation only, such as hiking and nature-viewing; and prohibiting future development on the property.

Great Peninsula Conservancy maintains hundreds of acres and miles of publicly accessible lands in Kitsap, north Mason, and west Pierce counties, according to their website. Elsewhere in the Gig Harbor area, the land trust played a key role in facilitating deals between the city of Gig Harbor and private landowners to conserve some 50 acres mainly confined to the area between the Cushman Trail and Harborview Drive. The city acquired the last parcel of that conservation area in August 2024, The News Tribune reported.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A hit-and-run suspect was arrested on Sunday, Nov. 23, after he fled from deputies while they attempted to conduct a traffic stop in Horizon, according to the El Paso County Sheriffs Office (EPCSO).

At around 4:40 a.m. on Sunday, deputies traveling southbound on the 200 block of S. Darrington Road observed a dark Cadillac Escalade drive over the median and continue southbound.

The vehicle matched the description of a hit-and-run suspect from a recent call, according to EPCSO.

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Deputies attempted a traffic stop, but the driver, later identified as 20-year-old Angel Gallardo, disregarded their signals and fled.

The vehicle entered the desert area near Kentwood Drive and S. Darrington Road, where it collided with a dirt berm. Gallardo then fled on foot into the desert, where he was arrested without further incident, according to EPCSO.

Gallardo was charged with evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, evading arrest or detention, and duty on striking an unattended vehicle. He was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility on a $15,500 bond.

Our deputies work tirelessly to keep our roads and our community safe, Sheriff Oscar Ugarte said. Let this serve as a reminder: if you choose to run from our deputies, we will catch you. Evading only puts more lives at risk, including your own, and we will not tolerate that kind of reckless behavior in El Paso County.

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The Scottish government has long called for this policy to be ended, and had promised to "mitigate" it with a new payment for affected families from next March.

The Treasury says 95,000 children in Scotland will benefit from this change.

Reeves has scrapped the two child benefit cap - the policy which means families who receive universal credit only get child-related payments for up to two children.

She said: "I will have to properly look at this to see what it means to me because there are little things everywhere, rather than an obvious big thing. So, little things, but overall you might be paying quite a lot more."

Marianna Penman, who runs a catering business in East Kilbride, says she expects to face the biggest impact as a result of other measures in the Budget, from minimum wage increases to pension changes and tax on dividend income.

Reeves claimed her budget would mean an extra 820m for the Scottish government over the next three to four years.

There is an indirect impact on the Scottish government's finances through the complicated funding formulas that determine how much Holyrood receives from Westminster in the block grant.

This compares with the system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, where there are only four bands.

Scotland has used devolved powers to introduce extra tax bands and rates of tax.

National Insurance is set by Westminster, so a freeze on NI thresholds will lead to workers in Scotland paying more of this tax in future.

Scotland's Finance Secretary Shona Robison must now decide whether to replicate this step when she announces her own Scottish Budget on 13 January.

However, a freeze on the threshold where workers move into higher tax bands will not apply in Scotland.

It will remain at 12,570 and as wages rise over time, more part-time staff will find themselves drawn into the tax system.

But the personal allowance - the amount a person is allowed to earn before they start to pay tax - is set by Westminster. As a result, the decision to freeze the threshold until 2031 will affect Scottish employees.

Scotland sets its own income tax bands and rates, which means that only some of Reeves' proposals will apply north of the border.

So how will the chancellor's tax and spending plans affect Scotland?

While some are UK-wide, others won't apply in Scotland at all - and there are other areas where there will be an indirect, knock-on impact.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled her Budget - but because many powers are devolved to the Scottish government, not all the measures she announced will apply north of the border.

Story Continues

This would have cost about 155m in 2026-27 and more in the years after that, according to the Scottish Fiscal Commission.

[Getty Images]

It means Scotland's finance secretary will no longer have to find the money from within her own budget, freeing most of it up to be spent on other things.

First Minister John Swinney has made tackling child poverty a priority, so one possibility is that it could be used on measures such as raising the Scottish Child Payment.

It currently stands at 27.15 a week and is paid to parents on certain benefits for each child under the age of 16.

Money for Grangemouth, Greenock and Kirkcaldy

The Budget includes more than 14m of funding to support the transition to "low carbon technologies" at Grangemouth.

Scotland's only oil refinery stopped processing crude oil there in April after a century of operations.

A 1.5m report known as Project Willow has come up with nine low carbon ideas that could be developed at the site - but they are dependent on private sector investment.

A surprise announcement was 20m to "renew infrastructure" at Inchgreen - a huge dry dock in Greenock which has been barely used for more than a decade.

There were no details of what is planned for the facility, which is privately-owned by Peel Ports, although it was claimed that this could create up to 1,750 jobs.

Another 20m has been earmarked for sea front and town centre redevelopment at Kirkcaldy in Fife.

The minimum wage continues to rise

Elise Graham says the increase in the minimum wage does not go far enough [BBC]

One of the most widely-felt financial impacts will be the increase in the minimum wage, which applies across the UK.

For over-21s, it is going up by 4.1% from April, from 12.21 to 12.71 per hour.

There's a bigger increase for 18 to 20-year-olds, who will get an 8.5% rise - from 10 to 10.85 per hour - as the government moves towards establishing a single rate for all adults.

Under-18s and apprentices are getting 45p more, with the rate rising to 8 an hour.

Elise Graham, from East Kilbride said the "small rise" in the minimum wage would help her in managing household costs.

However, the 20-year-old added: "It's good that it is going up slightly, but it should go up more. I don't think it is a living wage compared to the cost of living - it doesn't match."

Energy bills, cars and pensions

A new mileage-based charge for electric vehicles will be introduced from 2028.

Battery electric cars will be charged 3p per mile, while the levy on plug-in hybrids will be1.5p.

Scottish ministers say that will be particularly hard felt in rural areas of Scotland where drivers have to travel longer distances.

Meanwhile users of petrol and diesel vehicles will benefit from the extension of the 5p cut in fuel duty until September 2026.

Levies placed on energy bills are being scrapped, which means households will see their costs fall by 150 a year, according to Reeves.

The Scottish government says this does not fully offset the amount bills have risen by since Labour came to power.

Savers in Scotland will be affected by the changes on rules for cash ISAs (indvidual savings accounts) which are now capped at 12,000 for under-65s, with the rest of the 20,000 allowance reserved for investments.

Investors who receive income from dividends face a 2% rise in tax from next April.

Changes to pensions are also UK-wide. Basic and new state pension payments will rise by 4.8% from April under the "triple lock".

But the amount people can sacrifice from their salary, avoiding paying National Insurance on pension contributions, will be capped at 2,000 a year from 2029.

Will the recipe for Irn Bru have to change?

Among the measures trailed ahead of the Budget were changes to the so-called sugar tax.

The existing tax, which mainly applies to fizzy drinks, will be applied to bottles and cartons of milk-based drinks, including milkshakes, flavoured milk, milk substitute drinks and lattes, adding a few pence to their cost.

[Getty Images]

New rules will also lower the amount of sugar permitted in fizzy drinks before they are covered by the tax - which could affect Irn Bru.

The popular Scottish brand produced by AG Barr in Cumbernauld had already changed its formula when the sugar tax was first introduced in 2018, affecting drinks containing more than five grammes of sugar per 100ml.

The firm and other drinks manufacturers may now have to consider another recipe change because the threshold is going down to 4.5 grammes.

Oil and gas industry dismay over windfall tax

The UK government has confirmed a relaxation of the moratorium on new drilling for oil and gas, which will be allowed when it can be argued that the new areas are extensions of existing fields.

This is a modest concession to the oil and gas sector which has been lobbying hard ahead of the Budget, arguing it faces a grim future under the current regulation.

But the sector's main concern is the level of taxation - the Energy Profits Levy, or "windfall tax" on profits introduced after energy prices surged in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

David Whitehouse of the main industry body for North Sea oil and gas producers said the silence on the "windfall tax" was a "bitter blow". [BBC]

This means producers are paying 78% tax on profits, even though oil prices have since fallen significantly, with the levy due to last until 2030.

Industry body Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) had called for it to end four years earlier, warning it's a barrier to investment which is putting thousands of jobs at risk.

The chancellor made no such announcement, although documents published since her speech suggest the UK government could be looking to reform the mechanism.

"Today's been a bitter blow," said David Whitehouse, chief executive of OEUK.

But environmental campaigners welcomed Reeves' decision on North Sea taxation.

Tessa Khan, executive director of Uplift, said: "The government has made the right decision not to go soft on an industry that has made billions of pounds in profits in recent years while people have been struggling to heat their homes."
The Honolulu Police Department is asking the public for help finding a man who tried to lure a Kapolei girl into an SUV on a bike path in Kapolei.

On Tuesday, at about 3 p.m., a 13-year-old girl was walking home from middle school in Kapolei when an unknown male driving a gray SUV pulled alongside her and entered the bicycle path,  according to HPD.

The male made hand gestures, attempting to get her attention and possibly lure her toward the vehicle,  police said.

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The suspect is described as a man, possibly in his 40s, of heavy build, with tan skin.

The investigation is ongoing,  said police.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, please call 911 or CrimeStoppers at (808 ) 955-8300.

The incident happened a day after a 30-year-old father of a moving vehicle with his children during an attempted car theft at Nimitz Beach.

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Hundreds of women protested in Mexico City on Tuesday against gender-based violence, which kills an average of 10 women or girls every day in Mexico, according to official data.

Mexican lawyer Alejandra Perez said she lives in fear every day since the violence she faced from her ex-partner temporarily left her disabled.

But the 37-year-old summoned the courage to join the protest to denouce the impunity of many perpetrators of gender-based violence in Mexico, and marched holding a poster showing the man she accuses of attacking her.

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"I filed a complaint against him three years ago, and this man is still at large," she said of her daughter's father. "The system is very slow. Unfortunately many women have to conduct their own investigations."

The United Nations reports that 70 percent of Mexican women over the age of 15 have experienced some form of aggression at least once in their lives.

Mexican parliamentary records indicate 3,430 women died violent deaths in Mexico in 2024, with 829 victims of femicide, a crime defined as murder motivated by a victim's gender.

Mexico is experiencing a wave of feminist fervor fueled by anger over the high number of assaults and the impunity of perpetrators.

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President Claudia Sheinbaum recently launched a nationwide drive against sexual harassment and abuse, after a shocking video of a man groping her brought the widespread issue into stark focus.

The country's first woman leader presented a plan to ensure prison sentences for sexual abuse across Mexico and to encourage women to report incidents to police.

The 63-year-old leader was accosted as she walked through Mexico City when a seemingly drunk man put his arm around her shoulder, touched her hip and chest, and attempted to kiss her neck, before a member of the president's security detail pulled him away.

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Ms Ferreira, who is said to have previously been arrested for battery, was held in Boston

A relative of Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, has been arrested by US immigration enforcement officials.

Bruna Caroline Ferreira, a native of Brazil and the mother of Ms Leavitts nephew, was detained near Boston two weeks ago for allegedly overstaying a visa by 26 years, according to reports.

US Immigration, Customs and Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested her on Nov 12 as she was driving to pick up her son from New Hampshire.

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The Department of Homeland Security said Ms Ferreira was a criminal illegal alien from Brazil accused of staying on an expired tourist visa since 1999. It added that she had a previous arrest for battery and was being held at a South Louisiana ICE Processing centre.

Todd Pomerleau, Ms Ferreiras attorney, told CNN his client and Ms Leavitt, 28, had not spoken in many years. He said Ms Ferreira and Michael Leavitt, Ms Leavitts brother, were previously engaged and shared joint custody over their son, 11.

Ms Leavitt has supported Mr Trumps crackdown on immigration - Reuters

Ms Leavitt serves as the face of the Trump administration. She was recently seen defending his Piggy remarks, and has been a staunch supporter of his immigration crackdown.

Mr Trump has ordered a mass deportation campaign, overseeing an aggressive agenda of arrests and forcible removals of undocumented migrants.

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Mr Pormelau told CNN that she was a former recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which grants temporary protection from deportation for those brought to the US as children.

Ms Ferreira was allegedly unable to renew her status when Mr Trump attempted to end the Obama-era programme during his first administration.

Ms Ferreira with Michael Leavitt, the White House press secretarys brother

More than $16,000 (12,291) had been donated to an online crowdfunding appeal created by Ms Ferreiras sister Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues for legal fees to secure her release. The appeal, written in Spanish and English, has a target of $30,000 (22,700).

Its donation request reads: My family is going through one of the most difficult moments of our lives, and were reaching out with a humble plea for help. My sister, Bruna, was recently detained by immigration and is now fighting to stay in the country she has called home for nearly her entire life.

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Bruna was brought to the United States by our parents in December of 1998, when she was just a child, entering on a visa. Since then, she has done everything in her power to build a stable, honest life here. She has maintained her legal status through DACA, followed every requirement, and has always strived to do the right thing.

President Trump tried to end DACA during his first term, but the US Supreme Court blocked his plans to end legal protections for 650,000 young immigrants.

A White House spokesman said: This individual is the mother of Karolines nephew and they have not spoken in many years. The child has lived full time in New Hampshire with his father since he was born. He has never resided with his mother.

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By Ted Hesson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. immigration authorities are detaining the mother of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt's nephew, officials said on Wednesday, a sign of the wide reach of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.

A U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said in a statement that immigration authorities had arrested the woman, Brazilian national Bruna Caroline Ferreira, but declined to provide the exact circumstances.

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News reports said Ferreira had been taken into custody in Revere, Massachusetts, near Boston.

DHS said Ferreira had entered the U.S. on a tourist visa and failed to depart, but a GoFundMe page organized by her sister said she had legal status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

MOST ARRESTED BY ICE HAD NO CONVICTIONS

Trump, a Republican, has surged immigration officers to major cities across the U.S. in an effort to reach historic levels of deportations, sweeping in many long-term residents and non-criminals.

More than two-thirds of the roughly 53,000 people arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and detained as of November 15 had no criminal convictions, according to ICE statistics.

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DHS said Ferreira had a previous arrest for battery, but did not provide further details. Reuters could not independently confirm the alleged charge.

In response to a request for comment to the White House, a source familiar with the matter confirmed that Ferreira was the mother to Leavitt's nephew. The source said the nephew had lived full-time with Leavitt's brother, Michael Leavitt, in New Hampshire since birth and had never resided with Ferreira.

DHS said Ferreira was currently being held in an ICE detention center in Louisiana.

"Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, all individuals unlawfully present in the United States are subject to deportation," the spokesperson said.

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The GoFundMe page, organized by Ferreira's sister, Graziela Dos Santos Rodrigues, aims to raise $30,000 for her legal expenses, describing her as a selfless and hardworking mother.

"She has done everything in her power to build a stable, honest life here," the page said. "She has maintained her legal status through DACA, followed every requirement, and has always strived to do the right thing."

Her detention has been "especially painful" for her 11-year-old son, "who needs his mother and hopes every single day that shell be home in time for the holidays," the page said.

(Reporting by Ted Hesson; Editing by Craig Timberg and Rod Nickel)
The mother of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitts nephew was detained by federal immigration officials in Massachusetts as she was on her way to pick her son up from school on Nov. 12, according to the detainees lawyer.

Bruna Caroline Ferreira, who arrived from Brazil as a young child in 1998 with her parents, was taken into custody in Revere, Mass., and is accused by the Department of Homeland Security of overstaying her tourist visa.

Ferreira, 33, shares an 11-year-old son with Leavitts older brother, Michael, and the two share joint custody of the child, Ferreiras attorney, Todd Pomerleau told USA TODAY. The couple was engaged about 12 years ago - and eventually broke up.

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks to reporters outside the White House on Nov. 24, 2025.

A DHS spokesperson described Ferreira as a "criminal illegal alien" with a "previous arrest for battery" without providing details.

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Pomerleau said Ferreira, who is being held at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Louisiana, was in the final stages of getting her green card, with the last interview scheduled for the spring.

She didn't commit a crime. She wasn't breaking the law. She was following the laws Congress created for her to get a green card, and she got detained with no justification, said Pomerleau. That's illegal.

Ferriera, whom Pomerleau described as a highly involved mother who spent multiple days with her son every week, said she was on her way in the afternoon to pick her son up from school in southern New Hampshire, which is about 35 minutes from where she lives.

She drove away from her home, and then she was pulled over, and she thought it was a traffic stop. She was apparently asked who she was and then she was arrested, said Pomerleau. I'm just worried about her getting out in time for Thanksgiving, which I don't think is happening unless she gets a Thanksgiving surprise.

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Pomerleau said Leavitt is hopefully able to convince the president to let her brothers ex-fiance out of jail.

Leavitt did not provide comments to USA TODAY but a source familiar with the dynamics between the two women said they haven't spoken to each other in years.

The source also said that the child has lived full time in New Hampshire with his father since he was born, and that he had never resided with his mother.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 12, 2025.

Ferreiras sister Graziela DosSantos Rodrigues, has started a GoFundMe page to raise money for her sister's legal bills. The effort had raised more than $17,000 as of Nov. 26 at 10 a.m.

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Brunas absence has been especially painful for her 11-year-old son, Michael Leavitt Junior, who needs his mother and hopes every single day that shell be home in time for the holidays," says Rodrigues on the GoFundMe page.

The Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration has led to a record number of arrests. In less than a year, the number of people detained in ICE facilities is up by 50%, according to the American Immigration Council.

The Department of Homeland Security has jailed close to 60,000 people and "the administrations push for mass detentions and deportations has led to overcrowding as most facilities now exceed their contractual capacity," according to the AIC.

Ferriera was a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program recipient under the Obama administration, which allowed young, undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children to live and work legally. After the first Trump administration sought to terminate it, legal challenges have made the process long-winding.

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So Ferriera, who owns and operates a cleaning service business and online clothing, decided to pursue the green card path, her lawyer said.

She has done everything in her power to build a stable, honest life here," wrote Rodrigues, her sister, on her GoFundMe page. "She has maintained her legal status through DACA, followed every requirement, and has always strived to do the right thing. There's no rhyme or reason to what's happening here."

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: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's relative in ICE custody
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Enceladus, a moon of Saturn, may harbor a boiling ocean underground. It's also currently considered a prime place to search for life beyond Earth. | Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Small icy moons in the outer reaches of our solar system may hide boiling oceans underneath their surfaces, a new study finds.

Previous research found that some of the icy moons in the outer solar system, such as Saturn's moon Enceladus , are not frozen solid. Instead, they may host oceans between their ice shells and rocky cores. Because on Earth , there is virtually life wherever there is water, this has raised the hope that such hidden oceans may be the best sites in our solar system to look for extraterrestrial life.

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To shed light on the buried oceans within these icy moons, geophysicist Maxwell Rudolph at the University of California, Davis, previously examined the forces that might result from changes in the thickness of the icy shells of these moons over the course of hundreds of millions of years.

"We were especially interested in whether the stresses could lead to the formation of cracks that connect the surface to the subsurface ocean, allowing the eruption of liquid water from a potentially habitable ocean to space," Rudolph told Space.com.

In prior work, Rudolph and his colleagues focused on what happens to these moons when their ice shells get thicker. As ice takes up a greater volume than a similar mass of liquid water, freezing places pressure on ice shells, generating features such as the "tiger stripes" seen on Enceladus.

In the new study, the researchers explored what happens when the icy shells of these moons become thinner due to melting from the bottom. For instance, previous research discovered a wobble in the orbit of Saturn's moon Mimas was potentially due to an ocean under its icy crust that likely arose in the past 10 million years, given how its surface still retains many ancient features, such as craters. This ocean likely resulted when Mimas's shell melted due to interactions with other Saturnian moons.

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The scientists discovered that if these icy shells thin, the pressure they place on the oceans drops. On the smallest icy moons, such as Mimas and Enceladus or Uranus's Miranda, the pressure could lower enough to reach a so-called "triple point"  a specific combination of temperature and pressure in which ice, liquid water and water vapor can all co-exist. This can lead the layers of the oceans closest to their icy shells to boil after the icy shells thin by about three to nine miles (five to 15 kilometers).

"This is the kind of boiling that happens at low temperatures, not the kind of boiling that occurs in kitchens when you heat water up to past 100 degrees C [212 degrees F]," Rudolph said. "It's instead boiling very close to zero degrees C [32 degrees F]. So for any potential life forms below that boiling area, life could go on as usual."

In contrast, on larger ice moons more than 370 miles (600 km) wide, such as Uranus's Titania, the drop in pressure from melting ice would instead cause the ice shell to crack before the triple point for water is reached, the team calculated. The researchers suggest that features of Titania's geology, such as wrinkle ridges, might have resulted from a period of ice shell thinning followed by re-thickening.

The gases from boiling might have a number of effects, such as the formation of clathrates  complex icy structures that entrap gas molecules. "Future work will address these processes in detail to understand what happens to gas once it has been released from an ocean and what kinds of surface features we would expect to form in association with these processes," Rudolph said.
The terrorists were killed after a five-hour-long manhunt that began in the early morning hours. The incident occurred near the Yellow Line marking IDF-controlled territory.

Soldiers from the IDF's Nahal Brigade killed five terrorists who had emerged from tunnels and initially evaded them in eastern Rafah, the military said Tuesday.

The terrorists were killed after a five-hour-long manhunt that began in the early morning hours. The incident occurred near the Yellow Line marking IDF-controlled territory.

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When IDF observers and Golani Brigade soldiers initially spotted the terror cell and opened air and ground fire, the suspects managed to escape. Israeli forces carried out a manhunt in the area of Rafah, which ultimately concluded with the deaths of the five terrorists.

The commander of the Nahal Brigade's Reconnaissance Battalion, following the elimination of the five armed terrorists in eastern Rafah, November 25, 2025. (credit: IDF)

The incident occurred while the troops were conducting searches in the area.

Dozens of Hamas terrorists still remain in tunnels in eastern Rafah, trapped behind the Yellow Line.

IDF tanks operating near Rafah, November 2025. (credit: YONAH JEREMY BOB)

On Friday, approximately 17 terrorists emerged from the tunnels in the same area in two different locations. After a 24-hour manhunt, in total, 11 were killed, and six were arrested alive after they surrendered, according to the military.

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The six arrested terrorists were transferred to Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) for further investigations.

The IDF has been operating in the area to destroy such tunnels over the past month.

In northern Gaza, soldiers killed a terrorist they saw crossing the Yellow Line and approaching troops. There have been several such incidents across Gaza, where terrorists have attempted to breach IDF-controlled Gaza territory.

There have been several instances as well, in which terrorists have emerged from the tunnels and were killed by Israeli forces in the area.

US-brokered ceasefire holding despite incidents

Despite these incidents, the US-brokered ceasefire has managed to hold.

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Turkey's spy chief met with his Egyptian counterpart and Qatar's foreign minister in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss transitioning to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal and increasing joint efforts in coordination with the US.

Egypts General Intelligence Service Director, Hassan Rashad, was present as well.

"During the meeting, (they) also agreed to continue strengthening coordination and cooperation with the Civil Military Coordination Center (CMCC) to eliminate all obstacles to ensure the continuity of the ceasefire and to prevent further violations," a Turkish source told Reuters, adding that the three officials also discussed countering Israeli violations of the accord.

Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.
The IDF killed a Hamas terrorist in the northern Gaza Strip, assuring that it was attempting a sniper attack against soldiers stationed in the area.

The IDF killed a Hamas terrorist in the northern Gaza Strip, after troops identified him planning a sniper attack against them stationed in the area, the military said on Wednesday.

"The terrorist was struck in order to remove the threat to the troops deployed in the northern Gaza Strip," the IDF said.

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The IDF also announced it killed a Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist near the Yellow Line, which marks the border between Israeli-controlled Gaza and the rest of the territory.

The terrorist was killed after being spotted approaching IDF troops deployed in the southern Gaza Strip.

In a separate event, IDF troops identified another terrorist crossing the Yellow Line and approaching IDF soldiers, and he was killed.

IDF troops operate behind the Yellow Line in Gaza, November 20, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Terrorists killed, apprehended in Rafah

Earlier on Wednesday, the IDF identified six terrorists in Rafah, the southern Gaza Strip, and subsequently struck them. Following an air strike, troops from the IDF's Nahal Brigade searched the struck building.

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"Inside the structure, a terrorist who was eliminated in the strike was identified, along with three additional armed terrorists, who were subsequently eliminated by the troops in a close-quarters encounter," the IDF said.

Two other terrorists were arrested while inside the building.

Fraidy Moser contributed to this report.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD)  The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has released the total of deer harvested during the first weekend of firearm deer season.

Taking place between Friday, Nov. 21 and Saturday, Nov. 23, hunters in Illinois have harvested a total of 51,409 deer, according to a release from the IDNR.

This number is down compared to the 54,661 and 53,348 deer that hunters took during the first firearm weekends in 2024 and 2023, respectively.

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Illinoiss seven-day firearm deer season will finish after the second part, which takes place between Thursday, Dec. 4 and Sunday, Dec. 7.

The release said youth hunters with an unfilled, valid youth deer permit may hunt with the permit during that period. This is the first year that unfilled youth permits are valid for both segments of the firearm season.

In Central Illinois, hunters harvested the following number of deer:

Fulton County  1,228 deer

Livingston County  284 deer

Marshall County  412 deer

Mason County  249 deer

McLean County  397 deer

Peoria County  586 deer

Putnam County  227 deer

Stark County  160 deer

Woodford County  526 deer

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For more details about deer hunting, visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Iran is funding Hezbollah via smugglers in Iraq, Syria, and Turkey amid power cuts and pollution in Tehran, Beni Sabti claimed.

Iran has funneled about one billion dollars to Hezbollah over the past four months through smuggling routes in northern Iraq, Syria, and Turkey, despite an unprecedented domestic water crisis, rolling blackouts, and heavy air pollution, Beni Sabti said on Wednesday.

Sabti is a researcher on the Iran program at the Institute for National Security Studies, an affiliated institute of Tel Aviv University.

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He argued the regime remains in complete denial after the war and is prioritizing regional proxies over basic services.

The Iranian leadership did not get the message, Sabeti said, adding that because the top echelon survived and stayed in power, officials tell themselves they were hit but nothing happened and that they can continue as before.

As a result, he said, billions flowing to terror groups are not invested in water, electricity, or pollution relief while ordinary Iranians carry a heavy burden without organized opposition leadership to challenge the regime.

People gather to attend the funeral of Hezbollah's top military official, Haytham Ali Tabtabai, in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon November 24, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED AZAKIR)

In nuclear, terror, and missile arenas

In the nuclear field, Sabti offered limited reassurance, saying several nuclear scientists directly involved in bomb work were killed during the war, creating a serious obstacle to reviving the weaponization track.

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From the nuclear standpoint, we have a bit more time, a bit more calm, he noted, adding that Tehran does not dare touch certain nuclear thresholds because it knows that would be a red line for the United States.

By contrast, he warned that Iran is trying to regenerate its missile and terror capabilities, fields he said are not front and center for Washington. Even so, he stressed a key limitation: They do not have launchers. Producing missiles alone does not work; they cannot fire without launchers. Public fears about claims of 2,000 missiles should be kept in perspective, he said.

When it comes to terrorism against Jewish targets abroad, Sabti reveals a troubling picture: They are constantly exploring these options. For years, they have been gathering information on synagogues, thats how it was even back in the 80s and 90s.

He noted the attacks in Argentina and explained that they constantly collect information and wait for the day its needed. The Iranians even hire local criminals in various countries - there was such a case in Denmark, there was one in England.

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Despite this, Israel has managed to thwart such plots in Turkey, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Greece, in many places, including the recent attempt to assassinate the Israeli ambassador in Mexico.

Is this the end of the era of the 'axis of resistance'?

Sabti is unequivocal: This is not the end of the 'resistance.' Terror will never stop. Its the only way the Iranians know. He adds firmly: Iran without terror is not Iran - its a different regime. They can set aside anything else, but terror is something they cannot put aside.

He says Hezbollah and the other terrorist organizations have essentially become their own sons. Although Iran has weakened in the region over the past year, it continues to blindly support them, continues trying to bring them back to life.

Weakened, yes - but not giving up. Thats the problem, Sabti sentenced.
Dell Technologies Inc., HP Inc. and other tech companies are warning of potential memory-chip supply shortages in the coming year due to soaring demand from the buildout of artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Consumer electronics makers including Xiaomi Corp. have sounded the alarm about potential price increases, while others including Lenovo Group Ltd. have begun stockpiling memory chips in anticipation of rising costs. Counterpoint Research this month forecast a 50% price rise for memory modules through the second quarter of next year.

Most Read from Bloomberg

A shortage would threaten to increase the costs of manufacturing everything from phones to medical equipment and cars. Such chips are used in virtually every modern electronic device that stores data. The AI boom is indirectly to blame. There are two types of memory chips, ones that help with processing and ones that store information. Manufacturers are allocating more production to meet demand for new, more complex and profitable products used in AI systems, causing a shortage of more common types of memory.

Jeff ClarkePhotographer: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Dell has never seen costs move at the rate that they are now, Chief Operating Officer Jeff Clarke said on a call with analysts on Tuesday. The company has seen tighter supplies of dynamic random access memory, DRAM for short  which includes high-bandwidth memory for AI to the chips powering personal computers  as well as of hard drives and so-called NAND flash memory, he said. The cost basis is going up across all products.

Dell will work on its configurations and product mix, but Clarke said he sees the impact inevitably reaching customers. The Texas-based computer maker will consider all options, including repricing some devices, he said.

US sanctions have also worked to exacerbate the supply crunch by limiting the technological capabilities of new Chinese entrants.

Palo Alto, California-based HP sees the latter half of 2026 being particularly challenging and will increase prices where necessary, Chief Executive Officer Enrique Lores told Bloomberg News in an interview.

For the second half, we are taking a prudent approach to our guide, while at the same time were implementing aggressive actions like bringing on more memory suppliers and putting less memory in products, he said. The company estimated that memory accounts for 15% to 18% of the cost of a typical PC.
Muhannad al-Khazraji, the recently elected member of parliament, had run under the banner of the Badr Organization, which is a large pro-Iranian group in Iraq.

In a bizarre twist in Iraq, a newly elected member of parliament has seen his parliamentary membership revoked amid accusations he created a fake brigade within the paramilitary Popular Mobilization Forces.

The PMF is composed of dozens of brigades, many of them affiliated with pro-Iranian militias in Iraq. Muhannad al-Khazraji, the recently elected member of parliament, had run under the banner of the Badr Organization, which is a large pro-Iranian group in Iraq.

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Badr has numerous brigades within the PMF, and it often plays a powerful role in Iraqs Interior Ministry.

Rudaw media in northern Iraqs Kurdistan region reported that Baghdads electoral committee confirmed on Tuesday that it had revoked the parliamentary membership of a newly elected lawmaker from Iraqs Badr Organization, citing the politicians claim to have formed a 'brigade' within the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), allegedly enabling recruitment, including by voters.

The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) said its Board of Commissioners is now reversing the approval of the candidacy of al-Khazraji due to violation of the countrys election law.

Members of Iraqi security forces salute during a military parade held by Iraq's army, Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces), and the Police force during a ceremony marking the anniversary of the defeat of the Islamic State (IS) group, in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on December 2024. (credit: ZAID AL-OBEIDI/AFP via Getty Images)

The seat he won will now go to another member of Badr

The report noted that he has been disqualified and that the seat he won will now go to another member of Badr who received fewer votes. Badr won 18 seats in the recent elections, making it one of the key Shiite parties in Iraq. It has four seats in Baghdad. Mohammed al-Shuwayli will now assume Khazrajis seat, Rudaw reported.

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Khazraji is accused of creating a fake brigade called the Martyrs of Victory Brigade. Many of the brigades of the PMF played a role in the war on ISIS. Some of them have subsequently gone on to commit various offenses, such as using drones and rockets to attack US forces.

The US has sanctioned many militias in Iraq, such as Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq. A court in Baghdad attempted to find out if the Martyrs of Victory Brigade exists and whether it had ever recruited anyone.

A Facebook page that appears to be for the candidate Khazraji shows him campaigning. It has 100,000 followers. In one post from October 11, he shows himself at a rally with Hadi al-Amiri, the Badr leader. The crowd scene reflects growing trust and popular affinity, his Facebook post says.

According to the site, the New Region, Khazraji, has rejected the accusations, calling them defamatory. Apparently, some of his supporters have said they will enact tribal justice against those who slandered the former candidate.

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However, reports say a number of people in Baghdad complained about the candidate and his creation of a fictional brigade of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).

One man said, We went to the specified location, where we were transported by cars in batches, with each person required to bring 10 electoral cards, and they asked us to swear on the Holy Quran, then we were forced to sign a pledge worth 20 million Iraqi dinars."

However, his supporters say, We are the sons of prominent tribes, and we will take our tribal and moral rights regarding this defamation.
During the operation, forces performed searches in dozens of structures and questioned suspects in the area.

The IDF, Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), and Border Police officers began conducting a broad counterterrorism operation in the northern West Bank, a joint IDF-Shin Bet statement said on Wednesday morning.

The IDF and Shin Bet will not allow terrorism to take root in the area and are acting proactively to thwart it, the agencies stated.

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The announcement follows days of heightened Israeli security activity in the West Bank, particularly in the northern area.

Following the IDF and Shin Bets announcement, Palestinian Authority-run media outlet Wafa reported Israeli forces operated in Tubas, Aqaba, and Tammun. The outlet claimed that Israeli forces raided several homes, damaging and ransacking their contents, while bringing in heavy military reinforcements.

According to Wafa, bulldozers blocked main and secondary roads with mounds of earth, and military procedures were tightened at the Tayasir and Hamra checkpoints, restricting citizens movement and creating traffic jams.

IDF troops operate in the northern West Bank. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)

The Palestinian source also reported that helicopters fired intermittently during the operation, though no injuries were reported.

Recent Israeli security activity in the northern West Bank

On Tuesday, Israeli forces engaged and killed Sultan al-Ghani, the terrorist responsible for the 2024 murder of Israeli security guard Gideon Perry, in an area near Jenin in the northern West Bank.

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Five other suspects were arrested, and the forces seized firearms, explosives, and other ordnance during the operation.

Earlier, on Monday, operating in the northern West Bank city of Nablus, Israeli troops killed Ala Raouf Shetiyya, the terrorist responsible for the 2024 deaths of two IDF Kfir Brigade soldiers. According to the military, St.-Sgt. Eliya Hilel and St.-Sgt. Diego Shvisha Harsaj from Tel Aviv, of the Paratroopers 101st Battalion, were killed in a ramming attack perpetrated by Shetiyya.
Touch screens are an inescapable feature in today's new cars

Today's motorists are living in the age of the connected car, where technology and touch screens are not only a feature of a car, but have become the vehicle's functional nucleus. In many gas and electric cars sold on the market today, adjusting essential functions like climate control, heated seats, radio, and sometimes even child locks requires flipping through virtual buttons and layers of menus on a touchscreen.

With so many of the car's functions solely accessible through the screen, it would be frustrating if an unexpected pop-up got in the way of adjusting the heater or changing the radio station. However, owners of Stellantis brands, including Jeep, Ram, and Chrysler, found that this hypothetical scenario was their reality.

This is a real photo from a friend pic.twitter.com/PU8xcd1qt2  A GMN Ape (@AGMNApe) November 17, 2025

A super, super, special offer

In new reports published by The Drive and The Autopian on November 21, Stellantis has been pushing marketing advertisements to owners not by sending an email, text message, or by mailers. The multinational automaker pushed an ad about an exclusive special offer to its owners, in a medium none more personal and direct than their Uconnect infotainment screens.

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A photo of the ad, which appears as a prompt window on the vehicle's infotainment screen, was first shared by X (formerly known as Twitter) user A GMN Ape (@AGMNApe) on November 17, and has been viewed 771,000 times and received more than 3,600 likes as of the time of writing. Other netizens have shown the ad appearing on other Stellantis brands, including YouTuber and product review channel The New Guy Reviews, who showed the same ad formatted to fit the touch screen of his Chrysler Pacifica.

The ad, in and of itself, is to alert owners of Stellantis umbrella-branded vehicles that they're eligible for $1,500 "bonus cash" toward a Jeep brand vehicle up until December 1.

STLA has been doing this for a while

This isn't the first recorded instance on the internet where a Stellantis vehicle has served its owner a pop-up ad that took over its entire screen. Back in February this year, Jeep Grand Cherokee owner and Reddit user /u/RahRahRasputin took to the r/assholedesign subreddit to complain about a warranty sales ad on their screen. "Jeep puts an ad covering my entire screen, and it comes back every time you stop, even if you hit ok," he wrote in the post.

In a statement to The Drive at the time, a Jeep representative noted that the issue the Redditor brought up was a "temporary software glitch" that was an isolated case." They added that owners typically had the option to opt out of their in-vehicle messages and that Jeep "had already identified and corrected the error," and were following up with the owner to ensure their issue was resolved.

Stellantis: In-car messages are an "important link" between the automaker and owners

In a statement from Stellantis seen by both The Autopian and The Drive, the multinational automaker noted that these prompts, which are called the "In-Vehicle Message (IVM) technology" are an "important link" to connect Stellantis and owners "at critical points in their ownership," adding that they could be used to disseminate essential and critical information to owners quickly. "We use IVM to alert them to important messages, such as exclusive sales offers, vehicle recalls, and vehicle health monitor alerts," the automaker said.

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Specifically with this advertisement, Stellantis acknowledges that "a select group of owners received a special marketing notification in their vehicle" recently. However, they defend that it was a "tailored" message to "minimize any intrusions," adding that the message popped up "only on startup and while the vehicle is stationary" and disappeared when cars started moving, when the driver clicked the OK or X icon on the message, or after 15 seconds.

They added that the message only reappeared at the next start-up "only if the driver clicked on Remind Me Later, or they did not click OK or X." "Our goal is to deliver the best vehicle experience for our customers," Stellantis said. "As a result of these efforts, we have seen our customers take advantage of this offer."

Final thoughts

In the statement that Stellantis sent to both outlets, they said that not only do they "acknowledge that not every owner is interested in special offers," they also noted that owners could opt out of these features altogether. However, these do require extra steps.

"Owners can always permanently opt out of in-vehicle marketing messages by calling Customer Care at 800-777-3600," the automaker said.

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Although it is important to note that Stellantis actually gives the option of opting out, the method does feel slightly iffy, especially given the fact that it requires owners to call a toll-free number and navigate an automated system. If anyone's experience with a bank, airline, DoorDash, or cancelling a streaming subscription is anything to go by, automated "press X for Y" systems aren't entirely seamless. Opting out of "special offers" could be simple and done on the screen with a little "don't show me again" box.

Connected car technology is a fantastic feat; it allows automakers to perform over-the-air updates, collect important diagnostics, and Stellantis even uses the in-car messaging system to alert its owners about recalls. However, this situation goes to prove that not everyone is in on random promotional ads, which should be something buyers can opt out of at the dealer, even for a nominal fee.

This story was originally published by Autoblog on Nov 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  A federal three-judge panel on Wednesday allowed North Carolina to use a redrawn congressional map aimed at flipping a seat to Republicans as part of President Donald Trumps multistate redistricting campaign ahead of the 2026 elections.

The map targets the states only swing seat, currently held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Don Davis, an African American who represents more than 20 northeast counties. The 1st District has been represented by Black members of Congress continuously for more than 30 years.

The three-judge panel unanimously denied preliminary injunction requests after a hearing in Winston-Salem in mid-November. The day after the hearing, the same judges separately upheld several other redrawn U.S. House districts that GOP state lawmakers initially enacted in 2023. They were first used in the 2024 elections, helping Republicans gain three more congressional seats.

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After Trump's push, Democrats' return fire

Trump broke with more than a century of political tradition by directing the GOP in North Carolina and several other states this year to redraw maps at mid-decade  without courts requiring it  to avoid losing control of Congress in next years midterms.

Democrats need to pick up just a handful of seats to win control of the House and impede Trumps agenda. Besides North Carolina, Republican-led legislatures or commissions in Texas, Missouri, and Ohio all have adopted new districts designed to boost Republicans chances next year.

In California, voters countered by adopting new districts drawn to improve Democrats chances of winning more seats. And the Democratic-led Virginia General Assembly also has taken a step toward redistricting with a proposed constitutional amendment.

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Thus far, many lower courts have blocked Trumps initiatives, only for the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court to put those rulings on hold. That includes a recent ruling in Texas, where a redrawn U.S. House map was engineered to give Republicans five more House seats.

North Carolina GOP seeks one-seat swing

North Carolina's Republican-controlled General Assembly gave final approval on Oct. 22 to the redrawn map. Democratic Gov. Josh Steins approval wasn't needed.

North Carolina Republican Senate leader Phil Berger said Wednesday's court decision thwarts the radical lefts latest attempt to circumvent the will of the people in a state that voted for Trump in 2016, 2020 and 2024.

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As Democrat-run states like California do everything in their power to undermine President Trumps administration and agenda, North Carolina Republicans went to work to protect the America First Agenda, Berger's statement said.

But others called Wednesday's decision a bad one.

This ruling gives blessing to what will be the most gerrymandered congressional map in state history, a map that intentionally retaliates against voters in eastern North Carolina for supporting a candidate not preferred by the majority party, said Bob Phillips, Executive Director of Common Cause North Carolina.

The ruling covers two lawsuits.

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One filed by the state NAACP, Common Cause and voters sought a preliminary injunction on First Amendment grounds. They said Republican lawmakers unconstitutionally targeted North Carolinas Black Belt instead of Democratic-voting areas with higher white populations because in 2024 they organized and voted for their preferred candidates and had sued over the 2023 configuration of the district.

In the second lawsuit, filed by voters, the case for a preliminary injunction rested in part on an argument that the use of five-year-old Census data due to the mid-decade redrawing of districts violates the Constitution, including the 14th Amendments one-person, one-vote guarantee. Additionally, they said, mapmakers relied on race in violation of the First and 14th Amendments.

Attorneys for the Republican lawmakers argued that their map-drawing intentions were political and allowable, not racial, and were part of a nationwide partisan redistricting arms race. They rejected assertions about old Census data and retaliation over activities protected by the First Amendment, saying they dont align with Supreme Court precedent.

Judges allow other districts from 2023 map

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Republicans now hold 10 of the states 14 House seats  thanks to the 2023 map  and they hope to flip an 11th under the latest redrawing of the 1st District and the adjoining 3rd District. In North Carolina, Trump got 51% of the popular vote in 2024 and statewide elections are often close. Candidate filing for many 2026 North Carolina races begins Dec. 1.

The latest challenge said the October map would drop the Black voting-age population in the 1st District from 40% in the 2023 map to 32%.

Republicans in part moved counties in the 1st District with significant Black - and usually highly Democratic - populations to the 3rd District currently represented by Republican Greg Murphy. Recent election results indicate both the 1st and 3rd would favor Republicans.

Many of the plaintiffs challenging the 1st District changes sued earlier over the 2023 House map, alleging that Republicans unlawfully diluted Black voting power. But judges dismissed those claims.

___

Mattise reported from Nashville, Tennessee.
The Florida Supreme Court recently disciplined eight attorneys, suspending seven and reprimanding one.

The Florida Supreme Court, The Florida Bar and its Division of Lawyer Regulation are charged with administering a statewide disciplinary system to enforce Supreme Court rules of professional conduct for the more than 114,000 members of The Florida Bar.

Court orders are not final until time expires to file a rehearing motion and, if filed, determined. The filing of such a motion does not alter the effective date of the discipline. Disbarred lawyers may not re-apply for admission for five years. They are required to go through an extensive process that includes a rigorous background check and retaking the Bar exam. Attorneys suspended for periods of 91 days and longer must undergo a rigorous process to regain their law licenses including proving rehabilitation. Disciplinary revocation is tantamount to disbarment.

Boca Raton

Larry Elliot Klayman, suspended for two years. Admitted to practice in 1977, Klayman engaged in a conflict of interest when he represented plaintiffs in three separate cases against Judicial Watch, an organization he founded and for which he previously served as general counsel, without seeking conflict waivers. In another matter, he expressed to his client that his personal feelings for her rendered him unable to properly represent her. However, he failed to withdraw from her case even after being terminated, and he publicized the case against her wishes.

Fort Lauderdale

David Casals, suspended due to a felony conviction. Admitted to practice in 2000, Casals was charged by information with Trafficking in cocaine, Delivery of cocaine, and Introduction of contraband into a County Detention Facility. On Sept. 5, Casals was convicted after a jury trial of Possession of Cocaine, a third-degree felony, and Introduction of Contraband into a County Detention Facility, a first-degree misdemeanor.

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Casals was sentenced to 364 days in the Palm Beach County Jail, followed by a three-year term of supervised probation with other conditions. Casals has filed a notice of appeal. The Supreme Court of Florida has ordered that a referee recommend the appropriate disciplinary sanction for Casals criminal misconduct.

Go deeper: Florida lawyer headed for jail after jury finds he smuggled drugs into Palm Beach County jail

Marcy S. Resnik, suspended for 10 days and ordered to attend Ethics School. Admitted to practice in 1988, Resnik entered a plea of no contest to the misdemeanor charge of Obstruction/Resisting an Officer without Violence. The charge was based upon Resniks advice to a former client that she should not discuss a certain matter with police because she had previously signed a settlement agreement that contained a confidentiality and non-disparagement clause.

Panama City

Billy-Joe Hoot Crawford, felony suspension. Admitted to practice in 1998, Crawford was convicted of one count of Interference with Custody, a third-degree felony, and one count of Tampering with a Witness, Victim or Informant, a third-degree felony, on Jan. 30, 2024.

Altamonte Springs

Jeffrey Rice Hussey, suspended. Admitted to practice in 1990, Hussey failed to respond to an official Bar inquiry and the Bar filed a Petition for Contempt and Order to Show Cause with The Florida Supreme Court. The Court issued an Order to Show Cause to which Hussey failed to respond.

Plantation

Joan Marie Powers, suspended for 20 days. Admitted to practice in 1985, Powers filed appearances in immigration proceedings while her clients were being held at Krome Detention Center. The appearances specifically indicated that Powers would represent her clients in all proceedings, where Powers claimed her services were only meant for the cases while at Krome.

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When each client was released from Krome, Powers took no further action on their cases but failed to withdraw. In one matter, after failing to appear for a removal hearing, that client was ordered deported. In the other, a one-year deadline to file a petition for asylum was missed.

Orlando

Eduardo Rodriguez, public reprimand administered by personal appearance before the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar, completion of Ethics School, completion of Professionalism Workshop, and completion of an additional continuing legal education course. Admitted to practice in 1999, Rodriguez, the supervising partner of his law firm, at times permitted retainer and contingency fee contracts and other legal documents to be notarized by qualified law firm employees without the notaries having witnessed the execution of the documents, nor were the client/signors present, as required by Florida law regarding notarizations.

St. Petersburg

Jennifer Anne Tanck, suspended. Admitted to practice in 2008, Tanck failed to respond to an official Bar inquiry and the Bar filed a Petition for Contempt and Order to Show Cause with The Florida Supreme Court. The Court issued an Order to Show Cause to which Tanck failed to respond.

Key discipline case files that are public record are posted to attorneys individual online Florida Bar profiles. To view discipline documents, follow these steps. Information on the discipline system and how to file a complaint are available at www.floridabar.org/attorneydiscipline.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Judicial Watch founder among 8 disciplined by Florida Supreme Court
President Donald Trump attends inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

In June 2024, then-presidential candidate Donald Trump charged on his social media platform that much of Higher Education has lost its way, and is now corrupting our Youth and Society with, SOCIALIST, and ANTI-AMERICAN Ideology. He vowed to remove such wokeness from U.S. education.

Trump has primarily targeted elite private universities in his attacks on higher education, but Kansas state universities may not escape collateral damage. For example, Kansas State University, not known to be a hotbed of socialist and anti-American ideology, has taken on more than its fair share of flak.

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A bit of history is in order.

Upon his first day in office this past January, Trump took his first stab at terminating wokeness in education. He declared by executive order that the words diversity, equity, and inclusion were illegal and immoral in their application throughout the federal government, including in grants and contracts with colleges and universities. He ordered the threatening words and related practices to be banned.

A few weeks later, the national office of Young Americas Foundation filed a detailed civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, asserting: On behalf of our YAF members at Kansas State University and all truth-seeking students on that campus, YAF requests that you open a formal investigation into Kansas State for its promotion of DEI, racialism, and gender ideology in violation of the First Amendment, civil rights laws, and President Trumps executive orders.

YAF, likely an organization most Kansans have never heard of, promotes itself as the leading organization for young conservatives and has an active chapter on the K-State campus.

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In the meantime, Kansas Republican state lawmakers were considering how Trumps demands could be applied to higher education in Kansas. They finally settled on attaching a directive to an omnibus appropriation bill with financial penalties for state universities that failed to:

Eliminate any positions that relate to DEI.

Eliminate any mandates, policies, programs, preferences and activities relating to DEI.

Eliminate any training requirements in DEI for any employee.

Cancel any state grants or contracts relating to DEI.

For good measure, state lawmakers also outlawed gender-identifying pronouns or gender ideology in email signature blocks on state email accounts and any other form of communication.

The Kansas Board of Regents provided guidance to state universities on the matter, and the universities, including K-State, dutifully complied. The forbidden words were scrubbed from their websites, program descriptions, and personnel. In some cases, potentially offending units were eliminated or consolidated, or rebranded to avoid being a target.

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For the conservative students at K-State, this cleansing had not gone far enough. The K-State chapter of YAF claimed the universitys actions were a shell game, and there was much work to do.

Then, in early September, former Gov. Jeff Colyer, now a gubernatorial candidate, saw an opportunity to score political points with Trumps MAGA base by calling for the firing of a far-left extremist on K-States staff. Colyer issued a formal campaign statement, asserting: Kansas State University has made a serious mistake hiring far-left extremist Derron Borders into its Office of Civil Rights. According to press reports, K-State suspended Borders.

Next, days after the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Colyer found another opportunity to target K-State. He posted on social media a video in which Kirk called out K-State as the worst university in the country for infringing his free speech. The video reminded followers of an incident one year earlier in which university officials had cut Kirks microphone during his Youre Being Brainwashed Tour to the campus. In fact, Kirk had arrived late and spoke for an hour but had exceeded university time limits for blasting loud speakers in the student plaza during class time.

Colyer promised that if he were elected governor, students at state universities would be protected from woke overlords that seek to silence them.

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Then, a couple weeks ago, state Senate Majority Leader Chase Blasi claimed that state lawmakers were hearing complaints from parents of K-State students. According to Blasi, some of the universities are rebranding these programs to do the same things that the Legislature has explicitly prohibited. State lawmakers are now investigating course syllabi in selected academic units at K-State and other universities.

Does the banning of forbidden words mean that our state universities will now be committed to becoming less diverse, less equitable, and less inclusive? I doubt that. I doubt further that most Kansans want state universities characterized by homogeneity, inequity, and exclusiveness. Our state universities have long histories as powerful equalizing forces in American life, and I expect that to continue.

With experience as a student, alum, faculty member, and administrator at three state universities in Kansas over a period of 50 years, I do not believe one would find much wokeness in our state universities. Nor are those universities corrupting students with socialism, nor with anti-American ideas, nor with left-wing or right-wing ideologies.

K-States experience this past year provides a cautionary tale for all state universities in this Trump era. I forewarn my faculty colleagues that they are ripe targets for agents near and far if they wander outside their respective disciplines into this political quagmire. University officials should remain agile, defuse incidents that arise, and protect their faculty and staff. And the Kansas Board of Regents should continue its strong defense of academic freedom.

H. Edward Flentje is a professor emeritus at Wichita State University and formerly was director and professor in the Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs at the university. He has written and edited numerous publications, including most recently co-writing and co-editing Reform and Reaction: The Arc of Kansas Politics. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
Senate Pro Tem Rodric Bray speaks to the press at sine die on March 8, 2024. (Photo by Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Indiana Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray is in the midst of the greatest political maelstrom of his seven-plus years as the chambers leader, facing President Donald Trumps ire over congressional redistricting.

Bray announced Tuesday that the Senate would meet the week of Dec. 8 to possibly consider redrawing Indianas current U.S. House map  under which Republicans have a 7-2 majority  to improve the GOPs chances of capturing all nine seats. That move came after a deeply divided Senate had voted last week to scrap a December session, with Bray maintaining that too few Republican senators supported redistricting for it to clear the Senate.

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Things to know about Bray:

As Senate president pro tempore, he is leader of the Senates majority party (which has been the Republicans since 1979). Bray presides over Senate sessions when the chambers president, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, is absent. But Brays true Statehouse power comes from his authority to pick committee chairs, direct bills to particular committees and broadly set the Senates agenda.

Republican senators chose Bray as president pro tem in 2018 following David Longs decision to step down after 12 years in the office. Brays been officially elected by the full Senate to the position each two years since then, with Democrats, by practice, not opposing the Republicans pick.

Bray was first elected to the Senate in 2012 and rose quickly within its ranks. Long bypassed many more-senior senators to pick Bray for the No. 2 position of majority floor leader in 2017. That set the stage for his jump into the president pro tem post the following year.

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The 56-year-old Brays typical calm demeanor obscures his resolve, a former Senate colleague says. Rod has a quiet confidence about him, said Jim Merritt, an Indianapolis Republican who served 30 years in the Senate until resigning in 2020. When he became pro tem, I think a lot of people thought that he was too nice. I think they judged it wrong. I think when people step out of line, if you will, he has quietly disciplined, Im not going to say punish, but disciplined them.

Bray is from Martinsville, graduating from Martinsville High School and Indiana University before receiving a law degree from Valparaiso University. An Indiana attorney since 1994, he joined his now-retired fathers law firm before running for office and maintains a Martinsville law practice. He is married with two sons.

Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray gives his opening speech on Organization Day: Tuesday, November 21, 2023. (Photo by Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Politics is the family business. Bray succeeded his father, Richard Bray, in the Senate seat. The elder Bray served 18 years in the Indiana House, followed by two decades in the Senate. Rodric Brays grandfather, William Bray, served 24 years in the U.S. House before losing a reelection race in 1974.

The impact of the redistricting fight on the Legislature colors Brays decision making. I have a deep and abiding regard for this institution and our democratic process, and thats a result of my grandfather, my father and my family, Bray told reporters last week. I always want to treat it with the utmost respect, which is what Im trying to do here.

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Why not just hold a Senate vote on redistricting? When theres an issue, if we know we dont have the votes for it, we dont typically come in (for a vote), Bray said. This, I recognize, is a little bit of a different issue. Its got a little more attention than some of our even more public bills. But that is typically how we handle that when we dont have the votes to pass it.

Bray represents a heavily Republican district in central Indiana that includes all of Morgan County, where Martinsville is the county seat, and parts of Johnson, Greene and Putnam counties.

Bray won reelection last year to a term running until November 2028. That puts Trumps threat to support a Republican primary challenger to Bray on hold for a while. Bray faced an active 2024 primary opponent but won with 63% of the vote.

Hes held off a previous challenge to his Senate leadership. That happened in 2022 when Bray removed then-Sen. Mark Messmer of Jasper from the majority floor leader position after disagreements over handling of the near-total abortion ban bill. Bray defeated Messmer a few months later in a vote among Senate Republicans to remain their top leader. Messmer left the Senate last year for his successful race for a U.S. House seat.

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On dealing with Trump about redistricting (and arguing that Republicans should, instead, focus on trying to defeat Democratic Rep. Frank Mrvan in northwestern Indianas current 1st District): Ive had a couple conversations with the president. Honored to talk to the president, frankly. I know that hes passionate about this issue. Ive explained to him  that we want to be helpful. We want to see a Republican majority in the House of Representatives, and this is the best way forward, as we see it.

About his wheels: Bray for many years drove a Jeep Wrangler between Martinsville and the Statehouse. His favorite ice cream flavor is vanilla with fudge stripes.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday said attempts are being made to undermine peace efforts after an alleged leak of a conversation between US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and a top foreign policy aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"It is clear that there are many people in various countries, including the US, who want to stop the trend towards peace," Peskov said while accompanying Putin on a state visit to Kyrgyzstan, according to the Russian state news agency TASS.

The spokesman played down the importance of the leak, which emerged in a Bloomberg report overnight.

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It allegedly includes recordings from a telephone call between Witkoff and Yuri Ushakov in October, in which the US official is said to have given Russian leaders tips on how to deal with President Donald Trump.

Ushakov said that his conversations with Witkoff were not intended for public consumption. "No one is allowed to make this public. No one," he said, according to TASS.

Trump defended his envoy Witkoff earlier on Wednesday, saying the comments sounded like "standard negotiation."

The report also quotes a second, internal Russian phone call from late October between Ushakov and special envoy Kirill Dmitriev.

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Dmitriev suggested leaking an unofficial document as a supposed peace plan. Even if Washington did not adopt it in its entirety, Dmitriev argued that the proposal still took sufficient account of Moscow's points of view.

The passage reinforces suspicions that the peace plan pushed by the United States since last week was at least partially derived from Russia.

Echoing Peskov, Dmitriev said the publication of the telephone calls was intended to undermine efforts for peace.
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  Rescuers pulled a horse and carriage from a Lancaster County creek after a crash Tuesday night.

The Robert Fulton Fire Company said its crews arrived shortly before 5 p.m. to the 200 block of Springhill Road in Little Britain Township after a motor vehicle crashed with a horse and carriage.

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Crews found the horse and carriage in the creek bed, along with an injured person.

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While EMS cared for the patient, the fire company freed the horse from its harness and used a rope system to pull the carriage from the creek.

Fire crews pulled a horse and carriage from a Lancaster County creek Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. | Robert Fulton Fire Company Fire crews pulled a horse and carriage from a Lancaster County creek Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. | Robert Fulton Fire Company Fire crews pulled a horse and carriage from a Lancaster County creek Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. | Robert Fulton Fire Company Fire crews pulled a horse and carriage from a Lancaster County creek Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. | Robert Fulton Fire Company

The front wheels of the carriage appeared badly damaged. The fire company did not provide information on the horses condition.

Incidents involving horse and buggies have been rising in Pennsylvania, PennDOT said. This is especially true in the Midstate.

PennDOT said drivers should be mindful of horses, which can be spooked when drivers honk their cars horn or speed past them.



Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
It was last call to "have it your way" in Detroit's Renaissance Center.

The Burger King on the lower level of the downtown building complex had its final day of business on Wednesday, Nov. 26. The fast-food restaurant was one of the early RenCen tenants and the last holdout in the once-busy food court.

The other half-dozen or so lunch spots that were in the food court or nearby, including a Subway, McDonald's, Panera Bread, Pot Belly and a Coney Island, all closed their doors in recent years as foot traffic within the office towers dwindled.

This was the last day of operations for the Burger King at the food court on the lower level of the Renaissance Center n Detroit on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. With General Motors leaving the Renaissance Center and a variety of restaurants that have already left, this Burger King was the last to go from the food court.

Its really sad to see everything leaving because theres nothing for us to really eat now," said Samiyah Smith, 22, who works in the Renaissance Center's Marriott hotel and often visited Burger King for lunch. Within the last year and a half, Id say everything has just really left."

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More: GM, Bedrock get $75M cash commitment for $1.6B Renaissance Center redevelopment

Numerous other RenCen tenants have been clearing out as General Motors  the building complex's owner  prepares to relocate its global headquarters in early January to the new Hudson's Detroit office building along Woodward.

The owner of the Burger King franchise location declined to comment Wednesday about the closure, and it was unclear whether his restaurant chose to leave or was told to leave.

A GM spokesperson declined to comment about the Burger King or whether the company has any plans to completely shutter the RenCen in the future.

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There are still three fine-dining restaurants in the Renaissance Center that remain open: Andiamo, Joe Muer Seafood and Highlands Detroit.

The Burger King had been in the Renaissance Center for at least 40 years. The restaurant on Wednesday attracted a steady lunch crowd to the otherwise desolate food court, including a young man who fed one of his French fries to a hungry bird trapped inside the building.

Steven Howie, 61, works for the city and said he regularly walks across two skywalks to get from the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center to the Burger King for lunch. He also ate at the Subway and the McDonald's before they closed.

Steven Howie, 61, of Clinton Township, came by one last time to get his lunch at the Burger King at the food court on the lower level of the Renaissance Center in Detroit on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. With General Motors leaving the Renaissance Center and a variety of restaurants that have already left, this Burger King was the last to go from the food court.

"I hate to see it go, but times are changing," he said. Now I have to bring my food from home.

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GM has teamed up with Dan Gilbert's Bedrock real estate firm for a proposed $1.6 billion RenCen redevelopment that would demolish two of the five towers and convert a portion of the remaining office space to housing. However, the plan hinges on state-level development incentives that haven't been forthcoming.

Contact JC Reindl: 313-378-5460 or jcreindl@freepress.com. Follow him on X @JCReindl

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Last food court restaurant in Renaissance Center closes
(Reuters) -Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk said on Tuesday that the number of robotaxis in Austin, Texas, will double in December, following the rollout of its self-driving service in the city in June.

"The Tesla Robotaxi fleet in Austin should roughly double next month," Musk said in a post on X, which is also owned by him.

It is not immediately clear how many robotaxis Tesla operates.

Tesla's robotaxi service currently operates in two cities, Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area, with safety monitors still required in the vehicles. The company last week also received a permit to operate a ride-hailing service in Arizona.

Musk said in October that he expected robotaxis to operate without safety drivers in large parts of Austin this year and that robotaxis would be operating in eight to ten metropolitan areas by the end of the year.

In July, he said he expected Tesla robotaxis to serve about half the U.S. population by year-end.

After years of missed promises and several company closures due to high costs, tight regulations and federal investigations, the robotaxi industry has rebounded with Tesla, Alphabet's Waymo, and Amazon's Zoox speeding up expansion.

(Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonia Cheema)
Nov. 25KINGWOOD  A civil case is pending against the Preston County Board of Education and the former Central Preston Middle School teacher who duct-taped a student's mouth and wrists on multiple occasions inside the classroom in October 2023.

A lawsuit against the board and Cassandra Diann Sisler, of Terra Alta, was filed by the student and the student's parents last month in the Circuit Court of Preston County.

The lawsuit states that on four different occasions, Sisler duct-taped the student's mouth, bound his hands then made him perform physical labor such as moving chairs within the classroom. The actions occurred in view of the student's friends and classmates. According to the civil action, the student also sustained physical injury when the tape was eventually removed. Sisler and a teacher's aide who witnessed her conduct were allegedly the only adults present in the classroom. The suit alleges the student suffered physical and emotional harm.

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The lawsuit also asserts that the Board of Education was negligent in hiring, retention, training and supervision, and that the board breached its duty by failing to prevent or address the repeated abuse of the student, failing to properly hire, failing to dismiss, failing to train and failing to supervise Sisler, her aide, and others unknown to plaintiffs who were in a position to prevent the harm suffered by the student.

The plaintiffs are asking for judgment against the both the Preston County Board of Education and Sisler, jointly and severally in an amount sufficient to compensate plaintiffs, and punitive damages against the defendants in an amount that will set an example, deter others from committing such conduct in the future and satisfy all other reasons of law and public policy for an award of punitive or exemplary damages.

The plaintiffs are demanding a trial by jury. The counsel for the school board and Sisler are requesting that the trial be moved from Preston County court to federal court.

Ahead of her December 2024 criminal trial, Sisler entered a plea agreement on four felony counts of child abuse resulting in injury.

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Under the agreement, Sisler agreed to plead no contest to a lesser misdemeanor offense of child neglect creating risk of bodily injury. She also agreed to permanently surrender her West Virginia teaching credentials and agreed to never seek teaching credentials in any other state or territory of the United States. As part of the plea agreement, the state agreed to dismiss the felony indictment against Sisler.

Circuit Court Judge Steven Shaffer sentenced Sisler to six months in prison, court costs and $100 fine. He suspended the sentence and sentenced her to 6 months' home confinement and 3 years of supervised probation.
At least 36 people have died in a major fire in several residential blocks in Hong Kong, with a further 279 people still missing, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said in the early hours of Thursday morning.

This significantly increases the number of victims following the devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in the Tai Po district of the city, which is a special administrative region of China.

The authorities had already classified the fire as a level 5 emergency, the highest level, in the afternoon.

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At least 29 injured people were treated in hospital. The cause of the fire remains unclear. The authorities have launched an investigation and intend to scrutinize the safety standards of the bamboo scaffolding and the green nets attached to the complex.

Lee: Fire slowly being brought under control

Among the dead was a firefighter, according to reports. As confirmed by the government of the Chinese special administrative region, the 37-year-old was found unconscious at the scene and was initially taken to hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

According to Lee, the emergency services gradually brought the flames under control, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.

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All available emergency services were to be mobilized to fight the flames, he added.

From Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent condolences, Chinese state television reported. He assured the special administrative region of support.

Fire engulfs several residential buildings

The flames had engulfed seven residential blocks of the complex, reports cited the fire brigade as saying.

Several calls were received from people trapped in their flats on Wednesday afternoon. The area comprises eight residential buildings, each with 32 storeys and a total of nearly 2,000 flats. The buildings were all surrounded by scaffolding for renovation work.

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Photos and videos from the scene showed large plumes of smoke rising from the scaffolded high-rise residential buildings. It was also visible how the facade scaffolding was ablaze over several storeys, with burning debris falling to the ground. Additionally, fires could be seen inside individual flats.

Hundreds of emergency personnel on site

Residents near the scene were advised to keep windows and doors closed and to avoid the area around the burning buildings.

The Hong Kong police set up a telephone service for the public to obtain information about the victims.

The South China Morning Post reported that more than 800 firefighters and paramedics with over 140 vehicles were deployed.

Around 900 people sought shelter until late evening in the accommodation set up by the city.

Paramedics rush an injured firefighter on a stretchered to an ambulance as a major fire engulfs several residential buildings at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong. Vernon Yuen/Nexpher via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
At least 36 people have died in a major fire in several residential blocks in Hong Kong, with a further 279 people still missing, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said in the early hours of Thursday morning.

This significantly increases the number of victims following the devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in the Tai Po district of the city, which is a special administrative region of China.

The authorities had already classified the fire as a level 5 emergency, the highest level, in the afternoon.

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At least 29 injured people were treated in hospital. The cause of the fire remains unclear. The authorities have launched an investigation and intend to scrutinize the safety standards of the bamboo scaffolding and the green nets attached to the complex.

According to a report in Hong Kong's South China Morning Post, three men have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the fire.

The police said they will hold a press conference early Thursday to provide further details.

Lee: Fire slowly being brought under control

Among the dead was a firefighter, according to reports. As confirmed by the government of the Chinese special administrative region, the 37-year-old was found unconscious at the scene and was initially taken to hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

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According to Lee, the emergency services gradually brought the flames under control, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.

All available emergency services were to be mobilized to fight the flames, he added.

From Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent condolences, Chinese state television reported. He assured the special administrative region of support.

Fire engulfs several residential buildings

The flames had engulfed seven residential blocks of the complex, reports cited the fire brigade as saying.

Several calls were received from people trapped in their flats on Wednesday afternoon. The area comprises eight residential buildings, each with 32 storeys and a total of nearly 2,000 flats. The buildings were all surrounded by scaffolding for renovation work.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Photos and videos from the scene showed large plumes of smoke rising from the scaffolded high-rise residential buildings. It was also visible how the facade scaffolding was ablaze over several storeys, with burning debris falling to the ground. Additionally, fires could be seen inside individual flats.

Hundreds of emergency personnel on site

Residents near the scene were advised to keep windows and doors closed and to avoid the area around the burning buildings.

The Hong Kong police set up a telephone service for the public to obtain information about the victims.

The South China Morning Post reported that more than 800 firefighters and paramedics with over 140 vehicles were deployed.

Around 900 people sought shelter until late evening in the accommodation set up by the city.

Smoke and flames rise as a major fire engulfs several residential buildings in Wang Fuk Court. Vernon Yuen/Nexpher via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
Heres what youll learn when you read this story:

The USS Edsall, nicknamed the Dancing Mouse, was found by the Royal Australian Navy after being sunk by the Japanese military in 1942.

The 314-foot destroyer was located largely intact, and is resting upright on the seabed roughly 200 miles east of Christmas Island.

Despite having been relegated to convoy duty, the ship went down during an engagement with several Japanese ships and dive bombers.

The Dancing Mousethe Clemson-class destroyer more formally known as the USS Edsalland its more-than-200 servicemen went down at the hands of the Japanese military on March 1, 1942, during World War II. Now, the doomed ship has been located, in a happenstance occurrence by the Royal Australian Navy.

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The Edsall was commissioned during World War I, and was stationed in Asia for the extent of its deploymentfrom 1920 until that fateful March day in 1942. The ship participated in military exercises aplenty, and even joined in on an attack that sunk a Japanese submarine. But eventually, a depth charge that had been dropped from the ship prematurely went off and damaged the Edsall, limiting its ability to maneuver and making it unfit for combat.

It was subsequently relegated to convoy duty, but that didnt stop Captain Joshua Nix from eventually engaging with a Japanese convoy. According to an official historical account of the ship put together by Samuel Coxa retired U.S. Navy rear admiral and head of the Naval History and Heritage Commandreports from Japanese ships say that the Edsall performed like a Japanese Dancing Mouse, which was a popular pet at the time.

The Edsall adeptly switched speeds and directions, and employed smoke screens during the maneuvers. Nix reportedly returned fire on the attacking Japanese shipsincluding by launching torpedoes, of which the ship had only nineand evaded the significantly better-armed craft for over an hour. Finally, 26 Japanese dive bombers were called in to help, and one bomb is thought to have been the blow that ended the USS Edsall.

Captain Joshua Nix and his crew fought valiantly, U.S. Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy said in a statement.

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At the time of the attack, the American ship may have been heading to the aid of an oiler (the USS Pecos) with hundreds of survivors picked up from damaged ships. 185 U.S. Navy personnel and 31 U.S. Army Air Force pilots on board the Edsall at the timeaccording to a statement from Lisa Franchetti, U.S. Navy chief of naval operationsbut the final resting place of both the ship and most of the servicemen were unknown (with the exception, according to Cox, of a handful of survivors who were later killed in an enemy prison camp).

In light of this discovery of the ship, however, that unknown has turned to confirmation and certainty. The Royal Australian Navy made a surprise discovery of a sunken ship during an unrelated mission that featured advanced robotic and autonomous systems normally used for hydrographic survey capabilities, Mark Hammond, head of the Royal Australian Navy, said in a statement.

Once the ship was located (in late 2023), experts spent about a year using sonar and underwater robots to explore the find. A team confirmed that the ship was indeed the Edsall and not the USS Pillsbury (a ship of the same class known to have sunk nearby), and the find was officially announced on Veterans Day 2024.

The 314-foot destroyer was located largely intact, and is resting upright on the seabed roughly 200 miles east of Christmas Island (south of Java, Indonesia).

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The USS Edsall served valiantly during World War II, most notably in the early Pacific campaigns, Hammond said. She operated alongside Australian war ships protecting our shores and played a role in sinking the Japanese submarine I124 off Darwin. The joint efforts in engagements such as the Battle of the Coral Sea and the defense of allied territories in the Pacific forged bonds between U.S. and Australian sailors that continue to this day.

Before Nix ordered the ship abandoned, Cox told the Washington Post, he pointed the vessel toward the Japanese fighters. Its a maritime version of flipping the bird.

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When Nate Miller left Beaver County to go bear hunting early Saturday morning, he knew his odds of shooting a bear, or even seeing one, were slim. He got to Moraine State Park around 5:30 a.m. By 9 a.m., he was getting cold.

If I didnt move because I got cold, Id have never seen that bear, Miller told Channel 11s Andrew Havranek.

He moved to a new location and saw something dark about 80 yards away, so he used his binoculars.

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Sure enough, it had black hair. The sun was directly on it, he said.

Miller grabbed his rifle and stepped forward toward a tree to rest against, and fired two shots.

It moved and turned its head up towards me. I could see teeth and tongue hanging out, Miller said. I fired a third shot, and thats when it disappeared.

He hurried and loaded his rifle with more ammo and made his way toward where the bear was, then FaceTimed his wife.

Im shaking, I mean, just, I couldnt even talk right, couldnt even stand up straight, it was an emotional dump, Miller recalled.

The bear was there, lying on a log. He waited 20 minutes, rifle in hand, confirming the bear had been killed.

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The bear  the PA Game Commission said  had a live estimated weight of 717 pounds!

In the process of putting the ear tag in, I could not pick the head up, Miller said.

He called his brother and some other friends, who brought a jet sled over to help tag and move the bear. They pulled the bear out of the woods to where he was parked  800 yards away. It was a process that took close to five hours.

Park rangers came over with an ATV for the last 100 yards and helped load the bear into his truck.

Not only was that bear more than 700 pounds, but it was also more than a foot taller than Miller.

From nose to tail, about 7 feet, 5 inches [tall], he said.

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The bear is the biggest bear hunted over the last four days across Pennsylvania, and is one for the record books.

Number one ever in Butler County on record, and it should make top 10 in the state of Pennsylvania, Miller said.

Miller plans to fully mount the bear, a reminder of a day hell never forget.

Never forget, he said. Never forget. Nope.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Gov. Jeff Landry's administration plans to reopen the Jetson Center for Youth in Baker (pictured above) in April. The juvenile justice facility was shut down over a decade ago. (Photo by Julie O'Donoghue/Louisiana Illuminator)

Louisiana officials plan to reopen a youth prison in April that was shuttered over a decade ago when it was declared inappropriate for young people.

The state Office of Juvenile Justice plans to move 36 incarcerated youth to the old Jetson Center for Youth in Baker after some minor upgrades to buildings on the site. The interim facility is expected to help with overcrowding in the states youth prison system, agency undersecretary Jason Starnes said.

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We desperately need some relief with our bed capacity issues, Starnes told state lawmakers at a budget hearing last week.



The long-term plan for the Jetson site is to replace the existing facility with a brand new youth prison complex that will house up to 72 children and teenagers. It is expected to cost close to $70 million and would open during the 2027-28 state budget year.



In the meantime, the state will renovate existing buildings at Jetson to accommodate a dormitory, cafeteria, laundry facility and classrooms for the 36 youth who will arrive in the spring.



The money to make those buildings inhabitable will come from the budget for the new Jetson construction, said Matt Baker, director of the state Office of Planning and Facility Control, at the budget hearing. He did not say how much will be spent on the rehabilitation.

Were going to do some cleaning up, Baker said. But essentially, we are doing as efficient of a renovation as possible so we can retain as much budget as we can for the new facility.

Once the new building is opened, the state plans to tear down all the existing facilities on Jetsons campus, Baker said.



When Jetson was closed in 2014, Gov. Bobby Jindals staff described it as old and obsolete. Some Jetson buildings first opened in 1948 and were not conducive to the therapeutic setting the juvenile justice system was trying to embrace at the time.



State officials also justified Jetsons closure by saying it was difficult to secure because its campus is large and buildings are spread out over several acres.

More recently, Louisiana used Jetson as its temporary womens prison for nine years. The state hastily moved its incarcerated women to Jetson in 2016 after the womens prison in St. Gabriel flooded and became unlivable. They were moved out of Jetson earlier this year when a new womens prison opened at another St. Gabriel site.



Advocates for incarcerated women complained about the condition of Jetson while the women were housed there, but juvenile justice officials say they intend to use a different building.

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Still, Starnes admitted most of the facilities at Jetson are in bad physical shape.

A lot of the facilities are very aged. [The buildings] are in very poor condition, he said last week.



Legislators are also concerned about the impact to the surrounding communities. When Jetson was open, breakouts happened frequently and surrounding neighbors experienced waves of crime from the facility. At the time, the facility housed hundreds of incarcerated youth.

State Sen. Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge, said she is concerned about new residential developments under construction near the Jetson site.

We have to be good neighbors to the people we are going to be next to, Barrow said.

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The 9bn Lower Thames Crossing project is to get an extra 891m in funding.

The crossing, which will be the largest road tunnel in the UK, was approved by the government in March this year.

It will feature two tunnels and connect Tilbury in Essex to Gravesend in Kent, with work expected to begin next year and be complete in the 2030s.

In her Budget announcement today, Chancellor Rachel Reeves committed to the final part of public funding for the project, giving the "green light" for work to begin in 2026.

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She said the Lower Thames Crossing would be the largest road building project for a generation, and a "key driver of growth".

The route that the Lower Thames Crossing will take from Thurrock, Essex to Kent [National Highways]

The crossing would improve road links between the Midlands and the North, along with ports in the South East, as well as enhance "the resilience of the overall road network".

In the House of Commons today, the chancellor added: "As we allocate investment for the infrastructure that is the backbone of economic growth across our country, today I will commit investment for the Lower Thames Crossing."

'Legacy of jobs and skills'

Matt Palmer, executive director for the Lower Thames Crossing, said the additional 891m of public funds would keep the project on track to open "in the early 2030s".

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"The project will be built by local people and businesses, and leave a legacy of jobs and skills across the region," he said.

"It's the first of a new generation of projects that will tackle congestion and drive economic growth, whilst redrawing the blueprint for low-carbon construction."

The plans for a second crossing between Essex and Kent over the River Thames was first mooted 16 years ago back in 2009, with 1.2bn of taxpayer's money being spent on planning since.

The 14.5-mile (23km) road would link the A2 and M2 in Kent with the A13 and M25 in Thurrock.

About 2.6 miles (4.2km) of the route would be underground, with a northbound and a southbound tunnel running next to each other beneath the Thames.

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The plans have faced opposition ever since they were announced, with concerns over potential impacts on the environment and ancient woodlands in the area.

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Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro donned military fatigues, wielded Simon Bolivar's sword and urged Venezuelans to defend the nation against U.S. aggression during a rally in Caracas.

Maduro held the rally in Caracas on Tuesday to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the nation's liberation and told attendees that it is their duty to oppose foreign aggressors in the manner of Venezuelan hero Bolivar, who led a successful revolt against the Spanish, The Guardian reported.

The rally was held in response to the Trump administration's military strikes against alleged drug traffickers and the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group in the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela.

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"We have to be capable of defending every inch of this blessed land from any sort of imperialist threat or aggression, wherever it comes from," Maduro said while holding Bolivar's unsheathed sword in his right hand.

"I swear before our Lord Jesus Christ that I will give my all for the victory of Venezuela," Maduro said.

President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro (C) attends a military ceremony commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Venezuelan independence hero Simon Bolivar's 'Sword of Peru' on Tuesday in Caracas. The United States recently designated the "Cartel De Los Soles" (Cartel of The Suns) as a foreign terrorist organization, a group allegedly led by the president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, and which, it is presumed, includes high-ranking members of the Venezuelan government. Photo by Venezuelan President Office

The U.S. military has killed more than 80 while carrying out more than 20 aerial strikes on small vessels said to carry illicit drugs destined for the United States and Europe over the past four months, according to Time.

President Donald Trump also has accused Maduro of being a drug trafficker and a leader of the Cartel de los Soles, which the Trump administration on Monday designated as a foreign terrorist group, along with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which infiltrated the United States during the Biden administration.

President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro (C) appears during a military ceremony commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Venezuelan independence hero Simon Bolivar's 'Sword of Peru' on Tuesday. Photo by Venezuelan President Office

The United States has placed a $50 million bounty for information leading to Maduro's arrest, and Trump has authorized the CIA to operate in Venezuela.

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He also has threatened to drop leaflets over Venezuelan cities to encourage a revolt against Maduro, who has been accused of claiming victory in the nation's 2024 presidential election despite exit polling strongly suggesting he lost.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday accused the United States of "bullying" Venezuela and expressed support for the nation and Maduro.

Iranian leaders have accused the Trump administration of trying to destabilize the governments of Iran and Venezuela and maintain close ties with Maduro and Venezuela.

The tensions between the United States and Venezuela prompted a cautionary notice regarding international flights in the region from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Many international airlines have canceled flights to Venezuela, which has some travelers stranded in Caracas.
Editors note: The video above aired in a previous newscast.

NEW YORK (PIX11)  New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has asked some City Hall employees to resign from their positions when he takes office on Jan. 1, his spokesperson confirmed to PIX11 News on Wednesday.

The New York Times reported that the resignations, which will affect 179 workers, will change staffing in political offices, including those overseen by deputy mayors.

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As is standard practice for a mayoral transition, the Mayor-elect and his transition team are working to build their City Hall plan, which includes new staff in key roles to ensure they can deliver effectively on their agenda, a spokesperson for Mamdani told PIX11 News in a statement.

Mamdani recently announced hes appointed more than 400 city leaders to 17 transition committees, which will be tasked with not only making personnel recommendations but policy recommendations.

His direct transition team includes alums of both the de Blasio and Adams administrations.

Mamdani also plans to keep NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch in her role, citing the sharp decrease in crime since she took the helm.

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His chief of staff is Elle Bisgaard-Church, who managed his own primary campaign, and former first deputy mayor for de Blasio, Dean Fuleihan, will serve the same position in Mamdanis City Hall.

More News: Politics

Over 70,000 applicants have also applied for jobs in Mamdanis administration. The incoming mayor launched a resume portal to give people of all experience levels a chance to work in City Hall.

Interested job seekers can find the resume portal by clicking here.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
A man has been arrested after deputies say he abused an elderly male patient at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital, the Clay County Sheriffs Office announced Wednesday.

Anthony Diaz, 52, has been charged with Aggravated Battery of an Elderly Person and is being held on a $150,003 bond, CCSO said in a news release.

Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Diaz on Tuesday and arrested him at his home.

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CCSO said the patient was intentionally struck several times in the face, pushed into a wall, and knocked to the ground by a hospital employee.

Another staff member in the room witnessed Diazs assault of the patient, deputies said.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Action News Jax first told you Tuesday about the incident that happened on Friday, Nov. 14.

The family of Julian Cohen, 73, exclusively told us that they want to make sure this doesnt happen to anyone else.

We reached out to HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital and asked them to verify if, in fact, a hospital employee was the one who broke Cohens ribs.

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We also asked them whether they had been notified of the incident before their conversation and whether the alleged employee was still employed by them.

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They replied, saying:

We do not tolerate behavior that jeopardizes the safety and well-being of our patients or colleagues, and the staff member involved in this incident is no longer employed by HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital.

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(Reuters) -Tesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk has spent much of this year focused on the carmakers robotics pursuits and winning shareholder approval for his freshly minted $1 trillion pay package. In the meantime, the outlook for Tesla's main business  selling cars  is darkening.

Tesla faces sales pressure in the worlds three biggest car markets: Europe, China and the United States. The electric-vehicle maker's sales fell 48.5% across Europe in October versus the same month last year, according to data released by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association on Tuesday. For the year, its sales are down about 30% in the region, while industrywide EV sales jumped 26%.

Tesla's global vehicle deliveries are expected to decline 7% this year, according to Visible Alpha, after a 1% drop in 2024. That is despite record third-quarter deliveries, which were juiced by American car buyers racing to beat the September 30 expiration of an EV tax credit.

The new SUV Model Y L at Tesla's store in Shangha. (CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)  CFOTO via Getty Images

The weak European results suggest there will be no quick rebound from the sales turmoil that began late last year, after Musk publicly praised far-right figures, setting off protests across the region. Musk has gone relatively quiet on politics in recent months  but Teslas European business has not recovered, signaling more fundamental problems.

As recently as 2023, Teslas Model Y SUV was the worlds top-selling car, gas or electric. But Tesla has slid down the sales charts, as rivals have introduced a broad array of improved EVs  often at lower prices  while Teslas narrow lineup of models has grown stale, analysts say.

Tesla did not respond to requests for comment.

Late last year, Musk told shareholders he expected vehicle sales to grow 20-30% in 2025. In January, the company said it expected a return to growth, without offering an estimate, before pulling that guidance in the following quarter. In October, Tesla said any growth would depend on macroeconomic factors and how quickly it could add autonomy to its cars and ramp up factory production.

LAPPED BY VW

Teslas troubles are most acute in Europe, where more than a dozen electric models sell for under $30,000, with more on the way. A wave of Chinese brands is entering Europe with head-turning designs and broader choice, from EVs to petrol cars and hybrids.

Analysts interviewed by Reuters do not see a quick fix for Tesla in Europe, where it offers just two mass-market models: the Model 3 sedan and Model Y. Tesla recently introduced a stripped-down, lower-priced version of the Model Y to boost sales.
Larry Bushart, the Lexington man arrested and later released after being charged with threats of mass violence in connection to a Facebook post including a quote from President Donald Trump, has retained a leading First Amendment legal group.

Bushart was arrested on Sept. 22 after police said he posted a picture in a Perry County community group page planning a vigil for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, following Kirks Sept. 10 killing.

The picture depicted President Donald Trump saying, We have to get over it, a direct quote from the president after a January 2024 school shooting in Perry, Iowa, that left one dead and seven wounded.

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The photo is topped with the phrase, "This seems relevant today.

Bushart was arrested hours later by Lexington Police at the direction of Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems, who told The Tennessean that Bushart posted the picture to indicate or make the audience think it was referencing our Perry High School.

This led teachers, parents and students to conclude he was talking about a hypothetical shooting at our school, he said. Numerous reached out in concern.

According to the statement, investigators believe Bushart was fully aware of the fear his post would cause and intentionally sought to create hysteria within the community.

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After significant pushback from community members and state officials, Bushart was released on Oct. 29 and the district attorney dropped all charges.

Bushart has now retained the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.

The first thing that jumps out about Larry's case is just how outrageous it is, said David Rubin, staff attorney at FIRE. Not just the fact that the sheriff is taking this meme that he posted, that is so obviously not a threat, and saying that he thought somebody, somewhere thought it was a threat on this school, with a different name that another school had, where there was a shooting in a different state over a year ago. That's outrageous point number one!

Outrageous point number two is that he was booked in jail with a bond of $2 million, which is extraordinarily high in any case, especially in a case like this, he said. And then he was there for 37 days before the district attorney essentially acknowledged that the charges weren't going to stick.

Bushart arrest poses serious First Amendment concerns, experts say

An exchange via body camera showing officers arriving at Busharts home just past 11 p.m. on Sept. 22 encapsulates the confusion this case created, even among law enforcement.

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In footage obtained by online news outlet The Intercept, an officer booking Bushart into jail told him he was charged with threatening mass violence at a school.

At a school? Bushart responded.

I aint got a clue, the officer said. I just gotta do what I have to do.

Bushart laughed. Ive been in Facebook jail but now Im really in it, he said.

Thats not illegal, the officer said.

What was being alleged as Busharts illegal activity, according to his charges, was a violation of a recent state law regarding threats of mass violence.

The law was enacted to crack down on school threats, leading to the arrests of dozens of students since its inception. Critics say it has also led to the punishment of some students for speech that is largely protected by the First Amendment.

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More: Zero-tolerance laws on Tennessee school shooting threats raise First Amendment worries

Very few exceptions are made for the constitutional protections for speech. However, one is for true threats: a type of speech in which the government must prove that a speaker acted with recklessness and be aware that others could regard his statements as threatening violence and deliver them anyway, according to a recent Supreme Court decision.

The arrest warrant for Bushart, written by Perry County Sheriffs Investigator Jason Morrow, states that Morrow received a message from Sheriff Nick Weems regarding a Facebook post Larry Bushart made, and that this was a means of communicationin which a reasonable person would conclude could lead to serious bodily injury, or death of multiple people.

Adam Steinbaugh, another attorney at FIRE looking into the case, previously told The Tennessean that he filed a series of open records requests with Perry County Schools asking for any communications that would paint a better picture of the alleged hysteria that Weems claims Busharts post caused.

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According to Steinbaugh, they had none. The school said "the sheriff handled that case and there are no records."

It's perplexing how Weems got to the point where he thought that anybody was taking (Busharts post), or could take it, as a threat, said Rubin.

In the aftermath of Busharts arrest, one significant response was support for Bushart.

Chris Eargle, a South Carolina man, started the Facebook page Justice for Larry Bushart after he read The Tennessean coverage of the arrest in September.

The group has since grown to nearly 5,000 people.

When I first read about it, I was skeptical at the depictions on social media and even wrote a long blog post about how we need to be careful with rage bait, he said. I dug a little deeper and found that Larry Bushart was indeed arrested solely for posting that meme of Donald Trumps quote following the terrible tragedy at Perry High School in 2024.

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This should be important to everyone who values being able to comment on current events without having their words, or innocuous memes, twisted into a crime.

While Rubin could not comment on any pending litigation with Bushart, he could definitely say one thing.

I can tell you that that Larry's speech was unquestionably protected by the First Amendment, he said. There is an exception to the First Amendment for true threats. But there's a lot of case law that defines the scope of what is a true threat. And this case is just not in the same universe as cases like that.

It violates the First Amendment when you haul someone into jail strictly because they partook in protected speech.

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One of the last social media posts Bushart posted before his arrest a quote from former Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black, in which Black affirmed the importance of stopping government overreach into the First Amendment-protected separation of church and state.

One of his first posts after being released from jail: a video of Elton John playing Im Still Standing, at the Live Aid benefit concert in 1985.

The USA TODAY Network - The South region's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.

Have a story to tell? Reach Angele Latham by email at alatham@gannett.com, or follow her on Twitter at @angele_latham

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Man arrested after Charlie Kirk post retains First Amendment lawyers
A man who was chasing a woman in Brookhaven became the one being chased after restaurant employees hit their police alarm on Monday.

Police say employees at the Pollo Campero on Buford Hwy. pressed an alarm to get them to the restaurant after a man chased a woman into the restaurant.

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He left before police got there, but employees were able to point him our running down the busy road. The woman told police he had a three felony warrants out for his arrest in Clayton County and that he was armed.

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The police department used a drone to follow his movements so police officers on the ground could track where he was running. They were able to trace him to the backside of an apartment building.

Brookhaven police shared video from the drone that showed the man running, and trying to hide in a creek bed and under leaves.

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Body camera video showed an officer shouting for the man to surrender or he would send K9 Koda after him. When the man still did not come out, K9 Koda ran after him and latched on.

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Hes biting me, the man can be heard yelling.

Investigators learned he had ditched the gun during the chase, but K9 Koda was able to find that as well.

The gun had been reported stolen.

The suspect, whose identity has not been released, was taken to the hospital for clearance and was then booked into the DeKalb County Jail.

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A Fulton County jury has convicted Jerry Emile of felony murder in connection with a mass shooting on Auburn Avenue in Atlanta that left two people dead and 14 others injured.

The shooting, described by a prosecutor as one of the worst mass shootings in Atlantas history, occurred during a chaotic street-racing style intersection takeover combined with an impromptu fireworks show and gunfire in the summer of 2020.

Jerry Emile has been held accountable for felony murder in their deaths and other charges, said a prosecutor from the Fulton County District Attorneys Office.

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The victims, Erica Robinson and Joshua Ingram, were both young individuals with promising futures.

Robinson was a college graduate who loved helping people, while Ingram was a Georgia State freshman pursuing mechanical engineering.

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Family members expressed their grief over the loss of their loved ones.

Tiffany, Ericas sister, shared memories of their time together in the band at Albany State.

To grow old with her, someone took that away from me, Tiffany Robinson said.

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Rodney Ingram described his son Joshua as a good guy, wonderful guy, church-loving guy, and Sherlyn Ingram shared her ongoing sorrow, saying, I still cry every day. Every single night I go into Joshuas room, and I say my prayers with Josh.

The prosecutor indicated that Emiles actions, including brandishing a handgun in a threatening manner, set into motion the tragic events that led to the shootout, although it remains unclear who fired the shots.

Emile was also found guilty of three counts of aggravated assault, but was acquitted of one aggravated assault charge and a gun charge.

Lead prosecutor Adriane Love stated that Emile faces sentencing soon, with a minimum sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole plus twenty years.

Jerry Emiles conviction brings some closure to the families of Erica Robinson and Joshua Ingram, as they continue to mourn their losses and seek justice for the tragic events of July 2020.
A man and a juvenile are facing murder charges for an October shooting in northwest Charlotte.

Court records say Zantavious Walker, 25, of Charlotte, was arrested Tuesday on multiple felony charges.

Both Walker and the kid were also charged with felony conspiracy and shooting into an occupied dwelling.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department says Peter Batista Fana was killed after someone fired shots into a home on Winding Branch Court at about 10:50 p.m. on Oct. 8.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man dies day after being shot inside northwest Charlotte home, CMPD says

Police said Fana was transported to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries after the shooting. He succumbed to his injuries there the next day.

A witness told police she was with Fana in bed with their 10-month-old in an upstairs bedroom.

Someone outside fire rounds into the room and one struck Fana in the head, she said.

Detectives said the house was struck by 18 bullets.

Surveillance video showed a stolen Chevy SUV parked on a nearby street with its lights off.

Two people wearing hoodies got out, ran down to Winding Branch Court toward the house as a third person remained in the drivers seat.

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Gunshots were heard on the video and the suspects returned to the Chevy and drove off.

The suspects ditched the SUV and police recovered it and processed it.

Inside the SUV, detectives found a business card of an employee with the Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice System. There was a court date on the back, which was tied back to Walker for having a stolen vehicle. His address was also where police recovered the stolen Chevy, on Sharon Chase Drive in Charlotte.

They also looked through Walkers phone where there was a photo of him inside the stolen Chevy used in the shooting.

Walker is expected to face a judge Wednesday morning.

VIDEO: MEDIC: 1 hurt in northwest Charlotte shooting
A man who shot and killed two colleagues at a factory in south-western Germany earlier this year has been found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment.

The Heilbronn Regional Court determined that the crime was particularly serious, meaning that a release after 15 years is unlikely.

The charges against the German man included two counts of murder and attempted murder.

The court heard that the 53-year-old entered the factory at the company's premises in Bad Friedrichshall, north of Heilbronn, in early January.

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Wearing a mask, he fired a total of 23 shots at his colleagues.

Two brothers aged 49 and 44 died, and another man was critically injured. The family business manufactures precision gears.

The man, who had been on trial since mid-July, remained silent throughout the proceedings. The prosecution and joint plaintiffs had demanded a life sentence for double murder, citing the particular severity of the crime. The court agreed.

The defence, on the other hand, had pleaded for acquittal or, alternatively, acquittal and the defendant's placement in a psychiatric hospital. The lawyer argued that the evidence against the alleged shooter was insufficient to convict him.

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The man is said to have been jealous of one of the brothers because, as head of the working group, he was responsible for assigning colleagues to factory machines.

He had been told to give up a machine he had been working on to the other brother after that man's return to work after a period of sickness.
A man has died after being pulled from a burning home in New Castle County on Tuesday night.

The fire broke out on the unit block of N. Dragon Drive in Bear, Delaware, around 7:15 p.m.

Firefighters rescued the man, who was trapped inside the home, and transported him to Christiana Hospital, where he later died.

His name has not yet been released.

The Delaware State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the blaze.
Atlanta police are investigating after a man was stabbed to death early Wednesday morning.

Officers were called to The Huntley Luxury Apartments on Park Avenue near Phipps Plaza around 12:30 a.m.

Neighbors react to the violence LIVE on Channel 2 Action News starting at 4 p.m.

In one of the buildings hallways, police say they found a man with a knife wound to his chest. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Channel 2s Darryn Moore was LIVE outside Grady Memorial Hospital during Channel 2 Action News This Morning.

Another man was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police have not commented on how that person was involved.

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Investigators say one of the men likely lived in the apartment and there was a dispute between acquaintances that led to the stabbing.

They added that there is a large animal in the apartment.

Police have not identified the victim, but say he is likely in his 20s or early 30s.

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By Steve Gorman

(Reuters) -New York prosecutors said on Tuesday they stood ready to retry a former Manhattan delicatessen worker whose conviction on kidnapping and murder charges in the 1979 slaying of 6-year-old Etan Patz was overturned four months ago by a federal appeals court.

The Manhattan district attorney's office has determined that "available, admissible evidence supports" the renewal of its prosecution of Pedro Hernandez on the same charges as before, the office said in a notice on Tuesday, in a case that once stoked national fears about missing and abducted children.

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The decision by District Attorney Alvin Bragg, conveyed in a letter to a New York state court judge, essentially returns the case to the pretrial status that existed after Hernandez was indicted and reopens it to a new round of pleadings and court proceedings.

Hernandez, now in his mid-60s, was found guilty in 2017 of kidnapping and murdering Patz, who had vanished nearly 40 years earlier as he walked alone for the first time to a school bus stop two blocks from his home in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood on May 25, 1979. Hernandez, who worked in a bodega near the bus stop and was 18 when Patz vanished, was sentenced to a prison term of 25 years to life. He remains in custody.

The boy, who was never found, became one of the first missing children whose faces would become ubiquitous as emblems printed on the sides of milk cartons to publicize their disappearance in hopes of stirring investigative tips.

The Patz case captured U.S. media attention and endured as one of the country's most infamous child disappearances until police arrested Hernandez in May 2012.

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A three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the Hernandez conviction in July of this year, ruling that the trial judge had incorrectly instructed the jury and thus swayed the verdict against the defendant. A different judge later gave the DA's office until December 1 to decide whether to seek a new trial, which must begin by June 1, 2026, to keep Hernandez in custody.

In Tuesday's letter, the DA's office said it was "prepared to proceed."

Because of a lack of physical evidence or contemporary witnesses in the case, the 2016-2017 trial - Hernandez's second after the first ended in a hung jury in 2015 - hinged almost entirely on his purported confessions.

His appeal centered on the judge's instruction to jurors in response to their question as to how they should treat statements of self-incrimination that Hernandez gave during hours of interrogation by investigators without a lawyer present.

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Prior to giving notice that prosecutors were ready to proceed with what would be a third trial in the case, the DA's office had said that it intends to pursue a parallel strategy of petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the 2nd Circuit's decision overturning the Hernandez conviction.

(Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Deputies in Marion County said four Marion County Fire Rescue employees are facing some serious charges.

Officials said the Marion County Fire Rescue employees were arrested on charges of kidnapping, battery, and robbery.

Deputies are planning to hold a news conference on Monday at 11 a.m. to share more details.

While the Sheriffs Office has announced the media conference, specific details about the individuals arrested have not been disclosed.

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Channel 9 will have a crew at the announcement and will provide updates on Eyewitness News.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
A Massachusetts man was arrested on multiple charges after a pursuit that ended in Manchester.

According to State Police, around 1:21 a.m. on Tuesday, Troopers received a report that members of the Epping Police Department had been briefly involved in a pursuit involving a silver 2026 Chevrolet Silverado that had fled from them and was last seen traveling on Route 101 westbound.

Shortly after, the same truck was seen speeding at 105 mph by members of the Candia Police Department.

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A state trooper saw the truck as it got I-93 going south in Manchester.

The trooper caught up to the truck at Exit 1 on I-293 northbound and attempted to perform a traffic stop.

The driver of the truck, later identified as Alejandro Vargas, 27, of Lowell, Massachusetts, refused to stop, and a pursuit ensued.

Vargas took Exit 4 on I-293, onto Arnold Street in Manchester, a dead end.

Realizing that he was on a dead-end road, Vargas turned the truck around and, while attempting to evade arrest, struck a State Police cruiser driven by another trooper, police said.

After crashing into two additional parked vehicles, Vargas and a passenger got out of the Chevrolet and fled on foot in opposite directions.

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Police were able to arrest Vargas a short time later, the passenger was not located.

Vargas was found to have an outstanding warrant for arrest from the U.S. Marshals Service. He was also charged with felony reckless conduct  deadly weapon, misdemeanor charges of disobeying an officer, resisting arrest, simple assault and conduct after an accident, along with several violations.

Vargas is being held at the Hillsborough County House of Corrections and is scheduled to be arraigned in Manchester District Court on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Tom Lee is buying the dip on Ethereum as its price keeps falling.

On Monday, BitMine Immersion, the Bitcoin miner turned treasury company, announced it had scooped up another $200 million worth of Ethereum, bringing its total Ethereum holdings back to over $10 billion.

Thats equivalent to 3% of the entire Ethereum token supply, and over half way towards the firms 5% goal.

A few weeks ago, we noted the likely downside for ETH prices would be around $2,500 and current ETH prices are basically there, BitMine chair Tom Lee, who in recent months has become one of Ethereums most vocal backers, said in a release announcing the firms latest purchase.

This implies asymmetric risk/reward as the downside is 5% to 7%, while the upside is the supercycle ahead for Ethereum.

Trend reversal

On October 10, the crypto market experienced its biggest ever leverage wipeout, sending crypto prices into freefall.

Ethereum has plummeted some 35% since then, while Bitcoin has fared slightly better, falling around 28%.

The continued decline in crypto prices in the past week reflects the impaired liquidity since October 10th, as well as price technicals, which remain weak, Lee said.

Still, the BitMine chair said he sees a reversal of the current bearish trend before 2026. In a November 3 interview on CNBC, he predicted Bitcoin could hit $200,000 and Ethereum $7,000 by the end of the year.

Lee isnt the only one who thinks the depressed crypto prices are a good buying opportunity.

Bitcoin could still trade lower in the short term until a clear bullish catalyst emerges, Andre Dragosch, Bitwises European head of research, previously told DL News. But these would be firesale valuations and very attractive entry points to build exposure to Bitcoin.

Investor caution

Not everyone is so optimistic, however.

Bitcoin $50,000 or $150,000 in 2026? My bias is toward $50,000, Mike McGlone, a senior commodity strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence, said in a Sunday post on LinkedIn, the social media site. Particularly if the S&P 500 has a third down year since 2008.

McGlone argues that the skyrocketing price of gold alongside falling oil prices and volatility in the stock market will turn investors away from riskier assets like cryptocurrencies.

Elsewhere, BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes forecasts an extended period of lower prices for the top crypto, which could extend into the new year.

Investors in BitMines stock are also cautious.

The firms Market to Net Asset Value, or mNAV, hovers at around 0.72, meaning that the value of its crypto holdings and cash is higher than its publicly traded market value.
Lanette Pinson, regional resource engagement specialist for Gods Pantry Food Bank, interacts with a meal recipient during Gods Pantry's annual Thanksgiving meal giveaway. Nov. 24, 2025. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Arden Barnes)

PRESTONSBURG  BeLinda Click shivered in the cold fog as she greeted each person in a long line of cars, checking each ones referral letter saying theyd been pre-approved for a free Thanksgiving meal.

By 10 a.m. on Monday, the line of cars stretched deep into the parking lot at Big Sandy Community and Technical College in Prestonsburg.

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About 100 people signed up to get boxes at this location through Gods Pantrys Sharing Thanksgiving program, which for 31 years has given people in need the ingredients to make a traditional holiday meal for up to a family of eight  turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, corn, stuffing mix and more.

Between Monday and Tuesday, Gods Pantry distributed around 7,500 Thanksgiving meal boxes at various sites in Central and Eastern Kentucky.

Have a happy Thanksgiving! Click called out to the passengers in car after car. She knows what its like to need help. Thats why shes here.

In 2022, the deadly flood that devastated much of Southeastern Kentucky destroyed her family home.

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We had such a downpour all at once, she said. It caused a mudslide behind our house, and it pretty well rotted out the whole back half of my house, and we had to move.

She and her family have lived in an apartment ever since. She got very little help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), she said. When the government failed her, though, her community stepped up.

Saint Vincent Mission in David helped her  with food, supplies to help her rebuild and volunteers who helped her and her husband with the rebuilding. In turn, Click started volunteering with the Christian organization and now works as the food pantry director.

BeLinda Click, pantry director at St. Vincent Mission, helps check in meal recipients during a Thanksgiving meal giveaway in the parking lot of Big Sandy Community and Technical College. Nov. 24, 2025. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Arden Barnes)

Click, 39, has also had benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for years. The Wayland womans benefit was paused during the recent government shutdown, along with roughly 600,000 other Kentuckians who need the benefit to buy food.

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That was pretty scary, said Click, not knowing how youre going to feed your family.

During the shutdown, Saint Vincents food pantry saw about 15-20 new clients in need of food who came in with the panic of not knowing where their next meal is going to come from. It made her job as a worker and volunteer at the pantry that much more important, she said.

The shutdown is over, but the fallout from decisions made in Washington could continue for a while. And as the holiday season kicks in, many Kentuckians will need even more help.

Theres probably a higher demand of people (who need) holiday meals, Click said. Because what they live on now they probably really cant spare.

How to help:

People who want to help neighbors dealing with food insecurity can help in a variety of ways  through donating time, money or food and through advocating for anti-hunger policies, said Michael Halligan, the president and CEO Gods Pantry Food Bank.

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I think its up to a household; its up to an individual to decide where they can make the most impact, and if somebody can do all three, great, and if they cant do one, or if they can only do one, pick the one that you can do and lean in, Halligan said. And if its not with Gods Pantry Food Bank, its with some other organization that is part of the hunger safety net  help them. Its not about Gods Pantry Food Bank. Its about 280,000 people who need the hunger safety net to work for them.

How to get help:

People in Central and Eastern Kentucky can go to https://www.godspantry.org/help and search for the food pantry nearest them, by ZIP code. Anyone in Kentucky can search for help by county at https://feedingky.org/get-help/.

An unconscionable level of increased food insecurity

Lanette Pinson, regional resource engagement specialist for Gods Pantry Food Bank, speaks with Michael Halligan, president and CEO of Gods Pantry Food Bank, during a Thanksgiving meal giveaway in the parking lot of Big Sandy Community and Technical College. Nov. 24, 2025. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Arden Barnes)

Michael Halligan, the president and CEO Gods Pantry Food Bank, said the hunger safety net has gotten an energy boost in 2025 thanks to public awareness of hunger that increased after the COVID-19 pandemic.

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I see community leaning in more than Ive ever seen. Volunteers, neighbors experiencing hunger, sponsors, businesses, elected officials, I see community leaning in more than Ive ever seen, and some of that is the circumstances of the time, Halligan said. We often talk about Kentuckians being resilient. What I see is the blessings of people helping people that allows that resiliency to become apparent, that allows that resiliency to happen, and if its not for community engagement, Im not sure where we would be.

During the recent government shutdown, Gods Pantry saw a 40% increase in food insecurity in the 50 counties the organization serves, Halligan said. Before the shutdown, about 280,000 people in Central and Eastern Kentucky were living with food insecurity, he said. From the first week of October to the first week of November, around 400,000 people needed food help.

Those were federal workers without paychecks. Those were folks who had never experienced hunger before that, all of a sudden, were asking, What do I do? How do I get food? Halligan said. Those were folks that lost SNAP benefits, even for a short period of time, and were still seeing the impact of that. It will take a while to recover. It will take a while for everything to kind of restabilize.

This increase in food insecurity in an already hungry state was daunting, Halligan said: The instantaneous impact of that unconscionable level of increased food insecurity was difficult to deal with.

Volunteers begin to unpack turkeys to give to meal recipients as part of Gods Pantrys annual Thanksgiving meal giveaway. Nov. 24, 2025. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Arden Barnes)

The organization was able to bump up food distribution thanks to financial and food donations, he said, but food pantries can never replace SNAP benefits, which provide roughly nine meals for every one meal food pantries can offer, according to Feeding America.

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Gods Pantry, part of the Feeding Kentucky network, also got some of the funds from the $5 million pot Gov. Andy Beshear allocated to food banks from the rainy day fund.

Still, Gods Pantry and other food pantry networks could see increased demand even beyond the holiday season.

On Nov. 1, changes to the SNAP program passed in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act went into effect. Veterans, the homeless, recent foster care youth and adults ages 54-64 are no longer exempt from work requirements to receive food benefits for themselves and their families.

Were prepared to be able to do the things that we need to do to provide assistance, but we dont know exactly what the number is yet, Halligan said.

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The expanded work requirements, mandated by the federal budget bill, are expected to cost 114,000 Kentuckians their food assistance, policy experts have estimated.

I hate to see people hungry.

Joey Waddell, center, helps load a vehicle during a Thanksgiving meal giveaway in the parking lot of Big Sandy Community and Technical College. Nov. 24, 2025. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Arden Barnes)

Volunteers keep the food safety net wheel turning, Halligan said. In 2024, more than 5,000 volunteers contributed about 33,000 hours of work to Gods Pantry.

Imagine if we had to pay for all of that, he said. We would not be able to distribute as much food, because we would have more payroll costs.

At the Sharing Thanksgiving event Monday, at least 30 volunteers were spread across the parking lot to greet meal recipients, check people in, load cars and more.

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Joey Waddell, the chief operating officer at Highlands Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH), was among the volunteers loading turkeys and Thanksgiving meal staples into vehicles.

We try to be involved in as many community giving events that we can to help those that dont have the means that maybe other folks do, Waddell said, crediting his Christian faith with the desire to help others. He also recently participated in a dancing fundraiser for unhoused people and a coat drive for children.

Everybodys appreciative and thanking us, he said. Putting others first, thats where my heart is.

Phil Mills, director of Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry, center, speaks with other volunteers at Big Sandy Community and Technical College. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Arden Barnes)

Phil Mills, a respiratory therapist, Gods Pantry volunteer and the director of Fishes and Loaves, a community food pantry associated with St. James Episcopal Church in Prestonsburg, said hes always found himself in a helping role. Mills was also out at Big Sandy on Monday to help keep the line of cars moving.

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I do enjoy helping people, said Mills, 56, who grew up in Martin County. Theres a big need. Theres a lot of people that need. I always thought I grew up poor, until Ive seen some other families and (realized) I had a lot. Probably not everything everybody wants, but theres always somebody in worse shape than you.

His father worked in the coal mines, Mills said. He and his four siblings got a small, meaningful present or two at Christmas.

Now, I see all these people coming in. We have mothers come in with children; they cant feed them, they dont have toys for them, he said. At Fishes and Loaves, staff try to find little toys and snacks for the kids  something extra to make them happy.

Ive always been a helper. Ive been a caregiver for parents, partners, relatives that needed other things. Its just the caregiver in me, Mills said. People say I have a big heart. I dont know if its a big heart. I just like helping others. I hate to see people hungry.

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Anyone can find themselves in a position where they need food assistance, Halligan said. They could lose a loved one or a job, be in a traffic accident or find themselves caught between the politics of a government shutdown.

What I see right now is community understanding that more than theyve ever understood it, Halligan said. We often talk about sharing the blessings of life around the Thanksgiving table, and thats what sharing Thanksgiving is about. But I see people starting to understand the importance of sharing those moments 365 days a year, not one.

Sonya Bergman helps load a meal into a vehicle during a Thanksgiving meal giveaway. Nov. 24, 2025. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Arden Barnes)

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Longtime Las Vegas pizzeria, Metro Pizza, announced Tuesday that it will be closing its Tropicana Avenue location after 37 years serving the community.

The pizzeria made the announcement in an Instagram post that the 1395 East Tropicana Avenue location near Maryland Parkway will close on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.

>>Download the 8 News Now Vegas streaming app

We are deeply grateful to all of our Metro Pizza friends and family for your support over the many decades, Metro Pizza said.

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Metro Pizza has several locations across the Las Vegas valley from the northwest valley to Henderson.

Although the Las Vegas history of Metro Pizza starts in 1980, the folklore of the business goes further back. In 1967, cousins and co-founders of Metro Pizza, Sam Facchini and John Arena, were 11 and 12 years old and worked in their family pizzeriajust down the block from their high school, Facchini told 8 News Now in December of last year.

We were blessed to be born into a family that had been doing pizza since 1928, he told 8 News Now in December 2024. Believe it or not, from a family perspective, were coming up on our centennial anniversary in 2028.

On June 1, 1980, Metro Pizza opened in Las Vegas on East Flamingo Road and South Sandhill Road, the start of their impact in the communityunder the name The Original New York Pizza.

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In December 1999, a big landmark moment came for the business during Millennium Week, with the opening of their first freestanding building  the Tropicana and Maryland location. Six months later, they opened a limited menu counter location inside the Ellis Island Casino and Hotel.

Come visit us one last time at our Tropicana Ave. location this Friday, November 28th in celebration of our history, our loyal staff (who will all continue to work with us at our other locations going forward), and of course, our future. The Best is Yet to Come! the post said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Maps of the Zorro Ranch from a New Mexico State Land Trust file and photos of the Santa Fe County residence once owned by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Emails U.S. House lawmakers released this month show a number of references to the ranch, Santa Fe and New Mexico figures. (Graphics courtesy of State Land Office/U.S. Department of Justice)

A recently

released trove of thousands of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epsteins emails offer glimpses into his time in New Mexico, including the prominent people he invited to his home here and when he scheduled visits.

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The United States House Oversight Committee released more than 20,000 pages of records earlier this month amid a renewed push to share with the public more about the disgraced financier with longstanding ties to elected officials, business leaders and celebrities, including Former President Bill Clinton and President Donald Trump.

That release included more than 2,000 thousand emails Epstein exchanged between 2009 and 2019. Several dozen mention New Mexico or related phrases, according to Source New Mexico review, including in news articles or from Epstein himself.

Epstein bought a 7,500 Santa Fe-area property called Zorro Ranch from former Gov. Bruce King in 1993.It was sold at an undisclosed price in 2023, four years after Epsteins death in custody awaiting federal sex trafficking charges.

According to court documents, the ranch, which has its own airstrip and helipad, was the site of sex trafficking, including by Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 as Epsteins co-conspirator.

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The emails show Epstein invited prominent figuresnone of whom have been accused of any crimes associated with Epstein including author Deepak Chopra, linguist Noam Chomsky, billionaire Tom Pritzker, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and filmmaker Bill Sieger, to his ranch at various times. Its unclear from the emails whether any of those people took him up on his offer, though one email from Epstein to Chomsky asks if he wants to visit again.

The emails also show Epstein scheduled visits to the area, including for about two weeks in August 2016 and between Feb. 24 and March 1, 2017, following visits to New York and Paris.

In addition to the emails, other released documents mention former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, including an excerpt of a draft article about Epstein, which Semafor confirmed came from journalist Michael Wolf. In the excerpt, Wolff recounts asking Richardson at lunch how he knew Epstein.

Jeffrey, Richardson replied, according to Wolffs telling, is the biggest landowner in New Mexico.

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In addition to efforts by Congress to release more Epstein files, two New Mexico state lawmakers have announced plans for a truth commission that will seek to document abuses and gather testimony from victims, witnesses and perpetrators in a series of public hearings.

Reps. Marianna Anaya (D-Albuquerque) and Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe) told an interim legislative committee in early November that the commission will cost about $2 million, with funding from an untapped revenue source dedicated to helping victims of sex trafficking. Lawmakers from both parties said they approved of the commission and urged the lawmakers to follow leads wherever they take them.

Two New Mexican attorneys general have opened previous investigations into Epsteins activities in the state: Hector Balderas criminal investigation in 2019 closed within the year without filing any charges. In 2023, current Attorney General Raul Torrez investigated the role financial services companies played in failing to identify the abuses at the ranch.

See a timeline of the emails below
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said on Tuesday that Democratic candidates, including former Congressman Ben McAdams, are running to the left in a new, deep blue congressional district established by court order.

McAdams ran as a moderate to represent Utahs Republican-leaning 4th Congressional District from 2019 to 2021. He is now competing against multiple progressive candidates in Salt Lake Countys new 1st Congressional District, which leans Democratic by more than 15 percentage points.

During his monthly PBS press conference, Cox criticized the Nov. 10 judicial ruling that established new congressional boundaries not approved by the Legislature, saying it violated the original intentions of the 2018 Better Boundaries initiative by exacerbating partisan pressures in U.S. House races.

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Cox pointed to the campaign of McAdams as an example of how the political incentives of highly partisan districts push candidates away from moderate positions toward those held by the fringes of the parties  like New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist.

I mean, Ben McAdams, in the matter of a week, is running a completely different campaign than hes ever run before, Cox said during the online-only portion of Tuesdays broadcast. I got whiplash watching him jolt from kind of a moderate to Mamdani-land. Its been fascinating to watch.

Cox did not specify in what way McAdams was running a different campaign. However, some have pointed to McAdams apparent change in tone and emphasis on the issue of abortion.

In a 2020 ad, McAdams said abortion is wrong and I personally oppose it except in the cases of rape, incest and the life of a mother. Last week, McAdams referred to abortions as health care and said if elected, he would vote to codify Roe and restore a womans right to choose.

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In a statement to the Deseret News, McAdams defended the positions he took as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, while criticizing the Legislature for attempting to work around Proposition 4 in 2021.

Ive taken stands I knew would cost me politically, including voting to impeach Trump, because I dont abandon my values for political points, McAdams said. Its frankly absurd for the governor to lecture anyone about consistency. Especially while he and the supermajority legislature are, once again, trying to undermine the constitution and the will of the people to have a fair election and hold politicians accountable.

Did Prop 4 make congressional map extreme?

McAdams is facing an increasingly crowded Democratic primary field to represent the northern part of Salt Lake County, which includes progressive state Sens. Nate Blouin and Kathleen Riebe and former state Sen. Derek Kitchen.

Cox predicted that Utahns, who typically elect Republicans by 20-to-30 percentage-point margins in statewide races, will not enjoy the 1st District competition between candidates trying to out-progressive each other, which could lend support to a GOP initiative to repeal Proposition 4, Cox said.

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Ive talked to lots of people that supported Prop 4, and this is not what they thought they were getting. This is not what they thought they were getting at all, Cox said.

The Utah Republican Party has decided to take an unorthodox approach to protesting and reversing Proposition 4, which passed by less than 1% in 2018. Party chair Rob Axson has filed a ballot initiative of his own, potentially giving voters a second chance to vote on the redistricting law.

A Deseret News-Hinckley Institute of Politics poll conducted in October found that a plurality of Utah voters continue to support Proposition 4, with 44% of respondents saying they would support a similar proposal again, 20% saying they would oppose it and 36% saying they did not know.

Rep. Blake Moore, a Republican who represents northern Utah, was one of the original signatories on the application to put Proposition 4 on the ballot. He now says, along with Cox, that what started as a bipartisan push to ensure fair maps has now led to reverse gerrymandering in a deep red state.

What you ended up with now is some of the most extreme districts anywhere, Cox said on Tuesday. I dont think the vast majority of Utahns are going to enjoy that campaign. And I think its going to be a lot easier to get the votes necessary to overturn Prop 4.
(Evan Vucci/AP photo/WCVB)

A woman with a connection to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has been arrested as part of President Donald Trumps crackdown on immigration.

Bruna Ferreira was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Revere, Massachusetts, WCVB in Boston reported on Tuesday night.

Ferreira has an 11-year-old son with Michael Leavitt, who is the press secretarys brother. Ferreira emigrated from Brazil as a child and is being held in ICE custody in Louisiana.

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Michael Leavitt, a New Hampshire resident, told WMUR that his son lives full-time with him and his wife, and added that Ferreira still has a relationship with her son. He said that his son has not spoken with Ferreira since her arrest several weeks ago.

In a statement, Michael Leavitt said that his only concern has always been the safety, well-being, and privacy of [his] son.

Ferreiras attorney said his client came to the U.S. under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

Shes in the process of actually getting her residency and she was abruptly arrested and taken from her young child right before Thanksgiving, her attorney Todd Pomerleau told WCVB, which published a statement from a source familiar with the situation.

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This individual is the mother of Karolines nephew and they have not spoken in many years, the source said. The child has lived full-time in New Hampshire with his father since he was born. He has never resided with his mother.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security also issued a statement.

ICE arrested Bruna Caroline Ferreria, a criminal illegal alien from Brazil. She has a previous arrest for battery. She entered the U.S. on a B2 tourist visa that required her to depart the U.S. by June 6, 1999, the statement said. She is currently at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center and is in removal proceedings. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, all individuals unlawfully present in the United States are subject to deportation.

Pomerleau disputes that his client has a criminal history.

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Bruna has no criminal record whatsoever, he said. I dont know where that is coming from. Show us the proof. Theres no charges out there. Shes not a criminal illegal alien.

The post Mother of Karoline Leavitts Nephew Arrested by ICE first appeared on Mediaite.
NEED TO KNOW

Hakyung Lee was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday, Nov. 25, after murdering her two young children

The killings have been dubbed "the suitcase murders" because the children's bodies were stored in suitcases at a storage facility for four years

Lee committed the crime after expressing suicidal thoughts following her husband's death in 2017

A New Zealand mother who was found guilty of killing her two children and concealing their bodies in suitcases has been sentenced to life in prison.

Hakyung Lee, a citizen of New Zealand who is originally from South Korea, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years, according to ABC AU.

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High Court judge Geoffrey Venning delivered the sentence on Tuesday, Nov. 25, citing that Lee, 43, killed her children when they were "particularly vulnerable," according to The Guardian.

PEOPLE has reached out to the High Court of Auckland for comment.

The bodies of Lee's children, Minu Jo, 6, and Yuna Jo, 8, were discovered four years after they were killed, in a shocking case nationally dubbed "the suitcase murders." Lee poisoned her children with an overdose of a prescription medication in 2018, The Guardian reported.

She gave the children a lethal dose of nortriptyline in orange juice, per ABC AU.

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Lee went on to hide the children's bodies in suitcases and store them in a storage locker, before ultimately fleeing back to South Korea and changing her name, per The Guardian. The bodies were discovered by a family who had purchased the storage unit at an auction. Lee was extradited from South Korea for a trial in New Zealand in 2022.

The murders took place in the family's home in Auckland's Papatoetoe neighborhood, according to the New Zealand Herald. Lawyers Lorraine Smith and Chris Wilkinson-Smith argued that Lee's murders were a failed murder-suicide, but prosecutors cited evidence that Lee was already setting up an escape plan before the killings.

DAVID ROWLAND/AFP via Getty The Safe Store facility in Papatoetoe on August 19, 2022, where suitcases containing human remains were stored and later sold at an auction in Auckland The Safe Store facility in Papatoetoe on August 19, 2022, where suitcases containing human remains were stored and later sold at an auction in Auckland

In the days leading up to the murders, Lee purchased a lottery ticket, spent $900 at a hair salon and bought a business class plane ticket to Korea, the outlet reported.

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.

The murders occurred a year after Lee's husband, Ian Jo, died from esophageal cancer. Lee's mother later told prosecutors that her daughter expressed suicidal thoughts leading up to and after her husband's death.

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"The Crown suggests that when she gave her two young children nortriptyline, it was a selfish act to free herself from the burden of parenting alone," Crown prosecutor Natalie Walker said in court, according to ABC AU.

"If she wanted to die, why didn't she die alone?" Lee's mother, Choon Ja Lee, said in a statement read to the court, the outlet reports. "Why did she take the innocent children with her?"

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.



Read the original article on People
The Metro Nashville Police Department rescued an infant Nov. 25 who was the subject of an Amber Alert out of a Georgia county more than 200 miles away.

In a late afternoon social media post, MNPD said officers had recovered 2-month-old Roman Williams, named in an Amber Alert out of Clayton County, Georgia, in a Nolensville Pike parking lot near the Williamson County line.

The babys father, Tariq Williams, is now in custody as a fugitive, the post said. MNPD said the elder Williams faces a number of charges in Georgia, including kidnapping, false imprisonment and theft.

BREAKING: 2-month-old Roman Williams, named in an Amber Alert out of Clayton County, Georgia, has just been safely rescued by MNPD officers in a Nolensville Pk parking lot near the Williamson County line. His Father, Tariq Williams is in custody as a fugitive. He is facing a pic.twitter.com/pa6pXyYZsA  Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) November 25, 2025

The Clayton County Police Department has confirmed that efforts are underway to reunite the baby with his mother.

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The Nashville Metropolitan Police Department, in coordination with the Clayton County Police Department, assisted in locating the suspect, taking him into custody, and ensuring Roman was safely recovered, the Clayton County Police Department said in a statement on its Facebook page. We are extremely grateful for their swift response and cooperation.

The alert was first issued by Georgia authorities earlier in the morning, who said the baby was abducted during a domestic incident in which Williams assaulted the babys mother and forcibly took control of her car before leaving her stranded and taking off with the child.

Clayton County Police said they initially believed Williams was headed southbound, possibly with the intention of going to Florida.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Metro Nashville Police rescues infant at center of Georgia Amber Alert
Two National Guard members were shot Wednesday near the White House and are in critical condition, law enforcement members say.

A suspect was also shot and is in custody. The suspect is believed to have not life-threatening injuries, but the two National Guard members are in critical condition, The Associated Press reported.

All three people were transported to the hospital.

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey confirmed the injured National Guard members were from his state. Morrisey originally said they both died due to their injuries in the shooting, but walked the comment back and said they were receiving conflicting reports.

A U.S. Capitol Park Police helicopter is seen on the National Mall evacuating a National Guard shooting victim, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025 in Washington. | Emily Hanson, Associated Press

The shooting occurred at 17th and I Streets, just a few blocks from the White House. President Donald Trump was not there at the time, after traveling Tuesday evening to Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday.

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The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price. God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement, Trump wrote online. These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!

New: Trump says the two Guardsmen are critically wounded and in two separate hospitals. He says the suspect is also severely wounded https://t.co/On61hS6HNc pic.twitter.com/TKisLDJ8oK  Cami Mondeaux (@cami_mondeaux) November 26, 2025

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed her department is working with local law enforcement to gather more information about the shooting and suspect.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser called the shooting targeted and law enforcement confirmed at least one of the guards exchanged gunfire with the suspect.

Emergency personnel cordon off an area near where National Guard soldiers appear to have been shot near the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, in Washington. | Mark Schiefelbein, Associated Press

The shooting is a rare act of violence against the National Guard, who have been deployed in Washington, D.C., since August. Their presence in the city has been met with anger and protests from residents, even as the president celebrates their efforts to crack down on crime and clean up the city.

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Trump was able to send the National Guard to D.C. using its Home Rule Act, something that other states dont have, which has complicated his plans to send troops to other major cities.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Trump has asked him to add 500 more National Guard members to Washington after the shooting. There are currently 2,188 members already assigned to the city, the AP reported.
UPDATE: The Governor of West Virginia has retracted his confirmation that the two National Guardsmen shot today in Washington DC had died from their wounds.

We are now receiving conflicting reports about the condition of our two Guard members and will provide additional updates once we receive more complete information, Gov. Patrick Morrisey tweeted mere minutes after saying the WV Guardsmen were killed.

More from Deadline

We are now receiving conflicting reports about the condition of our two Guard members and will provide additional updates once we receive more complete information.



Our prayers are with these brave service members, their families, and the entire Guard community.  Governor Patrick Morrisey (@wvgovernor) November 26, 2025

Gov. Morrisey was the single source for the breaking news of the deaths, news that may have been premature, it seems.

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Earlier Wednesday, Donald Trump said that the Guardsmen were critically wounded. There is no clear motive for the shooting, though police are scouring security and surveillance cameras in the area for more details.

In the aftermath of the shootings, the Defense Department just announced another 500 troops will be joining the nearly 2,400 National Guardsmen Trump already ordered to the streets of the nations capital this summer.

Local law enforcement officials tell Deadline that they can not confirm the condition of the Guardsmen, but say they have received no information the duo have died. Both Guardsmen were taken to a local hospital, as was the suspected shooter.

The stunning announcement from Governor Morrisey saw the likes of MS Now and CNN ponder the pressure to get information out in the digital era and how mistakes can be made.

PREVIOUSLY, 12:59 PM: The two National Guardsmen shot today in Washington DC have died from their injuries, says the Governor of West Virginia.

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It is with great sorrow that we can confirm both members of the West Virginia National Guard who were shot earlier today in Washington, DC have passed away from their injuries, Governor Patrick Morrisey wrote on social media Wednesday afternoon, just over an hour after the shooting near a DC Metro station. These brave West Virginians lost their lives in the service of their country. We are in ongoing contact with federal officials as the investigation continues.

It is with great sorrow that we can confirm both members of the West Virginia National Guard who were shot earlier today in Washington, DC have passed away from their injuries. These brave West Virginians lost their lives in the service of their country. We are in ongoing contact  Governor Patrick Morrisey (@wvgovernor) November 26, 2025

The news caused shock and sorrow as cable news anchor read out Gov. Morriseys message. On MS Now, Katy Turs voice broke as she told viewers the terrible update. Im a bit speechless as this is so awful, Tur said. With a deep sigh, the anchor lamented the devastating loss in what she called a year of traumas for America.

PREVIOUSLY, 12:48 PM: Donald Trump says the two National Guard members shot today in Washington DC are critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals.

The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen , is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price, Trump added online from his home in Florida.

In total three people have been taken to hospital, including the two Guardsmen, who are memberrs of the West Virginia. With hundreds of Guardsmen deployed in contentious force o DC earlier this year by Trump, no motive has been revealed by law enforcement as of yet.

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A suspect is now in custody, DC police say too.

UPDATE: The scene is secured. One suspect is in custody.  DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) November 26, 2025

The shooting occurred about a minute away from the White House, at the Farragut West Metro Station. It is unclear if the Guardsmen were the target, but we do know that the duo engage in fire with the gunman. If the gunman was deliberately shooting at the Guardsmen, that would make this a federal crime and come under the FBIs investigative jurisdiction.

To that, FBI Director Kash Patel took to social media to state the Bureau is already on the scene of the crime:

FBI is engaged and assisting with the investigation in Washington, D.C. after National Guard members were shot this afternoon. Please pray for them and we will update with more information as we are able.  FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) November 26, 2025

As the Executive Mansion, the Treasury Department and other government buildings went into full lockdown seconds after the shooting started, administration Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: The White House is aware and actively monitoring this tragic situation. The president has been briefed.

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Earlier Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem gave official notice of the tragic incident:

Please join me in praying for the two National Guardsmen who were just shot moments ago in Washington D.C.@DHSgov is working with local law enforcement to gather more information.  Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) November 26, 2025

Dozens of police swarmed 18th Street mere minutes after the shooting began and people ran for safety. Joined now by more National Guardsmen, Secret Service , DHS, the FBI, and other law enforcement, the DC Police Department have shut the whole distinctly non-residential area of the District down.

On what is usually a slow pre-Thanksgiving news day, cable channels CNN, MS Now and Fox News went full-on covering the shooting  as did the BBC. Almost get over-response ..lot of things going on, CNN Senior Law Enforcement Analyst Charles Ramsey said on-air as the nets scrambled to handle a clearly fluid situation.

There have been around 2,375 National Guardsmen in Washington since August, when Trump added the District to the Democratic run cities he has positioned troops in. The vast majority of the Guardsmen deployed in DC are from Southern states like West Virginia, Mississippi and Georgia. While they do not have the ability to arrest anyone or abduct them like ICE agents, most of the Guardsmen are heavily armed.

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Earlier this month, a federal judge ruled the August deployment of the Guardsmen was likely unlawful. The administration is appealing that decision.

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The Dutch Foreign Ministry lowered the threat level for most of Israel to "yellow," advising caution due to potential risks. Areas near Gaza, Lebanon, and Egypt's remain under "red" alerts.

The Dutch Foreign Ministry's travel advice website lowered the threat level for most of Israel to "yellow" on Tuesday.

The "Yellow" threat level advises travelers to "be careful due to risks in the area," the website said.

"You can travel to areas with a yellow color code, but be aware, there are special safety risks," the website clarified.

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"The security situation in Israel has improved and is stable. However, be aware that conflicts could erupt again."

The West Bank and Gaza Strip, which the ministry refers to as Palestinian territories, remain under the "red" threat level, along with the entirety of the Golan Heights, and the border areas by Egypt, Lebanon, and the Gaza Strip.

A KLM plane preparing for takeoff at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, November 23, 2015; illustrative. (credit: NATI SHOHAT/FLASH90)

A "red" threat level is the highest on the ministry's website, and advises travelers to "not travel" to those regions, "whatever your situation," as it is "too dangerous and the Dutch embassy cannot help you if you run into problems."

Ministry classifies east Jerusalem under 'orange' threat level

East Jerusalem, which the ministry includes on its Palestinian Territories page, is classified under the "orange" threat level, advising "essential travel only." The area was designated as "orange" risk on July 10.

Dutch flag carrier KLM Royal Dutch Airlines resumed flights between Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Ben-Gurion Airport on September 28, with one daily flight.
Akio Toyoda is a man not afraid to shock, with his latest stunt leaving heads shaking. But there could be a method to his madness.

At a race held earlier this month in Japan, the chairman of Toyota (TM) held a NASCAR-themed celebration featuring top drivers, American flags, and even an appearance from US Ambassador George Glass. It also featured Toyoda sporting a MAGA hat and a Trump-Vance election T-shirt and driving an F-150 pickup on the track.

Toyoda wanted to show that Japan and Toyota support American racing and culture. But he may have been playing to an audience of one: Donald Trump.

'Go out and buy a Toyota'

Akio Toyoda and US Ambassador George Glass (center) at the event in Japan.  Instagram/usambjapan

"I'm not here to argue whether tariffs are good or bad. Every national leader wants to protect their own auto industry," Toyoda said before the event, per Automotive News. "We are exploring ways to make tariffs a winner for everyone. The people we want most to be winners are our customers."

President Trump may be wondering if Toyoda borrowed a White House speechwriter. The Akio Toyoda spectacle comes on the heels of the Japanese automaker announcing a $10 billion US investment plan, set across several factories it operates in the US to expand its stateside production. It's basically the result of a game plan Trump said would happen all along.

Prior to Toyota's official confirmation of the spending plan, Trump claimed he had been told Toyota was going to be setting up factories "all over" the US "to the tune of over $10 billion."

"Go out and buy a Toyota," Trump said.

Toyota is still making money despite the tariff hit, but the company knows it needs to be in Trump's good graces to maintain the status quo.

Read more: 6 steps to find cheap car insurance in 2025

"Toyota promised 'up to $10 billion' in U.S. investment over the next five years, some of which was always necessary and some of which will never happen. [Toyoda] has read President Trump's playbook and understands what makes him happy," AutoForecast Solutions manufacturing expert Sam Fiorani said to Yahoo Finance.

By announcing "new" investment in the US that was already likely to happen  and couching it as an investment  Toyota handed Trump a win he so desperately needed. As polls show, Americans blame the president for higher prices.

Toyota CEO Koji Sato sees his boss's moves as pragmatic.

"When you think about the decisions that Akio Toyoda makes, it is not based on mere economic logic. He has this strong belief when he makes decisions. It's about: 'Will this be the best for our customers," he said to Automotive News. "Stakeholders may say many things, but he always sticks to this principle and belief."
In 2023, Attorney General Raul Torrez filed criminal charges against Las Cruces Police Officer Brad Lunsford in the killing of a Black man accused of stealing beer. A jury convicted Lunsford in February, but a judge called for a new trial in October. (File photo /Source NM)

As a former Las Cruces police officer previously convicted for killing a Black man accused of stealing a beer awaits a possible new trial, his ankle monitor will remain on.

In 2022, Las Cruces Police Officer Brad Lunsford responded to a 911 call that alleged someone had stolen a beer from a gas station convenience store. Lunsford attempted to arrest 36-year-old Presley Eze as bystanders filmed the interaction with their cellphones. Lunsford, who had been involved in prior police shootings, alleged that Eze grabbed his Taser during the struggle. Lunsford drew his service weapon and shot Eze once in the back of the head.

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New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez first filed criminal charges against Lunsford in late 2023. The filing marked the first time in nearly a decade that a police officer anywhere in New Mexico had faced criminal charges for a fatal shooting  the most recent instance was the trial of Keith Sandy and Dominique Perez, the Albuquerque officers who in 2014 killed James Boyd in the Sandia Foothills. Their case ended in a mistrial.

The Eze killing led Southern New Mexicans to be rightly concerned about whether or not justice is equal in this country, Torrez said when he announced the criminal charges in 2023.

A jury convicted Lunsford in February of this year.

In October, though, Sixth Judicial District Judge Jim Foy ordered a new trial, which has yet to be scheduled. Foy said he had inappropriately substituted two alternate jurors and dismissed two regular jurors before deliberations began because at the time the court was using a form that incorrectly listed which jurors were alternates.

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Foy also said that newly discovered evidence showed one juror held anti-cop bias. Upon his decision, the National Police Association went so far as to publish the headline, Did an Anti-Police Activist Lie to Get on the Officer Brad Lunsford Jury?

Torrez pushed back. His New Mexico Department of Justice in October appealed Foys decision to the state Court of Appeals and argued that the jurors answers to pre-trial questionnaires, which included a disclosure about affiliation with the Southern Poverty Law Center, did not seem to alarm Lunsfords attorneys at the start of his criminal trial. The jurors academic works about race in early education and parenthood and podcast appearances are all easily accessible by a simple Google search of the jurors name, lawyers with Torrezs New Mexico Department of Justice argued.

Foys call for a new trial set aside the jurys finding of guilt (that) has devastated Presley Ezes family and further undermines the publics faith in New Mexicos criminal justice system, Torrez said in an October statement. The presiding judgehas repeatedly mischaracterized the factual record, improperly weighed in on the strength of the states case and committed numerous procedural errors that prejudiced the prosecution.

Torrezs department filed its arguments in appeals court earlier this month. A decision remains pending.

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On Nov. 21, Foy denied Lunsfords request to modify the conditions of his release, which sought to remove his requirement to wear an ankle monitor and to post a $10,000 bond, pending the appellate courts decision.

Our goal in the new trial is to ensure Officer Lunsford receives a fair proceeding before an impartial jury that hears all of the evidence and correctly applies the law, Lunsfords attorney Matt Chandler wrote in an email to Source NM. We remain confident that, in a fair trial, the evidence will show that Officer Lunsfords actions were lawful, that he was protecting his own life and the life of his fellow officer from a violent, aggressive attack by the suspect, and that he should be acquitted.
North Dakota Supreme Court Justice Daniel Crothers, center, announced he will retire in February. At left is Justice Douglas Bahr; at right is Chief Justice Jon Jensen. (Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor)

North Dakota Supreme Court Justice Daniel Crothers will retire from the bench on Feb. 28.

Crothers has served on the court since he was appointed by then-Gov. John Hoeven in 2005. He was then elected to an unfinished term in 2008, and 10-year terms in 2012 and 2022.

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He announced his retirement in a Wednesday letter to Gov. Kelly Armstrong.

Crothers letter does not state the reason for his retirement.

Justice Crothers has faithfully served the citizens of North Dakota and applied the laws of our state with the utmost dedication, fairness and professionalism for over two decades, Armstrong said in a Wednesday statement. His respect for the litigants who appear before the Supreme Court, as well as the separate-but-equal roles of the executive and legislative branches of state government, have been a hallmark of his years on the bench. 

While justices are ordinarily elected, vacancies are filled by appointment of the governor.

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Armstrong will soon convene a committee to put together a list of candidates for appointment, according to the Governors Office.

The members of the nominating committee include Justice Jerod Tufte, Eric Lahlum, Taylor Olson, Laura Mihalik, Paul Forster, Toby Kommer and non-voting member Tony Weiler, executive director of the North Dakota Bar Association.

Once the list is received, the governor can either choose someone to appoint, reject the list and ask the committee to reconvene or call for a special election to fill the seat.

Before joining the Supreme Court, Crothers served as an assistant states attorney for Walsh County and worked in private practice. He chairs North Dakotas Committee on Judiciary Standards.

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Crothers retirement comes after Chief Justice Jon Jensen announced he would step down as head of the court. Justices Lisa Fair McEvers and Tufte are running to succeed him in the role. Jensen will remain a justice.

North Dakota Monitor reporter Mary Steurer can be reached at msteurer@northdakotamonitor.com.
There is a large police presence at a home in northwest Indiana Tuesday.

The Northwest Regional SWAT Team was activated about 3 p.m. to serve a warrant in the 4700-block of Euclid Avenue in East Chicago, police said.

The Lake County Prosecutor's Homicide Task Force is investigating a murder that took place Tuesday morning in East Chicago, police said. The warrant is related to the homicide.

East Chicago police said in a Facebook post earlier Tuesday that a male victim was found about 2:30 a.m.in the 4800-block Drummond Street, with a gunshot wound to the head.

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He was pronounced dead.

A passerby had alerted police to the scene.

Later Tuesday, a door on a home on Euclid Avenue was left mangled, after police broke inside.

"Right outside my house, I was, like, man, it was too much," neighbor Delores King said. "How is it a body over here? Did somebody just come and throw it there, or what? You know, because I ain't heard no gunshot."

As police lights woke King up, a peak through her door had her wishing she had stayed asleep.

SEE ALSO: Social media post might have led to murder-suicide shooting in Aurora during concert, police say

"My car got the tape around it. Oh, you know when you see tape, you already know, somebody's dead," King said. "So, my granddaughter came, and she went to the window. She said, 'Somebody's laying on the ground.'"

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Another neighbor said she witnessed the SWAT incident.

"I was throwing out the garbage, and I seen - I heard officers saying, 'Come out with your hands up,'" she said.

Chopper 7 captured bags of evidence being brought out of the home before crews boarded it up.

East Chicago police said this was just the beginning of an investigation.

"To see something like this happen, it's terrifying. And it's very scary," the neighbor said.

Even with all the damage left behind, police say no one was found inside of the home. So, they're still searching for the suspect, and say they'll release more information about the victim and the person they are searching for at a later date.
A dozen rural school districts in Ohio as well as their home townships and counties will share in $1.6 million thanks to the Trees to Textbooks program.

The list includes Franklin Local School District in Muskingum County. The county and Blue Rock and Salt Creek townships also will receive funding.

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), the money comes from the harvest of timber from Ohio's state forests. Through the program, a percentage of the revenue generated from state forest management activity goes to the county, township and school district in which the activity took place. This program is all about giving back to local communities while spreading the message of conservation, ODNR Director Mary Mertz said in a statement. By visiting schools and presenting the Trees to Textbooks checks, we have the opportunity to talk to young conservationists and inspire them to learn about our natural resources and what they can do to protect Ohio in the future.

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In all, $27,093.56 will flow into Muskingum County through the program. Franklin Local School District will receive $13,546.78, while county government will get $6,773.39; Blue Rock Township, $3,227.97; and Salt Creek Township, $3,545.42.

ODNR Director Mary Mertz and members of the Division of Forestry visited Vinton County South Elementary School to present a Trees to Textbooks program check.

Mertz and ODNR Division of Forestry Chief Dan Balser recently visited South Elementary School in Vinton County and Northwest Elementary School in Scioto County to present checks and talk about the importance of trees and wildfire prevention.

Trees to Textbooks is one of the most rewarding ways our work in state forests comes full circle, Balser said. By reinvesting timber revenue into local schools and communities, were helping ensure these forests continue to provide benefits that reach far beyond their boundaries.

What is the ODNR Trees to Textbooks program?

The ODNR Division of Forestry began distributing timber revenues to counties and townships in the early 1980s. Since the Trees to Textbooks program started in 1999, more than $42 million has been shared with Ohio school districts and local governments. The ODNR Division of Forestry is responsible for the care of more than 200,000 acres of state forests. State forestry experts manage these woodlands for overall health and diversity, soil and water conservation, improved wildlife habitat and a variety of recreational opportunities. Selected trees or areas of woodland are harvested through a competitive bid process, which includes requirements for sound management practices. All work is conducted by certified master loggers under strict monitoring.

A Trees to Textbooks program check was presented at Northwest Elementary School in Scioto County.

Which Ohio schools and counties received money from the Trees to Textbooks program?

Here's how the $1,621,268 given this year in the program was divided among the schools and local governments, per information from ODNR:

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Adams County : $2,360.28 Franklin Township: $650 Green Township: $650 Jefferson Township: $1,060.28 Ohio Valley Local School District: $3,420.56 Manchester Local School District: $1,300 Total: $9,441.12

Ashland County : $20,773.46 Hanover Township: $20,773.46 Loudonville-Perrysville Local School District: $41,546.93 Total: $83,093.85

Athens County : $10,456.94 Waterloo Township: $10,456.94 Alexander Local School District: $20,913.88 Total: $41,827.76

Jackson County : $9,114.19 Washington Township: $9,114.19 Wellston City School District: $18,288.38 Total: $36,576.76

Meigs County : $650 Olive Township: $650 Eastern Local School District: $1,300 Total: $2,600

Muskingum County : $6,773.39 Blue Rock Township: $3,227.97 Salt Creek Township: $3,545.42 Franklin Local School District: $13,546.78 Total: $27,093.56

Pike County : $1,950 Benton Township: $1,300 Perry Township: $650 Western Local School District: $3,900 Total: $7,800

Ross County : $21,357.99 Colerain Township: $21,357.99 Zane Trace Local School District: $42,715.98 Total: $85,431.96

Scioto County : $168,338.40 Brush Creek Township: $15,356.33 Nile Township: $79,274.66 Rarden Township: $1,242.37 Union Township: $72,461.04 Northwest Local School District: $178,119.49 Washington-Nile Local School District: $158,549.33 Total: $673,337.62

Vinton County : $163,516.54 Brown Township: $31,209.53 Eagle Township: $28,706.73 Elk Township: $10,573.36 Madison Township: $24,802.41 Swan Township: $38,081.44 Vinton Township: $30,143.07 Vinton Local School District: $327,033.08 Total: $654,066.16



This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: ODNR Trees to Textbooks program donates $27,000 in Muskingum County
Authorities in New England arrested a Massachusetts man in July for catching and keeping a key predator from the Atlantic Ocean.

What's happening?

Outdoor Life reported that the poacher illegally harvested 14 oversized striped bass off the coast of New Castle and Rye in New Hampshire.

The poacher was fishing at night without lights on in a boat with a Massachusetts hull number. He fled the scene when other anglers noticed and began to report him for keeping the fish, which ranged from 37-47 inches long.

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Though Massachusetts allows commercial boats to keep as many as 15 striped bass over 35 inches, anglers in New Hampshire's waters can only keep specimens between 28 and 31 inches. Furthermore, the state has outlawed any sale of the species.

Officials from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, Maine Marine Patrol, Massachusetts Environmental Police, and local police forces began searching for the suspect. Portsmouth Police Department officers located the man at a boat ramp "in the act of ditching the fish," per a Facebook post from the NHFG.

"He knew that he was caught red-handed, and there were a dozen witnesses," Lt. Delayne Brown of NHFG told WMUR. Brown also told the station that the poacher admitted he planned to sell his catch under a permit in Massachusetts, where he could have fetched $1,600 for the 400 pounds of fish.

Why is the poaching of striped bass concerning?

Striped bass, also known as "stripers," serve an important function both environmentally and economically in the region.

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According to the Chesapeake Bay Program, they are a top predator that helps keep the populations of smaller fish, crustaceans, and mollusks in check. Stripers are also a popular commercial and recreational fish, generating hundreds of millions of dollars annually for the region.

However, overfishing and pollution during the 1970s and '80s caused the striped bass numbers to dwindle, forcing local legislation to implement regulations as protection.

"Those fish that he killed, those are all big breeding female fish," Peter Whelan, captain and owner of a local charter company, told WMUR. "Some of those fish are 25 years old. They swim back and forth from New Hampshire to Chesapeake Bay  those fish come back to the same spots every year, so we're really trying to protect the resource."

What's being done about poaching?

NHFG has upped its nighttime surveillance following reports of "increased suspicious activity" of anglers attempting to catch striped bass. It also called on civilians to report any suspected illegal activities.

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It's an unfortunate development, as poachers continue to try to profit at the expense of crucial and even endangered species. While some agencies are increasing patrol to prevent poaching, others are taking more creative solutions.

Rangers in South Africa's Kruger National Park are using quiet e-bikes to stealthily track poachers, while scientists are injecting nontoxic radioactive isotopes to make rhinoceros horns unfit for human consumption.

Meanwhile, the department noted that the individual had been fined for licensing violations and each of the illegally possessed fish. The striped bass will be donated to a wildlife rehabilitator after he is formally convicted since they could still be needed as evidence in court.

"It would be nice to fillet them up and send them to the food bank, but they're evidence," Brown said.

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CANTON  The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank will hold its second annual Merry Meals Mixer fundraiser from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Ohio Christmas Factory, 4125 Mahoning Road NE.

Guests will sample desserts and other food from local restaurants. Bids will be taken on holiday trees and wreaths, as well as silent auction items.

General admission is $60. VIP admission, at $100, gives early access to the venue at 5 p.m., preferred parking, a signature festive cocktail, first viewing opportunities for auction items and a holiday favor. A $15 drink passport covers a visit to each of four themed bars and samples of a cocktail at each stop.

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For more details or tickets, go to: www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/events/merry-meals-mixer-2025.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Akron-Canton Foodbank hosts Merry Meals Mixer at Ohio Christmas Factory
After the lapse in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at the beginning of November and uncertainty about the future of the program that followed, all Ohioans should now have received full benefits.

The program lost its federal funding as a result of the federal government shutdown. The government resumed operations Nov. 13 after President Donald Trump signed a bill to fund the federal government through Jan. 30.

But distributing benefits still took time. After the shutdown ended, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) announced it was working toward the distribution of full November benefits by the middle of the following week after it received guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service to ensure households received SNAP benefits "promptly."

Clara Bradley opens a box of apples at All People's Fresh Market on Parson Avenue in Columbus on November 5, 2025. The market distributed over 7,000 pounds of food to between 300-400 people on Wednesday.

The full monthly payment for the federal program that helps millions of lower-income families purchase food was distributed to most Ohioans by Nov. 21 after rolling out earlier in the week, according to Thomas Betti, a public information program administrator for the state department's office of communications.

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For a small percentage of people, manual changes had to be finalized before they received their benefits. These changes were completed Nov. 24, Betti said.

As partial payments had begun prior to the end of the shutdown, the state calculated the full benefit households should have received in November and was able to supply the difference for families who already received a partial amount.

Any families who have not yet received November benefits need to contact the county offices that process SNAP, Betti said.

The program will continue as normal in December, according to confirmation from ODJFS.

Mid-Ohio Food Collective urges 'relief, not celebration' as SNAP resumes

As SNAP resumed for 1.45 million Ohioans, Mid-Ohio Food Collective, central and eastern Ohio's largest hunger relief organization, announced the federal program's return should be met with "relief, not celebration."

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"Parents and children waited in the cold for food at emergency distributions. Others went into debt to buy groceries or made do without other essentials. For many, true financial recovery is likely months away. Their pain was preventable, and its effects on their lives wont be quickly fixed or forgotten," the nonprofit said in a Nov. 19 statement.

Mid-Ohio said support from the state, Franklin County, the city of Columbus, local foundations and everyday Ohioans helped pantries keep shelves stocked during the shutdown. Still, the organization said the community support should not have been necessary as it called the SNAP lapse an "avoidable crisis."

"This cannot be allowed to happen again," Mid-Ohio said in a portion of the statement directed toward national leaders. "We will always step up in moments of crisis, but every communitys generosity has limits. Such heroic local responses are not typical, sustainable, or repeatable. For the good of our region and state, SNAP cannot be disrupted again."

Reporter Sophia Veneziano may be reached at sveneziano@dispatch.com.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: SNAP benefits resume after November lapse due to government shutdown
An University of Oklahoma professor who was detained by ICE while boarding an airplane to a Washington, D.C., academic conference has been released after two days in custody for what the agency described as "standard questioning."

Vahid Abedini is the Farzaneh Family Assistant Professor of Iranian Studies at the University of Oklahoma, where he researches international relations and comparative politics. Abedini was detained on Saturday, Nov. 22, and he posted to LinkedIn early Tuesday morning that he had been freed.

"Im relieved to share that I was released from custody tonight," Abedini posted around 2 a.m. on Tuesday. "It was a deeply distressing experience, especially seeing those without the support I had. My sincere thanks to my friends and colleagues at the University of Oklahoma, the Middle East Studies Association, and the wider Iran studies and political science community for helping resolve this."

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In an email, an unidentified ICE spokesperson confirmed Abedini's release.

"This Iranian national was detained for standard questioning," the statement said.

Joshua Landis, a professor of Middle East studies at OU, previously told The Oklahoman that Abedini is in the United States on an H-1B visa. This type of visa is reserved for individuals employed in specialty occupations like technology, education and health care.

In September, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation that requires employers seeking to bring new workers into the United States using an H-1B visa to pay $100,000 for each application. Workers would be denied entry to the United States unless the payment is made.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU professor Vahid Abedini detained by ICE released
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The Pacific Northwests main fuel artery is partially back online after a two-week shutdown forced Oregon and Washington governors to declare fuel emergencies  sparking concerns about disruptions ahead of peak Thanksgiving travel.

BP confirmed early Monday that the Olympic Pipeline  which supplies more than 90% of Oregons transportation fuel  completed a partial restart after testing showed no leak in its 16-inch line.

Kotek declares fuel emergency as holiday drivers hit road

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However, testing also confirmed a leak in the pipelines 20-inch segment near Everett, Washington.

Repair plans for the 20-inch segment are being developed and a timeline for repair and restart will be shared when available, BP wrote in a statement. The safety of personnel, the environment, and the community remain our highest priority.

AAA Oregon/Idaho Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds called the partial reopening encouraging news, ahead of what she expects will be record holiday travel.

Traffic on I-5 near downtown Portland, November 24, 2025 (KOIN)

The numbers are staggering, Dodds said. Nationwide 82 million Americans traveling. Here in Oregon more than 1.1 million Thats up 2% from last year, and it exceeds pre-pandemic numbers.

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Dodds said the temporary shutdown had only a modest impact on fuel prices so far.

The Oregon average only rose about four cents from the time that the outage was reported in mid-November, Dodd explained. Last time in September, we saw the Oregon average jump 32 cents, but we had other factors that were impacting supplies at the time.

Even with the shutdown, analysts say most drivers shouldnt expect major problems.

You could see a station that temporarily, maybe for a few hours, runs out of gas. But most stations should be just fine, said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

Patrick DeHaan, the head of analysis for GasBuddy, November 25, 2025 (KOIN)

According to AAA, pump prices in Portland and Vancouver remain above the national average  slightly higher than last week and significantly higher than this time last year  but analysts believe any additional increases should be limited unless the 20-inch line stays offline longer than expected.

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DeHaan told KOIN 6 News the shutdown shows how crucial this single pipeline is to fuel distribution. It would take nearly 1,400 tanker trucks every single day to replace the pipeline capacity of this Olympic system, he said.

The shutdown also impacted Sea-Tac Airport, which relies on the pipeline for jet fuel. The airport previously had to reroute some flights and ask incoming aircraft to tanker additional fuel. DeHaan said that strategy will likely keep Thanksiving travel stable.

Thats so far how airports like SeaTac have survived, he said. Airlines like Delta, American, and United are flying into these destinations with enough fuel to make it back home.

Both Oregon and Washington issued fuel emergency declarations aimed at keeping supply flowing while repairs continue.

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This order is issued to ensure a continued adequate supply of fuel in Oregon, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek said. Oregon is not experiencing supply constraints currently.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson issued a similar proclamation, focused on keeping jet fuel moving to Sea-Tac.

This declaration will help the airport maintain its fuel supply while the pipeline is offline and limit disruptions to travelers, Ferguson said.

Both governors emergency orders remain in effect.

According to BP, the cause of the leak remains under investigation. There is currently no timeline for when the 20-inch pipeline will fully restart.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Parts of Thailand are battling record floods, which have killed at least 33 people and prompted authorities to deploy military ships and helicopters to support relief efforts.

The deluge has hit 10 provinces across the country's south over the past week, with the city of Hat Yai, a business hub bordering Malaysia, recording its heaviest rainfall in 300 years - 335mm in a single day.

Photos show vehicles and houses submerged in the city, while desperate residents await rescue on their rooftops.

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Relentless rains have also ravaged neighbouring countries. In Vietnam, the death toll has risen to 98 in a week, while in Malaysia, more than 19,000 people have been forced from their homes.

In Indonesia, at least 19 people have been killed and at least seven others remained buried under landslides in North Sumatra, according to the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency.

More than 2 million people in Thailand have been affected by the floods, but just 13,000 have been moved to shelters.

The vast majority are cut off and unable to get help, according to Reuters news agency.

The Thai military, which has been put in charge of tackling the crisis, said it is preparing to dispatch an aircraft carrier and a flotilla of 14 boats loaded with relief supplies, along with field kitchens that are said to be able to deliver 3,000 meals a day.

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Medical teams on board the aircraft carrier will convert it into a "floating hospital" if required, the navy said.

A drone view shows dozens of vehicles at least partially submerged in a carpark Hat Yai [Reuters]

Boats, high-clearance trucks, and jet skis have also been deployed to evacuate residents, said the governor of Songkhla province, where Hat Yai is located.

The cabinet on Tuesday declared Songkhla a disaster zone, freeing up funds for relief.

However, many people remain stranded amid the rising waters.

A volunteer rescue group, the Matchima Rescue Center, told Reuters it had been inundated with thousands of calls in the last three days, with people asking to be evacuated.

[BBC]

People have also posted urgent calls for help on Matchima's Facebook page. "Many people are trapped... Please help," one user wrote. "It's very difficult right now. The water has reached the second floor, where there are children, the elderly, the sick, and the disabled!!!"

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Another wrote that his household had been waiting for help for three days: "Every second is crucial now... Please help share. My [phone's] battery is at 40%. Thank you everyone."

Some also wrote about not having had any food and water for days.

A clip that has gone viral on social media shows three young boys hanging from power lines, trying to inch their way to safety while brown murky waters continue to rise below them.

In Malaysia, more than 19,000 people have been evacuated to safety, with 126 evacuation centres set up in the northern border areas.

In the states of Kelantan and Perlis, rescue teams waded through knee-deep floodwaters to evacuate residents in areas where rising waters had cut off access to roads.

Heavy seasonal rain is common around this time of year in South East Asia, but this year has seen exceptionally high levels of flooding in the region.
Zug, Switzerland, November 25th, 2025, Chainwire





TrustLinq enables cryptocurrency spending for individuals and businesses by facilitating direct crypto-to-fiat payments without a bank account.

TrustLinq, a Swiss-regulated crypto-to-fiat payment intermediary, announced the launch of its pioneering crypto-to-fiat payment platform that enables cryptocurrency holders to send fiat payments directly from crypto holdings to anyone, anywhere in the world in over 70 local currencies. The platform, underpinned by Swiss oversight, bank-level compliance and secure automation enables direct crypto-to-fiat seamlessly and executes payments via local payment rails  or through TrustLinq debit cards (debit cards Q1 2026).

The platform addresses a critical market inefficiency: while over 580 million cryptocurrency users exist globally, less than 0.005% of businesses accept digital assets directly. This creates friction for crypto holders seeking to deploy digital assets for real-world expenses such as rent, payroll, supplier payments, and operational costs. TrustLinq eliminates this friction by enabling direct crypto-to-fiat payments without requiring recipients to accept crypto, open a wallet, or change their banking setup.

TrustLinq is an early-mover in the emerging niche of crypto-to-fiat payment facilitation, with no direct competitors offering comparable functionality. Unlike existing cryptocurrency payment processors that require merchants to accept digital currencies directly, TrustLinq empowers crypto holders to leverage their digital assets for fiat payments to any third party globally importantly, TrustLinq clients do not need a bank account to use the platform, while recipients utilize their existing banking infrastructure to receive fiat, as opposed to the traditional method of converting crypto to fiat before it is deposited into their bank accounts.

The platform serves two primary market segments with tailored solutions. For individuals, TrustLinq enables cryptocurrency holders to pay personal expenses such as rent, tuition, leisure and international transfers directly from crypto holdings. For businesses, the platform enables crypto-to-fiat payouts for vendor payments, international payroll, and operational expenses. The solution particularly resonates with trading firms, affiliate networks, SaaS companies, and e-commerce businesses that receive cryptocurrency as operational revenue.

Sharon Gal Franko, Chief Executive Officer of TrustLinq, commented: "The future of payments requires bridging crypto and fiat seamlessly. With 580m+ crypto users globally holding substantial digital assets, the demand for practical, compliant fiat utility is immense. TrustLinq transforms how individuals and businesses deploy cryptocurrency in the real world, not through speculation, but through practical financial operations."
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is urging motorists to prioritize safety this Thanksgiving.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Starting at midnight on November 26 through 11:59 p.m. on November 30, state troopers will focus on removing impaired drivers from the roadways, according to an OSHP spokesperson.

Troopers will be vigilant in enforcing laws against impaired driving, as well as monitoring for safety belt, speeding, and distracted driving violations.

TRENDING STORIES:

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The Thanksgiving holiday is traditionally one of the busiest travel periods of the year, prompting increased patrol efforts to ensure road safety.

As the busy holiday travel season begins, I urge all Ohioans to be safe and smart while behind the wheel, said Governor Mike DeWine. Every driver has the ability to prevent devastating crashes and serious injuries by buckling up, putting distractions away, and driving sober.

OSHP is asking drivers to follow four safety steps while traveling this week:

Designate a sober driver or use a rideshare

Make sure everyone in your vehicle wears seat belts

Obey the posted speed limits

Eliminate distractions while driving.

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During last years Thanksgiving travel period, 11 people were killed in 10 crashes on Ohios roadways, with alcohol and/or drugs contributing to five of the fatal incidents, the spokesperson said.

Additionally, three people died after being hit by a vehicle during this time in 2024.

Driving responsibly isnt just a choice; its a shared obligation, said Colonel Charles A. Jones, OSHP superintendent. Help make this a fatality-free holiday period by prioritizing sober driving, wearing your safety belt, and staying focused on the task of driving.

Drivers are encouraged to report impaired drivers, drug activity, or stranded motorists by safely calling #677 on Ohio roadways.

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Novo Nordisk won't add Alzheimer's disease to the list of conditions its blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy, can treat, despite high hopes and two years of study.

The Danish drugmaker recently said that in two large studies, semaglutide, the active ingredient in its drugs, failed to slow cognitive decline in thousands of people with early stages of the mind-robbing disease.

Novo's trial was anticipated for clues to whether GLP-1 drugs, used by millions for diabetes and weight loss, might slow progression of a disease that afflicts more than 7 million Americans. Instead, Alzheimer's researchers are anticipating Novo's release of key details about the late-stage studies at an Alzheimer's scientific conference in San Diego in early December. They hope to sift through the data to see whether it provides any biological clues for future Alzheimer's research.

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"I'm really interested to see the results of those biomarker findings and other details of the study," said Dr. Eric Reiman, executive director of Banner Alzheimer's Institute in Phoenix.

What did the study find?

Novo Nordisk tested an older pill version of semaglutide previously approved for Type 2 diabetes. Novo's blockbusters Ozempic and Wegovy are injectables that also contain semaglutide. Novo is seeking Food and Drug Administration approval of a Wegovy pill, called orforglipron, for obesity.

The two trials enrolled more than 3,800 adults with early stage Alzheimer's disease and randomly assigned them to groups that received a semaglutide pill or a placebo and standard care. While the group that received semaglutide improved disease-related biomarkers, the medication didn't delay progression of the disease, Novo said.

Novo decided to study semaglutide as a potential Alzheimer's treatment due to evidence in other studies, pre-clinical models and results from diabetes and obesity studies.

Actress Rebel Wilson is the new Chief Health Ambassador at Noom, spearheading the weight loss company's campaign for GLP-1 microdosing. A new study found 2 in 3 people who took GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic to lose weight quit within one year. People with Type 2 diabetes are more likely to continue using the medication. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chairman of Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee speaks during a hearing of Novo Nordisk CEO Lars Jorgensen on U.S. prices for the weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Shoppers enter the Costco Wholesale membership warehouse club store at One Daytona in Daytona Beach on Saturday, July 19, 2025. The retailer's pharmacy now sells discounted prescription weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy. Following the birth of Serena Williams' second daughter in 2023 and as part of her partnership with the telehealth company Ro (of which her husband, Alexis Ohanian, is an investor, and shes a paid spokesperson), in 2024 Williams began taking the injectable GLP-1 weight-loss medication Zepbound. She's since lost 31 pounds. Ozempic is the most popular GLP-1 medication on the market. GLP-1 medication and weight loss 1 of 6 Actress Rebel Wilson is the new Chief Health Ambassador at Noom, spearheading the weight loss company's campaign for GLP-1 microdosing.

The setback dashes hopes for Novo that Alzheimer's could open a major new market for GLP-1 medicines. A positive trial result could have put Novo ahead of rival Eli Lilly, against which it has lost ground in its core treatment areas of obesity and diabetes.

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"The fact that the study was discontinued after two years, despite a planned third-year extension, suggests that semaglutide offers virtually no benefit in slowing Alzheimer's progression," Erik Berg-Johnsen, portfolio manager at Novo shareholder Storebrand Asset Management, told Reuters.

Alzheimer's researchers look for clues

The study result are "disappointing" but "show a fundamental shift in how we approach the development of new Alzheimers treatments," said Howard Fillit, co-founder and chief science officer of the Alzheimers Drug Discovery Foundation.

For decades, Alzheimer's researchers targeted amyloid-beta, a protein that accumulates and forms plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. The semaglutide trial shows Alzheimer's research is "expanding beyond amyloid to target the complete pathobiology of the disease, said Fillit.

A Novo spokesperson said the company is ending studies of semaglutide as a treatment for Alzheimer's. Novo will unveil more details of its semaglutide studies at a scientific conference, Clinical Trials on Alzheimer's Disease, in San Diego, Dec. 1-4.

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Those results might "suggest a path forward for semaglutide as part of a combination therapy approach," Fillit said.

Novo's report provides immediate clarity for doctors who prescribe semaglutide, because patients often want to know whether the medication can slow cognitive decline, experts said.

"That question has been coming up a lot with patients about the potential benefits and risks," Reiman said.

Reiman said researchers will look for more clues when Novo releases more study data at the CTAD conference.

He said that semaglutide was tested on individuals who already are experiencing Alzheimer's symptoms. Reiman, co-director of the Alzheimer's Prevention Initiative, is among researchers who've called for studying whether treating Alzheimer's patients earlier can delay memory and thinking problems.

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"My own guess has been that if it (semaglutide) were to be effective, it would be more effective in unimpaired individuals," before Alzheimer's is extensive, Reiman said.

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ozempic pill fails to slow Alzheimer's disease
Passaic County officials are seeking up to $1 million in federal funding to remove a wooden bulkhead from a key Greenwood Lake tributary in West Milford. Officials say the federal grant will help clear the way for a new dock designed for safe and improved kayak access on Belchers Creek.

The main stream feeding the southern end of Greenwood Lake, Belchers Creek carries the largest share of the lakes inflow and has long been tied to its water quality. According to county officials, the bulkhead was installed decades ago to corral paddleboats at the county-owned Camp Hope property. It is no longer serving any operational purpose, and county officials want to remove it.

The view north from Brown's Point is of a Greenwood Lake covered in ice on Jan. 23, 2020.

County commissioners in mid-November directed officials in the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for a National Fish Passage Program grant through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help fund the project, records show. While not a dam, the mostly submerged bulkhead is considered an obstruction that limits aquatic movement and creates hazards for boaters.

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Passaic County to survey 60 cemeteries for long-term preservation plan

Officials seek better public access to Belcher's Creek

Removing the bulkhead is part of a larger access plan for the creek. West Milford Township already offers a self-service kayak rental program with two launch sites along the creek's northern arm. One is an ADA-accessible EZ DOCK at the end of Lambert Road. The other is farther south and on the opposite side of the creek off Sophie Avenue. The bulkhead lies roughly halfway between the two access points.

In summer 2024, the creek's northern stretch near Greenwood Lake was the beneficiary of a large hydroraking project to remove invasive plants and debris. Overseen by the Greenwood Lake Commission using a portion of a $1 million grant from the state, the project was designed to clear the waterway without the cost of a full dredge. Instead, a floating platform fitted with a hydraulic arm and rake pulled material from the creek bottom over the course of several weeks.

On Belchers Creek, the work targeted rooted plants, such as water chestnut, to restore flow and ease passage for small boats. The process also removed some of the soft muck that releases phosphorus into Greenwood Lake. The phosphorus loading from the creek has long been a concern to local politicians and environmental advocates. The nutrient load has driven weed growth and helped feed harmful algal blooms in the lake. It has also reduced water clarity and contributed to oxygen-poor conditions. In 2004, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection adopted a Total Maximum Daily Load for total phosphorus in the lake to set limits on what it can receive.

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The creeks condition matters well beyond West Milford. Greenwood Lake is the headwaters of the Wanaque River, which drains into the Monksville and Wanaque reservoirs. Those reservoirs supply drinking water to millions of people in northern New Jersey.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Greenwood Lake improvement effort advances with grant request
PDS Health subsidiary PDS Health Technologies has partnered with the University of Michigan (U-M) School of Dentistry in the US for implementing a customised instance of the Epic electronic health records (EHR) system.

The collaboration aims to align oral and overall health through clinical practice, technology and education.

PDS Health Technologies will deploy Epic Community Connect at U-M as the university is seeking a solution that would bridge classroom instruction with clinical practice while supporting a cohesive, whole-person care approach.

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Epic will serve as a platform designed for dental workflows. It enhances access to comprehensive patient information and fosters better collaboration between medical practitioners and oral health.

Additionally, the platform provides revenue cycle alignment, real-time interoperability, and clinical performance with medical records.

It is utilised by healthcare organisations and academic institutions across various states.

At U-M, the system is intended to improve experiential and collaborative learning. Under the guidance of the university's faculty, researchers, and clinicians, and with the assistance of administrative and IT teams, residents and dental students will be able to access patient information.

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This will facilitate referral coordination and integrated treatment planning, as well as foster a learning environment centred around patient care.

The collaboration paves way for future initiatives, including advanced diagnostics, clinical research, and population health, promoting the integration of dental and medical practices within both clinical and academic settings.

PDS Health Technologies president Preston Raulerson said: This partnership reflects a shared belief that oral health must be meaningfully connected to overall health.

When a leading academic institution like the University of Michigan prioritises dental-medical integration in choosing its platform for the next decade, it sends a clear message about the future of healthcare. We're proud to support that vision with a proven instance of Epic, purpose-built for dentistry and backed by real-world clinical and operational performance.

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"PDS Health to implement Epic EHR system at U-M" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand.




(The story has been updated to correct the ages of the men involved.)

A 66-year-old Oxnard man was struck and killed by a truck as he stood in an Oxnard street Nov. 25.

Officers with the Oxnard Police Department responded to the crash at 6:11 p.m. on Victoria Avenue and Curlew Way, the police said in a news release.

The driver of a Ford F-150 was traveling southbound on Victoria Avenue when he hit the man who had apparently been standing in the road, according to Oxnard police. The 41-year-old truck driver from Oxnard called police to report the crash and remained at the scene, police said.

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Bystanders tried to provide lifesaving measures on the pedestrian, police said.

Police and paramedics responded and found the pedestrian lying in the roadway. The 66-year-old suffered major injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.

While the investigation is still ongoing, police said neither speed nor impairment by alcohol or drugs appeared to be contributing factors.

Traffic through the area was affected because of the crash and subsequent investigation, police said.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Officer Alexis Arellano at 805-385-7749 or via email at alexis.arellano@oxnardpd.org.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Pedestrian struck, killed by truck in Oxnard
Welcome to Foreign Policys Southeast Asia Brief.

The highlights this week: The Philippine president embroiled in expanding corruption scandal, Thailands Thaksin dynasty faces lawfare, and Malaysia to ban teens from social media.

Corruption Protests Shake the Philippine President

Philippine President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. is under serious pressure.

A wave of protests over corruption in flood control projects has piled pressure on his government.

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Cabinet ministers have resigned. And further rallies, which the Catholic Church is throwing its weight behind, are planned for Nov. 30.

The turmoil has sparked speculation about Marcos being unseated via impeachment or coup.

For now, this possibility probably shouldnt be taken too seriously.

The military and leading politicians have denied considering such options. And there is barely a modern Filipino president who hasnt at some time or other been subject to such rumors or faced failed attempts.

Plus, the last time a president was forced to leave office early was in 2001, when Joseph Estrada resigned amid mass protests over corruption and impeachment attempts.

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The most recent attempt at a coup, meanwhile, was a damp squib in 2007 that lasted only a few hours.

Still, theres no denying the government is creaking.

On Nov. 18, two senior cabinet ministersthe executive secretary, who serves as the presidents right hand, and the secretary for budget and managementboth left the government.

These departures follow that of Martin Romualdez, a cousin of Bongbongs, who resigned his position as speaker of the House of Representatives in September amid accusations that he had been involved in the flood projects graft.

Marcos himself is also under fire.

The president has been publicly accused of pocketing 25 billion pesos ($425 million) worth of misappropriated funds by Zaldy Co, a former representative and onetime ally of Marcos with an outstanding arrest warrant over his own alleged role in the scandal.

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While speaking at an anti-corruption rally on Nov. 17, Marcoss estranged sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, accused him of being addicted to cocaine.

Sen. Marcos said this left him unable to lead and at the mercy of corrupt minions. (Representatives of President Marcos have denied both charges.)

These claims are not new. Former President Rodrigo Duterte previously raised questions about the 2025 budget and also alleged Marcos was a drug addict.

Marcos has pushed back, denying the charges and going after the Duterte clan.

Allies of his attempted to impeach Sara Duterte, Rodrigos daughter who serves as vice president.

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And, in March, Filipino police arrested Rodrigo Duterte and handed him over to the International Criminal Court over allegations of extrajudicial killings that took place during the war on drugs he led as president.

What distinguishes the current turn of events from previous elite feuding is the growing popular protests helping to propel the flood scandal forward.

Filipinos sick of the rampant graft that characterizes national politics are making their voices heardechoing other protests that have shaken and toppled governments across the world.

Successive typhoons ravaging the country have added saliency to the issue of flood control infrastructure corruption.

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Notably, attempts by the Dutertes to position themselves at the head of this insurgency have yet to come off.

Imee Marcos, a Duterte ally, was allowed to address the crowd at the protests earlier this month.

But Sara Duterte was not present, and pro-Duterte groups were not allowed to join the main protests.

To gauge popular anger, watch the protests on Nov. 30.

Mid-Novembers protests saw an impressive 650,000 people gathered in Manila. But they were also organized by Iglesia ni Cristoan unusual local church known to keep a tight grip over its flock of 3 million congregants.

The irony is that it was Marcos who first helped propel this issue to prominence.

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Faced with dropping poll numbers following Rodrigo Dutertes arrest and smarting from a poor midterm elections performance, he made fighting flood infrastructure corruption a signature issue.

Unfortunately for him, Filipinos are capable of asking basic questions like, Werent you president when the 2025 budget got approved?

What Were Watching

Philippines tariff exemptions. On Nov. 18, the Philippines announced it had secured exemptions to the United States 19 percent tariff for a wide range of agricultural products including coconuts, tropical fruits, and frozen tuna.

The Philippines already had exemptions on other agricultural products like coffee, cacao, and beef. The estimated value of these exemptions totals $1 billion, according to the Philippine Department of Trade.

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Under the radar, the Philippines has also benefited from exemptions worth an estimated $5.8 billion on industrial goodsincluding semiconductors.

This means about half of Philippine exports to the U.S. are tariff-free.

The Philippine government is taking this as vindication of its previously criticized management of the tariff issue.

However, as the world has learned, a lot can be concealed under the headline tariff.

Filipino negotiators are now aiming for further exemptions for garments and furniture.

Thaksin on the ropes. Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, already serving a one-year jail term for corruption, has faced further legal setbacks.

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On Nov. 17, courts ruled against the former prime minister in a tax case, ordering him to pay 17.6 billion baht ($543 million) in back taxes and fines.

There is also a push by the government to appeal the lese-majeste case that Shinawatra won in August.

With elections due soon, this looks like a concerted effort to knock out the power of the Shinawatra dynasty and its party, Pheu Thai.

Still, Shinawatras family has been campaigning for his release on parole.

Both cases are politically contentious.

Claims of corruption and impropriety in relation to the tax case formed an important part of the run-up to the 2006 coup that forced Thaksin from power.

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And lese-majeste cases have long been criticized as tools to punish critics of Thailands conservative elite.

Malaysia social media ban. Malaysia will ban individuals under the age of 16 from signing up for social media starting in 2026, the government announced on Nov. 23.

The government had previously planned to only ban children under 13 but has decided to expand the scope.

The law will require social media companies to implement identity verification to enforce the age requirement. A comprehensive list of platforms affected has yet to be released.

The government has argued the ban is necessary for child safety to protect underage persons from cyberbullying, financial scams, and child sexual abuse.

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A recent wave of public concern about bullying and violence in schools may have strengthened the push.

An unspoken concern may also be irritation at Malaysian teenagers increasingly speaking Indonesian-inflected Malay. The two languages are very close, and many Malaysians consume content from their neighbor.

The region is leading the charge on this front.

In Australia, social media platforms will deactivate the accounts of registered users under the age of 16 next month. As the first country in the world to implement such a law, it is being watched by other governments.

Indonesia is also mulling age requirements for social media.

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Vietnam floods again. At least 90 people have died and 12 are missing in Vietnam in the latest wave of floods, which damaged 186,000 homes.

Vietnam has been repeatedly battered by extreme weather this year. The government estimates natural disasters have inflicted $2 billion in damage between January and October 2025.

Photo of the Week

An aerial picture shows a pyroclastic flow during the eruption of Mount Semeru in Lumajang, East Java, on November 19, 2025. (Photo by Agus Harianto / AFP)Agus Harianto/AFP via Getty Images

FPs Most Read This Week

Has Chinas Power Peaked in Asia? by Bilahari Kausikan What to Know About the Secret U.S.-Russia Peace Plan for Ukraine by Sam Skove and John Haltiwanger The Deathonomics of Putins War by Alexey Kovalev

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What Were Reading

Burhanuddin Muhtadi, one of Indonesias leading pollsters, examines how President Prabowo Subianto saw his popularity rebound following mass protests, and whether this will last, in Fulcrum.

Southeast Asias dependence on coal has grown over the last decade, and Sudarshan Varadhan in Reuters examines why.

In Focus: After Tariffs, Divergent Economies

Southeast Asia seems to be splitting in two directions, with some economies shrugging off tariffs while others struggle.

With third-quarter growth now published for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEANs) six largest economies, a divide can be observed between those in the former campMalaysia, Singapore, and Vietnamand Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines in the latter.

At a headline year-on-year level, all six look to be doing OK.

!function(e,n,i,s){var d="InfogramEmbeds";var o=e.getElementsByTagName(n)[0];if(window[d]&&window[d].initialized)window[d].process&&window[d].process();else if(!e.getElementById(i)){var r=e.createElement(n);r.async=1,r.id=i,r.src=s,o.parentNode.insertBefore(r,o)}}(document,"script","infogram-async","https://e.infogram.com/js/dist/embed-loader-min.js");But look at growth quarter by quarter (except for Vietnam, which doesnt publish this information), and a different picture emerges.

!function(e,n,i,s){var d="InfogramEmbeds";var o=e.getElementsByTagName(n)[0];if(window[d]&&window[d].initialized)window[d].process&&window[d].process();else if(!e.getElementById(i)){var r=e.createElement(n);r.async=1,r.id=i,r.src=s,o.parentNode.insertBefore(r,o)}}(document,"script","infogram-async","https://e.infogram.com/js/dist/embed-loader-min.js");The Philippines and Indonesia have seen growth slow sharply, and Thailand slowed down too.

Whats causing this?

Those doing well have good all-around performances with better-than-expected exports and domestic consumption. As for the others, they are all suffering from weak domestic consumption.

There are also idiosyncratic factors. Thailand, for example, has seen a slowdown in exports and tourism.

What is interesting is that exposure to U.S. tariffs is not a determining factor, contrary to what many might have expected.

Vietnam, for whom the U.S. accounted for 28 percent of its exports in 2023the highest of the six countriesis the best performer. This, despite having a tariff rate of 20 percent, a percentage point higher than the 19 percent enjoyed by most other ASEAN nations.

To make a broad diagnosis, political factors are important.

Thailand has seen a war and a prime minister toppled. Indonesia has scared investors with an unpredictable fiscal policy. In the Philippines, the huge ongoing corruption scandal has been blamed for denting confidence.

The other three, however, offer investors a friendlier and more predictable atmosphere.

Vietnam may be an exception, with Communist Party General Secretary To Lam aggressively reorganizing and consolidating power. For now, though, investors are calculating this regime works out in their favor.
MANILA, Philippines (AP)  Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. refused to respond on Monday to an allegation by his estranged sister, a senator, that he has been a longtime drug addict whose cocaine dependence has undermined his governance, saying with a somber tone that he didn't want to discuss a family rift in public.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro has said that Sen. Imee Marcos accusations against her own brother before a huge religious rally in Manila last week were a web of lies, and may have been a desperate attempt to distract ongoing investigations into a corruption scandal that may implicate her opposition allies in the Senate.

Aides have said in the past that Marcos Jr. had tested negative for cocaine and methamphetamine. When asked to respond to his elder sisters allegations, the president briefly paused and then said in a televised news conference: Its anathema to talk about family matters generally in public. We do not like to show our dirty linen in public.

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The president suggested that something was troubling her sister. The lady that you see talking on TV is not my sister and that view is shared by our cousins, friends, that its not her, he said without elaborating.

"Thats why we are worried, we are very worried about her. I hope she feels better soon, the president said. When asked if he plans to talk to her, Marcos said that he and his sister no longer travel in the same circles, political or otherwise.

Marcos, 68, and his sister are children of then dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., who was overthrown in an army-backed but largely peaceful people power uprising in 1986 after an authoritarian era that was notorious for human rights and political repression and plunder. The dictator died in exile in Hawaii in 1989. His family returned to the Philippines in 1991 and slowly regained a political foothold.

Marcos Jr. won the presidency in 2022 with a landslide margin in one of the greatest political comebacks in the Philippines.

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In a speech Monday night before a huge rally by a religious group in a Manila park, Imee Marcos said that her brothers drug addiction allegedly started when their father was still a president and has continued to this day. She claimed it has affected his health and ability to govern.

Imee Marcos is a high-profile ally of her brothers harsh critic and predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte was arrested on an International Criminal Court warrant in March and flown to and detained in the Netherlands for alleged crimes against humanity over his brutal anti-drug crackdowns that left thousands of mostly poor suspects dead. Duterte has denied any wrongdoing.

Dutertes family and allies, including Imee Marcos, have blamed Marcos Jr. for what they claim was the ex-presidents illegal arrest and detention by the global court. Duterte's daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, is also one of the most vocal critics of the current president but is a close ally of Imee Marcos.
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An "elve" lasts for less than a thousandth of a second. | Credit: Valter Binotto

For a split second over northern Italy, the night sky erupted with a colossal glowing red ring. One photographer was in the right place at the right time.

Valter Binotto captured the eerie flash above the foothills of the Italian Alps from his home in the small town of Possagno on Nov. 17. The strange red ring is an "elve," a rare and almost impossibly fast form of upper atmospheric lightning that most people will never see.

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Elves are rapidly expanding disk-shaped flashes that can grow up to 300 miles (480 kilometers) across and last for less than a thousandth of a second, according to NOAA . They occur high above thunderstorms when a powerful electromagnetic pulse shoots upward into the ionosphere, the same ionized region of Earth's upper atmosphere where auroras form.

Binotto had originally set out to try and photograph sprites , brief electrical discharges above thunderstorms that occur in the upper atmosphere, so he focused on a thunderstorm that had fewer clouds. "I didn't capture any sprites, but fortunately, I managed to capture this Elve!" Binotto told Space.com in an email. He used a Sony A7S with a 20 mm f/1.8 lens at ISO 51,200. The photo is a frame taken from a video recorded at 25 fps.

"The ELVE was generated by a powerful negative lightning strike in a storm in Vernazza about 300 km south of me," Binotto told Spaceweather.com . One bolt reached an extraordinary -303 kilo-amperes (the minus sign indicates the lightning's polarity, not that the current was less than zero), producing an intense electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that lit up the ionosphere. For comparison, normal lightning typically carries just 10 to 30 kilo-amperes of current. This elve hovered about 100 miles (160 km) above Earth's surface and spanned roughly 200 miles (320 km) in diameter, according to Spaceweather.com.

This isn't the first time Binotto has photographed the eerie phenomenon. He captured an even more dramatic elve on March 23, 2023, also from his home in Possagno. The image shows the structure in even more remarkable detail as the red halo expanded across the sky.

Binotto captured this striking elve on March 23, 2023, from his home in Possagno. | Credit: Valter Binotto

Editor's Note: If you snap an interesting Earth or space photo and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.
Frederick County resident Matt Moran, whose property sits in the path of the Piedmont power line, said outside the U.S. District Court in Baltimore that a power company bid to limit hunting when its surveyors are in the field would affect his ability to feed his family. (Photo by Christine Condon/Maryland Matters)

As he argued in Baltimores federal courthouse Tuesday, attorney Harris Eisenstein pulled a bright orange hunting vest from his bag and hoisted it into the air.

This is all that it takes, he said.

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If power line surveyors from PSEG Renewable Transmission simply don the fluorescent orange and pink that hunters are well accustomed to, they wont face any real danger completing environmental inspections in rural Maryland during hunting season, Eisenstein said.

PSEG, the company behind the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, a 67-mile transmission line planned through Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick counties, doesnt think its quite so simple.

Surveyors for the proposed line could be crouched in the underbrush, rummaging about, making them difficult for hunters to see, even if they wore bright colors, said Kurt Fischer, an attorney representing PSEG.

The company is asking U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson to prevent landowners from hunting, or allowing hunting, on their property on any days when PSEG has indicated that it plans to come and survey  unless they contact the power company to request permission.

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The landowners, who number in the hundreds, oppose any court-ordered hunting ban, even for a minute, Eisenstein said.

They are creating a recipe for a tragedy, Fischer said.

Abelson declined to rule immediately after Tuesdays hearing, but acknowledged arguments on both sides: The surveyors have a right to enter private property to conduct their inspections, as required by the Maryland Power Plant Research Program, he said, but landowners have a right to hunt on their own land during the proper season.

What we have are competing rights, Abelson said Tuesday. Im trying to put these competing rights together and find a reasonable solution.

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Attorneys representing several hundred landowners proposed that PSEG give 72 hours notice of survey activities during any Maryland hunting season, and provide specific details about their activities so hunters can prepare for their arrival. That, in addition to requiring that surveyors wear the bright-colored gear.

The two sides were in the same courtroom in May, when the power company and the landowners sparred over whether the court could require property owners to allow the surveys over their objections.

Abelson concluded in June that PSEG has the authority to complete the surveys, which will ultimately inform the Maryland Public Service Commissions decision whether or not to allow construction on the power line to begin. The landowners have appealed his ruling to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

On Tuesday, Abelson gave PSEG that same authority over a third group of landowners, over protests from their attorneys, who said new information has emerged since Abelsons June ruling, calling into question the urgency of the power companys requests for land access.

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Namely, the PSC issued a procedural schedule in September saying it will not make a final decision on the power line until February 2027, at the earliest. PSEG had said it needed surveying authority to meet a deadline from power system regulators to have the line in service by June 1, 2027.

Their  application is stuck in the mud no matter what happens in this case, Eisenstein said.

Despite the new PSC schedule, power company attorney Emily Wilson said time very much remains of the essence here, citing a letter from regional electric grid operator PJM Interconnection that calls for the line to be placed in service as soon as possible to avoid possibile grid failures.

Eisenstein also argued that PSEG will need to conduct geotechnical boring surveys, but Maryland law does not allow it to compel that more invasive surveying, making it unlikely the company can meet its obligations.

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Wilson argued that the Maryland Power Plant Research Program could determine that the geotechnical surveys are not necessary. Whether they are or not, it doesnt change the fact that state law is on PSEGs side with regard to property access, she said.

What this case is focused on is the land access, she said. They do not have a right to exclude the company in this way.

David Wyand, another attorney for the landowners, argued that the legislature only gave eminent domain powers to companies that have already been granted permission to construct their line. Technically, a state government entity, such as the Maryland Power Plant Research Program, could conduct the surveys, Wyand said, but PSEG cant  as a private company.

The General Assembly has specifically not said that PSEG has that right, Wyand said.

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But Abelson said that none of the new information changed his mind that PSEG should be able to collect its survey data, unimpeded by the landowners who disagree.

Its unclear whether landowners will sway Abelson on the hunting issue, which they argue is urgent. Maryands firearm season for white-tailed deer, for instance, begins Saturday, and runs until Dec. 13.

Matt Moran, an Adamstown landowner in the path of the power line, said after Tuesdays hearing that he recently received a notice from PSEG advising him that it plans to survey in the weeks ahead. If Abelson rules that landowners cannot hunt on any day when PSEG might survey, Moran said he would only have one day open to hunt.

They are out-of-state. And they are out of touch.

 Harris Eisenstein, attorney for Maryland landowners, of New Jersey-based PSEG

That leaves me with one day to go out and get the venison that I need to feed my family, because I rely on venison to feed my family, Moran said. If you look in the freezer at my home, youll see that theres more venison than there is beef, pork, chicken and fish combined.

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Attorneys for the landowners argued that hunting is not just a valued pastime for many rural Marylanders, but a relied-upon method for gathering food and reducing the number of animals that eat their crops.

They are out-of-state, Eisenstein said of New Jersey-based PSEG. And they are out of touch.

Eisenstein said PSEGs practice of sending one notice to warn landowners about multiple weeks of surveying, even though actual surveys may only occur on particular days, cloud landowners lives. PSEGs proposed hunting order could restrict the activity for weeks at a time, infringing on hunters rights, Eisenstein said.

PSEGs attorneys argued that the company routinely coordinates with landowners who call with concerns about specific days, and that the company would ideally be able to come to agreement with landowners regarding hunting days.

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But not all landowners are willing to work with PSEG. Some will not even correspond with the company, Wilson said. On at least one occasion, a landowner referenced hunting season in a Facebook post that PSEG perceived as a threat.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

We need that protection in place to protect our surveyors and their assistants, Wilson said, so that a really unfortunate accident does not occur.

Wilson argued that Abelson needs to universally bar hunting during the survey work, and allow exceptions for particular properties. Eisenstein countered that hunting bans should be the exception  not the rule.

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Nancy Gardetto, owner of Copper Penny Farm in Adamstown, said she, her husband and their two children are eagerly awaiting Saturdays opening of deer season, which they also use to stock their freezers with venison, and cut down on the deer population to protect crops.

Gardetto also got a surveying notice from PSEG overlapping with the weeks of the hunt. She said she called PSEG to advise the company that it should not survey her property during that period because there would be hunting, and she feels the company should oblige. She made sure to emphasize that she was not making a threat, she said.

They claim to have great coordination with all the property owners, Gardetto said. If thats the case, I dont understand why we need to ask permission to hunt our own farmland. I dont understand why they cant contact us and say: Hey, weve got guys coming out tomorrow. Is anybody going to be there hunting?

I dont know why we had to be dragged into court to be forced into this, Gardetto said.
Pierce Countys 2022 Housing Action strategy estimated the region would need to produce, on average, more than 2,300 units of affordable housing per year through the year 2044 to meet its growing housing needs.

Three years later, we are not close to staying on pace. Since 2023, 901 units of deed-restricted affordable housing have been created, according to the county.

Advocates and developers say affordable housing faces a host of challenges that slow down or prevent development.

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Without tax breaks and subsidies, many projects would not financially pencil out for developers.

Even with the programs and resources offered by local, state and federal governments, developing and preserving truly affordable housing can be an uphill battle.

According to the countys Housing Action Strategy, the estimated more than 50,000 units needed through 2044 need to be at or below 50% of area median income (AMI). Over half of those units are needed for households at 30% of AMI or below.

Pierce Countys AMI is roughly $98,000 per household, according to an estimate from the most recent U.S. Census Bureau survey data .

What incentives exist?

Amanda DeShazo is the executive director of the Tacoma Pierce County Affordable Housing Consortium, a coalition of nonprofits, advocacy groups, local governments and developers that works together to encourage and develop affordable housing.

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In an interview with The News Tribune, DeShazo said developing affordable housing is complicated and can take years to come to fruition.

She said affordable-housing projects often have five or more funding sources, often because the projects are spearheaded by mission-driven nonprofits that rely on funding partnerships.

For example, Patsy Surh Place, in the heart of Tacomas Lincoln District opened this year, offering 77 units of housing all designated for seniors earning up to 30% and 50% of the AMI. The $36 million project managed by the Low-Income Housing Institute was made possible by multiple public funding contributions, including $18.5 million from the National Equity Fund through Low Income Housing Tax Credits, $5.4 million from the Washington State Department of Commerce and $7 million from Pierce County.

Funding from the county was made available through the Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Sales Tax , named after a prominent Tacoma advocate for the homeless who died in January 2023, which has made available millions in funding for affordable-housing projects across the region.

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DeShazo said the tax made roughly $20 million available annually for the preservation and development of affordable housing, nearly tripling the amount previously available from the county.

Halfway through 2025, the county reported the affordable housing fund has contributed to the creation of roughly 750 units that are either built or in the pipeline since its implementation. In August, the county reported it nearly doubled its goal of creating 330 units at 60% AMI and created 79 units at 30% AMI when its goal was to add 200 at 30% of AMI.

DeShazo said the City of Tacoma has a similar affordabl- housing fund worth about $8.5 million annually, which she said is a drop in the bucket when compared to the demand for affordable-housing funding assistance.

Jason Gauthier is manager of the South Sound Housing Affordability Partners (SSHA3P), an intergovernmental collaboration between the Cities and Towns of Auburn, DuPont, Edgewood, Fife, Fircrest, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, Milton, Puyallup, Sumner, Steilacoom, Tacoma, and University Place, Pierce County and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. The group works together to create and preserve affordable housing.

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Gauthier told The News Tribune funding assistance from governments can go a long way to push affordable-housing projects to the finish line. He said funding sources such as the Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Fund can help developers purchase land or close funding gaps.

State law allows local governments to offer property-tax exemptions for projects that offer housing below the market rate, known as a Multi-Family Property Tax Exemption (MFTE).

Tacoma has an MFTE program which offers an up to 20 year property-tax exemption for projects that offer housing for folks earning less than 70% of the AMI.

Gauthier said property-tax exemptions can be pivotal to make an affordable housing project financially feasible for developers to offer below market rent.

Affordable housing can be risky for investors

Ken Takahashi is the director of social-impact investing at the Seattle Foundation, a nonprofit which invests in affordable housing in the greater Seattle area.

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In an interview with The News Tribune, Takahashi said affordable housing is not particularly lucrative for investors because restricted rent rates limit the returns they can get. He said projects often are entirely dependent on what kind of government subsidy they can get.

We dont have the resources to do it solo, he said. But we are trying to fill a critical gap.

Bryan Schmid supervises the Affordable Housing Unit within Pierce Countys Human Services Department. In an interview with The News Tribune, Schmid said affordable housing can be risky for developers and investors, and most organizations who try to create it are mission-driven nonprofits.

Even nonprofits need money to keep their doors open, he said.

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Sean Flynn, is the director and executive president of the Rental Housing Association of Washington, an organization representing over 6,000 landlords and property-management companies statewide.

Flynn previously told The News Tribune that low-income rentals carry greater risk of people falling behind on rental payments. He noted a recent trend of property-management companies selling low-income apartments due to the risk of tenants who fall behind on rent.

These properties serve the poorest people who have the largest risk and need the most support from society, he said.

DeShazo noted one property owned by the Tacoma Housing Authority in which tenants collectively are behind roughly $400,000 in rent.

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She said meeting the regions affordable-housing goals is not just about creating new units but preserving existing ones.

The revenue we get off of the rent is so low that we are desperate to get that in order to stay afloat, DeShazo said.

How do we get on pace?

When asked what it would take for the county to be on pace to meet its affordable housing goals, Schmid said the county will need a much larger and more consistent stream of development.

The pipeline is about as robust as its ever been, he said. As far as development goes we are still not getting to the 2,300 units county-wide per year, but were definitely advancing a lot more than we were prior to COVID.

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Near the end of October, Schmid said the region has about 2,700 units in various stages of development and planning.

DeShazo said non-profits looking to create affordable housing often have a hard time navigating the complicated development process, which can take years. She said often successful developments require a third-party consultant to efficiently facilitate the process.

She suggested that could be an obstacle to meeting development goals.

There are so many different avenues, its not easy to streamline, she said. So many systems are not really aligned.

Gauthier said the many moving parts that need to come together to make affordable housing feasible make it difficult to identify how to more efficiently incentivize development.

There is no simple . . . like . . . pull this lever and this works, he said.
ADNOC has approved a $150 billion (130bn) capital spending plan for 2026 to 2030, as UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan chaired the companys annual board meeting at the Habshan complex in Abu Dhabi.

The meeting was held inside ADNOC Gas main operations control room, underscoring the strategic importance of Habshan, which supplies around 60% of the UAEs natural gas to power the countrys energy and industrial sectors.

Board members confirmed a further expansion of the UAEs hydrocarbon stores, with oil reserves rising to 120 billion barrels and natural gas reserves reaching 297 trillion cubic feet, reinforcing Abu Dhabis position as one of the worlds largest holders of oil and gas resources.

ADNOC also announced new oil and gas discoveries totalling more than 1.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent, supported by large-scale 3D seismic surveys and artificial intelligence-powered data analysis to unlock previously inaccessible reservoirs.

A new operating company, ADNOC Ghasha, was approved to manage the Ghasha Concession development, which is expected to produce 1.8 billion cubic feet of gas per day and 150,000 barrels per day of oil and condensates. Work on the Hail and Ghasha offshore mega-project is progressing as part of the companys wider gas expansion strategy.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with ADNOC leadership and employees at Habshan - WAM

The board reviewed progress on developing Abu Dhabis unconventional resources, those that require advanced extraction methods. These are estimated at 160 trillion cubic feet of gas and 22 billion barrels of oil.

ADNOC said it plans to inject AED 220bn (52bn) into the UAE economy over the next five years through its local value programme, supporting domestic manufacturing and small and medium-sized enterprises in line with the countrys industrial diversification drive.

UAE President photographed with ADNOC staff and board members during the annual board meeting in Abu Dhabi. - WAM

The company also highlighted the rapid growth of XRG, its international energy investment arm, which has increased in value from $80bn (70bn) to $151bn (131bn) since its launch, positioning Abu Dhabi as a fast-growing global energy investor.

Technology was a central theme of the meeting, with ADNOC outlining its push to expand the use of artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous systems across its operations. The board meeting itself was supported by an internal AI tool designed to enhance decision-making and accelerate strategic planning.

Progress was also reported on the TAZIZ chemicals complex in Al Ruwais, which is set to become one of the largest integrated chemical platforms in the Gulf, with production capacity expected to reach 4.7 million tonnes per year and further expansion planned by 2028.
Sources tell Channel 11 that a Pittsburgh police officer is off the job after being charged with assault.

Police arrested Officer Adam Germeyer, 34, on Sunday morning along Eastmont Street in Dormont.

Germeyer is accused of pushing his wife to the ground and causing her to cut her chin.

Police say Germeyers wife had tried to drive off with their children after a night out.

Germeyer told officers he knew his wife had been drinking and tried to stop her from driving with the kids.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Poland has decided to order three new submarines from Sweden.

"The Swedish offer was the only one that met all the requirements of our navy," Defence Minister Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said on Wednesday.

The order is for three Saab A26 Blekinge-class submarines. Kosiniak-Kamysz said the contract is to be signed by the end of the year.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson emphasized that his country and Poland are in agreement regarding the challenges to European security. Together, they will assume greater responsibility for security in the Baltic Sea, he explained on the social media platform X.

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Saab is one of Europe's largest defence contractors. The company also manufactures the advanced Jas 39 Gripen fighter jet, of which Ukraine plans to purchase 100 to 150 of the latest version.

Kristersson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a memorandum of understanding to this effect about a month ago.

Kristersson described Saab's submarine programme as "world-leading."

Companies from Germany, France, Spain, Italy and South Korea were also in the running for the Polish contract.

Poland is upgrading its armed forces in the face of a heightened threat from Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

The Polish Navy currently has only one submarine, which dates from Soviet times.
The parent company of a popular beer brand has filed for bankruptcy.

News of this bankruptcy broke just a little over a week after the brand suddenly closed its brewery and restaurant operations.

The Lincoln Chronicle reports that Oregon Brewing Company  the parent company of Newport, Oregon-based Rogue Ales & Spirits, the states third biggest craft brewer  filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in federal court on Monday.

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According to the United States Courts website, Chapter 7 bankruptcy provides for liquidation  the sale of a debtors nonexempt property and the distribution to creditors.

Chapter 11, on the other hand, allows for the debtor to seek an adjustment of debts, either by reducing the debt or by extending the time for repayment; reorganization of the company, too, is an option in this case.

The Spirits Business states that Oregon Brewing Company listed a debt amounting to roughly $16.7 million in its filing. The bankruptcy also involves subsidiaries Rogue River Brewing Co. and Yaquina Bay Beverage Co.

Roughly 47 people in Newport were laid off on Nov. 14 after Rogue Ales abruptly shut down all of its brewing and restaurant operations, the Lincoln Chronicle adds.

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Man, this sucks, writes someone on Reddit. It was the highlight of going to the coast for me.

Take the kiddo to the aquarium, lunch at Rogue. What a bummer.

[Expletive], this sucks, echoes another. Regardless of what you thought of the beer, it was an institution.

Its going to leave a hole in the communities.

Further information regarding this bankruptcy remains pending.

Business Buzz

Read the original article on pennlive.com.
MADISON, Wis. (WFRV)  A pair of Wisconsin men, one of whom worked as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service (USPS), were arrested for their roles in a fentanyl trafficking group.

Calumet County homicide: Son charged with killing his own father, bond set at $1 million

According to Chadwick M. Elgersma, the Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, 40-year-old Kenneth Phillips of Wisconsin Dells was identified as the leader of the group, while 44-year-old Brandon Stevens of Reedsburg helped pick up drugs as a mail carrier.

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A co-defendant, Ames Basham, was deemed to be mailing fentanyl pill packages from California to Phillips and Stevens, along with co-defendant Chrystal Mueller, at multiple Wisconsin addresses.

The blue pills, marked M30 were designed with the appearance of prescription drugs; however, they contained fentanyl and other substances. 19 parcels were mailed, some of which were intercepted by the USPIS in March and April of 2022.

Phillips, the local leader of the drug ring, provided addresses to Basham, who mailed the pills to Wisconsin. Stevens, who worked as a USPS mail carrier, would pick up the parcels during his route, bringing them to Mueller.

An abandoned residence on his mail route also received the packages, which were then sold locally by Phillips and Mueller. Phillips was under supervision for a prior battery conviction at the time.

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Wisconsin woman convicted of 20 healthcare-fraud related charges while running prenatal care company

Phillips was sentenced to six years in prison with four years of supervised release, as Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson cited the serious nature of the crime. Stevens was sentenced to about 366 days in prison with three years of supervised release.

Basham and Mueller both pleaded guilty and face sentencing in the near future.

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 closed last week navigating with declining approval ratings in most polls as he advances controversial immigration proposals and faces high-stakes diplomacy abroad.

On Friday, Trump met with Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House in a session that drew attention for the friendliness it sparked between the democratic socialist political mayor and the MAGA president. The meeting focused on issues like affordability, federal funds, infrastructure projects and Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the city.

On immigration, the Trump administration has begun referring to immigration judges as "deportation judges" in a recruitment push to hire more officials to carry out the president's mass deportation campaign. The online rebranding was present on the website of the Justice Department and in an X post from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

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Internationally, Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had until Nov. 27 to approve a 28-point Russia-Ukraine peace plan to end the war. The current draft calls on Ukraine to cede territory, accept limits on its military and renounce ambitions to join NATO. Ukrainian, American and European officials gathered in Geneva on Nov. 23 to discuss the plan presented by Washington after Kyiv and its allies voiced alarm over what they saw as major concessions to the aggressor Russia.

Zelenskyy posted a video on X from the meeting in Geneva on Nov. 23 saying that while he was grateful for all the support, it was important to ensure that the steps taken to end the war are effective. On Nov. 22, however, Trump said his proposal for ending the war is not his final offer.

Here's what to know about Trump's approval rating, including how they are decided and how Trump's ratings compare with his first term and past presidents.

What is Donald Trump's approval rating?

Here are the latest approval ratings released about Trump's administration:

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How does Trump's approval rating compare with his 1st term?

Trump had a final approval rating of 34% when he left office in 2021. His approval average during his first term was 41%.

How does Trump's approval rating compare with past presidents?

Joe Biden - 40%

Donald Trump (first term) - 34%

Barack Obama - 59%

George W. Bush - 34%

Bill Clinton - 66%

George H.W. Bush - 56%

Ronald Reagan - 63%

Jimmy Carter - 34%

Gerald Ford - 53%

Richard Nixon - 24%

Are presidential approval ratings accurate?

Data agency Gallup notes that these approval ratings are a "simple measure, yet a very powerful one that has played a key role in politics for over 70 years."

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A presidents approval rating reflects the percentage of Americans polled who approve of the presidents performance. Anything can impact a president's rating, such as legislation passed, actions and elections.

According to ABC News, an approval rating doesn't just represent how well the administration is doing for the general public, but could determine the outcome of an upcoming election for a politician or how much they get done during their time in office.

While these ratings are easy to understand, Quorum says some analysts believe they are not as useful as they once were due to extreme partisanship and the polarized political climate.

Presidential approval ratings have always been partisan, with members of the presidents party offering more positive assessments than those in the opposing party, according to the Pew Research Center. But the differences between Republicans and Democrats on views of the president have grown substantially in recent decades.

USA TODAY Network reporter Maria Francis contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Donald Trump's approval rating: See the latest polls
Boston 25 News is diving deep into one of Massachusetts most closely watched murder trials with the launch of the Brian Walshe Trial Podcast, hosted by veteran crime reporter Bob Ward and Boston criminal defense attorney Elyse Hershon.

Ward has covered the Walshe case from the very beginning, starting in January 2023 when Massachusetts State Police searched for Ana Walshe in Cohasset. Now, as opening statements and the first witnesses are set for Monday, Dec. 1, Ward and Hershon will break down the courtroom drama each week.

Hershon brings more than a decade of experience in criminal defense, including co-counsel in 17 murder cases. Together, the pair will analyze the strengths and weaknesses of both sides, offering listeners insight into the legal strategies at play.

What to expect

Why Walshe pleaded guilty to misleading police and illegal disposal of Ana Walshes bodybut not to murder.

Defense strategy: Will jurors hear about Walshes notorious internet searches?

Could Walshe testify? And what would that mean for the trial?

Impact of Michael Proctor: The former State Police trooper involved in the Karen Read case is listed as a defense witness.

Whats at stake: If convicted of first-degree murder, Walshe faces life without parole. Second-degree could mean parole eligibility.

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Ward and Hershon will also explore whether a plea deal is possible and what both sides risk after the high-profile Karen Read trial.

Its a fascinating case, Ward said. Well be here every week to break it down.

The first episode dropped on Wednesday afternoon on the Boston 25 News YouTube channel. Follow Boston 25 News for updates and subscribe to the podcast for weekly analysis.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Texas officials have updated identification requirements for vehicle registration and title transfers, ending a long-standing practice that allowed applicants to use foreign passports without proof of lawful presence  a change prompted by State Rep. Brian Harrison (RMidlothian), who previously raised concerns.

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) informed county tax offices on November 18 that residents must now present verifiable identification that confirms legal status in the United States, including a valid Texas drivers license, an unexpired U.S. passport, or a foreign passport containing a visa or Department of Homeland Security admission stamp.

The updated rules also specify that expired passports will no longer be accepted.

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Harrison publicly praised the policy shift, posting on X:

This is what WINNING looks like! You're welcome, Texas! Excerpts from @HoustonChron: Hundreds of thousands of Texans without legal status can no longer register or renew vehicle registrations after the state quietly tightened ID requirements The Texas Department of Motor pic.twitter.com/Pyc0tKi39g  Brian Harrison (@brianeharrison) November 25, 2025

He also shared excerpts from the Houston Chronicle, noting that hundreds of thousands of Texans without legal status can no longer register or renew vehicle registrations after the state quietly tightened ID requirements.

According to Harrison, the policy change followed a two-week public pressure campaign and a series of letters his office sent to the TxDMV Board Chair, Charles Bacarisse, and Gov. Greg Abbott. His office said it had independently verified reports earlier in November that undocumented immigrants were registering vehicles in Texas.

Harrison explained that the previous system endangers drivers on Texas roads by allowing registrations without lawful-presence checks.

They were accepting any passport, not just an American passport, any passports as well as drivers licenses from other states that acknowledge that they are issuing drivers licenses to illegal aliens, so I was just gobsmacked, Harrison said.

Harrison called the new policy the single most consequential election integrity or border security measure that happened this year.

Im tired of the Texas government facilitating illegal immigration, and thats what has been happening for a lot of years now, he said.

TxDMV has not confirmed whether Harrisons campaign directly influenced its decision.

How the Loophole Emerged

Under prior TxDMV practice, applicants could register or title a vehicle using a foreign passport, even if the holder could not legally obtain a Texas drivers license. Vehicle registration and licensing are separate processes under Texas law.

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In early November, Harrison sent a letter citing Texas Transportation Code Section 502.040(b), which grants TxDMV discretion to determine acceptable forms of identification. He argued that this authority created a responsibility to verify lawful presence and requested clarification on what ID checks were being used.

On November 17, Harrison said TxDMV confirmed to his office that it had been issuing registrations to individuals without legal immigration status, explaining that immigration enforcement historically fell outside the agencys role.

Harrison then urged Abbott to direct his appointees on the TxDMV board to impose new requirements immediately.

New TxDMV Bulletin Sets Identification Standards

On November 18, TxDMV issued a statewide Registration and Title Bulletin outlining new mandatory ID rules. The bulletin, signed by Vehicle Titles and Registration Division Director Annette Quintero, requires applicants to show current, government-issued photo identification. Accepted documents include:

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Texas drivers license or state ID

Unexpired U.S. passport

Foreign passport only if it contains a valid U.S. visa or DHS admission stamp

U.S. military ID

Texas DPS handgun license

The bulletin does not reference immigration status, but the practical effect is that undocumented residents will no longer be able to register or renew vehicles.

Local Dealers Warn of Economic Impact

In Dallas Pleasant Grove area, auto seller Steve Banda said about 80% of his customers are undocumented and now will be unable to buy, register, or maintain ownership of their vehicles.

You can come up here with a little thousand dollars down, get you a car to get you to work, Banda said.

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He predicted widespread repossessions and said the change could force his business to close.

Theres a lot of accounts out there right now, so that means theres gonna be a lot of repossessions coming, and that means were gonna take a big hit, he explained. So if I cant collect a payment, Im gonna have to close my doors down.

Banda said mechanics, insurance agencies, and other businesses serving undocumented customers may also feel the effects.

Its gonna hurt, he said. Everybodys gonna be a trickle effect; youre talking about people not going to work; youre talking about people not being able to pay their rents, whos gonna fix their car if you cant register the car?

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Community groups in Dallas have scheduled a meeting for Wednesday to discuss the change with affected residents.

Broader Enforcement Context

The rule change follows a separate Texas Department of Public Safety announcement in September suspending certain commercial drivers licenses for non-citizens, including refugees, asylees, and DACA recipients, while reviewing federal compliance rules.

State lawmakers are expected to debate whether the new registration requirements should be codified in statute during the next legislative session.
Qatar and Ireland demanded that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) investigate Israel's use of chemical weapons in Gaza and the West Bank.

Qatar claimed that Israel is using chemical weapons in Gaza operations during its participation in the 30th Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention on Wednesday.

The conference has been held in The Hague, Netherlands.

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Qatar is the third member state to ask for an investigation of Israels actions in Gaza, which was also demanded by the Palestinian representatives and supported by Ireland.

Ireland is gravely concerned by reports from the State of Palestine of the use by Israel of riot

control agents as a method of warfare in the West Bank. We note the request of the State of

Palestine, that the Technical Secretariat monitor the situation and investigate the alleged use of chemical weapons, read the Irish statement.

"We are following with grave concern the continued deterioration of the humanitarian situation, particularly in the Gaza Strip, under the ongoing blockade and Israel's violation of the ceasefire," said Mutlaq bin Majid al Qahtani, ambassador of Qatar to the Netherlands.

Qatari ambassador to the Netherlands, Mutlaq Bin Majed al Qahtani. (credit: QATARI FOREIGN MINISTRY)

In this regard, Qatar condemned these Israeli practices, including its use of prohibited chemical weapons in its aggression against Gaza, noting the State of Qatars support for the request of the sisterly State of Palestine to investigate Israels use of such weapons.

Qatar gains influence at OPCW

Qatar also gained a diplomatic victory at the conference, as it was elected to serve as the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) presidency for the period 2026-2030.

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Qatar already showed capacity to influence in the OPCW, after it drafted a resolution back in July, which was suspended for an indefinite period the inspections on Syrian weapons depots suspected of holding chemical weapons.

In that instance, Qatar argued that the Israeli attacks on Syria were the catalyst behind the impossibility for a delegation to travel to the country and inspect the sites.

Anna Barsky contributed to this report.
North Hills is down one dining option after the recent closure of one of its fast-casual restaurants.

Six years after its opening, Masons Famous Lobster Rolls appears to have permanently shut the door of its Raleigh location.

Masons Famous Lobster Rolls was located at 4121 Main at North Hills St #100 in Raleigh.

The News & Observer has reached out to both the chain and North Hills communication teams for more information about the Raleigh locations closure.

The seafood joint  next to Bartaco near Fitness Connection and the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel in the shopping centers Main District  has been dishing out Maine lobster and shrimp rolls since 2019.

Masons Famous Lobster Rolls, a Maryland-based restaurant company that sources its lobsters from Maine, will open in Raleighs North Hills development this year.

The chain, which opened in 2014, has dozens of restaurants across the country. The North Hills location marked the very first in North Carolina.

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Now, the empty corner spot has been stripped of its signage and is no longer listed on the chains website.

Masons Famous Lobster Rolls was located at 4121 Main at North Hills St #100 in Raleigh.

Masons Famous Lobster Rolls Cary location in Waverly Place is still open. Lobster rolls begin at $23 each, according to the locations online menu.

Live roaches & flies, uncovered food. Latest Triangle restaurant inspections

A new Italian spot serving pizza & paninis is open in downtown Raleigh
During the UKs Autumn Budget, Rachel Reeves has unveiled further technology investments for the UKs National Health Service (NHS) and, separately, the establishment of 250 neighbourhood healthcare centres.

Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer for the UKs Labour Government, took centre stage on 26 November to deliver the budget in the House of Commons.

Addressing healthcare-related intents in the budget, Reeves said the government plans to deliver 100 of 250 new community health centres by 2030. Rollout for the centres will begin in some of the nations most deprived areas, including Birmingham and Truro, Cornwall.

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Reeves told MPs that the health centres will help people receive treatment outside of hospitals and get better, faster care where they live.

The plans echo part of the governments 10-year plan to shift the NHS towards becoming more of a community-centric care service. Under the initiative, the centres will bring together GPs, nurses, dentists and pharmacists under a single roof in community settings, with the goal to cut waiting times and reduce strain on hospitals.

Orlando Agrippa, CEO of health tech company Sanius Health, praised the governments plans, calling them a transformative step for patient care and health equity and to make it so that patients would be less burdened by having to organise their lives around the NHS.

This isnt just a stopgap for backlog, it could be a real moment for equitable, tech-enabled, community-led care, Agrippa said.

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Kat James, managing director of NHS telemedicine company Consult Connect, called the community health centre plans bold and overdue.

She said: "We already work with half the NHS, and we see every day that if you connect community and hospital teams early for virtual advice, community clinicians identify the correct pathway first time -- and for over 70% of those cases it means they stay in the neighbourhood. Hospital becomes the last resort -- not the first option."

On the pharmaceutical side, the cost of prescriptions will be frozen for a year from April 2026. The government said this will help maintain patient access to medicines.

The day had got off to bad start for the UK government. Ahead of Reeves announcement, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch picked her moment to scold Prime Minister Keir Starmers government after the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) inadvertently leaked details of the budget ahead of its announcement.

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Outside of healthcare-related items in the budget, Reeves outlined plans to raise the minimum wage and scrap the two-child benefit cap.

Focus on making the UK more attractive for business

The chancellor acknowledged that outdated limits on venture investment tax incentives and employee share option schemes had been restricting the growth of UK life science companies. Therefore, the government is extending the venture investment tax incentives, introducing UK listings relief, a three year exemption from stamp duty, and reserve tax for companies who choose to list their companies in Britain.

On these plans, Reeves struck a bullish tone around the Labour Partys intentions to champion innovation, not stifle it, telling MPs that Labours vision was to make Britain a leading destination for businesses to startup, scaleup, and stay.

The UK BioIndustry Association (BIA) welcomed Reeves plans.

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"BIA has long argued that outdated limits on venture investment tax incentives and employee share options are holding back the scale-up of life science companies, so we are delighted that the Chancellor has chosen to extend these today, said Jane Wall, the BIAs managing director.

However, Wall also said the BIA was very concerned about increases to business rates on expensive workspaces. She claimed that life science companies would be unfairly and disproportionately affected, due to their inherent need for expensive laboratory facilities alongside office space.

The Chancellor and this government have consistently highlighted life sciences and biotech as a key economic opportunity for the UK, yet domestic and global headwinds continue to create significant challenges and uncertainty for the sector, Wall continued.

The budgets healthcare omissions

Beyond the positive reception for the healthcare aims touted by Reeves, some observers were left disheartened by areas not given due consideration in the chancellors budget.

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Reeves also promised that 4.9bn ($6.4bn), which would be saved due to a range of efficiencies in the budget, would be spent on GP appointments, staff. A 300m ($396.8m) allocation towards technology for improving patient services was also earmarked.

However, according to Gerard Hanratty, head of health and life sciences at UK&I law firm Browne Jacobson, while the Chancellor faces tough decisions between plugging funding shortfalls and implementing efficiency cuts in every budget, the country must find a way of helping the NHS with its own self-care.

He explained: Between these binary choices is an opportunity missed to leverage the global reputation, infrastructure and expertise of the NHS to attract inward investment that can help secure its long-term sustainability and integrate innovation  while remaining true to its founding principles.

Health software company Camascopes CEO, Kehan Zhou, expressed disappointment that more attention was not given to adult social care, and highlighted that providers are increasingly forced to do more with less.

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Technology can help. Digitising medication records alone can safeguard patients and free up time for clinicians to deliver more personal care, while reducing costly errors. But we need to go further, Zhou said.

Social care needn't be the problem child of the health system. With the right focus and incentives, it can be a major source of opportunity and a driver of economic growth."

"Reeves Autumn Budget targets community health centres and NHS tech outlay" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has pointed to AI training as an example of the company becoming a "platform for work." Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Concordia Annual Summit

Uber told some AI contractors on Monday that their services are no longer needed.

Uber had recruited the workers to train AI under "Project Sandbox."

In an email, Uber told workers that its client "communicated a change in their internal priorities."

Uber has told some of its gig workers focused on AI training that it no longer needs them two months before their stint was supposed to end, Business Insider has learned.

The workers are part of Project Sandbox, Uber's name for the AI training work it carries out for Google. The project represents an early effort by Uber to develop AI tools for other companies under its AI Solutions division.

About a dozen contractors were involved in the project, two workers told Business Insider, though it wasn't immediately clear how many were cut.

"The client has recently communicated a change in their internal priorities, which directly affects ongoing work on this program," Uber emailed the affected contractors on Monday.

It added that Uber is "committed to keeping you in our network and will reach out with any upcoming opportunities where your profile is a strong fit."

Google was Uber's client for the AI training work, according to three workers who spoke to Business Insider for this story. Google did not respond to requests for comment.

The workers who spoke to Business Insider had advanced degrees, such as PhDs, or work experience that could be relevant to AI training. They said they joined Project Sandbox earlier this fall after Uber told them that they could expect at least three months of work.

An Uber spokesperson declined to comment.

Uber has spent years building its ride-hailing and delivery businesses, both of which posted double-digit percentage increases in gross bookings for the third quarter of this year. Uber's stock is up about 39% so far in 2025.

The company's AI-training arm, meanwhile, appears to be just getting started.

Last month, the company said it would pilot its Digital Tasks program in the US, which allows gig workers, including those who already drive or deliver for Uber, to complete tasks that train AI.

Some of the work requires PhDs, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said during the company's earnings call earlier this month. The gigs show that Uber is expanding beyond driving and delivery to become a broader "platform for work," Khosrowshahi said.

One Project Sandbox worker who received Monday's email told Business Insider that a staffing agency sent a cold email about the gig earlier this fall. After an assessment, they were cleared to join Sandbox for a minimum of three months, according to another email.
NEED TO KNOW

Devon Dobek was reported missing on Oct. 31, after he failed to return home from his hunting trip in Oregon's Mount Hood National Forest

On Nov. 7, authorities with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office said they were halting major search and rescue efforts

The sheriffs office confirmed on Nov. 25 that the remains found in the forest belonged to Dobek

Remains found this month belonged to a hunter who went missing in Mount Hood National Forest after he messaged a friend about heading back early from his trip, officials said.

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office said in a Tuesday, Nov. 25, news release that the medical examiners office confirmed that the remains recovered from the forest were those of Devon Christopher Dobek, 51, of Hubbard, Ore. His death was ruled accidental, authorities said.

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Dobek was reported missing on Oct. 31, after he failed to return home from his hunting trip in the forest.

"The missing hunter, 51-year-old Devon Dobek of Hubbard, was due to return from his hunting trip late Friday night but had messaged a friend that he was returning early after getting a deer," officials previously said.

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office/Facebook Authorities were searching for Devon Dobek, who was reported missing on Oct. 31, 2025 Authorities were searching for Devon Dobek, who was reported missing on Oct. 31, 2025

Deputies located Mr. Dobeks truck near the Fish Creek Trailhead, off SE Hwy 224 and 54 Rd., but there was no sign of a deer or of Mr. Dobek, whom friends describe as an experienced hunter equipped with appropriate gear, according to the sheriffs office.

Later that evening, searchers began scouring the area. Gunshots presumed to be from Dobek were heard at one point, but searchers could not determine their location.

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Then on Nov. 7, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office announced it had suspended large-scale search and rescue efforts for Dobek.

The large-scale search efforts were active from Friday, October 31, through Friday, November 7, the sheriffs office said. Additional searches may resume if new information or evidence is discovered."

The sheriffs office said at the time that the weeklong search involved over 4,000 personnel hours by volunteers looking in the area where the hunters truck was discovered near the Fish Creek Trailhead. Among the resources employed included ground teams, helicopters, drones, airplanes, K-9 units and ATVs.

The search area had minimal to no cell service and included steep terrain, some of it damaged by the 2020 wildfires, officials added.

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office/Facebook Searchers looking for Devon Dobek, who's body was eventually found on Nov. 15 Searchers looking for Devon Dobek, who's body was eventually found on Nov. 15

Then, on Nov. 15, the sheriffs office was alerted that a body had been spotted in the forest, particularly in a difficult-to-reach location near the Fish Creek Trailhead.

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"Community members, family, and friends of missing hunter Devon Dobek were searching the area when they saw what appeared to be a body at the base of a [400-foot] cliff and notified the Sheriffs Office, authorities said in the update.

The following day, rope teams and a deputy were able to reach what they believed at the time was Dobek, and the remains were recovered, according to the sheriffs office.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

"Our thoughts are with Devons family and friends at this difficult time, authorities said on Tuesday.



Read the original article on People
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., seemingly made light of President Donald Trump repeatedly branding the maverick Republican congressman a "Rand Paul Jr."

"In case you were wondering after five posts in ten days I am NOT paying any rent to live there," Massie wrote in a post on X that contained screenshots of multiple Truth Social posts in which Trump referred to the congressman as "Rand Paul Jr.," a reference to the Republican U.S. senator from Kentucky.

Massie added the face with tears of joy emoji and joked, "BTW, the name is Ron Paul, Jr.  Rand and I were mixed up at the hospital."

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Patriot Or Pathetic Rino? Maverick Republican Thomas Massie Trades America First Label For America Only

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., leaves to speak with the media after the House voted 427-1 to approve the Epstein Files Transparency Act and the release of documents and files at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., a Massie ally who has said he will help the congressman win re-election, is the son of former Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas.

Massie made the quip hours after Trump re-issued a broadside targeting both Massie and Paul. It was the same attack Trump made in a Truth Social post last month targeting the two lawmakers.

Read On The Fox News App

Trump Claims Gop Has Never Been So United, Calls Greene And Other Republicans Lowlifes

Sen. Rand Paul, M.D., R-Ky., and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., answer questions and share stories during the Towing Industry and Mason County Forum held at Parc Cafe in Maysville, Kentucky, on Sept. 24, 2025.

"Whatever happened to Senator Rand Paul? He was never great, but he went really BAD! I got him elected, TWICE (in the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky!), but he just never votes positively for the Republican Party," Trump declared in the post.

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"Hes a nasty liddle guy, much like Congressman Thomas Massie, aka Rand Paul Jr., also of Kentucky (which I won three times, in massive landslides!), a sick Wacko, who refuses to vote for our great Republican Party, MAGA, or America First. Its really weird!!!" Trump added.

Trump Orders Epstein Files Release, Welcomes Mamdani, Crown Prince To White House In Busy Week

President Donald Trump arrives on the South Lawn of the White House on Nov. 22, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

Massie has served in the House of Representatives since late 2012, but Trump is backing primary challenger Ed Gallrein.





Original article source: Rep Thomas Massie jokes amid incoming fire from President Trump
The White House's silence on how its health care plan deals with abortion is causing a headache for Republicans on Capitol Hill.

For many GOP members, an expansion of abortion restrictions in Obamacare is a must-have. But the White Houses decision to leave the issue out of its tentative framework caught Republicans off guard, leaving them in the dark about whether the president would ultimately stake out a position publicly, according to two aides granted anonymity to disclose private discussions.

The fight over the Hyde amendment, which bars federal funding for abortion, is just one of many landmines that need to be cleared before any health care deal to extend expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies can be reached. It also comes on top of GOP backlash to other aspects of the White Houses health policy framework that leaked Sunday.

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No Republican has voted for Obamacare or an Obamacare extension or expansion, said a senior Senate Republican aide, granted anonymity to speak candidly. Asking members to do that and not including Hyde would be impossible for many.

The White House did not respond to requests for comment on the presidents stance.

The proposal the administration had planned to roll out this week consisted of a two-year extension of the ACAs enhanced subsidies with new limitations favored by conservatives, such as a cutoff for people with higher incomes and a requirement that everyone pay a minimum monthly premium. But the White House gave no indication of whether it endorsed GOP lawmakers demand to also prohibit any insurance plan that receives a federal subsidy from covering abortion services.

Gavin Oxley, a spokesperson with Americans United for Life, said it would be helpful for the White House to publicly lay out its position on the Hyde question to give lawmakers an idea of how to proceed.

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Not weighing in now, or proceeding with a plan without abortion restrictions, would ultimately fracture the wide-reaching coalition that got President Trump re-elected, Oxley said.

We believe the Administration and pro-life leaders in Congress will come to the table in good faith with a plan that includes Hyde, he continued. But should it not, we will be prepared to reject such a plan.

House and Senate Republicans, as well as dozens of anti-abortion groups that have spent months lobbying Congress and the White House, oppose any extension of the subsidies that doesnt bar all insurance plans in the individual market from covering abortion. One of the people granted anonymity to speak candidly said that including the abortion funding restrictions was a red line" for a broad swath of Republicans.

We dont have any details on this plan, but Senator Young supports Hyde protections and believes they should apply to any taxpayer funded health care spending, said Leah Selk, spokesperson for Republican Sen. Todd Young of Indiana.

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The hard line for Republicans creates a narrow window for bipartisan agreement, if any, before the end of the year, when the subsidies are set to expire and cause premiums to skyrocket. Democrats, whose votes are needed to clear the filibuster in the Senate to advance most legislation, have declared that abortion restrictions would be a non-starter in ongoing negotiations.

Instead of working with Democrats to fix the health care crisis they created, Republicans now want to hold womens health care hostage and force their radical agenda on the American people, said Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the top Democrat on the Finance Committee that has jurisdiction over much of the sprawling U.S. health system, in a recent floor speech. I have one thing to say to that: not on my watch.

Likely cognizant of this political reality, the White Houses decision to sidestep the abortion question was intended to allow the administration to avoid drawing attention to an issue that could have immediately jeopardized the plans viability, said a Republican aide with knowledge of the discussions  even if its silence has actually had the opposite effect.

Look, it's no secret that this administration is not rushing to put a lot of political capital on the issue of abortion if they can avoid it, said Patrick Brown, a fellow with the conservative think tank Ethics and Public Policy Center, which has been part of the roiling debate over abortion restrictions in Obamacare. It's not something I think they have any interest in highlighting.

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The abortion standoff is just one of many factors complicating a proposed deal to extend insurance subsidies. Deep divisions remain around who should qualify for such subsidies, how generous they should be, and what kind of health services are covered.

Any agreement would need Trump's blessing, giving Republicans political cover to vote for an extension of the health reform law they have raged against for more than a decade. But given this difficult landscape, conservative lobbyists are skeptical that passage is possible even if Trump endorsed abortion restrictions. Those in close contact with lawmakers say its unlikely an extension of the subsidies could win 60 votes in the Senate  or even 50.

It'd be very difficult, even if they do it through reconciliation, said Tom McClusky, the director of government affairs for Catholic Vote. On the subsidies alone, I think you have a large enough contingent on the Republican side that don't want them renewed at all  regardless of if you can somehow miraculously figure out the protections of Hyde.

Since its inception more than a decade ago, the Affordable Care Act has barred federal subsidies from paying for abortions, but left it up to states whether health insurance plans in the individual market could cover abortion using other funding.

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Half of states have opted to ban all coverage of abortion on their Obamacare markets, including some where abortion itself is legal, like Pennsylvania and Arizona. In the remaining 25 states, abortion coverage through Obamacare is either allowed or required, though any claims paid out involving the termination of a pregnancy come from a separate account that doesnt use any federal subsidies.

If Congress passes an Obamacare subsidy extension that includes the abortion restrictions conservatives are demanding, it would force roughly a dozen states where abortion coverage is mandatory to make a tough decision: change their laws or risk losing billions of dollars. In the states where abortion coverage is allowed but not required, it would be up to individual insurance plans whether to lose federal funding or drop abortion coverage.

After nearly a year of the Trump administration clawing power away from Capitol Hill and dictating everything from spending to military action, some anti-abortion advocates are baffled by the lack of a firm message on how the Hyde amendments ban on abortion funding applies to Obamacare.

Its in tension with this administration's broader approach to dealing with Congress, which has been very heavy handed  sort of, We are calling the shots. Sit back and let us drive, said Brown. But it would be their preference to sit in the back seat on that issue specifically.

Benjamin Guggenheim contributed to this report.
A study conducted by University of Portsmouth researchers focused on donkey feces, but it yielded findings with far broader implications for the environment and human health.

What's happening?

Although fecal samples collected from donkeys and cattle were an integral part of the research, its actual focus was plastic pollution. Specifically, researchers sought insight into the widespread problem of microplastics, defined as plastic debris measuring five millimeters or less.

As the authors noted, research into microplastics and animals tends to center on marine wildlife; when microplastics were first identified in 2004, it was by a marine biologist.

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"Whilst the widespread negative impacts of plastic pollution on marine species are well researched and undisputed, the impacts of plastic pollution on terrestrial species are widely understudied," researchers wrote, citing "a critical evidence gap that needs to be filled."

In collaboration with organizations such as The Donkey Sanctuary, researchers zeroed in on the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lamu Island  off the coast of Kenya  where cars are banned and "working donkeys" are integral to daily life.

Researchers first observed the animals, a quarter of which were cattle and the remainder were donkeys, as they grazed. Later, they collected over three dozen fecal samples and analyzed them for plastic particulate matter.

Worryingly, 100% of cattle and donkey fecal samples collected contained microplastics.

Why is this concerning?

Throughout the newly published study, authors repeatedly acknowledged an abundance of research on marine microplastics, coupled with a dearth of land-based data.

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Microplastics are still considered an emerging health threat. Scientists are continuing to work to pinpoint their prevalence in the environment and their impact on wildlife and human health.

Existing research has shown that microplastics have pervaded every corner of the planet, appearing in places humans rarely visit or can't reach.

Microplastics have been linked with a number of adverse human health outcomes, including increased risk of heart attack, vascular damage, and some cancers.

According to Phys.org, Dr. Obadiah Sing'Oei, The Donkey Sanctuary's program manager, recalled witnessing the "terrible  and preventable  suffering caused to donkeys who have ingested plastics" at the clinic in Lamu Island and described the findings as both validation and a call to action.

What's being done about it?

"This study provides hard evidence of the true scale of the problem and its widespread impact. Together with our partners, we will not rest until we have a joined-up solution to create a safer environment for all," Sing'Oei vowed.

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Tackling the pressing problem of microplastics at a global scale takes time, but individuals can limit their household's direct exposure to this ubiquitous health risk.

Small changes, such as using less plastic and swapping your most-used items for plastic-free alternatives, can make a big difference.



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.
PARIS (AP)  The leaders of a pro-Russia group in France behind a poster campaign declaring Russia is not my enemy have been taken into custody and are being held on suspicion of intelligence-gathering for a foreign power.

The SOS Donbass group confirmed the arrest of its founder, Anna Novikova, in a Telegram post. The group's president, Vincent Perfetti, is also facing charges, his lawyer said. The Paris prosecutor's office identified them on Wednesday only as Anna N. and Vincent P., saying that both are in detention.

The breakup of the alleged intelligence-gathering operation came as French President Emmanuel Macron warned about Russian destabilization efforts targeting France, a key backer of Ukraine in the nearly four-year war.

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Macron said this week that Russia is waging hybrid wars against Europe, including by employing proxies.

It pays people, mercenaries. It has pushed people to carry out destabilization activities in our countries, he said.

In videos posted by SOS Donbass, Novikova and Perfetti have both promoted posters that are downloadable on the group's website and which show a handshake in the Russian colors and the words, Russia is not my enemy.

The prosecutors office said that the pair face preliminary charges of criminal conspiracy, intelligence contacts with a foreign power and gathering information for a foreign power  crimes each punishable by up to 10 years in prison as well as large fines. It didn't name the foreign power.

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In a text message to The Associated Press, Perfetti's lawyer called the accusations absurd and a worrying shift toward the criminalization of pro-Russian opinions.

This isn't an espionage case, said the lawyer, David Bocobza. It's a case of poster-stickers.

The SOS Donbass website says Novikova founded the group in 2022 after visiting the Donbas, the name that Russians use for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine that Moscow's forces have largely occupied.

The organization describes itself as a humanitarian nongovernmental organization that collects funds and distributes aid to Donbas residents who have been bombarded by the Ukrainian army with NATO weapons. It also says that it wants to build a bridge of peace between Europe and Russia.

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According to the Paris prosecutor's office, Novikova is a 40-year-old French-Russian national who was born in Russia. It said the General Directorate of Internal Security, or DGSI, Frances domestic secret service that specializes in counterespionage, has been investigating her activities.

She is suspected of having approached executives from various French companies in order to obtain information related to French economic interests, the prosecutors office said in a statement.

SOS Donbass said Novikova was arrested in Paris last week.

According to the Paris prosecutors office, two other men were also taken into custody. It identified them as Vyacheslav P. and Bernard F.

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It said Vyacheslav P. is a 40-year-old Russian who is alleged to have fixed pro-Russia posters onto the Arc de Triomphe in September. The posters showed a Russian soldier and the words say thank you to the victorious" Soviet soldier.

Vyacheslav P. faces preliminary charges of criminal conspiracy and property damage to serve a foreign power.

He remains in detention, was identified in video footage as being the person who stuck posters on the Paris landmark, and had contacts by phone with Novikova, according to the prosecutors office.

Preliminary charges of criminal conspiracy and intelligence contacts with a foreign power have been filed against Bernard F., a 58-year-old French national who isn't in detention, but is barred from leaving France and must report weekly to authorities.

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French government, intelligence and military officials say Russia has increasingly been targeting France with cyberattacks, disinformation and other destabilization efforts  tactics also employed against other countries backing Ukraine.

Mapping by the AP of the disruption campaign has documented dozens of incidents across Europe since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.
BRUSSELS (AP)  Money is as central to Europe's vital support of Ukraine as ammunition and intelligence. Yet, the bloc's most viable funding mechanism involves seizing billions of dollars worth of Russian assets that U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed taking over.

The first draft of Trump's 28-point peace plan called for an investment scheme for Ukraine's reconstruction controlled by the U.S. but financed by $100 billion in frozen Russian assets matched by another $100 billion from the European Union  with 50% of profits sent back to Washington.

The plan surprised Europeans, who have spent years fiercely debating the fate of Russia's frozen fortune.

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Those funds are central to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's plan to both maintain pressure on Russia and increase support for Ukraine as mysterious drone incursions and sabotage operations rattle European capitals.

I cannot see any scenario in which the European taxpayers alone will pay the bill, she said Wednesday in Strasbourg, France to applause from lawmakers in the European Parliament.

The 27-nation EU has sent Ukraine almost $197 billion since Russia invaded Ukraine nearly four years ago. While there's no consensus on how to provide more aid, there's near unanimity on seizing the Russian assets to cover the estimated $153 billion for Ukraines budget and military needs for 2026 and 2027.

The Commission has proposed paying that bill with joint debt taken on by the EU and grants by individual nations, but its main source is the $225 billion assets frozen at Euroclear, a Brussels-based financial institution.

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That is, if the Trump administration doesn't get them first.

Perks of the deal

Trump's brash negotiating style left many in Europe suspecting he wants a quick deal that forces Europeans to make it work and pay for it. All while the U.S. profits.

Analysts say the proposal was essentially a U.S. attempt to snatch these assets, coming as Brussels and Washington relaunch trade negotiations over tariffs.

Agathe Demarais, a senior fellow at the Berlin-based European Council on Foreign Relations, said the proposal was akin to a "signing bonus" for a peace deal heavily slanted towards Russia.

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Fabian Zuleeg, chief executive of the Brussels-based European Policy Centre, called the U.S. takeover of the assets outrageous, but suggested it might also be acceptable to Europeans if that is ultimately the price to pay for a good deal.

After intense discussions between the U.S., Germany, France, the United Kingdom and representatives from the European Commission, the investment scheme was removed from the new draft peace plan. Russia has already signaled its total rejection of the new draft.

The assets frozen in Belgium

A quick seizure of Russia's frozen assets by the EU would not only secure Ukraine's defense budget, but also empower Brussels at the negotiation table, Demarais said.

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If the EU rushes to seize Russias central bank assets before Washington grabs them, the bloc may be able to drastically curb Trumps interest in a bad deal," she said.

The European Commission has proposed taking direct ownership of the assets. Under von der Leyen's leadership, it could then issue a loan to Ukraine, which would be repaid only if Moscow provides war reparations to Kyiv.

The bulk of these assets are held in a clearinghouse called Euroclear in Belgium. However, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has refused to approve their use as collateral for a massive loan for Ukraine, citing fears that Russia would retaliate against Belgian interests.

We are a small country, and retaliation could be very hard," De Wever said in October.

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Yet the Belgian position on thawing the assets was influenced by an impasse in local politics over deep federal debt. After months of domestic political wrangling ended last week in a deal, politicians from Riga to Lisbon started hoping that De Wever would be able to lift his objections to seizing Russian assets.

Sweden's Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said after the Brussels meeting on Wednesday that the clock is ticking" and that seizing the assets was the only realistic financing option that would make a real difference and one that would be most fair to taxpayers" in Europe.

Kaja Kallas, the EUs top diplomat said Wednesday there is now broad EU support for Belgium.

It would send the strongest message to Moscow that it cannot wait us out, and we need to make this decision fast, said Kallas.

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On Dec. 18, De Wever will join the other EU national leaders for a summit in Brussels over, among other subjects, seizing the Russian assets.

____

Associated Press writers Geir Moulson and Kirsten Grieshaber contributed from Berlin.
An El Paso man was sentenced to four years in federal prison after being convicted of kidnapping his ex-girlfriend and threatening to shoot her in the New Mexico desert in Chaparral.

Leland Alexander Drumheller, 20, a Northeast resident, was sentenced on Monday, Nov. 24, after pleading guilty in U.S. District Court in El Paso to a federal kidnapping case that crossed state lines from Texas to New Mexico, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas said.

Crime: 2 El Paso men accused of kidnapping women in Montana Vista, East Side

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After he completes his term in prison, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone ordered that Drumheller be on supervised release for five years, court documents stated.

A criminal complaint filed by an FBI special agent stated that Drumheller's ex-girlfriend feared for her life during the abduction with her describing Drumheller as "scary" with "a history of extreme rage" and having been seen with a handgun in the past.

Kidnapped El Paso woman taken to New Mexico desert

The kidnapping occurred on Jan. 20 after Drumheller sent a text message to his ex-girlfriend asking her to return his sweatshirt. They met inside his vehicle in front of her apartment, the complaint stated.

During the meeting, "Drumheller became enraged" and grabbed the woman to keep her from exiting his vehicle as he drove off toward Chaparral, a U.S. Attorney's Office news release stated.

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More: Convicted 'Desert Killer' David Wood death penalty case paused pending appeals ruling

During stops on at least three traffic lights, the woman tried to escape, but Drumheller grabbed her hair and sweatshirt to keep her inside the vehicle, the complaint stated.

At one point, the woman received a phone call from her boyfriend, whom she told to call the cops" before Drumheller threw her phone out of the vehicle as he drove into the desert in Chaparral, the complaint stated.

An El Paso man was sentenced to four years in federal prison for kidnapping his ex-girlfriend and taking her into the desert in Chaparral, New Mexico. File image of police lights.

In the desert, Drumheller told the woman to get out of the vehicle, ordered her to get on her knees and placed his cell phone to the back of her head, making her believe it was a gun, the complaint stated.

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"If you play me again, it'll get worse," Drumheller told her, threatening to shoot her if she followed him. He then got in his vehicle and drove away, leaving her in the desert, the complaint stated.

Archives: Chalk, love and kindness: Messages raise awareness of teen dating violence in El Paso

Drumheller was arrested on the kidnapping charge on Feb. 3 following an investigation by the FBI and the El Paso Police Department.

El Paso County court records show Drumheller also has drug-related charges pending in a December 2024 case.

If you are in an abusive relationship or need someone to talk to, call the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence 24-Hour Crisis Hopeline at 915-593-7300 or 1-800-727-0511. For more information visit casfv.org and loveisrespect.org

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Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com and @BorundaDaniel on X.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso man sentenced in Texas-New Mexico kidnapping of woman
It's a wire fraud scam with a twist -- and it could happen to anyone.

In this case, it all started with a hijacked phone number that led to tens of thousands of dollars wired out of a woman's bank account.

How it happened

Eighty-six-year-old Joann returned home from the hospital when she noticed her landline telephone wasn't working. Her son Steve tried calling AT&T to report the problem.

"They said, 'Oh you know, there was a breach and we think your phone number from your landline was stolen!'" Steve said. "So that was really weird.'"

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Steve says AT&T gave Joann a new number.

The next month, Joann got a letter from Wells Fargo's Fraud Detection Division indicating there was "unusual activity" on her savings account. That same day, she called the bank and was told to come in.

Upon arriving, she was shocked.

MORE: Bay Area widower lured to fake romance, loses $1 million in 'wrong number' crypto scam

"There was approximately $25,000 that had been wired out of her account," Steve said. "At first we didn't know how the money was taken out."

Weeks after her phone number was hijacked, this happens. An odd coincidence? Maybe.

But how would stealing a phone number be enough to commit wire fraud?

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"Well, apparently whoever stole this number then had it converted to a cellphone to another carrier," he said.

Steve says an investigation found the hackers stole more than just Joann's AT&T phone number. The account was still registered in her late husband's name. According to the investigation, hackers used his father's identity and paired it with the stolen number to gain access online to a joint Wells Fargo bank account in his parents' name.

"It was too easy for this to happen," Steve said. "The failure from Wells Fargo... that they allowed the money to be taken out."

MORE: Coinme fined $300,000, ordered to reimburse Bay Area crypto kiosk scam victim $50,000

7 On Your Side asked Wells Fargo what security protocols are in place to prevent this from happening. We received the following statement: "We are pleased this matter was resolved through our ongoing collaboration with our customer. We had been working with our customer prior to being contacted by KGO-TV. We continually combat fraud to protect our customers. As part of this effort, it is very important for customers to keep their account information current and notify us of life changes, including the passing of an account holder or co-accountholder."

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Steve says he provided everything Wells Fargo asked for, including a death certificate verifying his father's passing in 2020. The bank removed his father's name from the account, and Steve helped his mom lock her credit.

Then came another problem.

"The big hurdle was they wanted a letter," recalled Steve.

Wells Fargo wanted a letter from AT&T confirming that Joann's number was stolen and ported to another company. But?

"You get into that customer service loop!" said Steve. He says he couldn't get a hold of anyone from AT&T!

MORE: eBay seller lists $10K shipping fee on $20 kitchen tool citing 'new tariffs on US imports'

"The biggest frustration is the lack of customer service from AT&T until we reached out to 7 On Your Side!" he said.

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After struggling for a month to sort this out, Steve says after 7 On Your Side got involved, he heard back from AT&T 15 minutes later. He sent their letter to Wells Fargo, and the bank agreed to refund Joann the $25,000.

Wells Fargo told us, "Once we were provided complete information to make a claim decision, we made our customer whole."

"7 On Your Side for me was like a lifesaver," Steve said. "I mean the door was locked to us and we weren't getting any further. 7 On Your Side was the key that opened that door up. And it was just amazing how quickly everything went in the right direction."

AT&T apologized to Steve and Joann for the delay and sent 7 On Your Side the following statement: "Fraudulent port outs are a form of theft committed by sophisticated criminals. We work closely with law enforcement, our industry and consumers to help prevent this type of crime."

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The latest data from the FBI shows financial scams targeting seniors caused more than $4.8 billion in losses in 2024 alone. That's a 43% increase from 2023.

Tips from Wells Fargo

Monitor accounts frequently:

Timely review all statements

Set up account alerts

Watch for irregular activity and report it immediately

Ensure there is a trusted delegate, beneficiary and/or co-signer listed on all the accounts that can also help monitor account activity

Enroll your account in online banking

Keep account information up to date

Add enhanced security options, such as two-step verification and mobile biometrics

Monitor your credit report

Take a look at more stories and videos by 7 On Your Side.

7OYS's consumer hotline is a free consumer mediation service for those in the San Francisco Bay Area. We assist individuals with consumer-related issues; we cannot assist on cases between businesses, or cases involving family law, criminal matters, landlord/tenant disputes, labor issues, or medical issues. Please review our FAQ here. As a part of our process in assisting you, it is necessary that we contact the company / agency you are writing about. If you do not wish us to contact them, please let us know right away, as it will affect our ability to work on your case. Due to the high volume of emails we receive, please allow 7 to 10 business days for a response.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live




NEED TO KNOW

A recent study reveals how many modern-day dog breeds still have traceable wolf DNA

U.S. scientists found that two-thirds of dog breeds have DNA evidence of recent wolf ancestry

While Chihuahuas contain wolf DNA, some large dog breeds, like Saint Bernards, do not

The tiny, fluffy Chihuahua shuffling past you on the street may be part wolf.

According to a new study led by scientists at the American Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, close to two-thirds of all dog breeds have a detectable amount of wolf DNA.

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This wolf ancestry revelation was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on Nov. 24.

"Altogether, the majority of dogs today have low, but detectable levels of postdomestication wolf ancestry that has shaped their evolution and conferred unique advantages to their survival in diverse human environments," reads the study's introduction.

Per CBS News, the wolf DNA detected in two-thirds of dogs during this study is not genetic material left from when dogs evolved from wolves over 20,000 years ago; instead, scientists have found it's likely DNA traces from when it was more common for wild wolves and domestic dogs to interbreed several thousand years ago.

Scientists embarked on the study to determine how much wolf DNA is present in modern-day dogs, since it is now rare for wolves and dogs to breed. Their research found that 64 percent of current dog breeds contain traceable wolf DNA from a few thousand years ago. Even Chihuahuas were revealed to be a little wolf, with the study finding that 0.2 percent of the breed's DNA traces back to wolves.



Getty A Saint Bernard dog A Saint Bernard dog

Dog breeds with the most wolf DNA include the Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore hound  which has roughly 5 percent wolf DNA  Salukis, and Afghan hounds. Of course, not all breeds were touched by wolf DNA. Saint Bernards tested negative for wolf DNA, suggesting modern-day Saint Bernards likely had recent ancestors with little contact with wolves.



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CBS reported that the study found Arctic sled dogs and hunting dogs were the dog breeds most likely to have wolf ancestry, while terriers and scent hounds were the least likely.



Getty A Saluki dog A Saluki dog

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The study's lead author, Audrey Lin, a Gerstner Postdoctoral Scholar in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology at the American Museum of Natural History, told Phys.org that the findings reveal "that dog genomes can 'tolerate' wolf DNA up to an unknown level and still remain the dogs we know and love."

"Most dogs are a little bit wolfy," she added.

Read the original article on People
Scientists have no problem using the word play to describe dogs who fetch sticks or cats batting around yarn. But with sharks, its a whole other ballgame.

A new study in the journal Applied Animal Behavioral Science describes sharks interacting with human toys in a way that resembles play, though the word play does not appear in the paper.

Video footage from the study shows sharks swimming through hoops, picking them up with their nose, and flicking the toys with their tails, and bumping or biting them. Like they do in the wild, they would also rush towards one toy and then abruptly change direction last second.

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But does this amount to sharks playing?

Study authors say that to claim that an interaction is play, the behavior needs to be contrasted with normal behavior, trigger a sense of reward in the brain of the animal, and happen when the animal is in a relaxed, unstressed context. Since the study didnt rigorously address those points, they understood why, according to them, journal reviewers told them to remove the word from their paper.

Still, that doesnt mean sharks cant play.

If you ask me casually, that's what we thought they were doing, says Patrick Sun, professor of ecology at Biola University and co-author of the study. We thought they were playing, and I think if we designed a more rigorous study we would prove that they're playing.

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(First-of-its-kind footage reveals 3 endangered sharks matingall at the same time)

A tank full of toys

Virtually nothing is known about play behavior in sharks. In general, on a behavioral level, most research still centers on predation, and only recently have we begun to learn more about mating. But we still know very little about sharks social behavior, communication, cognition, navigation, daily routines, and, of course, play, says Autumn Smith, a shark ecologist at Biola University in California, and lead author of the study.

To test the waters of potential shark play, Smith and her team conducted experiments at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro, California. There, the team worked on a tank where 13 individuals from four different species co-exist: horn sharks (Heterodontus francisci), swell sharks (Cephaloscyllium ventriosum), leopard sharks (Triakis semifasciata) and a California skate (Caliraja inornata).

Once a week, when the sharks and the skate got feed, the researchers would go to the aquarium and fill the tank with toys such as plastic squids, plastic rings and thin, heavy tubes that sink to the bottom of the tank. They would do that one hour before the staff started feeding the fish. Then, when it was feeding time, they removed all the toys from the tank. 30 minutes after the sharks and the skate finished eating, they would put the toys back in.

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During both sessions, the team recorded the animals in the tank interacting with the toys. They kept doing this procedure once a week for 12 weeks during 2022.

The observations revealed an unseen side of sharks. I was genuinely surprised how much interactions there were, says Smith.

During the first sessions, the sharks and the skate didnt interact much with toys, but as time went by, they became more and more interested.

Even within the species, there were personalities that started to develop, says Smith. Some individuals were more motivated to interact with the toys while others showed less interest.

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Some even seemed to be possessive with a specific toy and hang on top or under it. Among all species, leopard sharks were the ones that interacted more with the toys.

The sharks and the skate also interacted with toys more after feeding. This hints towards the idea that there is other motivations within them, a different cognitive basis that aren't hunger, says Smith. That's something that we're trying to figure out more about.

(Watch orcas team up to hunt great white sharks in rare video)

Play or not play? That is the question

But are these sharks playing?

Elisabetta Palagi, a comparative ethologist at the University of Pisa who wasnt involved in the research, thinks it's hard to say whether what the sharks were doing can be defined as play or if it's an exploratory behavior.

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Palagi also points out that, after some time, the shark motivation toward the toys seems to decrease. She thinks this points more toward an exploratory behavior where the sharks, after exploring the objects for some time and realizing they dont provide food or anything else, lose interest in them.

(Rare image of great white shark captured off the coast of Maine)

When you are dealing with species so different from us, whose behavior is often difficult to understand and is understudied, it is better to maintain "a more cautious approach," says Palagi, adding that a longer observation might have revealed something more about the behavior.

I wouldn't say necessarily that they have shown this is playing but I do think it raises some interesting questions about, potentially, is that what's going on? says Yannis Papastamatiou, a predator ecologist at Florida International University who wasnt involved in the study. I would say cautiously that there's a lot we don't understand about these animals, adds Papastamatiou.
The UK government has confirmed that Heathrow Airport Limiteds (HAL) 49bn ($64.39bn) expansion plans will serve as the basis for moving forward with a third runway at the airport.

HAL outlined the scheme earlier in the year. These plans comprise 21bn for a new runway and airfield infrastructure, 12bn for constructing new terminal and stand capacity, and 15bn for upgrading existing airport facilities.

The announcement was made by the UK's transport secretary Heidi Alexander following an assessment of submissions from remaining promoters.

Alexander said: Heathrow is our only hub airport which supports trade, tourism and hundreds of thousands of jobs, underpinning prosperity not only in the South East [England] but across the UK.

Today is another important step to enable a third runway and build on these benefits, setting the direction for the remainder of our work to get the policy framework in place for airport expansion. This will allow a decision on a third runway plan this parliament which meets our key tests including on the environment and economic growth.

With this decision, alternative proposals from The Arora Group/Heathrow West Limited (HWL) for the site will not proceed.

The assessment has helped identify HAL's plan as the most viable for enabling a planning decision by 2029 and for introducing a new runway in operation by 2035, said the minister.

In a written statement to the UK parliament, Alexander said: Following a comparative assessment of the remaining proposals for Heathrow expansion, the governments view is that the north-west runway scheme brought forward by Heathrow Airport Limited offers the most credible and deliverable option, principally due to the relative maturity of its proposal, the comparative level of confidence in the feasibility and resilience of its surface access plans and the stronger comfort it provides in relation to the efficient, resilient and sustainable operations of the airport over the long-term.

The government views the HAL project as more advanced in its planning for road infrastructure compared to other options.

It also stated that the "selection of the scheme to inform the remainder of the review does not represent a final decision on a third runway scheme or design".

In her statement, the minister noted that HALs project needs a larger land area but would involve acquiring fewer residential properties near the airport than the HWL project.

HAL has proposed a runway length of up to 3.5km, which offers more operational flexibility and is better suited to accommodate future aircraft models compared to the 2.8km runway length put forward by HWL, she said.
Scotland will receive an extra 820m by the end of the decade as a result of the UK Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced.

The Labour minister also pledged to scrap the the two-child benefits cap for Universal Credit claimants.

However, her plans will lead to more Scots paying income tax and National Insurance, as well as introducing levies on pension contributions.

Scottish Finance Secretary Shona Robison said the extra funding was a "small amount" that would not meet the pressures faced by her government.

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Announcing the 820m for the Scottish government - which has an annual budget of about 60bn - Reeves said: "The benefits of investment and growth must be built and felt in every part of the United Kingdom."

She described her tax changes as "pragmatic".

Labour ministers are also set to loosen rules on new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, though they have been urged to go further and scrap a windfall tax on energy giants.

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Robison accused the chancellor of presiding over a "chaotic" process after the Office for Budget Responsibility accidentally revealed the key details of announcement before the announcement.

The finance secretary told BBC Scotland News that proposals to reduce energy bills were "disappointing".

She criticised the continuation of the energy windfall tax - and said Labour ministers had to be "pushed" into scrapping the two-child benefits cap.

Robison refused to be drawn on her plans for the Scottish Budget after being asked if she could rule out income tax rises north of the border.

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While some of the tax and spending decisions in the UK Budget do not directly affect Scotland - which has control in devolved areas such as health and education and sets its own income tax rates - many of the measures do.

The announcements that directly impact Scots include:

The extension of a freeze on National Insurance thresholds for an extra three years beyond 2028

The removal of a National Insurance exemption for salary-sacrificed pension contributions above an annual 2,000 threshold, from April 2029

Cuts to green levies on energy bills to bring down household energy bills

A freeze on fuel duty to be extended until September 2026

A new mileage-based charge on electric and plug-in hybrid cars from April 2028

A 6.1% increase in the standard allowance of Universal Credit

Ahead of the Budget, the chancellor had already announced an increase in the minimum wage and an extension of the sugar tax - both of which apply across the UK.

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Reeves also confirmed 20m of investment for Inchgreen dry dock in Inverclyde, and a further 20m for the redevelopment of Kirkcaldy town centre and seafront, which is to begin next year.

Income tax freeze - and how it affects Scots

Reeves announced that a freeze on UK income tax thresholds will be extended until 2030.

Scotland sets its own income tax rates and bands, but changes to thresholds do have an impact north of the border.

Holyrood ministers have used their devolved powers to set up a distinct system, with seven bands to the UK's four.

The Scottish government is in charge of setting the thresholds for all of these bands except for the lowest one, the personal allowance, which is the level at which people start paying tax.

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Extending the freeze on this threshold means that as salaries rise over time, more people reach an income level at which they start paying tax.

As well as directly affecting the take-home pay of Scots through the personal allowance, the change will also lead to an automatic deduction from the block grant that the Treasury pays to the Scottish government.

This is because the UK government is able to deduct funds from the block grant that it estimates it would have received if tax-raising powers were not devolved to Holyrood.

Frozen thresholds mean more taxpayers paying higher rates in other parts of the UK, and a higher theoretical tax take for the UK government in Scotland - and therefore a bigger deduction from the block grant.

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Another of the key Budget announcements was on the two-child benefits cap, which means that parents can only claim Universal Credit or tax credits for their first two children, with a few exemptions.

Introduced by the Conservative party to cut costs, the cap has so far been kept in place by Sir Keir Starmer's Labour administration.

But Reeves confirmed that the cap on Universal Credit would be lifted from April. She said her government did "not believe that the solution to a broken welfare system is to punish the most vulnerable children".

The Scottish government says the move will lead to 20,000 fewer children living in relative poverty [Getty Images]

The chancellor added that her government would removed the "vile, dehumanising and cruel" rape clause.

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The Scottish government has pledged to mitigate the cap north of the border by offering a new benefit - the Two-Child Limit Payment - to affected families from March next year.

The UK government's decision to scrap the cap is expected to save the Scottish government about 155m in the next financial year.

However, the Fraser of Allander Institute, an independent economic research unit at the University of Strathclyde, has estimated that scrapping the cap could cost the Scottish government an additional 34m in 2026-27 because it would mean more people were eligible for devolved benefits.

Taken together, that would leave Holyrood with a saving of 121m.

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First Minister John Swinney has pledged to use any savings from the removal of the cap to tackle child poverty.

Shona Robison accused the UK government of breaking promises [Getty Images]

Responding to the UK Budget, Robison said: "We needed a step change from the UK government with investment in public services, support for jobs and industry in Scotland and serious action on energy bills.

"Instead, we got a chaotic mess and the increase in funding for the Scottish government will not even cover half the cost of the employer's National Insurance contributions brought in this year."

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: "Labour's 26bn tax bombshell continues their sustained attack on hard-pressed workers and businesses."

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Scottish Green co-leader Ross Greer said: "This was a badly missed opportunity and a lesson in mediocrity. Labour promised little and delivered even less."

The Budget offered "precious little" on how to grow the economy, support industry and invest in public services, according to Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesman Jamie Greene.

However, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: "This budget means child poverty down, energy bills down, wages up and austerity rejected."

When is the Scottish Budget?

The block grant paid to the Scottish government by the UK Treasury is adjusted relative to what is spent on devolved services like health and education in England.

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The calculation to decide Scotland's share is based on population and some other factors.

The Scottish government will announce its own tax and spending plans on 13 January - a month later than usual because the UK Budget was pushed back to November.

Coming just four months before May's Holyrood election, it is expected to be a key staging post in the battle for votes.
This story was originally posted on MyNorthwest.com

A 30-year-old man was arrested for openly using fentanyl, which was exposed to nearby civilians in the Chinatown-International District on Thursday.

At approximately 8:50 p.m., Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers were patrolling on foot near 12th Avenue S. and S. Jackson Street, SPD announced.

Convicted felon arrested for exposing civilians to fentanyl

Officers witnessed a suspect using narcotics on the sidewalk and classified him as a High Utilizer Initiative offender  an individual responsible for a high volume of misdemeanor crimes.

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The suspect was detained for questioning, and officers found a $1,000 warrant for his arrest.

[12th and Jackson] is a heavy foot traffic place, and I believe [the suspect] was exposing passerby civilians to fentanyl, the SPD police report stated.

Ultimately, the man was arrested, and officers seized baggies containing fentanyl and drug paraphernalia.

SPD noted the suspect is a previously convicted felon who is on active Department of Corrections supervision. Additionally, the suspect is prohibited from engaging in criminal activity as a condition of his release.

Officers booked the suspect into the King County Jail.

Follow Jason Sutich on X. Send news tips here.
A Coweta County man is facing child porn charges after investigators received a tip from the U.S. Secret Service.

Deputies say Secret Service agents told them on Oct. 31 that Sean McCarthy, 27, of Sharpsburg admitted to them that he had child pornography.

The Secret Service says they were investigating another incident when he made the admission. They did not comment on their investigation.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

After investigating McCarthys admission, he was arrested at his home on Nov. 19 and charged with child sexual exploitation.

While searching the home, investigators took several of his electronic devices.

Once those are searched, deputies say he could face even more charges.

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More than a year after San Francisco imposed a curfew on corner stores in the Tenderloin, the city is looking at expanding the program.

"This is a strategy that's working. And it's not just displacing or pushing the problem around it's actually reducing crime," said San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey

San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey is explaining why he wants to see the so-called "corner store curfew" expanded.

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First implemented in July 2024, the curfew allows the city to fine certain stores within a 20-block radius of the Tenderloin that aren't closed from midnight until 5 a.m.

A strategy that some in the SoMa neighborhood hope would help them clean up their streets.

MORE: Data: Crime is down in SF's Tenderloin after business curfew, which may expand to other districts

"What else are you going to do? You going to let this keep on going and going and going further and not take any action? It's working in the Tenderloin. Make it work in South of Market," said Henry Karnilowicz, the president of the South of Market Business Association.

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Though many people disagree with Dorsey's proposal.

ABC7 News reporter Tim Johns spoke with several businesses in the area and many of them say they worry about the impact it'll have on their bottom line.

That includes for Abdulwahab al-Mehdhar who owns Habibi Market in SoMa.

"Not just for me for example, the business owner, but also even the workers. We're going to lose a lot of workers. A lot of workers, they're going to lose their money," said al-Mehdhar.

A new study by an Italian university found that the Tenderloin's curfew reduced drug-related crimes in the area by over 50% in it's first nine months.

MORE: Tech company pays for billboard that calls San Francisco neighborhood 'Gotham'

A statistic al-Mehdhar has difficulty believing.

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"That's not true. I have another business in the Tenderloin and that's not happening at all," he said.

Dorsey says he understands the pushback coming from concerned businesses.

And for those impacted, he sends this message.

"It's not fair, and I get that. But I'm asking you to do it anyway for 18 months because I think it's going to work to improve conditions on the 6th Street corridor and else in South of Market," said Dorsey.

Dorsey hopes to get the curfew implemented by the start of next year. If passed, it will be in effect for 18 months.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live
Nov. 26Things look brighter  and drier  in the Flathead High School library with the recent installation of a new skylight.

During a visit to the school library on a sunny morning, the sunlight was diffused through the translucent panels that make up the 25-foot-by-25-foot pyramid-shaped skylight designed by A&E + SMA Design. The $160,000 project was funded through the district's building reserve fund.

Notably absent were plastic buckets set out to collect rain or melting snow and ice that leaked from the old skylight.

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"I'm so excited that it does not leak," said Flathead Librarian Aarica Phillips.

"We had eight-plus buckets [out] the last time it rained, in here, before they replaced it," Phillips said, referring to a downpour that occurred about a month ago.

Installed by Montana Metalworks over the course of a week at the beginning of November, the new skylight is made up of what are known as fiberglass-reinforced sandwich panels. The design lets more natural light into the library, which is located at the heart of the school.

"Essentially, it's a single skylight with panelized sections overlapping, which mitigates leak risk, really, any water intrusion," said Project Manager Sam Kuhlin of Morrison-Maierle, noting that the new panels are more insulating and block UV light.

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The new skylight replaces 10 individual polycarbonate domes that made up the old skylight, a design that created valleys and did not adequately channel water away, Kuhlin said. Before its replacement, Flathead Principal Michele Paine said the original skylight dated back to a 1967-68 construction project.

Phillips recalled that in the 19 years she has worked at the high school, the polycarbonate panels were replaced once, about seven years ago. The results were short-lived.

"For maybe a year it didn't leak and then it started leaking again after that and it's been leaking ever since," Phillips said.

A tarp was placed over the leaking skylight as a stopgap measure and the replacement project was placed on a deferred maintenance list.

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"I had to move my desk because of the dripping water. We've had to move computers once in a while," Philips said, noting that the runoff also left the carpet stained. "But now we can have them [put] back."

Kuhlin surmises that a waffle slab integrated in the original library design is why the structural integrity of the roof was not compromised.

"There weren't structural concerns, but you don't want a leak in your roof," Kuhlin said.

Phillips remarked that the new skylight adds ambiance to a well-used space.

"As you can see, we always have kids in here and it just adds to our library of having it be a cool place to hang out and come and work and enjoy," she said.

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Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or [email protected].

The new skylight in the Flathead High School library was designed by A&E + SMA Design. The translucent panels shift from blue to white as the sun moves through the sky. The skylight has a pyramid-shaped design to more effectively channel water away, as the previous design had been a source of ongoing water leaks and was tarped over off and on for years. Made of fiberglass-reinforced panels, it offers better insulation. (Hilary Matheson/Daily Inter Lake).

A view of the new library skylight at Flathead High School from the roof of the building. (Photo provided by Flathead High School)

A view of the old library skylight at Flathead High School before it was removed and replaced earlier this month due to ongoing water leaks. (Photo provided by Flathead High School)
A Massachusetts man was arrested earlier this week after he allegedly confessed to setting a house fire that claimed the lives of his parents, authorities said.

Darius Hazard, 44, of North Adams, was arraigned on Wednesday in Northern Berkshire District Court on charges of murder and arson in the deaths of 76-year-old Venture Hazard and 83-year-old Donald Hazard, according to the Berkshire District Attorneys Office.

Officers responding to a report of a fire at 77 Francis Street in North Adams just after 7 a.m. on Monday encountered immense heat coming from the home and attempted to make contact with people inside, the North Adams Police Department said.

Firefighters entered the home, started battling the flames, and found the Hazards dead from apparent smoke inhalation, according to authorities.

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A be on the lookout was subsequently issued for Darius Hazard, who was seen hours later on Route 7. Police say officers then found him in a Walmart parking lot and arrested him without incident.

Prosecutors allege that Hazard confessed to assaulting his parents in their home before dousing the first floor with gasoline and setting it ablaze between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Monday.

During his alleged confession, Hazard said, I guess I snapped, the Berkshire Eagle reported.

In a statement, Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue praised firefighters for entering the burning home without hesitation and offered condolences to the Hazard family.

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Id first like to recognize the tremendous courage of the North Adams firefighters as they entered the house without hesitation in hopes of recovering the residents inside. Responding to this type of situation is harrowing and has lasting impacts on first responders. I am thankful for their dedication to this difficult work, Shugrue said. My thoughts are with the Hazard family and the North Adams community during this extraordinarily challenging time.

Hazard was ordered held without bail at his arraignment, the Eagle reported.

State police detectives assigned to the DAs office and state fire officials are assisting local authorities with an investigation.

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(NEXSTAR)  Some payments from the U.S. Social Security Administration will arrive a little bit differently this December.

No one will miss a check, but beneficiaries should expect their payments in their mailboxes (or bank accounts) on a different day than normal.

The Administration provides Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for adults and children with limited income, who are blind or have some other qualifying disability.

SSI benefits are paid on the 1st of the month, but holidays and weekends can alter the normal payment schedule. While the Dec. 1 SSI payment will go out as expected, another check will go out Dec. 31.

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These are the most dangerous roads in the US for winter holiday travel, analysis finds

The second payment is actually Januarys benefit, paid early because Jan. 1 is a holiday. Beneficiaries will receive a second payment  Februarys  on Jan. 30, because Feb. 1 falls on a Sunday.

As for traditional Social Security benefits, when you get paid depends on when you were born. Recipients born between the 1st and 10th of the month receive their payment on the second Wednesday of the month. Those born between the 11th and the 20th will be paid on the third Wednesday, with the final group, those born between the 21st and the 31st getting their checks on the fourth Wednesday.

In January, the nearly 71 million Social Security recipients will see the annual cost-of-living adjustment kick in, raising payments by 2.8%, or $56 per month on average.

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For the roughly 7.5 million Supplemental Security recipients, that increase will begin Dec. 31.

Meantime, many beneficiaries are bracing for an increase to Medicare Part B premiums estimated to be nearly $18, along with a $26 jump in the annual deductible.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A St. Paul police officer points a canister of chemical irritant toward demonstrators during a federal operation that drew protesters one week after an immigration raid on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, in St. Paul. (Photo courtesy of Kerem Yucel/MPR)

The Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists condemned law enforcement attacks on journalists during Tuesday federal operation in St. Paul.

Federal authorities took a person into custody in St. Paul in the 600 block of Rose Avenue East, Sahan Journal reported. A crowd of demonstrators showed up, as well as journalists to document the scene.

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In a statement, SPJ said three photojournalists  all clearly identified as press with badges and/or vests and carrying their equipment  were hit by less-lethal munitions used by St. Paul police. One was taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

St. Paul police used chemical irritants liberally, according many people at the scene and confirmed by photos.

Kerem Yucel, with MPR News, was hit in the shoulder and was transported to a hospital by ambulance; he was released and is recovering. Tim Evans, a freelance photojournalist with Reuters, was hit in the stomach with a pepper ball round. Aaron Nesheim, a photojournalist with Sahan Journal, was struck in the head with a pepper ball round. Evans and Nesheim did not require hospitalization.

The three journalists told SPJ that they believe they were targeted by law enforcement.

Officers from the St. Paul Police Department and Federal Agents clashed with protesters outside of a house on Rose Street in St. Paul on November 25, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Aaron Nesheim/Sahan Journal)

Photojournalists are on the frontlines of documenting history and it is imperative that they are kept safe and their First Amendment rights are protected, SPJ said in the statement.

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SPJ said it is seeking answers from St. Paul city leadership.

Mayor Melvin Carter released a statement late Wednesday saying in part, The injuries sustained by journalists during Tuesdays ICE-related incident are troubling. The conduct we saw was jarring. I have directed a thorough review of all Saint Paul police body-worn camera footage be done in a timely manner to understand exactly what happened and ensure full transparency and accountability.

St. Paul police Chief Axel Henry issued a statement on YouTube asserting that a dangerous situation was unfolding, causing officers to engage.

Officers from the St. Paul Police Department and Federal Agents clashed with protesters outside of a house on Rose Street in St. Paul on November 25, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Aaron Nesheim/Sahan Journal)

The City of Saint Paul Separation Ordinance 44.01 is clear that Saint Paul Police officers will work cooperatively with all federal agencies, but that Saint Paul Police officers do not enforce federal immigration laws.

The statement continued: Saint Paul Police officers stood between protestors and federal agents, so protestors could express their First Amendment rights and federal agents could complete their legal objectives. During these events, officers used chemical irritants. As with any use of force that occurs, the Saint Paul Police Department will be completing a comprehensive review of the entire incident.
SEOUL, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- The number of babies born in South Korea rose for the 15th straight month, the Ministry of Data and Statistics reported Wednesday, marking a continued respite from the country's looming demographic crisis.

A total of 22,369 babies were born in September, an 8.6% year-on-year increase and the highest number of September births since 2020, the ministry said.

The number of newborns has been on an upward trend since July 2024. September's fertility rate was 0.85, up 0.06 from a year earlier.

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Over the first three quarters of the year, 191,040 babies were born, an increase of 12,488 from the same period last year -- the largest on-year gain for the first nine months since 2007.

Officials have credited the rebound to several factors, including a continued boom in postponed marriages following the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The number of marriages in September jumped 20.1% from a year earlier to 18,462, marking the 18th consecutive month of growth and the highest total ever recorded for any September.

Experts have also cited government incentives and demographic trends, noting that the number of people in their early 30s -- a key childbearing age group -- has risen.

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With births and marriages continuing to climb, the total number of newborns this year is on track to surpass last year's total of 238,317.

Despite the recent uptick, South Korea's birth rate remains the lowest in the world. Its 2024 fertility rate was 0.75, meaning that for every 100 women, just 75 babies are expected to be born over their lifetimes.

A fertility rate of 2.1 is generally considered the level needed to maintain a stable population.

According to a March report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, South Korea's population is "expected to halve over the next six decades," with people aged 65 or older projected to make up around 58% of the population by 2082.

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Asia's fourth-largest economy has long struggled with a declining birth rate as many young people delay or forgo marriage and parenthood due to soaring housing costs, job insecurity and gender inequality in the workplace.

"When gender-unequal norms and a large gender wage gap meet long hours and inflexible working practices, many Korean mothers are constrained to choose family over career," the OECD report said.

To counter the trend, the government has introduced a range of policies to encourage marriage and support child-rearing, including financial incentives for new parents and expanded parental leave and childcare assistance.

South Korea's demographic squeeze mirrors a broader decline across East Asia, where fertility rates have also fallen significantly below replacement levels. Many Western economies are likewise contending with shrinking workforces and rapidly aging populations, and experts warn of a looming global demographic inflection point.

At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' summit held in Gyeongju earlier this month, South Korea led an initiative to adopt the first-ever framework on demographic change in the meeting's final Gyeongju Declaration.
Nov. 26BEMIDJI  Mourning a loss can be especially difficult during the holidays, a sentiment that Kate Boyd hopes to address.

The store manager for Starbucks at 202 Shevlin Ave. SW in Bemidji, Boyd has long dedicated her time to the franchise as well as the communities she occupies.

"Even before I started at Starbucks in Bemidji, I was always interested in helping out," Boyd said. "I believe that we're brought places so we can make our communities better."

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Growing up in southern Minnesota, Boyd and her family moved around before landing in the Northwoods in 2017. Boyd's experience with Starbucks dates back to 2005 and she served Bemidji's north location at 1811 Paul Bunyan Drive NW before

transitioning to the south store earlier this year.

Given Bemidji's location between the three largest tribal nations in Minnesota, Boyd reflected on the cause of

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives,

with aspirations to raise collective consciousness of the issue to everyone who walked through Starbucks' doors.

"Just seeing the missing posters, the billboards, it's really heartbreaking to see," Boyd said. "I think, 'What would I do if I lost my own kid or a family member?'"

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Her dad's unexpected passing in 2020 would pave the way for an annual event of remembrance for all who have lost family members and other loved ones.

"He was healthy his whole life, and then he was diagnosed with colon cancer. We lost him about 18 months later after a really hard fight," Boyd said. "I remember coming back to work after that, thinking how hard it is to go through the holidays after losing somebody from something that we knew about  illness  but then how much more heartwrenching it would be to have somebody ripped out of your life and not even know where they are."

Coinciding with Starbucks' "Season of Cheer," Boyd would spearhead an event where a Christmas tree would be decorated with ornaments inscribed with names of the missing or murdered as well as the respective date that they went missing.

In its third year running, the event's mission has remained the same.

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"Those family members and friends can see that their loved one isn't forgotten by the community and that they matter," Boyd added. "They're not alone in their grief and as a community, we care about them."

This year's event is set for 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, at the south location. Attendees will be treated to free coffee and hot chocolate with the tree on display, and attendees can make their own ornaments to bring home as a means of remembrance for anyone they have lost.

Boyd highlighted the suitability of the venue, given its power to connect people and encourage thoughtful dialogue.

"I was interested in seeing what I could do to help people come together and provide opportunities for conversation, and coffee houses are the best place for that," she said. "It's a great place for people to talk face to face."

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Boyd hopes that the event can foster lasting connections between those who may not know their neighbors and, by extension, create a safer community.

"I think technology has taken us away from caring about our neighbors because we have our own little communities on our phones and computers," Boyd said. "If we see each other, grow closer as a community  then see somebody who's preying on people in our community  hopefully we can stop this from happening.

"We can't stop everything, but even if one person is deterred, it saves somebody's life."

Looking to the future, Boyd hopes to expand the event nationwide while continuing to lean into the rich Indigenous influences in her own backyard, evidenced by the south Starbucks location's Indigenous artwork from Leech Lake and Red Lake artists.

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"We requested that the artwork reflect the natural settings of Bemidji instead of just getting generic Starbucks artwork," Boyd mentioned. "That way, people can come in and see that it's their community."

Boyd noted future hopes to collaborate with varying organizations, including Bemidji State University, to expand her impact beyond Starbucks' walls and thus, create a stronger community for her family and at large.

"I have five kids, and I want the whole community to be strong because this is where they're growing up," Boyd left off. "Anything we can do to make us stronger, I'm all for. And we'll work tirelessly toward that."
Volkswagen aims to reduce the cost of developing electric vehicles (EV) in China by up to 50% following the full commissioning of its new test centre in Hefei.

In a statement, the German group said the development brings end-to-end development capabilities directly to the Chinese market.

The facility, part of Volkswagen Group China Technology Company (VCTC), brings together softwarehardware testing, battery and powertrain validation, and complete vehicle platform verification at a single site.

Volkswagen Group China chairman and CEO Ralf Brandstatter said: By expanding our footprint in Hefei, we are strengthening our ability to respond quickly to local needs and to shape technologies directly where they will be used.

This step deepens our commitment to China and ensures that our future products reflect the preferences and expectations of Chinese customers from the very beginning.

The company said this consolidation is enabling both the projected cost reduction and shorter development cycles.

According to Volkswagen, development times can be shortened by about 30%.

This is linked to the introduction of the China Electronic Architecture (CEA), the groups first zonal electrical/electronic architecture designed specifically for the Chinese market.

CEA is being delivered jointly by VCTC and CARIAD China in Hefei within an 18month timeframe.

Leveraging local development and early supplier integration during the concept phase of new cars and technologies, the cost of a new model can be reduced by up to 50% in specific key projects, the statement read.

The Hefei site is now described by the group as its largest development centre outside Germany and, with the completion of new test workshops, its most wideranging research and development hub beyond its home market.

The complex covers roughly 100,000m and houses more than 100 laboratories.

The range of testing includes battery performance, powertrain systems and digital cockpit functions, with the setup allowing these to be carried out in parallel.

Volkswagen Group China chief technology officer and VCTC CEO Thomas Ulbrich said: The new workshops give our engineering teams an entirely new level of integration. We can now run software, hardware, and full-vehicle validation processes in parallel, shorten decision loops, and bring innovations to maturity much faster.

This environment enables us to push forward next-generation intelligent-vehicle technologies with high precision and efficiency.

In addition to serving the domestic market, the new workshops in Hefei are also being used to validate products and technologies destined for export to regions such as ASEAN and the Middle East.
A state trooper makes a traffic stop along the Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg on October 14, 2025. (Photo by Jessica Kourkounis for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

A months-long budget stalemate, resolved earlier this month, netted increases for both the Pennsylvania State Police and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency  which plan to boost staffing and invest in technology updates.

State police will get an additional $69.3 million for operations, enough to fund four new cadet classes to increase its ranks. Staffing is critical for the 1,279 municipalities that dont have police departments and rely solely on troopers for their law enforcement needs.

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Our focus is firmly on safeguarding the public and ensuring that every community within the Commonwealth receives the support it requires during critical times, said State Police Commissioner Col. Christopher Paris. These investments are crucial in providing our members with the tools and resources needed to respond promptly and effectively to urgent situations, ultimately enhancing our collective resilience.

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Emergency management will receive $40 million in its disaster response fund, up from $20 million, to offset (the) sudden loss in federal support, according to a press release from the agency. The Trump administration has sought to transform the Federal Emergency Management Agency and publicly discussed shifting more responsibility to the states.

Another $5 million bump to the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Assistance Program will increase direct support to impacted Pennsylvanians.

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Programs like DRAP make an immediate and meaningful difference for our communities. After the May 13th flooding, many Somerset County residents were able to rely on DRAP to help begin their recovery when they needed it most. This support filled a critical gap for families who were facing unexpected losses, said Somerset County Emergency Management Agency Director Joel Landis.

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The budget also reauthorizes a $1.95 monthly phone surcharge for 911 services until Jan. 31, 2029.

Counties are in the process of implementing Next Generation 911, using the surcharge funds to cover personnel, technology, training and facility costs. The modernization effort improves caller location data and increased access to Text-to-911 services.

Investing in 911 and disaster response strengthens the safety net every Pennsylvanian depends on when emergencies occur, said PEMA Director Randy Padfield. Modernizing our 911 communications system and supporting disaster response and recovery efforts ensures our communities can respond to crises quickly and rebuild stronger. These budget commitments are essential to keeping Pennsylvania safe and resilient as funding responsibilities shift from the federal government to the states.
Australia's landmark social media ban for children is being challenged in the nation's highest court, with two teenagers alleging the law is unconstitutional as it robs them of their right to free communication.

From 10 December, social media firms - including Meta, TikTok and YouTube - must ensure that Australians aged under 16 cannot hold accounts on their platforms.

The law, which is being watched closely around the world, was justified by campaigners and the government as necessary to protect children from harmful content and algorithms.

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However, 15-year-olds Noah Jones and Macy Neyland - backed by a rights group - will argue the ban completely disregards the rights of children.

"We shouldn't be silenced. It's like Orwell's book 1984, and that scares me," Macy Neyland said in a statement.

After news of the case broke, Communications Minister Anika Wells told parliament the government would not be swayed.

"We will not be intimidated by threats. We will not be intimidated by legal challenges. We will not be intimidated by big tech. On behalf of Australian parents, we will stand firm," she said.

The Digital Freedom Project (DFP) announced the case had been filed in the High Court on Wednesday. Teenagers rely on social media for information and association, and a ban could hurt the nation's most vulnerable kids - young people with disability, First Nations youth, rural and remote kids and LGBTIQ+ teenagers - the most, the group said on their website.

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Led by a New South Wales parliamentarian, John Ruddick, DFP said their challenge would hinge on the ban's impact on political communication, and whether it was proportional to the law's aims.

Other measures to improve online safety should be used instead, the group argued, pointing to digital literacy programmes, the forced introduction of age-appropriate features for platforms, and age assurance technologies which have greater privacy protections.

Noah Jones argued the government's policy was "lazy". "We are the true digital natives and we want to remain educated, robust, and savvy in our digital world... They should protect kids with safeguards, not silence."

Australian media have previously reported that Google, which owns YouTube, has also been considering launching a constitutional challenge.

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Though opposed by the tech companies who will be charged with enforcing it, the ban is supported by most Australian adults, according to polls. However, some mental health advocates say it may cut kids off from connection, and others say it could push youngsters to even-less-regulated corners of the internet.
A Democratic congressional candidate in Tennessee is facing backlash over past posts calling to dissolve the Nashville Police Department, with her GOP opponent urging voters to "stand with law enforcement."

The controversy erupted before Tennessees Dec. 2 special election, where Democrats have poured more than $1 million into the race to support candidate Aftyn Behn against Republican nominee Matt Van Epps. Behns deleted tweets from 2020 have resurfaced as a key talking point in the final stretch.

"Its unacceptable and disqualifying," Van Epps said Tuesday on "Fox & Friends First."

Tennessee State Rep. Aftyn Behn, a Democratic congressional candidate, attends a campaign event during the special election for Tennessees 7th District in Nashville, Tenn., on Nov. 13.

"My opponent harasses and bullies ICE and the Tennessee Highway Patrol as a sitting state legislator, which is unacceptable. We are just the opposite of that," he added.

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Tennessee Democratic Candidate Caught Saying 'I Hate Nashville' And 'Country Music' In Resurfaced Clip

Behns posts have since been deleted. Two tweets from June 3, 2020, read, "Good morning, especially to the 54% of Americans that believe burning down a police station is justified," and, "Wheres the proposal that dissolves @MNPDNashville?"

Read On The Fox News App

During an interview on MS NOW, Behn refused to clarify her current stance on law enforcement and the posts, telling "The Weekend" host Catherine Rampell, "Im not [going to] engage in cable news talking points."

Republican congressional candidate Matt Van Epps hugs a supporter during a campaign event for the Tennessee 7th District special election in Nashville, Tenn., on Nov. 12.

Behn is a Democratic state representative running against Van Epps to represent Tennessees 7th Congressional District. Both candidates are looking to replace former GOP Rep. Mark Green, who resigned from Congress earlier this year to take a job in the private sector.

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Dem House Hopeful Exposed As Far-left Activist Pushing To Abolish Police Weeks Before Special Election

Van Epps, a West Point graduate and combat veteran, has labeled Behn as being too far left for the state and positioned himself as a conservative focused on traditional values.

"We cannot have a radical in office here, and thats who my opponent is," Van Epps said.

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

"There are things that are not right for Tennessee, not right for America, and we need folks to stand with us to drive America First forward."

Democrats have contributed more than $1 million into the effort to flip the red seat to blue. Meanwhile, MAGA Inc., the political group that backed President Donald Trumps 2024 campaign, has launched ads supporting Van Epps. Trump endorsed Van Epps before his special election primary earlier this year.





Original article source: Tennessee candidate blasts Dem opponents unacceptable tweets calling to dissolve Nashville police
By Nick Carey and Abhirup Roy

(Reuters) -Tesla CEO Elon Musk has spent much of this year focused on the carmakers robotics pursuits and winning shareholder approval for his freshly minted $1 trillion pay package. In the meantime, the outlook for Tesla's main business  selling cars  is darkening.

Tesla faces sales pressure in the worlds three biggest car markets: Europe, China and the United States. The electric-vehicle maker's sales fell 48.5% across Europe in October versus the same month last year, according to data released by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association on Tuesday. For the year, its sales are down about 30% in the region, while industrywide EV sales jumped 26%.

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Tesla's global vehicle deliveries are expected to decline 7% this year, according to Visible Alpha, after a 1% drop in 2024. That is despite record third-quarter deliveries, which were juiced by American car buyers racing to beat the September 30 expiration of an EV tax credit.

The weak European results suggest there will be no quick rebound from the sales turmoil that began late last year, after Musk publicly praised far-right figures, setting off protests across the region. Musk has gone relatively quiet on politics in recent months  but Teslas European business has not recovered, signaling more fundamental problems.

As recently as 2023, Teslas Model Y SUV was the worlds top-selling car, gas or electric. But Tesla has slid down the sales charts, as rivals have introduced a broad array of improved EVs  often at lower prices  while Teslas narrow lineup of models has grown stale, analysts say.

Tesla did not respond to requests for comment.

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Late last year, Musk told shareholders he expected vehicle sales to grow 20-30% in 2025. In January, the company said it expected a return to growth, without offering an estimate, before pulling that guidance in the following quarter. In October, Tesla said any growth would depend on macroeconomic factors and how quickly it could add autonomy to its cars and ramp up factory production.

LAPPED BY VW

Teslas troubles are most acute in Europe, where more than a dozen electric models sell for under $30,000, with more on the way. A wave of Chinese brands is entering Europe with head-turning designs and broader choice, from EVs to petrol cars and hybrids.

Analysts interviewed by Reuters do not see a quick fix for Tesla in Europe, where it offers just two mass-market models: the Model 3 sedan and Model Y. Tesla recently introduced a stripped-down, lower-priced version of the Model Y to boost sales.

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Meanwhile, EV models from other manufacturers are proliferating. In the United Kingdom, more than 150 electric models are on offer from an array of brands, including many new Chinese competitors. At least 50 new electric models are due out next year, according to EV-buying advice site .

"Out of those 50, none are Teslas," said Electrifying.com CEO Ginny Buckley.

Across Europe, China's BYD sold 17,470 cars in October, more than double Teslas sales. Meanwhile, in a stark sign of Teslas fading dominance in Europes EV market, Germany's Volkswagen posted an EV sales rise of 78.2% through September this year to 522,600 units, triple Teslas sales.

VW's EV efforts sputtered for years despite a wholehearted embrace of the technology following its 2017 diesel emissions cheating scandal. It once lagged Tesla so badly that VWs former CEO openly fretted about the risk posed by Musks company.

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"The problem for Elon Musk is not just his own cars and the Chinese carmakers," said Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, head of the CAR think tank at the University of Duisburg-Essen. "The problem for Elon Musk is also that the Europeans have caught up."

CHINA SALES RETREAT; A BLEAK U.S. OUTLOOK

In China, Teslas sales and market share also are declining, although not as steeply as in Europe. Tesla deliveries in China fell to a three-year low in October, dropping 35.8%. For the year, Teslas sales in China were down 8.4% through October.

Tesla faces a slew of rejuvenated Chinese brands, such as Chery, along with newcomers including Xiaomi, whose YU7 has quickly emerged as a Model Y rival since its launch in June.

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In the U.S., Tesla sales surged 18% in September, research firm Motor Intelligence estimated, boosted by a last-minute rush from car shoppers trying to beat the September 30 expiration of a $7,500 tax credit. That trend reversed in October, with a 24% drop. Auto executives expect the EV market to remain cold.

Tesla could benefit as several legacy automakers dial back EV models and factory investments, including General Motors, Ford and Honda. Also, the recent launch of new, cheaper variants of the Model Y and Model 3, priced around $5,000 lower, could help bolster its market share, analysts have said.

Some analysts have said Tesla needs a new vehicle to revive sales. But there is little evidence of a new model for human drivers in the pipeline, as Musk pivots his focus to self-driving robotaxis and humanoid robots.

Musks new pay package, however, does not require a big surge in sales growth. The CEO can unlock a multibillion-dollar award if Tesla averages 1.2 million vehicles annually over the next decade, along with share appreciation. That is about a half-million fewer than the company sold in 2024.

(Reporting by Nick Carey in London and Abhirup Roy in San Francisco; Additional reporting by Rachel More in Berlin and Qiaoyi Li; Editing by Mike Colias and Matthew Lewis)
Texas chief financial officer on Tuesday finalized rules for the states private school voucher program, clearing up confusion about funding for pre-kindergarten students and setting official dates for schools and families to apply  but declining to change certain special education components or tack on additional reporting requirements.

Private schools and vendors who currently participate in an existing state initiative for students with disabilities can begin applying on Dec. 9. All schools and vendors can submit applications on a rolling basis after that date.

The state will then allow families to start applying on Feb. 4, the date Texas finance chief and Odyssey  the finance and technology company helping administer the program  had agreed upon in their contract. The application window would remain open until mid-March, according to the agreement. The state then aims to provide status updates for approved students in early May.

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The program, which the Texas comptrollers office oversees, will officially launch at the start of the 2026-27 school year.

Most families will receive an amount between about $10,300-$10,900 a year in state funds for each student participating in the program, which they can then use to pay for educational expenses or tuition at the accredited private schools approved by the comptrollers office. The Texas Education Agency will help set the official amount in January; the current estimate is $10,800.

Home-schoolers are eligible for $2,000, while students with disabilities could receive up to $30,000.

The office also cleared up a discrepancy between the draft rules it released earlier this year and the state law creating the voucher program. It had proposed that children attending private preschool programs only receive $2,000  the amount for home-schoolers  and not the more than $10,000 that lawmakers said they intended for all other students. The finalized rules make clear that preschoolers are eligible for the full amount if they also meet the states free public pre-K requirements.

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The rules officially establish the foundation of the voucher program, which Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law earlier this year after years of unsuccessful efforts. The Texas Legislature chose the comptroller as the programs overseer.

The $1 billion in funds initially allocated for the program will flow through education savings accounts, a form of school vouchers that operate as a digital platform where families can pay tuition and purchase educational supplies from approved vendors. The tuition platform is expected to launch in early July.

Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock and his staff conducted a public hearing over a draft version of the rules in September, after receiving written testimony from roughly 200 people. Outside of questions about pre-K eligibility, two areas emerged as significant areas of interest among Texans: special education, and reporting on program applicants and recepients.

For families to prove their child has a disability, the rules allow for the submission of a Social Security determination letter or a physicians note. Disability rights advocates said that permitting the use of those documents does not align with federal or state guidelines, would not hold the same weight as requiring an evaluation of a childs needs in an educational setting, and could result in prioritizing kids without a demonstrated need for special education services.

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The comptroller disagreed with the idea that students who apply need the same evaluations as those typically conducted for public school students. The office ruled that, for the purposes of applying to the voucher program, it will continue to allow the additional documentation as evidence of a disability.

If applications for the voucher program exceed the funding available, the comptroller must prioritize applicants in this order:

Students with disabilities from families with an annual income at or below 500% of the federal poverty level, which includes any four-person household earning less than roughly $160,000

Families at or below 200% of the poverty level, which includes any four-person household earning less than roughly $64,300

Families between 200% and 500% of the poverty level

Families at or above 500% of the poverty level (limited to 20% of the programs budget)

The priority system does not guarantee access to the program. Participating schools do not have to change their admissions process, meaning they can deny entry to any student who does not meet their standards. They also do not have to follow the same laws that require public schools to provide learning accommodations for students with disabilities.

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State law does require that participating students  meaning those who not only get into the program but also are accepted into a private school  receive a comprehensive educational evaluation before they can access the additional funding set aside for children with disabilities. Public schools must conduct those evaluations within 45 days if families request the service.

During the draft period, the rules did not make any significant additions to the reporting requirements that state law established for the voucher program. The law requires the comptrollers office to collect and publish annual data, such as the number of applications it receives and accepts, participant satisfaction, and how the program affects private school capacity and Texas public education system. The report must include the amount of gifts, grants and donations it receives. The comptroller must also provide state lawmakers with the demographic information of participants, such as age, race and sex.

Public education advocates wanted more information they could use to analyze outcomes of the program, including the disclosure of people who donate to it, the number of private school spots available by grade and the amount of money the state recovers from ineligible expenses. Some advocates also called for private schools to report their students graduation rates, academic growth and postsecondary readiness.

But in the final rules, the comptrollers office declined the suggestions and said it would only comply with the reporting and auditing requirements as outlined in state law.

These requested additions are outside the scope of the proposed rules, are not a logical outgrowth of the proposal, and would materially alter the issues raised in the proposed rules, the officials said. Such an adoption would deprive affected parties of fair notice and the opportunity for meaningful and informed participation in the rulemaking process.
The post-Thanksgiving travel weekend is here. Unfortunately, the weather may not cooperate in parts of the country.

Heres what you need to know for the weather forecast below. We also have tracking maps with current radar, National Weather Service alerts and flight delays here.

Our advice: If you're traveling today, be weather aware. Delays and slower traffic are expected on Sunday in the Midwest and East.

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(For even more granular weather data tracking in your area, view your 15-minute details forecast in our Premium Pro experience.)

Sunday's Forecast

Sunday

Major airports that could be impacted: Atlanta, Boston, Denver (late), Detroit, New Orleans, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C.

Eastern mess: While Winter Storm Bellamy will move into the East, most precipitation in the East, particularly along the Interstate 95 urban corridor, will be in the form of rain. Regardless, this could lead to significant flight delays in the major East Coast hubs.

Some snow is possible in parts of the interior Northeast and lake-effect snowbands will develop or linger in the Great Lakes snowbelts that could lead to challenging travel in some areas.

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Some showers, perhaps a rumble of thunder, are possible in parts of the Southeast from Virginia and the Carolinas to the northern Gulf Coast.

Midwest delays: Expect delays in the Midwest, as snow lingers in the region. While most of the snow has already pushed out, many of the roads will remain slick and some airports could face delays.

Rockies snow: Some snow could develop in the central and southern Rockies. Sunday night, some of that snow could spread into the adjacent High Plains from Colorado and western Kansas to northern New Mexico and possibly parts of the Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma. Some showers are possible as far west as Arizona.
"There is no policing in Israel! This situation cannot continue," MK Almog Cohen (Otzma Yehudit) posted on X/Twitter in response to a video of the incident.

Masked thieves attempted to rob a jewelry store in a mall in Ofakim on Tuesday evening, smashing showcases and displays, but fled after a store employee pepper-sprayed them.

Security camera footage showed the masked individuals entering the store, before the employee acted promptly to deter them. Israel Police have opened an investigation into the incident, which is the third such case in Ofakim in the past two months.

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"It was during business hours, a few moments before there were customers in the store. Ive always feared a robbery, so I employ three workers. Thats what saved us, the workers activated the robbery button, which has a smoke screen," Shimon, the store owner, told Walla.

'We felt our lives were in danger,' employee recounts

"We were in the store, starting to close, I was sitting on the couch, the younger employee yelled at me 'Behind you, be careful,' I heard bangs, I thought there were gunshots in the complex, we ran to the back room and pressed the emergency button, then the smoke started coming out, it was scary, we felt our lives were in danger," one employee who was in the store said.

After the video footage was published, MK Almog Cohen (Otzma Yehudit) denounced the incident, claiming that it highlights a lack of effective policing.

"Ofakim at 8 p.m., when the shopping complex near home is full of children. Zero governance, zero fear. There is no police in Israel! This situation cannot continue," Cohen wrote on X/Twitter.

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Notably, Cohen's party leader, Itamar Ben-Gvir, is responsible for policing as part of his role as National Security Minister.

"This is a disgraceful and disconnected statement. Israel Police officers, especially those from the southern District, work day and night to protect the citizens of the country - even when Knesset members choose to erase their work for a small political gain," a senior source from Israel Police's Southern District commented in response to Cohen's statement.

"The only shame here is in trying to harm those who risk their lives daily for the public," the source added.

Bennett insinuates policing policy will change under his leadership

However, former prime minister Naftali Bennett supported Cohen.

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"True, crime is rampant at a historic high level, with a record number of murders, and extortion on every corner," Bennett wrote on X.

"Israel is not being managed. Soon, we will fix it," he added, appearing to allege that things would change if he became prime minister after the next election.

However, Cohen retorted at Bennett.

"Naftali, you can't fix anything, because those causing the paralysis are the voters of Abbas and Tibi, your partners. Stay calm."

Cohen was referring to Raam (United Arab List) leader MK Mansour Abbas and Hadash-Ta'al MK Ahmad Tibi.
Nov. 26The 2026 fire season, staffing levels at national parks and monuments, and the long-term public land employee pipeline were top of mind for public land advocates and experts at a roundtable with Sen. Martin Heinrich on Friday.

Public lands have been a priority for the New Mexico Democrat, who has long touted his identity as a hunter and led some of the opposition to Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee's proposal to make it easier to sell public land earlier this year. Here are three takeaways from his conversation with public land experts and advocates.

1. The 2026 fire season is keeping New Mexico's state forester up at night

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State Forester Laura McCarthy is concerned about a plan to combine federal firefighting teams next year in what she believes may be a bad fire season. The predictions for winter snowpack are not promising, part of why McCarthy is losing sleep over next year's fire season.

President Donald Trump ordered the nation's wildland firefighting forces underneath the Interior and Agriculture departments to combine. In September, the federal agencies announced a plan for implementing the order in January 2026.

McCarthy would like them to postpone implementation to January 2027.

"With the six-week shutdown, we've not heard what progress they've made on that," McCarthy said. "And our fire season, given the snowpack and the forecast, we're going to be cranking in February."

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The Interior Department's effort to modernize the wildland fire response is on track, according to Interior spokeswoman Elizabeth Peace.

"The transition is being implemented in deliberate phases to ensure continuity of operations and readiness for the 2026 fire season," Peace said in a statement. "Current firefighting capability remains fully in place, and there will be no gap in response capacity."

The plan includes creating a joint federal firefighting aircraft service, modernizing training, streamlining cooperative agreements and integrating pre- and post-fire activities.

"Under President Trump's leadership, we are cutting through the bureaucracy and building a unified, modern wildfire response system that works as fast and as fearlessly as the men and women on the front lines," Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a September statement.

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Heinrich said he would be willing to work with McCarthy on a letter asking Burgum to consider delaying combining federal firefighting forces. Based on conversations he's had in Senate committees, the plan "is an idea with no detail in the actual implementation, and we cannot afford to have a single fire season where we don't actually understand who's in charge," Heinrich said.

"Right now, we have a system, and it's not perfect, but it pulls resources from all over the country, and it follows the fire season. ... We have to make sure that rhythm is fully functional through any organizational changes," he said.

According to Peace, the phased approach allows Interior to align personnel, systems and support functions while maintaining coordination with USDA, state and local partners, and the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group.

Implementation will continue throughout 2026 with oversight and support from the Agriculture and Interior departments and in coordination with Congress, Peace said.

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2. Staffing levels are down at Bosque del Apache and beyond

Bosque del Apache, a national wildlife refuge in Socorro County known as a winter hotspot for sandhill cranes, has almost half the staff it did a decade ago, according to Deb Caldwell, Friends of the Bosque del Apache executive director. She's expecting the wildlife refuge's budget to be cut further.

"So we lost staff, we've lost funding, and so the Friends have really had to step up," Caldwell said, by helping with machine repairs, buying fuel and putting in wells and bridges.

The refuge is an economic boon to the area, with an economic impact between $15 million and $17 million annually, Caldwell said. That impact may be blunted this year, as the annual Festival of the Cranes was canceled due to the government shutdown.

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More broadly, the 15 national parks and monuments in New Mexico bring in 2.4 million visitors a year, according to Dennis Vasquez, a retired National Park Service superintendent. Vasquez has heard from former colleagues at parks around New Mexico that "the staffing shortage is the No. 1 issue," he said.

"I think in this current climate, there's just a lack of security, maybe, in taking on a job in federal lands or public lands anymore," Vasquez said.

3. Advocates are concerned about future employee shortages

The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided an influx of money into federal agencies, meaning there were many recently hired employees within federal land management agencies like the U.S. Forest Service when probationary employees were laid off earlier this year, according to McCarthy.

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"A lot of young people with master's degrees and really specialized, important experience, scientifically  fire ecology for example, or conservation biology  that were going to really help the agency instead got let go," McCarthy said. "The loss of science capacity within the land management agencies is really distressing."

Outdoor recreation is a huge part of the Taos economy, according to Nick Streit, Friends of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument president and Taos Fly Shop owner. But he's concerned that young people considering careers in public land management will be deterred from seeking those specialized degrees after seeing the federal layoffs and government shutdown this year.

"It really scares me about what's down the road," Streit said.
Germany has created some of the most iconic and innovative aircraft in history.

The ten we have selected are a good mix of some of the highlights of German aviation, though the selection involved the ruthless pruning of some very worthy types (we have focused mainly on aeroplanes, so no airships).

Among other omissions, there are several Fokker designs (Fokker was a German company for a period) we could have happily included but spurned to make room for a couple of rather more obscure types that are certainly worthy of our attention. We may need to do a part 2 In the meantime, here are ten excellent German aircraft.

10: Focke-Wulf Fw 187

Focke-Wulf Fw 187

The American P-38 Lightning was a single-seat twin-engined fighter and it proved a great success, but the idea was novel for its time. By keeping the frontal cross-section to the absolute minimum, this class of aircraft could be as fast as a single-engined fighter but with far greater range and, if required, firepower.

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The German company Focke-Wulf also tried this idea, and the result was the superb Fw 187. The Fw 187 was an extremely clean design aerodynamically, everything being done to keep the frontal cross-section to the absolute minimum; the cockpit was tiny (even by German standards), the dashboard of which was so small that some of the instruments had to be mounted externally on the engine nacelles.

10: Focke-Wulf Fw 187

Focke-Wulf Fw 187

The result of this strict adherence to aerodynamic slickness was an extremely fast and manoeuvrable fighter with an impressive range. With the original Jumo 210Da engines, a compromise unwanted by the designer, the prototype clocked 326 mph, which was 50mph faster than the much-hyped Messerschmitt 210.

When DB 600As engines were added in 1939, the Fw 187 hit a level flight speed of 394mph, an astonishing figure for the time. Armed with two cannon and four machine-guns, the type would have proved a huge thorn in the side for the RAFs Fighter Command if employed as an escort fighter in the Battle of Britain. Despite a small operational evaluation, the type never entered series production. The Me 210 lobby had greater political clout than the exponents of the Fw 187, and Focke-Wulf instead devoted its resources to the development of the Fw 190.

9: Dornier Do X

Dornier Do X

Despite its ultimate failure, the Dornier Do X was a spectacular aeroplane of remarkable ambition and scale. First flying in 1929, it was then the largest and heaviest flying boat in the world. This leviathan had a wingspan of 47.8 metres (156 ft 10 in), a length of 40.05 metres (131 ft 5 in) and a height of 10.25 metres (33 ft 8 in).

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Remarkably for such a conspicuous achievement, the Do X was created using a legal loophole; as its performance contravened the Versailles agreements ruling on what types of aircraft could be made in Germany, it was built in Switzerland but was very much a German effort.

9: Dornier Do X

Dornier Do X

For its time, it was the most powerful flying boat in the world. No fewer than Twelve Curtiss_V-1570 12-cylinder liquid-cooled aircraft piston engines, sat atop the wing in the push-pull configuration each generating 450 kW (600 hp) for a staggering total of 7200 horsepower. The V-1570s replaced early Bristol Jupiter engines that proved too weedy.

It smashed capacity records when it flew 169 passengers (including ten aircrew and nine stowaways) and created a slew of world records. The interior was lavish, and it promised a new era of luxurious long-distance air travel, but the Do X remained unlucky throughout its life, suffering accidents and a changing world that did not give it a chance. Only three were built and sadly none survive today.

8: Junkers Ju 88

Junkers Ju 88

The use of the name Junkers in this aircrafts name was rather sad, as designer Hugo Junkers had refused to help the Nazi government of Germany, and endured house arrest while his company was taken from him (he died a year after the arrest, in 1935). If he had lived, he would have been mortified to learn that the Junkers Ju 88 became the most versatile aircraft of the Luftwaffe in World War 2.

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The Ju 88 was a twin-engined design that first flew at the end of 1936. Initially a fast bomber, it was realised that the performance was good enough to make a fighter variant. Creating a fighter from a bomber is an unusual transformation with few successful examples, though this was also true of the similarly versatile British Mosquito.

8: Junkers Ju 88

Junkers Ju 88

The Junkers Ju 88 fought in many roles including as a bomber, a reconnaissance aircraft, a torpedo bomber, a heavy fighter, and as a night fighter  there was even an anti-tank version packing a massive 75mm (2.9in) PaK 40 anti-tank gun. The weirdest use of the aircraft was as a huge flying bomb steered by a fighter aircraft attached piggyback to the top of the Ju 88.

Key to the Ju 88s success was how easy it was to modify, readily accepting a plethora of weapons and pieces of equipment (notably radar for the night-fighter role) while retaining a reasonable performance. Over 15,000 of this Jack-of-all-trades were manufactured.

7: Focke-Wulf Fw 190

Focke-Wulf Fw 190

Britains best fighter aircraft of the early part of World War 2, the Supermarine Spitfire, was closely matched to the German Messerschmitt Bf 109. The two developed in brutal competition, but with each incremental improvement matched, there was never a truly decisive advantage to one or the other.

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The arrival of a new German fighter, the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, in 1941, changed all this. Here was a machine of terrifying superiority to the best Spitfire then flying. The Fw 190A was superior to the Spitfire Mk V in terms of dive performance, climb rate, and, perhaps most markedly, roll rate. The Fw 190 was faster at all heights by between 25-35mph.

7: Focke-Wulf Fw 190

Focke-Wulf Fw 190

The Fw 190 was designed with a far greater understanding of the importance of Human Machine Interface than earlier fighters, offering the pilot a reduced workload. The view out from the cockpit was superior to other aircraft, and almost every aspect of the design was extremely impressive.

In the Fw 190s ultimate variants, the aircraft was radically modified and up-gunned to become ever more potent. The type saw much action in the failed defence of the Reich. Over 20,000 Fw 190 were built.

6: Messerschmitt Me 262

Messerschmitt Me 262

The first pure jet-powered fighter to see service, the Messerschmitt Me 262 was not perfect, but it was phenomenally impressive. In terms of top speed in mph, the best Allied fighters the 262 faced were reaching into the low 400s, the Me 262 was topping out at an otherworldly 560mph.

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The Me 262 had terrific firepower, with two or four 30-mm automatic cannon (the heaviest standard fighter weapon had long been the 20-mm) and Orkan unguided rockets. Despite its late entry to the war, it destroyed around 550 Allied aircraft.

6: Messerschmitt Me 262

Messerschmitt Me 262

However, the Me 262 was built in a challenging situation, with materials in short supply and quality control and production affected by the battering Germany was receiving. Superior Allied tactics, especially the targeting of Me 262s at their most vulnerable - while static or taking-off or landing - effectively countered this alarmingly brilliant fighter.

The Me 262 was the fastest practical fighter to see service in the war, with only severely limited rocket-powered interceptors flying faster. The Messerschmitt Me 262 was a harbinger of the age of jet fighters, and likely the most formidable fighter aircraft of World War 2.

5: Albatros D.III

Albatros D.III

The Albatros D.III and D.V development formed the bulk of the German fighter arm during 1917 and early 1918. The D.III proved formidable, being fast, well armed and generally sturdy, but it possessed a fundamental flaw: the lower wing was prone to failure in high-G-force manoeuvres.

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Strengthening improved the problem but it was never totally cured in German service. However, when Oesterreichische Flugzeugfabrik AG (Oeffag) in Austria started building the type under licence, their engineers altered the lower wing and eliminated the problem. Oeffag also dispensed with the large spinner of the German aircraft, which increased propeller efficiency and added 9 mph (14 km/h) to the maximum speed.

5: Albatros D.III

Albatros D.III

Austrian D.IIIs proved to be robust and effective aircraft that were popular with pilots and they remained in production until the end of the war. The model was probably the finest fighter available to the Central Powers until the introduction of the Fokker D.VII, and it remains a mystery why the successful modifications made by Oeffag were not applied to the German-built aircraft.

4: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Bo 105

Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Bo 105

The much-loved Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Bo 105 is a revolutionary helicopter with a massive influence on helicopter development. It was the first operational chopper with a hingeless rotor system, contributing to its insane agility, it is capable of astonishing manoeuvres, including inverted loops.

In 1948, a year before the formation of West Germany, the Bolkow company in Stuttgart began seriously considering the subject of the new technology that was the helicopter. As well as light aircraft and sailplanes, the company created a series of light helicopters, and the futuristic Bolkow Bo 46 experimental helicopter.

4: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Bo 105

Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Bo 105

From 1979, the West German army procured a force of dedicated anti-tank Bo 105 PAH-1 (Panzerabwehrhubschrauber: anti-armour helicopter) that became famous for their menacing camo scheme and low-level antics. Over 200 were procured, and armed with the HOT anti-tank missile were a formidable force: the little chopper packed an extremely heavy punch.

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The cheeky 105 was the first light turbine twin helicopter and became the basis for Eurocopters subsequent success in the light twin market with the BK117 and EC135/145. Over an almost 30-year production run, more than 1500 were built, serving with twenty seven armed forces and ten government agencies.

3: Siemens-Schuckert D.IV

Siemens-Schuckert D.IV

Seemingly something of a throwback, with its rotund, abbreviated fuselage and huge rotary engine, the Siemens-Schuckert D.IV was the finest interceptor to see service with Germany. Rotaries had reached the end of their development potential and the eleven-cylinder Siemens-Halske Sh.III fitted to the D.IV represented the zenith of this engine type, selected no doubt because it was a product of the same parent company as the airframe.

By dint of an ingenious crank and gearing system, the torque that proved so deadly on other rotary-powered aircraft, such as the Camel, was virtually eliminated, and a high compression ratio allowed the Sh.III to maintain an impressively high-power output at altitude.

3:Siemens-Schuckert D.IV

Siemens-Schuckert D.IV

Boasting a colossal rate of climb, at height the D.IV could outrun and outmanoeuvre the Fokker D.VII, itself noted for its good high-altitude performance, yet the D.IV could fly to 26,600 feet (8,100 m), about 3,900 feet (1,200 m) higher than the Fokker.

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As it appeared so late in the war, the excellent D.IV had little effect on the course of the conflict, and only 123 were built. Surprisingly, development continued after the cessation of hostilities, with Siemens-Schuckert producing a monoplane derivative in 1919, but the Treaty of Versailles rendered the development of further German military aircraft illegal.

2: Messerschmitt Bf 109

Messerschmitt Bf 109

Arguably the most important fighter aircraft of World War 2, and the fighter aircraft made in the greatest number  over 34,000  the Bf 109 was undoubtedly one of the most significant aircraft ever made. It is thus surprising to learn how unlikely success seemed when the aircraft was first proposed to the German Ministry of Aviation (RLM).

Designer Willy Messerschmitt was an outsider to an early 1930s competition for a new fighter aircraft for Germany. His entry, a small angular design, was up against Arado, Heinkel and Focke-Wulf. With the odds stacked against him, Messerschmitt combined all the latest technologies in the smallest possible airframe capable of taking the most powerful engine available, the Jumo 210A.

2: Messerschmitt Bf 109

Messerschmitt Bf 109

The Bf 109 was of all-metal construction, with a totally enclosed cockpit. Advanced high-lift features on the wing compensated for its relatively small size. The Bf 109 first flew in 1935, and first saw action in the Spanish Civil War. The Bf 109 was fast, manoeuvrable and well-armed, and relatively easy to build.

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It saw much combat in the Second World War, becoming the fighter with the largest number of aerial victories. However, it is impossible to get a hard figure; it is undoubtedly over 20,000 (and possibly far higher). On this metric alone, it was a more successful fighter than any single Allied aircraft, of which the top-scoring aircraft type was in the 5000 range.

1: Fokker D.VII

Fokker D.VII

Often named the best fighter of the First World War, the Fokker D.VII wasnt the fastest, most manoeuvrable or best-climbing aircraft to see service but it offered the finest combination of these attributes in one highly robust airframe. Possessing a fine altitude performance, it was also easy to fly, with a particularly gentle stall, and could be flown effectively by inexperienced pilots.

A massive production programme meant that, despite not entering service until May 1918, some 3300 had been built by the end of hostilities in November. Curiously, both wings of the Fokker were cantilever units, virtually unheard of at the time, and as such the D.VII was a harbinger of a future where all fighters would have self-supporting wings.

1: Fokker D.VII

Fokker D.VII

Wing struts were added to the design, but only to prevent vibration. A curious footnote to the D.VII saga is the Fokker Ontwerp (Design) 203 of 1940 (the Ontwerp 203 Sportfl ugzeug Projekt 1940). In a quite staggering example of toadying, directly after the Germans occupied the Netherlands, Friedrich Wilhelm Seekatz, manager of Fokker, decided to build a modern D.VII as a gift for Luftwaffe chief Hermann Goering, who had flown the type in 1918.

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Featuring a modern Argus engine in place of the original Mercedes unit, the new D.VII was to feature a wider fuselage to allow for Goerings increased girth. Somewhat sadly, though undoubtedly correctly from a moral standpoint, the design was abandoned.

Follow Joe Coles on Substack, Twitter X or Blue Sky. His superb Hush-Kit Book of Warplanes is available here.

If you enjoyed this story, please click the Follow button above to see more like it from Autocar

Photo Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en

]]>
Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino gave nearly seven hours of clipped, defensive, and evasive answers about his units chaotic Chicago mission, according to newly released court documents.

The full transcript of Bovinos deposition, filed in federal court Monday and reported by the Chicago Tribune, also featured lawyers trading insults and objections about his testimony about the behavior of his so-called Green Army during Operation Midway Blitz.

The needling started almost immediately: You didnt want to shake [Bovinos] hand when he walked into the room, Department of Justice attorney Sarmad Khojasteh told plaintiffs attorney Locke Bowman during an early break in the proceedings. That was notedTreat him with respect. Treat me with respect. Youre a professional.

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The transcript also details government counsel repeatedly cutting off questioning and, at one point, calling Bowman a petulant old man.

U.S. District Judge Sara L. Ellis, 56, last week torched Bovinos credibility in a 233-page opinion on the Trump administrations immigration enforcement operation in Chicago, writing that he appeared evasive either providing cute responses or outright lying. Her ordernow stayed by the 7th Circuit Court of Appealsdetails a video that, she said, flatly contradicts agency narratives about violent mobs justifying force.

The major flashpoint featuring Bovino came during a Little Village operation in which the 55-year-old Border Patrol commander threw tear gas into a crowd without warning.

He initially claimed he was struck in the head by a white rock before deploying gas, then walked that back days later: I was mistaken the white rock was thrown at meafter I deployed chemical munitions. Ellis said he later admitted he wasnt hit until after he tossed the gas.

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Pressed with photos of the scene, Bovino dodged basicsI cant tell exactly whats happening from a picturewhile correcting counsel that he threw two canisters, not one. When Bowman asked whether the image showed any part of the violent mob Bovino described, interruptions flew.

Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino throws tear gas in Little Village, Chicago, Illinois. / U.S. District Court

Ellis written ruling catalogs broader discrepancies, including agents almost immediately and without warning launching flash-bangs, tear gas, and pepper balls while exclaiming f--- yeah! and even one agent using ChatGPT to help write a use-of-force reportundermining sworn accounts of nonstop rioter aggression.

Bovino has maintained that agents confronted violent rioters and assaultive subjects and that uses of force were more than exemplary, according to coverage of his videotaped testimony. But the Obama-appointed judge concluded the governments own body-camera videos often disproved that portrayal.

Bovino, third from right, and his Green Army, which a judge painted as being reckless in their tactics. / Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images

A temporary restraining order had required IDs and body-cams and limited non-lethal munitions, before the preliminary injunction that followed was stayed pending appeal. The casebrought by reporters, clergy, and protesterscontinues.

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Operation Midway Blitz began in early September 2025, when hundreds of federal agents were surged into Chicago and the surrounding area. A centerpiece was the midnight helicopter raid on Sept. 30 that netted 37 arrests but zero criminal charges.

By mid-November, DHS was touting more than 900 arrests under the Midway Blitz, even as a federal judge faulted agents tactics and credibility.

Federal agents, led by Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino, gather in a park in downtown Charlotte to take a group photograph in Charlotte, North Carolina, before leaving the state for New Orleans. / Ryan Murphy/Getty Images

After wrapping in Chicago, Bovinos 200-strong unit shifted to North Carolina for a one-week push in and around Charlotte, where the tally hit around 370 arrests, according to the Department of Homeland Security. They left within days and are now slated to redeploy to New Orleans on Dec. 1.

Tricia McLaughlin, Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary, said the Trump administration was happy with its track record.

For all questions about this case, we would point you to the scoreboard in the appellate court. It currently reads, Trump Administration: 2, Professional Rioters: 0, she said.
Memphis, Tennessee-based AutoZone, Inc. (AZO) operates as a retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories. Valued at $64.1 billion by market cap, the company offers an extensive product line for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products.

Shares of this auto parts retailer have outperformed the broader market over the past year. AZO has gained 24.3% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has rallied nearly 11%. In 2025, AZO stock is up 20.3%, surpassing the SPXs 14% rise on a YTD basis.

More News from Barchart

Zooming in further, AZOs outperformance is also apparent compared to the SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT). The exchange-traded fund has declined about 1.8% over the past year. Moreover, AZOs double-digit returns on a YTD basis outshine the ETFs marginal dip over the same time frame.

www.barchart.com

AZO's strong performance was driven by solid execution in retail and commercial channels, with commercial sales outpacing retail growth due to improved inventory availability and faster delivery. The company saw market share gains, favorable weather, and international expansion in Mexico and Brazil, offsetting margin pressures from tariff-related costs and a non-cash LIFO charge. Management remains bullish on long-term growth, investing in stores, inventory, and technology to drive future success.

On Sep. 23, AZO shares fell slightly after reporting its Q4 results. Its EPS of $48.71 missed Wall Street expectations of $50.52. The companys revenue was $6.24 billion, exceeding Wall Street's $6.22 billion forecast.

For the current fiscal year, ending in August 2026, analysts expect AZOs EPS to grow 4.5% to $151.32 on a diluted basis. The companys earnings surprise history is disappointing. It missed the consensus estimates in each of the last four quarters.

Among the 28 analysts covering AZO stock, the consensus is a Strong Buy. Thats based on 22 Strong Buy ratings, two Moderate Buys, three Holds, and one Strong Sell.
Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff told a senior Kremlin official last month that achieving peace in Ukraine would require Russia gaining control of Donetsk and potentially a separate territorial exchange, according to a recording of their conversation obtained by Bloomberg.

In the 14 October phone call with Yuri Ushakov, the top foreign policy aide to the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, Witkoff said he believed the land concessions were necessary all while advising Ushakov to congratulate Trump and frame discussions more optimistically.

Now, me to you, I know what its going to take to get a peace deal done: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere, Witkoff told Ushakov during the five-minute conversation, according to Bloombergs transcript. But Im saying instead of talking like that, lets talk more hopefully because I think were going to get to a deal here.

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Related: Dan Driscoll: envoy pushing Ukraine peace plan belies Vance influence

The US envoy also offered tactical guidance on how Putin should raise the subject with Trump, including suggestions about scheduling a Trump-Putin telephone conversation before Volodymyr Zelenskyys White House visit later that week.

On Wednesday, Ushakov appeared to confirm the authenticity of the phone conversation, telling Russian state TV that the leak was probably an attempt to hinder the talks.

As for Witkoff, I can say that a preliminary agreement has been reached that he will come to Moscow next week, Ushakov said.

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The White House did not dispute the veracity of the transcript, and Trump described Witkoffs reported approach to the Russians in the call as standard negotiating procedure.

Hes got to sell this to Ukraine. Hes got to sell Ukraine to Russia, Trump told reporters onboard Air Force One as he flew to his home in Florida on Tuesday night. Thats what a dealmaker does.

The recording offers a direct insight into Witkoffs negotiating approach and appears to reveal the origins of the controversial 28-point peace proposal that emerged earlier in November.

On the call, Witkoff, who recently helped broker the Gaza ceasefire agreement, suggested Moscow and Washington develop a joint peace framework modelled on that deal. We put a 20-point Trump plan together that was 20 points for peace and Im thinking maybe we do the same thing with you, he said.

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Ushakov appeared to take some of the advice onboard. Putin will congratulate and will say: Mr Trump is a real peace man, he said.

The heavily criticised 28-point proposal would require Ukraine to cede the entire Donetsk region to Russia, including areas under Ukrainian control. Russia has not fully captured Donetsk.

Those territories would become a demilitarized buffer zone recognised internationally as Russian, and the plan would also grant Russia control of Luhansk and Crimea while freezing battle lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

Putin said this month he believed the US plan could serve as the basis for a final peaceful settlement, though the Kremlin maintains it has not discussed the proposal in detail with Washington.

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The revelations come as Trump said on Tuesday he was sending Witkoff to meet Putin in Moscow, and the US army secretary, Dan Driscoll, to meet with the Ukrainians  ahead of a possible White House meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy on Friday.

I look forward to hopefully meeting with President Zelenskyy and President Putin soon, but ONLY when the deal to end this War is FINAL or, in its final stages, Trump said in a Truth Social post.

The US has pushed Ukraine to accept the framework as the foundation for ending the nearly four-year conflict, though Ukrainian officials have insisted they will not recognise Russian control of occupied territories or accept limits on their military forces.

The phone conversation took place as Trumps stance toward Moscow appeared to be hardening. On the same day as the Witkoff-Ushakov call, Trump voiced frustration with Putins unwillingness to end the war, saying: I dont know why he continues with this war. He just doesnt want to end that war. And I think its making him look very bad.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report

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Weeks have passed since several Jersey Shore towns alerted state officials to their eroded beaches, declaring states of emergency after heavy sand loss caused by three storms.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection says its ready to fund scheduled beach renourishment projects in 2026 but warns that emergency work isnt possible without federal dollars, and those funds arent yet secured.

With costs topping $73 million for recent projects, the state is offering technical support for any self-funded interim fixes while lobbying Congress for long-term support.

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Ocean City and Upper Township said their beaches suffered the most damage from Hurricane Erin in August, followed by two October storms  a noreaster and a strong coastal storm.

The weather created storm surges that swamped much of their coastline.

Both Ocean City and Upper Township were expected to have their beaches replenished through a federally backed fill in 2026.

However, financial assurances from President Donald Trumps administration have yet to be made, according to a letter from the DEP.

New Jersey performs beach restoration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which, as of July, had not been given allocations for nourishment next year.

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This year, at least three projects, including one that would have restored some of Ocean Citys beaches, were not funded.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has a long history of working closely with the state of New Jersey on coastal projects that reduce the risk of storm damage to infrastructure, the agencys Philadelphia District said in an email to NJ Advance Media.

We cannot speculate on what might be included in fiscal year 2026 appropriations for coastal projects, the statement said.

Beaches in Ocean City and Strathmere, Upper Townships waterfront community, are due for replenishment in 2026, likely ahead of the busiest months for summer travel, DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said in a letter to both towns.

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Through both projects, beaches in all of Ocean City, Strathmere and Sea Isle City would be resupplied with ample amounts of sand, LaTourette said.

However, funding for those projects has not been confirmed by Trump officials, he said. New Jersey cannot support an interim beach fill project alone, he added.

In short, given the scale and cost of shore protection needs throughout New Jersey, our shore protection program is heavily reliant upon consistent federal funding and partnership and does not enable DEP interim beach nourishment outside the established cost-share paradigm and periodic nourishment cycles, LaTourette said.

Under Gov. Phil Murphys administration, New Jersey annually allocates $50 million toward its Shore Protection Fund.

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That money is used to match funding provided by the Army Corps. Typically, the federal government bears 65% of a projects cost, while New Jersey matches 35% using the fund.

Last months noreaster eroded more sand at Strathmeres beachfront. The heaviest losses are in the communitys first three blocks, which have become the site of steep sand cliffs.

Weeks later, Strathmeres beaches lost more sand, but its dunes were spared from more damage, township officials previously said.

The township does not have enough sand for backpassing  a process in which sand is taken from fuller beaches to replenish depleted ones, Mayor Curtis Corson said.

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Township officials are turning to lobbyists in Washington to prod the federal government for help, he said.

Were very vulnerable right now, Corson said in a phone call with NJ Advance Media on Friday. On the positive note, the state has the funding to help.

Across the Corsons Inlet Bridge, Ocean City declared a state of emergency after significant sand loss between 1st and 13th streets.

Mayor Jay Gillian said the declaration is a tool for officials to demand that higher governments help. Ocean City recently backpassed sand to the neediest areas of the beach, officials said.

Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, a Trump ally in Congress, has appealed to the presidents administration for emergency funding to repair beaches in his district, including Ocean City and Strathmere.

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The congressman has spoken with the Army Corps of Engineers and they are very receptive to emergency funding for these communities and others, a spokesperson for Van Drews office said in an email to NJ Advance Media.

The NJDEP had asked us to engage the Army Corps in this discussion, which is exactly what we have done, the statement said. Of course, this has to go through a process, in which we are in the middle of, and we expect good results.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The unprecedented push to create new congressional districts mid-decade is hitting roadblocks in the form of local elected officials from both parties.

Republicans face headwinds in the 2026 midterms: the party in power often loses ground in the election after a presidential win, and Trumps agenda isnt going over well. The 2025 off-year elections showed voters favoring Democrats at higher-than-expected margins. Trump wants to keep the House in Republican control by redrawing congressional maps to create more Republican-friendly districts. He first pressured Texas, which responded by drawing five additional red districts, which led California to advance a now-approved ballot measure to create five more Democrat-friendly districts to offset Texass maps.

But the White House pressure campaigns havent found willing participants in all GOP-held statehouses, or from the courts. Texass maps were blocked by a federal court, and the US supreme court will review that decision, which could deal a blow to the whole gambit. Voters in Missouri are trying to stop their states gerrymander via a referendum.

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The big mid-decade GOP gerrymander isnt inevitable  but it isnt over.

Some lawmakers, on the left and the right, are steeling themselves against the pressure. Some have philosophical opposition and believe in protecting the normal process, in which districts are drawn every 10 years after the census, and dont want to wade into a nakedly partisan process and further undermine voters faith in democratic processes.

Others are doing their own math and realizing redistricting puts their own party at risk of a dummymander, or a district intended to help one party that unintentionally helps the opposition. There are legal calculations as well: new districts can invite lawsuits, and the supreme court decision could disrupt their plans.

Some statehouse leaders are protecting their members who would vote against redistricting efforts because they dont want to subject their members to attacks or primaries. The bar to pass new maps is high in some states  the party needs near uniformity to clear it.

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Mark Schreiber, a Republican representative in the Kansas house, said he did not approve of redistricting for a political purpose. Im not just going to redistrict just to accommodate trying to increase chances for maintaining a majority in the US House, he said.

Clarke Sanders, a Republican in the Kansas House, told the Guardian via email that redistricting didnt seem like a good idea to me because the state just drew new districts three years ago. Kansas has four congressional districts, only one of which is held by a Democrat, Sharice Davids. Redrawing lines could risk the party losing not just in her district, but another district as well, he said.

The problem is NOT the makeup of the district, the problem is, IMO, we dont have a candidate, Sanders said. We could win in the district the way it is now with the right candidate.

David Becker, the executive director of the Center for Election Innovation & Research, said the pushback is a really positive development on both sides, so long as it remains on both sides. Redistricting is historically rare, and the closer we get to an election, the more confusing it gets for voters and more difficult to implement for elections officials, he said.

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Im impressed by the legislators who are thinking about the big picture and thinking about their voters rather than the possibility of gaining one more seat in a very closely divided House of Representatives, Becker said.

Voters often disapprove of gerrymandering and see it as unfair. A recent YouGov survey found most in both parties opposed the idea when it was described. But a more recent Politico poll showed a majority in both parties wanted their parties to make more favorable districts, with the right wanting to keep power and the left seeking to push back against Trump.

Its a distinction from the trend in many states, which have moved toward independent redistricting in which non-partisan (or at least less partisan) committees help draw lines that better reflect their populaces.

I dont think anybody left of Maga wants to be here, said John Bisognano, president of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. This is a crisis that was thrust upon the country by Donald Trump picking up the phone, calling Greg Abbott and trying to steal five congressional seats at a moment in time when we had found a reasonable balance.

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Resisting intense full-court press from the White House is difficult for a party allegiant to Trump. But some in Indiana, Kansas, Nebraska and New Hampshire have refused to give in.

Trump targeted the Indiana senate on Tuesday, saying the state was going to take up redistricting in two weeks and he hoped the senate would find the votes to pass new maps.

If they do, I will make sure that all of those people supporting me win their Primaries, and go on to Greatness but, he wrote on Truth Social, if they dont, I will partner with the incredibly powerful MAGA Grassroots Republicans to elect STRONG Republicans who are ready to do what is needed to protect our Country.

Some who havent publicly approved of redistricting in Indiana have had their homes swatted.

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Rodric Bray, the Republican president pro tem of the Indiana senate, is a key holdout. He said in a statement on 18 November that he wanted to see a Republican majority in the US House, but he disagreed on how to achieve it. It made more sense to focus on electing a Republican in the states first congressional district, which has trended right in recent cycles, rather than create new districts. Bray said this week the senate would reconvene in December because redistricting has received a lot of attention and is causing strife, though it was unclear if his chamber had the votes to pass new maps.

On the left, states have largely operated in response to Republican efforts. The Illinois governor, JB Pritzker, said his state is waiting to see what happens with Indiana.

Were watching what Indiana does, Pritzker said earlier in November. We may have to react to that. Its certainly something that people have considered here, and the legislature has considered here. But well have to see what happens.

In Maryland, the senate president, Bill Ferguson, has opposed his states push to redistrict. He has seen intense scrutiny from his party for this position, especially as Democrats work to counter Trumps grip on the federal government. Meet the Most Hated Democrat in America, a headline in the Bulwark said this month.

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But others in his chamber agree. Cheryl Kagan, a Democratic senator, told Maryland Matters that there were many issues lawmakers should be focused on instead. At some point, this feels like a risky distraction, she said.

The holding pattern is fragile  if one state moves, others will probably follow suit, domino after domino. And Republican states have more of an opportunity to game the system: their legislative majorities oversee more Democratic seats than Democratic majorities do Republicans.

Ferguson made this fragility clear in his letter: several Republican-led states arent redistricting because other Democratic states have stalled their efforts. If Maryland moves forward, Republican states will, too. That means that Marylands potential gain of one seat is immediately eliminated, and, in fact, worsens the national outlook, he wrote.

It remains to be seen how many Republican state lawmakers will continue their stand against the Trump administration despite the threats of primaries or swatting attacks or bad blood with their fellow lawmakers.
President Donald Trump lashed out at The New York Times for a story this week that pointed to his advanced age and a diminished White House schedule, extolling what he sees as his administrations wins and accusing the publication of unfair coverage.

[T]he Radical Left Lunatics in the soon to fold New York Times did a hit piece on me that I am perhaps losing my Energy, despite facts that show the exact opposite, he wrote Wednesday on Truth Social. They know this is wrong, as is almost every thing that they write about me, including election results, ALL PURPOSELY NEGATIVE.

Trump, now 79, is the oldest person ever elected to the Oval Office. The Times report pointed to several examples in which Trumps increased age has made this term different from his first.

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The president holds fewer public events than he did at this point in his first term, the paper found. And he maintains a shorter public schedule, with appearances regularly taking place between noon and 5 p.m. The story also highlighted an event in October in which Trump appeared to nod off in the Oval Office and recalled an MRI scan Trump revealed hed undergone in October.

There will be a day when I run low on Energy, it happens to everyone, but with a PERFECT PHYSICAL EXAM AND A COMPREHENSIVE COGNITIVE TEST (That was aced) JUST RECENTLY TAKEN, it certainly is not now! the president boasted on social media.

Trumps post escalates his long-running feud with the Times, which the president has regularly asserted is failing. He sued the publication for $15 billion in September, accusing it of being a fullthroated mouthpiece of the Democrat Party. A judge threw out the suit just several days later, but Trump refiled an amended complaint in mid-October.

"The Times's reporting is accurate and built on first hand reporting of the facts," Charlie Stadtlander, a spokesperson for The New York Times, said in a statement. "Name-calling and personal insults don't change that, nor will our journalists hesitate to cover this administration in the face of intimidation tactics like this."

CLARIFICATION: This article has been updated to clarify that Donald Trump has refiled his lawsuit against The New York Times after a judge initially threw out his case.
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he pressed Chinese President Xi Jinping to accelerate and increase Beijing's purchases of U.S. goods during a phone call on Monday, and the Chinese leader had "more or less agreed."

"I asked him, I'd like you to buy it a little faster. I'd like you to buy more. And he's more or less agreed to do that," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. "I think we will be pleasantly surprised by the actions of President Xi."

China has resumed purchases of U.S. soybeans and halted its expanded curbs on rare earths exports, but the pace of purchases had been less than initially expected. 

(Reporting by Jeff Mason; Writing by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Tom Hogue)
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (Reuters) -President Donald Trump said on Friday he does not want to extend Obamacare subsidies after reports surfaced that he was preparing a health-policy framework to extend Affordable Care Act insurance premium subsidies for two years.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew to Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday, Trump made clear he opposed such a move, buckling to pressure from Republican lawmakers who are against it.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason and Steve Holland; Editing by Tom Hogue)
WASHINGTON  Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Trump administration is deploying an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington DC following the Nov. 26 shooting of two guard members blocks from the White House.

"This will only stiffen our resolve to ensure that we make Washington DC safe and beautiful," Hegseth told reporters.

Following reductions in recent weeks, nearly 2,200 National Guard troops are currently in Washington DC after President Donald Trump launched his crime crackdown in the nation's capital in August. The proposed surge would increase the mission to around 2,700 troops.

Two National Guard soldiers stands next to a US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agent after a shooting in downtown Washington, D.C., on Nov. 26, 2025. Two National Guard soldiers were shot a few blocks from the White House, according to law enforcement. Members of the U.S. Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies respond to a shooting near the White House on Nov. 26, 2025 in Washington, D.C. At least two uniformed military personnel, appearing to be National Guardsmen, have been shot blocks from the White House. A member of the U.S. Secret Service secures the area near a shooting near the White House on Nov. 26, 2025 in Washington, D.C. At least two uniformed military personnel, appearing to be National Guardsmen, have been shot blocks from the White House. National Guard soldiers huddle around law enforcement officers while receiving information after a shooting in downtown Washington, D.C., on Nov. 26, 2025. Two National Guard soldiers were shot a few blocks from the White House, according to law enforcement. 2 National Guard troops shot near White House in Washington, D.C. 1 of 4 Two National Guard soldiers stands next to a US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agent after a shooting in downtown Washington, D.C., on Nov. 26, 2025. Two National Guard soldiers were shot a few blocks from the White House, according to law enforcement.

Trump has hailed his deployment of the National Guard to Washington DC as a wild success in bringing down crime and a model as he moves to send troops in Portland, Oregon, Chicago and other cities. Yet Trump has exaggerated the drop in crime, this week falsely claiming DC has not had a homicide in six months.

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There have been 123 homicides this year in DC, according to Metropolitan Police Department in DC. Last week, the DC police announced an investigation into a shooting death that occurred Nov. 19. Homicides are down 29% in 2025 from 2024, according to Metropolitan Police Department in DC, but the crime rate was already on the decline before Trump intervened.

National Guard members stand together after two National Guard members were shot near the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 26, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard

"The drop in crime has been historic," Hegseth said. "The increase in safety and security has been historic. But if criminals wants to conduct things like this violence against America's best  we will never back down. President Trump will never back down. That's why the American people elected him."

The two National Guard members, both from the West Virginia National Guard, are in critical condition after they were shot in an ambush near two blocks from the White House in downtown DC.

Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.

(This story has been updated with more information.)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump to deploy 500 more National Guard troops to DC after shooting
Donald Trump is going to war with Democrats over the military. It could backfire on him.

The presidents attacks on six Democrats who recorded a video encouraging military members to buck unlawful orders are elevating members of a faction that just delivered big off-year wins for their party. Most hail from swing states or districts, identify as centrists and are leveraging their national security backgrounds to argue that Democrats can retake the patriotic lane.

Trump is also boosting some potential 2028 presidential hopefuls, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, while further undercutting the GOPs attempts to make New York progressives like Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez the face of the Democratic Party.

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Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump are providing Mark Kelly with the kind of visibility that almost no amount of money could buy, said Barrett Marson, an Arizona-based Republican strategist, referring to the Defense secretary who ordered an investigation of Kelly. Every 2028 contender wishes they could be attacked like this by the Trump administration.

Since Trump accused the six of sedition and even suggested they could be executed, theyve racked up millions of views on social media, done the cable news circuit and blasted out fundraising appeals highlighting the attacks.

Its heightened the stature of even those who have already been the subject of speculation about their 2028 aspirations. Kelly, who was on the short list to be Vice President Kamala Harris running mate last year, has already visited a raft of early primary and general-election battleground states this year. But only after Trumps attack was he invited on Jimmy Kimmel Live! this week.

In recent months, Slotkin has been testing what she calls a war plan to contain and defeat Donald Trump in speeches outside of her state, meeting with low-propensity voters and theorizing about what she calls Project 2029. Now shes brought those themes to a series of interviews and public appearances over the past week.

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As Democrats debate how far to lean into themes of patriotism more often claimed by conservatives, a group of lawmakers organized by Slotkin released a video with anti-authoritarian themes ahead of the No Kings protests last month. A follow-up video last week called on troops not to obey unlawful orders, prompting Trumps explosion.

The president posted on social media they were committing SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL by suggesting military members ignore their chain of command and shared a post calling for traitors to be hanged. The White House later denied Trump was threatening the lawmakers with death. Since then, the Pentagon has opened an investigation into Kelly, who is a retired Navy captain, and the six lawmakers claim the FBI has made inquiries through congressional authorities.



Democrats, particularly those with military backgrounds, have leapt to their colleagues defense, echoing their message about following the law and accusing Trump of weaponizing the government against his political opponents.

Trump knows that were a threat to Republicans grip on Washington, said Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a military veteran whose Serve America PAC supports several of the Democrats in the video. These are great leaders who can take the fight to Trump and MAGA.

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Its classic Trump  he ratchets everything up to an 11 and it blows up in his face, said Austin Cook, a Democratic strategist and former Slotkin spokesperson. Not only did it reinforce everything swing voters have always hated about him, but its also given this group the biggest megaphone theyve ever had.

But Tim Edson, a GOP strategist and former political director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said the video will only confirm the GOP bases preconceived, negative views of Democratic officials.

Republicans believe these Democrats are deranged with hatred of Trump, and its just their latest attempt to undermine lawful policies simply because theyre Trumps policies, Edson said. These embarrassing antics only rally Republicans to the president.

Some Democrats think its too early to tell how things will shake out for the seditious six, as some Trump officials are calling the lawmakers.

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Whether it works or not will depend on what comes next, if an illegal order actually does come down they get to be leaders saying I told you so, texted one strategist who has consulted for Democratic veterans and was granted anonymity to speak candidly. If one doesnt, theyve simply made themselves victims to Trumps latest attacks. Most Democrats fail at playing on his turf.

Kelly doubled down on the videos message during his talk-show appearance Tuesday night and noted some of his Republican colleagues are expressing support: People are starting to take a look at this and saying, Wow, this is just nuts that he's going after U.S. senators and members of the House for something they said.
Donald Trump has warned Nicolas Maduro he can do things the easy way  or the hard way as Venezuelas authoritarian leader responded to the growing US pressure campaign by urging followers to prepare to defend every inch of the South American country.

Clad in woodland camouflage fatigues, Maduro told a rally in the capital, Caracas, it was their historic duty to fight foreign aggressors, just as the Venezuelan liberation hero Simon Bolivar did two centuries ago.

We have to be capable of defending every inch of this blessed land from any sort of imperialist threat or aggression, wherever it comes from, Maduro declared in his Tuesday address to the revolutionary people of Caracas.

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I swear before our Lord Jesus Christ, that I will give my all for the victory of Venezuela, Maduro said, vowing to protect the skies, mountains and plains of his country.

Related: US justice department memo about boat strikes diverges from Trump narrative

Speaking on Air Force One as he flew to Florida, Trump declined to explain the precise purpose of his four-month campaign against Venezuela, although many suspect it is designed to overthrow Maduro, who is widely believed to have stolen last years presidential election.

Officially, the huge US military deployment in the Caribbean Sea is part of a crackdown on Latin American drug traffickers flooding the US with drugs. Washington has accused Maduro of leading one narco cartel  the Cartel of the Suns, which was this week designated a foreign terrorist organization  although many experts say the group does not actually exist.

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Im not going to tell you what the goal is. You should probably know what the goal is, Trump said of his crusade, indicating he might talk to Maduro.

If we can save lives, if we can do things the easy way, thats fine. And if we have to do it the hard way, thats fine too, the US president told reporters.

Trumps future plans for South Americas sixth-largest country  and the nation with the worlds largest proven oil reserves  remain shrouded in mystery.

Maduro and most of his cohorts view the US military threats as a bluff, a source with regular contact with top Venezuela officials told the Wall Street Journal this week.

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Maduro believes that the only way the US can oust him is by sending troops to Caracas, that person added.

Given Trumps reluctance to send US troops into combat overseas, that looks highly unlikely. But many observers suspect that, after conducting more than 10 deadly airstrikes targeting supposed drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea, Trumps next step will be US strikes on Venezuelan soil.

I think that were going to start blowing things up. I think we have to do something because theres too big a force there [in the Caribbean] to not do something, said Douglas Farah, a national security consultant and Latin America expert who advised the US government on Venezuela during Trumps first term.

Farah said his biggest fear was that  even if the US did launch some kind of attack, perhaps targeting a major Caribbean port out of which cocaine was smuggled  that would fail to topple Maduro, just as Trump failed to topple him in 2019.

[If that happens] Maduro will feel empowered. Hell say: Yeah, I defeated the United States, Farah said. And any chance of the Venezuelan dictator leaving power in some sort of orderly fashion will be gone again for another 10 years.
President Donald Trumps primary goal is to end the war in Ukraine, no matter what the peace deal looks like.

As European allies and the Ukrainians haggled over the details of an initial 28-point plan that would have given Donbas over to Russia, White House officials stressed that Trump doesnt have red lines  just as long as both sides agree and the war comes to a close.

"The ultimate goal is peace. That's the most important thing that can be achieved here. Stop the fighting, stop the killing. Those are the main things he wants out of this, said a senior White House official, granted anonymity to discuss ongoing peace negotiations.

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Trump would sign on to a deal that stops the war, and whatever agreement that both sides can agree on as quickly as possible, the official added.

Trumps overriding desire to stop the bloodshed helps explain why the details of the plan remain fluid, and why the president in the span of 24 hours can go from giving Ukraine a Thursday deadline to agree to his plan to stressing that his proposal is not a final offer . It also sheds light on why multiple U.S. officials appear to be leading negotiations, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio , who arrived in Geneva on Sunday to speak with Europeans and Ukrainians.

Trumps proposal, which was released last week , required Ukraine to make major land concessions, including the entirety of Donbas, Luhansk and Crimea, as well as agreeing to never join NATO.

Its tilt toward Russian demands had some Republicans concerned that Trumps focus on stopping the war was leading to a bad deal for Ukraine.

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Several senators, including Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) condemned the proposal.

Those who think pressuring the victim and appeasing the aggressor will bring peace are kidding themselves, McConnell posted on X this week.

But Trump has long seen himself as a mediator in the war and doesnt want to take sides, a notable contrast from former President Joe Biden and most of the U.S.s European allies. They insist Ukraine is a victim of Russian aggression and its concerns are paramount.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly pointed to Trumps desire to keep both sides talking, without seeking a particular outcome, other than peace.

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President Trumps goal is to end the war  which would have never happened if he was President, and has taken the lives of millions of people. He is working to prevent the further loss of life through a durable and enforceable peace, Kelly said.

Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Vice President JD Vance, have since negotiated the terms with the Ukrainians and the current proposal has been whittled down to a 19-point plan. But as they move closer to a deal that Europe and Ukraine can live with, the mood in Moscow appears increasingly pessimistic , which is likely to frustrate Trumps ultimate aim of resolving the conflict quickly.

Trumps plan  even as it is changed  represents the most significant proposal to end the nearly four-year war, the largest in Europe since 1945.

White House officials said last week they thought Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in a particularly weak position domestically , owing to a growing corruption scandal that has ensnared his inner circle, opening the door to striking a deal.

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At the same time, some feared that a weakened Zelenskyy would not have the political capital to sell a bad deal to Ukraine.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted a call Tuesday for the so-called coalition of the willing, a group of countries that have pledged to support Ukraine. During a briefing on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the prime minister confirmed a willingness to send troops as part of a multinational force. The European counterproposal leaves open the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO and demands a ceasefire before any land negotiations take place.
Pakistan has sound regulatory framework to support use, investment of RMB: central bank official

Xinhua) 11:02, November 26, 2025

ISLAMABAD, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan has established a comprehensive regulatory framework to support the use and investment of the Chinese currency renminbi (RMB), a senior official of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Tuesday.

Muhammad Malik, executive director of the SBP, made the remarks while addressing an event in Karachi to mark the 10th anniversary of the RMB internationalization in Pakistan. The event was hosted by the Karachi branch of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), which serves as the RMB clearing bank in Pakistan.

Malik said the RMB has great potential in Pakistan and is expected to benefit all stakeholders further, noting that the country already has a sound regulatory system in place to facilitate RMB usage and investment.

The SBP has rolled out multiple initiatives to promote RMB awareness, strengthen clearing and settlement capacity, and ensure that local enterprises and banks fully understand the advantages of conducting transactions in RMB, he added.

In an online address, Zhou Yongkun, head of the Macroprudential Policy Bureau of the People's Bank of China (PBOC), said RMB receipts and payments for China-Pakistan goods trade reached 19.4 billion yuan (about 2.73 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, accounting for 23 percent of total cross-border receipts and payments in goods trade during the period.

He added that there remains broad room for future growth and that the PBOC will continue to enhance policy support for the RMB clearing bank.

Speaking at the event, ICBC Vice President Zhang Weiwu said the bank has opened RMB accounts for all 22 mainstream Pakistani banks authorized for foreign exchange operations, noting that RMB business in Pakistan has shown strong momentum.

He said ICBC will further increase resource input, explore ways to provide stable liquidity support for the offshore RMB market, and study the launch of more innovative RMB products to better meet the financial needs of market participants engaged in China-Pakistan economic and trade cooperation.

Yang Yundong, Chinese consul general in Karachi, said the evolving global economic environment underscores the importance of deepening financial cooperation between China and Pakistan.

China stands ready to work with Pakistan to facilitate local-currency settlement in bilateral trade and investment, expand RMB-related services, strengthen regulatory communication and coordination, and leverage financial technologies to enhance cross-border financial connectivity, he added.

In November 2022, the PBOC authorized ICBC's Karachi branch to serve as Pakistan's RMB clearing bank.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. (NYSE:NMG) is one of the Canadian penny stocks to buy right now. On November 13, Roth MKM analyst Joseph Reagor reiterated a Buy rating on Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. (NYSE:NMG) with a $4.70 per share price target. The positive stance came on the heels of National Bank analyst Mohamed Sidibe upgrading the stock to Outperform from Sector Perform with a C$5 price target.

Wall Street Bullish on Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. (NMG) amid Significant Graphite Deals

Photo by Kumpan Electric on Unsplash

The wave of positive ratings on Wall Street follows the companys securing multiple commercial agreements for its Phase 2 graphite production. It has already inked binding supply agreements with the Canadian government and revised off take deals with existing customers.

The Canadian government has already signed a seven-year off-take agreement for 30,000 tons per annum of graphite concentrate. The supply agreement also includes 15,000 tons per annum on a take-or-pay basis at a fixed North American market price. Nouveau Monde Graphite has inked a commercial agreement with Traxys North America for 20,000 tons per annum of graphite concentrate.

Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. (NYSE:NMG) develops a fully integrated, carbon-neutral supply chain to produce high-purity, battery-grade graphite materials for the electric vehicle (EV) and renewable energy storage markets. The company operates a mine in Quebec to extract natural graphite, which is then processed into advanced anode material at its Becancour facility.

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READ NEXT: 10 Best Mexican Stocks to Invest In and 10 Best Cryptocurrency Stocks to Buy for the Long Term.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
The White House Christmas Tree has arrived. Two lucky turkeys have been pardoned by the president ahead of Thanksgiving. It is officially the holiday season for the first time in President Donald Trump's second term.

Trump's schedule shows he and first lady Melania Trump will be headed to Palm Beach, Florida, for Thanksgiving. On the holiday, he will participate in a call with service members.

Trump has been returning to Mar-a-Lago frequently for weekends since mid-October. In his first term, Trump also went to Mar-a-Lago for Christmas in his first term, except for the 2018 holiday when the government was shut down.

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Melania Trump will unveil the White House Christmas design and decoration to the media on Dec. 1, but what does Christmas look like at Mar-a-Lago? Take a look:

More: Trump said 'Piggy' in '96, then hosted weight loss event at Mar-a-Lago

Mar-a-Lago during the holidays: See photos

First lady Melania Trump hit holiday controversy in first term

Christmas at the White House brought controversy to the first lady in President Donald Trump's first term.

First, there were the red Christmas trees in 2018.

Then, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, author of the book "Melania and Me," secretly recorded conversations with Melania Trump complaining about her role promoting the White House at Christmas while being criticized for not doing more meaningful work, CNN reported in 2020.

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"I'm working my (expletive) off with the Christmas stuff that, you know, who gives a (expletive) about Christmas stuff and decorations but I need to do it, right?" the first lady said in the recording. "And then I do it, and I say I'm working on Christmas and planning for Christmas ... And they say, 'What about the children that are separated?' Give me a f---ing break."

Wolkoff and the first lady were friends. Trump's first-term Justice Department sued Wolkoff over the tell-all memoir, but the lawsuit was dropped in 2021. In response to the recordings, the first lady's office said there was no way to know if the recordings were edited and accused Wolkoff of recording to "peddle herself and her salacious book."

Contributing: Maria Puente, Bryan Alexander, Barbara VanDenburgh, USA TODAY

Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at KCrowley@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X (Twitter), Bluesky and TikTok.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump, trees and turkeys. It's the holidays. Mar-a-Lago celebrates
By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Several congressional Republicans are harshly criticizing President Donald Trump's White House over its handling of a proposed Ukraine peace plan they say favors Russia, a sharp departure for a party that has adhered closely to almost all of Trump's initiatives.

Backers of Ukraine have worried that a U.S.-based 28-point framework for ending the war in Ukraine, first reported last week, means Trump's administration might be willing to push Kyiv to sign a peace deal heavily tilted toward Moscow.

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"This so-called 'peace plan' has real problems, and I am highly skeptical it will achieve peace," Senator Roger Wicker, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement on Friday.

Those fears escalated when Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday that Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff, in an October 14 telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin's policy aide Yuri Ushakov, said they should work together on a ceasefire plan and that Putin should raise it with Trump.

WITKOFF 'CANNOT BE TRUSTED': REPRESENTATIVE

"For those who oppose the Russian invasion and want to see Ukraine prevail as a sovereign & democratic country, it is clear that Witkoff fully favors the Russians. He cannot be trusted to lead these negotiations. Would a Russian paid agent do less than he? He should be fired," Republican Representative Don Bacon said on X.

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While Trump's party remains overwhelmingly behind him, the criticism from Republican lawmakers is notable, given the president's recent setbacks, including Democratic election victories this month and Congress backing the release of Justice Department files on the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, an outcome Trump fought for months.

Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick called for a shift in approach, describing the call on social media as "a major problem. And one of the many reasons why these ridiculous side shows and secret meetings need to stop."

Senator Mitch McConnell, the former Republican Senate leader, suggested Trump might need to find new advisers. "Rewarding Russian butchery would be disastrous to Americas interests," he said in a statement.

PUSHBACK FROM TRUMP'S CIRCLE

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Members of Trump's inner circle have pushed back against the lawmakers.

Vice President JD Vance, a former Republican senator who has criticized aid to Ukraine, accused McConnell of making a "ridiculous attack" on the plan to end the war.

The president's son, Donald Trump Jr., said on social media that McConnell was "just bitter and lashing out against my father."

But the attacks from members of Trump's own party, along with recent political headwinds, could signal a bigger problem for the administration, said analysts.

"All of this suggests he's much more politically vulnerable than he's seemed for the last nine, 10 months," said Scott Anderson, a fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution.

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Additionally, with opinion polls showing most Americans want to support Ukraine as it battles Russia's invaders, Republicans are likely looking toward the 2026 midterm elections, when control of Congress will be at stake, and many Republican candidates in tight races will have to appeal to independent voters.

Some of the strongest criticism has come from Republicans like Bacon and McConnell, who are not running for reelection, but Anderson said they are saying publicly what others would be saying in private meetings.

"They are so vocal, they are so targeted ... It almost certainly reflects a private element of messaging from the part of the party they represent," Anderson said.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Don Durfee and Rod Nickel)
A quicker version of TSA PreCheck could speed up Thanksgiving travel for flyers at 15 airports across the country.

Earlier this year, the Transportation Security Administration launched the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program, a version of PreCheck that allows passengers to pass through security checkpoints without presenting an ID Card or boarding pass.

Using a facial recognition technology called Traveler Verification Service, Touchless ID creates a biometric template of a passengers live facial image and compares it to images they previously provided to the federal government, according to TSA.

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While participation is optional, passengers who have consented to the technology can opt out at any time. Here's what to know.

Travelers walk through the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Nov. 25, 2025 in Arlington, Va. Airlines expect up to 31 million travelers will fly during Thanksgiving holiday between November 21 through December 1. People move through the Moynihan Train Hall in Manhattan on Nov. 25, 2025, in New York City. A record number of Americans are expected to travel this Thanksgiving holiday, with AAA projecting that overall, 81.8 million people will travel 50 miles or more during the holiday period. An aerial view of vehicles traveling along the Loop 1 highway on Nov. 24, 2025 in Austin, Texas. The AAA is expecting record-breaking travel during this year's Thanksgiving, making it the state's busiest Thanksgiving travel season in 15 years. An estimated total of 5.8 million people will be traveling by road and the skies over the upcoming week. Travelers arrive at Union Station on Nov. 25, 2025, in Washington, DC. Thanksgiving is the busiest travel holiday of the year, and the American Automobile Association (AAA) projects a record number of travelers in 2025. Christmas tree lights are reflected in glass as passengers make their way through the terminal on the busiest travel day of the Thanksgiving holiday, at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Va. on Nov. 25, 2025. People move through the Moynihan Train Hall in Manhattan on Nov. 25, 2025, in New York City. A record number of Americans are expected to travel this Thanksgiving holiday, with AAA projecting that overall, 81.8 million people will travel 50 miles or more during the holiday period. A traveler arrives at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Ill., on Nov. 25, 2025, ahead of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Travelers check in at an American Airlines desk at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Ill., on Nov. 25, 2025, ahead of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Passengers make their way through the terminal at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on the busiest travel day of the Thanksgiving holiday, at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Va. on Nov. 25, 2025. Travelers arrive for their flights at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Ill., on Nov. 25, 2025, ahead of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Travelers arrive for flights at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Ill., on Nov. 25, 2025, ahead of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Members of the National Guard move through Union Station with travelers on Nov.25, 2025, in Washington, DC. Thanksgiving is the busiest travel holiday of the year, and the American Automobile Association (AAA) projects a record number of travelers in 2025. People walk on a metro platform near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Nov. 25, 2025 in Arlington, Va. Airlines expect up to 31 million travelers will fly during Thanksgiving holiday between November 21 through December 1. People move through the Moynihan Train Hall in Manhattan on Nov. 26, 2025, in New York City. A record number of Americans are expected to travel this Thanksgiving holiday, with AAA projecting that overall, 81.8 million people will travel 50 miles or more during the holiday period. Thanksgiving travel in full swing as Americans head home 1 of 14 Travelers walk through the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Nov. 25, 2025 in Arlington, Va. Airlines expect up to 31 million travelers will fly during Thanksgiving holiday between November 21 through December 1.

How to use TSA PreCheck Touchless ID

Travelers can opt-in to TSA PreCheck Touchless ID through a participating airlines check-in process. While checking in on the airline's mobile app, passengers will be alerted if they can opt in to the service.

Airline partners use camera equipment to take photos of participating passengers at baggage drop and boarding locations. The pictures are used to create the biometric templates that are compared against existing government images.

Passengers who opt in will have a consent indicator on their mobile boarding pass. Even though passengers can opt out at any point, a previously taken photo may still be stored.

Which airports, airlines are using TSA PreCheck Touchless ID?

TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is only currently available at 15 airports through five airlines. They are:

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Chicago OHare International Airport United Airlines

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport American Airlines

Denver International Airport Alaska Airlines American Airlines Delta Air Lines Southwest Airlines United Airlines

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport Delta Air Lines

Harry Reid International Airport Alaska Airlines American Airlines Delta Air Lines United Airlines

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Alaska Airlines American Airlines Delta Air Lines Southwest Airlines United Airlines

John F. Kennedy International Airport Delta Air Lines

LaGuardia Airport American Airlines Delta Air Lines Southwest Airlines United Airlines

Los Angeles International Airport Alaska Airlines Delta Air Lines United Airlines

Newark Liberty International Airport American Airlines Delta Air Lines United Airlines

Portland International Airport Alaska Airlines American Airlines Delta Air Lines Southwest Airlines United Airlines

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Alaska Airlines American Airlines Delta Air Lines United Airlines

Salt Lake City International Airport Alaska Airlines American Airlines Delta Air Lines Southwest Airlines United Airlines

San Francisco International Airport United Airlines

SeattleTacoma International Airport Alaska Airlines American Airlines Delta Air Lines Southwest Airlines United Airlines



How much does TSA PreCheck cost?

PreCheck Touchless ID is free for individuals who already have TSA PreCheck. The initial cost of TSA PreCheck ranges from $76.75 to $85.

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.

Contributing: Michelle Del Rey, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: TSA PreCheck Touchless ID can help Thanksgiving travel. How it works.
Director of Programs for the Missouri State Treasurer's Office Trent Blair answers questions about the MOScholars program during a trial challenging the constitutionality of Missouri's funding of school vouchers Monday in the Cole County Courthouse (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).

More than 98% of scholarships administered by the MOScholars program this school year are funded by Missouri taxpayers. And though there are strict eligibility requirements for private-school scholarships, eligibility isnt checked after the initial scholarship is awarded or for siblings of students who received a scholarship.

The revelations about the inner workings of Missouris private school voucher program came to light over the course of a two-day trial in Cole County Circuit Court this week.

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The focus of the arguments Monday and Tuesday were over whether the state can use general revenue for private school tuition, with the attorney generals office defending state funds as transformative for the program and Missouris largest teachers union saying the funding is unlawful.

But witness testimony pulled back the curtain on certain details about the MOScholars program that have stayed largely out of the public consciousness.

MOScholars, which is in its fourth year of operation, awards scholarships to K-12 students who meet certain criteria.

When state lawmakers created the program in a 2021 bill, they set it up to run on donations that are eligible for a 100% tax credit up to half of a donors tax liability. In the first three years of the program, donations totaled $33.8 million.

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Gov. Mike Kehoe announced in January that he intended to bring a major infusion of funding to the program through a $50 million appropriation of general revenue. This windfall for MOScholars has allowed the state to nearly triple the amount of scholarships awarded this fall.

If not for general revenue, would many of (the new) scholars be able to receive a scholarship? Assistant Attorney General Peter Donahue asked the treasurers director of programs, Trent Blair.

No, Blair answered.

Loretta Haggard, an attorney representing the Missouri National Education Association, questions the State Treasurers director of programs in a trial challenging the constitutionality of Missouris funding of school vouchers Tuesday morning in the Cole County Courthouse (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).

Of 6,418 scholarships awarded this school year, only 111 are funded through tax credits. That includes the 2,405 students who were in the program last year. So if MOScholars did not receive the state appropriation, the funding would cover less than 5% of the renewal students going into the school year.

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The State Treasurers Office, which oversees MOScholars, has previously admitted to problems with the timing of funding. The bulk of donations hit the accounts of educational assistance organizations  intermediary nonprofits that connect students with the funding  in December.

With tuition due in August, MOScholars had to either wait eight months to award the funds or put stress on the system. Blair testified that the educational assistance organizations largely chose the latter and that the organizations themselves choose when to use donated funds.

In 2023, two of the six educational assistance organizations acknowledged they used their private funds to pay tuition in the fall and paid themselves back once they received donations. In October, two organizations told The Independent that they were able to fund scholarships for all their renewal students and clear their waitlists with the new state funds.

The state money stabilizes the program, Blair testified Tuesday.

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Representing the Missouri National Education Association, attorney Loretta Haggard unearthed issues with the administration of the program as she cross-examined Blair.

She honed in on MOScholars eligibility requirements. State law limits the program to students with an individualized education plan or those whose family makes at or below 300% of the income standard used to qualify for free and reduced price lunches.

The treasurers office uses an education management system called FACTS to review applications and determine eligibility. Haggard asked if the software checks if renewal students still meet eligibility requirements.

It doesnt, Blair said.

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So a student can receive a scholarship even though they dont meet the IEP or income requirements? Haggard then asked.

Yes, Blair said.

When a student is eligible one year, the system presumes that they retain eligibility. The siblings of renewal students are also deemed eligible.

The treasurers office has faced criticism before over how it has administered MOScholars, including complaints from Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck that the office wasnt transparent about program data. And in July, a report from the State Auditor found the treasurers office didnt conduct annual audits of the MOScholars program required by state law.

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But Tuesdays testimony was the first time the state has admitted to not rechecking eligibility, something that is routine for other state-funded programs like food assistance or Medicaid.

Bryan Cleveland, an attorney with Indiana-based advocacy group EdChoice, spoke on behalf of families who say they benefit from increased MOScholars (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).

Any questions about the administration of the program dont impact the legality of the appropriation, said Bryan Cleveland, an attorney with Indiana-based advocacy group EdChoice, who intervened in the case on behalf of three parents whose children have received assistance through MOScholars.

The case does not depend on whether any one treasurer is doing a good job but rather on interpretation of statutory provisions, he told the judge. The rest of the discussion of what the treasurer or the educational assistance organizations do after (the appropriation) is not relevant.

Blair, stepping off the witness stand Tuesday, sighed, head tucked as he walked back to his seat. The trial marked one of the few occasions the treasurers office has answered questions publicly, apart from occasional statements to the media.

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When Cole County Judge Brian Stumpe denied a request for a temporary restraining order, which would have blocked the spending of the general revenue during the trial, the treasurers office held a joint press conference with the Missouri Attorney Generals Office but did not take any questions.

On Monday, attorneys argued over whether the Missouri NEA or its individual members had standing to challenge the state appropriation to MOScholars.

A decision on the case is not expected until after Dec. 8, when attorneys post-trial filings are due.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Two members of the National Guard were shot in Washington on Wednesday, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a post on X but gave no other information.

Police in Washington separately said there was a shooting one block from the White House on Wednesday, but gave no other details.

President Donald Trump was in Florida ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

The U.S. Secret Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward; writing by Susan Heavey)
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
Just one week after referring to a female White House correspondent as piggy, President Donald Trump launched a personal attack at New York Times reporter Katie Rogers.

This cheap RAG is truly an ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE. The writer of the story, Katie Rogers, who is assigned to write only bad things about me, is a third rate reporter who is ugly, both inside and out, Trump said Wednesday on his Truth Social platform.

Trumps scathing social media screed came after the Times on Tuesday published an investigation with the headline: Shorter Days, Signs of Fatigue: Trump Faces Realities of Aging in Office.

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Rogers, a White House correspondent, co-authored the story with AI Projects editor Dylan Freedman. Trump did not mention Freedman in his Truth Social post.

The Times article reported that Trump had made 39% fewer official appearances and started his daily events nearly two hours later than in the first year of his first presidential term. Rogers and Freedman also highlighted an incident where Trump appeared to doze off during a televised conference in the Oval Office.

Mr. Trump has prompted additional questions about his health by sharing news about medical procedures he has had, but not details about them, Rogers and Freedman wrote. Many of the facts that concerned critics about Mr. Trumps physical health during his first term are present now.

Trump fiercely disputed the Timess reporting, calling it a hit piece while touting his perfect physical exam and comprehensive cognitive test.

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Yet despite all of this the Radical Left Lunatics in the soon to fold New York Times did a hit piece on me that I am perhaps losing my Energy, despite facts that show the exact opposite, Trump wrote. They know this is wrong, as is almost every thing that they write about me, including election results, ALL PURPOSELY NEGATIVE.

Though the Times article was jointly authored, Trump reserved his personal barbs only for Rogers.

In a statement released Wednesday morning, the Times defended its story as accurate and built on first hand reporting of the facts.

Name-calling and personal insults dont change that, nor will our journalists hestiate to cover this administration in the face of intimidation tactics like this, a Times spokesperson said. Expert and thorough reporters like Katie Rogers exemplify how an independent and free press helps the American people better understand their government and its leaders.

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Trumps insult of Rogers followed a controversial incident that occured last week aboard Air Force One.

On Nov. 17, the president lashed out at a female journalist who asked him about an email in which late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein said that Trump knew about the girls.

Quiet! Quiet, piggy, Trump said to the reporter.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later defended Trumps outburst, saying he is very frank and honest.

And he calls out fake news when he sees it, Leavitt said on Nov. 20. He gets frustrated with reporters when you lie about him, when you spread fake news about him and his administration.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
By Shadia Nasralla, Muvija M and Stephanie Kelly

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain will allow some new oil and gas production on or near existing fields, the government said on Wednesday, easing its stance on new licences while dashing oil and gas producers' hopes for an early end to windfall taxes on their sector.

From an output of around 4.4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boed) - similar to OPEC heavyweight Iraq - at the start of the new millennium and a position as a net exporter, Britain now produces around 1 million boed, with a decline to under 150,000 boed seen by 2050, according to UK oil and gas regulator North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA).

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U.S. President Donald Trump has been outspoken in his criticism of the UK's energy policy and efforts to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Trump has called on the British government to drill more oil from the North Sea and criticised the country's windfarms.

The Labour government had pledged during its 2024 election campaign that it would stop awarding new oil and gas licences to move toward net zero.

Wednesday's move allows the government to hand out new oil and gas licences if they do not require new exploration and link back to existing fields and infrastructure, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said.

WINDFALL TAX TO REMAIN TO 2030

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Presenting its budget on Wednesday, the government announced no changes to one of the world's toughest tax regimes for oil and gas producers, which includes a windfall levy of 38% when prices exceed government-set thresholds, bringing the overall tax burden in such circumstances to 78%.

Industry had hoped for an early end to the EPL, which is due to expire in March 2030.

"The future of North Sea energy depends on investment, which wont come without urgent reform of the windfall tax," said David Whitehouse, head of the Offshore Energies UK industry group.

"If the levy stays in place beyond 2026, projects will stall and jobs will vanish, no matter how pragmatic licensing policy becomes."

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The government has vowed to use the revenue from oil and gas to raise funds for renewable energy projects.

While oil prices have fallen below a government-set threshold for the so-called Energy Profits Levy (EPL), gas prices have been above it. The windfall tax is disabled once both fall below their thresholds, which are regularly updated.

Harbour Energy, a North Sea-focused producer, said it was disappointed in the announcement.

Environmental advocacy group Greenpeace UK applauded parts of the government's announcement but said it also did not go far enough in supporting North Sea energy workers to get new jobs in renewable energy.

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"The government has shown genuine global climate leadership, making the UK the worlds largest economy to call time on new fossil fuel exploration," said Areeba Hamid, Greenpeace UKs co-executive director.

The government said on Wednesday the EPL would be replaced in March 2030 with an Oil and Gas Price Mechanism at a rate of 35%, which would apply if oil and gas prices stay above certain thresholds.

(Reporting by Shadia Nasralla, Muvija M, Stephanie Kelly; additional reporting by Sam Tabariti; editing by William James, Mark Potter, Philippa Fletcher)
After more than 60 years as Milwaukee County's designated anti-poverty agency, the Social Development Commission is being replaced by nonprofit UMOS.

In a letter shared with SDC's board on Nov. 21, the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families said its decision to revoke SDC's status as a federally-designated community action agency is final.

The decision means SDC will lose access to millions in federal Community Services Block Grant funds, one of the largest federal funding sources aimed at helping local communities reduce poverty. It does not change SDC's designation as an intergovernmental commission, which is set by state statute.

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SDC received $2.1 million in Community Services Block Grant funds in fiscal year 2025, according to Department of Children and Families spokesperson Gina Paige. It has not offered programming since it closed abruptly 18 months ago amid financial problems.

UMOS will be expected to quickly resume many of SDC's former programs, including housing stability, food access and physical and mental health services. UMOS expects to begin some services by December and make all services available by January 2026, Paige said.

"UMOS has been serving Milwaukee County families for 60 years and is well-positioned to meet community needs," she wrote in an email.

For the past seven months, SDC has quarreled with state officials and lawmakers over its community action agency title.

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The state moved to revoke the designation in March due to SDC's poor financial health and inability to offer any services since early last year. SDC appealed the decision in June.

According to DCF, the federal government had 90 days to respond to SDC's appeal. That expired on Nov. 18, and DCF confirmed with federal officials that its decision to terminate SDC was official, according to Jeff Pertl, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.

Paige, the spokesperson, also shared an email exchange between DCF and federal officials confirming the Nov. 18 deadline.

Jorge Franco, SDC's chief executive officer and board chair, disputed the decision.

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In an interview Nov. 25, he said the decision isn't final until the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services makes the call.

"It's hearsay," Franco said.

He added that the 43-day government shutdown wasted nearly half of the federal officials' time to review SDC's appeal, putting SDC at a disadvantage.

At SDC's board meeting later that day, Franco told commissioners that the Community Services Block Grant program will likely be nixed by the federal government anyway.

Nonetheless, SDC commissioner Pam Fendt said SDC is contesting whether it received the full 90-day review period. Jorge appeared to agree that the decision wasn't final.

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"It's under evaluation [by SDC]," Franco said. "I'm as eager as everyone is to understand what's going on."

Gina Castro is a Public Investigator reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at gcastro@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UMOS replaces SDC as Milwaukee County's designated anti-poverty agency
Moms on Manhattans Upper East Side are embroiled in a Facebook feud over the mayoral election of Zohran Mamdani.

The private cyber scuffle spilled out into the pages of left-leaning New York magazine, which published a gossipy hit piece detailing how warring factions were battling it out on two private chat groups: Moms of the Upper East Side and UES Mommas.

Barely were the ballots counted before hundreds of residents in the ritzy neighborhood  who voted for Andrew Cuomo by a 24-point margin  posted panicked messages saying they were frightened and fleeing, fearing the Democratic Socialists radical policies would turn the Big Apple into 1930s Germany.

The election of Zohran Mamdani sparked feuding among members of two popular, private Facebook groups for Upper East Side locals. REUTERS

The ritzy neighborhood overwhelmingly voted for Andrew Cuomo, but members of the Facebook groups are divided over support for Mamdani. Posh Park Avenue is pictured. Olga Ginzburg for N.Y. Post

With all my love for NYC I cant believe 50%+ of the city voted for this joker, one mortified mother moaned on the Moms of the Upper East Side page, known as MUES, which has more than 35,000 members and is usually reserved for advice about nannies, strollers and schools.

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Wondering whos actually leaving? To where, Florida? they then asked.

More than 300 locals responded, per the article, claiming they were considering moving to New Jersey or Florida following Mamdanis win.

Meanwhile, others on the pages proclaimed that the incoming mayors proposal for free buses would result in riders being raped and murdered.

However, users on both Facebook pages fought back, accusing their neighbors of being overwrought and Islamophobic.

It IS racist to just be mad that your new mayor is a Muslim, one member maintained.

Meanwhile, one mom named April, who is a member of MUES, told New York magazine that the complainers were all talk and actually had no plans to leave Manhattan.

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No, youre not [moving], she stated. Just relax.

Samantha Ettus, a Jewish activist, is not a member of the Upper East Side Facebook groups, but believes Mamdani will not be good for New York City. While the outspoken mom of three is willing to share her opinion on the record, many other moms are more reluctant to do so in the wake of the New York magazine piece.

The feuding between the two factions recently reached a fever pitch, with the MUES group admins forced to instill a new rule for users.

You may not attack or threaten other members while anonymous (or ever), they implored.

Other more apolitical users urged calm, with one calling for all members to get a collective grip.

The article featured posts by Upper East Side resident Robin Reiter, a doctor of physical therapy and a single mother of a 13-year-old son.

We are literally terrified that a mayor who wont condemn Hamas and wont condemn the phrase Globalize the Intifada is now running the city with the second largest Jewish population in the world, Reiter wrote on the MUES page.

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It feels very immoral to me at this moment to pay tax dollars to a city that just elected someone who would love to see my people murdered, she told New York magazine directly in a follow-up interview. Were all looking for an out, because I cant jeopardize the safety of my son.

She told the publication that she was considering leaving the Upper East Side and moving to Hoboken.

However, Reiter says she is disappointed with how she was portrayed in the article, telling The Post she found it inaccurate and reductive.

Reiter says she was forced to make her social media profiles private after the story came out because of all the hatred I was getting.

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I think Im maxed out on this topic already, unfortunately, she told The Post. Instead of being portrayed as a smart and hardworking Jewish woman who has every reason to worry about the safety of my Jewish son in todays New York, the article portrayed me and others as hysterical rich women having meltdowns.

Im a single mother who works 10-hour days to support my son on my own, she continued. He attends public school because I cant afford private [school] without significant financial aid. I am neither a rich mom nor going to war.'

MUES moderator Valerie Iovino echoed Reiters disappointment in how the group was portrayed, telling The Post that the piece reduced a group of 35,000+ diverse women  a small fraction of which engaged in an important debate and conversation  into caricatures based on their own stereotypes of Upper East Side women.

Members of MUES were upset by their depiction in the New York magazine article, saying they were stereotyped as privileged and out of touch.

MUES includes members with a wide range of political views, and a full spectrum of religious, socioeconomic and racial backgrounds, Iovino further stated. Yet they flattened the entire community into a two-dimensional image of Marie Antoinette clutching her pearls.

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In the wake of the digital drama, many moms on the Upper East Side are reluctant to reveal their political persuasions publicly.

When The Post attempted to speak with one mom in the neighborhood, clad in a chic activewear outfit paired with a pair of large Gucci sunglasses and pushing a blanket-covered baby stroller, she quickly dismissed a request for comment.

Although she was cautious not to go on the record sharing her views, she did mutter under her breath, I fking hate that man in reference to Mamdani as she scurried away.

She briefly told us that she does not use Facebook and is not a member of either of the aforementioned online groups  but clearly feels just as strongly as those online.

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However, there are some moms willing to go on the record.

Amid a rise in antisemitism, Ettus believes the current climate resembles pre-World War II for Jews.

Samantha Ettus, a Jewish activist and mom of three, is not a member of either of the Facebook groups covered by New York magazine, but the native Upper East Sider aligns herself with those who believe Mamdani is not a good fit for the Big Apple.

For many Jews that are paying attention, we see whats going on and we see the patterns, Ettus told The Post. We see how closely the environment for Jews across the world right now resembles the pre-World War II environment, and its a time where we cant afford to make great mistakes.

Meanwhile, Upper East Side moms arent the only ones finding themselves wrapped up in online exchanges regarding the new mayor.

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On the adjacent Upper West Side  long thought to be a liberal bastion  one member of the UWS Mommas Facebook group was advertising to locals looking to move out of New York.

Member Gitty Leiner said she knew of an excellent real estate agent for those considering moving to Florida. Others wanted to know more.
At one point, Apple accounted for more than half of Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaways entire investment portfolio. However, management has been trimming that position to free up cash and redirect capital into other businesses. Berkshire continued this trend in the third quarter, according to the companys latest 13-F filing. The report, released in mid-November, outlined the firms equity holdings in U.S.-listed securities as of Sept. 30.

Shares of the iPhone maker have gained 9% on a year-to-date (YTD) basis. Earlier this year, AAPL stock struggled, failing to stage a meaningful rebound after the Liberation Day selloff and spending most of the summer trading sideways, partly because its long-term AI strategy failed to capture investor imagination. Still, the stock broke out of that range in August and has been trending higher since then, supported by strong iPhone demand. And the companys relatively modest spending on AI initiatives appears to be shielding it from the selloff in AI-related stocks.

Founded in 1976, tech giant Apple has consistently set the benchmark in the technology sector. The companys lineup includes flagship products like the iPhone, MacBooks, Apple Watch, AirPods, and iMacsall integrated within the ecosystem of its highly profitable Services business. AAPLs market cap currently stands at $4.01 trillion, making it the second-largest company in the world.

Against this backdrop of rising caution, one signal has drawn particular attention: Warren Buffett is selling Apple (AAPL) stock. According to Berkshire Hathaways latest 13F filing, the firm trimmed its position in Apple by roughly 15% in the third quarter. At one point, Apple made up more than half of Berkshires entire portfolio, a rare level of concentration for the usually conservative value investor. So anytime the Oracle of Omaha pares back such a major position, the market takes notice.

Wall Street has spent the past few weeks sounding the alarm over a potential AI bubble, with concerns mounting that the markets most powerful trade may finally be showing cracks. Valuations across parts of the tech sector have stretched to extremes, many AI-exposed names have stumbled, and investors are increasingly questioning whether the relentless enthusiasm for AI has gone too far.

Story Continues

Berkshire unloaded 41.8 million AAPL shares, roughly 15% of its stake, marking the second consecutive quarter it has reduced its position in the iPhone maker. Notably, its stake in Apple has fallen from around 900 million shares at the end of 2023 to 238 million by the end of September. Still, Apple remains Berkshires largest holding, making up 22.7% of the conglomerates investment portfolio.

Well, I dont think Berkshires decision to sell Apple stock comes as much of a surprise, since this trend has been underway for a while. Its also worth noting that the only stock Berkshire added to its portfolio in the third quarter was Alphabet (GOOG) (GOOGL). Berkshire bought $4.3 billion worth of the Google parent stock last quarter. And it appears to be a pure value playtrue to Warren Buffetts styleas trimming the Apple stake provided most of the cash used to buy Alphabet. For context, Apple shares currently trade at 32.94 times forward adjusted earnings, while Alphabet trades at 28.54 times. And in the third quarter, that valuation gap was even wider.

With that, all Im saying is that Berkshires latest move doesnt raise any red flags for me when it comes to Apple.

Are AI Bubble Fears a Reason for Apple Investors to Worry?

Investor concerns over heavy AI spending and lofty tech valuations dont appear to be easing, even after a blowout earnings report from AI bellwether Nvidia (NVDA). Most of the Magnificent Seven stocks, a group of tech giants seen as major beneficiaries of AIs future potential, have come under significant pressure recently. At the same time, Apple has been holding up far better than most of its Mag 7 peers.

Apples relatively modest spending on AI initiatives appears to be shielding it from the selloff in Big Tech stocks. Ironically, just a few months ago, the company was widely criticized for not spending heavily on AI and risking falling dangerously behind its Big Tech rivals. Apple reported fiscal 2025 capital expenditures of $12.72 billion on Oct. 30. Thats a far smaller figure than several other mega-cap tech companies that have committed to investing tens of billions in AI.

Everybody wants to criticize Apple for not really having an AI strategy. But theyre exhibiting great capital discipline. If youre worried about the circular financing and overspending, Apple is sidestepping all of that, according to Que Nguyen, chief investment officer of equities strategies at Research Affiliates.

With that, it doesn't look like Apple investors have much reason to worry about an AI bubble. Notably, Apple and Alphabet are the only members of the Magnificent Seven megacap tech group whose shares have gained in November. This suggests they may be well-positioned not only to withstand a potential AI bubble deflation but also to thrive in its aftermath.

A Look at Apples Q4 Results

Now that weve established that AI bubble fears arent something AAPL investors should be overly worried about, lets turn our focus to the companys fundamentals. The tech giants fiscal fourth-quarter total revenue rose 7.9% year-over-year (YoY) to $102.47 billion, topping Wall Street estimates by $220 million. Though the top-line beat was the smallest in two years. The companys earnings climbed to $1.85 per share, beating expectations by $0.08.

Still, investor enthusiasm over the solid headline numbers was tempered by two concerning points in the report. First, although iPhone revenue, the companys largest moneymaker, grew 6.1% YoY to $49 billion thanks to the new models, it still came in below the $49.3 billion consensus estimate. Second, revenue from Greater China dropped 3.6% YoY to $14.5 billion last quarter, far below the $16.4 billion analysts had expected. The good news is that management signaled they expect growth to return in China and overall sales to rise at a faster-than-anticipated pace this quarter.

And signs are already emerging that sales in China are performing well, with iPhone sales up 22% in the first month following the iPhone 17 launch compared with a year earlier, according to Counterpoint Research data released in mid-November. Separate data released last week showed that Apples iPhone made up one out of every four smartphones sold in China in October, with sales surging 37% YoY on strong demand for the iPhone 17 series. The figures support managements expectation that the company will return to growth in China this quarter.

Turning to other parts of the business, services revenue hit a new all-time high, and both the Mac and wearables segments outperformed expectations, helping to offset the slowdown in China. More precisely, services revenue climbed 15% YoY to $28.8 billion, making it Apples fastest-growing segment last quarter. Mac revenue rose 13% YoY to $8.73 billion, fueled by strong demand for the MacBook Air, which was refreshed in March and received a $100 price cut. The wearables segment brought in $9 billion in revenue, down 0.3% YoY but still well above analyst expectations.

Meanwhile, tariffs added $1.1 billion in expenses in the quarter, in line with the companys expectations. Apple anticipates $1.4 billion in tariff costs for the current quarter.

Looking ahead, Chief Financial Officer Kevan Parekh said on the earnings call that total sales are expected to grow 10% to 12% in the December quarter, far above the 6% analysts had projected. Analysts tracking the company currently anticipate a 10.78% YoY increase in EPS to $2.66 for FQ1, while revenue is expected to rise 11.03% YoY to $138.02 billion.

What Do Analysts Expect for AAPL Stock?

Most Wall Street analysts remain bullish on AAPL stock, as reflected in a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Among the 40 analysts covering the stock, 22 rate it a Strong Buy, two a Moderate Buy, 14 recommend holding, one assigns a Moderate Sell rating, and one gives it a Strong Sell rating. The mean price target for AAPL stock is $285.29, which is 5% above Fridays closing price.

Putting it all together, I dont believe investors should follow Mr. Buffetts lead and sell AAPL stock. First, as noted earlier, his move appears to be a pure value play, and Apple remains Berkshires largest holding. Second, AAPL stock has the potential to serve as a safe haven if the AI bubble deflates. Third, early numbers indicate that sales in China are performing well, which should bode well for its FQ1 results and will likely be reflected positively in the stock price.

www.barchart.com

On the date of publication, Oleksandr Pylypenko had a position in: GOOGL, NVDA. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
The exterior of Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home in Anderson, S.C. The state has contracted with HMR to operate the home since 1998. (Photo courtesy of SC. Department of Veterans Affairs)

Caring for South Carolinas elderly veterans has been one Upstate companys focus for nearly three decades. A recent state contract will further extend that streak.

Anderson-headquartered HMR Veterans Services operates four of South Carolinas six nursing homes for veterans.

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The company started with the Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home, located in Anderson and named for the brother of the late former Gov. Carroll Campbell: U.S. Army Sgt. Richard Campbell was killed in action in May 1968 in Vietnam.

HMR has run Campbells namesake home since 1998 and will continue to do so through at least February 2033, along with Veterans Victory House in Walterboro. HMR has held contracts on the Lowcountry home since 2007.

For its services at the two homes, HMR will receive an estimated $375 million over seven years, paid by state and federal taxes.

HMR was the lowest bidder of three finalists for contracts starting March 1. In the first year, its rate of $333 per bed per day compared to the high bid of $425 per bed per day, according to documents provided to the SC Daily Gazette in a public records request.

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Contracts for two other homes HMR runs  one in Gaffney and one in Florence  are out for bid now.

Outside the Palmetto State, HMR also runs all five of Alabamas veterans homes and six out of 10 in Texas.

That brings the companys total to 15 homes with 3,000 employees across three states.

SCs investment in veterans

For all six homes in South Carolina, taxpayers spend about $80 million annually to collectively care for roughly 800 veterans, according to Heyward Hilliard, director of veterans homes for the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs.

In a state with 400,000 veterans, the homes always have a waiting list, he said.

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Future expansions, including new homes planned for Orangeburg and Horry counties and a replacement of a Columbia home with a newer facility planned for Lexington County, will eventually increase capacity to more than 1,080 veterans.

Gov. Henry McMaster has backed these veterans homes in his budget recommendations. That includes a 2024 call for the Legislature to set aside $41 million for the states share of the future Lexington facility and $8 million for renovations at existing homes. The Legislatures final budget last year matched that request.

The governor believes veterans bring great value to South Carolina, said his spokesman, Brandon Charochak. Were a military friendly state and part of the reason for that are state veterans homes.

The construction timeline of those new homes depends on congressional spending, since federal taxes cover 65% of the cost. South Carolina must kick in the other 35%. Total funding could be five years away, Hilliard said.

A focus on veterans

Operating homes for veterans is the only thing HMR does, which makes the company unique nationwide, Russell Keogler, vice president of corporate operations, told the SC Daily Gazette.

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There are competitors out there, but their main focus is on traditional nursing homes, Keogler said. For us, this is all we do and all we do every day.

That gives HMR an advantage when it comes to meeting the unique needs of veterans, according to Keogler.

HMR has specialists on hand to treat illnesses more common to veterans, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. As Vietnam and Korean War veterans are aging, they are also facing more health complications from exposure to toxins, such as Agent Orange used during the war to remove trees and foliage in the dense jungle battlegrounds.

The Houses chief budget writer, Ways and Means Chairman Bruce Bannister, said it makes sense to have specialized homes with staff to meet veteran-specific needs rather than caring for them alongside the rest of the states elderly population.

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South Carolina has a very long and proud history of supporting veterans, said the Greenville Republican. And we like the idea of taking care of veterans after their service.

Plus, South Carolinas military bases are major economic drivers for the state, he said.

Veterans homes are just one way lawmakers seek to attract veterans to the Palmetto State or, if theyre here already, keep them and their skills in South Carolina after they retire. Under a 2022 law, military retirees pay no state income taxes on pensions earned for at least 20 years of service.

If they knew there was a robust veterans home resource, that would be a favorable consideration when thinking about where to spend their retirement years once theyre out (of the military), Bannister said.

From Anderson to Congress

Still, HMR wasnt always just a veterans-based company.

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Michael McBride, a nursing home administrator, founded it as Health Management Resources, Inc., in 1993, after leasing his first six nursing homes.

Its first veterans home, the Campbell facility, became part of the portfolio in 1998, seven years after it opened. Thats also when Army veteran William Biggs, the husband of freshman U.S. Rep. Sheri Biggs, joined as CEO. He had been the administrator of the home in Anderson when HMR took over the contract.

At one point, HMR had as many as 27 veteran and non-veteran facilities across five states, according to McBrides biography on the company website. In 2010, the company sold 21 hospice, rehab and pharmacy locations to a private equity firm but held on to the veterans services side of the business.

McBride continues to sit on HMRs board of directors, as does the widow of another HMR co-founder, Ed Childress.

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William Biggs retired and Ladeeb Diab replaced him as CEO in May 2023. Eight months later, Biggs wife launched her campaign for the ruby red congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Jeff Duncan, who chose not to seek an eighth term. Sheri Biggs, a nurse practitioner, emerged the winner of a seven-way GOP primary contest in June 2024. Her 3rd District win last November sent two South Carolina women to Congress for the first time ever.

William Biggs declined to comment for this article, citing a noncompete agreement he signed upon retirement that prevents him from speaking about the company.

The congresswoman, in financial disclosures filed last month, reported more than $4 million in income in 2024 from the sale of her husbands minority interest in HMR businesses.

Members of Congress are required to annually disclose their finances. But theyre only required to report a range of how much their assets and liabilities are worth, so the couples exact earnings are unknown. But she valued the capital gains from each of four HMR businesses at more than $1 million.

Push the envelope

Keogler said HMR has sought to push the envelope in other ways as well.

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For example, at the request of states it contracts with, HMR began running its own pharmacies at its homes, instead of calling in prescriptions from elsewhere.

We can do all of our medication reviews right in house, and our pharmacists actually know the residents, he said. Its no longer just filling a prescription. Its taking care of a veteran who you see every day.

HMR also weathered staffing shortages exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. It does so through a scholarship program, paying for the education of any certified nursing assistant employed by the company who wants to pursue a higher-level licensed practical nursing degree.

We help cover the cost of their tuition and books. We provide them a mentor to help guide them through the program, all while they can continue to work on this flexed academic schedule that builds professional growth for the individual and provides us a constant source of new nurses, Keogler said. I think its those innovative practices, which weve accelerated over the last two years, that really caught the attention of our state partners.

A huge cost benefit

There are other reasons South Carolinas more than 386,000 veterans and their families may choose a veterans home.

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Its really camaraderie and connection, Keogler said. Theres a true brotherhood that exists in the service and that comes out later on in life.

Also, theres a huge cost benefit to families when they select a state veterans home. With military service benefits, their cost is far less than that of a traditional nursing home.

The federal government pays states a daily rate which can cover up to 50% of the homes operating costs. For veterans deemed at least 70% disabled due to injuries related to their military service, their cost is covered in full, Hilliard said.

The remaining costs are covered by state taxes or by the veterans themselves, said Hilliard, who was previously HMRs executive vice president of operations. He joined the state agency in April 2024 after it took over the homes operations from the state mental health agency.

Above average

South Carolina also is in the minority of states  one of 13  that pay private contractors to run all of its homes, though more states are trending that direction, Hilliard said.

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While private contractors run the homes, the state public health agency and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are tasked with inspecting them. And the state veterans agency employs someone on site at each home, Hilliard said.

Our homes consistently perform at or above national averages, he said.

Three of the four HMR-run homes in South Carolina have recently received high marks.

State and federal regulators inspected the Anderson and Walterboro homes seven times over the past four years. Some reviews were the result of complaints and required the homes to make improvements. But each received a government rating of four out of five stars.

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The Gaffney home has gone through four inspections and one improvement plan in that time and has a perfect rating.

The Florence home, however, sits at a two out of five. Federal reports site shortfalls in a handful of patient treatment plans for residents with medical issues including diabetes, a feeding tube and ulcers and bedsores.

The state home in Columbia, which is run by Avalon Health Care Group rather than HMR, also has a two-star rating. The same group also runs the states newest veterans home in Sumter, which opened in January. It hasnt been rated yet.

The exterior of Veterans Victory Home in Walterboro, South Carolina. (Photo courtesy of SC. Department of Veterans Affairs)

HMR also made headlines in 2018, when the wife of a U.S. Air Force veteran alleged her husband suffered repeat infections, hospitalizations and unexplained bruises while he was in the Walterboro home, the Independent Mail reported.

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And in May 2018, HMR settled a $425,000 lawsuit involving a veteran at the Anderson home who had a latex glove lodged in his airway. He died five days later.

Hilliard, who was still working for HMR at the time, told the Independent Mail: Health care is a very litigious environment. A settlement does not constitute an admission of liability.

State Department of Public Health investigations around this time found 13 violations involving policies and procedures, staff training, resident records, resident care and medication administration. The agency fined HMR $3,600.
WASHINGTON (AP)  In a matter of days, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll vaulted from being the leader of a military bureaucracy  where he's been cutting red tape to quickly buy inexpensive drones  to a key negotiator in the Trump administration's push to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

The boyish Iraq War veteran, former venture capitalist and friend of Vice President JD Vance went from presenting President Donald Trumps plan to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv to sitting down with Russian officials in the United Arab Emirates on Monday and Tuesday, heading up the latest phase of talks on a possible deal to halt the fighting.

Trump appears to believe Driscoll's efforts are going well, posting on social media that my team has made tremendous progress.

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In the hopes of finalizing this Peace Plan," Trump wrote Tuesday, I have directed my Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with President Putin in Moscow and, at the same time, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will be meeting with the Ukrainians.

It's an unlikely assignment for the Army's top civilian leader, who got the job in February at age 38. His Senate confirmation hearing focused on how the Army could modernize its systems, improve recruiting and beef up the military industrial base, not international diplomacy.

Tapping an unexpected diplomat

Driscoll only learned of his new role as a negotiator about a week before he was sitting across the table from Zelenskyy, a U.S. official said.

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The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive plans, said Driscoll always had planned to visit Ukraine but the trip was aimed at learning more about how its military has been using drones in warfare, not to negotiate peace.

The official said after Driscoll was named as a special representative by the White House, he first traveled to Europe for briefings before heading to Ukraine.

There, Driscoll clasped hands with Zelenskyy and expressed admiration for Ukrainian soldiers, saying that even the most combat-hardened American troops never had to defend their homeland.

When we the Army look and see how well you guys have done, its remarkable, Driscoll told Zelenskyy last week. The Ukrainian leader said he spoke for almost an hour Friday with Vance and Driscoll about the proposal.

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Driscolls performance in Ukraine seems to have paid off, because from there, he joined Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Witkoff and other top negotiators in Geneva to discuss changes to the plan with the Ukrainians before traveling to Abu Dhabi to negotiate with the Russians. The negotiations with Moscow were only a possibility just a week prior, the official said.

The Trump administration shakes things up

Some experts say his role in the negotiations is an out-of-the-box move by the Trump administration that may or may not pay off.

I think what is helpful from this administration is its willingness to throw out ideas and try things, said Max Bergmann, director of the Europe, Russia and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. But he added, I had not heard of Dan Driscoll, to be frank, in Ukraine-Russia conversations at all.

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Driscoll's value is his connection to the vice president, Bergmann said. Driscoll has known Vance since law school at Yale University and previously served as Vance's adviser, giving the Army secretary a direct line to the Trump administration  and more leverage  during negotiations.

There is something to be said about having someone who is probably texting with the vice president and therefore has that political juice, said Bergmann, who served in State Department positions during President Barack Obamas administration.

But Bergmann said there's also merit to having expertise, particularly on an issue as fraught as Russia's war with Ukraine: "The details really matter here.

Daniel Fried, an Atlantic Council fellow who is a former U.S. ambassador to Poland, said Driscoll can overcome a lack of expertise if he has someone advising him. Plus, the fact that Driscoll is trusted by the administration is a notable asset.

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You don't want to have someone who reaches a handshake deal with the Ukrainians or the Russians and doesn't have the confidence of the upper reaches of the Trump administration, Fried said.

Driscoll's aspirations as a politician

Driscoll's resume did not suggest he would be a top American negotiator trying to end the most protracted war in Europe since 1945, though he had aspirations to be a politician.

Driscoll told senators during his confirmation hearing that he joined the Army as a middle-class public school kid from the mountains of North Carolina, noting that his dad was an Army infantryman in Vietnam and his grandfather was an Army decoder in World War II.

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Most important, I intend to be the soldiers secretary of the Army, not of the generals or of the bureaucracy, he said in his opening statement. It is the American soldier to whom our national defense and prosperity are entrusted.

He went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, enrolling in its business school and graduating in three years, according to a profile on the school's website.

Driscoll served in the Army as an armor officer for more than three years and earned the rank of first lieutenant. He deployed to Iraq from October 2009 to July 2010.

After law school, Driscoll worked for venture capital firms. He ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary for a North Carolina congressional seat in 2020, getting about 8% of the vote in a crowded field of candidates.

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Driscoll has some experience negotiating as Army secretary, involving the Army's need to continue using the only large-scale live-fire training range for ground forces in Hawaii so it can quickly send troops to Asia and the Pacific.

A May public hearing on whether to extend the lease generated hours of testimony against allowing the Army to stay. Many Native Hawaiians and environmental activists upset with the U.S. militarys history of damaging lands with target practice and fuel leaks said they wanted the land returned to the state.

Driscoll visited Hawaii in July to discuss the matter with Democratic Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, who said he spent significant time speaking to Driscoll and his team.

Discussions are cordial and are still in the early stages," Green's office said this week.
By Maxwell Akalaare Adombila and David Lewis

DAKAR/LONDON (Reuters) -A U.S.-based advocacy group has filed a lawsuit in Washington accusing Apple of using minerals linked to conflict and human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda despite the iPhone maker's denials.

International Rights Advocates (IRAdvocates) has previously sued Tesla, Apple and other tech firms over cobalt sourcing, but U.S. courts dismissed that case last year.

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French prosecutors also dropped Congo's case against Apple subsidiaries in December over conflict minerals, citing lack of evidence. A related criminal complaint in Belgium is still under investigation.

Apple denied any wrongdoing in response to Congo's lawsuits, saying it had instructed its suppliers to halt the sourcing of material from Congo and neighbouring Rwanda.

It did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the latest complaint.

IRAdvocates, a Washington-based nonprofit that tries to use litigation to curtail rights abuses, said in the complaint filed on Tuesday in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia that Apples supply chain still includes cobalt, tin, tantalum and tungsten linked to child and forced labour as well as armed groups in Congo and Rwanda.

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CONGO IS A MAJOR SOURCE OF COBALT, TIN, TUNGSTEN

The lawsuit seeks a determination by the court that Apples conduct violates consumer protection law, an injunction to halt alleged deceptive marketing, and reimbursement of legal costs, but does not seek monetary damages or class certification.

The lawsuit alleges that three Chinese smelters  Ningxia Orient, JiuJiang JinXin and Jiujiang Tanbre  processed coltan that U.N. and Global Witness investigators allege was smuggled through Rwanda after armed groups seized mines in eastern Congo, linking the material to Apples supply chain.

A University of Nottingham study published in 2025 found forced and child labour at Congolese sites linked to Apple suppliers, the lawsuit said.

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Ningxia Orient, JiuJiang JinXin and Jiujiang Tanbre did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Congo, which supplies about 70% of the worlds cobalt and significant volumes of tin, tantalum and tungsten - used in phones, batteries and computers - did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Rwanda also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

'NO REASONABLE BASIS FOR LINKS TO ARMED GROUPS'

Apple has repeatedly denied sourcing minerals from conflict zones or using forced labour, citing audits and its supplier code of conduct. It said in December that there was no reasonable basis to conclude any smelters or refiners in its supply chain financed armed groups in Congo or neighbouring countries.

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Congolese authorities say armed groups in eastern Congo use mineral profits to fund the conflict that has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands. They have tightened controls on minerals to choke off funding, squeezing global supplies.

Apple says 76% of cobalt in its devices was recycled in 2024, but the IRAdvocates lawsuit alleges its accounting method allows mixing with ore from conflict zones.

(Reporting by Maxwell Akalaare Adombila in Dakar and David Lewis in London; Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
The interior department has announced new America-first entrance fees for national parks, commemorative annual passes featuring Donald Trump and resident-only patriotic fee-free days for 2026 including Trumps birthday.

Starting next year, entrance fees for international visitors will more than triple.

According to a department press release, non-residents will be able to choose between purchasing a $250 annual pass or paying $100 per person to enter 11 of the most visited national parks, in addition to the standard entrance fee.

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In a video posted to his X account, the interior secretary, Doug Burgum, said: This year were making it easier and more affordable for every American to experience the beauty and freedom of our public lands.

Starting in 2026, United States residents will be able to purchase an annual interagency pass for just $80, he added. The current, annual interagency America the Beautiful pass is already $80.

The aim of raising prices for international visitors is to ensure they contribute their fair share to help preserve and maintain these treasured places, Burgum said.

Burgum also announced commemorative new designs for annual passes issued in 2026. The annual pass features portraits of George Washington and Donald Trump side by side, while the military pass includes a photograph of Trump saluting troops.

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The interior department announced five new fee-free days that will go into effect in 2026, bringing the total number of fee-free days  for US residents only  to 10.

The new fee-free days include 3, 4 and 5 July  in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. They also include 17 September, which is Constitution Day, and 27 October, the birthday of conservationist and former president Theodore Roosevelt. The final fee-free day is 14 June, which Burgum noted is Flag Day, which is also fittingly President Trumps birthday.

In his video, Burgum noted that plans to increase fees for international visitors were focused on conservation. As Theodore Roosevelt once said, there can be no greater issue than that of conservation in this country, he said. Under Burgum and Trumps leadership, the interior department has lost nearly a quarter of national parks staff, proposed billions of dollars in cuts to public lands, opened logging in national forests, defunded conservation organizations and proposed allowing oil and gas drilling off Californias coast.
By Tom Polansek and Ashitha Shivaprasad

(Reuters) -Seth Meyer, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief economist since 2021, will leave the agency to work for the University of Missouri's food and agricultural policy institute, the university said on Tuesday.

Meyer's departure comes after the USDA has lost thousands of research staff to President Donald Trump's effort to shrink the federal government.

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Meyer has been the head of the USDA office responsible for assessing crops globally and publishing a monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report that can swing crop prices. The report is considered one of the most influential sources of supply and demand data for agricultural commodities worldwide.

Starting on January 1, Meyer will join the University of Missouri to lead its Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute, according to the university. In a statement from the university, he said the job was an opportunity to support the farm sector with agricultural policy development and to return home to Missouri.

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said Meyer made a lasting impact at the agency.

"Secretary Rollins is deeply grateful for Seth Meyer's many years of dedicated service at USDA," she said in a statement.

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The USDA suspended the release of key reports, including weekly data on U.S. grain export sales, during the record-long government shutdown that ended this month.

(Reporting by Ashitha Shivaprasad in Bengaluru, Tom Polansek in Chicago and Leah Douglas in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler)
John Wilson Bennett (left) and Mark Booth Bennett (Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Homeland Security)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday announced the arrests of two Virginia brothers accused of plotting violent attacks on Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents  a case that immediately drew national attention amid the ongoing immigration crackdown and heightened threats against federal law enforcement.

John Wilson Bennett and his brother, Mark Booth Bennett, both U.S. citizens, were taken into custody last week.

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According to DHS, the investigation began Nov. 17 after an off-duty Norfolk police officer overheard the men discussing plans to kill police officers and ICE agents. Authorities say Mark Bennett also talked about meeting likeminded individuals in Las Vegas to buy firearms equipped with explosive rounds.

Mark Bennett was arrested Nov. 19 at Norfolk International Airport before boarding a flight to Charlotte en route to Las Vegas. That same day, federal agents arrested John Bennett in Virginia Beach, where he has worked as assistant principal at Kempsville High School since 2009.

Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized the severity of the allegations, noting that a school administrator is among the accused.

Its chilling that a human being, much less a child educator, would plot to ambush and kill ICE law enforcement officers  offering such specifics as to getting a high caliber rifle that would pierce the law enforcements bullet proof vests, McLaughlin said. She credited Homeland Security Investigations and local police for quickly intervening.

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DHS highlighted what it described as a sharp rise in violence targeting ICE employees, pointing to internal figures showing a more than 1,150% increase in assaults and an 8,000% increase in death threats in recent years.

McLaughlin said officers have faced bounties placed on their heads, threats to their families, stalking and doxxing.

Federal authorities did not say whether the brothers were connected to any organized extremist group. Both men were charged under Virginia law with conspiracy to commit malicious wounding. Court dates have not yet been set.

The case echoes other recent incidents in which immigration authorities have been targeted.

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On July 4, authorities say a group of suspects launched a coordinated attack on the Prairieland ICE detention facility in Alvarado, Tx., using fireworks as a diversion before opening fire on responding officers; the FBI later arrested 10 of 11 alleged participants, who now face local terrorism charges, according to ICE and federal court documents.

More broadly, judges and federal agents have reported increased online threats tied to political grievances, according to data and analysis from the Brennan Center for Justice and its research partners.

DHS did not release possible motives in the most recent case, and court filings have not yet been made public. The agency said only that the Virginia Beach Police Department and local law enforcement assisted in the investigation and arrests.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
On Nov. 18, 2025, the University of Richmond Police Department held its Vehicle Safety Day on campus, inviting students, faculty and staff to have their cars checked free of charge before traveling for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. (Photo courtesy of the University of Richmond)

Travelers will experience significant changes when moving around Virginia this week for the Thanksgiving holiday, one of the busiest times of the year, including a new seat belt law and the opening of new express lanes.

The measures come as Virginia ramps up for the expected increase in traffic, which is also being driven by travelers avoiding air travel as the federal government cuts back on flights due to a shortage of air traffic controllers.

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An additional 1.6 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the holiday period between Nov. 25-Dec. 1, compared to the previous record of 80.2 million, according to AAA.

Buckle up before taking off

Last March, Virginia passed a new traffic law requiring all passengers, whether in the front or back seats of the vehicle, to be properly buckled up. The previous law only required adults to wear seat belts when occupying the front seat, which contributed to Virginia raking the worst in the nation for seat belt use in 2023 with just 73.2% of residents buckling up, far below the national average of 91.9%, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

We are literally the worst at wearing our seat belts, said Christy King, a Virginian resident, on a recent episode of the Responder Safety podcast. King advocated for the law change last January, following the death of her son, Christopher, in a car crash.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles advises rideshare drivers and passengers to comply, as well.

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Last year, five of the eight people who died in crashes during the holiday period were not wearing a seatbelt. Virginia also recorded 768 traffic-related injuries in the same time frame. The new law follows the annual nationwide Click It or Ticket campaign, which raises awareness about seat belt use.

Whether youre traveling across the commonwealth to visit family or just heading down the street, remember that everyone wants to make it home safely for the holidays, said DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey, the governors highway safety representative, in a statement. Be patient, be courteous, and buckle up. The best gift you can give your loved ones is your safe arrival.

Express lanes, closures

On Friday, the 2.5-mile extension of the Interstate 495 Express Lanes in Northern Virginia opened, which officials say will ease congestion in the area. The new lanes have already created some concern about the possible bottleneck the traffic would create going into Maryland.

The extension starts near the Dulles Corridor Interchange and terminates just before the American Legion Bridge, and includes new connecting ramps. The extension also includes new bridges carrying sidewalks and a shared-use trail parallel to Interstate 495, upgraded noise walls to protect nearby neighborhoods, and express bus service connecting Virginia to Maryland via the American Legion Bridge.

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The extension is part of the $660 million 495 NEXT project between Virginia and Transurban, private partner and operator of the existing I-95, I-395 and I-495 Express Lanes. Construction began in March 2022. Final completion is expected to occur mid-2026.

Beginning Wednesday at noon, the Virginia Department of Transportation will suspend many highway work zones and lift temporary lane closures on interstates and other major roadways statewide until noon on Dec. 1. The transportation agency said motorists may encounter semi-permanent work zones.

Travelers can check VDOTs list of travel advisories for notices around the commonwealth.

Express-lane directionality on Interstates 95 and 395 will be adjusted for holiday traffic, providing a cost benefit for motorists. On Thanksgiving, the lanes will operate southbound all day.

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Drivers with three or more people in the car and an E-ZPass Flex set to HOV ON can ride for free.

Travelers who need to cross bodies of water between the Hampton Roads Peninsula and Southside during construction of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project are encouraged to use alternate routes such as the I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel, the Route 17 James River Bridge, the free Jamestown-Scotland Ferry or I-95 to minimize potential delays.

Motorists using Route 17s George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge should expect delays between 45 and 60 minutes due to mechanical issues. No work requiring lane closures will be conducted at any of the water crossings during the Thanksgiving holiday.

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(Reuters) -Foreign visitors to the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and other U.S. national parks will pay higher entrance fees than Americans starting in January, President Donald Trump's administration said on Tuesday.

The fee hike follows an executive order Trump signed in July that said additional revenue generated from foreign tourists would be used for conservation and deferred maintenance projects to improve national parks, even as his administration seeks to cut national park spending by more than a third.

The order had also directed the Park Service to ensure that U.S. residents receive priority access over foreign visitors in any of its permitting or reservation systems.

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The Interior Department said on Tuesday that visitors from other countries will be charged $250 for an annual pass to the parks starting January 1, while U.S. citizens and permanent residents will continue to pay $80.

Foreign tourists without an annual pass will pay a new $100-per-person fee at 11 of the most visited national parks, the department said in a statement. The list of most visited parks includes the Everglades in Florida, Yosemite in California, and the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.

Visitors have flocked to national parks in record numbers in recent years, with admissions soaring to a new high of 331 million in 2024, up 6 million from 2023.

Reduced personnel levels at some national parks, including Yosemite and Big Bend in Texas, have forced closures, reduced programming and impeded emergency response operations, according to the National Parks Conservation Association, a watchdog-advocacy group.

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The Trump administration has proposed cutting more than $1 billion from the Park Service budget in fiscal 2026, which would represent a reduction of more than a third of the agency's budget from the prior year.

(Reporting by Ismail ShakilEditing by Rod Nickel)
A months-long investigation into online child exploitation led to the arrest of a Sedro-Woolley, Washington, man on Monday, according to the Deschutes County Sheriffs Office.

Deschutes County is south of Portland, Oregon.

Deputies said 33-year-old Daniel James Mayfield was taken into custody on Nov. 24 after investigators concluded he believed he had been communicating with a 14-year-old girl.

Detectives said Mayfield traveled to Deschutes County with the intention of meeting the minor for sexual activity.

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The Sheriffs Office said the arrest was carried out by a coordinated team that included detectives, deputies, the agencys Digital Forensics Unit, members of the SWAT Team, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Investigators contacted Mayfield at a location off Rimrock Way in Redmond, Oregon, where they said he had arranged to meet the juvenile.

A search of the area afterward uncovered additional evidence connected to the case.

Mayfield was booked into the Deschutes County Adult Jail on charges of luring a minor, online sexual corruption of a child in the first degree, and attempted sexual abuse in the third degree.

Deputies said the investigation remains open as they continue reviewing evidence gathered at the scene and throughout the long-term operation.
Scammers love to impersonate government and law enforcement officials, from the FBI to the U.S. Marshals Service to Medicare and other health insurance programs. There's a good reason for this: Most Americans use government services at some point, and many may be apt to trust, or at least engage with, someone claiming to be from a well-known agency. Plus, the threat of losing benefits or being targeted by legal action is especially compelling when it comes from a government representative, and victims may be more likely to comply with scammers' demands.

It's no surprise, then, that schemes currently making the rounds involve Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits, according to warnings from the Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Social Security account suspension scam

Social Security numbers are often part of identity theft, so it would be alarming to receive a notice that yours has been involved in criminal activity. Scammers are counting on this when impersonating the SSA's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and trying to trick you into actually giving up your SSN and other sensitive information.

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Here's how the scheme works: Fraudsters are sending emails with the subject line "Alert: Social Security Account Issues Detected" and including attachments on letterhead that looks like it comes from the OIG. The notice contains official-seeming information, such as a reference number and case ID, and states that your SSN will be suspended within 24 hours due to fraudulent activity on your account. The letter also says that criminal charges have been filed and even includes the statutes that have supposedly been violated.

Recipients are instructed to call the number listed to "respond to these allegations," but the person on the other end is a scammer impersonating an SSA employee. They will try to exploit your fear and confusion to collect personal and financial information from you.

VA benefits overpayment scam

Scammers are also contacting veterans and military family members who receive VA benefits, claiming that said benefits have been overpaid and pressuring targets to pay back the money owed.

According to the VA's advisory, fraudsters are using fake VA letterhead and logos on notices sent by mail and email as well as spoofing real VA phone numbers. They are trying to convince beneficiaries to make payments immediately using methods like wire transfers, cryptocurrency, prepaid debit cards, and gift cards, and they may also request sensitive information your VA login or bank account credentials.

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While VA benefits could legitimately be overpaid, the VA won't contact you and demand moneyespecially via bitcoin and other unrecoverable methods. Nor should you ever have to pay an upfront fee for assistance with managing VA debts and claims (the VA does this for free).

If you do actually owe money, you will be able to find more information on repayment through your official VA.gov account. Always verify through official VA channels, such as VA.gov and the VAs Debt Management Center (800-827-0648). Never rely solely on unsolicited communication, and never give out your password, SSN, or financial information.

Government agencies don't send threatening notices via email (or by any other means), so if you receive a scary letter out of the blue, don't act without investigating. Always contact the agency via the information found on its websitedon't call or text any number provided in these notices.
With a market cap of $829.7 billion, Walmart Inc. (WMT) is a global retailer that operates through three main segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sams Club. The company runs retail and wholesale stores, eCommerce platforms, and digital payment services, offering a broad assortment of merchandise, groceries, health and wellness products, and financial solutions.

Companies valued at more than $200 billion are generally considered mega-cap stocks, and Walmart fits this criterion perfectly. Guided by its everyday low price (EDLP) philosophy and omni-channel strategy, Walmart helps customers save money and live better by seamlessly integrating in-store and online shopping experiences.

More News from Barchart

Shares of the Bentonville, Arkansas-based company have decreased over 5% from its 52-week high of $109.57. Over the past three months, its shares have risen 7.5%, surpassing the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Funds (XLP) 6.6% decline during the same period.

www.barchart.com

Longer term, WMT stock is up 15.2% on a YTD basis, outpacing XLP's 2.1% dip. Moreover, shares of the retail giant have returned 15.1% over the past 52 weeks, compared to XLPs 5.9% drop over the same time frame.

Despite a few fluctuations, the stock has been in a bullish trend, consistently trading above its 200-day moving averages since last year.

www.barchart.com

Shares of WMT climbed 6.5% on Nov. 20 after Walmart delivered a strong Q3 2026 performance, with revenue rising 5.8% to $179.5 billion and adjusted EPS increasing 6.9% to $0.62. Investors reacted positively to exceptional e-commerce strength, with global online sales up 27%, advertising revenue up 53%, and improved margins, alongside solid growth across all segments, including U.S. comp sales up 4.5% and International sales up 10.8%.

Sentiment was further boosted by Walmart raising fiscal 2026 guidance, expecting 4.8% - 5.1% net sales growth and adjusted EPS of $2.58 - $2.63.

Additionally, WMT stock has outpaced its rival, Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST). COST stock has fallen 3.3% YTD and 8.1% over the past 52 weeks.

Due to WMT's outperformance over the past year, analysts remain bullish about its prospects. The stock has a consensus rating of Strong Buy from 37 analysts in coverage, and the mean price target of $118.46 is a premium of 13.8% to current levels.

On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey said he was receiving conflicting reports about the condition of the two National Guards members who were shot on Wednesday in Washington, after earlier saying the two members had died of their injuries.

Morrisey did not elaborate on their condition.

"We are now receiving conflicting reports about the condition of our two Guard members and will provide additional updates once we receive more complete information," Morrisey said in a post on X.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward; editing by Rami Ayyub)
NEED TO KNOW

Morgan Duncan went missing on Nov. 28, 2023, from Columbia, S.C.

Eric Greene was arrested and charged with Duncan's murder in February 2024

Season 2 of Netflix's Missing: Dead or Alive? explores the case

Netflixs Missing: Dead or Alive season 2 explores the haunting case of Morgan Duncan, shedding new light on his disappearance and the disturbing investigation that followed.

Duncan, a 27-year-old father of two, vanished from his residence at the Springtree Apartments in Columbia, S.C., on Nov. 28, 2023. When deputies from the Richland County Sheriffs Department conducted a welfare check, they discovered an unsettling scene: Duncans phone, wallet and medications were still inside the apartment.

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The investigation took a dark turn in February 2024 when authorities arrested Eric Greene, a local drug dealer, and charged him with murder, per WIS News 10. Witness statements later indicated that Greene had targeted Duncan, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was described by prosecutors as a vulnerable adult. Over the months that followed, Duncans remains were discovered in two locations across Richland County, according to WIS News 10.

He didnt do anything to deserve what happened to him, Duncan's mother, LaTanza Duncan, told WIS News 10 in January 2025. He didnt do it to himself, and we have to protect those who cant protect themselves.

So, where is Eric Greene now? Here's everything to know about the South Carolina drug dealer and why he killed Morgan Duncan.



Who is Eric Greene?

Courtesy of Netflix Eric "Easy" Greene in 'Missing: Dead or Alive?'. Eric "Easy" Greene in 'Missing: Dead or Alive?'.

Greene, who goes by the nickname Easy," is a Columbia, S.C.based drug dealer who became the central figure in the murder investigation of Morgan Duncan, whom he called his "friend" in Netflix's Missing: Dead or Alive season 2.

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Greene lived at the Springtree Apartments, where Duncan also resided. At the time of his arrest in February 2024, Greene was already on probation for previous drug convictions, per WIS News 10.

Why did Eric Greene kill Morgan Duncan?

Courtesy of Netflix Morgan Duncan in 'Missing: Dead or Alive?'. Morgan Duncan in 'Missing: Dead or Alive?'.

Investigators concluded that Duncans murder was triggered by a dispute over a $300 drug debt owed to Greene. Duncan allegedly attempted to reason with Greene, assuring him that he would repay the money after receiving his next paycheck, according to accounts in Missing: Dead or Alive. Despite this, the situation rapidly escalated.

Witnesses later told police that they saw Greene physically assaulting Duncan inside his apartment, per Missing: Dead or Alive. Their testimony described a tense and aggressive confrontation, which ultimately resulted in Greene strangling Duncan.

Greene was arrested on Feb. 1, 2024, and was charged with Duncan's murder.

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In the months that followed, Duncans remains were discovered in two separate locations within Richland County, per WIS News 10. Partial remains were first found in the woods behind the Richland Library in June 2024, and additional remains were later recovered from a storm drain in December 2024.

Where is Eric Greene now?

Courtesy of Netflix Vick Rains in 'Missing: Dead or Alive?'. Vick Rains in 'Missing: Dead or Alive?'.

While Greene repeatedly maintained his innocence  even claiming in court he had nothing to do with why [Duncan went] missing  he was ultimately convicted of murder on July 18, 2025, per WTOC.

A judge sentenced him to 57 years in prison, a decision that brought some closure to Duncans family, who described Duncan as a vulnerable young father who had been preyed upon by someone he trusted.

Greene is currently serving this sentence in the Kirkland Correctional Institution in Columbia. He filed an appeal less than one week after his sentencing, according to WIS News 10.



Where are Julivia Waller and Jerome Harper now?

Courtesy of Netflix Julivia Waller in 'Missing: Dead or Alive?'. Julivia Waller in 'Missing: Dead or Alive?'.

Two other individuals, Julivia Waller, also known as "Sunshine," and Jerome Harper, faced charges of accessory after the fact in connection with Duncans murder, which could have included assisting in moving or hiding Duncans remains or otherwise covering up evidence.

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A judge ultimately delivered a not guilty verdict for Waller on July 23, 2025, per WACH Fox 57, while Harpers case remains unresolved.

Waller spent 528 days in jail following her arrest on the accessory charge. After being cleared, her attorney, Carl B. Grant, spoke to the press, emphasizing the personal toll of the ordeal.

Can you imagine someone accusing you of doing something so horrible, being involved in the assistance in a murder, who was trying to help cover it up, that you did not do, and were detained for 528 days?" he said. "And you don't get to hold your beloved little daughter until that time you are relieved from jail and are released?

Read the original article on People
There is a popular theory that suggests modern politics is determined by "the vibes."

That is, politics is an irrational business, and the best way to make sense of it is to lean into how it feels. The "vibes" are the vague emotional atmosphere and swelling moods of the electorate. Like a tide that's coming in or going out, the vibes are nearly impossible to define except in relation to where they've been or where they are going. We're seemingly always on the cusp of one "vibe shift" or analyzing the passing wake of another.

Policymaking, however, remains rooted in a less ethereal plane. Perhaps that's why today's politicians seem to be so bad at it. The vibes of "Hope" and "Change" or "Make America Great Again" inevitably run aground against the tangible, practical reality of running the government. Change what? How to make greatness happen?

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The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was the latest high-profile victim of that dynamic.

It is somewhat unclear whether DOGE is dead or alive at the momentReuters says it "doesn't exist" anymore, but the Trump administration calls that report "fake news." Regardless, it is undeniable that the effort failed to achieve its lofty budget-cutting goals. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, who pioneered the idea for DOGE, promised $2 trillion in budget cuts. Instead, it delivered a paltry $9 billion in official cuts (which Congress confirmed via a rescission bill passed in July), and it probably deserves partial credit for the departure of an estimated 211,000 employees from the federal government since Trump returned to power. Many of the things DOGE claimed to be cutting turned out to be embellished or were blocked by courts (and sometimes by other parts of the Trump administration).

The reasons for this failure are not worth rehashing hereread my take from May or Christian Britschgi's assessment of what DOGE accomplished in the newly available January issue of Reason.

But even in its failure, DOGE can be useful. Indeed, the first thing that comes to mind when you see those four letters is likely not the federal balance sheet or a stack of Congressional Budget Office reports. No, you're picturing the silly dog meme or Musk welding a chainsaw on stage at CPAC. It may not have amounted to much in the long run, but for a little while there, DOGE was a successful branding exercise. It got people excited. It made cutting spending look funif a little chaotic.

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DOGE was a vibe.

Yes, cutting trillions in federal spending, balancing the budget, or solving the looming entitlement crisis won't be accomplished by vibes alone. However, the lesson that DOGE can offer future politicians is that they need not be afraid to propose radical ideas. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Pull out the chainsaw, promise to do the crazy thing, and you'll get people cheering for youand the people who get angry, well, they were going to be opposed to your ideas anyway.

The DOGE's most lasting impact might actually be away from the federal government, as it inspired knockoff efforts in several Republican-run states. In Texas, for example, Gov. Greg Abbott's new Regulatory Efficiency Office is promising to cut red tape and limit time-consuming regulatory reviews. Importantly, the reforms in Texas were codified by the state legislature, granting them a legitimacy and staying power that the federal DOGE never quite achieved.

This year, more than half the states and Puerto Rico considered legislation to promote state government efficiency, and 13 state legislatures created committees with missions modeled on the federal DOGE project, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, which tracks such things. Some of those follow the tech-minded approach that Musk briefly brought to the federal government. North Carolina and Hawaii have considered bills that would allow lawmakers to use AI to analyze state budgets and regulations to find inefficiencies and duplications.

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That's how you translate political vibes into something more lasting and worthwhile.

Of course, it does require policymakers to actually follow through once the cheers have subsided. That's where DOGE failed, in part because Trump refused to give it the authority to target the parts of the budget that are actually driving the deficitspending on Social Security and Medicareand in part because Musk seemingly assumed he knew more about the federal budget than people who had spent their entire careers advocating for cutting spending.

"It was never going to amount to much more than a marketing gimmick without a president actually serious about cutting spending," former congressman Justin Amash posted on X earlier this week, in response to the (now disputed) news that DOGE was no more.

He's right. Having a president with an actual appetite for cutting spending and a real plan to accomplish it is the most important thing.

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But whenor ifthat person arrives on the scene in Washington, he or she will need to sell those ideas to the American public. DOGE wasn't a perfect model for how to do that, but it certainly succeeded by changing the conversationor, dare I say it, shifting the vibesaround wasteful and foolish government spending.

The post Why DOGE Mattered appeared first on Reason.com.
Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly said George H.W. Bush was the president in 2003. George W. Bush was the president then.

- - -

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Republicans facing voter ire over spiking health premiums are resurrecting one of their favorite ideas: Give people power to pay for medical care on their own, with tax-free dollars in individual health savings accounts.

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The GOP is toying with the idea of taking federal subsidies that currently help people buy Affordable Care Act insurance and diverting some of the money into individuals HSAs, although passing legislation without help from Democrats is a tall order with Republicans slim Senate and House majorities.

But health economists say the vast majority of these individual accounts - already used by tens of millions of Americans - do not contain sufficient money to pay for serious health expenses. Even boosting them with new federal contributions would not build enough reserves to pay for expensive care for an emergency or major illness if needed, they say.

Theres a place for health savings accounts to augment insurance and fill things out around the edges, but it cant be the core insurance product, said Douglas Holtz-Eakin, a health economist who directs the American Action Forum, a conservative think tank.

Under a plan proposed by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), the enhanced ACA subsidies - which are due to expire at the end of this year - would be deposited into HSAs for people who sign up for bronze plans, which feature lower premiums but high deductibles and only 60 percent coverage for medical expenses. The original subsidies would still go toward marketplace premiums.

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The White House had planned to announce a similar proposal on Monday but delayed the plans after some Republican members of Congress objected when briefed on the approach Sunday evening, according to multiple people who were not authorized to speak to the press.

But President Donald Trump has repeatedly demanded a solution that bypasses insurers. Trump wrote last week on Truth Social that hell only support sending money directly back to the people, with nothing going to the big, fat, rich insurance companies.

Trumps demand stems from an election-year problem facing Republicans. Twenty-four million people enrolled in Healthcare.gov and state-run marketplaces face steep hikes in 2026 as pandemic-era that subsidies lawmakers refused to extend expire. Regular subsidies that help people afford premiums will continue past Dec. 31, but millions will see higher monthly payments just as Republicans try to maintain their trifecta of power in Washington.

Congressional Republicans have promised Democrats to hold a vote in December on continuing the enhanced subsidies, but its unclear whether theyll be able to come up with a bipartisan agreement.

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Individual health accounts appeal to the GOPs long-standing desire to help consumers shop on their own for health care, which in theory could encourage price competition in health care. Past GOP health proposals - including House and Senate bills to replace the ACA in 2017 - would have allowed people to put more money in them every year.

But Democrats - who insist that extending the extra subsidies to buy insurance is the best way to lower ACA premium costs - panned the idea of putting any subsidies into individual savings accounts at a Senate hearing last week.

There is no question these can be a useful tool for very wealthy people, theres no doubt about it, said Sen. Ron Wyden (Oregon), the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee. But I dont see it as a comprehensive health insurance opportunity.

Experts say individual savings accounts are no replacement for insurance for anyone with an expensive medical condition like cancer, diabetes or pregnancy. Treating those conditions can cost far more than the $6,600 annual subsidy collected by the average subsidized marketplace consumer, according to KFF, a nonpartisan health research organization. Except for the wealthiest Americans, it would be almost impossible for these patients to save enough money.

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HSAs were authorized by Congress in 2003, when George W. Bush was president. They are intended to provide people with extra dollars to cover medicines, supplies or out-of-pocket insurance costs - and theyre popular in the United States.

Around 59 million people have HSAs - and they tend to be healthier and wealthier than the average American. The accounts are typically offered by employers, and they must be paired with a high-deductible health insurance plan. Annual contributions are capped at $4,300 for an individual and $8,550 for a family plan. Unused balances may accumulate from year to year without limit and earn interest.

But a majority of people with HSAs dont put much money into them. An estimated 63 percent of accounts had balances of less than $1,000, and 21 percent of accounts were unfunded, according to a Government Accountability Office report released last week by Rep. Richard E. Neal (Massachusetts), the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee. Just 7 percent had balances over $10,000.

Most people do not have spare cash to set aside in HSAs, wrote Nicole Rapfogel, a senior policy analyst for the liberal Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

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Theres another catch to HSAs: They cant be used to pay monthly premiums. Neither can similar plans called flexible spending accounts, or FSAs, which are used by around 23 million Americans. These accounts arent attached to insurance, and any unused balances by the end of the year are forfeited by the employer offering them. The average FSA contribution in 2022 was $1,291, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute.

The typical consumer who uses an individual health savings account is the sort of person who would have saved money anyway, said Adam Leive, an economist who studies consumer behavior in health insurance at the University of California at Berkeley. Leive said individual accounts play small roles in helping people who already want to shop around for their health care and dont mind having a high-deductible plan.

But that option isnt going to be attractive to someone worried about affording a high deductible at the beginning of the year, he said.

Im skeptical that moving entirely or even substantially more into HSAs would really improve the functioning of the health care system, Leive said.

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- - -

Dan Diamond contributed to this report.

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JD Vance hasnt exactly hidden his hostility to Ukraine. After spending much of the year positioning himself as Trumpworlds foreign policy philosopher, the vice president is now on the defensive following fierce backlash from within his own party to a plan, backed by the administration, to end Russias war of aggression as it approaches its fourth year.

Following days of talks with the Ukrainians in Switzerland, and hush-hush meetings in Abu Dhabi with the Russians, several Republicans on Capitol Hill found themselves confused, if not openly critical. When the plan leaked last week, it was largely panned, including by Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., who chairs the Senate Armed Services committee, as favoring Russians too heavily.

The proposal calls for Ukraine to significantly reduce the size of its military, cede land to Russia  including land that Russia does not currently control, like regions of Luhansk, Donetsk and Crimea  relinquish its long-range missiles and vow to not join NATO. According to Reuters, the plan drew some elements from a Russian document.

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In exchange, Moscow would face few meaningful concessions and win a full return to the global economy, with the erasure of every sanction imposed since Putins first invasion in 2014.

Hell have to like it, and if he doesnt like it, theyll just have to keep fighting, I guess, President Donald Trump said of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Nov. 21. At some point, hes going to have to accept something.

To many Republicans, the proposals asymmetry was glaring. To Vance, it was the entire point.

The plan reflects more than the reported diplomatic gamble by top Trump advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff flying high off a negotiated settlement to Israels war in Gaza. It reveals the rise of a new GOP foreign policy worldview, one in which Vance is a central architect. And nothing illustrates that better than the man Trump has deployed as his lead emissary in the negotiations: Army Secretary Daniel P. Driscoll.

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Driscoll is not a traditional diplomat. He is Vances longtime friend  a Yale Law School classmate, close political ally and, increasingly, operational arm within the administration. The 38-year-old also currently serves as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which is not typically a position boasting a purview in European security negotiations.

Sending someone so closely tied to Vance  and effectively bypassing the administrations official Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, who is considered broadly sympathetic to Kyiv and who, perhaps tellingly, will leave his post in January  signals the degree to which the peace framework is aligned with Vances worldview. As Army Secretary, Driscoll has already worked closely with the White House on domestic deployments of National Guard troops. Now he is shaping the contours of a major global conflict.

This alignment is not accidental. During a combustible White House visit in February, Vance infamously berated Zelenskyy for what he called insufficient gratitude for U.S. support. The plans posture toward Kyiv reflects that animus, along with Vances broader realist world view  one that is, incidentally, shared by Fox News Laura Ingraham.

Congressional Republicans  who spent two years accusing former President Joe Biden of weakness on Russia  are openly revolting against the Trump-backed plan.

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Putin has spent the entire year trying to play President Trump for a fool, former Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R. Ky., said in a statement on Friday. If Administration officials are more concerned with appeasing Putin than securing real peace, then the President ought to find new advisors.

McConnell, who spent years branded as Moscow Mitch by Democrats and is retiring after nearly 40 years in the Senate, took to social media on Monday to press his point. [T]hose who think pressuring the victim and appeasing the aggressor will bring peace are kidding themselves. Which difficult concessions are we pressing Russia to make? How does limiting Ukraines defenses against future aggression increase the likelihood of enduring peace? The price and stability of peace matters, and our credibility is on the line. Allies and adversaries are watching: Will America hold firm against aggression or will we reward it?

Want more sharp takes on politics? Sign up for our free newsletter, Standing Room Only, written by Amanda Marcotte, now also a weekly show on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

In response, Vance exploded.

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This is a ridiculous attack on the presidents team, which has worked tirelessly to clean up the mess in Ukraine that Mitchalways eager to write blank checks to Bidens foreign policyleft us, Vance wrote Monday on X, asking if the Republican candidates in Kentucky who want to replace McConnell share his views.

From there, Vance went into a characteristic tirade about Americas decay, housing prices and what he decried as the obsession with Europe of the beltway GOP instead of over the struggling real Americans at home.

The implication of Vances invective was clear: Anyone supporting Ukraine is part of a decadent elite. Donald Trump Jr. joined in on Nov. 25 to claim McConnell was bitter because voters had rejected his globalist agenda.

At the Halifax International Security Forum over the weekend, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who is retiring, said McConnells criticism didnt go far enough. He warned against making Putin feel like he has a win here.

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While the resistance to the administration is strongest in the Senate, some House Republicans have also sounded warnings.

Senior House Republican Michael McCaul of Texas, who sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, said on ABCs This Week he would not advise Ukraine to sign the peace plan without more ironclad security guarantees. Retiring GOP Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska dubbed the peace plan Witkoffs Ukrainian surrender plan, placing the blame with Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff, who is headed to Moscow to sell the deal.

Mike Pompeo, who served as secretary of state during Trumps first administration, told Fox News that any so-called peace deal that limits Ukraines ability to defend itself would look more like a surrender and leave Putin more emboldened.

But leaders like McCaul, Pompeo and McConnell represent the last remnants of the Republican Party that believed in alliances, deterrence and American power abroad. Vance is the face of the new GOP  nationalist, grievance-driven, suspicious of international commitments and convinced that Americas real enemy is its own governing class.

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By inserting his closest ally into the center of the Russia-Ukraine negotiations, Vance has turned a global security crisis into a proving ground for his emerging political machine. When McConnell blasted the peace plan, he wasnt just criticizing Trump. He was threatening Vances ascendancy. And Vance reacted like a man who knows he now has the muscle to punch back.

The post Why JD Vance is fighting the GOP establishment over Russia appeared first on Salon.com.
ICE has arrested the mother of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitts nephew in Massachusetts, 25 Investigates has learned.

Bruna Ferreira, who has a child with Karoline Leavitts brother, Michael Leavitt, was arrested by ICE agents in the Boston area, her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, told 25 Investigates.

Pomerleau told 25 Investigates that Ferreira is no longer together with Michael Leavitt, but that she is still very involved in the 11-year-old boys life.

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Ferreira was taken to the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center and is in the midst of removal proceedings, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

A DHS spokesperson said that Ferreira entered the country on a B2 tourist visa that required her to depart the country on June 6, 1999.

She is a DACA recipient who is working toward getting a Green Card, according to Pomerleau.

She was in a lawful immigration process when she got detained, Pomerleau said.

Pomerleau went on to say that Ferreira has no criminal record and that he believes her ICE detention is illegal.

However, a Department of Homeland Security Spokesperson told Boston 25 News she was previously arrested for battery.

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Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, all individuals unlawfully present in the United States are subject to deportation, a DHS spokesperson said in a statement.

Ferreira is currently awaiting a court date for a bond hearing.

Karoline Leavitt, a 28-year-old native of Atkinson, New Hampshire, has served as the White House Press Secretary since President Trumps second term began in early 2025.

Boston 25 News has asked the White House for comment but has yet to hear back.

Boston 25 News has also reached out to ICE for comment.

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
MEXICO CITY (AP)  Hundreds of women marched through Mexico City's streets Tuesday to protest violence against women in a country where gender violence remains pervasive.

Among the hundreds of marchers clad in purple or with green bandanas, some beat drums and others carried signs. One read: Today I am the voice of those who are asking for help.

I am here for my grandmother, for my mother, for all of the women who arent here anymore, for all the women who report (violence) and arent supported, said Alin Rocha, a 41-year-old teacher, who marched on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

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Gender violence and equality have received more attention since President Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexicos first female leader, took office last year. But even Sheinbaum was groped by a drunken man as she walked in the capitals historic center earlier this month.

On Tuesday, she gathered governors from Mexicos 32 states to report on progress to make sexual harassment a crime in every state. Changing the laws is not enough, but it is necessary, she said.

Miriam Gonzalez, a 41-year-old doctor, said that even though a woman had made it to the presidency, nothing has changed.

Mexicos National Institute of Statistics and Geography said in 2021, 70% of Mexican women and girls older than 15 reported they had experienced some kind of violence  nearly half of it sexual in nature.
Chinese airline China Eastern plans to offer the world's longest direct flight, starting next week.

The airline announced on Wednesday that from December 4 it will fly twice a week from the Chinese economic powerhouse Shanghai to the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires.

The Argentinian government approved the new route on Wednesday by publishing it in the official gazette.

Shanghai and Buenos Aires are almost exactly opposite each other on the globe. China Eastern estimates that the 20,000-kilometre route will take 25.5 hours for the outbound flight and 29 hours for the return.

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However, the connection is not a non-stop flight. The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will make a technical stop in the New Zealand city of Auckland, according to a report in the aviation magazine Aero, where the aircraft will be refuelled and the crew changed. Passengers will be allowed to leave the aircraft briefly during the two-hour stopover, Aero reported.

The direct connection also represents competition for Lufthansa. The German airline already offers a connecting flight between Shanghai and Buenos Aires via its Frankfurt hub.
Four West Virginia lawmakers signed onto a national bipartisan letter opposing a policy under consideration by Congress that would allow the federal government to preempt state regulations on artificial intelligence. (David Espejo/Stock photo via Getty Images)

Four members of the West Virginia Legislature signed onto a national bipartisan letter this week opposing a policy under consideration by Congress that would allow the federal government to preempt state regulations on artificial intelligence.

The letter was signed by 280 state lawmakers from across the country, including West Virginias own Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, and Dels. Kayla Young, D-Kanawha; Bill Ridenour, R-Jefferson and Margitta Mazzocchi, R-Logan.

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In the letter, lawmakers expressed their strong opposition to any federal policy that would prohibit states from implementing and enforcing their own regulations on AI. They also shared concerns over how federal preemptive measures on the technology could undo and undermine laws already in place.

As state lawmakers and policymakers, we hear regularly from constituents about rising online harms and the growing influence of AI on their lives, the letter reads.  In the years ahead, AIs impact will require lawmakers to consider consequential public policy questions, making it essential that states retain the authority to act.

The opposition to federal preemption over AI comes after a similar provision to stop state regulation was pulled out of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act due to bipartisan opposition earlier this year. That provision would have implemented a 10-year moratorium on state and local AI regulations.

Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson

I was one of the people that wrote in protest of the provision that would have preempted AI regulation in the Big Beautiful Bill, so when I saw that theyre attempting to do it again, obviously I still feel the same way. Not much has changed here in the past few months, Rucker said. I still feel that it is not acceptable that the federal government is trying to co-opt states rights when it comes to this, and no, I am not okay with that.

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After its failure in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, national news outlets reported last week that the Trump administration was considering an executive order to ban state regulation on AI. On Nov. 21, Reuters reported that the executive order effort was being put on pause.

Instead, according to Punchbowl News, the executive branch and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., want to see the same preemption provision included in the National Defense Authorization Act. That legislation sets the budget and policy priorities for the nations military and defense infrastructure over the upcoming fiscal year.

Currently, there is little to no oversight for AI nationwide. Some localities have already passed their own laws to regulate the technology and, in some cases, ban it from being used for certain purposes. Theyve also implemented certain penalties for individuals who use the technology to promote harmful deepfakes, misinformation and more.

Proponents for federal preemption over AI regulation have said they dont want there to be a patchwork of different policies state-to-state regarding the technology. AI industry leaders  specifically companies that create the AI technology in question  support federal control over regulation as opposed to state control. They worry that state regulation could stifle innovation. Under the current administration, its likely that federal regulation would be more lax compared to the approach taken in some states.

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Rucker said shes concerned over the AI industry  dominated by deep-pocketed tech companies and venture capitalist firms  benefitting from a lack of regulation that could ultimately harm regular citizens.

I know that this push is, again, being pushed by big-money interests and that is very hard for the average American to fight, Rucker said. I worry that theyre trying to take advantage of the average citizen not really paying attention to [the National Defense Authorization Act].

Del. Kayla Young, D-Kanawha

Young said she holds similar concerns. She said its easy to boil an issue like this down to politics, but the concerns are much deeper than that and its clear that both President Donald Trump and his administration are betting big on AI development as well as political support from the industrys leaders.

This week, the White House signed an executive order to accelerate the use of AI in scientific research. That followed numerous other executive orders meant to increase the use and dependence on AI in numerous sectors, including education, energy and more.

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And Trump, as well as other political leaders, have grown closer to those who head AI companies and others that create the hardware they rely on to operate.

I dont want to be hyper-political, but Trump has all the billionaires in his pocket on this. This is why they [the federal government] want to regulate it, Young said. They want to be able to do whatever they want to do, and a lot of times they want to do it with state and federal dollars, but they dont want any safety provisions. Thats a problem and its one we should be able to confront as elected lawmakers.

Young and Rucker both said they were grateful that the fight against federal preemption continues to be so bipartisan. None of the concerns around the industry are partisan, Young said. Rucker said it gives [her] hope to see pushback come from both sides of the aisle in time of high political polarization.

It shows that at the end of the day, people can really win if they put special interests aside, then if we just all focus on putting the people forward  which is our job to do as the government and what weve been elected to do as state [lawmakers], Young said. Weve seen that happen and be successful in bipartisan ways. Theres bipartisan AI bills all over the country  that shows that we can just put the politics aside and put people first, but we need to have the right to do that.

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Recent purges of top Chinese military and political figures have thrown a fresh spotlight on Xi Jinping, the most authoritarian and longest-serving Chinese leader since Mao.

But what makes him tick, and what does his upbringing tell us about his behaviour today?

Joseph Torigian, an academic and researcher, spent nine years on this question. The result is The Partys Interests Comes First, a biography of Mr Xis father, Xi Zhongxun  who was himself purged by the Chinese Communist Party.

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If theres a through-line in the book, I think its that [Mr Xi] was someone who suffered in extraordinary ways for the sake of the cause, but nevertheless remained loyal to it, Mr Torigian, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, told The Telegraphs Battle Lines podcast.

For people like us, that might seem hard to believe, but for them, communism wasnt just a way of interpreting class relations. It was a sense of purpose and meaning.

And so when the party betrayed you, the inclination was to work even harder to win back its trust because without the party, you were essentially someone without meaning in your life.

Mr Torigian explained that Mr Xis purges should be seen within this context:  Xi Jinpings own father was persecuted by the party on five different occasions. And so purges arent just party history, theyre also Xi family history.

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It also gives Mr Xi a sense that he is touched by destiny.

And that has implications for the biggest question facing the West: whether Mr Xi will one day invade Taiwan, a self-ruling democratic island China claims as its own.

Xi Jinping has two competing impulses here that go in different directions, explained Mr Torigian.

Mr Xi has repeatedly said that Chinas full rejuvenation involves unifying with Taiwan, and has said that anything less would betray 5,000 years of Chinese history.

I am sure that theres nothing that he would love more than to unify with Taiwan. Its hard for me to think of something more emotionally resonant for him, said Mr Torigian.

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Yet the Chinese president is not ignorant of the significant risks involved.

One of the easiest ways to risk the regimes survival is to fight a war over Taiwan that doesnt go well, Mr Torigian added. And so I suspect that for him to achieve unification, he would prefer to do that in a way thats as least costly as possible.

That may mean waiting until the United States seems to be less involved, that Chinas military capabilities are overwhelming, and then you say to the leadership in Taiwan that you can either have a unification that is good for you, or unification that involves force, which will be an even worse deal.

For more on this story, listen to the latest episode of The Telegraphs Battle Lines podcast using the player in this article, watch it on YouTube or listen via Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favourite podcast app.

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.
Millions of Americans watch their paychecks shrink under premiums, deductibles, and medical bills that rise faster than their wages. Warren Buffett, the longtime Berkshire Hathaway CEO, drew a straight line between those bills and the country's economic standing.

At Berkshire's 2017 shareholder meeting, he told investors that healthcare costs had become a direct threat to American competitiveness.

Buffett compared what business leaders complained about to what was actually happening in the numbers. He said corporate taxes had fallen from 4 percent of GDP to 2%, while healthcare spending had climbed from 5% to 17%. That shift, he argued, mattered far more than any tax debate. It wasn't abstract. It was altering wages, investment decisions, and how far American companies could stretch every dollar. That was when he delivered the remark that has followed him ever since: "Medical costs are the tapeworm of American economic competitiveness." He also said the issue had become "the single biggest variable throwing us out of whack compared to the rest of the world," a warning directed at both executives and policymakers.

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Those comments created an unmistakable spotlight on the forces driving costs higher. They also set the stage for one of the most ambitious corporate partnerships in recent memory. In early 2018, Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, and JPMorgan Chase announced an independent nonprofit created to tackle healthcare spending for their workers.

Together they employed more than a million people and carried more market power than most countries. The plan was to test whether a simpler, more transparent approach could deliver better care at a lower cost.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos described the aim as difficult but worth pursuing. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said the country needed a system that rewarded value rather than layers of fees. Buffett believed employers were feeling the burden more intensely each year and saw the project as a chance to reset how benefits were designed. The venture was later named Haven, and for a brief moment it reshaped expectations around what major employers could attempt.

Trending: Bill Gates Invests Billions in Green Tech  This Tree-Free Material Could Be the Next Big Breakthrough

Haven ended in 2021, not because the problem disappeared but because the system resisted major change. The companies said they still learned from the effort and incorporated pieces into their own benefit programs.
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has fired 179 city employees, many of them political appointees by Mayor Eric Adams.

"Every administration can choose their own team. I think it's surprising that so many people were not given the opportunity to fight for their jobs. That's what's surprising," Deputy Mayor Fabien Levy said.

Levy says they never had a chance. Scores of City Hall staffers who were told that there's no room for them in the Mamdani Administration.

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"I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of people in this building voted for mayor-elect Mamdani. That's totally fine. And so they should have been given an opportunity to interview for a job," Levy said. "Instead, they were told yesterday and today that they're going to be laid off come January 1st," Levy said.

"Tonight you have delivered a mandate for change. A mandate for a new kind of politics," Mamdani said the night he was elected.

Mamdani's promise of a "new kind of politics," apparently includes a clean break from Eric Adams. But Levy says it goes beyond that.

"We have people on my team, specifically, that have been here since the Dinkins Administration. That's Dinkins, Giuliani, Bloomberg, de Blasio, Adams. Those people are all not the same. They don't all have the same politics," Levy said. "They were on the front lines of responding to COVID. They were on the front lines of responding to the asylum seeker crisis. They've done so much more for the city over the years and years of service they've given."

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Mamdani's transition team is a diverse group of New Yorkers headed by five women, including Adams' own former deputy mayor Maria Torres-Springer. And his police commissioner will continue to run the NYPD.

This is "standard practice for a mayoral transition," said his spokesperson. "Which includes new staff in key roles to ensure they can deliver effectively on their agenda."

"Look, every mayor gets to choose who they bring into their administration," Levy said.

Tonight, Levy says experienced staff deserved to be considered.

"They've been in these positions for years. They should have been given that opportunity. They were not given that opportunity," Levy said.

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179 terminations so far. Levy says 60% are women and minorities. The transition is a sharp political shift. The extent of the housecleaning here? Still not clear.

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Islamist influencers have recently had a particularly easy time getting their message across to young people in Germany, according to experts from the Association for the Prevention of Islamism and the Promotion of Democracy (KN:IX connect).

KN:IX connect seeks to prevent young people from drifting into Islamist circles, and to help those who want to leave them.

Global crises such as the Middle East conflict have acted as a catalyst, said Jamuna Oehlmann, managing director of the Federal Working Group on Religiously Motivated Extremism. However, she adds that "how these crises are dealt with here" is also crucial.

Narrow discourse

In Germany, "the discourse has been different than in other countries," Oehlmann pointed out.

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As a result, Muslims, and especially people with Palestinian roots who were directly affected by the Gaza war, often felt that their perspective was not being heard.

Islamist actors had skilfully exploited this, along with the way in which politics tends to talk about migration and Islamism in general terms, and used it for their own purposes. Some then lured in young people by claiming that only they understand them.

Complex subject

Teaching complex topics such as the Middle East conflict requires methodological knowledge and sufficient time, said Friederike Muller, who has experience in violence and Islamism prevention programmes in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

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Many people of Palestinian origin in the Ruhr region have been criminalized for participating in demonstrations and labelled as alleged anti-Semites, even though they only wanted to express their grief and their desire for an end to the Gaza war, she asserted.

"The fact that their distress and emotions are not given any space" is worrying, Muller added.

The experts were also critical of what they see as a particularly restrictive approach to the topic in Berlin schools.

Salafist preachers no longer as relevant

Salafist preachers such as Pierre Vogel and Abul Baraa have recently lost reach on social media, reported Elena Jung, an expert on extremism prevention, particularly in the digital space.

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On TikTok, younger Islamist influencers are now more popular, focusing more on formats that work well on this platform, she said.

Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt banned the Islamist association Muslim Interaktiv, which was previously very active in the digital space, at the beginning of the month.
About five years ago, the comedian Ryan Long posted a video in which a woke progressive and an old-fashioned racist meet and, much to their astonishment, discover that rather than being bitterly opposed, they agree on pretty much everything.

There was a strong echo of that convergence in last week's White House tete-a-tete between Republican President Donald Trump and New York's new socialist Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Anticipated to be a grudge match, it instead turned into something of a lovefest. Well, of course it did. As fans of horseshoe theory accurately point out, control freaks from the political extremes might differ on details, but they have more in common with each other than they do with people who respect each other's liberty.

Trump and Mamdani in 'a Place of Shared Admiration and Love'

In reporting on the meeting, The Hill noted, "Trump and Mamdani answered questions from reporters, both striking a remarkably cordial tone, with the president indicating he agreed with many of the mayor-elect's ideas."

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According to Mamdani, "It was a productive meeting focused on a place of shared admiration and love."

Trump added that Mamdani would be "hopefully a really great mayor." He also commented, "There's no difference in party. There's no difference in anything."

So, how did two politicians who entered the meeting slinging epithets at each other like "communist" and "fascist" exit with the makings of a mutual admiration society? There's a hint in a question a BBC reporter posed to the new mayor at the White House when he commented "you're both populist" and asked, "to what extent the president's campaigninspired any part of your campaign?"

Mamdani eagerly brought up cost-of-living and economic concerns while Trump nodded and then chimed in with agreement about concerns over the price of energy.

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That's the key to this meeting of the minds. Trump and Mamdani are strongly focused on economic issues. They also share a taste for addressing those concerns with government direction.

Two Paths to Socialism

Mamdani boasts of his open socialism. He's gone so far as to call for "seizing the means of production." He won office with a campaign that promised city-run grocery stores, a rent freeze, and free buses, child care, and other services funded by higher taxes on whoever can be interpreted as "wealthy." That should be interesting since he wants to tax the extremely wealthy out of existence.

In an exercise of what can be called "Republican socialism," Trump actually did seize a portion of the means of production when his administration leaned on U.S. Steel for a "golden share" of the company. Under his leadership, the federal government has also taken ownership positions in firms including Intel, Lithium Americas, and Trilogy Metals. Trump's protectionism is crafted to enable the state to push firms to revive domestic manufacturingor else.

Mamdani believes in government control of the economy for the sake of achieving socialism. Trump endorses government control of the economy to accomplish his nationalist goals. But whatever they call their views, both men think political leaders should be directing economic activity.

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What brought Mamdani to socialism is probably best left as a question for his shrink, his parents, and his college professors. But Trump's path to state control of the economy almost certainly lies in his nationalist impulses. He came to office on the slogan "Make America Great Again" and has enthusiastically used the power of the federal government to enact what he believes that means, often replacing individual choice with politicians' preferences.

As the economist Friedrich Hayek wrote in his 1960 book, The Constitution of Liberty, "It is this nationalistic bias which frequently provides the bridge from conservatism to collectivism. To think in terms of 'our' industry or resource is only a short step away from demanding that these national assets be directed in the national interest."

Hayek differentiated nationalism from patriotism, which he considered pride in your origins as opposed to nationalism's collectivism and xenophobia. The shared collectivism of socialism and nationalism, he added, is why "we frequently find the conservatives joining hands with the socialists against the liberals."

Inevitably Shared Authoritarianism

Whether collectivist economic impulses are exercised by nationalists or by socialists, Hayek observed that the result is inevitably authoritarian. When the state controls economic activity, it can deny permits, withhold resources, cut off finance, impose punitive taxes, and otherwise make existence independent of the state almost impossible.

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"Economic control is not merely control of a sector of human life which can be separated from the rest; it is the control of the means for all our ends," Hayek warned in his 1944 book, The Road to Serfdom. "And whoever has sole control of the means must also determine which ends are to be served, which values are to be rated higher and which lower, in short, what men should believe and strive for."

From different directions, Trump and Mamdani have arrived at agreement that economic activity should be directed by government officials over the objections of those who want to make their own decisions about their property, their businesses, and their money. They got along so well together at the White House because, like Ryan Long's fictional wokester and racist, they were delighted to discover the similarities in their desires for a society controlled from the top.

Yes, Mamdani is back to calling Trump a "fascist," but there's a quality of rote recital to it. He's giving his supporters what they expect. Trump will probably call him a communist again. But they're not bitter enemies; the two men are rivals peddling similar products and vying for market share.

Holding Onto Individualism

In opposition to both these representatives of neighboring arms of the ideological horseshoe are Hayek-style classical liberals, libertarians, and other individualists. Advocates of liberty oppose collectivism and state control whether it's called socialism, nationalism, or some other name. We see society as a cooperative endeavor among free individuals, not as a collective to be commanded from above.

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Unfortunately, Mamdani and Trump represent political movements that are consuming their respective political parties. If they're successful in displacing the remaining relatively individualistic voices, the political choices offered in the future by the major parties will be nothing more than competing brands of collectivism. Of course, collectivists favor a world in which choices are made for us.

The post Zohran Mamdani and Donald Trump Prove That There Are Two Paths Toward Socialism appeared first on Reason.com.
Contact Alexander Banks by email at abanks@yakimaherald.com, or by phone at 509-577-7654.

Alexander Banks reporting for the Yakima Herald-Republic is possible with support from Report for America and Yakima community members. For information on republishing, email news@yakimaherald.com. To support local journalism, click here.
This story was originally published on Waste Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Waste Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

Waste broker Ecube Labs, which operates under the name Haulla Services, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company is involved in a separate lawsuit that Waste Connections brought against it in March 2024, alleging that Haulla used numerous online schemes  including breaking into a company system and impersonating real customers  to steal business from Waste Connections.

A Texas bankruptcy court yesterday approved Haullas request to borrow up to $1.5 million from its parent company, Ecube Labs Ltd., to keep its business afloat. It can immediately borrow $500,000 of that amount, according to court documents. Haulla filed for bankruptcy in October.

Waste Connections in September filed an updated complaint in its fraud case against Haulla, saying the parent company conspired with Haulla and should also be held accountable for the alleged fraudulent activities. Ecube Labs Ltd. was not included in the original lawsuit against Haulla.

Dive Insight:

Waste Connections lawsuit claims Haulla stole confidential and proprietary customer information and used it to encourage Waste Connections customers to breach their contracts and sign contracts with Haulla instead.

The lawsuit alleges Haulla illegally accessed Waste Connections web-based customer portal, created at least 2,500 fake customer profiles, and impersonated customers through emails and phone calls in an effort to learn confidential pricing information and other terms of service details. Waste Connections says it first noticed this activity in 2023.

Waste Connections also claims some of Haullas agents gained access to Waste Connections portal by repeatedly guessing security questions on real customers profiles. Others allegedly used the websites chat function to impersonate customers in order to learn account numbers or get copies of invoices, according to the lawsuit.

Waste Connections of Texas, along with affiliates Waste Connections Lone Star and El Paso Disposal and Waste, say the issue has damaged customer relationships and hurt business. As of September, Haulla was still using similar tactics to gain access to Waste Connections data, the complaint alleges.

Waste Connections says the practice has generated revenue for Haulla while transferring any potential contract liability onto new customers. Haulla, in court documents, has denied numerous claims related to Waste Connections complaint.
Waymo, owned by Google parent company Alphabet, operates part of its fleet of autonomous vehicles in California. Startups Apolo, AutoX, Nuro, WeRide, and Tesla Robotaxi and Zoox also operate in the state.

But with so many options, Californians may be getting autonomous vehicle fatigue.

Waymo quick facts:

Founded in 2009.

Passed the first U.S. state self-driving test in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2012.

Source: IEEE Spectrum

Spun out from Alphabet as a separate subsidiary in 2016.

As of July 2025, Waymo One is available 24/7 to customers in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

The current Waymo fleet features over 1,500 vehicles. By 2026, the company expects to add 2,000 more.

According to Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety, nearly 80% of California voters support requiring a human safety operator in self-driving trucks and delivery vehicles, and just 33% of voters express a favorable general impression of autonomous vehicles.

Some Californians have even taken to sabotage.

One group of protestors, Safe Street Rebels, has fought against autonomous driving for years. While they are not just anti-autonomous driving (they oppose nearly all driving), they have achieved great success using traffic cones to render the vehicles useless.

The safety systems on the vehicles recognize traffic cones as being major red flags, so a single cone can disable a Waymo until someone comes and removes it.

The group has documented hundreds of crash and traffic incidents involving autonomous vehicles over the years and says the vehicles make California streets more dangerous, not safer.

Over the weekend, a viral social media video showed just how much of a nuisance the robotic vehicles can be.

Waymo has more than 800 vehicles operating in the San Francisco Bay Area.Photo by Justin Sullivan on Getty Images

Line of Waymos blocks two lanes of traffic in San Francisco

Waymo has approximately 800 autonomous vehicles operating in the San Francisco Bay Area, according to data the company shared with the San Francisco Examiner in August.

In a viral video from No Safe Words on X (formerly Twitter), it looked like an endless line of them had taken over one city street on Nov. 22.

Related: Waymo pulls ahead of Tesla Robotaxi, Amazon Zoox with latest move

Investigators in the comments figured out that the vehicles were all headed to their charging stations at the same time, creating the bottleneck.

The line of Waymo's wasn't the only instance of the company's vehicles acting like bad neighbors. On Nov. 24, another California city placed restrictions on the company's operations.

Santa Monica demands Waymo cease overnight charging

Waymos have been recorded piling up at Santa Monica charging stations at night in Southern California.
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF) is included among the 15 Best Stocks to Buy for Medium Term.

Wells Fargo Assumes Coverage on CF Industries (CF) With Overweight Rating and $100 PT

Wells Fargo initiated coverage on CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF) on November 11 with an Overweight rating and a $100 price target, slightly below the earlier target of $105, according to a report by The Fly.

The company delivered strong results in the third quarter of 2025, posting revenue of $1.66 billion, up 21.09% from a year earlier and ahead of analysts estimates by $4.41 million. Net earnings for the quarter were $353 million, or $2.19 per diluted share, with EBITDA at $671 million and adjusted EBITDA at $667 million. CF also completed its $3 billion share repurchase program authorized in 2022 and began its new $2 billion repurchase program approved in 2025 during October.

In its earnings release, CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF) noted important progress in its clean energy strategy, including securing premium pricing for its first certified low-carbon ammonia cargoes and receiving 45Q tax credits as expected. Management said the financial returns from its low-carbon ammonia and decarbonization investments remain very strong for shareholders.

Gross ammonia production for the first nine months of 2025 totaled about 7.6 million tons, compared to 7.2 million tons in the same period of 2024. Third-quarter production was roughly 2.4 million tons, matching the prior-year level. The company expects full-year 2025 gross ammonia output to reach approximately 10 million tons.

CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF) is a global producer and distributor of nitrogen-based products, including ammonia and other fertilizers.

While we acknowledge the potential of CF 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: 15 Best Long Term Stocks to Buy According to Reddit and 13 Best Canadian Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold for the Long Term.

Disclosure: None.
Hungary's central bank (NBH) has ruled that opposition Tisza Party leader Peter Magyar did not commit insider trading or market manipulation. Magyar said in a statement on Tuesday that the NBH had terminated both proceedings against him.

"Once again, it's clear that [Prime Minister] Viktor Orban and his Fidesz cronies and propagandists have been lying to the Hungarian people for months and accusing us, without any basis, of committing crimes," the statement said.



He added that it was also clear that Mihaly Varga, as the central bank's governor, was "unwilling to surrender to the mafia boss Viktor Orban".



The task now was to find "the 650 billion forints [EUR 1.7bn] stolen from" the central bank, he said.



Watchdog fines private individuals for insider trading



The National Bank of Hungary (NBH) has fined four private individuals a combined HUF 75m for insider trading involving shares of holding company Opus Global, the central bank and financial market watchdog said.



The NBH also reported the individuals to law enforcement authorities.



Source: MTI  Hungarys national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent.



Since the goal of XpatLoop is to keep readers well briefed, right across the spectrum of opinions, MTI items are shared to ensure readers are aware of all narratives within the local media.



XpatLoop believes in empowering readers to form their own views through complete and comprehensive coverage. To facilitate this XpatLoop has a balanced range of news partners, as you can see when you surf around XpatLoop.com

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Gergely Karacsony, the mayor of Budapest, on Tuesday said he has written a letter to the prime minister requesting the government's cooperation in the interest of keeping the capital functioning.

"It's the calm before the storm, and if decision-makers don't take notice of the city and the country's interests, there could be a very big storm," Karacsony told reporters before handing the document over to a staff member of the Prime Minister's Office at the office's Castle District premises.



Karacsony said the government's "austerity measures" required a "superhuman effort" to keep Budapest's basic public services functioning.



Talks with the government had stalled, he said, adding that his administration had only heard through the media about the prime minister's statement that since he has been in government, no local council has gone bankrupt, and the capital must not be allowed to, either.



The mayor said the city administration had been warning since the pandemic that the governments "austerity measures" were eating up the citys reserves, so he was now telling the prime minister publicly that "there is a problem".



But the municipal council and the government, Karacsony said, disagreed on the nature of the problem. He said the reality was that if the government did not pay the city what it was entitled to and continued to "unlawfully charge the capitals account", they would not be able to open Budapests credit line in January.



He warned that this would mean that the city council would not be able to pay wages, the city would come to a standstill, and both the capital and the country would face a serious credit rating risk.



"This is bad for everyone," Karacsony said, adding that his goal was to "bring decision-makers back to reality from the political battles".



The mayor said Budapest still had not received the 12 billion forints (EUR 31.3m) for public transport funding it was entitled to under its agreement with the government, or the 8.8 billion forint advance the city paid the EU on the cabinets behalf for the procurement of trolley buses.



He also said the Kuria, Hungarys supreme court, had ruled that the government had unlawfully withdrawn 28 billion forints from the citys account.



Karacsony said that in his letter he asked Prime Minister Viktor Orban for the government to pay what it owes the municipal council, and not to "make any more unlawful withdrawals" from the citys account this year.



If these steps are not taken, the city would finish the year with 33 billion forints in the red, he warned.



The mayor signalled his openness to resolve the situation through talks, saying his administration had proposed a long-term settlement.



Source: MTI  Hungarys national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent.



Since the goal of XpatLoop is to keep readers well briefed, right across the spectrum of opinions, MTI items are shared to ensure readers are aware of all narratives within the local media.



XpatLoop believes in empowering readers to form their own views through complete and comprehensive coverage. To facilitate this XpatLoop has a balanced range of news partners, as you can see when you surf around XpatLoop.com

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A police complaint has been filed against an Assistant Sub-Inspector in West Bengal after a housewife accused him of repeatedly raping and blackmailing her since 2018. The woman alleged that the officer drugged her, took compromising photos and threatened her family. Scroll down to read more.
'Mini France' of Delhi: The city is full of surprises. Its some corners feel as if they belong to another continent. Civil Lines and Hauz Khas Village are often described as the citys own little slice of France, thanks to their leafy streets, old-world architecture and easygoing cultural mood. For many visitors, a walk through these areas feels like entering an artistic part of the city where history and everyday life blend naturally.
Mumbai Chabad house: Mumbai, known as the financial capital of India, is once again on the target of terrorists. Mumbai Police has received intelligence input. Chabad House located in Colaba may be attacked. This house is the community center of the Jewish community.
Delhi Terror Blast: NIA arrested Soyab, the 7th accused in the Red Fort car bombing, for harboring terrorist Umar Un Nabi & providing vital logistics.
At the White House this month, Donald Trump and Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appeared cordial in public, exchanging praise and smiles. But behind closed doors, tensions flared as the US president pushed for Saudi participation in the Abraham Accords.
Ovintiv Inc. (NYSE:OVV) is one of the most undervalued NYSE stocks to buy right now. On November 18, Wells Fargo analyst Hanwen Chang raised the firms price target on Ovintiv to $42 from $38 and kept an Equal Weight rating on the shares. This upgrade was announced as Chang noted that the NuVista Energy acquisition provides Ovintiv with superior Montney assets, boosting productivity and unlocking the potential for over 5% oil growth without significant midstream capital expenditure.

Earlier this month, on November 5, Ovintiv signed a definitive agreement to acquire Canadian company NuVista Energy for ~$2.7 billion (CAD 3.8 billion) in a cash-and-stock transaction. Ovintiv already holds 9.6 percent of NuVistas outstanding shares, which it obtained in a private transaction at CAD 16 per share. The total consideration for the remaining NuVista shares is structured as a blend of 50% cash and 50% Ovintiv common stock. The total acquisition price for NuVista is ~CAD 17.8 per share.

Wells Fargo Raises Ovintiv (OVV) PT to $42, Cites Superior Montney Assets from NuVista Energy Acquisition

The acquisition is centered on high-quality assets in the core of the Alberta Montney. The deal provides Ovintiv with ~930 net 10,000-foot equivalent well locations and ~140,000 net acres, with about 70% of the acreage being undeveloped and directly adjacent to Ovintivs existing operations. The NuVista assets are projected to produce an average of 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day next year, which includes about 25,000 barrels per day of oil and condensate. This infrastructure is expected to allow Ovintivs Montney oil and condensate volumes to grow over 5% per year for the next 3-5 years.

Ovintiv Inc. (NYSE:OVV) explores, develops, produces, and markets natural gas, oil, and natural gas liquids in North America.

While we acknowledge the potential of OVV 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: 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.
BJP Protest Against Nitish Kumar: Protest by BJP's Mahila Morcha against the Chief Minister of Bihar continues in Delhi. Now BJP Mahila Morcha workers demonstrated strongly against Nitish Kumar. BJP is continuously adamant on the demand of resignation of CM Nitish Kumar.. Let us tell you that Bihar CM Nitish Kumar had given controversial remarks while giving a statement on caste census, due to which politics has intensified and a big controversy has arisen. Due to which the opposition has now come out on protest.
Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) is included among the 15 Best Stocks to Buy for Medium Term.

Wells Fargo Upgrades Nucor (NUE) to Overweight, Raises Price Target to $167

Photo by Vitaly Taranov on Unsplash

On November 14, Wells Fargo upgraded Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) from Equal Weight to Overweight and raised its price target to $167 from $147, according to a report by The Fly. The firm cited higher US steel price forecasts for 2026, which are expected to lift 2026 EBITDA by 12% to $5.1 billion.

In the third quarter of 2025, Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) raised its CapEx guidance to $3.3 billion from the prior $3 billion due to accelerated project spending. The company also noted that it now supplies more than 95% of all steel products used in data centers, from the building envelope to interior infrastructure.

Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) has long focused on turning a portion of its bulk steel into specialized products, such as racks for housing data center technology and doors for warehouses and large structures. These examples are particularly relevant amid the ongoing artificial intelligence (AI) investment boom. These specialized products typically carry higher margins than commodity steel and tend to have more resilient demand.

Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) manufactures and sells a broad range of steel and steel products, including sheet, plate, bar, and structural steel.

While we acknowledge the potential of NUE as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 15 Best Long Term Stocks to Buy According to Reddit and 13 Best Canadian Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold for the Long Term.

Disclosure: None.
Alphabet stock ha surged this week on hype over the Google parent's growing AI dominance.

Investor Gene Munster thinks recent developments make Alphabet the top Magnificent Seven stock to own.

Sign up for Business Insider's daily markets newsletter here.

If you had to pick one stock from a group of seven that are propping up the whole market, which would you choose?

Gene Munster thinks the answer should be Alphabet, at least for the next year.

The managing partner at Deepwater Asset Manager recently revealed why Google's parent company is his top pick among the group of tech titans.

Munster thinks power dynamics in Silicon Valley are shifting as Google leaves no room for doubt that it's among the most dominant names in AI tech.

The fund manager's bullish thesis centers on Google's recent progress in AI. Alphabet stock rose on Tuesday on news that Google's Tensor Processing Units could power Meta Platforms' data centers as soon as 2027.

As Google stock rises and Nvidia falls, Munster sees this as highly bullish for Alphabet stock in both the long and short term. He noted the common concern that Google could not compete in the generative AI market, a theory that he thinks the company has disproven with its recent progress.

"This is showing that they, in fact, have the chops to compete toe to toe from a large language model perspective, against OpenAI. It is encouraging for investors that the company's culture has been reignited to compete," Munster told CNBC.

He added that he sees the chatbot market as a significant opportunity for Google, as currently only about 20% of the platform's user base engages with its Gemini AI tool frequently. Google's recent updates to its AI platform have won high praise from tech leaders such as Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, who recently touted it as being superior to ChatGPT.

Google stock is trading at 28 times forward 12-month earnings. As Munster noted, that's in line with the rest of the Magnificent Seven, but in his view, Google's new position as a competitor in both the chip and AI chatbot spaces positions it well to justify an even higher valuation multiple.

"If you think about Google's distribution, it's just habitual," Munster said. "At the end of the day, there's two and a half billion people who use Google search daily, and that compares to my estimates of about 500 million daily chat GPT users."

As he sees it, Google's edge has always been in its distribution and power to reach more users than any other platform, even as ChatGPT has disrupted the digital search ecosystem.

Read the original article on Business Insider
XRP is primed for a 22% price breakout, says Lacie Zhang, research analyst at Bitget Wallet.

Zhang argued that the Monday launch of crypto asset manager Grayscales new GXRP ETF will pave the way for a price rally.

A breakout could target $2.50 and beyond, supported by a spot-ETF catalyst, Zhang told DL News.

That would translate to XRPs price surging 22% above its current levels.

Zhang isnt alone in being bullish on XRP.

Others have told DL News that XRPs price is well positioned to surge by as much as 21% to $2.75.

The third-largest cryptos key drivers include actual ETF trading volumes and stablecoin reserves flowing into XRP, Zhang said.

Grayscale joins a flood of XRP ETFs washing over Wall Street.

As of November 21, the Depository Trust and Clearing Companys pipeline shows listings from Grayscale, Franklin Templeton, 21Shares, Bitwise, ProShares, and CoinShares.

On November 13, traders poured nearly $250 million into Canary Capitals spot XRP ETF on launch day, marking the largest crypto ETF debut of 2025.

Wall Street hit

US spot XRP ETFs have enjoyed $422.64 million in investment since Canary Capitals blockbuster debut on November 13, despite the broader market selloff.

In that same time period, Bitcoin ETFs saw $2.5 billion in sales, DefiLlama data shows.

In the short term, ETFs will signal demand and a cleaner on-ramp for institutions, Lawrence Samantha, CEO of crypto investment platform NOBI, told DL News.

The arrival of multiple regulated products broadens liquidity, lowers custody friction, and makes XRP a more investable asset class if inflows persist, he said.

Steven McClurg, CEO of Canary Capital, echoed that optimism for XRP ETFs in August, predicting that the funds will attract $5 billion in investment in their first few months of trading.

But despite the strong launch momentum and ETF inflows, XRPs price is down more than 40% from its July all-time high of $3.65, trading at $2.07 at time of reporting.

To be sure, XRP is still up over 40% on the year, outperforming Bitcoin.

Ripple scores big

Ripple, the firm that developed the XRP cryptocurrency, has also made notable moves this month.

On November 5, the firm tripled its valuation to $40 billion following a $500 million strategic funding round led by Citadel Securities, Fortress Investment Group, Pantera Capital, Galaxy Digital, Brevan Howard, and Marshall Wace.

That same day, Ripple announced a partnership with Mastercard and Gemini to enable stablecoin payments for credit card transactions, a major corporate win that positions XRP deeper into financial rails.

Lance Datskoluo is DL News Europe-based markets correspondent. Got a tip? lance@dlnews.com.
National Health Observatory, in collaboration with the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, is pleased to announce the publication of the French version of the 2024 review of the Luxembourg health system, released as part of the international Health Systems in Transition (HiT) series.

The Health Systems in Transition (HiT) series describes the organisation, functioning, and recent reforms of health systems in the countries of the WHO European Region. These analyses  conducted by national experts (ObSante team for Luxembourg, with support from other national specialists) in collaboration with the teams of the European Observatory  follow a standardised model. This framework ensures meaningful comparisons between countries health systems and constitutes a key reference for public decision-makers and health system stakeholders.

The French version has been produced by the National Health Observatory on the basis of the original English-language review, with the aim of facilitating reading and dissemination among the general public, health professionals, and national institutional actors.

Key topics addressed in the publication:

Organisation and governance

Health system financing

Physical and human resources

Provision of services (patient pathways, organisation and provision of services)

Principal health reforms implemented and future development perspectives

Overall assessment of the health system, including governance, accessibility, financial protection, service quality, care integration, health outcomes, and efficiency.

An essential document for understanding and action

The publication "Luxembourg: Health System Review" provides an in-depth analysis of recent or planned structures, reforms, and policies, while highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the national health system. While Luxembourg benefits from a compulsory health insurance system offering a wide range of services to a large share of the population, barriers remain for vulnerable groups, in particular due to administrative constraints and financial considerations.

The Luxembourg health system has several strengths but also faces major challenges. It shows good overall health outcomes, yet factors such as socio-economic disparities and risky health behaviours remain a concern. Moreover, while the centralisation of health infrastructure ensures good coverage, the system's strong reliance on a workforce trained abroad raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of the service offer and the quality of complex care.

The merger of ministries to form the Ministry of Health and Social Security (M3S) represents progress towards greater coherence in the planning and financing of care. However, despite significant investments, further efforts are needed to strengthen health promotion and prevention, improve efficiency, and optimise budget allocation.

Practical information:

The publication is now available: link

Printed copies are available upon request: info@obs.etat.lu

Other documents in this series:

English version: link

Summary in French: link

Summary in English: link

Press release by the National Health Observatory
GUEST OPINION: The Australian technology landscape is changing, with artificial intelligence growing. Many businesses are investing in AI in workflows rather than focusing on human intervention. This evolution within the financial sector reflects how AI systems are driving improvements, compliance, and customer engagement. Along with these technologies, large language models (LLMs) have emerged as an impactful tool within modern finance.

How LLMs are reshaping enterprise finance

LLMs are AI models that are trained on vast amounts of data to understand and generate human-like language. They offer quick responses and are effective across finance due to their ability to understand complex information. Tasks that once required many manual hours of reviewing, such as reporting, summarizing updates and understanding insights, can now be developed in seconds.

These capabilities can be found by using LLMs in finance, reflecting on how they have advanced features to help with summarisation, risk analysis, monitoring and customer communication. For businesses adopting enterprise AI, LLMs offer the flexibility and control needed in sensitive environments where accuracy and security are essential.

Key applications in Australias financial sector

Lets take a look at the key applications where LLMs can benefit the Australian financial sector:

Automated financial work

LLMs can condense large volumes of text from reports into regulatory releases. This helps finance teams make faster, more informed decisions, which is essential for Australian markets.

Compliance

Financial businesses face strict regulatory requirements from ASIC and AUSTRAC. LLMs can assist in:

Detecting anomalies

Analysing communication logs

Flagging potential breaches

Monitoring policy changes

This automation can reduce any risk exposure and ensure teams remain aligned with regulations.

Customer engagement

Enterprise-grade AI enables financial businesses to build assistants that are capable of handling customer questions, personalised recommendations and simplifying onboarding processes. This aligns with Australia's growing market, especially within the financial sector.

Analysis of data

Australian finance teams often work with large amounts of unstructured information. LLMs extract meaning from:

Market news

Legal; contracts

Earnings call transcripts

Internal memos

Client notes

This helps to support everything from investments to management and fraud detection.

These applications demonstrate how enterprise-grade AI tools are beneficial for financial teams.

Why enterprise AI matters in Australia now

Many factors are accelerating AI adoption within the financial market in Australia:

Data volumes are increasing, making manual processing impractical, reflecting the need for enterprise AI systems

Global competition is pressuring local businesses to enhance their analytical capabilities

Regulatory oversight requiring better documentation, monitoring and accountability

Customer expectations with younger demographics preferring to use AI-powered digital experiences and tools

Recent Australian surveys reflect how 80% of businesses believe their data is not fully ready to adopt AI. This demonstrates the importance of AI governance, quality initiatives and enterprise-grade deployment architectures.

Integrating enterprise AI with LLMs

Using LLMs within enterprise AI involves more than connecting them to an API. Australian businesses must consider:

Data security: Financial businesses revolve around sensitive data. Enterprise AI deployments must ensure secure systems and strict access controls.

Transparency: With new regulations emerging, audit trails are essential for AI systems within finance

Domain fine-tuning: General LLMs perform well, but fine-tuned systems trained on financial terminology can enhance workflows and deliver superior accuracy and alignment with compliance requirements.

Integration: The most successful Australian businesses embed AI into decision-making processes from investments to call centre operations, creating effective business outcomes.

Taken together, these considerations make enterprise AI with LLMs a strategic move that offers reliable information. The Australian financial businesses that invest in secure infrastructure, governance and workflow integrations will be positioned to unlock the full value of language models.

As sectors grow, businesses that approach LLM deployment will gain a clear advantage toward long-term goals by improving efficiency, ensuring compliance, and delivering richer, more responsive financial services.

Conclusion

The Australian market is growing and is looking to enterprise AI adoption, driven by the need for effective workflows, improved compliance, and better decision-making. As financial businesses navigate across complex landscapes, LLMs in finance have become a fundamental need to help transform teams and manage workflows while serving customers.

Looking ahead, businesses that embed AI into workflows will be the ones to capture the most outstanding value from advanced technologies. By pairing LLM capabilities into enterprise infrastructure and strategic intent, the Australian financial market has the opportunity to grow even more and grow with global innovation, but also set standards for secure and customer-centric financial services.

About the author: Tristan Ovington

Tristan Ovington is a professional senior writer and journalist, specialising in providing expert insights on various topics such as digital adoption, digital transformation, change management, and Cloud apps. He delivers his knowledge through accessible online content that is data-driven and presented in a friendly tone, making it easy for readers to understand and implement.
SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) has announced that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has selected advanced disaster risk management system EDiSON for use in the Solomon Islands.

The system was developed by SAP Japan and INSPIRATION PLUS, a venture from Oita University focused on disaster prevention.

EDiSON, which runs on SAP Business Technology Platform, exemplifies how intelligent enterprise technology can be harnessed to address global challenges such as cyclones (typhoons) and floods. It integrates diverse types of information, including real-time, visual meteorological data and historical data records, to drive predictive insights and smarter operations assisted by SAP Business AI and machine learning.

These predictions offer authorities a vital tool for delivering faster response times and mitigating damage in the event of a natural disaster. This includes forecasting terrain damage, dispatching emergency services to affected areas and supporting decision-making in issuing evacuation advisories. The Solomon Islands initiative is envisioned as a blueprint for other small island developing states, showcasing how cutting-edge technology can democratize disaster resilience.

"EDiSON represents a leap forward in how science and technology can empower vulnerable communities," UNESCO Chief of Disaster Risk Reduction Soichiro Yasukawa said. "By integrating AI and real-time data, we are not only improving early warning capabilities but also building a foundation for long-term resilience and sustainable development."

The project, part of UNESCO's Disaster Prevention Strengthening Program, will be operational in 2026. It aims to establish a scalable, data-driven model for disaster preparedness and responses of small island nations that face the increasing severity of natural disasters driven by climate change. The Solomon Islands, located in the South Pacific Ocean, face frequent threats from earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones, droughts and flooding. EDiSON will serve as a transformative solution to enhance national preparedness and response capabilities.

EDiSON integrates static and real-time dynamic data from government, municipal and private sector sources. The system delivers predictive insights and real-time visibility into emerging disaster risks. This empowers authorities to issue timely evacuation orders and make informed decisions that protect lives and infrastructure.

Why EDiSON? Proven Performance and Scalable Sustainability

"This project exemplifies SAP's commitment to using technology to empower resilient communities," said Sophia Mendelsohn, chief sustainability and commercial officer at SAP SE. "EDiSON is a powerful example of how our cloud platform and AI capabilities can be tailored to meet the needs of communities facing real-world challenges. We're proud to support UNESCO in bringing this innovation to the Solomon Islands and beyond."

UNESCO's selection of EDiSON was driven by the system's proven track record in Japana country renowned for its advanced disaster management systems. The system's ability to overcome traditional barriers such as fragmented data, limited analytical capacity and underutilization in field operations makes it especially valuable for resource-constrained nations such as the Solomon Islands. EDiSON's modular design helps ensure scalability and adaptability, enabling governments to deploy sophisticated disaster management tools without requiring extensive budgets or technical expertise.

Visit the SAP News Center. Get SAP news via LinkedIn and Bluesky.
The Republican candidates in those races - Jack Ciattarelli in New Jersey and Winsome Earle-Sears in Virginia - tried one strategy for dealing with President Donald Trump: appeasing him at all costs. Greene tried the other: showing some independence from the president. That both roads ended in disaster underscores how narrow a path is available next year to Republicans in competitive states and congressional districts.

Ciattarelli and Earle-Sears followed the course almost all elected Republicans have adopted since Trump reemerged as the party's leader in the run-up to 2024. Both resolutely refused to criticize him, even when he took actions that demonstrably hurt their states (like suspending federal dollars for a transit tunnel linking New Jersey and New York, or laying off thousands of Virginians who work for the federal government).

Ciattarelli and Earle-Sears fatally refused to change course even as polls for months made clear that Trump's tumultuous second term was bleeding his support. In the end, Ciattarelli and Earle-Sears were both flattened by a tidal wave of discontent over Trump: A solid majority of voters in both New Jersey and Virginia said they disapproved of his performance, and more than 90% of those disapprovers in both states backed the Democratic candidates, according to the Voter Poll conducted by SRSS. In both states, all of the demographics that moved toward Trump in 2024 (particularly young people and working-class minority voters) moved sharply back toward the Democratic candidates.

The landslide Democratic wins in both states sent a clear message to any GOP candidates facing competitive races: aligning too closely with Trump in this environment can be dangerous to your political future. But just weeks later, Greene's resignation, under pressure from the president, offered a cautionary addendum: distancing too much from Trump also can be dangerous to your political future.

Few elected Republicans could claim a more consistent record of devotion to the president; in the video she released last week, Greene recounted how she flew back to Washington to vote against Trump's second impeachment - the one that followed the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol - the same night her father had surgery for brain tumors. And yet, Trump dismissively labeled her a "traitor" as soon as she broke with him on a few high-profile issues, especially the release of the Justice Department's Jeffrey Epstein files.

Greene has enough of an independent brand in her deeply conservative Georgia district that she might have survived the primary challenge Trump threatened against her. But even if she did, she faced the likelihood that she would be isolated and ostracized in the party, just like the other Republicans who Trump has excommunicated over the years.

Why, she asked in her video, should she labor to survive a "hurtful and hateful" primary where the president and his allies would spend "tens of millions of dollars  to destroy" her only to return to Washington, where she would be expected to defend him against another impeachment if Democrats regain the majority? In this tug of war with the White House, she concluded, it was better to just let go of the rope: "I refuse to be a battered wife' hoping it all goes away and gets better."

The choices are even more excruciating for Republicans running in less reliably red areas. Among Republican strategists it's become conventional wisdom that their candidates can't win without Trump's favor because that's the key to turning out his base of irregular working-class voters. But even if turning out Trump's base is necessary for Republicans in 2026, there's virtually no chance it will be sufficient in competitive races.

Recent public polls have shown a solid majority of voters now disapprove of Trump's performance in multiple states that will host key midterm Senate and gubernatorial races, such as North Carolina (53% disapproval), Michigan (56%) and New York (61%). Unless Trump dramatically recovers in those states over the next year, simple math says Republican candidates can't win in them unless they capture a significantly larger share of voters who disapprove of Trump than Ciattarelli and Earle-Sears did. Yet they'll have no chance of doing that unless they display the same independence that prompted the president's thunderbolts against Greene.

Trump has sometimes bitten his lip over disagreements from Republicans holding seats in blue places, such as Maine Senator Susan Collins; he's seemed to understand that they provide the tipping-point seats creating the Republican congressional majorities to advance his agenda, even if they occasionally vote against it. With Trump's standing now so diminished in so many places, his best chance of holding on to his congressional majority may be to let more Republicans test the limits of his tolerance for dissent.

The level of self-awareness and self-discipline such a strategy would require, however, has not exactly been a hallmark of Trump's volatile political career.

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Ronald Brownstein is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering politics and policy. He is also a CNN analyst and previously worked for The Atlantic, The National Journal and the Los Angeles Times. He has won multiple professional awards and is the author or editor of seven books.
The narrator of his works, Peter Coyote, is as close as we have today to "the voice of G od," the phase once associated with legendary CBS anchor Walter Cronkite at the height of the power of broadcast news.

This makes it especially outrageous that Burns feeds the viewers of his new epic documentary, "The American Revolution," a childish canard right at the outset.

Burns implies that the Iroquois Confederacy, a union of six Indian tribes or nations in New York state, crucially influenced the founding of the United States.

This is a nice fairy tale, but has no connection to reality  and Burns and his colleagues, who worked on the documentary for about a decade, had time to verify this claim.

At the beginning of the film, the narrator intones that "long before 13 British colonies made themselves into the United States," the Iroquois had "a union of their own that they called the Haudenosaunee  a democracy that had flourished for centuries."

We are told that Benjamin Franklin "proposed that the British colonies form a similar union," the so-called Albany Plan.

He printed a famous cartoon of a chopped-up snake illustrating his point with the legend, "Join or Die."

The narrator continues, "Twenty years later, 'Join or Die' would be a rallying cry in the most consequential revolution in history."

There's much to unpack in this passage, which is carefully constructed to be misleading without being flagrantly false (although it doesn't succeed).

It is certainly true that the Iroquois had forged an enduring confederacy, but this was hardly a unique contribution to political practice.

History is littered with all sorts of other examples of this form of alliance: Greek city-states forged a confederacy against Persia in 478 Before the Common Era.

The film suggests a connection between a statement made by the Iroquois leader Canasatego recommending a union on the one hand and Franklin on the other, but this is will-o'-the-wisp stuff.

Canasatego made his statement at a 1744 conference over the Treaty of Lancaster, a negotiation between the Iroquois and several colonies.

For his part, Franklin cited the Iroquois having a confederacy in one sentence in a 1751 letter about the possibility of a colonial union.

That's it.

world-historical events about 20 years later. The conference was not formed in opposition to Britain.

Rather, it was entirely a function of British colonial policy, which sought to keep the Iroquois from allying with France against Britain in what would become the Seven Years' War.

The idea was that by uniting the colonies, it'd be possible to better regulate, and smooth over, colonial relations with the Iroquois.

Regardless, the Iroquois have no role in our constitutional history.

As the scholar Robert Natelson has noted, the Iroquois don't show up as a model in the 34-volume "Journals of the Continental Congress"; the three-volume collection "The Records of the Federal Convention" (in tiger words, the Constitutional Convention); or the more than 40-volume "Documentary History of the Ratification of the Constitution."

As for the Iroquois confederation being a democracy, it's laughable agitprop.

There were no elections; leaders were selected by women elders, whose status was hereditary.

In a recent interview with the TV program "Amanpour & Company," Burns said that the contribution of the Iroquois led him to believe he had "to center" the story of Native Americans in the Revolution.

Surely it's the opposite  he wanted to center the Native Americans, so he played up the Iroquois story.

It's bad history one way or the other.

"The American Revolution" has been praised by the New York Times for seeking to strip away what Burns calls "the barnacles of sentimentality and nostalgia" around the event.

734 Actually, the film is committed to creating new barnacles, more congenial to the ears of an audience that wants romanticized history about oppressed groups, but not about our own story.

So it goes in elite opinion 250 years after the greatest event in the modern era.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
 Students are headed back to school at H.E. Charles Middle School in El Paso, Texas, with a fresh restriction on the clothes they can wear, KVIA-TV reports.

Principal Nick DeSantis sent a letter to families stating that students would no longer be able to wear "black tops with black bottoms," saying the look can be "associated with depression and mental health issues and/or criminality."

Sarah Venegas, executive principal for the district, backed DeSantis up: Students will be allowed to wear only blue jeans or khaki pants. Some parents don't agree:

"I don't think we should be grouping, and red-flagging kids that just like to wear black," said Stephanie Rascon.

Mental health expert Krista Wingate suggested that educators might instead "be looking out for different signs of stress or ... anxiety." [KVIA, 8/2/2024]
But something Obama said while publicizing the book caught even my attention.

Asked during an on-stage interview last week about first ladies being seen as "an archetype of wifedom and femininity," Obama briskly dismissed the notion, saying it has "no current status in how women actually show up in the world today." But a follow up question about how much "room" there is for an American woman to become president triggered a heated response:

"Well, as we saw in the past election, sadly, we ain't ready," Obama said. "That's why I'm, like, don't even look at me about running, because you all are lying. You're not ready for a woman. You are not! So don't waste my time! You know, we've got a lot of growing up to do, and there's still, sadly, a lot of men who do not feel like they can be led by a woman, and we saw it."

Then, seeming to catch herself, Obama paused, looked at the interviewer, and asked: "What was the question?"

Obama's vehement words drew plenty of notice. They should also draw scrutiny, because the charge is plainly untrue. The assertion that Americans are "not ready" to elect a woman president is empirically false, historically shallow, and civically corrosive. The studio audience applauded her outburst  but it amounted to nothing more than grievance politics masquerading as social insight.

To begin with, the former first lady's claim is flatly contradicted by the data.

For nearly a century, Gallup has been asking Americans a straightforward question: If your party nominated a generally well-qualified woman for president, would you vote for her? There was a time when no more than 33 percent of respondents would say yes. But that figure has been above 90 percent for the past quarter-century. According to the most recent survey, 94 percent of Americans say they would vote for a woman nominated by their party. In a country that can't achieve 94 percent agreement on whether water is wet, that's about as unanimous as self-government ever gets. And the consensus is nonpartisan: Overwhelming majorities of Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike express support for electing a woman to the White House.

Obama claims that Americans are "lying" about being ready to elect a woman as the nation's chief executive. But the people who actually do the voting are better judges of their own intentions than a former first lady on a book tour. And their actual voting record, in one race after another, tells a very different story.

Americans elect women all the time. They elect them as governors and as mayors. They elect them to Congress and to state legislatures. They elect them to be judges and treasurers and attorneys general and city councilors. Women in the United States today are entrusted with power in virtually every realm of civic life. They run Fortune 500 companies and Ivy League universities; they become Supreme Court justices and chiefs of police and newspaper editors and Cabinet secretaries. The notion that American voters "ain't ready" to send one of them to the Oval Office defies elementary logic.

Then there are the presidential races themselves. If Obama's claim is that Americans simply aren't willing to "be led by a woman," how does she account for what voters have actually done in recent elections?

When Hillary Clinton ran for president, she won the votes of 65.8 million Americans  nearly 3 million more than Donald Trump. Last November, Kamala Harris attracted 75 million votes, more than Trump received in either 2016 or 2020. Neither Clinton nor Harris prevailed in the Electoral College, which is where presidential elections are ultimately decided. But as evidence of whether Americans are prepared to cast a ballot for a female president, the popular vote in the first two elections that featured a woman at the top of a major-party ticket is hard to improve on.

Clinton and Harris didn't lose because America wasn't "ready" to see a woman become commander-in-chief. They lost for the same reason every unsuccessful presidential candidate loses: They failed to persuade enough voters in the right places. That's how democratic elections work: Candidates compete, voters judge, and the loser concedes. The search for deeper cosmic explanations is almost always an exercise in excuse-making or blame-shifting.

And therein lies the larger problem with claims like Obama's: They recast electoral defeat as evidence not of a candidate's shortcomings but of the electorate's supposed failings.

When Clinton lost to Trump in 2016, she ascribed her defeat to "sexism and misogyny" and even suggested that too many women had buckled under "tremendous pressure from fathers and husbands and boyfriends and male employers not to vote for the girl.'" When Harris lost last year, many of her supporters struck the same note. "Few Democrats dispute that sexism was a factor," The New York Times intoned in December, adding that some Democrats want their party to avoid nominating a woman in 2028 because of "the enduring hold of sexism on the American electorate."

Meanwhile, when Trump lost in 2020, he chose an even more destructive path, launching a relentless and wholly dishonest campaign to discredit an election whose outcome was clear  a campaign his loyalists quickly echoed with cries that the vote had been "rigged" and "stolen."

Is there any meaningful moral difference between claiming Americans rejected Clinton or Harris because voters are too sexist to think straight, and claiming they rejected Trump because the election was stolen through a vast Deep State conspiracy? The grievances differ in content  sexism is not election fraud, and Trump's assault on the integrity of the election was shocking in its brazenness and scope  but the underlying posture is strikingly similar.

Both insist that the voters' decision cannot be legitimate. Both blame the public rather than examining the candidate. Both absolve partisans and indict the electorate. Both corrode confidence in election results. And both hiss the same message: My side couldn't have lost fairly.

No democracy in the world can remain healthy if its citizens are taught to believe that electoral defeat is always proof of national failure.

Americans deserve more credit than Michelle Obama gives them. Time and again, this country has shown that it is readier for change and inclusion than its critics acknowledge. Americans were "ready" to elect a Black president long before Barack Obama appeared on the scene. They were ready to elect a Catholic president when John F. Kennedy ran in 1960, despite predictions that anti-Catholic bigotry would doom him. This is not a nation too benighted to send a woman to the White House.

Americans aren't stuck in the 1940s. They are more than ready to elect women to high office  including the highest. More than 9 out of 10 Americans say they would vote for a qualified woman for president. Scores of millions already have.

Which explains why Obama's words drew immediate pushback  and from one of her own party's most seasoned strategists. Donna Brazile, the former chair of the Democratic National Committee and a veteran of presidential politics, dismissed the notion outright. "The idea that America isn't ready," Brazile said bluntly, "is bulls**t."

She's right. And the woman who becomes America's first female president will prove it.

Jeff Jacoby is a columnist for The Boston Globe, from which this is reprinted with permission.

(COMMENT, BELOW)




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Professor and senior associate dean of engagement Janet A. Jokela discusses her article, Celebrating internal medicine through our human connections with patients. Janet shares moving stories from medical students who are discovering the profound importance of human connection, often for the first time. She explores how these early, sacred connections (like listening to a grieving patient or advocating for the uninsured) are the true reward of internal medicine, reminding us that medicine is not black and white. Janet champions the power of storytelling as a critical tool for patient advocacy and refutes the bias that technical backgrounds preclude compassionate care. This conversation is a celebration of the future of internal medicine and the empathy that defines it.

Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot.

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Part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, Dragon Copilot offers an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform to help unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, its backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise, and its built on a foundation of trust.

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Transcript

Kevin Pho: Hi, and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today we welcome back Janet A. Jokela, infectious disease physician and former treasurer of the American College of Physicians. Todays KevinMD article is Celebrating internal medicine through our human connections with patients. Janet, welcome back to the show.

Janet A. Jokela: Thank you so much, Kevin. Great to see you.

Kevin Pho: All right, tell us what your latest article is about.

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Janet A. Jokela: I was thinking about this. We recently celebrated a National Internal Medicine Day, and I was thinking, Well, what could we do? There are so many different things that we could focus on with that. One thing that came to my mind is some of the stories that I was hearing from students recently about their interactions with patients, kind of explaining in their personal statements why they were deciding to go into internal medicine. There were stories that were really quite moving and touching, and I realized this is exactly why we celebrate internal medicine.

Kevin Pho: All right. Give us some examples of some of the anecdotes and stories that you read.

Janet A. Jokela: We talked a lot about this with the students as theyre putting their applications together. One, for instance, involved a patient in the hospital with chest pain who was getting worked up. The student came in to speak with them and just spent a little extra time sitting and listening to them. The patient opened up about the fact that their spouse had recently died. No one knew; they hadnt told anybody, and they were just overwhelmed with grief. They decided to share this with a student, and I think the student was perhaps a little surprised, a little taken aback: Oh, whoa, youre telling me this? But then the patient was very grateful and expressed their thanks to the student, saying, Thank you for taking the time. You made me feel safe. You made me feel comfortable to be able to share this with you. So its things like that which are really touching, and which I think the students were surprised by. They also realize that the students, even in their limited roles, are able to provide care in a way thats meaningful to patients.

Kevin Pho: So it sounds like just listening is as critical a medical intervention as ordering a test. And sometimes, ironically, students dont have that same time pressure that physicians have and they have, Im not going to say unlimited, but they have more resources just to listen to patients, and that in itself contributes greatly to the patient care.

Janet A. Jokela: Absolutely. Thats so true. They dont have the skills yet to order whatever the test may be or all of that sort of thing. But what they can do is sit and listen to the patients, and what theyre learning is how valuable that really is. Thats exciting. Its exciting to hear their stories.

Kevin Pho: One of the things you mentioned in your article was a bias against students with technical or engineering backgrounds. So how did you and your colleagues work to disprove that bias and nurture their compassionate side?

Janet A. Jokela: Thats a great question. Our medical school here in Urbana, Illinois, is the first engineering-based medical school in the country. That was one of the soft concerns that was mentioned early on: Well, are your students really going to take care of patients? Connect with patients? Theyre engineers after all. You realize that was the bias. What really warms my heart seeing and working with all these students and seeing their application materials is that, absolutely, they can take care of patients. In the clinical world and the clinical experience working with experienced clinical faculty, they are right there and they get it. I think also, students are motivated to go to medical school to ultimately take care of patients in whatever fashion that may be, and thats their focus. That was just really heartwarming to see.

Kevin Pho: Another story you described as a student becoming both a detective and an advocate for an uninsured patient. So how much of internal medicine is advocacy versus diagnostics? And I know your answer is going to be both, but tell us how important the other part is in terms of the advocacy for the patients.

Janet A. Jokela: Youre absolutely right. My answer would be both. We have to be able to do both, right? I think the advocacy piece is really important. The issue around advocacy is: Are we advocating within our practice, within our practice group? Are we advocating within our hospital system? Are we advocating with the insurance company? Are we advocating for state or national policy to help take care of our patients? So that advocacy piece, I think, is critically important in whatever capacity we may find ourselves in.

Kevin Pho: So one of the themes Im hearing is that internal medicine physicians, or physicians in general, were more than just diagnosticians and ordering treatments and prescribing medications. There is a theme, especially in this age of AI where we always debate whether AI is going to replace doctors, that physicians are more than just people ordering tests, right?

Janet A. Jokela: Absolutely, absolutely. Patients really appreciate, as you know, as we all know, that human connection and that human touch. Thats whats exemplified by our student stories: just these connections with patients that the patients value and appreciate and the students also really value and appreciate. Theyre really getting a flavor and a taste of what it means to be a doctor, and thats whats so exciting.

Kevin Pho: Now, what do you think is the biggest barrier that prevents experienced physicians from maintaining sometimes that sense of sacred connection with patients? Youre reading these patient stories, they may not be exposed to some of the harsher realities that physicians face in medicine. So tell us about some of the barriers that prevent some of your colleagues or the physicians youve seen from sometimes having those same connections that youre reading in those personal statements.

Janet A. Jokela: Thats a very important question, Kevin, and its something certainly Ive thought a lot about. I think we all think a lot about that: How do we do this more effectively? How do we do this better? I cant help but think its a time pressure, and also we know too much, and thats OK. Its important that we know too much. We know what the certain implications of certain decisions may be, whether its diagnostic testing or not doing a certain diagnostic test. Those are all things that we have to balance in our head and communicate with our patients. Certainly in clinic, we know, and in the hospital too, that theres the next patient waiting. And how do we do this effectively and well? I think it comes down to time. It really comes down to time. And then probably also with that effective teamwork. We cant do it all, but to be able to have a team around us to help us communicate some of these additional issues or whatever they may be, that I think is critical and makes more of these things possible.

Kevin Pho: Any stories or programs that youve heard, maybe the ACP is doing to help reconnect some of these physicians who have been in practice for a while, reconnect with why they went into medicine in the first place? Because sometimes when youre practicing medicine and you get a little cynical with all the bureaucracy and the time, right? So any ways that these physicians can reconnect with why they went into medicine in the first place?

Janet A. Jokela: Thats such an important question too. Absolutely. ACP is all over this in so many different ways. I can think of a few just off the top of my head. One initiative that theyve been kind of laser-focused on for a long time is this Patients Before Paperwork. The idea is to focus on decreasing administrative burdens. Thats a theme that carries through a lot of the advocacy work that weve been doing. We know that just by wishing patients had more time or telling people, You must take more time with patients, thats not enough. But to be able to really focus on kind of the more administrative aspects of what we do to focus on decreasing those administrative burdens is huge. Its really huge. I think another thing, even as we talked about before, is the national meeting. It is an inspirational meeting, but to be able to carve out some time, go to the meeting, connect with colleagues, and hear fabulous, inspiring talks. Its inspiring. And that does remind us, certainly reminds me, why we went into medicine to begin with, and that I really take to heart.

Kevin Pho: In your article, you also call patients our most important teachers. Whats the most important lesson you personally learned from a patients story?

Janet A. Jokela: Oh my goodness, Kevin. Let me think. There are so many, as you know, but I think the most important is probably, again, just this focus on listening to patients. Really connecting with them and trying to best understand where theyre coming from and why theyre saying what theyre saying or why theyre making the decisions that they are and respecting that and working with them. Were not here to force this, that, or the other thing on anybody. We work with our patients as partners, and I think it goes back to the very simple things like were talking about what the medical students do is listen. And I think to really listen with them and connect with them as best we can and work together with them to help them make good decisions for their health.

Kevin Pho: So you also write in your article that medicine, of course, is not black and white, and you come from a school that is more traditionally known for engineering, which is obviously very binary in terms of their training, right? Right or wrong answers. How do you teach students, especially from technical backgrounds, to become more comfortable with ambiguity going forward if they decide to pursue medicine?

Janet A. Jokela: Thats another really important question. I tell you, Kevin, it makes me think too about my own experience in medical school. I was expecting, I dont know why, but I just was, a very black and white sort of experience. Like theres this problem, you do this; theres that problem, you do that. And I learned that wasnt the case. Theres a lot of gray in medicine. That took some time, certainly as a student then as a resident, to continue to learn these things there, but it took some time to adapt to that concept.

I think the more we can talk about that with our students and again connect with our students in the same way were talking about connecting with our patients, that makes all the difference. To be able for our students to work with experienced and excellent clinicians who can help teach those concepts is critical. Thats how weve approached it, and thats how Ive approached it. And it seems to be the best thing that we can do.

Kevin Pho: Like you said earlier, there was a day to celebrate internal medicine. For those medical students who listen to this podcast, tell us the type of questions that they need to ask themselves to determine whether internal medicine is the right path for them.

Janet A. Jokela: Thats another hot-button topic. A lot of the times when Im talking to students about this in terms of students who are trying to decide on a career path, one kind of branch point, if you will, is: Are they interested in procedures or not? More of a decision-making and non-procedural specialty or a procedural specialty. That helps, I think, to kind of begin that path in terms of making the decision.

And then once that decision is made, then you start thinking, Well, what do you like? What are you passionate about? What did you like about the different attendings that you worked with? What inspired you? What makes you want to get up and go in every day? The third thing that Ive done with students who are really trying to decide, like say theyre trying to decide between maybe neurology and internal medicine, my advice is: Write a personal statement. Which one is easier to write? And listen to yourself, listen to your gut. And then kind of go in that direction.

Kevin Pho: Were talking to Janet A. Jokela, internal medicine physician, former treasurer of the American College of Physicians. Todays KevinMD article is Celebrating internal medicine through our human connections with patients. Janet, as always, we will end with some take-home messages that you want to leave with the KevinMD audience.

Janet A. Jokela: Thank you so much, Kevin. I think a few points. One, I think the future of internal medicine is in good hands just based on what were seeing with our students. Our students are compassionate. They are there for the patients, and thats inspiring. Were so proud of them. I think the future is in good hands.

And then the power of stories. We listen to our patients, we listen to their stories, and then its our responsibility as their physicians to help share their stories, to advocate for them and to help them get what they need.

Kevin Pho: Janet, as always, thank you so much for sharing your perspective and insight and thanks again for coming back on the show.

Janet A. Jokela: Thank you so much, Kevin, and delighted to be here. Thank you.
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President Claudia Sheinbaum stated on Tuesday that she will not back down on the new National Water Law, whose goal is to restore waters status as a resource belonging to the nation and to guarantee the human right to water, preventing it from continuing to be treated as a commodity.

Her statement comes amid blockades reported in various parts of the country, where opposing groups have expressed their rejection of the reform.

This past October, the federal government submitted the initiative to reform the National Water Law, which redefines the management and regulation of water resources in the country.

What are the key points of this Water Law?

The proposal prohibits treating water as a commodity, eliminating the transfer of concessions between private parties and any change of use without authorization from Conagua.

It proposes more efficient and sustainable water management, with shared responsibility between authorities and concession holders.

It promotes water reuse under principles of sustainability and environmental protection.

It reaffirms full respect for the rights of the agricultural sector, maintaining the autonomy of Irrigation Districts and Units to manage concessioned water according to their own rules.

The initiative seeks to strengthen public control of water resources and ensure their responsible use without harming the agricultural sector.

Scope of the reform to the National Water Law

Conagua will not be eliminated; rather, its technical and institutional role will be strengthened.

All users will retain the rights granted in their current titles: no law will be retroactive.

The rule remains that concessions may be extended for the same duration and under the same conditions originally established.

The reform does not encourage speculation or expropriation of titles; it seeks to provide legal certainty and reinforce state water management.

The rights of the agricultural sector will not be harmed; instead, irrigation modernization and access to programs such as PEUA will be promoted.

Administrative penalties for water misuse will be strengthened, and water-related crimes will be definednot to criminalize users, but to curb practices that harm resource availability or foster corruption.

Context: At the start of the current administration, Conagua found incompatible databases, incomplete information, and a backlog of 145,000 procedures. This made a detailed review of each title necessary.

Conagua director Efrain Morales explained that the commission has carried out inspection visits based on 1,100 citizen complaints, mostly coming from areas with higher water stress.

To combat these practices, Conagua is reviewing a sanctions catalog to increase fines up to 50,000 UMAs, given that current penalties are not sufficient to deter illegal profit. In addition, the government plans to submit an initiative to reform the National Water Law and another to create a General Water Law.

The president has assured business leaders that they should not worrytheres nothingas long as they comply with the rules.

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13:25 Hong Kong fire: Toll rises to 55, at least 279 missing Pic: Tyrone Siu/Reuters The death toll in a deadly fire in multiple high-rise towers in Hong Kong has risen to 55 with 279 people still missing, Chinese official media reports said on Thursday. Three men have been arrested for suspected manslaughter in the fire that broke out in Wang Fuk Court on Wednesday, Hong... Read more >

13:05 Prayer meet for Dharmendra at 5 pm, Taj Lands End After a private funeral, Dharmendra's family is organising a prayer meet for the actor on Thursday at a hotel in Mumbai for fans and industry members to pay their last tributes to the veteran star, who died on Monday at the age of 89. Called 'Celebration of Life', the prayer meet will start... Read more >

12:56 Man, paramour found hanging in suspected suicide pact A man and his paramour from Maharashtra's Palghar district in Maharashtra allegedly ended their lives in a suspected suicide pact after their families opposed their relationship, police said on Thursday. Naresh Lahu Nadge (35) and Sarika Shankar Mahala (24) were found hanging from a tree in... Read more >

12:30 23 shots fired at AAP leader's house in Punjab Representational image Two motorcycle-borne men opened fire at the house of a ruling AAP leader near Darvesh Pind village on the Phagwara-Jandiala road in Punjab early Thursday, police said. No one was injured in the incident. Phagwara coordinator of ruling AAP's 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' drive (drive against... Read more >

11:54 Entire high command will take decision on K'taka: Kharge Amid speculation over the Karnataka Chief Ministerial post, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said a decision will be made after a discussion among the high command, CM Siddaramiah, and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar. The speculation stirred as the Karnataka government reached the... Read more >

11:37 'Worst airline experience': Siraj on 4-hour delay on... India's speedster Mohammed Siraj has expressed his frustration and disappointment over the delay of the Air India Express flight, describing it as the worst airline experience due to the lack of communication and updates from the airline. Siraj was heading back to Hyderabad from Guwahati... Read more >

11:18 My go-to person: Hema Malini on losing Dharmendra Veteran actor-politician Hema Malini on Tuesday paid an emotional tribute to her late husband Dharmendra, saying that he was everything to her - a partner, guide and friend whose passing has left an irreplaceable void.In her first post since Dharmendra's death on Monday at the age of 89, Malini... Read more >

11:06 Sensex, Nifty hit record HIGHS after 14 months The Sensex yesterday Stock market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty scaled their fresh record highs in early trade on Thursday amid optimistic global trends on growing hopes of a US Fed rate cut and foreign fund inflows. Extending its previous day's rally, the 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 416.67 points to hit its... Read more >

10:50 Pakistani intruder held in Rajasthan's Barmer Representational image A Pakistani intruder was caught hiding inside a cattle shed near the International Border in Rajasthan's Barmer district, police said on Thursday. Barmer SP Narendra Singh Meena said the man, who identified himself as as Hindal (24), a resident of Nayatala village in Mithi area of Pakistan, is... Read more >

10:28 US stops all immigration requests from Afghan nationals Pic: Mike Ryan /Handout via Reuters Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols, the US government says. The protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remain our singular focus and... Read more >

10:20 The missing links in the Supreme Court's released documents on judicial appointments In May 2025, CJI Sanjiv Khanna released two documents on the processes behind appointments to the Supreme Court and High Courts. But why have successive CJIs meandered on the question of making judicial appointments transparent? Read more here. Read more >

10:17 Nifty hits record high after 14 months Nifty touched a new high of 26,285.95 on Thursday, gaining 80.65 points or 0.31 per cent, marking its first new peak in 14 months as bullish sentiment returned to the markets. The Sensex also climbed sharply in early trade, hitting 85,843.82 points soon after the opening session. The... Read more >

10:06 DC shooting suspect is Afghan national, entered US in 2021 Pic: Nathan Howard/Reuters Authorities have identified the suspect in the Washington, DC shooting that critically wounded two National Guard members near the White House, according to officials familiar with the case.The development comes as investigators piece together the circumstances surrounding the attack in a... Read more >

09:36 44 dead in deadliest high-rise fire in Hong Kong in years This HK resident says his wife is trapped in the fire. Pic: Reuters/ANI Photo A devastating fire has torn through several high-rise apartment blocks in a Hong Kong housing complex, killing at least 44 people and leaving hundreds of people missing, CNN reported, citing an official statement.Firefighters have been struggling to reach residents stranded on upper floors as the... Read more >

09:07 WinZO founders arrested by ED on money laundering charges The Enforcement Directorate has arrested online money gaming platform WinZO founders Saumya Singh Rathore and Paavan Nanda on money laundering charges, officials said Thursday. They were arrested in Bengaluru on Wednesday following their questioning at the zonal office of the... Read more >

08:36 2 US National Guard members shot near White House Two United States National Guard members are in critical condition after being shot in Washington DC, just a few blocks away from the White House.A 29-year-old Afghan national was identified as the suspected gunman who shot the two National Guard members. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who gravely... Read more >

00:42 Haryana Thar owner sends notice to DGP over remark, demands apology File image A Gurugram resident and Mahindra Thar owner has issued a legal notice to Haryana DGP O P Singh, seeking a public apology and withdrawal of remarks that allegedly portrayed Thar and bullet motorcycle owners as having a criminal mindset. At a press conference on November 8 in Gurugram, the... Read more >

00:24 Ayodhya may see 50 crore visitors by end of 2025: UP govt File image Ayodhya is expected to receive up to 50 crore visitors by the end of 2025, the Uttar Pradesh government said on Wednesday, citing a sharp rise in tourist arrivals following the construction of the Ram temple and the recent flag-hoisting ceremony atop the shrine.According to the government... Read more >
An armed gang has carried out Britains largest ever robbery at Londons Heathrow Airport.

Over 25m worth of gold bullion bound for the Far East was stolen from the Brinks Mat warehouse, about one mile (1.6km) outside the airport perimeter, between 0630 and 0815 GMT.

Police have said a group of at least six men overcame the guards and successfully disabled a huge array of electronic security devices.

Insurers have offered a reward of 2m for information leading to the recovery of the 6,800 gold bars  which are all identifiable by refiners stamps.

The members of the gang  who were all armed and wearing balaclavas  also stole 100,000 worth of cut and uncut diamonds.

They dressed in security uniforms to get into the warehouse and then terrorised the guards into giving them the alarm codes.

All the guards were handcuffed, one was hit on the head with a pistol and two had petrol poured over them.

Once inside the safes, the robbers used the warehouses own forklift trucks to transport the 76 boxes of gold into a waiting van.

The alarm was raised by one of the guards at 0830 GMT after the gang had left.

Scotland Yard Flying Squad chief Commander Frank Cater is leading the hunt for the thieves.

He said he believed they had inside information and were a highly professional team.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

Police estimated 15 people were involved in the planning of the Brinks Mat robbery, but only three of the gang members were convicted.

Micky McAvoy and Brian Robinson were both jailed for 25 years in December 1984, and Kenneth Noye served 14 years for handling some of the stolen gold.

Noye was released in 1990, but 10 years later was convicted of murdering Stephen Cameron in a road-rage fight on the M25 and is now serving a life sentence.

Despite a huge police investigation most of the gold has never been recovered.

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Kirill Dmitriev is not a professional diplomat. But the head of Russias sovereign wealth fund has emerged as a key player in drafting a new proposal to end Moscows war in Ukraine.

That is perhaps no surprise: A former investment banker, Dmitriev has increasingly served as a back-channel communicator between the Kremlin and allies of U.S. President Donald Trump, despite being on the U.S. sanctions list.

Dmitrievs lack of formal diplomatic credentials may work in his favor, said Boris Bondarev, a former Russian diplomat who quit in protest after Russias 2022 invasion. In sending Dmitriev to talk with Steve Witkoff, Trumps special envoy, the Kremlin has found someone with whom the real estate magnate can feel at ease, he said.

To work with him well, you need to find the right contact, someone who can win him over, Bondarev said.

Bridging East and West

Dmitriev was born in 1975 in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, then part of the Soviet Union. In his youth, he took part in a school exchange program in the U.S. and went on to study at Stanford University as an undergraduate, according to a biography published by Russian state media outlet TASS.

By 2000, he had graduated with an MBA from Harvard Business School. Later, he worked with U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs and consulting firm McKinsey & Company, according to a profile on the World Economic Forums website.

But despite this early start in the world of New York finance, Dmitriev would cement his reputation while working in private equity firms in Russia and Ukraine.

In 2011, when the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) was created, Dmitriev was appointed CEO. As head of the sovereign wealth fund, he represented the country on the global stage, working closely with a number of large Western firms as he sought to attract foreign investment to Russia.

He became known as a savvy negotiator with a more modern touch than the older, Soviet-trained diplomats at the top levels of Russias Foreign Ministry, said political analyst Anton Barbashin.

Dmitriev was particularly successful at negotiating closer financial ties between Russia and countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the analyst said.

This is basically where he kind of got his credits as a diplomat, said Barbashin. He generally had a reputation of a straight-to-business person, very business-oriented.

And he may be particularly suited to diplomacy with the Trump administration.

Dmitriev understands the Americans, specifically the Trump Americans: the business-oriented people who think in terms of profits, who think in terms of deals, said Barbashin.

Connections beyond the business world

Dmitriev also has connections to the Putin family. Dmitrievs wife, Natalia Popova, is deputy director of Russian nonprofit Innopraktika, which is headed by the presidents daughter, Katerina Tikhonova.

In 2022, in the wake of Russias invasion, the U.S. placed both Dmitriev and the RDIF under sanctions. At the time, the U.S. Treasury described the banker as a close associate of Putin.

In February 2025, Dmitriev was named Russian special presidential envoy on foreign investment and economic cooperation.

In his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections, special counsel Robert Mueller said that Dmitriev met with Erik Prince, a major Trump donor and the founder of controversial security firm formerly known as Blackwater, in January 2017, as Trump was preparing to take office and the Russian government was seeking contacts with the incoming administration.

In an interview with Russian news outlet RBC in 2020, Dmitriev acknowledged that he had engaged in various discussions on how to improve relations between Russia and the United States, while brushing off any suggestion of wrongdoing.

There is nothing secret about this; we discuss it completely openly, he said.

Dmitrievs role remains an informal one. If the current peace proposals succeed, then Dmitriev would definitely get a very, very high five from Vladimir Putin, said Barbashin.

But any proposal he may draft with Witkoff or any other U.S. official would still need to be approved by the Kremlin  and almost certainly would be heavily edited in the process.

So while he may be garnering attention now, former Russian diplomat Bondarev noted that Moscow can disown Dmitriev at any moment.

MDT/AP

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Jose Celestino da Silva Maneiras, a pioneering architect whose vision and craftsmanship shaped the residential and urban landscape of Macau, died late Monday evening at age 90.

Born in Macau in 1935, Maneiras embodied a deep commitment to the citys architectural identity, blending functionality with social consciousness throughout his colorful career.

In 1953, Maneiras began his architectural journey at the University of Portos Faculty of Fine Arts. He graduated in 1962 and returned to Macau from Portugal the same year  when the city was still under Portuguese control and its architectural scene was largely limited and utilitarian.

From 1962 to 1966, he worked with Manuel Vicentes urban planning team, taking part in foundational projects that would shape the citys evolving identity.

Then, in 1967, Maneiras opened his own architectural studio and embarked on a career marked by innovative residential designs that stood apart from Macaus construction norms.

At a time when most construction in Macau consisted of no more than three-story buildings, typically replicated mechanically by engineers and draftsmen, according to Jornal Arquitectos, Maneirass buildings showcased careful craftsmanship and a nuanced respect for community life.

Maneirass work was regarded by many as strongly influenced by the Porto School of Fine Arts, known for its contextual modernism that blends simplicity, functionality, and local sensitivity.

His architecture was described by many of his peers as competent and beautiful while serving practical needs.

His private practice remained small but renowned.

His signature projects included the Sao Francisco Complex on Rua da Praia Grande and residential buildings along Estrada do Visconde de Sao Januario. One of his most notable works, completed in 1970, was the Macau Holy House of Mercys Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Blind at Fai Chi Kei. This design introduced tactile flooring and discreet handrails to aid visually impaired users, pioneering accessibility features decades before they became standard practice.

Beyond residential architecture, Maneiras extended his influence to commercial and industrial structures, including the Si Toi Hong Kong Bank building and the Canidrome Swimming Pool Complex.

These projects exhibited his occasional Brutalist leanings while maintaining a consistent dedication to human-centered design.

While much of his architectural legacy has been altered or lost due to redevelopment and a lack of preservation in Macau, Maneirass influence lives on through his contributions to the city and its professional community.

He was a founding member of the Macau Architects Association in 1987 and was honored as an honorary member of the Portuguese Order of Architects in 2006. Between 1989 and 1993, he served as president of the Leal Senado Municipal Council, a key civic leadership role during a crucial period in Macaus transition, described by economist Jose Luis Sales Marques.

A man of great dignity

His peers remember him as a man of dignity, humor, and unwavering dedication to his craft and his city.

Architect Nuno Soares, former president of the Center for Architecture and Urbanism, praised Maneiras as a main architectural reference in Macau and a generous mentor to younger architects.

Carlos Marreiros, architect, urban planner, designer, and artist, states, In addition to being an architect, he created a remarkable body of work in Macau.

Highlighting Maneiras humility, Soares told TDM Radio, He was someone who shunned praise and flattery. He was very different from our class of architects, who usually have a lot of ego. He was the opposite of that.

Sales Marques, who succeeded Maneiras as president of Macaus historic Leal Senado and served from 1993 to 2001, told the Times that Maneiras was a man of great dignity, with a sense of duty and good humor.

He reflected on their shared legacy during Macaus transition before its handover to China, calling Maneiras a great friend and a son of Macau who always had it in his heart.

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The government budget for 2026 presents a 1.9% reduction compared to 2025, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Anton Tai, admitted yesterday at the Legislative Assembly (AL), where the budget law was discussed and passed in plenary in its first reading.

Tai admitted that part of this saving comes from reduced projected expenses related to the attribution of the wealth-participation scheme, also known as the annual cash handout.

The matter was also noted by lawmaker Ella Lei, who questioned the Secretary on the savings of around MOP840 million (from a total projected spending of MOP6.64 billion) in this plan, which directly benefits the population. She also called on the government to explain where it expects to redirect these additional funds.

In response, Tai explained that the MOP6.64 billion cash handout was projected based on the number of eligible residents.

The reduction of spending on this plan is based on the number of eligible people, but we are not reducing the total government investment in benefits to the population, which will increase by 3.8%, Tai said, adding that there is a three-year period to appeal exclusion from cash handout eligibility, which means some residents might still be included later.

Tai also told lawmaker Lei that the difference saved due to the reduction of eligible residents will revert in favor of population well-being and will be used for various support programs, the Secretary affirmed.

He remarked that total government expenditure on benefits to the population will reach MOP26.75 billion in 2026.

On the topic, the Secretary mentioned several benefits included in the policy address and reflected in the budget, such as measures to stimulate the real estate market, aimed at those who want to buy a house to live in.

Lei and several other lawmakers, after her, also questioned Tai about the forecast for gross gaming revenue (GGR), which the government lists as its primary source of income.

Lei remarked that with less than two months remaining in the year, it should be clear how this industry is performing, as results show an almost complete recovery, and that the forecast of MOP236 billion, used as a reference by the government, seems disconnected from the current reality.

Similar arguments, but with stronger words, were used by lawmaker Kevin Ho, who said that while it is acceptable for the government to have a prudent approach, it is less satisfactory and undesirable that it maintains a pessimistic view of the local economy.

The budget should be prudent but optimistic, not prudent and pessimistic, Ho said, adding, Forecasting a reduction in GGR compared to current levels is a pessimistic approach to economic performance and can carry consequences for investor trust.

In response, Tai explained that the GGR forecast amendment for 2025 was made at a time when the industry was underperforming in the first months of the year, adding, So, for next year, we had a careful approach as GGR results impact our microeconomy. For next year, our forecast is based on evaluation of the results of the last two years, Tai affirmed.

According to the government budget proposal, revenue from the special gaming tax is estimated at MOP82.8 billion, followed by supplementary income tax of MOP7.386 billion and professional tax (MOP3.248 billion). In total, the government expects receipts of MOP118.8 billion.

Despite a 1.9% reduction in the total budget, the government forecasts a 0.1% increase in expenses, totaling MOP113.5 billion, creating a positive balance of MOP5.31 billion.

In 2026, the Government Investment and Development Expenditure Plan (PIDDA) is expected to reach MOP18.1 billion.

The conservative forecast for GGR also runs counter to the budget documents text, which says, it is expected that Macaus tourism industry will continue its growth trajectory, supported by several favorable factors, and justifies this with instability of the external environment and the economic situation.

Pereira Coutinho insists on consumption cards

Also addressing the lack of measures to stimulate consumption and support small businesses, lawmaker Jose Pereira Coutinho insisted that the issuance of a new round of consumption cards or a similar electronic consumption system could help stimulate consumption and revitalize small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

He suggested that an injection of MOP3,000 or MOP5,000 could help local businesses survive while ensuring that this money would be spent locally and not on the acquisition of goods and services beyond the border.

No forecast for GDP

In response to several lawmakers requests, including Hos, Tai said the government does not wish to forecast a potentially growing figure for the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at this time.

On the topic, and similarly to what he had said for the GGR, Tai stated that Macau is significantly affected by geopolitical and external factors, a fact that leads the government to prioritize prudent financial management and avoid being overly optimistic.

Still, he noted that the goal remains to achieve positive economic growth.

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), GDP is projected to grow by an average of 3.5% in 2026, a slowdown from the 2024 growth rate. Preliminary data for the first three quarters of this year show that local GDP grew by 4.2%. This growth was driven by a 10.5% increase in service exports, reflecting higher visitor arrivals.

The IMF projects overall real GDP growth of 2.6% in 2025, while the Macau Economic Association projects a full-year growth rate of 4.5% for this year.

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The government is offering a subsidy for hiring first-time job seekers to encourage employers to hire youth without work experience, but a lawmaker has called for updates to the program, noting that the local Employment Assistance and Training Regulations have been in effect for over 20 years.

In the early years after the handover, the government enacted the Employment Assistance and Training Regulations in 2004 to alleviate residents employment difficulties, significantly promoting stable local employment.

Lawmaker Joey Lao noted that, more than 20 years since their implementation, certain provisions may no longer align with Macaus evolving economic and social needs, stating, Support for youth employment urgently requires strengthening.

Referencing the subsidy for employing first-time job seekers, Lao pointed out the subsidy standards for employers hiring first-time job seekers under 26 with no work experience: those hiring high school graduates receive six months of subsidies totaling MOP12,000, while those hiring graduates with higher education receive MOP15,000 over the same period.

From a purchasing power perspective, MOP2,500 from 20 years ago has significantly less value today, he stated, questioning the Macau governments decision to provide monthly subsidies of MOP5,000 to youth working in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, with the age limit extended to 35.

This program reflects the governments commitment to encouraging youth integration into regional development, yet it starkly highlights the relative lag in Macaus current systems.

His recommendations include a systematic review and revision of the regulations, drawing insights from the Greater Bay Area subsidy program.

He advocates for a reasonable increase in the subsidy for hiring first-time job seekers and calls for the relaxation of age requirements to better support young job seekers.

Reviewing relevant records, authorities have never proactively released data on the youth first-time job seekers subsidy. The latest figures, published three years ago following inquiries from a lawmaker, indicated that in 2021, subsidies totaling MOP151,000 were disbursed to 22 employers.

Meanwhile, during Mondays Legislative Assembly (AL) session, legislator Nick Lei questioned whether the unemployment rate accurately reflects the actual situation. In response, the Statistics and Census Service Bureau (DSEC) acknowledged the need for improvement in its statistical methods. We are refining the content of the labor force survey to enrich the data collected, Pong Kai Fu, acting director of the bureau, stated, adding that the bureau will gather information on respondents with second jobs, including the industries in which they work.

According to him, the bureau is enhancing its statistical surveys for individuals working in Macau but not residing here, including estimates to provide a clearer picture of employment. We will utilize electronic means, such as the Macao One Account, to facilitate data and information submission by respondents, Pong noted.

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Legislator Vong Hou Piu has recalled that over 4,000 buildings in Macau are more than 30 years old, with some exceeding 50 years, and noted that progress in urban renewal has stagnated, as no buildings have been successfully redeveloped under the Urban Construction Legal Regime.

The legislator stressed that many aging buildings in Macau have fallen into disrepair, exhibiting issues such as peeling exterior walls, rusted steel reinforcement, and aging drainage pipes. He warned that these problems not only detract from the citys appearance but also pose safety threats to residents and pedestrians.

Vong stressed the need for a multifaceted approach to establish a more comprehensive and efficient building maintenance system, including improvements in legal frameworks, resource allocation, professional support, and public education.

Two years after the Urban Construction Legal Regime took effect, Macaus urban renewal progress remains stagnant, with no buildings successfully redeveloped under the law, he stated.

He identified the prevalence of three-nil buildings  old structures lacking management bodies, management companies, or resident oversight  as a significant obstacle to organizing repair projects.

In his pre-agenda inquiry yesterday, Vong called for expanding the support provided by the Building Maintenance Fund and establishing a one-stop service window to assist owners, particularly those in three-nil buildings, in applying for relevant subsidies.

He also proposed regular structural safety inspection subsidies for buildings over 30 years old, with tiered support for repairs based on risk levels. To enhance owners sense of responsibility, he stated, Many owners lack sufficient awareness of their responsibilities for building maintenance, leading to worsening building deterioration.

Regarding the Building Maintenance Fund subsidy scheme, the Housing Bureau reported in February that a total of 512 cases involving 458 buildings were approved last year, totaling over MOP55 million in funding.

Meanwhile, also concerning housing issues, lawmaker Leong Hong Sai pointed out that the changing socio-economic landscape post-pandemic calls for a comprehensive re-evaluation of the five-tier housing policy [social housing, economic housing, intermediate housing, elderly housing, and private housing]. He noted the narrowing price gap between public housing and the private property market, making the issue of sandwich-class public housing increasingly pronounced.

Among his recommendations, Leong suggested linking housing policies with population policies to encourage childbirth.

For example, we should provide priority conditions in public housing applications for newlywed couples or families with minor children, or offer phased rental subsidies, he proposed. Additionally, he urged the use of scientific data analysis to dynamically adjust the supply volume, unit types, and construction sequence of housing across each tier to prevent resource misallocation and avoid new supply-demand imbalances.

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Russia launched a wave of attacks on Ukraines capital, Kyiv, overnight, with at least seven people killed in strikes that hit city buildings and energy infrastructure. A Ukrainian attack on southern Russia killed three people and damaged homes, authorities said.

The attacks came during a renewed U.S. push to end the war that has raged for nearly four years and talks about a U.S. peace plan. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll met with Russian officials for several hours in Abu Dhabi yesterday, a U.S. official told The Associated Press.

Driscoll, who became part of the U.S. negotiating team less than two weeks ago, is heading up the latest phase of talks involving the terms of a possible peace settlement with Russia.

The U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations, declined to give details on how long the negotiations would last or what topics were being discussed, but noted that the Ukrainians were aware of the meeting and all sides have indicated they wanted to reach a deal to halt the fighting as quickly as possible.

Road to peace will be long

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late Monday that the list of necessary steps to end the war can become workable after progress was made in Sundays talks between U.S. and Ukrainian delegates in Geneva. He said he planned to discuss sensitive outstanding issues with President Donald Trump.

Rustem Umerov, a senior adviser to Zelenskyy, wrote on social platform X on Tuesday that the Ukrainian leader hoped to finalize a deal with Trump at the earliest suitable date in November.

Russian officials have been reserved in their comments on the peace plan. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday that Moscow is in touch with American officials about peace efforts.

We expect them to provide us with a version they consider an interim one in terms of completing the phase of coordinating this text with the Europeans and the Ukrainians, Lavrov said.

European leaders have cautioned that the road to peace will be long.

Glass rained down

Russia fired 22 missiles of various types and over 460 drones at Ukraine overnight, Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. The strikes knocked out water, electricity and heat in parts of Kyiv. Video footage posted to Telegram showed a large fire spreading in a nine-story residential building in Kyivs eastern Dniprovskyi district.

Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said 20 people were injured in Kyiv. The Russian Defense Ministry said it targeted military-industrial facilities and energy assets. The strikes were a response to Ukrainian attacks on civilian objects in Russia, it added.

Liubov Petrivna, a 90-year-old resident of a damaged building in the Dniprovskyi district, told the AP that absolutely everything in her apartment was shattered by the strike and glass rained down on her.

Petrivna said she didnt believe in the peace plan now under discussion: No one will ever do anything about it. Putin wont stop until he finishes us off.

In a subsequent attack wave, four people were killed and three were injured in a strike on a nonresidential building in Kyivs western Sviatoshynyi district, according to the head of Kyiv city administration, Tymur Tkachenko.

Neighboring Romania and Moldova reported that a handful of drones violated their airspace.

Strikes hit energy infrastructure

Ukraines energy ministry said energy infrastructure had been hit, without giving details. Ukraines emergency services said six people, including two children, were injured in a Russian attack on energy and port infrastructure in the Odesa region.

A Ukrainian drone attack on Russias southern Rostov region overnight killed three people and injured eight others in the city of Taganrog not far from the border in Ukraine, Gov. Yuri Slyusar said in an online statement.

The attack damaged private houses and multistory residential blocks, unspecified social facilities, a warehouse and a paint shop, Slyusar said.

Russian air defenses destroyed 249 Ukrainian drones overnight above various Russian regions and the occupied Crimea, the Russian Defense Ministry said yesterday, noting that 116 of the drones were shot down over the Black Sea.

It was the fourth-largest Ukrainian drone attack on Russia, according to an AP tally.

No capitulation

The latest attacks followed peace-plan talks in Switzerland between U.S. and Ukraine representatives.

Oleksandr Bevz, a delegate from the Ukrainian side, told the AP that the talks had been very constructive and the two sides were able to discuss most points.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said yesterday that Moscow has not received the updated U.S. peace plan that emerged from that meeting.

French President Emmanuel Macron said that the U.S. plan for Ukraine goes in the right direction but also cautioned it must not be a capitulation that enables Russia to later renew hostilities. ISOBEL KOSHIW, KYIV, MDT/AP

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President Donald Trump said yesterday [Macau time] that he has accepted an invitation from Chinese leader Xi Jinping to visit Beijing in April and that he reciprocated by inviting Xi for a state visit to the U.S. later next year.

Trump made the announcement after he spoke with Xi by phone nearly a month after the two leaders met in person in South Korea, saying they discussed issues including Ukraine, fentanyl and purchases of American soybeans.

Our relationship with China is extremely strong! Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

Beijing, which announced the phone call first, said nothing about the state visits but noted that the two leaders discussed trade, Taiwan and Ukraine.

Xi told Trump that Taiwans return to mainland China is an integral part of the postwar international order, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said  a crucial issue to Beijing that Trump did not mention in his post.

The omissions from each side signal that sticking points remain for the two superpowers even as they highlight common ground following a series of talks to ease a trade war that has threatened the global economy.

The conversation came as China-Japan relations have plunged to a new low following recent remarks from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. She said the military in Japan, a key U.S. ally, could get involved if China were to take action against Taiwan, the self-governing island that Beijing says must come under its rule.

My best guess is China is worried about the escalation (in tensions) with Japan. The reference to Taiwan and the post-World War II order directly points to the spat with Japan over Taiwan, said Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Washington-based think tank Stimson Center. They also talked about Ukraine. That is an issue China is interested in due to the new peace negotiation.

Chinas relations with Japan sour

Beijing has denounced Takaichis remarks, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi saying over the weekend that Japan crossed a red line that should not have been touched.

Xi told Trump yesterday that China and the U.S. should jointly safeguard the victory of World War II after they fought together against fascism. The U.S. has taken no side on the sovereignty of the self-governed island but is opposed to the use of force to seize Taiwan. It is obligated by a domestic law to provide sufficient hardware to the island to deter any armed attack.

Trump has maintained strategic ambiguity about whether he would send U.S. troops in case of a war in the Taiwan Strait. His administration has urged Taiwan to increase its defense budget.

Taiwans foreign ministry said it received official notification this month that the Trump administration approved $330 million in arms sales to Taiwan, including fighter jet parts. Beijing immediately protested, saying it grossly violated the so-called One China principle, because Taiwan is part of Chinese territory.

Trump said nothing publicly about Taiwan, whereas the Chinese statement said Trump told Xi that the U.S. understands how important the Taiwan question is to China.

Talk of Ukraine

The phone call coincided with the latest push by the Trump administration to end the war in Ukraine.

Xi expressed hope for a fair, lasting and binding peace agreement in Ukraine and said the crisis should be resolved at its root, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. Xi stressed Beijings support for all efforts that are conducive to peace, according to the statement.

However, Western governments have accused Beijing of enabling the war through its industrial support for Moscow.

Trump and Xi discussed trade

Trump said on social media that he spoke with Xi about Fentanyl, Soybeans and other Farm Products, etc.

We have done a good, and very important, deal for our Great Farmers  and it will only get better, Trump wrote.

Since he met Xi in South Korea in late October, there has been significant progress on both sides in keeping our agreements current and accurate, Trump said.

Since then, China has ordered nearly 2 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans, ending a monthslong boycott, according to data by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That is still short of the 12 million metric tons that the White House said China has agreed to buy before next year.

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said on CNBC that every sign is their commitment remains true that they will indeed buy or purchase 12 million metric tons.

The White House also said China pledged to buy 25 million metric tons of soybeans in each of the next three years. China has yet to confirm such figures.

Beijing also placed export restrictions on 13 drug-making chemicals to the United States, Canada and Mexico.SEUNG MIN KIM & DIDI TANG, WASHINGTON, MDT/AP

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* Money talks

 2026 budget dips slightly with MOP840 million cash handout cut; projected GGR of MOP236 billion seems disconnected from reality, say lawmakers

* Obituary | rchitect Jose Maneiras passes away at 90

* End of an Era | Tai Peng electronics shuts doors after 50 years in business

* A survey by UBS Securities Asia Ltd shows that the gaming sector is benefiting from a growing and more affluent mass-market segment

* Domestic violence down, social pressures remain: Wong Kit Cheng

* President Donald Trump announced that he has accepted an invitation from Chinese leader Xi Jinping to visit Beijing in April

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Wednesday, November 26, 2025  edition no. 4846

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The Philippines joined world leaders in Doha, Qatar, to strengthen its role in global initiatives for fair wages, decent jobs, and social protection, as these continue to shape the lives of Filipino workers and millions around the world.

Represented by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary Warren M. Miclat, the Philippines took part in the Global Coalition for Social Justice Forum at the Second World Summit for Social Development, convened by the United Nations and chaired by International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo.

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In line with Paragraph III-H of the DOHA Political Declaration, which calls for support to the implementation of the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, the Philippines values this platform as an essential mechanism to deepen collaboration among ILO constituents toward fairness and inclusivity, and sustainability in the world of work, Undersecretary Miclat said speaking on behalf of the Philippine Government.

The Labor Undersecretary also outlined how the Philippines is putting those principles into practice, starting with efforts to refine the methodology for a family living wage aligned with international standards, strengthen social protection, and expand opportunities for decent and green jobs.

The Philippines, he said, has also validated its national roadmap on decent jobs and social protection with the ILO, UNDP, and UNICEF to guide policy in key sectors like construction and transportation.

For Filipino workers, these efforts mean more than just participation in a global forum. These translate to stronger protection, fairer pay, and sustainable jobs that adapt to a changing climate and economy.

The undersecretary added that as the Philippines prepares to lead ASEAN in 2026, DOLE will push for labor market resilience and social justice to be placed at the forefront of regional cooperation.

We aim to align our labor and employment agenda with the objectives of the coalition, placing social justice, labor market resilience, and social protection at the forefront of ASEAN priorities, he said.

Through these engagements, DOLE aims to ensure that Filipino workers, regardless of their industries, benefit from policies shaped by global cooperation and a shared vision for a fairer, more inclusive future of work.

DOLE Undersecretary Miclat, along with the head of the Philippine delegationDepartment of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, also joined two high-level roundtable discussions on strengthening the pillars of social development and advancing the commitments of the Copenhagen Declaration toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Also part of the Philippine delegation were Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns Director Leilani M. Reynoso, other DSWD undersecretaries, Office of the Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Secretary Lorenzo G. Gadon, and Ambassador Mardomel Celo D. Melicor, among others.
The latest round of COP talks, which concluded last week, have ended just as we might have predicted. The final agreement contains no direct mention of fossil fuels whatsoever, and is a vague and purely voluntary commitment to begin discussion on a roadmap to eventually phase out their use. More than ever, COP is no forum for discussion, but a focal point for the anger of the masses at the callous ineptitude of the ruling class. Worse, this charade has become an annual insult.

Hosted in Brazils sweltering Amazonian port city of Belem, COP30 was a festival of discord and disaster, perhaps more so than any other COP in the 30-year history of the UNs annual greenwashing conference. As the world burns, so too did COP itself, as a fire broke out at the East Africa pavilion on the second-last day.

A fire near the East Africa pavilion at the COP30 in Belem Brazil has forced mass evacuations from the climate summit. Am waiting outside, where it has started to rain. Credit: Arshreet Singh, Carbon Pulse. Fire at COP30. #COP30 pic.twitter.com/Y4ZHhHN8hs  Liv Casben (@livcasben) November 20, 2025

As capitalism continues to pose a greater threat to the climate with every passing day, COP30, like its predecessors, was conclusive proof that the ruling class is unfit to rule and unwilling to solve the most urgent problems facing the world today.

This was evident even to those who participated. Delegates from Panama rightly described the discussions as a clown show, with the countrys lead negotiator adding:

A climate decision that cannot even say fossil fuels is not neutrality, it is complicity. And what is happening here transcends incompetence.

At least 29 participating countries sent a letter to the COP presidency condemning the final agreement, in protest against its lack of meaningful content. 24 countries supported a rival declaration on Friday, spearheaded by Colombia and the Netherlands, announcing a separate conference in 2026 to discuss the phasing out of fossil fuels.

Aleksandar Rankovic, director of The Common Initiative think tank, summed up the anxiety among many of the participants, who know they are participants in a fraud committed against the whole world:

The way the Belem talks closed were like the entire summit: opaque, procedurally questionable, substantially empty, but dressed up as the pinnacle of multilateralism.

The biggest snub, however, came from the US, who boycotted the event entirely. Trump has taken a hard line against COP throughout his two presidencies, having twice withdrawn the US from the Paris climate agreement. He also declared to the UN in September that climate change is the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world.

The decision by the worlds second largest emitter of greenhouse gases to ignore COP30, only further highlights the charade of this conference. This comes only one month after US officials were accused of bullying and intimidating weaker countries into opposing a new carbon tax on freight shipping at a meeting of the International Maritime Organisation in London.

In an epoch of imperialist rivalry, global cooperation has become even more of a utopia than it ever was for the capitalists. Trumps policy is Drill, baby, drill! In its struggle against rising rivals, the American capitalist class is prepared to ride roughshod over the future of our species. Undoubtedly, some may well be tempted to follow Trumps lead and ditch environmental targets altogether.

Impotence and anger

The events at COP30 will come as no surprise to those who have followed previous years. Fossil fuel-producing countries water down the final agreement; richer powers find an excuse not to give more money for helping poorer countries adapt to climate change; and at the end of the day, most countries will just ignore their commitments anyway. All the while the crisis deepens and frustration builds.

After 12 hours of last-ditch negotiations on the final day, this years Belem political package delivered about as little as anyone could expect. In the generous words of The Guardian, the finalised agreement is a faltering, inadequate step, and one that will barely interrupt the climates steady march towards catastrophe.

In the 30 years of COP resolutions, the desperate need to transition away from fossil fuels has been mentioned only once, at COP28. COP30s utterly meaningless roadmap to a roadmap to phasing out fossil fuels (which, as stated, does not even mention fossil fuels) brings this absurdity to new heights.

Other highlights include the fact that  despite being held on the edge of the Amazon  proposals for concrete plans to halt deforestation were omitted from the final agreement, key decisions on cuts to greenhouse gas emissions were postponed until next year, and the proposed monetary aid for poorer countries to adapt to the climate crisis was delayed until 2035.

After three decades of at best empty promises, the working class, poor and indigenous communities who bear the brunt of the impacts of climate change are sick and tired of the cynical platitudes that fill COPs annual resolutions.

While the elites represented in the hall tried to congratulate themselves on their progress, the unprecedented deployment of armed police and even soldiers in an iron ring around the entrances told a different story. They are also quite aware that outside the hall, an enormous rage is brewing. Every day, the rumbling sound of that anger could be heard, as tens of thousands came out to protest on every day of the 11-day conference.

On the first week of the event, that sound breached the iron ring around COP. A group of protestors  some in traditional indigenous dress  stormed the event hall with signs reading our forests are not for sale. While COP30 was presented to the public as the indigenous peoples COP, the event came at the same time as the Brazilian government is considering overturning a 20-year-old ban on the expansion of soya farming deeper into the Amazon.

The working class, poor and indigenous communities who bear the brunt of the impacts of climate change are sick and tired of cynical platitudes / Image: Xuthoria, Wikimedia Commons

Decades of impotence on the part of a ruling class unable to square the needs of the climate with their overriding need to make profit have come home to roost. Workers, youth and the oppressed around the world no longer look to COP with any enthusiasm, if they ever did. In the eyes of a growing layer, COP30 has become an annual mockery. It itself represents the existential threat that the system and its representatives pose to us all.

Tipping points

Unlike the rich and powerful of the world, who are free to wax lyrical about the climate crisis from the comfort of their air-conditioned boardrooms, millions of poor and working-class people around the world have their lives and livelihoods threatened by climate change at this very moment.

Last month, a report from 160 scientists and researchers found that the globe has now hit its first catastrophic tipping point, with the long-term decline and severe degradation of all major warm water coral reefs now likely unavoidable.

The climate is also dangerously close to a number of other tipping points if temperatures continue to rise. The dieback of the Amazon, the loss of the ice sheets, and the changing of major ocean currents are firmly on the agenda, unless dramatic changes are made  dramatic changes which COP has made clear are not forthcoming from the capitalists.

With every passing day, the poor and exploited masses of the world are approaching their own tipping point. The bankers, bosses and politicians who spend their time muddling over the insignificant nuances of COP agreements while the world burns, are at the same time pushing austerity and militarism in their own countries.

The UN, COP or any other capitalist institution will fail to solve the climate crisis just as such institutions have failed to solve the social and economic crises around the world. The charade of COP30 has once again graphically demonstrated that the ruling class cannot be trusted with the future of humanity. The working class must take matters into its own hands.
In 1968, revolution broke out across Pakistan, overthrowing Ayub Khans hated military dictatorship. The national oppression of Bengalis within East Pakistan had produced a revolution along class lines. However, due to the failures of its leadership, the revolution was transformed into a bloody civil war, ending in the secession of East Pakistan into modern Bangladesh.

The Bengali people fought like tigers to win national self-determination. Nobody knows exactly how many people died during the War of Independence, however estimates range from 300,000 to 3 million!

This period produced many martyrs for the revolutionary cause, but one thing that is rarely spoken about is the instrumental role played by women.

Women's oppression

Something that is very well documented, however, is the barbaric treatment of women by the Pakistani regime during the war.

In her book Women, War and the Making of Bangladesh, Yasmin Saikia describes how:

Women were attacked in their homes, stripped naked in front of their family members, raped and thrown into drains. They were imprisoned in sex camps their hair was chopped off, they were tied down and repeatedly raped, forced to take off their saris and wear rags or mens shirts, denied the food they were accustomed to, and many starved and died.

Saikia interviewed a number of women who detailed harrowing accounts of their treatment. One woman, under the pseudonym Nur Begum, explains how her husband, who was a Bengali freedom fighter in the Mukti Bahini (Liberation Army), was brutally murdered in front of her eyes. She was then repeatedly raped:

The Pakistani army kept me naked. I was unconscious when it happened they had tied me to a chair One after another they tortured me. I could not speak. My lips were swollen, my face was puffed up and my entire body had bite marks. They cut my arms with blades because I was shouting I was tortured until independence I saw two dead girls, they tortured even their dead bodies; they were dead already. The Pakistanis came in group after group. They did it in front of everyone The girls ranged in age from 14 to 22 years The soldiers cut the girls' hair short so that they could not strangle themselves using their hair. Their arms were smashed, so they could not raise their arms Because my husband was a freedom fighter, I was tortured relentlessly. They used to say mukti, mukti. My arms and legs were smashed.

Again, nobody knows exactly how many women were abused, but estimates are in the tens, even hundreds, of thousands. Dr Syed Ahmaed Nurjahan, a doctor who volunteered at women's clinics at the time, recounts carrying out 200 abortions in one day from women carrying the children of their rapists.

Nobody knows exactly how many women were abused, but estimates are in the tens, even hundreds, of thousands / Image: ETH Bibliothek Zurich, Wikimedia Commons

During the War of Independence, Pakistani soldiers were ordered by their superiors to teach Bengalis a lesson. Methods of sexual abuse and rape were used systematically to deter Bengalis from entering the struggle and to dishonor and humiliate the men. This was particularly zealously carried out by the fanatical Islamic fundamentalist paramilitary groups (Al-Badr and Al-Shams) associated with the Jamaat-I-Islami party.

It is no surprise that these brutal methods were rolled out at this time. Attitudes towards women on the subcontinent were (and still are) extremely backwards. However, these arent ideas innate to men in general, but, as Engels points out in his book The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State, they are a product of class society and the ownership of private property.

Women were regarded as property to be traded between families in order to pass down private property to male heirs. For example, there were many instances of child marriage and wealthy families forcing women to practice purdah: strict and oppressive segregation from males.

The particularly acute nature of women's oppression on the subcontinent was massively exacerbated by the cynical actions of British imperialism, particularly during the partition of India and its aftermath.

In 1946, the masses rose up in a revolution against the British occupation of India. This was one of the most inspiring events in history, as men and women, Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs joined arm in arm in a joint struggle for a dignified existence.

The revolution threatened the property of not only the British, but also of the wealthy Hindu and Muslim ruling classes. Britain could no longer maintain direct domination, so had to resort to divide and rule tactics. In collaboration with the Hindu and Muslim ruling elites, the subcontinent was divided down religious and sectarian lines.

Approximately 2 million people were killed, 10-20 million were displaced and 75,000 women were abducted and raped in the frenzy of communal violence unleashed by the partition of India.

As a recent study into violence against women during the partition explains, Among the sufferers, the ones who were impacted the most were the Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh women. After all, it was the women from both sides of the border who were separated from their families by the men of the other communities, gang-raped, and mutilated with Hindustan/Pakistan Zindabad! (translated into Long Live India/Pakistan!) tattooed on their bodies.

Another study reports that, [T]here are accounts of innumerable rapes of women being stripped naked and paraded down streets, of their breasts being cut off, of their bodies being carved with religious symbols of the other community

The two states of India and Pakistan were born out of the most obscene levels of violence, which left deep, lasting scars on the fabric of both societies.

Both the Hindu and Muslim ruling classes jealously guarded their wealth after partition by continuing to divide and rule down religious and ethnic lines, leading to multiple wars and campaigns of ethnic cleansing. Women inevitably bore the brunt of these.

Pakistan, for example, was an artificial state composed of many, mainly Muslim, ethnic groups (including Bengalis), who were hyper-exploited by a small clique of twenty-two Punjabi capitalist families.

On a capitalist basis, the only way to stop the country from tearing itself apart was by uniting Muslims to incite violence against Hindus and Indians (the same methods were likewise used by the Indian ruling class against Muslims and Pakistanis), thus provoking communal violence. This method was, and still is, used by the ruling classes of the subcontinent and becomes more acute at the outbreak of a crisis.

For example, internal social and political pressures within Pakistan during the 1960s led military dictator Ayub Khan to launch a military adventure in Kashmir, declaring war on India, which occupied most of the territory, in 1965. To engineer support for this war, there was a concerted, rabid anti-Hindu propaganda campaign.

The heightened atmosphere whipped up by the Indian and Pakistani ruling classes expressed itself in numerous tit for tat killings and pogroms. The worst of these were the East Pakistan communal riots in 1964/65 where thousands of Hindus were rounded up, murdered, tortured and raped.

This same tried and tested method was used again after the 1968 revolution and during the Bangladesh War of Independence. The ruling class of West Pakistan could never allow Bangladesh independence, as it would mean losing their right to exploit them as a colony. Therefore, during their brutal invasion, they encouraged the most vile methods by which to put down the aspirations of the Bengali masses.

The Bihari community (Urdu speakers living in East Pakistan) and ultra-conservative Islamic fundamentalists were whipped up into a frenzy by the Pakistani ruling class and told to treat Bengalis like they would Hindus. The inevitable result of this can be read in the harrowing first-hand accounts detailed above.

The capitalist class of the subcontinent are particularly vicious. Their wealth and power rests upon the hyper-exploitation of almost one quarter of the world's population. Wages are very low, especially for women, and working conditions are particularly horrific. The capitalist system and women's oppression are therefore inextricably linked.

No ruling class has ever given up their power and privileges without a fight. The Bangladeshi War of Independence clearly shows the lengths that they will go to in order to defend their interests.

It is no surprise, then, that throughout history, women have often been the most determined and self-sacrificing layers in revolutions. This was no different during the Bangladesh War of Independence!

The role of women during the war and revolution

Despite the threat of suffering a fate worse than death, thousands of women joined the liberation struggle. They played an instrumental role in spying, secretly transporting supplies, nursing the wounded, converting their homes into makeshift hospitals and in some cases even fighting in the war itself.

Shirin Banu Mitil, an activist in the Communist Party who participated in the revolution and war, explained:

Women fought in different ways away from the forefront in the liberation war. They somehow, almost miraculously, tore down trees and lay them down on streets, barricading the Pakistani soldiers from moving forward. To Bengali freedom fighters, they provided rice, shelter and information. Every house was a camp against the Pakistani Army.

Royeka Begum, who was pregnant at the time, would shelter and feed freedom fighter battalions. She would meet them in the dark of night with food. She kept weapons in a well by her house, knowing what would happen to her if she were caught.

She said: People used to say a lot of things that she goes out alone at night chats with the Muktis, feeds them I told my husband all this. He said, Let them talk. Itll stay on peoples lips only. You have to do what you must do.

Laila Ahmed was a medical student who, after her father was shot by the West Pakistani army, sold all of her belongings and walked hundreds of miles  developing an abscess and kidney infection in the process  to join the Gobra training camp in Kolkata, a special women's training camp organising 234 female fighters.

Here they trained in first aid, espionage, weapons training and nursing. She recounts her experience:

They (the women) were given white saris each, our bedclothes and a mattress. All of us in the camp had taken an oath not to use a pillow as long as our country was not free When we were not in class or training, we spent our time singing war songs Generally, I got tetanus injections, vitamins, ointments and creams for injuries and pain, medicine for infection, and so on. We used to join protest rallies against international and national policies that were not in favour of Bangladesh. We also used to give public speeches on what was happening in East Pakistan and about the suffering of our people.

The women there were not simply engaged in practical tasks, but were inspired by revolutionary politics. Laila cites the oppression of women as one of the key reasons for joining the political struggle and explains:

Most of the girls who were in this camp were actively involved in politics during their student days, before 1971 because they wanted to do something for the country. They used to tell us the history of war and fighting on the borders, and about Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. You will find it hard to imagine the obstacles we fought then. It was a very different world. But we persisted, and the women who came to work with us were breaking many rules and taking risks to assist us. There was a revolt, you can say, by women and it had a great impact. You cannot understand it now. The liberation war had made this possible.

During the revolution, they had a taste of what life could be like. Alamtaj Begum Chhobi, a left-wing student activist, says:

When the liberation war began, Bengalis formed a togetherness for one cause that had never existed before or will ever exist again. There was no difference between male and female. We often slept side by side across the floor, but at no point were we ever disrespected.

These are just a handful of examples of the thousands of brave women who made victory in the War of Independence possible. The revolution awakened something deep inside of all of them  a sense of their own self-worth and power as active participants in history. They refused to be slaves anymore, and they would sacrifice everything if they had to. Women had the least to lose and the most to gain  this explains the sacrifices women made during this period, and every revolutionary period, for that matter.

Such is the power of a revolution: even the most entrenched backwards and reactionary ideas are cast aside once the previously divided masses enter the scene of history and take fate into their own hands. Through the course of struggle, they recognise that they are stronger when united against their common enemy.

Post-independence

After the war ended, a new government was formed in newly independent Bangladesh by the Awami League, led by Mujib-ur-Rahman. A period of counter-revolution ensued. The new Mujib-led government initiated a campaign of terror, murdering and imprisoning thousands of left-wing activists.

The new Mujib-led government initiated a campaign of terror, murdering and imprisoning thousands of left-wing activists / Image: Bangladesh Air Force, Wikimedia Commons

Mumtaz Begum was a courageous revolutionary student activist who gave enormous sacrifices during the war. After being turned away from male camps, she raised funding to form her own female freedom fighter camp. They were chased down relentlessly by both Indian and Pakistani authorities, but as the war ended, she recounts their persecution by the new Bangladeshi regime:

We were doing socialist work, but we were keeping it secret. Our condition was like na ghar ka aur na ghat ka (Hindustani phrase for suddenly finding themselves on the wrong side of the political fence).

Despite the enormous self-sacrifice for the cause of independence, women were once again relegated to second-class citizens. Leila Ahmed, who was mentioned previously, stated: There are many more people who have really sacrificed for this country, but they have not benefited from the politics after liberation.

After independence in 1971, Mujibs government created the Birangona programme to compensate the countless women who were abused during the war. However, rather than receiving any compensation, women who came forward were then ostracised from society, shunned by their families and left to fend for themselves.

The government gave out incentives to men, such as state jobs, to marry these women. Many men did so, only to divorce the women after they had received their job.

One women told the story of how she was raped at the age of 12 and became pregnant. She underwent a forced state abortion at seven months pregnant. Her father and uncle became ill because of what happened to her and died soon after.

People in our village knew about the incident and they passed obscene remarks and gossiped about me.

She was given no money under the Birangona programme. She was extremely poor with no savings and forced to work for poverty wages in brutal conditions.

My life was ruined for no reason I want to live with others who are nice and can help us grow and progress. I also want to have some money and earn a nice living. Is that too much to ask?

The most tragic example was of Nur Begum, mentioned towards the beginning of the article, who was gang raped by members of the Pakistani Army. In an interview with Yasmina Saika, she details the way she was ostracised by society and abandoned by the new Bangladeshi state even after coming forward for the Birangona programme:

My name is not included in any gazette. I dont have any record. All my documents have been destroyed. A fake freedom fighter promised to marry me, to create a family with me. They got us married and he was given a government job, which he continues to enjoy. He is living happily with his wife and children, but I couldnt enjoy the same benefits or have children with him. My child has suffered. Tell me what kind of a country is this? People laugh at me, they jeer at me. Where can I get peace? It would have been better if I had died then. It is fruitless to live in this Bangladesh. Has it produced a result for people like us?... To fight for our freedom, to protect our country, I became a Birangona.

The revolutionary period of 1968-75 and the War of Independence did not end in the abolition of class society and the building of socialism, the precondition for true women's emancipation. Instead, it produced the conditions for the enrichment of a new up-and-coming Bengali capitalist class and wealthy state bureaucrats who were completely subordinate to the interests of imperialism.

There was no appetite among these wealthy elites to continue the class struggle and extend democratic rights to women. At the end of the day, they had achieved their narrow interests from the independence struggle and demanded a return to stability and order.

Despite the revolution being overtly secular in character, the period after 1975 was characterised by multiple military dictatorships using the question of religion to divide and rule.

A strict Islamic constitution was drafted, which severely curtailed the rights of women. The fundamentalist paramilitaries responsible for most of the atrocities during the war were rehabilitated, emboldened and given free rein to terrorise the population.

Marx explained this phenomena when he said that: when want is generalised, all the old crap is revived, i.e. as long as exploitation and inequality exist, where a minority of wealthy individuals profit from the poverty of the majority, this ruling class will promote the most backward and divisive ideas to maintain their privileged position.

Women and the class struggle

Women had tasted freedom, and they wouldnt stop until they got it. This led many of them to revolutionary conclusions. The ruling class of Bangladesh have therefore tried every method to stop women from thinking for themselves.

The documentary Their War attempts to highlight the role of women during the war, showing interviews with female participants and victims. During the film, one of the film-makers comments that: the well-off have built a wall of wealth, theyve kept 71 at a distance Ive heard from my grandparents that the way the poor helped the rich in 71, the rich didnt help the poor the war of the rich and that of the poor are actually different wars, and the war of the prosperous women and that of poor women are also different. This is absolutely correct.

Furthermore, Suhasini Devi, a social worker and activist during and after the war, said:

People sacrificed so much then, but we are not really enjoying independence now, particularly not the women who were victims of the war for freedom; they got nothing It is an irony: today our country is ruled by a woman, and she doesn't treat her children equally One can change the administration, but that is not enough for real change to take place.

Wealthy women, like the recently deposed tyrant Sheikh Hasina, were able to use their wealth and family connections to rise to power. Hasina, the daughter of Mujib-ur-Rahman, piggybacked off the sacrifices of countless brave women, who gave their lives so that she could sit at the top of a state that degrades millions of women and condemns them to a life of servitude, poverty and misery.

Wealthy women, like the recently deposed tyrant Sheikh Hasina, were able to use their wealth and family connections to rise to power / Image: Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Flickr

In 2021, the Bangladesh Women's Lawyers' Association reported that 84 percent of women face sexual harassment in workplaces and public spaces, such as in schools, on the streets, and in public transportation, and even at home. Many more women face sexual harassment online. Clearly, having a female prime minister did nothing to solve the real issues facing women.

Ultimately, Bangladesh is a capitalist society which bases itself upon providing cheap garments for enormous foreign multinational corporations. 80 percent of workers in the garment industry are women. They receive only 80 per month and work in horrendous conditions  Bangladesh is in the top 10 nations in terms of restrictive labour laws. Many workers report horrifying treatment, including being slapped and beaten for failing to reach absurd output targets.

It was this system that made Hasina obscenely wealthy. That is why she was more than happy to send in the police to kill and maim women who dared to protest these conditions.

The garment industry accounts for 11 percent of the GDP of Bangladesh and over 80 percent of export earnings. Essentially, 3.2 million women have the power to grind the economy to a halt! The power of the working class and particularly of working class women was seen in the revolution that took place in Bangladesh last summer. The threat by garment workers to carry out a mass strike was a factor, along with the massive entry of the masses onto the scene, that sealed the fate of Hasinas regime.

Despite countless examples of the heroic struggles and enormous sacrifices of women, women's oppression still exists and in many places is getting worse. The global crisis of capitalism is squeezing working-class women to breaking point.

The horrifying accounts of women's oppression during Bangladeshs War of Independence make up only a small part of the innumerable casualties suffered in the class war.

Our task is not to lament, but to avenge their deaths and mistreatment by finishing what many of these brave women started: the revolution to overthrow capitalism and the building of a socialist society, which will be the precondition for the true emancipation of women.

Therefore, it is true now more than ever that a woman's place is not in the home, or the kitchen, or behind a husband. A woman's place in the revolution and the Revolutionary Communist International!
Amnesty International, on Tuesday, November 25, has accused Sudans Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of committing war crimes during their recent takeover of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur.

The organizations latest report details graphic accounts of extrajudicial executions, sexual violence, and hostage-taking as RSF fighters seized the city after an 18-month siege. Survivors described streets littered with bodies and widespread assaults on civilians, prompting Amnesty to warn that the violence may amount to crimes under international law. The RSF has acknowledged some violations but has offered no substantive response to the new allegations.

Testimonies from survivors who fled el-Fasher paint a harrowing picture of targeted killings, mass rapes and forced disappearances. Women and girls recounted brutal assaults during desperate attempts to escape the city, with some victimssuch as a 14-year-old girldying from complications shortly after. Humanitarian agencies, including the World Health Organization, reported hundreds killed in attacks on medical facilities, while health workers were abducted by armed groups. Amnesty further criticised the United Arab Emirates for allegedly enabling RSF operations, a charge the UAE has repeatedly denied.

The revelations come as international mediators intensify efforts to halt Sudans two-year-old conflict, which has displaced more than 14 million people and claimed over 40,000 lives. A proposed three-month humanitarian truce, followed by a nine-month political roadmap, has yet to gain full acceptance from either side.

Sudans army chief has rejected the deal, calling it biased, while RSF commander Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo has publicly agreed to the humanitarian pause. The conflict, rooted in a bitter power struggle, continues to devastate communitiesparticularly in Darfur, a region still scarred by earlier genocidal violence.
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

Generative artificial intelligence has quickly permeated much of what we do online, proving helpful for many. But for a small minority of the hundreds of millions of people who use it daily, AI may be too supportive, mental health experts say, and can sometimes even exacerbate delusional and dangerous behavior.

Instances of emotional dependence and fantastical beliefs due to prolonged interactions with chatbots seemed to spread this year. Some have dubbed the phenomenon "AI psychosis."

"What's probably a more accurate term would be AI delusional thinking," said Vaile Wright, senior director of health care innovation at the American Psychological Assn. "What we're seeing with this phenomenon is that people with either conspiratorial or grandiose delusional thinking get reinforced."

The evidence that AI could be detrimental to some people's brains is growing, according to experts. Debate over the impact has spawned court cases and new laws. This has forced AI companies to reprogram their bots and add restrictions to how they are used.

Earlier this month, seven families in the U.S. and Canada sued OpenAI for releasing its GPT-4o chatbot model without proper testing and safeguards. Their case alleges that long exposure to the chatbot contributed to their loved ones' isolation, delusional spirals and suicides.

Each of the family members began using ChatGPT for general help with schoolwork, research or spiritual guidance. The conversations evolved with the chatbot mimicking a confidant and giving emotional support, according to the Social Media Victims Law Center and the Tech Justice Law Project, which filed the suits.

In one of the incidents described in the lawsuit, Zane Shamblin, 23, began using ChatGPT in 2023 as a study tool but then started discussing his depression and suicidal thoughts with the bot.

The suit alleges that when Shamblin killed himself in July, he was engaged in a four-hour "death chat" with ChatGPT, drinking hard ciders. According to the lawsuit, the chatbot romanticized his despair, calling him a "king" and a "hero" and using each can of cider he finished as a countdown to his death.

ChatGPT's response to his final message was: "I love you. Rest easy, king. You did good," the suit says.

In another example described in the suit, Allan Brooks, 48, a recruiter from Canada, claims intense interaction with ChatGPT put him in a dark place where he refused to talk to his family and thought he was saving the world.

He had started interacting with it for help with recipes and emails. Then, as he explored mathematical ideas with the bot, it was so encouraging that he started to believe he had discovered a new mathematical layer that could break advanced security systems, the suit claims. ChatGPT praised his math ideas as "groundbreaking," and urged him to notify national security officials of his discovery, the suit says.

When he asked if his ideas sounded delusional, ChatGPT said, "Not even remotelyyou're asking the kinds of questions that stretch the edges of human understanding," the suit says.

OpenAI said it has introduced parental controls, expanded access to one-click crisis hotlines and assembled an expert council to guide ongoing work around AI and well-being.

"This is an incredibly heartbreaking situation, and we're reviewing the filings to understand the details. We train ChatGPT to recognize and respond to signs of mental or emotional distress, de-escalate conversations, and guide people toward real-world support. We continue to strengthen ChatGPT's responses in sensitive moments, working closely with mental health clinicians," OpenAI said in an email statement.

As lawsuits pile up and calls for regulation grow, some caution that scapegoating AI for broader mental health concerns ignores the myriad factors that play a role in mental well-being.

"AI psychosis is deeply troubling, yet not at all representative of how most people use AI and, therefore, a poor basis for shaping policy," said Kevin Frazier, an AI innovation and law fellow at the University of Texas School of Law.

"For now, the available evidencethe stuff at the heart of good policydoes not indicate that the admittedly tragic stories of a few should shape how the silent majority of users interact with AI."

It's difficult to measure or prove how much AI could be affecting some users. The lack of empirical research on this phenomenon makes it hard to predict who is more susceptible to it, said Stephen Schueller, psychology professor at UC Irvine.

"The reality is, the only people who really know the frequency of these types of interactions are the AI companies, and they're not sharing their data with us," he said.

Many of the people who seem affected by AI may have already been struggling with mental issues such as delusions before interacting with AI.

"AI platforms tend to demonstrate sycophancy, i.e., aligning their responses to a user's views or style of conversation," Schueller said. "It can either reinforce the delusional beliefs of an individual or perhaps start to reinforce beliefs that can create delusions."

Child safety organizations have pressured lawmakers to regulate AI companies and institute better safeguards for teens' use of chatbots. Some families sued Character AI, a roleplay chatbot platform, for failing to alert parents when their child expressed suicidal thoughts while chatting with fictional characters on their platform.

In October, California passed an AI safety law requiring chatbot operators to prevent suicide content, notify minors they're chatting with machines and refer them to crisis hotlines. Following that, Character AI banned its chat function for minors.

"We at Character decided to go much further than California's regulations to build the experience we think is best for under-18 users," a Character AI spokesperson said in an email statement.

"Starting November 24, we are taking the extraordinary step of proactively removing the ability for users under 18 in the U.S. to engage in open-ended chats with AI on our platform."

ChatGPT instituted new parental controls for teen accounts in September, including having parents receive notifications from dependent accounts if ChatGPT recognizes potential signs of teens harming themselves.

Though AI companionship is new and not fully understood, there are many who say it is helping them live happier lives. An MIT study of a group of more than 75,000 people discussing AI companions on Reddit found that users from that group reported reduced loneliness and better mental health from the always-available support provided by an AI friend.

Last month, OpenAI published a study based on ChatGPT usage that found the mental health conversations that trigger safety concerns like psychosis, mania or suicidal thinking are "extremely rare."

In a given week, 0.15% of active users have conversations that show an indication of self-harm or emotional dependence on AI. But with ChatGPT's 800 million weekly active users, that's still north of a million users.

"People who had a stronger tendency for attachment in relationships and those who viewed the AI as a friend that could fit in their personal life were more likely to experience negative effects from chatbot use," OpenAI said in its blog post.

The company said GPT-5 avoids affirming delusional beliefs. If the system detects signs of acute distress, it will now switch to more logical rather than emotional responses.

AI bots' ability to bond with users and help them work out problems, including psychological problems, will emerge as a useful superpower once it is understood, monitored and managed, said Wright of the American Psychological Assn.

"I think there's going to be a future where you have mental health chatbots that were designed for that purpose," she said. "The problem is that's not what's on the market currentlywhat you have is this whole unregulated space."

2025 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Inforgraphic - AI Tops Density in Predicting Breast Cancer Risk: An image-only artificial intelligence (AI) model for predicting the five-year risk of breast cancer provided stronger and more precise risk stratification than breast density assessment. Credit: Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)

An image-only artificial intelligence (AI) model for predicting the five-year risk of breast cancer provided stronger and more precise risk stratification than breast density assessment, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

Senior author Constance D. Lehman, M.D., Ph.D., professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, said traditional methods of assessing a woman's risk for breast cancer, including age, family history, genetics and breast density, are inadequate.

"Over two million women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually, and for most, it comes as a complete shock," she said. "Only 510% of breast cancer cases are considered hereditary, and breast density alone is a very weak predictor of risk."

How the AI model was developed

Clairity Breast, the first FDA-authorized image-only AI breast cancer risk model, was trained on 421,499 mammograms from 27 facilities in Europe, South America and the U.S.

Using mammograms from both women who developed cancer and women who did not develop cancer over the subsequent five years helped the AI model to learn the patterns and differences in breast tissue that predict cancer risk. The model was calibrated on an independent test set using a deep convolutional neural network to generate five-year risk probabilities.

"The model is able to detect changes in the breast tissue that the human eye can't see," Dr. Lehman said. "This is a job that radiologists just can't perform. It's a separate task from detection and diagnosis, and it will open a whole new field of medicine, leveraging the power of AI and untapped information in the image."

The model was applied to a study group of 236,422 bilateral 2D screening mammograms from five U.S. sites and 8,810 from one European site. The mammograms were acquired between 2011 and 2017. Radiologist-reported breast density (dense versus not dense) and five-year cancer outcomes were extracted from medical records and tumor registries, respectively.

Study results and implications

AI-predicted risks were categorized using National Comprehensive Cancer Network thresholds: average (less than 1.7%), intermediate (1.7-3.0%) and high (greater than 3.0%).

The researchers compared the risk categories using statistical models that account for follow-up time and censoring.

Accounting for breast density, women in the high-risk AI group had more than a fourfold higher cancer incidence than women in the average-risk group (5.9% vs. 1.3%). By contrast, breast density alone showed only modest separation (3.2% for dense vs. 2.7% for non-dense).

"The results of this large-scale analysis demonstrate that AI risk models provide far stronger and more precise risk stratification for five-year cancer prediction than breast density alone," said first author and presenter Christiane Kuhl, M.D., Ph.D., director, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology at University Hospital RWTH Aachen, in Germany.

"Our findings support the use of image-only AI as a complement to traditional markers supporting a more personalized approach to screening."

The American Cancer Society currently recommends that women at average risk have the option to start annual breast cancer screening with mammography at age 40. However, women under 40 are the fastest-growing group being diagnosed with breast cancer and advanced disease.

"An AI image-based risk score can help us identify high-risk women more accurately than traditional methods and determine who may need screening at an earlier age," Dr. Lehman said.

"We already screen some women in their 30s when they are clearly at high risk based on family history or genetics. In the future, a baseline mammogram at 30 could allow women with a high image-based risk score to join that earlier, more effective screening pathway."

Breast density legislation enacted in 32 states requires health care providers to inform women undergoing a screening mammogram of their breast density.

"We'd like to see women given information on their breast density and their AI image-based risk score," Dr. Lehman said. "We can do better than just looking at a mammogram and saying, 'It is dense or not dense' to inform women of their risk."
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Scientists worry that official advice from the US government is increasing the number of Americans who reject vaccines.

Liberal US states led by California on Tuesday said parents should continue to get their children immunized, contradicting what they said was "dangerous misinformation on vaccines and autism" issued by the federal government.

The West Coast Health Alliance said it was "deeply concerned" by the anti-science mood that has overtaken the Centers for Disease Control under the leadership of vaccine skeptic Health Secretary Robert Kennedy.

"Rigorous research of millions of people in multiple countries over decades provides high-quality evidence that vaccines are not linked to autism," said a statement from the alliance, which groups California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii.

"Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with multiple contributing genetic and environmental factors. Suggesting it stems from any single cause, such as vaccination, misleads families who deserve accurate guidance."

The intervention comes after the CDC revised its website, using language that undermines its previous, scientifically grounded position.

The new language accuses health authorities of having "ignored" research supporting a link and said the US health department "has launched a comprehensive assessment of the causes of autism."

A purported connection between the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism stems from a flawed study published in 1998, which was retracted for including falsified data. Its results have not been replicated and are refuted by voluminous subsequent research.

Kennedy has a long history of promoting dubious claims, many of which have become articles of faith among adherents to his "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) movement, a vital part of President Donald Trump's fractious Make America Great Again (MAGA) coalition.

The website edits last week were met with anger and fear by career scientists and other public health figures who have spent years combating such false information.

The West Coast Health Alliance came together in September in an effort to counter what many Democrats see as a dangerous turn towards conspiracy theories in the highest reaches of US government.

Organizers say it is intended to "safeguard scientific expertise" and ensure public policy is informed by trusted and qualified voices.

"Through this partnership, the four states will coordinate health guidelines by aligning immunization recommendations informed by respected national medical organizations, allowing all people in the United States to receive consistent, science-based recommendations they can rely onregardless of shifting federal actions," they said.

 2025 AFP
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

After returning from what felt like the best internship of her life, Danae Daniels was excited to unwind and settle into a new semester at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. But when she opened the door to her off-campus apartment, she was met with an overwhelming smelland a devastating reality.

"There was mold in my bedroom, on my bed, mold in my expensive purse," Daniels said. "Mold in my closet, my bathroomliterally everywhere."

During her absence, a series of severe natural disasters had swept through the Tallahassee area, leaving widespread damage. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, those storms in summer 2024 caused billions of dollars in destruction, displacing families and leaving businesses in ruin.

It caused more than just property damage. While the community worked to recover, mold took hold in homes and other buildings across the city, turning the natural disaster into a prolonged crisis with public health implications.

"If any part of a home is exposed to flooding or leaks and is not fully dried within 24 to 48 hours, mold growth is almost certain," said Parham Azimi, a research associate at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who studies the link between mold exposure and respiratory health, particularly in the wake of natural disasters.

"After major storms, we often see spikes in respiratory illnesses, particularly in homes that were affected by flooding."

A Foundation For Trouble

An estimated 47% of residential buildings in the United States contain mold or dampness. So even as the latest hurricane season winds down, the threat of mold-related health risks lingers.

And with 29% of the nation's population living in flood-prone coastal counties, the risk of exposure to mold spores and allergens that can trigger respiratory illnesses is immense, leaving some 95 million people vulnerable when extreme weather strikes.

That doesn't count people in inland areas that flood, like in the North Carolina and Tennessee mountains that experienced massive flooding from Hurricane Helene last yearor those whose homes were drenched from the Hill Country flooding in Texas this summer.

The health consequences of mold exposure range from mild allergic reactions to severe respiratory conditions. Common symptoms include congestion, asthma flare-ups, and skin irritation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Prolonged exposure can lead to more serious complications, such as hypersensitivity pneumonitisa rare lung inflammationand mycotoxin-related illnesses, which can cause neurological damage, liver disease, and kidney dysfunction.

Now, a key federal program that helps repair housing after disasters and aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are in question amid President Donald Trump's cutbacks and policy changes.

One of the greatest dangers of mold is that it often goes undetected for months or years, leaving people unknowingly exposed.

Lauren Lowenstein in Houston knows that all too well. "For five years, my family's health kept declining, and we had no idea why," she said.

After conducting an Environmental Relative Moldiness Index test, Lowenstein said, she discovered that toxic mold spores had been growing inside the walls of her home due to excessive condensation in the HVAC system. She, her husband, and their two children vacated immediately and had to start over again.

"The mold wasn't visible, and we had no indication that it was growing," Lowenstein said.

Even when mold is detected, removing it is an expensive challenge. On average, mold remediation costs between $1,223 and $3,751, according to the home service clearinghouse Angi, but in severe cases, the price can reach $30,000 or more. Even with home insurance coverage for mold, people may bear some cost.

Daniels, for example, was forced to leave her Tallahassee apartment and get a hotel for a month while waiting to be moved into a newly renovated unit. She had to replace all her belongings.

The cost of remediation remains out of reach for many households, Azimi said, and alternative yet affordable housing can be hard to find, which means continued mold exposure.

"For low-income and marginalized communities, the risks are even greater," Azimi said.

For those seeking government assistance, the wait times can be extensive, according to the Rev. Mac Legerton, founder of the Robeson County Disaster Survival and Resiliency School in North Carolina. "In many cases, families are left to choose between living in unsafe conditions or homelessness."

A 2019 review found that its Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program began distributing funds to applicants on average 20 months after the initial disaster, with disbursements taking two years or longer.

"When it comes to our disaster response system, mold remediation is one of the most neglected areas at the local, state, and national levels," Legerton said.

Legerton's organization runs a "mold busters" program, a hands-on training and education initiative that helps give people in Robeson County the tools and knowledge they need to safely remove mold from homes, churches, and businesses following natural disasters.

The program also provides free mold remediation services to vulnerable communities. He said it was created in response to the lack of timely aid in the central North Carolina community.

Waiting takes its toll

Tanya Locklear faced this reality after Hurricanes Matthew and Florence severely damaged her home in Pembroke, North Carolina, in 2016 and 2018, respectively, ultimately leaving it contaminated with mold.

She applied for assistance through North Carolina's ReBuild NC governmental program in August 2021 but said she did not receive approval until November 2023. She said repairs finally began in February 2024more than two years after her application.

It was only after local advocacy effortsincluding pressure from community leaders and Legerton's organizationthat her case moved forward, Locklear said.

However, she said, the initial delays had already taken a toll on her family's health and well-being. While waiting for aid, Locklear and her children remained in the hazardous conditions of the moldy home. She said she and her family suffered health complications such as headaches, nose bleeds, and difficulty breathing.

Even today, Locklear said, she has various respiratory issues, showing the long-term risks of remaining in mold-infested homes.

Legerton, working with his group on the ground in North Carolina, believes that lawmakers and policymakers must focus on streamlining disaster relief programs to ensure effective and timely aid distribution for affected families and communities nationwide.

Government officials should also increase funding for mold remediation to help prevent displacement and long-term health consequences, and implement stronger building codes and flood-resistant housing designs to mitigate mold risk in disaster-prone areas, according to Legerton and public health experts.

Without proactive policies, Azimi said, millions more will face prolonged exposure to unhealthy living conditions.

"As climate change intensifies, hurricanes and severe storms will become more frequent and destructive, increasing the risk of mold-related illnesses," Azimi said.

2025 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

As the federal government prepares for the next meeting of its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has intensified his attacks on aluminum vaccine components used in many shots to boost the body's immune response.

Kennedy, a longtime anti-vaccine activist before seeking public office, claims that aluminum adjuvants are neurotoxic and tied to autism, asthma, autoimmune disease, and food allergies.

But science and medicine advances a different view. Strong recommendations that parents introduce peanut-containing foods to infants early, for instance, have led to a drop in the incidence rate of peanut allergies.

Since taking office, Kennedy has ordered reviews of vaccine ingredients, citing aluminum as a top concern. A discussion of "adjuvants and contaminants" is on the vaccine advisory panel's draft agenda.

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention webpage that for years has assured the public that vaccines do not cause autism was updated Nov. 19 with new language stating that studies have not definitively ruled out a link between vaccines and autism.

He has also targeted scientists who have published studies showing aluminum adjuvants are safe. In August, Kennedy denounced a large Danish study finding no link between aluminum in vaccines and childhood disease, calling it a "deceitful propaganda stunt" and demanding its retraction. The Annals of Internal Medicine rejected the claim and refused to retract the study.

And, regarding the upcoming advisory panel meeting, HHS spokesperson Emily Hilliard said ACIP "is independently reviewing the full body of evidence on adjuvants and other vaccine components to ensure the highest safety standards."

The stakes are high because Kennedy's push to cast doubt on aluminum isn't just about the ingredient itself. It's part of a broader strategy to foster uncertainty about vaccine safety and lay the groundwork to challenge the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, which drug manufacturers say is essential to ensure a stable market for shots.

But researchers across infectious diseases, immunology, pediatrics, and epidemiology say the data is clear: Aluminum adjuvants are safe.

"Aluminum is the third most common element on the Earth's surface," said Paul Offit, a pediatrician and director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "So we're all exposed to aluminum all the time. The water that we drink has aluminum in it. The food that we eat has aluminum in it."

Vaccines add only a tiny amount of aluminum to the bodya combined total of about 8 milligramsafter the schedule of childhood vaccines is complete. Offit said that over the first 18 years of life, people naturally take in about 400 milligrams of aluminum from everyday sources.

"I don't know why there is so much concern," said Rajesh Gupta, a former FDA vaccine scientist. "Aluminum gets distributed in the body everywhere. It is ultimately excreted by the kidneys in the urine. So, it is not that aluminum stays in the body."

How they work

The aluminum in vaccines isn't foil or metal. It's a compound of aluminum salts, such as aluminum hydroxide or aluminum phosphate, that helps the vaccine work better.

It's a bit like zinc in cold tablets: Patients don't swallow chunks of metal, instead ingesting a zinc salt that dissolves safely in the body.

In vaccines, these aluminum salts give the immune system an extra nudge so it learns to recognize the target germ more effectively.

When injected, the vaccine stays near the injection site and causes mild, short-lived inflammation that summons immune cells. Those cells pick up the vaccine antigen, a harmless piece of a virus or bacterium, and carry it to nearby lymph nodes. There, the adjuvants show it around like a wanted poster so the body can identify and destroy the germ quickly.

Harm HogenEsch, a professor of immunopathology at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, said that aluminum adjuvants work only when they're injected in the same spot as the vaccine ingredient they're meant to boost, to help nearby immune cells learn to recognize the germ. If the two shots are given in different places, he said, "you don't see that effect."

In response to Kennedy's claims, scientists say that anything that acts as an adjuvant can, in principle, also boost an allergic response. But that doesn't mean aluminum-adjuvanted vaccines are turning children into food-allergic time bombs. Antigens in vaccines such as the hepatitis B surface antigen or HPV proteins are not allergens, and no food proteins are put into vaccines.

Animal experiments

Animal studies form the basis of Kennedy's claim that aluminum adjuvants in vaccines can create allergies. In these experiments, scientists deliberately sensitize rats or mice by injecting them with a food protein mixed with aluminum. The aluminum strengthens the immune response, but it does not cause an allergy by itself.

"That's the basis for a lot of the experimental mouse models, where you inject a food allergen with an aluminum adjuvant to sensitize the mice," HogenEsch said. "I'm not aware of any food antigen being included in vaccines, and so I don't really see a way by which this could happen."

Ross Kedl, a professor of immunology and microbiology at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, went further, noting that there is no plausible route for vaccines to create a peanut allergy out of thin air. "Someone would have had to mix peanut proteins in with the actual vaccine prior to injection."

Stefan H. E. Kaufmann, director emeritus at the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology in Berlin, said results from mice often don't match what happens in people, because "mice are much easier to push into allergic reactions than humans." In other words, what looks dramatic in a rodent study doesn't automatically apply to human immune systems.

And in this case, it's "important to distinguish between how aluminum behaves in lab animals versus people," Kaufmann said.

Human studies

Beyond animal models and theoretical scenarios, scientists have looked hard for signals of harm in large human datasets.

In 2023, a study by the Vaccine Safety Datalink, a collaboration coordinated by the CDC, reported a slight increase in asthma among children with higher aluminum exposure before age 2, but the association disappeared in further analyses.

"That paper was roundly criticized," Offit said. "When they controlled for breastfeeding, the association between asthma and receipt of aluminum-adjuvant-containing vaccines disappeared."

"It should never have been published," he said.

Kathy Edwards, professor emerita of pediatrics at Vanderbilt University, said that false signals are common when large databases are mined for dozens of outcomes.

"When you look at a hundred different things, just by the law of percentages, some of those may look like there is a signal," she said. "The whole RFK Jr. assessment is really prone to cherry-picking," she said, adding that "there does need to be some kind of basic understanding of statistics for people to interpret this."

Soon after the 2023 U.S. findings drew attention, scientists at the CDC contacted Anders Hviid, head of epidemiology research at the Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen, Denmark, to see whether his team could replicate the work.

"It makes perfect sense to try to replicate findings of any kind in different data sources," Hviid said.

Hviid's nationwide Danish study followed 1.2 million children over two decades, using linked national health registries that record every vaccination and diagnosis.

"Our health care system is quite egalitarian. It's free, and there's universal access. And everyone is in these nationwide registers," he said. Their findings: no increased risk of these conditions associated with increasing amounts of aluminum received through the vaccines.

Rare bumps

Doctors have documented one genuine reaction to aluminum adjuvants: itchy nodules at the injection site, called "pruritic granulomas." These small bumps are so rare that most allergists and pediatricians will never see a single case.

This reaction "doesn't lead to something bad, and it really isn't associated with anything other than that local irritation," Edwards said.

Researchers believe these bumps represent a localized immune responsemeaning only in the area of the injection, not a body-wide allergythat is very different from the kind of immediate allergic reaction people treat with antihistamines.

These include the reactions driven by food or bee stings, when histamine, the body's own alarm signal, floods the system within minutes and causes hives, swelling, or breathing trouble. Kedl said that distinction often gets lost in public debate.

Eliminating aluminum adjuvants

For many experts, the real issue is not just whether aluminum is safe but what happens to the entire vaccine program if aluminum adjuvants are stripped out. For many modern vaccines that rely on a single purified proteinsuch as those for diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, hepatitis B, and HPVadjuvants are crucial.

Edwards said that simply swapping in a different adjuvant isn't realistic.

"They're kind of all built on one another," she said.

Once a vaccine has been proved to work and become the standard of care, new or updated versions are generally no longer tested against a placebo in people who should be getting that vaccine. Instead, they're tested against the existing product, which means each approval rests on the one before it.

Core childhood vaccines would probably have to be reformulated, and large clinical trials would have to be repeated to prove the new products are safe and effective. Meanwhile, production gaps and shortages would have to be managed, potentially for years, while manufacturers and regulators start overall while diseases such as whooping cough, hepatitis B, and HPV-related cancers gain more room to spread.

"The aluminum adjuvants have sort of hit the sweet spot in terms of being effective at inducing a robust antibody response that is protective for those vaccines in which they're being used and being very safe," HogenEsch said. "It would be quite frankly foolish to try to eliminate them."

A century of safe use

The DTaP, hepatitis B, and HPV vaccines all contain aluminum adjuvants and have been in use for nearly a century. Large-scale studies show no link between aluminum and systemic allergic disease.

"We have had aluminum adjuvants in vaccines for decades," Edwards said. "I have grandchildren. My grandchildren have received all of their vaccines. And I do not worry about the safety of them."

If aluminum is falsely cast as the villain and vaccine uptake falls, experts warn, the consequences will not be theoretical: more measles in schools, more meningitis in college dorms, and more young adults dying of cancers that HPV shots could have prevented.

In their view, the real danger isn't the trace amounts of a metal that children already encounter every day. It's rolling back the protection aluminum-adjuvanted vaccines have provided for generations.

That's the trade-off Offit hopes parents will see. "A choice not to get a vaccine is not a risk-free choice," he said. "It's just a choice to take a different risk."

2025 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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The January 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires Overlaid With Highly, Moderately, and Minimally Exposed Census Tracts. Credit: JAMA Health Forum (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2025.4632

When uncontrolled wildfires moved from the foothills above Los Angeles into the densely populated urban areas below in January 2025, evacuation ensued and a thick layer of toxic smoke spread across the region. Air quality plummeted. Local hospitals braced for a surge, but it never came.

Research led by the University of Washington and Kaiser Permanente Southern California sheds new light on how the Los Angeles fires affected people's health, and how people navigated the health care system during an emergency.

In the rapid study, published in JAMA Health Forum, researchers analyzed the health records of 3.7 million Kaiser Permanente members of all ages living in the region. They found that health care visits did rise above normal levels, especially virtual services.

Key findings on health care visits

In the week after the fires ignited, Kaiser Permanente members made 42% more virtual visits for respiratory symptoms than expected. Those living near a burn zone or within Los Angeles County also made 44% and 40% more virtual cardiovascular visits, respectively, than expected.

In-person outpatient visits for respiratory symptoms also increased substantially. Members who lived near a burn zone or within Los Angeles County made 27% and 31% more virtual cardiovascular visits, respectively, than expected.

Extrapolating to all insured residents of the county, the researchers estimated an excess of 15,792 cardiovascular virtual visits, 18,489 respiratory virtual visits and 27,903 respiratory outpatient visits in the first week of the fires.

The results suggest that people may rely more heavily on virtual health care during climate-related emergencies, and that providers should better prioritize virtual and telehealth services as they prepare for future crises.

"We saw over 6,241 excess cardiorespiratory virtual visits in the week following the fire ignition. This represents a substantial increase in care," said Joan Casey, a UW associate professor of environmental and occupational health sciences and of epidemiology who led the research. "While the fires clearly impacted health, virtual care likely enhanced the ability of providers to meet the health care needs of people experiencing an ongoing climate disaster."

Exposure levels and additional impacts

In collaboration with Kaiser Permanente Southern California, an integrated health care system with millions of members across the region, researchers analyzed health records of people who were highly or moderately exposed to wildfires. They defined high exposure as living within about 12 miles (20 kilometers) of a burn zone, and moderate exposure as living within Los Angeles County but farther than 12 miles during the time of the fires.

Researchers looked back three years to estimate how many health care visits to expect in the weeks following Jan. 7the first day of the firesunder typical conditions. They then estimated how many people sought care in the first week of the fires, when smoke levels were highest, evacuations took place, and Los Angeles County public schools were closed.

In addition to the spike in cardiovascular and respiratory visits, researchers found a sharp increase in the number of visits for injuries and neuropsychiatric symptoms. On Jan. 7, outpatient injury visits were 18% higher than expected among highly exposed members, and virtual injury visits were 26% and 18% higher than expected among highly and moderately exposed groups, respectively. Among those same groups, outpatient neuropsychiatric visits rose 31% and 28% above expectations, respectively.

While both groups made significantly more visits than expected, proximity to the fires mattered. When researchers zoomed in on respiratory-related virtual visits, they found that minimally exposed members made 31% more visits, moderately exposed members made 36% more, and those living in highly exposed areas made 42% more.

Implications for future disaster response

"While health care systems often plan to increase the number of hospital beds available or clinic staffing during an emergency, this work highlights the importance of considering virtual care capacity," said Lauren Wilner, a UW doctoral student of epidemiology and co-author on the study.

"This may be particularly true for climate disasters like wildfires, during which people are advised to stay indoors or when people must evacuatemotivating them to seek care online if at all possible. As climate disasters increase in frequency and intensity, it is essential that health care systems know how to prepare for a sudden and dramatic surge in health care utilization."

More information: Joan A. Casey et al, The 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires and Outpatient Acute Health Care Utilization, JAMA Health Forum (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2025.4632 Journal information: JAMA Health Forum
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Canada's latest auditor general's report reveals an uncomfortable truth: billions of dollars and countless commitments later, the federal government still cannot demonstrate meaningful improvement in health services for First Nations.

As a family physician working in my First Nation, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory in southern Ontario, I see the evidence of this failure not in spreadsheets but in peoplepatients navigating a health system that remains structurally unequal.

Nearly 10 years after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's (TRC) Calls to Action, it is clear that reconciliation without accountability delivers only rhetoric, not care.

The report states: "Increasing First Nations' capacity to deliver programs and services within their communities is critical to improving outcomes for First Nations people and supporting reconciliation."

Yet the same report concludes that the department has taken a "passive and siloed approach" to supporting First Nations. It found unsatisfactory progress on five of 11 recommendations first issued in 2015 regarding access to health services for remote communities.

Encountering racism

A decade later, systemic barriers remaingeography may vary, but inequity is consistent.

Even in communities like mine, which sit within driving distance of tertiary care, accessing culturally safe services is far from guaranteed.

Patients still encounter racism in hospitals and clinics. Providers still rotate through Indigenous communities rather than build lasting relationships. And families still find themselves falling through the cracks between federal and provincial systems that debate who pays instead of who helps.

The auditor general's report acknowledges some progressmore nurse practitioners and paramedics working in First Nations communitiesbut the average monthly vacancy rate remains 21%. Constant turnover and short-term contracts erode trust, continuity and quality of care.

The auditor general also found no satisfactory progress on any previous recommendations to ensure that First Nations communities have ongoing access to safe drinking water. Clean water is the most basic determinant of health, yet its absence continues to expose the limits of Canada's political will.

A decade later, inequity remains

The TRC Calls to Action related to healthnumbers 18 through 24called for eliminating inequities, recognizing Indigenous healing practices, increasing Indigenous professionals in health care and ensuring Indigenous leadership in governance.

But the Yellowhead Institute's September 2025 report, Braiding Accountability, shows that Canada remains mired in performative progress. Institutions have reached the "strengthen" phasehiring Indigenous staff or creating advisory councilsbut rarely the "change" phase, where Indigenous Nations co-develop priorities, indicators and accountability measures.

Under Call 19, the report notes, the goal of measurable progress toward health equity is undermined by the "absence of Indigenous data sovereignty." Instead, "institutions report on activities, not results, using settler-defined metrics that obscure ongoing inequities."

As a medical educator, I see this mirrored in our training systems. Under Call 23, governments were urged to increase Indigenous representation in health professions.

Yet, Braiding Accountability points to ongoing gaps in representation and a lack of meaningful data on whether Indigenous professionals are actually being retained or advancing into leadership. It notes that recruitment efforts often amount to a revolving door: institutions bring Indigenous staff into environments that remain unwelcoming, and then attribute their departures to supposed cultural issues rather than addressing the systemic problems that drove them away.

And perhaps the sharpest critique of all: Failing to shift authority and decision-making to Indigenous communities simply continues the very colonial dynamics that made the push for Indigenous health professionals necessary in the first place.

At Queen's, through the Queen's-Weeneebayko Health Education Programwhich I leadwe are trying to do things differently by building pathways for Indigenous learners to study in their own regions, guided by Indigenous leadership and values.

The goal of this program is to transform who holds power in the health system.

A moment of possibility

There is, however, a reason for cautious optimism. With recent cabinet appointments, Canada now has its first Indigenous minister of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). Mandy Gull-Masty's appointment represents the first time an Indigenous woman leads the very department responsible for addressing these systemic failures.

Her lived experience as an Indigenous woman positions her to see what others have not: that reconciliation cannot be achieved through bureaucratic procedure, but through the transfer of decision-making power to Indigenous governments and communities.

Real progress will mean dismantling silos, resourcing First Nations to design and deliver their own health systems and holding all levels of government accountable to measurable outcomes.

It will mean embedding Indigenous data sovereignty and governance into every facet of health planning so Indigenous Peoples can finally define what success looks like on their own terms.

The human costand the hope

Every audit finding has a face. For me, it's the patient who avoids seeking hospital care after a racist encounter, the Elder who still boils her water each morning and the young Indigenous medical student who tells me she wonders if she truly belongs.

These stories are a reminder that inequity does not end where the roads begin. Reconciliation will never be achieved through rhetoric or reports alone. It demands couragethe courage to transfer power, to embrace accountability and to care enough to change.

The appointment of an Indigenous minister offers a moment of possibility. If Gull-Masty can insist that reconciliation be measured in lives improved, systems restructured and trust rebuilt, then perhaps Canada will see real transformation.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Overcoming the political constraints on academic and biopharma drug discovery needs. Credit: Ekins & Slusher, Current Biology

In the face of US federal funding cuts, biomedical researchers propose strategies for continued progress in drug discovery. Publishing in Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, their recommendations include harnessing AI and computational analyses in early-stage research, diversifying funding sources, pursuing earlier licensing and commercialization, and fostering international collaborations.

"Scientific innovation in the US is in jeopardy," says author Barbara Slusher of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery. "These are some steps we could take to ensure continued scientific progress despite this challenging climate."

It takes twelve years on average for a new drug to go from discovery to commercialization. In the US, the early stages of this process are usually carried out by small biotechnology companies and academic research labs that are largely funded by government agencies such as the NIH and NSF.

If these small research groups are unable to continue to conduct research, large pharmaceutical companieswhich typically only become involved once products have passed a certain stage of testingwill have to look elsewhere to fill their pipelines.

Concerns over global competition

"The concern is that if pharma is not finding innovative, license-ready programs emerging from US small companies and academic labs, they may increasingly look to other countriessuch as Chinawhere substantial investment in science and technology is generating a growing pipeline of assets," says Slusher.

To allow small US companies and academic labs to remain competitive in health care innovation, the authors say that researchers should embrace approaches such as AI and computational analyses to cut down on laboratory costs.

"When traditional funding is scarce, computational approaches and AI offer a cost-effective way to accelerate discovery and reduce experimental overhead before expensive laboratory work is undertaken," says author Sean Ekins, CEO and cofounder of Collaborations Pharmaceuticals.

Diversifying funding and commercialization strategies

The authors also say that small companies and academic labs will need to find ways to diversify their funding sources by pursuing grants from philanthropic foundations, pharmaceutical companies, global charities, and even crowdfunding. Labs that produce their own software or specialized technologies could also sell these products to help fund their ongoing research, they say.

"What I've learned over the last nine months is that we shouldn't be reliant on a sole source for our research income," says Slusher. "I think it's an important lesson for all scientists to think about diversifying the way they are bringing in resources to fund their laboratories."

The funding cuts might also mean that small research groups will need to license and commercialize products sooner than they otherwise would, the authors say. They noted that earlier licensing could mean that these small companies make less profit in the long term.

The importance of collaboration and future outlook

Another strategy to keep small companies resilient is to engage in large collaborations, including international and public-private partnerships, the authors say. They point to the fact that these types of collaborations are the norm in Europe, where they allow small research groups to expand their capabilities by sharing infrastructure and access to data and patient groups.

"This also ties into our diversification of funding. Having collaborations means that I don't have to bring in 100% of the funding to move a project forward," says Slusher.

Finding a way to keep health care innovation alive in the US is essential for the country's public health, the researchers say. It's also essential for the researchers themselves.

"We worry about the impact of these cuts on the next generation of scientists," says Ekins. "Careers are made or broken with funding, and if the funding isn't here, scientific talent is going to go elsewhere."

More information: Resilient pathways for drug discovery in challenging times, Trends in Pharmacological Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2025.10.006 Journal information: Current Biology
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Properly matching wheelchairs to the physical capabilities of residents requiring long-term care is critical for maintaining safety and mobility.

Under Japan's long-term care insurance system, multifunctional wheelchairsequipped with various supportive featurescan be rented for home use at relatively low cost. However, once individuals enter nursing homes, access to these rental services is discontinued.

As a result, residents who had used multifunctional wheelchairs prior to admission are often required to use standard, facility-owned wheelchairs that may not adequately meet their functional needs. This discontinuity in wheelchair provision may increase the risk of falls or fractures among newly admitted residents.

The study, published in the JMA Journal, analyzed data from 215 older adults in Ibaraki Prefecture who had used wheelchair rental services before entering nursing homes. Approximately 40% of these individuals had used multifunctional wheelchairs prior to admission.

Among them, five experienced fractures after admission, while no fractures occurred among those who had used standard wheelchairs before entering nursing homes.

It is important to note that the study could not confirm the specific wheelchair models used after admission or the exact circumstances surrounding the fractures.

Therefore, although the results suggest a potential association between discontinuation of multifunctional wheelchairs and increased fracture risk, a causal relationship cannot be conclusively established.

Nevertheless, this research represents the first quantitative assessment to highlight the potential impact of wheelchair continuity on fracture risk among nursing home residents.

Future investigations will include questionnaire-based surveys to better understand wheelchair provision practices within nursing homes and to explore broader health outcomes associated with disrupted wheelchair use.

The ultimate goal is to support the development of care systems that ensure continued access to appropriate wheelchairs for residents after admission.

More information: Ai Suzuki, et al. Type of Wheelchair Used before Nursing Home Admission and Fall-Related Fractures after Nursing Home Admission, JMA Journal (2025). DOI: 10.31662/jmaj.2025-0194
Ukraines landscape is changing, and so is the vehicle demand. Japanese vehicles have long been the kings of long-lasting vehicles, and it is no different in Ukraine. The ongoing war has driven up fuel prices, so drivers are now prioritising fuel economy.





This shift towards EVs and hybrids is driving up demand for Japanese used cars in Ukraine. From businessmen to families, all prefer Japanese vehicles for their daily commute. This blog presents a list of Japanese car brands that are currently the most popular in Ukraines market.

1. Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 is one of the most popular Japanese vehicles in Ukraine and for all the right reasons. For years, people in Ukraine have trusted Toyota for producing the most affordable and long-lasting vehicles. Ever since the Toyota RAV4 entered the market with its hybrid variant, Ukrainians have been overjoyed. UNN claims that the Toyota RAV4 topped the ranking of the most popular hybrids in Ukraine in August 2025. Ukrainians really value what the Toyota RAV4 has to offer: Power and fuel efficiency, both at the same time. Ever since the fuel prices skyrocketed in Ukraine, the demand for fuel-efficient cars has grown. Moreover, we know that Ukraine has difficult terrain with snowy roads in winter. For that, people demand a vehicle with all-wheel drive. People, especially in the cities of Kyiv and Lviv, prefer the RAV4 Hybrid AWD version. For all of these reasons, the Toyota RAV4 ranks at the top in Ukraine.

2. Mazda CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 is one of the most sought-after Japanese SUVs in Ukraine. Sources claim that there are a total of 1,738 units in Ukraine as of the previous year. Ukrainians value the Mazda CX-5 because of its off-road capability. It attracts them because they can use it for both their daily chores and long road trips. It has an all-wheel drive, which gives the car traction to withstand snowy road conditions and also uneven roads. Ukrainians generally prefer to directly import the Mazda CX-5 from Japan because Japanese Mazda has better mileage, features, and is well-maintained. For these reasons, the Mazda CX-5 has been among the most imported used Japanese cars in Ukraine. The 2025 Mazda CX-5 2.5L petrol version runs around 7.8L/100 Km. This gives the vehicle an advantage in Ukraine market due to Ukraines skyrocketing fuel prices.

3. Toyota Camry

Next in line, the Toyota Camry is one of the most imported used Japanese cars in Ukraine. Usually, business owners and managers prefer the Toyota Camry in Ukraine as everyone recognises it as an executive-class sedan.

Envision it as a status car that doesn't carry the luxury stamp. Regardless of being popular in Ukraine, the Camry is one of the most popular Toyota vehicles throughout the globe. Its parts are available at any corner of the world, including Ukraine. Kyiv and Lviv are among the busiest roads in Ukraine, and fuel-efficient vehicles like the Toyota Camry Hybrid really help with cutting down on running costs. Its resale value is also high in Ukraine. Of all the Camry models, the 2.5 Hybrid model is the one Ukrainians import the most.

4. Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf is the most popular Japanese EV in Ukraine. Think of it this way, Ukraine has over 10,000 Leaf owners, which gives the car an edge in the country. We can easily say that it's the most highly sought electric car on Ukrainian roads. Ukrainian buyers prefer the Leaf because it has a low upfront cost and is cheap to run if you compare it to European electric cars. Ukrainians directly import the Leaf from Japan auctions or sometimes the USA. Since it is an EV, it is very common in the main cities of Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa. In these busy cities, people need a vehicle that helps them save on fuel costs. Nissan Leaf remains the top EV choice as Ukraines network grows.

5. Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Outlander has an outstanding number of owners in Ukraine. To be specific, there are over 1,800 Mitsubishi Outlander units in Ukraine. It is a plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, and the Ukrainian government gave over 635 Outlanders to the police as part of its initiative. So why is the Outlander so popular in Ukraine? It's because of its fuel-saving property, which cuts on its running costs, and also the fact that SUVs are the most popular type of vehicle in Ukraine. An SUV like the Mitsubishi Outlander is able to withstand Ukraines snowy surfaces in winter, and this is why people prefer to buy these. The model also has some of the best safety features, such as the Active Blind Spot Assist and the Rear Automatic Emergency Braking. All of these properties together are the reason why Ukrainians trust the vehicle this much.

6. Lexus ES Hybrid

When it comes to luxury vehicles in Ukraine, the Lexus ES hybrid definitely tops the charts. When people in Ukraine think of investing in a luxury vehicle, the Lexus ES Hybrid is the first that comes to mind. They prefer Japanese luxury cars over German and European ones because it's much less costly to maintain Japanese cars. Lexus ES Hybrid does have a high upfront cost, but a less running costs as its Hybrid technology means fewer trips to the gas station. On top of everything, Japanese Lexus trims have the best safety features, low mileage, and the best quality interior.

7. Honda CR-V

Honda CR-V steals all crossovers spotlight and consistently ranks among the top crossovers in Ukraine. Like other crossovers, the Honda CR-V has an all-wheel drive, which makes traveling on uneven surfaces convenient. Ukrainians consider it to be a good investment for their family. It also has a very strong resale value in Ukraine, as the Honda CR-V does not lose more than 47% of its value even after five years of running on Ukrainian roads. For all of these reasons, families love the Honda CR-V for their long-distance travels.

8. Nissan X Trail

Think of Japanese Crossovers, and the Nissan X Trail is definitely a name that will come to your mind. Ukrainians love it for its All Wheel Drive system and high ground clearance which enables it to withstand the tough Ukrainian snowy roads in winter.

It is a multipurpose vehicle, so people prefer it because they can use it on both off-road and paved roads. Unlike many other SUVs, the Nissan X-Trail is comparatively inexpensive but has a history of being a long-lasting SUV. Since it's long-lasting and offers impressive mileage, it has a very high resale value in Ukraine. Ukrainians import it directly from Japan, as the Japanese models have the best safety features and are low-mileage. These reasons make the Nissan X-Trail a popular choice among Ukrainian families.

9. Suzuki SX-4

The Suzuki SX-4 is a very affordable Crossover for the Ukrainian population. It is not only inexpensive, but it also lives up to the Japanese legacy for being a long-lasting and fuel-efficient vehicle. When upfront costs become a dealbreaker, people consider buying a simple, practical vehicle like the Suzuki SX-4. Suzuki SX4 sales in Ukraine rose significantly in 2020 and have been growing since then. Ukrainians can readily find this model at both used and new Japanese car markets.

10. Subaru Legacy

The Subaru Legacy has a strong hold in the Ukrainian market. The car looks very contemporary and has all the features families need for road trips. People love it as it has a good grip on all kinds of surfaces from snowy to muddy to rocky, it can withstand it all. All thanks to its signature Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Whether it's the busy streets of Kyiv and Lviv, or the off-road cities, the Subaru Legacy is suitable everywhere.

Final Thoughts

We see how used Japanese cars dominate the Ukrainian market and have a strong hold there. When we observe the most popular Japanese used cars in Ukraine, we see that Ukrainians prefer vehicles that have a low running cost. From EVs like the Nissan Leaf to hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius, they prefer the ones that help them save on fuel costs. How can we forget the Toyota Land Cruiser Prados off-road capability? Together, all of these vehicles dominate the Ukrainian roads.

  




The Revenue Department committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary of the Vikas Kharge tasked with probing lapses in the Pune land-deal scam allegedly linked to Parth Pawar, son of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, appears to be veering towards the view that no stamp-duty penalty can be sustained in the case, sources familiar with the inquiry have indicated.



Last week, another High-Power Committee headed by Joint Inspector General of Registration (IGR) Rajendra Muthe had notably left out Parth Pawars name in its FIR, as he was not a signatory to the disputed transaction.



The scandal involves an alleged attempt to grab a 40-acre plot Mahar Watan land near Punes Koregaon Park worth Rs 1,800 crore for a mere Rs 300 crore by Amadea, a company in which Parth is a partner. The sale deed was scrapped after the controversy broke out over non-payment of stamp duty worth Rs 21 crore.



A red-faced state government set up two probe panels  the Muthe Committee to look into levy and evasion of stamp duty, and the five-member Kharge Committee to investigate alleged irregularities in land transactions pertaining to the plot.



The Kharge Committees mandate included examining whether any irregularities took place, identifying those responsible, and recommending action if wrongdoing is detected. It has also been tasked with suggesting measures to restore the land to its original status, as well as proposing safeguards to prevent such incidents in the future.



According to officials involved in the probe, the Kharge panel examined multiple documents to scrutinise how the land deal was executed and what paperwork was used for the registration. The committee observed that since the land in question remains with the government and was never transferred to Amadea Enterprises LLP, it might be difficult to justify the imposition of the Rs 42-crore stamp-duty penalty. The view within the panel is that such a penalty may not stand legal scrutiny.



Investigators also found that the registration of the land was carried out using allegedly bogus and fraudulent documents, without any approval from the government. Initial findings further reveal that the Power of Attorney submitted in support of the deal was purportedly obtained from individuals who were already deceased.



While the committee may seek a legal opinion before finalising its conclusion, sources said the prevailing assessment is that invoking the stamp-duty penalty is untenable. The criminal aspects of the case are being probed separately by the local police, whose FIR does not name Parth Pawar.



According to officials familiar with the discussions, the panel believes that no loss has been caused to the government, as the land continues to remain with the state and was never transferred to the company linked to Parth Pawar. The proposed Rs 42-crore stamp-duty penalty  Rs 21 crore for registration, from which the Pawar-linked company received a 100 per cent waiver, and another Rs 21 crore for cancellation of the deed  may also not stand, officials said.



Since the land was never transferred and continues to be recorded as Mahar Watan, the government is reassessing the legal viability of imposing the penalty. Investigators are also probing how the Mahar Watan entry resurfaced in 2018, replacing Mumbai Sarkar, which appeared on the 7/12 land records until then. Officials further found that the registration was carried out based on allegedly forged documents, including a power of attorney that is now under scrutiny.



However, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has stated that the Pawar-linked company must pay the Rs 42 crore required for cancellation of the deal.




Four cups of coffee a day might add years to a person's life.

A cup of coffee

A new study claims that people with severe mental disorders (SMD), including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, gain the equivalent of five extra biological years if they drink between three and four cups daily.

Published by the British Medical Journal Group, the research centres on telomeres  the tiny caps that sit on the ends of chromosomes and protect DNA from damage.

SMD patients typically have shorter telomeres, contributing to accelerated ageing and a life expectancy roughly 15 years shorter than the general population.

But coffee, it turns out, may slow some of that decline.

The researchers wrote: "Based on an average of 70-base pair reductions per year, this represents five years younger biological age in the coffee-drinking group."

The team analysed blood samples from 436 patients aged 18 to 65, recruited from psychiatric units across Oslo.

Participants were split into groups: no coffee, 12 cups, 34 cups and five or more.

Telomere length formed a clear J-shaped curve: those drinking 34 cups had the longest telomeres, while heavy drinkers - five or more cups a day - experienced shorter telomeres and increased ageing.

Coffees protective effect may be tied to its potent antioxidant compounds, including chlorogenic acid, cafestol, kahweol, trigonelline and melanoidins.

These may help reduce inflammation - a hallmark of many psychiatric disorders - and shield telomeres from oxidative stress.

The authors noted: "Coffee has been noted to contain several bioactive compounds all of which possess potent antioxidant properties."

But experts warn not to take the findings as a licence to chain-drink espresso.

Dr. Elizabeth Akam of Loughborough University, who was not involved in the research, cautioned: "Coffee contains many different compounds  and we dont know which of these were administered, in what doses, or how much actually ended up in the bloodstream."

She added that self-reported coffee intake makes the evidence a mixed bag, and pointed out that caffeine itself has been linked to telomere shortening.
A 10-year-old boy with bronchial asthma was rushed to a clinic recently after developing breathing difficulty.



Dr Harish Chafale, senior consultant chest physician, intensivist and sleep disorder specialist at Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, said the childs condition deteriorated after he was exposed to early-morning cold air, dense smog, and dust from construction activity near his school.



In the early mornings, Mumbai is covered in smog and construction dust to the extent that you cant even see buildings normally visible in daylight, Dr Chafale said. The child inhaled that polluted air during physical education period and developed significant breathing distress, he added.



From a distance, I could make out that his bronchospasm was extremely tight. He was in respiratory distress, Dr Chafale said.



The doctor diagnosed severe asthma exacerbation triggered not by infection but by environmental exposure. He administered back-to-back nebulisations with salbutamol, after which the childs oxygen levels improved. If he hadnt come that evening, his oxygen saturation could have dropped overnight. He might have lost consciousness and landed directly in the ICU, he said.



Mumbai is experiencing a major spike in respiratory complaints, with public and private hospitals reporting that 40 per cent to 50 per cent of OPD visits over the past two weeks have been for persistent cough, cold, sore throat and upper respiratory infections.



Doctors attribute the surge to a rise in construction works, dust and sudden fluctuations in night temperature combined with consistently poor air quality. Many warn that prolonged exposure to pollution and lack of timely medical intervention are worsening symptoms.



A growing number of cases resemble that of 12-year-old Soumya Pandey, who developed a cough due to excessive dust caused by construction works. Despite antibiotics and tests, she showed little improvement until she was diagnosed with an upper respiratory tract infection and treated with inhaled steroids.



BMC hospitals have recorded a 50 per cent jump in pneumonia and similar infections, attributed to sudden weather shifts and weak immunity after reduced exposure to viruses during the pandemic. Paediatric OPDs in private hospitals now manage up to 120 children daily with respiratory issues.



Worsening pollution, irregular mask use, poor hygiene, and seasonal changes are intensifying infections, said Dr Surbhi Rathi. Seasonal surges among children are expected, with fever typically resolving quickly, though cough and cold symptoms tend to linger longer. She attributed this rise to rapid dust shifts and an early onset of cooler conditions.



To limit exposure, Dr Chafale recommended that asthmatic children wear a triple-layered mask while travelling to school. He also stressed the importance of improving indoor air quality. People often burn incense sticks or dhoop while praying. While worship is important, these practices significantly pollute indoor air, he said.



Dr Amit P Ghawade, consultant paediatrician and neonatologist, Motherhood Hospitals, Kharghar, said that 7 out of 10 children aged 310 visiting his clinic present with respiratory complaints.



One of his patients, nine-year-old Arnav Khanna (name changed), developed continuous coughing, breathlessness and fatigue after prolonged exposure to dust. Doctors discovered chest congestion, low oxygen levels, and signs of pneumonia. Arnav required hospital admission, antibiotics, fever-control medicines, oxygen support, and fluids. He was monitored for seven days. His oxygen levels normalised and energy improved. He recovered fully and returned to school after 20 days, Dr Ghawade said.



In another case, 22-year-old Roshni Vishwakarma from Mahape developed severe headaches, eye redness, and temporary vision loss due to prolonged exposure to construction dust. She was diagnosed with Benign Intracranial Hypertension, where increased pressure in the skull compresses the optic nerve. As medication failed, doctors performed a Transnasal Endoscopic Optic Nerve Decompression, a rare minimally invasive surgery. Roshni has now fully recovered and resumed her studies.



Dr Prakash Ghag, physician, highlighted that reduced mask usage and poor air quality have made viral infections more common. He pointed out that symptoms such as high fever, throat pain, headaches, body aches, and digestive issues are frequently observed, and emphasised the importance of rest, hydration and proper nutrition.



Insurance providers are witnessing a sharp rise in pollution-linked ailments, now accounting for over 8 per cent of all hospitalisation claims, with a noticeable spike from October to December. In September, nearly 9 per cent of claims in Mumbai were tied to illnesses triggered by poor air quality  ranging from respiratory infections and COPD flare-ups to cardiac issues, allergies, skin disorders, and pregnancy complications.



Children are the worst affected: 43 per cent of pollution-related claims involve children under 10, compared with 14 per cent among adults aged 3140 and just 7 per cent in seniors. Post-Diwali, claims rise from 6.4 per cent to nearly 9 per cent, mirroring Mumbais worsening AQI. The city now accounts for 5.94 per cent of Indias pollution-related claims.



Claims have increased for asthma, COPD, arrhythmia, eczema, conjunctivitis, sinusitis, and pregnancy complications, said insurance agent Naveen Suvarna. Respiratory treatment costs rose 11 per cent, cardiac by 6 per cent, and the average pollution-related claim stands at Rs 55,263, with daily hospitalisation costing around Rs 19,076. If pollution levels continue their upward trend, experts predict 810 per cent of all health claims in the coming years may be linked to poor air quality.




If the air quality index (AQI) in Mumbai remains above 200 for three consecutive days, all construction work will be halted, and if the AQI in the suburbs exceeds 300 for three consecutive days, the same rule will apply, the BMC has said.



The civic body will not issue any notices before taking action, an official said. Weve already issued enough notices and warnings; now is the time for direct action.



Since 2023, the BMC administration has been developing several plans to improve Mumbais air quality, controlling pollution from construction and other sources. However, with the lack of positive results, it is now preparing to take stricter measures. This policy proposes two types of action: First, a positive one, and second, a direct shutdown of work for violations.



A senior official involved in the planning said that in areas of the city where the AQI registers above 200 for three consecutive days, our teams will immediately stop all construction activities, whether government or private. Once work is stopped, projects that are following 27 guidelines related to preventing air pollution will be allowed to resume first. Air quality will also be monitored for 36 to 72 hours before resumption. The same process will apply in the suburbs if the AQI limit exceeds 300.



What are the obstacles?



The official said that the process faces several hurdles, such as dividing the area and shutting down projects whose construction isnt causing pollution. Installing sensors throughout the city and suburbs, and uploading the data to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) server. To overcome these hurdles, were working on creating a dashboard that will allow us to monitor air pollution from each project.



The BMC will implement several air pollution control measures. The most important of these initiatives is a deep clean drive, which will wash all roads with water from tankers. The BMC will also use misting machines to reduce pollution, spraying mist. Furthermore, action will be taken against those who burn coal or bonfires during the winter.




A few years ago, Ruskin Bond mused that India might soon have more writers than readers. It felt like a joke then. Now it sounds accurate. In Mumbai, new books appear constantly, yet only a few reach shelves or festivals. A debut author enters the scene like a swimmer dropped into rough water with no clear shore.



This gap pushed Rachna Kalra, a book and author publicist, to rethink the usual launch. She wanted an event that avoids the isolated single-author format and turns the room into a conversation. Her idea combined a Victorian debutante ball with a speed-dating session because, as she notes, unless a debut writer already has an audience or celebrity, it can be difficult to bring in readers for any single author by themselves. She wanted a platform that showcases several writers and builds a community of readers in the city.



The result places readers at the centre, where varied tastes spark the kind of discovery a one-author event seldom provides.



Same but different



For this edition, Kalra selected five women writers with sharply different styles. Anisha Lalvanis Girls Who Stray follows a young woman back from England who enters an affair that unsettles her sense of adulthood. Bhavika Govils Hot Water examines desire, adolescent identity, motherhood and grief. Ponnu Mathews The Remnants of Rebellion explores how caste, class, colonialism and religion shape families. Uttama Kirit Patels Shape of an Apostrophe follows a Dubai-based Indian woman who faces an unexpected pregnancy after choosing a life without motherhood. Arunima Tenzin Taras The Ex Daughters of Tolstoy House calls itself a macabre crime novel and a near hypnotic study of evil.



Kalra notes the limited space for debut writers. Beyond the broader commonalities of all these authors being debutants and women, I wanted to represent different types of writing and different subjects. She believes varied publishers and styles help widen the audience. A five-writer panel keeps the format focused and interactive.



A sense of belonging



Tara describes writing as an isolating pursuit. Writing can be a very lonely activity. So, to have an event where you can celebrate this with other new authors who have gone through the same experience is a wonderful change. Patel focuses on the scarcity of access for new voices. In her view, in-person events can shift the early life of a book. In-person events are more impactful because of the quality of exchange that can take place. I have participated in literary festivals where I have been in conversation with other writers. For me, the advantage is the diversity of experiences, narratives and ideas that get shared in the room. Every event is different because of who is present, and there is such value for an author to hear from readers or other writers.



Kalra has invited Shobhaa De as guest of honour, which adds a sense of literary lineage and continuity.



More than words



Visibility remains the steepest climb. As Mathew says, Once my book was published, I realised that getting my work to its audience was a whole new ballgame. You need to have connections and do networking to push your work. As debut authors, breaking into that circle is not easy. Unfortunately, there is a circle. She hopes the event shows the range of new female-led fiction in India. The titles and authors that are a part of this event represent a vibrant diversity of perspectives and stories that deserve to be heard and celebrated.



Govil believes physical gatherings keep momentum alive far beyond a launch and can nudge readers back towards Indian fiction in a climate shaped by Western and East Asian influence. Lalvani values the intimacy of meeting readers. More than ever before, readers want to know the authors behind the books. If they like a book, getting to know the authors personality can deepen that connection.



Debuts & Drafts will be hosted on November 26 at Kitabkhana, Fort. Entry is free and open to all




Calaveras County, CA  Imagine going through the mail and opening a letter that is a transformational funding boost, which is what happened for the nonprofit Habitat for Humanity Calaveras.

Habitat officials called it an unforgettable moment last week when Office Administrator Beth Offield opened the daily mail and unexpectedly discovered a $500,000 check from an anonymous donor. They shared that this gift is one of the largest in the organizations history, and it will impact Calaveras County for generations.

This donation came entirely out of the blue, Offield said. I opened the envelope, saw the zeros, and had to stop and catch my breath. It was overwhelming in the best possible way.

Habitat officials noted that this incredible act of generosity feeds every aspect of Habitat Calaveras mission, including helping seniors, veterans, and low-income families, extending access to affordable homeownership, and moving on with the building of Eureka Oaks, Californias biggest Habitat development. Habitat officials say the large donation strengthens core programs, including:

Critical Home Repairs for seniors, veterans, and families who need accessibility, safety, or emergency structural repairs.

Veterans Build, which engages local vets in community service and assists veteran homeowners with repairs.

Eureka Oaks Development, a 107-home neighborhood in Angels Camp ( Highway 49 off Copello Drive) that will provide long-term affordable homeownership opportunities for hardworking local families.

The most recent report on that development is that the first home foundations will be poured shortly, and this contribution will significantly accelerate that momentum.

Some heroes take center stage. Others choose to stay behind the scenes and change the world anyway, said Morgan Gace, Executive Director of Habitat Calaveras. To our anonymous donor: thank you. Your gift is more than a number on a checkit is stability for future homeowners, critical repairs for those aging in place, dignity for our veterans, and a reminder that compassion can truly move mountains.

With housing costs rising and aging homes in need of repair across the county, this investment helps Habitat Calaveras expand its reach during a time of significant community need. The charity encourages people (residents, companies, and supporters) to give through planned giving, monthly recurring payments, employer-matching gifts, and one-time contributions of any size. For more information or to volunteer, click here.

We are humbled, grateful, and inspired, said Gace. From our board, staff, volunteers, and future homeowners thank you for believing in this work. And to our anonymous donoryour quiet generosity will speak loudly for decades.
McALLEN, Texas (AP)  Yaakub Vijandre was preparing to go to work as a mechanic when six vehicles appeared outside his Dallas-area home. Federal agents jumped out, one pointed a weapon at him, and they took him into custody.

Vijandre is a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, the Obama-era program that has shielded hundreds of thousands of people from deportation since 2012 if they were brought to the United States as children and generally stayed out of trouble. The Trump administration said it targeted Vijandre over social media posts. The freelance videographer and pro-Palestinian activist described his early October arrest to his attorneys, who relayed the information to reporters.

His arrest and several others this year signal a change in how the U.S. is handling DACA recipients as President Donald Trumps administration reshapes immigration policy more broadly. The change comes as immigrants have face increased vetting, including of their social media, when they apply for visas, green cards, citizenship, or to request the release of their children from federal custody. The administration also has sought to deport foreign students for participating in pro-Palestinian activism.

DACA was created to shield recipients, commonly referred to as Dreamers, from immigration arrests and deportation. It also allows them to legally work in the U.S. Recipients reapply every two years. Previously if their status was in jeopardy, they would receive a warning and would still have a chance to fight it before immigration officers detained them and began efforts to deport them.

In response to questions about any changes, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a statement saying that people who claim to be recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are not automatically protected from deportations. DACA does not confer any form of legal status in this country. DACA recipients can lose status for a number of reasons, including if theyve committed a crime, she said.

McLaughlin also claimed in a statement that Vijandre made social media posts glorifying terrorism, including one she said celebrated Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, al-Qaidas leader in Iraq who was killed in a U.S. strike in 2006.

An attorney for Vijandre, Chris Godshall-Bennett, said Vijandres social media activity is clearly protected speech. He also said the government has not provided details about the specific posts in court documents.

Vijandre is among about 20 DACA recipients who have been arrested or detained by immigration authorities since Trump took office in January, according to Home is Here, a campaign created by pro-DACA advocacy groups. The administration is seeking to end his DACA status, which could result in him being deported to the Philippines, a home he has not visited since his family came to the U.S. in 2001, when he was 14.

DACA has faced legal challenges

DACA survived the first Trump administrations attempt to rescind the program when the Supreme Court ruled in 2020 that the administration did not take the proper steps to end it.

There have been other attempts to end the program or place restrictions on recipients.

This year, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling that would deny work permits for DACA recipients who live in Texas. The Trump administration recently presented its plans to a federal judge who is determining how it will work.

The administration also has issued new restrictions on commercial drivers licenses that would prevent DACA recipients and some other immigrants from getting them. Last year, 19 Republican states stripped DACA recipients access to health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. And the number of states where immigrant students can qualify for in-state tuition has dwindled since the Justice Department began suing states this year.

This administration might not be trying to end DACA altogether the way that they did the first time around, but they are chipping away at it, said Juliana Macedo do Nascimento, spokesperson for United We Dream, which is part of Home is Here, the coalition keeping track of public cases of DACA recipients who have been detained.

Detained DACA recipients question their arrests

Catalina Xochitl Santiago Santiago, a 28-year-old activist from El Paso, Texas, was arrested in August despite showing immigration officers a valid work permit obtained through DACA.

Days later, federal officers arrested Paulo Cesar Gamez Lira as the 28-year-old father was arriving at his El Paso home with his children following a doctors appointment. Agents dislocated his shoulder, according to his attorneys.

Both Santiago and Gamez Lira were held for over a month while their attorneys petitioned for their release.

Marisa Ong, an attorney for Santiago and Gamez Lira, said the government failed to notify either of her clients of any intention to terminate their DACA status.

DACA recipients have a constitutionally protected interest in their continued liberty, Ong said, adding that the government cannot take away that liberty without providing some valid reason.

DACA recipients can lose their status if they are convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanors like those involving harming others, driving under the influence or drug distribution, or three or more misdemeanors. They can also lose their status if they pose a threat to national security or public safety.

DHS claimed in a statement that Santiago was previously charged with trespassing, possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia and that Gamez Lira was previously arrested for marijuana possession.

Ong said that when attorneys sought their release the government presented no evidence of any past misconduct by either individual.

Vijandre, the Dallas-area man who was arrested in October, remains in a Georgia detention facility. His attorneys say he received notice two weeks before his arrest that the government planned to terminate his DACA status but that he wasnt given a chance to fight it.

I think that the administration has drawn a very clear line and at least for right now, between citizen and noncitizens, and their goal is to remove as many noncitizens from the country as possible and to make it as difficult as possible for noncitizens to enter the country, Godshall-Bennett, Vijandres attorney, said.

By VALERIE GONZALEZ

Associated Press
PARIS (AP)  Frances top court on Wednesday upheld Nicolas Sarkozys conviction for illegal campaign financing of his 2012 reelection bid, in another blow to the former presidents legacy and reputation.

The decision by the Court of Cassation makes definitive Sarkozys conviction to a year in prison, half of it suspended, for fraudulently overspending on the failed campaign.

Under French law the sentence can be served at home, monitored with an electronic bracelet or other requirements set by a judge.

The decision comes just two weeks after Sarkozys release from prison pending an appeal in another campaign financing case. Sarkozy, 70, was incarcerated for 20 days in Paris La Sante prison, after judges convicted him of scheming to get secret financing from Libya in his winning campaign for the French presidency in 2007. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Heres what to know about Wednesdays decision and other legal proceedings involving Sarkozy.

Rulings meaning

A Paris court in 2021 and an appeals court in 2024 convicted Sarkozy of illegal campaign financing in 2012. Hes accused of having spent almost twice the maximum legal amount of 22.5 million euros ($25.5 million) on the reelection bid that he lost to Francois Hollande, a socialist.

Sarkozys conviction is now considered definitive by French law, with no further appeal possible.

Frances top court isnt reexamining the entire case, but instead is verifying that the law and proceedings rules were properly applied.

The Court of Cassation said in a statement Wednesday that it upholds the appeals court decision convicting a presidential candidate, his campaign manager and two directors of the political party supporting him for illegal campaign financing.

Libya case

Sarkozys appeal trial in the Libya case is scheduled to run from March 16 to June 3.

In September, a Paris court found him guilty of criminal association in a plot from 2005 to 2007, when he served as interior minister, to finance his winning presidential campaign with funds from Libya in exchange for diplomatic favors. It sentenced him to five years in prison.

Sarkozy was cleared of three other charges, including passive corruption, illegal campaign financing and concealing the embezzlement of public funds.

The court found that two of Sarkozys closest associates held secret meetings in 2005 with Abdullah al-Senoussi, the brother-in-law and intelligence chief of longtime Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi.

Gadhafi was toppled and killed in an uprising in 2011, ending his four-decade rule of the North African country. Al-Senoussi is considered the mastermind of attacks on a Pan Am jumbo jet over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988 and a French airliner over Niger the following year  causing hundreds of deaths. In 2003, Libya took responsibility for both plane bombings.

Prison memoir

Sarkozy is publishing a book on Dec. 10 about his recent time behind bars, titled Diary of a Prisoner.

He described prison as a nightmare.

I had never imagined I would experience prison at 70. This ordeal was imposed on me, and I lived through it. Its hard, very hard, Sarkozy said during a court hearing on his release.

In a post on X, he said that the noise is, unfortunately, constant and that the inner life of man becomes stronger in prison.

Witness tampering

French investigative judges filed preliminary charges in 2023 against Sarkozy for his alleged involvement in a possible attempt to clear him in the Libya financing case by pressuring a witness.

In 2016, French-Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine said that he had delivered suitcases filled with cash from Tripoli to Frances Interior Ministry under Sarkozy. He later retracted his statement.

Financial prosecutors said that Sarkozy is suspected of benefiting from corruptly influencing a witness, in reference to Takieddine.

Sarkozys wife, former supermodel Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, was given preliminary charges in July 2024 for alleged involvement in efforts to pressure Takieddine. Bruni-Sarkozy was placed under judicial supervision, which includes a ban on contact with all those involved in the proceedings except for her husband.

Investigative magistrates still have to decide whether they send the couple to trial on these charges.

Takieddine died in September in Beirut.

Previous conviction

Sarkozys criminal records already register a definitive conviction for corruption and influence peddling while he was the countrys head of state.

Last year, the Court of Cassation upheld an appeals court decision that had found Sarkozy guilty of trying to bribe a magistrate in exchange for information about legal proceedings in which he was involved. The case was revealed through wiretapped phone conversations during the Libya financing investigation.

Sarkozy was sentenced to a year in prison, but he was entitled to be detained at home with an electronic bracelet. He was granted conditional release in May because of his age, which allowed him to remove the electronic tag after just over three months.

He was stripped of his Legion of Honor medal, Frances highest distinction, following his conviction in that case.

By SYLVIE CORBET

Associated Press
Xi extends congratulations on Int'l Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People

Xinhua) 11:04, November 26, 2025

BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent congratulations to a UN meeting held on Tuesday to commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

In his message, Xi said that the Palestinian issue lies at the heart of the Middle East conflict, affecting international fairness, justice and regional stability.

He added that under the current circumstances, the international community should build greater consensus and take more proactive steps to ensure a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and prevent a resurgence of conflict.

Noting that post-conflict governance and reconstruction in Gaza should be carried out under the principle of "Palestinians governing Palestine," with full respect for the will of the Palestinian people and due regard for the legitimate concerns of countries in the region, Xi stressed the urgency of swiftly improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people. Most importantly, he said, efforts should be anchored in the pursuit of a two-state solution to promote an early political settlement of the Palestinian issue.

Xi emphasized that the Palestinian issue is also a test of the effectiveness of the global governance system. He called on the international community to confront the root causes of the Palestinian issue, shoulder responsibility, take strong actions, correct historical injustices, and uphold fairness and justice.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights, Xi said, adding that China will continue to work with the international community to make unremitting efforts for a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue at an early date.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Du Mingming)
The human brain goes through five different eras.

The human brain goes through various phases

In a landmark analysis of nearly 4,000 brain scans from babies to 90-year-olds, researchers mapped how neural connections shift over a lifetime and discovered four major "turning points"  at the ages of nine, 32, 66 and 83  that reset the brain onto a new developmental path.

Professor Duncan Astle, of Cambridge University, said: "Many of us feel our lives have had distinct phases. It turns out that brains also go through these eras."

The first is childhood, stretching from birth to around nine, when the brain transitions into its adolescent phase  an era that lasts all the way to 32, much longer than most people imagine.

Lead researcher Alexa Mousley stressed: "Were definitely not saying people in their late 20s act like teenagers its really the pattern of change."

At around 32, the brain hits its biggest shift and enters its full-fledged adult wiring  the longest era, spanning three decades. Then comes a turning point at 66, marking what the team calls "early ageing", when structural changes begin to accelerate.

By 83, the brain enters its final "late ageing" era.

The findings could help pinpoint when the brain is most vulnerable to disruption, especially during adolescence  the window in which most mental health disorders first emerge.

Astle said: "Understanding these turning points will help us identify when and how its wiring is vulnerable."

Intriguingly, some of the changes around the early 30s may be influenced by major life events like parenthood.

Mousley noted: "We know that women who give birth, their brain changes afterwards.

"Its reasonable to assume there could be a relationship."
The name Aberto typically evokes personality traits centered around dignified leadership, intellectual depth, and strong moral character. Those bearing this name are often perceived as natural authorities who command respect through their wisdom and integrity rather than mere assertion of power. They tend to be thoughtful, analytical individuals who approach challenges with both practical intelligence and philosophical consideration, making them effective problem-solvers in complex situations. Their noble bearing is typically matched by a genuine concern for others' wellbeing, creating a leadership style that balances strength with compassion.



Socially, Aberto's are known for their reliability and loyalty in relationships, often serving as pillars within their families and communities. They possess a diplomatic nature that enables them to navigate conflicts and build consensus, while their intellectual curiosity drives them to continuous learning and cultural engagement. The combination of traditional values and innovative thinking makes them particularly effective in roles that require balancing heritage with progress. Their personality reflects the name's historical association with both the warrior nobility of medieval Italy and the scholarly traditions that flourished in Italian city-states, creating individuals who embody the Renaissance ideal of the complete person.
Women bearing the name Adelajda are typically associated with a combination of traditional values and modern sophistication. They often exhibit natural leadership qualities tempered by empathy and cultural sensitivity, making them effective in both professional and social contexts. The name suggests someone who is principled yet adaptable, maintaining core values while navigating complex situations with grace. Adelajdas are frequently perceived as intellectually curious, with strong appreciation for arts, history, and cultural traditions. Their noble bearing is complemented by practical intelligence and emotional depth, creating individuals who command respect through competence rather than authority. Many display remarkable resilience and the ability to maintain dignity in challenging circumstances, embodying the Polish ideal of 'duma' (pride) combined with 'serdecznosc' (warmth). This balance of strength and sensitivity makes Adelajdas particularly effective in roles requiring diplomacy, education, or cultural preservation.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Adila holds significant cultural importance in Muslim communities as it derives from the Arabic root 'Adl', meaning justice and fairness - fundamental principles in Islamic teachings. The name embodies the Islamic ideal of balance and equity, reflecting the Quranic emphasis on justice as a divine attribute. Throughout Islamic history, names carrying meanings related to justice have been highly valued, particularly for girls, as they represent the moral compass parents hope their daughters will develop.



In many Muslim cultures, Adila is chosen to honor the concept of divine justice and to instill values of fairness and moral integrity. The name appears across various Muslim-majority regions from the Middle East to Southeast Asia, often given to girls born into families with strong religious or legal backgrounds. Its usage spans centuries, appearing in historical records of noble families and scholarly lineages, symbolizing the enduring importance of justice as a virtue in Islamic civilization.
Individuals named Aenedleah typically exhibit a profound connection to both spiritual contemplation and natural environments. They often possess a calm, grounded presence combined with deep intellectual curiosity about theological and philosophical matters. Their personality blends the steadfast reliability associated with meadow symbolism with the inspirational qualities suggested by the 'awe-inspiring' element of their name. Aenedleahs tend to be natural mediators who create peaceful environments around them while maintaining a sense of wonder about spiritual mysteries.



They often demonstrate patience in their pursuits and show remarkable resilience, much like a meadow that withstands seasonal changes while maintaining its essential character. Their leadership style is typically gentle yet persuasive, inspiring others through quiet example rather than forceful direction. The combination of spiritual depth and practical groundedness makes them excellent counselors and spiritual guides, capable of helping others find divine meaning in everyday life while maintaining a sense of reverence for the mysteries beyond human understanding.
Individuals named Aethelweard are typically perceived as possessing a strong sense of duty, honor, and protective instincts. They often exhibit natural leadership qualities combined with a deep commitment to their principles and those under their care. These individuals tend to be thoughtful, strategic thinkers who approach challenges with both courage and wisdom, reflecting the name's meaning of 'noble protector.' Their nobility manifests not through arrogance but through genuine concern for justice and the well-being of others.



Aethelweards often display a blend of traditional values and intellectual curiosity, making them both guardians of heritage and seekers of knowledge. They typically possess strong moral compasses and are willing to stand firm in their convictions, even when facing opposition. While they can be reserved and serious when circumstances demand, they also show loyalty and warmth to those who earn their trust. Their protective nature extends beyond physical safety to include emotional support and guidance for those they consider part of their responsibility.
Individuals named Alberto are often perceived as confident, intelligent, and charismatic leaders with a natural nobility in their demeanor. They tend to possess strong analytical skills and creative problem-solving abilities, combining practical wisdom with innovative thinking. Albertos are typically reliable and responsible, making them excellent in leadership positions where trust and dependability are valued. Their 'bright' nature manifests as both intellectual curiosity and emotional warmth, allowing them to connect with diverse groups of people.



While they can be ambitious and driven, Albertos usually balance their professional aspirations with strong family values and personal relationships. They often exhibit a refined taste and appreciation for culture, arts, and intellectual pursuits. The combination of noble bearing and intellectual brightness creates individuals who are both respected and approachable. Albertos tend to be good communicators who can articulate complex ideas clearly, and they often serve as mediators or advisors in both professional and personal contexts. Their personality typically blends traditional values with progressive thinking, making them adaptable to changing circumstances while maintaining their core principles.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Anatol carries significant cultural weight across Slavic and European societies, originating from the Greek 'Anatolios' meaning 'eastern' or 'from the sunrise.' In Slavic cultures, particularly in Russia, Ukraine, and Poland, the name became popular through Christian influences, often associated with early Christian saints and martyrs. The name symbolizes enlightenment, new beginnings, and the dawning of wisdom, reflecting the metaphorical significance of sunrise in Slavic folklore and religious traditions.



Throughout history, bearers of this name have been associated with intellectual pursuits, artistic expression, and philosophical thought, cementing its position as a name denoting sophistication and cultural refinement. In Orthodox Christian communities, several saints named Anatolius contributed to the name's religious significance and enduring popularity. The name's journey through different cultures demonstrates how classical names were adapted and preserved within Slavic naming traditions while maintaining their original symbolic power.
Brian Austin Green and Vanessa Marcil "stay out of each others way".

Brian Austin Green doesn't get along with his ex-partner

The 52-year-old actor - who has son Kassius, 23, with Vanessa - admits that he has a much better relationship with Megan Fox, his ex-wife, than Vanessa.

During an appearance on Inside of You, Brian was asked whether he gets on with his exes, and the actor replied: "No."

Brian - who has Noah, 13, Bodhi, 11, and Journey, nine, with Megan - then added: "Megan and I are great.

"She gets along with my fiancee [Sharna Burgess] amazingly and it is great. We just co-parent well and we stay out of each others way. And I realised early on, people separate for a reason.

"We are not going to all of a sudden just be great friends as we are coparenting. We stopped being together because we didnt get along as well as we did when we first got together. Lets take that expectation out of it and just resign to the fact that I only care about the health and wellness of my kids."

Brian is glad to have a healthy co-parenting relationship with Megan.

The actor - who was married to the Hollywood star between 2010 and 2021 - shared: "You are going to parent how you do and I am going to parent how I do. I wish her the best because shes the mother of three of my kids. Also I know her so well, we started dating when she was 18 years old and we were together for 15 years. So I know her very, very well."

Earlier this year, Brian insisted that he didn't regret calling his relationship with Vanessa "toxic".

The actor explained why he chose to speak out about his relationship with the actress.

Asked if he had any regrets about his comments, Brian - who split from Vanessa back in 2003 - told People: "No, because everything that's come recently has genuinely been for the purpose of speaking about a relationship.

"It's not pointing fingers, placing blame on anyone. If she takes things that way, then there's nothing I can do about it."
Individuals named Apollo, particularly in the Arthurian context, are typically associated with noble, protective qualities and a strong sense of familial duty. As Tristan's uncle, the Arthurian Apollo embodies the wisdom and guidance of an elder statesman within the knightly community, suggesting traits of mentorship, loyalty, and protective instincts toward younger family members. This creates a personality profile of someone who is responsible, honorable, and committed to preserving family legacy and traditions.



Beyond the Arthurian specific context, the name Apollo carries connotations of artistic talent, physical prowess, and leadership qualities drawn from its Greek mythological origins. Those bearing this name are often perceived as confident, charismatic individuals with natural authority and creative abilities. The combination of these classical associations with the Arthurian knightly ideals creates a complex personality archetype that balances artistic sensitivity with martial honor and protective family loyalty, making Apollo a name that suggests both creative genius and dependable strength.
People named Arif are commonly associated with intellectual depth, analytical thinking, and thoughtful contemplation. They tend to be naturally curious individuals who enjoy exploring ideas, solving complex problems, and acquiring knowledge across various domains. Their thoughtful nature often makes them excellent listeners and observers, able to absorb information and reflect deeply before forming opinions or taking action. This reflective quality can sometimes be mistaken for aloofness, but in reality, it stems from their methodical approach to understanding the world around them.



In social and professional settings, Arifs are often valued for their wisdom and balanced perspective. They typically avoid rash decisions and prefer to consider multiple viewpoints before reaching conclusions. Their intellectual nature makes them drawn to careers and hobbies that challenge their minds, such as academia, research, writing, or strategic planning. While they may not be the most emotionally expressive individuals, they form strong, meaningful relationships based on mutual respect and intellectual compatibility. Their friends and colleagues often seek their counsel, appreciating their ability to provide insightful advice grounded in careful consideration rather than impulse.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Ateret holds profound significance in Jewish tradition as it directly translates to 'crown' or 'diadem,' representing spiritual elevation and divine connection. In biblical context, the crown symbolizes the special relationship between God and the Jewish people, often referenced in liturgical poetry and mystical texts. The name carries connotations of royalty, honor, and spiritual completeness, making it particularly meaningful in religious families seeking to imbue their daughters with these noble qualities.



Throughout Jewish history, the concept of 'ateret' has been central to understanding the covenantal relationship with God, where the Torah is described as a crown and righteous individuals are crowned with honor. In Kabbalistic tradition, the crown (Keter) represents the highest sefirah, connecting the divine to creation. This rich theological background makes Ateret more than just a nameit's a declaration of spiritual aspiration and connection to Jewish heritage.
Bagdemagus is characterized by a complex blend of noble leadership and paternal vulnerability. He exhibits the wisdom and fairness expected of an Arthurian monarch, demonstrating sound judgment in governance and a commitment to chivalric ideals that sometimes puts him at odds with his own family. His hospitality toward Lancelot, despite the knight's mission to defeat his son, reveals a personality grounded in principle and honor that transcends mere familial loyalty. This suggests a character capable of remarkable moral clarity, even when it causes personal conflict.



Simultaneously, Bagdemagus displays the very human weaknesses of a father struggling with a wayward child. His love for Meleagant creates a tragic dimension to his character, as he recognizes his son's moral failings but remains emotionally bound to him. This internal conflict between his roles as king and father makes him one of Arthurian literature's most psychologically realistic figures. His character arc explores the painful reality that even the most virtuous individuals can be compromised by their relationships, and that parental love doesn't always guarantee control over a child's choices or moral development.
Individuals named Bannan are typically characterized by strong leadership qualities, natural authority, and strategic thinking abilities. They often possess an innate ability to assess situations quickly and make decisive judgments, making them effective in crisis management and complex decision-making scenarios. Their commanding presence is usually balanced with a sense of responsibility and protective instincts toward those under their care or leadership. Bannans tend to be highly organized, methodical in their approach to problems, and excel in positions where they can implement structure and direction.



These individuals often demonstrate excellent communication skills, particularly in motivating and directing others, though they may sometimes be perceived as overly authoritative or stubborn in their convictions. Their natural confidence is typically backed by competence and careful planning, making them reliable leaders who inspire trust in their capabilities. While they can be demanding of themselves and others, this is usually tempered by a strong sense of fairness and loyalty to their team or community. The name suggests someone who takes their responsibilities seriously and approaches challenges with both courage and careful consideration.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Bell carries significant cultural weight across multiple societies. In French culture, it derives from 'belle' meaning beautiful or handsome, originally used as a descriptive surname for someone considered attractive. This evolved into a given name that carried connotations of physical beauty and charm. The name gained particular prominence during the Victorian era when virtue names and names with positive meanings became fashionable.



In Scottish and English traditions, Bell often functioned as a diminutive of Isabel or as a standalone name. The industrial revolution and scientific advancements brought new prominence to the name through figures like Alexander Graham Bell, associating it with innovation and progress. In contemporary times, the name maintains its elegant simplicity while adapting to modern naming trends, often chosen for its melodic quality and positive meaning.
Women named Bhagiratha typically exhibit extraordinary determination and resilience, often pursuing goals with single-minded focus until achievement. They possess a deep spiritual inclination combined with practical problem-solving abilities, enabling them to tackle challenges that others might consider insurmountable. Their character reflects a blend of patience and persistent action, much like the mythological Bhagiratha who spent years in meditation to achieve his objective.



These individuals often demonstrate leadership qualities marked by visionary thinking and the ability to inspire others toward collective goals. They tend to be deeply principled, with a strong sense of duty and responsibility toward their community or cause. While they can appear serious and focused, they also possess profound compassion, understanding that their efforts ultimately serve larger humanitarian or spiritual purposes.



In personal relationships, Bhagirathas are known for their loyalty and steadfast support, though they may set high standards for themselves and others. They often become pillars of strength in their families and communities, providing guidance during difficult times. Their combination of spiritual depth and practical effectiveness makes them uniquely equipped to transform challenges into opportunities for growth and service.
Individuals named Boda typically exhibit strong communicative abilities and a natural inclination toward leadership and guidance. They often possess an innate sense of responsibility and dedication to their principles, making them reliable and trustworthy companions. Their heraldic namesake manifests in their personality through excellent storytelling skills, persuasive communication, and the ability to bridge gaps between different groups or perspectives.



Boda's tend to be thoughtful, introspective individuals who value truth and authenticity in their interactions. They often demonstrate patience and wisdom beyond their years, combined with a practical approach to problem-solving. Their Christian heritage influences a compassionate nature and strong moral compass, making them natural peacemakers and advisors. While they can be reserved in unfamiliar situations, they become eloquent and passionate when discussing matters they care deeply about, embodying the messenger archetype in both personal and professional contexts. This combination of thoughtful reflection and effective communication makes them valued members of any community or organization.
Individuals named Bodaway are often perceived as natural leaders with strong, dynamic personalities. They tend to be initiators and innovators, possessing the ability to 'ignite' projects and inspire others with their energy and vision. Like the fire their name represents, they can be warm and nurturing to those in their circle, yet fiercely protective when necessary. Their character typically combines practical wisdom with spiritual depth, showing resilience in challenging situations and the ability to transform obstacles into opportunities. Bodaways often exhibit a balance between traditional values and progressive thinking, making them effective bridges between different generations or cultural perspectives.



These individuals typically demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities and resourcefulness, approaching challenges with both creativity and determination. They tend to be community-oriented, understanding the importance of maintaining connections and supporting others while also recognizing when independent action is necessary. The fire symbolism extends to their emotional naturethey can be passionate and intense when motivated, yet also possess the wisdom to know when to bank their fires and exercise patience. This balance of fiery energy and controlled application makes them effective in leadership roles where both inspiration and practical management are required.
The name Calbhach traditionally evokes personality traits of strength, leadership, and authenticity. Historically associated with Gaelic chieftains and noblemen, bearers of this name are often perceived as natural leaders with strong decision-making abilities and a practical approach to problem-solving. The literal meaning of 'bald' contributes to an image of someone who is straightforward, honest, and free from pretension - qualities highly valued in traditional Irish society. These individuals are typically seen as resilient and grounded, possessing an inner confidence that doesn't require external validation. There's also an element of wisdom and experience associated with the name, suggesting someone who has weathered challenges and emerged stronger. In social contexts, Calbhachs are often viewed as reliable and trustworthy, the type of person others turn to in difficult situations. The name carries connotations of traditional values, family loyalty, and cultural pride, reflecting the historical importance of clan and community in Irish society.
Sir Elton John has loved listening to his old albums since he's stopped touring.

Sir Elton John loves listening to his old albums

The 78-year-old music star retired from touring in 2023, and Elton has subsequently enjoyed listening to some of his old songs.

He told Variety: "Well, Andrew Watt came over and stayed with us in the summer, and you can get this app on the internet where you can just be listening to Rock of the Westies and pull out isolated music stems, so he just could get the piano track to things like Street Kids. And I never listened back to anything, but thats such a great record. That band was just amazing.

"Ive gotten much more fond of my old catalogue than I used to be, because I hadnt listened to it, but I realise now how musical it was. I mean, we made three orchestral albums  Elton John, Tumbleweed (Connection) and Madman (Across the Water), and then Davey joined the band and we went in a completely band direction and made Honky Chateau, Dont Shoot Me, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Caribou and Captain Fantastic. And then I changed bands and we made Rock of the Westies and Blue Moves, which was another one of my favourites. And every album was different; I never made the same album twice

"Its bringing me joy, because the stuff actually was really good musically, and thats all I care about."

Elton announced his plan to retire from touring back in 2018, and he revealed at the time that he was taking the decision in order to prioritise his family.

The chart-topping star - who has Zachary, 14, and Elijah, 12, with husband David Furnish - told the Guardian newspaper: "We had taken them around everywhere when they were little, because they were very portable.

"But then they werent so portable and we had to have a big discussion about what I wanted to do with my life, the children and my career. And I said Id like to end with a big tour and spend the rest of my life with my children."
Women named Chanya are typically characterized by a unique blend of traditional wisdom and modern adaptability. They often exhibit strong intuitive abilities and emotional depth, making them natural caregivers and community builders. Their personality reflects the Taita cultural values of respect for elders, commitment to family, and quiet perseverance in facing life's challenges. Chanyas tend to be observant and thoughtful, preferring to lead through example rather than overt authority. They demonstrate remarkable resilience, often overcoming obstacles with grace and determination that inspires those around them.



In social settings, Chanyas are known for their warmth and genuine interest in others' wellbeing. They possess excellent listening skills and often serve as confidantes and mediators within their communities. While they may appear reserved initially, they form deep, lasting relationships built on trust and mutual respect. Professionally, Chanyas often excel in fields that allow them to nurture, educate, or preserve cultural heritage. Their strength lies in their ability to honor traditions while embracing progress, making them effective bridges between generations and cultures. This balanced approach to life allows them to maintain their cultural identity while successfully navigating contemporary society.
Individuals named Chet are often perceived as strong, reliable, and straightforward with a no-nonsense approach to life. They tend to exhibit natural leadership qualities and practical problem-solving abilities, reflecting the name's military origins. Chets are typically seen as dependable friends and family members who value loyalty and tradition, often serving as pillars in their communities. Their grounded nature makes them excellent in crisis situations where clear thinking and decisive action are required.



Despite their strong exterior, many Chets possess a creative or artistic side that may surprise those who only see their practical nature. This duality allows them to balance traditional values with innovative thinking. They often have a deep appreciation for music, craftsmanship, or other forms of creative expression that require both technical skill and emotional depth. Their communication style tends to be direct yet thoughtful, and they value authenticity in their relationships and endeavors.
Symbolically, Cindel embodies the beautiful convergence of celestial illumination and human grace, representing the spiritual journey toward enlightenment and self-discovery. The name carries deep metaphorical significance as a bridge between the divine (represented by Cynthia's lunar connections) and the earthly (through Lucinda's light-bearing quality). In Christian symbolism, it suggests the light of faith illuminating one's path and the purity of spirit that comes from spiritual devotion. The blending of two classical names also symbolizes unity and harmony, representing how different qualities can combine to create something greater than their individual parts. Cindel metaphorically represents transformation and growththe process of emerging from darkness into light, from uncertainty into clarity. This makes it particularly meaningful for parents who see their child's life as a journey of discovery and who wish to imbue their name with hopes for guidance, protection, and spiritual development.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Clancy holds deep cultural significance as an Irish surname that has evolved into a distinctive given name. Originating from the Gaelic 'Mac Fhlannchaidh,' meaning 'son of the red warrior,' the name is intrinsically linked to Irish clan history and heritage. The Clancy family were hereditary poets and historians to the O'Brien kings in County Clare, giving the name strong associations with both warrior traditions and intellectual pursuits. This dual identity reflects the Irish cultural ideal of the warrior-poet, someone who combines physical courage with artistic and intellectual achievement. The name's connection to red hair ('flann' meaning red) ties it to distinctive Celtic physical characteristics that were highly valued in ancient Irish society. Throughout Irish history, the Clancy name has been carried by individuals who contributed significantly to Irish culture, politics, and literature, making it a symbol of Irish resilience and cultural continuity. As the name transitioned from surname to given name, it became part of the broader movement to preserve and celebrate Irish identity in the diaspora, particularly in countries like the United States and Australia where Irish heritage remains an important part of family identity.
Women named Claribel are often perceived as possessing a rare combination of intellectual clarity and artistic sensitivity. They tend to be thoughtful, articulate individuals who value beauty in all its forms while maintaining a logical approach to problem-solving. Their 'bright' nature manifests not only in their intelligence but also in their optimistic outlook and ability to illuminate complex situations with insight and wisdom.



Claribels typically exhibit refined tastes and cultural sophistication, often drawn to the arts, literature, and intellectual pursuits. They balance emotional depth with rational thinking, making them excellent mediators and creative problem-solvers who can see multiple perspectives while maintaining their core values of truth and beauty. This combination of qualities often makes them natural leaders in cultural and educational settings, where their ability to communicate complex ideas with elegance and their appreciation for aesthetic harmony serve them well in both personal and professional relationships.
Individuals named Clarion are typically perceived as natural leaders with strong communicative abilities and clear moral vision. They possess an innate sense of authority and responsibility, often taking charge in difficult situations with confidence and decisiveness. Their personality combines strategic thinking with practical action, making them effective both in planning and execution. Clarions tend to be articulate and persuasive, able to inspire others through both words and deeds.



They value honor and integrity highly, and their strong sense of justice often drives them to champion causes they believe in. While they can be assertive when necessary, they typically lead with wisdom rather than force, preferring diplomacy and reason over confrontation. The name suggests someone who is both visionary and practical - able to see the big picture while also attending to important details. Their leadership style is often characterized by clear communication, fair judgment, and the ability to unite diverse groups toward common goals, reflecting the noble qualities associated with their Arthurian origins.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Claudina has deep roots in Romance languages and cultures, particularly in Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese-speaking regions. The name evolved from the Roman clan name Claudius, which was one of the most prominent patrician families in ancient Rome. Throughout history, the name has been associated with nobility and refinement, with many aristocratic women bearing variations of the name across Europe. In Italian culture specifically, Claudina represents a traditional yet elegant choice that maintains connections to both Roman heritage and Catholic traditions, often chosen for its melodic sound and historical resonance rather than its original meaning.



The name has been particularly popular in regions with strong Roman Catholic influence, where saints and religious figures bearing similar names contributed to its enduring appeal. During the Renaissance period, variations of the name gained popularity among educated and aristocratic families who sought to connect themselves to Roman classical traditions. In more recent centuries, Claudina became a name that symbolized both cultural continuity and feminine grace, often passed down through generations as a way of honoring family heritage while maintaining a distinctly European sensibility that traveled well through diaspora communities.
Individuals named Colleem are often perceived as creative, intuitive, and deeply connected to their heritage. They typically exhibit a blend of traditional values and modern thinking, showing respect for customs while embracing innovation. Their creative expression often manifests in artistic pursuits, storytelling, or musical talents, reflecting Ireland's rich cultural traditions.



Colleems are known for their strong sense of community and family loyalty, traits deeply valued in Irish culture. They tend to be empathetic listeners with a natural ability to understand others' perspectives. While generally gentle in demeanor, they possess inner resilience and determination when pursuing important goals. Their personality often balances playful spontaneity with thoughtful introspection, making them both engaging companions and reliable friends.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Conshita is a Spanish feminine name deeply rooted in Catholic tradition, specifically honoring the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. The name emerged as a diminutive or affectionate form of Concepcion, which directly references the Catholic dogma that Mary was conceived without original sin. This theological concept has been central to Spanish Catholicism since the Middle Ages, with the Immaculate Conception becoming particularly prominent during the Counter-Reformation and later being formally defined as dogma in 1854.



In Spanish-speaking cultures, names referencing the Immaculate Conception carry significant religious weight and are often given to girls born around December 8th, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The name Conshita reflects the intimate, familial devotion to Mary that characterizes much of Hispanic Catholicism, where the Virgin is not only a theological figure but also a maternal protector and intercessor. Throughout Spanish history, the Immaculate Conception has been associated with national identity and cultural pride, making names like Conshita bearers of both religious faith and cultural heritage.
Individuals named Cyrilla are often perceived as possessing a natural grace and dignified presence that commands respect. They tend to be thoughtful, introspective people with strong moral convictions and a deep sense of responsibility. Their analytical minds and attention to detail make them excellent problem-solvers, while their inherent kindness and empathy draw others to them for guidance and support. Cyrillas typically exhibit a quiet strength and resilience that enables them to navigate challenges with poise.



These individuals value tradition and stability but are not afraid to stand up for their beliefs when necessary. Their combination of intelligence, compassion, and inner fortitude often makes them natural leaders in their communities and professional lives, though they may prefer to lead by example rather than through overt authority. Cyrillas are often described as having old soulspeople who appreciate history, art, and cultural traditions while maintaining a practical approach to modern life. They form deep, lasting relationships and are known for their loyalty and discretion, making them trusted confidantes and reliable friends.
Modern couples still cling to the ideal of lifelong fidelity, yet infidelity remains widespread  and the emotional fallout is anything but equal. Drawing on new research and lived experience, Dr Stephen Whitehead explores why men experience a partners cheating as a profound rupture of identity and power, and why this reaction exposes a widening gulf between womens autonomy and traditional male entitlement.

Dr Stephen Whitehead on 'Infidelity'

If you hope to be married for life, then prepare for one or both of you to be unfaithful during that life. If you cannot accept that, then dont get married.

This is the best advice I can give any couple  to be realistic about the limits of monogamy. I laid it out in my recent autobiography, Design Your Self, and I repeat it here: the majority of relationships experience infidelity at some point. A stark truth but one born from my experiences and research, not just as a gender sociologist but as a man; married five times.

Yet no matter how much relationship experience one has, can it ever fully prepare us for the impact of infidelity; either our own or our partners? I think not. Infidelity is crushing. The loss of trust, the lies, the deceit, the attempt to maintain normality while your head and heart are embroiled in turmoil. Thankfully, those days are over for me. But not for most people. Globally, infidelity is rampant, with all the evidence proving that monogamy is not a natural condition for humans. Yet we continue to demand it. What a sorry state we have gotten ourselves into. Expecting the perfectly pure, everlasting love relationship yet constantly having to deal with the pain of disappointment, both in ourselves and our partner.

Heterosexual women and men are equally guilty of having unrealistic expectations of fidelity from their partner, as high as 99% in married couples and 94% in cohabiting couples. Which just goes to show that we humans learn nothing from history.

But while the pain of a lovers infidelity will be experienced somewhat differently by individuals and couples and across cultures, recent research by gender sociologist Damla Topbas shows that men are especially vulnerable to their partners cheating. Which is ironic, given that men are 50% more likely to play away than women. Perhaps this is an example of mens willingness to compartmentalise, to separate self from reality? They go into relationships demanding fidelity from their partner, but all the while there is that tiny voice in their head whispering; its okay for you to play away now and again, just dont make a habit of it and dont get caught. Men rarely imagine that women to have a similar voice in their heads, but they do, with studies indicating a noticeable increase in female infidelity over recent years. However, there are differences with men. Women are better at cheating than men and women experience infidelity differently. For women, a partners infidelity is an intense emotional roller-coaster. What do men experience? A loss of power.

As Damla Topbas puts it:

[my research shows] three dominant responses by men to their partners infidelity: loss of masculine honor, loss of manhood, and loss of possession, all reflecting a loss of power.

Topbass study into masculinity and infidelity offers some revealing and disturbing, quotes from men who had been cheated on by their partners, confirming that for a great many guys, women are seen as a precious possession to be protected from being stolen, just like their favourite car:

For men, its like an honor thing, you are mine now. When a man thinks she is mine, he experiences the same feeling as when a childs toy is stolen (Man A. aged 30, married)

I felt as if someone was taking possession of my things, something that was mine, as if someone else was claiming it and trying to take it away from me. (Man B, aged 44, married)

The sheer intensity of violent feelings which cheated men can display is staggering though sadly familiar to anyone aware of the high incidence of male violence towards wives and girlfriends.

I found out she had another phone, and the first thing I did when I found her message to a man was to go to the kitchen, grab a knife, and walk over to her. (Man C, aged 51, romantic relationship)

When I learned that she cheated on me, I decided to kill all her family. I gave up this idea for my children. (Man D, aged 56, married)

My girlfriend pressed charges against me because I was still sending her these messages despite a restraining order. I ended up in jail for four days and the judge told me I could face 5 years. I told them that I had not even touched the girl but if you want, release me, let me kill her and I will deserve it. (Man E, aged 32, romantic relationship)

For some men, even if their partner is raped they experience it not with shock and empathy for their partner, but as a personal attack on their masculine honor and male pride. Appallingly, such men even consider the rape as cheating.

You know when a man rapes a woman and the woman says I lost my honor, when she cheated [sic] on me, I felt like I had lost my manhood. Men can commit suicide when their partner is raped. Think about this from a male perspective. (Man F, aged 41, romantic partner)

What sort of men are these? Quite ordinary, certainly not exceptional among the global male population. Though to be clear, this study was undertaken in a country which has toxic (traditional) masculinity embedded in it at every level. But if any British guy reading this thinks that he is the exception and a lot different from the men in this study, then he should reflect on these comments:

When my wife was pregnant, I went to Amsterdam and had sex with two women. I did not feel that I had cheated, it was a 20-minute thing there,women do not prefer a one-night stand. A woman does not get sexual pleasure from a relationship without emotion. (Man G. aged 30, romantic relationship).

My boss sent me abroad on work. I was with a different woman every day, no issues at all. You have a home, no financial problems, power is in your hands, and every evening you sleep with a different woman. (Man H, 43, married).

Sound familiar? Of course. These comments are recognisable to any man of any nationality or culture because they reveal men totally wrapped up in their masculine entitlement and quite unable, and unwilling, to step beyond it and into the nuanced world of female experience and sexuality. Men avoid exposing themselves to womens subjectivity because to do so would be just too unsettling, too threatening and too dissimilar from how they see the world. A bit like stepping into Alice in Wonderland; totally disorientating.

Whatever our sex, gender or nationality, Infidelity is the ultimate wake-up call in any relationship. It is the one event guaranteed to rock the foundations of any love, no matter how strongly that love is felt. But for men whose partner plays away, the trauma goes even deeper; through to their very depths of masculinity. A partners infidelity has the power to delegitimise a man, undermine his always fragile manliness, and cause him to grieve not just over a broken relationship but the fact his partner was stolen by another guy, leaving him at the bottom of the male hierarchy.

The way the men in my study tackled this masculine crisis, their anxiety about not being seen as a real man, was to find ways which reaffirmed their male dominance, and they did this by turning their weakness into hostility towards all women.

Where does this leave us?

It leaves us with what I term the growing gender divergence, fast becoming a chasm between independent-minded women and traditional-minded men in every country. With women and men not just living apart but growing apart. Until that day comes when all men cease seeing women as property, themselves as entitled, and sexual agency as exclusively a mans game, then not much hope of women and men ever fully learning to live together, happily ever after.

Guest Author Dr Stephen Whitehead.

Dr Whitehead is a sociologist, author and consultant internationally recognised for his work on gender, leadership and organisational culture. With more than two decades in academia, he served as Senior Lecturer in Education and Programme Director at Keele University before moving to Asia, where he has lived since 2009, building an international consultancy for schools and universities across the region. He is the author of 20 books, translated into 17 languages, including Men and Masculinities, Toxic Masculinity: Curing the Virus, Self-Love for Women and The End of Sex: The Gender Revolution and its Consequences. His concept of Total Inclusivity has been widely applied in workplaces, schools and universities, and his writing has helped shape global debate on identity, gender and organisational change. For more on Dr Stephen Whiteheads take on modern organisations and their culture, see his recent book, Total Inclusivity at Work (London: Routledge).
Individuals named Daibheid are often perceived as possessing a strong sense of loyalty and deep emotional connections with those they care about, living up to the name's meaning of 'dearly loved.' They typically exhibit a thoughtful, introspective nature combined with practical wisdom, making them reliable advisors and steadfast friends. Many Daibheids demonstrate cultural awareness and historical consciousness, often showing interest in traditions, storytelling, and preserving knowledge. Their personality often blends quiet strength with genuine warmth, creating individuals who form lasting bonds and maintain strong principles while remaining approachable and compassionate.



This combination of depth and reliability makes them valued members of their communities and families. Daibheids are often seen as bridge-builders who can connect different generations or cultural perspectives, drawing on their inherent appreciation for history and tradition while remaining open to contemporary ideas. They tend to approach challenges with measured consideration rather than impulsive reactions, and their decisions are typically informed by both emotional intelligence and practical considerations. The name's historical associations with scholars and leaders often translates into individuals who value education, cultural preservation, and community service, making them natural custodians of knowledge and tradition.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Demason carries significant weight in Christian communities, particularly those with English and American heritage. Originating as a patronymic surname that evolved into a given name, it reflects the Christian tradition of honoring paternal lineage and authority structures. The meaning 'judge's son' connects to biblical concepts of judgment, righteousness, and leadership within the family and community. Throughout Christian history, names denoting familial relationships to positions of authority were often bestowed to signify expected character traits and spiritual responsibilities.



In many Christian denominations, the name Demason has been associated with families involved in church leadership, legal professions, or community governance. The name suggests an expectation of moral uprightness, wisdom, and the ability to make fair decisions. During the 18th and 19th centuries, as surnames became increasingly used as first names in English-speaking Christian communities, Demason emerged as a way to honor ancestral judges or magistrates while maintaining a connection to Christian values of justice and righteousness as outlined in biblical teachings. The name continues to represent the ideal of righteous leadership passed through generations.
Those named Devereaux are often characterized by a natural aristocracy and commanding presence that draws others to them. They typically possess a blend of old-world charm and modern sophistication, making them equally comfortable in traditional settings and contemporary environments. There's an inherent leadership quality about them, combined with strategic thinking inherited from their military ancestors. They tend to be ambitious and driven, yet maintain a strong sense of personal honor and loyalty to those they value. The historical weight of the name often instills in its bearers a deep appreciation for tradition and heritage, while their French origins lend them a certain elegance and cultural refinement. However, this ambition can sometimes border on recklessness, as seen in the passionate nature of historical Devereaux figures. They are often romantic at heart, valuing deep connections and meaningful relationships, yet they maintain a certain reserve that reflects their noble heritage. Their personality represents a balance between historical dignity and contemporary relevance, making them both memorable and influential in their social circles.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Deverell carries significant cultural weight as a Norman French surname that arrived in England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It represents the blending of French and English cultures during the medieval period, when many Norman nobles established themselves in Britain. The name's association with specific geographical locations in France and later in England reflects the medieval practice of identifying individuals by their place of origin, serving as a living record of migration patterns and feudal land ownership.



Throughout history, bearers of the Deverell name have been associated with land ownership, military service, and academic pursuits, reflecting the social mobility possible through the surname system. The name's persistence across centuries demonstrates the enduring influence of Norman culture on English society and the importance of familial lineage in European aristocratic traditions. As a surname-turned-given-name, it represents modern naming trends that honor heritage while creating new personal identities.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Dustu is a traditional Cherokee male name that carries deep cultural significance within the Cherokee Nation. While its exact etymology remains uncertain, it represents the preservation of indigenous naming traditions that predate European contact. The name reflects the Cherokee practice of choosing names that connect individuals to natural elements, spiritual concepts, or family lineage. In Cherokee culture, names are not merely labels but carry spiritual weight and are believed to influence a person's character and destiny.



The continued use of names like Dustu represents cultural resilience and the maintenance of Cherokee identity despite historical challenges including forced relocation and cultural suppression. These traditional names serve as living connections to ancestral practices and the Cherokee language itself, which was systematically developed into a written form by Sequoyah in the early 19th century. The preservation of such names contributes to the ongoing revitalization of Cherokee cultural heritage and linguistic traditions, ensuring that future generations maintain connections to their ancestral roots and cultural identity.
Individuals named Dyani are often perceived as graceful, gentle, and intuitive, much like the deer that inspires their name. They tend to possess a quiet strength and natural elegance that draws others to them. Typically sensitive to their environment and the feelings of those around them, Dyanis are known for their empathy and ability to navigate social situations with tact and compassion. Their deer-like qualities often manifest as quick perception and the ability to sense danger or opportunity before others, making them excellent judges of character and situations.



While they may appear reserved at first, they form deep, meaningful connections with those they trust and are fiercely protective of their loved ones. Their gentle nature is balanced by a surprising resilience and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances with poise and determination. Many Dyanis exhibit artistic or creative tendencies, often expressing themselves through visual arts, writing, or music. They tend to be deeply connected to nature and may find peace and inspiration in natural settings, reflecting the wild, free spirit of their namesake animal.
Individuals named Eadwine are typically characterized by a unique blend of leadership qualities and deep relational commitment. The name's meaning of 'wealthy friend' manifests in personality traits that include exceptional generosity, both in material terms and emotional support. Eadwines often possess natural authority and confidence that inspires trust and respect, yet they maintain an approachable demeanor that makes others feel valued. They tend to be strategic thinkers who balance ambition with compassion, making them effective in leadership roles while maintaining strong personal relationships.



Their personality often reflects the historical significance of the name, showing traits of reliability, loyalty, and moral integrity. Eadwines are typically seen as pillars in their communitiespeople who enrich the lives of others through their presence and actions. They excel in building and maintaining meaningful connections, embodying the 'friend' aspect of their name's meaning through genuine care and commitment to others. This combination of strength and warmth makes them particularly effective in roles requiring both leadership and interpersonal skills, often serving as mentors, community leaders, or trusted advisors who balance achievement with meaningful human connection.
Individuals named Eatun are typically characterized by a deep sense of connection to community and tradition, often displaying strong leadership qualities combined with practical wisdom. They tend to be grounded, reliable individuals who value stability and continuity, much like the steady flow of a river. Their personality often reflects the name's origins - they are adaptable yet consistent, able to navigate life's changes while maintaining their core values and principles.



Eatuns are frequently described as having a calming presence and natural empathy, making them excellent mediators and community builders. They possess an intuitive understanding of people and situations, often serving as pillars of support within their social circles. Their connection to water symbolism manifests in their emotional depth and ability to go with the flow while maintaining direction and purpose. These individuals typically exhibit patience, resilience, and a strong sense of responsibility toward both people and the environment.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Edjo, known more widely as Wadjet, stands as one of ancient Egypt's most enduring protective deities, with her worship spanning from the Predynastic Period (c. 6000-3150 BCE) through the Greco-Roman era. As the cobra goddess of Lower Egypt, she embodied the Nile Delta's fertile lands and served as the divine protector of pharaohs and the nation itself. Her most iconic representationthe uraeus cobra poised to strikeadorned royal crowns and headdresses, symbolizing the ruler's legitimate authority and divine right to rule. This imagery communicated that the pharaoh operated under divine protection and possessed the power to defeat enemies, both earthly and supernatural.



The city of Per-Wadjet (modern Tell el-Fara'in) in the Nile Delta served as her primary cult center, where she was worshipped alongside other delta deities. Her temple complex housed oracle priests who interpreted her will for important state matters, and her annual festival featured elaborate processions that reinforced her role in maintaining cosmic order (ma'at). Edjo's significance extended beyond political symbolism into everyday protection, as Egyptians invoked her against snakebites and evil forces. Her association with the 'Eye of Ra' connected her to solar mythology, where she served as an instrument of divine justice and retribution. This multifaceted roleas protector of royalty, defender against evil, and agent of cosmic balanceensured her continued relevance throughout Egyptian history, making her one of the few deities whose worship persisted essentially unchanged for over three millennia.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Elvyn has roots in Old English and Germanic traditions, derived from 'lfwine' meaning 'elf friend.' In Christian contexts, the name evolved to represent spiritual wisdom and divine friendship, with the 'elf' element reinterpreted as celestial beings rather than pagan creatures. The name gained particular significance during the medieval period when Christian missionaries adapted pagan names to fit Christian theology, transforming Elvyn into a symbol of one who possesses heavenly wisdom and maintains a close relationship with divine forces.



Throughout English history, the name maintained a quiet presence, often chosen by families seeking to honor both their Anglo-Saxon heritage and Christian faith simultaneously. During the Victorian era, there was a revival of interest in Anglo-Saxon names, which helped preserve Elvyn despite its relative rarity. In modern Christian communities, the name is sometimes selected for its connotations of being 'wise in spiritual matters' and maintaining a friendship with divine guidance, making it particularly meaningful in families valuing both tradition and faith.
Liam Gallagher has seemingly ruled out the prospect of Oasis releasing new music.

Liam and Noel Gallagher reunited for the Oasis Live '25 Tour

The Roll With It rockers brought their long-awaited Oasis Live '25 Tour to a close with gigs in Sao Paulo, Brazil last weekend but the frontman has dismissed the possibility of fresh material from the Britpop icons.

In response to a fan asking for new music, Liam wrote on the social media platform X: "New music is for W******."

The 53-year-old rocker later elaborated: "It's not, I honestly don't see the point. It won't be as good as the old stuff. I'm quite happy singing the old stuff I'm not one of those w****** that need to keep pushing it forward or sideways or backwards in some cases, NOSTALGIA forever."

Despite ruling out new music, Liam hinted that Oasis could hit the road again in 2026 for a European tour.

When asked "what he wanted for Christmas" by a follower on X, he responded: "A European tour."

In a separate post, the Supersonic artist quipped when a fan asked if he'd get in trouble for commenting about a European tour: "I'm allowed to dream just like you I'm mad for OASIS touring Europe it'll be BIBLICAL I love Europe it's my favourite country."

The Oasis Live '25 Tour marked the first time that Liam and Noel Gallagher had performed on stage together after 16 years of feuding and the Don't Look Back in Anger artists are to embark on a "period of reflection" following the end of their 41-date tour.

Oasis wrote on Instagram: "And so it came to pass.

"The most damaging pop cultural force in recent British history found its way into the hearts and minds of a new generation. From Gallagher Hill to the River Plate, from Croke Park on the banks of the Royal Canal to the City Of Angels, the love, joy, tears and euphoria will never be forgotten.

"There will now be a pause for a period of reflection.

Oasis"

It has been reported that Oasis are exploring plans to release a greatest hits album and perform more shows together.

An insider told The Sun newspaper: "Noel and Liam will both be taking a long break to compute the magnitude of this tour.

"Being back together on stage has been incredible for both of them, and to have guitarist Bonehead back with them for the last shows has been nothing short of phenomenal.

"Theyre aware of what their fans want and know the demand would be there if they did decide to put out a new greatest hits album - or to play more shows."
Cultural & Historical Significance

Emunah holds profound significance in Jewish culture as it represents one of the fundamental pillars of Jewish identity and religious practice. The concept of emunah (faith) is central to Jewish theology, representing not just belief in God but an active, living trust and faithfulness that permeates daily life. Throughout Jewish history, from biblical times to modern day, emunah has been celebrated as a virtue that sustains individuals and communities through challenges and uncertainties.



In traditional Jewish communities, naming a daughter Emunah expresses the parents' hope that she will embody this essential Jewish value. The name connects the bearer to centuries of Jewish spiritual tradition where faith has been the anchor during times of persecution, displacement, and renewal. Emunah also reflects the Jewish emphasis on deed and action alongside belief, as the Hebrew concept encompasses both trust in God and faithfulness in human relationships and commitments.
Women named Engl typically exhibit personality traits that reflect their name's meaning of 'light.' They often possess a natural radiance that draws people to them, combined with intellectual brightness and emotional warmth. These individuals tend to be natural guides and mentors, offering clarity and insight to those around them. Their light-bearing quality manifests as optimism, creativity, and the ability to see possibilities where others see limitations. They are often described as having luminous personalities that can illuminate dark situations and bring hope during challenging times. Their intuitive nature allows them to understand complex emotional landscapes and provide comfort and guidance to others.



In social settings, Engls are typically warm, engaging, and inspiring presence. They possess a natural authority that comes not from dominance but from wisdom and genuine care for others. Their leadership style is often collaborative and empowering, focusing on helping others discover their own inner light. Despite their bright dispositions, they also demonstrate remarkable resilience and depth, understanding that true light acknowledges and transforms darkness rather than ignoring it. This balance makes them particularly effective in counseling, teaching, or creative roles where they can help others navigate challenges while maintaining hope and perspective. Their name's symbolism often manifests in their ability to bring clarity to confusion and warmth to cold situations.
Women named Enriqueta are often perceived as possessing natural leadership qualities, combining strength with grace in their approach to challenges. They typically exhibit strong organizational skills and a practical mindset, making them effective in both professional and personal spheres. Their ruling nature manifests not as dominance but as a nurturing guidance, often taking responsibility for family and community welfare. Enriqueetas are known for their loyalty and protective instincts toward loved ones, creating stable environments where others can thrive.



These individuals often display a unique blend of traditional values and progressive thinking, allowing them to respect heritage while embracing innovation. They tend to be excellent mediators and problem-solvers, with an innate ability to understand multiple perspectives. Their strength lies in their consistency and reliabilitypeople know they can depend on an Enriqueta in times of need. While they may appear reserved initially, they possess deep emotional intelligence and form lasting, meaningful relationships built on mutual respect and trust.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Erechtheus stands as one of the most significant figures in Athenian foundation mythology, representing the city's claim to autochthony - the belief that Athenians were born from the very soil of Attica rather than migrating from elsewhere. As an earth-born king raised by Athena herself, his myth served to legitimize Athenian political and religious authority while connecting the city directly to the divine realm. The Erechtheion temple on the Acropolis, one of Athens' most sacred sites, was dedicated to both Athena and Erechtheus, housing the mythical marks of Poseidon's trident and the sacred olive tree that symbolized their contest for patronage of the city.



His story, particularly as dramatized by Euripides, explores themes of patriotic sacrifice, civic duty, and the terrible costs of leadership during wartime, making him a complex symbol of both Athenian pride and the burdens of kingship. The mythological narrative of Erechtheus sacrificing his daughters to ensure Athenian victory against the Eleusinians represents the ultimate expression of civic devotion, establishing a paradigm of leadership that would influence Athenian political ideology for centuries. His cult and the architectural marvel of the Erechtheion ensured his enduring presence in Athenian religious life, cementing his status as a foundational figure in the city's cultural memory.
People named Ernesto are commonly associated with a personality characterized by seriousness, determination, and strong moral principles. They tend to be deeply thoughtful individuals who approach life with purpose and intensity, often exhibiting natural leadership qualities and a reliable, steadfast nature. Their determination manifests as persistent pursuit of goals rather than mere stubbornness, and they typically possess the emotional resilience to overcome obstacles that would deter others. Ernestos are often perceived as people of substance who value depth in relationships and meaningful engagement in their pursuits.



In social contexts, Ernestos may initially appear reserved or serious, but this often masks a passionate nature and deep loyalty to those they care about. They typically form strong, lasting relationships based on mutual respect and shared values rather than superficial connections. Their serious demeanor is frequently balanced by a dry wit and intellectual curiosity that makes them engaging companions. Professionally, they excel in roles requiring dedication, strategic thinking, and moral integrity, often gravitating toward fields where they can make a meaningful impact. The combination of seriousness and determination makes Ernestos particularly effective in leadership positions where steadfastness and principle are valued.
Individuals named Ferar are typically characterized by their strong sense of independence, adventurous spirit, and relentless pursuit of goals. They possess a natural curiosity that drives them to explore new horizons, whether intellectual, spiritual, or geographical. This innate restlessness often makes them innovators and pioneers in their chosen fields, unwilling to settle for conventional paths. Ferars are known for their quick thinking and adaptability, able to navigate challenging situations with grace and determination. Their name's meaning of 'flight' manifests in their ability to rise above obstacles and see opportunities where others see barriers.



While they value freedom and autonomy, Ferars also demonstrate deep loyalty to their principles and loved ones, creating a balance between their wandering spirit and rooted commitments. Their leadership style often involves guiding others through transitions and transformations, drawing on their own experiences of journey and growth. Emotionally, Ferars tend to be resilient and philosophical, viewing life's challenges as necessary passages rather than permanent setbacks. They often develop wisdom through their varied experiences and become valued advisors to others facing transitions. However, their constant seeking can sometimes make them impatient with routine or reluctant to commit until they feel they've found their true path or purpose.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Fermin holds deep cultural significance in Spanish-speaking regions, particularly in Spain where it is most prominent. The name gained widespread recognition through Saint Fermin, the 3rd-century martyr who became the first bishop of Pamplona and the patron saint of Navarre. His legacy is celebrated annually during the world-famous San Fermin festival in Pamplona, where the running of the bulls attracts international attention. This religious and cultural connection has cemented Fermin's place in Spanish identity, especially in northern regions like Navarre and the Basque Country.



The name carries connotations of tradition, religious devotion, and regional pride, often associated with strength of character and steadfast faith. Throughout Spanish history, Fermin has maintained a consistent presence, representing both religious heritage and cultural continuity across generations. The name's association with the San Fermin festival has given it international recognition, making it a symbol of Spanish culture worldwide. In Latin American countries with Spanish colonial heritage, Fermin also appears, though less frequently, maintaining its connection to Spanish Catholic traditions while adapting to local cultural contexts.
Women named Fermina are typically perceived as possessing remarkable inner strength and resilience. They embody a quiet determination that allows them to face challenges with grace and perseverance. Their strength is not necessarily loud or aggressive, but rather a deep-rooted fortitude that enables them to endure difficulties while maintaining their dignity and principles. This makes them natural leaders in family and community settings, often serving as the emotional anchor for those around them.



Ferminas are known for their practical wisdom and reliability. They combine traditional values with a modern sense of independence, creating a balanced personality that respects heritage while embracing progress. Their steadfast nature makes them excellent problem-solvers who approach life with both emotional intelligence and logical reasoning. They tend to form deep, lasting relationships and are fiercely loyal to those they care about, though they maintain strong personal boundaries and expect the same respect they give to others.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Gesnes occupies a unique position in Arthurian lore as one of the lesser-documented names that appears sporadically across medieval manuscripts. While not among the prominent knights like Lancelot or Gawain, the name surfaces in peripheral Arthurian texts, particularly those of French and Welsh origin. These references suggest Gesnes may have been a regional knight or minor noble whose stories were preserved in local traditions rather than the mainstream Arthurian canon.



The name's appearance in various forms across different linguistic traditions indicates it traveled through oral storytelling before being recorded by chroniclers. In contemporary Arthurian studies, Gesnes represents the rich tapestry of secondary characters that populated the Arthurian world, reminding us that for every famous knight, there were dozens of lesser-known figures who contributed to the legendary court's complexity and depth. The name serves as a testament to the fragmentary nature of medieval literature and how many stories have been lost to time, preserved only in names that hint at richer narratives.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Ginna originated as a diminutive of Virginia, a name with deep Christian roots tracing back to Saint Virginia, a 4th-century martyr venerated in the Catholic Church. The name Virginia itself derives from the Latin 'Virgo' meaning 'virgin' or 'maiden,' carrying strong associations with purity and virtue in Christian tradition. Throughout history, the name has been particularly popular in English-speaking Christian communities, often chosen to honor the Virgin Mary or to express religious devotion through the virtue of purity.



In American culture, the name also gained additional significance through its association with the state of Virginia, named for Queen Elizabeth I (the 'Virgin Queen'), creating a blend of religious and patriotic connotations that made Ginna an appealing diminutive form for families seeking both traditional values and modern simplicity. The name's usage reflects broader cultural trends where shortened forms of traditional names become established as independent given names, particularly in the 20th century when simpler, more approachable names gained popularity while maintaining connection to their meaningful origins.
Nicholas Bailey is set to compete on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.

Nicholas Bailey has joined the BBC show

The 54-year-old actor - who is best known for playing Anthony Trueman in EastEnders - and comedian Babtunde Aleshe have both been added to the Christmas Special line-up.

Nicholas said: "Im really excited to be doing this, almost as excited as my wife and daughters are! Hopefully Ill do them, Albert Square and Luba proud. Bring on the dancefloor."

Babatunde is also thrilled to be appearing on the Christmas special.

He said: "I used to do a little dancing when I was in college. I used to do Street Locking and Break Dancing, but then I found comedy and pursued that instead.

"At 39 Ive accepted that a good two-step is all I need to get by at any function, but I know that won't be enough for Strictly! Let's hope the old moves come back to me in time for Christmas."

Meanwhile, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman recently announced plans to leave Strictly Come Dancing at the end of the current series.

The co-hosts said: "We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream.

"We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time. We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show. Theyre the most brilliant team and well miss them every day.

"We will cry when we say the last keep dancing but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza."

Sarah James, the executive producer of Strictly Come Dancing, also paid a glowing tribute to the co-hosts.

She said: "Tess and Claudia are quite simply the best duo of presenters in the business and we are so lucky to have had them as our Strictly anchors for so many years.

"They have championed countless celebrities on the dancefloor, led us all through two series during the pandemic but more importantly they have a deep and genuine bond with the show and every single member of the team. The Strictly Family is often referred to and these women are the matriarchs of that family."
Cultural & Historical Significance

Granuaile represents one of the most powerful symbols of Irish resistance and female leadership in Irish history. The name is intrinsically linked to Grace O'Malley (c. 15301603), the legendary 'Pirate Queen of Connacht' who commanded a fleet of ships along the western coast of Ireland. She famously negotiated directly with Queen Elizabeth I as an equal, refusing to bow or acknowledge Elizabeth as Queen of Ireland. Her story embodies the struggle of Gaelic Ireland against English colonization and represents a rare example of a woman achieving significant political and military power in 16th-century Europe.



The name has become synonymous with Irish nationalism, maritime heritage, and feminist iconography, celebrated in folklore, literature, and political discourse as a symbol of Irish sovereignty and female empowerment. In modern Irish culture, Granuaile serves as an inspirational figure for women in leadership and continues to be referenced in discussions about Irish identity and resistance to external domination. Her legacy is particularly strong in County Mayo and the surrounding regions where she operated, with numerous landmarks, businesses, and cultural institutions bearing her name.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Haig carries significant cultural weight across multiple contexts. In English and Scottish traditions, it originated as a surname derived from place names meaning 'hedged enclosure,' reflecting medieval land management practices where boundaries defined property and protection. This evolved into a given name that conveys a sense of heritage and stability. In Armenian culture, Haig (or Hayk) holds profound historical importance as the legendary patriarch and founder of the Armenian nation, dating back to 2492 BC according to tradition. The name represents national identity and resilience, with Haig Nahapet (Haig the Patriarch) celebrated as a symbol of Armenian independence and cultural continuity. This dual heritage makes Haig a name that bridges practical English origins with deep mythological significance in Armenian tradition.



The Christian context of the name adds another layer of meaning, as it has been borne by individuals within Christian communities who value its connotations of protection and stewardship. The 'hedged enclosure' concept resonates with biblical imagery of God as protector and the church as a protected community. In Armenian Christianity specifically, the name connects to the nation's early adoption of Christianity as the state religion in 301 AD, making it a symbol of both faith and national identity. This multifaceted cultural significance gives Haig a unique position among names that span geographical and historical boundaries.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Havalah holds deep significance in Hebrew culture as a name derived from the root 'chayah' meaning 'to live.' In biblical context, the concept of life (chaim) is central to Jewish theology and philosophy, representing not just physical existence but spiritual vitality and divine connection. The name embodies the Jewish value of cherishing life in all its forms and reflects the importance of vitality and continuity in Hebrew tradition.



Throughout Jewish history, names containing life-related elements have been particularly meaningful, often given to express hope for the child's future or to commemorate survival and resilience. Havalah connects to this rich tradition while maintaining a distinctive, melodic quality that appeals to modern sensibilities while honoring ancient linguistic roots. The name represents continuity with ancestral practices while allowing for contemporary expression of Jewish identity.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Huntly has deep roots in Scottish heritage, originating as a place name from Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The town of Huntly was historically known as 'The Hunter's Meadow' and became the seat of the powerful Gordon clan. In Christian contexts, the name carries subtle spiritual symbolism, representing the pursuit of spiritual truth and the 'hunt' for divine understanding. The name's association with hunting connects to medieval Christian allegories where hunting symbolized the soul's quest for God. Throughout British history, Huntly has been borne by nobility and landowners, particularly in Scotland where it maintains strong regional identity and clan associations.



The name's Christian significance extends beyond its literal meaning, as hunting metaphors appear frequently in Christian literature and sermons. Saint Hubert, the patron saint of hunters, exemplifies how hunting imagery was Christianized to represent the pursuit of virtue and salvation. In this context, Huntly can be seen as representing one who seeks God's truth in the 'meadow' of creation. The name's Scottish Presbyterian connections further strengthen its Christian heritage, as many bearers were prominent in the Church of Scotland and various Christian movements throughout history.
Individuals named Husani are often perceived as possessing a natural grace and aesthetic sensibility that aligns with the name's meaning of 'beautiful.' They tend to exhibit a balanced personality that combines traditional values with modern adaptability, reflecting their name's cultural heritage. Husani's are typically seen as diplomatic and community-oriented, able to navigate different social contexts with ease and charm.



Many Husani's demonstrate strong leadership qualities tempered with compassion and empathy. They often show particular skill in mediation and conflict resolution, drawing from the name's association with historical figures known for their principled stands and moral courage. The combination of Islamic spiritual values and African communal traditions in the name's background often manifests in individuals who are both spiritually grounded and practically engaged with their communities, showing resilience in adversity while maintaining their core values.
Women named Janae are often perceived as compassionate, spiritually grounded individuals with strong intuitive abilities and natural empathy. They tend to be natural caregivers who approach life with faith and optimism, seeing challenges as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles. Their name's foundational meaning 'God has answered' often translates into a personality that is both resilient and hopeful, with an innate ability to find meaning and purpose in difficult circumstances.



Janaes are typically creative problem-solvers who balance traditional values with modern perspectives, making them adaptable in various social and professional settings. They often possess a quiet strength that inspires confidence in others while maintaining humility about their own accomplishments. This combination of spiritual depth and practical capability makes them effective leaders and trusted friends. Their intuitive nature allows them to understand unspoken needs and emotions, making them particularly skilled in roles that require emotional intelligence and interpersonal sensitivity.
Women named Jerelyn are often perceived as balanced individuals who combine strength with compassion. The 'Jer' element suggests leadership qualities, determination, and practical problem-solving abilities, while the 'lyn' suffix contributes grace, empathy, and artistic sensitivity. This combination typically results in someone who is both organized and creative, capable of taking charge when necessary while maintaining warm interpersonal relationships.



Jerelyns are often seen as reliable friends and community pillars who blend traditional values with modern perspectives, making them effective in both professional and personal spheres. Their dual nature allows them to adapt to various situations, showing resilience in challenges and generosity in success. They tend to be natural mediators who can understand multiple viewpoints while maintaining their own convictions, making them valuable in family, workplace, and community settings where balanced leadership is needed.
Individuals named Joeliyn are typically characterized by a unique blend of spiritual depth and practical intelligence. Their name's meaning 'Jehovah is God' often manifests in a strong moral compass and sense of purpose, while their French cultural associations contribute to qualities of sophistication, diplomacy, and aesthetic appreciation. Joeliyns tend to be natural mediators who can understand multiple perspectives and find common ground in challenging situations. They often possess a quiet confidence that comes from their spiritual grounding, combined with intellectual curiosity that drives lifelong learning and personal growth.



In interpersonal relationships, Joeliyns are known for their empathy and loyalty, often serving as trusted advisors and supportive friends. Their balanced nature allows them to be both strong in their convictions and open to new ideas, making them effective leaders who inspire rather than command. The combination of their name's religious heritage and French cultural background typically results in individuals who value both tradition and innovation, finding ways to honor the past while embracing the future. They often excel in fields that require both analytical thinking and emotional intelligence, such as education, counseling, arts, and leadership roles where they can bridge different communities or perspectives.
In contemporary naming practices, Julienne occupies a unique position as a classic choice that feels both established and distinctive. While it never reached the massive popularity of related names like Julia or Juliette, it maintains a steady presence in birth registries across French-speaking countries and among families of French descent worldwide. The name has experienced a mild resurgence in recent years as part of the vintage name revival trend, appealing to parents seeking elegant, time-tested names that stand out from more common choices. In the United States, Julienne remains relatively uncommon, typically ranking outside the top 1000 names, which adds to its appeal for parents wanting something recognizable but not overly popular. The name's strong French identity gives it international appeal, particularly in multicultural societies where European names are valued for their sophistication and global recognition. Its association with the culinary term also makes it appealing to food-conscious families and those in creative professions. Social media and global connectivity have helped maintain Julienne's relevance, with the name appearing in international contexts while retaining its essential French character.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Kaphiri holds deep significance in ancient Egyptian culture, where geographical features were often imbued with spiritual meaning. As 'hill' or 'elevated land,' Kaphiri represented not just physical topography but also spiritual elevation and connection to the gods. In Egyptian cosmology, hills were seen as the first land to emerge from the primordial waters of Nun, making them symbols of creation and stability. Many Egyptian temples were built on elevated ground, and the name Kaphiri would have been particularly appropriate for priests, architects, or officials involved in temple construction or administration.



The name appears in various historical records from the Old Kingdom through the Ptolemaic period, often associated with individuals of administrative or religious importance. During the New Kingdom, the name gained prominence among military leaders, symbolizing strategic high ground and defensive advantage. The cultural resonance of Kaphiri extends beyond its literal meaning to encompass concepts of authority, perspective, and spiritual ascent, reflecting the Egyptian belief that elevation brought one closer to the divine realm and provided broader understanding of both earthly and cosmic matters.
Actor Lee Chae-min once again delivers flawless, stylish visuals, releasing a new set of cafe photos full of his characteristic charm and sophistication.

As reported by Tenasia, Lee Chae-min uploaded a photo via his Instagram with a simple caption of a flower emoji. The minimalist caption paired with his elegant photo drew the attention of fans online in an instant.

Above, the actor wears a sophisticated black cardigan and pants and sits at a cozy cafe with yellow-toned tables and chairs. With a cup of coffee in his hand, he looks relaxed, yet classy. The soft look, cast-down eyes, and natural pose gave the shot a cinematic vibe as if it came out of a magazine pictorial.

A news outlet explained that the composition of the photo, along with Lee's natural charisma, "captured the essence of understated elegance" as the actor's fashion and mood easily melted into the cafe's urban atmosphere.

Fans filled the comment section, complimenting his visuals and style. Reactions included: "It really looks like a photoshoot," "Always supporting you," "His visuals are insane," "Fighting!", "The vibe is amazing," and "He's so handsome." These comments reflected his growing popularity both in South Korea and worldwide.

In the recent days after wrapping up the tvN weekend drama, "Bon Appetit, Your Majesty," Lee Chae-min has continued drawing attention not only for his acting skills but also for his sincerity off-screen. During an interview with a media outlet, Lee Chae-min addressed the speculation regarding his public date with actress Ryu Da-in:

The actor explained, "I didn't wear it with any intention; it was just a fashion choice," referring to the speculation of matching accessories. He added, "I attended the wrap party to enjoy myself and didn't expect photos to be taken."

With a candid tone, he admitted, "If you must know, it was my mistake." And when asked about a rumored couple ring, he playfully replied, "That's a secret."

As Lee Chae-min goes on to give snippets into his personal style and well-grounded personality, the public stays captivated by his eclectic mix of charm, modesty, and sophistication on and off the screen.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Katelin represents a fascinating linguistic bridge between medieval English and Irish naming traditions. As the medieval English adaptation of the Irish name Caitlin, which itself derives from the Greek Aikaterine through French Catherine, this name carries centuries of Christian heritage and cultural exchange. The name's journey from Greek to Latin to French to Irish and finally to medieval English demonstrates how naming traditions evolved across Europe while maintaining their core religious significance. During the medieval period, names derived from Catherine became particularly popular due to the veneration of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, an early Christian martyr celebrated for her wisdom and steadfast faith. The Katelin spelling specifically reflects the phonetic adaptations that occurred as the name traveled from Gaelic-speaking regions to English-speaking areas, preserving the essential meaning of 'pure' while adapting to local linguistic patterns.



The cultural significance of Katelin extends beyond mere nomenclature to represent the complex interplay between English and Irish cultures throughout history. During times of English rule in Ireland and subsequent Irish migration to England and beyond, names like Katelin served as cultural markers that could facilitate integration while maintaining ethnic identity. The name's persistence through centuries speaks to its ability to transcend specific historical periods while retaining its essential character. In contemporary contexts, Katelin continues to symbolize this rich cultural heritage, offering parents a name that acknowledges both English and Irish ancestry while fitting comfortably within modern English-speaking societies. Its continued usage represents an ongoing appreciation for names that carry historical depth and cultural meaning.
Individuals named Kayana are often perceived as responsible, trustworthy, and pure-hearted. The name's association with being a 'keeper of the keys' suggests someone who is reliable and protective, often taking on leadership roles or responsibilities with natural grace. They tend to be organized individuals who value structure and order, yet maintain a warm and approachable demeanor that draws others to them.



Kayana's typically exhibit strong moral character and integrity, living up to the name's meaning of purity. They are often seen as peacemakers in their social circles, possessing diplomatic skills and the ability to mediate conflicts. Their combination of practicality and compassion makes them excellent friends and confidants, while their innate sense of responsibility often leads them to careers where they can help or guide others. They balance traditional values with modern perspectives, making them adaptable yet grounded individuals.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Kenji holds significant cultural importance in Japan as a traditional masculine name that reflects Confucian family values and the importance placed on birth order. The name's meaning as 'intelligent second son' speaks to the historical Japanese family structure where the second son held a specific role - often expected to be supportive of the firstborn while bringing intellectual strength to the family. During the Meiji and Taisho periods, names like Kenji became particularly popular as Japan modernized, representing a blend of traditional values with progressive thinking. The name embodies the Japanese cultural ideals of balance between physical vigor (ken) and intellectual capacity (ji), reflecting the samurai concept of bunbu ryodo - the balance of literary and military arts. Throughout Japanese history, bearers of this name have often been associated with cultural innovation, artistic expression, and intellectual leadership, making it a name that carries expectations of both traditional strength and modern intelligence.



In contemporary Japanese society, while the strict adherence to birth order significance has diminished, Kenji continues to represent valued qualities of reliability, intelligence, and balanced character. The name appears frequently in literature, business, and academia, often associated with individuals who bridge traditional Japanese values with global perspectives. Its enduring popularity across generations demonstrates how the name has successfully transitioned from its specific historical context to become a timeless representation of Japanese masculine ideals that emphasize both mental and physical excellence.
Individuals named Kirwyn are often perceived as possessing a thoughtful, introspective nature combined with strong intuitive abilities. They tend to be deeply connected to their heritage and family traditions, displaying loyalty and protective instincts toward those they care about. Kirwyns typically exhibit a balance of quiet strength and creative expression, often excelling in artistic or intellectual pursuits where depth of feeling and original thinking are valued.



Their 'dark-skinned' namesake meaning frequently translates metaphorically to depth of character - they are seen as individuals with hidden layers, complex emotions, and substantial inner resources. While they may appear reserved initially, those who know them well appreciate their dry wit, steadfast reliability, and capacity for profound emotional connections. Many Kirwyns demonstrate natural leadership qualities that emerge not through loud authority but through quiet competence and genuine care for others, making them respected figures in their communities and professions.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Larke holds significant Christian symbolism rooted in medieval European traditions where the lark bird represented the soul's ascent to God. In Christian art and literature, the lark's morning song was seen as praising the Creator at dawn, making it a metaphor for prayer and spiritual awakening. This connection made the name popular among Christian families who valued nature-based religious symbolism.



During the Victorian era, Larke gained popularity as part of the 'flower and bird' naming trend among English-speaking Christians, symbolizing purity and divine connection through nature. The name appears in several Christian hymns and poems as a symbol of resurrection and hope, particularly in works celebrating God's creation. Its usage reflects the Christian tradition of finding spiritual meaning in the natural world, where every creature reflects aspects of the divine.
Individuals named Lisha are typically characterized by a harmonious blend of joyful disposition and strong moral principles. They often exhibit natural warmth and approachability, making others feel comfortable and valued in their presence. Their inherent honesty and truthfulness mean they build relationships based on trust and authenticity, while their happy nature allows them to navigate challenges with optimism and resilience.



Lishas tend to be emotionally intelligent individuals who balance seriousness with lightheartedness, knowing when to be earnest and when to bring joy to situations. They often serve as moral compasses in their social circles, offering guidance without judgment and maintaining their integrity even in difficult circumstances. Their combination of sweetness and honesty makes them both beloved friends and respected colleagues, capable of creating environments where truth and happiness coexist naturally. This balanced personality allows Lishas to be effective in both personal relationships and professional settings where trust and positive energy are valued.
Individuals named Louella are often characterized by a distinctive blend of strength and sensitivity that reflects the name's dual etymology. The 'famous warrior' aspect of the name typically manifests as determination, resilience, and leadership qualities, while the 'light' or 'fairy' component contributes to creativity, intuition, and emotional intelligence. This combination often results in people who are both practical problem-solvers and imaginative visionaries, capable of handling difficult situations with both competence and compassion. Their communication skills tend to be particularly strong, allowing them to express complex ideas clearly and connect with diverse groups of people.



Socially, Louellas often possess a natural grace and charm that makes them well-liked, combined with the conviction and principles to stand up for what they believe in. They typically demonstrate excellent organizational abilities while maintaining artistic or creative interests, making them effective in roles that require both structure and innovation. The name's historical association with influential women like Louella Parsons suggests a personality type that understands social dynamics and can navigate complex interpersonal situations with both tact and authority. This balance of feminine grace with inner strength makes Louellas particularly adept at leadership positions that require both emotional intelligence and decisive action.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Luell emerged as a distinctly Christian feminine name during the Victorian era, when there was renewed interest in combining traditional Christian values with romanticized medieval imagery. The name's 'elf' component reflects the 19th-century Christian fascination with nature spirits as manifestations of God's creation, while the 'famous' element aligns with Christian ideals of living a life that glorifies God through good works and moral example. This blending of mystical and religious elements made Luell particularly appealing to families seeking names that honored both their faith and their appreciation for literary romance.



Throughout the 20th century, Luell maintained its Christian associations while adapting to changing naming conventions. It became particularly popular among Protestant communities in the American Midwest and Southern United States, where it symbolized both spiritual devotion and gentle femininity. The name's rarity contributed to its special status, often chosen by parents wanting a distinctive yet meaningful Christian name for their daughters that wouldn't be shared by many peers.
Individuals named Lumumba are often perceived as possessing strong leadership qualities, intellectual depth, and a passionate commitment to their principles. They tend to be charismatic figures who inspire others through their vision and determination. The historical associations with the name suggest someone who is unafraid to challenge established systems and fight for justice, often displaying remarkable courage in the face of adversity. These individuals typically exhibit a strong sense of cultural identity and may feel a deep connection to African heritage and liberation struggles.



They are often seen as gifted communicators with the ability to articulate complex ideas compellingly. While they can be idealistic and visionary, they may also face challenges when their uncompromising stance on principles conflicts with pragmatic realities. The name carries expectations of intelligence, resilience, and a transformative impact on their communities. People named Lumumba are frequently expected to demonstrate both the intellectual gifts and moral courage associated with their namesake, creating a legacy of leadership and principled action in whatever fields they choose to pursue.
Women named Maitea are often described as warm, compassionate, and emotionally intelligent individuals. They tend to possess a natural ability to connect with others on a deep level, making them excellent friends and partners. Their name meaning 'beloved' often reflects in their personality - they are typically loving, nurturing, and deeply value relationships and family connections.



Maiteas are frequently creative souls with strong intuition and artistic sensibilities. They approach life with passion and sincerity, often showing remarkable resilience in facing challenges. While they are gentle and caring, they also possess inner strength and determination that helps them pursue their goals with conviction. Their balanced nature allows them to be both supportive companions and independent thinkers who aren't afraid to stand up for their beliefs. This combination of tenderness and fortitude makes Maiteas particularly effective in caregiving professions and creative fields.
Song Hye Kyo's reaction to Hyun Bin winning "Best Actor" at the 46th Blue Dragon Film Awards quickly gained widespread attention on social media.

The two had been in a three-year relationship starting in 2008; their appearance at the same major event heightened curiosity among fans and viewers.

Koreaboo first featured the report, highlighting Song Hye Kyo's poised response as a topic of discussion among netizens.

This article reports that Song Hye Kyo attended the ceremony wearing a baby pink dress, receiving high appreciation for her graceful appearance.

"Another person who attended was Song Hye Kyo, who looked radiant in a baby pink dress," the report said.

Videos that surfaced online began circulating, showing Hyun Bin arriving with his wife, actress Son Ye Jin, who drew attention for her interactions with him throughout the event.

The publication added, "The actor attended the awards and caught attention for his interactions with his wife, Son Ye Jin, and also for picking up the top award for 'Best Actor.'"

Cameras captured Song Hye Kyo's reaction immediately after Hyun Bin's announcement as the winner, and it quickly went viral on Instagram, TikTok, and X.

Koreaboo described, "A video is going viral showing Song Hye Kyo's reaction to Hyun Bin's win."

The clip captured the actress beaming with a smile and clapping in support as Hyun Bin approached to hug Son Ye Jin before making his way to the stage to receive his award. Social media users highlighted this moment to showcase her professionalism and grace.

According to the report, "In the video, Song Hye Kyo claps and smiles as the actor hugs his wife and goes to collect the award."

Netizens reacted in admiration for the actress, lauding her comportment in a situation that sparked conversation online.

The article noted, "IIn the comments, netizens shared how classy Song Hye Kyo is and that despite dating, they seem to be on good terms."

As clips continue to circulate, the moment has become one of the most discussed highlights from this year's Blue Dragon Film Awards, further underlining enduring public interest in both actors' careers and personal histories.

Separately, per AllKpop, Song Hye Kyo has reunited with Professor Seo Kyung Deok to produce a new video honoring Korean independence activist Kim Hyang Hwa, highlighting the role of women in Korea's independence movement.

Released on November 17 for the "Day of Patriotic Martyrs," the multilingual video depicts Kim and 30 gisaengs carrying the Korean flag during a historic demonstration and is being shared worldwide to educate audiences.

This marks the fifth collaboration between Song and Professor Seo, who have spent 14 years promoting female activists through media and educational donations.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Maolruadhan is a deeply significant name in Irish religious and cultural history, deriving from the early Christian period in Ireland. The name literally means 'servant or devotee of Saint Ruadhan,' referring to Saint Ruadhan of Lorrha, a 6th-century Irish saint who founded the important monastery at Lorrha in County Tipperary. This name represents the strong tradition of naming children after saints and religious figures that characterized early Christian Ireland, particularly within monastic communities and among families with ecclesiastical connections. The practice of using 'Maol-' (meaning 'servant' or 'devotee') prefixes was common in early medieval Ireland, creating names that expressed religious devotion and spiritual allegiance.



Throughout the medieval period, bearers of this name were often associated with ecclesiastical scholarship, monastic life, and the preservation of Irish learning during times of political upheaval. The name survived particularly well in families with hereditary connections to church positions or among the learned classes who maintained Gaelic traditions despite Norman and English influence. The cultural significance extends to the modern era, where the name represents a connection to Ireland's early Christian heritage and serves as a marker of cultural identity and historical continuity in the face of centuries of cultural and political change.
Women named Marley are typically characterized by their creative spirit and emotional depth, often displaying a unique blend of practicality and intuition. The 'marshy meadow' aspect of their name suggests someone who is grounded and resilient, able to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining their core values. They often possess a natural empathy that makes them excellent listeners and trusted confidantes, with an innate ability to understand and comfort others during difficult times.



Their connection to Mary Magdalene through the Marlene variant adds layers of spiritual sensitivity and transformative potential to their personality. Marleys tend to be seekers of truth and meaning, often drawn to creative expression, healing professions, or spiritual pursuits. They typically approach life with a combination of practicality and wonder, finding beauty in ordinary moments while maintaining the strength to navigate life's challenges. Their personality often reflects the symbolic marsh - seemingly soft and yielding, yet surprisingly resilient and fertile with potential.
Individuals named Martin are often perceived as strong, principled leaders with a deep sense of justice and moral conviction. They tend to be analytical thinkers who approach challenges with strategic planning and determination, reflecting the name's warrior origins. Martins are typically reliable and responsible, often taking on leadership roles in their professional and personal lives. They possess a quiet confidence rather than brash arrogance, and their strength manifests as perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity.



Many Martins demonstrate a blend of practical intelligence and compassion, able to make tough decisions while maintaining empathy for others. They often have a strong sense of duty and service, whether to their family, community, or larger causes, and they value integrity above all else. While they can be stubborn in their convictions, this same quality makes them dependable and consistent in their relationships and commitments. The name suggests someone who is both grounded and visionarycapable of understanding practical realities while working toward idealistic goals, much like the famous historical figures who have borne this name.
Individuals bearing the name Matata are typically characterized by their dynamic energy and strong independent streak. The name's meaning suggests someone who is not content with passive acceptance but actively engages with the world around them, often questioning norms and pushing boundaries. This can manifest as natural leadership abilities, though sometimes in unconventional ways. They tend to be innovative thinkers who approach problems from angles others might not consider, making them valuable in situations requiring creative solutions. Their assertive nature means they're often at the forefront of change, whether in personal relationships, professional settings, or broader social contexts.



While the literal translation might suggest negativity, the personality associated with Matata is more complex and nuanced. These individuals often possess deep conviction and moral courage, willing to create 'trouble' when they perceive injustice or stagnation. They typically have strong communication skills and the ability to influence others, though this can sometimes lead to conflicts with more traditional or conservative individuals. Their challenging nature is usually balanced by genuine concern for improvement and progress rather than mere disruption. With maturity, many learn to channel their disruptive energy into constructive leadership, becoming catalysts for positive transformation in their communities.
Melia has seen steady growth in popularity, particularly in the United States and countries with strong connections to Hawaiian culture. While not among the top 100 names, it maintains consistent usage among parents seeking a name that is both exotic and accessible. The name appeals to those looking for floral names with cultural depth beyond more common choices like Lily or Rose. Its popularity has been bolstered by the growing interest in Hawaiian culture, eco-conscious naming trends, and the appeal of names that work well internationally. Melia strikes a balance between being distinctive without being overly unusual, making it a favored choice for parents wanting a name that honors natural beauty while remaining easy to pronounce and spell across different languages. The name has found particular resonance in coastal regions and among families with interests in environmental conservation and multicultural appreciation.
Individuals named Melosia are often characterized by their warm, expressive nature and artistic sensibility. They tend to possess a natural grace and emotional intelligence that allows them to connect deeply with others. Their 'sweet' descriptor manifests as genuine kindness, empathy, and a nurturing disposition that makes them excellent friends and confidants. They often have a creative streak, whether in artistic pursuits, problem-solving, or interpersonal relationships.



Melosias typically exhibit strong communication skills and a melodic quality to their speech that draws people toward them. They balance traditional values with modern perspectives, making them adaptable yet grounded. Their emotional depth can sometimes lead to sensitivity, but this same quality enables them to appreciate beauty in all its forms and create harmonious environments wherever they go. They are often peacemakers who seek to resolve conflicts through understanding and compassion rather than confrontation, embodying the sweet and harmonious qualities their name suggests.
Individuals named Minne are often characterized by their warm, affectionate nature and strong emotional intelligence. They typically possess a natural ability to connect with others on deep emotional levels, making them excellent friends, partners, and caregivers. Their name's meaning of 'love' often manifests in their personality through genuine compassion, empathy, and a desire to create harmonious relationships in all aspects of their lives. They tend to be nurturing figures who prioritize emotional connections and often serve as peacemakers in their social circles.



Beyond their emotional strengths, Minnies often demonstrate creativity and artistic sensitivity, likely influenced by the name's association with medieval love poetry and romantic traditions. They may have a particular appreciation for arts, literature, and beauty in various forms. While generally gentle and accommodating, they can also show remarkable resilience when protecting loved ones or standing up for their values. Their combination of emotional depth and creative expression makes them particularly suited to careers in counseling, education, arts, or any field requiring interpersonal connection and understanding.
Individuals named Misk are typically characterized by refined and charismatic personalities that reflect the elegance and subtle strength of their namesake. They often possess natural leadership qualities combined with diplomatic skills, enabling them to influence others through persuasion rather than force. Their communication style tends to be articulate and thoughtful, with an ability to express complex ideas clearly. Many display intellectual curiosity and artistic sensibilities, often excelling in creative or academic pursuits. The name suggests someone who values quality in all aspects of life, from relationships to personal achievements, preferring depth over superficiality.



Socially, people named Misk are often described as having a calming presence that puts others at ease, much like the soothing fragrance of musk. They tend to form deep, meaningful relationships rather than numerous superficial ones, and their loyalty to friends and family is typically strong. Their personality often blends traditional values with modern adaptability, allowing them to navigate different social contexts with grace. While they may appear reserved initially, they reveal warmth and wisdom upon closer acquaintance. The combination of strength and subtlety in their character makes them effective in leadership roles where influence must be exercised with discretion and cultural sensitivity.
Individuals named Nasheeta are typically characterized by their remarkable energy and dynamic presence. They possess an innate ability to inspire and motivate others, often serving as catalysts for positive change in their communities. Their active nature makes them natural leaders who thrive in environments where they can implement new ideas and drive progress. Nasheeta's are known for their resilience and ability to maintain optimism even in challenging circumstances.



These individuals often exhibit strong communication skills and emotional intelligence, allowing them to connect with diverse groups of people. They tend to be socially conscious and drawn to professions or activities that allow them to make a tangible difference in others' lives. While they are energetic and outgoing, they also possess a reflective side that helps them balance their active nature with thoughtful consideration. Their combination of vitality and empathy makes them particularly effective in roles that require both action and understanding.
Individuals bearing the name Nastas typically exhibit a unique blend of strength and flexibility, mirroring the qualities of the foxtail grass that inspires their name. They often demonstrate remarkable resilience in facing life's challenges, possessing an innate ability to adapt to changing circumstances without losing their fundamental character. This adaptability is complemented by a deep-rooted sense of identity and tradition, creating individuals who can navigate modern complexities while maintaining strong connections to their cultural heritage. Their approach to problems tends to be thoughtful and observant, taking time to understand situations fully before acting.



There's often a noticeable grace in how people named Nastas interact with others and move through the world. They tend to be patient listeners and careful observers, qualities that make them excellent mediators and trusted advisors. Their connection to natural imagery suggests a person who finds solace and wisdom in the outdoors, often displaying environmental awareness and respect for ecological balance. In relationships, they value harmony and mutual understanding, approaching conflicts with a desire for resolution rather than confrontation. Their strength lies in their quiet confidence and the subtle way they influence their surroundings, much like grass that shapes the landscape through persistent, gentle growth.
SBS's action drama "Taxi Driver" returned with its third season this November and has already broken a big record with its premiere.

According to broadcast data released this week, the series achieved the highest average viewership rating of any Korean drama premiere in 2025, further solidifying its reputation as one of the country's most reliable hits.

Further information regarding the show's performance came from AllKpop, which pinpointed strong numbers recorded on opening night.

The report stated, "The first episode of 'Taxi Driver 3', which aired on November 21 KST, recorded an average nationwide viewership rating of 9.5%."

The data from The Korea Daily also underlined the success of the broadcast across demographics and regions.

The publication highlighted, "This is the highest average viewership rating recorded by the premiere of any drama in 2025 across all broadcasting stations, including public and cable."

Nielsen Korea's metrics also showed a very high peak during the broadcast that surpassed the average for the episode.

According to the report, "The highest rating of the first episode also peaked at 11.1%."

"Taxi Driver" is a drama based on the popular webtoon of the same name, which depicts an extraordinary taxi service working to meet justice for its victims, who have been denied by the judicial system. At the core of the team, Kim Do Ki, played by Lee Jae Hoon, plays his part in infiltrating criminal organizations for revenge.

As described in the article, ''Taxi Driver'' tells the story of a strange taxi business operated by Kim Do Ki, and his crew. The services offered by the business include infiltrating criminal organizations and delivering revenge on behalf of wronged victims."

Season 3 reunites the main cast-Lee Jae Hoon, Kim Eui Sung, Pyo Ye Jin, Jang Hyuk Jin, and Bae Yoo Ram-who are back with a new set of missions and expanded action sequences aimed at drawing long-time fans back into the storyline.

The outlet noted, "'Taxi Driver' season 3 will greet viewers every Fridays and Saturdays at 9:50 PM KST on SBS."

Starting this well, "Taxi Driver 3" is sure to remain one of the notable dramas of the year as it advances into the 2025 season.
In contemporary naming practices, Neely occupies a unique position as both traditional and distinctive. While not among the most popular names, it maintains steady usage particularly among families with Irish heritage and those seeking names with strong Christian connotations. The name has seen a modest increase in popularity in recent years as parents move away from extremely common names toward those with character and history. Modern usage often emphasizes the name's strength and independence, making it appealing to parents who want their daughters to have names that suggest capability and resilience. The name is used across various regions but shows particular popularity in areas with strong Irish-American communities. Current trends indicate that Neely is often chosen by parents who value both cultural heritage and modern sensibility, wanting a name that is easy to pronounce and spell while carrying significant meaning and history.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Neleus occupies a pivotal position in Greek cultural heritage as a foundational figure in both mythology and early Greek history. As the son of Poseidon and Tyro, and twin brother of Pelias, his mythological narrative represents the divine intervention in human affairs and the establishment of royal lineages. His founding of Pylos marks him as a culture hero who brought civilization to the western Peloponnese, creating one of the major Bronze Age centers that would later feature prominently in Homeric epic. The city of Pylos under Neleus and his descendants became synonymous with wisdom and counsel, primarily through his son Nestor, whose aged wisdom in the Iliad reflects the accumulated knowledge of this dynastic line.



Historically, the name Neleus connects mainland Greek culture with Ionian colonization, as later traditions claimed Neleus as an ancestor of the Ionian settlers in Asia Minor. This dual significanceboth as a Mycenaean kingdom founder and as a symbolic ancestor of Ionian citiesdemonstrates how mythological figures served to legitimize political and territorial claims across the Greek world. The persistence of Neleus in Greek tradition underscores the importance of foundation myths in constructing cultural identity and the Greek conception of heroism as involving not just individual combat prowess but also city-building and the establishment of lasting political institutions.
People named Nessan typically exhibit a thoughtful, grounded personality characterized by deep reflection and strong principles. They tend to be naturally inclined toward spiritual or philosophical pursuits, valuing authenticity and meaning in their relationships and endeavors. Their calm exterior often masks considerable inner strength and resilience, making them reliable in challenging situations. Nessans usually prefer substance over show, demonstrating their capabilities through consistent action rather than loud proclamation.



In social settings, Nessans are often the steady, dependable presence that others turn to for wise counsel. They typically possess excellent listening skills and offer thoughtful perspectives rather than quick judgments. While they may not seek the spotlight, they often emerge as natural leaders in their communities due to their integrity and commitment. Their connection to tradition gives them a sense of historical perspective, while their practical nature keeps them engaged with contemporary realities. This combination of depth and practicality makes Nessans particularly effective at bridging different generations and viewpoints.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Nisha is a name deeply rooted in Sanskrit and Hindu traditions, where it carries profound spiritual significance. In ancient Indian texts, the name represents both the literal night and the metaphorical darkness that precedes enlightenment, symbolizing the journey from ignorance to wisdom. The name appears in various Hindu scriptures and poetic works, often used to describe the beautiful, mysterious quality of night that brings rest, reflection, and ultimately, the dawn of new understanding.



Throughout South Asian history, Nisha has been a popular choice for girls, reflecting cultural values that celebrate both beauty and intellect. The name embodies the concept that true vision often emerges from periods of darkness or contemplation. In many Indian families, the name is chosen to signify hope and the promise of illumination, representing the idea that every night gives way to morning light and every challenge contains the seed of wisdom. The name has maintained its cultural relevance across generations, adapting to modern contexts while preserving its traditional depth and meaning.
Women named Noele are often perceived as warm, compassionate, and nurturing individuals who bring light and joy to those around them. They typically possess a natural generosity of spirit and a strong sense of family values, making them excellent caregivers and loyal friends. Their Christmas-associated name often lends them a festive, cheerful disposition that can brighten even the darkest situations. Noeles tend to be creative and artistic, with an appreciation for beauty and tradition.



These individuals are often organized and reliable, with a practical approach to problem-solving that makes them valuable in both personal and professional settings. While they can be sentimental and traditional in their outlook, they also possess an inner strength and resilience that helps them navigate life's challenges with grace and determination. The name's connection to Christmas gives Noeles a natural affinity for bringing people together and creating meaningful celebrations and traditions that strengthen family and community bonds throughout their lives.
Individuals named Orea are typically perceived as strong-willed, grounded, and resilient, much like the mountains that inspire their name. They often exhibit remarkable stability in challenging situations, serving as anchors for those around them. Their personality combines the quiet strength of ancient stone with the refreshing clarity of mountain airthey're known for their clear thinking and practical problem-solving abilities. Oreas tend to be deeply connected to nature and often find solace and inspiration in outdoor environments.



They possess an innate wisdom that seems to come from somewhere deep and ancient, making them excellent counselors and trusted friends. While they may appear reserved at first, their loyalty runs as deep as mountain roots once trust is established. Their combination of strength and serenity makes them natural leaders who inspire confidence without being overbearing. Oreas typically value authenticity over superficiality and have little patience for pretense, preferring genuine connections and meaningful pursuits to shallow social conventions.
The name Penarddun evokes qualities of dignified strength, deep emotional intelligence, and a strong connection to heritage. Drawing from her mythological role, individuals with this name are often perceived as having matriarchal wisdomthe ability to guide and support while maintaining personal integrity. The mythological Penarddun's experience of both triumph and tragedy in her children's stories suggests resilience and the capacity to endure loss while preserving family legacy. Modern interpretations might include intuitive understanding of complex situations, quiet leadership that inspires rather than commands, and a natural grace that combines traditional values with adaptive thinking. The 'beauty' aspect of the name extends to charactersuggesting harmony in relationships, balanced judgment, and the ability to see beauty in challenging circumstances. Those named Penarddun often demonstrate loyalty that withstands testing, the wisdom to know when to act and when to wait, and a deep sense of responsibility to both past and future generations. They may possess a blend of practical strength and spiritual depth, reflecting the Celtic appreciation for both worldly competence and otherworldly connection.
Symbolically, Pirro embodies the profound philosophical concept that victory and loss are not always clearly defined. The name serves as a living metaphor for the idea that success must be measured not just by immediate outcomes but by long-term consequences and costs. The 'red-haired' meaning adds symbolic layers of fire - representing both creative passion and destructive potential, transformation and consumption. In broader symbolic contexts, Pirro represents the wisdom gained from historical lessons, the burden of leadership, and the complex calculus of decision-making. The name carries connotations of strategic depth, historical consciousness, and the understanding that the most apparent victories can conceal deeper losses. It symbolizes the balance between ambition and wisdom, action and reflection, making it a name that continually reminds its bearer and others about the nuanced nature of achievement and the importance of considering both immediate and extended consequences in all endeavors.
Individuals named Qaraja are typically perceived as strong-willed and determined, with a natural inclination toward leadership roles. They often exhibit a blend of traditional values and progressive thinking, making them effective mediators between different generations and cultural perspectives. Their personality is marked by a quiet confidence that commands respect without being overtly assertive, and they tend to approach challenges with strategic patience rather than impulsive action.



Qaraja bearers are often characterized by their loyalty to family and community, demonstrating deep commitment to their cultural roots while adapting to modern circumstances. They possess analytical minds and are known for their practical problem-solving abilities. In social settings, they may appear reserved initially but reveal warmth and generosity to those they trust. Their combination of traditional wisdom and adaptability makes them particularly effective in roles requiring cultural sensitivity and long-term planning. These traits reflect the historical legacy of the name, which has been associated with figures who balanced strength with wisdom and tradition with innovation.
In contemporary naming practices, Roark has evolved from a primarily Irish surname to an increasingly popular first name, particularly in English-speaking countries with significant Irish diaspora communities. While it remains relatively uncommon, its usage has grown steadily since the late 20th century, appealing to parents seeking strong, distinctive names with cultural depth. The name's literary association with Ayn Rand's heroic architect Howard Roark has given it additional appeal among those valuing individualism and creative integrity. Modern usage trends show Roark being chosen by parents who appreciate its combination of traditional roots and contemporary sophistication. It fits well with current naming patterns that favor surnames as first names and Celtic revivals. The name maintains a certain exclusivity while being easily pronounceable and memorable, making it an attractive choice for parents wanting a name that stands out without being overly unconventional. Its usage spans various social and educational backgrounds, though it appears more frequently in urban, educated demographics.
Banjul, Gambia (PANA)  Guinea Bissau's opposition coalition Front Populaire on Wednesday condemned what it describes as an attempted staged coup dEtat aimed at preventing the publication of provisional electoral results expected on 27 November
Individuals named Rosa are often perceived as possessing a unique combination of gentle strength and protective instincts. They typically exhibit nurturing qualities with a strong sense of justice, often taking on roles as defenders of the vulnerable or advocates for important causes. Their personality often balances traditional feminine grace with formidable inner resolve, making them both approachable and respected. Many Rosas demonstrate remarkable emotional intelligence, able to read situations and people with acute sensitivity.



This name tends to be associated with individuals who have a quiet determination and the courage to stand up for their beliefs, even in challenging circumstances. They often possess artistic sensibilities and an appreciation for beauty, combined with practical problem-solving abilities. The protective aspect of their nature manifests not just in personal relationships but frequently extends to broader social concerns, making them natural leaders in community and humanitarian efforts. Their strength is typically understated but becomes evident when principles or loved ones are threatened.
Individuals named Rosemonde are typically perceived as protective, nurturing, and deeply loyal to those they care about. They often possess a natural inclination toward guardianship, whether of family, friends, or cherished principles. Their protective nature is balanced by a refined elegance and intellectual depth, making them both formidable defenders and cultured companions. Rosemondes tend to be perceptive and intuitive, with a strong sense of responsibility that guides their actions.



These individuals often exhibit quiet strength and resilience, capable of weathering challenges while maintaining their grace and dignity. Their combination of protective instincts and sophisticated demeanor makes them natural leaders in social and family contexts, where they create environments of safety and cultural enrichment. They are often drawn to roles that allow them to protect, guide, or preserve what they value, whether through teaching, counseling, or maintaining family traditions. The name suggests someone who combines traditional values with modern sensibilities, creating a unique blend of steadfast reliability and contemporary understanding.
Individuals named Rutley typically exhibit a grounded, stable personality characterized by deep roots in their beliefs and values. They are often perceived as reliable and steadfast, much like the meadow from which their name derivesoffering comfort and consistency to those around them. Rutleys tend to be practical problem-solvers who approach challenges with patience and perseverance. Their connection to the 'root' aspect of their name suggests someone who values tradition, family heritage, and moral foundations, while the 'meadow' component indicates a nurturing, peaceful disposition that creates safe spaces for others. This combination often results in individuals who are both strong in their convictions and gentle in their interactions.



Beyond these core characteristics, Rutleys often demonstrate remarkable resilience and adaptabilityqualities that mirror how meadows withstand seasonal changes while maintaining their essential character. They typically possess an innate understanding of growth processes, whether in relationships, projects, or personal development, and approach life with a methodical, organic perspective that respects natural timing and cycles. Their strength lies in their ability to remain centered during turmoil while providing nourishment and support to others. The meadow symbolism also suggests a person who fosters community and connection, creating environments where diverse elements can coexist harmoniously. These personality traits make Rutleys particularly effective in roles requiring both stability and compassion, such as counseling, teaching, or community leadership.
Men named Scadwiella typically exhibit a balanced personality combining practical wisdom with spiritual depth. They are often perceived as grounded individuals who provide stability and shelter to those around themthe 'shed' aspect of their namewhile also offering emotional and spiritual refreshment like a 'spring.' This duality makes them excellent counselors and community leaders who can address both material and spiritual needs. They tend to be patient, resourceful, and deeply connected to tradition while remaining open to new insights and growth.



Their character often shows strong protective instincts, particularly toward community values and vulnerable individuals. Scadwiella's are typically reliable and consistent, yet they possess an inner resilience that allows them to adapt to changing circumstances. They value authenticity over appearance and often prefer substance over showmanship. This combination of practicality and spirituality makes them effective in roles that require both hands-on problem-solving and emotional intelligence, often excelling as teachers, community organizers, or spiritual guides.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Shawnessey carries deep roots in Irish history, originating from the powerful O'Shaughnessy clan of County Galway. The original Gaelic form O Seanaigh translates to 'descendant of Seanach,' with Seanach meaning 'wise' or 'old' - suggesting the ancestral figure was revered for wisdom and experience. Historically, the O'Shaughnessy clan were Gaelic nobility who ruled the territory of Ui Fiachrach Aidhne in southern Connacht, maintaining their lands and influence through centuries of political change. During the 16th and 17th centuries, many clan members adapted the name to Shawnessey as part of the broader Anglicization process in Ireland, particularly following the Flight of the Earls and Cromwellian settlements. The name's evolution reflects Ireland's complex history of cultural preservation and adaptation under English rule, making it a living testament to Irish resilience and identity.



The cultural significance extends to the Irish diaspora, where names like Shawnessey became important markers of heritage and identity in new lands. During the Great Famine and subsequent emigration waves, many O'Shaughnessy families anglicized their name to Shawnessey upon arrival in North America, creating a distinct branch of the family tree. This adaptation represented both practical necessity in new societies and a conscious effort to maintain connection to Irish roots. Today, the name serves as a cultural touchstone for Irish-Americans researching their genealogy, with many discovering their connection to the original Galway clan through DNA matches and historical records. The continued use of Shawnessey represents the enduring nature of Irish cultural identity across generations and continents.
Individuals named Somer are often perceived as warm, energetic, and optimistic, reflecting the vibrant qualities of their namesake season. They typically exhibit a sunny disposition and natural ability to uplift others, making them popular in social circles. Their personality tends to mirror summer's abundancegenerous with their time and resources, creative in their thinking, and possessing a natural warmth that draws people toward them. These individuals often demonstrate resilience and adaptability, much like the changing yet consistent nature of summer weather.



In professional and personal relationships, Somers are known for their enthusiastic approach to life and ability to bring light to challenging situations. They often excel in roles requiring communication, creativity, and interpersonal skills. Their seasonal connection suggests a personality that thrives in active, dynamic environments and values growth, celebration, and the enjoyment of life's pleasures. While generally positive and outgoing, they may sometimes struggle with patience during slower periods, preferring constant movement and engagement that reflects summer's energetic spirit.
The name Stocwiella carries rich symbolic meanings that operate on multiple levels - ecological, spiritual, and psychological. Ecologically, it represents the powerful concept of forest succession, where new life emerges from what appears dead or dormant, symbolizing nature's incredible resilience and capacity for regeneration. The tree stump signifies deep roots, heritage, and the foundation upon which new growth can occur, while the spring represents the life-giving force that sustains all creation. Spiritually, Stocwiella embodies Christian themes of resurrection and living water, referencing both Christ's promise of eternal life and the baptismal waters of spiritual rebirth. Psychologically, the name symbolizes the human capacity to find renewal and purpose even after loss or difficulty, representing hope, transformation, and the continuous flow of life energy. In metaphorical terms, Stocwiella suggests that true strength comes not from avoiding challenges but from the ability to draw nourishment from deep sources and create new beginnings. This combination makes the name particularly meaningful for those who value sustainability, spiritual depth, and the wisdom found in nature's cycles of death and rebirth.
Women named Tala typically exhibit personality traits that reflect the wolf symbolism associated with the name. They are often perceived as fiercely loyal, protective of their loved ones, and deeply connected to their family and communitymuch like wolves who thrive in packs but maintain strong individual identities. Tala's tend to be intuitive and perceptive, with a natural ability to read situations and people accurately. Their strength is balanced with sensitivity, allowing them to be both determined leaders and compassionate friends.



These individuals often possess a wild, independent spirit combined with a strong sense of responsibility toward their social circles. They're typically resourceful problem-solvers who trust their instincts and aren't afraid to take calculated risks. The celestial connotations of the name in Filipino mythology also suggest that Tala's may have a philosophical or spiritual dimension to their personality, often serving as guides or sources of wisdom for others. Their multifaceted nature allows them to adapt to different situations while maintaining their core values and identity.
Women named Teamhair typically exhibit strong leadership qualities, natural authority, and a deep sense of responsibility to their community. They often possess a regal bearing and innate wisdom that draws others to seek their counsel, much like the ancient kings who gathered at the historical Tara. Their personality combines strategic thinking with emotional intelligence, enabling them to navigate complex social situations with grace and effectiveness. Teamhairs tend to be tradition-minded yet progressive, valuing heritage while recognizing the need for adaptation and growth.



These individuals often serve as unifying figures in their families and social circles, bringing people together and fostering harmony through their diplomatic skills and inclusive nature. Their strength lies in their ability to balance power with compassion, authority with humility, making them natural leaders who inspire loyalty and respect. While they may appear reserved or dignified initially, Teamhairs typically reveal warm, engaging personalities to those they trust, combining the gravitas of their namesake with genuine concern for others' wellbeing. They often excel in roles that require mediation, organization, or cultural preservation, carrying forward the symbolic legacy of their name through their actions and relationships.
Individuals named Toru are often perceived as having calm, deep personalities reminiscent of the ocean itself. They tend to be thoughtful, introspective, and possess an inner strength that isn't immediately apparent. Like the sea, they can appear tranquil on the surface while containing great depth and complexity beneath. These individuals typically demonstrate adaptability and resilience, able to navigate life's challenges with grace and determination. They often have strong intuitive abilities and emotional intelligence, making them excellent listeners and trusted confidants. Their connection to water symbolism suggests they can be both nurturing and powerful, capable of great gentleness but also formidable when provoked.



In social settings, Torus are often the stabilizing force in their relationships and communities. They approach problems with patience and thorough consideration, rarely making impulsive decisions. Their maritime namesake influences their approach to life - they understand that, like the tides, circumstances change, and they possess the wisdom to know when to advance and when to retreat. Many Torus are drawn to careers that involve caregiving, teaching, or creative expression, where their natural empathy and depth of character can shine. They value authenticity in relationships and tend to form deep, lasting bonds with those who appreciate their quiet strength and loyalty. While they may not seek the spotlight, their influence is often profound and far-reaching.
Experts praise China's expanding role in connectivity and AI at Dubai Future Forum

At the Dubai Future Forum 2025, held from Nov. 18 to 19 at the Museum of the Future, global futurists and technologists highlighted China's growing significance in bridging the digital divide, accelerating artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, and shaping long-term technological strategies across emerging markets.

The Forum, one of the world's largest gatherings dedicated to foresight and future governance, brought together many expert speakers. While the event covered a wide range of themesfrom health to systems thinkingdiscussions around global technology flows repeatedly underscored China's expanding footprint in digital infrastructure and AI, particularly in Africa and Europe.

Dubai is one of the seven sheikhdoms that comprise the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and China has been its largest trade partner for more than a decade. As a result, Chinese leadership in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and AI is often the focal point at many conferences and global forums taking place in Dubai. In the decades ahead, the UAE aims to become one of the world's most competitive economies.

Geci Karuri-Sebina, an associate professor at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, and a leading voice in African governance foresight, emphasized that debates around the origin of technology miss the point. Responding to questions about South Africa's use of Chinese technologies, such as Huawei systems, she said, "Huawei and others are quite active in South Africa, but so are many other companies, and we use them all."

For Karuri-Sebina, the issue is fundamentally about decision-making, not geopolitics: "If South Africa is making good choices, it should be bringing us forward. For me the issue is not who is providingit is who is buying. And who I want to buy is people who have the long-term interests of society at heart."

She added that her research focuses on public-interest foresight, working across governments and civil society, to ensure technology serves democratic and community needs: "Technology must bring civil society forward."

A similar message came from Wakanyi Hoffman, an AI ethics researcher at Utrecht University and founder of the Humanity Link Foundation, whose work blends African indigenous knowledge and Ubuntu philosophy with AI design.

Hoffman argued that China's technology contributions in Africa are often misunderstood outside the continent. "60 to 70 percent of people in Africa are still not connected to the internet. Hence, if high-tech made in China helps increase this share and Africans get online and then use AI, then it serves the ethical goal of connecting everyone."

Hoffman also noted that Chinese companies have proven effective in delivering infrastructure: "The positive side of Chinese tech in Africa is that the work gets done. Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, and Tanzania are quite advanced in relation to internet connectivity."

From Europe, futurist and entrepreneur Cecilia Tham, founder and CEO of Futurity Systems, offered a comparative view of how global regions approach technological development. According to Tham, European partners increasingly prioritize data protection over geopolitics: "Partners are not really looking at where a technology is based. They care more about data privacy and how their data is treated."

Canadian foresight expert David Jonker, CEO of Perceptful.AI and founder of the Open Foresight Hub, said China's strategic and coordinated approach to technology investment stands out globally.

While he has not yet conducted a full assessment of Chinese AI platforms for use in his enterprise foresight ecosystem, Jonker praised China's disciplined methodology: "From what I've studied, China takes a very strategic approach to technological investmentand it's progressing at an impressive pace. It is something to watch as a leading example." He expressed openness to adopting Chinese technologies in his own systems: "I would be open to using Chinese technology."

Across interviews and sessions at the Dubai Future Forum, a clear pattern emerged: China's influence on global digital ecosystems continues to grow. Experts repeatedly pointed to three main drivers behind this trend.

First, China provides connectivity at scale, remaining one of the largest suppliers of telecommunications infrastructure in Africa and parts of Asia.

Second, long-term strategic planning allows for fast execution of national priorities, particularly in areas such as AI and hardware.

Third, China's global market presence is expanding, with European cities like Barcelona becoming key collaboration hubs as Chinese companies deepen their engagement where demand remains strong.

As the Dubai Future Forum drew to a close, a clear message emerged: the future depends less on a technology's origin and more on how effectively societies select, govern, and use it.

(Gerard Al-Fil is a People's Daily correspondent based in Dubai.)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chengliang)
The parents of a five-week-old girl from Boston have been charged with the death of their young daughter due to fentanyl intoxication.

The suspects were identified as 31-year-old Raynell Reed and 52-year-old Gerard Winn, who were both charged with manslaughter and were held on $100,000 bail. The development comes after the two individuals were indicted by a grand jury last week.

Boston Parents Charged Over Death of Five-Week-Old Girl

Authorities said that Reed gave birth to the five-week-old girl at their Dorchester home on Dec. 5, 2024. The child was roughly two months premature, failed to gain sufficient weight, and was found to be malnourished. Prosecutors argued that the parents never tried to seek medical care for their daughter.

Reed called 911 on Jan. 9, 2025, and reported to officials that the five-week-old girl was not breathing. Authorities later pronounced the child dead at Boston Medical Center, where she was found to weigh only 2.5 pounds, according to WCVB.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the young girl died from acute intoxication due to fentanyl and cocaine in a premature infant with malnourishment and sepsis. Additionally, prosecutors said that toxicology confirmed that both substances were present in the infant's blood.

They also alleged that the parents of the infant used illegal substances in the newborn's presence, which resulted in her drug exposure. Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said that it was too difficult to conceive of an incident that was more tragic than what happened to the five-week-old girl.

The District Attorney added that the allegation that the parents of the young girl were using dangerous drugs in her presence added to the "terrible aspects of this crime," the Boston Herald reported.

A Separate Incident

There was a separate incident in Louisiana involving an infant found dead inside a tote, with the child's 14-year-old mother being charged by officials. The Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office said that the teenage girl is being charged with first-degree murder, among other crimes.

The investigation into the incident started on Nov. 21, 2025, when deputies were called to a hospital regarding a teen who was seeking treatment after giving birth at home. Authorities said that deputies responded to the home in Denham Springs and discovered the teen had given birth, and the child was placed in a "tote," as if to hide it.

Officials said that when emergency responders located the tote, they found that the infant inside was already dead. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard said that medical personnel believe that the child was carried to full term, born alive, and killed immediately after birth, as per WAFB.
The symbolic resonance of Venamin extends into multiple dimensions of meaning that transcend its literal translation. As 'son of the right hand,' the name embodies concepts of favor, strength, and divine protection across Jewish, Christian, and cultural traditions. In biblical symbolism, the right hand represents God's power and blessing, making Venamin a name associated with chosenness and special destiny. The metaphorical interpretation suggests being 'right-handed' in the sense of moral correctness and skillful capability. Psychologically, the name symbolizes integrationbalancing the analytical qualities traditionally associated with the left side of the body with the creative, intuitive attributes of the right, thus representing wholeness and balanced personality development. In the context of Jewish history, Venamin carries additional symbolism of diaspora survival and cultural adaptation, representing the ability to maintain identity while integrating into host cultures. The name also symbolizes the younger child who brings completion to the family, drawing from Benjamin's role as Jacob's youngest son who completed the twelve tribes. In modern interpretive frameworks, Venamin represents the bridge between tradition and modernity, between Eastern European Jewish heritage and contemporary global identity. The name's journey through languages and cultures makes it a powerful symbol of cultural transmission and the enduring nature of identity across generations and geographical boundaries.
Individuals named Wakefield often exhibit traits of watchfulness, responsibility, and spiritual depth, reflecting the name's origins in religious vigils and community gatherings. They tend to be observant and thoughtful, with a natural inclination toward protecting and guiding others. This creates a personality that combines quiet strength with compassionate leadership, often making them reliable figures in their communities and families.



Wakefields typically demonstrate strong organizational skills and a methodical approach to life, likely stemming from the name's association with structured religious observances. They possess an innate sense of duty and often feel called to serve others, whether through religious vocations, community service, or professional roles that involve care and guidance. Their combination of practical wisdom and spiritual insight makes them excellent counselors and mentors, though they may sometimes struggle with taking on too much responsibility for others. The name suggests someone who is both grounded and spiritually attuned, capable of providing stability while encouraging growth in those around them.
In contemporary naming practices, Willard occupies an interesting space as a vintage name that hasn't experienced the widespread revival seen with other traditional names. According to naming statistics, Willard reached its popularity zenith in the United States around the turn of the 20th century and gradually declined throughout the decades. Currently, it ranks outside the top 1000 baby names, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a traditional name with character that isn't overly common. Modern usage tends to cluster among families with German heritage or those specifically drawn to old-fashioned names with strong meanings. The name benefits from the current trend of vintage name revivals while maintaining its unique position. Contemporary Willards often go by the friendly nickname 'Will,' which aligns with the popularity of William and other Will- names. This combination of traditional full name with modern nickname makes Willard appealing to parents who want both historical depth and everyday usability. The name's association with accomplished figures like Willard Romney and Willard Quine adds to its sophisticated, intellectual appeal in modern contexts.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Worcester carries significant cultural weight as both a place name and personal name with deep English roots. Originating from the ancient city of Worcester in England, the name combines Old English elements 'Weogorna' (tribe name) and 'ceaster' (Roman fort), reflecting its military and settlement history. In Christian contexts, the name gained prominence through the Diocese of Worcester, one of England's oldest bishoprics established in 680 AD, which produced several notable religious figures throughout medieval and early modern periods. The name's association with both natural elements (alder forests) and military structures creates a unique blend of peaceful and protective symbolism that has resonated across centuries.



As a personal name, Worcester has been particularly favored in Anglican communities and among families with connections to Worcestershire, often chosen to honor ancestral ties or religious heritage. The name evokes images of English countryside, cathedral cities, and historical continuity. Throughout British history, the name has been borne by various notable figures in religious, military, and academic circles, reinforcing its association with tradition, leadership, and cultural preservation. The enduring presence of Worcester as both a place and personal name demonstrates its deep cultural roots and continued relevance in English-speaking societies.
Symbolically, Xochicotzin represents the interconnected beauty of life, community, and tradition. The flower necklace metaphor suggests how individual lives are woven together to create something greater than themselves - each flower representing a person, experience, or tradition, connected in a beautiful pattern. This symbolizes the importance of relationships, cultural continuity, and the way personal identity is shaped by community bonds. The name also carries meanings of transience and appreciation for momentary beauty, reminding us to cherish the present while understanding that all things have their season, much like flowers that bloom brilliantly but briefly.



In a broader sense, it represents the idea that true beauty comes not from isolation but from connection and the careful arrangement of diverse elements into harmonious wholes. The necklace imagery further suggests protection, honor, and the way cultural traditions can be worn as both personal adornment and public declaration of identity. This makes Xochicotzin a name rich with metaphorical depth, speaking to themes of unity, cultural preservation, and the elegant interconnection of all aspects of life.
Hundreds of students at an Oregon high school staged a walkout following the brutal detainment of a 17-year-old by ICE agents.

Roughly 300 McMinnville High School students joined the Monday walkout to protest against federal immigration enforcement. The movement came a few days after a high school senior was detained by ICE agents while on his lunch break.

High School Students Stage Walkout Following ICE Activities

The protesting students walked out of school "in response to the ICE activity in our community last week," said McMinnville School District Interim Superintendent Kourtney Ferrua. The situation comes as video footage on social media showed the protests with hundreds of young individuals and other people lining Northwest Adams Street.

Many of the people who joined the movement held signs protesting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) operations. ICE agents reportedly detained a 17-year-old student, identified as Christian Jimenez, on Friday while he was driving his father's car during the school's lunch break, according to Oregon Live.

A video, which was shared by Jimenez' brother, the teenager told officers that he was a United States citizen, but they detained him anyway. In a separate post, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the officials by saying that the 17-year-old student tried to use his car to "violently attack" ICE and border patrol agents.

The department said that Jimenez colluded with the driver of another vehicle to "barricade" agents before fleeing. It added that agents arrested the 17-year-old for allegedly impeding federal law enforcement officers.

The other individual who was detained was identified as 20-year-old Eduardo Soto Elias, who, with Jimenez, was taken to the Portland ICE facility for processing. It remains unclear if there were any federal charges that were brought against the two, KOIN reported.

Safety in the Community

One McMinnville High student, Alexis Hernandez Flores, said that after what happened to Jimenez, he does not feel safe going to school anymore. He added that it does not feel safe walking the streets of McMinnville anymore.

DHS assistant secretary for public affairs, Tricia McLaughlin, said that the incident is not isolated and reflects a "growing and dangerous trend" of individuals who use vehicles to impede and obstruct law enforcement officers.

She added that the department's law enforcement is facing a 1,000 percent increase in assaults against them as they work to arrest and remove alleged "dangerous criminals" from the U.S. McLaughlin said that anyone who impedes, obstructs, or assaults a federal officer will be "prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," as per KGW.
According to an official White House statement, the Genesis Mission is designed to usher in a new era of AI-accelerated innovation by building an integrated AI platform that leverages the world's largest collection of federal scientific datasets.

It stated, "The Genesis Mission will build an integrated AI platform to harness Federal scientific datasets -- the world's largest collection of such datasets, developed over decades of Federal investments -- to train scientific foundation models and create AI agents to test new hypotheses, automate research workflows, and accelerate scientific breakthroughs"

The initiative will bring together the country's research and development ecosystem, including national laboratories, universities, private businesses, research infrastructure, data repositories, production plants and national security facilities.

The statement said the mission will "dramatically accelerate scientific discovery, strengthen national security, secure energy dominance, enhance workforce productivity, and multiply the return on taxpayer investment into research and development," reinforcing America's technological dominance and strategic global leadership.

A central part of the mission will be the creation of the American Science and Security Platform, which will provide high-performance computing resources, AI modelling tools, domain-specific foundation models, secure access to federal datasets and AI-enabled experimentation tools.

The platform will use Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory supercomputers, secure cloud-based environments and advanced AI tools to support large-scale model training, simulation and scientific analysis.

The order also directs the DOE to identify at least 20 science and technology challenges within 60 days, covering areas such as advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, critical materials, nuclear fission and fusion energy, quantum information science and semiconductors.

The APST will then coordinate an expanded list of challenges to guide research under the mission.

The initiative includes interagency coordination, partnerships with universities and industry, competitive research programs and mechanisms for secure collaboration with external partners possessing advanced AI, data or computing capabilities.

Under the order, the Secretary of Energy will be responsible for implementing the Genesis Mission within the Department of Energy (DOE). The Secretary may appoint a senior political appointee to oversee day-to-day operations.

The Assistant to the President for Science and Technology (APST) will provide general leadership for the mission and coordinate participating federal agencies through the National Science and Technology Council.

The administration said the Genesis Mission marks a major step in using AI to address national needs and accelerate progress in science, security and technology. (ANI)
VMPL Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], November 26: OPPO has officially launched its latest flagship lineup, the OPPO Find X9 Series, in India. Known for its cutting-edge AI imaging, premium design, and next-generation performance, the Find X9 Series represents a major milestone in OPPO's flagship evolution. To commemorate the launch in Tamil Nadu, OPPO Tamil Nadu (executed and represented by FRQ BRO Private Limited) rolled out its special Children's Month CSR initiative titled "Educate Elevate", focusing on supporting students in government schools. Find X9 Series: A New Benchmark in Smartphone Innovation The OPPO Find X9 Series brings powerful, industry-leading capabilities, including: - 200MP Hasselblad Ultra-Clear Camera - 120x AI Telescopic Zoom - Pro Night Photography - 4K 120fps Dolby Vision Video - MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset with OPPO's Trinity Engine - 7000mAh battery with 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging - ColorOS 16, Gemini Live, and AI Mind Space - IP66/IP68/IP69 durability ratings With these advancements, the Find X9 Series stands among India's most premium and powerful flagship smartphones. Exclusive Launch Offers for Consumers To enhance the launch experience, customers can avail several benefits, including: - 180-day hardware defect replacement - Up to 24 months Zero Down Payment - 24-month No-Cost EMI - Up to 10% instant cashback - 3-month access to Google Gemini Pro - Jio benefits worth 2,250 - 2,000 Paytm flight voucher OPPO Tamil Nadu's "Educate Elevate" CSR Drive by FRQ BRO Pvt Ltd The "Educate Elevate" CSR initiative was conceptualised, executed, and fully funded by FRQ BRO Private Limited, the official dealer and operational partner for OPPO in Tamil Nadu, widely referred to as OPPO Tamil Nadu for public communication. As part of this initiative, FRQ BRO distributed school bags and essential learning materials to government school students across major cities in Tamil Nadu. The programme was designed to: - Encourage education and curiosity among young learners - Reduce the financial burden on underprivileged families - Create a motivating and supportive learning environment Teachers and students expressed sincere appreciation for FRQ BRO Pvt Ltd's efforts and timely contribution during Children's Month. About FRQ BRO Private Limited FRQ BRO Private Limited is the authorised regional partner and dealer representing OPPO in Tamil Nadu. With a strong presence across the state, FRQ BRO oversees OPPO's retail operations, customer engagement activities, marketing initiatives, and community development programmes. Through impactful projects like "Educate Elevate", the company continues to strengthen its commitment to social responsibility while delivering exceptional service and brand experience to customers in Tamil Nadu. Follow OPPO Tamil Nadu (FRQ BRO Pvt Ltd): WhatsApp: Click here to connectInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/oppo.tamilnadu/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@oppo.tamilnadu (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
The family of a 75-year-old Texas man, who was killed in a 2021 crash involving a Houston Police Department (HPD) officer, was awarded $13 million by a jury.

The civil case involved the City of Houston and the HPD, as well as the family of the victim, Charles Payne. His wife, Harriet Payne, said that she knows her husband is looking down and knows that they fought and never gave up.

Family Awarded $13 Million Over Deadly 2021 Crash

At the time of the incident, the 75-year-old man's car was struck by a police car that was driven by HPD Officer Christopher Cabrera. A lawsuit by Payne's family claims that the officer was speeding when he crashed into the victim's vehicle.

An investigation into the incident found that Cabrera was going 70 miles per hour in a 35 miles per hour zone. The jury in the civil case decided that the city's lax policies on how fast officers can speed ultimately led to the old man's death, according to ABC13.

Jurors asked several questions about testimony during deliberations, which lasted for days before they came to a verdict on Monday afternoon. The jury foreman, Sean Churchill, said that the Wayne family hopefully finds peace with their decision and can be comforted that someone was held responsible for the tragedy.

He added that he hopes the city looks at the incident and its facts to get up and make and implement changes to help all citizens. Lawyers representing the Wayne family called the verdict a "watershed moment."

Paul Grinke, the victim's attorney, said that the development is bigger than just the city of Houston, adding that police departments across the United States require officers to follow posted speed limits when they are not responding to an emergency, Fox26 Houston reported.

Justice Demands Accountability

The family's attorneys added that the case highlights the importance of holding law enforcement accountable when their actions behind the wheel cross the line from duty to danger. They added that the trial was not only for justice for the 75-year-old man, but for the prevention of future tragedies.

Attorney Ben Crump said that Charles' life was suddenly taken in an instant by conduct that he said "no community should accept as routine." He added that when the people who are sworn to protect the public act recklessly and take someone's life, justice demands accountability.

The jury that handled the case awarded the Payne family $13 million for mental anguish and loss of companionship. It would go to Harriet and their seven children, as per the Houston Chronicle.
Indian startups participating in the UAE-India Startup Series and the India-UAE CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) Council showcased a wide range of innovations spanning artificial intelligence, digital transformation, healthcare, and green construction--areas aligned closely with the UAE's technology-driven growth vision. UAE will extend a comprehensive soft landing package enabling them to expand operations in the UAE and scale their businesses globally. These startups were selected under the India-UAE CEPA Council programme after a multi-stage evaluation process, Director of the UAE-India CEPA Council, Ahmed Aljneibi. While speaking to ANI, SBNRI Founder Mudit Vijayvergiya said, "... I heard that this is a really good strategy to enter the UAE via these sponsorship partners... If you have a dream of building something, then keep working. In my case, it's been three or four years now, but we are now seeing the first gems of success..." Karthik Kannegondla, CTO at Endimension Technology Private Limited, said, "We are into healthcare. We provide solutions that help radiologists diagnose patient images faster and with greater accuracy. The problem in radiology is everywhere globally. Even in the UAE, more than 70 % of hospitals reported a radiology shortage. We have built a solution using AI, which can improve the productivity of the radiologists by 400%..." Head of Investor Relations at Data Sutram, Mayank Khurana, said, "If you look at the UAE Vision for 2030, their top two priorities are financial inclusion and economic diversification via digital infrastructure. We have worked in the world's toughest market, which is India, and we have shown our deep expertise in the BFSI sector." We feel we have the right set of things that we have done in India, and we can take it to the UAE to make ourselves ready for the global..." Khurana added. Further, the Founder & CEO of BioReform, Mohammed Azhar Mohiuddin, said, "... We spoke to users in the market about what was the reason why they couldn't shift from using plastic even after single-use plastic was banned. One cause was the lack of affordable alternatives, and the ones available lacked functionality..." "So we came up with BioReform: 100% eco-friendly, biodegradable, water-resistant, thermally durable bags that comply with all government norms. With this product in the last three years, we have replaced more than 10 million single-use plastics while still being in college," he added. Rahul Rawat, Co-founder & COO Digantara, said, "We are building a space-based surveillance and intelligence platform for space. We were the first one to pitch, so there was a little bit of pressure. But it went smooth. Adding further, AVP - Strategy & Investments, Digantara, Sourav Barman said, "Space sector today is getting extremely crowded. There were 2000 satellites in 2020 but today there's 15,000 satellites. So what we building is an infrastructure to track all these objects in the orbit, much like you have Google Maps for the land or air traffic control for air. We are building a similar platform for space. "What we specialize is space to space surveillance. We have been able to build unique technology and patents across the globe. We bring a multimodal technology, which probably UAE does not have at that scale yet." Ankit Gupta, Co-founder, Simple Energy talking about his startup said, "We are a two-wheeler electric vehicle company, a full stack development company. We have developed all the technologies which are there in electric vehicle in-house, and we own the complete patent, almost 100-plus patents across different components. We are presently selling in Indian markets, almost with 60 touch points." Shreshth Mishra, Co-founder, Simple Energy, said, "We look at UAE more as a strategic place that can open doors for the MENA region as well as the European market for us and also to do pilots with last mile logistic companies to make sure that what we built in India is also scalable for the global market as well." "We'll be talking more about building partnerships, relationships that can help us leverage for our global expansion, especially in the MENA region and the European market," he added. Mugesh S, co-founder, Goat Robotics said, "We build an enabled autonomous mobile robot platform where we can handle the material movement in industry surface. We are planning to expand and soon set up headquarters in UAE. Muthu Vangaliappan T, co-founder & CEO, Goat Robotics told, "Recently, we have partnered in the US, Australia and now expanding to Europe. We have even been working with some of the companies in UAE already. We see this as a centralized fit so this would be one of the global point where we should connect all of this easily." Nanda Kishore Dharmavaram, co-founder, Enmovil, said, "We are working with large customers like Maruti, Mahindra, Nestle, ITC among others. If we are able to do it in India, and able to help them significantly save on their logistics cost about 8 to 15%, I think we'll be able to add a lot of value to the UAE market also and across the globe." (ANI)
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) sued its former senior executive Lo Wei-jen on Tuesday, accusing him of violating work rules and sharing trade secrets with US chipmaker Intel, according to a report by Focus Taiwan. The company said it moved to court after finding signs that Lo may have passed on sensitive information to a US-based competitor company, Intel Corp., soon after retiring from the world's largest contract chipmaker. TSMC filed the lawsuit at the Intellectual Property and Commercial Court, saying Lo broke the Trade Secrets Act, as well as confidentiality and noncompete agreements he had signed while working at the company. The firm noted that his actions created a serious risk because the information he accessed related to projects still under development. According to the report, Lo joined the company in 2004 as a vice president and became senior vice president in 2014. He retired on July 27 this year. Before retiring, he was given a new position in March 2024 as senior vice president for corporate strategy and development. The team he worked with advised the company's chairman and CEO, but did not manage or control research and development. However, the report noted that TSMC said Lo continued to hold meetings with the R&D department and to request reports on ongoing technologies even after taking on this new role. The company said this raised concerns because he still gained access to advanced research that he was not required to oversee in his corporate strategy job. TSMC explained that Lo had signed confidentiality and non-compete agreements as part of his employment. When he retired, the company's chief legal officer also briefed him about the legal limits he had to follow. At that time, Lo said he planned to go into teaching and did not mention any plan to work for Intel. Later, when Lo accepted the post of executive vice president at Intel, TSMC said it suspected he was "highly likely" to have used, shared, or transferred its confidential information to the American firm. The company said his move "necessitated" legal action, and it is seeking compensation for contract violations. The lawsuit follows an announcement last week by the Taiwan High Prosecutors' Office that it has started investigating Lo. Media reports said Lo was suspected of taking restricted details about TSMC's 2-nanometer, A16 and A14 chip processes before retiring, information considered key to future chipmaking. "Prosecutors have yet to file criminal charges against Lo," the report said. (ANI)
VMPL New Delhi [India], November 26: In an international moment of profound admiration and historic prestige, the global academic community witnessed an extraordinary honour in Tokyo, Japan, as S. Rashpal Singh Dhaliwal, Hon'ble Founder Chancellor of CGC University, Mohali, was officially conferred the distinguished title of "The Father of Education." This honour, rare in essence and monumental in stature, stands as a proof to his lifelong dedication to transforming education into an accessible, affordable, and life-changing force for every learner. In a ceremony marked by deep respect and global significance, Japan unveiled a commemorative honourarium coin engraved with the title "The Father of Education", immortalizing a legacy built over 25 remarkable years of educational leadership and societal impact. The event witnessed the presence of eminent dignitaries, including: * Hiromi Sumi-san, Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry (METI), Southwest Asia Division * Umesh Nautiyal-san, Secretary, Embassy of India in Japan * Representatives from AOTS (Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships) * Satoshi Mori-san & Youya Suzuki-san, Hamamatsu Regional Incubation * Yuma Mori-san & Yasuhiko Yoshida-san, BREXA Cross Border and AOTS * Marathe Aashlesh Arun-san, Tsukuba University * Kyokujitsu Corporation These leaders collectively acknowledged the global influence of a visionary who has chartered a transformative path in education, empowering thousands of students, shaping institutions of excellence, and redefining what educational accessibility truly means. Speaking on the occasion, S. Rashpal Singh Dhaliwal, Honourable Founder Chancellor, CGC University, Mohali said: "Education is not something we give, it is a light we guard. I am merely its keeper, entrusted with the duty to ensure it reaches every path where dreams once lived. My life's work has been to ensure that education, affordable, inclusive, and dignified, reaches those who need it the most. Education must be within reach of every deserving student, irrespective of economic background. This honour only deepens that responsibility." This distinguished recognition is more than an award, It is an international validation of a life lived with purpose, a legacy built with conviction, and a vision that continues to uplift generations. Standing on an international stage as this honour was unveiled, the pride felt by CGC University resonates far beyond borders. It is a moment that strengthens the university's resolve to carry forward a legacy rooted in integrity, inclusivity, and world-class education. For the CGC University community, this historic milestone is a call to reach higher, dream bigger, and honour the commitment exemplified by the visionary who built it all. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
PRNewswire Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], November 26: Healthy childhood is the foundation on which healthy adulthood is built.' - This idea came alive during a cheerful and engaging Children's Day celebration at Manipal Hospital Yelahanka. Over 60 enthusiastic students from Ryan International School, Yelahanka (ICSE) transformed the hospital's activity space into a vibrant hub of creativity, curiosity, and conversations that matter. The hospital also facilitated engaging interactions between children and their families, where they created thoughtful cards and short write-ups for one another. With this heartfelt exchange, the hospital aimed to encourage open communication, appreciation, and emotional expression - the key for stronger family bonding. The Paediatric care team at Manipal Hospital Yelahanka hosted a Children's Day activity combining fun with meaningful learning, thereby reinforcing a clear message of building awareness among families on the importance of early-life health -- not just physical, but cognitive, emotional, and social as well. The activity highlighted that the foundation for good health in adulthood is laid early during the formative years of childhood, through small habits, exposures, and experiences. Dr. Dhiraj Balaji, Lead Consultant - Paediatric Surgery & Paediatric Urology, and Dr. Sushma Gopalan, Lead Consultant - Child Life Services, from Manipal Hospital Yelahanka, presided over the activity which included sketching and team-building sessions, encouraging children to express themselves freely and collaborate with one another, celebrating the power of creativity in shaping young minds. Alongside the fun, children also spent time learning about healthy food choices and simple ways to care for their growing bodies. Speaking about the importance of nutrition in shaping a child's daily energy and long-term health, Dr. Dhiraj Balaji, said, "Balanced meals help children stay active, focused, and emotionally steady. When healthy eating becomes a family habit, it supports children's overall development. Small, consistent choices really do add up." Addressing the occasion, Dr. Sushma Gopalan, said, "Creative moments like colouring or drawing do more than entertain children -- they stimulate their thinking, help them communicate emotions, and strengthen problem-solving skills. These age-inclusive activities are valuable for every child, and parents play a big role by making space for creativity at home." The event concluded with happy faces, colourful drawings, and many new learnings. For Manipal Hospital Yelahanka, this celebration was another step in its ongoing effort to support families, guide young minds, and promote holistic paediatric care. Manipal Hospital Yelahanka is committed to help every child grow into a confident, healthy adult -- one joyful experience at a time, by encouraging creativity, healthy habits, and early awareness. By engaging families in creative exchanges, the initiative further emphasized that open communication at home is a key component of a child's emotional wellbeing. For more information, please visit: https://www.manipalhospitals.com/ Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2832725/Childrens_day_at_Manipal_Hospital_1.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2832724/Childrens_day_at_Manipal_Hospital_2.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
EaseMyTrip Co-Founder Rikant Pittie, who took part in the Andhra Pradesh Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam, has said he is excited to contribute to the vision of the state to boost entrepreneurship and tourism. Rikant Pittie, who met Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and State Human Resource Development Minister Nara Lokesh, said they were shaping the state's future. He lauded the Chief Minister's vision for tourism and said his remarks about destinations, and jobs and entrepreneurs built through culture, pilgrimage and strong infrastructure. Rikant Pittie spoke about Viksit Bharat 2047 and the role youth will play in shaping India's growth. "It was my pleasure to visit the Andhra Pradesh Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam and meet leaders like Hon'ble CM Shri Chandrababu Naidu garu@ncbn and Hon'ble Minister Shri Nara Lokesh garu@naralokesh, shaping the state's future," Rikant Pitti said in a post on X. "With 2,500+ delegates from 77 countries, the energy and commitment in the room was inspiring. I spoke about Viksit Bharat 2047 and the role youth will play in shaping India's growth. Hon'ble CM Shri Chandrababu Naidu garu's vision for tourism was remarkable--he spoke not just about destinations, but jobs and entrepreneurs built through culture, pilgrimage, beaches, homestays and strong infrastructure," he added. Rikant Pittie lauded Andhra Pradesh's goal of 'One Family, One Entrepreneur' in every household. "I had discussions with Hon'ble CM Shri Chandrababu Naidu garu@ncbn Hon'ble Minister Shri Nara Lokesh garu @naralokesh and Hon'ble Minister Shri T.G. Bharath garu @tgbharath, Minister of Industries and Commerce, Andhra Pradesh, on cultural, spiritual and coastal tourism, electric buses for sustainable mobility, and building a tourism ecosystem that helps local communities. 'One entrepreneur in every home' is a bold mindset for long-term change. Excited to contribute to this vision," he said. Rikant Pittie invited people building in travel, mobility or related sectors who want guidance or collaboration and said he is keen to support entrepreneurs who are solving real problems "If you are building in travel, mobility or related sectors and want guidance or collaboration, DM me or comment below. I am looking to support entrepreneurs who are solving real problems and creating impact," Rikant Pittie said in his post. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal addressed the 30th edition of the CII Partnership Summit 2025 organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Visakhapatnam earlier this month and highlighted India's emergence as a trusted global partner and commended the immense contribution of Andhra Pradesh toward achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. He emphasized India's growing leadership in semiconductors, clean energy and innovation-driven industries, underscoring the importance of trust, sustainability and policy stability as the foundation of India's economic framework. The event, held under the theme "Technology, Trust & Trade - Navigating the New Geoeconomic Order," was inaugurated by the Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, in the presence of the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Syed Abdul Nazeer. Piyush Goyal and N Chandrababu Naidu delivered the keynote addresses. Goyal announced the launch of India's first Drone City at Orvakal in Kurnool district, marking a major milestone in advancing India's capabilities in next-generation aerospace and unmanned systems. (ANI)
With an aim to enhance self-reliance and position India as a key player in the global REPM market, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the 'Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets' with a financial outlay of Rs 7,280 crore. This first-of-its-kind initiative aims to establish 6,000 Metric Tons per Annum (MTPA) of integrated Rare Earth Permanent Magnet (REPM) manufacturing in India. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said at a media briefing that they are targeting all the areas including capacity, plants, tonnage, and import-substitution targets to become Atmanirbhar bharat. "We can become Atmanirbhar in the next 3 to 4 years," the minister highlighted. He was responding to a question by ANI on what outcomes government targets in the next 3-5 years through this move. Speaking on the development, Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran, said, "It's a long term goal that we have to become self-sufficient in these areas. We don't want our manufacturing and growth aspirations to be held hostage to the shortage of these materials due to whatever factors." Nageswaran also highlighted India's Semiconductor Mission. "Semiconductor chips are becoming important. It is not just a material used in chip production; it also has a strategic dimension. Achieving some sort of self-resilience in that is important, and that is what India's semiconductor mission is all about." Shailesh Chandra, President, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) said, "this initiative is a significant step toward building a resilient and stable supply chain, particularly for components and sub-assemblies essential for the production of electrified vehicles." "The scheme is expected to accelerate adoption of clean mobility solutions and support India's broader sustainability goals. By strengthening indigenous manufacturing capabilities, it will contribute to reducing carbon emissions and lowering dependence on crude oil imports, further enhancing the nation's energy security," he added. Raju Kumar, Partner and Energy Tax Leader, EY India said, "The proposed support for magnet manufacturing, a segment where India has historically depended on global supply chains can unlock new opportunities across mining, processing, alloying and advanced materials. It creates headroom for Indian companies to participate in high-value applications spanning electric mobility, renewables, electronics and defence." He believed that the real test now is disciplined implementation, ensuring access to technology, developing high-quality processing capability, building responsible mining practices and maintaining ESG safeguards. "If executed well, this initiative can help strengthening India's long-term energy-transition and manufacturing competitiveness." The total financial outlay of the REPM scheme is Rs 7280 crore, comprising sales-linked incentives of Rs 6450 crore on REPM sales for five years and capital subsidy of Rs.750 crore for setting up an aggregate of 6,000 MTPA of REPM manufacturing facilities. The total duration of the scheme will be seven years from the date of award, including a two-year gestation period for setting up an integrated REPM manufacturing facility, and five years for incentive disbursement on the sale of REPM. (ANI)
Comedian Kapil Sharma on Wednesday remembered legendary Bollywood star Dharmendra, expressing deep admiration for the veteran actor and recalling the warmth, generosity and affection he received from him over the years. Kapil Sharma shared heartfelt memories of Dharmendra, describing him as one of the kindest and most grounded icons the industry has ever produced. Speaking about the early days of his career, Kapil said he was deeply moved when Dharmendra readily agreed to visit his show, even though no celeb was "ready to come at that time". Speaking about his interactions with the veteran actor, Kapil said Dharmendra always made him feel like family, whether on the sets of his comedy show or during personal conversations. "Everyone feels that someone has left their own family. Because when I lost my father, I was 22. So, when you learn from your father, at that time, my father passed away. So, I did not spend much time with him," Kapil said during the trailer launch of 'Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon' He added that the veteran actor's humility left a lasting impact on him. The comedian recalled how the late actor agreed to visit his show "When I came to Mumbai and when we had to start our show, So, no one knew what our show was, what it was not. And production house, channel, they were trying, ki kis celeb ko bulayae aur koi aane ko tayaar nahi tha( Which celeb to call and no one was ready to come at that time). And I met Dharmendra ji for the first time in a flight. We were going to Toronto. So, we became so close on that flight. You will not believe, in that entire flight, Dharmendra ji went to tell us some jokes. And we became so close. So, I thought, let's go to Dharmendra ji once. So, I took time from him and went to meet him. He did not ask anything about the show. " He highlighted Dharmendra's rare ability to stay emotionally connected with people despite decades of stardom. "Maine kaha paaji mai show bana raha hu (I said paaji I am making it for the first time). And I want you to be our guest. At that time, one of his films was being released, and he was busy. Yet, he told his team that this is my son, and arrange a date for him" Expressing gratitude for the time spent with the veteran actor, Kapil said Dharmendra's encouragement often came at moments when he needed it the most. "Uske baad bahut saare aease mauke kayi badi saari mulakate.. maine kal media mein bhi likha tha dusri baar mere liye pita ko kho dene jaisa vo raha hai (it was like losing my father for the second time.." (I wrote yesterday as well. It was like losing my father for the second time...) Legendary star Dharmendra passed away on November 24 at the age of 89, marking the end of an era in Indian cinema. The final rites of the actor were held at the Pawan Hans Crematorium in Vile Parle. Actors Shah Rukh Khan, Govinda, Ranveer Singh, and Deepika Padukone were spotted arriving at the cremation ground to pay condolences to the Deol family.Amitabh Bachchan, Saira Banu, Abhishek Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Salim Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Zayed Khan, Rajkumar Santoshi, Anil Sharma, Siddharth Roy Kapur and several others also paid their last respects. The 'He Man' of Indian Cinema had been unwell for some time. On November 10, Dharmendra was admitted to Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital following a deterioration in his health. Two days later, Dharmendra was discharged from the hospital as the family opted for home treatment. However, sadly, he left for the heavenly abode on November 24. Dharmendra is survived by his first wife, Prakash Kaur; his second wife, actress Hema Malini; and six children, including sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, and daughters Vijeta and Ajeita from his first marriage, as well as daughters Esha Deol and Ahana Deol from his second marriage. Dharmendra, widely regarded as one of the most iconic actors of his time, made his mark in Hindi cinema with memorable performances in films like 'Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke', 'Sholay,' 'Chupke Chupke', 'Ayee Milan Ki Bela', and 'Anupama', among others. He was known not only for his versatility on screen but also for his contributions to the film industry and for inspiring millions of fans worldwide. The actor's demise has been mourned across the country, with fans and colleagues paying heartfelt tributes that reflect the profound impact he had on Indian cinema and popular culture. (ANI)
Comedian and actor Kapil Sharma on Wednesday spoke about the earlier attacks on his cafe in Vancouver, Canada, recalling a series of shootings and noting that despite the incidents leading to discussions in the Canadian Parliament, he has never felt unsafe in Mumbai due to the strong law-and-order presence of the city police. While speaking to the media during the trailer launch of 'Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 in Mumbai, he said, "These incidents happened in Canada, in Vancouver. I think teen baar vahan pe firing huyi ( I think there were three shootings there)..I think the police don't have the power to control things. But after that, when our case happened, it went to the federal court... There was a discussion in the Canadian Parliament... " He added, "I received calls from many people saying that all this was already going on there, but after the shooting at my cafe became news, the police are taking steps to significantly improve the law and order situation... " Kapil stressed that he has never felt unsafe in Mumbai. "I never feel like this in Mumbai or in my country. There's no one like our Mumbai Police... " He noted that the incidents did not affect business in the long run, "After all the gunfire there, we saw a bigger opening in our cafe... If God is with you, everything is fine..." In October, Kapil's cafe in Canada was reportedly targeted in another shooting incident. The Surrey Police Service (SPS) is investigating after reports of shots fired at the outlet, Kap's cafe, on 85 Avenue and 120 Street, around 3:45 a.m., as per City News Vancouver. Kulvir Sidhu, reportedly linked to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's operations, claimed responsibility in a viral social media post. "Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh. Today's firing at Caps Cafe, Surrey, was carried out by me, Kulvir Sidhu, and Goldy Dhillon. We hold no grudge against the general public. Those who owe us or cheat us will be warned. Bollywood individuals who speak against our religion should also be prepared, bullets can come from anywhere."After all the gunfire there, we saw a bigger opening in our cafe... If God is with you, everything is fine..." While staff were reportedly present inside the premises during the shooting, no injuries were reported. Kapil Sharma and his team have not issued any statement yet. This was the third time since July that Kapil's restaurant has been targeted in a shooting incident. The first attack was reported on July 10. The second attack happened on August 8. (ANI)
The Election Commission of India (EC) has scheduled a meeting with a ten-member delegation of the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (AITMC) on November 28, amid ongoing protests over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in nine States and three Union Territories. Earlier in the day, the Election Commission of India wrote a letter to the AITMC, accepting its request for a meeting on 28th November. "The Commission has considered the party's request and decided to give an appointment to the delegation of All India Trinamool Congress, comprising of the Authorized Representative of the Party along with our other members of the party, for a meeting at 11:00 AM on 28.11.2025 (Friday) at Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi," Secretary of the EC said in a communication. The delegation will include Derek O'Brien, Kalyan Banerjee, Mahua Moitra, Saket Gokhale and other party representatives. The development comes after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Monday, raising concerns over what she described as "two disturbing yet urgent developments" related to election preparations in the state. She urged the EC to intervene immediately, emphasising the urgency of the matter. In her letter, Banerjee said, "I am constrained to write to you regarding two disturbing yet urgent developments that have been brought to my notice, and which, in my view, warrant your immediate intervention." CM Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday lambasted the BJP over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in the state, saying "nobody can throw you (electors) out." Addressing a public meeting opposing the SIR exercise, Mamata Banerjee confronted the BJP, stating she does not fear them. She questioned if the aim of the SIR is to remove Bangladeshi nationals from the voter list, then why is the Election Commission conducting the exercise in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh?" She said, "I love Bangladesh as a country, because our language is the same. I am from Birbhum, but one day they will call me Bangladeshi. PM Modi got votes in 2024 as per the same list. If your name gets deleted, the Central government should also be deleted. Why is SIR in such a hurry?" "Till I am here, I will not allow them to throw you out. Nobody can throw you out. If Bangladeshi is a problem, then why are you conducting SIR in Madhya Pradesh and UP?" she asked. Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, on Tuesday wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging violation of the "neutrality" principle and misuse of police by the TMC government during the exercise in the state. "This matter pertains to a so-called "Second State Conference of Women Police Personnel" organised under the guise of the West Bengal Police Welfare Committee on November 22, 2025, at Digha, Purba Medinipur district. What was ostensibly a welfare event for Police Personnel has been exposed as nothing short of a brazen political rally orchestrated by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) party, with active participation from serving Police Officers and TMC Ministers, MLAs and Leaders all in flagrant violation of the principles of neutrality & impartiality. This event, attended by high-ranking Police officials... along with the entire central leadership of the Welfare Committees, was hijacked for partisan political purposes," he wrote in the letter to the ECI. The final voter list is scheduled to be published on February 7, 2026, following the completion of the first phase of SIR in Bihar ahead of the Assembly elections. (ANI)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar on Tuesday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's hoisting of the Dharma Dhwaj atop Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, describing it as a joyful occasion for all countrymen. However, Kakkar emphasised that the real celebration of Ram Rajya would lie in eradicating poverty, ensuring respect for women, providing quality education for all, and guaranteeing free healthcare across the nation. Speaking to ANI, Kakkar said, "Today is a very happy occasion for all the countrymen... But now all the governments must think about how to establish Ram Rajya in our country... We have to ensure that poverty is eradicated from our country, women are respected, everyone gets a good education, and everyone gets free treatment. These are the first primary criteria for establishing Ram Rajya." In contrast, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Waris Pathan reflected on the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992, reminding the Prime Minister of his responsibility as a leader for all communities. "6 December 1992 was a black day for India and democracy when our Babri Masjid was demolished through a conspiracy. We believe that the mosque will remain where it was... He (PM Modi) went there and hoisted the flag... You are not the Prime Minister of a particular community, you are the Prime Minister of the entire country," he told ANI. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat ceremonially hoisted the sacred flag atop the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple's 191-foot-high shikhar in Ayodhya, marking the completion of the temple's construction. The 'Dharma Dhwaj' carries three sacred symbols, Om, the Sun and the Kovidara tree, each representing profound spiritual values rooted in the Sanatan tradition. The right-angled triangular flag, measuring 10 feet in height and 20 feet in length. The Kovidar tree is a hybrid of the Mandar and Parijat trees, created by Rishi Kashyap, showcasing ancient plant hybridisation. The Sun represents Lord Ram's Suryavansh lineage, and Om is the eternal spiritual sound. The flag hoisting coincided with the Abhijit Muhurat of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita's Vivah Panchami. Elaborating on the symbolism of the flag, PM Modi noted that it reflects the rebirth of an ancient civilisation and embodies the ideals of Ram Rajya. "This Dharma Dhwaja is not just a flag. It is the flag of the rejuvenation of Indian civilisation. The Saffron colour, Suryavansh's signia, the 'Om' word, and the Kovidara tree impersonate Ram Rajya's glory. This flag is a resolution, a success, a story of struggle to creation, a physical form of the struggle of 100s of years. For the coming thousands of centuries, this flag will proclaim Lord Ram's values. Truth is Dharma. There should be no discrimination or pain, and there is peace and happiness. There should be no poverty, and no one is helpless," he said. (ANI)
The death of a teenage girl from Florida while on a Carnival cruise ship has been ruled a homicide, and her stepbrother has been named a suspect.

The victim was identified as Anna Kepner, whose cause of death was determined to be "mechanical asphyxia" based on her death certificate. It said that the 18-year-old girl was "mechanically asphyxiated by other person(s)."

Florida Teen's Death Ruled a Homicide

The term mechanical asphyxia refers to when an object or physical force prevents an individual from breathing. A chief medical examiner in Central Florida, Stephen Nelson, who is not involved in the case, said that it means that "in some way, shape or form, your airway has been cut off."

Kepner was a high school cheerleader from Florida's Space Coast, and she was expected to graduate next year. She had been traveling on the Carnival Horizon ship alongside her father, stepmother, the latter's two children, and her grandparents, according to CNN.

The night before the teenager was found dead, she spent time with her grandparents in the ship's casino. Her grandmother, Barbara Kepner, said her grandchild told her, "Meemaw, I love you guys. I'll see you. I'll see you later."

The morning after the discovery, a medical alert blared out over the ship's broadcast system, directing first responders to the room that Kepner was sharing with two other teenagers, including a younger stepbrother.

The teenager was found dead under a bed, wrapped in a blanket and covered by life vests. While Kepner's stepbrother has been named a suspect, no charges have been filed against him yet, ABC News reported.

Naming the Stepbrother a Suspect

Barbara said that they were all having a great time during their trip, adding that she could not think of anyone who would want to hurt her grandchild. The teenager's grandfather, Jeffrey Kepner, said they were looking forward to seeing the victim grow.

Jeffrey said that the cruise they were on was not what got him excited, but rather, it was the fact that he was able to spend another week with his youngest son and his family, and his grandchildren.

The Kepner family said that the victim's relationship with her step-siblings was happy, adding that there was "no such thing as steps." Barbara also said that the last time she saw her grandchild alive, the teen was complaining about her braces bothering her. Despite this, she still dressed up and joined the family in the cruise casino, as per BBC.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh launched a scathing attack on Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir over his claim that he would lay the foundation of a "Babri Masjid" in Murshidabad, alleging that the TMC is not constructing a mosque but rather laying the foundation stone of "Bangladesh" in West Bengal. Singh further claimed that the Mamata Banerjee government survives on the "support of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas", cautioning that TMC's "politics on the dead bodies of Hindus will not last long." Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the Union Minister said, "The TMC will not lay the foundation stone of the Babri Masjid, but the foundation stone of Bangladesh. Hindus of Bengal should not forget that Mamata Banerjee and the TMC government run on the support of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas. The way they are playing politics on the dead bodies of Hindus will not last long." Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ashwini Kumar Choubey also criticised the move, stating that people with "destructive intent" were trying to disturb social harmony and asserting that neither a temple nor a mosque would be accepted if built in the name of Babur. "No temple or mosque will ever be built in this country in the name of Babur. People with destructive tendencies want to spread a polluted atmosphere in society... Hindu society, Sanatan society, will never accept this," he told reporters. The remarks came after TMC MLA Kabir triggered controversy by announcing that he would lay the foundation stone of Babri Masjid on December 6 in Beldanga, Murshidabad district, marking 33 years since the demolition of the disputed structure in Ayodhya. "We will lay the foundation stone of Babri Masjid on December 6 in Beldanga, Murshidabad district. It will take three years to complete. Various Muslim leaders will participate in that event," he said. The Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid disputed structure in Ayodhya was demolished on December 6, 1992, by the Kar Sevaks. Earlier, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla launched a scathing attack against Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir for claiming to build the Babri Masjid in West Bengal, calling it appeasement politics for votes. Calling Kabir's remarks "controversial," Poonawalla said that the TMC leader believes in abusing Hindus for his vote bank. The BJP leader told ANI, "This is the appeasement pro-max politics of TMC. TMC now means 'Tushti Karan Mujhe Chahiye'. This controversial Humayun Kabir, who says he will chop off Hindus and throw them into Bhagirath, is now making yet another controversial statement because their philosophy is, give Hindus gali and take vote bank ki tali (abuse Hindus to gain a vote bank)." "They are the same people who oppose 'Jai Shri Ram', Ram Mandir, who have insulted 'Maa Sita,' 'Maa Durga,' 'Maa Kali', and say Sanatan should be eliminated. These are the same people who, for vote bank politics, will go to any extent, whether it is inciting on Waqf, CAA, SIR, or doing these kinds of things," he added. In contrast, Congress leader Udit Raj came to his defence, saying people opposing it are creating "meaningless speculation." "If the foundation stone of a temple can be laid, what's the problem with laying the foundation stone for a mosque? Those who oppose it are creating meaningless speculation. This is religious freedom in this country and in all countries," Raj said. (ANI)
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta described the programme commemorating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji as a "historical festival" for the city, praising the massive participation of devotees from across the country. On Tuesday, Delhi CM told ANI, "This will always be remembered as a historical festival in Delhi... I thank all the devotees who came from different corners of the country... We will organise many such programmes throughout the year..." She added that the festival will remain etched in the memories of the people and will serve as an inspiration for future commemorations. Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, visibly moved, called the event the "final day of commemoration" and described it as a "historic and emotional moment for all of us." "Today is the final day of commemoration. This is a historic and emotional moment for all of us... PM Modi visited Haryana today and paid tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji," he told reporters. Minister Kapil Mishra echoed the sentiment of collective fortune, remarking on the massive turnout, "Lakhs of people are gathered here... The President herself was present here... We are fortunate to have had the chance to organise this... I congratulate everyone," Mishra added.\ President Droupadi Murmu, accompanied by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, attended a programme organised by the Delhi government at the Red Fort to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The event commemorated the ninth Sikh Guru's supreme sacrifice for upholding freedom of belief and pluralism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in a special programme commemorating the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur, the revered ninth Sikh Guru. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday participated in a special programme commemorating the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur, the revered ninth Sikh Guru. "On his 350th Shaheedi Diwas, we bow to Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji. His unparalleled courage and supreme sacrifice inspire millions," PM Modi 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)
Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, called on Vice-President of India, CP Radhakrishnan, at Parliament House on Tuesday, accompanied by senior officials of the Ministry, said the release. During the meeting, the Vice-President was briefed on key measures and initiatives undertaken by the Ministry to strengthen India's civil aviation sector in alignment with contemporary needs and global standards. According to the Vice President's Secretariat statement, the Vice President Radhakrishnan was apprised of the Government's commitment to affordable air travel and major infrastructure developments, including the inauguration of new airports, expansion of air connectivity, record growth in passenger traffic, establishment of greenfield airports, and efforts to promote Atmanirbharta in civil aviation. The Vice-President was briefed on the RCS-UDAN scheme, which aims to enhance air operations on unserved and underserved routes, promote balanced regional development, and make flying accessible to the masses. The briefing also covered the Ministry's initiatives to strengthen the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) ecosystem and the adoption of clean energy sources at airports to reduce carbon emissions. The Vice-President was further briefed on the key provisions of The Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, a landmark legislative reform aimed at modernising India's aviation sector by enhancing safety, innovation, growth, and global compliance. The Vice-President highlighted the importance of initiatives such as UDAN in empowering local communities and unlocking regional economic and tourism potential. He appreciated the Ministry's efforts to revive unutilised airstrips and emphasised the need to increase the number of training aircraft to meet the growing demand for pilots in line with the rapid expansion of the aviation sector. (ANI)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)announced the launch of an extensive nationwide public awareness campaign aimed at countering what it terms as "misinformation and confusion" being spread by opposition parties regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, said the release. A central team has been constituted under the leadership of BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh to spearhead the campaign. The team is visiting states where the SIR exercise is underway, organising workshops, and conducting engagement programmes to ensure accurate information reaches citizens at the grassroots level. The team includes National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, along with K Laxman, Alka Gurjar, OP Dhankhar, Rituraj Sinha, Anirban Ganguly, K Annamalai, and several other senior leaders. This team is strategising the campaign using data-based facts, official inputs, and ground-level feedback gathered from various regions. Party leaders assert that the opposition has been deliberately crafting a misleading narrative to misguide citizens, prompting the BJP to move into active mode across the country. According to National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, "members of the team are consistently touring states, meeting party workers, and conducting workshops to ensure clarity and dissemination of correct information". Chugh emphasised that the opposition is intentionally spreading false interpretations and rumours regarding SIR, and the BJP is fully prepared to counter these distortions. Other team members informed that Meetings of BJP workers are continuously being held at every level -- from the state level down to the booth level in all the states where SIR is underway. The BJP has reiterated that it will respond on every platform with verified facts and evidence to clear public confusion and present the real picture. Through coordinated efforts of senior leaders and on-ground teams, the party is actively working to raise awareness and ensure that citizens receive accurate, reliable information on SIR. The Election Commission of India (ECI) will conduct the second phase of Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls across 12 states and union territories, with the final voter list to be published on February 7, 2026. The first phase of the SIR was held in Bihar in September, ahead of the state's Assembly elections. The exercise will cover Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. According to the Election Commission, printing and training will take place from October 28 to November 3, followed by an Enumeration Phase from November 4 to December 4. The Draft Electoral Rolls will be published on December 9, followed by a claims and objection period from December 9 to January 8, 2026. The Notice Phase (for hearing and verification) will take place between December 9 and January 31, 2026, with publication of Final Electoral Rolls on February 7, 2026. (ANI)
Marking the Constitution Day, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday appealed to the public to recommit themselves to the principles of the Constitution. Recalling the vision of makers of the Constitution, Rijiju wrote on X, "As the nation marks the adoption of our Constitution, we remember the vision that laid the bedrock of India's democracy. On this Constitution Day, let us recommit ourselves to justice, liberty, equality & fraternity, principles that define who we are." On November 26, 1949, the Indian Constituent Assembly formally adopted the Constitution, which came into effect on January 26, 1950. The day is marked by the Central government's celebration of the principles of democracy, justice, and equality. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in Constitution Day Celebrations at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan today at around 11 AM. This year marks the 76th anniversary of the adoption of its constitution. The celebrations will see the participation of President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Speaker of the Lok Sabha Om Birla, Members of Parliament from both Houses, among others, according to a release from the PMO. The President will lead the reading of the Preamble to the Constitution of India during the programme. Further, a translated version of the Constitution of India will be released in nine languages, including Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Punjabi, Bodo, Kashmiri, Telugu, Odia, and Assamese, the release stated. The commemorative booklet "Art and Calligraphy in the Indian Constitution" will also be released during the programme. Meanwhile, Congress has directed all its state units to observe November 26 as 'Samvidhan Bachao Divas' at Pradesh Congress Committees (PCC) offices and district headquarters across the country. In the letter, the Congress highlighted the importance of the occasion, stating, "On the solemn occasion of Constitution Day, the Indian National Congress calls upon all Pradesh Congress Committees to observe 26 November as Samvidhan Bachao Divas across the country. This year's observance carries profound significance given the unprecedented challenges facing our democratic institutions and the very spirit of our Constitution." The party emphasised that the fundamental values enshrined in the Constitution, including justice, liberty, equality, fraternity and the protection of every citizen's rights, are currently under visible strain. "The country is witnessing a growing attack on the constitution marked by systematic vote theft, electoral malpractices, abuse of institutions, and the dubious Special Intensive Revision (SIR)-driven attempts to distort the electoral rolls. These actions strike at the very heart of our constitutional morality and democratic traditions. It is our collective responsibility to expose these dangers before the people, and to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to defend the Constitution, its institutions, and its values," the letter stated. (ANI)
The discussions centred on strengthening railway connectivity in the state, reviewing the progress of ongoing projects, and expediting the implementation of newly approved initiatives that are significant to citizens, industry, and regional commerce.

During the meeting, Chief Minister Sai underscored the need to timely execute sanctioned railway projects so that the people of Chhattisgarh, along with businesses and industrial stakeholders, can benefit from modern, efficient transport facilities.

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnav reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to strengthening connectivity across the state.

Also present at the meeting were the Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, Subodh Kumar Singh; the Secretary, Rahul Bhagat; and the Secretary, Department of Commerce and Industry, Rajat Kumar.

Earlier, Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted India's approach to a common, affordable computing facility to democratisate technology, ensure equitable access, and drive inclusive growth.

This vision is being realised through the creation of shared, high-performance computing facilities and the IndiaAI Mission. Launched in March 2024, this mission aims to make artificial intelligence accessible to all by establishing a robust and inclusive AI ecosystem. While speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore, Minister Vaishnaw discussed the national common computing facility, equipped with around 38,000 GPUs.

He said a national common computing facility equipped with around 38,000 GPUs is now available to researchers and students at a cost of less than one US dollar.

He emphasised that this initiative has effectively equalised access to infrastructure and opened up opportunities in AI-related development.

Ashwini Vaishnaw further noted that the current AI landscape spans three categories: large general-purpose models, small domain-focused industry models, and new research; each of these presents significant opportunities for India's technology ecosystem.

"Our Prime Minister says we must democratise the technology, and this is what we have done, giving a large number of opportunities to a pool of researchers and innovators," he said. (ANI)
Taking cognisance of the accident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed condolences to the grieving family and has ordered the local administration to reach the accident spot and expedite relief work.

"Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has taken cognisance of the road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri. He has expressed condolences to the bereaved families and directed proper medical treatment for the injured. He has also directed local administration to reach the accident spot and expedite the relief work," the Chief Minister's office informed.

Earlier on November 25, 8 people were injured in a bus accident in Lucknow after the vehicle collided with a truck near Banthra police station area. The bus was travelling from Sultanpur to Etawah, according to officials.

Two people are suspected of having fractures and are being evaluated. All the injured are stable and out of danger, according to Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) of Lok Bandhu Hospital, Doctor Rajeev Dixit (ANI)
There were back-to-back operations in Assam and Mizoram on November 21 and 23 to curb illegal activities in the North East region.

The first action took place on November 21 in Karmiganj, Assam. Acting on specific intelligence, a joint team intercepted a Bolero pickup vehicle.

A detailed search of the vehicle revealed 165 cartons of foreign-origin cigarettes from various brands, valued at approximately Rs. 3.5 crore. Two individuals involved in transporting the contraband were apprehended at the scene. One was identified to be Lalrinsanga, 35, a resident of Mamit, Mizoram. The other was determined to be Lallungawia, 29, a resident of Rengdil, Mamit, Mizoram.

In a separate operation later on November 23, the joint forces operated in the general area of Kanhnum, Mamit District, Mizoram. This operation resulted in the recovery of 197 cartons of unclaimed foreign-origin cigarettes.

The seized consignment from the Mizoram operation is assessed to be worth approximately Rs 4 crore. All recovered items from both operations, along with the apprehended individuals from the Karmiganj incident, have been handed over to the Customs department for further investigation and legal action.

Authorities said that "these successful operations underscored the unwavering commitment of Assam Rifles and partner agencies in combating smuggling activities and safeguarding national interests across the North East." (ANI)
The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday paid heartfelt tribute to the victims and security personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said, "My humble tribute to the brave soldiers and common citizens who were martyred in the dussahasi terrorist attack in Mumbai on 26/11. India will never forget their courage, sacrifice, and martyrdom." This year marks 17 years since terrorists from the Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) unleashed mayhem on the streets of India's financial capital, Mumbai, on November 26, 2008. Commonly referred to as 26/11, these coordinated assaults by a group of 10 terrorists sent shockwaves through the nation and the world. The terrorists had entered the city of Mumbai on the night of November 26, 2008, via sea route and over the course of four days, they killed 166 people and injured 300, in some of the busiest parts of the city. The targets were carefully chosen after being surveyed for maximum impact, viz., the Taj and Oberoi Hotels, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Jewish centre at Nariman House, Cama Hospital, Metro Cinema and the Leopold Cafe, since these places were frequented by foreign nationals along with a major part of Mumbai's workforce. The scars left by the tragic event continue to haunt those who witnessed it and the families who lost their loved ones. The bullet marks at Leopold Cafe and Nariman House, the bust of Assistant Sub-Inspector Tukaram Omble, who gave up his life while capturing the lone surviving Pakistani terrorist Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, and the streets of South Mumbai keep alive the memory of the gruesome terror attack. (ANI)
Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty expressed his concern in the wake of educational institutions in Kozhikode and Thrissur having received official letters from Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) requesting the deployment of student volunteers, including NSS, NCC, Scouts, Guides, and Souhrida Club members for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll. He said that strict instructions have been issued to education department officials to ensure that students' learning is not disrupted. Speaking to reporters, V Sivankutty said, "The demand by some revenue officials to deploy National Service Scheme (NSS) and NCC student volunteers for election-related duties, including the revision of the voter list, will adversely affect children's studies... According to the Right to Education Act, students' instructional time must be protected. Although the NSS and NCC encourage extracurricular activities and social service, it is not proper to continuously keep students out of regular classes on academic days to engage them in office work and field duties." "Using children for official tasks unrelated to educational purposes amounts to a violation of their right to education. Strict instructions have been issued to education department officials to ensure that students' learning is not disrupted," he said. At present, as part of the intensive verification of the electoral roll, a total of 5,623 personnel working under the education department have been appointed as Booth Level Officers. This includes 2,938 teachers, 2,104 non-teaching staff and 581 other employees. V Sivankutty further said, "The state government has urged the Central Government to immediately release the SSK fund. The state has sent a letter to the Centre pointing this out. The SSK fund has not been released for the past two and a half years. Out of Rs 456 crore, only Rs 91.42 crore has been sanctioned by the Centre. BJP's state leaders and Union ministers are intervening in withholding the funds. The state BJP leadership and the Union ministers from Kerala have a role in blocking the funds in this manner. They must respond to this, or take steps to ensure that the money that rightfully belongs to the state is released." As per the notification issued by the Election Commission of India on October 27, the SIR process is currently underway, and Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are engaged in large-scale fieldwork involving the distribution, collection, and digitisation of Enumeration Forms. To complete the process within the ECI's tight schedule, the EROs have sought additional manpower from schools and colleges, requesting that volunteers be made available until November 30. However, teachers have expressed concern over the move, that deploying students during the ongoing examination period would cause inconvenience. The appeal for student volunteers comes at a time when BLOs themselves have raised grievances about heavy workload. Recently, BLOs in Kondotty taluk, Malappuram, submitted a representation to the Tehsildar highlighting that the increasing pressure and the burden of executing almost all tasks single-handedly had become unmanageable. The request letter issued in Kozhikode, signed by the Deputy Collector (RR) and the Electoral Registration Officers for Elathur and Beypore, underscores the urgency, stating that additional support is essential to the time-bound completion of SIR activities. As the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process continues, a Booth Level Officer (BLO) at Anappady West LP School in Tavanur constituency, Kerala, was removed from duty for allegedly behaving rudely towards the public, said District Collector V.R. Vinod on Tuesday. An explanation has been sought from the officer. Praseena, a teacher at Cheriya Parappur AMLP School, has been appointed as the new BLO. (ANI)
CHICAGO, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- An image-only artificial intelligence (AI) model for predicting the five-year risk of breast cancer provided stronger and more precise risk stratification than breast density assessment, according to a new study being presented next week at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

Senior author Constance D. Lehman, M.D., Ph.D., professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, said traditional methods of assessing a woman's risk for breast cancer, including age, family history, genetics and breast density, are inadequate.

"Over two million women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually, and for most, it comes as a complete shock," she said. "Only 5 to 10% of breast cancer cases are considered hereditary, and breast density alone is a very weak predictor of risk."

Clairity Breast, the first FDA-authorized image-only AI breast cancer risk model, was trained on 421,499 mammograms from 27 facilities in Europe, South America and the U.S. Using mammograms both from women who developed cancer and women who did not develop cancer over the subsequent five years helped the AI model to learn the patterns and differences in breast tissue that predict cancer risk. The model was calibrated on an independent test set using a deep convolutional neural network to generate five-year risk probabilities.

"The model is able to detect changes in the breast tissue that the human eye can't see," Dr. Lehman said. "This is a job that radiologists just can't perform. It's a separate task from detection and diagnosis, and it will open a whole new field of medicine, leveraging the power of AI and untapped information in the image."

The model was applied to a study group of 236,422 bilateral 2D screening mammograms from five U.S. sites and 8,810 from one European site. The mammograms were acquired between 2011 and 2017. Radiologist-reported breast density (dense versus not dense) and five-year cancer outcomes were extracted from medical records and tumor registries, respectively. AI-predicted risks were categorized using National Comprehensive Cancer Network thresholds: average (less than 1.7%), intermediate (1.7-3.0%) and high (greater than 3.0%).

The researchers compared the risk categories using statistical models that account for follow-up time and censoring.

Accounting for breast density, women in the high-risk AI group had more than a fourfold higher cancer incidence than women in the average-risk group (5.9% vs. 1.3%). By contrast, breast density alone showed only modest separation (3.2% for dense vs. 2.7% for non-dense).

"The results of this large-scale analysis demonstrate that AI risk models provide far stronger and more precise risk stratification for five-year cancer prediction than breast density alone," said first author and presenter Christiane Kuhl, M.D., Ph.D., director, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology at University Hospital RWTH Aachen, in Germany. "Our findings support the use of image-only AI as a complement to traditional markers supporting a more personalized approach to screening."

The American Cancer Society currently recommends that women at average risk have the option to start annual breast cancer screening with mammography at age 40. However, women under 40 are the fastest-growing group being diagnosed with breast cancer and advanced disease.

"An AI image-based risk score can help us identify high-risk women more accurately than traditional methods and determine who may need screening at an earlier age," Dr. Lehman said. "We already screen some women in their 30s when they are clearly at high risk based on family history or genetics. In the future, a baseline mammogram at 30 could allow women with a high image-based risk score to join that earlier, more effective screening pathway."

Breast density legislation enacted in 32 states requires healthcare providers to inform women undergoing a screening mammogram of their breast density.

"We'd like to see women given information on their breast density and their AI image-based risk score," Dr. Lehman said. "We can do better than just looking at a mammogram and saying, 'It is dense or not dense' to inform women of their risk."

Other co-authors are David Miller, Mark Scully, Emily Hipp, Elizabeth A. Morris, M.D., Toni W. Vomweg, M.D., Lora D. Barke, D.O., Louie Enriquez, M.D., J.D., and Philippe Raffy, Ph.D.

Note: Copies of RSNA 2025 news releases and electronic images will be available online at RSNA.org/press25.

RSNA is an association of radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists promoting excellence in patient care and health care delivery through education, research and technologic innovation. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Illinois. (RSNA.org)

For patient-friendly information on breast imaging, visit RadiologyInfo.org.

SOURCE Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
India observed Constitution Day on Wednesday, with top constitutional authorities and Union ministers urging citizens to uphold the foundational principles that guide the world's largest democracy. Leading the tributes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the enduring relevance of the Constitution's ideals. He said the foresight of the framers continues to inspire the nation's march towards a Viksit Bharat. Emphasising that the Constitution upholds human dignity, equality and liberty, the Prime Minister reminded citizens that along with rights come essential duties that strengthen democracy. He called on the nation to reaffirm its resolve to protect and promote constitutional values. Home Minister Amit Shah, in his message, saluted Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Dr. Rajendra Prasad and every member of the Constituent Assembly. Describing the Constitution as a document that grants equal opportunity and a dignified life to all, Shah said it lays a strong path for national development. He also noted that the observance of Constitution Day initiated under Prime Minister Modi has helped deepen public consciousness of democratic principles. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal extended "heartfelt greetings" to the nation and paid homage to the luminaries who shaped the Constitution with the spirit of equality, fraternity and upliftment of the last person. He urged citizens to reaffirm their commitment to conduct themselves in accordance with the Constitution. Constitution Day, or Samvidhan Divas, is celebrated annually on 26 November to mark the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1949. The document came into effect on 26 January 1950, completing India's transition to a republic and laying the foundation of its democratic governance. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in Constitution Day Celebrations at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan today at around 11 AM. This year marks the 76th anniversary of the adoption of its constitution. The celebrations will see the participation of President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Speaker of the Lok Sabha Om Birla, Members of Parliament from both Houses, among others, according to a release from the PMO. The President will lead the reading of the Preamble to the Constitution of India during the programme. Further, a translated version of the Constitution of India will be released in nine languages, including Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Punjabi, Bodo, Kashmiri, Telugu, Odia, and Assamese, the release stated. The commemorative booklet "Art and Calligraphy in the Indian Constitution" will also be released during the programme. (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday paid a humble tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the people of the country during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, remembering their supreme sacrifice. The President also reiterated the resolve to combat terrorism in all forms, and called for people to move forward together to build a stronger, more prosperous India. "On the anniversary of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, I pay my humble tribute to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the people of our country. The nation remembers their supreme sacrifice with gratitude. Let us reaffirm our commitment to combat terrorism in all forms. Let us move forward together on the path of progress with a resolve to build a stronger and more prosperous India," President Murmu wrote on X. This year marks 17 years since terrorists from the Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) unleashed mayhem on the streets of India's financial capital, Mumbai, on November 26, 2008. Commonly referred to as 26/11, these coordinated assaults by a group of 10 terrorists sent shockwaves through the nation and the world. The terrorists had entered the city of Mumbai on the night of November 26, 2008, via sea route and over the course of four days, they killed 166 people and injured 300, in some of the busiest parts of the city. The targets were carefully chosen after being surveyed for maximum impact, viz., the Taj and Oberoi Hotels, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Jewish centre at Nariman House, Cama Hospital, Metro Cinema and the Leopold Cafe, since these places were frequented by foreign nationals along with a major part of Mumbai's workforce. The scars left by the tragic event continue to haunt those who witnessed it and the families who lost their loved ones. The bullet marks at Leopold Cafe and Nariman House, the bust of Assistant Sub-Inspector Tukaram Omble, who gave up his life while capturing the lone surviving Pakistani terrorist Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, and the streets of South Mumbai keep alive the memory of the gruesome terror attack. The nine LeT terrorists were killed while Kasab was arrested. In May 2010, Kasab was handed the death penalty, and two years later, hanged in a maximum security prison in Pune. A dedicated memorial zone will display photographs and names of the heroes and all the fallen, with floral tributes and candles and will introduce a concept-based 'Living Memorial' formed from the wax of homage candles and retained for future observances. As night falls, the Gateway of India will be illuminated in the tricolour with the word 'Neverever'. (ANI)
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday, greeted the public on Constitution Day, echoing the principles of equality and justice. In an X post, Rahul Gandhi said that the Constitution is not merely a book, but a "sacred promise" to citizens of the country. Further, he asked the people of India to pledge not to allow any "attack on the Constitution." Gandhi wrote on X, "The Constitution of India is not just a book; it is a sacred promise made to every citizen of the country. A promise that no matter what religion or caste one belongs to, whichever region one comes from, whatever language one speaks, whether poor or rich, one will receive equality, respect, and justice. The Constitution is a protective shield for the poor and the deprived; it is their strength, and it is the voice of every citizen." "As long as the Constitution is secure, the rights of every Indian are secure. Let us pledge that we will not allow any kind of attack on the Constitution. It is my duty to protect it, and I will stand first in front of every assault on it. Heartfelt greetings to all of you on Constitution Day. Jai Hind, Jai Samvidhan," he added. Meanwhile, Congress leader Udit Raj launched an attack against the ruling regime, alleging that the Constitution is "broken into pieces today." He said, "We will not allow an assault on the Constitution. It should be remembered that the Constitution is being broken into pieces today. Referring to 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Raj added, "Terror attacks can happen any day and anti-Constitution elements do not see the Constitution Day before attacking. That was also an attack on the Constitution. I pay tribute to the martyrs." On November 26, 1949, the Indian Constituent Assembly formally adopted the Constitution, which came into effect on January 26, 1950. The day is marked by the Central government's celebration of the principles of democracy, justice, and equality. Congress has directed all its state units to observe November 26 as 'Samvidhan Bachao Divas' at Pradesh Congress Committees (PCC) offices and district headquarters across the country. In the letter, the Congress highlighted the importance of the occasion, stating, "On the solemn occasion of Constitution Day, the Indian National Congress calls upon all Pradesh Congress Committees to observe 26 November as Samvidhan Bachao Divas across the country. This year's observance carries profound significance given the unprecedented challenges facing our democratic institutions and the very spirit of our Constitution." The party emphasised that the fundamental values enshrined in the Constitution, including justice, liberty, equality, fraternity, and the protection of every citizen's rights, are currently under visible strain. "The country is witnessing a growing attack on the constitution marked by systematic vote theft, electoral malpractices, abuse of institutions, and the dubious Special Intensive Revision (SIR)-driven attempts to distort the electoral rolls. These actions strike at the very heart of our constitutional morality and democratic traditions. It is our collective responsibility to expose these dangers before the people, and to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to defend the Constitution, its institutions, and its values," the letter stated. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s Vadodara MP Hemang Joshi on Wednesday invited Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to join him in Vadodara for the 'Unity March' to honour 'Iron Man of India', Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. "Dear Rahul ji, On the sacred occasion of the 150th Birth Anniversary of the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Government of India is organizing a historic 'Unity March' from 26th November to 6th December 2025 - a national journey celebrating the ideals of Ekta, Shakti, and Rashtra-Nirman that Patel himself embodied," Joshi wrote in his letter to Rahul. The Yatra, starting on Wednesday, November 26, will conclude on December 6. The yatra is set to pass through Vadodara on November 29-30, according to the MP. "As a fellow member of Parliament, and more importantly as a citizen committed to the unity and integrity of India, I extend a cordial invitation to you to join the march during its passage through Vadodara," the BJP MP wrote. "Your Public life has seen several political padyatras undertaken in the name of connecting with the people. This Unity March, however, is above politics, a government of Bharat initiative dedicated to a national icon who rose above parties and personalities to unite our motherland," he said. Earlier on November 22, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, JP Nadda, along with Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, flagged off a separate unity march in Delhi to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. Commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel, Nadda emphasised that a true tribute to Sardar Patel will be given when the youth are utilised to lead the country towards Viksit Bharat. "Today, we are celebrating 'Sardar 150,' commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. A series of events has been added to this. In the same series, today, we have a flag-off program of 'Ganga Pravaah Yatra.' When we talk about Sardar Patel, we must keep in mind that we will give true tribute to Sardar Patel when we use our youth to lead our country towards 'Ek Bharat, Shresth Bharat, Viksit Bharat, Atmanirbhar Bharat'..." Nadda said. On this occasion, many leaders have paid tribute to India's first Home Minister by flagging off the Unity March in various parts of India. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan participated in the Unity March in Odisha's Bhadrak district. The Indian government has launched a two-year celebration for Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 150th anniversary on October 31, 2024, at the statue of Unity. The government has launched a Rs 150 commemorative coin, a postal stamp, a special book "Vallabh", and a documentary on Patel unifying over 560 princely states. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Wednesday remembered Dr BR Ambedkar for his role in drafting the Constitution on the occasion of Constitution Day. Constitution Day is observed annually on 26 November to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution in 1949. Speaking to ANI, Maurya said, "On the occasion of Constitution Day, I pay my respects to the architect of the Constitution, Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Ji. Had there been no Constitution by Baba Saheb, the oppressed and deprived people of the country would not have gotten opportunities to move forward. We have gathered here on this occasion for the Constitution Day program." The Drafting Committee, chaired by Dr. BR Ambedkar, was the most important committee of the Constituent Assembly. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked Constitution Day on Wednesday with a letter to citizens, calling for increased focus on constitutional duties and broader participation in democratic processes. In his message, the Prime Minister recalled the work of the Constituent Assembly, chaired by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, and the Drafting Committee led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. He also mentioned the contributions of women members of the Assembly.PM Modi referred to the year 2010, when the Constitution completed 60 years, and said that a Samvidhan Gaurav Yatra was organised in Gujarat to mark the milestone. He added that the 75th anniversary of the Constitution was observed last year with a special session of Parliament and public programmes across the country. The Prime Minister stated that this year's Constitution Day coincides with the 150th birth anniversaries of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Bhagwan Birsa Munda. He said Patel's role in the integration of princely states and decisions related to Article 370 were linked to constitutional processes. He highlighted the chapter on Fundamental Duties in Article 51A, saying that these duties provide direction for social and economic development. PM Modi said the period leading up to 2047 and 2049, marking 100 years of independence and 100 years of the Constitution's adoption, would shape long-term national outcomes. Calling on citizens to participate in elections at all levels, the Prime Minister suggested that schools and colleges may hold ceremonies on 26 November to recognise students who turn 18 and become eligible voters. (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday expressed happiness and congratulated the members of Parliament for upholding the vision and dreams of the original Constitutional framers on the occasion of Constitution Day. "Additionally, I bow in respect at this commemoration for good luck and prosperity to the members," President Murmu said. Recalling the history of the making of the constitution, she remembered Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, who was chairman of the Drafting Committee and praised his efforts in drafting India's supreme legal document. "I am delighted to be among you all on the historic occasion of Constitution Day. On this very day, November 26, 1949, in this very Central Hall of the Constitution House, the members of the Constituent Assembly completed the task of drafting the Constitution of India. On this very day that year, we, the people of India, adopted our Constitution. After independence, the Constituent Assembly also served as India's interim Parliament. Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, Chairman of the Drafting Committee, was one of the principal architects of our Constitution," she said. Praising the curbng of social evils by taking historic steps such as banning triple talaq, and empowering sisters and daughters, President Murmu also highlighted the GST reform, repeal of Article 370, the Nari Shakti Bandhan Act (Women's Reservation Bill) and other examples of ushering in a new era of development, especially for women. "By curbing the social evil associated with triple talaq, Parliament took historic steps toward the empowerment and social justice of our sisters and daughters. The Goods and Services Tax, the biggest tax reform since independence, was implemented to promote the country's economic integration. The repeal of Article 370 removed a barrier to the country's overall political integration. The Nari Shakti Bandhan Act will usher in a new era of women-led development," President Murmu said. This year, starting November 7 a nationwide commemoration is being held to mark the completion of 150 years of the composition of our national anthem, Vande Mataram, the President added. She further highlighted how the soul of the constitution is expressed through the ideals of political justice, freedom and similar ideals. After her speech, President Murmu led the MPs at the event in reading the Preamble of the Constitution, and released the translated version of the Constitution in nine languages- Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Punjabi, Bodo, Kashmiri, Telugu, Odia and Assamese. The Constitution of India was adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into effect a few months later, on January 26, 1950. The document was extensively debated and agreed upon by the Constituent Assembly. The document established India as a Sovereign, Democratic Republic with the aim of securing all citizens Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. It is the longest written Constitution in the world, demarcating the separation of powers, structure of administration, courts and legislative departments for the country. The Constitution calls for adhering to constitutional supremacy. (ANI)
Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein was the Chief Guest at the 57th Central Chalo Loku Festival, the premier agricultural celebration of the Nocte community held at Nehru Stadium in Khonsa, in the state's Tirap district. Celebrated centrally since 1968, Chalo Loku stands as a testament to Nocte heritage, the spirit of harvest, and the enduring unity of the community. This year's celebration drew remarkable interest, with 112 foreign tourists from eight nationalities visiting the Tirap district to witness the rich cultural traditions of the Nocte community, an initiative facilitated by the district Tourism Department. In his address on Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein extended warm greetings to the Nocte people and reflected on the cultural depth of Chalo Loku, where "Chalo" denotes paddy, the core of agrarian life, and "Loku" marks the transition from summer to winter. He emphasised that this festival, rooted in rituals such as Phamlamja, Chamkatja, Thanlangja, and Rangsom Hum, continues to preserve the rich spiritual and cultural traditions of the Noctes. He stressed the importance of safeguarding indigenous culture amid rapid globalisation. "Our youth are talented and innovative. Let their creativity move us forward while staying firmly rooted in our identity," he said. He highlighted the historic recognition of the Nocte, Wancho, Tutsa, and Tangsa tribes under the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order Amendment Bill, 2018, which corrected a long-standing denial of identity and gave the communities their rightful place. He noted the remarkable improvement in infrastructure across the Tirap-Changlang-Longding (TCL) region. He informed that the upcoming 80th Year Commemoration of World War II, to be observed along with the Pangsau Pass Winter Festival, will create fresh momentum for heritage tourism and attract international visitors. He further shared that 66 border villages across Tirap, Changlang, and Longding have been included in the Vibrant Village Programme, ensuring livelihood opportunities, improved road connectivity, housing, and essential infrastructure along the Indo-Myanmar border. Reaffirming the spirit of Unity in Diversity, Mein emphasised that Arunachal Pradesh's many tribes, cultures, and dialects together form 'One Arunachal, One Family, One Culture'. He appreciated the young leaders advocating for cultural integration and underscored the importance of visiting and engaging with other communities to strengthen mutual understanding. The Deputy CM also released several significant literary works and cultural contributions. These included 'Miles Bronson and His Works Among the Noctes', authored by Wangtum Lowang and 'Odyssey - the Chalo Loku Souvenir' edited by Denhang Bosai. On the occasion, he also launched the Nocte Traditional Shawl, initiated by Khunlong Matey and Khowang Hakhun and released two new Nocte audio albums, 'Jovi Din' (sung by Manlang Agi, Baby Mossang, Toangi Agi, and Ansiha Perme Agi) and 'Oni Na' (lyrics by Khamwang Lowang, sung by Dr. Vineeta Dowerah). Guest of Honour and MLA Seppa East, Ealing Tallang, encouraged greater cultural exchange and urged youth participation to preserve the state's diverse heritage. He stressed the importance of maintaining cultural identity for future generations. Chief Patron Wanglin Lowangdong, MLA Borduria-Bogapani, underscored that Chalo Loku, celebrated after the paddy harvest, is a festival of joy, recreation, and unity. He also appealed for GI tagging of Nocte Salt Well products, recognising their cultural and economic value. In his welcome address, Jiten Wangchha, President of the 57th Nocte Chalo Loku Celebration Committee, extended gratitude to the dignitaries for their presence. He emphasised that Chalo Loku marks not only the completion of the harvest but also the beginning of the Nocte New Year calendar, reaffirming its deep cultural importance. The day-long programme yesteday,, featured log drum performances by Borduria and Khoathong villages, folk dances, group presentations by UKYA, Paniduria village, and Nocte Jancho, culminating in the grand Loku Dance followed by a community feast. (ANI)
The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush, launched the second edition of its flagship industry-research interface initiative, SIDDHI 2.0 (Scientific Innovation in Drug Development, Healthcare & Integration), in Vijayawada. According to an official release from the Ministry of AYUSH, the two-day national conclave has been organised by the Regional Ayurveda Research Institute (RARI), Vijayawada, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Vijayawada Zone. The programme commenced with a formal inaugural session graced by Prof. Vd. Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS; K. Dinesh Kumar, IAS, Director (Ayush), Government of Andhra Pradesh; Dr N. Srikanth, Deputy Director General, CCRAS; Kiran Bhupatiraju, CEO, Laila Nutra Pvt. Ltd. and Chemiloids Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd.; Dr V. Nagalakshmi, Chairperson (CII), Vijayawada Zone; and Dr B. Venkateshwarlu, Assistant Director (I/c), RARI, Vijayawada. During the inaugural ceremony, CCRAS released its medico-historical publication, "Evolution of Ayurveda, Siddha & Unani Drug Regulations in India", along with the Drug Inventory Management System portal. The conclave is positioned as a major national platform advancing the scientific, industrial and commercial ecosystem of Ayurveda. Building on the momentum created by PRAGATI-2024 (Pharma Research in Ayurgan and Techno-Innovation), SIDDHI 2.0 marks a strategic shift towards research-led product development, indigenous technology advancement, accelerated translational pathways, and industry partnerships--key elements of India's evolving Ayush innovation agenda. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS, underlined that lifestyle-related diseases are on the rise and that Ayurveda's wellness-centric approach is increasingly relevant. He appreciated CII's support in enabling direct engagement between CCRAS and the pharmaceutical sector through platforms such as SIDDHI. Highlighting various CCRAS initiatives, including SPARK, SMART, PDF fellowships, and research-methodology programmes, he reiterated CCRAS's commitment to collaborative research and assured industry stakeholders that IPR generated through joint work would be shared equitably. K. Dinesh Kumar, IAS, Director (Ayush), Government of Andhra Pradesh, noted that the number of Ayurveda colleges and pharmaceutical units in the State remains limited and proposed the establishment of a National Ayurveda Institute. He emphasised that SIDDHI 2.0 brings all key stakeholders onto a single platform and added that while modern science has increased lifespan, Ayurveda can ensure a healthier lifespan. Dr N. Srikanth, Deputy Director General, CCRAS, informed that the Council has validated over 150 Ayurvedic formulations, including herbo-mineral preparations. He encouraged the industry to utilise CCRAS's extensive data, spanning quality, safety, and toxicity studies, and highlighted the organisation's industry-friendly research policy, which includes IPR-sharing provisions. He also mentioned CCRAS's support to Ayurveda-based, AI-driven, technology-enabled and other innovative start-ups. The event featured multiple technical sessions led by experts from CCRAS and representatives of leading organisations such as Himalaya Wellness Company. CCRAS scientists showcased the facilities, key research outcomes, products and technologies developed, and formulations under various stages of development. Further, the possible areas of collaboration with the industries were also discussed. The first day witnessed active participation from diverse pharmaceutical stakeholders, fostering discussions aimed at accelerating evidence-based growth in the Ayurveda sector. SIDDHI 2.0 witnessed the participation of over 100 delegates, including representatives from more than 25 leading Ayurvedic pharmaceutical companies from Southern India--such as Himalaya Wellness Company, Oushadhi, IMPCOPS, Laila Nutra Pvt. Ltd., and Imis Pharmaceuticals--along with researchers, clinicians, academicians, State Ayush officials, and postgraduate scholars from Dr NRS Ayurvedic College, Vijayawada. (ANI)
Special NIA judge Prashant Sharma reserved the order after hearing the submissions of counsel for Abdul Rashid Sheikh and the Special Public Prosecutor for NIA.

Counsel for NIA said that the agency has no objection to the accused attending the parliament session in custody.

Advocate Vikhyat Oberoi and Nishita Gupta appeared for Abdul Rashid Sheikh and submitted that they have no objection if he be granted custody parole subject to the outcome of the order of the High Court of Delhi on the issue of the cost involved.

After hearing the submissions, the court reserved the order for November 27.

The Baramulla MP sought an interim bail or custody parole without a cost to attend the Parliament Session scheduled to commence from December 1.

He was also earlier granted custody parole to attend Parliament Sessions and to take the oath after his election as MP.

He was also sent to parliament to vote in the Vice Presidential election this year.

Abdul Rashid Sheikh is an MP from Baramulla of Jammu and Kashmir. His application seeking modification of the cost to pay for custody parole to attend the parliament session is pending before the Delhi High Court.

On November 7, the division bench of the Delhi High Court delivered a split verdict on his application. The matter is now pending before a single-judge bench. (ANI)
Criticising the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Wednesday said that those who opposed the Constitution at the time of its formulation should never forget "what their history has been". Speaking to ANI, Tagore claimed that the Sangh Parivar was opposed to accepting the Constitution of India because it was "not aligned with the principles of the Manusmriti". "It is a very important day, and the framers of the constitution, Baba Sahib Ambedkar and all others, worked very hard to give a constitution which is robust and stands to unite all Indians. The RSS has been the only organisation which has opposed it since 1949. Their statements at that time clearly stated that they don't accept the Constitution of India because it does not follow the Manusmriti. The grandchildren of RSS are now trying to uphold the Constitution, PM Modi and all other BJP friends must understand that their history stands like this," Tagore said. Constitution Day is observed annually on 26 November to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution in 1949. On China's remarks regarding the status of Arunachal Pradesh, Tagore said that the government must not surrender to the Chinese."This has been going on for a long time; the Chinese always have this kind of approach. The government must deal with the Chinese in a strong way." India on Tuesday strongly rejected China's remarks regarding the status of Arunachal Pradesh and expressed serious concern over what it described as the "arbitrary detention" of an Indian national, Prema Wangjom Thongdok, at Shanghai International Airport. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the matter has been taken up with Chinese authorities at a high level, while reiterating that Arunachal Pradesh remains an "integral and inalienable" part of India. (ANI)
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Robbins LLP reminds stockholders that a class action was filed on behalf of all investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE: ARE) securities between January 27, 2025 and October 27, 2025. Alexandria is a real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in lifescience real estate with a focus on lab space, research facilities and offices for tenants in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and agricultural technology industries.

For more information, submit a form, email attorney Aaron Dumas, Jr., or give us a call at (800) 350-6003.

The Allegations: Robbins LLP is Investigating Allegations that Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (ARE) Misled Investors Regarding its Financial Prospects

According to the complaint, defendants provided investors with material information concerning Alexandria's expected revenue and FFO (funds from operations) growth for the fiscal year 2025, particularly as it related to the growth of the Company's real estate operations. Defendants' statements included, among other things, confidence in the Company's lease activity, occupancy stability and ability to develop its tenant pipeline. Defendants provided these overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of its Long Island City (LIC) property; notably, the Company's claims and confidence about the leasing value of the LIC property as a life-science destination aligning with ARE's Megacampus strategy.

Plaintiffs allege that on October 27, 2025, Alexandria unveiled below-expectation financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025 and cut its FFO guidance for the full-year 2025. The Company attributed the setback to lower occupancy rates, slower leasing activity and most notably, a real estate impairment charge of $323.9 million with $206 million attributed to its LIC property. On this news, the price of Alexandria's stock fell approximately 19%, from a closing price of $77.87 per share on October 27, 2025 to $62.94 per share on October 28, 2025.

What Now: You may be eligible to participate in the class action against Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. Shareholders who wish to serve as lead plaintiff for the class should contact Robbins LLP. The lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. You do not have to participate in the case to be eligible for a recovery. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. For more information, click here .

All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses.

About Robbins LLP: A recognized leader in shareholder rights litigation, the attorneys and staff of Robbins LLP have been dedicated to helping shareholders recover losses, improve corporate governance structures, and hold company executives accountable for their wrongdoing since 2002.

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SOURCE Robbins LLP
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday extended his greetings to the country on 'Samvidhan Diwas' (Constitution Day), while also warning that the very idea of India, which based on equality, fraternity, freedom, fraternity and other such ideas "is in danger" because the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are looking to destroy the country. Talking about the history of RSS, Kharge said that the organisation had always been against the constitution, and looked to serve the interests of the British, but right now, while in power they were forced to co-opt the document as their own. "When this Constitution was implemented then organisations like RSS used to say openly that the Constitution is based on western values, and their ideal is actually manusmriti. History is witness that they (RSS) were against the Constitution, and today the ones who believe more in Manusmriti than in the Constitution were forced to co-opt the Constitution as their own when they came to power," the Congress president said. Praising the contributions of the framers of the Constitution, Kharge told ANI, "Babasaheb Ambedkar, Rajendra Prasad, Pandit Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel, did the work for the nation, that is why the country is progressing, not because of them (BJP-RSS). I have read his letter, three-page letter, he (PM Modi) said 'a poor man like me', but why was he not saying that before? Now that we started raising our voices in Parliament then this started he is a poor man's son. I am happy that a businessman is considering himself a poor man's son, and a railway canteen owner calls himself chaiwala, that is ok, but the Constitution is made for everyone." "Today I wish everyone on Constitution Day. Babasaheb Dr Ambedkar, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajendra Prasad, together with members of the Constituent assembly created the Constitution in which democracy is supreme. Justice, equality, freedom, fraternity, secularism, and socialism have become the identity of the India, but today that identity is in danger," he added. Kharge further hit out at the RSS for claiming that the Constitution is "based on western values", while also opposing the national flag, along with allegedly actively helping the Britishers during colonial rule. The RSS even opposed BR Ambedkar by burning his effigies in New Delhi, according to Kharge. "On December 11, 1948, they did a grand event at Ramlila Maidan, and burned an effigy of BR Ambedkar. RSS not only opposed the national flag and the Constitution, but during the British rule, when the freedom army was in jail, then RSS worked together with British. That is the same RSS which Modi ji has praised while in Red Fort," he said. Mentioning the first ban of the RSS, Kharge recalled that the Organiser magazine had openly come out against the Constitution, with RSS sarsanghchalak MS Gowalkar openly speaking against the Constitution. "After assassination of Gandhi ji, January 30, 1948 was banned for the first time by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Organiser (magazine) opposed the Constitution on November 1950. RSS pramukh Gowalkar wrote after adoption of constitution: "but in our constitution there is no mention of unique constitutional development in ancient Bharat. Manu's laws were written long before Icarius of Sparta or Soltan of Persia. To this day, his laws have enunciated in the Manusmriti the admiration of the world, illicit, spontaneous, obedience and conformity. But to our constitutional pundits that means nothing" - that is what he (Gowalkar) said," Kharge said. Training his criticism towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kharge said that while the PM lectures people about colonisation, it was actually the RSS which served the British and wanted to live in that slavery. "Today Modi ji is lecturing us on the dangers of colonization, and these are the same people who did not support the public for even a minute during the freedom struggle. In fact, they served the Britishers, and wanted to live in that slavery too. The people of the country know who is harming the institution of the country. The people of BJP-RSS are looking to destroy the Constitution that is why the respect they are giving the Constitution is all deceit and lies, and they are only doing this to fool people," he said. November 26 is celebrated every year as 'Samvidhan Diwas' marking the same day in the year 1950 when the supreme legal document of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly. (ANI)
Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday wished everyone on the occasion of Constitution Day, while highlighting that it is a "suraksha kawach" (protective shield) for every deprived and backward person in the country. She further reiterated her resolve to protect the Constitution "under all circumstances". "Our Constitution guarantees liberty, equality, and justice to every citizen of the country and promises a life of dignity. It is a protective shield for every Indian, including the poor, deprived, Dalits, backward classes, and tribal communities, safeguarding all their rights," the Congress leader posted on X. "Let us resolve to protect our Constitution under all circumstances. Heartfelt wishes to all fellow citizens on Constitution Day. Jai Hind! Jai Constitution!" she added. Earlier, Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal also paid his respects to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, highlighting how his efforts ensured every Indian the right to equality, justice, and dignity. "On Constitution Day, heartfelt salutations to Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Ji. The Constitution he drafted has given every Indian the right to equality, justice, and dignity," Kejriwal said. He further added that today is a great reminder that democracy is strengthened when the Constitution, and not power, is supreme. "This day reminds us that democracy is strengthened only when the Constitution, not power, is supreme. Let us together resolve to protect the spirit of the Constitution--justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity," his post added. Meanwhile, in Andhra Pradesh, the President of the YSR Congress party, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, also paid tribute to Bhimrao Babasaheb Ambedkar. "76 years ago, Dr. Ambedkar gave us a Constitution rooted in Liberty and Equality. Today, the best tribute we can offer is to safeguard those values. Let us make sure that our democracy is fearless and transparent," his post read. Constitution Day is observed annually on 26 November to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution in 1949. (ANI)
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday launched Nayi Chetna 4.0, the National Campaign on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment, at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi. Delivering the keynote address, Shivraj Singh Chouhan reaffirmed the Prime Minister's resolve to ensure that no sister remains in poverty, no woman lives with tears in her eyes, and that every sister attains dignity, confidence, and prosperity as a Lakhpati Didi. He highlighted that more than two crore SHG women have already become Lakhpati Didis. He stated that the Government is consistently working towards realising this vision by strengthening women's empowerment and expanding opportunities for rural women across the country. The event was attended by the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi, the Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, and the Minister of State for Rural Development, Kamlesh Paswan, according to the release. An inter-ministerial joint advisory, signed by eleven collaborating Ministries/Departments namely Ministry of Women and Child Development, Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and Department of Justice- was also unveiled at the launch event. This advisory embodies the spirit of a "whole of government" approach, leveraging the strength of each collaborating Ministry/Department to eliminate gender-based discrimination and violence. Annpurna Devi underscored that the Inter-Ministerial Tripartite MoU-Letter of Intent between the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Ministry of Law & Justice, and the Ministry of Rural Development will advance the development of model villages under the Violence-Free Village Initiative, ensuring safety, rights, and empowering opportunities for girls and women in rural India. The month-long campaign, organised by Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) under the Ministry of Rural Development, will run across all Indian States and Union Territories until 23rd December 2025. This initiative, led by the extensive SHG network of DAY-NRLM, embodies the spirit of a Jan Andolan. Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani highlighted that the collective strength of 10 crore rural women mobilised through Self-Help Groups has transformed Nayi Chetna into a robust grassroots movement. He stated that the campaign not only empowers women to seek timely support but also inspires them to speak up and bring long-suppressed issues to the forefront, thereby strengthening community-led efforts towards a violence-free and gender-equitable rural ecosystem. Kamlesh Paswan underscored the pivotal role of education in addressing gender inequality. He stated that education is a powerful tool that enables individuals and communities to break long-standing barriers. Two Gender champions from Bihar and Rajasthan shared their journeys of overcoming discrimination and leading change within their communities. Nayi Chetna 4.0 aims to strengthen community action against gender-based violence and promote women's safety, dignity, and economic empowerment across rural India. The campaign focuses on enabling safe mobility, recognising women as key economic contributors, and addressing unpaid care work through shared community responsibility. It further seeks to enhance women's access to assets, credit, skills, and markets, thereby expanding opportunities for entrepreneurship and livelihoods. By advocating gender-responsive policies and budgets, the campaign ensures women's voices shape decision-making at all levels, reinforcing DAY-NRLM's commitment to equality and inclusive rural development. The event witnessed participation from key Ministries and Departments of the Government of India, representatives of State Rural Livelihoods Missions, women members of Self-Help Groups from across the country, Anganwadi workers, and partnering civil society organisations, reflecting a strong collective commitment toward advancing gender equality and rural development. (ANI)
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday took a jibe at Bharatiya Janata Party for celebrating Constitution Day, accusing them of "causing the most damage" to the Constitution as he reiterated "vote theft" allegations. Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the BJP is "depriving" people of the greatest right granted by Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, the right to vote, through Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. "We observed that the BJP celebrated Constitution Day this morning. However, they are the ones who have caused the most damage to the Constitution..The greatest right granted by Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, the vote. Through SIR, they want to deprive millions of people of their right to vote," Akhilesh Yadav said. Akhilesh Yadav, accusing the BJP of "plotting conspiracies" in West Bengal in the name of Bangladesh, expressed concern over the threat to "secularism and socialism" in the country. "In the name of Bangladesh, they are plotting conspiracies in West Bengal. Forget secularism; they don't understand the true meaning of secularism... There are no socialists left in his government, no secularism any longer, and with the SIR, they have threatened our democracy as well," he said. The ECI is conducting the second phase of SIR of electoral rolls across 12 states and Union Territories, with the final voter 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. Meanwhile, a security breach at the West Bengal Chief Electoral Office was reported on Monday, following which ECI directed the Kolkata Police to enhance security measures for officers and staff in West Bengal. The ECI expressed concerns over inadequate security, citing potential threats to officials and staff. "I am directed to state that it has come to the notice of the Election Commission of India that on 24.11.2025, a serious security breach has occurred at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, which has also been widely reported in the Media. The existing security in the office of the CEO appeared to be inadequate to handle the situation, which could lead to threat to the safety and security of the Chief Electoral Officer, Additional Chief Electoral Officers, Joint Chief Electoral Officers, Deputy Chief Electoral Officers and other officers and staff working in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer," read the ECI letter to Kolkata Commissioner of Police. Tensions escalated outside the Election Commission (EC) office in Kolkata as protesters gathered to oppose the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise underway in West Bengal. Police quickly set up barricades around the office as demonstrators surrounded the main gate, demanding clarity on the ongoing process. The first phase of SIR was completed in Bihar ahead of the state's Assembly elections. (ANI)
Amid speculation over leadership change in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said that all party-related issues would be discussed internally and not in the media. Speaking to the reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said, "I don't want to speak about anything in the media. We will discuss the party's issues in the four walls, not in the media. There is no other discussion, only to keep the party flag high, to keep this Constitution high and protect the Constitution..." He also dismissed talk of internal differences in the Congress, saying there was "no confusion" in the party and that all 140 MLAs belonged to "one group" with no separate factions or demands. "There is no confusion. No one should demand anything. There are no groups. There is only one group- the Congress group. Our group is of 140 MLAs," Shivakumar said. When asked if he would be visiting Delhi, Shivakumar said he would seek time if needed, as he wants to finalise candidates for four MLC seats. "... I will seek time if anything is there because I want to finalise the candidates for the 4 MLC seats. I wanted to reorganise the KPCC trust and our properties, I want to discuss it with senior leaders of the party," he said. On being asked about a group of Congress MLAs demanding him to become the Chief Minister, Shivakumar said, "I don't have any group here." Earlier in the day, state minister Priyank Kharge said that every member of the Congress party is clear that whatever the high command decides, the leaders would follow it. Speaking to ANI, Priyank Kharge said, "Very clearly, the CM, DCM and every member of the Congress party have been very, very clear saying that whatever the high command decides. When the top leadership is speaking in the same voice, in the same tone, then where is there a difference?" (ANI)
On the occasion of Constitution Day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami administered the oath of the Preamble of the Constitution of India at a programme held on Wednesday at Police Lines, Dehradun, an official release said. He also released the Prosecution Department's magazine. On this occasion, he extended greetings to everyone on Constitution Day and Law Day and paid a heartfelt tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. During the programme, the Chief Minister announced that financial assistance would be provided to the Prosecution Department to raise widespread awareness of the new criminal laws. Support will also be given for the department's digitisation work. A system will be put in place to honour outstanding work in the Prosecution Department. Additionally, arrangements will be made to train prosecution officers in the various dialects spoken across the state. The Chief Minister said that the prosecution service is an important pillar of our justice system, working to uphold truth and make the justice process transparent and effective. He noted that 26 November 1949 will always be remembered as a golden chapter in India's history, as it was on this day that the Constituent Assembly formally adopted the Constitution of India. The observance of 26 November as Law Day began in 1979 through the efforts of renowned jurist Dr. L.M. Singhvi and the Supreme Court Bar Association. In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the historic decision to celebrate 26 November as Constitution Day at the national level, thereby paying proper tribute to all the makers of our Constitution. The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, several historic steps are being taken to modernise, strengthen, and make India's justice system transparent and citizen-centric. The implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 is a landmark initiative aligned with present-day needs. Extensive efforts are being made to ensure accessible, simple, and time-bound justice for the people. Initiatives such as the e-Courts project, National Judicial Data Grid, fast-track special courts, swift justice mechanisms for crimes against women and children, the Mediation Bill, hearings through teleconferencing, and digital case management systems are bringing transformative changes to the justice system--making it more transparent, faster, and convenient. Under the new laws, electronic and digital records have also been recognised as admissible evidence, making investigation and prosecution more reliable, scientific, and credible than before. The Chief Minister said that the state government is continuously working to strengthen the justice system in Uttarakhand. To modernise the state's judicial infrastructure, new court buildings are being constructed and existing structures are being upgraded. The systems of digital courts, e-filing, and virtual hearings are being further strengthened. Efforts are also being made to improve the quality of legal education, provide mentorship to young advocates, and create a safe and supportive environment for women lawyers. The state has taken several historic decisions, including enacting a strict anti-cheating law and implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). (ANI)
CJI Kant added that he had been facing health problems until this morning after having gone for a 55-minute walk the previous day.

The CJI's remarks came while the Supreme Court was hearing pleas challenging the constitutional legality of the Election Commission's SIR of the voter roll in Bihar.

During the hearing, counsel for ECI and Senior Advocate Rakesh Dwivedi requested to appear by video conferencing (VC) to make submissions at future hearings in the matter.

On being asked by CJI Kant, whether the senior lawyers' difficulty in appearing physically is related to his health condition owing to Delhi's current weather, Dwivedi answered in the affirmative.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioners challenging the SIR exercise, also agreed that the weather conditions in Delhi were poor.

On a request to shift all hearings to virtual mode for some time until the weather improves, the CJI stated that he would have to consult with members of the Bar (lawyers) and other stakeholders. Only then can a decision be taken in this regard, the Court opined.

A layer of haze engulfed the national capital on Wednesday morning as the average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 337 at 7 am, falling under the 'very poor' category despite the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-III in effect across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), according data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

AQI around the India Gate was recorded at 358, while AQI near Ghazipur area stood at 363. (ANI)
Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Wednesday raised concerns on the occasion of the 75th Constitution Day, saying that the biggest concern is whether the constitutional system will remain intact. "The biggest concern today is whether the constitutional system will remain intact. Will the constitutional bodies function in an unbiased manner? We can all see how the Election Commission is working in a biased way. There has been manipulation in the SIR. Our demand from the Election Commission is simple. Share the voters' list so that we can check if there is any duplication of names," the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister told reporters. Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu expressed happiness and congratulated the members of Parliament for upholding the vision and dreams of the original Constitutional framers on the occasion of Constitution Day." Additionally, I bow in respect at this commemoration for good luck and prosperity to the members," President Murmu said. Recalling the history of the constitution's drafting, she remembered Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, who was the chairman of the Drafting Committee, and praised his efforts in drafting India's supreme legal document. "I am delighted to be among you all on the historic occasion of Constitution Day. On this very day, November 26, 1949, in this very Central Hall of the Constitution House, the members of the Constituent Assembly completed the task of drafting the Constitution of India. On this very day that year, we, the people of India, adopted our Constitution. After independence, the Constituent Assembly also served as India's interim Parliament. Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, Chairman of the Drafting Committee, was one of the principal architects of our Constitution," she said. The Constitution of India, adopted on November 26, 1949, was drafted by the Constituent Assembly, which was presided over by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who later became the first President of India. The Constituent Assembly was established under the Cabinet Mission Plan and initially comprised 389 members. After the Partition of India, its membership was reduced to 299. (ANI)
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday raised concerns about India's borders, questioning the government's stance on territorial integrity. He alleged that the BJP government has led to a reduction in India's territory, accusing it of relying on propaganda. The allegations come after Chinese officials allegedly detained a woman from Arunachal Pradesh at Shanghai Airport, claiming that "Arunachal is not part of India." "The question has been asked many times: the Indian government should disclose the original and current areas of our country. What we observe during the BJP government is a consistent reduction in our borders. They depend heavily on propaganda and falsehoods. Despite this, it seems that our borders and land are shrinking under their leadership," Akhilesh Yadav said. He urged vigilance against countries encroaching on Indian territory, emphasising the need for national security and territorial protection "Additionally, China poses an obstacle to our country's progress and prosperity. We must remain vigilant against countries that repeatedly seize our territory," he added. Meanwhile, India strongly rejected China's remarks regarding the status of Arunachal Pradesh. It expressed serious concern over what it described as the "arbitrary detention" of an Indian national, Prema Wangjom Thongdok, at Shanghai International Airport. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the matter has been taken up with Chinese authorities at a high level, while reiterating that Arunachal Pradesh remains an "integral and inalienable" part of India. Responding to media queries, MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India had "seen statements made by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the arbitrary detention of an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh, who was holding a valid passport and was transiting through Shanghai International Airport on her onward travel to Japan." The spokesperson reiterated India's consistent position on Arunachal Pradesh, saying, "Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, and this is a self-evident fact. No amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality." The traveller, an Indian passport holder from Arunachal Pradesh, was reportedly detained in transit despite being eligible for visa-free passage, a facility offered to nationals of all countries for up to 24 hours under Chinese regulations. India said the incident not only lacked justification but also breached norms governing international movement. Meanwhile, China on Tuesday rejected allegations of harassment levelled by Indian national Prema Wangjom Thongdok, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, and stated that "the lawful rights and interests of the person concerned were fully protected and no compulsory measures were taken on her". Wangjom Thongdok had narrated her "long ordeal" and stated that she faced harassment from Chinese immigration officials at Shanghai Pudong Airport, who "mocked and raised questions" over her Indian citizenship and noted that her 18-hour ordeal came to an end with the help of officials from India's missions in Shanghai and Beijing. "When I tried to question them and ask them what the issue was, they said, 'Arunachal is not part of India' and started mocking and laughing and saying things like 'you should apply for the Chinese passport, you're Chinese, you're not Indian," Thongdok told ANI. (ANI)
In a major step towards improving urban sanitation and environmental management, Chandrapur district in Maharashtra has introduced a high-tech sludge management system developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI). The innovation, supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, marks a significant advancement in sustainable waste processing and hygiene improvement. The newly launched Mechanical Dewatering and Drying System has been successfully trialled and officially handed over to the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation. This state-of-the-art setup is designed to process faecal sludge collected from septic tanks through a scientific and energy-efficient method. It separates the water content and dries the solid material in a specialised drying unit, drastically reducing its overall volume. Powered by LPG fuel, the system maintains high temperatures to ensure complete drying of sludge, converting it into a safe, compost-ready product that complies with national standards. With a capacity to treat 25 cubic meters, or 25,000 litres, of sludge every eight hours, the system offers a scalable and eco-friendly model for other urban centres dealing with similar sanitation challenges. Highlighting the operational mechanism, Praveen Kumar, Technical Director at the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), said, "In the dryer, we maintain high temperatures using an LPG burner. At this heat, the sludge dries and transforms into compost that meets national standards." Echoing the sentiment, Vidya Gaikwad, Commissioner of the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation, emphasised the importance of such technologies for urban progress. "Unless we have such systems, we cannot move forward. As cities expand, efficient waste processing becomes as essential as service delivery," she said. Officials believe that this initiative will not only enhance the city's faecal sludge management and public sanitation standards but will also contribute significantly to environmental conservation. The project represents a model for integrating science, sustainability, and governance, demonstrating how innovation can directly uplift urban hygiene and quality of life in smaller cities across India. (ANI)
Ashley emerges as one of the first home retailers to integrate AI commerce, enabling customers to find and buy products in a single step.

TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ashley , North America's largest furniture store brand, today announced the launch of a fully transactional shopping experience through Perplexity, an AI-powered answer engine. With PayPal's seamless payment technology, the new experience gives customers the ability to complete their entire buying journey from search to checkout, directly within the platform's conversational interface.

Through this launch, Ashley has become one of the first major furniture retailers to offer direct purchasing within an AI-powered search environment. Customers can now ask for product recommendations, explore curated options, add items to cart, and complete a payment transaction  all in one continuous, intuitive conversation. For a closer look, check out the product demo here .

This moment signals where retail is headedand where Ashley intends to lead," said Chad Spencer, CEO of Ashley Global Retail. "AI-powered commerce gives us the ability to anticipate guest needs, personalize in real time, and deliver a seamless experience from discovery to purchase."

Designed with simplicity at the forefront, the experience leverages PayPal's trusted payment capabilities, including its fraud protection solutions, to ensure customers can shop confidently within the AI experience. As more customers begin their furniture search on AI platforms such as Perplexity, this new capability positions Ashley at the forefront of agentic commerce.

Setting a New Standard for Retail Innovation

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This new experience reinforces Ashley's ongoing investment in next-generation commerce and highlights the brand's commitment to meeting the expectations of today's digital-first customer. To celebrate the launch, shoppers who complete their first purchase using PayPal within Perplexity, between 9:00 am ET on November 25, 2025 through 11:59 pm ET on December 1, 2025, will receive 50% back, up to $50. Click here for full terms and exclusions.

About Ashley

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SOURCE Ashley
As per the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Prof. Azman congratulated India on the implementation of the labour codes and commended the country's efforts in expanding social protection coverage for its workforce.

During the meeting, both leaders discussed avenues to enhance regional collaboration and deepen cooperation among Global South nations to build inclusive and resilient social protection systems. The interaction underscored India's commitment to advancing worker welfare and strengthening international partnerships in social security.

Earlier, the Government of India has announced that the four Labour Codes, the Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, are being made effective from 21st November, rationalising 29 existing labour laws, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

By modernising labour regulations, enhancing workers' welfare and aligning the labour ecosystem with the evolving world of work, this landmark move lays the foundation for a future-ready workforce and stronger, resilient industries driving labour reforms for Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

According to an official release issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, many of India's labour laws were framed in the pre-Independence and early post-Independence era (1930s-1950s), when the economy and the world of work were fundamentally different.

While most major economies have updated and consolidated their labour regulations in recent decades, India continued to operate under fragmented, complex and in several parts outdated provisions spread across 29 Central labour laws. (ANI)
BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh on Wednesday sharply criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her remark that she would "shake" the BJP, asserting that Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari already "shook" her in Nandigram during the 2021 Assembly elections. Taking a swipe at the Chief Minister, Ghosh added that Mamata Banerjee entered the Assembly as a "compartmental" CM after being defeated by Suvendu Adhikari. "To avoid any chaos, she should have spoken with understanding. Our only Leader of the Opposition shook her (hamara akela Leader of Opposition unko hila ke rakh diya tha). She herself lost the Nandigram Assembly elections and then entered the Assembly as a compartmental Chief Minister. This is a shame for West Bengal. She keeps making such movie-like statements. People should realise that this won't help our state move forward," Shankar Ghosh told reporters. Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday sharply criticised the BJP-led Union Government, claiming that although elections in the state have yet to begin, "confrontation" has already started. Speaking at a rally in Bangaon, Banerjee alleged that she had been denied permission to use a helicopter, which delayed her arrival. She warned the BJP that any attempt to "take her on" would not succeed. "I thought we could use the government helicopter. But at 10 AM today, I was informed that the helicopter wouldn't fly. The election has not started, but confrontation has already begun. But they don't realise this worked in my favour. Because on the way here I met a lot of people, and I could connect and form a close relationship with them. I tell the BJP: don't try to play with me because you won't be able to compete with me," Mamata Banerjee said while addressing the gathering. The Chief Minister also pointed out that while her government does not oppose the SIR process, genuine voters must not be removed. She emphasised that governments are meant to be changed by the people, but, she said, the system itself is currently being altered. "We never said it (SIR) isn't required. We said you cannot remove any genuine voter -- those who have voted, who are beneficiaries of state schemes, and who have been living here for years. You cannot remove them. The public elects the government to power, but now the system is changing. The Election Commission will decide who gets to choose the government. It is supposed to be an impartial body, not the BJP's Commission," Mamata Banerjee said. West Bengal is set to go to elections in the first half of 2026, with the primary contest between the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. (ANI)
Congress General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the latter's call to citizens to prioritise constitutional duties on the Constitution Day. Jairam Ramesh objected to PM Modi's own "commitment" towards the four fundamental duties as mentioned under Article 51A of the Constitution, questioning whether the latter himself "fulfils" them. In a post on X, Jairam Ramesh said, "The Prime Minister has reminded citizens that they should fulfil their constitutional duties. "Part IV-A of the Constitution, Article 51-A, mentions the fundamental duties, and it lists a total of 11 duties. But the question is--whether the Prime Minister himself, as a citizen and leader, is fulfilling these fundamental duties of his?" he added. Further listing four fundamental duties, Jairam Ramesh said that PM Modi's commitment towards them is "clearly questionable" "At least his commitment to these four fundamental duties is clearly questionable: 1. To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions. 2. To cherish and follow the noble ideals that inspired the freedom struggle. 3. To promote harmony and the spirit of brotherhood amongst all the people of India, transcending religious, linguistic, regional, and communal diversities. 4. To develop a scientific temperament, humanism, spirit of inquiry, and reform," he said. https://x.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/1993617387225334209?s=20 On the occasion of Constitutional Day, PM Modi, in a letter to citizens, called for increased focus on constitutional duties and wider participation in democratic processes. PM Modi highlighted the chapter on Fundamental Duties in Article 51A, saying that these duties provide direction for social and economic development. PM Modi said the period leading up to 2047 and 2049, marking 100 years of independence and 100 years of the Constitution's adoption, would shape long-term national outcomes. Constitution Day is observed annually on 26 November to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution in 1949. (ANI)
Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh on Wednesday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's letter urging citizens to prioritise constitutional duties on Constitution Day. Speaking with ANI, Harivansh Narayan Singh termed PM's letter as "the most authentic document" that reveals "the constitution's strength, essence and truth." Harivansh Narayan Singh further remarked about PM Modi's political career, calling it a "proof of the vitality of this Constitution" "The Prime Minister's letter is the most authentic document that reveals our Constitution, its strength, its essence, its truth... What greater proof can there be of the vitality of this Constitution than the fact that a boy from a poor family has been serving the country for the past 24 years by holding an important position, and you will find many such examples," he said. Harivansh Narayan Singh also remembered Mahatma Gandhi, pointing to the need for "self-introspection" regarding adherence to constitutional duties. "But on this day, while remembering Gandhiji, we should also introspect on how well we are fulfilling our constitutional duties... Constitutional institutions are good when they work in your favour, but when public sentiment turns against you, then constitutional institutions are bad... Therefore, self-introspection is very necessary," he said. On the occasion of Constitution Day, PM Modi wrote a letter to citizens, calling for increased focus on constitutional duties and broader participation in democratic processes. In his letter, Modi noted that the Union government declared 26 November as Constitution Day in 2015 to highlight the role of the Constitution in India's institutional framework. He referred to moments from 2014 and 2019 when he bowed at the steps of Parliament and placed the Constitution on his forehead, stating that these gestures reflected his regard for the document. In his message, the Prime Minister recalled the work of the Constituent Assembly, chaired by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, and the Drafting Committee led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. He also mentioned the contributions of women members of the Assembly. He highlighted the chapter on Fundamental Duties in Article 51A, saying that these duties provide direction for social and economic development. PM Modi said the period leading up to 2047 and 2049, marking 100 years of independence and 100 years of the Constitution's adoption, would shape long-term national outcomes. Calling on citizens to participate in elections at all levels, the Prime Minister suggested that schools and colleges may hold ceremonies on 26 November to recognise students who turn 18 and become eligible voters. PM Modi ended his letter by stating that fulfilling constitutional duties and encouraging responsible civic behaviour would support ongoing national initiatives and future development goals. (ANI)
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday held a high-level review meeting on the proposed 53-kilometre Yamuna Cycle Track project, stretching from Wazirabad Yamuna Bridge to NH-24 and further to Kalindi Kunj Yamuna Biodiversity Park. The track will be developed along both sides of the Yamuna, crossing the river at strategic points, and aims to establish Delhi as a hub of green mobility. CM Gupta expressed her keen interest in the project, stating that it is of special significance for Delhi as it will promote eco-friendly transport, reduce carbon emissions, and ease urban traffic congestion. She emphasised that the cycle track is not just a transport initiative but a historic step toward environmental conservation, citizen welfare, and urban development. "The project will improve public health, promote eco-tourism, and contribute to preserving and developing the green belt along the Yamuna," she added. The meeting, held at the Delhi Secretariat, was attended by senior officials from DDA, Irrigation & Flood Control Department, PWD, Railways, Energy Department, Delhi Jal Board, and NHAI. Detailed discussions were held on phased construction, inter-departmental coordination, approvals, and work plans. Officials informed the Chief Minister that most departments have already issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs), and Railway approvals are in the final stage, with ongoing dialogue expected to lead to a quick resolution. CM Gupta directed all departments to give the project top priority and ensure strict coordination without any delays. She was informed that Phase One of construction is likely to begin in the new year and is targeted for completion within one year. In contrast, all three phases are expected to be completed within three years to provide maximum benefit to Delhi residents. The project will be executed in three phases: Phase One: Old Yamuna Rail Bridge to NH-24, Phase Two: NH-24 to Kalindi Kunj Yamuna Biodiversity Park, and Phase Three: Wazirabad Yamuna Barrage to Old Yamuna Rail Bridge. CM Gupta emphasised maintaining quality, safety, and environmental standards and expressed confidence that the Yamuna Cycle Track will become a milestone in making Delhi a clean, green, and healthy metropolis, offering better ecological conditions and a lifestyle for future generations. Earlier, on June 17, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated an Ayushman Arogya Mandir at the Tis Hazari Court Complex, aimed at serving judicial staff and nearby residents. Following this, Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa inaugurated another centre at Budh Bazar Road, B Block, Chaukhandi, noting that 33 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs were inaugurated on the same day, all equipped with modern infrastructure and healthcare facilities. The Ayushman Arogya Mandir initiative seeks to strengthen Delhi's primary healthcare delivery system by establishing clinics that provide basic diagnostics, preventive care, maternal health services, and management of common illnesses. (ANI)
Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Wednesday raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, saying that several issues have emerged this time, including reports of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) dying by suicide. Pilot said the Congress will not allow valid voters, especially the poor, Dalits and backward communities, to be removed from the electoral list unfairly and warned that the party will expose the Election Commission if it acts under pressure. Speaking to the reporters in Raipur, Pilot said, "The SIR has been launched in several states. SIR has been conducted many times in the country before, but this time, many questions are being raised about the SIR. In many states, BLOs are committing suicide... We do not want even a single invalid voter to be on the list." "But if a citizen of the country, who has the right to vote, is deliberately deleted because they are poor, Dalit, backwards... the Congress Party will not tolerate injustice by deleting that person's name... If the Election Commission's intentions are not impartial, if it is not working selflessly and is working under pressure, then we will work to expose it... The Congress Party is organising a massive event at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on the 14th December," he said. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal announced that the party will hold the" Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod Maha Rally" on December 14 to "send a message across the nation" against the alleged "vote theft." "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 said in a post on X. He added that the rally would mark the Congress's fight to "reclaim Indian democracy from the clutches of the Vote Chors." Currently, a nationwide SIR is being carried out in 12 states and union territories, with the final elector's list to be published on February 7, 2026. These states and UTs are: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. According to the Election Commission, printing and training took place from October 28 to November 3, followed by an Enumeration Phase from November 4 to December 4. The draft electoral rolls will be published on December 9, followed by a claims and objections period from December 9 to January 8, 2026. The Notice Phase (for hearing and verification) will take place between December 9 and January 31, 2026, with publication of Final Electoral Rolls on February 7, 2026. The opposition has strongly opposed the SIR process, alleging that it is aimed at striking the names of voters from underprivileged communities off the voter lists. (ANI)
BJP National President JP Nadda on Wednesday hosted a dinner for 'Pravasi Karyakartas' who were assigned duties in the Bihar elections. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also attended the event and hailed the leaders for the big win in Bihar. According to sources, the Home Minister, in today's informal meeting, said that the NDA's victory in the Bihar elections is not just a win for one state, but a victory for the entire nation. He stated that Bihar's mandate reflects the determination of every Indian who stands firmly against infiltration and is committed to protecting the nation. Looking ahead, the Home Minister said that the next major challenge is the upcoming Bengal elections, for which everyone must remain prepared. He urged party workers to always stay in "worker mode," as duties may be assigned at any time and at any place. The Home Minister emphasised that "under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the people's faith and unwavering trust continue to grow stronger." He added that the people of Bihar wholeheartedly supported the leadership duo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Highlighting the unity within the alliance, he said that the Bihar election results are a testimony to the NDA's collective strength. "All five parties of the NDA fought together like the five Pandavas," he remarked. He further stated that the people of Bihar have made it clear they prefer a government that delivers, not one that merely makes promises, reaffirming their trust in the NDA government led by PM Modi. The Home Minister also praised the hard work of JDU workers, saying that no amount of appreciation would be sufficient to match their contribution. Addressing BJP workers, he said, "Your dedication has made the Bihar election results historic. I salute every single worker." He acknowledged that every leader worked with utmost commitment, and even a 1% contribution holds great value in an election. However, he cautioned leaders against assuming that the victory was achieved by any single individual, stating that such thinking breeds arrogance. He reminded the cadre that their responsibility was not merely to run the campaign, but to embody the spirit of "wherever there is a gap, we must step in." (ANI)
Punjab Police on Wednesday arrested four members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang following an encounter in Dera Bassi. According to the police, the gang members were tasked to carry out attacks within the Tri City and Patiala district. However, their plans were foiled by the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) following precise intelligence indicating the gang members' movements. Two of the four gangsters were injured in the crossfire, with one of them sustaining serious injuries. He had to be transported to the hospital for urgent treatment," DSP Bikramjeet Singh Brar. "Today's police operation took place here. We, the AGTF (Anti-Gangster Task Force) teams and the Mohali district teams, received input that some criminals linked to Lawrence Bishnoi were planning to commit a crime in this area. After coordinating and planning the operation with our ADGP, AGTF, SSP Mohali, and officers, we cordoned off the area and took appropriate action," DSP Bikramjeet Singh Brar said. "Two of them (accused) were injured. One was hit in the leg, while the other was shot in the back. The one injured in the back has been transported to the hospital and is receiving urgent treatment," he added. Two of the police officials, Head Constable Gagan, and Constable Gulab were also hit during the crossfire, but they were protected by bulletproof vests. "They also attempted to kill two of our officers.: HC Gagan, and Constable Gulab... Both survived the incident," DSP Bikramjeet Singh Brar said. The Police recovered seven weapons and 70 cartridges from the incident site. Further investigation is underway. (ANI)
As part of the celebrations marking Sardar Patel's 150th birth anniversary, and on the occasion of inaugurating the National March from Karamsad to the Statue of Unity to convey a message of unity and integrity, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited Sardar Patel's residence in Karamsad and paid tribute by placing a cotton thread on his statue, according to an official release. Gujarat CM Patel, Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, and other dignitaries who were present there offered a cotton thread to the statues of Sardar Patel and Vitthalbhai Patel. Gujarat CM Patel unveiled the new statue of Sardar Patel in the special presence of Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on the occasion. The Chief Minister also reviewed the family tree of Sardar Patel located at the residence. Gujarat Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Ramanbhai Solanki, Minister of State for Finance, Police and Housing Kamlesh Patel, Anand MP Mitesh Patel, Kheda MP Devusinh Chauhan, Minister of State, Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, Khambhat MLA Chirag Patel, leader Jagdish Panchal, Range I.G. Vidhi Chaudhary, Anand Collector Praveen Chaudhary, Kheda Collector Amit Prakash Yadav, Municipal Commissioner Milind Bapna, District Development Officer Devahuti, S.P. Jasani, leader Sanjay Patel, along with other dignitaries and officials, also graced the occasion. Meanwhile, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel on Monday flagged off the 'Sardar @150 Unity March' from Ambli in the Ghatlodia Assembly constituency, marking the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, CMO said in a press release. Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the march is being organised nationwide to spread the message of national unity during this historic commemorative year. After launching the state-wide Unity March from Junagadh on November 9, the Chief Minister flagged off this March in his Ghatlodia Assembly constituency on Monday morning as part of the constituency-wise programme. On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that after Independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of the country, unified 562 princely states to build a united and indivisible India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has realised this mantra of unity through 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'. (ANI)
Union Minister Ram Nath Thakur has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for celebrating Constitution Day, highlighting his commitment to uplifting the marginalised sections of society. Thakur on Wednesday slammed the opposition over the Constitution Day, stating that it was not celebrated during their regime and its goodness of the Constitution to be displayed but was destroyed. "When Prime Minister Modi was about to become Prime Minister for the first time in 2014, he took an oath on the Constitution that he would work to bring forward the person at the lowest rung... Now, Constitution Day is being celebrated; it was not celebrated before. Those who remained in power for a long time never allowed the goodness of the Constitution to be displayed; they destroyed it. I thank the Prime Minister for celebrating Constitution Day while following in the footsteps of Baba Saheb Ambedkar," Ram Nath Thakur told ANI. Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu expressed happiness and congratulated the members of Parliament for upholding the vision and dreams of the original Constitutional framers on the occasion of Constitution Day." Additionally, I bow in respect at this commemoration for good luck and prosperity to the members," President Murmu said. Recalling the history of the constitution's drafting, she remembered Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, who was the chairman of the Drafting Committee, and praised his efforts in drafting India's supreme legal document. "I am delighted to be among you all on the historic occasion of Constitution Day. On this very day, November 26, 1949, in this very Central Hall of the Constitution House, the members of the Constituent Assembly completed the task of drafting the Constitution of India. On this very day that year, we, the people of India, adopted our Constitution. After independence, the Constituent Assembly also served as India's interim Parliament. Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, Chairman of the Drafting Committee, was one of the principal architects of our Constitution," she said. The Constitution of India, adopted on November 26, 1949, was drafted by the Constituent Assembly, which was presided over by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who later became the first President of India. The Constituent Assembly was established under the Cabinet Mission Plan and initially comprised 389 members. After the Partition of India, its membership was reduced to 299. (ANI)
TSX Venture Exchange: BSK

Frankfurt Stock Exchange: MAL2

OTCQB Venture Market (OTC): BKUCF

VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Blue Sky Uranium Corp. (TSXV: BSK) (FSE: MAL2) (OTC: BKUCF), "Blue Sky" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of a comprehensive Gap Analysis for the Ivana Uranium-Vanadium Deposit ("Ivana") at the Amarillo Grande Project in Rio Negro Province, Argentina.

The Gap Analysis was prepared by M3 Engineering & Technology Corporation, supported by a consortium of specialized consulting firms, at the request of Ivana Minerales S.A, ("IMSA") the operating company for the joint-venture between Blue Sky and a subsidiary of Corporacion America Group, ("COAM") to advance Ivana.

Using the existing Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") as the baseline, the GAP Analysis provides a clear, actionable roadmap for advancing Ivana through the Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") stage and potentially onward to the completion of a Feasibility Study ("FS") and submission of the final Environmental Impact Assessment for Ivana. The timeline established by the roadmap is approximately 24 months to complete these steps, with an estimated overall budget of US$13.5 million, including contingencies.

Nikolaos Cacos, Blue Sky President & CEO commented, "Completing this Gap Analysis marks a significant strategic milestone for Blue Sky and IMSA. Our goal has always been to rapidly advance our first discovery at the Amarillo Grande project toward potential uranium production. This analysis focuses the remaining steps, providing an aggressive but systematic timeline and clear path forward. Our local partner is committed to this process with us and together we are moving Ivana forward rapidly and responsibly."

GAP Analysis Summary

The objective of the Gap Analysis was to identify technical, environmental, social, and regulatory areas where additional data collection, studies, or design are needed to support a PFS and FS. The baseline for all technical assessments was the PEA and updated Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") for the Ivana deposit described in the NI 43-101 Technical Report dated April 2, 2024, filed on SEDAR+. The MRE includes 19.7 million tonnes at 0.039% UO and 0.019% VO in the Indicated category, and 5.6 million tonnes at 0.031% UO and 0.019% VO in the Inferred category. The PEA describes an initial 11-year mine life for the deposit, requiring a capital expenditure of US$159.7 million and an estimated average life-of-mine all-in sustaining cost of US$24.95 per pound UO, net of credits. The economic analysis includes an after-tax NPV 8% of US$227.7 million, a payback period of 1.9 years, and an IRR of 38.9%. Readers are cautioned that the PEA is preliminary in nature and is intended to provide an initial assessment of the project's economic potential and development options. The PEA mine schedule and economic assessment includes numerous assumptions and is based on both Indicated and Inferred mineral resources. Inferred resources are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA results will be realized. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Additional exploration will be required to potentially upgrade the classification of the inferred mineral resources to be considered in future advanced studies.

The Gap Analysis report confirms that Ivana benefits from strong baseline technical work, favorable metallurgy, clear permitting pathways, and a well-defined execution plan. The report provides a structured timeline to advance key areas in order to support a PFS and FS for Ivana:

Mineral Resources: IMSA completed a new infill drilling program this year, totaling 328 RC holes, to support potentially further upgrading the category of some or all of the resource (currently ~80% of the MRE is in Indicated). Integrating this infill program with the previous block model will help define future drilling requirements, if needed, to establish mineral reserves for the FS.





IMSA completed a new infill drilling program this year, totaling 328 RC holes, to support potentially further upgrading the category of some or all of the resource (currently ~80% of the MRE is in Indicated). Integrating this infill program with the previous block model will help define future drilling requirements, if needed, to establish mineral reserves for the FS. Mineral Processing: Previous alkaline leach metallurgical tests have shown excellent uranium recoveries after low-cost scrubbing and screening preconcentration. The GAP analysis recommended repetition of leach testwork, further optimization of beneficiation, solvent extraction and downstream precipitation testing, additional process step testing and confirmation that the brine/brackish water available on site can be used in the processing flowsheet. The additional proposed mineral processing testwork is expected to take about 15 to 16 months and represents the most significant critical-path item to support the project's advancement.





Previous alkaline leach metallurgical tests have shown excellent uranium recoveries after low-cost scrubbing and screening preconcentration. The GAP analysis recommended repetition of leach testwork, further optimization of beneficiation, solvent extraction and downstream precipitation testing, additional process step testing and confirmation that the brine/brackish water available on site can be used in the processing flowsheet. The additional proposed mineral processing testwork is expected to take about 15 to 16 months and represents the most significant critical-path item to support the project's advancement. Hydrogeological, Radiological, and Geotechnical Baseline: Hydrogeological studies began in 2017, with baseline studies completed between 2021 and 2023 and updated in 2024 through 2025. The GAP Analysis recommends supplementary programs to strengthen these baseline datasets and ensure they are fully aligned with upcoming permitting milestones.





Hydrogeological studies began in 2017, with baseline studies completed between 2021 and 2023 and updated in 2024 through 2025. The GAP Analysis recommends supplementary programs to strengthen these baseline datasets and ensure they are fully aligned with upcoming permitting milestones. Surface Water, Groundwater, Geochemistry, Tailings, Closure/Rehab : The Gap Analysis identifies work related to surface and groundwater studies, along with the need for additional geochemical characterization of ore and waste materials, further definition for tailings design, and the related inputs that will support closure and rehabilitation planning at the PFS/FS stages.





The Gap Analysis identifies work related to surface and groundwater studies, along with the need for additional geochemical characterization of ore and waste materials, further definition for tailings design, and the related inputs that will support closure and rehabilitation planning at the PFS/FS stages. Infrastructure: No significant infrastructure constraints were identified, allowing engineering activities to proceed in parallel with technical studies related to access roads, site buildings, power supply, and more.





No significant infrastructure constraints were identified, allowing engineering activities to proceed in parallel with technical studies related to access roads, site buildings, power supply, and more. Biodiversity, Archaeology, and Paleontology: Baseline surveys began in 2021 and have provided proper characterization. The report recommends maintaining and reinforcing these surveys for a more detailed understanding.





Baseline surveys began in 2021 and have provided proper characterization. The report recommends maintaining and reinforcing these surveys for a more detailed understanding. Communities: Social studies conducted in recent years are considered sufficient at this stage. The report suggests further work to consolidate the socioeconomic baseline and implement specific programs.

In addition to identifying technical requirements, the study provides a high-confidence development framework that reduces execution risk and establishes a clear path to Feasibility Study level, culminating in the submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment report to the regulatory authorities. Key milestones in the path include:

Q4 2025: Metallurgical lab selection and sample shipment; initiation of mineral resources update

Q2 2026: Preliminary metallurgical results and commencement of extended metallurgical tests

Q3 2026: PFS level of engineering

Q3 2026: Final mineral resource report and PFS completion

Q2 2027: Final Metallurgical test report and FS completion

Q3 2027: EIA submission

The total cost to complete the required technical, environmental, and permitting studies up to the Feasibility Study level is estimated at US$11.4 million, with an additional US$2.05 million contingency, for a total of US$13.45 million.

Qualified Persons

The technical contents of this news release have been reviewed and approved by Mr. Ariel Testi, CPG, who works for the Company and is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101.

About Ivana Minerales S.A.

Ivana Minerales S.A. is the operating company for the joint-venture between Blue Sky and its partner Abatare Spain, S.L.U. to advance the Ivana Uranium-Vanadium deposit in Rio Negro Province of Argentina. The activities of IMSA are subject to the earn-in transaction (the "Agreement") in which COAM will fund cumulative expenditures of US$35 million to acquire a 49.9% indirect equity interest in the Ivana deposit, and then has the further right to earn up to an 80% equity interest in IMSA by completion of a feasibility study and funding the costs and expenditures up to US$160,000,000 to develop and construct the project to commercial production, subject to the terms and conditions in the Agreement. IMSA also has a Call Option to acquire a 100% interest in all or part of certain exploration targets owned by Blue Sky's 100%-held subsidiary, subject to certain conditions. For additional details, please refer to the News Release dated February 27, 2025, as well as the Company's latest Financial Statements & MD&A available at blueskyuranium.com.

About Blue Sky Uranium Corp.

Blue Sky Uranium Corp. is a leader in uranium discovery in Argentina. The Company's objective is to deliver exceptional returns to shareholders by rapidly advancing a portfolio of uranium deposits into low-cost producers, while respecting the environment, the communities, and the cultures in all the areas in which we work. Blue Sky's flagship Amarillo Grande Project was an in-house discovery of a new district that has the potential to be both a leading domestic supplier of uranium to the growing Argentine market and a new international market supplier. The Company's recently optioned Corcovo project has potential to host an in-situ recovery ("ISR") uranium deposit. The Company is a member of the Grosso Group, a resource management group that has pioneered exploration in Argentina since 1993.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Nikolaos Cacos"

______________________________________

Nikolaos Cacos, President, CEO and Director

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, the "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Any statements that are contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "will", "estimates", "believes", "intends" "expects" and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward-looking statements that, other than statements of historical fact, address activities, events or developments the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, without limitation, statements about the GAP Analysis providing a clear, actionable roadmap for advancing Ivana through the PFS stage and potentially onward to the completion of a Definitive Feasibility Study DFS and submission of the final Environmental Impact Assessment for Ivana, the timeline established by the roadmap being approximately 24 months to complete these steps, with an estimated overall budget of US$13.5 million, including contingencies, the timing of the completion of the milestones in the path, the Company's planned drilling campaigns, its objectives and the potential mineral content of its projects. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and, even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: uncertainty relating to mineral resources; risks related to heavy metal and transition metal price fluctuations, particularly uranium and vanadium; risks relating to the dependence of the Company on key management personnel and outside parties; the potential impact of global pandemics; risks and uncertainties related to governmental regulation and the ability to obtain, amend, or maintain licenses, permits, or surface rights; risks associated with technical difficulties in connection with mining activities; and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, including in respect of the Company's planned exploration program described in this news release. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Readers are encouraged to refer to the Company's public disclosure documents for a more detailed discussion of factors that may impact expected future results. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by securities law.

SOURCE Blue Sky Uranium Corp.
Two people have died in a road accident after a head-on collision between a bus and a canter truck near Tahliwala Bodla village on the Fazilka-Malout Road in Punjab. At least 15 passengers have sustained injuries. The bus was carrying close to 40 passengers, while the truck carried five people. The injured have been rushed to a government hospital in the Fazilka district. Dr Karan of the Fazilka government hospital informed that 15 people, including three of the five travelling in the truck, were rushed to the hospital. Two of the passengers were brought dead, he added. Of the injured, one passenger is in critical condition and has been referred for advanced treatment, while others are out of danger, Dr Karan said. A relative of the deceased truck driver said that he rushed to the hospital as soon as he learned of the accident. The accident was horrific, killing the truck driver and another passenger. Ranjeet Singh, an injured bus passenger, said that he was utterly stunned when the accident occurred. "Everything was in chaos. Uninjured passengers began tending to the injured, while villagers and passersby who arrived at the scene helped pull them out," he said. The injured passenger said that he got out of the bus himself, and another passenger took him to the hospital. Further details are awaited. (ANI)
India celebrated the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution on Tuesday with a solemn national ceremony held in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, reaffirming India''s collective commitment to the ideals and values of the Constitution. President Droupadi Murmu presided over the ceremony, which was attended by the Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Speaker Om Birla, Union Ministers, Members of Parliament, and other dignitaries. The President released the Constitution of India in nine languages--Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Punjabi, Bodo, Kashmiri, Telugu, Odia and Assamese--prepared by the Legislative Department. The President, in her address, underscored the Constitution''s pivotal role in guiding India''s democratic journey and called upon citizens to uphold its core principles--justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. The President said that the all-inclusive vision enshrined in constitutional ideals provides direction to our governance system. She said that in 2015, the year of Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar''s 125th birth anniversary, it was decided to celebrate November 26th annually as Constitution Day. That decision has proven to be really meaningful. On this day, the entire nation reaffirms its respect for our Constitution, the foundation of Indian democracy, and its makers. ''We, the people of India,'' express faith in our Constitution, both individually and collectively. Through numerous events, the citizens, especially the youth, are made aware of constitutional ideals. The initiative to start and continue the tradition of celebrating Constitution Day is praiseworthy beyond words. She said the Indian Parliament, which expresses public aspirations in the world''s largest democracy, today serves as an example for many democracies around the world. The President said that the ideals that express the soul of our Constitution are: social, economic and political justice; liberty, equality, and fraternity. She was happy to note that on all these dimensions, the members of parliament have actualized the visions of the Constitution makers. She said that as a tangible testament to the success of our parliamentary system, today India is rapidly progressing toward becoming the world''s third-largest economy. India has achieved one of the world''s greatest successes on the scale of economic justice, with nearly 250 million people coming out of poverty. The President said that our Constitution is the document of our national pride. It is the text of our national identity. It is a guiding text for taking the country forward with a nationalist mindset by abandoning the colonial mindset. With this spirit and keeping in mind the social and technological developments, important legislations related to the criminal justice system have been implemented. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, based on the spirit of justice rather than punishment, have been implemented. The President said that the members of parliament are the bearers, creators, and witnesses of the glorious tradition of the country''s Constitution and democracy. She expressed confidence that under the guidance of our Parliament, the resolve to make India a developed nation will definitely be fulfilled. In his remarks at the Constitution Day event in Samvidhan Sadan today, Vice President Radhakrishnan highlighted the vision, values, and enduring legacy of India''s Constitution. He said that since 2015, November 26 has been observed as Constitution Day, which has now become a celebration for every citizen of the Motherland. He said the extraordinary leaders, Babasaheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Rajendra Prasad, N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar, Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer, Durga Bai Deshmukh, and other visionaries, crafted the Constitution in such a profound manner that every page reflects the soul of the nation. He emphasized that the Constitution was drafted, debated, and adopted by some of the finest leaders of Bharat, embodying the collective wisdom, sacrifices, and dreams of millions who fought for freedom. He said the contributions of the Drafting Committee and the Members of the Constituent Assembly fulfilled the hopes and aspirations of crores of Indians and laid the foundation for Bharat to emerge as the world''s largest democracy. He added that the Constitution, born out of intellect, lived experiences, sacrifices, and aspirations, has ensured that Bharat remains united forever. The Vice-President observed that through pragmatic and saturation-based approaches, India has achieved remarkable progress on development indicators. He stated that from modest beginnings, India has risen to become the fourth-largest economy and is soon poised to become the third-largest, drawing global attention. He added that in the last decade, 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty, and more than 100 crore citizens have been covered under various social security schemes -- demonstrating that the impossible has been made possible. Radhakrishnan highlighted that democracy is not new to Bharat. He referenced historical examples from Vaishali in the north and the Chola rulers'' "kudavolai" system in the south, affirming that Bharat has long been the Mother of Democracy. He noted that no democracy can survive without the conscious participation of citizens, and the high voter turnout in recent elections in Jammu & Kashmir and Bihar reflects the people''s unwavering faith in the democratic process. The ceremony concluded with the Reading of the Preamble led by the President, followed by the National Anthem. PM Modi wrote a letter to citizens of India on the occasion of Constitution Day, recalling the historic adoption of the Constitution in 1949 and underlining its enduring role in guiding the nation''s progress. He noted that in 2015, the Government declared 26th November as Constitution Day to honour this sacred document. He highlighted how the Constitution has empowered individuals from humble backgrounds to serve the nation at the highest levels, sharing his own experiences of reverence towards Parliament and the Constitution. He recalled bowing at the steps of Parliament in 2014 and placing the Constitution on his forehead in 2019 as a mark of respect. He emphasised that the Constitution has given countless citizens the power to dream and the strength to realise those dreams. Paying tribute to the members of the Constituent Assembly, the Prime Minister remembered Rajendra Prasad, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, and several distinguished women members whose vision enriched the Constitution. He reflected on milestones such as the Samvidhan Gaurav Yatra in Gujarat during the 60th anniversary of the Constitution, and the special session of Parliament and nationwide programmes held to commemorate its 75th anniversary, which witnessed record public participation. He recalled Mahatma Gandhi''s belief that rights flow from the performance of duties, stressing that fulfilling duties is the foundation of social and economic progress. Looking ahead, PM Modi observed that 25 years have already passed since the beginning of this century, and in just over two decades India will mark 100 years of freedom from colonial rule. In 2049, it will be a century since the Constitution was adopted. He underscored that the policies and decisions taken today will shape the lives of generations to come, and urged citizens to place their duties foremost in their minds as India moves towards the vision of a Viksit Bharat. The Prime Minister stressed the responsibility of strengthening democracy by exercising the right to vote, and suggested that schools and colleges celebrate Constitution Day by honouring first-time voters turning 18. He expressed confidence that inspiring youth with responsibility and pride will strengthen democratic values and the nation''s future. Concluding his letter, the Prime Minister called upon citizens to reaffirm their pledge to fulfil their duties as citizens of this great nation, thereby contributing meaningfully to building a developed and empowered India. With winter session of Parliament to begin on December 1, opposition leaders also used the occasion to take jibes at the BJP-led government at the Centre. Jairam Ramesh took a swipe at Prime Minister''s remarks and alleged that there are "at least four of these Fundamental Duties to which the PM''s commitment is demonstrably suspect". "The Prime Minister has reminded us that citizens must fulfill their Constitutional duties. Part IV - A, Article 51-A of the Constitution relates to Fundamental Duties and has enumerated eleven of them. But is the Prime Minister fulfilling even his own fundamental duties as a citizen and leader? These are at least four of these Fundamental Duties to which the PM''s commitment is demonstrably suspect," Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X. "Abiding by the Constitution and respecting its ideals and institutions, 2. Cherishing and following the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom, 3. Promoting harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities, 4. Developing scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform," he added. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also took a jibe at Bharatiya Janata Party. "We observed that the BJP celebrated Constitution Day this morning. However, they are the ones who have caused the most damage to the Constitution..The greatest right granted by Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, the vote. Through SIR, they want to deprive millions of people of their right to vote," Yadav said. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge extended his greetings to the people on ''Samvidhan Diwas'' while alleging that the very idea of India, which based on equality, fraternity, freedom, fraternity and other such ideas "is in danger" because the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are looking to destroy the country". "When this Constitution was implemented then organisations like RSS used to say openly that the Constitution is based on western values, and their ideal is actually manusmriti. History is witness that they (RSS) were against the Constitution, and today the ones who believe more in Manusmriti than in the Constitution were forced to co-opt the Constitution as their own when they came to power," the Congress president said. Praising the contributions of the framers of the Constitution, Kharge told ANI, "Babasaheb Ambedkar, Rajendra Prasad, Pandit Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel, did the work for the nation, that is why the country is progressing, not because of them (BJP-RSS). I have read his letter, three-page letter, he (PM Modi) said ''a poor man like me'', but why was he not saying that before? Now that we started raising our voices in Parliament then this started he is a poor man''s son. I am happy that a businessman is considering himself a poor man''s son, and a railway canteen owner calls himself chaiwala, that is ok, but the Constitution is made for everyone." "Today I wish everyone on Constitution Day. Babasaheb Dr Ambedkar, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajendra Prasad, together with members of the Constituent assembly created the Constitution in which democracy is supreme. Justice, equality, freedom, fraternity, secularism, and socialism have become the identity of the India, but today that identity is in danger," he added. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra greeted people on the occasion of Constitution Day, while highlighting that it is a "suraksha kawach" (protective shield) for every deprived and backward person in the country. "Our Constitution guarantees liberty, equality, and justice to every citizen of the country and promises a life of dignity. It is a protective shield for every Indian, including the poor, deprived, Dalits, backward classes, and tribal communities, safeguarding all their rights," the Congress leader posted on X. "Let us resolve to protect our Constitution under all circumstances. Heartfelt wishes to all fellow citizens on Constitution Day," she added. (ANI)
The Mumbai-bound Dadar-Ajmer Superfast Express remained immobile at Ajmer junction on Wednesday evening owing to a bomb scare, officials said. However, Himanshu Jangid, Additional Superintendent of Police (City), Ajmer, told ANI that there was no bomb threat, as no "suspicious material" was found during a thorough search of the railway station and the train. "We received information in the control regarding suspicious individuals. After this, we carried out a check at the railway station. With the help of the dog squad and the BDS (bomb disposal squad), we checked the train as well. We have not discovered any suspicious material. We brought in a few people for questioning who seemed suspicious. There is no bomb threat, which is being talked about on social media," ASP Jangid said. The train was scheduled to leave at 8 pm, but remained immobile for over two hours as various teams, including the bomb disposal squad, conducted searches for suspicious materials. The police also picked up three suspected individuals for questioning. Ahmed, a passenger on the train, said that the officials didn't inform them of any bomb scare, but they learned of it from online news reports. "I am from Mumbai. I just got to know. We were clueless earlier because the police personnel only told us about the ongoing check. The train has remained stranded here since 8 pm. They should have asked us to evacuate the train. Police have taken three people with them," he told ANI. Another passenger, hailing from Ajmer and travelling to Mumbai, told ANI that the police checked inside the train for multiple hours. There were personnel from the bomb squad present here, he added. "The police personnel checked five to six times," Sameera Rawal, a passenger travelling to Mumbai, told ANI. The train was allowed to depart after a thorough search. Police are investigating the matter further. (ANI)
Director, IMD Ranchi, Abhishek Anand said, "The temperature may fall by another 1.5 degrees by tomorrow morning. However, it is expected to rise by 2-4 degrees again in the next 2-3 days."

He explained that the temperature variations are linked to two weather systems developing in the southern Bay of Bengal near the Indian Ocean. "One of these systems is in Northeast Indonesia, where it has intensified into the Senyar cyclonic storm. Additionally, a low-pressure system has formed in the Southwest Bay of Bengal, which may intensify within the next 24 hours," Anand added.

Authorities have urged residents to stay updated with weather advisories, particularly in areas prone to heavy rainfall or strong winds. The IMD continues to closely monitor cyclonic developments and will issue timely warnings if necessary.

"The isolated places over Maharashtra, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and Telangana are also likely to receive heavy downpour throughout the day," the IMD stated in its All India Weather Warning Bulletin.

The thunderstorm accompanied by lightning is very likely at isolated places over Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Sikkim, Odisha, Assam, Meghalaya, Madhya Maharashtra and Marathawada.

In Delhi and its adjoining regions, such as Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad, the weather will be cloudy, with minimum and maximum temperatures hovering around 20 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius. (ANI)
In a post on X, the MND stated that 14 out of 20 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern Air Defence Identification Zones (ADIZs).

"20 sorties of PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 14 out of 20 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded," the MND stated.

Earlier on Tuesday, the MND detected 11 Chinese military sorties and five naval vessels in its territorial waters as of 6 am (local time).

"11 sorties of PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 3 out of 11 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded," the MND stated.

Taiwan is intensively reviewing and reforming its military and national security framework to counter China's persistent efforts to infiltrate.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's Presidential Office accused China of stoking tensions with Japan for political advantage, hours after Chinese maritime authorities announced plans for live-fire missile exercises in the Yellow Sea. China's Maritime Safety Administration issued a navigation alert stating that the People's Liberation Army would carry out missile launches with live munitions in the central Yellow Sea from Tuesday through Thursday, as reported by The Taipei Times.

According to The Taipei Times, China also released a travel warning, claiming Chinese nationals in Japan faced rising criminal risks, an advisory widely seen as retaliation for comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Tension between China and Japan has sharply escalated after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made strong remarks in parliament early this month about a possible security threat from China over Taiwan. Beijing has now taken the matter to the United Nations, accusing Japan of making "erroneous" statements, Global Times reported. (ANI)
President Donald Trump continued the long-standing White House tradition of pardoning two turkeys ahead of Thanksgiving, granting clemency to birds named Waddle and Gobble during a ceremony marked by humour and political barbs. "Gobble, I just want to tell you, this is very important: you are hereby unconditionally pardoned," Trump told one of the birds, which responded with loud gobbling sounds. The annual turkey pardon spares selected birds from becoming part of the traditional Thanksgiving meal, which will be celebrated across the United States on Thursday and typically features roast turkey. This year's fortunate fowl, named Waddle and Gobble, hail from North Carolina. The pair enjoyed accommodation at The Willard Intercontinental, a luxury hotel, before their appearance at the White House. The quirky tradition dates back to 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln is said to have spared a turkey's life after his son became fond of the bird. In remarks that mixed humour with political commentary, Trump opened the ceremony by claiming all turkey pardons issued by his predecessor, Joe Biden, were invalid due to his use of an autopen. He said two birds previously pardoned by Biden - Peach and Blossom - had been located just before they were due to be slaughtered. "I am officially pardoning them, and they will not be served for Thanksgiving dinner," he said. "We saved them in the nick of time." The ceremony, which drew a substantial crowd including numerous Trump cabinet members and their families, featured several political gibes aimed at Congressional Democrats. Trump remarked that upon seeing the turkeys, he considered naming them Chuck and Nancy, in an apparent reference to Democrats Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi. "But then I realised I wouldn't be pardoning them. I would never pardon those two people," Trump said, adding he would not do so "no matter what Melania told me". Trump previously conducted the pardoning ceremony in November 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic and shortly after his election defeat. On that occasion, he pardoned turkeys named Corn and Cobb. Both Waddle and Gobble will now return to their home state of North Carolina, escaping the fate of the approximately 46 million turkeys consumed across America during Thanksgiving. The tradition extends beyond the White House, with governors in several US states holding their own turkey pardoning ceremonies. The creative naming of the birds remains one of the ceremony's most entertaining elements. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (US local time) that his special envoy Steve Witkoff would be visiting Moscow next week to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner might going with Witkoff too. The development comes on the heels of progress on a draft proposal to end the conflict, CNN reported. As per CNN, Trump also mentioned that Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will meet with the Ukrainians. It further reported that the US President hopes to meet with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky - however not until a deal is more finalized. "I'd like to see it end, and we won't know for a little while, but well, we're making progress," Trump said aboard Air Force One. The US President had previously set a Thursday deadline for Ukraine to accept a proposed peace plan. When asked about the new deadline, Trump said, "You know what the deadline for me is? When it's over." He suggested that while there remain some sticking points around territory, the work is on the way. He said, "...trying to clean up the border, you can't go through the middle of the house. You can't go through the middle of a highway. So, they're trying to work something, it's a complicated process." Trump added that Russia has agreed to some steps. "Well, they're making concessions. Their big concessions is they stop fighting and they don't take any more land again." On Kushner accompanying Witkoff, Trump said, "I'm not sure about Jared going, but he's involved in the process, smart guy. And they're going to be meeting with President Putin, I believe next week in Moscow," Trump said. Citing Ukrainian sources, CNN mentioned that while progress is being made on a draft proposal to end the war, at least three crucial sticking points remain. It further reported that the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov indicated earlier that Moscow could reject an amended US peace plan if its terms are "fundamentally different" to the understanding reached during the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska a few months ago. Earlier it was reported that Ukraine agreed to the framework of a proposed deal to end the war with Russia, a senior US official said on Tuesday, even as President Volodymyr Zelensky maintained that several issues remain unresolved, CNN reported. The official, speaking as US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll held talks with Russian representatives in Abu Dhabi, said, "The Ukrainians have agreed to the peace deal. There are some minor details to be sorted out but they have agreed to a peace deal." Furthermore, Ukraine's national security secretary, Rustem Umerov, wrote on X that both sides had "reached a common understanding on the core terms of the agreement discussed in Geneva." He added that Kyiv now expected support from European partners in the next steps and looked forward to arranging a visit by Zelensky to the United States to "complete final steps" and reach a deal with President Donald Trump. The original US-drafted peace plan includes several ideas previously rejected in past rounds of negotiations. It urges Ukraine to accept limits on the size of its armed forces, abandon its bid to join NATO and cede some territory--all long-standing demands made by Russia as President Vladimir Putin seeks to secure maximum concessions. The proposal also calls on Kyiv to surrender key parts of the Donbas region that Russia claims to have annexed but does not fully control. The region includes a fortified belt of cities and towns central to Ukraine's defence strategy. Zelensky has repeatedly rejected Russia's demands that Ukraine give up the eastern Donbas in return for control over certain Russian-held areas in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Ukraine's borders "cannot be changed by force" and warned against any peace plan that would weaken Ukraine's armed forces. She said no agreement should impose limitations that leave Ukraine exposed to future attacks. (ANI)
French Ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou, paid tribute to the victims on the 17th anniversary of the 26/11 terror attack, which took place in Mumbai in 2008. He reaffirmed the unequivocal condemnation of terrorism and said that France stands together with India in combating this scourge. "Mumbai Attacks 26/11: As we mark 17 years since these horrific attacks, France honours the memory of the victims. France reaffirms its unequivocal condemnation of terrorism, and stands together with India in combating this scourge", the Ambassador wrote on X. https://x.com/thierry_mathou/status/1993472770815279254?s=20 This year marks 17 years since terrorists from the Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) unleashed mayhem on the streets of India's financial capital, Mumbai, on November 26, 2008. Commonly referred to as 26/11, these coordinated assaults by a group of 10 terrorists sent shockwaves through the nation and the world. The terrorists had entered the city of Mumbai on the night of November 26, 2008, via sea route, and over the course of four days, they killed 166 people and injured 300, in some of the busiest parts of the city. The targets were carefully chosen after being surveyed for maximum impact, viz., the Taj and Oberoi Hotels, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Jewish centre at Nariman House, Cama Hospital, Metro Cinema, and the Leopold Cafe, since these places were frequented by foreign nationals along with a major part of Mumbai's workforce. The scars left by the tragic event continue to haunt those who witnessed it and the families who lost their loved ones. The bullet marks at Leopold Cafe and Nariman House, the bust of Assistant Sub-Inspector Tukaram Omble, who gave up his life while capturing the lone surviving Pakistani terrorist Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, and the streets of South Mumbai keep alive the memory of the gruesome terror attack. The nine LeT terrorists were killed while Kasab was arrested. In May 2010, Kasab was handed the death penalty, and two years later, hanged in a maximum security prison in Pune. (ANI)
Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, on Wednesday paid tributes to the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, emphasising Israel's strong support to India. Azar said that the shared experiences of the fight against terrorism are what form the foundation of the deep and enduring partnership between India and Israel. In a video message shared on X, he said, "Today, as India marks the anniversary of the horrific 26-11 Mumbai terror attacks, I, the people of Israel, stand with you, the people of India, just as we did on that dark day and every year since. 26-11 was not only an attack on Mumbai, it was an attack on humanity. It targeted people of every community, every nationality, every faith, Indians and Israelis alike. Unfortunately, Israel knows this pain." He added, "We know what it means to lose innocent lives to terrorism. And we know what it means to fight back with courage, clarity, and determination. Our shared experiences are what form the foundation of our deep and enduring partnership. Today, we remember the victims of 26-11. We honor the brave officers, security forces, and first responders who protected the city with extraordinary sacrifice and we stand in solidarity with the families whose lives were forever changed. Israel is and will always remain committed to working with India to defeat terrorism in all its forms. As we remember 26-11, we reaffirm our shared values, freedom, democracy, and the unwavering belief that life must always triumph over hate. India, you are not alone. Israel stands with you today, always." https://x.com/reuvenazar/status/1993522091166228727?s=46 Earlier, French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou paid tribute to the victims on the 17th anniversary of the 26/11 terror attack. He reaffirmed the unequivocal condemnation of terrorism and said that France stands together with India in combating this scourge. This year marks 17 years since terrorists from the Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) unleashed mayhem on the streets of India's financial capital, Mumbai, on November 26, 2008. Commonly referred to as 26/11, these coordinated assaults by a group of 10 terrorists sent shockwaves through the nation and the world. The terrorists had entered the city of Mumbai on the night of November 26, 2008, via sea route, and over the course of four days, they killed 166 people and injured 300 in some of the busiest parts of the city. The targets were carefully chosen after being surveyed for maximum impact, viz., the Taj and Oberoi Hotels, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Jewish centre at Nariman House, Cama Hospital, Metro Cinema, and the Leopold Cafe, since these places were frequented by foreign nationals along with a major part of Mumbai's workforce. The scars left by the tragic event continue to haunt those who witnessed it and the families who lost their loved ones. The bullet marks at Leopold Cafe and Nariman House, the bust of Assistant Sub-Inspector Tukaram Omble, who gave up his life while capturing the lone surviving Pakistani terrorist Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, and the streets of South Mumbai keep alive the memory of the gruesome terror attack. The nine LeT terrorists were killed while Kasab was arrested. In May 2010, Kasab was handed the death penalty, and two years later, hanged in a maximum security prison in Pune. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump expressed optimism after his conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping and said that he held discussions on a lot of areas, including trade and his visit to China in April next year. Trump made the remarks while interacting with reporters onboard Air Force One. Answering a question about his call with Japanese PM Takaichi, Trump said that he had a "great talk" with her and added, "I have a very good relationship with her. I also had a very good talk with President Xi of China, and I think that part of the world is doing fine." Trump said in his discussion with Xi, they discussed, "Mostly trade." "I spoke to President Xi about a lot of things, trade and buying our farm products, and he (Xi Jinping) said he agreed with me. He's going to -- I think he's going to very much surprise you on the upside... I asked him, I'd like you to buy it a little faster. I'd like you to buy more. He's more or less agreed to do that. I think we will be pleasantly surprised by the actions of President Xi. I have a good relationship, great relationship with him. I like him. He likes me. I'm going to be going there in April... I'm going to be going to China in April with Japan," Trump said. Speaking about Japanese PM Takaichi, he added, "We have a great relationship. The new Prime Minister, myself-- she's very smart, she's very strong, and she's going to be a great leader." In a post on the social media platform Truth Social on Monday (local time), Trump said that they had a very good phone conversation. He said the conversation followed their "highly successful" meeting in South Korea on October 30 and that both sides had made significant progress in keeping recent agreements current and accurate. "Since then, there has been significant progress on both sides in keeping our agreements current and accurate. Now we can set our sights on the big picture" Trump said in his post on Truth Social. US President Donald Trump has said that he will travel to China in April at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. President Trump also announced that he would host the Chinese leader for a state visit in the United States later in 2026. He said that the US relationship with China is "extremely strong" and that that he has accepted an invitation by Xi to visit Beijing in April 2026. (ANI)
Southwest-based restaurant family marks five decades of legendary flavor and hometown hospitality

ROSWELL, N.M., Nov. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In 1976, a young restaurateur named Jeff Wilson opened the first Cattle Baron Steakhouse in Portales, New Mexico, with a simple goal: to serve great food and treat people right. Fifty years later, that same spirit still defines the Cattle Baron Restaurants family  which now includes Cattle Baron Steakhouse, Farley's Food, Fun & Pub, and Pasta Cafe  as it prepares to celebrate five decades of legendary flavor, family, and community.

The company's milestone year pays tribute to its founder, Jeff Wilson, and to the family and leadership team who have continued his vision  including his siblings, Clay Wilson and the late Melanie Steele, whose leadership and determination were instrumental in guiding the company through both growth and challenge.

"This anniversary represents a family legacy  not just ours, but the thousands of people who've been part of the Cattle Baron story," said Clay Wilson, CEO and President of Cattle Baron Restaurants. "Jeff built something special, and Melanie's leadership and heart kept that legacy alive and thriving through some of our toughest years. As a family and as a company, we're proud to carry that tradition forward together."

As the company begins a year-long celebration throughout 2026, guests can expect community partnerships, local events, and special promotions honoring five decades of great meals and great people.

"Melanie believed in this company with everything she had," said Bryan Steele, COO of Cattle Baron Restaurants and Melanie's husband. "She led with compassion, strength, and an unshakable belief in the people who make Cattle Baron what it is. This celebration is about honoring that spirit  the idea that good food and good people can build something that lasts."

The 50th Anniversary campaign officially launches in early 2026 and will feature a '50 Years of Giving Back' community initiative, guest events, and stories highlighting the company's ongoing commitment to quality, hospitality, and hometown pride.

About Cattle Baron Restaurants

Founded in 1976 by Jeff Wilson in Portales, New Mexico, Cattle Baron Restaurants is a family of restaurants dedicated to exceptional food, friendly service, and community spirit. The group includes the iconic Cattle Baron Steakhouse, known for hand-cut steaks, made-from-scratch soups, and its legendary salad bar; Farley's Food, Fun & Pub, a casual neighborhood favorite; and Pasta Cafe, offering Italian comfort classics. With locations across New Mexico and Texas, Cattle Baron Restaurants continues to honor its family legacy while serving generations of guests with the same flavor and hospitality that started it all.

SOURCE Cattle Baron Restaurants
The US Embassy in India paid tributes to the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack and reaffirmed the determination of United States to fight against terror together with the Government of India and highlighted the extradition of 26/11 mastermind Tahawwur Rana to India as a critical step towards justice. The Embassy in its statement noted that the United States has long supported India's efforts to ensure those responsible for these attacks are brought to justice. In a post on X, the US Embassy said, "Today marks the 17th anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. We honor the memory of the victims lost and stand in solidarity with the survivors and families. The United States has long supported India's efforts to ensure those responsible for these attacks are brought to justice. In a major step forward, the United States extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India this year for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks resulting in the tragic loss of 166 lives, including six Americans. Rana's extradition is a critical step toward seeking justice for the victims who were killed in the heinous attacks and their families. As we remember the victims of 26/11, we reaffirm our determination to continue to fight against acts of terror together with the Government of India to ensure the safety and security of our citizens." https://x.com/USAndIndia/status/1993589576686768374?s=20 A 64-year-old Canadian businessman of Pakistani origin, Rana, was extradited recently in connection with his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The devastating attack, orchestrated by Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed over 170 lives and left hundreds injured. Earlier today, Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, paid tributes to the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, emphasising Israel's strong support to India. Azar said that the shared experiences of the fight against terrorism are what form the foundation of the deep and enduring partnership between India and Israel. In a video message shared on X, he said, "Today, as India marks the anniversary of the horrific 26-11 Mumbai terror attacks, I, the people of Israel, stand with you, the people of India, just as we did on that dark day and every year since. 26-11 was not only an attack on Mumbai, it was an attack on humanity. It targeted people of every community, every nationality, every faith, Indians and Israelis alike. Unfortunately, Israel knows this pain." https://x.com/reuvenazar/status/1993522091166228727?s=46 French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou also paid tributes to the victims of the 26/11 terror attack. He reaffirmed the unequivocal condemnation of terrorism and said that France stands together with India in combating this scourge. This year marks 17 years since terrorists from the Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) unleashed mayhem on the streets of India's financial capital, Mumbai, on November 26, 2008. Commonly referred to as 26/11, these coordinated assaults by a group of 10 terrorists sent shockwaves through the nation and the world. The terrorists had entered the city of Mumbai on the night of November 26, 2008, via sea route, and over the course of four days, they killed 166 people and injured 300 in some of the busiest parts of the city. The targets were carefully chosen after being surveyed for maximum impact, viz., the Taj and Oberoi Hotels, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Jewish centre at Nariman House, Cama Hospital, Metro Cinema, and the Leopold Cafe, since these places were frequented by foreign nationals along with a major part of Mumbai's workforce. The scars left by the tragic event continue to haunt those who witnessed it and the families who lost their loved ones. The bullet marks at Leopold Cafe and Nariman House, the bust of Assistant Sub-Inspector Tukaram Omble, who gave up his life while capturing the lone surviving Pakistani terrorist Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, and the streets of South Mumbai keep alive the memory of the gruesome terror attack. The nine LeT terrorists were killed while Kasab was arrested. In May 2010, Kasab was handed the death penalty, and two years later, hanged in a maximum security prison in Pune. (ANI)
The US Embassy in India highlighted on Wednesday that Indian and American agencies are working together to dismantle international networks and prevent future scams. The statement came after the crackdown on an illegal call centre in Lucknow, which was targeting American nationals. In a post on X, the US Embassy said, "India's Central Bureau of Investigation has dismantled an illegal call center targeting U.S. nationals and arrested a key operative in the transnational cybercrime network. Through coordinated intelligence and decisive action, our agencies are working together to dismantle international networks to prevent future scams and keep our citizens safe. Thank you for your continued support." https://x.com/USAndIndia/status/1993588799280967942?s=20 The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a key absconding accused linked to the operation of a transnational cybercrime network, and busted an illegal call centre in Lucknow that was allegedly targeting US nationals, the agency said in a release on Thursday. According to the CBI, the agency had registered a case on September 24, 2024 and had earlier conducted extensive searches at multiple locations linked to the accused. In September 2024, the agency dismantled four illegal call centres operating in Pune, Hyderabad, and Visakhapatnam. The agency said that one key operative who was "instrumental in establishing and operating the illegal call centres VC Infrometrix Pvt. Ltd at Pune and Visakhapatnam, was absconding since the date of registration of the case." To apprehend him, the CBI obtained a warrant from the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Pune. The CBI arrested the absconding operative from his residence in Lucknow on November 20 2025. During the search of his premises, the agency recovered cash amounting to Rs 14 lakh, mobile phones and incriminating documents related to the alleged crime, the release said. The CBI said it also busted another illegal call centre being operated by Nimar in Lucknow, which was similarly targeting US nationals. Searches at the illegal call centre led to the recovery of 52 laptops containing incriminating digital evidence allegedly used in operating the cybercrime network. The CBI said the investigation is underway. (ANI)
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has announced plans to propose a supplementary defence budget of USD 40 billion. In an op-ed in the Washington Post, Lai said Taiwan is committed to maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific region despite frequent Chinese military incursions into its vicinity and drills breaching the first island chain that extends from Japan to Borneo. He said, China's rapid military buildup and "provocations in the Taiwan Strait, East and South China Seas and across the Indo-Pacific, have highlighted the fragility of peace in the region." Taiwan's President has announced a special USD 40 billion budget for arms purchases, including building a Taiwan Dome, an air defence system with high-level detection and interception capabilities, as the US pressures the island to increase its defence spending, the Washington Post said. "As part of this effort, my government will introduce a historic USD 40 billion supplementary defence budget" to "not only fund significant new arms acquisitions from the US but also vastly enhance Taiwan's asymmetrical capabilities," Lai wrote in the editorial as cited by Focus Taiwan. The goal, Lai said, was to bolster deterrence by inserting greater costs and uncertainties into Beijing's decision-making on the use of force. The budget will be allocated over eight years, from 2026 to 2033, and comes after Lai already pledged to raise defence spending to 5% of the island's GDP, as part of an ongoing strategy amid China's threats of invasion, as per the report. The commitment to higher defence spending comes amidst the US President Donald Trump administration's insistence on governments around the world that have American defence commitments, including Taiwan, to spend more on their own defence. Meanwhile, spokesperson of China's State Council Taiwan Affairs Office Peng Qing'en said on Wednesday that Lai "dines on the scraps of grovelling to Japan while engaging in the business of selling out Taiwan", Global Times reported. The news outlet said that the Chinese spokesperson's "nauseating" and "despicable" remarks were made following Lai posting photo on social media of eating sushi to show "solidarity" with Japan and its Prime Minister Takaichi, despite her "erroneous remarks on Taiwan" which "caused continuous protests in Taiwan." China views the democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Tuesday that it is an ironclad fact that cannot be distorted or tampered with that there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, Xinhua reported. The Washington Post op-ed by Lai comes amidst the spat between Japan and China following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takachi's remarks in Parliament that suggested Tokyo could deploy its military forces in the event of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait. Takaichi had, in her answer to parliamentary questions on November 7, said that a military attack on Taiwan could present a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan. Following this, Beijing suspended the resumption of Japanese seafood imports and advised its nationals not to travel or study in Japan. Meanwhile, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said today that Japan should give an honest, accurate and complete clarification for its so-called "consistent position" on Taiwan, adding that a written response released by the Japanese government on Tuesday still repeated its old rhetoric, Xinhua reported. (ANI)
According to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs, both nations also reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing collaboration in multilateral forums of mutual interest.

Both sides exchanged views on regional and international developments and agreed to coordinate closely in multilateral fora to advance the India-Venezuela partnership.

MEA further noted that the next round of Foreign Office Consultations will be held in Caracas at a mutually convenient date.

The meeting was co-chaired by P. Kumaran, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and by Tatiana Josefina Pugh Moreno, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

India and Venezuela have warm, cordial relations. As per MEA, both countries share similar views on major international, political and economic issues. Both countries continue to engage actively in multilateral forums tto further strengthen bilateral cooperation. The two countries marked the 65th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2024. Resident Embassies have been in Caracas and New Delhi for over four decades.

The FOC meeting comes weeks after Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held a bilateral meeting with the Venezuelan Minister of Ecological Mining Development on the sidelines of the 30th CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam on November 15.

During the meeting, the Venezuelan side expressed interest in expanding economic engagement with India beyond the oil sector, including cooperation on critical minerals and attracting Indian investment, according to a statement from India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Minister Goyal emphasised the need to reactivate the India-Venezuela Joint Committee Mechanism, which last met a decade ago.

He noted that ONGC's ongoing operations in Venezuela provide scope for deeper collaboration in mining and exploration.

He suggested that Venezuela may consider accepting the Indian Pharmacopoeia to facilitate pharmaceutical trade and highlighted opportunities to enhance cooperation in the automobile sector.

He added that India would engage with businesses exploring investment prospects in Venezuela. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday reaffirmed India's unwavering stand against terrorism as the nation marked the 17th anniversary of the horrific attack in Mumbai on November 26, 2008, that killed 166 people and injured 300, and left one of the busiest cities in the world to remain stand still. In a post on X, the EAM said the world continues to remember the victims and brave responders who fought during the 2008 terror strikes. "Zero tolerance for terror in all forms and manifestations. The world remembers the victims and heroes of 26/11. Reaffirm our resolve to bring all those involved to justice," Jaishankar wrote. November 26, 2025, marks the 17th year since terrorists from the Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) unleashed mayhem on the streets of India's financial capital, Mumbai, in 2008. Commonly referred to as 26/11, these coordinated assaults by a group of 10 terrorists sent shockwaves through the nation and the world. The terrorists had entered the city of Mumbai on the night of November 26, 2008, via sea route and over the course of four days, they killed 166 people and injured 300. The targets were carefully chosen after being surveyed for maximum impact, viz., the Taj and Oberoi Hotels, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Jewish centre at Nariman House, Cama Hospital, Metro Cinema and the Leopold Cafe, since these places were frequented by foreign nationals along with a major part of Mumbai's workforce. The scars left by the tragic event continue to haunt those who witnessed it and the families who lost their loved ones. The bullet marks at Leopold Cafe and Nariman House, the bust of Assistant Sub-Inspector Tukaram Omble, who gave up his life while capturing the lone surviving Pakistani terrorist Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, and the streets of South Mumbai keep alive the memory of the gruesome terror attack. The other nine LeT terrorists were killed while Kasab was arrested. In May 2010, Kasab was handed the death penalty, and two years later, hanged in a maximum security prison in Pune. (ANI)
The terror threats faced by India and Israel are similar and have brought the two countries closer on security and intelligence cooperation, said the Israeli envoy to India on the 17th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Speaking to ANI in Mumbai on Wednesday, Yaniv Revach said both nations face "the same challenges" in confronting terrorism. "Israel and India are facing the same challenges when it comes to counter-terrorism. We understand India's perspective when it comes to fighting terrorism, and we also respect the fact that India understands Israel's right to defend itself against terrorist activities," Revach said. He highlighted the growing defence partnership, noting that Israel's battlefield experience has shaped cooperation with India. "We have a lot of defence cooperation between India and Israel. Luckily, Israel has combat-proven capabilities, and we are glad to share them with our Indian friends," he said. Revach also drew a direct comparison between cross-border threats faced by the two countries, the Consul General said India deals with terror coming from Pakistan, while Israel faces attacks from Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen. "India and Israel are also facing terror coming from other countries and states. You're facing it from Pakistan, and we're facing terror activities coming from Gaza, from Lebanon, and also in Yemen..." Earlier in the day, Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, paid tributes to the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, emphasising Israel's strong support for India. Azar said that the shared experiences of the fight against terrorism are what form the foundation of the deep and enduring partnership between India and Israel. In a video message shared on X, he said, "Today, as India marks the anniversary of the horrific 26-11 Mumbai terror attacks, I, the people of Israel, stand with you, the people of India, just as we did on that dark day and every year since. 26-11 was not only an attack on Mumbai, but it was also an attack on humanity. It targeted people of every community, every nationality, every faith, Indians and Israelis alike. Unfortunately, Israel knows this pain." He added, "We know what it means to lose innocent lives to terrorism. And we know what it means to fight back with courage, clarity, and determination. Our shared experiences are what form the foundation of our deep and enduring partnership. Today, we remember the victims of 26-11. We honour the brave officers, security forces, and first responders who protected the city with extraordinary sacrifice, and we stand in solidarity with the families whose lives were forever changed. Israel is and will always remain committed to working with India to defeat terrorism in all its forms. As we remember 26-11, we reaffirm our shared values, freedom, democracy, and the unwavering belief that life must always triumph over hate. India, you are not alone. Israel stands with you today, always." Earlier, French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou paid tribute to the victims on the 17th anniversary of the 26/11 terror attack. He reaffirmed the unequivocal condemnation of terrorism and said that France stands together with India in combating this scourge. This year marks 17 years since terrorists from the Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) unleashed mayhem on the streets of India's financial capital, Mumbai, on November 26, 2008. Commonly referred to as 26/11, these coordinated assaults by a group of 10 terrorists sent shockwaves through the nation and the world. The terrorists had entered the city of Mumbai on the night of November 26, 2008, via sea route, and over the course of four days, they killed 166 people and injured 300 in some of the busiest parts of the city. The targets were carefully chosen after being surveyed for maximum impact, viz., the Taj and Oberoi Hotels, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Jewish centre at Nariman House, Cama Hospital, Metro Cinema, and the Leopold Cafe, since these places were frequented by foreign nationals along with a major part of Mumbai's workforce. The scars left by the tragic event continue to haunt those who witnessed it and the families who lost their loved ones. The bullet marks at Leopold Cafe and Nariman House, the bust of Assistant Sub-Inspector Tukaram Omble, who gave up his life while capturing the lone surviving Pakistani terrorist Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, and the streets of South Mumbai keep alive the memory of the gruesome terror attack. The nine LeT terrorists were killed while Kasab was arrested. In May 2010, Kasab was handed the death penalty, and two years later, hanged in a maximum security prison in Pune. (ANI)
Dorje Tashi, one of Tibet's most prominent businessmen, has reportedly suffered a violent assault inside Lhasa's Drapchi Prison, further exposing China's inhumane treatment of Tibetan political prisoners. According to his lawyer, Wang Fei, Tashi was attacked by three fellow inmates, leaving him with serious head injuries and a deep scar on his forehead. In blatant violation of Chinese prison regulations, authorities failed to inform his family about the incident, as reported by Phayul. According to Phayul, the recent assault is not an isolated case; Tashi had earlier been beaten by eight inmates on April 17, 2021, highlighting a pattern of systemic abuse and negligence under the Chinese penal system. Once among Tibet's most successful entrepreneurs, Dorje Tashi, founder of the Yak Hotel and other flourishing ventures in Lhasa, was arrested following the 2008 Tibetan uprising. He was accused of "illegal business operations," tortured in custody, and handed a life sentence in June 2010 by the Lhasa Municipality Intermediate People's Court after a closed three-day trial. No official record of the proceedings has ever been made public. Observers and human rights groups believe Tashi's prosecution was politically motivated, aiming to punish his financial contributions to Tibetan monasteries and charitable projects. His brother, Dorjee Tsetan, also endured a six-year prison term, while the Chinese authorities have repeatedly ignored appeals from lawyers and family members seeking justice or visitation rights. Over the past decade, Tashi's sister, Gonpo Kyi, has emerged as a fearless voice demanding her brother's release. Despite multiple detentions, severe beatings, and intimidation, she has staged peaceful protests and hunger strikes in Lhasa. In August, she was forcibly dragged by plainclothes officers during one such protest and later confined under surveillance, where she was beaten before attempting to escape by leaping from a guesthouse window, as highlighted by Phayul. Human rights organisations, including Tibet Watch, have denounced Dorje Tashi's life sentence as politically driven and unjust. They condemned China's judicial system in Tibet for its "lack of transparency and entrenched political interference," calling Tashi's case a stark reflection of the Chinese government's deepening oppression in the region, as reported by Phayul. (ANI)
The meeting took place on the Constitution Day of India, and President Murmu said the occasion was an ideal moment to share India's democratic and parliamentary experiences with a close partner like Cyprus.

https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1993643536613617749

She said she was confident that India-Cyprus relations would continue to strengthen across all areas of cooperation.

"The President said that Constitution Day is an ideal occasion to share our democratic and parliamentary experiences with a good friend and partner like Cyprus. She expressed confidence that India-Cyprus ties would continue to strengthen across all sectors of cooperation, " President's office tweeted on X.

Demetriou is leading a parliamentary delegation that has been meeting with senior Indian leaders since Tuesday.

Earlier on Tuesday, the delegation met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and held wide-ranging talks on bilateral ties.

Jaishankar wrote on X that the discussions were anchored in shared "democratic values, respect for territorial integrity, and a firm opposition to terrorism and radicalisation". He added that he was confident Cyprus's upcoming presidency of the European Union in 2026 would help advance India-EU relations.

Vice President CP Radhakrishnan also received the delegation at Parliament House yesterday.

In a post on X, he said the talks highlighted the long-standing relationship between India and Cyprus and the importance of continued parliamentary exchanges.

"Hon'ble Vice President of India and Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan held a meeting with a Parliamentary Delegation from Cyprus led by H.E. Ms. Annita Demetriou, President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus, today at Parliament House, New Delhi. Discussions highlighted the long-standing bilateral relationship between India and Cyprus and the importance of continued parliamentary exchanges to further deepen ties between the two nations," he posted. (ANI)
Gen-Z youths had gathered near Gen Z Road in Dhangadhi for nearly two hours, staging a protest ahead of UML leader Mahesh Basnet's arrival in the city.

The clash erupted after UML cadres riding motorbikes charged at the protesters who were holding a peaceful roadside demonstration.

Basnet was travelling to Dhangadhi to attend an event of the National Youth Association Nepal.

Taking into account the recent tensions, including last week's flare-up in the Bara district, police had strengthened security as protesters continued chanting slogans.

Authorities kept the group under close watch, and security was further tightened after UML cadres affiliated with the Youth Association also began assembling near the protest site, according to the Kailali District Police Office.

Earlier on Sunday, Basnet had been en route to Itahari to attend a youth mobilisation programme after landing at Biratnagar Airport when Sanjog Gautam and Arpit Kunwar threw ink at his vehicle on Airport Road. The incident came just days after a clash in Simara left six Gen-Z youths injured.

The confrontation in Simara began when activists protested at Simara Chowk to stop UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and Basnet from travelling to Parwanipur via Simara Airport for a youth mobilisation event.

Tensions escalated into stone-pelting near the airport, leading to a temporary suspension of flights, a highway blockade, and the dismantling of a UML welcome gate and party flags. Flights at Simara Airport were halted for several hours following vandalism at the airport gate. (ANI)
The death toll in the deadly fire in Hong Kong's Tai Po district has risen to 13, with 15 others injured after the massive fire swept through multiple high-rise residential towers in the area on Wednesday, CNN reported, citing local authorities. Officials say more people may still be trapped inside the buildings. According to CNN, citing the New Territories East Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer, Chou Wing Yin, nine victims -- including a firefighter -- died at the scene, while four others succumbed to their injuries in hospital. Two firefighters are among the injured, with one suffering severe exhaustion and another sustaining a leg injury, as reported by CNN. According to CNN, visuals from the Wang Fuk Court housing complex showed towering flames bursting through apartment windows, with seven of the eight buildings still ablaze well into the night. Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Fire Department, Chan Derek Armstrong, said that the blaze was reported at 2:51 pm (local time), and by the time firefighters arrived, the bamboo scaffolding surrounding the complex was already engulfed, spreading fire inside the building and outward to adjacent towers, as reported by CNN. A massive emergency response has been deployed, with 767 firefighters, 128 firetrucks, 57 ambulances, eight fire hoses and seven fire engines engaged in the operation. The complex was wrapped in bamboo scaffolding -- a traditional but highly flammable construction method widely used across Hong Kong's skyline. Though still common, bamboo scaffolding is being phased out in favour of metal alternatives under new government guidelines due to safety concerns, CNN reported. However, the Hong Kong Labour Department recorded 24 deaths linked to bamboo scaffolding between 2018 and August 2025. The Wednesday blaze is feared to be Hong Kong's deadliest fire in nearly 30 years, according to CNN. The last major fire tragedy occurred in 1997, when 17 people were killed in a karaoke bar blaze. Another fire in 2011 in Fa Yuen Street claimed nine lives. Authorities continue to battle the fire and search for survivors as the death toll may rise further. (ANI)
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cyberonix Experts, LLC ("Cyberonix"), a premier provider of software expert witness services and source code consulting for intellectual property and technology litigation, today announced the opening of its new Los Angeles Office, located in El Segundo, California. The new office sits in the heart of the Los Angeles metropolitan area and just minutes from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), enabling Cyberonix to support clients across North America with greater speed and efficiency.

Cyberonix opens Los Angeles Office to strengthen North American software expert witness and IP law firm support. Post this Cyberonix has opened a new Los Angeles office in El Segundo, CA.

While the Los Angeles Office is designed to serve clients nationwide, its El Segundo location provides a significant strategic advantage for law firms throughout Los Angeles County and Orange County, two of the busiest regions for complex software-related litigation. The office is conveniently situated near major freeways and leading IP law firms, making it an ideal hub for in-person collaboration, expert meetings, and litigation strategy sessions. Its proximity to LAX also facilitates fast travel for source-code inspections and expert engagements across North America and offers an efficient gateway to the Asian market, home to many of the world's largest technology companies.

"Our new Los Angeles Office reflects Cyberonix's commitment to serving high-stakes IP and software litigation with unmatched responsiveness," said Dr. Jae Young Bang, CEO of Cyberonix and a nationally recognized software expert witness. "Being based in El Segundo allows us to collaborate closely with law firms throughout LA County and Orange County while maintaining rapid access to litigation teams across North America and key international technology centers."

The new headquarters will support Cyberonix's expanding team of university-affiliated and industry-seasoned experts specializing in software architecture, software security, AI/ML systems, cloud computing, mobile and web applications, human factors, and large-scale distributed systems. The office will serve as the central base for expert witness engagements, technical declarations, source code reviews, discovery consulting, and in-depth software engineering analyses for litigation.

Cyberonix's Los Angeles Office is open to clients and visitors by appointment for expert consultations, strategic planning sessions, and technical briefings.

About Cyberonix

Cyberonix Experts, LLC ("Cyberonix") is a leading software technology consultancy providing software expert witness services, source code analysis, and software engineering expertise for intellectual property and technology litigation. The firm's experts include top university professors with extensive industry experience who deliver authoritative analysis and testimony in federal and state courts. Cyberonix specializes in matters involving software patents, trade secrets, copyright disputes, software architecture, mobile and web applications, and AI-driven systems.

For more information, visit https://cyberonixexperts.com .

Media Contact:

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will co-chair the third India-Indonesia Defence Ministers' Dialogue with Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin in New Delhi on November 27, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. According to the ministry, the two ministers will review regional security developments, discuss multilateral issues and explore new areas to deepen bilateral defence cooperation. The Indonesian minister is on a two-day visit to India from November 26 to 27. The ministry noted that the visit reflects the growing momentum in India-Indonesia defence engagement and signals a shared commitment to expand the partnership. This interaction comes months after the President of Indonesia's visit to India in January, further reinforcing the strategic importance both countries attach to defence ties. Civilisational ties between India and Indonesia go back thousands of years. Both nations are maritime neighbours, sharing cultural, civilisational and historical linkages that can be traced back to several centuries. In recent times, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries is characterised by growing cooperation in the bilateral and multilateral arenas, including frequent high-level interactions, which is further strengthened by the Act East policy of India. The meeting comes as India-Indonesia moves closer to signing the BrahMos cruise missile deal, in a major boost for the indigenous defence industry. Defence sources told ANI that almost all the procedures are completed in the negotiations and only a nod from the Russian side is required for moving forward towards signing the contract. India and Indonesia have been discussing the deal for a long time. The issue was discussed in detail during a high-level visit in January this year when top Indonesian political and military leadership was in New Delhi. India has been able to sell the missiles to the Philippines and is looking to expand the market for the unique weapon system, which has now proved itself in war, also during the recent India-Pakistan conflict in May this year. Senior Indian military leaders visited Indonesia recently, including the Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan. (ANI)
The Minister of External Affairs on Wednesday stated that the Indian government is currently examining the request from Bangladesh's interim government seeking the extradition of its former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was setneced to death by the courntyr's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in a case related to crimes against humanity during last year's July-August unrest. Adressing a weekly media briefing, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that New Delhi had formally received Dhaka's communication over the matter, stressing that India remains committed to Bangladesh's stability and the well-being of its people as part of its "ongoing judicial and internal legal processes." "Yes, we have received the request, and this request is being examined. As part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes, we remain committed to the best interest of the people of Bangladesh, including peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country, and will continue to engage constructively in this regard with all state stakeholders," Jaiswal said. Hasina, who fled to India in August 2024 following massive student-led protests that forced her resignation, has been living in New Delhi since then. Earlier on Monday, the interim government of Bangladesh wrote to the MEA seeking the extradition of Hasina. As per a report in the Dhaka Tribune, officials confirmed that a new diplomatic note was sent to New Delhi shortly after High Representative for the Rohingya Issue Khalilur Rahman's return from an engagement in New Delhi. Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain told mediapersons on Sunday that Dhaka had formally communicated with India again regarding Hasina's return but did not disclose further details. A diplomatic source in New Delhi informed United News of Bangladesh that the note verbale was dispatched soon after the 7th National Security Advisers' meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave, which Khalilur Rahman attended on Thursday. Last week, the ICT delivered its verdict, sentencing Hasina and the country's former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in a case related to crimes against humanity during last year's July-August unrest, while former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, a state witness, received a five-year prison term. Following the ruling, Dhaka urged India to hand over both convicted individuals without delay, the Dhaka Tribune reported. India acknowledged the tribunal's decision and said it remains committed to engaging constructively with Bangladesh. "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," the Ministry of External Affairs said in its statement. It added that New Delhi would continue to work with all stakeholders to support these objectives. Jaiswal, duirng the briefing, further noted that regular consular dialogue continues between the two countries on various issues, including those concerning Indian nationals. "We have a regular consular dialogue and conversation going on with Bangladesh there are several people's issues which we continue to discuss on both sides and in this particular specific case I don't have an update but we continue to talk with Bangladesh on several issues where the interest of our nationals are concerned where our interests are concerned," Jaiswal stated. (ANI)
The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday said that the preparations are underway for India India-Russia annual summit as Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to arrive in India this year in December. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to media queries during the weekly briefing, said the dates will be announced soon and that both nations are working hard to strengthen bilateral ties. This comes as last week, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Putin in Moscow ahead of this visit to India to attend the Annual India-Russia Summit, and Jaishankr had also conveyed greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit. The two leaders also shared views on regional and global developments."Honoured to call on President Putin of Russia in Moscow today. Conveyed greetings of Prime Minister @narendramodi. Apprised him of preparations underway for the upcoming Annual India-Russia Summit. Also discussed regional and global developments. Deeply value his perspectives and guidance on further advancement of our ties," S Jaishankar wrote on 'X' after the meeting. Earlier this month, the Kremlin also said Russia is "actively preparing" for President Vladimir Putin's visit to India, expected before the end of the year, according to state news agency TASS. Putin's visit to India is planned next month, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by state media TASS. "On November 18, in New Delhi, Aide to the President of Russia and Chairman of the Maritime Board of Russia Nikolai Patrushev was received by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. The parties discussed various issues of Russian-Indian cooperation, particularly in the maritime sector. The two sides emphasised their mutual interest in deepening interaction between Russia and India to strengthen their maritime capabilities. Preparations for the Russia-India Summit, scheduled for early December, were also touched upon," the Russian Embassy in India stated in its post. "We are currently actively preparing for Putin's visit to India, which is planned before the end of this year. We hope that it will be a meaningful visit," he said. The upcoming visit will mark Putin's first since 2021. The two leaders met in person on September 1 this year in Tianjin, China, on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. India and Russia signed their Declaration on Strategic Partnership in 2000, laying the foundation for annual summits and cooperation across political, defence, economic and technological sectors. In 2010, ties were elevated to a "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership." (ANI)
According to the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, the interaction focused on expanding avenues for defence exports, boosting collaboration among defence industries, and improving operational linkages through joint and multilateral exercises. The two sides also discussed ways to deepen maritime security cooperation.

The talks reviewed mechanisms for capacity building, streamlined information sharing and cooperation in emerging domains. India reiterated its support to the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces through military training, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercises, specialised courses and professional military education.

Both sides expressed their commitment to developing a long-term framework to strengthen practical cooperation, enhance capabilities, and build mutually beneficial defence partnerships.

On Tuesday, Mohamed Tahin held a series of diplomatic talks. He also called on Lieutenant General Pushpendra Singh, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, in New Delhi, as the two sides discussed steps to deepen military cooperation.

The Indian Army said in a tweet on X that the meeting covered ways to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation, enhance professional exchanges between the two forces and explore new areas for collaboration. Both sides also reviewed ongoing engagements between the Indian Army and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces.

During the discussions, the two officers reaffirmed India and Morocco's shared commitment to global peace and security. The interaction is part of India's wider outreach to partner countries in Africa to build stronger defence and security partnerships. (ANI)
According to a release, the visit follows the completion of multilateral and bilateral naval exercises, including MALABAR-2025, AUSINDEX-2025, JAIMEX-25, and a maiden bilateral exercise with the Republic of Korea Navy.

Prior to its port call in Manila, INS Sahyadri conducted joint drills with the Philippine Navy, focusing on tactical communications, navigation and manoeuvring, Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations, and flying operations to refine mutual professional understanding.

During the harbour phase, both navies will engage in professional exchanges, cross-deck visits, and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges. The visit will also feature cultural interactions, including friendly sports, a joint yoga session, and community outreach activities, including aid to a local orphanage.

"The harbour phase would include a series of professional exchanges, cross-deck visits and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges. In addition, cultural interactions such as friendly sports, joint Yoga session and aid to an orphanage is also planned during the visit," the release stated.

The deployment of INS Sahyadri highlights India's growing naval cooperation with the Philippines. It reflects New Delhi's commitment to promoting peace, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific, aligned with India's Act East Policy and the vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).

Earlier on Sunday, INS Sahyadri participated in the bilateral exercise AUSINDEX 2025 alongside HMAS Ballarat of the Royal Australian Navy in the Northern Pacific.

Prior to this, the Indian Navy's Guided Missile Stealth Frigate, INS Sahyadri, participated in the sea phase of Exercise Malabar 2025 from November 13 to November 17, duirng which operations such as Anti-Submarine Warfare, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), gunnery firing, underway replenishment, and cross-deck helicopter operations were conducted.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India and the Philippines enjoy warm, multifaceted bilateral relations rooted in historical ties and shared democratic values. Cooperation spans various sectors, including defence, trade, investment, and cultural exchange. India and the Philippines formally established diplomatic relations on 26 November 1949, shortly after both countries gained independence. (ANI)
Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, advised Putins aide Yuri Ushakov on how to present Russias peace deal for Ukraine to US President Donald Trump. Moreover, the plan might have been entirely Russian in origin, according to Bloomberg.

Leak of Witkoffs conversation with Ushakov

According to Bloomberg, in a phone call on November 14, Witkoff gave Ushakov advice on how to discuss the peace issue regarding Ukraine with Trump.

Specifically, the recommendations included arranging a conversation between Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives at the White House, as well as suggesting the use of a Gaza agreement as a supporting tool.

We put a 20-point Trump plan together that was 20 points for peace and Im thinking maybe we do the same thing with you, Witkoff told Ushakov.

According to Bloomberg, the conversation offered the first direct insight into Witkoffs recent tactics in negotiations with Russia and what apparently formed the basis of the 28-point peace deal for Ukraine.

During the call, Witkoff told Ushakov that he deeply respects Putin and that, as he had told Trump, he believes Russia has always wanted a peace agreement.

Witkoff mentioned Zelenskyys upcoming visit and suggested that Putin speak with the White House leader before this meeting.

Zelenskiy is coming to the White House on Friday. I will go to that because they want me there, but I think if possible we have the call with your boss before that Friday meeting, Witkoff said.

He then asked Ushakov whether it would be helpful for Putin to call Trump, to which Witkoff responded affirmatively.

He also recommended that Putin congratulate Trump on a Gaza peace deal and say that Russia supported it. Additionally, he suggested adding that Russia respects the US president as a person striving for peace.

From that, its going to be a really good call. Heres what I think would be amazing, the Trump special envoy said.

He added: Maybe he says to President Trump: you know, Steve and Yuri discussed a very similar 20-point plan to peace and that could be something that we think might move the needle a little bit, were open to those sorts of things.

Ushakov apparently followed some of the advice. According to him, Putin will congratulate and say: Mr Trump is a real peace man.

Witkoffs meeting with Dmitriev and the possibility that the US peace plan was actually Russian

After Trump and Putin spoke, Witkoff soon met in Miami with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev. As the Kremlin representative told Axios in an interview, he was in Miami for three days starting October 24.

According to another record reviewed by Bloomberg, on October 29, Dmitriev and Ushakov spoke by phone in Russian, discussing how strongly Moscow should insist on its demands in any peace proposal.

While the two Putin aides considered various options, Ushakov insisted that Russia request the maximum in its proposals to the White House.

He expressed concern that the US might misinterpret any proposals, remove something, and then declare an agreement, which could jeopardize the completion of negotiations.

Dmitriev, in turn, suggested informally sharing the document and expressed confidence that even if the US did not fully accept the Russian version, they would at least do something very close to it.

Later, he assured Ushakov that he would follow what he was instructed to say, so that Ushakov could later discuss the document with Steve.

Bloomberg notes that it could not confirm exactly which proposals Russia shared with the US or to what extent they influenced the final 28-point plan.

Trumps peace deal

Recently, Western media reported a new US peace deal aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. It consisted of 28 points but was seen as favorable to Russia.

In particular, the document called for Ukraine to withdraw from Donbas, reduce its military, give up long-range weapons, and more. In this context, on Sunday, November 23, a meeting was held in Geneva between delegations from the US, Ukraine, and Europe to revise the document and make it more advantageous for Kyiv.

According to the Financial Times, the document was shortened from 28 to 19 points. There was also information that Ukraine had supposedly agreed to reduce the size of its armed forces to 800,000 (the initial draft set it at 600,000).

US President Donald Trump gave Ukraine an ultimatum  to agree to the deal by November 27. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during the Geneva talks that the deadline could still be adjusted.

Yesterday, Trump announced that Witkoff would hold negotiations with Putin, and US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll would meet with the Ukrainian side to advance the coordination of the peace deal between the US, Ukraine, and Russia.

After the Geneva meeting, Kyiv and Washington issued a joint statement saying that a framework document had been developed, and the final version would be agreed upon at the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting.

According to Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, Zelenskyy is ready to meet with Trump as soon as possible, which could happen on November 27. He also confirmed that Driscoll will arrive in Kyiv this week to continue refining the document.
Breeding innovation expands soybean potential nationwide

14:23, November 26, 2025 By Sun Haitian ( People's Daily

Han Tianfu poses for a picture with soybeans he breeds in Sanya, south China's Hainan province. (Photo/Li Shengfu)

Recently, at the experimental base of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences' (CAAS) National Nanfan Research Institute in Sanya, south China's Hainan province, researcher Han Tianfu and his team at the CAAS Institute of Crop Sciences held a "birthday celebration" for several unusual soybean plants.

Sown in November last year, these plants have matured into robust specimens reaching two meters in height with thick, sturdy stems. These "soybean trees" are the culmination of years of dedicated research.

As chief expert of the CAAS' National Nanfan Research Institute's innovation team for soybean breeding technologies, Han has studied soybeans for over 30 years.

He explained that soybeans exhibit high sensitivity to day length (photoperiod) and temperature. They detect the subtle shortening of daylight and lengthening of night following the summer solstice, triggering flowering and pod formation. This inherent sensitivity typically requires 10-12 years to develop a new, high-quality soybean variety.

To accelerate this lengthy process, Han's team moved their main breeding work to the Nanfan breeding base in Sanya, where light and temperature conditions make the region a natural "accelerator" for crop breeding.

This approach -- taking advantage of the favorable climate in southern Hainan to advance generations, propagate materials, and conduct identification tests -- is known as Nanfan, which literally means "breeding in the south."

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, more than 70 percent of all new crop varieties have utilized Nanfan. Each winter and spring, large numbers of agricultural researchers bring breeding materials to Hainan, shortening the breeding cycle by one-third to one-half.

However, soybeans are classic short-day crops. When many northern varieties are brought to low-latitude Hainan, they flower prematurely and remain too short for essential hybridization work, the very foundation of developing improved varieties.

Drawing on their understanding of the soybean biological clock, Han's team combined this knowledge with modern LED supplemental lighting to create an artificial "long-day" environment in Hainan. This allows northern soybean varieties -- otherwise unsuited to the local climate -- to grow tall and vigorous, providing strong female parents for large-scale hybridization.

At the same time, the team has built China's first core soybean pollen bank, storing collected pollen at low temperatures for year-round use. This innovation extends the hybridization window from a mere two weeks per year to year-round operation.

Han Tianfu exchanges experiences with a foreign expert on soybean breeding. (Photo/Li Shengfu)

These breakthroughs have enabled Han's team to develop an engineered breeding system achieving multiple annual generations under field-scale conditions. Global soybean germplasm now converges in Sanya, compressing breeding cycles from 10-12 years to approximately seven years.

"By integrating domestic and international germplasm, we have developed varieties ranging from long-juvenile lines that can grow into 'soybean trees' in the tropics to ultra-early-maturing varieties suited to climates at 55 degrees north latitude. From south to north, we have expanded the adaptive boundaries of soybeans and laid a solid germplasm foundation for Chinese soybeans to 'go global,'" Han said.

The team is now incorporating artificial intelligence and genomic selection into breeding processes, enhancing precision and efficiency. The two-meter soybean plant represents not just scientific achievement, but symbolizes China's breeding industry innovation in Hainan.

In recent years, Sanya has focused on national strategic needs, accelerated the development of Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, and made every effort to build a "Silicon Valley" for Nanfan, transforming the region from a seasonal site for advancing generations into an integrated innovation hub that supports research, production, exchange, and commercialization.

A researcher conducts an experiment at the Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory in Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, Sanya, south China's Hainan province. (Photo/Yuan Chen)

Today, Hainan is shifting from a seasonal "breeding base" into a seed-industry "Silicon Valley" that attracts top global talent and technologies. The emerging "Nanfan Silicon Valley" now features not only standardized breeding fields, but also seed laboratories, germplasm resource banks, and high-throughput phenotyping platforms. Researchers can now be stationed there year-round, carrying out full-process research and development from gene discovery to variety testing, dramatically improving breeding efficiency.

This transformation will significantly strengthen China's capacity for original innovation in the seed industry and provide a firmer germplasm foundation for safeguarding national food security.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
TORRINGTON, Conn., Nov. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fitness Holdings North America is excited to announce the signing of its second Connecticut lease, bringing the brand's third Crunch Fitness club in the state to Torrington, CT, with more on the way. Opening in Summer 2026, this 30,000+ square-foot flagship will showcase Crunch's next-generation 3.0 design, featuring advanced training zones and the brand's signature "serious fitness meets fun" energy.

This latest expansion reinforces Fitness Holdings' aggressive growth strategy in Connecticut with 10 additional locations actively in development throughout the state.

Located in Litchfield County, the new club will deliver a full premium training experience, including elite strength equipment, functional turf zone, Olympic lifting platforms, HIITZone, recovery lounge, and high-energy group fitness formats. Every new member will also receive access to the exclusive CrunchONE Kickoff, which provides a personalized assessment and custom fitness plan.

"Signing our second Connecticut lease, with 10 more in the pipeline, is a major statement about the demand for high-quality fitness in this region," said Mark Federico, CEO Fitness Holdings North America. "This Torrington club will bring an elevated fitness offering to Litchfield County and marks another milestone as we continue expanding across the Northeast. Here We GROW again."

Club Highlights

30,000+ sq. ft. high-performance facility

Crunch 3.0 design and upgraded layout

Premium strength and functional training zones

Olympic lifting platforms & advanced cardio

HIITZone group training experience

Recovery suite with hydromassage

CrunchONE Kickoff onboarding session

Group fitness classes across multiple disciplines

Construction milestones, founding membership details, and VIP preview event information to be announced in the coming months.

About Fitness Holdings North America

Fitness Holdings North America is one of the largest and fastest-growing Crunch Fitness franchise groups in the country, operating in ten US States: ME, VT, MA, NY, PA, NJ, DE, TN, GA, and CT. With a mission to deliver accessible, high-energy fitness experiences, the group continues to expand rapidly across the Connecticut market and beyond.

SOURCE Fitness Holdings North America
Morocco has implemented a Cloud First Policy as a cornerstone of its Digital Morocco 2030 strategy, fundamentally changing how the government approaches digital infrastructure and services. The policy establishes cloud solutions as the mandatory default choice for all public administration technology investments.

Salma Tazi, Director of Cloud Infrastructure and Offshoring at the Ministry of Digital Transition, outlined the transformative scope of this initiative. No investment will be planned or executed without first considering cloud solutions as a priority, she emphasized, signaling a complete shift in public sector technology governance.

The implementation relies on three institutional pillars: a cloud excellence center developed with the Digital Development Agency to create technical standards, a national cloud observatory launching in 2027 to monitor market evolution and adoption rates, and comprehensive training programs helping government agencies manage cultural and institutional change.

This approach moves beyond simple technology modernization to reshape public governance around data management, operational flexibility, and security protocols. All ministries must rethink their data classification and management strategies, requiring significant capacity building across government departments.

The private sector will also benefit from this digital transformation. Currently, just 40 percent of small and medium enterprises utilize cloud services, according to 2024 research. The government plans incentive packages including Move to Cloud and Post Move to Cloud programs, with state assistance linked to job creation commitments.

Hicham Chiguer, president of Moroccos Information Systems Users Association, praised the mandatory approach. Sometimes you must impose it rather than offer choices, he noted, referencing Portugals successful centralized IT governance model as an example.

Beyond cloud adoption, Morocco is embracing artificial intelligence through an emerging AI First strategy, positioning the nation as a digital hub connecting Africa and Europe.
Mauritania must accelerate economic diversification to achieve its ambition of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2050, the World Bank said in a report published on Nov 24, citing the limits of a development model driven by extractive industries.

The extractive-led growth path is reaching its end, the Bank said, noting that while Mauritania posted an average growth rate of 3.5% over the past two years, its labor market participation remains below 50%, underscoring the need to broaden the productive base.

The report calls for reforms in early childhood education, land management, labor code modernization, competition policy and skills development, alongside investments in infrastructure and human capital to foster inclusive growth.

Mauritanias economy relies heavily on mining, particularly iron ore, and fisheries, leaving it vulnerable to commodity price swings and external shocks.

While new offshore gas projects promise revenue, analysts warn that dependence on extractives could expose the country to volatility and limit job creation.

Beyond its mineral wealth, Mauritania has untapped potential in solar energy, agriculture and digital services, said Keiko Miwa, World Bank Country Director for Cape Verde, Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. Transforming these assets into competitive sectors is key to sustainable growth.

Mauritanias GDP grew 4.1% in 2024, supported by mining exports and public investment. Growth is projected at 4.5% in 2025 and 5% in 2026, driven by the start of gas production and infrastructure projects, according to World Bank estimates. However, the report warns that without diversification, these gains may not translate into broad-based prosperity.
Morocco is positioning its Atlantic coastline as a strategic gateway for trade and regional integration, Transport and Logistics Minister Abdeslam Kayouh told the 34th session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly in London.

Maritime transport is a strategic pillar of Moroccos economy, Kayouh said, noting that over 96% of the kingdoms foreign trade moves by sea. With more than 3,500 kilometers of coastline on the Mediterranean and Atlantic, Morocco aims to leverage its geography to strengthen links with Africa and the Americas.

The minister said the strategy aligns with King Mohammed VIs vision to make the Atlantic coast a gateway to Africa, a platform for economic integration, and a hub for global connectivity.

Plans include expanding port infrastructure, boosting maritime connectivity, and studying the creation of a competitive national shipping fleet to support international trade flows, he said.

Tangier Med serves as a leading transshipment hub in the Mediterranean, while Nador West Med is emerging as a new logistics center. The upcoming Dakhla Atlantic Port is expected to enhance connectivity with West Africa.

Kayouh emphasized Moroccos compliance with international safety and environmental standards, citing active participation in the Mediterranean Memorandum of Understanding and regular inspections of foreign vessels.

The country also operates a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) in Tangier to manage navigation through the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the worlds busiest maritime corridors with over 100,000 ship transits annually.

Morocco is also advancing sustainability in shipping. Kayouh announced plans to offer low-carbon marine fuels, leveraging the kingdoms leadership in renewable energy to produce green hydrogen and derivatives such as methanol and ammonia for global maritime use.

Morocco is committed to working with IMO members to ensure a smooth and inclusive energy transition for the maritime sector, Qiyouh said, highlighting the countrys ambition to become a regional hub for clean marine fuel production and export.
Moroccan and French Ministers of the Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit and Laurent Nunez, held, on Tuesday in Marrakech, a meeting that provided the opportunity for the two parties to review different issues of mutual interest, with focus on security and migration matters.

The French official is visiting Morocco to attend the 93rd INTERPOL General Assembly, currently taking place in Marrakech.

The two officials welcomed the solid foundation of bilateral cooperation on security and migration matters, rooted in mutual trust, strengthened by ongoing dialogue, and supported by shared views on strategic issues, the Ministry of the Interior said in a statement.

They recalled that this cooperation is fully in line with the Declaration of Reinforced Exceptional Partnership signed by King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron, during the state visit he paid to Morocco in October 2024.

The two officials emphasized when tackling the issue of migration, the positive role played by the Morocco-France Permanent Joint Migration Group (GMMP), which is the appropriate mechanism for dialogue and coordination on migration issues.

They also examined ways of further strengthening channels for the exchange of expertise and information to maintain a dynamic capable of constructively addressing multiple threats, particularly those linked to the activities of terrorist groups and criminal networks, especially in the Sahel-Saharan region, the statement said.

In a statement to the media following the meeting, Laurent Nunez welcomed the strengthened security partnership between Morocco and France and underlined that both countries maintain excellent collaboration, particularly in counterterrorism and the fight against organized crime.

He described the cooperation as very high and said France is committed to keeping it strong and building it even further. He highlighted the broader scope of joint work between the two nations, pointing out that cooperation also extends to civil protection and other security-related areas.

He added that his visit reaffirms Frances intention to continue along the same path and deepen ongoing efforts.

The French official took to his X account, stating Our high level of bilateral cooperation on major security issues has been decisive on several occasions and is essential today for the continuation of our excellent relations and constructive exchanges on priority topics: the fight against terrorism, against organized crime and specifically drug trafficking, cybercrime, civil security and the migration issue.
Mauritania and France, on Tuesday, November 25, have formalized a preferential loan agreement worth 39.2 million to construct ten solar power plants equipped with storage systems, marking a strategic boost to the countrys clean energy ambitions.

Signed in Nouakchott by Mauritanian Economy Minister Abdallahi Souleymane Cheikh Sidiya and Frances Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade Nicolas Forissier, the financingequivalent to 1.8 billion new ouguiyasaims to expand renewable energy access and narrow the gap between rural and urban communities. Mauritanias government underscored that the initiative aligns with President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouanis commitment to universal access to essential services and the rollout of large-scale energy infrastructure under state-led investment programmes.

Officials from both countries highlighted the deepening of bilateral cooperation, which now spans education, decentralisation, health, infrastructure, and energy. Mauritania emphasised its vast solar and wind potential and noted that recent investmentsdriven by rising electricity demandare supported by partners including the French Development Agency. These efforts have pushed national electricity coverage beyond 50%, advancing progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 7. France hailed the project as a testament to the enduring partnership between the two nations, with Forissier expressing pride in reinforcing ties during his first official visit to Africa. The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from both sides, including Mauritanias Energy Minister and the French Ambassador.
Morocco imposed anti-dumping duties to imports of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) originating from Egypt, after an investigation confirmed significant dumping margins and recommended definitive duties to protect the domestic market.

The investigation, launched on November 27, 2024, initially concluded that Egyptian PVC imports were causing serious harm to Moroccos national industry.

As a result, provisional duties were imposed on June 6, 2025. The ministrys latest determination upholds those findings and proposes the adoption of final anti-dumping measures.

According to the ministry, the inquiry relied on detailed responses from Egyptian Petrochemicals Company (EPC), the sole cooperating exporter.

Normal value was established based on domestic Egyptian prices, while export prices to Morocco were used to calculate dumping margins. For non-cooperating exporters, data from the original complaint served as the basis.
Morocco has secured its position as the second most attractive destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) in renewable energy across the Middle East and North Africa, according to two recent international reports.

The Kingdom attracted over $38.1 billion in green energy investments between 2003 and 2024, confirming its growing role in the global energy transition, according to the latest report by the Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (Daman).

The report highlights Moroccos strong appeal to international investors, driven by its ambitious energy strategy and stable regulatory framework.

These investments financed 55 projects led by 32 companies, creating 12,267 jobs, or 15% of employment generated in the sector regionally.

Moroccos leadership is particularly evident in wind energy, where it accounts for 42% of Arab production, supported by flagship projects such as the Noor solar complex in Ouarzazate and wind farms in Tarfaya and Midelt.

The Kingdoms national strategy aims to raise renewables to over 52% of the electricity mix by 2030, a target that continues to attract global capital. In 2025, Moroccos electricity output is projected at 43.1 TWh, with renewables contributing nearly one-third of the mix.

Morocco also plays a growing role in regional energy trade. In 2024, it ranked among the top five Arab countries for electricity equipment exports and imports, confirming its integration into regional energy value chains.
A delegation from Hezbollah, Irans backed Lebanese Shia group, posing as Syrian religious leaders, visited lately the Polisario-controlled Tindouf Camps, southern Algeria.

The visit has triggered security alarms among American and European counter-terrorism agencies as the move confirms the links between the Algeria-backed Polisario militia and the Iranian proxies seeking to expand to North Africa and the Sahel region.

Many analysts are raising questions over why the Algerian regime has opened Tindouf to Hezbollah, designated by the U.S. Foreign Terrorist Organization, while the U.S. Congress is considering a bi-partisan legislation to brand Polisario an FTO.

The Algerian regime feeds on chaos and divisions. Its divide and conquer strategy, deployed in the region, aims to weaken its rivals and neighbors to prevent them from uniting and threatening its geostrategic interests.

The Algerian junta funds, arms and shelters Polisario militias to undermine Moroccos territorial integrity. The same destabilizing tactics are currently used against Mali, Niger and Burkina-Faso and other Sahel countries.

According to international intelligence reports, several jihadist groups operating in the Sahel region benefit from Algerian army logistic and financial support. Algeria is using terrorism as a tool to keep the upper hand over the region and serve the geostrategic interests of some foreign powers.

The visit of the Hezbollah clerics to Tindouf comes few weeks after Moroccos historic Sahara victory at the UN Security Council. This means that the feckless Algerian rulers are using again the terror scare tactics after sensing that their days are numbered following their countless diplomatic setbacks combined with deepening socioeconomic and political crises.

The Polisario ties to extremist groups run deep. Adnan Abu al-Walid al-Sahrawi  a notorious jihadist and former Islamic State emir in the Sahel  once held a senior position in Polisario. He was killed by French forces in Mali in 2021. His story reveals how Tindouf became a breeding ground for extremist militant organizations and a cross-border jihadist recruitment center for al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and the Islamic State.

Last August, Polisario Chief Brahim Ghali sent messages of condolence to Hamas, Lebanese Hezbollah, and Iran, following the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and military commander of Hezbollah Fuad Shukr.

These messages confirm the ties existing between the Algeria-backed separatist group and terrorist organizations. Polisario alliance with axis of evil is expanding and threatening the stability and peace in Africa and Europe.

In 2018, Morocco cut-off diplomatic ties with Iran over its support for Hezbollah in arming and training Polisario separatists in connivance with Algerian authorities.

According to American intelligence agencies, Iran provides a wide range of support, including financial, training, and equipment to terrorist groups around the world.

Tehran continues to use its proxies, militias and terror groups across the Middle East with outposts around the world to help foment instability, carry out attacks and expand Shiite influence which has reached North Africa and Tindouf camps, becoming a breeding ground for terrorists.

The isolated deceptive Algerian regime is playing with fire. Under American pressure, it starts showing some flexibility, expressing readiness to join Abraham accords and extolling Trump foreign policy. But it is just a tactical flexibility to gain time within the frame of a calculated procrastination strategy to avoid conceding defeat in Sahara issue.

In the past, Algerian rulers have not honored their commitments. It is very likely they will do it again!
DAEJEON, South Korea, Nov. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Korea Innovation Foundation (INNOPOLIS), currently operating the 2025 Global Technology Commercialization Support Program (North America), announces that 2 innovative companies, C&TECH, and BeringLab are chosen for the support program.

C&TECH  Smart IoT Asset Management System BeringLab  AI Powered Legal and Patent Translation

This initiative selects innovative technology companies in the fields of machinery, energy, AI/IoT and bio health. The program provides comprehensive consulting support to help these companies apply their technologies and products on a trial basis to local facilities or projects operated by overseas companies and institutions, enabling on-site commercialization.

1. C&TECH  Smart IoT Asset Management System

The first company, C&TECH, its Smart IoT Asset Management System enables real-time monitoring and analysis of physical and operational assets  including machinery, equipment, and facility infrastructure.

The system integrates proprietary IoT devices with AI analytics to collect and interpret data on asset location, utilization, and operational patterns, helping organizations improve efficiency and manage assets more intelligently.

Built on a multi-sensor port architecture, each IoT device can connect additional sensor modules to collect different types of environmental and operational data depending on the application.

C&TECH has established its business in the financial products domain, providing asset monitoring solutions for corporate secured lending.

Now, by leveraging its multi-sensor functionality, the company is commercializing applications in facility and building management, expanding the use of its platform across different operational environments.

Key Features

Real-time monitoring through GPS- and cellular-enabled IoT devices

AI-based monitoring for productivity anomalies

Multi-sensor port architecture enabling data expansion

Cloud-based dashboard for centralized management

With proven experience in secured lending and industrial IoT fields, C&TECH continues to expand its technology globally through North American commercialization programs.

Inquiries: [email protected]

Website: https://iot-cntech.com

2. BeringLab  AI Powered Legal and Patent Translation

The second company, Bering Lab, a leader in AI-powered legal and patent translation, provides domain-specific AI translation and post-editing solutions for legal, patent, and other highly regulated industries. The company serves over 240 enterprise clients worldwide.

It has announced its acquisition of Intersphere, one of Korea's most established translation providers. The deal marks a key step in Bering Lab's plan to build the first AI-driven roll-up platform in the language-services industry.

The acquisition combines Bering Lab's proprietary AI translation technology with Intersphere's 20-year service legacy and deep client relationships across sectors including life sciences, manufacturing, and gaming. Intersphere will continue operating under its own brand while progressively integrating Bering Lab's AI tools to enhance speed, accuracy, and scalability.

"This acquisition is more than expansion - it's the foundation of a broader AI roll-up strategy," said Jae Yoon Kim, Co-CEO of Bering Lab. "By combining our AI technology with Intersphere's long-standing commitment to customer service, we're building a platform that delivers both innovation and reliability. Clients will benefit from faster, more consistent results without sacrificing the personalized support they value."

The deal follows Bering Lab's earlier acquisition of Tombali, Korea's second-largest legal translation provider, reinforcing its position as the first company in the industry to execute an AI-based consolidation strategy.

Inquiries: [email protected]

Website: https://beringlab.com/

If you have any questions about these three energy sector items, please feel free to contact us at the information below:

Email : [email protected]

SOURCE Korea Innovation Foundation
The Labour government is set to hold fire on pushing through sweeping reforms to nuclear energy due to a legal advisers concerns over the UKs environmental, trade and human rights obligations, it has been reported.

The Innovate UK member John Fingleton published a damning report on red tape blocking the expansion of the countrys nuclear industry on Monday.

His extensive report prompted calls from across the political spectrum for Rachel Reeves to accept recommendations easing planning rules and lowering costs for investors.

But ITV News has now reported that the Chancellor will not include the growth-focused recommendations in her Budget speech on Wednesday.

The broadcaster reported that the Chancellor will make reforms subject to further work and review after a government adviser voiced concerns about the legal crossovers in the paper with UK obligations.

The landmark report on nuclear energy underscored the need for radical changes to the planning and regulatory system to allow more plants to be built to support the UKs drive to lead on AI.

Fingleton outlined how 700m was being spent by Hinkley Point C bosses on protecting one salmon every ten years in its fish disco project that uses noise to keep animals away from the plant in Somerset.

His report said investors and builders had to deal with a fragmented system of environmental or community regulators and red tape to get projects over the line, leading the UK to be the most expensive place to build nuclear power.

Labour government urged to back growth

MPs from different parties, growth activists and think tanks have joined up to call for 28 recommendations in the report to be accepted by the Chancellor at the Budget.

A letter signed by Labour Growth Group chair Chris Curtis and groups including the Centre for British Progress, Tony Blair Institute and the YIMBY Alliance said: Britain has the chance to once again lead the world in building nuclear power, which is the backbone of industrial communities and jobs across the country, and also at the heart of our climate ambitions.

There is a once in a generation opportunity to build the energy and industrial infrastructure of the future on these islands.

Reform UKs Zia Yusuf and the Conservative Partys Kemi Badenoch also spoke out in support of the review.

Lawrence Newport, the head of campaign group Looking for Growth, told City AM: Such a significant shift would set Britain on a clear path towards affordable energy and, consequently, economic growth.

Indeed, reducing energy prices is a prerequisite for any government hoping to reverse decades of stagnation and decline. With cheaper energy, British businesses could start and scale here uninhibited.

Rachel Reeves must make a decision. If the Chancellor really is as serious about growth as she says, if she actually wants to make our energy cheap again, she will accept all of the Nuclear Regulatory Reviews recommendations.

By Mauricio Alencar via CityAM

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Nayara Energy has spent the past four months navigating one of the most complicated sanction environments in its history, yet instead of retreating, the Rosneft-backed refiner is quietly re-wiring its entire crude-sourcing and fuel-export strategy. After EU sanctions in July forced its 400,000 b/d Vadinar refinery to slash throughput, and Octobers US sanctions on Rosneft added further pressure, Nayaras crude imports briefly collapsed to just 240,000 b/d, sourced from exclusively Russian suppliers. But by October and November, the company had staged a dramatic rebound, pushing intake back up to 390,000 b/d and then 420,000 b/d  exceeding even the refinerys nominal nameplate capacity. By simultaneously deepening domestic sales and cultivating new buyers from Brazil to Sudan, Nayara appears to have found a way to turn sanctions risk into a trading opportunity, even as the official US sanctions wind-down deadline passed on 21 November and tankers from Russias Baltic Sea ports continued to dock at Vadinar undeterred.

After the EU imposed sanctions on Nayara Energys Vadinar refinery in July (citing its association with Russian crude supplied via Rosneft, which holds a 49% stake), the company struggled to keep the refinery running at normal rates. The measures triggered logistical disruptions, pushed away most vessel owners, and forced Nayara to scale back utilisation rates sharply. As Iraqi and Saudi suppliers refused to supply contracted volumes to Nayara, crude imports into Vadinar in August sank to 240,000 b/d, the lowest level in months, marking the first time the refinery was entirely reliant on Russian grades.

Related: Oil Prices Sink as Ukraine Agrees to Peace Deal

On the face of it, the pressure on Nayara was supposed to deepen when Washington sanctioned Rosneft in October. However, by late October, it became clear that Vadinar is bouncing back to strength rather than faltering. With its 400,000 b/d nameplate capacity as a benchmark, Nayara ramped up intake of Russian crude to 390,000 b/d that month, and then lifted imports further to 420,000 b/d in November to date  effectively running the plant at 105% capacity.

The official US sanctions wind-down period expired on 21 November, before which all buyers of Rosneft and Lukoil crude or products were required to conclude transactions. Yet Vadinars behavior suggested no intention of slowing down. Two Aframax tankers, both loaded at Russias Ust-Luga terminal for Rosneft, arrived at Vadinar on 22 and 24 November, indicating that sanctions alone were insufficient to interrupt flows.

In August, the core question facing Nayara was no longer how to buy Russian crude, but where to sell its refined products. The companys sharp decline in throughput and exports that month was partly the result of blocked outlets, as sanctions sealed off the Europen market altogether. The first, most reliable fallback was India itself: Nayaras network of 6,500 retail stations (with another 400 outlets planned) offered an available channel to absorb its gasoline and diesel.

Then came an unexpected lifeline. In October, state-run Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) reported operational problems at its Mumbai refinery after processing domestic crude with unusually high salt and organic chloride content, which led to corrosion in downstream units. Nayara stepped into the gap. Shipments of gasoline and gasoil to HPCL surged, helping lift domestic deliveries to around 90,000 b/d in October, according to Kpler.

With domestic channels strengthened, Nayara moved to diversify export outlets beyond India. Roughly a third of its November clean-products cargoes were directed to ship-to-ship hubs such as Fujairah (UAE) and Sohar (Oman)  a strategy commonly used to obscure final destinations in sensitive trades.

But the most striking change came from the emergence of new customers, notably Brazil and Turkey  countries that did not appear in Nayaras client list over the past three years. In November so far, Nayara exported 21,000 b/d of clean products to Brazil and another 21,000 b/d to Turkey. These flows almost certainly reflect disruptions in Russian diesel exports after intensified Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries, coupled with rising compliance risks for traders buying directly from Russia. Because Vadinar has processed exclusively Russian crude since August, its products offer these markets a politically safer, operationally simpler way to access the same molecules.

Yet the most consequential addition to Nayaras portfolio may be Sudan. Since October, the Vadinar terminal has dispatched four cargoes totalling 1.3 million barrels of clean products to Sudanese ports. With Sudan engulfed in civil war and its only major refinery  the 100,000 b/d Khartoum (Al-Jaili) facility  destroyed in the summer of 2023, the country is entirely dependent on imports. Potential discounts on products refined from Russian oil make Vadinar an obvious supplier. Sudan, and other fragile markets across East Africa, have little incentive to observe Western sanctions, making them ideal long-term buyers for Nayaras output.

Still, securing crude supplies might become increasingly challenging under full US sanctions. Nayara may attempt to insulate itself through smaller, opaque trading houses, using them as intermediaries to avoid purchasing directly from Rosneft.

Whether this workaround can be scaled is uncertain. But for now, Nayara Energy is demonstrating that a combination of discounted Russian crude, flexible logistics, opportunistic trading, and an expanding footprint in both domestic and sanctions-agnostic markets can keep one of Indias largest refineries running near full tilt  even as Western sanctions close in from both sides. Paradoxically, the pressure may be accelerating a broader shift: Western restrictions are pushing companies linked to Russian oil producers into new geographies, opening fresh trade routes, and supplying developing economies with cheaper fuel at a moment when they need it most. These developing markets gain more incentive to boost imports of discounted flows and give themselves a commercial edge, while many of the former Western buyers now find themselves managing the opposite outcome: higher prices, fewer sanction-free suppliers, and a tightening pool of accessible energy.

By Natalia Katona for Oilprice.com

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U.S. and European oil and gas majors are back to doing business in Libya, a decade after pulling out as civil war engulfed one of the top oil producers and the biggest oil resource holder in Africa.

Amid a relatively calm security situation this year, Libya launched its first bid round for oil and gas exploration in 18 years.

The previous such bid round was held in 2007, four years before the toppling of Muammar Ghaddafi in 2011, which led to a protracted civil war in the country with various factions and tribal interests vying for control of key institutions and major oilfields.

More than a decade after the ousting of Ghaddafi, Libya remains divided with an UN-recognized government based in Tripoli and forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar in the east, where several of Libyas key oil-producing fields and export terminals are located. Haftar and his Libyan National Army (LNA) have long been backed by Russia, which shifted focus to Libya after the toppling of Bashar al-Assad in Syria at the end of last year.

Senior officials of the Tripoli government visited Washington D.C. last week to boost the strategic U.S.-Libya partnership and bilateral relations. And reportedly, to convince the U.S. that Libya needs its help to reduce Russian influence and become a reliable energy partner for Western companies, including the U.S. supermajors ExxonMobil and Chevron.

Big Oil Lines Up for Big Contracts in Libya

Exxon, Chevron, and the top European oil and gas majors have recently signed deals with Libya to return to exploration and production in the country. Big Oil is also bidding in Libyas first exploration bid round in 18 years.

Libya is offering a total of 22 blocks for exploration and development, 11 offshore and 11 onshore blocks, which are believed to hold huge untapped resources. The acreage up for grabs is close to existing infrastructure, which would enable cost-effective exploration and development, and efficient production for global markets, Libya says.

The country has also introduced new, more attractive fiscal conditions for the production sharing agreements it will offer to the successful bidders.

Libyas crude oil production currently exceeds 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd), the National Oil Corporation (NOC) says.

The corporation looks to boost oil production to 2 million bpd within the next three years, contingent on sufficient funding.

The landmark bid round is now in its final stages, and the international majors, including Chevron, Eni, Repsol, Shell, and TotalEnergies, are all pre-qualified to bid in the exploration tender.

Foreign majors have recently made steps to return to operations in Libya.

BP and Eni, for example, returned to Libya last year after a decade of avoiding the country amid its civil war.

Per a statement by the NOC of Libya, Italys Eni resumed exploratory drilling in the Ghadames Basin in October 2024. The company operates the exploration block where it is drilling in partnership with BP and the Libyan Investment Authoritythe countrys sovereign wealth fund.

Related: Indias Nayara Energy Defies Sanctions With Record Russian Intake

This year, NOC signed agreements with BP and Shell to explore and evaluate the oil and gas potential of several fields. BP will conduct studies to assess the potential for exploration and production in the Messla and Sarir fields, as well as in some surrounding exploration areas. Shell, for its part, will evaluate prospects and conduct a comprehensive technical and economic feasibility study to develop the al-Atshan field and other fields fully owned by the NOC.

Exxon also signed a preliminary deal for exploration at four offshore blocks in Libya. At the signing of the agreement, NOC said that It is worth noting that ExxonMobil was one of the companies that expressed interest in participating in the public bidding round initiated by the NOC for exploration in Libya, which includes 22 offshore and onshore blocks available for investment.

Chevron is also considering opportunities in Libya, chief executive Mike Wirth said on the supermajors investor day earlier this month.

The thing that is interesting today is, there are a number of opportunities out there in terms of new country entries. We've had discussions underway that have been reported in the media, so I can acknowledge these in Libya, Wirth told analysts.

Libya Looks to Advance Strategic Partnership with U.S.

Simultaneously with the first bid round in nearly two decades, Libya is pitching its oil industry to the U.S. as an alternative to Russian oil and solving the problem with Haftars army controlling areas in the country containing critical reserves and infrastructure, Libyan officials told the Financial Times during last weeks visit to Washington.

We have a problem, senior Libyan official Mahmoud Ahmed Alfiste told FT, noting that while NOC is recognized as the only legitimate entity as a custodian of Libyas production and exports, Haftar and his sons are controlling areas with some critical reserves.

Libyas Finance Minister, Khaled Al-Mabrouk, who was part of the delegation on the visit to the U.S., said, We look forward to substantial and sustained dialogue with our U.S. partners to invest in Libya's transformation and to join in supporting a unified, stable Libya that benefits both countries strategic interests and the stability and growth of the wider region.

The return of Big Oil to Libya suggests international majors believe in Libyas potential and could be the first step toward the economic revival in the North African oil producer and exporter.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Bolivias hydrocarbons sector began the 21st century from a position of strength. Major discoveries, steady foreign investment, and robust exports underpinned national development. However, the 2006 nationalization fundamentally changed sector dynamics. While the state captured a larger share of revenues, the policy environment gradually discouraged upstream investment. Exploration waned, reserves declined, and production began to fall just as regional markets became more competitive. Bolivia still has meaningful geological potential, but capital and capabilities must return if that potential is to materialize.

Bolivias contemporary export picture is starkly different from what it was even a decade ago. Brazil is now effectively Bolivias only significant market for natural gas. Although a long-term gas supply contract with Brazil expired in 2019, Bolivia continues to export under shorter-term arrangements, leveraging existing pipeline infrastructure and long-standing commercial ties. Brazils fundamentals remain favorable: industrial gas demand continues to expand, thermal generation remains important for grid stability, and the liberalization of the Brazilian gas market is encouraging new entrants who increasingly value pipeline gas as a flexible complement to liquefied natural gas.

However, Brazils appetite for Bolivian gas is tempered by concerns about supply reliability. Declining Bolivian production has resulted in delivery shortfalls, forcing Brazilian buyers to diversify. This creates an opportunity for competitors, and Argentina is the most prominent among them.

Argentina, once Bolivias second major export destination, no longer represents a real market. The ramp-up of Vaca Muerta shale production, combined with investments in transport infrastructure, has allowed Argentina to sharply reduce imports from Bolivia. In fact, Argentina is now positioning itself as a future exporter to Brazil, particularly during high-demand seasons. This development has strategic consequences: Bolivia now faces a region where it must compete, rather than one where geography alone guaranteed its relevance.

For Bolivia to secure and expand its remaining export foothold in Brazil, the country must present itself as a dependable, long-term supplier supported by clear policy direction and credible investment plans. W. Schreiner Parker, Head of Emerging Markets & NOCs

YPFB will play a decisive role in shaping this trajectory. The state company remains central to Bolivias hydrocarbons ecosystem, but to catalyze a meaningful sector revival it must operate more commercially, streamline decision-making, and partner more effectively with international oil companies and private firms. YPFBs future relevance depends on facilitating new exploration rather than attempting to manage all upstream activities internally. Joint ventures, transparent contracting frameworks, and more agile project execution will be essential.

For its part, the new Bolivian government must re-establish predictability, both in fiscal terms and in regulatory governance. Investors will respond not to political messaging but to clarity, consistency, and the visible alignment of institutions around medium- and long-term development priorities.

President Paz takes office at a moment when Bolivias hydrocarbons sector faces real risks, but also a genuine opportunity to reset. If policy conditions improve and capital returns, Bolivia can strengthen its role as a strategic gas supplier to Brazil even amid rising competition from Argentina. With pragmatic reforms, institutional stability, and a more commercially oriented YPFB, Bolivia has a pathway to regain relevance in the regional gas sector and spark a long-needed upstream renaissance.

By W. Schreiner Parker via Rystad Energy

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ADNOC Gas has signed a $4 billion deal to supply natural gas to EMSTEEL, the largest listed steel and building materials company in the United Arab Emirates, for 20 years beginning in 2027.

Through the agreement, ADNOC Gas will supply lower-carbon natural gas to power EMSTEELs operations and future growth, the gas unit of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company said on Wednesday.

The landmark deal boosts the long-standing partnership between ADNOC Gas and EMSTEEL and demonstrates both companies commitment to driving sustainable economic growth in the UAE, ADNOC said.

We remain firmly committed to delivering reliable, lower-carbon energy that powers national industries, drives value creation, and helps secure the UAEs long-term prosperity, said ADNOC Gas chief executive Fatema Al Nuaimi.

Earlier this week, the UAE approved an expansion of its national energy strategy at ADNOCs annual board meeting held at the Habshan complex, which is a key operational site of ADNOC Gas. The UAE leadership endorsed a $150 billion capital program for 20262030 and acknowledged major increases in the countrys oil and gas reserves.

Held inside the operations control room of ADNOC Gas, which supplies 60% of the UAEs natural gas needs, the meeting underscored the strategic role of Habshan in powering the nations industrial growth and energy security.

ADNOC confirmed a jump in the UAEs oil and gas reserves, with oil reserves rising by 7 billion stock tank barrels to 120 billion STB, while gas reserves climbed by 7 trillion cubic feet to 297 tscf. The company also reported 1.2 billion boe in new discoveries, enabled by advanced seismic imaging and AI-driven subsurface analytics.

The board approved CAPEX of $150 billion over the next five years to maintain upstream capacity, expand gas output, and accelerate growth across its downstream and chemicals portfolio. This includes major progress on Abu Dhabis unconventional resources, estimated at 160 tscf of gas and 22 billion stb of oil.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The Trump administration is after Venezuelas oil with its military campaign against the South American country, the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, told CNN in an interview.

(Oil) is at the heart of the matter, Petro told the U.S. news outlet. So, thats a negotiation about oil. I believe that is (US President Donald) Trumps logic. Hes not thinking about the democratization of Venezuela, let alone the narco-trafficking.

The Trump administration has stepped up the pressure on Venezuela, sending military ships to the region and striking alleged drug boats off the coast, with President Trump claiming Venezuelaand its governmentare heavily involved in the global illicit drug trade. The Colombian president is no fan of his U.S. counterpart, and the feeling is mutual, with the U.S. administration having accused the Colombian president of being involved in drug trafficking, sanctioning him in 2024. For his part, Petro has criticized Trumps immigration policy and military activity in South America.

Colombias Petro told CNN Venezuela was not such a major drug market player and that the amount of illicit drugs passing through the country was small. He noted the countrys oil reserves, however, in support of his claim that Trump was after Venezuelas most prized commodity.

Venezuela has the largest estimated reserves of crude oil in the world, but it has struggled to keep the oil flowing under heavy U.S. sanctions. Even so, the countrys crude exports topped 1.09 million barrels per day in September, the highest level since early 2020. Those shipments have become increasingly important for Chinese and Indian refiners amid sanctions on Russia and tight heavy-crude supply elsewhere. Any disruption caused by new U.S. enforcement actions could once again squeeze global heavy-sour markets.

Gulf Coast refiners that previously depended on Venezuelan barrels have already turned to heavier grades from the Middle East and from Latin America, including ramping purchases from Guyanas offshore Stabroek field. That shift has intertwined the Venezuelan crisis with Guyanas emergence as one of the Western Hemispheres fastest-growing oil producers.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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European traders and fuel importers are currently steering clear of diesel from the Dangote refinery in Nigeria, Africas biggest and newest, because the current fuel samples contain sulfur and other components exceeding the European winter fuel specifications, traders and market sources tell Argus.

Despite the tight fuel market in the European region, buyers are avoiding diesel from the Dangote refinery because of elevated sulfur and cetane numbers.

The current lack of exports from Nigeria to Europe is due to diesel not meeting European standards for winter fuels and not suitable for blending to produce other fuels, the sources told Argus.

The issue is not arbitrage economics, it is off-specification content in the fuels, a Nigerian source familiar with the matter told Argus.

The Dangote refinery can't supply winter diesel, at present, to the colder regions [of Europe], the source said.

A European distillates trader also commented on a sample from mid-November, telling Argus that the diesel from Dangote has compounds far exceeding the German winter specifications, for example.

The lack of European imports of diesel from Nigeria could tighten the regional market further.

Africas newest and biggest refinery, the 650,000-barrels-per-day Dangote plant, also faces operational setbacks, unplanned outages, a strike, and suspected sabotages by workers amid restructuring.

Refining margins in North America and Asia are now at their highest since late 2023 and early 2024, while European margins are even higher as the market braces for a significant disruption early next year when the EU will ban, effective January 21, imports of products made from Russian crude oil, per the July sanctions package against Russia.

In this package, the EU finally moved to close the Russian oil loophole, which currently allows EU imports of fuels processed from Russian oil, including in India, a key buyer of Russian crude until now.

By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

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EDF, the French state-controlled utility, considers selling up to 100% in its U.S. renewable energy business, the power giants chief executive Bernard Fontana told Reuters on Wednesday.

Fontana, who was previously CEO at nuclear engineering company Framatome, among other roles, became EDFs chief executive officer in May this year. Fontana won the approval of the French Parliament to lead the state-owned power giant after pledging to prioritize nuclear power projects in France and look to supply cheaper electricity to Frances vast industrial base.

EDFs large nuclear reactor fleet provides around 70% of Frances electricity and has made France a top power exporter in Europe.

EDF has planned to build six new nuclear reactors of the so-called European pressurized reactors (EPR) type. This was part of a pledge from 2022 from French President Emmanuel Macron, who promised new advanced nuclear reactors to meet Frances climate goals and rejuvenate the nuclear fleet.

Macron and other French politicians moved to replace the previous chief executive Luc Remont after EDF failed to show progress in new nuclear reactor projects and drew criticism for higher costs for the industry.

EDFs new boss now prioritizes nuclear energy in France and the group is moving to sell a majority stake or its entire renewable energy unit in the United States.

EDF considers selling between 50% and 100% of the U.S. renewables unit,

Fontana told Reuters on the sidelines of an industry conference in Paris.

Previously, EDF planned to sell only a minority stake in the U.S. clean energy business.

EDF power solutions North America, which operates in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, has a portfolio of 23 gigawatts (GW) of developed projects and 16 GW under service contracts, most of these in the United States. EDF power solutions North America develops and operates solar, wind, energy storage, green hydrogen, and transmission projects.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third consecutive year, Abogados Centro Legal , Mi Pueblo Supermarket , and now, Radio La Jefa and Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers are joining forces to celebrate the holiday season by gifting Boston Butts to Latino families across Alabama this December.

Latino Businesses Continue Christmas Tradition

This annual initiative began back in 2022 as a way to give back to the immigrant community and ensure more families can enjoy a meaningful Christmas dinner. Over the past two years, the partnership has provided thousands of families with high-quality holiday meals and a shared sense of community.

Continuing a Tradition of Giving

"Our mission goes beyond providing legal or business services," said E. Nathan Harris, CEO of Abogados Centro Legal. "We are part of this community, and this event is one of our favorite ways to bring people together during the holidays."

Dulce Victoria Rivera, CEO of Mi Pueblo Supermarket, added, "Seeing families line up with smiles and gratitude reminds us why we do this every year. Giving back is at the heart of who we are."

Event detailsincluding exact dates, times, and participating Mi Pueblo Supermarket locationswill be announced soon on the organizations' websites and social media channels, so make sure to follow Abogados Centro Legal on Facebook and Instagram , Mi Pueblo Supermarket on Facebook and Instagram as well, Radio La Jefa's Facebook and Instagram , and finally, Belt, Bruner & Barnett's Facebook.

About Abogados Centro Legal

Abogados Centro Legal is a Latino-owned law firm based in Birmingham, Alabama, specializing in personal injury and immigration law. The firm is dedicated to defending the rights of Latino and immigrant families across Alabama.

About Mi Pueblo Supermarket

Mi Pueblo Supermarket is a Hispanic-owned grocery chain serving Alabama's diverse communities with fresh products and exceptional service. The company actively supports community initiatives that strengthen and uplift Latino families.

About La Jefa Radio Station

Since 2001, Radio La Jefa has served the Alabama community with 24/7 music and news, always focused on informing and entertaining listeners. The station proudly partners with community organizations and promotes major statewide events. Thanks to its audience's support, it has become Alabama's leading station, committed to valuable content and celebrating cultural identity.

About Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers

Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers is a top-rated law firm serving accident victims across Alabama. With more than ninety years of combined legal experience, their attorneys have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients, helping them secure compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. The firm has offices in Birmingham, Huntsville, and Montgomery and offers free, no-obligation consultations to anyone seeking guidance after an accident.

Together, Abogados Centro Legal, Mi Pueblo Supermarket, La Jefa Radio Station, and Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers remain committed to uplifting and supporting Latino families across Alabama. Their shared dedication ensures that the spirit of generosity, community, and collaboration continues to shine brightly throughout this holiday season.

CONTACT: Jacqueline Grabinsky, [email protected]

SOURCE Abogados Centro Legal
Lebanon and Cyprus have signed a maritime demarcation deal, paving the way for energy cooperation between the two countries, including exploration of offshore gas fields in the Mediterranean.

The deal was signed at Lebanon's presidential palace on Wednesday, with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides telling reporters it signals deeper cooperation between the two countries and the broader EU.

Lebanon and Cyprus had agreed to a preliminary mapping deal in 2007, but did not advance on the matter due to delays in its ratification by the Lebanese parliament. Lebanon and Israel signed a similar deal in 2022, with the agreement brokered by the Biden administration.

"This is a historical agreement, concluding an issue pending for many years and now look forward to what our countries can jointly create," Christodoulides said.

Cyprus and Lebanon both share the Levant Basin Province, an offshore geological area in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and home to the Leviathan, Tamar and Aphrodite fields.

Rich in hydrocarbon deposits, the basin extends across the waters of several countries, including Israel, Syria, Egypt, and Turkey. A 2010 USGS study estimated the basin holds ~1.7 billion barrels of oil and 122 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas. Lebanon in particular will be hoping that gas discoveries could help reverse the country's economic crisis.

While exploration has been attempted before with limited results in some areas, future activity depends on seismic surveys in other blocks and the outcome of the upcoming Third Offshore Licensing Round. Exploration work was previously carried out in Block 4, north of Beirut, by TotalEnergies Lebanon, which did not yield promising results. TotalEnergies (NYSE:TTE) has expressed potential interest in Block 8, but this requires further seismic surveys, meaning drilling would not begin for several years.

Cyprus, on the other hand, has been luckier: ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) and QatarEnergy discovered a new gas reservoir in Block 10 in July 2025, named Pegasus-1. Preliminary estimates suggest this could add a significant amount to Cyprus's reserves, with some analysts suggesting it holds 3.2 trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas. Cyprus has confirmed several other gas fields, including Aphrodite and the Glaucus field (which is near the new Pegasus discovery).

The Cronos field in Block 6, discovered in 2022, is another significant find. The country is actively working on development plans, including agreements with Egypt to potentially transport gas via subsea pipeline to be liquefied and exported.



By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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The Serbian government is preparing an amendment to the countrys budget law that will allow it to nationalize the Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) refinery, majority owned by Russia's Gazprom Neft and Gazprom, if no third party offers quickly emerge. Last week, NIS submitted a request to the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to continue operations until negotiations for an ownership change conclude.

"One of the amendments that will be submitted will be the one that will foresee the circumstance that at some point we will take over NIS, said Ana Brnabic, a close confidante of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

Located in the city of Pancevo, near Belgrade, NIS is the only oil refinery in Serbia. The refinery has the capacity to process 4.8 million tons of crude per year. In the first half of 2025, the refinery processed approximately 1.677 million tons, a 20% increase compared to the same period in 2024, when a major maintenance turnaround was carried out.

The U.S. has waived sanctions against NIS several times since the Trump administration included the company in its long list of sanctioned companies. However, the situation has now become tenuous after banks stopped processing NIS payments after the last U.S. waiver expired on October 8, while Croatia's JANAF pipeline stopped delivering crude to the refinery.

Last month, Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic warned that NIS would not be able to operate beyond November 25 without fresh crude supplies. Thankfully, Hungary has come to the rescue, with Hungary pledging to deliver more oil products to Serbia. According to Hungarys energy minister Peter Szijjarto, Hungarys energy giant MOL will further ramp up deliveries to Serbia, having doubled exports since November.

"Serbia can always count on Hungary to secure its energy needs. We will never leave you on your own," Szijjarto said after meeting his Serbian counterpart.

Oil products from Hungary to Serbia are transported by road, rail and ship. However, MOL has stated it cannot cover all of Serbia's total market needs by itself.



By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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Venture Global has accused Shell of trying to damage its business by waging a campaign against it over the past three years, the Financial Times has reported, citing an internal message that Venture Globals owners sent out to staff.

[Shells] action relies on completely baseless claims and is an unfortunate continuation of their three-year campaign to damage Venture Global. This behaviour should be very concerning to Shells employees, board of directors and shareholders, Michael Sabel and Robert Pender, who co-founded Venture Global, wrote to employees in their Thanksgiving message.

Shell has sued Venture Global for selling LNG on the spot market while foregoing long-term supply contracts because of delaying the commissioning phase of its first LNG plant at Calcasieu Pass.

Shell and other major oil and gas firms accused Venture Global in 2023 of profiteering by selling on the higher-price spot market LNG cargoes that should have been supplied under their long-term contracts. The U.S. firm used a loophole to do that by extending the deadline for officially commissioning the Calcasieu Pass export project.

In August, Shell lost the arbitration against Venture Global as the tribunal ruled that the U.S. company had not violated its contractual obligations with its long-term clients.

Venture Global claimed that it was under no obligation to honor its long-term commitments until the plant was officially commissioned, which happened earlier this year. Meanwhile, it managed to build a second LNG facility that produced its first LNG at the end of 2024before the first one was officially commissioned.

Now, Shell is appealing the first courts decision on the arbitration case, taking it to the New York Supreme Court earlier this month. The supermajor has alleged that Venture Global had withheld information from Shell and the arbitration court hearing their original case.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Sec of State Audit Slams Hoyles Mismanagement and Neglect for Current BOLI Crisis

DeSpain Criticizes Hoyles Pattern of Incompetence, Disastrous Policies, Blaming, and Excuses

By Monique DeSpain for Congress campaign,

Eugene, OR  Oregons 4th Congressional District candidate, retired Air Force Colonel Monique DeSpain, reacted to last weeks damning state audit report on the crisis at Bureau of Labor and Industry (BOLI) of a massive backlog of wage and hour violation claims caused by poor management and unclear policies that started or worsened under the prior leadership of then BOLI Commissioner, now Congresswoman Val Hoyle.

Career Politician Val Hoyle has let us down again, said Monique DeSpain. When Oregons workers needed bold solutions-oriented leadership the most, no one was in a better position to address these problems than Val Hoyle; instead, she gave them neglect, mismanagement, and crisis at BOLI.

Significant backlogs led to Oregons workers waiting years for complaint resolution, damaging public trust in the agency. Hoyle responded, offering the excuse that she fought for more funding. However, the audit made clear that money alone could not fix BOLIs problems because many of its challenges stem from years of neglect and mismanagement that occurred under Hoyles leadership, which failed to maintain basic agency operations, leaving BOLI in crisis.

Lest we forget, BOLI Commissioner Hoyle failed to adequately address serious allegations of racial discriminationfailures that resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments paid by taxpayers, added DeSpain. At the same time, Hoyle was strong-arming her pay-to-play scheme with the marijuana company La Mota  a company facing multiple workplace complaints before BOLI.

Its a pattern with Congresswoman Hoyle: grossly incompetent leadership, disastrous policies, deflecting blame, and insisting that every problem can be solved with more taxpayer money. Now Hoyle has taken this legacy of incompetence and corruption to Washington, D.C. Its no surprise Hoyle has delivered close to nothing for our 4th District starving for a champion who will put their interests first. When elected to replace her, I will be that bold champion, stated DeSpain.

In 2023, two racial discrimination lawsuits stemming from Val Hoyles tenure leading Oregons Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) resulted in a combined $3.2 million in damages and attorneys fees. In both cases, Black employees in BOLIs Civil Rights Divisionwhose job was to investigate workplace discriminationwere found to have experienced racial discrimination themselves. Despite being directly informed of these issues at the time, Hoyle reportedly did not take further action, thereby contributing to the legal judgments against BOLI.

In 2024, incumbent Val Hoyle was exposed as the ringleader of a pay-to-play scheme to strong-arm the illegal BOLI grant of over $500,000 for La Motas nonprofit Endeavor in exchange for campaign contributions, which earned her an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. Most recently, in September 2025, Hoyle admitted to blatantly violating the STOCK Act by failing to report over 200 stock trades for more than a year while enriching her personal assets by over 400% in less than three years.


By Taxpayers Association of Oregon

OregonWatchdog.com

The Right to Vote on the Gas Tax PAC (Senator Bruce Starr, Representative Ed Diehl, Jason Williams, Taxpayers Association of Oregon) just announced their unbelievable news of raising 150,000 signatures for the stop the gas tax referendum petition.

Instead of admitting that voters should have a say in her transportation plan, Kotek issued a statement saying their lives will be in danger if this gas tax petition makes the ballot.

KOIN-TV reports, In a statement, Kotek warned that emergency funding to keep Oregons roads and bridges safe will be immediately suspended.

Koteks statement read, emergency funding that the legislature provided to keep Oregons roads, bridges, and transit systems safe and working will be suspended immediately.

Oregon voters will not be threatened over taxes.

The Oregon budget just approved this year grows by double digits. There is room for priority budgeting. Asking government to take a haircut should not mean that people will die.

If people are dying for lack of funding, then why did Governor Kotek fly to Asia at a cost of nearly a quarter million dollars? Why did Governor Kotek sign the bill giving $10 million to build a Portland mega-food court restaurant and tens of millions of lavish tax credit hand-outs for Hollywood film companies?

The best way to stand up to Governor Koteks budget threats is to gather more signatures for the stop the gas tax petition.

Get your petition here!

If you are sitting on your petition, please return it to your local petition captain or mail it ASAP to:

Taxpayers Association of Oregon

PO Box 23573

Tigard, OR, 97281


By Jason Williams

Taxpayers Association of Oregon



It is a deeply personal project of mine that I intend to celebrate Americas 250th birthday next year by getting 1,000 Oregonians to share their personal stories on why they are thankful to be an American.

Make no mistake, others will use Americas 250th birthday next year as a call to recite every bad thing ever done as a way to attack our cherished nation. Is that how you celebrate your childs birthday, as a cause to recite every shameful thing they ever did?

America has been good to you. Please return the favor by sharing why you are thankful.

Oregonians seeing other Oregonians be thankful is rare, and unexpected and is something that will touch people in a profound way.

This is why this project will work.

This Thanksgiving, please share a few sentences on why you love America by submitting here or emailing me at [email protected]. We will compile and share the stories next summer.

Here are a few samples:

When returning to the USA from living in Europe, one of the first things I noticed was the proud display of American flags. Not only on civic buildings, as is usual in European countries, but on homes, cars, displays of many kinds. All representing the honor we Americans feel to live in the greatest country in the world

 Priscilla Warren,

Beaverton

My dad grew up dirt poor from two alcoholic parents with all the odds stacked against him in life. He lied about his age to get into the Navy. Some of my earliest memories are of us living in a tiny trailer, with dad and pregnant mom sleeping on a single bed and me sleeping on a shelf. Between school and his evening job, Dad would stop at the city dump and recover whatever lumber he could find, to build our first house, a 2024 single room. His amazing resourcefulness over the decades made him millions and a modern American Dream rags-to-riches story. In America we can achieve the impossible.

 Gary Coe,

Portland

My Italian grandparents came through Ellis Island, leaving their homeland where there was little opportunity to own property or escape the life of working for a landlord. in Oregon, my grandfather started a fruit truck from scratch and drove around neighborhoods selling produce. That little fruit truck was his path to buying his first property then a second then he bought buildings. He exceeded his dreams beyond imagination, thanks to America.

 Rosalie Williams,

Portland

Please use this Thanksgiving as a call to bless your nation and inspire other people.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Seeing a person huddled under a makeshift roof of tarps or curled up on a warm grate can evoke powerful emotions and questions.

How did they get here? Why doesn't someone help them? What can I do about this?

The answers to these questions are complex. However, a significant body of research suggests that there is a highly effective solution for many individuals who experience homelessness. It is called supportive housing.

Supportive housing programs combine a housing subsidyfinancial assistance that helps make housing affordable even for those with very low incomeswith wraparound supportive services that help a person remain stably housed. Supportive services often include case management, occupational therapy and mental health and addiction treatment. These programs have helped thousands of Philadelphians end their experiences of homelessness.

As a researcher and former social worker, I have spent much of the past decade working in and studying homeless services in Philadelphia. For my dissertation research, I conducted hundreds of hours of ethnographic fieldwork at a soup kitchen and outreach center in the city between 2022 and 2024. I interviewed 75 homeless services workers, volunteers and people who were experiencing or had experienced homelessness. I also analyzed hundreds of pages of policy documents.

I have found that while the city has succeeded in centralizing services to support unhoused people, there remain major bureaucratic challenges exacerbated by insufficient funding and a shortage of supportive housing. These challenges impact both people seeking supportive housing and front-line workers trying to help them.

Khalil's story

Consider the case of Khalil, a 48-year-old from West Philly who became homeless during the pandemic. (As for all the interviewees' names used in this article, Khalil is a pseudonym I'm using to protect his privacy.) Khalil told me that he lost his job as an IT technician at Verizon, where he had worked for nine years. Sleeping outside and unable to afford life-sustaining kidney medication, he said, his physical and mental health spiraled.

A supportive housing program changed that, providing him with a stable and affordable place to live, while social workers helped him enroll in Medicaid and connect with a community health clinic. This support, Khalil explained, allowed him to "transition back into residential living and back into employment and back into being a working member of society."

Despite the efficacy of supportive housing, cities do not receive sufficient federal funding to provide this service to all residents who are eligible. As a result, the need for these housing programs vastly outstrips the supply.

So how do officials in Philadelphia decide who will continue to sleep on the street or in a shelter, and who can move into a supportive housing facility with a warm bed and access to valuable wraparound services?

How the city determines who gets housing

Like other localities, Philadelphia uses a Coordinated Entry System. CES is a form of automated bureaucracy that combines several different algorithms and administrative processes with the goal of helping officials and social service workers allocate resources fairly and efficiently.

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CES is intended to help workers identify which people experiencing homelessness are in greatest need of aid. These systems work by combining a central pool of resources like housing programs and a central list of people seeking help. Unhoused people are scored using a vulnerability assessment tool, and those that score highest are matched to an opening in a supportive housing program.

Because most of these systems are premised on targeting resources to the most vulnerable people, defining and gauging vulnerability becomes fraught with tension. After all, vulnerability is inherently subjective, and there is no universally agreed-upon best way to measure it.

These systems will soon come under even greater pressure as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development prepares to slash funding for supportive housing programs. As many as 170,000 people nationwide who were previously homeless will be at risk of returning to the streets once these funding changes are implemented.

CES has benefits and drawbacks

Coordinated entry has made real progress on several long-standing challenges for Philadelphia's homeless services system. Chief among these is centralization.

Most resources available for people experiencing homelessness are administered by nonprofit social services organizations. Prior to CES, a person seeking assistance would separately apply to various nonprofits and put their name on multiple waiting lists.

CES centralizes resources into a common pool, accessed through the vulnerability assessment process. As one administrator with the city's Office of Homeless Services told me, this arrangement is "immensely more supportive and fair" than the scattered process that came before. For example, individual nonprofit providers are less able to earmark resources for clients they already work with.

However, there are downsides to Philadelphia's approach to CES.

Vulnerability assessments, like those used in Philadelphia, have been criticized for failing to capture a full picture of a person's plight. Assessments involve asking unhoused people a series of yes or no questions about their housing, health and financial history, and generate a vulnerability score based on the responses. A person who has a relatively mild experience with several different risk factors can end up with a much higher score than a person with an extremely serious experience with just a few.

And similar to other automated assessments, such as in the criminal legal system, they have the potential to introduce racial bias into allocation outcomes.

Furthermore, the way CES works is, by design, hidden from the people it impacts most. The ambiguity is intended to prevent people from gaming the system, but it also creates confusion for those living in shelters and on the street. Some seeking aid may hide evidence of their vulnerability, such as addiction, out of fear it will disqualify them from housing. Others may amplify their vulnerability in an effort to improve their odds of receiving help.

The result is a perception among people experiencing homelessness that the system is unfair.

As Andre, a 60-year-old who had been sleeping in shelters off and on for nearly a decade, told me, a person who "goes in there and tells the absolute truth, they're put on the back burner."

"You've got to have a record of being homeless'

Leon, a 25-year-old from North Philadelphia, told me as we chatted over coffee that in order to be prioritized through CES, "You've got to have a record of being homeless."

But generating such a paper trail can be difficult. A city database tracks shelter stays that can serve as proof of homelessness, but not all shelters participate. And for those sleeping outside, like Leon, proof depends on regular interactions with outreach workers, which requires being in the right place at the right time.

If an unhoused person cannot prove the length of their time on the street, or provide documentation of a mental health diagnosis, they may be deprioritized through CES, even if they are highly vulnerable.

For all its advantages, CES in Philly is not designed to take into account the input of unhoused people themselves. In the words of Richie, a 32-year-old who was seeking housing for himself and his pregnant wife, "There is no voice for homeless people  because homeless people don't have a voice."

Despite these challenges, the city has lowered barriers to participating in CES. For example, the city has launched a pilot program involving mobile assessors who can complete assessments in different locations beyond city shelters, such as at soup kitchens, to meet unhoused people where they are.

3 ways to improve the system

Here are three concrete ways the city could reduce more of the bureaucratic hurdles to supportive housing.

First, the city could expand pathways to supportive housing through a model called multiprinciple allocation. This approach combines different methods for determining who gets housing. Some subsidies could be allocated through new vulnerability assessments that are better vetted for bias, while others are distributed based on length of homelessness or a lottery system. This could bolster fairness by ensuring that people whose vulnerability is not picked up through the assessment tool could still have a shot at aid.

Second, the city could provide opportunities for unhoused people and front-line workers to attest to vulnerability and experiences of homelessness in their own wordsallowing someone to say, "I am struggling with housing for reasons that the assessment did not cover."

And third, Philadelphia could reduce the degree of automation in the CES matching process. As things stand, people with high scores are mechanically matched to open programs, even if that program is a poor fit for the individual person. Giving staff and unhoused people more agency in making housing matches could produce better outcomes.

No amount of tinkering with CES can address the fundamental resource constraints that shape the fight against homelessness in Philadelphia. Simply put, Philadelphia lacks sufficient funding for housing the most vulnerable. But thoughtful changes to CES could make the response to homelessness more effective, compassionate and fair.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Overview of RSG inhibitory clusters. Credit: The Journal of Neuroscience (2025). DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2246-24.2025

The same brain cells linked to disorientation in Alzheimer's disease have been preservedand even slightly increasedacross millions of years of evolution.

A new University of Michigan study suggests these neurons are vital to evolutionary survival. Nature has guarded and amplified them through countless generations, helping mammals instinctively know where they are in their environments. The research is published in The Journal of Neuroscience.

How the brain navigates environments

Charles Darwin first described the remarkable ability of most species to know where they are even without external cues and figure out a direct path to their destination. He called this "dead reckoning." But this ability to seamlessly navigate between familiar locations is impaired in people who suffer damage to a brain region called the retrosplenial cortex.

"The retrosplenial cortex functions as a subconscious GPS system for our brains. It has specialized neurons that calculate what direction we need to go in to head towards our desired destination," said Omar Ahmed, U-M associate professor of psychology and senior author of the study.

"The retrosplenial cortex is also activated when we imagine ourselves in a future time or place. So, it's a remarkable brain region, one that helps us subconsciously understand where we are in our real or imagined world. Unfortunately, the retrosplenial cortex is also one of the first regions to show impairments in Alzheimer's disease."

Research on specialized neuron types

Ahmed's team had previously discovered a unique type of neuron in the mouse retrosplenial cortex. For this new study, Isla Brooks, a member of Ahmed's lab and the study's first author, and Ahmed created advanced AI-based tools to compare the genetic signatures of neurons from the retrosplenial cortex of mice to those from rat retrosplenial cortex. These two species are millions of years apart in the evolutionary tree. Despite this, the unique type of neuron was remarkably well preserved in rats.

Researchers also identified another specialized type of neuron, equally ancient and essential for spatial awareness, and, again, only found in the retrosplenial cortex. This second type of unique neuron was also preserved and slightly amplified across evolution.

"By comparing thousands of genes across thousands of neurons from distinct species, we can ask how specific types of neurons change across evolution," Ahmed said.

Implications for Alzheimer's disease

The retrosplenial cortex contains at least two specialized neuron types that are not found anywhere else in the brain.

"It's easy to imagine why these neurons are of critical importance for the survival of a species and preserved over millions of years of evolution: they help to successfully find one's way home," Ahmed said.

Most people living with Alzheimer's disease suffer from spatial disorientation and cannot find their way home. Ahmed's lab is now investigating if these unique neurons are also found in the human retrosplenial cortex and what happens to them in Alzheimer's disease.

"We see neurons in the human brain that physically look like the specialized retrosplenial neurons seen in other species. By understanding how these neurons change in people with Alzheimer's disease we can work towards targeted therapies to repair the neurons," Ahmed said.

More information: Isla A.W. Brooks et al, Unique Transcriptomic Cell Types of the Granular Retrosplenial Cortex are Preserved Across Mice and Rats Despite Dramatic Changes in Key Marker Genes, The Journal of Neuroscience (2025). DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2246-24.2025 Journal information: Journal of Neuroscience
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Across state legislatures and in Congress, debates are intensifying about the value of funding certain college degree programsand higher education, more broadly.

The growing popularity of professional graduate degrees over the past several decadesincluding programs in business administration and engineering managementhas reshaped the economics of higher education. Unlike traditional academic graduate programs, which are often centered on research and scholarship, these professionally oriented degrees are designed primarily for workforce advancement and typically charge much higher tuition.

These programs are often expensive for students and are sometimes described as cash-cow degrees for colleges and universities, because the tuition revenue far exceeds the instructional costs.

Some universities and colleges also leverage their brands to offer online, executive or certificate-based versions of these programs, attracting many students from the U.S. and abroad who pay the full tuition. This steady revenue helps universities subsidize tuition for other students who cannot pay the full rate, among other things.

Yet a quiet tension underlies this evolution in higher educationthe widening divide between practical, technical training and a comprehensive education that perhaps is more likely to encourage students to inquire, reflect and innovate as they learn.

An overlooked factor

Some states, including Texas, track salary data for graduates of every program to measure worth through short-term earnings. This approach may strike many students and their families as useful, but I believe it overlooks a part of what makes higher education valuable.

A healthy higher education system depends not only on producing employable graduates but also on cultivating citizens and leaders who can interpret uncertainty, question assumptions and connect ideas across disciplines.

When assessing disciplines such as English, philosophy, history and world languages, I think that we should acknowledge their contributions to critical thought, communication and ethical reasoning.

These academic disciplines encourage students to synthesize ideas, construct arguments and engage in meaningful debate. Some law schools often draw their strongest students from these backgrounds because they nurture analytical and rhetorical skills essential for navigating complex civic and legal issues.

Historically, poets and writers have often been among the first to be silenced by authoritarian regimes. It's a reminder of the societal power of inquiry and expression that I believe higher education should protect.

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Why students stay on narrow professional paths

Students entering college today face significant pressure to choose what they might see as safe majors that will result in a well-paying career. For aspiring physicians and engineers, the path is often scripted early by steering them toward physical and biosciences. High test scores, internships and other stepping stones are treated as nonnegotiable. Parents and peers can reinforce this mindset.

Most colleges and universities do not reward a future medical student who wants to major in comparative literature, or an engineering student who is spending time on philosophy.

Students' majors also typically place course requirements on them, in addition to a school's general course requirements. This often does not leave a lot of room for students to experiment with different classes, especially if they are pursuing vocationally focused majors, such as engineering.

As a result, I've seen many students trade curiosity for credentialing, believing that professional identity must come before intellectual exploration.

As someone who began my education in psychology and later transitioned into engineering, I have seen how different intellectual traditions approach the same human questions. Psychology teaches people to observe behavior and design experiments. Engineering trains students to model systems and optimize performance.

When combined, they help reveal how humans interact with technology and how technological solutions reshape human behavior.

In my view, these are questions neither field can answer alone.

Initiative is the missing ingredient

One of the most important and often overlooked ingredients in thriving high tech, medical and business environments is initiative. I believe students in the humanities routinely practice taking initiative by framing questions, interpreting incomplete information and proposing original arguments. These skills are crucial for scientific or business innovation, but they are often not emphasized in structured science, technology, engineering and mathematicsor STEMcoursework.

Initiative involves the willingness to move first and to see around corners, defining the next what-if, rallying others and building something meaningful even when the path is uncertain.

To help my engineering students practice taking initiative, I often give them deliberately vague instructionssomething they rarely experience in their coursework. Many students, even highly capable ones, hesitate to take initiative because their schooling experience has largely rewarded caution and compliance over exploration. They wait for clarity or for permissionnot because they lack ability, but because they are afraid to be wrong.

Yet in business, research labs, design studios, hospitals and engineering firms, initiative is the quality employers most urgently need and cannot easily teach. Broader educational approaches help cultivate this confidence by encouraging students to interpret ambiguity rather than avoid it.

How teaching can evolve

Helping all students develop a sense of initiative and innovation requires university leaders to rethink what success looks like.

Universities can begin with achievable steps, such as rewarding cross-disciplinary teaching and joint appointments in promotion and tenure criteria.

At the University of Iowa's Driving Safety Research Institute, where our teams blend engineering, medicine, public health and psychology, students quickly learn that a safe automated vehicle is not just a technical system but also a behavioral one. Understanding how human drivers respond to automation is as important as the algorithms that govern the vehicle.

Other institutions are modeling this approach of integrating social, behavioral and physical sciences.

Olin College of Engineering, a school in Needham, Massachusetts, builds every project around both technical feasibility and human context. Courses are often co-taught by humanities and engineering professors, and projects require students to articulate not only what they built but why it matters.

Still, integrating liberal and technical education is difficult in practice. Professional curricula often overflow with accreditation requirements. Faculty incentives reward specialization more than collaboration. Students and parents, anxious about debt and job security, hesitate to spend credits outside of a student's major.

Rethinking what success means

I believe that higher education's purpose is not to produce uniform workers but adaptable thinkers.

It might not be productive to center conversations about defending the liberal arts or glorifying STEM. Rather, I think that people's focus should be on recognizing that each field is incomplete without the other.

Education for a complex world must cultivate depth, initiative and perspective. When students connect disciplines, question assumptions and act with purpose, they are prepared not only for their first job but for a lifetime of learning and leadership.

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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Ebooks have been popular for decades and audiobooks are increasingly so. But physical books are still the decided favorite: a survey of Australian publishers after last Christmas reported print books made up a comfortable majority of sales (ebooks were 418% and audiobooks 515%). This is despite regular warnings about the death of the book.

Some critics of print books have even changed their tune. "We need to get over books," wrote journalist Jeff Jarvis in a 2009 book calling for them to be digitized. "I recant," he wrote in "The Atlantic" nearly 15 years later, in 2023.

Some readers like a print book's sensory qualities: its feel and smell. For others, there is satisfaction in assembling a book collection. Like vinyl records, sales of which are also healthy, print books can be collected as valued objects to be cherished. Collections, and individual special books, can be admired, shared and displayed, in homes and on social media.

Books are used to communicate taste and class, from celebrity book clubs to a current trend for sharing lovingly annotated books on social media. Books signify reverence for cultureand bring it into domestic, accessible spaces. Earlier this year, Books and Publishing reported on a rise in "luxury" special editions of already published books. Romance author and academic Jodi McAlister calls them "a romanticization of the physical object of the book".

Print books in particular are carriers of history, knowledge and shared storiesas I'm learning through an ongoing joint research project into community publishing in regional Australia. And widespread horror at the destruction of books and libraries in Ukraine and Gaza reflects our collective knowledge that they represent culture itself.

Preserving community stories

With Alexandra Dane, Sandra Phillips and Kim Wilkins, I interviewed 27 self-published authors. Most of them wanted to create a physical book, rather than an ebook. For these authors, publishing a print book was important because it created a tangible record.

Our research showed people instinctively turned to the print format as the best way to preserve their memories and histories, and share these with other people in their communities.

For example, we interviewed Sonya Bradley-Shoyer from Burdekin, north Queensland, who self-published her poetry collection "Come  Walk With Me" in 2024 as a print book with multiple photographs and illustrations. Bradley-Shoyer writes her poetry on a tablet, but was drawn to publishing in print format to ensure her poems had a secure home.

"People would say, Sonya, you really need to put them in a book so you have them there for the future," she reflected, "I used to give them a thumbs up, yep, yep, because I knew it was much harder." It took her "a number of years" to produce her book.

Print allows books to circulate visibly in a community. Another author we interviewed, Christine Adams, has written a number of books relating to the history of Broken Hill, and her books have been sold at local venues including the Broken Hill fire station and the tourist information center. Adams sees her books as preserving cultural heritage and local stories, telling us what she does is "all for a love of the city".

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Several of the self-published authors quoted in our project's DIY Publishing Toolkit also make this point. George Venables, a Burdekin-based author, spoke to us about publishing an anthology with his local writers' group. He told us, "People can have it on their coffee table and say, oh I've got it, he's autographed it for me."

Making a print book is meaningful for young writers. Jane Vaughan is a bookseller at Big Sky Stories in Broken Hill, where she ran a series of workshops for young people culminating in the publication of an anthology of stories. Jane spoke to us about how meaningful the book launch was: "When they had that book, and they were walking around going, 'This is mine, this is mine. Mine's on this page.'"

That value, of a book being shared in a community, also came through in our conversation with Olivia Nigro from Running Water Community Press, an author-run publisher in Alice Springs focusing on First Nations storytelling and copyright justice. Olivia told us about the Arelhekenhe Angkentye: Women's Talk poetry collection, which they published in 2020 (under their former name Ptilotus Press, and reprinted in 2021).

"Having it as a tangible paperback format, for people to hold and read and carry with them where they go is really important."

Destruction of books

The physical objects of books are meaningful; so, too, is their loss. Last year, I found myself standing next to The Empty Library. This monument in the Bebelplatz square in Berlin is simple, but powerful.

It's a square of glass set into the ground. Below is a white void filled with empty bookshelves. The monument commemorates the Nazi book burnings, in which crowds of people watched the destruction of 20,000 blacklisted books.

Because books hold culture, history, language, knowledge and stories, their deliberate destruction has a deep impact. In an opinion piece for the LA Times, cultural heritage researcher Laila Hussein Moustafa writes that "the destruction of libraries in times of war and violent conflict is tragically common." She noted the attack by Bosnian Serb forces on the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992, and the looting of the Baghdad National Library in 2003.

What is at stake in such destruction, Moustafa writes, is libraries as "cultural repositories. They hold collective memory, preserve cultural heritage, showcase societal development and afford individuals the opportunity for learning and growth."

This year, reporting on the destruction of Gaza's libraries by the Israeli Defense Force, journalist Shahd Alnaami wrote that seeing images of books burning "felt like fire burning my own heart."

She continued, "The attacks on Gaza's libraries are targeting not just the buildings themselves, but the very essence of what Gaza represents. They are part of the effort to erase our history and prevent future generations from becoming educated and aware of their own identity."

Part of the "heartbreaking reality" of the scale of the attacks on Gaza, Alnaami wrote, is that some of the surviving books have had to be burned by Palestinians for fuel. Novelist and academic Yousri al-Ghoul writes that on a day-to-day level, the tragic loss of culture is subsumed because "survival itself hangs in the balance".

In May 2024, a Russian missile hit Ukraine's largest printing house, killing seven people and injuring 21. The strike also destroyed 50,000 newly published books. It took place just a week before the Arsenal book festival, a popular event in Kyiv where many of the destroyed books were due to be sold. Burnt copies of the books were displayed among the new releases on show.

Print books can communicate something about who we are.

Print books may be burnt or absent. They may be shared in a community, held in a library, cherished in a home or shared online. In all these contexts, print books are vivid objects, reminders of culture's precarity and its endurance.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
The mycosis fungoides market is anticipated to progress steadily, influenced by the relatively small pipeline of emerging therapies. Leading candidates such as Soligenix's HYBRYTE and Innate Pharma's Lacutamab, among others, reflect a strong industry commitment to meeting this unmet medical need through the continued development of innovative treatments for this challenging disease.

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's Mycosis Fungoides Market Insights report includes a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, mycosis fungoides emerging drugs, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted market size from 2020 to 2034, segmented into leading markets (the US, EU4, UK, and Japan).

Mycosis Fungoides Market Summary

The market size for mycosis fungoides in the leading markets is expected to grow significantly by 2034.

The United States accounted for the highest mycosis fungoides treatment market size in 7MM in 2024, in comparison to the other major markets, i.e., EU4 countries, the United Kingdom, and Japan.

Mycosis fungoides is rare in individuals under 40 and occurs about twice as frequently in men as in women.

and occurs about as frequently in men as in women. Leading mycosis fungoides companies developing emerging therapies, such as Soligenix, Innate Pharma, SciTech Development, Prescient Therapeutics, and others, are developing new therapy for mycosis fungoides that can be available in the mycosis fungoides market in the coming years.

and others, are developing new therapy for mycosis fungoides that can be available in the mycosis fungoides market in the coming years. The promising mycosis fungoides therapies in clinical trials include HYBRYTE (Hypericin), Lacutamab (IPH4102), Fenretinide, PTX-100, and others.

Discover the mycosis fungoides new treatment @ New Treatments for Mycosis Fungoides

Key Factors Driving the Growth of the Mycosis Fungoides Market

Increasing Prevalence of Mycosis Fungoides

The mycosis fungoides market is expanding due to a rising number of mycosis fungoides cases, which is the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Studies have shown a steady increase in the incidence of this condition over time.

Advancements in Treatment Options

Significant progress in therapeutic options is a major catalyst for market growth. These advancements encompass a range of treatments, from innovative systemic therapies to improved skin-directed treatments.

Launch of Emerging Mycosis Fungoides Therapies

The anticipated launch of emerging therapies such as HYBRYTE (Soligenix), Lacutamab (Innate Pharma), Fenretinide (SciTech Development), PTX-100 (Prescient Therapeutics), and others will propel the mycosis fungoides market.

Mycosis Fungoides Market Analysis

The mycosis fungoides market is projected to experience consistent growth from 2025 to 2034, fueled by increasing disease awareness, earlier detection, and the availability of established treatment options. Ongoing advancements in targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and a robust research pipeline are expected to drive market expansion further.

Key targeted therapies include POTELIGEO (mogamulizumab-kpkc) by Kyowa Kirin and ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) by Pfizer, both offering disease-specific mechanisms that enhance outcomes in relapsed or refractory mycosis fungoides.

Emerging candidates, such as HYBRYTE (Soligenix) and Lacutamab (Innate Pharma), are also advancing their clinical development. HYBRYTE leverages topical photodynamic therapy with synthetic hypericin, while Lacutamab introduces a first-in-class anti-KIR3DL2 monoclonal antibody, addressing unmet therapeutic needs in both early-stage and relapsed/refractory disease settings.

To know more about mycosis fungoides treatment options, visit @ Approved Mycosis Fungoides Drugs

Mycosis Fungoides Competitive Landscape

Some of the mycosis fungoides drugs in clinical trials include HYBRYTE (Soligenix), Lacutamab (Innate Pharma), Fenretinide (SciTech Development), PTX-100 (Prescient Therapeutics), and others.

Soligenix's HYBRYTE is a novel, first-in-class photodynamic therapy designed to treat mycosis fungoides. It employs synthetic hypericin, a topical photosensitizer selectively absorbed by malignant T-cells and activated by safe, visible red-yellow light after 24 hours. This wavelength penetrates more deeply than ultraviolet light, allowing effective treatment of thicker lesions while minimizing the risk of UV-induced secondary cancers. The therapy has been granted orphan drug and fast track designations by the FDA and orphan designation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Innate Pharma's Lacutamab (IPH4102) is a pioneering humanized antibody targeting KIR3DL2, designed to induce cytotoxicity in malignant T-cells. It is under clinical evaluation for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), a rare group of T-lymphocyte malignancies with poor prognosis and limited treatment options in advanced stages. The drug is currently in Phase II development for mycosis fungoides.

Innate Pharma shared updated findings from the TELLOMAK Phase II trial, including long-term follow-up and translational data, on Lacutamab in relapsed and/or refractory mycosis fungoides at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2025 Annual Meeting (May 30June 3, 2025).

The anticipated launch of these emerging therapies are poised to transform the mycosis fungoides market landscape in the coming years. As these cutting-edge therapies continue to mature and gain regulatory approval, they are expected to reshape the mycosis fungoides market landscape, offering new standards of care and unlocking opportunities for medical innovation and economic growth.

Discover more about therapy for mycosis fungoides @ Mycosis Fungoides Clinical Trials

What is Mycosis Fungoides?

Mycosis fungoides is a type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma that typically progresses slowly and chronically. It is characterized by the accumulation of lymphocytes in the skin, leading to the development of plaques and nodular lesions. In advanced cases, ulcerating tumors may develop, and malignant cells can spread to the lymph nodes. The disease may also extend beyond the skin, involving internal organs such as the liver, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, or central nervous system.

The condition generally evolves through three stages: patch, plaque, and tumor. The patch stage appears as flat, reddish areas, while the plaque stage is characterized by raised, reddish-brown or grayish lesions. These two represent the early phases of the disease. In the tumor stage, large, irregular lumps emerge, originating from existing plaques or normal skin, and can appear anywhere on the body, including the face and scalp.

Mycosis Fungoides Epidemiology Segmentation

The mycosis fungoides epidemiology section provides insights into the historical and current mycosis fungoides patient pool and forecasted trends for the leading markets. In Europe and the United States, mycosis fungoides occurs at a rate of about 6 cases per million people annually, representing roughly 4% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas. It is seen more frequently in individuals over the age of 50.

The mycosis fungoides market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 20202034 in the leading markets, segmented into:

Incident Cases of Mycosis Fungoides

Age-specific Cases of Mycosis Fungoides

Gender-specific Cases of Mycosis Fungoides

Type-specific Cases of Mycosis Fungoides

Treated Cases of Mycosis Fungoides

Mycosis Fungoides Market Report Metrics Details Study Period 20202034 Mycosis Fungoides Market Report Coverage 7MM [The United States, the EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan]. Mycosis Fungoides Epidemiology Segmentation Incident Cases of Mycosis Fungoides, Age-specific Cases of Mycosis Fungoides, Gender-specific Cases of Mycosis Fungoides, Type-specific Cases of Mycosis Fungoides, and Treated Cases of Mycosis Fungoides Key Mycosis Fungoides Companies Soligenix, Innate Pharma, SciTech Development, Prescient Therapeutics, Kyowa Kirin, Pfizer, and others Key Mycosis Fungoides Therapies HYBRYTE (Hypericin), Lacutamab (IPH4102), Fenretinide, PTX-100, POTELIGEO, ADCETRIS, and others

Scope of the Mycosis Fungoides Market Report

Therapeutic Assessment: Mycosis Fungoides current marketed and emerging therapies

Mycosis Fungoides current marketed and emerging therapies Mycosis Fungoides Market Dynamics: Key Market Forecast Assumptions of Emerging Mycosis Fungoides Drugs and Market Outlook

Key Market Forecast Assumptions of Emerging Mycosis Fungoides Drugs and Market Outlook Competitive Intelligence Analysis: SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies

SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies Unmet Needs, KOL's views, Analyst's views, Mycosis Fungoides Market Access and Reimbursement

Download the report to understand which factors are driving mycosis fungoides therapeutics market trends @ Mycosis Fungoides Market Trends

Table of Contents

1 Mycosis Fungoides Market Key Insights 2 Mycosis Fungoides Market Report Introduction 3 Mycosis Fungoides Market Overview at a Glance 3.1 Mycosis Fungoides Market Share (%) Distribution by Therapies in 2024 3.2 Mycosis Fungoides Market Share (%) Distribution by Therapies in 2034 4 Epidemiology and Market Methodology 5 Executive Summary 6 Key Events 7 Disease Background and Overview 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Mycosis Fungoides Types 7.3 Mycosis Fungoides Causes 7.4 Mycosis Fungoides Pathophysiology 7.5 Mycosis Fungoides Symptoms 7.6 Mycosis Fungoides Risk Factor 7.7 Mycosis Fungoides Diagnosis 7.8 Mycosis Fungoides Treatment and Management 8 Epidemiology and Patient Population 8.1 Key Findings 8.2 Assumptions and Rationale: The 7MM 8.3 Incident Cases of Mycosis Fungoides in the 7MM 8.4 The United States 8.4.1 Incident Cases of Mycosis Fungoides 8.4.2 Age-specific Cases of Mycosis Fungoides 8.4.3 Gender-specific Cases of Mycosis Fungoides 8.4.4 Type-specific Cases of Mycosis Fungoides 8.4.5 Treated Cases of Mycosis Fungoides 8.5 EU4 and the UK 8.6 Japan 9 Mycosis Fungoides Patient Journey 10 Marketed Mycosis Fungoides Therapies 10.1 Key Cross Competition 10.2 POTELIGEO (mogamulizumab-kpkc): Kyowa Kirin 10.2.1 Drug Description 10.2.2 Regulatory Milestones 10.2.3 Other Development Activities 10.2.4 Clinical Trials Information 10.2.5 Safety and Efficacy 10.3 ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin): Pfizer To be continued in the report. 11 Emerging Mycosis Fungoides Therapies 11.1 Key Cross Competition 11.2 HYBRYTE (Hypericin): Soligenix 11.2.1 Drug Description 11.2.2 Other Development Activities 11.2.3 Clinical Trials Information 11.2.4 Safety and Efficacy 11.2.5 Analysts' Views 11.3 Lacutamab (IPH4102): Innate Pharma To be continued in the report. 12 Mycosis Fungoides Market: Seven Major Market Analysis 12.1 Key Findings 12.2 Key Mycosis Fungoides Market Forecast Assumptions 12.3 Mycosis Fungoides Market Outlook 12.4 Attribute Analysis 12.5 Total Market Size of Mycosis Fungoides in the 7MM 12.6 Market Size of Mycosis Fungoides by Therapies in the 7MM 12.7 The United States Mycosis Fungoides Market Size 12.7.1 Total Market Size of Mycosis Fungoides 12.7.2 Market Size of Mycosis Fungoides by Therapies 12.8 EU4 and the UK Mycosis Fungoides Market Size 12.9. Japan Mycosis Fungoides Market Size 13 Key Opinion Leaders' Views on Mycosis Fungoides 14 Mycosis Fungoides Market Unmet Needs 15 Mycosis Fungoides Market SWOT Analysis 16 Mycosis Fungoides Market Access and Reimbursement 16.1 United States 16.2 EU4 and the UK 16.3 Japan 17 Bibliography 18 Abbreviations and Acronyms 19 Mycosis Fungoides Market Report Methodology

Related Reports

Mycosis Fungoides Clinical Trial Analysis

Mycosis Fungoides Pipeline Insight  2025 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key mycosis fungoides companies, including Innate Pharma, Soligenix, Bristol-Myers Squibb, among others.

Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma Market

Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast  2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key CTCL companies, including Soligenix and Sterling Pharma Solutions, Prescient Therapeutics, Innate Pharma, Bristol-Myers Squibb, ONO Pharmaceutical, among others.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Market

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast  2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key non-Hodgkin's lymphoma companies, including Soligenix, Innate Pharma, Nurix Therapeutics, AstraZeneca, Merck, Prescient Therapeutics, Kite Pharma, Seagen, Takeda, Novartis, Daiichi Sankyo, Genmab, AbbVie, Genentech (a Member of Roche), Bristol Myers Squibb, among others.

Hodgkin's Lymphoma Market

Hodgkin's Lymphoma Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast  2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key Hodgkin's lymphoma companies, including Merck, BeiGene, Tessa Therapeutics, Genmab, Bristol-Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Takeda, among others.

About DelveInsight

DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve.

Contact Us

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+14699457679

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SOURCE DelveInsight Business Research, LLP
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The Greenland Ice Sheet from space, taken by a NASA satellite. Credit: USGS

Approximately 400,000 years ago, some areas of Greenland that are now covered by a thick layer of ice were exposed to fresh air and sunlight. Today, the Greenland Ice Sheet covers most of the land mass, but the southwestern coastline is ice-free. Back then, the northwest was too.

Records of this period come from sediment and ice samples collected in the 1960s. They were all but forgotten until 2019, when an international team of scientists embarked on a collaborative effort to understand modern climate change by tracking climate over longer periods of time.

The process is captured in "The Memory of Darkness, Light and Ice," a documentary film that debuted on streaming services such as YouTube, Apple TV and Amazon Prime this fall. Director Kathy Kasic, a former evolutionary biologist, traveled to labs around the worldincluding at the University of Washingtonto interview and film scientists as they deciphered clues about the past from old ice and sediment samples.

These samples were collected during the Cold War at a U.S. military base in Greenland. Camp Centuryestablished in 1959, about 150 miles inland and just below the surface of the icewas used by the U.S. to conduct military operations in secret, and do science on the side. Before Camp Century was abandoned in 1967, the team drilled more than 1,000 meters through the entire ice sheet and into the sediment below.

Eric Steig, a UW professor of Earth and space sciences, is among those featured in Kasic's film. Steig spoke with UW News about the backstory.

How did the project begin? What was your role?

I was working with a team of researchers led by Paul Bierman at the University of Vermont to develop a plan for analyzing these old sediment and ice samples. We were gathering an international consortium of experts when I ran into Kathy at a scientific meeting and invited her to join us. I had seen her previous work about Antarctica and thought it was fantastic.. Because Kathy was involved early on, she was able to go to all these different labs and see the science unfold in real time.

What did your lab contribute to the research effort?

My lab studies isotopes, which are the different versions of elements. We measure the concentration of heavy and light oxygen and hydrogen in little pockets of water preserved in the sediment. The ratios of those water-isotope concentrations tell us how temperatures have changed. We also analyzed isotopes of carbon and nitrogen, which reflect shifting ecological conditions in the ancient soil.

At the same time, our European colleagues were measuring the ice just above the soil, and we were working together to understand what happened at this transition point. We're using this combination of ecology, chemistry, water and plants to disentangle what the climate was like in more detail. A lot of the work has been published, but some is still underway.

What has the project accomplished thus far?

It gives us this beautiful window into history that we can use to learn about ice-free conditions. For example, we know there was an extended warm period around 400,000 years ago, from modeling, but now we can also see that reflected in the sediments. It might not have been that much warmer than it is today, but it was warm for a very long time.

There's plenty of evidence now that the Greenland ice sheet is melting and at some point it will be gone. Our research advances our understanding of the ice sheet and it will help us refine the ice-sheet models used to predict sea level rise.

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Why did the researchers collect these samples in 1960? Why can't we get more?

At the time, scientists understood the value of water isotopes and their relevance to climate. They observed this clear relationship between temperature and isotope composition that could capture climate through time, but they weren't thinking about global warming.

Fast forward a few decades and these historic samples have immense value in climate science, especially with the advent of modern analytical tools. Those of us who study Greenland would love to put holes in a lot of places to map out exactly how the ice evolved, but drilling is expensive and time consuming. Ice cores are one thing, but sediment and bedrock present new challenges. There have only been a small handful of successful attempts to drill through the ice and sample what is beneath it.

What do you think this film helps to convey?

As a scientific community, we spent decades studying what Earth was like with more ice. I grew up in this era where the questions were about the ice ages. That's no longer the most pressing question. We need to be asking what the Earth was like when there was less ice, because that is where we are heading. The film captures this shift from studying cold periods to studying warm ones.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

When migration is in the news, it is often cast in negative terms, but it has many benefits for host countries, from economic growth to critical support for systems like Social Security that support aging populations. That's according to a new report produced by two Fletcher School professors and four graduate students for the Club de Madrid, an international group of former heads of states that is concerned with policy issues worldwide.

The publication, "Overcoming Misinformation About Migration and Migrants: A Data-Driven Report on the Positive Impact of Migration on Economy and Social Development," addresses a number of issues in detail, showing, above all, that migration is not a black-and-white issue, and deserves a more nuanced approach.

The report came about thanks to a connection made by Carlos Alvarado-Quesada, professor of the practice of diplomacy at The Fletcher School and former president of Costa Rica. The Club de Madrid wanted a report on the economic and political aspects of migration, and he suggested a collaboration between the organization and the Henry J. Leir Institute for Migration and Human Security at Fletcher.

The Club de Madrid defined the policy areas to be examined, and the Fletcher teamAlvarado-Quesada, Leir Institute Director Katrina Burgess, a professor of political economy at Fletcher, and graduate students Lorenzo Beadle, Joaquin Martinez Alban, Lauren Davis, and Govind Harishdid the research and wrote the report.

"So much of the discourse around migration is about security and the threat posed by migration, and the Club de Madrid was very interested in producing some empirically grounded narratives," says Burgess.

A primary question was whether the data show that migrants are a threat to receiving countries.

"In fact, it turns out it's the opposite in many cases," says Burgess. "But it's complicated. Obviously, there are times when migration creates real challenges, but on balance, it's more of an opportunity than a threat."

Jobs and aging populations

Take the issue of jobs. While those opposed to immigration often express concerns about loss of jobs to migrants, the report paints a different picture. For instance, like most other richer countries, the U.S. is facing a demographic decline: Its population is aging, birth rates are below replacement levels, and the number of workers of productive age is falling.

"The net growth in the U.S. labor force since 2008 has been driven almost entirely by growth in foreign-born workers, reflecting growth across all skill levels driven by undocumented and visa-managed flows alike," the report says.

That's important for the economy to remain productive, it says. Those foreign-born workers also pay through taxes for programs like Social Security in the U.S., supporting an aging population.

The report points to a study that found that an increase in migration in richer countries caused the overall economy, employment, and labor productivity all to rise. Those researchers found that a 1% increase in migration inflow increased employment of native-born workers by 0.2%. This occurs principally because, as migrants arrive, native-born workers "move to more specialized and complex tasks, gaining from specialization of labor."

That's not true universally, though. In poorer countries like Lebanon and Colombia, which experienced massive increases in immigration from neighboring countries undergoing political upheaval, the effects of migrants on the local economies were negative, at least in the short term.

While the net economic effects of immigrants on wealthier countries like the U.S. have been found to be positiveGDP growth, overall jobs growth, new increases in tax revenue, increasing entrepreneurial activitythere are sometimes high costs associated with the new arrivals, such as accommodations and services to integrate the immigrants into society and the economy.

The report suggests ways to create better pathways for immigrants, such as a variety of EU initiatives to facilitate migrant labor admission, including seasonal labor permits.

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political rhetoric and migrant integration

One overarching issue that the report addresses is how immigrants are easy political targets. A recent headline in Bloomberg news highlights its widespread nature: "Japan Needs Foreign Workers. Its Far Right Is Turning Against Them."

The report notes that "right-wing populist parties are driving democratic backsliding across wealthy democracies by exploiting anti-immigrant sentiment." One tactic that mainstream political parties have employed in response is to also take hard lines against immigration, hoping to preempt the populist parties' embrace of the issue, the report says.

"It's a tempting strategy, and we see it happening where mainstream parties shift their rhetoric in a more anti-immigrant direction to remain politically viable," Burgess says.

"Sometimes, in the short term, they succeed, but often they don't. In the process, they legitimize and reinforce some of the really false narratives about immigrants."

Instead, she says, "the true antidote lies in robust immigrant inclusion. This path is not an easy one, but it exists. If policymakers don't want to demonize immigrants, but care about democracy, they should try to figure out how to integrate immigrants more successfully."

Countries with comprehensive, coherent migrant integration policies "consistently report lower xenophobia and weaker far right votes. On balance, studies find that inclusion fosters everyday contact, shrinks perceived threat, and sets off a virtuous cycle in which tolerant attitudes reinforce pro-democratic governance," the report concludes.

It suggests that mainstream political parties should provide humane border management with integration policies that expand the sense of belonging for immigrants.

Alvarado-Quesada and Burgess summed up the report in Project Syndicate this fall.

"Migrants are too often perceived as a burden, when in fact they are drivers of economic growth and cultural vitality," they wrote. "Migration is one of the most complex policy challenges of our time, but it also represents a major opportunity for aging societies."

More information: Overcoming Misinformation about Migration and Migrants: a Data-driven Report on the Positive Impact of Migration on the Economy and Social Development. clubmadrid.org/overcoming-misi  -social-development/
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This satellite image released by NASA Worldview shows the Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia erupting on Nov. 23, 2025. Credit: NASA Worldview via AP

Volcanic activity in northern Ethiopia's long-dormant Hayli Gubbi volcano subsided Tuesday, days after an eruption that left a trail of destruction in nearby villages and caused flight cancellations after ash plumes disrupted high-altitude flight paths.

Villages in the district of Afdera in the Afar region were covered in ash, officials said residents were coughing, and livestock found their grass and water totally covered.

Airlines cancelled dozens of flights scheduled to fly over affected areas as the meteorological department said the ash clouds were expected to clear later in the day.

India's flag carrier, Air India, said it canceled 11 flights, most of them international, on Monday and Tuesday to inspect aircraft that may have flown over affected areas, acting on a directive from India's aviation safety regulator.

Another Indian operator, Akasa Air, said it had canceled flights to Middle East destinations such as Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Kuwait; and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

At least seven international flights scheduled to depart from and arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi were canceled Tuesday, while at least a dozen were delayed, according to an official at the airport.

An official in charge of health in northern Ethiopia's Afdera district, Abedella Mussa, said the residents were coughing and mobile medical services from the larger Afar region had been launched in the remote area.

In this photo released by the Afar Government Communication Bureau, people watch ash billow from an eruption of the long-dormant Hayli Gubbi Volcano in Ethiopia's Afar region, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. Credit: Afar Government Communication Bureau via AP

In this photo released by the Afar Government Communication Bureau, people watch ash billow from an eruption of the long-dormant Hayli Gubbi Volcano in Ethiopia's Afar region, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. Credit: Afar Government Communication Bureau via AP

"Two medical teams have been dispatched to the affected kebeles (neighborhoods) like Fia and Nemma-Gubi to provide mobile medical services," he said.

Another official in charge of livestock, Nuur Mussa, said animals were unable to find clean water or grass. "Many animals, especially in the two affected kebeles, cannot drink clean water or feed on grass because it is covered by volcanic ash," he said.

Atalay Ayele, a geologist at Addis Ababa University, said such eruptions occur because Ethiopia is situated along an active rift system where volcanism and earthquakes are frequent.

In this photo released by the Afar Government Communication Bureau, ash billows from an eruption of the long-dormant Hayli Gubbi Volcano in Ethiopia's Afar region, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. Credit: Afar Government Communication Bureau via AP

"This is the first recorded eruption of Hayli Gubbi in the last 10,000 years," he told The Associated Press. "It will likely continue for a short period and then stop until the next cycle."

High-level winds carried the ash cloud from Ethiopia across the Red Sea, Yemen, Oman, the Arabian Sea and then towards western and northern India, the India Meteorological Department said in a statement. The ash cloud was moving toward China and expected to clear Indian skies late Tuesday.

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Illustration of the main concept: eigenvalue trajectories as a function of applied gain for the depicted cavity structure. Credit:. Julius Kullig

Exceptional points (EPs) are non-Hermitian singularities where two or more eigenstates coalesce, resulting in the eigenspace collapsing in dimensionality. Over the past decade, researchers have uncovered a wealth of exotic phenomena near EPs.

In laser physics, for example, EPs have been linked to pump-induced laser termination, loss-induced lasing, and the design of quasi-parity-time-symmetric laser systems that boost the output power of large-area lasers while preserving single-mode operation.

New findings challenge conventional wisdom

A new study, published in Physical Review Letters, reports yet another surprising effect of EPs in laser systems. The work asks a straightforward question: in a laser cavity supporting multiple modes within the gain bandwidth, is the first lasing mode always the one with the highest gain and fastest gain acceleration (i.e., the steepest increase in modal gain with applied material gain)? Conventional wisdom suggests yes. However, the authors demonstrate that this intuition can fail.

"We considered a scenario where two modes with lower quality factors coalesce at an EP (or experience an avoided crossing in the vicinity of an EP) as the material gain increases. Our intuition was that this coalescence might enhance the effective modal gain of one of these modes, allowing it to reach threshold first," said Ramy El-Ganainy, Ph.D., professor of optics and photonics at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Saint Louis University, and the paper's corresponding author.

Collaboration and discovery process

The idea emerged from a scientific exchange.

"Ramy approached me with the idea that EPs might reorder lasing thresholds during a meeting organized by the Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach (MFO) in Germany on Nonlinear Optics: Physics, Analysis, and Numerics.

"We discussed it, and he floated some ideas about using both single-cavity and coupled-cavity systems to observe the effect. I realized I could probably identify a scenario where this happens in a single-cavity system under uniform pumping," said Julius Kulig, a postdoctoral fellow in Jan Wiersig's group at the Institute of Physics, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, and the paper's first author.

After returning to Magdeburg, Kulig and Wiersig set out to show that such a case indeed exists. Meanwhile, Qi Zhong, then a postdoctoral fellow in El-Ganainy's group at Saint Louis University, together with El-Ganainy, designed a discrete photonic system composed of coupled cavities where the effect could also be demonstrated.

This discovery highlights that even in established fields like laser engineering, revisiting fundamental assumptions through the lens of non-Hermitian physics can yield unexpected insights. It also highlights the critical role of funded scientific meetings such as the ones organized by MFO in fostering collaborations that bridge expertise across institutions and research cultures.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Canada has a marine coastline twice as long as any other country and shares four Great Lakes with the United States. A new report warns that without coordinated planning, coastal communities face increasing flooding and erosion as climate change accelerates.

The Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo, in collaboration with the Standards Council of Canada, developed new national guidance to help governments and communities strengthen shoreline resilience. The report, "Managing Rising Risks: Climate-Resilient Shorelines for Canada," provides a practical framework for developing Regional Shoreline Management Plans (RSMPs) that integrate science, policy, and local priorities.

In recent weeks, the vulnerability of Canada's shorelines became evident when the remnants of Hurricane Melissa forced evacuations in Newfoundland and Labrador as wind-driven waters surged over seawalls. As storms and hurricanes intensify due to irreversible climate change, strengthening Canada's marine and Great Lakes shorelines is essential to protect communities and secure Canada's capacity to conduct commerce through coastal ports.

The new framework aligns with recommendations from the recent UN Climate Change conference, COP30, which warn of the need to prepare the world's coastlines from the worsening impacts of storm surge and sea level rise. According to the World Meteorological Association, global mean sea level is increasing at approximately 5 mm per year. Despite these escalating risks, Canada lacks a coordinated national approach to shoreline management.

"The existing gaps in coastal standards have left coastal communities vulnerable to the increasing impacts of climate change," said Chantal Guay, CEO, Standards Council of Canada. "By providing Canadian-specific direction, this report will guide our communities toward concrete recommendations to address unique regional challenges."

The guidance outlines nine stages toward regional shoreline protection, including establishing regional committees, engaging Indigenous communities, and integrating outcomes into emergency-management systemsaligned with the international ISO 31000 Risk Management Standard.

"Protecting Canada's shorelines is critical to our national climate resilience," said Dr. Anabela Bonada, managing director, climate science at the Intact Centre. "This framework provides clear recommendations for governments to plan collaboratively, respect Indigenous governance rights, and invest in shoreline solutions that protect people, property, and ecosystems for generations to come."

Top five recommendations from the report:

Combine nature-based and engineered solutions to build resilience.

Co-develop strategies with Indigenous governments and ensure Indigenous leadership guides decisions at every stage.

Manage shorelines based on how water and sediment naturally move through the landscape.

Create clear laws and policies so everyone follows the same approach.

Strengthen coordination and collaboration across all levels of government.

The guidance is intended to support all levels of government and Indigenous communities, along with conservation authorities, industry partners, and community organizations, as they work to include climate resilience in shoreline decision-making.

"By learning from international experience and traditional knowledge, we can build coastlines that are both climate-resilient and socially equitable," said Kathryn Bakos, managing director, finance and resilience, Intact Centre. "This report moves Canada toward the national coordination needed to protect communities and infrastructure from rising risks."
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Sakumono Lagoon has been overtaken by developers. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Wetlands are vital ecological resources that provide several benefits in urban and peri-urban areas. They slow down flood waters, and act as a source of fishing and farming livelihoods. They also provide socio-cultural benefits for local communities. But some of these valuable ecosystems, due to their presence in prime locations, are at the center of competing cultural, ecological and economic interests. Property development, especially, is a threat to wetlands.

The 2025 Global Wetland Outlook emphasizes that the protection of wetlands is key to sustainable development. However, since 1970, about 411 million hectares of wetlands have been lost. In Africa, degradation is widespread and many are in poor condition.

We are a multidisciplinary team of researchers working in the area of resilience, sustainability and justice in urban transitions.

Our research highlights some of the local-level issues and conflicting interests that are shaping the rapid destruction of the Sakumono Ramsar Site in Tema, Ghana. Under the Ramsar Convention, a Ramsar site is a designated wetland with special natural significance.

We found institutional complicity and the lack of engagement with communities to be key drivers shaping current wetland conditions. Our study proposes a model for enforcing regulations and asserting the community's right to nature for socio-cultural purposes.

Tema: Wetlands in an industrial city

Tema was developed from a small fishing community into an industrialized port city by independent Ghana's first president, Kwame Nkrumah. Its purpose was to facilitate international trade and vibrant economic development. It is one of Ghana's most important cities and has been experiencing urban expansion and land use changes. This has led to encroachment in environmentally sensitive areas, including the Ramsar site.

The Sakumono wetland was officially designated a Ramsar site in 1992 to protect its rich biodiversity. It covers about 1,400 hectares and is protected by several regulations, including the Wetland Management Regulations Act, 1999.

But the site has, over the years, witnessed rapid depletion and intense encroachment from property development. Approximately 80% of the Sakumono Ramsar Site has been encroached on, leaving only about 20% of the wetland intact.

Population in the wetland's catchment area had grown from about 114,600 in 1984 to over 500,000 by 2000, indicating that large numbers of people live around and rely on the wetland. Although the exact number of people currently affected by the wetlands encroachment is unknown, the dense surrounding population suggests that many households, especially those engaged in farming and fishing, have likely experienced reduced access and livelihood displacement. Like other wetlands in Ghana, the Sakumono Ramsar site risks eventual destruction if nothing is done to reverse current trends.

The president of Ghana has called for heavy punishment for individuals who encroach on Ramsar sites. Both community and institutional respondents in our research claimed, however, that it was the political elites who were behind unbridled property development in the first place.

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Multiple and conflicting interests in wetlands management

The main objective of our study was to analyze stakeholders' perspectives on the use, value and management of wetlands. We evaluated the impact of these views on the sustainable management of ecologically sensitive areas. We conducted in-depth interviews with community residents, community leaders and opinion leaders. We also interviewed officials from metropolitan and municipal assemblies. The research was conducted in the Sakumono community, where the Sakumono Ramsar site is located.

Conflicting views on wetlands value: while the value of the site lies in its economic and ecological benefits, community residents were more interested in its economic value. That is, how it provides livelihood opportunities through farming and fishing activities.

Residents wondered why developers were allowed to exploit portions of the wetlands for building purposes, while they were prevented from fishing and farming. One of the residents said, "See rich and influential people buying land in the wetland area and using it for building properties. But we are not permitted to fish there."

For state institutions, protecting the wetland meant restricting access for community members. They encouraged activities such as tree planting and periodic desilting.

Conflicting views on wetlands use: the views of stakeholders also showed the changing understanding of the use of wetlands. An official from the forestry commission revealed that the wetland was acquired by the state during the 1980s for conservation. But other institutional officials, such as those of the lands commission, revealed that it had become a prime area for property development. Powerful developers bypass the land registration process and build without a permit.

"The size of the Ramsar site has reduced because people are acquiring the wetland, including the buffer area, for residential development. Even though the wetland area is demarcated as a protected area, many of the politically connected developers go behind us and build without a permit."

Conflicting views on wetlands management: our research revealed contradictions between state institutions and community stakeholders. For instance, traditional authorities were of the view that: "Since the management of the wetland is not under our control, we are not responsible for the current developments taking place in and around the demarcated area."

The traditional authorities said they were not consulted and did not benefit from the wetland.

This perhaps explains why they watched on as destruction continued. A member of the traditional council said, "As leaders of the community, we are not consulted about how the wetland is managed. You always hear the forestry commission accusing community leaders that we are selling the land. We can't sell land that does not belong to us."

Towards a community-based stewardship model

Communities should be at the center of wetlands management. We propose a stewardship-based co-management model that enforces environmental and conservation regulations. It emphasizes working with a range of stakeholders. This includes government agencies, traditional authorities and environmentally conscious community members. We call for an updated wetlands management plan that reflects recent changes, but that is also fair, responsible and protective for present and future generations. This is essential for building sustainable communities in Ghana and beyond.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Different camouflaging strategies employed by white oval squid, or shiro-ika. A) Two squids create an overlapping effect by merging their chromatic components. B) Three animals stacked next to a rock. C) Hiding under a live rock while blending into the surroundings. D) Disruptive camouflage pattern with fins resting over the substrate, resulting in a gradual transition from substrate to the disruptive pattern. E) Two animals with mottled patterns, hiding between a branch and a rock. F) Two stacked animals with dark, mottled patterns that obscure their contours. G) Hiding next to an algae-covered rock with a mottled color pattern and raised arms to blend in. Credit: Nakajima et al., 2025.

White oval squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana sp. 2), known locally as shiro-ika, are medium-sized squids naturally distributed in the Indian and western Pacific oceans, flittering in and out of a wide range of different habitatsfrom shallow seagrass beds, over coral reefs, to depths of 100m along coastal environments.

In such biodiverse zones, the squids encounter predators of all sizes and shapes, from seabirds flying overhead to sharks, tuna, and other cephalopods prowling under the sea.

Such a variety of threats calls for a large repertoire of survival strategies. Researchers from the Okinawan Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) have previously discovered how shiro-ika change color when moving between different shades of substrateand now, the same team has painted a full picture of how the cephalopod employs a sophisticated range of camouflaging strategies to adapt to different environments and threats.

The paper is published in the journal Scientific Reports.

"The wide variety of visual strategies used by the squid is surprisingly complex, especially considering that squid have traditionally been regarded as spending most of their lives in the open water column," explains former OIST Visiting Researcher Dr. Ryuta Nakajima.

"This discovery suggests that squid have a deeper behavioral relationship with the ocean floor than previously thought."

How squid use camouflage and deception

The natural predators of shiro-ika often have sharp but monochrome vision that is tuned to spot symmetry in the otherwise asymmetric substrates in reefs. To counter this, the squid selects color patterns that are highly irregular to perfectly match their surroundingswhether they are mimicking algae-covered rocks, blending into the shadows under rocks, or turning transparent to stay invisible against sandy seagrass beds.

An overview of the different camouflage components that the white oval squid, or shiro-ika, employ when assembling their camouflage strategy. A-D) are coloration patterns, E-M) are postures, I-M) are states of movement. The squids can mix and match these elements depending on their environment and have been observed to coordinate components with adjacent squids to enhance their collective camouflage. Credit: Nakajima et al., 2025.

The team also described a specific coloration pattern dubbed "disruptive," which, like the dazzle patterns that were painted on warships during WW1, is not meant to conceal the squid but might instead confuse predators about the true shape, size, and location of the squid, making it easier for them to escape in a pinch.

"The squids' ability to change their appearance is stunning," adds Dr. Wee Hin Boo from the Institute of Climate Change at the National University of Malaysia, who contributed to the research.

"By analyzing the underlying mathematical patterns in their behavior, we were able to confirm the different strategies they use to vanish into the background. It was a fascinating challenge to quantify what the eye sees."

Group strategies and conservation concerns

As part of their strategy, the squids select different arm positions to minimize symmetry, like casting them off to the side or letting them flop chaotically in front. And a well-known defensive strategy of oval squid is schooling, forming groups of up to 200 individuals.

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OIST researcher Dr. Zdenek Lajbner continues, "We found that the squids synchronize their camouflaging strategies, like stacking on top of one another to masquerade as a rock, showing the ability to coordinate their camouflage."

"These squid have recently been observed in the Mediterranean Sea, which they've entered through the Suez Canal. As they appear in more varied ecosystems, their diverse camouflaging strategies become increasingly relevant to science," says former OIST researcher Dr. Michael Kuba, who's now at the University of Naples Federico II in Italy.

A photograph of a white oval squid hiding by a clump of algae in a research tank. Credit: Nakajima et al., 2025.

Dr. Nakajima adds that "shiro-ika is a commercially important species in Okinawa, yet its annual catch has declined by 98%. I hope this study will provide valuable insights into the ecological interdependence between squid and their ecosystem, ultimately contributing to the development of more effective conservation strategies."

The squid featured in this study are part of the successful research aquaculture project led by Dr. Lajbner at OIST, which has shown the feasibility of raising healthy and active squid over several generationssomething which has proven exceedingly difficult for cephalopods in general.

Dr. Lajbner says, "Oval squid are a viable candidate for future research into cephalopod cognition, as well as a potential model animal for studying visual perception and motor control through the central nervous system. It's a remarkable animal."

More information: Ryuta Nakajima et al, Situational motionless camouflage of a loliginid squid, Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-25212-z Journal information: Scientific Reports
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Moorea, French Polynesia, is surrounded by a diverse and vibrant coral reef ecosystem. Credit: Christian John

A massive, multi-year scientific expedition led by researchers from the University of California, Santa Barbara and collaborating institutions, including the University of Hawai'i (UH) at Manoa, determined that land use on tropical islands can shape water quality in lagoons and that rainfall can be an important mediator for connections between land and lagoon waters.

These findings provide vital information for ecosystem stewards facing global reef decline. Their findings were published in Limnology and Oceanography.

"This study is pretty groundbreaking in terms of its scale," said Christian John, lead author of the study and postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, Santa Barbara. "We looked at algal tissue nutrients, water chemistry, and microbial communities at almost 200 sites around the island of Mo'orea, French Polynesia, and we repeated this sampling over multiple years."

"The links between land and sea are dynamic and complex, so it's a topic that has remained elusive to science," said Mary Donovan, co-author and faculty member at the Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology in the UH Manoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology.

"It took a dream team to pierce through that complexity. We brought together a group of interdisciplinary thinkers, from students to senior investigators, across at least five major institutions to tackle this immense challenge."

Understanding the phase shift

Scientists have long been concerned that with an increase in human-associated inputs from land to a coral reef, there is often a "phase shift"a decline in corals accompanied by an increase in harmful algae. This ecological shift is often linked to excessive nutrients and changes in the microbial community, but the precise connection between land use and coral reef health is poorly understood.

Turbinaria ornata, a spiky macroalga, takes up excess nitrogen from the water column and is a useful proxy for nutrient enrichment. Credit: Christian John

Through their investigation, the team found that nutrients in the lagoons off Mo'orea were highest in concentration closer to the island, lower farther offshore, and associated with terrestrial input.

"This indicates that at least some of the nutrients in Mo'orea's lagoons are coming from land," said John. "Additionally, we found that nutrients are higher in lagoon habitats that are downstream of heavily impacted watersheds. This tells us that human activities on land can play a large role in lagoon water quality, which is important for corals, fishes, and all of the other creatures that live in coral reef ecosystems."

The study also provides evidence that precipitation acts as a key mediator for the connections between land use and lagoon waters, potentially flushing more land-based nutrients to the lagoon and reef systems. This suggests that as climate change alters regional rainfall patterns, the impacts of terrestrial factors on coral reefs may also be affected.

Validating previous sampling approaches

For years, scientists have been using measurements of nutrient concentrations in algae tissue to understand how nutrients vary across a marine ecosystem. When analyzing algae in the recent study, the researchers found that algal nutrients reflected the chemistry of land-based inputs, especially near larger, human-impacted watersheds.

"This validates our use of this organism as a reliable, long-term bioindicator for nutrient pollution in the ecosystem," said John. "So, we can be more confident that our nutrient proxy is a good measure of nutrients in the ecosystem."

Development projects expose bare soil, which is easily eroded by rain. Credit: Christian John

Informing stewardship efforts

"Gravity is a unifying force in ecology, and islands are always uphill from the coral reefs that surround them," said John. "Everything that happens on land has the potential to impact things going on in the ocean."

Across Pacific Island systems, the flow of nutrients from mountains to the ocean is a central focus for coastal resource management. Targeted strategies, such as reducing polluted runoff, developing buffers along rivers, or actively mitigating soil loss at development sites, can significantly dampen the adverse effects of land use on lagoon water quality.

"The ahupua'a, land use divisions that connect mauka to makai, are central to watershed management here in Hawai'i," said Nyssa Silbiger, co-author and associate professor in the SOEST Department of Oceanography.

"Understanding water quality is a fundamental challenge for everyone: it is key to assessing coral reef health and it is inseparable from human health."

More information: Christian John et al, Terrigenous inputs link nutrient dynamics to microbial communities in a tropical lagoon, Limnology and Oceanography (2025). DOI: 10.1002/lno.70240 Journal information: Limnology and Oceanography
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Many mobile apps claiming to support early reading skills in children fail to deliver actual educational benefit, with positive app store reviews seemingly driven by esthetics and functionality, a new Flinders University analysis has found.

Experts are now calling for greater regulation and more robust certification of the educational quality of available mobile apps.

Led by Dr. Lisa Furlong from Flinders' College of Nursing and Health Sciences, the first-of-its-kind study had an expert panel of speech pathologists appraise 309 mobile apps claiming to support the development of phonics and phonological awareness skills; foundational skills critical to early reading development.

Almost 1 in 5 apps were found to be of poor quality, with expert reviewers only recommending 85 of the 309 apps appraised, for their potential to support development of foundational reading skills.

"More than 9,000 apps are currently available for children across the Apple and Google Play stores that claim to assist children in developing early reading skills, including phonics," says Dr. Furlong, a practicing speech pathologist and researcher, also with the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.

"Many apps are esthetically pleasing and entertaining, but our study showed the majority lack the educational rigor required to teach phonics and phonological awareness effectively.

"In today's world, with increasing use of mobile devices, parents often turn to mobile apps as a way to support their child's reading development; we should ensure that what is out there will actually benefit children's learning."

The study, published in the Early Childhood Education Journal, also found no significant correlation between consumer and expert star ratings.

Apps that scored highly with consumers were those with high engagement, esthetics, or functionality, rather than those with the potential to support children's reading.

"This research highlights a major gap between consumer perception and educational quality," says Dr. Furlong.

"Parents and educators often rely on star ratings and user reviews when selecting mobile apps, but our findings show these metrics are not reliable indicators of educational value."

Among the most concerning findings were widespread instructional flaws. Most apps failed to provide explicit teaching, didn't provide a structured and sequenced approach to teaching letter-sound associations, nor were they able to provide corrective feedback.

Many apps included incorrect modeling of the target skills, mispronunciations of letter sounds and inappropriate word choices for reading tasks.

The researchers say there needs to be greater regulation of app stores and the introduction of a robust certification process to help educators, speech-language pathologists, and families identify apps that align with evidence-based methods of early reading instruction.

"App stores are largely unregulated when it comes to educational claims," says Dr. Furlong. "Clearer labeling and disclosures are essential to ensure that children are engaging with tools that genuinely support their learning.

"Between June 2021 and September 2024, only six new high-quality apps were released that met expert standards. This is a strikingly low number given the volume of apps entering the market. Despite increased advocacy around the science of reading, app developers are not responding with tools that reflect best practice.

"We urgently need more investment in high-quality, evidence-informed educational apps and ongoing collaboration between educators, researchers, and developers to create tools that truly enhance early literacy."

The paper "Finding the needle in the haystack: A quality appraisal of mobile applications for foundational literacy skills' by Lisa Furlong, Tanya Serry, Shane Erickson, Meryl Lefort, Megan Gath, Meg E Morris is published in the Early Childhood Education Journal.

More information: Lisa Furlong et al, Finding the Needle in the Haystack: A Quality Appraisal of Mobile Applications for Foundational Literacy Skills, Early Childhood Education Journal (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s10643-025-02066-8
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Screenshot from a three-dimensional model of Rano Raraku quarry produced through structure-from-motion photogrammetry. This comprehensive digital documentation, derived from 11,686 UAV images, reveals the complex spatial organization of production activities distributed across multiple workshop areas. Credit: ArcGIS

Located in the middle of the South Pacific, thousands of miles from the nearest continent, Easter Island (Rapa Nui) is one of the most remote inhabited places on Earth. To visit it and marvel at the quarries where its iconic moai statues were created is a luxury few get to experienceuntil now.

You can now explore Rano Raraku, one of the major quarries on Easter Island, from the comfort of your home. A research team including faculty at Binghamton University, State University of New York has created the first-ever high-resolution 3D model of the quarry, providing people worldwide with a glimpse of the island, including almost 1,000 of its iconic moai statues.

"As an archaeologist, the quarry is like the archaeological Disneyland," said Binghamton University Professor of Anthropology Carl Lipo and lead author of a new paper published in PLOS One. "It has everything you can possibly imagine about moai construction, because that's where they did most of the construction. It's always been this treasure of information and cultural heritage, but it's remarkably underdocumented."

The new model allows visitors to zoom in and pan across various features of the quarry, both high and low, offering views that you wouldn't be able to see even if you did make your way to Rapa Nui. The quarry itself is located in a volcanic crater that is too steep and rugged to safely traverse.

"You can see things that you couldn't actually see on the ground. You can see tops and sides and all kinds of areas that you just would never be able to walk to," said Lipo.

Credit: Binghamton University

Lipo said that the 3D model opens the door for things that were never possible: 1) it provides researchers with a three-dimensional replica that they can study and 2) it allows everyone to experience the island.

"We can say, 'Here, go look at it.' If you want to see the different kinds of carving, fly around and see stuff there. So it's really exciting to bring these two things together. We're documenting something that really has needed to be documented, but in a way that's really comprehensive and shareable."

Mapping the island

In October 2023, a wildfire swept through the quarry, raising concerns about the site's future. When Lipo and his team arrived to conduct research in January 2024, a community group on the island asked if the researchers could document the quarry in the event that it was permanently damaged.

The researchers, who also included Thomas Pingel and Kevin Heard from Binghamton's Geography Department, leaped at the opportunity. They conducted around 30 drone flights, snapping 22,000 photos of the quarry at 30-meter increments. Using computer software, the images were stitched together into the resulting 3D model, a process that took months.

Three-dimensional model of Rano Raraku quarry produced through structure-from-motion photogrammetry. This comprehensive digital documentation, derived from 11,686 UAV images, reveals the complex spatial organization of production activities distributed across multiple workshop areas. Credit: Carl Lipo

"It's amazing how far and how fast the technology has come," said Pingel. "The quality of this model is far above what could be done even just a couple of years ago, and the ability to share such a detailed model in a way that is accessible from anyone's desktop computer is remarkable."

"The project was of a scale of complexity that had never been attempted before," said Lipo.

Putting the map to use

Using the new 3D model, the researchers examined the sites of 30 different "workshops" in the quarry. Examining the patterning of the quarrying, where carving techniques differed from site to site, the researchers found it aligned with previous evidencethat the island consisted of multiple independent groups working simultaneously rather than being managed by a centralized "chiefdom."

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"We see separate workshops that really align to different clan groups that are working intensively in their specific areas," said Lipo. "You can really see graphically from the construction that there's a series of statues being made here, another series of statues here and that they're lined up next to each other. It's different workshops."

Production technique revealed through 3D modeling. Unfinished moai attached to bedrock by "keels" along their backs demonstrate how carvers worked underneath from both sides until figures were separated from the source material. This production stage, difficult to document through traditional methods, is visible in the 3D model. Credit: Carl Lipo

While this theory isn't necessarily brand new, Lipo said that it's nice to see the evidence baked into the quarry itself.

"When we look at the ability for people to move giant statues, it doesn't take that many people to do it, so that it really connects all the dots between the number of people it takes to move the statues, the number of places, the scale at which the quarrying is happening and then the scale of the communities," said Lipo.

Going forward, the researchers will utilize the 3D model for further analysis of the quarry. Lipo also hopes that people will use the model, from researchers to laypeople alike.

"What we would really like to do is be able to say, 'Go visit it yourself. Learn from it.' People on the island are afraid that if we build three-dimensional models that no one will go to the island. But I think this actually will inspire people to go there. Because otherwise, you're just seeing sort of snapshots of stuff. This is an incredible landscape of stuff that you could really go visit, that you'll want to see."

The 3D model is available to view online.

More information: Megalithic statue (moai) production on Rapa Nui (Easter Island, Chile), PLOS One (2025). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0336251 Journal information: PLoS ONE
More than 8,000 businesses were surveyed to understand the level of digital maturity and their journey to adoption

Responses reveal that lack of clarity, confidence, and trusted guidance are the true barrier to AI and digital adoption, with older businesses struggling most

GHENT, Belgium, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, team.blue, a leading provider of digital solutions for businesses and entrepreneurs, has released a new report which analyses the digital maturity of European small businesses revealing that while many are eager to adopt digital and AI tools, they are held back not by resistance but by uncertainty. One of the clearest indicators: 30% of small businesses say they don't know which digital tools they should be using, and more than 1 in 4 say they lack the skills or knowledge to get started. For older businesses, the gap is even more pronounced, with reluctance to adopt AI rising above 60% among those operating for more than a decade.

"Technology, especially AI, has outpaced the capacity of many small businesses to keep up," said Claudio Corbetta, Group CEO of team.blue. "What we're seeing isn't a gap in ambition or motivation, it's a gap in comprehension and perception. Small businesses understand that AI has the potential be transformative, but the current eco system too often assumes a level of digital fluency that simply isn't there yet. When we simplify the path and make tools genuinely usable, AI stops being intimidating and starts becoming a catalyst for creativity, efficiency and growth. The opportunity isn't just to help small businesses adopt AI, but to empower them to shape what's possible with it."

Confusion, Complexity and Confidence are Barriers to Adoption

The team.blue Digital Maturity Report - based on insights from over 8,000 European companies in over 30 countries - shows that small businesses are overwhelmed by digital choice.

30% don't know which digital tools to use.

don't know which digital tools to use. 26% say they lack digital skills or confidence.

say they lack digital skills or confidence. 1 in 5 cite time and resource constraints as their biggest barrier.

The report shows that small businesses are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of digital choices and unclear pathways. Many report that digital technology feels complex and time-consuming, with one in five citing a lack of time or resources as a barrier to adoption.

What's more, on average, small businesses rate their confidence in choosing and using digital tools at just 6 out of 10.

AI Adoption Is Growing, but Trust and Clarity Hold Businesses Back

AI is gaining traction, with nearly one in five businesses using it extensively and another third experimenting with it. Yet a quarter of respondents say they have no plans to use AI, a stance heavily concentrated among older, more established businesses (60%). Trust remains a major impediment: almost half trust AI less than human-led work, citing concerns around data security, accuracy, and brand voice.

Interestingly, while just over half of respondents believe AI will make them more competitive, more than 22% feel they still don't know enough to move on the subject.

Guidance Is Essential for SMB Digital Maturity

The strongest demand from small businesses is not for new technology but for clearer, simpler support, with 26% stating that they don't have the skills or knowledge in this area.

Half of respondents say step-by-step guidance would help them advance their digital capability, with 42% needing advice on what tools to use and 38% valuing related training and workshops.

"Digital tools only matter when they empower the people behind them," said Jonas Dhaenens, founder and president of team.blue. "Our focus is on making that experience more accessible and secure, because the prosperity of small businesses directly shapes the vitality of our communities."

The report was developed in partnership with team.blue brands SuperHosting, Simply.com, Loopia, Combell, Names.co.uk, LCN, Guru UKDedicated, Catalyst2, Register 365, LetsHost, Hosting Ireland, Webnode, Nominalia, Webempresa, Webnode, Raidboxes, TransIP and SimplyBook.me. The full report can be found here.

About team.blue

team.blue is a leading AI-powered digital enabler for businesses and entrepreneurs across Europe (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom). The company serves more than 3,3m SMB customers. team.blue is a one-stop partner for web hosting, domains, e-commerce, online compliance, lead generation and application solutions, supported by more than 3600+ experts. team.blue's vision is to make online business success simpler with the intelligence of AI at every step.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2832545/team_blue_Logo.jpg
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The rover, which is named after British scientist Rosalind Franklin, is planned to touch down on the Martian surface in 2030.

NASA has confirmed that it will contribute to Europe's Martian rover Rosalind Franklin, which is scheduled to launch in 2028 after repeated delays, the European Space Agency said on Wednesday.

The rover aims to be the first on the red planet capable of drilling up to two meters (6.5 feet) below the surface to search for extraterrestrial life.

However, the mission relies on several elements from NASA, which US President Donald Trump has targeted with steep budget cuts since returning to the White House in January.

ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher said he had received "a letter from the NASA administration to confirm the contributions" of the US space agency to the mission.

"That is good news," Aschbacher said on the sidelines of the ESA's ministerial council meeting being held this week in the German city of Bremen.

The mission was originally intended to launch in 2020, but suffered several setbacks.

In 2022, it was suspended after the ESA ended cooperation with Russiathe agency's main partner for the missionfollowing Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

The ESA then turned to the United States for help.

Aschbacher said NASA was contributing to three of the mission's elements: the launcher, radioisotope heater unit and braking engine.

The braking engine had been confirmed some time ago, but the other two elements will be a relief for the ESA.

NASA is also providing "one instrument to analyze traces of possible life on Mars," Aschbacher added.

The rover, which is named after British scientist Rosalind Franklin, is planned to touch down on the Martian surface in 2030.

 2025 AFP
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The inner portion of NASAs Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (which consists of the telescope, instrument carrier, two instruments, and spacecraft) recently passed thermal vacuum testing. In this photo, the assembly is being lifted out of the Space Environment Simulator after completing 65 days of assessments. Credit: NASA/Jolearra Tshiteya

NASA's nearly complete Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has made another set of critical strides toward launch. This fall, the outer portion passed two testsa shake test and an intense sound blastto ensure its successful launch.

The inner portion of the observatory underwent a major 65-day thermal vacuum test, showing that it will function properly in space. As NASA's next flagship space telescope, Roman will address essential questions in the areas of dark energy, planets outside our solar system, and astrophysics.

"We want to make sure Roman will withstand our harshest environments," said Rebecca Espina, a deputy test director at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "From a mechanical standpoint, our heaviest loads and stresses come from launch, so we use testing to mimic the launch environment."

The vibration and acoustic testing were the final round of launch simulations for the outer portion of the Roman observatory, which consists of the outer barrel assembly, deployable aperture cover, and recently installed flight solar panels.

During acoustic testing, a large chamber with gigantic horns emulated the launch's thunderous sounds, which cause high-frequency vibrations. Test operators outfitted the chamber and assembly with various sensors to monitor the hardware's response to the sound, which gradually ramped up to a full minute at 138 decibelslouder than a jet plane's takeoff at close range.

After moving to a massive shaker table, Roman's outer assembly went through testing to replicate the rocket launch's lower-frequency vibrations. Each individual test lasts only about a minute, sweeping from 5 to 50 hertz (the lowest note on a grand piano vibrates at 27.5 hertz), but NASA engineers tested three axes of movement over several weeks, breaking up the tests with on-the-spot data analysis.

Following extensive assessments, the core portion of NASAs Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope was removed from the test chamber (as shown in this gif) and returned to the largest clean room at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. Next, it will be prepped for final integration. Credit: NASA/Sophia Roberts

Like in acoustic testing, the team installed sensors to capture the assembly's response to the shaking. Structural analysts and test operators use this information not only to evaluate success but also to improve models and subsequent assessments.

"There's a real sense of accomplishment when you get a piece of hardware this large through this test program," said Shelly Conkey, lead structural analyst for this assembly at NASA Goddard. "I am proud of the work that our team of people has done."

The core portion of the observatory (the telescope, instrument carrier, two instruments, and spacecraft bus) moved into the Space Environment Simulator test chamber at NASA Goddard in August. There, it was subjected to extreme temperatures to mimic the chill of space and heat from the sun. A team of more than 200 people ran simulations continuously for more than two months straight, assessing the telescope's optics and the assembly's overall mission readiness.

"The thermal vacuum test marked the first time the telescope and instruments were used together," said Dominic Benford, Roman's program scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "The next time we turn everything on will be when the observatory is in space."

The team expects to connect Roman's two major parts in November, resulting in a complete observatory by the end of the year. Following final tests, Roman will move to the launch site at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for launch preparations in summer 2026. Roman remains on schedule for launch by May 2027, with the team aiming for as early as fall 2026.

Provided by NASA
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A comprehensive study by the CritMET research group, led by Prof. Michael Bau, a geochemist at Constructor University in Bremen, provides evidence of widespread contamination of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea with MRI contrast agents. As modern wastewater treatment plants cannot remove these contaminants from the wastewater, they can freely enter the environment and pollute rivers and lakes. Recently published research from a Bremen area group has shown that rare earth elements directly attributed to MRIs are now present in the North and the Baltic seas.

Medical examinations using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) employ contrast agents containing the rare earth element gadolinium. After patients excrete these contrast agents, even modern wastewater treatment plants cannot remove them from the wastewater, allowing them to enter the environment and pollute rivers and lakes. These contaminants have now reached the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, as demonstrated by the Bremen research group in a comprehensive study, the results of which have now been published in several articles in scientific journals.

"The southern North Sea receives the contrast agents primarily via the Rhine, Ems, Weser, and Elbe rivers, but also the River Thames," says Dr. Dennis Kramer, head of the Soil Analysis Department at the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources in Hanover, who is the lead author of the North Sea study and an adjunct professor at Constructor University.

"And from there, ocean currents transport the contrast agents along the German and Danish coasts to the fjords in southern Norway, where the water mixes with Baltic Sea water," adds Dr. Anna-Lena Zocher, who studied these fjords as well as the water flowing in from the Baltic Sea into the Kattegat.

"The Baltic Sea water, in turn, receives the gadolinium contrast agents from, among other sources, the Vistula and Oder rivers, whichlike other rivers in Poland and almost everywhere in Europeare contaminated with this anthropogenic gadolinium," adds Addis Alemu, a doctoral candidate in the EU project "PANORAMA," who is investigating rare earth elements in rivers and lakes across Europe.

Since the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, and the Norwegian fjords are not only important for biodiversity but also have significant economic importance due to tourism and aquaculture, Dr. Keran Zhang, another member of the CritMET group, is investigating mussels and fish from the affected areas. "Occasionally, we find indications that aquatic organisms such as blue mussels can incorporate MRI contrast agents, but so far it does not look as if this gadolinium is actually entering the food chain on a large scale," Zhang reassures.

"Next, we will evaluate how stable the various MRI contrast agents in seawater actually are. We investigate how long it takes for these chemical compounds to degrade in seawater, releasing the gadolinium and making it bioavailable. The concentrations of anthropogenic gadolinium are currently well below dangerous levels.

"However, the trend of increasing quantities of these substances entering rivers and lakes, and subsequently coastal seas, groundwater and drinking water, will continue unabated and may even intensify. And critical raw materials derived from such chemicals have no place in water, especially drinking water, of course," Professor Bau points out, referring to the current projects of the CritMET group.

"Rare earth elements, in particular, exemplify how these critical metals are not only of great importance as raw materials, but also pose new challenges for the environment and for drinking water suppliers, as mining and use in the EU will inevitably further increase."
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Most frequently reported crime from major media sources, and the spatial distribution of media reports and three crimes. Credit: PLOS One (2025). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0331788

A spatial analysis of crime in Chicago suggests that certain environmental and socioeconomic factors, such as building density, are linked with crime rates, but these relationships differ between neighborhoods. The study also reveals discrepancies between media coverage and actual crime patterns, with coverage disproportionately concentrated in certain areas. Yuxuan Cai of the University of Chicago, U.S., and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS One on November 26, 2025.

Background and study methodology

Numerous prior studies have investigated factors associated with crime in Chicago and other cities. In addition, evidence suggests that media coverage strongly influences public perceptions of crime in urban areas.

However, most prior studies of crime in Chicago have been limited in scope, such as by focusing on only a few socioeconomic factors at a time, or not distinguishing between different crime types. To gain a more comprehensive view, Cai and colleagues used computational tools to analyze associations between rates of different crime types and various environmental and socioeconomic factors in different parts of Chicago, as well as spatial patterns in media coverage of crime. Their dataset included 234,918 crime incidents that occurred from 2017 to 2023.

Findings on media coverage and crime patterns

Using the natural language model GPT-3.5-Turbo, the researchers analyzed 3,507 local news reports on crime in Chicago from 2023 to 2024. They found that the most frequent crimestheft, criminal damage, and batterywere significantly underrepresented in news reports, while homicides and assaults were overrepresented. Media coverage tended to focus more on downtown and certain north and south side areas, while neglecting other neighborhoods.

The analysis also uncovered links between certain spatial factors and crime. For instance, more walkable areas had higher rates of theft but lower rates of criminal damage and battery. Dense road networks and higher building density were associated with higher rates of all crime types. In downtown and northern areas of the city, higher housing density and economic activity were associated with lower crime rates, but this pattern was not seen for southside areas.

These findings could inform efforts to improve safety and media crime coverage. However, further research is needed to determine the mechanisms underlying these spatial patterns.

The authors add, "Our analysis shows a troubling disconnect between media crime coverage and actual crime patterns in Chicago. While the most common crimes include theft, criminal damage, and battery, media outlets disproportionately focus on homicides and assaults. This bias not only distorts public perception but may also influence policy decisions in ways that don't address the most prevalent public safety concerns."

"What makes this study unique is our integration of large language models with traditional spatial analysis methods. By using GPT-3.5 to analyze more than 3,500 news articles, we were able to systematically compare media narratives against actual crime data on a large scale. This computational approach opens new possibilities for understanding how media shapes public perception of urban safety."

"Our geographically weighted regression analysis shows that the same environmental factors, such as road density or vacant buildings, can have completely different relationships with crime across neighborhoods. This means one-size-fits-all urban planning solutions won't work. Policymakers need spatially-targeted interventions that account for local conditions, and the media needs to report more balanced stories."

More information: Cai Y, Advancing urban management: Integrating GIS, LLMs, and media narratives into environmental and socio-economic analyses for enhanced urban crime analysis, PLOS One (2025). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0331788 Journal information: PLoS ONE
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A male Coho salmon, featuring the characteristic hooked nose, returns to spawn from the Oregon Coast. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

During the annual salmon run last fall, University of Washington researchers pulled salmon DNA out of thin air and used it to estimate the number of fish that passed through the adjacent river. Aden Yincheong Ip, a UW research scientist of marine and environmental affairs, began formulating the driving hypothesis for the study while hiking on the Olympic Peninsula.

"I saw the fish jumping and the water splashing and I started thinkingcould we recover their genetic material from the air?" he said.

The researchers placed air filters at several sites on Issaquah Creek, near the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery in Washington. To their amazement, the filters captured Coho salmon DNA, even 10 to 12 feet from the river. Scientists collect environmental DNA, or eDNA, to identify species living in or passing through an area, but few have attempted to track aquatic species by sampling air.

This study, published in Scientific Reports, shows that eDNA can move between air and watera possibility scientists hadn't accounted for even though aquatic animal DNA sometimes appears in airborne study data.

The researchers then merged air and water eDNA with the hatchery's visual counts in a model to track how salmon numbers rose and fell during the fall migration. Although the amount of salmon DNA in the air was 25,000 times less than what was observed in the water, its concentration still varied with observed migratory trends.

"This work is at the edge of what is possible with eDNA," said senior author Ryan Kelly, a UW professor of marine and environmental affairs and director of the eDNA Collaborative. "It pushes the boundaries way further than I thought we could."

Researchers have streamlined the process of sampling eDNA over the past decade. Water and air are reservoirs for discarded bits of skin, hair and other DNA-rich detritus. Like a footprint, eDNA flags the presence of a species nearby.

After hatching, young salmon migrate to the ocean for one to several years before returning to the same stream to spawn. They leap and thrash near the surface of the water, likely shedding eDNA in the process. Every year, as the fish pass through migratory bottlenecks, people count them to gauge population health, set catch limits and monitor rehabilitation efforts.

Ip began to wonder about remote monitoring efforts while watching the fish wiggle upstream. eDNA has become a valuable tool for tracking endangered and invasive species. He developed an experiment to test the air for salmon DNA in conjunction with colleagues at the UW.

"This is Aden's baby," said Kelly. "He arrived saying 'I know you can get eDNA from the water, but I want to do something nobody has done before.'"

Researchers placed filters 10 to 12 feet from the stream and left them out for 24 hours on six different days between August and October, testing four filter types each time. Three were vertical filters and the fourth was an open 2-liter tub of deionized water to capture settling particles.

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In the lab, they washed eDNA from the filter and measured its concentration with a Coho salmon-specific tag to a DNA amplification method called polymerase chain reaction. They referenced air and water eDNA concentration and visual counts to track population changes, assuming that each method has its own margin of error, and the true number of fish is unknown.

The airborne eDNA concentration fluctuated with the visual counts reported by the hatchery, suggesting that this could become a useful tool for tracking salmon populations. The strategy is more remote-friendly than other methods because it does not require electricity.

"This technique quantitatively links air, water and fish," Ip said. "Airborne eDNA doesn't give us a headcount, but it does tell us where salmon are and what their relative abundance is in different streams."

There are still a number of variables to account for, such as rain, wind, humidity and temperature, that the researchers plan to continue exploring in future studies.

"Right now, we're pushing the boundaries of possibility," Kelly said. "Eventually, we will develop the technique, as we have for waterborne eDNA, into something that can help guide management and policy."

More information: Yin Cheong Aden Ip et al, Passive air sampling detects environmental DNA transfer from water into air, Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-26293-6 Journal information: Scientific Reports
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

School violence is a global public health phenomenon. This is when learners and teachers are the victims of physical and psychological abuse, cyber threats and bullying, fights, gangsterism, and the use of weapons at school.

The consequences of school violence are dire. There are implications for learners, teachers, the school and the community. Violence undermines the learners' and teachers' safety. It causes stress, academic decline and behavioral problems. It can contribute to a broader cycle of violence in communities.

School violence is a problem across southern Africa. This includes South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Namibia.

In 2008 the regional body, the Southern African Development Community adopted Care and Support for Teaching and Learning framework. It was to prevent violence, create safer schools and foster a positive school ethos.

But there has been limited research unpacking factors that contribute to school violence. We recently undertook a review project to identify and understand those contextual factors.

Our research stems from our shared scholarly interest in issues of violence in educational settings. Our professional backgrounds include school social work, health promotion, social services with children and adolescents, and teaching general education modules at a South African university.

The review of studies of violence suggests that a range of factors contribute to school violence. These include: exposure to domestic violence, socioeconomic status, poor family communication, lack of appropriate disciplinary processes at school, intolerance of individual and social differences, and exposure to alcohol and substance use in the community.

What's needed are clear school policies, teacher training and deployment of school social workers.

The scope

Our project reviewed 24 studies of violence in Southern African Development Community schools. Most of the studies were done in South Africa but some were in Eswatini, Zambia, Malawi and Angola.

We focused on this region for the following reasons.

The region comprises low- and low-middle-income countries. Learners experience various socioeconomic challenges and structural disparities within their communities and schools.

Previous research suggests that communities in the region face crime and violence, gangsterism, high unemployment rates and poverty.

The Care and Support for Teaching and Learning framework, which is intended to support learners' enrollment, retention, performance and progression, has not prevented school violence. The limited evidence suggests a need to better understand the specific contextual factors that contribute to this violence.

Our findings from the papers we reviewed indicate that factors contributing to school violence are present in learners' home environments, communities and schools.

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Family environment

Disrespect towards teachers and physical fights are linked to witnessing domestic violence. The family unit's socioeconomic standing is significant. Compared to better-off learners, those from less privileged environments are more likely to violate school rules, steal other learners' belongings, and bully others for their lunch meals. Learners from food-insecure families enter into transactional relationships with teachers for financial support and "free" groceries.

Research shows that the inability of parents to support and talk to their children results in children succumbing to peer pressure and becoming involved in gangs and fights. Parents sometimes incite school violence by defending their children's misconduct and blaming teachers for their children's behavior.

We also observed that in schools with children who have disabilities, some parents arrange intimate relationships for their children with other learners, to shield them from exploitation by community members. However, this exposes them to unintended sexual violence in those relationships, as sexual boundaries and consent are not adequately explained to the young couples.

Community environment

The studies we reviewed indicate that the surrounding community has a role in school violence. Learners' exposure to alcohol and substance use can lead to violence. Specifically, community members sell substances to learners, who then return to school intoxicated, disrupting teaching and learning. In some instances, fights among the boys that start outside school continue in the school premises.

School environment

Different types of bullying occur among learners. Research shows that most of the perpetrators are boys, ridiculing girls for their achievements and using violence to "prove masculinity" and gain popularity. Boys are ridiculed for not having romantic partners, which often leads to aggression. Peer pressure also causes boys to verbally abuse girls who refuse their advances, and resort to behaviors such as taking pictures of their underwear in class or through toilet windows. Gangs are common and contribute to violence, serving as venues for violent interactions among boys.

Another factor fueling school violence is lack of understanding and intolerance of demographic and individual diverse identitieslike nationality, gender and sexual orientation, physical appearance, culture and religion. Migrant learners are subjected to xenophobic attitudes where they are body shamed and insulted. Learners are the target of homophobic statements because of their gender and sexual identities. Dark-skinned and slender learners are often targeted, with teasing guised as humor.

Way forward

The purpose of this review project was to map the literature on factors contributing to school violence in the Southern African Development Community region. It could be useful in other similar regions too.

We suggest education ministries and schools countries could consider:

implementing clear school policies on how to report and respond to incidents of school violence

training teachers and school administrators on national and school policies for addressing school violence and promoting professionalism

documenting incidents of school violence and developing strategies to create safe environments

collaboration among schools, parents and psychosocial support personnel, such as school social workers, to reduce violence in schools.

We argue that different intervention programs and services need to be adopted to address the root causes of violence. Deploying more school social workers would be part of this effort.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The United Nations' climate change body may unintentionally be eroding public trust in science because of the way it communicates risk, new University of Essex research shows.

The study of more than 4,000 UK residents found language used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) could make the public think scientists are divided and that predictions are extreme or implausible. The research was published in Nature Climate Change just as COP30 finished in Brazil.

Created in 1988, the IPCC was established to provide policymakers with neutral regular scientific assessments on climate change, its implications, and potential future risks.

How language shapes public perception

But Professor Marie Juanchich from the Department of Psychology found that the IPCC's guidelines for communicating uncertainty may fuel skepticism.

The IPCC uses the term "unlikely" or "the likelihood is low" for events like large magnitude sea level rise with a less than 33% chance of happening, which frames outcomes negatively.

Professor Juanchich found this was associated with fringe events and people tend to use terms like this in everyday conversation when disagreeing or doubting the truth of what they heard.

As a result, hearing "unlikely" led people to think climate scientists are divided, even when they are not.

This can make it easier for misinformation to spread, with the study finding that this crosses political orientations and beliefs in climate change.

The impact of small wording changes

Across eight experiments, Professor Juanchich found that small wording changes, such as using "there is a small chance," focus attention on why something might happen and increase confidence in predictions.

Professor Juanchich said, "Although this is a simple change in wording, it can make a big difference as many low-probability events can still have severe impacts.

"A 20% chance of extreme sea-level rises or extreme precipitation events is not something communities can afford to ignore.

"Yet calling these events 'unlikely' may make the public less aware of the risk and less willing to support actions that reduce or prepare for the threat of climate change."

Calls for clearer communication

Politicians, diplomats, scientists, campaigners, and journalists met as global climate targets were scrutinized.

Professor Juanchich said, "The IPCC is providing a tremendous service to society by synthesizing worldwide research on climate change to better inform climate action.

"It is important that insights covered in the reports are presented in a way that communicates their high scientific standards and climate scientists' agreements on those estimates.

"We need to come together to address climate change, despite political divisions and rising populism currently dampening CO 2 reduction efforts. There is no planet B."

More information: Marie Juanchich et al, Negative verbal probabilities undermine communication of climate science, Nature Climate Change (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41558-025-02472-1 Journal information: Nature Climate Change
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

One of the most comprehensive surveys to date of shark and other large predator fish in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) ocean finds that remote marine protected areas (MPAs)including the Galapagos, Malpelo, Clipperton, and Revillagigedo islandssupport some of the largest numbers of sharks reported globally, including the critically endangered scalloped hammerhead, while coastal MPAs are showing signs of severe depletion.

"The oceanic islands of the Eastern Tropical Pacific represent a window into the past, where sharks and large predatory fishes are the norm and not the exception," says Dr. Pelayo Salinas-de-Leon, Principal Investigator at the Charles Darwin Foundation and senior author of the study.

"These areas provide a glimpse of what a healthy ocean looks like and highlight the key role ocean conservation plays in safeguarding these last strongholds from systematic overfishing."

The study, published in PLOS One, was led by researchers from the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF), in collaboration with National Geographic Pristine Seas, the Galapagos National Park Directorate and other regional research institutions.

The research team used Baited Remote Underwater Video systems (BRUVs) to assess shark and other large predators in seven MPAs, including four oceanic (Galapagos, Malpelo, Clipperton, and Revillagigedo) and three coastal (Machalilla, Galera San Francisco, and Cano Island).

Using a similar assessment approach to the Global FinPrint initiative in other tropical regions of the world, the research closes a gap on knowledge about shark and other predator populations in the Eastern Pacific.

"Oceanic islands, like the Galapagos and Malpelo, are incredible places where extraordinary populations of sharks and other large predatory fisheslike jacks, groupers, and snappersstill thrive at a time when these fish are rapidly disappearing elsewhere," explains Simon McKinley, lead author of the study.

"The marine protected areas around them combined with their remote location provide protection to marine communities from unsustainable fishing practices, allowing animals to live out their natural lives largely undisturbed."

Additional findings include:

The oceanic island MPAs surveyed support abundant and diverse fish communities across all levels of the food web.

Most Galapagos sharks observed at Clipperton measured at juvenile sizes, suggesting that the MPA functions as an important nursery site. In contrast, mostly larger, mature individuals were measured at other island MPAs, indicating these sites serve as adult aggregation or foraging grounds. These findings highlight the complementarity of different MPAs in a regional network in protecting different habitats that support the different life-stages of sharks.

Predatory fish communities differed between the oceanic islands, likely influenced by regional currents and local environmental conditions such as temperature and food availability. The critically endangered scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) was recorded most frequently in the southern MPAs of Galapagos and Malpelo, while the vulnerable silvertip shark (Carcharhinus albimarginatus) was the most commonly observed species in the northern MPAs of Revillagigedo and Clipperton. These patterns highlight how each marine protected area harbors distinct marine communities, underscoring the need for management strategies tailored to their unique ecological conditions.

Coastal MPAs show worrying declines

In contrast to assessments of the remote island MPAs, surveys of coastal MPAs revealed few large predators and low fish abundances, which are signs of a marine ecosystem under pressure. Scientists describe this trend as "fishing down the food web," an unsustainable practice where the removal of large species, like sharks, means fishers catch smaller species at lower levels in the food web, ultimately leading to their extinction.

"The fact that we observed only a small handful of sharks and large predatory fishes in these coastal MPAs is worrying. Especially as there are past records of them in these areas," adds McKinley.

"The sad reality is that, despite being within protected areas, these species have likely been unsustainably fished over time to the point that they have been partly or entirely removed from marine ecosystems."

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Marine protection strategies and challenges

More than 77 MPAs have been designated in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador, including oceanic islands within their exclusive economic zones (EEZs). These MPAs vary in their level of protection, ranging from allowing extractive activities, to mixed-use management approaches, to fully protected no-take zones, where all human activity is strictly forbidden.

"This study reinforces what we already know: strictly-protected marine reserves where extractive activity is banned is the best way to help the ocean recover," remarked Enric Sala, National Geographic Explorer in Residence and founder of Pristine Seas who served as an author on the study.

"But it also shows that when fishing is allowed in MPAsas in many so-called 'protected areas' in the Eastern Tropical Pacificthey can't replenish marine life. Minimally-protected MPAs simply aren't able to offer the benefits that countries hope for."

Ongoing research and global goals

The study was conducted over a series of expeditions across the ETP region together with local partners such as the Malpelo Foundation in Colombia, Pelagios Kakunja in Mexico and France, Osa Conservation in Costa Rica and Ecuador's Ministry of Environment.

These two- to three-week-long expeditions were mostly undertaken as part of the Pristine Seas efforts to explore, document and help safeguard some of the most pristine parts of our oceans. This research is also part of ongoing efforts by CDF to strengthen science-based conservation across the Eastern Tropical Pacific.

Currently, less than 10% of the ocean is in some form of protectionand only 3% is highly protected from damaging activities. An overwhelming body of peer-reviewed research shows that MPAs that ban fishing are the most effective mechanism to replenish marine life and deliver countless benefits to people, the economy and the climate.

"We only have five years left to achieve the global goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030, with research showing we must establish 300 large, remote MPAs and 190,000 smaller, coastal MPAs to achieve the target," said Sala.

"The success of the remote island MPAs of the Eastern Pacific Ocean serve as inspiration to us all."

More information: Relative abundance and diversity of sharks and predatory teleost fishes across Marine Protected Areas of the Tropical Eastern Pacific, PLOS One (2025). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0334164 Journal information: PLoS ONE
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A study by researchers at the University of Rhode Island has found that the northern section of Narragansett Bay has a higher concentration of microplastics than the southern section. Credit: Narragansett Bay Estuary Program

It's safe to say Rhode Islanders have a symbiotic relationship with Narragansett Bay.

Its status as New England's tidal estuary helps define Rhode Island as the Ocean State. For hundreds of years, people have fished, swam, and built homes, lives and businesses using the 147-square mile bay.

But for better or for worse, that relationship is very much a two-way street, especially when it comes to microplastics.

Microplastics accumulate in northern bay areas

New research from scientists at the University of Rhode Island suggests that microplastics are more likely to accumulate in the northern parts of Narragansett Bay, closer to where the state's biggest population clusters live.

"Our results suggest that freshwater rivers flowing through urban areas are likely accumulating microplastics and then depositing them into the bay," said Sarah Davis, a postdoctoral research fellow at URI, during a virtual talk earlier this month.

The study, authored by Davis and fellow URI researcher Victoria Fulfer from the 5 Gyres Institute, shows that southern Narragansett Bay tends to have lower amounts of microplastics. The work is published in the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin.

Fewer Rhode Islanders live along that part of the bay, using fewer products that contain or turn into microplastics. The southern reaches of the bay also have the added advantage of being closer to the ocean, therefore getting regularly flushed out.

Research methods and findings explained

Davis and Fulfer's virtual presentation of their results was part of Rhode Island Sea Grant's Coastal State Series, a discussion and lecture series dedicated to spotlighting current research on marine issues impacting Rhode Island.

Davis said the researchers used surface water travel to collect samples during three seasons: winter, spring, and a combined fall and summer season. Over two years, they collected two replicate samples from each site, leading to a total of 72 unique trawls throughout the bay.

Microplastic pollution has been steadily increasing in the bay since the 1950s, according to Fulfer, tracking with the nationwide trend of plastic product production and consumption.

Not all environmental features of the bay capture microplastics evenly, she said. According to the research, the state's marshes trap 10 to 50 times more microplastics than the nearby seabed.

Fulfer said they sampled marshes close to Providence, and two more on Conanicut Island, which hosts the town of Jamestown. While the marsh closer to Providence had much higher concentrations of microplastics, the pair of marshes in Jamestown still had higher concentrations of microplastics than the nearby seafloor.

"Microplastic accumulation in Narragansett Bay still varies through space from north to south, but that variation has persisted throughout the last 70 years," Fulfer said. "It's exponentially increasing over time, and it varies based on the environment type."

Fulfer was one of the researchers who published a study in 2023 showing the top 2 inches of Narragansett Bay's seafloor contained more than 1,000 tons of microplastics.

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Environmental and health impacts of microplastics

Microplastics, defined as tiny pieces of plastic smaller than 5 millimeters in length, have rapidly become the defining ocean pollutant of the century. Over the past few years, scientists around the globe have discovered microplastics in just about everything, including the human body. Their exact impact on human health isn't yet clear.

Research shows microplastics have a negative impact on the environment. They're easily ingested by organisms, leading to digestive blockages, reduced efficiency during feedings, and hindering nutrient absorption. They can also act as vectors, magnifying the impacts of natural pollutants on organisms.

Davis said the study's results would help organizations attempting to abate and manage a lot of the runoff and other pollution in Narragansett Bay.

"Targeted efforts to reduce urban runoff into freshwater rivers and to improve wastewater management during high river flow periods could be really effective in mitigating microplastic inputs into the bay," Davis said.

More information: Sarah M. Davis et al, Comparing field-based microplastic observations with ocean circulation model outputs in estuarine surface waters along a human population gradient, Marine Pollution Bulletin (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118224 Journal information: Marine Pollution Bulletin
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

When Cop30 convened in Belem, deep inside the Amazon, the world's attention turned once again to negotiations, emissions pledges and political maneuvering. The global stage was set against one of Earth's most biodiverse landscapes and some of its most vulnerable communities, yet the conversation still leaned heavily toward geopolitics rather than people.

Inside the crowded halls of the UN climate summit, Cop30, human stories were everywhere. Posters showed survivors of recent hurricanes, farmers battling crop loss and Indigenous leaders fighting for the survival of their territories. But these voices rarely made it into the mainstream narrative.

Climate change is often framed as a scientific or diplomatic issue, but before it becomes environmental or political, it is profoundly human. The way we communicate about climate change during global summits and in everyday life needs to reflect this reality through stories.

Across the developing world and increasingly in developed countries, climate change shapes daily routines in disruptive and often painful ways. In Karachi, Pakistan, a mother lies awake through stifling heat, worried her toddler will struggle to breathe during the next power cut.

In Kingston, Jamaica, survivors of Hurricane Melissa describe "homes that no longer feel like themselves." In informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya, neighbors share water during heat waves because municipal supplies have run dry.

These are the intimate forms of environmental grief that rarely surface in international negotiations, even though many communities face climate pressures far more intensely than others.

These experiences carry deep emotional weight. They are not abstract threats for a distant future but lived realities that shape sleep, caregiving, conflict and identity. Yet coverage of Cop30 focused heavily on diplomatic language and emissions curves. Psychology research consistently shows that people engage more deeply when they can recognize themselves, their families, their fears and their hopes in climate stories. Without that human connection, climate messages often become background noise.

A common reaction to climate communication today is exhaustion. People are not disengaged; they are overwhelmed. Years of catastrophic headlines, stalled policies and political gridlock create a sense of powerlessness. This "climate fatigue" is often mistaken for apathy, yet it is more accurately a form of emotional self-protection. At Cop30, fatigue showed up in activists, negotiators and residents who have endured repeated broken promises.

Climate communication has too often relied on doom-narratives that paralyze rather than motivate. When fear dominates, many people withdraw to protect their mental well-being.

The alternative is not sugar-coating reality. Effective communication offers grounded hope. This means honest stories of collective action and practical solutions that feel achievable.

In Kenya, communities work together on sustainable cooling. In Pakistan, youth volunteers maintain flood early warning systems. Across European cities, residents develop urban greening projects that cool streets and strengthen community ties.

These are not heroic tales but examples of ordinary people protecting each other amid extraordinary circumstances. They build a sense of agency instead of despair.

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Whose voice matters?

Climate messages resonate most when they come from trusted messengers. At Cop30, some of the most compelling communicators were not national delegations but community organizers, Indigenous leaders, youth representatives and climate activists who speak from lived experience.

In many places, trust is grounded in proximity and shared identity. People listen to those who understand their world: a nurse explaining how heat worsens chronic illness, a neighborhood elder describing changing flood patterns or a farmer talking about soil loss.

Youth leaders and activists from communities already experiencing the strongest climate impacts have become particularly influential communicators because they explain climate change through the realities of daily life. Climate communication falters when experts speak at audiences rather than with them. Lived experience is not an optional extra; it is a form of expertise.

Another key lesson for communicators is that climate messages created in Europe or North America cannot simply be transplanted elsewhere. Media environments vary, trust in institutions differs and histories of colonization, inequality and recurrent disasters shape how people interpret climate information.

For many communities in the Amazon, climate change is inseparable from land rights, cultural identity and survival. In Pakistan, extreme heat strains fragile health systems and intensifies the emotional labor of caregiving, especially for women. In Caribbean nations, the trauma of repeated storms influences how people view political promises made at global summits.

Cop30 brought together voices from around the world, making it an essential moment for global reporting to recognize how differently climate change is felt and understood across regions. Climate communication must be culturally grounded, attentive to local realities and responsive to the needs of communities most affected.

Events like Cop30 often produce ambitious declarations, but declarations alone do not shift public engagement. People connect to climate action through stories that reflect their own struggles and resilience: a family rebuilding after a hurricane; neighbors sharing water during heat waves; young people restoring mangroves to protect coastlines; mothers comforting frightened children as storms approach.

These stories reveal immense labor and courage, as survivors in Jamaica and Pakistan emphasize. They show people enduring hardship without adequate support, resisting inequality and surviving systemic neglect.

By placing lived experience at the center of climate communication, we move beyond abstract numbers toward the meaning of climate change in real lives. And meaning motivates action. Evidence from Africa also shows that stories grounded in local action can increase feelings of efficacy and strengthen community connection.

Cop30 demonstrated that urgency alone is not enough. People engage when they feel seen. Climate communication must acknowledge fear without feeding hopelessness, and it must connect science to daily realities. The clearest messages come from lived experience: women sharing water during heat waves, families rebuilding homes after storms, neighbors checking on one another during power cuts. These moments reveal what climate change truly means and why action matters.

As global negotiations continue, these human stories, alongside policymakers' endorsements and policy announcements, must guide us. They do not compete with science; they give it meaning. If climate communication is to meet this moment, it needs to begin and end with people.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Campaign Highlights Generosity and Commitment to Improving Lives

STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Philip Morris International's U.S. businesses ("PMI U.S.") today announced the launch of "Thanks for Giving," a call to action inspiring New Yorkers to recognize and support the charitable organizations and individuals working every day to build stronger communities. As Americans pause to recognize Thanksgiving and #GivingTuesday, the Thanks for Giving campaign highlights the spirit of generosity that drives impact year-round, while celebrating the extraordinary service of charitable partnersfrom national nonprofits to local organizations working tirelessly in communities across the nation.

"#GivingTuesday started as a single day of goodwill, but the true impact comes when generosityand accountability with those investmentsbecomes part of our everyday behavior," said Marian Salzman, Senior Vice President, PMI U.S., who was a driving force behind creating GivingTuesday in 2012. "At PMI U.S., generosity isn't limited to a season. Since 2022, our giving has exceeded $35 million, and our employees have increased their participation in community programs by 400 percent. Saying thank you is powerful. But living it365 days a year, with transparency and purposeis even more meaningful."

In 2025, PMI U.S. contributed more than $400,000 to 43 organizations in New York, supporting communities in need and the company's core giving pillars, including nearly $265,000 for economic empowerment initiatives and $40,000 toward veterans and military support. With that support, organizations are enabled to further drive meaningful community-level change to improve lives.

"PMI U.S.'s generous $100,000 gift doesn't just support our city's first responders, it strengthens the safety of every New Yorker," said Matt DiLiberto, Chairman, FDNY Foundation. "This partnership reflects a shared commitment to preparedness and ensures our first responders receive the advanced training they need to respond to any emergency."

"PIN is thankful for PMI U.S.'s generous grant, which has helped strengthen our women's empowerment and food distribution programs," said Nowshin Ali, Executive Director of People In Need. "This support has allowed us to expand our reach and create a greater impact within the communities we serve."

Other partners who received donations in 2025 include:

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

Tunnel to Towers Foundation

The "Thanks for Giving" campaign also spotlights the WeCare program, which empowers PMI U.S. employees to nominate nonprofits for company-funded donations. In 2025, it directed over $1,860,000 million to over 400 local organizations across 44 states and the District of Columbia. This brings PMI U.S.'s total contributions since 2022 to more than $35 million nationwide.

As a result, PMI U.S. employees helped direct $155,000 in company-sponsored funds to support various nonprofits across the state, including Autism Speaks, NYC PBA Widows' and Children's Fund, Beyond Support Network, and the Huntington's Disease Society of America.

Thanks for Giving is part of PMI U.S.'s pragmatic philanthropya better approach to corporate giving built on listening, investing for impact, and bringing others together to support those who are doing meaningful work every day. Learn more about PMI U.S.'s approach to philanthropy here.

PMI U.S.: Invested in America

Philip Morris International Inc.'s U.S. businesses are invested in America's future and advancing a smoke-free nation. The businesses are committed to providing the approximately 30 million legal-age consumers who smoke cigarettes with better, smoke-free alternatives and to ensuring the products are marketed responsibly. From PMI's global headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, and other locations nationwide, PMI U.S. contributes leadership, jobs, investment, and innovation in the U.S. The U.S. businesses employ more than 3,000 people across America and operate product manufacturing facilities, including in Owensboro, Kentucky, and Wilson, North Carolina. For more information, please visit www.uspmi.com.

References to "PMI" mean the Philip Morris International family of companies. "PMI U.S.," "we," "our," and "us" refer to one or more PMI U.S. businesses.

SOURCE PMI US Corporate Services, Inc.
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:

Nick Rajtar, a postdoctoral associate in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, sampling rhododendron plants at a Minnesota nursery (left). The sudden oak death pathogen, Phytophthora ramorum, under the microscope (right). Credit: University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota researchers detected the pathogen that causes sudden oak death in Minnesota for the first time. Sudden oak death is a tree disease that has devastated forests on the West Coast for decades and is expanding east with no cure. Early detection and containment are the best available tools to slow the spread of the disease.

Researchers in the University's Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center identified the sudden oak death pathogen, Phytophthora ramorum, while working on a multi-year project to detect a variety of invasive forest pathogens with the potential to damage Minnesota's landscapes and cause significant economic loss.

"Because Minnesota has a short growing season and ships in plants from other states, it is critical to monitor nurseries and Christmas tree farms for various plant diseases," said Nick Rajtar, a postdoctoral associate in the Department of Plant Pathology, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences.

"We have always had the sudden oak death pathogen on our radar. This early detection shows our biosurveillance methods are working and can reduce the potential impacts of this pathogenand many othersto cause damage to our natural resources in the state."

The pathogen was identified from a sample the researchers collected from a plant at a Hennepin County nursery in July, and later confirmed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Plant and Seed Laboratory. The plant has since been destroyed, and this appears to be an isolated incident.

"The MDA visited the site in September and collected samples from susceptible plant hosts, water and soilall samples tested negative for P. ramorum," said Michelle Grabowski, a plant pathologist with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. "The MDA reported the detection to state officials and will continue to monitor the site."

The researchers will continue their statewide monitoring of nurseries and Christmas tree farms for the sudden oak death pathogen and other diseases before they cause significant damage across the state.

"We are very fortunate here in Minnesota to have nursery owners who are interested in keeping new diseases out and allow us to survey and sample their plants to detect new pathogens and prevent them from being established," said Robert Blanchette, a professor in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, who leads the project.

The team will continue to work closely with growers, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
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 death toll from days of widespread flooding in southern Thailand rose to 33, with tens of thousands displaced in the country and neighboring Malaysia.

Tens of thousands of people in Thailand and neighboring Malaysia were displaced by widespread flooding, with streets submerged, homes inundated and at least 34 dead, officials said Wednesday.

The Thai government declared a state of emergency in Songkhla province on Tuesday, with torrential rains since late last week drenching several southern provinces.

An image from Wednesday published by AFP showed murky brown floodwater covering streets and ground floors of residential buildings in Songkhla's tourist hub Hat Yai.

One resident of the city told the Thai public broadcaster that the whole lower level of his building was submerged, with water reaching about three and a half meters (11.5 feet) at its highest point.

"I climbed onto the roof to call for someone to bring us food," the man, identified as Yanyong, told the television channel.

"It's now under a meter, but I still haven't received any help because my house is deep inside the (flooded) area."

Thai government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat told reporters that 33 people have died across seven provinces, including from drowning and electrocution.

Severe flooding has spread to seven southern provinces, home to several million people, according to the disaster prevention and mitigation department.

The flooding since last week has stranded residents and travelers in their homes and hotels, with rescuers using boats, jet skis and military trucks amid high floodwaters.

The military has deployed an aircraft carrier and mobilized helicopters to airlift patients to nearby hospitals, the army said.

Floods have hit eight states in Malaysia, with more rain forecast.

More than 10,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in Songkhla since last week, the province's public relations department said.

University campuses have been converted into shelters for displaced people.

The Songkhla provincial administration said Wednesday that it had set up food centers capable of distributing up to 20,000 food boxes a day to flood victims.

Thailand regularly records heavy rainfall from June to September, but experts say human-induced climate change has intensified extreme weather, making conditions increasingly unpredictable.

Stranded tourists

In neighboring Malaysia, flooding from days of heavy rain swept through eight states, with forecasters predicting more rain in the region in the coming days.

More than 27,000 people were evacuated to dozens of temporary shelters this week, with one death recorded in one of the worst-hit states, Kelantan, on the northeastern coast, according to rescue officials.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department has warned that thunderstorms will continue until Wednesday in the northern states of Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak.

Floods are an annual phenomenon in the nation of 34 million people due to the northeast monsoon that brings heavy rain from November to March.

Malaysia's foreign ministry on Tuesday said it was monitoring the flooding across the border after thousands of Malaysian holidaymakers were stranded in hotels in southern Thailand last week.

"Most of the affected Malaysians had been staying in multi-story hotels and have been accounted for," the ministry said in a statement.

As of Monday, "more than 6,300 Malaysians have safely crossed the border out of Thailand and safely arrived in Malaysia."

 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:

Gamma-ray intensity map excluding components other than the halo, spanning approximately 100 degrees in the direction of the Galactic center. The horizontal gray bar in the central region corresponds to the Galactic plane area, which was excluded from the analysis to avoid strong astrophysical radiation. Credit: Tomonori Totani, The University of Tokyo

In the early 1930s, Swiss astronomer Fritz Zwicky observed galaxies in space moving faster than their mass should allow, prompting him to infer the presence of some invisible scaffoldingdark matterholding the galaxies together. Nearly 100 years later, NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope may have provided direct evidence of dark matter, allowing the invisible matter to be "seen" for the very first time.

The elusive nature of dark matter

Dark matter has remained largely a mystery since it was proposed so many years ago. Up to this point, scientists have only been able to indirectly observe dark matter through its effects on observable matter, such as its ability to generate enough gravitational force to hold galaxies together.

The reason dark matter can't be observed directly is that the particles that make up dark matter don't interact with electromagnetic forcemeaning dark matter doesn't absorb, reflect or emit light.

Theories abound, but many researchers hypothesize that dark matter is made up of something called weakly interacting massive particles, or WIMPs, which are heavier than protons but interact very little with other matter. Despite this lack of interaction, when two WIMPs collide, it is predicted that the two particles will annihilate one another and release other particles, including gamma ray photons.

Researchers have targeted regions where dark matter is concentrated, such as the center of the Milky Way, through astronomical observations for years in search of these specific gamma rays.

Photon energy dependence of gamma-ray intensity of the halo emission (data points). The red and blue lines represent the expected gamma-ray emission spectrum when WIMP particles annihilate, initially producing a pair of bottom quarks (b) or a pair of W bosons, and they agree well with the data. Bottom quarks and W bosons are known elementary particles included in the standard model of particle physics. Credit: Tomonori Totani, The University of Tokyo

Breakthrough observations from Fermi telescope

Using the latest data from the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, Professor Tomonori Totani from the Department of Astronomy at the University of Tokyo believes he has finally detected the specific gamma rays predicted by the annihilation of theoretical dark matter particles.

Totani's study is published in the journal Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics.

"We detected gamma rays with a photon energy of 20 gigaelectronvolts (or 20 billion electronvolts, an extremely large amount of energy) extending in a halolike structure toward the center of the Milky Way galaxy. The gamma-ray emission component closely matches the shape expected from the dark matter halo," said Totani.

The observed energy spectrum, or range of gamma-ray emission intensities, matches the emission predicted from the annihilation of hypothetical WIMPs, with a mass approximately 500 times that of a proton. The frequency of WIMP annihilation estimated from the measured gamma-ray intensity also falls within the range of theoretical predictions.

Importantly, these gamma-ray measurements are not easily explained by other, more common astronomical phenomena or gamma-ray emissions. Therefore, Totani considers these data a strong indication of gamma-ray emission from dark matter, which has been sought for many years.

"If this is correct, to the extent of my knowledge, it would mark the first time humanity has 'seen' dark matter. And it turns out that dark matter is a new particle not included in the current standard model of particle physics. This signifies a major development in astronomy and physics," said Totani.

Gamma-ray intensity map excluding components other than the halo, spanning approximately 100 degrees in the direction of the Galactic center. The horizontal gray bar in the central region corresponds to the Galactic plane area, which was excluded from the analysis to avoid strong astrophysical radiation. Credit: Tomonori Totani, The University of Tokyo

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.

Next steps and scientific verification

While Totani is confident that his gamma-ray measurements are detecting dark matter particles, his results must be verified through independent analysis by other researchers. Even with this confirmation, scientists will want additional proof that the halolike radiation is indeed the result of dark matter annihilation rather than originating from some other astronomical phenomena.

Additional proof of WIMP collisions in other locations that harbor a high concentration of dark matter would bolster these initial results. Detecting the same energy gamma-ray emissions from dwarf galaxies within the Milky Way halo, for example, would support Totani's analysis.

"This may be achieved once more data are accumulated, and if so, it would provide even stronger evidence that the gamma rays originate from dark matter," said Totani.

More information: Tomonori Totani, 20 GeV halo-like excess of the Galactic diffuse emission and implications for dark matter annihilation, Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics (2025). iopscience.iop.org/article/10.  475-7516/2025/11/080 On arXiv : DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2507.07209 Journal information: arXiv
National Housing Commission presents first-stage project to build 420 homes in Puerto Morelos

Puerto Morelos, Q.R.  The National Housing Commission has presented a preliminary project to build 420 homes. The project was presented during a meeting with Puerto Morelos officials as the first-stage to the federal housing program.

Mayor Blanca Merari Tziu Munoz said Andres Madrigal Hernandez from the National Housing Commission (Conavi), presented the first stage of the project. The preliminary project will see the construction of 420 houses of the Housing for Well-being Program.

The mayor said the homes are set to be built on a plot of land located at kilometer 1.5 of the Ruta de los Cenotes.

She said the meeting was attended by the Secretary of Urban Development and Territorial Planning, Rolando Melo Novelo and the Secretary of Sustainable Urban Territorial Development of Quintana Roo, Jose Alberto Alonso Ovando, with whom the details of the project were reviewed.

Tziu Munoz said the housing program is an initiative of the federal government whose objective is to guarantee the right to adequate housing for low-income Mexican families, especially those in vulnerable situations.

For the project to be carried out, the municipality will issue the necessary permits from Urban Development, Environment, and Cadastre.

In fact, the City Council recently approved an agreement that will grant administrative facilities and tax benefits in support of the Housing for Well-being Program, Tziu Munoz explained.

According to the agreement, the necessary municipal permits, licenses and other procedures for carrying out the project and regularizing land tenure will be issued in an agile, simplified and timely manner.

Furthermore, exemptions, subsidies, or waivers of municipal fees, taxes and contributions arising from the construction, regularization, titling, and other related procedures will be granted.

Rolando Melo Novelo reported that the state will issue the corresponding rulings, approvals and feasibility studies for public services, while the federation will grant the necessary environmental permits.

Conavi will be in charge of hiring the construction companies responsible for carrying out the building. The meeting also addressed alternatives for connectivity, mobility, and the provision of public services.
Tourist files abuse of authority and extortion complaint against Cancun Hotel Zone officers

Cancun, Q.R.  Policia de Cancun say three officers have been relieved of their duties following a complaint of abuse. The three unnamed city officers have been accused of abuse, extortion and human rights violations.

The complaint was made by a Colombian woman Monday following a stop by two male tourist police officers in the Cancun Hotel Zone. On Tuesday, Policia de Cancun announced the suspension of three city officers alleged involved in the incident.

The man and woman who were arrested reported being arbitrarily detained, physically assaulted and extorted by members of the Tourist Police in Cancun Hotel Zone. The incident occurred in front of an establishment where the couple was arguing.

The woman filed the complaint and provided cash withdraw evidence.

Despite explaining that they were not causing a disturbance, they were forcibly subdued and taken to the police station. The couple said that while in custody, they were separated and the man required to hand over cash.

The two arresting male officers and one female officer from the station have been relieved of their duties.

According to the man, he initially paid the equivalent of $400 USD in Colombian pesos, however, the police demanded more money. Due to his card limit, the second withdraw was only for $500, a figure below what they wanted.

After the payments were accepted, he found his wife bound by her hands and with bruises. According to the wife, a female officer was led to her holding area by the two arresting male officers for the assault.

Once released, the woman filed a formal complaint for abuse of authority, assault, unlawful deprivation of liberty and extortion.

In a November 25 statement, Policia de Cancun said police abuse is not tolerated in Benito Juarez. Following a complaint from a foreign national, three officers have been suspended from duty to ensure an impartial investigation by the Prosecutors Office.

The Ministry of Public Security is providing support to the victim and reiterates its commitment to transparency, legality, and zero tolerance for any human rights violations.
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rques Exchange today unveiled a strengthened brand strategy emphasizing regulatory alignment, operational transparency, and governance integrity across all major markets. As global authorities tighten oversight on digital asset platforms, Rques positions itself not only as a technology innovator but as a compliant, responsible, and fully accountable financial institution.

Rques Exchange Strengthens Brand with Global Regulatory Compliance and Governance Frameworks

At the core of this strategic upgrade is Rques's multi-license regulatory architecture. The platform holds a U.S. Money Services Business (MSB) registration under the Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), enabling it to operate within one of the world's most stringent oversight environments. Additionally, the company maintains operational frameworks aligned with the expectations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), supporting compliant service delivery for users interacting with regulated financial instruments.

In Europe, Rques is advancing its regulatory access through a Poland-based financial license application, a key gateway to EU-wide authorization under established regulatory directives. Approval is expected to strengthen Rques's ability to deliver compliant, transparent, and institution-ready digital asset solutions across the European Economic Area.

"Our long-term vision is guided by a simple principle: regulatory clarity builds lasting trust," said Christopher Reed, Head of Global Market Development at Rques Exchange. "Compliance is no longer an optional standardit is the foundation that determines which platforms can survive and which platforms can lead. Rques operates with the belief that innovation must grow inside a well-defined legal framework."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ufpYENAkGc

Rques Exchange's compliance-centered brand development is supported by its institution-grade operational model, which includes:

Segregated client asset structures, ensuring full separation from corporate funds

AI-enhanced AML/KYC systems designed for proactive risk identification

End-to-end audit trails for traceable governance and regulatory reporting

Cross-regional compliance teams overseeing real-time policy enforcement

Infrastructure redundancy and resilience standards aligned with institutional requirements

According to internal governance teams, these systems allow Rques to maintain consistent accountability and operational quality across mature and emerging markets, while enabling regulators and partners to assess platform performance with measurable clarity.

Through its compliance-first brand strategy, Rques Exchange aims to strengthen its position as a reliable, transparent, and regulation-aligned digital asset platform, helping redefine the global standard for trust in digital finance.

About Rques Exchange

Rques Exchange is a global digital asset trading platform focused on regulatory compliance, operational transparency, and secure financial infrastructure. With U.S. regulatory registration and active expansion across Europe and Asia, Rques provides retail and institutional users with high-performance, governance-aligned digital asset solutions. The company's mission is to advance responsible innovation and deliver a safer, more transparent digital finance ecosystem worldwide.

Contact

Hannah Brooks

Rques

[email protected]

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2832624/Rques.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2832622/Rques_Exchange_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Rques Exchange
When a single summer electric bill hits almost $1,000, it stops being an inconvenience and starts feeling like a wake-up call. For many homeowners, that sticker shock is what finally pushes the question: Is it time to go solar?

A Reddit post captured that dilemma to a tee, as one homeowner facing a $700 bill after using more than 3,000 kWh in a month asked the community what a full solar-plus-battery setup might cost.

What is residential solar with battery storage?

Residential solar systems generate electricity from sunlight through rooftop or ground-mounted panels, allowing your home to rely less on the grid. When paired with home batteries, they don't just power your home during the day; they also store excess energy for nighttime use, peak-rate hours, or outages.

Advertisement Advertisement

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If you're considering exploring whether solar could work for your home, TCD's Solar Explorer is a helpful resource for comparing options and understanding what a system might cost in your area.

Why is going solar so important right now?

The biggest reason: It's one of the most reliable ways to cut down high utility bills and protect yourself from future price spikes. Extreme heat, increased energy demand, and rising per-kWh rates are putting pressure on households across the country, especially in hotter states such as Texas, making long-term solutions more urgent than ever.

The Reddit thread highlighted how big the difference with solar can be.

"We had a $700 electric bill last July and I freaked  Now our house is decked with 50 solar panels (18 kw system) and three Tesla batteries and our electric bill is zero now," one user wrote.



"I have 48 panels on my roof but no battery. I spent 40k on my panels and have a total of 18.48 kw  My average bill is around $20," a Dallas-Fort Worth resident shared.

How solar helps reduce high bills and increase resilience

Solar panels lower your reliance on the grid, and when you add batteries, you can gain even more control, especially during peak summer demand when electricity prices can jump. Battery storage also helps keep your home powered during outages, an increasingly important consideration for homeowners in states such as Texas.

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As you start exploring your solar options, TCD's Solar Explorer can connect you with trusted partners who simplify the entire process with concierge-level guidance. These partners can help you save up to $10,000 on installation by comparing competitive bids from vetted local installers, and they offer $0-down subscription options if you're working within a budget.

Programs such as Palmetto's LightReach can even lower your utility rate by up to 20% while giving you access to benefits such as federal tax credits through the lease structure. For those looking to buy panels, EnergySage makes it easy to compare bids and get information about available incentives.

How to get the most out of solar (and lower your usage)

Solar is powerful, but pairing it with efficiency upgrades can dramatically improve savings. Reddit commenters noted that simple steps can significantly reduce consumption, especially in older homes.

"Starting with improving insulation and high efficiency windows, weather sealing, window shades, then move towards increasing the efficiency of your appliances and HVAC equipment. It makes a huge, huge difference over time," one Redditor explained.

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You can also pair solar with a heat pump or updated HVAC system to drive your costs even lower. Tools such as TCD's HVAC Explorer make it easy to compare efficient systems that fit your home and budget. The Palmetto Home app is also giving away up to $5,000 in rewards for making certain home upgrades.

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.
Consensus machines

Posted on 26 November 2025 by Zeke Hausfather

This is a re-post from The Climate Brink

I still spend a decent amount of time engaging with folks who disagree with me on X (nee Twitter). One thing there has recently caught my eye is the integration of Grok, xAIs large language model (LLM), into twitter engagements. Users can ask Grok questions and get answers, and in many cases (particularly for scientific questions) these answers are not necessarily what they are looking for:

Grok is somewhat of an outlier in the LLM space as its developers have tried to manipulate its outputs to fit their ideological priors (with some unfortunate results). But even Grok is surprisingly consistent at giving scientifically accurate answers to questions about topics like climate change, vaccines, evolution, GMOs, and others where the US public tends to be divided along ideological lines.

Models as consensus machines

LLMs are at their core consensus machines. We ask LLMs a question and they give us an answer. But what theyre really doing is picking from a distribution of possible answers that they learned from the sum total of digitized human knowledge: the internet, books, papers, code, etc. Call that distribution the models consensus. It isnt a vote of experts; its what the data and later training steps make most likely given your prompt. Post-training then teaches the model which of those plausible answers people generally prefer, and tools like retrieval can put fresh evidence into the models short-term memory so recent facts get more weight.

Broadly speaking, LLMs involve three layers:

Priors from pretraining. The model reads the world and learns patterns that make some answers more likely than others. Transformers do this well because attention lets them pull together relevant bits across long contexts (Vaswani et al., 2017). Preferences from post-training. We teach the model to choose answers people like using supervised examples and preference learning (Ouyang et al., 2022). Evidence at inference. Retrieval and tools give the model updated sources, numbers, and citations in the prompt itself, which can override stale memories (Lewis et al., 2020).

The pre-training process is at its core teaching the model to most effectively predict the next token. In practice, this means that common, consistent answers get high prior probability; rare or newly emerging answers get less by default. This is responsive to users choice of framing, as asking for competing explanations or evidence against a hypothesis will tend to give different answers. Under the proverbial hood, transformer attention learns to weight context that historically co-occurs with your query, which is why wording shifts can change outcomes.

Post-training tends to collapse many plausible replies into one good, safe, helpful reply, further pushing models to represent consensus views for a particular topic. Increasingly LLMs also incorporate retrieval-augmented generation adds snippets from a search index (papers, docs, web) into the prompt so the model conditions on current evidence, often with links you can verify. This usually reduces hallucinations and moves the answer toward whatever the retrieved sources support.

The net effect of these is to provide answers that are  generally speaking  pretty clearly in the mainstream for a given topic. You have to actively try to get LLMs to cast doubt on topics like climate change that are broadly accepted by the scientific community. This also means that expert views - articles in leading scientific journals, major newspapers, IPCC and government reports  will potentially reach a wider audience in an LLM world as they are given more weight in model responses.

Defragging the information ecosystem

Over the past few decades the information ecosystem has been rapidly fragmenting. People are increasing choosing information sources that confirm their preconception  Fox News vs MSNBC on television, X vs BlueSky online. Even Google searches, the closest thing we have to a common space on the internet, makes it easy to pick the search result that matches your preconception. If you are skeptical of vaccines, it does not take long to find a Google result to confirm your preconception.

Thats because Google does not have an incentive to give you the right answer in a search result, but rather returns those answers that are most popular with users of the internet. When Googling climate science questions, the first results are often from reputable sources like NASA, but you dont have to scroll down far to find more fringe climate skeptic blogs.

Traditional internet search is optimized to provide a variety of answers to your search query, with the user than selecting which of the results they want to read. LLMs, by contrast, are designed to provide the single best answer to a question.

Decades ago our information ecosystem was more shared in part due to the paucity of sources. Large swaths of people tuned in to watch the same nightly news with hosts like Walter Cronkite or Edward R. Murrow. While it is easy to overstate the degree of consensus back then, it was more difficult for people to end up in information bubbles (and more fringe publications trafficking in conspiracies like the National Enquirer were rightly ridiculed).

There is a good outcome for society where increased reliance on LLMs for information pushes us back toward a shared reality, where models can provide an objective view on topics without being tied up in debates over the political views of the author.

But there is also a bad outcome where models themselves fragment, and people increasingly seek out models trained to reinforce a particular set of views.

Thumbs on the digital scale?

Earlier this year xAI embarked on an experiment to make its model Grok less woke. Buoyed by concerns that model responses on questions about South Africa and other topics did not reflect the preferred views of Elon Musk, xAI changed the models system prompt (its core instructions on how to interact with users) to have it not shy away from making claims which are politically incorrect, as long as they are well substantiated.

This relatively minor change had a cascade of side effects. It turns out that content in model training data that self-identifies as politically incorrect is associated with a range of views that are problematically racist, antisemitic, sexist, or otherwise offensive. It was not long before Grok was calling itself MechaHitler and making insinuations about Jewish people, among other abhorrent behavior.

There are two potential takeaways from this imbroglio: one is that its easy for model creators to put their thumb on the digital scale and shape model behavior in problematic ways. The other, potentially more optimistic, is that efforts to manipulate model results will have unintended side effects that make the model less useful for general purposes or so problematic that it will lose out in the broader private sector market. It is hard to see many Fortune 500 companies wanting their brand associated with MechaHitler.

That being said, it may well be that motivated individuals figure out a way to make models more malleable on particular topics without being fallible on others. We see this in the latest instantiation of Grok, which generally behaves reasonably until you ask it a question about its owner. There is also the recent development of Grokipedia that is intended to replace Wikipedia in the future training of select LLMs.

I suspect we may end up somewhere in the middle. The most powerful LLMs  those from Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic - will continue to be effective consensus machines and will be used by the majority of companies and mainstream users. At the same time, second-tier models will be more ideologically slanted and will lead motivated users to less factual information. But given that we already have strong information bubbles in most of our digital experiences today, Im at least cautiously hopeful that the increased use of LLMs will help recenter expertise in the public discourse.
On November 25, 2025, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to a UN Special Commemorative Meeting in observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

Xi Jinping noted that the Palestinian question lies at the heart of the Middle East issue. It is a matter of international fairness and justice, and has a bearing on the situation in the region. Under the current circumstances, the international community should further build consensus and take more proactive actions to ensure a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and prevent the resurgence of conflict. The post-conflict governance and reconstruction of Gaza should be carried out based on the principle of "Palestinians governing Palestine", respecting the will of the Palestinian people and accommodating the legitimate concerns of countries in the region. Efforts should be made to swiftly improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza and alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. Most importantly, it is essential to focus on the overarching direction of the two-State solution to promote an early political settlement of the Palestinian question.

Xi Jinping emphasized that the Palestinian question is also a test of the effectiveness of the global governance system. China calls on the international community to face up to the root causes of the Palestinian question, demonstrate responsibility, take effective actions, correct historical injustices, and uphold fairness and justice. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights. China will continue to work with the international community to make unremitting efforts for a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question at an early date.
If youve been following the wretched, still-unfolding media scandal around reporter Olivia Nuzzis many professional indiscretionsspecifically those surrounding her love affair with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.youve likely wondered, once again, just what Cheryl Hines has made of all this. The Curb Your Enthusiasm actress and wife to the Health and Human Services secretary hasnt just staunchly stood by her man since the affair went public last year; she has refashioned herself into a devoted D.C. conservative, socializing with other Cabinet wives and parroting RFK Jr.s anti-vax doctrine with MAGA-/MAHA-world regulars like Russell Brand.

As MS NOWs Brandy Zadrozny reported earlier this month, Hines took the stage with the accused sexual abuser at a conference for her husbands old organization Childrens Health Defense, where Brand asked the audience to buy multiple copies of her new memoir, Unscripted, and bring in some extra proceeds, one night only, for the junk-science nonprofit that was hosting them. (He then went on to tout transphobic conspiracy theories around the French presidents wife in ramblings that seemed to make Hines  visibly uncomfortable.)

And yet, despite the boost to a friendly crowd and weeks of reinvigorated scandal around RFK Jr.from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions backtracking on childhood vaccines and autism to the allegations that he wanted to impregnate Nuzzithere doesnt seem to be much wider interest in what else Hines is thinking these days. Even though, yes, shes been making promotional rounds with everyone from Tucker Carlson to Megyn Kelly, and some of these appearances have drawn a touch of notoriety, like her contentious guest spot on The View, which led her to question whether the hosts had even read Unscripted.

Has anyone, really? After earning no response from her publisher (Skyhorse Publishing, the infamous Simon & Schusterdistributed company that has also paid generous advances to her husband) to my asks for a galley, I attempted to track down a fresh hardcover throughout New York Citys vast bookstore scene, to find that only a couple of Manhattan Barnes & Noble branches were bothering to stock it. Before you scoff that this is just an obvious effect of, say, living in commie Mamdanis city, keep in mind that I had no trouble at all finding other conservative tomes from this year, amply stocked across NYC, whether from Sen. Tom Cotton or Bill OReilly. Same goes for the train-station Hudson outposts I patronized.

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One might think that Hines onetime creative partnership with New York icon Larry David would spur interest from those who merely want to get behind-the-scenes tidbits from the ever-popular Curb Your Enthusiasmand Unscripted does indeed have some of those, along with humorous anecdotes about her decadeslong friendship with David, incidentally the same person who first introduced her to RFK Jr. Then again, the Curb-fan niche (which includes yours truly) may have already been filled in this year by show director Larry Charles latest autobiography, as well as a tell-all about the series published just in September.

When I did nab the Unscripted hardcover, buried in the rear end of B&Ns New Nonfiction section, I noticed something else: There were no blurbs or forewords added from friends or admirers, something rather unusual for a celebritys Skyhorse release. The publisher of Olivia Nuzzis memoir reportedly pushed back its clients release date to December so as not to overlap with Hines, but even that small courtesy has been derailed by the American Canto excerpts claiming a smartphone-centric all-out romance between Nuzzi and Kennedy. (Despite telling the Times of London that she doesnt tend to read whats written about her husband, Hines has apparently told her friends that Nuzzi is a fucking liar, according to the New York Post.) The existence of that still-forthcoming book was publicized just a couple of weeks before Unscripteds release date, to the purported shock and distress of Hines and RFK Jr., who fear the revelations to come, per the Post. (Cheryl eventually and emphatically believed, without reservation, Bobbys denial of the Nuzzi affair, an anonymous source informed the tabloid.)

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That might cover it, then. The only info anyone wanted from Gerald Fords memoir was his reasoning behind the Nixon pardon. Perhaps the only thing anyone wants to hear from Cheryl Hines is either more funny stories about Curb or, more pointedly, how she went from encountering RFK Jr. at an environmental fundraiser, to condemning his characterizations of anti-vaxxers as being worse off than Anne Frank, to appearing in public sans wedding ring in the thick of the Nuzzi scandal, to doubling down so hard on this Camelot heir and their MAGA turn that, as she has admitted, her prior friendships with creative partners like Larry David and Tig Notaro have been severed.

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I did read the actresss 280-page book in order to find out more, and I have to say it was a useful exercisefor clocking the maddening contradictions that power Hines current heel turn, and the desire for score-settling that also underlies her writing. Thats not to say Unscripted is some hateful screed of vengeance. It is far more rounded than that, with heartrending moments of tragedy (which tie her closer with Robert Jr.s Kennedyesque grief) and touching tributes to her family, to the Curb cast and crew, and to the craft of improv she flexed on Curb, which informs the books title. But for those hoping Hines addresses the GOP elephant in her and RFK Jr.s room, Unscripted obfuscates just as much as it clarifies.

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Lets turn to the man referred to throughout as Bobby, actually. Hines makes clear she didnt vie after the mystique of the Kennedy name but truly loved this scion for his daring exploits in Bhutan, his animal whispering, and his wide-reaching empathy (on top of her admiration for his once formidable environmental advocacy, as she explained to Tucker Carlson). Yet she cannot seem to return that empathy to any of those harmed by her husband over the yearsthe women he sexually assaulted, the dozens of Samoans who perished to measles after he campaigned against the vaccine, the preceding ex-wife of his who died by suicide after discovering more evidence of his exploitative philandering. (Hines even inadvertently mentions the lawsuit from Bobbys ex-wife, through its viral brain worm excerpt, but goes no deeper than that.)

Related From Slate This Might Be the Messiest Political Media Story in Years Read More

In an interview with Page Six, Hines implied that the public judgments Bobbys earned from his fellow Kennedys helped stoke violent threats against him (when they spoke out publicly criticizing him, it added to the security risk that he was taking), yet she does not appear to have thought one second about RFK Jr.s many foes and the death threats theyve received after bristling against him. Hines invokes her everyday-people roots throughout the book, but its clear shes long been ensconced within a self-sealed elitist world.

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In fact, theres so much context left out of every event described that calling it sloppy would feel too generous. Katie Miller, the wife of white nationalist shadow president Stephen Miller, is mentioned here merely as Bobbys sharp witted transition team strategist. (Hines also hopped on Katies podcast during her book-promotion tour.) Hollywood is just another town full of intolerant libs and media hype machines who are vaccine extremists from the leftexcept for all the well-known, longtime anti-vax celebrities Hines seems to never have encountered. Bobbys anti-vax stance is based in concern for real science, however much real science says otherwise. And, in a book justifying a mans crusade against the health establishment, there are quite a few scenes showing the hospital system working pretty well.

But maybe all this elision is necessary, because its clear Hines has to compartmentalize a lot to make this life work for her, and it probably isnt working. Part of what likely led her to embrace this transition to political life is based on one of Hollywoods most depressing motifs: ageism. Hines is nearly 60 years old by the time Curb ends its 24-year reign on the air, and she worries there may be few roles left for her, hard as she worked to get to where she is now, and in light of how much Hollywood has been held back respectively by COVID, the strikes, and the Palisade fires. Still, distancing from old friends and moving to D.C. (the latter inspired in part, per Page Six, by a desire to keep tabs on Bobbys wandering eyes) has been conspicuously difficult for Hines, alongside the media attention and heartbreak and deaths (of her first Los Angeles friends, and of her nephew Michael) shes dealt with over the past couple of years. The best way for her to keep moving forward, it seems, is to keep bringing up page after page about how she never talked politics with friends and family and peers, despite the explicitly liberal bent of Curb Your Enthusiasm, the environmentalism that brought her in touch with Kennedy, and her own admission in Unscripted of her initial concern over Trumps rise. Or to write a whole book about politics that, shell insist, is not about politics.
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On Tuesday, the Wisconsin Supreme Court took a major step toward striking down the states congressional map, an extreme Republican gerrymander that blatantly discriminates against Democratic voters. The majority appointed a pair of three-judge panels to decide whether the map violates the state constitution and, if so, whether the judiciary must impose a fairer substitute. Its decision prompted dissents from the courts conservative membersincluding Justice Annette Kingsland Ziegler, who suggested that the imposition of a more balanced map would violate the U.S. Constitution. To make that point, Ziegler quoted a recent Supreme Court decision, Moore v. Harper, for the proposition that state courts role in congressional redistricting is exceedingly limited. There is just one problem: Moore said no such thing. That quotation appears nowhere in the ruling. To the contrary, Moore held the opposite, concluding that state courts can play a legitimate, meaningful role in congressional redistricting.

It is not clear how Zieglers misquotation wound up in the published opinion of a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice. By Wednesday morning, the court had withdrawn the opinion from its website and replaced it with a partial correctionwithout publicly acknowledging the mistake. Yet this new version doubles down on the first drafts underlying error: It continues to assert that SCOTUS severely restricted state courts oversight of congressional redistricting, offering a patently inaccurate summary of Moores holding. To justify her hostility toward judicial redistricting, Ziegler resorted to a make-believe version of the law.

Related From Slate This Dissent From a Reagan Judge Is One of the Most Unhinged Judicial Opinions in U.S. History Read More

Wisconsins congressional map has long been in the crosshairs of voting rights advocates. The states electorate is split almost evenly between Republicans and Democrats. Yet in 2024, it elected six Republicans and just two Democrats to the House of Representatives. This 62 split is a product of a notorious gerrymander that Republicans drew after the 2010 census. (A more conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court largely preserved the map after the 2020 census when the Democratic governor and GOP Legislature deadlocked.) Today, Wisconsins high court has a hard-fought, 43 liberal majority. The progressive bloc already struck down the states legislative map, an egregious Republican gerrymander, shrinking the GOPs majority in the Wisconsin Legislature. Now two groups of plaintiffs are targeting the equally biased congressional map. If their lawsuit prevails, Democrats could gain up to three seats in the House of Representatives.

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The plaintiffs argue that, under state law, the Wisconsin Supreme Court must convene a three-judge panel to hear their case. (Since there are two sets of plaintiffs, that means two panels of three judges each.) On Tuesday, the court agreed, appointing two panels to consider the challenges. Ziegler dissented, as did Justice Rebecca Grassl Bradley. (Both justices are hard-right conservatives who notoriously voted to overturn the 2020 election results in Wisconsin.) Ziegler deeply resents her liberal colleagues for diminishing her powers as chief justice after they gained a majority in 2023, an episode she condemned in a separate dissent also issued Tuesday. And here, she castigated them for authorizing a new attack on the states skewed map, railing against this putative pattern of partisan judicial activism  in furtherance of affording the Democratic Party even more partisan political advantage than it already has.

Zieglers core argument was that Wisconsins courts have no power to strike down and redraw the states congressional map at all. She alleged that such judicial meddling violates the U.S. Constitutions elections clausewhich, she asserted, vests redistricting responsibility exclusively in the state Legislature. To support that claim, Ziegler purported to quote SCOTUSs 2023 decision in Moore v. Harper. As the United States Supreme Court recently reaffirmed, she wrote, the role of state courts in congressional redistricting is exceedingly limited.  She put quotation marks around the words exceedingly limited, then cited to a page in Moore that allegedly used this phrase.

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But search Moore high and low, and you simply will not find the words exceedingly limited, or anything like them. (The phrase does not appear in the concurrence or dissent, either.) Nor will you find anything to support the core assertion that state courts may play almost no role in congressional redistricting. Moore involved a North Carolina Supreme Court decision striking down the states congressional map, another Republican gerrymander. GOP lawmakers raised the same argument that Ziegler is making now: that the elections clause forbids state courts from reviewing the legislatures rules for congressional elections.

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By a 63 vote, the Supreme Court emphatically rejected that theory. The Elections Clause, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority, does not insulate state legislatures from the ordinary exercise of state judicial review. A state legislature therefore has no power to create congressional districts independently of requirements imposed by the state constitution. So if the legislature draws districts that violate the state constitution, state courts may find them unlawful; nothing in the U.S. Constitution prevents them from doing so. Ziegler did not merely misquote Moore; she inverted its holding to endorse the very idea it rejected.

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Why? On Tuesday, I flagged the error in an email to the Wisconsin judiciarys public information office and asked how it happened. A spokesperson declined to provide a public explanation. However, by Wednesday morning, the court withdrew the opinion and replaced it with a new one. The substitution removes the quotation marks around exceedingly limited. Yet it retains the same language as part of a (wrongful) paraphrase of Moores holding. In other words, Ziegler continues to claim that Moore granted state courts exceedingly limited review of congressional redistricting; she just no longer attributes that quote directly to SCOTUS. Instead, she has added a citation to a passage from Moore that says: [S]tate courts may not transgress the ordinary bounds of judicial review such that they arrogate to themselves the power vested in state legislatures to regulate federal elections.

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As any reader can see, though, this passage does not support the proposition that state court review of congressional redistricting is exceedingly limited. Rather, it warns that state courts may not go beyond the ordinary bounds of judicial review but may validly exercise their powers within those bounds. This reasoning affirms that state courts authority in this area is not exceedingly limited, but entirely, well, ordinary. They are free to rein in the state legislature as long as they cleave reasonably close to their state constitutions and do not step outside interpretation into pure improvisation. That limitation may be somewhat subjective, but it is a far cry from the cramped conception of state-court power that Ziegler envisioned in both versions of her dissent.

In the absence of a public explanation for this slip-up, we are left to speculate how, exactly, a state Supreme Court justice wound up misquoting SCOTUS in a major opinion. Was it a clerks error? An A.I. hallucination? Whatever the cause, it is not some trifling oversight; this blunder undermined Zieglers most important legal rejoinder to the majority. And her would-be correction preserves the original misrepresentation of what SCOTUS actually ruled. Mistakes happen. But when they do, judges are supposed to fix them, not recast them into a doctrine that doesnt exist.
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The transcript of a leaked phone conversation between President Donald Trumps envoy, Steve Witkoff, and a Kremlin adviserpublished in Wednesdays Bloomberg Newsmight stand as the most remarkable security breach of the year, in several ways. And the document proves, once and for all, that in the negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, Witkoff is acting as a Russian tool.

First, Trump is left with two choices: to either fire Witkoff, who is not a formally appointed official anyway, or essentially confirm that he is acting as a Russian tool as well. The fact that Trump has decided to send Witkoff to Moscow for further talks in the coming days suggests the latter.

Second, the transcript of a follow-on phone conversation between two Kremlin advisers discussing the Witkoff callalso published by Bloombergconfirms that the 28-point peace plan, which Witkoff put on the table last week, was in fact largely a Kremlin product designed to favor Russias position. (After everyone noticed that this was the plans effect, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with European and Ukrainian diplomats, greatly revised the plan to make it more balanced.)

Finally, the leak is extremely unusual and possibly unprecedented. The National Security Agency and several foreign intelligence agencies routinely intercept and often record phone conversations with Russian officials. But I cannot think of a single instance when a transcript of such a conversationwhich, by nature, is very highly classifiedhas been leaked to the press. (Some transcripts have been declassified years or decades after the fact, and, even then, only long after the issue being discussed is no longer relevant.)

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Whoever leaked thisand it could have come from any number of placesclearly had an agenda: to expose, and thus help build opposition to, the dominant pro-Russia faction within the Trump administration (especially Witkoff and his most outspoken allies, Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth); or to embarrass Trump himself, either for its own sake or as a way of pushing him into a more pro-Ukraine stance.

The first conversation, between Witkoff and Yuri Ushakov, a top Kremlin foreign-policy adviser, took place on Oct. 14, soon after Trump wrapped up the ceasefire in Gaza. The chat opens with Ushakov congratulating Witkoff and Witkoff saying he wants to use that settlement as a model to end the war in Ukraine.

Witkoff says, I told the president that youthat the Russian Federation has always wanted a peace deal. Thats my belief.  You know I have the deepest respect for President Putin. He then suggests that the two of them line up a phone conversation between their bosses. Witkoff advises that in the call, Putin should butter up Trump as a man of peace.

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He notes that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is coming to the White House three days hence, then says, I think, if possible, we have the call with your boss before that  meeting.

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Ushakov seems surprised by the suggestion but agreesand, in fact, Trump did talk with Putin before his meeting with Zelensky, which put the Ukrainian president in a somewhat reactive, even defensive position.

Witkoff then returns to the topic of writing some sort of peace deal: Me to you, I know what its going to take to get a peace deal doneDonetsk (i.e., Ukraine giving up the eastern province of Donetsk) and maybe a land swap somewhere. He adds that Trump will give me a lot of space and discretion to get to the deal.

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It has since been reported that Witkoff, along with Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and a Kremlin advisor named Kirill Dmitriev, wrote the 28-point plan over the next few days in Florida.

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Bloombergs transcription of the second phone call tells us that the plan was largely a Kremlin concoction. The second phone call, made soon after the Witkoff call, was between Ushakov and Dmitriev. (The transcript, as reprinted, is in the original Russian and in English translation.) It reveals the two Russians plotting how to draw up the plan.

Dmitriev says that hes about to pass on a draft of a peace plan to Witkoff and Kushner. Ushakov says, Well, we need the maximum, dont you think?  Otherwise, whats the point of passing anything on?

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Dmitriev suggests handling it a bit more subtly. No, look, he says, I think well just make this paper from our position, and Ill informally pass it along, making it clear that its all informal. And let them do it [as if its] their own.  I dont think theyll take exactly our position, but at least itll be as close to it as possible.

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Ushakov says hes nervous that they might not agree with it or that they might twist it later there is that risk.

Dmitriev replies, Yeah, it seems to me that you can talk later with Steve about this paper. We will do everything neatly.

And thats how Witkoff and Kushnerworking entirely on a back channel with Dmitriev, having no formal input from Rubio or any professional diplomats or Russia specialists inside the administration (if there are any remaining)presented the 28-point plan, which was denounced by everyone as a recipe for Ukraines surrender.

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Related From Slate This Weekend Made Trumps Foreign Policy Look Like a Real Circus Read More

The plan, as they wrote it, would have required Ukraine to give up Crimea and the eastern provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk, to withdraw its troops from those and all other contested areas, to reduce the size of its army by one-third, to change its constitution to forbid ever joining NATO, and to stop firing missiles into Russia (with no reciprocal restraint from Russia). Meanwhile, it would have let Russia rejoin the G8 (from which it had been expelled after invading Ukraine) and be reintegrated into the world economy, with most sanctions dropped. It also noted that Russia would be expected not to invade neighboring countries but did not explicitly bar it from doing so.

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If Trump, Witkoff, or anyone else is embarrassed by the Bloomberg leak, or even shocked by the implied security breach, they arent showing it. The White House neither disputed the transcripts authenticity nor saw anything wrong with Witkoffs actions. Trump himself said of the report, Its a standard thing.  This is what a dealmaker does, adding that he likely made similar comments to Ukrainians.

But in fact, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll was dispatched to speak with Ukrainians, and, according to a report in the Financial Times, Driscoll spent his meeting in Kyiv presenting the 28-point plan as an ultimatum. At the time, Trump was doing the same in the White House, giving Zelensky till Thanksgiving to take the deal or to keep fighting his little heart out. After the plan came under heavy criticism, Trump changed his tune, saying the draft wasnt final and the deadline wasnt firm.

Still, Trump is sending Witkoff to Moscow, and Driscoll to Kyiv, for more talks, and has decided to stay out of any negotiations personally until a deal is ready to be signed. Putin has said that he liked the original draft (no surprise, since his own men drafted it) but has rejected the revision.

The war rages on, peace is not at hand, Team Trump is in shambles, and, for better or for worse, the highest secrets in the land are not secure.
200 MW of solar and 100 MW (200 MWh) of battery storage commissioned to support Texas growing demand and U.S. energy dominance

Project created more than 200 jobs and provides millions in tax revenue benefitting schools and first responders

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, RWE announced it commissioned Stoneridge Solar, delivering homegrown energy to Milam County, Texas. The project delivers 200 MW of solar power and 100 MW (200 MWh) of battery storage, strengthening the state's supply of reliable, cost-competitive electricity.

Andrew Flanagan, CEO, RWE Clean Energy: "Stoneridge Solar is a great example of the power of local partnership and the positive role energy projects play in economic stimulation. We are helping Texas and the nation secure their energy future with scalable, homegrown energy while also delivering meaningful benefits to communities across America's heartland."

Stoneridge Solar created over 200 construction jobs and now supports permanent operational roles  directly strengthening American jobs and economic growth. The project is expected to generate millions in tax revenue for Milam County and the Thorndale Independent School District, with direct investments supporting first responders and educational initiatives. From funding renovations at Thorndale Elementary School to partnering with the local volunteer fire department, RWE is helping communities like Milam County remain resilient and prosperous.

Shannon Morrison, Principal, Thorndale Elementary School: "RWE's kindness and support are making a big difference for our students, and we appreciate you more than words can say."

Stoneridge Solar embodies RWE's commitment to accelerate energy independence and provide necessary power to the grid. With a proven track record of delivering energy solutions, RWE's energy capacity across the U.S. has grown to more than 11 GW, reinforcing the company's leadership in delivering reliable and affordable power to homes and businesses.

For more information, visit americas.rwe.com.

For further inquiries:

Kellie Woods

Sr. Manager, External Communications

Corporate Communications

RWE Clean Energy

M + 680-599-0169

E [email protected]

RWE in the US

Through its subsidiary RWE Clean Energy, RWE is the third largest renewable energy company in the United States, with a presence in most U.S. states from coast to coast. RWE's team of about 2,000 employees in the U.S. stands ready to help meet the nation's growing energy needs. With its homegrown and fastest-to-market product, RWE supports the goal of American Energy dominance and independence. To that end, RWE Clean Energy is committed to increasing its already strong asset base of over 10 gigawatts of operating wind, solar and battery projects, focusing on providing high-quality jobs. RWE invests in local and rural communities while strengthening domestic manufacturing supporting the renaissance of American industry. This is complemented by RWE's energy trading business. RWE is also a major offtaker of American liquified natural gas (LNG).

As an energy company with a successful history spanning more than 125 years, RWE has an extensive knowledge of the energy markets and an excellent expertise in all major power generation and storage technologies, from nuclear, coal and gas to hydro, batteries, wind and solar.

SOURCE RWE
Aaron Merriman reached 17,000 career driving wins, becoming the third driver ever to do so in North America, on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at Northfield Park as he scored with Baby Yoda as part of a five-win night.

In the milestone-accomplishing drive, Merriman rocketed out from the outside post eight with the 5-1 Baby Yoda, who outlasted the relentless onslaught from the first-over favourite Shady Maple Alstar (Kurt Sugg) to win by a half-length in 1:58.2 on a "sloppy" track. Esteso (Keith Kash Jr.) finished third. The winning gelding, a seven-year-old son of Break The Bank K-Sugar, is trained by Cory Kreiser.

Merriman has topped the sports dash-winning leaderboard since 2015 and produced the second-most prolific season on record when he racked up 1,114 wins in 2018. He has 827 victories this year and is more than 80 clear atop the national standings. The 47-year-old Greater Akron, Ohio native made his driving debut in 1997 and since then, in addition to his 17,001 wins, has recorded more than $135.5 million in earnings through more than 88,700 starts.

Im unbelievably grateful to be in this position," Merriman said after the milestone win. "Ive had the privilege of working with great trainers, owners and horses throughout my career, and none of this happens without them. Its special to get a milestone like this here at Northfield, a place that means so much to me.

Merrimans other victories on the 15-race card came with Bettor B Sirius ($2.40), Mae Knows It All ($3.40), Jack My Style ($3.80) and Rose Run Alex ($2.80). The perennial king of Northfield has more wins than any other driver in history at his home track and was inducted into its Wall of Fame in 2013. He is ahead of second-placed Chris Lems by 264 wins in the local standings this season.

The reinsman, third all-time in career wins, is now fewer than 1,000 away from second-placed Tony Morgan, who earned his 18,000th win at Dover Downs earlier in the day.

(Standardbred Canada with files from Northfield Park)
Woodbine Mohawk Park will welcome the community to its third annual Winter Wonderland & Market this Saturday, Nov. 29 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. leading up to its live harness racing program.

The festive, family-friendly celebration will feature more than 40 local vendors and artisans, offering attendees a perfect opportunity to find unique holiday gifts. Visitors can also enjoy photos with Santa and holiday-themed childrens activities.

Guests are invited to stay for an exciting evening of live racing beginning at 6:35 p.m. Those planning to dine onsite can book a reservation for the holiday buffet in Harvest Kitchen, with seating starting at 5:30 p.m.

In the spirit of giving, Woodbine Mohawk Park encourages attendees to bring a new, unwrapped toy in support of the Tiger Jeet Singh Foundations Miracle on Main Street, as well as non-perishable food items to help local families in need. Donations will be collected from Nov. 29 through Dec. 6.

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (OSAS) will be hosting a 50/50 draw with funds raised benefitting the care of retired racehorses. 

(With files from Woodbine)
GUIYANG, China, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- During the World Anti-Fascist War, many Chinese universities relocated to Guizhou. Institutions such as Zhejiang University, Daxia University, Xiangya School of Medicine, and dozens of others continued their teaching and research sheltered by Guizhou's rugged mountains. They maintained regular academic life and trained a generation of talent. Meanwhile their faculty and students joined local efforts to support the resistance. The westward movement of these universities ensured that China's higher education could endure through the war period, keeping the academic tradition moving forward.

The Persistence of Seeking Knowledge in the Flames of War

Invited by The International Communication Center of Guizhou Radio and Television Station, Jose Luis Fonseca Conejo from Costa Rica and Gharibmamadova Sabzon from Tajikistan, both students at Zhejiang University, travelled to Guizhou to learn the history of their alma mater during the war. Guided by their senior schoolmate Zheng Xiangyi, a fellow ZJU student from Guizhou, they head to Meitan County to visit the former campus that sheltered Zhejiang University during the war. There, they learn about the hardships the university overcame on its long road west and how Meitan protected and supported it for seven years. In this quiet southwestern town, they come to feel how simple human kindness helped cradle the flame of knowledge and offered teachers and students a safe place to study, teach and serve the nation.

Their journey continues on to Fuquan County, where they explored the wartime relocation of the Tangshan Engineering College of the "National Chiao Tung University", the alma mater of ZJU President Zhu Kezhen as well as the predecessor of today's Southwest Jiaotong University, along with the story of the relocation of Beiping Railway Management Institute to Guizhou. They also discovered stories of Mao Yisheng and his contributions during the War of Resistance, gaining a fuller sense of how the universities that moved to Guizhou carried the legacy of Chinese higher education through a time of upheaval.

Throughout this journey, Fonseca and Sabzon see the resilience with which Zhejiang University's faculty and students pursued knowledge amid the flames of war, and they experience the generosity of the people of Guizhou. Most of all, they sense China's reverence for education, its commitment to preserving culture, and its belief in values shared by all humanity. At the end of the trip, Fonseca reflects, "I could see the knowledge preserved during the war now shining brightly for the future of this land."

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/PbVKhmdXu70

SOURCE International Communication Center of Guizhou Radio and Television Station
CleverCharge is a new home EV charging solution that uses AI to assist homes with multiple electric vehicles. Its a level 2 charger designed to help households cut costs, charge more effectively and monitor the charging process of the vehicles.

Charging at home is the best place to make sure EVs have the range they need before they hit the road. For households with multiple EVs, homeowners will have to choose which vehicle gets priority for charging. But with CleverCharge, the mobile app will notify when the best time is to charge each vehicle and when to switch them.

This new software has been developed by Danlaw, a tech company based in Novi, Michigan, that focuses on automotive electronics. Danlaw has been partnering with automakers and OEMs for 40 years.

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Mostly selling products to other businesses, CleverCharge is Danlaw's very first B2C (business to customer) product.

More: Should I warm up my car, EV in the winter?

More: Ann Arbor neighborhood shows net-zero energy living is possible. How it came to be

Installation

CleverCharge can be mounted indoors or outside and is able to charge much faster than your average level 1 home charger. There are two ways the charger can be installed at your home  hardwired by a professional electrician or install it on your own with a 240V NEMA 14-50 outlet that uses a simple two-screw system.

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The NEMA charge speed is seven times faster than a level 1 charger at 38 miles of range per hour. The hardwire option is even faster, adding 48 miles of range per hour or nine times faster than a level 1 charger.

CleverKey and mobile app

One of the most innovative features of CleverCharge is the CleverKey.

This key is connected to your vehicle through the ODB-II port and will connect to the mobile app on your smartphone to send you real time data on your charging. This key will instantly recognize your vehicle and is compatible with all makes and models besides Rivians and Tesla models before the 2026 model.

The AI assistance from this technology will learn your driving habits and give accurate range estimates based on how much and how you drive daily. The app will tell you whether you have enough range for the day or warn you if it doesnt think you will be able to make the trip.

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CleverCharge officially released on Nov. 25. Pricing begins at $649 for the hardwired unit and $599 for the NEMA unit. There will be a Black Friday deal for a limited time where there will be $100 off each unit.

Keenan Thompson is a car culture reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Contact Keenan at kthompson@freepress.com. Follow him on Instagram at @keenanautos. To sign up for ourautos newsletter. Become a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: CleverCharge plans to simplify at-home EV charging
Earlier this month, the China Manned Space Agency was forced to delay the return of three astronauts from its Tiangong space station after they discovered tiny cracks in their return capsules window, likely from a space debris strike.

Instead of using the damaged Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, which remains docked at the station, the crew took the only other spacecraft available to them for their November 14 return: the Shenzhou-21, which had arrived at the station in late October with a replacement crew aboard.

That left the new crew thatd arrived on the Shenzhou-21 in a pickle, though, because the craft theyd ridden to the station had now departed, leaving them with no place to shelter or return to Earth in case of an emergency, such as another space debris collision or unexpected equipment failure.

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At least, until CNSA pulled off a pretty impressive move. Less than two weeks after the snafu, China has successfully launched an uncrewed Shenzhou-22 vehicle and docked it to the station, where it will serve as a potential rescue craft and will eventually bring the current batch of astronauts back to Earth.

As Reuters reports, the replacement spacecraft lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China early Tuesday morning, docking hours later.

The launch mission was a complete success, the CMSA said in a statement.

Its an impressive turnaround time that comes just eleven days after we first found out about the cracks in the window. As such, it highlights the immense progress Chinas space program has made as of late, establishing a permanent presence in orbit in a matter of only a few years.

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In contrast, NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were stuck on board the International Space Station nine months longer than initially planned due to technical issues plaguing their ride, Boeings Starliner, forcing them to wait for SpaceXs Dragon spacecraft for their return this spring.

NASA relies on its private industry partners and Russias Soyuz capsules to send astronauts to space and back. Chinas Shenzhou spacecraft, on the other hand, was developed by the nations own space program  though it currently relies on a non-reusable rocket to reach orbit, unlike SpaceXs Falcon 9.

The Shenzhou-20 spacecraft was initially put out of commission as it does not meet the requirements for the astronauts safe return, per a statement by the China Manned Space Agency. However, according to Chinese media, the capsule may still serve as a way to return cargo.

Best of all, the Shenzhou-22 craft was stuffed to the gills with cargo, including fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as chicken wings that the existing crew will be able to roast in their brand-new space oven.

More on the missions: Chinese Astronauts Stranded in Space With No Return Vehicle
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Language models based on artificial intelligence (AI) can answer any question, but not always correctly. It would be helpful for users to know how reliable an AI system is. A team at Ruhr University Bochum and TU Dortmund University suggests six dimensions that determine the trustworthiness of a system, regardless of whether the system is made up of individuals, institutions, conventional machines, or AI.

Dr. Carina Newen and Professor Emmanuel Muller from TU Dortmund University, alongside the philosopher Professor Albert Newen from Ruhr University Bochum, describe the concept in the international philosophical journal Topoi.

Six dimensions of reliability

Whether a specific AI system is reliable is not a yes-or-no question. The authors suggest assessing how distinctly six criteria apply to each system in order to create a profile of reliability. These dimensions are:

Objective functionality: How well does the system perform its core task and is the quality assessed and guaranteed? Transparency: How transparent are the system's processes? Uncertainty quantification/Uncertainty of underlying data and models: How reliable are the data and models, and how secure are they against misuse? Embodiment: To what extent is the system physical or virtual? Immediacy Behaviors: To what extent is the user communicating with the system? Commitment: To what extent can the system have an obligation to the user?

"These criteria can illustrate that the reliability of current AI systems, such as ChatGPT or self-driving cars, usually exhibit severe deficits in most dimensions," says the team from Bochum and Dortmund.

"At the same time, it shows where there is need for improvement if AI systems are to achieve a sufficient level of reliability."

Central dimensions from a technical perspective

From a technical standpoint, the dimensions transparency and uncertainty quantification of underlying data and models are crucial. These concern principal deficits of AI systems.

"Deep learning achieves incredible things with large quantities of data. In chess, for example, AI systems are superior to any human," explains Muller. "But the underlying processes are a black box to us, which has resulted in a key lack of trust up to this point."

The uncertainty of data and models faces a similar situation. "Companies are already using AI systems to pre-sort applications," says Carina Newen. "The data used to train the AI contain biases that the AI system then perpetuates."

Central dimensions from a philosophical perspective

Discussing the philosophical perspective, the team uses ChatGPT as an example, which generates an intelligent-sounding answer to each question and prompt, but can still hallucinate. "The AI system invents information without making that clear," says Albert Newen.

"AI systems can and will be helpful as information systems, but we have to learn to always use them with a critical eye and not trust them blindly."

However, Albert Newen considers the development of chatbots as a replacement for human communication to be questionable.

"Forming interpersonal trust with a chatbot is dangerous, because the system has no obligation to the user who trusts it," he says. "It doesn't make sense to expect the chatbot to keep promises."

Observing the reliability profile with the various dimensions can help understand the extent to which humans can trust AI systems as information experts, say the authors. It also helps to see why critical, routine understanding of these systems will be increasingly required.

More information: Carina Newen et al, Trust and Uncertainties: Characterizing Trustworthy AI Systems Within a Multidimensional Theory of Trust, Topoi (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s11245-025-10287-0
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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum speaks at her first state-of-the-nation address at the National Palace in Mexico City, Sept. 1, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo, File

The Mexican government will build a supercomputer with a processing capacity seven times greater than the current most powerful computer in Latin America, officials responsible for the project said Wednesday.

Named Coatlicue, after a goddess in Aztec mythology representing the source of power and life, the computer will have a processing capacity of 314 petaflops.

"We want it to be a public supercomputer, a supercomputer for the people," President Claudia Sheinbaum told reporters.

A global race is underway to build ever-faster supercomputers to work in conjunction with AI systems.

The United States currently leads the field but Europe and Japan also have models in the top 10, according to an industry ranking of high-performance computing.

A petaflop equals 1,000 trillion calculations per second, a number expressed as 10 to the power of 15.

Pegaso, a privately owned Brazilian computer, is currently rated the most powerful in Latin America with 42 petaflops.

Construction of Coatlicue will begin in January and last 24 months for a total cost of six billion pesos ($326.6 million), Jose Merino, director of Mexico's Digital Transformation Agency, said.

He added that the main uses of the supercomputer will be solving public issues requiring high computing capacity, such as climate prediction, crop planting and harvesting planning, and water, oil, and energy projects.

It will also be used in scientific research and support for entrepreneurial projects, among other purposes, he added.

Mexico's model will be no match for the world's most powerful computers, dubbed exascale computers, led by El Capitan.

Operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the United States, El Capitan has a processing capacity of 1.809 exaflops or quintillions (10 to the power of 18) of calculations per second.

Europe recently unveiled a rival, Jupiter, housed in western Germany, also able to perform at least one quintillion calculations per second, which is equivalent to about a million smartphones.

 2025 AFP
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A crystal of the newly discovered piezoelectric material viewed under a microscope. Credit: University of Birmingham/University of Oxford

Scientists have developed a new material that converts motion into electricity (piezoelectricity) with greater efficiency and without using toxic leadpaving the way for a new generation of devices that we use in everyday life.

Publishing their discovery in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, researchers from the University of Birmingham, University of Oxford, and University of Bristol describe a material that is both durable and sensitive to movementopening possibilities for a wide range of innovative devices such as sensors, wearable electronics, and self-powered devices.

Based on bismuth iodide, an inorganic salt with low toxicity, the new soft, hybrid material rivals the performance of traditional lead-based ceramics but with lower toxicity and easier processing. It contains no lead compared to existing high-performance alternatives such as PZT (lead zirconate titanate), which is 60% lead, and can be produced at room temperature rather than 1,000C.

Piezoelectric materials generate electric charge when pressed or bent and can also deform when an electric field is applied. They are essential to technologies ranging from precision actuatorsused in products like camera autofocus and inkjet printer pumpsto energy-harvesting sensors built into wearable technology like fitness trackers, smart clothing, and car airbag systems.

Lead author Dr. Esther Hung, from the University of Oxford's Department of Physics who led the research, said, "By fine-tuning the interactions between the organic and inorganic components, we were able to create a delicate structural instability that breaks symmetry in just the right way.

"This interplay between order and disorder is what gives the material its exceptional piezoelectric response. It's a different approach to piezoelectricity than in traditional materials such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT), and that's what's led to these big improvements."

The global piezoelectric materials market is worth over $35 billion and continues to grow rapidlydriven by demand in automotive, health care, robotics, and consumer electronics, where devices that convert motion into electricity or precise movement are essential.

Researchers at the University of Birmingham used single-crystal X-ray diffraction and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to understand the material's behavior.

They found that the way that organic and inorganic parts stick together through halogen bonding can be used to change when and how the material changes its structure, as well as improve piezoelectric performance. This understanding could also be useful for enhancing piezoelectric performance in other materials that combine organic and inorganic elements.

From left, Dr. Benjamin M. Gallant, Dr. Dominik J. Kubicki and Dr. Shrestha Banerjee in front of a solid-state NMR instrument in the Molecular Sciences Building at the University of Birmingham. Credit: University of Birmingham/University of Oxford

Dr. Benjamin M. Gallant, Dr. Esther Y.H. Hung and Dr. Harry C. Sansom conducting single crystal X-ray diffraction measurements on the new piezoelectric material using synchrotron radiation at the Diamond Light Source, Oxfordshire, UK. Credit: University of Birmingham/University of Oxford

Dr. Benjamin Gallant from the University of Birmingham, who led the NMR study, said, "As an early career researcher, it's exciting to participate in research with the power to transform our societyalmost every device we use in our daily lives contains piezoelectrics."

The research was jointly supervised by Professor Henry Snaith (Oxford), Dr. Harry Sansom (Bristol), and Dr. Dominik Kubicki (Birmingham), bringing together expertise in new materials, crystal design, and atomic-level structure characterization.

Dr. Dominik Kubicki from the University of Birmingham said, "With performance comparable to commercial piezoelectrics but made from non-toxic bismuth, this discovery is a new pathway toward environmentally responsible technologies that can power sensors, medical implants, and flexible electronics of the future."
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(TBTCO) - Von vay nuoc ngoai cua Chinh phu, ac biet la von ODA va von vay uu ai a va ang tiep tuc ong vai tro quan trong oi voi phat trien kinh te - xa hoi, au tu ket cau ha tang, giao duc ao tao, khoa hoc cong nghe va chuyen oi so cua at nuoc. Tuy nhien, nghiep vu cho vay lai hien nay van con mot so kho khan
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China's top legislator meets Tonga's king

Xinhua) 14:45, November 26, 2025

BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, met with King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga in Beijing on Wednesday.

Zhao said China is ready to work with Tonga to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, firmly support each other on issues concerning core interests, advance high-quality mutually beneficial cooperation, deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and promote the sustained, sound and steady development of China-Tonga relations.

China's NPC is ready to enhance multi-level and multi-sector exchanges and interactions with the parliament of Tonga, providing legal safeguards for practical cooperation between the two countries, Zhao added.

Noting the close and solid friendly relations between Tonga and China, King Tupou VI said Tonga firmly adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to deepen pragmatic cooperation with China across various fields, enhance exchanges between legislative bodies, and continuously expand the Tonga-China comprehensive strategic partnership.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The movie originally had a b-plot where Neals wife thought he was having an affair.

Christmas movies are a thing, Halloween movies are a thing, but there really isnt a definitive library of movies people turn to on Thanksgiving, save for one: Planes, Trains and Automobiles. The 1987 buddy-comedy directed by John Hughes is in league of its own and serves as a Thanksgiving tradition for many people, owing to its charming ending when John Candys lonesome character Del Griffith is invited to join Steve Martins Neal Page for Thanksgiving with his family.

There are, however, other movies that take place on Thanksgiving, and while they may not be quite as good or beloved as Planes, Trains and Automobiles, they do exist. Here are some trivia tidbits about those, along with a bunch of facts about the one Thanksgiving movie everyone cares about.

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15 Inspired by Actual Events Back in 1987, Planes, Trains and Automobiles writer/director John Hughes told the Edmonton Sunday Sun that This movie is based on an incident that actually happened to me. When I was an advertising copywriter I set out from New York to Chicago on Thanksgiving weekend and after a five-day delay, ended up in Phoenix, Arizona, via Wichita, Kansas. Advertisement

14 The Lost B-Story In an Interview with Cracked, Laila Robins detailed the b-story that was cut from Planes, Trains and Automobiles where her character, Neals wife, suspected Neal was having an affair.

13 Wednesday at War Christina Ricci said her favorite scene to shoot in Addams Family Values was the Thanksgiving play. Wednesday Addams delivers a speech skewering the holiday, then she and the other children playing Native Americans attack the camp counselors at the camp. That was just really exciting because it was really like I was shooting an action/adventure film, said Ricci.

12 Candys Unnatural Curls John Candy got a perm to play Del Griffith. Advertisement Advertisement

11 Black Friday Movies Count! The Black Friday-set Kevin James comedy Paul Blart: Mall Cop was filmed at the Burlington Mall in Burlington, Massachusetts.

10 Three Thanksgivings for the Price of One The 1986 Woody Allen film Hannah and Her Sisters was heavily influenced by an Ingmar Bergman film named Fanny and Alexander (1982) as both films are told over the course of three consecutive holiday celebrations. While Fanny and Alexander focuses on three Christmases, Hannah and Her Sisters takes place over three Thanksgivings. Advertisement

9 Grumpy Legends Set over the course of Thanksgiving and Christmas, the 1993 Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau comedy Grumpy Old Men was the sixth film the comedy duo did together and their first major pairing since 1981. Grumpy Old Men was a hit leading to a late-in-life revival for the duo. Advertisement

8 I Like Me Steve Martin said he was brought to tears by John Candys touching I like me monologue in Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Advertisement

7 Holiday Heist Footage from the 2009 Macys Thanksgiving Parade was used to recreate the famed parade during the 2011 Eddie Murphy and Ben Stiller comedy Tower Heist.

6 Three of a Kind John Hughes, Steve Martin and John Candy played poker in between takes of Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Advertisement

5 Lights, Camera, Giggles It was difficult to film the cuddling scene of Planes, Trains and Automobiles because the cameramen kept laughing and shaking the camera. Advertisement

4 Carving Way More Than the Turkey Every single holiday had a horror movie attached to it except Thanksgiving. So our dream was to make a slasher film around Thanksgiving, director Eli Roth said of 2023 slasher Thanksgiving. Advertisement

3 Back to the Turkeys The 2013 movie Free Birds, which is about turkeys going back in time to stop the first Thanksgiving, had been titled Time Turkeys and just Turkeys before Free Birds was settled on.

2 A Much Longer Journey The original cut of Planes, Trains and Automobiles was nearly four hours long, in large part due to all of the improvising by Candy and Martin. In the end, the final cut was 92 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement
Lemurs are at serious risk of being driven into extinction as affluent city dwellers ramp up demand for so-called luxury meat.

The small primates, known for their bushy tails and large eyes, are already classed as one of the worlds most endangered species.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), more than 90 per cent of the 112 lemur species are threatened with extinction and have been placed on the Red List.

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While habitat loss, illegal logging and hunting have fuelled the populations demise  a recently discovered appetite for lemur meat poses a new danger.

Madagascars secret luxury meat trade

A four-year study in Madagascar has exposed the startling extent of the countrys backstreet demand for luxury meat, despite a 60-year old ban on hunting lemurs.

Researchers who interviewed 2,600 people across 17 major cities including key participants in the supply chain such as hunters, buyers, sellers and restaurant staff  found that nearly 13,000 lemurs are slaughtered and eaten each year.

Lemur meat appeared on menus in over a third of the cities surveyed, but most trade (94.5 per cent) is conducted in secret between suppliers and trusted clientele.

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Researchers found the trade is fuelled by profit, with many consumers willing to pay more for lemur meat than traditionally farmed animals, as well as perceived health benefits.

I eat it because I know things like that keep you young, one buyer admitted. Thats what people say in secret in the forest, it keeps you young because of the foods that they eat.

Another buyer described lemur meat as the most delicious food they'd ever eaten, arguing: Once you eat it, no one wants to stop.

Lemurs are being eaten into extinction

Brown lemurs, which the IUCN classifies as vulnerable, and ruffed lemurs, which are critically endangered, were the most commonly consumed animals, with wealthy clientele driving the demand.

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Scientists argue the crisis demands more than standard conservation efforts, adding: Without a comprehensive data-driven approach, the worlds most endangered mammals may soon be eaten into extinction.

How can lemurs make a recovery?

Researchers suggest enforcing stricter laws targeting illegal firearms - which are used to hunt lemurs - could help wild populations.

Launching targeted campaigns to reduce the desire for lemur meat could also curb demand, with scientists arguing that food safety concerns, such as the transmission of zoonotic diseases, could put consumers off.

Another key approach could be to stop the supply by providing hunters with viable alternatives that give them a dependable income, the study reads.
Speaking at a press briefing at the US Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York on November 25, Lindberg said American farmers were enthusiastic about the prospect of expanding exports to Vietnam. He noted that Vietnam is already one of the largest agricultural exporters to the US, but that current tariff levels remain a barrier to trade in both directions.



Regarding the possibility of Washington lowering import tariffs on Vietnamese farm produce in the near future, Lindberg confirmed that the two countries had reached agreement on a framework arrangement. He said the administration of President Donald Trump, together with its negotiating team, was working intensively towards a more detailed and comprehensive agreement. Greater access for US agricultural goods to the Vietnamese market, he added, would contribute to rebalancing bilateral trade.

In a related statement, US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that the US would continue to prioritise support for emerging and developing economies in modernising agriculture and transitioning towards market-oriented growth. This will be delivered through technical assistance programmes under the USDA, including Food for Progress, McGovern-Dole and export credit guarantees. These initiatives, she said, are helping improve productivity, build value chains and expand commercial linkages, as reflected in notable progress seen in Kenya, Ethiopia and Vietnam.



Speaking later at a round-table discussion, Minister-Counsellor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, Charge dAffaires a.i. of Vietnams Permanent Mission to the UN, said agricultural cooperation remains a key pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the US. Vietnam, he stressed, looks forward to strengthening substantive cooperation with the US based on shared interests, sustainability and transparency.



He noted Vietnams recognition of the US role and its support for a number of US-led multilateral initiatives, expressing readiness to engage further, particularly within the UN framework, to promote food security, economic growth, fair trade and environmental resilience. Vietnam, he added, values its status as a priority country under the Food for Progress Programme and hopes to continue cooperation in this area.



The diplomat also underlined Vietnams willingness to maintain dialogue on tariff issues with a view to creating a more favourable and mutually beneficial trading environment./.VNA
Pham Nhat Quan Anh has held key leadership roles at VinFast. Photo: VFS

On November 25, Vingroup (VIC) announced its partnership and support for Pomina Steel Corporation (POM), along with executive changes at two major steel enterprises.

According to the announcement, Do Tien Si will resume his leadership role at Pomina, where he will guide the companys recovery and growth strategy during its next phase.

The role of VinMetal CEO has been officially transferred to Pham Nhat Quan Anh to ensure continuity in Vingroups long-term metallurgy strategy.

Pham Nhat Quan Anh currently serves on the Board of Directors of VinFast (VFS). Prior to this role, he held several key management positions at VinFast, playing a pivotal role in the companys journey from domestic production to its global expansion efforts.

VinMetal was established by Vingroup on October 6 to enter the metallurgical industry. Initially, the company had a charter capital of 10 trillion VND (approximately USD 410 million), with Vingroup contributing 98%, and Pham Nhat Vuongs two sons each contributing 1%. By November 13, the companys capital had increased to 15 trillion VND (around USD 615 million).

VinMetal focuses on various steel product lines including construction-grade steel, hot-rolled steel, high-strength steel, and special alloy steel designed for electric vehicles and high-speed transport infrastructure.

According to Vingroup, the formation of VinMetal is intended to meet material demands across real estate, electric vehicle manufacturing, and infrastructure projects including the North-South high-speed railway, the Ho Chi Minh City  Can Gio route, and the Hanoi  Quang Ninh line.

In early November 2025, VinMetal had appointed Do Tien Si as CEO and legal representative, replacing Nguyen Viet Quang, Vingroups current CEO. Do Tien Si brings 30 years of experience in the steel industry, having previously served as CEO and Vice Chairman of Pomina. He is also the younger brother of Do Duy Thai, Chairman of Pomina.

Vingroup offers Pomina a zero-interest loan

A key highlight from Vingroups statement is the groups commitment to providing Pomina with working capital loans at 0% interest for up to two years. Pomina will also become a preferred supplier within the Vingroup ecosystem.

This preferential funding is expected to help Pomina improve its cash flow, restore its supply chains, stabilize production operations, and gradually recover its business and financial performance.

In addition to the financial support, Vingroup will prioritize Pominas steel products for use by its subsidiaries, including VinFast, Vinhomes, and VinSpeed. This preferential sourcing aligns with Vingroups broader strategy to increase the localization rate of materials in its key projects.

Nguyen Viet Quang, Vice Chairman and CEO of Vingroup, stated that the group hopes to help Pomina regain momentum, strengthen its position in the domestic market, and continue contributing to national development.

Pomina was once a leading player in Vietnams steel sector and a major rival to Hoa Phat Group (HPG), led by billionaire Tran Dinh Long.

Founded in 1999, Pomina operates three steelmaking and rolling mills with an annual capacity of 1.1 million tons of construction steel and 1.5 million tons of billets. The company was once one of Vietnams largest construction steel producers, holding a market share close to 30%. However, that share has diminished significantly due to Hoa Phat's rapid growth.

Pomina previously posted robust earnings, with profits ranging from USD 16 million to USD 28 million. However, in recent years, the company has incurred heavy losses. In the first nine months of 2025 alone, Pomina posted a loss exceeding USD 20.5 million, pushing cumulative losses to over USD 123 million and resulting in negative equity.

Due to serious disclosure violations, Pomina was delisted from the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) in May 2024, and its shares (POM) are now traded on the UPCoM platform.

Pomina has made several unsuccessful attempts to restructure and attract strategic partners. In 2024, the company failed to close a strategic deal with Japans Nansei Steel Group, which would have involved selling a 51% stake, due to foreign ownership limits under Vietnamese law. Attempts to partner with domestic firms like Thaco Industries also fell through.

Recently, Pominas Board of Directors announced plans to convene an extraordinary shareholders meeting in December to approve its Q3 2025 financial statements and discuss a new restructuring plan. The specific contents of that plan have not been disclosed.

Pominas stock (POM) is currently subject to restricted trading, with transactions allowed only on Fridays. It hit its ceiling price in two recent sessions, on November 14 and 21, reaching VND 2,900 per share (approximately USD 0.12).

Manh Ha
NA Deputy Nguyen Tam Hung (photo: Quoc Hoi).

The NA on November 18 discussed the draft law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Anti-Corruption.

Deputy Nguyen Tam Hung (HCMC), who suggested the system, explained that the scoring is conducted based on many factors, including asset fluctuations, declaration history, scope of authority, and exposure to sensitive sectors such as land, public investment, bidding, and finance-budget management.

Those with high risk scores must be placed on a priority monitoring list. This is a strategic approach, shifting from passive detection to proactive oversight, Hung said.

Regarding the development of a national integrity index, the delegate noted that the draft law only mentions assessment criteria, without requiring a unified, measurable integrity index that accurately reflects the situation in each locality, ministry, and sector.

Hung proposed adding a provision that authorizes the Government to issue a national integrity index comprising scoring scales, indexes, and evaluation standards for prevention, detection, handling, and asset recovery.

He emphasized that such an index is not just for reporting purposes but also a tool for evaluating officials and agencies, and fostering integrity-based competition among localities.

On building digital infrastructure against corruption, Hung argued that the current amendments just request stronger technology application.

He recommended requiring anti-corruption databases to be mandatorily connected to national databases on population, land, business registration, taxation, customs, banking, and notarization.

This is strategic because 98 percent of corruption acts leave traces through asset fluctuations and financial transactions. Only when data is integrated can oversight bodies detect unusual transactions, circular asset transfers, or assets held under another persons name. Without mandatory integration, the system will remain fragmented and ineffective, Hung explained.

Regarding the mechanism for risk analysis and corruption-risk scoring, the draft law currently only regulates monitoring asset fluctuations. Hung therefore suggested expanding it to a full risk-scoring system.

Assets and income from VND1 billion

Regarding the regulation that assets and income valued at VND1 billion or more must be declared, the delegate assessed this regulation as appropriate for the economic context. However, Hung warned that individuals may split transactions into smaller parts, making it difficult to discover corrupting activities.

Therefore, he proposed legalizing the principle that "all abnormal asset fluctuations, inconsistent with income, even if under VND1 billion, must be justified."

Pham Van Hoa from Dong Thap also supported the idea of requiring supplementary declaration if asset value and income abnormally increases.

However, he noted that as socio-economic conditions improve and officials incomes rise, the incomes of civil servants and public employees have increased, so the thresholds of income subject to declaration must be amended.

We cant revise the law every time that happens, he said, suggesting adding a provision allowing the Government to stipulate the value of assets and additional income requiring supplementary declaration.

Explaining the tentative provisions, Government Inspector General Doan Hong Phong stressed that the draft law raises the declaration threshold from VND50 million to VND150 million and increases the annual fluctuation threshold requiring supplementary declaration from VND300 million to VND1 billion.

I must clarify that this refers to fluctuations within the year, not accumulated balances carried over from previous years, Phong said.

The adjustment is based on two key factors: first, salaries have been raised three times since 2018; and second, socio-economic conditions have grown nearly threefold, with significantly higher market prices compared to 2018.

The requirement on declaration for assets and income of VND150 million or higher is applied to three declaration methods: initial declaration, annual declaration and declaration serving personnel management.

The threshold of VND1 billion in asset and income changes per year applies only to supplementary declarations, ongoing monitoring of changes and as the basis for verification when explanations are deemed unreasonable.

Therefore, the provisions in the draft law are consistent and aligned with the goal of controlling large-scale asset and income fluctuations.

Regarding digital assets, the Government Inspectorate said current legislation does not yet provide sufficient regulations, so this category has not been included in the draft law and will be further studied when a solid legal basis becomes available.

Tran Thuong
One of the most notable provisions of the 2025 Draft Law on Cybersecurity is the requirement for heads of agencies, organizations, and enterprises to hold a certificate in cybersecurity management - underscoring their special role and responsibility in safeguarding digital infrastructure.

At the roundtable discussion Cybersecurity Law 2025: A leap forward in data protection held on November 24, Vu Ngoc Son, Head of Research, Consulting, Technology Development and International Cooperation at the National Cybersecurity Association, highlighted this groundbreaking change.

This is not a technical certification for cybersecurity professionals but rather a certificate in cybersecurity governance and management.

Once the law is passed, official guidance and specific standards will be issued, with the Association supporting implementation and compliance.

This requirement reflects a practical reality, said Mr. Son. Cybersecurity is only effective when it is prioritized at the leadership level and integrated into decision-making.

Without leadership awareness, investments in technology, personnel, and security protocols may become superficial or misaligned with actual risks.

On the other hand, when leaders possess sufficient understanding and skills, they can guide cybersecurity strategies, allocate resources effectively, structure data governance, and ensure operational sustainability.

The draft law also places stronger emphasis on personal data protection and controlled information sharing, reflecting a shift in public responsibility.

Just like we take steps to secure physical property with locks or fences, individuals are now expected to take responsibility for their digital assets, Son explained.

Government warns of real risks and proposes criminal liability

Vu Ngoc Son emphasizes leaderships role in cybersecurity governance.
For nearly a week, residents and business owners in Lo village, Dak Lak province, have been working non-stop from morning to night. United by a spirit of compassion, they are offering free lodging to flood evacuees and aid workers, donating essential supplies, and delivering relief goods to severely affected areas.

The homestay owned by Tung and his friends welcomes a charity delegation with free accommodation. Photo: Provided by character

Just days ago, To Tran Anh and seven others traveled approximately 200 kilometers from Buon Ma Thuot to former Phu Yen province to deliver essential supplies to flood victims.

After a long day of relief efforts, the group returned to Lo 3 Village, located in the Phu Tho neighborhood of Hoa Hiep Ward, Dak Lak. There, they were warmly welcomed by Tung Le, a local homestay owner, who provided them with free lodging and amenities.

When our group arrived, there were already several other volunteer teams staying at the homestay. The host family provided rooms, warm blankets, and all necessary supplies. Their generosity was deeply touching - it really lifted our spirits, Anh shared.

Following the historic flooding, Tung Le and other homestay operators in Lo Village suspended business operations and opened their doors to flood survivors and aid teams, free of charge.

In just a few days, Les homestay alone hosted dozens of volunteers from various provinces supporting relief efforts in former Phu Yen. His family and staff took turns cooking and preparing accommodations to ensure everyone had a safe and comfortable place to rest.

I and the homestay owners of Lo 1, 2, and 3 villages discussed how to help people - from evacuees needing temporary shelter to out-of-town volunteers. Our homestays are open around the clock, offering full access to essential amenities, Le said.

The homestay run by Hoangs family opens its doors to offer free lodging to local residents. Photo: Provided by character

Dang Ngoc Thai Hoangs family, who owns the Ong Ba Tam homestay in Lo Village, also joined the effort, offering free accommodations to both residents and volunteer groups. In addition to two rooms at the homestay, the family opened an unused house to shelter five adults and two children fleeing the floods.

My family was fortunate to be spared from the floods, so we simply wanted to support others - volunteers, drivers, and affected residents. Our homestay has a kitchen, washing machine, and utilities for everyones use, Hoang said.

Nearby, Le Quy Tais Sea Space homestay has become a rest stop for over ten volunteers. Beyond offering shelter, Tai is actively connecting donors and recipients in heavily flooded areas. Every day, dozens of trucks carrying aid supplies depart from Lo Village under his coordination.

Those with trucks use trucks, those with motorized carts use carts. Were no longer concerned about making money - our priority now is helping people, Tai said.

In recent days, villagers and relief groups have been staying for free in Lo village. Photo: Provided by character

Many homestays in Lo village have opened their doors to flood evacuees and relief teams, offering free meals and shelter. Photo: Provided by character

Lo Village sits along the coast and has long been a popular summer tourist destination in Dak Lak (formerly part of Phu Yen). Quiet and nostalgic, the village charms visitors with its red-tiled roofs, faded walls, and narrow alleyways steeped in time.

Located just 5 kilometers from flood-hit areas like Dong Hoa and Hoa Thinh, Lo Village is among the few areas left untouched by the recent disaster.

Inspired by the homestay owners, other villagers and business owners in Lo Village have also pitched in, each contributing in their own way to support flood victims.

Mai Chi, 29, who runs an online bakery in Lo 3 Village, paused her business to help guide evacuees to available homestays. She also assisted those unable to return home due to flooding.

Mobilizing her family, she made hundreds of loaves of bread for relief efforts and purchased additional food, drinking water, clothing, and bedding to send to submerged areas.

Speaking to VietNamNet, Huynh Nguyen Ngoc Giang, Chairman of Hoa Hiep Ward People's Committee, confirmed that Lo Village residents and business owners had quickly mobilized to support not only their neighborhood but also surrounding wards.

Theyre sending food, dispatching rescue boats, and freely hosting evacuees and aid workers. The fact that so many homestays have closed for business to help others is a heartwarming example of Vietnamese solidarity, Giang said.

Linh Trang & Thao Trinh
At 12:48 p.m. that day, a major collision occurred at Km 42+600 of National Highway 1, in Hop Nhat hamlet, Nhan Ly commune, Lang Son province.

The crash involved a semi-trailer truck (license plate 98E-000.77) towing a trailer (license plate 98R-013.xx), driven by Pham Van Dung (born in 1981, resident of Viet Yen commune, Bac Ninh province), traveling in the HanoiLang Son direction.

The truck collided with a seven-seater SUV (license plate 19A-483.xx) driven by Lai Quang Nhan (born in 1993, resident of Thuong Tin commune, Hanoi), coming from the opposite direction.

The crash resulted in four people being killed at the scene and two others seriously injured. All six victims were in the SUV. The injured were rushed to Chi Lang Regional Medical Center in Lang Son for emergency treatment.

Immediately after the accident, Colonel Vu Thanh Tung, Director of the Lang Son Provincial Police, and Colonel Nguyen Huu Duc, Deputy Director, led a working group along with Doan Thanh Son, Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee.

They coordinated with emergency services to rescue victims, secure the scene, control traffic flow, and initiate an investigation into the cause of the crash.

The delegation also visited and offered support to the injured victims.

On the same day, the Criminal Investigation Department of the Lang Son Provincial Police decided to prosecute the case for violating road traffic regulations.

They also issued an emergency detention order for driver Lai Quang Nhan for violating traffic laws.

Pham Cong
The GRECO 2025 exhibition, held along Nguyen Hue walking street in Ho Chi Minh City, has drawn large crowds of locals and tourists alike, offering an immersive showcase of green technologies, artificial intelligence, and innovation-driven solutions.

On the evening of November 25, the GRECO 2025 exhibition officially opened as part of the Autumn Economic Forum 2025. The event focuses on green growth, advanced technologies, and artificial intelligence.

The exhibition space is divided into three main zones, featuring green growth solutions, AI applications, and innovation achievements from domestic and international companies.

The digital technologyAIsemiconductor zone displays a variety of AI applications in education, healthcare, and smart city systems.

The industry-specific product zone introduces solutions in clean energy, green transportation, digital finance, and sustainable consumption. Meanwhile, the sustainability zone honors ESG-oriented businesses and green startups, emphasizing Ho Chi Minh Citys commitment to a circular economy.

Vice Chairman of HCMC Peoples Committee Nguyen Van Dung inspects a new electric motorbike on display.

One exhibit drawing significant attention is a robotic dog that can stand upright, turn its head, shake hands, and interact with visitors. According to staff, the robot - priced at around 500 million VND (approximately 20,500 USD) - is primarily used in STEM research and education.

A highlight of GRECO 2025 is the Jaecoo J6, a compact all-electric SUV symbolizing the green transportation trend. With its boxy off-road styling, the model evokes comparisons to iconic vehicles like the Land Rover Defender and Suzuki Jimny.

Another standout innovation is a VR headset that creates a hyper-realistic 3D workshop environment. Users can simulate every step of jet engine maintenance - from disassembly and inspection to troubleshooting. Developers claim that users who complete the VR training achieve a higher proficiency and lower risk when transitioning to real-world practice.

VR training system simulates real-world jet engine maintenance.

Also on display is the Fuka robotic hand, presented as a groundbreaking environmental solution powered by AI. Priced between 300500 million VND (12,30020,500 USD), the device uses AI vision for recognition and guidance, supporting automation in factories with precise gripping and manipulation capabilities.

Visitors try their skills against a robot chess player.

Beyond the tech exhibits, GRECO 2025 also hosts thematic activities, including a seminar on semiconductor workforce development, a trash-for-gifts campaign to promote environmental awareness, and trade networking events connecting Vietnamese and international enterprises. Delegations from Japan, South Korea, and Europe have shared insights on green urban development, adding a global dimension to the event.

A robotic hand demo draws attention as an innovative green-tech solution.

According to organizers, GRECO 2025 is not only a showcase for emerging technologies but also a gateway for domestic businesses - particularly small and medium-sized enterprises - to connect with strategic partners and explore new markets. The event is expected to become an annual highlight in Ho Chi Minh Citys efforts to build a smart, green, human-centered, and sustainable urban future.

The exhibition runs through November 30.

Nguyen Hue
On November 25, during a National Assembly session reviewing the amended Law on Drug Prevention and Control, the Ministry of Public Security introduced a new electronic monitoring device aimed at supporting the management of drug users and individuals post-rehabilitation.

General Luong Tam Quang, Minister of Public Security, presents the monitoring initiative. (Photo: National Assembly)

General Luong Tam Quang, Minister of Public Security, revealed that the responsibility for managing drug rehabilitation and post-treatment supervision has officially shifted from the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs to the Ministry of Public Security, in accordance with Vietnams two-tier local governance model.

The Ministrys technical team has developed a smart wearable bracelet that integrates advanced surveillance technologies.

If approved by the National Assembly, this device will be implemented to enhance security and social safety, while improving the effectiveness of monitoring.

General Luong Tam Quang emphasized that the application of this system will be targeted - not universal - and only applied to designated groups.

According to national statistics, around 300,000 people across Vietnam currently fall under the categories of illegal drug users, addicts, or those in post-rehabilitation supervision.

Managing this population presents considerable challenges. The Ministry of Public Security believes that an electronic monitoring solution could offer a comprehensive answer.

The Ministry of Public Security introduces the surveillance device. (Photo: National Assembly)

Another view of the bracelet system. (Photo: National Assembly)

The smart bracelet is fully developed by Vietnamese engineers, ensuring full control over its technology and data security.

Compact in design, the bracelet is equipped with modern biometric sensors and GPS tracking. It is manufactured using safe, tamper-resistant, waterproof, and shock-proof materials that can operate reliably in all environments.

Any deliberate attempt to remove or damage the device will be subject to legal penalties.

The bracelets 24/7 real-time positioning system enables law enforcement to track residence and movement - particularly of those without stable housing.

If a wearer leaves their designated area or enters known drug hotspots, alerts will be sent instantly to authorities.

Moreover, the system uses data analytics to help detect suspicious group gatherings and map out potential drug-related hotspots.

The device features a compliance scoring system, allowing for user classification and reducing the need for constant manual oversight by local officials.

Importantly, it can also detect illegal drug use.

Thanks to AI capabilities, the bracelet analyzes the wearers stress levels and psychological state, enabling early detection of symptoms such as drug shock. These alerts are then relayed immediately to relevant agencies.

In designing the bracelet, attention was paid to psychological comfort and human dignity.

Modern, colorful, and discreet in appearance, the bracelet helps users maintain confidence while working, interacting socially, and reintegrating into society.

Through a mobile app, users can monitor their own health data, helping foster positive mental states and encouraging lawful behavior and community contribution.

The Ministry estimates that around 100,000 individuals will be eligible for this form of electronic monitoring once the revised law comes into effect.

This initiative aims to simultaneously reduce drug supply, demand, and harm.

Tran Thuong
The launch ceremony was held during the 2025 Autumn Economic Forum, in the presence of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.



On-chain refers to transactions that are recorded and verified directly on the blockchain, ensuring transparency, security, and immutability. This forms the foundation for many digital financial applications, from money transfers and smart contract operations to data storage.



According to international organisations, 2025 is considered an important milestone in the global effort to complete the legal framework for digital assets, as new regulations are being issued at a rapid pace. The digital asset market is entering a phase of strong growth, with over 700 million blockchain users worldwide. Notably, major financial centres around the world are actively accelerating to position themselves in this historic transformation.



In this context, Vietnam is seen as a highly potential market, with an Internet penetration rate of 84% - the highest in Southeast Asia, and more than 50,000 technology engineers graduating each year. Vietnam is also among the countries with a high level of digital asset adoption. Experts consider this an important moment for Vietnam to avoid falling behind in the global competition over new financial models.



Regarding policy, on October 22, 2024, the Prime Minister issued the national strategy on the application and development of blockchain technology to 2025 with a vision to 2030. At the same time, several important Politburo resolutions were issued, including Resolution 57-NQ/TW on science, technology, and digital transformation; Resolution 59-NQ/TW on international integration; Resolution 66-NQ/TW on innovation in law-making and enforcement; and Resolution 68-NQ/TW on private sector development.



In particular, Resolution 222/2025/QH15 of the National Assembly on establishing the International Financial Centre in Vietnam provides an important legal framework for the implementation phase. Accordingly, the International Financial Centre in Ho Chi Minh City is expected to serve as a platform to promote the development of the digital asset ecosystem, strengthen connections with the global financial system, and open new growth opportunities for the economy.



In this spirit, the Global On-Chain Economy Alliance was established with the mission to build digital economic infrastructure, support the development of new business models, and expand a comprehensive financial network. The alliance brings together numerous international and domestic organisations, including Viettel Digital Services  the leading digital infrastructure provider in Vietnam; Dragon Capital  a top fund management institution in Vietnam; Tether  the worlds largest stablecoin issuer; Ava Labs  a high-performance blockchain platform; Sky Mavis  a leading blockchain gaming unicorn; Republic  an international fundraising platform; and Onchain Academy  a pioneering organisation for digital economy education in the region.



The participation of these institutions is expected to help form a complete digital asset ecosystem for the International Financial Centre in Ho Chi Minh City. Combined with the determination of the Government and local authorities, the centre is anticipated to become a destination for global capital, bringing Ho Chi Minh City closer to its goal of becoming the regions leading digital asset hub./.VNA
During his meeting with Mergenthaler, Duoc said the municipal leadership hopes to receive continued support from WEF in refining the model of its forum, elevating its profile, and contributing more practical initiatives to the international community, particularly to the young start-up and innovation ecosystem.



Within the cooperation framework between the southern economic hub and the WEF, the Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution Centre (C4IR) has been identified as a key platform, with the citys leaders expecting the centre to continue promoting innovation effectively. On November 26, WEF and its local C4IR are scheduled to announce a new programme of activities and hold further discussions to determine priorities for the next phase.



Mergenthaler expressed his strong impression with the messages delivered in speeches by leaders of the country and city during a youth inspiration talk show within the autumn forum, especially the shift from a competitive mindset to one grounded in sharing, holistic thinking and cooperation.



He noted that although HCM Citys C4IR is the youngest in the WEFs global network, it has already achieved notable results. Based on his experience with top global tech companies, the WEF Managing Director believed that the citys strong dedication to innovation would make it a positive driving force in the WEFs broader ecosystem.

The meeting between Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee Nguyen Van Duoc and Yang Peng, CEO of the Singapore-based digital payments & fintech group Ant International, on November 25. (Photo: VNA)

During his working session with Peng, Duoc praised the groups contributions to digital transformation and the development of Vietnams fintech ecosystem.



He affirmed that HCM City stands ready to coordinate in rolling out cooperation initiatives proposed by Ant International, aiming to create breakthroughs in financial technology. As the city accelerates plans to build an international financial centre, its leaders hope that the company will provide strategic advice, policy frameworks, and regulatory recommendations to attract foreign enterprises and strategic investors. They also seek collaboration in training high-quality human resources, developing a fintech hub, and supporting local businesses in adopting cross-border payment solutions.



The city is committed to facilitating Ant Internationals expansion, from providing investment incentives in the financial sector and supporting administrative procedures to ensuring technical infrastructure, transparent legal frameworks, and connections with local enterprises, financial institutions and regulatory bodies.



Peng noted that the city possesses many favourable conditions for breakthrough development, particularly its high-quality human resources, rapid adoption of science and technology, and dynamic economic environment.



Stressing the importance of innovation, the CEO said that investing in modern financial infrastructure, promoting e-commerce and expanding online transaction services will play a crucial role in forming an international financial centre in the metropolis.



He also observed that the city is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for global technology and data corporations. Major tech companies are actively seeking investment opportunities in data and digital infrastructure.



Ant International sees HCM City as a strategic launchpad for expanding its regional and global footprint. The group is currently developing a research and development centre for digital payment services in the city, has already recruited a team of engineers, and plans to increase investment in the near future. Peng expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue to provide favourable conditions for the projects long-term development./.VNA
On November 25, the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV) under the Ministry of Health issued a sweeping decision to recall 80 product registration numbers and suspend the circulation of 162 cosmetic products nationwide, all linked to the Mailisa beauty clinic chain.

Screenshot of a Mailisa product listed among the 162 cosmetics now banned nationwide for failing to meet safety documentation standards.

The decision directly affects MK Skincare Trading and Manufacturing Co., Ltd., whose owner and legal representative is Hoang Kim Khanh, husband of Phan Thi Mai - the founder and operator of the Mailisa aesthetics chain.

The 80 revoked registrations had previously been approved by DAV for MK Skincare's products.

The reason for the recall is the company's failure to provide Product Information Files (PIF), a critical safety dossier mandated under Circular No. 06/2011/TT-BYT and Government Decree No. 117/2020/ND-CP, amended by Decree No. 124/2021/ND-CP.

Without the PIFs, regulatory bodies cannot verify product safety, quality, or efficacy, posing potential risks to consumers.

Alongside the registration withdrawal, DAV also ordered a nationwide recall of all still-valid batches of the 162 non-compliant products. The agency emphasized this action was necessary to prevent further public health risks from substandard items remaining on the market.

MK Skincare is required to notify all distribution and usage points of the recall, collect returned items, and isolate and store the affected products until an official disposal order is issued.

All recall documentation must be submitted to DAV by December 15, 2025.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health - where MK Skincare is headquartered - has been assigned to oversee the recall process and submit a monitoring report to the central authority by the same deadline.

Additionally, provincial and municipal health departments nationwide have been instructed to alert businesses and users to stop distributing and using the affected products, return them to suppliers, collect related reports, and coordinate legal action where necessary.

In cases of criminal violations, health authorities are to forward evidence to law enforcement agencies.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health has a separate mandate to directly supervise MK Skincares recall operations and report to DAV accordingly.

This drastic move follows a prior directive on November 18, in which DAV ordered urgent sampling and safety testing of cosmetics under the Mailisa brand - including lines such as Doctor Magic, Maika Beauty, and MK - and requested that MK Skincare submit complete safety documentation for regulatory review.

N. Huyen
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha visited New Zealand and Australia from November 20 to 25.

In New Zealand, he met with Speaker of Parliament Gerry Brownlee and held talks with Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour, as well as other ministers.

In Australia, he had meetings with Senate President Sue Lines, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Richard Marles, Deputy Speaker of the House, and Chair of the AustraliaVietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group Sharon Claydon, along with several ministers.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha with Australian Senate President Sue Lines. Photo: Government Portal

During these exchanges, Deputy Prime Minister Ha shared updates on the recent natural disasters that caused widespread damage in Vietnam, calling for continued cooperation and support from both countries in disaster recovery and in broader environmental and climate change efforts.

Expressing solidarity with the Vietnamese government and people, New Zealand announced a 3 million NZD aid package, while Australia pledged 3.8 million AUD to assist in flood recovery.

Leaders from both nations affirmed their strong bilateral cooperation and described the upgrade of relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as a historic milestone.

They agreed on specific actions to enhance effectiveness in cooperation across economic, investment, trade, defense, security, tourism, culture, and education.

Acknowledging the untapped potential in economic and trade relations, all parties emphasized the need for tighter economic integration and more effective investment and trade cooperation.

Vietnam and its partners pledged to advance economic connectivity and the signing of new agreements to facilitate market access - especially for agricultural products - with the goal of diversifying supply chains.

Deputy Prime Minister Ha reiterated that Vietnam is committed to creating a favorable investment environment for businesses from New Zealand and Australia, particularly in high-quality and high-tech projects.

He also shared Vietnams development vision for the new era and highlighted national priorities in strategic infrastructure such as railways, airports, energy, and digital transformation.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha with New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour. Photo: Government Portal

Australian leaders noted that investment funds from Australia are increasingly interested in Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam, and are actively planning to expand their operations in the region.

Deputy Prime Minister Ha commended the roles of both governments in driving global efforts on environmental protection and climate response.

The parties agreed to strengthen breakthroughs in cooperation in science and technology, digital and green transformation, agriculture, and climate adaptation.

Leaders of New Zealand and Australia committed to continuing their support for Vietnam in terms of financial resources, technology, and expertise to help the country fulfill its international climate commitments and advance its energy transition.

Deputy Prime Minister Ha also requested that both countries increase the number of scholarships offered to Vietnamese students and facilitate conditions for the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in their territories.

Tran Thuong
As of November 25 morning, 726 out of 796 schools had returned to normal operations. The remaining 70 schools, including 24 preschools, 22 primary schools, 15 lower secondary schools, seven upper secondary schools, and two vocational institutions, remain closed as they continue cleaning and recovery efforts, according to the provincial Department of Education and Training.



Initial estimates place the total damage to the education sector at over 32 billion VND (approximately 1.2 million USD), excluding the loss of books and materials due to flooding at home.



Deputy Director of the department Le Dinh Thuan said that no casualties have been reported in the sector thus far. Schools are continuing to update reports on damaged property and teaching equipment. Some institutions deemed safe for teaching and learning welcomed students back as early as November 24.



The province had initially planned to shift students to online learning. However, this option could not be implemented as teachers were occupied with cleaning classrooms, parents were busy restoring their homes, and many electronic devices were severely damaged in the floods.



Secretary of the Khanh Hoa provincial Party Committee Nghiem Xuan Thanh said the immediate priority is to help students gradually return to their routine after an extended break. Recovery work will continue to ensure safe and adequate conditions for teaching and learning in flooded areas.



Teachers at the Vinh Thanh kindergarten in Tay Nha Trang ward moved classroom items to higher shelves after heavy rainfall warnings, but flooding this year was far worse than expected. Water reached nearly 3m at one site and about 1m at another, damaging toys, learning materials, and even teachers homes, Principal Mai Thi Hoang said.



The nearby Luong The Vinh lower secondary school also suffered severe losses. Although classes resumed on November 25, several students were absent, and many lacked school supplies. The school reported extensive damage to desks, teaching equipment, and electronics. With support from military personnel, teachers completed cleanup on November 24 and reopened classes the following day, noted Principal Bui Ha Nam.



Other southern localities in the province, including Do Vinh, Phuoc Hau, and Ninh Phuoc, were also heavily affected. Local authorities and volunteers have been mobilised to help schools recover and enable students to return as soon as possible.



Khanh Hoa is exerting efforts to stabilise residents lives. The education sector is concentrating resources to bring students back to school quickly. The province has provided emergency support of 500,000 VND per student in flooded areas to buy learning materials, while each affected resident has received 1 million VND.



Ho Chi Minh City has also offered assistance, including funding to repair schools, rebuild kitchens, and supply free medicine./.VNA
Photo: Chicco

According to the Road Traffic Safety Law, from January 1, 2026, drivers must use or guide the use of suitable safety devices for children under 10 years old and under 1.35m in height when sitting in a car. Violations will be fined VND800,0001,000,000.

The issue has attracted significant public attention, but according to VietNamNet findings, many people may be misunderstanding the regulation.

The National Technical Regulation QCVN 123:2024/BGTVT, attached to the Ministry of Transports Circular 48/2024/TT-BGTVT, explains that a child safety device is equipment capable of ensuring safety for a child in a sitting or lying position in a car. It is designed to reduce the risk of injury in the event of a collision or sudden deceleration by limiting the movement of the childs body.

This equipment includes seat components, harnesses, safety locks, adjusters, anchorage points (ISOFIX), and other accessories such as cradles or impact shields, and must be firmly installable in a car.

According to the National Traffic Safety Committee, Pham Viet Cuong, Director of the Center for Policy Research and Injury Prevention, Hanoi University of Public Health, said child safety devices in cars may include several specific types: infant cradles (usually for children under 2), small child seats (for children 26 years old), and booster seats or booster cushions (for children 610 years old).

This means a child seat is only one of several suitable safety devices for children in cars, and the Law does not specify that the suitable device must be a child seat.

QCVN 123:2024/BGTVT also states general requirements for child safety devices: they must be suitable for installation in cars, have no sharp edges or protrusions that may damage clothing or seat covers, and no hard parts that can wear the harness at contact points. The device should only be removable using specialized tools to avoid incorrect installation and misuse.

Classification of child safety devices

A key part of the regulation is classifying devices based on the childs weight, instead of estimating by age as many parents commonly do.

According to the regulation, child safety devices are divided into 5 main weight groups:

Group 0: For infants up to about 69 months old, under 10kg. These devices are typically carrycots or shell-style seats that must face backward to protect the head and neck.

Group 0+: For children up to about 1215 months old, under 13kg, still using rear-facing carrycots.

Group I: For children from 918kg, about 14 years old. These seats face forward and have an integrated 5-point harness securing the shoulders, hips, and between the legs to prevent sliding during sudden braking.

Group II: For children from 1525kg, about 47 years old. These are usually high-back booster seats. The built-in 5-point harness may be removed, and the child instead uses the cars 3-point seat belt to secure both seat and child.

Group III: For children 2236kg, about 610 years old but not yet 1.35m tall. The common device is a backless booster cushion, which raises the child so the seat belt crosses the pelvis and shoulder correctly, preventing the belt from pressing into the stomach or neck.

Installation rules and safety notes

QCVN 123:2024/BGTVT includes not only quality standards but also usage guidance. A certified device becomes ineffective if installed incorrectly. There are two popular installation methods: ISOFIX and the cars seat belt system.

ISOFIX uses metal anchors attached directly to the car seat frame. This is an international standard widely used in Europe and accepted in QCVN 123:2024/BGTVT. The regulation encourages devices using ISOFIX anchors to minimize incorrect installation compared to using seat belts.

The regulation also clearly states that child seats must not be installed in the front passenger seat. If the front airbag is not deactivated, its deployment force can cause severe head injury or death to the child.

Additionally, each certified device must have a permanent label showing the childs weight and height range, installation direction, and safety warnings. If a device lacks labels, warnings, or installation instructions, it may not meet technical standards.

In the market, because car seats are expensive, many parents turn to secondhand listings. Experts warn that child seats have a lifespan of 68 years due to plastic degradation. More importantly, buyers cannot know whether the seat has been in a crash, which can compromise its internal structure and protective capacity.

Vu Diep
Meeting with Managing Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Stephan Mergenthaler, PM Chinh thanked Mergenthaler and WEF for their support in organising the Autumn Economic Forum, noting that the Managing Directors address added energy and substance to the event.



He appreciated WEFs assistance in establishing the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in HCM City and proposed further cooperation in science  technology, digital transformation, innovation, green transition, macro-economic governance, economic resilience improvement, human resources development, particularly in science and technology, and start-up ecosystem building. He also called for WEFs support in developing Vietnams International Financial Centre.



The PM asked WEF to consider making the Autumn Economic Forum an annual WEF event and to strengthen connections between its global business network and Vietnamese enterprises, especially private firms.



Highlighting that the private sector is the most important driver of the national economy, he affirmed the Vietnamese Governments readiness to help WEF connect with Vietnamese private firms and establish a business partner network in the country.



Mergenthaler conveyed sympathies over the recent storm and flood damage in central Vietnam. He praised the PMs remarks at the Autumn Economic Forum, saying they reflected Vietnams long-term vision and economic dynamism, matched WEFs priorities, and pointed out opportunities for future cooperation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) hosts with Malaysias Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Chang Lih Kang (Photo: VNA)

Agreeing with the Vietnamese leaders views, he affirmed that with its extensive global network, WEF will continue to support Vietnam and expand engagement with Vietnamese private enterprises.



Meeting Malaysias Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Chang Lih Kang, PM Chinh welcomed the Malaysian delegation and highlighted the enhancement of bilateral ties under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reinforced by recent high-level visits.



He noted substantive cooperation in economy, science and technology, especially in power and renewable energy, while emphasising the considerable room for further cooperation and the opportunity to jointly develop new strategic value chains.



He proposed increasing all-level delegation exchanges, advancing cooperation in energy and electricity connectivity among Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and other ASEAN countries, and promoting regional tourism linkages. Vietnam stands ready to support Malaysia in food security, while expecting Malaysia to continue helping Vietnam develop the Halal industry.



PM Chinh also proposed strengthening collaboration in science, technology and innovation, especially in semiconductors, high technology, new materials, AI, open data, cloud computing and digital payment. He encouraged stronger links between the two countries start-up ecosystems, and more exchanges of students and scientists to boost human resources development.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Cambodias Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI) Hem Vanndy (Photo: VNA)

Chang expressed sympathies to Vietnamese people over recent natural-disaster losses, and thanked Vietnam for supporting Malaysia in performing the role of ASEAN Chair in 2025. He affirmed that both countries share a strong focus on advancing science and technology and that Malaysia values cooperation with Vietnam in this field, including talent exchange, start-up ecosystem development, and efforts to drive sci-tech breakthroughs.



At his meeting with Cambodias Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI) Hem Vanndy, PM Chinh conveyed greetings to Cambodian leaders and expressed satisfaction at the continued development of bilateral relations.



He noted that Party-to-Party cooperation has helped reinforce mutual trust and underpin broader cooperation. Security and defence ties remain a pillar of the relationship, while economic cooperation has become a highlight, with bilateral trade expected to exceed 12 billion USD in 2025.



Stressing the need for Vietnam and Cambodia to bolster collaboration across all fields, he welcomed progress between MISTI and Vietnams Ministry of Science and Technology, and proposed deeper coordination in digital transformation, focusing on experience sharing and human resources development.



Vietnam, he underlined, stands ready to accompany Cambodia in building a digital economy and digital society by sharing initiatives, policy experience, digital infrastructure development, and digital skills training, thus helping deepen traditional friendship between the two nations. With the determination of both governments and the efforts by relevant ministries and agencies, he expressed confidence that VietnamCambodia relations will achieve even greater successrd.



Hem Vanndy congratulated Vietnam on successfully organising the Autumn Economic Forum, saying it will inspire green transition, economic openness and digital and green development in the region. He expressed admiration for Vietnams development, especially its vision of transforming HCM City into a megacity and using science, technology and digital transformation as a driving force for a new phase of growth. He called for closer cooperation in these fields and affirmed his confidence in the enduring friendship and joint development of the two nations./.VNA
With the length of more than 1 kilometer, Chua Boc is one of the most bustling fashion business streets in Hanoi, gathering many well-known brands, from small shops to high-end showrooms.

Beyond fashion, Chua Boc is also home to offices of several bank branches, technology stores, and other service businesses. Thanks to its proximity to major universities such as Water Resources University, Trade Union University, Hanoi Medicine University and Banking Academy, the street is always crowded with students and young customers.

Houses on this street are always sought after thanks to their prime location and sidewalks 5-10m wide. Commercial spaces here are considered highly effective for business. Previously, finding a house with a for rent sign was almost impossible, as most spaces were quickly filled.

Recently, fashion business activities on this street have shown signs of slowing down, and some stores have had to shut down. Many commercial spaces are now being advertised for rent but attract little interest.

However, according to Thanh, a sales staff working on Chua Boc Street, even if left vacant for a long time, rental prices remain high. Rental income from the ground floor alone usually ranges from VND80-170 million per month, allowing property owners to earn VND1-2 billion a year while doing nothing.

Property owners can use the space for various types of businesses, including fashion, F&B, services, banking, or technology product stores. Even though some shops struggle, leasing ground-floor spaces here remains relatively quick. With limited land in the inner city, central streets like Chua Boc are often considered stable income-generating rental assets.

Sky-high property prices

Market observations show that the slowing fashion sector has led to more rental listings along this street. However, both rental rates and house prices on Chua Boc remain among the highest in Hanoi.

Tung, a real estate broker, said houses on Chua Boc Street have reached VND950 million to more than VND1.2 billion per sqm. Actual transactions depend on a number of factors such as location, size, frontage width, number of floors, legal status, and rental or business potential.

Real estate on Chua Boc attracts not only business owners but also investors. For example, with a 50 sqm property priced at VND60 billion and a ground-floor rent of VND120 million per month, the owner can earn VND1.44 billion annually, or around 2.4 percent per year in profit, not including potential land price increases of 15-25 percent annually. Compared to bank savings, this return is 4-5 times higher.

Houses in small alleys range from VND200-300 million per sqm, while those accessible by car can reach VND300-400 million per sqm. Although cheaper than main-street properties, these homes still attract buyers thanks to strong business and rental potential, especially near universities where student and office rental demand is always high.

Duy Anh
The title was presented by Prof. Acad. Gennedy Krasnikov, President of RAS.

With this recognition, Vietnam now has four scientists honoured as RAS academicians. Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and the International Association of Academies of Sciences (IAAS). In RASs May election of foreign academicians, he was one of four scientists chosen in the Biology division.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minh said the honour reflects not only personal recognition but also the achievements of VAST. He expressed confidence that cooperation between the two academies will continue to expand.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi stressed that the recognition highlights the rising international standing of Vietnamese science and demonstrates the Russian scientific communitys appreciation for Vietnams research capabilities. It also affirms science and technology as a solid pillar of the VietnamRussia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency, Minh noted that 50 years of VASTRAS cooperation show the growing maturity of Vietnamese science. Vietnamese researchers have gradually shifted from learning from Russian experts to working as equal partners, especially in marine research, physics, chemistry and materials science./.VNA
In Official Dispatch No. 10328, the SBV instructed credit institutions, branches of foreign banks, and SBV branches in regional zones (8, 9, 10, 11) to intensify their efforts in assisting customers in storm-affected provinces, including Khanh Hoa, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, and Lam Dong.

"All credit institutions must proactively assess and report damages to customer loans to their respective SBV regional branches. Based on these reports, SBV branches will coordinate with provincial or municipal People's Committees to direct relevant agencies and individuals to complete necessary procedures for debt rescheduling, if applicable," the SBV stated.

SBV also emphasized that the chairpersons of Boards of Directors, Members' Councils, CEOs of credit institutions, and directors of SBV regional branches must urgently carry out these directives.

In cases where difficulties arise beyond local authority, institutions are instructed to promptly report to SBV headquarters for resolution.

Previously, several credit institutions had pledged to cut lending rates by up to 2% per year on existing loans for residents and businesses in disaster-hit areas.

At a national banking industry conference on November 24, SBV Deputy Governor Pham Quang Dung announced a donation of 150 billion VND (approximately USD 6.25 million) on behalf of the sector, transferred via the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front to assist flood-affected residents in the Central Highlands and central regions.

As of November 25, according to the Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, natural disasters have been increasingly severe and widespread throughout 2025.

Floods have left 409 people dead or missing, injured 727 others, and destroyed or damaged over 337,000 homes. More than 553,500 hectares of rice and crops, along with 376,800 hectares of other plantations, have been submerged or severely damaged. The total estimated economic loss exceeds 85.099 trillion VND, or approximately USD 3.55 billion.

Specifically, the floods from November 16 to 20 in central Vietnam claimed 102 lives or left them missing, submerged more than 200,900 homes, and damaged over 82,100 hectares of rice and crops and 117,000 hectares of other plants. Preliminary economic damage is estimated at 13.248 trillion VND, or roughly USD 553 million.

The SBV regional branches in zones 8, 9, 10, and 11 are responsible for managing operations in Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Ngai, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, and Lam Dong provinces.

Tuan Nguyen






November 26, 2025: Late fall and early winter in Ukraine are beset by fog and mist. A decade ago these conditions would have hidden ground forces from fight-bombers overhead. In 2025 these conditions make it difficult for FPV/First Person View drones to find their targets. The drone operator wears goggles over his eyes so he can see what the drone camera can, or cannot see. For your basic FPV drones, fog and mist are a problem. The solution is the more expensive drones with night-vision sensors, usually based on a combination of object and heat detection and interpretation, which provide adequate surveillance at night or in fog or misty conditions.

The latest Ukrainian innovation is adding AI/Artificial Intelligence to drone targeting systems. The AI drone contains a targeting sensor that finds targets more quickly and accurately. The AI drone operator confirms which targets are real and, once a target is confirmed, the AI targeting system needs no further communication with anyone. It is resistant to all forms of jamming.

Modern warfare has been radically changed by the introduction of FPV drones. These drones are an omnipresent aerial threat to armored vehicles, infantry on foot and even Russian bunkers containing their drone operators and supplies of drones waiting to be launched. Each FPV drone costs about a thousand dollars. Thats about half what drones cost a year ago.

Operators use the video camera on the drone to see what is below and find targets. Armed FPV operators are several kilometers away to decide when their FPV drones will drop explosives on an armored vehicle, which has thinner armor on top, or infantry in the open or in trenches. To do so, the drone operators often operate in pairs, with one flying behind the other and concentrating on the big picture while seeking a likely target. When such a target is found by the reconnaissance drone, the armed drone is directed to the target. The two FPV drone operators are usually in the same room or tent and can take control of new drones, which are lined up and brought outside for launch when needed. The reconnaissance drones are often unarmed so they carry more fuel to spend more time in the air to seek a target.

The Ukrainians developed the FPV drone in 2022, when only a few FPV drone attacks were recorded. The Ukrainian Army was the first to appreciate the potential of FPV drones. By the summer of 2023, the Russian Army also began to use FPV drones in greater numbers. Since then, the number of FPV drone attacks has grown exponentially on both sides. Only twelve percent of those attacks led to the destruction of the target, which could be a vehicle or group of infantry or even a sniper who was firing through a window from inside a building. In this case, the armed FPV drone would fly through the window and explode in the room the sniper was in. The only defense from this was having a nearby open door the sniper could run to or dive through as the FPV drone approached. Sometimes that isnt possible because the armed FPV drone is coming down from above the window and then in. You dont see those coming until its too late.

Nearly five million drones are being built this year. The total for 2024 was 1.5 million drones. There have been problems. Chinese component producers are having a hard time keeping up, and, last year, to assist the Russians, China halted sending drone components to Ukraine. Suppliers in Europe, the United States, and elsewhere were quickly found. At least 70 percent of Ukrainian drones are built entirely in Ukraine, and the rest from imported parts or whole assemblies. Some Ukrainian firms have improvised by using plywood and similar materials for their drones. For the FPV First Person View drones, cheaper is better if the drone can hit its first and only target. Most Ukrainian drones are FPV models, which are considered a form of ammunition.

Both sides now use the FPV drones, but there are substantial differences in how the FPV drones are put to work in combat. The Ukrainians seek out high-value targets like armored vehicles, electronic warfare equipment, anti-aircraft systems, and storage sites for munitions or other supplies. Russian trucks carrying supplies are another prime target.

Adapting and adopting Ukrainian drone technology means there will be new drone modifications and upgrades for as long as the fighting in Ukraine lasts. These changes come quickly in wartime and always have. In Ukraine, drone designs can be changed in less than a week. This is usually because the Russians have gained an edge with one of their recent tweaks.

While Ukraine has been in the forefront of developing and upgrading drone technology, the Russians have kept up. In war time you either keep up or become an inept underdog that falls farther and farther behind. The Russians have kept most of the time and, when they fail to keep up, suffer heavy losses.
NA deputy Ha Sy Dong (photo: Quoc Hoi)

The 2024 Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety stipulates that when transporting children under 10 years old and less than 1.35m in height in a car, drivers must use or give instructions on the use of appropriate safety devices for children.

A safety device is one that can ensure a child's safety in a sitting or lying position in a car. Violations are subject to fines ranging from VND800,000 to VND1,000,000. The regulation takes effect from January 1, 2026.

NA deputy Ha Sy Dong (Quang Tri) said that most developed countries already have similar regulations, which are considered to provide social benefits. However, in those countries, the car-use rate is very high and motorbikes are almost nonexistent, while in Vietnam the opposite is true.

He warned that if the child seat rule is applied too rigidly, many families may end up transporting children by motorbike instead of by car or taxi, exposing them to even higher accident risks.

He proposed following the example of several other countries by exempting taxis and ride-hailing vehicles from the requirement.

According to Regulation 123:2024 of the Ministry of Transport (previous edition), child seats come in four to five sizes depending on the childs weight. If taxis are required to equip child seats, each taxi would need at least four seats of different sizes. Dong said this would be entirely infeasible.

He added that taxis serve tourists and they often connect with other transport modes such as flights. If parents are required to bring child seats, they must carry them onto airplanes and throughout their trip. If taxi companies are required to provide child seats, they cannot meet the needs of families with two or more children.

Many families without private cars need taxis to take children to vaccinations, medical appointments, or to travel in bad weather. Since taxis with child seats would be limited, passengers would wait longer for a car, and drivers would incur longer empty trips, thus raising fares.

These costs would fall on low-income families and young parents, even though the accident rate for taxis is lower than for private cars due to taxis more professional drivers.

This regulation presents a difficult challenge for ride-hailing and taxi drivers: how to balance safety and livelihood. This is because they serve a large volume of passengers, including children of all ages, weights, and heights.

Therefore, buying a single child seat is insufficient, while buying many types of seats is not feasiblt in terms of both cost and space.

Nguyen Minh Tuan, a GrabCar driver with five years of experience, said: "We fully support protecting children. But this regulation genuinely makes things difficult for us."

Tuan shared that installing a child seat means losing a passenger position. But if it is removed and put in the trunk, there will be no space left for luggage.

Vu Van Thanh, a driver for Taxi 123, said: "There are up to four types of child car seats to suit different ages of children; must I buy all four types of seats to serve these customers? Standard-compliant seats are not cheap, ranging from a few million to tens of millions of VND. My current income is already precarious, and now with this significant extra cost, I am truly under great pressure."

The anxiety of Tuan and Thanh is the general sentiment shared by the majority of service drivers. Many drivers worry they will face a "dilemma": refusing to carry customers with children will violate company regulations, lead to low ratings, and cause loss of income. But if they carry children without the required safety restraints, they will be fined.

"We really hope that ride-hailing companies will soon have a policy to support drivers, or launch a dedicated family car service for customers accompanied by children with a higher fare to offset the costs," Tuan proposed.

Other ride-hailing apps like Xanh SM, Be, and even traditional taxi companies like Mai Linh, VinaSun, G7 Taxi, and CP currently do not have official instructions regarding child passengers.

Grab in Singapore has launched a service with available child safety seats called "GrabFamily," with a fare about SGD5 (approximately $3.85) higher per trip than regular GrabCar. Despite the more expensive fare, customers are willing to pay for safety and legal compliance.

Malaysia has mandated the use of child safety seats in cars since 2020. Initially, this regulation met fierce opposition from ride-hailing drivers. Currently, the Malaysian Government is temporarily exempting taxis and ride-hailing vehicles but is still promoting communication and providing drivers with a roadmap for adaptation.

Vu Diep
Typhoon No. 15 (Koto) has started to slow down but may intensify by two levels in the next 24 hours. Its presence in the East Sea is projected to last nearly six days. Central Vietnam, especially areas recently affected by flooding, should remain on high alert for heavy rain and landslides.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, as of 1:00 p.m. on November 26, the storm's center was located about 280 km east-northeast of Song Tu Tay Island. Maximum sustained winds near the center reached level 9 (7588 km/h), with gusts up to level 11. The storm is currently moving west-northwest at about 20 km/h.

Within the next 24 hours, the storm is expected to maintain its west-northwest trajectory but slow to around 10 km/h and intensify further. By 1:00 p.m. on November 27, the center is forecast to be in the central East Sea, about 150 km north of Song Tu Tay Island, with wind speeds reaching level 11 and gusts at level 14 - expected to be the storms peak intensity.

Typhoon Koto is forecast to linger over the sea from November 27 through December 1. Source: NCHMF

Over the next 24 hours, the storm may shift west-southwest with a very slow pace of about 5 km/h. By 1:00 p.m. on November 28, its center would remain over the central East Sea, about 200 km northwest of Song Tu Tay, with intensity maintained at level 11 and gusts at level 14.

Another 24 hours later, the storm is likely to change direction again, heading northwest at a continued slow pace of 5 km/h. By 1:00 p.m. on November 29, the center will be over the western part of the central East Sea, with wind speeds of level 1011 and gusts at level 14.

From 72 to 120 hours after, the storm is expected to drift slowly north-northwest at 35 km/h and gradually weaken.

Meteorologists suggest two possible scenarios for Typhoon No. 15 (Koto). The most likely - with an 80% probability - is that the storm will veer northward after entering the northwestern waters of the Spratly Islands, about 500 km east of the Gia LaiKhanh Hoa coast.

Specifically, upon reaching longitude 113E, it may turn north and weaken into a low-pressure area. This system could then drift toward the mainland in central Vietnam and dissipate offshore. Under this scenario, the mainland would be unlikely to experience strong winds.

However, due to the storms influence, the region from Da Nang to Lam Dong may still face widespread rainfall in early December, with coastal areas most at risk.

Based on current data, this rainfall event is not expected to be as extreme as the one from November 1621, experts noted.

A less likely but more serious scenario - with a 20% probability - is that the storm stays on course and heads straight toward Gia LaiKhanh Hoa.

In that case, the storm would maintain peak intensity near the northern Spratly Islands at level 11 with gusts at level 13, before continuing west toward the central coast. It would likely weaken to a level 8 storm or a tropical depression.

If this happens, strong winds of level 8 and gusts at level 10 could hit coastal provinces from Da Nang to Lam Dong starting November 29, with waves reaching 35 meters and rough seas expected.

Additionally, this coastal stretch may receive heavy rainfall of 150250 mm between November 29 and December 1.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep emphasized two key characteristics of this storm that remain consistent across all forecast scenarios.

First, Typhoon Koto will linger over the sea for an unusually long time - nearly six days from November 27 through December 1.

During this period, the storms center and surrounding impact zone will remain over the Spratly Islands and parts of the Paracel Islands.

Given this forecast, we must strictly ban all maritime activity in the affected area during this time. No fishing boats or vessels should venture out, Hiep stressed.

Second, Hiep warned that Koto will bring rainfall to areas from Gia Lai to Khanh Hoa - regions already severely impacted by recent floods. Even though expected rainfall may be only 5070 mm, the risk of landslides remains high due to already saturated soil.

For now, due to the storms impact, the central East Sea (including the northern Spratly Islands) is experiencing strong winds at level 78. Areas near the storm center are seeing wind speeds of level 911 with gusts at level 14, waves 46 meters high, and up to 9 meters near the storms core - causing violent sea conditions.

All vessels in these zones are at risk of thunderstorms, strong winds and large waves.

Bao Anh
During the weekend of November 2223, thousands of tourists descended upon Lo Lo Chai village in Lung Cu Commune, Tuyen Quang Province, which was recently honored as one of the Worlds Best Tourism Villages 2025 by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism).

With tam giac mach (buckwheat) flowers blooming across Lung Cu and ideal weather conditions, the narrow paths of Lo Lo Chai overflowed with tourists. Visitors had to jostle for space at scenic photo spots and popular eateries.

Hoang Hieu, a 25-year-old tour guide from Ha Giang, remarked that this weekends crowds were even larger than during Tet, the traditional New Year holiday. He noted a sharp uptick in tourism since the village received its prestigious international accolade in October.

Tourists arrive nonstop all week. At famous photo corners, they queue for over an hour. I often have to guide clients to lesser-known spots for a chance to check in without the wait, said Hieu.

Securing a room or booking a meal in the village has also become difficult. This weekend I brought six guests here. The quietest times are early in the morning or after 10 p.m., Hieu added.

Ha Thuy Dung, a visitor from Hai Phong, shared that despite searching 10 days in advance, she couldnt find any weekend accommodation in Lo Lo Chai. She and her friend opted for a day trip instead and waited in line to take photos beside early-blooming peach trees and heavily laden persimmon branches.

The village was as crowded as a city. Its a shame we came at such a busy time. Ill definitely return to experience its true peaceful beauty, she said.

According to Tran Duc Chung, chairman of Lung Cu Commune People's Committee, since October the number of visitors to the area has surged to around 10,000 per week - sometimes reaching 12,000 to 15,000. Lo Lo Chai has been the top draw.

Chung attributes the spike not only to the UN accolade but also to the tam giac mach flower festival and various cultural activities organized locally.

However, concerns have arisen over environmental hygiene and price gouging by middlemen who hoard accommodations and inflate prices by three to four times.

To address the issue, Chung said authorities have launched strict corrective measures.

Inspection teams were formed to monitor service prices at homestays, requiring all 62 licensed operators in Lo Lo Chai to publicly post their rates to prevent tourists from being overcharged.

Currently, the village has 62 certified homestays with a combined maximum capacity of 1,000 guests per night. Due to high demand, finding a room during weekends is extremely difficult. Visitors are advised to consider staying in the nearby village of Then Pa.

Nestled at the foot of the Lung Cu flagpole - Vietnams northernmost point - Lo Lo Chai is home to over 120 households, primarily of the Lo Lo ethnic group. The village is famed for its walled earthen houses, some over 200 years old.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the daily life of the Lo Lo people, participating in traditional activities such as weaving linen, planting corn, brewing local spirits, and sampling ethnic delicacies like thang co (a horse meat stew), smoked buffalo, bamboo rice, and corn wine.

The best time to explore Lo Lo Chai is from late autumn through early spring. However, travelers should plan carefully to avoid the weekend rush.

Tourists crowd Lo Lo Chai village around noon on November 22. Photo: Hoang Hieu

Tourists line up for photos at Lo Lo Chai village. Photo: Hoang Hieu

Thousands visit Lo Lo Chai each weekend. Photo: Hoang Hieu

Peaceful charm of Lo Lo Chai. Photo: Trang Tron

Linh Trang
The duration of detention and the contents of the request must comply with the treatys requirements.

The emergency detention request must include the reasons and objectives of the request, the personal information of the individual, the criminal charges involved, a summary of the case, a commitment to compensate in case of wrongful detention, and an affirmation that the provided information is accurate and truthful.

If the requesting country is not a party to an extradition treaty with Vietnam, the Ministry of Public Security will still assess the legal validity of the request. If deemed valid, the Ministry will promptly forward it to the competent police authority to carry out the detention and place the individual in a detention facility.

In such cases, the maximum detention period is 45 days from the date of admission into the facility.

The newly passed law also regulates how Vietnam responds to the death penalty in extradition cases.

When a foreign country requests Vietnam to refrain from imposing or carrying out a death sentence on the individual subject to extradition, the Ministry of Public Security, in coordination with relevant ministries and agencies, may issue one of two types of statements:

First, if the individual falls under a category exempt from the death penalty under Vietnams Penal Code, Vietnam will formally confirm that it will not apply or enforce the death penalty.

Second, if the individual does not fall under such a category, Vietnam may still declare that it will not enforce the death penalty - this requires the approval of the President.

Conversely, when Vietnam requests the extradition of an individual from abroad, it may formally ask that the death penalty not be applied or enforced, and request a written commitment to that effect from the foreign country.

During previous discussions, some delegates suggested adding a provision for monitoring a foreign countrys compliance with post-extradition commitments. They proposed that if violations occur, Vietnam should have the right to seek compensation or apply corresponding diplomatic measures.

However, the National Assemblys Standing Committee recommended not including such provisions in the final draft.

According to the committee, accepting and fulfilling conditions attached to extradition requests falls under the domestic jurisdiction of each nation. Once extradition is completed, Vietnam must respect the sovereignty and internal affairs of the foreign country. Any follow-up can only be pursued diplomatically, not through enforcement or penalties.

Also this morning, the National Assembly passed the Law on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This law has four chapters and 48 articles, detailing principles, authorities, conditions, procedures, and responsibilities of Vietnamese agencies in transferring individuals serving prison sentences between Vietnam and other countries.

In addition, the National Assembly approved the Law on Civil Judicial Assistance. This law comprises four chapters and 38 articles, regulating principles, jurisdiction, procedures, and responsibilities of Vietnamese agencies in international civil judicial cooperation.

Lastly, the National Assembly passed the Law on Criminal Judicial Assistance, which includes four chapters and 42 articles. It outlines Vietnams framework for international cooperation in criminal legal matters, including the responsibilities of relevant Vietnamese authorities.

Tran Thuong
Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son on November 25 met Saysana Sitthiphone, Lao Deputy Minister of Technology and Communications, on the sidelines of the 2025 Autumn Economic Forum in Ho Chi Minh City to discuss orientations for strengthening bilateral cooperation in information technology, digital infrastructure development and digital connectivity in the new period.

Son briefed the Lao official on new features of this years forum, stressing that the event serves as an important platform for dialogue on socio-economic development. Centred on the theme Green transition in the digital era, the Forum underscores the role of digital infrastructure in driving sustainable development and regional digital connectivity, areas of shared interest between Vietnam and Laos.

The official emphasised that digital infrastructure forms a key pillar of overall connectivity between the two countries, alongside road, air and other economic linkages. He called on Vietnamese ministries and agencies, particularly the Ministry of Science and Technology, to work closely with relevant Lao counterparts to effectively implement signed documents and agreements.

Vietnam, he said, stands ready to facilitate major tech enterprises such as Viettel, VNPT, FPT and others in engaging with Lao partners to operationalise cooperation programmes on digital infrastructure, digital transformation and emerging technologies.

Regarding digital human resources development, a strategic priority, Deputy PM Son affirmed Vietnams readiness to share experience and support Laos in training young officials in IT, digital transformation, artificial intelligence and other core technologies; building start-up and innovation ecosystems; and fostering collaboration to form green and digital transformation ecosystems as a foundation for sustainable development of young entrepreneurs in both countries.

Highlighting the importance of data infrastructure and centres, Son stressed Vietnams willingness to work closely with Laos to develop national data repositories and data centres, and enhance bilateral data connectivity. During the Lao Presidents recent visit to Vietnam, the two sides launched a cooperation programme for Vietnam to support Laos in building a national population database, a project of strategic significance.

Vietnam is currently implementing Project 06 on the digitalisation of population data and has recorded positive results. The Ministry of Public Security is working with ministries and sectors to develop a shared national database, scheduled for completion in 2025. Vietnam is ready to share experience and technology, and support Laos in building its national digital data platforms, and to cooperate at regional and international forums, particularly in cybersecurity, he added.

Saysana Sitthiphone outlined ongoing cooperation activities in IT, digital transformation and sciencetechnology between enterprises and agencies of both countries, including expert exchanges and training programmes that have strengthened Laos human resource capacity.

The Lao side appreciated Vietnams support in building scientific and technological infrastructure, developing population databases and data centres, and providing technical assistance in cybersecurity.

He proposed several cooperation priorities for the time ahead, including developing cloud and data centre infrastructure; applying AI and high-performance computing; promoting digital transformation in public services and the economy; enhancing cybersecurity capacity; and developing high-quality human resources in the digital sector. Laos hopes to continue receiving cooperation, technology transfer and training support from Vietnam to contribute to its socio-economic development./.
On this occasion, Peters presented a diplomatic note announcing a 3 million NZD (1.7 million USD) aid package from the New Zealand Government to help Vietnam overcome the consequences of recent storms and floods.



Trung thanked the Government and people of New Zealand for their timely assistance, describing it as a meaningful gesture that reflects the close solidarity between the two countries.



Both sides expressed satisfaction with the extensive progress in the bilateral ties since the upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in February 2025, noting comprehensive and effective cooperation across five pillars: politics, national defencesecurity and maritime cooperation; economy, trade and investment; science-technology, agriculture and climate change response; and education, culture and people-to-people exchanges.



The two ministers agreed to maintain the positive momentum by strengthening political trust, expanding high-level and all-level exchanges, making full use of existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and effectively deploying the newly-signed Action Plan.



Highlighting the complementary nature of the two economies, the officials affirmed that economic, trade and investment ties hold ample potential. They agreed on the need for stronger, groundbreaking measures to raise two-way trade to 3 billion USD in 2026, with a focus on business connectivity and effective implementation of free trade agreements to which both countries are members. Trung also encouraged New Zealand enterprises to step up investment in Vietnam.



Peters thanked Vietnam for opening its market to several New Zealand agricultural products and urged further access for other items.



The two sides pledged to further broaden coordination in education, people-to-people exchanges, aviation connectivity, tourism, sci-tech, green and digital economy, agriculture, and climate change response.

At the meeting (Photo: VNA)

Discussing global and regional issues, both ministers noted that Vietnam and New Zealand share a common vision of a rules-based international and regional order, respect for the voices of small and medium-sized nations; and promotion of free trade, multilateralism, dialogue, cooperation, and connectivity.



Peters affirmed that New Zealand considers Southeast Asia a priority in its foreign policy, supports ASEAN's centrality, and called for continued coordination from Vietnam, as coordinator for ASEAN  New Zealand relations, to further advance the newly-established ASEANNew Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.



He also congratulated Vietnam on its upcoming 2026 chairmanship of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission's ministerial meeting and confirmed New Zealands support to help Vietnam fulfill the role, thereby promoting free trade and regional connectivity.



Trung spoke highly of New Zealands cooperation with Vietnam and ASEAN, wishing that New Zealand would continue its constructive stance and assist Vietnam and ASEAN in regional strategic issues, including the East Sea, and consider deeper engagement in the Greater Mekong sub-region, particularly in climate change response and rising sea level.



The host and guest also held in-depth and straightforward discussions on other issues of mutual concern and reached a high degree of consensus, thereby strengthening trust and common understanding, and making active contributions to advancing the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the new phase./. VNA
Chien congratulated the Philippines on its upcoming 2026 ASEAN Chairmanship, praising the countrys chosen theme and expressing confidence that Manila would successfully fulfil its responsibilities, thereby bolstering ASEAN unity and centrality.



He also extended congratulations to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ahead of its 90th anniversary (December 21), and conveyed sympathy to the Philippine Government, people, and army over human and material losses caused by recent earthquakes and storms. He believed that affected communities would soon settle down their lives on the back of the Government leadership and the AFPs active support.



Reviewing progress since the previous dialogue in July 2024, Chien welcomed the report of the 8th Joint Working Group on defence cooperation and highlighted substantive, comprehensive progress between the two defence ministries.



Notable achievements included more frequent high-level visits, effective dialogue mechanisms, expanded training courses, defence industry and military medicine cooperation, and increased engagement among navies, air forces, and coast guards. The two sides also supported each other at multilateral forums and conducted naval and coast guard port visits to mark the 10th anniversary of their Strategic Partnership. They additionally coordinated humanitarian assistance following the October 2025 earthquake in the Philippines.



He praised the Philippines for its valuable contributions to the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus through practical initiatives, and reaffirmed Vietnams dedication to actively and responsibly participating in its joint efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.



Vietnam stands ready to work with the Philippines and other countries to address regional differences in line with international law, ASEAN principles, and legitimate interests of all relevant parties, he said.



Looking ahead to the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year, he proposed intensifying trust-based, comprehensive and substantive cooperation through more exchanges of all-level delegations, effective utilisation of existing mechanisms, and greater interaction among naval, air, and coast guard units.



The Vietnamese official called for regular communication to handle maritime incidents promptly and humanely, continued personnel training, and potential expansion into areas of mutual strength and demand, such as the defence industry, logistics, military medicine, maritime security, search and rescue, and cybersecurity. He also called for active consultations and mutual support within ASEAN national defence-security frameworks.



On the occasion, he invited Philippine defence leaders and defence industry enterprises to attend the third Vietnam International Defence Expo in late 2026.



Espino, for his part, expressed condolences to Vietnam on human and property losses caused by recent natural disasters.



He noted that 2025 marks a decade of bilateral strategic partnership, with robust cooperation across multiple domains, including national defence, with dialogue as key to reaffirming a shared vision for regional peace, security, and development. He also voiced hope for even stronger defence ties as they approach the 50-year milestone in diplomatic ties.



On global and regional issues of shared concern, they shared the same view on ASEANs key role in shaping and sustaining the regional security architecture, while fostering substantive cooperation among ASEAN member states, as well as between ASEAN and its partners.

At the signing ceremony of a Terms of Reference on increasing cooperation in military medicine. (Photo: VNA)

Turning to the East Sea issue, Vietnam and the Philippines reaffirmed their shared strategic interest in maintaining peace, security, and safety of navigation and overflight. They would jointly advance ASEANs stance on settling differences by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The plan is also to effectively follow the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and soon reach a legally binding Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).



The dialogue concluded with the signing of its minutes and a Terms of Reference to increase cooperation in military medicine./.VNA
For the first time, Vietnam has also ranked among the top 10 countries in the Asia-Pacific region for digital music revenue. The country posted a year-on-year growth rate of 12.7%, a remarkable achievement for an emerging market, with digital music accounting for a striking 86.6% of all copyright income.

This result reflects the continued efforts of the Vietnam Center for Protection of Music Copyright (VCPMC), a CISAC member for the past 23 years. The organization has expanded international cooperation, signing bilateral agreements with multiple CISAC members, allowing Vietnamese works to earn royalties abroad - and vice versa.

VCPMC also plays an active role in regional collaboration, participating in training and data sharing with the ASEAN Caucus group, and is regarded as one of Southeast Asias most dynamic collective management organizations (CMOs).

As of November 18, 2025, VCPMC had added 734 new members, bringing its total membership to 7,072. In Q3 2025 alone, the organization disbursed 108.19 billion VND (approximately USD 4.5 million) in royalties to authors and copyright holders.

Tinh Le
At a National Assembly session on the morning of November 25, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan announced that one of the governments top priorities is to restructure healthcare units at the commune level. The Ministry has issued updated guidelines redefining the functions and responsibilities of these grassroots clinics, aiming to elevate their role as key providers of primary care.

Speaking during a group discussion on the investment plan for two national target programs for the 20262035 period, Minister Lan addressed core issues the Ministry is currently focusing on, from reorganizing local health systems to resolving roadblocks that deter private investment in healthcare.

Push to attract private sector investment

Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan speaks at the National Assembly on November 25. Photo: National Assembly

Minister Lan emphasized that the proposed national target program on healthcare, population, and development for 20262035 was developed under unique circumstances. With the national administrative structure being reorganized from 63 to 34 provinces and municipalities, the Ministry had to reinitiate consultations and conduct multiple rounds of discussions with localities to ensure that the investment proposals align with the current landscape.

Lan stressed that feasibility has been a consistent requirement throughout the planning process. Each locality was asked to clearly define its investment needs based on the new administrative boundaries, population size, and actual conditions. All figures included in the program are based on real data and reflect the practical needs of each locality, she said.

Among the top priorities is the restructuring of healthcare models at the grassroots level. The Ministry of Health has issued new mandates for commune health stations, which now play a more robust role as the first point of contact for public healthcare.

Out of five major project groups under the national health program, enhancing the primary healthcare network is the central pillar. The Ministry has carefully compiled input from local governments, including plans to build over 700 new health stations and renovate or upgrade more than 1,000 existing ones. The program will also focus on population issues, such as encouraging families to have two children, adapting to an aging population, and improving elderly care services.

Emphasis on training family doctors

On the topic of human resources, many lawmakers raised concerns about the training of family doctors. Minister Lan said that such training is essential for the new model of commune health stations. These clinics must not only provide basic medical treatment but also manage the health of local residents. Therefore, family doctor training will be prioritized, with an emphasis on practical skills for frontline healthcare workers.

Commenting on private sector development in healthcare, the Minister highlighted that Resolution 20 stipulates that private hospitals should account for 15% of the total hospital beds nationwide. However, current figures show they only make up about half of that target. While major private hospitals and provincial-level facilities have seen significant growth, the lack of clean land remains a key obstacle.

The Private Hospital Association has stated that if clean land is made available and planning is adjusted accordingly, they have the capacity to invest, said Minister Lan.

She expressed optimism that Resolution 72, along with special policy frameworks, would unlock bottlenecks and serve as a catalyst for attracting private investment into healthcare.

Vietnam aims to draw foreign patients

Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh at the National Assembly. Photo: National Assembly
The visit is scheduled to take place from December 1 to 2.

During the trip, the two General Secretaries will co-chair a high-level meeting between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party.

VietnamLaos relations are exceptionally special and have expanded comprehensively across all sectors. Economic and trade cooperation in particular has seen positive growth, with bilateral trade turnover reaching nearly USD 2.5 billion in the first 10 months of 2025 - a 50.4% increase over the same period in 2024 - making Vietnam Laos third-largest trading partner.

General Secretary To Lam and his spouse host a welcome ceremony for General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and his spouse during their visit to Vietnam in September 2024. Photo: VNA

At recent bilateral meetings, Vietnamese leaders have consistently expressed their strong and comprehensive support for Laos nation-building and development efforts. They also voiced confidence that under the leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the Lao people will continue to achieve new and greater successes in implementing the Partys 11th Resolution.

Beyond strengthened cooperation in politics, defense and security, the two sides are also striving to elevate and create breakthroughs in economic collaboration, including increasing two-way trade and enhancing economic infrastructure connectivity.

Several Vietnamese-invested projects in Laos - in energy, agriculture, telecommunications and infrastructure - are producing tangible results. The two countries are jointly implementing strategic infrastructure works, including transport and energy connectivity.

Tran Thuong
November 26, 2025: Russia is different from the West and operates differently, especially in wartime. Some of the differences include barbaric treatment of Russian soldiers by their officers, and brutal conduct by Russian soldiers when dealing with enemy prisoners or civilians going about their business. So far there have been over a hundred cases of Russian officers killing their own troops for refusing to fight. This is called zeroing out unfit, rebellious or disliked soldiers. Early in the Russian government explicitly condoned and encouraged these punishments. Russian leaders also ignore Ukrainian or NATO complaints about Russian mistreatment and murder of Ukrainian civilians. Russian leaders regard this atrocious behavior as an example of how Russia is different from the decadent West and will eventually triumph because Russia is willing to do things the decadent Westerners abhor and avoid.

Despite international condemnation and criticism, Russian bad behavior continues. For example, earlier this year soldiers of the Russian 61st Naval Infantry Brigade committed atrocities by attacking civilians with drones to terrorize people in southern Ukraine. The victims were often going about their daily routine but, if they were out in the open, they were targets for these frequent drone attacks. The attacks also included ambulances, which were supposed to have some immunity from attack. The Russians ignored that and killed ambulance drivers, medics, and passengers. Before this terrorism ended over 200 civilians were killed and hundreds more wounded.

Since 2023, a year after the invasion, Russian soldiers were accused of numerous atrocities and war crimes in Ukraine. Reports via the Russian internet described numerous Russian war crimes against civilians in Ukraine. Many Russian commentators admit that the war in Ukraine is lost and want Putin held accountable for the heavy cost in men, money and prestige. Ukraine will be demanding prosecutions for war crimes and compensation from Russia for damages and numerous atrocities.

Most Russians criticize their own military. There are many reasons, and most stem from the poor treatment of conscript soldiers.

The Russian military was unpopular for the one year conscripts mainly because of the brutal treatment they received. This was not getting better, and hazing incidents constantly increase. This is a serious problem. There were a lot of reasons for not wanting to be in the Russian Army, but the worst of them was the hazing of new recruits by soldiers who had been in a few months longer. It was thought that this sort of thing would speed the demise of conscription in Russia once the Cold War ended in 1991. It didn't. The government found that, even among the higher quality contract/volunteer soldiers, the old abuses lived on, and most of the best contract soldiers left when their contracts were up. This was because of the brutality and lack of discipline in the barracks. The hazing was most frequently committed by troops who had been in for six months or so against the new recruits. That extended to a pattern of abuse and brutality by all senior enlisted troops against junior ones. It was and is out of control.

This hazing originally developed after World War II, when Russia deliberately avoided developing a professional NCO corps. It preferred to have officers take care of nearly all troop supervision. The Soviets failed to note that good NCOs were the key to developing effective soldiers. They felt that officers were more reliable, as they were more carefully selected and monitored. The NCOs that did exist were treated as slightly more reliable enlisted men but given little real authority.

Since officers did not live with the men, slack supervision and discipline in the barracks gave rise to vicious hazing and exploitation of junior conscripts by senior ones. This led to very low morale and a lot of suicides, theft, sabotage, and desertions. The hazing has been one of the basic causes of crimes in the Russian armed forces, accounting for 20 to 30 percent of all soldier crimes. This also produced a suicide rate that is among the highest in the world. Poor working conditions in general also mean that Russian soldiers are nearly twice as likely to die from accidents or suicide than American soldiers. Long recognized as a problem, no solution to the hazing has ever worked.

Conscription itself, and the prospect of being exposed to hazing, led to a massive increase in draft-dodging. Bribes and document fraud were freely used. Few parents or potential conscripts consider this a crime. Avoiding the draft was seen as a form of self-preservation long before the massive casualties of the current war began.

The Russian lack of sergeants was difficult to fix. Just promoting more troops to that rank, paying them more, and telling them to take charge did not work. Upon looking at how Western armies did it, the Russians noted that those foreign armies provided a lot of professional training for new NCOs and more of it as the NCOs advanced in rank. But this was a long-term process, and it was known that it would take years, perhaps decades, before benefits could be felt.

All this is in sharp contrast to the old days. When the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, it had five million troops in its armed forces. Throughout the 1990s it was just a million in Russia. As a result of these personnel problems, Russian efforts to reform and upgrade its armed forces failed. The basic problem was that few Russian men were willing to join, even at good pay rates. Efforts to recruit women and foreigners have not made up for this. The Russian military has an image problem that just won't go away. This resulted in the period of service for conscripts being lowered to one year in 2008. That was partly to placate the growing number of parents who were encouraging and assisting their kids in avoiding military service.

All this came after more than a decade of reforms in the armed forces, particularly the army. Poor discipline, low morale, and incompetent performance are all legacies of the 19211991 Soviet era. Russian commanders, envious of the success of all-volunteer Western forces, had long studied their former foes and decided to adopt many more Western military customs. For example, one reform ordered that Russian troops would not be confined to their barracks most of the time. In the Soviet era, conscripted troops were treated like convicts, and their barracks were more like a prison than the college dormitory atmosphere found in troop housing for Western military personnel. Russian conscripts were now free to leave the base on weekends and work only a five-day week. Things like this helped a bit, but not enough.

Russia has tried to change public attitudes toward the armed forces by publicizing all the new changes and programs. But word got around that most of these efforts failed. Blame that on the internet. Polls consistently show that most military-age men do not want to serve in the military, and the main reason is the hazing and prison-like conditions in the barracks. Then Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, and manpower problems became even worse due to escalating corruption and massive casualties. After the Ukraine War is over there will be more efforts at reform and all these efforts might someday succeed.
The agreement aims to support the modernisation of Vietnams national trade ecosystem by combining government policy, business capability, and technological infrastructure, the MoIT said.



Under the MoU, the two sides will collaborate to boost B2C online exports by Vietnams micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to ASEAN and global markets. Key activities include developing a Vietnam pavilion on Shopees international platform to showcase quality and authentic products from Vietnamese MSMEs, providing training and capacity-building for businesses on B2C online export, and implementing digital promotion campaigns across ASEAN.



Addressing the signing ceremony at the headquarters of the parent firm of Shopee in Singapore, Lai Viet Anh, Deputy Director of the agency, highlighted the robust growth of e-commerce in recent years, which has positioned Southeast Asia as one of the worlds most dynamic digital markets.



The e-Conomy SEA 2024 report shows ASEANs e-commerce revenue reached 159 billion USD in 2024, up 14% year on year. Vienam contributed 22 billion USD, an increase of 18% placing it among the regions leading markets.



Anh noted that in Vietnam, e-commerce has become not only a driving force of the digital economy but also a key enabler of broader digital transformation. It provides consumers with access to diverse domestic and international products, while helping SMEs optimise costs, expand sales channels, strengthen their presence in the domestic market, and access global markets.



She emphasised that the countrys achievements stem from long-term and consistent government policies supporting e-commerce development. These include five-year national master plans since 2006, most recently the National Master Plan for E-commerce Development for 20262030, and the Prime Minister's Directive 29/CT-TTg on focal tasks and measures for promoting exports and expanding overseas markets.



The MoIT is also drafting an e-commerce law expected to be submitted to the National Assembly for approval in December 2025. These policy frameworks identify cross-border e-commerce as a strategic pillar for building a sustainable digital export ecosystem, enhancing the international competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises, and helping Vietnamese products reach more global consumers.



They also aim to maintain Vietnams position among the fastest-growing e-commerce markets in the region and the world. The official added the ministry has been implementing practical programmes to strengthen the capacity of MSMEs through training in e-commerce application, digital marketing, logistics, and supply chain management on digital platforms.



Additional support activities will continue to help Vietnamese enterprises develop effectively and seize new opportunities in the digital export landscape./.VNA
HA NOI  Viet Nams textile and garment industry is expected to achieve export revenues of US$46 billion in 2025, marking a 5.6 per cent increase compared to 2024.

The Viet Nam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) announced these positive performances at a press conference held in Ha Noi on November 25 to introduce a meeting of the associations seventh term during 2025-2030, and the industry review conference to be held in December.

According to VITAS chairman Vu uc Giang, this year promises to be a milestone for the sector as it continues its strong recovery after several years of global disruptions.

The industrys trade surplus is estimated at $21 billion, reaffirming the sectors position as a key pillar of Viet Nams trade balance.

He noted that the domestic localisation rate had risen to about 52 per cent, highlighting significant progress in localising raw material supplies.

Giang emphasised VITASs ongoing trade promotion efforts, including 10 national programmes and 20 initiatives that have helped Vietnamese businesses participate in major international exhibitions in the US, France, Germany, Australia, Russia and Canada. These efforts have played a decisive role in maintaining and expanding market share across key global markets.

Between 2020 and 2025, the textile and garment sector faced unprecedented challenges - from the COVID-19 pandemic to rising geopolitical tensions, stricter environmental regulations, and growing protectionist measures such as US reciprocal tariffs.

Despite these pressures, Viet Nam maintained its ranking among the Top 3 textile and garment exporters globally.

Giang attributed this resilience to the dynamism of enterprises and VITASs role in connecting and supporting industry stakeholders.

In the past five years, VITAS has grown by 293 new members, significantly strengthening links between domestic firms and foreign-invested enterprises to optimise supply chain efficiency.

VITAS has actively partnered with major international organisations - including ILO, IFC, GIZ, IDH, WWF and KITECH - as well as global textile associations such as CNTAC, KOFOTI, ITMF, AAFA and CCI.

These collaborations have supported nearly 300 seminars and specialised training programmes on technical innovation, design, sustainability, and greenhouse-gas reduction.

A core strength of VITAS lies in its policymaking support. The association has consistently advised the National Assembly, the Government, and relevant ministries on streamlining administrative procedures, revising laws on social insurance and trade union funds, and improving tax and credit policies.

These efforts aim to enhance the overall business environment and create momentum for industry recovery and growth.

VITAS has also collaborated with other national associations to propose amendments to laws and regulations affecting production, business operations, and importexport activities across Viet Nams economic sectors.

Strategic vision

Entering its seventh term from 2025 to 2030, VITAS has set ambitious objectives aligned with sustainable development and the circular economy.

Key targets include export turnover of $64.5 billion by 2030, with an average annual growth rate of 6.57 per cent; domestic market revenue of $8-9 billion.

They will also focus on greening - digitalising the industry, increasing the localisation rate to over 60 per cent; and building a strong, internationally recognised Vietnamese fashion brand.

The association's seventh congress and the 2025 VITAS review conference will take place on December 1617, 2025, in Ha Noi.

The event is expected to welcome around 500 participants, including government leaders, international experts, policy advisors, business executives and global brands.

Attendees will discuss strategic directions for Viet Nams textile and garment sector amid global volatility and explore adaptive solutions to ensure sustainable development and transition toward a circular economy.  VNS
HCM CITY  As Viet Nams largest economic hub, HCM City is undergoing a profound transformation of its growth model, steering firmly towards green industry and a circular economy.

This period marks what many experts describe as a golden time for the city to accelerate its modern, innovative and sustainable industrial development  particularly in the context of regional integration after the recent administrative merger.

According to the citys Department of Industry and Trade, the city currently hosts more than 1,600 active foreign direct investment (FDI) projects, with total registered capital exceeding US$56 billion.

The city remains Viet Nams foremost centre of industry, commerce and services.

Its goal is to ensure that by 2030, high-tech industries will account for over 70 per cent of industrial production value, and by 2045, to become one of Southeast Asias leading innovation hubs.

The citys industrial performance over the first ten months of 2025 has been encouraging. The industrial production index (IPI) rose 7.5 per cent year-on-year, indicating that the manufacturing sector is maintaining strong momentum and contributing significantly to fourth-quarter GRDP growth.

This positive trend underscores the citys continuing role as a key driver of the national economy.

Among its four key industrial sectors, mechanical engineering has been a standout performer, recording an 18.3 per cent increase in the first ten months of 2025 compared with the same period last year  one of the highest growth rates in the sector. Pharmaceuticals, rubber and plastics grew by 13.4 per cent; food, beverages and agricultural processing rose by 8.3 per cent; while electronics and information technology expanded by 6.5 per cent.

Together, these sectors have contributed significantly to the citys overall industrial rebound.

Looking ahead to the final months of 2025, the outlook remains positive.

Domestic consumption continues to recover steadily, and industrial enterprises are showing greater dynamism in production and market expansion.

The Department of Industry and Trade expects local businesses to enhance competitiveness, diversify partnerships, and actively integrate into global supply chains, reinforcing the role of the private sector as a key growth engine.

Expanding scale and new momentum

Ha Van Ut, deputy director of the Department of Industry and Trade, said the recent administrative merger created a broader development space for the city, bringing together localities with distinct advantages and resources.

This, he noted, ushered in a new phase of multidimensional growth, positioning the city for sustainable breakthroughs. Industry will continue to be the crucial driver of the citys economic development, Ut affirmed.

He also emphasised that along with policy mechanisms, trade fairs and industrial exhibitions would be vital channels for promoting the citys manufacturing ecosystem.

These events would provide platforms for businesses to strengthen supply chains, exchange technology, and build partnerships that contribute to a resilient and sustainable industrial support network.

Moreover, closer regional cooperation within the expanded city territory would form a unified economic space that not only amplifies growth momentum but also reinforces HCM Citys position as Viet Nams economic locomotive.

Innovation as the foundation of transformation

From a corporate perspective, Dr. Khuong Anh Dung, deputy director of Strategic Programme Management at Bosch Global Software Technologies, noted that Viet Nams digital transformation and innovation ecosystem should be anchored in coherent policies and actionable commitments.

Not only key industries need creative ecosystems, he explained, but also emerging sectors such as AI, data centres, and high-tech exports. Each requires technological solutions and supportive policy frameworks to realise the long-term vision.

Dung pointed to several promising developments in high-tech exports. Recently, CT Group secured an order to export 100 million semiconductor chips to a South Korean partner  a milestone for Viet Nams nascent chip industry. Meanwhile, Realtime Robotics (HERA) successfully exported unmanned aerial vehicles to the US, he said.

These are clear signs that Viet Nam is moving up the global value chain.

He added that future industrial strategies should prioritise semiconductor materials, microchip design, and packaging technologies for the Industry and Trade and Science and Technology sectors, while the Information and Communications sector should focus on AI platforms, data infrastructure, and cloud computing.

Smart, sustainable, and people-centred development

Associate Professor Trinh Tu Anh, director of the Institute for Smart Urban Management under the University of Economics HCM City (UEH), argued that the citys vision of a sustainable smart metropolis must rest on several interconnected pillars  economy, mobility, governance, environment, people and quality of life.

Urban intelligence is not merely about digital infrastructure investment, she said, but about creating an open innovation ecosystem where government, businesses and citizens co-design and co-evaluate policies.

As the city expands its geographical boundaries and moves towards becoming a mega-city, regional coordination and inter-urban connectivity would be increasingly vital.

Anh stressed that the citys smart development strategy should avoid one-dimensional growth, instead promoting balanced and inclusive progress across its newly merged zones.

She added that developing smart urban systems would be an inevitable trend, and the city was at the forefront of Viet Nams efforts to build a citizen-centred digital government.

From practical experience, the city should establish co-creation platforms that integrate infrastructure, data and planning, she said.

At the same time, it must respect the unique characteristics of each locality within the new administrative boundaries to maximise synergy and maintain its role as the countrys leading centre for industry, trade and services.

With its strong industrial base, expanding innovation ecosystem, and strategic policy orientation, the city stands at the threshold of a historic transformation.

This golden time presents not only an opportunity for economic renewal but also a chance for the city to lead Viet Nam into a new era of high-tech, sustainable and inclusive industrial development.  VNS
HA NOI  The US is seeking greater access to the Vietnamese market, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs in the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Luke J. Lindberg has said.

Speaking at a press briefing at the US Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York on Tuesday, Lindberg said American farmers were enthusiastic about the prospect of expanding exports to Viet Nam.

He noted that Viet Nam is already one of the largest agricultural exporters to the US, but that current tariff levels remain a barrier to trade in both directions.

Regarding the possibility of Washington lowering import tariffs on Vietnamese farm produce in the near future, Lindberg confirmed that the two countries had reached agreement on a framework arrangement.

He said the administration of President Donald Trump, together with its negotiating team, was working intensively towards a more detailed and comprehensive agreement. Greater access for US agricultural goods to the Vietnamese market, he added, would contribute to rebalancing bilateral trade.

In a related statement, US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that the US would continue to prioritise support for emerging and developing economies in modernising agriculture and transitioning towards market-oriented growth. This will be delivered through technical assistance programmes under the USDA, including Food for Progress, McGovern-Dole and export credit guarantees.

These initiatives, she said, are helping improve productivity, build value chains and expand commercial linkages, as reflected in notable progress seen in Kenya, Ethiopia and Viet Nam.

Speaking later at a round-table discussion, Minister-Counsellor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, Charge dAffaires a.i. of Viet Nams Permanent Mission to the UN, said agricultural cooperation remains a key pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Viet Nam and the US.

Viet Nam, he stressed, looks forward to strengthening substantive cooperation with the US based on shared interests, sustainability and transparency.

He noted Viet Nams recognition of the US role and its support for a number of US-led multilateral initiatives, expressing readiness to engage further, particularly within the UN framework, to promote food security, economic growth, fair trade and environmental resilience.

Viet Nam, he added, values its status as a priority country under the Food for Progress Programme and hopes to continue cooperation in this area.

The diplomat also underlined Viet Nams willingness to maintain dialogue on tariff issues with a view to creating a more favourable and mutually beneficial trading environment.  VNA/VNS
SINGAPORE  Viet Nams E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency (iDEA) and Shopee signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote and support Vietnamese micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to grow e-commerce exports to Southeast Asian markets.

Accordingly, under the two-year pilot Shopee EZXports: Vietnam Everywhere, Shopee will give iDEA support in diversifying export markets, promoting regional economic integration through e-commerce, and accelerating digital transformation for Vietnamese businesses  focusing on MSMEs in particular.

Witnessing the MoU signing, HE Tran Phuoc Anh, Viet Nams ambassador to Singapore, said: This MoU is a demonstration of Viet Nams strong commitment to digital trade, our MSMEs, and the Viet NamSingapore economic partnership in the digital era.

He reaffirmed: The Embassy will continue to support collaborations between Vietnamese Government agencies and Singapore-based digital platforms, investors, and innovation partners.

Under Shopee EZXports, Shopee will collaborate with iDEA to implement three key areas of support.

The two will establish a Vietnam Pavilion on Shopee to showcase authentic, high-quality Vietnamese products to consumers in Southeast Asia. They will also conduct capacity-building programmes to equip 2,000 Vietnamese MSMEs with the skills, knowledge, and tools needed to succeed in cross-border e-commerce.

In addition, they will organise regional promotional campaigns such as Vietnam Digital Export Week and ASEAN Sale with Vietnam Brands to enhance Viet Nams national brand visibility and connect local products with millions of consumers across the region.

Lai Viet Anh, deputy director general of iDEA, said: The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding marks an important milestone in the cooperation between iDEA and Shopee, turning strategic directions and policies into concrete actions while creating positive impacts on the development of cross-border e-commerce.

Shopee EZXports complements other online export promotion efforts, such as Shopee International Platform (SIP), which has helped more than 350,000 Vietnamese sellers bring products to Southeast Asia and Taiwan.

Also, Direct Selling, launched in 2025, empowers businesses to manage shopfronts in overseas markets with greater autonomy.

Representing Shopee, Jason Bay, country head (Viet Nam), Sea Limited, said: Shopee EZXports represents Shopees long-term commitment to partnering with Viet Nam to boost e-commerce exports. With over US$180 million of exports from Viet Nam facilitated to-date, Shopee not only contributes to Viet Nams goal of building a digitally empowered, outward-looking economy. It also supports ASEANs goal of boosting intra-region trade amidst an uncertain global backdrop.

The Viet Nam E-Commerce and Digital Economy Agency (iDEA), under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), is the Government agency responsible for e-commerce and digital economy development in Viet Nam. iDEA drives digital transformation, supports MSMEs in adopting e-commerce, and promotes online exports to strengthen Viet Nams regional and global integration.  VNS
HCM CITY  Experts suggested ways Viet Nam can better take advantage of 4.0 technologies for sustainable development at the Autumn Economic Forum in HCM City on November 26.

Nguyen Van Dung, deputy chairman of HCM City Peoples Committee, said that Viet Nam must stop relying on old advantages, and instead pursue more efficient production models and master new technology trends, such as AI, Internet-of-things, big data and automation.

HCM City identifies the development of industry, high-tech, application of science and technology, green economy and digital economy as key drivers for growth in the upcoming time.

Andy Yu Shihao, senior vice president Global Supply Chain, International Region at Schneider Electric, Singapore, said that focusing on sustainability does not mean higher costs; while the cost for specific initiatives may be high, the net financial benefit overall is still positive.

Large companies around the world are pursuing net-zero targets, so small companies investing in sustainability also means better competitive advantages in the future.

Tran Anh Tu, deputy director general of the Department of Information, Technology and Industry under the Ministry of Science and Technology, said that Viet Nam is taking small steps towards smart and sustainable production.

He stressed the importance of assisting businesses in improving their capabilities, through training programmes, networking opportunities, and learning from exemplary production models, such as the "Lighthouse Factories" model, which are manufacturing factories recognised by the World Economic Forum to have effectively implemented 4.0 technologies and automations for higher efficiency and sustainability.

Viet Nam itself has a "Lighthouse Factory" from Foxconn Industrial Internet in the former Bac Giang Province (now a part of Bac Ninh), with its integration of AI-powered systems for 3D city-scale mapping and security monitoring, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and real-time monitoring.

Viet Nam is also helping small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to network with research institutions for technology transfers, scaling up businesses' application of technologies in production.

Experts at the panel talked about how Viet Nam should utilise AI, new technology and smart production to enhance local products, moving from simply assembling technology products to improving its ability to actually produce modules and components.

Liu Zongchang, rotating CEO of China's Foxconn Industrial Internet, said: "Assembly jobs require good labour efficiency and labour cost, in which I think Viet Nam has very good advantages. If you want to move to modules, the more important thing is automation."

"Modules are smaller subsystems in smaller size, but actually require a much faster production rate. So Viet Nam needs automation, the talent, and the local technology providers here to make this type of product."

The next step, components, requires further investment in innovation and R&D talents, but if Viet Nam already has a strong foundation in assembly, it is capable of moving on to module production, he said.

Nguyen Da Quyen, co-head of the Centre for Smart Manufacturing and Supply Chain under the HCM City Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, said that in Viet Nam, around 60 per cent of SMEs are at the early stages of the digitalisation journey, with many using programmes to manage manufacturing activities and plan its resources.

"The real bottleneck for businesses applying AI tech is data readiness. Many SMEs know AI can help, but they are unsure where to start, what use case, what data set to have, which partners to work with, etc."

Data in many Vietnamese companies remains fragmented in different systems, and different departments may even have inconsistent data.

Vietnamese businesses should focus on being coordination-driven, not automation-driven. A factory that best integrates humans, systems, and data together has the ability to scale up fast.

Andy Yu Shihao said that when considering investment and returns in automation and AI, Viet Nam should not start off with large applications, as AI tech can be expensive.

Companies should first try out AI technologies in small, specific pain points, where AI tech can provide immediate benefits. From there, they can create roadmaps to increase their tech applications.

For example, his company tried out using an AI-vision camera system for quality inspection, which has been providing very high accuracy levels while also being very cost effective. His production plant is also using AI tech to identify loss of labour efficiency, showing room for improvement.

It is also important to ensure a sound data infrastructure, which is required for AI applications, as well as a shift in company culture to allow expert staff to share experiences and passion, and co-learn more easily, so that a factory or facility can scale up together, he said.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) have begun the 18th round of negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), the Ministry of Industry and Trade said on Wednesday.

The talks in a Nang from November 2528 are being led by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, who also heads Viet Nams government negotiating team.

At the opening session, Tan said the choice of a Nang  a dynamic economic hub and the first locality in Viet Nam to establish a free trade zone  reflects the countrys strong commitment to deeper integration. He added that both sides aim to reach a basic conclusion in this round and are ready to make necessary compromises to achieve a balanced deal.

Pham Hung, deputy chief of the office of the Governments Steering Committee for International Economic Integration, said after the first day that the talks were progressing positively, with both sides working to narrow remaining gaps.

Trade between Viet Nam and EFTA  comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein  remains modest compared with Viet Nams major partners but is highly complementary. Two-way trade exceeded US$3.5 billion in 2024, with steady growth in recent years.

Viet Nams key exports to EFTA markets include footwear, textiles, machinery, phones and components and agricultural products such as coffee and cashew nuts. Imports mainly consist of high-technology and high value-added products such as pharmaceuticals, precision machinery, medical equipment and chemicals.

EFTA members bring distinct strengths. Switzerland is a global centre for finance, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Norway is known for energy, seafood and maritime technology. Iceland has advantages in geothermal energy and fish processing. Liechtenstein is a financial hub with a strong precision components industry.

Despite a population of just over 13 million, EFTA is among the worlds wealthiest economic blocs, with a combined GDP of more than $1.1 trillion and per capita income of about $85,000.

The bloc records nearly $700 billion in annual trade and holds around $2 trillion in outward investment assets.

The a Nang round focuses on resolving outstanding issues with a pragmatic and flexible approach. A timely conclusion and signing of the FTA would help both sides respond better to global economic uncertainties, the ministry said.  VNS
HA NOI  The global shift towards green supply chains is placing unprecedented pressure on Viet Nams export industries, particularly the wood, agriculture and processing sectors, experts warned at a workshop in Ha Noi on November 26.

Businesses must be ready to comply with ESG standards, the EUs Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the domestic carbon market expected to pilot in 2026, they emphasised.

Opening the workshop, Adapting to Global Green Supply Chains: Challenges and Opportunities for Viet Nams Exports, organised by the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Tran Thi Thanh Tam, director of VCCIs Centre for Supporting Small and Medium Enterprises, stressed that green transition had become a mandatory requirement to maintain orders and competitiveness, as the EU and the United States tighten environmental and supply-chain responsibility standards.

According to Associate Professor Vu Anh Dung of VinUniversity, the wood industry  one of Viet Nams key export pillars  is facing mounting pressure from non-tariff barriers and new technical regulations. In 2024, Viet Nams wood and wood product exports reached US$14.7 billion, nearly 70 per cent of which came from finished furniture. The United States accounted for around 55 per cent of the total value, while the EU contributed roughly $500 million.

Although the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement has eliminated tariffs on many product groups, compliance costs have become the biggest challenge for exporters. Enterprises must meet increasingly complex requirements related to timber legality verification, FSC or PEFC certification, chemical testing under REACH, and strict responsibilities under EUDR, including GPS-based traceability for each plot of land.

From May 2025, Viet Nam will be classified by the EU as a low-risk country, reducing inspection rates to around 1 per cent. However, this benefit only applies when exporters provide full documentation and traceability data. EUDR requires proof that products are not linked to deforestation after December 31, 2020, along with precise coordinates and a declaration of negligible risk. This remains a major hurdle for thousands of small processing facilities that lack digital tools, data systems and standardised traceability platforms.

Alongside rising export-market pressures, Viet Nam is approaching a significant turning point with the planned launch of its domestic carbon market. Economist Le Duy Anh said the 202528 period would focus on developing technical infrastructure, a national registry, quota-management software and mechanisms for carbon credit trading and offsetting. Full operation and quota auctioning are expected from 2029.

Enterprises capable of early emissions measurement and reduction will gain dual benefits: maintaining orders from major markets such as the EU, the United States and Japan, and generating carbon credits from energy-saving measures, renewable-energy use or improved waste management. According to IFC recommendations, businesses can save 10 to 20 per cent of energy costs through systematic measurement and optimisation.

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), however, face major difficulties due to the lack of emissions-data systems and the high cost of greenhouse-gas inventories. Currently, only two to three organisations in Viet Nam are capable of conducting inventories to international standards, forcing many SMEs to sell carbon credits through intermediaries, which reduces revenue and discourages green investment.

Experts suggested that State policies could further support exporters by reducing corporate income tax for certified deforestation-free products, exempting VAT on machinery and equipment for sustainable transition, and establishing shared compliance-cost groups within industrial clusters to lower certification and inspection expenses for SMEs.

Speakers concluded that ESG, EUDR, CBAM and the emerging carbon market are becoming new standards rather than optional commitments. Green transition, they noted, should be seen not as an added cost but as a key driver for sustaining and expanding Viet Nams export market share. The preparedness of enterprises in data, traceability systems and carbon-measurement capacity will determine their competitiveness in the global race towards greener supply chains. VNS
HCM CITY  Vietjet is set to kick off a series of year-end promotional livestreams with its Vietjet Stories in the Sky Mega Livestream, scheduled from 7pm to 11pm on Thursday, offering viewers a festive and interactive way to snap up travel deals.

Additional mini livestreams will run during the airlines golden hours from noon to 2pm throughout the festive season on Vietjets official Facebook page and TikTok.

The Thursday livestream will feature millions of zero-ong tickets (excluding taxes and fees), thousands of discount codes, and early booking opportunities for 2026 Tet travel.

Vietjet will also offer Business and SkyBoss package fares starting from VN1.8 million, available for purchase during the livestream. Viewers can join interactive activities and minigames with prizes from Vietjet and its partners.

The airline said the livestream series aims to provide customers with a lively and festive experience while offering discounted travel options during the peak year-end period.

Meanwhile, Vietjet said it has partnered with Lotte Duty Free, South Koreas leading duty-free retailer, to offer a range of exclusive benefits for Vietjet passengers through the end of 2025.

Under the promotion, passengers presenting a Vietjet boarding pass when shopping at Lotte Duty Free stores in South Korea will receive privileges equivalent to the retailers Gold membership tier. These include discounts of up to 15 per cent, direct-use gift vouchers and complimentary beverages at the Lotte Lounge.

Vietjet said the partnership is designed to help travellers reduce expenses and enhance their experience while exploring South Korea.  VNS
For many years Viet Nam has been focusing on the implementation of "4.0 technologies" in both state management and business production in order to boost efficiency in a sustainable manner.

Efforts in this pursuit includes the HCM City Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (HCMC C4IR), launched in last year's September as part of cooperation between the Vietnamese Government and the World Economic Forum (WEF) for 2023-2026.

Viet Nam News spoke with Prof Wesley Rosslyn-Smith, director of the South Africa Centre for Industry and Technology, part of the WEF's global network of Fourth Industrial Revolution Centres, at the Autumn Economic Forum in HCM City on Viet Nam's pursuit towards Fourth Industrial Revolution.

What do you think about Viet Nam's HCMC C4IR?

I think Viet Nam's C4IR centre is a bit older than the South African centre. It seems to be doing an exceptionally good job. We very much overlap in similar areas, being advanced manufacturing, being a common thematic theme between both centers.

The Autumn Economic Forum, organised by the HCMC C4IR, is a great initiative. It's putting HCM City on the map and bringing the right people to the right discussions, and showcasing the capabilities that Viet Nam has and what the city has to offer.

Specifically, both Viet Nam and South Africa have very big youth populations. They need to showcase that these youth populations have the right digital capabilities to take on the new jobs of the future. I think this is very much a step in the right direction in terms of showcasing those capabilities.

Viet Nam is paying a lot of attention to the 4.0 industry revolution. How do you assess Viet Nam's capability of pursuing this challenging task?

I think foremost is digital literacy  you need strong digital literacy, both from a consumer base and an entrepreneurial perspective. Both have been showcased quite clearly over the last few days of this event. And I think if they continue to build that up, they'll be in a very good position to take on 4.0 technologies at larger scales. So that's very much in the right direction.

What do you think of Viet Nam's ability to attract hi-tech FDI projects, as well as its infrastructures and policies to support them?

Well, no one wants to put their money anywhere else, right? So you have to offer something that they can't do in their home countries. And I think one thing first is a young, capable workforce.

As we know, in a lot of developed countries, they're facing aging populations, so they want to invest in countries where they are able to stay long term. There are also the factors of political stability, room for growth, and other ingredients to attract FDI.

For Viet Nam, that's very much what they're putting in place. And I don't see why FDI is not going to flow more and more for that reasons.

Policy wise, I think all the boxes are ticked. Viet Nam's policies for attracting hi-tech FDI projects are almost 90 percent of the way there.

I think it's now that boils down to the implementation of those policies  making sure that what's being put in terms of policy actually happens on the ground, which I think Viet Nam is doing a much better job than other countries. Most countries struggle with implementation of their policies, but Viet Nam seems to be doing good in that regard.

What else does Viet Nam need to do to facilitate investment attraction and 4.0 technology implementation?

I think they just need to keep showcasing the difference between Viet Nam and other markets, where FDI could flow in terms of advanced manufacturing and 4IR technologies.

Viet Nam's not alone in this regard. There are a lot of countries around the world that are also trying to grab this sort of investment. How do they distinguish themselves needs to be clear.

They need to showcase their ability to host Lighthouse projects, which are facilities under the Lighthouse Network, an initiative started by the World Economic Forum that showcases exceptional advanced manufacturing companies around the world.

For example, in Viet Nam there's the Foxconn Industrial Internet Lighthouse project, which we can see what sort of amazing work they're doing and how they qualified to be part of that network.

That, combined with other ways to showcase their own innovative capabilities, will go a long way in terms of differentiating themselves from other competitive regions.  VNS
Exploring Gibraltars Northern Defences: Schools Step Into History

In recent weeks, pupils from Bishop Fitzgerald and Sacred Heart Middle Schools have taken part in special educational visits to Gibraltars Northern Defences, joining guided sessions led by the sites Project Manager Mr Carl Viagas and representatives from the Ministry for Heritage, Mr Keith Sheriff.

These visits form part of an expanding outreach programme designed to connect local schools with Gibraltars evolving heritage landscape and few places better demonstrate the layers of history beneath the Rock than the Northern Defences.

As students gathered beneath the imposing walls of the Castle of Moorish origin, they listened attentively as Mr Keith Sheriff, from the Ministry for Heritage, explained how the various lines of fortification were designed to defend Gibraltar across centuries. From the Spanish bastions of the 16th century to the British bombproof galleries of the Great Siege, his explanations brought the structures to life transforming what once seemed like overgrown ruins into a vivid, layered story of military innovation and resilience.

Every wall tells a story, Mr Sheriff noted, pointing to the exposed masonry. What you see here is not just stone its evidence of centuries of adaptation, conflict and survival.

Recent works to clear vegetation have unveiled long-hidden elements of the fortifications, allowing the public to see structures that have not been visible for generations. Among these discoveries are the lower sections of the Muro de San Joseph, or Hanover Line, a crucial 18th-century defensive wall connecting the Castles lower approaches.

This ongoing process, overseen by the project team, has not only improved accessibility but also revealed the complex layering of walls and defensive positions, offering new insights into how the site evolved through successive military periods.

The visits have now become an integral part of Gibraltars Key Stage Local History curriculum, encouraging students to explore their heritage first-hand. Teachers from both schools described the experience as a rare opportunity for pupils to step into history, combining classroom lessons with a real-world understanding of the Rocks strategic geography.

At the Kings Gallery and Star Chamber, children were able to see the engineering that shaped Gibraltars defences, while outdoor areas provided space for group discussions whilst overlooking the bay and approaches to Landport Gate.

The Northern Defences project continues to reveal new aspects of Gibraltars built heritage, reinforcing its value as both a tourism site and educational resource. Each newly exposed wall or tunnel tells another chapter of Gibraltars story and, thanks to initiatives like these, the next generation is now helping to uncover and understand it.

Prof John Cortes, Minister for Education, said: Engaging our students with Gibraltars history in such a direct and meaningful way is invaluable. The Northern Defences offer a unique outdoor classroom where young people can see, touch and explore the layers of our past. I am delighted that our schools are taking full advantage of this heritage resource, and I want to thank the project team and the Ministry for Heritage for making these experiences possible for our children.
HA NOI  Manulife Vietnam has launched its latest community initiative, running from November to December 2025, aimed at raising awareness about digestive health among young adults aged 25 to 45.

The campaign, titled "Choose Green for Health - For a Truly Healthy Viet Nam", is part of Manulifes ongoing efforts to prevent digestive diseases, particularly colorectal and stomach cancers, which remain among the leading causes of cancer cases and deaths in Viet Nam, according to World Cancer Observatory data.

Tina Nguyen, General Director of Manulife Vietnam, said the campaign reflects the companys commitment to public health and supporting a healthier young generation, the backbone of the countrys workforce.

We believe that a healthy young generation will contribute to building a sustainable country, she said.

As part of the campaign, Manulife consultants act as healthy living ambassadors, offering guidance on maintaining healthy lifestyles and supporting free health check-up events. It aims to help participants detect potential digestive issues early through medical examinations, ultrasmeound scans, testing, and in-depth consultations.

In collaboration with the Vietnam Young Physicians Association, the campaign will provide free gastrointestinal cancer screenings and health check-ups in Ha Noi, HCM City, Hai Phong, and Thanh Hoa, with an expected reach of 8,000 people.

The campaign will also feature a series of educational activities at major shopping centres, including Vincom Times City, Aeon Mall Long Bien, and Vincom Tran Duy Hung in Ha Noi, as well as Estella and Thiso Mall in HCM City. Visitors will be able to participate in practical activities such as quick digestive health screenings, consultations with experts, and registration for free health check-ups.

In addition to in-person activities, Manulife will introduce Green Radio, an AI-powered music challenge on social media that allows users to create personalised health messages for their loved ones. By combining technology and creativity, the initiative aims to inspire a proactive approach to health within the community.

Through a series of diverse and practical activities, Choose Green for Health - For a Truly Healthy Viet Nam reflects Manulifes ongoing commitment to community health. The campaign encourages small lifestyle changes and early health monitoring as steps toward a healthier society. More information about the programme is available at www.manulife.com.

Since 2024, Manulife Vietnam has been working to raise public awareness of digestive health through its Living Clean-Smart-Green campaign.

Recently, Manulife launched the Longevity Institute, a global platform to drive action that helps people live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives, backed by a C$350 million commitment through 2030.

In Viet Nam, the Choose Green for Health campaign is part of this vision - helping young people build awareness of digestive health and establish healthy living foundations early in life.  VNS




HA NOI  Viet Nam is entering a new stage of development in which innovation and strategic technologies will serve as the key driving force, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung affirmed while addressing a working session with the Vietnam Innovation Network (VIN) and Vietnamese experts on November 26.

Dung noted that the Politburos Resolution No 57-NQ/TW on making breakthroughs in science  technology development, innovation, and national digital transformation emphasises the requirement for strongly promoting science, technology, and innovation, considering them a key driving force for fast and sustainable growth, especially in strategic and leading-edge technology sectors capable of creating new value and long-term national competitiveness.

Based on this orientation, Decision No 1131/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister details the targets, tasks, and measures for developing pioneering technologies, while identifying 11 strategic technology sectors and 32 strategic technological products of the country. This serves as an important stepping stone for building a strategic technology ecosystem, ensuring coherence from policies, mechanisms, human resources, and infrastructure to technology research, development, and commercialisation.

The Deputy PM affirmed that VIN, with over 2,000 experts worldwide, is a hub for Vietnamese knowledge and an important resource that will help the Government implement its strategy for developing pioneering technology sectors. In the new trend, continuing to expand the network and enhancing the quality of contributions from the expert community will play a key role in promoting the 11 strategic sectors, creating a new growth impetus for the economy.

However, he acknowledged that Viet Nam is still struggling to identify major questions and design strong-enough programmes capable of leading the development of strategic sectors. Therefore, he expressed his hope that experts will propose practical, feasible, and breakthrough solutions instead of general analyses.

In particular, Dung emphasised the need for mechanisms to attract chief engineers and chief architects for national technology projects, considering these two positions as crucial for steering foundational programmes.

In the field of semiconductors, Vo uc Thang, a representative of the VIN Network in Taiwan (China) and Co-Principal Investigator at the INTENSE Programme in Viet Nam, highlighted the great potential for cooperation between the two sides. Over 40,000 Vietnamese students are currently studying in Taiwan, half of whom are in high-tech engineering fields. Specifically, the INTENSE Programme has trained more than 200 students and will offer an additional 880 STEM  semiconductor scholarships in 2026.

Training models that involve businesses, along with connection activities and cooperation offices in various localities, are creating a crucial foundation for Viet Nam to build a high-quality semiconductor engineering workforce, he added.

Ngo Minh Hieu, Founder and Director of an anti-fraud project, emphasised that for Viet Nam to develop AI, digital finance, or govtech, it must first establish a safe and reliable digital environment.

Experts also proposed establishing a national anti-fraud and cybercrime centre based on the Singapore model, connecting data from banking, telecommunications, social networks, and investigation agencies to provide real-time risk alerts. At the same time, it is necessary to implement a data sandbox that allows businesses and research institutes to use non-personal data to develop AI models and early warning systems.

In the field of AI and digital twins, Lo Van Ba, Country Director of Dassault Systemes Vietnam, emphasised the great potential of Virtual Twin technology combined with AI in enhancing R&D capabilities, optimising production, and shortening the time to market. Ba believes that Viet Nam is well-positioned with favourable conditions to directly adopt the new-generation digital industrial model, from digital infrastructure and a young workforce to the growing demand for modernisation in strategic sectors.

Dassault Systemes proposed collaborating with the National Innovation Centre (NIC) to establish a Digital Twin and AI R&D Centre in Viet Nam to develop pilot models in aerospace, semiconductors, smart transportation, robotics, and smart cities, and mobilising international resources to build a team of Digital Twin - AI engineers and strengthen the countrys innovation capacity.  VNA/VNS
HCM CITY  In what many are calling a landmark moment for Viet Nams development trajectory, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivered a compelling vision on Wednesday during a high-level policy dialogue with WEF leadership at the Autumn Economic Forum 2025.

The forum  the largest of its kind in Viet Nam this year  served as a platform to formalise the countrys commitment to deep structural transformation grounded in digital modernisation and sustainable development.

Viet Nams private sector has emerged as the backbone of national growth.

Recent data suggests that the private economy accounts for roughly half of Viet Nams GDP, contributes significantly to state revenues, and employs the majority of the workforce.

The PM urged that private enterprises be regarded not only as engines of economic expansion but as core partners in shaping a resilient, innovative, globally competitive economy.

Against a backdrop of global uncertainties  from supply-chain disruption to climate and geopolitical risks  Viet Nam aims to follow dual pathways: accelerating its digital economy while embracing low-carbon growth.

The strategy includes scaling up smart manufacturing, expanding digital infrastructure and services, and promoting clean energy, sustainable logistics, and urban development built around environmental priorities.

Public investment is central: this year the government has committed an unprecedented budget projected at VND 1.1 quadrillion (about US$42 billion) to upgrade transport, energy, digital systems and infrastructure, reflecting determination to boost national connectivity and productivity.

During the dialogue, WEF Managing Director Stephan Mergenthaler responded with robust support.

He praised Viet Nams long-term vision, calling the country on the threshold of a pivotal decade, where innovation and sustainability will define global competitiveness.

He underscored that Viet Nam  with its youthful population, rapidly evolving tech ecosystem and dynamic economic momentum  is well positioned to lead the shift towards a green, digitally enabled economy in Southeast Asia.

Mergenthaler emphasised the central role of human capital and adaptability in the coming era.

He warned that by 2030, nearly 39 per cent of core workforce skills globally will have changed due to digitalisation and automation  a shift outlined in the WEFs Future of Jobs framework.

He urged young people and future workers to reframe their mindset: Working with machines should not be viewed as competition  it is collaboration. Artificial intelligence, automation and smart technologies are tools to amplify human creativity and potential.

He argued that the future labour market will be built on hybrid human-machine collaboration, where approximately one third of roles involve coordinated human-AI work.

Firms, he said, increasingly demand workers with analytical thinking, adaptability, creativity and cross-disciplinary insight  qualities that remain uniquely human.

Mergenthaler called on Viet Nams policymakers, educators and businesses to prioritise lifelong learning, digital literacy, and flexibility to harness the full benefits of technological transformation.

Beyond workforce development, he identified four strategic priorities for Viet Nams ambition to leap forward with AI and sustainability: substantial investment in human capacity in both data science and creative problem-solving, improving access for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to affordable AI tools, securing digital infrastructure and cyber resilience, and promoting green intelligence  the integration of sustainability principles into AI and tech deployment.

He suggested that Viet Nam could emerge as a global frontrunner if it synchronises technological progress with environmental responsibility and social trust.

For HCM City, the host city of the forum, Mergenthaler described it as a living laboratory  ideal for trialing smart city governance, digital infrastructure, sustainable urban planning and advanced manufacturing.

He encouraged the citys leaders to deepen cooperation with WEFs global network to attract investment, technology and talent, reinforcing its ambition to become a major regional innovation hub.

The PM responded positively to WEFs backing, expressing gratitude for its coordination and calling for the Autumn Economic Forum to become an annual flagship event  a regular platform to solidify international policy dialogue and business cooperation.

The suggestion was welcomed by WEF and international investors present, who saw in Viet Nam a promising arena for long-term, sustainable growth.

According to PM Chinh, as countries and economies worldwide brace for structural changes driven by technology, climate and shifting supply chains, Viet Nams dual commitment to digital modernisation and environmental sustainability  backed by strong policy frameworks, investment and international partnerships  may well position it as a rising star in the global economy.

But success will depend on follow-through: timely disbursement of investment, strengthening institutional capacity, upgrading human capital, and ensuring transparent, inclusive implementation.

With voices like Stephan Mergenthalers lending credibility and global insight to Viet Nams ambitions, the country stands at a crucial inflection point  ready to harness innovation, sustainability and global collaboration to shape its next era of growth.  VNS
SAMARKAND  Viet Nam has reiterated its commitment to protecting nature, conserving biodiversity and combating the illegal trade of endangered wildlife at the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the CITES Convention (CoP20).

The 20th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CoP20), which opened in Samarkand of Uzbekistan on November 24, addressed more than 120 key agenda items as nations discussed policies, finance, law enforcement and proposed amendments to the CITES Appendices, covering 51 species proposals and related annotations.

The aim is to ensure that international trade in endangered species is legal, sustainable, and fully traceable.

At the Ministerial Session themed 'Enhancing the strategic impact of CITES CoP20 from policy to practice: Monitoring, financing and action for wildlife trade', Viet Nams Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Quoc Tri, head of the Vietnamese delegation, presented an overview of the measures the country is implementing to prevent illegal wildlife trade.

He emphasised that sustainable development linked to nature conservation and the protection of wild species is a national strategic priority that was reflected in Government resolutions on sustainable development, which focus on balancing economic, social and environmental pillars and promoting green growth, a circular economy and sustainable natural resource management.

Tri highlighted Viet Nams achievements in maintaining the national forest cover at 42 per cent, expanding protected areas, and implementing strong measures to curb illicit wildlife trafficking.

In recent years, enforcement agencies have cooperated with neighbouring countries to dismantle transboundary trafficking networks and have destroyed large volumes of confiscated wildlife products, including more than three tonnes of ivory, 200kg of rhino horn, 6.2 tonnes of pangolin scales and 3.1 tonnes of lion bones.

These actions send a clear message of Viet Nams determination to eliminate the illegal market.

Alongside enforcement, Viet Nam has strengthened its legal framework governing the trade and protection of wild species. Laws, decrees, circulars and species-specific action plans have been introduced in line with CITES requirements, improving resource management, restoring degraded ecosystems and expanding conservation areas.

Financial resources for conservation have also been enhanced. Payments for forest environmental services currently generate more than VN3 trillion each year (US$114 million), supporting local livelihoods and forest protection.

Viet Nam is exploring additional financial tools such as carbon credits, biodiversity credits, and disaster-risk insurance to diversify funding at a time when the costs of ecosystem restoration, disaster response and trade monitoring continue to rise.

While progress has been made, the deputy minister stressed that a significant gap remains between conservation needs and available resources.

He called on CITES Parties to increase cooperation in monitoring, data-sharing and establishing sustainable financing mechanisms.

The effectiveness of CITES, he noted, depends on coordination among countries and strong support from the Secretariat.

CoP20 brings together more than 3,000 delegates from 170 countries and 280 organisations to consider more than 120 agenda items, including 51 species proposals and issues related to finance, monitoring and sustainable trade.  VNS
Sculptor Hoang Tuong Minh, whose work helps shape the evolving landscape of Vietnamese contemporary sculpture, is among the artists creating and displaying pieces at the Flamingo Contemporary Art Museum in the northern province of Phu Tho to celebrate the museums 10th anniversary. Minh spoke to the media about his sculpture Khong Gioi Han (No Limit) on this occasion, reflecting on the craft, challenges and freedoms that define his practice.

Could you introduce your artwork at the exhibition?

Khong Gioi Han is made from steel and stainless steel symbolising the barriers and limitations that humans constantly encounter.

Through this work, I want to speak about the act of removing and cutting both visible and invisible boundaries so that we can move toward freedom in life and in artistic creation as well.

I chose to work with the materials because they reinforce each other. Steel carries a sense of heaviness, density and confinement while stainless steel is bright, reflective and conveys a chilling sense of threat.

When combined, they create a dynamic tension between constraint and the desire to break. And for me, it is what art seeks to achieve.

What is the biggest challenge you encounter while creating the work?

The biggest challenge is keeping a sense of movement within such a heavy material.

Working on the welds and the connections between black steel and stainless steel ensuring technical requirement while also creating strong contrasts in light require calculation and patience.

I see this process as a kind of dialogue between the artist and the material where technique itself becomes an extension of the concept.

In your opinion, is art truly limitless or do invisible boundaries still exist?

Art itself has no limit but we as human beings do. Khong Gioi Han is not a declaration, it is a journey, constant dialogue, friction and the effort to overcome our own boundaries.

Age has never made me feel restricted. It helps me see things with greater depth and calmness. When we are young, we break limits with energy, as we get older, we surpass them with understanding. What matters most is to never lose the desire to create.

How does your professional experience differ from when you first started the career?

When I was young I almost worked with passion and intuition and I was eager trying everything and pushing every material limit. Over time, I realise that what truly matters is not just what we can do but what we leave behind.

At the age of 60, I have the calmness to accept the gaps and silences within the creative process. I no longer feel the need to prove anything instead, I want to explore more deeply the essence of form and emotion.

The biggest difference is that rather than conquering, Ive learned to dialogue with both the material and time.

What's the most valuable thing art has brought to you?

Art has given me a meaningful life. It keeps me aware, teaches me to listen and encourages me to ask questions. Through art, I have learned to face myself, my limitations, my hurts, and my deepest aspirations.

More importantly, art helps me preserve the human capacity for emotion in a world full of constant change. To me it is the most precious gift that no other profession could ever offer.

How do you define freedom in art and how important is it for a sculptor?

Freedom is not about doing whatever you want. It is about having the courage to be honest with your own emotions and thoughts. In sculpture, freedom often lies within the very constraints of the material finding a way for steel, stone or wood to express what you truly feel.

Without inner freedom, a work remains merely a form. But when you are truly free, you can create beauty even within limitations. I believe that is the foundation for art to endure.

You are among artists to display at the 10th anniversary of Flamingo Contemporary Art Museum establishment. How do you feel?

I am deeply moved. It is not just an exhibition, it is a journey that has connected artists over the past decade. Each time I return, I can clearly see the growth of the space, the audience and artists.

Being part of the 10th-anniversary edition is a great joy, like looking back at a piece of history that I have helped shape.

I believe that the museum truly provides an environment for contemporary sculpture where artworks are not only displayed but also live in harmony with the space, nature and the audience.

It helps connect artists with the community, encourages long-term creative projects and creates a genuine artistic ecosystem. For me, this is essential for Vietnamese sculpture to continue developing and gaining broader recognition not only domestically but also internationally. VNS
WASHINGTON  A photo and handicraft exhibition showcasing Viet Nam's culture and the Viet Nam  US relations opened in Washington DC on November 24, celebrating 30 years of the two countries' diplomatic ties and contributing to mutual understanding between their peoples.

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung underscored that the exhibition reflects the spirit of cultural diplomacy, one of the three pillars of Viet Nams foreign policy alongside political and economic diplomacy.

Sustainable international relations, he noted, are not built solely on trade agreements or diplomatic exchanges, but also through people-to-people ties, mutual understanding, and cultural engagement.

Jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy, the US Department of States US  ASEAN Centre, Arizona State University, and the Viet Nam Exhibition Centre for Culture and Arts, the event features photographs capturing milestones in bilateral relations over the past three decades, as well as traditional handicrafts representing Viet Nams 4,000-year cultural heritage.

The exhibits highlight key developments in the bilateral partnership, introduce Viet Nam's scenic landscapes and cultural diversity, and reflect the craftsmanship, creativity, and enduring resilience of Vietnamese culture through centuries of changes.

The exhibition is part of a series of events commemorating three major anniversaries of Viet Nam in 2025: 30 years of diplomatic ties with the US, 50 years of the national reunification, and 80 years of the National Day. These milestones serve as opportunities to reflect on the special journey of the two nations, grounded in mutual respect and a commitment to peace and prosperity, according to Ambassador Dung.

He appreciated the US partners, cultural institutions, and the artists, photographers, and artisans whose works are displayed, acknowledging their efforts in preserving and promoting Vietnamese cultural traditions.

In response to the call from Party and State leaders to support communities affected by recent storms and flooding, he also appealed for international assistance to help central localities recover from severe damage.

The exhibition runs from November 24 to 25, and will continue at The Ven at Embassy Row on November 2627. VNA/VNS
HA NOI  A special screening of Sentimental Value, the latest film by acclaimed Norwegian director Joachim Trier, took place at the National Cinema Center in Hanoi on the evening of November 25. The screening was organised under the framework of the European Film Festival in Vietnam 2025 (EUFF 2025).

Sentimental Value is a heartfelt story about family, reconciliation, and rediscovering what truly matters in life. Known for its warmth, humor, and emotional depth, the film has touched audiences across Europe and continues to affirm Joachim Triers reputation as one of the leading voices in contemporary European cinema.

Opening the event, Charges d'affaires of the European Union Delegation to Viet Nam, Rafael de Bustamante, underlined the spirit of cooperation and diversity of contemporary European cinema, representing the spirit of the European Union itself.

Expressing her excitement ahead of the Sentimental Value's screening, Ambassador of Norway to Viet Nam, Hilde Solbakken, said I am thrilled to be here with you tonight - to enjoy a moving Norwegian story on the big screen  on the exact day that we celebrate the establishment of diplomatic relations between Norway and Vietnam, 54 years ago.

"In this context, Sentimental Value is particularly fitting. The film is about connections  between generations, between people, and between cultures. It invites us to reflect on the relationships that shape our lives and the emotional ties that give our lives meaning.

According to the diplomat, the Norwegian film industry has grown steadily over the years, earning international recognition for its compelling storytelling, innovative direction, and focus on both social issues and human emotions. Among the country's most prominent contemporary directors is Joachim Trier, have been acclaimed worldwide for their emotional depth, subtle humour, and nuanced reflections on modern life.

This years European Film Festival in Viet Nam celebrates the richness and creativity of contemporary European cinema. For the first time, EUFF Vietnam joins hands with the LUX Audience Award (an initiative of the European Parliament and the European Film Academy) and the European Film Awards Season 2026 to present some of Europes most notable works, emphasising the growing trend of international co-productions across the region and beyond.

The Ha Noi premiere followed a successful screening in Ho Chi Minh City on November 22, which attracted a large audience of film lovers and cultural partners.

The European Film Festival 2025 runs from November 20 to December 6 in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, offering Vietnamese audiences a rich cinematic journey through Europes diverse cultures, values, and creative expressions. VNS
By Winston Peters*

Viet Nam matters enormously to New Zealand. Over the past 18 months, we have seriously stepped up our engagement. We have been pleased to confirm the elevation of our relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a major event during our 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

This is a serious, practical commitment to do more together, and today we signed a joint Plan of Action to chart how we will progress specific initiatives across the broad relationship over the next five years.

We are lifting our ambition and deepening partnerships across Southeast Asia because this region is central to our future. The world has changed  global competition is intensifying, supply chains are shifting and the rules that govern trade, technology and security are being rewritten.

For a small country like New Zealand, rules matter  without them, size decides. When we announced a foreign policy reset 18 months ago, it signalled a new direction: sharper focus, faster tempo and higher ambition with key partners. For New Zealand, this is not abstract diplomacy. It is practical cooperation that delivers prosperity and security for both nations. And Viet Nam is at the heart of that effort.

The Plan of Action we agreed this week has pillars in resilience, science and technology, and defence and security. These are the hard yards of statecraft, designed to deliver real outcomes. We have also set a US$3 billion two-way trade target by 2026, underscoring the scale of our economic ambition.

Viet Nams sustained high economic growth signals a clear path to high-income status. Its investments in digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and the green economy align with New Zealands strengths in agri-food systems, renewable energy and technology. Our exporters see opportunities in high-quality food and beverage, education and services. Our innovators see potential in digital trade and climate solutions. And our governments share a commitment to open markets and sustainable development.

The economic case is compelling  and the opportunities are real.

Security matters just as much as economics. Transnational crime, cyber threats and irregular migration affect us all. Through close cooperation with Southeast Asian partners, New Zealand intercepted 1.8 tonnes of illicit drugs last year, preventing $1.4 billion of harm at home. That is what practical cooperation looks like: quiet work, real results. Our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Viet Nam also includes defence and maritime security, because stability in the region underpins the prosperity for both nations.

People-to-people links are the fabric of partnership. Scholarships bring Viet Nams best students to New Zealand. Alumni networks, internships and exchanges turn one-off experiences into lifelong ties. Tourism and air connectivity bind our societies together. And our diaspora communities  New Zealanders with roots in Southeast Asia  are bridges of trust and practical know-how. We will invest further in those links because they sustain the relationship beyond trade and treaties.

The foreign policy reset is not just about New Zealands future  it is about building partnerships that deliver for both nations. Viet Nams momentum is clear. New Zealand is ready to match it with ambition, reliability and practical results. Together, we can chart a shared course toward prosperity, security and resilience in a region that matters to us all.

*Winston Peters is New Zealand's Minister of Foreign Affairs.
HA NOI  National Assembly (NA) deputies highlighted the need to establish and operate an effective 24/7 hotline between Vietnamese authorities and neighbouring countries to exchange information and coordinate timely actions when detecting transnational drug-related cases.

Responding to the media regarding the dismantling of a drug trafficking ring transporting 1.2 tonnes of drugs from the Golden Triangle into Viet Nam, deputies stressed that this type of crime is highly internationalised and tightly organised, requiring strengthened prevention efforts and strict, resolute handling.

Assessing the complexity and sophistication of this type of crime, Phu Tho Provinces Deputy Thai Quynh Mai Dung stated that these trafficking networks are often directed by masterminds and ringleaders who live in the Golden Triangle area, and connect with domestic individuals to form criminal organisations with clear division of roles and hierarchy, and independent, closed operations.

The criminals use highly sophisticated methods to conceal drugs, mixing them into civilian cargo shipments and exploiting favourable customs procedures and e-commerce policies for transportation. Their transport routes are also flexible, frequently shifting across multiple pathways. The offenders make full use of technology, like using highly secure communication applications and fake identities, to direct activities and communicate in order to avoid monitoring and detection by law enforcement forces, Dung said.

Notably, the individuals involved in these trafficking networks are often extremely aggressive and ready to resist law enforcement forces when detected. Many of the ringleaders are fugitives who are wanted criminals hiding abroad, she added.

Echoing this view, Deputy Pham Van Hoa from ong Thap stated that the illegal drug trade is becoming increasingly sophisticated and cunning; the quantity and scale have not decreased but instead are rising to more alarming levels.

Hoa assessed that at present, almost all provinces and cities across the country have drug addicts. The activities of processing, trading, and transporting drugs across borders, especially in the northern border areas and along the border with Cambodia, are extremely dangerous.

Therefore, he emphasised that prevention, interdiction, arrest efforts, as well as the responsibilities of customs and border guard units in border areas, are critically important.

Emphasising that drugs are a borderless threat and that transnational drug crimes are constantly evolving, Dung stated that preventing transnational drug-related crimes faces numerous challenges due to limitations and shortcomings in border and checkpoint management, as well as in coordination mechanisms among law enforcement forces.

Therefore, she proposed that comprehensive solutions are needed, ranging from increased investment in equipment, administrative procedure reform, and improvement of legal frameworks, to enhancing the capacity and responsibility of law enforcement forces, while also promoting more substantive and effective international cooperation.

Specifically, it is necessary to perfect the Law on Drug Prevention and Control No.73/2021/QH14, and review and supplement mutual legal assistance treaties on criminal matters and extradition with other countries, especially those in the Golden Triangle region and nations linked to major drug-trafficking networks. This will help expedite the process of arresting and transferring offenders who are hiding abroad.

In addition, a legal framework should be established for the use of advanced technologies in investigations, she stressed, highlighting the importance of promoting the application of information technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in data analysis, and improving the national database system.

The deputies also proposed maximising the support of international organisations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Interpol, and ASEANAPOL in providing training, professional development, and equipment for Viet Nams drug prevention and control forces.  VNA
HA NOI  The 15th National Assembly (NA) on Wednesday adopted four laws: the Law on Extradition, the Law on the Transfer of Persons Serving Prison Sentences, the Law on Mutual Judicial Assistance in Civil Matters and the Law on Mutual Judicial Assistance in Criminal Matters.

With 426 out of 430 deputies present voting in favour (89.87 per cent), the NA passed the Law on Extradition, which consists of four chapters and 45 articles. It outlines principles, authority, conditions and procedures for extradition between Viet Nam and other countries, as well as the responsibilities of Vietnamese state agencies.

The law includes a separate provision on the temporary holding of a person in urgent circumstances prior to a formal extradition request.

Accordingly, where a foreign country requests Viet Nam to hold a person in urgent circumstances before submitting an extradition request under an international extradition treaty to which both Viet Nam and that country are parties, the Ministry of Public Security shall verify the validity of the request in accordance with that treaty.

If the request is deemed valid, the Ministry of Public Security shall immediately forward it to the competent police authority for a decision on holding the person and placing them in a designated holding facility as prescribed.

The duration of the holding measure and the required contents of the urgent request prior to an extradition request shall be implemented in line with the provisions of the relevant international treaty.

Where a foreign country requests that Viet Nam hold a person in urgent circumstances before an extradition request, but Viet Nam and that country are not both parties to an international extradition treaty, the Ministry of Public Security shall verify the validity of the request in accordance with domestic regulations.

The maximum duration of holding a person in urgent circumstances is 45 days from the date they are placed in the holding facility.

In the explanatory report submitted before the NAs adoption of the draft, Chair of the NAs Committee on Legal and Judicial Affairs Hoang Thanh Tung stated that some deputies proposed raising the minimum penalty threshold for extradition cases to offences punishable by at least two years imprisonment. They argued this would avoid wasting administrative resources on minor cases and reflect a more humane policy by limiting extradition to genuinely serious, socially dangerous offences.

However, the NA Standing Committee maintained that the draft laws current threshold of at least one years imprisonment should remain. This standard carries over from the existing Law on Mutual Legal Assistance, aligns with international practice and Viet Nams extradition treaties, and helps ensure flexible, timely cooperation across a broader range of cases rather than only the most serious crimes.

The Law on the Transfer of Persons Serving Prison Sentences was approved with 429 out of 430 votes (90.51 per cent). Comprising four chapters and 48 articles, it stipulates the principles, authority, conditions and procedures for transferring prisoners between Viet Nam and other countries, as well as the responsibilities of Vietnamese state agencies.

Also gaining 429 out of 430 votes (90.51 per cent), the Law on Mutual Judicial Assistance in Civil Matters comprises four chapters with 38 articles. It regulates the principles, authority and procedures for mutual judicial assistance in civil matters between Viet Nam and other countries, and defines the responsibilities of Vietnamese agencies.

With support from 426 out of 427 deputies casting votes (89.87 per cent), the NA adopted the Law on Mutual Judicial Assistance in Criminal Matters. Comprising four chapters and 42 articles, the law stipulates the principles, authority and procedures for the activity between Viet Nam and other countries, as well as the responsibilities of Vietnamese authorities.

Mutual judicial assistance in criminal matters must respect independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and comply with the Vietnamese Constitution and laws along with relevant treaties, or be based on reciprocity where no treaty exists, with adherence to Vietnamese law and international law and practice.

All four laws will take effect on July 1, 2026.  VNA/VNS
South District Constituency Meeting

The Minister for the South District Constituency, Professor John Cortes, will be holding a further Town Hall style meeting for the constituency on Thursday 4th December 2025.

The meeting will take place at Central Hall at 5:00 p.m.

All residents of the South District are warmly invited to attend. The meeting will provide an open forum for constituents to share their views, raise concerns, and put forward ideas directly to the Minister.

Minister Cortes said:

I always look forward to meeting and engaging with my fellow South District constituents. These gatherings have consistently provided a friendly and constructive community atmosphere, where a wide range of local issues are discussed openly.

We have made good progress on several matters raised in previous meetings and we continue to work on others. I am looking forward to another positive exchange of ideas and to hearing directly from residents once again.
HA NOI  Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long hosted a reception in Ha Noi on Wednesday for June Kunugi, UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific, who is visiting Viet Nam to attend the celebration of 50 years of Viet Nam UNICEF cooperation and the 35th anniversary of the countrys ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Welcoming the delegation, Long affirmed that Viet Nam and UNICEF, along with other UN bodies, enjoy a long-standing and close partnership. UNICEF was the first international organisation to officially establish relations with Viet Nam  in 1975, shortly after the national reunification. Viet Nam was the second country in the world and the first in Asia to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child without reservation.

Viet Nam always views UNICEF as one of the most important and closest development partners which has supported its Government in policy making, technical assistance, and effective intervention, he stated.

He highlighted UNICEFs practical assistance over the decades, from emergency relief and school nutrition programmes to vaccination campaigns, including millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses delivered during the pandemic. These efforts, he said, have directly supported people in even the most remote areas.

For her part, Kunugi said she is impressed with Viet Nam's fast development and breakthrough progress for the past decades, especially child-related indicators under the Sustainable Development Goals.

She also extended her condolences to the Government and people of Viet Nam over the recent loss of lives and property caused by storms, flooding, and landslides.

Deputy PM Long thanked UNICEF for its sympathy and support, especially for the affected communities in central provinces.

He reaffirmed that the Vietnamese Government always places children at the centre of socio-economic policymaking, viewing investment in children as strategic for the countrys future as in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Viet Nam is promoting major reforms in health, education, and social security, including tuition-fee exemptions and the development of 248 boarding schools in border areas, the host said, stressing the Vietnamese Party and State's consistent viewpoint that social security is not compromised in pursuit of economic growth.

Kunugi noted UNICEFs belief that investment in children forms the foundation for society and human capital development, and that protecting children's rights enables more comprehensive and sustainable development. This is the main driving force for Viet Nam's progress and success.

The Regional Director encouraged Viet Nam to share its successful models and experiences through the SouthSouth cooperation, particularly in the safe and responsible use of digital transformation and artificial intelligence in child support services.

UNICEF also proposed using Viet Nam's child care and protection model as an example of how investment in children can align with economic development and drive GDP growth.

Long welcomed UNICEFs recommendations and called for continued assistance, especially in mobilising international resources for child protection, care and education, identifying emerging issues, and implementing concrete programmes like school nutrition and digital transformation.

He expressed confidence that the trusted and forward-looking partnership between Viet Nam and UNICEF will continue to flourish and deliver meaningful outcomes for Vietnamese children.  VNA/VNS
HCM CITY  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Wednesday hosted separate receptions for international guests attending the Autumn Economic Forum 2025, which is underway in HCM City.

Meeting with Managing Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Stephan Mergenthaler, PM Chinh thanked Mergenthaler and WEF for their support in organising the Autumn Economic Forum, noting that the Managing Directors address added energy and substance to the event.

He appreciated WEFs assistance in establishing the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in HCM City and proposed further cooperation in sciencetechnology, digital transformation, innovation, green transition, macro-economic governance, economic resilience improvement, human resources development, particularly in science and technology, and start-up ecosystem building. He also called for WEFs support in developing Viet Nam's International Financial Centre.

The PM asked WEF to consider making the Autumn Economic Forum an annual WEF event and to strengthen connections between its global business network and Vietnamese enterprises, especially private firms.

Highlighting that the private sector is the most important driver of the national economy, he affirmed the Vietnamese Governments readiness to help WEF connect with Vietnamese private firms and establish a business partner network in the country.

Mergenthaler conveyed sympathies over the losses caused by recent storm and floods in central Viet Nam. He praised the PMs remarks at the Autumn Economic Forum, saying they reflected Viet Nam's long-term vision and economic dynamism, matched WEFs priorities, and pointed out opportunities for future cooperation.

Agreeing with the Vietnamese leaders views, he affirmed that with its extensive global network, WEF will continue to support Viet Nam and expand engagement with Vietnamese private enterprises.

Meeting Malaysias Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Chang Lih Kang, PM Chinh welcomed the Malaysian delegation and highlighted the enhancement of bilateral ties under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reinforced by recent high-level visits.

He noted substantive cooperation in economy, science and technology, especially in power and renewable energy, while emphasising the considerable room for further cooperation and the opportunity to jointly develop new strategic value chains.

He proposed increasing all-level delegation exchanges, advancing cooperation in energy and electricity connectivity among Viet Nam, Malaysia, Singapore and other ASEAN countries, and promoting regional tourism linkages. Viet Nam stands ready to support Malaysia in food security, while expecting Malaysia to continue helping Vietnam develop the Halal industry.

PM Chinh also proposed strengthening collaboration in science, technology and innovation, especially in semiconductors, high technology, new materials, AI, open data, cloud computing and digital payment. He encouraged stronger links between the two countries start-up ecosystems, and more exchanges of students and scientists to boost human resources development.

Chang expressed sympathies to Vietnamese people over recent natural-disaster losses, and thanked Viet Nam for supporting Malaysia in performing the role of ASEAN Chair in 2025.

He affirmed that both countries share a strong focus on advancing science and technology and that Malaysia values cooperation with Viet Nam in this field, including talent exchange, start-up ecosystem development, and efforts to drive sci-tech breakthroughs.

At his meeting with Cambodias Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI) Hem Vanndy, PM Chinh conveyed greetings to Cambodian leaders and expressed satisfaction at the continued development of bilateral relations.

He noted that Party-to-Party cooperation has helped reinforce mutual trust and underpin broader cooperation. Security and defence ties remain a pillar of the relationship, while economic cooperation has become a highlight, with bilateral trade expected to exceed 12 billion USD in 2025.

Stressing the need for Viet Nam and Cambodia to bolster collaboration across all fields, he welcomed progress between MISTI and Viet Nam's Ministry of Science and Technology, and proposed deeper coordination in digital transformation, focusing on experience sharing and human resources development.

Viet Nam, he underlined, stands ready to accompany Cambodia in building a digital economy and digital society by sharing initiatives, policy experience, digital infrastructure development, and digital skills training, thus helping deepen traditional friendship between the two nations. With the determination of both governments and the efforts by relevant ministries and agencies, he expressed confidence that Viet NamCambodia relations will achieve even greater successrd.

Hem Vanndy congratulated Viet Nam on successfully organising the Autumn Economic Forum, saying it will inspire green transition, economic openness and digital and green development in the region.

He expressed admiration for Viet Nam's development, especially its vision of transforming HCM City into a megacity and using science, technology and digital transformation as a driving force for a new phase of growth. He called for closer cooperation in these fields and affirmed his confidence in the enduring friendship and joint development of the two nations.  VNS
HA NOI  General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee To Lam, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation of Viet Nam are scheduled to pay a state visit to Laos and attend a ceremony marking the 50th National Day of Laos on December 12.

During the trip, the Vietnamese leader will also co-chair a high-level meeting between the Communist Party of Viet Nam and the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party.

The visit will be made at the invitation of General Secretary of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and his spouse, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung on Wednesday received Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, who is on a working visit to Viet Nam.

Welcoming the Palestinian minister, Dung stressed that her visit holds special significance as it marks the first exchange at the foreign minister level between the two countries since they established diplomatic ties.

He expressed his belief that the visit will help strengthen mutual understanding and open new directions for more substantive cooperation.

The Deputy PM conveyed thanks to the government and people of Palestine for extending sympathy to Viet Nam over losses caused by recent storms and floods in the central region.

Sharing sympathy with the hardships faced by the Palestinian people, Dung affirmed that Viet Nam has closely followed developments in Palestine and supports all efforts aimed at ending violence, protecting civilians, and promoting a sustainable, peaceful solution.

Regarding the bilateral relations, he highlighted the traditional friendship between the two countries and noted that political and people-to-people exchanges have been strengthened.

The Vietnamese leader proposed that both sides work together to make cooperation more substantive and effective, particularly through the exchange of high-level delegations, expanding trade cooperation, and facilitating business exchanges to explore market opportunities and investment.

Dung said Viet Nam stands ready to support Palestine in exporting agricultural products, seafood, garments, and footwear, in which Viet Nam has strong advantages. He also called for boosting people-to-people exchanges through cooperation between friendship organisations and the two communities.

The Palestinian minister thanked Deputy PM Dung for the warm reception and conveyed greetings from President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa to Party and State leaders and the people of Viet Nam.

Expressing appreciation for Viet Nams long-standing support for Palestine at international forums, she stressed that such support carries profound significance for Palestines struggle for freedom.

She thanked Viet Nam for its assistance to the Palestinian embassy in Ha Noi, helping it maintain effective operations.

The minister said Palestine wants to promote the bilateral ties and hopes Viet Nam will share its experience in areas where it has strengths.

Aghabekian Shahin underscored the importance of people-to-people exchanges and shared her positive impression after visiting a Vietnamese university offering Arabic-language courses, where she met many Vietnamese students who are fluent in Arabic, an encouraging sign of interest in Palestinian culture.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Professor Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) and Chairman of the Central Theory Council, has urged the World Bank (WB) to continue assisting Viet Nam in tapping global expertise to tackle major challenges, including climate change, water resources management in the Mekong Delta, and ecological agricultural development.

At a meeting on Wednesday with Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, WB Vice President for the East Asia and Pacific Region, Thang highlighted that cooperation between the HCMA and the WB produced substantive outcomes, improving the academys training and research capacity.

He affirmed that Viet Nams development requires not only financial resources but also knowledge, governance skills, experience, and stronger integration with the global economy. The country is currently pursuing three strategic breakthroughs: institutional reform, infrastructure development and human resources advancement.

On institutional reform, Viet Nam is working to remove existing obstacles while creating new frameworks to spur innovation, circular economy development, green growth and a just energy transition. Infrastructure priorities, he said, now extend beyond transportation and energy to include social and technological infrastructure and data centre development.

Thang stressed that human resources development must focus on quality, emphasising the need for a well-trained, skilled workforce that meets practical and developmental needs. He proposed deepening expert exchanges for strategic-level cadre training and jointly promoting forums linked to the Viet Nam 2045 Report.

Jaramillo commended Viet Nams development achievements, particularly the Viet Nam 2035 Report, which has been used as a reference in the banks advisory work with other countries. While Viet Nams loan demand has eased, he said the WBs role remains pivotal in providing knowledge, technical expertise and support.

He suggested that future cooperation prioritise two areas where the WB can make strong contributions: human capital development and financial mobilisation for complex projects such as high-speed rail, urban infrastructure and climate-resilience initiatives.

Jaramillo also noted the banks interest in supporting Viet Nam's transition to a modern, future-oriented education system aligned with trends such as artificial intelligence and automation. He affirmed the banks commitment to strengthening its partnership with the HCMA to expand the dissemination of governance and policymaking expertise across the political system.

Both sides agreed to further enhance cooperation in research, policy consultancy, cadre training and the organisation of international conferences and seminars in the near future. VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang has called on the defence ministries of Viet Nam and the Philippines to strengthen delegation exchanges at all levels, particularly high-level visits, and to enhance the effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms, especially the Defence Policy Dialogue.

At a reception for Philippine Undersecretary of National Defence Irineo C. Espino on Wednesday, General Giang stressed that Viet Nam and the Philippines are maritime neighbours sharing many strategic interests.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1976, the two countries have achieved substantive results across various fields, particularly economy, trade, defence-security, education and training, and people-to-people exchanges. High-ranking leaders of both countries have repeatedly affirmed their commitment to deepening the Viet NamPhilippines relationship, contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.

He also highlighted the positive outcomes of bilateral defence cooperation in recent years, including delegation exchanges, maintenance of cooperation mechanisms, human resource training, young officer exchanges, collaboration between military services and maritime law enforcement forces, as well as close coordination in ASEAN-led multilateral forums.

Espino affirmed that the Philippines attaches great importance to cooperation with Viet Nam, particularly in defence. He briefed Giang on the outcomes of the seventh Defence Policy Dialogue and expressed his desire to continue promoting more practical and substantive bilateral defence cooperation.

Giang proposed that the two sides further advance consultations between military services and arms; enhance exchanges among young and senior officers; and strengthen cooperation in personnel training, military medicine, logistics, defence industry, search and rescue, cyber security and participation in UN peacekeeping operations.

He added that both sides should continue their consultations and mutual support at multilateral military and defence forums, especially as the Philippines assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026, while persistently upholding ASEANs common stance on regional issues, including the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea). VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung held talks with Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, who is on an official visit to Viet Nam, in Ha Noi on Wednesday.

Trung warmly welcomed Shahin to Viet Nam for the first time and affirmed that the visit is of special significance in strengthening solidarity and promoting the traditional friendship between the two countries.

On this occasion, he respectfully thanked Palestinian leaders for their letters of sympathy and sharing with Vietnamese leaders and people for the damage caused by recent natural disasters in Viet Nam.

Informing his guest about Viet Nam's socio-economic development after 80 years of national founding and nearly 40 years of implementing the oi moi (Renewal) process, Trung emphasised the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation, and respect for traditional friendly countries, including Palestine. He said that Viet Nam is promoting institutional reform, groundbreaking development in science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, considering these as pillars for the current development process.

Regarding the issue of Palestine, Trung emphasised Viet Nam's stance of supporting the two-state solution, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian State with the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living peacefully alongside the State of Israel, on the basis of international law and relevant resolutions of the United Nations. Viet Nam has always consistently supported the just struggle of the Palestinian people for independence and national self-determination, he said, adding that Viet Nam is ready to participate in the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

For her part, Shahin thanked Viet Nam for its valuable support, both material and spiritual, for the just struggle of the Palestinian people.

She emphasised that Viet Nam and Palestine share the same aspiration for national independence and hopes that Viet Nam will continue to support Palestine in the future, contributing to ending the conflict.

Shahin affirmed that the Palestinian leaders and people always pay special attention to Viet Nam, a loyal and devoted friend of Palestine.

The minister also expressed her admiration for Viet Nam's outstanding achievements in socio-economic development, thereby helping to enhance Viet Nam's role and position in the international arena, saying that Palestine is eager to learn from Viet Nam's experience in stabilising the political situation, developing the economy and diversifying foreign relations. She also thanked and appreciated Viet Nam's willingness to participate in the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

The two ministers discussed and agreed on specific measures to promote cooperation between Viet Nam and Palestine, including increasing high-level delegation exchanges; improve the effectiveness of economic cooperation by creating favourable conditions for the business communities of the two countries to seek investment and business cooperation opportunities, and expand cooperation in education and training, and people-to-people exchanges.

On this occasion, Trung and Shahin signed a visa exemption agreement for diplomatic passport holders of each country.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung and his New Zealand counterpart Winston Peters on Wednesday signed an action programme to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries for the 20252030 period.

The two ministers co-chaired the third Viet NamNew Zealand Foreign Ministers Meeting in Ha Noi the same day.

Peters also presented a note verbale, an informal diplomatic communication, announcing NZD3 million  up by NZD2 million from the earlier announcement  in aid from New Zealand to support Viet Nam's recovery efforts following recent floods and landslides.

At the meeting, both sides welcomed the deepening of bilateral relations since the upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in February.

They commended comprehensive and effective cooperation across various pillars, including politics, defence and security, maritime cooperation, economy, trade, investment, science and technology, agriculture, climate change response, education, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

The two ministers pledged to continue the momentum of the bilateral relationship, strengthen political trust, further promote high-level and inter-level exchanges and enhance the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation mechanisms while implementing the newly signed action programme.

While highlighting the complementarity of their economies, the two sides also made note of the remaining potential in economic, trade and investment cooperation.

They vowed to pursue stronger measures, aiming to achieve a bilateral trade turnover of US$3 billion by 2026, with emphasis on enhancing business connectivity and effectively implementing free trade agreements to which both countries are parties.

Trung expressed his hope that New Zealand businesses will step up investment in Viet Nam.

Peters thanked Viet Nam for opening its market to some New Zealand agricultural products and expressed the hope for continued facilitation of other exports.

On global and regional issues, the two ministers said that Viet Nam and New Zealand have a common vision of building a rules-based world and regional order, respecting the voices of small and medium-sized countries and promoting free trade, multilateralism and dialogue along with cooperation and connectivity.

Peters reaffirmed that New Zealand regards Southeast Asia as a priority in its foreign policy and supports ASEANs central role, asking that Viet Nam, as the coordinator of ASEANNew Zealand relations, continue promoting the recently established ASEANNew Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The New Zealand minister also congratulated Viet Nam on assuming the Chair of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Council in 2026 and pledged New Zealands support to help Viet Nam successfully fulfil its role.

Trung expressed the hope that New Zealand will continue its positive stance, support Viet Nam and ASEAN on regional strategic issues, including the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea), and consider expanding cooperation with the Mekong subregion, particularly in climate change adaptation and sea level rise response.  VNS
HUE CITY  In a career where lives often hang in the balance, a doctor who has spent 17 years treating HIV in Hue has found that stigma can fade as surely as symptoms when care is delivered with courage and compassion.

During 17 years of working in HIV/AIDS treatment, doctor Chau Van Thuc, deputy head of the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Department of Hue Citys Centre for Disease Control, has gone through many emotional levels.

From the first days of hesitation until today, the doctor can say with all his emotion: "Seeing patients healthy and living well is the greatest joy of a doctor."

Thuc has been working at the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Centre (now the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Department, the Hue City Centre for Disease Control) since 2008.

At that time, HIV/AIDS was still a disease many people feared and doctors treating HIV were jokingly called AIDS doctors.

In his memory, when starting the medical profession, every time he told his friends that he was treating HIV/AIDS patients, many people were hesitant or laughed.

People with HIV are essentially victims of circumstances so the more he is involved in the work, the more he feels sympathy and love for them.

From a young doctor who was still confused when interacting with patients, he became a friend, companion and even a spiritual support for hundreds of people living with HIV.

During 17 years working as an HIV doctor, he witnessed hundreds of desperate lives revived.

One of the patients he remembered most is N.V.H (it is not a real name), who was infected with HIV in the years when few people dared to publicly disclose their illness.

The day he met the patient, Thuc saw an ultimate fear in his eyes. That was the fear of being exposed, of being shunned and losing everything.

"However, he was very strong and courageous. I encouraged him a lot to get treatment because he was afraid of revealing his secret, Thuc recalled.

When the treatment was stable and he achieved the undetectable index, he returned to normal life. Now the couple has two children, both healthy," he told suckhoedoisong.vn.

The story of H is a lively proof of advancements in HIV treatment in Viet Nam, according to the doctor.

If people were detected earlier with HIV infection and strictly comply with the treatment protocols, they can absolutely live healthily and safely have children, Thuc said.

When detected with HIV infection, H had planned to undergo IVF but when he achieved the undetectable index, it was no longer necessary. Now his two children are both over ten years old," said the doctor.

In the past in Viet Nam, treatment drugs were scarce and had many serious side effects.

"At that time, old-generation antiviral drugs had many serious side effects. Now the three-component combination drugs are highly effective and have much fewer side effects," he said.

Since the years marked by social reservation and discrimination, up to now, Thuc and his colleagues have created a safe space where patients can come to receive medicine, treatment and be listened to like friends.

According to the doctor, for people with HIV, physical illness is only part of the problem but psychological trauma is really the biggest challenge.

The patients feel inferior, afraid of being discriminated against and many are desperate. Some people think HIV is a death sentence, a mistake. The task of every doctor here is to help them understand that they can still live a good, useful life, he said.

Many people waited for me in the very early morning with anxious eyes. Some asked for a quick check because they were afraid of meeting acquaintances. Others were holding medicines with shaking hands, he said.

At those moments, the doctor patiently talked with them, explaining that the illness could be controlled well if they strictly followed treatment.

Many patients have followed the doctor for more than ten years and are close like family.

Thuc still remembered a little girl who was infected by her mother. After many years of treatment, she was in stable condition.

But unfortunately, she got family trouble and fell into depression and then stopped using medicine. She died when she was only 18. I am haunted by her death, the doctor said.

From those losses, he cherishes even more the lives that are still living healthily.

In the past, as many as two dozen patients might die each year; now there are only a few late arrivals in the final stage.

Nearly 500 HIV patients are receiving outpatient treatment at the department, a figure that reflects the efforts of the medical team who have quietly fought against a disease still burdened with stigma.

Now, each year, only a few patients die. The rest live healthily, work and have children as normal. That is the greatest reward for us, Thuc said.

There were times when Thuc considered requesting a transfer. But when he looked back at the patients he had treated, saw them living healthily with families and children, he realised he could not leave. He learned to love once more.

The HIV patients under Thucs care come from all walks of life. Some are teachers, some were once monks, some work as amateur performers.

For each person, he finds a way to arrange appointments that are discreet and suitable so they feel secure during treatment.

In recent years, with the shift towards early detection, immediate treatment, people living with HIV have had greater chances of living healthily.

However, according to the doctor, new challenges lie among younger patients, especially gay men. They are often complacent, believing they are healthy and stop taking their medication midway. Therefore, treatment must go hand in hand with counselling and companionship to ensure their cooperation.

During the work, Thuc has witnessed many tears, tears of despair and tears of joy. Some who once hid from society are now confident enough to marry, have children, live positively and even return to support newly diagnosed patients.

When a former patient comes back to help others, no joy can compare, he said.

In his office, day after day, Thuc quietly dispenses medication, listens and encourages. Each pill handed out, each comforting word offered, is a seed of hope planted.

They do not deserve rejection. When they are loved, they gain the strength to live well. Then this disease will no longer be something to fear, he said.

Seventeen years on, countless generations of patients have passed through, yet Doctor Chau Van Thuc remains a dedicated doctor sowing hope and healing not only bodies but also hearts. VNS
BENTIU  Vietnamese peacekeepers deployed with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) delivered back-to-back emergency interventions during a civilmilitary cooperation event in the town of Bentiu, helping save the lives of two locals in scorching field conditions.

The medical crew from Viet Nams Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 7, led by members of its Aero Medical Evacuation Team, was providing routine medical support to the CIMIC activity when the emergencies unfolded.

The first patient, a local woman, collapsed without warning and showed signs consistent with hypocalcemia, including limb rigidity.

Vietnamese medics, working alongside the South Sudan Red Cross, began life-saving treatment on site. After 15 minutes of intensive stabilisation, the woman was transferred by emergency vehicle to Bentiu Hospital for continued care.

Soon after, a local militia member fainted after standing under the sun for an extended period, prompting concerns of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

The Vietnamese team moved him to a shaded area, removed heat-retaining gear, cooled him with fans and provided rehydration. His condition improved within minutes before he was transported to Bentiu Hospital for monitoring.

Both cases occurred in extreme heat and in improvised outdoor conditions, but the Vietnamese medics activated rapid-response protocols immediately, administering life-support measures on the spot.

Several members of the team later accompanied local staff at Bentiu Hospital, providing continuous professional support until both patients were fully stabilised.

Local authorities, Red Cross representatives, and community leaders in Bentiu praised the Vietnamese peacekeepers for their swift response, medical expertise and humanitarian commitment.  VNS
HA NOI  Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has stressed vigilance and strict response plans against floods and landslides as he chaired an official meeting in response to Storm Koto on Wednesday.

Ha, who also serves as the permanent deputy head of the National Steering Committee on Civil Defence, expressed condolences to families who lost their members during the recent storms and floods, as well as gratitude to rescue forces and local authorities who have been working to overcome the severe consequences of the disasters.

Speaking about Koto, the 15th storm entering the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) this year, Deputy Prime Minister Ha stressed the high risks of consecutive natural hazards and requested authorities to stay vigilant and begin necessary preparations.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) and relevant agencies must review, adjust, and update flood maps at the commune and ward levels, enabling local authorities and residents to take precautions.

Meanwhile, accurate forecasts must be provided alongside strict vessel management to prohibit operations in dangerous zones at sea.

Regarding areas at risk of landslides, he ordered that response plans be implemented at level 4, the second-highest level in Viet Nams 5-tier disaster risk assessment, with special focus on mountainous areas.

Deputy PM Ha also ordered an assessment of the causes of the recent floods and landslides, including details on natural and human-induced factors, to improve public safety.

He also required a review of reservoir operators' responsibilities and inter-reservoir procedures, stressing that timely information must be provided to downstream areas and that appropriate control measures must be implemented.

The deputy PM also underscored the need for clear and coherent communication between various levels of authorities and communities, ensuring timely warnings and sufficient time for evacuation.

Ministries and local authorities, particularly those affected by the recent disasters, are directed to carry out assigned tasks to prepare for upcoming weather scenarios. Research and scientific institutions are also involved in properly assessing water-related risks and minimising damage.

This is a critical and challenging moment, requiring close coordination to ensure effective disaster prevention and response, said Ha.

Reports from the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) said that on Tuesday evening, a low-pressure system over central Philippines strengthened into a storm, Koto, and moved towards the East Sea.

As of Wednesday morning, Storm Koto has reached level 8 (wind speed reaching 62-74km/h), with gusts of level 10 (89-102km/h). It is located about 400km east-northeast of the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands.

International forecasting models suggest that Koto will likely move north of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands before turning northward. It is not likely to approach the coastal provinces of Gia Lai, ak Lak, Lam ong and Khanh Hoa  which have been heavily affected by recent floods.

Storm Koto is forecast to strengthen in the next two days before weakening rapidly over the weekend as it encounters cold, dry air and cooler waters.

However, the unusually long period during which the storm persists at sea can cause strong winds and high waves in the central area of the East Sea until December 1. Rainfall of around 50-100mm may occur along coastal areas from a Nang City to Lam ong Province.

The worst-case scenario is that the storm has a 20 per cent chance of making landfall in the south-central region.

Ho Thi Nguyen Thao, vice chairwoman of ak Lak Provincial Peoples Committee, said the province is focusing on emergency relief, temporary shelter, sanitation, disease prevention and restoring production. The locality has received 4,000 tonnes of rice and VN650 billion ($24.6 million) from the Government, which will be distributed to poor families (VN3 million each) and other affected households (VN1.5 million each).

ak Lak will also coordinate with the neighbouring Gia Lai Province to manage reservoir operations on the Ba River basin and ensure vessel safety as Storm Koto approaches.

Khanh Hoa Provinces authorities reported that they have ensured food and sanitation supplies, and support affected citizens by providing VN1 million ($38) for each evacuee, and VN60 million ($2,270) for each family whose house was completely destroyed. Each student in the province also received VN500,000 ($19) assistance.

Meanwhile, Gia Lai Province has proactively relocated households from flood-prone and wind-prone areas, notified all vessels under its management to seek safe shelter, and focused on relief supply distribution for inundated areas.

Lam ong Province has requested VN5.57 trillion ($211 million) and 1,000 tonnes of rice from the central government for emergency infrastructure repairs and livelihood support, and proposed land-use fee exemptions for households that had to move to resettlement areas.

Deputy Minister of Health Vu Manh Ha reported that health facilities and hospitals have been assigned to provide support to flood-hit provinces, and deliver sanitation chemicals, water purification tablets and medicine kits to residents in affected areas.

Lt Gen Le Quang ao, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam Peoples Army, said the defence ministry has directed troops in the area to review and improve flood-response operations. Military officers are on rotation to assist with sanitisation, security coordination and public facility repair at local schools, hospitals and communities.  VNS
HA NOI  Amid the fast-moving tides of integration, Son ong - Ha Nois renowned sanctuary of traditional wood carving  is entering a new chapter: bringing the finest of Vietnamese craftsmanship to the world. A recent visit by a delegation from the World Crafts Council (WCC) marked an important milestone. More than a technical exchange, the meeting underscored a powerful message: the villages centuries-old artistry has the potential to become a cultural bridge, connecting Viet Nam with the global creative community.

At Son ong, the international craft delegation experienced the cultural depth of a village with more than a thousand years of history. At the Ancestor Worship Temple, Dien Phuc Pagoda, and the Upper Temple-recognised as a national relic since 1986-the delegates offered incense in reverence, paying tribute to the generations of artisans who founded and safeguarded the craft of lacquered and gilded wood carving.

During visits to local workshops and product galleries, they admired intricately crafted worship statues, horizontal lacquered boards, parallel sentences, reliefs, and ceremonial objects-all handmade using the signature carving techniques of the Son ong artisans. These activities not only honored tradition but also allowed international friends to gain a deeper understanding of Viet Nams artisanal heritage and the intrinsic link between craftsmanship, culture, and sustainable tourism.

Speaking at the meeting, Pham Gia Loc, Chairman of the Son ong Commune Peoples Committee, expressed his honor in welcoming the WCC delegation. He emphasised that despite the many historical ups and downs, the village has preserved its reputation thanks to the skillful hands and enduring devotion of its craftsmen.

We hope each delegate will become an ambassador for Son ong, helping introduce our culturally rich homeland to international audiences, Loc shared.

In conversation with the delegation, young artisan Nguyen Viet Thinh shared that his family has been devoted to the craft for five generations. From restoration projects in Hue to heritage sites across the country, the hands of Son ong artisans have left a lasting imprint.

We were born and raised within the traditions passed down by our forefathers. I hope the younger generation will carry on the craft, preserving the historical and cultural values entrusted to us, he said.

His words reflect that Son ongs strength lies not only in its time-honored craftsmanship but also in its spirit of continuity. A new generation of artisans is gradually becoming the driving force propelling the village into the era of global integration.

For international experts from Asia and Africa, Son ong is not merely an ancient craft village but an open treasury of creativity.

Nadia Meer, Vice President of the WCC Africa Region, expressed deep admiration for the artisans mastery and their diverse materials-from wood and lacquer to gold leaf and gilding techniques. From a designers perspective, she noted that Son ong products hold the potential to evolve into iconic designs, even personal accessories suited to the tastes of global youth.

Nadia Meer also emphasised the need for innovation-enhancing ideas, functionality, and especially packaging-to make the products more appealing to international travelers, who often look for compact, portable items that blend easily into modern living spaces.

Co-creation will be essential, rather than merely producing goods and exporting them to markets unfamiliar with the craft, she remarked. Collaborations between local artisans and international designers could unlock new product lines and pave the way for sustainable development of Son ong in the global marketplace.

Sharing the same perspective, Sundeep Kumar, Vice President of the WCC Asia-Pacific Region, noted that Son ong possesses a remarkable reservoir of skills but now needs a stronger transformation.

Most international consumers do not have worship spaces or interior styles suitable for displaying such traditional items, he explained.

According to him, the key lies in encouraging artisans to be bold in their creativity. By combining traditional techniques with modern design thinking and research into global tastes, Son ong can diversify into new product lines-from decorative pieces to art objects suited to contemporary lifestyles around the world.

In recent years, Son ong has proactively embraced innovation: applying technology in design, improving product forms, and diversifying its portfolio. Many creations now go beyond spiritual use, evolving into decorative items, accessories, and symbolic souvenirs that fit seamlessly into modern living spaces. The World Crafts Council has highly praised this direction. The fusion of tradition and contemporary creativity is elevating the value of Son ong products, attracting more visitors, and inspiring the villages younger generation of artisans.

In 2024, Bat Trang and Van Phuc-two prominent craft villages of Hanoi-became members of the World Creative Craft Cities Network. Building on that success, Son ong is widely expected to be the next name on the list. At the 2025 International Festival on Craft Conservation and Development, the WCC conducted an evaluation of Son ong Craft Village, laying the groundwork for Ha Noi to further assert its position within the global network of creative craft cities.

Alongside the WCC evaluation, Son ong is working diligently to finalise its application to join the global network. The Son ong Commune Peoples Committee, in coordination with Ha Nois Department of Agriculture and Environment, has implemented a series of standardisation measures: completing a website introducing the villages history and products; opening theoretical and practical training rooms for young learners; establishing display spaces for royal decrees, artifacts, and traditional tools; setting up a 50-square-meter creative design center showcasing carving motifs, lacquer surface samples, product albums, and material collections; equipping 3D design computers; and planning to develop 30-50 gift items along with 15 new lines of decorative products. These steps show that Son ong is not only preserving its past but actively shaping its future-a future rooted in the creative economy, cross-border collaboration, and the growing role of traditional craftsmanship in socio-cultural development.

Son ong currently holds around 50 per cent of Viet Nams market share for lacquered and gilded worship statues and ritual objects, with its products also present in countries such as Russia, the United States, France, Ukraine, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. Yet the villages goal is not simply market expansion; it aims to affirm a distinctly Vietnamese identity within the global creative landscape.

According to leaders of the Son ong Commune Peoples Committee, joining the World Creative Craft Cities Network would help the village attract investment, expand international cooperation, develop new product lines, increase economic value for the community, generate more jobs, improve local livelihoods, and strengthen the global presence of Vietnamese craftsmanship. From the artisans tireless work at their wooden benches to the stories handed down through generations, and from traditional techniques to contemporary creative shifts, Son ong is proving that a heritage craft village can indeed become a vibrant pillar of Viet Nams creative economy.

Son ongs journey toward global integration has only just begun. But with its deep cultural foundations, refined craftsmanship, and aspiration to reach international horizons, this thousand-year-old village is ready to claim its place on the world map of handicrafts. VNS

* The article was produced in collaboration with the Ha Noi Department of Agriculture and Environment
HA NOI  The General Staff of the Viet Nam Peoples Army on November 26 issued an urgent dispatch, requesting proactive measures in response to Storm Koto, the 15th to form in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) in 2025.

Urgent Dispatch No. 6869/CD-TM was sent to Military Regions 4, 5 and 7, the Air Defence  Air Force and Navy, the Border Guard Command, and the Viet Nam Coast Guard.

Late on November 25, Storm Koto entered the eastern waters of the central East Sea. At 1 am on November 26, the storms centre was located at approximately 11.8 degrees North latitude and 119.6 degrees East longitude, with maximum sustained winds of level 8 and gusts of level 10. It was moving northwest at around 20 km per hour, with the potential to strengthen and head toward central Viet Nam.

As the central region continues recovering from historic floods that caused severe losses, and following National Civil Defence Committee Dispatch No. 34/CD-BCD-BNNMT dated November 26, the General Staff requested all units to maintain readiness, closely monitor the storms development, and implement preventive measures. Units were instructed to ensure the safety of barracks, warehouses and construction sites, prepare personnel and equipment for timely and effective response, and guarantee the absolute safety of all forces during operations.

Military Regions 4, 5 and 7 were tasked with directing provincial military commands to advise local authorities, review response plans, and coordinate with relevant departments and sectors to identify disaster-prone areas, including locations at risk of flash floods, landslides, major dykes, embankments and reservoirs, and flood-prone zones, particularly those heavily affected by recent rains.

Units were also asked to support local authorities and residents in reinforcing houses, relocating people from high-risk areas, ensuring safety at critical infrastructure, ongoing construction sites, industrial parks and residential zones, and safeguarding production activities. Forces and vehicles must be ready for emergency response, post-disaster recovery and search and rescue operations.

The Navy and the Viet Nam Coast Guard were directed to monitor weather conditions and ensure the safety of forces and vessels at sea, while preparing to deploy search and rescue operations when required.

The Air Defence  Air Force Service and Corps 18 were tasked with reviewing plans and maintaining readiness for aerial search and rescue missions upon orders from the Ministry of National Defence.

The Border Guard Command was instructed to direct coastal border guard units from Quang Tri to Lam ong to work with local authorities to promptly inform vessel owners and captains of the storms position and trajectory, enabling them to take precautionary measures and ensure the safety of people, vessels and property. Forces and means must be ready for search and rescue missions.  VNA/VNS
By Tran Nhu

HA NOI  Viet Nam has launched a fresh push to curb pollution across its fisheries sector, warning that rising seas, degraded ecosystems and falling fish stocks are already squeezing the livelihoods of millions of coastal residents.

Officials, international partners and industry representatives gathered in Ha Noi on Wednesday for a national conference on environmental protection in fisheries, jointly organised by the Directorate of Fisheries, UNDP and the Canadian Embassy.

The meeting reviewed three years of progress under a Government plan to reduce waste and modernise practices in aquaculture and fishing, and set out priorities for the 20262030 period. Delegates highlighted both the countrys recent gains and the scale of the challenges ahead.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung uc Tien said the sectors shift toward sustainable, responsible and environmentally friendly production was inevitable as Viet Nam deepens its international commitments on climate change, biodiversity and ecosystem restoration.

He pointed to global pressures, from rising pollution to shrinking marine resources, that are already reshaping coastal economies.

"Strengthening waste control, adopting cleaner technologies, advancing digital transformation and mobilising the whole of society will be essential," he said, adding that these steps would pave the way for higher-value seafood that is competitive and climate-resilient.

According to the Directorate of Fisheries, several provinces have begun adopting circular economy models that reduce pollution, recycle waste and integrate environmental safeguards into production.

The authorities have also held a series of technical workshops on emissions reduction, energy-saving technologies and the wider use of public-private partnerships to scale up effective practices.

International partners underscored the global significance of Viet Nams efforts.

Canadian Ambassador to Viet Nam Jim Nickel said that protecting the oceans is protecting the future of humanity, adding that Canada is proud to support Viet Nams move toward a greener, more resilient fisheries sector.

UNDP Resident Representative Ramla Khalidi told the conference that Viet Nams fisheries are an important pillar of the economy, but face mounting strain from polluted waterways, aquaculture waste and surging volumes of plastics.

She said progress on mangrove restoration, community co-management of coastal resources and waste-reduction efforts show what is possible when local authorities, residents and technical partners work together.

But she warned that big gaps remain: environmental protection infrastructure is still limited, cleaner technologies are not yet widespread and the burden of waste continues to grow.

"Meeting these challenges requires sustained investment, modern monitoring systems and stronger coordination across sectors," she said.

"Sustainability is not a cost  it is an opportunity."

The conference is part of the Climate-Smart Coastal Communities project, a Canada-funded UNDP initiative running through 2030 that helps vulnerable coastal areas improve climate-risk planning, restore mangroves and other natural buffers and tackle marine plastic pollution.

The project also promotes community-based environmental governance and aims to strengthen citizens roles in protecting local ecosystems.  VNS
HA NOI  The second National Press Awards on Gender Equality was launched in Ha Noi on Wednesday, affirming the vital role of the media in advancing gender equality in Viet Nam.

The event was co-hosted by the Viet Nam Womens Union (VWU) Central Committee, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), and the Viet Nam Journalists Association.

In her address, Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and VWU President Nguyen Thi Tuyen said the awards coincide with Vietnams intensified push to meet the UNs Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SDG 5 on gender equality. She highlighted the recent release of Viet Nams national report on 30 years of following the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which marks a major milestone in the countrys efforts to promote gender equality and womens empowerment.

The awards are also part of the strategic partnership between the VWU and UN Women, to create an environment conducive for gender equality, advance womens empowerment, and end gender-based violence against women and girls in Viet Nam, she said.

Caroline Nyamayemombe, UN Women Country Representative in Viet Nam, said this years awards focus on three critical themes: preventing gender-based violence - an urgent global challenge amid rising forms of online violence; promoting equality in digital transformation - ensuring women and girls are safe, empowered, and visible in the digital era; and advancing womens economic empowerment - unlocking the full potential of women as Vietnam moves toward an inclusive, high-income, net-zero future amid climate crisis. These priorities, she stressed, align not only with national agendas but also with global efforts under the UNs Pact for the Future and Global Digital Compact.

Eligible entries must have been published or broadcast on licensed Vietnamese print, online, radio, or television platforms between December 1, 2024, and March 30, 2026. Works already entered in or awarded by other journalism competitions are ineligible. Individuals, organisations, or media outlets may submit up to five entries, with each of the four categories offering one first, one second, two third, and two consolation prizes.

Submissions will be accepted by email at giaibaochibdg2026@gmail.com from November 27, 2025 to April 5, 2026. The awards ceremony is scheduled for June 2026. Full competition details will be disseminated through VWU, UN Women, and domestic media channels.  VNA/VNS
ISLAMABAD  The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has issued a tender to purchase 100,000 tonnes of rice for supply to Bangladesh, it emerged on Monday.

After decades of troubled relations, Islamabad and Dhaka have seen improved ties and increased bilateral engagement since the August 2024 ouster of ex-premier Sheikh Hasina.

The deadline for submission of price offers is 11.30am on November 28, according to the TCP tender issued on November 20, which was seen by Dawn.

The tender invites 'separate sealed bids' from companies, partnerships and sole proprietors for buying 100,000 tonnes of long grain white rice (IRRI-6) for export to Bangladesh in the shape of break bulk cargo through Karachi ports.

Price offers have to be valid for 21 working days after submission. The rice must be available for shipment within 45 days after the contract award.

The bids shall be submitted for a minimum quantity of 25,000 tonnes, or multiples thereof, and a maximum quantity of 100,000 tonnes, +/- 5 per cent MOLSO (5pc variance margin).

As per the tender, the rice should be supplied from the stocks of the latest crop of Pakistan origin, and must be fit for human consumption without any unpleasant odour, sign of mould, poisonous weed seeds, insects and infestation.

According to Reuters, traders regarded the tender as a possible move to bring Pakistani rice into Bangladeshs import supplies, with market expectations that Indian-origin rice will be used to supply some recent purchases by Bangladesh.

Bangladesh also announced another rice tender today, continuing a series of import tenders in the last few weeks to cool local prices.

Pakistan and Bangladesh started direct government-to-government trade in February with imports of 50,000 tonnes of rice.

At the 9th Joint Economic Commission (JEC) last month, Pakistan offered the use of Karachi Port Trust as a gateway for Dhakas trade with regional countries, including China and the Central Asian states.

Rice exports

Pakistans rice exports fell 28pc in the first quarter of FY26, raising concerns within the sector about policy and regulatory barriers that continue to undermine competitiveness.

A Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan official had attributed the decline to Indias 2024 decision to resume rice exports and the governments removal of the basmati minimum export price (MEP) and zero-rate rice exports.

However, as Pakistani exporters avoided a direct price war, Indias re-entry failed to significantly disrupt Pakistans rice trade in the following six months (October 2024 to March 2025), with the latter retaining its foothold in high-end markets.

Moreover, a 50 per cent tariff imposed by the US on Indian goods, including basmati rice, in August has provided Pakistan an opportunity to expand its share in the American market.

Data from Volzas Global Trade platform showed that between November 2023 and October 2024, the US accounted for 24pc of Pakistans total basmati exports.  DAWN
On November 26, the government of Ireland announced an extra $1.62 million for the Resilience First initiative for 20252026. The scheme aims to strengthen climate resilience across 13 communes in Tuyen Quang, Quang Tri, and Phu Tho provinces. The announcement was made during an event in Phu Tho reviewing the 20242025 results and outlining priorities for the next phase.

Opening the event, Le Kim Dung, country director of CARE International in Vietnam, highlighted that Resilience First is a long-term partnership supported by the Irish government and implemented by Plan International, CARE International and RIC.

The goal of the programme is to enhance the climate resilience of poor and ethnic minority communities by building local capacities, supporting sustainable livelihoods, and improving essential infrastructure, she said.

Photo: Kieu Trang

Resilience First focuses on vulnerable groups, including women, children, young people, people with disabilities, and ethnic minority communities, with interventions designed to address climate change and disaster-related challenges.

According to Dung, the programme targets four key outcomes: strengthening preparedness among communities and local authorities; enhancing school climate resilience; supporting women affected by climate risks through economic empowerment; and promoting the integration of green finance into development planning.

The initiative is being implemented in 13 communes across Tuyen Quang, Quang Tri, and Phu Tho provinces, home to ethnic groups such as the Pa Co, Van Kieu, HMong, Tay, Nung, Muong, and Dao, who face heightened climate vulnerabilities.

Investing in womens capacity is investing in community resilience. When women are equipped with knowledge and resources, they become powerful drivers of local climate adaptation solutions, said Dung.

The Irish Ambassador to Vietnam Deirdre Ni Fhalluin noted that during a field visit to Phu Tho on November 25, the embassy observed the initiatives key initiatives first-hand, including disaster preparedness training for teachers and students, and livelihood models led by ethnic minority women.

Climate change is disproportionately affecting disadvantaged areas. Supporting ethnic minority communities has therefore remained a central priority for the government of Ireland since 2005, said Ni Fhalluin.

I believe the results and lessons shared today will help guide the next phase and reaffirm Irelands long-term commitment to strengthening local climate resilience, she added.

At the event, Ambassador Ni Fhalluin officially announced the $1.62 million contribution to continue building local government capacity, supporting poor and ethnic minority communities in mountainous areas, and enhancing their resilience to both immediate and long-term climate impacts.

The 2024-2025 phase delivered notable results through a community-led approach.

Photo: Kieu Trang

Under the climate adaptation component, the programme supported 15 communes across the three provinces in developing climate action plans based on vulnerability assessments. More than 140 adaptation activities were implemented, benefiting 1,747 people, including 732 women, through training, drills, community communication, and essential equipment.

In the infrastructure component, 31 small-scale projects such as bridges, roads, water supply systems, embankments, and storm shelters were newly built or upgraded, with 24 managed directly by communities.

These works improved transport safety and living conditions for 11,796 residents, including nearly 6,000 women and 95 per cent from ethnic minority groups. An additional 247 people received training in project planning and implementation, bolstering long-term technical capacity.

Under the safe and climate-resilient schools component, 32 schools developed action plans and implemented 92 activities to strengthen disaster preparedness among school managers, teachers and students. A total of 11,303 students and 808 teachers and education staff participated in training, facility upgrades, and green school initiatives.

The livelihoods component integrated a Climate Adaptation Framework into economic activities, with a strong focus on womens empowerment. Over 12 months, 80 livelihood groups with 1,472 members, mostly ethnic minority women, received training on climate risks and adaptive farming and livestock practices.

Surveys show that 64.06 per cent of participating women applied at least three adaptation actions, 36 per cent reported increased income, and 86.67 per cent felt more confident in household and community livelihood decisions.

Ngo Cong Chinh, programme director at Plan International Vietnam, explained that close cooperation among Plan International, CARE, RIC and local partners has enabled the scheme to reach more than 26,000 people, strengthen community resilience, and scale women-led adaptive livelihood models.

In the next phase, we will build on these foundations and bring smart climate initiatives to more communities, helping women, children and young people enhance their resilience to growing climate risks, he said.
Mobilising private capital at scale has become a defining priority. From global investment houses to regional agrifood companies, the private sector is emerging as a driver of nature-based solutions (NBS) and climate-aligned markets.

Todd Berkinshaw, CEO, NatureCo

A diverse array of financial actors is now channelling capital into climate and nature outcomes. Impact investment funds, private equity, and venture capital are deploying resources into regenerative agriculture, sustainable aquaculture, circular economy initiatives, and high-integrity carbon project developers.

Global financial institutions are issuing green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, and blended finance facilities that reduce early-stage risk and improve liquidity for NBS ventures. Meanwhile, institutional investors are treating sustainable land use as a real-asset class and allocating capital to nature-positive portfolios.

Corporations play an equally critical role. Multinationals are investing in landscape-scale NBS as part of their voluntary net-zero commitments, Scope 3 strategies, and efforts to comply with tightening EU and US due-diligence requirements.

These investments help secure supply chains, mitigate climate-related risks, improve water quality, and ensure compliance with deforestation-free regulations such as the EU Deforestation Regulation.

Many companies are also supporting long-term offtake agreements for high-integrity carbon credits, funding community development, and participating in blended publicprivate partnership platforms.

Across Southeast Asia and within Vietnam, domestic firms are preparing for the emergence of national carbon markets, future emissions-trading obligations, and sustainability-driven export requirements.

Enterprises in agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, and energy are increasingly investing in mangrove restoration, regenerative farming, and watershed protection, often using corporate social responsibilities or environmental, social, and governance (ESG) budgets to support communities and climate adaptation.

A combination of corporate, financial, regulatory, and domestic factors is pushing private capital towards climate and nature-based investments. Global value chains are transforming under the pressure of voluntary net-zero commitments, science-based targets initiative-aligned decarbonisation plans, and compliance mechanisms like CORSIA in international aviation. Companies are under mounting pressure to guarantee deforestation-free, climate-resilient sourcing while meeting transparency requirements through ESG disclosures.

In markets like Vietnam, companies anticipate domestic carbon market pilots, evolving emissions trading system requirements, and stricter sustainability rules in major export markets such as the EU, US, and Japan. Many see nature-based investments as a strategy to reduce operational risks, enhance yields and water quality, and strengthen their ESG credentials with investors and lenders.

Demand for nature-positive investments has surged, accompanied by growing interest in blended finance structures that share early-stage risk between public and private actors. Green banking policies and the need for climate-resilient infrastructure are further accelerating the flow of capital.

Globally, rules under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement are providing clearer pathways for international carbon credit transfers, whether sovereign internationally transferred mitigation outcomes, voluntary market transactions, or compliance-eligible units such as CORSIA credits. Bilateral cooperation agreements, domestic carbon decrees, and clearer definitions of carbon rights are strengthening investor confidence.

Vietnam stands out as one of the most promising destinations for nature-based climate finance in Asia. The country holds vast restoration potential, from mangroves and upland forests to agroforestry landscapes, and is steadily building the legal architecture for carbon markets.

Multinationals are actively seeking high-integrity Asian carbon credits and more resilient supply chains, which align closely with Vietnams strengths in community forestry, co-management systems, and strong local institutions.

The domestic private sector is exceptionally large in key land-use industries such as agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, tourism, and energy. Coupled with the countrys net-zero 2050 commitments and growing interest from development financial institutions, impact investors, and commercial banks, Vietnam is well-positioned to mobilise blended finance for restoration.

Private investment has the potential to transform the countrys landscapes and economies. It can secure long-term financing for restoration and community livelihoods, create green jobs in monitoring and sustainable production, and stimulate the emergence of new financial markets, from carbon trading to green lending.

Meanwhile, governments play a decisive role in shaping the investment environment. Clear rules on carbon rights, who owns them, who transacts them, and how benefits are shared, are essential. Transparent approval processes for land-based and blue carbon projects, alignment with national climate strategies, and rules for foreign investment and special purpose vehicle (SPV) structures enable market confidence.

Institutions and governance should be ready for projects. Investors seek strong local partners, effective safeguard systems, community engagement frameworks, and established benefit-sharing mechanisms. Capacity and credibility at the project level can make or break investment decisions.

Bankable, scalable projects are attractive. Secure land tenure, transparent land-use rights, robust baseline data, and internationally aligned measurement, reporting, and verification systems are fundamental. Investors look for evidence-based feasibility and clear pathways to scale.

Fit-for-purpose financing architecture is needed. Countries that offer blended finance facilities, pooled investment vehicles such as SPVs, and incentives for early-stage risk-sharing can attract significantly larger volumes of capital. Tailored financial structures help align investor expectations with the realities of long-term nature-based projects.

From the investor perspective, successful NBS projects share several characteristics. For global investment funds, they require bankable structures, predictable cash flow models, strong return on investment potential, and scalable pipelines.

At the same time, global corporates seek high-integrity carbon credits with low reputational and regulatory risk. They value projects that align with sourcing regions, demonstrate clear additionality and permanence, and offer visible co-benefits such as biodiversity, water security, and community livelihoods.

Domestic firms prioritise alignment with national carbon markets, direct operational benefits, such as improved productivity and water quality, and support for compliance with export and sustainability standards. Local partnerships and alignment with government priorities enhance attractiveness, along with opportunities for corporate leadership and brand value.
On November 25, at the Digital Transformation 2025 conference organised by VIR, leading Vietnamese technology and telecommunications enterprises together with international organisations demonstrated that Vietnams digital economy has expanded at a remarkable speed, as AI and 5G open a new chapter for the countrys digital future.

Nguyen Phong Nha, deputy general director of the Authority of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Science and Technology, said that Vietnam now possesses an advanced telecommunications infrastructure that fully meets the needs of the digital economy, with technologies on par with developed nations.

The rapid expansion of 5G and fibre-optic networks reflects the strong efforts of Vietnams telecom operators. Cloud computing technologies are also ready to support national infrastructure, forming a modern, resilient, and well-covered telecommunications backbone, he added. This proves that Vietnams infrastructure can fully meet the needs of businesses and economic sectors, and is prepared for foreign investors seeking to enter the Vietnamese market.

Nguyen Phong Nha, deputy general director of the Authority of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Science and Technology

To further accelerate national digital economic development, four new strategic resolutions, including Resolutions 57-NQ/TW, 59-NQ/TW, 66-NQ/TW, and 68-NQ/TW, have been adopted. This four-pillar framework focuses on science and technology, international integration, legal reform, and private-sector development, creating new room for enterprises and markets to grow.

Assessing this policy momentum, Nha noted that the resolutions have been translated into sector-specific actions, with the Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) playing a crucial role in promoting innovation.

From a policy perspective, institutional improvements and legal reforms have advanced rapidly. New policies are being put into practice within a short timeframe, enhancing transparency and facilitating trustworthy, efficient digital-based economic activities, he said.

Beyond policy support, Nha highlighted how telecom enterprises have acted swiftly to enhance infrastructure resilience. For example, networks in storm-affected areas were restored within just 48-72 hours.

Foreign high-tech firms investing in Vietnams telecom infrastructure are also committed to providing safe, disaster-resilient equipment, while small- and medium-sized enterprises and startups are building applications on digital platforms, he emphasised.

From a European perspective, Yves Vanderstraeten, vice-chairman of the Digital Sector Committee at EuroCham, stressed that Vietnam is advancing rapidly, with strong momentum in its digital economy and online trade. He noted that the Vietnamese government has shown clear commitment to digital transformation.

The UN e-government index shows Vietnam rising 15 places, from 86 to 71, which is the proof of strong commitment and tangible progress achieved in a relatively short time, he said.

EuroChams quarterly surveys show that European investor confidence in Vietnam is significantly higher than two years ago. We remain very optimistic about future investment opportunities, he added.

From an enterprise standpoint, Hoang Van Ngoc, chief of the strategy division at Viettel, identified four major trends currently shaping the landscape of Vietnams digital economy.

First is the AI-isation of everything, which is driving the digital economy. Second is the rise of data: data extraction, analysis, utilisation, and building ecosystems around data. Third is the shift to cloud computing. And fourth is innovation across digital platforms and data-driven ecosystems, Ngoc stated.

Hoang Van Ngoc, chief of the strategy division at Viettel

Reflecting on Vietnams position in the global digital era, the Viettel representative described Vietnam as one of the fastest-growing digital transformation nations. The government aims for the digital economy to contribute 30 per cent of GDP, and Vietnams annual digital-economy growth rate of 25-30 per cent is among the highest in the region.

Vietnam enjoys several advantages: a dynamic and open government committed to institutional reform; a large and expanding base of digital subscribers; and one of the most advanced telecommunications infrastructures in the world. Viettel alone will operate 28,000 5G stations by the end of 2025, with 90 per cent population coverage, the representative noted.

Vietnam also has strong IT talent, and importantly, we have transitioned from being digital-product consumers to digital-product creators, with the potential to export these solutions, Ngoc added.

Sharing the perspective of another major telecom-digital enterprise, Le Xuan Son, deputy general director of VNPT-IT, emphasised the central role of human capital in executing the digital-economy agenda.

Vietnam can now be fully confident about its infrastructure. Issues such as submarine cable incidents have greatly diminished, and cybersecurity remains secure. The newly issued resolutions act as a powerful catalyst: Resolution 57 serves as the locomotive guiding technological direction, Resolution 66 provides the institutional railway tracks, Resolution 69 supports international integration, and Resolution 68 empowers private-sector dynamism. Together, they form a machine driving digital economic development, he said.

Le Xuan Son, deputy general director of VNPT-IT

However, Son also acknowledged existing limitations that must be addressed. For instance, Vietnams sandbox mechanisms remain underdeveloped, and while Made in Vietnam digital platforms are encouraged, their presence remains limited.

In our view, digital economy progress cannot be measured merely by internet penetration or GDP growth. The digital economy is fundamentally data-driven; when data becomes a core asset and is effectively governed, growth potential becomes immense. Technology provides the tools, but people are the decisive factor in execution, Son noted, adding that human capability will determine the success of the four strategic resolutions.

Bui Kim Thuy, vice-president of the President Club, noted that while citizens may not fully grasp the conceptual details of the four resolutions, they clearly perceive the outcomes: Vietnams internet and 5G quality is among the worlds best, yet prices remain among the lowest.

Nearly all citizens have access to high-speed internet, including free access in many public spaces. This leaves a very positive impression among both domestic users and foreign experts, she said.

Discussing sandbox implementation under the new resolutions, Thuy pointed out the unique challenges facing state-owned enterprises.

The dual mandate of generating business results while fulfilling state responsibilities means they cannot take risks the way private firms can. In a recent discussion with leaders of a major state-owned economic group, they noted that private firms can operate at a loss for years, whereas a single year of losses would be disastrous for SOEs. This makes sandbox experimentation extremely difficult without special mechanisms approved by the government or the Politburo, Thuy stated.

She further emphasised the critical importance of 5G, calling it the backbone of the digital economy.

Many large corporations are already deploying 5G to optimise real-time production. Vietnams top enterprises are surpassing national standards in technology adoption. The biggest challenge now lies within small- and medium-sized enterprises, where digital technology adoption remains limited, creating significant disparities in implementation capacity, she added.

Overview of the panel discussion

Empowering digital economy growth in new era A conference on the digital economy is taking place this morning (November 25) featuring a policy dialogue between government agencies and the business community, offering a platform for stakeholders to share concerns and explore cooperation opportunities.

AI and 5G harnessed to revolutionise healthcare The convergence of AI and 5G is transforming healthcare, enabling innovations that enhance connectivity, efficiency, and patient-centred care, as heard at a VIR conference in Hanoi on November 25.
The country faces substantial financing needs for infrastructure, with obstacles related to procedures, risk allocation, and tolling mechanisms underscoring the demand for technical assistance and legal reforms. In recent years, the government has strengthened the legal and institutional frameworks for PPPs, clarifying the private sectors role in addressing infrastructure gaps and improving public service delivery.

Nguyen Thi Linh Giang, head of the PPP Office under the Public Procurement Agency, Ministry of Finance

At an event held on November 25 in Hanoi, Nguyen Thi Linh Giang, head of the PPP Office under the Public Procurement Agency, the Ministry of Finance, said that the 2020 PPP Law, together with amendments made in 2024 and 2025 and a system of guiding decrees, has created a unified legal foundation for effectively managing projects across multiple sectors.

Specifically, in 2025, Law No.90/2025/QH15 on PPP Law revision was approved. Since then, three decrees and several circulars have been issued this year, including Decree No.180/2025/ND-CP, Decree No.243/2025/ND-CP, and Decree No.257/2025/ND-CP.

She outlined several key features of the current PPP legal framework: the range of eligible investor sectors has been expanded to mobilise resources; investment size limits under PPP modalities have been removed; procedures for project preparation and investor selection have been simplified; powers have been decentralised and delegated; the cap on state capital participation in PPP projects has been increased; and provisions for Build-Transfer projects, including mechanisms to address premature contract termination, have been introduced.

In 2025 alone, 15 projects have been approved and 50 are under preparation, said Giang, highlighting the current implementation status of the PPP Law and a pipeline that includes transport (aviation, roads, seaports), IT, public amenities, water supply and drainage, wastewater treatment, solid-waste treatment, and healthcare.

Investment needs for transport infrastructure in 2026-2030 are estimated at nearly $120 billion. To meet this demand, mobilising capital through PPPs is essential.

Before the Law on PPP was enacted in 2020, Vietnam had mobilised about $12.7 billion to invest in 140 build-operate-transfer (BOT) transport projects.

Since the law took effect, the Ministry of Construction and localities have been implementing around 16 BOT projects with an estimated total investment of $17.6 billion. Of this, private investors are expected to mobilise around $9.2 billion, while the state contributes about $8.4 billion, at about 51 per cent of total investment.

To meet the goal of achieving 5,000km of expressways by 2030, as set out in the 13th Party Congress Resolution, the Ministry of Construction and localities are finalising procedures to upgrade and expand several expressway projects to full-scale standards through PPP. These include 18 sections of the Eastern North-South Expressway (1,144km) and several gateways to major urban centres.

The Directorate for Roads of Vietnam (DRVN) also identifies significant potential to commercialise state-funded public assets. Under the Road Law, toll collection is permitted on expressways invested in, owned, and managed by the state. Consequently, leveraging these expressways through PPP-based concession models covering toll collection, operations, and maintenance is considered a viable approach.

However, the DRVN reported that despite certain achievements, the investment climate for PPPs in the transport sector remains affected. BOT projects developed before the PPP Law still face legal inconsistencies. And adjustments to laws, policies, and planning based on evolving realities have created complications for several existing projects.

Given these challenges, the Ministry of Construction has proposed that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) support project preparation and strengthen financial viability. Specifically, they should provide manuals or share international experience on financial structuring, risk allocation, standard contracts, and revenue-sharing mechanisms; organise training courses and overseas study tours on PPP project preparation, appraisal, investor selection, and contract management.

At the conference, experts highlighted notable international PPP examples, including the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the Philippines. The Philippine government sought to improve airport operations by expanding and modernising the facility under a rehabilitate-operate-expand-transfer model. The scheme mobilised $2.1 billion in private capital, increased annual passenger capacity to 62 million, and raised runway throughput from 42 to 48 movements per hour.

A representative of the Centre for National E-Procurement at the Public Procurement Agency presented Vietnams e-GP scheme as a case study of PPP-driven innovation in digital transformation. Launched nationwide in 2016, the system followed a master plan and roadmap for 20162025.

In 2020, a BOT contract was signed with FPT Information System to develop a new e-GP platform, aiming for all bidding packages  and at least 95 per cent of contract value  to be processed electronically from 2025 onward. The new system replaced the previous platform in 2022.

Since 2021, the updated e-GP system has been used for all domestic open tenders in goods and civil works. From 2023, the Asian Development Banks electronic bidding modules have been widely deployed for goods and civil-works packages, and the old system has been fully discontinued.

In the afternoon session, discussions focused on three priority areas: enhancing investor attractiveness for transport PPP projects; strengthening capital mobilisation for urban transport development under transit-oriented development models; and expanding PPP applications in digital transformation, innovation, and social infrastructure, including healthcare and education.

Experts explained that successful PPPs require robust project preparation, including careful structuring, risk allocation, and financial modelling, alongside improved transparency, standardised procedures, and financial mechanisms that make projects appealing to private investors.

PPPs in science and technology pave way for private investment New mechanisms are opening up the door for the private sector in science and technology and digital transformation in the form of public-private partnerships (PPPs).

PPP rules to power Vietnams innovation Unprecedented regulations on public-private partnerships in the science and technology sector are expected to accelerate innovation and digital transformation across Vietnams business community.

Regulatory tailwinds impact aviation PPPs More opportunities are expected to open for private investors in the aviation sector as the country prepares to introduce regulatory support for a publicprivate mechanism, though further enhancements will be required.
At the panel discussion 'Smart Logistics and Seaports Linked to Dual-Transformation Goals', held during the 2025 Autumn Economic Forum in Ho Chi Minh City on November 26, business leaders and policymakers highlighted how careful planning and modern technologies could position Vietnam at the forefront of regional logistics.

Photo: Trong Tin

According to Benoit de Quillacq, CEO of MSC Vietnam, part of the MSC Group, a major global shipping and logistics company, reducing carbon emissions and digitising operations are crucial. Our company is also developing new, greener fleets. These transformations aim to enhance competitiveness and build resilience in trade, he said. If you put yourself in the shoes of a customer or a global shipping company, you want your container to depart and arrive in Vietnam directly and on time. That requires strong connectivity from deepwater ports and logistics hubs.

In the South, the Cai Mep area currently connects to Ho Chi Minh Citys inland container depots via inland waterways. However, the transit time from Cai Mep to the city centre can be as long as the transit time from Singapore to Cai Mep. This is a key issue Vietnam must address.

It is essential to ensure that barges operate on schedule for smooth cargo flow. Domestic connectivity is as important as offshore connectivity; if the domestic network is congested, the entire supply chain collapses, de Quillacq noted.

Vietnam is competing with major Asian ports such as Shanghai and Singapore. At present, only two container ports in Vietnam can receive ultra-large vessels. This is positive, but still insufficient, given the continued market growth and increasing vessel size.

We want to bring even larger vessels to Vietnam, and to achieve that, ports must have adequate capabilities and capacity. Vietnam need not be just a transshipment port, it can be a direct port of call delivering goods straight to customers, de Quillacq added.

However, hosting mega vessels requires ports designed with efficient connectivity for feeder vessels and barges.

Benjamin Lim, senior director of Strategy at YCH Group, a Singapore-based supply chain and logistics company, also believes Vietnam has the potential and opportunity to become a major connectivity hub. YCH Group has shifted its strategy towards developing super ports. We established an office in Hanoi because we clearly see Vietnams potential, he said.

Lim explained that a super port must integrate multimodal transport. Relying solely on road transport is insufficient. To achieve this, infrastructure must support seamless intermodal connectivity.

Regarding workers, YCH helps Vietnam enhance capacity through specialised training systems. The company recruits Vietnamese students from universities and trains them in Singapore for nine months in fields such as warehouse management, knowledge that is not fully taught in university classrooms, before bringing them back to work in Vietnams logistics industry.

Bui Xuan Cuong, vice chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee, believes with global digital and green transformation accelerating, logistics and seaports play a crucial role in enhancing national competitiveness, ensuring smooth supply chains, and fostering sustainable development.

As the countrys largest economic hub, Ho Chi Minh City plays a significant role in the regional logistics network. It is also the largest maritime and trade gateway connecting Vietnam with the world, he said.

The city is focusing on developing a modern, smart, and green logistics ecosystem linked to key port clusters such as Cai Mep, Cat Lai, and Hiep Phuoc (Thi Vai area). A highlight is the Can Gio International Transshipment Port, a strategic undertaking expected to be a major breakthrough in the citys marine economy.

The city is also synchronising logistics infrastructure planning, applying digital and AI technologies, and cutting carbon emissions to meet green port standards. At the same time, it is boosting regional connectivity and publicprivate partnerships to develop regional logistics centres effectively linked with seaports and industrial zones across the city and surrounding areas.

From todays ideas, we can work together to form concrete projects, practical initiatives, and long-term cooperation schemes. These will help Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City become a green, smart, and digitally connected logistics centre for the entire region, said Cuong.

Dang Minh Phuong, chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Logistics and Port Association, noted that Vietnams logistics sector has grown rapidly, contributing about 45 per cent to GDP. The sector has maintained an annual growth rate of 1416 per cent from 2007 to 2023.

"The seaport economy is currently valued at around $52 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach $72 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6 per cent," she said.

In the Logistics Performance Index, Vietnam ranks 43rd among 139 countries and fifth in ASEAN. By 2030, Vietnams logistics and freight sector is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.7 per cent.

Overall, although progress has been uneven, the sector continues to develop. We are improving efficiency and aligning more closely with international standards, achieving stronger competitiveness, said Phuong.

Phuong noted that green logistics and digitalisation align well with Vietnams national policies. Vietnam has the opportunity to make significant leaps by adopting smart port technologies and green infrastructure to enhance competitiveness.

These opportunities reflect Vietnams rapid rise on the global trade map and its readiness to move into a higher stage of development.

However, infrastructure capacity and chronic traffic congestion remain major bottlenecks. Many key routes still suffer persistent congestion.

Therefore, with a vision towards 20302035 to build a more modern, greener, and more competitive port and logistics system, three foundational pillars must be emphasised: world-class infrastructure and connectivity; green and sustainable development; and a smart, digital ecosystem, Phuong said.

Phuong added that these three pillars will shape Vietnams logistics system to become greener and smarter by 2030.

To realise this vision, port planning must align with port development strategies, logistics corridors, and industrial expansion to reduce congestion and improve efficiency, she added.

She also stressed the need to promote publicprivate partnerships and engage private investment. Vietnam needs greater investment in logistics and regional infrastructure, and private-sector participation is essential.

Ice-Loft targets development of a smart cold chain model The ambition of Belgian cold chain enterprise Ice-Loft to build a smart cold logistics system in Vietnam would complete logistics services and redirect the nations main fruit exports to Europe and the Middle East, which are showing great demand for tropical fruit varieties.
Vietnams digital economy continues its upward trend as gross merchandise value (GMV) is projected to reach $39 billion in 2025, up from $34 billion in 2024.

E-commerce maintains its leading role, rising 17 per cent to $25 billion. Transport and food continues its trajectory as it jumps 20 per cent to $5 billion. Online travel is set to increase 16 per cent to $4 billion, while online media is expected to grow 16 per cent to $6 billion.

The report said Vietnams economy has demonstrated strong resilience, largely powered by a dynamic private sector. Primary growth engines are robust export growth, fuelled by significant foreign investment in manufacturing, and a double-digit expansion in domestic retail sales.

The State Bank of Vietnam has delivered crucial support in the form of a flexible monetary policy that has maintained macroeconomic stability, it added. The effective partnership between private-sector vigour and supportive governance has enabled the country to successfully navigate global economic headwinds.

As part of a national digital transformation agenda, Vietnam has rolled out electronic IDs for all residents and businesses, streamlining access to online public services. Banks have recently completed a comprehensive verification of all digital payment accounts, an initiative that has standardised customer information and significantly curbed fraud. The passage of new laws on digital technology and data provides fresh incentives for tech firms while establishing robust legal frameworks for digital assets, AI, and data usage.

Merchant adoption of cashless options and the growth of active e-wallet accounts to 30 million set off a surge in non-cash and VietQR payments in 2024, towards a target of 80 per cent cashless transactions in e-commerce by 2030. As of this year, QR payments in Vietnam are fully interoperable with those in Thailand and Cambodia, creating new potential for tourism and economic flows between the nations.

According to the report, Vietnamese users rank first in Southeast Asia for AI engagement and trust, leading in daily interactions and willingness to share data for personalised experiences. Some 81 per cent of Vietnamese respondents say they interact with AI tools and features every day, while nearly 60 per cent say they have conversations with and ask questions of AI chatbots. Meanwhile, half of users say they expect AI to make decisions faster and with less mental effort.

Vietnams video commerce market has sustainable foundations, as seller and transaction numbers grow in lockstep. In 2025, Vietnam is home to 650,000 video commerce sellers and stores, a surge of 60 per cent on-year. Meanwhile, transaction volume is expected to reach $1.3 billion, an increase of 60 per cent on-year.

The top 10 video commerce sellers per category drive 20 per cent of the total category. The average order value ranges between $5.50 and $7 per order. Fashion and accessories take the lead in video commerce GMV, followed by beauty and personal care, phone electronics, and everyday supplies.

Empowering digital economy growth in new era A conference on the digital economy is taking place this morning (November 25) featuring a policy dialogue between government agencies and the business community, offering a platform for stakeholders to share concerns and explore cooperation opportunities.

VIR conference targets the next wave of digital growth VIR is set to host a major conference on Vietnams digital economy, bringing together policymakers, international organisations, and business leaders.
Wrexham.com has invited the four North Wales Members of the Senedd to write a monthly column with updates on their work. You can find their updates  along with contributions from the local representatives  here.

In this months column for Wrexham.com, Welsh Labour MS Carolyn Thomas writes:

It has been a revealing few weeks in Welsh and UK politics. In this column, Ill touch on how some stories show what committed, grassroots campaigning can achieve, whilst others show exactly why integrity in public life matters more than ever.

I want to start with something positive. After months of working alongside disability advocates and directly supporting residents through a stressful and often dehumanising process, I am delighted that the Welsh Government, in response to our campaigning, has now confirmed a significant reform of how Blue Badge renewals will be handled for people with lifelong conditions.

For years, constituents told me the same thing: Why am I being asked to constantly prove a condition that will never change?

It was frustrating, time-consuming, and in some cases, humiliating. Many were left with expired Blue Badges and whilst waiting for their renewal to be processed, were subject to multiple penalty charge notices.

Working closely with Stand North Wales CIC, a social enterprise that supports disabled people and carers, and with Mark Isherwood, the Chair of the Cross-Party Group on Disability, we pressed for a simple, compassionate fix: the adoption of a not for reassessment marker on local authority databases.

This would mean that people with permanent conditions wouldnt have to jump through endless hoops every few years to prove their disability.

Im pleased that in response to my questioning at First Ministers Questions this week, Eluned Morgan has confirmed that this approach is now being reinforced nationwide, with updated guidance and training for local authorities, who are responsible for administering Blue Badges. Renewals for those with lifelong diagnoses will soon require only ID, proof of address, and an up-to-date photo.

This is a real win for disabled people in Wrexham and across North Wales, and a reminder that respectful, cross-party cooperation can deliver meaningful change.

Whilst some of us have been trying to make life a little easier for people, others have been providing us all with a reminder of how not to behave.

This week, the former leader of Reform UK in Wales, and former Member of the Senedd for North Wales, Nathan Gill, was sentenced to more than a decade in prison for taking bribes from Russia whilst a Member of the European Parliament.

This is the same party that lectures about British values and tries to blame refugees, migrants, and anyone different for all of societys problems. Yet while they point the finger outwards, their own senior figures were acting as assets for a hostile foreign power.

If it werent so serious, it would be laughable. Instead, it is a stark lesson in why reckless rhetoric is no substitute for ethics  and why those shouting the loudest about patriotism are often the ones treating our country with the least respect.

On the face of it, these two stories  a fairer system for Blue Badge users, and a political scandal involving foreign bribes  might seem unrelated. But for me, they illustrate the same fundamental truth:

Politics is at its best when we focus on the real needs of communities, making peoples lives easier, safer, and fairer.

And politics is at its worst when it becomes a platform for division, distraction, and self-interest.

My priority will always be on the former.

If you have any thoughts on these issues  please do get in touch: